Tropicana Nov-Dec 2018 #121 The Festive Frivolities Issue

Vol. #121 November / December 2018 

THE FESTIVE FRIVOLITIES ISSUE 

THE FESTIVE FRIVOLITIES 

KDN No. 1505 (7892) | Vol. # 121 November / December 2018 

CROATIA GETS READY 

FOR ITS CLOSE UP 

The destination thrilling 

more than Game of 

Thrones fans 

THE STEPPING STONES 

OF SUCCESS 

Founders of Stone De Art on why venturing out 

of your comfort zone doing the thing you dread 

CRAZY TALENTED 

ASIANS 

Henry Golding and 

Gemma Chan on why the 

film is a game changer 

GO WITH THE 

GLOW 

Brilliant beauty 

fixes for the party 

season

EDITOR’S NOTE 

It’s the time of the 

year when that old 

refrain, “Where has the 

year gone?”, is being 

asked by everyone. 

For some, the end of 

the year can’t come 

soon enough, and for 

others it heralds the 

festive season and fresh 

beginnings. While we 

hurtle into the last two 

months of the year, let’s 

take a few moments to 

think about what an 

intriguing year it’s been. 

The end of year is 

a celebratory time for many with children home from or on holiday from school, and the planning of 

annual year-end trips. For those celebrating Christmas, preparations will soon begin – parties planned, 

gifts chosen, beautiful clothes bought, delicious dinners prepared or booked, and invitations accepted. 

With that in mind, we bring you an issue filled with fun, good food, glittery fashion and featuring 

remarkable people who pursued their dreams to great success. 

Husband-and-wife team Hew Yit Fun and Alison Chen, the power couple behind Stone De Art, 

purveyors of fine marble, talked to us about how they started their now-flourishing business and 

the challenges they overcame. Sticking to your ideals and hard work is an unbeatable formula and it 

has certainly worked for them. This month’s Game Changer focuses on a pair of Asian stars who are 

rocking the Hollywood boat – the talented and gorgeous Gemma Chan and Henry Golding. Yes, we’re 

a bit biased as Henry is one of our own; but the entire cast did phenomenally well, and Crazy Rich 

Asians will always be remembered as the best rom-com of 2018. 

This issue’s The Swing focuses on the courses on the emerald isle of Ireland, which boasts more 

than 300 courses! The Cookbook is to focuses on Finnish cuisine, which has become part of the New 

Nordic food movement and is all about clean flavours, local produce and fish; and we discover a 

British-Ghanaian architect making waves with his avant garde designs. 

To end, we would like to wish everyone a very happy end to the year and here’s to a tremendous 

year ahead! 

The Tropicana Editorial Team 

Let The 

Festivities 

Begin 

1 

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018 | TM

www.nuinfinity.com || facebook.com/nuinfinitystudio || instagram.com/nuinfinity 

THE 

MANSION 

by nu infinity 

The Mansion’s interior design concept portrays the 

bold and daring characteristics of the architecture, 

building and spatial quality of the project.

Main areas such as the Living and Dining space are 

designed to draw the eye, whereby interior details 

flow in line with the building’s form. Every element is 

designed 3-dimensionally with differences in height, 

thickness and overlays, particularly in the ceiling 

design between the Living and Kitchen area; the 

Island is used to give the impression of surrealism 

by skewing its’ form to reflect the ceiling’s angular 

direction. The interior scheme intends to expand 

on the impression of depth evoked by the strong 

and dynamic design features whilst maintaining 

practicality and utilising the available space.

TROPICANA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

YBHG Tan Sri Dato’ Nik Hashim Bin Nik Ab Rahman 

CHAIRMAN 

Tan Sri Dato’ Tan Chee Sing 

GROUP EXECUTIVE VICE CHAIRMAN 

Tan Sri Datuk Lee Fook Long 

Dato’ Dickson Tan Yong Loong 

DEPUTY GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 

Dion Tan Yong Chien 

Dillon Tan Yong Chin 

Diana Tan Sheik Ni 

Din Tan Yong Chia 

DIRECTORS 

EDITORIAL 

Dato’ Dickson Tan Yong Loong 

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF 

Daphne Wong 

DEPUTY EDITOR-IN-CHIEF 

Royce Tan 

EDITOR 

Evelyn Wan 

SUB-EDITOR 

GROUP 

CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS 

Daphne Wong 

GENERAL MANAGER 

Winnie Ooi 

MEDIA ADVERTISING MANAGER 

Heather Ng 

MEDIA ADVERTISING SENIOR EXECUTIVE 

PUBLISHER 

Tropicana Golf & Country Resort Berhad 

(203361-T) 

[A Member of Tropicana Corporation Berhad] 

Herman Tan 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 

FEEDBACK & INQUIRY 

GROUP CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS 

Tropicana Corporation Berhad (47908-K) Level 2, 7, 9, 10, 11 & 12 Tropicana City Office Tower, 3 Jalan SS 20/27, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia. 

T. 03-7710 1018 F. 03-7725 3035 

corp.comm@tropicanacorp.com.my / www.tropicanacorp.com.my 

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TM | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018 

8

VOLUME 

#121 

ON THE COVER 

24 The Stepping Stones of Success 

THE SCENE 

14 The Hottest Events To Have 

Set Society Abuzz 

PROPERTY NEWS 

48 The Edge Malaysia Property 

Excellence Awards 2018 

50 Winners of DRIVE ME HOME 

Campaign 

51 Grand Opening of Dalia Residences 

Show Houses 

52 Glow In The Park @ 

Tropicana Aman Central Park 

CULTURE 

16 Movies 

17 Books 

22 Musics 

THE HOME 

34 King Living Experience 

40 David Adjaye 

128 CONTACT US 

130 THE LIST 

132 THE END 

THE SWING 

56 The Green of Dreams 

THE TIME 

64 Eat it Up! 

Game on For PacMan Timepiece 

THE LOOK 

68 Cassey Gan Takes London 

72 Festive Finery 

HEALTH 

81 Let's Get Glowing 

88 THE DISHES 

THE COOKBOOK 

94 Local, Seasonal & Simple 

THE DRINKS 

100 Hennessy V.S.O.P 

Celebrates 200 Years 

THE GAME CHANGER 

102 Crazy Talented Asians 

THE DRIVE 

112 The Best Things Come In 

Small Packages 

THE VACATION 

122 Croatia Gets Ready For 

Its Close Up 

TM | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018

THE DIARY 

CURATED BY PAMELA D’CRUZ 

23/11 – 25/11 

MELAKA ART AND PERFORMANCE FESTIVAL 

Melaka Art and Performance Festival returns again this year to brighten the streets of Melaka with various solo and collaborative art 

performances from emerging and award winning artists. Reputed to be the world’s largest and only site-specific art and performance 

festival on a Unesco World Heritage site, the three-day event showcases internationally recognized works from more than 40 artists 

from across the globe, and will take place in the vicinity of St Paul’s Hill from 10am to 10pm. 

St Paul's Hill, Jalan Kota, 

Bandar Hilir, 75000, Melaka. 

melakafestival.com 


12

THE DIARY 

15/12 

KEVIN HART IN MALAYSIA 

Philadelphia comedian, actor and 

television host, Kevin Hart, will take 

to the stage for one night of stand up. 

One of the most successful comedians 

to come out of the American comedy 

scene, Hart has starred in films like 

‘Central Intelligence’ ‘Jumanji: Welcome 

To The Jungle’, both with The Rock, and 

supplied the voice of Snowball in ‘The 

Secret Life Of Pets’. Here as part of his 

globetrotting Irresponsible Tour, bring 

tissues, because you’re going to laugh 

until you cry. 

Axiata Arena 

L2-E-10, Enterprise 4, Bukit Jalil, 

57000, Kuala Lumpur. 

lolevents.my 

23/11 – 26/11 

WORLD BACHATA FESTIVAL 2018 

This November, the Klang Valley becomes the gathering 

place for Latin Dance lovers from around the world. 

Apart from Bachata, the festival 

will feature other Latin dance styles such as Salsa, 

Merengue and Kizomba. Festival-goers will have the 

chance to participate in various Latin dance workshops 

and watch incredible performances by international acts. 

Bentley Music Auditorium 

3 Jalan PJU 7/2, Petaling Jaya, 

47810, Mutiara Damansara, Selangor. 

www.worldbachatafestival.com 

7/9 - 15/12 

EDITIONS 

Editions, in a traditional artistic context 

refers to the reproduction of copies or 

replicas made from an original master 

work. Bringing together an assemblage 

of dynamic Malaysian artists to consider 

the art of multiples, the show is curated 

by Sharmin Parameswaran, and will 

feature, among others, the works of 

Bogus Merchandise, a socially minded 

and community-oriented screen 

printing and sewing collective, Sabahan 

artist Rico Leong, a woodcut artist who 

keeps with the traditional method of 

printing, and Ajim Juxta, an architectturned-artist 

whose oeuvre draws 

heavily on existentialism. 

Shalini Ganendra Fine Art 

8 Lorong 16/7B, Section 16, 

Petaling Jaya, 46350, Selangor. 

www.shaliniganendra.com 

14/12 – 15/12 

TALES OF WINTER 

Gingerbread and sleigh bells, Christmas is here! Led by conductor 

Naohisa Furusawa, the Malaysian Philharmonic and Malaysian 

Philharmonic Youth Orchestras get the audience in a festive mood 

with the performance of Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel’s Overture, 

Mozart’s 3German Dances K. 605 and Wagner’s Siegfried Idyll. Of course 

it wouldn’t be complete without a sprinkling of musical bonbons from 

the Kingdom of Sweets, and Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite No. 1 and the 

Slavonic sounds of his Marche Slave duly oblige. 

Dewan Filharmonik Petronas 

Petronas Twin Towers 

Kuala Lumpur City Centre 

50088, Kuala Lumpur. 

dfp.com.my 

13 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018 | TM

THE SCENE 

The Scene 

The hottest events to have set society abuzz. 

KARE OPENING PARTY 

13 SEPTEMBER 2018 

It was a night of music, magic and fun 

as global lifestyle brand Kare opened 

its flagship store at Great Eastern Mall, 

Kuala Lumpur. Themed around popular 

hit The Greatest Showman, the grand 

opening was filled with wonder as 

costumed actors mingled with guests, 

and worked the stage with music 

performances and magic shows. Guests 

were encouraged to participate in the 

magic shows and card games to liven 

up the night. Colourful cocktails and 

fantastic music added to the festivities. 

Spanning 2,000 square feet, Kare’s 

second showroom in Malaysia offers 

customers an immersive experience as 

you walk among its visually stunning 

pieces and setups. From elaborate 

arrangements set up to resemble 

home settings to contemporary 

pieces scattered throughout the space, 

this flagship store is filled with the 

furnishing brand’s signature quirkiness. 

Kare’s founder and CEO Peter 

Schönhofen says that the Kare brand 

“caters to those with a distinctive taste 

and who want a touch of fashion in 

their homes. We find that in Malaysia, 

the trend is moving rapidly towards 

very personalised home interior 

design – here’s where Kare can meet 

the demands and desires of local 

homeowners to create beautiful, unique 

homes.” 

Guests can visit the flagship store 

on the first floor of Great Eastern Mall, 

Kuala Lumpur. The store is open daily 

from 10am to 9pm. 

www.kare-design.com/my/en 


14

THE SCENE 

ART OF TREE AT MALAYSIAN FURNITURE & 

FURNISHINGS FAIR 2018 (MF3 2018) 

10-12 AUGUST 2018 

Solid wood manufacturer Art of Tree specialises in creating exquisite pieces of furniture 

made out of salvaged trees. Their pieces are practical and sustainable, and are conversation 

starters whether placed at home or in an office or retail setting. The brand’s collections 

have received rave reviews from customers and prominent personalities, most 

recently including YB Teresa Kok, Minister of Primary Industries, who visited Art of 

Tree’s booth at the recent Malaysian Furniture & Furnishings Fair (MF3 2018) and had 

only good things to say. 

The Malaysian Furniture & Furnishings Fair celebrates the best of Malaysia’s home 

and lifestyle industry. The annual fair showcases everything a homeowner could want – 

from furniture and appliances to landscaping options and security systems – and sets out 

to inspire creativity and innovation with the best products and services. The consumeroriented 

fair boasts renowned brands and increasing turnouts every year, solidifying its 

status as the biggest home expo in the country. 

Held recently over three days in August at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center, 

MF3 2018 once again drew the crowds with notable exhibitors, interesting talks, and 

plenty of great deals and fun activities. It was officiated by YB Teresa Kok, who then 

toured the space and checked out the booths. 


CULTURE | MOVIES 

‘TIS THE SEASON… 

To cosy up with family and watch these classic movies with their unique interpretations of Christmas. 

ELF (2003) 

As one of Santa’s elves, Buddy 

(played by SNL alumni and 

all-round funny man Will 

Ferrell) is much taller than 

the average elf. The story 

begins with baby Buddy 

crawling into Santa’s sack and 

being brought to the North 

Pole where he was raised by 

Papa Elf. Disgruntled with 

his job as a toy tester and 

discovering the truth of his 

identity, he heads to New 

York to find his father. This 

is a comedy so between him 

getting a job as an elf in a 

department store, falling in 

love, finding out his dad isn’t 

very nice and meeting his 

half-brother, it all ends well 

in true Christmas spirit. 

Starring: Will Ferrell, James 

Caan, Zooey Deschanel, Mary 

Steenburgen 

HOME ALONE (1990) 

It was 1990 and a movie about a 

little boy accidentally left behind 

when his family heads to Paris for 

the Christmas holidays hits the 

cinemas. It became a massive hit 

and was written and produced by 

John Hughes, famed for comingof-age 

teen movies like ‘Sixteen 

Candles’ and ‘The Breakfast 

Club’. The world was introduced 

to a precocious blond named 

Macaulay Culkin who played 

Kevin, the protagonist. Home 

alone at Christmas, fighting off 

bungling burglars, Harry (Pesci) 

and Marv (Stern), becoming a 

booby trap specialist and waiting 

for his family to return, Kevin 

has the greatest Christmas 

adventure and learns that family 

is everything. 

Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Joe 

Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard 

THE HOLIDAY (2006) 

Two women on either side of 

the Atlantic with boy problems 

organise a house exchange over 

the Christmas holidays and 

romance blooms! Iris writes a 

wedding column for a London 

newspaper and is still in love 

with her ex; and Amanda is a 

busy LA exec who finds out her 

boyfriend is cheating on her. To 

escape their lives, they list their 

homes on a holiday swap site. 

Amanda ends up in a quaint 

English village cottage, and Iris 

in an impressive LA home. The 

romantic interests are played 

by Jude Law and Jack Black, so 

you know it’s going to be sweet, 

funny and romantic… with nary 

a gun or elf in sight. 

Starring: Kate Winslet, Jude Law, 

Cameron Diaz, Jack Black 

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946) 

This most Christmassy of classic 

films has James Stewart playing 

George Bailey, a kind man who has 

led a pretty tragic life but helped 

so many people along the way. 

It’s Christmas Eve, and George is 

contemplating suicide. Someone 

‘upstairs’ sends Clarence (Travers), 

a guardian angel to save and remind 

him of all the amazing things he’s 

accomplished . This movie was 

quite avant garde for its time with 

alternate realities and questioning 

one’s faith. Hate it or love it, this 

is a movie that needs to be seen at 

least once at Christmas, if not for 

anything than the last scene and its 

famous line, “Every time a bell rings, 

an angel gets its wings…” 

Starring: James Stewart, Donna 

Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Henry 

Travers 

Starring: James Stewart, Donna Reed, 

Lionel Barrymore, Henry Travers 

Our Pick... 

DIE HARD (1988) 

It’s been said this is the ‘ultimate Christmas movie’, a bold statement considering there’s absolutely 

nothing warm and fuzzy about Bruce Willis playing hard cop John McClane cursing, killing and rescuing 

hostages. But, there are many reasons why ‘Die Hard’ is a Christmas movie, mainly that the premise is a 

Christmas party at which McClane’s wife is a guest. The bad guys are led by Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman), 

a German terrorist who wants to steal millions and proves a worthy opponent for McClane. Hailed as one 

of the greatest action movies of all time, it’s thrilling, heroic-cop-beats-bad-guys (Christmas) fun! 

Starring: Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia 

CURATED BY BLADE DIGITAL MEDIA 


16

CULTURE | BOOKS 

KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL 

New recipes for tasty global cuisine from everyday dinners to special feasts. 

THE TRUCK FOOD 

COOKBOOK: 150 RECIPES 

AND RAMBLINGS 

FROM AMERICA’S BEST 

RESTAURANTS ON 

WHEELS 

JOHN T EDGE 

Award winning writer 

and food authority, 

John T Edge chases 

down America’s finest 

food trucks to deliver a 

selection of surprisingly 

diverse and frequently 

fusion driven recipes. 

The deliciously sinful 

staples are there: fast 

foods like the grilled 

cheese cheeseburger 

and tacos until eternity, 

yet deep-fried greasy 

spoon fare is thin on 

the ground. Instead, the 

hottest food trend in 

America is a smorgasbord 

of familiar comforts, 

ethnic flavours and clever 

experimentation from its 

hippest urban centres. By 

nature all of it is highly 

portable making it ideal 

for parties and picnics. 

SPRITZ: ITALY’S MOST 

ICONIC APERITIVO 

COCKTAIL, 

WITH RECIPES 

TALIA BAIOCCHI & 

LESLIE PARISEAU 

What is the festive 

season without cocktails? 

