Simply Abu Dhabi Icons of The Luxury World

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T R AV E L I C O N S o F T H E W O R L D €40 £40 UK RRP $60 USD RRP

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Reine de Naples Collection

in every woman is a queen

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BREGUET BOUTIQUE – DUBAI MALL

DUBAI (UAE)

+ 9 7 1 4 3 3 9 8 7 5 6 – W W W. B R E G U E T. C O M

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SOUS LE SIGNE DU LION NECKLACE IN YELLOW GOLD AND DIAMONDS RING IN WHITE GOLD, ROCK CRYSTAL AND DIAMONDS

DUBAI, THE DUBAI MALL +971 4 3827100/06

RIYADH, AL TAHLIA +966 11 4627959 www.chanel.com

DOHA, LAGOONA MALL +974 4444 1932

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AQUA TERRA LADIES

Exclusively at OMEGA Flagship Boutiques and selected retailers worldwide

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BO ODL E S.COM / BL OS S OM

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CALIBER RM 032

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TH E WOR LD D ’ S FI FIR RST ST M A ASTER STER C CH HR RONOMETER O N OME TER Proven at the industry’s stry’s highest Globemaster has been highest level, level, the OMEGA OMEGA Globemaster nd officially officially certified wiss F ederal Ins titute of of rigorously tested and Swiss Federal Institute certified by by the S S). Along with e Metrology (METAS). exquisite AS). xquisit e design, it combines superior gauss, proudly proudly setting -magnetic resistance setting precision ecision with anti-magnetic anti-magne resistance of of 15,000 15 ,000 gauss, watchmaking. For a new standard in watchmaking. justt the beginning.

For OMEGA, OMEGA, this is jus globemaster ter www.omegawatches.com ww.omegawatches.com / globemas

Exclusively Exclusively at OMEGA OMEGA Flagship Boutiques and select selected ed retailers retailers worldwide worldwide

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Island for all the senses Founded on the vision of a “beyond luxury” hideaway, Velaa Private Island is truly an ultimate escape, a destination unto itself, with equal parts contemporary wow-factor, secluded natural beauty and state-of-the-art facilities.

Choose between a beach-front villa or a floating villa stretched out across the ocean, each with their own private pools and terraces.

Though Velaa Private Island is tucked away in the Maldives, there are countless things to do right there at the resort. Indulge in a therapy at the spa, including a snow room and Cloud 9 pod, take up water sports, or conquer the climbing wall. Re-energize with a beach side meditation session, or relax in the library, or sip from the highly curated wine selection available in the tower that is Velaa’s wine cellar. Velaa’s kids club, with the biggest aqua park on Maldives, makes this secluded island a Wonderland for children.

Take a tour of the pristine Indian Ocean with Velaa’s own miniature submarine, or improve your golf strokes at the only golf academy in the Maldives designed by Jose Maria Olazabal.

T: +960 6565 000 | reservations@velaaisland.com www.velaaprivateisland.com

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LONDON Tel: +44 (0)20 7290 1536

GENEVA

HONG KONG

www.moussaieff-jewellers.com

info@moussaieff.co.uk

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“creating lifestyles for a lifetime”

GREAT PROPERTIES INTERNATIONAL REALTY

BRIGITTE NACHTIGALL

GREAT PROPERTIES INTERNATIONAL REALTY

THE KEY BISCAYNE EXPERT & SPECIALIST MIAMI, FLORIDA

Brigitte Na c htigall Top Producer Real Estate Consultant and Advisor ww w. b n ac htiga llprope rties. c om Cell Phone: +1 305 710 9664 brigitte@bnachtigall.com

Brigitte truly enjoys her job and has proven her abilities over the years. She worked for “Ocean Club Development” on Key Biscayne for over 7 years, then moved on to being the sales director for the “Four Seasons Residences“ on Brickell for two years and then decided she wanted to return to Key Biscayne to be closer to her children and went back to general real estate. With over 27 years of experience, Brigitte has secured her position as a realtor, a model citizen and a philanthropist.

420 HARBOR DRIVE Price: $29,700,000

www.420harbor.com

700 HARBOR DR

620 SOUTH MASHTA DR

Price $13,100,000

Price: $11,750,000

www.700harbor.com

www.620southmashta.com

w w w . b n a c h t i g a l l p r o p e r t i e s . c o m

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“creating lifestyles for a lifetime”

GREAT PROPERTIES INTERNATIONAL REALTY

670 HARBOR DR

220 KNOLLWOOD DR

Price: $9,900,000

Price: $9,850,000

OCEAN TOWER TWO UNIT # 208

OCEANA UNIT # 501 SOUTH

Price: $9,170,000

Price: $7,850,000

www.670harbor.com

www.220kkb.com

www.oceana501south.com

www.791crandon208.com

220 ISLAND DR

OCEAN TOWER TWO UNIT # 1508

Price: $6,900,000

Price: $7,850,000

www.220island.com

www.791crandon1508.com

245 WOODCREST RD

GRAND BAY RESIDENCE UNIT # 202

Price: $4,347,000

Price: $4,699,000

www.245woodcrest.com

www.430grandbay202.com

662 WOODCREST RD

160 HAMPTON LANE

Price: $3,600,000

Price: $3,690,000

www.160hampton.com

www.662woodcrest.com

w w w . b n a c h t i g a l l p r o p e r t i e s . c o m

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Explore The Energy of Creation

WWW.SHAMBALLAJEWELS.COM

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Inner R adiance Peaceful Inspired Moments.

LOCK BRACELET AND ALLIANCE BANGLE. White G/vs Diamonds, Mother of Pearl, 18K Yellow Gold.

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Charter Titania in the Mediterranean this summer The magnificent 73m (239.5ft) superyacht Titania has a classically designed interior with impressive entertaining areas. A pool on deck and a large inventory of watersports facilities provide fun for all the family, while a professional crew of 20 deliver first-class service.

Available for charter in the Mediterranean this summer.

An international company with 12 offices across the world, Burgess is the leading specialist in superyacht sales, charters and new build projects.

THE WORLD’S LEADING SUPERYACHT AUTHORITY

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LONDON

+44 20 7766 4300

MONACO

+377 97 97 81 21

NEW YORK

+1 212 223 0410

MIAMI

+1 305 672 0150

SINGAPORE

+65 9665 8990

MOSCOW | PALMA | ATHENS | LOS ANGELES | SEATTLE | HONG KONG | TOKYO

ENQUIRIES@BURGESSYACHTS.COM

WWW.BURGESSYACHTS.COM

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NEW BR 03-94 AEROGT CHRONOGRAPH · 42 mm · Nation Tower · Tel. 02 4489999 · Marina Mall · Tel. 02 6323232 · info@alsayeghuae.com · e-Boutique: www.bellross.com

© Sirpa Air - Rafale - Dassault Aviation

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WALK WITH TIME He was a traveler, experiencing all hours of the earth.

Planning trips with such great care, he and Time had merged.

Grateful to the man for walking with him, not around, Time reassured he’d arrive anywhere he was bound.

#MakeTimeYourOwn

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Y E A RS O F E N H A N CI N G A BR I T I S H I CO N Overfinch is the world’s leading creator of bespoke Range Rover vehicles. For four decades, Overfinch have been enhancing and redefining the iconic Range Rover, creating the most innovative, beautiful and spectacular vehicles. Overfinch dedicate British craftsmanship to the pursuit of perfection, to meeting the bespoke requirements of a global clientele.

The results are a groundbreaking blend of capability, individuality and luxury.

OVERFIN CH.COM

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Quintessentially Lifestyle, the leading global lifestyle management and concierge company, is the ultimate gift this season.

Our service tailors itself to suit the needs, tastes and preferences of each individual with the required level of assistance. Quintessentially have offices in over 60 countries with 2000 Lifestyle Managers, speaking more than 35 languages and who are available 365/24 hours a day wherever you are.

Used by many of the world’s elite Quintessentially Lifestyle offers three levels of membership, Black, Silver and Gold that provide recipients the rarest of commodities - time. It is the one thing everyone is short of and as obvious as it sounds, the one thing that we cannot purchase. Quintessentially membership however can help save time by assisting with the areas of your lifestyle that need managing and acting as a ‘safe pair of hands’.

Quintessentially represents a way of living that will facilitate everything from day to day errands, designing the perfect holiday, making reservations in the ‘hard to book’ places and so much more. Q will be the best kept secret into the newest openings and give you access to the ordinarily inaccessible.

The World’s leading luxury lifestYLE management service

The Quintessentially Lifestyle membership box opens up a world of opportunity, allowing you and your recipients time to cherish every moment with loved ones.

To discover more about the world of Quintessentially Lifestyle membership for yourself, or to gift membership please contact us on: Tel: +971 (0) 4437 6800 www.quintessentially.com

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C

THE

ONTINENTAL GROUP

LAUNCHES C’s 500 PRIVATE MEMBERS CLUB

Welcome to C’s 500, a unique Business Members Club dedicated to a very small number of highly selected VIP’s from the Middle East and around the world. Our vision is to business and entertaining solutions during the multiple and various events we will be hosting throughout the year.

As a C’s 500 member, you will witness the creation of the strongest network of high net worth individuals from around the world.

The club is part of the London based Continental Group, and each C’s 500 member will be offered access to the • Real Estate Investment Advisory • Property Development • Media Production • Private Wealth Management • MarketTrading • Luxury Private Charter

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C’s 500 have built relationships with the most exclusive brands in the world and selected unique activities for the members to be part of. C’s 500 will open doors to most memorable moments and experiences reserved exclusively to its members, creating a world with endless possibilities where business and entertainment meet.

Our team’s rich knowhow in luxury, event management, logistics, and security will assist you in the member was selected based on their international background and strong experience.

Join us for what will become the new reference in networking, business development, and entertainment.

Join us to be part of something greater, something unique. Welcome to our world, C’s 500, part of the Continental Group.

C’s 500

www.continental-group.co.uk

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There’s nowhere in the Maldives, or anywhere on earth, quite like it. Coco PrivÊ Kuda Hithi Island is a secluded island paradise all of your own. It is here that any and every dream is recognised and brought to life.

Discover more at www.cocoprive.com or email yourplace@cocoprive.com

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SOMMETOUTE - fusiodesign.com

WHERE DREAMS LIVE AND EMOTIONS ARE BORN

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FROM DREAMS & INSPIRATION SPRINGS THE ROYAL MANSOUR From the exquisite mosaics adorning its palatial interiors to the mesmerising murmur of the fountains in the courtyards, the Royal Mansour reflects the beauty, grace and indeed, the very soul of Morocco.

A first glimpse of this sensual luxury makes the heart beat faster, awakening the senses.

But the true relaxation offered by this paradise in the centre of bustling Marrakech can only be experienced by a stay amidst the elegant tranquillity and attention to detail of the Royal Mansour. You and those you love will leave refreshed in mind, body and spirit.

TEL.+212 (0) 529 80 80 80

www.royalmansour.com

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!

GOLDEN SUMMER

by Petra Krausova Private residence / Surabaya Golden Summer lighting sculpture, made from yellow, orange and brown tinted hand-blown glass, transports the viewer to the short period of time when summer, still warm and sunny, changes into fall.

———

LASVIT Middle East / PO Box 333272 Dubai Design District / A 109, Building 6 / Dubai, UAE T+971 4453 8689 / E me@lasvit.com

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YOUR DREAMS ARE OUR POSSIBILITIES Prepare to be lavishly enchanted in the opulent surroundings of Burj Al Arab =h`X\eT[.

To experience the ultimate in luxury, please contact us: Telephone: +971 4 301 7400 Email: BAAReservations@jumeirah.com burjalarab.com

CABIN ALTITUDE: 914 M* • PASSENGERS: UP TO 19 • PANORAMIC WINDOWS: 16

THE ULTIMATE COMFORT ZONE Flying farther faster than any other business jet is one measurement of excellence.

For another, look inside the Gulfstream G650ER™ to see the culmination of exquisite comfort. Panoramic windows, 100 percent fresh-air replenishment and lie-flat seating enhance every moment of travel. Go beyond your expectations for distance and comfort in the flagship G650ER—The World Standard.™ ALL AN STANTON | +971 50 653 5258 | allan.stanton@gulfstream.com | GULFSTREAMG650ER.COM *At the typical initial cruise altitude of 12,497 m

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FOUNDER & CO-FOUNDER’S LETTER ‫ترشع و شیع‬

सुख

奢侈品

Lujo

Luxe

Luxus

Lusso

Dear lovers of luxury

W

elcome to this edition of Simply Abu Dhabi, ‘Travel Icons of the World.’ And in a way, ‘welcome’ is the theme of this issue, which focuses on ten of the most lavish, unique 5-star hotel experiences the world has to offer.

The rest of the issue brings you the very best of luxury, as you’ve come to expect. From the worlds of sport and adventure, we bring you coverage of British Polo day 2016, whilst Simply Yachts presents the amazing Silver Fast, the fourth and most advanced vessel in the acclaimed SILVERYACHTS series. Simply Cars’ Damien Reid gives you his exciting lowdown on the Lamborghini Huracan LP580-2, the McLaren 675LT, and the Rolls-Royce Phantom II.

Hospitality is a word used so frequently to describe the industry that it’s easy to forget its true meaning: the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests and visitors. It’s a wonderful thought, when you think about it – the knowledge that there are places in the world we can go and be made to feel truly welcome. We think it’s the key to what sets 5-star properties apart. The luxurious appointments and amenities are incredible, of course, but what really makes the difference at the end of the day is knowing your hosts care about your wellbeing and comfort, and will look after you with utmost care.

Nick Rice is on hand to share with you some of the most refined timepieces and jewellery to be found anywhere, including exquisite creations from Chanel, Harry Winston, Chopard and Breguet, to name just a few. Simply Fashion editor Marcella Clark presents the latest looks from the biggest names on the spring/summer 2016 runways: Dior, Armani, Fendi, Hermès, Ralph Lauren, Prada, Chloe and Carolina Herrera. Simply Beauty’s Sophie McMullan has news about the Emirates’ newest hotspot for luxury hair and skin treatments – José Eber La Loge – and introduces you to some brilliant makeup and skincare lines from Emma Hardie and By Terry.

The ten amazing resorts and hotels you’re about to read about in this edition were selected for the one thing they all have in common: their warm welcome and genuine hospitality. Beyond that, you’ll find that each offers its own unique charms, from splendid accommodations and world-class dining, to thrilling activities and luxurious spa treatments. From the energy and vibrancy of a city holiday to the quiet seclusion of your own private island – and everything in between – you’ll find your dream destination among these select properties featured in our pages this issue.

We hope you’ll love the photography and features in this edition of Simply Abu Dhabi – and we hope you’ll book yourself an incredible getaway at one of the exclusive 5-star properties we’ve shared. If you do, don’t forget to upload your photos to Instagram and add the hashtag #simplyabudhabi to share!

And finally, if you’re ready to pack your bags and head off to one of the spectacular hotels you’ll read about in this issue, first be sure to check out the latest luggage and accessories from TUMI’s spring/summer 2016 collections, so you arrive in style!

Wishing you all the very best of life and luxury.

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”

Wishing the World: Peace, Prosperity & Progress in 2016 Management team Creative Director: Colin Statham - colin@simplyabudhabi.com

Arnie S Hira – CEO & Founder Arnie.Hira@simplyabudhabi.com

Manoj S Hira – Director – info@nowaiting.co.uk

Jordana Imogen Lynch – Managing Director & Co-Founder

Editor: Arnie S Hira Co-Editor: Jordana Imogen Lynch Copywriters: Jordana Imogen Lynch,

Jordana.lynch@simplyabudhabi.com

Arnie S Hira

Managing Editor: Kerry Smith - kerry@simplyabudhabi.com Editor at Large: Nick Rice Fashion Editor: Marcella Clarke Beauty Editor: Sophie McMullan - sophie@simplyabudhabi.com Time / Travel Editor: Nick Rice - nick@simplyabudhabi.com Car Editor: Damien Reid - damien@simplyabudhabi.com Sub Editor: Caroline Stupnicka - caroline@simplyabudhabi.com

Like our Facebook page via http://www.facebook.com/simplyabudhabi Follow us on instagram via http://www.instagram.com/simplyabudhabi or via the app @simplyabudhabi Images: All photos used in Simply Abu Dhabi are by Getty Images/Shutterstock/GoRunway/ Distribution: Abu Dhabi Media Company Circulation Director: Mr Mohamad Al Zarouni Operation Manger: Mr. Khaled Ibrahim 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.

53 S I M P LY A B U D H A B I

BLANCPAIN BOUTIQUES ABU DHABI · BEIJING · CANNES · DUBAI · GENEVA · HONG KONG · LAS VEGAS · LONDON · MACAU MADRID · MANAMA · MOSCOW · MUNICH · NEW YORK · PARIS · SEOUL · SHANGHAI · SINGAPORE · TAIPEI · TOKYO · ZURICH www.blancpain.com

CONTENTS

Travel Icons of the World Special Feature Abu Dhabi

Page 58

Zaya Nurai Island

Page 60

Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi

Page 72

Simply Sport

Maldives

Page 82

Velaa Private Island

Page 84

Coco Privé

Page 206

Simply Polo Simply Time

Page 212

Harry Winston, Blancpain, Breguet, OMEGA, Glashütte, Hublot, Franck Muller, Graff, Hermès, Richard Mille

Page 96

Simply Jewellery

Page 234

Marrakesh

Page 106

Harry Winston, Graff Diamonds, Chanel, Chopard, Dior, Messika,

Royal Mansour

Page 108

Shamballa Jewels, Moussaieff

TUMI Spring/Summer 2016

Page 120

London

Page 124

Simply Fashion

Page 259

The Langham London

Page 126

Women

Page 260

Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park London

Page 136

CH Carolina Herrera, Chanel, Chloé Eyewear, Dior, Fendi, Giorgio

South of France

Page 146

Hôtel Hermitage Monte Carlo

Page 148

New York

Page 158

Armani Privé, Hermès, Prada Miu Miu Men

Page 278

Emporio Armani, Hermès, Prada

Mandarin Oriental New York

Page 160

Dubai

Page 170

Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach

Page 172

The Emma Hardie Collection, José Eber La Loge Salon, By Terry

Simply Yachts

Page 184

Simply Cars

Simply Beautiful

Lamborghini Huracan LP580-2, Rolls-Royce Phantom II,

Silver Fast

McLaren 675LT

Simply Property Le Palais Royal

Page 194

Lasvit

Page 202

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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Page 292

Abu Dhabi 56 S I M P LY A B U D H A B I

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Zaya Nurai Island Harmony. That exquisite moment when every note comes together in just the right way, at just the right time, and transports you, mind, body and soul. As in music, we seek harmony in our surroundings too – a seamless blend between the most inviting, elegant living quarters and the most breath-taking natural beauty.

58 S I M P LY A B U D H A B I

A

nd on that harmonious note, we welcome you to Zaya Nurai Island. Zaya Nurai is an island paradise that feels like another world completely. Imagine if you could leave behind the hustle and bustle of the city, and all the demands of daily life, and in less than an hour’s journey from Abu Dhabi or Dubai be stepping barefoot onto the soft white sands of a pristine Arabian Gulf beach. The tranquil blue waters stretch endlessly before you, the sound of the waves soothing your spirit, the warm sun melting any tension away. Behind you stands your island retreat, a haven of comfort and luxury, where you will find every amenity you and your family could wish for.

Zaya Nurai offers all this, and so much more. It’s why Conde Nast Traveller UK has named it one of the most incredible private islands in the world. And it’s why the most sophisticated clientele have embraced the Zaya Nurai experience as a way to fully immerse themselves in enjoying the best life has to offer.

Derived from the Arabic word noor, meaning light, Zaya Nurai was first created by CEO Nadia Zaal to be a sanctuary for the discerning individual. And through her vision, the island has developed into an exclusive community of limited edition beachfront estates and water villa homes, capturing Nadia’s dream to create a truly nurturing living space that nourishes the mind and spirit of each guest.

59 S I M P LY A B U D H A B I

The philosophy behind the Zaya Nurai concept is that residents are provided the opportunity to truly relax, not only physically, but mentally as well, so as to have the time and space to reassess and reprioritise what really matters in life. It’s why family and wellbeing are just as important a focus as fine dining and luxurious accommodations. The lesson to be learned from a stay at this unique paradise is that immersing oneself in such utter tranquillity is a gift we give ourselves, in order to recalibrate and return to the real world with renewed clarity and vitality.

Indeed, you’ll find that Zaya Nurai prides itself on doing things a bit differently, invigorating the resort experience with a fresh energy, thanks to an eclectic boutique hotel experience on this blissfully tranquil island. The exclusive and selective collection of residences gives guests the option to choose between beach villas, beach houses, water villas, or an estate villa, each an exceptional merger of comfort and luxury.

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The Accommodations Reflecting the beauty and tranquillity of the environment, the 32 beach villas at Zaya Nurai are boutique onebedroom homes, designed to harmonise perfectly with the stunning surrounding landscape. High ceilings and clean architectural lines create a fresh and modern feel, while the loft-style living rooms look out over an outdoor lounge with a private dining area and infinity edge pool. The premium location offers guests access to a private beach, in-villa dining and dedicated butler service.

The beach retreats are custom-designed with couples in mind. These bijou residences are on the southern coast of Nurai Island, and feature spacious outdoor areas that include elegant verandas and private palm-fringed pools with unrivalled views of the sea. Inside, an open-plan design allows natural light to flood in, while the contemporary furnishings and neutral tones add serenity and style. Like all of the living spaces on Nurai, the beach retreats offer all manner of amenities, such as complimentary mini bar and snacks, Acqua Di Parma toiletries, and high-speed Wi-Fi. Another option, ideal for small families, is the exclusive collection of two-bedroom beach houses on the southern coast. Here you’ll find two private pools for each home, surrounding a stylish patio that looks out over the turquoise sea. The finest materials and contemporary dÊcor make these elegant homes perfect for entertaining friends, while spacious rooms and amenities allow for plenty of quality family time. And you can rest assured that after enjoying time with your family and friends, your home will be restored to pristine condition thanks to the daily efforts of the housekeeping staff.

Elsewhere, you can find even more spacious living quarters in the four-bedroom water villas. The incredible design of these 12 splendid homes gives guests the illusion of levitating over the water, creating a sense of utmost serenity and connection with the environment. Each has been designed to provide a generous, light-filled space, perfect for larger families or groups seeking the ultimate in comfort and luxury. A private pool surrounds each villa, providing an infinite view of the sea beyond. The combination of super king and twin beds makes it easy to accommodate up to eight adults and children, while the fully equipped gourmet kitchen make entertaining a breeze.

And finally, for the ultimate in gracious (not to mention spacious) living, there are the beach estates, each 18,000 square feet of pure luxury and refinement. Tucked under sweeping grass canopies dotted around the perimeter of the island, each Estate Villa has its own private beach with undisturbed sea views. These five-bedroom homes are full of light and airy space, accentuated by private gardens, infinity swimming pools and reflecting pools. Sunbathing patios, outdoor dining areas, and al fresco showers ensure a complete immersion with the landscape.

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Island Dining Zaya Nurai is all about peaceful relaxation, but part of any truly relaxing holiday is enjoying a meal out with friends or family. Whether you fancy a gourmet dinner, a casual afternoon snack or a refreshing beverage as you watch the sun go down, the island offers five fantastic options to suit every mood and lifestyle. And what’s wonderful is that the dress code at each ranges from come as you are to smart casual, so don’t worry about packing too much finery when you plan your visit. At Nurai, you can stay in beach mode all day long.

Frangipani offers a rustic-chic vibe and an elegantly simple menu, featuring artisanal and organic items. The Ginger Mermaid serves up inventive, thirst-quenching concoctions and such tempting bar food as sliders and fish and chips. Enjoy sunset drinks and exquisite nibbles at Dusk, in intimate and laid-back surroundings. Or check out The Book Cellar, the go-to destination for games, relaxed conversation or quiet reflection over a plate of charcuterie and artisanal cheeses. And if you don’t want to stray too far from your beach chair, call The Hamper for premium supplies delivered to wherever you are.

Spa and Recreation As was mentioned, the driving ethos behind Zaya Nurai is providing guests the opportunity to connect with what’s really important in life. And what could be more essential than the happiness and wellbeing of yourself and your family?

To help you on your journey to complete revitalisation, the Zaya Spa is the perfect embodiment of quiet luxury away from the dynamic, fast-paced world you leave behind when you arrive at this island paradise. The spa creates perfect harmony between modern living and traditional heritage by adapting to the local environment and integrating cultural elements, whilst remaining true to its contemporary and holistic approach to wellness. The wide range of therapeutic treatments includes massage, reflexology and skin care for face and body, and will appeal to anyone, whether you’re seeking mind-body balance or simply some indulgent pampering. The brand-new facilities include zen-like private pavilions, steam rooms and saunas, guaranteeing you’ll emerge relaxed, radiant, and rejuvenated.

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If you’re travelling with your family, you simply must take advantage of the Petit Z Kids Club, a mini paradise for children nestled among palm trees only steps away from the beach. There, an expertly trained and caring group of hosts will welcome and look after your children, offering them a fun and educational range of arts & crafts, nature and sporting experiences. All activities are carefully curated to ensure your little ones will make new discoveries and form new friendships and, from the games to the tailored food and drink menus, careful thought and planning goes toward making your children’s visit as special as yours.

Finally, an abundance of water sport activities and fitness options are available across the island. From two locations offering paddle boarding, wind surfing and sea kayaking, to the state-of-the-art gym offering one-to-one personal training, there’s something for all interests and abilities.

There’s even an in-house yoga guru to help you work on your mind, body and spirit, completing your transformation to a truly relaxed and harmonious state.

Whether you want to rest, entertain friends, spend time with the family or simply gaze out over the sea in quiet reflection, Zaya Nurai is the ultimate destination – a magical place filled with natural harmony that will appeal to all of your senses.

For further information or to book, please visit www.zayanuraiisland.com

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Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi

Simply Iconic

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s readers of Simply Abu Dhabi know, the Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi holds a special place in our hearts. For those who don’t know about this majestic hotel, we’re delighted to introduce you to the immeasurable luxury and profound hospitality to be found here. And even if you’ve visited before, you’ll want to read on to remind yourself of the many marvels of the Palace.

An iconic Abu Dhabi landmark, Emirates Palace embraces the rich culture and colourful traditions of the region. Treasured by guests for its luxurious amenities and personalised service, the Emirates Palace experience is one of warmth and generosity, reflecting true Arab hospitality.

A beautiful palace, standing majestically on its own stretch of private beach, the façade of the building is breathtaking. The architects and designers used gold and marble, with help from the best international artisans, to create a spectacular resort, making it one of the most impressive hotels and conference venues ever built. With 394 rooms and suites, the palace has been carefully designed and furnished to offer guests superior comfort and luxury.

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Guestrooms and Suites The 302 Grand Guestrooms are located throughout the East and West Wings of the building, providing a serene haven of quiet away from the activity of the lobby. Shades of light blue, gold and cream create a sense of serenity, whilst the marble flooring and silk upholstery announce the ultra-refined atmosphere you’ve entered when you stay at Emirates Palace. As with all rooms and suites, 24hour personalised service is available to you – your only job is to unwind and bask in the experience.

Each wing boasts spectacular suites as well. The Khaleej and Khaleej Deluxe Suites offer guests 180-degree views of the sea, and a spacious lounge appointed with the most elegant details, including Spanish marble and chandeliers. From the Royal Khaleej Deluxe Suite, gaze out over an uninterrupted panorama of sandy beach, palm trees, and the remarkable blue waters of the Arabian Gulf, or enjoy a relaxing soak in the Jacuzzi.

The Palace Suites are perhaps the very height of luxury accommodation in the Middle East, the opulent jewels of the hotel’s already glittering crown. They include the Palace Pearl Suite, which along with the Coral and Diamond Palace suites comprise the magnificent three-bedroom Palace Suite. A spacious living area, extensive private terrace, elegant dining room and full pantry facilities ensure you and your guests can relax in the highest style, with your every need seen to by the Palace’s attentive 24-hour butler service.

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Dining Destinations A stay at the Emirates Palace is a dazzling feast for all the senses, not least of which is taste. Embark on a culinary adventure all around the world in one of the fourteen restaurants and lounges throughout the Palace. Not sure where to begin? We’d suggest first immersing yourself in Abu Dhabi’s tradition and culture at the award-winning Emirati restaurant, Mezlai, showcasing more than 100 different local dishes.

Then, investigate a few of the Palace delicacies that have developed something of a cult following among delighted visitors and locals: the famous Palace Cappuccino, sprinkled with 24-carat gold flakes, or for a regional twist, the Camelccino, made with the finest camel milk and served with dates and chocolate. The Palace also serves an opulent afternoon high tea, in the classic tradition, complete with savoury sandwiches, freshly baked scones and lovely little cakes.

Indeed, each of the fine dining choices is not to be missed. From an authentic taste of Italy at Mezzaluna to succulent meats off the grill at BBQ Al Qasr, fresh seafood at Sayad and contemporary Chinese cuisine at Hakkasan, Emirates Palace boasts award-winning restaurants in every corner. And in addition to the range of treats on offer at the Palace’s cafés and lounges, the refined Le Vendome Brasserie offers its sumptuous international buffet all day. For a truly VIP experience, the Palace Ceremony is an opulent in-room dining service should you wish to indulge in it. Be pampered and waited upon in the privacy of your own room or suite whilst you dine on gourmet dishes specially prepared just for you.

