Our March cover star, Amanda Nell Eu, is a Malaysian filmmaker with a deep-rooted love for horror and folklore who has garnered international acclaim with her debut feature, Tiger Stripes. This coming-of-age body-horror film explores the tumultuous journey of a 12-year-old girl facing early puberty in a conservative Malaysian community. This transformation isolates her by turning her into a literal monster. 

The inspiration for Tiger Stripes stemmed from Eu’s struggles with puberty and her desire to question and understand the superstitions and myths she grew up with. Her film made history by winning the grand prize at Cannes’ International Critics’ Week, making Eu the first female director from Malaysia featured at Cannes and marking Tiger Stripes as the first Malaysian film in over a decade to be invited to the festival. 

Despite its international success, the film faced censorship in Malaysia, a challenge that profoundly impacted Eu. Yet, she remains committed to honest storytelling and fighting for her voice, drawing from her experiences and the vibrant storytelling culture of her youth.

Also in this week’s newsletter:

• Hari Raya 2024: The best festive collections by local designers to shop now
• How to use (more than) 50 shades of white correctly
• Lilin+Co founders Marcus Khoo and Julie Yim on their scent-sational journey
• Equinox phenomenon in Malaysia: How to protect your health in the heat

Cheers,
Sim Wie Boon
Digital Editor

Whilst we’re still in the midst of the holy month of Ramadan and daily fasting has yet to come to an end, a fashion feast can always be indulged whenever the craving strikes. And with Hari Raya 2024 around the corner, our homegrown designers have cooked up a lavish fashion banquet for the festive season and there are plenty of options to satisfy everyone’s taste.

That said, finding the perfect ensemble can be a daunting challenge when you’re spoiled for choice, but rest assured, we’ve got you covered. On that note, if you’re gearing up your wardrobe for the upcoming festivities, we have rounded up the best Raya 2024 collections for your consideration.

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Have you ever wondered why so many shades of white exist in the world today? From the lightest, achromatic colour, notable shades of white–collectively termed “off-whites”–are available, including cream, pearl, eggshell, ivory, Navajo white, and vanilla. While white is often considered boring and bland, time and time again, it’s the colour we fall back on—or at least start from—in the world of interior design due to its neutrality in tone.

Here’s how you can incorporate different shades and tones that plays well with any home design style.

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Marcus Khoo and Julie Yim, the duo behind Lilin+Co, have transformed their passion for artisanal candles into a significant part of their lives, capturing the essence of nostalgia through scents. Despite their unrelated professional backgrounds, with Yim in publishing and Khoo in a corporate role, they embarked on a challenging research and development journey.

We speak to the founders to discover what is behind Lilin+Co's success and how the couple's joint effort in running the business involves a clear division of roles and mutual trust.

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According to The Malaysian Meteorological Department, an equinox is a phenomenon that occurs twice a year, around March 20 and September 22, when the sun is directly above the equator. The equinox is associated with increased temperatures and hot weather, with many states across Malaysia issuing high-temperature notices cautioning everyone to take measures to prevent cases of heatstroke.

Medical experts suggest various measures to help Malaysians beat the heat, from staying hydrated during the day to avoiding the outdoors altogether from the hours of 11am to 4pm during the equinox phenomenon in Malaysia. Here, we look at the steps we can all take to safeguard our health during the hot season.

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