Lifestyle
7 Things you can do this weekend: 2 – 3 June 2018
We've hit the middle of the year!

31.05.2018
By Rachel Au

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

1. Mystery Guest Bartender at Pahit, 9pm – 12am, 1 June
Who can say no to Friday night drinks? A mystery guest bartender will be at Pahit this Friday and we hear he mixes some killer drinks. There will also be a special menu where it’ll be around RM38 nett per drink.
For more info, visit their event page.

2. PMC x myBurgerLab Collab Launch Party at myBurgerLab HQ, 7pm, 2 June
Pestle & Mortar Clothing and myBurgerLab have two things to celebrate this Saturday—the launch of “The Running Mess” collaboration t-shirts that are tied to the anniversary of mBL’s flagship burger, The Beautiful Mess. They’ll be donating 50 per cent of the proceeds to the welfare home Agathians Shelter.
For more info, visit their event page.

3. La Dida Vol. 2 at Slate @ The Row, 3pm – 12am, 2 June | 3pm – 10pm, 3 June
Dida is back with their second curated market where you’ll find selections of beauty products, fashion items, food and many more.
For more info, visit their event page.

4. Riuh Raya at APW Bangsar, 4pm – 12am, 2 & 3 June
KL’s popular market is back and they’re bringing some of the best Raya vibes. Buka puasa there (there will an Imam coordinating prayers on location), stock up your Raya supplies—be it cakes, cookies, festive fashion or household items—and enjoy a teaser of the upcoming Good Vibes Festival.
For more info, visit their event page.

5. Alley Rush Raya Edition at The Gasket Alley, 5pm – 12am, 2 & 3 June
Another part of town, another market and they’re calling it the 50 Shades of Green Raya Edition. Head over there to buka puasa, enjoy Raya shopping and immerse in the atmosphere filled with Malay oldies tunes.
For more info, visit their event page.

6. Shop at The Gardens Mall for a cause, 1 – 24 June
Raya is a time of giving and remembering the less fortunate. The Gardens Mall is doing their part by linking up with Teach for Malaysia. Shoppers who spend RM900 (RM800 for The Gardens Club members or Standard Chartered credit cardholders) and above in a single receipt* at any The Gardens Mall’s specialty stores will receive a pot of orchids. And for each of this redemption, The Gardens Mall will donate RM5 to Teach For Malaysia.
For more info, visit their Facebook.

7. Start planning a staycation
We recently did a hotel review on Alila Bangsar so in case you’re interested, head over here.

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Best-dressed at the VMAs

Fashion
Best-dressed at the VMAs
And the award goes to...

31.08.2015
By Buro247

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

The MTV Video Music Awards is like the kooky younger sister of the red carpet world. She hasn’t quite found her fashion feet yet and often dresses to provoke. But amidst the copious amounts of flesh on display, the plunging necklines and some serious “what were they thinking” moments (plus Miley Cyrus’ borderline insanity), there were a few standout starlets who rocked the red carpet. Here are seven who made us smile instead of cringe.
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”VMA Best dressed” rid=”3268″ order=”a_tstamp”}

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Travel
YTL Hotels opens The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui and it’s gorgeous
Embrace the Samui way of life

05.10.2017
By Rachel Au

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Any place in Southeast Asia would make a great quick getaway. If Koh Samui is on your upcoming travel plans, know that The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui is now open and it holds a treasure chest of experiences that will intrigue you.

For starters, the resort, with 175 suites and pool villas, is nestled amid 58 acres of a former coconut plantation with an extensive oceanfront. As such, thought has been put into the design of the resort to combine contemporary architecture with the use of coconut and other natural materials such as ceramics to pay homage to the once-upon-a-time site. The result: A modern tropical charm.

Whether the aim for your getaway is to rejuvenate or to explore (or both), The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui offers something for everyone. Relax easily at Spa Village Koh Samui with its eight treatment suites, three massage pavilions, a yoga pavilion, health bar and a lap pool with intimate cabanas. On top of that, try out the Songkran Shower, a signature pre-spa ritual inspired by the annual Songkran festival.

Feeling adventurous? There’s a Muay Thai Gym where guests can learn the martial art with trained instructors; a curated journey combining a local market visit and southern Thai cooking class; and the one-of-a-kind temperate Swim Reef within the resort with over 50 species of fish. The Swim Reef is the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia and offers unique snorkelling and fish-feeding experiences. There are also two white sand beaches, a beachside resort pool, a water sports centre and two floodlit tennis courts. If you’re travelling with kids, The Ritz Kids programme will keep them entertained throughout the stay.

As for those with a large appetite for culinary offerings, there are seven dining experiences available with most of them synchronising with the flavours of southern Thai soul food. Last but not least, the Sala Thai, an elevated pavilion overlooking the Gulf of Thailand for wedding events (anyone looking for a destination wedding photographer?).

The opening of the resort joins YTL Hotels’ current portfolio in Thailand which includes The Surin Phuket and the luxurious Eastern & Oriental Express that travels from Singapore to Thailand.

For more info, visit The Ritz-Carlton Koh Samui’s website.

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The Ritz-Carlton Langkawi is almost ready for you

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Demna Gvasalia is leaving Vetements

Style
Demna Gvasalia is leaving Vetements

16.09.2019
By Joan Kong

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It’s official: Georgian designer is stepping down from Zurich-based brand Vetements—the brand he co-founded five years ago. While it’s a move we didn’t see coming, anything can happen in the fashion world these days. In a statement released exclusively to WWD, Demna’s brother Guram Gvasalia who is the co-founder and CEO of Vetements, said: “Vetements has always been a collective of creative minds. We will continue to push the boundaries even further, respecting codes and the authentic values of the brand, and keep on supporting honest creativity and genuine talent. What Demna has accomplished over the past few years represents a key chapter in the story of Vetements. We are very grateful to Demna for having contributed to the great momentum of the house.”
The designer added, “I started Vetements because I was bored of fashion and against all odds fashion did change once and forever since Vetements appeared and it also opened a new door for so many. So I feel that I have accomplished my mission of a conceptualist and design innovator at this exceptional brand and Vetements has matured into a company that can evolve its creative heritage into a new chapter on its own.” Demna will continue his role as the creative director of Balenciaga, as the fashion house is scheduled to show its Spring/Summer 2020 collection during Paris Fashion Week end of the month.
Stay tuned for more updates.

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Beauty
Buro 24/7 Exclusive: Creating David Koma AW16’s sci-fi beauty look
Futuristic allure

22.02.2016
By Su Fen Tan

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

First off, the skin is left as bare as possible. Gallimore prepped the skin with NARS Optimal Brightening Concentrate and moisturising cream, using a little bit of tinted moisturiser and concealer only when needed. “We’re trying to be as real as we can”, says Gallimore. “Lips are balmed, and brows are groomed with just clear gel. No mascara—we’re not even curling the lashes, so it’s just this tiny little accent on the eye”.

Using the NARS Kohliner (for longer staying power), the accent is done on the inner two-thirds of the eye, giving it a slight elongation on the inner corner rather that the outside. The result has an “ever so slightly sci-fi feel to it, but is still very young, beautiful and fresh”. Minimalistic with a futuristic edge, the look complemented David Koma AW16’s geometric aesthetics with ease.

Related stories:
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3 Foundations you can count on for flawless skin

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Technology
App-tastic: 5 Apps you should download in July 2019

26.07.2019
By Ronn Tan

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Miley Cyrus once sang turn up your gratitude, turn down your attitude but she never mentioned app-titude. Every month, new apps are released into the wild world. They include new games, photo editors, daily planners, cooking recipes, and travel guides, among many others. With a plethora of choices to download from, you might have missed some that you never knew you needed. For the month of July, let’s look at a roundup of some of the latest additions (sans FaceApp).
1. Gucci

While Gucci’s app isn’t new, the introduction of Gucci Arcade to the app is. The Italian fashion house plans to involve its customers in a new dimension with the products and codes of the brand. One of the games you can play is Gucci Ace, which aims to explore decades of the iconic Gucci Ace sneaker. There are three levels to the game—8-bit retro gaming of the past to the era of console gaming to a focus on mobile gaming. Hence, representing different eras in gaming.
iOS | Android
2. Dota Underlords

If you have played or heard of Dota, this is one app that will interest you. With battles happening automatically, all you have to do is overcome your opponent’s selection. How? By buying and positioning the right combination of units. Hone your skills with offline mode or select the crossplay experience to battle players across the globe.
iOS | Android
3. #Drive

This game takes the simple Endless Runner genre and steers it into a fun direction. Explore vivid landscapes in a 1970s Trueno-style car. You don’t want to ever stop moving so you will have to collect coins and always make sure to watch your fuel. Game on, accelerate and #Drive!
iOS | Android
4. Adobe Premiere Rush

If you want to quickly and easily edit videos on the go, Adobe’s latest offering is perfect for you. Image files, video, and audio are all supported. Get it as part of the Creative Cloud subscription or as a premium version for $10 a month (approximately RM41). However, you can also use it for free—with restrictions, of course.
iOS | Android
5. Jotform

This is the app for you if you want to create a form right from the comforts of your phone. You can customise the forms with different templates. What’s on your mind? A questionnaire? A booking form? The possibilities are endless. Embed and Email are some of the standard options that come with the app.
iOS | Android

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Fashion
Watch: All the highlights from our #BuroTurnsTwo bus trip last week
Too cool for school

20.07.2017
By Su Fen Tan

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

Last week, we took the cool kids out on a bus trip in town as a pre-celebration before our #BuroTurnsTwo party. The Class of ’17 in attendance for the trip include Jane Chuck, Ashley Lau, Cherrie Liong, Juwei Teoh, and Bella Kuan among many others. Our mode of transportation for the day? The eye-catching Buro Double Decker bus, perfect for a little sightseeing given the great weather. After everyone gathered at the meeting point, we set out to Pavilion KL for an exciting day out of fun and pampering. Our mini trip started off with an ice cream and coffee pitstop at Coach, then it was off to the Dior beauty boutique for a little bit of shopping and games, before concluding the afternoon with a high-tea session at the exclusive Buro Café.

