Dare to dream

The 2024 Paris Olympics is underway and from now until August 11, the world’s largest sporting event will see over 10,500 athletes competing across 32 sports. Among the elite competitors are 23 Singaporean athletes ready to make their mark on the international stage.

Singapore’s sprint queen will be competing in the women’s 200m in Paris. Shanti Pereira, who currently holds three national records in the women’s 100m, 200m and 400m is poised to make a significant impact on the track. This will be her second attempt at the Olympics, following her debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games.

Another Singaporean to be competing in track and field is Marc Brian Louis. The latest athlete to join Team Singapore, Louis will be making his Olympic debut at the Paris Games. His universality spot had only been confirmed by World Athletics earlier this month and he will be competing in the Men’s 100m event.

In the water, find Letitia Sim competing in the Women’s 100m breaststroke event. She made the cut after finishing second at the Women’s 100m breaststroke event at the Japan Open in 2023. She makes her debut with her sister Levenia as they will compete in the Women’s 4 x 100m Medley Relay along with Quah Jing Wen and Gan Ching Hwee.

Another athlete making his Olympic debut is Maximilian Maeder. The young Singaporean kitesurfer is only 17 years old, and is currently the Asian, European and World Champion in Formula Kite. He earned his spot in the Olympics after obtaining a gold at the 2023 Sailing World Championships. The three-time youth world champion will be competing in the Men’s Formula Kite event in Paris.

Shannon Tan will also be making a mark at the Games as the first Singaporean golfer to compete at the Olympics. The 20-year-old golfer secured her spot in the women’s individual competition based on her IGF World Rankings position. While she had only turned professional earlier this year, she has made significant strides in her career, including winning the Magical Kenya Ladies Open in her Ladies European Tour (LET) debut in February 2024.

On the badminton court, find Loh Kean Yew participating in the Men’s Singles. This will be his second time competing in the Games, with his first in Tokyo 2020. Currently, Loh is ranked 12th place on the official Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Ranking. Yeo Jia Min will also be returning to the Summer Olympics for the second time. Finishing 14 at the BWF Race to Paris rankings, Yeo will be competing in the Women’s Singles at the 2024 Olympics. 

Read the full story here

 

DINING

Sushisamba serves up vibrant cuisine matched with samba’s electric rhythm

Sushisamba serves up vibrant cuisine matched with samba’s electric rhythm

Take a ride all the way to the top of Capital Tower and feel your ears pop as you get ready for a dining experience of fiery live music, entertainment and, of course, an expertly crafted menu of innovative dishes all reflective of a balance of Peruvian, Brazilian, and Japanese cuisine. In under a week, Sushisamba Singapore has shimmied its way to the top of Singapore diners’ culinary bucket lists since its opening on July 18. 

Born in New York City, with outposts in the world’s most electric cities like London and Dubai, Sushisamba, operated by Sunset Hospitality Group, has established its first location in Asia.

Sat atop Capital Tower, like its crowning jewel, upon entrance you’ll be greeted by towering floor-to-ceiling windows that wrap around the whole restaurant giving an unobstructed view of Singapore’s glowing cityscape and sea. Turn left, and sunlight floods through the over 1,100 square metre space coloured by vibrant hues of orange, yellow, and green. The space is encased in Sushisamba’s signature 3D-printed bamboo installation that culminates in a cascading bamboo chandelier above the bar.

Helmed by Sunset Hospitality Group’s culinary director chef Kyung Soo Moon, and executive chef Paul Hallett, Sushisamba aims to create a “fun dining” experience that balances an offering of fine dining cuisine, with a vibrant, energised, and rhythmic experience to be shared amongst friends.

Hallet emphasised how the menu offerings are designed to work in rhythm with diners’ bespoke experience. “The menu is created in a way that it works in all those environments [featured in Sushisamba]. It can work in the dining room, but if you want to sit by the bar and eat but still have good food without knives and forks, the menu can be snacky. It has flexibility, a lot of thought has gone into the way the food is enjoyed by the guests.”

The passion runs rich through the menu as Moon told Tatler Dining that through Sushisamba, he encourages Singapore’s diners to take a step into rich Peruvian and Brazilian flavours. Hallett said that with favourites like seared foie gras and char siu-inspired kurobata pork belly on the menu, he also wants guests to explore other dishes that are less familiar, like their samba ceviche that features a beautiful presentation of assorted ceviche surrounding an ice sculpture of Capital Tower.

Read the full story here.

 

HOMES

Design-led cabins, lodges and luxury treehouses to book for a dreamy nature escape

Design-led cabins, lodges and luxury treehouses to book for a dreamy nature escape

Imagine waking up to the serene sounds of nature, surrounded by nothing but tall pine trees, untouched mountain peaks or sublime desert-scapes. When you stay at one of these charming rustic cabins, cosy lodges or dreamy treehouses, you’ll get to fully immerse yourself in these marvellous landscapes, leaving behind the hustle and bustle of the city.

