Durrah issue 30

volume 08 Issue 02 WINTER 2015

BD 3.5 Sr 35 DHS 35 KD 2.5 US$ 10

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Contents

C o n ste l l a t i o n OMEGA Boutiques: Moda Mall (Sheraton Complex) Tel: 17537753 Bahrain City Centre Tel: 17100135

THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS TO EVERY RULE.

ROYAL OAK DIAMOND SET IN PINK GOLD.

Haute Joaillerie, place Vend么me since 1906

MODA MALL +973 17 13 11 22 www.vancleefarpels.com

Majestic Cadeau ImpÊrial Earrings, two exceptional pear-shaped D Internally Flawless diamonds – 43.14 cts.

Mystery Set rubies and diamonds.

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Big Bang Unico.

UNICO column-wheel chronograph. In-house Hublot movement. 72-hour power reserve. King Gold case, an exclusive red gold alloy developed by Hublot. Ceramic bezel.

Interchangeable strap by a unique attachment.

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Contents Editorial Editor in Chief Khalid Ahmed Juman Features Editor Laura Templeton Editorial Assistant Ahmed Khunji Art Art Director Paul Reutzer-Albrechtsen Marketing and Sales Media Sales Director Hussain Al Zaimoor Production Production Support Venkatesan J. S

Volume 08 Issue 02 Winter 2015 012 First Impression A word from Durrah’s editor in chief

014 Outstanding Legacy Interview with Katara Hospitality’s CEO

022 An Icon of Success The Jawad Business Group

026 Reshaping the Industry Bin Faqeeh Real Estate Investment Company

030 Unlocking a Wish Amulette de Cartier collection

032 Refined Design Interview with Hublot’s Marco Tedeschi

036 Ageless Expertise Interview with IWC’s Kurt Klaus

040 Perfect Precision Interview with Montblanc CEO Jerome Lambert

044 20 Years of Bond The new Omega Spectre releases

046 Flawless Functionality Luxury watches for men

050 Art and Time

088 Fashion in Flight Tadashi Shoji Fall 2015

092 City Chic DKNY Fall/Winter 15

096 Future Essentials

Perfumes for women

068 Palette of Paris FAUCHON opens in Bahrain

070 Colour brought to life Artist Sujata Bajaj

078 Jewels from the Sea Qatar Museums new Pearls exhibition

082 Beauty and Form Interview with artist Nasr Warour

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098 Delicate Style Anas Younis Shanaah for Aennis Eunis

102 Elegant Interiors The latest new boutiques

108 Stunning Scenery Travelling to Zermatt

114 Extravagant Getaways Luxury hotel destinations

126 Refreshing Indulgence

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Cover Image The bold design dynamically expresses power, elegance and finesse.

Two of the world’s top spas

132 A Taste of Luxury Fine dining around the world

144 Gourmet Gastronomy 150 Relentless Progress

063 Elegant Scent

volume 08 Issue 02 WINTeR 2015

Louis Vuitton Fall 2015

056 House of Herrera

Perfumes for men

PO Box 13990, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain T. +973 77077777 F. +973 17226555

Christian Dior’s Autumn-Winter collection

Recipes from Chef Pino Lavarra

060 Finest Fragrances

DURRAH LUXURY MAGAZINE

094 Animalistic Appeal

Luxury watches for women Herrera Confidential Collection

IT support Digital Manager Hussain Al Anjawi

The Ferrari Spider

156 Transcending the Traditional The latest luxury automobiles

Durrah is a premium quarterly English-language luxury lifestyle magazine, covering topics including VIP interviews, fashion, yachting, architecture, art and culture, jewellery and travel, Durrah’s quality is unsurpassed. Durrah, in Arabic, translates to ‘Pearl’, and focuses on luxury that is based on substance and lifestyle with intellect, rather than excess. On contemporary living that evolves from deepset roots, rather than globalization, ensuring an inherently authentic flavour for a globally travelled audience. With a core focus on the colourful fusion of both traditional and modern elements that make up the Arabian identity, Durrah aims to promote and preserve all of the elements that make the Arabian Gulf so unique. Durrah adopts international standards, however also remains closely connected to Middle Eastern heritage, culture and achievements, all of which are prominently featured.

168 Must Haves Men Luxury wish list for men

172 Must Haves Women The “36 Hours” trilogy

176 Art on the Island Book launch from ArtBahrain

ISSN 2210-1322

180 Final Pearl Bahrain International Air Show

www.durrah.bh e.mail: info@durrah.bh

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Welcome

First Impression A word from the editor-in-chief

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eld under the patronage of her Royal Highness Sheikha Sabika bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, wife of His Majesty the King of Bahrain and President of the Supreme Council for Women, the Kingdom’s first ever edition of ArtBahrain was a great success, and we hope to be part of a second edition next year. This issue we are pleased to feature two of the artists who participated in the fair. Sujata Bajaj is one of India’s finest contemporary artists, and has trained in both India and France. Sujata spoke to us about her journey as an artist, from her fascinating childhood to her studies at Ecole Nationale Supérieuer Des Beaux-Arts.

Her use of colour brings her creations to life, as you will see in the striking artworks we have featured.

We also spoke to Syrian artist Nasr Warour, who experiments with both painting and sculpting.

His collection at ArtBahrain ‘Read out the Vortex’ featured stunning spirals made from Arabic calligraphy, exploring their symbolic meaning.

As a tribute to ArtBahrain we were pleased to

publish the book ‘Thirty Three Artists – Thirty Three Islands’ with author Renaud Siegmann, who was the director of VIP relations of the fair. The book serves as a portfolio for 33 of Bahrain’s most prominent artists, and you can see more in our Book Review section of this issue.

Jewellery Arabia took place in November, so we had the chance to chat to some of the big names in the watch industry, including Montblanc CEO Jerome Lambert and Regional Director MEA and Creative Manager of Hublot Marco Tedeschi.

In an extra special feature, we sat down with watchmaker Kurt Klaus, who has been with IWC Schaffhausen for over 58 years. During this time he wrote watchmaking history as the inventor and design engineer of IWC’s autonomous perpetual calendar. It was a pleasure to talk to Kurt, who shared with us some of the stories and inspirations behind his legacy.

As the end of the year fast approaches, we look

forward to celebrating the Kingdom of Bahrain’s National Day, reflecting on all that 2015 brought us.

We will see you in the New Year with plenty more surprises to look forward to.

Khalid Ahmed Juman Editor in Chief

Raffles Singapore - since 1887

There is much more to being a world-class hospitality organisation than just owning, managing or developing hotels. At Katara Hospitality, our appreciation for the past powers our aspirations for the future. Decades of experience,

an innovative mindset and meticulous attention to detail enable us to craft unique masterpieces that set new standards for others to follow. With us, it is all about our boundless passion for creating legendary hospitality, building on our heritage.

Katara Hospitality Building Marina District, Lusail City, PO Box 2977 Doha, Qatar T +974 4423 7777 F +974 4423 7860 info@katarahospitality.com www.katarahospitality.com

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Up Close and Personal

Outstanding Legacy One of the leading hospitality organisations in the world, Katara Hospitality has created an iconic collection of hotels spread across 12 countries on three continents. While the company has been shaping the hospitality landscape for 45 years, Chief Executive Officer Hamad Abdulla Al-Mulla has been part of the journey for more than half its history, bringing in a vast range of experience acquired in top management positions. Durrah speaks with Hamad to find out more about his experience as CEO, and the success behind the Qatar based organisation.

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atara Hospitality is a global hotel owner, developer and operator, based in Qatar. With 45 years’ experience in the industry, Katara Hospitality actively pursues its strategic expansion plans by investing in peerless hotels in Qatar while growing its collection of iconic properties in key international markets. The company’s portfolio has grown to include 35 owned and/or managed hotels, and is now focused on achieving its target of 60 hotels in its portfolio by 2026. As the country’s flagship hospitality organisation, Katara Hospitality supports Qatar’s longterm economic vision.

Hamad Abdulla Al-Mulla was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Katara Hospitality in February 2011, after joining the team at the head office in December 2009 as Chief Human Resources and Administration Officer.

Having completed his Hospitality Management & Tourism studies at the University of Salzburg in Austria, Al Mulla started his hospitality career in 1991 at the Sheraton Gulf Hotel, currently known as the Doha Marriott Hotel. Prior to joining Katara Hospitality head office, he was General Manager at Merweb Hotel Al Sadd Doha, after having held the positions as General Manager of Doha Club in 2006 and Deputy General Manager at the Doha Marriott Hotel until 2005.

Al Mulla’s appointment at the helm of Katara Hospitality is the result of hard work and dedication throughout the years, having thus acquired in-depth knowledge about the organisation and its strategic objectives. In his role, Al-Mulla leads Katara Hospitality to achieving its goal to become one of the leading hospitality organisations in the world.

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Up Close and Personal

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The business currently owns properties spread across three continents in Qatar, Egypt, Morocco, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Singapore and Thailand. While it partners with some of the finest hotel management companies, Katara Hospitality operates owned and non-owned hotels through its standalone operating arm, Murwab Hotel Group.

The company has gained global recognition for the contributions it has made to the Qatari and international hospitality landscape, and The World Travel Awards named it the World’s Leading Hospitality Company for two years running, as well as the Middle East’s Leading Hospitality Development Company for the second year running in 2015.

On a regional scale, Katara Hospitality has been recognised as the Hospitality Company of the Year at the fifth Arabian Business Qatar Awards and the ‘2014 Hospitality Achiever’ at the Inaugural Qatar Enterprise Agility Awards. Also gaining internaional recognition, Katara Hospitality won the Seven Star Special Award for ‘Remarkable & Exceptional Achievement in the Luxury Hospitality Industry’ in 2015. www.katarahospitality.com

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The company’s portfolio has grown to include 35 owned and/or managed hotels, and is now focused on achieving its target of 60 hotels in its portfolio by 2026

01 Buddha-Bar Hotel Paris 02 Raffles Singapore 03 InterContinental Amstel Amsterdam 04 InterContinental Carlton Cannes 05 Schweizerhof Hotel Bern

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Up Close and Personal

06 06 The Peninsula Paris 07 The Westin Excelsior Rome 08 Hamad Abdulla Al-Mulla, CEO Katara Hospitality

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Hamad Abdulla Al-Mulla has been ranked number one within the 2015 Hotelier Middle East Power 50 List

Interview with Hamad Abdulla Al-Mulla, CEO of Katara Hospitality What is the vision of Katara Hospitality and what sets you apart from others in the industry?

Our goal at Katara Hospitality is to leave an outstanding legacy for future generations; we use our resources and 45 years of expertise to invest in heritage properties around the world. We take immense pride and pleasure in rejuvenating historically iconic hotels, restoring them to their former glory and ensuring their hospitality heritage is secured.

One of our foremost priorities is also ensuring maximum possible returns for our investors, operating partners, employees and the guests at our hotels.

With our extensive experience as an international hotel owner, developer, and operator, we continue to strive to push the boundaries of industry excellence.

We believe our strengths lie in the expertise we bring to the luxury hospitality sector through identifying attractive investment opportunities, developing innovative hospitality assets, increasing revenue streams and most importantly presenting exceptional service to our guests.

Our vision is to become one of the leading hospitality organisations in the world.

What do you look for when investing in a property?

At Katara Hospitality we are keen on preserving heritage and investing in truly iconic landmark properties for future generations. Therefore we always aim to acquire spectacular properties that once set the standards in the hospitality sector and today represent a legacy.

We further invest in these historically iconic hotels to restore them to their former glory and turn them into thriving businesses, while ensuring their hospitality heritage is secured.

What has been the main goal for Katara Hospitality in 2015 and how have you achieved this so far?

One of our main goals was to add 30 properties to our portfolio by 2016, and we have done so two years ahead of schedule, which has been a great achievement. Katara Hospitality’s portfolio has grown

to include 35 owned and/or managed hotels, and the company is now focused on achieving its target of 60 hotels in its portfolio by 2026.

We believe that this will drive Katara Hospitality towards our vision of becoming one of the leading hospitality organisations in the world. We are also focusing on our new operating arm, Murwab Hotel Group. Our goal is to be the world’s premier hospitality management brand that is dedicated to providing unique and unrivalled guest experiences.

What have been some of your proudest moments as CEO of Katara Hospitality?

In general I hope to have contributed positively towards positioning Qatar as a key player in the global tourism market, and for supporting the realisation of Qatar’s vision of economic diversification.

What qualities do you try to emulate as leader of the company?

I strive to drive Katara Hospitality and Qatar into success and to positively position Qatar as a global tourism destination. I also aim to align our strategy with Qatar’s ‘vision 2030’ – leading the country on the path of economic diversification, and recognising the increasing demand in international business tourism. In addition, I hope to build on Qatar’s heritage and ensure we leave an outstanding legacy for future generations to enjoy such iconic hotels.

What are your thoughts on the economic growth of Qatar, especially in relation to tourism and the upcoming World Cup? What role will you play in this?

It is key to strive for excellence now more than ever with the hospitality trade in Qatar set to soar – reportedly at an increasingly fast rate compared to the rest of the Gulf. Furthermore, with the launch of the National Tourism Sector Strategy in 2014, the tourism industry has gained new momentum and become one of the fastest growing destinations in the world.

However, our particular focus has always been on aligning to the nation’s strategic ‘Vision 2030’.

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Up Close and Personal

Do you have plans for expansion in the near future?

In line with the Qatar ‘Vision 2030’ that leads the country on the path of economic diversification and recognises the hospitality industry as one of the strategic drivers in implementing this vision, Katara Hospitality is developing world class hotels in Qatar that are relevant not only for our portfolio, but emblematic for the country as well. Therefore, we are deeply committed to our role in developing the country’s tourism sector, as we are Qatar’s flagship hospitality organisation. Katara Hospitality’s current growth strategy also focuses on international expansion, while continuing to develop the hotel landscape in Qatar.

Where do you hope to see Katara Hospitality in ten years’ time?

I would hope to see Katara Hospitality being one of the leading hospitality organisations in the world.

In addition to being the world’s premier hospitality management brand, dedicated to providing unique and unrivalled guest experiences through our operating arm Murwab Hotel Group.

Our ultimate goal is to leave an outstanding legacy for future generations; we continue to use our resources and expertise to invest in heritage properties around the world, each of which represents both a legacy and a future. As we continue our journey of expansion in Qatar and internationally, Katara Hospitality is now focusing on its next strategic target of expanding its portfolio of iconic hotels.

Looking ahead to the next decade, our plan is to continue investing in and developing peerless hotels not just in Qatar but also in key international destinations.

Katara Hospitality continues to explore investment in a collection of unique properties in key sought-after international locations.

If you could summarise the company in three words, what would they be?

Heritage, luxury, legacy 09 09 Katara Towers, Lusail Marina District, Opening 2018 10 Hamad Al-Mulla, CEO of Katara Hospitality with Executives 11 Le Royal Monceau, Raffles Paris

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Up Close and Personal

An Icon of Success

As one of the oldest, strongest and most domestic corporate brands in the Kingdom, The Jawad Business Group has established itself as a true blue-chip corporate company, maintaining without compromise its reputation for excellence and commitment to quality, high business standards and a sound sense of corporate social responsibility. Durrah speaks with Chairman and CEO Faisal Jawad to find out more.

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he Jawad Business Group’s success story is widely known in Bahrain and the region, but not many know that the saga began over 50 years ago with the ship chandelling business. The journey from those humble beginnings was fuelled by a single-minded purpose and a clear vision, and has led to the formation of a business conglomerate with diverse activities, and a trail of significant milestones and many achievements.

Headquartered in the Kingdom of Bahrain, JBG has over many years consistently maintained its leadership position in the Consumer, Retail and Hospitality arena.

Over the decades, the Group has transformed itself into a multi-faceted, multi-cultural organization with business interests across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, encompassing Convenience stores, Distribution of FMCG goods, Fashion and Footwear, Restaurants - both international and home grown, and a host of focused

retail services, including its own Travel Agency and Renta-car services, and support services.

Over the years JBG has emerged as the preferred trade and business partner in the region for leading global corporations, well known as a reliable partner with a strong infrastructure and an extensive distribution network, and backed by warehouse facilities and an efficient supply chain infrastructure.

The Group places great emphasis on the task of nurturing and promoting its product brands, mindful in protecting the equity of the global brands in its care. As a customer driven organisation, great emphasis also is placed on listening to customers and being attentive to their needs and requirements.

JBG believes that its success story is the direct result of its people. One of the Group’s core strengths has been the instinct to identify the right people to

manage the business and bestowing on them a sense of ownership in running the business. As a multicultural organisation, JBG employs a loyal and efficient workforce of over 5,000 people who belong to more than 40 nationalities.

As the years pass, business progresses on a steady upward path, but JBG remains committed to being an organisation where decision-making is not hampered by size or diversity. Market realities dictate business decisions, and the nimble footedness and flexibility enjoyed by a smaller organization is carefully maintained. Attention to detail, human values, business ethics and strong relationships continue to govern the modus operandi. For over five decades this remains the company’s mantra for success. www.jawad.com

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Up Close and Personal

01 Faisal H. Jawad, Chairman and CEO of Jawad Business Group

JBG believes that its success story is the direct result of its people

02 Faisal H. Jawad, Prime Minister of Bahrain HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, and Deputy Premier Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa 03 Faisal H. Jawad and HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Crown Prince of Bahrain

Interview with Faisal Jawad What were your career aspirations when you were younger?

Aspiration is one thing and reality is another. I graduated from Manama Secondary School with a science degree and the idea was a doctor, engineer etcetera. Well, those aspirations were something, and having worked at the grocery store and the Jawad Bakery in the late 60s changed all that.

Who is the person who has inspired you most in your life?

My father, certainly! My father was a very clever man and worked hard all of his life. In the 1930s he was a Pearl Merchant, and a very successful one at that.

The pearl industry was destroyed with the advent of oil. In the 1940s he started from scratch and worked in Bapco and onward, becoming the owner of some forty dhows used for the purpose of going to sea to ferry all incoming goods to Bahrain – food and non-food, including cement. When Mina Salman’s deep-water jetty was to open in 1962, his dhows business came to an end. My father then started Jawad Cold Stores, which eventually became what Jawad Business Group is today.

With this kind of dedication, he inspired me as well as many others.

What does Jawad Business Group represent?

Jawad Business Group stands for quality and trust in everything we do. These are the values we seek to pursue in every element of our business, be it food, beverage, fashion, home, children’s wear, convenience stores, restaurants, car rentals, travel or logistics.

As Chairman and CEO for a group as successful as JBG, what do you believe is the key to excellence?

I would think the key for any successful business is to have a great team to execute the vision of the stakeholders. Vision without execution doesn’t amount to much.

Taking over the family business, what important lessons or advice did your father pass on to you?

My father had very humble beginnings, but he had a lot of innate business instinct. He always, in his own way, made it a point to remind me that the customer

is the reason we exist, and to keep the customer at the centre of all that we do.

With over 600 stores across the GCC, how do you maintain a similar level of quality and operations amongst all of these?

Maintaining quality and consistency across the business is a daily journey. As a franchise business, we believe that following the franchise guidelines and providing on-going training ensures consistency across the business.

What is your opinion of the business economy in Bahrain?

From a retail perspective, Bahrain has had a good run over the last 3 years, largely driven by internal consumption and by visitors from our Saudi neighbours. We remain optimistic about the Bahrain business economy.

Do you see any opportunities in the current Bahrain market for new stores or franchises?

We are always looking for new categories or brands that we believe could have a niche in the market.

Bahrain offers a great platform to launch new brands, but their success is guided by the niche the brand seeks to cater to.

What hopes do you have for the future of JBG? We are optimistic about the future. We will continue to expand our food and beverage and fashion/home portfolio in the region as opportunities present themselves.

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What do you like to do in your spare time when you are away from work?

I like to stay fit as much as I can, so I spend time in the gym followed by several sauna sessions. I cycle several days a week in different parts of Bahrain and wherever I travel. I have enjoyed sailing trips in South Eastern Turkey for the past twenty-five years. I have a lot of spare time when sailing, so I do a lot of reading and play backgammon with friends. I also like to travel and enjoy simple as well as sophisticated gourmet food.

With family, we go skiing almost every year and my four children ski exceptionally well!

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Special Feature 01 Design of the future Water Bay project 02 Water Bay will feature three distinct 10-storey residences

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Bin Faqeeh Real Estate for everyone, everywhere. After 10 years in the market, the company has succeeded in offering quality projects all over Bahrain, satisfying all needs and establishing itself as a market leader.

The next step within the vision is to launch the luxurious Water Bay project, to which the market has responded with great enthusiasm.

Reshaping the Industry

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fter 10 years of business, Bin Faqeeh Real Estate Investment Company presents the concept behind their prestigious Water Bay project. Water Bay will feature three distinct 10-storey residences, home to around 600 luxury apartments. A retail floor and a common basement car park extend below the buildings and the roads between.

Located on the north shore of the Bay and separated only by the Bahrain Bay promenade, the apartments in Water Bay will have spectacular views onto the Bay, including the Four Seasons resort, the new Avenues development and the Bahrain World Trade Centre.

The first of the three residences has an expected date for completion in 2017. A host of leisure facilities such as swimming pools, gymnasiums, saunas and a rooftop running track, as well as a wide range of supporting restaurant outlets within will enhance the development.

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“We are delighted to welcome such an esteemed organisation as Bin Faqeeh amongst our investors in Bahrain Bay. We are confident that the strategic initiatives that we have jointly undertaken will deliver some brilliant new concepts and ideas,” says Chairman of Bahrain Bay Development, Mr Hisham Al Raee.

“We were expecting success with the launch of Water Bay, however the response was beyond our expectation, which shows that the market is in need of such projects,” says Mr. Faisal A. Faqeeh chairman of Bin Faqeeh Real Estate Investment Company S.P.C. To respond to such a shortage in the market, Bin Faqeeh will launch more upscale and conceptual projects in the coming future.

03 Mr. Faisal A. Faqeeh chairman of Bin Faqeeh Real Estate Investment Company S.P.C. 04 Water Bay will have spectacular views onto the Bay

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“To be successful we need to listen to the market needs. Bahrain needs more entertaining projects that cater to people of all ages and also to families,” says Mr. Abdulrahman Al Khoojei GM of Bin Faqeeh.

“We will launch a one-of-a-kind entertainment project in Bahrain that will not only benefit our customers, but will add value to Bahrain and promote it within the GCC,” added Mr. Faisal A. Faqeeh.

The Bin Faqeeh vision is to continue reshaping the real estate market and to respond to the market needs in an innovative and visionary manner. www.binfaqeeh.com

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Jewellery

Since the dawn of time, precious stones have crystallised the virtues that man ascribes to them. Amulette de Cartier, the new collection from French jewellery brand Cartier, offers creations charged with emotional power. Each piece from the collection acts as a lucky charm, in which the different stones interpret and grant the wearer’s personal wish.

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he new Amulette de Cartier collection from French luxury brand Cartier consists of natural gemstones, each one different and unique, each carrying a wish that promises to be revealed. Opal, lapis lazuli, malachite, carnelian, chrysoprase, motherof-pearl or onyx, they seal their talents and magic in a jewel of one’s very own. Ringed with gold, their virtues are distilled in the wishes they epitomise.

Opal, a gem among precious stones, is worn for happiness and the joy of being in the world. It represents the surprise of a meeting, a bedazzling smile, and celebrating a moment that will always be remembered.