Experiencing a resurgence 

of popularity, the cool 

again spritz is given a 

comprehensive shakedown 

in this stylish ode to Italy’s 

vibrant orange hued liquer. 

Authors Talia Baiocchi 

and Leslie Pariseau curate 

classic spritz, bicicletta 

and sbagliatto recipes 

from America’s best 

bartenders, and in keeping 

with the Italian tradition 

of aperitivo, suggest some 

delectable nibbles or 

cicchetti to enjoy with your 

refreshing yet bittersweet 

concoction. The pair also 

delves deeper tracing the 

origins and history of the 

drink, which is always 

useful fodder for cocktail 

party banter. 

PALETAS: AUTHENTIC 

RECIPES FOR MEXICAN 

ICE POPS, SHAVED ICE & 

AGUAS FRESCAS 

FANY GERSON 

As perfect for Malaysia’s 

hot and humid climate as 

it is for Mexico’s similarly 

searing temperatures, 

paleta are Mexican ice pops 

or frozen lollies. Pastry 

chef Fany Gerson’s love of 

sweet indulgences sees her 

experiment with a variety 

of exotic but easy to make 

paleta recipes. Rainbowcoloured 

and pretty to look 

at, the ice cold treats include 

naughty but nice alcoholspiked 

varieties, dairy and 

non-dairy versions, and 

often use ingredients readily 

available in Malaysia like 

mango, chili, coconut, lime 

and tamarind. Shaved ice 

desserts known as raspados 

and refreshing agua fresca, 

a cool Mexican thirst 

quencher round off this 

recipe book made for 

the tropics. 

Our Pick... 

THAI STREET FOOD: AUTHENTIC RECIPES, VIBRANT TRADITIONS 

DAVID THOMPSON 

2017 crackdown on street food in Thailand’s capital city of Bangkok created an uproar amongst 

street vendors, foodies and chefs alike. Such is the power of street food, in particular, Thai street food. 

Celebrated Australian chef, David Thompson was among the first globally recognised gourmands to 

champion Thai cuisine. Up until this year Thompson helmed Nahm, number 10 on Asia’s 50 Best 

Restaurants List 2018 with one Michelin star. Selecting close to 100 authentic Thai recipes from across 

the country, Thompson covers the classics and the curious alike. From pork satay and steamed fish with 

lime and chili to mango sticky rice, with images that will inspire action and salivation in equal measure, 

this is the perfect coffee table book for cooks with an affinity for the exotic and spicy. 

VIBRANT INDIA: FRESH 

VEGETARIAN RECIPES 

FROM BANGALORE 

TO BROOKLYN 

CHITRA AGRAWAL 

From the owner of 

Brooklyn Delhi comes 

this vibrant debut 

cookbook filled with 

flavourful vegetarian 

recipes from southern 

India. Many of these 

wonderfully satisfying 

dishes rely heavily on 

staple ingredients such 

as lentils, rice, and fresh 

produce. Fortunately 

American author, Chitra 

Agrawal takes much of 

the guess work out of even 

the most fundamental 

aspects of Indian cooking. 

The rest of this book 

are a mouthwatering 

delight of fresh salads, 

amazing curries and 

luscious sweets that will 

demonstrate the depth of 

Southern Indian cuisine 

and excitement to the 

vegetarian diet. 

IZAKAYA: THE 

JAPANESE PUB 

COOKBOOK 

MARK ROBINSON & 

MASASHI KUMA 

A combination of 

cookbook and guidebook, 

writer Mark Robinson 

and photographer 

Masahi Kuma crack open 

a window on Japan’s 

Izakaya to reveal the 

tantalising tastes and 

unique culinary culture 

at the heart of the 

country’s much loved but 

vastly underrated pub 

fare. The book features 60 

recipes for various simple 

yet sophisticated small 

plate wonders, profiles 

of izakaya masters from 

the 8 izakaya featured, 

useful advice on izakaya 

etiquette, and a guide to 

sake and other alcoholic 

beverages. Altogether 

a perfect gift for the 

wandering gourmet or 

adventurous home chef. 

CURATED BY PAMELA D’CRUZ 


CULTURE ADVERTORIAL | BOOKS 

With nearly 50 years of combined experience from raw materials to distributing, supplying and installing good grade timber flooring, RV 

Woods is renowned for offering an excellent product alongside great service and expertise. The company’s membership in the National 

Wood Flooring Association (USA) and the Australian Timber Flooring Association (ATFA) only adds to its credibility. 

RV Woods provides timber to the home and retail property market and works closely with property developers, architects, interior 

designers and home owners. With a production capacity of over 2.8 million square feet (in area size) and more than 2,300 beautiful solid 

wood flooring completed annually, the company prides itself on its service and quality control. Before clients commit, they are taken on a 

tour of the factory, so they can have a better idea of what stringent measures are taken during the production process. 

The Production Process 

1 Sorting and Barking 

When the logs arrive at the mill, the bark 

is removed and they are carefully sorted 

and stored according to species, diameter, 

5 Regrading and Surfacing 

The timber is then inspected for any 

defects which may have occurred 

during the drying process. 

length and end-use. 

6 Moulding and Packing 

The dried sawn timber is then custom 

moulded into marketable sizes and 

profiles, and bundle packed ready for 

shipment. 

2 

Sawing or Breakdown 

The logs are sawed and further broken 

down to be cut to customised sizes, and 

any log defects are removed. This process 

is done with precision, adhering to 

international standards of measurements 

and minimising wastage. 

3 Sorting and Grading 

The sawn and trimmed timber is sorted 

according to thickness, width, length, 

quality, grade and species. Steps are taken 

to protect the timber from fungi and 

insects, as well as the effects of adverse 

weather. 

4 

Kiln Drying 

The sawn timber is kiln dried in a chamber 

where temperature, air circulation and 

humidity are meticulously controlled and 

monitored. This is done to stabilise the 

wood and improve its strength and colour. 


18

ADVERTORIAL 

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Solutions with Xinmis 

Stylish, practical solutions to fulfil all your home’s storage needs. 

For many homeowners, storage is a very important factor when choosing 

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cabinets and wardrobes that have enough space, be organised and look 

good. 

Ximmis Cabinets offer the perfect solution to storage and 

specialise in aluminium cabinetry. Aluminium is a practical yet stylish 

material that will transform the interior of your home, making it look 

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The design is in the details, and every piece of Xinmis cabinetry is 

made-to-order according to the specification of the space and the décor of 

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Xinmis offer a full range of services – from coming to your space for 

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you need, to producing and fitting them seamlessly. Visit Xinmis concept 

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www.xinmis.com.my 


20

CULTURE | MUSICS 

Turn It Up 

Four of the best albums of 2018. 

THE CARTERS 

EVERYTHING IS LOVE 

After an album 

each laying bare 

their tumultuous 

relationship, 

and numerous 

collaborations, power 

couple Bey and Jay 

finally make an album 

together. The enemy 

here is not each 

other but racism and 

American politics. 

Both artists get equal 

time with Jay-Z happy 

to hang back or play 

call and response while Beyonce shows off unexpected rapping chops. ‘Nice’, 

produced by Pharrell, is a glossy trap number. Its repeated refrain of “ I can 

do anything”, proud boasts and indignant swearing, should tell you where 

The Carters’ headspace is at: they have each other, influential friends and 

money that puts their unborn grandchildren on the Forbes list. Sure, it can 

border on self-obsession and narcissism, as on ‘Boss’ when Jay reflects on the 

family’s “ hundred million crib, 3 million watch”, but its intention is to call 

out prejudice. In America, if you’re rich and black, you’re still black. 

Our Pick... 

ARCTIC 

MONKEYS 

TRANQUILITY BASE 

HOTEL AND CASINO 

Six albums along and 

Sheffield’s favourite 

sons show no signs of 

slowing down or fitting 

in. ‘Tranquility Base’ is 

a significant departure 

from the band’s previous 

sound, the knowing back 

alley Brit rock swagger 

replaced with a drowsy 

space funk that sounds 

as if it’s been piped in from the outer reaches of the universe. It’s less 

immediate, but worth the ride. Frontman Alex Turner’s lyrics remain wry 

and insightful, a disembodied voice and contemplating earth even as it 

disappears out of sight. Ghosts linger everywhere, the spirit of Bowie most 

of all; although ‘Star Treatment’ which channels soul and 60s soundtracks 

could easily have been written for Prince. 

COURTNEY BARNETT 

TELL ME HOW YOU REALLY FEEL 

No one does honesty like Courtney Barnett. The alt-rock 

singer-songwriter chronicles the comically mundane 

with poetic depth and a slacker drawl. Angrier than 

her charming debut, this sophomore effort begins 

benignly but slowly works itself into a rage on ‘I’m Not 

Your Mother’. Courtney takes issue with fame, trolls 

and personal relationships, the tender ‘I Need A Little 

Time’ at once pleading for a time out from herself and 

her fans/girlfriend. The album pays repeated tribute to 

Nirvana, notably through the grungy chords of ‘Crippling 

Self Doubt and General Lack of Confidence’ which 

features Breeders’ Kim and Kelley Deal. But it’s ‘Nameless 

Faceless’ that captures the moment. Lamenting misogyny 

and female fear, its powerless anger stays hidden in quiet 

sadness, praise be. 

YOUNG 

FATHERS 

COCOA SUGAR 

Proving that 

their Mercury 

Prize win in 

2014 was no 

fluke, the 

genre-defying 

trio from 

Edinburgh 

return with a 

blistering third 

album. ‘Cocoa Sugar’ lyrically explores themes of colour 

and class by way of some spiritual soul searching. Despite 

eviscerating electro-pop, alt-rap, avant-rock, what have 

you, it’s their most accessible album to date with rousing 

gospel soul and undeniable hooks punching through 

the dense sonic squall and off-kilter beats. The squelchy 

sounds of ‘Holy Ghost’ and the zeitgeist African rhythms 

of ‘In My View’ typify the direction Alloysious Massaquoi, 

Kayus Bankole and G Hastings take, but it’s ‘Toy’s 

frenetically paced social commentary and ‘See How’s 

bleepy beats and staccato rap that are the stand out tracks. 

CURATED BY REMI DUTTA 


22


HEW YIT FUN AND ALISON CHEN 

THE STEPPING 

STONES OF 

SUCCESS 

Husband-and-wife team Hew Yit Fun and Alison Chen from Stone De Art 

are testament to the inherent beauty of sticking to your ideals. 


24


White Shirt from G2000, 

Sweater from ZARA 

Pants from ZARA 



Sweater from ZARA 


26


When I met Alison Chen and Hew Yit Fun 

of Stone De Art in September, it was at 

their home. Ensconced in the privacy of 

a quiet, gated community within Bandar 

Sungai Long, the family – Alison, Yit Fun, 

their 16-year-old daughter, 10-year-old 

son and Yit Fun’s mother and father – had 

only moved in two months before. It would have been sooner, but 

sometimes personal lives must take a backseat to business and this 

was one such instance. 

“ It took two years for us to complete the renovation,” Yit Fun 

shared. “ We had to stop for 9 months.” At the time shipments of 

marble were arriving and it was a very busy period in the factory, so 

the couple put their own home renovation project on hold to focus 

on placing their clientele first. It’s one of the hallmarks of their 

business. 

Both Alison and Yit Fun are the founders of Stone De Art, 

a well-established business that sources, supplies and lays high 

quality stone such as marble and granite for use in the home and 

in commercial spaces. Usually the Tropicana editorial team would 

choose to meet its cover personalities at their place of business – the 

Stone De Art showroom and factory is located in Balakong – but 

the couple’s spacious home is itself a fabulous showcase of the 

very materials and detailed workmanship that their business is 

grounded upon. 

SET IN STONE 

Prior to Stone De Art, Alison who is originally from Alor Setar 

and Yit Fun who is from Kuala Lumpur, spent many years honing 

their skills and gaining experience in the construction line, cutting 

their teeth in a diverse variety of specialisations. The pair met while 

working in the same company and eventually married and what 

they learned during that period sparked within them an idea for a 

business. 

Yit Fun thought back to those days. “ Because we had been in the 

bungalow market for many years, we had seen different suppliers 

supplying different things to bungalow owners. I remember 

speaking to my wife and telling her that we can start a business 

supplying anything, except for marble.” 

As a natural material both Alison and Yit Fun understood that 

stone could be difficult to work with and customers’ expectations 

were seldom met. “ There was always an argument that the stone 

had a natural defect or that the colour of the stone could not match 

the requirement of the owner. It seemed very difficult for suppliers 

to 100 percent fulfil the desires of the private bungalow owner,” he 

recalled. But you know what they say-never say never. 

“Their fate was sealed when 

they accepted an invite from 

a friend to attend a stone 

fair in Italy. Their attendance 

provided them with valuable 

insight into the business.” 

TURNING MOUNTAINS INTO MOLEHILLS 

New businesses are often faced with a steep learning curve. Stone 

De Art was no exception but at times the pair wondered if their 

particular hill was surmountable. “Almost every year for the first 

five years we considered changing to another business,” Yit Fun 

divulged. Stone De Art faced two major challenges: the technical 

and the financial. 

Throwing themselves into the business, one of the first things 

they did was to set up a factory. In doing so they encountered 

numerous unanticipated technical difficulties. 

Then there was the matter of sourcing. Their first port of call 

was Italy, a country widely recognised for its high-grade marble. 

However this threw up some challenges: they had a language barrier 

to get over, new relationships to forge and hard-to-come by highquantity 

marble to source. Prized marble, they discovered, is in 

very short supply. 

For Alison, whose background is sales, and managing accounts 

and purchasing, the most satisfying aspect of her job is finding a 

beautiful slab of marble. “ Then I know we are in the position to 

perform a good job,” she beamed with satisfaction, but it is also the 

most challenging aspect of the job. “ Stone De Art focuses on quality 

that is average and above,” she shared. “ But there are people like 

us from all over the world that are also looking for good quality 

marble. The advantage is that they have volume. The Malaysian 

market doesn’t.” “Also consider how much it would cost for our 

exchange rate. Our money is small,” Yit Fun added. Suddenly not 

only did it begin to dawn on them how tough the business is, but if 

they were to maintain their commitment to quality, the business 

would not be able to grow. 



The other chief concern was finance. There are no payment terms 

extended by the quarries. The quarries expect to be paid in full 

before the materials are loaded on board the ship and shipping 

can take up to a month. Additionally, a job can typically take 

between six months to a year to complete. This can create cash flow 

problems. Nevermind accidental breakage or cracking that Stone 

De Art would have to cover. 

Of course, the pair could have taken the easy way out by opting 

to supply lower grade materials or under delivering on their client’s 

expectation. But they had seen this before and overcoming this was 

the very raison d’etre for Stone De Art. They were determined to do 

it differently, so they stuck it out. 

Within five years, things had begun to turn around. Initial 

teething issues were soon fixed, problems that arose were gradually 

solved, and important learnings were gained. 

Stone De Art began sourcing different types of marble instead 

of focusing on just one type, and although 90 percent of their 

materials still come from Italy, Alison also began sourcing stone 

from many other countries, such as China, Portugal and Turkey. 

The pair even picked up some Italian. Their numerous inspection 

trips, which were a necessity rather than a luxury, also allowed the 

couple to travel the length and breadth of the beautiful European 

nation. “ We like the culture and feel lucky that the first place we 

chose to do business was in Italy. It’s beautiful and the people there 

are very nice. From the north to the south, Milan, Verona, Rome, 

we enjoy the scenery the most,” travel enthusiast Alison trilled as 

we sat nursing a small cup of espresso freshly brewed by Yit Fun 

himself. 

PERSPECTIVES AND EXPECTATIONS 

Such fragile and incredibly heavy items are difficult to work 

with, which is why Stone De Art places a lot of emphasis on 

workmanship, both in the factory setting and during installation. 

Yit Fun who is Stone De Art Managing Director, helps his staff 

to understand the gravitas of what it is they do and puts their role 

into perspective for them. “ Training is very important,” he said of 

his work force, “ but the right person is more important than any 

training because it’s difficult to change someone’s attitude. Factory 

workers may understand their job but they may not comprehend 

that the marble that they are cutting is for a bungalow, and that this 

bungalow is the lifelong effort of the bungalow owner. As business 

owners we feel that pressure.” 

As the client-facing partner of Stone De Art, Yit Fun also 

deals with Stone De Art’s clientele, and views managing customer 

expectation as the most important part of his job and one of the 

“For Alison, whose background 

is sales, and managing accounts 

and purchasing, the most 

satisfying aspect of her job 

is finding a beautiful 

slab of marble.” 

most important aspects of the business, particularly because 

natural stone is by nature imperfect. “ Even high-end marble will 

have some imperfections,” he stressed. “As professionals it’s our 

duty to educate the client, who is essentially a lay man, on what is 

best suited for their needs.” 

Yit Fun imparts as much knowledge as is necessary to help the 

customer come to the best possible decision. “ By understanding 

how to select the right material for the right location and its 

eventual use, we can minimise maintenance issues for the 

customer.” Showing and sharing with the customer other 

completed projects also helps the customer to visualise the end 

result. “ By setting realistic expectations Stone De Art is able to 

supply peace of mind to the customer,” he smiled. 

