6 297000 388007 2022 September october LIFESTYLE THE ART OF MAKING THE IMPOSSIBLEPOSSIBLE AUTOMOTIVE RANGEAVENTADORLAMBORGHINISVJROVER2023SPORT TRAVEL LUXURY EUROPEANESCAPES5 BUSINESS SOPHIE GUILLON THE WORLD OF DR.VALMONTMAURIZIO VIEL PIONEERING PLASTIC SURGEON HOROLOGY RICHARD MILLE X HUBLOTFERRARI CLASSIC FUSION FOR SAUDI ARABIA NATIONAL CHOPARDDAY THE SOUND OF ETERNITY OMEGA NOVELTIES PNC MENON THE POWER OF GIVING
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44PROFILE
IWC’s Regional Brand Director Mehdi Rajan discusses the brand’s much-anticipated expansion and latest launches
GC’s exclusive interview with founder of the Global Gift Foundation, Maria Bravo
16 SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2022
68 CHOPARD L.U.C FULL STRIKE TheTOURBILLONL.U.CHaute Horlogerie collection has been enriched with a new technical prodigy
An inside look at how billionaire PNC Menon is dedicating his life and fortune to philanthropy
THE ART OF MAKING THE IMPOSSIBLE POSSIBLE Insignia’s President, Nada Tucakov, discusses emerging trends in the U/HNW space
20 58 64 2632 56
64 OMEGA NOVELTIES 2022 OMEGA’s latest collection boasts an array of colors and materials
A MODEL GLOBAL CITIZEN Fashion model, Flaviana Matata, shares her philanthropic journey to provide educational opportunities to young girls in Tanzania
HEALTH & BEAUTY
COVER STORY
26BUSINESS
HEALTH & BEAUTY
32 THE WORLD OF VALMONT
34PHILANTHROPY
50 TOP DOC: DR. MAURIZIO VIEL Pioneering plastic surgeon Dr. Maurizio Viel reveals the most coveted celebrity looks and beauty treatments
FIGHTING FOR THE LAST RichardHUNDREDTHSMilleand Ferrari create a limitededition ultra-flat timepiece
38LIFESTYLE
FLYING HIGH
Global Citizen chats with acclaimed American menswear designer Brett Johnson
30 SPIRIT & STYLE
UP CLOSE & PERSONAL
58 CELEBRATING AN ICON Audemars Piguet celebrates its 50th anniversary with the new Royal Oak RD#3
DINING OUT
40PHILANTHROPY
36FASHION
IT’S ALL ABOUT LOVE
Global Citizen discovers beauty and skincare brand Valmont, and its illuminating CEO, Sophie Guillon
ON THE CLOCK
Following the launch of Rado’s sixth boutique in the UAE, CEO Adrian Bosshard talks about the Maison’s pioneering spirit and evolution of style
Meet Nicole Smith Ludvik: Professional skydiver, stuntwoman, and inspirational speaker
48 CARNA BY DARIO CECCHINI Dubai’s latest contemporary steakhouse was conceptualised and created by the awardwinning eighth-generation butcher Dario Cecchini
60 PRESERVING NATURE’S JEWEL Blancpain and the Biopixel Group join forces to protect the Great Barrier Reef.
CONTENTS
56HOROLOGY
TRUE SQUARE OPEN HEART
RADO.COM
MASTER OF MATERIALS
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Discover the McLaren Artura art car, in collaboration with artist Nat Bowen
PANGAEA X
EXCEPTIONAL STONES
84 BREITLING SUPEROCEAN
GC PICKS
The sporty sea watch is no longer strictly a dive watch
110FASHION
89 SUPER ART
Ferrari’s new V8 2+ coupé marries harmonious forms, timeless elegance, and leading technology
105 INNOVATING THE FUTURE UAE engineering firms are looking to inspire the next generation of innovators
120 TIMELESS CONNECTIVITY
122 HONOR X8
SLOWING DOWN FASHION
Is fast fashion a thing of the past now that sustainability is on the rise?
Chopard unveils a treasure trove of rare gemstones
The pinnacle of Lamborghini V12 super sports cars
118GADGETS
112 STYLE FILE
LAMBORGHINI AVENTADOR SVJ
Sonos extends industry-leading home theatre line-up with its most compact soundbar
114FASHION
86AUTOMOTIVE
Inspired fashion looks for work and play
124 UPGRADE YOUR SOUND
126DESTINATION
GROUNDBREAKING AI
LUXURY EUROPEAN ESCAPES
Late fashion designer Virgil Abloh’s collaboration with Mercedes–Maybach is inspired by Project Maybach
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DIFC launches a new Artificial Intelligence and Coding License in cooperation with UAE AI Office
138FASHION
The smartphone’s slim body and ultra-light weight maximises use for video and gaming
116 DESIGN MEETS ARTISANSHIP
97 THE ULTIMATE LEGACY CAR
Discover the latest gadgets and gizmos you’ll want to get your hands on
102TECHNOLOGY
Jadd Elliot Dib has created a digital job platform for the world’s best Data Analysts and Scientist freelancers
Bang & Olufsen’s 40th anniversary ushers in new software that connects past, present and future
95 RANGE ROVER SPORT
91 LA NUOVA DOLCE VITA
The latest Range Rover Sport gets a makeover, with hybrid and phev variants in the range
The Creator sunglasses by Maybach Icons of Luxury embody sensual purity and modern luxury
Global Citizen takes you on a global adventure to five of Europe’s bucket list destinations
THE GAMING COLLECTION
100BUSINESS
Travel in style with Tumi’s limited-edition collection, in collaboration with Razer
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KHAKI FIELD
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PNC MENON THE POWER OF GIVING
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Our philanthropy leaders all have had unique barriers to overcome during the pandemic, but one thing was true of all of them: No one knew these challenges were on the
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Continuing the conversation, fashion model Flaviana Matata uses her eponymous foundation as a powerful platform to empower and support the young girls of Tanzania to unleash their potential and achieve their dream lives.
EDITOR’S LETTER
GLOBAL CITIZEN
ince the onset of the pandemic, business leaders have been nimble. They’ve not only had to change how their organisations operated internally, but they’ve had to think differently about whom they serve and how.
CREATIVE
is dedicated to celebrating the work of non-profit leaders, but also reminds us to keep moving the needle forward, engaging in conversations with people from all walks of life about their own challenges and successes to stir our own evolution.
To start, philanthropist and real estate development mogul PNC Menon graces the cover of our 62nd issue. In our exclusive interview, Menon shares his personal story and why he’s devoting half of his billion-dollar fortune to the women and girls of his hometown of Kerala.
We also had the opportunity to spend time with Spanish actress, businesswoman and philanthropist Maria Bravo, founder of the Global Gift Foundation, who’s on a mission to create a positive impact on the lives of vulnerable communities in need of representation, protection, and support.
As always, you’ll find these pages packed with inspiration to spur new ideas, discover the latest trends, and provide a brief escape from the daily grind.
EDITOR IN CHIEF Andrea Antal
Globalhorizon.Citizen
Fierce International Art Team CONTRIBUTORS Teresa www.instagram.com/GlobalCitizenMagazinewww.facebook.com/GlobalCitizenMagwww.issuu.com/global-citizenwww.global-citizen.comEsmezyan
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MISSIONCHARITABLEA
GC chats with legendary developer PNC Menon, founder and chairman of the multinational real estate and construction giant Sobha Realty, and the man who has pledged 50% of his wealth to charity.
He was very successful in his own way, but I lost him when I was ten years old, and my mother had mental health issues, so, I lacked the parental guidance growing up.
Of course, I had my grandparents, but they were not hands on in the teachings of financial matters and that kind of development, and it would be fair to say that their ways of thinking were outdated in that sense.
Growing up in Kerala, was it your dream to become a billionaire?
What philosophies did your parents have in teaching you about the value of money?
24 SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2022 COVER STORY
I lost my father at a very young age. He was also a businessman. Our family had a small trucking business, which consisted of three trucks.
My lessons came in small steps. No one can say that they planned to become a billionaire. I came from very humble beginnings, and my growth was very gradual, and I certainly never aspired to reach a billionaire status. It’s important to note that I didn’t even become a billionaire until my late 50s, and it was a sheer accident. Of course, I wanted to be successful and respectable, but never at the cost of my values. There are 2,700 billionaires globally, and in my opinion, it’s nothing but an accident, whether you inherit your fortune and work to manage it or reach that status through the success of your work, I believe that achievement of great wealth is purely accidental. Philanthropy is a very important aspect of my success, which is why I decided to dedicate 50 per cent of my wealth to charitable causes. Giving back is very important to my value system and who I am as a human being.
But my upbringing was certainly a driving force in wanting to be successful and have my own independence.
She is the matriarch in our family, but she doesn’t get involved in the business.
entrepreneurial spirit.
SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2022 25 COVER STORY
We keep our family life entirely separate from work life. When I get home from work, I enjoy my quiet time, watching the news and unwinding, and she gives me that time to reflect and think.
Sobha has always taken great pride and interest in focusing on raising our children and nurturing their education.
My wife, Sobha, is a simple woman from a small village. We married young – she is ten years younger than I am.
What is your dynamic like as a marital team with your beloved wife, Sobha?
What kind of jobs did you have as a teen, and what did you take away from those I’veexperiences?alwayshadan
As a young teen, I started my first business as a street-side contractor. One of the first projects I ever worked on was having a small table made, and I still have that table today, which I plan to take with me to the ashes when I reach my next journey in life.
When you don’t have money and start building your career, you go through many bad experiences and hardships, which can be very painful at times, but that’s part of your life, and you’ll remember those experiences that shape who you are.
How do you figure out how to maximise the impact of your humanitarian efforts?
Kurumba Trust, we have a God-given opportunity to give back and change lives forever. Currently, we have Sobha Hermitage, which is a home for the elderly sprawling over 27 acres of green estates in the heart of Kerala. It’s a place of warmth and affection, a true haven for the less fortunate. Further, our social rehabilitation scheme for young mothers ensures their safety and security with no costs
medical, and other personal accessories, and educational expenses for their children. Our vocational training program enables the less privileged to pursue a vocation of their choice with access to training centres with computers and music, and paid apprenticeships and employment opportunities.
I run my philanthropic projects like a business, though it is totally not-for-profit . I am very invested in overseeing the development of these projects and ensure that I visit the sites regularly to meet the people and ensure the quality of everything that we do as part of our mission.
Throughworld.ourSri
COVER STORY
I have always felt that the most vulnerable section, particularly where I grew up, was the society of women, so my focus has always been on helping women. The schools that I have built are solely for girls to gain an education, and we provide everything they need to ensure they become educated, including food and clothing. Young girls are often the most abused and disadvantaged globally, even in the Western
26 SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2022
Rural Women Empowerment Program, Sobha covers the expenses of fifty widowed mothers of the Kizhakkenchery Panchayat, including an allowance, clothing,
Throughincurred.theSobha
We have a dedicated healthcare centre, which currently provides access to healthcare for over 2,500 families from the adopted panchayat, the Sobha Academy, and Sobha Hermitage. Our beneficiaries receive free medical consultations, checkups, and treatment.
I am now working on building an integrated housing community in my village of Kerala, which will house 100 female orphans and 100 elderly women. In our culture, family is very important, so this is a unique approach that brings together the two generations of girls and elderly to have a mutually beneficial coexistence.
Whatphilanthropy.life lessons do you try to pass along to your own children?
support, so I admire what Sobha has instilled in our children, and never take for granted a mother’s role in her child’s life.
You joined the Giving Pledge, founded by Bill and Melinda Gates. Why is the Giving Pledge such an important thing for wealthy individuals to sign onto?
Every donation and effort counts. The trouble is that most people lack the trust for the organisations who are collecting resources, so one of the most important things we can do is build trust and transparency about where charitable money is going and who it is benefitting.
There are a lot of people out there who want to get involved, but may not have the monetary resources, but a little goes a long way. As a charitable brand, trust is of the utmost importance because people want to ensure that their donations are reaching the people or causes that need them. Most funds available can be attributed to the masses of smaller donations by good, hard-working individuals who come together and join hands and funds. Just because you can’t afford to build an institution, doesn’t mean you can’t contribute to a lofty charitable goal.
SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2022 27 COVER STORY
I had committed to donating half of my wealth over thirty years ago. Joining the Pledge was only recent. I was pleased to find such a group of unified individuals, and it’s a great community to share ideas and join forces for the sake of
For those who want to get involved in philanthropy, but don’t have the financial means per se, where is a good place to start?
All of my children believe in the power of philanthropy, and they all hold a strong value system, which I give my wife credit for. We were able to give them a privileged life with all the luxuries, but my wife was devoted to ensuring they were raised to be humble in their outlook and keep their head on their shoulders. If there was a Nobel Prize for mothers, she would certainly be eligible for it. My mother was not able to provide me that guidance and
With a passion for luxury retail and client experience, Mehdi Rajan has honed his expertise with some of the world’s leading Maisons, including Cartier and Gucci. Now, as IWC’s Regional Brand Director for the Middle East, India & Africa, Rajan is charged with leading the brand’s regionwide growth. In this exclusive interview, he discusses IWC’s much-anticipated expansion, and the brand’s latest launches unveiled at Watches & Wonders.
ON THE CLOCK
Before IWC Schaffhausen, I spent several years working at Cartier Middle East, across their main line products - from perfumes, leather goods, accessories, and finally to watches. Then, I crossed paths with an IWC Schaffhausen representative
Inspiration comes from everywhere. Life is full of opportunities, we just have to observe, listen and challenge the status quo. But what motivates me every day is working with my colleagues across Middle East, India, Turkey and Africa. Our teams are truly multicultural and I learn from each one of them on a daily basis.
What were your early career ambitions?
I have been part of the IWC Schaffhausen family for few years now, wearing many hats across departments. I started off with driving sales for the region where I learnt the importance of an omnichannel approach.
and we went for a coffee that lasted over 3 hours. I rediscovered the brand and its values, its philosophy and mindset. This inspired me and a few months later, I joined the IWC Schaffhausen team in Dubai.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learnt you’ve carried with you throughout your career?
Throughout my career, I have followed a compass that guides all my decisions and a mantra that is at the corner stone of our client centric strategy: always be curious and empathetic. These two guiding principles have not only pushed me to be solution driven and creative, but has also pushed me to constantly challenge and improve client experiences.
Who or what inspires you?
The most inspiring fact is that each one of us is led by the same passion and drive to bring IWC Schaffhausen to new heights.
Whether it is between boutiques, internal departments, online, duty free, retail across countries, the brand is at the center of our Whatstrategy.ledyou to want to join IWC?
After my studies, I was pursuing a career in consultancy and while I was working towards this, I found opportunities in the luxury industry that peeked my interest. I have always been fascinated by craftsmanship, by the quest of excellence and most importantly, by stories. And so it became obvious that my career would evolve around the world of luxury watchmaking.
SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2022 29 INTERVIEW
What did you do prior to your current role as IWC Regional Brand Director for the Middle East, India & Africa?
Our latest development in material innovation has been the introduction of Ceratanium®, an in-house alloy combining the lightness of titanium with the durability of ceramic. The Big Pilot Perpetual Calendar in Ceratanium® is the first IWC watch with a full Ceratanium® bracelet fully integrated into the case. Limited to 250 pieces per year, these timepieces have been massively acknowledged by our clients and highly successful in the luxury watch community.
We reintroduced the Mojave Desert Big Pilot Automatic and Perpetual Calendar as well as the Chronograph pieces in white ceramic Lake Tahoe or in green ceramic Woodland. Our jet black ceramic will also be featured in the Big Pilot 43mm for the pleasure of our collectors.
30 SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2022 INTERVIEW
IWC has expanded with new boutiques across Dubai, KSA, and Qatar, among others. What does this expansion mean for the Indeed,brand?we
But the watch that I wear the most is probably the Portugieser Perpetual Calendar red gold single moon phase. This timepiece showcases the incredible engineering of the unique Perpetual Calendar invented by Kurt Klaus with the extraordinary design and history of the Portugieser family. Every watch collector or enthusiast should have one IWC Perpetual Calendar in his collection.
At Watches and Wonders 2022, we introduced our latest material innovation in the Top Gun family: the colored ceramics divided into 5 unique colors patented by Pantone.
have started to engage in the retailization of our business by opening several boutiques in key cities across the region. We aim to bring the IWC Schaffhausen global experience by being locally relevant in each market and offering a seamless omnichannel approach across all touchpoints. We aim to open several more boutiques in the near future.
The brand recently unveiled four new military-style Top Gun Pilot’s Watch models at the Watches and Wonders exhibition. What are your thoughts on this latest collection?
Innovation is at the core of our brand.
Do you have a favorite collection in the Maison’s portfolio?
This is a very hard question. Each of the watches in my collection have a specific personal story whether it’s a Pilot Top Gun Chronograph or a Portofino Automatic.
IWC announced in February the multi-year partnership with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, with Lewis Hamilton and George Russell as the 2022 Brand Ambassadors. What are some of the goals of the partnership?
You can expect many new developments in the coming years: from new movements being introduced to innovative design and material, from unprecedented immersive boutique concepts to new ways of communicating with our clients.
When you enter the boutique, you enter a world of immersive experience dedicated to our clients. Customers can have a coffee at The Big Pilot bar while discovering the collection and even experience the 360 cinematic screen and lounge to watch the latest Formula 1 race or virtually interact with our watchmakers in Schaffhausen. The most relevant brands will be the ones who manage to be disruptive, propose a different client experience while remaining true to their DNA and core values.
Are there any new developments that we can look forward to from IWC in the coming year?
SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2022 31 INTERVIEW
The partnership with Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team was initiated several years ago. The synergies between the two organizations are evident - we share the same mindset. Formula 1 racing and watchmaking are very much alike: the obsession for perfection, for reliable and ultra precise engineering coupled with an acute sense of design. The combination of form and function, of performance and design and innovation are at the center of our partnership. In addition watchmaking, similar to Formula 1 racing, is all about team effort. Success is achieved from a team coming together for a common and clear goal.
Where do you think the watch industry is going in 10 years’ It’stime?extremely challenging to predict how the industry will evolve given the level of uncertainty and the pace of change. The only certainty is that change is inevitable but we witness few trends that I think are here to stay.
IWC Schaffhausen is an extremely dynamic and agile brand with one single objective: being a leader in the luxury watchmaking industry.
Client experience has become the defining paradigm that influence and trigger the purchase decision. It’s all about
Even if you have incredible drivers like Lewis or George, they are supported by a full team of engineers, on and off the track, making sure that all wheels are in motion. No wonder the dress code in the garage is an IWC watch only!
personalizing the customer journey and being relevant across all touchpoints. Retail is evolving very fast and brick and mortar is essential to materialize brand expression. But there is a necessary evolution of the retail experience in order to bring value to the buying journey. Whether through phygital or omnichannel, the essence is to adapt our brand expression and convey it to our clients. The perfect example is the recently launched IWC Flagship boutique at The Dubai Mall.
Can you speak to your ceramic manufacturing and, in particular, the latest Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Diver collection?
I have three children, asking about my favourite watch in the Rado collection is like choosing a favourite child. As with my offspring, I love all Rado timepieces equally, they are all unique, profiled and complementary.
aised in the Biel region of Switzerland, what was it like growing up in a town with such a significant legacy for watchmaking?
SPIRIT & STYLE
Rado is in many countries the leading watch brand in our price segment. My vision is to strengthen and further promote the Rado brand worldwide.
Rado has very iconic design beauties in the collection and as master of materials, we have close to 40 years of experience in the production of high-tech ceramic. Lightweight and scratch resistance are two of the numerous benefits we offer our customers. Our collection encompasses watches in the sport, lifestyle and classic segment. We have premium timepieces for customers with high expectations and for every occasion.
Do you have a favourite piece in the collection?
You joined RADO as CEO in 2020. What was your vision for the brand under your leadership?
In March, the brand opened its sixth boutique in the UAE — it’s fourth in Dubai — on Al Fahidi Street in Meena Bazaar. What drove the decision for this location?
How would you describe the enduring appeal of the brand? Why does one choose RADO over one of your competitors?
Rado comes from the artificially created world language Esperanto and means wheel, one of the most important components in any watch movement.
RADO’s story began when it was first registered as a brand in 1928. What does RADO mean?
RADO has an exclusive partnership with Rivoli Group in the UAE. What does this partnership mean to the brand?
The vision of our founders still holds true: “if we can imagine it, we can make it. And if we can make it, we will do it!” The latest Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Diver collection is a clear statement of how we can merge a traditional iconic design from the 60ies with the most modern watchmaking technologies.
Rado was the first brand to sell watches in the region in the early seventies. Our brand is exclusively distributed by Rivoli since over 12 years in Dubai, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman. Based on their tremendous experience in the retail business, Rivoli stores provide our customers with a first-class purchase experience that leaves nothing to be desired.
2021 was a great year for the brand, winning multiple product design awards for the True Square collection. Are any exciting new product designs coming soon? Rado never stands still.
There are many reasons but the two most important ones are design and material competence.
Without a doubt, Rado has the biggest and the most competent infrastructure for the production of high-tech ceramic.Our engineers and R&D teams are continuously developing our production technologies to surprise our global customers.
SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2022 33 INTERVIEW
After the great success with the designer collaborations we decided to continue such collaborations with our most iconic product – the DiaStar Original. Stay tuned….!
As e-commerce continues to accelerate in the world of retail, how does selling online impact the buying and selling process versus selling in person at a boutique?
Rivoli has started their business activities in Dubai in 1988 in exactly this location. This address represent Rivoli’s roots. We are very honoured to have the privilege to be present here and is underlining the close collaboration of Rado and Rivoli.