Malachite is the gemstone of travellers, for luck, hope and great expectations. It should be worn to guide and lead, for a chance bestowed, a surprise that makes an impression, and for success along the way.

01 Amulette de Cartier ring in pink gold with malachite and diamonds 02 Amulette de Cartier earrings in yellow gold with lapis lazuli and diamonds 03 A selection of necklaces from the collection

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Lapis lazuli is a gem for serenity, representing a fragment of sky captured in a deep-blue gem for eternity. It brings the infinite wealth of the world’s treasures, a promise of gentleness, wisdom and trust.

Carnelian is for viality and is the capsule of fire, giving the power of contagious energy, the enthusiasm that lends wings, and a bright mood that sings a song of life. Wearers will be inspired by the pleasure of the moment and will tap into the intelligence of sensations and desires.

Chrysoprase, a bright flash of green, is worn for fulfilment and uplifting energy and strength. It engages the influence of spread harmony and an enlightening creativity.

Mother-of-pearl represents the pure and sweet innocence of childhood, worn for a gentle protection.

It attracts all that is soft and tender, the perfect

word that gently reassures, and a wealth of kindness and consideration.

Onyx is the gem of strength and fundamentals, giving the courage of believing against all odds, and inspiring perseverance and its imperious demands.

The black stone gives the wearer a certainty of success and the subtle intuition that takes them to exactly the right place.

Whatever the wish, a piece from the Amulette de Cartier collection is an enchanting collection of colourful lucky pieces, acting as charms to make it come true.

The contrast of materials unites the simplicity and elegance of the talisman’s polished curves, closing like a padlock to hold the luck and unlock the wearer’s wishes. www.cartier.com/collections/jewelry/collections/ amulette-de-cartier.html

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Watches

Refined Design Hublot has always prided itself in being first, different and unique. Reinforcing these key values, the Swiss watchmaker is a genuine success story in which the Big Bang, King Power and Classic Fusion represent the symbols of a constantly evolving tradition. Durrah caught up with Regional Director MEA and Creative Manager Marco Tedeschi at Jewellery Arabia to gain further insight, and hear about his time with the brand.

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f Swiss-Italian origins, Marco Tedeschi was born in Geneva- Switzerland where he grew up and attended school in a region labelled as a cradle of Swiss watchmaking. As a child, he went to his father’s jewellery store every Saturday to admire the watches of the biggest Swiss brands, seeking to understand how their mechanical movements work.

In 2001, he enrolled at the Technical School of the Vallée de Joux (ETVJ) to train as a microtechnology draftsman, specialising in watchmaking, and acquiring technical professional maturity in the process. Marco spent most of his vacations interning at Franck Muller, where he went through all departments in order to learn the tricks of the trade. In 2004, he received both degrees with honours and entered the Engineering School of Geneva, where he graduated at the age of 22, with a bachelor’s degree in microtechnical, design and surface engineering.

In 2006, it was a meeting with Jean-Claude Biver,

crucial turning point for his future, that encouraged him to join Hublot.

Marco submitted a project to Biver on an innovative movement he had developed in his spare time while attending engineering school. Satisfied by the young man’s notable accomplishment, Jean-Claude Biver asked Marco to join Hublot beginning 2007 while he was still in engineering school, and appointed him Product Manager. As part of his duties, Marco Tedeschi was in charge of watch design, technical studies, prototyping and production. He also handled product interface with the various departments: production, after-sales service, retail, marketing and sales, as well as the legal department. He was also responsible for the management of Hublot’s technical office and contributed to the creation of new product lines such as the Classic Fusion and the King Power, as well as the development of the Unico movement. He also represented the brand in emerging markets such as Latin America and the Middle East.

In May 2011, Marco was named Head of the Middle East and Africa markets, in charge of implementing and developing the brand strategy in this very promising area.

He set a marketing strategy tailored specifically for the Arab world by organising exclusive events and creating the first social media accounts for a luxury watch brand. He also expanded the network of Hublot boutiques in those regions while always choosing the most prestigious locations.

In addition to his regional responsibilities, Marco is the brand’s Creative Manager. As a member of the product creation committee, he collaborates closely with JeanClaude Biver, LVMH Group-President of the Watches Division and Hublot-Chairman of the board, and CEO of Hublot Ricardo Guadalupe on new product designs and setting new trends. His market presence is an important asset on the creative side. www.hublot.com

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Watches

In May 2011, Marco was named Head of the Middle East and Africa markets, in charge of implementing and developing the brand strategy in this very promising area

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When did you first develop a passion for timepieces, and what inspired you to turn this passion into a career?

It was a very long time ago, I was between maybe 6-8 years old. My father owned a watch and jewellery shop in Geneva and on Saturdays I used to go with him, where he gave me one mission: to wind the watches. As I used to do this, I would wonder to myself how such a small piece could work so well…and from that my passion and curiosity grew, and I went on to study engineering and learn more.

What do you think makes a timepiece from Hublot so desirable?

There are several things. First when we create a new product it must meet a strict criteria, otherwise we won’t release it. Secondly, we make sure that our creations combine tradition and connect it to the future; that’s the message we want to give. Thirdly, we use all the best products and materials such as carbon fibre and ceramics and so on.

How have you seen the market for Hublot watches in the Middle East change over the years?

Since I’ve been working in this market – at the beginning with my father and now alone – the Middle East has been one of the most successful markets for us. Last year when the market was down worldwide, the Middle East was one of the only markets still doing well.

Do the tastes of certain styles differ much between countries in the Gulf?

Not really, it’s a question of taste. I would say it changes more when it comes to an age perspective – young people prefer sportier watches, while older people prefer the more classic pieces.

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01 Hublot Big Bang Broderie 02 Timepiece worn by Marco Tedeschi 03 Portrait of Marco Tedeschi 04 Hublot Big Bang Unico Full Magic Gold

How do you keep track of what styles and features clients are looking for in their timepiece?

I love staying connected with customers and discussing with them and hearing what they are interested in. I am also still involved in product development, which is good as it allows me to implement comments from our clients immediately.

What kind of atmosphere do you hope to create in Hublot boutiques?

The boutique strategy is very important for us because we have a really different way of marketing our products. This is why we are currently opening so many boutiques – we want to create a full experience. When you are in the right environment you can deliver the right message to the client.

What do you look for when selecting a location for a Hublot boutique? And are you planning on opening any more in the near future?

Yes we are opening in Doha very soon and have several more projects that I can’t disclose right now…but there are four in total opening around the world next year.

What can we expect from future collections from Hublot?

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You can expect something unique and different for sure, and next year we are going to celebrate another anniversary – ten years sine we developed the first allblack watch ever made. This is a concept a lot of brands have replicated, so we are very proud to have been the first, and you can expect some exciting new all-black models next year.

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Ageless Expertise Kurt Klaus has been a part of the world of watchmaking for longer than most, and has played a significant role in some of its most important developments. Working with IWC since 1956, Klaus conveys a genuine passion for this traditional craft, and people listen to what he has to say.

After recently celebrating his 81st birthday, Kurt visited Bahrain and spoke with Durrah about some of his incredible achievements over the years.

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urt Klaus is regarded as something of an old hand at IWC, a company founded in 1868, which is something he is pleased to acknowledge. But the story of his time in Schaffhausen, now exactly 58 and a half years, is not over yet.

His creative contribution, namely “Operation Eternity”, has made him immortal. Although this particular achievement lies some 29 years back, it has lost none of its brilliance. In 1985, he wrote watchmaking history as the inventor and design engineer of IWC’s autonomous perpetual calendar. He made significant improvements to a complication that over the decades had made its way from large clocks to the microcosm of pocket watches and, finally, wristwatches. He liberated the owner from the need to make the corrections that were usually required and made the complication suitable for everyday use. For the first time ever, the synchronisation of the calendar indicators, including an extremely accurate moon phase display, was complemented by a four-digit year display. To the astonishment of the watchmaking world, the calendar was constructed so that it would go on functioning correctly for more than 500 years. This endowed the watch, felicitously named the Da Vinci, with

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a positively philosophical dimension.

Klaus needed no more than 90 parts to transform an idea that was unprecedented in its scope into a functioning complication, remaining true to the principle that, for the user, it is simplicity that is truly ingenious.

In the aftermath of the quartz crisis, the calendar/ chronograph movement opened the door to an important period of success for IWC. For a time, it was synonymous with the name IWC and assumed iconic status as a symbol of the renaissance of the mechanical watch. In Schaffhausen, where the company had hitherto been proud of its reputation as a manufacturer of simple watches of the highest quality, it heralded an era of timepieces with major complications.

On working with the great innovator, Hannes Pantli has this to say: “It is impossible to overestimate the contribution Kurt Klaus has made towards the survival of the mechanical watch and to IWC. He perfectly combines his visionary gift and firm belief in the future of watchmaking with a natural human warmth and affability.

It has always been a great pleasure to work with him.” www.iwc.com

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Watches

01 Headquarters in Schaffhausen 02 Portugieser Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month Edition “75th Anniversary” 03 2006 Portugieser Perpetual Calendar ‘’Single Moon’’

In 1985, he wrote watchmaking history as the inventor and design engineer of IWC’s autonomous perpetual calendar

04 2010 Portugieser Grande Complication 05 2015 Portugieser Annual Calendar 06 Portrait of Kurt Klaus

Interview with Kurt Klaus Congratulations on recently celebrating your 81st birthday. You have been a part of the world of watchmaking for longer than most, what are some of the ways you have contributed to creating a great timepiece?

There are a lot of elements that go into producing a high quality timepiece. After the watch crisis in the 1970s IWC’s employees went down from 330 to 150 and we had a lot of people leave, including our engineers. However I wanted to save and continue producing the mechanical watch. I realised we had to do something interesting for the customers, something fascinating, as the future of IWC was to continue to make the best watches. So I began to make something from a simple pocket watch, something that indicated the date, the day. I presented the idea to management and they said to make something like this is very hard, but in the end they said ok. We made the experiment and produced 100 pieces of the pocket watch, which we presented in 1977 at the Basel Watch Fair. It turned out to be a full success, and all 100 sold out in a few days. 100 watches for a watch factory isn’t so much, but what was important was the idea. I was sent to continue to make more, and from then I made some very interesting watches, and further developed the ideas. After the pocket watch eventually decreased in popularity, in 1985 I created the easy-to-use perpetual calendar that could be set using the crown together with a moon phase display, which required no correction buttons.

What are some of your first memories when entering the world of watchmaking?

My earliest memories date back to 1957. What IWC wanted to do was make watches of the best quality and the best accuracy. Our Technical Director at the time was also the inventor and constructor of the movements. After an introduction to working as a very young watchmaker for IWC, I then got his assistance and learned the technology and construction of making watches. I never studied engineering, everything I learned I learned from

this director. Watchmaking – real watchmaking and the making of movements – is mostly the same today as it was back then. Watchmakers have the same tools, same techniques and same production as they always have.

What does IWC mean to you, and what does a timepiece from the brand represent?

For me personally, IWC is a place I have been working for the past 50 years, and for the past 40 years I have been creating their timepieces. The perpetual calendar represented a new era for IWC, and after a presentation in 1985, we made a production of 2,000 watches with perpetual calendars in one year, which was a very big number. These were a big commercial success and I had a small team helping me construct them. To me IWC represents this innovation, and continuously striving forwards.

You have played a huge role in the innovation of timepieces, with a number of notable achievements. What have been your proudest moments?

Creating the easy-to-use perpetual calendar was my proudest achievement, not because it had the highest production, but because it changed IWC. What makes me proud of this calendar today, after 30 years, is that it is the exact same calendar in production, without any changes.

You travel quite extensively. What have you noticed about the market in the Middle East?

For me, customers around the world are all the same, if they are watch lovers. The watch collectors and watch enthusiasts all have that in common, they love the mechanical movement, the design. So a customer in Dubai would be just like a customer in Japan if they share that love of a timepiece.

Where do you see the future of watchmaking headed?

Over the years people have always wanted to make something more and more complicated. IWC made the most complicated watch in 1993, which was a combination of a tourbillon, split-seconds, minute repeater and perpetual calendar. But now, in our technical department the idea isn’t really to top it or make something more. Yes, we have very complicated timepieces, but the complication isn’t the goal, rather it is making something that is interesting.

I can say over the past 40 years IWC has been one step ahead, and this is because we had a fantastic CEO who has been with us through the 1980s, and he pushed the company forward. When I was working on the calendar, no one believed this would be a great function, but this man believed and he supported my work.

With the introduction of new technology such as smart watches, do you think there will always be a place in the market for the traditional timepiece?

Today everything is computerised as computer technology increases, and this is a wonderful thing.

But computers will never be able to conceptualise or come up with the ideas and innovations for timepieces that we as humans are able to do. I always say that computers are nothing more than an excellent tool.

To make something new and to make something truly great we will always need the watchmakers behind it. When I retired in the 1990s, they called me back to work because there was no one to replace me.

However my task this time was to work together with the young people and combine my old experience with their new technologies. I learned a lot from them, and from me they learned the same things I was taught when I first started with the company as a young watchmaker. Computers are fantastic, but nothing can replace creativity.

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Watches

Jerome Lambert has a long history of leading great watch companies.

Over the years he has worked for brands such as Jaeger-LeCoultre and A. Lange & Sรถhne, before being tasked with leading one of the most important and largest luxury brands in the world, Montblanc. Since he was a young man Jerome had always admired the brand, and now in his role as CEO is turning his passion into prominence. Durrah speaks with him to find out more about the watchmaking side of the brand.

Perfect Precision

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01 Montblanc Tourbillon Cylindrique Geosphères Night Sky 02 From the Villeret Collection 03 Portrait of Jerome Lambert

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Interview with Jerome Lambert What do you think it means to people to own a luxury timepiece?

I think a timepiece says a lot about someone’s lifestyle and reflects on their personal choice and personality. When it comes to Montblanc, design is something we consider a lot when creating the product. We try to project ourselves throughout not only what it is, but through the emotion our client will perceive through having the product on their wrist.

You have a long history leading some of the best watch brands in the world. What sets Montblanc apart from all the rest?

I think Montblanc’s common characteristics with other watch brands are having a long history and the capability to develop new amazing products.

However, I think what sets it apart is that clients have a much closer relationship to Montblanc than they might with other brands, as we provide a fusion of products – through the timepiece and the writing instrument. Both of these are with the customer wherever they go. The second element that sets us apart is that Montblanc began in 1906 in Germany, so in our DNA are particular markers such as the attention to quality and also the sense of technical performance, which means that a Montblanc watch is always exceptional.

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watch requires high levels of decoration and finishing, and it takes 3-6 months to fully make one complication. There are only a small number of watchmakers that can work on these, which is the reason for this exclusivity and rarity.

How do you think the trends differ in the Middle East, and most specifically Bahrain, compared to the rest of the world?

I think that here watches are slightly larger and slightly more decorated. Many people in the region wear the local dress, which involves a lot of pure and simple fabrics, so the watch needs to really stand out, as do other accessories such as the cufflinks, pen and eyewear. These are the unique points of personality and expression of yourself, so I think here watches that stand out are chosen more than in other parts of the world.

What are your own favourite timepieces to wear, and do you change what style you wear often?

Why do you produce such a limited number of movements each year?

I am always wearing a new product from the new collection, and that is quite a nice choice and privilege in a way. However my watch is always very much linked to the one I prefer to wear. I am wearing the Heritage Chronométrie Colletion, which is in gold and is a limited edition. It is very classic and very easy to wear, but also has a very strong personality. I like the mix of classic and expression. In sport and leisure time I will change the timepiece again to suit, to something that is more lightweight.

There are two factories on Montblanc, one is in Le Locle and one in Villeret, which is very exclusive. Here we make less than 40 watches per year, with roughly 46-50 staff, so that is less than one watch per person. A Villeret

You have been described as a “force to be reckoned with” due to your many accomplishments and producing great results

for each company you have worked for. Can you share some of your secrets to success?

I don’t know if I deserve such nice compliments, but I would say that I am very passionate about what I do and always find that teamwork is the best way to achieve what I wouldn’t be capable to do by myself. So I guess passion combined with a dedication for teamwork are two elements that are very meaningful when it comes to achievement.

For me there is never a personal achievement it is always a team or brand achievement.

With a huge number of products under the Montblanc brand, and production taking place across several countries, how do you maintain consistency in all Montblanc creations?

We have a great head director and the strong personality and work presence of him is a good way to ensure a strong consistency when it comes to the artistic expression of the brand. That’s indeed a strong element, and I believe that it’s very important to give to the business a strong autonomy and produce the best products – the best watches, the best writing instruments – it’s very crucial to Montblanc.

What exciting things does Montblanc have planned for 2016?

We have many exciting things coming up in terms of products and accessories. Next year will be our 110th anniversary, which we will be celebrating. We will also be launching a new global retail concept, so the interior design of our stores, which will be across our 500 boutiques and take place over the next seven years. www.montblanc.com/en/collection/watches.html

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Watches

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ubmerged in tradition, the Seamaster has been James Bond’s watch since Goldeneye in 1995. With his naval history and classic style, it is perfectly suited to his iconic character.

The special Seamaster 300 “Spectre” Limited Edition timepiece will be limited to just 7,007 pieces, and with its stainless steel case and black dial, the sleek design has instant appeal.

The bi-directional rotating diving bezel is also black and made from polished ceramic. Combined with a LiquidMetal® 12 hour scale, time can be kept with any country in the world. Ideal, some might say, for a person on the move.

Other unique features include the “lollipop” central seconds hands, as well as the 5-stripe black and grey NATO strap - otherwise known as the James Bond NATO Strap. On the bracelet’s strap holder, “007” has been engraved.

20 Years of Bond From the Soviet espionage of Goldeneye to the sinister underworld of Spectre, the Omega Seamaster has been James Bond’s trusted companion for 20 years of adventure.

Representing his naval history and distinguished character, it has proven to be a valuable asset, both in the field and in his reputation for style. The models may have changed, but the relationship has never faulted. In anticipation of the 24th Bond film Spectre, Omega presents the Limited Edition Seamaster 300 “Spectre” and Limited Edition Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M model.

Wearers are also given their own serial number, printed on the back. This personal identity is complemented by the engraving of the “Spectre” film name, celebrating the latest on-screen adventure.

Of course, no Bond would be complete without the gadgetry. On the inside, this watch is driven by the highly innovative Omega Master Co-Axial calibre 8400, a revolutionary movement in its own right.

Although the story of this upcoming film remains a secret, it is now clear that James Bond’s famous sense of style will again be on show. The Seamaster 300 “Spectre” is an incredibly sophisticated design, yet with a dark edge of attitude to match.

The second model created in anticipation of the new Spectre film is the limited edition Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M model, inspired by the Bond family coat of arms.

The symbol is repeatedly interlocked to create a

dynamic pattern on the watch’s blue dial. The coat of arms is also found near the tip of the yellow central seconds hand.

Among the most striking elements of this 41.5 mm stainless steel timepiece is the oscillating weight of the movement visible through the sapphire crystal caseback. This component has been cut and shaped to resemble a gun barrel, a design feature associated with James Bond.

Powered by the completely new Omega Master Co-Axial calibre 8507, this timepiece is resistant to magnetic fields of 15,000 gauss.

The timepiece is presented on a stainless steel bracelet and will be produced in an edition limited to 15,007 pieces. It is delivered with a full fouryear warranty. www.omegawatches.com

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Watches

Flawless Functionality Collectors and lovers of fine watchmaking can rejoice at the latest offering of timepieces for men, which embrace the traditions of lasting value and exquisite craftsmanship. Each brand’s uncompromising principles of design, style, quality and workmanship have allowed them to create heirloom pieces that are designed to be passed from generation to generation.

Slim d’Hermès, Hermès The extreme simplicity of the new Slim d’Hermès, embodies an ideal balance between rigorous discipline and aesthetic equilibrium, and was conceived by Philippe Delholtal, Creative Director of La Montre Hermès. At the heart of the 39.5mm model beats the Manufacture Hermès ultra-thin movement, revealed through its sapphire crystal case-back. The integration of a micro-rotor serves to slim down this self-winding calibre that now measures just 2.6mm. The model is also equipped with a perpetual calendar mechanism, one of the most demanding horological complications.

This function counts off the days and months while taking account of leap years. Once set, the watch will display the correct date until the next century year (a year that ends in two zeros). It is associated with a white natural mother-of-pearl moon-phase indication set against an aventurine glass sky, as well as an ultra-thin second time-zone display. Slim d’Hermès delivers its purest ever definition of time, resembling a return to the very roots of the watchmaking art. usa.hermes.com/watches/h-hour.htm

42 Bentley GT3-R, Breitling Two of the most limited works in automotive and horology are now available to a limited few in the Middle East. Luxury Swiss watchmaker, Breitling has created a limited edition chronograph inspired by Bentley’s rarest and most dynamic member of the Continental family, the GT3-R. Like the GT3-R, just 300 models of the exclusive timepiece have been manufactured worldwide, with 42 pieces allocated specifically to the Middle East to accompany the 42 GT3-R models dedicated to the region. The Breitling for Bentley GT3-R timepiece features the Bentley GT3-R logo on a black carbon dial and comes equipped with the knurled motif on the bezel, a nod to the famous Bentley radiator grilles. Taking inspiration from the race-inspired car, which was developed with Bentley Motorsport and handcrafted in Crewe, the Breitling for Bentley GT3-R Limited Edition combines sporty aesthetics with an in-house Manufacture Breitling Calibre B06 “motor”. www.breitlingforbentley.com

Rafael Nadal RM 27-02 Tourbillon Prototype, Richard Mille For the 6th edition of the Only Watch auction, Richard Mille and Rafael Nadal partnered up once again to donate the RM 27-02 tourbillon prototype for research against Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

This unique piece has accompanied “Rafa” to all the biggest Grand slam tournaments, from the French and US Opens all the way to Wimbledon.

With the RM 27-02, the Swiss brand has unveiled the very first skeletonised baseplate to be known as “unibody”. Inspired by the bodywork of racecars and machined from NTPT carbon, this construction increases rigidity and shock-resistance, and seamlessly fuses the case middle and the baseplate.

This is enhanced by three-dimensional grade-5 titanium bridges, which offer unparalleled strength and a depth of vision that is rare in watchmaking.

The RM27-02 calibre – regulated by a tourbillon, no less – can resist impacts of up to 5,000 G. Its bridges support an impressive mechanical heart, which can run for over 70 hours without detriment to its regularity thanks to a rapidly rotating barrel. www.richardmille.com

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Watches

Blue Ocean, Ulysse Nardin For nearly 170 years Ulysse Nardin has been creating some of the most reliable marine chronometers in existence. With this latest addition to the Marine Diver collection, the Manufacture in Le Locle firmly establishes its reputation as a cutting-edge watchmaker. Resolutely anchored in aquatic sports, the brand new Blue Ocean is designed to tackle extreme conditions. It perfectly combines its dual function as a diving instrument and beautiful watchmaking piece. Its stainless-steel case has been specially treated with a sophisticated vulcanisation process, giving it a blue rubber coating with a remarkable appearance and a truly comfortable feel.

