Sur La Terre - Issue 12 Doha (Jan11)

Foreword. >>> After three years traversing seas of splendour, on our mission to explore the exclusive and seek out the spectacular, it was about time the good ship Sur la Terre dropped anchor and underwent a refurbishment.

With all hands on deck, a new broom has swept through the plush pages of your favourite journal, creating a fresh, more contemporary look. However, it not just the design that has had a facelift for 2011. The interior of our vessel of vogue has whole new structure, with new sections and a different approach to the classy content for which SLT has become renowned, while the elemental dividers will hopefully aid your navigation below deck.

The crew has also seen a few changes too, as Deputy Editor Mina Kavcar leaves us for pastures new, we welcome our new Fashion & Style guru, Sophie Jones-Cooper. She will be bringing you the latest looks and forward-thinking analysis from the fashion capitals of the world, ensuring that your sartorial statements are always ahead of the game.

What hasn’t changed, though, is our dedication to bringing you the best; the most exclusive products from the international arena, the finest fashions from the catwalks of Europe, the coolest rides on the road and much more besides.

With that in mind, we start the year with a “special edition” that melds together two of the most elite worlds in the luxury universe - superyachts and haute joaillerie - in preparation for the Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition and the Dubai Boat Show. Interviews with H.E. Sheikh Hassan Bin Jabor Al-Thani, Qatar’s record-breaking powerboat champion, and Francesco Trapani, the CEO of Bulgari, along with the sparkling stars of the jewellery scene and the best boats to hit the high seas over the last year, all ensure that this glittering first instalment of 2011 will make a splash at both events.

Therefore, as your Captain on this odyssey of opulence, it is my proud duty to once again welcome you all aboard, wish you all a prosperous and lavish New Year as the all-new SLT, expertly steered by First Mate, Steve Paugh, hauls anchor and sets sail, bound for continents of class where new and lustrous treasures are waiting to be discovered.

James McCarthy Regional Managing Editor

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www.surlaterre-me.com

Publications Director Mohamed Jaidah m.jaidah@firefly-me.com

Editorial

Regional Managing Editor James McCarthy j.mccarthy@firefly-me.com Senior Editor Steve Paugh s.paugh@firefly-me.com Fashion & Style Sophie Jones-Cooper s.jones-cooper@firefly-me.com Deputy Editors Reem Shaddad, Mina Kavcar Contributors Candace Daugherty, Dirk Rendel

Art & Design

Creative Director Roula Zinati Ayoub Art Direction Rena Chehayber Designers Lara Nakhle, Rana Cheikha, Charbel Najem, Sarah Jabari Finaliser Michael Logaring Photography Herbert Villadelrey, Melissa Schober

Sur La Terre International S.A. Head office 26 avenue de la Praille 1227, Geneva, Switzerland.

Tel: + 41 22 310 48 00 Fax: + 41 22 310 48 01

Sales & Marketing

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Logistics

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Printer

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Publisher

Firefly Communications BVLGARI, exclusively available in Qatar at Villaggio Mall.

Tel: +974 4413 4568

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RIVA Yachts are available through Alfardan Marine, Doha. Tel: +974 4443 5626

• sur la terre • details •

PO Box 11596, Doha, Qatar.

Tel: +974 4434 0360 Fax: +974 4434 0359 info@firefly-me.com www.firefly-me.com

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the list the scene globe trotter revue for your eyes only style confidential in focus

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up close and personal feature trends confidential look book origins

FIRE 74 • watches & jewellery special 82 • lifestyle 86 • out of the box

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in motion horizons fashion between the lines

Sur la Terre is published bi-monthly. © 2011 Firefly Communications. All material strictly copyright and all rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part, without the prior written permission of Firefly Communications, is strictly forbidden.

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• sur la terre • contents •

the list

the scene

globe trotter

revue

for your eyes only

Style confidential

in focus

the list art & culture

Johanne Corno & Wang Yehan.

When: April 30th - May 15th Where: Opera Gallery, DIFC, Dubai What: Opera Gallery, an initiative of Gilles Dyan, first opened its doors in Singapore way back in 1994 with a remit to communicate the beauty of art to connoisseurs and novices alike. Since then it has taken its message to many many of the major wold capitals, opening Galleries in New York, Geneva, London and Dubai, among others. In Spring, the Opera Gallery at the DIFC in Dubai will host a joint exhibition of the works of Johanne Corno and Wang Yehan. Canadian-born Corno’s work is rich with vivid colors on oversized canvases, delivering explosive energy, restless passion and vibrant emotion. Her artwork has travelled the world and she is considered to be among Canada’s leading ladies.

Wang Yehan pursues a more abstract route with his paintings, using many layers of pigments, which mingle and intersect each other. His paintings are composed of countless brushstrokes painted on an empty canvas in a style which resonates with the spiritual training of ancient oriental philosophy. www.operagallery.com

Sajjil: A Century of Modern Art.

Riyadh International Book Fair.

When: 1st - 11th March When: Ongoing Where: Riyadh International Exhibition Centre Where: Mathaf Museum of Modern What: The Riyadh International Book Fair 2011 is one of the largest Art, Doha annual cultural events in the Middle East. It aims to facilitate and promote What: The inaugural exhibition to grace exchange between authors, publishers, all those professionally concerned the recently opened halls of Mathaf is Sajjil: with books and those responsible for promoting reading and culture A Century of Modern Art, a comprehensive in all countries. The fair will be a bustling book bazaar populated by cross-section of art from the Arab world publishers, distributors, importers, exporters and retail booksellers. The produced over the last hundred years. Sajjil only ingredient missing in that bibliographical stew are the authors means “Act of Recording” and it brings themselves. The evenings of the book fair will be rich with panel together over 200 artworks from Mathaf’s sessions and open forums, while writers will give talks about their extensive collection. The exhibition personal experiences, as well as performing readings of their work highlights turning-points in artistic thought and indulging in lively discussion with the audience. as it evolved in the Arab world during the www.riyadhbookfair.org.sa century leading up to the 1990s.

Sajjil helps create a context and set Arab modern art in its historical place within a larger art-history tradition. It also emphasises the several common moments and concerns that make it possible to talk about a shared identity in the region. Sajjil is divided into ten evocatively-themed categories including Individualism, Family, Struggle, Huroufiyah (’abstract letterform art’) and, of course, Doha. www.mathaf.org.qa

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the list lifestyle

Dubai International Boat Show.

Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition.

When: 15th - 20th February Where: Doha Exhibition Centre What: The time has once again come for the Doha elite to gape in wonder at the best that local, regional and international jewellers and watchmakers have to offer. The 8th annual Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition is set to take place next year from the 15th to the 20th of February, 2011 and will feature an even bigger retinue of world class exhibitors. Under the expert patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Jassem Bin Jabor Al-Thani and organised by the Qatar Tourism Authority, this economic showcase of the finer, shinier things in life has grown exponentially to become the only exhibition of its kind in the region, and one of the finest in the world. This winter, the twinkling lights in Doha will not reside in the sky, but in the diamonds, gems and precious metals on display at the Doha International Exhibition Centre. www.dohajewels.com

When: 1st - 5th March Where: Dubai Marina, Dubai What: The Dubai International Boat Show is the undisputed regional leader in Marine events, uniting high-end buyers and world-class suppliers from the most lucrative regions in the world. With a rich history and a proven track record spanning 19 years it is the most anticipated event in the Middle East yachting calendar. Attracting tens of thousands of visitors each year, the multi-award winning event is among the top five leading international boat shows in the world. The show incorporates the exclusive Superyacht Pavilion, Superyacht Boulevard and Luxury Supplies and Services sectors of the industry, with the world’s leading brands all in attendance. Among those mooring up at Dubai Marina will be your very own Sur la Terre Middle East, so get ready to haul anchor and set sail for a world of floating palaces and azure blue seas. www.boatshowdubai.com

Commercialbank Qatar Masters Golf Tournament.

When: 2nd - 6th February Where: Doha Golf Club What: Doha Golf Club will once again play host to the world’s top golfers as the prestigious 2011 Commercialbank Qatar Masters, presented by Dolphin Energy, tees off in early February. Yes, they will be tackling our very own Championship course for the 14th year running as they compete for honours on the PGA European Tour one of the biggest golf tours in the world. While the course might seem like an oasis of calm in the dusty desert of Doha, it is renowned, and feared in equal measure, for its tough par 3 holes, biting desert wind and numerous water hazards. It was a flawless final round of 65 that secured victory for Robert Karlsson last year but with European golf on a high after 2010’s Ryder Cup victory, it is going to be even tougher in 2011. To find out more, swing over to the website and secure your tickets. www.qatar-masters.com

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the list

Teuscher Chocolates of Switzerland.

When: Daily Where: W Hotel, Doha What: The Swiss are good at making three things: Watches, fiddly - but clever - little knives and, of course, chocolate. When it comes to the latter, there fewer that are as good at making the dark stuff than Teuscher.

They have been doing it for more than 70 years using only the finest and most expensive ingredients. This is the stuff that sweet dreams are made of — the finest cocoa, marzipan, fruits and nuts from around the world skillfully blended into hundreds of exquisite Teuscher Chocolates using original recipes and the fine art of chocolate-making handed down through the Teuscher family. Teuscher Chocolates are crafted by master confectioners in Zurich and flown directly to the store at the W Hotel, the company’s only outlet in the Middle East, every week.

So, forget the post holiday diet, throw out that new year’s resolution to count calories and tear into some Teuscher today. www.teuscher.com

eat, drink, dance

Carluccio’s Deli & Foodshop.

When: Daily Where: Porto Arabia, The Pearl Qatar What: With something for Doha’s Italian When: Daily 9pm - 4am lovers to get their teeth into, Carluccio’s, the Where: Armani Hotel, Burj Khalifa, Dubai internationally renowned caffé, restaurant What: It’s one of the biggest hotel concepts to hit the region in and foodshop, has opened its doors on The years and the fact that Armani Hotels and Resorts chose Dubai’s Pearl. Carluccio’s signature dishes include Burj Khalifa to house its first GCC effort already hints at its penne giardiniera, penne with courgette, exclusivity. However, Armani Prive is the jewel in the crown of tossed with chili and deep-fried spinach the haute hostelry. It is an all-new nightlife concept that has balls, parmesan, and garlic. Or the classic had the local fashionistas in fluster of excitement. One of homemade ravioli with spinach, ricotta the toughest velvet ropes to bypass in the city, entrance and sage. Carluccio’s is all about fresh to the Armani Prive is tough for those that can afford it ingredients, and celebrates each season with and impossible for those that can’t. Organic geometric varying weekly deli and restaurant specials, patterns and stylish Armani Casa lounge furnishings cooking demonstrations and seasonal populate the three interconnecting lounge areas, one dishes. In the evening, Carluccio’s welcomes of which is an elevated mezzanine, home to a series diners who are looking for a more relaxed of secluded VIP tables and booths and an outdoor eating experience and offering a fully veranda with views of the Dubai Fountain. As you stocked bar featuring both alcoholic and are being shown to your seat and the Cristal is non alcoholic beverages from all over Italy. being chilled on ice, the house DJs mix a lineThe famous Carluccio’s deli and foodshop up of hip-hop, lounge and electronic hits for is also in attendance, offering diners the the socialising sybarites on the LED light chance to re-create gorgeous dishes in show-dominated dance floor in the centre their own kitchen using a beautiful array of of the club. www.armanihotels.com traditional oils, pastas, sauces and breads to help stir up an Italian storm at home. www.carluccios.com

Armani Prive.

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the list

When: 11th February Where: Dubai Festival City What: The bad girl of pop, Amy Winehouse will be rocking Dubai Festival City as part of the Gulf Bike Week in mid-February. The wild child songbird will be banging out her lively and soulful R&B and jazz hits such as Rehab, Back To Black and Love Is A Losing Game. No doubt there will be a few new tracks in there too, as the hard-living diva is set to release a third album later this year. Gulf Bike Week is the only motorcycle festival in the GCC, attracting more than 30,000 visitors. A truly international affair, the festival is based around the Gulf Bike Show, which is a showcase of everything from bikes and off-road vehicles to clothing and lifestyle products associated with the iron horse and life on the open road. Amy Winehouse will close the festival, following in the footsteps of rockers Nickelback and Status Quo, who have both signed-off the event in recent years. Tickets are on sale now at Dhs300 and Dhs500 for general and Golden When: 11th - 13th March Circle admission respectively, while entry to Where: Bahrain International Circuit, Bahrain the more exclusive Back To Black Lounge is What: Quite possibly the most Dhs1,000. www.gulfbikeweek.com anticipated day in the Formula 1 calender as the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix takes the Pole Position by kicking off the 2011 season in Middle Eastern style. In March, the F1 circus will be back in town to rev up all of our engines. After last year’s experimental dalliance with the extended “endurance track” to mark the Formula 1 World Championship’s 60th anniversary season, the 2011 Bahrain Grand Prix will see a return to the original track layout.

The experimental circuit used in 2010 allowed spectators to see the drivers navigate several new challenges and turns.

The original course had been used since Bahrain International Circuit’s inaugural race in 2004, when it was awarded the prestigious “Best Organised Grand Prix” trophy. www.bahraingp.com

F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.

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• sur la terre • the list •

Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival 2011.

Amy Winehouse.

When: 1st - 18th February Where: Dubai Media City What: Promising over 50 hours of spectacular live entertainment, The Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival 2011 brings back its three main diverse elements, starting with the 2nd edition of Jazz World along The Walk at the Jumeirah Beach Residences, hosting free-for-all outdoor concerts. The Jazz World 2011 will feature a line up of local, European, and American blues stars. This is complimented by the 3rd edition of the charming Du Jazz Garden at Dubai Media City, which features a mix of some of the finest British and international jazz artists and musicians. The admission to the Jazz Garden is free via online registration. Finally, the main event offers three consecutive nights of ticketed mega concerts featuring international pop stars, from Macy Gray to Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra. www.dubaijazzfest.com

entertainment

the scene

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1. Steve Paugh, Golnar Satvat, Emma Land, James McCarthy 2. Tala Levitt, Andrew Duff and friends 3. Tenday Warambwa, Fadzai Dodzo, Michelle Grimes, Adham El Deeb 4. Turki Al Sabban, Tamara Khalil Binladin, Badr Al Sabban, Marcelo Bayma 5. Laura Phillips, Keith Bradley and Baromet Nicholas 6. Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Brown 7. Belly dancers start the show off with a bang 8. Edd Brookes and David Land with friends James, Adam and Kristy 9. Abdul Hannan and Eng. Hassan 10. And the band played on...

