This year’s early Chinese New Year makes it seem like Christmas and the New Year never really went away. No sooner had you downed the last glass of bubbly and the lone sparkler ended its dazzling fizz at the stroke of midnight, did the first blooms of pussy willow herald the start of the Lunar New Year. Another sure sign that CNY is upon us? When the colour red is gleaming from every corner of the island.
From our cover model, Chen Xue, dressed in a bold Balenciaga dress to the cutest Prada mules on page 42, there are lots of stylish choices in the hottest hue this season. For more ways to usher in this auspicious season, flip to page 150 to check out our insider’s guide to prepping for CNY, be it with artisanal tea or a wardrobe-organising service that will make Marie Kondo proud.
Once the festive period (and bingeing) is officially done, our annual Spa Awards on page 78 will be your life-saver. It’s our top-to-toe self-love guide to the best treatments, lotions and potions available on our shores. Whether you want to reboot your skin with salmon DNA, reverse time with painless microwaves, or restore your chi with warm jade stones, we’ve got you covered. And if you need some suggestions on how to show off your newly toned silhouette and freshly painted digits, just look to our extensive trend report on page 44. Temptation comes in so many forms—from pretty floral dresses at Self-Portrait to the sexiest Versace maillots, or the deliciously OTT feathered sandals at Valentino, topped off with millitary-style Louis Vuitton helmets.
But, truth be told, nothing quite captures the fashion zeitgeist right now like the rise of the Philophile (see page 54). Members of fashion’s most nostalgic fan club have come together in solidarity since Phoebe Philo announced her departure from the House of Celine in December 2017. The movement gathered steam in September 2018 when her successor, Hedi Slimane, presented his first collection and proved he would (in signature Slimane-style) be putting his own stamp on the brand.
Whether you and your BFF are Philophiles in need of a getaway to mark the end of an era or parents-to-be looking for a relaxing babymoon retreat, our round-up of jet-set holidays on page 154 has something for every kind of couple. Relax, recharge and rejuvenate—a whole 15 days of CNY feasting awaits. There’s no better time to indulge, have a good read and well, be a little piggy.
—Kenneth Goh, Editor-in-Chief
Download the digital edition from the App Store, Google Play or Magzter
Photographer by Paul McLean. Styled by Windy Aulia. Chen Xue/Storm wears silk dress; diamante earrings, Balenciaga. Xu/IMG wears wool coat, Balenciaga. Makeup by Shu Uemura Makeup Artist Siobhan Furlong/LGA Management On the face (On her) Petal Skin Cushion Foundation in 375 (On him) Lightbulb Cushion Foundation in 564 On the eyes (On her) Lasting Soft Gel Pencil in Intense Black, Hard Formula H9 in Seal Brown 02 (On him) Eyebrow Manicure in Ash Brown On the cheeks (On her) Glow On (Creamy) Powder Blush in Light Pink 020 On the lips (On her) Rouge Unlimited RD163 OS (On him) Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Eye and Lip Contour Cream. Makeup Artist’s Assistant Eddy Liu. Hair Stylist Jonathan De Francesco/LGA Management. Director of Photography Luke Glover. Styling Assistant Stacy Wong.