Xonara is here with a new song, and it's an empowering one.
Oct 3, 2026
The People’s Committee of Đà Nẵng City and DatViet VAC Group Holdings JSC have signed a memorandum of understanding to promote the development of the city’s cultural industries, with DatVietVAC serving as a strategic partner in the sector.
Did you know that ADHD and bipolar disorder can look similar and therefore can be tricky to diagnose?
Every fortnight in Walthamstow, East London, a sign with a hand-painted goldfish pointing towards a kitchen window appears on the side of a residential building: “Lucky Yu Bakery pick up”. On the other side of that window is Hai Lin Leung, a general practitioner selling Cantonese-influenced baked goods from her home – think congee sourdough, bolo bao (pineapple buns), gai mei bao (cocktail buns) and more. There is no shopfront, set opening hours or seating; yet queues regularly spill down the...
Resolution 26-NQ/TW targets a direct GDP contribution of 10–12 per cent by 2030, 45–50 million foreign arrivals, 160 million domestic visitors, and total revenue of US$80–90 billion.
Milan, Italy’s fashion capital and home to this year’s World’s 50 Best Bars awards ceremony, offers bites as exquisite as its reputation. For those checking out the awards this month, be sure to make time for the city’s food scene, which is every bit as compelling as its bar culture. Alongside traditional trattorias, a new generation of chefs with fine-dining pedigrees steps away from rigid traditions, experimenting with fermentation menus, sustainable work hours, and a fusion of cultures....
As international fashion companies increasingly incorporate traditional Chinese design elements into their collections, accusations of cultural appropriation have flooded social media. In recent years, brands such as Zara and Adidas have been criticised for adopting Chinese tailoring features such as Mandarin collars and pankou, or frog buttons. While Zara drew backlash for mislabelling these elements as generic “fireman clasps” without acknowledging their heritage, Adidas sparked debate over...
Burger lovers can look forward to the return of an award-winning creation as Manila Marriott Hotel brings back its gold-winning Multigrain Kaiser Burger for one day only.
Munich’s Oktoberfest was never on my travel bucket list. But it offered a chance to meet up with good friends from Hong Kong and their adorable toddler, Joshua, who go to the festival every year as a family. So there I was, spending a weekend at Theresienwiese, surrounded by bewildering varieties of beer and their drinkers. The annual Oktoberfest, first held in October 1810 to celebrate a royal wedding, is about more than just beer. There are amusement rides, games, stalls selling things you...
Oct 2, 2026
Ever heard of lipoprotein(a)? Don’t worry if you have not. That is the name of a cardiovascular risk factor that many people are genuinely unaware of. Two experts explain why it makes sense to have this value measured with a blood test at least once, and what to do if the result turns out to be too high. What exactly is lipoprotein(a)? Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), is a component of the blood. “It is structured like ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol,” says Anja Vogt, a specialist in internal medicine and deputy...
GENEVA, Switzerland - Global life expectancy is close to the levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic, but the outlook for years lived in good health is recovering more slowly, the WHO said Friday.
Group fashion shows in the past often came across like an unspoken competition among the participating designers. The more flamboyant and outré the outfits, the better. Long-time fashion watchers might recall how veteran designer Frederick Peralta once presented an all-giraffe print collection punctuated with heavy, organic-looking jewelry. Although there were others who presented pocket collections before and after him that evening, all anyone remembers was his safari-inspired set. In group shows now, designers have become more introspective, more deliberate. They are grateful for the chance to come up with collections that distill their aesthetic and show where they’re headed. Designers who are invited by Bench to present at the biannual Bench Fashion Week (BFW) see it as an opportunity that is not to be taken lightly. For the holiday edition of BFW 2026 held Sept. 26 and 27, Cebu-based designer Edwin Ao turned street photos he had taken with his phone into a series of deconstructed looks that still managed to highlight expert tailoring. Ao is credited for being one of the designers who updated the look of the barong Tagalog by embroidering playful graffiti on it instead of resorting to the traditional designs. The long-time designer used to work with Arcy Gayatin, another Cebu designer, on clubwear looks popular during the early 2000s. He then worked with academe for close to two decades before becoming a faculty member under the product design program at the University of the Philippines Cebu. In an interview with The Manila Times prior to the show, he said he experimented with solar dyeing and rust techniques for his collection. Dubbed “Chlorophyll Hexagons: The Body in Impermanence,” it features separates with exposed stitching and unfinished hems. He embellished a vest and asymmetrically cut skirt with a mix of matte and shiny buttons that looked like paillettes from a distance. “[But] central to the collection is solar printing, where sunlight and chlorophyll become agents of imprint and change,” Ao wrote in his show notes. TernoCon 2025 Gawad Pura Escurdia award winner Bryan Peralta veered away from the structure required of the terno and came up with billowing, color-drenched pieces. There were unlined trenches and blousy pants made with parachute-like taffeta. He also played around with proportion — short, kicky outfits under those large, jewel-toned jackets. His collection, “The Golden Record,” was inspired by the 1977 NASA Voyager space probes that housed golden discs. Each disc contained recorded sounds and images of Earth that the space agency hoped would connect with extraterrestrial life. Peralta said his “boldly optimistic color palette... is a celebration of dressing up and proudly wearing your curiosities on your sleeve.” Reese de Guzman of R. Studios was inspired by Picasso’s 1957 Pigeon series and came up with a collection that ranged from oversized blazers and jackets to feathered tops and draped skirts. In her show notes, she described her “Paloma” collection as “a playful mix of colors, draped silhouettes, and unconventional textiles.” There were a few tweeds and tops with feathered fringe with many of the pieces sharing a boxy look. Even a vest that is usually worn snug was manipulated to hover just over the shoulders. “[It’s] a breath of fresh air and the idea of fleeting times,” de Guzman said in her show notes.
French fashion house Longchamp has named South Korean actress Jung So-min its new local ambassador, citing her independent spirit, personal style and positive energy as qualities that reflect the brand’s values. Jung has appeared in Korean dramas across several genres, including the fantasy and historical series “Alchemy of Souls,” the romantic comedy “Love Next Door” and, more recently, “Would You Marry Me?” She also has two dramas lined up for 2027, including “The Dealer.” Beyond her acting projects, Jung regularly shares glimpses of her life and work on Instagram through @somin_jj. Longchamp noted that her personality and distinctive style have helped her connect with audiences and build a following beyond South Korea. The family-owned fashion house said Jung reflects the modernity and creativity it seeks to express through its collections. As an ambassador, she will bring her perspective to the brand and interpret its optimistic spirit in her own way. “We are thrilled to welcome Jung So-min to the Longchamp family,” said Sophie Delafontaine, Longchamp artistic director. “Longchamp is a Maison (fashion house) always on the move, looking out into the world and embracing whatever unfolds along the way. Jung So-min embodies that same spirit. She follows her instincts wherever they may lead, with elegance, curiosity and a sense of freshness.” The appointment brings Jung into Longchamp’s family of ambassadors, with the brand drawing a connection between her approach to her career and its openness to new experiences. Delafontaine pointed to the actress’s instinctive choices and curiosity as qualities shared by the fashion house. Jung, for her part, welcomed the opportunity to work with the French brand. “I am delighted and honored to join French fashion house Longchamp as its ambassador. I look forward to embarking on an exciting journey with Longchamp, a Maison that embodies authenticity, energy and the spirit of Paris,” she said.
