Was madam Wellington Koo the first global glamazon?

I took advantage of The Asian Civilisation Museum`s offer of half-price tickets on Friday night to see two super-interesting exhibitions.  The first one – Devotion and Desire – celebrates cross cultural art in Asia, from Indian tortoise-shell jewellery boxes, fine Chinese ceramics, Southeast Asian figures carved in wood, to exquisite bridal gowns.

This richly coloured robe and skirt dates from late 19^th or early 20^th century, and is made of silk, gold threat and cotton. It was worn at Peranakan wedding, which was a grand affair.

The Peranakans are well known blended communities, whose descendants were foreign traders who married local women. They would adopt many cultural traits from their new homes in the Malay, while still holding onto their original culture whether from China, India or Europe. Like many Peranakans, Oei  Hui-Ian, later known as madam Wellington Koo, was the daughter of a wealthy businessman. Raised in European splendour in Java and Singapore, and educated in Christian schools, she married a Chinese diplomat, and travelled throughout the world. Since her childhood, she successfully operated in several cultures, wearing haute couture, as well as sarong kebaya and cheongsam.  The first global glamazon perhaps?

This portrait of madam Wellingtom Koo was made in 1921 by Charles Tharp – oil on canvas.

Head of a bodhisattva Gandhara made in terracotta around 4^th century, captured my imagination, as it is so realistic, and so beautifully made.

 

This chair mixes European and Indian motives and stylistic interpretation. Ebony furniture was made in the 17^th and early 18^th centuries on the Coromandel Coast, in Sri Lanka and Java.

Lacquer Across Asia is an accompanying exhibition to the Devotion and Desire, and dazzled me with several large scale, shiny and highly decorative pieces.

This offering vessel, in form of a hintha bird, has been made in Myanmar, Mandalay in late 19^th or early 20^th century, from lacquered and gilded wood, mirrors and inlaid glass.  

This carved and lacquered figure of Buddha makes a huge impression because of its size and bright colour – the red paint on the folds of the robe, and blue pigment around the moulded hair curls.  It came from China, in 18^th century and was made from wood, cloth, lacquer, plaster, paint and gold leaf. Often in Buddhist tradition, many more layers of lacquer, varnish and gold leaf would be added over time.

 

Lacquer –obtained from the sap of trees in China and Southeast Asia – has been highly coveted for millennia as it is very durable as well as attractive; and having seen so many stunning examples here, I am eager to purchase some lacquer pieces for my homes.

Rude Panda!

What can I say…..he (clearly, it is he) took one look at my husband, when my husband visited pandas` enclosure at the River Safari in Singapore, and decided to show him….everything. No consideration for decorum or good manners - rude panda!

Festive Season in Hot Climate

I am preparing for Christmas and the New Year celebrations. Today, I signed a white ball with my New Year wish. It will be floating on New Year eve, attractively lit up, on the river, in front of Marina Bay Sands, as part of a flotilla of white inflatable balls, with personal desires and aspirations, scribbled on them by thousands of Singaporeans. What a grand idea, don`t you think? What did I scrawl down? – WORLD PEACE TO EVERYONE!

Christmas trees are everywhere, some are more exquisitely decorated than others, and my favourite is the one standing  in a foyer of the Fullerton Hotel – it has a garland of soft teddy bears wrapped around it, and is as innovative as it is cute and….cuddly.   

 

On my way to visit the teddies at the Fullerton Hotel; I am wearing a dress (a birthday present from my girlfriend) by Rena Lange, shoes by Chanel and glasses by Marc Jacobs, and a bag by Michael Kors.

 Yesterday, I started buying festive gifts for my loved ones; for someone who had gone through many festive preparations in a cold climate of winter, being often wrapped up in a fur coat, to protect against chilly wind, and (on occasions) frost bites, I find it a tad peculiar to be organising Christmas celebrations in a sizzling weather.

 

Thankfully, `Christmassy` displays are everywhere, to help me get into the spirit of joyfulness…….

……….and carol singing add a festive feel to my present-hunting activities.

 

So listen up my girlfriends: if you were good to me this year, you will receive a PRECIOUS gift (note what is spelled out in capitals – this is your cue to what you will be getting!). If however, you were selfish, and obnoxious, you should expect to get nothing. Hmmmmm, which option do you think I would choose for you?

 

Leaders in Fashionable Footwear

In the late 90`s two brothers, Charles and Keith Wong opened a shoe store in Singapore, and because they were selling super-trendy shoes and accessories to style-setters, they quickly become a true institution here; you see their label being featured prominently on many pages of fashion magazines. And you are most likely to spot their handbags carried by many commuters on MRT trains. Charles & Keith brand is synonymous with cutting edge footwear, as far as fashion-savvy Singaporeans are concerned.

A model from Charles and Keith`s latest collection

The prices are reasonable, maybe because everything is made from man-made materials, rather than leather and – I guess – this focus on non-leather items must be driving prices down.

 

For even more purse-friendly options, one needs to head to Queenstown area, to a small Anchorpoint shopping mall, situated opposite Ikea, where Charles and Keith`s outlet is located. It offers up to 70% discounts on the original price.

