Tropicana Jan-Feb 2019 #122 Celebration of Love

Vol. #122 January / February 2019 

CELEBRATION OF LOVE 

THE 

CURIOUS 

CASE OF 

ANDREW LAI 

Andrew of Curious Kitchen shares 

with us what are the secrets to good food 

and their Iberico meats specialty. 

A VERSACE 

MOMENT 

Camera, fashion and 

celebrities - a surprise for the 

Pre-Fall Runway in New York. 

TRAVEL 

SENSES 

Six Senses designed by Zil Pasyon, 

2019 Grand Prix Versailles award winner, 

shows us what relaxation really means. 

SOUL-SEARCHING 

PHILANTHROPY 

Albertnico, a celeb hair stylist/photographer 

is on a mission to ‘Give Malaysia’, a charity for 

children who are suffering from cancer.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 

2019 

Our Happy New Year wish for you 

Is for best year yet, 

A year where life is peaceful, 

And what you want, you get. 

A year in which you cherish 

The past year’s memories, 

And live your life each new day 

Full of bright expectancies. 

We wish for you a holiday 

With happiness galore; 

And when it’s done, we wish you 

Happy New Year, and many more. 

From Tropicana

EDITOR NOTE 

Hello 

As we enter January, the dawn of 2019 

begins. Thaipusam lights up the 21st, and 

then in two weeks, the red-gold decor 

of Chinese New Year takes over; with a 

double celebration on Valentine’s Day. It is certainly a 

time to ‘Paint The Town Red’. So here’s wishing a good 

year, in the blush of good health to all our readers, and 

in this issue we look forward to usher in the Celebration 

of Love. 

What better way for Malaysians to celebrate than with 

food? Our cover story with Andrew Lai shows the 

man behind Curious Kitchen. Apart from his business 

acumen and sharp wit, his deep knowledge in the art of 

food preparation is a testament of love. The satisfaction 

and smiles of each diner that experiences Curious 

Kitchen’s specialties, is truly Andrew’s personal joy 

and passion. It’s fascinating how Andrew first started 

as he did not begin as a chef. We have also had a field 

trip with Village Grocer who are bubbly and cheerful. 

‘Shopping should be fun’ and this issue we have taken 

it to the next level as Fashion meets Grocery-shopping 

to culminate as our latest fashion spread that we call– 

‘Tasteful Textures’. 

Oprah Winfrey has said that, ‘The more you praise and 

celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate’. 

This issue we celebrate the good things that life has to 

offer. The love of the visual arts is reflected in The 

Diary section. The love of socializing with like-minded 

positive people is shown in The Scene. The love of 

movies and books are in The Books and The Movie. 

The love of beautiful homes is in The Home and so on. 

Everything we do in this issue is about love. So what 

have you chose to love? 

Tony Robbins in his book, Money: Master the Game, 

said that fulfilment doesn’t come from having more 

money. What we’re really after is what the money 

represents. We’re after the emotions that money can 

create: the feeling of empowerment, of freedom, of 

security, of helping those we love and those in need, of 

having a choice and of feeling alive. We hope you can 

find what you truly love as you flip through this issue 

#122. 

Our Game Changer is none other than hair maestro/ 

artistic photographer Albert Nico whom had exhibited 

stunning celebrity portraits titled “The Soul of Portraits”. 

Proceeds from the sale of his book and auction were 

donated to Give Malaysia, the non-profit organisation 

founded by Miss Malaysia 1984 Betty Anne Brohier, 

in aid of children diagnosed with cancer. His creative 

sense has been translated into an artistic expression 

through photography. He is very good with monotones 

as well as the play of shadows and lines. Apart from 

being the most approachable and cordial person we’ve 

ever known, Albert Nico has been in the limelight for 

ages and now he is using that influence to champion for 

a good cause. 

Fully loaded with Golf, Time, Travel, Health and 

Beauty, the magazine is packed with wonderful goodies 

that would take a whole afternoon to consume. The 

love of relaxation is part of what we are bringing to 

the table. Reading magazines are so chic compared 

to reading from an iPad. Although the visual may be 

more striking in an iPad, the experience of holding a 

hard copy magazine is premium. We added in this issue 

the ultimate symbol of success in life, a high powered 

luxury car and an award-winning mouth-watering yacht. 

Happy reading. 

Tropicana Magazine Editorial Team 

TM | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2019 

4

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EDITORIAL 

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6

VOLUME 

#122 

THE DIARY 

10 What’s New 

THE SCENE 

14 Happenings and Events 

CULTURE 

22 Books & Movies 

THE HOME 

28 Eco-Conscious Luxury 

34 The Contemporary Casa 

40 Eye On The East 

PROPERTY NEWS 

46 iProperty Development 

Excellence Awards (iDEA) 2018 

47 Let’s Grow an Edible Garden 

Together Event @Tropicana 

Gardens 

48 Tropicana Metropark Global Art 

Workshop @Tropicana 

Metropark 

50 Phantom from West End Musical 

Concert @Tropicana Golf & 

Country Resort 

51 Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Award 

52 Fun Food Run @Tropicana Golf 

& Country Resort 

ON THE COVER 

90 The Curious Case of Andrew Lai 

HEALTH AND WELLNESS 

110 Look Good and Feel Great This 

Holiday 

THE DISHES 

112 A Fresh Celebration of Food 

THE GAME CHANGER 

120 Soul Searching For Philanthropy 

THE GIFT 

54 For the Love of Chocolate 

The Bigger Picture 

55 CNY Collections 

Colourful Temptations 

THE SWING 

56 A Hole in One for Honma 

60 The Right Swing 

THE TIME 

62 Deep Blue Panerai 

64 Moritz Grossman’s Time to 

Celebrate 

66 Going With The Flow 

67 A Timepiece Like Lady Serenade 

THE LOOK 

72 A Versace Moment 

76 Tasteful Textures 

86 Culture in Couture 

88 Star-studded with Diamonds 

and Jimmy Choo 

89 The Gucci Look 

THE VACATION 

96 Colours of Bali 

100 Hidden In Wondrous Sight 

BEAUTY 

104 The Magic of Argan Oil 

106 In Your Hands 

108 Life’s Essentials 

THE DRIVE 

128 Gear Up For the All New 

Cayenne 

132 A Voyage with the Sanlorenzo 

SL78 

136 The Audi Experience 


8

THE DIARY 

Malaysia International 

Jewellery Fair – Spring Edition 

11th of January 2019 - 14th of January 2019 

Gracing the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre yet once again is the 

Malaysia International Jewellery Fair. This exclusive jewellery fair is 

set to be going on for four days at Hall 4, KLCC. The fair will be 

showcasing 100,000 pieces of the most luxurious and finest jewellery 

collections from over 100 jewellery brands. These jewellery pieces are 

set to come from all over the world including Italy, Japan, Hong Kong, 

India, UAE, Singapore, Thailand, Belgium, Myanmar, Cambodia and 

many more. 

Duli Yang Maha Mulia Tengku Permaisuri Selangor Tengku Permaisuri 

Norashikin is the Guest of Honor for this year’s fair. There will also 

be a Jewellery Fashion Show that will display the latest unique fine 

jewellery collections. Additionally, there will be several hosted private 

tea parties going on during the four-day event. VIPs will be able to get 

one exclusive jewellery box by spending a minimum of RM 10,000 in 

a maximum of two single receipts. 

www.elite.com.my 

17th Royal Langkawi International Regatta 2019 

7th of January 2019 - 12th of January 2019 

This year marks the 17th annual Royal Langkawi International 

Regatta (RLIR) 2019. The highly anticipated sailing event 

organised by the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club is welcoming a 

total of 35 new entrants as well as witness the re-emergence 

of veteran sailors from 10 countries such as Australia, France, 

Denmark, Japan, Great Britain, Russia, Thailand, Singapore and 

Malaysia. Sailing enthusiasts should expect an exciting event 

with the challenging wind conditions anticipated in Langkawi 

during the course of the event. Participants will be competing 

for prestigious titles under seven classes, namely the Racing, 

IRC 1, IRC 2, Sportsboat, Club Cruising, Multihull, Ocean 

Rover and White Sail. This year, the highly sought after Prime 

Minister’s Challenge Trophy will be presented to the winner 

in the racing category by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir 

Mohamad, who is also the Patron of the Royal Langkawi Yacht 

Club on the 12th of January during the closing dinner. 

www.langkawiregatta.com 


10

Kuala Lumpur Makeup Festival (KLMF) 2019 

2nd of March 2019 - 3rd of March 2019 

The first of its kind, Kuala Lumpur is welcoming 

one of the biggest and renowned makeup as well 

as beauty platform in Asia. This two-day event 

consists of professional makeup workshops, beauty 

makeovers, mega sales, fashion shows and other 

exciting activities. The workshop will be conducted 

by Akademi Diyana, a certified Malaysian makeup 

academy with successfully trained, qualified 

professional makeup artists. There will be over 100 

top international and domestic brands that will be 

featured in this festival. Taking place at the Kuala 

Lumpur Convention Centre, the event is set to 

expect nearly 50,000 guests. 

www.KLMakeupFest.com 

New Prince Buffet Highlights 

14th of January 2019 - 28th of February 2019 

Hong Kong’s Prince Hotel is now serving a spectacular allure of 

buffets and afternoon teas. These one of a kind meals are only available 

for a certain period of time and serve the finest food. From now until 

the 28th of February, guests can enjoy fresh seafood such as Japanese 

Snow Crab leg and Boston Lobsters as well as red meat with their Surf 

and Turf Buffet dinner. For afternoon tea on weekends, from now until 

the 24th of February the delectable Belgian Chocolate Afternoon tea 

is set to serve Pink Chocolate Mousse Cake made from exquisite Ruby 

chocolate which is the latest chocolate type to follow after Dark, Milk 

and White chocolate. For weekdays, starting from the 14th of January, 

the Asian Twist Afternoon Tea features 12 delicacies combining sweet 

and savoury Southeast Asian flavours such as Steamed Mini Crystal 

Custard Bun and Sweet Lemongrass Panna Cotta. 

marcopolohotels.com 

11 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2019 | TM

THE DIARY 

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo to play 

in Sydney 

Acclaimed as one of the greatest shows on earth, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 

will return to the ANZ Stadium at Sydney Olympic Park in October 2019. Direct from 

its annual season on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle, Scotland, the show will feature 

more than 1200 performers from around the world. It will showcase a blend a mix of 

music, ceremony, military tradition, theatre and dance as well as traditional Scottish 

favourites such as pipers, fiddlers, highland dancers and precision drill teams. 

ANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park 

www.edintattoo.co.uk 

The First Ever City ROARS! 

Music Festival 

Presented by Soundscape Records and Emerge Music, the City 

ROARS! Festival is a first of its kind Indie music festival made in 

conjunction with the 30th anniversary of The Actors Studio. It features 

independent artists and musicians from all over Asia including the 

Fin (Japan), The Landlord’s Cat (China), Tolaku (Taiwan), Arvan 

(Malaysia), Stemilyn (Malaysia), Anna Chong (Malaysia) and plenty 

of others. The festival is on the 12th of January at Pentas 2, KLPAC. 

There will be numerous opportunities to discover new music, enjoy 

attractive side programmes as well as indulge in creative arts. 

Please visit these sites to purchase tickets and more information: 

www.klpac.org 

www.theactorsstudio.com.my 


12

Red Carpet entry for the Stones 

17 November 2018 - 3 February 2019 

Exhibitionism: The Rolling Stones Exhibit delivered by DHL comes to 

Sydney International Convention Centre (ICC) from the 17th of November 

2018 to the 3rd of February 2019. Visitors can expect around 500 rare items 

that are to be exhibited such as lyric books, stage design, personal diaries, 

50 years of Stones fashion including articles from Alexander McQueen, 

Prada, Dior and plenty more. This huge Sydney display succeeds the rave 

reviews and huge crowds of art lovers internationally from the global 

premiere of Exhibitionism in London and New York. Exhibitionism is 

the evident celebration of the band and paraphernalia. Acclaimed to be 

the largest touring experience of its kind, this is the first time the band 

has unlocked their private collection of archives that tell a story of their 

beginnings to present day success. 

www.stonesexhibitionism.com 

A New Hope for Powerhouse Museum 

16 November 2018 - 10 June 2019 

Both members of the empire and rebellion can enjoy the opening of Star Wars Identities: 

The Exhibition at the Powerhouse Museum from the 16th of November 2018 to the 

10th of June 2019 at Sydney, Australia. Fans will get to experience an interactive 

exhibition that will feature over 200 original Star Wars artefacts, costumes and props 

from the Lucasfilm archives. The exhibition takes visitors through an Identity Quest 

that will eventually create a Star Wars character that they can meet at the end of the 

exhibition. This comes in collaboration with the Montréal Science Centre and a 

committee of scientific advisors. The exhibition developers of Star Wars Identities 

divided the study of identity into three themes which are the character origins, outside 

influences and choices they make in life. Similarly, participants of the exhibition get 

to explore the ten components of human identity such as species, genes, parents and 

character development that is a prominent aspect in the film franchises. 

maas.museum 


THE SCENE 

New Home, New Car 

12 May 2018 - 6 July 2018 

Dreams came true as winners of Tropicana’s 

Drive Me Home campaign win brand new cars. 

Two of the most important purchases in a person’s lifetime 

would probably be their car and house. After all, a house 

is where they will rest, host friends and maybe even grow a 

family whilst a car is most definitely handy in this Malaysian 

weather, especially, to get to places without facing adversity. 

Tropicana Corporation Berhad recently celebrated its 

Tropicana Drive Me Home campaign finale awarding three 

lucky grand prize winners with Toyota vehicles worth over 

RM300K in total, which were the Toyota Camry, Toyota 

Altis and the Toyota Vios. 

The campaign finale was held at its award-winning mixed 

development, Tropicana Metropark at Subang Jaya. The 

winners were recent home purchasers of any signature 

Tropicana property. This campaign managed to achieve an 

astounding record breaking digital engagement of over 3.5 

million impressions on the campaign website. 

