This month's chic list. Edited by Stephanie Yeong
Takumi Artisans' tableware and interior decoration made with gold leaves
GILDED WARES
Newly opened artisanal boutique Takumi Artisans, the brainchild of Singapore Food Delight’s Susanna Kang and celebrity makeup artist Dily Wang, brings the art of kinpaku to town with a curated selection of gold leaf products that span fashion, beauty and lifestyle. Fusing traditional craft with contemporary aesthetics, the wares feature gold leaf foils by esteemed Japanese workshop Hakuza, which produces 99 percent of the gold leaves in Japan and is famed for its restoration of the Golden Pavilion in Kyoto’s Chuson-ji temple. The tableware, in particular, is both functional and decorative, while the lifestyle items add a touch of restrained opulence to homes. And should you want some extra sparkle with your meal, the atelier at Capitol Piazza, which is the exclusive retailer of Hakuza products, even serves up nosh with edible gold leaf foils.
GOLDEN JUBILEE
Fifty years of Sportmax is encapsulated in a new coffee table book published by Assouline as part of its Legends Collection, The weighty tome features design sketches and iconic images from brand campaigns shot by photography greats Peter Lindbergh, Craig McDean, Sarah Moon and David Sims. Edited by fashion historian Olivier Saillard, the book traces the brand’s journey, with fashion journalist Luke Leitch providing insight into the House’s rich history.
Sportmax, about $176, assouline.com
INTO THE NIGHT
The “Light To Night Festival”, an annual celebration of visual arts spearheaded by National Gallery Singapore, returns to the Civic District for its fourth edition as a marquee event of Singapore Art Week. Themed ‘Invisible Cities’, it explores the geographies of the precinct, transforming indoor venues and outdoor public spaces with light, sound and movement. This edition also spotlights local writers Desmond Kon, Kevin Martens Wong, Marc Nair, and Nuraliah, with their commissioned sonnets that comment on the peculiarities of society. Dawn-joy Leong’s “Clement Space”, for instance, offers a sensorial experience simulating the idiosyncrasies of autistic individuals—herself included. “Light To Night 2020: Invisible Cities” runs from 10 to 19 January. Visit nationalgallery.sg.
Artist Dawn-joy Leong's exhibition Clement Space
OF SYMBOLISMS AND MECHANISMS
Montblanc welcomes 2020 with a new addition to its Signs & Symbols collection, inspired by Chinese myths and legends. Released annually since 2015, the limited-edition writing instruments celebrate the zodiac signs in a fine showcase of the artistry of Montblanc craftsmanship. This year’s edition, the Rat Limited Edition, features detailed engravings of the hero animal holding a calabash, symbolic of wealth and longevity, on the sterling silver cap and gold nib. The engraving on the barrel are auspicious symbols in Chinese iconography—the cloud and sycee, symbols of luck and good fortune respectively. A garnet set in the cone and a Montblanc emblem crafted in precious mother-of-pearl give it a touch of luxe. Playing on the lucky number eight, only 512 pieces are available worldwide.
Montblanc's The Rat Limited Edition 512 Pen
TOLV LOVE
A solid entry into the world of fully wireless earphones, Sudio’s latest Tolv earphones marry form and function. Bearing the Swedish audio company’s signature sleek aesthetic, Tolv automatically pairs with devices and delivers excellent sound quality with graphene drivers. It also pulls double duty as a Bluetooth headset, with each bud—which weighs just 4.5g—featuring a multi-purpose button and an in-built microphone to control music and answer calls. A single charge gives you seven hours of listening time, with the portable charging case providing an additional four charges, taking airtime up to a maximum of 35 hours. Oh, and did we mention that it comes with an 18-month international warranty and five colourways? Visit sudio.com/sg.
Sudio's newest wireless Tolv earphones, $189 a pair
EAST, MEET WEST
In a delightful clash of cultures, Scottish single-malt whisky brand Glenfiddich taps Singaporean ceramicist Jeanette Wee for an exclusive collection of cups that meld the very Western drink with the art of Japanese ceramics. Aptly named Glenfiddich New Dawn Singapore Collection, it takes cues from the Glenfiddich’s native Scotland. The Grog and Glass cup, for instance, features a black-and-grey exterior inspired by the stone walls characteristic of Aberdeen, while the Stoneware decanter is shaped like a whisky washback and is designed to keep whisky at its optimal temperature. The Porcelain In Light cup, rendered in porcelain instead of the usual glass, allows light to shine through and illuminate the amber liquid. Showing her playful side, Wee's Ash In Rock cup has a rounded base that is designed to let drinkers gently rock and swirl their drink without lifting it off the table—and without fear of spillage.
Stoneware Trio set inspired by sake drinkware
Singaporean ceramicist Jeanette Wee
BY NAVIN PILLAY. PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF SUDIO; TAKUMI ARTISANS; MONTBLANC; GLENFIDDICH; NATIONAL GALLERY SINGAPORE; BENOIT FLORECON