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Sabban’s New Accommodation Clossus Celebrating the successful handover of its already iconic QR 1.2 billion Towers at The Pearl, Sabban Property Investments (SPI) threw a lavish party for its investors, supporters and most importantly of all, its residents. The sumptuous soiree had it all, including belly dancers, a full-piece band, unlimited libations, huge prizes for those in attendance and even a gravity-defying, devil-may-care troupe of trapeze twirlers, whose building-face ballet thrilled and delighted the attending throng of onlookers. The party went well into the wee hours of the morning as partygoers jumped, jived and drank in the overwhelming atmosphere that only Sabban could provide.

• sur la terre • the scene •

the scene

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Mathaf Unfurles a New Canvas for Modern Arab Art

On December 14, 2010, modern art finally came to Qatar. At 5,500-square-meters, the space within the Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art promises to hold the most expansive milieu of artistic media the Arab world has ever seen. There to celebrate the inauguration of Mathaf, its collection of over 6,000 pieces of art and its forthcoming events and exhibitions was a retinue of renowned poets, lyricists and visual Arab artists. Led by Iraqi MC, Yassin Alsalman (perhaps better known by his handle, The Narcicyst), was Syrian-American hip-hop artist Omar Offendum, British-born Palestinian MC and “first lady of hip-hop,” Shadia Mansour, and the “Zaatar Diva” herself, Palestinian-American poet, Suheir Hammad.

1. Yassin Alsalman looks on as Omar Offendum drops rhymes on the big screen 2. Mathaf knows how to draw a crowd 3. The arts come alive at Mathaf 4. Musicians brought in by Yassin Alsalman 5. Art aficionados await

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Also on hand were His Highness the Emir, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Her Highness Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned, Chairperson of the Qatar Museum Authority, Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and ViceChairperson, His Excellency Sheikh Hassan bin Mohammed bin Ali Al Thani, without all of whom none of this would have been possible.

All in attendance were enthralled with the opening festivities and enticed by the potential of culture and art that Mathaf will surely continue to bring to Qatar.

• sur la terre • the scene •

globe trotter al tiv

Fes

Chinese New Year When: 3rd - 4th February Where: Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong GPS: 22° 17’ 38.10” N, 114° 10’ 16.4” E

With nearly every major cosmopolitan city boasting a Chinatown district, the Chinese New Year is always a great excuse to get immersed in the colourful Asian culture. However, while these carnivals are a wonderful way to see in the Year of the Rabbit, one of the most world renowned places to join in the vibrant Chinese New Year Celebrations is Hong Kong. The New Year Night Parade hits Tsim Sha Tsui East on the Kowloon peninsula with a cavalcade of colourful floats, dragon dancers and performers from all over the world.

On Chinese New Year Day the decorated floats, performers, street entertainers, music and dancers make their way through the Tsim Sha Tsui district to Victoria Harbour, where

skyscrapers are bedecked with thousands of glittering lights that are dulled only by the spectacular fireworks display. www.discoverhongkong.cny

Dream Hotel Downtown

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This could be New York’s first major hotel opening of the year, and one of the most anticipated in the industry. Situated on the border of New York’s Chelsea neighbourhood and thriving Meatpacking District, Dream Downtown will represent a pairing of chic-cool influences with modern elegance, all while maintaining Vikram Chatwal Hotels’ trademark combination of cosmopolitan glamour. The ultra-modern hotel imparts a playful sense of decadence and allows guests to Indulge their wildest travel fantasies amidst a lavish, spa-style ambiance. A whimsical blend of surreal high design and intuitive service, Dream Downtown’s modernist façade houses loft-inspired guestrooms, five duplex suites, concept dining by Geoffrey Zakarian and Miguel Sánchez Romera, and a destination rooftop pool & lounge. www.dreamdowntown.com

en in g

When: March 2011 Where: Downtown New York, USA GPS: 40° 44’ 32.25” N, 74° 00’ 12.31” W

t en ev

The Geneva International Motor Show will be opening for its 81st edition in March, as the major players of automotive industry gather to unveil their respective visions of the future of motoring. This is the key event in the petrol head’s annual calender, where the latest models from every marque from Lamborghini to Lada are revealed to a waiting world. The former will definitely be one to look out for, as the Italian supercar marque is finally set to unveil its replacement for the Murcielago. Other highly anticipated concepts include those of Aston Martin and Ferrari as well as Pagani, which will lift the lid off its C9 project, the long-awaited successor to the incomparable Zonda.

The 81st Geneva Motor Show When: 3rd - 13th March

Where: PALEXPO, Geneva, Switzerland GPS: 46° 14’ 03.85” N, 6° 07’ 08.42” E There will also be a greater emphasis on greener motoring, as a range of environmentally friendly technologies of the future will again be on display in the show’s more centrally located Green Pavilion. www.salon-auto.ch

Tianjin Metropolitan Polo Club “Snow Polo” Tournament

If you missed out on mingling with the European jetset at the St Moritz Snow Polo earlier in January, fear not, because China’s incredibly exclusive Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club will host Asia’s first ever snow polo tournament in mid-February. Six teams from some of the world’s leading polo nations will fight it out for a trophy made

by Asprey of London. England, France, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina and China will play off in a league format, with two games a day. The prestigious event will be played on China’s newest and largest polo field against a backdrop representing an Alpine village, featuring a winter wonderland of ice sculptures and a star-studded guest list filled with the cream of both international and local society. www.goldinmetropolitanhotel.com

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When: 15th - 20th February Where: Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club, Tianjin, China GPS: 39° 05’ 33.34” N, 117° 07’ 11.57” E

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TRON V.2

films

SLT Rating: 3.5 pearls

Because it knocks on the sky, and we like the sound.

Steve Paugh plugs into “The Grid” to assess the Legacy of a 1980s cult movie. >>> Greetings, programs!

It has been over 28 years now since TRON first hit the cinemas, and in that time, wistful nostalgia has been overly kind to its memory.

Here’s a little reminder to those who were blown away by the fact that TRON: Legacy wasn’t a “great plot” movie: neither was TRON. Now, just like other budding nerds who grew up watching the classic Disney movie, which revolutionised visual effects, I loved TRON, but I admit that it is not now, nor has it ever been a “great” movie. It is, however, one of the all time coolest.That’s exactly what TRON: Legacy is for me, and perhaps unlike others, it’s what I was expecting - a very, very, VERY cool movie.

Set after the real-time gap since the first film’s release, Legacy follows the exploits of the original protagonist’s son, Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund), who has grown jaded by the greedy behemoth that ENCOM has become since the sudden disappearance 10 years ago of the computer company’s benign CEO and Sam’s father, Kevin (Jeff Bridges). Following a mysterious message that a family friend receives from Kevin’s old video game arcade, Sam sets out to further explore his father’s disappearance. In the process, he is unintentionally sent to the computerised world his father found almost 30 years earlier.

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The world in TRON: Legacy has become a feverishly stark and exquisitely dark echo of what it once was, covered in the gunmetal steel and immaculate ideal of the world’s new ruler, Clu (Codified Likeliness Utility). A digital duplicate of a young Kevin Flynn (a visual feat that is achieved with eerie and almost imperceptibly refined perfection), Clu was created to maximise the potential of the system. Unfortunately, to achieve that perfection, he has turned on his creator, asserted ruthless control over The Grid and most disturbingly of all, orchestrated a nearcomplete genocide of a new species of beings called ISOs (isomorphic algorithms), who are believed by Kevin to be able to solve many misfortunes within the real world. It is up to Sam, his father (who has been trapped within The Grid all this time) and a plucky program called Quorra (played by the painfully stunning Olivia Wilde) to defeat the despotic designs of the once kind Clu and prevent his personal brand of perfection from bleeding infectiously into the real world.

Peppered as it is with sexy style elements like the movie’s mindmelting special effects (which are best viewed in the unmitigated 3D glory of an IMAX cinema), tolerable acting (particularly from the zen-like Jeff Bridges), a Daft Punk-led, cutting-edge-yet-retrosynthetic score and more light-cycle races and anti-gravity flails and fights than you can shake a motherboard at, TRON: Legacy is an absolutely delightful way to spend two hours.

• sur la terre • revue •

Oceans Of Taste SLT Rating: 5 pearls

For continuously setting the standard for fine dining in Doha.

Despite the arrival of many new gourmet offerings in Doha, some boasting shiny Michelin-starred chefs, some backed by international recording royalty and others bursting at the seams with quirkily conceptual culinary offerings, James McCarthy enjoys dinner at a restaurant that still - quite literally towers over them all.On the 23rd floor of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel sits the grand old dame of Doha dining: The incomparable La Mer.

1 The Cubed Duck is sensational 2 The knowledgeable staff set the standards of service 3 Jellied Cualiflower is a sublime work of genius 4 The elegance of the immaculately laid out dinner service 5 Understated, yet sumptuous decor awaits at La Mer

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>>> When I was new in town and looking for the best venue to impress a first date, all roads led to one place. Everyone I asked reeled off a few restaurant names, but invariably they always ended the list with “...but if you really want to impress her, it has to be La Mer.” A little under two years later, we are engaged to be married. Now, I am not saying that this turn of events is solely down to the impact of that first romantic evening at the Ritz-Carlton’s premier restaurant (I would like to think my good looks and charm played a part), but I can guarantee that it certainly helped.

One of the reasons that it remains such an enduring force on the culinary landscape of Doha is that La Mer offers all of the attributes you can find in other fine dining venues around town, but delivers

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them with an unparalleled elegance. From the moment you exit the gold and mirror-plated elevator, you are immediately transported into old-world French finery, with sumptuous, but understated decor, tables adorned with impeccably laid out dinner service and a quietly regal ambience.

While the interior is quintessentially full of French flair, the restaurant’s lofty position at the top of the hotel affords the privileged diner a spectacular, almost panoramic, vista of West Bay and The Pearl. At night, the twinkling lights of modern Doha play out in front of you like a theatre of fireflies, adding an even more magical element to the whole romanticism of the late evening La Mer experience.

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He was keen for me try all of the fine dishes on the recently refreshed menu, lovingly overseen by Head Chef, John Nash. In order to give me the whistle stop tour, I was introduced to the restaurant’s new tasting menu, which not only includes some of Chef John’s most mouthwatering creations, but is paired and matched with some of the best wines the eatery’s expansive cellar has to offer - all picked by Sadbir, who plays the part of Sommelier to perfection.

Short work was made of the first delicacy: The Jellied Cauliflower, a truly sublime creation that really pushes the boundaries of what you can expect from this talented kitchen. If my mother could have delivered cauliflower to my plate in such a fashion when I was child, the dog would have probably gone much hungrier during Sunday dinner.

This was followed by the Sunchoke Agnolloti, a dish so wonderfully balanced between flavour and texture, with the coarse but flavourful cubed duck playing off beautifully against the soft lemon puree.

With La Mer literally meaning “the sea” in French, you would expect seafood to play heavily on the menu, and while the à la carte offings include a wide variety of fine fish dishes (the Black Cod with Porcini Mushrooms is one not to miss), the tasting menu in which I was now fully immersed offered up Roasted Blue Prawns, which were practically virgin in both their taste and simplicity.

As is often the way when dining at La Mer, you take nothing for granted and, just as I was gearing up for the main course of Braised Beef Short Ribs, Sadbir pulled out the pièce de résistance - one that he knew was guaranteed to bring a smile to my face.

On its own, La Mer’s signature Wagyu beef is a spectacular slab of meat. Cooked to perfection and just falling off the knife, it is wonderfully complemented by the Horseradish Croque Monsieur, which is

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5 both playful and robust with its fluffy yet satisfyingly crunchy potato side that adds to the subtle tartness of the horseradish playing havoc with the tastebuds.

When this maestro of mains is played out in concert with a 2007 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, it becomes a transcendent gourmet delight; this was just one example of Sadbir’s nous when it comes to pairing the potation with the provender.

To finish the evening on a sweet note, the menu offered the temptation of Yoghurt Parfait with Granola and Raspberry. However, Sadbir once again pulled out his big guns and ordered me a signature Porcini “martini glass” Tiramisu which, to be honest, was just the right blend of light and creamy I required after such a rollercoaster of flavours.

With a sated appetite and a fully slaked thirst, it is fair to surmise that La Mer still stands head and shoulders above the rest, and is the perfect setting for that romantic encounter, that meal to close the deal or just for someone who loves dining done perfectly. It is the epitome of good taste.

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The Spirit of Ecsta-Sea SLT Rating: 5 pearls

Because it’s the Rolls-Royce of... well... Rolls-Royce

Reem Shaddad experiences life in the luxurious fast lane and becomes one of the yachting set on the Rolls-Royce Charisma Tour. >>> As I settle down to write this piece on my riveting adventure with Rolls-Royce, one resounding memory from that day of opulence and luxury incarnate was something assistant marketing manager Ali Shaaban said. As we lounged on the marshmallow-like white leather seating out on the deck of the luxurious yacht soaking up the winter sunshine, a sigh of contentment escaped my lips as I uttered the words, “I could get used to this,” to no-one in particular. Ali, decked in a beautiful suit and Bono-esque sunglasses, displayed the epitome of Mona Lisa-inspired smiles and simply said, “Reem, Rolls-Royce isn’t just about the car. It’s a lifestyle.”

Earlier that morning, as ambient sound filled the minimalist showroom, journos and employees chatted horsepower and gear ratios over breakfast hors d’oeuvres. The fortunate few were then briefed on the day’s proceedings and divided into two groups. Half the Rolls Royce test-driving team were to set off in the three vehicles - the Drophead Coupé, the Phantom Coupé and the unrivalled Ghost - whilst the other half were, literally, shipped off in a state-of-the-art yacht. I was amongst those lucky enough to experience the best of the southerly breeze aboard the Alfardan Marine-chartered boat as we undertook a leisurely hour-long cruise around the crescent-shaped harbour, Doha’s picturesque Corniche and towards the museum.

