Singer Madonna carries handbag from viral Singapore fashion brand Aupen's first couture line
Madonna has joined the ranks of international pop stars and actresses who have decked themselves out in an Aupen handbag.
The 66-year-old American singer took to her Instagram Story on June 13 to brandish her couture arm candy from the viral fashion brand founded by Singaporean Nicholas Tan, alongside the text 'Today is in the bag'.
She was reportedly in New York and wore a blue polka dot blouse and denim jeans, complete with Aupen's one-of-a-kind Haute Maroquinerie bag on her right arm.
This first creation of the label 's p rivate couture programme was conceived in partnership with French luxury conglomerate LVMH's artisanal arm Metiers d'Art.
Aupen said in a press statement: 'Composed through a fragmented, asymmetric technique, the piece embraces imperfection, rupture and reinvention – echoi ng Madonna's legacy of transformation and Aupen' s d esign philosophy rooted in tension and individuality.
'With its Haute Maroquinerie programme in the works, Aupen is shaping a new frontier in bespoke leathercraft. This programme is invitation-only. It will invite clients into a deeply personal, couture-level design process – one that reimagines the handbag as a sculptural, intimate object. In close dialogue with Aupen's design team, clients will explore rare materials, shapes and colours that push beyond conventional customisation.'
Aupen was founded in Singapore in November 2022. While maintaining its local roots, the bags are designed in Paris. They are available exclusively on aupen.com and new styles are occasionally previewed on Instagram (@aupenofficial).
The official social media account boasts pictures of a slew of celebrities wearing Aupen handbags, including British Florence Pugh, American actress Jenna Ortega and Indian actress Priyanka Chopra.
Th e superstar w ho catapulted the brand into the limelight is American singer Taylor Swift. She was spotted holding Aupen's Nirvana Mini Fearless bag in Noir during her night out with her boyfriend, American professional footballer Travis Kelce, in New York City in October 2023.
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


AsiaOne
6 hours ago
- AsiaOne
Just opened in June 2025: New restaurants, cafes and bars in Singapore, Lifestyle News
Some cities slow down with the heat. Singapore? It simply turns up the flame. This June, what's just opened isn't just a list, it's a map of the city's current obsessions. From cult Taiwanese spice temples and Seoul's charcoal-grilled legends to French brasseries and rooftop escapes, these new restaurants and new bars in Singapore offer more than a meal, they offer momentum. Whether you're staking out your next haunt or circling back to a favourite chef's comeback, here's a look at what just opened in Singapore. Cudo [embed] Modern Latin soul food hits Stanley Street with the launch of Cudo, the latest concept by the team behind Siri House and Moxie. Helmed by Chef Steven Chou, the menu draws from his New York roots and childhood memories of tacos, elotes and bold home cooking. Think Tiger Prawns glazed in agave molasses, chorizo-loaded Disco Fries, and Wagyu Picanha marinated in beer and citrus. It's hearty, high-energy fare meant for sharing, paired with punchy cocktails like the saffron-spiked Noche Tropical. Designed with velvet booths and vintage charm, the 76-seater space oozes Latin warmth with zero pretense. Come for lunch, brunch or golden hour tipples. Cudo's here to stir your soul. 13 Stanley Street, Singapore 068732 Mon-Thu: 11:30am-10:30pm, Fri-Sat: till 11.30pm @ | Song Gye Ok [embed] Korea's legendary "Waiting in Hell" grilled chicken house has landed in Telok Ayer, marking its first overseas outpost. At Song Gye Ok, expect a cult-favourite lineup of rare chicken parts: neck fillet, soft bone, gizzard, expertly grilled tableside over charcoal at the chef-fronted bar. Exclusive to Singapore, a luxe Truffle Samgyetang and handmade Kalguksu in collagen-rich broth. Interiors channel hanok charm with warm wood tones and a Seoul-style buzz. For drinks? Their viral Earl Grey Highball arrives from Korea, made for clinking over smoky bites. With queues already forming, this is peak K-BBQ, done differently. 113 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068582 Daily, 11:30am-3pm | 5pm-10pm @ | Enclave Bar [embed] Once tucked inside Golden Mile, Enclave now calls 55A Neil Road home. Retaining its Thai-Singaporean soul with sharper focus on food, culture, and expression. Helmed by Ritz Ang, the bar blends bar grub like Jade Noodles (spinach mee kia, torched pork) with spice-forward cocktails like Thai Auntie, a fiery mix of chilli bourbon and cardamom elderflower. Programming is a big part of the experience. Expect live jazz, butoh performances, open jams, and rotating art exhibitions. For something more intimate, head upstairs to CRIB, a cosy loft pouring bottled cocktails against a backdrop of vintage trinkets and ever-changing local art. Enclave isn't just a bar, it's a cultural pulse point for the creatively inclined. 