Latest news with #MsTan
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Cai fan merch label PointyRice calls out Uniqlo keychain's ‘uncanny' likeness
Uniqlo's customisable Mixed Rice Keychain, a gift-with-purchase as part of its Thank You Festival. PHOTO: UNIQLO SINGAPORE – More small local brands are speaking up about Uniqlo Singapore's local food campaign. The Japanese retailer's UTme! Local Delights Collection, which consists of T-shirts featuring iconic Singaporean dishes, sparked buzz online recently, for its resemblance to small local clothing brand Musoka Club's designs. The incident generated conversation about who owns the copyright to local food culture. Meanwhile, another player has entered the picture. Ms Caitanya 'Cait' Tan is the founder and chief executive of local merchandise brand PointyRice. She has been fielding messages from followers about the similarities between her product and Uniqlo's gift-with-purchase, which she describes to The Straits Times as 'too uncanny'. As part of Uniqlo's Thank You Festival celebrations, which ran till May 29, customers who spent $100 and above in-store at Orchard Central and Jewel Changi Airport received a customisable Mixed Rice Keychain. And they could pick little acrylic 'dishes' to fit inside a plate-shaped keychain. PointyRice ( currently retails stickers of mixed rice dishes that customers purchase individually to layer and customise onto a plate sticker. Dishes start at $2.50 a sticker, while a plate and rice are both priced at $2.50. Uniqlo's Mixed Rice Keychain gift-with-purchase. PHOTO: UNIQLO When Uniqlo teased its Mixed Rice Keychain in May, followers asked Ms Tan if she was working with the Japanese retailer. She took to Instagram (@caitofalltraits) on May 19 to clear the air. It is the first retail brand started by the 38-year-old, whose many hats include being an actress, voice-over artist, host and director of boutique agency AllTraits , under which PointyRice operates. She created Pointy Rice as a 'lifelong Singaporean identity-building project' for locals to 'celebrate hawker dishes we grew up with that don't get enough recognition'. After conceptualising the brand in November 2024, she launched PointyRice on April 5 with a pop-up at Lyf Farrer Park. The set-up featured a table with trays of stickers portraying different types of cai fan dishes, which customers could choose to customise their 'plates'. Ms Tan and her team of three played hawkers serving their customers. She hired her cousin, a fellow actress, to act as a grumpy cai fan auntie – 'to put the 'fun' in cai fan'. A six-minute video she posted of the event garnered more than 200,000 views on Instagram and TikTok combined. She believes Uniqlo Singapore would have seen the video. 'I cannot say they copied me, but the internet got mad for me. I've done a lot of research – I started with cai fan because no one had done the concept in this way, and I understand why now. It's not an easy project. It's extremely difficult to design each digital asset, then produce it as a physical product that people can customise themselves; and the ability to layer.' Screenshot of comments on Uniqlo Singapore's Instagram account. PHOTO: UNIQLOSG/INSTAGRAM Screenshot of comments on Uniqlo Singapore's Instagram account. PHOTO: UNIQLOSG/INSTAGRAM She says she had reached out to Uniqlo Singapore a month before to collaborate, but did not hear back. She has worked with the brand on past campaigns in the capacity of a content creator. Within 40 minutes of her posting her May 19 video on Instagram, a representative from the brand reached out. Uniqlo denied taking inspiration from PointyRice or mimicking her designs. The brand also invited her to its Thank You Festival media event, and raised the possibility of a future collaboration. But it was 'too coincidental', says Ms Tan. 'I just wanted them to acknowledge it.' She believes the biggest similarity was the store concept and layout. 'It's not just cai fan, it's bringing cai fan to a physical experience. Effort went into the detailed designs, sourcing multiple failed samples and hand-cutting 28,000 stickers just to set up an experience that is now going to be considered by the masses as an imitation of Uniqlo's campaign. 'A creative's currency is her creativity and ideas. It's not the keychain I'm sad about. It's the concept of the pop-up that I'd put research and finances into that hurt me the most.' PointyRice's pop-up stall in April, featuring cai fan 'dishes' customers could use to customise their orders. (*PLS COLLAGE w/ pic below) PHOTO: POINTYRICE Uniqlo Singapore's Mixed Rice Keychain cai fan stall concept at Ion Orchard. ST PHOTO: AMANDA CHAI In response to queries from ST, a Uniqlo spokesperson says: 'Uniqlo is aware of an ongoing conversation, and values all perspectives shared. 