Its exhibition case-back reveals the self-winding movement, which is also in the timepiece’s signature blue colour. Fitted with a unidirectional rotating bezel and screwed crown, its individually numbered case is water-resistant to 200 metres. This special edition is limited to 1846 pieces, each individually numbered on the side of the case. www.ulysse-nardin.com

Czapek SXH1, Czapek & Cie On November 10, 2015, François Czapek, one of the great figures of nineteenth-century watchmaking, re-emerged from history, with the Quai des Bergues collection from Czapek & Cie paying tribute to his art. The first family of six models, the collection was named in memory of the spot where François Czapek had his workshop. The knowledge of subcontracted watchmakers converge in this piece, the way one might cite sources. The SXH1 calibre from the collection was developed specifically for Czapek watches according to the strictest rules of the watchmaking art. The titanium and carbon version showcases a ‘mysterious’ steel, never as yet used in watchmaking, with a choice of white or black dial. Convex sapphire crystal with antireflective treatment are laid on the inside surface and case back, while the brass base is covered with unidirectional 0.15 carbon and 0.4-mm wound carbon. The calibre’s architecture is inspired from a historical calibre conceived and manufactured by François Czapek in the 1850s. czapek.com

RM 011 Red TPT Quartz, Richard Mille Coupled with its RM 011 automatic fly-back chronograph calibre, Richard Mille presents the latest incarnation of its TPT quartz case dressed in vibrant red. A unique colour in fine watchmaking, it redefines the graphic limitations of this material.

Since it was unveiled two years ago, Richard Mille’s NTPT carbon has enabled the Jura-based brand to produce cases and components with exceptional mechanical performances. Originally developed for the manufacture of racing boat sails, this material finds applications in Formula 1 chassis construction, aeronautics, and now watchmaking, since it has rapidly become the brand’s trademark composite material. Wrapped in its striped white casing, this tourbillion calibre demonstrated to the general public the full extent of the properties characterising this composite material: great resilience to high temperatures, transparency to electromagnetic waves and extreme resistance to impact forces of up to 5,000 G. Research carried out on red TPT quartz led to the creation of an intense red resin, whose shine is enhanced by the quartz fibres. www.richardmille.com

Montblanc Heritage Spirit Orbis Terrarum In homage to the spirit of the legendary Montblanc Meisterstück Fountain Pen launched in 1924, Montblanc introduced a new watch collection to honour its 90th anniversary in 2014. From 2015 onwards this collection has assumed its future position among the Montblanc watch families as the Heritage Spirit Collection. The Montblanc Heritage Spirit Orbis Terrarum interprets one of the most contemporary and useful complications - the world time function - in a new, innovative way. The earth is anchored at the core of this complication, that is named Orbis Terrarum, the Latin term for “globe”, “earth”, and “world”. Thanks to a manufacture complication developed in-house by the Montblanc master watchmakers, the timepiece displays the time in 24 different time zones. The inspiration for this complication came from the history of horology and from Montblanc’s watchmaking past. The watch is driven by a self-winding mechanical movement, calibre MB29.20, beating at the frequency of 28,800 semi-oscillations per hour, with the exclusive complication developed in-house by Montblanc. www.montblanc.com/en/collection/watches.html

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Watches

Considerable mastery was deployed in order to create these distinctive and feminine jewellery creations, which offer the opportunity to discover and experience the art of time. With outstanding elegance and implementation of the most advanced movements, these state-of-the-art timepieces embody a truly harmonious design.

Art and Time

Rotonde de Cartier Astrocalendaire, Cartier Created in 2010rify the perpetual calendar’s indications of twelve months, seven days, the date and the type of year, in a diameter of just a few centimetres. Arranged three-dimensionally in concentric tiers, the display of the calendar’s functions is spread over the different levels. The day is indicated on the first, followed by the month on the second, which is itself surmounted by the date. Delicate apertures move along these tiers. The perpetual calendar’s final function is indicated by a hand located on the back of the watch and shows whether it is a leap year or a normal year. Along with this, the Rotonde de Cartier Astrocalendaire watch houses at its heart a flying tourbillon: a complication that is a signature of the Cartier Fine Watchmaking collection. www.cartier.com/collections/watches/womenswatches.html

Tour Eiffel Lady Timepiece, Saint Honorè Nicknamed the “la Dame de Fer” (“Iron Lady”), “la Grande Dame” or “la Dame de Paris”, the Eiffel Tower is a majestic presence on the new women’s watch from Saint Honorè, powered by an automatic calibre. Not only has a fragment of one of its metal girders served to craft the bezel, its pale brown colour and characteristic lattice structure serve as motifs on various parts of the watch such as the dial and crown, the oscillating weight in the movement and the strap clasp. Elegant and different, this limited edition of 500 pieces marries geometric shapes and curves in reference to its historical provenance and the glamorous spirit of the age. Pairing a sparkling polished steel case with an immaculate white leather strap, or a warm rose gold case on a brown leather strap, the new Tour Eiffel Lady watch was born to appeal to devotees of fine mechanisms. www.sainthonore.com/en

Big Bang Unico “10 years” Haute Joaillerie, Hublot In an exceptional and unique anniversary collection, Hublot presents the Big Bang “10 Years” Haute Joaillerie.

A first for Hublot, the collection includes 10 watches, each priced at $1 million. To create these exceptional pieces, three of the most complex setting techniques were used, including the invisible setting, Clou de Paris setting and rail setting. Unique in the complexity of its creation, the timepieces feature: 653 black baguette diamonds totalling, 653 full white baguette diamonds, 653 baguette diamonds and blue baguette sapphires, or 653 baguette diamonds and baguette rubies. For the first time at Hublot, the bezel is set with invisible inverted trapeziums, which is the most complex part to set. In another first, the counter surrounds on the dial are also stone-set, and the complete dial, including the stone-set indices, comprises 62 baguettes. Each piece requires 400 hours of Research & Development and production, plus 350 hours of setting. www.hublot.com

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Watches

Faubourg Joaillerie, Hermès A miniature composition threaded with gold and diamonds, the Faubourg Joaillerie watch encircles the wrist with a slim gold mesh adorned with a cleverly orchestrated parade of 652 diamonds. The face of this jewellery model from Hermès slowly but surely comes to life under the nimble hands of the gem-setter. The stones first compose a beautiful pattern on the dial before melting seamlessly into the soft curves of the 16.3mm case. To accentuate the feather- light, airy nature of this watch turned jewel, the artisan created subtle depth effects by leaving slender interlacing gold patterns free of any gem setting. Working on a white gold canvas, the patient work was pursued by setting no less than 388 diamonds with infinite precision, repeatedly readjusting them until the bracelet became a perfect extension of the watch. The timepiece features an authentically Swiss made movement, is 2.5mm thick, and has a water resistance of 3 bar. The Faubourg Joaillerie watch is the perfect glamorous accompaniment to any outfit. www.hermes.com

Cadenas, Van Cleef & Arpels Created in 1935, the Cadenas watch marked the birth of one of the Maison’s most emblematic pieces. A symbol of sentimental attachment in the image of its clasp, the watch is said to have been inspired by the Duchess of Windsor. Intensely feminine, it can be worn like a bracelet, and in its jewelled versions, it glitters like a diamond. The 2015 edition of this classic piece incorporates changes to the dial, the stone setting and the clasp. Originally intended to be a discreet mark of distinction, it now emphasises the time with an enlarged dial for increased visibility and 12 hour markers. The watch gains in readability, while retaining the inclined dial of the initial design. Adorned in sumptuous finery, it sparkles with diamonds and its clasp offers increased security, with two small ceramic beads inside providing a more resistant fastening.

Powered by a quartz movement, the Cadenas collection consists of 9 new models. www.vancleefarpels.co

The Infinity, Franck Muller Franck Muller enriches its feminine watch collection with two exclusive timepieces, as part of a new line suggestive of a land of enchantment and passion.

A true anthem of femininity, these new models are lit up with 592 stones each. The stunning multicoloured version as well as the timeless black and white are enhanced by a case in white gold and set with 152 diamonds. The perfect harmonious continuity between the case and the dial makes this artwork a true jewel, and the stones adorning the crown lend the ultimate touch of refinement.

At the heart of this poetic watch beats a quartz movement and it is teamed with either a black or a white alligator leather strap. Identical, yet undeniably different, these two timepieces are complementary: the first watch stands out with its enchanting details whereas the second one affirms its powerful and seductive character. www.franckmuller.com

Dual Time Manufacture Lady, Ulysse Nardin A classic beauty, the Dual Time Manufacture Lady shows a fresh face and new movement.

Both ladylike and practical, this lovely timepiece communicates a style of elegance and playfulness powered for the first time by the in-house conceived and manufactured Caliber 334. Offered in a winter white palette of mother of pearl and a rich, shiny black, the watch is available in these two dial colours and styles as well. Both are decorated in gold or stainless steel and diamonds galore with elegant and colourful wristbands to match. For the woman who prefers a wealth of sparkle, she can select the timekeeper adorned with diamonds encircling the entire bezel. Devised with frequent traveller in mind, the dual time manufacture – a significant milestone in the history of contemporary watchmaking – allows wearers to adjust the second time zone and date forward, as well as backward. www.ulysse-nardin.com/en

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Special Feature

With Herrera Confidential, Creative Director Carolina Herrera de Baez gives a closer look at the fascinating history of the Herrera family. Mother and daughter open the doors to the House of Herrera to develop a very personal project that blends the traditional with the contemporary. It is an irresistible combination of elegance, emotion and authenticity, merging her Latin roots with the cosmopolitan New York of today. Durrah exclusively interviews Carolina Herrera de Baez to find out more.

House of Herrera How did you form an idea for the Herrera Confidential Collection?

I took my inspiration from the figure of my mother.

Being true to oneself is a value shared by the House of Herrera and which both my mother and myself have reflected. I wanted to create a fragrance that was unique and true to the wearer. With Herrera Confidential Collection each individual can mix the essential oils with the fragrances to find the scent that suits and defines them best.

What do you enjoy about the Middle East region?

I admire the rich culture of using fragrances of this region, it is beautiful that there are so many traditions around scents, I was intrigued to know more about the bukhoor that I learnt more about during my trip to the UAE. I also enjoy the experience of visiting souks and small markets where there is a melting pot of cultures when you enter. It’s fascinating how unique the Middle East is, it’s full of personality, which really cannot be seen anywhere else in the world.

Have you noticed a growth in demand for rich Arabesque scents and oud based scents globally? If so, where?

Yes of course. The Arabesque scents are more and more present in fragrances today because they are intense, captivating and will give the fragrance personality.

They provide a different appeal to fragrances, which is very interesting.

Why did you choose to launch this Confidential Collection in the Middle East?

The Middle East is the perfect global destination to launch my most premium fragrance collection. There is a great appreciation for luxury, and where craftsmanship and refinement in fashion or fragrance is understood and coveted. The Herrera Confidential collection introduces the art of perfuming using layers of mixing both a fragrance and oil, which is common in the Arab world. This is what led me and strongly encouraged me to launch the collection here.

The process of the collection is unique, as it consists of applying various scents between fragrances and oils to the skin in order to create an absolutely personal fragrance.

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Special Feature

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Why did you choose jewel tones to represent the collection?

The House of Herrera believes that colour is very important in the world of fashion, and therefore it has a starring role in Herrera Confidential. For instance, my mother has always said that red is an important colour; it’s fun, rich and slightly mysterious. For me, it’s the icon of the House of Herrera – a colour I associate with celebration, energy and vitality. Each fragrance has its own personality and is represented by a colour that defines it and makes it unique. The inspiration for each fragrance is also a source of inspiration for an haute couture dress, which my mother designed hand in hand while experiencing the Herrera Confidential Collection. The relationship between Herrera Confidential and the world of fashion is based on its simple and timeless style, on the longing for perfection, and on the search for luxury and elegance. The beauty is when you put all the bottles together; it’s like owning a set of collectors’ items.

Which of the fragrances of Herrera Confidential are your favourites?

I like all of them; each fragrance and oil tells a story from the dynasty of the Herrera family. The Herrera Tuberose is the collection’s flagship fragrance. The scent takes me back to memories of my mother when I used to go with her to “The perfume workshop” at Bloomingdale’s on 59th Street in New York, to buy the oils of tuberose and jasmine to use to make her own fragrances. Oud Couture of course brings memories of a great trip I had to the Middle East. It reminds me of a very special gift I received on a trip there with my mother; in the Middle East oud is used as the base for making perfumes that have unique fragrances, and is defined by its unique and sensual appeal. Overall it really depends on the day and my mood, I love each fragrance as they embody a character in me each time I wear a different one. The oils are a great way to make the scent special and unique to one person’s character, I use them a lot.

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from the citrus fruits, which I always associated with origins. First, the scent takes me back to my childhood, family moments and memories in which I was surrounded by spectacular landscapes from our country house in Venezuela. I also identify them with my early days as a professional, as they were ingredients that first introduced me to the world of fragrance

If at all, how did you contribute to the designing of the dresses and ensembles that were inspired by the Confidential Collection by your mother Carolina Herrera?

This time my mother was inspired by our idea of telling stories behind the new Herrera Confidential collection.

She loved the colours and decided to design six beautiful dresses, which come along with the collection. I really enjoy working with her as she is very creative and always comes up with new ideas; I always learn a lot from her.

The concept of creating your own personal secret scent by blending fragrance and oil is so luxurious. Can you tell me more about when and how you started doing this (i.e. expand more on the memory of going to Bloomingdale’s with your mother to buy ingredients, as mentioned above)?

My mother always has the desire to experiment with fragrances, which taught me not to be scared when taking a risk, and experiment with different ingredients.

This collection embodies her curiosity about the world of fragrances, her desire for experimentation, as well as the art of layering.

What can the Middle East expect of Carolina Herrera fragrances in the near future?

How does your Latin heritage influence your work?

I try not to think of the future but concentrate on what I am doing now. For the moment, I am working on a new fragrance that I hope to be able to present in the near future.

As an example, for Neroli Boheme one of the Herrera Confidential fragrances, I took my inspiration

www.carolinaherrera.com/chny-confidential

04 01 Herrera fragrances are elegant and authentic 02 The Herrera Confidential Collection by Carolina Herrera New York 03 Family images at the Herrera Residences 04 Carolina Herrera de Baez, Creative director of Carolina Herrera Fragrances

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Special Feature

Finest Fragrances

Composed from precious and rare ingredients, each of these fragrances for men expresses audacious richness and assertive charisma. Infused with style and unique olfactory combinations, they are designed for modern men who are not afraid to stand out from the masses.

CH Men Privé, Carolina Herrera CH Men Privé, is the new masculine fragrance to join the CH Carolina Herrera family. The scent is warm and luxurious with notes of whiskey and leather, creating an overall provocative, modern and rich treat for the senses.

It opens with accords of grapefruit and pomelo that lead to the heart of frozen lavender, sage, red thyme and cardamom. The base notes are leather, tonka bean and benzoin. With its polished black lacquered bottle, the sleek look of CH Men Privé was inspired by a handsome and classic flask. Provocative hints of gold add elegance, making the bottle a powerful statement of sophistication and masculinity. CH Men Privé perfectly embodies the Carolina Herrera man who is ready to imbue passion into everything he does. The scent is the perfect compliment to a worldly man; one who can easily impress on his own, but with CH Men Privé the seduction is complete. www.carolinaherrera.com/ch/en/fragrances/men/chmen-prive

Black V, AJ Arabia As with Black IV, AJ Arabia’s founder, Ali Aljaberi collaborated with famous Nose, JeanClaude Astier to develop the exclusively unique fragrance, Black V. The unisex fragrance tells a tale of inspiration and adventure and is the final creation in the Black Collection. Immersed in the magical melody of exceptional ingredients, Black V starts with symphonic top notes of lemon, peach and spicy cinnamon. Various joys of evanescence are radiated through the heart, portraying that of a flowery garden filled with tuberose, orange blossom and solar accord in the warm sunshine. The fragrance is then mastered by a composition of the noble accents of cedar, caramel and vanilla. Black V‘s bottle and packaging has been inspired by the grandiose Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. The package and bottle’s intricate details mirror the meticulous attributes of the Grand Mosque’s arches and domes; adding to the exclusivity and exquisiteness of the fragrance. www.ajarabia.com

Eau de Parfum, Eau de Cartier A fresh scent revealing warm sensations, eau de Cartier, created in 2001, draws its singularity from this olfactory paradox. Light yet sensual, it embraces the femininity of violets. In this eau de parfum, Cartier has heightened the character of the fragrance to create a fiery version of the original. More elegant than ever and ablaze with amber notes, this scent, with its precious balmy mellowness, smoulders with intensity. The Maison’s in-house perfumer has further kindled the sensuality of this enhanced formula with the addition of a bewitchingly rare hint of warmth and vanilla. An iconic eau de Cartier, the eau de parfum is dressed in warm shades, their fair amber tones made more sophisticated by black lettering: classic, chic and truly worthy of this timeless fragrance. An eau with a clear freshness, the fragrance is an ode to simplicity. www.cartier.com/collections/fragrances/mens-fragrances/eau-de-cartier.html

Eau de Parfum, Eau de Cartier A fresh scent revealing warm sensations, eau de Cartier, created in 2001, draws its singularity from this olfactory paradox. Light yet sensual, it embraces the femininity of violets. In this eau de parfum, Cartier has heightened the character of the fragrance to create a fiery version of the original. More elegant than ever and ablaze with amber notes, this scent, with its precious balmy mellowness, smoulders with intensity. The Maison’s in-house perfumer has further kindled the sensuality of this enhanced formula with the addition of a bewitchingly rare hint of warmth and vanilla. An iconic eau de Cartier, the eau de parfum is dressed in warm shades, their fair amber tones made more sophisticated by black lettering: classic, chic and truly worthy of this timeless fragrance. An eau with a clear freshness, the fragrance is an ode to simplicity. www.cartier.com/collections/fragrances/mens-fragrances/eau-de-cartier.html

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Special Feature

The Brilliant Game, Davidoffin Black The Brilliant Game opened a new chapter of The Game collection in 2014, revealing a new facet of The Game’s universe. According to Jacques Huclier (Givaudan), its creator, this perfume was inspired by “the incredible moment in a game when you feel confident, positive, and victory is just a natural consequence”. It is a woody oriental fragrance whose originality stems from its unique accords. Jacques Huclier used a blend of clary sage, armoise, bitter orange and Sicilian lemon oil, recreating the sparkling and aromatic scent of a beverage. The heart note is composed of another accord that mixes cedar wood and orange blossom. This unexpected assemblage extends the luminosity of the opening note and adds a vibrant, textured and mysterious force to it, combining virility and lasting power in a sophisticated, unique signature. A sensual and addictive Tonka Bean base note concludes this olfactory journey, reinforcing the presence of this assertive male fragrance. www.zinodavidoff.com/fragrances/for-him/brilliant-game

A Way for Him, Trussardi Reflecting Trussardi’s values of sophistication and a continuous search for originality, this tailor-made fragrance effortlessly represent the aesthetics of elegant new masculine style.

Timeless freshness and enticing sensuality magically blend on the skin, creating a unique signature with a distinctive personality. Top notes of bergamot, lemon and grapefruit mingle with patchouli, blond woods and soft vanilla, giving way to a heart of solar accord, breeze accord and green apple. The strong, brilliant character of the bottle design is expressed through the transparency of glass and the purity of form, distinctive traits of a young, contemporary culture fuelled by innovative ideas. A unique logo - the greyhound, which has been a symbol of Trussardi’s elegance and style for forty years - identifies and stands out on the bottles. www.trussardi.com/us/men/trussardi/perfumes-essence

Bulgari Man in Black Bulgari has introduced Bulgari Man in Black, the third incarnation in the ‘Bulgari Man’ trilogy, following Bulgari Man and Bulgari Man Extreme. With spicy top notes that morph smoothly into sensual amber warmth before yielding finally to woody, smoky tones, Bulgari Man in Black captures the virile essence of a modern man descended from an ancient Greek hero. Housed in a gleaming ebony flacon, Bulgari Man in Black possesses a forceful neo-Oriental olfactory signature. Once again, Bulgari reinterprets the grand themes of perfumery with daring raw ingredients. In the world of Bulgari masculine fragrances, Bulgari Man in Black is unprecedented in its power, audacious richness and assertive charisma. With this fiery new arrival, Bulgari completes an extraordinary cycle in which the legendary jewellery and watchmaking house has dived deep into not just mythology, but also its own rich Roman heritage. www.bulgari.com/en-us/products/97156-e.htm

In the world of fragrances, these scents for women are unprecedented in their pursuit of timeless elegance spawned by uniqueness, poetry, and invention. Combining authenticity with a sense of flair and style, each fragrance is crafted with expertise and creativity to make them the perfect accompaniment for the modern woman.

Elegant Scent Alien Oud Majestueux, Thierry Mugler A symbol of an enchanting otherworldliness, the source of mystery and sensuality, of dreams and wonder, the Orient continues to fascinate with its splendour, mystery and wealth. Inspired by this spellbinding vision, Oud Majestueux, the new voluptuous and refined version of Alien, magnifies one of the most treasured raw materials from the Middle East; oud wood. Alien Eau de Parfum contains some of the noblest raw materials, the rarest and most expensive in perfumery: white amber and cashmeran wood, innovative notes from advanced technology, and sambac jasmine, with a select natural absolute that is among the most valuable, and signs only the greatest fragrances. It is wrapped in a bottle of shimmering golden colours, which reveals the amber-tinted fragrance. This is set majestically in a pyramidal golden box lined with mirrors that reflect it ad infinitum. www.mugler.co.uk

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Special Feature

Essenza, Roberto Cavalli Roberto Cavalli Essenza is a complete re-imagination of the original fragrance. It boldly emphasises its most intense and luxurious dimension, squarely aiming for the ultimate glamour. Like all the other fragrances of the signature line, Roberto Cavalli Essenza was designed by Louise Turner, one of the most talented master perfumers of her generation. Her intimate knowledge of Roberto Cavalli’s universe enabled her to distil a captivating oriental floral that strikes a perfect balance between wildness and sophistication. The fragrance opens with a provocative note of bitter almond. This paves the way for the warm and seductive heart note of orange flower absolute. A trademark of the original signature perfume, the orange blossom is taken one step further into sheer voluptuousness. The closing note of vanilla absolute adds a touch of mystery, leaving an intriguing trail that is guaranteed to turn heads. parfums.robertocavalli.com/it

Essence de Paradis, Eau de Cartier Essence de Paradis by Eau de Cartier is a fragrant trip to paradise and a scent brimming with hedonism and sun-drenched opulence. This jubilant fragrance illuminates life with an idyllic touch and a soothing, peaceful languor. Like a tropical island, everything about it inspires relaxation, no matter where you are in the world. The seductive charm of ylangylang embodies the fragrance and travels in waves across the skin. The fresh nature of the perfume is a sunlit guarantor of the idyllic well being ushered in by this feminine scent.

Due for release in 2016, this eau de Cartier for her has also inspired the brand to create a captivating coral coloured box. The pink shades reflect the feeling of a paradise getaway, as well as fitting perfectly with the female personality. It is complemented by the delicate white lettering of the Cartier logo. www.cartier.com/collections/fragrances/womens-creations/eau-de-cartier.html

Floriental, Comme des Garçons Floriental is a disrupted floral fragrance that challenges the traditions of perfumery to reimagine a flower that has no scent. With no definite top, middle or base, each ingredient emerges and recedes in creative confusion. Labdanum is the starting point.

