Innholdsfortegnelse for Jun-19 i Tatler Philippines

he idea of Elbert’s Upstairs began with the acquisition of a two-level space for Mendokoro Ramenba in BGC. Because a mezzanine level was not ideal for a ramen establishment, restaurateur Elbert Cuenca thought to put up a speakeasy. Inspired by British furniture brand Timothy Oulton, the space is sophisticated yet cosy, with interiors done in warm wood and gold, and furnished with tufted chairs and plush carpeting. Drink offerings are on the traditional side, but patrons are spoilt for choice due to the variety of noncommercial craft spirits Cuenca stocks his bar with. “When you walk up the stairs, you have no idea what you’re going to find,” says Cuenca. “The bar is like an oasis in the desert for people that seek an elegant, subtle approach to night life.…

You founded Cross Cultures on the concept that food is one of the easiest and most accessible ways of exchanging culture. How did you discover this? I’ve always been fascinated with media and telling stories. I have a background in print publishing [13 years] and have since transitioned to my website, which is a multimedia platform of online and events via Cross Cultures. I was 17 years old when I first started writing for one of the country’s national newspapers. I remember doing all my homework during my recess and lunch breaks so I could spend my after-school hours writing for the newspaper or attending press conferences. I had big interviews then arranged by companies such as Sony Music and MTV, so I really took it seriously. As a writer,…

The home can be likened to the perimeter of evergreen surrounding it: fresh saplings with limber trunks and branches, rooted firmly but not yet deep. The family that resides in the three-storey complex has just witnessed the blossoming of their dream house, the seed of the vision planted when they lived in a condominium in the city. Now, they’ve settled into the open space designed by Vazquez & Associates, where their aspiration to build a peaceful oasis has been realised. The home is flooded with greenery from all sides, which begs the question, did the owners know about the Japanese practice of forest bathing? Also known as shinrin-yoku, the widespread pastime encourages the balance of mind, a form of meditation that promotes relaxation. It sounds like a philosophy that guides…

1. VIVIDLY VENETIAN Murano glass globes add an otherworldly feel to Massimo Zazzeron’s minimalist burnished metal Kendama lamp for Giorgetti. Available at Furnitalia. 2. IN THE CLEAR Built to show off rather than hide, Rimadesio’s double-sided Alambra Monetiere doubles as both storage space and display case for one’s treasures. Available at Rimadesio. 3. THREE OF A KIND Whether on the table or on the floor, these Karam basket and bowl trios add an exotic touch to a living or dining room. Available at B&B Italia. 4. NEAT AND NORDIC Nest Nordic’s Ganit dining chairs in blond wood are a study in Scandinavian simplicity. Available at Dexterton. 5. AVANT-GARDE COMFORT Not only is Minotti’s ILE sofa a comfortable seat, but its unique design doubles as a conversation piece. Available at Living…

Sir Henry Royce once said, “Take the best that exists and make it better; when it does not exist, design it.” But what happens when the best that exists is something you have already designed and created? Well, just chuck in more power; then chop off a couple of doors; and give it a tag line like “The most powerful Rolls Royce ever built.” Based on the Ghost platform, with an almost vulgar 632 horsepower and 800nm of torque, the Rolls Royce Wraith can crack a ton on the speedo in just 4.6 seconds and climb to almost 300 km/h before running out of breath. Not impressed? Then think about this: imagine 5,200 pounds of leather, steel, and wood being propelled from a standstill to one hundred kilometres an hour…

Hollywood actor Chris Pine is running barefoot across the main deck of our superyacht chasing a stray straw boater that’s somersaulting in the salty Caribbean breeze. “It’s too windy for hats,” warns Czech supermodel Karolína Kurková, who is taming her flailing blonde hair with a Loro Piana scarf. Meanwhile, Peaky Blinders star Annabelle Wallis is posing Titanic- style on the bow for a photo with department store heiress Hayley Bloomingdale and fashion A-lister Indré Rockefeller. Posts from these style-savvy It gals and other jet-setting crew mates, including violinist Charlie Siem, Fashion Guitar blogger Charlotte Groeneveld, style guru Taylor Tomasi Hill and British socialite Violet Manners, are whipping up a storm on social media and making our nautical knees-up the talk of the ultra-chic island of St Barths. This shipshape assemblage…