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revue fast times

Now I know this is shaping up to be our second, eminently girly, car review, and you’re all eager to hear about the glory of the Ghost, but I must confess that, in spite of my growing excitement at the prospect of finally giving the Ghost or the Phantom Coupé a womanly têteà-tête, I was sorry to see our seaborne adventure come to an end.

However forlorn I was at waving our sailors goodbye, my despair was almost immediately assuaged as we settled into a charming midday luncheon inside the museum and our personalised and private tour of Doha’s cultural beacon.

As we took in the aged scripture, countless jewels and ancient artifacts, I knew the time was slowly dawning upon us. I would soon be stepping into what Jeremy Clarkson had once labeled “the first cousin to the god of silence, manners and breeding.” Now, due to my humble knowledge of cars and my driving expertise, or lack thereof, while we strolled towards the three beauties awaiting us, I needed to come clean.

“Gentlemen, which of the three is the easiest to adjust to, dimensionwise?” I asked tentatively. You see, in my day-to-day adventures, I pootle around in a far more humble machine of Korean origin, which is compact and fit for the requirements of a modest gym-going, officetrekking, home-reaching driver. The mere thought of stepping into the hefty, glistening body of the Phantom Coupé brought images of

• sur la terre • revue •

Corniche-long pile-ups to mind. “Jump into the Ghost,” suggested corporate communications manager Alaa Tarabay, “It’ll treat you well.”

I was not disappointed. Boasted to be the very essence of RollsRoyce, in its simplest, purest form, slipping into the Ghost and settling into its cocoon-like cots of pure driving excellence immediately gears up even the most unprepared mind for the cruise of a lifetime. As SLT’s resident photographer Herbert and I buckled in, sales consultant Hassan Al Khansa jumped into the passenger seat for a crash course in “How to Drive a Rolls-Royce.”

“Just drive,” he said. “The car will look after you if you look after it.”

Right-o. As the key not quite turned, but rather connected in a Tronesque (I’m a girl remember) evoked manner, the twin-turbo, 6.6 litre, V12 engine purred into life, without so much of a hum to its name.

Although the Ghost has been known to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in under 5 seconds, this little lady was taking the ride nice and easy. I must say, the heads-up display projecting all the necessary driving-related information directly onto the windscreen meant I could focus my full attention on the crowded beach road ahead.

The Ghost commands attention. The stately work of art quite literally parted traffic as we descended upon the crowds. I witnessed a respect for these monuments of classic motoring finesse that I have never experienced before, and we took to the roads as if they were our own.

Although cautious, the Ghost never allowed me to doubt myself.

Features such as the vibrating lane departure warning and the active cruise control were in full swing as we took on Doha’s roads. As we approached the empty stretch of road leading us back to The Pearl, Hassan gave me the green light and I, in turn, gave the Ghost a little bit of juice. The endless surge of power when the throttle is applied is unparalleled, and when we had to pull up to the Rolls-Royce showroom, I could not help but be incredibly disappointed. The soft, full grain leather, the natural wood veneers and the very smell of excellence were hard to leave behind. I have never taken on a journey with such apprehension, which then resulted in the beginning of a love affair as sweet as this. Rolls-Royce ownership on my lifetime achievement bucket list? Check.

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The TORCH Bearer SLT Rating: 4 pearls

Because it rings the ding for touchscreen phones.

Senior Editor Steve Paugh gets passed the Torch and discovers whether Blackberry’s first slider-touchscreen is truly capable of lighting the way.

revue fones

>>> For the past month or so, I’ve been testdriving the new BlackBerry Torch 9800, Research in Motion’s (RIM’s) first ever “true” touchscreen (as opposed to the annoying SurePress functionality of the Storms 1 & 2) and sliding mobile. Getting used to the new face of BlackBerry has been an interesting experience for me, and I can only liken it to riding an ostrich to work. It’s fun, but it feels a bit... peculiar.

Simply put, I’m a BlackBerry man, and have been for a while now. I find the infinite range of the iPhone a bit much to take and still hold that a “Droid” should only refer to plucky robot companions with stupid accents.

I also like it that BlackBerry doesn’t have many cheesy apps. After all, the intrinsic value of tickling a farting cartoon monkey lasts for all of two minutes before you start feeling like an idiot. In fact, I had all but written off the next generation of smartphones. However, the Torch, as its name would suggest, showed me the light.

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The Torch combines all the stuff I love about the BlackBerry with a new, more user-friendly operating system (BlackBerry 6), which assists with enhanced in-phone and internet navigation, plus its tweaked touchscreen.

This may make it sound like something of an uncontrollable Frankenstein’s monster (who, you may remember with a smack of irony, hated torches), but it proved to be more “scientific genius” than “godless monstrosity.”

Whether you want to scrub your grubby mitts all over the screen like you would an iPhone or just use the trackpaddy goodness of the classic BlackBerry, the Torch is happy to accommodate.

Being the touchscreen tenderfoot I am, I was glad that I could, with one flick of fluid movement, go back and forth between the two. The physical keyboard may feel smaller, but is tighter and stronger than ever. This makes the Torch an ideal initiation into the modern touchscreen mania.

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Of course, the Torch also carries with it some burning cons. The screen is not always as perfectly responsive as its competitors, for example, and its 480 x 360 screen resolution doesn’t quite measure up to, say, the iPhone’s 960 x 640. However, while a few more pixels here and there might be good for internet searches, the lack thereof certainly doesn’t hamper the experience.

Although at first it feels a bit heavy (161.59 grams including the battery) and a tad bulky in the hand (Closed: 111mm x 62mm x 14.6mm, Open: 148mm x 62mm x 14.6mm), the Torch keeps that classic-cum-classy verve of the BlackBerry With its increased memory (now 512MB of internal device memory and 4GB of built-in storage space for media), a new battery type that allows for almost six hours of talking time (and reportedly 17 days in standby) and a great 5-megapixel camera, the Torch sheds its light on a bright future for BlackBerry.

Owl Of The Time >>> Fine watches rarely come as distinctive as the MB&F Horological Machine No3, with its intriguing “bug-eye” design and unique time display method. However, 152-year-old master of haute-joaillerie, Boucheron, thought it needed to be even more eye-catching.

The jeweller’s skilled artisans went to work and conceived the JwlryMachine as a three-dimensional jewelled owl, plastered in diamonds, sapphires, tourmaline, amethyst and 18-carat gold. Each one is built to order and the starting price is around $215,000. www.mbandf.com

TOP 10 >>>

Ultrasone has unveiled its spectacular Edition 10 headphones, which are covered in gold-coloured matt-finished ruthenium and feature Zebrano wood ear cup inlays, Ethiopian sheepskin leather ear cup pads, titanium plated drivers and Kevlar coated cables.

Delivered in a presentation box with an artistic stand, both hewn from the same exquisite Zebrano wood as the inlays, this ear-candy offers unparalleled clarity and a frequency range of between 5Hz and 45,000Hz. However, aural satisfaction of this calibre comes at a price of around $2,670. www.ultrasone.com

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• sur la terre • for your eyes only •

My Robot >>>

Senior Editor, Steve Paugh, has been trying to warn us about the rise of the machines for a while now, and finally it seems that the beginning of the robot revolution is finally here. Meet the PR2, a Jetsons-age marvel that’s able to tend to your every need in the comfort of your own home. Manufacturer, Willow Garage, claims that the $400,000 PR2 can be programmed to do nearly anything you want (but hopefully only within the boundaries of Asimov’s Three Laws). www.willowgarage.com

Watch Your Speed >>>

The new Parmigiani Bugatti Super Sport watch may be as limited as the car that inspired it, but that is not the only similarity. Like the Veyron, the transversal movement which keeps the dial on a vertical axis was a game changer in its industry and its mechanics have been reengineered to improve performance. The watch also echoes the more aerodynamic “fastback” look of the Veyron Super Sport, but perhaps the greatest similarity is that it commands a premium price. However, if you have just forked-out to buy the car, then $260,000 is small change. www.parmigiani.ch

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3-Wheeled Wonder >>>

The success of the Morgan Motor Company was founded on the manufacture of an icon, the Morgan Threewheeler, one of the most successful lightweight cars of the early days of motoring. The 2011 Morgan Threewheeler is a fusion of modern technology into a classic design. By fitting the latest “Screaming Eagle” 1,800cc engine from Harley Davidson and a Mazda 5 speed gearbox, Morgan says that it will provide the feeling of freedom and the joy of driving a car from the 20’s and 30’s, but with none of the fragility or temperament.

Capable of up to 115mph and weighing in at around 500kg, the car will be launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and pricing is expected to be around the $46,500 mark. www.morgan-motor.co.uk

WeWooD, Would You? >>>

Since the birth of ToyWatch, we have seen many pretenders and imitations spring up, but all fail to have the panache, style and staying power of the fantastic plastic Italian brand. However, when we came across WeWood, we were staggered by the sheer eco-cool of the solid wood timepieces. All materials are reclaimed from unused flooring scraps. and devoid of toxic chemicals, as well as any colored stains. Our personal favourite is the Chrono model (pictured).

There is something about the juxtaposition of a digital display set in a wooden bezel that makes this $120 trinket the top of the tree.

We most definitely wood. www.we-wood.com

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• sur la terre • for your eyes only •

Iced-Pad >>>

Since more people than ever now have an iPad, that smug feeling of being one of the first to own one has waned a little. However, thanks to British designer, Stuart Hughes, you can once again enjoy that envy-inspiring feeling of exclusivity. Introducing the 64GB Wi-Fi and 3G-compatible Supreme Platinum edition of the uber-successful tablet, made from solid platinum and encrusted with 85.5-carats of diamonds - a total of 173 individually set sparkling gems - and weighing in at 2.7kgs. The iPad Supreme Platinum is limited to just five units at a price of around $465,000 each. www.stuarthughes.com

Safe Luxury >>>

Limited edition luxury needs something special to keep it safe.

Step forward German masters of the couture coffre-fort, Döttling. The Narcissus is a new security device which has been created by Döttling in conjunction with fashion guru, Karl Lagerfeld. The customised six-feet tall and one-foot deep safe has stainless steel walls covered in high-gloss chrome-plated aluminum.

Cabinets sporting watch winders and jewellery drawers effortlessly and automatically emerge from the sides when activated. The company is producing just 30 of these stunning safes, each with a price tag of $339,000. www.doettling.com

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style confidential

Love it… >>> Bling on the rock star attitude with five of spring’s most heart-racing jewels

Charm bracelet Diane Von Furstenberg, ring Kara by KARA ROSS, Necklace Damiani, pendant PomelLato, key ring Louis Vuitton

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• sur la terre • style confidential •

Style i-spy

Stephanie Phair, Director of our favourite discount shopping website, TheOutnet.com, downloads her top tweets, best blogs and websites as well as sharing her expert tips for bagging a bargain online The websites I am clicking on now…

Primelocation.com - I’m moving house so this is one of my favourite sites right now. i-escape.com - I’m an avid traveller and i-escape is an invaluable resource for finding fabulous boutique hotels.

TED.com - Particularly for their TEDTalks given by people from every discipline and culture – they’re truly inspiring.

My best online purchase...

A tiered ruffle black dress by Dolce & Gabbana from TheOutnet.com that was reduced by 70%. It’s a timeless classic that usually sells out immediately, so I was surprised I was able to get it. I wore it to lots of end of year parties.

A funny ‘tweet’ I have read...

It was also about a Dolce & Gabbana dress: “Not my size, but can someone who is an Italian 44 please buy this dress so I can live vicariously.”

Three top tips for shopping online...

1.

Keep an open mind. Don’t be put off buying something because you haven’t heard of the designer - you might just discover someone new on the cusp of success.

My new season style wishes...

• A piece by Marni from TheOutnet.com sale, because Marni is usually so hard to find at a discount.

• A party dress by Halston Heritage. It’s the epitome of Studio 54 glamour and is absolutely timeless.

• Anything winter white because it’s so sophisticated - white was all over the runways.

My status for spring...

Stephanie Phair is getting married.

MAC or PC? PC Facebook or Twitter? Facebook Perez Hilton or Paris Hilton? Perez Hilton iPhone or Blackberry? Blackberry

2.

If you do know exactly what you want, then use a search engine like ShopStyle or another aggregator, because it can pull items from multiple websites and you can cover a lot of ground quickly.

3.

Subscribe to emails, because that way you will be notified about any new arrivals.

Lots of brands and retailers run subscriberonly offers and you may also receive early access to sales.

My favourite blogs...

I follow a lot of blogs, but three that I’m reading at the moment are The Business of Fashion for news and The Man Reppeller, which is simply hilarious. I’ve also been switched on to Confashions From Kuwait.

3 of the best @ TheOutnet.com DRESSES Burberry and Dolce & Gabbana, BAG Marni

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To the max Palette pop Minis are old news. Let your hemline fall to the floor this spring with a bold maxi gown or floor skimming skirt

Versace

The new season runways were bursting with vibrant colour and fabulous fluoro, and one way to make a bold statement for spring is to stand tall in one hue from head to toe. Take inspiration from the city’s neon flashing lights, dive into ocean blues or take a bite out of zesty brights. Luxe rich fabrics, clean cuts and longer hemlines give this eccentric trend a grown up sophistication. Team with an equally as eye-popping accessories and be prepared to dazzle your way to styledom.

Gwyneth Paltrow

Angelina Jolie

Drew Barrymore

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One to watch:

Lanvin

Natalie Portman may have scooped the Golden Globe, but Black Swan co-star Mila Kunis is certainly one to watch on Hollywood’s style scene

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Marc Jacobs

Uptown…

SLT brings you fashion highlights from the world’s top style cities

> PARIS

> NEW YORK

Having just showcased their A/W 11 Haute Couture collections in Paris, designers Elie Saab and Stéphane Rolland are both about to spread their style wings even further. Watch out for a fragrance by Mr Saab and a ReadyTo-Wear collection from Mr Rolland later this year.

