Proud homeowners know this all too well: a home is almost always a work in progress. It can be anything from a minor enhancement to a large-scale refurbishment. Therefore, in this week’s newsletter cover story, we cast the spotlight on a stunning two-storey bungalow at Sentosa Cove, whose owners have worked closely with designers from local studio Designworx Interior Consultant since 2013. We take a peek into the spacious 8,000 sq ft house that boasts full-height glass panels that offer sweeping views of the nearby golf course and the lake, and even sights of the sea.

In other design-related news, here’s something that wasn’t on our bingo card for 2023: South Korean heartthrob Hyun Bin as a fashion designer. That’s right, the Hallyu star teamed up with luxury Italian label Loro Piana for a special collaboration that includes limited-edition shoes and hats. Is there anything the talented actor can’t do? 

Another fashion brand that caught our attention recently is Coach, as it opened its first permanent dining concept in Singapore. Partnering with coffee retailer Brawn & Brains Coffee, Coach Cafe is located within a shophouse on Keong Saik Road. So head down this weekend for a cuppa and doughnuts. 

Other headlines in this week’s newsletter: 

• Founder of Handmade Heroes Lynsey Lim shares how her skincare creations became Amazon bestsellers
• Introducing Maison Psyché, an ultra-luxurious new perfume house from a storied spirits group
• These are all the music festivals happening around the world in 2023
• Okra Candle’s Michelle and Erik Rust on how 3D printing helped launch their brand

Cheers,
Andrea Saadan
Digital Editor

She may only be in her 30s but local beauty entrepreneur Lynsey Lim has already achieved more than her fair share of accolades.

Starting out in her humble kitchen back in 2014, Lim worked on creating natural, vegan and cruelty-free products which then resulted in the creation of her own skincare brand, Handmade Heroes, which has now expanded internationally. Today, the skincare brand is stocked in places such as Isetan and Takashimaya Department Store.

Not only that, but Handmade Heroes is also a bestselling skincare brand on Amazon. Its Ultra Sexy lip scrub holds the number two spot on the e-commerce giant's best-selling lip scrub list.

Read more about her daily life as an entrepreneur here.

While ultra‑luxurious perfumes are no longer a rarity in today’s beauty realm, some fragrance houses have set themselves apart from others by introducing premium offerings for their most discerning customers, or bespoke services for clients who wish to create their own customised scents. A new luxurious perfume house has quietly made an entrance—and it is unlike any other. The name? Maison Psyché.

An extension of French spirits house Rémy Cointreau, which boasts an exceptional portfolio that includes world‑renowned cognacs Rémy Martin and Louis XIII, it launched last October with a line of five exquisite fragrances created with the intention of elevating the art of perfume‑making.

Discover the new fragrance maison here.

Experience authentic Cantonese cuisine like no other at Michelin-selected Hua Ting Restaurant located in Orchard Hotel. Under the helm of award-winning master chef Lap Fai, the culinary team whips up time-honoured dishes that are best enjoyed with loved ones.

Opt for the spring set menus and feast on delectable signatures, such as the signature roasted duck, six-head abalone, stuffed golden crab shell, steamed eastern garoupa, double-boiled seafood in whole golden melon with fish broth, and more.

Click here to make a reservation.

Yes, festival season is upon us, and in the case of music festivals—it is set to happen all year round. If you identify as a proud festival hopper, you’ll be thrilled to know that there are several major festivals lined up this year to add to your busy calendar. This includes Waterbomb in South Korea, We The Fest in Indonesia, and many more.

So grab your best festival mates and mark your calendars as we narrow down the hottest music festivals taking place this year.

Read story here.

In 2019, Okra Candle’s Michelle Rust was on the lookout for a particular style of candle for an event she was curating—but could not find what she wanted anywhere. “I went to a candle maker and what they came up with was not a success,” she says. When she talked it over with her partner Erik Rust, they decided to try making their own candle prototypes. Armed with a reasonably priced 3D printer and plenty of enthusiasm, the couple embarked on the project that has, in just three years, become their burgeoning business, Okra Candle.

Read their brand story here.

Gen.T’s Crazy Smart Asia podcast returns with new episodes every Wednesday starting April 12. In the first episode that went out this week, Austen Chu of Hong Kong-founded Wristcheck discusses age discrimination in the watch industry and how his community-focused consignment store is enabling a new generation of collectors to get into the game.

Read story here.