18th Amendment

Who should buy it? Any self respecting denim fan.
The philosophy behind the brand: Inspired by Hollywood’s uproarious ’20s and the coquettish elegance of Hollywood icons like Marlene Dietrich and Rita Hayworth, Australian denim brand 18th Amendment is for fans of already established denim brands like True Religion. A collaboration between celebrated fashion designer Rebecca Dawson and Rachel Rose, 18th Amendment boasts a series of diverse denim cuts and quality detailing. Everything about the collection is feminine yet rebellious—from the vintage washes to metallic wings and white denim studs to premium Japanese corduroy.
What to look out for: The uber hip lifestyle store Colette in Paris is already carrying the line—which includes high waisted lean straight leg cuts to high waisted short shorts. Look out for more of the same at Actually (29A Seah St., 6336-7298).

Airbag Craftworks

Who should buy it? Fashionistas and DJs who like innovative and reconstructed pieces a la Maison Martin Margiela.
The philosophy behind the brand: What started out more than 10 years ago from a DJ’s search for a new record carrying bag has evolved into an innovative brand worth looking out for. Founder PDR has turned a used air mattress into a bag (dubbed the airbag) which he found ideal to store his 12” vinyls. Since then, the brand has also grown into a design-platform that comprises two collections: a1 and a2. While the ideas of “recycling” and “transformation” characterized the a1 collection line under the motto “transforming holiday memories,” the designers took on a new challenge with its a2 line, where materials like leather and specially made fabrics have been turned into cool bags and garments which are steeped in tradition and craftsmanship.
What to look out for: Stocked exclusively at Actually from Jun onwards, expect some rare and interesting sweaters, pants, T-shirts and yes, bags from this hot new find.

Dr Denim Jeansmaker

Who should buy it? The name says it all—denim, denim, denim lovers.
The philosophy behind the brand: Shown for the first time in Aug 2004, Scandinavian import Dr Denim Jeansmakers has since unveiled numerous interpretations of fashion denim with focus on gorgeous details. Experimental fits, innovative combinations, anachronistic details and affordable prices are what make the brand. Carrying a wide range from 59” flat-finished denims to 29” selvage denims, the Dr Denim Jeansmakers collection draws on modern dressed-up look, combined with intimate details that dates back to the good old days of denim production so that you can have the best of both worlds.
What to look out for: A mix of fashion and fresh vintage pieces that are as street as it gets. Available from Actually.

Acne Jeans

Who should buy it? Another must for denim fans.
The philosophy behind the brand: As a part of the creative collective Acne based in the US, Acne Jeans started in 1997 when the company designed 100 pairs of jeans distributed to friends, family and clients. Soon, several stores and boutiques started to clamor for its trademark design, with its bright-red stitching on raw denim materials. Today, the label unites innovative jeans styles with a versatile wardrobe for men and women, ranging from basic cotton T-shirts to tailored jackets to luxurious accessories and shoes. While every collection forms a concept, each piece can be worn separately and effortlessly be mixed with other cool finds.
What to look out for: Currently available in Blackjack (#01-10 Forum the Shopping Mall, 583 Orchard Rd., 6735-0975), Ace Jeans is a must for the young and restless looking for basic pieces that ooze attitude.

Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair

Who should buy it? Those who like classic cuts and exquisite tailoring.
The philosophy behind the brand: Swedish label Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair finds inspiration in conserving tradition as well as breaking those same norms. The label is inspired by an old shoemakers shop in London that has gone from generation to generation passing on knowledge in craftsmanship and traditions. But to make it current as well, streamlined looks are embellished with up-to-date cotton fabrics.
What to look out for: This men’s and women’s collection has grown more defined and holds a range of experimental high fashion items. The androgynous stroke is always present in the collection, so expect classic shirting, thin cotton knits, lustrous wool chintz, thin jerseys, leather and nylon, just to name a few. Available from Actually.

Rock & Republic

Who should buy it? Those who like Hollywood glamour with a street edge.
The philosophy behind the brand: One of the hottest labels in LA today, Rock & Republic is synonymous with innovative style, sex appeal and edgy sophistication. The brand, still relatively unknown here, is dubbed one of the edgiest labels in the luxe/high fashion industry, and it’s not hard to see why. With the notion that everyone deserves to dress like a rock star, head designer Michael Ball imbues his designs with a consistent rebellious streak. Take, for example, The Tailor Made Rock & Republic line, which emphasizes on sleek contours and long lean lines. Its perfect fitting trousers exude sex appeal, while the impeccably tailored blazers ooze femininity. Ooh la la.
What to look out for: Everything about the collection screams sex, sex and more sex. Even the men can get some with the ladies at Inhabit (#B1-03 Palais Renaissance, 390 Orchard Rd., 6235-6995).