Ecommerce is an important, complementary distribution channel, which must be equally qualitative as our stores. But the brick and mortar stores will remain our biggest sales channel and the touch and feel experience in combination with the consultation by our highly qualified retail staff is truly unique experience.
RADO has opened its sixth boutique in the UAE, celebrating the brand’s pioneering spirit and evolution of style.
What do the next five years look like for RADO and for you Withoutpersonally?a doubt Rado will in the next 5 years surprise and excite more and more customers worldwide. The Rado team is working on the future.
My father was a watch enthusiast and many of our acquaintances worked in the watch industry that is deeply rooted in the region. I, therefore, developed a love for the art of watchmaking from my early childhood and it grew stronger every day since.
Global Citizen discovers beauty and skincare brand Valmont, and its illuminating CEO, Sophie Guillon.
THE WORLD OF VALMONT
Do you have any golden rules when it comes to customer Theservice?most important rule of Valmont remains the service to our customers. Listening carefully to our customers’ needs. The luxury cosmetics industry offers excellent skin care products, we do our best to adapt and have personalised proposals to make our customers unique.
In line with our desire to combine art and beauty, we will always be present in unique 5* hotels and our retail distribution will remain on a high-end and exclusive network.
When we reformulated our precious DNA. I went to visit the biologist who had created the first Valmont formulas. Her scientific opinion was very important to me and she totally validated our work by congratulating us for using the latest techniques to enhance the salmon DNA. I must admit that I was very proud of this wonderful work done with my teams.
Where do you find inspiration for your fragrances?
What is your company’s global presence?
SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2022 35 INTERVIEW
What has been your proudest moment?
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt throughout your entrepreneurship journey?
I have learned that nothing is guaranteed! Society evolves and we must always adapt. That’s why I’m proud of this beautiful story that has lasted for almost 40 years.
Since 1985, Valmont has evolved to answer the skin needs of contemporary women. The future of Valmont will be to concentrate skincare products to the maximum of possibilities. The brand’s experience will always be one of personalized advice, visible effectiveness and cellular stimulation thanks to exceptional active ingredients, from collagen, DNA, precious peptides and vitamins.
Did you have any other career aspirations earlier on?
We are in 55 different countries, and I want to develop the Indian market. We are also working on expanding the Asian market.
How did you get started in the beauty industry?
How do you see the brand evolving in the future?
How has the rise of eCommerce changed the way you run your Sincebusiness?thehealth crisis, e-commerce has taken on a very important role. It has allowed us to bring our brand closer to customers who are far from our points of sale. It has also helped to renew our clientele with a dynamic and more colourful digital communication!
Sustainability has become a very important issue for today’s customers. Our business segment demands total respect and transparency on sustainability. We have been aware of these requirements for a long time, but we did not communicate them. We are now doing so.
How important is sustainability in the beauty industry?
My inspiration comes from the way I look at contemporary women. They are fascinating and I wanted to create fragrances that reflect them. Venice is also a source of inspiration with its richness and colours.
I have always been passionate about research and molecules. I have been able to exercise this passion since I started working for the Valmont Group.
My career started at Oscar de la Renta and YSL as a marketing and communication director
GC’s exclusive interview with founder of the Global Gift Foundation, Maria Bravo. by Teresa Esmezyan
The Global Gift Foundation is a philanthropic non-profit organization that aims to create a positive impact on the lives of children, women and families who are in need. Founded in 2013 by the Spanish actress, businesswoman and philanthropist, María Bravo, the GGF aims to create a positive impact on the lives of vulnerable communities in need of representation, protection, and Globalsupport.Citizen magazine sits with its founder to unlock the story behind its humble beginnings and what the future holds for the growing non-profit organization.
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IT’S ALL ABOUT LOVE
INTERVIEW
Global Gift is the result of a tremendous need to help, to make tangible what my mother taught me and which is based on love for others shares Maria Bravo.
As an organization with branches to many different non-profits, is there one cause that you personally feel most heartfelt towards and will always pursue in your philanthropic endeavors? While the core principles of the foundation are to help those in need without any discrimination, it is very important to me to support and prioritize individual personal development as well as women’s and children’s rights. My personal mission is to create awareness of social responsibility and continue with my motto: the power of giving back.
What sparked the launch of the Global Gift Foundation?
My mission has always been the same — to help and support the less fortunate. For this reason, Global Gift Foundation has its first house in my hometown Marbella, where we welcome children with rare diseases, and we offer them all therapies that they need free of charge. Now, we have more than 300 children at Casa Angeles. The foundation continues to grow and include new projects every year as global needs change.
Global Gifters represent the Global Gift Foundation around
How did your vision with GGF change as the organization started to expand?
Each event has its own allure and I look forward to each one with the same enthusiasm with to how dynamic and unique they are. Marbella is the Gala of my hometown, and it is always in the summer, Paris is elegant, Cannes is glamourous, Dubai and Abu Dhabi both are magnificent, London is a classic since the beginning — and yet they each illuminate the heart and soul of the foundation.
One of the latest projects from the foundation has been the opening of the Soup Kitchen in Estepona, Spain. We are also planning on starting another project in Sierra Madrid called The Ranch whose objective is to create a refuge for children with special needs and their families, as well as to welcome refugees from Ukraine.
the world and reinforce the mission through social awareness, networking, and partnerships with different initiatives. These Global Gifters include philanthropists, actors, and athletes, such as David Beckham; Ricky Martin; Amaury Nolasco; Victoria Beckham; Lara Fabian; Nikos Aliagas; Manolo Santana; Jordi Molla; Pitbull; Jane Fonda; Maxwell; Terrence Howard or Shemar Moore, among others. Together, they are part of the Global Gift Platform and allow the Foundation’s projects to come to life all around the world.
What are some of the global events you look forward to the most with GGF?
It has always been my dream to have my own foundation that directly supports families, and this path to philanthropy started when I was a child. I would see the generosity of my mom who would open her home to others where everyone had plate to eat. Years later, this sense of benevolence stayed with me, and along with one my best friends, Eva Longoria, we would visit hospitals in Los Angeles to help Latino patients translate from English to Spanish. Throughout the years, my aim has always been to help those in need in any possible way I can.
Incredible! What are some of the latest projects GGF has Globalsupported?Gift Foundation supports Harmony House in India since 2017, which is a charitable organization for homeless children. We have been working hard to address and meet the needs of destitute children across education, nutrition, healthcare, as well as vocational training for employment and careers. We also support the Quang Chau Orphanage in Vietnam which currently houses more than 100 children.
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Tell us a bit about Global Gifters and why it is important to highlight and recognize them?
What do you think makes one a successful fashion designer?
My idea of a successful fashion designer is a person who knows themself and has immense confidence in their abilities to create and grow as a human and designer. These characteristics will trickle down from them across their team and partners, to create a cohesive brand and work environment, with all individuals aligned to one common goal.
I first began ‘designing’ when I was around 7 or 8 years old. I would have my father take me to a cobbler in New York City, where I would take material swatches that I found in the garment district and have them applied to my all-white Nike Air Force One sneakers. For me that was my first canvas to start
Men do not always pay attention to the way they dress. Could you give some advice to men on how they should dress to be stylish?
These are of course only two extremes of the spectrum, and it could take some amount of trial and error to find one’s individual ‘balance’ that best suits their taste.
Set to debut his namesake menswear label in the region at The Dubai Mall, Global Citizen chats with acclaimed American menswear designer, Brett Johnson, whose multi-faceted spirit is a reflection of his own pursuit in redefining the American Dream.
UP CLOSE JOHNSONWITHPERSONAL&BRETT
you to become a designer?
There is no fool-proof guide to ‘style.’ In my opinion, ‘style’ as a concept is simply how one perceives it – my advice would be to find your styling voice and always try to represent yourself through the outfits you choose.
Who“painting.”orwhatinspired
I certainly believe my mom was a heavy influence on me from a creative perspective. She has always been curious to learn and master new skills that, I believe, is a character trait that I picked up from her, growing up. She plays the piano and violin and during the crux of the pandemic lockdown, when most people were at the brink of losing hope, she decided to use this time to learn a new skill — the cello. I admire her drive and passion for music, art, and creativity. She also owns and manages a chain of resorts and plays a key role in the interior, design and décor of the space — I believe that her taste is truly immaculate.
Each man has his own unique style: while some may choose to be loud and flamboyant, others may prefer an understated but timeless wardrobe of investment pieces.
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Moments in time and travel — My preference is to combine the two. For instance, if I’m travelling with my wife to a new place and I plan a romantic dinner together, I try to capture the colours, textures, and mood to develop a collection.
Where do you find inspiration for your creations?
Who are your favourite designers and why?
When did you first start designing?
Giorgio Armani, Ralph Lauren, and Loro Piana (as a company). The reason for Giorgio and Ralph is they have literally created a universe around their brands, and it is not a singular component — it is a vast array of different businesses that harmoniously speak with each other. Regarding Loro Piana, I truly admire its development of materials and the fact that as a brand, it does not take shortcuts when developing a product.
What can people expect from your latest collection?
The garments are infused with Mediterranean colours — whites, neutrals, hues of blue, tropical green and pops of vibrant floral colours intertwined with a warmer palette of browns, honey and camel, reflecting the beauty of the natural landscape in daylight as well as sunset.
What does it mean to you to be represented in the Middle East?
With the opening of your new regional flagship store at The Dubai Mall, what drew you to the UAE?
I first fell in love with the UAE back in 2016, when my wife and I were headed to the Maldives but ended up staying in Dubai for three weeks. We instantly fell in love with the culture, food, substantial diversity of people and experiences — it’s unlike any other place we have ever been to in our lives, and in the best way possible way.
We have contemplated calling Dubai home several times, however, with my new role as the Art Director of the NBA franchise, the Washington Wizards and Monumental Sports, I landed a home in Virginia where I’m from.
It’s a surreal emotion. During the 2016 trip to Dubai, I joked with my wife about imagining having a store in The Dubai Mall — She said that I would, and I just laughed because it all felt like ‘the dream.’ Now that this time has arrived, I still cannot fathom what is transpiring for the brand. I could not have asked for a better location in the world, as The Dubai Mall is now the premier global destination for shoppers; New York used to hold this position for a while, but we now see Dubai rapidly growing as the go-to for shoppers and tourists from across the world.
Launching a boutique in Dubai has been a long-standing goal for the brand. Now that we are here, we are extremely curious to understand the reaction to the brand and consumer behaviour of the Middle East region. The region has made its mark on the map, with all major global brands rapidly penetrating the market, and of course, it is key for Brett Johnson Collection to further penetrate new territories. I think our style of timeless and classic menswear perfectly resonates with the audience and will seamlessly integrate with the wardrobe of the contemporary gentleman.
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Are any further expansion plans in the works?
My Spring/Summer 2022 collection was inspired by a romantic getaway to Portofino with my wife. Visiting the Italian coastline was a transcendent experience after the complicated pandemic period and represented the feel-good catalyst for a new collection of classic elevated luxury sportswear.
GC’s exclusive with fashion model Flaviana Matata, who embarked on a philanthropic journey to provide educational opportunities to young girls in Tanzania.
A MODEL GLOBAL CITIZEN
“To whom much is given, much is required.”
After I got signed to a modelling agency and moved to the US, I was determined to lead change beyond my career, and I founded the Flaviana Matata Foundation which empowers girls through access to quality education. With 1 in 3 girls marrying before the age of 18, 1 in 4 girls bearing their first child before 18, and only 1 in 4 girls completing secondary schooling beyond the age of 15, I knew I had to do something.
I decided early my platform would be dedicated to changing the narrative and disrupting the status quo.
Having clarity around the impact I desired to make was only half the battle. I knew the what, but figuring out the how required quite a bit more work. I started the Flaviana Matata Foundation to honor my passion and deep commitment to use education as a tool to transform the lives of Tanzanian girls from underserved communities.
At the heart of the work we do is creating opportunities — we ensure girls and young women have the resources and equal opportunities they need to complete their education, find employment and start their own businesses. There are millions of girls across the globe who are denied access to education. We began with one simple goal - transform future generations by educating girls, and supporting the communities they live in.
How did your journey begin?
Apart from so much work we have accomplished as an organization, I’m most proud when I see all the work we’ve done and all the 7 girls who graduated from universities last We’reyear.now in the last building phase of teacher housing as we believe teachers are so important part of what we do, and they shouldn’t be left behind.
What are you most proud of ever since its inception?
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What inspired you to start the foundation?
Founded in 2011, the Flaviana Matata Foundation serves as a platform to inspire, empower, and support girl to unleash their potential and achieve their dream lives. Since its inception, the foundation has evolved from providing scholarships alone to a variety of fully-fledged service resources; having realized that her efforts need to go beyond providing school supplies but rather strive to create a conducive and friendly environment for young girls to receive the education they deserve. Since then, Flaviana has initiated other ventures that seek to support and reinforce her mission —using girls’ education as a tool.
To witness the construction project near completion, knowing where we began, makes me proud to use my voice and platform for Thegood.best part is that it’s the effort of the FMF team and the people who have been very supportive throughout the years. It has been like a ripple effect.
Overcoming the increased challenges requires an expansion of capacity. Supporting grassroots organizations allows for greatest impact because those grassroots organizations live among the people they are impacting.
many challenges. Specifically in Tanzania. The biggest challenge, however, is poverty itself.
Coming from an underserved community presents high risk of dropout due to early marriages, early pregnancy, gender-based violence, cultural taboos — especially around the education
Whatcountry.hasbeen
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the biggest challenge in the pursuit of reinforcing Thereeducation?areso
That’s why we invest heavy in communities through dialogues with parents, teachers, cultural and religious leaders. It takes years to change minds, and change takes time, so we focus on one step at a time.
of girls. Communal economic empowerment is extremely important. Supporting and educating the community and family helps to transform traditions and culture that can sometimes be an inhibitor of progress.
How many lives has the FMF impacted?
What can be done amongst the global community to help overcome it?
Under our scholarship program, we started with 10 girls supporting them with everything they need to stay in school. We currently have 25 students being sponsored. We work with over 4500 girls under our SRHR/MHHM program, 52 young women under our economic empowerment program, and we’ve impacted over 8,500 girls and boys through our work collaboratively with our community partner, Msisune Primary School, which is located in Bayamoyo, increasing enrollment by 85% since 2015, and significantly decreasing the school dropout rate. I’m so grateful I get to serve in this capacity. We have reached over 60,000 people through our programs and we hoping to expand our programs to other communities across the
Go deep, instead of going wide. It’s not just about the numbers. Impact matters most.
To ensure sustainable growth doing one-off community engagements doesn’t bring about true change. Most funding is going to larger organizations, and many times they aren’t connected to the grassroots organizations who are on the ground effectuating real change.
The African proverb
If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far go together” ensures our impact stretches across generations and reaches places we only imagined.
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Meet Nicole Smith-Ludvik: Professional skydiver, stuntwoman, and inspirational speaker.
Before her newfound stardom, Nicole was married in her early 20s, and life took an unexpected turn when she was widowed
saw Nicole standing on top of the Burj Khalifa once again for another edition of the campaign, this time taking it one spectacular step further with a guest appearance from the iconic Expo 2020 Dubai A380 itself.
Originally from a small town in Georgia, U.S., Nicole is as well-rounded as she is fearless, with a remarkable life story and impressive resume that includes a successful corporate career, professional skydiver, yoga instructor, social media influencer, stuntwoman, and all-around adventurer.
Not only did Nicole make a full recovery, but she also went on to conquer the world, becoming one of the world’s most inspirational skydivers and a stuntwoman.
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at 25. After much soul searching, she decided to follow her passion for adventure and became a skydiver. Soon after, Nicole was involved in a car accident that killed her skydiving instructor. Nicole was critically injured, and doctors were convinced she would not survive with a broken neck, back, tailbone, a punctured lung, two broken ribs, four pelvic fractures, and two brain injuries.
With her unique life story, Nicole has drawn on her personal experiences and unexpected personal life traumas to become a popular motivational speaker. She regularly speaks at events about overcoming fear and facing adversity and how perseverance, determination, and drive can bring success.
Through her speaking engagements, Nicole aims to inspire others with her message of hope, positivity, and encouragement, to support others in overcoming their fears and finding some light in their darkness.
FLYING HIGH
rofessional skydiver and stuntwoman Nicole SmithLudvik gained international attention when she starred in Emirates Airline’s recent viral ad campaign in August 2021, standing atop the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa. Soon after, Nicole’s image was painted on four of Emirate’s flagship Airbus A380’s, the world’s largest passenger airplane, inviting people to visit the world’s greatest show, Expo 2020
JanuaryDubai.2022
INTERVIEW
I realized no one is guaranteed a second on this planet. So I promised myself that I wouldn’t waste time on things that didn’t serve me or bring me joy; I vowed to love harder, appreciate deeper, and be thankful for every breath I take. We have at least one defining moment at some point in our lives. These two back-to-back tragedies were my defining moments. Would I let myself fall into a pit of self-pity, or would I find the grace hidden in the circumstances? Would I let the fire burn me, or would the fire forge me and make me stronger?
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“living” to retirement. I assumed that I would have the time and the health to do everything I was putting off.
There is strength in being vulnerable. There’s nothing wrong with asking for help.
I realized early into my recovery that I needed to change my mindset to heal. I learned the importance of focusing my mind on positivity, setting measurable goals, and having an attitude of gratitude. I sincerely hope that by telling my story, others may find the strength they need to push through any adversity they
Even during my most challenging days, I find something for which to be grateful. Always make time to do the things that bring me joy.
You’ve overcome a lot of adversity. How do you use these life experiences to encourage others?
I have no recollection of the accident or the following 11 days. I was in terrible shape. I was helicoptered to a trauma hospital in Atlanta to save my life. I sustained a broken neck, back, tailbone, punctured lung, two broken ribs, four pelvic fractures, and two brain injuries. The doctors prepared my family for the worst. Even if I made it, my parents were told my brain injuries could limit my cognitive abilities, and hip fractures could severely affect my walking ability. My body and my heart were shattered.
you going during the most challenging times? What did you learn on your personal journey over the first couple of years?
I’ve had some tragic things happen in my life. First, I became a widow at 25. Then, roughly 18 months after my late husband passed, I was involved in a terrible car accident. Another driver ran a red light and collided with my car. The impact was directly on the driver’s side door, and my boyfriend was driving. Unfortunately, he didn’t make it.
I have an incredible family. I simply couldn’t have made it without their unwavering love and steadfast support. I also have a fantastic group of friends who are faithfully by my side. One of the most amazing things to come from my journey is my skydiving family. The skydiving community is tight, and the camaraderie must be experienced to be understood. I have learned so much along the way that could fill a book. But a few takeaways:
What’s it like wearing all these different hats as a motivational speaker, stuntwoman, skydiver, and spokesperson?
It’s the most fun ever! Every day is different, and every day is filled with things I love to do.
Whatface.kept
I am not perfect and don’t try to be. I am flawed. There are things in my life I can do better. There’s always space for self-improvement.
What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced, not just physically but also mentally?
The car accident changed the entire trajectory of my life. I came face-to-face with my mortality in my mid 20’s. The ambition of saving and investing as much money as I could, preparing for early retirement, nearly came to a screeching halt. I realized I was not living my life in the present. Instead, I was pushing
What’s2022.’itlike to hold the record as the youngest person ever to skydive in all 50 United States?
Face your fears. One of my favorite quotes is from Will Smith:
What are some of the proudest achievements that you’ve garnered over the years?
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If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be?
I feel that motivational speaking is my life’s purpose. I believe I have survived these tragedies for a reason; to inspire others and be a light of hope in someone else’s darkness.
It’s a spectacular accomplishment. I started the journey to skydive in all 50 States when I had just a little more than 100 skydives. Though that may sound like a lot of jumps, it’s, in
What are the core messages of your talks? What do you hope people take away from your talks?
My achievements include a successful corporate career, being the youngest person to skydive all 50 United States and having two viral ad campaigns with Emirates Airlines. Plus, I was recently awarded as ‘One of the Most Inspirational Women to Look for in
DoGratefulyouhave any special plans or projects for the coming year?
How did you get into public speaking?
My core messages are in the stories I have just shared. Have a heart full of gratitude. Persevere. No matter how difficult the road may be, keep moving forward. The progress can be as slow as it needs to be, so long as you keep moving forward.
Everything you’ve ever wanted is sitting on the other side of fear.
fact, relatively inexperienced. My ambition was to complete the journey in one summer. Most people thought it would be impossible to do it so quickly. Others thought it would be utterly impossible because two states don’t have skydiving facilities. But, I am not easily influenced or discouraged. I planned my trip and packed my car with skydiving equipment, a tent, and essentials. Then, with nothing more than a prayer and big dreams, I hit the road in March 2012. With unwavering determination and with the help of some incredible and gracious people, and after countless adjustments, detours, and improvisations, I completed my goal on August 23, 2012.
You motivate others, but what is your own personal motivation in Mylife?biggest motivation is to live with no regrets. Cliched, I know. But I don’t want to look back and say, “I wish I would have...”
I have several exciting projects in the works right now. You can follow along as the journey unfolds on my social channels!
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Carnaspecifically?isanamazing
What can diners expect when dining at Carna by Dario EachCecchini?andevery guest should be treated well so that hopefully they will have one of the most beautiful days of their lives. They can expect joy.
Following the success of the first Carna dining concept in Baha Mar, what inspired you to open a second location in Dubai
We try to source ingredients of the highest quality locally
Has it always been a dream of yours to open a restaurant?
