Nominated Member of Parliament Audrey Wong talks about the need to nurture an awareness of the Singaporean arts scene.

“Currently, the emphasis in funding the arts is on corporate sponsorship. Such aid comes about when a decision-maker in the company thinks the arts is worth supporting. We need more of these advocates among the corporate sector, where the individual can actually make a difference, rather than donating on a smaller, personal scale. People need a better understanding of how the arts can be supported, and how sponsorship dollars can stretch to their furthest.

Better media coverage of the arts would help tremendously. Apart from the news angle, these stories need to enhance the reader’s understanding of the artistic process, the making of the work of art and why it’s interesting. We could certainly do with pieces on how the entire arts landscape is shaping up so people really gain an awareness of the arts ecosystem — what Singapore art is, the artists creating it, what their struggles are and how they’ve progressed, what they’re working on etc.

Singaporean art does exist in almost any form you can name. When in Parliament, I try to bring the artist’s perspective to discussions. It’s hard to say how and when this will translate into changes we can observe in society, but I didn’t take up the NMP position thinking, ‘I’m going to make X happen in Y number of months’. I want artists to be able to come together with an understanding of how they can make themselves heard. If we can get some of this implemented, the arts here will be in a healthier position.”

The subject of this month’s discussion is the controversial return of the humble bow tie. It’s a tiny strip of fabric, yet it has probably divided more opinions than, say, the double-breasted suit or the fedora hat.

That’s probably because this item is the trickiest to pull off compared to the others. Worn wrongly, a bow tie can appear like an anachronism in contemporary culture. Or it could conjure unintended images of schoolteachers, magicians and Mickey Mouse. You could do better with donning white gloves and carrying a walking cane.

Faced with such difficulties, many people simply give the bow tie the cold shoulder. But it is an estrangement undeserved.

An expression of individuality, bow ties are strongly associated with personalities such as Le Corbusier, Frank Sinatra or, more recently, David Beckham, who wore one to the launch of Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant in Los Angeles.

Because of its distinctive look — be seen in one a couple of times, and people will remember you for it — the bow tie only works if it makes a statement about you and you alone. If you have the confidence to carry it off, don’t shun the bow tie.

So how does one wear it? Your entire outfit has to look trendy enough that you don’t end up looking like a fogey. Think a well-cut blazer, paired with trendy jeans.

In a way, its renaissance is also, interestingly, a rebellion against its own stuffy image. Case in point. While loosening your four-in-hand necktie, with the top bottom of your shirt undone, is just plain sloppy (you just look like you had a horrible day at work), it’s acceptable to go the whole hog and leave an untied bow tie hanging from your collar at the end of an evening (making it appear you just had a lot of fun tonight).

To borrow Christopher Bailey’s words, it’s an “expressed dishevelled elegance”. And that will always remain in style.

Soft white sands, palm-lined beaches and sunshine all year round. The Chinese island of Hainan is certainly heating up. No, the sunny island isn’t suffering from a heat wave, just a boom.

With property prices skyrocketing — a luxury condominium averaged over $14,000 per sq m recently — and tourist arrivals increasing, the southern Chinese Riviera is fast becoming the Cannes of the East. This is all courtesy of Beijing’s ambitious push to transform the once sleepy resort town into an international holiday destination.

It helps that its tropical climate is a big draw for the rich and famous to make this their holiday home during the frigid winter months. Tapping into this newfound fame and frenzy, the first luxury lifestyle showcase will be held on this southernmost part of China from April 2–4.

Aptly named the Hainan Rendez-Vous, the event is touted to give visitors the opportunity to taste, smell, hear and experience luxury right at their summer playground.

It will feature an impressive collection of private jets from the region, as well as China’s biggest display of luxury yachts. Also on hand will be the who’s who of luxury lifestyle brands showcasing opulent properties, fast cars, top-end timepieces, exquisite art and fine dining.

Remember to bring your chequebooks; you’ll be fighting for that coveted yacht with others who’ll be paying in full — in cash.