Food + Drink
10 Amazing restaurants and cafes to check out in Ipoh

24.09.2020
By Ronn Tan

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It is common knowledge by now that Malaysia is a foodie’s paradise. From Penang and Kuala Lumpur to Kedah and Sabah, you will find yourself experiencing some of the best meals of your life.
What comes to mind when you think of food in Ipoh? The city in Perak is more than just chicken rice, beansprouts, and dim sum. It also has some of the most unique restaurants and cafes—offering top-notch delicacies (in addition to gorgeous aesthetics). It is among the most popular places to visit for food after all.

1. Être Patisserie

Photo by Etre Patisserie
Specialising in French pastries and desserts, the popular cafe wows with its tantalising combination of Insta-worthy aesthetics and unique treats. Petit Gateux to try include Mango with Kaffir Lime, Ipoh White Coffee Tart, Cerise, Framboise, and Guanaja. The patisserie also serves big cakes that you can pre-order.
Address: 30, Jalan Lee Kwee Foh, Taman Canning, Ipoh
Contact: 016 557 1111
Website | Facebook | Instagram

2. Chakori

Photo by Chakori
If you’re a fan of all things dessert, Chakori is the spot for you. Along with neon lights and an Insta-worthy aesthetic, Chakori wows with its menu filled with delectable treats—from waffles and sorbet to gelato and cakes. Try the Hazelnut Gelato with ground peanuts and waffle when you’re there.
Address: 35, Jalan Market, Ipoh
Contact: 016 902 5191
Facebook | Instagram

3. dé Cafe & Rest House

Photo by dé Cafe & Rest House
Located in an alley along Concubine Lane, the hidden cafe is spacious and filled with natural light. Grab cakes and a cup of coffee (or two) while you converse with friends. Even better, take in the ambience while you immerse in your favourite book. The spot also offers hearty mains if you’re feeling hungry.
Address: 35, Jalan Sultan Iskandar, Ipoh
Contact: 05 246 1010
Website | Facebook | Instagram

4. Yuk Sou Hin

Photo by Yuk Sou Hin
Known as one of the best eateries in town, Yuk Sou Xin is located in Weil Hotel. The Cantonese fine dining restaurant is popular for its dim sum and signature smoked duck dishes (such as smoked lychee wood duck).
Address: 292, Jalan Sultan Idris Shah, Ipoh
Contact: 05 208 2103
Website | Facebook

5. Jeff’s Cellar

Photo by Jeff’s Cellar
Situated within a 260-million-year-old limestone cave, Jeff’s Cellar is one of the most unique spots in Malaysia for wine and dine. Part of The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat, patrons come here for a truly special dining experience.
Address: 1, Persiaran Lagun Sunway 3, Sunway City, Ipoh
Contact: 05 210 7777
Website | Facebook | Instagram

6. The Museum

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A post shared by The Museum鬼式酒家 (@themuseumipoh) on Jul 21, 2020 at 12:10am PDT

If you have been to The Starling Mall recently, you will notice that the popular restaurant from Ipoh now has an outlet here in KL. The Museum in Ipoh might resemble an Irish bar on the outside but on the  inside, colonial elements adorn the interior. Known for char siew, the restaurant’s menu also includes options such as Fried Three Treasure Vegetables and Clams with Chinese wine and Sweet Basil.
Address: 1, Persiaran Green Town 7, Green Town Business Centre, Ipoh
Contact: 05 246 0688
Facebook | Instagram

7. Petit Mary Patisserie

Photo by Petit Mary Patisserie
The floral-themed cafe in Ipoh ticks all the right boxes—from a beautiful aesthetic to Instaworthy treats. Perfect for afternoon tea, you will be able to munch on a plethora of pastries, cakes, and macarons.
Address: 83, Jalan Langsat, Taman Teh Teng Seng, Ipoh
Contact: 05 547 1328
Facebook | Instagram

8. Durbar at FMS

Photo by Durbar
Formerly known as FMS—one of the country’s oldest restaurants (founded in 1906), Durbar is where you go for a menu that’s the epitome of East meets West. The vintage setting is reminiscent of the zeitgeist of FMS’s prime years. Try the Classic Chicken Mornay, Baked Stuffed Crab, Hainanese Chicken Chop, and Oxtail Soup.
Address: 2, Jalan Sultan Idris Shah, Ipoh
Contact: 017 797 7115
Facebook | Instagram

9. Perfect Ice

Photo by Perfect Ice
Established in Seoul, this dessert parlour from South Korea specialises in Softserve and milkshakes. Try flavours such as Black Cereal Milkshake, Strawberry Milkshake, and Mint Chocolate Milkshake.
Address: Twenty4 Smart Convenience Store, Lot G26A, Ground Floor, Ipoh Parade, Jalan Sultan Abdul Jalil Greentown, Ipoh
Contact: 011 1025 2628
Website | Facebook | Instagram

10. Jln Theatre Cafe

Photo by Jln Theatre Cafe
You can’t go to Ipoh and not check out Jln Theatre Cafe. Cofounded by Kenneth Eng and Jecvis Wang, the minimalist cafe and micro-roastery offers specialty coffee, cakes, and desserts.
Address: 76, Jalan Theatre, Taman Jubilee, Ipoh
Contact: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Instagram

For more restaurants and cafes to check out, click here.

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Technology
Christmas 2019: 10 Essential tech gifts to spark extreme joy this year

05.11.2019
By Ronn Tan

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Dear generous souls, the season of giving is fast approaching. And that means it’s also the period of dilemmas and the zeitgeist of thorough thoughts. Yes, the search for the perfect gift can be oh-so-difficult. After all, it is of utmost importance that whoever receives the present, well, is happy with what he or she gets. This tech gift guide is curated specially for you so please stop scratching your scalp any longer. The process should be fun. Without further ado, have a look at the roundup of some of the best Christmas-worthy gadgets below.
1. Samsung Galaxy Fold

Samsung Galaxy Fold
You can access your essentials on the cover display comfortably with one hand when closed and explore new ways to multitask, watch videos, play games, and more when opened—all on its immersive 7.3-inch Infinity Flex Display. From a new form factor and materials to its unique foldable user experience (UX), versatile camera, and premium performance, the Galaxy Fold combines users’ favourite smartphone and tablet features to deliver a new kind of mobile device. The phone-tablet hybrid is available in Space Silver and Cosmos Black. Other things to note: it has six pro-grade cameras, 512GB built-in storage, and dual battery with 4,380mAh capacity.
Price: RM8,388Website

2. Garmin Marq Captain

Garmin Marq Captain
Built with titanium and constructed with sapphire crystal formed under extreme heat and pressure, the watch is lightweight yet durable. In addition to being engineered with a ceramic bezel inlay to protect the timepiece from wear and tear, the Marq Captain features an always-on, sunlight-readable display with GPS and premium smartwatch functionality, including built-in music storage, smart notifications, daily activity tracking, and wrist-based heart rate sensor. As for battery life, it ranges from 12 days in smartwatch mode to 28 hours in GPS Mode and up to 48 hours in UltraTrac mode.
Price: RM9,999Website

3. Sony Xperia 5

Sony Xperia 5
Apart from the stunning 21:9 CinemaWide display, the new Xperia comes with three cameras—a 16 millimetre lens for a super-wide angle, a versatile 26 millimetre, and a 52 millimetre portrait and tele lens. Enjoy smooth and shake-free videos with Eye Autofocus as well as Optical SteadyShot. The Sony Xperia 5 also comes with its most powerful processor yet, Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Mobile Platform. It’s available in black, grey, blue, and red; water-resistant and has a 3,140mAh battery capacity.
Price: RM3,190Website

4. Apple Watch Series 5

Apple Watch Series 5
Among its features is the Always-On Retina display. This means that you don’t have to raise your wrist or touch the screen to see the screen. It also comes with a Noise app that alerts you when decibels rise to harmful levels. Furthermore, the Apple watch has a built-in compass, an App store, heart rate tracker, and fall detection. The Series 5 possesses more than 100 watch faces as well. Fun fact: the Apple watch case is made from 7000 series aerospace-grade aluminium and is 100 percent recycled.
Price: From RM1,749Website

5. Huawei Mate 30 Pro

Huawei Mate 30 Pro
Among the reasons to get the Mate 30 Pro are the integrated quad-camera which includes the SuperSensing Cine Camera—a dual main camera system designed for amazing photographic and videographic results, and the Huawei Supercharge that offers long-lasting battery for heavy mobile users. Huawei Mate 30 Pro features the Horizon Display to provide an edge-to-edge immersive viewing experience. In addition to a big battery of 4500mAh, the Mate 30 Pro comes with a 40MP Cine Camera, 40MP SuperSensing Camera, an 8MP Telephoto Camera, and a 3D Depth Sensing Camera.
Price: RM3,899Website

6. Fitbit Versa 2

Fitbit Versa 2
This smartwatch comes with a new precision-crafted swimproof design including innovative sleep features such as Sleep Score and smart wake. Along with a Spotify app, Versa 2 has an on-device microphone, enabling Fitbit’s first-ever Amazon Alexa experience. Now with battery life lasting more than five days, the Versa 2 is powered by a faster processor compared to its predecessor for better performance and seamless navigation.
Price: RM998Website

7. Otterbox

Otterbox iPhone 11 case
This popular smartphone case company now has products for the new iPhones—adding personal style and protection to any Apple device with a wide portfolio of case styles, colours, and graphics. For example, the Symmetry Series protects against daily drops and bumps with a slim profile and trusted protection whereas the Defender Series is made for everything from rough-and-tumble adventures to everyday life.
Price: From $29.95 (approximately RM125)Website

8. Bose Noise Cancelling 700 Headphones

Bose Noise Cancelling 700 Headphones
The headphones feature a four-microphone system that picks up and isolates voices while cancelling the noise around. With 11 levels of noise cancellation, you can now personalise your environment. The signature active EQ and impressive bass response result in immersive listening experience. Bose AR is a first-of-its-kind audio augmented reality platform. There are motion sensors embedded inside the headphones that can detect your head orientation and body movement while you wear them. Battery last up to 20 hours of full-featured audio playback. The headphones are available in black and silver.
Price: RM1,829Website

9. DJI Mavic Mini

Weighing at only 249 grammes, it is an ultra-light folding drone designed to be the everyday FlyCam. Mavic Mini’s camera is capable of capturing compelling footage in high definition, and the new DJI Fly app’s suite of creative features transforms photos and videos into professional-quality productions. Expect up to 30 minutes of flight time, while a Wi-Fi transmission signal delivers stable control and an HD live feed for a clear, confident flying experience.
Price: RM1,599Website
10. HP Elite Dragonfly

This new product from HP is definitely one for the future of work. Touted as the world’s first business convertible with pre-installed personal wellbeing software, HP WorkWell, the Elite Dragonfly is available in an Iridescent Dragonfly Blue with precision-crafter from CNC-machined Magnesium. This makes the laptop way more durable than the others. In addition to that, it comes with an ultra-lightweight HP Quiet Keyboard that’s redesigned and lightweight click pad. Moreover, with HP Sure Sense, security features are enhanced.
Price: RM6,500Website
For more Christmas/Festive content, visit our Buro Christmas Village.

