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FENDI Reimagines The Peekaboo Bags With The House’s Iconic Selleria Macro Stitching

Since the Peekaboo debuted on FENDI’s Spring/Summer 2009 runway, we’ve come to associate this playful yet contemporary style with the fashion house, as it strikes the perfect balance between sophistication, impeccable craftsmanship and an irreverent attitude. This is a bag with a “smile”, where its front panel can be left open to reveal a soft pink nappa leather lining.

FENDI gets even more creative with this season’s Autumn/Winter 2022 Peekaboo Capsule, which celebrates the different sizes and iterations of the icon. The timeless silhouette now features Selleria macro stitches, in contrasting colours that line the sides of the bags, while the handles are embellished with exotic leathers, in styles appropriate for both women and men.

FENDI Peekaboo ISeeU Medium in Camel.

The women’s series features the FENDI Peekaboo ISeeU in Medium, Small and Mini, crafted from soft grained leather in black, white and mint green, which best show off the oversized Selleria stitching detail and unique handles. In particular, the Selleria process involves using a special thicker waxed thread that then’s stitched by hand to form the bag.

FENDI Micro Peekaboo in Mint Green.

An additional camel-toned version is done in full suede as well. For a dose of extra fun, the capsule includes three versions of the Micro Peekaboo in its most fun-sized yet, paired with python straps. All these still bear the bag’s distinct features of the twist-lock fastening and soft front panel.

The men have it just as good, with the Peekaboo ISeeU Medium and Mini dressed in asphalt and camel coloured Cuoio Romano leather, a natural leather exclusive to the house.

FENDI Peekaboo ISeeU Medium in Camel.
FENDI Peekaboo ISeeU Mini in Asphalt

Keen-eyed collectors will notice subtle differences of a more angular silhouette for the men’s styles, while instead of contrast stitches, they’ve gone for more streamlined tone-on-tone choices instead, both in the hardware and the Selleria stitches. The unique detail of an exotic handle still remains though, while you’re free to complete the set with the O’Lock logo adjustable shoulder straps.

See all the styles here:

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Fendi Peekaboo Capsule, available now at selected FENDI boutiques and on fendi.com

All images, courtesy of FENDI.

 

The Uniqlo and Mame Kurogouchi Fall/Winter 2022 Collection Introduces New Silhouettes And A Deep Khaki Shade

While everyone loves fashion retailer Uniqlo for their affordable line of everyday wear, there are a few Uniqlo launches that we pay special attention to — notably anything Uniqlo U, and any time the Japanese brand collaborates with a renowned designer. This includes their tie-up with renowned womenswear designer Mame Kurogouchi, for a stunning fourth collaboration that brings together sleek, timeless designs created with new innovative materials.

Comprising of innerwear, loungewear, and everyday basics that can be worn both indoors and outdoors, there’s a distinct Fall/Winter feel to this season’s wear, which sees more long-sleeved tops and warm pants among their well-loved wireless bras and slip dresses. Among these silhouettes, you’ll find a new style of the Body Shaper Shorts, made in a sheer material with subtle lustre that gently sculpts the body, along with bustiers and shorts in soft 3D souffle yarn. Other than the easy-to-wear black and brown, these are also offered in the seasonal colour of deep khaki.

New materials are introduced too, made softer and more comfortable than ever while keeping us warm during the cooler months, especially if you’re travelling to a colder climate. The HEATTECH wool blend, developed from yarn especially for this collection, is seen across crew neck and turtleneck t-shirts, as well as matching leggings. Then, there’s a new silk blend HEATTECH that gives an even smoother feel against the skin, used in the sleeveless top and bra t-shirts that sit closest to your skin.

See the rest of the collection here:

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The Uniqlo and Mame Kurogouchi 2022 Fall/Winter Collection, $14.90 – $19.90. Available from 4 November 2022 online and at UNIQLO Orchard Central Global Flagship, Bugis+, ION Orchard, and Raffles City stores.

A partial lineup will also be available at all stores, except the Changi Airport Terminal 1 store.

 

Havaianas X MARKET Introduce 2-In-1 Flip-Flops With A Puffy Padded Upper

Fancy a pair of flip-flops that take us through Summer all the way to a snowy Winter? That’s no longer a thing of our imagination. This latest footwear drop by Havaianas and Market, the cult LA-based streetwear brand formerly known as Chinatown Market, have unveiled an innovative pair of sandals with its own modular system. A unique puffer upper accompanies the 2-in-1 Zip Top, which transforms the thonged flip-flop into a covered shoe with enough warmth to withstand wintery conditions.

  

This new silhouette is based off the iconic Havaianas flip-flop style, where an additional puffer upper can be zipped on so that it becomes a shoe — alternatively, you can think of it as a puffer shoe that zips off into a flip-flop. Whichever way you flip it, you can’t deny that this is an innovative take on the old sandals, one that both Havaianas and Mike Cherman, founder of Market, are immensely proud of.

“Building a fully modular system into a sandal enables Havaianas to continue on this road of designing and developing new uppers for their already iconic line of sandals, giving wearers a more dynamic experience with the product and showing people around the world that these are not just made for the beach but just as equally to equip the wearer with the tools to hit the streets,” said Cherman of the collaboration, the brand’s second with Havaianas following a thermal flip-flop collaboration in back in September.

This model will arrive at our local Havaianas stores on 20 October 2022, this coming Thursday.

above: side-by-side close-ups of the zip top.

 


The Havaianas MARKET Zip Top ($150) will be available from BR sizes 39/40 to 43/44, from 20 October 2022, at Havaianas and in-stores at Takashimaya S.C. B1-45 and VivoCity 02-57.

