Hi,

We cap off this International Women’s Month with a review of the much-anticipated return to Manila of the acclaimed and beloved musical Miss Saigon. A story of a mother’s love for her child, Miss Saigon is deeply rooted in Filipino culture, having its original West End cast mostly Filipinos—one of them and in the titular role was Lea Salonga, our digital cover lady this March to mid-April.

Other newsletter highlights this week:

• Max Mara reinvents 1940s wartime fashion with a collection made for the modern woman
• Tatler dissects the challenges that persist as Filipina athletes soar to new heights
• 6 rare artworks from museums you can own for free
• Explore the dynamic world of Asian studio art through the work of these four influential artists

Cheers,
Franz Sorilla IV
Assistant Digital Editor, Tatler Philippines

Max Mara’s spring/summer 2024 collection sings the praises of the modern woman with its unapologetically sophisticated designs swathed in sandy neutrals. The selection, composed of an array of utility-style outfits, from military jackets and rompers to triple-layered chiffon gowns with gaberdine straps, was inspired by 1940s wartime fashion. Max Mara was given the contemporary treatment and its knack for encapsulating femininity into practical forms. 

The brand reinvents 1940s wartime fashion with a collection made for the modern woman.

Filipina athletes continue to transcend borders, proudly hoisting the Philippine flag on national and international soil. Hidilyn Diaz revolutionised weightlifting, Alyssa Valdez dominated volleyball courts, Bianca Bustamante proved herself in motorsports, Margielyn Didal made feats in skateboarding, and Agatha Wong mastered martial arts, among many others. These women carry the weight of national pride with unwavering passion, inspiring future generations.

Challenges persist as Filipina athletes soar to new heights.

The J Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles recently announced that more than 88,000 works from its archival collection are available for “download, edit and repurpose… without any legal restrictions.”

Creative Commons Zero (CC0) enables the public to access thousands of artworks through the ages.

In Asia, studio art is dynamic and diverse, reflecting the region’s rich cultural heritage as well as its engagement with global artistic trends. In fields that encompass everything from installation and sculpture to ceramic art and calligraphy, the studio artists of Asia’s Most Influential draw from a long history of traditional art forms even as they incorporate cross-cultural exchanges and new technologies into their contemporary practice.

These artists continue the long tradition of working with one’s hands to reshape metal, clay, stone, wood and ink into something meaningful.