“Every year at Tropicana, we work hard to strategise a 

campaign that is engaging and rewards our purchasers. For 

this year’s first campaign, Tropicana Drive Me Home, we are 

very pleased to reward our purchasers with vehicles that can 

be enjoyed as a family. This is our commitment to continuous 

engagement with our loyal supporters and purchasers for 

being part of the Tropicana family.” said, Ms Ung Lay Ting, 

the Managing Director of Marketing & Sales at Tropicana, 

about the campaign. Through this campaign, the winners not 

only managed to check off investing in their lifetime home 

but also walk away with new cars. 

Acer Malaysia’s 

Iconic Surprise 

1 November 2018 - 30 December 2018 

Rewards program, Asia Pacific Predator League 

and plenty more in store for Acer users. 

Acer has always been a household name when it comes to 

computers and electronics in Malaysia thanks to their toptier 

products. The end of 2018 seems to bring in an exciting 

time for Acer Malaysia as the company has been buzzing 

with impressive activity. In a surprising announcement, 

Acer announced two special Acer Swift and Predator 

Conquer New World T-shirts in collaboration with local 

clothing company, Pestle & Mortar Clothing. 

Not only that, the Acer sponsored Asia Pacific Predator 

League is returning for the second year with a twist. This 

year, it anticipates participation from 16 countries and hosts 

the regional Player Unknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) as 

well as DOTA 2 tournaments with a much bigger prize pool 

to win from. In conjunction with that, Acer also launched 

the ‘Gear Up This Festive Season’ program that rewards the 

end users who have purchased selected Acer devices such 

as the Acer Aspire, Acer Swift, Acer Spin, Acer Switch or 

Predator series. 

my-store.acer.com 


14

Malaysia Fashion Week 2018 Launches 

With Modestyle 

23 November 2018 - 25 November 2018 

Fashion innovation and modest fashion took 

centre stage at the annual MFW. 

Malaysia Fashion Week kicked off with 

the most relevant fashion style to most 

Malaysians, Modestyle or more commonly 

known as modest fashion. Modest fashion 

seems to be taking off in the world with the 

fashion power map showing that Muslim 

women spent USD44 Billion on modest wear 

in 2015. This year, an impressive range of 

modest fashion of various styles such as fusion 

of Oriental clothing to more classic wear was 

showcased. Some of the designers featured 

were Toi the Dressmaker, Yan’s Creation, 

Ummiriaz, Tenun Pahang, Tasmiah from 

China and Sayee from Indonesia. The event 

was organised by STYLO International and 

supported by several prominent Government 

Agencies. Other than that, some of the other 

fashion shows during the Malaysia Fashion 

week also featured exciting fashion shows by 

designers from the Philippines, Taiwan and 

Vietnam. 

In its 5th year, Malaysia Fashion Week 2018 

continued to promote the numerous innovative 

fashion looks with international businesses 

and organising trade talks with more than 100 

retail booths including with those from China 

and Indonesia. In conjunction with Malaysia 

Fashion Week 2018, there was also a 61 

Years of Malaysia Art Exhibition showcasing 

the works of local street artists as well as 

Royal Artist, YAM Tunku Kamariah Aminah 

Maimunah Iskandariah Binti Almarhum 

Baginda Al-Mutawakkil Alallah Sultan 

Iskandar Al-Haj Puteri Johor who showcased 

her artistic work for the first time in Malaysia. 

The highlight of the art exhibition, however, 

is the live painting by 16 artists on 8 feet by 

12 feet canvas depicting their interpretation 

of the movement of Malaysia over the past six 

decades. 

www.malaysiafashionweek.my 


THE SCENE 

Revving up for the Kuala Lumpur 

International Motor Show 2018 

22 November 2018 - 2 December 2018 

The 9th edition of KLIMS brings in vintage cars, 

latest technology and plenty more 

The Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show (KLIMS 18) was 

recently launched on the 22nd of November. The 10-day motoring 

spectacle that was launched by YB Loke Siew Fook will last until 

the 2nd of December and be held at the Malaysia International 

Trade and Exhibition Centre. This 9th edition of the event featured 

the theme, ‘Beyond Mobility’ predicting the advances of motoring 

technologies that have overhauled drive engines to incorporate 

artificial intelligence, connectivity and renewable energy. 

The event spans 6 exhibition halls over 2 levels, covering over 

16,000 square meters of exhibiting floor space and 74 participating 

companies. Some of the exciting exhibitions are from Benelli, 

Daihatsu, Ford, Honda, Hyundai and so many more. Some of the 

line-ups included the ‘Sup-Up’ Cars Zone by Wrap Xpert which 

showcased supercars such as the Bentley GT and the McLaren 

650S. Other than that, the Down Memory Lane Zone featured a 

display of vintage cars including the vintage 1934 Austin 7 and the 

1978 Volkswagen Kombi which have travelled all the way from 

Germany. 

www.klims.com.my 


16

A New Star for New York 

16 November 2018 

Architect Daniel Libeskind designs a new Swarovski 

Star for the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree 

For people visiting New York City during the holiday season, one 

must see item that is often on their sightseeing list is the Rockefeller 

Center Christmas Tree along with the famed star-shaped tree topper. 

This year, Swarovski has collaborated with the acclaimed architect, 

Daniel Libeskind to design a new Swarovski Star for the tree and 

a retail pop-up shop that features crystal ornaments for the holiday 

season. 

This is the first re-design of the crystal tree-topper since the 

company’s first partnership with Rockefeller Center co-owner 

Tishman Speyer that unveiled the original star in 2004. The new 

star is a perfect representation of Swarovski’s 120-year heritage of 

turning light into delight. At 900 pounds, the Star is 9 foot 4 inches 

in diameter and has 70 spikes covered in 3 million Swarovski 

crystals that have harnessed the company’s innovative 

crystal technology and mastery of light refraction in a threedimensional 

structure. An exact replica of this star will also be 

displayed at ground level, next to the retail pop-up shop that 

allows visitors to experience the exquisite design closely. Not 

only that, visitors can also purchase jewellery from Swarovski, 

Atelier Swarovski and even the crystal holiday ornaments 

at the Libeskind designed retail pop up. The 146 square foot 

space celebrates the beauty, energy and light of New York City 

through its architecture and design. 

www.swarovski.com 


THE SCENE 

Le Marché de Noël of 

Charity 


The French themed Christmas market had 

successfully raised RM200,000 

For the eighth year in a row, Le Marché de Noël 

returned for just a day at the Glasshouse in Seputeh 

to start off festive joy and more importantly, raise 

funds to help underprivileged children yet once 

again. This year, the charity bazaar managed to 

raise RM200,000 that will be contributed to Make 

A Wish Malaysia and A-Heart for A-Heart to help 

the organisations with financial aid. 

This year, five paediatric cardiac surgeries were 

funded as well as 12 wishes were fulfilled with 

the amount raised from last year’s market. With 

70 vendors offering a range of premium goods, 

handcrafted items and gastronomic delights under 

one roof, the market was busy with shoppers 

looking for unique gifts for their loved ones this 

festive season. 

There were also some social enterprise vendors such 

as Tanma Federation, Nazanin, The Batik Boutique, 

Penan Bags and Surya Bags who consistently make 

a big difference in the lives of their communities. 

Introducing NON 


The beauty product brand that’s 

championing beauty tourism in Malaysia 

Malaysian beauty brand, NON, recently launched their 

Lipo Imperial beauty range at the Kuala Lumpur Hilton 

Hotel. This skincare brand is the first to be recognised 

by the government and join the MyBeauty Project. The 

event was graced by Madam Chong Yew Khim, CEO of 

Non Sdn Bhd, Dr Armin Rajabi, Chief Scientist of NON 

Skincare and Professor Dr Wong Kong-Yew, Co-Chairman 

of MyBeauty Tourism from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts 

& Culture Malaysia. 

With the endorsement from My Beauty, NON has signedup 

with 30 beauty salon owners during the launch to 

start off beauty tourism in the country. NON stands for 

Nascence of Nourishment which was derived from their 

principles of non-artificial substance as all ingredients are 

up to cGMP standards compliance. The NON Lipo Imperial 

line contains specially formulated oil which is rich in 

Omega and uses nanotechnology that diffuses into cells for 

maximum results. Their effective skin care line will revive 

skin to achieve healthier, younger and glowing skin. 

www.nonskincare.com 


18

Spirio in Malaysia 

14 December 2018 

Steinway & Son’s launch the Spirio 

Steinway & Son’s recently launched the 

Spirio which is a piano utilising digital 

technology. The Spirio unleashes the power 

of great music and the works of great 

pianists with just a touch of a button on an 

iPad. Bentley Music business development 

manager, Lewis Hooper mentioned that 

this new feature with the Spirio enables 

pianists to perfectly replicate amazing 

performances with unparalleled accuracy 

and gracefulness. 

They have also forged partnership with 

Fairway International School to use 

Steinway & Son’s piano as part of their 

music curriculum. 

www.bentleymusic.com 

Best Wishes 

7 December 2018 

WishBall 2018 event was a success 

Make-A-Wish Malaysia recently hosted their annual WishBall on 

the 7th of December at the Mandarin Oriental. The annual ball is 

a fundraising dinner aimed to gather proceeds that will go into 

granting wishes for the critically sick children. Y.A.M Tengku Datin 

Paduka Setia Zatashah Ibni Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, Royal 

Patron of Make-A-Wish received a special gift from a wish child, 

Insyirah who had her wish for a Braille machine granted recently. 

The highlight of the evening was the auction portion of the night. 

Various exclusive items were gathered with the help of event 

partners and sponsors. Among these items, some items that managed 

to create a bidding war among the guests were two Business Class 

Etihad tickets, a holiday package in Abu Dhabi, jewellery, artwork 

and hotel experiences in London as well as Thailand. Since its 

inception in 2010, Make-A-Wish Malaysia has managed to grant 

over 489 wishes. 

www.makeawish.org.my 


THE SCENE 

Hugo Menswear Fall/ Winter 

Collection comes to KL 

Robinsons Kuala Lumpur welcomes Hugo 

Menswear into their flagship store 

Robinsons Kuala Lumpur launched Hugo 

menswear’s latest Fall/Winter Collection at its 

Kuala Lumpur Flagship store at Shoppes in Four 

Seasons Place. The collection embodies the creative 

personality of Hugo with its clean silhouettes 

intertwined with sophisticated details such as 

maritime pine and translucent acrylic panels. 

Guests were immersed with the Hugo personality 

due to the iconic furniture shapes that amicably 

translated the Hugo spirit. The origami table set 

at the entrance allowed customers to immediately 

enjoy the new Hugo collection at the department 

store. The essence of the brand was further 

encapsulated through the matching vitrines and 

decoration elements. Now, enthusiasts of the 

Hugo fashion can rejoice in this specially curated 

menswear brand that is available for the first time 

in Robinsons Kuala Lumpur. 

www.robinsons.com.my 

The Launch of 

MAKEOVER Malaysia 

This latest app promises to bring beauty to 

your fingertips 

Makeover Malaysia is a brand new online platform 

that is set to revolutionise the beauty scene in 

Malaysia. It is an online beauty platform that offers a 

wide range of services such as makeup, hairdressing, 

facial treatments, manicure & pedicure, massage, ondemand 

chef, pet grooming and plenty more at the 

convenience of the user. Consumers will be able to 

book services whenever and wherever they want. 

They can also ensure a fully transparent pricing 

mechanism as customers can browse through artist 

portfolios, ratings and reviews. 

The event was honoured by Tan Sri Datuk Chiam, 

the Chairman of the Committee at Selangor Turf Club 

with his wife, Puan Sri Louise Chiam. The event 

concurrently launched the Dream Entrepreneurship 

which will be implemented to students of beauty 

academies. Applicants will receive funds of RM1000 

if they pursue their entrepreneurship career with 

Makeover after they graduate. 

www.makeover.asia 


20

The Best of Both Worlds 

23 November 2018 - 25 November 2018 

Nashdale Lane is the perfect glamping paradise 

Situated in Orange, in the Central West region of New South Wales, Nashdale Lane is a retreat. 

It is surrounded by natural beauty that is just ready to be explored and enjoyed. As much as it is 

a place to relax and embrace the great outdoors, this is also the place to enjoy some fine wine, 

quality produce as well as a luxurious getaway. Due to the location of this place being situated 

amidst a beautiful vineyard with the fully equipped rooms, glamourous-camping or glamping 

at Nashdale Lane is the best of both worlds. Guests can enjoy a relaxing night under the stars 

at their personal alfresco deck or adventurous mountain biking or even wine tasting in this 

multifaceted escapade. Location: 125 Nashdale Lane, Nashdale, NSW 2800 

www.nashdalelane.com 

Curiously Launched 

5 September 2018 

Curious Kitchen is finally here at 

Tropicana Avenue 

From Curious Grocer to private dining, the Curious 

Group have just hosted ‘A Curious Launch Party’ 

on the 5th of September. This new restaurant is 

cleverly named Curious Kitchen and is set to serve 

amazing grade meats and high-quality food on the 

2nd floor rooftop of Tropicana Avenue. The event 

had a free flow of food and drinks to accompany 

guests as well as performances from invited guests 

throughout the night. 

www.curious.kitchen 


CULTURE | BOOK 

Literary Magic 

Books have a way to transport its readers to a different place, a different time 

and even into a whole new person. There is a sense allurement to books, and 

these five books are guaranteed to add a touch of magic to your lives. 

Stroke Doctor 

Turns Patient 

by Dr. SP Rachagan 

Sometimes the best stories are often 

real stories. The stories that recount 

the realities of an actual individual 

in this world; the Stroke Doctor 

Turns Patient is the real-life story 

of its author, Dr SP Rachagan on 

how stroke had changed his life. 

This book personally shares his 

journey in an abyss of despair as 

well as an examination of himself, 

before the stroke, during the period 

of recovery and what became of 

him, after. 

The 5AM Club 

by Robin Sharma 

Written by one of the best leadership 

experts in the world, The 5AM 

Club is said to be Robin Sharma’s 

most human story, highlighting on 

the combination of spirituality and 

success in a unique perspective of 

life as well as business. This book 

reflects the constant effort to iterate a 

better version of one’s self. Readers 

will get to learn the life-changing 

methods that have helped so many 

people accomplish results. 

