A Journey Through Time returns to Starhill Gallery for its 10th year featuring a curation of unique new offerings for connoisseurs and enthusiasts to celebrate the art and craftsmanship of watches and jewellery, complemented by high fashion, fine food and world-class entertainment.
Present at the A Journey Through Time X Press Conference 29 September 2016 at Starhill Gallery were (from left to right, starting from 5th) Mr. Eric Eoon, Executive Director of YTL Land Sdn Bhd, Mr. Saidi Bundan, Director, Package Development Division, Tourism Malaysia, Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Yeoh Soo Min, Executive Director of YTL Corporation Berhad, Mr. Joseph Yeoh, Vice President of YTL Land and Development and YTL Hotels and Properties and Puan Baizuri Baharum, Head of Secretariat Shopping Malaysia, Tourism Malaysia.
This 10th anniversary marks the debut of a ten-day celebration from 4th to 13th November 2016 at Starhill Gallery.
“A Journey Through Time was born in 2007 from a celebration of the love and passion we shared for the finest timepieces and their heritage. Over the decade, we have been blessed to see the event and Starhill Gallery grow to become icons of luxury shopping and the event calendar of the region. Fine jewellery has since become an integral part of the event and this milestone year is exceptional with the inaugural JeweLuxe® showcasing distinguished jewellery houses and high octane designers from America, Europe and Asia. We are proud to have Malaysia’s own luxury watchmaker MASA Horlogerie making their global debut with us. We also welcome the return of the sensational and critically-acclaimed Ms. Carly Paoli gracing us with her talent at our Opening Gala Night … and this is just for starters!” said YBhg. Tan Sri Dr. Francis Yeoh, Managing Director, YTL Corporation.
Supported by Malaysia’s Ministry of Tourism and Culture, A Journey Through Time X will bring its 10th anniversary theme of “Legacy and Icons” to life through an expanded calendar of exclusive offerings. Watch aficionados will preview iconic and never- seen pieces in Asia while jewellery lovers will indulge in rare gems and exquisite creations by award-winning jewellers. The best of local and international fashion houses will collaborate with renowned watch and jewellery labels in shows and exhibitions, while culinary experiences for guests by Starhill Gallery’s Feast Village will be as diversely flavoured as A Journey Through Time.
“Malaysia is a leading shopping destination in the region. A Journey Through Time has for the last nine years reinforced Kuala Lumpur as a must-visit destination for the most discerning of travellers from Malaysia and around the world. We are pleased to see the strong commitment by YTL and Starhill Gallery towards growing this event and keeping the content fresh year on year to ensure there is something for everyone to enjoy,” said YBhg. Datuk Seri Mirza Mohammad Taiyab, Director General, Tourism Malaysia.
“This year is special as it is a double celebration. The event is marking an important milestone and we see a stronger content of Malaysian creations taking centre stage through a showcases of our very own cultural legacy – the songket, Malaysia’s first-ever watchmaking company of its calibre – MASA Horlogerie and Simone Jewels’ creations by a Malaysia-born, Singapore-based designer Simone Ng at JeweLuxe®. It is a testament on how it has grown to be more than an event that exhibits international brands but encourages and supports home-grown talents too. This is exactly what Tourism Malaysia has hoped to see as we continue to support local efforts like A Journey Through Time,” added Datuk Seri Mirza.
“Luxury shoppers from Malaysia and around the world have come to expect well-curated experiences in our annual event as we push for more creative content every year. As A Journey Through Time is moving to the next decade, we have also made our offerings more inclusive and opened to the public, encouraging young novice collectors and enthusiasts from the public to discover, better appreciate and acquire timepieces and jewellery in Starhill Gallery. They are the future of the watch and jewellery industry which is expanding to capture new and emerging markets of consumers. Our event must also grow in tandem to appeal to new interests and expectations,” said Joseph Yeoh, Vice President, YTL Land & Development and YTL Hotels and Properties.
In 2015, Malaysia welcomed 25.7 million tourist arrivals and RM69.1 billion in receipts with top arrivals coming from Singapore and Indonesia. Shopping and dining are key to tourism spending and A Journey Through Time has contributed to the strengthening of Kuala Lumpur’s position as a shopping and dining haven for tourists.
