Is coffee an integral part of your day? It’s pretty crucial to us. It’s not just the caffeine, but the ritual of brewing,
the aroma, the first hot sip and the last cool one, flavors emerging and blooming throughout the cup.With the
right equipment and a little bit of experimentation, roasting coffee at home can be easier than baking bread or
making popcorn.
Find out the home-brewing of a perfect cup here.
March 13th, 2014This November, N.Tyler brings you two individuals who epitomize our brand. Passionate, successful and without a doubt- stylish, these men are influencers in their own right and blaze a trail not only in the sartorial realm, but the larger expanse of work and life. Read on to find out about their motivations, approach to style as well as advice for doing it right, and doing it well..
First up, we talk to Nabil Mustafiz, a lawyer, avid community worker and style raconteur who has his feet firmly planted in the right places. The man speaks about comfort zones, the relationship between language and style and his father as a Genteel Patriarch and beacon of inspiration..
Tell us a bit about what you do and why you do what you do?
Nabil: I’m a lawyer by day, and it has been something I’ve wanted to do since I was 14.
But I’ve never been content with doing one thing at a time, and so I’ve always been keeping busy with little passion projects on the side. I started with dedicating time to community work with young teenagers. Ever since my interest in classic menswear started in 2008, my passion projects are now centered around that. Sometimes I dabble in a bit of writing on this subject. Other times I’m gladly answering my friends’ questions about tailoring and menswear. In return, I get healthy doses of tips on the things I have no clue about.
How would you describe your personal style in three words?
Nabil: Tailored, comfortable, appropriate.
Our campaign for last season was titled ‘The Importance of Being’. What, to you, is the importance of being?
Nabil: I think it’s important to remove yourself from your comfort zone when you’re a young adult. Move out and pay rent, do your own laundry and clean your own place; keep your phone away and ask the people around you how their day was; have a conversation without hashtags. You might be surprised how that could change your perspective on so many things.
The campaign was inspired by three archetypes of men- the genteel patriarch, self-made men and heroic artisan. Which do you relate to the most and why?
Nabil: Genteel patriarch.
I was brought up by a genteel patriarch who remains a very significant influence. I did a lot of growing up late in life and learned from my dad the values of quiet confidence, quiet leadership and restraint. It’s very tempting to lose your temper or to take over the reins when things aren’t going as planned. It’s equally tempting to fade into the shadows when outcomes aren’t as expected. But that’s not the sort of person people turn to or look up to.
My dad led his life as an example for his sons to emulate. He’s taught me to stand up and be measured when no one else has the courage to; and stand up for what is right when even you don’t have the courage to.
What inspires you?
Nabil: Everyday people around me who are doing ordinary things to make lives better (not just their own). These people, some I’ve met, some I hope to, are real examples of how small deeds can make a big impact.
Do you think style can be acquired and what would you say to someone who wishes to improve or enhance his personal style?
It definitely can be acquired. It’s like learning a language – you start with basic phrases, and slowly you widen your vocabulary and thread words together to form more comprehensive sentences. It’s the same with style. Start with the basics and staples. Mix and match progressively. Developing a personal style is possible but it shouldn’t be hurried. Don’t jump into outfits that you see in pictures on the internet. That’s someone else’s personal style.
What is one piece of sartorial advice you would give to Singaporean men?
Nabil: Don’t use the weather as an excuse to dress sloppily, but that doesn’t mean wearing a bow tie and a three piece suit to a kopitiam. Talk to a tailor or a salesperson about fabrics, about the construction of the clothes you’re getting and you’ll discover options even in Singapore’s weather. If your tailor or salesperson can’t help you, it’s time to find someone else who can.
What is your wardrobe essential?
Nabil: If I had to pick just one, it would be a crisp white shirt made just for you. There is nothing as versatile. There is also nothing else that is as important in pulling an outfit together.
What are the three qualities in men you admire the most?
Nabil: Punctuality. Subtlety. Reliability.
Lastly which is/are your favourite look(s) from N.Tyler SS13 collection, and why?
Nabil: Look 4. It’s a great balance between classic dandy in a modern silhouette. I think there are too many brands out there which pander to the looks defined by mass consumers instead of guiding and educating their customers on the value of clean lines and proportion in their clothes. This particular look brings back the spirit of keeping it classic but injecting a dash of flair.
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Next up, we talk to one of Singapore’s most prolific gourmet coffee entrepreneurs, Leon Foo. Redefining the place and significance of this handcrafted beverage, the man conceives of fresh, alternative destinations that resonate with the young, discerning and internet-savvy crowd. Papa Palheta, Loysel’s Toy and Chye Seng Huat Hardware are, as a result, born out of a singular interest and foresight that has irrefutably left a mark on our cultural landscape..
Tell us a bit about what you do and why you do what you do?
Leon: Hello, I am Leon – a coffee purveyor in Singapore. I started a local specialty coffee company called Papa Palheta. My passion in coffee spans the entire process- from the bean-sourcing, to the roasting of the beans into the caramelized brown drug we all love, up to the final product that reaches the consumer. The coffee culture is also something I personally embrace. It is one of those subcultures where you can literally connect with every man on the street, from the farmers from coffee-producing countries to the end consumer.
