When homegrown fashion label Klarra opened its flagship store in Ion Orchard earlier this year, it attracted snaking queues as fans of the boutique gathered to find their next go-to outfit—an outcome which even founder Beatrice Tan did not expect.

While fulfilling, Tan’s journey to launching her latest boutique was not an easy one. The entrepreneur revealed that she had given birth in the middle of the handover, just a few months before the opening. This meant juggling between taking care of her newborn and younger kids (then aged one-and-a-half and three), overseeing the team, renovating the space, and designing the new collection, among others.

“I didn’t think it was possible to open the store in the time with what I had to handle on my plate, but I’m very glad we managed to,” she shares.

Since young, fashion and retail have been great passions for Tan. “I believe that fashion is a powerful means of self-expression and expressing one’s identity and individuality,” she muses. On Instagram (@Beatricesays), you’ll find her dressed in stylish and chic fits.

What pushed her to pursue her passion and start Klarra? Her time in the banking industry. 

After graduating from National University of Singapore with a Bachelor’s degree in Business (majoring in finance), the fashionable entrepreneur began her career in the banking industry.

“During my time [working in a bank], I felt that there was a need for quality and modern workwear with accessible pricing amongst women in the corporate world,” she explains. Inspired to create products that not only make “dressing up easy” but also empower women through style and comfort, she decided to enter the fashion industry to help close this gap in the market.

Moving from the banking industry to fashion wasn’t easy. Reminiscing, she shares how the biggest change was the environment—shifting from working in big teams to having a blank sheet on how and where to start.  With little experience in her new industry, Tan decided to take up fashion courses at Central Saint Martins in London to learn about everything it takes to open a label.

Tan began Klarra in 2014 as an e-commerce website retailing sourced pieces. While she quickly gained a following, she realised the challenge of ensuring consistent quality from suppliers. She also found that she lacked control when it came to the branding, identity and creative aspects of each piece. Hoping to have more oversight of the label, Tan decided to rebrand, fully manufacturing Klarra’s pieces.

Today, the brand continues to offer elegant yet practical fits that have been “designed to be used and loved for a long time”.

Klarra has come a long way since it first started, especially with the opening of the newest flagship boutique. Tan’s vision for the store was an “Oasis in the City”, one that serves as a haven for customers to be inspired, and to innovate and grow. On top of offering the label’s full range, the space is complete with a kids’ reading corner decorated with lush greenery, a generous seating area, its lifestyle arm Klarra Co and more.

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The Lo & Behold Group has big plans for 2024, made apparent when it announced last October that it would be transforming the former Nan Chiau High School into a lifestyle enclave this year. Set to be a multi-disciplinary space that celebrates homegrown brands—from food and beverage, retail, wellness, entertainment, education, arts, and culture to even a serviced apartment concept—New Bahru is slated to open in the second quarter of 2024.

For the uninitiated, the hospitality giant boasts an eclectic portfolio, owning the likes of three-Michelin-starred restaurant Odette, Michelin Bib Gourmand-rated The Coconut Club, natural wine bar Le Bon Funk and Tanjong Beach Club. This sizable project spanning 20,156 square feet was done in collaboration with Sunray Group Holdings, and will debut in May with the intention of carrying on the spirit of the former school’s legacy. This will see the gathering of some of the best talents and creative entrepreneurs from Singapore and beyond.

Charting the path of creativity are exciting pilot F&B concepts by Keirin Buck, the Canadian mastermind behind Le Bon Funk, who will be opening a brand new concept; Dominic Tan, the founder of the Korean fast food chain Ajumma, who will be launching Korean craft makgeolli bar Odem; Mirko Febbrile, the acclaimed Italian chef behind Fico who will be introducing a new fine dining concept; and Leon Foo, the founder of PPP Coffee who will be debuting an omakase experience and pastry programme in collaboration with local pastry chef Sandra Lee. 

There will also be a compelling showing of popular names and cult favourites that are relocating to New Bahru. Among these are Artichoke, a Middle Eastern-inspired mezze bar popularised by Bjorn Shen; Kotuwa, a Sri Lankan restaurant by award-winning chef Rishi Naleendra; One Fattened Calf, a cult burger restaurant; San Shu Gong, a Teochew private diner; Huevos, a casual Mexican eatery; One Prawn & Co, prawn noodle specialist; and Átipico, a novel pastry concept by Matteo Pertoldi.

Dearborn, a homegrown granola brand, is the latest addition to the 13-strong F&B lineup. Setting up its flagship at the grounds of New Bahru, the venture will see a micro bakery, breakfast provision ship and an all-day breakfast-themed cafe.

