Latest from Vogue Singapore
Vogue Singapore
19 hours ago
- Business
- Vogue Singapore
Golden Heritage: Modern jewels with a look of Asian tradition
There's something interesting happening in the space of Asian jewels. As gold prices have soared and soared, the allure of yellow gold—the colour that best shows the precious metal's natural hues and lustre—has risen in tandem. Gold has become a popular and trending safe haven asset once more. Even as creative designers flock to silver for a more affordable medium, high-carat gold jewellery has gained in popularity. Think of it as a way to wear your investments. That's become evident in the glut of brands offering high-karat gold pieces today. What used to be, frankly, dowdy and ostentatiously over-yellow (the sort of jewellery one might receive as a dowry or betrothal gift, say, that's kept in a safe and never worn) is taking on surprising new life. Stalwart Singapore jewellers like Goldheart and Lee Hwa, for instance, have introduced new collections of high-karat jewellery that offer a more wearable contemporary sensibility. Goldheart's line is named Gu Fa Jin, which translates from mandarin to mean ancient, or traditional, gold; while Lee Hwa's is named Imperial Gold. Both, you'll notice, allude to time-honoured Chinese methods of gold jewellery craftsmanship. This relation to heritage craftsmanship is also seeing a resurgence from Chinese and Hong Kong brands. Qeelin, a Hong Kong-based jeweller founded in 2004, is named after an auspicious Chinese mythical creature, and has a bestselling collection based on the traditionally lucky gourd designs of Chinese culture. It's a part of the Kering luxury conglomerate that owns brands like Gucci, Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta. And while luxury fashion brands are, on the whole, seeing a slowdown, Kering reported that in the first quarter of 2025 'Qeelin achieved outstanding growth'. Or look to the casino level of The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, where one of China's buzziest new jewellers has recently opened up shop. Laopu Gold, founded in Beijing in 2009, translates from Mandarin to mean, incredulously humbly, 'old shop'. Think of it, perhaps, as analogous to the literal understatement of Bottega Veneta—which roughly means 'Venetian shop' in Italian. Laopu trades on handcrafted high-karat gold—23-carats, or 990, or 99% gold by purity, and purports to use heritage savoir-faire that dates back to imperial palace jewellers. The look of its pieces—jewels, as well as lifestyle objects like hammered gold teapots and calligraphy brushes with bamboo-shaped gold handles—is deliciously luxe and cultured. Its success so far has earned it comparisons and monikers such as 'China's Hermès of gold'. Its outpost in Singapore's Marina Bay Sands is the brand's first outside of mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau. So it's clear that the aesthetic of Asian jewels is on the up. Here, Vogue curates a selection of pieces that, directly or obliquely, tap into the look. Courtesy of Risis 1 / 18 Risis SG60 Resilient Cambria Orchid brooch in encapsulated 24-carat Swiss gold and palladium with an Akoya pearl, $350, limited to 60 Courtesy of Qeelin 2 / 18 Qeelin Wulu petite necklace in 18-carat rose gold with diamonds and red agate, $2,800 Courtesy of Sue Ling 3 / 18 Sue Ling ring in 18-carat rose gold with imperial jade, diamonds, yellow sapphires, onyx and mother-of-pearl, price upon request Courtesy of State Property 4 / 18 State Property Idris Warisan bangle in 18-carat yellow gold with diamonds, $8,750 Courtesy of B.P. de Silva 5 / 18 B.P. de Silva Horizon Infinite Band in 18-carat yellow and white gold with diamonds, $9,000 Courtesy of Boucheron 6 / 18 Boucheron Serpent Bohème anklet in 18-carat yellow gold with diamonds, $6,550 Courtesy of Buccellati 7 / 18 Buccellati Opera Tulle bracelet in 18-carat yellow gold, $5,300 Courtesy of Carrie K 8 / 18 Carrie K Blessings Jade Twisty bangle in 14-carat yellow gold with jade and diamonds, $1,950 Courtesy of Goldheart 9 / 18 Goldheart Gu Fa Jin ring in 24-carat gold, $2,340 Courtesy of Louis Vuitton 10 / 18 Louis Vuitton Idylle Blossom ring in 18-carat pink gold with diamonds, $8,250 Courtesy of Lee Hwa 11 / 18 Lee Hwa Imperial Gold earrings in 24-carat yellow gold with diamonds, $528 Courtesy of Tiffany & Co. 12 / 18 Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Bean design ring in 18-carat yellow gold with jade, $2,900 Courtesy of Anabela Chan 13 / 18 Anabela Chan Petunia vermeil ring with lab-grown pink sapphire, £1,190 Courtesy of Pomellato 14 / 18 Pomellato Nudo bracelet in 18-carat rose gold with brown diamonds and white topazes, $13,500 Courtesy of Goldheart 15 / 18 Goldheart Gu Fa Jin Qing Hua earrings in 24-carat yellow gold, price upon request Courtesy of Van Cleef & Arpels 16 / 18 Van Cleef & Arpels Perlée Toi & Moi secret watch in 18-carat rose gold with green jasper, rose quartz, diamonds and mother-of-pearl, $52,000 Courtesy of Chaumet 17 / 18 Bee de Chaumet Pompon pendant in 18-carat yellow gold with diamonds, $32,900 Courtesy of Chow Tai Fook 18 / 18 Chow Tai Fook Rouge pendant in 24-carat yellow gold with diamonds and red enamel, $7,000