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Beauty
5 Barbers and salons to follow on Instagram for the best hair inspo
Spoiled for choice

29.03.2023
By Phyll Wu

Images courtesy of @coiffeurstory on Instagram

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Planning to get a new cut? Find the best hair inspo from these five top-notch barbers and salons on Instagram.
There is nothing more revitalising than getting a fresh cut that will instantly make you feel like a brand new person, especially during hard times. Went through a bad breakup? Get a haircut. Got fired from your job? Get a haircut. Feeling self-conscious? You guessed it—get a haircut.
That said, with so many styles to choose from, where do you even start? Well, good news! We’ve scoured out the best hairstylists and salons on Instagram that will give you all the inspo you need just by scrolling through their pages. From subtle chops to bold dyes, read on to find your next hair transformation!

12Pell

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A post shared by @12pell

Based in Chinatown, New York, 12Pell’s skilled barbers could turn the most average-looking guy into a dashing heartthrob with a simple cut. Beyond their many hair transformation videos, they also share helpful tips and suggestions to get a cut that suits you best, so you can browse through their Instagram or TikTok page for professional advice!

Assort Hair

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A post shared by ASSORT HAIR SALON (Tokyo New York Hong Kong Amsterdam Sydney) (@assort.hair)

If you’re often scrolling through TikTok’s For You Page, chances are, you might’ve come across some of Assort Hair’s viral videos. Launched in Tokyo, Japan, the famed hair salon has expanded all the way to New York, Hong Kong, Amsterdam, and Sydney. Trust that they will nail any hairdos requested, be it cornrows or wolf cuts. Simply browse through their videos and you’ll surely find a hair makeover that catches your eye, perhaps even a style that you’ve never considered.

Anna Cutz

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A post shared by Sacramento Barber | Anna (@anna.cutz)

Want the sickest, cleanest fade that complements your facial features best? Show your barber Anna Cutz’s works. Even if you’re struggling with a receding hairline, she has your back with pro advice to get the freshest cut that fixes any flaw.

Ryusei

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A post shared by 𝐑𝐘𝐔𝐒𝐄𝐈(26)🇯🇵最速美容師 (@n_saka_10)

It’s no secret that Japanese hairstylists are some of the best in the game. Just look at some of Ryusei’s works and you’ll know exactly what we mean (and he’s only 26!). If you’re hoping to get a hair transformation that will make you look like a real-life anime character, his Instagram page is the place to go for the best inspo. You’ll also find various unique hair dye styles to consider, but good luck picking just one!

Coiffeurstory

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A post shared by Coiffeurstory✂Yannick & Gabby (@coiffeurstory)

Who doesn’t love the good ol’ mullet? We know we do! And Coiffeurstory does it best. Any mullet styles you can imagine, they’ve done it and best believe they’ve nailed it flawlessly. While you can never go wrong with the standard wolf cut, you should definitely explore all the different types of mullet on their Instagram page that are a hundred times cooler.

For more reads like this, click here.

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Fashion
Accessory of the day: Missoni’s AW19 knitted beanies

24.02.2019
By Stephanie Boey

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Missoni is known for their knits and this season, all eyes were on the glittery beanies. Other names you may recognise this silhouette as: ski cap, wool hat and bonnet. Whichever moniker you are most comfortable with, one thing’s for certain: they’re not the most flattering and the last thing you need is hat hair in an exchange. But what’s one to do during the peak of winter and walking out of the house with a bare head would be close to torturous? Slap some glitter on it. Missoni’s knitted creations were styled with the ends rolled upwards, creating a bowler hat shape for a more sophisticated look. A handy trick to try if you’ve already got beanies aplenty.

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Fashion
Roberto Cavalli appoints Paul Surridge as new creative director
New chapter

10.05.2017
By Wei Yeen Loh

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Italian fashion house Roberto Cavalli has named British creative director Paul Surridge as its new creative director, to be effective immediately. This appointment comes six months after Peter Dundas’ exit, where the former creative director helmed the brand for a short 19-month stint.

“I am honoured and proud to carry forward the legacy of this extraordinary Italian house. This is a unique opportunity to contribute a new chapter to the Roberto Cavalli universe which positively celebrates the beauty, sensuality and power of women,” says Surridge in a statement. “It’s my intention to show the passion I share for the codes and vision on which Roberto Cavalli built his brand while celebrating the excellence of Italian craftsmanship.”

A post shared by Roberto Cavalli Official (@roberto_cavalli) on May 10, 2017 at 3:16am PDT

Surridge cut his teeth at a handful of men’s fashion labels, including Calvin Klein, Burberry under Christopher Bailey, Jil Sander under Raf Simons, Z Zegna, and most recently, as the creative consultant at Acne Studios. While Dundas brought on a ’70s-leaning, ultra feminine aesthetic (with a penchant for animal prints and body-hugging silhouettes) to the brand during his tenure, we can’t wait to see what Surridge brings to the table. The new designer’s debut for Roberto Cavalli will be the women’s Spring 2018 collection in Milan this September.

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Fashion
A clean slate: The best looks of Cruise 2020

06.01.2020
By Joan Kong

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Buro Loves
How to smell good and fresh all day long (without perfume)

22.06.2020
By Marissa Chin

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We’re sure you all know that one person in our lives who always smells good–whether they just got out of a sweaty gym session or had Chinese hotpot for dinner, they still somehow smell impeccable (which is both awe-inspiring and mind-boggling at the same time).
Given our hot and humid climate in Malaysia, the need to smell pleasant and fresh are dire. Overactive sweat glands and subsequent body odour are the bane of existence for many of us, which should not be something to be ashamed about. Of course, none of us naturally smell like a budding field of flowers but there are certainly foolproof methods to smelling great the entire day without the constant perfume spritz every three hours. And yes, the steps go beyond just regularly showering every day but the results are scentsational (okay, we’ll stop now).
Next time, you could be the one turning heads–in a good way–while leaving everyone in the wake of your happy scent trail, wondering just how you do it.

Cover the potential stank in your house

We are made up of a myriad of different smells–from the bed we sleep in, how we wash our clothes to the fried fish we cooked for lunch today. Our homes are where we are most accustomed to and unfortunately, we can go ‘nose blind’ to how our humble abode actually smells like. Of course, we’re not saying you might be living in a musty cave but it’s always a good point to freshen up the space once in a while because scents can seep into everything. Jo Malone offers several scents from their Scent Surround collection but their Lime, Basil and Mandarin is their signature unisex scent that will transport you to the Caribbean reef. Alternatively, Aesop’s Istros Aromatique Room Spray is a favourite for its ambrosial floral aroma and smokiness thanks to tobacco–read more about the product here.

Choose the right washing detergent

Most of us might think what we smell like is what we spray onto our skin. But did you know that your washing detergent can play a huge part in how we smell? After all, they wash and clean the clothes we wear–but that’s not all detergents can be good for. Using the right washing detergent will not only care for your clothes in a gentler way, but it can also leave you (and your wardrobe) smelling extra fresh for longer hours while protecting your clothes from other radical scents (ahem, Mala hot pot). What is more luxurious–and better-smelling–than a non-toxic, cruelty-free, and biodegradable detergent that collaborated with a cult-favourite luxury fragrance house? The Le Labo and The Laundress’ Signature Santal Detergent is the epitome of indulgence. The iconic Santal fragrance contains 36 ingredients including cardamom, violet, sandalwood and leather to create a unique unisex scent. Once you try this, there’s no going back to your regular laundry routine.
Tip: You can also add a few drops of your favourite essential oil into the dryer while your clothes are drying or even onto dryer balls so that the scent spreads evenly to all your clothes.

Consider new ways to wear perfume

Not all perfumes come in a spray bottle. Like the trend-setting visionary fragrance brand that it is, Diptyque has found a new way to completely change the way we wear perfume with innovative creations–such as the Eau Rose Perfumed Bracelet. The little scented object gradually releases its floral notes while you go about your day so don’t worry about knocking someone out with an overbearing fragrance when you step into a room. Instead, your friends will wonder how you are smelling so good throughout the day but will never consider the seemingly nondescript black and white rope bracelet with a detachable gold clasp as the source of it. For a more intense diffusion of the fragrance, tie the scent-infused rope around your wrist twice. Alternatively, you can cut it shorter for a gentler waft. Simply replace the rope when the scent dissipates after a week–the package comes with rope enough for thirty bracelets. For the more mature businesswoman, try their scented brooches.