 

CASETiFY’s Best-Selling Harry Potter Collection Is Back and there’s a 3D Chocolate Frog case for your AirPods!

CASETiFY extends their partnership with Harry Potter for an all-new collection of smartphone cases and accessories for the Apple AirPods and MacBook. This follows in the wake of their sold-out first release earlier this year. And fronting the campaign once again is Tom Felton, the actor who plays our favourite villain, Draco Malfoy.

For this release, the spotlight is thrown on sticker-style designs made for each of the four Hogwarts houses (Griffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin), as well as a customisable Platform 9¾ Ticket Case that takes you on a one way trip from London to Hogwarts (not really).

We particularly love the Polyjuice Potion case that has a special-edition glow-in-the-dark liquid inside.

And the star of the collection has to be the 3D Chocolate Frog AirPods case, compete with the signature CASETiFY ring and a dangly frog that looks like it can be eaten (it can’t).

Here’s everything.

CASETiFY’s Harry Potter Collection, priced from USD38-98, launching November 4th, 2022. Sign up for priority access at CASETIFY.COM.

 

3 newly-launched Earphones on fit, comfort, style and sound, including the new Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen

It’s worth upgrading your earphones now if you’ve had them for a while. The second generation of the AirPods Pro came out a few weeks ago, and just before that, Huawei launched their competing version, the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2. We tested each of them out for fit, comfort and sound. Read on.

Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Generation

Above: Apple AIRPODS PRO (2nd generation)

It’s been almost three years since the launch of the original AirPods Pro. This second generation version improves on everything such as having a H2 chip (more efficient!), better Active Noise Cancellation (it’s said to be double the noise cancelled compared to the original AirPods Pro), Touch Control (more intuitive), and Personalised Spatial Audio — an extension of Apple’s Spatial Audio, and a feature that’s supposed to precisely tune the surround sound experience to the user’s ears.

The Personalised Spatial Audio feature is interesting; it uses the TrueDepth camera on the iPhone to capture the shape of the user’s ear, and then tuning and optimising the audio to suit that ear. The sound is supposed to be more full and immersive. This customisation works differently from the NURATRUE earbuds that use sound waves to map the ear.

Above: it’s the same sized case as the 1st generation airpods pro, so you can reuse your favourite existing case cover.

Sound: Full, rich, with a strong and clear bass. Music sounds delightful to listen to.
Noise CancellingNoise cancelling is powerful. It silences the outside so the focus really is on the music. There’s a useful transparency mode, which blends in surrounding sound so you’re not totally unaware when crossing the road.
DesignIt’s sleek — after all, it’s an Apple design. The case is small and handy and has the same dimensions as the first generation AirPods Pro, so you can reuse your existing case covers.
Comfort & FitThere are four silicone ear tips with M fitted on as standard out of the box. The earbuds sit in the ear nicely and feel secure. There’s no need to fiddle with the angle of it in the ear since it’s obvious which way faces down.
Controls: It’s a swipe up swipe down touch control on each of the earbuds. It’s intuitive to use and you’ll likely get it right on your first try.
Wireless ChargingYes. Just place the case on any MagSafe charger, Apple Watch charger, or Qi-certified charger.
Battery LifeUp to 6 hours listening time on a single charge, and up to 30 hours with the MagSafe Charging Case.
Price: $359, available at apple.com.

Above: the earbuds are ergonomically shaped.

NYLON’s RecommendationIt’s quite a step up from the standard AirPods and even the first generation AirPods Pro. It’s worth getting if you’re an audiophile and really enjoy listening to your music while on the go; plus if you own an iPhone. Because pairing and connecting to Apple devices is instant; just open the case and you’ll be prompted to pair your gadgets together. You can switch easily between Apple devices as well — it’s the Apple ecosystem at work. Overall, the audio experience really is excellent; I’d save up and spring for these as a travel essential.

Above: (left to right) Apple AIRPODS PRO (2nd generation) and AIRPODS (3rd generation).

Above: the Apple AIRPODS PRO (2nd generation) earbuds vs. the AIRPODS (3rd generation) earbuds.

Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2

Above: Huawei FREEBUDS PRO 2 in ceramic white.

So out of the box, these look really similar to Apple’s AirPods Pro, with the small design differences being a rounder case, and flatter earphone arms. I could pair this easily with the iPhone by pressing the “sync” button on the side of the charging case (you have to really look for it, I promise you, it’s there), and  once it’s paired by Bluetooth, the connection is pretty seamless.

Above: Huawei freebuds pro 2 earbuds.

Sound: Volume levels are louder than the AirPods Pro; these would work great for those who love to blast their music, and the audio doesn’t crack at all at these high levels. Quality of the audio is decent. It’s not as clear as what the AirPods Pro produces, but you do get more bass — and it can go louder.
Noise CancellingGood noise cancelling, but not as powerful as the feature on the AirPods Pro. But do you really need to create a sound vacuum in your ear? Do you? That’s up to you and your wallet.
DesignCan’t go wrong with this all-white design. The larger black accents on the sides of the earbuds work too and make this one stylish little gadget. This also comes in Silver Frost and Silver Blue colour options.
Comfort & FitThese feel like they sit in the ear more securely than the AirPods Pro — like they won’t fall out as easily. But that also means that you can “feel” these more in the ear. With the AirPods Pro, it’s like they aren’t even there. Good and bad.
Controls: Controls are meant to be straightforward with a swipe up and down to change volume and a squeeze and press to pause and play. On my first try, I couldn’t tell where the sensors were and got frustrated trying to get my music to play. It’s not terribly intuitive and could definitely be better.
Wireless Charging: Yes, with any Qi-certified charger. Strangely, it wouldn’t charge with my MagSafe charger.
Battery LifeUp to 4 hours listening time on a single charge with ANC enabled, and up to 18 hours with the charging case. With ANC off, you get up to 6.5 hours on a single charge, and up to 30 hours with the case.
Price: $298, available on Shopee.