Unfortunately, because they use man-made materials, I am not sure I can wear their footwear, especially in a humid climate of Singapore, as I am worried my feet would blister from not wearing `breathable` shoes. Having said that, I appreciate their elegant and feminine designs and find them very appealing. 

Monsoon Season Brings its own Challenges

The monsoon season is in full swing, lowering the temperature to 25 – 28 degrees Celsius, from the usual 30 degrees. Local landmarks glister in the downpour, expertly lit up for the night. It is very atmospheric, especially in the evenings, as the curtain of droplets (some are big!) falls down, turning the dusky sky into velvety- steel colour. Pedestrians are forced to shelter under umbrellas or to find cover, which is easy in this city because it is densely populated with skyscrapers. We have watched on many occasions a flood of water sliding down glass rooftops, cocooned in the safety of an exhibition hall, a restaurant, or a shopping mall. 

 I am wearing a Michael Kores dress, and a handbag by the same designer, while watching my beloved Merlion being hosed down by the monsoon

It is not, however, all rosy, as we are reminded on a regular basis about a very real danger of dengue fever (there are a few fatalities every year), especially as there is no vaccination against it and we`ve had quite a lot of rain so far. There is a map on the internet where the government updates the recent cases of outbreak, and the local papers carry the warnings.

Engrossed in the Sunday Times in Rochester Park Starbuck`s; I am wearing a dress by James Lakeland

Prevention is the only way to safeguard yourself against it, so am extremely grateful to the cleaning lady who comes to my apartment twice a week, and I am ensuring there is no stagnant water near me. We also have a city-wide poster campaign, advising on prevention, for example one has to change water every other day in vases used for cut flowers, and check sinks regularly. The outbreaks of dengue fever are associated mainly with construction sites, but it is quite unnerving to hear that recently there were cases of Aedes mosquito bites in the famous Orchard Road and its surrounding area – the prime shopping artery of the city, making it into shopaholic`s nightmare! Thankfully, the authorities are quick in dealing with the outbreaks and hopefully escapades for shoes and other glam-inducing apparel would become enjoyable soon.

The other unpleasant side-effect of monsoon is the fact that if you are caught up in it, you can get soaked quickly. And as soon as you jump on an air-conditioned train, or step into air-conditioned office space, or a shopping arcade, you catch a chill, which can lead to more than just a case of a runny nose for a few days – I am just recovering from such an experience and – believe me – it’s no fun! 

Still, the respite to a constant heat and humidity is welcomed here, and like everything else in life, there are two aspects (good and bad) to every monsoon story being lived through on this island.

A Myriad of Orchid Blooms!

The largest display of tropical orchids in the world is in the National Orchid Garden in Singapore. Some of the orchid hybrids are dedicated, and named after well-known personalities, and visiting dignitaries, for example Margaret Thatcher has her own but I couldn`t appreciate its tiny flowers ,I am afraid; the one featured in this photo – Dendrobium -  has been named in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, on 22 September 1997.  Standing behind the orchid, I am wearing a simple t-shirt by Great Plains (I wouldn`t dare compete with the splendour of the blooms!) and an old belt by Moschino. Sunglasses are from Marc Jacobs, and skirt by Arianna.

Check out some of my favourites, which I came across on my visit! 

 

 

 

 

I always have orchids at home, but I discovered here that placing a mirror as a backdrop to these amazing flowers, makes the display even more enchanting – lesson learnt!

 

 

The orchids have been closely associated with the Singapore Botanic Gardens since 1859, and in 1928 the gardeners embarked on a breeding programme. As a result, right now, over 1,000 species and 2,000 hybrids are calling the National Orchid Garden its home.

 

As orchids are my favourite flowers, I was pleased to find out that in 1981 an exceptionally looking orchid, discovered by Miss Agnes Joaquim in her garden was chosen to be the national flower of Singapore.

 

Chanel in London and Singapore

In early October I went to the London College of Fashion to see a collection of portraits of Coco Chanel, painted by an American artist Marion Pike, when the celebrated designer was an elderly woman.  She famously refused Pablo Piccasso's request to paint her but found a great friend in Californian artist Pike, whom she met in 1967 in Paris.

The exhibition also featured fine gowns and classic Chanel suits that the designer gave to the artist, as well as a few examples of their correspondence. Chanel was writing to Pike in French and I wonder, was Pike fluent in French?

Last year, while living in London, I invited two girlfriends to come with me to Karl Lagerfeld`s photo exhibition, entitled `The Little Black Jacket`; unfortunately, I fell ill with a nasty flu and couldn`t see it. So can you imagine my joy when I discovered that the very same exhibition followed me to Singapore! Yes, it is now at Marina Bay, and in early November I went to see  Lagerfeld`s favourite muses – actors, musicians, models, socialites, all wearing the iconic black tweed, while being photographed by the designer. Sometimes the jacket – unmistakable symbol of Chanel`s house – is casually draped over their shoulders, at other times, wrapped around their waists.

The images are very well styled and simply stunning. My husband and I amused ourselves by recreating poses in front of the originals, and photographing ourselves while `shadowing` the beautiful people.

I am wearing a Michael Kors dress and clogs by Chanel; handbag (just visible) - from Michael Kors