How do you promote sustainability and eliminate waste within the business?
restaurant, inside a truly wonderful hotel in an exceptionally vibrant city. The reason I chose Dubai was curiosity, my curiosity for a new experience. I feel great ‘sympatico’ - energy in Dubai. From the very first day I felt wonderful, positive energy in Dubai. I think that Dubai is the centre of the world. It looks straight into the future, and we are in the right place at the right time.
passion, heart and treating our guests in such a way that makes them feel they are having one of the best days of their lives.
Dubai’s latest contemporary steakhouse was conceptualised and created by the award-winning eighth-generation butcher Dario Cecchini.
What do you believe restaurants have to do to stay relevant and ensure success during these unprecedented times for the Quality,industry?
How did you begin your career in butchery?
Our signature dishes include the beef heart skewers and the Bollito de Dario cart. Both are truly fantastic. Also,Bistecca Alla Fiorentina and Bollito Misto.These are a few of the dishes which I feel reflect my philosophy and thoughts.
Opening a restaurant was always my dream and I felt that that was the best way to explain in the clearest way possible, my concept of how to use an animal well.
What makes Carna unique is that we put our heart and soul into it; our passion for sustainability and using the whole animal well and helping our clients understand that an animal isn’t just made up of a T-bone and a fillet. We honor the animal that nourishes us. All of us are part of the eternal circle of being born and dying in this eternal circle of life.
My early life was difficult because my mother and father both passed away while I was studying veterinary science at university before I was even 20 years old. I did have, though, an incredible desire to become a good butcher.
They can expect to see how I have created wonderful dishes that use the whole animal. They can expect flavours that many have forgotten. Carna is an understanding and close collaboration between a butcher and a chef.
Who are your culinary inspirations?
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What are the signature dishes at Carna?
CARNA BY DARIO CECCHINI
We promote sustainability by using every part well, from nose to tail, following the path of my ancestors when the idea of wasting meat or any food was something literally unthinkable. Carna by Dario Cecchini is known for its speciality in its steaks. How do you produce such savoury flavours? The quality of our meat is ensured by guaranteeing the animal has a good life, an honest death, an experienced butcher and a fantastic chef.
The most important thing is that when we have a guest in our restaurant, it’s not just about the good food, but it’s also the all-enveloping feeling of happiness that we provide. The thing that I can do is to give my guests an authentic experience . This is the story of my family and my ancestors. This is the story of my food. This is the story of my life.
The location of Carna is on the 74th floor of the SLS Dubai Hotel & Residences. How does the location of the steakhouse attract customers?
I’m excited about what the path of life holds for us – hopefully positive things.
Our guests can expect an experience about the many ways to enjoy meat.
What are you excited about for the future?
What is the history and background of the restaurant? What makes Carna so unique?
It’s not the location that pulls clients in, even though our restaurant is incredibly beautiful, it’s what you offer your guests that brings our wonderful clients to us time and time again.
My culinary inspirations were my grandparents, my parents and the traditions that I grew up surrounded by in our village of Panzano in Chianti.
whenever possible, and that quest is ongoing. Beyond that, we search for the maximum quality wherever it can be found.
How do you source the ingredients and is it important to utilise produce that is locally sourced?
You are based at the London Centre for Aesthetic Surgery in Dubai Healthcare City. Can you tell us a bit about the facility? My brother and I opened the clinic in 2008 after many patients had invited us to open in many other cities. Having spent over 20 years in the UK at this point, we were drawn to Dubai for many reasons, including the fact that we had many patients from the Gulf region who were already our patients. They still make up for about 60% of our clientele today. We wanted the clinic not to resemble a hospital and chose ‘spa-like’ interiors. We have one operating theatre, four recovery rooms, and several treatment rooms and it’s a day case hospital. We have a team of highly qualified nurses. The patients that come require much privacy, so our setup allows us to provide this to the patients. All post-operative appointments are also held at our clinic with both my brother and I at hand to ensure that the aftercare is done correctly. We also have other colleagues in the practice that support us too.
the same camera, the results can be different. It is important as plastic surgeons to have a strong sense of what aesthetically looks good, a strong sense of proportion, and a vision of what the ‘canvas’ should be. My brother and I enjoy making people more confident with how they feel and look. This should be an enhancement of themselves, not a transformation. All plastic surgery work should always look natural to the eye.
Pioneering plastic surgeon Dr. Maurizio Viel reveals exclusive beauty insights, including the most coveted celebrity looks and beauty treatments.
TOPphotographers
INTERVIEW
DOC: DR. MAURIZIO VIEL
For more than 30 years, Dr. Maurizio has been responsible for pioneering and introducing many of the plastic surgery procedures we see available today, making him sought after not only by patients but by medical corporations, helping train surgeons and doctors globally.
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You have been practicing as a plastic surgeon for over 30 years throughout London, Dubai, and Milan. Do you have any career highlights that you’re especially proud of?
Both you and your twin brother, Dr. Roberto Viel are plastic surgeons. What inspired you both to pursue this career path? My brother and I through our upbringing have always been raised to love the arts, whether it is music, our mother was an opera singer in Milan, or to appreciate architecture. We had much exposure to the creative world since we were young and were blessed to be raised in Italy which has a rich heritage. Our sense of aesthetics for all arts is still a passion. When we were at medical school, it was natural for my brother and me to choose a part of medicine in which we connect with the arts. Aesthetic medicine and plastic surgery are very much about the arts, it’s an artist working with a canvas, and if you give two
As co-authors of The Viel’s Beauty Bible, which focuses on how to look younger and feel better, with or without surgery. How do you help people make the choice between pursuing natural beauty solutions versus opting for more invasive procedures? We would always recommend the less invasive procedure. The sooner you start means you can have a great option of treatments as a preventative delaying the need for more invasive procedures. These days, we have a much better understanding of the aging process, and with an improvement in techniques and technologies, there are more options available on the market for patients to choose from. From the onset, we have always believed in natural-looking work. We always prefer to do less a little more often, rather than waiting until a much later age because the work looks more apparent. These days, we see women in their 20s and 30s who take much better care of their health, they have a better lifestyle, and will do skin treatments as a preventative such as Botox, lasers, and skin peels.
Every time a patient is happy and says thank you, believe it or not, it still remains a highlight after so many years. My brother and I chose a field of medicine where we wanted to make people happier. Opening offices in Dubai Healthcare City, Atlantis, and now Cornerstone Clinic has also been major milestones for Overus.the years, the highlights that my brother and I have shared include the publishing of our book which was sold out very quickly, this was indeed very satisfying. It was the first of its kind back in the day prior to social media when there was no real source of beauty information in this part of the cosmetic Also,industry.being on the board and trainers of companies such as IPSEN, who are the French producers of ‘wrinkle injections’ has been so interesting. They have sent me around the world to train colleagues, and it’s a great learning process for me all the time too. IPSEN has a product called Dysport my brother and I have used for over 10-years giving great results to our patients. Teaching other colleagues’ techniques during lectures, especially in the case in the art of VASER Liposuction and other techniques is an honour and fulfilling.
What would you say are the most requested male and female celebrity body ideals?
and someone with whom you have a good doctor/patient Dubairelationship.residents
In Dubai, our highest request would be for liposuction for both men and women, with breast augmentation for women following closely behind. In London, we see patients also for liposuction but it’s slightly different. In the UK, there is much demand to remove all fat. In Dubai, our patients just want to reshape their bodies, to enhance their shape. We try to teach patients not to lose all the fat. It’s the fat that keeps us youthful. Think marathon runners vs sumo wrestlers so we must respect that balance as surgeons too. In London, we also see a great deal of face-lifts with a much older population in the UK.
tend to live exceptionally busy lives, what are the most effective procedures that have the least downtime? That’s very true. Our patients often have to work hard to block out a week in Dubai. During 2020 and 2021, because of pandemic restrictions, we saw how many patients took advantage of the downtime that was offered to them. Patients couldn’t travel and often worked via Zoom, so it was easier to book for surgery. Now, patients are booking in for surgery weeks in advance to ensure they have a clear schedule. For non-invasive procedures with little downtime would include Botox, fillers, mesotherapy, PRP, and carbon peels. The surgical procedures with the least downtime would include VASER Liposuction and breast augmentation.
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What are the most requested procedures in your Dubai practice by both men and women? Are these different to those requested by your patients in other cities?
It seems more than ever, that people are opting to go under the knife to change their appearance. Is there any advice you would give to someone looking to change their body via surgery? We tell our patients not to follow trends. We ask them to respect the proportions of the body and the sense of harmony. Most of all, the patient must make the changes to their bodies for themselves and no one else. Patients should consider doctors who listen to their patients, and in return advise the patient and do what is in the patient’s interest. Finally, we also implore patients not to only look at prices – we have seen it go wrong in many cases when bargain hunting becomes the priority. Seek and find an ethical surgeon,
If we talk about female patients in Dubai, Kim Kardashian is probably still sought after. Patients also like Bella Hadid and Kylie Jenner. In the case of Kim, some of our patients would like to have curves in the right proportions like her, so we harvest fat from the stomach to enhance the bottom area which remains popular. Our male patients, on the other hand, just would like to look good and are often not influenced by
How should a patient prepare before coming to see you?
I think it has been a double-edged sword. On the one hand, patient’s knowledge and acceptance of plastic surgery has increased. They are more aware of what they are looking for. They want to look better, and they have great techniques for make-up and skincare products. However, sometimes, there are unrealistic expectations. Social media has also warped and changed the notion of beauty. In the past, each country had their own ideas of beauty but now it’s a technological change of what is most seen on social media – some good, some less so.
It depends on the treatment. We do suggest having a list of questions as that often helps give a focus and patients should have some idea of what they are looking to achieve. Do listen to the surgeon whilst asking questions until you are satisfied. In our clinic, we always offer patients second consultations if they have further questions to ensure that the patient has understood the procedure or surgery.
We are most excited to offer a new range of regenerative medicines to work alongside the aesthetic treatments. Whilst Ozone therapy is not new, we are amongst the first to combine with other treatment with a series of diagnostic treatments to show the effects of pumping oxygen into the body. We have an antioxidant stress test to indicate the number of free radicals in the body, and through a variety of treatments, bring those levels down. Free radicals cause ageing due to the oxidative process, so we need to work from the inside out to maintain our youthfulness by controlling those levels.
How do you think social media has impacted people’s interest in and knowledge of skincare, for better or worse?
Where would you like to see the beauty industry go from here?
social media. They do it for their confidence levels, and in many cases, if their wife/girlfriend looks young, they are also inspired to look good.
What’s the most frustrating or pervasive misconception that you see on social media about skincare?
Can you tell us one new treatment or procedure that you are most excited about and why?
Has the way you think about beauty changed during the pandemic? How so?
I think there is an unrealistic expectation about how much skincare can achieve from cheap creams to expensive creams. Eventually, most patients will find a happy medium when they try aesthetic treatments such as Botox and skin peels whilst using a good moisturizer from a good skincare line. It is best to have these treatments in combination. There is no single cream out there on the market that can treat deep wrinkles –maybe fine lines but that is it. It also depends on how people want to age. Some patients are happy to keep their lines and wrinkles, whilst others want them removed. It’s important to respect the patient’s choices.
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We hope to see more technological advances with treatments and surgery that will have less downtime with longer-lasting effect. My brother and I also work with stem cells, and this will be the future to slow down the ageing process. There will be much greater advances in technology in this sector when we can use our own bodies to heal itself like with PRP, stem cells and to have bespoke beauty treatments instead of store-bought creams.
Fed up with looking tired and wrinkled, they made choices to feel better from home. Dubai also is a hub for businesses that require much travel, and the travel downtime during those years meant there was most opportunity and time pockets to finally do the surgery they have been wanting to do so for years.
In the UK, it is a much wider variety whom they mention. People have requested from Kylie Jenner’s lips to Naomi Campbell’s cheekbones to Heidi Klum’s body. The celebrity request, however, is not as common as is perceived both in Dubai and London. Patients these days are well-read and educated on the subject.
You were among the first surgeons to introduce into the UK and UAE market the in-demand VASER liposuction procedure. How does this differ from similar procedures available in the VASERmarket?
Liposuction is one of the most gentle and precise technologies out there. It uses ultrasound waves working at a frequency to target only fat cells. When the ultrasound waves, emitted from the probe, hit the fat cells, they burst on impact but leaving all the surrounding tissue, veins, and vessels largely unharmed. The precise nature of the US technology can be seen from its initial work in brain tumours, which requires the utmost accuracy. As a result, our patients over decades lose less blood during surgery, have less downtime, have better results, less bruising; with the VASER, the results are smoother, and the skin shrinks to a large extent better due to the natural heat of the probe. However, like with all technology, it is crucial that the surgeon has much experience. It is still a surgical instrument and requires more knowledge on how to get the best results otherwise will carry the most risks.
We were so surprised when we re-opened our doors after the initial lockdown in Dubai in 2020, we were fully booked for months and months in advance. We also had brand new patients to the industry. I think people started to weigh up their priorities, and finally took the plunge of doing things that mattered to them. In addition, the usage of Zoom also skyrocketed new patients into the industry who stared at themselves over video conferences and decided they wanted to look better.
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FIGHTING FOR THE HUNDREDTHSLAST
HOROLOGY
Driven by a shared quest for perfection, Richard Mille and Ferrari create a limited-edition ultra-flat timepiece, the RM UP-01 Ferrari.
Breaking with the brand’s established stylistic codes, but faithful to its identity and spirit, this model once again rolls back the limits of the possible by taking up the ultra-flat challenge. At just 1.75 millimetres thick, the RM UP-01 Ferrari constitutes a triumph of technical prowess and exemplifies a new approach to watch mechanics in which technicity more than ever dictates aesthetics. A model resulting from many years’ work, dozens of prototypes and more than 6,000 hours of development and laboratory testing…
resistance. “For such a project, it was necessary to set aside all the knowledge we had amassed over years of practice, and every conceivable standard of watchmaking,” explains Julien Boillat, Technical Director for Cases at Richard Mille.
Richard Mille was determined to retain a traditional architecture in which the movement is assembled within the case, rather than a construction in which the caseback doubles as a baseplate to ensure under any circumstances total shock
Sporting mechanisms that are as elegant as they are immediately recognisable. An identical obsession with excellence, precision, reliability, and innovation. A common goal of uncompromising performance. In 2021, Ferrari and Richard Mille, driven by their shared quest for perfection, joined forces to create a long-term partnership. Richard Mille celebrates this budding relationship with the creation of an exceptional ultra-flat timepiece, the RM UP-01 Ferrari.
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“This is precisely what we did throughout our collaboration with the laboratories of Audemars Piguet Le Locle. Shaving off those last millimetres of depth was an extremely demanding and lengthy process.”
Their models make no concessions and frequently contradict current trends to create new aesthetical codes. The RM UP01 Ferrari bears witness to this partnership of the best knowhow these two iconic brands have to offer in the combination of their ideas, understanding, respective developments and shared values.
The collaboration between Richard Mille and the Ferrari teams, most visibly expressed in the choice of materials and execution of the watch, also precisely lent the project the competitive spirit so essential in the most exhilarating adventures. The RM UP-01 Ferrari is an allusive piece to Ferrari’s values, developing sporting mechanisms that are as elegant as they are immediately recognisable
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Like the prestigious Italian automotive legend – and consistent with the standards of the Richard Mille manufacture thanks to its extreme lightness, tonneau shape, spline screws, skeletonised bridges, and level of finishing – the 150 limitededition timepieces in the RM UP-01 Ferrari series combine innovation with performance, strength, and aesthetics.
for function selection, the other to utilise the selected function, have both been integrated in the case as movement wheels.
The new ultra-flat escapement, also patented, replaced these ‘anti-reversal’ elements with an elongated fork with new horns. Likewise, the index was set aside in favour of a variable-inertia balance crafted in titanium whose six weights allow for finetuned calibration of the regulating organ.
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To ensure optimal functioning of the going train, the baseplate and skeletonised bridges are crafted of grade 5 titanium, guaranteeing perfect flatness without compromising strength. The patented extra flat barrel is fitted with an extraordinarily fine hairspring and the architecture of the escapement was entirely redesigned. To reduce depth, the small plate of the balance and dart (guard pin) – two parts that prevent the anchor from slipping back during the free phase of the balance wheel’s movement – were eliminated.
Meeting the challenge of an ultra-flat watch precluded a traditional movement with superimposed gears and hands. Richard Mille therefore opted to distribute what could not be stacked over a broader surface area by creating a perfect symbiosis between the movement and case, each ensuring the necessary rigidity of the other. The RMUP-01 manual-winding movement with hours, minutes, and function selector – capable of withstanding accelerations of more than 5,000 g’s – thus boasts a thickness of 1.18 millimetres, a weight of 2.82 grams, and a power reserve of 45 hours.
“Even in the realm of extreme flatness, we were determined to make a watch that met the same validation requirements as all our other models. In this quest for absolute flatness, we had to offer a watch that, far from being a ‘concept watch’, was up to the task of following a user’s daily life, whatever the circumstances,” concluded Salvador Arbona, Technical Director for Movements at Richard Mille.
As a material for the case – just 1.75 mm in thickness and water resistant to 10 metres – titanium was chosen for the advantages it offers in combining lightness and laboratory tested resistance. The two sapphire crystals, one over the time indicators whose hands are directly affixed to the wheels, the other positioned over the regulator (balance wheel-spring assembly) to showcase the movement’s operation, were also reduced in thickness to two tenths of a millimetre with a diameter calculated to ensure their resistance during testing phases. The narrow tolerance range and extreme slenderness of each part required the focus to be particularly meticulous and checked at almost every stage of machining. It was therefore natural that the decision to produce and machine the case in-house in our movement department was the logical step to take for the RM UP-01 Ferrari.
To deliver a watch this thin, it was also necessary by rethinking the winding mechanism and to eliminate the winding stem, whose minimum diameter of 1.5 millimetres precluded its inclusion in such a slim watch. In its place, the two crowns, one
Audemars Piguet unveils the new Royal Oak RD#3 to celebrate the iconic 50th anniversary
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CELEBRATING AN ICON
The Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Extra-Thin features a central oscillating weight mounted on ball bearings and equipped with two reversers that ensure bidirectional winding. The timepiece is fitted with the dedicated anniversary openworked oscillating weight in rhodium-toned 22-carat pink gold, which bears the “50-years” logo and the Audemars Piguet signature engraved on its surface. Matching the tones of the stainless-steel case and bracelet, it is also adorned with the collection’s trademark polished and satin-brushed finishes.
Just as on the 1972 model, this new “Jumbo” reference is distinguished by bathtub-shaped hour-markers and hands filled with luminescent material to ensure optimal readability in the dark.
The new RD#3 remains true to the aesthetic codes of the iconic “Jumbo” models. The stainless steel case and bracelet feature the collection’s signature satin-brushed and polished hand finishes, while the timepiece is graced with a Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50 Petite Tapisserie dial which pays tribute to the original model. The colour is obtained using a PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) process that guarantees a uniform and lasting tone across all the dials.
A NEW ULTRA-THIN FLYING TOURBILLON MOVEMENT
Audemars Piguet’s watchmakers have met several technical challenges to bring this timepiece to life, while devoting particular attention to aesthetic details. Pushing the boundaries of feasibility, this model will be complemented in September by a second 37 mm version for the slimmer wrists, enriched with a dial of a different hue.
Contrary to the original model, the contemporary version is endowed with a sapphire caseback, which reveals the new ultrathin movement and the dedicated oscillating weight.
Swiss Haute Horlogerie manufacturer Audemars Piguet proudly unveils its latest research and development breakthrough (RD#3) with the Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Extra-Thin.
This 39 mm stainless steel anniversary model, measuring 8.1 mm in thickness, represents the first “Jumbo” in history to be equipped with a self-winding flying tourbillon. It is powered by the Manufacture’s new self-winding ultra-thin flying tourbillon movement, Calibre 2968, measuring just 3.4 mm thick and adorned with a novel combination of traditional and contemporary handcrafted decorations.
The Audemars Piguet signature, like the minute track, is printed in white on the Tapisserie motif. The titanium flying tourbillon cage rotating at 6 o’clock stands out against the blue Tapisserie backdrop to create an airy effect.
The hand decoration of the movement components, visible through the sapphire caseback, combines the dynamism and classicism of V-angles with the modernity of traits tirés – a finish that appears on the mainplate and bridges and replaces the traditional Côtes de Genève. The openworked, rhodium-toned bridges offer an unobstructed view, contrasting with the pink-gold-toned colour of certain mechanism elements.
A REFINED AND SLENDER DESIGN
Providing optimum visibility of the tourbillon and the movement, Audemars Piguet engineers completely redesigned the architecture of the mechanism. The Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Extra-Thin features a new escapement to accentuate the aesthetic details while revealing part of the movement’s workings. The geometry and positioning of the balance wheel arms have notably been revised in such a way as to make the watch’s beating heart even more perceptible. The technical design of the movement results in the flying tourbillon being placed at the dial level, for a greater visual experience.
At the heart of this new innovation is Calibre 2968, an ultra-thin selfwinding flying tourbillon movement that was developed over a five-year period. Audemars Piguet’s engineers and watchmakers took on numerous challenges in order to accommodate this complication – previously reserved for 41 mm diameters – into the smaller volume of a “Jumbo:” a first for the Manufacture and one of the rare examples in the watch industry as a whole. Given the extrathin nature of the form language, this self-winding flying tourbillon had to be creatively rethought to reduce the thickness required to house this complication by repositioning certain components. The tourbillon cage, which is crafted in titanium, is notably equipped for the first time with a peripheral drive. The combination of these two elements not only makes the distribution of energy to the tourbillon more fluid, but also served to lighten and refine this regulating organ.
