Cover girl Dana Cheong and contributing fashion director Desmond Lim find a minute of fun on set.

With a theme like living by Design, it is only apt our two main photo shoots this issue involve interiors so gorgeous, we almost found reason to never go outside.

Take the elaborate Louis Vuitton Objets Nomades exhibition presented at the Louis Vuitton Island Maison at Marina Bay Sands, where our cover shoot took place. The indoor jungle haven featuring a collection of foldable furniture and travel accessories is meant to show off the savoir faire of the visionary designers behind the collection — which it does successfully — but Dana Cheong, our cover girl, made lounging on the hammock by Atelier Oï so effortless, you never would have guessed she almost fell off it several times. But we are glad to report no live plants or humans were harmed during this production.

Hair and make-up started at 7.30am but we were only halfway done at lunchtime. Although stomachs were rumbling — the coffee and scones Louis Vuitton so kindly provided for breakfast were starting to lose their effect — there were two more shots to go, so our team, professional as always, pushed on. Come 3pm, the shoot wrapped. Just in time too, as Louis Vuitton’s guests began shuffling in for a private viewing.

Francesco Galli Zugaro and his wife Birgit take their positions for the camera among antiques and artefacts they have collected.

Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Francesco Galli Zugaro was showing us around his capacious Leedon Residence home. Trust the jet-setting CEO and co-founder of boutique river cruise firm Aqua Expeditions, and his wife Birgit, to know their collection of Asian, African and South American antiques well. Although they tell us that what we saw were just their smaller pieces — “We don’t have the space to fit in our larger pieces, which are being stored in one of the rooms at my father-in-law’s house,” said Francesco.

Just as enchanting were the homes of interior design extraordinaire Roy Teo, whose pad exuded his signature classic-contemporary style, and Kim and Lito Camacho — we are talking about their sprawling art-filled residence in Manila, no less — for which we sought the help of our colleagues at Philippine Tatler to lock down a crew for the photo shoot. We hope the unique charms of each home will inspire you just as much as they have inspired us. 

Photography: Darren Gabriel Leow, assisted by Darren Chan
Fashion Direction: Desmond Lim, assisted by Joey Tan   
Hair and Make-Up: Sha Shamsi/Indigo Artisans, using L’Oréal Professionnel and Marc Jacobs Beauty 
Outfit & jewllery: Louis Vuitton
Hammock: Louis Vuitton Objets Nomades
Location: Louis Vuitton Island Maison