Reza, Aida & Fariz SALLEH
IT’S ALL FUN AND GAMES HAVING A SISTER OR BROTHER TO play with growing up, until one of them attacks the other spraying insecticide from a Shieldtox aerosol bottle, and the latter retaliates by punching the former sibling in the mouth.
“There were a lot of physical bonding, growing up,” comments Fariz, the youngest of the lot, and the recipient of said insecticide onslaught from his sister Aida. Their constant brawling when they were much younger would be interjected by the eldest Salleh, Reza, when it got too out of hand.
Fortunately, such “domestic violence” did not persist in the Salleh household as they grew older̶with many regular family trips overseas to theme parks, zoos and aquariums, the bond among the siblings strengthened, and in time, developed into respect and admiration.
“In terms of character, I believe we are all very similar, when it comes to how we feel about achievement or hard work, how things affect us, whether positively or negatively,” Reza says. “Sometimes, how he goes about his own business, Fariz reminds me of how I used to be as well. Same goes for when I see how Aida reacts to certain affairs, and how they are matters I can relate to,” he adds. “We can seem quite different on the surface but when it comes down to it, we are all the same.”
The renowned singer/songwriter has been making headways in the local music scene since 2000, performing his mix of folk rock, pop, grunge, jazz and blues, together with his band of sessionists, while providing a platform to younger musicians with musical series such as Feedback, The Homemade Open Mic Show at The Bee, Publika.
In a way, you could say that Reza has been, for the last 18 years, paving a road for his younger brother, who has recently become more active in the music scene with Battle Bloom, his own indie band. “I’m very blessed to have Reza, as well as the many people in the local music scene mentor me on my music career,” says Fariz, whose carbon copy likeness and cheeky nature have on more than one occasion led strangers to believe that they were having a coversation with Reza, which the two brothers would laugh about later on.
“The advice I’ve received about building my stage performance, and better interaction with the crowd, as well as feedback on my songwriting are very valuable things to me as a musician.”
To other sibling, Aida, who has made a career as a creative entrepreneur, Reza imparted a wisdom, which Aida still lives by for Sunnyside Up Market till today: “In order for you to survive as a self-employed person, you need to service some three to five big clients at the same time, who may require you to do commercial work that you don’t necessarily like to do, but will keep you afloat, so that you can take on the often smaller projects that you are passionate about.”
The 10-year-old advice has permitted the three-day curated community market at Slate At The Row to persevere over the last six years, drawing in homegrown labels such as Yoke & Theam, Fleuri Flowers and Boru. “He has given me a lot of life lessons that have saved me from a lot of the mistakes I could have made,” Aida acclaims. “He is my sensible arm, my logical arm. I never would’ve survived growing up without Reza.”
"My other brother, on the other hand, teaches me a lot about human compassion,” Aida says about Fariz, with whom she used to get into fights when they were younger. “Countless times, he has taught me patience, kindness, understanding, and looking at things from another perspective other than your own.”
“As much as he’s cheeky, sarcastic and naughty, he’s really baik. I would recommend him to any parent with a daughter to marry off!” Reza chimes in about Fariz with a laugh. “Sure, he’s going to be a bit annoying from time to time, but his heart is in the right place.”
“What I like about us is how selfless and reliant we are to one another,” Fariz adds. “When any of us needs the others most, wherever we are, we will just drop everything that we’re doing, and come to one his/her aid.”
IF TIME IS the new luxury, then wearing perfume properly is the art of taking time for yourself. And Anne-lise Cremona, president of Parfums Henry Jacques, is on a mission to restore the practice of wearing perfume as a personal ritual.
The French haute perfume house was founded by Anne-lise’s father, Henry Jacques in 1975, after an encounter with one of the last noses of old French perfume traditions. The Frenchman never sought commercial acclaim. Instead, he worked discreetly to create bespoke perfume for his clients, many of whom were royalty.
It was only three years ago that Anne-lise decided to create a commercial range called Les Classiques. It consists of 50 of the most popular scents in its inventory. Les Classiques was only available on the top floor of Harrods until recently when Parfums Henry Jacques opened its first and only standalone boutique in Asia, at Marina Bay Sands (MBS) Hotel in Singapore. We chatted with Anne-lise about her reasons for choosing Singapore and the lost art of perfume.
What made you choose Singapore?
Singapore has always impressed me as being a place where people have great sensibility for excellence, refinement and elegance.
What is your earliest memory of Henry Jacques?
I remember going downstairs and catching the smell, not of perfumes, but of a blend of thousands of ingredients that symbolised the laboratory and my parents’ world.
In a world of “fast perfume”, how do you keep the brand strong?
Indeed, Parfums Henry Jacques has existed for a long time and I consider it my mission to preserve its legacy. Today it is “fast perfume” but for me, perfume is time for yourself, and time is the real luxury.
Take me through the bespoke scent process.
It begins with a consultation, an intimate conversation with the client so that we can understand him. Thanks to our large collection of perfumes, we are able to precisely define what the person looks for and what wakes his emotions. The second stage happens within the laboratory. Within two months we are able to offer three versions of the client’s dream perfume. We almost always get it right at this stage but if the person wants more adjustments to be made, we will work on it until he is satisfied.