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A DEDICATED “50-YEARS” OSCILLATING WEIGHT
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BLANCPAIN AND BIOPIXEL: PRESERVING THE HEART OF THE OCEAN
Since the 1953 launch of the first modern diver’s watch, Fifty Fathoms, Blancpain has made ocean discovery and protection a priority. In line with this commitment, the Brand is announcing a new partnership with Biopixel Oceans Foundation and Biopixel. The aim of this collaboration is to support scientific research, propose innovative restoration solutions and raise public awareness of the need to preserve one of nature’s jewels: the Great Barrier Reef.
The aim of the collaboration between Blancpain and the Biopixel Group is to contribute to the health and survival of the Great Barrier Reef.
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Biopixel Oceans Foundation and Biopixel
Biopixel Oceans Foundation facilitates and undertakes scientific research, exploration and education, to raise awareness for the underwater world. In partnership with leading academic institutions, and other NGO’s, Biopixel and the Biopixel Oceans Foundation support numerous reef restoration and other marine environmental projects and provide footage and scientific information to influence conservation decisions, improve knowledge of under-researched species and instil a passion for the oceans in younger generations.
Biopixel is an Australian film company specialising in nature and animal behaviour sequences, particularly of aquatic life. Founded in 2013 by Richard Fitzpatrick and Bevan Slattery, Biopixel was born of a shared passion for technology, diving, nature and the great outdoors. In partnership with James Cook University in Cairns, Biopixel operates one of the largest underwater filming facilities in the world. The company’s clients include world-renowned media outlets such as the Netflix, BBC, National Geographic, ARTE and Discovery Channel.
Exploring and preserving the world’s oceans is core to Blancpain. Throughout the nearly 70-year history of the Fifty Fathoms – the world’s first modern diving watch – Blancpain has woven close ties with the explorers, photographers, scientists, and environmentalists who treasure these precious resources. These affinities have inspired the Brand to support important activities and initiatives dedicated to the oceans.
Blancpain supports Biopixel’s activities in two ways: scientific research to learn more about certain species and impact conservation decisions; and production of a series of films focusing on personalities who dedicate their lives to protecting and saving the Great Barrier Reef. Through science, innovative technology and sustainable practices of projects including coral restoration, habitat management, animal rehabilitation and megafauna research, this multi-disciplinary project stems from Biopixel’s close collaboration with Blancpain, Australian authorities and universities, as well as local communities such as the traditional owners who have held deep cultural ties with the Great Barrier Reef for centuries.
Biopixel Oceans Foundation’s scientific research, led by marine
In recent years, the Blancpain Ocean Commitment (BOC) has invested in oceanographic initiatives and partnerships with leading institutions, such as the Pristine Seas expeditions, Laurent Ballesta’s Gombessa project, the World Ocean Initiative organised by The Economist, and World Oceans Day, which takes place every year at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
Through its Blancpain Ocean Commitment initiative, Blancpain has been contributing for several years to the development of concrete and tangible advances in the protection of the underwater world. In addition to its many existing partnerships, the Brand has decided to join forces with the Australian Biopixel Oceans Foundation and the multimedia production company Biopixel, specialising in ocean research and exploration.
Blancpain Ocean Commitment (BOC)
To date, all these activities in support of exploring and preserving the oceans, undertaken with great passion by Blancpain, have led to tangible results, and made a significant contribution in extending the surface area of marine protected areas around the world, with the addition of more than four million square kilometres.
biologists Richard Fitzpatrick and Dr. Adam Barnett, seeks to analyse the movements of marine animals such as sharks and manta rays, between protected areas and endangered zones and to study the behaviour of sharks and marine life with human interactions. The public can track several of these animals online in real time and observe their journey across the Great Barrier Reef, such as the two Whale sharks affectionately named Blancpain & Fifty Fathoms. Since 2019, several research expeditions have been conducted, to gather robust information on the movement behaviour, migrations and habitat use of various species over time.
In parallel to the foundation›s research activities, Biopixel produces captivating footage in high definition (8K) enabling the public to discover the beauty of marine ecosystems and understand the importance of protecting them. Each episode will be built around spectacular underwater footage telling the story of scientific and ground-breaking research. The series is set to be launched in the last quarter of 2022.
Guided by a resolutely pioneering spirit since its foundation in 1735, Blancpain is one of the first Haute Horlogerie manufactures to be actively committed to protecting the oceans. For nearly 20 years, the Brand has supported numerous initiatives to preserve the underwater world, including the Sea Academy project. Initiated by the Sulubaaï Environmental Foundation, and in collaboration with local communities, the project focuses on the creation of marine protected areas around Pangatalan Island and Shark Fin Bay in the Philippines.
SEA ACADEMY: THE SULUBAAÏ ENVIRONMENTAL FOUNDATION LAUNCHES A PARTICIPATORY OCEAN CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION PROJECT SUPPORTED BY BLANCPAIN
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The new MPAs will be marked and monitored to study the benefits of the measures implemented in the short and long term. The restoration model created by the Sulubaaï Environmental Foundation, which is an example, could be replicated in other marine areas to be protected.
The Philippines has one of the largest areas of coral reef in the world. Located within the Coral Triangle, these islands lie within an extremely rich reef zone that is home to 80% of the world›s coral species. These ‹rainforests› of the sea are teeming with life and provide vital services such as food and income to the human populations surrounding them. Unfortunately, this region is heavily impacted by human activity and global warming. It is therefore imperative to protect it. In order to address these threats and allow for a resurgence of marine biodiversity in harmony with the societies that depend on it, the Sea Academy project acts around the following pillars:
To date, all these activities in support of exploring and preserving the oceans, undertaken with great passion by Blancpain, have led to tangible results, and made a significant contribution in extending the surface of marine protected areas around the world, with the addition of more than four million square kilometres.
4. Communication and media coverage of national and international experiences with the same aim of raising awareness, this time globally.
3. Awareness-raising and education of children and adults from the surrounding villages, as well as students from the two universities in Palawan. Corporate: www.blancpain.com / BOC: www.blancpain-ocean-commitment.com
The Sulubaaï Environmental Foundation and Pangatalan Island
The Sulubaaï Environme ntal Foundation is a Franco-Philippine non-profit organisation, born of a passion for the ocean and a desire to help local communities. It is dedicated to the conservation and protection of Palawan’s natural resources through environmentally friendly practices and active ecosystem restoration. Its work is mainly focused on Pangatalan Island and Shark Fin Bay.
The partnership between Blancpain and the Sulubaaï Environmental Foundation is part of the Blancpain Ocean Commitment, which brings together all the Brand’s actions in support of the oceans. The programme has already led to concrete results, notably by extending the surface of marine protected areas (MPAs) around the world by more than four million square kilometres. This success is notably due to the Pristine Seas expeditions of which Blancpain was a founding partner. Through the Sea Academy project, Blancpain and the Sulubaaï Foundation wish to contribute to the creation of a model of marine protected areas on a human scale, the management and conservation of which is directly undertaken by local communities. The model has the advantage of fostering the development of sustainable management with a positive and direct impact on both the environment and these communities.
2. The restoration of coral habitats, with the installation of 800 artificial structures on which coral fragments will be cuttings. The habitats will also be restocked with 40,000 juvenile fish released using the PCC technique (capture and culture of fish larvae taken from the bay) in order to strengthen the extremely depleted fisheries resources in the Philippines.
In recent years, the Blancpain Ocean Commitment (BOC) has invested in oceanographic initiatives and partnerships with leading institutions, such as the Pristine Seas expeditions, Laurent Ballesta’s Gombessa project, the World Ocean Initiative organised by The Economist, and World Oceans Day, which takes place every year at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
1. The development of 3 MPAs – totalling 150 hectares – in Shark Fin Bay, around Pangatalan Island, in collaboration with three neighbouring villages. This project is supervised by a management committee composed of local communities, authorities and the foundation.
Since its inception in 2012, Sulubaaï has progressively developed broader community-based actions for ecosystem restoration, first on land and then in the waters of the bay. Pangatalan Island has been and remains the pilot site for the foundation’s activities, which are intended to be extended to the entire bay and replicated in other sites in collaboration with localSincepopulations.2016,an initial 46-hectare marine protected area has been created, engaging local people, the environment and an economy based on a sustainable strategy.
Blancpain Ocean Commitment (BOC)
Press Lounge: www.blancpain.com/en/press-lounge
Exploring and preserving the world’s oceans is core to Blancpain. Throughout the nearly 70-year history of the Fifty Fathoms – the world’s first modern diving watch – Blancpain has woven close ties with the explorers, photographers, scientists, and environmentalists who treasure these precious resources. These affinities have inspired the Manufacture to support important activities and initiatives dedicated to the oceans.
Link: www.sulubaai-foundation.com
OMEGA revealed the new 2022 collection of their watches in an array of colours and materials to watch connoisseurs on the 14th of June at the OMEGA boutique in Dubai Mall.
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OMEGA REVEALS NOVELTIES 2022 IN DUBAI MALL
Drivingscale.the beautiful new Seamaster Diver 300M with green polished ceramic dial was OMEGA’s Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 8800 with a special luxury finish.
The beautiful new dials, fashioned from brass, are sun-brushed from the centre, with rhodium-plated hands and indexes on the 38 mm models and 18K white gold hands and indexes on the 34 mm editions.
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The new collection included the Seamaster Ultra Deep with the 2022 version of it seeing the release of seven new models of OMEGA’s Ultra Deep Collection. Water resistant up to 20,000 ft, the 45.5m range is led by a bold version crafted in sand blasted and forged grade 5 titanium.
The Seamaster Professional Diver 300M watch was also seen back in the 2022 collection but this time it was bolder than ever with a wave-pattern dial in a striking shade of green. The 42 mm watch in stainless steel sported a uni-directional rotating bezel with a polished green ceramic ring with Grand-Feu white enamel diving
a smooth transition from Aqua to Terra. Fans can choose larger sized models in 38 mm, with dials in Atlantic Blue, Bay Green, Sandstone, Saffron and Terracotta or 34 mm editions with dials in Sea Blue, Lagoon Green, Sandstone, Shell Pink and Lavender.
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The Seamaster Aqua Terra models from the 2022 collection were all about colour, with a range of new dial shades that track
From this collection, six models in the Ultra Deep collection have been built in brand-new O-MEGASTEEL and this high-performance stainless-steel alloy once again showcased to the watch lovers OMEGA’s leadership in the production of advanced materials, with qualities that surpass the normal standard.
Launched first in 1952 and then beautifully re-designed in 1982, the Constellation collection continued to shine even brighter in the collection showcased for 2022.
Among the new models for 2022 are the Constellation 41mm star performers in the Constellation family with all the new dials clasped by the famous Constellation claws. 41 mm models with ceramic bezel rings and beautiful new dials in white, rhodium-grey, gradient-green and burgundy.
Materials on offer are stainless steel, stainless steel and 18K yellow gold, and stainless steel and 18K Sedna™ Gold. Ceramic bezels in polished blue, black or brown, display Roman numerals filled with white enamel or OMEGA Ceragold™, depending on the model.
is OMEGA’s Co-Axial Master Chronometer calibre 8701, visible through the domed scratch-resistant sapphire crystal.
The trio featured have diamond set bezels, skeletonised hour and minute hands and dial-matching leather straps in shimmering blue, red with glittered scale lines or green. Providing the power
Replacing the famous mono-rang bracelet are leather straps in colours to match the dial. The driving force behind the natural dials is OMEGA’s Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 8700 or 8701 for the all-gold models.
To add an extra pop of pastel to the display, OMEGA has matched the engraved Roman numerals to the colours of the dial. All four watches have a case and bracelet in stainless steel and feature hands, indexes and applied elements in 18K white gold.
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OMEGA has also included the Constellation Aventurine collection and these extraordinary 29 mm models have dials made from natural Aventurine stone, which means no two dials are ever alike. There are twelve new editions, in stainless steel and 18K Sedna™ Gold - or full Sedna™ Gold for purists - all with natural Aventurine stone dials in either green, red or blue. Fans can choose bezels paved with diamonds or engraved with Roman numerals
OMEGA’s beautiful new Constellation 28mm additions to the Constellation family reveal its softer side and feature pastel dials in a choice of four colours: Blush Rose, Patchouli Blossom, Celestial Blue and Green Matcha. The subtle new hues also make an appearance on the bezel.
Providing the power is OMEGA’s Calibre 4061, a superb quartz movement that offers unwavering precision.
OMEGA’s famous Speedmaster ’57, first introduced in 2013, returns in 2022, with a Master Chronometer upgrade and slimmer profile.
There is a “sandwich” black dial edition with recessed hour markers filled with vintage Super-LumiNova - and three releases with PVD dials, in blue, green and a new varnished burgundy.
The bracelet on the steel version is inspired by the Apollo 11 tribute launched in 2019 and equipped with OMEGA’s patented comfort release adjustment system.
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The new collection consists of eight new stainless-steel models, all powered by OMEGA’s Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 9906. The use of a manual-winding movement allows for a thinner case and finer bezel, giving the new ’57 watches a streamlined look.
The entire collection is presented with stainless steel bracelets or matching-coloured leather straps. At just 12.99 mm, the new ’57 is considerably slimmer than its cousin the Speedmaster Moonwatch 3861 at 13.58 mm.
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OMEGA’s 18K Moonshine™ Gold offers a distinctive paler hue than traditional 18K yellow gold and high resistance to the fading of colour and lustre over time.
OMEGA’s legendary space watch takes on a lunar glow with the Speedmaster Moonwatch Moonshine™ Gold
Powering all new models is OMEGA’s Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 3861.
Created in 2019, OMEGA’s exclusive Moonshine™ Gold is an 18K yellow gold alloy, inspired by the shining moonlight in a dark blue sky.
Another with a PVD green coated dial and a green ceramic bezel ring. To offer aficionados even greater choice, OMEGA is offering two ways to fix their 18K Moonshine™ Gold Moonwatch to the wrist: a matching bracelet or strap.
In 2022, OMEGA has also taken lunar inspiration to the next level with two new models in 18K Moonshine™ Gold. One with 18K Moonshine™ Gold dial, black ceramic bezel ring and blackened subdials and indexes.
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THE SOUND OF ETERNITY The perfect acoustics of Chopard chiming watches
watches. In all other existing minute repeaters, the sound is generated by a hammer striking metal gongs, which are part of the movement. L.U.C Calibre 08.01-L by Chopard Manufacture goes beyond this with sapphire gongs, separate from the movement and an integral part of the glass topping the dial.
Purity
The gongs and glass are machined in a single piece – without any discontinuity, glue, or welding – from a solid block of sapphire. The development of this part alone represents three years of work. The sound generated by the hammer and the gong is transmitted outwards through the largest surface of the watch – the glass – and in a homogeneous medium, thereby guaranteeing ideal conduction. Moreover, this sound is quite literally crystal-clear, since it emanates from pure corundum crystal, the scientific name for sapphire. It is also intense and endowed with unique tonal richness. In 2017, the exceptional innovation of the L.U.C Full Strike timepiece and its unparalleled sound were rewarded with the “Aiguille d’Or” best-in-show award at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève.
HOROLOGY
In 2016, Chopard presented the L.U.C Full Strike model, the Maison’s first minute repeater watch. The result of more than six years’ work totalling 17,000 hours of development, this watch set the crowning touch to the 20th anniversary of Chopard Manufacture and its commitment to the progress of Fine Watchmaking. Among the many innovations presented in the Full Strike, four of which have been patented, the most radical represented a complete paradigm shift for chiming
To mark the 25th anniversary of the L.U.C collection, Chopard is presenting a trio of new chiming watches. These timepieces have undergone a process of adjustment and analysis under the aegis of Chopard Co-President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele and led by virtuoso cellist and violinist Gautier and Renaud Capuçon. The two brothers are brilliant musicians who have instilled their sensitivity, nuance and emotion into the acoustic fine-tuning of the L.U.C Strike One, L.U.C Full Strike Sapphire and L.U.C Full Strike Tourbillon models
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This approach was approved by the Applied Acoustics Laboratory of the Geneva engineering school HEPIA, headed by Professor Romain Boulandet, who created an analytical programme that goes beyond the purely measurable criteria of acoustics (sound intensity, tonal richness, damping factor, etc.) to enter another dimension, that of the sound as perceived by the listener. Purer, longer and more harmonious than that of traditional metal repeater mechanism, the sound produced by
Eternity
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Lutherie
Paragons
Chopard’s sapphire gongs includes that other living vibration – namely of passion.
After issuing several limited editions in rose or white gold, platinum and even steel, it appeared essential to have an analytical tool that will stand the test of time, individual subjectivity, future maintenance and restoration operations. The overarching aim being to usher Chopard chiming watches into a true state of permanence: one that exempts them from any adjustment.
Orchestration
For the L.U.C collection, this approach proves an essential tool in maintaining homogeneous sound quality over time. Steel, brass and gold are evolving and living materials, despite the slow internal deformations of these metals that are watch industry favourites. However, the watch is built for eternity, and chiming watches even more so in light of all the care lavished on assembling and adjusting them as well as finetuning their sound. Sapphire gongs are unalterable, as they are not deformed, do not age and do not expand with heat.
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A music lover himself, this close friend of tenor José Carreras is also a perfectionist. However accomplished the L.U.C Full Strike model undoubtedly is, he did not intend to stop there. Chiming watches are the pinnacle of watchmaking, a subtle combination of technique, craftsmanship and emotion. The complexity of their operation is only the first issue at stake, whereas the second more intangible and even more complex one resides in their sound quality. In order to optimise and perpetuate the acoustic richness of the Full Strike’s singlepiece gong/sapphire crystal system, Karl-Friedrich Scheufele initiated a new approach.
Perfectionism
While the L.U.C. Full Strike watch was a major accomplishment, it did not spell the end of efforts in this field, as Karl-Friedrich Scheufele is particularly attentive to the quality of his watches and their complications.
They always play the same F and C sharp, thus ensuring that the sound itself remains unchanging. Furthermore, the material from which the Full Strike cases are made, while playing a secondary role compared to the sapphire watch crystal, contribute to ‘colouring’ the sound.
Thus, the L.U.C Full Strike watch is entering a new phase of its existence. As a highlight of the 25th anniversary celebrations for the L.U.C collection, Chopard is presenting a trio of new complication timepieces using the monobloc sapphire crystal and gong system.
The L.U.C Strike One is a 25-piece limited series in ethical rose gold with a guilloché gold dial, which lends a new dimension of elegance to the chime-in-passing function.
In 2018, Karl-Friedrich Scheufele attended a concert by violinist Renaud Capuçon at the Sommets Musicaux de Gstaad. The expressive manner in which Capuçon played helped Chopard’s Co-President realise that a minute repeater watch should be thought of as a musical instrument and deliver something more: emotion. Renaud Capuçon is not only one of the virtuosos of his time, but also a specialist in acoustics and sound, just like his brother, cellist Gautier Capuçon. The former plays on a period violin by Guarneri, dating from 1737, the latter on a cello by Matteo Goffriller, a luthier equally renowned in his field. These are instruments whose perfection and uniqueness have stood the test of time, combining technical skills, secret formulae, tricks of the trade and a good deal of mystery.
Karl-Friedrich Scheufele invited Renaud and Gautier Capuçon to participate in elaborating a new limited series of chiming watches. Aided and abetted by the engineers of Chopard Manufacture, the two virtuoso brothers drew on their artistic sensitivity to fine-tune the sound produced by the Chopardpatented sapphire gong/crystal technology.
The L.U.C Full Strike Sapphire adds a case entirely in transparent sapphire to the striking components already cut from this crystalline material, along with a peerless minute repeater and a five-piece limited edition. Finally, the L.U.C Full Strike Tourbillon accomplishes the feat of integrating a tourbillon within the limited space of a Chopard Manufacture minute repeater calibre. It is produced in a 20-piece rose gold limited edition framing a guilloché gold dial. A spectacular achievement born of an unwavering passion for watchmaking and an uncompromising love of beauty.
ALPINE EAGLE FLYING TOURBILLON IN LUCENT STEEL A223
The Alpine Eagle collection welcomes its first complication watch to bear the Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark thanks to an innovative flying tourbillon movement
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Among the flying tourbillon watches on the market, those by Chopard are the only ones to receive both Chronometer certification and the prestigious Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark. The latter guarantees the fine craftsmanship and
With its pure and assertive design, the Alpine Eagle collection reflects Chopard’s creative richness and visionary spirit as well as drawing inspiration from the power of Nature. The Alpine Eagle Flying Tourbillon model is faithful to this aesthetic: a round case with stylised sides, a crown engraved with the compass rose, a bezel with eight functional screws set at a tangent, a stamped dial featuring deep colours, luminescent indications, and finally a metal bracelet that is particularly comfortable on the wrist.
The collection’s aesthetic codes are also picked up on the arms of the tourbillon carriage, specially redesigned in the same shape as the gold hands on the dial, while the tourbillon carriage bears the small seconds hand, which has been meticulously coated with SLN X1 by the artisans of the Manufacture.
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Thankscollection.toitstwo
dial below the logo.
The introduction of an innovative movement such as L.U.C Calibre 96.24-L within a watch from the Alpine Eagle collection now bears witness to the maturity attained by the Manufacture. The Alpine Eagle Flying Tourbillon model is the first complication watch in the Alpine Eagle collection acknowledged by the prestigious Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark.