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Activities and Spa If you are looking to unwind and relax, the Emirates Palace offers you myriad luxurious options across the 85 hectares of manicured lawns and recreational facilities within the Palace grounds. Indulge in the beauty and open space offered by the pristine 1.3km white sandy beach, or soak up some sun along the two lushly landscaped swimming pools and terraces – one to refresh and relax, and one perfectly designed for adventure and family fun.

Or opt for a friendly match at one of the four tennis courts, an adrenaline rush at the watersports centre, or an invigorating work out at one of the two state-of-the-art fitness centres. On the west end of the beach, the Emirates Palace Marina can accommodate up to 167 yachts, providing five-star marina services for yachts of many sizes.

How about treating yourself to a rejuvenating experience at the incredible Emirates Palace Spa? Featuring an exotic blend of Moroccan-inspired interiors, domes and graceful archways interlaced with delicate furnishings and fittings, the spa draws inspiration from Abu Dhabi traditions and the serene beauty of the Arabian Sea just outside the doors. Here you can enjoy a luxuriant array of treatment options designed to relax your body and reinvigorate your spirit, including a Moroccan hammam and barber services for gentlemen.

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Popular treatments are combined with new products and spa practices to introduce a menu of bespoke indulgences unparalleled in the city. Partnering with famous brands such as Amra, Forlle’d, Bastien Gonzales and Gentlemen’s Tonic, spa director Hannah Dowd and her team use only world-class products to provide purely blissful packages aimed to ignite a sense of balance and serenity.

Choose from a selection of exclusive Gold Treatments, where pearls, gold and minerals deliver glamorous pampering to your skin, or visit the hammam, guaranteed to send you to another realm.

Whichever of the multitude of activities and options you choose, or if you simply prefer to relax on the beach, a stay at the Emirates Palace is the perfect holiday. Not only aesthetically stunning, incredibly luxurious and completely relaxing, it offers that rare quality: true welcoming and warmth of spirit. It’s absolutely unforgettable.

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MALDIVES

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V e l a a P r i vat e I s l a n d The Ultra-Exclusive Boutique Hideaway

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There’s luxury, and then there’s Velaa Private Island.

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his unique destination was developed to embody the very best of life in the Maldives. Unlike other islands in this unique archipelago, Velaa is truly private, owned by a single person – Jiri Smejc, whose passion for the spectacular garland of coral islands led to him to create his ideal retreat, one curated with privacy and comfort in mind.

Basking under azure skies in the aquamarine waters of the Indian Ocean, Velaa Private Island is Mr Smejc’s remarkable vision come to vibrant life.

The name of this private retreat, an elegant fusion of Maldivian culture with contemporary luxury, means ‘Turtle Island’ in the local language, and it was chosen because of the generations of sea turtles that have migrated here.

Designed by Czech architect Petr Kolar, the overall design concept is contemporary yet intimate, with Maldivian nuances. Fittingly, turtle motifs are a unifying theme on the property, while from a bird’s eye view, the villas are constructed to resemble the head of a turtle, with the island forming the body. Velaa Private Island also ensures plenty of room for its marine visitors, with a hatchery and conservation plan in place.

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Villas, Houses and Residences The living quarters at Velaa Private Island were thoughtfully conceived to make guests feel truly at one with nature. Each of the private retreats was built using local materials, combining contemporary flourishes with interiors designed for ultimate enjoyment of the surroundings.

The residences include one-bedroom Beach Front Villas and Deluxe Beach Pool Villas, each sumptuously furnished. Louvered panels, lofty ceilings, teak furniture and bamboo lighting all create a luminous and airy feel. By day, the villas are filled with light, secluded by clusters of palms, perfect for enjoying the private pool.

Amongst lush foliage and gently swaying palms, the two-bedroom beachfront houses are ideal for families. The large living area works as a retreat in the day and a social hub in the evening, while the kitchen is perfect for catering and socialising over meals.

Larger accommodations can be difficult to find in the Maldives, but Velaa offers the ultimate beach residence for groups. With four bedrooms accommodating up to ten guests, the Velaa Private Residences provide a generous amount of space, including two terraces, a pool and a courtyard. Secluded on a pristine private beach, the homes were designed to deliver comfort, style and elegance in equal measure.

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Along a scenic jetty, the Sunrise Water Pool Villas offer uninterrupted views of the ocean, as well as private pools. Overhanging thatch offers shade over the dining area, while steps lead alluringly into the ocean.

The Sunset Deluxe Water Pool Villas, dreamlike in design, offer even more privacy.

In an exclusive private domain of the island is the Ocean Pool House.

This two-bedroom residence offers an elegant living space with carefully curated elements. Swim in your own pool and relax on the sun deck, or step directly into the lagoon.

For guests seeking the utmost in privacy, there’s the Romantic Pool Residence. Accessible only by boat, it’s an ultra-secluded onebedroom villa. Whether you wish to dine inside or in a gazebo on the jetty at sunset, the private chef and butler are available to meet your requests. And with a personal gym and spa treatment rooms inside the residence, there’s little reason to leave this remarkable setting.

Dining Experiences Velaa Private Island is a paradise for the epicurean as well, boasting the consultancy of Michelin-star chef Adeline Grattard from Paris.

With three exceptional restaurants and plentiful lounges located on the island, there’s a generous selection of delicious options on offer.

Athiri is beachfront dining at its finest, where guests can enjoy creative cuisine served fresh to their tables. A wood-fired oven serves up freshly made signature pizzas throughout the day. Avi is a casual pool lounge by day and a vibrant hotspot by night, complete with live DJs against the backdrop of spectacular ocean views.

Tavaru houses a Teppanyaki kitchen and makes up the centrepiece of the island: a visually striking tower where live cooking takes centre stage. Elsewhere, Velaa Private Island’s signature restaurant, Aragu, serves innovative cuisine in an elegant setting over water; guests can enjoy beverages at the Cru lounge first, followed by an evening of fine dining.

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Wellbeing and Activities While Velaa Private Island is a haven of blissful privacy, ideally suited for complete relaxation, there’s still plenty for guests to do, should they choose.

For a truly personalised experience, there’s the fabulous spa. The resort, amongst only a handful of retreats in the world to partner with the distinguished Spa by Clarins brand, offers a full range of therapies and products located in six secluded treatment villas. The exclusive Velaa Signature Rituals – Velaa Island Fantasy and Island Body Boost – were developed exclusively by Clarins Paris, inspired by the natural beauty of the Maldives.

Designed by Jose Maria Olazabal, Velaa Golf Academy is a golfing experience like no other. With nine different tees, six greens, seven bunkers, and a lake in the wonderful turquoise hues the Maldives is famous for, the Golf Academy provides an unequalled backdrop to develop your game. The resident professionals are fully PGA qualified and are highly experienced in teaching all levels of golfers.

Don’t spend time on this island paradise without discovering the magic to be found in the waters that surround you. Only 20 minutes away from Velaa, go for a dive to discover the amazing Maldivian aquatic life and truly connect with nature. The Velaa Dive Centre is equipped by Scubapro, renowned for its outstanding quality, and affiliated to PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors), the largest diving association in the world.

If you prefer to remain on the water’s surface, a variety of joys await you. Sail around Velaa Private Island on a catamaran, experience a speedy thrill on a jet ski, or surf the shore on a stand-up paddleboard.

Or take to the skies for a bit of parasailing or kite surfing.

As Velaa Private Island is situated on the edge of Noonu atoll, which hosts numerous species of fish, it’s a dream come true for fishing enthusiasts. Catch blue marlin during a big game expedition, cast for

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the famous Maldivian tuna on a fishing day trip, or live the Maldivian traditional fishing experience on a sunset fishing cruise. It’s a once in a lifetime experience.

There are multiple land-based sporting activities as well. Technogym, a world-class fitness centre, features state-of-the-art equipment.

Personal yoga master sessions are held on the meditation platform in the garden, or by the beach. Sports facilities extend to a covered tennis court and squash court, table tennis, wall climbing, beach volleyball and a football pitch.

And for kids, the Lha Velaa (Little Turtle) Club is the ideal place for younger guests to enjoy, learn, develop new skills and form new friendships, while the parents enjoy some much-needed time off.

Children will experience unforgettable moments created especially for them by a dedicated team, who each week design a new daily programme suited to each age group.

Finally, hard as it may be to believe that Velaa could be any more appealing, it’s the level of attention and care guests receive from the genuinely warm and caring staff that make it a truly exceptional experience. Every guest is treated like royalty, with the team achieving the seemingly impossible: offering friendly and personalised service with the utmost respect for your privacy. Indeed, the only difficulty you’ll encounter at Velaa Private Island is the moment you have to leave it.

For more information or to book: www.velaaprivateisland.com Tel: +960 6565 243 Email reservations@velaaisland.com

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Coco PrivĂŠ An Island Dream

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hen we think about travel, the phrase ‘getting away from it all’ sometimes comes to mind. We all long for the opportunity to truly unwind, to find peace and seclusion, to reconnect with nature and our friends and family in an idyllic setting, far from the demands of everyday life.

And what could be better suited to that dream than a private island hideaway, where sheer relaxation and escape can be found, hand in hand with all the most luxurious modern amenities you could require?

Coco Privé makes that dream a reality – and goes on to surpass it. In the midst of the Indian Ocean, sat atop a vast underwater mountain range, lies one of the most tranquil and exclusive of all the Maldivian islands: Kuda Hithi. And it is here on these secluded shores that Coco Privé offers its guests the ultimate opportunity to get away from it all.

From the unforgettable moment your dedicated luxury yacht delivers you to Kuda Hithi, and you first leave your footprints in the soft white sands, the island is yours. Secret and serene, Coco Privé is an entire island dedicated to you, your family and friends. Indeed, it’s a destination designed for the discerning few, whose wish for privacy and exclusivity extends far beyond the expectations of the ordinary.

Each guest is given a completely individualised experience. Before you even arrive, Coco Privé has taken the time to get to know your likes and longings, matching your exact needs, then exceeding your expectations.

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Once there, a warm welcome speaks volumes about the genuine local hospitality, and gives you a hint of the treasures that await you. As you are guided expertly to your villas, your sense of relaxation begins immediately. The tranquil aquamarine waters, the sun filtering through the gently swaying palm trees, the friendly warmth of your Coco Privé hosts… all begin to soothe you in body, mind and spirit, knowing that this is your space, your time, and your chance to find true rejuvenation.

Your Space At Coco Privè, a series of luxurious villas harmonise seamlessly with the stunning surroundings, elegantly blending modern and natural materials, enhancing your connection with the environs. The utmost craftsmanship and attention to detail has been lavished on these deluxe accommodations, thanks to a remarkable collaboration between Coco Privé and award-winning architect Guz Wilkinson. The result?

Spacious and elegant havens, merging luxury living with every amenity imaginable, including a private chef and personalised butler service The island’s spectacular master villa, known as Palm Residence, is a split-level retreat offering uninterrupted views of the serene Indian Ocean, a private beach and enticing infinity pool. The open-plan home is distinctive in both design and décor, and consists of a spacious master bedroom with a king bed, living and dining areas filled with bespoke pieces, indoor and outdoor showers, sunken bath private Jacuzzi, and a library, all impeccably appointed in a palette of earthy hues.

Fully kitted out with the latest technology, there’s a Bose stereo system throughout, and you can control lights, televisions, curtains and fans to your liking through an iPad. A wide range of beverages is stocked for you, laundry service is provided, and your personal host and private chef are on hand around the clock to ensure your every wish is catered for. All that’s left for you to do is relax.

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In addition, there are five guest villas – Turtle, Starfish, Heron, Gecko and Manta – that can accommodate up to 12 of your guests. Whichever one they choose to stay in, they will be delighted by the generous living space, complete privacy, and ocean views from every room. Two of the villas have private pools, while the other three share the island’s magnificent infinity pool. There’s also a separate outdoor dining and entertainment area, perfect for your whole group to socialise and relax together.

Your Time An array of tailor-made experiences awaits you as part of your stay, all designed to match your personal preferences, and then exceed your expectations. From sunset dinners on the beach to exceptional spa treatments, each unique experience is based in Maldivian tradition and authenticity, remaining true to the environment.

Enjoy the wonders of the ocean with bespoke packages that include snorkelling among the coral reefs, picnicking along a pristine sand bank, deep-sea fishing, or water skiing, windsurfing, paddle boarding or kayaking atop the azure waters. Discover the most remarkable secrets of the ocean with the expert dive master, or participate in a reef-planting expedition for a truly rewarding interaction with nature.

Your own private spa is the ultimate luxury. A dedicated therapist is available throughout your stay to help you on your journey to relaxation with a range of soothing treatments, from massage to reflexology. Your mind, body and spirit will be further brought into balance with the ancient art of yoga, a Pilates session, or personalised training from a fitness expert at the fully equipped, state-of-the-art gym.

Should you wish to explore the area further, Coco Privé can transport you to another of its stunning island destinations: Coco Bodu Hithi.

Here, you and your guests can choose between eight speciality restaurants, or an exciting array of activities and excursions, then

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return to the utter privacy and seclusion of your own private island.

The intimate surroundings of Kuda Hithi Island make it an ideal destination for special events or business retreats, as well. Against this idyllic backdrop, celebrations take on new dimensions, whether fairytale weddings, family gatherings, socialising with colleagues, or any of life’s milestone moments. An events team, supported by the Coco Collection – the premier luxury resort brand in the Maldives – can make dreams come true, bringing your vision to reality with superb planning and flawless execution.

Regardless of how you choose to spend your time there, Coco Privé creates a sense of intimacy and complete enjoyment for each and every guest. It’s a personal, private place where the most discerning can savour the very best of relaxed luxury living.

Amidst the incredible natural beauty and utter serenity of Kuda Hithi Island, the natural ebb and flow of Maldivian life will rejuvenate you, feed your spirit, and awaken your senses, leading to a sense of inner peace that will stay with you long after you have left this island paradise.

For more information, or to book: www.cocoprive.com Tel: +960 664 8887 Email: yourplace@cocoprive.com

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MARRAKESH

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Royal Mansour A Universe of Inspiration

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riters, poets, and artists have long been fascinated by Marrakech. From the unique architecture and heritage of crafts, to the lush surroundings and saturated hues of the gardens and exotic fragrances of the souks… they all blend together to create an irresistible draw to this inspiring location known as the Red City. As the legendary designer Yves Saint Laurent once said, “This city taught me colour.”

For your own privileged glimpse at the very soul of Marrakech, you need look no further than the Royal Mansour. This remarkable hotel is the result of pure inspiration: a dream made real, and a spectacular recreation of a beautiful way of life. Faithful to architectural tradition, honouring heritage crafts as well as contemporary artistic talent, the Royal Mansour is aesthetically unparalleled. Yet its most memorable aspect is the sense of welcome – that’s where the real magic happens.

Walking down winding passageways, wandering among leafy courtyards, lingering in the gardens, you’ll wonder whether you’re in a palace or an ancient medina. The Royal Mansour is a haven of luxury and privacy in the heart of Marrakech, and an endless source of true peace and leisurely pleasure.

The moment you arrive at the astonishing entrance, you’ll know you’re in for a truly unforgettable experience. Chiselled bronze, cedarwood, and intricately carved plaster work harmonise on a monumental scale, echoing the great gates of Morocco’s ancient imperial cities.

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The building itself is a masterpiece of Moorish-Andalusian architecture, reflecting the history and artistic heritage unique to this part of the world. The layout of the main building stays true to the style of classical Moorish architecture, while the interior pays homage to the virtuosity of Morocco’s artisan craftsmen.

The Royal Mansour’s role as a patron of traditional Moroccan arts and crafts is a vital aspect of its unique status among luxury hotels; with its 550-strong collection of paintings, the hotel also champions contemporary Moroccan artists.

The Medina and Grounds Rather than corridors, the Royal Mansour’s 53 riads (houses built around a central courtyard) are connected by pathways within a private medina, where shrubs and flowers border the alleyways, and gardens bloom in inner courtyards. Three gates on the grounds lead to the hotel, restaurants and spa, each distinguished by groves of olive, pomegranate or orange trees. The landscape architect, Luis Vallejo, created a sophisticated tribute to the art of Moroccan-style living, a setting where elite guests – from royalty to presidents – have enjoyed utter privacy.

Through the year, the garden is perfumed by orange-flower, honeysuckle, jasmine, roses and oleasters, while daturas, bougainvillaea and carnations bring colour. In a land of sunshine, there must be shade, so palm trees sway gently overhead. There’s not a sound to disturb your reveries, only the music of falling water, which plays such a vital role in any Moroccan garden.

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The Riads It’s immediately apparent from the building and grounds alone that this is an enchanted place – and that’s before you’ve even arrived at your living quarters. But if you can bear to leave the gardens, and make your way to your riad, you’ll find your own private domain, a sanctuary of peerless refinement. Upon your arrival, a butler will accompany you to your door, which leads to an interior courtyard and, off that, a sitting room (and in bigger riads, a dining room). On the first floor, the bedrooms and bathrooms open onto a gallery looking down into the courtyard.

Then there’s your private roof terrace, with plunge pool, fireplace, and a tented space for private hammam treatments.

Each of the riads has been individually furnished by craftsmen to demonstrate the infinite variety of Moroccan decorative arts. Every riad is different, owing to the selection of furniture and the way it is arranged, the choice of fabrics and colours, and the lighting design. Incorporated into these traditional interiors is cutting-edge tech designed to ensure guests’ comfort, such as the smart air-con system or a touchscreen-controlled retractable glass roof poised to cover the courtyard terrace at the first drop of rain.

The Art of Service Guests at the Royal Mansour tend to feel an instant connection with their private riad, spending a lot of time at home during their stay. The butler’s role is enhanced by a superb backstage team, who in turn rely on an ingenious system of underground tunnels.

These allow staff to access the riads swiftly and discreetly, invisibly ensuring guests’ comfort, and taking great care to respect their privacy. Thus the art of service at the Royal Mansour reaches a degree of refinement that goes above and beyond the traditional hotelier’s rulebook.

The spa bathing rituals are at the heart of traditional Moroccan culture; the physical wellbeing they bring to the body lightens soul and spirit. The Royal Mansour’s spa is entered via an impressive atrium of whitewashed wrought iron, its height and luminosity instantly creating a beautiful, calming atmosphere.

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The spa offers massage, facial treatments, hydrotherapy and body wraps on the first floor, while the two hammams and relaxation area are on the ground floor – as well as a Watsu pool and a tea room serving light, healthy dishes, herbal teas and fruit juices. The hair and nail salons occupy five private cabins, while the glassroofed swimming pool opens onto the gardens. Hidden beneath ground level you’ll find a state-of-the-art fitness studio with inhouse trainers, as well as a sauna.

There are also three spa suites, which allow guests to book a private space for treatments and relaxation. Royal Mansour chefs provide light, healthy menus to be enjoyed on the suites’ private terraces, overlooking the ramparts of Marrakech for a truly unforgettable day of relaxation.

Indeed, the spa experience at the Royal Mansour is so exceptional, it was named the winner of the 2016 Gala Spa Awards in the highly competitive luxury hotel category.

Restaurants As you’d expect from a 5-star hotel, fine dining is also a focal point at the Royal Mansour. Yannick Alléno, the much-lauded Parisian chef, believes that variety is key to a truly enjoyable dining experience. This simple idea colours his approach to the three Tables at Royal Mansour, where his combination of tradition and creativity achieves elevated results.

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La Grande Table Marocaine is a standard bearer for Morocco’s culinary reputation and one of Morocco’s top gastronomic destinations. La Grande Table Française offers French dishes with a Moroccan slant and plenty of creativity, on a menu that changes often, yet always attains gastronomic excellence. And finally, for simple pleasures from breakfast to dinner time, La Table offers light meals and snacks based on exceptional products prepared with perfect simplicity.

Guests can also opt to be served in their private riad, at any time of day. Whether it’s an intimate supper for two or a gathering of family and friends, the menus of all three restaurants are on offer, or feel free to confer with one of the chefs to create a bespoke menu – a level of personalised service that is a hallmark of the Royal Mansour experience.

Exotically elegant, breathtakingly beautiful, and sumptuously indulgent, the Royal Mansour is a magical world of inspiration you’ll never want to leave.

For more information or to book, please visit www.royalmansour.com

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Travel in Style with TUMI for Spring /Summer 2016

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Merging world-class craftsmanship with cutting-edge innovation, TUMI continues to set a new standard for global purveyors of luxury with the expansion of the CFX collection. Distinguished by an exclusive, American-made fabric, TUMI has transformed a traditionally hard-side carbon fibre material into a collection of high-performance soft travel bags and accessories.

f you’re off to a five-star destination this summer, your luggage and travel accessories should be worthy of the occasion. Leave it to TUMI, the leading international brand of premium travel, business and lifestyle accessories, to offer a fantastic array of collections through its spring/summer 2016 line to get you where you’re going in style.

TUMI travels to the exotic Mediterranean for spring 2016, a region with a tradition steeped in artisanry and refined architecture. This bustling and beautiful central highway of transport inspires an assortment of travel and lifestyle accessories for the Global Citizen, with a rich seasonal palette of vibrant colours including Moroccan blue, cayenne, stone and gold. Evoking the old world charm of the Mediterranean, these energetic hues are injected throughout the various spring collections.

Constructed from CX6, an exclusive, flexible, soft carbon fibre, CFX is symbolic of TUMI’s heritage of design excellence, pushing the boundaries of technical innovation. Distinguished as both a premium material and high-performance fabric, CFX is engineered with exceptional qualities, proprietary to the brand.

In addition to existing styles across wheeled travel, soft travel, day bags and accessories, two new silhouettes are offered for SS116: the Elvington International 4-Wheel Carry-On and the Tanaka Portfolio Brief.

New seasonal geometric and hexagonal prints are inspired by the muqarnas, a Moorish form of architectural ornamented vaulting also known as honeycomb vaults. The pairing of strong neutrals such as blue, cream and tan with this geometric outline creates a marriage of engineering and craftsmanship across Alpha Bravo, Chambers and Vapor Lite assortments.

The Spring/Summer 2016 Men’s Collection represents an entirely new level of sophistication in engineering and structural design. A clean, contemporary aesthetic and refined detailing set the standard for the Global Citizen’s premium travel experience.

TUMI Spring/Summer 2016 Designer Select Collection

The men’s Arrivé collection, re-designed for spring/summer 2016, exemplifies TUMI’s spirit of innovation by revitalising silhouettes and increasing functionality. All styles feature the highly durable HTLS Polyester and include elevated leather trim and chrome hardware detailing, plus TUMI ID Lock for added security against identity theft. The Hamilton Slim Brief, offered in classic black and new addition pewter, features an abundance of pockets for a laptop and tablet with extra space for documents and files. Chrome die-cut telescoping handles optimise strength without added excess weight on the Julius International Expandable 4-Wheel Carry-On and Rockford Wheeled Duffel.

Based on the Mediterranean motif, evoking old world charm and natural beauty, the TUMI Designer Select Collection is updated with perforated leather detailing and ivory and navy seasonal colourways.

The varied Designer Select silhouettes showcase the versatility of this lifestyle collection, with its stylish travel bags and day bags that work for business, commuting and everyday activities. This curated collection of bags and accessories for men and women merges premium materials and precision detailing with unexpected design touches.

The collection features the Bates Backpack, ideal for everyday use, offering a stylish mode of traveling hands-free; the Nora Tote, the perfect women’s work-through-weekend bag with a beautifully organised and highly functional interior; and the Travel Satchel, a musthave for overnight air travel and weekend getaways.

The Harrison collection, launching this season, is a contemporary and elevated leather assortment offering the perfect balance between functionality and design. Both timeless and modern, the assortment

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features a clean/streamlined aesthetic with smooth and supple leather in neutral black and brown. The beautifully-crafted Madden Brief features a separate, padded compartment for a laptop, whilst the Bates Backpack is ideal for business and travel, with a roomy main compartment that has designated pockets for work and daily essentials.

The Spring/Summer 2016 Women’s Collection is updated with fresh, new colours and print designs, creating a unique attitude that gives the silhouettes spirited individuality. The varied shapes showcase the versatility of this lifestyle collection, with stylish travel bags and day bags that work for business, commuting and everyday activities.

The Noho Collection takes its name from the landmark district in New York City. These sophisticated backpack and crossbody silhouettes, crafted from soft pebbled leather in black or seasonal steel blue, evoke a youthful sensibility and encompass a downtown chic aesthetic – conveying modern femininity merged with an urban edge.

Utility meets luxury in the Waverly Small Backpack, a compact profile that can hold the everyday essentials with ease, whilst the stylish and sturdy Elizabeth Portfolio Crossbody comfortably accommodates a 15inch laptop and has a multitude of organisational pockets.

The Larkin Collection, named after the historic street in the heart of San Francisco, embodies the same elegance, beauty and versatility as this sophisticated city. Offered in a ballistic fabric and pebbled leather, this go-to collection for the female traveller offers a range of refined and structured silhouettes including wheeled and non-wheeled briefs, totes and the newest backpack addition, the Laurel, all in TUMI’s signature ballistic nylon.

TUMI’s Spring Nester Collection invokes curiosity, while merging innovation and functionality with a keen sense of adventure. The Spring Nester product is not just a bag transporting personal belongings; it becomes an expansion of the journey. The Spring Nester features a seasonal men’s and women’s Bayfield Backpacks with multiple zip-off silhouettes, providing versatility and multiple carrying options, so travellers can configure it to their own unique needs.

This spring, TUMI announced a new partnership with Waves For Water – a non-profit organisation created to bring clean water to every single person in need – and its founder, Jon Rose, correlating with the launch of TUMI’s new athleisure Tahoe Collection. Jon’s work regularly takes him to remote and rugged locations, and he and his team must travel with luggage that is durable enough to withstand the journey.

On a recent mission to Nepal, TUMI outfitted him with several pieces from the Tahoe Collection to provide feedback during the early stages of product development. And with his input, the five-piece collection is casual in composition yet illustrates TUMI’s meticulous attention to detail and utility, featuring durable coated fabric with leather trim, coated zippers and seam-sealing technology.

Since 1975, TUMI has been creating world-class business and travel essentials, designed to upgrade, uncomplicate and beautify all aspects of life on the move. Blending flawless functionality with a spirit of ingenuity empowers your journeys. Designed in America, for Global Citizens everywhere, the brand is sold in over 350 stores from New York to Paris to London and Tokyo, and throughout the Middle East.

In The Uae, Tumi Is Available In Stores Located At: Abu Dhabi Mall +971 2 6738574 The Galleria +971 2 4124115 The Dubai Mall +971 4 3398536 Mirdif City Center +971 4 2363408 Tanagra Mall Of The Emirates +971 4 3411084 Tanagra Marina Mall +971 2 6817506 Also Available At Galeries Lafayette - Dubai Mall

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LONDON

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lassic British tradition, opulence and refinement all meet at the heart of one of the world’s most vibrant and exciting cities. Celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2015, the Langham, London is Europe’s first ‘Grand Hotel’, distinguished by its elegance and glamour amongst the bustling backdrop of London.

Situated in the heart of the West End, between four of the city’s most sought-after areas and just a short stroll from Regent’s Park, the hotel gives easy access to the all the highlights of central London. From shopping and dining, to museums and history, leisure and business travellers alike will find the Langham ideally positioned to cater to their every wish.

From the hotel’s founding in 1865, its unrivalled location and impeccable service have enchanted an elite clientele, which over the years has included royalty, dignitaries and celebrities. After an extensive transformation to honour the anniversary, The Langham’s exquisitely appointed, classically styled guestrooms and suites are completely updated to evoke a warm residential feel with all the modern amenities. While the building may have been renovated, the hallmark service that has spanned three centuries remains very much intact – ensuring guests enjoy their stay in utmost comfort.

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Traditional Tea and Contemporary Comforts The Langham’s Palm Court is famed as the birthplace of the afternoon tea tradition, an indulgent ritual that continues today – and one that guests simply must experience at least once. Even for a city with such an incredible restaurant scene, the Langham stands out for its exceptional dining. In partnership with culinary icons father and son Albert and Michel Roux Jr, Roux at the Landau restaurant boasts Roux protégé Chef Chris King at the helm, creating classically constructed dishes of the finest seasonal ingredients, with a contemporary style of presentation.

And after busy days and nights exploring the myriad attractions of the city, guests can opt for a blissfully relaxing day of pampering at Chuan Spa, London’s first luxury hotel spa to incorporate the ancient principles of traditional Chinese medicine into its signature treatments and ambience. Chuan Spa offers individually planned holistic therapies, designed to rebalance and revitalise the body and soul, as well as a vitality pool, herbal steam rooms and saunas.

Lifestyle facilities include a fully equipped fitness centre with stateof-the-art Technogym cardio and resistance equipment, free weights and a 16-metre swimming pool.

Luxurious Accommodation In the tradition of grand hotels, the Langham, London was originally conceived to provide a residential feel to its esteemed guests, who considered it a second home. Today, travellers can still relax amidst the ultimate comfort and timeless style of the Langham’s distinguished guestrooms or elegantly furnished suites, including the Sterling Suite, one of London’s largest and most coveted retreats.