Don’t miss out on all the best parts from the Buro bus trip here:

Related stories:
#BuroTurnsTwo: Back to school with a bang
#BuroTurnsTwo: Onboard the Buro Double Decker for a ride about town
#BuroTurnsTwo Giveaway: Do you think you are too cool for school?

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News
7 Fun things you can do in KL this weekend: 26 & 27 October 2019

23.10.2019
By Ronn Tan

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

1. Genji Lunch Buffet Special at Hilton Petaling Jaya, 27 October 2019
If you’re missing your experiences in Japan or just crave Japanese cuisine, the lunch buffet in the hotel’s restaurant, Genji, might be perfect for you. Priced at RM119 nett per person, feast on a wide variety of fresh oysters, sashimi, sushi, assorted maki, grilled eel, teppanyaki, and tempura. Available on Sundays, you also get complimentary pool usage.
For more information and to make reservations, call 03 7955 9122 or email [email protected].
2. Magnum Mansion at Sunway Pyramid, 10am – 10pm, 26 & 27 October 2019
Head over to the Blue Concourse of the mall this weekend for the first ever Magnum Mansion in Malaysia. Inspired by the brand’s latest flavour, Macadamia Salted Caramel, the pop-up will take you through a multi-sensorial experience—from 24 to 28 October. Magnum has teamed up with three local M-bassadors, Amelia Henderson, Azira Shafinaz, and Kittie Yiyi. They will bring pleasure to life in the form of a majestic Magnum Mansion by embodying Travel, Music and Fashion respectively in a series of immersive on-ground activities.
For more information and to register, visit this website.
3. Wet Sessions featuring Jody Wisternoff at W Kuala Lumpur, 26 October 2019
He will be making his return to Wet Deck this Saturday! Jody has an impressive list of achievements since Way Out West—climbing the heights of iTunes, gaining a healthy Spotify following, remixing Above & Beyond and Lane8, as well as maintaining a steady solo release schedule. Get ready to be impressed!
For more information, visit this website.
4. Game On Pop Up Market at Sunway Velocity Mall, 10am – 10pm, 26 & 27 October 2019
Art+ D will be hosting another creative pop-up this weekend. There will be challenging activities as well as clothing, artisan creators, and crafts.
For more information, visit this website.
5. Tapaufest 2019 at The Gasket Alley, 9am – 12am, 26 October 2019
This Saturday, take the opportunity to visit the comeback of Malaysia’s indie culture and community festival. Performers include the likes of Milo Dinosaur, Midnight Fusic, Bittersweet, Lucy In The Loo, Mafidz, Lust, Airliftz x Lunadira, and Iqbal M.
For more information, visit this website.
6. Taste of Diwali buffet at Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur, 6pm – 10.30pm, 27 October 2019
Head over to JP Teres to celebrate the Festival of Lights. How? Sous Chef Sanjay will be curating a buffet with selections of traditional Northern Indian cuisine. Expect tawa subzi, freshly cooked stir-fried vegetables with choices of onion, tomato or cashew nut gravy, and jaleb. The buffet is priced at RM70 nett per adult and is inclusive of free flow of hibiscus iced tea and teh tarik.
For more information, visit this website.
7. Try Indian cuisine that isn’t mamak.
We have compiled a list of some of the top Indian restaurants to check out here.

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MFW SS16: Marni

Fashion
MFW SS16: Marni
Pinafores, prints, paillettes and endless possibilities

27.09.2015
By Buro247

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

I think everyone wants to be a Marni girl. She’s experimental but not weird, cool but never affected, quirky but not annoyingly so. Her understanding of colour, texture and proportion is spot on, but she gets when she has to dial it all back and show a little restraint. Fashion tact, if you will. And when it comes down to knowing exactly the right thing to do, Consuelo Castiglioni is the designer par excellence.
Her masterful hand ensures that despite clashing colours, overblown prints and paillettes, the end product is a seamless blend of grace, interest, sophistication and something indescribably Marni. Summertime layering has never looked this good: super-wide pants with tunic tops under dresses and leather pinafores— the collection had it all. Stacked lacquer bracelets were built with heft: they had to be in order to hold their own against the vibrant clothes. But it was a pool of black at the very end that sent hearts racing. Nothing changed bar the vivid colour palette. The silhouettes, technique and assembly were all quintesssential Marni but the startling rendition in stark black was the collection’s loudest punctuation. It said: less is more.
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Men's
The most luxurious unisex perfumes to add to your fragrance stash this month

20.08.2019
By Wei Yeen Loh

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A perfume that ranks high in our list doesn’t just smell enticing to boot—it comes with a story as captivating as the olfactory notes in its composition. Three of our editors’ picks this month aren’t made for your nose only—but also your significant other, especially if you love fragrances that are gender-fluid in nature.
Ahead, our favourite unisex (and luxurious) perfumes to splurge on:
Original, Eight & Bob

“The Original is more than a perfume, it’s a masterpiece by the late Albert Fouquet, the son of a Parisian aristocrat in the early twentieth century and a self-taught perfume connoisseur, who developed his very own scents in his family chateau with the help of his family butler.
This scent, which was famously worn by J.F.K, is a refreshing mix of woody base notes and refreshing top notes of pink pepper, cardamom and lemon. The result? A timeliness, wearable and intriguing scent that blurs gender lines and is something I would personally wear for day or night—perfect if you’re not a fan of sweet, feminine scents.
If you’re new to Eight & Bob, you’ll also love the fascinating backstory to how it got its name—hint: it involves The Kennedys, old Hollywood glamour, superstars and a little drama dating back to World War II before being known as one of the most exclusive colognes ever made.” — Terry Saw, Editor-in-Chief
Original, EDP, RM949 for 100ml, exclusively available at Kensapothecary
No. 11 de Sacha, Henry Jacques

“Renowned French bespoke fragrance house Henry Jacques has landed on our shores with a new boutique in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, offering its perfumes that are made with pure natural essences and very little alcohol content. The family-owned perfume house is known for using rare ingredients for its fragrances, including Bulgarian rose, iris—commanding a price of approximately EUR155,000 per kg—and oud.
What’s great about Henry Jacques perfumes is that it’s never specifically catered for men and/or women. One of its unisex fragrances that caught my attention is No. 11 de Sacha—a unique olfactory composition made of bergamot, lemon verbena, lavender with jasmine, neroli and a musky amber base.
The citrus notes were noticeable at first whiff, and I personally love anything with bergamot, but the kicker came in the form of a heady blend of amber, benzoin and cloves. Definitely one of those scents that I’d wear when I’m feeling adventurous.” – Loh Wei Yeen, Beauty Editor
RM2,360 for 15ml, available at Henry Jacques, L2.54.00, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur
Le Gemme Opalon Eau de Parfum, Bulgari

“Bvlgari’s Le Gemme collection for men takes after the women’s lineup of the same range, this time inspired by masculine gemstones that are symbolic in nature. Each bottle from this range is decked with (and named by) a semi-precious gemstone, inculding Opalon (White Opal), Yasep (Red Jasper) and Falkar (Falcon’s Eye).
Out of the three, Opalon is my personal favourite for its clean, Oriental woody notes. From the charming matte black bottle to the studded cap, this fragrance is a stunner in its own right. Paying homage to the white Australian Opal—a symbol of purity, wisdom and good fortune, Opalon is one scent that unfurls beautifully to show different facets with time.
Notes of neroli, tonka, ginger and a heady twist of white musk give it a fresh redolence, but the captivating trait about it is the way it transforms on the skin. I love how it started off clean and powdery, while the ambergris drydown came through a few hours later for a musky finish. Perfect for day to night—especially if you’re planning to make an entrance.” – Loh Wei Yeen, Beauty Editor
RM1,261 for 100ml, available at Bvlgari boutiques in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, Suria KLCC, and at Bvlgari Parfums counters at Parkson Elite Pavilion and Isetan KLCC

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Food + Drink
5 Must-visit cafes in Sabah for your brunch and dessert fix
A sweet time

22.09.2022
By Marissa Chin

PHOTO: @araiaaliyka / Instagram | PHOTO: @chanellecsy / Instagram | PHOTO: @coastalcoffeeclub / Instagram

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

Sabah may be known for delicious dishes like Ngiu Chap (beef noodle soup) and Ayam Bambangan (chicken with local mango), but that’s not all they have to offer in the local dining scene. The cafe culture has been blooming in recent years all over the country—and East Malaysia is no exception. Below, we’ve gleaned five of the best cafes in Sabah to have on your radar the next time you visit.

Nook Cafe

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One of the most popular cafes in Kota Kinabalu, Nook Cafe is exactly what the name implies: warm, cosy and inviting. With a boho-like aesthetic featuring beautiful rattan furniture and potted plants, the interior is perfect for lounging about, whether you’re there for a sip of coffee or a proper meal. Regulars swear by Nook Cafe’s homemade sourdough bread, hailing it the best in KK, so don’t miss out on trying their sourdough sandwiches. The menu also includes burgers, pastas and the like for those looking for heartier meals. For drinks, their Earl Grey Chocolate and Dirty Chai Latte are crowd favourites.

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Address: 19, Lorong Dewan, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Opening hours: 8am to 9pm daily
Contact: 012 866 3900
Facebook | Instagram

Coastal Coffee Club

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With its pastel colour palette and soft Korean-cafe aesthetic, Coastal Coffee Club offers an oasis of calm for patrons looking for an easy breezy time. The quaint cafe serves a perfect pairing of coffee and homemade cake that look (almost) too good to eat. Selections include seasonal fruit cakes, burnt cheesecake, yam cake, matcha mousse, and even churros.