FRIEND AND TRENDS 

Today the business is 15 years old and flourishing, and is a prime 

example of how to turn a disadvantage into an advantage. Their 

clientele often come to know of Stone De Art through word of 

mouth. “ We don’t advertise, we don’t take part in exhibitions, we 

don’t even have a signboard at the factory,” Yit Fun admitted. 

Instead Stone De Art’s point of difference is paying off. “ Now 

the customer introduces their friends to us,” Alison responded. 

“ When we complete a bungalow and our client throws a house 

warming party, their friends are impressed by what they see,” Yit 

Fun chimed in. 

Alison and Yit Fun’s own home is testament to the hard work 

and tenacity that they have put into their business. Its simple 

minimalist elegance is the collective blood, sweat and tears of 15 

years of Stone De Art. Alison indulged us in a quick tour. 

There is grey marble on the floor. The kitchen is sandy blue 

marble from Italy, its veins perfectly connecting at the seam of 

each slab in a display of excellent workmanship. In the laundry 

room they use white marble in much smaller sized slabs. “At first we 


28




PHOTOGRAPHY BRIAN FANG, M8 STUDIO 

WARDROBE & STYLING BOSCO LIM 

HAIR & GROOMING JOEY YAP 


30


“Alison and Yit Fun’s own 

home is testament to the 

hard work and tenacity 

that they have put into 

their business.” 

wanted to throw it away, but thought about what we could use these 

smaller pieces for,” Alison explained. A water feature outside on 

the patio utilises fossil stone sourced from Brazil. 

Yit Fun pointed towards the impressive wall facing the entrance 

of his home. Made of volcanic stone sourced from Italy, this 

slate grey material is textured. “ We call it a linen finish,” Yit Fun 

explained. “ The stone does not originally look this way. Machines 

are used to give the surface the texture of cloth fabric. Many 

designers confuse it for wallpaper,” he beamed, impressed at the 

softening effect it gives the room. It is these ingenious solutions 

that set Stone De Art apart and what brings satisfaction not only to 

Stone De Art’s clientele but to Alison and Yit Fun. 

Yit Fun’s projection for the company for the next five years is 

to turn its attention to detailing and design, and introducing new 

trends into the market. Tastes are still very oriented towards white, 

grey and black marble or stone, but Yit Fun predicts that colour 

will increasingly gain favour as designers move away from the 

prevalent minimalist look. 

THE FRUITS OF ONE’S LABOUR 

On the home front there is just as much to look forward to. With 

the school holidays coming up the family is already looking 

forward to the holidays and a well-deserved trip to Korea. Alison, 

who loves Korean fashion, is especially excited about the shopping 

and year-end sales. 

The move to the new abode has also put Yit Fun closer to an 

Olympic-size swimming pool, where he can train for his next 

triathalon. In addition to the daily 1 ½ hours in the gym that 

Yit Fun and Alison put in before they head for work, Yit Fun is 

a former cyclist and an avid ultra marathon runner who began 

pounding the pavements in 2012. 

With 2019 on the horizon, he is looking forward to the 

Vibram 100 in Hong Kong in January. Just as the business must 

have been when it first started, he described ultra marathons 

as an unforgettable experience – “ Torturous but addictive once 

achieved.” Like Stone De Art, his sentiments about running reflect 

the company’s manifesto and the ethos of sticking to your ideals 

and the rewards that you can reap if you do. 


THE HOME 

Reclining In Style 

At the end of a long day, put your feet up and relax 

with Hatch’s Italian Leather Power Recliner. 

At a touch of a button, the powered back and leg rests 

of Hatch’s Italian Leather Power Recliner 

provide a myriad of reclining positions – very useful 

in ensuring that you find your comfort zone easily. 

The comfortable back support moulds to your every 

curve with the ideal balance of firmness and luxury. 

Upholstered in premium Italian aniline leather to 

show the natural grain of the hide, this reclining 

chair is a welcome addition to any living space. 

www.hatch.my 

32

ADVERTORIAL

THE HOME 

King Living Experience 

@ IPC Mall 

R 

ecently invited to an exclusive 

King Living experience at 

IPC Mall, the Tropicana 

editorial team got an in-depth 

and up close look at the awardwinning 

Australian furniture brand’s 

sophisticated, high-quality solutions 

for the home. With the numerous 

furniture brands already available in 

Malaysia including many local ones, 

we were not expecting to be wowed. 

But wowed we were. 

Furniture can be expensive, 

particularly if you find yourself 

replacing it within a few years because 

your needs or tastes have changed, or 

it just wasn’t that comfortable. The 

cumulative costs can cause frustration. 

At King Living, we were impressed to 

find out that the hardest decision you’ll 

have to make is which unit and fabric 

should you choose. With a design 

philosophy centred on longevity, King 

Living goes to great lengths to ensure 

your piece of furniture stands the test 

of time and evolves along with you. 

Key to that is its famous engineered 

high-grade galvanised steel with 

spot weld frame used in place of the 

wooden frame employed by most 

furniture makers. This feature is so 

effective at providing strength and 

bearing weight that it comes with a 25- 

year warranty. For those of you who’ve 

owned a sofa that broke in the middle 

after someone heavy flopped on it, or 

had a leg break off at the joint, you’ll 

recognise what a win that is. There’s 

also none of that warping and twisting 

not having to replace your furniture 

for 25 years is a boon for your budget 

and your conscience. 

King Living’s steel frame is also 

the basis for its furniture’s most 

exciting features – so much of it can 


34

THE HOME 

be customised to your requirements. King 

Living’s modular, multi-functional sofa 

designs aren’t just limited to being able to 

flip a chair or chaise lounge from one side 

to the other. It’s so much more than that. 

With a smart system of brackets and 

magnetic magic joiner system, different 

parts of your sofa unit can be safely moved 

360 degrees around your sofa to create 

countless configurations that will provide 

you with the flexibility to change up your 

space according to the occasion. You could 

split a sofa unit if you moved somewhere 

smaller, say from landed property to an 

apartment; set your sofa up as a bed if 

you have overnight guests; or rearrange it 

entirely for social occasions like Chinese 

New Year and Hari Raya to accommodate 

for more people. King Living’s Strata sofa 

is brilliant for this letting you flip out the 

backrest to create additional seating where 

it didn’t exist before – on its backrest. 

In sofa units like the top selling Jasper, 

Strata and Delta Metro smart adjustable 

features provide customised comfort. 

For example, you can set the seat depth 

by moving back and arm rests forwards 

or backwards, or by tilting it at different 

angles to provide greater comfort for 

different members of the family, like little 

ones with shorter legs. King Living’s 

most recent addition, the Zaza sofa does 

the same using a ratchet system. King 

Living’s Postureflex® Seating System, 

which is similar to those used in Porsche 

and Rolls Royce cars, delivers superior 

support and durability to its chairs and 

sofas, while its KingCell® Pocket Spring 

provides the highest level of resilience and 

even firmness throughout your cushions. 

The epitome of customised comfort has 

to be King Cloud III. A Malaysia best 

seller, its ideal for homeowners that 

want to create a cinema environment 

for watching sports, binge watching 

TV series or viewing the latest film. Its 

35 

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018 

| TM

TouchGlide® Technology (with 2 year 

warranty) lets you recline, electronically 

change the angle of headrests, armrests 

and leg rests, and have favourite positions 

memorised with the swipe of your hand 

along the side of the seat where buttons 

are concealed using its Gesture Control 

option. Safety features prevent children 

and pets from being accidentally get 

caught or crushed when the mechanism 

is moving, and like some of King Living’s 

other sofa units, it has compartments in 

which to store your sound system and 

magnetised smart pockets to store your 

remote control. 

With all the configurations you have 

to play with, suddenly 25 years is a long 

time to live with one style particularly 

with wear, tear and spillage. King 

Living’s steel frame structure makes its 

Removable Covering System possible. 

Treated to repel dirt, dust and liquids 

even before the material is cut sofas and 

chairs are protected so you don’t have 

to live with unsightly stains. Moreover 

as its tailored to fit and is completely 

removable, whether due to damage or to 

changing tastes, covers can be replaced 

and customised from a wide range of 

premium fabrics and leathers, while King 


36

THE HOME 

Living’s smart tables, which can be used to recharge your phone 

wirelessly, and its collapsible shelves, comes in a choice of three 

different timber colours. 

Which brings us to storage. Regardless of the size of your 

home, you can never have too much of it. In addition to 

collapsible shelves, many of King Living’s sofa units and even its 

beds have large storage compartments discreetly hidden within 

it. Accessible via easy-lift hydraulics similar to those used in 

hatchback cars you can get to them with just one free hand. King 

Living beds for example, don’t just utilise space at its foot but 

its slightly arched frame can be lifted up in entirety so that you 

can utilise all of it, even the typically hard to access head of the 

bed. Best of all, none of this is apparent when you look at the 

furniture, which is smart and streamlined. And that’s its beauty. 

King Living beds are unique for other reasons too like its 

multiple layers, which can be removed for washing or cleaning 

right down to the base and for personalisation of comfort. Layers 

of protective covering, premium spring and breathable support 

can be combined and adjusted to create your ideal mattress. 

Whether you prefer firmness, softness, warmth or coolness, a 

choice of comfort layers, flipped for different comfort settings 

will let you choose, whichever side of the bed you sleep on. 

Of course, don’t just take our word for it. King Living’s 

collection of original designs includes beautifully crafted sofas, 

armchairs, dining tables and chairs, beds, mattresses and side 

tables, and can be experienced at King Living’s 5,700 square 

feet space showroom in IPC Shopping Centre. Ask for a 

demonstration. King Living’s store in Bangsar is expected to 

open in January 2019. 

King Living 

L1.06, Level 1, IPC Shopping Centre 

Damansara, Selangor. 

www.kingliving.my 

37 

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018 

| TM

ADVERTORIAL 

Häfele Smart Digital Locks 

Security of the Future 

As our homes become smarter and more connected, homeowners 

are also focusing on security. Gone are the days of the padlocks, bolts 

and keys. Smart homeowners are turning to digital locking systems, 

which are not only reliable but also trackable and very safe. Basically, 

a digital lock is a door lock that uses an ID card or password to gain 

access. 

Häfele is a renowned family-owned German brand that has taken 

the technology one step further with its range of smart digital locks. 

These can be used on wooden doors, gates and even glass doors for 

complete security, and can be opened using an RFID card, password, 

Bluetooth (the app is available on the App Store and Google Play 

Store) or with a key, allowing absolute flexibility for the user. 

Another security feature is that the person with the master key / 

code can check pin code access logs using their Bluetooth key. 

There are several types of locks to choose from based on 

what kind of door it is being used for, mode of entry and 

price range. Security and ease of accessibility are the main 

purposes of these digital locks. No longer do you have to 

worry about whether the door is locked after you leave as it 

automatically does, giving you peace of mind knowing your 

loved ones and belongings are safe in the house. Children can 

be given the password and losing your keys and accidental 

lock-outs are no longer a problem. 

Häfele smart digital locks are sleek and inconspicuous, 

combine the best of German technology and design, and take 

locking your door to whole other level. 


38

39 

THE HOME

THE HOME 

DAVID 

ADJAYE 

Architect David Adjaye on how great 

design will transform West Africa’s 

future. 

TEXT BY CAROLINE ROUX / THE TELEGRAPH / 

THE INTERVIEW PEOPLE 

D 

avid Adjaye’s star doesn’t stop rising. 

The Ghanian-British architect had only 

just completed the National Museum of 

African American History and Culture on 

Washington’s National Mall in 2016, when he 

received a knighthood in 2017, and popped 

up on Time magazine’s most influential 100 

the same year. 

Now Sir David, at 51 years old his 

current projects include the New Studio 

Museum in Harlem, the Latvian Museum of 

Contemporary Art in Riga, the Holocaust 

memorial in London (with Ron Arad) and 

a glitzy 61-storey Wall Street tower in 

Manhattan. 

It’s Adjaye - with his old friend Lord 

(Richard) Rogers; the Serpentine Galleries 

artistic director, Hans Ulrich Obrist; and 

its chief executive, Yana Peel - who now 

decides which architect is invited to build 

the Serpentine Pavilion; and his practice is 

one of six charged with the restructuring of 

London’s Lancaster West estate, where the 

Grenfell Tower tragedy occurred. And then 

there’s Accra, Ghana, where his 15-strong 

office is out to reconsider the warp and weft 

of contemporary architecture on the African 

continent. 

So it’s hardly surprising that when the 

young West African architect Mariam 

Kamara received a call from Rolex, the Swiss 

watch company, telling her that she had 

been chosen by Adjaye as his protégée in its 

prestigious mentorship scheme, she had a bit 

of a wobble. 


40

THE HOME 

“I was in Niger, where I’m doing most of 

my work now, and in the car on my way to an 

important client meeting,” says Kamara. “I just 

couldn’t stop crying. When I got to the meeting I 

had to pretend I had allergies, because my face was 

swollen, and then I had to do the meeting all over 

again the next day, because I couldn’t remember a 

thing.” 

Kamara is an engaging, passionate 39-year-old, 

who returned to study architecture after spending 

six very successful years as a software developer 

in New York and Baltimore. “I drew all the time 

as a child, but I come from a family of scientists, 

and so you had to be an engineer or a doctor or 

something. I couldn’t imagine being an artist 

but architecture is somewhere between art and 

science,” she says. 

With Adjaye, famously charming and looking 

very spry after six months on a newly adopted 

vegan diet, she makes an impressive team. “Mariam 

seems to be looking for a new way to make the 

future take shape in her own country. I’m working 

a lot in West Africa, and there’s a great lack of skills 

and confidence there, but extraordinary scope to 

do things. I felt Mariam was someone to support to 

make that happen,” he says. 

41 


THE HOME 

The Rolex mentorship scheme has 

acquired a legendary status since it 

launched in 2002. Pairing masters of 

creativity in the fields of film, dance, 

fine art and more with talented young 

practitioners, Rolex says it is offering the 

“gift of time”. It may sound cheesy, but it’s 

true. 

Masters have ranged from Martin 

Scorsese to ex-Bolshoi Ballet director 

Alexei Ratmansky, whose charge, the 

then-25-year-old American Myles 

Thatcher, used the opportunity to move 

from dancing to choreography. He made 

three new works in a year. 

The selection system involves a long 

list of potential protégés suggested by a 

panel of experts, which is then whittled 

down to three or four. These candidates 

are asked to send a mission statement, 

and the mentor makes his or her choice 

accordingly. 

Adjaye was impressed by work that 

Kamara had already completed in Niger, 

including the conversion of a village 

mosque into a public library. There’s no 

doubt that she has a genuine dedication to 

the development of her country, but then 

one would expect nothing less. Her father 

is its president - though for Rolex, she 

was simply someone who was perfectly 

primed to move her architecture to the 

next level. 

Mentors receive $75,000, and protégés 

$40,000, and expenses are limitless. “If 

we’d wanted to go to the Antarctic, they’d 

have made it happen,” said William 

Kentridge, the South African artist, who 

mentored the Colombian Mateo López 

throughout 2012. 

The original idea was for master 

and apprentice to spend a minimum of 

six weeks together during the course 

of a year. But recently the partnership 

period has been extended to two years, 

after David Chipperfield (the scheme’s 

architecture mentor in 2016) pointed 

out that you can’t even build a house 

extension in a year. 

Adjaye and Kamara have already 

planned a project: a public cultural space 

in Kamara’s home city of Niamey, Niger’s 

capital. “Public space in a Muslim country 

is something to work on,” says Adjaye, 

“particularly public space for women. And 

it’s something Mariam has already given a 

lot of thought to. I’m looking forward to 

seeing through her eyes.” 

While Adjaye has studios in London, 

New York and Accra, and Kamara moves 


42

THE HOME 


THE HOME 


44

THE HOME 

between Rhode Island and Niger, both share a unique focus on Africa. Adjaye has spent the last decade 

travelling to as many of its 54 countries as he could, documenting its urban architecture -colonial, 

vernacular and contemporary - and publishing it in the book Adjaye Africa Architecture in 2011. 

“Africa is a continent of hugely expanding cities, the legacy of some terrible architecture, as well as 

unique and fascinating solutions that derive entirely from local geographic and climactic conditions,” he 

says. “It’s the last ones we need to keep looking at.” 

Kamara, too, is trying to move the goalposts, away from unsuitable emulations of Western housing 

built in concrete (both too hot and too expensive) to a more locally sensitive design. “You need to look at 

the geography and the culture,” she says. “In Niger we cook outside; people drop in unexpectedly all the 

time - these are the things you should accommodate.” 

She has recently completed a group of houses made in earthen bricks with generous roof terraces for 

outdoor sleeping. “But there’s a bit of disguise. People think bricks are poor, so I made them look like 

concrete.” 

First they will take a research trip to Mexico (that’s Rolex’s deep pockets again), where Adjaye has 

some strong relationships. “Mexico has set a great precedent for making a tropical modern architecture, 

which comes out of a colonial context to create its own identity. It’s a good test bed of a country. But we 

mustn’t forget, architecture is not a branding exercise. It’s where people live and function.” 

Kamara agrees. “It’s not sculpture. I think the previous generation got lost in how things looked, but 

for me it’s about making things to be inhabited, and to create aspiration, emotion, experience.” 

As a much younger architect, before he even finished his studies, Adjaye arrived at the office of the 

Portuguese architect Eduardo Souto de Moura. The older man allowed him to learn at his side, often 

inviting him on six-hour drives to Portugal’s rural Alentejo region. 

