Latest news with #NYLONSingapore
Nylon
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Nylon
The Private Museum celebrates SG60 with an exhibition that honours love and legacy between artists Chua Mia Tee & Lee Boon Ngan
A common misconception that we have about art in Singapore is how we often look at it as something superficial that either reflects a person's societal status, or is used as a decorative measure to elevate the ambience of a location. This belief is largely due to the typical monetary value of art pieces that make them seem more of a luxury to have than the necessity to own. Hoping to change the perception of how Singaporeans view art, the Private Museum is looking to offer an alternative perspective to art with its latest exhibition to celebrate Singapore's 60th birthday — The Art of Lee Boon Ngan: Celebrating 60 Years of Singapore through the Love of Chua Mia Tee & Lee Boon Ngan. Image courtesy of Chua Mia Tee and the Chua Family. This landmark exhibition strives to honour the love and legacy between two Singaporeans who have dedicated their lives to art and the nation, focusing on Lee Boon Ngan who became an artist in her own right as she remained the steadfast and quiet strength of the family as a mother and wife to Cultural Medallion recipient Chua Mia Tee; who is widely recognised for his contributions to Singapore's national visual identity through his realist paintings. Featuring rarely seen portraits of their children and grandchildren, the exhibition is a poignant tribute to dedication and resilience, offering a biographical window into the private world of a family bound by art. My Grandchild, Ernestine (2017) by Chua Mia Tee from the collection of Chua Mia Tee and the Chua Family. Speaking to NYLON Singapore, Ernestine Chua who is the granddaughter of the artists and an artist in her own right, shared that while she had interests in different art mediums as a kid, it was also the 'great luxury' that she had of having artists in her home that eventually got her started on her path as an artist. 'My grandparents were very warm and welcoming about the way they spoke and created art, and there was never a pressure on me as a kid to produce art,' she said. 'I think that this environment really fostered the interest in art and why I took it on a higher education level because I started off with such a healthy and welcoming way to sort of explore art in different mediums.' On the left: Still-life (Fruits) (2014) by Lee Boon Ngan, On the right: Fruits (2014) by Ernestine Chua. Both from the collection of Chua Mia Tee and the Chua Family. This open and nurturing experience between Ernestine and her grandparents led her to easily adopt the fundamentals of art without feeling like she had to attend a class, and motivated her to create various types of art, including her very first oil painting at age 15, which she had done together with her grandmother in the studio. It was also during this moment when something her grandmother said went on to become a form of mantra whenever she worked on a project. 'It was when she said, the most important part of painting is when you mix and choose your colours in the palette before you touch brush to canvas,' said Ernestine. This advice from her grandmother was something that stuck with Ernestine and heavily influenced the way she painted and the way that she would add colours, layered on heavily, without taking anything away or even blending them with gradients. A recent artwork of her grandparents by Ernestine Chua. She explained, 'I think it sort of stemmed from the way the both of them paint with such precision and their choice of colour were very calculated on the palette before they went onto canvas.' Even though Ernestine may not dabble in the fine arts per se, having gone to school for illustration and visual media, she still finds a way to incorporate her grandparents' art styles into her art form, by appreciating colour like they would, and utilising the fundamentals she learned from them to translate 3D to 2D art and vice versa. The exhibition brings together a selection of both grandparents' artworks showcasing Chua Mia Tee's renowned landscape painting and portraits of public figures, and Lee Boon Ngan's exquisite flower paintings. When asked what her favourite pieces were from her grandparents, Ernestine was quick to point out her grandmother's pink peonies and her grandfather's portrait of her grandmother as the two that she would 'hound' her family about all the time. Peonies (1995) by Lee Boon Ngan from the collection of Chua Mia Tee and the Chua Family. This was largely due to the fact that both art pieces used to be familiar sights she would see around the house. The pink peonies used to sit over the family's dining table while the portrait of her grandmother had sat at the top of the stairs. 'Every memory I have of the house has a minimum of three paintings in the peripheral or in the background. So, those two paintings in particular are what I have a grip on,' she said. But, aside from the sentimental value, Ernestine sees those two artworks as pieces that represents quite a few of her grandparents' strengths. 'My grandmother was very meticulous with the way she painted and you can see a lot of different representations of the peony petals in shapes and tones,' said Ernestine. While she claims that she is 'bias' when it comes to her grandfather's portrait of her grandmother, she explained that it was because it was an 'very understated' but yet a comfortable painting of her grandmother doing her own art. My Wife (1980) by Chua Mia Tee from the collection of Chua Mia Tee and the Chua Family. It was also a form of photographic moment of her grandmother. 'Like me, my grandmother didn't to be photographed but my grandfather had so many paintings of her in such natural, candid positions that I never felt like I missed out on any photographs.' From glimpses of their shared studio space to works that speak of everyday affection, the exhibition harmonises two monumental figures and foregrounds the often invisible labour of love behind art too, reminding us that it is not always about the grand gestures but also the tender, often uncelebrated choices that shape lives and legacies. When asked what she hoped visitors will take away from the exhibition, Ernestine said: 'I'm very happy that there's a strong focus on my grandmother because she very much drove the car in raising us. As meticulous as she was in her practice, she was in life as well as raising us as children, so I hope people would consider her work a little more.'