SPRAY YOUR LINENS

What’s one place your body spends the most time in? We’re assuming you are a clinophile like us so naturally, your answer should be your bed. So spraying your bedsheets and your pillows are actually great ways to infuse scent into your skin. Not only will it smell like you’re literally sleeping in a bed of roses, but you will wake up already smelling fresh before you even start your beauty routine. Jo Malone’s Lino nel Vento Linen Spray will give your bed a beautiful waft of lavender without being too overpowering. If you want to bougie it up, consider Frédéric Malle’s Dans Mon Lit which has a dream-like scent of Turkish rose essence and half rose water essential, blended with a little hint of musk. A small spritz of this will make your bed feel instantly luxurious, which is what you want to look for in a good linen spray. Only sweet dreams from here on out.

switch up your hand wash

Everyone is washing their hands more frequently now with the pandemic around the world. So it’s all the more reason to invest in an effective hand wash that also smells great. We have all experienced using hand washes with overly perfumey scents that follow you around all day. Often, they smell a bit tacky and can even be drying to your hands. We’ve raved about the Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash before but there’s a good reason why it’s a cult favourite. Its gentle formulation is great for those with sensitive or dry skin whilst still effectively cleansing the hands. The hand wash has a woody and citrusy kick to it, thanks o the use of mandarin rind, rosemary leaf and Atlas cedar.

try out a scented body oil

We know what you might be thinking–oil? In this heat? It can definitely sound like a recipe for disaster but body oils can be extremely nourishing, moisturising and even cooling. Scented body lotions often contain preservatives or additives which can break down your natural scent. Instead, try body oils which work to enhance it. The Almond Supple Skin Oil from L’Occitane has a beautifully lightweight texture that sinks into the skin quickly, leaving skin soft and plump to the touch. The nourishing body oil has an unobtrusive note of almonds–perfect for layering with the fragrance of your choice without being too overbearing. (Psst, it’s also really great for stretch marks and body acne.)

care for the hair

Washing your hair is a good practice to follow but you can take it a step further by investing in a long-lasting hair mist for that added freshness. Normal fragrances usually contain alcohol which can be too rich and drying on the hair so instead, opt for specialised hair mists that can soften and protect the hair. Our top picks include the classic Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Parfum Fresh Hair Mist for its long staying power of about six hours. Its light and sweet aroma of the grapefruit-quince accord, paired with the softness of jasmine and woodiness of white musk make for a delicate fragrance that leaves an alluring trail of flowers wherever you go.
Tip: For a gentle diffusion of aroma, spritz some onto your hairbrush instead.

don’t forget to put on deodorant

Sweat and body odour are natural occurrences to the homo sapien condition. So any chance to curb the hard work of our sweat glands is much appreciated. Deodorants are truly one of mankind’s greatest treasures–say goodbye to BO and embarrassing pit stains (we’ve all been there). For the gals, N° Green Natural Deodorant is a vegan deodorant gel stick that is not only chic but works wonders on sweat and BO. It does not contain aluminium (so don’t worry about staining your clothes), baking soda or synthetic fragrances. Rather, it gets its floral-citrusy scent from organic plant-derived ingredients. For the lads, try out the Giorgio Armani Black Code For Men Deodorant Stick for a long-lasting antiperspirant infused with the signature alluring Armani Code scent of olive flower, tonka bean and guaiacum wood.

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Collections
10 Standout shows from Men’s Spring/Summer 2020 Fashion Month

28.06.2019
By Joan Kong

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Fashion
Coming soon: The Uniqlo U collection by Christophe Lemaire
Where elevated basics reign

19.09.2016
By Su Fen Tan

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It was early July, and the city of Paris was abuzz with summer tourists, football fans in town for the ongoing UEFA EURO 2016, and people from the fashion industry—it was day four of Haute Couture AW16 shows in the French capital. Amidst the hustle and bustle, we made our way to the new Uniqlo Paris R&D Center, just minutes away from the Louvre.

Here, we welcomed the calm and clean aesthetic that one will expect from Christophe Lemaire and Uniqlo, in both the clothes and space. This was where the French designer has been leading a dedicated team as artistic director of the new R&D Center to create the inaugural Uniqlo U collection. While the previous collections between Uniqlo and Lemaire leaned more towards the style of the Lemaire label, Uniqlo U was designed to reflect the Japanese LifeWear brand’s essence and DNA.
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”Uniqlo R&D centre” rid=”4387″ order=”a_tstamp”}
“Uniqlo U is a new concept in LifeWear from the Uniqlo Paris Design Center. As such, it includes new ideas that were not previously available from Uniqlo,” said Lemaire. “U represents the very essence of Uniqlo. The U sound itself has a powerful phonetic association with the Uniqlo brand, and using it ensures our collection stays rooted in the brand’s DNA.”

Not many designers do refined simplicity as well as Lemaire does it. His no frills, honest approach to design equates to clothes that are timeless and highly wearable. Thus, while the collection was created in Uniqlo’s point of view, Lemaire took it to another level by incorporating fresh and novel ideas, whether in terms of design, fit or fabric. The result? A collection of elevated basics featuring clean, simple silhouettes in varying textures and colours.

Designed for AW16, longline outerwear, Uniqlo’s signature puffer jackets, drawstring-waist pants and more covetable knits make up the bulk of the Uniqlo U collection. The clothes spoke of pared-back minimalism, comfort and practicality. There are the muted colours that are usually associated with the colder seasons, then there is the more refreshing play in colours coming through the reds, teals and yellows, particularly in the women’s line. To the guys, we’d say keep an eye out for the checkered-textured knits come October; and to the ladies, look forward to adding key layering pieces to your wardrobe by way of a ribbed wrap cardi-coat and knit vests.

Take a look at the campaign images here:{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”Uniqlo U Campaign gallery” rid=”4388″ order=”a_tstamp”}
The Uniqlo U collection will be available from 7 October 2016 onwards at the Uniqlo stores in Fahrenheit88, One Utama, Midvalley Megamall, Queensbay Mall and online.

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Watches + Jewellery
Exploring the emotion of timepieces with Romain Jerome CEO Manuel Emch
A personal connection

18.12.2015
By Wei Yeen Loh

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The Cartier Privé collection is about history and modernity

While most CEOs of luxury watch companies would go on about the business technicalities of their latest creations, Manuel Emch, CEO of Romain Jerome prefers to delve into the emotional significance of a timepiece and what it means to a wearer. We caught up with the rising star who has, since 2010, created iconic timepieces that have put the brand in a more provocative and outstanding position.

Please tell us how 2015 has fared for you and the company.
Every year we launch about six to seven new products, which is one every two months, more or less. But this year we had a few different things. We’re going to launch one last watch at the end of this year, which is a new video game (which I won’t talk about too much). We launched one a few weeks back, celebrating 30 years of Back to the Future, and we launched Tetris in July. It took us a year to develop the dials, and we managed to launch it two days before the tribute ended. We also launched the second Batman watch—the Spacecraft. We did 75 pieces for Batman‘s 75th anniversary and it took us three weeks to sell out. We didn’t expect it, although we thought that there must be a lot of Batman aficionados out there so we did another one.

But for me, watches is an emotional object. It’s something you have to feel connected to. I believe that the world is changing, and it’s unstable. Watches is personal and emotional to me, therefore it has to be something that is different, unique, and by doing collaborations, we then create very personal timepieces. We don’t necessarily need to follow the same logic as other watch brands with volume, growth and profit etc; we’re trying to do it more artistically.

What do you want Romain Jerome to offer to the market?
It’s a question of vision. Watches were initially time-giving instruments. Today, nobody cares about it, because there are other time-giving devices. It has become a status symbol. What used to be common value of status has changed now. For example, some people would want to spend more on bicycles than on cars. The conception of status becomes subjective, so we have to be careful. We can’t say we’re of a certain status because we put gold in a watch, we have to be more than that.
And slowly we started to see the watch brands moving into artisan and craftsmanship. At the end, we have the same know-hows and artisans so we are all doing the same thing. It’s difficult to make yourself different when you start from and use the same bases. Watches are emotional objects of art, so we’re trying to create that. For me, business is not about business in the classic sense. I think we build brand equity just by being a little bit different and not looking at numbers necessarily. It takes a lot of time to build it, and we’re trying to give another approach to watchmaking—more personal, intimate and artistic.

You mentioned it’s difficult to make something relevant nowadays, would you say it’s one of the biggest challenges in the industry now for Romain Jerome?
It’s interesting to see, especially now that the industry is facing a challenging year. Our industry has known a growth cycle of 30 years, why? Because there’s currently newer emerging markets (Asia.) We used to be artisans and creators, but now we’re businesses. We’re integrated luxury companies, but I think luxury is not something that’s sustainable over time. We have to remain unique, emotional and artistic, and it’s challenging to put that together with large-scale businesses. It’s funny because people call it the “watch industry”, which to me sounds mass-produced and it doesn’t fit with what we do, so I’d rather say we’re an artisanship. We’re very visible and global, and people like watches but we need to protect the idea that whatever we’re doing is art, because it’s the only thing sustainable with time. Businesses come and go, but not art.

Does these collaborations come personally from your own inspiration, with references to pop culture and such?
Our company now is about 10 years old, and when we launched it, we told ourselves we want to be a contemporary brand. But we noticed that history is a very strong emotion driver, and emotionality is what makes people go for watches. I told myself that we need to find something that people can connect to. History doesn’t need to be 200 to 300 years old, it needs to be something that you can connect to. Why can’t we use references that we can commonly share, such as cultural pop icons from the 70s and 80s? By doing this, we’re changing the level of discussion. We’re not talking about just the product, craftsmanship or mechanical complexity. We’re talking to the subconscious of people who can connect to these. These people who buy our products used to play these video games when they were young, and when they were young, they were innocent, joyful and happy. For some timepieces, we tried to relate it to references 50 years ago, but it didn’t do as well as watches related to things 30 years ago.