NYLON’s Recommendation: This is a good $61 less than the AirPods Pro, plus Shopee always has some promotion going on (the earphones are $273 at the time of writing). It’s not an “AirPods Pro killer” as some other reviews have called it, but both products are appealing in their own way. Get the Apple one if you’re an iPhone user, and get this Huawei version if you want to save a bit of money and don’t need a fancy case cover for it (most earbuds case covers are made for the AirPods line). It’s not a bad choice at all, considering you can choose the cool Silver Frost (dark grey) or Silver Blue (pale blue) colour options this is available in.

Jabra Elite 5

Above: Jabra ELITE 5 in Gold Beige.

I’ve always liked Jabra earphones. They are comfortable, feel secure, look good, and sound pretty good too for its price. The Elite 5 came out not too long ago last month and is positioned as an all-rounder that’s good for listening to media or taking calls.

Above: Jabra elite 5 earbuds.

Sound: Just when I thought that the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2 was bassy, along come these Jabras that take it up another notch. The sound is full and feels like it’s pumping — which makes this great for workouts! Music and audio isn’t as clear and nuanced as the AirPods Pro, so if you’re getting earphones just for the listening pleasure of music, consider forking out more for the ones from Apple.
Noise CancellingThere’s ANC and it works well, but it’s not as powerful as noise cancelling with the new AirPods Pro.
DesignI really love the earbud design; it’s compact and looks beautiful when worn (especially this Gold Beige version). I do like the matte finish as well, which sets it apart from many earbuds in the market now. This comes in a full black version too, which is very sleek.
Comfort & Fit: These fit so snugly in the ear, I have no fear of them dropping out. Undoubtedly, they’d be the pair I’d take when I go jogging. They are extremely comfortable too! It feels very satisfying popping these in.
Controls: Just to be sure how the controls work, I read the instructions, and once I knew, I knew. It’s not hard at all to operate these; the earbuds are controlled with the large button on the flat end that faces out, which is very convenient.
Wireless Charging: Yes, with any Qi-certified charger. It charges standing up rather than lying flat on its side. Tried it with a MagSafe charger and yes it charges with it.
Battery Life: Up to 7 hours with ANC on, and up to 28 hours with the case.
Price: $228, available on Shopee.

NYLON’s Recommendation: I’d be less “precious” with these earbuds than the glossier versions from Apple and Huawei. I’d take these running and on the airplane, and I’d appreciate the longer battery life that it offers. It took me a while to figure out how to pair it with the iPhone (press and hold both top buttons on the earbuds to trigger the sync mode), but once I got them connected, there have been no hiccups. If you don’t need to wear a “branded” pair of earphones (eg. Apple), or just don’t like those “drop-down” arm designs, these earbuds are for you. Sound is good, connection is stable, it fits nicely, so all is well.

 

Valentino x Pantone Give Us Their Signature Pink PP Hue On Everyday Objects

Clearly, we’re not over the head-turning pink spectacle of Valentino’s Fall/Winter 2022-2023 collection, a colour that represents “love, community, energy and freedom”, according to the luxury fashion brand. It’s seen on the runway, on billboards and campaigns starring Zendaya and Lewis Hamilton, and now, we can own a little piece of the exclusive Pink PP hue too.

Valentino has partnered with the Pantone Color Institute for a collection of special-edition everyday objects for the home, desk, and kitchen. To celebrate this collaboration, a special pop-in of the Pantone products are now available at the ION Orchard boutique.

Designed by Danish object developer Copenhagen Design ApS, the exclusive Pink PP colour is featured across 10 items, ranging from mugs and keychains to notebooks, jars, and an umbrella. Similar to Pantone’s lifestyle items, they emulate the minimalist style of iconic Pantone chips, which further reinforces the vibrant hue, accompanied with the maison’s signature “V” logo.

Above: Mug, Thermo Drinking Bottle, To Go Cup.
Above: Gatefold Notebook, Notebooks, Jar, Pencil Holder, Keychains.
Above: Umbrellas.

See the full collection here —

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Valentino x Pantone Color Institute Pink PP collection, now available at the Valentino ION Orchard boutique.

 

Lancôme Teams Up With Be@rbrick For A New Take On Their Iconic Beauty Products

First, our display shelves. Now, our vanity tables. Wildly popular collectible art toy, Be@rbrick, is a mainstay in popular culture, so of course they’re about to completely dominate our homes too, via this exclusive Lancôme collection.

The collector-worthy Lancôme x Be@rbrick collaboration features the playful figure taking over the packaging of some of the French luxury brand’s most iconic skincare and makeup items, from the Advanced Génifique to the cases of the L’Absolu Rouge Intimatte, which further sees an embossed lipstick bullet.

The limited-edition collection is designed to make us feel happy, which happens to be a shared ethos between the two brands. An elegant Advanced Génifique bottle is now wrapped in graffiti-like strokes of bold red over a white canvas — look closer though and you’ll realise that instead of paint or brushstrokes, the Lancôme logo, the Ô symbol, and its rose moniker look like they’re drawn on with lipstick, certainly a feature unique to this collaboration.

Actress Lily Collins also stars in a series of three campaign videos, with a ‘Call Me Happy’ tagline that celebrates the collection’s playfulness and joyous energy.