We pull up on the driveway of the century-old former home of the Nai Lert family, one of Thailand’s most prominent. A calm, lush expanse of parkland strewn with heritage buildings, the Nai Lert Park Heritage Home is miles away from the noise and traffic of the city of Bangkok, providing a welcome sense of peace as we prepare to view Van Cleef & Arpels’ latest high jewellery collection, Treasure of Rubies. Serenity is what is required to fully appreciate the pageantry of the collection, which comprises a staggering 3,000 carats of rubies set in 60 high jewellery pieces—20 of which are transformable—displayed on white stone busts. The French maison chose a glasshouse in the heritage compound to show the lustrous collection, with natural light coming from every direction to…

There is something timeless and ethereal about ballet. The gentle swirl of pink, from the tights to the tutus to the satin toe shoes; the emotion in every movement, from a hand raised in the air to a dazzling pirouette. Everything about this formalised form of dance that originated in Renaissance Italy and then spread to France embodies grace, elegance, and classic perfection. It’s also an art form that breathes of exclusivity, privilege, and wealth, evoking a world that seems closed to those who cannot afford the expensive lessons or the dancewear—leotards, tights, tutus, cardigans, ballet slippers—or those who simply aren’t exposed to ballet and the classical music that frequently accompanies it. Sofia Zobel Elizalde, herself a ballet dancer whose first lead role was that of Clara in the CCP…

Rustan’s recently held the second run of its annual Summer Escape Travel Fair in partnership with HSBC. During the opening event and welcome ceremonies, shoppers and guests were introduced to selected finds ranging from travel to dining deals to exclusive offers and fresh new merchandise perfect for every kind of getaway. Coupled with essentials for cosmetics and home, Rustan’s has the season covered. For more photos, visit PH.ASIATATLER.COM/SOCIETY…

Diplomatic relations between Italy and the Philippines were strengthened further when Bacchus International owner Alex Lichaytoo was given Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia (Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy). The distinction was awarded by Italian ambassador Giorgio Gulielmino. The Order is given to those who have actively promoted friendly relations between Italy and other countries. Lichaytoo is a respected figure in the food industry; he regularly visits the Piedmont and Parma regions to bring Italian food and wine to Filipino tables.…

Sou Fujimoto is a big deal when it comes to the world of architecture. This Japanese icon is known for his delicate structures and jaw-dropping designs. I remember viewing his breathtaking pavilion in the Serpentine Galleries (see photo above) about six years ago. I was dumbstruck with the awesome sight before me. I didn’t know the architect then, so when Philippine Tatler was invited by the Calma cousins (Ed, JP, and Carlo) to meet the genius behind the 2013 Serpentine Pavilion, I definitely could not pass this one up. The collaboration between Fujimoto and the Calmas (set to be revealed in 2021) will be located in Nuvali, Santa Rosa, Laguna. These creative minds are designing an architectural wonder that will surely be the talk of the town and change the…

Spearheaded by the Philippine Centre for Entrepreneurship (a GoNegosyo initiative) and the ASEAN Business Advisory Council-Philippines in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT), the Tourism Summit 2019 held last 2 May at the World Trade Centre in Pasay City presented how the tourism and hospitality sectors play a role in the nation’s continued growth, and the need for sustainability in the industry. Together with GoNegosyo founder Joey Concepcion and Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, keynote speakers at the event included AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes and Arin Jira, chairman of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council. The day-long summit also featured four forums and a fireside chat revolving around the tourism industry as an engine for economic development in five strategic investment areas. Attendees at the event included entrepreneurs with businesses…

