Letter from the Editor
Never has my virtual social life been so eventful than in the past four months. As everything moved online, I found myself attending events every week—only this time in the comfort of my own home without the need for make-up or high heels. In most of the webinars and panel discussions I participated in, there was a lot of talk about what the future holds so much so the words “crystal ball” were uttered countless times. The truth is that no expert really knows what’s going to happen next. The only thing that’s for certain is that tomorrow is shaped by what we do today.
That’s why despite the relentless negative news and the continuous challenges we face, we choose to champion optimism in this issue. This does not mean ignoring the difficulties at hand, but rather looking at the bright side even just for a moment. Few individuals embody the power of positivity as well as André Chiang, who appears on our cover this month. From an eager apprentice in France to becoming one of the most celebrated chefs in Asia, Chiang embraces change with vigour and he shares with us his next chapter as a hotelier in Japan. Read about Chiang’s creative journey and his hopes for the F&B industry in our cover story on page 160. The month of August also marks the launch of the new documentary André & His Olive Tree, which will premiere in Taipei, and will be privately screened by Tatler Singapore soon (follow our social media channels for updates).
The arts sector is also one that’s been gravely affected by the pandemic and it’s still hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. “Imagine a world without art—and we will quickly realise the vital role it plays in living,” notes National Arts Council chairman Goh Swee Chen, one of the five women driving the art agenda in Singapore (read more on page 38). Borne of these limitations, however, are imaginative expressions like that of local artist Hafiiz Karim, whose whimsical digital creations bring a smile to one’s face (page 24); we also profile Hongkonger SK Lam, who helps bring the visions of notable artists such as Kaws to life (page 190).
With summer in full swing, there’s a collective recollection of past sojourns alongside the mourning of a year without travel. In the feature The Great Escape (page 200), tastemakers from around the globe share their views on how travel is evolving and where they dream of going in 2021. As we all holiday at home for the foreseeable future, I invite you to read An Ode to Home (page 168)—you’ll discover there are many reasons to celebrate the Little Red Dot. Enjoy your #Singapoliday!