Advanced Génifique x Be@rbrick limited edition, 50ML, $193.
L’Absolu Rouge Intimatte x Be@rbrick limited edition, $56.

For the items in the collection, expect only the greats from the house of Lancôme. This includes their beloved serum, the Advanced Génifique; the Clarifique Dual Essence; and two shades of the L’Absolu Rouge Intimatte lipstick, in 299 (French Cashmere) and 888 (French Idol).

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Of course, there are super limited-edition toys accompanying the beauty items as well. The Lancôme-signed Be@rbrick sees the same design codes of red on white, and is simply named, Happy.

For a 28cm Be@rbrick figurine, you’ll have to spend a minimum of $800, including one Advanced Génifique or Clarifique, on Lancôme’s website, from 1 November in order to be eligible. You may also make a pre-order at department stores, all the way till 10 November 2022. 

To qualify for a 7cm Be@rbrick figurine, you’ll  have to purchase a Limited Edition Advanced Génifique or Clarifique (no min. spend) on the Lancôme Lazada Flagship Store or Sephora, from 11 November 2022. 

 


The limited-edition Advanced Génifique x Be@rbrick and Clarifique x Be@rbrick will be available on lancome.com.sg, departmental stores, the Lancôme Lazada Flagship Store and Sephora.

The limited-edition L’Absolu Rouge Intimatte x Be@rbrick lipsticks, available only on lancome.com.sg and departmental stores.

 

Montblanc x Naruto: An Exclusive Fountain Pen And A Line Of Leather Accessories

Anime mania isn’t about to end any time soon, and here’s a luxury collection that’s based off one of the all-time favourites: Naruto. The story of a plucky young ninja and his friends have captivated the world for over 20 years, which presents a perfect opportunity for German luxury goods maker Montblanc to come in with an exclusive collection of writing materials and accessories.

The first thing you’ll notice is the colour orange. While Montblanc’s famous fountain pens tend to come in classic colours of black and silver, their icon, the Montblanc Meisterstück, sees bold orange accents that take after Naruto’s orange jumpsuit. A line of leather goods, ranging from a pen pouch to a sling bag, are also similarly inspired by the manga and anime series, in understated black colourways paired with refreshing pops of orange.

Next, the choice of Naruto paired with his mentor, Jiraiya. With so many compelling characters and storylines to choose from, why did Montblanc decide to focus on these two? Hint: it has to do with a core philosophy of the brand, its heritage in handwriting. The older Jiraiya, more experienced and wiser in the world, made it his mission to pass his skills and knowledge to his godson and final student, Naruto, which ties in nicely to how Montblanc’s writing tools enable the transmission of knowledge across generations. This precious relationship is emphasised via illustrations of the characters, complete with brushstroke-like backdrops that evoke comparisons to both calligraphy and the art of manga.

THE PEN

Montblanc X Naruto Meisterstück LeGrand Fountain Pen, $1,425.

We can’t help but marvel at the way Montblanc designs a pen; despite such a small surface area, they’ve managed to nail so much specific detail that this absolutely has to be a collector’s item, especially if you’re a fan of Naruto.

Here, the special-edition Meisterstück fountain pen features a gold nib with ruthenium-coat embellishment, highlighted with the Konoha (Hidden Leaf Village) symbol in yellow gold. The cap of the pen clearly features Naruto doing his signature move, the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu (shadow clone technique), while if you look even more closely, you’ll also see Akatsuki clouds subtly looming over the barrel.

The pen also comes in a rollerball and ballpoint edition, while a special orange ink glass bottle and leather notebook complete the writing assortment.

THE LEATHER BAGS AND POUCHES

As for the leather goods,  the Montblanc x Naruto collection includes a Sling Bag, Chest Bag, a Mini Reporter that’s to be worn crossbody, as well as a Tote and Pouch with Wrist Strap. There’s also a Credit Card Pocket Holder, Compact Wallet, Key Fob, M Buckle Leather Belt, and Pen Pouch. Each piece features a depiction of Naruto and/or Jiraiya against black leather, with the reverse  side done in orange leather decorated with the writing symbols.

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To mark the launch of this collaboration, the Naruto team has also created a special anime short that sees Jiraiya “reflecting on Naruto’s journey, the advice he gives Naruto and what really matters in life”, and yes these feature him capturing his thoughts with a fountain pen as well

 


The Montblanc x Naruto Collection is exclusively available at the Marina Bay Sands boutique from 12 – 25 October, and at all other Montblanc boutiques from 26 October 2022.

 

LomoApparat 21 mm Wide-angle Camera is a fun, experimental film camera in an Italian leather design

Lomography has just released the LomoApparat, a film camera with a 21mm wide-angle lens with heaps of cool plasticky attachments that make it look even cooler. The camera uses 35mm film, has 10 aperture stops, a shutter speed of 1/100, a built-in flash and runs on 1 AA battery. It’s easy to use, but the real fun comes with the attachments.

The Kaleidoscope and Splitzer lens attachments give unpredictable experimental effects and you can create unique multiple-exposure compositions. There’s also five included coloured gel filter sliders, and a 0.2m close-up lens so you can get those macro shots.

If you’re thinking of buying this (either to use or to just have it sit pretty on your shelf — we won’t judge!), get the Neubau Edition, which is dressed in an exclusive Italian leather design. The colour combination and squarish retro styling make for one really stylish looking gadget.

Check out the sample pics below to see examples of what you can achieve with this camera (photos courtesy Lomography).

[Click on the images to enlarge.]
The LomoApparat 21 mm Wide-angle Camera is priced at $129 for the black version and $149 for the Neubau Edition. Shop at shop.lomography.com/sg.

