Home/Fashion/Harper's Bazaar Singapore/May 2025/In This Issue
Harper's Bazaar Singapore|May 2025EDITOR’S NOTEIt struck me while walking along Fifth Avenue in New York on a bright late April morning that American women of a certain vintage really look fabulous. Their attention to detail: the perfect coiffure, the carefully painted faces, manicured nails and shoes that always match their bags, are simply stunning. I thought to myself, “Why don’t the women in Singapore dress this way?” In an issue celebrating fabulosity at every age, I have tried to find inspiration on the streets. But, I’ve yet to find a distinct style that defines Singapore chic. Of course, it doesn’t help with our heat and humidity. But if you look at our neighbours—the women who lunch in the glitzy hotels from Bangkok to Manila, Hong Kong to Jakarta—they have embraced the weather and created…2 minHarper's Bazaar Singapore|May 2025POWDERSOFTGet a fresh start and channel optimistic vibes with a pastel update to your wardrobe. This season the hottest shades that fashion powerhouses are rolling out include powdery pastels like lilac, lemon yellow and sky blue. Take a leaf from Chanel’s playbook with their ethereal fits in every colour of the pastel rainbow, which easily take you from day to night. Or turn to Dries Van Noten’s short suits that show both romance and power in equal parts. If you want a statement pastel piece, try the mint green frocks at Chloé or Fendi, styled nonchalantly with easy accessories and tousled locks, or the must-have Bottega Veneta Ciao Ciao bag in a soft rose hue. Both add instant prettiness to an everyday look. Last, but not least, Ferragamo’s push for…1 minHarper's Bazaar Singapore|May 2025FAB AT EVERY AGE20 Opt for clean lines peppered with sparkles for a look that’s bold and sophisticated. 30 Take th spotlight with the toga. 40 Add drama to structured separates and command the stage. 50 Deep burgundy is timeless, but gets cheeky with mismatched earrings.…1 minHarper's Bazaar Singapore|May 2025HIGH BROWAfter a decade of everyone striving for full Brooke Shields-inspired eyebrows, razor-thin brows came back into the limelight, thanks to recent Maison Margiela and Marni runways. A collective pearl-clutching over the possibility of the trend’s resurgence ensued. Some welcomed thin brows with open arms, and others—likely those who had flashbacks to overplucking them into oblivion in the ’90s—feared their return. No matter which side you’re on, there’s a silver lining to all this brow-haha. “The skinny brow of today isn’t an exact re-enactment of the ’90s era—mostly because today’s version has a less one-size-fits-all mentality and doesn’t require you to participate in the trend if you’re not comfortable with it,” says Anastasia Soare, celebrity brow artist and founder of her namesake cult-favourite brand. Currently, there’s a broader fascination with ’90s…5 minHarper's Bazaar Singapore|May 2025HAUTE BIJOUXIHORSE POWER Since 2021, Richard Mille and Ferrari have combined their engineering forces to deliver horological masterpieces, first with the RM UP-01 Ultraflat Ferrari and now with the second creation—the RM 43-01 Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph Ferrari. The limited model, worn by Ferrari’s F1 drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, features two types of cases: titanium and Carbon TPT. On the dial, the manufacturers wove their signature aesthetics and technical elements together to form a three-dimensional movement that celebrates the Ferrari race cars in all their glory. II FEEL THE FORCE FRED launches a brand new collection—Force 10 Rise. As its name suggests, the latest line of fine jewellery takes cues from the Maison’s emblematic cable and buckle design crafted in either pink or white gold. The unisex pieces, modelled by…2 minHarper's Bazaar Singapore|May 2025TAKING TIMEThe drive from Geneva to the Vallée de Joux is a relatively quick 70-minute affair taking us from the city to the serene countryside through winding roads. The scenery outside is breathtaking; there are views of snow-capped mountains in the distance, endless green valleys and vast lakes. It is easy to see why Antoine LeCoultre’s ancestors settled in this peaceful spot, specifically co-founding the village of Le Sentier, some 48km from Geneva in the 16th century. This is also where LeCoultre began his namesake Maison. Since then, it has been a fixture in the Vallée de Joux, where within the walls of the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre, are secrets to thousands of movements, patents and inventions for countless watches, clocks and artefacts of haute horology. For those in the know, Jaeger-LeCoultre is…4 minHarper's Bazaar Singapore|May 2025RALPH LAUREN HOMES IN ON SHANGHAIThe air was crisp and the sky was clear; there was a gentle breeze as we made our way to Shanghai’s ROJO Art Space for a momentous event—Ralph Lauren’s very first re-see runway show in Asia. Set up to resemble the brand’s spring/summer 2025 runway show in the seaside enclave