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FOUNDER & CO-FOUNDER’S LETTER सुख
奢侈品
Lujo
Luxe
Luxus
Lusso
Dear lovers of luxury
W
hat a thrilling ride it’s been, bringing you this 16th issue of Simply Abu Dhabi – and we mean that literally. Our cover story brings you all the adrenaline-fuelled excitement of Ferrari World Yas Island, the largest indoor theme park on the planet and home of the breathtaking Formula Rossa, the world’s fastest rollercoaster. And if exhilarating speed is not for you, don’t worry – Ferrari World offers something for everyone, from authentic Italian restaurants and cafés to an unforgettable cinematic voyage through Italy’s picturesque countryside. We invite you to read on and experience the thrill for yourself. We also share with you the exciting details from the Sentebale Polo Cup, a star-studded event held at Abu Dhabi’s fabulous Ghantoot Polo & Racing Club. Great Britain’s Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, who founded the Sentebale Charity in honour of their mothers to improve the lives of Lesotho’s children, were on hand to help host this thrilling day of sportsmanship and philanthropy. It was an honour to attend, and truly gratifying to witness once again the generous spirit of our friends in Abu Dhabi in support of this worthy cause. With this issue of Simply Abu Dhabi, we’re proud to introduce a new feature, Simply Art. The UAE boasts one of the most vibrant arts scenes in the world, both in terms of the diversity and history of the region’s art, and the passion and savvy of its collectors. In our inaugural Simply Art articles, we introduce you to the fascinating world of TK Asian Antiquities and share an informative interview with its founder, Michael Teller.
Wishing the World: Peace, Prosperity & Progress in 2015
Travel correspondent Polly Sweet sends word from La Bergerie, France, introducing you to one of the most exclusive private homes in Provence, set amidst the highly sought-after Domaine de Terre Blanche golf and spa resort. Elsewhere in travel, read on to hear the latest from Empire Aviation and Royal Jet. And if you prefer your travel to be a bit closer to home, then we’re excited to tell you about the East India Company, newly opened at The Avenue at Ethihad Towers. If an expertly curated selection of the world’s best teas, coffees, and sweet and savoury treats appeals to you, then you’ll want to check this out. Also within these pages, we bring you an interview with the in-demand film actor Bradley Cooper, who shares insights about an interesting and varied career still very much on the rise. Motoring correspondent Andy White chimes in with his thoughts on the Aston Martin Lagonda, the BMW i8, and the Mercedes-AMG GT, whilst our beauty editor Sophie McMullan brings us the latest from the world of luxury skincare, cosmetics, and fragrance. We’re excited about the latest instalment of our Simply Property feature, this time with an article by Julia Brandon who shares her insights about property investment in London. Along that theme, you’ll also find details on some truly spectacular London luxury properties from Harrods Estates – we think you’ll agree these are amazing homes in one of the world’s most exciting cities. As always on our pages, you’ll find all the latest in men’s and women’s fashion, luxury timepieces, and fine jewellery. We’re especially thrilled this issue to share with you the world of legendary New York jeweller-to-the-stars Harry Winston, whose legacy lives on through some of the most exquisite diamond jewellery you could possibly imagine. We hope you’ll enjoy reading about the House’s founder, as well as its latest offerings of fine jewellery and timepieces. As the year winds to a close, we want to take a moment to thank all of readers, friends and business partners in the beautiful city of Abu Dhabi. We are deeply grateful for all of your support in 2014, and we look forward to sharing with you all the best the world has to offer in the new year.
Jordana & Arnie
W E L C O M E T O S I M P LY A B U D H A B I :
“Your Passport to Pure Luxury” Arnie S Hira – CEO & Founder
Manoj S Hira – Director –
Management team
Arnie.Hira@simplyabudhabi.com Jordana Imogen Lynch – Managing Director & Co-Founder
info@nowaiting.co.uk Editor: Arnie S Hira Co-Editor: Jordana Imogen Lynch Copywriters: Jordana Imogen Lynch,
Creative Director: Colin Statham - colin@simplyabudhabi.com Managing Editor: Kerry Smith - kerry@simplyabudhabi.com Beauty Editor: Sophie McMullan - sophie@simplyabudhabi.com Car Editor: Andy White - andy@simplyabudhabi.com
Jordana.lynch@simplyabudhabi.com
Arnie S Hira
Sub Editor: Caroline Stupnicka - caroline@simplyabudhabi.com
Cover Photogrpahy: Rui Caria Email ruicaria800@gmail.com Photography on 500px http://500px.com/ruicaria IMDB Details http://www.imdb.pt/name/nm1531270/
Like our Facebook page via http://www.facebook.com/simplyabudhabi Images: All photos used in Simply Abu Dhabi are by Getty Images/Shutterstock/GoRunway/ Distribution: Abu Dhabi Media Company Distribution Director: Raed Hamdan Distribution In charge: Muzammil Sulaiman
Disclaimer: The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for error or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. The opinions and views contained in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers. Readers are advised to seek specialist advice before acting on the information contained in this publication, which is provided for general and entertainment use and may not be appropriate for the reader’s particular circumstances. The intellectual property and the ownership of trademarks are acknowledged. No part of Simply Abu Dhabi or any parts of the contents thereof may be duplicated or reproduced, saved, stored in a retrieval system or communicated/transmitted in any form without written permission of the publishers. An exemption is hereby granted for extracts used for the purpose of fair and reasonable review. Simply Abu Dhabi Limited HQ is Elizabeth House, Elizabeth Street, Manchester, M8 8JJ, United Kingdom.