55A Neil Rd, #2-00, Singapore 088892 Tue-Sat, from 6pm till late @ Spicy Noodles [embed] Taiwan's cult-favourite noodle brand lands at Raffles City with its first Singapore outpost and it's bringing the heat. Spicy Noodles (Da Shi Xiong Xiao Hun Mian Pu) draws queues back home with its signature "Soul-Stirring Noodles", handmade from a patented recipe and tossed with Master Chilli Oil, a ruby-red elixir hand-stirred for eight hours using five traditional techniques. The result? Deep, multi-layered spice with numbing heat and aromatic punch. Choose between spicy or mild beef broth, each simmered for six hours and paired with beef slices, tendon, tofu, and a gooey soft-boiled egg. Imported sauces and noodles ensure authenticity, while the minimalist milk tea-hued interior keeps things chic and photo-ready. Raffles City, 252 North Bridge Rd, #B1-38, Singapore 179103 Daily, 11am-10pm @spicynoodlesingapore Burgs [embed] Singapore's halal burger pioneers are back: bigger, bolder, and blazing with flavour. Burgs has relaunched on Bussorah Street with a new two-storey flagship that seats 100, marrying heritage charm with serious burger craft. Expect smoky beef patties, crispy chicken cutlets, and flaky fish fillets, all stacked on buttery brioche buns baked fresh in-house. Their new signature burger sauce, a caramelised onion-chicken skin puree, brings umami punch, while pickled local green chilies replace basic jalapeños. Try The Original or Bae Con for beefy comfort, or go bold with Big Bird or Fish & Chips. Don't miss the homemade black lemonade and crunchy "Nuggies" in spicy seaweed. Burgs is back, and it's better than ever. 16 Bussorah Street, Singapore 199437 Daily, 11am-10pm @ The Plump Frenchman Zouk Group's newest venture brings a buttery brasserie buzz to Bugis with The Plump Frenchman, a soulful French eatery helmed by two-Michelin-starred chef Lorenz Hoja. Expect rustic, feel-good fare at accessible prices like Demi Poulet Rôtisserie with pickles and sriracha, or Coq Au Vin rich with red wine and mushrooms. Starters like Chorizo-Stuffed Chipirons and a deeply savoury Onion Soup kick things off, while citrusy Tiramisu au Citron sweetens the end. Interiors nod to retro French charm with cane-back chairs and tiled floors, making this a stylish haunt for weekday lunches or weekend lingerings. French comfort, without the fuss. 20 Tan Quee Lan Street, #01-20, Guoco Midtown II, Singapore 188107 Mon-Sat: 11.30am-2.30pm & 5.30pm-10pm | Sun: 11.30am-3pm @tpf_sg | 1-Alfaro By Monti [embed] High above Labrador Tower, 1-Alfaro by Monti is your new rooftop escape blending Italian flair with cinematic skyline views. Split between La Torre, a lively Emilia-Romagna-inspired restaurant, and La Luna, a breezy rooftop bar, it channels the spirit of Italy's lighthouses. Beacons of celebration, comfort, and connection. Expect handmade pastas, grilled ribeye 'Costata' for two, and fried lasagna bites alongside aperitivo-friendly cocktails like the Enzo Robutti (Scotch, amaretto, amarena cherry). As the sun dips, beats rise and revellers drift outdoors for DJ sets under the stars. Whether you're here to brunch, dine, or dance, 1-Alfaro delivers day-to-night dolce vita. Level 34, Labrador Tower, Singapore 118479 Mon-Fri: 8am-1am | Sat: 10am-1am | Sun: 10am-12am @ | Roberta's New York cult-favourite Roberta's opens its second Singapore outpost at Mandai Wildlife Reserve, bringing wood-fired magic to the wild side. The Brooklyn-born pizzeria is known for its punchy, playful style and that signature Bee Sting pizza: spicy Calabrese salami, house-made chilli oil, basil, and a drizzle of honey. The Mandai menu also features location exclusives like Fire and Ice (nduja, stracciatella and housebread) and Wood-Roasted Sweet Potatoes. Inside, it's a colourful retreat with art by local creative Tobyato and views into the open kitchen. Whether it's post-zoo lunch or sweet waffle soft serve after a forest stroll, Roberta's is a wild new slice of cool. 80 Mandai Lake Rd, #01-04, Singapore 729826 Daily, 11am-10pm @robertaspizza_asia | Shuai Jiang Jun [embed] A new general has entered the battlefield of Singapore's hotpot scene. Shuai Jiang Jun (also known as Lead General) brings 40 years of Chongqing tradition to Tiong Bahru Plaza, ladling out bold broths and dramatic presentations. Its famed General's Inferno Spicy Beef Tallow Pot is not for the faint-hearted, while the lighter Fish Maw & Chicken Pot offers a nourishing alternative. Meat lovers will revel in the shield-plated General Axe Cut Beef and melt-in-your-mouth Signature Snowflake Wagyu, while seafood stars like the Golden Defender Pomfret add flourish to the feast. Expect bouncy house-made shrimp paste, numbing spice, and flaming flair, all in one fiery, flavour-packed pot. 302 Tiong Bahru Rd, #02-117, Singapore 168732 Daily, 11am-9pm @ If your appetite for discovery is anything like ours, this month's just opened list should keep things spicy. These new restaurants and new bars in Singapore are the kind that reward curiosity; places that speak in smoke, broth, and big ideas. But before you make that next booking, take a moment to check out our Father's Day 2025 guide: a companion piece to the city's best eats, gifts, and experiences. After all, what's just opened in Singapore is more than news, it's a lifestyle. [[nid:718807]] This article was first published in City Nomads .