“He treated me like a colleague and taught me why we do architecture. It’s not for money; it’s to make 

things change,” says Adjaye. Souto de Moura won architecture’s most prestigious prize, the Pritzker, in 

2011. Adjaye’s turn can’t be far off. Kamara is in marvellous company. 


PROPERTY 

NEWS 

THE EDGE MALAYSIA PROPERTY EXCELLENCE 

AWARDS 2018 

TROPICANA ANNOUNCES FINANCIAL RESULTS 

WINNERS OF DRIVE ME HOME CAMPAIGN 

GRAND OPENING OF DALIA RESIDENCES SHOW 

HOUSES 

GLOW IN THE PARK @ TROPICANA AMAN 

Prestigious. Award-winning. 

Quality. Innovative. High 

capital appreciation. 

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 | AWARDS 

THE EDGE MALAYSIA PROPERTY 

EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2018 

29 OCTOBER 2018 

A PROUD MOMENT : 6TH & 7TH FROM LEFT : TAN SRI DATO’ TAN CHEE SING, FOUNDER OF TROPICANA; ACCOMPANIED BY PUAN SRI DATIN 

IVY TAN TOGETHER WITH THE WINNING TEAM FROM TROPICANA CORPORATION BERHAD 

Malaysia’s top property players were acknowledged 

at the prestigious annual Edge Property Excellence 

Awards, which is anchored by The Edge Malaysia Top 

Property Developers Awards. In recent years, this has 

expanded to include sub-awards like The Edge-PEPS Value Creation 

Excellence Awards, The Edge-PAM Green Excellence Award and 

The Edge Malaysia Outstanding Property CEO Award, among 

others. 

At The Edge Malaysia Property Excellence Awards 2018, 

Tropicana Corporation gained top honours as the xxth Top Property 

Developer in Malaysia. These recognitions are awarded based on 

the quantitative and qualitative attributes of the developer, with the 

surety that the quantitative attributes of the developers alone are not 

what earns them the title. With increasingly discerning property 

buyers, quality and innovation are also top criteria. Property 

developers from all over the region came together to make it a night 

of excellence and a celebration of the industry. 


48

EVENTS | PROPERTY NEWS 

TROPICANA ANNOUNCES FINANCIAL RESULTS – 

FIRST HALF (1H) 2018 

23 AUGUST 2018 

According to its financial report, Tropicana Corporation Berhad recorded a 

29.4% increase in the 1H 2018 profit before tax (PBT) to RM 150.4 million 

and an increased net profit of 22.4% to RM 94.7 million. However, revenue 

decreased by 9.6% to RM 734.4 million. During the 1H 2018, Tropicana reached 

unbilled sales of RM1.0 billion with 15 ongoing projects and an existing 

landbank of 923.1 acres. 

With the launch of W Hotel Kuala Lumpur as well as a commercial shop 

lot phase in Kota Kemuning and the fourth landed residential phase in Kajang, 

the developments will contribute positively to the Group’s earnings for the 

remainder of the financial year 2018. 


PROPERTY NEWS | EVENTS 

WINNERS OF DRIVE ME HOME CAMPAIGN 

12 MAY - 6 JULY 2018 

Subang Jaya (27 October 2018) – Tropicana Corporation 

Berhad celebrates its Tropicana Drive Me Home campaign 

finale at its award-winning mixed development, Tropicana 

Metropark, Subang Jaya. The campaign which ran from 12 

May to 6 July rewarded three of its purchasers in celebratory 

fashion. The grand prize winners walked away with three 

Toyota vehicles worth more than RM300K in total, namely a 

Toyota Vios, Toyota Altis and Toyota Camry. 

The grand prize winner, Chew Kai Lee who walked away 

with the Toyota Camry gleefully commented, “I am truly 

happy with the win and still can’t believe I will be driving 

home a brand new car. I look forward to driving the car back 

to my hometown of Ipoh to share the joy with my family”. 

Commenting on her choice of investment in Dalia Residences 

at Tropicana Aman, she said, “The Dalia Residences homes 

have a spacious layout and design which makes it ideal for 

my family.” Another winner, Chee Wai Leong, who went 

home with a Toyota Vios for his purchase of Paisley Serviced 

Residences at Tropicana Metropark, delightfully commented 

on the win saying, “I chose a Tropicana property as it fulfils my 

criteria of a home boasting good quality, security and facilities 

within an environment of convenience and comfort. With this 

purchase, I have now won a car. I am very excited indeed!” 


50

EVENTS | PROPERTY NEWS 

GRAND OPENING OF DALIA RESIDENCES SHOW HOUSES 

13-14 OCTOBER 2018 

Catered for those seeking a healthy, active lifestyle, Dalia 

Residences is a new area located within the walking and bikingfriendly 

community of the Tropicana township. An exclusive 

preview of the new show houses was held its grand opening at 

Tropicana Aman on 13-14 October. Throughout the weekend, 

visitors had the opportunity to experience the modern offerings 

of Dalia Residences. 

This is the fourth landed residential phase of the township 

and comprises 166 units of two-storey semi-d homes, 36 units 

of two-storey zero-lot bungalows and 5 units of two-storey 

bungalows. Each unit comes equipped with the 3S (Smart, Secure 

and Sustainable) automated system which enables homeowners 

to control and monitor lighting, air-conditioning and security 

from their smartphones or tablets. Security is provided by 24-hour 

security patrols, extensive CCTV, perimeter boundary fencing 

and a visitor management system. There were also show units of 

SINARIA 2-Storey Investment-Grade Shop Offices with only 152 

units available within the residential community located in Kota 

Kemuning. 

The showhouses are open for public viewing every day from 

9.30am-6.30pm at Tropicana Aman. 


PROPERTY NEWS | EVENTS 

GLOW IN THE PARK @ TROPICANA AMAN 

13-14 OCTOBER 2018 

Families and kids had great fun at Tropicana Aman on the 

13 and 14 October during the exciting ‘GLOW In The Park’ 

event. Almost 600 attendees gathered at Central Park where 

activities like LED play equipment, LED-lit beetle cars and 

minibuses as well as a LED train drove around the park. 

There was also a light clay workshop, glow in the dark sand 

art and glow in the dark tattoos for the kids to get creative 

with. An array of food trucks offered tasty treats to the 

hungry crowd after the fun and games. The night ended on 

a colourful note with the beautiful fireworks display that lit 

up the night sky above the township of Tropicana Aman. 

TM | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018 52

THE SWING 

UNDER ARMOUR 

Under Armour Versa Spacer Cap 

www.underarmour.com 

PUMA 

Puma Tsugi Jun Baroque Sneaker 

www.globalpuma.com 

FRED PERRY 

Fred Perry Miles Kane 

Polo Neck T-shirt 

www.fredperry.com 

RUN 

ALONG 

NOW 

Keep fit and on your toes between tee off. 

UNDER ARMOUR 

Under Armour Women’s Perpetual 

Run T-shirt with open back 



UNDER ARMOUR 

Under Armour Men’s Speedpocket 

Linerless 6 inch Short 


PUMA 

Puma Leather Shoes 

www.globalpuma.com 

UNDER ARMOUR 

Under Armour Men’s 

Perpetual Pant 



54

THE SWING 


THE SWING 


56

THE SWING 

THE GREEN 

OF DREAMS 

The emerald isle of Ireland has numerous links and 

courses to entice players of all levels. 

TEXT BY REMI DUTTA 

IMAGES BY ISTOCK IMAGES 


THE SWING 

When it comes to golf, Scotland’s long history with the 

game, which dated back to the 15th century, has made 

its courses and links world famous. You cannot think 

of Scotland and golf without considering St Andrew’s 

for example, and playing the Old Course is certainly the stuff of 

bucket lists. 

For all its neighbour’s reputation as the emerald isle and land of 

rolling greens, Ireland’s golf courses remain largely under-rated 

in comparison, and familiar by name and reputation only to the 

most ardent of wanderlust players. 

With tourism one of Ireland’s largest indigenous industries, 

Tourism Ireland has been actively pursuing golfers from around 

the globe and encouraging them and their families to holiday in 

Ireland. “The island of Ireland offers international golfers the 

complete package – with some of the very best golf in the world, 

stunning scenery and the warmest of welcomes,” says Louise 

Finnegan, Tourism Ireland’s Head of Business Partnerships. 

It’s not for nothing Ireland is referred to as ‘the green of 

dreams’. Repeatedly named International Golf Destination of 

the Year by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators 

Ireland boasts world-class courses in some of the most dramatic 

locations you can imagine. 

With more than 300 courses across this fair isle, Ireland has 

naturally become a rich ground that has launched the sporting 

careers of golf champions such as Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke, 

Graeme McDowell, Paul McGinley and Padraig Harrington. To 

play golf in Ireland is to walk in the footsteps of giants. 

Best of all, the island’s golf courses are highly accessible. There 

are fewer than 200 links golf courses in the world; Ireland has 50 

of them, and many are open to all. 

Moreover, no licence or membership is required to play golf in 

Ireland, although you should bring your handicap certificate. All 

you have to do is locate the course of your dream vacation, book 

your tee times and turn up. Alternately you can have this arranged 

on your behalf through a tour operator. Just be sure to check ahead 

for the availability of caddies, carts and golf buggies, particularly if 

you have mobility issues as these services are not always available. 

You won’t have to worry about equipment either. Available to 

pick up upon arrival at Dublin Airport, from Euro 35 for a week, 

Clubs To Hire (clubstohire.com) provides golf equipment so you 

don’t have to fork out for excess or oversize baggage. 

What you will have to pack are golf balls – as you will need 

plenty of those on Ireland’s challenging courses – and suitable 

attire. Traditional dress codes are still common here and many 

will only allow soft spikes, so be sure to bring smart casual gear – 

no jeans, shorts or sneakers – a jacket should you decide to dine in, 

and warmer wear in the colder months. Ireland’s courses are open 

year round, but the best time to play is between April to October 

for its warmer weather and longer days. 

Here’s a short selection of courses and links to entice your next 

foreign golf vacation. 


58

THE SWING 

“With more than 300 courses 

across this fair isle, Ireland has 

naturally become a rich ground 

that has launched the sporting 

careers of golf champions” 

PORTMARNOCK 


THE SWING 

PORTMARNOCK 

Tom Watson has said of Portmarnock that: “There are no 

tricks or nasty surprises, only an honest, albeit searching test 

of shot-making skills.” Now conveniently situated just a short 

train journey or drive from downtown Dublin along the Howth 

Peninsula, this natural links course used to only be accessible by 

boat when it was first founded in 1894. Consisting of three nines 

– yellow, red and blue – on a sandy peninsula that has since hosted 

12 Irish Opens and the Walker Cup . Set on undulating dunes, its 

15th hole of its Championship Course is its most thrilling with 

unfettered views of the sea. 

ROYAL PORTRUSH 

Consisting of two notoriously challenging courses that are at the 

mercy of crosswinds and rain showers, the semi-private Royal 

Portrush in Northern Ireland is currently undergoing a major 

upgrade for the game’s oldest Major, The Open Championship. 

As it is due to open again in time for this prestigious competition 

from July 18 to 21 in 2019, this gives you sufficient time to 

plan ahead. The stomping ground of Rory McIlroy, this link 

course initially opened in 1888 as a small 9-hole, but was quickly 

upgraded to an 18-hole beauty with enchanted views of Antrim’s 

coast on Ireland’s Causeway Coastal Route. 

HOWTH GOLF CLUB 

Set on a hill overlooking Dublin, you won’t find Howth Golf Club on 

any Top 10 Golf Courses list but its convenience (only a 25 minute drive 

from the city centre) and panoramic views over undulating green grass 

and purple heather to Dublin Bay make it worth the trip. Fitness is a 

prerequisite due to its hilly terrain, and patience a must as its blind tee 

shots cause much consternation. Founded in 1916, the heathland links 

was designed by James Braid and includes many highlights such as the 

dog leg design 5th hole and breathtaking 16th tee. 

ROYAL COUNTY DOWN 

ROYAL PORTRUSH 


60

THE SWING 

WATERVILLE GOLF LINKS 

OLD HEAD GOLF LINKS 

A links course whose beauty will drive you to distraction, you’ll 

be advised to keep your eye on the ball when playing at Old Head 

Golf Links in County Cork or you may never see it again. A Tiger 

Woods favourite, nature lovers will be at a distinct disadvantage. 

Located at the southernmost tip of Ireland’s romantic Wild 

Atlantic Way, hares and seabirds are frequently spotted along 

its rocky promontory while humpback whales seasonally frolic 

beyond its cliff top drops in the pounding waves beneath. 

OLD HEAD GOLF LINKS 

WATERVILLE GOLF LINKS 

Appearing on Top 100 Courses in the World lists with regularity, 

Waterville has been blessed with spectacular views over the Ring 

of Kerry and was a firm favourite with late US Open and US PGA 

champion Payne Stewart. Perched on a promontory surrounded 

by sea, its rugged landscape of natural wind-whipped sand dunes, 

native grass and wicked bunkers mood-shifts in synchronicity with 

the temperamental weather that rolls in off the vast Atlantic Ocean. 

Players must be sure to play close to the ground to maintain an edge. 

ROYAL COUNTY DOWN 

A magical links course whose hypnotic charms have flummoxed 

greats like Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson, Royal County Down is 

not one for the faint hearted. Curled like a sleeping dragon under 

shadow of the Mourne Mountains, it is considered by many, PGA 

Tour player Rickie Fowler included, to be the perfect links course, 

a boast cemented by its frequent appearance atop Golf Digest’s 

Top 100 Courses in the World list. A private, by-invitation-only 

members club it consists of the Championship and Annesley links, 

and the scenery of its surrounds has inspired C.S. Lewis to write 

the Narnia Chronicles and attracted the cast and crew of ‘Game Of 

Thrones’ which has shot scenes nearby. 

61 


salvaged timber atelier 

Residential 

Commercial 

Restaurants 

+6012 2499480 (Joey) 

+6012 62063686 (Hotline) 

www.artoftree.my 

artoftree

ADVERTORIAL 

THE ART OF TRANSLUCENCY 

The solid wood furniture specialist is making waves in the industry once more. 

Renowned for their impeccable ways 

of transforming salvaged timber into 

stunning statement pieces, Art of Tree 

have once again pushed the envelope 

with their latest product – the Hologram 

collection. 

As a manufacturer of solid wood 

furniture whose primary source of 

material can be wildly unpredictable in 

terms of size, weight and dimensions, 

founders Jeffrey Yang and Joey Woo 

understand that innovation is necessary 

to make the most of the circumstances. 

With this in mind, Jeffrey drew 

inspiration from American designer 

Greg Klassen’s river table and took 

the design a step further – and the 

Hologram collection was born. 

The original river tables are made 

with two pieces of timber, merged with 

a glass inlay. Jeffrey and Joey decided 

to replace the glass inlay with epoxy 

resin – a material often nicknamed 

“liquid glass” – after experimenting 

with the material for a few years and 

discovering its unique properties. 

Art of Tree have created an original 

layer of material to be placed with the 

transparent resin to form a translucent 

texture, which changes shades under 

different lightings. According to Jeffrey, 

under no light or strong lighting, 

“the texture will seem to glow a bit” 

and becomes less translucent. “This 

happens because the texture is able 

to reflect light, so it gives a more 

interesting effect.” This is great for 

customers who do not want completely 

see-through furniture. The products 

in the collection currently come in the 

classic colours of gold, silver and black 

resin, but the colour can be customised 

on request. 

The furniture in the Hologram 

collection is made up of wood slabs that 

are thinner than a typical Art of Tree 

piece as epoxy resin is a stable material 

and does not change with temperature, 

as how some wood furniture pieces 

do. The material is also expensive, 

so with smaller and thinner slabs the 

possibilities of future types of furniture 

is endless, including “maybe cabinet 

doors, sideboards and more. This is 

how we will expand the Hologram 

collection,” says Jeffrey. 

As a company, Art of Tree thrive on 

creativity and employ their enviable 

skills to produce exquisite pieces of art 

from salvaged timber. 

www.artoftree.my 

63 


THE TIME LOOK | HOT OFF THE RUNWAY 

Eat it up! 

Game on for 

Pac-Man 

timepiece 

CURATED BY REMI DUTTA IMAGES BY RJ WATCHES 

Thanks to the launch of RJ 

Watches' latest PAC-MAN TM 

watch model, our Christmas list 

has gained length. Produced 

in collaboration with Bandai 

Namco Entertainment Inc, 

PAC-MAN Level III displays 

the brand’s playful spirit 

with its unmistakable maze. 

Within the polished 

titanium bezel, Pac-Man sets 

off on a race to chomp ghosts 

and hunt for cherries and 

Pac-Dots. Depicted by crafting 

27 components by hand, which are 

separated into three levels shown on the dial, 

both the game and the timepiece have depth 

thanks to the contrasting finishes of the dial’s 

components, and raised walls filled with black 

lacquer. 

The black dial with a mirror-polished finish 

is a departure from the earlier models and 

looks tight, while articulated lugs secure a blue 

rubber strap that matches the blue accents on 

the dial for extra sharpness. 

Made in a limited series of 80, you had 

better hope you’re in Santa’s good list this year. 

rjwatches.com 


64

THE TIME 

A LOOK AT THE 

JAEGER-LECOULTRE POLARIS 

LINE OF TIMEPIECES. 

Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Memovox 

Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Date 

Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Automatic 

Cinematic Beauty 

Jaeger-LeCoultre, the Venice International Film Festival and 

50 years of the Polaris Memovox. 