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Address: Lot 2 Ground Floor, Block A, Lorong Damai Point, Luyang Commercial Centre, 88300 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Opening hours: 11am to  7pm daily
Contact: 011 1109 7000
Facebook | Instagram

October Coffee Gaya

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One of the more established and popular cafes, October Coffee Gaya is the go-to for many locals and tourists alike. The cafe has its own house blend of coffee beans so expect each cup to pack a punch. Non-coffee lovers will also find an interesting selection of drinks from Iced Matcha with Yuzu to fresh fruit juice. Featuring wood-themed interiors, the cafe feels like a cosy cabin with its camping chairs, hanging tree branch, and low ceiling. Menu-wise, October Coffee Gaya has many sweet and savoury options such as french toast, classic scones, sandwiches, Korean toast, and specialty cakes.

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Address: 13, Lorong Dewan, Pusat Bandar, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Opening hours: 9am to 11pm daily
Contact: 088 277 396
Facebook | Instagram

Woo

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From its giant W-shaped granite counter slab in the centre to its bird cage installation decorated with yellow neon LED strips, Woo is the perfect balance between subtle flair and quirkiness. Its facade is mostly grey-toned and industrial, but is quickly diffused by the big windows that let plenty of natural light in, giving the place an overall chic and comfy vibe. As the cafe serves several main courses, you can choose to have a hearty breakfast or brunch here, before finishing off with any one (or two) of their sweet treats.

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Address: 21, Lorong Dewan, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Opening hours: 10am to 6pm (Monday-Friday), closed on Tuesdays | 9am to 6pm (Saturday & Sunday)
Contact: 016 818 4130
Facebook | Instagram

Flow Coffee

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Having only opened its doors earlier this year, Flow Coffee is the newest addition to Sabah’s cafe scene. Located in The Luma Hotel, this urban cafe offers a relaxing space away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The cafe’s facade is a charming mixture of industrial chic and tropical wilderness with its warm-toned furniture, shiny countertops, and foliage that match its accents of floral prints. Flow Coffee’s menu is quite limited at the moment to a small selection of pastries and cakes, so don’t expect to stay too long for a meal. However, with its comfy interiors and carefully brewed coffee, it’s still worth a visit for a quick pick-me-up.

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Address: Lot 2-5, Block A, Sutera Avenue, Jalan Sembulan, 88100 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Opening hours: 8am to 7pm
Contact: 088 286 916
Facebook | Instagram

For more cafe-hopping locations, click here.

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Collections
Get your Pre-Fall 2019 fix with these eclectic campaigns

16.07.2019
By Stephanie Boey

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Haute Couture Week AW23: The best moments from Valentino, Balenciaga and more

Gucci
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The stage is set at Selinunte Archaeological Park, what was an ancient Greek city in the 7th century. A band of travelling bohemians make the ruins their temporary home and get cosy among the crumbling pillars and stone structures. The crew are clad in Gucci‘s floral sweatsuits as they indulge in a game of basketball in what would’ve been the courtyard of the ancient building. One thing’s for sure, this gang’s having a ball of a time and we’d like to join in.
Dior Men’s
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Are we in The Matrix? ‘Cause Dior Men’s crossfire of laser beams and futuristic, sharp suiting seem to point in that direction. In collaboration with Japanese artist Hajime Sorayama, the Dior logo was reimagined in the artist’s signature chromic style. His rendition of the Dior Saddle bag in sleek, polished metal looks like it came out straight from a sci-fi movie. Here’s to the new frontier!
Burberry
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The British heritage brand kept it simple for their Pre-Fall 2019 collection. The series of images are shot in multiples of four and placed side by side in a 2 x 2 grid for photobooth print-out effect. However, the devil is in the details. Take a closer look at each image and you’ll be greeted with a different way of styling the season’s latest outerwear, which comes in new proportions and fabrications, for him and her. “I’m focusing on establishing our codes through archive prints, house colours, and iconic outerwear, while cementingthe new themes I set out last season including the Thomas Burberry Monogram, eveningwear and tailoring”, says creative director Riccardo Tisci.
Versace
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The Italian brand has taken over the Big Apple! “I am very excited to present Versace for the very first time in New York. I wanted to pay homage to this incredible city, bringing the sartorial heritage of Milan and fusing it with the energy of New York and its eclectic nature”, says Donatella Versace. The iconic Medusa head logo is seen proudly emblazoned on a I Heart NY t-shirt, combining Milan’s decadence with New York’s street style edge.
Tory Burch
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Dree Hemingway (aka Ernest Hemingway’s great granddaughter) is the casually cool protagonist of this American Southwest tale. Inspired by artist Georgia O’Keeffe, the deep saturated hues and textured finishes were influenced by the landscapes O’Keeffe saw and painted. The styling too, was visibly impacted by the artist’s strong character. We can totally imagine the vocal and strong-willed woman to be dressed in a knife-pleated skirts over nappa leather trousers and calf-hair heeled boots.
Salvatore Ferragamo
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For Pre-Fall 2019, creative director Paul Andrew and menswear design director Guillaume Meilland explored the Italian brand’s core values: craft, innovation, ingenuity and passion. The resulting silhouettes are controlled and restrained but inject fun in its use of fabrications and prints. (For example, the classic houndstooth is cut into a sporty hoodie dress with a midi length, the collared silk shirt dress decorated in pink carnations.) Thus creating a collection that marries luxury and pragmatism-practicality at its finest.

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Style
Live in The Sims’ two-dimensional universe with this pixelated collab with Moschino

07.05.2019
By Stephanie Boey

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If you grew up playing The Sims (and still do), chances are your ‘Fun’ meter is going to hit the maximum with the latest news on this Moschino collab. The crossover between the Italian fashion house and the popular life simulation video game includes a whole collection of ready-to-wear items and accessories including familiar Moschino creations reimagined in pixelated designs.
“I love the idea of being able to imagine, design and bring to life a world of individual personas with The Sims universe,” said Jeremy Scott, Creative Director of Moschino. “That concept emulates what I get to do for each collection at Moschino as I create a fantasy universe of spectacular storylines and characters.”
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The collection is campy and humorous, a signature of Moschino under the helm of Jeremy Scott. Colourful, fun and cartoon-ish, the capsule collection is indeed kitschy-the “quilted leather” cap, crossbody bag and motorcycle jacket top-handle bag are a visual trip for the eyes and warrant a double-take. The iconic “This is not a Moschino toy” teddy gets a 2-bit refresh on a t-shirt, one-piece swimsuit and key chain. Iconic motifs from The Sims also make an appearance in the collection. The green Plumbob that hovers over every Sim character can now be worn as three-dimensional statement earrings.
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The Moschino x The Sims collection is now available at Moschino Pavilion.

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Style
Fashion buzz: Heidi Klum’s scarily good Halloween costume, LVMH offered to purchase Tiffany & Co. and more

04.11.2019
By Joan Kong

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Heidi Klum wins Halloween again
Heidi Klum is the Queen of Halloween—there’s no doubt about that. But this year, the German supermodel took things to the next level by dressing up as an alien, complete with prosthetic rotting fleesh, exposed heart and intenstines. It’s not for the faint of heart, for sure. She made sure the rest of the world could get in on her preparation by doing a “Halloween with Heidi Klum” livestream with Amazon which spanned over 14 hours—talk about dedication.

Take a look back at all of her Halloween costumes from the past 19 years:

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Salvatore Ferragamo returns to Milan Men’s Fashion Week
Following few seasons of co-ed shows, Salvatore Ferragamo will be returning to Milan Fashion Week to present its men’s collection, scheduled on January 12 during the Autumn/Winter 2020 season. In a statement by the brand, CEO Micaela le Divelec Lemmi says: “In a phase of great consolidation of the brand’s style and identity, we restarted last June from Florence, where our story began, to affirm who we are, but it’s more then natural for us to come back to the Milanese fashion week. Along with other important brands of the Made in Italy, we enthusiastically accepted the fashion chamber’s invite to be united also on the men’s front.”

Giorgio Armani’s Cruise 2021 show in Dubai
On the other hand, Giorgio Armani will be showing its Cruise 2021 collection in Dubai to coincide with the reopening of the brand’s store at the Dubai Mall. The Italian fashion house previously staged its Cruise 2020 show in Tokyo, and presented a line-up of designs that are influenced by the Japanese culture. “I’m very happy to be back in Dubai after 10 years, especially on the occasion of the Expo 2020 which will place a great emphasis on the city. Dubai is a luxurious and fascinating place with a soul focused on the future, always in pursuit of the imagination,” said Giorgio Armani in a statement.

John Galliano continues at Maison Margiela
Five years after her first joined Maison Margiela, it’s been announced that British designer John Galliano has renewed his contract as creative director of the Paris-based fashion house. According to WWD, sales have doubled ever since Galliano’s arrival in 2014, and handbags and sneakers, in particular, accounted for 60 percent of the business.

LVMH offers to purchase Tiffany & Co.
French luxury goods giant LVMH is in a bid to buy Tiffany & Co., and has made a $14.5 billion USD offer for it. While the jeweller has yet to approve the deal, if it goes through, this would be the most expensive acquisition the conglomerate has ever made, and it’ll join the long list of brands under LVMH, including Dior, Fendi, Louis Vuitton, Rimowa and more. Stay tuned for updates.

Zac Posen closes its doors
After almost 20 years in business, Zac Posen has announced that his labels—including House of Z and Z Spoke—is ceasing operations after failing to secure an investment in time. The company is now in the process of disposing its assets, and the Spring/Summer 2020 collection that was shown during New York Fashion Week back in September will not be produced. However, his role as the womenswear creative director of Brooks Brothers will continue. The American designer posted a heartfelt post on Instagram, saying: “I want to express my appreciation to our extraordinary team and for all those who have stood by me and the brand. I owe a great deal of gratitude for their unwavering support for and dedication to the Company. I am grateful to the team who lent their incomparable talent and commitment along the way. I remain incredibly proud of what we created and hopeful for the future. Love ZP.”