 

A new vision for CHANEL Makeup takes the form of a Collective

CHANEL believes that beauty is the act of becoming; it’s an infinite journey that looks to the past, present and future, and that there’s power in diversity because it empowers multiple points of view. With this notion, the CHANEL Makeup Creation Studio announces a new and innovative collaboration with a group of emerging talents who contribute to shaping the future of beauty.

CHANEL presents them as, the COMETES COLLECTIVE. They include three rising stars in the field of makeup artistry — Ammy Drammeh, Valentina Li and Cécile Paravina.

Above: CHANEL presents the cometes collective, (left to right) Ammy Drammeh, Valentina Li and Cécile Paravina.

 

Above: Valentina Li

Valentina Li loves the colour blue, and defines herself with this simple, one word that she says comes without unnecessary frills. She’s a native of Guangxi and is fluent in English, Mandarin, Cantonese and French. Most notably, her experimental, non-conforming makeup style is fabulously colourful and creative, and follows what she says, “To make what is old new again”.

Above: Ammy Drammeh

Ammy Drammeh is of mixed Spanish and Gambian heritage, and resides in London where she practices her natural know-how and intrinsic talent for makeup. She describes herself as “real, more than natural”, and says that her vision of makeup is “effortless with a twist. Uncomplicated and free, but when you look closer, you can see the pauses, the accents, and the detail”.

Above: Cécile Paravina

Cécile Paravina studied design at the prestigious Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, and has dedicated her career to beauty. She is known for being a free spirit that abandons the conventions of mainstream beauty; for example, making an eyebrow disappear, or revisiting the shape of the eye or reinterpreting a smile.

Above: the CHANEL cometes collective, (left to right) Cécile Paravina, Ammy Drammeh, and Valentina Li.

 

The house of CHANEL is proud to partner with these artists, and will be giving them the support of the CHANEL Makeup Creative Studio, where they will contribute to the development of new collections and inspiring content. The first COMETES COLLECTIVE collections will be unveiled in January 2024.

 

Avatar: The Experience — an immersive walkthrough event coming to Gardens By The Bay

Whether or not you enjoyed the movie Avatar, you’ll admit that you wouldn’t mind visiting its world. From 28 October 2022, Avatar: The Experience will debut at Cloud Forest at Gardens by the Bay. It’s a uniquely-designed interactive experience, which will bring you through five different zones that represent the alien world of Pandora from the film. You’ll witness bioluminescent environments, unique flora and fauna, a life-size animatronic banshee, and get a first look at an artistic sculpt representation of the new marine creature, the Ilu, from the upcoming film Avatar: The Way of Water.

Tickets are available on Klook, with early ticket sales starting now. Scroll down for a 10% early bird promo code (for non-SG users). For SG users, there’s a $5 off UOB promo code!

Above: Visitors will be welcomed by the iconic cascading waterfall with a signature perched banshee sculpt.

Above: Discover the unique flora, fauna and culture of Pandora.

Above: Guests will experience a first look at an artistic sculpt representation of the new fantastical Ilu creature from the upcoming film Avatar: The Way of Water.

Use the promo code “AVEARLY10” from 10 Oct 22 to 28 Oct 22 to get 10% off tickets! Bookings have to be made via Klook Avatar: The Experience page. *NOTE: For non-SG users.

Tickets are priced at $35 each and are now on sale for Avatar: The Experience at Cloud Forest in Gardens by the Bay. Opening 28 October. UOB Cardmembers can enjoy $5 off with the code <UOBSGAVATAR5>.

 

IT’S REAL Bluetooth Speaker + Cassette Player Combo To Be Launched On Kickstarter

You know that Gen X friend who still has their collection of cassette tapes? Or perhaps that’s you. Well, then you’ll want this. NINM Lab has done it again and made us want something we totally don’t need. This time it’s a squarish-looking cassette player that’s mounted on a bluetooth speaker. It also includes the brand’s REAL TAPE Bluetooth 5.0 Music Transmitter Tape, which allows you to pop it in to your old boombox and turn that into a bluetooth speaker as well. It’s all very retro and lo-fi, but there’s beauty and charm in the imperfection, right? Check out the emo video and product pics below, and fund them on Kickstarter here.

 

Back them on Kickstarter here: BIT.LY/KICKSTARTER-ITSREAL
Kickstarter Price:HKD 768 / USD 97.85 Up
 (Save up to 35% Off)
Expected Retail Price:HKD 1180 / USD 150
*Expected delivery date for 1st Batch IT’S REAL  : Jan 2023

 

Kakushin serves up authentic Japanese Omakase with heart, and a delightfully local crew

Today marks Kakushin’s one-month opening at Scotts Square, making this one of the newest restaurants to open in town. The Japanese restaurant is tucked away at the corner of level two; a corridor which unfortunately doesn’t see much foot traffic, but then this isn’t the sort of restaurant you’d generally waltz into for a quick meal. It’s an Omakase-style place that’s helmed by Chef Chan, and features a sophisticated, but not intimidating space that’s inspired by culinary institutions in the heart of Ginza.

Above: the front and interior of Kakushin.

And with our absolute love for Japanese fare, we just had to try their 8-course Dinner Omakase ($328).

Above: Chef torching fish. we’ll eat anything torched.

APPETISER

The Dinner Omakase menu starts with a trio of appetisers using ingredients that are particularly fresh and in season.

This is the Silver Cod Fish sperm with ponzu sauce.

Above: Silver Cod Fish sperm with ponzu sauce.

