Singapore is infectious. It’s a very hard place to leave. Probably explains why I’m still here 30 years on.

Expats usually come and go, but a number of buddies who I went to school with here have all now come back after realizing that it wasn’t greener on the other side.

I’m wonderfully apolitical. I’ve never understood why people care so much. Show me an election that was won by one vote and I might think my vote counts.

I surround myself with very successful people; it’s nice to have such a great network of friends here.

My childhood was nearperfect. I grew up in an insanely cool black and white house on Holland Road, complete with a tennis court and a swimming pool.

My mum once invited Bernhard Langer round for a game of tennis when he was here playing in a pro-am tournament. He gave me a golf lesson in our back garden and signed his bag, then gave it to me.

I wanted to be a lawyer growing up. Sadly a law degree at Bristol University and a miserable internship at Clifford Chance put me off for life. Besides, throwing parties is more fun and doesn’t require waking up in the morning.

My most memorable party experience was chilling out with Fernando Alonso at The Podium Lounge last year. He came on a Saturday night and wasn’t drinking, as the F1 Drivers try to stay on European time while in Singapore for the Grand Prix. He was the last man standing at the party.

Kevin Spacey came to my place once when a buddy of mine invited him over to polish off some very rare vintage single malts. His stories were incredible, and he kept slipping into character when recounting stories of people he’d met. The funniest part was my wife was asleep upstairs when he arrived. When I tried to wake
her, she told me to screw off.

I’m usually under the influence; good thing I don’t drive. My daily routine depends on whether I’m nursing a hangover. But Monday is my duvet day and I never get out of bed before midday on Mondays.
I have nearly five thousand friends on Facebook. The list consists of family, close friends, casual friends, old school and university mates, business contacts, people I aspire to be like, people I’m not friendly with and people I want to keep an eye on. It’s a massive address book which serves its purpose well.

I just bought a vintage gun together with Michael Van Cleef Ault, the owner of Pangaea. He’s one of the biggest private collectors in the world, so I figured he could teach me a thing or two about the world of antique weaponry.

The Nikkei kiasu-types and people who slurp their noodles make me sick to my stomach.

I get stressed daily with the stock market. I get stressed weekly when I watch Tottenham Hotspur play and I get stressed about twice a month when I play golf, the
world’s most frustrating game.

To own and live on-board a superyacht, chasing the sun, is still my lifelong dream.

Logo tees will never go out of style—that is, if you let them do the talking. Check out three new labels and collaboration works—OuterEdit’s mash-up prints are otherworldly and inspiring, Roof Industries’ offerings sport local flair, while Subcrew’s collaboration with artist Jahan Loh pushes the envelope between street art and politics.

OuterEdit
A T-shirt design concept with a difference, OuterEdit is the brainchild of Ryan Tan and Clive Foo, avid fans of graphic design. Started last October, this online shopping site lets the public vote for what they want to wear on their chest—but with a twist. It’s also a collaborative online platform where designers build on each other’s works to create limited edition tees boasting mash-up prints. Some notable names in the list of collaborators: Mariko Jesse, printmaker and associate lecturer at London’s Central Saint Martins, and Bruno Selles, graffiti artist and graphic designer who has worked on campaigns by Nike and Diesel. “We wanted to bring the spotlight back to design creation processes and the people who make awesome graphic art where it rightfully belongs,” says Tan. The result: a series of hypnotic designs bearing various imprints with crisscrossing themes like “Muzik Mish Mash” and “Geometry, Space & Time”, all produced in limited editions of 300 at just $49 a pop.

Roof Industries
If you want to make a statement with something distinctively local, look no further than this two-month-old tee label. Familiar lingo such as “Kopi Addict” and “Singlish” stars in these designs, which include a special edition National Day-themed one with an illustration of our little red dot released last month. “Singapore has a diverse mix of races and cultures living together under one roof and we aim to build the brand with that spirit in mind,” says founder and designer David Tan. “We are working on our second collection which will feature collaborations as well as an extension of our first series with a ladies’ range. A new product line will also be introduced in the near future.” In the meantime, their quirky designs, all affordably priced below $35 per piece (includes free shipping), will have you wearing these tees out and proud. 