Roar 

by Cecilia Ahern 

From the author of PS I Love You 

and Love, Rosie; Cecilia Ahern 

returns with a whole new concept 

in her latest book, titled Roar. This 

book is an exciting collection of 30 

fictional narratives with 30 different 

protagonists in an assemblage of 

short stories. The book embraces 

the different characters of women 

in their journey to find their place 

in the world at that particular point 

in time. 

Every Breath 

by Nicholas Sparks 

Following the story of Hope 

Anderson, who is at a difficult 

crossroad of her life including 

her father’s ALS diagnosis and 

her stagnant relationship with her 

boyfriend. She decided to go to 

North Carolina where her path 

crosses with Tru Wells, who was 

summoned there due to a letter from 

a man proclaiming to be his father. 

Their connection is undeniable, 

yet family bounds and personal 

happiness comes in the way. 

OUR PICK 

When I Was A Kid 5 

by Boey Chee Ming 

Known simply as Boey, his previous four ‘When I Was A Kid’ books recounted moments from 

his childhood in the 80s that were guided by some hilarious stick-figure style drawings of 

himself and his family. This fifth book, however, describes a time in turmoil and tuberculosis, 

where threatened by war, two very different lives are united by love. When I Was A Kid 5 

tells the story of Boey’s parents in his typical hilarious, sentimental and personal way. 

These books are available at MPH Bookstores throughout Malaysia. 


22

CULTURE | FILM 

Feast Your Eyes 

Look out for these following movies that will be released this year 

The Vanishing 

10th of January 

The Vanishing, directed by Kristoffer 

Nyholm is a mystery/thriller starring 

Peter Mullan, Gerard Butler and Ólafur 

Darri Ólafsson. The film inspired by the 

Flannen Isle mystery, recites the story 

of an uninhabited island 20 miles from 

the Scottish coast where three lighthouse 

keepers arrive for the six-week shift. As a 

routine is settled, they are soon bestowed by 

something life changing- gold. The movie 

follows with a tense battle for survival, 

fed by isolation, paranoia and greed that 

lead these three honest men down a path of 

destruction. 

XX Ray III 


Aziz M Osman returns to intertwine 

comedy and adventure yet once again in his 

latest movie XX Ray III. The movie tells 

the story of Rayyman, a student majoring 

in physics and Sam, a part-time engineering 

student along with Lana, a secret worker at 

an industrial firm at the Jordon borders that 

are thrown together to save the Malaysian 

government from a threat by Rosman, 

a young tycoon who’s evil plan could 

potentially destroy the entire solar system. 

Starring Izzue Islam, Nonny Nadirah, Adam 

John and Sazrin Kamaruddin, this film will 

be coming to theatres near you soon. 

Hell Boy 

11th of April 

This reboot is given a whole new look 

with David Harbour taking on the Hell 

Boy mantle. Based on the graphic novels 

by Mike Mignola and directed by Neil 

Marshall, this film explores the tale of 

an individual who is caught between the 

worlds of the supernatural and human. 

Even while facing his personal demons, 

Hell Boy has to battle an ancient sorceress 

who is bent on revenge. This film also stars 

Milla Jovovich and Ian McShane. 

MUST WATCH 

A Dogs Way Home 

21st of February 

Another heart-warming story from the man that brought A Dolphin’s Tale to 

cinemas, Charles Martin Smith’s latest film is set to bring the same feelings 

back with A Dogs Way Home. Based on the book by W. Bruce Cameron, the 

film has a lot of well-known actors such as Ashley Judd, Bryce Dallas Howard 

and Jonah Hauer-King. It narrates the adventure of Bella, a dog who embarks 

on an epic 400 mile journey home after she is separated from her owner, Lucas 

who is an aspiring medical student. 


24

CULTURE | FILM 

Escape Room 


This psychological thriller tells the tale 

about six strangers that find themselves in 

a circumstance that is beyond their control 

in the form of several escape rooms. The 

characters have to use their wits to find 

clues or risk losing their lives. The film 

is directed by Adam Robitel who is wellknown 

for directing Insidious: The Last 

Key. It stars Taylor Russell, Logan Miller, 

Deborah Ann Woll, Jay Ellis, Tyler Labine, 

Nik Dodani and Yorick van Wageningen. 

Holmes and Watson 

3rd of January 

A decade in waiting, Will Farrell and 

John C. Reilly finally reunite on the big 

screen with this contemporary comedic 

take on the popular characters created by 

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Will plays the 

brilliant, Sherlock Holmes and John is the 

loyal Dr Watson. Director Etan Cohen, who 

previously wrote box office hits like Men In 

Black 3, Tropic Thunder and Madagascar: 

Escape 2 Africa, brings this iconic comedic 

duo to a whole new level with this new film. 

The plot of the film follows this detective 

team and their pursuit of finding the threat 

at Buckingham Palace. 

Cold Pursuit 

21st of February 

In true Liam Neeson fashion, Cold 

Pursuit tells the tale of a father’s (played 

by Neeson) search for the truth when his 

son dies under mysterious circumstances. 

His quest to understand this mysterious 

circumstance soon becomes a quest for 

revenge and he ignites a turf war between 

Viking with his long-time rival White Bull. 

From the director of The Beautiful Country, 

Hans Petter Moland brings us this exciting 

action thriller that is set to keep moviegoers 

at the edge of their seat throughout 

the entire film. 

TEASER 

Farmageddon: 

A Shaun the Sheep Movie 

16th of May 2019 

A sequel to the Shaun the Sheep Movie, this British stop-motion animated 

sci-fi comedy film is set to return with more excitement than ever. Richard 

Starzak, the co-director of the first film returns to direct this film along with 

Richard Phelan and Will Bechar. The plot revolves around Shaun and the flock 

as they encounter a cute alien that has bizarre powers. They must now find a 

way to return the alien back home in order to prevent an alien invasion called 

the Farmageddon. 


26

THE HOME 

Eco-conscious 

luxury 

In the city of angels, land is hard to come by and ‘ecofriendly’ 

is still an unfamiliar way term for construction. 

One young developer is changing this, and his most recent 

build paints a new ‘eco-friendly’ picture. 

Words by Karsha Green 

Images by Prime Five Homes 


28

From Spanish-colonial architecture 

to the rustic, Ranch style; the 

minimal modern movement and 

the globally famous Californian 

bungalow, Los Angeles has seen its fair share 

of market changes when it comes to residential 

construction. However, whether it was because 

of the unavailability of materials during World 

War II or a strong demand for the Spanish, 

stucco abode, the city of angels has neglected to 

consider the environmental impact construction 

and residential waste has on the environment; 

until now. 

Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, 

Mayer Dahan has grown up driving the streets 

that he now calls his workshop. With the desire 

to positively impact the day-to-day lives of 

people, Mayer founded Prime Five Homes; a 

residential development firm that constructs 

eco-conscious, luxury homes. With a design, 

construction process and idea that had not 

been seen before in the city, Mayer faced many 

challenges along the way but the firms’ magnum 

opus, 849 N. Curson, has now solidified its 

place in LA architectural history. 


THE HOME 

From the street, Mayer’s designs are easily 

identifiable. His signature eco-friendly, 

contemporary style boasts striking angles, 

textured materials and a multi-dimensional 

façade. Stepping inside the front door, the 

architectural statements continue as the vastness 

of the space has your eyes darting from one 

corner to another. With over 5000 square feet of 

living space, one key aspect of Mayer’s designs 

is his ability to effectively plan spaces in order 

to make the most of natural light and air-flow, as 

well as create a grand living environment. 

The ground floor hosts the main living and 

entertainment areas including kitchen, dining, 

living room, dedicated home office, two-car 

garage, and floor-to-ceiling, sliding glass doors 

that retract into the walls to provide a seamless 

indoor/outdoor lifestyle and direct access to 

the private infinity pool. While the first floor 

accommodates the home’s five bedrooms, the 

luxury is not spared. Each room has beautifully 

high ceilings, walk-in robes, ensuites and access 

to an exterior space, continuing the integrated 

living environment throughout the home. 


30

“My job isn’t just about building 

a business, it’s about building the 

future of housing.” 

Mayer Dahan, 

Prime Five Homes 


THE HOME 


32

While awareness of space and use of 

unique, complex architecture are part of 

Mayer’s architectural code, use of the latest 

advancements in technology is another piece 

of his luxury, eco-conscious puzzle. Droughtresistant 

landscaping and a custom-designed 

water capture system ensure the home’s efficient 

use of water supply, while solar panelling, LED 

lighting, facilities for electric car charging, and 

effective use of recycled materials keep the 

home’s carbon footprint to a minimum. In all 

his home’s, Mayer also installs fully-integrated 

Creston Home Automation which allows control 

of lighting, air-conditioning, home theatre and 

all electricals at all times, from any location; as 

well as tracking habits and managing the home’s 

utility usage. These technological innovations 

allow Mayer to create a sustainable and 

efficient living space while also providing the 

homeowners with the highest accommodations 

and comfort. 

While Mayer describes his role as not just 

“building a business but building the future of 

housing”, he also holds himself responsible 

for giving back to the community that raised 

him. In order to do this, Mayer founded The 

Dream Builders Project in 2013. A non-profit 

organisation with no direct ties to a particular 

group or cause, The Dream Builders Project has 

provided funds and services to social issues such 

as homelessness, human trafficking, education, 

music and art therapy, and those with severe 

illness and disease. Prime Five Homes covers 

100% of the charity’s administrative costs so 

that all profits raised go directly to the cause. 

With his sights set on expanding Prime Five 

Homes into eco-friendly renovations for a 

variety of socioeconomic budgets, and taking 

The Dream Builders Project global, Mayer 

Dahan is a name to remember. 

www.primefivehomes.com 


THE HOME 

ThE 

Contemporary 

Casa Words 

Taller David Dana takes penthouse in Magdalena 

to a whole new level of urban design. 

by Swathe Images by Taller David Dana 


34

Amidst the popular tourist attractions and 

the high-rise buildings at the South of 

Mexico City, in Colonio del Valle is 

the Penthouse in Magdalena, a creation 

from architects David Dana, David Gutiérrez and 

Jacobo Miller of Taller David Dana. The project 

took nearly a year to complete, beginning from May 

2017 to June 2018. This penthouse was the outcome 

of a rigorous design intended to incorporate nods to 

Mexican culture whilst still portraying a completely 

contemporary look. 

The project was developed in two separate sections. 

The first being the semi-private living room, dining 

room, terrace and kitchen. The design outline of 

the various areas still manages to make the entire 

room look cohesive despite the different purpose 

each area serves. The continuous use of dark colours 

in fragments throughout the different areas of the 

section provides that unified perspective. The main 

focus of this space, however, is the large window 

which manages to welcome the outside world 

enabling the space to look much bigger whilst 

allowing for generous natural lighting. The window 

makes the area look much more spacious with the 

terrace just peeking over the glass. 

The living room is greeted by various textures with 


THE HOME 

a mirror placed above the leather sofa, wooden 

coffee tables and metal lamp stands. These textures 

significantly influence the tone and weight of the 

room in a positive way. The warm-toned wooden 

cabinet placed in-between the living room and 

the dining table acts as an excellent divider while 

still being a place for storage. The black bookshelf 

which takes up the wall provides the balance to the 

entirely black kitchen area across it without being 

too overwhelming to the entire space. The wooden 

beams spreading across the ceiling act as a sense of 

direction towards the flow of the room, starting at 

the living room going across the kitchen and then 

towards the dining room and bookshelves at the end 

of the room. 

The second section of this project is focused on the 

more intimate areas of the penthouse; the bedrooms. 

Overall, there are three bedrooms to this space and 

each with their own bathrooms. Again, the use of 

dark colours is splashed throughout the mostly warm 

tone bedrooms. It adds on to the cohesive look of the 

entire place. The mostly warm-toned rooms allow for 

optimisation of lighting in the rooms. Additionally, 


36

“Our contribution to life relies on design & 

research. It is the minor things that happen 

in our daily routines that inspire us to push 

forward. Life is all about the process...” 

Taller David Dana 

TALLER DAVID DANA arquitectura 


THE HOME 


38

the warms tones and lighting create a more comfortable and cosy setting. 

Similar to the living room, the lines or beams going across the room present a 

sort of playfulness and give visual continuity to the project in a subtle matter. 

Overall, this project exudes masculine zeal which is probably due to its darker 

colour pallet. This space plays with peppered black accents with warm-toned 

wood covering most of the place. Even the light fixtures have an industrial 

inspiration to them. Not only that, the mixed elements of wood, metal and 

mirrors ensure that there are different textures that give the space a youthful 

vibe. The Taller David Dana team have certainly created a space that has been 

well thought out whilst still optimising space yet initiating an excellent taste of 

design. 

www.tallerdaviddana.com 


THE HOME 

Eye on the East 

Subtlety and elegance reign with a gorgeous 

oriental twist in this collection of airy spaces. 

Words by Reichen 

Images by Metrics Global 


40

Enter the home and you’re instantly 

greeted by a cloud of glass leaves 

floating above the dining table, reflected 

in a mirror above the table that visually 

doubles the space, as well as a trilogy of Chinese 

ink paintings depict mountains shrouded in mist 

and a collection of delicate blue-hued chairs. This 

ethereal scene infused with sunlight sets the mood 

for the rest of the home. 

Classy oriental influences are unmistakable, yet 

modernised. Walk further into the dining area into 

the living room, and you’ll see a hand-painted 

calligraphy artwork, hung above a suspended 


THE HOME 

gold chrome console. Replacing the typical 

TV-and-stand combination, the arrangement is 

artistic – inviting contemplation and thoughtful 

conversations among dwellers and guests. 

Several other dreamy paintings take the spotlight 

in the bedrooms. Crafted with fluid brushstrokes, 

they complement the aqua-coloured accents found 

in the armchairs and a fan-shaped pendant light in 

the master bedroom. 


42

The master bedroom displays a calm and serious 

character with dark cool grey drapes and gold 

chrome frames for the artwork, while the second 

bedroom exhibits more warmth with beige drapes, 

and broad wooden frames illuminating both sides 

of the painting. 