If you’re turned off by the idea of eating sperm, don’t be. This is actually really yummy. It wasn’t slimy like some whale sperm that I’ve previously tried, and this paired well with the ponzu sauce and was a refreshing and light starter. 

The second appetiser is Sakoshi Bay Oyster with Sujiko and passion fruit.

Above: Sakoshi Bay Oyster with Sujiko and passion fruit.

The oyster is very large and the Sujiko very fresh. Sujiko is similar to the Ikura we get at most Japanese chains (like Sushi Tei), but instead of coming from salmon captured in the river, it comes from salmon captured in the sea. It’s not as common as Ikura and so considered more valuable. As for the passion fruit, I’m not generally a big fan of this, so would have preferred this dish without it — but that’s of course just personal preference.

The third appetiser is Abalone with liver sauce.

Above: Abalone with liver sauce.

If you love abalone, you’ll love this dish. The abalone is very meaty (albeit a bit tough). The liver sauce was a pleasant surprise; it doesn’t taste typically liver-y. It’s very pang and tasty. 

SASHIMI

Above: Chef-Curated premium seasonal selection of sashimi.

Next is a premium seasonal selection of sashimi curated by the Chef. From left to right, there’s tuna belly (this is nice and fatty); blue fish rolled with uni (the uni is fresh and it left me wanting more); live scallop (sweet with good texture — not too hard or mushy. Just right); and Botan ebi (one of our favourites of the night. Flavourful, succulent and very fresh. Not fishy, but still with a good seafood taste).

My plus one casually mentioned that he could eat one more plate of this. He clearly liked it.

YAKIMONO

The seasonal seafood served during our visit is Amadai fish; it’s part of the Sea Bream family with a watery flesh, and is found in shallow salt water.

Above: amadai fish, the seasonal seafood dish.

It’s an interesting fish and only available this season. The skin and scales are all deep fried and can be eaten, which makes the texture really crispy on the outside, but still meaty on the inside.

Above: chef james showing us the amadai fish in his book of seafood (which all japanese chefs seem to have on hand).

MUSHIMONO

This is Snow Crab with Uni Chawanmushi.

Above: Snow Crab with Uni Chawanmushi.

I love chawanmushi and every Japanese restaurant should be able to get this simple dish right. Kakushin’s version has a gorgeous Snow Crab claw and a generous heaping of Uni inside. Everything is delicious and well-balanced, while the steamed egg itself has a nice brothy flavour and silky smooth texture. Well done here.

Above: Chef James showing me the type of Uni used in this dish (the one on the left page).

Murazaki uni

There are two main courses to choose from — beef or pork.

The first option is Chargrilled A5 Kagoshima Wagyu with Truffle Balsamic sauce. The beef is excellent; it’s tender, nicely charred and not overdone at all. A5 Wagyu is the highest grade of Wagyu available, and it lives up to its hype. Definitely choose this over the pork or live to regret it. I’d say this dish is one of the highlights of the entire meal for me.

Above: Chargrilled A5 Kagoshima Wagyu.

If you’re averse to beef, there’s the Chargrilled Kagoshima Pork Belly with Buta Kakuni sauce. The slices are meaty but tender, and the mustard cuts the jelak-ness of the meat. 

Above: Chargrilled Kagoshima Pork Belly.

NIGIRI SUSHI

After the main dish, the sushi comes in fast and furious. The presentation of each sushi is beautiful, but apart from the last piece (the “Big Mac”), I’ve had better selections elsewhere. Here’s the rundown:

Above: Flounder with caviar with a side of ginger slices and shallots marinated in red wine.

This was a chewy fish but very clean tasting. 

Above: Yellow red snapper and sea grapes. 

The sea grapes are cute and actually add some texture to the sushi. The snapper, like the flounder, is also chewy and slightly sinewy. I took a while to eat this one. But my plus one did say “oishi” after he inhaled his down. 

Above: White clam.

I’ve never seen this particular type of clam before so Chef James took out his book.

Above: the type of clam used in this sushi.

It tastes like the ocean. It has a typical clam texture but with more bite. My plus one wasn’t a fan of this dish and gave his feedback to the chef.

Above: Anago sea eel.

As I was photographing this sushi, my plus one said, “I think you will like this. It’s very nice.” Unfortunately, I didn’t like it as much as I thought I would. It’s softer than unagi so don’t expect the same bite you’ll get with unagi. There are hints of yuzu too — which I’m not a fan of — but if you like yuzu you’ll dig this.

Above: “Big Mac” — Otoro, foie Gras and uni on a bed of rice.

I’m told to eat this in one mouth. I couldn’t because it’s really quite a large serving, but I can appreciate what the Chef is trying to create here. It starts with a strong truffle flavour and then the other ingredients come in layers, just like the way i believe the Chef intended it to be. It’s the restaurant’s signature dish and I don’t see why most people wouldn’t enjoy this. 

Above: Tamago made from Egg, squid and mountain yam blended together. 

This is probably the best tamago I’ve tried. While there’s squid blended in, I can’t taste it, but my gosh, this whole thing is tasty. It’s not too sweet and it’s an excellent closer to the sushi platter. I was going to burst but this somehow made me feel less full. Magical.  

SOUP

As the final dish before dessert, there’s the Kakushin Omakase Soup.

Above: Kakushin Omakase Soup.

Honestly, this doesn’t look like much, but it’s really, really good soup. It’s a fish bone broth that’s boiled for 5 hours so the collagen becomes rich; but the soup is not so rich that it becomes filling. It warms the body and soul, just like good comfort food does, and I finished it even though I was full. Again, must be the magical egg cake that gave me some appetite back.

