Singapore Tatler – May 2026

Summary

Singaporean musical theatre star Nathania Ong — the first Singaporean to play Eponine in the West End — fronts the May 2026 Singapore Tatler cover story "Between Worlds" photographed by Darren Gabriel Leow at S$9. The issue covers signature dishes that anchor restaurant identities, Kwong Cheong Thye fifth-generation co-owner Alvin Choo on reimagining soya sauce, and Pokémon trading cards as a fast-growing alternative asset market.

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Content Guide

▸ Cover Story / The Scene / Style / Watches / Jewellery / Features / Regulars

p.106 · Between Worlds
Nathania Ong, the first Singaporean to play Eponine in Les Miserables in London's West End, returns to Singapore stages. The profile traces her vocal training under West End directors and how she navigates the transition from ensemble to lead. Close with: study Ong's breath control technique — she uses a 4-7-8 inhale-hold-exhale pattern before high-belt passages; try it before your next presentation.

p.24 · Where Taste Endures
Singapore's top chefs reveal how signature dishes anchor a restaurant's culinary identity. The article examines why dishes stay on menus for a decade while the rest rotates. Takeaway: a restaurant with a 10-year-old signature dish has mastered consistency — order it first to gauge the kitchen's current standard before branching out.

p.26 · Flavour Empire
Kwong Cheong Thye fifth-generation co-owner Alvin Choo on reimagining the soya sauce business. The interview covers how the 1955 brand competes against mass-market soy sauces by focusing on small-batch fermentation. Close with: look for Kwong Cheong Thye's artisanal line in specialty grocers — the mushroom-dark soy blend works as a one-ingredient marinade.

p.98 · One Way or Another
Ingenious high jewellery creations offer the freedom to be worn in multiple ways. The feature showcases convertible necklaces that split into bracelets and earrings that detach into studs. Takeaway: when investing, prioritise convertible settings — the resale pool is smaller but demand from buyers seeking versatility keeps values stable.

p.80 · Guardians of the Reef
The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative champions ocean advocates across generations. The feature profiles young marine biologists and veteran conservationists supported by the programme. Close with: apply for a Perpetual Planet grant before the Q3 deadline if your research involves coral restoration — Rolex funds 12 projects annually with no geographic preference.

p.114 · Mother Knows Best
Katie Leung's Bridgerton matriarch is a force to be reckoned with in the latest season. The interview covers period-drama acting discipline and how Leung approaches a role written as a stereotype. Takeaway: watch how Leung uses stillness in confrontational scenes — she holds eye contact without blinking for up to 8 seconds, a trick borrowed from stage acting.

p.118 · Collectible to Investable
Pokémon trading cards transform from nostalgic collectibles into a fast-growing alternative asset market. The article covers grading standards, auction trends and the liquidity difference between raw and graded cards. Takeaway: start with PSA-graded 9s from the 1999 Base Set — they have the tightest bid-ask spread among modern collectible card categories.

p.44 · Made to Empower
Three haute couturiers reveal how they translate a client's aspirations into garments that take hundreds of hours to create. The piece walks through the fitting process from toile to final gown. Close with: ask for a toile fitting even on ready-to-wear alterations — a 30-minute muslin check saves 3 hours of rework on the final garment.

p.54 · These California Dreams
Romantic, playful, feminine silhouettes take centre stage against Joshua Tree National Park. The 8-page fashion spread contrasts soft draping with desert rock textures. Takeaway: the key silhouette to copy is the bias-cut midi dress in weighted crepe — it travels without wrinkling and transitions from day to dinner.

p.64 · Beauty Picks
What's new in skincare and make-up this month. The curated edit includes a new Dior rose mist, a reformulated sunscreen from La Mer and a waterless shampoo bar from Oribe. Close with: the waterless bar format lasts 3x longer than liquid shampoo — worth the switch for travel.

p.30 · The Art of Pause
Artist Amanda Heng transforms the Singapore Pavilion at Biennale Arte 2026 into a contemplative space. The installation uses everyday objects from Singaporean households to explore labour and rest. Takeaway: visit the Pavilion before October — Heng rotates 20 percent of the objects monthly, so no two visits show the same collection.

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Editor's Take

The Nathania Ong cover profile is the best celebrity feature Tatler Singapore has published this year — it names specific roles, venues and vocal techniques rather than vague "rising star" platitudes. The weakest link is the "Made to Empower" couture piece, which reads as thinly disguised advertorial for three ateliers that likely bought adjacent ad pages. The issue suits performing-arts professionals and serious collectors (the Pokémon card investing piece is genuinely useful), though the watches section is thin — only two articles across 10 pages.

Strengths
• Ong profile names West End credits, vocal technique and return dates
• Pokémon asset feature gives specific grading and set recommendations
• Kwong Cheong Thye interview traces 5-generation product strategy

Weaknesses
• Couture spread reads as paid placement for three ateliers
• Watches section underdelivers at just 2 articles

Verdict: Recommended — Strong cover feature and useful alternative-asset reporting offset thin watch coverage.