Style icon Stephanie Lee recounts her favourite Tatler Ball memories and the Tatler photoshoot that changed her life
In celebration of Tatler Singapore’s 40th anniversary this year, we ask our closest friends to share their first—and favourite—memories of us for My Tatler First. First up is Stephanie Lee, who has celebrated some of her most important milestones with Tatler.
From her introduction into high society as a 16-year-old at the Debutante Ball to her wedding almost 10 years ago and her transformation into a fashion plate with an eye for daring designers, you can say that Tatler Singapore was there to chronicle some of the most important milestones in Stephanie Lee’s life.
But the one that will forever hold special meaning for Lee is the time she returned from an overseas fashion shoot with Tatler for the August 2011 issue with a dazzling ring on her finger—from none other than the leading man in her life, Choo Ken-Yi. And yes, the Tatler team was in on the surprise proposal he planned at the clifftop Karma Kandara resort in Bali over a romantic dinner for two.
Now a mother of three, to Max, 6, Isabelle, 5, and Kate, 3, Lee shares some of her most notable memories of Tatler, including the 2015 Tatler Ball, where nobody knew she had a bun baking in the oven. Oh, and the time she spotted the GOAT—millennial speak for “greatest of all time”—in our pages.
What are some of your first memories of Tatler?
Stephanie Lim (SL): I was about six and flipping through some old Tatler magazines when I spotted a photo of my dad with his name printed as “Billy (the goat) Lee”. It was probably in his nature to have Tatler write his name that way! Other fond memories include the time I was invited to take part in the Debutante Ball. That same year, I also attended my first Tatler Ball with my parents, where I admired the old-school glamour of it all. Tatler has invited me to do various shoots and features covering the different phases of my life, from age 17 until now, and I’m grateful for the friendships forged with the team, past and present, as well as new friends.