IMAGES BY JAEGER-LECOULTRE 

Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Chronograph 

A patron of the arts, Swiss watchmaker 

Jaeger-LeCoultre played the role of official 

partner of the Venice International Film 

Festival for the 14th consecutive year 

recently. 

The brand hosted a dinner at Venetian 

Arsenal to celebrate the art of filmmaking, 

while showcasing a retrospective exhibition of 

185 years of Jaeger-LeCoultre watchmaking. 

Among the guests was film director, David 

Cronenberg who was there to receive the Leone 

d’Oro alla carriera - Venice International Film 

Festival’s annual lifetime achievement award, 

and a personalised Reverso Leone d’Oro alla 

carrier engraved with a lion, the symbolof 

Venice. 

Friends of Jaeger-LeCoultre Daniel Brühl, 

Henry Cavill, Diego Luna and Stefano Accorsi 

all wore watches from the 2018 Jaeger- 

LeCoultre Polaris collection in recognition of 

the 50th anniversary of the Polaris Memovox 

diving watch. 

David was spotted wearing a Jaeger-LeCoultre 

Polaris Date, which closely resembles the original 

Polaris design from 1968 thanks to its Vanilla 

Super-LumiNovaTM dial, date at 3 o’clock, 

mix of Arabic numerals with trapezoid 

shaped markers, railway track minutes and its 

caseback engraved with a scuba diver. 

In the original version, the scuba diver 

helmet engraving was hidden on the inside 

of the caseback, known only to the wearer. 

Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Chronograph WT 


THE LOOK | HOT OFF THE RUNWAY 

THE FINAL 

FRONTIER 

Ride into the sunset with this season's most coveted item. 

COACH 

Coach Reversible Western Parka 

www.coach.com 


66

HOT OFF THE RUNWAY | THE LOOK 

Way Out West 

Rugged looks for the urban cowboy. 

LANVIN 

Lanvin Patchwork 

Embroidered Checked 

Cotton-Flannel Shirt 

www.lanvin.com 

COACH 

Coach Signature 

Neoprene Hoodie 

www.coach.com 

CALVIN KLEIN 

Calvin Klein Oversized 

Distressed Intarsia 

Wool Sweater 

www.calvinklein.com 

COACH 

Coach Rexy & 

Carriage Denim Pant 

www.coach.com 

DOLCE & GABBANA 

Cowboy Patch 

iPhone Case 

www.dolcegabbana.com 

GIVENCHY 

Givenchy Save Our Souls 

Cowboy Boots 

www.givenchy.com 



THE LOOK | CASSEY GAN 

CASSEY 

GAN TAKES 

LONDON 

WORDS BY GRACE YAP 

Cassey Gan studied chemical engineering at university in Australia, 

but her career path took a dramatic turn when she decided to 

pursue her passion for fashion. She then went to London to study 

fashion design and hasn’t looked back. Her graduate collection was 

one of 25 specially selected by the fashion bible that is Vogue Italia 

for their global edition aptly titled ‘Discovering fashion’s future 

generation of talents’. 

Cassey is an innovative maximalist when it comes to prints and 

patterned fabrics, yet style and comfort are always at the forefront. 

Her London Fashion Week Spring / Summer 2019 show was a great 

success, where a vibrant colour palate flawlessly complemented 

traditional plaid and stripes. 


68

CASSEY GAN | THE LOOK 


THE LOOK | HOT OFF THE RUNWAY 

THE DARK 

KNIGHT 

Boss The Scent For Him Black Edition is an intoxicatingly masculine fragrance with notes of ginger, exotic maninka 

fruit and leather and patchouli. Available as an 100ml Eau de Parfum for the man in your life. 


70

HOT OFF THE RUNWAY | THE LOOK 

Heaven Scent 

Scented stocking fillers just in time for Christmas 

MIU MIU L’EAU ROSÉE 

A soft floral scent that sparkles with hints 

of lily of the valley and cassis buds and is 

embraced by spirited musk undertones. 

As a 50ml and 100ml Eau de Toilette. 

www.miumiu.com 

IMITATION BY AMOUAGE WOMAN 

A provocative floral scent, Imitation is a 

luxurious indulgence of rose, ylang ylang 

and jasmine top notes, with a blackcurrant 

and liquorice heart and sensual sandalwood, 

incense and patchouli base. As a 100ml 

Eau De Parfum. 

www.amouage.com 

GUCCI BLOOM ACQUA DI FIORI 

A light green scent that swirls with musky 

galbanum, spicy cassis buds and a floral heart of 

jasmine and tuberose. As a 50ml and 

100ml Eau De Toilette. 

www.gucci.com 

MON GUERLAIN 

A delightful fragrance inspired by an 

unfolding flower, Mon Guerlain is a 

heavenly cloud of sweet sambac jasmine. As 

a 30ml, 50ml and 100ml Eau De Parfum. 

www.guerlain.com 

PHILOSOPHY PURE GRACE NUDE ROSE 

Uncomplicated and feminine, blush rose is 

balanced by the dewy greens of neroli and 

orange flower and cocooned in cedarwood 

and musk. Available in a 60ml bottle. 

www.philosophy.com 

BOSS THE SCENT FOR HER 

Refreshing top notes of pink pepper and green 

mandarin capture the imagination, before a 

heart of freesia and orange blossoms, and base 

of dark roasted cocoa take hold. As a 30ml, 

50ml and 100ml Eau De Toilette. 

www.hugoboss.com 

PHILOSPHY AMAZING GRACE 

BALLET ROSE 

A dreamy ethereal fragrance featuring 

delicate rose, sparkling lychee and peony, 

and layered with sheer pink musk. 

Available in a 60ml bottle. 

www.philosophy.com 



THE LOOK 

F E S T I V E 

I 

It’s the time of the year to attend glittery parties, 

celebrating the festive season and heralding all 

the good things a new year promises. 

N 

E 

R 

Y 


72

THE LOOK 

Pleated Georgette Dress, 

ALIA BASTAMAM 


THE LOOK 


74

THE LOOK 

Sequin Dress, 

MAARIMAIA 


THE LOOK 

Silk Blend Dress With 

Metallic Thread Dress, 

ALIA BASTAMAM 


76

THE LOOK 

Sequin Dress, 

MAARIMAIA 


THE LOOK 


78

THE LOOK 

Sequin Painsuit, 

AFIQ M 

LOCATION ART OF TREE ATELIER 

PHOTOGRAPHY BRIAN FANG M8 STUDIO 

ART DIRECTION NOR HAMIMAH ABDULLAH 

STYLING BLADE DIGITAL MEDIA 

MAKE UP & HAIR JOEY YAP 

MODEL ELENA C @ANDREWSMODELS 


HEALTH | A WORLD OF WELLNESS 


80

A WORLD OF WELLNESS 

| HEALTH 

Let’s Get 

Glowing 

Drop a dress size or look 5 years younger 

with nary a scalpel in sight? It’s possible 

with these non-invasive, near-instant 

result aesthetic medical and dental 

treatments. 

WORDS BY PAMELA D’CRUZ IMAGES BY ISTOCKPHOTO 


HEALTH | A WORLD OF WELLNESS 

“Ultrasonic sound waves 

of up to 30,000 vibrations 

per second to lift dead 

skin cells and jiggle out 

impurities in the skin.” 


82

A WORLD OF WELLNESS 

| HEALTH 

Planning to look your best for Christmas 

gatherings and New Year parties? It’s 

ironic that the seasonal cocktails, binge 

eating and lack of sleep do your skin no 

favours at precisely the time you want to look 

your absolute best. Don’t fret, stress makes it 

worse. Instead, take comfort in these beauty 

fixes and get your party face on. 

Laser Therapy 

Blighted by uneven pigmentation? The 

appearance of brown spots? Or perhaps 

wrinkles and fine lines? Dermatological 

laser therapy might be an answer to your 

problems. Your skin protects you from the 

environment, but repeated exposure to the 

sun, wind and even pollution can, over time, 

cause considerable damage, especially if 

evasive actions like the use of sunblock and 

a hat weren’t taken. In the hands of trained 

professionals, the use of laser therapy can help 

to normalise your skin and treat a multitude of 

conditions. 

Low Level Laser or Light Therapy (LLLT) 

is non-toxic and non-invasive, and uses light 

energy to repair and regenerate skin cells, 

improving the outcome for treated skin 

conditions and increasing the recovery rates 

of the affected tissues. The use of laser therapy 

also boosts collagen production to rid the face 

of fine lines and wrinkles, giving the overall 

appearance of a more youthful mien. Unlike 

the more invasive laser treatments, LLLT has 

no downtime and usually a single session will 

take around 15 minutes, although multiple 

staggered sessions may be recommended. This 

makes it immensely popular for people with 

busy schedules. 

Milk Peel 

Who can forget that scene in ‘Sex And The 

City’ when Samantha returns from having a 

chemical peel treatment at the dermatologist 

looking like a raw hamburger? It would put 

anyone off face peel procedures. But not all peels 

are created equal. A milk peel lacks the abrasive 

qualities that a harsh chemical peel sometimes 

has. Instead a milk peel can be used as a quick 

and easy pick-me-up for dull, tired-looking skin. 

The main ingredients of this therapy are lactic, 

glycolic and sacylic acids, which can gently 

dislodge impurities, clear clogged pores, and 

remove dead skin cells and surface impurities. 

Highly recommended for oily or acne-prone 

skin, over time skin can appear more even, pores 

can appear smaller, your complexion can appear 

brighter and feel softer. 

83 


HEALTH 

Silk Peel Dermalinfusion 

Silky smooth skin is everyone’s dream. A noninvasive 

3-in-1 resurfacing treatment, Silk 

Peel is similar to microdermabrasion in that 

a diamond tip head is used to buff away the 

top layers of skin to remove dry and damaged 

skin cells. What makes it different is that in 

addition to this, it also deep cleanses the skin’s 

surface and your pores through a process of 

extraction, then infuses the upper dermis with 

a carefully chosen serum customised to combat 

particular skin problems. The results of this 

pain-free procedure are immediate radiance and 

volumised skin with lasting results. Ideal for 

sallow or dehydrated skin and skin with a rough 

texture, over time this half-hour application 

can also show improvement in hyper pigmented 

skin, and reduce dark spots, sunspots, fine lines 

and wrinkles, and minimise acne-prone skin. 

Best of all, it can also be applied around the 

delicate eye and lip areas, which are usually 

avoided. 

Thermage FLX 

As you age, the collagen that keeps skin firm 

breaks down resulting in fine lines, wrinkles 

and even sagging skin. The loss of the skin’s 

elasticity used to be treated with surgery but this 

is no longer your only option. Thermage uses 

radio frequency technology to treat wrinkles and 

loose skin on the face, around eyes and body to 

provide subtle skin smoothening, tightening and 

contouring. You’ll feel a sensation of warmth on 

the skin as the heat produced when applied to 

deeper collagen-rich layers of the skin causes it 

to contract and stimulate new collagen growth. 

Results are visible after just one quick 30-minute 

treatment and will improve over time as new 

collagen kicks in to create more firmness. 

Ultrasonic Exfoliation 

The Clarisonic facial brush revolutionised sonic 

cleansing technology when it allowed at-home 

users the convenience of being able to cleanse 

skin six time more effectively than conventional 

methods with a handheld, rechargeable, 

electric-powered, oscillating brush. Ultrasonic 

exfoliation takes this one step further. Swapping 

out the brush with a metal spatula, this common 

spa treatment uses ultrasonic sound waves of 

up to 30,000 vibrations per second to lift dead 

skin cells and jiggle out impurities in the skin, in 

what is essentially an extraction with none of the 

painful prodding and poking that can leave your 

face red. Dirt, oil, excess sebum to clogged pores 

and stubborn blackheads can all be targeted 

and similarly by applying a serum, the device 

can help to maximise absorption. Especially 

beneficial for sensitive or thin skin as it is less 

“The effect is most significant 

two to three months following 

treatment, so if you get 

cracking now you’ll be ready to 

turn heads by the New Year.” 


abrasive than a brush, it can improve clarity and is 

now available to use at home. 

Coolsculpting 

Need to drop a dress size? Tragically you can exercise 

regularly, watch what you eat and still be plagued 

by stubborn hard-to-shift fat. Often concentrated 

around the lower abdomen, under the arms, around 

the armpits, it is also seen in love handles and a 

double chin. CoolSculpting or cryolipolysis is an 

USA FDA approved fat-freezing medical procedure 

that helps get rid of the excess fat cells underneath 

your skin by up to 25 per cent. Downtime is minimal 

and results are natural as the fat is broken down 

by your body over time. For this reason the effect 

is most significant two to three months following 

treatment, so if you get cracking now you’ll be ready 

to turn heads by the New Year. 

Liposonix 

Don’t have two to three months? Well, what if 

we told you that after just one, one-hour Liponix 

session, you can drop a dress or pant size? By 

using High Intensity Focused Ultrasound energy 

(HIFU) rather than low intensity low frequency 

or unfocused energy, clinicians are able to 

penetrate through skin layers and destroy targeted 

subcutaneous fat. Just like Coolsculpting, changes are 

most notable after two to three months when your 

body has had time to naturally process the treated 

fat, but even immediately after treatment a loss of 

up to one inch can be measured, making Liposonix 

a quick, convenient and painless way to slim that 

difficult last inch. 

Teeth Whitening 

As social beings a smile is one of the first things to 

put people at ease, particularly when in unfamiliar 

situations with strangers, like at parties. A 

captivating smile is not only attractive, it has the 

power to instantly transform your face. To flash 

those pearly whites with confidence you’ll not 

only need to keep a regular appointment with 

your dentist for a check up, but you may want to 

consider an in-office teeth whitening procedure. 

Rated the most popular cosmetic dental procedure 

in the world, BriteSmile uses state-of-the-art laser 

technology to brighten your teeth by up to seven 

shades in just one hour. Results vary but this is ideal 

if your teeth are discoloured from consuming coffee, 

tea or red wine, which are high in tannins, or from 

smoking. Your teeth may feel a little sensitive after 

the procedure and you will need to eat only white 

foods for a short period of time, but otherwise teeth 

whitening is quick, convenient and easy to upkeep 

with the right toothpaste and oral habits. 

85

THE SCENE 


86

THE SCENE 


THE COOKBOOK 

DISHES 

TWENTY 7 RESTAURANT 

Tel: 03-7804 8888 (ext 325) 

www.tropicanagolf.com 

OPERATING HOURS 

Monday to Friday 7.00am to 12.00am 

Saturday to Sunday 7.00am to 8.00pm 

ROASTED CHICKEN WITH CHIMICHURRI POTATOES AND PERI PERI SAUCE 

A fulfilling dish that’s ideal for sharing around the table, this juicy chicken is perfectly 

roasted with rosemary, seasoned with salt and pepper, and paired with a spicy and savoury 

peri peri sauce to whet appetites. The potatoes are cooked with a special chimichurri sauce 

to provide a unique twist to simple ingredients. 


88

THE THE COOKBOOK DISHES 

CLUBHOUSE 

Tel: 03-7804 8888 

www.facebook.com/ginshuitei 


Monday to Sunday 

Lunch 12.00pm to 3.00pm 

Dinner 6.30pm to 10.30pm 

G.S.T MAKI 

A tangy peanut sauce is the star of this unique Japanese dish. Crispy 

breadcrumbs and soft-but-firm avocado add a different dimension to the 

Maki dish, while the doubly whammy of prawn and eel make for a delicious 

umami flavour combination. 


THE DISHES 

Clubhouse 

Tel: 03-7805 3935 

BUSINESS HOURS 

11.30am to 3.00pm 

5.00pm to 10.30pm 


Monday to Sunday 

Lunch 

11.30am to 3.00pm 

Dinner 

5.00pm to 10.00pm 

OJINGEO BOKKEUM 

Add a little spice to your festive season with this mouthwatering 

Korean dish. Sweet, succulent squid is quickly stir fried with 

crunchy vegetables in a fiery kimchi-style sauce to ignite 

your tastebuds. 


90

THE THE COOKBOOK DISHES 

CLUBHOUSE 

Tel: 03-7805 3935 

www.jojoitalianrestaurant.com 


Monday to Thursday 

11.00am to 11.00pm 

Friday to Sunday 

11.00am to 1.00pm 

LAMB SHANK WITH ROASTED VEGETABLES 

This classic winter warmer is always a winner. It’s a generous serving of an 

amply propotioned shank of lamb slowly simmered in a hearty stew, and 

paired with a selection of roasted vegetables to round of what is sure to be a 

meal to be remembered. 


THE COOKBOOK 

DISHES 

Lot 413, 4th floor, 

Suria KLCC , 


Tel: 03-2166 9881 

www.taithong.com.my 


Monday to Saturday 

11.30am to 10.30pm 

Sunday and Public Holidays 

10.30am to 10.30pm 

GOLDEN CRISPY PRAWNS WITH CITRUS GLAZE PAN-SEARED RACK OF 

LAMB WITH RAINBOW GARNISH AND JAPANESE SESAME SAUCE STIR-FRIED 

CANADIAN SCALLOPS WITH BLACK TRUFFLE 

Begin with an East meets West fusion of fresh prawns flash fried to a satisfying crunch and 

offset with a sweet and sour citrus glaze. The moreish pan-seared rack of lamb is soft and 

tender to the bite, and perfectly complemented with a sweet sesame sauce. If you’re in the 

mood for more seafood, the stir-fried Canadian scallops with black truffle is an aromatic 

delight that adds just the right amount of indulgence to the meal. 