SHIOTA CHIHARU: THE SOUL TREMBLES MORI ART MUSEUM, TOKYO 20 JUNE TO 27 OCTOBER The largest solo exhibition of the work of the Berlin-based artist, most famous for sprawling installations made from yarn, spans the past 20 years of her career. It includes six large installations, sculptures, photographs, drawings, videos, and other material pertaining to Shiota’s performances. mori.art.museum DORA MAAR POMPIDOU CENTRE, PARIS 5 JUNE TO 29 JULY While some might recognise Henriette Theodora Markovitch, better known as Dora Maar, as a lover and muse of Pablo Picasso, she was also an accomplished surrealist photographer and painter in her own right. This exhibition is the biggest retrospective in her native France to date, showcasing more than 500 works and documents. centrepompidou.fr THE ALLURE OF MATTER: MATERIAL ART FROM CHINA LACMA,…

The focal point of the living room is the sofa; it is the main furniture piece guests notice when visiting homes. As the epicentre of domestic life, it serves different functions: it bonds the family, cradles the tired body after a long day, and is a symbol of one’s status—a reflection of the owner’s home. Trends in furniture include the demand for more versatile and reliable products for homes, lounges, hotels, and workplaces. BoConcept, one of the brands under MOs Design, introduces the Ottawa sofa that employs design and function to adapt to any space. BoConcept commissioned Karim Rashid to design the piece. The prolific designer’s career has spanned decades, conceptualising 3,000 designs in production and garnering 300 awards for his acclaimed work. Rashid is no stranger to BoConcept. His…

Have you noticed that when you’re on holiday, certain wines can taste like the best but, when the same wines are served at home, they’re actually the worst? Fortunately, separating beautiful wines from ones that simply come from beautiful places is possible with a little guidance. Trust the hardened, ultra-rational palate of a person fooled once too often by the thrilling azure of glacial lakes and euphoric tingle of salty breezes to save you from future post-vacation vinous blues. The key is something called terroir, a French term encompassing the combination of soil, climate, topography and—in historical winegrowing regions—vine growing and winemaking traditions that shape the wine produced in a particular place. To distil libraries worth of wisdom on the subject, a few rules of thumb: If you’re by the…

SAILING IN EUROPA YACHTS Europa Yachts Philippines introduces four new models into the Philippine market The past year has been very good to the Philippine yachting community, thanks to the strong performance of the Subic Sailing Club at the 12th China Cup International Regatta in November 2018. In fact, this victorious finish has led to more people getting interested in the sport. For this, Europa Yachts Philippines has brought in four new boats for the local market, all of which have received acclaim from across the globe. These include the luxurious Lagoon 46 by renowned catamaran company Lagoon, as well as luxury watercraft builder Beneteau’s Oceanis 46.1, Oceanis 30.1, and First Yacht 53. All four models are masterfully crafted and provide style and comfort, suiting the needs of both the…

Apiece of furniture is more than the design it conveys and the space it occupies. Often taken for granted for being just a simple table or chair, they are important pieces that make it impossible to do the simplest of tasks. The right piece is essential when furnishing space. Consider pieces from Feliix, an interior design distributor. Since 2011, it has successfully provided solutions for residences, commercial businesses, as well as public and office spaces. Through its top furniture brands, Feliix builds a relationship with its clients, embodying the philosophy, “Wonderful Experience.” It has won awards at this year’s Philippines International Furniture Show for Outstanding Design in Visual Merchandising. All of Feliix’s products are housed at its flagship store at Shangri-La at the Fort. The store has bagged the IF…

The space behind the red curtain tells the story of a world that is both ours and not ours. It is a tavern of treasures long-forgotten, where an assortment of furniture, textiles, stoneware, ceramics, and other precious objects—on loan from friends, Ayala Museum itself, and the exhibitors’ own collections—from around Asia provides the backdrop for these intricate works of art, which celebrate the Philippines’ complex heritage and the culture it shares with its South East Asian neighbours. The Gold In Our Veins exhibition (which ran from 21 February to 26 May) was, indeed, otherworldly. This comes as no surprise, as it was the Midas touch of acclaimed scenographer Gino Gonzales that helped bring this storied installation to life. “I have always been attracted to pomp and pageantry,” says Gonzales who,…