Inspired by the sterling heritage of English pageantry and precious materials, the suite can be configured to six bedrooms, and offers private lift access for those seeking complete privacy. On arrival from the lift, guests will reach a secluded lobby area leading to two main bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, standalone bath tubs and dressing areas. The heart of the suite is the luxurious drawing room with a unique dual-tone piano, a bespoke fireplace and a butler’s bar, offering the ideal home away from home setting. Sliding doors link the salon to a private dining area and a separate home theatre lounge. The pièce de resistance is the master bedroom, with a separate living area, master bath and expansive dressing room.

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There are also three additional Deluxe Rooms adjoining the main living areas, providing capacious room for family stays.

The Sterling Suite is the new hallmark for refined living, adding to the Langham, London’s spectacular Infinity Suite, the newly launched Wedgwood Suite, the Regent Suite and collection of Grand Club Junior Suites, Studio Suites, Classic Suites, Langham Suites and Langham Apartments.

The next phase of the hotel’s evolution involves the addition of several new suites and residences slated to launch in time for summer 2016. The new rooms, located in the main building facing Portland Place with views of the iconic BBC building and All Souls Church, further elevate the hotel’s position as a highly desirable luxury venue in the competitive London market.

The project, spearheaded by designers Richmond International – the team behind the exclusive Regent Wing, Langham Club Lounge and Sterling Suite during the hotel’s 150th anniversary renovations – includes the addition of 115 new guestrooms, including 25 suites. What’s more, the hotel’s accommodations have been reconfigured to provide a more refined and residential style with the creation of seven Portland Suites and several residences fitted with designer kitchens.

All suites and residences are attended by an extensive team of butlers assisting with guests’ personal requests, from unpacking suitcases and colour-coding clothes in wardrobes, to personalising pillows and room temperature, and organising bespoke itineraries.

As Managing Director, Bob van den Oord, explains, “The Langham, London has been adapting its luxury offering in recent years to cater to a more esteemed and discerning clientele. These guests are looking for a more personalised stay, with bespoke service, and this refined accommodation component, together with our butler service and private kitchen menu in partnership with Chez Roux, will ensure that these needs are met.”

In addition, all suites and residence guests have access to the Langham Club Lounge, London’s largest such offering. Inspired by private clubs of the Victorian era, the Langham Club Lounge combines classic sophistication with modern sensibility, providing a private sanctuary for guests to start the day with a hearty breakfast, or socialise over drinks later.

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The ultimate in exclusivity, modern conveniences and attentive service, the Langham Club also provides an exclusive butler service headed up by Director of In-Room Dining and Butler Services Fadi Samhoun. In addition to private showers and changing facilities for those guests requiring early arrival and late departure, the Club’s complimentary services include premium broadband internet access, the pressing of clothing upon check-in and use of the Club’s Loft events space. The Butler’s Pantry serves a sophisticated and well-appointed display of culinary offerings to Club visitors from all of the Langham, London’s outlets, including fine dining at Roux at The Landau restaurant.

From peaceful havens to memorable events, the Langham, London meets every need. The Writer’s Corner provides an environment inspired by the Langham, London’s literary past, with an extensive and specially curated library allowing guests to indulge in works of esteemed authors and historic works, whilst the Loft Space offers a fully equipped events space, with screening room and a separate boardroom area. And from the well-equipped meeting rooms to the lavish Grand Ballroom and adjoining Courtyard Garden, a unique outdoor reception venue, the hotel provides a setting for every event.

Unforgettable memories of a stay at the Langham, London, from incredible meals to extravagant soirées to sheer relaxation, will be enjoyed and talked about for years to come.

For more information, or to book: The Langham, London 1c Portland Place, Regent Street, London W1B 1JA Tel: 44 (0) 20 7636 1000 tllon.info@langhamhotels.com langhamhotels.com/london

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Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park London A Royal History

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ith bustling Knightsbridge on its doorstep and leafy Hyde Park at its rear, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park is London’s most prestigious address. Blending sumptuous guestrooms with a world-leading spa, it is the definitive destination for a luxury escape. And with two awardwinning restaurants including Bar Boulud, London and Dinner

by Heston Blumenthal, the first London restaurant for one of the UK’s most renowned chefs, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park stands at the culinary centre of the capital.

Long celebrated as one of London’s most luxurious hotels, the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park re-opened its doors in May 2000 following a £57 million restoration. And now, more than a century after it first opened, the hotel is still London’s premier address. As a landmark and as a royal hotel, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park has been where princes and princesses, maharajas and sultans, presidents and prime ministers have passed through to host high-level meetings, receptions and society events.

The Early Years Overlooking London’s finest Royal Park on one side and cosmopolitan Knightsbridge on the other, the hotel was originally built in 1889 as an exclusive gentleman’s club with lavishly furnished drawing and dining rooms.

The palatial interior decoration with the lavish use of marbles and gilding were years ahead of the best London hotels. Then, in 1899, a dramatic fire struck the property. Watched by thousands, the fire damaged the top three floors of the Knightsbridge wing and destroyed part of the roof, including the central iron and glass turret. All residents made a successful escape, despite the fire brigade’s ladders only reaching halfway up the building.

After the fire, and the necessary renovations, the building was reopened in 1902 as Hyde Park Hotel, London’s newest and grandest hotel. The ceilings and marble floors had survived, and period fireplaces in the style of Louis XV and XVI were installed, while the furnishings echoed the eighteenth century style of Sheraton and Hepplewhite.

When it re-opened, tradition has it that the Queen insisted that the main entrance, with the hotel’s name above it, should be moved from the Park side to Knightsbridge and that the original entrance be preserved for royal use alone. And it has been opening for them regularly ever since. Today, guests can still take part in this grand tradition of the hotel by requesting permission from the Royal Parks to use the royal entrance for special occasions.

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Rooms and Suites With a trademark blend of heritage and modernity, all of the 198 rooms and suites at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park have been individually furnished and decorated in true Victorian style, with both utter refinement and supreme comfort in mind. Each room is lovingly prepared with Irish linen bed sheets, goose- down pillows, luxury designer bathroom products and a fresh orchid.

Behind the exquisite materials and handcrafted finishes lies the latest technology. All rooms have outstanding facilities including two telephone lines with voicemail, wired and wireless highspeed internet access, Bang & Olufsen flat screen televisions and DVD players with surround sound, CD players, iHome docking stations, in-room safes and refrigerator.

Breathtaking views over Hyde Park are offered from most of the sumptuous suites, along with a level of refined luxury that only something of uncompromising quality can achieve. None of the hotel’s suites are alike.

Recently renovated, with the leafy landscape of Hyde Park as its back garden, the new Royal Suite is London’s finest. Remaining true to its elegant Victorian architectural heritage but introducing a fresh, contemporary style, the expanded suite of 242 square meters has a distinctly residential feel, and includes a master bedroom and bathroom, separate living room, dining room and kitchen and two adjoining additional bedrooms all of which evoke a feeling of staying in a chic city apartment. A sweeping balcony runs the length of the suite - dine alfresco with a private dinner for 12 and a team of waiters to tend to your every need, host a party for 40, or simply sit back, relax and enjoy the glorious views across Hyde Park.

Award-winning Spa and Dining Options The award-winning Spa at Mandarin Oriental is a haven of tranquillity within the heart of Knightsbridge that combines harmonious design elements with therapeutic rituals – all entirely dedicated to the guests’ wellbeing. Consistently rated as one of the leading urban day spas in London, the spa uses Mandarin Oriental’s signature product line developed specifically for the group by the award-winning UK based company, Aromatherapy Associates, to tailor treatments to the specific needs of each guest.

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Adopting a different approach to the traditional spa experience, the spa offers a series of innovative and restorative treatments known as Time Ritual where guests are encouraged to book Time rather than a specific treatment. Each Ritual begins with a recommendation by the spa manager to arrive 45 minutes ahead of the actual treatment. This period of preparation enables all guests to fully immerse themselves in the philosophy of the spa by relaxing in the Sanarium (a variation of the classical sauna), Vitality Pool, or Amethyst Crystal Steam Room.

The Mandarin boasts two of London’s most acclaimed restaurants: Michelin-starred Daniel Boulud’s Bar Boulud, and Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, one of UK’s leading chefs. In keeping with the hotel’s rich and royal history, Blumenthal and Executive Chef Ashley Palmer-Watts painstakingly researched Britain’s gastronomic history to create a truly fascinating and unusual menu. What’s more, the glass walls at Dinner open on to the kitchen so diners can see the unique spit roast pulley system, modelled after an original used in the royal court.

Meanwhile, over at Bar Boulud, guests can enjoy some of the best Sunday brunch, charcuterie plates and burgers to be found anywhere in London, thanks to the unique French bistro cuisine with an American touch. Executive Chef Thomas Piat spent years working with Chef Boulud, perfecting his craft, much to the delight of Mandarin’s diners.

The Rosebery Lounge is the hotel’s new salon for afternoon tea overlooking Knightsbridge. The Rosebery Lounge, once a stylish tea room in the early 1920s, has made a welcome return to its roots, offering an afternoon tea service every day.

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In conjunction with The East India Company, signature blends of Breakfast, Afternoon and Directors Reserve have been exclusively crafted to Mandarin Oriental’s specifications, together with a selection of speciality teas. Afternoon tea is served with a selection of fresh sandwiches, creative pastries, scones and seasonal jams all created by a dedicated team of Chefs.

The hotel is committed to exceeding guests’ expectations on a daily basis, ensuring individual attention and exceptional, unrivalled service from warm and friendly staff. This astonishingly stylish urban oasis runs under the skilful leadership of General Manager Gérard Sintès, who previously served as the GM of Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona. During his tenure there, he firmly established the award-winning property as one of the best hotels in the city and helped achieve numerous awards and accolades, including two Michelin stars and most recently, Best National Urban Hotel in Conde Nast Traveller, US 2014.

And with his finesse and expertise brought to bear in Hyde Park, staying at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park is as much an experience to cherish as it has been throughout its rich and royal history.

For more information or to book: www.mandarinoriental.com/london 66 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7LA Tel: +44 (0)20 7235 2000 Email: molon-reservations@mohg.com

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SOUTH OF FRANCE

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HĂ´tel Hermitage Monte Carlo The Je w e l o f the Fre nch Riv iera

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top the coastal cliffs of Monte Carlo, the glittering principality along the Mediterranean, the Hôtel Hermitage has stood proudly for more than a century as an iconic palace of luxury. Nestled among the groves of orange and olive trees, the Hermitage appears bathed in golden light, set off by the azure waters of the French Riviera. The wondrous sense of illumination continues inside the neoclassic building, thanks to the remarkable architecture that fuses the traditional splendour of the Belle Époque era with contemporary style and comfort.

Monte Carlo is synonymous with luxury, of course, and discerning clientele are spoilt for choice when it comes to high-end accommodations. Still, the Hôtel Hermitage stands out from the crowd: utterly magnificent and dazzling, yet completely warm and inviting. And unlike other European buildings of the same era, which emit a sort of faded glory, the Hermitage is a grand palace that still feels new, fresh, and modern.

Built by Monegasque architect Jean Marquet, the Hermitage has evolved through the vision of numerous eminent designers and artists over the years who have helped define the hotel’s style. The astonishing lobby ceiling is the work of artist Gabriel Ferrier, the Prix de Rome and 1889 Universal Exposition Gold Medallist; and nearly a century later, André Levasseur undertook the room’s restoration, highlighting the pink marble columns, framing the crystal chandeliers. Another of the hotel’s wonders, the Jardin d’Hiver (Winter Garden), owes its prestige to the glass conservatory created and erected by disciples of the undisputed master of metal architecture, Gustave Eiffel.

Whilst respecting its rich and unsurpassed heritage, the Hôtel Hermitage is regularly modernised to meet the growing expectations of a demanding clientele; most of the property has been freshly renovated in the past several years, every aspect meticulously designed to achieve a harmonious marriage between classic authenticity and technology.

As General Manager, Pascal Camia, says: “Since its creation, Hôtel Hermitage has always been evolving, achieving the level of excellence of a Palace. Its creative history also permitted a marriage between respect of tradition and modernity, elegance at its purest form.”

Monsieur Camal, who has had an exceptional career in luxury hospitality, manages the hotel on three fundamental pillars: “Excellence, generosity and humility are the key values at Hôtel Hermitage. The question is not only to be of service, but also to remain guarantors of ‘savoir-recevoir’ (welcome know-how) and we are responsible for anticipating every expectation of our guests, in all humility and generosity.”

And it is in this spirit that guests are invited to luxuriate in everything the unique and timeless Hôtel Hermitage has to offer, from stunning accommodations, to fine dining, spa treatments and leisure activities.

In turn, delighted visitors from the world over have named the hotel a 2015 Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice award winner.

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Rooms and Suites The 278 rooms and suites at the Hermitage are an integral part of the feeling of wellbeing the hotel creates for its guests, merging the latest in technology with the hotel’s legendary heritage. Both sea and light are visible from all five wings of the hotel, creating a sensation of space and a bright and warm atmosphere. Each room is tastefully furnished with finest bedding, furniture, and décor for the ultimate in elegant refinement.

The Diamond Suites are the showpieces of Hôtel Hermitage. These twelve jewels overlook the Mediterranean Sea, distinguished by their luxurious surroundings. The top floor of the Hôtel Hermitage Excelsior wing houses an exceptional apartment: the Penthouse Diamond Suite. This unparalleled suite holds no comparison in Monaco, welcoming guests to the greatest luxury, subtly blending modernity with optimised comfort. The result is entrancing; the most beautiful materials have been selected creating a décor made of elegance and harmony.

Other Diamond Suites include the Presidential Diamond Suite, which lies on the Prince wing. Its poetic atmosphere is a seamless blend of neo-classical style and Riviera elegance. The top floor of the Prince wing is home to an exceptional accommodation: the Diamond Duplex Suite with Jacuzzi. This roof-top apartment faces the sea, offering unobstructed views, with a solarium and a Jacuzzi, ideal for a romantic stay.

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For those traveling with children, the Hôtel Hermitage caters to little ones in a creative and unique way with its VIK (Very Important Kid) programme. Given that the hotel was created to be a prestigious secondary residence for its guests, families are warmly welcomed, and the children are treated like royalty. A range of fun and original treats await them, including a welcome gift, weekly activities on site or in the Principality of Monaco, and access to a heated indoor swimming pool, games room, and the Marmorata Kid’s Club at the hotel’s private beach.

Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo True to the ethos of merging modern technology with an old-world luxury lifestyle, the legendary Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo Spa is not to be missed during your stay. Directly connected to the hotel, and looking out over the soothing vista of the Mediterranean Sea, the spa was entirely renovated in 2014, and is synonymous with innovation, modernity, wellbeing and relaxation. The range of treatments available at the award-winning spa are the latest in hightech methods, but also ensure calm and complete serenity. Guests can also indulge in a visit to the hair and beauty salons, a boutique, the L’Hirondelle restaurant for a light and healthy meal, or an exceptional aqua fitness area offering a warm seawater pool and fitness centre with panoramic sea views.

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Exceptional Dining At the helm of the restaurant with the harmonious Monegasque name Vistamar (‘sea view’), overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and the port of Monaco, is Michelin Star-awarded chef Joël Garault.

Renowned especially for his exquisite mastery of Mediterranean cuisine featuring fish (all sourced from a local fishery), the Chef is a staunch advocate for sustainable fishing, and helps to educate both the general public and professionals of the fishing industry about sustainable consumption of seafood. Passionate about the region, he carefully chooses his vegetables, fruits and herbs at the Condamine market in Monaco, all provided by a local farmer; always striving to create a plate representing seasonal colours.

A meal at the Vistamar is an absolute essential: a rich bouquet of seasonal local flavours, and reflection of sustainable cuisine, all created by one of Europe’s undisputed masters of the craft.

In addition, the Limùn Bar offers luxury food on the go. Located close to the lobby, it is an intimate and elegant space decorated in pastel hues. The Crystal Bar, created by interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon, prides itself in its unique selection of beverages in an exceedingly refined setting, adorned with exceptional pieces made and signed by the some of the greatest master glassmakers in the world: Daum, Baccarat and St. Louis.

The hotel’s superb placement in one of the world’s most glamorous location means that all of the attractions of Monte Carlo are just steps away. Enjoy all that Monaco has to offer, while knowing that the Hôtel Hermitage will remain your home away from home.

For more information or to book: Web: hotelhermitagemontecarlo.com Tel: +377 98 06 25 25 Email: resort@sbm.mc

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NEW YORK

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Mandarin Oriental New York The Far East meets the East Coast

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here’s no place like New York. And there’s no place like the five-star Mandarin Oriental, New York. Redefining the luxury hotel experience in Manhattan, its contemporary design and unique location, coupled with Mandarin Oriental’s legendary hospitality, make it one of the city’s most distinct and sophisticated hotels.

Mandarin Oriental, New York is located more than 280 feet above ground level, providing a stunning sight upon arrival. And the experience just gets more thrilling from there. The breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline, Central Park or the Hudson River may be the first thing to catch the eye, but the Mandarin’s distinctive décor, extensive amenities and impeccable service are likely to impress just as much.

The Mandarin provides guests with an exclusive third floor lobby that gives them direct access to the retail floors of the Time-Warner Center, where they’ll find high-end shopping, or they can opt to take a quick elevator ride down to the world-class performance hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center. Additional dining options include Thomas Keller’s French restaurant Per Se, the exclusive Masa, a sushi bar by Masa Takayama, and the critically-acclaimed contemporary Italian restaurant A Voce.

Welcome to the Mandarin Oriental, New York The Mandarin Oriental is renowned for its striking contemporary design and stylish oriental flair. Known as the ultimate ‘celebration destination’ for leisure guests from around the world, the hotel reflects the Mandarin Group’s exotic Eastern heritage, as seen in the use of artefacts and small details. Also taking an important role in the hotel’s design are contemporary elements that honour its New York City location. The resulting aesthetic is an intriguing blend of Far East meets East Coast.

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Restaurants & Bars

The unique experience at Mandarin Oriental, New York begins the moment guests step off the bustling streets of Manhattan and into the hotel’s subdued ground floor entry, and are welcomed into a gracious space that sets the design standard and quality of experience for the floors above.

Serving not only hotel guests, but also locals from Midtown and the Upper West Side, Asiate is the hotel’s 90-seat restaurant serving modern American cuisine with a creative twist. A glittering metal and glass sculpture in a tree branch design hangs from the ceiling of the restaurant, emulating the trees of Central Park in winter. Ranked for its stunning décor for the past five years by Zagat Survey, Asiate features semi-private booths that envelop up to four people, lending to the sense of comfort and elegance. In addition, there’s a separate private dining area that accommodates up to 12 people.

The focal point of the entrance lobby is the ceiling structure, a collaborative work featuring a mix of sculptor Dale Chihuly’s contemporary glass with Waterford crystal, set against the backdrop of a honey-toned wood and limestone wall. Italian marble and granite flooring provide the first impression of New York elegance.

Express elevators then whisk guests upwards to the 35th floor Sky Lobby and reception area, where visitors are greeted by commanding views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline. Another Dale Chihuly sculpture rises out of an oriental moss garden, while accents of silver are incorporated into throughout the lobby. The artwork features a fascinating combination of New York artists and Chinese textiles. The overall effect is at once soothing and invigorating, engaging the senses in an entirely new way.

Located adjacent to the Sky Lobby is the Lobby Lounge, designed as an extension of nearby New Yorkers’ own living rooms, where guests comfortably entertain one-on-one or add to their party as the evening progresses. At MObar guests congregate and chat on tailored leather seating, partially enclosed by rich velvet drapes, allowing for more intimate socialising.

Guest Rooms, Suites and Residences Located high above Columbus Circle, Mandarin Oriental, New York’s 244 stylishly appointed guestrooms and suites reflect the oriental heritage of Mandarin Oriental, while incorporating contemporary elements of New York City. And with every one of them comes a breathtaking view of Central Park, the scenic Hudson River and the Manhattan skyline.

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To meet the needs of today’s business traveller, the work space and electronic/technical requirements were all given careful consideration in the meticulous design of the guest rooms. Each room offers auxiliary panels custom built into the furniture offering simplified connectivity between the in-room entertainment system and guests’ personal technology.

The bathrooms feature a Spanish marble in soft beige, which is used throughout. Many bathrooms feature soaking tubs situated at windows, allowing guests to enjoy the views of New York while relaxing in the bath.

The 42 one- and two-bedroom suites have been designed to reflect New York City life through the course of a day. Situated on the corners of each guest floor, the suites blend a modern interpretation of Asian flair with a luxurious, residential aesthetic commemorating three unique themes and colour palettes – New York Sunrise with vivid hues of orange and yellow, New York Dusk featuring shades of teal to reflect the waters of the Hudson River, and New York Nights showcasing vibrant tones of amethyst.

To give but one example, the Oriental Suite features a large living and dining room accented by oriental-patterned silk damask draperies and Brazilian cherry hardwood floors covered with handcrafted oriental rugs. A separate, Mozambique wood-panelled library doubles as a study or a media room complete with the latest state-of-the-art Bang & Olufsen entertainment technology. Adjacent to the living and dining space is a kitchen with custom Italian cabinetry, granite countertops and flooring. The suite has a large master bedroom and bath, and includes a separate walk-in closet.

Elsewhere, the 53rd Floor Presidential Suite features customdesigned furnishings in tones of chocolate brown, accented with luminous brushed gold and deep Chinese red accessories. The large Mozambique wood-panelled living and dining area lead to a private media room and study and fully equipped kitchen. Upholstered in pearl-toned silk, the master bedroom is adjacent to a sycamorepanelled walk-in closet and spectacular master bath.

The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, New York are located directly above the hotel on floors 64 to 80. The 64 luxurious condominiums range from 1,000 square-foot one-bedroom suites, to duplexes with private elevators and full-floor apartments that are over 8,000 square feet. Owners have full access to Mandarin Oriental, New York’s amenities – including housekeeping, in-room dining, concierge service, and the pool & fitness centre.

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The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, New York Honouring Mandarin Oriental’s heritage, the Spa offers holistic rejuvenation in a tranquil, meditative setting 14,500 feet high above Manhattan. Pampering and soothing guests in body, mind and spirit, the award-winning spa is distinguished by its exclusive services, including Mandarin Oriental Signature Spa Therapies, customised treatments based on traditional Chinese medicine.

Led by Spa Director Gaylen Brown, treatments are performed by meticulously- trained senior therapists who personalise each guest’s experience depending on whether they wish to relax, re-energise, ease jet lag, re-balance and align, hydrate, soothe muscle tension and/or replenish.

Within the spa, a 6,000 square-foot fitness centre offers a range of state-of-the-art cardiovascular and kinesis weight training equipment, plus a 75-foot lap pool bathed in natural sunlight from floor-toceiling windows with spectacular Hudson River views.

Thanks to the experienced and expert leadership of General Manager Susanne Hatje, and the dedicated and talented staff, Mandarin Oriental, New York is the city’s most stylish and sought-after hotel space. Not only does it stand out for its unique and unusual design and decor, but also for its impeccable service and attention to detail.

For more information, or to book: Mandarin Oriental, New York 80 Columbus Circle at West 60th Street New York, New York 10023 Tel: +1 (866) 801 8880 www.mandarinoriental.com/newyork

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Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach Exceed Your Expectations

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here’s a certain standard of excellence you expect from the Four Seasons name, and a certain amount of luxury you would wish from a beach resort in Dubai. But when the two combine, the resulting experience defies all expectations.

The Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach is the ultimate welcome to Dubai, the dynamic and colourful metropolis along the southeast coast of the Arabian Gulf. In this highly popular destination for beach vacations, the Four Seasons Resort Dubai commands a most appealing location, ideally situated with incredible water views along one side and Dubai’s exciting skyline along the other. It’s the ideal place to balance relaxing in the sun with enjoying all Dubai has to offer: designer shopping, exceptional adventures, and over-the-top attractions – perfect for the whole family, or to entertain business colleagues in high style.

And true to the Four Seasons’ tradition of providing its guests with the highest levels of hospitality, your every wish is catered for, whether you choose to stay on site or venture out into the city that surrounds you. The expert team, led by General Manager Simon Casson, is on hand to ensure your stay is absolutely perfect – from attentive beachside service, to securing reservations at Dubai’s hottest restaurants, to devising fun and enriching activities for children.

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The Accommodations Nestled in a prestigious residential neighbourhood, yet minutes away from business and commercial hubs, the Resort is situated in a lowrise building across 14 acres of natural beachfront, surrounded by lushly landscaped gardens and pools. The distinctive SpanishMediterranean architecture, created by the award-winning firm WATG, is embellished with Arabic accents to set the stylish mood, while inside, fresh and modern interiors open up to sweeping sea or skyline views, with luxuriously detailed appointments.

Ultra-spacious, airy and light, the 237 guest rooms (including 49 suites) present the best in relaxed, understated luxury. Subtle Arabic design motifs blend with cool, comfortable style and in-room technology to make you feel immediately at home. Completely family-friendly, the resort has a number of connecting rooms that will afford even more space, and offers special amenities to make little ones feel especially welcome – including gifts, bathrobes, children’s toiletries, and kid-friendly menus in the restaurants and in-room dining.

For the ultimate VIP experience, the Four Seasons Resort Dubai boasts a selection of phenomenal speciality suites. From the newly appointed Penthouse Suite, guests can take in exclusive panoramic views over the entire resort from the moment they step through the entrance, although arguably they’re best enjoyed from the large wraparound sun terrace over a refreshing drink. The suite also boasts a private spa therapy room, a spectacular fitness centre, private dining room and extensive kitchen.

The Presidential Suite commands majestic views of the Arabian Gulf, which guests can gaze out upon from the alfresco dining table on a large terrace. Inside, this dazzling suite offers a formal dining room and serving pantry, media room, fitness centre, and a master bedroom with an extra-large dressing room and private balcony. For larger parties, the suite can be reconfigured as a two- or three-bedroom with the addition of connecting rooms.

Grand design takes centre stage in the gloriously appointed Royal Suite. Marble floors, towering columns, and Venetian chandeliers create the perfect stage for the baby grand piano and major art pieces in a ballroom-like setting. Private elevator access, four furnished balconies, and wood-panelled study ensure plentiful opportunities for peaceful seclusion, or entertain on a grand scale in the expansive living and dining areas.

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Activities and Amenities Whether you want to lounge in the sunshine on Jumeirah Beach, indulge in world-class dining or spa treatments, or stay active and energised, you’ve got a wide range of options available – all delivered, of course, with the exceptional and friendly service Four Seasons is renowned for.

Two outdoor pools provide plenty of opportunity for the whole family to cool off or bask in the sun or in the shade of a cabana, while indoors, a climate-controlled indoor pool invites guests to partake in a cool lap swim under a glass dome. There’s a comprehensive, stateof-the-art fitness facility including private spinning and personal training studios. Afterwards, relax with a soothing soak in the whirlpool.

If tennis is your game, or if you’ve always wanted to learn, the elite tennis facilities at Four Seasons Resort Dubai await you. Two hardsurface courts are lit for night play, and you can find a wide range of tennis wear and equipment at the Pro Shop. What’s more, you can opt to receive expert instruction from the world’s leading tennis management company, Peter Burwash International. The PBI programme at the resort includes the widely praised Tennis for Life, which features highly acclaimed private or group instruction, daily clinics, kids’ tennis, and more.

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Of course, with 14 acres of pristine beach outside your door, you’ll want to partake of some activities on the water as well. Whether you fancy a quiet turn in a kayak or pedalo, or an adrenaline-packed jet ski or parasailing adventure, you’ll find it all within reach – along with so much more. Fly and sport fishing expeditions can also be arranged for you by the resort’s attentive concierge.

There’s lots to do for the little ones as well. The Kids For All Seasons programme is designed to educate and entertain children 4-12 with a variety of activities, and it’s open late twice a week for parents who want a night out together alone. Babysitting services can also be arranged by the concierge, and if you need high chairs, strollers, diapers or toiletries, these are all easily available to you, compliments of the resort.

No visit would be complete without a trip to the Pearl Spa at Four Seasons Resort Dubai. Inspired by the region’s ancient pearl industry, the spa experience delivers indulgent luxury, with elite skin care and massage treatments from skilled and caring team of internationally trained staff who provide truly personal care. The spa’s signature treatments relate to Dubai traditions in their use of crushed pearls, camel milk and desert sand in the body scrubs, while hammam rituals feature classic clay treatments. Whichever you opt for, you’ll emerge feeling refreshed and radiant.

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A Host of Fine Dining Options Four Seasons Resort Dubai is undoubtedly one of the city’s best dining destinations – quite a feat given the incredible local food scene that has emerged. The resort alone has three restaurants: Suq, featuring eclectic international cuisine, Sea Fu, serving up the freshest seafood to you by the pool or beach and Shai Salon, a dazzling tea room and café, as well as two vibrant bar/lounge options.

Just across from the main entrance, you’ll find the appetisingly named Restaurant Village, featuring an international selection and some of the world’s top names in dining. The award-winning Coya focuses on traditional elements of Peruvian cooking with a modern spin; Nusr-Et is an acclaimed Turkish steak house; and globally renowned, three-Michelin starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s has two venues, Jean-Georges Dining Room, a sophisticated and refined culinary experience, and Jean-George Kitchen, a relaxed collection of international dishes.

And if you simply don’t feel like leaving your luxurious room and its stunning views, the resort offers in-room dining around the clock, delivering the exceptional Dubai dining experience right to your door.