Marc Jacobs is quite the man of the moment. Not only are we loving his S/S 11 wares, we are also laying in wait for his celebratory Diffusion line released in March and his new store on New York’s Madison Avenue.

Haute highs

Expanding the empire

> LONDON

Nude nation

We saw biker chic at Burberry and girly prints and patterns at Jonathan Saunders in London, but one of the city’s other spring catwalk highlights was nude second skins, as seen on Omaniborn designer Amr Ali’s Bodyamr show.

Accessorise with all things bright and beautiful this spring…

Versace Louis Vuitton

Versus

Michael by Michael Kors

• sur la terre • style confidential •

Christian Louboutin

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2011 Jewellery Trends Whether you are a collector or a fashionista, knowing what fashion jewellery trends are current and coming is vital. After much market research and trend-spotting, Candace Daugherty, owner of VBMShops, an online source for antique, vintage or new fine and costume jewellery, has compiled a list of the trends that will take us into 2011.

Massive, Dramatic and Heavy Metals Big and bold ornaments are in. There is no such thing as “not enough,” and more “more-ness” is absolutely desirable. Decadently embellished pieces having drama and making a major statement will be the showstoppers everyone is looking to own. Also, be on the look-out for massive metal trinkets such as the giant curb link necklace pieces designed by Kenneth J. Lane.

Antique, Vintage, Retro & New Combinations Everyone loves the look of antique, vintage and retro jewellery and now the latest trend is to thoughtfully mix these with new and creative pieces for a unique, one-of-a-kind look. Designers such as Elizabeth Locke and Roberto Coin are beautifully infusing their new concepts and marrying them to antique and vintage looks - and the results are perfection.

Dramatic, unique and unusual necklaces Unlike in the past, when the massive brooches and pins were the key element in one’s personal adornment, it is now the necklace.

Necklaces that fill a neckline such as the popular bib style, or the long multi-chain - with or without a pendant - should be in your sights.

Examples are some of the recent designs by Chopard, which include rhinestone crosses, circles, skulls and skeleton keys.

Ornamented & Bold Bracelets This trend has been hot for a while, ever since Louis Vuitton made a major statement with his embellished cuff designs. Also, wonderful dyed leather cuffs reminiscent of “surfer chic” with ornamentation

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are making their appearance. Massive lucite confetti bangles like the old 1950s or 60s versions as well as metal cuffs with charms, studs and crystals are all bigger than ever.

Black, Grey and Neutrals This is a major trend in both women’s and men’s jewellery. Whether it is glass, metal, crystals, lucite, pearls, leather or anodised stainless steel, all of these materials, when used deliberately, create a very sophisticated statement. Another less available but super-hot trend is the use of rough-cut and off-colour diamonds, such as Rio Tinto’s grey diamond “Silver Mist Collection.” Also coming from Italy (and who knows fashion and trends better than the Italians) is Chocolate Gold and is being used extensively in the collections of Italian jewellery designers de Grisogono, Licia Mattioli and Gruosi.

Chocolate gold is beautiful with any skin tone and the true jewellery connoisseur with discerning taste will fall in love with it.

Pearls Pearls are pure classicism. For centuries they have been highly desired for their unique one-of-a-kind nature. However, in 2011 pearls will not be a string of 8mm pearls, like your mother wears, but are coming in massive rounds, teardrops or biwa shapes. Even Cartier has revived its classic stylings with more eye-catching pearl and diamond designs. Pearls can be at the end of a long neck chain, incorporated into a massive heavy metal multi chain bib necklace, on top of a ring, dangling from ears or clustered as charms around the wrist. They are still feminine but with a “warrior princess” edge.

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Ringing the Changes Are diamonds now a man’s best friend, too? GIA-Accredited Jewellery Professional, Dirk Rendel, seems to think so. >>> It happened over night. Initially, many of the hairy-chested, macho masses of sports supporters thought it was doomed to a very short existence. It started with highlighted hairstyles, but then quickly progressed to include dandy scarves and “man bags.” Today, the evolution of David Beckham’s creation has even allowed men to wear diamond rings - and there is nothing that the old school of testosterone-filled manhood can do about it.

The metrosexual man’s arrival was a divisive affair; traditionalists bemoaned the lack of masculinity while aficionados proclaimed that it was a true reflection of gender equality. No matter on which side of the fence you sit, you cannot deny that the influence of the metromale, or “new man,” is overwhelming.

The hairstyles were first limited to soccer players who wanted to emulate the star status of David Beckham and his ilk, but today even rugby players (possibly the most brutal collection of ogres in sport) have started to sport Mohican hairstyles with frosted tips.

It wouldn’t be far-fetched to suggest that the success of the metromale could be attributed to the desires of women. Demand dictates how we behave, and women currently want good looking guys who don’t lose their physiques when they stop playing sports. The influence of women on the modern man is so pervasive that men’s diamond rings, illustrating commitment, have even been integrated into the ensemble of his fashion accessories.

The tradition of women giving rings of commitment to men has its roots in the very masculine art of war. The sweethearts of soldiers

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of to do battle with Nazi Germany would give their men rings as reminder of what was waiting for them when they returned home.

Plain, and strictly a masculine affair, these rings were a far cry from the not-quite-so-rugged modern equivalent.

Men can now be seen sporting rings of reasonably large gemstones - the feminine touch that gives observers a clear message that he is out-of-bounds to female interest because he is already taken. The ring is designed to illustrate that the man has a woman in his life.

In the same way that women decorate the bedroom, so too they accessorise their men (David Beckham is a prime example of this).

The continued prevalence of the metro-male is attributable to the complicity of men in this movement, even drawing support from male role models of silver screen like Sylvester Stallone and James Bond himself, Pierce Brosnan.

The truth is that men no longer want to be seen as strong, allconquering soldiers with speech impediments. By wearing a diamond ring, it illustrates that he is committed enough to his girlfriend, fiancee or wife to sacrifice a bit of his bravado and masculinity - and man enough to take the mocking from his more boorish contemporaries.

It is perhaps small gestures such as this, that show true character and conviction, that makes the oft-mocked metro-man more manly than most. So if one of your compadres starts rocking a ring or baring his bling, instead of ribbing him about it and asking “what the heck are you wearing that for?” Maybe you should ask yourself this: “Are you man enough to wear diamonds?”

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UP CLOSE & personal

feature

trends confidential

look book

origins

up close & personal

Best of the Wave

PASSION

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H.E. Sheikh Hassan Bin Jabor Al-Thani is one of the leading lights in Gulf motor boat racing, racking up numerous wins and bringing the glory home to Qatar in a number of different competitions and classes. He is the first Qatari to win a Class 1 grand prix, competed in Jet Ski racing and has been involved in the Qatar Marine Sports Federation (QMSF) since 1999.

• sur la terre • up close & personal • passion •

For The Record

Since this interview was conducted and first published, H.E. Sheikh Hassan’s on a personal level to keep the self>>> In 2002, he took over as team manager honour roll has grown. However, one of the landmark competition working as long as I can. In of the country’s F2000 team and the achievements was his successful second attempt at the the next few days, I will start a new following year, became president of Trans-Gulf Powerboat Crossing World Record. Along with the QMSF, overseeing the formation Qatari racing colleague Abdullah Al-Sulaiti, HE Sheikh Hassan challenge; to set the first Trans-Gulf of the Qatar 96 Class 1 team, making entered the Guinness World Record books by completing the record from Abu Dhabi to Doha on his debut in the class at Plymouth passage between Abu Dhabi and Qatar in a time of one hour the water at a calculated distance of that same season.

55 minutes and 14 seconds. Their vessel, the “Qatar Challenger” 300km in around two hours. crossed the finish line in Doha Bay ahead of schedule after

Among many other disciplines, reaching speeds in excess of 200km/h. “I am so happy to have You are heavily involved in achieved the goal,” said the Sheikh at the time. “When I saw the raising awareness for the Qatar he has test driven both Formula Doha skyline in the distance I would have carried the boat to Orphan Foundation. Can you tell 2 and Class 2 powerboats, and is the finish! To have broken down in 2008 just 10 miles after us a little bit about your work for this responsible for the Class 1 races in leaving Abu Dhabi was heartbreaking, but we were fantastic charity? Every sportsman is Doha. He has also used his standing better prepared this time and this is a fantastic an ambassador when travelling, and what I and influence to raise awareness for the achievement for Abdullah, myself and was trying to do as a team principle is to create Qatar Orphan Foundation through the all the team at the QMSF.” awareness for such an organisation abroad. It’s very Class 1 team. rare, on a global scale, that you see the combination You have been involved in top flight motorsport for more than between such organisations and sport so we wanted to let people around a decade now, representing Qatar in competitions all over the the world know that orphaned children should be able to integrate in world. What is your proudest moment and why? Our proudest society and should not be treated any differently than other kids. They moments were winning the European Championship in 2005, being enjoy sports and can be part of our sport at any level. It is for that reason, a runner up at the 2006 World Championships and achieving the when we travel, we explain that such a high class institution like the Qatar title of Key West World Champion in 2009. All of these were targets Orphan Foundation is not like any other around the world, especially set for the year and accomplishing them was not as easy as setting with the facilities they have. For us, it’s also a way of opening new lines them. It takes hard work and dedication from team members, crew of communication between these organisations and local foundations. and personnel to make this happen, plus the right combination of You have an open forum here, so if you had one message to give to driver and throttelman to make it to the finish line. the public about the Qatar Orphan Foundation, what would it be?

With such an impressive list of honours, on and off the water, I would ask everyone to go and visit the Qatar Orphan Foundation your accomplishments speak for themselves, but what is the and appreciate what they do for children. There are memberships inspiration behind your success? What drives you on to keep available to anyone who wants to get involved, allowing the public to competing, when you have already achieved so much? Challenges participate in any number of ways. are the best things in life and I love to challenge myself to be one of the high achievers. I look for more and more challenging competition, This interview was originally published by Firefly Communications in and when the season is over, I work on setting challenges to myself the June 2010 edition of “Dana Jewels” magazine.

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up close & personal

An Italian job

PASSION

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Sophie Jones-Cooper explores what has kept Bulgari’s sparkle alive throughout its glittering 125 year history

• sur la terre • up close & personal • passion •

1

2

3

Congratulations on the exhibition here in Paris. You must feel a great sense of family pride… Yes, my uncles and I are very excited. After the great success in Rome, this is the first time this exhibition has been displayed abroad and is the first of the other important cities which will follow in 2011. Bulgari and Paris have shared a special link since the early 1920s, when Paris, the capital of decorative arts, was one of the sources of creative inspiration and innovation for my grandfather Sotirio and his son Giorgio Bulgari.

>>> There aren’t many companies, or indeed families, who can claim 125 successful years of thriving business and international acclaim.

However, the Italian jewellery house and the Bulgari family takes great pride in achieving this feat. Their precious jewels have adorned iconic women throughout history, including Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly and The Duchess of Windsor and today the brand has expanded its empire to include accessories, celebrity collaborations, charity initiatives, hotels and even spas.

Sophie Jones-Cooper met up with CEO Francesco Trapani at the Bulgari retrospective exhibition at the Grand Palais in Paris, to delve into the secrets behind the brand’s continuing success throughout an ever-changing industry and a market which has seen some of the toughest years yet.

How have you managed with the rise in the price of gold? The rising price of gold is a worry, but also a creative opportunity in terms of combination of materials, for which Bulgari has always been renowned. In fact, the gold and ceramics pieces from our B.zero1 collection are among our best sellers. This year, as the price of gold has increased up to four times the levels of 2001, we have been forced to introduce moderate price increases, to counterbalance the impact on the gross margin.

Has it been important for Bulgari to keep up with the advances in digital technology and the current era of online marketing? In the past couple of years, Bulgari has made a massive leap in the scope and sophistication of its online initiatives, first of all updating our website numerous times a week. We are officially a presence on Facebook, where we share information about the brand, products, events and activities around the world. As for YouTube, we use it mostly as a place to share our campaign videos while, with Twitter, we engage in both local and regional conversations with customers and brand enthusiasts.

Are there certain markets which are key to Bulgari’s continued success?

Greater China is a big opportunity, since it is already a very large market, accounting in the third quarter 2010 for 18.3% of our total sales and posting a 24.3% increase, second only to Japan. In due time, Shanghai and Beijing might become bigger and more influential in the luxury market than the famous western cities. The Middle East has huge potential as well, since you have a relatively small number of people compared to other

markets, but with significant disposable income. In 2009, even at the height of the economic crisis, the Middle East registered a 12.2% growth at current exchange rates.

The Bulgari empire is always expanding.

What is next? At the moment we are concentrating on exploiting the potentialities of the existing businesses and in particular of accessories, which is the most promising one. This year we have also boosted the visibility of this product category with two important projects involving actress Isabella Rossellini and stylist Matthew Williamson, who designed a glamorous bag and capsule collection for us.

Where do you see the fine jewellery industry in 10 years? The competitive arena is becoming more and more crowded, as many fashion houses are entering the market with high-jewellery collections reflecting their aesthetic concept or design trend of the moment. On the other hand, historic brands such as Bulgari will capitalise on their heritage.

As CEO of one of the world’s most long standing and successful jewellery houses, please tell us the secret to your success... I learnt that a good CEO should never rest on his laurels and never be content. He must bet on new products and new markets with courage and ambition, leading the company to grow more and more.

At the same time, he must be able to surround himself with excellent top executives and to delegate with the deepest confidence.

1 Bulgari CEO, Francesco Trapani 2 High Jewellery earrings in white and yellow gold with 2 cushion cut emeralds (31,33 ct), 2 round brilliant cut diamonds (8,40 ct) and pavé diamonds (2,30 ct) 3 High Jewellery bracelet in white gold with cabochon cut corals, amethysts and pavé diamonds (14.96 cts) 4 High Jewellery necklace in yellow gold with 6 cabochon emerald drops (46,42 cts), pear-shaped amethysts (74,25 cts), 30 round cut pink sapphires (47,25 cts), emerald beads (63,90 cts), amethyst beads, round brilliant cut and pavé diamonds (29,44 cts)

• sur la terre • up close & personal • passion •

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feature

A Gulf Of Class • sur la terre • feature •

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Starting the leisure marine year in style, as always, is the Dubai Boat Show, the jewel in the GCC’s yachting crown. Given that the show is in home territory for much of the world’s boat-buying wealth, Sur la Terre takes a look at some of the surf-skipping masterpieces that have been making appearances at Monaco, Cannes and Genoa, and could very well be among the fabulous flotilla of sea-faring finery making its way to the marinas in the Gulf.