Vogue Singapore
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Vogue Singapore
Photo tweaking to look younger—what are the consequences?
Here's a strange confession. As an elder Gen Z (nay I ever leave out the 'elder' part), I have a folder of older celebrities' Instagram posts that I've saved as a means of dispelling ageing-related fears. After all, if said public figure's skin, figure and overall air of vitality looks 'better' than mine despite being a decade or two older, what do I have to fear about ageing? Given my glamorous references, you'd be forgiven for thinking that getting older doesn't actually have anything to do with looking older. However, a reality check recently arrived when witnessing an older family friend edit a picture of themselves before posting it online. In person, they're stunning, charismatic and elegant. The original photograph conveyed this—but apparently it wasn't enough. As I looked on, they took to their smartphone's screen and deftly adjusted a variety of filters to remove the appearance of fine lines and shadows that I wouldn't have realised was visible to the average human eye. The end result? The post shared online showed them looking no less than fifteen years younger than the original image—and reality—showed. It was a crisp wake-up call. The photographs of various influencers and celebrities that I've been regarding as surreal proof of one's ability to remain aesthetically frozen over decades… These aren't necessarily reality. Gone are the days of hyper-obvious, 2000s-era airbrushing. Now anybody can take to tweaking their own image online. But what are the ramifications of this new reality? View this post on Instagram A post shared by L I S A R I N N A (@lisarinna) A new pressure As my own neuroticism indicates, there seems to be more pressure than ever to maintain a youthful-looking appearance for longer—especially for women. While more access to and knowledge of treatments like 'undetectable tweakments' and facelifts are contributing to this, the false realities perpetuated by social media also undeniably contribute. With the influential and wealthy more likely to look younger for longer, this could be translating into a significant new divide. If a younger-looking appearance is tied to our success and class, it's not a wonder that demand is higher than ever to keep up. Sara -Ann Lee, clinical psychologist at The Psychology Practice, sheds some light on how constant exposure to these edited images may be affecting our psyche. 'This may result in having unrealistic expectations of what the natural process of ageing looks like, and perceiving ageing as something to be avoided—even though it is inevitable.' Understandably, this can result in a poorer self-esteem, particularly where one starts to fixate or obsess over these physical characteristics. 'It's possible that your identity may become tied to these overvalued concepts, and one may start to feel inadequate if they perceive themselves not to be meeting these standards,' says Lee. Of course, the effects of de-aged photographs don't only extend to the audience—what about the ramifications for those that habitually edit their own photos to look younger? While Lee acknowledges that having the ability to edit certain features and influence others' perceptions of their age and appearance online can boost self-esteem and confidence, excessive and habitual use can result in other issues. 'The excessive use of this ability, as with all other behaviours, may lead to an individual being aware that there's a discrepancy between their actual and ideal image. This could potentially result in poor self-esteem and mood.' Getting offline 'Ageing as a physical process is something that none of us are able to escape from, regardless of medical advancements and treatments that are purely aesthetic,' says Lee. To that end, it's worth keeping in mind that what you see isn't necessarily reality. Though of course it can be healthy to look for sources of inspiration and role models where ageing positively and embracing different life stages is concerned, it's important to realise that what you see shared online is often edited and carefully curated before being shared. Should you begin to find yourself fixating upon ageing and physical appearances, consider reducing your social media time if others' content is becoming a point of comparison. 'A wider consideration would be to also consider psychological, rather than physical, aspects of ageing. How may we adapt to and engage with the different stages of life?' Lee suggests. Indeed, in a world where we're often told that our value is skin-deep, it's crucial that we look beyond these superficial factors to identify our true worth and value. Perhaps my saved folder on Instagram can go beyond a heavily made up celebrity's selfie or an older influencer's workout that puts mine to shame—and instead encompass images that represent the sense of peace, wisdom and enjoyment that I can only hope will grow as I get older.