For a quiet, restful escape, Alam Mountain in Bali, Indonesia is nestled within the lush tropical jungle on the slopes of a dormant volcano with panoramic views of the Island of the Gods, Alam Mountain provides a sanctuary of unparalleled beauty and luxury. This eco-friendly Bali retreat blends traditional and contemporary architecture within its cottages, incorporating an airy open structure and refurbished antique Indonesian wood—features that invite guests to enjoy tropical living to the fullest while ensuring modern comforts.

Those with an adventurous spirit can opt for the Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle in Chiang Rai, Thailand, designed by renowned architect Bill Bensley. On the ground, interactions with rescued elephants and explorations of mountain trails await. After a day of adventure, breezy treetop tents welcome guests with a dreamy outdoor shower or a wooden hot tub for a personalised wellness experience cocooned by nature, against a backdrop of uninterrupted views over the Ruak River and the jungles of Myanmar beyond.

If sleeping amid pristine, untamed nature is what you’re looking for, consider a stay at Juvet, a collection of seven petite cabins on stilts, with glass walls that let in clear views of the Norwegian forest and the river below, while still maintaining privacy thanks to careful orientation. While each cabin is unique, the award-winning design by Jensen & Skodvin Architects emphasises a common dark interior that keeps the cabins minimalistic and avoids upstaging the surrounding landscape.

A unique escape awaits at Sweden’s Treehotel in Harads. Here, find a unique blend of rest and exploration with its unconventional treehouse designs. One of its most iconic offerings, the Biosphere room, designed by Bjarke Ingels Group, immerses guests in the Swedish ecosystem, up close and personal with the local birdlife. The unusual structure is entangled in the canopy of trees and accessible via a suspended bridge, adding to the magic of this unique stay. Other rooms include the Mirrorcube, The Bird’s Nest, The 7th Room, and the UFO, each designed by a different renowned architecture practice and offering a distinct and memorable experience in the treetops.

Read the full story here.

 

STYLE

The best celebrity-approved oversized tote bags

The best celebrity-approved oversized tote bags

The advent of the mini bag craze has left little room for larger and more practical bags—the kind that say, Phoebe Philo, one of fashion’s most sensible designers, would have put on the runway.

This Spring/Summer 2024, however, there seems to be a vibe shift—big bags are officially back. See: Natalie Portman with her trusty Dior Book tote, Kendall Jenner spotted on vacation with Philo’s toffee suede XL Cabas, and Bella Hadid signalling the return of the oversized hobo bag with Coach’s Brooklyn shoulder bag.

The Olsen twins have always made the case for big bags (who could forget Mary-Kate’s beloved mint green Le City bag?). And with their label The Row, they have created the perfect one: the Margaux, a slouchy leather bag with belted, gusseted sides and a top handle. Coming in suede and smooth leather variations, this elegant tote is a minimalist’s dream with its clean lines and minimalistic design, the epitome of quiet luxury. 

If you’ve been looking to give your wardrobe a supersized upgrade, consider Alaïa Hinge’s Large Tote Bag. Maison Alaïa’s masterful leather craftsmanship is on full display in this shopper bag first introduced by Pieter Mulier. The Hinge, as it’s been named, is marked by the inlaid leather lacing seen all around the bag. The hinge-like detail is a trademark of founder Azzedine Alaïa, who introduced it in the ‘90s after being inspired by the techniques of cabinetmaking. The lacing makes the bag more flexible and gives it a distinctive look. We’re betting this still sits pretty high on the wish lists of those who loved old Céline’s Cabas Phantom totes.

While Chanel may be known for its petite purses, the French luxury brand has officially co-signed the tote bag trend with the Chanel 22 handbag. A distinctive departure from anything we’ve seen from the fashion house before, the Chanel 22 boasts a casual look with its soft, pillow-like structure, crafted from supple, quilted leather.

The bag has a wide opening—throw in whatever you want!—and can be carried by its elegant metal chain strap interlaced with leather. The Chanel 22 is designed to give women the freedom of movement, and many stylish stars would agree that it does the job, including Irene Kim, Christelle Lim and Yoyo Cao. The best part? It comes in a range of colours, from a hue as fun as pink to more classic, work-friendly ones like black and white. 

Kendall Jenner’s private jet carry-on is perhaps the largest—and chicest—tote we’ve spotted this summer. And it’s none other than the XL Cabas by Phoebe Philo, of course. Known for its minimalist design and exceptional craftsmanship, this truly oversized tote offers endless storage without compromising on elegance, the pinnacle of understated luxury.

Read the full story here.

 

DISCOVER THESE ON TATLER ASIA

 As a fashion designer from Asia, Lisa Von Tang shows how small steps can make significant impact.

Barovier & Toso’s Opera and Camparino table lamps bring elegance to every corner of your home.

Revolutionising kitchen design: Meet Cesar’s Tangram and Nuance collections.

What went down at the Architects on the Rise awarding soirée at Hafary Gallery.

Celebrating innovation: The impact of Asian scientists on global progress.

Home tour: An artful, heritage-rich waterfront condominium at Keppel Bay by Mosh Interior.

Why this Singapore startup founder thinks a ban won’t solve our plastic problem.

Home tour: An elegant Orchard Boulevard apartment by KGID embellished with floral touches.

Beauty of Italy: Pomellato’s latest high jewellery collection showcases The Dualism of Milan.