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4 RAFFLES MAGAZINE
LEGACIES THAT INSPIRE
Few, if any, hotels in the world are as synonymous and intertwined with their locale as Raffles is with Singapore. It speaks to a legacy that recalls the age of writers and authors. Among them was W. Somerset Maugham, whose name is widely associated with Raffles in Singapore, a place, he wrote,
that stood “for all the fables of the exotic east”. It was in its Palm Court, at a table partially concealed by a frangipani tree, that he would eavesdrop on tales of intrigue. Maugham listened attentively and once home recounted them as short stories.
This is among the many legacies of Raffles – but the property and the brand are creating new legacies everywhere from Warsaw, Paris and Istanbul to Jakarta, Phnom Penh and Shenzhen. It is an evolving story. A story with many chapters and verses. And a story that has been and will continue to be told.
In this issue, Raffles Magazine invited four celebrated masters of their craft to explore the theme of Lasting Legacies, in iconic destinations around the globe. Artist Danielle Tay, whose artwork One Degree North graces the cover, finds inspiration in the natural surrounds of her home city, Singapore, in celebration of the colourful biodiversity that continues to adapt alongside the hyper-kinetic destination island nation. Meanwhile, British fashion illustrator Jason Brooks sends a set of charming postcards from six iconic Paris locations that trace the artistic legacy of the city.
Adopting the modern fable, acclaimed short story writer Nam Le tells a poignant tale set in Cambodia, as inspired by the theme. Lastly, Putu Sayoga captures the patterns of one of the most intricate fabrics in the world – the ritually laden Geringsing cloth – and the skilled craftspeople who continue to weave it in Tenganan, Bali.
As always, this magazine is a tribute to the Raffles legacy, one that is tethered to creative expression and long-lasting inspiration, which has been our guiding principle over the centuries – and still is today.
the story continues...