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Culture
A glimpse into the mind and practice of Anniketyni Madian
Delightful sculptures

15.11.2017
By Zena Khan

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Walking into ‘Bejampong’ at Artcube Gallery, viewers are immediately greeted by what appears to be a collection of designer handbags, rendered in wood. Recognisable by their silhouettes and logos- the double interlocking ‘C’s for Chanel in Aurora and floral Louis Vuitton signature embossed on Mawar stand out in particular—they simultaneously align with Anniketyni Madian’s practice, through the prevalence of geometric, tribal patterns. Indeed, these stand-alone sculptures, which introduce audiences to a new body of works made over the better part of 2017, continue Anniketyni’s established discourse into Malaysian craft traditions, and ways through which cultural heritage may be brought to contemporary audiences. The result? An exhibition that acts as both a survey show and a lens to the future.

Born and raised in Kuching, Sarawak, Anniketyni moved to Peninsula Malaysia to study sculpture at UiTM. After graduating in 2009, she set up a studio and began work on a sculptural practice that has garnered acclaim both critical and commercial, both locally and around the world. Career highlights are participating in the esteemed Rimbun Dahan Residency, shortlisting in the Top 30 for the Sovereign Asian Art Prize (2016/2017) and being presented with the Young Guns Art Award. Additionally, Anniketyni has been invited to create several commissions and public sculptures; most notably a public sculpture for the Mall of Medini in Johor Bahru, a commission for the United Nations in Rome and a commission for the Corporate Art Award in Rome.
Audiences are taken by the subtle nuances of material exploration, commentary on the evolving role of craft tradition and insights into the traditions of the Iban that weave through Anniketyni’s practice. Most recognisable within her practice to date has been the investigation of pua kumbu. Exclusively woven by Iban women, this waft textile merges motifs and designs drawn from the extensive canon of oral Iban literature with personal insights, to create rich tapestries often reserved for ceremony. Clear parallels exist between the production of pua kumbu and Anniketyni’s practice: the utilisation of historical pattern and narrative combined with personal flair (here in the sharp, graphic lines she pares the patterns into) in an artistry that cements their maker’s position within her society, whether that be in an Iban tribe or the Malaysian contemporary art world.

Over time, Anniketyni has refined her woodworking processes. Tracing the evolution of her pua kumbu styles is the clearest marker of this achievement. The ability to bend a material as inflexible as wood to her will, producing softly organic shapes and movement, speaks to a mastery over her chosen medium. Across Bandau Nulang, a 5.5 foot long wall hanging, the graphic tribal spires rise up in a gentle wave, curving along both horizontal and vertical planes. Remang Berarat curves long slices of carving inwards in an open circle, created from a slotted arrangement of straight and triangular wooden slices. New creative routes are plotted through the use of colour—coal blacks, ruby reds and hints of a delicious plum—as well as the introduction of sketches over the wood. These sketches are lifted straight from the stylised thick black marker sketches papering the walls of Anniketyni’s studio, and cover Kelabu Papau. In featuring drawing on wood for the first time, in the form of mathematical equations, measurements and notes, along with inset blocks of clear resin, Kelabu Papau encompasses several new directions within a single sculpture.
Anchoring ‘Bejampong’ are the sculptures Kayu Betimbau and Kayu Betimbau #2 which simultaneously act as a survey of her artistic journey to date, as well as a compass for future directions. Densely packed with details—cut out pua kumbu patterns, black butterflies posed mid-flight, subtly shaded panels of wood joined together—Kayu Betimbau and Kayu Betimbau #2 are a career ‘highlight reel’. Each detail speaks to a particular sculpture or series from her past portfolio, and the ease with which she seamlessly merges quite disparate styles speaks strongly to Anniketyni’s ability to handle the formal aspects of art creation: composition, form, tone and scale. Despite being static, a sense of movement pervades these three works. Standing before them, viewers are left with the impression that the charcoal butterflies might suddenly flit away, that the triangles composed of three types of wood (Badam, Meranti, Canggal) might suddenly whir into life, or the protruding circles might begin to stop and spin of their own accord.

Walking through ‘Bejampong’ casts the impression that Anniketyni is allowing audiences a glimpse into her mind and practice, revealing who she is as both artist and person. It would appear that Anniketyni, who is today ranked as perhaps the foremost sculptor of her generation, is in a reflective mood, casting a look back at the elements that have built her into the artist she is today, as she anticipates the future. If the technical finesse, bold confidences and delightful visuals presented at ‘Bejampong’ are a yardstick of measure, the future looks bright indeed.

‘Bejampong’ is on from November 16th to December 31st at Artcube Gallery, 3-10 & 3-13, Level 3, Intermark Mall, The Intermark, 348 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur. Telephone Enquiries at 0321811787.

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News
7 Things you can do this Mother’s Day weekend: 8 & 9 May 2021

04.05.2021
By Rachel Au

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

1. Mother’s Day menu at Maria’s SteakCafe

When: 9 May 2021, Sunday
Where: Available for takeaway/delivery
Price: Starting from RM65++
Order in advance: Website
Bangsar – +603 2282 2220 / +6016 902 0495
Damansara Perdana – +603 7725 2313 / +6016 902 0490
Sunway – +603 7496 6415 / +6016 902 0497
KLCC – +6010 902 0386
Updated 6 May 2021: Maria’s Steakcafe has changed their Mother’s Day menu to takeaway/delivery only, which is as follows:

There’s a lot at stake when it comes to celebrating Mother’s Day, but you can’t go wrong with a decadent steak at Maria’s SteakCafe. In fact, because it’s one of the best steakhouses in Klang Valley (and Ipoh), you’ll get to choose from five types of steak, ranging from Australian Grain-fed Beef to Japanese Wagyu. For something less (or rather, not at all) beefy, options include poultry, seafood and spaghetti. The four-course menu includes Summer Salad, a mushroom or pumpkin soup, and their bestseller, Moist Chocolate Cake.
For more info, visit their  Facebook or Instagram.
2. A Mother’s Day Tribute at Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur

When: 9 May 2021, Sunday
Where: Gastro Sentral, Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur
Price: RM200 per course
Reservations: +603 2263 7434 | [email protected]
Dine at ease within cosy Gastro Sentral at Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur where the restaurant will be offering a delectable three-course meal. Guests will first start with a Seared Miyazaki Wagyu Beef in soy miso consomme. For the mains, opt between Fish’ n’ Chips (which includes both a truffle-buttered fried cod fillet and crispy battered lobster) and the Provencal Crusted Australian Lamb Rack and Braised Pulled Ribs in Puff. The sweet ending is a Warm Yuzu Cake with Yoghurt White Chocolate Mousse.
For more info, visit their website or Facebook.
3. Mother’s Day x Fiona Poon Afternoon Tea (and more)

When: 9 May 2021, Sunday, 3pm – 5pm
Where: WooBar, W Kuala Lumpur
Price: RM288 nett per person
Reservations: +6012 347 9088 or [email protected]
In true W Kuala Lumpur style, Mother’s Day will be a quirky and fashionable affair with their upcoming collaboration with local fashionista Fion Poon whose mentor was Datuk Professor Jimmy Choo. She has since launched two collections of shoes and handbags with a highlight on batik and songket. The Mother’s Day x Fion Poon Afternoon Tea session will include a runway catwalk, a glass of Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut champagne, Fion Poon Chocolate Shoe Box and the afternoon tea set, of course!
4. Gift a delicious 9-inch Huckleberry cake for Mother’s Day

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Celebrating at home? Jazz it up with mum’s favourite cake, and you can’t go wrong with the delicious flavours from Huckleberry. Select any of their 9-inch cakes and top it up with one of their three cake plates. All three feature heartwarming messages hand-piped with buttercream florals. If you’re pre-order* early enough, mum might even receive a gorgeous bouquet courtesy of Soiree & Flora (enter code MothersDay at checkout). *Pre-orders aren’t necessary either as the cakes will be available for same-day purchase too. Just WhatsApp the following numbers:
To order, WhatsApp:
BSC: +6016 901 2682
Damansara Heights: +6017 239 9264
If you’re ordering it via their website, you will need to do it three days in advance.
5. Wine not give the gift of wine—Penfolds Mother’s Day Gift Set

Price: Starting from RM149
Shop online here.
If mum likes her reds, then Penfolds’ series of limited edition Mother’s Day gift boxes might be her cup of tea—or glass of wine. Featuring some of the house’s iconic Shiraz-based reds, the gift sets include sustainably sourced bean-to-bar chocolate maker Benns Ethicoa’s range of Malaysian single-origin chocolates. Next to you and mum, you can’t find a better pairing.
6. Order special Mother’s Day flavours from Basket Break

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When: Delivery on 7 & 9 May 2021, Friday & Sunday
The last MCO gave birth to many new bakers and their creative concoctions in the kitchen. Among them is a new dough-to-door sourdough home bakery that has gained popularity for its sourdonuts—Basket Break. For Mother’s Day, they’re currently taking pre-orders for exclusive new flavours: Korean Garlic (their first savoury sourdonut), Black sesame mochi, and Peach crisp (think luscious vanilla custard paired with juicy diced peaches). Choose between a box of four or a box of 12 minis. The more, the merrier, right?
For more info or to place an order, head over to their Instagram.
7. Join our Mother’s Day giveaway

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The giveaway ends this Sunday, 9 May 2021, and it consists of floral-infused skincare, a lip care set, and dreamy pastel flowers—together, it’s worth over RM2,000. Don’t miss out!
For more Mother’s Day gift guides and stories, head over

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Style
Phoebe Philo is launching her own brand—plus all the fashion news you may have missed

14.07.2021
By Natalia Chow

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Phoebe Philo is launching her own brand

The British designer, who has gained a major following since her time as the creative director of Chloé (2001 – 2006) and then Céline (2008 – 2018), has announced the launch of her new line. Despite starting the venture with LVMH, Philo will take on the role of a majority stakeholder while LVMH will have a minority share—a move that is usually unheard of. A highly-acclaimed designer, notable especially due to her influence while at Céline where she reinvigorated the brand and proved a mastery in the quintessence of modern minimalist fashion, Philo’s brand is expected to be unveiled in January 2022. The only other clue that has been revealed is that it will be an environmentally conscious line that’s “rooted in exceptional quality and design”.
‘Sneakin’ its way into our hearts: Berluti’s new Graphic sneaker

Simplicity acted as the core value when Berluti designed their latest Graphic sneaker as they condensed all the essentials one needs for a good pair of everyday shoes. Pulling from their previous successes in the past, this sneaker draws its functional design from Berluti’s classic 1970s running line. Having said that, the outcome is a pair of sneakers that is lightweight (and it’s immediately felt upon slipping into them), comfortable, casual with an easy-to-style nature. While being practical and comfortable, the Italian brand has also ensured that its aesthetic finish enables a seamless versatility to any fit you would pair these shoes with.

