This year’s bold reinvention of the new Tiffany & Co T collection—the Tiffany T1 —seeks to celebrate the first and deepest connection which we experience, that with our truest selves. Its transformative design by the brand’s chief artistic officer Reed Krakoff looks to represent courage, strength and optimism – much like the women who wear it. This next chapter of the fabled Tiffany T collection from the 80s combines clean lines and graphic forms with feminine proportions, elevated by expertly set diamonds.
Here, we spotlight personalities whose personal and professional ventures reflect their own indomitable spirit; where glass ceilings are shattered, and new paths paved for the women that are yet to come.
Samantha Lee
Le Cordon Bleu alumni
International Food Artist
Fame came rather suddenly for Samantha Lee who was motivated by her desire to create “healthy, colourful and whimsical meals” back in 2008. Ingredients became the building blocks and her creativity brought forth a cornucopia of delightful dishes which resembled cartoon characters, cute animals and fantasy landscapes. This helped her achieve her primary purpose of getting her elder daughter to eat independently. But when she started posting her creations on Instagram in 2011, the adoration from the social media world turned her into an overnight sensation, with collaboration requests coming her way from all corners of the globe.
How did the thought of food art hit you in 2008 when you were thinking of ways to get your daughter to eat – do you remember exactly how this idea came to you?
It came at the time I was pregnant with my younger child and I wanted to get my elder child to eat independently. Food art what how I got her to do it and it became a hobby to me as I grew to like it. When I started curating my pictures for my Instagram account in 2011, I was blessed to have been discovered by international media and suddenly, my hobby had become a career.
For you personally, how did you nurture such a fertile imagination as seen in your food art?
I don’t think I faced challenges in making food art. But on a personal level, I felt that I had reached a point where I was no longer excited to discover new limits because I had done so much in the past seven years. And because of this, I took a break from social media and enrolled myself into Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School. There I gained a new appreciation in the art of cooking… all the while I had thought I could do anything but at Le Cordon Bleu, I had to relearn all my cooking abilities and build it up over again.
How different is cooking school versus what you know of cooking from your own experience?
Culinary school teaches you skills, and moulds you to be professional… you learn the various steps and gain confidence. There was a lot of expectation of me with what I had done as a food artist so that was really the challenge at the start.
From that point on, I learnt perseverance and dedication; learning the real techniques in cooking means you know exactly what you are doing; you know the science, and have the knowledge of your kitchen instead of going with a scattershot approach.
What was the most important lesson learnt at the Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School?
There was one thing I discovered – to be a good chef, it’s not how good of a cook you are – its how great you are in tasting food. It’s a blend of art and science, which is a wonderful realisation.
What was your approach to cooking during the MCO and beyond that?
A lot of people, when they cook – it has to be fancy. But during the MCO, when I was able to show my cooking videos, I went for simple, easy dishes. I like to show how easy cooking can be. For instance, a burnt cheese cake can be made even without appliances. The challenge comes in me being able to create dishes easily, and to keep it simple for my viewers so they can also make the same delicious food without too much hassle. I think maybe this approach reflects my character – I’m very direct – and I am always looking to personally improve on my skills.
What do you like about the Tiffany T T1 Collection?
When I look at the Tiffany & Co T1 Collection, it has a very bold look, yet when I put it on – I can feel its elegance and it connects to my feminine side.
On Samantha:
Tiffany T T1 wide ring in 18k rose gold, 4.5mm wide, Tiffany T T1 narrow hinged bangle in 18k rose gold, medium, Tiffany Metro ring in platinum with diamonds, Metro ring in 18k rose gold with diamonds.
Videography: Felix Khu/Shepherd Studios
Art Direction & Styling: Wee Chee
Hair: Bibian Leong and Keith Ong
Makeup: DECORTÉ Malaysia
Location courtesy of: Gaggenau/SieMatic show kitchen at Bina Warehouse