Aesthetics with a twist
mooth operation of the timepieces assembled within the Canton. Stamped on the case-back of the watch, it depicts the city of Geneva’s coat-of-arms composed of a golden key and above all of an eagle: a symbol reminiscent of the original inspiration behind the Alpine Eagle
stacked barrels based on Chopard Twin technology, the movement guarantees a 65-hour power reserve, and its automatic winding is driven by a 22-carat gold micro-rotor whose density contributes to the slenderness of the movement. Finely crafted by the artisans of the Maison, each of its components is adorned with a Côtes de Genève motif recalling the attention to detail cultivated by Chopard Manufacture.
Its Aletsch Blue dial is finely textured on a solid gold base according to a pattern inspired by the eagle’s iris. Centred on the tourbillon at 6 o’clock, this radiant design highlights the mechanism by emphasising its perfect transparency.
This ultra-thin movement made it possible to optimise the size of the Alpine Eagle Flying Tourbillon watch: the case has been reduced to just 8 mm thick, and the flanks and bezel have been trimmed down compared to a classic Alpine Eagle Large model, offering a wider dial aperture. These well-balanced proportions, a signature feature of the collection, endow the timepiece with an elegant and graceful appearance entirely suited to the lightness of the complication. The L.U.C 96.24-L movement is equipped with a stop-seconds function enabling precise time setting. This precision is certified by the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute, evidenced by the “Chronometer” inscription on the
Inspired by a historical Chopard model reinterpreted by three generations of men from the Scheufele family, the Alpine Eagle collection has been constantly enriched since its launch by new innovations. The latest is a flying tourbillon movement developed thanks to the watchmaking expertise of Chopard Manufacture, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2021.
An innovative, certified tourbillon in free flight
With Alpine Eagle, Chopard has created a contemporary sporty-chic collection featuring a pure design and sophisticated mechanics. After a flyback chronograph movement and a high-frequency calibre, Alpine Eagle extends its range of complications with a model equipped with a flying tourbillon. At just 3.30 mm thick, the L.U.C 96.24-L movement stems from developments by Chopard Manufacture. Its advanced characteristics make the Alpine Eagle Flying Tourbillon one of the very few flying tourbillon watches to bear double Chronometer and Poinçon de Genève certification. Featuring a case measuring 41 mm in diameter and an integrated bracelet, it is made entirely in the Maison’s workshops from Lucent Steel A223, an exclusive, ultra-resistant and remarkably brilliant alloy. A 6 o’clock opening on its textured Aletsch Blue dial reveals a transparent and light tourbillon mechanism that endows the entire creation with its elegantly sophisticated character.
Chopard’s entire production process is vertically integrated, thus enabling it to make and assemble all the components of its Alpine Eagle collection in-house, from movement through to case and bracelet.
The Alpine Eagle Flying Tourbillon is made from Lucent Steel A223, an innovative steel alloy developed by Chopard for its anti-allergenic properties, its robustness and its incomparable brilliance obtained through a meticulous re-smelting process.
A flying tourbillon is characterised by the absence of an upper bridge. Since the tourbillon carriage is held only by the lower bridge, it appears to fly, creating an effect of transparency throughout the movement. L.U.C 96.24-L is based on the development of Chopard Manufacture’s first calibre (L.U.C 96.01-L presented in 1997) and is similarly slim, at only 3.30 mm.
The L.U.C Haute Horlogerie collection has been enriched with a new technical prodigy, as this L.U.C Full Strike model adds a tourbillon with a sapphire bridge to the monobloc sapphire minute repeater inherent to the L.U.C Full Strike series. This 42.5 mm timepiece in ethical 18-carat rose gold is equipped with the new chronometer-certified L.U.C 08.02-L movement. The extremely accomplished level of finishing, both on the movement and the case, has earned it the Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark. Its dial, in ruthenium grey-coloured hand-guilloché rose gold, opens to reveal the two complications that make this 20-piece limited edition so sophisticated. Endorsed by virtuoso brothers Renaud and Gautier Capuçon, its acoustic richness achieves an exceptional level of quality, while perfect homogeneity makes it an unparalleled timepiece combining a stunning conceptual challenge with supremely accomplished execution.
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of its creation, the L.U.C collection is welcoming a new flagship. The L.U.C Full Strike Tourbillon model takes its place among the most sophisticated and most innovative Grand Complication watches ever created to date. It follows in the footsteps of Chopard’s L.U.C Full Strike minute repeater timepieces, of which the first ethical rose gold
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At 42.5 mm in diameter and 12.58 mm thick, the L.U.C Full Strike Tourbillon is distinguished by well-balanced proportions contributing to the characteristic elegance of the L.U.C collection. With its interplay of grey and gold colours between the case and strap, dial and hands, as well as between the movement’s steel and nickel silver components, this watch flaunts its aesthetic perfection at every level.
Chopard’s 20-piece limited collection has been enriched with a new technical prodigy.
L.U.C FULL STRIKE TOURBILLON
edition was awarded the “Aiguille d’Or” best-in-show award at the 2017 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. These timepieces feature a unique Chopard-patented system in which the gongs and sapphire crystal form a single entity, which resonates in its entirety to produce the chime.
Fascinating dial openings
For the first time in the history of the Full Strike, the L.U.C Full Strike Tourbillon model has an almost entirely solid dial. Instead of broadly revealing the watch’s internal mechanisms, it reserves its openings for the two horological complications that make this piece so special. The first cut-out between 9 and 11 o’clock, highlights the two mirror-polished steel hammers whose striking generates the chime. The other, at 6 o’clock, reveals the tourbillon of the L.U.C 08.02-L calibre. Thanks to a cross-through sapphire
HOROLOGY
Orchestrated talents
Since 1996, Chopard Manufacture has been reflecting the inspired vision of the Maison’s Co-President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele. Twenty-five years after presenting its first movement, the Manufacture has acquired a degree of maturity enabling it to provide a range encompassing the entire spectrum of horological complications – all in-house crafted through an alliance of tradition andFrominnovation.movement
So as to optimise and perpetuate the acoustic richness of the monobloc sapphire crystal/gong system derived from the L.U.C Full Strike, Karl-Friedrich Scheufele has initiated a new approach. In 2018, while attending a concert given by violinist Renaud Capuçon, he realised that a minute repeater watch should be designed as a musical instrument and should deliver something more – namely emotion.Renaud
Two majestic complications
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Capuçon is a virtuoso of his time as well as a specialist in acoustics and sound – just like his brother, cellist Gautier Capuçon. Both play instruments that are several hundred years old and which embody a perfection and uniqueness that have stood the test of time. Karl-Friedrich Scheufele decided to call upon the two soloists to join forces with Professor Romain Boulandet – head of the Applied Acoustics Laboratory at Geneva’s HEPIA engineering school – whose work in an anechoic chamber perfectly isolated from noise pollution has demonstrated that the sound of Chopard’s minute repeater is powerful, harmonious and crystal clear
Chopard Manufacture watchmakers have placed the tourbillon of the L.U.C 08.02-L calibre at 6 o’clock, beneath the seconds hand. Its high-quality steel carriage picks up the distinctive spiral design – a signature of L.U.C tourbillons. This regulator further enhances the precision of the movement, a subject to which Chopard’s Co-President, Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, takes a resolutely uncompromising approach. It combats the adverse effects of gravity on the balance-spring and escapement by placing them in a variety of spatial positions. The tourbillon placed on the Chopard Manufacture minute repeater mechanism thereby contributes to the extreme precision of L.U.C Calibre 08.02-L as well as to the obtention of chronometer certification from the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute.
The L.U.C Full Strike Tourbillon is not a mere modification of the L.U.C Full Strike. Moving from a calibre comprising 533 components to one with 568 is not an addition, but a revolution. The decision to include a tourbillon regulator required a complete development process that involved rethinking interactions and layouts. With such a delicate complication subject to as many parameters as the minute repeater, the Chopard Manufacture workshops had to ensure that this tourbillon would not in any way modify the acoustic qualities of the chime. This equilibrium is preserved by the sapphire gongs that are all-of-a-piece with the watch glass, which acts as a resonator. Moreover, the fact that the minute repeater has its own barrel naturally eliminates any energy-related interference, while the presence of the tourbillon does not alter the striking reserve.
Together, these experts have combined their skill and knowledge to conduct an analysis that goes beyond the purely measurable criteria of acoustics to enter another dimension: that of sound as perceived by the listener. The L.U.C Full Strike Tourbillon timepiece benefits from their analysis and their contribution, both scientific and emotional. Thanks to Chopard’s unalterable sapphire gongs, the sound of the L.U.C Full Strike Tourbillon is unchanging, stemming from the orchestration of complementary talents: KarlFriedrich Scheufele for watchmaking precision; Renaud and Gautier Capuçon for artistic and emotional endorsement; and Romain Boulandet for scientific expertise.
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L.U.C Calibre 08.02-L inherits the unprecedented advances featured in the L.U.C 08.01-L: the first minute repeater movement introduced by Chopard Manufacture in 2016. In addition to its resonant structure, whose role is taken on by the sapphire crystal, several innovative technical systems have been added. It also benefits from the innovations introduced in L.U.C Calibre 02.01-L in 2003. A total of seven are the subject of patents. In a minute repeater mechanism, the energy used by the strikework is provided each time the arming lever is activated. Here, the energy comes from a separate, dedicated barrel wound directly by the crown. It enables the L.U.C Full Strike Tourbillon to chime a maximum of 12 times the most complex and energy-intensive time: namely 12 hours and 59 minutes. This exceptional power reserve is due to several factors. Benefiting from a patented clutch-lever device, it ensures that the strikework gear train is blocked to avoid losing
crystal tourbillon bridge, nothing obscures the view of the spiralshaped carriage bridge. The final touch, made possible by the use of sapphire with its multiple properties, lies in the four rounded notches. This L.U.C signature tourbillon bridge is derived from a design by the founder of the Maison, Louis-Ulysse Chopard.
power reserve during the information capture that controls the minute repeater.
The dial is made from a base plate in solid gold and this material remains visible along the openings, featuring mirror-polished edges. It also features a hand-guilloché radiating floral pattern belonging to the collection’s aesthetic repertoire that is then ruthenium grey-coloured by means of a galvanic treatment. It is complemented by applied Roman numeral hour-markers and hands, all of which are gilded in a rose gold matching the case. The latter, like all Chopard’s watch and jewellery creations since 2018, is crafted from ethical gold.
A blend of heritage and modernity: 25 years of the L.U.C collection
development to adjustment and quality control, along with finished product design, gold casting, the stamping and machining of cases as well as movement components, engraving and traditional hand-crafted finishes, gemsetting, surface treatments, polishing and assembly: its workshops in Geneva and Fleurier enable Chopard to master the entire production process involved in each creation composing the L.U.C collection. The work of experienced artisans, these timepieces with their simple and pure design express a high degree of mechanical sophistication.
Keen to preserve the user-friendliness of the minute repeater and to make its operation as secure as possible, Chopard Manufacture has introduced a number of innovative systems. Thus, if the barrel no longer has sufficient force to power the minute repeater, a safety mechanism blocks its release. In addition, Chopard has filed a patent for a new strikework-activation device. As soon as it is activated, the pusher is disengaged, thereby making it impossible to disturb the running of the minute repeater or to damage it.
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RICARDOHUBLOTGUADALUPECEO
We are happy and honored to unveil with our partner, Hublot, this special edition launch consecrated to our great country. We are confident that the Saudi Hublotistas will feel as proud to wear this unique piece as we felt creating it.”
MOHAMMED ATTAR MANAGING DIRECTOR ATTAR UNITED
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As a tribute to Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage and inspiring development, Hublot and Saudi partners Attar United came together to create a watch that highlights the Kingdom’s duality through the Art of Fusion: The Classic Fusion Saudi Arabia National Day.
We are truly delighted to honor Saudi Arabia through one of our iconic watches, the Classic Fusion. For this first piece inspired by the Kingdom, we wanted to bring together Hublot’s exclusive savoir-faire and the country’s characteristic essence. The final result is a timeless watch that adapts to all moods, allowing the person who wears it to be chic and trendy on all occasions.”
HUBLOT PAYS TRIBUTE TO SAUDI ARABIA WITH THE CLASSIC FUSION SAUDI ARABIA NATIONAL DAY
Born from the creative alchemy of Saudi Arabia’s stateliness and Hublot’s expertise, this limited edition Classic Fusion Saudi Arabia National Day is an ode to classiness. Made of a 45mm black ceramic case and a mat green dial, the watch stands out not only thanks to its color, but also to the material chosen for it: ceramic. The signature material from Hublot, has a built-in scratch-resistance and an incredible durability. It is robust yet almost weightless and benefits from great comfort against the skin.
The straps are the signature of Hublot’s know-how as rubber has emerged as one of its flagship materials and an emblem of its modern approach to watchmaking. Written into Hublot’s DNA, materials are essential attributes of the watches, for their aesthetic qualities and their resistance to scratches and ageing. Available in lined green and in camouflage, the straps are key elements of the timepiece and a tribute to Saudi Arabia’s cultural versatility.
Celebrating the Kingdom’s 91st National Day, this unique creation will be limited to 91 exclusive pieces.
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The expression of elegance through watchmaking art
Recently, Saudi Arabia has embarked in one of the most inspiring and monumental development journey the world has ever witnessed. While anticipating the future, the Kingdom has preserved its strong heritage, building a visionary world while combining tradition and evolution.
Similarly, since its creation, Hublot has always had at heart to free luxury from the established codes and define its own identity, continuously working around the brand’s heritage, visionary creativity and one of a kind savoirfaire. By reinventing classic pieces with modern innovations, Hublot creates contemporary timepieces that are valued across generations, highlighting the principle of fusion between craftsmanship and modernity.
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Founded in Switzerland in 1980, HUBLOT is defined by its innovation, which began with the highly original combination of gold and rubber. This “Art of Fusion” stems from the imagination of its visionary Chairman, Jean-Claude Biver, and has been driven forward by CEO Ricardo Guadalupe since 2012. The release of the iconic, multi-award-winning Big Bang in 2005 paved the way for new flagship collections (Classic Fusion, Spirit of Big Bang), with complications ranging from the simple to the highly sophisticated, establishing the extraordinary DNA of the Swiss watchmaking house and ensuring its impressive growth.
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Keen to preserve its traditional and cutting-edge expertise, and guided by its philosophy to “Be First, Different and Unique”, the Swiss watchmaker is consistently ahead of the curve, through its innovations in materials (scratchresistant Magic Gold, ceramics in vibrant colours, sapphire), and the creation of Manufacture movements (Unico, Meca-10, Tourbillon).
HUBLOT is fully committed to creating a Haute Horlogerie brand with a visionary future: a future which is fused with the key events of our times (FIFA World CupTM, UEFA Champions LeagueTM, UEFA EUROTM) and the finest ambassadors our era has to offer (Kylian Mbappé, Usain Bolt, Pelé, Novak Djokovic).
HUBLOT
Discover the HUBLOT universe at our network of boutiques located in key cities across the globe: Geneva, Paris, London, New York, Hong Kong, Dubai, Tokyo, Singapore, Zurich and at HUBLOT.com
BREITLING SUPEROCEAN
The sporty sea watch is no longer strictly a dive watch—surf with it, swim with it, hit the beach bar with it.
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The collection was unveiled to media, retailers, and influencers at the Wheels & Waves surf-and-motorcycle festival in Biarritz. The event followed a day of sea-themed activities with surprise visits from European surf and screen personalities. Present were surfers Andrew Cotton, Jérémy Florès, and Natxo Gonzalez, along with actors Guillaume Canet from France and Álvaro Morte from Spain.
Speaking from the festival, Breitling CEO Georges Kern said, “There’s a certain sameness to the look of most dive watches, but the Slow Motion always stood out from the crowd. We’re so pleased to introduce our modern take on this classic, the all-new Superocean.”
There’s something for everyone in the new Superocean. Collectors will recognize the strong influence of the Slow Motion, water sports enthusiasts will appreciate its technical features, and the style conscious will gravitate towards its day-to-night, beachto-boardroom versatility. The new Superocean perfectly balances the nostalgia of its heritage while making fresh new waves.
The Breitling Surfer Squad, made up of Kelly Slater, Stephanie Gilmore, and Sally Fitzgibbons, is back as the faces behind the new Superocean collection.
Made for the sea
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Available in four sizes (46, 44, 42, and 36 mm), the collection’s colorful dials are paired with three different case metals—steel, steel-gold, and bronze. The special alloy used in the 44 and 42 mm bronze versions has an excellent resistance to corrosion but will still develop a subtle patina over time that makes the watch even more unique. The two strap options (a sporty rubber strap and a new three-row metal bracelet) have a folding clasp that allows for micro-adjustments of up to 15 mm for easy wear over rashies and dive suits.
In the 1960s, the emerging sport of scuba diving was all the rage, inspired by the adventures of ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau. In diving, timing was everything—measured almost exclusively in minutes—and Breitling wanted to not only provide the best tool watch for the task, but to give it a sense of style.
Today, Breitling launched a new Superocean that goes back to the Slow Motion’s simplified tool-watch philosophy. And while the collection has been revised to meet the needs of modern wearers (the seconds hand was, of course, a must), a keen eye will spot several design nods to the original.
Aside from looking good, the new Superocean is also a technical marvel. Water-resistant to 300 m (1000 ft), it features broad hands and indexes coated in Super-LumiNova® that allow for exceptional readability underwater. Its scratchproof ceramicinlayed bezel means it will never wear or fade. For safety, the bezel is unidirectional on most sizes and bidirectional with a patented lock on the 46 mm. This watch is also shock-, sand-, and saltwater-resistant. Its automatic Breitling Caliber 17 comes with a two-year warranty and an approximate 38-hour power reserve.
To create this early SuperOcean, Breitling’s designers eliminated any superfluous features that didn’t support the lifesaving needs of divers underwater.
Of the collaboration, Slater says, “I’ve been co-creating watches with Breitling for the past few years but this one, in particular, is very personal. It’s inspired by my late father, who had a watch with an orange face that he used to wear surfing for as long as I canTheremember.greenand orange together is a color scheme I used to like for the airbrushes on my boards growing up. That combination has always stuck with me.”
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Serious performance, laid-back vibe
Best of all, the Slow Motion’s distinctive square minute hand has made a comeback. So has the high-contrast minute scale. Fans will also remember “the dot,” a circular window at 6 o’clock that displayed different colors depending on whether the minutesbased chronograph was engaged, paused, or off. In the new Superocean, a circle near the tip of the second hand gives a wink to that much-loved feature.
The watch assortment includes the special-edition Superocean Automatic 42 Kelly Slater. Co-designed with the surf champion and limited to 1000 pieces, the watch features an eye-popping orange dial and a military-green rubber strap. The color scheme is inspired by a watch Slater’s dad used to wear surfing.
A high-contrast dial ring was introduced to the crucial minutes scale. Out went subtle indexes in favor of chunky luminescent batons for easy readability. And, in the boldest move of all, Breitling did away with the seconds hand, since divers … didn’t really need it. In its place came a revolutionary minutes-based chronograph, dubbed the “Slow Motion” because it took an hour to make a full rotation of the dial.
production V12-engined car produced to date by Lamborghini, the SVJ features an increase in power to 770 hp (566 kW) at maximum 8,500 rpm. The SVJ outputs 720 Nm of torque at 6,750 rpm, while a dry weight of just 1,525 kg gives the SVJ a weight-to-power ratio of 1.98 kg/hp. The SVJ accelerates from standing to 100 km/h in 2.8 seconds and from 0 to 200 km/h in 8.6 seconds. A top speed of more than 350 km/h is complemented by a braking distance of 100 km/h to 0 in 30 meters.
Every feature of the Aventador SVJ resonates its aerodynamic prowess: the SVJ is significantly enhanced in appearance compared to the Aventador S, with every facet of its ‘form follows function’ design a reminder of its raison d’être on road and track: innovate to be the best. The main goal in design was a significant downforce improvement compared to the previous Aventador SV: +40% on both axles with an improved drag coefficient -1%.
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AUTOMOTIVE
he distillation of extraordinary design, groundbreaking technologies and the ultimate in handling, performance and driver enjoyment, the Aventador SVJ takes the concept of a super sports car to a new dimension.
The new Aventador SVJ, where SV historically stands for Superveloce – meaning ‘superfast’ – takes the ‘Jota’ suffix, denoting its track and performance superiority: the Aventador SVJ has already claimed its position as the Nürburgring-Nordschleife production car record holder, completing the 20.6 km lap in just 6:44.97 minutes. Production is limited to 900 units.
AVENTADORSVJ
A special edition, named SVJ 63, pays homage to Lamborghini’s founding year of 1963: produced in a unique configuration, it demonstrates the rich use of carbon fiber and is made in an additional limited number of just 63.
“The Aventador SVJ is an innovative car and represents the absolute pinnacle of our super sports car product range,” said Automobili Lamborghini Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Stefano Domenicali. “The challenge to Lamborghini designers and engineers was to improve the purest essence of the Lamborghini super sports car, drawing on every inspiration from a space ship to a jet fighter: all the most exceptional examples of super-fast, super-athletic, aerodynamic superiority. The Aventador SVJ takes another step into the future, shaping the potential for super sports carWithdevelopment.”itsoptimised power plant making it the most powerful series
The Aventador SVJ is, however, more than a super sports car achieving the top numbers. The development philosophy of the Aventador SVJ and its very essence in terms of design, aerodynamic technologies and efficiency, weight-to-power as well as performance, is to create a demanding driver’s perfect car.
From the front the car is wider: a new front bumper with integrated side fins features a new air intake and highlights the inclusion of Aerodinamica Lamborghini Attiva (ALA), Lamborghini’s patented active aerodynamics technologies.