'As is our standard practice, Uniqlo commenced planning for its customisable mixed rice keychain several months prior to its launch through our Thank You Festival. This item is part of a global trend of customisable accessories, and follows other customisable gift items created by Uniqlo in Singapore in previous years.' The spokesperson adds that Uniqlo did not receive any collaboration proposals from local artists or illustrators related to the cai fan customisation. PointyRice's long-term plan is to produce merchandise, says Ms Tan, who is working on expanding her products to nasi padang and nasi kandar. Her ultimate vision is to have a physical space recreating a hawker centre, with stalls selling various delicacies in sticker form. She says: 'People are going to say, 'How to IP cai fan? It's for everybody.' But a little credit wouldn't hurt anyone. We're all Singaporean.' Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Straits Times
The Chic Home: Couple create metropolitan spirit in Claymore Road condo
This elegant apartment is home to a Hong Kong couple and their daughter. PHOTO: KHOO GUO JIE SINGAPORE – As they hail from Hong Kong, the husband and wife who own this home know what it is like to live in a densely built-up city. Being in the hospitality industry, the couple – who are in their 50s and 60s, and have a daughter in her 20s – also appreciate the finer things in life, such as art and whisky. They are well-versed in design and had high expectations for their Singapore home, a 2,206 sq ft three-bedroom condominium apartment in Claymore Road. They chose registered architect Gwen Tan, founder and principal designer of Singapore firm Studio iF, to handle the renovation. Ms Tan, who is also the co-founder of Formwerkz Architects and has more than 20 years of experience, has worked with the couple on multiple projects over the past decade. Textured fabric wall panels in the foyer hide the family's shoes. PHOTO: KHOO GUO JIE The apartment's lift opens into a private foyer, where mundane items such as shoes are concealed behind textured fabric wall panels. There is also a bay window, which has been transformed into a small gallery for displaying sculptures from the couple's travels. Tinted patterned glass on the main door offers visitors a glimpse of what lies beyond the threshold and lets the home owners know when their guests have arrived. The Absolu sofa by Edra was chosen for its ergonomic design and adjustable backrests. PHOTO: KHOO GUO JIE The living room balances elegance and comfort, making it the perfect spot for the family to lounge in or to host an informal soiree with friends. A lot of thought went into the dining space and its potential uses, says Ms Tan. 'The dining table caters for more than just mealtime uses, but also for intimate meetings or focused work-from-home time.' She added a pendant lamp from Flos – the Luce Orizzontale suspension lamp – above the table, as it has different light settings and is dimmable. The multifunctional dining space can be used for meals and to work from home. PHOTO: KHOO GUO JIE While the multifunctional dining space doubles as the husband's desk, the wife was concerned about the mess this might cause. To address this, Ms Tan incorporated a hidden nook behind a sliding mirror panel by the whisky display in the adjacent bar. When it is time to set the table for a meal, the husband can put his laptop and documents away in the hidden nook, which also houses a printer. As a whisky lover, the husband wanted a dedicated space to display his collection. PHOTO: KHOO GUO JIE As a whisky lover, the husband wanted a dedicated area to house his collection and to enjoy them with guests . The showpiece of the bar is a whisky display cabinet with natural stone doors and shelving, and bronze metal plate dividers. A backdrop of special textured wallpaper from Arte echoes the stone's natural grain. Complementing this indoor bar is an outdoor area on the balcony, which is furnished with two Husk outdoor swivel chairs from B&B Italia and offers a sweeping view of the city skyline. There are two Husk outdoor swivel chairs from B&B Italia on the balcony, which offers a sweeping view of the city skyline. PHOTO: KHOO GUO JIE The dry kitchen, which faces the dining area, is defined by a peninsula island built with Forest Black stone in an antique brush finish. Black-timber fluted wall panels conceal the household shelter at the back, and a bronze-tinted mirrored backdrop reflects the city view. The master bedroom's fabric wallpaper was chosen for its delicate textures and soft lines. PHOTO: KHOO GUO JIE The master bedroom , the couple's private sanctuary, has fabric wallpaper which was specially chosen for its delicate textures and soft lines. Perforated metal lamps bring a play of light and shadow to complement the Tufty bed by Patricia Urquiola from B&B Italia. The wife's walk-in wardrobe features suspended display shelves and an island counter. PHOTO: KHOO GUO JIE One of the remaining two bedrooms has been converted