Subcrew
Acclaimed Taiwan-based Subcrew is one of the top purveyors of Taiwan’s street culture. For their latest collaboration series, they have teamed up with local street artist Jahan Loh for a limited edition run of “Working Class Heroes” tees, featuring Loh’s signature edgy illustrations featuring skull prints and statement text such as “Our Faces Unseen”. “Much of the theme is dedicated to those who work under the radar, whose work takes precedence and speaks for them,” says Loh. “This collection is made by, and made for all the unsung heroes of modern Singapore (which I deem as postmodern capitalist Babylon), elements that you will see across the various T-shirt designs.” All tees are also produced in very small runs for $70 each.

Style Staples
Want more cool tees? These two longstanding local tee labels are still the ones to beat.

Hooked Clothings
Founder and designer Alex Koh’s works based on pop culture and contemporary design are still fresh (even after being on the scene for more than six years), featuring subtle references to themes like faith, religion and yes, rock music.
$69 upwards at their website and Zalora.

Praise
The design team has been consistently churning out photo-based printed tees with evocative images over the last three years. Highlights this season include photomontages of city skylines from across the globe.
$35 from Praise.
 

Malaysia

Bangin Bangsar
New neighborhoods come and go in rapidly expanding KL, but despite the rise of upscale rival Solaris Mont Kiara, we still find ourselves drawn back to grungy Bangsar. Partly it’s for the leafy streets, partly for the laid-back residential vibe and partly for the two-story shophouses that double as family homes. Add to that the sheer (and ever-changing) range of food, drink and young designer boutiques on offer, this area feels more like a hip suburb in Sydney than an enclave of KL.

 EAT

Antipodean Cafe
20 Jalan Telawi 2, +603 2282-0411.
This modern Kiwi/Australian-style cafe uses the very best coffee blends produced by Indonesian-based franchise Merdeka Coffee. They back it up with a solid menu of brunch/breakfast classics in a simple café setting. The buzz does mean it can be hard to get a seat.

Chawan
69-G Jalan Telawi 3, +603 2287-5507.
Half coffee specialist, half upmarket mamak (the Malay equivalent of a street-side 24-hour diner), Chawan has a devoted crowd who come for the impressive range of coffee and affordable traditional Malay menu. For a light snack, try the Keropok Lekor, a popular doughy finger food. To wash it down, order kopi hang tuah, Penang’s regional rocket fuel.

El Meson Espanol
61-63 Jalan Telawi 3, +603 2282-8290, www.elmeson.com.my.
A bar vibe, thanks to a vibrant color scheme and quirky touches, make this place a good spot to enjoy the decent wine menu while snacking on small plates and hearty Spanish classics like rabbit stew and Iberico cheeks.

F by Buffalo Kitchens
69-1 Jalan Telawi Tiga, +603 2201-9307.
Head up the graffiti-covered wooden stairs to find this very contemporary French/Italian eatery, with an eco-touch (they use recycled furniture and flooring). They make all their own sauces and have a very impressive wine list. We love the large open kitchen and the great vantage point offered by the al fresco balcony.

Les Deux Garcons
36 Jalan Telawi, +603 2284-7833, www.lesdeuxgarcons.com.my.
If you’re into exquisite-looking patisseries then this is the place to go. Only open a couple of months, the wonderfully understated little store has a very chic atmosphere and a beautiful selection of desserts, such as its best-selling macaroons.

The Social@Bangsar
57-59 Jalan Telawi 3, +603 2282-2260, www.thesocial.com.my.
Favoured for its al fresco seating out on the terrace and laid-back ambiance, this local hot spot is at its best on lazy Sunday mornings and after work. It has a good choice of imported beers and an Asian/international mix of gastropub-style grub.