THE COOKBOOK 


THE COOKBOOK 


94

THE COOKBOOK 

LOCAL, 

SEASONAL 

AND 

SIMPLE 

Why you should get to know Finnish food. 

TEXT BY BY ANNA KAROLINA STOCK, DPA 


THE COOKBOOK 


THE COOKBOOK 

What are the best countries in the world for food? 

You might think of Thai, Mexican or French food. 

But Finnish cuisine? 

The Nordic country's bleak reputation in the kitchen 

doesn't take into account Finns' passion for food while 

remaining true to their culinary roots. Weekly markets 

are full of seasonal products and local delicacies. 

Simon Bajada, a photographer and food writer living 

in Stockholm, has a favourite: Karelian pies, traditional 

rye flour pasties from the eastern Finnish province of 

Karelia. 

Filled with rice, potatoes or carrots, they are spread 

with a mixture of hard-boiled, crushed eggs, salted butter 

and dill while still warm. Rye is also popular in making 

traditional Finnish bread. 

"Rye bread is part of our culture, just like the 

baguette is in France," says Finnish cook Mira Thate. 

"Although you can buy anything in Finland 

nowadays, we like things fresh and down-to-earth," Thate 

continues. 

Finnish cuisine is influenced by traditional country 

fare, which, in contrast to Sweden or Norway, originated 

from a peasant society. 

Common ingredients include potatoes, mushrooms, 

root vegetables, berries, fish and meat. "The basic idea 

behind all Nordic cuisine is to exploit nature's bounty, 

from forests, fields and water," says Margareta Schildt- 

Landgren, who has written a book on Nordic cuisine. 


THE COOKBOOK 

Experienced chefs such as Markus Maulavirta, 

who was the first Finnish chef to be awarded a 

Michelin star, can conjure up a real gourmet menu 

from what nature has to offer. 

To let the natural flavour of the food develop, 

seasoning is kept to a minimum. Salt, pepper, sugar 

and a few garden herbs such as dill and chives are all 

you need, explains Thate. 

Traditionally not big on sauces, Finnish dishes 

are often only prepared with melted butter or stock. 

Even reindeer meat is traditionally served with just 

mashed potato, cranberry sauce and butter. 

Traditionally Finnish food is prepared with castiron 

pots and pans. 

"In contrast to nonstick pans, cast iron ensures 

that the food is cooked or fired evenly and slowly," 

explains Simon Bajada. In addition, whatever you 

cook in a cast-iron pan is naturally enriched with 

iron, be it mushrooms, pancakes or hot-smoked 

salmon. 

Potatoes grow almost everywhere among 

Finland's wild terrain and are a staple food. An 

example of a popular dish is new potatoes with 

herring or fresh fish and wild mushrooms. 

Known as the Land of a Thousand Lakes, fish 

is another popular item on the menu, including 

salmon, trout and herring. 

Over 20 edible berry species grow wild in Finnish 

forests, including the famous cloudberry. The yellow, 

raspberry-like fruit has a unique, slightly bitter taste. 

Schildt-Landgren likes to emphasize this with chili 

and ginger and often makes a chutney with honey 

and cider vinegar. This is best served with smoked 

reindeer or other wild game. 

Still got room for something sweet? Finns love a 

warm cinnamon roll, ideally with a cup of coffee. 

When it comes to alcohol, Finnish cuisine has a 

wide range of homemade spirits such as rosehip or 

cranberry-juniper liquor - cheers! 


98

THE DRINK 

RINGING IN THE NEW, 

CELEBRATING THE OLD 

HENNESSY V.S.O.P. 

CELEBRATES 200 YEARS 


It’s celebration season and what better way to mark the 

occassion than to crack open something truly special. Save 

the champagne for midnight but cognac is the perfect 

tipple to imbibe when considering the year’s end and 

what’s to come. 

The rich russet coloured spirit of choice of European kings 

and kingmakers, today Hennessy V.S.O.P cognac remains a 

drink to be enjoyed slowly and quietly in contemplation. The 

world will change around us, but if Hennessy V.S.O.P. can 

be counted on for anything, it’s its special familiarity and 

consistency in quality. 

To this day, Hennessy’s continually produced cognac 

retains its original, unique character, its quality unaltered 

thanks to the Hennessy master blenders who have passed down 

the secrets of this timeless cognac from one generation to the 

next. Remarkably Hennessy V.S.O.P now celebrates its 200th 

anniverary. 

It was March 1818, when then future king George IV of 

England received his specially commissioned “ tierçon cask of 

excellent quality old pale” from James Hennessy. 


100

THE DRINK 

“Save the champagne for midnight 

but cognac is the perfect tipple to 

imbibe when considering the year’s 

end and what’s to come” 

Though the Hennessy and Fillioux families 

had approached cognac-making differently 

but together up until that point, the creation of 

Hennessy V.S.O.P heralded a new style of cognac 

that would transform the art of cognac making 

forever. It inspired the future “ Very Superior Old 

Pale” designation, and since that first delivery, 

Hennessy V.S.O.P has remained the ideal 

expression of a perfectly balanced cognac. 

Over the next two centuries, as the world was 

being transformed, Hennessy V.S.O.P remained 

true to its roots. Now for this 200 year milestone, 

the house of Hennessy is paying tribute to the 

legacy of Hennessy V.S.O.P with a timelessly 

forward-looking spirit. 

The original cognac bottle, known as the 

“charentaise”, dates back to the mid-19th century. 

For Hennessy V.S.O.P.’s 200th anniversary, 

Hennessy has rethought the architectural, slopeshouldered 

charentaise in a limited edition carafe. 

Archival design elements, notably the house’s 

vine leaf motif and vintage stamps, inspired by 

the cognac’s original label, have been retained. 

This homage to the past comes in a distinctly 

modern coffret in brushed aluminum bearing 

words excerpted from King George IV’s request 

for a “ very superior old” cognac to connect the 

present with the past. 

The use of copper-colored embellishment 

nods to the traditional alembics used to distill 

Hennessy’s eaux-de-vie. Elsewhere its handle, 

in full-grain natural leather, which will take on 

the patina of time, recalls the aprons worn by 

“ coopers ”, the artisans who craft barrels from 

staves of aged oak. The result is a worthy visual 

addition to any sophisticated cocktail cabinet and 

a coveted spirit to savour deserving of ceremony. 





CRAZY 

TALENTED 

ASIANS 

Henry Golding and Gemma Chan on how 

Crazy Rich Asians is opening new doors for 

Asian stories and talent. 

TEXT BY ALICE VINCENT / THE TELEGRAPH / THE INTERVIEW PEOPLE 

103 



T 

wo years ago, director Jon M Chu 

faced the biggest deadline of his 

career. He had ten days to present 

a blockbuster-worthy, all-Asian 

cast to Warner Bros, the studio that was 

financing his adaptation of Kevin Kwan’s 

bestseller Crazy Rich Asians, and he 

didn’t have a leading man. 

After fruitless auditions in Los 

Angeles and China, Chu was given a tip 

from an accountant in the film’s Malaysian 

production office: while reading 

Kwan’s brilliant book, she had imagined 

a particular man as the book’s suave and 

sophisticated protagonist – the Britishraised 

son of a Malaysian woman who 

presented travel documentaries on 

Malaysian TV and whom she had once 

seen hosting an awards ceremony in 

Kuala Lumpur. His name was Henry 

Golding. He had never acted before, 

but when Chu met him, he thought 

he was perfect. 

This is the kind of fairytale story 

that Crazy Rich Asians seems to 

generate. The romcom is the first 

Hollywood film to be made with a 

near-entirely Asian cast since The 

Joy Luck Club in 1993. Golding plays 

Nick Young, the heir to a Singaporean 

dynasty who has moved to New York 

to escape the gilded cage of his privileged 

life. When he whisks his Asian- 

American – and wholly unprepared – 

girlfriend, Rachel, back to Singapore, 

she meets with the disapproval of his 

family. 

Like the superhero film Black 

Panther, Crazy Rich Asians has 

proved that when Hollywood puts 


104


“Like the 

superhero film 

‘Black Panther’, 

‘Crazy Rich Asians’ 

has proved that 

when Hollywood 

puts diversity on 

screen, it pays off” 




106


diversity on screen, it pays off at the box 

office: within three weeks of its US release, 

it became the highest-grossing Hollywood 

romcom since 2009’s The Proposal, with box 

office takings of US$120 million. In UK, it was 

due to open in November, but the feverish 

response has seen the release date brought 

forward by six weeks. 

Gemma Chan, beloved for parts such as Anita 

on UK Channel 4’s Humans, plays Astrid, 

Nick Young’s most relatable billionaire 

cousin. Chan plays her with such dexterity and 

sympathy that she’s become a fan favourite. 

The film has given both Golding and Chan a 

profile they would never have achieved in the 

British entertainment industry. In fact, for 

years, neither imagined someone with their 

background would ever be able to enjoy a 

successful acting career, either in Hollywood 

or the UK. 

Golding, 32, grew up among the beaches 

and jungles of Malaysia until he emigrated 

with his parents to Surrey at the age of nine. 

He attended his local comprehensive in 

Redhill and worked as a hairdresser for a 

couple of years. But, at the age of 21, he 

decided to pursue a broadcasting career – 

and moved to Kuala Lumpur. 

“ I was overwhelmed by the idea of being an 

Asian in a predominantly white society with 

white faces,” he says of trying to make it on 

the British small screen. “ I didn’t know how to 

begin to get into that. But I knew Malaysia and 

Southeast Asia.” 

Hollywood has a poor record when it comes 

to nurturing Asian actors. Every studio, bar 

one, passed on the option to produce The 

Joy Luck Club – in spite of Amy Tan’s 1989 

novel shifting 275,000 copies the year it was 

published. Some industry figures even said the 

film would be confusing, because audiences 

wouldn’t be able to tell the Asian actors apart. 

The problem persists today. An adaptation 

of Flash Boys, the 2014 bestseller about the 

Investors Exchange, failed to get made because 

studios struggled to come up with an Asian 

actor who could play Brad Katsuyama, the 

IEX co-founder. Whitewashing – casting white 

actors in non-white character roles – continues 

to be considered acceptable: Scarlett Johansson 

took the lead in Japanese action film Ghost in 

the Shell last year, while Londoner Ed Skrein 

was cast as Japanese-American character Ben 

Daimio in a new version of Hellboy (although 

Skrein later stepped down from the role). 

Golding is already aware of the impact he’s 

having as a mixed-race leading man. “There’s 

going to be an entire generation of kids who, 

when they get asked their nationality, are 

going to be able to say, ‘ I’m mixed, like Henry 

Golding, that actor’. There was no one with 

mixed heritage when I was trying to explain to 

kids at school, who were asking, ‘What are you, 

are you a Paki, are you a Chinky?’ I got it in 

my head that I was half-caste, and that was the 

worst description you could call somebody, but 

I didn’t know any better.” 

Chan, meanwhile, was warned off acting by 

her Hong-Kong-born father on the grounds 

that there were so few prominent Asian faces 

on film. “As a little girl I didn’t want to feel any 

different,” she says. “ It would have made a real 

107 



difference seeing a family like mine on screen.” 

Three decades on, despite being one of its 

stars, Chan says watching ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ 

really touched her. “I found it emotional seeing 

characters who looked like my family. It was 

moving to see the food that I ate when I was 

younger.” 

‘Crazy Rich Asians’ was mostly filmed in 

Kuala Lumpur. The film drips with money 

– lavish palaces, glittering skyscrapers and 

enough frocks to rival ‘Sex and the City’ – but 

it is also undeniably Asian: dumpling-making 

and Mahjong games provide the settings for 

crucial conversations, and songs including 

‘Material Girl’ and Coldplay’s ‘Yellow’ have 

been covered by Chinese artists. 

While the film has been heralded as a 

breakthrough for Asian audiences and actors 

– Chan says “two or three projects” with Asian 

leads have been greenlit since the release of 

the film – there has also been a backlash from 

people arguing that it is too limited in its 

presentation of Singaporean people. 

Golding rejects that criticism in typically 

forceful fashion. “This is one movie, focusing 

on a fictional 0.001 per cent of a society of 

rich people,” he says. “People complain, saying, 

‘We’re not all like that’ and, well, it’s a fictional 

movie! Take it for what it is. Celebrate the fact 

that there are Asians on screen. This is one 

small movie that opens that door for other 

stories.” 

If nothing else, it seems certain we’ll be 

seeing more of Golding. He’s already being 

mooted as the next James Bond. When I 

raise the matter, he utters the first mediamanaged 

line of our interview: “To be 

categorised as something in a role that is 

such a strong cultural pop reference is an 

honour. I’ll leave it at that.” 

But Golding would make a very good 

007: he has the polished confidence of 

a British gentleman and wears a suit so 

well that Tom Ford personally requested 

Golding’s presence at his New York 

Fashion Week show – the designerdirector 

has also been named as a 

contender to take over the next Bond film 

after Danny Boyle’s exit. 

Crucially, he’s young enough to 

carry the role for at least a decade. An 

Asian James Bond? Crazier things have 

happened. 

“Whitewashing 

casting white 

actors in nonwhite 

character 

roles –continues 

to be considered 

acceptable” 


108


she was cast in the role that would make her 

a household name. Her role as Rachel Chu 

on Crazy Rich Asians has garnered her global 

recognition and she looks set to become a bona 

fide rom-com staple. 

Filmography: The Sound Of My Voice, 

Stephanie Daley, Fresh Off The Boat (TV 

series). 

LEADING 

LADIES OF 

CRAZY RICH 

ASIANS 

TAN SRI MICHELLE YEOH 

Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh is one of the most 

prolific Asian actresses of our time. She 

trained at the Royal Academy of Dance 

with the hopes of becoming a prima 

ballerina, but due to injury focused on 

drama and choreography instead. She 

began in a TV commercial with Jackie 

Chan after winning the Miss Malaysia title 

in 1983, after which she became known 

as the ‘queen of martial arts’ in the Hong 

Kong movie scene due to her athletic 

talent and tenacity. An incredibly versatile 

actress, she has played roles ranging from 

warrior goddess and action heroine to the 

impeccable Eleanor Young in Crazy Rich 

Asians with ease. 

Filmography: Crouching Tiger, Hidden 

Dragon, Tomorrow Never Dies, Memoirs 

Of A Geisha, The Lady, Guardians Of The 

Galaxy, Star Trek Discovery. 

CONSTANCE WU 

American-born Constance Wu showed her 

comedic prowess playing Jessica Huang, 

in the ongoing sitcom Fresh Off The Boat. 

She began acting in a local theatre in her 

hometown, then moved to New York at 

16 to attend the famous Lee Strasberg 

Theatre Institute. Initially, she worked in 

theatre, but it wasn’t long before film work 

beckoned, and she starred in several indie 

productions. TV work followed and in 2014 

AWKWAFINA (NORA LUM) 

Of Korean and Chinese descent, New York 

native Awkwafina is fast becoming one of the 

funniest ladies in showbusiness as seen with 

her recent stint hosting Saturday Night Life. 

She provided brilliant comic relief as Peik Lin 

in Crazy Rich Asians and is known for her sharp 

sense of humour especially when she addresses 

Asian stereotypes. Nora Lum adopted her alter 

ego Awkwafina at 16 to pursue her rap career 

and she has had several hits with her cheeky 

tracks. She trained in classical and jazz music 

and majored in journalism and women’s 

studies at university. 

Filmography: Dude, Neighbours 2: Sorority 

Rising, Ocean’s 8, Paradise Hills. 

GEMMA CHAN 

Her ethereal beauty is obvious, but it 

would be a fallacy to think that her looks 

are her biggest asset. Gemma Chan’s 

parents were from Hong Kong and China 

and she was born in London. She read law 

at Worcester College at Oxford and was 

offered a job upon graduation but decided 

to pursue acting at the Drama Centre 

instead. She worked as a model to pay 

for drama school and was cast in several 

popular British TV series; and is classically 

trained in violin and piano. Her role as 

Astrid in Crazy Rich Asians was tailor-made 

for her and she will soon be seen in Mary 

Queen of Scots and Captain Marvel. 

Filmography: Fantastic Beasts And 

Where To Find Them, Transformers: The 

Last Knight, London Fields, Humans (TV 

series). 

LISA LU 

25 years ago, a wonderful film was 

made about four Asian women and the 

daughters they raised in America. It was 

an astute study in contrasting cultures 

and a rarity as it featured an all-Asian cast. 

Beijing-born Lisa Lu played one of the lead 

roles in The Joy Luck Club, and it was only 

fitting that she was cast as the matriarch 

in Crazy Rich Asians, the second Hollywood 

film to feature an all-Asian cast! At 91, she 

has lost none of the elegance and talent 

that made her a pioneer in the American 

film industry as well as one of the first 

Asian actresses to make it big; and she 

looks to have a few more films up her 

sleeve. 

Filmography: The Last Emperor, The Joy 

Luck Club, General Hospital (TV series), 

Dangerous Liaisons, 2012. 


THE DRIVE | NEWS 

Ferrari Monza 

SP1 and SP2 unveiled 


IMAGES BY FERRARI 

The new Ferrari Monza SP1 and SP2 

were recently unveiled at the Ferrari 

factory in Maranello, and if they don’t get 

your heart racing, then it’s likely that you’re 

already dead. 