A touch of outdoor ruggedness, an alluring 

contrast with the refinement in the rest of the 

home, is brought into the tea room through the 

use of artificial clay roof tiles on the wall. Even 

though the tiles only occupy a small area, their 

textures, tribute to ancient traditions, and distinct 

grey shades make it an intriguing feature wall. 

Functionality is not forgotten too, as a sofa bed 

gives the room dual use when guests stay over. 

www.metricsglobal.com.my 


PROPERTY 

NEWS 

iPROPERTY DEVELOPMENT EXCELLENCE AWARDS 

(IDEA) 2018 

EDIBLE GARDEN GET TOGETHER @ 

TROPICANA GARDENS 

GLOBAL ART WORKSHOP @ TROPICANA METROPARK 

PHANTOM AT WEST END @ 

TROPICANA GOLF & COUNTRY RESORT 

TUN DR SITI HASMAH AWARDS 

FUN FOOD RUN @ TROPICANA GOLF & 

COUNTRY RESORT 

Prestigious. Award-winning. Quality. 

Innovative. High capital appreciation. 

Good return investments. These are just 

some of the signatures of the property 

projects undertaken by Tropicana Corporation 

Berhad. The following pages showcase some 

novel and stunning residential and commercial 

developments as further testament to the 

organisation’s flair in this industry. Tropicana 

Corporation hopes to create a more compassionate 

and supportive community, especially within its 

circles of influence. 

As a responsible developer, Tropicana Corporation 

continues to deliver on its responsibility to give 

back to society by supporting various charitable 

causes and participating in celebrations and 

community events. 


PROPERTY NEWS 

iProperty Development 

Excellence Awards (iDEA) 2018 

15th of November 2018 

For the second year running, the iProperty Development 

Excellence Awards (iDEA) returned to recognise the 

excellence in property developments and raise the spotlight 

on the industry’s most accomplished. Held at the Majestic 

Hotel, this year 14 coveted titles of distinction were awarded 

to some of the most outstanding developments in 14 regarded 

categories. 

Tropicana Corporation proudly won the ‘Best Residential 

Landed Development’ award for the Dalia Residences, 

Tropicana Aman. This category recognises the property 

that offers a quality lifestyle to home buyers in terms of 

architectural design, facilities and neighbouring amenities. 

Another category won is the ‘Best Sustainable Development’ 

which identifies the project with the most practical 

sustainable features offered to home buyers in terms of 

architectural design. This award was won by Tropicana 

Gardens. Other categories where Tropicana Corporation was 

finalists in were the ‘Best Residential Landed Development’ 

Category with the Ayera Residences & Tropicana Danga 

Cove as well as the ‘Best Transit Oriented Development’ 

Category with the Tropicana Gardens development. 

From left: Ms Ung Lay Ting, MD, Marketing & Sales/Business 

Developement of Tropicana and Sean Liew, iProp GM. 

From left: Mr Chai Keng Wai, CEO Agile Malaysia and Yang 

Berusaha Sr Haji Mohd Khairudinbin Abd Halim, JPPH. 


46

Let’s Grow an Edible Garden 

Together Event 


The Let’s Grow an edible Garden Together event which 

happened on the 17th of November ran successfully at 

the Tropicana Gardens. Participants of this event were 

enlightened to an immersive experience of growing their own 

edible garden. Not only that, but they were also treated to 

an exquisite buffet of food and drinks. Younger participants 

also enjoyed some games and activities such as decorating 

gingerbread men. 


PROPERTY NEWS 

Tropicana Metropark 

Global Art Workshop 

28th of October 2018 

A Global Art Workshop was held 

at Tropicana Metropark Property 

Gallery. 56 children participated in this 

workshop that was held to celebrate art 

and creativity in young minds. 


48

PROPERTY NEWS 

Phantom From West End 

Musical Concert 


Tropicana Golf and Country Resort worked in collaboration 

with Dama Asia to present a magical Evening of Phantom 

from West End. The play featured British singer/actor Nigel 

Richards in the lead role. There was also a special guest 

appearance by Tan Soo Suan, the Dama Asia Vocal Director. 

This musical concert was held at the Grand Ballroom at 

the Tropicana Golf and Country Resort with ticket prices 

starting at RM100. 


50

Tan Sri Dato’ Tan Chee Sing accompanied by Tropicana 

management team. 

Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Award 

Gala Dinner Programme 

16th of December 2018 

The Malaysian Aids Foundation hosted another edition 

of their signature fundraiser, now known as the Tun Dr 

Siti Hasmah Award Gala Dinner after a six-year hiatus. 

The fundraiser was renamed in honour of the wife of our 

current Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Dr Mahathir bin 

Mohamad, on her consistent efforts and compassion for 

the plight of the underprivileged. The event was held at 

the Hilton, Kuala Lumpur on the 16th of December 2018. 

This year’s Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Award Gala Dinner saw 

the elites of the corporate world join together to support 

this event, unintentionally making this one of the most 

prestigious networking events in Malaysia for the year. 

Tropicana graciously sponsored RM50, 000 for a Diamond 

table which was near the Berjaya Group. The Tun Dr Siti 

Hasmah Award honours the outstanding contributions by 

organisations as well as individuals towards conquering 

the goal of ending the AIDS epidemic which is one of the 

health concerns in Malaysia. Guests were entertained by 

Dayang Nurfaizah, Malaysia’s Queen of the R&B music 

scene and a proud Red Ribbon Celebrity Supporter of the 

Malaysian AIDS Foundation. 


PROPERTY NEWS 

Fun Food Run 


A new impact was made this year at Tropicana Golf & 

Country Resort as it held the Fun Food Run. With prizes 

ranging from RM200 to RM700, the run saw a plenty of 

participants. Food lovers, casual runners and thrill seekers 

attended the event. Apart from the main event which was the 

8.5 KM run, there were also a variety of stalls that served 

plenty of food. 

People from all walks of life became the participants of the annual Fun Food Run which managed to gather not only athletic runners 

but also food lovers and thrill seekers. 


52

THE GIFT 

for the love of chocolate 

Celebrate the Love of Chocolate with these 

local delicacies 

Inspired by the popular Japanese drama, the Beach Boys, 

Eddie Lee and his wife Aileen Kaw had a dream to operate a 

chocolate café by the beach for their retirement. Thus started 

their journey with Love 18 Chocolates that begun in their 80 

square feet room at their home. Their hand-painted bonbon 

chocolates make the perfect gift for any occasion. Additionally, 

Love 18 also offers personalised chocolates through their third 

series, With Love Chocolates. Buyers are able to customise 

a message with the chocolates for their loved ones, making 

this an extra special and personal gift. Their chocolates can be 

enjoyed personally or the love can be shared, which is always 

the better option. 

love18.cafe 

The Bigger Picture 

Celebrate Chinese New Year with these 

exclusive Ang-Pows 

Sothys brought back their exclusive Chinese New Year Ang- 

Pow collection yet once again. This year features a whole 

new design that looks gorgeous on its own but even better 

when arranged together. This year’s Ang-Pow packets are 

engaging and worth the collection as they work as puzzle 

pieces that form the beautiful bigger picture. Themed after 

the seven brand promises of Sothys to their end customers 

which are results, salon ambience, Sothy’s Girl, Service 

from the heart, SkinScope, Accessibility and People, each 

individual Ang-Pow is elegantly designed for the upcoming 

Chinese New Year Celebrations. 

sothys.com.my 


54

CNY Collection 

Spice up Chinese New Year with the 

Solglimtar collection 

There’s no better way to feel festive than to gear up for the festival 

season with some like-minded decorations. These multipurpose 

tin containers from Ikea’s Solglimtar Collection are perfect for 

Chinese New Year as they can be used for personal use and 

also double up to be the perfect Chinese New Year gift box. 

These tin containers are designed with traditional elements yet 

possess a completely modern aesthetic making them perfect to be 

filled up with holiday goodies such as cookies and other treats. 

Made especially for this festival season, this limited Solglimtar 

collection also features Chinese New Year themed cushions, 

tableware, chopsticks and other traditional style decorations. 

www.ikea.com 

Colourful Temptations 

Technology that is sleek, modern and not monotonous 

There’s no better time for a technological upgrade than the beginning 

of the New Year. During this time, most of the latest technologies 

have been released and this gives users vast options. Despite that, 

a common theme with the latest phones is the repetitive monotone 

or metallic tone colour palette. Oppo’s latest R17 Pro phone does 

not only bring the edge with its latest technological upgrades but it 

is also the perfect phone for someone with a colourful personality. 

It’s F1.5/ F2.4 smart aperture cameras and OIS optical stabilization 

allows for unbelievable night time photography. Apart from that, 

the phone itself is visually gorgeous. The R17 Pro’s Radiant Mist 

casing with fog lighting has deep blue and purple hues flowing 

throughout, creating a dreamy, immersive aesthetic making it the 

perfect gift for a special someone who appreciates a little colour 

in their life. 

www.oppo.com 


THE SWING 

A Hole in One 

for Honma 

Find the perfect swing with Honma Golf 

Words by Swathe 

Images by Honma Golf 

Premium Japanese golfing brand, Honma 

Golf has revolutionised Golf technology 

with their all new TWorld747 range by 

combining state-of-the-art technology with 

cutting-edge design for the 2019 season. This new 

TWorld747 Real Distance technology allows the face 

and lie to be adjusted without rotating the spine of 

the high-quality shaft. Moreover, this technology 

is integrated into the Driver options. This along 

with the precision irons help to redefine distance 

expectations and thus, the way golf is played. These 

next-generation Honma distance clubs feature two 

new driver models, fairway woods, hybrids and two 

iron models that will surely cater for any player who 

wants to improve their game. 

Driver Technology 

The new TWorld747, 455 and 460 Driver models 

are designed with Proprietary Adjustability Systems. 

This gives golfers the chance to adjust the loft of the 

club to create their desired shot shape without having 

to rotate the spine of the shaft. This modification 

significantly improves ball flight and distance. 

The crown of the Driver is also made from an 

extremely light ET40 carbon with ribbed grooving. 

Honma’s new 4 Fang Technology behind the clubface 

sets up four metal studs. This, in turn, increases 

strength and energy along the face which will help 

deliver faster ball speeds at greater distances. 

Out of the two models for the Driver, the 455 is the 

smaller option. It uses a weight system that maximises 

MOI to generate higher ball speeds. The 460 model 

is different in that it uses interchangeable weights to 

create the desired shot shape. 

Fairway Woods & Utility 

The TWorld747 Fairway wood is specifically designed 

for golfers to have a high trajectory with maximum 

distance. The 9g outer weight balanced with the 

inner 20g of weight ensures a low and deep centre 

of gravity. This, in turn, allows golfers to launch the 

ball high into the air without disrupting the distance. 

Just like the Driver, the crown of this model is crafted 

from the ET40 carbon crown. The fairway wood is 

available as a 3W (15º), 3HL (16.5º), 5W (18º) and 

a 7W (21º). 

Designed with a stable head shape, the TWorld747 

utility with a well-balanced outline provides a highlaunch 

trajectory and a moderate spin rate. It is 

perfect for consistent shots from both the fairway and 

the rough. 


56


THE SWING 


58

Two New Irons 

Made from high-strength stainless steel, the TWorld747-P 

game improvement irons provide confidence to the user. 

The 20g tungsten weight on the sole of the club provides 

a strong loft and a high ball speed that enables ideal 

trajectory as well as distance. The TWorld747Vx Forged 

irons have a 10g tungsten weight located in the toe of 

the club head. Not only that, the neck of the club is 3mm 

shorter than the previous models. This lower and deeper 

centre of gravity creates a further distance with a more 

precise trajectory. 

Precision Spine Alignment 

Technology P-SAT 

Honma Golf’s attention to spine alignment in their clubs 

is what makes them special. The spine alignment of 

the club is set to six o’clock to improve the uniformity 

throughout the club set as well as to enhance product 

integrity. The TWorld747 clubs were designed based 

on the specific study of the spine. This creates a tighter 

dispersion for more forgiveness and consistency. 

www.honmagolf.co.jp 


THE SWING 

The Right Swing 

Sergio Dias’s tips on the right golf posture 


Images by MST Golf 

Golf is a sport that requires a 

lot of discipline, focus and 

strategy. However, one of 

the most important element 

of Golf that is often least considered is 

posture. The right posture is so valuable to 

a good Golf game. Without proper posture, 

players will suffer lower back pain, 

sway in the swing, limited hip rotation, 

inconsistent strikes and early extension. 

One of the common tips that people are 

given when it comes to an issue like this 

is to stick their backside out or place a 

club on their back when bent over with 

an extremely straight back. This creates 

an overly extended lumbar position that 

restricts hip rotation and puts over-reliance 

on the spine. This will likely cause a loss 

of angels or a dreaded hosel rocket. 

Sergio Dias, Head Professional at MST Golf 

PJ recommends setting a club up against 

the wall with feet placed a couple of inches 

from the wall. After that, maintain a neutral 

pelvis and soften the legs. Next, start to 

roll from the mid thoracic spine. Slouch a 

little. This position is more balanced with 

the armpits, kneecaps and balls of the feet 

all aligned as well as keeping the pressure 

on the balls of the feet. When the core is 

positioned like this, it can properly transfer 

force to create more distance and strike 

consistency. It allows for better rotation, 

increased speed, better low point and face 

control. It also creates the ability to rotate 

the hips better which will eliminate sway 

and prevent injury. 

mstgolf.com 

Sergio Dias 

Head Professional @ MST Golf PJ 

PGA Golf Professional 

Certified Level 2 swing catalyst 


60

Travel 

Made 

Easy 

Rimowa unveils their latest 

designs for their luggage lines 


Images by Rimowa 

Celebrating their 120th anniversary, 

Rimowa has announced their most 

important evolution in regards to 

the brand’s design made since the 

1950s when they first released their signature 

aluminium grooves. The new changes include 

a series of core feature advancements such as 

upgraded wheels, handles and interiors on top 

of the early 2018 change of visual identity. This 

newly released line of luggage was designed 

for the contemporary traveller as the ranges of 

products cater to the most essential sizes. All 

three collections include four cabin sized bags, 

two check-in sized bags and two trunk sized bags. 