Plan B
Bangsar Village 1, G5, Ground Floor No. 1, Jalan Telawi, www.thebiggroup.co/planb.
Currently the hippest spot in the hood, Plan B is a modern coffee shop cum bar and deli. Good bistro-style food, big sofas, a nice outdoor terrace and a seasonal selection of single-origin beans make this a top spot to hang out at.

Nirawa Banana Leaf
43 Jalan Telawi 3, +603-2287-8445.
A nondescript shophouse where hungry punters enjoying the authentic Indian and Penang-style fare always overflow into the street. Don’t miss the dishes served on banana leaves (fried fish, crab, chicken and more) which are eaten with hands and come with additional refills.

SHOP

Ben’s General Food Store
Bangsar Village 1, Ground Floor, Jalan Telawi. +603 2284-8790, www.thebiggroup.co/bgfs.
While the classy all-white bistro, with its fresh pastas and salads, is well worth a visit, we really love the food and drink store next door. From Wagyu beef and imported pasta to fresh olives and St. Agur blue cheese, this place is all about the best in imported and organic food.

CZipLee Book Store
No. 1 & 3 Jalan Telawi 3, www.cziplee.com.
In Bangsar since 1968, this bookstore recently moved out of its lovely original building to a larger premise just up the street. It’s still packed with a huge range of titles, especially non-fiction stuff like travel and cooking. The selection of stationery is just as impressive.

Pantry Magic
49 Jalan Telawi Tiga, +603 2201-1578, www.pantry-magic.com/kualalumpur.
Ok, we know that there are branches around Asia but they’re not in a beautiful terraced shop house with its own quaint country kitchen vibe. Inside, you can browse a huge range of high-end kitchen ware from copper pans to retro scales. The store also run occasional cooking classes if you want to learn how to use the stuff.

Juice
46/46-1 Jalan Telawi 5, +603 2283-5811, www.clotinc.com.
The KL branch of a chain out of HK, Juice is a long-term resident in the Bangsar community where it serves up urban fashion and sportswear by the likes of Nike, Converse and CLOT in an uber-cool showroom.

Blueberry Boutique
8 Jalan Tewi 4, +603 2283-1663
This tiny little store is easy to miss, but it’s worth hunting out, for fans of distinct vintage styles with a cute girly touch and lots of bright colors. It stocks a wide range of womenswear, from retro skirts and tailored dresses to shoes and bags.

Om Art
4G Jalan Telawi, +603 2201-9588
Another new arrival, this gallery space has been open for a little over six months. It has a specific focus on Chinese art featuring both local and Taiwanese artists.

Where to stay

Founded and designed by one of KL’s most renowned landscape artist Seksan, boutique guesthouse Sekeping Tenggiri is the hippest accommodation in Bangsar. Each room is individually conceptualized out of the original 1970’s bungalow, which has vertical gardens, a swimming pool and exposed brick walls for that touch of nostalgia. There is even an art gallery located within, featuring works of contemporary Malaysian and Thai artists to add to the arty vibe. RM200 ($80) upwards.
48 Jalan Tenggiri, +603 7207-5977. Call or log on www.tenggiri.com to book.

South Korea

Seoul Secrets
South Korea’s capital is a hard nut to crack, travel-wise. For visitors, it can be difficult to gain insider-level intel on the city’s ultra-hip world of trendy cafés, boutiques and artsy spaces—not to mention hard-to-find restaurants with untranslated menus. With these nifty suggestions, you can explore town just that little bit more like a local.

EAT

Bukchon Kalguksu
84 Sogyeok-dong, Jongro-gu, +82 2739-6334.
The specialty here is wang mandoo guk—literally, giant dumpling soup. At the front of the restaurant, a team of veteran chefs with hands like lightning stuff, fold and crease doughy pockets of goodness.