This warm resin, obtained from the leaves and twigs of the Cistus shrub, permeates the fragrance with an intriguing and suave oriental signature. Lavish Sandalwood reinforces the impression of opulence while vetiver confers a deep, woody vibration. A composition highlighted with incense and pink pepper and laced with plum to enrich the floral. An odourless flower is given life and a virtual scent is imagined. Addictive, extravagant and mysterious, Floriental is a narcotic fusion in which the Oriental and the Floral merge into a symbiosis between reality and fiction. comme-des-garcons-parfum.com/perfumes/floriental

Daisy Dream Forever, Marc Jacobs Inspired by eternal blue skies that are infinitely reaching and never-ending, Daisy Dream Forever embodies the youthful reverie and ethereal charm of a Marc Jacobs dream girl. An elegant addition to the Daisy Dream fragrance family, Daisy Dream Forever is a deeper interpretation of the Mar Jacobs signature. The scent has keynotes of blackberry, blue wisteria and white woods, which leave a lasting impression of luxurious florals, airy succulence and a velvety dream of a dry down. Elegantly crafted, the bottle is dressed in a fresh new colour palette. Deep blue translucent glass reveals the endlessly ethereal fragrance, as lace-like frosted blue daisy details rest on the bottle’s curved shoulders.

Complementary blue daisy petals adorn the shiny silver cap adding a touch of sophistication.

Satin and glossy textures lace the outer carton in a dreamy blue hue, with accents of metallic silver, reflecting Marc’s mix of intricate detailing. www.marcjacobsfragrances.com/exclusives

Prada Candy Gold Prada unveiled its gourmand caramel scent named Candy in 2011. In April 2013, the house launched its adapted version under the name of Prada Candy L’Eau, which, like the original, was also signed by perfumer Daniela Andrier. To coincide with the festive season, Prada Candy Gold swaps the iconic shocking pink bottle of before, into an echoing reflective gold. The scent is instantly seductive – pure pleasure wrapped in impulsive charm, showing us a new facet of Prada femininity where more is more and excess is everything. The playful and seductive perfume is modified with notes of citruses and flowers. Its opening sparkles with fresh Italian citruses, followed by the floral heart of sweet pea. The base is signature warm and gourmand, composed of benzoin, white musk and caramel. The limited edition gold bottle will be a special collectors item; a reflection of the unexpected nature of the Candy scent. www.prada.com/en/fragrance/woman/candy.html

Valentino Donna Perfumers Sonia Constant and Antoine Maisondieu imagined a fragrance both classic and mercurial: a subtle, light, unique scent with an alluring and profoundly Italian accord. Valentino Donna is mysterious, exquisite and timeless, like a couture object. The fragrance revolves around a contrast of noble, subtle ingredients. Rose essence, generously blended with notes of bergamot and iris Pallida, illuminates the fragrance with refined radiance and an impalpable texture. Warm, intense notes of leather blended with patchouli and vanilla express an exquisite, inescapable carnality.

The bottle is both a vessel and a symbol of Valentino Donna. Its wondrous archetypal shape has a modernist mood, as the glass surface is entirely cut in prisms that resemble studs, but could also be the ashlar masonry of an Italian palazzo. A plaque bearing the name of Valentino embellishes and completes the bottle. www.valentino.com/us/valentino-edt_cod62000813tw.html

From Vision

To Reality

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Special Feature

Palette of Paris

A café-restaurant combined with a gourmet retail boutique, Fauchon has opened its flagship café and gourmet boutique in Bahrain at Moda Mall. Joining forces with Bahrain Management, the exciting new destination owned by Michel Ducros, introduces a unique Parisian gastronomy experience to the Bahraini market.

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elebrating the opening of the eagerly anticipated Bahrain Fauchon boutique, Fauchon Bahrain Management explained, “We pride ourselves on selecting the very best local and international premium brands from around the world which truly express the Kingdom of Bahrain’s pursuit of quality, artistry and creativity. Fauchon is a fine addition to our repertoire of brands, and we are confident that it will be a great success among our patrons of art enthusiasts and food connoisseurs.

Fauchon is already a favourite amongst those who have experienced the restaurant-café around the world, and we are pleased to offer the same palette of delectable flavours in Bahrain that reflect the richness and diversity of French culinary culture.”

For his part, Michel Ducros, President of Fauchon also commented, stating, “We have a shared vision with the Fauchon Bahrain Management and seek nothing short of excellence in our art form. Fauchon is an artistic and cultural expression of French culinary

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01 The café section offers a very modern and chic ambience 02 A second level to cater to all your dining requisites 03 Conveniently located at the upscale Moda Mall, FAUCHON welcomes guests with style 04 Only the finest ingredients are selected and used in our products like tea

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craftsmanship and we are honoured to have brought a little piece of Paris to Manama” With a central kitchen and pastry lab, Fauchon provides customers with fresh French gourmet specialty products for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The café-restaurant also serves Fauchon’s famous pastries including its signature éclairs and macarons, while offering a wide range of gifts and confectionery comprising of the new “Choc, Made in F” collection, fine groceries and perfumed teas.

Imaginative, precious and true luxury gourmet of world-famous quality, the Fauchon Pastry reinterprets great French classics and invents new ways to enjoy éclairs, macarons, babas, millefeuilles and other creations. In their laboratory in the Courbevoie Paris region, each day the Fauchon pastry Chefs create new recipes that celebrate the season and offer structured, frank and understandable tastes. They produce gourmet collections in a highly colourful, avant-garde and sometimes playful style which nonetheless remains elegant and is constantly updated to surprise.

In collaboration with Pascal Caffet, Chocolatier

and winner of the Meilleur Ouvrier de France award, exclusive chocolate creations were co-developed to provide a new vision à la française, dubbed Choc Made in F. Twenty chocolates come in two assortments: Les Goûts (The Tastes) and Les Recettes Inédites (Creative Recipes) for an unprecedented visual, gustatory and emotional experience.

Fauchon also offers a range of confectionery, excellent in flavour and rich in colour. The carefully selected ingredients and their traditional manufacturing make for exceptional products. A source of pleasure and feeling, chocolates, candied chestnuts, nougats, caramels, candy and fruit pastes are available in glossy jewellery-like boxes.

Tea has been one of the historical and strategic arts of Fauchon since its creation, with an annual production of 140 tonnes for over 100 types marketed worldwide.

When creating scented teas, Fauchon selects original teas from the best gardens, scented with apple, fruit, flowers and spices for a captivating journey of the senses.

Teas are preserved in boxes of a refined and elegant design, offering a deeply sensory and sensual journey.

An iconic House creation since 2003, the éclair is the signature pastry of Fauchon. In less than a decade, they have boldly reinvented this classic from French gastronomy with best-selling chocolate éclairs and the latest creation; the lace milk chocolate éclair, a delightful blend of two iconic recipes from French pastry making topped with fluffy Chantilly crème and caramel lace.

Inspired by the remarkable success of its macaron range, Fauchon has extended the distribution of this iconic French baked product worldwide. This collection, created by their pastry chef in Paris, includes 8 traditional flavours to satisfy all macaron lovers: chocolate, vanilla, praline, pistachio, raspberry, lemon, caramel and coffee.

The latest store opening in Bahrain marks Fauchon’s strategic expansion plan in key international markets. With a presence in over seventy brand shops and restaurants in twenty countries, the brand is now planning further openings in the Middle East, especially in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, offering a gourmet taste of Paris to the world. fauchonmm@alazzamgroup.com

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Masterpiece

Colour brought to life

One of India’s finest contemporary artists, Sujata Bajaj has trained in both India and France. From her days at the Ecole des Beaux Arts, in Paris, where she experimented with the monotype to her studio in Norway and her home in Pune, Sujata has explored various materials, medias and methods. Through her unique lived experiences, she has developed her own personal artistic style, where colour characterises every expression.

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orn in Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, in 1958, artist Sujata Bajaj has been surrounded by incredible and inspiring people from a young age. Sujata’s father, Radhakrishna Bajaj was one of Ghandi’s companions, and a disciple of spiritual master Vinoba Bhave. It was Ghandi himself, who brought Radhakrishna and Sujata’s mother Anasuya together, writing to each of them in support of the union on their wedding day, and sending two garlands he had blessed and hand woven for the couple. Sujata says she didn’t understand at the time how extraordinary her childhood was, but looking back she reflects on the unusual, creative, and open-minded people her parents and their friends were, and what impact this had on her personal development.

Sujata was the youngest among five siblings, with a sixteen-year gap between her and the next youngest sibling. She grew up surrounded by relatives, and lived a childhood akin to that of an only child. Her family was always incredibly supportive of her art, her mother being the one who first noticed Sujata’s love of drawing

when she was just three or four years old. Eventually it was also her mother who encouraged Sujata to leave India and discover Paris and the museums of Europe.

After graduating high school, Sujata had planned to study medicine, but one of her elder brothers, a surgeon, convinced her to follow what was evidenty her true passion: art.

She therefore entered the school of Fine Arts in Pune, where before the age of twenty, her work and determination earned her the first of her successes: a gold medal as first prize for a competition organised by the university. From here, Sujata’s career as an artist continued to flourish; she completed training in India and also in France, where she received a French Government Scholarship in 1988-89 and studied at the Ecole Nationale des Beaux Arts, Paris. She held her first show at the Bal Gandharva Art Gallery, Pune, in 1978, and completed her PhD on Indian tribal art.

At one of her exhibitions somewhere in mid 1980s, Sujata met painter SH Raza, who soon became her mentor and describes her as, “one of the best young

talents around, someone who is very clear about her concepts in art.” Others clearly agreed, as Sujata was invited to showcase her works at Paris’s famed Galerie Patrice Trigano – one of the most prominent galleries of Paris – where she became the first Indian artist to be exhibited at the gallery. Moreover, a comprehensive book on her work and life, written by art critic and writer Michel Waldberg, was also released in Paris.

While Bajaj’s inspiration is firmly rooted in her Indian heritage, she also draws much from the new artistic movements and techniques that she was exposed to following her move to France.

Marrying a Norwegian, Sujata has spent her time across several continents, absorbing inspiration and experience from a contrast of places, but above all she still considers India home. Recently she has been basing herself in Dubai, working from a studio with views across the ocean. Recently taking part in ArtBahrain, Sujata spoke to Durrah more about her journey as an artist. www.sujatabajaj.com

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Masterpiece

While Bajaj’s inspiration is firmly rooted in her Indian heritage, she also draws much from the new artistic movements and techniques that she was exposed to following her move to France Interview with Sujata Bajaj What first made you take an interest in producing art?

I was born in Jaipur, the pink city of India and capital of the state of Rajasthan, the most colourful of all Indian states, so this perhaps predestined me to fuse with colour.

At an early stage my mother noticed that I enjoyed making drawings and playing with colours. She took me around to villages, festivals and markets, so I could see myself how sensitive people of that state are to art and colours in everyday life. It was in Rajasthan that I had my initiation into tribal and folk art. After having completed schooling in Jaipur, I moved to Pune to pursue art studies at College.

I joined the SNDT College and did post graduate in Fine Arts and Painting. My first show was at the Bal Gandharva Art Gallery, Pune, in 1978. In India, I had been working on my PHD thesis on tribal art; it was an extraordinary milieu, filled with ancient heritage, myths and rituals.

It was at one of my exhibitions in 1980s, that I met the great Indian painter S H Raza, who was to become my mentor, guide and best friend. He praised my work, which, coming from him was very encouraging and gave me a lot of self-confidence.

In 1988 I was awarded a scholarship by the French Government to study in France, so I enlisted at Ecole Nationale Supérieure Des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Although I had already held several exhibitions, I somehow believe in retrospect that Paris made me take the decision to give myself fully to my artistic career. Art had to become my path. I’ve never questioned that decision in my life.

Can you tell us a bit about your time working in the atelier of Claude Viseux?

Coming to Paris – the centre of art – on a French Government scholarship and being able to study and work at Ecole Nationale Supérieuer Des Beaux-Arts, was like a dream come true. There I was fortunate to work with Claude Viseux, who gave me a completely new direction to my work by introducing me to the monotype. Claude’s manner of working, in fact, fascinated me as a young artist. It was a completely different experience involving techniques I had barely heard of. This included things like handling a paper surface by inking a metal plate, working on the black, placing a leaf underneath and setting the press in motion. The metal plate can also be substituted for a glass one, and used for no more than one artwork.

Working on monotypes has been an amazing experience for me, and shaped my technique with mixed media, which has become a very important part of my work. This 02 medium reflects in a way my own life: different techniques and materials coming together.

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01 WATER, 2004, mixed media, 32x30cm 02 Sujata Bajaj in her Paris studio.

03 ENIGMA, 2007, acrylic on canvas, 100x200cm

How much did your time in both India and France influence your artwork?

As I mentioned, India provided me with basic inspirations when it comes to themes and palette. The natural beauty of my home state Rajasthan – and in particular the striking contrast between the desert and the colourful way people dress – has left a deep mark in me. I think the way I oppose colours on my canvas and often seek to emphasise contrast has its roots there. In a broader perspective, the Indian aesthetic material can seem a bit raw, mainly in tribal and folk art. This is where my French experience has come in to play. France is all about refinement, subtle nuances, details and shades of details. As I am a perfectionist myself, I was immediately drawn to this important aspect of French aesthetics. And of course, France taught me a lot about technique. When I started my career, India was still an emerging country on the art scene with no strong tradition of contemporary modern art.

Indian Tribal art played an important role in my early works for sure, and probably still is a concealed source of inspiration. But my technical skills are mostly “made in Paris”. That is where I found my artistic vocabulary.

I’m probably an emotional artist in the sense that I need emotional stability in order to create. The solid family values of India gave me a very strong emotional base and sense of security. In Paris I met my husband, who is Norwegian, and I was married in Paris and our daughter was born there. On this level also both countries have contributed in a major way.

What are some of the key messages or emotions you convey through your artwork?

My creations range from monotypes, to paintings, to calligraphic collages, to sculptures. My compositions appear in bold and fluid streaks and contours, as if emerging out of a metaphysical space or metaphorical realm. Although I use a contemporary open framework, my renderings, I believe, convey spiritual connotations linked in parallel to the ancient heritage and mystique of the country of my origin. I seek to capture by an expanse of colourful abstraction the panchtatva, a concept attached to the five natural elements – air, water, fire, earth and sky – that sustain all life in our universe. Although much of the imagery in my work radiates emotions of love, peace and harmony, nonetheless there are also floating, thundering compositions suggestive of other emotions. I do believe also that the extensive use of reds oranges and yellows somehow can be linked to the great fear of our time – which is global heating and climate change – although I’m by no means a political artist. Coming from a very hot and dry country such as India and living presently partly in another very hot and dry place such as Dubai, I simply cannot be insensitive to this issue.

In what environment do you feel most creative?

For painting, it’s always in my studio and before starting on a canvas I take my time, though I do not normally make any preparatory sketches. Much research

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Masterpiece 04 FRAGMENTS, 2009, mixed media, 3230cm 05 FIRE, 2006, mixed media, 47x47cm 06 FLAMES, 2015, acrylic on canvas, 200x100cm 07 FLAMES, 2015, acrylic on canvas, 200x100cm

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and planning precedes any work that evolves during the process. I like peace while I work, sitting cross-legged on the floor of my studio before the blank surface, and only when I am ready with my thoughts do I take off with paints, brushes and knife. However, somehow I do not create in complete isolation from my surroundings. From my studio in Paris I can watch and connect to the hustle bustle of the city’s fascinating street life that unfolds under my window. As a stark contrast, my studio in Dubai Marina, far above street level, offers a breath-taking view of the sea, the Palm, and the landmark buildings of Dubai.

Being able to enjoy an unobstructed sea view from my home has been a dream for very long time and provides all kind of material for inspiration. I consider myself very fortunate to have the opportunity to work under such condition. Since I somehow thrive on contrasts, I am blessed with a third source of inspiration. I have very strong ties to Norway where I have spent many years of my life. Norway is a cold, scarcely populated country with amazing nature and a very particular light. There, I’ve learned to enjoy the combination of purity, silence and beauty. The response to my work by Norwegians has been overwhelming, almost unbelievable, and in turn this has stimulated my creativity.

What has been one of your most memorable exhibitions?

There has been many and I would rather mention a few unforgettable images I’ve kept from the most memorable shows. I had tears in my eyes when my very first solo show was opened in Pune, India. Some years later I was left speechless by the immense and monumental main hall of Le Grand Palais in Paris, where my French gallery at the time had decided to show my work. While still a student at Les Beaux Arts, my husband and I were strolling in the streets of Paris and randomly

came upon the opening of a show of the very famous artist Hundertwasser at the gallery of Patrice Trigano, which is one of the leading Parisian galleries. My husband said jokingly to me; imagine if you could show in this gallery one day. It happened 18 years later.

I developed over the years and had a unique relationship with the art public of Stavanger in Norway, through my collaboration with gallery Sult. My shows were usually sell-outs, and there would be huge gatherings of people outside the gallery waiting for the doors to open so they could choose first. I remember on one occasion that even I could not get into my own show because of the crowds. This happened only in Stavanger.

I also have a deep sense of belonging to Jahangir art gallery in Mumbai, as it’s my home gallery. I’ve been showing there for 30 years, and I’m planning another big show opening on the 8th of March 2016. I would also like to mention that I have a big show in New Delhi at almost the same time. The opening is on the 25th of February at Visual Art Gallery Habitat Centre.

Colour is an integral part of your work – what are your favourite colours to work with and what do they represent to you?

Colours are like my children, and as such I cannot allow myself to have any one as my favourite. Nevertheless, my palette carries mostly rich and vibrant colours. My colours seek to find a balance between abstraction and the texture of my materials. As of late there is a tendency to use more red in my paintings – multiple shades of red. I’m drawn to the reds almost subconsciously, so it must connect to my temperament at some deeper level.

There is also an extensive use of black, which I can only explain probably because black is very efficient as a contrast to red; it brings forth the deeper qualities of red.

However, I don’t like to explain too much because I don’t

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think I can. My friend Jean-Claude Carrière often says that paintings takes you to places words cannot access. I think he’s right, fundamentally. Most of my works are abstract which means I have no exclusive right to their “meaning”… at least not completely.

How long does it typically take you to finish a piece of art?

I am sure no sincere artist would be able to give you a precise time frame, and the same goes for me.

Often it depends on where I want to go with my canvas.

I usually take a long time, as I stop a lot and look at a piece with a fresh eye before rushing into finishing it. But more importantly, I see my art as the result of multiple impressions that I gather in my own life as it unfolds, brought together by the desire to create. In a way, this means that I start my paintings long before I actually sit down in front of the empty canvas and pick up my brushes. That’s one of the reasons I don’t produce in volumes – I need to fill myself with the raw material of the work before I actually execute it. I believe I am a perfectionist, and a work does not leave my studio if I’m not fully satisfied.

What was your experience like taking part in the first ever ArtBahrain?

For me, ArtBahrain took on a special meaning. Lately I’ve spent some time in Dubai in my beautiful studio, but this was actually the first time my work was shown in the Middle East, which has become quite an important hub for contemporary art over the last few years. I very much enjoyed the contact I had with the local Bahrainis, and also to be able to take a closer look at art made by local artists, which were naturally well represented at the fair. I also had interesting conversations with some of them. I have to give credit to the organisers, as by and large the fair was

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Masterpiece

very well planned and organised. My stall was next to the stall presenting Durrah magazine and I had the pleasure of browsing several copies of earlier editions. It struck me that it was a very interesting and beautifully printed magazine. I also met the editor Mr Khalid Juman, and to my surprise he offered me a profile in Durrah, which made me very happy!

What are some of your most recent inspirations that you think will influence your future art projects?

I have many ideas. I think I should do more with the reds – to go deeper and explore the symbolic and emotional potential embodied in this colour. For example by liberating it from the context and the 08

contrast of other colours such as black. This has been in my mind for quite some time, but would require a break and rupture from what I have been doing – quite successfully I must say –for many years. I do sense the need to move on and make much larger works based on the same ideas and inspiration.

Lately I have worked on sculptures in fibreglass, which have been painted in “my colours”. It started with a life size tiger, which was sold to help the Save the Tiger Project in India. I transposed this idea to the form of Ganapti the Indian god of arts, creativity and wisdom. But with this I also believe the time will soon come for me to try out larger formats. The experience with the life size tiger sculpture proved to me that I can handle much larger sizes, which will be a new direction.

08 REDS, 2015, acrylic on canvas, 100x100cm

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Special Feature

Jewels from the Sea

Following its unprecedented success as part of the Qatar Japan, Qatar UK and Qatar Brazil Years of Culture, the internationally-acclaimed exhibition Pearls: Jewels from the Sea has launched in Istanbul, Turkey, as one of the highlights of the Qatar Turkey 2015 Year of Culture. The exhibition presents the history, legends, mythology, and meaning of pearls and pearl jewellery from Qatar and around the world.

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nder the guidance of Qatar Museums’ Chairperson Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Pearls: Jewels from the Sea exhibition has been developed in close collaboration with the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Culture and Tourism as a highlight of the 2015 Qatar Turkey Year of Culture initiative.

Produced by Qatar Museums, the exhibition is composed of a series of unique and beautiful pieces, which have been carefully collected and curated during the last ten years. The internationally acclaimed exhibition presents visitors with a rare opportunity to see one of the finest collections of pearl jewellery in the world.

Pearls: Jewels from the Sea contains more than 100 pieces from around the world including the Gulf, Europe and Asia. The diverse collection features pearls, shells, tiaras, lockets, brooches and necklaces – several from European royal provenances.

Items of jewellery made from Gulf natural pearls feature among the masterpieces. Highlights include pieces produced by renowned French jeweller Cartier, pearl earrings designed by Bvlgari and worn by Elizabeth

Taylor, a spectacular tiara worn by Archduchess Marie Valerie of Austria, and six Royal tiaras from other European monarchies. Other highlights include ethnographic and tribal pieces of pearl jewellery, such as a headdress from Tibet.

Pieces in the collection date as far back as Roman times, through to 2011. The oldest piece is a bracelet from the 3rd-century AD, while the most recent item is the “Frozen” necklace, produced in 2011 by VietnameseGerman artist Sam Tho-Duong.

The exhibition begins with an insight into the natural history of pearls and the pearl-fishing trade from across the Arabian Gulf. A collection of natural pearls from the Gulf demonstrates how these have long been among the highest quality and most valuable in the world.

This section also educates visitors about the historical methods and techniques used by pearl divers, and provides an overview of the activities of pearl merchants in the Gulf, together with examples of equipment used for weighing and valuing pearls.

The main body of the exhibition chronicles the historical use of pearls in jewellery, from their earliest

recorded use in Antiquity as symbols of power and status.

It then tracks the development of pearls during medieval times when they became symbols of luxury. This section of the exhibition also pays homage to the myths and legends surrounding these “jewels from the sea�, ranging from a widespread belief among tribal Indians that they were formed from tears of their Gods, to the idea that they are formed from grains of sand. Due to the vast progress made in scientific understanding during the past ten years, the exhibition explains how there is now a much more accurate understanding of how such natural phenomena are produced.

The importance of pearls in the Gulf region and particularly in Qatar is the other main component of the exhibition. Recent archaeological excavations have confirmed that, long before natural resources were discovered in Qatar, pearls were being fished in the Arabian Gulf more than 7,000 years ago. During this time, exporting loose pearls was the only source of income for countries such as Qatar and as a result they became a significant part of the region’s rich heritage and identity. Gulf pearls were being traded with

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northern Europe and China as long as 3,000 years ago.

Indeed, the village of Al Zubarah in Qatar is the world’s only pearl fishing village to be granted UNESCO World Heritage status.