The pinnacle of Lamborghini V12 super sports cars
At the rear of the car the position of the high-mounted naked exhaust resembles those found on extreme motorbikes, as well as saving weight due to its proximity to the engine: the exhaust system itself is also lighter. The Omega-shape rear bumper incorporates a massive new diffuser that contributes to downforce, while a new high-mounted rear wing is produced entirely in carbon fiber with its integrated ALA system.
with divergent fins, contributes 30% to the total downforce improvement.Therearwing of the SVJ has been designed for best aerodynamic efficiency, based on a new air foil; an optimised ALA 2.0 system; and side winglets to reduce turbulence while providing high downforce on the straight as well as in high speed corners.
The disconnected front splitter continues the impression of a floating component, while providing a channel for airflow. A tridimensional air outlet on the hood directs airflow, improves both drag and downforce, and clearly alludes to the aerodynamic purpose of the SVJ’s design. The upper body aerodynamic optimisation has contributed 70% to the total downforce improvement in the SVJ over the SV.
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The SVJ’s rocker is entirely new, adopting the ‘Y’ theme found in Lamborghini cars while also resembling shapes found in jet fighters. The bigger side air intakes and the new front side fins reduce drag and improve overall cooling. An improved underbody aero design with vortex generators works in conjunction with front diffusers and a new, extreme-design rear diffuser, together
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The Italian flag detail on the side wing is a reminder of the Lamborghini’s Italian super sports car heritage.
With Lamborghini’s three driving modes, Strada, Sport and Corsa, as well as the EGO option allowing the driver to further customise their preferences for car set-up, the cockpit features Kombi graphics on the TFT digital dashboard display as well as showing live status of the ALA functions.
The new rear engine bonnet has been redesigned for the SVJ: it is made from lightweight carbon fiber and removable via quick release clips in a reference to motor racing. It also adopts the ‘Y’ theme that reveals the updated V12 power plant below, while accenting the car’s high performance characteristics. Superlight ‘Nireo’ aluminum rims are designed specifically for the SVJ, saving weight and contributing to the extreme dynamism of the car. Optional ‘Leirion’ aluminum rims with ‘Y’ and hexagonal details are also available.
The Aventador SVJ is a driver-focused car, developed to maximise the union between driver and car in the most extreme road and track conditions and ensure the most rewarding experience.
The Navigation System and Infotainment System including AppleCarPlay come as an option, allowing the cockpit’s occupants to manage voice activated communications and entertainment from personal Apple devices.
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The Lamborghini telemetry system is an optional specification: recording lap times and track performance as well as trip data, the telemetry system is especially appealing to the owner who wants to take their car on track.
Lamborghini’s patented ALA system was first seen on the Huracán Performante, and has been developed to an enhanced level for the Aventador SVJ, now ALA 2.0, including new optimised air inlets and aero channel designs. The system has been recalibrated taking into account the enhanced vehicle’s lateral accelerations.
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SUPER ART
MClaren automotive Middle East & Africa Unveils the MClaren Artura Art Car created in collaboartion with artist Nat Bowen
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McLaren Automotive has teamed up with Nat Bowen, a leading British abstract artist known for her vibrant, colourful pieces, to create the unique Artura Art Car, featuring the artist’s signature artwork, which will be part of her long-anticipated exhibition, taking place at the ME Dubai hotel between February 24 and March 31.
The creative study explores the use of Chromology, representing the psychology behind colour, as well as themes of ‘Art’ and ‘Future’, which have inspired the name of the brand’s first highperformance hybrid. The exterior of the car features translucent resin pigments, which adapt to the light, reflecting and absorbing the surroundings and resulting in the work becoming a part of the space it inhabits.
McLaren Carbon Lightweight Architecture (MCLA), which contributes to the car’s class-leading lightest dry weight of 1,395kg. At the heart of the car is a new, lightweight 2,993cc twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine, paired to a bespoke eight-speed transmission and a compact e-motor, which provides the supercar with instant torque. The package generates a combined power output of 680PS (671 bhp) and 720S Nm of torque, which translates to truly breath-taking performance figures of 0-100 km/h in 3.0 seconds and a top speed of 330 km/h.
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“It has been an honour to work with McLaren Automotive on this exciting concept and display it as part of my first solo exhibition in Dubai. My goal was to provide a truly immersive experience and transport the visitors into a meditative state away from everyday distraction, as well as allow them to further explore and develop their relationship with colour,” said Bowen.
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The McLaren Artura is also the first model built on the new
All-new from the ground-up, the McLaren Artura marks the beginning of the next chapter for the pioneering company and a new era in the world of supercar technology and performance. Underpinned by the McLaren philosophy of super-lightweight engineering, the Artura is a distillation of every attribute inherent in a McLaren, combined with faster throttle response, lower emissions and ability to run in pure EV mode, thanks to its groundbreaking electrified powertrain.
Its beautifully harmonious proportions and elegantly pure, balanced volumes are very much in line with the Ferrari mid-frontengined grand touring tradition of which the 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso and 250 GT 2+2 are the most iconic examples, and from which the car takes its inspiration.
he new Ferrari Roma is the latest coupé from Maranello, featuring timeless and refined design and all the power and agility required to guarantee a unique driving experience.
FERRARI ROMA: LA NUOVA DOLCE VITA
It embodies an extremely modern design language which underlines its authentic, refined styling. At the same time, its sleek lines retain the sporty vocation shared by all Ferraris.
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Stylistically, the Ferrari Roma is characterised by clean and symbiotic forms.
The Prancing Horse’s new V8 2+ coupé marries harmonious forms, timeless elegance, and leading technology
Its signature Italian styling is a contemporary reinterpretation of the carefree lifestyle of 1950s and ‘60s Rome, from which it takes its evocative name, Roma.
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The Ferrari Roma’s chassis benefits from the modular technology developed by Ferrari for its new generation models.
To guarantee best-in-class performance whilst still retaining the stylistic purity of its bloodline, Ferrari’s engineers developed several leading-edge technologies, most notably a mobile rear spoiler integrated into the rear screen designed to retain the car’s formal elegance when retracted and guarantee the downforce essential for the Ferrari Roma’s extraordinary performance by automatically deploying at high speeds. The Prancing Horse’s new 2+ coupé sports a V8 turbo engine that makes it the most powerful in its segment.
fuel consumption and emissions, shifts are faster and smoother which makes the car even more responsive on the open road, but also especially comfortable in town and during stop & start driving situations.
The mid-front-engined 2+ Ferrari Roma has the best weight/ power ratio in its segment, which enhances handling dynamics andTheresponsiveness.FerrariRoma features Ferrari’s cutting-edge vehicle dynamics systems, the most notable example being the Side Slip Control 6.0 (a first on a Ferrari GT car) with five-position Manettino and Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer which controls yaw angle by hydraulically adjusting brake pressure at the callipers.
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Both bodyshell and chassis have been redesigned to incorporate the latest weight reduction and advanced production technologies. In fact, 70 per cent of its components are entirely new.
A member of the V8 family that has won the International Engine of the Year four years in a row, it features Variable Boost Management for instantaneous throttle response. With the adoption of Gasoline Particulate Filters, meticulous attention was also focused on the sound of the exhaust system which has been completely redesigned, removing the silencers and introducing new bypass valves.Thecar’s new 8-speed dual-clutch gearbox is more compact and 6 kg lighter than its 7-speed predecessor. As well as reducing
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guaranteed by a monolithic surface that is perforated only where necessary, creating a new radiator grille concept. The full-LED adaptive headlights are traversed by a horizontal light strip that hints at the structure beneath the car’s skin, bringing a sense of tension to the entire circumference of the car. The wraparound rear screen incorporates an active aero device to preserve that signature purity of form, while the twin taillight assembly is set like a gem into the volume.
The approach taken by the Ferrari Styling Centre for the Roma’s exterior centres around clean design and absolute symbiosis between its various elements with harmonious proportions and pure, elegant volumes. The car is clothed in long, ultra-sleek lines that sweep back from the front bonnet, highlighting the spare silhouette of the flanks and the compact, set-back fastback cabin volume. To underscore that formal minimalism, all superfluous detailing has been removed: for example, radiator cooling is
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hands from the wheel. The 16” digital instrument cluster provides all the necessary information, while the central display with an 8.4” vertical screen and a new passenger display are exceptionally intuitive and user-friendly.
The new Ferrari key with “Comfort Access” function allows the driver to open the car by touching a button next to the new flush handle in the door. Lastly, the Matrix LED headlights and optional Ferrari advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including adaptive Cruise Control, make day-to-day and longer journeys a very relaxing experience.
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For the Ferrari Roma’s cabin, the Ferrari Styling Centre designers developed a new formal approach that involved the creation of two separate cells, one each for driver and passenger, in an evolution of the dual cockpit concept that embraces the entire cabin rather than just the dashboard as was previously the case. The crafting of the interior took its lead from the complete redesign of the HMI. This resulted in a major leap forward, starting with the new steering wheel designed using the “Eyes on the road, hands on the wheel” philosophy with all the car’s main commands actioned by haptic controls, ensuring the driver doesn’t have to move their
A suite of powerful and efficient powertrains includes sixcylinder extended range Electric Hybrids, a potent new V8 and
2023 RANGE ROVER SPORT
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The latest Range Rover Sport gets a makeover, with hybrid and phev variants.
New Range Rover Sport is available in S, SE, HSE and Autobiography specifications, with a First Edition available throughout the first year of production featuring a specially curated specification.
ew Range Rover Sport redefines sporting luxury, effortlessly combining assertive and instinctive onroad performance with trademark Range Rover refinement, progressive design sophistication and connected convenience. The third-generation model is the most desirable, advanced and dynamically capable yet.
mild hybrid six-cylinder petrol and diesel Ingenium engines. Pure-electric propulsion will be introduced in 2024, as Land Rover continues its electrification journey.
The clean lines of the exterior are enhanced by beautifully executed flush glazing and door handles, a hidden waist rail finisher and laser-welded roof for a precise, technical and sophisticated appearance.
Dynamic Air Suspension is fitted to every New Range Rover Sport and the intelligent system enhances the bandwidth of the suspension. This works by varying the pressure within the chambers (higher pressure provides stiffer damping) to deliver traditional Range Rover comfort with the dynamic handling expected from the Range Rover Sport. To optimise responses, the vehicle monitors the road ahead using eHorizon navigation data to pre-emptively prime for upcoming bends.
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proportions accentuate the Range Rover Sport’s distinctive character, with short overhangs, an assertive front-end and steeply raked glazing at the front and back. These trademark elements provide a strong and imposing road presence that communicate power and performance.
proportions accentuate the Range Rover Sport’s distinctive character, with short overhangs, an assertive front-end and steeply raked glazing at the front and back. These trademark elements provide a strong and imposing road presence that communicate power and performance.
Dramaticready.
“The exceptional New Range Rover Sport sets new standards as the ultimate sporting luxury SUV, building on seventeen years of unique customer appeal. It is the latest embodiment of our vision to create the world’s most desirable modern luxury vehicles, effortlessly blending new levels of sustainability with the signature qualities that have made Range Rover Sport so popular,” marvels Thierry Bollore, CEO, Jaguar Land Rover.
The award-winning Pivi Pro infotainment features a high resolution floating 13.1-inch curved touchscreen positioned at the centre of the modernist dashboard. Controlling everything from navigation to media and vehicle settings, it learns the user’s habits and intelligently personalises the onboard experience, becoming a truly intuitive personal assistant.
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The sophisticated exterior is unmistakably Range Rover Sport with taut surfacing, a dynamic stance and instantly recognisable profile, perfectly accentuated by stealth-like detailing and muscular proportions – giving the impression the vehicle is poised and
The new Dynamic model brings an even sharper focus to the performance SUV’s purposeful character with unique exterior design elements. Satin Grey alloy wheels are joined by Satin Burnished Copper finishes for the bonnet louvres and side ingots while the front grille and Range Rover lettering are finished in Matte Graphite Atlas.
These tactile materials seamlessly blend with new Moonlight Chrome interior finishers while elements like the integrated audio speakers, developed with Meridian and hidden behind the textile of the rear doors, contribute to the clean, crisp and modern aesthetic.
New Dynamic Response Pro works hand-in-hand with the latest generation Dynamic Air Suspension, which introduces switchablevolume air springs for the first time.
With unique front and rear bumpers and bespoke lower cladding finished in body colour, the Dynamic delivers the most dramatic interpretation of the Range Rover Sport formula.
Innovative and sustainable material choices include tactile and lightweight Ultrafabrics™ premium textiles finished in attractive new Duo Tone colourways, while a unique textile option that extends to the dashboard and door detailing is also available. Alternatives include luxurious grained, Windsor or soft SemiAniline leather options.
Dynamic Response Pro provides ultimate roll control via a 48volt electronic active roll control system, capable of applying up to 1,400Nm of torque across each axle, for a confidence-inspiring driving experience and new levels of body control and cornering composure.
New Range Rover Sport’s reductive design extends to its all-new interior, which features the trademark Range Rover Command Driving Position, the latest technologies and the finest materials, which combine for a compelling balance of sartorial elegance and visceral desire. The cockpit-like cabin sets the tone for the dynamic driving experience, providing excellent visibility while simultaneously cocooning the driver with a high, sloping centre
The sophisticated exterior is unmistakably Range Rover Sport with taut surfacing, a dynamic stance and instantly recognisable profile, perfectly accentuated by stealth-like detailing and muscular proportions – giving the impression the vehicle is poised andDramaticready.
console and intuitive technologies.
For over a century, Mercedes–Maybach has defined the boundaries of luxury experiences, and the limited-edition Maybach by Virgil Abloh, a fully equipped Mercedes-Maybach
The late Virgil Abloh’s cooperation with Mercedes–Maybach culminates in the launch of a limited-edition bespoke S-Class and capsule collection, inspired by Project Maybach.
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VIRGIL ABLOH MERCEDES-MAYBACHAND CREATE THE ULTIMATE LEGACY CAR
ercedes–Maybach unveiled the final chapter of Project Maybach - its cooperation with a trusted partner, the late polymath artist, architect, creative director, fashion designer and philanthropist, Virgil Abloh. Designed in partnership with Mercedes-Benz Group AG Chief Design Officer Gorden Wagener in 2021, the vehicle was finalised before Abloh’s untimely passing in November and is available in a strictly limited run of 150 units. The launch coincides with the release of a capsule collection designed by Virgil Abloh and in collaboration with Off-White™. It has been developed in connection to the Project MAYBACH electric showcar and is exclusively available to buy on Off-White, Farfetch and Maybach Icons of Luxury online stores, as well as Off-White stores in select markets.
S-Class S680 continues this tradition. Created by MercedesBenz’ most specialised customisation and craftmanship team in the manufaktur in Sindelfingen – the vehicle exterior features the unique two-tone colour combination created for Project Maybach. While the upper part of the vehicle is lacquered in a glossy obsidian black, the lower part, side flanks and special forged rims are painted in a sand hue.
The highest levels of craftsmanship continue into the vehicle’s interior with an identical two-tone colour scheme. The four-seat configuration, steering wheel, doors, lower dashboard, and ceiling are lined in black and sand coloured nappa leather, complete with sand coloured décor trims and strips. The highpile floormats are black with a sand-coloured leather border and embroidered Mercedes-Maybach logo. To enhance its monolithic appearance, the window frames are painted, and a special Mercedes-Maybach and Virgil Abloh logo is inscribed on the piano black middle of the centre-console, rear cushions, head restraints and door sill panel.
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with a black spray effect and embroidered.
The limited-edition S-Class is Abloh’s third cooperation project with Mercedes-Benz, and the second with Mercedes–Maybach. In 2021, Mercedes-Benz opened the doors of the Rubell Museum in Miami during Miami Art Week to showcase Project Maybach: a show car that exemplified the possibilities of future electric design. A year earlier, Abloh and Wagener – united in their passion to enrich the conversation around luxury design – reimagined the Mercedes-Benz G Class with Project Geländewagen.
The co-operation with Abloh is just one way in which the Mercedes-Maybach brand continues to be rooted in innovation and evolution. Looking to the future, Mercedes-Maybach will launch its first fully electric model for retail in 2023. Sustainability is not only associated with the drive technology, but also with the materials the vehicle is fitted with.
Unique to the limited-edition S-Class is a bespoke user interface, which presents the driver with an even more luxurious variation of the Maybach MBUX suite of cutting-edge technologies. Hand picked visual elements are used to enrich the digital content: from a home button with coloured border and brand logo denoting the edition, to profile pictures decorated with luxurious fashion accessories. The result is an even more intuitive vehicle that exudes the limited edition’s distinctive style from exterior to interior. Every moment the driver spends on the road is elevated.
All customers will be given a special custom-made wooden box covered in sand coloured nappa leather emblazoned with the Mercedes-Maybach and Virgil Abloh logo. The gift box contains a 1/18 scale replica of the limited-edition car, the two car keys and a carabiner hook. In addition, a special car cover featuring the Mercedes-Maybach and Virgil Abloh logo will be gifted to customers.Thecapsule collection – which launched in April 2022 – has been designed by Virgil Abloh together with Off-White, in connection to the Project MAYBACH electric showcar. It comprises of sand coloured vintage washed cotton t-shirts and half-brushed cotton fleece crewnecks and hoodies, as well as canvas baseball caps and racing gloves crafted in canvas, neoprene and suede, coated
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During the development process, Mercedes-Benz prepares a recycling concept for each model in which all its components and materials are examined with a view to their suitability for the various stages of the recycling process. The goal is to reduce the environmental effects of materials used in the production of every Mercedes-Benz vehicle.
Beyond Passport.the
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The process of designing the entire platform and its functionalities was a 12-month process. From creating a brand identity to establishing what we stand for, identifying our company values to our vision. The in-depth research that has gone behind every single button, feature, link etc on the platform is nothing small. After months of research, internal discussions, legalities and regulatory processes, Pangaea X was launched.
Similarlyabout.for
Everyone wants to have a written piece about their life, this is my journey from a passionate data analytics professional to the Founder of a revolutionary data analytics platform, Pangaea X. Originally from Lebanon, I lived my early years in Paris, and later moved to Spain for 16 years. I came to Dubai in 2014 and worked as a risk advisory consultant for Deloitte, where I specialised in data analytics, software asset management and software license review across the Middle East region. My next role was a Consulting Manager for a data analytics specialised consultancy firm. From there I went on to become the Head of the Data Analytics Department for an international Security & Defence consulting firm, Aeromaritime, where I developed my knowledge further.
My name is Jadd Elliot Dib. I’m the Founder and CEO at Pangaea X, a digital platform that aims to connect the world’s best Data Analysts and Scientist freelancers with potential clients/ customers by providing them with a place where they can showcase their work, expertise requirements and navigate the difficulties of finding & completing jobs.
PANGAEA X: BRAND STORY BY JADD ELLIOT DIB, FOUNDER AND CEO
Funding a startup business
Laying the groundwork for Pangaea X
We are a young business in the right field. We are ahead of the market, which just means that we will be ready and thriving for when it does catch up to us. It’s only a matter of time. We have big plans for PangaeaX, including continuous development for the foreseeable future as well as plans to add on multiple different products to the company. Expanding globally is almost a natural process for companies who wish to take their business to the next level. We want to open offices in new markets and cater to freelancers globally. Eventually take the company to its own IPO and go public.
This is where I saw a gap in the market, there are many freelancing sites but none dedicated to data analytics. Additionally, because data analytics is a young field companies don’t want to hire full-time employees. Therefore I decided to bridge the gap and create a centralised place where all experts in data can come together, bid for projects, share ideas & earn a living. At Pangaea X, we provide an equal opportunity for both companies of all sizes and freelancers. Everyone is free to bid on projects as long as you match the requirements.
After launching the platform I realized that SEO has been a crucial fundamental for my business. It has helped to increase brand awareness, drive organic traffic to my website, and convert users to customers. Since our launch, PangaeaX has continued to move forward and improve, and develop more and more. We have our development roadmap set for the next 3-5 years already.
Preparing for a new business or product launch is an exciting process. But it’s not enough to just pick your brand name and have your products ready. That’s just the beginning. No matter how amazing your business concept or new product is, you need to sell it. And you can’t sell something that people don’t know
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Launching Pangaea X
Pangaea X today and tomorrow…
Zeal for entrepreneurship
Funding has never been an issue for us as PangaeaX is funded by myself and there are no external parties. Before it was even a revenue generating business there were many expenses that had to be taken care of but for me, that was an investment. All investments come with a risk but this was a risk I was willing to take. Funding the development of the platform, the company creation, the branding, the Marketing & PR, the legal team and consultations, it is all an investment. As a start up, you should not have the mentality of I need to make a return on my investment in the first year, maybe not even in the second. We needed to be patient and layout the foundations for the ambitious journey we have ahead.
Growing up, I never wanted to be involved in finance. I was a nerd, a geek, I loved laptops, building computers, so I went into tech. But having the background my dad brings and mum being an entrepreneur helped me get into the right mindset that you could eventually set something up for yourself.
Pangaea X, we had a full-fledged pre-launch marketing and PR strategy with the objective for building credibility and creating awareness especially among data analysts. This strategy helped us to secure a good database of freelancers and potential clients prior to the launch.
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GROUND-BREAKING AI
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is one of the world’s most advanced financial centres, and the leading financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA), which comprises 72 countries with an approximate population of 3 billion and an estimated GDP of USD 7.7 trillion.
The license, which is a UAE first, will advance the country’s Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031, which aims to enhance the UAE’s reputation in this field by attracting AI companies and coders from around the world.