Born in Abu Dhabi, Designed in Manchester, Distributed throughout the world.
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CONTENTS Simply Thrilling
Page 34
Experience the thrill of a lifetime: a day out at Ferrari World Yas Island
Simply Polo
Page 154
Alexander McQueen; Billionaire Couture; Bottega Veneta; Coach, Cruciani; Dsquared2; Jimmy Choo; M Missoni; Mulberry; Valentino; Versace
Page 48
The King of Sports returns: Prince Harry visits Abu Dhabi for the Sentebale Polo Cup
Simply Food
Simply Fashion - Women’s
Simply Fashion – Men’s
Page 188
Alexander McQueen; Billionaire Couture; CH Carolina Herrera; Dior Homme; Dsquared2; La Martina; Thomas Pink; Santoni
Page 62
The East India Company
Simply Beautiful
Page 210
Guerlain; Crème de la Mer; bareMinerals
Simply Influential
Page 68
Bradley Cooper
Simply Cars
Page 216
Aston Martin Lagonda; BMW i8; Mercedes AMG GT
Simply Time
Page 74
Simply Property
Page 233
The Harry Winston Avenue Collection; The Blancpain Villeret Collection; Glashütte Original – Senator and Sixties Chronographs; Omega – Constellation: Pluma and Seamaster 300; Jaquet Droz – Lady 8 Shiny; Graham Watchmakers – Geo. Graham, The Moon; H. Moser & Cie – Venturer Tourbillon Dual Time; Hublot Classic Fusion Tourbillon Vitrail; IWC – Ingenieur Chronograph
London Calling; Harrods Estates; Marilyn Hoffman International Properties
Editions; Richard Mille – Tourbillon RM 56-02 Sapphire and Automatic Flyback Chronograph Dual Time Zone; Salvatore Ferragamo – Lirica, Lungarno; and F80; Versace – Day Glam and Mystique Sport
– Business Travel Meets High Style
Simply Travel
Simply Wonderful Simply Jewellery
Page 112
Page 256
La Bergerie – A Mediterranean Marvel; The World of Empire Aviation; Royal Jet
Page 274
LG 105-inch curved ultra HD TV; Jaquet Droz; Tanagra Boutique; Versace Home; Vertu: the Vertu for Bentley smartphone
The Legend of Harry Winston; Giampiero Bodino – the Jewellery Maker as Artist; Graff Diamonds – The Promise of Forever; Ginette NY – French style
Simply Art
meets New York chic; Carrera y Carrera – Tesoros del Imperio
Page 288
TK Asian Antiquities – An Interview with Mr Michael C Teller IV
Simply Abu Dhabi and Simply Abu Dhabi.com are intellectual property of Simply Abu Dhabi Limited, Elizabeth House, Elizabeth Street, Manchester, M8 8JJ. U.K. Fax: 0044 161 832 4566 / Skype: simplyabudhabi
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La Bergerie – a Mediterranean Marvel By Polly Sweet
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or those of us who live in the Middle East, the prospect of green rolling countryside, fresh air and the occasional afternoon curled up beside a roaring fire is ever-appealing. Even for the seasoned traveller, a few days respite from the Emirates’ late summer sun is a welcome thought. And so, when my husband and I were invited to La Bergerie in the South of France at the beginning of October, we couldn’t fill our Globe Trotter suitcases fast enough. Situated in the hills that overlook Cannes, Nice and the Mediterranean Sea, La Bergerie is one of the most exclusive private houses in Provence. Set on its own 1.4-hectare plot in the midst of the highly sought-after Domaine de Terre Blanche golf and spa resort, the house caters to the well heeled and in-the-know in need of a few days (or possibly even weeks) holiday. Beautifully marrying privacy with service it offers all of the discretion of a private rental coupled with the amenities you might expect from a leading luxury hotel with a chef, concierge, chauffeur and staff all part of the offering. The house itself is a refuge of taste and style, expertly decorated by interior designers Collection Privée and owners David and Laura Rich-Jones who have been developing properties in their native UK and abroad for the past two decades. Not for them the tasteless bling so often found in these parts – instead the house is an elegant combination of modern comforts and antique finds with contemporary artwork thrown in the mix. Ideally suited to those who travel in larger parties, it sleeps 12 with a master suite and three further double bedrooms on the first floor and a loft annexe with two bedrooms on the top floor – perfect for younger children or visiting guests. Bedrooms are in discreet shades of cream, moss, lavender and stone and all are en-suite, with bathrooms fitted to the highest standards and featuring their own unique touches. Our bedroom, a soothing grey cocoon with shuttered doors leading onto its own terrace, was annexed by a minimalist wet room, the wall of which was made up of hand applied mosaic tiles – a pattern that recalled the stone walls of the original bergerie on which the house was built.