Step 1: Starter

The boss has just arrived from Hong Kong, the States or their big office on the 25th floor and is expecting to be wined and dined. This is your chance to shine and spend some one-on-one time (read: Suck up) to the person who could change your career. Follow these rules when choosing your venue and your meal will be a surefire success.

a) Not somewhere too romantic. You don’t want them to get the wrong idea.

b) Not somewhere too touristy. You want them to think you are at least a bit selective and savvy about all the coolest and latest eateries.

c) Somewhere that does have a wow factor (like a good view, or a lively location). Taking you boss down some back street dive in the middle of nowhere might show you know your city, but won’t impress or make them feel they’re somewhere really special.

d) Not somewhere too noisy, groovy or nouveau cuisine. Chances are your boss is a bit older, so while he or she will want to be seen at a happening joint, they won’t want to feel uncomfortable or out of their element either.

e) No buffets. To create a rapport you want to trap your boss at the table with you for as long as you can—getting up and down to fill plates will just prove a distraction and break the continuity in the conversation.

f) Ditto cheap hole-in-the-wall eateries. Your boss needs to feel important and as if the meal is a special occasion, not that you are a Scrooge.

g) Ditto places you’ve never been before or that haven’t come highly recommended from a trusted source. You want to be sure it’s all going to go smoothly, so don’t risk it with a newbie.

Step 2: Main Course

The dos and don’ts of how to behave during the meal.

DO
a) Dress up, but conservatively. Flip flops are probably not appropriate, nor is a backless number either.

b) Order the same number of courses as your boss. Making them feel like a pig because you refused to order dessert won’t help your cause.

c) Know your stuff. You need to be able to hold a conversation about interesting and intellectual topics. Which brings us to the don’ts.

DON’T
a) Bullshit your way through a conversation to make yourself look good.

b) Starting up high brow conversations on topics you know nothing about will only make you look stupid.

c) Eat like you’re at home or in a hawker centre. No slurping (unless your boss is Japanese), no eating food with your hands in a fine dining establishment and no bones on the table.

d) Get drunk. Bad idea.

e) Don’t wait for your boss to pay the bill. Always make the first move, and then if they argue, it’s probably OK to let them pay.

Step 3: Dessert

Where to Go
You can expense this, right, so go on the town. Here are some of the best restaurants that provide excellent food, consistent service, and are known faves for corporate entertaining.

Where to take your boss to convince him or her that you need a bigger team:
Garibaldi, #01-20, 36 Purvis St., 6837-1468.
The laid back atmosphere and charming service will make you look like a top notch networker and people-person.

Where to take your boss to get him or her to sign off an all-expenses paid junket:
Oso, 27 Tanjong Pagar Rd., 6327-8378.
Wine and dine him or her through all of Italy’s best culinary fare and then convince your boss you need to bring more of this stuff back to Singapore.

Where to take your boss to convince him or her you need a pay rise:
Saint Pierre, #01-01 Central Mall, 3 Magazine Rd., 6438-0887.
The truly impressive food and wine may just be enough to show your boss that your pay packet isn’t quite living up to your chosen lifestyle.

Where to seduce your boss:
San Marco, 8/F, The Fullerton Singapore, 1 Fullerton Sq., 6438-4404.
Sparkling lights set the groundwork for a romantic atmosphere, and if that doesn’t work, it’s still a jolly good view and there are enough corporate types there that you won’t look too stupid.

Where to take your boss to stop him or her from giving you the sack:
Le Saint Julien, #02-01/02 The Fullerton Water Boat House, 3 Fullerton Rd., 6534-5947.
The charming view and elegant service may just be enough to lull some generosity out of your boss, at least for another 24 hours.

Despite reaching such a venerable age, the 20th Singapore International Film Festival is far from losing steam—over 300 films from 40 countries are being featured leaving moviegoers as spoilt for choice as ever. Already underway, here are our picks of essentials are the action really begins to hot up.

Singapore Swing

Premiering is local upstart Kan Lume (The Art of Flirting) and debutante NTU student Loo Zihan’s Solos (Apr 25, 7pm, National Museum). About the relationship between a man (Lim Yu Beng, Singapore Dreaming) and a boy (the multi-talented newbie Loo Zihan), expect some hot same sex action scenes in this one.