Straits Times
9 hours ago
- Straits Times
The Straits Times Weekly Bestsellers June 14
Fiction: Singaporean writer Jemimah Wei's debut novel The Original Daughter. PHOTO: WEIDENFELD & NICOLSON 1. (1) The Passengers On The Hankyu Line by Hiro Arikawa; translated by Allison Markin Powell 2. (2) The Original Daughter by Jemimah Wei 3. (3) The Emperor Of Gladness by Ocean Vuong 4. (5) Sunrise On The Reaping by Suzanne Collins 5. (7) The Convenience Store By The Sea by Sonoko Machida; translated by Bruno Navasky 6. (-) Madonna In A Fur Coat by Sabahattin Ali 7. (-) Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood 8. (-) Rewind It Back by Liz Tomforde 9. (-) Heart Lamp: Selected Stories by Banu Mushtaq; translated by Deepa Bhasthi 10. (-) Marigold Mind Laundry by Jungeun Yun; translated by Shanna Tan Non-fiction: Elevate Your Assets, Elevate Your Wealth by Kelvin Fong. PHOTO: BOOK BAR 1. (2) Elevate Your Assets, Elevate Your Wealth by Kelvin Fong 2. (1) Why Palestine? Reflections From Singapore by Walid Jumblatt Abdullah 3. (-) Ikigai by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles 4. (-) How Countries Go Broke: The Big Cycle by Ray Dalio 5. (3) Apple In China by Patrick McGee 6. (8) Atomic Habits by James Clear 7. (5) Agentic Artificial Intelligence by Pascal Bornet and Jochen Wirtz 8. (-) The Not To-Do List by Rolf Dobelli 9. (4) The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins 10. (-) I Want To Die But I Want To Eat Tteokbokki by Baek Sehee; translated by Anton Hur Children's: Top 10 Weirdest Critters Of Singapore's Rainforest by Amaani Arfian; illustrated by Clarice Woon. PHOTO: BOOK BAR 1. (-) National Geographic Kids Almanac 2026 by National Geographic Kids 2. (-) Pokemon Super Duper Extra Deluxe by Scholastic Inc 3. (6) The World's Worst Superheroes by David Walliams 4. (2) Agents Of S.U.I.T.: Wild Ghost Chase by John Patrick Green 5. (-) Spy School by Stuart Gibbs 6. (-) I Am Not Jessica Chen by Ann Liang 7. (-) Top 10 Weirdest Critters Of Singapore Rainforest by Amaani Arfian; illustrated by Clarice Woon 8. (9) Eye Spy Singapore by Pippa Chorley 9. (-) Jemma Dreams Of Sushi by Mark Chen and Ruo-Ting Goh; illustrated by Cacticyn 10. (-) Chickenpox by Remy Lai This is The Straits Times' compilation of bestseller lists from Kinokuniya, Epigram, Wardah Books, Book Bar, and Afterimage bookstores. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

Straits Times
10 hours ago
- Straits Times
Penang-born actress Lim Pik-Sen from ‘Mind Your Language' dies at 80
The 80-year-old British actress was born in 1944 to businessman Lim Cheng-Teik. PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK PETALING JAYA - Penang-born Lim Pik-Sen, who shot to stardom for her role in British sitcom Mind Your Language, passed away on June 9. The 80-year-old British actress was born in 1944 to businessman Lim Cheng-Teik and pursued her early education in the state before leaving for the United Kingdom to study acting when she was just 17. Her given birth name was Lim Phaik-Seng, but she changed it to 'Pik-Sen' since her British friends would mispronounce 'Phaik' as 'fake'. Well-known for her acting in Mind Your Language from 1977 to 1986, she played Chinese student Chung Su-Lee in the sitcom and spoke broken English in a Chinese accent for the role although she was fluent in the language. Portraying herself as a staunch follower of Chinese communist leader Mao Zedong in the sitcom, she was known to hilariously whip out a 'little red book' and dictate verses on communism. Apart from the sitcom, she also acted in over 30 other movies, dramas and TV series between 1964 and 2023, such as Dr Who, General Hospital and The Professionals. Among the shows Lim had acted in in recent years were TV and drama series such as Vampire Academy, The Nevers and This Way Up. She also played the 'killer cleaner' in the 2011 movie Johnny English Reborn alongside actors Rowan Atkinson, Gillian Anderson and Dominic West. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.