How the Lion City Got its Name

The origin of Singapore`s most iconic symbol – the Merlion, a half-lion, half-fish chimera – can be traced to an ancient legend, according to which a Malay prince spotted this unusual creature in the waters surrounding a beautiful island.  He renamed the island from Tumasik (or Temasek) to Singapura, meaning `lion city` - in Malay `singa` means lion, and `pura` implies city. Of course, there is no reason why in real life a lion would appear in this part of the world, but – as the legend has it – the mythical beast become active in protecting the inhabitants from harm and danger.

The merlion has also been seen in other artistic and cultural references around the world; for example on Indian murals, and coats of arms of the city of Great Yarmouth.

The statue of the Singaporean`s Merlion was erected in August 1972 at a costly sum of S$165,000 by a man called Lim Nan Seng, and is now a well-recognised landmark in the city`s financial district, as well as a Singapore`s answer to London`s Big Ben or Parisian Eiffel Tower.

Night at the Museum

Tonight I visited the National Museum of Singapore, hosted in a palatial, neo-classical building, which has been refurbished recently. It is the oldest museum in Singapore - its history dates back to 1849.  

In a Michael Kors dress and Juicy Couture shoes; the broomsticks in the photo are part of an artistic expression of `manual labour`

 I popped in to take advantage of a `happy hour` between 6-8pm when Singapore Living Galleries can be seen free of charge. The exhibition I enjoyed tonight is dedicated to lives of Singaporeans in the 1950s, and through to 1970s when street food sellers were the integral part of the society. You can see their carts displayed alongside examples of dish carriers, and you can even smell some examples of food that was popular at that time.

 

The evening was very atmospheric, with an earlier rain and thunderstorms giving way to a steamy night. It was just so fitting to be in this beautiful building, expertly lit up, and reflected in the damp pavements.

Part of the interior: new and old complementing each other

P.S. Don`t be fooled by the time of this post – it is set to the UK time, which is 8 hours earlier than the current time in Singapore.

Moschino is 30 years old

In Singapore, wearing an old Moschino belt, which perfectly complements my Manuel Canovas dress and a bag from Gucci

Franco Moschino had revolutionised the fashion world when he appeared on the scene 30 years ago, in 1983 with Moschino Couture! label.  With his individualistic take on what `stylish` should look like and his penchant for poking fun at the establishment of the era, he become one of the leading innovators of the late 80`s and early 90`s.  His original designs felt fresh and provocative – I still have a large tote bag from one of his earliest collections, with `no to racism` clearly spelt out in bold letters.

 

In a recently purchased Moschino dress in London

I started buying Moshino in the early 90`s and I never really stopped!  It felt so naughty, but also so `grown-up` to be able to splash out most of my hard earned cash on frivolous fashion finds, when I just started out in my working career. I still remember a day when my friend Melissa and I had trouble fitting in all the cardboard bags into her small car, parked on Sloan Street. Later on, I become so besotted with his swimwear collections that it prompted a purchase of our West African penthouse – after all, I had to have a reason to wear those lovelies somewhere!

This loose Moschino dress is casual yet chic and its colours look good in a bright light of West Africa

 

This Moschino dress is my trusted travelling companion – here with me in Dubai

Moschino`s death in 1994 didn`t diminish the popularity of his brand. Fortunately, his skilful former assistant Rossella Jardini has continued to create collections that are in keeping with his imaginative sense of style. Happy birthday Moschino!

 

Shopping in Singapore

This shopaholic found her favourite Singapore shoe label – Gripz

It is easy to shop in Singapore; the sheer number of shopping malls, stand-alone boutiques and shopping districts they have here is mind-blowing. And everyone is guaranteed to find a treasure, which will match their taste and the depth of their pocket. The famous Orchard Road – filled with nutmeg, pepper and fruit orchards a few centuries ago, is now packed with luxury brands dedicated to fulfil every whim of even the most sophisticated of buyers. Amongst the pricy items on sell, you can also find on this boulevard-like street, a myriad of `cheap-and-cheerful` retail stores, which offer 3 items for S$10 (equivalent of approx. £5).

Exclusive fashion emporiums on Orchard Road

 

On the opposite spectrum is Little India, an enclave of Indian culture, which offers an authentic shopping experience, with its cacophony of fabric shops, gold retailers, stalls selling flower garlands, and the `daddy of a treasure trove` - Mustafa Center, opened 24 hours, and happily shifting knick-knacks, food, textiles, electronic items, and much, much more, for next to nothing.

 

The perfume of the flower garlands, mixed together with a smell of food, spices, and the island`s eminent humidity, make for a heady stench; as much as I tried, I had to make a hasty retreat

There is no point buying Western labels here as the prices are higher than in Europe, for example Louis Vuitton Speedy will cost you almost £200 more. So I decided to concentrate on finding original, home-grown labels.

 

Sampling the local brands…..should I buy this dress?

Gripz, a Singapore owned shoe label was named one of “The Best Boutique Finds in Singapore”, by a fashion magazine, and sells exquisite, ‘must-have’ styles at somewhat agreeable prices.

 

Happy feet

 

Singapore’s Chinese culture and history

Singapore is a multicultural country with a majority population of Chinese (74.2% of the residents), with substantial Malay and Indian minorities. So today I headed to Chinatown to embrace Chinese lifestyle and learn more about its history.  And I wasn`t disappointed; it fact I was truly amazed by the colourful mix of old and new, and fascinated by the stories that the locals shared with me.