These limited-edition special-series 

beauts are the first in a new segment 

called ‘Icona’. Aimed at dedicated clients 

and collectors, the Monza SP1 and SP2 

are the sexiest combination of old and 

new, drawing inspiration from the most 

evocative Ferraris of the 1950s while 

featuring the most advanced sports car 

technology available today. 

The architecture of the two cars is based 

on a monolithic form with an aerodynamic 

wing profile where the complete absence of 

a roof and windscreen gave the designers 

the freedom to create unique proportions 

that would not have been possible on a 

traditional spider. 

Born of a single pencil stroke, to convey 

an ideal of timeless elegance, minimalist 

form and refined detail, a radical choice 

was made for the design of the cars’ compact 

doors, which open upwards. Equally 

important is the all-carbon-fibre one-piece 

bonnet-wing assembly, which is hinged at 

the front to showcase the imposing V12 

engine once open. 

A single and double seater respectively, 

the Monza SP1 and SP2 feature a unique 

design with the best weight-to-power ratio 

of any barchetta, thanks to the extensive 

use of carbon-fibre in construction, and 

distinctive details, such as head-and taillights, 

wheels and interior. Equipped with 

the most powerful engine Maranello has 

ever built, a 810 cv V12, they can sprint 

from 0-100 km/h in 2.9 seconds and 0- 200 

km/h in 7.9 seconds. 

One of the greatest challenges in their 

design was managing the aerodynamic 

flows inside the cockpit in the absence 

of a windscreen. The solution was the 

innovative patented “Virtual Wind Shield”. 

Luxury brands, Loro Piana and Berluti 

have created elegant gentlemen-driverinspired 

apparel and accessories for new 

owners to ensure freedom of movement 

while driving. And because if you drive a car 

like this, you had better well look the part. 

Specifications 

Engine type V12 – 65° 

Overall displacement 6496 cm3 

Maximum power 

output 

603 kW 

(810 cv) at 8500 

rpm 

Maximum torque 

719 Nm at 

7000 rpm 

Length 

4657 mm 

Width 

1996 mm 

Height 

Dry weight 

1155 mm 

1500 kg (SP1), 

1520 kg (SP2) 

0-100 km/h 2.9 sec 

0-200 km/h 7.9 sec 

Max. speed 

>300 km/h 


110

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AT KOTA DAMANSARA 

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

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

LIST OF SERVICES 

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Air Cond Service and Maintenance 

Programming and Adaptation using latest STAR Diagnostic Compact 4 and BMW 

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Braking System ABS/ETS/ASR/SBC/ABR 

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Prominent Autotech Sdn Bhd 

No 8-E, Jalan Teknologi, Pusat Teknologi Sunsuria 

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

Fax: +603-6150 5369 

Email: enquiry@prominentautotech.com.my 


Monday to Friday, 8.30am - 5.30pm 

Saturday, 8.30am - 3pm 

Closed on Sunday and Public Holidays 

www.prominentautotech.com.my

THE DRIVE 


112

THE DRIVE 

The best 

things 

come 

in small 

packages 

Groovy, sporty and fierce, 

MINI returns with new MINI Cooper 

S 3 Door, 5 Door and John Cooper 

Works variants of its classic. 

TEXT BY MUNA NOOR 

IMAGES BY MINI MALAYSIA 


THE DRIVE 

You can’t hold a good idea down. 

First created on August 26, 1959 

in Great Britain, the MINI was 

more than just a car. It became 

an icon. Designed by Sir Alec Issigonis, 

the MINI was in its purest form a car that 

was creative, focused, agile and appealing 

to everyone. It soon took on celebrity-like 

appeal in the history of pop culture. It 

was a performer, and grabbed attention 

for its world-class performances at the 

Monte Carlo rallies, sealing its place in 

the pages of automotive and motorsports 

history. 

With its deeply human appeal in its 

looks and visceral driving experience, 

Malaysian drivers were just as beguiled 

by this nifty compact car as the rest of the 

world. Since the introduction of the third 

generation MINI in 2014, more than 

1,500 units were delivered in Malaysia, 

Kidd Yam, Head of MINI Malaysia, 

revealed at the launch of MINI’s latest 

permutations. 

MINI fans will be pleased to know 

that the new MINI Cooper S 3 Door, 5 

Door and John Cooper Works versions 

stay faithful to the car’s legendary roots, 

but have set even loftier ambitions with 

new benchmarks for emotive design, 

clever functionality and signature gokart 

handling. Design elements including 

some surprising use of the MINI logo and 

Union Jack, and for the first time LED 

headlamps with daytime running lights, 

distinguish the latest alliterations from 

those of the past. 

Redesigned for greater brightness, 

all headlights have been enhanced with 

full LED technology. The front beams 

are powered by Bi-LED lights, and at 

a flick of the indicator will switch the 

LED daytime running lights to the LED 

indicators. The kicker is the energysaving 

rear lights, which – wait for it 

– light up to sport a stylised Union Jack. 

No mistaking the heritage of the MINI 

with those. Inspired additions like the 

MINI Logo Projection, which beams 

MINI’s new streamlined “flat design” logo on 

the ground every time the driver steps in and 

out of the vehicle is an unnecessary but nice 

touch. 

That quirky approach to its aesthetic 

heritage and inherent expectation that a 

car isn’t just an object that transports you 

from A to B but an extension of its owner’s 

personality has been a hallmark of MINI. 

A champion of personalisation, here in 

Malaysia MINI has upped the ante with the 

introduction of the award-winning MINI 

Yours Customised Accessories. A first for 

Southeast Asia, MINI buyers in Malaysia can 

now retrofit components such as side scuttles, 

cockpit facia, LED Door Sills Finishers 

and LED Door Projector to specifications. 

At the click of the mouse (the MINI Yours 

Customised Services can be designed and 

ordered at www.yours-customised.mini), 

a new MINI owner can select between 

various colours, patterns, surfaces, icons 

and even incorporate their own text – a 

sonnet perhaps? – into the final design. That 

near limitless potential for unique design 

outcomes has already grabbed the attention 

of the German Design Council. 

If all that sounds superficial, then fasten 

your seatbelts. MINI hasn’t forgotten the 

thrill of its go-kart driving capabilities. The 

new MINI Cooper S 3 Door, 5 Door and John 

Cooper Works come with the latest engines 

and transmissions from the BMW Group 

inside. 

Both the new MINI Cooper S 3 Door 

and MINI Cooper S 5 Door are powered by a 

2.0-litre 4-Cylinder MINI TwinPower Turbo 

Engine and deliver up to 192HP and 280Nm 

of torque with a top speed of 235km/h. This 

allows the new MINI 3 Door to go from 0 

to 100km/h in 6.7 seconds with a combined 

CO2 emission of 125 g/km and combined 

fuel consumption of 5.5l/100km. The new 

5 Door is only 0.1 second slower at 6.8 

seconds. Its combined CO2 emission is 128 

g/km and its combined fuel consumption 

is 5.6l/100km. The two variants are also the 

first MINIs in the family to be equipped with 

the 7-Speed Dual Clutch transmission and an 

electronic gear shifter. 

This 7-Speed Dual Clutch Steptronic 

Sports transmission consists of two subtransmissions 

to ensure no delays and 

more comfort in shifting gears. With subtransmission 

1 aligned for gears 2, 4, 6 and 

the reverse, and sub-transmission 2 for gears 

1, 3, 5 and 7, this means that the next gear 

will always have been pre-engaged on the 


114

THE DRIVE 

THE NEW MINI 5 DOOR 

other sub-transmission, and is helped by the 

purely mechanical function of the torque 

converter. Additionally, the newly designed 

electronic selector lever ensures that the gear 

always returns to its original position after 

changing between driving mode D, neutral 

position N, and reverse mode. 

In a class of its own is the new MINI 

John Cooper Works. Powered by a 2.0-litre 

4-Cylinder MINI TwinPower Turbo Engine, 

which generates 231hp and 320Nm of 

torque, this baby can sprint from 0 to 100 

km/h in 6.1 seconds. Reaching a top speed of 

246km/h, it has an efficiency of 6.0l/100km 

of fuel and a combined CO2 emission of 137 

g/km. 

The 8-Speed Steptronic Sports Automatic 

transmission enables the MINI John Cooper 

Works model to be sportier, more efficient 

and comfortable due to the smaller engine 

speed steps. Gears can be shifted manually 

through the steering wheel paddles, as should 

be the case in a tuned car, and its Standard 

Adaptive Suspension enables a more 

controlled and precise handling. 

None of the impressive performance 

figures detract MINI from its mission of 

being green. Notably, the engine sports a 

cover of Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic 

(CFRP), which makes it 13% lighter, with an 

overall reduction of up to eight kilogrammes in 

total weight. This impressive streamlining has 

contributed to improving fuel consumption, 

and coupled with its expanded gears and 

bigger gearshift spacing, has also accounted 

for its smaller CO2 emissions. 

“Fasten your 

seatbelts. MINI 

hasn’t forgotten 

the thrill of its 

go-kart driving 

capabilities.” 


THE DRIVE 



116

THE DRIVE 

In the new MINI variants, the Coasting 

experience, previously only available via 

MINI’s GREEN mode, is now possible in 

MID mode too. This feature intuitively 

shifts the engine to idle when the driver’s 

foot is off the accelerator pedal while 

cruising. Going that much further, the 

John Cooper Works version, which is 

MSA Connected, provides further fuelsaving 

functions with its intelligent 

auto start-stop system, which essentially 

decides whether the car would be more 

efficient with its engine switched off or 

running. 

And now to the accoutrements 

Inside, all three new MINI Cooper 

models prioritise digital convenience 

with their Touch Screen Display with 

Navigation. Capable of being operated 

via MINI Controller, the Cooper S 3 Door 

and 5 Door carry a 6.5” high-resolution 

display, while the John Cooper Works 

version, larger at 8.8”, comes with Head- 

Up Display and is enabled with navigation 

and Natural Language Recognition for 

more intuitive control through voice 

commands. Given that a MINI is often 

larger than perceived – that’s the power 

of branding for you – the new rear view 

Camera and existing Park Distance 

Control help to overcome the challenges 

of reversing a MINI in and out of tight 

spots. 

Conveniences such as MINI Connected 

enable owners to integrate their smart 

phone, smart phone apps and MINI 

Connected App into their vehicle. The 

latter lets you check fuel consumption, 

fuel range and last known location. 

The John Cooper Works version takes 

“Remember the 

mood ring? The 

interior is backlit 

by the MINI Yours 

Illuminated 

Cockpit, with a 

display that lights 

up with a stylised 

Union Jack, and a 

whopping choice 

of 12 colours 

to play with, 

presumably one 

for every mood or 

month.” 

it one step further with the introduction 

of Wireless Charging for Mobile Phones, 

which automatically charges your phone 

when placed on the wireless charging station 

in the centre armrest. 

Other interesting innovations in the 

new MINI John Cooper Works is the handy 

MINI Find Mate, which allows owners to 

attach wireless tracking tags to important 

belongings, such as bags, cases and key rings. 

Once these items are out of range, owners 

will receive a notification from the MINI 

Connected app, showing the last known 

location of the item. 

For rally car appeal, the new MINI John 

Cooper Works interior features Dinamica 

Leather John Cooper Works racing seats, 

accentuated by Chili Red colour lines, an 

anthracite headliner, and stainless-steel 

pedals. Prospective buyers have a choice of 

four colours for the exterior: Rebel Green; 

Midnight Black with red roof; Pepper 

White with red roof; and Chili Red with 

black roof. Also sharpening up the exterior 

for an aggressive look that befits its racing 

pedigree are a new Piano Black trim, 18” 

John Cooper Works Cup Spoke 2-Tone, and 


THE DRIVE 


John Cooper Works bonnet stripes. The 

panoramic sunroof is optional. 

Almost as mean is the MINI Cooper 

S 5 Door’s high gloss 17” John Cooper 

Works track spoke in black, which were 

exclusively developed for optimum weight 

support and fitted with run-flat tyres. 

Its new standard feature John Cooper Works 

Aerodynamic Kit with eye-catching rear spoiler 

isn’t too shabby either. In terms of interior 

finish, the new MINI Cooper S 5 Door offers 

Leather Cross Punch Carbon Black and Black 

Chequered Interior Style, while outside the new 

MINI 5 Door comes in six colours and seven 

options – Chili Red, Pepper White, Emerald 

Grey, White Silver, Starlight Blue and British 

Racing Green paired with black roof, and Chili 

Red with white roof. 

In contrast, the new MINI Cooper S 3 Door 

will appeal to classic MINI fans most and can 

best be described as ‘Groovy, baby’. 

Remember the mood ring? Fitted 

out with Leather Cross Punch in Carbon 

Black, its interior is backlit by the 

MINI Yours Illuminated Cockpit, with 

a display that lights up with a stylised 

Union Jack, and a whopping choice of 

12 colours to play with, presumably one 

for every mood or month. The options 

are almost as myriad on the outside, 

with seven colours and eight options 

to pick from: Chili Red, Pepper White, 

Solaris Orange, White Silver, Starlight 

Blue, Thunder Grey and British Racing 

Green paired with a black roof, or 

Chili Red paired with a white roof. The 

striking 17” Cosmos Spoke in black with 

rims in a high-gloss finish and deep 

black paint effect are the icing on the 

cake. 

The estimated recommended 

retail prices, on the road for personal 

registration, without insurance, for the 

new MINI variants, with MINI 4 Years 

Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free 

Scheduled Service are 

The New MINI Cooper 

S 3 Door RM 226,888 

The New MINI Cooper 

S 5 Door RM 236,888 

The New MINI John Cooper 

Works Hatch RM 283,888 

All are covered by MINI Malaysia’s 5 Years 

Roadside Assistance programme, with a 

comprehensive list of services that include a 

24-hour, 365-days-a-year Accident and Help 

on the Phone and On the Spot Hotline, free 

towing services, and when needed (for over 

200km from residential home) replacement 

vehicle, Seamless Mobility, Accommodation, 

Mobility Services Solutions as well as 

repatriation services. 

www.mini.my 


118

THE DRIVE 


THE VACATION | NEWS 


CAPE FAHN HOTEL, 

KOH SAMUI, THAILAND 

At time of print Cape Fahn Hotel was due to open in 

October. The 22-room property is set on a private island, 

separated from Koh Samui by a small, walkable shallow 

channel caressed by the tropical sun. Influenced by 

traditional Thai architecture, each villa has a large plunge 

pool complete with private sun deck and decorated with 

plenty of natural wood complimented by a sea-inspired 

colour palette. Spend the day relaxing at your villa or hop 

on a boat or paddleboard and go exploring. The reward at 

the end of your day – an evening of fine dining at the Cape 

Fahn Hotel restaurant, followed by a drink or two under a 

canopy of stars. 

www.slh.com/capefahn 


120

NEWS | THE VACATION 

THE LIMING BEQUIA, ST. VINCENT & 

THE GRENADINES 

Few Malaysians make for as far as the 

Caribbean, but those that do are adequately 

rewarded with rest and relaxation. Doing 

nothing is an art form in Bequia (Bek-way) 

and is the philosophy at The Liming. Channel 

pure escapism in one of the nine spacious, 

stylish villas including the Gingerlily, a 

five-bedroom mansion house. Spend days 

lounging beside your private infinity pool or 

the refreshingly peaceful beach. Those with a 

thirst for adventure could board a hand-built 

schooner for a day trip to Mustique, or head 

into Port Elizabeth, with its colourful wooden 

houses and bustling produce markets. 

www.slh.com/liming 

ROCKLIFFE HALL, DURHAM, 

UNITED KINGDOM 

Rockliffe Hall recently launched its latest exciting 

addition – Mischmasch. The ‘wonderland of 

curiosities’, set within one and a half acres of 

woodland, offers an enchanting space in which 

children (and big kids) can play and explore. 

There are six arctic pods nestled beneath the 

trees, an eco-adventure playground and an 

interactive water feature. Mischmasch gets 

‘curiouser and curiouser’ as you move out of 

the pods and into a wide-open space featuring 

climbing frames, slides, tennis courts and the 

water feature where children can run in and out 

of jets of water. What better way to keep the kids 

occupied and the adults enchanted. 

www.slh.com/rockliffehall 

MANDARIN ORIENTAL HYDE PARK, 

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM 

There’s nothing like Christmas in London. 

With upscale shopping district Knightsbridge 

and Harrods on its doorstep and leafy Hyde Park 

at its rear, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park must be 

one of the most prestigious London addresses on 

Santa’s list. The property recently completed the 

most extensive restoration in its 115-year history. 

Internationally renowned designer, Joyce Wang, 

has overseen the design of all guest rooms, 40 

suites and public areas, taking inspiration from 

the hotel’s royal heritage, as well as the glamour 

of the early 20th century’s Golden Age of 

travel with art deco-inspired features including 

carefully curated artworks, and custom-designed 

furniture, while New York designer Adam D. 

Tihany has overseen the redesign of the its spa. 

With Bar Boulud and award-winning restaurant 

Dinner by Heston Blumenthal on the premises, 

Christmas dinner and ringing in the New Year 

will an occasion to remember. 

www.mandarinoriental.com 

KASBAH TAMADOT, ASNI, MOROCCO 

Protravel International recently listed “disconnecting” as its top trend in luxury travel. 

Kasbah Tamadot in Morocco is known for its tranquil setting and ‘unplugged’ atmosphere. 