Commenting on the exhibition, the curator of the exhibition, Dr. Hubert Bari said, “Pearls are a crucial part of Qatar’s heritage and an important feature of much Ottoman jewellery. Bringing Pearls to Istanbul as part of the Qatar Turkey 2015 Year of Culture feels like a natural way to celebrate the warm friendship and spirit of collaboration and partnership that exists between these two countries. The Museum of Turkish & Islamic Arts is a unique and intimate space, and the ideal setting to reflect the many wonders of this amazing gemstone and

highlight our centuries-long passion with pearls.”

The travelling exhibition was developed entirely in Qatar – from conception through to curation, design, management and production. It is one of Qatar Museums’ flagship international projects, having been visited by people around the world and having received widespread critical acclaim Under the vision and guidance of its Chairperson, H.E. Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Qatar Museums’ Pearls, Jewels from the Sea exhibition celebrates these stunning and important objects and artefacts of joint historical interest to both countries. www.qm.org.qa/en

01 Cartier pearl necklace

Recent archaeological excavations have confirmed that, long before natural resources were discovered in Qatar, pearls were being fished in the Arabian Gulf more than 7,000 years ago

02 Qatari pearl boats 03 Birth of a pearl 04 Chinese hairpin 05 Elizabeth Taylor drop pearl earrings 06 Marie Valerie tiara

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Masterpiece

Beauty and Form

Exhibiting at the first edition of ArtBahrain, artist Nasr Warour has been based in Dubai for the past 15 years, and began his career in his homeland of Syria in 1986 with sculpture as his primary form of expression.

Nasr’s large- scale sculptures show a unique interpretation of his nation’s culture and history, setting him apart from his contemporaries. It was when Nasr relocated to Dubai that he began painting in order to accommodate the interior walls of his small art studio. He began his experimentation of techniques and mediums in attempts to express his vision and philosophy of art.

Nasr speaks with Durrah about what he aims to express through his art.

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Interview with Nasr Warour What made you change from working with sculptures as your primary medium to painting?

I didn’t completely change, but I decided to discover both at the same time. Sculpture needs a space that I didn’t have because I was living in a city house, so as soon as I started painting, the sculpture was showing itself on the canvas.

How does your homeland Syria inspire your work?

I am a living piece of Syria like any stone, street or animal. As an artist I was amazed all the time at the energy in the sun, the air, the water, and the ground. I can keep painting and working there for days and days with no sleep. Syria is an inspiring power for me, and wakes up my mind.

What do you enjoy about living in Dubai? As an artist do you think it is an ideal place to reside?

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Dubai is a big growing business city, where time runs fast, where the picture keeps changing, and where you have to keep your horse very healthy and satisfied. That image of motion is what I am enjoying, as I enjoy watching the people and the fast pace.

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How would you describe the essence of your work, and what do you hope to communicate through it?

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I find myself working mostly on the relation

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between human nature, the universe, places, and the power of the image. I use simple and expressive strokes and colours to let every part of the artwork do its duty and allow the eye to see and wake up the wonder in us. I hope that through my artworks every person will be inspired to take enough time to see, imagine, dream, hear, and think how he or she is a great creation, like any small thing in life, and enjoy the gifts.

The human brain has the power and ability to process and get results. When we are born we have the ability to be anything, but with knowledge we can reach our gifts, so my artwork is calling to be seen as a gift.

How would you describe your creative process – from the conception of an idea to turning it into art?

My artwork is a building process that comes from a pictured idea prepared by sketching, and I leave it up to my feelings to do the final touches.

The real artwork has a brain, a body, a shape, a name and a personality. It has a reason, it has a history, and it has a future. It is not an improvisation like the sketch.

Who are some of your biggest inspirations and how did they shape the artist you are today?

My inspirations are talking things, alive, shining things, or things that are waiting to show you a little blink of light and guide you somewhere. It could be a

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Masterpiece

04 Read Out the Vortex

When we are born we have the ability to be anything, but with knowledge we can reach our gifts, so my artwork is calling to be seen as a gift

05 Portrait of Nasr Warour 06 In Revenge Day 07 In Revenge Night

sound, an image, a smile, an artist or an animal.

Words are also my biggest inspiration, and it can come from a child, a teacher, or from the wind. However, I rarely use words in my art, and if I do I make sure they have their own meaning and philosophy, which is not shaped by the mind-set.

This is how I see myself growing, vertically and horizontally in my artworks as well as on the ground.

Can you tell us a bit more about your recent exhibition in Bahrain?

I exhibited my new released collection in ArtBahrain under the title of ‘Read out the Vortex’, as a very organised accident. The theme was about the spiral movement, carrying us, shaping us, washing us and taking us, within our own little vortexes. In this collection I used Japanese brushes with ink to keep the flow of writing the symbols, and to invite the eye to read and see, not just pass by.

What are your favourite colours and/or materials to work with and why?

When I talk about a favourite colour, I have to think first where it is placed, what shape it has, what texture, and what is the temperature around it. White is still challenging, calling and provoking me as first light, as first milk, as first salt, as first step in love.

I use mostly oil colours on canvas, and acrylic, ink, charcoal or pencil sometimes. It all depends on the collection’s subject and needs.

Do you have any upcoming exhibitions or projects we should look out for?

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This year ArtBahrain was the last exhibition I participated in. I have some exhibitions and events coming up next year and after in Italy, India, Beirut, Bahrain and UAE, but haven’t confirmed it at this time.

There’s thinking ahead and there’s thinking beyond.

The Mulsanne.

AHMED ZAYANI & SONS W.L.L

131 SHK. Salman Highway, Zinj 358, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain P.O. Box 26332, For information call +973 17 238822 / 17 238190 or visit www.ahmedzayani.com

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Fashion

Fashion in Flight “Every woman, regardless of size and shape, deserves to feel confident, comfortable and gorgeous.” It is this belief that drives Tadashi Shoji and his namesake brand. For his Fall 2015 collection – available at Saks Fifth Avenue – Shoji finds his muse in aviation and aerodynamics, inspired by the joy of flight.

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adashi Shoji, the founder and chief designer of the Tadashi Shoji collection was born and raised in Sendai, Japan. He began painting and drawing from a young age and eventually moved to Tokyo, where he studied fine art. His talent was soon recognised and he was recommended for an apprenticeship with Japan’s leading contemporary artist, Jiro Takamatsu, who is credited with paving the way for the modern art movement in Japan during the sixties.

However, it was not until Tadashi moved to Los Angeles in the seventies that he awakened his lifelong passion, fashion design, in which he also earned a degree. Soon after university, Tadashi began working at a prominent clothing manufacturer and quickly climbed the ranks. Noticing that women had few choices when

it came to special occasion dresses in the contemporary market, he launched his own collection in 1982.

For the next 25 years, the brand continued to thrive and in 2007, Tadashi debuted his higher-end runway collection at New York Fashion Week to rave reviews. In 2013, to mark his 30th anniversary as a designer, Tadashi released a capsule collection inspired by his most soughtafter pieces.

Today, the Tadashi Shoji collection is globally recognised and loved by devoted women ranging from busy working mothers to red carpet gracing celebrities.

With his original designs and innovative collections, women regardless of shape or size are inspired to showcase their beauty and walk with confidence.

Tadashi works on employing expert techniques

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Fashion

Today, the Tadashi Shoji collection is globally recognised and loved by devoted women ranging from busy working mothers to red carpet gracing celebrities

in draping, ruching and shutter pleats, ensuring each garment is masterfully tailored to flatter all figures.

Tadashi also carefully chooses fabrics with stretch, such as luxe jersey, embroidered lace and featherweight tulle to render a custom-made feel. So, whether it’s a cocktail dress or floor-length gown, the wearer looks red carpet polished, with all the effortlessness of slipping on their favourite T-shirt. From the fabric to the fit, a Tadashi dress is infused with glamour and ease.

With a range of styles and exquisite craftsmanship, Tadashi Shoji inspires real women, on their most memorable occasions, to feel con dent in what they are wearing and comfortable in their own skin – in a word, beautiful.

For the Fall 2015 collection, Tadashi was inspired by the beauty of flight and aviation. Ethereal silhouettes evoke a feeling of weightlessness and aerodynamic

seaming inspirits movement. As if tousled by the wind, feathers of frayed-edge silk organza and hand-cut tulle create lighter-than-air gowns and floor-length capes. Dipping to dreamier depths, aerial views inspire the textures of custom-designed jacquards. Aeroplane mechanics influence all-over metallic embroideries of copper, gold, and silver on luxe knits, while featheredwing motifs can be found in sheer laces and tactile embellishments. A monochromatic palette of black, ivory, and navy transitions to semi-opaque hues created from bicolour layering of sheer tulles.

Tadashi Shoji, founded in 1982, maintains signature boutiques in the United States, Indonesia and China and is carried in more than 700 major department and specialty stores worldwide. www.tadashishoji.com

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Fashion

City Chic New York based label DKNY has paid tribute to its namesake with the brand’s latest Fall/Winter collection for 2015. With a certain back-to-school cool aesthetic, the latest pieces from the designer feature a range of wearable garments in bright bold colours – the perfect stylish uniform for the big city.

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ne of the world’s leading fashion design houses, DKNY designs, markets and distributes collections of apparel, sportswear, accessories and shoes under the Donna Karan New York name. Since November 2001, the brand has been part of the exclusive LVMH Moët Hennessy - Louis Vuitton, the world’s leading luxury goods group.

In the brand’s latest Fall/Winter 2015 collection, DKNY asks the questions: What is New York? A state of mind? A good idea? According to the bold and brightly coloured designs made for the streets of the city: yes, but it is also so much more. In DKNY’s New York, adventure and diversity reign, mix, play and combine in clean lines, primaries, selective embellishment and cultured layers.

The same greed for life inspired by “the city that never sleeps” inspires edge and glamour equally.

Making the men in menswear obsolete, city girls wear these garments like a second (sharp and tailored)

skin. Bare or jewelled, coats and suits catch the eye while keeping the cold at bay. Men’s shirts transform in silk; snipped of excess drag, while ankle-high trousers prefer the tapered life.

Even skirts prefer to wrap in pleats or twirl in sheer silk, while dresses conquer the streets in sculpted silhouettes, full of body and sport – clean, meshed, and jewelled.

The designs inspire wearers to cover up in the cold months in collages of layers and textures, faux fur, quilting, shine and transparency. The colour palette features shocks of Electric Purple, Omni Blue and Super Red. Camel is dressed with Cyan Blue, Navy with Heather Gray and Graphic Black with White.

In the new collection by DKNY, wearers will be dressed to take on the big city in perfect style. www.dkny.com

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Special Feature

Animalistic Appeal

Instinctive, elegant, savage and sinister; animals embody a timeless form of natural appeal. In Christian Dior’s Autumn-Winter collection, Artistic Director Raf Simons embraces these qualities, bringing together the natural and the human to create hybrid forms of distinct decoration.

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n the Autumn-Winter collection, Raf Simons, Artistic Director of Christian Dior, is inspired by the idea of the primal and the patterned, conveying notions of a liberated hyper-natural world for women.

“I wanted the collection to deal with nature and femininity in a different way,” hey says. “Away from the garden and the flower, to something more liberated, darker and more sensual. This idea had begun in the couture, but here there is more wildness, savagery and overt masculinity in the way a woman might present herself. The idea of animals and an abstraction of their patterns became key; none of them literal, more the invention of a new species.”

Away from the pleasant cultivation of the garden, the masculine and the feminine move closer together, patterns become abstracted and overgrown, the city and savagery take an equal role and the idea of an animal nature moves to the fore. The typical feminine tailleur is replaced by over-sized masculine tailoring in blazers and double-breasted overcoats, while rough masculine tweeds and wool felt find more feminine forms in opera coats and sinuous, long line outerwear, asymmetrically and revealingly slashed. Underneath,

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abstracted animal patterns pervade in knitted jacquard body suits and harness dresses while long vinyl boots serve as a second skin. The flow seemingly finds its own, more organic forms in wools, tweeds and silks while pelts of Canadian fox, part dyed, part natural, form sumptuous coats or dresses, slashed and inset with dense tweed.

The collection moves from the garden of the ‘femme fleur’ towards what could be seen as the terrain of the ‘femme animale.’

Present from the first Christian Dior offering in 1947 – with the designer’s revolutionary use of leopard print – an idea of the femme animale finds her full flow here. Abstracted and contrasted in a startling, hypernatural colour palette, accessorised with bags echoing the idea of a new, exotic species, this contemporary expression of the classic animal pattern subverts and celebrates its meaning at the same time.

“I wanted that feeling of a sensory overload in the collection,” explains Raf Simons. “With this animalistic, sexual woman wearing a new kind of camouflage.”

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www.dior.com

01 Python “Diorama” Bag 02 Embroidered “Lady Dior” Bag 03 Key looks from the season 04 Dior Fusion Sneakers in hot pink 05 Dior Fusion Sneakers in navy 06 Block heel boots

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Fashion

Shreds of discoveries, recollections transformed by memory, imaginative anticipation; this is what constitutes a fashion collection. In the Fall 2015 collection from revered fashion house Louis Vuitton, designer Nicolas Ghesquière’s presents an offering that slides along the razor’s edge of future chic.

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fashion collection is an inventory that embraces everything: a distant past, an abundant present and the inevitably dreamlike future. It is akin to a travel diary; it’s an open-ended journey into the world that reflects the daring paths of the spirit. It’s a sentimental adventure made of scattered inspirations and great aspirations. And it has only one means of locomotion: intuition.

The intuition of a garment and the way it’s orchestrated is the key to style. Understanding the excellence of a basic —the better to take it somewhere singularly imaginative— will always be the best path.

This season’s collection from Louis Vuitton for Fall 2015 is a proposition of style, an invitation to a journey about transcending what we know so well in order to take it toward something we’d like to discover.

Designer Nicolas Ghesquière has revealed a collection that, instead of looking back, stretches the imagination into an imminent new era. Where high-tech fabric and luxe materials combine to create a hyper-realised mélange, which results in sexy cool clothing that still maintains a casual nonchalance.

The show began with a large statement fluffy white sheepskin coat, paired with an even bigger Louis Vuitton box bag, with the model’s initials engraved on the front.

This was followed by four more voluminous fur coats and jackets, and more box bags before finally the designer revealed to the audience the garments underneath. It consisted of flattering ribbed knitwear separates, with sculptural undulating hemlines and round openings across the chest. Fitted lingerie-inspired silk dresses and tops featured dramatic black obtuse triangles highlighting the figure, and animal-printed pieces were covered in a dash of shimmering sequins.

The brand’s famous Damier print was referenced in the show’s tweeds, while shimmering jacquard dresses with a jellyfish motif gave the explorative collection an interesting underwater direction.

A fashion collection made of a multi-dimensional journey; the Fall collection by Louis Vuitton was facetted by experiences both immediate and distant. www.louisvuitton.com

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Fashion

Feminine Style

Established in 2009 by Jordanian architect and designer Anas Younis Shanaah, Aennis Eunis is known for its unique and eccentric creations, inspired by the designer’s Middle Eastern background and his varied worldly experiences.

Successfully merging architectural references and Arabic calligraphy, Anas has created a signature style and an eclectic, modern icon in the footwear world.

Durrah chats with the designer to hear more about the brand.

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If you really believe in what you’re doing and you are willing to work hard, you can actually get there 01 Ego: The name says it all.

This design was first step towards making statement pieces and was the best selling style for SS12 02 Spell out: In response to the ankle boot trend, this was the Aennis Eunis interpretation 03 Sense: A playful yet elegant combination of leathers created this “best-selling” design for FW13. It was the first design with a mix of leathers

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04 Shine: The first use of exotic leathers in SS15 was an immediate hit, especially with the use of vibrant colours and strong image pieces 05 Jordanian architect and designer Anas Younis Shanaah

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What is your main inspiration?

My main inspiration is women, as I design for the woman and aim to show her in the most feminine way possible. I believe that every woman is beautiful in her own way, and women also need to feel good, pretty and feminine, so I design with this in mind. My vocabulary comes from basically using Arabic calligraphy to create sensual lines, and each season I design has its own theme.

How has your background working in Architecture influenced your work?

There are two ways it has influenced me. First of all, studying Architecture gives you an eye for proportion. Proportion is something that is key to the balance of a design. Secondly, it made me pay attention to the level of detailing. I got this not only from Architecture, but also in my studies of Industrial Design, where I did my Masters in Product Design. I like to understand the manufacturing processes, for example what machinery is being used, so I can take this into consideration and design accordingly. That gave me an edge, as typically fashion designers don’t

really understand how things are made. However, I love this technical side of things and think it is important to know how things are made and put together and what materials are used.

How does Arabic calligraphy influence your designs?

Calligraphy is my main tool; I am known for using calligraphy, I love it and have always loved it. Calligraphy is not something that I put at the end of a design; it is something that is very integrated into the process. The first step is to see what is the effect of the shoe, and the calligraphy comes to make it happen. For example if I want one part of the shoe to be open or semi-open, the calligraphy comes to give me that.

How does Saks Fifth Avenue represent the place you wish to sell your designs?

Saks Fifth Avenue have been with us for the duration of our launch, and for the past five years they have been there for us. So the staff, the management and even the clientele here have been on our side the

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Fashion 06 Grand: Another statement piece designed to turn heads, and demonstrate the beauty of calligraphy. This style remained one of the top selling designs for a few seasons afterwards 07 Express: The simplicity of this piece made it the most popular that season. Style Express is an easy to wear shoe, yet not easy to ignore 08 Peek a boo: A statement piece designed to be feminine and sophisticated.

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whole time. So I couldn’t think of a place better than Saks, for their support and for the kind of relationship that we have – I feel at home at Saks.

Where do you source your materials and create your designs?

Everything is made and produced in Italy. I go to trade shows there, I deal with tanneries and accessory places there – everything is made and resourced from there. My studio is in Milano so I design there and all the samples come to me there.

How does Saks Fifth Avenue differentiate itself from other retailers on the market?

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From what I can tell as a brand, they are hands on and they care about every brand they take on. They give enough feedback for the brands to understand how to serve this market better. So I guess what makes Saks different to other places is that they are really into the details of the operation and they form a relationship as close as possible.

How is the market in Bahrain different from others?

I think that’s an interesting question, as every market has its own features. I think a good part of the Bahraini clientele comes from Saudi. In general the market is quite openminded, they want something new and they are looking for something different. For us as a brand this is exciting as it means we can propose even stronger pieces to them.

What advice can you pass on to young designers?

We almost lost track and we almost lost everything when we tried to change and experiment a lot when we first launched the brand, so I guess one of things I learned – the hard way – is to keep your vision very clear and don’t give up at the first bump in the road. If you really believe in what you’re doing and you are willing to work hard, you can actually get there, in at least five years. Ultimately you have to believe in yourself! www.aenniseunis.com

www.sensai-cosmetics.com

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Architecture

Ambience, elegance and indulgence are what epitomise this selection of the latest boutique openings around the world. Each store is a graceful space that reiterates the brands’ commitment to luxury, and presents a warm and welcoming environment for clients to browse and discover products.

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Atelier Perfumery, Dubai

01 Beautiful bouquets and crystal chandeliers 02 The store’s marble façade 03 Perfume offerings line the walls 03

Art, creativity and attention to detail are at the heart of niche perfumery, and at Atelier Perfumery, fragrances are treated as pieces of art, carefully crafted by exacting perfumers.

On behalf of Mr. Adnan Abdulrahim and Mr. Abdulla Karji, the city of Dubai and its greatest perfume lovers were invited to the official opening event of the Atelier Perfumery boutique in Galleria Mall, Jumeirah.

Opening early this year, the niche perfume studio embodies the luxury, craft and quality of exquisite perfumery; everything the identity of Atelier Perfumery represents.

The official grand opening of the studio made for a day of pure olfactory indulgence for people from all walks of life. An influx of perfume enthusiasts attended, who share a passion for bold, unique and truly special fragrances, which exude their own personal style.

Taking place in their first studio at the Galleria Mall,

the event also welcomed Elodie Pollet, the ingenious mind behind Eutopie concept perfumes, which have won the 2012 European Beauty Innovation Award and the Prix de Parfum Artistique 2013 award.

The boutique itself embodies a sleek and refined modern design. The marble façade features two large glass windows, which showcase the sophisticated and neutral interior. Bouquets of brightly coloured flower arrangements and petals embellish clear crystal tables, which exhibit bottles of the Atelier’s sought after fragrances.

Minimalistic glass shelves are adorned with more of the stunning bottles and line the walls, which are covered in understated yet elegant gold patterned wallpaper. Lengthy mirrors and high ceilings give the studio a spacious and comfortable ambience, with plenty of room to move and wander the unique space.

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Vacheron Constantin, Dubai Vacheron Constantin, the world’s oldest Haute Horlogerie manufacture with 260 years of uninterrupted history, officially opened the doors to its flagship boutique at the Dubai Mall. Reflective of the brand’s elegance and intricate craftsmanship, the boutique has among its features a VIP room in addition to a private watchmaker who offers his exclusive services and a splendid haute horlogerie experience.

The boutique allows visitors to discover Vacheron Constantin’s quest for excellence and mastery in its many beautiful timepieces filled with high complications on display. A stylish and inviting space for clients, the flagship boutique displays its exquisite timepieces in elegant showcases. Flaunting the same distinguished ambiance that its counterparts around the world enjoy, the boutique mixes modern elements into traditional design through styles that reveal the brand’s commitment to excellence and artistic perfection. Visitors are treated to a cosy yet very luxurious atmosphere with clean lines and beautiful designs wherein they can discover the brand’s history, tradition and culture.

One of the main highlights of the refined boutique is the Harmony collection, which had its first seven models unveiled on the occasion of the Manufacture’s

260th anniversary. Issued in limited editions, these contemporary timepieces feature a design inspired by one of the brand’s first wristwatch chronographs introduced in 1928. At the heart of these generous cases with their reinvented aesthetic beat new calibres – entirely designed, developed and produced in-house – focused on monopusher chronographs. A first version equipped with a split-second function sets slimness records with its ultra-thin self-winding movement measuring just 5.20 mm thick, while a second model stages a fascinating tourbillon and the third variation is equipped – like the original – with a pulsometric scale.

Representing elegant horological complications that are some of the most highly sought after and most complex to produce, the monopusher chronograph models are complemented by a ladies’ double-pusher chronograph. A trio of dual-time watches housing a new in-house movement rounds off this unusual range of timepieces. Like the other most recent creations from the Manufacture, these special editions bear the prestigious Hallmark of Geneva and perfectly complement the tasteful setting of the new boutique. www.vacheron-constantin.com

The boutique allows visitors to discover Vacheron Constantin’s quest for excellence and mastery in its many beautiful timepieces filled with high complications on display 06

04 Modern elements meet traditional design 05 The cosy yet luxurious atmosphere 06 The elegant façade

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07 The interior includes features of the new Richard Mille global design concept 08 Cream metal meets cracked glass and wooden floors 09 The entrance to the boutique is located on the AllÊe François Blanc

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Richard Mille, Monaco Richard Mille has opened its first boutique in Monaco, one of the indisputably luxury capitals of the world, set by the sea against the backdrop of a majestic Mont Agel. Home to the most prestigious Grand Prix on the Formula 1 calendar, Monaco provides the ideal setting for the opening of the brands newest boutique.