Vogue Singapore
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Vogue Singapore
Where to eat, drink and shop according to Vasunthara Ramasamy
No one hosts quite like Vasunthara Ramasamy. A self-taught chef and MasterChef Singapore alum, she runs Cutlery Optional, a buzzy private dining outfit where South Indian culinary heritage takes centre stage. She is also known as the unofficial Little India whisperer—guiding friends through Tekka's spice stalls and thosai counters like it's a sensory sport. If you want to get to the heart of Singapore's culinary landscape, eating with her is a good first step. For Ramasamy, home represents ease. 'I have lived in Mumbai and New Zealand for short periods. These experiences were enriching and broadened my view of the world and life. However, now that I'm in my 40s, I'm certain that Singapore will always be my true home. Ultimately, living abroad made me realise how much of a Singaporean I am at heart.' On her food adventures around the island, Ramasamy has made many discoveries and hidden gems—some of which she believes should receive more recognition. 'I wish that the food cultures of migrant workers could be more acknowledged and celebrated,' she reflects. 'Migrant workers have their own temporary enclaves to gather and relax on their rest days. It is in these spaces where I have found some of the best and most affordable Southeast Asian and South Asian eats.' Here, the chef share her favourite third spaces in Singapore—from the local eatery she'd rather gatekeep to under-the-radar stores, bars and neighbourhoods she keeps coming back to. André Wee 1 / 6 The local stall you tend to gatekeep: This is a difficult one to answer as many of my favourite food stalls have shuttered over the years. But Impian Wahyu (Block 462 Crawford Lane) has managed to stand the test of time. My favourite dishes are their Ayam Penyet and Sup Buntut. Their food reminds me of what you find in Indonesian warungs and the sambal they serve on the side has got a good kick of chilli heat too. I've patronised this stall for years and was heartbroken when they closed briefly after the passing of Abang Batman, one of the co-owners. He was incredibly personable and I'm glad that Wahyu Ning, his wife, overcame the odds and reopened at a new location. @vasunthara.r 2 / 6 The third space where you feel the most you: Does the wet market count as a third space? I spend a lot of time at Tekka Market and the grocery shops all over Little India. There's always some new ingredient to appreciate and learn about from the stall owners. As a private dining chef, these spaces allow me to dream up new dishes and ideas. Courtesy of Atlas 3 / 6 The ultimate destination for a good night out: I like Atlas Bar for its beautiful interiors and Caffe Fernet for sweeping views of Marina Bay and (most importantly) its Negronis. Courtesy of Jothi Store & Flower Shop 4 / 6 A hidden gem shopping address: While not really a hidden gem, Jothi Store & Flower Shop has existed since the 1960s and more people should know about it. It's an excellent place for Indian cookware and all types of stainless steel paraphernalia for sauces, dips, prep and service. They have extensive variety at very affordable prices. Courtesy of Ichigo Ichie 5 / 6 Best date-night spot: I may be biased as I have done two collaborations with chef Akane of Ichigo Ichie, but my husband and I love the food there. Each visit to the Japanese kappo restaurant guarantees a different experience since the menu isn't fixed and chef Akane only uses seasonal ingredients while adding her own artistic flair. I especially love that diners will occasionally taste some Indian elements, inspired by our collabs over the years, like fermented Indian chilli pastes and spices popping up amid Japanese flavours. It makes the experience fun, interesting and very memorable for a special date. Getty 6 / 6 Your favourite coffee haunt: I have the privilege of mostly working from home so my daily cup of coffee is usually a Lungo from a Nespresso pod. But on days when I really need a caffeine boost, it's a stovetop espresso or South Indian filter coffee using coffee beans sourced from my travels to India. Vogue Singapore's July/August 'Home' issue is out on newsstands and available online.