DESSERT

For dessert, you get to enjoy Japanese Seasonal Fruits and premium Japanese ice cream.

Above: Persimmon, kyoho grape and melon.

Above: Premium Japanese Ice Cream in Yuzu and Hokkaido Strawberry flavours.

Not much to say about the desserts. This isn’t a dessert place, but these are standard-good. You can’t go wrong with Japanese fruits and ice cream.

NYLON’S RECOMMENDATION

Kakushin is definitely worth visiting for some of its winning dishes: all the appetisers, chawanmushi, chargrilled wagyu, and “Big Mac” sushi. If you balk at the price, consider that Omakase prices have risen drastically in recent years, and this menu might even be reasonable compared to its Omakase neighbours in town.

We were seated at the counter next to a lovely lady and her daughter; they were celebrating the girl’s 15th birthday (happy birthday!), and her verdict was that the food was good. She looked and sounded happy with her meal and she said that she enjoyed the experience. That’s a pretty solid recommendation to me, and if anything, we’ll be back for the team working there who were extremely pleasant and friendly — and just the right amount of friendly. They knew to give us space to eat in peace, and were patient to explain the names of the Japanese dishes over and over again when I asked.

Above: the interior of Kakushin.

 

Kakushin is located at #02-03, Scotts Square, 6 Scotts Road, Singapore 228209. Opening hours: 1130am — 3pm and 6pm — 10pm (Tuesdays to Sundays).
All prices are subjected to GST and service charge.
For reservations, visit: www.chope.co/singapore-restaurants/restaurant/kakushin

 

All The Bags And Shoes From CHANEL’s Fall/Winter 2022 Tweed-Inspired Collection

Tweed is obviously the fabric of choice for, and the one we most associate with, the house of CHANEL. So what happens when it’s the key inspiration behind the CHANEL Fall-Winter 2022/23 Ready-to-Wear collection? Everything, quite literally. Soft yet durable, elegant and edgy, feminine and masculine, all at the same time, Virginie Viard puts forth an entire collection dedicated to tweed, a multi-faceted fabric that allows for infinite combinations of colours and materials.

“Devoting the entire collection to tweed is a tribute,” says Virginie Viard. “We followed the footsteps of Gabrielle Chanel along the River Tweed, to imagine tweeds in the colours of this landscape. Like that of a long pink coat mottled with blue and purple, or a burgundy suit with a delicate gold shimmer.”

She further elaborates on the founder’s walks through the Scottish countryside, and the story of how Gabrielle Chanel was drawn to, and started borrowing, tweed jackets worn by her lover, the Duke of Westminster; she would then gather flowers and ferns that she was inspired by during her  long walks, as references for the local artisans that were manufacturing CHANEL’s tweeds.

The story of tweed continues, now a contemporary fabric and house code, as imagined by Viard — blazers, pantsuits and skirts are paired with long socks and pointed kitten pumps. For the accessories, we see plenty of shiny, smooth contrasts to the very textured tweed, whether in the form of a flap bag-like backpack or mini bags, along with boots in black or beige rubber.

Then again, this is CHANEL’s chance to go big on texture too. Universally-loved flap bags come in all sorts of tweed, from an acid-toned pink cashmere tweed with gold hardware, and matching tweed-on-tweed CHANEL 22s and flap bags, to quilted shearling messenger bags. Ahead, all the bags and shoes we find hard to resist.

[click on the images below to expand.]

 


Available now at CHANEL boutiques.

 

Runway photos: Armando Grillo / Gorunway.com

 

Klook Celebrates Their 8th Birthday with Daily Destination Deals, Promos and Giveaways to Plan Your Next Holiday

With more countries opening up their borders and the December holidays just around the corner, there is no time like the present to start planning your holiday itinerary. To celebrate their eighth birthday this month, Klook has prepared a line-up of exciting deals and promos including an 18% off flash promo code under Daily Destination Deals, which will run till 14 October 2022. Here’s a look at what you can find when you Celebra8 with Klook.

1. Daily Destination Deals

From 30 September, a total of eight different countries have been selected for the Daily Destination Deals which offer an 18% off flash promo code that will be released at 8pm for all activities in the featured destination of the day. In addition to this, flash deals for selected destinations will also be released at the same time on their respective days and they range from 15% off Disneyland Park & Disney California Adventure to a 1-for-1 at The Habitat Penang Hill!

2. Japan and Taiwan Deals

As you may already have heard, Japan and Taiwan have announced that they will be opening their borders up, so this means you can now travel to these countries with much more ease. This also means that it’s time to plan for the activities ahead and not worry about tickets selling out when you get there. Check out some of the exciting deals you can find on Klook below!

🇯🇵 JAPAN

🇹🇼 TAIWAN 

3. Spin The Joy Roulette

Try your hand at spinning the daily Joy Roulette for a sure-win chance of redeeming an 8% off promo code that will cover a total of eight categories such as car rental, hotels, attractions, and travel essentials.

4. 1-for-1 Deals & Up to 50% Off Promos

Look forward to 1-for-1 deals and up to 50% off more than 300 activities around the world. Available for booking from now to 14 October, you can expect to find deals that include a 1-for-1 tour in South Korea, 20% off National Park Tours in the US, 40% off Spa & Massages in Bangkok, and Up to 50% off Staycations in Singapore.

5. Promo Codes & Giveaways

🪙 Klook Coin Chase

Win prizes when you unlock the J-O-Y coins with the Klook Coin Chase. Simply spend a minimum of $400 during the promotional period to collect all 3 coins where you can unlock a $28 off promo code and stand a chance to win one of the 80 prizes that include Klook e-Gift cards, Royal Albatross Dinners, and 5-night sail packages with Resorts World Cruises.

