Veronique Manchharam of Bohème SG on building an ethical jewellery label
Singapore-based designer Veronique Manchharam brings ethical jewellery to life with her global brand, Bohème SG
Jewellery was never really part of Veronique Manchharam's original plan. Based in Singapore and with no formal training, the French founder of Bohéme SG spent years teaching language classes to professionals in the finance sector. But a creative impulse led her to experiment with making statement brass jewellery. Inspired by dangling earrings worn at Indian weddings, she sought to make pieces that reflected her own personal style.
Friends began asking for their own pieces, and soon, she found herself selling in local shops. In 2019, she left her teaching job to focus on jewellery full-time. The onset of COVID-19 presented challenges for the burgeoning designer, but it unexpectedly helped her grow. 'The ladies in Singapore were stuck at home, doing video calls,' she recalls. 'They still wanted to wear something beautiful so they would come, each buying 10 earrings at a time.'
Now, just a few years later, her designs are stocked in over 40 retail spaces across the world, including Eastern Europe, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Indonesia, and of course, Singapore. 'Maybe the Philippines, too,' she adds.
More from Tatler: Revisiting traditional gold recycling practices in Asia—experts highlight the urgent need for sustainable solutions and what we must learn from our ancestors
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Tatler Asia
3 days ago
- Tatler Asia
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Tatler Asia
5 days ago
- Tatler Asia
Arnaud Zannier, Founder & CEO Zannier Hotels and the desire for a unique path
Above Arnaud Zannier, Founder & CEO Zannier Hotels He is indeed a pioneer—the scion of a notable French family that made its fortune in the children's apparel business. The brash young Arnaud passed on the chance to enter his father's trade, splintering off and co-founding a successful footwear company instead. However, it was his passion for travel in exotic destinations around the world that inspired his most impactful business ideas. Staying in some of the finest luxury hotels during his travels, he soon grew tired of the inauthentic experiences they offered. Dissatisfied, his thoughts turned to founding his own deluxe resort brand perfectly suited to the tastes and temperament of discerning voyagers such as himself. The opportunity to bring his ideas to reality came when his father asked him to reconsider being part of the family business and come back into the fold. 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And as a person, I am not looking for that. When I was traveling, I wanted my kids to taste local food at the market rather than have something that you can get anywhere in the world, such as fancy sushi. You should get sushi when you go to Japan, but why would you want to do sushi if you're in Italy? No—do the best mozzarella and tomatoes. Serve a great paella when you're in Spain. 'This is my philosophy. This is what I'm trying to translate through the creation of all these hotels.' The spirit of wellness Above Arnaud Zannier, Founder & CEO Zannier Hotels Zannier Hotels is currently undergoing a gradual transformation towards a new set of protocols promoting holistic wellness at all resorts, whilst developing fresh, wellness-themed packages for offer to guests during their stay. At Zannier Bãi San Hô, there is a palpable mood of wholesomeness and balance that is swiftly becoming a key focus of the hospitality experience. 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Six years ago, I separated from my wife, now my ex-wife. After the divorce, I found a new partner, who is my wife today. She was just really into wellbeing, and I educated myself, indirectly, through her.' In this new love, Zannier has found a renewed energy in life, which is now manifest in the resorts that bear his name—and he has much to share about the discoveries he has made through his relationship. I never compromise. Compromise is wrong. You end up having something that's halfway, and it's not as strong. - Arnaud Zannier - 'You know, life changes are done in small steps,' he muses, as rough waves rise and resolve on Zannier's soft sandy beach, the same pale ochre colour of his grandmother's hot bread. There isn't a thing about the Vietnamese resort that doesn't emerge from his world, that doesn't reflect his passion. 'Small things, but you have to be consistent,' he smiles. 'So if we want to bring something positive into the lives of our guests, we have to introduce small steps that they can understand and learn from us while they're here, to carry on when they're back home. 'That's the philosophy of Zannier wellness.' NOW READ Zannier Coral Beach, Phu Yen The story of promotion from the Deputy General Manager of Mia Saigon Luxury Hotel: 'Being a mother and being a leader can go hand in hand' Love, Bonito's Rachel Lim on motherhood and leading a fashion empire with intention
Tatler Asia
6 days ago
- Tatler Asia
These farmers grow your food, but they can't afford to eat—this social enterprise is changing that