“We’re building a lifestyle destination that is driven by discovery. A lovingly refurbished school building to escape the mundaneness of cookie-cutter malls, where people can come without a plan, yet spend a day wandering around and leave feeling inspired by the New Bahru community, the products and programming,” shares Wee Teng Wen, managing partner of The Lo & Behold Group. “Something that Singaporeans can be proud of, something tourists will write home about and ultimately change the way people perceive local talent.”

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Travellers and Amanjunkies, here’s a heads up to book your next trip to Japan: Aman Group’s sister brand Janu has opened its doors in Tokyo.

The latest property is reshaping the luxury hospitality landscape with its innovative and inspiring vision. Unlike its bigger sister, known for its serene and tranquil properties, Janu radiates an uplifting spirit and playful design narrative.

Chairman and CEO of Aman Group Vlad Doronin shares in a statement: “The strategic decision to launch Janu reflects our commitment to evolving alongside the desires of today’s dynamic travellers, particularly the offspring of Aman loyalists… Janu Tokyo promises to be the epicentre of this transformative movement, welcoming a new cohort of guests.”

Nestled in the heart of Azabudai Hills, Janu Tokyo is complete with 122 guest rooms and suites that span across eight floors. Each room is meticulously designed and puts the spotlight on Japanese minimalism with a touch of European accents. Rooms are also complete with lavish bathrooms, bespoke soaking tubs, and separate living areas.

Pamper yourself with a stay at its Corner or Tower View Suites and find private balconies that overlook the city skyline. Or, unwind in the Janu Suite, a 284 sqm residential-style living space complete with a modern kitchen, spacious lounge and balconies with views of Tokyo Tower and Azabudai Hills.

The latest property puts focus on enhancing wellbeing through its multi-disciplinary spa and wellness centre. Spanning across four floors, the lavish centre is designed to encourage social wellness. Those who enjoy getting a sweat on will be excited to find Tokyo’s largest gym here. It’s accompanied by five movement studios including spinning, yoga, soft simulation and boxing. On top of these studios, you’ll also find a 25-metre indoor lap pool and a heated lounge pool within the centre.

If you prefer a more mindful path to wellbeing, head to the wellness centre and find two signature Spa Houses, a hair and nail salon, and seven private treatment rooms that offer Janu therapies that are sure to leave you feeling rejuvenated and re-energised.

For dining options, guests will have plenty to choose from—eight restaurants are available, ranging from contemporary European to innovative Asian fare. Fans of Italian fare can head to Janu Mercato for homemade pasta, fresh fish and European cheese before heading to Janu Patisserie for indulgent creations. Those looking for Asian flavours can head to Ligura for its reinterpretation of Edomae sushi or head to Sumi for an intimate omakase experience. End the delectable evening at Janu Bar and get to imbibe on concoctions inspired by Tokyo’s various districts.

Don’t wait to start making plans for your next trip to the Japanese city as a whole new experience awaits when you stay at Janu Tokyo.

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Mothers of teenage girls all have a similar problem. Our daughters are pouring time and energy into following, liking, and obsessing over skincare products. This addictive desire for glowing skin and impractical beauty standards stem from products not even meant for children. All weekend long, Sephora is swarming with excitable teenage girls, spellbound by glossy images of celebrities, endorsing the promise of crystal-like skin behind a perfectly touched-up and air-brushed image.

Online, thousands of influencers convince young girls of the never-ending skin care routine one must have. The more products you have spilling out of your cupboards, the better your skin. Are skincare and beauty brands responsible for educating and effectively marketing to the right audience, or do we as parents need to keep a closer watch?

Teenagers aren’t just watching influencers but are comparing their beauty hauls—unboxing videos and beauty routines, which are then circulated repeatedly over social media or among their friends. Young girls with the ability to buy trendy beauty brands like Drunk Elephant or Dior makeup colour palettes are using unsuitable products, which will have negative effects on the skin in the long run.

So many of such products that teenagers are addicted to have anti-aging properties meant for older skin, but with attractive marketing campaigns and viral social media trends, ingredients are understandably overlooked.

On one hand, teenagers are savvy and have a clear idea of how to care for their skin, but they might be purchasing the wrong products, intended for a different audience. Perhaps it may be more helpful for assistants in cosmetic stores to educate and guide young shoppers, who often spend more than needed on unsuitable products in an attempt to achieve impossible beauty standards.

If there was one thing teenage girls should take note of, it would be that spending hours watching and idealising the beauty standards of others is simply wasted time. That glossy skin is airbrushed and touched-up, it isn’t real. Sure, some people do have immaculately glowy and dewy skin, but the average teenager with raging hormones, stress from school, and outdoor activities might just need to ride the rollercoaster a little longer—instead of investing all that time and money into products that are potentially doing more harm than good.

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