Nylon
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Nylon
Interview with Hendrick Ou, one of the brains behind Jurassic World: The Exhibition in Singapore
Behind every successful exhibition like the recently opened Jurassic World: The Exhibition in Singapore, is a dedicated team of individuals who are driven by the passion to craft immersive experiences and bring them to life. Image courtesy of NEON. While most of us would have found it daunting to give life to a beloved franchise like Jurassic World, NEON's Senior Project Manager, Hendrick Ou, tapped on his expertise to focus on ensuring anyone who walked through the exhibition's doors be filled with awe, curiosity, and nostalgia. Speaking with NYLON Singapore, Hendrick said, 'This allowed me to continuously bring fresh insights and experiences to make events like this Jurassic exhibition even better.' Together with his team, they considered the franchise's appeal across generations and how guests of different ages interact with spaces. 'Kids love movement and surprises, while adults may appreciate richer layers of storytelling and immersive tech,' he added, 'The goal was to ensure everyone could enjoy the exhibition in their own way, whether it's marvelling at an animatronic or reading the science behind the species.' Image courtesy of NEON. Even though Jurassic World: The Exhibition is an international exhibition that has made its rounds globally, its arrival in Singapore was a unique one as Hendrick and his team were able to localise it for the Singapore audience. 'Unlike our travelling sets, which rely on artificial foliage and controlled lighting to recreate the Jurassic World, the Cloud Forest provided a truly immersive, and authentic environment, where the presence of natural sunlight shifting throughout the day added an organic layer to the experience,' shared Hendrick. As such, the exhibition did away with a fixed linear storyline that was the core of the global exhibitions and instead took a 'different and celebratory approach' that saw the strategic placement of iconic dinosaurs throughout the Cloud Forest; allowing for guests to encounter them and creating unexpected, magical moments that felt organic. While this may have sounded simple on paper, the integration between the dinosaurs and the Cloud Forest was not without its challenges. Image courtesy of NEON. Hendrick explained that beyond the physical and logistical aspects, there was the creative challenge on how to integrate the IP meaningfully into the Cloud Forest. 'It required extensive collaboration between creative, technical, and horticultural teams to plan installations that respected and complemented the natural environment. It was about finding that sweet spot where creativity could coexist with nature.' This also meant choosing the right mix of dinosaurs since each dinosaur comes with its own set of logistical needs — considerations on how big is it, how much it moves, where it can be positioned safely, how it interacts with the existing environment; like the slope of height clearance in the Cloud Forest. 'We started with a long list and gradually narrowed it down based on impact, recognisability, and how well they fit within the physical terrain of the Cloud Forest,' said Hendrick, 'There were certainly some that didn't make the cut but that's all part of the creative process.' Image courtesy of NEON. Despite the challenges that were physically and mentally demanding, bringing Jurassic World: The Exhibition to life was a fulfilling experience for Hendrick, who thought of the challenges as a reminder on why the work he does is 'so rewarding' as he was a part of a team who were building something memorable for thousands to enjoy. 'Seeing the first batch of visitors interact with the exhibits, hearing the kids gasp or shout out the names of the dinosaurs — all the long nights and challenges we braved just melted away,' he said. 'There's a real sense of purpose and rewarding moments in seeing how your work touches people, and it reminds me how my role at NEON isn't just about creating an exhibition… We are creating lasting memories.' Image courtesy of NEON. One of this lasting memories, it seems, is Hendrick's favourite T-Rex animatronic from the exhibition. 'It's a real showstopper,' he explained, 'No matter how many times I see it, there's always this moment of awe and pride when it comes to life. From the scale to the movement to the timing of the lighting and sound, it's so well-choreographed that it almost feels alive!' At the end of the day, Hendrick hopes that visitors will leave the exhibition feeling a sense of wonder; bringing joy, sparking curiosity and creating memories with family or friends. 'That's what this career in NEON is all about. From creating experiences that connect people to igniting passions and inspiring imaginations as it is not just about dinosaurs, it is about the shaping precious moments for the people who experience them.'
