A couple of weeks ago Reese attended the launch of Tiffany & Co.’s new Masterpieces collection in Singapore. Photos were added to the Gallery at the time, and within this post you can find lots of interviews from the event.

One minute with Reese Witherspoon on Tiffany’s blue carpet

Capitol Theatre was awashed in blue last night, 15 October 2015 as Tiffany & Co. celebrated the launch of their new Masterpieces collection with a posh gala dinner. On the specially-created “blue carpet,” VIP guests and celebrities alike walked the press line to enter the theatre where they had the opportunity to see the new collection, created by design director Francesca Amfitheatrof in all its glory.

Of course the excitement of the night was the appearance of actress and brand-fan Reese Witherspoon, who flew to Singapore especially to attend this event. Witherspoon has already been seen wearing the Masterpieces collection in an appearance at this year’s Met Gala which she attended alongside Amfitheatrof.

We managed to catch one minute (literally) with Witherspoon and Amfitheatrof to talk about the new Tiffany’s collection.

LifestyleAsia (LSA): When you’re getting ready for the red (or in this case, blue) carpet, do you prefer statement or more subtle jewellery?

Reese Witherspoon (RW): Well it sort of depends on what I’m wearing. If I am wearing something more romantic, I like jewellery that is more simple, more classic. But when I wear something sleek, more contemporary then I want something more romantic. It really depends — I like to mix it up.

LSA: What is it about the Masterpieces collection that makes it so beautiful and wearable?

RW: What I love about this collection and what Francesca has done with it, is that it’s all very classic and simple. But at the same time there’s a real modern edge to it.

LSA: Do you have a favourite piece?

RW: I love the Skyline necklace that (Amfitheatrof) is wearing tonight. It’s so beautiful and has such a lovely 1920s look about it. It really reminds me of New York.

LSA: What has been most memorable about your long relationship with Tiffany’s?

RW: I’ve had so many great memories with Tiffany’s. There have been movie moments, like in Sweet Home Alabama. Or like in Legally Blonde my character wore a Tiffany’s bracelet that became very popular. So it’s been a real touchstone in my life and it’s kind of a company that I grew up with.

LSA: What about away from the cameras?

RW: I wear the T bracelet every day. It’s a modern classic.

LifestyleAsia (LSA): What pieces from the collection are you wearing tonight?

Francesca Amphitheatrof (FA): I’m wearing a lot of different pieces from the collection tonight. I’m wearing an important ring that is over 5 carats, and an incredible bracelet that is something I love because it’s quite wild and it’s quite an impressive piece that I’ve made. It’s also gorgeous because of the movement. The skyscraper necklace is gorgeous and which I expect will become a classic and these wraparound earrings.”

LSA: Do you have a favourite piece?

FA: I find it really hard to pick a favourite, I would have to choose like 10!

The Tiffany Masterpieces collection is available in stores. www.tiffany.com

– lifestyleasia.com

Exclusive: 10 Questions With Reese Witherspoon

Tiffany & Co.’s Masterpieces Collection makes its worldwide debut today at the Capitol Theatre. To celebrate the glitzy launch, the jeweller flew Academy Award-nominated actress and long-time friend Reese Witherspoon into our little island. Many may not know this, but Witherspoon’s relationship with Tiffany & Co. goes way back, starting first with the Return To Tiffany bracelet and necklace that she wore as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde to the pieces she wore to the recent Met Gala. We met up with the actress ahead of the gala dinner tonight to have quick and rather random chat, from the local dishes she’s tried to her guilty pleasures.

What local food have you had so far?
Well, today I had chilli crab. It was delicious! With the crispy bun and the fried noodles, it was delicious.

What’s your secret talent?
Hmm, gosh I don’t know if I have any secret talents…probably my hip-hop dancing.

One line you remember from Legally Blonde?
“If you look good, you feel good”.

One quote that changed your life?
I love this Shakespeare quote, “The more you give, the more you have, for both are infinite”.

The most important lesson you’ve learned from your children?
Enjoy the moment, live in the moment. Make plans, but enjoy your life as it is, and make sure you’re grateful for every moment.

A Tiffany piece that you wear everyday?
I wear these bracelets everyday, these Tiffany T cuffs.