Not all locally made productions restrict themselves to Singapore, however. Local director Khee Jin Ng has travelled all the way to China to film Feet Unbound (Apr 22, 7pm, National Museum)—a story about a young woman who traverses 5,000 km by road across Beijing, Jiangxi and Sichuan provinces, and meets six elderly army women along the way.

Pride of Asia

The diversity of this vast continent is reflected in the huge range of Asian films on offer.

One for the action junkie, Bloody Tie (Apr 29, 9:15pm, Lido) is about police corruption and crime set in Pusan. Directed by Choi Ho (Who Are You?), this could be Korea’s answer to The French Connection.

The sub-continent is not left out either, but you will not get any Bollywood flicks here. Bangladeshi film Dollhouse (Apr 29, 11am, Lido) is a story of anguish and love between two refugees as they flee the Bangladeshi War of Independence in 1971. An offering by veteran film-maker Marshedul Islam (The Alienation).

Best of the Rest

Tantalising material also sums up the other offerings at the festival.

Be prepared to don your thinking caps when watching His Big White Self (Apr 28, 7pm, National Museum). Courtesy of Nick Broomfield (Aileen: Life and Death of a Serial Killer), a name big in the British documentary scene, this is an intriguing flick featuring the enigmatic Eugene Terreblanche—a white South African who thought the apartheid did not go far in enough in its racial discrimination.

If war is more your thing, check out The Colonel (Apr 22, 3pm, Lido) by director Laurent Herbiet. Set during the Algerian war, it is a dark portrayal of how war dehumanises people.

No festival would be complete without some heavy duty arthouse fare. Look out for Container (Apr 22, 9:15pm, Lido), Lukas Moodysson’s (A Hole in My Heart) most avant-garde film yet, as images of a cross-dressing man are voiced over by a delicate monologue courtesy of Jena Malone (The Ballad of Jack and Rose).

Yes people, this jazz institution returns to delight everyone from those jazz junkies to people just wanting to chill-out on Sat evenings. It goes without saying that the location is perfect, situated on the white sands of Siloso Beach, with some delectable cocktails and finger food on offer from the Cool Deck cocktail bar—this is great for people looking to take time out from the Big Smoke.

The jazz is pretty divine too. Different jazz maestros will be gracing the beach with their take on this great art form each week. On Apr 21 jazz funk specialists Greg Lyons, with his band the Groove Monsters, will be upping the energy quotient. Hailing originally from ole’ Blighty, Lyons is now a regular on the local scene having performed with the likes of Terumasa Hino and Jeremy Monteiro. Renowned for being a dab hand at the saxophone, you can expect his music to be heavily influenced by the Afro-Cuban and Latin heritage upon which much of jazz is heavily dependent, blended in with his new experiences in the region to create a personal take on world music which is deep in improvisation.

You should definitely come back for seconds on Apr 28 when Singapore-based veteran drummer Louis Soliano and Friends will be closing this current series. He has worked with the some of the biggest names ever such as Stan Getz, Sarah Vaughn and Buddy Rich. An acknowledged vocalist, and an immensely accomplished drummer (voted best drummer in Asia by the magazine Downbeat in the 1970s), his unique soundscapes will delight your ears as you lie back and enjoy the setting sun.

Although it ends this month, have no fear, as this killer-combo of awesome jazz, with sun, sand and sea, will be back again in Sep.

The long and fruitful partnership between the National Museum, the Singapore International Film Festival and the Goethe-Institut has spawned two exhibitions which showcase not just the art of film and video, but also, more importantly, that art should not just be confined to dusty museums but should be something everyone can relate to.

This thought will not be the first to spring to mind with some of the dark pieces on offer at the Animated Films from Germany exhibition. About Germany’s innovative cinematic animation art, a combination of film screenings and exhibition of materials from those films showcase some of the most visually arresting animation to grace these shores. Some of the highlights include Die Gesterbahn (Ghost Train) which is a delightfully grotesque and macabre take on the story of Orpheus venturing into the underworld to find his beloved. How art and animation work can add and inspire each other can be seen in another highlight—Der Rabe (the Raven)—whose expressive graphics provide an interesting visual interpretation of one of the most forlorn poems of all time, “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe. What makes these animations so potent, like the best of art, is that they are not (overly) pretentious, but rather, they cut across language barriers and are something which everyone can revel in, be they German or Hokkien (OK, maybe not quite, but you get the idea).