The Original Collection comes with the iconic 

high-quality aluminium case that was designed 

and engineered in Germany. The Classic 

Collection explores heritage with its design 

being a mix of traditional touches with modern 

aspects. The Essential Collection consists of 

three lightweight polycarbonate cases. The 

first in the line is Rimowa Essential, a classic 

rendition that is not only durable but also 

lightweight. Next, the Essential Lite is Rimowa’s 

lightest suitcase weighing 30% less than the 

Essential. The Essential Sleeve is the brand’s 

business range that comes with a frontal pocket 

in the case for effortless accessibility. Lastly, the 

Hybrid Collection intertwines Rimowa’s special 

aluminium-magnesium alloy with the lightweight 

quality of the polycarbonate. 

www.rimowa.com 


THE TIME 

Deep Blue 

Panerai 

A timepiece engineered for 

those who dare to dream 


Images by Panerai 

Guillaume Néry’s deep dives 

have broken free-diving world 

records at the constant weight 

category and not forgetting, the 

man himself has been acclaimed as world 

champion twice. It is no wonder; Panerai 

would choose a man of such athletic abilities 

and strength as inspiration for their new 

creation of mechanical engineering- The 

Panerai Submersible Chrono, Guillaume 

Néry edition. This watch is charming with 

its titanium case that is integrated amicably 

with the blue ceramic disc that is applied 

to the bezel, the blue hands and the blue 

rubber strap. 

The watch combines technical performance 

with its powerful, sporty appearance. More 

essentially, this is a professional diver’s 

watch with its ability to be water resistant 

to a depth of 300 metres. It is also fitted 

with a unidirectional rotating bezel that 

accurately displays the duration of the 

dive. The dial can also be legible under all 

lighting conditions and even in complete 

darkness due to the luminous white 

markers that stand out against the shark 

grey textured background. The watch is 

fitted with a P.9100 automatic calibre with 

a power reserve of three days. Perhaps the 

most special part of the watch is the back 

where Guillaume Néry’s signature and his 

last dive record of 126 metres, which he did 

in a single breath, is stylishly engraved. The 

Panerai Submersible Chrono, Guillaume 

Néry edition is the perfect combination of 

performance, strength and reliability. 

www.panerai.com 


62

The new Cape Cod 

Chaîne d’ancre 

A rendition to the classic Hermès timepiece 

Words by Swathe Images by Hermès 

Hermès creates objects and to them, time is also an 

object. However, rather than seeking to command 

it, they try to explore it. They take their designs to 

another level through spontaneity and recreation 

whilst still keeping the traditional touches. The original Cape 

Cod watch had a ‘square in rectangle’ design sketched by Henri 

d’Origny in 1991. In 1998, it adopted the double strap, and in 

2016, dials were made in stone, lacquer and colourful leather 

variations. 

This year, the Cape Cod watch is completely reinvented by 

reinterpreting the anchor-chain link that was originally imaged 

by Robert Dumas in 1938. The dial motif intertwines black 

spinels with aventurine or diamond and white mother-of-pearl. 

The modern font with the offset logo is complemented by slim 

hands and a gem-set rectangular bezel. Not forgetting the optional 

double or single tour alligator strap that adds elegance to the 

timepiece. 

The watch has a black lacquered dial and anchor chains set with 

71 black spinels. It is adorned with a champlevé aventurine décor. 

The anchor chain set has 71 diamonds and a champlevé motherof-pearl 

décor. The diamond clarity is a top Wesselton V.V.S ‘rare 

white’ to ‘rare white+’ and the crystal is a glare-proofed sapphire. 

The timepiece has a three bar water resistance ensuring some 

form of protection. 

www.hermes.com 


THE TIME 

Moritz Grossmann’s 

Time to 

Celebrate 

24 one-off timepieces from Moritz 

Grossmann were released advent 

calendar style 


Images by Moritz Grossmann 

Celebrations galore for Moritz Grossmann as the 

company not only celebrate the Christmas holidays 

but also their tenth anniversary. To celebrate the 

double occasion, they released 24 one-off timepieces 

that were cleverly revealed through an interactive online advent 

calendar. These pieces were sold on the global leading auction 

site, Christie’s. Here are the six of the final pieces from the 

collection. 

ATUM Pure Skull Extreme 

This watch has the Pure Classic finish calibre 201.1 with 

impressive mechanics. The subtlety in the design language of 

this watch with the handcrafted burnished skull is the epitome 

of elegance along with the handmade stainless steel hands which 

also filled with a brown HyCeram filling that is flat polished to 

match the skull. 

BENU Tourbillon Brown 

Similar to the Tourbillon Green, this instead, has a dark 

brown dial that blends seamlessly with the strap. The 

watch is enhanced with a calibre 103.0 movement. At the 

six o’clock mark, a tourbillon aperture is placed on the 

time span between 25 to 35 minutes. At this segment, an 

extension of the minute hand sweeps a scale opposite that 

allows the time to be read accurately. 


64

BENU 37 Butterfly 

Designed by Harriet Oberlaender, this timepiece reflects her sense 

of freedom by incorporating a key element in her design- the 

butterfly. The white dial is made from grand feu enamel which 

becomes the background for the colourful butterfly motifs. The 

frame is a 750/000 rose gold case with a slimline 37 mm diameter. 

The sapphire crystal glass on the back intricately features the 

artist’s signature. 

ATUM High Art Christmas 

The perfect homage to Christmas, the red in this timepiece is 

completely symbolic. The elegance of the case in 750/000 rose 

gold only adds a tasteful tier to this timepiece. The handcrafted 

lance-shaped hands are given their unique three-dimensional shape 

by manual chamfering. This watch also has the Grossman manual 

winding mechanism with a pusher that just ensures comfortability 

and implements an amicable pointer setting mechanism. 

BENU Tourbillon Green 

The watch with its calibre 103.0 movement features Grossmann’s 

three-minute tourbillon which is designed by Alfred Helwig, the 

flying tourbillon cage with V-shaped balance bridge, the second 

stop with hairbrush and the duplicate minute display indicated by 

an extension of the minute hand. 

TEENUT Sleeping 

Beauty Gold 

Inspired by the moon and designed by Michael Kooh, this calibre 

102.0 watch’s black Roman numerals attune with the asymmetrical 

guilloche pattern. A radiant guilloche in rosé mother-of-pearl surrounds 

the golden, finely drawn moon. The spring bars float freely and are 

decorated with red gemstone Cabochons. 

luxuryconcepts.com.my | www.grossmann-uhren.com 


THE TIME 

Going with the Flow 

The latest H4 watch from HYT is more enlightened, energised and polarised 

Words by Swathe Images by HYT Watches 

HYT watches is one of the sleeker options when wanting to 

purchase a high-end watch that is completely unique and 

different from other timepieces. For one, HYT watches 

use a hydro-mechanical system that fills capillaries with 

fluid instead of the typical spinning hands. The all new H4 timepiece 

is still loyal to HYT’s common theme of exhibiting the power of the 

past and future in a more relevant present theme. This watch adds on 

a new dimension to the series by combining two potentially polemic 

opposite energies which are light and liquid. Additionally, it also 

explores miniaturization and component curvature that enables the inhouse 

development of a micro-generator. This sources light from two 

LEDs without the support of electronics and even, batteries. 

www.hytwatches.com 

Technical specifications 

Functions 

• Green fluidic hours, minutes, seconds, 

65 hour power reserve 

Case 

• Titanium, Black DLC coating, micro-blasted and 

satin finished. 

• Domed Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating 

• Water-resistant to 50 metres 

Dial 

• Rhodium-plated and sand-blasted hours flange with 

white numerals 

• Transparent composite dials loaded with fluorescent 

nanoparticles, green, blue and red indexes and numerals 

• Yellow minute hand, white Super-LumiNova® 

Bracelet 

• Black technical fabric with grey top-stitching, 

titanium folding buckle, black DLC coating 


66

A Time Piece 

like Lady Serenade 

Glashütte Original presents a one of a 

kind watch perfect for ladies 


Images by Glashütte Original 

Lady Serenade is set to take centre 

stage in its limited release in January. 

This watch is made by highly precise 

German watchmaking connoisseurs, 

Glashütte Original. The special watch encounters 

sparkling jewels and has striking red accents. The 

irresistible character of this watch makes it special 

and limited edition, with only 50 pieces available 

worldwide for purchase. The beauty of the Lady 

Serenade lies in the grand total of 52 radiant 

rubies, one for every week in the year that frames 

the bezel of its 36-mm stainless steel case. This 

is complemented by a sparkling ruby cabochon set 

atop the refined structure of the crown. 

The deep, rich red colour provides the perfect 

contrast to the natural white mother-of-pearl dial. 

Pulling together the entire design of the watch 

including the white gold hour, minute and seconds 

hand is the cherry-red Louisiana alligator leather 

strap. The 39-22 movement with its 40-hour power 

reserve ensures that this isn’t just a gorgeous timepiece, 

but one that is powerful as well. It also is 

fitted with a second-stop mechanism which helps 

setting time a more precise and simple method. 

This limited edition watch is available from January 

onwards at all Glashütte Original boutiques around 

the world and from selected authorised retailers. 

www.glashuette-original.com 


THE JEWELLERY 

Evoke Sunshine with 

Swarovski 

The latest Spring/Summer 2019 Collection 

promises to continue the brand’s mission to 

make women look and feel brilliant 


Images by Swarovski 

Anticipating a bright 2019, Swarovski’s 

latest Spring/Summer 2019 Collection 

is themed around sunshine and is 

heavily inspired by the Mediterranean. 

This collection consists of four programmes; 

Spring, Mother’s day, Valentine’s Day and Summer. 

Conveying a vacation mood, the collection playfully 

layers radiance and sparkle akin to Swarovski’s 120- 

year old history. 

This is a versatile collection with bold, uplifting 

and feminine jewellery that is perfect for the 

multifaceted modern woman. It incorporates new 

trends and exquisite techniques with a vibrant, sunny 

palette of delectable shades such as strawberry red, 

candy pink, mint green, golden yellow as well as 

intense blue. Made to infuse the New Year with 

style, Swarovski’s latest collection of jewellery 

and accessories are a promise to welcome the new 

season with feel-good vibes, joy and confidence for 

women. 


68

Spring 

The Origins set is a compilation of jewellery and 

accessories that perfectly channels a bustling 

Moroccan market with the interest to detail of 

intricate amulets in warm golden tones. 

Mother’s Day 

This programme was created to make moms look 

and feel like the sunshine they are in their families. 

The sweet, delicate and feminine style in the Oxygen 

set adds an understated sparkle to every day looks. 

Valentine’s Day 

This set emanates a modern romance with its bright 

new take on symbols that are usually inspired by 

love and the idyllic destinations of Formentera, 

Capri, Portofino and Stromboli. 

Summer 

Swarovski introduces the flavour of Summer with 

this retro-inspired resort fashion that has hints of 

Italian Dolce Vita and Rivera style. The No Regrets 

set is a fun depiction of ice cream and fruit in a 

bright Swarovski Pointiage. 

Swarovski Remix Collection 

The versatile nature of this collection offers women 

an ostensibly endless way to express themselves by 

layering styles. 

www.swarovski.com 


THE JEWELLERY 

A Gold Note of Hope 

Poh Kong’s letter of patriotism 


Images by Poh Kong Malaysia 

Poh Kong has created lovely pieces of jewellery as a way to celebrate every 

occasion and person imaginable, over their 42 years of being in business. 

This year was a special year for all Malaysians with Yang Amat Berhormat, 

Tun Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad returning to Cabinet. To celebrate and 

honour the incredible fighting spirit of Malaysia’s longest serving Prime Minister; 

Poh Kong unveiled the Gold Note of Hope in his presence on the 8th of November at 

Yayasan Kepimpinan Perdana. 

Enlisted to be a special local collector’s item, the Gold Note of Hope is a 999.9 

fine gold (0.1g) token of inspiration and hope that has an autographed portrait of 

our Prime Minister along with other national symbols such as the Jalur Gemilang 

and Bunga Raya. This piece is priced at RM160 whereby for every purchase, RM30 

will be donated to Tabung Harapan with Poh Kong committing to contribute at least 

RM1 million by the end of the year. The Gold Note of Hope comes with a certificate 

that has a serial number customised according to the birthdate of the purchaser. It is 

available at all Poh Kong retail outlets including Poh Kong Gallery, Diamond & Gold 

by Poh Kong, Diamond Boutique, Gold Boutique, Oro Bianco and online at Shopee. 

www.pohkong.com.my 


70

THE LOOK 

A Versace 

Moment 

These celebrities were spotted 

in their Versace best 


Images by Versace 

It is always a double take moment when adorned in 

Versace. Be it for their eclectic match of patterns or 

their bold boundary-pushing silhouettes, wearing the 

Italian fashion label makes anyone feel empowered and 

look magnificent. With recent persuasion of their vintage redesigned 

clothing, more celebrities are choosing to take part 

in the Versace movement. Some of the celebrities spotted 

in Versace in the recent months are Winnie Harlow, Naomi 

Campbell and Versace adherent, Elizabeth Hurley. 

www.versace.com 

Elizabeth Hurley wore a strapless rose gold lamè Atelier Versace 

gown that had a delicate draping around the waist which was 

emphasised by gold beading and brushed tulle for The Band Charity 

Gala Performance in aid of the Elton John AIDS Foundation. 

Winnie Harlow chose to wear a vibrant and colourful Versace 

look from the woman’s wear capsule of the 2019 spring/summer 

menswear collection for the Miami Art Basel 2018. 

Supermodel Naomi Campbell wore the elegant one-shoulder Atelier 

Versace turquoise silk chiffon draped grown to The (RED) Auction. 