Visitors to this year’s A Journey Through Time will also stand to win a pair of British Airways Premium Economy Kuala Lumpur to London return tickets with a minimum spend of RM10,000 during A Journey Through Time X in conjunction with the 1 Malaysia Year End Sale from 1st November to 31st December 2016.
Here are the key highlights of A Journey Through Time X this year:
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The debut of Malaysia’s very first and only watchmaking company MASA Horlogerie with the inaugural showcase of their Kerabat Series, which will include a special piece inspired by the history of the legendary “Taming Sari”; a tribute to the rich Malaysian heritage. “Taming Sari” is a famous kris or dagger that is believed to have been wielded by the legendary Malaccan warrior Hang Tuah and is fabled to grant physical invulnerability to its wielder. Between 10 and 15 unique pieces from the collection will be exhibited with prices ranging from RM 3,000 to RM 30,000.
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Making its debut in Malaysia, JeweLuxe® is a new experience in fine jewellery appreciation presented through a curated series of thematic events and exhibition showcasing rare gems and jewel work of arts. Private jewellery houses and designers from America, Europe and Asia will present their collections through fashion, culinary, art, wellness and beauty. With up to RM80 million worth of jewellery on display, the distinguished line-up of jewellers includes Paolo Costagli New York (USA), Hans D. Krieger Fine Jewellery (Germany), ZYDO (Italy), Infiniti Jewels (Singapore), Simone Jewels (Singapore) and Chavana (Thailand).
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Paying homage to Malaysia’s finest “bejewelled” fabrics which are traditionally weaved with gold and silver threads, the “Timeless Royal Weave” exhibition will feature iconic British designer Dame Zandra Rhodes’ contemporary songket dresses and Kraftangan’s collection. Dame Zandra Rhodes has dressed icons such as Lady Diana, Princess of Wales and Queen’s Freddie Mercury over her five decade career. There will be fashion shows pairing watches and jewellery with the collections. Visitors will also be able to see ‘live’ demonstration of songket weaving at the exhibition during the 10 days from 12pm to 7pm.
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Continuing the fashion collaboration will be the show by Malaysia’s own Lord’s Tailors featuring their immaculate menswear collection paired with luxury timepieces. The showcase of Dame Zandra Rhodes and Lord’s Tailor is part of Kuala Lumpur Alta Moda, a high fashion extravaganza held in Starhill Gallery to showcase couture collections by renowned international and local labels.
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Other key events not to be missed include a special retrospective exhibition on the historic past years of A Journey Through Time and a portrait exhibition of ten prominent Malaysian personalities with their most-cherished and priceless pieces passed through generations entitled “The Legacy Of Time”, bringing to life this year’s theme “Legacy and Icons” in a new vein.
Tourism and Culture Gala Night: Watch and Jewellery of the Year Awards Presentation 2016
This annual affair will open the event this year on 4th November 2016. Set to perform at this invitation-only society event is the critically-acclaimed British mezzo soprano, Ms. Carly Paoli. The sensational performer, who is scheduled to perform with respected tenor Andrea Bocelli on his UK Tour in October 2016, will enthrall guests with her enchanting voice and repertoire before the prestigious awards ceremony that will highlight over 35 nominated pieces across 14 distinguished brands.
Seven coveted awards will be presented, namely Starhill Gallery Favourite Ladies’ Watch Award, Starhill Gallery Favourite Men’s Watch Award, Starhill Gallery Watch with Complications in Movements Award, Starhill Gallery Timeless Jewellery Award, The YTL Spirit of Classical Art Award, The Judges’ Choice Award and the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Malaysia – Most Revered Award. Winners will be selected by a panel of international judges that includes horology experts and renowned collectors.
A Journey Through Time X will close with its first-ever Closing Party on 12th November 2016 at Shook! in Starhill Gallery with exhilarating guest-DJs, pulsating music and special cocktails to end the 10th anniversary on a high note.
Visit www.ajourneythroughtime.com.my for more information and updates on the much-anticipated watch and jewellery showcase and follow A Journey Through Time X at www.facebook.com/starhillgallery.