A point which can be seen in the 40 Years of German Video Art exhibition. Consisting of 28 hours of 59 different works spanning four decades from 1963 to 2003, it highlights how media art is not stuck in an editing room bubble, but, rather, is part and parcel of the political and cultural movements of the age. See media art’s experimental nature of the 1960s which perhaps echo the great liberal movement of that age or how the technological development in video and the punk culture of the 1980s influenced German video art.

Do not expect any Disney-eske animations and art here, but, like Disney, this is a must-see for the animation connoisseur or the layman.

Located on an easily overlooked soi across from Burger King, Goloso Italian Deli (1025/13 Ploenchit Rd., near Central Chitlom, 02-655-0565. Open Mon-Fri 10am-7pm and Sat 10am-1pm. BTS Chid Lom) has a nondescript storefront but is in fact a hidden gem for Italian food lovers. Run by Massimo Ducci, the former general manager at Bar Italia, Goloso began as a wholesaler to Italian restaurants throughout Thailand; his list of clients now numbers 70 and extrends to Chiang Mai, Phuket and Samui.

“My main business is importing Italian deli products. Many chefs always ask me for samples, so Goloso is like an exposition for chefs and other customers,” he explains.

Made in Italy

Everything in the store is imported from Italy, with shipments coming in every Wednesday and Friday: olive oil (B590-700) from north and central Italy; cherry tomatoes (B700/kg) from the south; and Parma ham (B2,500/kg)—Goloso’s bestseller—from the north.

As you would expect, most people come for the selection of cheese and cold cuts, but you can also find vegetables—artichokes, Radicchio Trevigiano, Tarocco oranges—and fresh jam, grissini (breadsticks) and rice at Goloso.

Cheese & Wine

Though the shop is filled with Italian items, the majority of the customers are Thai, not farang. “Thais are nice customers, and many of them come for the cheese. It isn’t true that Thais don’t like cheese, as people claim,” Massimo says with a smile.
The mozzarella (B450/250g) is especially popular. A person favorite of Massimo is Barolo cheese (B220/g), a unique delicacy he proudly recommends. This intense cheese is refined in must from the grapes used for Barolo wine, and the two complement each other perfectly.

As a service to his customers, he offers Italian wines (from B640 to B16,000) at Goloso, but they are selected from local suppliers rather than imported directly.

Just Like Gianni

If you come to the store and don’t know what to buy, Massimo is happy to give you advice. “I have to ask the customer his purpose: if someone needs something fresh that day, I suggest buying slices of Pama ham or salami. If someone stays far away from Bangkok, perhaps he could buy some salami and slice it himself. He can keep it in the refrigerator for a month.”

If you think Italian cuisine is complicated or difficult to prepare, Massimo will show you products that can be easily put together. For example, you could make a gourmet meal out of truffle tagliatelle (B350) and Sugo all’ arrabbiata (B260), a tomato-based pasta sauce. Just boil the pasta and mix in the sauce.
“You see? Italian food is very simple,” Massimo insists. “Thai food is much more difficult to cook.”

BarSu

250 Sukhumvit Rd., 02-649-8385. Open daily 6pm-2am. www.barsubangkok.com
The loo is located in the back end of the place with dimmed lights and many glass doors and mirrors. The soft music is enough to drown out sounds, and there are plenty of napkins on the way out to clean up any spillage. Indeed, it's time to “eatPLAYdance”.

GLOW

96/4-5 Sukhumvit Soi 23, 02-261-3007, 02-261-4446. Open daily 6pm-1am.
Head to the third floor where many people can’t be bothered to climb for a pee. Don’t worry about sweating—that sheen will only enhance your post-coital glow.

Inch

Esplanade Zone, 55/49-60 Ratchadapisek Rd., next to Pump Up, 02-641-2963-/5. Open daily 7pm-2am. MRT Thailand Cultural Center. www.inchclub.com.
There are plenty of toilets either on the ground floor or you can opt for the leopard loo on the second floor for something a bit more animal. No queue, no toilet serviceman and no one cares.

Phranakorn Bar

58/2 Soi Damnoenklang Tai. 02-622-0282. Open daily 6pm-1am.
Don’t worry when you see just one toilet since this place normally is not packed on the weekdays and not till 11pm on the weekends. Most of all, the staffs seem to gather around the counter and don’t really care what you do in the toilet.

Summer Breeze

Spa Herbnara (117/8 Parnchit 5, Soi Thonglor, 02-712-9501/09. www.spaherbnara.com) promises to cool down the summer with three special promotions. Choose between a 90-minute body scrub and Aloe Vera body massage at B1,000 (regularly B2,000), a two hour Akasuri scrub and deep facial cleaning treatment at B1,400 (from B1,900) or a facial and herbal milk bath at B1,200 (B1,900). Through Jun 30.