>>> The golden emirate of Dubai will see an armada of luxury sailing masterpieces drop anchor at Mina Seyahi in March, from fast 60-knot-plus boats, vessels using light, space-age materials that can reduce the hull weight by 60%, alongside mighty 90-metre long mega yachts. Now in its 19th year, it has quickly become a flagship event and is the first date on the global marine leisure calendar. This means that only the most desirable water-borne toys are in attendance.

This year however, the event will include a host of new features that focus much more on the luxury lifestyle elements with which the region has become synonymous. From an exclusive hospitality and entertainment programme of events including live music, VIP receptions and luxurious lounges, to a line up of the world’s most exclusive luxury brands from watches, supercars, superyachts, jewellery and clothing, the show’s aim is to be far more than a boat show, and more of a luxury lifestyle event that will draw in people from all walks of life – not just those looking to purchase their next boat.

That is why throughout the following pages, as well as some of the world’s most desirable boats, we will showcase some classic nautical watches that forever attest to a love affair with the rolling sea.

We start with some Italian flair from Marco Casali and his good ship SeventyFive, quite possibly the most advanced floating cocktail of comfort, technology and performance ever built in its Forlì-based shipyard. Its extensive use of carbon fibre has allowed the vessel’s engineers to cut weight by 60%, encouraging higher speeds of up to 43 knots, all thrown out with a greater efficiency than many of its predecessors.

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• sur la terre • feature •

Despite these technical advancements, the pleasure of sailing remains the same, with a spacious 60m2 cockpit and the C-shaped divan that can seat up to 12 revellers. SeventyFive is available in either a three or four cabin configuration, offering, as well, three bathrooms and a fully equipped double cabin for the crew.

The Pershing 92 offers similar performance to the SeventyFive with its 42 knots top speed and 38 knots cruising speed. Designed

by Fulvio De Simoni, this boat is slim and With all of this Italian style, we take a look at the aggressive, but still quintessential Italian sea-faring brand Panerai, and its boasts a larger sun deck Radiomir Egiziano (PAM 00341), a reproduction of the than its predecessors. watch the horologist created for the commandos of the The vessel offers Egyptian Navy in 1956. Only 50 of the GPF 2/56 were four cabins and the produced. However, in 2009, Panerai recreated the watch possibility to choose in brushed Titanium with a limited run of 500 units. from three different layouts. Poltrona Frau has designed the sumptuous leather interiors, but the true innovation is the colour of its hull which is finished in “white pearl”.

Less room and more acceleration are the watchwords for the Magnum 51 Bestia. It is capable of propelling to 63 knots maximum speed.

“Anyone who tries it is stupefied by its stability in every condition. It is indeed a great comfort yacht, with an intelligent layout, perfect for sporty day cruising, but with every luxury on board,” says Giampaolo Murzi, the boat’s importer for Italy and the Mediterranean.

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However, there is a new trend growing in the market for yachts with a vintage style. Floating Life is one of the leading companies in this market. Launched by Renzo Rosso, Carolina di Monaco, Alberta Ferretti, Vincenzo Onorato and Tom Perkins, among others, the folks at Floating Life buy and restructure tugs and ferries and make luxury boats out of them. One of their latest offers is Ariete Primo, an old 44m tug, transformed into an exclusive floating drawingroom, with maniac-like attention to detail. Features include a chromo and aromatherapy spa, whirlpool bath, Turkish hammam, gym and gorgeous and roomy living and dining quarters. The crew-cabins-turned-luxury-suites were designed by Sergio Allori, while the structural renewal of the ship (converting the ballast compartments into living space, enabling the deck to accomodate a helipad, etc.) was overseen by architect Massimo Gregori from Yankee Delta Studio.

As we are on a retro-vintage trip, let’s take a look at some titans of of classic aquatic wristwear from Omega and Rolex. The Omega Seamaster has been produced since 1947 and still maintains the look of a classic divers watch. The Rolex Submariner followed a few years later, debuting in 1954, and immediately established itslef in the pantheon of great diving watches. Both watches have been seen on numerous celebrities’ wrists from Paul Newman to George Clooney, as well as both being the watch of choice for James Bond over the years.

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• sur la terre • feature •

When it comes to confidence in the design of a yacht, you cannot go wrong with Sessa. Designer Christian Grande has won the 2009 Best Design Award in Cannes for his C68 and in 2010 at the London Boat Show for the 11.7m Sessa C38.

With the C68, Grande presents some surprises, most notably is the unique metallic bronze-coloured hull. Coupled with the full beam cabin window, which connects with the main deck saloon’s sweeping design, this is a stunning boat to behold. It is not bad to live in either, with an interior characterised by a domestic setting that does not sacrifice either a nautical or modern feel. The linear structure and the importance of light through the large glass panelling, characteristics that define Sessa’s unique C68, can also be found in the C38.

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Azteca, the biggest mega yacht ever build by CRN (Ferretti group), is also on the market and might make an appearance in the Gulf at some point. A 72m giant in steel and aluminium, up to 12 guests can enjoy a 100m2 “beach club” - the port The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, launched in 1953 celebrated side drops to its golden anniversary with a classic limited edition of the become a small famous watch. Sporting a 40mm case with a sapphire beach, a cinema unidirectional bevel and a black rubber bracelet, there room equipped were just 150 50th Anniversary editions made, though with a huge 65’’ reports suggest that there are still some available.

Bang & Olufsen screen and surround sound system and a fitness room equipped with Technogym machines. On the lower deck there is also a 10m, 45 knots Riva Shuttle for those ship-to-shore jaunts for the shopping.

Something that we won’t be seeing just yet, but will definitely be a superstar of future boat shows around the world is Tilli Antonelli’s “Wider Cockpit.” The first model of the series, currently on the production line is a 42m day cruiser that is reportedly stable and energy efficient. However, it’s the boat’s roominess that makes it newsworthy - Antonelli’s new design has the ability to fold outwards to create a wider space in the cockpit and easier access to the water.

You heard it here first these boats will be big... and at the push of a button... a little bigger.

The Jewel In The Gulf’s Boating Crown The Dubai International Boat Show’s exponential growth over almost two decades has ensured that the yachting fraternity and marine enthusiasts have a prime spot on the spectacular Dubai stage. Middle Eastern yacht owners account for some of the largest yachts in the world, and the region’s historic maritime ties to trade and commerce have grown into the leisure sector in dramatic style.

This iconic event, the region’s largest and longest running boat show, was recently recognised as “Marine Event of the Year” at the Arabian Gulf Yachting Awards for the third consecutive year, confirming Dubai’s position as the marine capital of the region.

As an event that combines all aspects of the marine community, from engines to entertainment systems, kayaks to houseboats and interior designs to luxury galley kitchens, the Dubai International Boat Show has established itself not just as a show for boats, but a “must attend” event for anyone interested in the watersports lifestyle. Jet skis and wet suits line up alongside the floating palaces, as tens of thousands of visitors roam the marina displays, boulevards and pavilions.

Not only is there the Dive Middle East Exhibition (DMEX) with live demonstrations and daily “try-a-dive” sessions. There is also

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the unique waterjet-powered “flying man” backpack from JetLev, the inaugural Supercar Promenade of luxury sports cars, a Heritage Village display by Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), and a host of live music performances to make sure the leisure is more than marine.

Combining business with leisure, new launches and networking, the 19th Dubai International Boat Show is poised to be a not-to-bemissed date on the Dubai social calendar. www.boatshowdubai.com

• sur la terre • feature •

>>> The fable of The Chronicles of Narnia begins with the opening of a wardrobe door, but when it comes to the fable of fashion, every season, we have to shut our wardrobe door and say goodbye to the past before we can embrace a new chapter.

This isn’t a hardship though, as before the new season gets into full swing, we are at that point when we have tried and tested every A/W trend imaginable and eagerly await the new seasonal wardrobe wonders to arrive.

However much we adore our worn-to-death camel cape coat and have taken our Mad Men-esque waist cinching dresses from the office to the end of year office party, there are only so many times you can reinvent your look in a season. What’s more, working the winter trends in a climate that sits on the thermometer somewhere between hot and hotter is no easy task.

Those adorable chunky knits, slouchy Jimmy Choo UGG boots and fabulous faux furs just don’t cut it in 30 plus degree weather. Spring fashion is so much more wearable and we can play dress up without looking like a Nordic reject stranded in the desert.

Sophie Jones-Cooper leaves behind the winter wardrobe and takes us on a journey to spring 2011

Before we do close the door to winter fashion, however, we cannot ignore the ubiquitous end of season sales. Everywhere we look, there are reductions a-plenty, as boutiques sell off their old season wares. Admittedly, if your fashion pulse is racing and your spring wish-list is bursting at the seams, the last thing you want to splash the cash on is a bunch of last season’s leftovers. This is the time to be wardrobe wise.

The end of season sales are a great opportunity to do some clever investment banking and add a few of those all-essential, season surviving staples to your fashion savings account. The rules are simple. One, do not falter on quality, and two, go for classics you can simply accessorise to bring up to date, such as a crisp white shirt or a classic LBD.

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s d n Tre ential d fi n o c

Enter the resort collections, style’s stopgap between winter and spring that is ideal for the Middle East urban lounge lifestyle.

Often overlooked, and initially designed for the jet-setting rich and fabulous, the Resort collections might be more LA than NYC, but they have certainly taken a style leap forward from their early days of simple breezy Hawaiian print kaftans. Every year we see the usual suspects pop up - the French Riviera worthy nautical stripes are this season making waves at Miu Miu, Chanel and

• sur la terre • trends confidential •

EMILIO PUCCI

STELLA MCCARTNEY

EMPORIO ARMANI GUCCI

Giorgio Armani suggests T-shirts: “I’ve always thought of the T-shirt as the Alpha and Omega of the fashion alphabet.” Late fashion great Yves Saint Laurent certainly understood the importance of a pair of rocking blue jeans: “I wish I had invented blue jeans,” he said. “They have expression, modesty, sex appeal and simplicity - all I hope for in my clothes.” Great news for denim lovers - blue denim and chambray is huge for S/S 11. Stella McCartney and Derek Lam’s denim skirt and top duos are top of the charts. That said, there is something about wardrobe staples that, in general, do not satisfy the soul. Our hearts are yearning for the latest designer musthaves which catapult us into the forefront of the style arena – those Carrie-esque “wow” pieces.

Salvatore Ferragamo. Feminine polka dots are happily playing at Oscar de la Renta and Moschino while florals are in full bloom at Marc Jacobs, Dior and Louis Vuitton. The year 2011 also offers some edgier resort trends, which make for a great start to your new season wardrobe. Stella McCartney’s slick white trouser suit and Celine’s daring all-in-one prints will certainly work well past the post-holiday blues and fit perfectly into your spring style very nicely.

As the long-awaited S/S 11 collections are starting to hit the shelves, I am reminded about what I fell in love with back in November when I and the rest of the fashion army got our first glimpse of the new season collections. Good bye “play-it-safe,” and hello “anything-goes.”

Designers took influences from the kimono wrapping east, the wild days of punk and the fun loving spirit of the 70s, flora and fauna and the wild, with a safari full of tribal and animal prints. When it comes to prints, think all over and as mad as can be - there’s tropical fruits at Stella McCartney, monkeys at Prada and wildly dazzling animal prints at Louis Vuitton.

Don’t be shy when it comes to colour, too.

Take inspiration from the Rubik’s cube inspired colour collaborations at Gucci, Jil Sander and Sonia Rykiel and clash away. Never has there been a more appropriate time to flaunt pink with red and blue with green.

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“I wanted my collection to express a free and feminine spirit,” said designer Alberta Ferretti, whose 70s inspired bohemian collection also showcased two other big accessory trends for spring – flats and hats.

“Ultra flat sandals and straw hats completed

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LANVIN

my romantic and modern look,” she said.

Even for the evening, flats are the shoe du jour, but if you can’t live without a heel, then chunky platform wedges as seen at Chanel, Fendi and Marc Jacobs are the way to add some height this spring.

Donatella Versace shocked us in Milan with her below the knee and mid-riff showing hemlines, both of which look set to be making a comeback this season.

“High waisted skirts cut over the knee are combined with extremely short jackets that finish under the breast,” said Donatella.

“The result,” she continues, “a look where a line of skin is visible between the skirt and the jacket.”

For those who, like myself, prefer to keep certain body areas under wraps, there is a more modest trend to covet - the sheer and layered look, where chiffon is layered over solid separates or vice versa (I loved Emporio Armani’s multi-layered chic styles with mesh underskirts, which again flaunt a somewhat demure below the knee hemline).

If you are finding it hard to close the door on last season, the easiest way to make the transition into spring is to simply layer up whites or barely-there shades, pair long with short, add a waist cinching belt to your favourite ensemble and don some oversized shades. The rest will come, in time.

• sur la terre • trends confidential •

VERSACE

As with all seasons, the rebirth of a new era is eminent and this time round, we are embracing a new decade of bohemia, as fashion has taken a distinct turn to the 70s. Marc Jacobs kicked things off in New York with his alluring collection of Studio 54-worthy glad rags, while Emilio Pucci and Lanvin’s breezy and billowing maxi gowns and Fendi’s fabulous bold brazen jumpsuits all add to the fashion fact that spring is certainly flashing back to the days of hippy hedonism and glam disco fever.

High waisted, wide legged trousers are the new skinny pants and floor skimming maxis are the new minis. When it comes to textures and embellishment, think gypsyesque tassels, fabulous feathers, crochet and macramé.

ALBERTA FERRETTI

DOLCE&GABBANA

When it comes to the ultimate colour for spring, white is definitely the new camel.

Whether you opt for the Dolce & Gabbana peasant bride-to-be style with lashings of lace, or the more chic and structured tailored styles of Stella McCartney and Versace, you’ll be more than alright in white this spring.