Bright lights and disco balls decked Manila House for A Night at the Disco, an event held for the benefit of STEPS Scholarship Foundation and sponsored by BELO Medical Group. The non-profit organisation’s aim is to provide support for financially-challenged youth who wants to pursue further studies in dance, as shared by STEPS Dance Studio founder Sofia Elizalde in a heartwarming video to present her cause. The party grooved the disco anthems of the ’70s as the crowd danced the night away. For more photos, visit PH.ASIATATLER.COM/SOCIETY…

T.Dining hosted its second Best Restaurants Week at Rockwell last March. Foodies couldn’t wait to try the one-off specials (discounted menus and exclusively created dishes) of the 16 participating Rockwell-based restaurants from the 2019 Best Restaurants Guide. To officially kick off the second edition of such a delicious and fun-filled event was a cocktail launch hosted by T.Dining and the Proscenium at Rockwell at the newly-minted Kirov Function Room. A fantastic Indian spread was prepared by Happy Ongpauco-Tiu and the 75 guests got a sneak peek of the recently turned over tower. For more photos, visit PH.ASIATATLER.COM/SOCIETY…

For this cover shoot, Philippine Tatler went to two Tokyo locations The first was the spacious warehouse office of starchitect Sou Fujimoto; the second, the Meiji Shrine. These were a study in contrast; the modern and the traditional; the manmade and the natural. The first shoot with Fujimoto and the Calmas—Ed, JP, and Carlo—went smoothly. The cousins brought their favourite designer outfits; so did Fujimoto who was, again, all in black, as he was at dinner the night before where he caught up with everyone at the Nihonryori Ryu Gin straight from his long flight from New York where he oversaw a project. Fujimoto did not go to the shrine anymore as he still had a series of meetings. He did not leave immediately, however: he waited until we were…

As part of its 20th anniversary season, Atlantis Theatrical Group presents a rendition of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. This jukebox musical tells the tale of legendary singer-songwriter Carole King from her days as a budding musician to her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The original production debuted in 2013 in San Francisco and has since made its way to Broadway, West End, and several worldwide tours. Actress Kayla Rivera plays Carole King in this production, while Nick Varrichio plays Carole’s husband and writing partner, Gerry Goffin. Married for nine years, the duo wrote over 20 hit songs including “Up on The Roof” and “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow,” and audiences can expect both songs to be performed in the musical along with other classics…

The world-renowned Moscow Ballet “La Classique” is set to dazzle Filipino audiences with a dramatic production of Swan Lake, a story of romance, betrayal, and redemption. This ballet runs from 14 to 22 June at the New Frontier Theatre at Araneta Centre, Quezon City. The gala marks a night of artistry and pays homage to the colourful and rich history of theatre. “La Classique” promises to capture the essence of the ballet and illuminate its themes through a grand performance. Witness a spectacle of poise and grace as it unfolds on stage. Swan Lake, a crowd favourite throughout the decades, is regarded as the best ballet of all time. Composed by Russian composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky in 1875 and debuted at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow in 1877, the play was…

The St Regis Hong Kong, which opened last month on the Wan Chai harbourfront a stone’s throw from the Convention and Exhibition Centre, is a residentially inspired retreat described by André Fu, designer of its interiors, as a “curated mansion” intended to be a luxurious home away from home. According to André, the essence of the St Regis Hong Kong reflects that of the original St Regis New York, but fitting into the lifestyle and context of the city. “The property was designed to be as iconic as the St Regis in New York, which was a fit for the Astor family back then, and that’s what made it memorable,” says André. “It had the feeling of a private home and it’s where the society of New York gathered at…