Bulzip Samgyeopsal
817-28 Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, +82 2 3452-7273, www.bulzip.co.kr.
Enjoy some top-notch soju and BBQ pork belly at this lively watering hole.

Daedo Sikdang
150-7 Samseong 1-dong, Gangnam-gu, +82 2 5612-2834.
Fill up on authentic Korean steak, barbecued simply with garlic and cabbage on a burner right at the center of the table. The high-quality rib-eye (from cows raised in Korea, of course) is the star of the show. It isn’t cheap. But it’s delicious—even more so when the waiter makes kkakdugi (white-radish kimchi) fried rice in the same pan used to cook the beef.

Kkanbu Chicken
809-6 Yeoksam-song, Gangnam-gu, +82 2557-6460, www.kkanbu.co.kr.
Stop by for the quintessential Korean late-night meal of fried chicken, fries and beer.

Sigol Babsang
549-9 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, +82 2546-1567.
A restaurant serving traditional Korean fare just off of Garosu-gil, a trendy street that by day is great for shopping, people-watching and latte-sipping. Relax atop cushions on a raised platform against walls lined with old newspapers and feast on bulgogi, kimchi pancakes, bean-paste soup, egg soufflé (less weird and more yummy than it sounds) and an army of banchan (little side dishes).

Yubyulnan
75-1 Taeyoung Building #102, Insa-dong, Jongro-gu.
This small restaurant serves up delicious ddeokbokki, a favorite spicy street food made of sliced rice cakes, noodles and egg.

DO

Hongdae Weekend Market
564-35 Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, +82 2325-8553. www.freemarket.or.kr.
Amid throngs of students and creative types, local artisans sell crafty goods from cutesy jewelry to hand-drawn postcards to sophisticated leather credit-card holders.

SHOP

APM Luxe
199-17 Sindang-dong, Jung-gu, +82 2 2231-0936.
This place sells the type of clothes and accessories stocked by boutiques across Seoul, except at bargain prices.

Kyobo
B1-B2/F, 1303-22 Seocho 4-dong, Seocho-gu, +82 2 1544-1900, www.kyobobook.co.kr.
Stock up on artsy Korean stationery at this top-notch bookstore.

O’Sulloc
170 Gwanhoon-dong, Jongro-gu, +82 2 2732-6427, www.osulloc.com.
This teahouse and store is part of a 33-year-old brand that harvests its leaves from fields on Jeju, a much-loved island off the country’s south shore.

Where to stay

Located at the secluded Mount Namsan, Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul has only 16 rooms and 16 suites so you’re sure to have plenty of privacy. Each room also has its own indoor relaxation pool. Plus, their Banyan Tree Spa boasts unique-to-this-location Korean treatments. KRW600,000 ($663) upwards.
San 5-5, Jang Chung-Dong 2-Ga Jung-Gu, +82 2 2250-8000. Book at www.banyantree.com.

Thailand

Brand New Bangkok
So you’ve been to Bangkok several times. But the food scene is now going through a bit of a revival—new openings such as Smith and Quince have brought industrial décor and the rustic/nose-to-tail trend to the city’s tables, not to mention the handful of elegant Isaan restaurants that just popped up. And let’s not forget the happening neighborhoods in Bangkok tucked deep into the side streets or sois, with exciting art spaces and funky shops at Sukhumvit Road. Be surprised at what you can find here.

EAT

Quince
Sukhumvit Soi 45, +66 2662-4478, www.quincebangkok.com.
Quince’s Aussie chef Jess Barnes serves fresh, simple and well-executed dishes with Mediterranean influences and an eye to sustainability. The décor here is country-classic’industrial wood and steel with plenty of ceiling space.

Smith
1/8 Sukhumvit Soi 49, +66 2261-0515/6.
Located in what used to be a former furniture warehouse, this serves a meat-heavy menu that celebrates less popular cuts and locally sourced produce. Expect dishes like tuna, braised pig tail and foie gras torchon with rosemary, citrus and peas, and verjus-glazed pork belly.