Not only do these sneakers come in three different colours—a minimal white one with a contrasting black Berluti crest print, a black and white one, and a brown and white one decorated with Scritto details and a discreet tonal rendering of the Berluti crest—but it is also made with a unique mix of leather and suede. What’s more, it has a thick bicolour outsole with a geometric heel to offer a sharp counterpoint to the upper’s timeless design. In a few short words, Berluti’s new Graphic sneaker is a feel-good shoe that anyone can wear at any time and at any place.
The Graphic sneaker is available via Berluti stores and www.berluti.com.
The newest addition to Salvatore Ferragamo’s global ambassadors
Salvatore Ferragamo has announced their latest global ambassadors: Red Velvet’s Seulgi and the Chinese actress Jelly Lin. It’s not hard to see why either. Recognised for her role in the blockbuster The Mermaid, the actress is also seen as a major fashion icon to her followers and fans around the world. Lin is also making waves with her roles in TV as well. Her relationship with Ferragamo actually dates back as far as 2017 when she attended the Spring/Summer 2018 show in Milan, and she was also appointed the face of the House’s Signorina fragrance.

Also incredibly successful in her own right, Seulgi is part of the highly regarded and popular K-pop girl group, Red Velvet. Being adored internationally, Seulgi has millions of fans who look up to her as a fashion inspiration, especially via her Instagram where she shares her personal style. Similar to Lin, this is not the first time Ferragamo and the singer are working together. It started in 2020 and all through 2021, with various projects featuring Seulg, such as the Let’s Dance shoe capsule collection special digital content.

Both these successful women embody the luxury brand’s notions of fresh, new and youthful styles that embrace both innovation and creativity.
Heidi Klum’s daughter, Leni signs with her first modelling agency

17-year-old Leni Klum has been signed with CAA Fashion Agency, making her officially a working model like her mum! It’s to be expected that there would have been no other way to make her debut on a magazine cover than by posing next to her iconic supermodel mother for Vogue late last year.

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Although she is at the beginning of her modelling career, Leni has also already posed solo for the cover of Glamour magazine in April 2021, in honour of the 20th-anniversary issue. Fun fact: Heidi was the magazine’s first cover star in 2001.

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Beyond the legacy of her mother, Leni is already proving to be an star in her own right—we are excited to witness her journey as a model.
Travelling through fashion with Lisa Von Tang ‘Here Comes The Sun’ Summer collection 2021

We’re all itching to travel again (we feel you) but you’ll be surprised at the various ways we can mimic that feeling. For example, with Lisa Von Tang’s new line as she transcends this very sentiment through her Here Comes the Sun collection. Designed in the full heart of lockdown in Singapore, Tang used fashion as a means to create la Dolce vita beyond the reality of this pandemic. The new summer line consists of dynamic, sensual, and strong pops of colour that invite whoever who wears them to escape into a mental or physical (if you are allowed to) state of travel.

The concepts and inspirations for this new collection undoubtedly evoke a soothing and daydream-like feel through its ability to capture travel without actually needing to move your physical body. Moreover, the Singaporean brand holds strong values of sustainability and multiculturalism by engaging with new research on converting “waste” into new biodegradable, natural fabric blends. With that in mind, this new line is locally produced and keeps to a made-to-order process. They are also designed purely with 100 per cent rose petal fibre, and uses natural hemp and banana fibre. Fun fact: they are the first fashion brand to do this! Beyond the campaign shoot where the models come from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds, the brand’s multicultural values are also echoed in this new collection. Spot the various symbols such as the Yin and Yang, the Tibetan infinity symbol, the sun and moon kiss and the love knot that can be found embroidered into the various garments offered.
The ‘Here Comes the Sun’ collection is now available on lisavontang.com.
Yara Shahidi is Dior’s newest global ambassador
The Harvard attendee, actress, model, and activist can now add one more thing to her list of achievements and titles. As announced on her Instagram, she has just been named one of Dior’s global ambassadors for both beauty and fashion. Yara Shahidi joins the other well-loved ladies by Dior such as Blackpink’s Jisoo!

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Buro Loves
What’s in the box? – Jestinna Kuan takes our fun challenge to test her senses

07.10.2019
By Gwen Ong

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

Life is all about trying out new things. From the tangible to the intangible, we’re encouraged to pursue the unknown to clock up more in our “experience” count. It’s undeniable that the unknown is rather scary but more often than not, it’s exciting and fun. We put this to the test! Or rather, we had Insta personality and pharmacist Jestinna Kuan, over for a guessing game involving a mystery box filled with various food and beauty items in celebration of the launch of the new Kosé Sekkisei Essential Souffle.
Soft and smooth is the way to go
In the spirit of trying out new things and embracing the unknown, Jestinna Kuan gets acquainted with the new Kosé Sekkisei Essential Soufflé for the first time. Kosé Sekkisei Essential Soufflé is a softening moisturiser that combines the effects of a beauty essence and an emulsion into one. It has a unique, soft-like-soufflé texture that goes deep into the skin to support its barrier function and balance the oil and moisture level within without leaving any sticky residue. Thus, skin feels deeply hydrated, soft and smooth. Just like your favourite soufflé dessert!
“I have combination skin, sometimes it looks normal on the outside but it’s actually dry inside. It gets worse whenever I travel as I can see how dehydrated my skin is. That is why I’m always on the lookout for moisturising products that can help me balance my skin condition. I can’t wait to try Kosé Sekkisei Essential Soufflé,” Jestinna shares.
The new Essential Soufflé moisturiser is made with a blend of active ingredients traditionally used in a Japanese wound-healing balm called Shiunko together with Sekkisei’s formula of Asian plant extracts. These natural extracts include fermented coix seed extract, angelica acutiloba extract, melothria heterophylla extract, lithospermum root extract and sesame oil. By utilising Sekkisei’s skin catch dispersion technology, the moisturiser envelops the skin with the beautifying formula and upon contact, releases a supply of lasting hydration.
No matter your skin type, Kosé Sekkisei Essential Soufflé works deep into the skin to keep it smooth and moisturised with a matte finish. Rest assured, you will still look your best at the end of the day. Fine, clear complexion for the win!
Kosé Sekkisei Essential Soufflé is priced at RM153 and available in stores from 21 October.

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Makeup
NARS has just launched nine more Powermatte Lipstick shades to Play Your Power with
Pucker up

29.10.2022
By Redzhanna Jazmin

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“Lips are the new power move, and to me, lipstick is timeless. I always love a good red, a good nude, a soft pink, a pale pink… and the Powermatte collection offers just that. The shades reflect our most iconic colours and include a range of cult classics, new colours, and fan favourites.” — François Nars, NARS Founder and Creative Director
ICYMI: NARS recently launched their new Powermatte Lipsticks, a collection of weightless, long-wearing, and transfer-resistant bullets with intense pigment payoff. The launch comprised six hero shades: Dragon Girl, No Angel, Mogador, American Woman, Too Hot To Hold, and Killer Queen. All of these shades can be seen on three local darlings, who used the collection to ‘Play Their Power’ in our latest #BUROXNARS campaign.
READ: Play your power with the new Powermatte lipstick collection from NARS
We asked our stars Cherrie Liong, Athisha Khan, and Nina Khalil to share what the campaign slogan ‘Play Your Power’ meant to them. Here’s what they said:

Cherrie Liong

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Athisha Khan

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Nina Khalil

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WATCH: Behind-the-scenes with the BURO X NARS Play Your Power campaign

If you love these six shades as much as we do, we bear good news: There’s more! NARS has just launched nine more stunning shades for you to Play Your Power with. Discover the new shades below:

Night Moves 151: A rave-ready deep plum that is as subversive as it is rich, proving that excitement begins when the sun goes down.
1/9

Thunder Kiss 115: A soft mauve that’s perfect for date night, thanks to its delicate blend of exquisite pigment and passion.
2/9

Tease Me 111: A rose pink that’s sure of herself; a seductive shade of inviting allure.
3/9

Sweet Disposition 100: A pink beige that screams “your lips, but better”—one you’ll keep on-hand as your new go-to.
4/9

Free Bird 121: A peachy coral for the old soul, inspired by the ‘70s but flaunting a modern twist.
5/9

Indiscreet 120: A coral pink for the self-assured ingenue, never one to bend to the trends but always up for a classic.
6/9

Feel My Fire 130: A perfect hot coral to fuel your deepest desires; pure impulse and lust.
7/9

Notorious 131: A red orange for the famous femme fatale, always imitated but never replicated.
8/9

Highway To Hell 150: A rich berry for the rebel within; an icon steeped in defiance and poise.
9/9

The Powermatte Lipstick collection is available online at the NARS e-shop, or in-store at any of the brand’s locations across Malaysia. Find more beauty stories here.