of the Hamptons, this was an important milestone for the brand and its loyal customers. The Ralph Lauren Spring 2025 Resee Fashion Experience in Shanghai was a star-studded event, with Asian celebrities in attendance—both on and off the runway. Guests included South Korean actor Song Joong Ki, Hong Kong actress Cecilia Cheung, and our very own homegrown talents Chantalle Ng and Tasha Low. There was no shortage of famous faces on the runway as well with the ever-so-suave Chinese actor…2 minHarper's Bazaar Singapore|May 2025FIRST BLOOMModels: ANSLEY GULIELMI/PREMIER MODEL MANAGEMENT and LIBBY SLAYMAKER/NEXT MANAGEMENT Makeup: FRANKIE BOYD/STREETERS Hair: JUNYA NAKASHIMA/STREETERS Manicure: MAKI SAKAMOTO/THE WALL GROUP Stylist’s assistants: SABRINA LEINA, TESS JAMESON Production: VIEW FINDERS Set designer: VIKI RUTSCH at EXPOSURE NY With thanks to GANSEVOORT MEATPACKING…1 minHarper's Bazaar Singapore|May 2025CLUBTROPICANATucked away in the heart of the Sulu Sea, Amanpulo on Pamalican Island is a pristine sanctuary that promises an unparalleled escape from the everyday. Just an hour’s flight from Manila via private plane, this secluded paradise has long been a haven for those seeking the ultimate in luxury, tranquility and natural beauty. Over the past three decades, the resort has refined the art of island hospitality, seamlessly blending barefoot luxury with world-class service. From the moment I stepped off the plane, I was greeted with enthusiastic calls of “welcome home”. I had the privilege of escaping here for an idyllic five days of pure bliss. Think bespoke culinary adventures to exhilarating outdoor activities, all designed to lull me into complete relaxation, a deeper sense of escape and to enjoy…6 min
Harper's Bazaar Singapore|May 2025GET THE LOOKThe fearlessness of youth and a zest for life—these are two outlooks we want to embrace as we enter the month of May. And who best to epitomise this spirit than our cover girl Niana Guerrero, the rising star who has taken the global dance stage by storm. Bubbly and bright, Guerrero, at only 19, is the picture of youth in a pastel frock and dazzling stacked jewellery, complete with a brown leather jacket for a touch of rebellion. And like Guerrero does, we encourage you to celebrate the joy of life, and the freedom to express yourselves at every decade.…1 minHarper's Bazaar Singapore|May 2025WAITLISTThere’s a brilliance to the way Nicolas Ghesquière approaches trends. Where many others have thrown their hat into the East–West bag with a standard rectangular option, Ghesquière’s not about to hit the market with something generic. His spring/summer 2025 outing for Louis Vuitton, a name so intertwined with adventure and the spirit of freedom, was an homage to what he termed as soft power: how clothing that feel so empowering can be cut with a gentle touch. The bag to embody that message? The new LV Biker, which at once appears structured and slouchy in the same breath. The bag—inspired by the classic biker jacket—evokes the feeling of being on open roads, and is designed to accompany you on real-life adventures. Double straps on the front recall seamlines of a…2 minHarper's Bazaar Singapore|May 2025THE NEW, AND THE NOWCarmel Snow knew it when she saw it. After attending Christian Dior’s debut collection on 12 February 1947 in Paris, the then-editor of Harper’s BAZAAR felt such a jolt that she famously declared that his designs had “such a new look”. The silhouette Dior unveiled that day has since become one of the most influential, recognisable ones in fashion history—a cinched waist with a full skirt that creates a distinctively feminine hourglass shape. Dior’s New Look was revolutionary. Arriving in the wake of the Second World War, after a period when fashion, very much out of necessity, had become utilitarian, it signalled a return to dressing with intention. “Everyone is pretty much bored with fashion as it is. LUXURY is looking for something to EXCITE people.”—WILLY CHAVARRIA Timing is everything…7 minHarper's Bazaar Singapore|May 2025FOREVER YOUNGThey step onto the red carpet, radiant, ageless, and impossibly refreshed. Lindsay Lohan, Demi Moore, Anne Hathaway and Donatella Versace—these stars were the talk of tinseltown and sparked curiosity with their seemingly magical ability to turn back the clock. But a timeless glow isn’t simply down to genetics, a tight ponytail or clever makeup tricks. While going under the knife may well be on the cards, today’s non-invasive beauty technology targets specific concerns and improves skin texture and natural features without the need of a cut or a stitch. MORE ENERGY, MORE PASSION Energy-based devices such as Ultherapy and Morpheus8 have emerged as powerful celebrity-endorsed beauty solutions. Demi Moore, known for her strikingly youthful contours, reportedly relies on Ultherapy, an ultrasound-driven treatment which gently but effectively lifts, firms, and tightens…3 minHarper's Bazaar Singapore|May 2025MUST HAVERolex’s beloved Daytona series is as iconic as they come in the watch world. Its sporty yet elegant design has had a chokehold on collectors since 1963 and the newest variation from Watches and Wonders 2025 continues its legacy. The novelty features a vibrant and glossy turquoise lacquer dial that really pops against the contrasting yellow gold case and bright black bezel and matching subdials. The accompanying Oysterflex bracelet is a refreshing combination for this striking piece and adds a sense of balance to the watch, making it a perfect everyday companion that elevates your style. Celebrate the beauty of this new colourway with a matching fit that is chic but effortless.