Somtam Der
5/5 Saladaeng Rd., +66 2632-4499.
A stone’s throw from the city’s main gayborhood on Silom Road, this restaurant cranks out rare variations of somtam (papaya salad), such as the somtam sua Sakon Nakhon, which comes with freshwater crab and keratin beans, and the somtam pla tu khao man, which includes mackerel and is served with a side of rice cooked in coconut milk. We’re also excited by their martinis: made by infusing vodka with lemongrass or roselle, they pack quite a punch.

Thai Lao Yeh
14/29, Sukhumvit Soi 45, +66 2 2592-8713.
Sample some authentic regional cuisine, such as classic Isaan, Northern and Laotian dishes, at Cabochon Hotel’s in-house restaurant.

The Local
32-32/1 Sukhumvit Soi 23, +66 2 6643-3601.
Chef and co-owner Can Markawat focuses on authentic local dishes and regional products cooked according to hard-to-find recipes. Tuck into a gaeng run juan (beef in spicy herbal soup) from the Rama Vera or try out the pla paak nam (seafood in red curry paste), a recipe taken from Siam’s first cookbook, Mae Krua Hua Pa. They’re all served in a beautiful hundred-year-old house whose individual rooms take their inspiration from various regions.

Water Library Thonglor
G/F, The Grass, Thonglor Soi 12, +66 2 7149-2923, www.mywaterlibrary.com.
For B6,600 ($264), you get to enjoy a set 12-course menu that changes with the seasons but always includes plenty of imported delicacies and modern/molecular touches. Downstairs, mixologist Mirko Gardellino’s personalized cocktails and the sexy, darkly-lit wine bar give you the perfect excuse need to stick around after dinner.

SHOP

Asiatique
2194 Charoenkrung Rd., +66 2108-4488, www.thaiasiatique.com.
It’s touristy (although packed with locals), it’s brand new (but strangely nostalgic) and despite its riverside location, it pretty much replaces the much missed Suan Lum Night Bazaar that used to be by Lumpini. With a panoramic waterfront and a 100-year old refurbished sawmill, it includes over 1,500 boutiques stocked with souvenirs, fashion, bars and restaurants. The gigantic venue is also home to the Joe Louis Puppet Theater and the transgender extravaganza Calypso Bangkok.

Casa Pagoda
4 Sukhumvit Soi 45, +66 2258-1917, www.casapagoda.com.
For retro furnishings, look no further than elegant home décor boutique Casa Pagoda. The 6000 sq. meter space packs country-style furniture and vintage products ranging from glass soda water dispensers to hemp rugs.

Talad Rot Fai
Kampaengpetch Rd., +66 8 1920-3972.
For something a little bit grittier, Talad Rot Fai (the train market) packs cheap vintage finds ranging from USA license plates to old Thai ads. It’s also just a cool place to hang out and grab a beer, thanks to the collection of hip kids who gather here to pick up old radios, parts for their ’70s automobiles or retro furniture from the converted old warehouse.

ZudRangMa Records
7/1 Sukhumvit Soi 51, +66 08 8891-1314, www.zudrangmarecords.com.
This vinyl record store delivers a heady mix of Isaan country music, such as Luk Thung and Molam. Here, you can also find world music ranging from Jamaican and African to soul and reggae.

DO

Rock Around Asia
5/3 Sukhumvit Soi 45, +66 2662-7604, www.rockaroundasia.com.
At this art gallery, you can shop for travel photography, local pop art and sculptures. There’s also an open-air rooftop cinema promoting classics, indie productions and documentaries. They even organize cooking classes and “off the beaten track” walks around Bangkok.

Opposite
27/1 Sukhumvit Soi 51, +66 2662-6330, oppositebangkok.com.
Drop by this renovated mid-20th century-style shophouse, which plays host to stimulating art, music and dining events.