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Beauty
4 Makeup mistakes to avoid, according to Beyoncé’s go-to artist
Be flawless

26.09.2017
By Gwen Ong

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

From Beyoncé to Karlie Kloss, Chrissy Teigen, Joan Smalls and more, his list of celebrity clients is enough for us to sit up and pay attention to his beauty lessons. He has after all worked alongside famous industry icons such as Pat McGrath and Charlotte Tilbury. And he’s been responsible for some of Beyoncé’s most iconic beauty looks thus far. So when he shares some dos and don’ts of makeup, we’re all ears. You better be too!

A post shared by S I R J O H N (@sirjohnofficial) on Feb 16, 2017 at 4:23pm PST

Don’t find your foundation shade with your jawline
Forget what you’ve been told or read, the way to find your perfect shade of foundation is to match it to your forehead. According to Sir John, this is the most realistic fit as your forehead picks up the most sun throughout the day, thus it is the truest place to find your colour.

Don’t do makeup under harsh light
The first thing to note is that fluorescent lighting – like in your bathroom or hotel room –will distort how your makeup looks. If you’ve noticed how different you look in the vanity mirror at home compared to when you’re checking yourself in your car, time to move your dressing table closer to the windows with daylight. It is the best kind of light as it’s the most natural in gauging how you will look for the rest of the day.

A post shared by S I R J O H N (@sirjohnofficial) on May 11, 2017 at 1:00pm PDT

Don’t do more than one statement feature
Understand your feature and choose to amp up only one part of your face. This means if you’re dressing up, keep the focus strong on either your eyes or lips, never both at the same time. Sir John reckoned that the women of today know the power of brows, but there are also other areas of focus you can play with like highlighting your skin.

Don’t go over the top with mascara and falsies
Less is more when it comes to your eyes. Yeah, we get it that you want to open up your peepers but truth is you don’t need to be dramatic about it. Sir John said that “overdosing” on false eyelashes and mascara is a common mistake that should be avoided. Be like Adriana Lima, whom the makeup artist thinks strikes the right balance with her timeless beauty.

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Watches
This bronze watch takes on a richer hue as you wear it
#BeYourAikon

30.08.2017
By Gwen Ong

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RECOMMENDED

The Cartier Privé collection is about history and modernity

Like wine, a watch grows in character with the passage of time. In similar style, the Aikon Bronze too will develop a unique patination as you wear it.

Housed in a 44mm case, the latest Maurice Lacroix timepiece features an elegant brown dial with a gradient tone that gives it a smoky effect. It is a colour that will pair well for casual outings or even formal functions. The 4N gold-plated hour marker and numerals lined with SuperLuminova give out the time clearly in every lighting condition.

The Aikon Bronze is fitted with a quartz movement. The timepiece comes with a vintage calf leather strap and a matching bronze pin buckle to complement its luxurious and elegant design.

The Maurice Lacroix Aikon Bronze is touted as a rare collection with a limited run of only 388 pieces. More information here.

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Food + Drink
Make that perfect crispy ‘Siu Yuk’ with this easy, fool-proof recipe
The secrets to that pork-fect 'siu yuk'

03.02.2019
By Loh Yi Jun

PHOTOS: LOH YI JUN

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It seems like Chinese New Year has crept up on us earlier than usual this year! So if you’re scrambling before the final weekend before CNY, looking desperately for a dish to really impress your relatives with during that reunion dinner (团圆饭), I’ve got just the recipe for you!
After running my little recipe blog for just shy of two years, I’ve amassed a modest amount of recipes—some unabashedly classical, some weird and wacky, some accidentally genius. But time and again, the recipe that people seem to gravitate towards the most is the one for siu yuk, titled “Secrets to Crispy Pork Belly Skin. Every. Single. Time.“. Either I’ve tapped into some sort of primal human desire for pork here, or the recipe is actually legitimately good. (I think it’s a little bit of both, heh.)
In my books, siu yuk is the holy grail of pork dishes; it beats English roasts and Italian porchettas any day of the week. But at first glance, it might not seem like a particularly difficult task to get that crisp crackling on top of all good siu yuks. After all, you can find perfectly decent versions of the dish at most neighbourhood Chinese hawker centres in Malaysia. Those chicken rice shop uncles and aunties might have gotten their recipes down pat, but those who have tried to make siu yuk at home will know that while this hawker stall staple might seem simple in concept, it’s devilishly difficult to get right, especially within the limitations of the modest home oven.
So for a (Chinese) home cook, making a great siu yuk is the ultimate accomplishment—get it right and you’ll be forever immortalised in your friends’ and family’s memories as the ultimate home cook they know (and secretly want to be), get it wrong and you’d rather cancel that dinner party you so painstakingly planned than face the public scrutiny of your sub-par shao rou.

Luckily, my mum falls in the former. But her road to gloriously crispy siu yuk was fraught with many failures. After so many mediocre attempts—some with vinegar-soaked skin, others with skin poked to death—she finally found a fool-proof method for this pinnacle of Cantonese roast. It isn’t an intuitive method at all (in fact, I don’t think any hawker centre in Malaysia uses this method), but for her, and for all her friends and relatives, she’s since spread her porky gospel to, it works like a charm every time.
So without further ado, here’s my mom’s three-step secret to salaciously shattery siu yuk:
Don’t season the skin
It’s important to season meat before cooking, whether it’s through a brine, marinade, dry rub, or a quick flurry of salt before searing in the pan. Usually, when seasoning, we’d season all sides of the meat evenly. In this case, however, since we’re trying to reduce the amount of moisture on the skin (moisture makes it difficult for the skin to crisp up), it really helps to leave the skin seasoning-free. Even using a dry rub would wick up moisture onto the surface of the skin, which you’ll then have to dry again.
So the most efficient seasoning method is to use a dry rub or pasty marinade and season only the meat part of the belly, and leave it in the fridge uncovered overnight. The frigid fridge air (heh, get it?) will help dry off the skin layer while the rest of the belly is being flavoured! Oh, and pro-tip—for that distinct, Cantonese hawker shao rou taste, use a five-spice and lam yee (fermented bean curd) paste-rub.

Salt crust
This next step might sound a little strange, but it’s the crux of this whole recipe. It requires putting a thick layer of salt on the skin of your pork belly, making sure every inch of that pristine skin is covered in salt, then roasting it whole. Roasting this salt-covered belly in the oven will then draw out more moisture from the skin and form a hardened salt crust, which is then removed.
For some reason, this seems to work flawlessly each time. I’m curious to know what actually happens in the skin which makes this salt crust technique work so well, but it was a little hard finding reliable literature on this, so I’ll just attribute this to kitchen fairy magic for now. Perhaps one day when I’m feeling more science-y, I’ll Kenji Lopez-Alt my way to an explanation.
Let the skin bubble!
The last step in this process is pretty straightforward—just roast the belly at ridiculously high heat to make the skin really crisp up and bubble and pop. This is one of those moments that’ll make you wanna sit in front of the oven and brave the heat just to watch the whole thing happen.

Siu Yuk (燒肉)
Ingredients

500g pork belly, get the ones with a good layer of fat (a 2:1 meat-to-fat ratio is what I usually aim for)
2 tbsp lam yee (fermented bean curd)
15g five-spice powder
5g pepper
Lots of salt

Directions

First, let’s prep the pork belly. Take a small, sharp skewer or paring knife and stab tiny little holes all over the pork belly skin, each one about 1cm deep and 2-3cm apart. This will allow more fat to release through the skin as it roasts, helping the skin crisp up.

To make your marinade, mix the lam yee, five spice powder, and half a teaspoon of salt together in a bowl. Rub the marinade on the meat parts of the pork belly, leaving the skin marinade-free. Keep in the refrigerator uncovered overnight (up to 1 day). The next day, take the pork belly out of the fridge an hour before roasting to get it to room temperature.

Heat your oven to 200°C and place a deep tray with boiling water on the bottom of the oven. (See notes for explanation.)

Stick skewers through the pork belly (4 would be ideal) to help it stay flat when roasting. Place a thick layer of salt on the skin of the pork belly, making sure the whole skin is evenly covered. Then, place the pork belly on a wire rack and roast in the oven for 40 minutes.

Remove the pork belly from the oven and crack the salt crust, then remove all the salt from the pork skin. Turn the oven up to 240°C and roast the pork belly for a further 30 minutes, or until the skin is super crispy. When done, remove the pork belly from the oven and let it cool slightly before cutting it up into cubes. (When slicing it, flip it upside-down and slice it from the meat down towards the skin.)

Resist the temptation to finish it all in one go.

Fail step 5. Feel guilty about yourself, but also feel really good from all that glorious porky goodness.

Notes:
The tray of water in the oven serves two purposes. First, it helps to create steam, which helps with making the skin crispy. (I’m actually not too sure how this actually works, but it does help. Think of how steam gives bread a firm crust.) It also serves an extra purpose in helping catch all that fat drippings from the pork belly and prevents any bits from scorching on your pan, which makes clean-up a whole lot easier!
That’s it, three straightforward, though admittedly unorthodox steps to fool-proof siu yuk, just in time for Chinese New Year! Gong Xi Fa Cai to all of you, Buro readers!
Follow Jun on his blog for more recipes and musings on food.

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LFW SS16: Peter Pilotto

Fashion
LFW SS16: Peter Pilotto
Dainty smocking

22.09.2015
By Wei Yeen Loh

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

Our review will be posted shortly.
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Massive Owl takes over Petaling Jaya

Lifestyle
Massive Owl takes over Petaling Jaya
It’s watching you

13.01.2016
By Buro247

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“I’m watching you,” the owl seems to express, with its large, vibrant eyes gazing upon the busy street below and beyond. Taking up some five storeys of a public car park, the owl was commissioned by MBPJ (the district council) and brought to life by Escapeva for the district’s #CreativePJ campaign, which is currently in its infancy.