All decked out >>> Combine crisp whites, navy chic and a splash of gold for one of this season’s most plain sailing Images: Getty Images, Shutterstock resort trends

Top tip >>>

Skinny or super-sized, plain or embellished - a waist cinching belt is the ultimate accessory this spring

Catwalk moment: Jason Wu and Dior give traditional nautical stripes a contemporary make-over for spring

necklace Accessorize, Sunglasses Louis Vuitton, clutch Butterfly by Matthew Williamson, bag Marc by Marc Jacobs, cuff Kara by Kara Ross, shoes Dune, play suit Hoss Intropia, dress Joseph at Boutique1.com, belt Hoss Intropia

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The Dark Side >>> Take your suit out of hours with leather, patent and some tough luxe accessorising Images: Getty Images, Shutterstock

Top tip >>>

When it comes to scarves, belts and ties, the skinnier the better

As seen AT: Versace and Dsquared2

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scarf River Island, Tie Reiss, sunglasses Carrera at Boutique1.com, , BAG Next, waistcoat Asos.com, cufflinks Pomellato,coat J by Jasper Conran, shirt Bogosse at Boutique1.com, boots Dsquared2, belt Reiss,

• sur la terre • look book •

origins

That’s AUTORE! Sur la Terre shucks and devours the rich history of AUTORE, one of the world’s finest pearl companies. >>> In the star-scape that makes up the universe of the precious, there is a small cluster of luminaries that truly lights up the field. If there is one voice in this stellar sea of singing stones that has, amongst all others, arrested the attention of our senses, it is the one that has been echoing quietly across the world for over 20 years now. Indeed, while you may never have heard the name AUTORE before, once you learn the story of this pearling brand’s literally lustrous lineage, we are certain that, like us, you will never forget it.

Unlike the opaque nature of its pearly profession, AUTORE began with one clear vision - to be the premier forum of South Sea Pearl presentation to the world. In its history, which has by now spanned decades, it has established itself not only within the parameters of its own dreams of notoriety, but also against the backdrop of stardom and celebrity. Since its nacreous nascency, AUTORE has revolutionised the wholesaling of South Sea pearls, established a universally regarded and until now absent pearl grading system, been praised by governments and global organisations for its advancements in the field, and been celebrated by A-list celebrity for its artistry and manufacturing might.

After all, not for nothing has the company garnered its almost innumerable accolades, such as the 2008 Best New Jewellery Collection at Baselworld for Vogue Jewellery, the 2008 Best Pearl Design Award for its “Queen of Atlantis” Oceania Collection by Town & Country, the Italian Designer of the year award in 2009 at the UK Jewellery Awards and the 2010 Art of Design Award for Jewellery by Veranda Magazine.

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Of course, at the centre of all visions, there must be a visionary. Enter Rosario Autore, the begetter and namesake of the AUTORE Group. While he founded the company in 1991, he himself has been in the pearl industry for over 25 years.

A Nacreous Nascency Born and raised in Italy, Rosario began his personal pearling history with a Japanese company, where he worked for a few years before moving on to Australia. Within the short span of eight months, he became the managing director. Shortly thereafter, he proved that his passionate acumen for pearls was the stuff of legend in the industry and increased the turnover of the company five-fold within his first four years.

However, even though he garnered early success, it doesn’t mean that creating his own pearling principality was without problems.

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“It was very difficult to break into the industry at first,” Autore told Sur la Terre in his recent trip to Doha, wherein he exhibited a hand-chosen portion of his massive pearl collection at the W Hotel. “The South Sea pearl industry was originally supported by the Japanese, such that the first farm in Australia was started as a joint venture between an Australian company and Japanese partners, who provided the technological side of the business, like seeding and culture. At the time I first went to Broome in 1986-87, there were no pearls at all to sell. Most of the pearls at the time were being farmed locally in Australia, brought to Japan and then re-exported from Japan.”

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5 Another part of the difficulty that Rosario faced was, ironically, thanks to his product, the South Sea pearl. He calls them “the Rolls Royce of Pearls,” and it is easy to see by the gleam in his eyes that he does not speak with wanton hyperbole.

According to Rosario, their value comes from the thickness of the nacre, which is not often seen in other pearls.

It is generated exclusively by an oyster called the Pinctada Maxima, which is very temperamental and only grows in very specific environmental conditions. In fact, it is the very nature of this selfish shellfish that makes it so controlled, as it is governed by a strict quota system.

According to Rosario, growers are only allowed to fish a certain amount of shells of the Pinctada Maxima, which in turn controls quantity supply both nationally and internationally.

Obviously, this hampered AUTORE’s growth.

“To be honest, particularly in the first few years, we never really had a plan to become as big as we are now,” he admits. “But we were patient and we were passionate about this industry. I saw an opportunity to give a better presentation of South Sea Pearls internationally and I followed it.”

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The strict controls around the pearl world still hold true to this day, as there are only 16 pearling licenses issued in Western Australia with no new licenses issued since the 1980s.

And yet, even working within this tight system, AUTORE managed to excel. Rosario began working as a broker for one producer who entrusted his product to be marketed internationally. Over a period of five years, he managed to have the support of ten producers from Australia and Indonesia, at which time he was selling approximately 18% of global South Sea pearls in terms of value. He later set up his own farms in Indonesia and managed to secure the purchase of a very large, high-quality license in Australia. The rest became history.

“My vision was to really make the South Sea pearl more accessible to the European and American market, and I was lucky enough to gain the trust of the producers with this vision. We are now the exclusive sales and marketing agents in Australia.” From there, however, there still needed to be a niche, a special quality that set AUTORE apart from other companies. Rosario attributes part of this uniqueness to his own experiences coming up through the industry.

• sur la terre • origins •

6 “The main advantage I had was my experience from the other side of the business,” he says. “When I started, I was selling pearls from shop to shop, and that gave me an understanding of how to value the product and evaluate its grade from a consumer and retail perspective.” Not only did this assist AUTORE to achieve greatness in becoming a renowned wholesaler, but it also helped the company to change the very face of the business.

Pearls of Wisdom As aficionados reading this will already know, there is always an element of uncertainty that goes into purchasing gems or jewellery.

Unlike other stones, like diamonds for example, pearls for some reason never had a proper classification guide to give the consumer the parameters of understanding in what makes a pearl great, so Rosario and his colleagues at AUTORE felt it was important to combat that lack of knowledge in the market for producers, retailers and of course, the buyers.

It was this commitment to education that eventually led to AUTORE creating its own system for evaluating pearls, which were then presented to producers to tell them what their crop was really worth.

This detailed evaluation gave them a better understanding of what they were producing.

After drafting the guidelines, which are known as “The five S’s” (Shine, Surface, Shade, Shape and Size), AUTORE was approached by the Gubelin Gem Lab. Based in Switzerland, Gubelin is one of the most recognised gemological institutes in the world. Having specialised in natural pearl certification, the gemologists at the institute asked AUTORE if they could use the basis of its classification to develop the grading system for pearls. While other institutions attempted to create a universal grading system, AUTORE’s was geared more toward general

education, and it was because of this that they were highly praised by the entire gemological community, with the brand even receiving a medal of distinction by the French Senate in September 2008.

A String of Stardom While garnering the attention and accolades of governments and global institutions would be enough to grant immortality to any brand, the praise for AUTORE transcends even these lofty realms and crosses the red carpet over into the celebrity of stage and screen.

Since 2003, the brand has made a conscious effort to dress celebrity with further success, starting with the Inside Film awards in Australia, the BAFTAs in the UK and then the Golden Globes and Academy Awards in America, adorning stardom across the planet with its creations. Some of the celebs that have worn AUTORE, just to name a few, are Scarlet Johanson, Paul Bettany, Halle Berry, Uma Thurman, Liv Tyler, Kate Winslet, Sarah Jessica Parker, Hilary Swank, Cate Blanchett, Helen Mirren and Angelina Jolie.

Associating itself with celebrity as a jeweller not only did wonders to launch AUTORE into mainstream consciousness, but also opened the appeal of pearls to every age group. Pearls were seen as more middle-aged jewellery, but Rosario has worked hard to help successfully change that perception by associating with over 100 different celebrities, all of whom range from 18 to about 70 years old.

Bridging The Gulf As great for business as it is to be seen on the red carpet, however, Rosario is keen for AUTORE to take its pearl jewellery collection, which is the largest in the world at 450 different styles, to new markets and new clients. “We want to connect with everyone,” and that includes developing new relationships here in the Middle East.

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Many of AUTORE’s collections, like the ornate Venezia, the tropical undersea Oceania and conceptualist dreamscape of Fire & Ice, lend themselves to the distinctive unique Arabesque tastes of the Gulf market, and while he is confident that AUTORE will be a hit with the tastes of both locals and expats, Rosario also did not make a name for himself for jumping into things blindly.

“We’ve had some amazing responses to the collection,” he said about the reaction he received after exhibiting at the W Hotel in West Bay in 2010. “However, I know that this region is very mindful of brands, so it will take us some time to assert ourselves as a name on par with some of the bigger companies. We are still young, after all, especially in terms of our jewellery collection, but once we establish buyer confidence, as we have done elsewhere, I’m sure we will work well here.”

As they say, establishing a relationship is all about first impressions, and Rosario doesn’t go into things half-heartedly, even from the start. So, when he came to the Doha exhibition, he had the folks at AUTORE create an original piece using a resplendent, large pearl from his personal collection and put it in the shape of one of the Gulf’s most iconic natural emblems: the oryx.

“The Oryx pearl was designed specifically for the W Hotel event,” he confirms. “We had planned to come here for some time, but circumstances prevented us from doing so. Luckily, that gave us time to go back and design some pieces for this region. When someone suggested using the oryx, I thought it was perfect, so we researched the design and came up with the piece, and everyone has loved it.”

It seems that everyone is falling in love with AUTORE, if they haven’t already, and we here at Sur la Terre are no different. Rosario and the team’s proficiency and passion for pearls and jewellery making is, and has been for over 20 years, without question, some of the most forward-thinking, instructional and innovative the industry has ever seen. We can only wait with great anticipation for the new developments that promise to come from AUTORE in the years to come and hope that when Rosario says, “We’ll be back to Qatar,” he means it.

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1. AUTORE’s ORYX made specifically to celebrate Qatar 2. Rings n’ things: AUTORE has a range of fantastic finger festooners.

3. The Oceania Crab brooch snaps with sapphires, garnets, amethysts, tourmaline, diamonds and of course a South Sea pearl.

4.Pearly Potential: A handful of Barouque pearls.

5. The Award Winning “Queen of Atlantis: necklace in a halo of earrings from the Vanezia, Couture, Boutique, Essential and Fire & Ice collections.

6. Rosario’s Angels: Rosario Autorio surrounded by stars Angelina Jolie, Uma Thurman, Scarett Johansson and Liv Tayler.

7. The Queen white necklace.

8. The Oceana Flying Lion Fish brooch 9. The Princess of the Lagoon set.

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The AUTORE Jewellery Collections Venezia Inspired by the heart and art of Venice, Venezia marries an almost Arabesque architecture with the seasonal canopy of colour that has made the Venetian canals truly legendary.

Fire & Ice Blending the disparate worlds of hot and cold, this collection meanders magnificently in magmatic lava and melting snow. Fire & Ice captures the grand form of natural fluctuation.

Oceania As deep and as beautiful as the Great Barrier Reef which inspired its creation and colour, Oceania more than deserves all of its accolades and awards, and is one of our favourites.

The AUTORE Range Combining the Essential core range, the classic feel of the Art Deco Boutique collection and the one-of-a-kind pieces of Couture, the AUTORE range exemplifies everything so dynamic about the brand.

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SPECIAL lifestyle

lifestyle

out of the box

Culinary Gems special lifestyle

In accordance with the feast of finery that will be offered around the 8th Doha Jewellery & Watches exhibition in February, Sur la Terre has prepared a platter of perfection, handpicking the most exquisite of exhibitors at this year’s show, all mixed together with some gourmet gold served up by Michelin Star Chef, Andrea Berton, at his Trussardi Alla Scala Restaurant in Milan.

White meringue with hazelnut chocolate, panbagnà and rhubarb ice cream.

Liberty line earrings, with diamands and black enamel, Roberto Coin Seamaster New Aqua Terra watch, with stainless steel case and bracelet, automatic mechanical movement co-axial cal.; hours, minutes, seconds and date window at the 3 o’clock position, silver dial with hightech motif, Omega

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• sur la terre • watches & jewellery special •

Alfardan Jewellery

If you are from, live in or have ever visited Qatar, you will have heard the name Alfardan. Just look through this very issue of Sur la Terre, and you will see the ubiquitous reach of the Alfardan name. Of course, that success did not just happen overnight; it has been building since its legend first began forming in the latter half of the 19th century. Its jewellery branch in particular has, since its establishment in 1954, become one of the most renowned jewellery and timepiece distributors in the Gulf, let alone in its hometown of Qatar. Rubbing elbows, as well as wrists, necklines and earlobes, with an impressive fleet of fine names such as Chopard, Franck Muller, GerardPerregaux, Baume & Mercier, Harry Winston, Piaget, Tiffany, Breguet Vacheron Constantin and Gerald Genta, Alfardan doles out the decadence on a daily basis. Its stand at this year’s exhibition is similarly set to impress and arrest your attentions as you saunter around the show. This Doha-based delight is a must-visit for every luxury lover.

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Milanese veal cutlet, braised Belgian endives in lemon.

Round cuff links with a bordeaux insert and the brand logo, Mont Blanc New wind-up model from the Gondolo collection, in yellow gold, rectangular case with white face, Patek Philippe

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Ali Bin Ali

It doesn’t come any bigger, better or brighter than Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Montblanc, Omega, DeWitt, Richard Mille, David Morris, Dior Jewellery, Hermes, Bertolucci, Ulysse Nardin or any of the other high-end brand with which the mega-name Ali Bin Ali makes its presence known on the high-end watch and jewellery scene in Qatar. It is because of such affiliations, and its own historical significance, that the Ali Bin Ali name is so highly regarded and respected in the country. Founded in 1955, the luxury retail arm of the company has become synonymous with quality, excellence and unquestionably opulence.