From the uniquely relaxing yet thrilling Jumeirah Beach location, to the myriad activities and indulgences, to the world-famous Four Seasons quality of service, this will be a trip to remember.

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S I M PLY YA C H T S

by NICK RICE

Sail Away on Silver Fast The world’s largest and fastest aluminium motor yacht, offered for sale by Burgess.

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“I really don't know why it is that all of us are so committed to the sea. I think it's because… we all came from the sea. And it is an interesting biological fact that all of us have in our veins the exact same percentage of salt in our blood that exists in the ocean, and, therefore, we have salt in our blood, in our sweat, in our tears. We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea – whether it is to sail or to watch it – we are going back from whence we came.”

S

o said John F. Kennedy, eloquently encapsulating the intense fascination and love of the oceans that so many people have. It’s in our blood… literally. The legendary Irish singer Van Morrison captured this enduring and timeless bond in a song – “Now hear the sailors cry, smell the sea, and feel the sky, let your soul and spirit fly, into the mystic.”

If a life at sea is your heart’s desire, there can be few boats better to spend it on than the extraordinary superyacht Silver Fast. Picture yourself cruising the wide open waters upon this impossibly sleek vessel, her smooth aluminium hull contrasting with the warm teak of her decks and inviting interior, while you and your guests enjoy the finest luxury amenities and

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living spaces – including an open air cinema, a glass-screened winter garden for indoor-outdoor dining, a sea level beach club and a full spa area with gym. Silver Fast brings this dream to thrilling reality.

She is the world’s largest and fastest aluminium motor yacht with conventional propulsion in terms of length-to-speed ratio. She is also the fastest long range cruising yacht – 4,500 nautical miles at 18 knots and 6,000 nautical miles at 14 knots with an already proven capability to accomplish long passages at ease, taking into account the full range of sea conditions.

Completed in 2015 by SILVERYACHTS and conceived by Espen Øino, Silver Fast is the fourth and most advanced yacht in the acclaimed Silver Series. Øino is a visionary designer and naval architect in the superyacht industry and the right man to have at the helm when creating a groundbreaking yacht of this magnitude.

A World Superyacht Awards 2016 finalist, Silver Fast was recently showcased at the Palm Beach International Boat Show and is available for purchase through Burgess – the world’s preeminent marine broker. With more than a billion euros worth of superyacht sales per year for the last two consecutive years, Burgess is the global superyacht industry leader specialising in the sale, purchase, new construction, charter, management and insurance of luxury yachts over 30 metres.

Commenting on the sheer visual impact of the sleek and dramatic metallic silver giant, Burgess Chief Executive Jonathan Beckett says, “Silver Fast is undoubtedly a statement yacht. She showcases the pinnacle of the awardwinning design credentials and performance capabilities of the Silver Series which have proved to be a winning combination. The yacht’s ability to cruise long distances at high speeds with relatively low fuel consumption make her a unique proposition in the market.”

Burgess was founded in 1975 by lauded sailor and worldwide single-handed ocean racer Nigel Burgess. From the first office based in London, the company has expanded to 12 locations around the globe, including Monaco, Moscow, New York and Los Angeles. To celebrate the company’s 40th anniversary last year, Burgess Asia was launched, a full service superyacht operation based in Singapore and Hong Kong. The upper sector of the superyacht market is healthy and thriving, resulting in an astounding level of global success for Burgess, which has been involved in some of the largest and most significant yacht builds and sales transactions in recent years including technical consultation and project management of the world’s

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largest private motor yacht, the sale of the world’s largest private sailing yacht and a number of confidential off market sales.

Wherever Silver Fast cruises, be it in Europe, the Middle East, the Americas or Asia, all those who experience this extraordinary vessel will be impressed by her performance and by the understated but luxurious contemporary interior styling of her impeccably curated living spaces. Vain Interiors selected a bespoke range of refined elements, such as staircases clad in silk and grey stitched leather, anigre panelling and metallic-painted walls, creating an overall sense of harmonious calm.

There is accommodation for 18 guests and 18 crew on Silver Fast, arranged over three decks. The main deck boasts three double VIP guest cabins, along with a salon, media lounge, galley and a winter garden aft, with wraparound retractable glass panels providing the option for open air dining or airconditioned comfort.

The lucky owners of Silver Fast will enjoy a private apartment on the upper deck with a lavish stateroom offering 180-degree views, his and hers bathrooms, a study, lounge, dining area and a secluded outdoor deck area aft. Up on the sun deck guests can relax at the bar or cool off in the glassfronted eight person Jacuzzi while enjoying panoramic views or lounge around watching movies on funky Paola Lenti seating.

The lower deck houses crew quarters and four large en suite guest cabins, plus two cabins for staff. The aft area is dedicated to the aforementioned expansive sea level beach club and spa area with the massage room, gym, sauna, steam room and beauty salon.

When guests can tear themselves away from this incredible seafaring haven, the yacht’s two 7.4 metre custom tenders, stowed in a forward section of the hull with lifting gullwings, can whisk you to land. Or if speed is of the essence, then the best option is by helicopter. Silver Fast’s touch-and-go helipad can accommodate an AgustaWestland AW109 or a Eurocopter EC135.

Silver Fast is powered by twin MTU 16V Series 4000 engines, and her draught of just 2.5 metres allows her to cruise easily in shallow areas that many yachts of this size can’t access, making her ideal for the Gulf, Maldives, South Pacific and Bahamas. This spectacular yacht can go anywhere in eyecatching style and redefines superyachting for the modern era while satisfying that ancient yearning for the sea.

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Key Information At A Glance BUILT 2015, SILVERYACHTS, Australia GUESTS Up to 18 in 8 cabins EXTERIOR DESIGN Espen Øino INTERIOR DESIGN Vain Interiors FOR SALE €79,500,000 Burgess has represented all four yachts in the Silver Series for sale and can provide a detailed appraisal on Silver Fast. For further information, call the Burgess office in London, 44 20 7766 4300 or email sales@burgessyachts.com

Overview •Name: SILVER FAST •Yacht type: Motor Yacht

Dimensions •Length overall: 77m (252' 6") •Beam: 10.0m (32' 8") •Max draught: 2.6m (8' 5") •Gross tonnage: 952.00

Accommodation •Guests: 18 •Guest cabins: 8 •Master cabins: 1 •VIP cabins: 3 •Double cabins: 1 •Twin cabins: 3 (2 with pullmans)

Construction •Builder: SILVERYACHTS l Hanseatic Marine •Year of build: 2015 • Hull number: 4 • Number of decks: 4

Performance • Max speed: 27 knots • Cruising speed: 22 knots

THE WORLD’S LEADING SUPERYACHT AUTHORITY

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LONDON

+44 20 7766 4300

MONACO

+377 97 97 81 21

NEW YORK

+1 212 223 0410

MIAMI

+1 305 672 0150

SINGAPORE

+65 9665 8990

MOSCOW | PALMA | ATHENS | LOS ANGELES | SEATTLE | HONG KONG | TOKYO

ENQUIRIES@BURGESSYACHTS.COM

WWW.BURGESSYACHTS.COM

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S I M P L Y P R O P E RT Y

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Building a Masterpiece Joseph Leone had a vision for a chef d’oeuvre that would rival Versailles.

Meet the developer behind Le Palais Royal.

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T

o call Joseph Leone a visionary is an understatement. The jewelry-designerturned-developer doesn’t just have big ideas. His larger-than-life imagination and creativity encompasses, as its most notable distinction, perfection.

grandfather was a big businessman and on my father’s side, they were in the fashion business. I think this is what I believe is what makes me very different from most people — I have two parts of the brain that work together.” Leone says that he has realized through the years that “it is very difficult for businessmen to be creative, and it’s the same thing for designers — it is tough for them to be good in business.” But he has an equal gift for both.

During a walk through of the French-inspired, Beaux Arts masterpiece, Le Palais Royal in Hillsboro Beach, Leone points out every detail — from the $6 million in gold leafing that adorns everything from ceilings to the front entrance’s wrought iron gate to the first IMAX screening room to be installed in a private residence in the world.

There are other one-of-a-kind amenities that make this palace not just a piece of property, but a true work of art. The chef d’oeuvre has received lots of worldwide media attention for its multi-million dollar price tag, making it one of the most expensive listings in America.

When he was 23 years old, he started his own high-fashion jewelry design and manufacturing company in Marseille, working with the biggest names in French haute couture, such as Jean Patou, Rochas, Celine, and Annick Goutal. He decided to go into business designing for some of the biggest names in France.

“I was designing for all the large companies and the fashion industry in Paris. I was living in Marseilles, but I would spend the week in Paris because that’s where fashion was,” says Leone.

Born in Bologna, Italy, Leone grew up in France the son of a tailor. Young Joseph would go to his father’s shop— first in Italy, then in southern France — where he was creating men’s suits. He says his eye for detail and creative fashion sense is inherited from his father, while his business savvy comes from his mother’s side. “My (maternal)

It was the mid to late 1980s and it was, as Leone says, the time to be involved in the fashion business in Europe. “This was the era. Fashion was high and creative. You had

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to be creative and be different. The more creative you were, the more successful you would become,” he says with an upbeat confidence. He found it to be an unforgettable time to be an entrepreneur, working with the best designers in France and the best designers in fashion . By the early 1990s, the entrepreneur was ready to make a move and broaden his horizons by introducing his creations to a wider audience.

He arrived in New York, where he forged relationships with department stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman.

One day, while at a jewelry show, he had a sense that another challenge was awaiting him. It was 2004, and he had decided that he had done everything he could do in the jewelry business. “I had sold to every big department store in the world; I had designed for the biggest brands; I had been everywhere in the world.”

He began talking to a businessman in attendance and the two hit it off and became friends. The initial project that Leone took on for the man — who would become not only a friend, but a client — was to find him a yacht. After searching, he purchased a 160-foot yacht for the businessman, a private person whose identity Leone keeps anonymous.

“We tried to charter it for a little while when we bought it. It was a good boat for entertaining corporate clients.” But Leone, who was used to yachts that were made for cruising San Tropez, Cannes, and the French coast, thought the boat was too enclosed. “There was no open deck.”

So rather than sell the yacht and purchase one with more outdoor space, Leone decided the yacht should be extended 25 feet. “When I told the people in the yacht industry my plans for the yacht, they started laughing and told me I was crazy. They said it was impossible.”

It took 18 months and $20 million to rebuild the boat. Leone redesigned the boat by cutting off the back of the vessel to add a larger deck space that is basically a beach club aboard the yacht. The sundeck also doubles as a helicopter pad, and Leone designed the yacht’s interiors, too, and added all new state-of-the-art technology, including audio and visual systems to accommodate an outdoor movie theater.

“This way, you can watch movies under the stars.” My Seanna — named for the owner’s daughter — was a finalist at the coveted 2015 World Superyacht Awards in Amsterdam.

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The yacht was the beginning and asserted what Leone already knew.

He could take his creative skills, merge them with his business sense and eye for detail, and create “jewels” in different ways.

The yacht’s owner had wanted to do something with a 13,000-squarefoot home he had on the ocean. “He said, ‘I want to build something there that is different,’ so I immediately began working on a design,” Leone recalls.

His European roots had Leone imagining something that would be built in the United States that hadn’t been seen before. “This would be like a castle you would find in Europe.” It would be an American version of Versailles “like nothing anywhere in the United States.” For two years, he worked on the design and engineering.

During that time, the house next door went up for sale. “The land was fantastic. I advised him to buy the house next door because the land would be a plus for the new masterpiece we were building.”

The original 2.8 acres on Hillsboro Mile became almost 5 acres of prime property. “We tore both houses down and began building Le Palais Royal.” He says that he worked on every step of the project as if he was creating a piece of jewelry. “Everything was thinking first, then analyzing second, then we would build.” The actual construction began in 2009, and Leone expects the palace on the sea to be finished by July 2016.

Coastal Construction Group worked with Leone on the project. Sean Murphy, co-president of Coastal, says Le Palais Royal has evolved into one of the most complex and extraordinary homes Coastal has ever built.

“Joseph Leone’s vision to create such a unique property with fountains, pools, stone, mosaics, and ornate details throughout are so extraordinary and complicated that it really pushes the envelope for luxury residential construction. He has challenged everyone involved to create this masterpiece.”

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L a svit B r i d g i n g t h e Pa s t a n d t h e F u t u r e of G l a s s A rt

M

a journey through time, presenting unique and contemporary projects, enhanced by the experience and skills of master glassmakers.

erging light, art, creativity and pure inspiration, Lasvit, the Czech manufacturer of unique works of glass, is

world-renowned for successfully blending tradition and craft with modern vision and technology. Lasvit’s large-scale installations and kinetic glass sculptures can be found in luxury hotels,

Past met future in this setting, where established names such as André Fu, Moritz Waldemeyer and Maurizio Galante, alongside Czech legends and young designers, interpreted the Neo-classical taste of chandeliers with a contemporary twist by combining Czech

public buildings and private residences across the world. Their design lighting collections – venerated among architects and designers – are sold worldwide in Lasvit's ateliers, as well as in some of the most famous design stores and galleries.

glassmakers’ artisanal know-how and craftsmanship.

Major designers, including Daniel Libeskind, the Campana Brothers and Arik Levy, continued their collaboration with Lasvit, focusing on the theme art de la table with extraordinary glass objects and tableware.

On the occasion of the Milan Design Week, Lasvit presented a showstopping exhibition of new lighting and homeware collections, created

Last but not least, Lasvit also premiered a dynamic lighting sculpture named Intergalactic, created by its in-house designers.

in collaboration with world-renowned designers, as well as young talents.

A Journey of Light

“Recognising the value of our Bohemian heritage and bringing that into the 21st century by transforming glass into breathtaking

The presentation was held in the elegant historic spaces of Palazzo Serbelloni, where Lasvit restored original crystal chandeliers. With this expert restoration project on one end and cutting-edge dynamic glass

experiences is the essence of Lasvit. We have reinvented the tradition of Czech crystal into unique objects of desire,” is how President and Founder Leon Jakimic describes his brand.

sculpture on the other, the show titled Via Lucis took the visitors on

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Building on Rich Heritage

Looking Into the Future

Glass Art for the Table

Praha by Stanislav Libensky

Intergalactic Dynamic Sculpture by Petra Krausova and Libor Sostak

Candy Collection by Campana Brothers

Representing Stanislav Libensky, the most celebrated Czech artist who, with his wife Jaroslava Brychtova, transformed glass into a serious art form in architecture and sculpture, Lasvit are the proud custodians of the original Praha lighting sculpture, designed and manufactured in 1980 to adorn the grand entrance of the Praha Hotel. Today the installation is the only remaining Libensky artefact of the now-dismantled hotel.

Lasvit’s in-house designers Libor and Petra joined forces to create Intergalactic, a dynamically-lit sculpture presenting a journey into the cosmos. Some 14 million years ago an asteroid explosion sent molten rocks into the air, forming green “cosmic glass” known today as moldavite stones and found almost exclusively in the Czech Republic.

Designed with the future in mind, the piece has remained timeless due to its adaptability in application. The unique design that Lasvit included into their collections combines glass elements of varying

This dynamic lighting sculpture made of bright green uranium glass is programmed to pulse, depicting an asteroid entering the atmosphere. This extraordinary creation sits on a black metal base,

thickness, heights and shapes to capture both natural and its own light, and create diverse effects ranging from that of a fireball to softer forms resembling a kaleidoscope.

its core covered with more than 1,500 hand-blown glass elements lit with LED lights. Engineered to perfection Intergalactic blends history, craftsmanship and the latest in innovations to pay homage to moldavites.

Extending their successful collaboration with Campana Brothers, Lasvit unveiled the Candy tableware collection which complements the existing lighting sculptures. Inspired by popular candies found in Brazilian markets, the works combine playful colours and patterns of South America with the Bohemian tradition of craftsmanship.

Frozen by Maxim Velcovsky The Frozen collection created by Lasvit Art Director Maxim Velcovsky was inspired by the transformation of water into ice.

This moment is similar to work in a glassmaker’s shop. Velcovsky allows the glass to spill over a metal form and seeks advantage in its natural properties.

The magical world of Lasvit continues to deliver some of the most stunning and memorable creations that combine the finest Czech glass and craftsmanship techniques with innovative designs and

Empress by Jakub Berdych Inspired by the most traditional and iconic of chandeliers, popular during the reign of Empress Marie Theresa, Jakub Berdych revives the icon with latest techniques in glass manufacturing.

Berdych worked with the team at Lasvit to produce individual trimmings stopped prior to the typical cutting and polishing. This

technology to continually raise the bar and set the trends in glass art installations and collections. For Lasvit, the future is always an open field of opportunities.

effect captures the sense of glass being exposed to heat and pressure, sustaining a sense of motion. It’s further enhanced by using the technique of metal-coating of glass that adds depth, sheen and iridescence, as well as contemporary feel.

For more information, contact: LASVIT Middle East +971 4453 8689 (tel) me@lasvit.com www.lasvit.com 203 S I M P LY A B U D H A B I

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Lasvit for Palazzo Serbelloni

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Candy Collection by Campana Brothers

Frozen Bowl by Maxim Velcovsky

Candy Collection by Campana Brothers

Empress Chandelier by Jakub Berdych

Praha by Stanislav Libensky

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S I M P L Y S P O RT

Simply Polo B

ritish Polo Day, presented by RJI Capital, returned to its

Richardson and Jamie Morrison playing excellently together, setting

birthplace in the UAE this March for the first of its 2016

teammate Stuart Wrigley up to score two of their three goals.

events. Both Abu Dhabi and Dubai played host to some 400

Abdullah Ben Desmail collected the bespoke-commissioned British

guests and VIPs to celebrate the best of UAE and British traditions.

Silverware British Polo Day Plate presented by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Nahyan bin Muburak Al Nahyan and Ron Wahid

On Saturday 19 March, British Polo Day Abu Dhabi took place at

from RJI Capital.

Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club, the private royal polo ground of HH Sheikh Falah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan. The glamorous black-tie evening

Following the official prize-giving ceremony, guests sat down to a

kicked off with two rather unusual takes on the traditional game of

delicious three-course dinner, prepared by InterContinental Abu

polo – with the Bentley Cavalry team beating the Etihad British Army

Dhabi, followed by a live charity auction raising a total of $46,000 for

Guards 4-1 in a game of camel polo for the Thesiger Trophy. The

Women And Health Alliance International (WAHA) launched by Her

Hackett Rest of World Team won decisively 4-1 against the

Highness Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan Al-Nahyan and Ending

Intercontinental UAE team in a light-hearted game of Brompton

Domestic Violence, a UK based charity under the patronage of

bicycle polo, a sport played in the Olympics over 100 years ago.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal, dedicated to finding effective ways to

The highlight exhibition polo match of the evening – the British Polo

end domestic violence worldwide. Guests bid fiercely for lots

Day Plate –saw the home Ghantoot Polo Team play the visiting Royal

including a stay on ultra-exclusive Velaa Private Island, a safari of a

Salute British Exiles. Abdullah Ben Desmail led the Ghantoot Polo

lifetime to Kenya with the Safari Collection, a special cigar dinner at

Team to victory, assisted by teammates Felipe Llorente and Lucas

Franco’s in London and a luxurious retreat to Royal Mansour

Diaz, winning 6-3. The British Exiles put up a strong fight, with Jack

Marrakech.

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HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Nahyan bin Mubarak al Nahyan greets his young cousins

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HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Nahyan bin Mubarak al Nahyan, Richard Draycott and HE Philip Parham

Tom Hudson with HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Nahyan bin Mubarak al Nahyan

BRITISH POLO DAY

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ABU DHABI & DUBAI

he weekend after British Polo Day Abu Dhabi, on Friday 25 March – the eve of the world-famous Dubai World Cup – British Polo Day Dubai brought a touch of quintessential British equine heritage to the Emirate in partnership

proven commitment to philanthropy, the BPD-RJI partnership demonstrates our shared values. It allows us to bring together key decision-makers and influencers in a unique environment where business meets pleasure through polo. We have been able to become

with Mohammed Al Habtoor, the Vice-Chairman and CEO of the Al Habtoor Group at the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club.

much more than just a polo event.

Can you give us an example?

Once again, the event kicked off with Cavalry & Guards Camel Polo.

Swapping camels for pedals, Hackett Rest of World beat Taylor Morris UAE 3-0 in Brompton bicycle polo.

In the RJI Capital Oxbridge vs Shangri-La Dubai Gulf Polo match, there was outstanding play by ten-year-old Lucasito Monteverde, playing alongside his father, and twelve-year-old Saif Al Ghurair, with the Oxbridge team narrowly winning 3-2. Max Kirchhoff of the winning team proudly completed a triple-crown playing in all camel, bike and equine polo events. Jack Richardson collected the bespoke-commissioned British Silverware RJI Capital Plate presented by James Houghton and Gerhard Hecker for the RJI Capital Oxbridge Polo Team.

In the main fixture, the Royal Salute British Exiles vs Bentley Habtoor Polo match, the Habtoor team came out victorious 6-2 with Marcos Panelo and Guillermo Cutino scoring all goals and brothers Ahmed Al Habtoor and Habtoor Al Habtoor providing some strong support. Giselle Houghton and Mr Ghazi Al Madani from the Dubai Sports Council presented the British Polo Day Cup to Habtoor Al Habtoor for the Bentley Habtoor Polo Team.

The sprightly Poderoso, ridden by Guillermo Cutino, was named Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Best Playing Pony by Marc de Panafieu, the talented Saif Al Ghurair picked up the Holland & Holland Shot of the Day presented by Steven Lamprell, and lucky guest Tracie Williams won the Harrods Luck of the Draw presented by none other than the Harrods Green Man.

Tom Hudson, British Polo Day’s Co-Founder, and UAE resident, gives Simply Abu Dhabi an exclusive interview: What is new for British Polo Day in 2016?

There are two very exciting developments: RJI Capital has become British Polo Day’s title partner, and Bentley has become a new partner.

Tom Hudson and Ed Olver welcome HE Sheikha Lubna al Qasimi

It was a real privilege to welcome back to British Polo Day Abu Dhabi H.E. Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, who is the new UAE Minister of State for Tolerance, and introduce her to Baroness Scotland of Asthal, who is the new Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations. They are two of the most powerful women on Earth, and it was interesting talking to them about their new roles and the part that sport and business have to play in the Middle East and Commonwealth. We were pleased that British Polo Day Abu Dhabi provided the platform and forum for these sorts of exchanges.

How did the partnership with Bentley come about?

The launch of the new Bentayga, combining unparalleled luxury with sporting ability and off-road performance, was perfect for a British Polo Day partnership. The launch provided the catalyst for conversations with Robin Peel, the Head of Bentley International Marketing and Communications who immediately saw the synergies between the brands. Our partner in Dubai, Mohammed Al Habtoor, is also Bentley’s local partner and a great friend of British Polo Day so it could not have worked better – great teamwork!

What other brands do you work with?

We celebrate the best of British and the top brands and companies in our host countries. Along with RJI Capital and Bentley, we work very closely with Harrods – the Green Man was flown out by Etihad and is a familiar sight for many. Other international brands are the likes of Jaeger-LeCoultre whose history is intertwined with polo, as the iconic Reverso was specifically made for polo players so that they could flip the face to protect it from flying balls. In addition, with Royal Salute, Hackett London, Justerini & Brooks, Charles Russell Speechlys, British Silverware, Global Partnership Family Offices, Holland & Holland, True Luxury Travel, Charles McDowell Properties, InterContinental Abu Dhabi, Etihad, Brompton, Clinova, Taylor Morris Eyewear, Billionaire.com, D.R Harris & Co, Floris and Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts – we couldn’t ask for better partners who all bring something special to the British Polo Day experience.

What do you look for in a title partner?

It is not just about the brand partnerships, is it?

Philanthropy is hugely important for us. At our 50th British Polo Day, taking place in Great Britain in June, we will hopefully break through our target of US$2 million raised for good causes. In each country we raise money for two charities, an international charity and a local charity, both of which mean something to our patrons and partners.

Do people fly out for British Polo Days?

Yes, absolutely – often it might be someone’s first visit to the host country, and we try and give them the best possible experience. In the UAE, we combine the events themselves with, for example, desert safaris and the Dubai World Cup. Our events in India are truly spectacular, with HH Maharaja of Jaipur and HH Maharaja of Jodhpur both generously hosting us and showing us everything that Royal Rajasthan has to offer.

Which other British Polo Days are you excited about this year?

There are two that I am looking forward to in particular. One is returning to St. Tropez where we originally held an event in 2012, but the club has since been totally renovated so it should be a completely different experience. The second is the award winning Nihiwatu on Sumba Island. Nestled in the jungle on a remote Indonesian island, British Polo Day brought polo there for the first ever time last year, and I am excited about taking my family there this year, especially as Emirates now flies to Bali direct!

Finally, not forgetting the actual polo, what do you see as the future for polo in the UAE? I see two very exciting developments. The first is the development of the new St. Regis Dubai, Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club. This will redefine polo-living, with a 136-key St Regis Hotel as well as more than 150 villas. There will also be a state-of-the-art polo academy with four polo fields and a riding school with 500 stables.

This development, costing AED1 billion, I believe will change the face of polo in the UAE. In addition, there is an exciting development with the next generation of players. Before British Polo Day Dubai, HH Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, herself a great polo player, asked if two of the best polo playing youngsters in the UAE might play, the ten-year-old Lucasito Monteverde and the twelve-year-old Saif Al Ghurair, and I said of course as they are the future. Likewise we have arranged for the younger generation of the Al Maktoum and Al Nahyan family to have polo lessons, and I see, as often in the region, where they lead, others will follow. The UAE has already catapulted itself into the top four polo destinations in the world, so it will be interesting to see what the next few years bring!

With Ron Wahid of RJI Capital and his amazing team, we have had a meeting of minds. RJI Capital recognised that with a global platform for like-minded individuals with a passion for polo and a 208 S I M P LY A B U D H A B I

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HE Sheikha Lubna al Qasimi and Tom Hudson

Tom Hudson, Baroness Scotland, HH Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak al Nahyan, Ron Wahid and HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Nahyan bin Mubarak al Nahyan

Tom Hudson and HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Nahyan bin Mubarak al Nahyan

HE Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi

Tom Hudson, the British Exiles Team and the Al Nahyan team of tomorrow

HH Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak al Nahyan and Ron Wahid

Dr Khawla Al Saaedi, Baroness Scotland, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Nahyan bin Mubarak al Nahyan, Ron Wahid, HE Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, HE Philip Parham, HE Saeed Bin Houfan Al Mansouri and the winning Ghantoot Polo Team

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Jamie Morrison rides of Habtoor al Habtoor

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Michael Shelton- Agar and Michael Oliver from the Global Partnership of Family Offices

Marc and Alexandra De Panafieu,Jaeger - LeCoultre

Ed Olver, Millie Mackintosh, Jessica Hudson and Tom Hudson

Fitri Hay and the Harrods Green Man

HH Sheikh Khalifa al Maktoum with Tom Hudson and friends

Nicholas Dellaportas, Charlie Morris, Hugo Taylor, Charlie North, Ben Vestey, John Haigh, Mark Chattaway, Alex Wilson, Max Kirchoff

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The victorious Bentley Habtoor Polo Team

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S I M PLY T I M E

By Nick Rice

Time is perhaps the most precious luxury of all.

B

ut just what is it? Time is a continuing sequence of events occurring in apparently irreversible succession – from the past through the present to the future. It is a measure of the durations and frequencies of events and the intervals between them.

It is fundamental to being human. So it is no surprise that time has long been a major subject of study in religion, philosophy, and science – but defining it in a manner applicable to all fields, without circularity, has consistently eluded scholars.

Diverse fields such as business, industry, sports, the sciences, music, dance, and theatre nevertheless all incorporate some notion of time into their respective measuring systems. Perhaps we can do no better than simple definitions of time, such as ‘time is what clocks measure’; and ‘time is what keeps everything from happening at once’.

Horology (from the Greek: ωρα, ‘hour, time’ and λόγος, logos, ‘study, speech’), literally means the study of time. Fortunately, keeping track of time is simpler than defining and studying it, and a wide variety of devices have been invented to do just that, among them: clocks, watches, clockwork, sundials, clepsydras, timers, time recorders and marine chronometers.

Nick Rice takes a look at the world’s finest time keepers and share their stunning visual beauty with you.

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Harry Winston – Histoire de Tourbillon 7

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n the world of haute horlogerie, each year there are a handful of timepieces that are truly exceptional. These new watches surprise, beguile, and ultimately

push the boundaries of what is possible in the realm of high complications.

These rare examples demonstrate the ceaseless drive for innovation and invention in fine watchmaking. Harry Winston is a brand that is synonymous with breaking barriers and inventing the unimaginable – and this year they stay true to form with the unveiling of the remarkable Histoire de Tourbillon 7.

As the title of the watch gives away, it features the most revered of complications – the tourbillon. Also acknowledged in the title, this is the seventh consecutive year that Harry Winston has launched a jaw-dropping high complication timepiece in the Histoire de Tourbillon Collection. Previous iterations in this family have showcased tourbillon variations such as biaxial, triaxial, double and paired with a carrousel – but now we are treated to the hypnotic ballet of two biaxial tourbillons.