…1 minHarper's Bazaar Singapore|May 2025MOST WANTEDThe resurgence of all things bohemian has been a great talking point within fashion circles of late. Amidst a tumultuous global landscape, womenswear designers have embraced all things boho in the same way that the OG hippies were a reaction to world events in the ’70s. Alessandro Michele, who presented his first spring/summer 2025 collection for Valentino since assuming the role of creative head appears to be dwelling on the same ethos. Yet, the maestro that Michele is would never dip into the same palette that everyone else paints with. After all, here is the man who’s challenged fashion to rethink gendered clothing, embrace maximalism and give camp a place in our closets. For his big debut, he reinterpreted the looks of the ’70s and the ’80s—decades where Valentino Garavani…1 minHarper's Bazaar Singapore|May 2025INSPIRATIONANTON CRUZ 36, SALES MANAGER AT JORDAN BRAND, NIKE IN SOUTHEAST ASIA AND INDIA Born in Hong Kong, raised in Manila, and having lived in Singapore since 2018, Anton Cruz’s interests have stayed consistent from his childhood till now. Obsessed with basketball, and his hero Michael Jordan, Cruz turned his dream of being in the US National Basketball Association into his career at Jordan Brand. Cruz’s style is relaxed and effortless—often anchored by a pair of sneakers—and exudes a hint of nostalgia and cool nonchalance, which makes perfect sense given that he lists Tyler, The Creator and Jonah Hill as his style inspirations. VICE AND VANITY “Shoes, and specifically sneakers are my vice. The Jordan 1 85 High Bred is my current prized possession. As a fan of timeless pieces,…1 minHarper's Bazaar Singapore|May 2025A PARADISE IN THE SKYThe home of lawyer Lakshanthi Fernando, and her husband, trade credit and political risk professional Tim Warren is not the kind you stumble upon in Singapore. The airy three-storey penthouse apartment boasts stunning views of MacRitchie Reservoir, a luxury that few are privy to. The home’s stunning interiors, done in collaboration with award-winning interior design studio A Life by Design, are also unique; combining custom-made furnishings with artwork from Fernando’s native Sri Lanka for a colourful and vibrant take on tropical living. Fernando, has lived in her current apartment since 2020, but the estate is one that she fell in love with, having moved in with housemates to a ground floor apartment soon after she graduated from law school and started her first job here almost 17 years ago. Style…7 min
Harper's Bazaar Singapore|May 2025REMEMBERING LAICHAN GOHLAICHAN GOH, 1962–2025 It’s almost as if the skies knew. On a gloomy Monday in April, the thunderous clouds gathered, whipping into a soft drizzle, as the news hit my phone: Laichan Goh—one of the greats in Singaporean fashion—had passed away. The couturier made his first cheongsam at the tender age of 14. There was no fancy fashion degree behind him, only the grit and tenacity to teach himself how to excel at the craft of dressmaking and fashion design. This earnestness and dedication to the craft won him a legion of loyal fans, and for the many decades since he first opened his label in the local market, Laichan brought a time-tested respect and dignity to the cheongsam, fit for a modern-day customer. “He knew his customers so well.…4 minHarper's Bazaar Singapore|May 2025THE STYLESTYLE INSPIRATION: GYM TAN “The clothes never wear me; you should always see me”, is a mantra California resident Gym Tan lives by, and her personality and style as shown on her IG (@californiaistoocasual) proves it. Born in Singapore to an affluent Teochew family, the 64-year-old content creator was exposed to the finer things in life from a young age—something that she says has undoubtedly shaped her aesthetic and sense of style. While Tan oozes confidence and elegance, she is not afraid to experiment, as fashion to her, is both an art and a form of self-expression. “Honestly, my favourite FASHION DECADE is right now. There are NO RULES—anything goes! It’s about VINTAGE, STREETWEAR, and PERSONAL STYLE.” PATC H OF MEMORY Remember when ASAP Rocky broke all grounds when he…2 minHarper's Bazaar Singapore|May 2025FANNFAVOURITE“I’m still EVOLVING—as an ACTRESS, a MOTHER, a PERSON.” FANN WONG walks into the studio quietly, dressed in an oversized white shirt and pale blue jeans. No entourage, no diva demands. If anything, her