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the leading global financial centre in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region has announced the launch of a ground-breaking Artificial Intelligence (AI) and coding license, in cooperation with the UAE Artificial Intelligence Office.
DIFC Launches Ground-Breaking Artificial Intelligence and Coding License in cooperation with UAE AI Office
Dubai and DIFC are global ambassadors for AI. Financial Services companies in DIFC and a broad spectrum of other industries across the emirate are setting the standard which is also contributing to the UAE’s ambitious goal to have an internationally competitive, knowledge-based economy. DIFC is proud to be collaborating with the UAE AI Office, confirming our commitment to the country’s Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031 and leveraging the potential of AI to drive the future of finance.
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His Excellency Essa Kazim, Governor of DIFC, said:
cent of all GCC FinTechs. In addition, the license provides an opportunity to obtain UAE Golden Visas for employees working in those companies.
Such initiatives reflect positively on the country’s readiness to become a global destination for pioneering the industries of the future by adopting advanced technology and stimulating innovation in various fields. The DIFC has opened new horizons for leading global companies that aspire to enhance their efforts in the field of AI and expand their businesses further.
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Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications commented:
With a 17-year track record of facilitating trade and investment flows across the MEASA region, the Centre connects these fast-growing markets with the economies of Asia, Europe and the Americas through Dubai. DIFC is home to an internationally recognised, independent regulator and a proven judicial system with an English common law framework, as well as the region’s largest financial ecosystem of almost 28,000 professionals working across over 3,200 active registered companies – making up the largest and most diverse pool of industry talent in the Companiesregion.
holding the license will be able to work within a stimulating environment at the DIFC Innovation Hub, which is the largest cluster of FinTech and innovation companies in the region. The Hub hosts more than 500 firms, ranging from start-ups to global unicorns, representing over 60 per
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The Centre’s vision is to drive the future of finance through cutting edge technology, innovation, and partnerships. Today, it is the global future of finance and innovation hub offering one of the region’s most comprehensive FinTech and venture capital environments, including cost-effective licensing solutions, fit-for-purpose regulation, innovative accelerator programmes, and funding for growth-stage startComprisingups. a variety of world-renowned retail and dining venues, a dynamic art and culture scene, residential apartments, hotels and public spaces, DIFC continues to be one of Dubai’s most sought-after business and lifestyle destinations.OmarSultan
INNOVATING THE FUTURE
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Over the next decade the UAE’s industrial strategy, Operation 300bn, aims to develop the industrial sector and enhance its role in stimulating the national economy. The companies which took part in the IET survey said that upskilling their staff in problem solving and leadership were amongst their most pressing training needs to meet their priorities.
many businesses with 58% of large companies (those with over 500 employees) saying they are struggling to find applicants with the right technical skills. Engineering employers also say there are simply not enough applicants for the jobs on offer, with a quarter saying there are not enough people interested in new positions.
The findings cast a positive light on the expansion of the industry over the past year, with almost half (48%) of engineering and technology firms seeing a growth in their business and one in five reporting a large increase in staff numbers. However, during 2021 the majority struggled to fill vacancies with more than nine in ten (93%) UAE engineering employers finding it difficult to recruit new staff. The report also highlights the quality of new recruits who joined the sector challenged
The IET, which has been running skills surveys for the past 17 years, joined forces with market researchers YouGov, and interviewed engineers and senior decision-makers in UAE companies that employ engineers.
UAE engineering firms must work closer with educators to inspire the next generation of innovators.
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The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), a 151-year-old global organisation with more than 155,000 members in 148 countries, has released findings from its UAE Skills Survey report that lays bare the skills gap currently facing the Emirates’ engineering industry, as well as the skills prospects for the next decade.
Other challenges facing engineering employers include pressure on wages (34%), increased remote working (23%) and staff retention and turnover (23%).
Few who took part in the survey identified diversity as a current issue - with only 17% saying they currently see a lack of gender diversity among the workforce and 13% recognising a lack of ethnicity in their workplace. The UAE has a truly diverse population, and it is essential for the engineering sector to continue to embrace diversity, which is critical in helping to increase creativity, productivity, and profitability.
The IET’s President, Sir Julian Young, said: “Engineering employers can gain value by encouraging the achievement of professional standards within their workforce. There are globally recognised frameworks that exist to assess the professionalism of engineers and technicians. The attainment of such standards boosts the level of knowledge, skills, and competence, and supports a workforce’s good ethical behaviour.”
Unlike many other countries, the view of STEM graduates is a positive one across the UAE, with over half (54%) of those who employ entry-level employees considering university education to be very effective in preparing them for the workplace. As the UAE engineering sector diversifies in the coming years, it will be critical for employers and educators to work together to shape the skills pipeline for their industry.
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Past President of the IET, Professor Danielle George, said: “The UAE is ahead of many countries when it comes to recruiting female engineers. This is due to the efforts that have been made in the past decade to attract female graduates into the sector. We hope this trend will continue in the next ten years and would urge the UAE government to share its learning across the world.”
Sir Julian added: “Employers should look at hosting work experience opportunities and mentor schemes, as well as encouraging the engineers and technicians they employ to act as STEM Ambassadors, so the next generation is inspired and prepared for the skills they need.”
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Most employers are confident they can address the skills gap as their businesses diversify into new ones. Almost 90% of engineering employers are confident they will be able to access the training needed to meet their goals in the next five years, with two thirds (66%) looking to implement training to address their skills gap by turning to professional training bodies, such as the IET, to meet their needs.
For the UAE to continue to build home-grown engineering talent to meet its future requirements, industry and the Government will need to work with schools to ensure children from a young age experience hands-on practical learning of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths) subjects to encourage creativity, imagination and problem-solving.
David Lakin, Head of Education at the IET, said: “We need to open young people’s eyes and minds to the world of engineering at a much younger age. Not only do we need them to understand what engineering is, we want them to see that if they practically apply the STEM skills they learn in the classroom, they can improve the world for everyone.”
1. Gaining the right skills
4. Supporting employable graduates
Employers should encourage the continual achievement of professional standards within their workforce.
In the workplace
2. Encouraging diversity in the workplace
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Education system
Early years education is an important building block for a future workforce. Hands-on, experiential learning is essential when teaching science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). It encourages creativity, imagination, and problemsolving skills, all of which help young people apply knowledge to the world around them. Although much has already been achieved in this area, the UAE education system should continue to evolve experiential learning of STEM subjects. This will ensure these subjects remain relevant to the ever-changing engineering landscape.
Engineering employers should continue to champion multiple areas of diversity in their workforce because this provides a variety of perspectives and skill sets.
Investing in employees will increase profitability. Employers should make sure their engineers and technicians develop a broad mix of skills that includes technical and life skills.
6. Experiential learning
They should use globally recognised frameworks to assess the professionalism of their engineers and technicians. This can help increase skills and competence levels while also reinforcing the importance of ethical behaviour.
They should look at creating a framework that supports continuing professional development (CPD) – because employees should never stop learning. Apprenticeships can provide a structured and highly effective way to improve the skills and experience of the workforce.
The UAE has a truly diverse population. Harnessing this diversity can provide a long-term solution to skills shortages while also supporting productivity and profitability. It’s great to see the crucial role that female Emiratis are playing within the engineering sector.
3. Professional standards
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of a higher education programme can be a useful way to assess its worth. An internationally recognised quality assessment can help a programme stay at the forefront of international educational developments; improve the student learning experience; and enhance graduate attributes to better meet the needs of the industry. Higher education institutions should consider attaining global quality benchmarks.
5. Quality Benchmarkingassessmentthequality
Industry requirements can change rapidly, so involving industry in shaping higher education can be very beneficial. We recommend aligning courses to future industry needs and running research projects in collaboration with industry, to give students valuable real-world exposure. Employers should engage with educators to help shape the skills pipeline for their industry. Encouraging employees to act as mentors and STEM ambassadors can be a great way to inspire the next generation.
'Murderous Starlets' will take guests back to California in 1932, where a famous Italian American film actor and producer Guido Corleone is murdered. The guests will have to determine who committed the crime.
Join the gorgeous starlets and their powerhouse vocals in a night of music, seduction, food, and crime-solving inspired by old Hollywood glam.
THE MURDEROUS STARLETS IMMERSIVE MUSICAL EXPERIENCE EVERY THURSDAY • 8PM - 11PM Paramount Hotel Dubai - Business Bay, Dubai, UAE www.paramounthotelsdubai.com © Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved. Used Under Restaurants@paramounthotelsdubai.comLicense.+971551807559Reservations:
we live in. After the oil sector, the fashion industry is said to be the world’s second greatest contributor to pollution. So as the fast fashion industry continues to expand, so does the environmental devastation it leaves in its wake. The fast fashion industry’s ethical, social, and sustainability challenges are well researched and documented, and they have only become worse in recent years. According to McKinsey’s research in 2016 by Remy, Speelman, and Swartz, the globe currently “uses more than 100 billion articles of apparel every year.”
SLOWING DOWN FASHION
Words by: Marie-Hélène Stavelot, RELUXABLE Founder & CEO
Fast fashion refers to a recent, popular, and potentially exploitative business strategy focused on mass-producing runway and high-fashion creations at low cost. Manufacturing clothes in such a way, using cheap components, such as artificial materials, and hence the low quality of the clothes results in a shorter life span and more waste. Therefore, fast fashion creates large quantities of garments in a short period of time. This increased waste creates an unsustainable vicious circle that significantly impacts the world
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Is fast fashion a thing of the past now that sustainability is on the rise?
FASHION
Many good indicators of these are seen now, such as the mushrooming of thrift stores and secondhand shops, promoting a healthy habit of recycling, or ‘upcycling’ already made clothes available in the market. Similarly, big-name brands are also slowly realizing the error of their ways and incorporating more fair practices in their business models, like labor rights and ethically sourced products and materials, with a focus on recyclability. However, a lot of this still hinges on consumer behavior and demand. The level to which both can alter.
Hence,choices.large
Moreover, according to a UN article published in 2018, every year, the fashion industry as a whole is responsible for 92 million tonnes of garbage thrown in landfills. Such significantly high numbers and trends are starting to make consumers more aware of how their actions affect the planet. Many of whom are beginning to become more conscious about their spending and purchases. They are also demanding the brands they shop from to make sustainable and responsible choices while producing their products. Pressure by high-profile environmental activists like Greta Thunberg are further pushing consumers to make more rational
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Fast fashion brands are still popping up every day, like well-known names such as Fashion Nova or Chinese retailer, Shein, which are going viral thanks to the support of social media. But as, the number of socially responsible brands increases, we might see fast fashion trends slowing down.
Its competitor, H&M, also focuses on long-term solutions and aims to reduce its environmental impact. Those brands also ensure to recycle products further to avoid them ending up in landfills or being potential contributors to environmental damage. All of this together has started a movement of sustainability in the fashion world, which is garnering more and more attention globally.
If consumers keep demanding low quality, cheap clothing articles, fast fashion practices will continue, whereas if demand for fast fashion goes down and consumers keep up the pressure on brands becoming more sustainable and ethically responsive, we can see the industry finally changing for the better!
companies are making great strides in using recycled material in their offerings. Giant Spanish retailer Zara is the benchmark model for fast fashion. They are producing around 30.000 units of products a year which makes them part of the problem. But, with the rise of the sustainable movement, Zara owner Inditex decided to include green measures by making all his cotton, polyester, and linen sustainable by 2025.
BENNETT Leather-TrimmedWeekenderWINCHCotton-CanvasHoldall
WHAT TO WEAR FOR THE WEEKEND
When the weekend arrives, ensure you spend it in style. Since it bides by few rules, off-duty dressing is a true art.
DistressedStraight-LegLOEWEJeans
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GUCCI TortoiseshellD-FrameEYEWEARAcetateandGold-ToneSunglasses
COMMON PROJECTS
BRUNELLO CUCINELLI Slim-Fit Cotton-JerseyLogo-PrintT-Shirt
CELINE HOMME Teddy Logo-AppliquOversizedédLeatherBomberJacket
Original Achilles Leather Sneakers
BrownMULBERRYWovenLeatherBelt
STYLE FILE
TOM FORD Woven Leather and Gold-PlatedBraceletWrap
WHAT TO WEAR FOR WORK
BRUNELLOCashmere-JerseyUnstructuredCUCINELLIBlazer BOTTEGA TortoiseshellD-FrameVENETAAcetateSunglasses CARUSO Tosca Slim-Fit Pleated Wool Suit Trousers LeatherScrittoBERLUTIVeneziaBriefcase TOM FORD Shawl-Collar Ribbed Wool Cardigan LE GRAMME 15g Sterling Silver Ring BERLUTI Andy Leather Loafers 3.5cmANDERSON’SSuedeBelt
SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2022 115 FASHION With our working habits changing, the modern office wardrobe is a tricky thing to get right. Get your work wardrobe ready for the new season, from tailored fits to more relaxed looks.
STYLE FILE
Paris Haute Couture Week sparkled all the brighter as Chopard’s Co-President and Artistic Director Caroline Scheufele presented a selection of exceptional stones, tributes to the bounties of nature that are a perpetual source of inspiration for AmongChopard.these
EXCEPTIONAL STONES
treasures, the Chopard Insofu Emerald stands out as the most spectacular stone of them all: a 6,225-ct rough emerald mined in Zambia and the object of a traceability and responsibility process that is simply unprecedented for a gem of this Dueimportance.totheexceptional
radiant-cut diamond is set in a Fairmined-certified ethical gold ring. Finally, the collection includes a magnificent Toi & Moi ring composed of an exceptional 4.22 ct fancy intense blue diamond and a white diamond, both of the highest quality. Celebrated for its expertise and creativity, Chopard Haute Joaillerie is also synonymous with exceptional stones. Created more than 20 years ago under the impetus of Caroline Scheufele, its workshops have enjoyed a fabulous destiny. Their existence has been punctuated by several major milestones such as the Red Carpet and Animal World collections, as well as the Garden of Kalahari – a complete set designed from an exceptionally pure 342-ct rough diamond. Chopard has now assembled a significant number of extremely rare stones, thereby demonstrating its ability to combine its refined expertise with carefully selected noble materials. Inspired by Nature, Caroline Scheufele has assembled a collection of precious stones brought back from the four corners of the world. It includes some unique specimens, such as a 3.01-ct pear-
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Chopard unveils a paradise of rare gemstones, including a 6,225-carat rough emerald, a 10.88-carat pink diamond, and a 4.22-carat blue diamond.
purity and record size of the Chopard Insofu Emerald, specialists expect it to yield a large number of high-quality cut stones, from which the Chopard workshops will create a collection of jewellery pieces. Another remarkable stone – a 10.88-ct fancy intense pink diamond –reflects the passion for coloured diamonds harboured by the Maison’s creative soul. The
The Chopard Insofu emerald
The latter is a keen nature-lover who tends her gardens with the deep sense of feeling characteristic of true experts: a garden of flowers whose perpetual renewal and fragile beauty she admires; along with a garden of precious stones, carefully cultivated by this woman who travels the world in search of exceptional gems.
Pink diamonds are among the rarest hues in the rainbow of coloured stones. Pink diamonds with a “fancy intense” colour are even rarer, which is why Chopard’s Co-President and Artistic Director was so moved when she set eyes on this 10.88 ct specimen. Featuring a radiant cut – an exceptionally 70-facetted variant of the rectangular cut – the “Rose of Caroline” is like an incandescent offering to light, revealing its feminine hue and its VVS1 clarity on the Gemological Institute of America scale.
The exceptional and rare Chopard Insofu Emerald – whose name refers to the word for “elephant” in the Bemba language spoken by the people living in the Kafubu region of Zambia where the emerald was found in the Kagem mine – is one of the most important stones ever discovered, both in terms of weight (6,225 cts) and quality. Experts have detected the enormous potential of this gift of the Earth, still in its rough state and clearly brimming with possibilities. Remarkable jewels will thus be carved from this emerald of extremely rare purity and quality - a fabulous treasure which – in the hands of
the finest stone-cutters – will give rise to a collection of unique and singular gems, the first fruits of a forthcoming Haute Joaillerie collection.
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The “Rose of Caroline” diamond
shaped D-Internally Flawless type IIA diamond and a 4.22-ct pear-shaped fancy intense blue diamond – a rare carat weight for a stone of such a beautiful colour, set in the workshops on a majestic “Toi et Moi” ring representing a unique symbol of the union of two equally beautiful gems. Included in the presentation was an extravagant dark grey-greenish yellow diamond that owes its “chameleon” nickname to its ability to change colour depending on its exposure to light or a source of heat. The breathtaking 31.31-ct stone is destined to be majestically set on a mischievous frog-shaped ring. Finally, a last ring is beautifully enhanced by a 21.04-ct cushion-cut Ceylon sapphire. This unheated stone radiates a unique talisman-like charm thanks to a timeless setting, simply adorned with diamonds that accentuate its natural colour.
The “Rose of Caroline” is also a way for Chopard to pay an enduring tribute to its creative soul by lending her first name to this age-old stone.
The stone was acquired by Chopard and christened “Rose of Caroline” in tribute to the woman who gave rise to jewellery and Haute Joaillerie at Chopard. The word “rose” refers not only to the pink colour of the diamond, but also recalls a flower dear to the heart of Caroline Scheufele.
The exclusive design object combines ultra-light titanium and sustainably sourced natural horn in a very special way: the cool, technically filigree metal, additionally refined with 22 carat gold, rose gold or platinum plating, meets the horn of traditionally reared Asian water buffalo - warm, elegant and in the finest natural colour structures. This exquisite combination of materials is honed to perfection here in the shape of a model that exudes strong character - as an expression of a new zeitgeist that combines style, innovation, and sustainability.
enthusiasts will (also) recognise similarities to the Maybach logo in the shape of THE CREATOR: the rounded corners of the frames and the flowing aesthetics are emblematic of the most exclusive models. A highlight is the bridge, which takes details from the radiator grille and reinterprets them. The comfortable spring hinges on the temples are seamlessly integrated into the logo.
power of Mercedes-Benz with the historically evolved art of handcrafting that is synonymous with MAYBACH Icons of Luxury.
DESIGN MEETS ARTISANSHIP
THE CREATOR draws on the valuable experience and treasures of both worlds to interpret and help shape the current zeitgeist with a modern design Mercedes-Maybachidiom.
The exclusive THE CREATOR sunglasses by MAYBACH Icons of Luxury embody sensual purity and modern luxury.
More than 200 steps are required to produce a single pair of these exclusive sunglasses. They combine to high-quality effect the innovative
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Luxury“Thedesignmergestechnicalprecisionandluxuriouslightness.hasalwaysbeenoursoul–andit’sconstantlyevolving.THECREATORembodiesourwayofluxuryandthedesireofbeautyandtheextraordinarybeyondthecarandsymbolisestheinnovativeclaimofthebrand.”
A particularly important feature of the new sunglasses is the natural horn that is used in the frame of the glasses. It comes from the company IVKO, whose atelier working with natural horn established in 1978, and which is now able to bring its many years of experience to bear in MAYBACH eyewear. The horn used for the glasses comes from Asian water buffalo, which are commonly found in farming communities in many parts of the world and whose strength is an indispensable help in everyday life for the local people. They revere these valuable animals, not one of which has to lose its life because of its horn. Mature horn is best suited for making the glasses - so the older the animals, the more beautiful the horn becomes.
THE CREATOR sunglasses are available in a range of colour combinations, including three models with 22k gold plating and two models each with rose gold or platinum plating on a premium titanium base. This is found in the logos, the striking bridge design and the trim around the glass. The variants in gold are available in combination with natural horn in the colour amber and gold mirrored lenses, in matt black natural horn with dark grey lenses, and in cream/green marbled natural horn with lenses in a subtle green gradient. The rose gold models
black natural horn with lenses in a grey gradient or - as a limited edition - frames made of cream-coloured natural horn with rose gold mirrored lenses. In the platinum versions there is a choice between a variant in matt black natural horn with lenses in a grey gradient, or one in cream/blue marbled natural horn with silver mirrored lenses. The three models with metal elements in matt black convey special character. In addition to the red colour variant with white marbled horn, there is a black-black combination, which subtly emphasises the contrasts between the materials and between gloss and matt effects, as well as a variant in black-white-black, which plays with pronounced contrasts.
GordenWagener,ChiefDesignOfficerMercedes-BenzGroupAG.featureframesmadeofmatt
“Having a high regard for nature is of crucial importance to us and this aspect is at the forefront of our thoughts and actions. From the very beginning, therefore, it was an essential aim to unite sustainably sourced, natural material, handcrafting skill and technical know-how honed over several decades, and the Maybach design language, and these all came together in THE CREATOR sunglasses,” says Jutta Kahlbetzer, CEO of MAYBACH Icons of Luxury.
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GADGETS & GIZMOS
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Action cameras need to be versatile, able to catch every terrifying cliff jump, risky dirt bike trail or gnarly wave while surfing… and that’s where the new Insta360 One RS comes in. As far as action cameras go, this is one of the more unique options. It uses a modular design, offering a detachable 360-degree lens, wide angle lens and a 4K action camera that you can easily switch between. You can also detach the battery, allowing you to carry back-ups that you can snap in place quickly between stunts.
Sony WF-1000XM4 Earbuds
Whether it’s a world-changing invention or reimagined antiquated tools, technology has changed the world for the better. Here are the top gadget recommendations to enhance any area of your life.