Harry Winston has set out to make an astonishingly technical timepiece and wholeheartedly succeeded. The left side of the dial displays the harmonious movement of the two biaxial tourbillons. The first tourbillon cage moves into a second cage and both turn on a different axis. The two biaxial tourbillons move the escapements of the Histoire de Tourbillon 7. The right side of the dial features a pyramid-cut reading area housing the hour and minute hands. This is surrounded by inserts that form a tilted three-dimensional hour circle. Extended by a long strip in either red aluminium or anthracite, depending on the version, and perforated for a better view of the two biaxial tourbillons, it overlooks a power reserve indicator in roll form that is flush with a domed sapphire crystal.

The brand explains the extreme technicality of the functioning saying, “The tourbillon’s first cage completes its rotation in 45 seconds and houses a balance wheel that is tilted 30 degrees. The tourbillon and the balance wheel remain housed in the second cage, which has a different trajectory, as it lasts 75 seconds.

The two cages nested one inside the other assume an infinite variety of positions relative to gravity – the nemesis of timekeeping. The two tourbillons, though identical in structure, frequency and speed, have their own behaviour, due to their different positions in space. To reconcile the operation of these two rotating timeregulating bodies, the Histoire de Tourbillon 7 uses a spherical differential that optimises performance by connecting the two tourbillons – which have subtly different operations – and creating an average. The Histoire de Tourbillon 7 leverages the accuracy of two exceptional tourbillons and extracts the best performance.”

This watch is mind-bogglingly technically complex, involving an infinite sum of scientific calculations, but what is much more easy to grasp and instantly appreciate is its beguiling asymmetrical beauty.

This technical masterpiece is housed in a 50mm case of white gold with a polished bezel, and the crown is guarded by the instantly recognisable Harry Winston logo – three arches representing the entrance to the House’s legendary Fifth Avenue flagship salon in New York.

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Blancpain Villeret Quantième Annuel GMT Steel GMT

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he world’s oldest watchmaking brand had another successful Baselworld fair this year, thanks to the usual unveiling of impeccable novelties across various

The beauty of the Villeret Quantième Annual GMT Steel is how simply the functions are captured. There is a lot of information displayed on what, on first inspection, seems

collections. Looking down the centuries, Jehan-Jacques Blancpain, who founded this illustrious watchmaking company in 1735, making his watches in attic rooms above his house, would surely be filled with pride by the ongoing cachet of the brand.

like a very uncluttered and simple dial. The date indication provides off-kilter balance and the GMT second time-zone display is discreetly effective. The watch is powered by the self-winding 6054F calibre, a movement that the wearer need only adjust for date once per year, between February and March. For the rest of the year, the watch automatically moves from the 30th or the 31st to the first day of the following month. A

To this day, Blancpain retains its ineffable air of prestige through its dedication to quality over quantity. The company create fewer than thirty watches per day and each piece is constructed by a single watchmaker, all under the solid leadership of Chairman and CEO Marc A. Hayek.

small 24-hour counter appearing at 8 o’clock on the dial serves as the reference time.

The GMT display local time is provided by the central hours hand to which the date is linked.

The final ingenious touch here is seen with Blancpain’s exclusive patented under-lug

In Hayek’s own words, “Perpetuating the watchmaking tradition implies thorough knowledge of our origins and strengthening our roots, as well as innovation. Because innovation is another watchmaking tradition, as demonstrated by the countless

correctors. You don’t actually need to use the pushers very often, so it’s a simple yet savvy stroke of innovation to locate the correctors under the lugs, meaning they can be operated by hand without a correcting tool such as a stylus. Concealing the pushers also allows

complications invented over the years by men and women driven by creative curiosity.”

for a wonderfully sleek case profile. The pusher at 1 o’clock enables simple manual adjustment of the day of the week, while the other at 5 o’clock adjusts the month. Fast GMT and date corrections, along with time-setting, are all executed with the crown.

The new Villeret Quantième Annual GMT Steel is the first time Blancpain have offered this model in stainless steel, and the effect is crisp and clean. Married with a 22mm black alligator strap and a pure white dial, it’s a classic colour combination. A dash of bright colour is added on the reverse of the watch via the shining yellow gold of the decorated

This is a very welcome addition to an already fine collection.

rotor that is visible through the sapphire case back.

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Breguet Classique Phase de Lune Dame C

reated for Baselworld 2016 by Breguet, the Classique Phase de Lune Dame is a masterclass

in refined elegance and discreet understatement.

The design codes are unmistakably Breguet, with classic hallmarks such as the Breguet numerals which are named after the founder of the House who designed them in 1783, and the famous Breguet blued-steel hours and minutes hands, which are brought into the 21st century with a subtle design change to strike the perfect balance with the white grand feu enamel dial. On careful inspection the wearer can notice that the minutes track is comprised of tiny stars, together with stylised fleurs-de-lys for the fiveminute fractions – again, a respectful nod to the Breguet watchmaking tradition.

For over 240 years Breguet has designed and produced the most superlative watches; the brand invented the tourbillon and the gong spring, and with the recent collections for ladies, the expertise is on glorious display. There will a total of eight new models in the Classique collection, and the Classique Phase de Lune Dame is available in a gem set version with bezel and lugs set with 66 brilliant-cut diamonds, a rose gold version, a model featuring natural mother of pearl that has been engine turned by hand, and this white gold non gem-set version.

As well as being visually stunning, there is an equally dazzling mechanical movement beneath the beauty – the Breguet 537L calibre, elaborately decorated according to the most exacting standards of haute horlogerie, featuring barley grain engine-turning on the gold oscillating weight and Côtes de Genève decoration on the bridges. This wearer can admire these achievements through the sapphire caseback. Breguet has a rich heritage spanning years of illustrious history, but the House is not averse to the innovations of the present day. In this model as well as on selected lines, Breguet uses modern silicon technology.

In this instance, the Calibre 537L has a lever escapement in silicon and a silicon spiral.

The Manufacture Breguet, under the leadership of its President and CEO Marc A. Hayek, is maintaining a very high bar for such exquisite timepieces, but we wouldn’t

expect anything less. The latest watches are now available in Geneva after the Breguet boutique re-opened in April following extensive renovations. Designed around an entirely new concept, the Geneva store showcases a refined and high-tech interior inspired by the brand’s distinctive attributes.

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OMEGA Seamaster Planet Ocean Collection

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while Liquidmetal is used for the markings. The 43.5mm stainless steel case has a black ceramic dial and attaches to a patterned rubber strap. This dynamic timepiece is powered by the OMEGA Master Chronometer 8900.

his year marks the 25th anniversary of the co-axial escapement’s patent. It is the invention of George Daniels, universally recognised as one of the most important watchmakers of the last century. Daniels developed the co-axial escapement for OMEGA and was not shy about declaring its seminal significance. “Every maker who continues with other escapements will ultimately be trampled by the co-axial for the very simple reason that it’s better,” Daniels said unequivocally.

The bold new Master Chronograph watch is more substantial in size measuring in at 45.5mm.

Introducing 18-carat Sedna gold to the Planet Ocean collection for the first time, the case for this striking watch is made from an appealing combination of stainless steel and 18-carat Sedna gold, with a blue ceramic dial and bezel. OMEGA Ceragold has been used for the bezel’s attractive diving scale and the watch is powered by the new OMEGA Master Chronometer Chronograph calibre.

The co-axial also has fewer parts than the more traditional lever escapement, which allows for greater mechanical efficiency and more stable precision over a longer time period. Daniels was a genius and Omega believed in him while others were unsure. “[OMEGA was] brave enough to take on this revolutionary technology in the face of a lot of criticism and scepticism from the rest of the industry,” Daniels said. “At the time there was no praise for Omega and there was certainly none for me.”

In another premiere we get the latest GMT model, which introduces OMEGA’s first bi-ceramic bezel with its cool black and white effect and the ring and markings indicating night and day.

The 43.5mm stainless steel case features a black ceramic dial and at the heart of the watch is the new Master Chronometer GMT 8906 movement.

Launched at Baselworld 2016, the Planet Ocean Master Chronometer Collection continues a long heritage of superlative watches with co-axial movements. All certified by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS), the collection reveals new sizes and movements, exciting new bezels, and innovative materials such as 18-carat Sedna gold, Liquidmetal, rubber and ceramic.

The latter is used in the rubber and ceramic bezel watch and represents a brand new diving bezel.

An eye-catching and on-trend shade of orange rubber covers the first 15 minutes of the bezel,

Each of the new watches are Master Chronometers representing the highest standard of precision and performance and a quality standard that OMEGA plan to achieve for every watch they produce in the near future.

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Glashütte Original E-Senator Excellence W

hen any luxury watchmaker announces a brand new calibre, it is cause for curiosity. When that watchmaker has the formidable reputation and ever-reliable

and a corresponding railroad minute ring, with a barely noticeable twist of having the VI inverted. This model is offered in stainless steel inspired by historic pocket watches, while the

expertise of Glashütte Original, you know it’s going to be something remarkable.

Launched to coincide with Baselworld 2016, the new movement line is instantly impressive.

red gold option presents its numerals printed in luminous red. Both timepieces boast superb legibility thanks to the slim poire hands, including a filigreed seconds hand.

The unveiling of the Calibre 36 in Basel was met with widespread enthusiasm and the German giants from that renowned watchmaking nucleus in Saxony do not disappoint. To mark the

The third version has a black dial and Arabic numerals, and at first glance it seems like it’s from a different collection, having the air of a pilot’s watch. This version takes its design cues from

launch of the 36, Glashütte Original also unveiled a new collection powered by the movement – the Senator Excellence.

the famous observation watches that are representative of the art of watchmaking in Glashütte.

Not only is the difference seen in the numerals and the dial colour, but there is also liberal use of Super-LumiNova for clear display in dim light conditions. The slender white gold hands,

The Senator Excellence comes in two strikingly different versions, featuring elegantly slender Roman numerals on a light, silver-grained lacquer dial with laser-cut, galvanised black indexes

the arrow-tip of the seconds hand, and the hour indexes all have a luminous coating and contrast effectively with the white railroad minute ring and five-minute markers on the dial.

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As they created the new core movement, the German watchmaker's designers were guided, the brand explains, by four principles: “Extreme stability – in rate as well as overall construction;

train delivers the power alongside a heavy bi-directional oscillating weight that is 60 percent more efficient than its predecessor, the calibre 39, and it takes only 600 more turns to fully

maximum precision; extended running time; and an aesthetic of timeless beauty. Accordingly, a calibre has emerged that represents the quintessence of the manufactory's broad range of craft skills and is destined to serve as a solid foundation for future challenges and flights of the

recharge a power reserve that runs for a massive 58 hours extra.

watchmaker's art.”

quarter plate distinctive by its bevelled edges and German striping. The skeletonised 21-carat gold oscillation weight and blued screws add a final touch of refinement to this fantastic new movement. The Senator Excellence is mounted on a Louisiana alligator leather strap with

The sapphire caseback reveals this new calibre in all its splendour, with the Glashütte three-

The calibre 36 has an extraordinary 100 hours of power reserve, which was achieved by increasing the size of the spring barrel and reducing the size of the arbor, thereby gaining extra room for the mainspring to be coiled. The expansion of the mainspring to a sizeable 68cm, developed in collaboration with Nivarox, allows for the impressive power reserve. The gear

buckle for the versions with Roman numerals in red gold or stainless steel, while the Arabic numeral version comes with a black calfskin leather strap.

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keleton watches have soared in popularity in recent years, the sheer aesthetic impact and demanding meticulous craftsmanship being widely appreciated and sought-after. The art

The pioneering mechanism of the 7 Days Power Reserve is another achievement for Franck Muller and for connoisseurs it looks set to be a brand classic. The new calibre 1740 is a manually

of skeletonisation has existed for centuries, but in so far as trends are cyclical, we are in a skeleton moment.

wound mechanical movement featuring two barrels and a high performance Franck Muller escapement, together with an in-house manufactured Breguet hairspring and balance screw.

The art of skeletonisation, also referred to as open-working, effectively shaves away the watch dial and leaves the bare bones of the movement on display. This final lattice-like structure is then embellished with a range of decorative métiers d'Art including several polishing techniques and guilloché – a royal craft formerly known as ornamental turnery originating in the 16th century.

What remains is a silent symphony of cogs, wheels, bridges, pinions, plates and springs as the

Describing the new line, the brand says, “Embracing a new skeleton avatar, this collection is the quintessential rendering of the art of timekeeping. The uniqueness of this skeletonised collection is the calibre 1740 that features a generous seven days power reserve. Powered by two barrels, this mechanical movement is precisely designed, manufactured and decorated in-house. The bridges are hand-chamfered, an essential element of decoration in Haute Horlogerie.”

movement enacts its hypnotic dance.

This fundamental process of removal is absent with a skeleton watch, such as the Franck Muller

The master watchmakers at Franck Muller have succeeded, through months of dedication and commitment, in adapting the calibre 1700 into a skeleton form that unveils the intensely technical

7 Days Power Reserve Skeleton, as these skeleton watches are developed with open aesthetics in mind from the design stage onwards. Skeleton and skeletonised watches are often described as minimalist, derived from the notion of stripping away surplus material. Yet it would be remiss

mechanism. This 1740 is a winning achievement of signature aesthetics and redoubtable precision. This proprietary beauty is available in an 18-carat gold or stainless steel version with the option of round or cintrée curvex casing.

to think of them as minimalistic, such is the complexity of the movement and the craftsmanship that goes into masterfully decorating the final creation.

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Graff – Gyr oGraff World

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here is something undeniably appealing about

companies that are still family-owned and operated. In a connected world, with the local and the global ever more blurred, and superbrands projected into our lives on many levels, the family run business evokes something wholesome. And yet that doesn’t mean that operations, or indeed turnover, need be modest. Graff is a prime example of a family business that has a vast global network and a brand recognition synonymous with the utmost luxury, particularly when it comes to jewellery and fine watches.

The company was founded by Laurence Graff in 1960 and is currently managed by Laurence’s son, Francois Graff, as the CEO, with two more family members responsible for design, merchandising and production.

This family team have built an empire comprising more than 50 stores worldwide, with offices in London, New York, the Far East, Geneva and Paris – all from its initial British foundation. Over the last 55 years Graff has been involved with the world’s most astonishing jewels. The company began making luxury watches just eight years ago, yet in that relatively short period they have upheld the fundamental dedication to flawless quality and attention-grabbing artistry.

The MasterGraff collection is a case in point, and the latest addition to the line is the GyroGraff World. It is a striking timepiece which features a double-axis tourbillon at 5 o’clock, a stunning three-dimensional moon phase indicator at 8 o’clock and a 72-hour power reserve, which is indicated at 11 o’clock.

Our Earth is celebrated in this superlative watch, of which only five pieces will be made. The dial on each of the five watches is an intricate work of art that depicts alternate views of the continents from the perspective of space.

The wonderfully evocative and detailed finish is achieved by an incredibly painstaking and fastidious process. Each dial is created from white gold, and a laser is deployed to sculpt out each continent in relation to the surrounding oceans. The timepiece is then hand-engraved using an ancient technique rarely used in the watch industry.

In the next process a Graff master craftsman spends hundreds of hours with a chisel and chaser hammer, alongside honed hand-eye coordinated skill and precision, to create the intricate distinctions of each continent. Once the land mass has been sculpted the colour is applied with enamel, a blend of metal oxides and dyes ground into a powder which is then handpainted on to the surface of the dial with a fine brush, each thin layer creating a profound depth and colour intensity. The exacting process also involves firing each layer at temperatures between 800 and 900oC, known as great fire or grand feu; this important step results in

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the vivid contrast between the sea and the land. With watches as spectacular as this, it’s a wonder Graff didn’t start making them sooner.

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Hermès

Arceau Pocket La promenade de Platon

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dored by consumers and revered in the global business landscape, the Hermès brand is a commercial and aspirational force. The French luxury Maison Hermès boasts an array of métiers that includes the founding line of leather goods and saddlery, through to silk, textiles, ready-towear accessories and perfumes. La Montre Hermès – the

watchmaking division of the company – is responsible for some truly impeccable timepieces. The level of artistry in the creation of every aspect of a Hermès watch – from the proprietary strap to the extraordinary decorative art forms that are preserved – is almost peerless.

This year the brand launch 12 extraordinary new watches. The respected craftsman Olivier Vaucher has mastered a little-used decorative technique with historical roots to create this striking range of watches for Hermès. In line with the brand’s theme

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for 2016, “Nature at full gallop”, Hermès present three pocket watches showcasing three decorative crafts – that of enamel miniature painting, grand feu enamelling and engraving. This inspired ensemble unites enamel, interwoven microsculpture and engraving in images that capture Platon in the gardens of Academus.

The asymmetrical Arceau case is one of the Hermès watchmaking signatures. Inspired by a stirrup, its upper attachment evokes the shape of a horseshoe. Measuring 48mm in diameter, it is crafted in white gold by the Hermès workshops along with the alligator cord strap, created in accordance with the historical expertise of the Maison. Its transparent caseback reveals the beating heart of the watch.

Each one-of-a-kind Arceau Pocket Promenade de Platon watch is driven by a Hermès H1837 movement. This mechanical self-winding calibre powers the hours and minutes and its mainplate is adorned with snailed circulargraining, while the classic ‘sprinkling of Hs’ motif graces the oscillating weight and the balance bridge.

Sophisticated, stylish and deftly executed to the highest artistic standards, these three pocket watches are a highly desirable celebration of the traditional timepiece, allied with the preservation and expert demonstration of stunning artistic crafts.

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reated in a 12-piece limited edition, the Arceau Tigre is a wonderfully decorative watch that will appeal to a specific customer. Framed by the asymmetrical

Arceau case is an arrestingly evocative image of a tiger. The image was taken from an illustration by artist Robert Dallet, who worked at Hermès during the late 1980s and whose animal artworks subsequently appeared on Hermès scarves. They were selected precisely because they cut against Hermès’ more traditional love of geometric patterns and equestrian leanings, and were so successful that in 1996 Hermès head man Jean-Louis Dumas bought 80 of Dallet’s works to build up a store of images which subsequently appeared on wallpaper, clothing and now, at last, on a watch.

The technique revived by craftsman Olivier Vaucher is called email ombrant and has no connection to electronic messages of course. It actually means shaded enamel, and the technique serves to create pictures that are revealed only when light passes through them.

“The technique calls for an entirely different approach from that of traditional relief engraving,” says Vaucher. “And it requires a perfect interaction between the engraver and the enameller in order to master the complex nuances surrounding each work. Together they have to analyse the initial design, its degree of transparency and the personality of the piece so as to determine the halos and zones of light and shade. Each of the craftsmen needs to know each other’s way of working so that they achieve an artwork which is adequate to the expectations. You need a lot of back and forth to get ahead.”

The initial drawing by Dallet was extremely detailed, going so far as to capture individual hairs on the tiger’s coat, and Vaucher has succeeded in reproducing an ultra detailed depiction. The resulting watch is a true work of art and is powered by the in-house mechanical self-winding H1837 movement. This wild portrait is housed in a slim, 3.7mm deep, 41mm wide automatic case of white gold, with a 50-hour power reserve.

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Richard Mille RM 037 Ladies

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he Richard Mille RM 037 is a fully feminine interpretation of the original unisex RM 037. The new iteration is unmistakably for ladies alone; the strong sense of femininity is clear, but it is not the delicate kind. This is bold, sturdy and dynamic femininity expressed in this solid, ultra technical timepiece. It is particularly resistant to knocks and scratches and the watch undergoes a long production process which results in a final matt surface finish.

As is to be expected from this superlative watchmaker, any product from Richard Mille – be it a timepiece or a pen – is an example of extreme technique and the most advanced achievements that present technology and materials will allow. Accordingly, the movement powering the RM 037 Ladies embodies many complex systems. The proprietary CRMA1 is a skeletonised automatic movement with hours, minutes, adjustable rotor geometry, oversize date and function selector.

Adjustable rotors are not commonplace and it may beg the question of why a wearer may want to alter the winding of the watch. The brand explains, “This rotor with variable inertia has been incorporated into the calibre CRMA1 as it allows the rotor to be set according to the owner’s activity level. The setting is modified by adjusting the two weights which can be moved into the correct position and fixed in place by spline screws. Inertia of the movement is increased when the two weights are closer to each other and the barrel then rewinds more quickly. If the weights are positioned to the extremities of the rotor, the inertia is decreased, resulting in the barrel winding more slowly.”

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The skeletonised movement baseplate with bridges in black PVDtreated grade 5 titanium has a large date at 12 o’clock created from two skeletonised, rotating discs, and a function selector that allows the wearer to choose between winding, neutral or handsetting, all without the need to pull the crown in different positions. Two pushers resembling drops of water, one placed between 10 and 11 o’clock (date adjustment) and the other between 4 and 5 o’clock (function selector), allow for easy access to the functions, with the action chosen appearing in a small window (H-N-W) between 3 and 4 o’clock.

The RM 037 Ladies required a complete conceptual approach to house the movement, signature tonneau-shaped case and dial. Everything was constructed according to rigorous specifications, in the manner of the analytical engineering methods used in the design of Formula 1 racing cars where the chassis and the engine are developed in total harmony.

The MR 037 contrasts a range of unique materials, such as red gold for the caseband and TZP black ceramic for the bezel and the caseback.

As always with all of Richard Mille watches, the finishing is exacting and impeccable, and the RM 037 blends satinated surfaces with chamfered, blasted, brushed and polished areas, including rare black polishing, to ensure that every single aspect of the movement, no matter how tiny, is visually satisfying. The RM 037 is also available in TPZ black ceramic, in ATZ white ceramic and in white or red gold.

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Harry Winston - New York

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Harry Winston

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stablished in 1920 with his first shop opening in New York in 1932, Harry Winston jewels celebrate the world’s creative arts, paying tribute to fine art, interior design,

shop for 25 cents, selling it days later for $800. He opened his own company and went on to become one of New York’s most celebrated jewellers, even featuring in the words of the

textiles, fabrics and architecture. The founder initially challenged his designers to explore all elements of artistic design, transferring elements to fine jewellery to bring them to life.

song “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” from the musical “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”: “Talk to me, Harry Winston,” goes the line, “tell me all about it.”

Like many jewellers, gemmology and design ran in his blood. The son of a Ukrainian immigrant to the US who started a small jewellery business on arrival, Winston had an eye for precious stones from an early age, said to have discovered a two-carat emerald in a pawn

being channelled, resulting in a timeless collection evocative of bygone elegance. Often revisited nostalgically by designers, the Art Deco form remains popular, its design principles open to fluid reinvention. Defined by geometric shapes, rich hues and intricate

This season it is the distinctive and enduring Art Deco architectural style of the 1930s that is

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ornamentation, the style drew its inspiration from the contemporary technology, machinery and skyscrapers of the rapidly industrialising era. This collection pays homage to the era

All the pieces hinge around a single motif with a sculptural form that lends itself as a centrepiece as much as to repetition. A magnificent diamond sautoir singularly captures the

when the brand was founded – an exciting time of luxury, glamour and decadence.

motif in its pure form, draping across the décolletage like fabric. Single and multi-motif bracelets are available to elegantly entwine the wrist; pairs of diamond earrings with matching pendant would be delicate additions to any evening outfit and a complementary watch is available to complete the set, should you so desire.

Translating this into Harry Winston high jewellery, an array of round, brilliant and baguette cut clear diamonds are set symmetrically – unlike some other houses this season who have eschewed the balance of symmetry – into geometric medleys that tessellate the angular forms into exquisite clusters.

Forged from platinum and set with the finest diamonds available, the Art Deco collection showcases extraordinary craftsmanship and refined design.

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ince establishing in London’s Hatton Gardens in 1962, Graff has built a name around the biggest, boldest diamonds, with founder Laurence acquiring some of the world’s most celebrated gemstones and creating from them some of the most dazzlingly ostentatious baubles. The $40m watch with detachable ring, entirely encrusted with diamonds, is one such example, containing a total of 152.96 carats of white diamonds. The Fascination drew gasps of approval at its debut for a blinding array of diamonds across its architectural form and flawless pear-cut diamond at the centre of the ring.

That makes the delicate shapes of this season’s collection all the more surprising, and proving the dynamism and expertise of the jewellery house.

Flowers form the cornerstone of the Graff collection this season, not the first time the Maison has looked to nature. Clouds, butterflies and lotus flowers have all been represented in previous pieces. The Carissa collection seeks inspiration from the floral offerings of nature that have so long acted as a muse for artists worldwide. Delicate filaments, petals, patterns, colours and silhouettes furnish creative minds with a rich hunting ground. “Every flower is a soul blossoming in nature,” wrote the French romantic poet Gerard De Nerval.

Carissa – the Greek word for beloved – is the name of a delicate, exotic flower that thrives in warm, sunny climates, willowy petals unfurling to the sun. They pepper the award-winning gardens at the Delaire Graff estate – among the bronze sculptures – in South Africa’s Stellenbosch region and so, with a glance, came to inspire the latest haute joaillerie collection.

The glamorous private estate at the foot of the Botmaskop Mountain in the winelands region stands about an hour from Cape Town and was opened to the public in 2009 to provide lavish private accommodation, a holistic wellness spa, gourmet restaurants and world-class art works.

The interpretation sees pear shaped and marquise stones exquisitely shaped into floral tributes of rich rubies, vivid emeralds, deep sapphires and sparkling diamonds. A minimal setting, designed and crafted at Graff’s London workshop, intensifies the brilliance of each stone.

Working by hand, the master mounters have individually set each element to bring subtle, three dimensional movement to the pieces from jewel to jewel.

Necklaces, earrings and bracelets display the sculptural, five-pronged motif. In one show stopper the motif tumbles down to finish in a pear-shaped drop, encircling the neck with a floral array that freeze frames nature at her most spectacular.

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“Fashion fades,” Coco Chanel famously said; “only style remains the same.” It’s perhaps maxims like these that keep the Chanel Maison producing creatively classic jewellery season after season.

Chanel introduced its latest haute joaillerie collection this January, a dazzling display of rock-sized diamonds and matched craftsmanship centred on the quilted matelassé pattern that is as instantly recognisable as being Chanel as beehives to Amy Winehouse or large sunglasses to Jackie O. A horse fanatic, Gabrielle Chanel found inspiration in the equestrian world and the iconic pattern was drawn from the jackets worn by stable boys at racetracks.

Quilted fabrics had the added benefit of keeping their shape when stitched, rendering them central to the Chanel look and expanding the range of materials open to the designer, whether jersey, lambskin or silk.

Named Signature de Chanel, this jewellery collection nods at the sewing technique so central to the house’s branding – no mean feat when working with stones, metals and filament in place of silks, tweeds and cottons.

Forty-eight piece make up the collection paying tribute to the clean lines and geometry at the heart of Chanel’s design philosophy: after all, “elegance is line” as Mademoiselle Chanel once said, describing her fluid, free silhouettes. The creative team have brought impossible texture to combinations of diamonds, sapphires, rock crystals, aquamarines, black and white pearls and white gold.

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They’re designed to be wound sensually around wrists, fingers and necks, mosaics of gems shaped into patterns of squares and rounded corners that often appear as fluffy as a freshly aired feather duvet. The curves soften what could be hard edges to give a very courant vintage feel to the pieces.

The Signature Duo pieces are arguably the best examples of the quilting pattern in action, the serpentine form of over 1,000 diamonds spiralling around the throat.

The signature Cocoon cuff is one of the most striking pieces, a hunk of glass crystal as big as an ice cube wound top and bottom with engraved diamond feathers, as if frozen in time, though it vies for attention with the exquisite drape of the Signature de Saphir sautoir necklace that splits its belt of diamonds at the shoulder – marked by enormous azure sapphires – and runs down the back of the wearer in increasing loops. If you want to feel like a Roman goddess, this tumbling trompe l’oeil piece is the one for you.

It’s not the first time the quilting pattern has been used: last April the Coco Crush range of fine jewellery drew its inspiration from the same source. Now the 2.55 bag’s famous motif – first released in 1955 – has been reimagined.

In fact, the Signature Ultime bracelet that sees a white gold base set with a rippling mesh of sapphires and diamonds and joined with a square clasp set with a large, brilliant-cut diamond echoes the bag so adeptly that it’s hard to believe it’s made of stones. Likewise, the impressive artistry of the black pearl marquetry in the Signature de Nacre sub-collection looks more like gleaming snake skin than precious gem and is all the more impressive for it.

Beautifully crafted from exquisite stones, the myriad pieces in the entwining, cascading collection will appeal to both simple and intricate tastes, whether you’re after a ring, necklace, bracelet or table clock.

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hopard has a long and illustrious history of crafting both fine watches and intricate pieces of haute joaillerie. Established in 1860, the Swiss house has for decades sought to marry technology with craftsmanship,

artisanship with engineering and quality with good homes.

Now a family business since being bought by the Scheufele family in 1963, the house employs some 2,000 people worldwide who keep a tight rein on operations, overseeing each and every step of the design, manufacture and distribution process.

The company is artistically steered by daughter Caroline. She sealed her place in the horology ranks with her 1985 collection Happy Diamonds, which for the first time freed the stones from settings and allowed them to move freely within the watch face.

Artistic director Caroline continues to work her creative charm in watchmaking and jewellery to this day, working in collusion with the expert artisans crafting her sparkling designs in the Geneva workshops. Together they faithfully produce series after series of audacious, avant-garde collections invariably well received by jewellery aficionados.

