Flavours by the world’s greatest butcher, liquids by Lorenzo Antinori, sounds by Mademoiselle Yulia
and the unveiling of a landmark 6-metre bronze by world-renowned artist KAWS.
Singapore: What an event. What a night. WHAT A PARTY. September 1, 2023 saw the Lion City’s creative souls gather to witness a night of wonders to mark the birth of their new spiritual home, Mondrian Singapore Duxton.
Mondrian Singapore Duxton set out its stall in no uncertain fashion by creating an evening of sensory overload and mind-blowing inspirations to usher in a new era in hospitality and community and deliver a message: We are here.
The theme, WHAT A PARTY was a call to action and a direct link to one of the night’s highlights and a first in Asia: the unveiling of a 6m, 4,114kg sculpture by acclaimed artist and Mondrian kindred spirit KAWS that will remain on permanent public display outside the hotel.
The sculpture, titled WHAT PARTY, features the artist’s popular character known as CHUM. As the centrepiece of the Mondrian Singapore Duxton Art Collection and imposing proof of the hotel’s commitment to a philosophy that fuses performance, art, architecture and design, the KAWS piece is at once a new landmark in Duxton and Chinatown, a beacon of community and possibility, and a jaw-droppingly shareable welcome to the world of Mondrian.
Following a dramatic reveal of the KAWS piece, guests had free reign of the hotel. As the sun set, Minuty Prestige Rose, Bombay Sapphire and Grey Goose cocktails flowed at Canyon Club with its glittering views over the Lion City’s canyons of commerce from its Duxton Hill perch.
Then it was on to Bottega di Carna, the heart of the party, to experience a feast by the world’s greatest butcher and philosopher-king, Dario Cecchini. Cecchini’s modern Italian eatery has a rebellious spin and a touch of Tuscany, offering an education in ethical eating and a commitment to dining as theatre.
Ambassador for all things Italian, celebrity bartender Lorenzo Antinori, primed guests for the evening’s discoveries at the restaurant’s Campari bar, with his ‘low-intervention’ cocktails for purists that hark back to his Roman roots, showcasing his flair with a surprising take on the negroni. Veuve Cliquot’s pop up bar in Mondrian’s garden kept the party going under the night sky.
Next up was an introduction to the Jungle Ballroom, a glamorous sanctuary where guest DJs Stephen Day. Farah Farz and Japanese electro DJ and fashion maven Mademoiselle Yulia segued from chill to bangers as the night unfolded and guests danced the night away. It was a spirited affair, with flowing Don Julio 1942 tequila, Bacardi aged rums, Hennessy and Johnnie Walker served to guests. Welcome to the jungle, indeed.
Mondrian Singapore Duxton general manager and ringmaster Robert C Hauck said it had been a night to remember and the perfect introduction to the hotel. Helmed by a team of all-star iconoclasts from across the fields of hospitality, cuisine, design, nightlife and art, Mondrian Singapore Duxton aspires to become the beating heart of the happening Duxton community and a haven for those who march to a different drummer.
“What a party,” Hauck says. “I’m confident we delivered on our promise and left people in no doubt as to what we’re all about.
“It was a night to remember, and the first step in a beautiful journey. I was so thrilled to see the KAWS unveiling come to fruition and to see like-minded people experiencing Mondrian for the first time and getting a real taste of what we’re about. What a party … and what amazing possibilities are in store.”