What, for you, is the appeal of coffee? How many cups do you have a day?
Leon: Coffee is honest. I’ve lost count of how many cups I’ve had today already! I guess it certainly is my drug.
The interiors and branding of all your establishments are extremely well-designed and stylish. How does this reflect or translate to your personal style?
Leon: Thank you. The interiors and branding is very much an extension of what we believe in and appreciate. It reflects my appreciation for heritage, culture (and coffee culture) and material as form. One thing that I personally embody is the importance of scent and sound– music.
How would you describe your personal style in three words?
Leon: Honest. Individual. Simple.
Our campaign for last season was titled ‘The Importance of Being’. What, to you, is the importance of being?
Leon: Being allows one to be. And I would say just “being” gives one purpose.
The campaign was inspired by three archetypes of men- the genteel patriarch, self-made men and heroic artisan. Which do you relate to the most and why?
Leon: Self-made men – because it is all about what drives you.
What inspires you?
Leon: People, design and experiences. Sometimes and in more recent times, it has been the urge to push boundaries and to redefine something.
What is one piece of sartorial advice you would give to Singaporean men?
Leon: Dress for yourself and keep it simple.
What is your wardrobe staple?
Leon: A classic white shirt.
What are the three qualities in men you admire the most?
Leon: Drive, passion and knowledge.
What piece of advice would you give budding entrepreneurs in Singapore?
Leon: Do not simply think three steps ahead, but at least five to ten steps ahead. Constantly ask yourself why you are doing what you are doing.
Lastly which is/are your favourite look(s) from N.Tyler SS13 collection, and why?
Look 4. It is classic and reminds me of the Great Gatsby!
(Both our men picked Look 4!)
For more of Nabil’s style, follow him on Instagram here.
To embark on the coffee experience, hop on over to Papa Palheta, Loysel’s Toy and Chye Seng Huat Hardware.
Tags: CCSH, Chye Seng Huat Hardware, Feature, Inspiration, Interview, Leon Foo, Loysel's Toy, Men, Nabil Mustafiz, Papa Palheta, Singapore, Style
November 5th, 2013
American photographer Christopher Makos, and good friend of Andy Warhol opens up about traveling to China with Warhol in the early 80s, his friendship with Ai Wei Wei and why smart phones will never replace photographers. His exhibition, titled ‘Andy in China’, featuring over 40 images of the artist in and about Beijing has also just wrapped up in Shanghai..
Read more about it here.
Tags: Andy Warhol, Art & Culture, Christopher Makos, Interview, Photography, WSJ
October 30th, 2013
“ When you become an adult you often have to limit your creativity – I mean, you can still be creative if you are working in a system – but if you do creativity that is only connected to pleasure, then you make big electric trains and you seem to be either a child molester or a big kid. I am a little bit of a big kid. It’s a subject I talk about with Björk a lot. Sometimes she says, “I think it’s time you should move on to something more adult,” and I think she’s right because she is very smart and she’s generally right. But if being adult is becoming cynical or pretentious then I prefer to stay immature.”
The cinematic maverick talks childishness, horror stories, his son and a general dislike for Tarantino movies..
Read the full interview to find out why here.
Tags: Filmmaker, Inspiration, Interview, Michel Gondry, Talk
August 22nd, 2013Described as a ‘curious Savile Row’, N.Tyler’s flagship boutique at Marina Bay Sands is a dream come through for any dapper gent who has his pulse on the finer things in life. Likened to a modern-day shrine for menswear connoisseurs, the 150m’ boutique is a richly put-together space that well reflects the N.Tyler’s British roots and modern, sophisticated sensibility. Designed by multi-disciplinary creative agency, UPSTAIRS_, founder Dennis Cheok talks us through the inspiration and intricacies of the store, challenges faced and personal thoughts on menswear..
What was the main consideration(s) when designing for the N.TYLER boutique at MBS?
N.Tyler is a Savile Row-inspired menswear label defined by contemporary cuts and modern silhouettes.
For their inaugural flagship boutique located at the prestigious Moshe Safdie-designed Marina Bay Sands, we were given carte blanche to translate the dynamic of the brand into a lifestyle-inspired retail environment.
We wanted to communicate a sense of luxury, along with a nod to the fashion label’s British aspirations and, more quintessentially, to the craft of tailoring.
What were some of the sources of inspiration?
Inspired by the controversial works of British artist Damien Hirst, we’ve created a modern-day shrine for the menswear connoisseur.
We wanted to expose the artifice of recreating something so traditional within a modern and foreign context, and craft a unique brand experience out of that synergy.
How did the design team translate the essence of N.TYLER to its interiors?
The design process became a curious and slightly crazed exercise in abstracting the peculiarities of a traditional English Row House, with the intention to create a series of highly charged & meticulously art-directed experiences. Within the long and deep shoebox floor plate, we have created a linear spatial sequence that guides visitors through a Row House and into its 3 archetypal spaces.
