Editor’s Letter
We’re often on the brink of the next big thing. Exactly one year ago, we photographed Henry Golding and Liv Lo for the February 2018 cover of Harper’s BAZAAR, just after the filming of Crazy Rich Asians. Of course, any mention of the movie had to be embargoed until the summer release. But having shot Henry for the cover of BAZAAR Man before, where his smarts, charm, and good looks had all the makings of a star, we knew he would be hitting the big lights in a matter of moments, and wanted to capture that before his ascension would deem it impossible otherwise.
Likewise, Hikari Mori makes a beautiful cover of this Cool Asian issue, in true fashion royalty—her grandmother is none other than Hanae Mori, who was the first Asian woman to be inducted into the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture back in 1978. The model and now Netflix star is slated to be the new Asian face, already courted by fashion brands from Fendi to Gucci. As a fresh twist to the overplayed CRA hype, Amy Yasmine styled her in Louis Vuitton’s futuristic florals and sci-fi styles in perfect contrast to a traditional tea house, and with a touch of Nobuyoshi Araki, the iconic Japanese photographer provocateur (‘Star Light, Star Bright’ on page 106).
The definitively Asian spirit has come to express our times, not merely as oriental inspiration but evidently in the addressing of cultural sensitivities, in light of the recent Dolce & Gabbana furore. Amy Yasmine writes about how Asian designers are keeping their cool in this age of diversity in ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ (page 58). Taking that same brief, Mughni Che Din spins out the East-meets-Wild-Wild-West story in ‘Shogun Cowboy’ (page 32) that has all the makings of a 21st-century fashion Western with origami pleats, samurai wraps, and Pantone colour of the year, bright coral. While this may be the default auspicious shade, feng shui master Dato’ Joey Yap presents all your right predictions for the Lunar New Year, vibrantly illustrated by young visual artist Nee Wong (page 124).
How lucky we are to have another run of holidays—the best time to enjoy this read, even better in paradise. Take a seaplane out to a beautiful spa resort—preferably the barefoot luxury type—where being in the middle of nowhere only adds to its otherworldliness, heightening the intensity of colour, taste, and scent, from the azure blue sky and sea, to lemongrass densely in the air. It’s fabulously sensorial, whether experienced from a designer treehouse or a secluded villa in the Indian Ocean. These are moments like no other, re-created in day spas, be it the new Banyan Tree Spa or The St. Regis’s Iridium Spa that ensure a total realignment of body, mind, and spirit; with the best facials in town to perfect your beauty. We present the spectrum of winning treatments and resorts in Harper’s BAZAAR Malaysia Spa Awards 2019 to fine-tune your zen. Happy Lunar New Year!