No Sibling Rivalry Here

What did you want to be while growing up? For this pair of Singaporean siblings, they had a common goal in mind: to run a restaurant together. More than just a goal, this was Joey and Vannessa Lee’s childhood dream. The brother-sister duo turned conversations about starting a business together into reality by launching one of Singapore’s most popular poke bowl chains, Poke Theory.

“We [would talk] about how nice it would be if we ran a restaurant together—Joey being behind the recipes and myself branding it,” Vannessa says.

From what inspired them to introduce poke to Singapore to selling out within two hours on the day of their first store opening in 2016, the siblings share what it’s like to run a business as a family. 

Other newsletter highlights this week:

Have a great weekend!

Andrea Saadan
Digital Editor

 

LIFESTYLE

5 luxurious presidential suites to book in Singapore

Four Seasons Singapore’s Presidential Suite (Photo: Four Seasons Singapore)

Singapore is home to some of the world’s finest hotels. Within these lavish offerings, the Presidential Suites stand out as the epitome of grandeur, offering unrivalled comfort and exquisite amenities. From magnificent views to personalised butler services, these suites take luxury to new heights.

Read story here.

MORE FROM LIFESTYLE

From watching the parade to eating in: How our Tatler friends celebrated National Day 2023.

Blackpink turns 7: Here are the K-pop girl group’s most entertaining performances so far.

 

HOMES

How to capture the Wes Anderson aesthetic in Singapore

Hwa Chong Institution is one of the landmarks featured in 'A Wes Anderson-ish Singapore Vol. 2' (Photography: Kevin Siyuan)

Hopped on the Wes Anderson trend on social media yet? With the upcoming release of the American director’s new film Asteroid City, it’s the perfect time to pick up your camera and capture the city sights with some tips from an award-winning photographer and videographer. Architectural photographer Kevin Siyuan shares tips on how to emulate the Wes Anderson style.

Read story here.

MORE FROM HOMES

Take a peek inside this modern minimalist penthouse in Singapore with French touches.

How Akihaus and Mosh Interior designs luxurious and cosy homes in Singapore with King Living.

AI Art: How a hospitality veteran found a new career path on Instagram with her Midjourney creations.

 

POWER & PURPOSE

5 Singapore businesses that champion inclusivity

These local businesses are championing inclusivity. (Photo: Getty Images)

Inclusivity is not just a buzzword these days, but a shared responsibility. Thankfully in Singapore, various local businesses are taking it upon themselves to become beacons of inclusivity, going beyond mere profit-making and activity contributing to social change.

Read his story here.

MORE FROM POWER & PURPOSE

Lauren Santo Domingo on being Tiffany Home’s artistic director.

Founding members of Aware share how they found their place on the frontline in the fight for change.

How Mathieu Lehanneur designed the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris.

 

STYLE

Panerai CEO Jean‑Marc Pontroué on offering customers once‑in‑a‑lifetime experiences

Panerai CEO Jean‑Marc Pontroué. (Photo: Panerai)

This June, Panerai unveiled Casa Panerai, its new global flagship—and largest boutique to date—on Madison Avenue in New York. It is but one of several major milestones the Italian watch manufacturer has had in the past few years, especially since Jean‑Marc Pontroué joined as CEO in 2018.

Read story here.

MORE FROM STYLE

We look back at Faye Wong’s boldest looks—and the fashion brands she wore before they were cool.

These new Vacheron Constantin timepieces make a convincing case for the maison’s mastery of elegant design.

Tiffany & Co expands the Tiffany Lock collection with rings, pendants, earrings and an extravagant, diamond-encrusted bracelet.

Crafted with exacting standards Celine’s exotic skin handbags are in a class of their own.

 

GEN.T

These are the people behind Asia’s most popular restaurants and bars

Ricardo Chaneton, founder and chef of the Michelin-starred Latin-American restaurant Mono in Hong Kong. (Photo: Jocelyn Tam)

Asia is known for its diverse food traditions. The cuisines within some countries can also taste so different depending on where you are, as they are influenced by factors such as climate, availability of ingredients, culture and lifestyle. The region is also increasingly becoming known for its varying culinary experiences, from authentic local street fare to coveted Michelin-starred restaurants.

Read story here.

MORE FROM GEN.T

Singaporean actress and playwright Jo Tan is restaging her award-winning one-woman play ‘King’.

Meet the young Thai leader of Innopower who is now ready to invest in businesses focused on sustainable, energy innovations.

These fashion brands and designers are probably on your radar—and should be in your closet too.

 

AROUND ASIA

HONG KONG | Artist Trevor Yeung selected to represent Hong Kong at the Venice Biennale 2024.

PHILIPPINES | These businesses champion inclusive workplaces for PWDs in the Philippines.