In the final instalment of his travel journal with the Citroën DS3, A-Lister Nabil Mustafiz pays homage to the passionate people behind two different establishments who share a similar pursuit for individualism and time-honoured craftsmanship. As he's shown in Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 of his travel journal, Nabil's keen eye for authenticity and great photos have added a few worthy addresses to jot down in our little black book. Cheers to that.

After this entry, he'll be passing the wheel over to Steven Yuen who will be giving us his little take on Singapore, so look out for it very soon!

Nabil is a lawyer during the hours he is awake, and an explorer when he should be sleeping. Top of the list: always adding to an unwritten list of places to enjoy good food with good friends. He can't live without his pods, pads and berries but laments the loss of old-fashioned values: when dress codes were strictly adhered to, when gentlemen's codes meant something, and when letters were handwritten.

With a heavy heart and a heavy pedal I have to say goodbye to the DS3. I’m not a car purist, nor will I pretend to be one – but this car was a blast to zip around town in for the last 4 weeks. It will be hard to return the keys, and to part ways. This week is a collection of 2 stories that aren’t mine but strikes a very resonant chord within me.

At first glance, Darren appears diametrically different from Gerald and Diana. Yet, without having to dig much deeper, it becomes very apparent that both of them share the common passion for pursuing what their own hearts desire, not what other minds dictate.

Both Darren and Gerald decided, early on in their lives, to embark on a journey far from the conventional and safe choices in life. They decided to dedicate themselves to being craftsmen in their own arenas. We often convince ourselves that our surroundings forced us into the day jobs we regret holding on to – when in fact we are most afraid of ourselves. Darren and Gerald have not let such things hold them back.

Darren is a co-founder of Artisan Hair. Gerald and Dianne are co-founders of Vanda Fine Clothing. What they do couldn’t be more different. How they do it couldn’t be more similar. There is a belief that quality is more important than quantity, which drives them in their respective craft. Spend an afternoon with them, and you will soon learn that you’re not just paying for a haircut, or a handmade pocket square or tie. You’ll soon realise that you’re sharing their love for the work they do.

Artisan Hair

Tools of Darren’s trade.

Inspiration board: classic to cutting edge.

Goodbye, old chap.

The DS3 faces off with its pretenders.

Revved and ready.

English silk in heart of Singapore.

Hand-rolled pocket squares.

Don’t leave your jacket pocket empty.

Vanda Fine Clothing

Artisan Hair
42A Lorong Mambong, Holland Village
Tel. 6469 2059

Vanda Fine Clothing
Tel. 6842 2124