It all started with a phone call from Corinne Ng, managing director of Edipresse Media Singapore, which publishes Singapore Tatler, amid deadline week in May. She wasn’t her usual perky self and sounded somewhat cautious. “Remember Dolce & Gabbana’s The Great Show in Shanghai last year?” she asked. “Well, you’re invited for its Alta Moda presentation in Sicily in July. Would you be interested to go?”
I was momentarily caught off guard. To be honest, I still hadn’t quite processed that incident in Shanghai, when Stefano Gabbana, one half of the designer duo, had a terse exchange on Instagram with model Michele Tranovo, who had pointed out that one of the brand’s ads as being potentially racist. It quickly escalated from social media to real life and drew ire from Chinese netizens, resulting in the cancellation of the Shanghai show by the local government. And having been invited as a guest of the brand, I was left stranded backstage with plenty of questions and no answers.
But before I made up my mind whether to accept this latest invitation, I had to make some calls. I wanted to find out how members of the press across the region were taking to this matter, especially given the backdrop of controversy. Most were on the fence, while a few others had rather strong opinions against the label. All the while I was thinking: how do we continue to avoid one of the most extravagant Italian labels when it is still making steady waves commercially, with 4.9 per cent growth in its overall revenues as of March 2019?
Furthermore, there has been much talk about the brand wanting to make a comeback in Asia, and when this happens, I want to be at the heart of the action. So it didn’t make sense to sit out this experience. I had to find out for myself what people on the ground thought.
SICILIAN ODYSSEY
この記事は Singapore Tatler の October 2019 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、8,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は Singapore Tatler の October 2019 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、8,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
LIFE'S A BEACH
Tatler Asia gets an exclusive first look at Rosewood Phuket's new Houses, which include a colossal 21,000 square foot beachfront mansion
Making Memories
In planning the perfect wedding, the expert team at The St. Regis Singapore, with its dreamy ballrooms and bespoke service, ensures that your big day is replete with moments to cherish for a lifetime
GONE GLAMPING
Luxury experiential travel company and Beyond opens its first Asian lodge in Bhutan to showcase the country's natural beauty in its full glory
Under a Forest of Lights
For the discerning bride seeking an exclusive and bespoke celebration, JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach is certainly up to the task
BEYOND SINGAPORE
As the local dining scene gets more competitive, homegrown brands are expanding overseas with their innovative concepts
THE MAVERICK MINDSET
With the opening of his new exhibition in Japan, Takashi Murakami speaks to Tatler about his prolific and wide-ranging career
GIVING NATURE
From those leading Tamily to changemakers and fundraisers, these standout women in philanthropy share how they are making a difference through the causes they support
House Icons
Gabrielle Chanel wrote her own story in the world of jewellery-a tale that still lives on within the house of Chanel today through its contemporary creations and one-of-a-kind treasures in the Patrimoine collection
Wrist Action
Homegrown watch strap and accessories brand Delugs is making waves across the international watch scene. Co-founders Chia Pei Qi and Kenneth Kuan share how their passion project blossomed into a burgeoning business with an even stronger community
Chain Reaction
Dripping in diamonds and equipped with a dedicated in-house movement, Richard Mille's RM 07-01 Automatic watches are the paragon of innovation and stylish sophistication