72

THE LOOK 

A Versace 

State of 

Mind 

New York welcomes 

Versace’s Pre Fall Runway 

for the first time 


Images by Versace 

Donatella Versace has honoured 

her brother, Gianni Versace yet 

once again on his 72nd birthday 

anniversary with a pre-fall fashion 

show in New York, a first for the Italian fashion 

powerhouse. The collection consists of several 

iconic comebacks that have been given a New 

York style revival. It perfectly encapsulates 

the grit of the city with the essence of Milan 

by revisiting the designs and patterns made 

popular by Gianni Versace during his time. This 

collection embodies freedom and empowerment 

as Versace always has. 

www.versace.com 

Iconic Pin Down 

The emblematic Medusa Safety Pin is brought 

back in a new and contemporary way. More 

famously known as the ‘THAT dress’ when it was 

worn by Elizabeth Hurley, the Safety Pin dress 

essentially introduced the rock n’ roll approach 

to the typical red carpet attire. The new outfits 

are made by a pin-clip fusion that has details of 

gold accents with the iconic Medusa head. This 

conceals yet reveals fabric together by ruching 

them to create a contemporary silhouette that 

define a Versace look. 

Stars, Stripes and 

Barocco 

The perfect way to pay tribute to classic Versace 

and its Italian roots is through this celebration of 

prints. Designs intrinsic to the house are cleverly 

mixed with some bold combinations such as zebra 

stripes with stars intertwined with gold. Another 

homage is the ‘Voyage Barocco’ print which is a 

melting pot of colour palettes brought together 

with Versace’s most quintessential motif, the 

Greek Key and Barocco. 


74

Colour That Never 

Sleeps 

All about new combinations, the pieces are 

inspired by the contrast between Autumnal 

earthy colours, bright hues and vibrancy of 

the city. The acid pops of colour fall perfectly 

to Versace’s heritage to create combinations 

on animalier graphics. 

Heart on Their Sleeve 

A tribute to Gianni Versace, the ‘Love 

Versace’ heart print is heavily inspired by 

Jim Dine’s designs for Gianni’s New York 

townhouse. The colourful hearts are printed 

on a silk chiffon creation that embodies one 

of Versace’s most iconic silhouettes. This 

naval length low cut front with the long 

sleeves style was once made famous by 

Jennifer Lopez. 


THE LOOK 

Tasteful 

Textures 

Indulge in playful textures this New Year 

for a youthful yet sophisticated look the 

next time you’re at Village Grocer 

Food is definitely as 

old as humanity itself, 

but like fashion, it has 

to continuously be 

modern and fresh. 

Photographer: C.Y Wong 

Stylist: ZunKong 

Model: Karina M 

Location: Village Grocer, Tropicana Avenue 


76

Bustier Dress from 

LIREN 


THE LOOK 

Woolly Sweater from 

ZUNKONG, 

Metallic long sleeved blouse from 

CHIAUYINNG, 

Pink pants from 

ANGELINA 


78

Vintage Zipper Jacket from 

LIREN, 


CHIAUYINNG, 

Pink pants from 

ANGELINA 


THE LOOK 

“ You can have 

anything you 

want in life, if 

you dress for it.” 

Vintage Zipper Jacket from 

LIREN, 

Blouse from 

CHIAUYINNG, 

Pants from 

ANGELINA 


80


THE LOOK 

Woolly Sweater from 

ZUNKONG, 


CHIAUYINNG 


82

One Shoulder piece from 

CHIAUYINNG 


THE LOOK 

Strappy top from 

ANGELINA, 

Double toned pants from 

CHIAUYINNG 


84

“Age and 

glasses of wine 

should never be 

counted.” 


THE LOOK 

Culture in 

Couture 

Melinda Looi’s stunning creations have a special 

traditional element: Chinese Folk Art 


Images by Melinda Looi 

Melinda Looi brings in the extra in extravagance 

with her two latest collections which she cleverly 

celebrated during her annual 4th Melinda Looi 

Fashion Suites, a VVIP appreciation event for her 

loyal customers. The Cruise 2018/2019 collection is aimed for the 

upcoming festive season of Christmas and Chinese New Year. This 

exquisite collection is heavily inspired by Chinese Folk Art and 

playfully encapsulates traditional essences with the additions of 

bright, bold colours in the form of organic shapes. 


86

Some of the traditional visual elements of Chinese Folk 

Art such as nature and man are incorporated into the 

outfits that are made with fabrics such as lace, batik 

and jacquard. In true Melinda Looi fashion, her latest 

designs are interchangeable and can be worn in more 

than one way. For an example, the Cruise collection 

includes reversible jackets, jackets that transform into 

dresses and even her signature removable Mandarin 

collars. This collection features 164 styles including 

traditional cheongsams, day and evening dresses, 

jackets as wells as a variety of tops; each piece is 

limited edition. 

Fashion enthusiast can enjoy the umbrella prints that 

represent the Penang hawker scene, prints glorifying 

Melinda Looi’s signature curly hair and fun traditional 

opera face prints. She even subtly includes animal 

references in this collection. Her capsule shirt 

collection comprised of cotton creations includes 

prints that were created by her own children and 

consists of Melinda Looi’s signature quirky details in 

asymmetrical silhouettes. Both of these collections are 

now available at the Melinda Looi Bangsar showroom 

and via Instagram. 

melindalooi.com | @MelindaLooiRTW on Instagram 


THE LOOK 

Jung Jae Won at the Jimmy Choo Diamond Sneaker 

Launch Party 

Star-studded with 

Diamonds and 

Jimmy Choo 

Jimmy Choo releases Diamond sneakers 

perfect for fashion enthusiasts 


Images by Jimmy Choo 

Ha Ji Won at the Jimmy Choo Diamond Sneaker 

Launch Party 

Fresh from the Cruise 2019 collection, the Diamond sneaker comes 

as a women’s and men’s trainer that dives into the possibilities 

of luxury sneakers by exploring traditional shoe construction. 

What came from it is a next-generation oversized sneaker that is 

inspired by the refined silhouette of a vintage racing shoe superimposed 

into a diamond –soled footprint. This perfect blend of vintage design and 

modernisation becomes the Diamond sneaker in different styles. The Hero 

style is embellished in Swarovski® crystals whilst additional styles feature 

tonal leather. The palette for the women’s version is white and silver whilst 

the men’s features amber, black as well as navy contrasted with white 

including a limited edition sterling silver plated python. 

row.jimmychoo.com 

Sandra Choi & Irene Kim at the Jimmy Choo 

Diamond Sneaker Launch Party 


88

The Gucci Look 

Song Zuer, Tang Xiaotian and He Sui 

spotted in Gucci Cruise 2019 outfits 


Images by LIU Jian’an, TANG Xiaotian Studio, HE Sui studio 

Gucci, known for their eccentric 

style and eclectic fashion, has 

been known to be a celebrity cult 

favourite for many years. Under 

the creative direction of Alessandro Michele, 

the iconic Italian fashion house seems to 

be appealing to a lot more celebrities and 

trendsetters these days. The label’s one of 

kind pieces is much more different compared 

to other brands out there, making it hardly a 

surprise that these celebrities have chosen to 

sport the Gucci look. 

Song Zuer was adorned in the Gucci Cruise 

2019 look while out in Beijing, China. 

She wore the 65 ivory, pin and light blue 

oversized checked tweed bomber jacket that 

had a contrasting trim detail. 

The puffed sleeves and feline head metal 

buttons add some detail to the jacket which 

was paired with a denim dress shirt that has 

a crystal trim and Three Little Pigs patch © 

Disney. Not only that, the look is finished with 

an ivory ostrich Arli medium shoulder bag 

with gold-toned Double G metal hardware. 

Another celebrity, Tang Xiaotian was wearing 

the multicolour floral jacquard crewneck 

sweater with beaded embroidery, piglet patch 

detailing and black contrast rib trim from 

the Gucci Cruise 2019 collection. This outfit 

was paired with the black leather Arli small 

shoulder bag that has the signature gold-toned 

Double G metal hardware. 

He Sui wore the 99 beige and brown GG wool 

canvas, one button peak lapel jacket with 

brown floral jacquard trim details whilst out 

in Beijing, China. This was paired with a blue 

marble washed 80s fit denim pants that had 

embroidered motif appliqués. The look was 

topped off with a burgundy leather Arli large 

top handle bag with the iconic gold-toned 

Double G metal hardware. 

www.gucci.com 


COVER STORY 

The Curious Case of 

Andrew Lai 

Andrew Lai of Curious Kitchen tells us the 

secret to good food -good ingredients. 


Images by Brian & M8 Studio 

As Malaysians, if 

there was only one 

thing we had in 

common, it would 

be our longing for good food. 

It probably doesn’t help that 

Malaysia has round-the-clock 

food stalls at every corner. 

However, what separates Curious 

Kitchen from the abundance of 

food outlets is their serving of 

quality premium ingredients 

in their dishes and what differentiates Andrew 

Lai from other restaurant owners is his passion 

towards ensuring only quality food is served at his 

eatery. Born, raised and living in Petaling Jaya, 

Andrew wasn’t always in the business of food. 

“I used to own an events agency called The Big 

Red Button. I actually had been doing events for 

over 20 years, since I was 17 years old. Those 

were the days when there were really largescale 

events, like for an example, the Salem 

celebrations with 60 thousand people. Then I went 

on to join Naga DDB. After that, I was a partner 

with another agency for a while.” he explained. 

The jump in career was something he never 

dwelled on, “If you never try, you never know. 

The thing about it is that, after organising so 

many events in my career, I think it was time 

to settle down and build a brand. And that’s 

what we’re doing in Curious 

Kitchen.” he said. Despite 

that, Andrew was never really 

a fan of food until he started 

travelling. “I was a picky eater 

but the thing about it is that food 

has always just been a necessity. 

We have to do it every day. I’ve 

tried food from different parts 

of the world, and they use good 

ingredients. Here, I think we’ve 

reached the point where we need 

to do the same. And that really was what drove 

me to go into the food business.” He mentioned. 

The Curious Group, headed by Andrew started 

just with Curious Grocer, an online platform 

where customers can purchase high-quality meats 

such as Ibérico ham at reasonable prices. As they 

progressed along, they started hosting private 

dining events to educate their customers on the 

goods sold and how to enjoy them. The rise of 

these private dining gatherings eventually turned 

into the Curious Kitchen that is loved today. 

“It was a natural evolution. We started doing 

wholesale and then we did a lot of research and 

development, thinking about how well we can 

present our goods and products. From then on 

we did small gatherings showcasing our food 

because when people came by and tried our food, 

they enjoyed it so much that they kept asking 


90


COVER STORY 

other friends to come. So we kind of formalised 

it to become a private dining experience. That 

was where I met some of my other partners –our 

current partners. We said; why don’t we open 

a place at Tropicana Avenue. It was one of the 

locations we wanted because of the fantastic 

rooftop.” Andrew beamed proudly. 

Curious Kitchen kindles curiosity from the very 

beginning with their unique eating concept. The 

restaurant is divided into three different sections, 

the air-conditioned space, alfresco bar and dining 

area with an open kitchen concept. This was 

purposely planned to cater to a wider audience. 

Families can have dinner with their children in 

the air-conditioned portion lot or those starting an 

exciting night out can enjoy the bar. 

“There’s so much to be curious about. I think 

food is ever evolving. I think food and curiosity 

are very good friends. Similarly, that’s how we 

lead our lives every day, we’re curious about food 

every day. We always create something new. We 

always try to find out what the best ingredient 

is and what the best way to cook it is. Even for 

us, we never ever stick to a certain style. It’s not 

like we are a Japanese restaurant or a Chinese 

restaurant. Sometimes the way we do our food 

has got Chinese influence, Japanese influence, 

Spanish influence. You’ve got to be curious.” 

Andrew further explained. 

“There’s so much to be 

curious about. 

I think food is ever 

evolving. 

I think food and curiosity 

are very good friends.” 

However, one thing that interlinks the Curious 

Group is their special attention towards Ibérico 

meat. Ibérico meat hails from Spain and is one of 

their most talked about food items. The exquisite 

taste of the meat is credited to their special diet 

of acorns. “The first time tasting Ibérico, it was 

amazing. I’ve never had such good pork before 

and it struck to me, we need to do this here, we 

need to this right.” 

Curious Kitchen’s way of explaining Ibérico 

meats to their customers is like a story. They’ve 

curated a dining experience that perfectly 

showcases the premium meat. In a way, the 

private dining experience is still being adapted to 

this restaurant. 


92


COVER STORY 


94

“Now, there are a lot of things that people still 

don’t understand about Ibérico. We talk about 

beef, people know that. But people don’t know 

that actually, Ibérico has its different grades. We 

use one of the highest available from Spain in our 

kitchen. Let’s put it this way, you are what you 

eat. For them, because they have a good life, they 

eat good food. And at the end of the day, that’s 

where you get the fats of the Ibérico, which is the 

most prized possession because it tastes so good.” 

Andrew explained. 

His favourite dish in the menu is the Ibérico Top 

Loin. The top loin accounts for 500g of the 200kg 

pig, hence its speciality. “Super tender, all we 

do is put salt and pepper, that’s it. We charcoal 

grill and smoke it to infuse flavour. And then, 

when we actually eat it, we think how can pork be 

so soft,” he said with a smile. He recommended 

“When 

you have 

good 

meat, that 

is the basis 

of good 

food.” 

having a glass of Catena Zapata Malbec or 

Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) Legende 

Medoc with it. 

For Andrew, he only aspires to share his 

philosophy of good ingredients ensuring good 

food with his customers, “When you have 

good meat, that is the basis of good food,” he 

emphasised. Curious Kitchen is his way of 

showcasing this passion. 

As for his future endeavours, “I want to build 

a Curious community over here in Tropicana. I 

wish to have more events being done here. And I 

want the events to be more and more interactive. 

Change is what gives us life, we can’t be static. 

We want to do more things. I think this is the way 

to go and it needs to go organically but it needs to 

start with food first.” he said. 


THE VACATION 

Colours of 

Bali 

Discover a fantastic new experience 

with the Ritz Carlton Bali 


Images by Ritz Carlton Bali 

The Ritz-Carlton Bali is letting the colours of Bali 

shine through with their latest Sarong Concierge 

program that promises to pay the perfect homage to 

the destination’s cultural effervescence by curating an 

authentic and immersive Balinese experience for their guests. 

Renown for the scenic views of the Indian Ocean due to the 

stunning beachfront combined with the clifftop setting, the Ritz 

Carlton Bali is a well sought out experience that most travellers 

plan their holiday around when visiting Bali. 