Peter Harrison, CEO of Richard Mille Europe Middle East and Africa comments, “Given the well documented influence of Formula 1 in the design and production of Richard Mille watches, opening a boutique so close to the Monaco Grand Prix Circuit is in perfect synergy with the brand DNA. Aside from motor racing Monaco is a luxurious and world renowned destination in its own right, and we are delighted to extend our global presence by opening a boutique in such fine surroundings.”

The entrance to the boutique is located on the Allée François Blanc, a pedestrian zone offering a welcoming and calm atmosphere to visitors that savour refinement and luxury. The interior of the boutique includes features of the new Richard Mille global design concept, with cracked glass set against the silky softness of Sophie Mallebranche’s cream metal.

A combination of precision engineering and technical excellence has made Richard Mille one of the world leaders in Haute Horlogerie and the Monaco Boutique showcases a diverse collection of his timepieces including the RM 014 Tourbillon Black Ceramic, the Ladies RM 07-01 Polo Club Saint Tropez and other Limited Editions such as the RM 011 Felipe Massa Black Night. www.richardmille.com/store/richard-mille-boutiquemonaco/

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Stunning Scenery

Zermatt, in southern Switzerland’s Valais canton, is a picturesque mountain resort renowned for skiing, climbing and Alpine recreation. It is also home to Switzerland’s most famous landmark and symbol – the Matterhorn, which has a magic attraction, both for day-trippers who love the view and for Alpinists who love a challenge and dream of climbing the peak of the Matterhorn at least once in their lives.

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ermatt lies at the foot of Switzerland’s highest peaks, and is famed as a mountaineering and ski resort of the Swiss Alps. The village was “discovered” by mid-nineteenth-century British mountaineers, most notably Edward Whymper, whose conquest of the Matterhorn – one of the largest alpine mountains – made the village famous.

Cable cars and chair lifts carry skiers into the mountains during the winter and hikers in the summer; the highest of them leads to the Klein Matterhorn at 3,883 metres, a peak on the ridge between Breithorn and Matterhorn, which offers spectacular views in all directions.

To prevent air pollution that could obscure the town’s view of the Matterhorn, the entire town is a combustion-engine car-free zone. Almost all vehicles in Zermatt are battery driven and almost completely silent.

The key attraction is of course the Matterhorn, which is known as the king of mountains, and is

the most-photographed mountain in the world.

Thanks to its shape and its freestanding position, the Matterhorn is considered to be the most picturesque mountain, and no other has a natural shape that so closely resembles a pyramid. 100 million years ago, enormous forces brought Africa closer to Europe. 50 million years later, as the rock masses folded and deformed, the Matterhorn was born from the rock thrusting upwards.

Every year, between 300 and 400 people attempt to climb the peak with a guide; of them, about 20 fail to reach the summit. Roughly 3,500 people tackle the Matterhorn without a guide each year, and some 65 per cent turn back en route.

This year in 2015, Zermatt celebrated the mountain’s first ascent, by Zermatt mountain guides and Englishman Edward Whymper in 1865, 150 years ago.

Ski holidays in Zermatt are one of the constant values of the Swiss winter. Unlike other ski resorts,

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To prevent air pollution that could obscure the town’s view of the Matterhorn, the entire town is a combustion-engine car-free zone

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the winter in Zermatt lasts until the start of May, and the Zermatt ski area continues to attract a steady stream of snow sport fans.

During the spring months, Zermatt has been confirmed as the sunniest corner in Switzerland, with few clouds making it over the 38 4,000-metre peaks, and the area enjoying a dry and sunny climate.

At present, Zermatt has over 50 lakes and almost 100 springs, making it a water paradise. Anyone looking for recreation in a superb landscape should follow the Five-Lakes Trail – with views of the Stellisee lake, which mirrors the Matterhorn when there is no wind. At the Leisee lake on Sunegga visitors can play in the water, take an adventurous ride on a raft or build a dam. Or even prepare a tasty barbecue for the family picnic and marvel at the view of the Matterhorn.

A key tourist attraction, The Zermatt Zermatlantis Museum has become an important pillar of Zermatt’s alpine history and culture, with as many as 1,000 visitors flocking to the underground world of the

museum on some days. For its guests, the museum has developed into an integral feature of the overall experience of Zermatt, and even the locals often come to have a look around.

Zermatt is also a great place to mountain bike, and bikes can be hired from several shops around the town. The Bike school Zermatt, provides all those interested with the best possible bike experience in the alpine environment. All ages and levels have adapted programs, which will make a stay unforgettable. These range from playful skill training schemes for kids to epic free-ride tours in alpine surroundings.

The hotel world in Zermatt is legendary. No other village in Switzerland offers such high-quality hotels in such a small area. Not only does it offer options of ultimate luxury, but also friendliness and reasonable prices. Zermatt has 109 hotels with over 7,000 beds, and every year, Zermatt’s hoteliers reap the best reviews, whether from guests, through awarded prizes or on the ranking websites.

01 The Matterhorn reflection in Lake Stellisee 02 Aerial view of Zermatt Valley and the Matterhorn peak at dawn 03 Ski equipment during the winter season 04 Group of alpine touring skiers on the big Verra Glacier

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When it comes to cuisine, Zermatt has a variety of restaurants with food from around the world that can be easily accessed in the town by foot. The Restaurant du pont is a town favourite, which offers very good traditional Swiss dishes such as fondue or raclette.

Arriving in Zermatt takes under 3 hours by car and just 3.5 hours by train, and Swiss railways offers visiting tourists the opportunity to buy a greatly discounted return transfer rail ticket from any airport in Switzerland to their final destination and back.

Since the mid-19th century, Zermatt has starred among Switzerland’s glitziest resorts, and whether skiing along well-kept pistes in winter, hiking flowered trails in summer, or spellbound by the breath-taking presence of the Matterhorn; Zermatt is sure to be an experience to remember.

Unlike other ski resorts, the winter in Zermatt lasts until the start of May, and the Zermatt ski area continues to attract a steady stream of snow sport fans

www.zermatt.ch/en

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Travel and Leisure

Comfort, elegance, and grandeur epitomise this season’s selection of luxury hotels presented by Durrah. Each destination provides a wide variety of rooms and suites fitted with the best amenities, restaurants with thoughtfully prepared dishes inspired by flavours spanning the globe, and the world’s top spas equipped to pamper and revitalise.

Extravagant Getaways

The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong

Occupying floors 102 to 118 of the International Commerce Centre in Kowloon, The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong is the highest hotel in the world. The hotel’s 312 guestrooms all offer spectacular city and harbour views.

The hotel is home to six dining venues including the state-of-the-art Michelin-starred Italian restaurant, Tosca; two-star Michelin Chinese restaurant, Tin Lung Heen; The Lounge and Bar, which features an international all-day dining menu; and Café 103, which serves signature chocolate afternoon tea. The rooftop bar, Ozone, is truly a stunning venue at 490 meters above sea level.

For those wishing to relax and indulge, The RitzCarlton Spa by ESPA located on the 116th floor features nine deluxe treatment rooms and two couple’s suites, redefining the urban spa experience in the city and across Asia.

The hotel also features a fully equipped fitness

01 The Ritz-Carlton Suite bathroom 02 The Ritz-Carlton Suite overlooking Victoria Harbour

centre and an indoor pool on the 118th floor with a 28m x 7m LED screen on the ceiling, as well as one of the largest ballrooms in the city. Complemented by an additional four meeting rooms, the ballroom has become the major social venue for Hong Kong and has set the benchmark for events in the region.

Setting the hotel apart is the The Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge located on the 116th floor, which features floor-to-ceiling windows, offering spectacular and panoramic views of the city and Victoria Harbour. Club Level guests can relax and enjoy at the panoramic RitzCarlton Club Lounge with six daily food and beverage presentations, as well as dedicated Club Concierge service, work stations, meeting facilities and Wi-Fi throughout. In addition to the luxurious amenities and attentive service provided, club and suite guests can also enjoy a range of exclusive benefits. www.ritzcarlton.com/hongkong

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The hotel opened in 2004 and is a 21stcentury upscale destination located 7km from the airport and only short distance from the historic city centre

03 Spa Couples Treatment Room 04 Lobby area 05 Presidential Suite bedroom 06 The hotel’s Spa

The Corinthia LISBON The Corinthia Hotel Lisbon offers 518 rooms, including 24 Executive Suites, 1 Ambassador Suite and 1 Presidential Suite, and state-of-the-art facilities, all with stunning views over the eighteenth-century Aqueduct and the beautiful Monsanto Natural Park.

The hotel indulges in the Portuguese Spirit of Discovery, with the Sete Colinas and Típico restaurants offering a fusion of innovative Portuguese, contemporary Mediterranean and International cuisines, and the Terrace Lounge offering al fresco dining and lounging.

The Spa and Wellness Club offers 3,500 square meters of sophisticated and exclusive facilities, including face-and- body-ritual luxury suites, state-of-the-art Acqua area, heated indoor swimming pool, natural solarium, fully equipped gym, and an elegant Spa Café.

The Corinthia Hotel Lisbon, crowned Portugal’s Leading Business Hotel at the 2014 World Travel Awards, boasts a modern and purpose-built Conference Centre

with the largest capacity among the city’s five-star hotels.

The centre features unparalleled levels of elegance, connectivity and intuitive service, with a capacity for up to 1,400 delegates. Corinthia Lisbon is also the perfect venue for those seeking to organise an environmentally friendly conference, having won the Western Europe Region Energy Project of the Year 2013 for its energy efficient hotel project.

The hotel opened in 2004 and is a 21st-century upscale destination located 7km from the airport and only short distance from the historic city centre, with excellent public transportation links. Created with a passion for craftsmanship and an understanding of world-class service, Corinthia Lisbon is a member of Corinthia Hotels’ collection of five-star luxury hotels founded by the Pisani family of Malta. www.corinthia.com/lisbon

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Dusit Thani, Dubai Dusit Thani Dubai is an iconic 5-star luxury hotel that captures the essence of Thailand in the vibrant centre of this cosmopolitan city, the jewel of the UAE. The hotel is strategically located just five minutes from Dubai’s main business hub, within walking distance from the nearest metro station and just 15 minutes from the airport.

Dusit Thani Dubai offers 321 fully renovated luxurious rooms and suites in Dubai’s city centre. The 5-star accommodation combines traditional Thai design with a host of amenities and facilities to make each stay a unique and personalised experience.

Each of the seven categorised rooms offers their own unique appeal. Whether choosing to stay in one of the Executive Club Suites, Dusit Club Room or Dusit Suite, each with access to the Club Lounge, or the Executive Suite, Deluxe Room, or One and Two Bedroom Suites, guests will be sure to call Dusit Thani Dubai a home away from home whilst visiting Dubai.

Restaurant destinations at the Dusit Thani provide

a sensory journey of thoughtfully prepared dishes, inspired by flavours spanning the globe. Chefs and Restaurant Managers entertain and provide in the hotel’s seven food and beverage outlets, from the majestic setting of Benjarong, serving Royal Thai Cuisine straight from the palaces of Thailand, to Italian favourites with views across Dubai in PAX, to International buffet offerings in The Californian, and many more.

The hotel also offers five meeting and conference rooms, an Executive Boardroom, and the Al Wasl Ballroom with its own private lounge combine to offer the ideal venue to host Dubai’s most exclusive business and social events. Whether looking to host a gala event to impress clients, an exhibition to showcase products or a conference to discuss latest trends and developments, the highly skilled Events team can create an event that exceeds expectations. www.dusit.com/DusitThani-Dubai‎

07 Executive Suite bedroom 08 Dusit Thani lobby area 09 Executive Suite living room 10 Rooftop swimming pool

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The Oberoi, Dubai The Oberoi, Dubai is a contemporary luxury hotel that embodies height, light and space, and overlooks the iconic Burj Khalifa.

Crowned by a gold leaf ceiling, the magnificent white marble lobby sparkles under the light of spectacular handcrafted chandeliers, while rooms offer uninterrupted views of the city’s skyline and the iconic Burj Khalifa.

The 252 spacious, luxurious and elegantly appointed rooms and suites convey a warm and welcoming ambience. Timber floors, rich fabrics, hand-tufted rugs and specially commissioned artwork further accentuate the elegance of the room.

The Oberoi, Spa is chemical free and uses organic products. It includes seven therapy rooms (one dedicated to Ayurvedic rituals and one for Thai treatments) with en-suite steam and shower enclosures. The Spa menu

11 The Courtyard area at night 12 Presidential Suite bedroom 13 Deluxe Suite bedroom

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includes authentic Ayurvedic, Thai and Western therapies by internationally trained therapists.

The restaurants at The Oberoi guarantee to satisfy any discerning palate. Dining options include Nine7One, the all-day dinning world cuisine restaurant comprising of live show kitchens and a traditional wood-fired pizza oven; Ananta, the signature Indian restaurant featuring three contemporary tandoors, a grill, a roomali roti maker and a tawa for a range of sautĂŠing styles; Umai, with contemporary Asian cuisine and an interactive dining experience amid live tepanyaki, sushi, sashimi and noodle pulling stations; plus the Lobby Lounge and Bar serving an extensive selection of beverages and the signature high-tea. www.oberoihotels.com/hotels-in-dubai

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Travel and Leisure

Yas Viceroy, Abu Dhabi

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Yas Viceroy represents the pinnacle of luxury and opulent accommodation on Yas Island, expressed with a distinctive style and essence that has become a standard of the Viceroy brand. The hotel is home to 499 luxury guest rooms.

Visitors will be initially struck by the engineering feat that has been undertaken to create the incredible Gridshell. This 219m expanse of sweeping steel and 5,096 diamond shaped glass panels provides a ‘veil’ that drapes over the two hotel towers, linked by a bridge that crosses the Grand Prix circuit. The optical effect is stunning, reflecting thousands of coloured lights against the surrounding sky, sea and desert landscape.

Internally, spaces flow easily together, with the filtered lights from the Gridshell highlighting the contemporary interiors. The Lobby utilises a modern interpretation of the Arabian mashrabiya,

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where lightweight white-latticed walls give defined private zones within an otherwise flowing space.

The diamond patterns of the lattice cast intricate, decorative shadows on the surroundings. In contrast, the upholstery is deep purple and indigo, created using pigmented colours and stains (rather than flat dye) to enhance the natural feel.

Hotel guests can enjoy full resort privileges, including restaurant access, health club access, ESPA at Yas Viceroy access, concierge services, a wealth of recreational amenities, daily housekeeping and room service. Every element of the Viceroy experience is wrapped in a visionary blend of sophisticated design and intuitive, personalised service delivered by a team of natural hospitality professionals. www.viceroyhotelgroup.com

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14 Deluxe Suite living area 15 Deluxe Suite bedroom 16 Exterior of the hotel 17 Exterior detail at night 18 Pool area during day

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19 The Sofitel’s new meeting room 20 Styled to perfection 21 Wedding setup. Photo courtesy of Wedding Planner Mohammed Khan 22 Setup inside the new meeting room

Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa is set on a coastline of dream beaches offering guests a paradise setting to enjoy an idyllic stay.

Within the hotel are 262 rooms and suites, combining comfort and elegance and offering breath-taking views of the Arabian Gulf. Each of the hotel’s rooms boasts cutting edge technology and a private balcony with sea view.

Counted amongst its rooms are 21 Prestige Suites and 6 rooftop Opera Suites individually themed in distinctive variations from Moroccan, Nubian, Turkish, Gulf Arabic, Indian and Levant designs, with an adjoining private terrace and infinity pool.

The hotel is also home to 5 restaurants and 2 bars for different culinary experiences. Pashawat is an intimate lounge with a cosy atmosphere perfect for discovering the aromatic delights of Lebanese cuisine. Wok offers authentic Vietnamese cuisines with a kitchen that can be viewed from the dining room. Fiamma serves genuine Italian cuisine indoors and outdoors, and features fresh pasta and antipasti counters, complemented by a Pizza oven. At La Mer guests may savour the very best culinary delights of the sea, from fish to shellfish and seafood, while overlooking the Arabian Gulf. Tapas Bar serves a wide variety of creative and unusual tapas. Saraya offers

flavours from all over the world, presented in the all day dining restaurant.

The hotel is an exclusive resort catering to both leisure and business travellers, reputed for its elegance, refinement, considerate, attentive service and attention to details. Sofitel offers made-to-measure celebrations of choice ranging from cherished and intimate family affairs, anniversary and graduation ceremonies, chic cocktail parties to more sophisticated and memorable wedding receptions. The hotel’s classic grandeur and contemporary style offer a striking setting for modern romance. While the luxury settings of the hotel will impress guests from the start, it is the impeccable service and dramatic furnishings within that make an affair truly remarkable. For Magnifique meetings and events Sofitel’s event planners’ meticulous attention to detail and creative vision tailor the outstanding facilities to suit specific needs and objectives; providing seamless organization and a stunning stage for your most inspired, inspiring events.

This hotel is an example of the kingdom’s legendary hospitality, enhanced by a touch of the French savoir-faire cherished by Sofitel. www.sofitel.com

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The hotel is also home to 5 restaurants and 2 bars for different culinary experiences

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Spas

The Ritz-Carlton Spa by ESPA, Hong Kong Taking the spa experience to new heights – 465 meters high to be precise - The Ritz-Carlton Spa by ESPA is located on the hotel’s 116th floor and covers 860 square metres, dominating the city skyline and re-defining the urban spa experience.

The Spa features nine deluxe treatment rooms and two couples’ suites; complete with Relaxation Lounges with floor-to-ceiling windows that offer panoramic views of the city and Victoria Harbour.

The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong was pleased to partner once again with leading international spa consultancy ESPA, to develop the ultimate haven of sumptuous elegance. Susan Harmsworth, CEO and Founder of ESPA comments: “The Ritz-Carlton Spa

by ESPA is a truly breath-taking spa. Located in the world’s highest hotel, the Spa offers a one-of-a-kind experience for guests and a place to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.”

The hotel selects high calibre therapists who have a true passion for the job and for the Ritz-Carlton culture. All therapists must also undergo intensive fourweek training on treatment and product knowledge, spa concepts and ESPA’s signature five star customer journey.

The Ritz-Carlton Spa by ESPA was designed by HBA. Inge Moore of HBA comments, “Being the highest hotel spa in the world makes this a unique space to work with – we were inspired by the idea of ‘being in the clouds’ utilising soft, smooth and natural materials.”

In keeping with this concept, the breath-taking chandelier, designed by Eva Menz, which greets guests as they enter the spa also draws inspiration from the celestial backdrop of the clouds. www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/HongKong/Spa/ Default.htm

01 The Couples Suite featuring city views 02 The welcoming Spa reception 03 The Single Treatment Room

In these two world-class spa selections, guests can enjoy a peaceful and nurturing atmosphere, enhanced by excellent therapists and wonderful treatments. Developed though years of experience and combined with an in-depth range of products and facilities, both are at the cutting edge of the Spa Industry.

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Spas 04 The luxury pool area 05 The luxury pool loungers 06 Spa reception area featuring spa products 07 The spa VIP Suite 08 One of the spa treatment rooms

The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Milan Occupying 900 square metres of exquisitely designed space, The Spa at Mandarin Oriental is the first in Milan to offer a holistic approach to rejuvenation and relaxation in a tranquil, meditative setting.

The wide range of treatments, therapies and signature programmes are tailor-made to the individual, providing a completely bespoke experience for every guest.

Guests are invited to arrive 30 minutes in advance of their appointment time to enjoy the spa’s heat facility, which soothes muscles, loosens limbs and prepares the body and mind for the deepest relaxing experience.

Guests are then shown to the relaxation room where they can enjoy a refreshing herbal infusion and begin winding down in preparation for the treatment.

A consultation with a personal therapist is followed by

a soothing foot ritual before the treatment begins.

Featuring two treatment tables, a private relaxation area, whirlpool and steam room, The Spa a Mandarin Oriental’s spacious and secluded VIP Suite offers the ultimate in spa luxury. In addition, there are two luxurious couples suites, which have been designed to offer guests a private setting in which to enjoy indulgent treatments and therapies.

An excellent fitness centre has state-of-the-art cardiovascular and weight training equipment for all levels, and personal training, a pool and yoga is also on offer. Guests are provided with complimentary amenities including headphones, towels and chilled drinks. www.mandarinoriental.com/milan/luxury-spam 03

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Cipriani, Abu Dhabi Cipriani Yas Island in Abu Dhabi is the first location in the Middle East and North Africa region to bring all the tradition and style of the rich history of Cipriani.

From its style and location to the food, Cipriani Yas Island embodies simple timeless luxury. With couches, comfortable seats and a library, guests feel welcome and at home. Adding to this is the high standard of service. The interior design evokes the essence of boats passing through the canals of Venice with wood interiors, white leather seats and linen tablecloths.

The restaurant has a 360-person capacity with a wrap around terrace, three private dining areas, Bellini Lounge, main kitchen, private kitchen, private bar, state of the art sound system and stunning views of Yas Marina and Yas Marina Circuit racetrack.

The concept of the food at Cipriani is easy: simple Italian food done to perfection. The restaurant’s chefs come from all over Italy and all use a combination of local ingredients and products imported directly from there; everything is made fresh in the kitchen every day including pastas and the famous desserts.

The menu consists of traditional, signature dishes from Harry’s Bar in Venice, including the famous baked tagliolini, risotto Primavera, carpaccio alla Cipriani, invented by Giuseppe Cipriani Sr. in Venice in 1950, calves liver alla Veneziana, vanilla crème meringue and many others with an addition of items that change daily. www.cipriyaniyasisland.com

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01 Pan roasted veal hop with butter, sage and sautĂŠed spinach 02 Lobster salad, with extra virgin olive oil and lemon 03 The Cipriani terrace at sunset

A selection of fine dining destinations around the world, this season’s line up from Durrah features culinary style that is a mix of innovation and tradition.

Expert chefs create and refine dishes using the finest ingredients, to create gastronomic memories that will last a lifetime.

A Taste of Luxury

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04 The restaurant’s warm and elegant interior 05 Morels filled with clotted cream and green herbs. Tossed with spring onions and finished on dum 06 Fresh lobster with a marinade of peshawari pistachio and cooked in the tandoor 07 Whole corn fed baby chicken trussed and baked to perfection with a spicy filling of chicken mince, finished with a dum gravy on top

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Ananta, Dubai UAE’s Fine Dining Indian restaurant Ananta at The Oberoi, Dubai, has unveiled a new concept. The meticulously crafted and well-designed menu prepared by Chef Dirham Haque showcases grandiose and historical importance to discerning guests, transpiring the senses into the majestic era. The new concept is bought to Dubai for the first time.

The philosophy at Ananta is to create culinary delights inspired by age-old classic recipes and cooking techniques, whilst incorporating the rich cultural heritage of what was formerly Awadh and the Maharajas of Rajasthan. The experience will transform diners back to being amongst the elegant Royal courts of the medieval ages, where specialised chefs namely Aamras of Hyderabad, Rakaabdaars of Awadh, and Khansamas of Rajasthan were invited

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to cook hundreds of exquisite dishes for the Royals.

These top-secret recipes were passed on only to their families for centuries. The cuisine is an amalgamation of extraordinary recipes that incorporate the finest, rarest spices and ingredients, which are used to evolve dishes into gastronomic wonders.

To enhance the experience, paintings of the Royal courts by Raja Ravi Verma adorn the walls of Ananta. Ritu Kakar, Art Curator of Art Fiesta says, “We are delighted to partner with Ananta and be part of the new Royal concept. Diners in the UAE are always looking out for new experiences, and this is the first time we are celebrating the heritage of the Royal era.” www.oberoihotels.com

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Tosca, Hong Kong Having come from Italy to head Tosca at The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong, Chef Pino Lavarra has a wealth of experience working in renowned hotels and restaurants around the globe. His gastronomic talents have earned him prestigious recognition, including “One of the Best Chefs in the World” by the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences.