What are the most common myths regarding scents that you would like to dispel?
We often forget that perfume is an art. A quick look at the industry is enough to understand that perfume is often presented as a tool of seduction, with stereotyped profiles for men and women. But perfume is much more nuanced and can reach the depth of the soul. A perfume has a much greater role than just calling for attention.
Another myth is that someone has to choose a single perfume (usually the newest one) to embody his or her personality. I have personal favourites that are “me” but we should compose with perfumes just as we compose with our wardrobe, according to our feelings. AM
sun is almost ready to retire for the day. The wind has picked up, signalling to me to return to my room and get changed into swimwear. The resort for the longest time was notable for its waterpark, but recently, it has added an infinity pool that juts out into the sea. A couple of female companions have already striped into a two-piece and are ready for Instagram-worthy moments.
Second Day
The next morning requires us to wake up before sunrise. After a buffet breakfast consisting of watermelon, yoghurt and cold cuts, and a quick stroll on the promenade to soak up the sun, we are set for what comes next. It’s a two-and-a-half-hour-long, 12-stop, three-suspension-bridge, zip-line adventure. Umgawa’s Zipline Eco Canopy Tour, which takes its name from Tarzan and his famous utterance, shares the same locality as the Seven Wells Waterfall, where trees soar above the clouds and chilly water cascades down a rocky hillside. A few rangers help us fit into our safety harnesses and helmets, give us a briefing on safety, before we embark on the first stop.
The first ride had me worried about smashing into the tree trunk. But my fear proves unfounded as the ranger provides extra assurance by physically intervening just as my feet touch the tree trunk. The ranger displays a cheeky side, playfully teasing one of my companions by shaking the ropes as she makes her way across a suspension bridge high above the forest floor. She cries out in a mix of fright and ecstasy, realising that she is securely attached to the ropes. Her petite frame proves to be a great source of entertainment for the entire journey. As irony has it, her “lack-of” mass causes her to succumb to the laws of physics when she attempts to glide across the second-longest line, at 165m long and vertigoinducing height, across the waterfall. Unable to generate sufficient momentum to last through the course, she helplessly slides backwards towards the midpoint after having so nearly reaching the landing platform at the other end. Much to her relief, the ranger swiftly jumps into action to rescue her from being stranded over the waterfall.
After we have been hoisted down from tree tops, we are eager for some refuelling at the resort’s Seagull Coffee House. As raindrops begin to fall, the lamb shank arrives to satiate my hunger, along with a glass of refreshing watermelon margarita to quench my thirst. The rest of the time is spent on hoping the rain will subside as we have a sunset cruise to catch later in the evening. There is no sunshine until the rain is gone.
Thankfully, the rain clears soon after. As the vessel leaves the pier, each of us kicks back and relaxes at the bow with drinks in our hands and Ed Sheeran on the airwaves. When it finally comes to a standstill out in the open sea, and as the biggest test of my nerves since stealthily retrieving confiscated goods from the headmaster’s office, I make an impetuous decision to put on a life jacket and jump into the ocean despite not knowing how to swim. To a chorus of cheers by the encouraging crowd, with my sight firmly set on the lush vegetation on the horizon, I take the leap. AM
“THE ROOM HAS BEEN SPRUCED UP AFTER A MAJOR RENOVATION. I HAVE MORE BEDS THAN I NEED. THERE IS ALSO A ROUND TABLE FOR SOME KEYBOARD PECKING”
car, but it was sufficient enough for each hybrid model to show its hand.
The Value Proposition: BMW 330e M Spo
The fact that it costs a shade just under RM260,000, makes the 330e M Sport a true no brainer purchase. Powered by a 2.0-litre BMW TwinPower Turbo 4-cylinder petrol engine and a 65kW electric motor, this premium sports sedan delivers a total system output of 252hp and 420Nm of torque. No slow poke in the performance department, drivers get an 8-speed Steptronic automatic transmission to keep those ponies in check.
Eco conscious drivers will appreciate the rated fuel consumption of 2.1L/100km with CO2 emissions of 49g/km this model delivers. But it can also cover the century sprint in just 6.1 seconds before topping out at 225kmh. With its athletic stance and sporty looks coupled with M Aerodynamics, M Sport Suspension package as well as 18inch M light alloy wheels, this is certainly not a hybrid anyone should trifle with.
“BMW FOR ONE IS A FEW STEPS AHEAD AND IS ONE OF THE FIRST TO THE ELECTRIC PARTY. THE GERMAN MANUFACTURER STARTED THE BALL ROLLING WITH ITS ALL-ELECTRIC I3 AND I8 MODELS AND IT’S ALREADY THE MOST SUCCESSFUL PREMIUM HYBRID BRAND ON OUR SHORES“
Spo y By Nature: BMW 530e Spo
Moving up the chain comes the 530e
Sport, the first-ever BMW 5 Series Hybrid with eDrive Technology. Offering a similar powertrain to its younger sibling̶the 330e̶the 5 series plug-in hybrid delivers a riveting drive that makes it arguably the most fun and entertaining business sedan around. Priced at RM343, 800, this 5 Series hybrid just doesn’t look smart; it’s equally intelligent under the hood as well.