Why steampunk? It’s rather specific.
It’s an evolution of the Titanic. We started the company with the Titanic watches, and the beautiful thing is that it’s so provocative. It became the talk of the town quickly and made the brand what it is today. We told ourselves that we can’t work around one concept, we needed to bring it one step further. To design watches, you need inspiration. People can connect to that film, and for me, I was interested in post-industrial revolution, which was a sub-culture of that culture. Sub-cultures are always where the biggest creativity lies in, like pop art and rock music. It’s where new things come to begin. You can’t avoid the steampunk thing, especially with the retrofuturistic approach, you wonder, is it contemporary or is it old? When you start to dive into it, you’ll see that there’s a whole underground movement to it, kind of like Burning Man festivals. People are looking for new tribes and communities to relate to, and you can build brands in different tribes. It brings a whole new feel to inspiration and interaction.

What’s the next demographic you are targeting?
I’m interested in people who are avant-garde, because they build the brands of tomorrow. These opinion leaders, mostly, come from mature markets. I believe that Asia is looking into references, so we’re building that. Now, China is the biggest watch market, and things have changed in less than ten years. The mentality has changed as well, and it will change in the next decade. You can’t reduce a market of that size to common behaviour, so we’re trying to target people who are looking for cultural, more intimate watches. The conception of status is very personal.

Do you have a favourite timepiece among the many?
The most important watch to me isn’t the most expensive or the most complicated or beautiful. It’s one that I have a personal relation to. The Volcano watch isn’t the most beautiful to me, but it’s important because when I took over RJ early 2010, we launched the Moonlion and Titanic in Baselworld, and a lot of the press asked me about a new Legend. I had no clue what we were going to do either. Two weeks later, I told myself, “You want a new Legend, I’ll make you a new Legend.” I did the design on Photoshop in ten minutes, we did a press release when the air field was closed.
The idea was just to basically get everyone satisfied. We basically created this watch that never existed. We told ourselves we aren’t going to sell it, so we made it so expensive that no one’s going to buy it. We looked at the most expensive steel watch in the market and double the price—we can pretend it’s a unique piece. It was $50,000 and I hesitated because it’s expensive and it doesn’t exist! But who cares right? And surprisingly, we had such a huge media return, it went on newspapers and on TV. We had 40 pieces on order by the end of the first day. I told myself, I don’t understand this at all!
We took a 100% risk and it worked, but we didn’t have anything to give. It’s good for PR I guess. We were contacted a few days later by an Icelandic woman who saw the watch on some blog, and she thought it was a great idea and she wanted to help us. Her husband was in charge of the Volcanic Institute of Iceland, so we got materials from Iceland, and everything flowed naturally.  In July we had a prototype and September we delivered the first watch. So far, we’ve sold 300 of this. We were ironic with ourselves and it ended up being a successful commercial product, so this is an important watch to me because of its story.

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Style
Fashion buzz: Prada and Adidas’s new sneaker collab, New York Fashion Week’s plans in the New Normal, and more

03.09.2020
By Lea Rina

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Prada and Adidas team up for their second drop

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Missed the chance to snag a pair from the hyped Prada x Adidas collaboration late last year? Good news: the brands are back with a second drop, and this round, the classic Superstar comes in three new colourways—monochrome black, classic white and black, and chrome silver and white. Each pair will be crafted from premium leather, with the Prada and ‘Made in Italy’ logo stamped on the side.
The new Prada Superstar will launch worldwide on September 8 on both Prada and Adidas’s digital and physical boutiques.
New York Fashion Week unveils its Spring/Summer 2021 plans in the New Normal

Following a digital format in June, New York Fashion Week will go on as planned coming September 13 to 16, and while a number of physical events will still be happening, a majority of shows will be presented virtually via a special online platform dubbed the Runway360. The brands that have confirmed their participation include Anna Sui, Carolina Herrera, Jonathan Simkhai, Marchesa, and more.
According to The Independent, Governor of New York Andrew Cuomo said that while the event is permitted to proceed as planned, New York State’s strict health and safety guidelines have to be followed due to the current situation of the coronavirus pandemic. Outdoor shows will be capped at 50 spectators, and indoor shows can only have 50 percent capacity. But with a slew of models, designers, backstage and more, the space for indoor shows will definitely be limited. On top of that, all attendees will need to adhere to social distancing guidelines and are required to wear face coverings and undergo temperature checks.
Bella Hadid is on the prowl in Burberry’s Pocket bag campaign

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Burberry’s first-ever bag campaign is here, and it features its new signature that’s been making its way up the It-list—the Pocket bag. First introduced in Autumn/Winter 2019, the arm candy’s design is inspired by its archives and reinterpreted with an added front pocket and sleek leather frame, while the combination of leather and canvas material is an ode to the Maison’s equestrian heritage.
Staring supermodel Bella Hadid, the campaign took inspiration from its house code—the Burberry Animal Kingdom. In a statement by the brand, Tisci says, “Animals have always been a creative obsession and signature of mine, and it was so amazing to see Bella Hadid bring this to life as the panther. She has this fierce power and raw femininity that perfectly embodies the animal spirit.”
Kenzo introduces its athleticwear line, Kenzo Sports

Want to work out in style? Kenzo is now on the athleticwear bandwagon with the launch of its new Kenzo Sport line, and the men’s and women’s designs embody the brand’s signature quirky-meets-functional aesthetic. From clothing—including hoodies, T-shirts and leggings—to gym bags to exercise mats, every item is emblazoned with its logo that’s been transformed into an ‘X’.
Shop the collection on Kenzo’s website here.
Ermenegildo Zegna celebrates its 110th anniversary by giving back to nature

“What does it mean to be a man today?” has always been the big question at Zegna since it was established in 1910, and to celebrate its 110th anniversary, the brand is honouring the legacy of its founder by looking to the future. How? By inviting the community to be a part of its mission to protect the environment. All you need to do is visit its website and purchase an engraved wooden heart (that’s made from trees that have fallen naturally or cut down for security reasons) to contribute to the conservation of Oasi Zegna—a 100 square-kilometre nature reserve in the Province of Biella.

Cos gives a ‘New Perspective’ in its AW20 campaign

For its Autumn/Winter 2020 campaign, Cos shines the spotlight on a diverse group of creatives to celebrate what they all stand for—contemporary culture and their vision for a better future. Shot by photographer Jack Davison, the stars of the film and imagery—which include top models Lara Stone and Sora Choi, ballet dancer Isaac Hernandez, and artists Greta Bellamacina and Rhea Dillon—were all spotted in the brand’s latest collection of muted hues in refined and timeless silhouettes.
Read last week’s Fashion Buzz here.

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Beauty
Beauty buzz: Fenty Skin is on the way, Clarisonic is going out of business and more

17.07.2020
By Redzhanna Jazmin

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This week’s headlines run the gamut from brand launches (Fenty Skin is coming soon and we are here for it) to brand closures (RIP Clarisonic) and the latest in celebrity hair and makeup. Ahead, glean all the beauty news from this eventful week:
This week in hair
Kate Middleton’s summer hair is goals

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 Say hello to @bbctinyhappypeople! Tune into @bbcbreakfast on Tuesday 14th July to join The Duchess of Cambridge and three families involved in its creation. Tiny Happy People is a BBC Education initiative providing a range of free digital resources, specifically designed to support parents and carers in developing children’s language from pregnancy to the age of four. Take a look at the resources via the link in our bio #TinyHappyPeople
A post shared by  Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@kensingtonroyal) on Jul 13, 2020 at 2:30pm PDT

The latest snap shared on the official Kensington Royal Instagram feed depicts a glowing the Duchess of Cambridge with a fresh new ‘do. The lighter highlights (and that Farah Fawcett-inspired blowout) compliment her tanned skin well—a welcome switch-up in her beauty roster.
This week in makeup
Rihanna’s latest beauty endeavour is Fenty Skin

Roll up, roll up! Rihanna’s Fenty franchise is expanding, and the next step is non-binary skincare. That’s right, this line is for guys, gals and everyone in between. The official drop date is 31 July, with three products from the lineup revealed just this week: the Total Cleanser, Fat Water Toner, and Day Cream with SPF. There is no doubt that this is one of the most highly anticipated celebrity brand launches of the year—looks like we’re all one step closer to actual Fenty face.

Whoever told you skincare has a gender, LIED to you! Hi Robyn! #FENTYSKIN https://t.co/wlDTNUnYvY
— Rihanna (@rihanna) July 14, 2020

Amandla Stenberg sports the beauty look of the month

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mister professor
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Amandla Stenberg proves that more is more can be pulled off if you do it right. Big, long spidery lashes have never looked better—especially when paired with a flawless base, a nude-pink lip and some bleached brows. Not to mention, her textured, blonde box braids juxtaposed with the masculine suit and glam makeup makes this whole look.
Pat McGrath Labs releases a new mascara

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McGRATH MASTERCLASS MASCARA MAGIC Hold the *NEW* #DarkStar Mascara wand horizontally, firmly push into the roots of your upper lash line to deposit a major dose of pigment, wiggling left and right as you pull the wand towards the tips of the lashes. Turn your wand vertically and use the brush to separate and style the lashes in place SLAY the SUMMER with YOUR NEW MASCARA OBSESSION – TODAY at @sephora and PATMcGRATH.COM.
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Mother McGrath is back with another killer formula—the Dark Star mascara is touted to be big on pigment, volume and length. The release has been long-anticipated, underscored by the incredible multi-part campaign directed by critically-acclaimed fashion photographer Steven Meisel.
It seems like mascaras are à la mode right now, with this being one of many launched in recent memory (here, Marc Jacobs Beauty‘s At Lash’d mascara comes to mind). Granted, we’re not complaining—anything that gives us longer, fuller lashes is welcomed in our books.
This week in body and wellness
FKA Twigs comes forward about her experience with fibroid tumours

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Drawing moments with wires

Art + Design
Drawing moments with wires
Wired up

15.02.2016
By Buro247

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Gavin Worth is a self-taught artist, illustrator and designer based in Switzerland. He uses black wire to create lines that resemble drawings on paper, except that the background is pretty much anything that Worth chooses to lay them against.