WTF Gallery & Café
7 Sukhumvit Soi 51, +66 2662-6246, wtfbangkok.com.
Arty souls looking for a low-key, retro hangout would like this hybrid bar, where gigs, art exhibitions and poetry nights take place and stiff cocktails are served.

Where to stay

Located by Chao Phraya river, The Siam is a 39-room luxury Bangkok riverside resort where traditional Siamese architecture meets Art Deco style. The hotel is packed to the rafters with an impressive collection of antiques belonging to local celebrity Krissada Sukosol Clapp, while the elegant teak pavilions used for in-house restaurant Chon were originally sourced by Thai silk king Jim Thompson. B16,300 ($654) upwards.

Is everything we ever wanted truly right here?
I think that is the core statement and counter-question which this body of work poses. These collages began as a four-month project involving both photojournalism and candid interviews with locals. I wanted to document the sentiments beneath our rapidly changing city, with all its inherent contradictions and idiosyncrasies.

Explain the process behind the title.
“Everything You Ever Wanted is Right Here” are actually the words hand-cut into a massive photograph of a local mamashop, which is the first piece of this series of collage work. Each artwork exists as both a statement and question to the viewer, bringing light to various social, economic and political tensions of our country in a funny and bold way.

What artworks will the readers be looking at?
Huge hand-cut photographs that tell the story of our own country-in-the-making, through a juxtaposition of image and text. In the mix is an 18-panel installation using photographs of Singaporean homes that I shot—ranging from government-subsidized one-room flats in Telok Blangah to mansions along Swiss Club Road. Half of them belonged to complete strangers. That work is an arresting, intimate look into a mix of objects and photographs which document what it means to be Singaporean.

What does making art about Singapore mean to you?
It’s endlessly fascinating. Singapore is one of those countries that appear flat or monolithic to the rest of the world. But there are depths within depths to who we are and what we struggle with.

Everything You Ever Wanted Is Right Here is on September 7-24 at the Chan Hampe Gallery, Raffles Hotel Arcade.  

 

What fascinates you?
My quest to get people to examine their own lives, not point their fingers at someone else. I hope to influence questioning of our life our understanding and hope it discloses rather than represses.

Why both film and photography?
It’s interesting—the phenomenon of working with both mediums. In photography, as always, we need to contain the information within the frame. Whereas in film, it always about the next frame.

Who is your biggest influence?
Filmmaker Stan Brakhage. Brakhage always wanted to “make you see,” a D. W. Griffith line he often cited, but with a crucial difference: his films eschew the manipulations of mainstream narrative and instead invite you to a variety of kinds of seeing.

What’s your take on the human condition?
Obey and Consume. Obey and Consume. Repeat until search for truth prevails and the veil lifts.

What’s the meaning of life?
Life is elsewhere. Here is always somewhere else.

Siddhartha Tawadey: Sans Souci is on through September 7 at Art Plural Gallery.

I live my life like my journey has just begun every morning.

I am influenced by great historical figures such as Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Ghandi and Bruce Lee, who all stood for their beliefs and made a difference to their societies.

Closer to home, I am inspired by my parents and generally people from their generation who had to struggle and work so hard to bring us up.

My grandma used to live alone at a kampong at Pulau Tekong and I remember visiting her as a family every week by bumboat. I just loved the community spirit then where everyone from different races knew each other, got along and even shared fruits from the garden.

Timbre rekindles some of those memories, where I see Singaporeans of all race and creed come together to celebrate music. That makes me happy.

Kids who groove to music never fail to bring a smile and brighten my day.

I was very much a loner growing up. I was listening to blues, jazz and other African American music forms since I was 16 and not many of my friends at that time could relate or identify with that.

In retrospect, I am thankful as it helped me immerse myself totally in music, which helped shape my personality and define my purpose till this very day.

As a kid, I wanted to be a policeman. Well, I guess we all feared and respected policemen when we were young and we knew that they protected society.