For the high jewellery collection this season, a riot of colour. A technicolour rainbow of gems awaits the curious, lively and daring, as so often with Chopard.

The company’s spring season pays homage to flowers and butterflies, titanium – sometimes shaded to match the stones – and white gold set with a kaleidoscope of precious stones in all colours of the rainbow.

The bracelet cuff, for example, features two delicate butterflies in lightweight titanium bedecked with topazes, prized Paraiba tourmalines and amethysts which can be detached and worn as a pair of earrings and a brooch. Three new opal rings feature a sustainably sourced opal from a family-run Australian mine at their centre, with fragile gemstone petals unfurling around them in beautiful tribute to blossoming nature. First unveiled last summer, the Fleurs d’Opales have been a big hit among buyers and the new Chrysanthemum incarnation has petals that shiver with the movement of the wrist, thanks to tiny pavé fingers set en tremblant.

Regularly seen on the necks, arms and fingers of the rich, talented and famous around the globe, Chopard’s creations are no stranger to the red carpet, and in fact they seem destined for such.

Take the latest necklace, a position frisson of gemstones in a swirling paisley pattern that meld from warm pinks and oranges at one side to a cascade of cooler blues at the other, culminating in a divine 14-carat royal blue tanzanite.

The house’s high jewellery collections were showcased in Abu Dhabi in April of this year when the Emirates Palace was taken over for a celebration of culture and arts, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

At the same festival, four trophies were presented to leading international figures in recognition of their outstanding contributions to culture: Oscar-winning composer Gabriel Yared, who won recognition for his collaboration on the English Patient; ballet sensation Sylvie Guillem; acclaimed author and academic Amin Maalouf; and cultural champion and diplomat Ghassan Salamé. Specially-designed Chopard trophies, of course.

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here are no retiring colours at Dior this year, where candy-coloured

jewellery and watches have been suffused with a bit of childlike, Willy Wonka magic. If it weren’t for the price tag you’d have to remember not to eat the jelly-coloured masterpieces.

Known for toying with bright palettes, Parisienne artistic director Victoire de Castellane – who cut her teeth alongside equally flamboyant Karl Lagerfeld during her time at Chanel – has drawn her inspiration from the seaside town of Granville, Normandy, Monsieur Dior’s childhood home that he cherished throughout his life.

Though transformed into a park and museum since being repossessed during the 1929 Great Depression, he thought back fondly to his young years playing freely with friends and exploring the colours and depth of richly cultivated gardens so lovingly created by his stylish mother, not to mention an annual festival for which Dior designed costumes for himself and his friends. Granville

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has often been resurrected by Dior in spirit, both by the man himself and by his disciples since, whether through the colours of pink and grey or the perfumes of rose and lily of the valley.

Passed through a lens of nostalgia you get the Granville edit, a capsule collection of twelve one-off gems and nine vivid watches designed to capture a precious time in the founder’s life. She executes the collection boldly, clashing vibrant colours with childlike abandon “as if stickers were put together spontaneously, without any preconceived constraints,” she says.

Green beryl, morganite, aquamarine, tanzanite, rubellite, peridot and chrysoberyl are assembled into exotic combinations to form lust-worthy earrings and rings.

“Colour plays a starring role,” Castellane continues. “The way in which they’re assembled creates a sense of equilibrium that means no one colour dominates another.

So that each one has an equal chance to shine. They come to life.”

Yellow gold earrings are set with mismatched, colourful gemstones fringed at the fixing with leaf-like green beryls and finished at the bottom with deep pink rose tourmalines.

In one ring, a large blood-coloured rubellite is surrounded by rays of green, yellow, blue and orange stones, while in another bracelet fashioned from rose gold, a crown-like setting of rose tourmalines sits at the centre of a riot of colourful gems (diamonds, purple spinels, yellow beryls, sapphires, green tourmalines and azure aquamarines) in a host of different cuts – marquise, pears, ovals, rounds and princess cuts all jostling for space.

Designed for the young at heart, these will appeal to any woman’s inner child, colouring the rainbow in kaleidoscopic precious stones. Asymmetry is a theme with no one piece mirroring itself along any plane.

It’s as if Castellane has flung the paint palette around the studio, and to glorious effect.

It’s a show-stopper born out of French Normandy. Goodbye convention, hello joie de vivre.

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Messika

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lamorous and talented, Valerie Messika did not have a conventional upbringing in terms of toys, but rather played with diamonds that her diamond trader father brought home from work. It played a formative role in Messika’s life imbuing her with a passion – and talent – for diamonds from an early age.

Turning the theory on its head, she wanted to make diamonds everyday, looking to create the cool, affordable, casual diamonds that she herself was looking for. The bestselling Skinny bracelet is a fluid, diamond version of the cotton and suede cable bracelets that she noticed girls wearing on the street. Spring set diamonds allow slender necklaces and bracelets to move with the body, enhancing the brilliance of the diamonds.

After working with her father, Andre, for some years, she decided to go it alone. Since launching her eponymous brand in 2005, collaborating with her cousin on design, Messika Jewellery has gone from strength to strength, now regularly seen on the ears and digits of the rich and famous. The pair exchange ideas until they both agree, sometimes starting with a stone, sometimes with pencil and paper. Attention to detail is vital, with every infinitesimal detail considered, even creating and wearing paper versions of the designs to see how they relate to the body in real life.

This season she has introduced six new interpretations of her classic pieces under the Toi et Moi collection.

My Twin plays with two different cuts of diamond, the pear and the emerald, a physical reminder that opposites attract. The two contrasting shapes speak to each other like yin and yang; the pear cut a sparkling, curvaceous symbolism of the female form offset by the strength of the graphic, masculine emerald cut.

The flagship store launched in the heart of Paris, at Rue Saint Honore, a pearl grey and powder pink affair designed like the Orient Express with high ceilings, intimate booths for private conversations, dressing rooms to try on jewels and a philosophy of making an environment that makes diamonds accessible.

In her fine jewellery collection, the Toi et Moi motif has been reimagined with three new creations, the boldest of which is a covetable and contemporary ring in which the dazzling stones appear to float on the finger. It features 8.04 and 5.83-carat white diamonds with pear cut and concealed settings – timelessly classic.

That extends to her designs too. Diamonds were – according to Messika – considered too important for frivolity when she began playing with designs. They were reserved for wedding rings and important events.

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Brotherly Love Shamballa Jewels is a stellar brand that is in the ascendant. The iconic Shamballa bracelet can be seen on the wrists of discerning fans all over the world, from the streets of Shanghai to the nightclubs of New York City. Nick Rice looks at the spiritual foundation of this fine jewellery business.

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amed after the mythical Himalayan kingdom of Shamballa, said to be populated by wise and compassionate people, Shamballa Jewels was founded in 2005 by Danish brothers Mads and Mikkel Kornerup. Over the course of

the last decade the company has grown to be a much-loved global frontrunner in spiritual fine jewellery.

As a teenager in the late 1980s, bursting with curiosity for the wider world outside of his home in Denmark, Mads Kornerup embarked on a journey around the globe. In Brazil he discovered the beauty and energy of gemstones and was instantly captivated. His wanderlust led him to travel further, across Japan, India, Nepal, Thailand and Indonesia, absorbing the fine details about the craft from native goldsmiths. The seed was well sown and eventually Mads designed the Shamballa bracelet in 2001. He was inspired by Buddhist prayer beads and to this day a spiritual thread runs through the brand and all its creations.

“None can live without toil, and a craft that provides your needs is a blessing indeed,” is written in the Dhammavadaka, a poem about the essential aspects of Buddhist life. The Kornerup brothers have found their craft and dedicated themselves to the mastery of fine spiritual jewellery. The poem begins, “Remember always that you are just a visitor here, a traveller passing through. Your stay here is but short and the moment of your departure unknown.” This sentiment echoes the words of the actress, businesswoman and humanitarian Elizabeth Taylor, the classical 1950s Hollywood star, famous around the world for her collection and passion for jewellery. “I've never thought of my jewellery as trophies.

I'm here to take care of it and to love it, for we are only temporary custodians of beauty.”

If Elizabeth Taylor were alive today she would surely appreciate the beauty and philosophy of Shamballa Jewels. The creations of Mads and Mikkel are widely sought after and worn by countless contemporary stars and celebrities, the great and the good, from rapper and business icon Jay Z to the most discerning arbiters of luxury such as Karl Lagerfeld, Diane Von Furstenberg, Giorgio Armani, Valentino, Riccardo Tisci and royalty from across the world.

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Mikkel Kornerup joined forces with his brother Mads after an early career at the Microsoft Corporation and running his own IT consulting company. Having no prior experience in the jewellery business, he cofounded Shamballa Jewels with Mads and one employee eleven years ago. Since then he has steered the company to be a global brand with a presence in over 31 countries and a brand name that is synonymous with spirituality, style and quality in the jewellery and fashion industries. Mikkel says his focus is to develop Shamballa Jewels into a full repertoire fine jewellery brand while continuing Shamballa Jewels’ dominance in the bracelet segment.

“It is an ongoing challenge to run Shamballa Jewels to both develop creative visions, and be very pragmatic at the same time. I love a good challenge,” he says with shining eyes and a smile.

As CEO of Shamballa Jewels, Mikkel leads overall strategic development of the company in conjunction with the COO and the Creative Director. With his expertise in IT, Mikkel plays a key role in ensuring effective internal controls, product development, management information and digital development which are crucial to the company’s growth.

Every piece of Shamballa jewellery incorporates ancient spiritual symbols and messages in their designs to encourage wearers to find their inner Shamballa, their inner wisdom and compassion.

Shamballa pieces are made of 18-carat gold, diamonds and precious stones. Each piece can be customised bead for bead. The epitome of impeccable craftsmanship, they are set, braided and polished by hand in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The Shamballa bracelet is an iconic piece today and is easily spotted all over the world, from salons in Paris, palaces in Europe, beaches in California to the streets of Shanghai. The bracelet triggered a zeitgeist that encouraged people to find meaning in the jewellery they wear. This is exactly what the brothers desire and had set out to do – to create jewellery whose value lies not only in the materials used, but in the very emotions they evoke and represent.

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This year the collection expands with an exciting range of pieces that will delight jewellery aficionados. Launched at the 2016 Baselworld watch and jewellery fair, the Nyimp Pendant is a beguiling new design. Nyima pendants are inspired by the architecture and symbolism of stupas – Buddhist shrines in the Himalayas.

Architecturally, a stupa represents Buddha’s body and mind, and shows the path to enlightenment. The 18-carat gold pendants are available in two sizes, and can be customised with diamond and gemstone pavé beads.

“Nyima pendants continue our tradition of integrating spiritual symbols in our jewellery, and making them personal through customisation. We hope that dependence will remind the wearer of the Buddha’s teachings,” says Mads.

Equally stunning is the new SOS cuff piece. Simple and masculine, the SOS cuff is made of sculpted 18-carat gold and features black diamonds and the Star of Shamballa logo, which plays a central role in the design. For the brothers, the Star of Shamballa is a reminder that humans and stars are made of the same matter. Just like stars, humans emanate heat and light too. “We shine the brightest when we share compassion and smiles. Historically men all over the world, especially kings and warriors, have worn jewellery. Many modern men limit themselves to rings and possibly cufflinks. We would like to encourage modern men to wear jewellery again. Due to its simple subtle design the SOS cuff is a good first bracelet for men who would like to start wearing more jewellery,” says Mikkel.

A new theme presented at Baselworld by Shamballa Jewels was Inner Radiance. The brothers invite you to imagine a lively summer day by the beach, a peaceful but inspired moment that can arouse a soulful change. A colourful burst of emeralds, turquoise, corals and mother of pearl capture the moment. They bring joy to your eyes and celebrate the moment of inner peace and happiness. This image sums up the ethos behind this remarkable brand. The business is inspired by spiritual themes and compassion. The brothers want only that their products bring a measure of happiness and joy into the lives of their customers.

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oussaieff specialises in coloured diamonds and large, rare coloured stones. This specialism is both a personal passion and an innate skill, derived from a family with a long history in the high-end gems trade, dating back 800 years and originating in Bukhara, the main port of call on the famous silk route. Alisa Moussaieff, the head and mastermind of the business is the protector of an extraordinary family heritage and one of the most respected and influential players in the diamonds and precious stones market.

As the Creative Director, Alisa finds herself in a truly unique position, free to combine unconventional colours, textures and shapes according to her aesthetic sensitivities and accountable to no-one. She is not afraid to mix unusual materials or to try new manufacturing techniques and she loves to combine magnificent gems with a flamboyant and dynamic design – to create an individual and exceptional jewel to be treasured – a heritage piece of the future.

Started in the 1850s by her husband’s grandfather, the Park Lane showroom opened in 1963 and quickly established a worldwide reputation for magnificent gems amongst collectors and connoisseurs. In 2006 the 1930s style art deco boutique at 172 New Bond Street was opened and further stores can be found in Geneva, Hong Kong and seasonally in Courchevel.

Alisa always follows her instinct. She started collecting coloured diamonds in the 1960s, long before they were considered beautiful and when the GIA was teaching that colour in diamonds was a flaw. Now she has accumulated one of the most outstanding collections of coloured diamonds and also coloured stones that include ‘vibrant neon colour’ Paraiba tourmalines, natural pearls and natural colour changing purple sapphires, to name but a few.

The collections comprise some of the most unique and exceptional coloured gemstones such as (left) a three piece suite of Colombian emeralds 51cts and Thai rubies & ruby beads 933cts and (right) a necklace and earrings suite of Thai rubies 58cts and white diamonds 87cts. All in platinum and gold.

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S I M PLY FA S H ION Womenswear & Menswear

By M ar cell a Cl arke

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CH Carolina Herrera Spring 2016 Collection

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ontinually pushing the boundaries of style with her juxtaposition of classicism and modernity, Carolina Herrera has resided at the helm of her eponymous label for decades of fervent acclaim. Pairing sensibility in tandem with femininity and a concentration on all things contemporary, Herrera has outfitted women worldwide with an aesthetic all her own.

With the endorsement of legendary Vogue editor Diana Vreeland, she presented her first capsule at the Metropolitan Club, which at the time was as New York iconic as Herrera herself has now become. Paralleling the identities of Manhattan’s chicest, Herrera’s collection was well received both commercially and editorially and thus her fashion house was born over thirty years ago.

Opening her atelier shortly after her inaugural show, cultivating a couture team with the finest of training and pedigree, Herrera built an empire, consequently aligning her name synonymously with New York City and all things luxury. Forever concluding her ready-to-wear shows with a

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wedding gown, Herrera introduced her bridal line in 1987. Approaching bridal collections with the diversity and progressive style innate in her ready to wear collections, Herrera cornered the market for brides in search of a more fashion conscious offering.

With her ready-to-wear and bridal collections firmly in place, she launched her first fragrance, Carolina Herrera Eau de Parfum, and has since released ten additional fragrances for both men and women.

Caroline Herrera believes “inspiration comes from anything and everything – a book you’ve read, a piece of art, a beautiful landscape.” She advises to always keep your eyes open as she thinks great things have a way of finding you if you do. And it would seem that’s what Caroline herself did as she travelled the globe gathering inspiration for her spring 2016 collection. From the Hamptons to the Greek Islands, luxurious destinations set the tone for the collection. Voluminous separates, signature prints and bright colours define the endless summer and boast a playful yet classic feel often found in Carolina Herrera’s designs, reflecting her passion for travel.

The colour palette and imaginative prints emphasise the overall feeling of the collection with shades of yellow, red, blue and a touch of neutrals.

Floral prints accent the collection adding a fun flare spirit for the global women seeking effortless dressing. The movement and juxtaposition of soft silks, cotton and jacquard are present throughout and lend an overall lightness perfect for every woman’s summer wardrobe.

Adventurous accessories with the utmost attention to detail complement each look. Structured bold clutches and handbags with interchangeable features add a unique edge and texture to contrast the softer, more feminine designs. Sleek shoes run the range from strappy stilettos to effortless t-strap sandals.

Both in ready-to-wear and accessories, the collection plays with texture, volume, colour and print perfect for a global lifestyle that demands wardrobe options for day to night and everything in between for whatever journey lies ahead.

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Chanel SS 2016 Womenswear "Chanel is above all a style. Fashion passes, style remains." Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel

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rench designer, visionary, artist, Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel reinvented fashion by transcending its conventions, creating an uncomplicated luxury that changed women’s lives forever. She followed no rules, epitomising the very modern values of freedom, passion and feminine elegance.

Famous for her timeless designs, trademark suits and little black dresses, Chanel opened her first shop at Paris’s Rue Cambon in 1910, selling hats. She later added stores in Deauville and Biarritz and began making clothes. Her first taste of clothing success came from a dress she fashioned out of an old jersey on a chilly day. In response to the many people who asked about where she got the dress, she offered to make one for them. “My fortune is built on that old jersey that I’d put on because it was cold in Deauville,” she once told author Paul Morand.

In the 1920s, Chanel took her thriving business to new heights and launched her first perfume, Chanel No. 5, which was the first to feature a designer’s name. Perfume “is the unseen, unforgettable, ultimate accessory of fashion… that heralds your arrival and prolongs your departure,” Chanel once explained.

In 1925, she introduced the now legendary Chanel suit with collarless jacket and well-fitted skirt. Her designs were revolutionary for the time – borrowing elements of men’s wear and emphasising comfort over the constraints of then-popular fashions. She helped women say goodbye to the days of corsets and other confining garments.

Another 1920s revolutionary design was Chanel’s little black dress. She took a colour once associated with mourning and showed just how chic it could be for evening wear. In addition to fashion, Chanel was a popular figure in Parisian literary and artistic worlds. She herself became a much revered style icon known for her simple yet sophisticated outfits paired with great accessories, such as several strands of pearls. As Chanel once said, “Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury.”

Her early years, however, were anything but glamorous. After her mother’s death, Chanel was put in an orphanage by her father, who worked as a peddler. She was raised by nuns who taught her how to sew – a skill that would lead to her life’s work. Her nickname came from another occupation entirely. During her brief career as a singer, Chanel performed in clubs in Vichy and Moulins where she was called Coco.

The international economic depression of the 1930s had a negative impact on her company, but it was the outbreak of the Second World War that led Chanel to close her business. She fired her workers and shut down her shops.

Chanel left Paris, spending some years in Switzerland in a sort of exile. She also lived at her country house in Roquebrune for a time.

At the age of 70, Chanel made a triumphant return to the fashion world. She first received scathing reviews from critics, but her feminine and easy-fitting designs soon won over shoppers around the world.

Coco Chanel died on 10 January 1971. A little more than a decade after her death, designer Karl Lagerfeld took the reins at her company to continue the Chanel legacy. Her namesake company is now held privately by the Wertheimer family and continues to thrive, believed to generate hundreds of millions in sales each year.

Today Chanel is famous for its global destinations, from Moscow to Seoul to Salzburg to Dallas; the House has presented shows in all of them. This year perhaps more than any other, editors and buyers have really clocked up the air miles, and so Chanel’s airport at Paris’ Grand Palais couldn’t have been a more fitting surrounding in which to showcase its spring/summer collections.

Karl Lagerfield transformed the lofty interiors of the Grand Palais into an indoor airport terminal complete with thirty-seven different check-in desks, airline lounges, Chanel branded luggage trolleys, strapping luggage handlers and signage directing models to gates – No. 5 naturally!

The models casually emerged, some wheeling along luggage, donning graphic striped and criss-cross tweed skirt suits, some with pencil skirts and dropped shoulder jackets, others with cropped three-quarter sleeve boucle jackets.

They were reminiscent of a more glamorous time of air travel, where such an ensemble might secure an upgrade.

A fresh parade checked in a younger, sportier look of trackpants or knitted skirts and sweater combos – just the ticket for a comfortable long haul. Topped with baseball caps turned backwards and mirrored aviators to shield their faces they exuded youthful confidence and effortless chic.

Layering was key in this collection – from full skirts fastened over trousers, to sweaters tied around waists or knotted around the shoulders.

The theme of air travel carried through, right down to the soles of shoes, where flatform sandals were lit up depicting the lights on a runway. Lagerfield has once again created the type of collection that we expect from him and from Chanel – first class.

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n 27 September 2014, Gaby Aghion passed away at the age 93. To many, the name is unfamiliar; but to those in the fashion world, she was an important player. Because in 1952 she founded Chloé, the luxury Paris fashion Maison.

Gaby Aghion was an Egyptian-born Parisienne with a dark beauty and bohemian spirit. Her mother reportedly employed a seamstress to make dresses styled after pictures and advertisements found in French magazines and it is thought that is where her love of fashion stemmed from. Gaby and her husband Raymond, whom she had met when she was seven and married when she was 19, moved to Paris in 1945. She wanted to make her own money, so she bought lengths of cotton poplin fabric and made a small number of dresses – and so the fashion house, named after a friend, was born.

The house was founded on the principles of freedom, lightness and femininity as Aghion disliked the formality of 1950s fashion. Instead she chose to design soft, feminine clothing for women out of fine fabrics. The label’s first show in 1956 received high acclaim and the clothes were considered youthful, feminine, and – best of all – wearable.

Karl Lagerfeld was in charge of creative directorship at the label for a considerable length of time (from 1964 to 1983, and from 1992-1997), so much so that his name was as synonymous with the Chloé fashion house as it is now with the Chanel house. Today, the company has expanded to include ready-to-wear, bags and accessories, shoes, eyewear, swimwear, childrenswear and fragrance. More than sixty years after Gaby Aghion imagined it, Chloé’s vision of romantic, ultra-feminine fashion lives on under the creative direction of British designer Clare Waight Keller.

Clare Waight Keller’s spring collection is all about finding a new optimism.

The vibe is relaxed and easy, as though the romantic, care-free Chloé girl is on her gap year. Waight Keller thinks: “We’ve lost the innocence of the spirit of fashion, the youthful optimism that it portrays. And I think there’s something quite joyful about fashion that’s been missing.” In keeping with that sentiment, she has infused the new collection with a playful spirit, whilst retaining the House’s signature sophistication, and has introduced a new sunglasses collection Jackson.

This collection follows the hybridisation of 1970s bohemian chic and 1990s sporty comfort that runs throughout Chloé’s entire spring/summer 2016 offering. The round and glamorous Jackson silhouette encompasses the refined expression of the Chloé’s feminine and sophisticated spirit, with a touch of vintage.

The lightness of the material is featured in the distinctive design of the metal temples, resembling the fluidity of movement. The oversized round lenses are highlighted by soft gradient colours, paired with matching acetate temple tips.

Available in four modern and refined colour combinations, the frames play with shades and volumes, combining soft lines and oversize shapes, giving a timeless elegance to whoever chooses them.

The Jackson collection will be distributed worldwide in Chloé boutiques and selected optical retailers.

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Dior Spring Summer 2016 Womenswear

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hristian Dior was a visionary. Beginning with his first collection in 1947 he rewrote the rules of modern elegance and imposed his style on the entire world. He brought women his vision of beauty and happiness, showing unprecedented creative originality. His ethos when designing was to create clothes that would make each and every woman the most beautiful.

Christian Dior was born in Granville, a seaside town on the coast of Normandy in France and moved to Paris when he was five. His family had hopes he would become a diplomat, but Dior was creative and wished to be involved in art. To make money, he sold his fashion sketches outside his house for about ten cents each. In 1928, Dior left school and received money from his father to finance a small art gallery, where he and a friend sold works by the likes of Pablo Picasso. Three years later, after the death of Dior's mother and brother and a financial disaster in the family’s fertiliser business during the Great Depression, the gallery had to be closed.

Dior then went on to design three collections for the fashion designer Robert Piguet and would later say, “Robert Piguet taught me the virtues of simplicity through which true elegance must come.” One of his original designs for Piguet, a day dress with a short, full skirt called Cafe Anglais, was particularly well received. Dior left Piguet when he was called up for military service.

In 1942, when Dior left the army, he joined the fashion house of Lucien Lelong, where he and Pierre Balmain were the primary designers. For the duration of the Second World War they designed dresses for the wives of Nazi officers and French collaborators.

In 1946 Marcel Boussac, a successful entrepreneur known as the richest man in France, invited Dior to design for Philippe et Gaston, a Paris fashion house launched in 1925. Dior refused, wishing to make a fresh start under his own name rather than reviving an old brand. Later that year, with Boussac's backing, Dior founded his fashion house.

Dior's designs were more voluptuous than the boxy, fabric-conserving shapes of the recent World War II styles, influenced by the rations on fabric.

He was a master at creating shapes and silhouettes and is quoted as saying "I have designed flower women." His look employed fabrics lined predominantly with percale, boned, bustier-style bodices, hip padding, wasp-waisted corsets and petticoats that made his dresses flare out from the 268 S I M P LY A B U D H A B I

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waist, giving his models a very curvaceous form.

The new look revolutionised women's dress and re-established Paris as the centre of the fashion world after the Second World War. Dior’s spring/summer collection sees Raf Simons, Artistic Director of Christian Dior, strip away inessential elements to concentrate on a purity of line and precision in technique. His inspiration for the collection was the horizon – a clean and clear naturalistic line of beauty, looking from the past into the expanse of the future; perhaps influenced by his decision to leave Dior to focus on his own brand after this last collection?

“I wanted the collection to have a purity to it,” says Simons. “To simplify and concentrate on a line that expressed an idea of femininity, fragility and sensitivity without sacrificing strength and impact; there might be a simplicity in how the collection looks, but it is extremely complex in terms of technique. There are literal layers of the past, from the Victorian-style underwear layered under the transparent bias cut dresses and the Bar jackets and rough knits, but for me it still all feels oddly futuristic and strangely romantic. Like this woman is about to travel through space and time.”

Simons is a designer who likes to bring edge and precision to pretty. And this collection certainly does that. Delicate scalloped cotton cami-knickers and matching chemise tops, fastened at the side with bars of cute buttons, are the base on which he has layered his ideas, reworking each one with scientific rigour. A series of cropped rough-hewn Shetland knits layered over sheer bias cut dresses and feminine silk minis fuse femininity and masculinity beautifully.

At once sensual and disciplined, feminine and masculine, classic and contemporary – the pieces come together to form a new, softer ideal of futurism in the collection. Feminine and masculine tailoring unite to create sharp, three-piece pinstriped wool suits , horizontal duchesse pink and cream satin striped parkas and a more sensuous cut of military style jackets – one embroidered with sequined flowers and bunched chiffon.

Traditional, complex pleating techniques find form not only in silk dresses, giving short A-line skirts a more girly look, but also in the fluttering hems of tailored jackets and parkas and to the classic Bar jacket in black wool, dropping and flaring prettily from the waist.

The largely soft palette of the collection also lets the accessories shine. Bags come in crushed silver and bronze metallic or bright indigo and crimson.

Simple jewelled silver chokers are centralised around circular semi-precious discs and tied with sugary pink ribbon perfectly encapsulating the femininity and fragility on which Simons based this collection.

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Fendi SS 2016 Womenswear

F

endi is a serious Roman fur and leather House of long standing, but recently Karl Lagerfeld and Silvia Venturini Fendi have been having some fun with it all. The Fendi spring/summer 2016 collection is based on a new femininity with an edgy twist. “This collection is modern and has soft waves; it is about new volumes,” states Karl Lagerfeld. It contains all the hot news for spring – from the big-sleeved, high-neck, high-waisted silhouettes to the pleated midi length that’s so right now.

They provide the backdrop for ultra-luxurious house materials and Fendi’s mastery in craftsmanship. Great artisanal workmanship techniques such as pleating, smocking and whip stitching are experimented on different fabrics all through the collection – Persian lamb with fur flower embroideries and an interwoven shaved mink coat with leather details; summer furs in a rattan-basketwork open-weave technique; cropped jackets in whip-stitched patchwork python, and braiding and smocking effects. Python and leather are braided in a wonderful handmade Intrecciato in both large and small versions on skirts and tops.

The collection carries a floral theme with studded leather, fur and flowers blooming everywhere from short dresses to fur coats, bags, accessories and shoes with both flat and high heels… A delicate touch yet with a graphic twist. Flowers that are never too girly or childish, fit for a strong woman.

Delicate light fabrics like chiffon and silk that puff up in soft romper-suits or in blouse sleeves and bloomer pants, together with long smooth dresses, express the feminine yet never too girly Fendi side. In opposition, sharp and linear garments, such as leather and python used for masculine bomber jackets and cool short dresses, show the tougher side of the Fendi woman with a dark and cool touch. The plain colour palette plays harmoniously on opposites too: pastel shades of red, blue and coral pink contrast with darker colours like black and military green.

A stand out piece from the collection is its avant-garde coral leather mini-bloomer playsuit with its puff-shoulder sleeves, 1980s yoke and the gathering into a Victorian high-neck.

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The collection features iconic bags like Peekaboo, Baguette and

By The Way reinterpreted in a creative and artisanal way, stronger than ever and in line with the garments of the collection. On the other hand, Fendi’s dualism is again expressed with the new bags: the Dotcom and Micro Double Baguette.

“The new bag, the Dotcom, is like having two bags in one because it’s a very structured and functional bag, but, at the same time, you can take out a small flat pouch from it. A multifunctional aspect that has been reworked with creativity,” affirms Silvia Venturini Fendi. “In the new Micro Double Baguette you also have one side in plain leather or python and, on the other side, it’s embroidered – like a night and day bag together,” continues Silvia Venturini Fendi.

