Cover Ervin Yeo, Tham Wanrong, Stephanie Tay, Tina Tan-Leo and Lionel Leo

Here’s what went down at Tatler Singapore’s most anticipated soiree of the year

In a gathering of greats, from titans of business and next-gen innovators to culture connoisseurs and the style cognoscenti, our 42nd Tatler Ball presented power, purpose and paradise at The Fullerton Hotel Singapore. 

Themed Xanadu, the Tatler Ball 2024 sought to encapsulate the origin word's definition: depicting an otherworldly realm where brilliance, idyllism, and visions of a better world intertwine. 

To bring this vision to life, the iconic hotel’s grand ballroom was transformed into a lush, illuminated dome, presenting etherealism in grand black tie fashion. Buoyed by the spirit of camaraderie—and many other spirits to toast to the night of splendour—our esteemed guests arrived dressed to the nines as they broke bread and made merry till the wee hours of the morning. 

In case you missed it, here’s what went down inside the ballroom.

Don’t miss: Tatler Ball 2024: The best looks from the Xanadu red carpet

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Photo 1 of 3 Professor Jackie Ying
Photo 2 of 3 Koh Seng Choon
Photo 3 of 3 Willabelle and Ryan Ong

Making an entrance

How does one make a grand entrance at the social event of the season? With a stylish Range Rover ride, of course, and several of our esteemed guests did just that.

Nanotechnology scientist Jackie Ying, the winner of Impact Awards for Innovation, was one of the first guests to arrive, and she did so in a Range Rover PHEV. Looking dapper in a two-piece suit, our Humanity Award winner Koh Seng Choon arrived hand-in-hand with wife Vivian Lam Yee via a Range Rover PHEV. Last but certainly not least, stylish siblings Willabelle and Ryan Ong made a fashionable entrance, stepping onto the red carpet from their sleek Range Rover Sport.

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Photo 1 of 21 Parry Singh and Carrie Suen
Photo 2 of 21 Lionel Leo, Kishore Mahubani, and Tina Tan-Leo
Photo 3 of 21 Jonathan Chua, Tamara Lamunière, and Stephanie Tay
Photo 4 of 21 Ranvir Singh, Tamara Lamunière, and Sapna Chadha
Photo 5 of 21 Lim Wai Mun, Kevin and Iroshini Chua, and Vernessa Loo-Lim
Photo 6 of 21 Hazlina Abdul Halim and Alaric Choo
Photo 7 of 21 Zongwei Chamagne, Mint Lim, Sam Chua, and Yanina Novitskaya
Photo 8 of 21 Trina Liang-Lin
Photo 9 of 21 Paige Parker, Elim Chew, and Jim Rogers
Photo 10 of 21 Asih Jenie, Stephanie Tay, and Peter Tay
Photo 11 of 21 Ervin Yeo and Wanrong Tham
Photo 12 of 21 Jamie Too, Ang Zhi Lin, Yanny Li, Becky Lee, Sam Chua, and Sabrina Huang
Photo 13 of 21 Maranda Barnes, Taha Bouqdib, and Jim Rogers
Photo 14 of 21 Sarah Ahn, Marc Nicholson, Jean Low, and Dean Ho
Photo 15 of 21 Sybil Lau
Photo 16 of 21 Laurence Lien
Photo 17 of 21 Arthur Tay
Photo 18 of 21 Neo Kah Kiat
Photo 19 of 21 House of Haute Mess and Grace Wong
Photo 20 of 21 Beatrice and Dana Cheong, Caroline Low-Heah, and Elizabeth Heah
Photo 21 of 21 Elodie Koeberle and Florian Sander
Sarah Ahn, and Dean Ho
Sybil Lau
Tatler Asia
Above Quah Jing Weng, Ting Wen and Zheng Wen at the photo wall

Guests arriving at The Fullerton Hotel were greeted with a gorgeous green carpet. Here, society swans, industry leaders and other esteemed Tatler community had the opportunity to mingle and pose against a beautiful backdrop adorned with beautiful flowers by Fiore Dorato.

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Photo 1 of 3 The Moët Hennessy Diageo bar at the cocktail area
Photo 2 of 3 Hennessy XO
Photo 3 of 3 Moët & Chandon Brut Imperial, served in elegant gold flutes

At the cocktail area, the atmosphere was electric. The celebratory mood was elevated by the sophisticated offerings from the Moët Hennessy Diageo bar. Guests indulged in the exquisite flavors of Hennessy XO and its Limited Edition offerings. As laughter and conversation flowed, guests also savoured the crisp notes of Moët & Chandon Brut Imperial, served in elegant gold flutes.

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Photo 1 of 2 Charmaine Seah-Ong at the La Mer experiential lounge
Photo 2 of 2 Marilyn Lum, Min-Li Tan and Wendy Long at the La Mer experiential lounge

Adding a touch of glamour to the festivities was the La Mer experiential lounge. The gorgeous moon backdrop was the perfect photo-op for our guests to snap some photographs. At the same time, La Mer’s expert consultants were on hand to provide personalised skincare recommendations as guests explored the brand’s full range of luxurious products.

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Photo 1 of 2 Chen Yixin at the Armani Beauty bar
Photo 2 of 2 Nina Ng at the Armani Beauty bar

Over at Armani Beauty bar, it was lipsticks galore. This chic setup showcased an array of Armani’s signature Lip Maestro lip products for guests to touch-up their make-up before getting their photos snapped.

