Tatler Singapore

Against the Grain

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lmost every industry around the world is facing disruption. From finance to freight forwarding, businesses are providing traditiona­l services in novel and unpreceden­ted ways. But such disruption is probably most felt in the lifestyle realm. For instance, consumers today are not just contented with having a slice of Hawaiian pizza at their favourite joint. Instead, they want to savour thin-crust artisanal pizza made with quality ingredient­s, in a conducive environmen­t where they can also kick back their John Lobbs and enjoy a swig of small batch single malt whisky. Modern lifestyle disruption isn’t new —it has been happening since the turn of the millennium. The advent of advanced technology and the proliferat­ion of travel have simply sped things up. I remember in 2002, when Strip first opened in Singapore, it changed the face of the local beauty and grooming scene. Before then, hair removal services were either painful DIY sessions at home or only offered by, sometimes dodgy, beauty salons. But with interestin­g interior decor, sanitary practices, and quirky advertisin­g, the smooth operator turned things on its head, earning the trust of many. Ditto for Comme des Garçons and its guerrilla store concept—pop-ups that open for just a few months in often offbeat locations. What these two brands have done is instead of giving their products and services a total facelift, they took a different approach by injecting a dose of novelty and breaking regular convention­s. Likewise for lifestyle entreprene­urs Loh Lik Peng, Yenn Wong, Wee Teng Wen and Marc Nicholson, who are featured in our cover story (p.118). Instead of doing hospitalit­y in tried-and-tested ways, Unlisted Collection’s Lik Peng and Hong Kong-based Jia Group’s Yenn breathed new life into their hotels by introducin­g one-of-a-kind concepts. The Lo & Behold Group’s Teng Wen raised the standards of eateries and watering holes here by developing a strong character for each establishm­ent. Meanwhile, Marc’s recently opened 1880 is leading the slew of new-breed private members’ clubs to hit our shores. Teng Wen’s Straits Clan (pictured above) is also set to open this month. Each of them is very much a lifestyle disrupter and trailblaze­r in their own right. March is also the month we celebrate Internatio­nal Women’s Day. And with interest in women’s issues on the rise in recent months, Singapore Tatler joins in the march. Features writer Chong Seow Wei speaks to three women—and the men in their lives—about gender equality and how these issues have affected them (p.128). Seow Wei also speaks to six industry leaders about the women who have shaped their lives (p.40). Reading these stories reminds me of how important my mother and wife are to me. Without them, I wouldn’t be half the man I am today. To that, I dedicate our March issue to Mum, my wife Bee and all the women in the world. Salute!

— Terence Lim Editor

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