The lace-up workmanship, a macro handmade embroidery, is one of the major themes for accessories. It stitches up all the sides

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of the Peekaboo and Dotcom bags in soft nappa leather together with a more precious version in mink on Peekaboo and Mini Peekaboo and a Mini Peekaboo in lace up python. The Multicolor Intrecciato Peekaboo family bags can be personalised with one’s initial on the front. Strap You is one of the greatest protagonists of this spring/summer 2016 Fendi fashion show, a stand up alone accessory that can be used on any bag to give a cool and a fashion touch and presented with great colour contrasts and combination of materials.

Shoes feature fur flowers with studs and include woven leather sandals and patent open-toes with a sculptural heel. “The shoes are also very interesting because they feature a double heel. I think really opposites and double are the key words of this collection,” concludes Silvia Venturini Fendi.

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Giorgio Armani Privé SS 2016 Womenswear

T

he name Armani has been synonymous with unrivalled Italian style all over the world for over 30 years. Perhaps best known for revolutionising fashion with his unstructured jacket in the 1980s, Giorgio Armani has continued to define the well-dressed ever since. Giorgio Armani was established in Milan in 1975 and through his clear stylistic vision, coupled with a deep understanding of his clients’ needs, he proved instantly popular with the discerning Italian fashion savvy. The designer saw himself become a household name after his clothes appeared on Richard Gere in the iconic 1980 movie "American Gigolo" and he has remained one of Hollywood’s favourite designers ever since.

In 1981 the young line Emporio Armani was introduced, and today Giorgio Armani’s flawless style has branched off into a range of collections from the casual approach of Armani Jeans to the Haute Couture line Armani Privé.

Armani Privé’s latest spring 2016 collection is intended to “convey a sense of reality,” said Giorgio Armani, and “offer natural elegance and the normality of everyday life.” From the series of ultra-feminine sheer organza and gauze ensembles worked into wafty reefer jackets and shorts, through to the airy trousers and handsewn embroidered ribbons, Armani’s spring 2016 collection seemingly defies gravity.

Weightless silks and delicate organzas fade naturally to mauve, a recurring theme throughout. From lilac to wisteria, to a more intense shade of purple, the mauve colour is the true protagonist of this collection, inspired by the 1940s divas, but celebrating the femininity of today’s women.

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movement. Fluid dresses, flowing skirts and trousers appear moved by a gentle breeze.

Flounces from shorts and wave-like embroideries that appear on skirts, trousers and tops in addition to an organza vest, slightly pushed away from the body, accentuate momentum and a sense of freedom.

Lengths vary from tulle mini dresses with sequins, maxi ruches to long dresses in pleated organza, while materials span tulle, organza, silk, satin, sequins, pearls, crystals, chiffon, PVC, Lurex and crocodile. Oversized parkas and caban jackets are to be worn over long trousers with frills or tiny shorts. The jackets are short and combined with maxi skirts. The evening dresses are made of tiered skirts and bustiers or they choose an A-line silhouette.

The crinoline bustier dresses embroidered with Swarovski crystals and sequins (one dress required five seamstresses and 300 hours of sewing) to the tulle top bedecked in black plexi hand-sewn ribbons, and a full-skirted ball gown created from undulating waves of silk, belong on the red carpet and are about as far away from normal as you can get!

Normality, however, is resumed in the collection’s wardrobe pillars, including the Breton, the classic coat, and several variations on a white shirt, which demonstrate the gamut of the Armani offering. The collection’s shoe range includes PVC ankle strap pumps to wear with embroidered tulle socks and stunning low heel mesh ankle boots. Accessory favourites are the maxi jewels with large coloured stones, micro bucket bags and crocodile handbags and mother of pearl sunglasses – guaranteed to bring true elegance to any woman’s everyday life.

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Hermès SS 2016 Womenswear

I

n 1837 Thierry Hermès opened his workshop

making the finest quality harnesses and saddles in the heart of Paris. In the early 20th century, Hermès developed detailed saddle stitching techniques for the production of wallets, luggage, handbags, watchbands, and accessories for golfing, hunting and polo playing, and began to design couture sportswear. The company has remained a family-run business that has always been committed to making their products with fine materials and attention to detail for more than 160 years, continuing to build on its reputation for superb quality. In the 1920s Hermès designed one of the first leather garments of the 20th century: a zippered golfing jacket for the Prince of Wales, which made fashion news.

The fourth generation of owners were two sons-inlaw, Jean-Rene Guerrand and Robert Dumas, who added scarves and perfume to the line. Today, the Hermès scarf is one of the most popular and bestselling items in the line. By designing a large square of silk printed with boldly scaled figural scenes, Hermès invented a whole new type of fashion accessory, one that has maintained its popularity for more than seventy years. The company is also famous for the Kelly Bag, based on a saddle bag, first launched in 1937. In 1955, the Kelly Bag was named after the actress Grace Kelly, who was frequently seen carrying one. Since the 1980s, the names of designers associated with Hermès have included Eric Bergere, Martin Margiela and Jean Paul Gaultier.

Today Hermès is still a family company whose craftspeople make, often by hand, bags and belts, diaries and dishes, scarves and shoes, perfumes and purses, ties and travelling furniture, as well as gloves, hats, watches, jewellery and clothes. There are more than 215 stores around the world, and countless boutiques in high-end department stores in Europe, Asia and the US. In terms of style, Hermès is a stealth luxury House that brings that classy kind of anonymity the French do so well: beautifully cut clothes and accessories that don’t necessarily scream a brand. Aside from the coveted Birkin and Kelly bags – and now, the hugely desirable Apple Watch Hermès collection – most of what goes on at Hermès doesn’t and shouldn’t slap you in the face. That’s what's so good about it. Hermès uses ingeniously crafted, superfine fabrics and leather, and it is the essence of the cultivated French point of view that if you have wealth, it must be spent so that it doesn’t show except to those of your class.

Vanhee-Cybulski’s spring 2016 collection for Hermès is made up of the House’s classic DNA but is inspired by juxtapositions – from the mustard-color dresses in contrasting fabrics of cotton and leather, to the inclusion of Hermès trainers with many of the smarter looks bringing a sports spirit and a carefully calibrated

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sense of a lifestyle which consciously rises above trendiness. This season sees the introduction of a new trainer, which mixes luxe with utility and again welcomes a

contrast throughout – from the black and blue darks through to the cream, chestnut and off-white neutrals and the bolder reds, yellows and cobalt blues.

sporty-city vibe that evokes a sense of spontaneity.

Vanhee-Cybulski’s leather pleated skirts spliced with silk scarf printed inserts, calfskin trench coat and a series of double cashmere navy suits with a wider cropped trouser shape (referred to as ‘banana trousers’) deliver unconstrained elegance that

The theme of contrasting fabrics means there is an abundance of materials flowing through this line – from double-faced cashmere, double-faced linen and waterproof silk and linen canvas and a variety of cottons including checked cotton, and striped cotton poplin through to a mix of silks and calfskins. Pumps appear in suede

is entirely wearable. The collection is made up of a simplified sequence of blueblack tailoring and grid-patterned black-on-cream tops and pants that come in a combination of maxi and micro proportions and are accessorised with large quartz

goatskin, mules in smooth calfskin and trainers in technical canvas. Accessories also boast fabric fabulousness with ankle bracelets available in both suede goatskin and smooth calfskin, belts in box or evercalf calfskin with the buckle in Dalmatian jasper

and clear resin cuffs. Informal abstraction is brought to the collection via the inclusion of vertical and diagonal stripes and asymmetry. A variety of colours

and lacquer, cuffs in crystalline resin inlaid with agate, and necklaces and bracelets in metal and crystalline resin.

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Prada Miu Miu SS 2016 Womenswear

items include wintry purple and green lozengepatterned narrow coats and midi pencil skirts, fur stoles and boxy Deco-patterned cardigans. Now and then raccoon tails peep out from behind jackets making us wonder about an animal hidden there.

Anxious that this doesn’t make sense? Don’t be.

That is exactly Prada’s point.

M

iuccia Prada is the Italian fashion designer and entrepreneur behind Prada and Miu Miu. The youngest granddaughter of Mario Prada, she took over the family-owned luxury goods manufacturer in 1978.

Since then, the company has acquired Jil Sander, Helmut Lang and shoemaker Church & Co. In 2002, Prada opened her own contemporary art gallery. In March 2013, she was one of the fifty bestdressed over 50s by the Guardian, and as of 2014, she is listed as the 75th most powerful woman in the world by Forbes.

The accessories are just as strong and powerful as the clothing. There are boldly coloured scarves, tender raccoon charms dangling onto the torso, bug-eye sunglasses, messy feather necklaces, and vibrantly-coloured tiaras.

Boots, a major draw in a season of loudly decorative footwork, include calf-length lace-up boots with chunky heels carrying patchwork and a real game of colours. The shoes are standout, and in multiple styles, the most striking of which is a series of 1970s-style platforms feature abstract or zigzag lines reminiscent of superhero lightning motifs. All footwear rocks impressive colour blocks of redbrown-olive green, white-brown, white-deep purple or even blue-purple-grey-black. The more conservatively sweet ballet slippers featuring leather wraparound straps and patent pointed stilettos that, again, bring a touch of the confused in their mismatched ribbon ankle ties. The handbags are ladylike and constructed in strong colours, including violet and mustard yellow. There are several, smaller reptile handbags, with matching leather straps woven with orange cord.

The Miu Miu line was introduced in 1992 as a less expensive womenswear line inspired by her personal wardrobe. She named it after her own nickname, Miu Miu. The latest spring 2016 collections for both Miu Miu and Prada were created

by Miuccia in the midst of dealing with the passing of her 103-year-old aunt, Nana, whom she described as a second mother. The designer said, “Really, Miu Miu was about irrationality, the times we are in are extreme.” She appears to have been inspired during the putting together of these collections by a need to go underground and escape reality, and one would assume, her own personal grief.

This collection is one of super quirky tailoring and plenty of fur. Miu Miu is known for its emphasis on shape and layering, and this collection was no exception: puffed out sleeves underneath pinaforestyle dresses gave a prim, doll-like quality to the pieces. Prada’s signature ruffles adorn shirts and dresses, while prints adorn leather jackets and skirts.

The assembles seem made to be pulled apart, layer by layer, and absorbed into a woman’s wardrobe in whatever manner makes sense to her. Nylonlooking negligees are layered over sweaters and gingham shirts whilst sheer shirts are layered over dresses creating a gothic, glam-rock feel. Other

There’s tiaras, ruffle-neck blouses, a Swan Lake tutu – and within it all, goth black-and-white silk pieces printed with candles and cigarette lighters, surely a mini collection unto itself. The entire collection embodies an intriguing combination of menacing attitudes versus come-hither flirtation, appealing to the girly girls and the edgier fashionistas. The mixture of girlish charm, vintage accents and edgy styling all made perfect sense in Miuccia's world, and delivered a spring line of adorable eccentricity. We’re starting to think there’s method to Miu Miu’s madness after all.

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EMPORIO ARMANI MENSWEAR SS 2016

R

af Simons’ spring 2016 menswear collection for Emporio Armani is best described as an encounter between different worlds; a blend of cultures, the East quietly stepping into the West and manifesting itself as an Eastern feel mixed with Western tastes.

This fusion brings with it a combination of colours, techniques and materials.

Simons merges basic blue, grey and green with teal to create natural, subtle shades of taupe and sand. Traditionally used in winter, for spring/summer paisley is applied using four different techniques: digital printing for shirts and blouses, jacquards for ruffled jersey jackets, embroidered over fabric and laser-engraved on outerwear, with small lasered patterns creating the illusion of all-over tattoos. The paisley presence creates a pure symbol on light warmweather garments again to illustrate a non-traditional merger.

Fine materials such as wool, curpo, washed silk and cotton express a winning all-season approach to meet the needs of Emporio Armani’s fans around the world. A featherweight nappa leather bonded with a Georgette lining has a crisp feel to it. Ever-present backpacks are embroidered to create threedimensional effects. Shoes span sneakers, sabots and slip-ons. New Oxfords come with a closed front and open back, with the foot held in place by a strap around the back of the ankle.

Another fusion that is present in this collection and also in the Gucci’s spring collection is that of old and young. The fashion industry, obsessed with youth and novelty, is the last place you'd expect to find trenchant commentary on this relationship; however, it is something that appears to interest Simons. Raf never knew his grandfathers but he has become familiar with their idiosyncrasies through photographs. The way, for instance, they – and their friends – would go on wearing the same suits they had worn for years. No need for novelty, their clothing was their crutch. The way clothing shapes and expresses identity has been an obsession of Simons' from the very beginning of his career. That's what his gangs are always about. He said this spring collection was ‘very gang,’ and the inclusion of hoods is the biggest clue.

Hoodies have become a contemporary emblem of truculent youth, but Simons made his hoods mediaeval in shape, as if they should be worn by monks. That automatically creates a connection between the brotherhood of a mediaeval monastery and the brotherhood of a 21st-century gang.

‘Generation communication’ has been Simons' motivator from day one. It's not like the senior citizens of the world are suddenly going to demand to be kitted out in Simons' trousers that flare to puddles of fabric on the floor, or his lean coats that also fall in a cascade of cloth. But, in his mind at least, he is building a kinship between past, present and future.

The collection features a lot of knitwear, the fabric synonymous with grandparents, some of it pieced together to literally extend its life, other bits of it shrunken into crop tops. There are tailored ensembles that hint at suits lovingly preserved over decades. And that is the enduring melancholy that touches everything Raf Simons does. All things must pass.

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HERMÈS SS 2016 MENSWEAR

I

t was Jean-Louis Dumas, the former chairman and artistic director of Hermès, who, in 1988, gave Véronique Nichanian carte blanche to set up her own little business creating men’s clothing and accessories for the company where she has worked for the past 27 years. It’s safe to say he made the right choice.

Nichanian is now based in Paris and continues to create hugely successful collections year on year for the luxury fashion house, propelled by her keen understanding and interest in the fashion tastes of the opposite sex. “I like men's mannerisms, the way they can be driven by refinement,” she says. “Details say a lot about a man’s choices: watches are a masculine take on jewellery. Like shoes, they are signs of elegance,” she continues.

For spring 2016 Véronique Nichanian presents an elegant and considered collection of her own for Hermès, one that brings the charm that we have come to expect from her.

“I like to make clothes that can exist by themselves. They are like objects, and Hermès is a house of objects after all,” said the designer. "It's the definition of something very modern, which I have be doing for 25 years."

The attention to detail throughout her latest collection is, as always, exquisite. A summer jacket features just a slice of elastic at the waist to ensure a flattering fit; the house's signature silk scarves surface as belts, a number of jackets are reversible, and horizontally-ribbed sweaters carry easy button-up necklines.

Nichanian has a very clear understanding of her role in fashion: to give men clothing staples that will stand the test of time and changing styles. Her offerings are all about subtle changes, designs that will fold easily into an existing wardrobe, that ‘play nicely with others’. It would be interesting to know if the ultra-successful Nichanian constantly wonders what she can do that she hasn't already done…

There is a fabric in this collection – a goatskin imprinted with silk twill – that counted as a conceptual, as well as technical, breakthrough. It brings together the two big Hermès signatures – skin and silk – in one material. And it seems utterly typical of Nichanian that she would then use this signal achievement on a t-shirt – just like she elasticated the waist of vibrant green suede pants or included a striped mint green blouson jacket crafted out of water snake or a reversible two-button jacquard blazer covered in flowers and stripes. So many casual details defy the notion of the way the haute bourgeoisie in France would dress whilst conveying the conventional image of Hermès. The rolled pants, knotted kerchiefs, t-shirts and the slightly undone mood are all part of the microclimate for menswear that she has created within Hermès.

“Clothes speak to me and I try to give this confidence to men and a new elegance,” said Nichanian. Mission accomplished, we say.

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PRADA SS 2016 MENSWEAR

I

talian born fashion designer Miuccia Prada

was the youngest granddaughter of Mario Prada who started the Prada fashion line in

1913. She first dazzled the fashion world in 1985 with a series of black nylon handbags and backpacks; today, with her firmly at the helm, Prada is a billion-dollar company.

Much of what sets Prada apart from the rest of the fashion world is her seeming disregard for the fashion industry. Prada has always blazed her own trail and demonstrated a fearlessness in trying new styles. Her experimentation once included a raincoat that was transparent until it became wet, at which point it turned opaque. "If you want to know what a season is about, you don't miss the Prada show," one fashion director told TIME magazine. "She never follows anyone else's lead, just her own original energy. Her collections are completely an expression of herself."

So it’s unsurprising, then, that Prada presented her

menswear

and

womenswear

for

spring/summer 2016 together, immediately introducing one of the collection’s main themes: the fusion of opposites.

Prada travels through time for spring/summer 2016, with a menswear collection that delivers boyish clothes created through Prada’s adult gaze. Child-like knit sweaters feature racing cars, bouncing rabbits and zooming rocket motifs, the innocent naivety of which contrasts with the high-tech materials, leather jackets and shorts that bring a touch of maturity.

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All the motifs allude to movement and swift action – as do the silhouettes of short shorts.

Even the design details – the long pull-tab zippers on knit tops, the shimmering sequins on a car coat, or the overflowing layers of fabric spilling out from the waistline – all accelerated the idea of alacrity.

The racing theme continues in a series of zipup, all-in-one jumpsuits in navy with contrasting orange, yellow and red piping, like an elegant Formula One uniform, and trainers with exaggerated perforated cut-out circles.

Miuccia Prada clearly has a need for speed – get the goods and get out. It was a message the designer hammers home via every aspect of this collection.

Tiny short-shorts were a recurring theme, paired with boxy jackets or worn with zip-up tops that appeared under shirting. That sporting touch became more exaggerated in the vest tops, again worn with shorts, but Prada was reticent about the pieces being termed ‘sportswear’, a phrase which has come to dominate menswear in recent years. “I didn’t want it to be sporty. It was about being more stripped back, human and real.”

Prada’s artfully dishevelled combination of sculptured glossy jackets shrugged off the shoulders and the gauzy shirts, half-untucked and loose, like a nonchalant afterthought, conjure up teenage schoolboy images. Playful prints and the label’s signature colour blocking and jolts of colour – such as the yellow top stitching – brighten the grey, navy and black palette and again give a particularly youthful feel.

Perhaps Prada wants to take us back to our years of growing up – possibly the most vulnerable and raw time in our lives.

Prada said of the collection: “I tried to give this a title, and the first title that came out was ‘postmodest’. Not post-modern: post-modest. Postindustrial, post-pop; departing from those kinds of concepts and making it contemporary,” said Prada in typical cryptic fashion. “It was about modesty, humanity and simplicity.”

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W

ith this edition of Simply Beauty, I hope to encourage you again to take a look at your current routine and see if you can be inspired. A little change here or there can make a big difference, not only to your skin and appearance but also your lifestyle and outlook.

To assist you in doing this, I have been researching and talking to some very influential women within the beauty world.

Building empires and improving the condition of their mind and bodies, it's impossible not to take away a thread of their experience and weave it into our own life's tapestry.

Terry de Gunzburg, a French makeup artist and cosmetic expert, is someone who can vouch for creating a global brand. Starting off small, niche and almost under the radar, her products quickly became cult. With women telling each other about a certain items and their results, word soon spread. Now she has a vast array of makeup, skincare and fragrance on offer, so we're spoilt for choice. I've been a fan of her work since the early days so I was very excited to ask her some questions about her life and work.

An inspirational woman who has a real tale to tell is Emma Hardie. Coming from a background where necessity made her create her products, it is truly a story to draw inspiration from. Illness and human strength pulled her through and thank goodness – she now has an incredible line of skincare and products that really deliver. I'm a huge fan of her Moringa Cleansing balm and have been since the day it launched many years ago. Since then Emma and her vision has grown immensely and she continues to build on her beautiful line of results driven creations. Inspired by her unique techniques and infectious personality, I was so happy to meet with Emma again to probe her with some questions, revealing to you more about the woman behind the brand.

Then to top things off I tell you all about the luxury location in Dubai that you'd be crazy not to visit! A destination in haircare and pampering, La Lago is the place to be. The brainchild of Jose Eber, celebrity hairstylist who has salons in Beverley Hills, we now have access to the same treatments here on our doorstep. Take a look at the incredible interiors and be sure to make an appointment – it's an experience not to miss.

As ever, I welcome your feedback and responses so please get in touch with me via my Twitter and Instagram on @beautisserie and I will be happy to respond. Indeed, if there are any elements of beauty you’d like me to research, tell me and I’ll look into it!

My website can also be viewed at www.beautisserie.com which showcases my makeup artistry and other Simply Abu Dhabi articles.

Sophie McMullan Beauty Editor

S I M PLY BE A U T I F U L

By S op h i e M cM u l l a n

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The Emma Hardie Collection

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he Emma Hardie collection first came to my attention about ten years ago when her products were launched into the retail sector. I met the lady herself and was immediately struck by her enthusiasm and incredible knowledge of the face, body, and the structure of the skin. Then finding out that Emma had researched and trained in all of this due to her own personal battle after an illness, it became even more poignant.

Emma Hardie

Using the natural healing powers of ingredients that are readily available to us, carefully selected and blended then applied using her signature techniques, Emma and her products were an instant success. I've been a fan of her cleansing balm since the first application, not only because of the results, but because it’s a wonderful sensory experience: its smell, texture and effect on the mood.

The Amazing Face skincare range continues to grow, and now with the Vitamin C collection, we're being treated to yet more power-packed products that deliver impressive results. I went along to the launch in Central London where Emma took us through her concepts of facial lifting and sculpting, as well as what this new line can do for our skin. I then asked Emma some questions and was fascinated by her replies...

What brought you to create your own range of skincare?

I contracted a virus called Epstein-Barr when I was 19 years old; it attacked my central nervous system, liver and kidneys so I was pretty ill until I was 33. I had to learn how to heal myself as the doctors could not pick up the virus in the blood tests, so couldn’t help me. I learnt how to stimulate the body’s self-healing ability, and became fascinated and wanted to teach and empower others. I also discovered the simple benefits of facial acupressure massage for selfhealing and facial rejuvenation. I retrained in physiology, health and beauty, studied cell biology and launched my Lift & Glow facial work shop. Then in 2009 I developed my Amazing Face range based on research I have done and still do.

What product or technique are you most proud of?

My ‘lines, not circles’ facial massage technique is simply extraordinary and visibly demonstrates how the tissue of the body can reorganise itself when stimulated in the correct way. This is all based on the research I have undertaken. Also, my wonderful Moringa Balm with its magical ability to heal and rejuvenate the skin – simple, yet so effective.

Tell us a little more about Emma Hardie the woman and what makes her tick.

What do your celebrity clients come to you for?

I have a complete fascination with how the human body works, particularly how tissue regenerates and how the body heals itself; either from a bacteria or virus, a physical blow, or how stress affects the biomechanical workings of the body. I’m slightly obsessive but I think this is why my passion and research is so dedicated and unique. I always seek out a solution to my client’s health and skincare needs.

They love the way I sculpt, contour and bring amazing glow, luminosity and plumpness to their skin, naturally. They also really enjoy the healing and relaxing benefits to my treatments, especially because they have such hectic, often stressful lives.

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Your 'crosshatching' and 'lines, not circles' technique when doing facials is unique.

Can you explain the benefits of this movement?

Think of the soft tissue of the body like fabric. It has a weave and a weft that’s made up of collagen and elastin fibres that form the skin’s supporting connective tissue system and creates the muscle fibres, capillaries, arteries, veins and lymphatic system. Working in a linear crossed hatched fashion stimulates deep drainage of all the layers of facial tissue and stimulates all aspects of skin health as you are working with the natural grain of a living structure.

Getting your clients’ skin red carpet-ready involves what sort of procedures?

My Lift & Glow facial is the ultimate red carpet skin treatment. If possible I will do a client on the day of the event, or I will do two or three in close succession on the lead up. I always prepare the skin by buffing with microfibre over the Moringa Foaming Wash. I slather the face with Moringa Balm for a super moisturising cleanse, packing the skin with moisture, then buff again over our Instant Radiance Mask. I leave the skin prepped for the makeup artists by applying our light reflective Midas Touch Face Serum, on top of which I apply our Protect and Prime SPF30 which adds another layer of light reflective particles and acts as a makeup primer.

What sets your skincare line apart from others on the market?

It’s simple, effective and works. At Emma Hardie we believe educating our customers about skincare and their individual needs is a must.

Myself and our amazing team of experts travel the country meeting our customers, giving skincare advice and mini treatments – we give a really hands-on experience and we believe we take an innovative, individual approach to natural skin formulations.

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Your new Vitamin C range looks amazing. Can you tell us how this came about and what it promises to deliver?

I have always believed in the skin and health benefits of vitamin C. It’s one of the main ingredients to help rebuild the connective tissue system of the body, as it stimulates collagen production. I also love the way it helps reduce pigmentation and the appearance of fine lines and brings such a bright, radiant look to the skin. I wanted to create a really special formulation, so I added vitamin B3 which has an astonishing ability to rejuvenate the skin. The cream helps to even skin tone and minimise the appearance of pigmentation and discolouration; it brightens and creates incredible luminosity and hydration.

What are your key ingredients for healthy skin and to prevent signs of ageing?

My favourites for healthy skin and to prevent signs of ageing would be all aspects of the Moringa Tree for overall skin health!

Vitamin C for brightness, pumpkin enzyme which is an amazing natural exfoliant, hyaluronic acid for hydration, and UVA and UVB protectors are a must every day for ageing and, more importantly, protection against skin cancer.

Are most of the ingredients from natural origin? How do you source them?

Yes they are. Our dedicated team carries out extensive research.

What’s the single most important step we should all take the time to do for our skin?

Buff the skin in lines, not circles, over the Moringa Balm or any cream or oil on a daily basis.

Indulge in the Star Treatment at José Eber La Loge Salon

appearances on CNN, ABC and NBC – it’s clear José is in as high demand as ever.

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The entrepreneur who made it all possible, along with her business partner Lubana Sakkal, is Reem Abou Samra. She says of the new venture, “Lubana and I saw a noticeable lack of luxurious grooming options in the UAE and identified this as a major opportunity to bring superior styling to Dubai, a city that has become synonymous with luxury and quality.”

his exclusive salon, dedicated to making each woman feel like a star, is fast becoming the Emirates’ premier destination for luxury hair and beauty treatments. The José Eber La Loge salon is situated in the Emirates Hills, at the prestigious The Address Montgomerie Dubai hotel. This fabulous location is the ultimate haven in which to experience the influence of a famous stylist, whilst being treated to pure indulgent pampering in an exclusive yet welcoming environment.

Are your products suitable for all skin types?

Yes they are!

I've been obsessed with the Moringa Balm since it first launched. Is this your hero product? How did you come to create this?

It is, and it’s our bestselling product. It was the first one we created; the challenge was to see if we could create just one product that did everything. I spent years researching ingredients that had multi-tasking skin beautifying effects. It’s influenced by ancient Japanese skin care, which uses wonderful oils to cleanse and moisturise the skin.

Would you ever venture into a cosmetic collection?

Perhaps a tinted moisturiser or the like?

Watch this space!

How about a full body and bath range?

Again, watch this space! We are always working on new formulations.

How do you stay motivated?

Having a positive mind set and training the brain to only think good thoughts. I love my work with every inch of my being, so work always keeps me happy. I also have a fantastic team of experts behind me; they are a great support and are also such fun to be with, which is so important!

What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?

My father said to me once "Just do it” and I did.

What would you tell your 15-year-old self?

Never be scared of any challenge, it always makes you stronger.

How would your best friend describe you?

Slightly bonkers, loveable, determined and funny!

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The salon is the brainchild of the incredible entrepreneur Reem Abou Samra, who has transported the José Eber concept from Beverley Hills to the Emirates Hills with perfect synergy. Beauty and prestige are all in one location; it's the place to be treated like a star, and emerge renewed, looking and feeling your absolute best.

As you lounge on Fendi chairs whilst crystal chandeliers twinkle above you, their light playing off the gold mosaic walls, you realise this is no ordinary salon. The stylists are of the highest calibre, taking their influence from José Eber, known as one of the best in the world. Bringing the A-list to Dubai, this is the finest way to groom yourself to feel like Hollywood royalty.

José Eber has been a leader in the industry for four decades, forging a reputation as the architect of some of the world's most acclaimed hairstyles. Tending the iconic tresses of Elizabeth Taylor, Cher and Farrah Fawcett amongst others, today he remains at the top of his game.

A firm believer in paying personal attention to every client, he analyses each one’s individual needs and lifestyle, tailoring a look to enhance her natural beauty.

As he describes his ethos, "I believe that every woman has star potential if she recognises her own unique beauty and appreciates the characteristics and traits that make her special and different."

Owning three stores in the US, which are frequented by celebrities and socialites alike, it was only a matter of time before José’s concept and techniques were snapped up to find roots in other locations around the world. Holding the prestigious Global Salon Business Lifetime Achievement Award, which he won in 2008, appearing with Oprah on her TV show, and making guest

That’s why the launch of a José Eber salon in the Emirates is such an exciting development in the UAE beauty scene.

This level of quality was very important to the duo, who made a point of ensuring all the details were carried out to the highest possible standard.