96


THE VACATION 


98

The Sarong Concierge Program is led by Tresna Dewi who is well versed in the realm of textiles in Balinese 

culture. She will showcase four kinds of fabrics typically used as sarongs in Bali. Guests will gain knowledge 

of the distinct characteristics of each sarong. They will then be shown behind the scenes production process 

of ‘Endek’ the capital’s official cloth, in an artisan workshop in the Gianyar regency which is a well-known 

place for its arts and crafts. The Balinese sarongs are exquisite with a vast range of colours and patterns 

used to make them. The pinnacle of the concierge program is when Tresna herself, will demonstrate the 

proper etiquettes of wearing a Balinese sarong before guiding guests on a visit to a nearby Balinese Hindu 

Temple. Through this program, guests of the Ritz Carlton Bali will have a thorough holiday, enjoying the 

relaxing vibe of Bali whilst becoming culturally affluent with Balinese heritage. 

www.ritzcarlton.com 


THE VACATION 

Hidden in 

Wondrous 

Sight 

Six Senses Zil Pasyon, winner of a 2018 Prix Versailles 

Award, goes for a stealthy design approach to disguise 

itself within its destination’s topography. 

Words by Zoey Moo 

Images by Six Senses Zil Pasyon 


100

Massive granite boulders hug the 

curves of the Félicité Island in 

Seychelles, descending to meet 

the sea, separated by a fringe 

of white sand. Since 2017, an attractive new 

collection of structures has joined the lush 

vegetation, rare orchids and black boulders of 

the island – the 30-villa Six Senses Zil Pasyon 

resort, which was recently awarded the 2018 

Prix Versailles for Hotel Exteriors. 

The Prix Versailles recognises gorgeous 

architecture, as well as design that successfully 

reinterprets the elegance of the Versailles city. 

Designed by Studio RHE (Richard Hywel 

Evans), the architecture of Six Senses Zil 

Pasyon is combined with sustainable processes 

and technologies to maintain a symbiotic 

relationship with nature. 

Rather than trying to tame nature, the buildings 

celebrate and immerse guests into nature’s 

magnificence. Residences, perched high up 


THE VACATION 


102

on the island’s rocks, are built with modern 

geometric granite-clad forms that contrast with 

the soft forms of the weathered boulders. The 

resort’s pool villas on the other hand have balau 

timber frames and shingled roofs that draw 

influences from indigenous Creole architecture. 

Not only in each residence and villa but the 

entire resort, interiors are closely connected 

with the outdoors: a swing in the bathrooms 

facing large bow windows, vaulted rooms with 

sliding doors that open fully to reveal terraces 

overlooking awe-inspiring vistas of the blue 

sea and a spa situated among fascinating rock 

formations by the sea, for instance. 

As a result of the sensitive architectural 

approach by Studio RHE, Six Senses Zil 

Pasyon resembles a village that has evolved 

naturally from the landscape, yet offers guests 

a cosmopolitan world with a myriad of dining 

options and activities. 

Six Senses Zil Pasyon | sixsenses.com/ 

resorts/zilpasyon/destination 


BEAUTY 


104

The Magic of 

Argan Oil 

Embrace the power of Argan with these latest products 


Images by Melvita & Freepik 

Argan oil has been a part of 

beauty routines all over 

the world for a long time. 

However, when it comes 

to this miracle oil, most people quickly 

think of shiny, healthy hair. They are 

not wrong but this oil does also strongly 

benefit the skin as well. Argan oil is 

packed with omega fatty acids, vitamin 

E and linoleic acids which help to 

moisturise skin, reduce acne and soften 

dry patches. 

Melvita’s latest skincare range 

extensively utilises the power of 

Argan oils. The Melvita Organic Argan 

Concentrate Pure skincare range has 

the highest concentration of Argan oil 

that renews, refreshes and replenishes 

the skin. Finding the perfect serum can 

often be tedious as there are so many 

products with all kinds of ingredients. 

The Youthful Oil-Serum by Melvita 

has a light oil texture that is enriched 

with naturally derived amino acids. 

These purposeful elements of the serum 

help firm and nourish the skin. The 

Youthful Cream-Oil, on the other hand, 

is enriched with argan pulp and oat 

extract that have resulted showing skintightening 

properties that smoothen 

wrinkles and firms up the skin. 

my.melvita.com 


BEAUTY 

In Your 

Hands 

Indulge in self-care with L’Occitane 


Images by L’Occitane & Freepik 

Over the years, L’Occitane has been 

prioritising its expertise in handcare. 

Shea Butter, also known as 

women’s gold, has always been OL’Occitane’s most favourable product among 

the masses. With the start of the New Year, 

L’Occitane is launching their brand new, limited 

edition oil that has an elegant rose scent. This oil 

is perfect for strengthening nails and providing 

some extra shine. 

This limited edition oil can be easily incorporated 

into L’Occitane’s simple as well as effective 

three-step hand-care routine. This tested and 

approved routine will not only ensure soft and 

smooth hands but also become a moment to 

enjoy ‘me-time’ as your skin gets pampered. The 

routine starts with applying the Nail & Cuticle 

Nourishing Oil, followed by using the One- 

Minute Hand Scrub and finally, finishing off 

with the classic Shea Butter Hand Cream or the 

Intensive Hand Balm. 


106

Other than the Rose Oil, another premium 

L’Occitane best seller product is the Shea Butter 

Foot Cream. This cream is rich in Shea Butter 

(15%) and has naturally soothing ingredients such 

as Arnica and Lavender essential oil. The foot 

cream is perfect for the overheated, overworked, 

dry and tired feet that require some refreshing as 

well as moisturising. 

The L’Occitane Perfect Hands Routine: 

1. Start with Nail & Cuticle Nourishing Oil 

2. Follow with One-Minute Hand Scrub 

3. Finish with classic Shea Butter Hand Cream or 

Intensive Hand Balm . 

my.loccitane.com 


HEALTH & WELLNESS 

Life’s 

essentials 

Harvesting natural essential oils for 

spiritual and healing properties 


Images by Privé 

Privé has always recognised the power of essential oils 

that have the ability to awaken a sensory journey of 

unexplored scents that serve as an intimate connection 

between body and mind. These oils have the capability 

to be therapeutic as well as be rejuvenating. There are so many 

different types of essential oils, all with their own individual 

purposes. Privé’s essential oil products combine the different types 

of oils to create one-of-a-kind special essential oils that share 

similar purposes. 

Aura Blend 

A Mixture of Lemon Organic 

(Italy), Rosemary (Tunisia), 

Lavender (Bulgaria), 

Frankinsense (Ethiopia) and 

Cedarwood (Morocco), this oil 

is perfect for relieving stress, 

yoga, meditation, positive 

aura as well as environmental 

cleansing. 

Signature Blend 

Its origins include Myrrh (Africa) 

and Frankinsense (Ehtiopia), this 

oil is perfect for spiritual uses, for 

a positive mind as well as aura and 

environmental cleansing. 

Precious Oud 

This 100% pure oil originates from 

Malaysia; it has holistic healing 

abilities as well as is anti-aging 

in nature with its extremely rare 

natural preservatives. 


108

HEALTH & WELLNESS 

Look Good and 

Feel Great 

this Holiday 

It’s time to embark on a voyage to wellness with Pañpuri 


Images by Pañpuri 

Finding the perfect gift for your loved ones during the holidays can be a difficult junction. 

After all, the holidays are all about showing them appreciation and sharing the love. 

People often will face the dilemma of getting a thoughtful or useful gift. For 15 years, 

Pañpuri has been providing to its guests wellness experiences with their natural, organic 

skincare, bath and body, home ambience products as well as their wellness services. There’s no 

better gift to give a loved one than something that not only improves their wellbeing but also 

provide them with an indulgent experience. This holiday, Pañpuri’s holiday gift sets are packaged 

by Thai illustrator Nuttapong “Nut.Dao” Daovichitr which makes them extra special. 


110

For the Gentlemen 

Soothing Bath Essential Duo & 

Uplifting Bath Essential Duo 

The Indochine Soothing Body Wash (200ml) will pamper the 

skin with antioxidants such as aloe vera as well as Moringa 

extracts. The citrus notes in this set can energize the mind with 

its freshness. It also comes with the Indochine Soothing Body 

Cream (200ml) that will revitalise and nourish the skin. Similar 

to the Indochine duo, the Uplifting Bath Essential Duo consists 

of Siamese Water Uplifting Body Cream Wash (200ml) and the 

body cream (200ml) that has a Siamese Water scent instead of 

citrus. 

For The Home 

Pañpuri also offers gift sets that would be perfect for the home. 

The product range includes ambience candles, diffuser reed 

sets (100ml & 450ml) and the electric aroma diffusers that can 

be paired with the 100% natural essential oil collection from 

Pañpuri. 

For You 

For the Lady 

Japanese & Mint Top-to-Toe Ritual 

This gift set consists of the bestselling items in the Siamese 

Water range. This beauty ritual is infused with aromatic 

jasmine absolute, deeply nourishes skin and hair. It is also 

blended with organic ylang-ylang and peppermint oils. The 

set comes with a Siamese Water Uplifting Body cream wash 

(200ml), body cream (200ml), hair cleanser (200ml) and hair 

conditioner (200ml). This set is also available in the Indochine 

(Lemongrass & Mandarin) scent. 

Sometimes the holidays can be the perfect opportunity for 

self-care. The Lotus Defence skincare duo set that is steeped 

in antioxidant-rich Nelumbo Nucifera extracts will profoundly 

nourish the skin. It is infused with natural and organic 

ingredients to keep skin revitalised and hydrated for a more 

youthful as well as radiant look. 

The set consists of the Lotus Defence Brightening Serum 

(30ml) that is formulated with lotus extracts, lotus seeds, red 

algae and arbutin. This facial treatment has previously won 

the ‘Best Premium Skincare’ title Pure Beauty Global Awards 

2018 in the UK. It also includes the Lotus Defence Face 

treatment oil (30ml) that is a 100% natural and organic face 

oil that is made of organic olive, jojoba, marula, borage and 

rice bran oil. 

For more information, please log-in www.panpuri.com 


THE DISHES 

A Fresh 

Celebration 

Of Food 

The New Year isn’t just for fresh 

new starts but also a whole lot 

of love, food and celebrations! 

Jojo’s Italian Restaurant 

Clubhouse 

Tel. 03-78053935 

www.jojoitalianrestaurant.com 

Operating Hours 

Monday to Thursday 

11.00am to 1.00pm 

Pizza 

con manzo 

In true Italian fashion, this traditional beef 

pizza has all the right notes of a balanced 

pizza. The taste of the premium Australian 

beef mince is not too overpowering whilst the 

thinly sliced red onions and cherry tomatoes 

add a layer of flavour to the dish. The thin 

crust is crispy and its presence is made known 

by its delicious smoky oven baked aroma. 

The perfect harmony of ingredients can make 

anyone go back for a second round. 


112

Salmon 

Carpaccio 

The visual aesthetics of the dish reflects the taste. The Norwegian 

salmon featured in this dish is deliciously fresh and sweet. The 

use of the birds eye chili in this dish provides an added layer of 

spice which makes this carpaccio entirely unique and different. 

Gin Shui Tei 

Clubhouse 

Tel. 03-78048888 

www.facebook.com/ginshuitei 


Monday to Sunday 

Lunch 12.00pm to 3.00pm 

Dinner 6.30 to 10.30pm 


THE DISHES 

Strawberry 

Snow Bingsoo 

This bingsoo is like no other with its creamy and refreshing 

flavour profile. Made out of 100% milk, this authentic 

bingsoo tastes rich and indulgent. The fresh Strawberries 

add a touch of necessary acidity to the dessert but its 

sweetness brings all the elements of the bingsoo together. 

Myeong Dong 

Clubhouse 

Tel. 03-78053935 


Monday to Sunday 

Lunch 11.30am to 3.00pm 

Dinner 5.00pm to 10.00pm 


114

Chinese New Year 

Poon Choy & Yee Sang 

As Chinese New Year graces the beginning of 2019, 

Tai Thong’s Poon Choy and Yee Sang are delectably 

delicious. The Yee Sang incorporates fruits such as 

grapes and dragon fruit, which provide an element 

of sweetness to the dish. The use of fresh seafood 

in the Poon Choy created a perfectly delectable dish 

especially with the combination of flavours. 

Tai Thong 

Tel. 03-21669881 

www.taithong.com.my 


Monday to Saturday 

11.30 pm to 10.30pm 

Sunday and Public Holidays 

10.30 am to 10.30 pm 


THE DISHES 

Steamboat 

A classical Malaysian favourite, you can never go wrong with a 

good hot pot. The steamboat from Restaurant Twenty 7 has all the 

elements that make a tasty steamboat which is brought together 

with a perfect broth. The ingredients in the steamboat are fresh 

and well selected and they match insanely well with the broth. 

Twenty 7 Restaurant 

Tel. 03-7804 8888 (ext 325) 

www.tropicanagolf.com 


Monday to Friday 

7.00 am to 12.00 am 

Saturday & Sunday 

7.00 am to 8.00 pm 


116

ADVERTORIAL 

Keep It Fresh 

Shop international at your 

local Village Grocer 

Words by Swathe / Images by Village Grocer 

Malaysian cuisines can get on the unhealthy side, essentially 

due to the variety of hearty ingredients required to make these 

delicious dishes. However, one of the best ways to compensate 

for hearty dishes is to use fresh, quality ingredients. Not only do 

fresh ingredients retain the nutritious value of the produce but they 

also add more natural flavour to food. One of the best places to get 

some fresh ingredients is Village Grocer. This grocery store has a 

consistent staple of fresh produce that is flown in from Australia , 

New Zealand and other places as well. This means it takes about 

36 hours for the ingredients to get from the farm to the dining 

table. 

Village Grocer also carries a variety of grocery brands, both 

international and local. Shoppers are spoilt with choices and 

options from all over the world. The Village Grocer at Tropicana 

Avenue even has a Village Grocer Canteen where shoppers can 

enjoy a good meal before they do their shopping. One other 

beneficial perk of shopping at Village Grocer, apart from the quality 

ensured groceries, is the digital loyalty program called BITES. 