Part of Richard Branson’s Virgin Limited Edition award-winning collection of unique 

retreats, the exotic Kasbah Tamadot just outside of Asni has transformed a once crumbling 

hillside fortress into a garden of Eden. There are 18 opulent rooms and nine luxurious Berber 

tents, each individually decorated and all facing the imposing Atlas Mountains and dramatic 

rust red valley. Puan Sri Tiara Jacqueline is purported to have stayed here, inspiring her own 

tented glamping retreat, Tiarasa Escapes. 

www.virginlimitededition.com 


THE VACATION 

CROATIA GETS 

READY FOR 

ITS CLOSE UP 

Move aside Emilia Clarke and Kit Harrington, the 

setting for fantasy drama ‘Game of Thrones’, this 

Central European country is a star in its own right. 

TEXT BY THOMAS BREMSER / DPA / THE INTERVIEW PEOPLE 

IMAGES BY ISTOCK IMAGES 


122

THE VACATION 

DUBROVNIK 

“The first time we 

saw Dubrovnik, 

I was in shock, 

because the 

whole city really 

looked the way 

we pictured King’s 

Landing.” 

M 

Medieval fortifications, Gothic 

palaces, a picturesque harbour – the old 

centre of Dubrovnik would seem stuck 

in time, but for the countless tourists 

sporting sandals and selfie sticks. 

For a few weeks each year, the Pearl of the 

Adria is transformed into another world – the 

world of the fantasy saga ‘Game of Thrones’. 

At the time of writing, a seventh season is 

starting up, and once again the Croatian city 

of 40,000 is the setting for the fictional city 

of King’s Landing. The narrow streets of the 

old town centre are made as if down to the last 

detail for the capital of the Seven Kingdoms. 

Key scenes from the prize-winning television 

series based on the books by George R R 

Martin are filmed through the city’s centre. 

“The first time we saw Dubrovnik, I was in 

shock, because the whole city really looked the 

DUBROVNIK 

way we pictured King’s Landing looking,” 

says David Benioff, one of the series’ 

authors and producers. 

Dubrovnik’s historical centre, which 

is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was 

especially prominent in the fifth season’s 

final gut-wrenching episode, when 

Queen Cersei of the House of Lannister, 

played by Lena Headey, must walk naked 

through the streets to atone for her 

adulterous sins, a walk of atonement. 

The shoot took four whole days, 

costing some US$200,000. The costs to 

produce the fantasy saga are immense. 

While the studios are in Belfast, 

Northern Ireland, many of the location 

settings are in Spain and Croatia. Crews 

must coordinate work and keep changing 

locations. 

DUBROVNIK 

123 


THE VACATION 

ONOFRIO’S FOUNTAIN 

BASKA VODA 

In Dubrovnik, shops and restaurants that must close 

down for the filming are paid compensation. Nor are 

tourists allowed to visit the famous city centre during 

filming, notes Jelena Simac. 

Simac is a tour guide for the agency Dubrovnik 

Secrets, which takes tourists – many wearing ‘Game of 

Thrones’ T-shirts – to the original film locations. Simac 

holds up photos from the series and explains how the 

scenes were shot on location. Many buildings were, with 

the latest computer imaging technology, later integrated 

into the scenes. 

“Because of the series, more and more young people 

throng to Dubrovnik,” Simac says. On virtually every 

street corner, guided tours to film locations are offered, 

with some guides even in costume. In one souvenir shop, 

visitors can have their pictures taken while sitting on a 

replica of the intense-looking Iron Throne. 

JESUIT STAIRCASE 

RECTOR’S PALACE 


124

THE VACATION 

“On virtually every 

street corner, guided 

tours to the film 

locations are offered, 

with some guides even 

IN costume” 

The filmmakers are thrilled that the old city 

centre is a car-free zone, although this does mean 

that they must carry their heavy equipment up 

the main steps. 

In addition to ‘Game of Thrones’, parts of the 

new ‘Star Wars’ film were filmed in Dubrovnik, 

as was the 2018 remake of ‘Robin Hood’ with 

Jamie Foxx and Jamie Dornan. The Croatian 

government, through an incentive programme, 

has been promoting such film projects, offering 

filmmakers a 20 per cent discount on goods and 

services that they may buy in Croatia. 

Fans of the series are almost as sorry as 

local restaurant owners to learn that it’s set to 

wind up after its eighth season in 2018. Simac 

says she hopes that the final big battle for 

possession of the Iron Throne will be filmed in 

Dubrovnik. It certainly would not hurt the 

coastal city’s business. 

SIBENIK 

SPLIT KLIS FORTRESS 

SPLIT 

SPLIT DIOCLETIAN’S PALACE 


THE VACATION 

Location, location, location 

Fans of Game Of Thrones should make sure 

they check out these sites. 

‘Game Of Thrones’ first began filming in Croatia 

in preparation for the second season and hasn’t 

looked back. 

WORDS BY REMI DUTTA 

DUBROVNIK 

FORT LOVRIJENAC 

PLOCE GATE 

Dubrovnik and its surroundings have 

featured prominently in the series. Listed 

as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the 

beautiful walled medieval city has been the 

setting for King’s Landing, the capital of the famed 

book and series’ Seven Kingdoms. Its fortified 

walls have frequently been filmed from the sea as 

it appeared memorably in the Battle of Blackwater 

Bay and when Jaime Lannister returned with the 

body of Myrcella. 

Doubling up as the Red Keep, Fort Lovrijenac 

or Fort of St. Lawrence lies within the city walls 

and is perched high upon a crag of rugged rock 

overlooking the sea; Ploce Gate stands in for its 

gate. 

St. Dominic Street makes a regular appearance 

across the show as the location of frequent market 

scenes, but it’s the commanding baroque Jesuit 

Staircase that’s the scene stealer when in Season 5 it 

became the site where Cersei Lannister had to make 

her naked ‘Walk Of Atonement’. 


126

THE VACATION 

If you’re up for an excursion, a short boat ride 

from Dubrovnik is Lokrum Island, a nature 

and special forest vegetation reserve. The 

botanical gardens within the old Benedictine 

monastery will give you flashbacks to Season 

2. Trsteno Arboretum, a private garden that 

dates back to the 15th century is located 

north of Dubrovnik and is more of a day 

trip. It played the role of the garden in King’s 

Landing, and is worth the effort even if you 

don’t follow the series. 

Places set in the fictional Qarth have also 

been filmed in Dubrovnik, notably Minceta 

Tower whose base was used to depict Qarth’s 

House of Undying; the gothic confines of The 

Rector’s Palace staircase which stood in for the 

Spice King’s abode in Qarth; and Dubac quarry 

just outside of the city. 

Split, Croatia’s second largest city, sits 

within view of the Adriatic Sea and gets 

plenty of airtime. In Season 4, Split’s fourth 

century Diocletian’s Palace, its dramatic 

Klis Fortress, the Perun quarry east of Split 

and St. Dominic Monastery in Trogir all get 

a non-speaking part. The latter is another 

beautifully preserved coastal town with a mix 

of Renaissance, Romanesque and Baroque 

buildings. 

Other locations include Sibenik’s Old Town 

and waterfront, the Mosor mountain range 

and Baska Voda, a picturesque former fishing 

and farming town south of Split, which is 

squeezed between the foot of Mount Biokovo 

and the sea. 

MINCETA TOWER 

LOKRUM ISLAND 


PROPERTY MANAGEMENT OFFICES 

TROPICANA MANAGEMENT 

SERVICES SDN BHD (TMS) 

Property Management Office 

CASA INDAH 1 

CONDOMINIUMS 


MERCHANT SQUARE 

BUSINE SS PARK 


CASA KIARA 2 

CONDOMINIUM 


CASA TROPICANA 

CONDOMINIUMS 


Jalan Kelab Tropicana 

Tropicana Golf & 

Country Resort 

47410 Petaling Jaya 

Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia 

Tel: +603 7804 1533 

(Direct Line) 

+603 7804 8888 

(General Line) 

Fax: +603 7806 5044 

tms@tropicanagolf.com 

Office hours: 

9am – 6pm (Monday – Friday) 

9am – 1pm (Saturday) 

Closed (Sunday) 

B-G-05, Casa Indah 1 

Condominiums 

No 2A, Persiaran Surian 

Tropicana Indah, 

PJU 3 Kota Damansara 



Tel: +603 6140 9194/6140 9166 

Fax: +603 6140 9168 

casaindahcondo@yahoo.com 

Office hours: 

9am – 5.30pm (Monday – Friday) 



No 1, Jalan Tropicana 

Selatan 1, PJU 3 



Tel: +603 7883 0866 

Fax: +603 7883 0966 

merchantsquare@tropicanacorp.com.my 

Office hours: 

9am – 5.30pm 

(Monday – Friday) 



Dicasa Management 

Services Sdn Bhd 

Lobby Level 

No 14, Jalan Kiara 5, Bukit Kiara 


Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia 

Tel: +603 6203 9229 

Fax: +603 6203 9339 

casakiara2@tropicanacorp.com.my 

Office hours: 

9am – 5pm 




B-5-17, Block B 

Casa Tro picana 

No 5, Jalan Persiaran Tropicana 

PJU 3 

Tropicana Golf & Country Resort 



Tel: +603 7883 0982 

Fax: +603 7883 0292 

casatropicana@tropicanacorp.com.my 

Office hours: 

9am – 5.30pm 




CASA INDAH 2 

CONDOMINIUMS 


A-02-01, Management Office 

Casa Indah 2 Condominiums 

No 2B, Persiaran Surian 

Tropicana Indah Resort Homes 

PJU3 

Kota Damansara 



Tel: +603 6142 6288 / 6388 

Fax: +603 6142 6788 

casaindah2@tropicanacorp.com.my 

Office hours: 

9am – 5.30pm 




ARENA MENTARI BUSINESS 

PARK 


Block C, Wisma TT 

No 1, Jalan PJS 8/15 

Dataran Mentari 



Tel: +603 5621 1979 

Fax: +603 5621 1980 

istimabudi@gmail.com 

Office hours: 

9am – 5.30pm 




TROPICANA INDAH SDN BHD 


Jalan Kelab Tropicana 

Tropicana Golf & 

Country Resort 



Tel: +603 7804 4722 

+603 7805 5855 

Fax: +603 7806 5044 

tisb@tropicanacorp.com.my 

Office hours: 

9am – 6pm (Monday – Friday) 



TROPICANA GRANDE 


Level 1, Management Office 

Block A, Tropicana Grande 

Condominiums 

No. 3 Persiaran Tropicana 



Tel: +603 7610 0965 

Fax: +603 7610 0968 

stephaniechua@tropicanacorp.com.my 

Office hours: 9am – 6pm 




TROPICANA CHERAS 


To be ready soon 

For more information, please 

contact Sales & Marketing 

Department at: 

Tel: +603 7710 1018 

DAMANSARA INTAN 

E-BUSINESS PARK 


A328, Block A 

Damansara Intan 

No 1, Jalan SS 20/27 



Tel: +603 7118 3111 

Fax: +603 7118 3222 

gracewong@tropicanacorp.com.my 

Office hours: 

9am – 5.30pm 




FORTUNE PARK APARTMENTS 


A-5, Pangsapuri Suria Perdana 

(Fortune Park Apartments) 

Taman Serdang Perdana 

Seksyen 4 

43300 Seri Kembangan 


Tel: +603 8944 9331 

Fax: +603 8944 9332 

fortunepark@tropicanacorp.com.my 

Office hours: 

9am – 5.30pm 




TROPICANA HEIGHTS 

Property Management Offi ce 

Off Jalan P6/2, 43500 

Semenyih, Kajang 


Tel: +6013-2020746 

Fax: +603 7806 5044 

tisb@tropicanacorp.com.my 

Office hours: 

9.00 am to 5.30 pm (Monday – Friday) 

9.00 am to 5.30 pm (Saturday) 

Closed (Sunday & Public Holidays) 

TROPICANA CHERAS 

Admin Of fice 

6, Jalan Tropicana Cheras 1, Taman 

Tropicana Cheras, 43000 Kajang, 

Selangor. 

Tel: +6013-2020746 

Fax: +603 7610 0968 

stephaniechua@tropicanacorp.com.my 

Office hours: 

9.00 am to 5.30 pm (Monday – Friday) 

9.00 am to 5.30 pm (Saturday) 

Closed (Sunday & Public Holidays)

THE LIST 

FACILITIES AND TENANTS AT 

TROPICANA GOLF AND COUNTRY RESORT 

TROPICANA GOLF AND COUNTRY RESORT 

SITE LAYOUT PLAN 

N 

Buggy Track 

DRIVING R 

WESTERN COURSE 

Practice Green 

Children’s 

Playground 

Landscape 

18th Green 

18 

14 

Tai Thong 

13 

32 

Children’s 

Playground 

21 

48 

19 

20 

17 

22 

15 

16 

M 

Lo 

17 

33 

Landscape 

30 

31 

29 

Administration 

Office 

24 23 

25 

26 

MAI 

C 

34 

35 

36 

Landscape 

28 

27 

Poolside 

Cafe 

38 

37 

39 

SPORTS WING 

41 42 

43 

44 

40 

Carpark 

Lake 

45 

46 

LEGEND 

Lower Ground 

Ground 

Level 1 

47 

C 

To Basement C 

With a gross built-up area of over 380,000 

square feet (35,303 square metres), Malaysia’s 

largest and award-winning Clubhouse 

at Tropicana Golf & Country Resort is 

truly impressive. This is a listing of all the 

facilities and amenities that are built for 

the convenience of all Tropicana members, 

residents and their guests 

Golf / Sports Membership 03-7804 8888 

Vivian ext 208 

Membership Email membership1@tropicanacorp.com.my 

Golf Email 

golf@tropicanacorp.com.my 

Sports Department 03-7804 2087 

Operating Hours 9.00 am – 6.00 pm (Monday to Friday) 

Email 

gm@tropicanagolf.com 

Website 

www.tropicanagolf.com 


130

THE LIST 

ANGE 

Practice Green 

Buggy Track 

9th Green 

FOOD AND BEVERAGE 

Main Wing 

7 Twenty7 03-7804 8888 

(Ext 326) 

15 Gin Shui Tei Japanese Restaurant 03-7886 9168 

36 Poolside Café 03-7804 8888 

(Ext 327) 

9 Spring Garden Tropicana 

Chinese Restaurant 03-7880 7226 

11 The Palms Coffee House 03-7804 8888 

(Ext 306) 

The Palms Wing 

8 Royce 017-322 3668 

26 J Italian Restaurant 03-7805 3925/3935 

25 Myeung Dong Korean BBQ 016-3684500 

Landscape 

ain 

bby 

8 

ar Porch 

12 

N WING 

11 

10 

9 

7 

asd 

Main Kitchen 

6 

GOLF WING 

1 

2 

5 

Golf 

Counter 

4 

3 

Buggy Station 

EASTERN COURSE 

1st Tee 

SPORTS AND RECREATION 

Sports Wing 

46 Outdoor tennis court 

43 2 indoor tennis courts 

45 4 indoor badminton courts 

31 12-lane computerised bowling alley 

33-34 2 play pools with water slides and waterfall 

42 3 squash courts 

23 Multipurpose studio 

38 Japanese bath and Jacuzzi 

3-4 Male changing rooms with 

360 private lockers 

35 Resort-style larger-than-Olympic-size 

swimming pool 

41 Sauna and steam bath 

24 Snooker room 

39 2 table tennis courts 

40 Well-equipped gymnasium 

44 1 VIP badminton hall 

47 1 futsal court 

Fountain 

Buggy Pick-up Area 

LEISURE AND ENTERTAINMENT 

24 Havana Lounge 017-885 4188 

27 Thai Odyssey Spa & Massage 03-7803 1233/ 

03-7804 1129 

29 Bowling & Café 03-7804 8888 

16 Gaming room 

37 Library 

22 Spine & Joint Tropicana 03-78042072 

Carpark 

Carpark 

FUNCTION AREAS 

6 Greens I 

10 Greens II 

30 Greens III 

32 Poolside Terrace 

28 Spanish Courtyard 

12-14 The Grand Ballroom (First floor) 

arpark 

arpark 

Sales & Marketing (Banquet Function) 03-7804 8888 

Liza ext 141 

Sandy ext 142 

Siti Fairuz ext 155 

Mas Suria ext 517 

Email 

salesmarketing@tropicanacorp.com.my 

Toll Free 1800 88 8128 

Lake 

GOLFING FACILITIES 

Golf at Tropicana 03-7804 8888 

(Ext 211/212/200) 

Tropicana Driving Range 016-243 4801/ 

012-278 3172 

Buggies and turf mates 

56-bay driving range 

27-hole championship golf course 

18-hole putting greens 

5 Female changing rooms 

with 60 private lockers 

AMENITIES 

20 Alam Convenience Store 03-7804 3095 

1 De Manshop Tailoring 03-7880 4063 

21 Eco Hair Saloon 03-7804 9316 

2 Pro-Shop Golf Shop 03-7804 6348 

17 Kain 017-200 8142 

18 Kindyland Tropicana 017-314 6754 

48 Klinik Tropicana 03-7805 5461 

19 The Green House Florist 03-7880 1388 

3-4 Prayer room 


THE END 

"Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything 

that is beautiful, for beauty is God's handwriting " 

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

TM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 

1

Tropicana Nov-Dec 2018 #121 The Festive Frivolities Issue

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