In describing the artwork, Escapeva says he heard plenty of stories regarding the owl’s relationship with Petaling Jaya during his work on the mural. From some telling him that it would attract “ghosts” to some recalling past owl projects that targetted rodents, Escapeva says that the best story he heard was that the owl represented MBPJ, who was watching out for wrongdoers or people “who didn’t pay for the parking tickets.”

So, have you spotted the owl yet?

Head to Escapeva’s Facebook and Instagram to see more details on the owl and to check out more of his work.

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Style
Calvin Klein Jeans release a capsule collection of Andy Warhol’s self-portraits

27.06.2018
By Stephanie Boey

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Before the birth of the modern #selfie, there was Andy Warhol and his self-portraits. His acrylic and screenprint works of pop art decorate galleries around the world—the introvert in the dark sunglasses now a legend in modern art history. In partnership with The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, fellow stateside native Calvin Klein Jeans reinterpret the works for an all-American take on the everyday casual basics. The canvas: T-shirts, hoodies, jeans, bags and canvas high-top sneakers, all in neutralising shades of white, black and blue, leaving the chromatic silkscreen prints in full focus. The most universally recognised print has got to be Andy Warhol’s series of self-portraits from 1986—floating heads in vivid colours against a plain, black background. The subject in question serving face with selfie game on lock.
The capsule collection is available at Calvin Klein Jeans Pavilion KL and KLCC.

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Skincare
The complete guide to enzyme exfoliants: Should you use them?

16.06.2020
By Redzhanna Jazmin

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Maybe you associate exfoliating with red, raw skin, thanks to the apricot face scrub you’ve been using for the last 10 years. Maybe your skin is a little on the sensitive side and you’re averse to the AHA, BHA, PHA variety of exfoliants. Or, maybe you’re just a skincare buff who has tried it all, and you’re now curious about the new exfoliant on the block.
Well, welcome to the world of enzymes—they are no longer just the nifty biological molecules that keep you alive and help you digest. No, they’re in your skincare now, and if you’re on the sensitive side, they might just be what you’re looking for. For the low-down on all things enzymatic, read on.
What are enzyme exfoliants?

Think of them as your chemical exfoliant‘s timid half-sibling; they both kind of work in adjacent ways, but they’re not exactly the same thing.
Firstly, despite often being classed as a chemical exfoliant, enzymes don’t technically count as chemical because they are biological molecules. However, like their chemical counterparts, enzymatic products exfoliate the skin (albeit much gently) and can have positive effects on acne and wrinkles–a trait attributed to the antioxidant properties seen in some extracts.
With that in mind, there are a few key differences in the mechanisms by which they work. Chemical exfoliants like glycolic or salicylic acid promote skin cell turnover by dissolving the intracellular ‘glue’ that holds your superficial skin cells together.
Enzyme exfoliants, on the other hand, contain proteolytic enzymes: this basically means that they break down proteins. Specifically, they break down the keratin protein that binds the Stratum corneum of the epidermis (the rough, dull most superficial layer of your skin). In addition, they work slowly and gently, which makes them a better alternative to chemical exfoliants for sensitive skin.
There are also many, many products that combine chemical and enzyme exfoliants together too, and these combine both the actions of the enzyme and chemical exfoliators. Either way, they leave your skin silky smooth and glowy.
What kind of enzymes are used?
There are three main kinds, and they’re all proteases and fruit-derived. Bromelain (sourced from pineapple and kiwi), Papain (also known as Carica Papaya Fruit Extract on the label) and Cucurbita Pepo (pumpkin) enzyme tend to be the fan favourites, but there are many other sources such as lemon or passionfruit as well.
Sounds too good to be true—what’s the catch?

Don’t worry about recalling your secondary school chemistry—we’ve got your covered. Basically, enzymes need to be kept in very specific conditions for them to be effective, so things like pH and temperature need to be just right for them to work properly.
The cosmetic chemists that formulate your peels and potions have to be really careful when working with enzymes in order to make sure that they aren’t deactivated by 1) the formula and 2) the storage of the product. From the ingredients they mix them with, to the storage conditions, there’s a lot to consider. Now, with the enzymes in cosmetics specifically, the range of acceptable pH and temperatures are usually quite wide, which means less stress for you.
Specifically, it means that you don’t have to worry too much about things like making sure your skin pH is just right when you use the peel and keeping it at exactly 20ºC at all times, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have to worry at all. Making sure that your products are kept airtight and out of direct heat and sunlight (so you don’t deactivate them or, worse, denature them entirely) is important in making sure that they meet their shelf life and that their effectiveness isn’t compromised.
Should I use enzyme exfoliants?
The short (and not very helpful) answer is that it depends on your skin type. Honestly, enzyme exfoliants are great for all skin types, but they really shine with sensitive skin. This is because their gentleness means they don’t pose as big a risk of over-exfoliation. That considered, if you don’t find AHA or BHA products too harsh and you’re after high-impact results, you should opt for a chemical exfoliant over the enzyme alternative—the results are far more dramatic and worth it as long as oversensitivity isn’t an issue.
Of course, because sensitivity is a major concern with any exfoliant, you’ll want to make sure you patch test before using any enzyme exfoliator. It’s better to get an adverse reaction on an unseen part of your body (such as your upper arm, forearm, or behind the ear) rather than on your face. In fact, if this isn’t already a part of your routine when it comes to trying out new products, it should be.
Finally, if the patch test goes well and there isn’t a reaction, then go right ahead and get peeling! Do it cautiously, though; we’d recommend that you use any enzyme exfoliants less often than directed to begin with–for example, if the products suggest twice a week, start off by just using it just once a week in order to ease your skin into it and prevent over-exfoliation.
What’s good?
BURO’s top picks for enzyme exfoliants

Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel

Malin + Goetz Brightening Enzyme Mask

Moon Fruit Superfruit Night Treatment

Tatcha Rice Polish Classic Foaming Enzyme Powder

Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask

Ren  Skincare Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant

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Technology
What is VR therapy and how it can help you relax or overcome phobias
Virtual escape

21.08.2022
By Natalie Khoo

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With the constant need to multitask and stay productive today, some may find it difficult to stay focused on the present and cope with the stresses of modern life. But just as exercise helps to improve your physical fitness, therapy can help you relax and gain better awareness of your surroundings.
As part of its Brighter Wellness Program to promote holistic wellness, Sun Life Malaysia recently collaborated with KL-based mental health provider MentCouch to spread awareness about innovative therapies to overcome challenges in the mental health industry.
Their partnership draws special attention to the use of virtual reality (VR) in therapy to assist in relaxation techniques to cope with stress, as well as to train social skills and memory work. We speak to the team at MentCouch to learn more about VR therapy and how it can be applied to improve mental health in Malaysia.

A client trying on the VR goggles at MentCouch.

Tell us about the VR therapy services offered at MentCouch.

MentCouch: What we are doing is very new and we focus mostly on relaxation to give the community an option where they can come and relax, and to help people who find it very hard to focus. What VR does is it gives us an image and trains us to focus on the image and relax better. It has been used in many parts of Asia and around the world, but it’s still very much in its infancy. This is our attempt to introduce it in Malaysia.

How does VR therapy help with phobias?
MentCouch: For phobias, patients will have to come for a psychological consultation first, then we may use VR as part of the exposure therapy. But it’s not the sole therapy we offer for phobia, because everyone is different and some may not like it. If a patient has a phobia that is within our VR software system, then we tell them that VR is an option. But if a patient has a phobia that is very specific and is not within the software, then we will continue with our usual exposure therapy.

Amelia Virtual Care software for VR therapy.

What are the phobias included in the VR software used at MentCouch?
Currently, MentCouch offers VR Exposure Therapy for these nine different phobias:

Driving phobia (Amaxophobia)
Height phobia (Acrophobia)
Flying phobia (Aerophobia)
Animal and insect phobia (Cat, Dogs, Spiders, Pigeons, cockroaches)
Tight spaces phobia (claustrophobia)
Cleanliness (Mysophobia)
Fear of exams (Examinophobia)
Fear of medical appointments (blood and MRI scan) (Iatrophobia)
Social anxiety

How is VR therapy different from conventional therapy?
MentCouch: Basically, the therapy is standard—it uses exposure therapy. But the difference is that we incorporate technology to enhance this standard therapy. Its purpose is to help people release tension and relax, and this is usually followed by talk therapy with our therapists as well.

An example of a virtual reality environment to help clients relax.

How do you think VR therapy will evolve in 10 years?

MentCouch: If you look at the West, it has become quite common to use virtual reality for therapy purposes. In 10 years, I think it will just become more and more common and people will recognise it as an option where technology can be used to aid your imagination.
Now we have the VR goggles, but in the future—or even right now in the US—there are haptic feedback gloves that vibrate to make you feel like you’re touching what you see, so it will be much more immersive. Not only will you get to see and hear things, but you can also feel them. Over time, VR therapy may include other senses to help you immerse further in the virtual environment.

Will MentCouch be looking to provide more VR therapy services in the future?
MentCouch: We try to remain as fluid as possible and we are always trying to introduce all these new experiences to the mental health community in Malaysia and Asia. We strongly believe that there is no one size fits all approach as everyone is different, so therapy should be like that also—we should be able to fit everyone’s style of approach.

A MentCouch therapist will assist you and provide prompts throughout the VR therapy session.

Who would be suitable for VR therapy and who may not be suitable for it?
MentCouch: Someone who is suitable would be someone who is interested in virtual reality and is above 13 years old. Most developers of VR goggles specify that they are only suitable for use by individuals aged 13 and above. This is because studies have shown that exposure to VR at a younger age may affect the development of their spatial intelligence, so we follow this SOP to avoid any risks.
As for who may not be suitable for VR therapy, since the technology is still new, one of the difficulties people may face is motion sickness. People who have epilepsy may also not be suitable for VR therapy because of the blinking lights in VR that may trigger epilepsy. There are risks for these two categories, but outside of these, VR therapy should be applicable to the majority of the population.