More than a place for physically cleansing one’s self, a bathroom can be considered an oasis in one’s home, where one can also rejuvenate themselves as they wash the stresses of the day away. Putting together a bathroom that is one with nature is then essential in finding harmony not just within ourselves but with our environment as well. Duravit allows one to do just that with its range of designs and textures, each one naturally sourced and made out of organic materials. The Cape Cod collection removes barriers between the indoors and outdoors, making nature a permanent and essential element in the bathroom. Its washbasins, which are available in a choice of round, square, and trioval shapes, sit on consoles made out of natural wood and chrome. These lend…

As one of the leading luxury fashion brands in the world, Hermès has integrated its rich heritage, exquisite craftsmanship, eye for detail, and high level of quality and professionalism into every product it has produced—from ready-to-wear leather, accessories, silk, shoes, to fragrances. The maison’s philosophy is anchored on quality and refinement, underscoring the policy of eschewing mass production. Each item is a reflection of painstaking hard work and dedication by talented artisans. Only few are able to purchase the pieces, which are not readily available. This luxe exclusivity has made the brand one of the most sought after in the luxury market. Hermés’ annual show Men’s Universe was set in London this year. Guests were invited to step into the frame of the brand’s spring/ summer 2019 men’s collections, as…

Who do you especially enjoy working with? Cindy Crawford and Ashley Graham. Cindy is one of my idols, so working with her was just unbelievable. Ashley is an incredible person with great energy. It’s so satisfying when you make someone the best version of themselves Why do you love make-up? I’m interested in the way make-up can transform a person. This excites me, and it’s so satisfying when you make someone the best version of themselves. What beauty product couldn’t you live without? Sisley’s Super Soin Solaire Tinted Sun Care SPF 30. It works a treat and is a great base for make-up. Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate, too. And Shiseido Synchro foundation and Emma Hardie’s Moringa Cleansing Balm. Oh, I can’t choose! Who is your biggest beauty icon? Kate…

Dior has quietly proven itself to be a master of horology by producing exceptional watches with innovative details and creative movements. The Grand Bal watch, which made its debut in 2011, is a good example. Inspired by Christian Dior’s first haute couture show back in 1947, the model is designed to emulate the flow of Monsieur Dior’s ethereal ballgowns draped in soft satin, light-woven faille, and taffeta. “The ball gown makes you dream and must make you a dream woman,” the designer famously once quipped. Enter Dior’s new Grand Bal Couture “Created-to-Measure” service, which enables watch wearers to customise their Grand Bal timepiece—with 20 million possible outcomes. The new offering allows clients to choose from various case materials, diamond and gemstone adornments, dial and rotor colours, straps, and more. Shimmering…

The Museum for Architecture + Residences is a concept of cousins Carlo Calma and Ed Calma who were bold enough to invite the Japanese starchitect Sou Fujimoto to design their dream. This confluence of creative geniuses will be replicated with accuracy by Calma Properties, Inc through which they are joined by Carlo’s brother, JP Calma. SOON, THE SHARED VISION OF THREE ARCHITECTS WILL ALTER THE PHILIPPINE LANDSCAPE OF ARCHITECTURE. “Carlo and I would talk about a museum that could be a hub for cultural knowledge, exhibitions, archiving, and excessive cataloguing of the past, present, and future of architecture. It will also be a venue for architectural dialogue,” said Ed, the son of another luminary in the architectural scene, Lor. The family has a property in the Nuvali district of the…

In honour of the late Enrique Zobel, an avid polo player, Audi Philippines and Manila Polo Club hosted the 16th Enrique Zobel Memorial Polo Cup. Head of Audi Philippines Benedicto Coyiuto unveiled the Audi Q8, “...the most advanced SUV from Audi, bringing together the characteristic design of a coupe and the comfort and safety of a large SUV.” The event kicked off with the traditional parade of horses, a ceremonial throw-in by Dee Zobel, and was followed up by a round of champagne at half-time period. For more photos, visit ph.asiatatler.com/society…