Creating an illusion that juxtaposes the steadiness of pen sketches on paper, and the daintiness of free-standing wires that are only attached to a block of wood, his sculptures come to life in a rather unique way. It also helps, of course, that Worth often chooses to create his sculptures based humans, telling simple stories of moments and emotions.

The artist tells My Modern Met, “Well, to me, people, in their honest, vulnerable moments, are the most beautiful things there are,” adding that perfection is uninteresting and that “the beauty is in the struggle.”

Check out more of Worth’s work here.

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Lifestyle
Father’s Day 2021: Food, drink, tech and travel gifts for dad that you’ll want too

08.06.2021
By Natalie Khoo

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For all the #DadJokes (the good kind) and nuggets of wisdom they share, dads deserve to know how much they mean to us. While material tokens don’t quite make up for all his love and sacrifices, a thoughtful gift can speak volumes and make this Father’s Day extra special for father dearest.
Whether your dad loves collecting whiskies, playing with new tech gadgets, or planning a weekend excursion (barring lockdown restrictions), we’ve got it all covered in this Father’s Day gift guide. Near or far, these items are even available for delivery so that they arrive straight on your old man’s doorstep for his big day.
1. John Walker & Sons Celebratory Blend

It’s been 200 years since John Walker ‘walked into’ a small grocery store in Kilmarnock, Scotland and changed the world of Scotch whisky forever. To celebrate this bicentennial milestone, the brand has unveiled the John Walker & Sons Celebratory Blend featuring the only image of the historical grocery store that inspired the ‘Keep Walking’ Spirit for two centuries. This exclusive blend boasts rich and complex flavours inspired by the very flavours in the stock books from the Walker family’s grocery store in the 1860s, and uses whiskies from distilleries which were operating at that time. The blend’s strength is said to be similar to the Old Highland Whisky sold during that era. If dad’s a whisky buff, this gift will put you in the running for his favourite child.
Price: RM320
Shop here
2. Bonia Voyager Backpack

Is dad always planning something outdoorsy? With its durable nylon material and stylish leather trim details, the Bonia Voyager Backpack will be his ideal companion if so. It features utilitarian touches that reference vintage military pieces and arrives in a dark brown shade with electrifying dashes of orange that simply spells ‘adventure’. Plus, there are plenty of zip pockets and compartments for dad to keep his belongings safe and organised.
Price: RM1,599
Shop here
3. Weber Original Kettle Charcoal Grill 57cm with Thermometer

Should the lockdown be extended past Father’s Day, getting dad a grill would be a fantastic solution to satisfy his meat cravings at home. This Original Kettle-style charcoal grill from Weber comes with an in-built lid thermometer for perfectly smoked and grilled meats every time. Equipped with durable all-weather wheels, tool hooks and a porcelain-enamelled bowl and lid, it’s portable and convenient for backyard or poolside grills. It’s also easy to clean thanks to its aluminised steel one-touch cleaning system and deep rust-resistant ash catcher. Next time you visit dad, you’ll be asking, “what’s cooking?”
Price: RM1,509
Shop here
4. Apple iPad Pro (2021)

Get the tech-savvy dad the new iPad Pro and you can bet he’ll show it off while proudly mentioning you as the gift giver. Why wouldn’t he, with the breakthrough M1 chip boasting powerful performance and graphics that spring to life on dynamic 11- or 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR displays? Then, there’s the pro-grade cameras for all those video calls and selfies (hey, dads want to look good too), with Wi-Fi 6 and Thunderbolt support for his connectivity needs and up to 2TB of storage for all his files.
Price: From RM3,499
Shop here
5. Montblanc Meisterstück Around the World in 80 Days LeGrand Fountain Pen

For the dad who’s a firm believer in the power of the pen, the new Montblanc Meisterstück Around the World in 80 Days collection promises to impress. Drawing inspiration from the namesake adventure novel by Jules Vernes, this Le Grand Fountain Pen in blue precious resin recalls the first part of the journey where the main character travels from London to Bombay through the Suez canal. The cap is is adorned with a milled pattern highlighting the novel’s key elements, including ocean waves, card suits, and a cartouche with a lasered steam boat. Meanwhile, the embossing on the cap represents the length of the journey—‘18’ days from London to Bombay and ‘80’ days in total. It is finished with a hand-crafted 14K rhodium-coated nib ornamented with the emblematic hot air-balloon as well as the start and end date of the storied journey.
Price: RM3,845
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6. Nespresso Essenza Plus Nespresso Limousine Black Bundle

Help dad start his day right with a cup of coffee—not just any coffee, but a cuppa Nespresso that’s made with sustainability in mind. With Nespresso’s wide range of coffee that brings the palate around the world, dad can enjoy a different capsule every day, twice a day, if he likes. Whether he prefers an espresso, a lungo, an Americano, or even tea, the Essenza Plus will have his coffee ready in a jiffy.
Price: RM1,199
Shop here
7. Under Armour HOVR™ Infinite 3 25th Anniversary Running Shoes

In conjunction with Under Armour’s 25th anniversary, the brand has released a special collection for performance athletes and fitness enthusiasts worldwide. To help dad keep on top of his runs, why not treat him to a new pair of running shoes from the collection? The UA HOVR™ Infinite 3 Running Shoes are designed to provide a ‘zero gravity feel’ to maintain the energy return while helping to eliminate impact when running. Dad can stay fit, safe and in-trend at the same time.
Price: RM549
Shop here
8. Sonos Roam

This newly released portable speaker is ideal for the dad who’s always listening to music—even in the shower. The Sonos Roam is a powerful and smart speaker that delivers full-bodied audio at all volumes and surroundings, boasting multiroom listening at home on WiFi, on top of Bluetooth streaming, 10-hour battery life, and waterproof durability (IP67) on the go. It pairs seamlessly with other gadgets to stream music directly via Bluetooth, and also supports AirPlay 2.
Price: RM1,099
Shop here
9. Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast Zippo Chrome Logo Lighter

Hard Rock’s Rock Shop has a couple of ideas on what to gift the rock ‘n’ roll dad, one of which is this Zippo Chrome Logo Lighter. Its Vincenzo-esque flip top lid will probably spark old school concert nostalgia for dad, while the Hard Rock logo-etched black chrome-plated finish makes it a worthy collectible alongside his other rocker keepsakes.
Price: RM200
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10. Marks & Spencer Prosecco

For the dad who loves wine, make his day with a bottle from Mark & Spencer’s handpicked Italian wines. From a refreshing, fruity Classics No.4 Pinot Grigio to a rich and jammy Chianti DOCG, the extensive wine selection has something to suit every palate or accompany any meal. In the spirit of celebration, we suggest a crisp Italian sparkling wine that bursts with light lemon, pear and apple flavours and a hint of floral notes—the ever-popular Prosecco.
Price: RM109
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11. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G

If dad is still using an old phone that’s lagging behind in every possible way, it’s time to get him an upgrade. The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G checks all the right boxes in terms of design (hello, sleek contour cut); camera (think four lenses and 8k video support); display (dynamic AMOLED with a 120Hz refresh rate); and performance (backed by Galaxy’s first 5nm processor) so dad can see more, do more and experience more at the palm of his hands. What’s more, it’s compatible with the S Pen, an optional add-on gift (or you can save it for the next gifting season) that will make browsing, note-taking and editing even more seamless.
Price: RM3,899
Shop here
12. Dyson Purifier Cool™ Formaldehyde air purifier

Give dad the gift of fresh, clean air this year with the latest Dyson purifier that’s built with an all-new solid-state formaldehyde sensing technology. For the uninformed, formaldehyde is a colourless, odourless toxic gas that is released by wall paint, furniture and household cleaning products—which builds up in the home over many years. Dyson’s state-of-the-art purifier is designed to destroy potentially dangerous VOCs like formaldehyde, along with other ultrafine dust and allergens found in indoor air. It is also now 20% quieter than its predecessors and features a fully-sealed HEPA 13 standard filtration system that captures 99.95% of particles as small as 0.1 microns to ensure only purified air fills the living space.
Price: RM3,199
Shop here
13. Remy Cointreau X Daun Petals gift sets

From left: The Artist, The Connoisseur, The Hero
Who says flowers are only for moms? Remy Martin, Bruichladdich and The Botanist have collaborated with Daun Petals to offer three exclusive floral creations to complement a bottle of dad’s preferred liquor. Surprise dad for ‘The Hero’ that he is with a bottle of Bruichladdich’s Port Charlotte 10, accompanied by a bouquet that reflects the heavily peated rich and smoky flavours of the Islay single malt Scotch whisky.
Alternatively, celebrate ‘The Artist’ and his creative and adventurous personality with a bottle of The Botanist gin that comes with a bouquet designed to evoke the spirit of the wild. As for the dad who appreciates the finer things in life, treat him to a bottle of Rémy Martin XO befitting ‘The Connoisseur’ that he personifies. This signature cognac package is housed in a special box featuring an exquisite floral arrangement and is limited to only 10 units.
Price: RM695 (The Hero), RM505 (The Artist), RM1,500 (The Connoisseur)
Shop here

14. Jabra Elite 85t Earbuds

Cool dads wear wireless earbuds—so if dad doesn’t already own a pair, you know what to do. With Jabra’s Advanced ANCTM feature, the Elite 85t offers top-notch, fully adjustable active noise-cancellation with just one tap to remove both outside (like dogs barking or dishes clanging) and inside noises (like chewing and breathing) for full concentration. Dad can also personalise how he prefers his music to sound like via the Sound+ App or choose how much of the outside world to let in using the HearThrough technology. The earbuds boast up to 5.5 hours of battery life with ANC on and up to 25 hours in the compact charging case, so he can go from a conference call to his evening run seamlessly.
Price: RM1,049
Shop here
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Explore more gift guides here.