Nylon
20-05-2025
- Business
- Nylon
Getting more acquainted with the Dyson Supersonic r and why its the must-have hairdryer
If there is ever a time to get a Dyson hairdryer, this is the time to get one especially with the recent launch of the Dyson Supersonic r. For those unfamiliar with the Dyson Supersonic r, it is a professional grade hairdryer that has a new technology streamlined heater, the Dyson Hyperdymium motor, and intelligent Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) sensors which communicate with the hair dryer, allowing for automatic adjustment of the motor and heater to deliver optimal airflow and temperature. Image courtesy of Dyson. Even though the hairdryer was unveiled about a year ago, the Dyson Supersonic r had only been available to professional stylists and not regular consumers, until now. Speaking to NYLON Singapore, Dyson Associate Design Manager Low Chen Nyeow shared that the Dyson Supersonic r was initially launched for professional stylists backstage at Fashion Week during the A/W24 season in 2024. 'It was upon seeing the demand and desire for salon-quality results at home in the last one year that we decided to bring the technology to consumers,' said Low Chen. Image courtesy of Dyson. Low Chen explained that its smaller size compared with the original Supersonic hair dryers, gave Dyson the opportunity to 'fine-tune' the technology to provide optimised performance beyond what they've ever done before. She said: 'A key component of the machine is our new heater technology and new format in the shape of an 'r'. It is 30% smaller and 20% lighter too, offering increased manoeuvrability when styling. We have also engineered the machine to unlock a new level of precision styling for a smoother finish and more shine.' Low Chen added that the proprietary new streamlined heater technology is a 'big part' of making the machine more powerful while being lighter. 'We developed a whole new heater for this machine that was small enough to fit right in its body — a stamped Iron-Chronium-Aluminium alloy that is extremely power-dense — and engineered to streamline and heat powerful airflow evenly for precise, fast drying in less space with an improved finish.' Image courtesy of Dyson. In addition to the advantages in size, Low Chen said that these heater foils also provide three main advantages. With a custom design, the heater foils are able to go right across the cross section of the machine to heat the airflow very evenly so that there are no hotspots and it is possible to tune up the average temperature of the heater without risking any heat damage. 'They are ultra responsive too, as they have lower thermal mass than open wire heaters, giving you more responsive heat control and an instant cold shot,' said Low Chen, 'We can position for maximum exposure to the airflow as well, with minimum impact to the flow rate and performance, giving you the ability to streamline airflow, exactly where you need,' This essentially results in a superior finish as the Dyson Supersonic r's heater unlocks higher temperatures with no extreme heat for reduced frizz, flyaways and smoother shinier hair. Image courtesy of Dyson. So how exactly did the shape of the Dyson Supersonic r come about? Low Chen shared that its unique shape was an ergonomic design choice to provide users with better control, comfort and manoeuvrability when drying and styling. 'The curved 'r' shape allows for easier reach in areas that are traditionally difficult to access and helps to distribute weight for a lighter feel, reducing strain on the user's hands especially during longer styling sessions,' she said. Low Chen also explained that the cold shot button had been repositioned on the machine for easier access with your index finger when in use. 'We know that stylists love how this dryer cools down almost instantly to lock styles in shape, and we wanted to design it in a way that makes styling even easier and more efficient for users.'