Drink & Dance

A new café and dance studio is coming to town. Determined to stir up some serious dance fever in Bangkok, Salsa Hacha (130/5 Silom Soi 6, 02-634-3383/4. www.salsahacha.com) offers tango, belly dance, zouk, merengue and of course salsa. Even a striptease course is available at this fusion cafe. B100 per class; B3,500 per 10 hours of either workshops or series of coursess. 10% discount for group registration (minimum 4 persons).

Fast Fit

Fitness freaks, now hear this! The Bodhi (4/F, Erawan Bangkok, Ploenchit Rd., 02-250-7882/3. www.thebodhi.com) has just debuted its latest machine. Step on Fit Vibe and its vibration plate will strengthen your muscles, reduce weight and prevent cellulite. This especially suits those who want to get in shape real fast because spending only 20 minutes on the machine equals an hour training session. Try it now at all branches of The Bodhi.

There’s an unsaid aversion in the modern world to being alone. Many of us try hard just to be seen with company so we don’t look unwanted or just plain weird. But not Hebei artist Yang Yongsheng, who has a collection of paintings of solitary human figures in a bare, stripped-down environment in his latest exhibition called Lost In Thought.

Cast a glance at his paintings, and it is evident that Yang does not balk at the reality of showing how desolate the figure of the individual can be. Solitary figures are captured for you to decide if these subjects are lonely or just alone. Yang says, “The figures in my paintings are all lonely, reclusive and solitary figures. I think that the soul of each individual body is solitary, and lonely. Loneliness raises the spirit, until it is able to feel the presence of God and feel a sense of belonging.”

It is this understanding of the human condition that lends the collection its thought-provoking nature. Yang comments, “The ‘realness’ of the human condition touches me, even if it isn’t beautiful, but ugly and repulsive. We are often preoccupied with beauty and goodness, but beauty is now idealized and goodness, relative. The only thing that is ‘real’ is truth, and life, and the things that are alive are those that are the most vibrant and charismatic.”

While it is not evident if it is the environment that influences the emotions of these characters, or if it is inconsequential to their sadness, one suspects that the bare surroundings are merely an artistic representation of the emotional state of Yang’s subjects who are all caught up with their private thoughts, or “the monologue of the soul,” as Yang puts it. He seeks to portray the secret, silent world that every individual dwells in that is full of pain, confusion and loneliness at times. “If touched, that dimension of the soul is actually a way of exposing human nature, and human nature is common to all of humanity,” Yang adds.

Like a drama, Yang directs his subjects skillfully, showing figures of young women that are at the prime of their lives but whom are somehow forlorn and desolate, and who express a “beautiful, serene sort of sorrow,” highlighting the existentialist crisis that every individual must deal with.

Royston Tan, director of 15 and 4:30

“I’m in the midst of shooting my third film called 881,” says Tan, “so it’s been really crazy.” A getai musical, 881 is a story about The Papaya Sisters, two childhood friends who grow up to become the most enchanting getai stars on the circuit.

Eric Khoo, director of Be with Me and Mee Pok Man

Khoo is currently working as a producer on Royston Tan’s 881, as well as the feature film debut of Brian Gothong Tan, Invisible Children. Expect the prolific director to jump back into the director’s seat soon though, with two new projects that are currently in the development stages.

Kelvin Tong, director of The Maid and Eating Air

The filmmaker who scared filmgoers with The Maid is set to give us a good laugh with his latest film—Men in White, a horror comedy about four strangers who die from a freak accident involving a gas tank and a frog.

Daniel Yun, COO of Mediacorp Raintree Pictures

If you’ve noticed a shift in the kinds of films that Raintree Pictures has been putting out for sometime now, you’re not alone. “It now seems obvious that we have moved away from movies that are too local,” says Raintree’s Daniel Yun, who’s worked as an executive producer on such films as One Last Dance and Homerun. “Our move is deliberate, but strategic, and this move is an approach we have adopted for several years. Hence, if you look at our slate, the titles coming out this year are decidedly different.” Some films to look out for include an adaptation of Catherine Lim’s novel The Leap Years and the epic family drama The Home Song Stories, both starring the internationally renowned actress Joan Chen; the horror film The Tattooist, set in New Zealand; the animated feature Sing to the Dawn; and, of course, I Not Stupid 3, the latest installment in the popular Jack Neo-helmed series.