Its clientele includes the most exclusive members of international V.I.P.s, and is comprised of selective celebrities, discerning debutantes, admiring aficionados and status symbols alike. If you are looking to get better acquainted with pure prestige, exceptional elegance and quintessential quality in the realms of ultra-chic watches and jewellery, get thee to the Ali Bin Ali stand and get a glimpse of greatness.

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Chocolate biscuit base covered with warm chocolate sphere and coffee cream.

7 Chakras “Harmonie” in white gold with 745 diamonds Top wesselton VS1, 8.02 cts, C SPITA Splendid watch in white gold and single line of diamonds with satin strap, Jaeger-LeCoultre

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Amiri Gems

As a member of the Nasser Bin Khaled Group, Amiri Gems has been sauntering through Doha’s sumptuous, style-laden society since 1994.

That may make it younger than some of the other exhibitor’s at this year’s show, but it is in no way less distinguished. In fact, its dealings with stately sophistication have quickly pushed it to the head of class.

Known for its near peerless proficiency in selecting the most magnificent diamonds and coloured gems, Amiri Gems is well placed next to the jewelers with which it works, such as Adler, Palmeiro and Chatila. The highend company also associates itself with timeless elegance, not ironically, in its timepieces, dealing with masters of the minute like Concord, Frank Villa, Concord, Jacob & Co and many others. High profile and scintillating with a celebrity sparkle all its own, Amiri Gems is set to hypnotise its high-end clientele in a splendid spell not likely to fade even when you stagger away from its stand. Then again, you may not want to leave at all.

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Red Sicilian Prawn both raw and cooked, crunchy amaranth, Taggiasca olive oil, beetroot ice cream.

Three Kings Ring, in crystal and red coral, Vhernier Kalpa Tonda 42 quantieme perpetuel watch, automatic with retrograde functions, perpetual calendar and lunar phases, case in pink gold, sand-coloured dial, Parmigiani Fleurier

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51 East

Previously known to the world as Modern Home, 51 East may have changed its name a couple of years ago, but that hasn’t changed its storied lineage as a staple in Qatar’s luxury lifestyle sector.

Ever since it was first established way back in the 1940s, 51 East has always been amongst the premier of premium product providers in the country. Rolex, Cavali, Armand Nicolet, Ambrosia, Blu Watches, Scintilla Jewels, Jorg Hysek, Sector, Antica Murina and Tudor are but a few of the prestigious names associated with and available at 51 East. Its stand showcases the best of the best at every Jewellery & Watches exhibition, so it has become understandably one of its most popular exhibitors. If prior shows and the whispers of this year’s available collections are any indication, 51 East is once again going to be a very big presence in 2011. If you’re looking for the most exceptional pieces in watch and jewellery, all you have to do is head east: 51 East.

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Marine Dream On the eve of the Dubai Boat Show, Sur la Terre shines a spotlight on Qatar’s premier leisure marine company, Alfardan Marine Services.

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>>> There is no greater status symbol than owning, or at least being seen at the helm of, a luxury yacht. It tells the world that you are the captain of your own ship; it is you who is in control; it is you who decides on the direction your life takes. It is a heady cocktail of power, responsibility and the respect you command from those around you.

As many members of the world’s rich lists hark from the Middle East, there is no better way for the wealthy to invest in their leisure time and their image than buying a boat.

With a growing interest in the marine leisure industry around the region, coupled with the Gulf’s rich sea-faring heritage, the urge to get out on the water is rarely stronger anywhere else in the world.

Fortunately for Qatar’s budding admirals, there is a company that enables Doha’s yachting socialites to realise their nautical dreams, backed by the security, reputation and trust that comes from being part of one of Qatar’s longest established chaebols, The Alfardan Group.

Alfardan Marine Services was established in the summer of 2005 to target the marine industry in Qatar and the region. With established relationships along the entire Qatari coast, including prestigious developments such as The Pearl, Alfardan Marine has its spinnaker firmly on the deck of the local market in both the provision of boats themselves, as well as marina consulting and construction services.

With the strong growth of the marine leisure business in the region, demand for ocean-going sailing yachts has grown exponentially. Alfardan Marine, therefore, not only sells and charters luxurious sea-faring craft, but it also services the burgeoning marine industry as a whole, supplying engines, components and accessories to both consumers and industry customers.

Working with some of the premiere brands in the business, such as Riva, Dominator, Dalla Pieta and Monteray, the company’s line-up is second to none on the local boating scene.

If you are thinking of splashing out on a luxury yacht, Alfardan Marine allows you to test the water first with its excellent charter service. Drawing from a collection of beautifully appointed vessels, fully crewed and ready to sail, the company offers packages for leisure, events and corporate use.

Alfardan Marine also deals in pre-owned boats and yachts, as well as brand new models. In this regard, the company sets the standard in Qatar and beyond.

Once upon a time, buying a used boat could be a risky business. There was no telling what kind of wear and tear the boat had seen. Second-hand boats didn’t come with a warranty, let alone a manufacturer’s seal of approval, but times have changed. All of Alfardan Marine’s pre-owned and chartered vessels are fully certified by the manufacturer and serviced by manufacturer-approved engineers - all providing peace of mind that you won’t find yourself stranded in a sea of despair on that jaunt around Palm Tree Island.

With the company low-down out of the way, now we can focus on the big boys toys and you can meet some of the boats you will be wave cutting in as soon as you get permission from the wife to spend the kids’ college fund.

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Riva Aquariva Gucci

In October last year, Riva presented the Italian market with some of its most iconic models - the Rivarama, the Rivale, the Sportriva 56’ and the 68’ Ego Super - during the 50th International Boat Show in Genoa. It also organised the Italian première of the exclusive Aquariva Gucci model.

The boat is a remake of an earlier model, originally built in 2000, and is the fruit of an exclusive partnership between two historical Italian firms, Riva and Gucci in association with Officina Italiana Design. The design and shape of this new incarnation have remained the same as its predecessor, while the style and decor have been customised by Gucci’s Creative Director, Frida Giannini. The hull and details in fibreglass have been painted in Gucci white, while the mahogany, a signature of the Riva brand, has been painted in the traditional way with twenty hands of varnish, of which ten are applied by brush and ten are sprayed. The coverings on the seat and sundeck are a waterproof fabric that have been customised with the Guccissima print (an icon of the Florentine brand), the plimsoll line is painted in the typical Gucci green-red-green colours and the windscreen is produced in crystal with a green hue.

Monterey 328SS

Redefining boating, the new 328 Super Sport breaks all the rules.

New for 2011, the 328SS is in a class of its own. Just under ten metres (9.8m) in length, this twin engine bowrider is a sleek and smooth machine packing a powerful punch. Features include a Monterey exclusive articulating sun island allowing for multiple seating and lounging configurations, a full head compartment with hot and cold water, and a spacious cabin that can accommodate two. A radar arch and well-appointed wet bar are only a few of the long list of standards available. To celebrate the company’s 25th Anniversary, the 328SS is also available with a 25th Anniversary package, which includes custom graphics and colours.

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Riva 68’ Ego Super

Presenting herself as the ultimate blend of design, comfort, performance and reliability, the 68’ Ego Super is the luxurious evolution of the Riva world. The pure lines that led the 68’ Ego to win three of the most prestigious awards in the nautical world (European Powerboat of the Year, the Millennium Yacht Design Award and Croatian Powerboat of the Year) have not been altered in the Super version. However, new solutions have been chosen for the interior and exterior layouts, making the yacht even more comfortable. In the cockpit, the reclining sofa enables those aboard to be seated in two positions, facing either the stern or the salon, and the layout is considerably different to that of the previous model in this area. In the bow, in fact, a teak table and

another large sofa can accommodate up to six people, creating an open-air salon. This new relaxation area can also be protected against the sun’s rays by means of an innovative electric awning. The interiors have been completely re-examined, according to owners’ experiences and requirements. The cabins on the lower deck have been enlarged and the deck flooring raised, guaranteeing higher ceilings for the rooms, which ensure greater liveability. The primary new feature is that the main salon has been transferred to the upper deck. The racy, harmonious profile of the 68’ Ego Super brings together the features of the unmistakeable Riva style, its elegance, uniqueness, total absence of ostentation, eccentricity and show off design solutions.

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out of the box

Qatar is used to having new and innovative developments sprouting up around town, but never before has one this exciting literally washed up upon Doha’s shores. Sur la Terre explores how Mourjan Marinas IGY is making waves and lapping up praise.

>>> The Dubai-based Mourjan Marinas IGY is one of the world’s premier international marina developers, operators and investors, and its newest venture is set to change both the land and seascapes of Qatar. In its new project, Mourjan has set about designing, constructing and operating all of the marinas in Lusail City. Having just celebrated its one year anniversary in September 2010, Mourjan has been garnering much acclaim in the country, which is nothing new for the renowned firm, and neither is the hard work.

At the same time it has been setting sail its new project in Doha, it has also been planning a new development in the South West of Morocco, a 300 yacht marina in Russia that will help the Black Sea prepare for the 2014 Winter Olympics and two more marinas in Bahrain as part of the upcoming Marsa Al Seef project.

However, while these other projects are impressive, none stacks up to what is being developed right here in Doha.

Situated along the coast just north of Doha, Lusail City is the next big thing in maritime magnificence. Spreading over 35 square kilometers, it is one of the most exciting projects in the region and will eventually be home to approximately 200,000 people. To turn it into a sea-faring hub, Mourjan is preparing a number of marinas with 1,500 berths to serve a spectrum of different segments, including private, business, and community marinas, and promises to contain a self-sustaining community with residential, commercial, retail, hospitality, resort and entertainment venues.

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3 Mourjan has already begun leasing berths at the marina and is 1 “Misting” technology will ensure the marina district is kept cool in the process of building 96 modern floating marina berths catering 2 How the Lusail Marina will look for yachts of 10-40 metres in length. It will also include three on-water 3 Lusail City’s Marina District will be self-sustaining community lounge areas, a shisha café, a juice bar and a family lounge area. For the captains, the marina will also feature underwater lighting, a fuel service station, 24 hour security, a five-star concierge service, a laundry service, a deck wash for all yachts and valet parking. In addition, the marina, which is eco-friendly, will also offer wi-fi services and a clubhouse.

Just like the stadia for the Word Cup 2022, which will famously have state-of-the-art air conditioning technologies, the folks at Mourjan have planned their own innovative atmospheric conditioning. Using unique integrated misting technology, the walkways during the summer season will be kept cool enough to enjoy all of the new marina’s highlights. That’s perfect, considering the flagship venue for the 2022 World Cup, the Lusail City Stadium, which will be situated just around the corner.

It’s no surprise that Mourjan Marinas IGY recently won the “Marine Initiative of the Year” for its Festival Marina Events, and it’s a sure bet that there will be more awards in the company’s future.

We personally can’t wait until the project at Lusail is complete so we can lap up the waves of nautical ingenuity.

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BETWEEN THE LINES

Jagnificence Taking the reigns of the 2011 Jaguar XJ, Senior Editor Steve Paugh comes to terms with a rather different Jag, but finds that even this perhaps tamer cat still has claws.

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>>> I have always wanted to ride a jaguar. You’ll notice I didn’t capitalise that “j” because right now, I’m not talking about cars. I’m just stating a simple fact about my affinity for commanding a certain presence using the animal kingdom. In my mind, nothing arouses the heady mixture of respect and fear like straddling the muscular back of a ferocious predator and swanning into polite company with the swagger of someone who rides a feral beast. Hey, it worked for HeMan, and he wore a bob hairdo and a loin cloth!

However, if you are looking to enjoy the fierce joie de vivre that the above scene would surely evoke, but don’t want to go through the messy business of wrangling one of the natural world’s most fearsome land carnivores, then the next best thing is to obtain a means of conveyance which espouses not only the title of its infamously predatory namesake, but also its ferocious virility, acutely amoral aura and most importantly of all, its foreboding attack-ready elegance.

In the words of Sir WIlliam Lyons, the founder of what has now become the quintessential British marque, a Jag is “the closest thing we will ever create to something that is alive.” Something tells me Sir William shared with me the same dangerous desire to ride something dastardly.

Indeed, if it is one thing history has proven, it’s that since his time, the brand has taken on a powerful life of its own. Jaguar has gone through many visceral evolutions throughout its substantial lifetime and in fact, has a continued presence on the scene that could only be attributed to a sort of natural selection. Behold then, the newest descendent to stalk the motorways of the world: the 2011 Jaguar XJ. The XJ is the latest in the modern automotive craze to combine the wily speed and power of those ferociously feral felines I mentioned before with the tamer nature of, say, a domesticated family cat. Over the past couple of years, Sur la Terre has afforded our readers the opportunity to experience some similar concepts to the XJ, specifically in cars like the Maserati Quattroporte and more recently, the Porsche Panamera, and while you can see that Jaguar was going for something with these design cues in mind, it also went for something a bit more... British.

Control was the initial name of the game as I first took to the streets of Doha, and just like the waiting patience of a jungle cat or the knowing wherewithal of a hard-knuckled English gentleman, the XJ was quite comfortable reigning in its power. However, when it comes time to pounce, it does so with gusto.

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As its refined poise turns to hot pursuit, you can almost hear the thunderous echo of the now classic XK engine that powered the original XJ to notoriety way back in 1968. Its new direct-injection 5.0-litre V8 may not resound with the same haughtily guttural mustachioed guffaw of the stiffly-upper lipped gentlemen that cruised within the XJ’s original runs, but it has been replaced by a sort of grumbling throaty chortle, reserved and held back unless forced into truly making a move. And it likes making moves.

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1 Smooth yet savage, the new exterior roars with a new passion 2 The XJ is a leather-bound bounding cat 3 The Jaguar XJ aspires to be different 4 The XJ’s mod cons provide four ways of comfort

leaping past. Of course, seeing and feeling its power in practice is only half of experiencing this Jaguar, as both interior and exterior seem to grasp you by your own whiskers and demand your attention.

The first stylistic element I noticed about this Jaguar is its distinctive haunch. Not in many of its variants is the visual stance of the “leaping jaguar” emblem so perfectly celebrated.