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Downstairs, the layout reflects the almost year-round sunshine that Terre Blanche enjoys, with both indoor and outdoor living and dining rooms surrounding the giant stone swimming pool. Proportions and furniture are all supersize, from the two eightseater sofas in the summer lounge to the coffee table in the indoor lounge, which is actually made up of three separate tables. Despite the impressive size of the house, there are still plenty of little corners into which to retreat for some privacy, from the sumptuous cinema room located in the basement to the library with its plump sofas and coffee table tomes that would take days to devour. In addition, extra space and accommodation for staff can be found in the grounds with a gatekeeper’s lodge just up the drive and a new, La Petite Bergerie extension under construction. Our flight from Dubai to Nice took just over six hours, enough time for lunch, a film and a quick nap before we disembarked under a rumbling grey sky. Our welcome party, led by our jovial driver Benoit, assured us that bad weather in the South of France never lasts very long. In truth, the rain could have poured down for days for all we cared as we were welcomed through the doors of La Bergerie by the smell of freshly baked fig tart and the eternally sunny Genevieve, our hostess for the week, who is perhaps La Bergerie’s best-kept secret. Food, it has to be said, is the other and over the course of the next four days it was hard to tell where one meal ended and another began. Each morning we were set up for the day with a regal breakfast of buttery croissants, homemade granola and organic yogurts, and every evening we were welcomed home by tray after tray of titbits and canapés, one more inventive and delicious than the next from tempura winter vegetables to Parmesan nests to mini salmon quiches. Dinners included soupe au pistou, grilled bonito and wild mushroom risotto, all beautifully created by Tess the resident chef whose tarte au chocolat was surely her pièce de résistance. Although it was tempting to stay at home and gorge on French fayre for the entirety of our trip, no visit to the South of France would be complete without a day at sea. So, after a restful first night, we found ourselves speeding across the Mediterranean courtesy of Captain Frank and the 23-metre Eden Erina. A lean, sleek, Arno-designed yacht capable of reaching 30 knots, she was the perfect vessel from which to enjoy the famous coastal views of Cannes, Nice and nearby Monaco, the islands of Saint Honorat and Sainte Marguerite and a snoop of the gardens of the Hotel du Cap. Even the water, a touch cooler than might be preferred in the autumn sun, felt warmer when enjoyed from the Eden Erina and a few of us managed a quick dip before diving into a restorative Champagne picnic. Back on land we drove home along Cannes’s Boulevard de la Croisette, which allowed a brief glimpse of the town made famous by its annual film festival. A charming network of cobbled streets and cafés, designer boutiques and beachside restaurants it absolutely summed up the French way of life: a unique mix of glamour, glitz, fashion and food set beneath a halcyon sky. Having enjoyed the pleasures of the sea, our second day took us inland, to the quaint little village of Fayence. Perched in the hills not far from Terre Blanche, it is the archetypal Provencal town with winding alleyways seemingly leading nowhere, a marché where red-cheeked farmers come to sell their wares, and the widely reputed Restaurant Le France which serves seasonal produce on its sunny terrace overlooking the village. While my husband entertained himself with a wedge-thick steak, I opted for cod and sweet potato gratin followed by tarte au pommes both of which were spellbinding in their simplicity. After some post-lunch shopping where we stocked up on lavender soaps and handmade napkins in traditional Provencal fabrics, we returned to La Bergerie to experience the Terre Blanche hotel’s spa. With 14 treatment rooms, indoor and outdoor pools and a rosemary-filled garden that would unwind even the most weary it is a haven of wellbeing, conveniently located just a short golf buggy ride away from the house. For the more energetic, the hotel’s impressive golf facilities are also just up the road and include two 18-hole courses and a dedicated golf academy that offers the Leadbetter method – ideally suited to those looking to lower their handicap while soaking up the Mediterranean sun. Besides its proximity to the coast and the exceptional facilities on its doorstep, La Bergerie is surrounded by some of Europe’s most famous producers of grape and our third day saw us discover the fruits of Chateau d’Esclans. Owned by Sasha Lischine, a second-generation connoisseur, the farm is fast becoming an industry leader and combines age-old know how with 21st-century technology to produce the most celebrated and expensive rose-hued grape in the world. Led by the charming Tom Schrekinger we discovered just quite how elaborate a process it is to create the perfect refreshment from the light and floral Whispering Angel (Chateau d’Esclans’s most popular export and a favourite among the Hamptons set) to the velvety Garrus, the Chateau’s top-end beverage. As our trip drew to a close there was just enough time to take in one last dose of greenery before we returned to sandier climes. A stroll through the grounds of Terre Blanche under a perfect blue sky gave us one lasting impression of the house and its surroundings. While the return of the sunshine was welcome, we couldn’t help but wish that we were back at the start of our trip, under a thundery grey sky, preparing to experience La Bergerie and the region all over again.