The lady pictured here told me that these paper bags – some with LV logo prominently displayed – are for female ancestors and they are burnt as offerings to honour the dead. The offerings (made out of paper) range from daily necessities (such as shoes, watches or toothbrushes) to items of more significant importance such as cars or houses. The most common offering however is paper money, but these days even paper credit cards or cheques are offered for burning. Majority of customers come to this shop during Quing Ming when many Chinese pray to their ancestors and the Festival of the Hungry Ghosts when some Buddhists and Taoists burn paper offerings for the wandering ghosts that are let out of Hell. Joss sticks and candles are lit as a symbol of communicating with the gods and the dead.

Interesting architecture can be seen at every corner and Chinatown hosts several prominent religious landmarks, including the Sri Mariamman Temple (Hindu temple) and Jamae Mosque; the Mosque was built by the Chulia community who came from southern India. It is built to face Mecca and therefor is slightly out of alignment with street greed. I was given a long, green coloured robe to wear while at this place of worship and was asked to remove my shoes. I made a group of men sitting by the entrance door laugh when I said; `These are Chanel, please make sure they don`t go missing`, before realising how silly my remark was.

The front gate is typically South Indian.....

.....while the prayer hall contains some neoclassical elements; by the way, you can`t walk on the carpets!

I met two antique dealers, in two separate shops - one Singaporean and one Chinese - and both showed me exquisite examples of artefacts, for example parts of a large 4-poster beds that were dismantled and sold separately as objects of art, and a compass that was used to determine the position of the door of a new house, to ensure the good energy flows in easily. The Chinese antique dealer offered to de-stress me by using a traditional Chinese method of sound – I loved it!

I have my eye on these two 1920s Chinese lions; the one on the left is a female and is holding a baby-cub under her paw; her male equivalent is `bringing home the bacon`.

The rain pounded the streets when I was inside the stunning Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, which reputedly contains a tooth of the Buddha. Most Chinese are Buddhists, with a smaller number Taoists and Christians.

The focus of worship in the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is Maitreya, the Future Buddha, also affectionately known as the `Prosperity Buddha`; he holds a precious vase in his left hand and displays a `fear –dispelling ` gesture on his right.

The practice of selecting a personal Guardian Deity is based on one`s Zodiac sign, and every Animal Sign has a corresponding Buddha or Bodhisattva who has a special link with people born under that particular sign, offering spiritual guidance and protection.  

Manjushri Bodhisattva – Guardian Deity for those born in the Year of the Rabbit.

Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva is guarding people born in the Year of the Horse.

Bodhisattva Cintamanicakra Avalokitesvara is portrayed here in a royal posture on a lotus throne, with six arms, and I noticed several worshipers saying prayers here for wisdom, as well as for ending sufferings in their present or future lives.

I am aware today I just uncovered a very few facets of this fascinating culture and can`t wait to go back and experience, and learn more.

 

 

From Selfridges to the Star Vista in Singapore

The Star Performing Arts Centre in Singapore comprises a number of excellent venues for concerts, art happenings, civic events and theatre productions, as well as a retail development called The Star Vista.

Since Monday the multi-level shopping emporiums of The Star Vista become my `go to destinations` for L'Oréal nail polishes, Vichy exfoliating cream, porcelain coffee mug, an umbrella, placemats, and other essentials needed to make my new Singaporean apartment feel like home.

Having left my usual retail environment of Selfridges behind, I am now busy getting my bearings, but will report shortly on new and exciting cultural and artistic developments in this wonderful Southeast Asian sovereign city-state; it is one of only three in the world, and the only one that is also an island country.

  

What to Wear for Night Out in Private Members Club

In a sparkly dress at Buddha Bar; lashings of organza look great on my partygoer, and its texture and colour complement each other

Over the last month or so I noticed a strange and quite unattractive trend emerging…. every time I went out with friends to various private members clubs in London, I spotted a multitude of women dressed in sombre black dresses.  Why? What is so appealing about dull, black dresses that their wearers think look attractive in a harsh, unforgiving light of a club? What message do they think this restrained elegance is sending? Sedative darling, not stimulant!

Many of those who are clad in this ill-fated attire don`t have a peachy, glowing skin. However, a lot of them have fab blond hair. Unfortunately, the blackness of the dresses make their complexions look ash-white, no matter how light their hair, or how bright their lipsticks are.

I always viewed members clubs as joyful playgrounds, and therefore worthy of a jewel-coloured garb. Below is a selection of bright outfits I wore at some of the venues. And not wanting to, I had no choice but to stand out from the mob of crows.  Sisters – it`s time to embrace colour!

In a Manoush dress and Vivienne Westwood heels at Buddha Bar

In a Roksanda Ilincic dress at Home House

In a vintage dress at No.41  

No 41 Delivers an Elegant Décor

I am wearing a vintage dress

 

Recently, we celebrated the new addition to already busy London`s private members club scene – No 41, adjacent to Westbury Hotel, in Mayfair.

The crowd was a mix of distinctly middle-aged and middle class sophisticates, a few young, graceful, model-like creatures, a group of Mayfair patrons, and a handful of heavyweight foreign investors thrown in for a good measure.

Cool tunes offered by live DJ brought a handful of people onto a dance floor but one woman’s attempt at techno moves had her almost head-butting another dancer – not cool!

What is it like inside? Black carpet with white, entwined circles; shiny parquet on a dance floor; plush burgundy coloured velvet sofas with plenty of green and gold cushions to prop up a weary head; high-back chairs covered in plum fabric, mirrored walls, low-level coffee tables, a number of massive pictures of nude women cradled by scantily dressed men, and oversized chandeliers create an elegant interior. On one side, there is a row of Greek-style columns, and on another, a bar tucked into a corner; it looks so spookily similar to the one gracing the back wall of the Muse of Mayfair, I had to double-check where I was,  as I couldn`t believe how alike the two were.