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Beauty
Model Natalie Prabha’s tips on how to maintain a vegan lifestyle

06.06.2020
By Wei Yeen Loh

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Interested in going vegan but not sure how you can kickstart this lifestyle? Find out what Natalie Prabha has to say about her experience as a vegan in our BURO. Hangouts: Live episode:

Background information:
“I’ve been a vegan for five years now. I tried it out for 40 days for Lent and I liked what it did to my body. After 40 days I went back to old diet but I decided to go back to eating normal and I realised I didn’t like what it did to my body. I felt lethargic and my skin started breaking out. When I learnt more about the environmental impacts of eating a diet with meat, I decided to go vegan.”
Tips for beginners:
“Do your research before you start, on what to eat, buy, what to expect from your diet. You need to know the substitutes because animal protein is different from plant protein. There are a lot of YouTubers and bloggers who share lifestyle experience and tips. It really helped make the transition smoother.”
On her beauty philosophy and favourite products:
“I received some products from Handmade Heroes and I’ve been loving them recently. I tried the mask today and I really like it; I also love the new lip scrub—it smells like ice cream. I like this gel moisturiser from Natura—it’s a Brazilian brand and they are 100% vegan and sustainable as well. They recently launched in Malaysia and they have a store in Sunway Pyramid, and they are available online too. I’m using Natura’s shampoo too and it’s good.
“A few non-vegan products I use are YSL Beauty’s Pure Shots range, Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate, and Shiseido sunscreen. When I first started going vegan I thought I needed to make a 100% lifestyle change, but I realised it wasn’t easy or convenient because not all products suited my skin. I do use non-vegan brands but I try to use those that are sustainable. My philosophy on going vegan is to use or consume whatever is better for the earth and gives back to Mother Earth. I like makeup from Chanel and Dior; I try to use cruelty-free makeup, like from NYX and Urban Decay and Tarte, but for certain products, I still prefer non-vegan ones.”
On misconceptions about veganism:
“Most people have an ‘all-or-nothing’ assumption about going vegan, and they tend to fall out after they make a slight mistake (for example, they crave ice cream and eat some and then feel bad). To me, it’s okay to start out 50%/50% or even 70%/30%.
“A lot of people also think that going vegan by default is healthy and it’s going to be very good for you—but it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s always healthy. Potato chips, French fries and deep-fried vegetables are not healthy. Listening to your body is the most important thing you can do. The vegan diet isn’t for everyone and certain people do need nutrition from animal-based protein.”
On challenges she faced while transitioning to a vegan lifestyle:
“Eating out was the hardest part for me. You don’t want to just go to a vegan restaurant, especially with your friends and family, as there aren’t options for them. I wish restaurants here have more vegan options. My favourite vegan restaurant here would be Sala—they never disappoint, the mushroom asada dish is amazing. I like HSBC restaurant in Bangsar too as it’s inclusive.”
On positive changes she’s discovered after going vegan:
“It really benefited my skin. I was breaking out a lot previously, but when I tried going vegan, I realised my skin cleared up. I felt like I had a lot more energy as well. People assume that if you take meat out of your diet, you’ll feel really tired but that’s the complete opposite. Energy comes from carbohydrates and most of them come from plant foods. Mental health wise, I felt more fulfilled with myself as I knew I was doing it for the plant and animals.”
On vegan recipes, ingredients and more:
“My favourite meal is breakfast. I make it with oatmeal instead of wheat flour and I use it for toppings and crumbles. We have tofu four days out of the week (it’s so versatile). My favourite easy go-to recipe is peanut sauce: peanut butter, soy sauce, maple syrup and lemon juice and a bit of water. It tastes like instant satay sauce and I love it. The most-used ingredients in my kitchen are: bananas—I use them in a lot of my meals (for smoothies and even for breakfast), and soy sauce (I even use it in my Bolognese pasta).
Watch more BURO. Hangouts: Live episodes here.

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Food + Drink
Malaysian Chefs Cook at Home: Upside-down cheesecake by Chef Marcus Low, MadHatter Desserts

10.10.2019
By Gwen Ong

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Unconventional is the word to describe Chef Marcus Low of MadHatter Desserts. The former banker turned baker – self-taught by the way – was never one to stick to the rule, prefering to tempt and tease with his play of flavours and textures. His array of desserts are a sight to behold and a delight to devour. There is a reason why he is known as Dessert King after all, thanks in part to his first claim to fame as the runner-up on Masterchef Asia in 2015.
For the second episode of our ‘Malaysian Chefs Cook at Home’ series, we visited Chef Marcus on a gloomy afternoon where the sky was overcast with grey skies. That didn’t put a damper on the creative dish he had planned for us. The upside-down cheesecake is a simple dessert he likes to do to impress guests at dinner parties. Believe it or not, you can whip this up in under 30 minutes! Happy experimenting!

UPSIDE-DOWN CHEESECAKE
Ingredients:

Mascarpone
Cream Cheese
Sugar
Lemon
Vanilla
Chocolate
Salt
Butter
Leftover biscuits
Icing sugar
Leftover fruits

Methods:

Prepare the cream cheese, mascarpone to be at room temperature.
Mix cream cheese and mascarpone with the icing sugar until homogeneous then slowly beat in the cream until the cheese mixture is loosen. You can adjust the thickness by adding more or less cream to desired thickness (place mixture into any glass or bowl).
Cook sugar and water until lightly caramelised. Once browning on the sides, add the chocolate and stir until it fully crystallises.
Melt butter in a saucepan and then let it gently cool down.
Crush biscuits in a ziplock bag and then add melted butter and the crystallised chocolate. Add salt to taste.
Sprinkle the crumble mixture onto the cheese mixture and set in fridge 2 hours.
Serve with strawberries or any fruits leftovers.

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Montblanc refines wearable technology

Watches
Montblanc refines wearable technology
Cutting-edge innovation

14.10.2015
By Su Fen Tan

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The Cartier Privé collection is about history and modernity

Combining traditional Swiss watchmaking with cutting-edge technology, the TimeWalker Urban Speed UTC e-Strap watch features a watchstrap that connects to the owner’s smartphone paired with a fine timepiece driven by an automatic calibre.  Unlike the typical smartwatch, it is a mechanical timepiece enhanced with digital functionalities—the result of innovative brilliance.

The suave NATO-type strap is made of high performance Montblanc Extreme leather, and integrated with the impressive technology that connects to selected Android phones as well as iPhone 4s and subsequent models. Built with a 128 x 36 OLED display, the e-Strap provides intuitive touch controls and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, giving it a hefty five-day lifetime. Perfect for the modern man on-the-go, the e-Strap integrates an activity tracker, a Find Me function for smartphone and watch, notifications for incoming communications, and remote controls for the phone’s camera and music player.

Durable and resistant to abrasion, the TimeWalker UTC 42mm stainless steel case is reinforced by the use of a deep black surface treatment known as Diamond-Like Carbon. The dark, contemporary aesthetic enhances its dynamic design characterised by skeletised horns and a thin bezel. Powered by the mechanical self-winding calibre MB 24.05, the TimeWalker Urban UTC e-Strap is a truly effortless blend of modernity and tradition.

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Fashion
Shop now: Johanna Ortiz’ capsule collection—exclusively on MyTheresa.com
Hot summer

11.04.2018
By Joan Kong

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

Known for her ultra-feminine silhouettes, Johanna Ortiz is the name behind some of your favourite looks from Hollywood’s biggest stars such as Beyoncé and Gal Gadot. To prepare for the heat this coming summer (aren’t we glad we could wear these all year round?), luxury online retailer MyTheresa.com has collaborated with the Colombian designer on a nine-piece holiday capsule collection, and the looks are all inspired by Johanna’s dream vacation wardrobe.

“For me, Cartagena is visual poetry. The essence of the place is a conductor of creative energy and inspiration. It is the hometown of magical realism. This capsule is very personal as I visualized my very own travel essentials for my next getaway to Cartagena de Indias and having MyTheresa.com as a partner in crime to make it possible was quite literally a dream come true.” — Johanna Ortiz

Shot in Colombia’s Carribean coast, Cartagena, the collection is a wonderful mix of the designer’s signature elements, from puffed sleeves and bold prints to vibrant colours and OTT ruffles. Whether you’d like to rock head-to-toe polka dot for a day of exploring around the island, or do some juxtaposition by pairing a dotted top with a floral maxi skirt that sways with your every move, either way, you’re guaranteed to turn heads.

Have an up-close look at the nine-piece line below:
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”[Стандартная] MyTheresa x Johanna Ortiz” rid=”6116″ order=”a_tstamp”}

Shop the pieces here now.