When I proposed to my then girlfriend in the middle of my performance at the recent Singapore Arts Festival, I was truly happy. It was a milestone in my life and it happened to be my birthday (which was a decoy) and all my friends and colleagues were there to witness it and celebrate with me.

I collect vinyls; all 400 plus of them.

I don’t have any political persuasion, every system has its pros and cons. However I’d like to see young Singaporeans encouraged and inspired to sing, play music and create their own songs.

If we can have a slightly more relaxed and less fearful censorship system to help this process, I will stand for it.

You cannot please everyone, and sometimes you have to focus on your own happiness as well.

Lending money to friends can break a friendship.

At the end of the day, I want to uplift Singapore music to a new level where we have 10-fold more support and a viable music market place so that musicians and artistes can make a decent living.

A mature first world society requires first world arts and culture as well.

Traditional tailoring and clean lines remain some of the most sought-after looks in fashion. Let’s face it, you can wear them over and over again without worrying about falling off trend. Thankfully, many of this year’s Autumn/Winter collections are geared in this direction, most notably Yohji Yamamoto’s impeccably layered pieces and local brand Sifr’s well-considered shirts and jackets for men. Here’s what you should buy into this season.

FOR MEN

Yohji Yamamoto
Channel that aristocrat look and keep some street cred to boot with the Japanese designer’s take on the modern gentleman. Flannel and tartan suits get a fresh twist with new proportions as they are paired with cropped pants to create outstanding silhouettes. Structured jackets with variations on the collar, as well as tailcoats, can be paired with floppy neckties and colorful leather shoes to create a slightly offbeat feel. Or go wild over military-inspired wool double-lapel or double-breasted jackets with gold buttons—so much to love. $899 upwards from Club 21 Men.

Sifr
Chief designer Suraj Melwani’s take on preppy menswear reaches new heights with his “Monsoon” collection for Autumn/Winter. Based on the brand’s philosophy of creating pieces with an emphasis on “refined lines, quality materials, solid construction, and minimal detailing,” the collection is accessible yet accomplished. Muted earth tones like cocoa, gray and black permeate jackets and pants (highlights include lazy blazers and trench coats), while hints of Indonesian tapestry and weaving can be seen through its crew-neck sweaters and baseball cardigans. And when it comes to footwear, loafers, derbys and zip boots with textured faux snake prints are classy and edgy all at the same time. $149 upwards from Know It Nothing.

FOR WOMEN

Club Monaco
The brand’s Pre-Fall and Autumn/Winter collections manage to marry smartly tailored pieces with a touch of casual ease to create the perfect transitional wardrobe for our sunny skies. Each piece maintains a careful balance of structure and softness through a clever mix of materials such as cotton, silk and a touch of leather, and feature nouveau art and tribal prints for that luxe effect (the collection is inspired by Linda McCartney’s Life in Photographs series). The collection is versatile and varied, but highlights include dresses with Tartan prints that are sophisticated yet playful and navy blazers that are cut at the hip for that suitably Mod feel. $169 upwards.

Valentino
One would have thought that a collection based on the movie Snow White & The Huntsman would be overly fanciful, if not utterly unwearable. Not true. Designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccolli explore iconography and tradition with a keen eye, resulting in a dreamy collection with an emphasis on sexy silhouettes, gorgeous lace detailing and classic evening gowns. Dresses are cinched at the waist to gracefully accentuate the figure, while evening gowns in standout red, velvet and black will turn heads with their bow-shaped detailing, ruffles and drapes—classical womenswear has never looked this magical. $6,000 upwards.

Face Time
Quirky prints from two top local labels.

Hansel
The endearing local brand’s latest collection is based on the lovable Atlantic Puffin, which explains the many pretty puffy sleeves, swingy gathered skirts and bold puffin motifs on knitted dresses found on its vintage-inspired womenswear.
$69 upwards.

Depression
Bold and uninhibited, the local label’s “Plastic Surgery” collection features drape-like chiffon dresses and shirts for both men and women, including a standout dress with a face print. $69 upwards.