Editor’s Letter
If there’s one thing that gets all the editors grooving in their front-row seats at fashion week, it’s the music from the runways. Give us an anthem by Queen or Gloria Gaynor and I swear on my Pradas, whether it’s an editor from America or a stylist from Zambia, we’ll be lip-syncing and tapping our toes in our Manolos. Nothing unites this disparate troop of opinionated, stylish individuals more than a tune that’s universally familiar (Alber Elbaz was a genius at this when he was Creative Director at Lanvin). Thus, for the fourth year running, I’ve kept our all-important September issue to the theme of music. Katy Perry graced our 2015 issue, followed by Kanye West and Kim Kardashian in 2016.The Weeknd was our 2017 star, with supermodels Irina Shayk and Adriana Lima flanking him on either side.This year, I decided that one was not enough; I wanted three. Depending on which cover you got, there’s Christina Aguilera, Paris Jackson and the Richards sisters. Aguilera is a legend in her own right, and she has never looked better: A confident mother of two who has just released a new album Liberation, and has an upcoming tour planned. Paris Jackson needs no introduction—her father, Michael Jackson, was the world’s most intriguing pop star with incredible talent that captivated the world for decades. Jackson’s great looks have propelled her to the top of the modelling hierachy, fronting fashion campaigns and glossy covers worldwide. Siblings Theodora and Alexandra Richards have their Rolling Stones dad, Keith Richards, to thank for their surnames; while their blonde locks, chiselled features and statuesque figures have earned them front-row seats at fashion shows aplenty. On our own shores, we highlight 15 of our top musical acts, whether they are solo stars, buskers or part of a band. From reggae rappers to cool crooners belting out “We are Singapore”, find out how these talents have used Spotify,YouTube and Instagram to gain an audience well beyond our national borders on page 94. But let’s not forget the whole crux and purpose of a September issue—FASHION! This month is an extravaganza à la mode; a celebration of runway trends, backstage beauty and all the things you will be lusting after for the next six months.We have beautiful spreads, gorgeous accessories, and plenty of style stories from the catwalks, culminating in our bi-annual 42-page Collections Report on page 104. It’s a smorgasbord of prints, colours and embellishments. Feast your eyes on the best of music and fashion—it’s a greatest hits compilation you’ll be loving all season.