The July 2023 issue of Tatler Singapore is a groundbreaking one. And that is because local visual artist Sam Lo is the first trans personality to grace the cover of our magazine. In our interview with him, find out how Lo has come into his own as a visual artist with an evolving practice built around social commentary and observations on the idiosyncrasies of Singaporean culture—and all this while finding his own identity. From being the art director of this year’s Chingay to completing a new commissioned artwork currently showcased at the refreshed Peranakan Museum, you could say that Lo has had a pretty swell 2023 so far. 

More headlines below:

• How homegrown pride was celebrated at the Tatler Homes Design Awards - Singapore
• 5 red lipsticks that Taylor Swift would approve of
• Hollywood star Vanessa Hudgens is set to showcase the Philippines to the world
• A look inside the Tatler Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow event in Singapore

TGIF!
Andrea Saadan
Digital Editor

Vanessa Hudgens was born and raised in Los Angeles and has lived happily in the US for more than three decades, enjoying a hugely successful career. But the 34-year-old has long felt there was a piece of her personal puzzle missing. Recently, that manifested in a desire to finally visit the Philippines, the homeland of her mother, Gina Guangco Hudgens, to better understand her Filipino heritage.

Read her story here.

Held on June 27, the seventh Singapore edition of the Tatler Homes Design Awards brought together a passionate and creative community of designers, architects, developers and furnishings brands who gathered to fete the big winners of the night. It was an emotional moment for many—the winners recounted the long process and the multifold challenges caused by the pandemic, while toasting the importance of having good collaborators who helped make each project a success.

Find out who won here.

Having grown up in the iconic yellow mansion known as Gedung Kuning, Khir Johari’s culinary journey began in Kampong Gelam—a vibrant hub of gastronomic experimentation. While relishing his mother’s and relatives’ expertly prepared ayam masak puteh and mee siam at home, he also embraced the extensive Nusantara feast offered by the wider community.

Read story here.

Andrea Boragno, the chairman and CEO of Alcantara, is every bit as Italian as his name suggests. When asked about his personal collection of cars—one of Italy’s proudest and biggest exports—Boragno eagerly shared that he has “many, many different cars. I drive all the cars!”

Read story here.

Rahul Mishra considers himself to be a persuasive storyteller, seeing his words as having a similar effect to a religious leader’s sermon. “If I get goosebumps looking at a flower, everyone else better get goosebumps too after I finish describing its beauty,” the New Delhi-based designer says of inspiring his team. “If I cry, they too have to cry with me.” 

Read his story here.

Throughout the entire month of June, Tatler Gen.T hosted its annual Leaders of Tomorrow events to celebrate the new honourees who made it onto the Tatler Gen.T List. Aside from the newly inducted honourees, the guest lists of these events include past years’ honourees, Gen.T Tribe members—prominent industry experts who helped vet and select the honourees for the list—as well as Tatler friends and business partners.

Read story here.