The Front Hall is the first thing one sees as one enters the store and it also serves as an immersive backdrop for the evolving displays. The Salon is the centrepiece and contains a bespoke tailor’s pedestal and dressing rooms, while the Stair Atrium is a transitional area where one makes his final transactions before leaving the store.
We fervently dissected, curated and reconfigured them all as total, holistic, full-scale environments, each with its own authentic details and grandeur.
What was the greatest challenge(s) faced?
This project required a dramatically intricate approach to traditional ornamentation. The number of furnishings we had to source for and the degree of customization went way beyond what we had expected.
Because of this, we had to exercise a great deal of restraint with regards to materials and colours. All surfaces were spray-painted in neutral greys and set against a raw concrete background. Brass accents also create the desired air of sophistication.
The creative freedom we enjoyed ultimately led to a result that fully lived up to our expectations, both in terms of overall quality and detailed specifications. The only regulations and restrictions we had to consider were those that applied to the safety procedures of the Mall.
Tell us more about the features and key highlights of the store.
We designed every single element from the walls, to the furniture, right down to the shoeshine stand – even the vintage furniture and lighting pieces were dissected and re-finished.
Every single detail within the space is created as a nod to the fashion label ’s British origins, or more quintessentially, the craft of tailoring- from the herringbone patterns on the floors, to the doors studded with thousands of sewing thimbles, and finally, the centre-piece for the boutique –a bespoke tailor’s pedestal anchored beneath a dramatic, carved mirrored ceiling vault.
We also created dissected “archways” as a spatial narrative through the shoe-box floor plan. Interspersed with floating dreamlike galleries of fragmented pedestals and truncated carved legs, the result is a bespoke retail experience we call “The Curious Savile Row”.
What are the key emotions you would want the end consumer to feel when experiencing the store?
As a design studio, we’re constantly seeking a good story, one that lends the brand its definitive quirk and personality.
For N. Tyler, we wanted to craft a brand experience that not only is distinctive and a concept-driven representation of the fashion label, but also one that is deeply steeped in the brand’s roots and heritage.
How would you describe N.TYLER in three words?
Tailoring. In. Style.
What was the most expensive fixture?
The material palette was a mix of humble, honest materials (like timber and concrete), contrasted with what is considered more premium, luxe accents. (like marbles and polished brass).
However, the most costly aspect was not so much the materials, but the extensive manual labour work involved. Countless man-hours went into crafting the intricate ornamental woodwork for the walls and ceilings.
Are there any standout designer pieces you’d like to mention?
We are especially proud of all of the vintage furniture pieces that we have sourced, refurbished and finished with new paintwork and brass hardware.
We also love the bespoke pieces we designed for the space – the tailor’s tool plinth and shoeshine stand, the “Dissected Chesterfield” chaise lounge, and the “Dissected Stair” counter with its brass-work baluster.
How long did the entire renovation works take?
The entire fit-out was completed within 6 weeks, which was a real feat considering extensive detailing involved.
Based on your design ethos, what are, in your opinion, key aspects of menswear every man should appreciate and understand? (eg. cut, material etc…) And why?
The further I come along of age, the more I start to appreciate the quality of material, cut and workmanship. These are after all, the basic qualities of a well-dressed individual.
It’s only when the basics are covered, do we begin to explore territories like proportions and style, in order to find our own personal voice.
Of course, the process is never as linear in reality. It’s exactly like design, actually.
What do you think is a key item every man should have in their wardrobe? And why?
A simple, yet well-cut blazer can take you to many places.
What does personal style mean to you?
The ability to use dress as a tool, and create something personal out of it.
About UPSTAIRS_
UPSTAIRS_ is a multi-disciplinary creative studio that explores the realms of art, fashion, graphics, and space. Constantly seeking a good story and melding emotions and rational pragmatism in their designs, the company seeks to build a full-fledged think tank with diverging capabilities. UPSTAIRS_ has worked on projects ranging from retail to F&B to hospitality to branding to product design to art installations, theatrical sets and fashion.
N.TYLER is located at 2 Bayfront Avenue #B2-118, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.
Tags: Boutique, Dennis Cheok, Design, Flagship Store, Interior Design, Interview, Marina Bay Sands, MBS, N.Tyler, Upstairs
June 30th, 2013Self-assured, talented, yet humble and incredibly in touch with his roots, American-born-Korean actor Daniel Dae Kim is a striking portrait of new-age masculinity. At once a Korean speaking actor in Lost, and a dedicated husband and father all the same, the stauesque mister displays a softer side in this illuminating Q&A, where he dispenses pearls of wisdom on everything from health to technology to intellect and food amongst other things..
On intellect, he opines, “Intellect can be defined as having enough knowledge to know that you know nothing. I think being wise is closely tied to experience, which comes with age. But I also think experience comes with the way you live your life. If you seek to try different things, and continue to learn, I think that will create the quality of wisdom.”
Read all about it here.
Tags: Actor, Daniel Dae Kim, Interview, Q&A
February 27th, 2013