Tosca was honoured with one Michelin star just eight months after Chef Pino took over as director in 2013, and then another star for the second consecutive year. Chef Pino, cucina d’autore extraordinaire, presents Italian cuisine in an innovative style and a unique approach that have fascinated gastronomic connoisseurs not just in Italy but also in Asia.

At Tosca, high ceilings, stately fountains and majestic chandeliers lend a Romanesque feeling to

the stylish dining destination, open for lunch and dinner. The innovative Italian menu features improved favourites and thrilling interpretations of the region’s notable cuisine, and an open kitchen allows guests an even more theatrical dining experience.

Chef Pino’s menu includes dishes such as the crab cookie with roasted langoustine, veal trotter, green bean purée and black truffle sauce, referred to by the chef as his answer to salad. Another must-try is the line-caught turbot steak with sautéed seafood in Amalfitan lemon sauce. Inspired by traditional Italian flavours, Chef Pino stuffs Mediterranean turbot with tomato and basil and wraps it in squid ink bread in Milanese style. www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/HongKong/ Dining/tosca/Default.htm

At Tosca, high ceilings, stately fountains and majestic chandeliers lend a Romanesque feeling to the stylish dining destination, open for lunch and dinner 08 Birds eye view of the restaurant at night 09 High ceilings and chandeliers give a Romanesque feel 10 Turbot steak with sautĂŠed seafood in Amalfitan lemon sauce 11 Sea tiramisĂš with Mediterranean red prawn carpaccio, roasted scallop and caviar

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STK Milan 12 A blend of a modern steakhouse and elegant lounge 13 Coconut fried halibut 14 Steak tartare

STK Milan artfully blends the modern steakhouse and an elegant lounge for an unforgettable dining experience.

The restaurant is located in the heart of Milan and is without a doubt the best steakhouse experience on the Republic Square.

STK features an in-house DJ who creates a high-energy vibe perfect for dancing, mingling and making new friends. Like every STK around the globe, the restaurant is designed to be the epitome of modern luxury with influences drawn from the iconic steakhouses of New York.

The restaurant’s interior showcases contemporary design elements such as signature plaster horns, curved platform seating, and a beautiful central lounge.

The main culinary attraction is, of course, steak. STK

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offers USDA Prime beef, the most tender meat available on the market, as well as sustainable agricultural products and seafood.

Those who want something more than the usual dinner and are looking for something a bit more special will find STK is an innovative environment, where the modern steakhouse meets the elegance of the lounge.

The restaurant is available for private bookings, and is equipped with private rooms and perfectly crafted set menus to cater to any taste.

At STK, diners don’ just get delicious food, as inspired drinks and world-class service completes the experience of a perfect night out. togrp.com/restaurant/stk-milan

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15 Located with views of the Yas Marina 16 Grilled aubergine feta tartine 17 Dressed prawn dish 18 The unique atmosphere and ambience

Those searching for something trendy to do in a stylish and elegant outdoor setting will love the brand-new offering, Le Marche

Iris, Abu Dhabi Located in the magnificent Yas Island, the ultimate leisure and entertainment destination in Abu Dhabi, Iris Yas Island is heralded for its unique atmosphere, ambiance and setting.

Open all year round and just a thirty-minute drive from the UAE capital, Iris Yas Island stands out as a trendy yet unconventional backyard with its relaxed atmosphere, where it is addictively easy to get lost in a tasty drink, great conversation, exceptional views and smooth music.

From September 30 throughout the cooler months, the uber popular terrace opens for the new season.

The views from there are hard to beat, and guests are able to watch the boats bobbing in the marina while sitting with friends enjoying a cold Iris Yas Island drink.

Those searching for something trendy to do in a stylish and elegant outdoor setting will love the brand-new offering, Le Marche, open every Friday from 4 pm till 8 pm. starting October. Le Marche features a fruit buffet from the carts in a traditional open air Arabian souk setting, and the healthy concept is as fresh as it is delicious.

Menu favourites include dishes such as Corn-fed Lime Marinated Chicken, Grilled Aubergine Feta Tartine, and Mixed Green Salad with Beetroot and Figs, while the desserts list features Tarte Tatin, Fondant Chocolat and Pain Perdu Brioche. irisabudhabi.com/web

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20 21 19 Interior of the iconic dining destination

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20 Saga-Gyu beef, black truffle, soy, cheong fun 21 Pan roasted scallop, crispy Woba, peas, Sichuan “jo lo” 22 Tomato, pat chun vinegar, fermented Chinese olives “lam kok”

Bo Innovation, Hong Kong

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Bo Innovation is chef Alvin Leung Jr.’s renowned three Michelin star flagship eatery. Serving his trademark X-treme Chinese cuisine, Bo is among the world’s most acclaimed restaurants, reinventing Chinese food by breaking down traditional dishes for new interpretations in modern form.

Opened in 2005 as a private kitchen, the restaurant has been earning Michelin stars since the guide came to Hong Kong in 2009. For the last two years, Bo Innovation reached the pinnacle of honours with 3 Michelin stars. It also ranks highly on the S. Pellegrino’s Top 50 Restaurants in Asia list and the Miele Top 20 Restaurant in Asia ranking.

Despite his ‘rock & roll’ image, Leung’s professional training as an engineer manifests in everything he presents. Dishes are created with engineering precision, substituting ingredients and methods of cooking until perfection is achieved. A single dish can take months

to perfect, and new menus are eagerly awaited by his regulars and food critics.

The restaurant is also responsible for creating an iconic dining destination at its Ship Street location.

Since Bo Innovation’s move there in 2008, the area has transformed into the hottest part of Hong Kong’s famous Wan Chai district.

With a dedicated elevator taking diners to its second floor location, the funky decor is laid back but refined, echoing references of its old Hong Kong history. Reinventing and modernising long held preconceptions of what Chinese food should look and taste like, the self-proclaimed ‘Demon Chef’ Alvin Leung has single-handedly created new taste sensations that are a one of a kind experience for anyone visiting Bo Innovation. www.boinnovation.comafternoon-tea

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Gourmet Gastronomy

Having come from Italy to head Tosca at The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong, Chef Pino Lavarra has a wealth of experience working in renowned hotels and restaurants around the globe. His gastronomic talents have earned him prestigious recognition, and Tosca was honoured with one Michelin star just eight months after Chef Pino took over as director in 2013, and then another for the second consecutive year. Chef Pino, cucina d’autore extraordinaire, presents Italian cuisine in an innovative style and a unique approach, and now shares three of his acclaimed recipes with Durrah readers.

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Crab cookies with roasted langoustine and veal trotter salad

Ingredients for Crab salad • 10g crab meat • 5g mayonnaise • 1 bunch of basil • 2g celery • 5g avocado Method for Crab salad 1. Poach a leg of king crab, remove the pulp and season with basil, diced celery, diced avocado and a spoonful of mayo.

2. Make a disc the same diameter of the cookies and fill one cookie with the mix.

Ingredients for Green bean purée • 40g fresh green beans • 25g brunoise button mushroom • 7g butter • 10g brunoise of carrot • 10g brunoise of celeriac • 20g double cream

Ingredients for Langoustine • 1 langoustine approximately 100g

Method for Green bean purée 1. Cook the brunoise mushroom in the butter.

2. Mix the two vegetables in a pan with the cream and cook until soft.

3. Allow to cool, mix in the mushroom, then mix brunoised mix and bean puree together.

4. Season with white pepper and salt.

5. Finally add a few drops of lemon juice to give it balance.

Finishing 1. Place the purée of beans at bottom of the plate.

2. Garnish with 3 cubes of veal trotter salad.

3. Add one crab cookie, some with 1 langoustine lightly roasted.

4. Fill with herbs and salads.

5. Grate some almonds above the composition.

Ingredients for Veal trotter salad • 1 foot of veal • 5 lt vegetables stock • 10ml olive oil • 1 Amalfitan lemon • 10g capers • 5g anchovies • 1ml cherry vinegar • 1 teaspoon chives • 1 teaspoon fresh chopped shallots Method for Veal trotter salad 1. Cook the legs of veal in a broth.

2. Once cooked, clean and dress the meat with olive oil, salt, pepper and lemon juice and put in a bowl to set.

3. Once coagulated, cut into small cubes and add capers and anchovies.

4. Season with cherry vinegar, chives and shallot oil and stew.

Ingredients for Crab tuile mix • 2g beurre noisette • 2g flour • 2g egg whites • 1g of crab reduction, to taste • 5g powdered crab coral Method for Crab tuile mix 1. Pre heat oven to 140°C. 2. With a blender mix the butter and egg whites.

3. Add the flour, a little at a time until smooth, and add the crab reduction to taste.

4. Spread thinly onto a non-stick mat, half of the biscuits need to be sprinkled with powdered crab coral.

5. Bake in the preheated oven until golden.

Method for Langoustine 1. Remove the shell from the langoustine.

2. Season with olive oil salt and pepper and pan roast for 1 minute.

Turbot with black bread, sautéed seafood and lemon mayonnaise Ingredients for Turbot • 100g fillet of turbot • 2 sundried tomatoes • 2 basil leaves • 2 lemon pulp segments • 1 egg • 10g flour • 10g black squid bread crumbs • 50g butter

Method for Turbot 1. Cut through turbot fillet into two equal parts by about 200g to serve for 2 people.

2. Place 3 sun-dried tomatoes, 2 basil leaves and lemon segments in the middle.

3. Bread it as a Milanese with flour, egg, and black squid bread crumbs.

4. Cook in a pan with butter on both sides, making sure that the core temperature is 45°.

Ingredients for Seafood sauce • 1 red Sicilian prawn • 1 medium squid • 1 bouquet of herbs and algae • 2 mussels • 2 clams • 2 cockles • 2 razor clams • 2 sea truffles • 2 sea nuts • White wine • Parsley stalks • 50g buffalo butter • 10g olive oil • 1 Amalfitan lemon Method for Turbot 1. Cook the shellfish (except prawn) until they just begin to open, then remove from heat and ensure they stay very moist.

2. Peel immediately (must be not overcooked).

3. Add to the sauce 1 red Prawn, 1 medium squid and the bouquet of herbs and algae.

4. Put a pan on the stove and at a very hot temperature add the oil and butter.

5. Stir the sauce and sprinkle with lemon juice.

6. Drain all in a strainer and put the juice on stove to reduce until a thick consistency.

Ingredients for Emulsion with lemon and olive oil • 20g lemon zest • 8g olive oil • 2g lemon juice • Salt Method for Emulsion with lemon and olive oil 1. Blanch lemon peel four times, always starting with cold water.

2. Put in Thermomix and emulsify on speed 8 with olive oil and a few tablespoons of the first water extracted lemon.

3. Season with salt and white pepper and fill a bottle.

Finishing 1. Place the turbot cut lengthwise to stand up.

2. Add the seafood, lemon wedges and lemon mayo.

3. Garnish with herbs and flowers.

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Cheesecake with tomato jel, bay leaf ice cream and lemon curd Ingredients for Cheesecake • 600g cream cheese • 2g lemon oil • Lemon zest from 1 lemon • 1/2 vanilla bean • 180g sugar • 90g milk • 3 gelatin sheets • 20g cornstarch • 39g egg Method for Cheesecake 1. Paddle cream cheese, sugar, lemon oil, zest, and vanilla bean until smooth.

2. Heat half the milk and add gelatin.

3. Slurry the other half of the milk with the cornstarch, and paddle in both.

4. Paddle in eggs.

5. Steam in a water bath of 200°F for 2.5 hours (covered with aluminium foil).

6. Once cool, paddle the cheesecake base smooth and pass through a chinoise.

7. Reserve in a piping bag with a straight tip.

Ingredients for Tomato jel • 1/2 kg tomato puree • 50g water • 50g sugar • 4.5g agar Method for Tomato jel 1. Weigh agar on precision scales.

2. Whisk agar into water and bring to a slight boil.

3. Add purée and sugar.

4. Bring the mix to a full boil while whisking constantly for 30 seconds.

5. Pour into a container pan and reserve in the fridge until set.

6. Once completely set and cooled, blend smooth and pass through a chinoise.

7. Place in vacuum chamber to take any air bubbles out of the gel and reserve in the fridge until needed.

Ingredients for Lemon curd • 150g lemon juice • 125g sugar • Lemon zest from 2 lemons • 0.15g citric acid • 150g eggs • 175g butter • 1/2 gelatin sheet

Method for Lemon curd 1. Cook lemon juice, sugar, zest, citric acid, and eggs over low heat.

2. Let the mix come to a slight boil (1 or 2 bubbles).

3. Pass through a chinoise into a blender.

4. Blend in gelatin and butter.

5. Pour curd out into a shallow hotel pan and cover directly with plastic and cool in the fridge.

Ingredients for Cracker crumble • 340g butter • 140g brown sugar • 112g sugar • 57.5g honey • 196g almond flour • 140g flour • 140g wholewheat flour • Salt to taste • 1 tbs baking soda • 1 tsp cinnamon Method for Cracker crumble 1. Cream butter, sugar, brown sugar and honey.

2. Add dry ingredients and paddle smooth.

3. Bake at 180° until golden brown.

4. Once cool, process in a food processor and reserve in an airtight container.

Ingredients for Bay leaf ice cream • 500g milk • 500g cream • Bay leaves to taste • 3g salt • 125g dextrose • 100g sugar • 8.5g glucose powder • 1g ice cream stabilizer Method for Bay leaf ice cream 1. Cold infuse bay leaves into the milk and cream, let rest 24 hours.

2. Pass the bay leaves out and heat milk and cream.

3. Whisk in dextrose, sugar, and glucose powder.

4. Once mix comes to a slight boil whisk in stabilizer.

5. Pass the base through a chinoise and ice bath.

6. Spin in the ice cream machine once cool. www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/HongKong/ Dining/tosca/Default.htm

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Experience

Relentless Progress In an age when electronics and computer firepower are increasingly important to a car’s design and overall performance, the true moments to savour are to drive a Ferrari. Driving one reinforces the belief that every new Ferrari is a significant improvement on the last. That said, who would have imagined that the all-new 488 Spider, with its 670 hp, would be such a leap forward. A true Formula One road car, Ferrari’s latest Spider provides an unfair comparison with beautiful models from Maranello’s past. Durrah takes a look at the 488 Spider predecessors, and tries to understand how heritage gives inspiration to the future. .

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In 1980, when the first Ferrari Spider was produced, the car with its detachable roof and fascinating design overwhelmed the senses. It was already more ergonomic than the 208 GTS, the seats were contoured, and the car’s general layout was more appealing. The side air outlets and longitudinal fins were similar to that of the Ferrari’s 12-cylinder Testarossa. For its time, the normally aspirated engine provided a decent compromise between power and torque. This is a car that launched the entire modern eight-cylinder Ferrari series.

From the 208 to the current model, Ferrari has vaulted into a new era. Compared with the 348, the F355 Spider is something else entirely. Despite the visible similarities, Ferrari has made an exceptional effort to modernise all elements of this specific model. The F355 was the first car to have a fully flat under-floor

to improve its aerodynamic performance and generate down-force. It also has an exceptional engine, which is both fast and powerful, containing five valves per cylinder (as was the norm in F1 at the time). With its aluminium chassis, it was part of another generation of cars, and the first Ferrari model to adopt this particular solution, combining lightness with rigidity. The fast evolving F1 gearbox enhances the performance and driving experience of the car, while the soft top opens and closes automatically. It is still made of canvas like the other Spiders, but avoiding the laborious task of manually opening and closing is a major plus point; a Ferrari milestone, no less.

The 430 Spider is a fantastic evolution of the 360.

The engine is more powerful and more driveable. The transmission made use of knowledge gained from F1, making it more precise and faster than ever before.

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Driving the new model is made to be unbelievably fun, and the contribution of the electronics – particularly with regard to the traction and stability control systems – is marked out as another major evolutionary step. Carbon ceramic brakes were introduced to guarantee greater grip between pads and discs, and they last much longer.

The 458 Spider is completely different from any other car and an incredible leap forward in quality.

The gear change is instantaneous, the carbon ceramic brakes super-efficient, and the rigid chassis allows for extraordinary precision when driving. The 458 Spider is the world’s first mid-rear engine car to sport a retractable hard top. In fact, the car’s entire concept of combining comfort, lightweight construction, functionality and performance, was built around that feature.

From the first model to the 488 Spider of today, Ferrari has produced more than 30 Spider versions, excluding one-offs and special editions. Each one has

consistently improved on its predecessor in terms of performance, design and innovation.

The 488 Spider is Ferrari’s most technologically advanced and best performing Spider ever. Admiring the new car’s design or its remarkable technical characteristics, including a weight-to-power ratio of 2.1kg per horsepower, anyone would be enthused.

Ferrari’s convertible models used to carry the name of GTS, an abbreviation that identified the car as an opentop version, or at least one with a detachable roof panel.

In 2011, Ferrari introduced the retractable hard roof, known as RHT (Rigid Hard Top), to the mid-engine twoseater sports car line, in the shape of the 458 Spider.

The 488 Spider’s RHT is one of its key strong points providing both the pleasure of driving with the roof open and, when necessary, the comfort of having the roof closed. The sound of a Prancing Horse engine in full flow is a Ferrari’s most seductive feature. Specific work has been carried out to redesign the air intake ducts 03

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01 The all-new 488 Spider 02 Ferrari 308 from 1979 03 Front view of the 348 model 04 Ferrari 458 Spider 05 The new model is the most technologically advanced ever

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with a particular shape that helps carry the pure sound of the engine into the car’s cockpit. The turbochargers, a notable feature of the 488 Spider’s 3.9-litre engine, have positively affected the engine’s sound.

Every Ferrari is born with its own unique sound emission, to the extent that we can even speak about a soundtrack of performances. This model’s sound has a strong character, underlining the significant increase in performance. There’s a powerful baritone at low speeds, less acute that in the 458 Spider, and perfect for the new model.

The 488 Spider has a number of well-defined stylistic features, such as the headrest – typical of classic sports cars and secured by integrated roll bars – and the two rear buttresses, reminiscent of the 1960s Dino.

The 488 also boast the ultimate turbo technology

and a classic Ferrari V8 Engine, producing 670 hp.

The car’s design marries great aerodynamic efficiency with pure aesthetics. The cockpit is driver-focused and beautifully crafted, making for a truly special driving experience the introduction of Side Slip Control.

The Spider’s high performance figures also come down to reinforcements in the chassis, in particular on its sills, so that it has the rigidity of a fitted-roof Berlinetta. Aerodynamic effectiveness contributes a great deal to the new Spider. It has a load capacity, at 200km/h, of around 200kg, thanks to the Ferraripatented rear-blown spoiler, which avoids the need for bulky wings. The use of Turbo engine’s main aim is to reduce emissions while increasing power.

06 The rear of the 488 07 The Spider’s motor 08 The interior is driver focused and beautifully crafted

488spider.ferrari.com

The 488 Spider is Ferrari’s most technologically advanced and best performing Spider ever

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Automotive

Transcending the Traditional Powerfully elegant design and outstanding performance and versatility are hallmarks of the new releases from these luxury car manufacturers. Each model offers both unparalleled off-road performance as well as luxurious daily driving, transcending the traditional motor vehicle styling.

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Automotive

02 03 01 The bold design dynamically expresses power, elegance and finesse 02 Peerless craftsmanship exude a feeling of elegant refinement 03 11.6 Inch Rear Seat Entertainment System 04 Intuitive & Responsive Control 05 4WD performance fused with sophisticated contemporary elegance

Lexus LX 570 Lexus has thrilled customers after revealing the allnew 2016 LX 570, unveiling a premium, full-capability three-row luxury utility vehicle that combines the brute strength of a massive V8 with the grace of an eightspeed automatic transmission. A full-size, SUV designed to take luxury to places it has never been before, the new LX packs in the comfort, luxury and infotainment technology expected from a Lexus flagship model.

According to Chief Engineer Sadayoshi Koyari, “The Lexus LX represents a new paradigm of automotive perfection and reflects the evolution of this iconic vehicle to offer next generation luxury, technology and elegance. Through its sophisticated exterior design, progressive luxury interior and advanced technologies, customers now have the opportunity to drive the ultimate premium SUV in its class in the region.�

Lexus left barely any surface of the LX 570 untouched in a sweeping upgrade for 2016. The restyled front end wears an even bolder rendition of the Lexus signature spindle grille, framed by elegant satin chrome trim and complemented by distinctive new standard LED headlights, turn signals and fog lights.

The upgrades for 2016 however go beyond skindeep. An eight-speed automatic transmission replaces

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the former six-speed for enhanced performance and efficiency. Additionally, a new driving mode called Customise Mode helps the LX achieve extremely stable and adaptive performance both on and off the road.

To further increase safety and peace of mind, the LX is available with the Lexus Safety System+.

The exterior of the 2016 Lexus LX combines the power of an SUV with the inherent luxury befitting a Lexus flagship. The front profile provides a sense of stability with its daringly muscular lower portion, while the side profile emphasises a refined yet bold and dynamic under-body.

The spindle grille projects a sense of strength and elegance, and symbolises the ever-evolving nature of Lexus. Sequential LED turn signal lamps are utilised in a Lexus vehicle for the first time, increasing visibility when turning right or left.

Also available from Lexus for the first time are 21inch aluminium wheels. The combination of machine-cut highlights and metallic grey, as well as the addition of a new centre ornament, complete the overall luxurious feel of the vehicle. www.lexus.com.bh

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Lagonda Taraf, Aston Martin Aston Martin CEO Dr Andy Palmer has unveiled the luxury British brand’s stunning new Lagonda super saloon – the latest in a proud line of saloons revered worldwide as ‘the finest of fast cars’.

Addressing an audience of media and VIP guests at the launch event in the exclusive Al Qasr Hotel, Madinet Jumeirah in Dubai, Dr Palmer revealed that the Lagonda, which is being built in a strictly limited small series initially only for customers in the Middle East, will be known as the Lagonda Taraf in that market.

The return of the Lagonda follows in the wake of other headline-grabbing projects by Aston Martin in recent years, such as the creation of the One-77 hypercar, V12 Zagato and last year’s CC100 Speedster Concept.

Based on the brand’s almost infinitely flexible VH architecture, the new saloon draws inspiration from the highly sought-after William Towns-designed Lagonda of 1976, and features many of the same cutting edge engineering techniques seen in modern

Aston Martin sports cars, such as the use of carbon fibre body panels.

The model has been hand-built by the finest craftsmen and women at Aston Martin’s manufacturing facilities in Gaydon, Warwickshire, in a dedicated building previously given over to the creation of the One-77 hypercar.

The new super saloon is being offered for sale by invitation only with precise pricing details remaining confidential.

