A Fashion Moment at the Race

Lynn's Homage to Bruce Weber and Chet Baker - Let's Get Lost - the tattoo x Mark Eley's Ellesse bag x Alaia sandals x Corto Elisabeth bag (she held it so I could take pics) and let's not forget her blazing red hair (not visible) and neon pink nails. Oh this is in the Pitstop squished between many people . . . 

Singapore F1 Grand Prix - The Race

So Sunday - the day of the race - my marginally extended sleep compared to the rest of the Sleeping Square as Lynn would like her apartment to be called bode well especially as Sunday would be a long one . . . Jasper took Lynn, Andrew and I too a Peranagkan restaurant - kinda like Indonesian food but not - my month in Indonesia earlier this year actually gave me a taste for their cuisine, such that I did not have when I was a child living there.  

Then it was off to meet Arnold to go to the track.  We decided to watch the race from Turn 2 on the rooftop - the game plan being to do that then descend to the Paddock with a quarter of the race left.  

Turn 2 from the Sky Suite rooftop

I had never been to the Paddock (different from the Club) and Pit before so this was a first - where you sit with the team's friends and family and watch it from the screen with the sound of the cars in the background.  We were invited by Maclaren as Sammy who works for the team is a family friend of Arnold's.  Very sweet guy.  

Lynn and Sammy

So it did become rather predictable really that Lewis would win and he did (although Vettel did win today in Tokyo - one week later) . . .so the moment that the last lap finished, everyone in the Paddock were on their toes ready to rush to the Pitstop. That is exactly what we did too and got a pretty good view to say the least.  What fun!!

smiling camera man = great view

the cars

obviously great view, champagne splashed on us too

Control Deck and Me

Lewis' trophy

After the excitement of the race, close up of the teams and their workings, and witnessing tender moments between Lewis and Nicole Scherzinger (Pussycat Dolls)we went to Stereolab for the official F1 party.  We hung out for a while, especially as a few of our Thai friends were there including P'Pim and P'Win . . .I decided to bounce out of their by 3.  It was exhausting and I still found the unreasonable attitude of bouncers and security guards in the place extremely annoying . . . 

So yes, that was it - the end of F1 - I almost wish I stayed out later on all the nights but perhaps a blessing in disguise as the exhaustion does catch up with you.  Michelle took me to the airport and we did out usual airport meal and good bye reminiscent of Paddington station in boarding school.  Alas, another year till the next Singapore Grand Prix.  As the Monte Carlo Grand Prix is rather chic with the Cote d'Azur vibe and all - Singapore is pretty cool - young and cool with great energy - I hope they can work out the glitches with the staff - where service can be with a smile like the in the hospitality lounges  - then F1 in Singapore would truly rock.

Singapore F1 Grand Prix - The Qualifiers

The Saturday of the Qualifiers - Lynn had an invitation for me from M-Lounge or the Phillip Morris/Ferrari lounge at the Grand Prix - their hospitality package required registration downtown and yielded a lovely goody bag of Puma satchel, Ferrari cap and jacket and of course access to the Paddock Club . . .  instead of the tour that they provided from town to the track I opted to go with Arnold to the Maclaren press conference to meet Lewis Hamilton.  Yes, a shameless switching over of teams - at the conference I learnt about the cars and some of the things that goes on - even though it was my 3rd Grand Prix I never did get the jargon right.  Oh and of course a photo with Lewis Hamilton, the world champion. 

Lewis Hamilton and I

Arnold and I then went on to the track, he was also a guest of Mrs. Ong, of Club 21 who had a suite at Turn 2 - a fantastic turn as unlike the grandstand, you see the cars TURN rather than drive past alone.  

Arnold and I

Yes, more champagne and canape.  My friend, Sonia was the MC of the entire gig so every hour I would see Sonia on the screen and would hear her voice throughout . . .both of the MC's this year were Thai!Go Thailand! 

 Sonia on the screen

Sonia and I

I finally wandered over to see the others at the Paddock Club, ridiculous (rude) security to say the least, even with a pass and registration.  The Paddock Club was good food, access to the Grand Stand - pretty cool to see the cars do a pit stop and visits to Nobu.

Grandstand view

We skipped the qualifiers to go F1 Rocks to see Black Eyed Peas, unfortunately missing the beginning, so many people - a different deal from Pharrell for sure . . . and of course we stayed on to watch Beyonce! 

Beyonce

With news from Lynn that Lewis finished top poll - after Beyonce I had every intention to go to the Fuel party at the art museum but with a drained battery and pure exhaustion I went home after a wholesome bowl of fish noodles.

Singapore F1 Grand Prix - Before the race

The weekend of a Grand Prix one often finds that it is the race and solely the race and perhaps the after party which is the main attraction, in the case of Singapore - the lead up to the race and entertainment carefully planned around it was worth being centre stage itself.

My little sejour could hardly be normal with my little sister, Trustfun founder Lynn in charge, made even more exciting with Michelle Eng (a friend from boarding school) being in town and my mentor, Arnold Chan flying in.

Upon arriving at the new ION mall, Lynn and I bump into Pharrell - seeing as I see him everywhere I was able to invite him to Nat's Hideaway - how fun would that be!

That night, Michelle and I had our usual sake fest then went to the first night of the Fuel F1 party where Underworld played.  

Michelle and I

I am not a fan of Underwolrd but there is a sense of nostalgia there especially with that refrain from Trainspotting and trying to hit those giant balloons. 

Then off I went to rejoin Lynn at Erol Elkan and then for late night customary Hainanese Chicken rice at the legendary Boon Tong Kee.

The next day was about recovery and Pharrell at F1 rocks - thanks to Earn Chen of Surrender who hooked me up with a pass. . . so the 'entourage' we saw at ION with Pharrell was actually his band, it was n*e*r*d.  Cute performance especially when they let the kids go on stage and dance with them.  

n*e*r*d with kids from the floor dancing on stage

What happens when they do not want to come down??? 

Pharrell

cute little girls at the entrance

Then it was dinner at lovely place called Taste Paradise (again at ION) then the Ferarri dome, I counted 12 bottles of Moet consumed. . . 

Arnold and Lynn

giant Elmo and I

the dj's were these weird dudes from Paris - they were dope - Back to the Future and Baklava's . . . 

- rock on - especially as this was only the beginning.