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Photo 1 of 5 The grand ballroom was transformed into a lush, verdant paradise
Photo 2 of 5 The grand ballroom was transformed into a lush, verdant paradise
Photo 3 of 5 The opening dance performance
Photo 4 of 5 Tatler Singapore’s managing director, Stephanie Tay
Photo 5 of 5 Tatler Singapore’s chief operating officer, Parry Singh

A spectacular space

As guests transitioned into the grand ballroom, they were transported into a lush, verdant paradise that embodied the enchanting theme of Xanadu. The space was transformed into a sensory dome filled with vibrant table arrangements and ethereal lighting that evoked a sense of otherworldly beauty.

To open the evening’s festivities with a bang, it was time for an enthralling dance performance interpreting nature and paradise, choreographed by seasoned dancer Beryl Tay. 

The evening began with a speech by Tatler Singapore’s managing director Stephanie Tay. She shared: “Tonight, it’s not just a celebration of where we are, but also where we are headed together. Thank you all for being here and for believing in the power of impact we’re making together.” Tatler Singapore’s chief operating officer, Parry Singh, also took to the stage, warmly welcoming guests with his witty address that set the tone for an unforgettable night.

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Photo 1 of 8 Tom yum butternut squash with tiger prawn wonton, and a splash of moringa oil
Photo 2 of 8 Boston lobster topped with caviar, layered with passionfruit, mango, and kohrabi
Photo 3 of 8 Angus beef short ribs with potato mousseline and kicap manis sauce
Photo 4 of 8 Grilled barramundi with accompaniments of lilybulbs, piquillo, and courgette
Photo 5 of 8 For dessert, passion mango jivara balanced with milk chocolate mousse
Photo 6 of 8 The Teochew porridge buffet-style spread, courtesy of Japan Airlines
Photo 7 of 8 Guests created their own comforting bowls of Teochew porridge
Photo 8 of 8 Bottomless pours of Cloudy Bay Te Koko sauvignon blanc and Cloudy Bay pinot noir flowed throughout the night

Dinner is served

The Fullerton Hotel Singapore’s culinary director David Laval and his team crafted a decadent four-course menu for the evening. Guests got to savour plates such as the lightly poached Boston lobster, beautifully seasoned barramundi with a Southeast Asian-inspired sauce and fork-tender Angus beef short rib. The meal ended on a sweet note with the fruity passion mango jivara with milk chocolate mouse. Its sweet and fruity notes were complemented with Royal Blue Tea’s exquisite Queen of Blue tea, courtesy of Japan Airlines.

Complementing the mouthwatering plates were bottomless pours of Cloudy Bay Te Koko sauvignon blanc and Cloudy Bay pinot noir that flowed throughout the night.

No celebration is complete without a nod to tradition. As the clock approached midnight, guests eagerly anticipated the beloved Teochew porridge, a deep-rooted Tatler Ball custom that offers comfort food after an evening of revelry. Curated by Japan Airlines, the buffet-style spread featured an array of toppings and condiments, allowing guests to create their own comforting bowls of porridge—the ideal fuel to keep the festivities going late into the night. 

Read more: How Xanadu inspired Tatler Ball’s delectable Asian feast

Tatler Asia
Above Stephanie Tay, Amanda Chong, Alaric Choo, Tamara Lamunière, Jackie Ying, Koh Seng Choon, Parry Singh

And the award goes to…

Between courses, Tatler Singapore honoured individuals who have made a positive and significant impact in Asia and beyond through the Impact Awards. Introduced earlier this month, the awards recognise leaders through four key categories: Innovation, Business, Culture and Humanity.

Secretlab’s Ian Alexander Ang and Alaric Choo were the recipients of this year’s Business Award. The duo were honoured for their exceptional business and success behind the leading gaming chair company that has been transforming the gaming industry since 2014. The duo were awarded a bottle of Hennessy XO Limited Edition by Kim Jones.

The Culture Award was conferred to lawyer-playwright Amanda Chong for her lasting impact in Singapore’s entertainment and arts scene through her plays including one woman show Psychobitch. She also received a bottle of Hennessy XO Limited Edition by Kim Jones.

The recipient of this year’s Innovation Award was none other than nanotechnology scientist Jackie Ying. A leader in the global scientific community in the area of nanotechnology, professor Ying was honoured for her significant technological advancements in the field. Along with the award, she received a La Mer suite of products.

Last but certainly not least, the Humanity Award was conferred to Koh Seng Choon, a pioneer social entrepreneur and founder of Dignity Kitchen. Asia’s first community food court staffed by those with disabilities, Dignity Kitchen aims to challenge societal perceptions of disability and provide meaningful employment and training to these individuals.

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Photo 1 of 3 Singer and Gen.T Honouree, Haven
Photo 2 of 3 Harpist Kaitlyn Tan
Photo 3 of 3 DJ Aldrin

Let the good times roll

While guests were savouring delectable plates and celebrating award honourees, they were also entertained with performances by harpist Kaitlyn Tan, and singer and Gen.T honouree Haven.

Following the glamorous evening came the dancing. The mood in the ballroom turned festive as DJ Aldrin took over the stage, luring guests from their tables onto the dance floor to party the night away.

From lively catch-ups to tantalising tipples, it was truly a night to remember.

Credits

Photography: Adrian Lee, Yang, Terrix Lin, and Max Chan

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