Your favourite spot in New York City?
Probably the Whitney Museum. The new Whitney is so beautiful.

And your guilty pleasure?
I guess, maybe like playing Angry Birds on the iPad! [Laughs] I like Where’s My Water, Cut The Rope, all these games. Logic puzzles!

Which actress would play you in a movie about you?
You know in Sweet Home Alabama, the younger me was played by Elle Fanning. I like her.

Are you a natural blonde and, if so, how do you keep it so blonde?
You know, I haven’t seen my natural hair colour since I was 16, so I have no idea what colour my hair is. I’ve been brunette, I’ve been blonde, I’ve been a redhead, but I always prefer blonde.

– lofficielsingapore.com

Reese Witherspoon’s favourite accessory: her engagement ring

Reese Witherspoon’s husband, talent agent Jim Toth, buys her new jewellery once a year, but among all the bijoux the Hollywood star has received from her spouse, she still cherishes one piece above all others.

“Of course, my engagement ring is my favourite my husband bought for me,” the Oscar-winning actress said.

Reese made an appearance at Capitol Theatre on a glittering Thursday night. Not only were camera flashes going off without pause on the red (or, in this case, robin egg blue) carpet, brilliant jewellery was on everyone’s mind at the official unveiling of the 2015 Tiffany Masterpieces collection in Singapore.

So when you have the attention of one of Hollywood’s biggest names for just 80 seconds, what do you ask her? As much as you can.

As a friend of Francesca Amfitheatrof, design director of the fabled American jeweller, the Wild actress and producer shared with us how her taste in jewellery has changed over the years.

“Certainly, as I’ve gotten a little bit older, I just like the simplicity of a classic style,” the 39-year-old actress said. “And with Francesca as the new creative designer, [the jewellery] has a more contemporary feeling.”

Reese’s eldest, daughter Ava Phillippe, turned 16 in September, and we’d forgive you if you couldn’t tell her apart from her famous mother — the two are basically each other’s doppelganger.

Though there were whispers that Reese was against the idea of Ava entering showbiz at such a young age whereas her husband had no issue with it, we don’t think the goss holds water after all.

“I would love that,” Reese said, when asked about whether she would support her daughter if Ava wanted to become a storyteller and creator just like mama. “It’s been a wonderful career for me, I’ve travelled the world, I’ve gotten to see all different kinds of people and hear their stories, so I would be very pleased.”

Reese’s friendship with Francesca goes beyond their mutual admiration of fine jewels.

“I love Reese,” said Francesca. “We’re both at a similar point in life where we have children and families, we work hard, we support each other.

“She’s very much a girl’s girl, so she’s extremely inspiring because of what she’s done — her production company, the films she’s backed — she puts her own life and soul into it.

– toggle.sg

Reese Witherspoon on Tiffany Masterpieces: “I almost had to have nothing else on”

When you’re sitting in the living room of the 20th-storey presidential suite in The St. Regis Singapore, there are a lot of things designed for distraction. Be it the Czech crystal chandeliers, the gold and jewel-accented textiles or the wide-angle view of the Botanic Gardens — it’s an enclosure of luxury that wows with opulence.

Amid these trappings lies the main distraction: Reese Witherspoon, looking intently at me with her large, blue eyes. It all feels surreal — her sitting across in an intricate, moss green lace dress and me in an outfit I had spent half an hour that morning trying to decide. The Tiffany T chain necklace adorns Witherspoon’s neckline — all its 18-carat gold T-shaped nuggets attempting to steal the limelight from her eyes.

In town this week for Tiffany & Co.’s launch of Tiffany Masterpieces, the actor’s relationship with the jeweller stretches long before red carpet appearances, ambassadorships and product placements in films such as Legally Blonde. “My grandmother bought me a Tiffany lock necklace with my initials on it, so that’s always a special memory,” she recalls fondly of her high school graduation present. “And I wore that in Legally Blonde.”

While Tiffany Masterpieces traditionally debuts in New York, Singapore was the first in the world to showcase the collection at a customer gala event. Of course, Witherspoon had first dibs — she wore the skyscraper necklace to the MET gala this year, which she attended with Tiffany’s design director, Francesca Amfitheatrof.