Vogue Singapore
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Vogue Singapore
Bandage dresses from the aughts are back. Here's how to style them
Picture this: it's 2008. You're getting ready with your friends for a night out dancing at the club, Beyoncé's 'Single Ladies' is blasting through the speakers and you've just slipped into a bandage dress. Life couldn't have been better. As millennial everything trends—from low-rise jeans to slogan tees, it's no surprise that the iconic bandage dresses of the mid-aughts—a skin-tight body hugging silhouette that was once a staple of the club circuit and red carpets alike—is having a major revival. Though Azzedine Alaïa may have shown the first set of bandage dresses in the 1980s, Hervé Léger popularised the style we know today. Made from thick, stretchy strips of fabric like rayon, nylon, and spandex, meticulously knitted together, the dress almost feels like second skin. Its construction is designed to lift, cinch and sculpt in all the right places, giving the perfect hourglass illusion. By the 2000s, the bandage dress had reached cult status, worn by everyone from Kim Kardashian and Beyoncé to Lindsay Lohan and Victoria Beckham. It was the ultimate 'It girl' uniform—binding and unapologetically bold. Fast forward to 2025, the bandage dress is shedding its over-the-top-party-girl image for a more refined and elegant direction—think longer hemlines, cleaner cuts, and toned-down palettes. Like Kaia Gerber's chic white bandage dress at the Toronto International Film Festival, a tribute to her supermodel mother's 1993 Oscars Hervé Léger number. And just when we thought we'd seen it all, Hailey Bieber gave us something entirely new to be obsessed with. And obsessed we are. Attending the Fashion Trust U.S awards, the supermodel and CCO of Rhode turned heads in a burgundy bandage dress by Saint Laurent. Below, a Vogue-approved edit of bandage dress styles to cop now. Getty 1 / 16 Kim Kardashian 2 / 16 Hervé Léger The Metallic Iris Gown, $387 Available at Hervé Léger. Courtesy of Hervé Léger 3 / 16 Hervé Léger Halter Crystal Gown, $477 Available at Hervé Léger. Courtesy of Selfridges 4 / 16 House of CB The Sculpt Halter-Neck Bandage Stretch-Woven Midi Dress, $275 Available at Selfridges. Getty 5 / 16 Hailey Bieber Courtesy of The Outnet 6 / 16 Hervé Léger Cutout fringed Bandage Gown, $652 Available at The Outnet. Courtesy of Hervé Léger 7 / 16 Hervé Léger The Eden Gown, $650 Available at Hervé Léger. Courtesy of The Outnet 8 / 16 Hervé Léger Burnout Bandage Maxi Dress, $453 Available at The Outnet. Getty 9 / 16 Kaia Gerber Courtesy of Farfetch 10 / 16 Hervé Léger The Lillian Gown, $2,845 Available at Farfetch. Courtesy of Farfetch 11 / 16 Elisabetta Franchi Bustier Panelled Midi Dress, $869 Available at Farfetch. Courtesy of Mytheresa 12 / 16 Mugler Cutout Midi Dress, $1,290 Available at Mytheresa. @herveleger 13 / 16 Millie Bobby Brown Courtesy of Net-a-porter 14 / 16 Tom Ford Cutout Stretch-Knit Mini Dress, $1,739 Available at Net-a-porter. Courtesy of Hervé Léger 15 / 16 Hervé Léger Bandage S/L Sweetheart Mini Dress, $267 Available at Hervé Léger. Courtesy of The Outnet 16 / 16 Hervé Léger Cutout Bandage Mini Dress, Available at The Outnet.