into a walk-in wardrobe for the wife. A Rimadesio island from their former home has been integrated into the new space, with suspended display shelves along the bay window. The granite stone bathtub in the master bathroom is similar to the ones in Aman hotel in Tokyo. PHOTO: KHOO GUO JIE For the master bathroom, the couple requested a granite stone bath similar to the one in Aman hotel in Tokyo . Ms Tan had one custom-made, framed on three sides by full-length glass windows, to transport the couple back to the Japanese onsen that they fell in love with on their travels. The powder room features a sculptural glass Hansgrohe Axor tap. PHOTO: KHOO GUO JIE The powder room features a sculptural glass Hansgrohe Axor tap that spouts water into a marble tray. A custom mirror conceals the ventilation windows and maintains air flow. A bouquet of fresh eucalyptus leaves enhances the ambience with its scent. The renovation took 12 to 15 months and the family, who declined to reveal the cost, moved into their new home in the second half of 2023. The result is a timeless city abode with a sense of understated luxury that reflects its owners' refined tastes. This article first appeared in Home & Decor Singapore. Go to for more beautiful homes, space-saving ideas and interior inspiration. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
DBS CEO Tan Su Shan named 6th most powerful woman in business in Fortune's list
DBS CEO Tan Su Shan is the only Singaporean in the top 10 and one of three Singapore-based leaders in the list. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM SINGAPORE - DBS Bank chief executive Tan Su Shan has been named the sixth most powerful woman in business in Fortune magazine's 100 Most Powerful Women in Business list in 2025. Ms Tan, 57, is the only Singaporean in the top 10 and one of three Singapore-based leaders in the list, which was released on May 20. She jumped from 89th place on the magazine's list in 2024, when she was serving as DBS's deputy CEO. She is also one of the two Asia-based leaders in the top 10 – tech giant Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou is at No. 10. On the list, OCBC Bank CEO Helen Wong ranked 15th and Temasek's chief financial officer Png Chin Yee was 87th. The list is based on company size and health, as well as an executive's career trajectory, influence, innovation, and efforts to make business better, said Fortune. Ms Tan is the first female CEO in DBS's history. She took over the helm from Mr Piyush Gupta, who stepped down in March after a 15-year stint. Ms Tan joined DBS, South-east Asia's largest bank, in 2010. Prior to taking on the CEO role, she led DBS's institutional banking division and helped expand the bank's consumer banking, wealth management and international banking businesses. Before joining DBS, she was Morgan Stanley's head of private wealth management for South-east Asia. She has also worked at Citibank and prior to that, at ING Barings. US leaders occupied six of the names on the top 10 list. Ms Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors, is at No. 1. Accenture CEO Julie Sweet ranked second while Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser took the third spot. In fourth place was AMD CEO Lisa Su and Banco Santander's executive chairman Ana Botín, one of two Spanish leaders in the top 10, was ranked fifth. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
CNA
08-05-2025
- Business
- CNA
Amid trade tensions, businesses should look at new growth paths, says DBS CEO
Firms could also take advantage of the volatility in the short run, such as by hedging interest rates or currencies, Ms Tan added in a wide-ranging interview with CNA. She said businesses should diversify their supply chains and have alternative payment platforms, as well as a diverse currency mix, to mitigate risk. Investing in generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) helps with productivity, efficiency and staying relevant in a rapidly digitising world, she added. CHINA HAS BECOME MORE RESILIENT While China has been the hardest hit by Washington with 145 per cent tariffs imposed on Chinese goods entering the US, Ms Tan said Beijing looks well placed to weather the storm. 