Inside Day 1 of Tatler Ball Asia: ‘An Ode to Self Mastery’ at the Singapore Oceanarium

Before proceeding to dinner, guests journeyed through the Oceanarium’s various zones, where immersive displays and sweeping views of marine life set the tone for the evening’s theme of reflection and mastery. The walk through the galleries built a sense of anticipation, culminating in the intimate dinner staged against the vast aquatic backdrop of the Open Ocean.

At the heart of this zone is the Oceanarium’s most expansive habitat and viewing panel: a monumental window into the deep, alive with an extraordinary diversity of marine life. The effect was breathtaking: an uninterrupted glimpse into the ocean’s wonders that gave the illusion of being fully submerged within the open sea.

The evening opened with emcee Sean Lee-Davies, a filmmaker, host, and entrepreneur, who set the tone for the night’s programme.

He was followed by an address from Tamara Lamunière, President of Tatler Asia, who welcomed guests to a gathering dedicated to celebrating changemakers and thought leaders. “At Tatler, we have been on a journey. One that goes beyond lifestyle to explore areas that resonate with modern, ambitious individuals, while retaining the creativity, sophistication, and elegance for which we are known,” she said.

Quoting Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, she continued: “Those who control others may be powerful, but those who have mastered themselves are stronger still.” She added, “In that spirit, I hope we will take away something meaningful and insightful tonight.”

This was followed by a speech by Joseph Poon, group head of DBS Private Bank, who reflected on the evening’s theme of self-mastery through the lens of resilience and foresight—qualities essential not only to personal growth but also to navigating an increasingly complex world.

"For me, this wonderful ocean-like setting reminds me of the vast and determined oceans,” he noted. “And in DBS, I see wealth the same way. It is in unpredictable, very volatile markets. I see our job at DBS is [to help give] our clients peace of mind; to help them with advice and insights; to hold their hands steady as they traverse a very turbulent world that we've seen this year—and I'm sure the next three or four years to come.”

With DBS Treasures Private Client as the exclusive bank partner for Tatler Ball Asia, the evening underscored the bank’s long-term vision and culture of pushing innovation.

The highlight of the evening was a keynote by Dutch motivational speaker Wim Hof, widely known as the “Ice Man” for his record-breaking feats of cold endurance. Hof has become a global figure for showing how breathwork, mental focus, and controlled exposure to extreme conditions can unlock hidden reserves of human potential.

He spoke at length about his signature practice, the Wim Hof Method, which rests on three pillars: cold exposure, commitment and mindset, and the Wim Hof Breathing Method. He also recounted his extraordinary achievements—running a half marathon above the Arctic Circle barefoot in shorts, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro dressed the same way, and swimming 66 meters beneath a sheet of ice—all of which illustrate the human capacity to transcend perceived limits. “I’m not afraid to die,” Hof declared. “I’m afraid not to live.”

Beyond his remarkable stories, Hof revealed the philosophy at the heart of his practice and guided guests through a 15-minute breathing exercise that made his teachings tangible. In that moment, theory gave way to experience, revealing the profound connection between discipline, resilience, and the body’s innate capacity to endure. As Hof reminded our guests: “Your breath is your life. It is simple. Just breathe and reclaim your soul.”

His keynote set the stage for a fireside chat led by Tamara Lamunière, President of Tatler Asia, with Lhakpa Sherpa—the trailblazing mountaineer who became the first woman to summit Mount Everest ten times, and the first Nepali woman to complete a successful climb and descent of the peak. Her extraordinary journey, most recently chronicled in the 2024 Netflix documentary Mountain Queen, has made her an emblem of resilience.

Speaking with candour, she recounted both the demands of life at altitude and the private battles she has faced, from financial struggles to the domestic abuse that tested her strength in equal measure.

“There are many parallels between your story and what Wim shared earlier,” Lamunière noted. “Both highlight the power of mindset and how negativity can carry a greater weight than we often realise.”

For Sherpa, that mindset continues to drive her toward what others might consider insurmountable goals. “My next dream is to climb the 50 highest points in the United States. I never finished school—[climbing] is my school. Step by step, I keep learning and exploring myself,” she said.

When asked if Everest still calls to her, her answer was unequivocal. “I want to go back for my 11th summit. I want to see how far I can push. Men can push, women can push. If men can do it, women can too.”

Their stories anchored the evening’s theme of self-mastery, offering guests rare insight into the discipline, courage and unshakable mindset that define lives lived at the edge of possibility.

The menu unfolded as a culinary journey, each course designed with precision and imagination.

Dinner opened with Sweet Amela Rubins Tomato, paired with silken homemade tofu, porcini mushroom purée, and lacto-fermented tomato juice. This was followed by a Sustainable Local Trilogy of Mushrooms Terrine, a delicate layering of shiitake, button mushrooms, and cabbage, uplifted by a virgin black sesame oil dashi.

The main course offered two distinct expressions: Truffle Kampong Chicken with baked parsnip, quinoa, ricotta cheese, beetroot rice chips, and chicken jus, or a vegan fregola enriched with sugar snap peas, finger lime, and fresh black truffle shavings.

For dessert, the table was graced with vibrant finales: a Mango Pavlova crowned with mango sorbet, passionfruit gelée, and pineapple basil, or the vegan Multivitamine, an ensemble of seasonal fruits, lemon cream, and basil sorbet.

Each dish was thoughtfully paired with Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir and Cloudy Bay Te Koko, ensuring the dining journey was as memorable as the setting itself.

Sean Lee-Davies closed the evening with a reflection on the night’s themes. “Tonight, we’ve seen how two ordinary individuals chose greatness simply by putting their minds to it. With these insights on endurance and self-mastery, I hope you feel inspired to pause, reflect, realign—and breathe—when it truly matters.”

Gesturing to the extraordinary setting, he added: “Here in the Singapore Oceanarium, the sea is not just our backdrop but our host. Your energy and presence have made this shared experience truly special.”

No Tatler evening would be complete without a take-home gift, thoughtfully curated with the same meticulous attention to detail as the event itself. Each guest was treated to the exclusive products from DBS Treasures Private Client, Evian, PHS Hairscience, and Belle Mi Wellness Sanctuary. Wellness and rejuvenation continued with a bird’s nest set from Eu Yan Sang and TWG’s Red Balloon Haute Couture Tea. Together, these tokens reflected the evening’s spirit of nourishment and renewal.

As the final notes of the evening faded, what lingered was more than the memory of fine dining or moving speeches. An Ode to Self-Mastery set the cadence for Tatler Ball Asia, grounding the celebration in reflection, resilience, and a renewed sense of presence. With the stage now set, the Ball continues into Day Two, An Odyssey to Harmony, where the focus turns outward to honour Asia’s most influential figures and the collective spirit shaping the region’s future.

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