As January ushers in new beginnings, it also brings with it a fresh crop of openings and launches to keep a lookout for. A trip to the new Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach is perhaps the best way to start the year, or consider the rebranded Conrad Singapore Orchard for a relaxing stay accompanied by the hotel’s exquisite culinary offerings. If you’re looking to refresh your living space, eco-friendly candle brand Amen’s collaboration with Diana W. Picasso elegantly weaves scent and art together to incorporate Pablo Picasso’s iconic paintings into the home—and from Japanese lifestyle brand Muji comes a covetable new furniture collection made with sustainable rubberwood.
The new Conrad Singapore Orchard opens its doors
Weaving luxurious design with impactful experiences, Conrad Singapore Orchard opens its doors in the heart of the city. Previously Regent Singapore, the hotel has rebranded to join Conrad Centennial Singapore as hospitality label Conrad Hotel & Resorts’ second property on the island. Beloved dining options remain—including the likes of Basilico, the Tea Lounge and one Michelin-starred Summer Palace. As the hotel’s 440 rooms gradually undergo refurbishment over the course of the year, look forward to bold designs that bring new levels of elegance.
Find out more about Conrad Singapore Orchard here.
Andaz opens its first property in Thailand
A serene oceanfront sanctuary on Tawanron Beach, the sprawling new Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach marks the debut of esteemed hospitality label Andaz in Thailand. Amidst lush greenery overlooking the Gulf of Thailand, the luxury lifestyle resort is led by a connection to nature and local Thai culture. From a medley of delectable dining options to a host of destination excursions and wellness activities, the resort promises endless opportunities for relaxation and rejuvenation.
Find out more about Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach here.
Amen presents a Picasso candle collection
Collaborating with Diana W. Picasso—curator of the exhibition Maya Ruiz-Picasso: Daughter of Pablo and granddaughter of the celebrated Spanish artist himself—eco-friendly candle brand Amen has launched a new collection for the Picasso Museum Paris. Selected by Amen designer Rodrigo Garcia with Diana Picasso, the scented candles feature Picasso’s iconic paintings and are guided by Diana’s recollections of her grandfather. Hand-poured in Grasse, the French capital of perfumery, the candles are available in four fragrances—Naranja Canela, Ginger, Amber and Jazmin—each inspired by the stories behind Picasso’s works. As with all of Amen’s candles, the Picasso collection comes in innovative carbon-negative mushroom packaging, and is made with entirely natural and non-toxic wax.
Find out more about Amen’s Picasso collection here.
Apple unveils the new Macbook Pro
Apple’s latest 14- and 16-inch Macbook Pros are the brand’s most powerful laptops yet. Featuring M2 Pro and M2 Max—the world’s most powerful and efficient chip for a pro laptop—the laptop has up to 6x faster performance than the fastest Intel-based Macbook Pro and support for up to 96GB of unified memory for demanding pro workflows. Building on the power efficiency of Apple silicon, battery life on the new laptop is now up to 22 hours—the longest battery life ever in a Mac. For enhanced connectivity, the new MacBook Pro supports Wi-Fi 6E,3 which is up to twice as fast as the previous generation, as well as advanced HDMI, which supports 8K displays for the first time. Rounding out the unparalleled features of MacBook Pro are its renowned Liquid Retina XDR display, extensive array of connectivity, 1080p FaceTime HD camera, six-speaker sound system, and studio-quality mics. When combined with macOS Ventura, the MacBook Pro user experience is unmatched.
Find out more about the new Macbook Pro here.
Very Dairy releases a cow-free dairy milk
Dairy milk has seemingly gone out of trend in favour of its oat, soy and almond counterparts, but the nutritional value of the original is hard to deny. Rich in high-quality protein and calcium (hence reducing your risk of osteoporosis later in life), dairy milk could be a great option—whether as coffee creamer or straight from the glass—if not for ethical concerns and the prevalent lactose intolerance so many of us suffer from. To preserve the health benefits of dairy milk without retaining less favourable traits, a new brand has come out with an animal-free dairy milk. Available in three flavours, Very Dairy is not plant-based—it is real dairy made from food-tech company Perfect Day’s animal-free whey protein. It contains the same nature-identical protein found in traditional dairy, and is lactose, cholesterol and hormone-free. All this without involving a single cow, so if you’re a vegan looking for an easy way to introduce more protein into your diet, this may just be your new beverage of choice.
Learn more about Very Dairy here.
Muji Singapore launches a new sustainable rubberwood furniture line
Known for its minimalist design and eco-friendly ethos, Japanese lifestyle brand Muji has long been heralded for its range of covetable products for the home—from cookware to furniture. Now, the brand is updating its furniture offerings with a new collection made with sustainable rubberwood. Since rubberwood is a by-product of the rubber industry, sourcing the material is far more sustainable than traditional hardwoods such as oak. Accordingly, the line is also priced more affordably, which is good news since each piece—from a low slung wooden sofa to a contemporary recliner—in the beautiful collection would be a perfect addition to any home. Lightweight and finished with soft colours and rounded edges, these pieces are worth adding to your wish-list.
View the full collection here.