Dr Palmer said, “It is a privilege to be here in Dubai to introduce the exceptional new Lagonda Taraf. The Lagonda nameplate has always had a particular appeal for our customers in the Middle East, and I’m sure those who take the opportunity to purchase the new Lagonda will be proud to own what will doubtless go on to become a piece of luxury automotive history.” www.astonmartin.com

06 The new saloon draws inspiration from the highly sought-after William Townsdesigned Lagonda of 1976 07 The model has been handbuilt by the finest craftsmen and women at Aston Martin’s manufacturing facilities 08 The model will be known as Lagonda Taraf in the Middle East market

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09 Mulsanne Speed in Orange Flame 10 Mulsanne Speed in Ghost White Pearlescent 11 12 The Mulsanne Speed’s luxury hand crafted interior

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Bentley Mulsanne Speed Bentley’s new luxury flagship, the Mulsanne Speed, has been named Best Large Luxury Sedan at the inaugural Arab Wheels Awards, the second regional award for Bentley’s ultimate luxury driving experience in recent months.

The Arab Wheels Awards, which was set up to recognise the latest additions to the automotive market, was judged by a panel of regional automotive experts.

The new Mulsanne Speed was also named the Best Large Luxury Sedan at the Middle East Car of the Year Awards (MECOTY) in October, highlighting the reputation that the ultra-luxury model is already establishing itself amongst motoring enthusiasts and customers alike.

Accepting the award on behalf of Bentley Motors, Neil Wilford, Regional Manager Middle East, India and Africa said, “The Mulsanne Speed is truly a statement in quintessential British luxury, it defines Bentley as a flagship for driving luxury and performance. We are very pleased to see that the Mulsanne Speed has

been recognised by automotive experts in the Middle East only months after its regional launch.”

Commenting on the Mulsanne Speed’s win, Issam Eid, Editor-in-Chief of Arab Wheels said, “The Bentley Mulsanne Speed was a cut above the rest. Every Bentley is handcrafted by experts, and the Mulsanne Speed is a true luxury sedan.’’

Launched in the Middle East in June of 2015, the Mulsanne Speed is tailored for the driver. The reengineered powertrain, featuring Bentley’s mighty 6¾-litre twin-turbo V8, propels the Mulsanne Speed from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and on to a top speed of 305 km/h.

New and contemporary styling features define the Mulsanne Speed as a statement in quintessential British luxury. On-board technology and connectivity are discreetly integrated beneath the finest materials, created with unrivalled craftsmanship and exquisite handcrafted details. www.bentley.com

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Hyundai Centennial The Hyundai Centennial demonstrates a perfect balance of natural, tailored materials to satisfy the senses, and technologically advanced, intuitive controls to satisfy the demands of functionality and logic.

Precise air and temperature controls are immaculately finished in chrome, seats are upholstered in real leather with perfect ergonomics, and an automatic transmission operates using cutting-edge technology.

With three different drive modes – Normal, Sport and Snow – drivers can select the ride quality to suit their preferred level of cushioning and body motion, or simply in response to the road surface conditions. The model’s Head-Up Display projects speed and turn information on the windscreen, allowing drivers to keep their eyes on the road to ensure safe driving.

Just over a foot from edge to edge, the 12.3” full TFT supervision cluster delivers enhanced driving information with superb style. Personalisation is also possible, as the graphic interface can be set to match any preference.

It’s not just the driver space where style, comfort and convenience have been thoroughly thought out.

The rear compartment also attains the highest levels of executive luxury. Superfine suede trim extends from the

headlining to the door pillars and the rear parcel shelf.

With beautifully supportive seats as well as headrests that fold out at the sides for added comfort, rear passengers can settle down and watch movies and videos on two separate 9.2” monitor screens positioned on the back of the front seats. Meanwhile, for fresh air and sunlight, the sunroof slides back at the slightest touch Effortless gear shifting is an article of faith in luxury vehicles. The shift-by-wire transmission system of the Centennial operates using purely electrical signals, with all mechanical links between gear selector and gearbox removed. Gear changes are thus smoother, more progressive and more convenient.

Audio and temperature controls are exactly where they should be. A supervision cluster that lays out driving information intuitively is cohesively integrated into the elegant dashboard, optimally positioned. As driver and passengers climb aboard, each knows that from here to the destination they’ll be looked after, every step of the way. It’s the solid sense of security offered by first class engineering and exceptional design. www.1stmotors.com

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13 A perfect balance of materials and technology 14 The model has three different drive modes: Normal, Sport and Snow 15 The interior has beautifully supportive seats with headrests that fold out at the sides for added comfort

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16 Designed to look as good open as closed 17 Huracรกn LP 610-4 Spyder features an entirely new design 18 The luxurious interior minimises airflow and noise 19 Huracรกn Spyder allows infinite Ad Personam options

Huracán LP 610-4 Spyder, Lamborghini Automobili Lamborghini presents the new Huracán LP 610-4 Spyder, an open top version of the Huracán LP 610-4 that combines the power and performance of the coupé with the emotion of open-air driving.

“The Huracán LP 610-4 Spyder is the next chapter in the success story of the naturally aspirated V10 Huracán, and continues a Lamborghini tradition of open air motoring,” says Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini. “The Huracán Spyder combines the innovation, performance and appeal of the Huracán coupé, with new technologies and an added emotional dimension. Its predecessor, the Gallardo Spyder, was the best-selling open top model in Lamborghini’s history: we expect the Huracán Spyder to exceed its predecessor in every way.”

The new Huracán Spyder stands for inspiring technology, outstanding quality and breath taking performance. Luxurious comfort with a pure and dynamic design ensures the convertible version of the Huracán is an iconic Lamborghini in its own right. Its lightweight, electrohydraulic soft top gives the new Lamborghini a distinctive presence with roof both open and closed, and maximum comfort for

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driver and passenger with uncompromising handling and performance.

The naturally aspirated 5.2l V10 engine produces 449 kW / 610 hp. The new Huracán LP 610-4 Spyder accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds, with a top speed of 324 km/h.

The Spyder also includes new technical features of the 2016 model year Huracán family, including ‘cylinder on demand’ in combination with ‘stop start’, and a new electronically controlled all-wheel drive set-up for even improved driving behaviour.

The Huracán Spyder demonstrates the latest evolution of Lamborghini’s characteristic design language. It provides outstanding visual impact while adhering to the Lamborghini principle of ‘form follows function’: it is as exciting to look at, as it is to drive.

The model is built to uncompromising quality in a state-of- the-art production facility at the Automobili Lamborghini headquarters in Sant’Agata Bolognese, and offers a sense of performance and lifestyle under the open sky. www.alghassanmotors.com/lamborghini/bahrain.html

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Must Have

My Wish List The latest and most exclusive luxury items for men

Emperador Cigar Chest, Imperiali Genève Imperiali Genève has unveiled a world exclusive: the Emperador cigar chest. Thousands of hours of work, several international patents, 2,675 high-quality components, complex mechanics and the introduction of state-of-the-art technology make this the most prestigious cigar chest in the world, available at the price of one million Swiss francs. The chest is much more than a luxury product; it is an experience for all five senses – a moment suspended in time available to a privileged few, as only twelve numbered pieces will be produced each year. Combined with a timepiece featuring a tourbillon, this utterly unique object marries the age-old art of Swiss watchmaking with the skills of the best experts from 27 different trades. www.imperiali-geneve.com

Accessories Jet Set Collection, Designer Shaik At the magical hour of sunset, the colour of the desert sky becomes intensified. Blue mellows into pink, reminiscent of the rose petals that give the finest floral notes to The Shaik’s fragrances, aspiring to transform every man into a Shaik, and every woman a Princess.

The Shaik has focused on developing accessories to complement the collection of Designer Shaik creations that everyone has fallen in love with. The miniature bottles are the perfect accessory to display anywhere around the house. The full range of Shaik Perfume Creations are now available in a 30ml travel size gift set. These enchanting miniatures are the perfect gift for loved ones and complement Designer Shaik Limited Edition accessories beautifully. These are an addition to the brand’s award winning collection of fragrances for men and women. www.shaik.net

Cardholder, Dior Practical and compact, Dior coin cases and cardholders are made to constantly surprise. Their clever storage systems are nestled in luxurious leather, enhanced with stylish and unique couture trims. Made from black calfskin leather, this Dior cardholder was inspired by the preppy style of American Ivy League universities. It features a graphic embossed ‘CD’ logo on the outside and four card slots within, and comes in a range of appealing colour combinations. A true journey through the senses, the leather cardholder line embodies the craftsmanship of French luxury fashion house Dior. It is as functional as it is masculine; the quintessence of the expertise of the Dior workshops. www.dior.com

Paul Smith Confetti Blue Hoban Sunglasses Coming from British designer Paul Smith are the Hoban sunglasses, handcrafted from the finest materials and precisely engineered to offer the most comfortable fit to each wearer.

The glasses are designed with an acetate frame, which flatters any face with their soft keyhole bridge and deep rounded lens shape. Available in a variety of colours, the Confetti Blue frame features unique blue lenses. A sun plaque is inlaid on the temple tip interior, universal nose pads provide comfort, and a custom, knurled texture is on the patterned core-wire. Handmade in Italy, Paul Smith’s quote in the designer’s own handwriting features on the temple interior, and signature logo plaque is inlaid on the temple exterior.

The sunglasses come with a Paul Smith spectacles pouch and box. www.paulsmith.co.uk

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Must Have

Arachnophobia, MB&F In its first decade, the Geneva-based creative lab MB&F has presented some very extreme machines, and the visually powerful Arachnophobia is as extreme as they come. Despite it’s intense appearance, the eyecatching three-dimensional sculpture is also an impeccably finished table (and wall) clock. Arachnophobia was inspired by a giant spider sculpture called Maman that founder Maximilian Büsser had seen in both Geneva and Doha. Büsser developed the highly unusual concept with L’Epée, selecting a high-end L’Epée clock movement and re-imagining it as the mechanical head and torso of a spider. The body is outfitted with a black dome with white numerals depicting the hours and minutes and the highly visible movement boasts a power reserve of eight days. www.mbandf.com

The Dead Tree Outdoor Settee, The Formworks Gallery With a collection of luxury interior décor and matchless jewellery comes The Formworks Art Gallery. Catering to an audience that spans the world over, Formworks is home to many desirable gift options, antiques and decorative ornaments that add beauty and charm to any home. The Gallery’s pieces are genuine artefacts as well as stunning pieces of fine craftsmanship that add a sense of class and culture. Coming from the exotic new range is The Dead Tree Outdoor Settee, a symbol of positive change and rebirth, rejuvenation and giving. This outdoor bench acts as a piece of art and is curated with rich bark that has been polished, varnished and aged for a magnificent effect. +971 43855700

Holiday Collection, Libero Ferrero Libero Ferrero, the American men’s leather brand, has introduced its newest collection of handmade bags, cases and small accessories for the 2015 holiday season. Made by hand with custom Horween leather, signature wool lining and heirloom quality materials, the Libero Ferrero holiday line is clean and simple, without sacrificing its classic taste suited for the masculine profile. A design of equal parts form and function, each piece in the collection combines quality and aesthetic to the world of men’s accessories. The Libero Ferrero Holiday Collection is a line tailored to the modern man – dynamic, strong and ready for adventure. www.liberoferrero.com

Montblanc StarWalker World Time Inspired by the spirit of discovery and adventure that drives every urban explorer, the latest addition to the Montblanc StarWalker Collection features a World Time complication integrated inside the writing instrument. One twist of the cone at the end of the lightweight titanium StarWalker World Time identifies the local time in different time zones. Perfectly balancing form and function, the cap and barrel are subtly laser engraved with a map of the world time zones, and coated with a “Physical Vapor Deposition”. The PVD-plated clip is embossed with the Maison’s name and features the writing instrument’s individual serial number.

The ruthenium-plated hand-grinded Au750 gold nib bears a fine filigree world map, laserengraved onto the ruthenium plating to reveal the white gold underneath. www.montblanc.com

Square Gear Cufflinks, Tateossian Coming from the collection that has the press buzzing this year, these cufflinks are the embodiment of the idea of motion and movement that are make up the Tateossian signature. The Square Gear Cufflinks are made up of varying sizes and multi colours of gears that rotate freely, and are a contemporary, fashion-forward accessory designed to instantly style any suit ensemble. The cufflinks are available in rhodium plating, rose gold colour plating, and black gunmetal plating. Tateossian is a leading menswear jeweller, which continues to push boundaries after building an outstanding reputation in men’s jewellery over the past 25 years. www.tateossian.comcom

Over Ear Headphones, Master & Dynamic The MH40 Over Ear Headphones by Master & Dynamic are designed to be modern thinking caps: tools to help focus, inspire, and transport the mind.

Designed for decades of use, the elite headphones are built with only the finest materials and tuned to provide a rich, warm sound. They make an elegant yet everyday addition to the desk, studio or home. Made from premium grain leather, the headband also features a lambskin interior.

The microphone is separated from the remote and placed closer to the mouth for increased vocal clarity and reduced noise. For extra comfort, the headphones are made with removable/replaceable memory foam ear pads wrapped in lambskin. www.masterdynamic.com

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Must Have

My Wish List The latest and most exclusive luxury items for women

Picnic Hamper, Fortnum & Mason Since 1707, Fortnum & Mason has provided the very best selection in outdoor dining, to the delight of its customers and their guests. Fortnum’s picnic hampers contain the finest quality glassware, cutlery, crockery and food containers to ensure the best outside dining experience. For many people Fortnum’s means hampers. Whenever the iconic F&M is seen on a wicker hamper you know you are in for a treat. Fortnum’s wicker hampers are made by craftsman in England’s West Country in the time honoured way. Farmers harvest the willow rods, which are peeled and then boiled in huge troughs of water to increase flexibility. www.fortnumandmason.com

Pendentif Boule, Hermès Hermès has introduced an unusual interpretation of its Pendentif Boule by exploring the art of cloisonné enamelling. The demands of this unique skill are rendered all the more complex by the rounded nature of the back of the watch on which the enameller creates a unique motif for Hermès. Dangling gracefully from a white gold chain, the Pendentif Boule whirls and twirls, presenting its two faces as desired: a multi-coloured corolla motif on the back, or white mother-of-pearl on the dial side where the time ticks by with exquisite delicacy. www.hermes.com

Caviar Spectaculaire, La Prairie + Baccarat For Fall/Winter 2015, La Prairie joins forces with Baccarat, artisans of fine crystal since 1764, to produce a breath-taking masterpiece of legendary craftsmanship, iconic elegance and timeless beauty: Caviar Spectaculaire, a limited edition piece. Capturing the power, prestige and wonder of precious caviar, Caviar Spectaculaire contains a limited edition 75ML jar of La Prairie’s legendary lifting and firming Skin Caviar Luxe Cream nestled in an exquisite Baccarat crystal caviar server. The Baccarat limited edition jar beautifully transforms into a caviar server after use by simply removing the customized jar that contains the cream from the inside and replacing it with the caviar server bowl.

Vellum Floor Light, Brabbu The contemporary Vellum lighting piece embodies the elegance of nature transformed by man’s hand. It is inspired by ancient manuscripts, where messages were written in Vellum, a fine and translucent material. The Vellum Floor Light brings to spaces the warm light of written stories passed through generations. Composed by hammered brass and nero marquina marble, its elegance exhales the power of resistance through the ages, as the written stories never die. Every story created in a space is written by the warm contemporary lighting words of the Vellum Floor Light. The light comes from Brabbu, a design brand that reflects an intense way of living, bringing fierceness, strength and power into an urban lifestyle. www.brabbu.com

www.laprairie.com

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Must Have

Children’s rooms, Cities Boutique Cities Art, Design & Lifestyle Boutique is known best for its eclectic style and dynamic approach to interior design. Now offering a range of accessories for children’s rooms, owner Hazem Aljesr gives his tips for decorating with the latest décor trends. Aljesr recommends using colour to brighten the spaces, whether in bedding, paintings, or other adornments. Toys can be used as decorations to brighten the space, and playing with creative ways of lighting is both practical and playful. Cities is home to a wide selection of colourful and child-friendly pieces, perfect for adding fun and creativity to children’s bedrooms. www.citiesdubai.com

Le Pliage Bag, Jeremy Scott for Longchamp Since the first collaboration in 2006, Jeremy Scott has created a new design for the Le Pliage bag by Longchamp, designed exclusively in the shape of a travel bag. Every season, the designer takes inspiration from his favourite pattern in his ready-to-wear collection and adds it to the label’s flagship bag. To celebrate the 10th Anniversary, Jeremy Scott has designed a limited edition Le Pliage bag inspired by the city of angels called “Greetings from Hollywood.” Longchamp has supported contemporary and avant-garde artistic design since the 1970s, underlining the contemporary, playful, and unique spirit of the brand. www.longchamp.com

Home décor, The Formworks Art Gallery The Formworks Art Gallery, a luxury interior, gold and home décor boutique with an audience that spans across the globe, introduces a medley of vivacious colours, exuberating interior motifs, and relics to celebrate the festival of the season. Fusing traditional Indian jewellery with modern craftsmanship to enliven the home, the collection by Formworks is a musthave for this season. With a vast array of internationally acquired home décor, The Formworks Art Gallery’s pieces are genuine artefacts as well as stunning pieces of fine craftsmanship that add class and culture to any home. +971 43855700

Takto, Teckell Takto is a pendulum clock of the utmost precision, the ideal combination of design, creativity and Italian craftsmanship. The clock comes from luxury Italian brand Teckell, creator of handcrafted furniture and design pieces. Made using the latest technologies, the Takto clock is encased in a precious crystal case, exposing a striking masterpiece made with stainless steel that is hand milled and crafted, ensuring a precise and perfect performance. Takto springs from the limitless imagination of an Italian team of ideas, bringing together perfection and accuracy in a work of kinetic art. www.teckell.com

Apple Watch Hermès Collection Combining excellence, brands Apple and Hermès have introduced the new colletion Apple Watch Hermès. The designs come in stainless steel with finely crafted leather bands in distinctive styles from Hermès, while respecting the design and functionality of the Apple Watch. The collaboration merges Apple’s unparalleled product innovation with the heritage, iconography and craftsmanship of Hermès. The Single Tour with the 38mm stainless steel case comes in fauve Barenia leather, noir Box leather and capucine Swift leather, while the Single Tour with 42mm stainless steel case comes in fauve Barenia leather and noir Box leather. The Double Tour pairs with the 38mm stainless steel case and is available in fauve Barenia leather and bleu jean, capucine and étain Swift leather.

The Cu pairs with the 42mm stainless steel case and is available in fauve Barenia leather only. Across the collection, each stainless steel case features an etching of the Hermès signature and includes a customisable face with three exclusive dial designs inspired by Clipper, Cape Cod and Espace Hermès watches. www.apple.com/apple-watch-hermes

Majlis Gift Set, Lootah Perfumes A truly remarkable wardrobe of sheer incense bliss, the Majlis gift set by Lootah Perfumes is a three-tier wonder composed of rich incense and crystals of oils made from the finest oud. Make a statement of love and decadence with these innovative, luxurious perfumes. The exquisite leather packaging features fine fabric with the logo engraved, and sets the perfumes apart by embodying a luxurious feel. Synonym to its motto ‘art of the essence’, the gift package is a white leather box covered with gold lettering. The elegant collection containing deep and beautiful fragrances by Lootah Perfumes, is a must have gift for every prestigious occasion. www.lootahperfumes.com

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Art on the Island Book Review

A

rt critic, independent commissioner and specialist in emerging art scenes, Renaud Siegmann was the director of VIP relations of the Kingdom’s first ArtBahrain art fair. With more than 20 years experience in the art market, Siegmann is now based on the French Riviera. He has previously worked as the head of a contemporary collection between London and Geneva, and before assuming his current role was appointed General Commissioner for Marrakech Art Fair in 2010 and 2011. He has spent time working around the world as an independent curator, a cultural engineer and an art journalist. Author of a conversation book with Praemium Imperiale Prize Lee Ufan, he is also a lecturer in Art Business at DrouotFormation in Paris. Educated in France, Siegmann graduated from Political Science holding a Master2 in Media Management.

Now, working as part of the first ArtBahrain, Siegmann has launched ‘33 Artists – 33 Islands: A

Under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Sheikha Sabika bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, wife of His Majesty the King of Bahrain and President of the Supreme Council for Women, the first edition of ArtBahrain was held from October 13 to 16, 2015. As part of the ArtBahrain project, a book published by Miracle Graphics and authored

by Renaud Siegmann was launched, featuring 33 of the Kingdom’s artists.

Kingdom of Art’ alongside Bahrain based Miracle Publishing, as a special tribute to the event.

Publisher Khalid Juman is passionate about supporting and encouraging art in Bahrain, which, despite being the smallest Arab state, is rich with culture and heritage. Khalid says, “‘33 Artists – 33 Islands: A Kingdom of Art’ was conceived as an original anthology and mimesis to celebrate its contemporary culture and outstanding personalities of the visual arts. As Bahrain acquires momentum in time as an art scene and a creative platform in the Middle East, everyone should be aware of its cultural assets and environment that make the Kingdom unique in style and inspiration. At a time when contemporary art is moving increasingly away from traditional media, this book provides a useful overview of the art scene based on its best representatives living and working in Bahrain today.”

The fully illustrated book serves as a portfolio for 33 of Bahrain’s most prominent artists, along with

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Book Review

personal interviews with them. The book also offers a unique insight into the Kingdom’s emerging art scene and gives an opportunity to discover the long time commitment made by modern and contemporary Bahraini artists, as well as the new generations of midcareer and emerging artists.

“As far as I have been involved as a critic and curator with the emerging art scenes, Bahrain holds a special place in terms of creativity in the Middle East and the global art community, not only are these Bahraini artists inspired by their own culture and traditions but their original and most recent works have given a rise in Arab art around the world,” says Siegmann.

“The project is a mapping as well as a portraiture of the state of the art scene in Bahrain today which will increase the visibility and give an insight of Bahrain internationally,” says Mr. Sameer Ghaith, CEO of Miracle Graphics.. miraclegraphics.wordpress.com

The fully illustrated book serves as a portfolio for 33 of Bahrain’s most prominent artists, along with personal interviews with them

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Final Pearl

Final Pearl

Bahrain International Air Show

T

he Bahrain International Air Show will return to the Kingdom on 21-23 January 2016.

Situated at the Sakhir Airbase the Show will enthral and entertain the whole family, with the experience of one of the best flying displays in the Middle East, as well as many attractions on the ground.

The unique location at the Sakhir Airbase offers visitors the opportunity to see one of the best flying displays up close and personal. A tiered grandstand with ample seating is available and offers an unrivalled seating arena – perfect for watching the flying displays. In addition, shaded areas and outdoor seating is offered within the arena.

A selection of hot and cold food options are available within the arena. In indoor restaurant and outdoor food concessions will offer a variety of cuisines to cater for all taste buds.

The flying display at the Bahrain International Air Show provides a 5-hour visual spectacular in the

sky, featuring aerobatic display teams, and military, historic and modern aircrafts.

Nine times British aerobatic champion and BIAS regular, Mark Jefferies, will be returning to Sakhir to show his talents once more. Flying his Extra 330SC, he’ll be wowing crowds as he twists and turns his plane in amazing manoeuvres in the sky.

Also making a return appearance at BIAS, the Twisters Twilight Pyrotechnic Display always enchants audiences and marks a great end to the display at BIAS. Formed in 2010 the Twister Aerobatic Team have performed across Europe and the Middle East.

Key sponsors of the event include Bahrain Duty Free, Batelco and Gulf Air, and tickets for the Bahrain International Air Show will be available to purchase from Batelco outlets soon. www.bahraininternationalairshow.com

A Sî ¤ellar Oasis of Luxury in Bahrain Bay, Bahrain

Contact us on: +973 380 000 02 or Email us on: marketing@binfaqeeh.com P.O. Box 20007, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain

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