“We are very proud to celebrate the launch of La Loge amidst such positive support,” she explains. “My partner Lubana and I have made it our mission to elevate the standard of grooming by combining all the wonderful techniques we had been exposed to during visits to the best salons around the world. We decided to bring together an amazing team in collaboration with José Eber and his A-list team who are infusing their unique approach to styling in the salon through ongoing training and workshops for the team in Dubai.”

Another world-class hair expert who will be collaborating with the salon is Jean-Marc Brun. As a French stylist who has been working on his art for over twenty-five years, he too has clients who rely on him to make them look fabulous. Residing in Paris, but sure to be visiting Dubai as often as he can, his previous clients include Victoria Beckham, Kelly Clarkson and Qatar's First Lady, HH Sheikha Moza.

In addition to incredible cuts, colour and hair treatments, La Loge also provides such high-end services as makeup, nails, massage and facials, as well as all beauty services for weddings.

If you’d like to enquire about the world of luxury treatments available to you, or would like to book an appointment, please contact José Eber La Loge on: Women's Salon: 05 2222 2901 Men's Salon: 05 2722 5999 E-mail: info@laloge.com Address: La Loge Beauty Lounge The Address Montgomerie Dubai Emirates Hills, Dubai, UAE

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Once you have discovered how amazing her cosmetics are, you'll be hooked. So many beauty editors, makeup artists and industry professionals rave about her collection that many of the pieces are now cult classics to covet.

Terry de Gunzburg

All aspects of beauty are covered with Haute Couleur, Haute Cosmetology and Haute Perfumery, which completes a vast array of exquisite offerings we can adorn and complement our lifestyles with.

With a rare glimpse into the life and work of Terry herself, I find out what drives her, which products are integral and get a few tips from the top...

What inspired or motivated you to become a makeup artist?

It was almost by chance! I have always been inspired and attracted by colour and art, so I guess that deep inside I knew I was always meant to be in a creative industry. Even though I was studying science at the time, I decided to take a summer internship at the prestigious beauty school of the Carita sisters, the legendary ladies that dominated the world of beauty. That’s when my life took a new turn. Vogue urgently needed a makeup artist for a shoot, and just out of the blue, Maria Carita decided to send me. They loved my work and from that day on I was 100% inspired!

T

erry de Gunzburg is an icon within the beauty industry, albeit one that perhaps not everyone is familiar with. If I was to mention the Touché Eclat to you, however, I'm sure you'd know what that is and why she is an icon – she invented that incredible product way back when she was working with YSL Beauty. Since 1998, her own By Terry line has gone from strength to strength, creating innovative and results-driven products with a luxurious feel.

What’s the most interesting aspect of your role?

It’s definitely introducing women of all ages and backgrounds, from novices to the most experienced, to a world of beauty based on an approach to makeup that is simple and straightforward, yet also all about expertise. I like to build a rapport with women, giving them beauty tips designed to make their lives easier and increase their confidence, and ensure that everyone is given the professional and unique results she deserves.

By Terry

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What has been your greatest challenge so far?

My greatest challenge so far, and always, is to stay loyal to my integrity and the brand’s integrity. I try not follow the marketing trends and fashions too much but I stay true to the philosophy of the brand – timeless quality and luxury, using the finest and rarest ingredients.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

My greatest achievements in life are my four children… and my fifth child, By Terry! Without my children, my greatest critics and advisors, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve the success of the brand as it is today!

How do you ensure a healthy work/life balance?

A healthy work/life balance is crucial to be able to be successful. My family to me is extremely important, so I need to make sure that I have precious moments and quality time with them. My husband and I both travel a lot for work, so often spend time apart. I try to make the most of it when we are together, as we have so many cultural interests that we like to share: dinners, the opera, art openings, exhibitions and dinners with friends. At the weekends we like to spend time with our children and grand-children. On holidays we make the most of it and all gather together with family and friends – whether it’s skiing or in Provence, we have the most wonderful moments.

What initially inspired the By Terry cosmetic line?

In 1998, I stopped working with Yves Saint Laurent and decided to create my own brand. I had been thinking of this for a while and finally was able to do what I liked most: anticipate trends, while always meeting women's needs.

I had developed a new idea of exclusive luxury, applied to the world of beauty. Rarity, creativity and modernity are the essential components of this signature. I wanted to offer the same standards of excellence, expertise and service as Haute Couture Fashion – a made-to-measure service that met women’s individual needs. That’s

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exactly what we initially offered at my first boutique in Galerie Vero Dodat: women were able to come and see me and order a specific colour of lipstick, or a particular shade of foundation. We would take samples and test them and then create their customised product. By Terry was born with this one-to-one approach in mind.

What product were you most excited about creating?

Creating my fragrance line was extremely exciting and as it was something I had never done before, it was an absolute challenge! I had always dreamt of having a fragrance line and I have obsessed about it for years, but I wanted it to be perfect, so I had to wait for the right moment. It couldn’t be something I rushed into. It took me years and years of research and finally, together with the Maitre Parfumeur, Michel Almairac, I created my first fragrance line. It was an exciting journey that is not yet over!

Is there an element that you feel sets your products apart from others on the market?

Absolutely. I truly believe that By Terry products are unique in the way they offer a 360-degree sensory experience… They are all beautiful to look at, have wonderful textures to touch and have a dreamy scent… If only we could eat them then we would!!

What advice would you give to someone starting a business/brand?

Hard work is number one. After that, I advise anyone to always be true to their initial message and to be honest with their customers, deliver what they promise. There will be so many large corporations that will try and buy your brand or make you change your message to make it more marketable, but you just need to stay focused and be true to yourself!

What is your favourite product?

It must be the Light Expert Click Brush that I launched in 2015, a revamp of the iconic foundation brush. With its brand new look, remastered inside and out, it is a perfect foundation that is portable and suitable for all women on the go! Delivering professional makeup results in a single, simple step, it's ideal for women who think they can't do foundation as well as makeup experts. The intelligent, skin-mimicking formula and portable format means it’s always ready to use. Everything about this product makes it a musthave – expert foundation for every day.

Has anything surprised you about creating a cosmetic line?

Oh yes, so many surprises along the way! The most surprising thing for me is how sometimes something that seems so perfect and ideal in theory turns out to be a complete flop when turned into actual product! And this works the other way round too. In fact, my hero product Baume de Rose is an unexpected mistake in the lab... and turned out to be the brand’s best-seller!

Where do you call home and why?

Paris is definitely my home; that’s where I met my husband and where my children were born. Although London is now also fast becoming my home!

If you were limited to three makeup items, what would they be?

Foundation for an even skin tone and a perfect complexion, mascara for perfectly separated lashes and a red lipstick!

Roses play a key feature in your collection. Can you tell us why?

From a very young age I have had a real passion for roses; to me, they represent the essence of femininity. It is such a romantic and delicate flower, yet it has such powerful properties. Each part of the rose has some wonderful quality: the petal, the stem, the oil, the butter. And its wonderful scent is just so irresistible! I use roses in my three lines – fragrance, skincare and makeup.

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What trends do you think stand the test of time?

I believe that the trend that will stand all test of time is the classic and timeless one of perfect skin and complexion, neat and full eyelashes, and full healthy plump lips!

Describe a typical day in your life.

I wake up early and keep up to date with the news, reading the papers whilst drinking a pot of Earl Grey tea. I then start my morning cleansing routine. After that, I go through my emails and have meetings with my creative team in Paris. In the evening I relax and have a tête-à-tête dinner with my husband.

What do you do to relax?

I have a me day! A relaxing bath infused with drops of By Terry Huile de Rose and scented candles. Reading a book at home with opera in the background. Also gardening and cooking!

What is your favourite colour, texture and scent?

My favourite colour is purple, of course… and coral, like the packaging of my first fragrance collection! I love soft textures like velvet and silk, crisp textures like cotton and linens, and hard textures like velvet. My favourite scent is the most natural of scents that I find in my garden in Provence: rose bushes, lavender fields, rain falling on the warm soil. I have worked hard to recreate these scents into my latest fragrance, Thé Glacé!

What can you reveal about upcoming products and how your brand will evolve?

The brand is evolving to become more user-friendly and accessible, but there will still be a very high-end luxurious side. I am particularly excited about a new collection that will be launched after the summer… it’s very cool and contemporary but I am afraid I cannot say more. With regards to skincare there will be a surprise for early 2017, a real novelty for By Terry, so stay tuned!

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Lamborghini Huracan LP580-2

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S I M PLY C A RS

By Damien Reid

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eight is the enemy of performance, and the simplest way to make a car go faster is to remove any unnecessary kilos.

So while Lamborghini has distinguished itself from rivals Ferrari and McLaren by being the all-wheel drive supercar company, the price of having additional grip from the extra driving wheels is weight – which has been seen by a few purists as dulling the overall sensation.

Though you could never accuse the likes of the Huracan and Aventador models of being even remotely dull, the temptation to shave off an easy few kilograms was thankfully too much for the revheads at Sant’agata, and so we now have the lightweight Lamborghini Huracan LP580-2.

The last number stands for two-wheel drive, meaning all the power now goes through the rear wheels only. And with 33kg saved from not having a centre and front diff or a front driveshaft, as well as being mid-engined, this is the closest car Lambo has built to a Ferrari in decades, in terms of the spec sheet and construction layout.

Power has dropped slightly from 602bhp to 572bhp, while the nose and springs have been fettled to provide extra downforce and adjust to the revised weight distribution, but otherwise not much else has changed.

On paper it all looks similar, being just 0.2 seconds to 100kmh behind the all-wheel drive Huracan at 3.4 seconds with a 320kmh top end, but it’s the buzz through the fingertips that gets you.

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With sharpened steering brought on not by any major steering changes but because of the lighter nose, combined with less weight over the front, a revised aero kit and an improved ECU that allows for a little more slip ‘n slide when in sport mode, the LP580-2 is possibly the most enjoyable Lamborghini I’ve driven since the original Gallardo

Being the most affordable model in the Lamborghini range, undercutting the LP610-4 by nearly AED164,000 certainly helps. It’s also partly for this reason that the company expects the LP580-2 to be a strong seller, making up nearly half of all Huracan sales globally.

Superleggera.

Yet, climbing in behind the wheel, the sensation is the same, sitting low with legs stretched out and, like the LP610-4, this Huracan doesn’t have the trademark scissor doors that most associate with Lamborghini.

An inherent problem with all-wheel drive cars, even if they are Lamborghinis, is that they understeer, and that’s been a mild issue for the more hardcore owners for a long time. And as this is viewed as a proper driver’s car, it was time to address this and make the Huracan

That’s something they reserve to distinguish the company’s V12powered cars; currently the only one is the Aventador.

decidedly more tail-happy.

The seven-speed, paddle shift-operated box does the job well and is standard now on all Lamborghinis as, sadly, the days of manual gearboxes are over. Perhaps that’s my only gripe, as the enthusiast in

The cockpit is part car, part jet fighter, part game console with a big, novelty, red lever covering the start button that you have to move up to ‘arm’ the car before pressing start. I wasn’t sure if I was more Maverick or Ice Man when I hit the ‘go’ button to fire the V10 into life but it’s very much a “Top Gun” moment every time you start the car.

me would love to use the old-style, gated, H-pattern box even if it is a bit slower. It gives the driver a mechanical connection to the car – and this car is all about the feel between driver and machine.

Immediately in front, at the base of the steering wheel, is the selector switch for the three driving modes: Strada, (street) Sport and Corsa (track).

If you only buy cars based on the numbers in the sales brochures, then it could be argued that this one’s not for you because, in all the vital stats, the existing AWD Huracan LP610-4 has the advantage everywhere over this 2WD model. But the truth is, it’s not as much

You can guess what they all do, but for this car there’s a small secret that I can share with you. Unlike most supercars that have this function, with this car, it’s the second setting – Sport, and not Corsa – that will give you the most fun and will allow you the most control

fun. I never once stopped the car and wished for those missing 30bhp, because when has 572bhp been not enough?

over the car. It’s this setting that cuts out more of the traction devices than the track-only Corsa mode.

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The stability control system cuts in quite early in Strada mode and still maintains plenty of understeer, as that’s considered by most auto engineers to be the safer option for novice drivers when building high performance cars.

oversteer than the other modes, making it ‘driftable’ as the company likes to put it. You get the picture.

Corsa then firms the suspension and brings the car back to a more neutral setting for the quickest lap time. It’s also the mode that allows you to switch the ESC off completely and offers the fastest gear

Sport firms the dampers (which can also be the magnetic dampers available as an option), but only a touch, in order to let the car lean on its nose on turn-in to corners, which generates quite a lot of oversteer

changes.

with a touch of the gas pedal.

If you want to drop it back a gear or two at high rpm in order to keep

Whilst our time with the car didn’t include any track time but did

the power on the boil, then this is the setting to use. This one’s about efficiency and sharp, quick driving without the tail-out heroics, but if

include some heavy rain in the UAE, we didn’t get to test it to its full capability. But we have it on good authority that Sport offers more

you do get into trouble and the tail jumps out, you’ll be left to rely on your own talent or luck to correct it.

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Spec Box:

And good luck with that, as that’s where proper driving skills kick in – hence for the 99 percent of us, Strada or Sport are the ones to stick to and you’ll be rewarded without being scared. Because if there’s one thing about this car is that it responds to the throttle very quickly. Not just in acceleration but, more importantly, in steering input. Give the accelerator a stab at the right time and the nose will dig in as the tail

Engine: 5.2-litre V10 Transmission: 7-speed auto Power: 571bhp @ 8000rpm Torque: 540Nm @ 6500rpm

comes around.

0-100kmh: 3.4 seconds The LP580-2 is not the fastest, the most powerful or the biggest Lamborghini, but it is the most fun car they build – and at the end of the day that’s all that matters for me.

Top speed: 320kmh Price: AED773,000

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R olls -R oyce Phantom II How do you define luxury?

It’s the age-old question. For a car, is it the number of gadgets, the amount of chrome-dipped brightwork, its Bluetooth connectivity or even a champagne chiller?

Truth is, it’s a bit of all of that, but there’s something else that on initial approach is hard to define.

Why is sitting in the back of the Rolls-Royce Phantom II such a regal experience when in reality it’s a leather-covered rear seat just like those from Bentley, Maybach and many others?

Yet climbing into the rear of the Phantom II is different from any other car out there. It’s somehow more of an experience. The fact that you neither step down nor up into the rear is part of its allure. The car sits high enough so that

you just walk into the back as you would into your private library or smoking room. No ducking of heads, bending down or fumbling for grab handles to lever yourself up, and having the back doors hinged from the rear makes it easier to enter and exit as well.

The next thing you probably wouldn’t notice is that the rear seat is positioned slightly higher than the front, so you have a clear, uncluttered view ahead over its long bonnet that directs your eyes to the elegant Spirit of Ecstasy mascot.

The bench seat itself has not conformed to modern trends of being individual buckets with a million electric settings.

It’s a simple, elegantly curved opera lounge that’s immensely comfortable without the need for a multitude of electric motors and is more social, encouraging conversation with its outer edges facing slightly inwards for easier eye contact with other passengers.

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Set back from the rear doors, there’s a button on the C-pillar which allows you to close the doors electrically and they gently idle into their locked position with the accuracy and weighted feel of a bank vault.

task. How do you improve on what many describe as perfection, and how do you make the experience better when you’re not relying on a spec sheet full of marketing hyperbole?

The truth is, it didn’t really need an update. In the first half of the 20th century, Sir Henry Royce famously urged his employees to strive for perfection in all that they did and “to take the best that exists and make it better,” so on this work ethic and as the Phantom has been around since 2003, time was moving on and something had to be done.

Continuing the subliminal theme is that the doors are square cut and don’t open over the rear wheel arch, which at first makes you think the door opening is not as wide as others, and you’d be right. But once closed, you sit back behind the door jam and peer out through the tiny port window embedded in the C-pillar at the rear. If the Phantom wasn’t long enough already, this only adds to the impression of length, space and limousine-like luxury.

External changes comprise a pair of rectangular LED light strips which intersect the main beams and replace the previous oval versions, some new options for the 21inch wheels, new bumpers and a few tiny mods to the chrome.

There are surprisingly few of the buttons and contraptions that typify many luxury cars, as the definition of luxury for Rolls-Royce is a feeling of being in something special instead of just a well-appointed car.

Rolls-Royce is the first to include full LED headlamps as standard on a production car. As well as delivering a characteristic whiter light, augmenting safety and preventing driver tiredness, these allow for the introduction of new technologies that better control lighting.

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Curve light functionality, for example, uses electronically-controlled reflectors to focus headlamp beams in the direction of travel, providing greater illumination of the road ahead when cornering. Adaptive headlamps change the cone of light projected onto a road in response to different driving speeds.

technologies and a modern user interface with a re-designed multimedia controller have been introduced for Series II. The new satellite navigation system has been fully updated with functions that include 3D maps with landscape topography, guided tours and enhanced points of interest, as well as composite route planning.

Mechanically, the BMW-derived 6.75-litre, twin-turbocharged V12 remains untouched but it now has the support of a new eight-speed automatic transmission.

Information, maps and video content are presented on a larger 8.8 inch control centre display, a feature underlined by eight programmable bookmarks presenting access to key functions at a driver’s fingertips. Front, rear and top-view camera systems make manoeuvring even easier. When reverse parking, for example, rear path prediction automatically deploys on the screen.

The word ‘waftability’ has long been part of the Rolls-Royce lexicon, with models past and present being renowned for their magnificent ride experience. Phantom Series II reinforces the company’s reputation for both.

Its suspension is as soft and compliant as you could imagine, as its 2670kg seems to squash speed humps and driveway gutters in its path, offering a magic carpet ride around roadworks and secondary roads. On the highway you have to remind yourself of its weight and size as the performance can trick you into thinking it’s more of a

Despite its size, it still moves swiftly, passing 100kmh in 5.8 seconds and onto 160kmh – the old 100mph mark – in 14.7 seconds, and it passes 250kmh with similar ease.

Every part of the Phantom experience should be effortless, so new driver assistance

sports car and tipping it into a corner brings you back to reality fairly quickly.

The changes to the second generation Phantom are subtle and almost superfluous, but enough to bring it into line with its nearest competitors. However, the basic DNA remains untouched because in the same way a suit or tuxedo never goes out of style, neither does a Rolls-Royce.

The air suspension tightens up and the oily-smooth steering through the typically thin, tri-spoked wheel provides enough feel to get the job done with surety, but this is not what the Phantom II excels at.

SPECS:

Luxury in the Rolls-Royce Phantom II is not defined by how many TV screens it has or how many hues of mood lighting you can dial in. It’s the fact that it takes 60 pairs of hands a total of 450 hours to build each car using just two robots along the way; that it requires a minimum of five layers of paint, each hand rubbed and covered in clear coat and hand polished for five hours to give it that grand piano look; and that there are 43 wooden pieces in every interior using 28 layers of veneer all cut from one log. This complements the nine hides taken from Alpine bulls to cover the 450 leather parts inside every car.

Engine: 6.75-litre, twin-turbo V12 Power: 453bhp @ 5350rpm Torque: 720Nm @ 3500rpm 0-100kmh 5.7 seconds Top speed: 250kmh Price: AED1,900,000 301

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cLaren has one of the richest histories in motor racing, second only to Ferrari

There will only be two types of 675LT owners: those who wrap it in cotton wool and watch its price

in Formula One, as well as having a long and varied career in sports cars at Le Mans and CanAm in the United States dating back to the early 1970s.

escalate as it sits in a humidified chamber deep within a car-sized vault, and those who drive it to the race track for an endless amount of track day fun. I sincerely hope there’s more of the latter than the former.

The new boy on the supercar block it may be, but you can never question McLaren’s rich motorsport heritage and, in the case of this ultra-rare 675LT, it refers to a particularly glorious era of sports car racing from the mid 1990s.

To be precise, it was in 1997 that McLaren built a long tail version of its F1 sports car for the Le Mans 24hour race, as the flat-out Mulsanne straight required longer bodywork to stop the car from lifting off at over 200 miles per hour. The ’97 Long Tail had better aerodynamics, an improved power to weight ratio and was a full 64 centimetres longer than the regular version.

Paying homage to that illustrious race car is the 675 Long Tail which, although it’s only about 4cms longer, still ticks the other two boxes of being more aerodynamic and holding better power-to-weight figures than the 650S it’s based on.

The other thing to note is that there will only be 500 built worldwide and the sad truth is that every one has now been spoken for, despite its list price of AED1,350,000.

So we’re exceptionally lucky to get our mitts on what will undoubtedly be an auctioneer’s delight for the super-rich in a few years’ time. McLaren says the 675LT has a “focus on outright performance, weight reduction and ultimate levels of driver engagement,” and after a few days living with the beast, I have to say, that is the understatement of 2016.

Aside from those seats, the LT also uses a plastic, louvred, plexiglass rear window instead of glass, as well as more carbon fibre which helps slice 100kg from its weight to bring it down to a nimble 1320kg or 1230kg dry.

McLaren claims that the windscreen is 0.5mm thinner, the wiring loom is 3kg lighter and the conrods are 11 percent lighter, while at the same time they’ve squeezed an extra 25bhp from the twinturbocharged, 3.8-litre V8 to give it 666bhp, which works out to be 675PS, hence the name.

So what does this mean from behind the wheel?

Firstly it’s not the easiest car to climb in and out of with its upward swinging doors and needing to throw a leg over the very wide carbon fibre monocoque tub.

But once strapped into its carbon-fibre, deep bucket race seat, it’s thankfully just as easy to plod around town as all McLarens and it’s only until you get beyond the city limits and stab the throttle does that Jekyll and Hyde thing start to happen.

On paper, the figures read 2.9 seconds to get it to 100kmh with a 330kmh top end but in reality, the absolute gunshot that hits you in the back of the head as you jump on the gas literally does – and did – take your breath away.

Adding to the adrenalin rush is the rapid-fire quick gear changes which are 55 percent faster thanks to the

I couldn’t spend more than an hour or two behind the wheel because the big, comfy leather and power

ECU cutting the ignition on the upshifts to give fullbore, flat to the floor upshifts right through the rev range.

operated seats from the 650S have been replaced with lightweight, hip-hugging race seats that have manual adjustment. And while they provide all the lateral

That delightful flat-plane crank sound is enhanced further with revised titanium exhausts that exit the

support you need for a track car, they’re a bit thin on the padding to save weight and, in turn, are not made for long stints behind the wheel.

car midway up like two rear-mounted canon and if you get the downshift and throttle setting just right, they spit glorious bursts of blue and orange flame as they pop the unburnt fuel after a hard run.

But you’re not going to use this for your family holidays with no luggage room and a big roll cage filling up whatever precious cargo space was behind your head. It’s effectively a race car that somehow has got through the registration process to be allowed on the road.

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It’s one of those cars where you could place an AED1000 note on the dash and challenge your passenger to grab it as you take off knowing full well you’d keep your money every time.

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The LT still provides three modes of damping stiffness and powertrain anger just like the 650S, so you can turn up the noise yet leave the suspension relatively supple.

The steering rack is faster, and its suspension spring rates are 27 percent stiffer at the front and 60 per cent firmer in the rear. All of this makes it more agile, responsive and rewarding than the 650, to the point where it felt more like thrashing a tiny Lotus than the mid-mounted, twinturbo V8 supercar it is.

It’s an immensely rewarding car to drive and with that extra few centimetres over the rear comes a 50 percent larger rear wing that also acts as an air brake for when you jump on the brakes with both feet.

Slam on the anchors and the wing rises a near 90 degrees to act as a parachute to arrest the car, wiping off speed at an indecent rate. It’s been a trait of all modern McLarens going back to the Mercedes-based SLR, but never as dramatic as this.

Which is probably the best word to sum up this car. Everywhere you look it is dramatic in its poise, acceleration, grip, braking and overall manners. Like buying prime real estate or gold bullion, the 675LT is an investment that will keep paying off decade after decade and will be looked upon many years down the track as an outrageous car for its time.

SPEC BOX: McLaren 675LT 3.8-litre, V8 twin turbo Transmission: 7-speed automatic Power: 666bhp @ 7100rpm Torque: 700Nm @ 5500rpm 0-100kmh: 2.9 seconds Top speed: 330kmh Price: AED1,350,000

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or over forty years, Overfinch have been taking the world’s leading, premium

SUV – the Range Rover - and turning it into something truly unique. An Overfinch Range Rover is not so much a conversion, more a complete reimagination of what a luxury, personalised vehicle can be.

An Overfinch Range Rover has a striking presence even from a distance. The unique alloy wheels, distinctive bodywork and assertive stance will tell you that it’s no ordinary Range Rover, long before you see the jewel-like deep enamel lettering across the bonnet. But to see what’s truly special about an Overfinch Range Rover, you need to get a little closer.

When you do, you’ll see a flawless, mirror-smooth paint finish customised to a customer’s personal taste. Overfinch exterior styling also delivers an eye-catching appearance that remains true to the car’s original design ethos and precisely aligns original components like parking sensors and reversing cameras. Most conversions of the Range Rover look like precisely that – a Range Rover with aftermarket components added on. It takes time, experience and an obsessive focus upon quality to create a Range Rover that delivers a factory finish with a personal signature. In that achievement, Overfinch stands alone.

The unique looks of an Overfinch Range Rover, Range Rover Sport or Evoque are down to the in-house design team. That’s a significant investment and a sign that the company believes in setting its own style. The alloy wheels are unique to Overfinch and branded as such. Body panels are created in hand-laid carbon fibre for strength, durability and light weight. You can also choose between painted or carbon-fibre finish, depending on your preference. Even finishing touches like exhaust tailpipes are cast and branded with the Overfinch identity to complete the integrated appearance.

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Overfinch takes pride in its reputation, that’s clear. The company uses some of the best OEM suppliers in the business, whether for bespoke carbon fibre or alloy wheels.

These same suppliers may well be providing original equipment for 200mph supercars, so the quality is impeccable. Everything about an Overfinch Range Rover says bespoke British craftsmanship.

Overfinch can trace its origins back to 1975 and a company called Schuler, just five years after the first Range Rover jump-started the luxury SUV sector. A Range Rover equipped with a Schuler/FF transfer box and anti-lock brakes won the 1981 ParisDakar Rally. The company also developed automatic transmissions, luxurious interiors and even a Chevrolet V8 engine option, finding a ready market among owners looking for a Range Rover with an extra touch of individuality.

The demand for Range Rovers with a little extra power, luxury and style wasn’t lost on the Land Rover factory. Over the years the brand has moved a long way from the original ‘hose clean’ vinyl seating to a higher level of luxury, with ever-more powerful engines. But there will always be those who demand a little more individuality, craftsmanship and luxury than the factory production lines can provide. For those customers, Overfinch is the obvious choice. As Autocar noted, “People buy an Overfinch because they want the ultimate Range Rover.”

‘Ultimate’ comes in many forms. You can choose from an Overfinch Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Evoque or even Defender, though production of the latter has finally ended at the Solihull factory.

Whichever model you choose, customers can commission individual interior conversions to suit their specific tastes. Interiors are completely reupholstered, with a range of seat designs and leather options. Choose from traditional diamond quilting or contemporary contrast stitching with micro-piping. Duo-tone colour schemes are popular, from a cool black and ivory to a more extrovert black and red. The leather Overfinch uses is from the respected Scottish tanner Bridge of Weir, and the quality of the craftsmanship is nothing short of sensational. Every surface is a tactile delight; every seam finished to perfection. Even the company’s automated sliding floor space is finished in Bridge of Weir leather and aluminium rather than carpet.

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Overfinch also offers a wide range of veneers, from traditional burr walnut to Piano Black with mother-of-pearl inlays. Each veneer set is hand-selected and mirrormatched across the car interior. Or if you prefer carbon-fibre, Overfinch offers a kaleidoscope of colour options, from black to bronze, green, orange or red weave.

Special edition vehicles and unique commissions have also seen a rise in the popularity of themed veneers. Contemporary, decorative marquetry is resurgent in recent vehicles, reflecting customers’ demand for the same level of decorative impact and visual luxury that they would expect at home, in their super yacht or private jet.

Overfinch create one-off marquetry images in veneer to a customer’s brief, whether it’s a family crest, initials, an image such as a stooping falcon or a city skyline. Having created a base image, the marquetry artist selects each tiny piece of veneer by hand, precision cutting it by laser to ensure a flawless fit. To add a sense of depth to an image the artist can also use the traditional process of sand-scorching to create a shadow effect.

The days when Overfinch would remove the standard Range Rover V8 and replace it with a big-block Chevvy are long gone. But you can still enjoy a touch of extra performance. An Overfinch performance exhaust system, together with a remapped ECU, liberates the full power and growl of the Range Rover’s supercharged 5.0 litre V8. An innovative Bluetooth-controlled ‘track mode’ button on the Overfinch key fob opens valves within the stainless steel system to reduce the silencing effect. The result is a soul-stirring snarl that gets more exhilarating the higher the engine revs. So not only does an Overfinch look like no other luxury SUV, it even sounds like no other.

For many customers, the process of commissioning an Overfinch Range Rover is part of the pleasure of ownership. The company’s showroom in St John’s Wood, London, is a popular stop over for prospective owners and offers a complete overview of all that is possible in the world of Overfinch. But if you plan a visit, make sure you allow enough time. There’s a lot to discover…

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Harry Winston Premier 31 mm

THE DUBAI MALL 04 339 8972 BURJ AL ARAB 04 348 7281 H A R R Y W I N S T O N . C O M