Root of the dream Marinduque, an island province once marred by poverty and environmental degradation, became the fertile ground for Agrea's pioneering model: the One-Island Economy. This holistic approach integrates social, environmental and economic sustainability, aiming for zero hunger, zero waste and zero insufficiency. 'We started with the One-Island Economy Model in Marinduque, which showed that self-sustaining agricultural ecosystems could work,' Atilano explains. This model integrated local farming, environmental preservation, community training and direct market access, demonstrating that holistic approaches can yield tangible results. Agrea also introduced the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), a method that increased yields while reducing water usage and input costs. It helped farmers increase their yields by fourfold and decreased their farm inputs cost to 70 per cent. Beyond rice, farmers diversified into high-value crops like turmeric and serpentina, tapping into both local and international markets. Read more: Moving beyond organic farming: Hong Kong farms embrace the regenerative farming revolution 'Agrea has evolved from a small initiative into a movement that empowers farmers, educates young people and influences policy-making,' Atilano notes. The organisation's reach now spans farmer capacity-building programs, youth engagement campaigns and sustainability-driven agribusiness ventures across the Philippines. Since its founding, Agrea has impacted more than 30,000 individuals across farming, fishing and youth communities. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, Agrea launched the #MoveFoodInitiative, successfully transporting nearly 138,000 kilogrammes of fruits and vegetables from almost 4,000 farmers, reaching nearly 30,000 families. This initiative helped prevent food waste and provided essential support to farmers and consumers during a critical time. At the centre of Agrea's mission is the belief that farmers don't need saving. They need systems that work to address the root causes of poverty and instability in the agricultural sector. Planting new seeds Above A big part of Agrea is its women farmers (Photo: Agrea) To address the persistent challenges in agriculture, Agrea had to go deeper than surface-level aid, focusing on three core pillars: capacity building, market linkages, and policy and advocacy. First, in the capacity-building area, Agrea trains farmers in 'climate-smart and sustainable farming methods,' equipping them to increase productivity while preserving their environment. Then there's the market linkages. 'We connect farmers directly to buyers, ensuring fair prices and reducing dependence on exploitative middlemen,' she notes. This is one of Agrea's most transformative moves: cutting out intermediaries who often take the lion's share of profits and restoring control and income to the producers themselves. The third pillar—policy and advocacy—is where Atilano's strategic thinking truly shines. 'We work with government agencies and institutions to create lasting policy changes that benefit smallholder farmers.' This empowerment extended to women, who, despite legal and societal barriers, found new roles as agricultural entrepreneurs. "If you invest in women in farming communities, it's an investment in the entire community," Atilano asserts. These interventions have produced success stories. 'One of my favourite success stories is about a woman farmer in Marinduque who joined our programme with little knowledge of modern farming,' Atilano recalls. 'Today, she not only provides for her family but also mentors other farmers in her community.' Read more: This is how innovative entrepreneurs throughout Asia are working to end global hunger 'Technology and innovation are key to Agrea's work,' she adds. The group uses everything from farm digitisation to precision agriculture and digital marketplaces. 'We use data-driven approaches to help farmers make informed decisions… and connect them to digital marketplaces, ensuring fair trade and transparency.' The results are higher yields, lower costs and most surprisingly, a newfound appeal to the youth. 'We're also seeing younger people become more interested in agriculture because of the tech-driven opportunities,' she adds. In recognition of her impactful work, Atilano has received numerous accolades, including the Inspiring Filipina Entrepreneur award in 2017, COVID-19 Action Champion by UN Women in 2020, and being named a 2024 Young Global Leader Mastercard Fellow by the World Economic Forum. As one of Tatler Asia's Most Influential, she also received the Impact Award for Humanity in 2024. A harvest of hope 'Agrea operates as a social enterprise,' Atilano explains. 'We believe that purpose and profit can go hand in hand. When farmers thrive, the economy grows.' Rather than relying on handouts, Agrea generates revenue through agribusiness solutions, farmer training and sustainable supply chains. This allows the organisation to reinvest in its mission without compromising its core values. 'Unlike traditional aid, Agrea doesn't give handouts. We create long-term solutions that empower farmers to become self-sufficient,' Atilano says. 'Many charity models focus on short-term relief, but we invest in education, policy change and economic empowerment so that farmers don't have to rely on aid in the future.' 'One of the biggest challenges is changing mindsets—both within farming communities and in society at large. Many people still see farming as a low-income, low-respect profession' - Cherrie Atilano - The organisation works at every level of the ecosystem—empowering farmers with tangible results, equipping youth with a new narrative, and influencing public discourse. 'By highlighting success stories, we help shift perceptions and inspire a new generation of agripreneurs,' shares Atilano. Systemic change is not for the faint of heart. It requires relentless optimism, deep patience and the ability to mobilise across silos. 'Engage policymakers, businesses and the general public,' she says. 'Systemic change requires a collective effort, and building partnerships has been key to amplifying our impact.' For Atilano, despite the long odds and daunting tasks ahead, every gain matters. 'The progress we've seen keeps us going,' she says. 'Every farmer who thrives, every young person who chooses agriculture, and every community that becomes more food-secure is a step toward a more resilient and empowered future.' In the fields of the Philippines, Agrea is showing what's possible when farmers are treated not as beneficiaries but as nation-builders. Yet the question remains: in a country that eats because its farmers endure, how much longer can we afford to overlook the very hands that feed us?