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#KLFW2015 Highlights of Day 4

Fashion
#KLFW2015 Highlights of Day 4
Elevated outerwear

18.08.2015
By Wei Yeen Loh

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

Before KLFW RTW 2015 officially ends, we can surmise that sheer, peplum and print on print are still trending, and no matter how many monotone collections that have been presented on the runway, there’s always an element of surprise that comes along with each piece (which we’re absolutely glad for). But aside from the typical trends, here’s what stood out for us on Day 4:
1. Sean and Sheila’s Japanese-inspired Koi fish-embroidered modern kimonos were exquisite. From the detailing of the hemlines to presentation of each piece, we love the avant-garde direction of their collection. Case in point: a chic red bomber jacket casually worn one-shouldered to display subtle Japanese bamboo leaves embroidery on an inner crisp white top.
2. Sonny San decided to elevate the pajamas and pleated trend for eclipse’s collection. Find leaf-printed pajamas tops in fall hues paired with matching shorts, accessorised with a shimmery tasseled belt that you can wear for a weekend. His pleated dresses had an element of surprise as the models sashayed down the runway—the pleated layer was an overlay for sequinned skirts, which made for a glitzy and glamorous spectacle.
3. Look forward to fall and/or wintry weather with Hatta Dolmat’s minimalistic neoprene-ladden collection of trenchcoats, oversized turtlenecks and beanies all in spring-like sherbet colours (we love the irony here). A distinct motif was a multicolour iridescent beetle, which might be jarring to some but unique in our books.
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”KLFW Day 4″ rid=”3232″ order=”a_tstamp”}

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Culture
Buro 24/7 Malaysia talks reggae with Joss Stone
Soul queen

18.02.2016
By Buro247

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Joss Stone rose to phenomenal success when she was just in her teens. One big break arrived and the singer immediately made a hit with her debut album The Soul Sessions. Now, seven albums later, and Stone has already established herself not just as a soul-pop-jazz-funk artist, but also the owner of her very own record label called Stone’d Records.

Her latest album Water For Your Soul took fans and the music world by slight surprised, as Stone teamed up with Damian Marley (Bob Marley’s youngest son) and producer A.R. Rahman for an album that became the highest-selling reggae album of 2015.

As Stone will be heading to our region to perform at the Singapore International Jazz Festival (Sing Jazz 2016), we caught up with the singer-songwriter on her latest work with reggae.

You signed your first record deal as a teenager – and understandably being a successful, prominent artist is a dream that many young people share. So, is fame and success everything that you thought it would be?
I’m not a fan of fame, really. I find it mostly annoying… But being successful with your dreams in life is a beautiful thing. Regardless of whether it is with making music or making a great cake, it is nice to achieve a goal!

Your latest album Water For Your Soul was your first reggae album – were you always skewed towards the genre, or did Damian Marley have a lot to do with it?
Well, I have listened to reggae all my life since I was a little tot. My dad introduced me to Linton Kwesi Johnson when I was maybe four? Reggae is part of our everyday food. I have dabbled with reggae on my past records as well, with “Less is More” on my first record of originals, Mind Body & Soul, and then a little influence here and there on a few other tracks. I guess the simple answer is, I just like it!

Tell us more about Water For Your Soul – other than the different musical direction you took, how do you feel you’ve evolved with the creation of this album?
I don’t know. I just made a piece of music with some very talented, inspiring people. Those people, and the travels that I have been on, have influenced the world sound of the record. But if we’re talking about how I have evolved as a person, I couldn’t tell you, because I feel exactly the same.

It was reported that people were quite upset that your latest album was the highest-selling reggae album of 2015 – how do you deal with critics?
It depends who the critic is. If the critic is someone I listen to (a fellow musician or singer) then I listen; If the critic is someone that purely writes about music but doesn’t play and has never been on my radar for any reason, then I wouldn’t really be affected by their review. People generally send me good reviews so I read them over bad ones. Best decision was leaving the big, major record label because it’s given me freedom. You are in control of your own happiness.

What other genre of music would you consider delving into?
Any genre. The sky is the limit.

You’ve performed and collaborated with many other big names in music. Who has stood out the most for you?
Probably Nitin Sawney, he is a great artist and a great musician. He is good to talk to.

Catch Joss Stone live at Sing Jazz 2016 that’s happening from 4 to 6 March at Marina Bay Sands. More info at sing-jazz.com.

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Watches
Louis Vuitton reimagines its Monogram Flower with the Blossom collection
New bloom

12.05.2016
By Wei Yeen Loh

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Louis Vuitton’s iconic key symbols, the Monogram Flower, is the centrepiece of the house’s latest Blossom collection featuring both jewellery and precious watches. With a focus on flowers sculpted from mother-of-pearl and ornamental stones, the collection features three-dimensional work that allows the Monogram Flower to “open” its petals across sautoir necklaces, pendants, bracelets and earrings. Grey or white mother-of-pearl and cornelian or tiger’s eye are hand-sculpted and polished for a rounded contour that contrasts with the fine yellow and pink gold chains. The Monogram Flower is set within a circle or diamond shape, representing the heritage and savoir-faire of the Maison. Two high jewellery pieces include a long chain paved entirely with diamonds and a necklace with medallions of sculpted mother-of-pearl on a row of Tahitian pearls.
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”LV Blossom Jewellery” rid=”3999″ order=”a_tstamp”}

The Monogram Flower is also set at the centre of the Blossom watches, highlighting the technical excellence of the Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton. A noteworthy point is that each flower is sculpted in three dimensions from one piece of mother-of-pearl. Shades of blue or pink are hand-applied to the reverse of the piece for a nuanced effect. The face features diamonds from a steel design with studded bezel and index to a pink gold version with a snow-set face. All cases and indexes are diamond-paved on both variations of watches—the Tambour Spin Time and Tambour Monogram Tourbillon. However, a flower-shaped cage of the tourbillon is fitted on the Tambour Monogram Tourbillon, a movement that allows time to be read through a series of rotating diamond-studded cubes around the central flower.
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”LV Blossom Watches” rid=”3998″ order=”a_tstamp”}
More details on the Louis Vuitton Blossom collection here.

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Culture
The latest K-pop news in June 2023 from EXO, Ateez and more
In the world of K-pop

16.06.2023
By Marissa Chin

IMAGES: BeLift Lab | SM Entertainment

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The K-pop industry moves fast. With the plethora of song releases, music video drops—the occasional lawsuit—and industry moves happening every week, it can be a lot to catch up on if you’re not on top of your game. Thankfully, we’re here to get you up to speed on what has been going down in the realm of K-pop in June 2023 so far.

EXO gets fans excited with Let Me In amidst lawsuit drama

As one of K-pop’s biggest boy groups, fans have been eagerly anticipating EXO’s comeback since their last release back in 2021. On 12 June, the fandom (known as EXO-Ls) finally saw their favourites together again for their pre-release song Let Me In. The track and music video comes ahead of their full-length studio album release in July titled Exist.

However, EXO’s long-awaited comeback is bittersweet for many fans as it comes in the midst of a lawsuit by members Baekhyun, Chen and Xiumin. The three vocalists (who have also been promoted as a subunit known as EXO-CBX) sought to terminate their contracts with SM Entertainment on 1 June as it was revealed their new contracts would bind them for as long as 17 years. They have also cited a lack of transparency on payments. As the lawsuit is ongoing, the three members will continue to promote with the rest of the group until a conclusion is reached.

Blackpink’s Jennie personally updates fans on her recovery

Last weekend, Blackpink’s Jennie raised concern for fans after she unexpectedly left the stage in the middle of her Melbourne concert due to her deteriorating health condition. On June 13, the singer and actress took to her Instagram Stories to update Blinks on her current status and apologise for not being able to finish the concert. In her message, she wrote, “Dear Melbourne Blinks, I’m so sorry I wasn’t able to finish the show on Sunday. I’m doing my best to recover at the moment. Your understanding and support mean the world to me. Thank you to everyone who came out to our Melbourne show. Love you guys.” Here’s to a speedy recovery, Jennie!

Ateez gets Bouncy in spicy title track

Today, popular boy group Ateez fires up our screens with the spicy drop of their title track Bouncy (K-Hot Chilli Peppers) for their latest EP The World EP.2: Outlaw. The eight-member ensemble is known for its hard-hitting hip-hop sound with a strong emphasis on conveying a message of personal freedom. It’s no different in Bouncy, except the song also revolves around the theme of Korean Cheongyang chilli peppers (native chilli peppers with an intensity of 10,000 Scoville heat units) to convey Ateez’s explosive passion and choreography.

Seventeen’s Hoshi releases Stay on his birthday

Instead of being on the receiving end of gifts on his birthday, Hoshi of Seventeen decided to gift his fans a self-composed and self-written track! Titled Stay, the sweet song was unveiled together with a music video on 15 June. It reflects Hoshi’s gratitude towards his fans and implores them to keep staying by his side forever. Part of the 13-membered group, Hoshi is the leader of the performance unit and is known for his fluid and powerful dancing—we can add singing too from the sound of Stay!

Dara is gearing up for her solo debut!

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A post shared by Sandara Park (@daraxxi)

Legendary girl group 2NE1 will always have a special place in the hearts of K-pop fans all around the world. After the group went their separate ways in 2016, CL, Minzy and Park Bom have gone on to establish their solo music careers. Now, Sandara Park (known as Dara) will finally be making her highly anticipated solo debut which comes 14 years after her debut in 2NE1! The singer teased her mini-album release on Instagram and said, “Finally, Singer Dara is back with a solo special mini album for my fans. Thank you so much for waiting. Nolza~!!!” With her opening her official TikTok account just yesterday, fans are only getting more excited for her solo drop!

BeLift Lab’s newest survival show R U Next? teases female contestants

BeLift Lab’s first survival show I-Land, which debuted in 2020, was hugely successful in producing the now immensely popular boy group Enhypen. Now, the agency is seeking to recreate that magic with the debut of its first-ever girl group in the upcoming survival reality program R U Next? The show’s theme song, R.U.N, is sung by popular idol-turned-actress Bae Suzy.

Today, BeLift Lab—a joint venture between CJ Entertainment and Hybe Labels—introduced its 22 female contestants in individual profile films so audiences can get acquainted and choose their early favourites. The show will see Girls’ Generation’s Sooyoung as the host and the K-pop idol hopefuls battling each other in seven rounds of missions for a coveted spot in the final lineup. The show will premiere on 30 June on JTBC.