The energy management system the car is equipped with optimises the effectiveness of the electric drivetrain and the highperformance battery with a predictive operating strategy. This allows this 5 Series Hybrid to not only run with the pack but also benefit from an all-electric driving range of up to 48km with a maximum speed of up to 140kmh, which is the best in its segment. The eDrive system can also be tailored for further drive customisation via three innovative driving modes ‒ Auto eDrive, Max eDrive and Battery Control for greater efficiency.
The X-Factor SAV:
BMW X5 xDrive40e M Spo
The SUV and SAV market has taken off in a huge way, which is why we’re seeing more of these vehicles than ever. With a multitude of choices, buyers in this segment are spoilt for choice. However, if your criteria for an SAV are down to good looks, efficient driving, spirited performance and handling, and topof-the-range luxury appointments then the X5 xDrive40e M Sport will certainly have all those boxes ticked. And it will only set you back RM388, 800.
We can go on and tell you how well equipped this luxury SUV is and how solid it looks but in our opinion its best attribute is the way it handles. Equipped with a powerful 2.0-litre 4-cyclinder turbo engine with an 83kW electric motor, the X5 xDrive40e M Sport can achieve the 0-100kmh sprint in 6.8 seconds and go flat out at 210kmh. Despite its size, this SAV is remarkably fast off the line thanks to a peak torque of 450Nm and it’s frugal too with a rated consumption of
3.3 l/100 km.
The Luxury Limousine: BMW 740Le xDrive
Although the 740Le xDrive largely caters to captains of industry, we can certainly see the appeal about having it parked in our driveway. Equipped with the latest and greatest in in-car technology and functionality, this 7 Series Hybrid certainly lives up to its billing as the most advanced modern luxury limousine in the country. The arm rest houses a tablet, which provides the back seat passenger to control various functions of the cabin including lighting as well as the entertainment system. The rear seats also come with a massage function, which will definitely come in useful after a long day at the office.
Under the hood, the 740Le xDrive rocks a 2.0 litre BMW TwinPower Turbo 4-cylinder petrol engine, which outputs 258hp and 400Nm of peak torque, which is complemented by an 83Kw electric motor with a maximum torque of 250Nm. Despite its ‘limousine’ status, the 740Le xDrive can still hang with sportier vehicles in its class. Its century sprint in 5.3 seconds should prove to be ample warning that this is one limo not to muck around with. AM
HAVING ENTERED THE world of football in
2006, by becoming the sponsor of the
Swiss national team, high-tech watchmaker Hublot holds the titles “FIFA Official Watch” and “FIFA Official Timekeeper” for the third consecutive time, making it the official watch partner for a total of three World Cups and three Confederations Cups, in addition to three UEFA EURO editions, and three seasons of the Champions League and Europa League.
For the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, Hublot has created a smart watch that will instantly connect you to every decisive second of the matches in real time. Wanting a customised watch for the referees, FIFA asked Hublot to conceive the perfect watch to accompany them on the pitches during the matches. Hublot designed this connected watch, its first, for the footballing universe: the Big Bang Referee 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia.
“It brings together everything that inspires the passion of football lovers! The FIFA World Cup is the Holy Grail of emotions for football fans, so just imagine what an object such as a watch that captures each and every one of its moments, its turning points, its stakes could suddenly represent? The football aficionados
“IN ORDER TO BE A CHAMPION, YOU HAVE TO RESPECT OTHERS AND NEVER THINK YOU ARE THE BEST” – PELE
from among the brand’s friends have been waiting for this watch for a long time!” said Hublot CEO Ricardo Guadalupe.
KICKING OFF WITH A BIG BANG
Limited to 2,018 pieces, available across Hublot’s boutiques worldwide, the Big
Bang Referee 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia immediately shows its distinctive spirit with an application specially developed for the competition and a series of “fan” dials and matching straps in the national colours of each participating country. Thanks to its patented interchangeable “One Click” strap, the watch can easily be fitted to one of its two other straps that come with the timepiece: a cuff strap in sponge sporting the 2018 FIFA World CupTM emblem and that of Hublot, a black lined natural rubber strap.
It has all the attributes of the iconic Big Bang: its emblematic architecture cut out of the lightness of titanium, its bezel decorated with 6 H-shaped screws, its Kevlar insert. Even the display on its analogue mode dial could pass for the same aesthetic as that of the automatic models. In terms of size, the 49mm case is what makes the first difference, then its motor, which, for the first time, is driven by technology connected to digital intelligence.
Featuring several notifications, the official World Cup 2018 watch announces matches 15 minutes before their kick-off, as well as yellow and red cards, player changes and goals. Every time a goal is scored, the watch immediately vibrates and displays the word “GOAL.” During the match, the dial shows the match statistics including the score, number of cards, names of goal-scorers, player substitutions and match time. Benefiting from the Android living ecosystem, the Big Bang Referee 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia has thousands of downloadable applications in addition to its competition functions. In terms of synchronisation, the watch is compatible with all telephones using Android 4.4 and above or iOS 9 and above.