Fann Wong is sitting in her chair as hairstylist Ryan Yap tries to fit an obviously too-small cap on her head. She yelps laughingly as Ryan squeezes the head adornment on, and everyone, photographer Wee Khim included, has come to the dressing area to watch and chuckle at the convivial absurdity of the situation. A few minutes later, she stands in front of the camera, and everything falls into place: With a few slight adjustments to the tilt of her head and the position of her legs, we have the shot. Even the questionable cap is a grace note to the Irving Penn-esque portrait.
It’s one of my favourite photos from the shoot. Sophisticated and glamorous, the black-and-white image has a timeless quality that transcends ephemeral definitions of beauty—a clear counterpoint to the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it age that we live in. The fact that it’s Fann Wong, who has a three-decade-long career as one of Singapore’s most beloved personalities in the film industry, makes it all the more surreal. Not to mention that it encapsulates why the 53-year-old actress has managed to stay at the top of her game all these years. “Acting is fulfilling as it allows me to create and expand my artistic lifespan. I love this job because it allows me to keep ‘building’ and evolving even as I grow older,” she says, while adorned with Buccellati’s glittering creations for our cover story.
In our exclusive interview, you’ll see that Fann is not the only one with thoughts of evolution on her mind. Rebecca Lim, who recently embraced her relatively new role of first-time mum to her 10-month-old son, shares that, in the beginning, she struggled with her dual roles as actress and mother, and sank into a chasm of self-doubt. But she dug in deep and found herself a new groove. Dressed in Tod’s, she tells us during the shoot: “My sense of self is much stronger now. Before, I placed a lot of pride in being a workaholic, and my identity was tied to my job. But when I became pregnant and couldn’t work, I started questioning my value. If you take away my career, who am I as a person?”
As much as that’s an important question to ask, we doubt it’s one that Thai stars Bible Wichapas Sumettikul and Jespipat Tilapornputt have time to ponder, considering they have their hands full dealing with rising fame, thanks to their recent hit drama series 4MINUTES which consistently ranked #1 on Viu in Thailand and the region. The BFFs walk us through their acting journeys and share their aspirations while sporting IWC Schaffhausen’s timepieces.
From what the celebrities wore at the Venice Film Festival red carpet, to Gigi Hadid’s new role as a Rabanne ambassador, we have tonnes for you on the celebrity front. So take your time and read your fill. And once you’re done, turn your attention to dressing like a star with our comprehensive 16-page Fall/Winter 2024 Trend Report. From the hottest colours and prints that showed on the runways, to the latest accessories and bling to add to your wishlist, this season is all about embracing drama unequivocally—be it in leopard print or knits that are anything but homely. Dress like the main character you know you are. We’re all here, cheering you on.
Photographer WEE KHIM
Fashion Director JEFFREY YAN
Make-up Artist AGNES NG
Hairstylist RYAN YAP/Passion Hair Salon
Photographer’s Assistant IVAN TEO
Stylist’s Assistant VALECIA LEE
Additional Reporting ANNITA HO