UBS Monocle
Introduction
UBS Adventures in Craft
The people and places shaping Singapore
Our guide to Singapore celebrates a vibrant fusion of ideas, spotlighting the people who elevate their process to a craft by developing cultural dialogues and adding new twists to traditional practices. Each compelling story cements Singapore’s position as the centre of a global network of influences, a unique destination where only this precise blend of perspectives could percolate.
This map includes a special selection of places we’d recommend visiting in Singapore. Scroll to explore:
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1/10
A hunger for knowledge
Lee Yum Hwa
Founder and chef, Ben Fatto 95 and Forma
Both restaurant Forma and private dining establishment Ben Fatto 95 celebrate handmade pasta in all its glorious forms, many of which were discovered by chef-founder Lee Yum Hwa on research trips and apprenticeships in Italy.
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2/10
The power to shape your day
Lidiyanah “Yana” K.
Beverage director, Atlas
For Lidiyanah “Yana” K., bartending is a holistic craft that requires technical skill, prowess and a personal touch. At Atlas, she enjoys delighting her guests via the imaginative cocktail list.
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3/10
Heritage and innovation
Hans Tan
Founder, Hans Tan Studio
Hans Tan’s groundbreaking inquiry into porcelain design caught the eye of the team at Mandarin Oriental Singapore, who commissioned him to create the signature Lion City fan emblem in the hotel’s lobby.
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4/10
Playing to your strengths
Morgan Yeo
Co-founder, Roger&Sons
Carpenter Morgan Yeo’s creative process is built around collaboration: listening to his client’s needs and bringing their vision to life. His creations are found across Singapore, including at The Macallan House and Fico.
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5/10
Finding a common language
Johari Kazura
Founder, Sifr Aromatics
Third-generation perfumer Johari Kazura hails from Singapore’s Kampong Gelam, a cultural enclave with enduring ties to the early 20th-century spice trade. His brand distils the best of East and West.
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6/10
Room to grow
Richard Hassell
Co-founding director, Woha Architects
The raison d’être for Woha Architects is building a better future. This is underpinned by the studio’s unerring ability to find connections between different systems, whether that’s creating habitats or reducing urban heat.
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7/10
Time for colour
Dawn Ng
Visual artist
Dawn Ng’s work deals with the passage of time. As you break down the building blocks of her multidisciplinary artistry, you uncover an unerring attention to detail and a devotion to presence.
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8/10
A hands-on approach
Michelle Lim and Ng Seok Har
Founders, Mud Rock Ceramics
In a city as fast-paced and modern as Singapore, ceramicists Michelle Lim and Ng Seok Har’s commitment to slow-making is a refreshing counterpoint to the hectic nature of daily life.
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9/10
Tailored to every client
Dylan Chong
Director and trouser-cutter, Dylan & Son
Since taking over his father’s tailoring business in 2010, Dylan Chong has maintained a tight-knit operation: a three-person team, each specialising in cutting trousers, shirts and jackets.
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10/10
Creativity without boundaries
Ng Si Ying
Rattan weaver, atinymaker
It is fascinating to watch Ng Si Ying as she weaves: the rattan strips passing this way and that, feeding one under here and crossing the other there, as vine becomes weft, warp, knot, geometry and then beauty.
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