Nylon
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Nylon
The Paper Bunny injects new lease of life into recycled materials with the TPB Recraft Collection
Since gaining popularity with its puffy series, The Paper Bunny is back with a special limited-edition collection that takes offcuts from past collections and recycled materials made from used plastic bottles and fabric scraps, and turns them into beloved TPB silhouettes such as the Puffer Swing, Puffer Shopper, and Utility Laptop Bag. Image courtesy of The Paper Bunny. Speaking with NYLON Singapore, co-founder and Creative Director of The Paper Bunny Jamie Lee, shared that the concept behind TPB Recraft started with a batch of bags that didn't pass the brand's quality control. 'They were not good enough for sale, but we couldn't bear to throw them away,' said Jamie. Motivated by the desire to reimagine what could have otherwise been waste, Jamie and her team came up with TPB Recraft — to look at offcuts and discarded materials not as the end of their story, but as the 'beginning of something new'. The Paper Bunny team started by taking stock of their leftover materials such as fabric offcuts from past collections, leftover stock material, and also new materials made from recycled plastic bottles and fabric scraps that have never been used before. Image courtesy of The Paper Bunny. 'We wanted to use these materials in some of our most loved and functional silhouettes, while still maintaining the standards of quality and features of what our customers love,' said Jamie. She added, 'Each design in Recraft is unique because of the new materials used — including some with a dual-tone — and they are limited in quantity, making it that much more special.' It was also important for Jamie and her team to be honest and upfront with her community, and she keeps this transparency in every product description where she specifies what each product was made from. Developed as a labour of love, the TPB Recraft collection took many hours and days of sorting out and matching what they had from previous collections, and putting together different parts to see if it fits before the materials are turned into something new and beautiful. 'For the leftover materials from past collections — there were limited quantities to each material and colour, and making an entire collection from bits and pieces was a lot more complicated than it looked,' said Jamie. This, was in addition to The Paper Bunny's commitment to ensure that the TPB Recraft collection maintains the same standards of quality and hand-feel that you know and love in your TPB pieces. Puffer Swing (Recraft Fawn), $70. Image courtesy of The Paper Bunny. Puffer Swing (Recraft Seal), $70. Image courtesy of The Paper Bunny. Of all the pieces in the collection, Jamie's favourites are the duo-tone pieces, namely the Puffer Swing in Recraft Fawn and the Camper Cap in Recraft Magpie: 'They are special and noteworthy, yet super wearable and matches anything in your closet!' Even though TPB Recraft started off purely as an artistic exploration for Jamie and her team, they wanted to challenge themselves to push boundaries and see where it leads. 'We see TPB Recraft as an opportunity for creativity, and we hope to convey that beauty, creativity and care can exist if we just look a little harder.' For Jamie, she sees the collection as a 'celebration of a shift in perspectives' and added: 'Sustainability is not one-dimensional and not just about sacrifice or limitation, but it can also be artful, inventive and full of possibility.' 'Our goal really isn't to be perfect, of which we are very, very far from, but it is to take on a spirit of exploration and curiosity, and to invite our community to come along with us on that journey,' she said. Image courtesy of The Paper Bunny. While The Paper Bunny has showed how they are exploring sustainability in their crafting process, they don't 'profess' to be a sustainable brand. To this, Jamie explained, 'We think it would be inaccurate for any retail brand to profess to be one, and we never want to come across as greenwashing. For us, sustainability is a journey of progress, not perfection.' Instead, Jamie and her team believes in providing joyful alternatives to 'make sustainability fun, aesthetic and easy to incorporate into everyday life' — a fun reusable, if you will, to add to your daily wardrobe. Internally, The Paper Bunny team has and continue to make sustainable living decisions such as choosing to lessen single-use options where possible; opting for reusable ziplock and drawstring bags instead of poly bags, FSC-certified or recycled paper and plastics, or other alternatives in their design process. 'Ultimately, we believe in making thoughtful choices that can create a positive impact in our everyday lives,' Jamie said, 'It's about finding simple yet meaningful ways to make a difference.' Hands-On with the TPB Recraft Puffer Shopper As someone who is familiar with The Paper Bunny, on account of owning 3 bags, I was never lucky enough to get my hands on the Puffer Shopper until now. Unlike the original Puffer Shopper, the TPB Recraft Puffer Shopper in Gloss has been crafted using recycled nylon though it features the same properties as the original Gloss material. Puffer Shopper (Recraft Gloss Porcini), $85. Image courtesy of The Paper Bunny. I compared this with my Puffer Swing in Gloss, and was pleasantly surprised by how similar the material felt. Not only was the recycled nylon smooth and soft to the touch, the overall bag is lightweight — which is a bonus for me as I often carry my laptop out for work and prefer not to have added weight (from the bag) on my shoulders. One thing that I really love about TPB bags is that they are non-pilling, which really helps eliminate the worry I always get when I feel the friction between my clothes and the bag. Before I started my search for non-pilling bags, I would always have slightly ruined tops because of the cotton-pilling that would occur from the abrasion of my heavyweight bag. But, after having used the Recraft Puffer Shopper for a few days to carry the full weight of a 13-inch MacBook Air, charger, and a 32oz Owala bottle, I am happy to report that no tops have since been ruined! My shoulders also feel a lot more comfortable during commute, thanks to the pillowy, cloud-like bag straps. TPB Recraft logo. On top of its functional qualities, I have to say that the Recraft Puffer Shopper is an overall aesthetically pleasing wardrobe essential that just matches with my daily outfit. It has also become a unique piece in my collection of bags with its one-of-a-kind Recraft logo which blends embroidery with a plastic-like label. The TPB Recraft Collection is now available at The Paper Bunny store in Takashimaya Shopping Centre and online at
