Esquire Singapore brought sneaker enthusiasts and culture aficionados together for an intimate evening. Namely Dexter Tan and Jonathan Fong, the visionary founders of Sole Superior, who have been instrumental in shaping the region's sneaker landscape over the past decade.
Under the warm glow of Singapore EDITION’s comfortable salon, the duo shared candid anecdotes about their decade-long journey building Southeast Asia's most influential sneaker convention, spanning industry insights and the evolution of sneaker culture in Southeast Asia. Their storytelling not unlike a live podcast, with guests quietly seated around as servers offered a thoughtfully curated selection of savoury and sweet canapés.
Auchentoshan, the evening's distinguished spirits partner, elevated the experience with three bespoke cocktails keenly crafted to resonate with the sneakerhead crowd. The Auchen Three Wood stood out with its rich and smooth profile, showcasing the complexities of double sherry cask maturation.
In contrast, the Auchen Autonomy challenged traditional norms by delivering a fizzy reimagination of the classic old fashioned. This drink epitomises the spirit of being self-made—a philosophy that not only fueled Sole Superior’s rise to being Singapore’s first sneaker convention, but also mirrors Auchentoshan’s commitment to standing apart. As one of the few distilleries employing a triple distillation process (scotch whiskies are typically double distilled), Auchentoshan has forged a unique identity for itself, boldly reflected in the cocktail.
The crowd favourite, however, was the Auchen Tì—a name cleverly playing on the Gaelic word for "tea". With a perfect balance of oaky depth and fruity brightness, it’s no wonder why it’s been crowned the brand’s signature long serve. A cold drink in hand and tongues loosened by the Scottish whisky's signature smoothness, conversations came easily—touching on everything from rare releases to the future of sneaker conventions in Singapore.
As the evening progressed, the salon became a microcosm for what Sole Superior represents—a space to celebrate community, creativity, and the cultural appreciation of streetwear. Guests left not just with new connections, but with a deeper appreciation for the artistry and community fuelling the local sneaker scene.
Purchase the Auchentoshan Threewood here.
The year 1823 is where we lay our scene. That was when an “interalia” distillery plant was established in the Dunbartonshire estate of Auchentoshan in Scotland. The name, “Auchentoshan”, is Gaelic, which means “corner of the field”. The distillery would exchange hands before World War II halted its production. But out from the ruins came new life as Eadie Cairns, a hospitality company, restored the distillery to its former glory and it ultimately came under the purview of Suntory.
Auchentoshan’s modus operandi is its distinctive triple distillation process.(Scotch whiskies are typically double distilled.) Malted optic barley goes through a wash still, then the intermediate sill before ending off at the spirit still; the triple distillation can bring the final product up to 81 per cent. After that, the spirit is matured in selected barrels to give that distinctive character of the wood. Sure, it may be expensive and time-consuming, but that's how one can stand out from all the rest.
In 2002, Auchentoshan Three Wood was born. After its triple distillation, this award-winner undergoes maturation in three different casks—American Bourbon, Spanish Oloroso Sherry andPedro Ximenez Sherry. Each cask adds a unique character to the final product.To the eye, you have a rich golden liquid in the bottle; to the nose, you get brown sugar, a slight citrus whiff. Then comes the taste: a whirlwind of fruit and syrup, that butterscotch sweetness that coats the tongue and a fine finish with an oaky sweetness. Whether neat or on ice or in a cocktail, this is a complex whisky, and yet the easiest to imbibe—an experience worth reaching for; definitely worth repeating.
Handsome and unbelievably sleek, the Seamaster Aqua Terra is a watch you’d reach for time and again. The simplicity of the timepiece is marked by a beautiful lacquered black varnish dial set against a symmetrical stainless steel case. At the back is a screw-in caseback that’s accented with a wave-edged design; a nod to Omega’s maritime heritage. It isn’t a flashy piece and it doesn’t have to be if you’re already comfortable in your own skin.
Trail runners require the best cushioning and support; Hoka’s Speedgoat 6 has them in spades. The latest iteration of the Speedgoat trail-running series is refined with a breathable textile upper, an internal support chasis to keep the foot snug and in place, a plusher dual gusset tongue and a revised lug orientation. It’s a surety that whatever one encounters on the trail, the feet are always protected.
There is a certain genius to Prada’s constant explorations of abject uniformity and turning staples into something more inspiring. The latest incarnation of Prada’s Re-Nylon backpack stays true to its archival, timeless style. And yet, it’s modernised with a detachable leather strap wide enough for the backpack to be carried in a stylish, rakish manner.
Getting a good, deep sleep is as important as keeping to a healthy lifestyle—you can’t exactly do one without the other. This Works’ Deep Sleep Pillow Spray is a blend of lavender, camomile and vetiver oils that together, encourage the mind and body to zen and zone out. Spritz your pillow when you’re about to head to bed and let the aroma lead you to a soothing state for better sleep.
Auchentoshan’s Three Wood has that warm and uplifting aroma you would expect from a single malt. It’s then heightened by a complex flavour profile. Matured in three different cask types— American Bourbon to Spanish Oloroso Sherry to Pedro Ximenez Sherry casks—the profile has notes of fruits and hints of cinnamon, lemon and butterscotch. An irresistible oaky sweetness lingers for a smooth finish.
Pharrell Williams’ Americana-themed AW24 menswear collection for Louis Vuitton is replete with workwear codes. Timberland’s classic 6-Inch style is a quintessential workwear piece that’s adopted into mainstream fashion so it made sense for Williams to introduce an LV reimagined designed. The silhouette remains, with leather LV Monogram accents around the collar as well as the tongue lining; it won’t be difficult to make this pair work for you.
To bottle up the essence of Acne Studios into a perfume, the brand worked with renowned perfume maker Frédéric Malle. The nose of the resulting eau de parfum is by Suzy Le Helley, who balanced aldehydes with natural floral notes—rose, violet and orange blossom—and the creaminess of vanilla, sandalwood and white musk. “Like a comforting mohair sweater,” says the brand and we couldn’t agree more.
Local coffee-tech brand Morning makes its flagship machine a tad simpler to use. The Morning Machine Lite retains all the beloved features of the original with the exception that there are only five preset recipe slots available—less fiddling through, especially if you’re a creature of habit when it comes to your brew. This model is also a limited-edition design in collaboration with Tanchen Studio. Only 50 units are available for each of the two colourways.
The Hermès universe is an extensive one and it includes a luxurious homeware selection. Decadent and soft to the touch, the H Riviera pillow is crafted from a blend of merino wool and cashmere in variations of orange hues. The design may have taken inspiration from an advertising visual back in 1929, but is undoubtedly timeless in every way. A piece of luxury in your living room? What a brilliant way to wind down every day.
It’s style meets technology meets tradition—Fendi and Devialet come together to bring back the vibes of lugging a boombox. Packaged in the small but mighty Mania portable speaker, the Fendi x Devialet version is wrapped in the former’s FF motif that you’d easily mistake for a fashion accessory. Perfect when you’re making a declaration of love à la Say Anything.
Photography: Jaya Khidir
Styling: Asri Jasman
Photography Assistants: Ng Kai Ming and Syed Abdullah
