Penang-born Han Chong has a lot to be thankful for these days especially since making his mark as a fashion designer with cult-brand Self-Portrait, which he founded in 2013 in the city of his dreams, London. The Central Saint Martins alum has hit several milestones in his decade-long adventure designing clothes for all women.

Amazing lace

Sabahan artist Yee I-Lann uses her work to talk about communities celebrating their cultures and differences. She also focuses on connections and one way towards it — that is, to share a tikar. The mat, usually woven by women, represents egalitarian, communal and feminist politics. It is flexible and can serve as a meeting place, like the tamu or weekly market, where people exchange goods, stories and ideas. Stripped of hierarchy, it is a space where people can find the others, and learn from different views and ways of looking at things.

The heart of the matter

Swiss Watch opened its first Rolex boutique at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur in 2007. Two years after that, it set up a second one, at Suria KLCC. Last week, the company owned by Valiram officially launched its flagship store on the ground floor of KLCC, to provide customers an environment in keeping with the sophisticated nature of the watch brand.

Geared for more

Hannah Yeoh has been busy as a bee with various meetings, engagements and appearances scheduled ever since she was sworn in as the youth and sports minister in December. In between catching up with athletes and speaking about initiatives rolled out by the ministry under her care, she talks to us about her Road to Gold programme, which she hopes will yield a gold medal at the coming Olympics in Paris next year.

Raising the game

With Mother’s Day on the horizon, we catch up with respected corporate figure and philanthropist Datuk Anne Eu and Cannes-nominated filmmaker daughter Amanda Nell on supporting and inspiring each other.

As Eu like it

The Niro Ceramic Group is all set to go public in the middle of next year. We speak to its managing director Ian Kok about how the company is banking on its Swiss heritage and innovative spirit to take it forward to become a regional tile player.

Laying the groundwork

A plot of padi land bought in the 1960 evolved over the years and became a weekend home, Sentosa Janda Baik, where Tan Sri Kamarul Ariffin Mohamed Yassin’s family gathered. As the place blossomed with trees, plants and flowers tended by his wife Frances, he collected paintings, sculptures and ornate wood carvings, as well as kitchen utensils, furniture and tools salvaged from his grandfather's home in Kerdau, Pahang. These have been placed in three galleries — the Islamic Gallery, White Gallery and Grandfather’s Gallery — set up on the property and now open to the public. Another of the seven structures on Sentosa Janda Baik in Bentong is a residence, also open to guests for home stays. Guided gallery tours can be arranged, as well as meals on the grounds, which also serve as event spaces.

Tranquil sensibility

We meet with Mercedes-Benz Malaysia chief executive officer and president Sagree Sardien to learn more about the company's sustainability and electrification initiatives. She explains how clear foundation pillars, governmental incentives, and consumer awareness are pushing sustainable practices in the organisation and the automotive sector. All parties must play their role in bringing the central idea together.

All charged up

Clothing waste conversations are rife but what are we really doing to keep textiles out of landfills? The statistics are alarming. According to Earth.org, of the 100 billion garments produced each year, 92 million tonnes end up in landfills. To put things in perspective, this means that the equivalent of a rubbish truck full of clothes ends up on landfill sites every second. So, what are we doing to help reduce this massive waste?

Roaring 20s redux

Born with a visceral call in his heart, Morgan Bourc’his has dedicated his life to freediving and his soul to the sea. The three-time world champion and friend of Tudor was invited to Gaya Island, Sabah to host a freediving masterclass for the brand’s clients. In an exclusive interview, the Frenchman talks about the wonders of and transcending experiences in the deep blue, as well as the daring spirit it takes to go beyond.

Master of the sea

KUALA LUMPUR (March 26): As Château de Versailles turns 400 this year, what better way to mark the occasion than with a weekend break at Le Grand Côntrole, the impossibly luxurious hotel right by the palace’s side? Having opened in 2021, the latter is, by all accounts, a boutique hotel but an overnight stay will put paid to that thought immediately.

All the luxe

Those who profess a love for all things terpsichorean need to make a cultural pilgrimage, at least once in their lifetime, to the Unesco World Heritage Site of Khajuraho in India during its celebrated annual dance festival.

Diary of a dancer

It has been a difficult time for the arts and culture industry. Many were forced to throw in the towel, including award-winning multi-lingual theatre outfit Dama Asia Productions. Artistic director Pun Kai Loon and producer/music director Khor Seng Chew share how the only thing that kept them going was their company turning 30 in 2024.

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