Spellbound: A Warm Welcome To Our April 2023 Issue, Out Now
Be enchanted by the stories we have in store for you.
Photo: Andrew Arthur
If there’s one word that has been said to me countless times by a close friend of mine, it’s “magical.” Singaporean makeup and hair supremo, Grego, uses this word copiously to describe so many scenarios that I have ended up associating this word with him. But thinking deeper into the power of magic and its ability to transcend reality in the most beautiful manner, I have to say that in the world of fashion, magic truly does exist.
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So, I decided to make this our theme for this issue because I really wanted to show you how magical fashion can be. Take the recent fall/winter 2023 fashion week in Paris. Under the gaze of a sparkling, twinkling Eiffel Tower, the Saint Laurent show on the very first evening was probably one of the most breathtaking and sublime collections I have seen in a long while. Anthony Vaccarello continues to astound and amaze with his creations for this storied French House. The power shoulders, the haughty sunglasses, the perfect hobble knee-length skirts and the trailing sashes off silky blouses were executed with precision and utter sophistication. Things were taken up a notch at Schiaparelli, where the ladies- who-lunch swooned over Daniel Roseberry’s first ready-to-wear collection for the haute couture House. Featuring immaculately-sculpted suits with gold eye buttons and other Surrealist motifs, it was a study of glamour, money, refinement, elegance and class. It felt right for this moment to return to tailored fashion—and the accompanying smoky eyes, high-blushed cheeks, red lips and blown-out coiffure fell into place. All in all, it was a season where designers who can tailor, cut and drape, have risen to the top of the fashion agenda. Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen certainly understood the brief—her welcome return to Paris marked an examination of the anatomy. Going back to the roots of McQueen on Savile Row, jumpsuits paired with the strictest bustiers, impeccably tailored suits, white shirts with black ties, and pinstripes cut into jackets and strapless evening dresses were all impeccably crafted. Pulled, pushed, tugged and waisted, it was a uniform of precision and controlled tension that bordered on BDSM—but done in the hautest manner. These were some of my standout shows in Paris—ones that I felt had all the wizardry of Parisian chic in just the right amounts.
Related article: Jeff Satur Serenades Us With His Vocal Prowess
Back home in Singapore, I had the opportunity to meet our BAZAAR Man cover star, Jeff Satur. He reminded me a little of a cross between Peter Pan and Legolas—his captivating elf-like features belie the voice of an angel. It’s very encouraging to see young multi-hyphenates like him move easily from film to TV and music. Read what this talent has to say on page 91. And don’t forget to read what wonders come from beneath the ocean in Jeffrey Yan’s piece on page 48 about mermaid dressing and its rise (and rise) in fashion again. The Little Mermaid is back on the fashion radar again—glamorous, poised and ready for her next 15 minutes of fame. Take a breath, dear readers, because this issue is simply enchanting.
—Kenneth Goh, Editor-in-Chief
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Photographed by Andrew Arthur
Creative direction by Windy Aulia
Styled by Moses Moreno
Model: Fernanda Ly / DNA Models
Makeup: Allie Smith / Management Artists
Hair: Takuya Yamaguchi / The Wall Group
Producer: JD Martin
Photographer’s assistants: Mitchell Mylius, Blair Alley
Stylist’s assistants: Trevor McMullan, Mia Fonte
Fashion: Gucci
Special thanks to Halston House, Saugerties NY