entrance is so low-key, you might miss her if you weren’t paying attention—which is kind of wild, considering this is Wong we’re talking about, a name synonymous with a certain era of Singaporean pop culture glory. It’s been over 30 years since she first lit up our screens, and yet, she’s still doing what she does best: showing up, putting in the work, and somehow making everything look effortless. Yet, when you peel back the glossy exterior, you’ll find someone who’s quietly and delightfully irrepressible, unexpectedly funny, and disarmingly self-aware. “I’m still learning how to be…7 minHarper's Bazaar Singapore|May 2025TIME OUT OF MINDModels: LEE JAE SEOK, IGNAT Makeup: JANG HAEIN Hair: OH JI HYE Assistant: KIM JINWOO Design: LEE YE SEUL Digital designer: GRAFIKSANG…1 minHarper's Bazaar Singapore|May 2025DIALED INSlow deep breaths, foot hovering confidently on the air pump pedal and beads of sweat rolling down my back, I was ready to embark on the most nerve-racking test I’ve taken in years—hand-painting numerals on a Franck Muller dial. As I peered into the eyepiece of the microscope, I realised that I had made one fatal error: ordering a latte at lunch. My laser focus could not compensate for the caffeine-induced trembling of my hands, resulting in paint splotches outside the boundaries of the number “5”. Despite the reassurances of a seasoned professional at the watchmaker’s dial factory, tucked away in the mountainside of Les Bois, Switzerland, I knew that this dial would not pass the brand’s quality control measures. I would have felt worse about my performance had I…5 minHarper's Bazaar Singapore|May 2025HOROSCOPETRUS APRIL–20 MAY) This season, you’re drawn to spaces where your presence and efforts are recognised. You may be more empathetic to people whose views differ from yours. Steer clear of making decisions and promises on a whim. The 17th is ideal for pushing your plans in small steps to the next level. Remember that you always have support and resources to tap into when necessary. GEMINI (21 MAY–21 JUN) Place your mental health front and centre, and look forward to each day with refreshed eyes. Read books that inspire you. The New Moon on the 27th is a great day to pump yourself up and take necessary action. The 30th and 31st are conducive for figuring out the flow of your life, and to catch up with loved ones.…3 minHarper's Bazaar Singapore|May 2025TASTE, SIP, SHOP,REPEAT.On a lazy Sunday afternoon, I took a stroll around my usually quiet neighborhood in Joo Chiat to look for lunch, only to be met with throngs of excited Singaporeans standing around snapping photos. The cause of the sudden and enthusiastic gathering? A newly opened pop-up store by French fashion juggernaut Louis Vuitton, in celebration of their ongoing collaboration with the popular Japanese artist, Takashi Murakami. I stood at the street corner for a few minutes, observing the behaviours of the customers. Sure, there were plenty queuing up for their rainbow-coloured monogrammed purchases, but there was an equal number of people there for one thing: to experience the cafe by not just any fashion label, but a storied one. Louis Vuitton’s pop-up is not the first time fashion has sought…6 minHarper's Bazaar Singapore|May 2025A GIRL LIKE YOULet’s talk numbers. According to the World Population Review 2025, Canada’s population is estimated at 40.7 million, Australia stands at 26.5 million and Switzerland at 8.8 million. Across her Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, Filipino dancing sensation Niana Guerrero has 77 million followers. Which means if you combined the population of all of the aforementioned countries, you’d still be a million short. That, in itself, is no small feat. Commanding the attention of 77 million netizens is something that any politician or celeb fantasises about. It’s an even greater feat when you consider that Guerrero is only 19 this year. She’s collaborated with BLACKPINK’s Lisa on a dance video, launched her own trending choreography all over the interwebs, and she counts two of BTS’ members as part of her multitude of…6 minHarper's Bazaar Singapore|May 2025TALKING POINTSTHE WORLD STAGE Join Louis Vuitton at the French Pavilion, at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka Kansai, where the fashion marque pays tribute to the art of craftsmanship and to Japan. The immersive installation, designed by Japanese architect Shohei Shigematsu (OMA) centres around Rodin’s sculpture The Cathedral and showcases a room filled with 85 Wardrobe trunks. Each trunk is an example of artisanal expertise, amplified by an original soundtrack—composed in collaboration with the French Institute for Research and Coordination in Acoustics/Music—that reinterprets the vibrations in the ateliers. In “trunk sphere”, a second room, visitors go on a sensory, dreamlike journey through a soundscape and walls brought to life by Daito Manabe’s video piece. Enjoy this fantastical portrayal of the brand. Till 13 October 2025. MOTIFS FOR THE HOME Hermès’…4 min