In the last two decades of her career, the Nashville native has sung country in her Academy Award-winning performance in Walk the Line, and has been a Dubsmash regular on Instagram along with her Hot Pursuit co-star Sofia Vergara. But in our intimate interview, she sings praises of a different kind: That of Amfitheatrof’s design aesthetics, Baz Luhrmann’s eye for costume, and her grandmother’s Southern fried chicken.

Your onscreen relationship with Tiffany & Co. dates back to Legally Blonde. How much does jewellery and costume affect your performance in a role?
It’s so important. The minute you put on the shoes, the dress, the jewellery — it’s just transformative and it can change the way you walk and the way you hold your body. I would say it absolutely informs my character and my performance.

How was your experience donning the jewellery and girly outfits in Legally Blonde?
It was amazing and I got to work with my friend Sophie De Rakoff who did all the costumes for Legally Blonde 1 and 2 and Sweet Home Alabama. She’s just really clear with her ideas about character. I remember there was one particular scene where I was dressed in pink leather and the inspiration was they wanted me to look like a piece of luggage, because I was moving!

We love your proposal scene with Patrick Dempsey in Sweet Home Alabama. What’s your advice for men looking to find a ring?
Oh I think you can never go wrong picking Tiffany’s! Anything that comes in that blue box just makes people happy. I’m filled with delight whenever I see the box. I think it’s just so great for men because they don’t have to worry so much that the woman doesn’t like it. There’s not a woman on earth who hasn’t received a blue box and not be filled with joy.

Men are pretty much clueless when it comes to jewellery sometimes. Any advice on what to look out for?
I actually think it’s wonderful to ask a woman what she wants. You’ll have this piece of jewellery for a long time, and she’s going to give it to her children and her children’s children. So it’s important that it’s filled with love because that’s going to be a piece of jewellery that stays with their family forever.

Speaking of which, are you planning on passing any pieces to your 16-year-old daughter Ava?
Absolutely. I’ve gotten to give her a few pieces from my grandmother. There’s nothing more special I think, than being able to pass on jewellery to your daughter. It’s a beautiful tradition. My mother gave me her jewellery, my grandmother gave me her jewellery, so I’m looking forward to that.

And your sons?
My sons too! Certainly. Anything that he wants for the special woman in his life. It’s going to be exciting.

Which is your favourite piece from Tiffany Masterpieces?
I love the necklace that I wore to the MET Gala. It felt like it was inspired by the ’20s but it also had this contemporary sensibility. I almost had to have nothing else on — just the stunning necklace. It’s kind of sexy.

How did you feel when you first put it on?
When you get to touch or look at these exquisite pieces, it’s such a privilege. But to work very closely with Francesca and pick the perfect piece for the Jason Wu dress that I wore — it’s always such an incredible opportunity to collaborate with a true artist. Francesca has a long experience of being an artist and working with contemporary designers so she has the most exquisite taste. I trust her implicitly.

Speaking of masterpieces, when is a performance in a film a masterpiece to you?
It’s interesting; so much of the media is about the first weekend or how it (the movie) performs in time. But my experience has been this: A film is a true masterpiece when you’re having a conversation about it 10 years later. There are so few films that stay with people, or that people want to watch over and over because they hold a special place in time for them. So that’s the mark of a true masterpiece.

Which are your favourite costume moments in film?
I look back at Carol Lombard in My Man Godfrey or films like Breakfast at Tiffany’s and How to Marry a Millionaire. There was a lot of attention paid to costume and jewellery. But even contemporary films like Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby and Moulin Rouge — he and his wife Catherine have an impeccable eye.

Now onto food, Singapore’s favourite subject. Which soul food do you miss the most?
I get to go back to Nashville quite a bit because I’m opening a store there. I love fried chicken. It’s something amazing, the way they brine it in buttermilk and salt.

Are you good at making it?
I can, yeah. Fried chicken’s hard though, because you have to get it just right. My grandmother made the best fried chicken.

How many selfies do you take in a day?
[laughs] In a day? I don’t know, I probably take one or two pictures a day. Not always selfies, usually they’re things like flowers and trees. I got to see the beautiful Gardens by the Bay. I took photos of the flowers for my mother because she’s a water colourist, so I usually send her pictures around the world and she paints them for me which is really fun.

Will you take a selfie with me?
Sure, of course.

– buro247.sg