Vogue Singapore
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Vogue Singapore
Pickleball is this summer's newest obsession
Move over, tennis, there's a new sport in town that fashion lovers are obsessed with. Not to be mixed up with the sport that dominated the box offices last year, pickleball operates pretty differently. Once the underdog of racket sports, this low-intensity paddle game has officially hit big time on our shores. Everyone from our favourite celebrities to influencers is swearing by it because it works your entire body, strengthening and toning without putting undue stress on your joints. It's social, it's sweaty, and dare we say undeniably stylish. While you're figuring out how to serve, smash, and volley, there's an equally important question at play: what do you wear? Because let's be honest, pickleball might be low-impact, but the courtside fashion is anything but. Think tenniscore, but more relaxed. '90s New England prepsters, but with a playful twist. Outfits wise, we're talking pleated skirts, classic polos, sleek visors, and chic paddles that look just as good on your Instagram feed as they do mid-match. Plus, if you're going to show up for an early morning game, you might as well look smashing doing it. Even brands are co-signing this trend in a big way. From Staud to Adidas and even local labels Good Addition alongside Anya Active, there have been a slew of pickleball-specific collections that perfectly blend sportiness with style. So if you find yourself in a pickle wondering if you're missing out, there's only one way to find out. Jump on the bandwagon and discover your new all-time favourite summer hobby—alongside some enviable pickleball outfits. Below, your Vogue -approved guide to serve on and off the court. From breathable pieces that move with you to chic accessories, here's everything you need to play the part. Courtesy of Mytheresa 1 / 15 Tory Burch Pleated Terry Jacquard Tennis Dress, $440 Available at Mytheresa. Courtesy of Farfetch 2 / 15 Miu Miu Cotton Piqué Polo Shirt, $1,670 Available at Farfetch. Courtesy of Mytheresa 3 / 15 Alo Yoga Down The Line Airlift Tennis Skirt, $140 Available at Mytheresa. Courtesy of Farfetch 4 / 15 Thom Browne Cotton Sleeveless Polo Top, $1,080 Available at Farfetch. 5 / 15 Moncler Logo-Appliqué Wrap Tennis Skirt, $575 Available at Farfetch. Courtesy of On 6 / 15 On The Roger Clubhouse Pro, $249 Available at On. Courtesy of Good Addition 7 / 15 Good Addition One Shoulder Asymmetrical Knit Top, $45 Available at Good Addition. Courtesy of Adidas 8 / 15 Adidas Tennis Pro Climacool Shorts, $99 Available at Adidas. Courtesy of On 9 / 15 On Court Dress, $209 Available at On. Courtesy of Asics 10 / 15 Asics Game FF Tennis shoes Available at Asics. Courtesy of Amazon 11 / 15 Head Gravity Tour Pickleball Paddle, $213 Available at Amazon. 12 / 15 Louis Vuitton Suzanne Racket Pouch, $2,850 Available at Louis Vuitton. Courtesy of Net-a-porter 13 / 15 Dior Eyewear DiorClub V1U Perspex and cotton-blend jacquard visor, $761 Available at Net-a-porter. Courtesy of Cettire 14 / 15 Prada Eyewear Oval Frame Sunglasses, $415 Available at Cettire. Courtesy of Tumi 15 / 15 Tumi Alpha Pickleball Bag, $730.00 Available at Tumi.