'While this is a bit of a blow for consumer confidence, the country rallied behind this need to be resilient,' she said, adding China has learnt to 'insulate itself' since US President Donald Trump's first term in office. There has been a concerted effort to make China self-sufficient in energy, semiconductor chips, technology and food, she noted. Ms Tan added she expects China to continue investing in future-forward technology, including robots, drones, biotech and GenAI. '(In the) longer term, the China growth prospects are still going to be there. You can see the focus on growing and I think its self-sufficiency is going to get stronger.' she said. She noted the world's second largest economy is already investing heavily in industries surrounding renewable energy such as electric vehicles and batteries. China will continue to invest in the Southeast Asian economies, she pointed out while highlighting strong green energy investment needs for both sides. DBS Q1 EARNINGS Ms Tan also spoke about the bank's first-quarter results, which were released a few hours before the interview. DBS' net profit in the first quarter of 2025 fell 2 per cent on-year to S$2.9 billion (US$2.24 billion), mainly due to higher tax expenses. It was the bank's first earnings drop in more than three years, but beat estimates. It was also the first earnings report for Ms Tan as the bank's head after she succeeded Piyush Gupta last month. Net interest income and fee income rose, driven mainly by strong growth in its wealth management business. 'We delivered a solid first quarter,' Ms Tan said, adding the bank saw record fees in wealth management, loans and treasury sales that amounted to a record net profit before tax of S$3.44 billion. She said that as uncertainty persists, the bank will stay nimble and prudently manage risks. She further noted that group net interest income will likely drop this year, based on lower interest rates, to levels slightly above those in 2024. She said the second quarter appears relatively stable, 'barring any major tariff-induced accidents'. 'There will be some short-term volatility, and we have to remain resilient and stay prepared for the different risks or stress scenarios that might come upon us in the next two or three quarters,' she added. AI USAGE IN DBS Ms Tan also discussed the bank's adoption of AI and technology to improve efficiency and boost productivity. She said bank employees have been harnessing DBS-GPT, an internal GenAI tool that automates routine tasks. Such tools can help employees read, synthesise and summarise relevant information for customers, allowing staff to focus on more complex and strategic work. 'There's always a human in the loop there, so you kind of reduce the risk,' Ms Tan emphasised. 'Generative AI is very helpful in helping with lower-level transactions. A lot of the mundane work, the employee toil, will disappear. That (means) our employees have more capacity to do better (and) higher level jobs.' Responding to a question on job protection amid the bank's plans to cut 4,000 positions over the next three years as AI increasingly takes on more roles, Ms Tan said most of redundancy will come from natural attrition. She added that the bank, which has a total staff strength of about 49,000, has some 9,000 temporary staff and contractors, and sees a turnover rate of about 10 per cent among its permanent staff.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Film is an act of love from the whole community'
An alternative story of a university city has been told in a film looking at the voices and experiences of its black students and residents. Black Town & Gown was directed by Kenny Monrose and Seetha Tan from the University of Cambridge's sociology department. Ms Tan said while the university had begun recovering its black history, it had tended to overlook "the importance of the [city's] black community and residents". The project has been "just a huge act of love from the whole community and a testimony about the power of community", she said. Ms Tan is a PhD student and says she previously felt the city was "a transient place". "The university is often considered quite a white space and quite an isolating space - little did the students know that just on the other side of the gown was this really, really rich connected community," she said, since creating the film with Dr Monrose. She paid tribute to businesses such as Harmony Hair Salon on Norfolk Street, off Mill Road, and Orlene's Cafe Kitchen on Peas Hill in the city centre, for taking part. Another participant, Jenni Skinner, has shared her experiences of "town" and "gown". She is the African specialist and library manager of the university's African Studies Library, but is also long-term resident who moved to the city in 1997. "I could go home [after work] and be with family and friends, people from very diverse backgrounds and have that life," Ms Skinner said. "But once I got to African Studies, I realised how difficult that was for students who have got a black background, but felt completely disconnected... especially if it's been their first time in the UK." She said she urges them to go to the Mill Road area of Cambridge telling them: "You'll find your people, you'll find the food that you like, you'll find the products that you like - you'll just not feel like you're standing out." Black Town & Gown: The Historical Legacy of Black Presence in the City of Cambridge will be screened as part of the Cambridge Festival. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. The city where one in four has a non-UK passport Cambridge Festival