💳 DBS/POSB Promo Codes

Enjoy up to $80 in extra savings when you pay using DBS/POSB Cards during Klook’s 8th Birthday. You can use the promo code K8DBS80OFF400 to get $80 off when you make a minimum spend of $400 or use the promo code K8DBS18OFF100 to get $18 off when you make a minimum spend of $100.

 


Klook’s 8th Birthday deals are available now till 14 October 2022. For more information, click HERE.

 

Neutrogena Has A New And Improved Hydro Boost Water Gel Moisturiser That’s Even Better Than Before

We all love the feeling of hydrated skin. You know how refreshed and clean you feel after a shower, coupled with how plump your skin looks and feels? That’s a moment we associate with Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost range, an iconic skincare series that has recently been revamped with even better formulas.

It’s all about hydration here. According to the brand, hydration is the key to good skin, and especially important for dry or premature ageing skin. The Hydro Boost range aims to address these concerns by ensuring that our skin gets maximum hydration, an effect that’s instantly-achieved so we see smooth and plump skin right after application, while also making sure it lasts for hours so our skin looks supple and glowing for that much longer.

What we’re most excited about as well is the star of the line — the Water Gel moisturiser, packed with hydrating ingredients that give us 5 times more hydration, for an 80% stronger skin moisture barrier*. It’s also an unbelievably lightweight gel that sinks into the skin immediately, yet retains its effects long after. Read on for its benefits, and our review of the product.

THE HYDRO BOOST HYALURONIC ACID WATER GEL

‘Water Gel’ couldn’t be a more apt name for this Neutrogena product, a long-time staple of the beauty brand, thanks to its lightweight texture. The main question we’ll try to answer here though is, why reformulate a product that’s already working so well? Well, it’s because they can.

With further understanding of just how important hydration is, they’ve ensured that the Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel is now supercharged with Natural Moisturising Factors that hydrate and help strengthen the skin barrier, in order to achieve visibly plump, supple, and glowing skin.

There are three key elements to the formula. First, Hyaluronic Acid, an ingredient famous for skin hydration; the new moisturiser now contains 20% more Hyaluronic Acid than the previous formula, which helps to retain water within the skin so we experience more long-lasting hydration. At the same time, Amino Acids and Electrolytes are within the formula as well — the former helps support and strengthen the skin barrier, while the latter is there to boost the absorption of ingredients, so our skin reaps all the benefits. All these work in sync for truly hydrated skin.

Texture Test

While this one’s a new launch, we managed to get a review set in order to test out the new Hydro Boost products, and right on first swipe, we love how super lightweight the Water Gel feels. It had a gel texture that felt refreshing and soothing on the skin, and didn’t take much massaging to see it sink in. That boost of hydration once the moisturiser has been spread out is immediate as well, and along with it, my skin indeed felt visibly plump and less dehydrated.

Texture of the Water Gel.

Personally, my skin leans towards the drier side, so I wasn’t sure about how effective the long-term hydration could be. The Water Gel, however, didn’t disappoint. I like to use this in the day, whether I’m staying at home or heading out for events and meetings. In either instance, I found that the Water Gel does its job in providing sufficient and long-lasting hydration so that my skin never felt tight or thirsty, whether bare-faced or underneath makeup. The moisturer’s fast-absorbing texture also meant that I didn’t have to wait too long before applying my base makeup.

THE REFILL

Also new is the Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel refill, in 50g that’s the exact same capacity as a new jar. This is a smart and eco-friendly approach that allows us to top up our favourite moisturiser without having to buy a completely new set — in fact, the refill pack uses 89% less plastic than a regular jar.

To use, take your empty Hydro Boost jar and twist the inner pod anti-clockwise, then lift it out of the jar and into your recycling bin. The new refill pod can then be inserted into the same jar, by twisting it clockwise until it’s locked into place.

THE HYDRO BOOST RANGE

The Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel is part of Neutrogena’s hydrating Hydro Boost range, which consists of a cleanser, lotion, serum, and three moisturisers in total. Recently, both the Hydro Boost Nourishing Cream and Hydro Boost Night Cream have been reformulated as well, so we can expect even better results from the range.

the Hydro Boost nourishing cream and night cream
Texture of the Water Gel, Nourishing Cream, and Night Cream.

If you’re wondering what differentiates these from the Water Gel, there are several ingredients that are added to each individual item, while they’re also catered for various skin types.

For those with normal, combination, dry, or oily skin, Neutrogena recommends pairing the Water Gel with the reformulated Night Cream, where the latter is ideal for nighttime conditions. All the same benefits are there, though with an added Peptide that helps with skin firmness and elasticity.

And for those with sensitive skin, it’s ideal to pair the Nourishing Cream with the Night Cream. The Nourishing Cream is a gentle, fragrance- and colouring-free formula that doesn’t irritate the skin, while also enriched with skin-soothing Ceramide and other natural lipids.

[PROMOTION]
Neutrogena is currently offering a Hydro Boost bundle at 41% off! The ‘5 Steps Regimen Bundle’, consisting of the Activating Essence Lotion, Hyaluronic Acid Serum, a set of Hydrating Masks, the Nourishing Cream, and the Water Gel, is available on Shopee.

 


The Neutrogena Hydro Boost range, available at FairPrice, Guardian, Watsons, and the Johnson & Johnson Official Stores on Lazada, Shopee, and Amazon.

*Compared to untreated control. Based on clinical study done at SGS Stephens, Inc., Phoenix Research Center, 27 participants completed study in Dec 2021 to Jan 2022 in USA.