Singapore Creatives On The Importance Of Connection And Love
Friends of FEMALE on love, fidelity, promise and friendship
These are just some of the values synonymous with Cartier’s Trinity collection, thanks to its playfully inventive designs featuring three intertwining bands, each of a different precious metal. Making it even more revolutionary and popular when it debuted in 1924 were its minimalist and sculptural lines, which meant it could be worn by both men and women – an aesthetic so modern, it remains up till today.
Real-life model couple Kaci Beh and Bryan Yap shows off their Trinity pieces. She wears Trinity white, rose and yellow gold earring (sold in a pair), and matching extra-large bangle and medium puzzle-style ring with diamonds (on left ring finger, worn with diamonds exposed); and Trinity white gold and black ceramic necklace with diamonds, and matching medium ring (on right index finger). He wears Trinity white, rose and yellow gold necklace (top), and matching necklace with diamonds (second from top) and ring (on right pinkie); and Trinity medium white gold and black ceramic ring (on right index finger). All Cartier
This year, the French luxury jeweller expands the Trinity’s line-up with the likes of a cushion-shaped bangle and rings (they’re squarish!), an ingenious modular ring that can be worn two ways – with and without diamonds – by flipping the bands inside out, and the reissue of its cult XL bangle and ring, all as part of the collection’s centennial celebrations.
In collaboration with Cartier, FEMALE gets some of our friends to join the party, showing off both new and classic Trinity styles, and sharing their thoughts on relationships and having that special connection.
Kaci wears Trinity white, rose and yellow gold earring with a diamond (sold in a pair), and matching necklace, medium ring (on left index finger), small ring with diamonds (on right index finger), large ring (on right ring finger), extra-large bangle (on left arm), and bangle (on right arm); and Trinity small white gold and black ceramic ring with diamonds (on left ring finger), Cartier
“Showing commitment – little gestures that indicate one’s in it for the long haul, and can be counted on to be there to listen and for support through thick and thin – is the glue that holds a relationship together.”
– Model and tattoo artist Kaci Beh
Bryan wears Trinity medium white, rose and yellow gold necklace (top), and matching medium puzzle-style ring with diamonds (on left pinkie, worn with diamonds hidden) and medium ring (on right index finger); and Trinity white gold and black ceramic necklace with diamonds (second from top), and matching medium ring (on left index finger), Cartier
“To me, a relationship is all about trust, and helping each other to grow and become a better person.”
– Model and vegetable vendor Bryan Yap, who has been dating Beh since 2023
Serena wears Trinity white, rose and yellow gold earrings with diamonds, and matching necklace with diamonds (top), necklace with a single diamond (second from top), medium ring (on left middle finger), bangles, bracelet, and small rings with diamonds (on right index and ring fingers), Cartier
“Love is a promise – something I’ve learnt from my parents, who have always been there for each other.”
– Model Serena Jane McNeill
Sofia wears Trinity white, rose and yellow gold earring with diamonds (sold in a pair), and matching necklace with diamonds, extra-large ring (on left middle finger) and small ring (on left thumb), Cartier. All clothes worn throughout, models’ and stylist’s own
“Aubrey and I met in school four years ago and we’re similar in many ways. What has kept our friendship going beyond school is her openness to the world; our conversations, which can be light-hearted or get very intimate and deep; and how we both feel comfortable enough with each other to share with complete honesty our anxieties about growing up.
I quote one of my favourite poets, David Whyte: 'The ultimate touchstone of friendship is not improvement, neither of the self nor of the other: The ultimate touchstone is witness, the privilege of having been seen by someone and the equal privilege of being granted the sight of the essence of another, to have walked with them and to have believed in them, and sometimes just to have accompanied them for however brief a span, on a journey impossible to accomplish alone’.”
– Model and graphic designer Sofia Fuentes, pictured in the main image with Aubrey Tey, her closest pal from school, who is also a model and graphic designer
COORDINATION NOELLE LOH PHOTOGRAPHY STEFAN KHOO STYLING DAMIAN HUANG PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANT ALIF STYLING ASSISTANT DANESSA TONG HAIR TAN ENG CHONG/KIZUKI+LIM MAKEUP CLARENCE LEE, USING TARTE COSMETICS MODELS SERENA JANE & SOFIA/MISC MANAGEMENT, KACI BEH/BASIC MODELS MANAGEMENT, BRYAN YAP/NOW MODEL MANAGEMENT AND AUBREY TEY
This article first appeared in the April 2024 Art Book of FEMALE