Shoppers can expect member deals, member rewards as well as 

birthday rewards while collecting points that are redeemable at 

Ben’s Independent Grocer (B.I.G) and Village Grocer outlets. 

villagegrocer.com.my 

Operating Hours for 

Village Grocer @ Tropicana Avenue 

8:30 am to 10:00 pm 

Scan to download 

Village Grocer’s 

mobile app 


THE DRINK 

Gastronomic 

Discoveries 

Wine and dine with Curious Kitchen 


Images by Curious Kitchen 

As a charcoal grill gastro bar, there has 

not been a fixed style of cuisine to 

Curious Kitchen’s menu aside from 

the main star of the kitchen which is 

the Ibérico meats. Specially flown in from Spain, 

the Ibérico meat is the heart of Curious Kitchen’s 

favourite ingredient with its smoky and rich 

flavour. However, this does not mean that the rest 

of the menu should be overlooked. The dishes that 

come out of this restaurant have flavours that are 

inspired from all over the world infused into one 

delectable dish. Some of the other show-stopping 

dishes include the Chili Crab fries, Wagyu Beef 

Bone Marrow and East West Garlic Prawns. 

Impressively, Curious Kitchen does not fall short 

on the wines either with their abundant selection of 

premium wines from all over the world. 

East-West Garlic Prawns 

The pan seared prawns a doused in eloquent East- 

West garlic sauce. The flavoursome lashings of 

garlic and pimentos are accompanied by ciabatta 

slices that amicably compliment the dish. 

www.curious.kitchen 

Ibérico Top Loin 

A favourite dish from the co-founder of Curious 

Kitchen itself, Andrew Lai vouches for the top 

loin as it is essentially the rarest cut of the meat. 

This tender piece of flavourful meat is oak 

smoked and seasoned with salt and pepper. It 

is served alongside a garden salad, mash and a 

spicy Kizami Wasabi sauce. 


118

Wagyu Beef Bone Marrow 

Beautifully sautéed with shallots and garlic, this dish 

lets the Wagyu flavour profile stand up for itself with 

the miso garlic butter. The dish is served on the bone 

with a toasted baguette for complete indulgence. 

Domaines Barons De 

Rothschild (Lafite) 

Legende Medoc (2016) 

Chili Crab Fries 

An Asian twist on this typically western 

dish, the house-made potato fries is 

topped with sweet Thai chili sauce, crab 

meat and molten Mozzarella as well as 

Scamorza cheese. 

This intense red wine with hints of brick from 

Bordeaux, France is not only expressive but also 

complex with its bold aromas of sweet spices, red 

fruits and licorice. It is supple and flavourful on 

the palate with a good freshness on the finish. 

Braised Aussie Wagyu 

MB1 Bone-in-Beef 

Short ribs 

Slowly braised in a savoury, sweet and sour 

east-west concoction, this short ribs dish is 

served with some delicious garden veggies and 

mashed potatoes. To top it all off, the dish is 

peppered with crushed nuts, chili and spring 

onion for that added flavour. 

Catena Zapata Malbec 

(2015) 

From Mendoza, Argentina this wine is the result 

of decades of study and exploration within 

Mendoza’s high altitude mountain terroirs. The 

Catena family has carefully identified special 

locations for its estate vineyards. The marriage 

of these historic vineyards created this wine that 

has a natural balance, concentration and a distinct 

varietal identity. 


GAME CHANGER 

Soul Searching For 

Philanthropy 

Renown hairstylist, Albert Nico‘s second book 

is tells the stories of Malaysians 


Images by El Media International 


120


GAME CHANGER 

Most people know Albert Nico as a professional 

hair stylist or even as L’Oréal’s Professional 

Artistic Ambassador of more than 16 years. 

However, there is more to Albert Nico than 

being the previous vice-president of the Malaysian Hairdressing 

Association for seven years. In fact, his interests span further 

and wider than the realm of hair styling. His latest venture, 

photography is the subject basis for his newly released book, 

The Soul of Portraits. This book is completely different from 

his first book, When Dreams Come Alive, which had a more 

autobiographical take on it. 

The book encompasses the stories of several Malaysians, 

even prominent ones such as Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir, 

Jane Teoh, Elaine Daly and Amber Chia, among others. Not a 

novice in authoring books, he took a different approach to this 

book. The idea came to him two years ago from his love of 

photography. 

The portraits featured in the book are shot in black and white 

to emphasise the nature of embedding the ‘soul’ into the 

portrait. The 90 portraits in the book is an amalgam of stories, 

creativity and fashion as portrayed by the multiracial cast. 

Readers can expect stories from all walks of life even the 

elderly, children, beauty queens and expectant mothers. 


122

GAME CHANGER 


124

“The portraits featured in 

the book are shot in black 

and white to emphasise the 

nature of embedding the 

‘soul’ into the portrait. ” 


GAME CHANGER 

A big part of this project’s intention was to give back to society. After experiencing his friend’s 

foundation event, ‘Give Malaysia’ at Sandakan and spending some time with children who were 

suffering from cancer, Albert was determined to contribute to charity as much as he could. On 

the night of his book launching, he managed to donate RM100, 000 from the proceeds of his 

book to Give Malaysia, a charity dedicated to helping children who are suffering from cancer. 

The launch of his book, The Soul of Portraits was celebrated by 500 guests who all attended the 

charity-launch event. Guests were entertained by Cre Arts Asia. There was also a piano recital 

by the talented Clarence Kang, an autistic-savant pianist with vocals from Kenny Low. 

The entire event was hosted by a cast of emcees with the likes of Arthur Tan, Miss World 

Malaysia 2012/2013, Yvonne Lee and Jeff Chin. Throughout the event, ten photography pieces 

from Albert himself were all auctioned off. 


126

SPECIALISED SERVICE CENTRE EXCLUSIVELY FOR 

MERCEDES-BENZ, BMW AND AUDI CAR OWNERS 

AT KOTA DAMANSARA 

We provide a full range of fixed-price services, each performed in a structured series 

of operating procedures to ensure faster and more efficient performance servicing; 

especially for Mercedes-Benz, BMW and AUDI car owners whose car warranties have expired 

LIST OF SERVICES 

Lubrication & Maintenance Service 

Air Cond Service and Maintenance 

Programming and Adaptation using latest STAR Diagnostic Compact 4 and BMW 

ISID Diagnostic Tester 

Computer and Electronic Programming complete with SCN Coding 

Suspension System 

Engine and Automatic Transmission Overhauling 

Braking System ABS/ETS/ASR/SBC/ABR 

Hydraulic and Pneumatic Suspension System 

Prominent Autotech Sdn Bhd 

No 8-E, Jalan Teknologi, Pusat Teknologi Sunsuria 

Kota Damansara PJU 5, 47810 Petaling Jaya Selangor 

Tel: +603-6151 5369 / +603-6151 8369 

Fax: +603-6150 5369 

Email: enquiry@prominentautotech.com.my 

OPERATING HOURS 

Monday to Friday, 8.30am - 5.30pm 

Saturday, 8.30am - 3pm 

Closed on Sunday and Public Holidays 

www.prominentautotech.com.my

THE DRIVE 

Gear Up for thE 

all new 

Cayenne 

The third Generation of the Porsche Cayenne is here 


Images by Porsche Malaysia 


128

Comfort and sportiness are taken to the next level with the 

new Porsche Cayenne. It combines the renowned Porsche 

performance and everyday practicality with its new turbo 

engines, eight-speed Tiptronic S gearbox, new chassis 

systems and excellent connectivity. The car is heavily inspired by the 

iconic 911 sports car. 


THE DRIVE 

For the first time, this third-generation car has been 

visually embellished with its mixed tyres and rearaxle 

steering. The on-road capabilities have all been 

upgraded with the active all-wheel drive as standard, 

Porsche 4D Chassis Control, three-chamber air 

suspension and the Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control 

(PDCC) electronic roll stabilisation system. Adding 

on, the Cayenne weighs 65 kilograms lighter than its 

predecessor and yet is still suited for off-road use. 

This third-generation Cayenne was launched in two 

different models which are the Cayenne and Cayenne S. 

The Cayenne is powered by a 3.0-litre V6 turbocharged 

engine, it delivers 250kW (340 hp) and 450 Nm of 

torque. The car can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 

just 6.2 seconds, this is further reduced to 5.9 seconds 

with the Sport Chrono package and it has a maximum 

speed of 245 km/h. 

The Cayenne S, on the other hand, has a 2.9 litre V6 

twin-turbocharged engine; it delivers 324 kW (440hp) 

and 550 Nm of torque. It can accelerate from zero to 

100km/h in 5.2 seconds or 4.9 seconds with the Sport 

Chrono package. The Cayenne S‘s maximum speed is 

265 km/h. 

The dynamic design language of the new Cayenne 

includes new horizontal light edges that make the SUV 

appear wider and athletic. The overall size of the car 

has also been altered compared to its predecessor to 

give a more streamlined and elegant look. Additionally, 

the luggage compartment volume is now 770 litres, 

100 litres more than before. The wheels of the Cayenne 

are also one inch larger in diameter emphasising the 

enhanced driving dynamics. 


130

As fast as it is on the road, this car also is impressive 

on terrains with all credits due to the new eightspeed 

Tiptronic S gearbox. The shorter response 

times and sportier ratios in the lower gears improve 

on-road as well as off-road capabilities. The 

long-transmission eighth gear assures low torques, 

optimised fuel consumption and more importantly, 

relaxed driving. 

A new 12.3 inch full HD touchscreen display is 

featured with the Porsche Advanced Cockpit for this 

new Cayenne. This includes the latest generation of 

the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) 

that was launched with the new Panamera. 

In typical Porsche fashion, the driver has a central 

analogue tachometer that is flanked by two 7 inch 

full HD displays that show all relevant driving data 

as well as additional information selected from the 

multi-function steering wheel. This new PCM also 

allows for customisation from creating individual 

driving profiles to applying their own settings to the 

new sound systems from Bose® and Burmester®. 

This new third generation Cayenne has is the perfect 

balance of sporty, elegance and practicality. . 

www.porsche.com 


THE CRUISE 

A Voyage with the 

Sanlorenzo 

SL78 

The superyacht comes as a perfect choice 

for any first time yacht enthusiast. 


Images by Simpson Marine 


132

After its grand premiere at the 2016 Cannes 

Yachting Festival, the Sanlorenzo SL78 

will be showcased at the 2019 Thailand 

Yacht Show and Rendezvous, which is 

organised by Simpson Marine. Similar to its larger sister 

the SL86, this award-winning yacht features new design 

lines that were developed by Officina Italiana with hull 

number one designed by Ivano Redaelli. This yacht, like 

other Sanlorenzo’s yachts, offers high customisations 

and flexible layouts. The SL78 definitely embodies the 

core values of Sanlorenzo of being timeless, elegant and 

the ‘made to measure’ philosophy. 


THE CRUISE 

One of the major characteristics of the SL78 

yacht is the significantly enlarged windows that 

are placed in both the superstructure and hull. 

This allows for more natural light and amicable 

sea visibility for guests that could be socialising 

in the saloon as well as provide lovely views 

from the cabins for who wish for a more private 

setting. Not only that, but this yacht also comes 

with a spacious lifting aft platform that can 

easily accommodate jet skis or other water toys 

in addition to the 3.85m tender stored in the 

garage. 

The SL78 also includes a seamless floor on the 

main deck, larger two-meter beds, a beautiful 

floating staircase leading from the saloon to 

the flybridge, an expansive flybridge with a 

glass panelled T-top, extensive seating areas 

in the cockpit, saloon and sundeck. As usual, 

the SL78 also comes with signature interior 

design personalised by Sanlorenzo to give each 

individual yacht its own unique character. 

There are two available options in terms of 

interior layouts for the SL78. The first option 

has the galley on the main deck whilst the other 

sees the galley on the lower deck, neighbouring 

the crew quarters. The second option grants the 

layout an even larger guest and entertainment 

area on the main deck whilst keeping the lower 

deck entirely private for the owner’s living 

space. 

On a more technical side, the SL78 is fitted 

with the larger of two engine options which 

are the twin 1,622hp MTU V10s on V drives. 

The top recorded speed of the yacht is over 

28 knots which were during its sea trial. It 

also is comfortable cruising in the mid-20s. 

Sanlorenzo also installed a hydrodynamic hull 

to optimise speeds and reduce fuel consumption. 

Additionally, a floating floor was designed to 

minimise noise and vibration on top of utilising 

high tech resin infusions of both the hull and 

superstructure to maximise the best build quality 

as well as weight control. 

All in all, this beautiful yacht can promise to 

cruise up a comfortable and exciting experience, 

whatever the purpose of the voyage. This new 

SL78 Sanlorenzo becomes an alluring entrylevel 

option, especially for first-time superyacht 

buyers and enthusiasts to have the best yachting 

adventure they can completely enjoy. 

www.simpsonmarine.com 


134


ADVERTORIAL 

The Audi 

Experience 

The first ever Tech Talk and Running Gear 

Competence Centre for Audi Malaysia 

Words by Swathe Images by Audi 

Audi car owners were hosted by Audi 

to Malaysia’s first ever Tech Talk that 

was held at the brand new Running Gear 

Competence Centre in the Audi Kuala 

Lumpur Service Centre. Owners got the 

experience to learn through Audi’s highly 

trained experts about maintaining their 

cars in pristine condition. 

The Running Gear Competence Centre is a 

special dedicated facility that is equipped 

with the latest technology used by Audi 

including the newest additions to the 

existing line-up of wheel alignment and 

brake line tester machines. This ensures the 

brand’s commitment to quality service and 

access to the latest available technology. 

Participants of the Tech Talk went 

through a series of interactive and handson 

stations involving the specialised 

equipment with the guidance of the Audi 

experts. The activities included the Noise 

Analysis Wheel Balancing and the Run- 

Out Assessment that measures the hubs 

and brake rotors. 

The agenda of the Tech Talk was to also 

cover some of the new equipment at 

the Running Gear Competence Centre 

including the tyre warmers, tyre changers 

and wheel balancer. 

www.audi.com.my 


136

Tropicana Jan-Feb 2019 #122 Celebration of Love

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