Photo: MentCouch

What do studies show about the effectiveness of VR therapy versus other forms of therapy?
MentCouch: One recent study, which incorporated over 200 studies, found that for exposure therapy, VR is more effective than just conventional talk therapy because clients can immerse themselves in the environment. However, VR therapy is not meant to replace psychological consultation or counselling—it doesn’t overpower that. I have to also mention that so far, there are not a lot of studies that have been done because VR therapy is still very new, so in the years to come, we’ll have a better idea [of its efficacy].
Considering the fact that mindfulness is the new buzzword in social media, VR is also one of the most effective techniques for mindfulness. I think many people these days find it very hard to focus on the present moment and our minds are always wandering, so VR is an amazing tool to practise mindfulness.
Having said that, VR is not something you just try once because when you come for a session, it may feel like a gaming experience where there are so many things in a 3D environment. The first session may be over before you know it in the excitement of it all, so to really achieve the relaxation state and to get the flow of the VR experience, you need to come for a few sessions. It’s not something where you come and magic happens; it has to be a gradual process.

To find out more or to book a therapy appointment, visit mentcouch.com. For more information about Sun Life’s Brighter Wellness Programme, click here.
Find more stories on mental health here.

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Food + Drink
Announced: Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022 (including KL’s Bar Trigona and Junglebird)
High spirits

29.04.2022
By Natalie Khoo

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Following the announcement of the extended 51-100 List last week, the official lineup of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022 have been announced at Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok last night. It was the first live ceremony for the awards since the 2019 edition in Singapore, bringing together mixologists, bar industry ambassadors, and cocktail enthusiasts from around the continent.

Coa is named The Best Bar in Asia. (Photo: World’s 50 Best)
This year’s list featured 16 cities in Asia, with Hong Kong’s Coa taking the crown as The Best Bar in Asia for the second consecutive year. Singapore had the highest number of entries on the list with 11 bars making the cut, including Jigger & Pony, which earned the title of The Best Bar in Singapore at the No. 2 spot.
Meanwhile, two KL bars have successfully retained their places in the top 50, namely Bar Trigona at No. 29 and Junglebird at No. 35. This marks the third year in a row that Bar Trigona has been named The Best Bar in Malaysia.

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A post shared by Bar Trigona (@bartrigona)

Other special awards include Hong Kong’s Honky Tonks Tavern winning the Campari One To Watch Award; Taipei’s Bar Mood being named the Ketel One Sustainable Bar; MO Bar, Singapore earning the Nikka Highest Climber Award; and Bar Trigona winning the inaugural Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award. Colin Chia of Singapore took home the Roku Industry Icon Award, whilst Keith Mossi of Seoul’s Charles H bar is the winner of the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award.
The seventh edition of the list was created by an academy of over 220 leaders in the region, consisting of drink writers, educators, journalists, bartenders, bar owners, and regional cocktail aficionados.

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A post shared by JungleBird Kuala Lumpur (@junglebirdkl)

According to Mark Sansom, director of content for Asia’s 50 Best Bars, this year’s ranking took into account the recent and ongoing pandemic restrictions. “The 2022 list is created from bar experiences across the voting period between June 2020 and January 2022 inclusive, even if those bars that the voters have experienced are all located in their home city and country,” he said.
Without further ado, discover the full list of winners below.
Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022
1. Coa, Hong Kong (The Best Bar in Hong Kong)
2. Jigger & Pony, Singapore (The Best Bar in Singapore)
3. Argo, Hong Kong (Disaronno Highest New Entry)*
4. Tesouro, Colva, India (London Essence Best New Opening and Best Bar in India)*
5. Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo, Japan (Rémy Martin Legend of the List and The Best Bar in Japan)
6. Indulge Experimental Bistro, Taipei, Taiwan (The Best Bar in Taiwan)
7. Charles H, Seoul, Korea(The Best Bar in Korea)
8. MO Bar, Singapore (Nikka Highest Climber Award)
9. Manhattan, Singapore
10. BKK Social Club, Bangkok, Thailand (Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award and Best Bar in Thailand)*
11. Sober Company, Shanghai, China (The Best Bar in Mainland China)
12. Republic, Singapore*
13. Darkside, Hong Kong
14. Sidecar, New Delhi, India
15. No Sleep Club, Singapore
16. Quinary, Hong Kong
17. Tropic City, Bangkok, Thailand
18. Hope & Sesame, Guangzhou, China
19. Vesper, Bangkok, Thailand
20. Lamp Bar, Nara, Japan*
21. The SG Club, Tokyo, Japan
22. Penicillin, Hong Kong
23. Atlas, Singapore
24. Aha Saloon, Taipei, Taiwan
25. Bar Trench, Tokyo, Japan
26. Hoots’ New Delhi, India*
27. Tippling Club, Singapore
28. Bar Cham, Seoul, Korea
29. Bar Trigona, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu and Best Bar in Malaysia)
30. Home, New Delhi, India
31. Sago House, Singapore
32. The Cocktail Club, Jakarta, Indonesia (Best Bar in Indonesia)
33. The Pontiac, Hong Kong
34. The Wise King, Hong Kong
35. Junglebird, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
36. Nutmeg & Clove, Singapore
37. Analog, Singapore*
38. The Aubrey, Hong Kong*
39. Le Chamber, Seoul, Korea
40. Alice, Seoul, Korea
41. Memento Mori, Tokyo, Japan*
42. Smoke & Bitters, Hiriketiya, Sri Lanka (Best Bar in Sri Lanka)*
43. Asia Today, Bangkok, Thailand*
44. Copitas, Bengaluru, India*
45. Union Trading Company, Shanghai, China
46. Bamboo Bar, Bangkok, Thailand
47. Bees Knees, Kyoto, Japan
48. Zest, Seoul, Korea*
49. 28 Hong Kong Street, Singapore
50. Speak Low, Shanghai, China
*represents new entries
Watch the list recap in the video below.

Find more food and drink stories here.

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Muse of the Month: Wonder Woman

Culture
Muse of the Month: Wonder Woman
A classic feminist icon

14.04.2016
By Rachel Au

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The first Disney Princess appeared in the form of Snow White in 1937. While she was a kind hearted character, she also needed rescuing from a Prince whom she briefly met and probably didn’t even know his favourite colour. Born more than a century earlier, Elizabeth Bennet from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is one female protagonist that has stood against the test of time to represent strong-willed, intelligent women. But a heroine who saves the world? No one has lived up to that name except Princess Diana of Themiscyra, also known as Wonder Woman.

In a time when gender equality was far from where HeForShe started working towards to today, DC Comics’ Wonder Woman proved to the world, and especially to the female folk, that women are just as capable as men, that women are not just mere damsels in distress, and that women have power. Interestingly, Wonder Woman was the brainchild of a man who wanted a new kind of superhero who wins battles with and out of love; his wife liked the idea but told him to make his new character a female. An already avid supporter of women’s rights, William Moulton Marston—who incidentally is the inventor of the lie detector—went with that idea and debuted her in December 1941 under the pen name Charles Moulton and hired cartoonist Harry G. Peter to do the artwork.

Not even girls want to be girls so long as our feminine archetype lacks force, strength, and power. Not wanting to be girls, they don’t want to be tender, submissive, peace-loving as good women are. Women’s strong qualities have become despised because of their weakness. The obvious remedy is to create a feminine character with all the strength of Superman plus all the allure of a good and beautiful woman.
WILLIAM MOULTON MARSTON
Wonder Woman’s first origins had her being birthed out of clay by the Queen of the Amazons, Hippolyta and was granted gifts of power and life by the ancient Greek Gods: superhuman strength from Demeter, wisdom and courage from Athena, ability to communicate with animals and enhanced senses from Artemis, beauty and a loving heart from Aphrodite, sisterhood with fire from Hestia and, speed and the power of flight from Hermes. It’s the complete package of beauty, brains and brawn but her greatest strength, which is also her weakness, is her compassion.

Her story begins when army pilot Steve Trevor crashes his plane on the Amazons’ secluded island paradise. She found him, had him nursed back to health and eventually falls in love with him. When it was time, her mother Hippolyta held a competition to determine who was worthy to escort him home but forbade Diana from participating. Defying her mother’s wishes, Diana entered the competition while wearing a mask to conceal her identity and won. Having no choice, Hippolyta allowed Diana to go but not before entrusting her with what will be her signature uniform and weapon—the Golden Lasso or Truth.

Like most comic book superheroes, Wonder Woman’s story, including the character that takes on the title of Wonder Woman, has been altered several times. At one point, she was stripped off her powers and at another, she was degenerated back into clay. She had a brief romance with Superman which they both later decided it was better to stay friends; but in the new reboot, they are currently dating. And when Superman died to defeat Doomsday in one of the series, she took over as the leader of Justice League. There was also a time when Batman and Superman lost their trust in her because she killed a villain who was mind-controlling Superman. In reality, she saved their lives but in their eyes under the control of the villain, she was murdering a Justice League associate.

Despite the varying personalities due to different writers, one thing about Diana always remains the same—the core value of her character, her humanity. She has a strong compassion and is always able to love without discrimination. The complexity of her character has also made it difficult to translate her story into a media form and to find a suitable actress to play the part. Animated films were usually easier but attempts to turn Wonder Woman into a live action adaption often failed. Pilots were shot and released but none weren’t picked up for a regular series with the successful exception of the TV series that starred Lynda Carter from 1975 to 1979.

Although in brick form, The Lego Movie in 2014 marked Wonder Woman’s first film appearance and was voiced by Cobie Smulders. But the honour of representing the image of Wonder Woman after an immensely long time currently goes to Gal Gadot who marked her first appearance in the recent Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Not much is known about her version of Wonder Woman but a solo live-action movie is slated for June 2017 with Chris Pine starring opposite Gadot as Steve Trevor; and that’s one story everyone is excited to watch unfold.

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