Its frozen mid-pounce strike shares only nominally similar DNA with its 1968 forebear, and is lower, sleeker and definitely more savage than earlier models. Head designer Ian Callum, who is known for implementing his renowned slick stylistic verve in modern Jags and Aston Martins, definitely has his fingerprint on the XJ, but transforms it enough from your “average” Jag. Its interior, for example, is, in perhaps the words of those who have piloted Jags in years gone by, bloody big.

4 At about two tonnes, the XJ shouldn’t logically move as quickly as it does, but then again, neither should the sizeable jaguar. However, both car and cat are more than capable of using their respective musculature to overtake larger, more powerful and smaller, swifter prey alike, and the XJ seems to revel in the challenge. In tandem with its V8 heart is a tweaked suspension that is tight enough to allow for a bit of roll when needed, but not to the point where you ever lose control. Flipping the dynamic driving switch further launches you into a fun-laden trip around our fair city’s roundabouts.

On careening down Salwa road at speed, I definitely garnered a few looks from otherwise jaded Doha drivers, turning their heads in quiet inquiry to what was noisily growling next to them as my XJ came

You get a good idea of its size in the front cockpit, but it’s in sitting in the rear that the car opens up like the vast open terrains in which a certain big cat has been known to hunt. Plus, with elements like its richly wooded veneers, a vast, much more deeply sloping leatherbound dash and an unpretentious yet gorgeously ostentatious digital display not only on the navigations systems, but also on the gauge cluster, the XJ has all the accents and mod-cons you’d expect from Jaguar’s foray into a modern luxury limo. As comfortable to drive as it is to ride within, I can see why the British Prime Minister chose to kit his motorcade out with a pack of them.

In the end, the XJ may not be the first image you get when thinking about a Jaguar, and it may not be what I imagine it must be like to be astride a proud and terrible feline predator, but its lithe styling, its power and posture, there is enough bravado to make even the most tepid motorist roar with a brash British bluster.

Specs Appeal • Long wheelbase with five inches of extra

• Jaguar 600W premium sound system, Hard

• 385hp direct-injection 5-litre AJ-V8 GEN

• Softgrain leather upper fascia and leather

• 6-speed automatic transmission w/ Jaguar

• Jaguar Suedecloth Premium Headlining

rear seat legroom

III naturally aspirated engine

Sequential Shift and JaguarDrive Selector

• 19” Toba alloy wheels

Disk Drive and Media Hub

wrapped door panniers

• Full colour HD Touch-screen with Navigation system

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• Four Zone Climate Control • Choice of four veneers and eight interior colour combinations

• 20/20 way Softgrain leather seats • Heated and cooled seats with massage

function in the front, and heated and cooled seats in the rear

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Pelorus: Life On A Wave Of Luxury

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It is one of the finest examples of the modern super yacht, has carried some of the world’s most powerful people. Now Pelorus is available for charter, so Sur la Terre digs out its deck shoes and finds its sea legs... we’re going cruising.

>>> If Captain Nemo was alive today (or indeed if he was real) this vessel would be the blueprint for the Nautilus. If Captain Bligh had been in command of Pelorus, there would have been no mutiny. If this boat had been in the flim Titanic, the iceberg would have melted the moment it hoved into view. In short, Pelorus is possibly the most instantly recognisable and iconic ocean-going palace of the modern age.

“Iconic” is a word that can be overused in the superlative world of Superyachts, but if there was ever a yacht that truly merited the description, it is Pelorus. Launched in 2003 by the leading German yacht builder Lurssen, Pelorus was an immediate “game changer” for a host of reasons, making her unique and very different from anything else on the water. Designed by Tim Heywood, and in spite of subsequent yachts which have drawn heavily on her beautiful lines, Pelorus remains widely admired and sits at the top of the “most beautiful yacht” list for a majority of the cognoscenti.

At 115 metres, Pelorus signalled a new age of yachting in which owners indulged their design fantasies, unconstrained by the smaller internal volumes of yachting’s previous generation of vessels. Leading yacht designer Terrance Disdale, who designed the interior of Pelorus, explained that “the design philosophy is complete relaxation,” which is evident in the sophisticated “Beach House” look that he has achieved

with the use of rough oak and slate floorings in conjunction with an array of other ethnic woods, leathers and metals. Alongside nickel, pewter and bronze, Disdale uses million year old fossils and driftwood tables to create an informal and relaxing environment into which guests can immerse themselves from the minute they arrive onboard.

For the first time since leaving dry dock, Pelorus is available for charter and can accommodate 22 guests, attended to by a first class crew of 42. Guest cabins are distributed across the principal decks and are not clustered together, as you might find on more traditionally designed yachts, with the intention of giving the Principal, as well as his or her guests, the benefit of greater privacy during their stay.

As you would expect, Pelorus is packed with high-end luxury facilities and this haven for sea-faring sybarites manages to perfectly evoke a resort-like atmosphere. One floor down from the main deck is an entire world of sports and well-being facilities with, among other things, a very well-equipped spa area offering a beauty salon, massage facilities, sauna, steam room and fitness areas, including a gym and a fully-equipped dive centre. The spa will equal, if not surpass, any you will find ashore at the plethora of luxurious destinations at which you are likely to drop anchor during your time aboard Pelorus.

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All this luxury doesn’t just happen, though. Behind the scenes is a multitude of complex technical systems more akin to those found on sea-going cruise ships much larger than you would expect on board the “humble” 115m Pelorus. For the comfort of her guests, the yacht has a four-fin stabilisation system to counter rolling motions both at anchor and whilst underway. Made entirely of steel, Pelorus is both extremely strong and very stable. In addition there are various thrusters assisting in maneuvering the yacht in tight spaces. Boasting 1,500 alarm systems and possibly the most sophisticated bridge since the Starship Enterprise, Pelorus travels at a maximum speed of 20 knots and carries 425 tonnes of fuel, giving her a comfortable transoceanic range of 6,000 nautical miles.

Having operated discretely since 2003 as a private yacht, those who have looked from afar with envious eyes can now, finally get their chance to captain one of the oceans’ most recognisable denizens, now that Pelorus has arrived on the charter market. While the yacht is not officially for sale, serious enquiries can be directed to SuperYachtsMonaco, who represent the boat’s owners in all aspects of marketing and promotion, while the yacht is managed and operated by Blue Ocean Yacht Management. For more information visit www.superyachtsmonaco.com

Specs Appeal • Year 2003

• Construction Steel hull, aluminium alloy superstructure

• Builder Lurssen Yachts

• Main Engines 2 x Wartsila 12V26 Diesel

• Design Tim Heywood

• Fuel Capacity 424 tonnes

• Interior Design Terence Disdale Design

• Accomodation Principal plus 20 guests, 5 staff and 41 crew

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Aaahhhh-nantara Taking a bite out of Thailand’s tastiest curry, Mina Kavcar zips up her suitcase and gives you the pick of Phuket’s places to put your feet up and relax.

s n o z i hor 8°10’ 45.97” N 98°17’ 50.75” E

Where- Anantara Resort & Spa, Phuket, Thailand 1

>>> The Far East tends to conjure up images of exotic foods, lush beaches, and time-honoured traditions. While seasoned daydreamers know all too well that certain reveries simply do not live up to their astounding hype. There is a place somewhere over the rainbow that is not subject to such speculative realism. Travellers to Thailand continue to be amazed by local hospitality, picturesque views and the internationally-renowned, deliciously spicy cuisine. That said, when planning such a trip, it can be difficult to see the wood from the trees, so we, with a little help from Qatar Airways, have taken it upon ourselves to present a portion of paradise, perfect for the Sur la Terrean jetsetter’s much-needed R&R.

While the wider attractions of Phuket are pretty well-known these days, this mine of touristic appeal still turns up a few rare jewels that cater to the exclusive nature of the well-heeled, and Anantara Phuket Resort & Spa is one of the shiniest. From the moment you arrive at the resort, Wooden pathways lead you over green canals as a watermill provides just the right soundtrack to your arrival in paradise - a far cry from the sirens, car horns and other various sounds that emanate from the construction sites of Qatar. The closest you will get to the noise of traffic is the electrical whine of the golf cart that will ferry you from check-in to your well-appointed desert island retreat.

Just south of Thailand’s mainland, Phuket is an island destination that has come into its own in recent years. Complete with verdant greenery, crystalline sandy beaches and a thriving nightlife, the island has carved out a niche for itself as a haven of both hedonism and the holistic.

You will be met as you open the rustic wooden door by your very own pool, outdoor shower and terrazzo bathtub, entertainment area and entrance to your private villa. Dark wooden floors and silken fabrics abound and immediately put you in the tropical mood, while your senses

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4 are teased by the Anantara soundtrack gently playing in the background and the aromatherapy scents subtly filling the living spaces. Your airy bathroom looks out onto the pool and all floor to ceiling windows are easily slid open to reveal the blossoming outdoors. You’ll soon realise that serenity never felt so real, and pretty much anything and everything you could possibly ask for is right at your fingertips.

Having taken in the room, unpacked and let yourself drift onto the massive bed, you’ll be ready to explore the rest of the Anantara Phuket Resort & Spa. Intimate pathways lead you through the resort while you are serenaded by the tune of tropical birds and make your way toward the pool and beach area. If you’re feeling a bit dazed and lazy, worry not, as those dependable buggies, or “Kavcarts” as I am going to call them from now on, ride around the grounds at random, making it easy to hop on and off at your leisure. Once you reach the

well-appointed pool/beach area, you have the choice of lazily sunning yourself at the water’s edge, sipping at a decoratively presented Mai Thai at the bar or just letting the world pass you by on one of the comfy chairs at Sea.Fire.Salt., one of Anantara’s signature restaurants.

The pool itself consists of a swimming area and a lagoon-style walking area that has several loungers placed in the middle of it. Let a few minutes pass as you breathe a steady “Aaahhhh” and you’ll soon be met with a complimentary cocktail.

The beach offers a host of watersports from windsurfing and kayaking to tantric beach yoga sessions. For the more sporty, you can also practice your backhand and do your best Roger Federer impersonation on one of the resort’s three tennis courts. Should your efforts be a little short of Exxon Mobile Championship standards, you can always seek out one of the resident coaches for one-on-one tennis classes.

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Now we reach the highlight of the resort: The Anantara Spa. Just as you did earlier at the pool, go ahead and let out another “Aaahhhh” (yes, those do come in multiples in Phuket), and get ready to let go of earthly pains and aches and say hello to utter bodily bliss. With several of Anantara’s highly attentive and well-trained staff greeting you at the entrance, you’ll know that you’re in good hands... literally. It should be noted that massages are part of those few avocations that can either go very well or horribly wrong. Having experienced the latter more than once, I can easily attest to the joy that is felt when the former makes an appearance. As you may have guessed, Anantara’s Spa will leave you feeling rested, relaxed and far from any previous corporal complaints – and yes, the feeling will persist even the day after.

Now that you’ve burned a few calories and pampered yourself at the spa, you may feel that it’s time to surrender your taste buds to Thailand’s curried, spicy cuisine. Sure, you could simply order one of the many delightful treats on Sea.Fire.Salt.’s menu, or you could take a dive and test the culinary waters of the Andaman Sea by venturing into Thai cookery yourself. Should you be ready to fling your own pots and pans, the Anantara Phuket Resort & Spa will be glad to invite you to its very own Thai cooking class, where you’ll be able to not only prepare light and fresh salads but put those chillies through a grinder and test your own capsaicin stamina.

Before I sign off and order another Mai Thai, though, I should add as a side note that as difficult as it may be, try to wrestle yourself away from the Anantara, if only for a few hours, for an exploration of fabulous Phuket. There is a lot to see and experience around the town and off the beaten track. One thing is for sure, I will definitely be back to the pearl of Andaman Sea, if only to take my own advice and have another stab at leaving the resort.

For more information please visit www.qatarairways.com & www.phuket.anantara.com

1 Relax with complimentary cocktails on loungers in the pool 2 The beautifully appointed spa rooms 3 A range of massage and therapy options are available 4 Dark woods, fine materials and contemporary design awaits 5 Sea.Fire.Salt. not only serves up fine food, but offers Thai cooking classes 6 Relax in regal style in your private pool villa

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• sur la terre • fashion •

fashion

strike A pose Photographer Fabrizio Nannini Stylist Roberto Ciapani, Gloria Storchi and Federico Toretti Hair and make up Marco Minunno @ Mks Milano Special thanks to the “Teatro sociale di Bergamo”

Translucent lace dress, Stella Mc Cartney Sandals, Sergio Rossi Long fur gloves, Brioni

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Pink dress with jewel details, Alberta Ferretti Black swan fur coat, Ralph Lauren Black Label Platform sandals, Gianmarco Lorenzi

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Her Translucent dress with jewel detailing on shoulders, Tibi Leather belt, Ralph Lauren Platform sandals with Swarovski crystals, Baldinini Him Black suit, Calvin Klein White short, Roberto Cavalli Black shiny shoes, Sergio Rossi

• sur la terre • fashion section •

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Shimmering sequin dress, Stella Mc Cartney Gold bracelet, Gianfranco Ferré Platform sandals, Prada

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• sur la terre • fashion •

Trousers, velvet jacket and pleated shirt, Brioni Black necktie, Prada Maroon moccasins, Salvatore Ferragamo

Electric blue dress with splits and see-through panels, Versace Black sandals, Baldinini

Pink dress with jewel details, Alberta Ferretti Black swan fur coat, Ralph Lauren Black Label Platform sandals, Gianmarco Lorenzi

Black silk dress, Carlo Pignatelli Beige sandals with gold buckle appliques, Guido Pasquali Fabric belt, Roberto Cavalli Mid-sleeve fur coat, Vicedomini

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Electric blue silk dress, Roberto Cavalli Black fur waistcoat, Trussardi 1911 Leather and sequin clutch, Coccinelle

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• sur la terre • fashion •

Sparkling gold dress, Gianfranco Ferré Sandals, Sebastian

• sur la terre • fashion section •

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Her Pink lace dress, Christian Dior Him Tuxedo, Trussardi 1911 Patent lace-ups, Prada Black shirt and necktie, Salvatore Ferragamo

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17.58 official inut mph world w es speed ater record • sur la terre • between the lines •

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