BTS celebrates their 10-year anniversary with ARMYs

13 June is a special day for ARMYs all around the world as it marks the date K-pop icons BTS made their debut back in 2013. The members and fans celebrated the group’s 10th year in the industry with a week-long countdown called Festa, in which never-before-seen clips and performances are released. As a special gift to ARMYs, BTS released a new song titled Take Two with all seven members and Jin (who is currently serving his military service) even made an appearance on Suga’s talk show. Further, major landmarks in Seoul such as Namsan Tower and Banpo Bridge were illuminated in purple, the representative colour of the fandom to congratulate BTS on hitting the 10-year milestone.

For more pop culture news, head here.

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Features
Ghostboy is the brand reinvigorating KL youth culture with their DIY designs

25.08.2021
By Kelly Lim

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With its phantasmagoric imagery and psychedelic colours, French animator René Laloux’s 1973 sci-fi fantasy stop-motion classic Fantastic Planet makes for the ideal stay-at-home distraction during times of crisis. The film tells an adventurous tale of survival on a foreign planet, touching upon themes of non-violence and anti-conformity to showcase the tenacity of the human spirit. Searching for an escape during lockdown, this was where Cyii Cheng and David Han, the creative pair behind KL-based label Ghostboy, found inspiration for their debut collection.
Launched in April, ‘Portal To Another Planet’ riffs off the film’s fantastical vision with a design language built around the power of youth. Slashed cut-outs and bright primary hues dominate body-flaunting silhouettes across a series of clubwear imbued with a fetishistic twist, ranging from high-waisted bikers and asymmetrical bodysuits to a pair of made-to-measure ass-less chaps. A product of lockdown ennui and post-pandemic revenge dressing, the collection straddles the line between escapism and reality, with just one message to deliver: celebrate yourselves and have fun whilst you’re at it.

Ghostboy was established early last year after the co-founders struck a chord with an online community for their one-off, upcycled creations. The pair first met through mutuals and got to know each other when David would hire Cheng as a model for assignments that were part of his fashion design degree. Keen to pick up sewing, Cheng (who also stars in their debut campaign) found a knowledgeable teacher in the designer––David taught her how to make leather chokers while he was still in college. Not long after, they began thrift flipping new designs that she couldn’t find in stores.
“In one of our early sessions, I went to his studio with RM50 worth of thrifted blouses that I got at a bundle store,” she remembers. “We cut them up and turned them into some crop tops sewn together using an overlock machine––back then these types of tops weren’t popularised yet. Long story short, a lot of people loved them and wanted to purchase them so we decided to make more and eventually turned it into a business.”

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A post shared by GHOSTBOY (@ghostboy.club)

Soon, Ghostboy’s pieces were selling out in mere minutes via bids in their Instagram comments. The pair introduced cult designs spanning one-shouldered tanks and baby tees to double-loop Qipao tops before arriving at the full-fledged collection that we see here today. With a desire to continue experimenting and grow in whatever direction the future will take them, their only way is up.
In the spirit of DIY, the duo’s shared an exclusive tutorial below to teach you how to repurpose your old clothes into cute outfits for your furry friends:

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A post shared by BURO Malaysia (@buromalaysia)

Ahead, we caught up with Cheng to gain insight into the brand, its values and what’s next:
BURO: What’s the ethos behind Ghostboy?
Cheng: “We don’t want to put ourselves in a box. We want to be able to grow and try new things. We like the idea that people don’t know what we’re going to do next.”
BURO: How did ‘Portal To Another Planet’ come about and what was the process behind the collection like?
Cheng: “‘Portal To Another Planet’ is our first collection and we spent a long time pondering about what we wanted to say with it. We realised it can be as easy as just touching on how we feel and what’s going on around us. It was around the time that we were in and out of MCO months at a time and a lot of ongoing global turmoil––just a lot of noise with no end in sight. We really wanted an escape and to do simple things that we enjoyed before the pandemic.

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A post shared by CYII CHENG (@cyiichengg)

“The collection was designed with our dreams and fantasies in mind. It’s clubwear with a touch of fetishwear. I think that’s pretty explanatory of mine and David’s dreams respectively. When I first watched René Laloux’s Fantastic Planet (1973), I felt there were themes in the film that were relevant to how I was feeling at the time. It’s an added bonus that the film has beautiful illustrations and a colour palette that matched the Ghostboy aesthetic.”
BURO: What’s the dynamic between you and David like? Do you divide yourselves between the creative and business aspects of the brand, or is it more collaborative?
Cheng: “It’s pretty collaborative. I think it’s quite common for people to think our roles are quite divided and I don’t blame them; especially since David studied fashion and I studied business. We do almost everything together and make decisions together. David and I have similar interests that we want to explore and we have similar tastes so we very rarely disagree with each other. We design and plan looks together, produce our clothes together and also come up with marketing ideas or events together. Of course, there are things that we have different skillsets for, like David patterning and making samples while I do the bookkeeping and handling customers.”
BURO: Ghostboy first gained recognition for its one-off, upcycled pieces. Will this be something that you plan to continue exploring and expanding on?
Cheng: “Yes! Although we are slowly branching out to making reproducible pieces (still in very small quantities), we do want to keep one-off items as part of our brand. It keeps things fun for us because it’s something we enjoy. We are slowly expanding the range for our upcycling––tote bags and bikini tops are the recent additions. Although with this prolonged lockdown, it has been harder for us to restock upcycled items because we are out of thrifted clothes in our studio and we can’t access thrift stores to get more material.

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A post shared by GHOSTBOY (@ghostboy.club)

“Something that we are very keen on though, is making DIY videos to teach people how to repurpose their old clothes at home (David loves teaching)! The two of us can only upcycle so many shirts, and it would be cool to see other people trying out for themselves too. Hopefully, we’ll be able to educate our young following about sewing and fixing their clothes. Teach a man how to fish and whatnot.”
BURO: How has working with upcycled materials informed your approach to design?
Cheng: “It’s about using what we have on hand, which can be quite limiting but we love a good challenge. It pushes us to try new things and experiment on new materials. Sometimes I’ll come back from the thrift store and show David some funny finds of the day––handkerchiefs, towels, a bolster pillowcase, and David’s reaction would always be ‘It’s amazing!!! We can try making a …’ and that’s always a thrill.

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A post shared by GHOSTBOY (@ghostboy.club)

“David says upcycled clothes are an archive of what’s been done before, so we can learn from them to make something new. Observing a lot of second-hand clothes really teaches us a lot too; sometimes we find a pair of pants that has a very interesting construction, or a jacket with a very well-sewn pocket and that’s how we learn to be clever about designing and producing. Even with the making of our OG Suckerpunch tops, it’s been fun to figure out how to deconstruct a shirt so that we utilise as much of the fabric as possible without compromising the design of the end product.”

BURO: Ghostboy is rooted in ethical production and driven by a curiosity to subvert normativity. Why are these values important to you?
Cheng: “Fashion has so many flaws. David and I wouldn’t feel right contributing to that and it’s something we agreed on since the beginning. We decided we wanted to focus on one thing at a time, starting with ethical production when it comes to our clothes, especially with the people who make them. All of our upcycled pieces are made by us, and some of our reproducible items are made in-house too.
“With subverting normativity, for us, it’s really about the exploration of people and things around us as well as what we’re interested in the moment. We all have ever-changing interests and new things we want to try. Ghostboy is the reflection of avenues that David and I want to explore, whatever it may be. We know for sure that we always want to offer something different than what the current Malaysian market has to offer.”

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A post shared by GHOSTBOY (@ghostboy.club)

BURO: The brand finds its biggest source of inspiration in youth culture. How does the current generation of young Malaysians inspire it?
Cheng: “We’re lucky enough to be surrounded by lots of people from the creative scene. We are inspired by our friends! Notably, it would be artist @softbwoi because we love her art and passion in uplifting the local scene (she’s also our graphic designer); musician Shelhiel for his style and music; and party collective @offdaymotel––they used to throw great Y2K parties that were so fun to dress up to attend and dance the night away.”

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A post shared by GHOSTBOY (@ghostboy.club)

BURO: What have been some of the challenges and highlights of running your own brand?
Cheng: “One of our challenges has to do with production. We want to make sure we find suppliers/factories that pay their workers fair wages and are able to produce quality work. We are currently working with a local factory to produce our small MOQ orders, which we are so grateful for.
“A big highlight is definitely our pop-up event at Safehouse exactly a year ago. The turnout was great and so was the turn-up for the afterparty! It was super gratifying, almost mind-blowing, to see how many people showed up to support us and I loved being able to meet our girls and talk to them. We were so exhausted and sleepless in the days leading up to the event but it was so worth it.”

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A post shared by GHOSTBOY (@ghostboy.club)

BURO: From your experience of the industry as a model and a designer, is there anything about it that you’d like to change? Are there any parts of the fashion system that you think does not make sense for young designers?
Cheng: “I think there’s a long way to go and a lot of room for growth in the Malaysian fashion scene. There isn’t a lot of funding from the government for the fashion industry and most brands have been grassroot efforts. I can see that it’s hard for young designers in Malaysia to turn their passions into sustainable careers, which sucks to see because there’s plenty of talent but not a large enough market to appreciate it. Ideally, I would love to have a supportive community where fashion creatives could collaborate, share ideas and resources (no judgement and no gatekeeping!).”
BURO: What are your goals for Ghostboy? Where do you see it in five years, and what’s next?
Cheng: “We see ourselves venturing into events––creating a space with our look and feel and collaborating with local musicians and artists. We want Ghostboy to be synonymous with local nightlife culture here in KL. David and I toy with the idea of making furniture in the future too. I definitely want to be able to have our own fashion show at some point, and a physical concept store!”

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BURO: What are your hopes for the future of Malaysian fashion?
Cheng: “We hope to see more emerging designers, not just within KL but maybe from other states as well. I also hope that young people can grow to appreciate local fashion more, to support Malaysian creatives and value their work. It would be great to be within an industry that is welcoming, inclusive and uplifting.”
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