These are among the best general-purpose earbuds on the market, so they’re suitable for just about anyone who wants to experience high-quality audio. Sony’s WF1000XM4 earbuds offer superb noise cancellation— probably better than Apple’s AirPods Pro, in fact—and sound very good with surprisingly effective bass. They also offer a formidable eight hours on a charge (12 hours with noise cancellation disabled), or 24 hours in total when you top them off in the charging case. They’re rated IPX4, which means they’re completely sweat resistant. This makes them great for running and other workouts. You can also give voice commands thanks to Alexa support.
Revealed at CES 2022, the Withings Body Scan is what you would get if you crossed a scale with a doctor that never leaves you alone. On top of the obvious function of informing you of your weight, the Withings Body Scan will also tell you the fat mass of your whole body (including separated percentages for arms, legs, torso, etc) and inform you of your vascular age. On top of that, it is also able to give you a neuropathy score. All of this is done through a bar that comes up out of the scale. This bar sends low-voltage electrical currents through the body via electrodes and measures the resistance of tissue to the current. If you don’t mind your scale being somewhat intrusive to the point of sending electrical currents through your body, there won’t be many more intelligent than this one.
Insta360 One
Withings Body Scan
Sure, you could go the gym... or, the gym could come to you. That’s the idea of the Vaha S Fitness Mirror, giving you a full-size mirror that can play over 850 workout classes, and connect you with personal trainers in real Thetime.
mirror itself is a 32-inch Full HD touchscreen, complete with 30W speakers and a brushed metal finish.
Logitech Litra Glow
If you like the idea of a smartwatch, but also want to feel like the classy individual you are, the Tag Heuer Connected Calibre E4 could be just what you need. Skip past the large amount of futuristic buzzwords here and there are some interesting features to this watch, especially around fitness. The watch includes guided 7-minute workouts with animations and notifications to switch exercises. You can choose upper, lower or fullbody exercises.
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Gocycle G4 Electric Bike
VAHA S Fitness Mirror
Zoom calls and video meetings are going nowhere so why not look your absolute best while you do it? With Logitech’s new Litra Glow, you can get a nice glow at home that will make co-workers jealous – they don’t need to know you’ve just crawled out of bed! Sensors on the Litra Glow will adjust the light’s brightness to adapt to different skin tones and diffuse the light so that you don’t look like a deer caught in the headlights. It has also been tested to make sure it is completely safe to use the lamp for long periods of time.
There are now plenty of electric bikes on the market, but if you live in a city, constantly hopping on trains, buses, and up and down stairs, throwing in the ability to fold the bike down could be a necessity. That’s the key feature of the new Gocycle G4, offering a premium electric bike that can easily be folded down. Inside you’ll find a powerful motor and there’s even an app that you can connect up which allows you to start the bike remotely, see how fast your going, how much battery you have left and more. With traction control features, this bike works great on roads, grass and other more unique terrains. There is even different modes, putting out more power where necessary.
Tag Heuer Connected Calibre E4
Bang & Olufsen celebrates 40 years of multiroom with new software that connects past with present and future products.
The new update provides a simple way to wirelessly
TIMELESS CONNECTIVITY
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Luxury audio brand Bang & Olufsen has started offering an automatic software update to its new generation of home speakers. From Bang & Olufsen’s iconic loudspeakers, music systems and turntables of the 1980’s to its modern wireless speakers, the new update to Beolink makes a generation of products across decades work seamlessly together, showcasing Bang & Olufsen’s commitment to longevity by providing timeless connectivity between the past, present and future.
connect new Bang & Olufsen home speakers with classic Bang & Olufsen multiroom installations and iconic Bang & Olufsen products through decades of Beolink innovation.
Whether enjoying a classic record on the Beogram 5500 turntable from 1986, now streamed wirelessly to the terrasse through the latest Beosound Level speaker or breathing new life into the iconic Beosound 9000 CD player by pairing it with the recently launched Beolab 28 speakers; the possibilities are endless.
TOUCH TO JOIN
ONE REMOTE
Bang & Olufsen’s long standing commitment to connectivity and compatibility has been a key differentiator since the early 1980’s when the company pioneered multiroom audio technology with the launch of Master Control Link. In 1986, Bang
Whether a customer wants to use the Beoremote One, Beoremote Halo or the Bang & Olufsen app, Beolink integration allows listeners to control all speakers and their entire home through their preferred choice of product.
Now, Bang & Olufsen is celebrating 40 years of industry leading Multiroom by introducing Beolink Multiroom technology for its latest Audio Technology Platform in Beosound Balance, Beosound Level, Beosound Emerge and Beolab 28. This brings Beolink connectivity to its latest technology platform, bridging Bang & Olufsen’s longstanding heritage of connected products from 1986 and spanning different technologies and music formats including turntables, CD players, Mp3 media to the latest streaming media and music services. This showcases Bang & Olufsen’s commitment to securing future connectivity and supporting longevity. The update offers value to its customers by giving them the freedom to upgrade and expand their collections, with the ultimate goal of ensuring a lifetime of music.
“Bang & Olufsen first invented multiroom 40 years ago and we’re pleased to announce our continuation of expertise in this field with our new software update that makes products launched decades apart work seamlessly together. Beolink Multiroom is built for the future and enables all our network enabled products to be seamlessly connected, played and controlled together across rooms. It also brings intuitive features that make starting a musical moment easy, such as One Touch to Music and Touch to Join. These features elevate your multiroom music experience and allow for greater control over your entire entertainment set-up which can grow with you over time”, says Christoffer Poulsen, SVP of Product Management & Brand Partnering at Bang & Olufsen.
ONE TOUCH TO MUSIC
& Olufsen introduced Beolink Multiroom which provided compatibility throughout all generations of its products and is the only multiroom audio company with 36 years of ensuring compatibility at system level.
As simple as flicking a light switch, One Touch to Music allows listeners to quickly and easily start a musical moment without using a phone. Users can simply tap on a speaker or use the remote to start playing music from their preferred source, whether it be from a turntable, CD player or streaming service. The four favourite buttons offer simple tap to choose preferred music experiences which are easily tailored for the user during set up in the Bang & Olufsen app.
Join allows the musical moment to follow the user wherever they go. By simply touching the speaker or joining via a remote, the music will start playing in a new room without needing to do anything else.
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Whether listening to the radio in the kitchen before heading into the living room or bedroom, Touch to
Offering a more seamless user experience, the technology stops background processes from limiting function when switch between apps, so you can take a call or write a message whilst gaming or watching a movie. The apps will still be running in the background and waiting to resume exactly where you left off, whether it’s social media, e-commerce, or gaming. This technology also extends the life span of the device, making the HONOR X8 smooth as always, even after 36 Months.
HONOR X8’s slim body and ultra-light weight means you won’t sense its existence while you’re enjoying videos or in gaming mode.
HONOR X8
The HONOR X8 comes with a host of capabilities, modern design, stunning display, outstanding photography and videography features, and powerful performance that set it apart from its smartphone competitors. It also comes with Google Mobile Services, so you won’t miss out on the latest and most popular apps.
THE SMART MEMORY EXPANSION TECHNOLOGY: HONOR RAM TURBO
Year after year, the company’s research and development efforts have brought consumers the best of the tech world, and one of those is HONOR RAM Turbo technology. A feature reserved for flagship smartphones, the HONOR X8 features HONOR’s RAM Turbo flagship advanced memory solution, boosting efficiency and ensuring you can transfer smoothly between your most commonly used apps.
From its iconic design to its cutting-edge performance and smooth and seamless user experience, HONOR has refreshed its X Series with the new HONOR X8, combining innovation and sleek design.
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EXQUISITE DESIGN WITH ULTRA SLIM AND LIGHTWEIGHT BODY THE COMPETITORS DON’T HAVE
Bringing an exceptional photography experience, the HONOR X8 boasts a robust 64MP Quad Camera, allowing users to capture more detail and vivid photos, perfect for budding photographers and creators who love to capture content on the go or of special moments with family and friends.
The HONOR X8 features a 64MP Ultra-clear Main Camera with a f/1.8 aperture, allowing users to capture every moment in stunning detail. Equipped
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with an intelligent multi-frame synthesis algorithm and 8X digital zoom, it also captures clearer pictures at a distance, and super clear pictures with distinct clarity at night and in low-light conditions. With Capture Mode, users can switch between camera and video to find the perfect mode to take stunning images no matter what time of day. Users can fit more into the frame with Wide Angle Lens, utilise Aperture Mode for the perfect lighting, Night Mode for ultra-clear night-time photography, and Portrait Mode to apply a depth-of-field effect to photos. Users can also create time lapse videos of motion over a period of time, snap a panoramic landscape, as well apply HDR, Super Macro, High Res and Capture Smile mode for perfect images, suited to your preference.
Going beyond the on-screen experience, the HONOR X8 is packed with innovative technology to ensure the device can be used for prolonged periods of time more comfortably. The HONOR X8 has achieved TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certification, which reduces harmful blue light, alleviating eye strain and fatigue, even after extended periods of use—particularly ideal when watching movies, gaming, reading, working or studying.
Where other brands have prioritised phone design to meet the basic needs of videography, the HONOR X8 goes far beyond. It’s also equipped with Dual View recording, which is not seen in other brands in the same category, allowing you to simultaneously shoot two different perspectives with both the front camera and the rear main camera. Whether you’re vlogging, recording a special moment with family, or even a cooking demonstration, the dual view shows what is captured by both cameras side by side, giving you the flexibility and freedom to create engaging content with ease. All these features taken together uniquely positions the new HONOR X8 smartphone as a great alternative to other smartphones in this category.
Presenting a truly immersive visual entertainment experience, the HONOR X8 has been designed with super narrow bezels to bring users an almost full screen experience, supported by an industry leading ultra-thin Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). Leading the way in the industry, the left and right frames have been compressed to 1.1 mm , while the top frame is only 1.15 mm, bringing a remarkable screen-to-body ratio of 93.6%—the highest achieved among straight-screen smartphones of the same grade.
Bringing HONOR’s innovative technology solutions to global smartphone users, the HONOR X8 features an ultra slim and lightweight body, coming in at just 7.45 mm thick and weighing just 177g, which represents the thinnest and lightest mobile phone in its price segment.
BEYOND EXCEPTIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO CAPABILITIES
To accomplish the ultra slim look and feel, HONOR developed and patented a new and exclusive highstrength yet lightweight aluminium alloy mid-frame bezel plate, which reduces the weight of the midframe bezel plate by 4 grams and is 15% thinner than traditional smartphone frames.
Sonos extends industry-leading home theater line-up with its most compact soundbar.
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UPGRADE YOUR SOUND
GADGETS
Sustainable Sound: Ray also features our most sustainable design packaging to date, with a gift box and protective cushions that are 100% post-consumer recycled paper.
GADGETS
Compact Design: Whether you’re placing it on your media stand or tucking it inside a credenza, Ray’s understated and impressively compact design blends into any space.
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Room-Filling Sound: Custom-designed waveguides project sound from wall to wall, and advanced processing accurately positions elements throughout your room, so you feel like you’re at the center of the story.
Enhanced Listening: Sonos’ Speech Enhancement ensures even greater clarity, so you never miss a word, while Night Sound reduces the intensity of loud effects, so you don’t disturb anyone else at home.
Ray brings the brand’s category-leading simplicity and versatility to a more accessible price point, making it easy to build your first home theater setup or expand in more rooms. The new soundbar is compatible with all of your favorite streaming services, so you can enjoy movies, music and more with simple setup and control - just open the Sonos app and start listening in minutes. You can easily control Ray with your existing TV remote, the Sonos app, Apple AirPlay 2 and more. Add a pair of Ones to your home theater setup for surround sound or connect to any Sonos speaker for multiroom listening.
Tuned to Perfection: Like all Sonos speakers, Ray was tuned with the input of the Sonos Soundboard, a collection of leaders across music, film and more. Fine tune the sound even further with Trueplay to create the ideal listening experience for any room.
Sonos has expanded its home theater line-up with a new speaker, offering listeners more ways to easily connect with the content they love. The Sonos Ray is a compact soundbar with impressive sound for its size. As with all Sonos products, the brand’s newest speaker delivers a great sound that helps you play more, hear more and feel more at home. With Ray, Sonos is bringing great sound for TV, movies, and more to a wider audience by expanding its home theater range with a more accessible price point.
Precisely Balanced: A new bass reflex system with a proprietary design delivers thrilling lows with perfectly weighted bass, while custom acoustics precisely harmonize mid and high-range frequencies.
“Homes have become movie theaters, fitness studios, gaming hubs and so much more, all supported by a streaming era that is no longer exclusive to just TV, music and film,” said Patrick Spence, CEO of Sonos. “Ray makes it easier than ever to enhance those listening experiences, thanks to its smaller size and impressive Blockbustersound.”Sound from Sonos Ray Ray raises the bar for at-home entertainment with new acoustic innovations that deliver balanced sound, crisp dialogue, and solid bass.
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GC EXPLORES: 5 LUXURY EUROPEAN ESCAPES
Wander through the eternal city of Rome
diet caters to all with crispy, thin-based pizzas, verdant salads, simple pasta dishes and, of course, a scoop or two of exquisite gelato. Located in central Italy’s Lazio region, the nearby Frascati and Castelli Romani hills ensure a steady flow of local wines, mainly white, worth exploring, including Trebbiano, Malvasia di Candia and Malvasia Puntinata. Also a fantastic shopping destination, the illustrious Via Condotti is renowned for its designer boutiques, with glamorous Italian fashion labels such as Valentino, Gucci, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Alberta Ferretti and Giorgio Armani all calling this stylish street home. Elsewhere in the city, the most talked about opening is Colosseo Quadrato, the new Fendi headquarters at Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana, housed in a striking building from the Fascist era. Opened in honour of the Italian fashion house’s 90th anniversary, the headquarters features a free-entry gallery that’s a must for fashion and design lovers.
Once considered the capital of the world, ancient Rome is steeped in nearly 3000 years of history, culminating in a backdrop of awe-inspiring architecture. The pride of the city’s ‘golden era’, caput mundi, can still be experienced through the ancient ruins of the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Pantheon, all built during Rome’s defining era. Without even trying, the capital provides a comprehensive lesson in artistic heritage, dotted with beautiful fountains designed by Bernini, Michelangelo sculptures, Caravaggio paintings and Raphael’s frescoes, not to mention the trove of delights hidden away in the AsVatican.youmeander through the Eternal City’s picturesque streets and shady gardens, you naturally slip into the la dolce vita way of life, soaking up the city’s effortless style, perfumed with freshly-ground macchiato. With a longstanding respect for mama’s cooking, the Italian
In pride of place on the Piazza della Repubblica, amongst the city’s leading landmarks, Hotel Savoy is an iconic Florentine hotel. Dressed by Laudomia Pucci and Olga Polizzi, in signature prints and Renaissance antiques, and catered by Fulvio Pierangelini, in definitive Tuscan style. Filled with character, a breath of fresh air in a city steeped in history.
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let natural light flood the rooms and provide splendid views of Brunelleschi’s Duomo. The
spacious sitting room features chic bronze tables and gold leaf mirrors by Il Bronzetto, grand bespoke bookcases from Castorina and playful Timorous Beastie-covered cushions, while in the separate dining room, parties can be easily accommodated around a large table, enjoying drinks from the well-stocked private bar.
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The elegant colour palette of natural, earthy shades in the furnishings—mirrored in the use of lavish Italian marble in the large mosaic-adorned bathrooms—is offset with pops of bright sea blue in various objets d’art, like a glint of sunshine off the Mediterranean.
The sylvan wallpaper used throughout, is accentuated by the handmade blankets in fine Italian fabrics that sit atop the magnificent king-sized bed, beckoning for a deep, luxurious night’s sleep.
The Duomo Presidential Suite is the pinnacle of luxury at Hotel Savoy, occupying its own wing and exemplifying sublime design. With two bedrooms, the stylish space is ideal for families or parties travelling
Where to stay:
Modern Two, on the other hand, presents a changing programme of exhibitions by international artists, alongside several permanent large-scale projects, such as The Stairwell Project by Richard Wright.
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For modern and contemporary art, head to the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. The complex comprises three spaces; a fantastic sculpture park set
Visit to explore Expressionist and modern British art, contemporary 20th century French and Russian art collections, and paintings by household names such as Matisse and Picasso.
Modern One showcases works from the National Gallery’s permanent collection, alongside special loans from around the world.
Edinburgh is filled with fascinating monuments to Scotland’s glorious past. Once known as ‘The Athens of the North’, the city has an incredible array of worldclass museums, grand architecture, and exciting art galleries to explore.
The Scottish Gallery is the oldest fine art dealer and gallery in Scotland, specialising in 20th century and contemporary Scottish paintings and objects. The space is a prime place to pick up artworks by local Scottish artists. Exhibitions change constantly so there’s always something new to discover.
Discover Edinburgh’s burgeoning art scene
in an extensive parkland and two indoor spaces, Modern One and Modern Two.
IThe Balmoral has been a city landmark since 1902 and has unrivalled views across the iconic skyline, filled with splendid facades and styles.
the historic Crombie Castle in Aberdeenshire. From the custom-made tapestry Devonshire Swans wallpaper in the entrance hall—ideal for discrete, private check-ins or private dinners—to the rich fabrics and opulent furnishings used throughout the grand and generous space, the presidential suite is decorated with a nod to the city’s royal connections. Elegantly complementing the design, the colour scheme is serene with shades of delicate blue and grey, evoking Scottish skies and lochs, and a dash of soft yellow, like wild gorse, in the bedroom. Botanical, natural accents are woven throughout, while the floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the space with light reveal the skyline of the city’s Old Town as a compelling contrast. For added decadence, the living room has a working fireplace, and the spacious Italian marble and mosaic bathroom features a freestanding bathtub, a separate shower and luxurious Asprey toiletries. Ideal for lavish longer stays and larger groups, the Scone & Crombie can be transformed into either a two- or three-bedroom suite.
A welcome in bespoke Balmoral tartan; Hebridean blues, heather hues and classic Scottish art; whisky ambassadors with 500 malts – The Balmoral is a love letter to Scotland. Looking up to Edinburgh Castle, savour Michelin-starred dining, French-Scottish bistro fare, award-winning afternoon tea and a serene urban spa at the city’s most majestic spot.
Browse art over dinner at Number One at The Balmoral, a Michelin-star restaurant, which is decorated with a print of a Scottish oak tree by Adam Ellis, alongside artwork from London’s Royal College of Art.
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Where to stay:
Palatial in both inspiration and spirit, The Balmoral’s iconic Scone & Crombie Suite is named after the stunning Scottish palace of Scone in Perthshire and
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Modern One showcases works from the National Gallery’s permanent collection, alongside special loans from around the world.
Modern Two, on the other hand, presents a changing programme of exhibitions by international artists, alongside several permanent large-scale projects, such as The Stairwell Project by Richard Wright.
For modern and contemporary art, head to the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. The complex comprises three spaces; a fantastic sculpture park set
in an extensive parkland and two indoor spaces, Modern One and Modern Two.
Visit to explore Expressionist and modern British art, contemporary 20th century French and Russian art collections, and paintings by household names such as Matisse and Picasso.
Edinburgh is filled with fascinating monuments to Scotland’s glorious past. Once known as ‘The Athens of the North’, the city has an incredible array of worldclass museums, grand architecture, and exciting art galleries to explore.
The Scottish Gallery is the oldest fine art dealer and gallery in Scotland, specialising in 20th century and contemporary Scottish paintings and objects. The space is a prime place to pick up artworks by local Scottish artists. Exhibitions change constantly so there’s always something new to discover.
Experience exquisite dining in the moonlit piazzas of Florence
Browse art over dinner at Number One at The Balmoral, a Michelin-star restaurant, which is decorated with a print of a Scottish oak tree by Adam Ellis, alongside artwork from London’s Royal College of Art.
A welcome in bespoke Balmoral tartan; Hebridean blues, heather hues and classic Scottish art; whisky ambassadors with 500 malts – The Balmoral is a love letter to Scotland. Looking up to Edinburgh Castle, savour Michelin-starred dining, French-Scottish bistro fare, award-winning afternoon tea and a serene urban spa at the city’s most majestic spot.
Palatial in both inspiration and spirit, The Balmoral’s iconic Scone & Crombie Suite is named after the stunning Scottish palace of Scone in Perthshire and
the historic Crombie Castle in Aberdeenshire. From the custom-made tapestry Devonshire Swans wallpaper in the entrance hall—ideal for discrete, private check-ins or private dinners—to the rich fabrics and opulent furnishings used throughout the grand and generous space, the presidential suite is decorated with a nod to the city’s royal connections. Elegantly complementing the design, the colour scheme is serene with shades of delicate blue and grey, evoking Scottish skies and lochs, and a dash of soft yellow, like wild gorse, in the bedroom. Botanical, natural accents are woven throughout, while the floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the space with light reveal the skyline of the city’s Old Town as a compelling contrast. For added decadence, the living room has a working fireplace, and the spacious Italian marble and mosaic bathroom features a freestanding bathtub, a separate shower and luxurious Asprey toiletries. Ideal for lavish longer stays and larger groups, the Scone & Crombie can be transformed into either a two- or three-bedroom suite.
SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2022 133 DESTINATION
IThe Balmoral has been a city landmark since 1902 and has unrivalled views across the iconic skyline, filled with splendid facades and styles.
Where to stay:
Visit the Ballet capital of the world, St Petersburg, Russia
Feast your eyes on some of the most beautiful architecture, ballet and onion-domed Orthodox churches found anywhere in Russia in the beautiful city of St Petersburg. Step back to the days of Dr Zhivago and Anna Karenina in the gilded halls of The Winter Palace before delving into masterpieces of Russian art at The State Russian Museum. Gaze in wonder at the golden cupola of St Isaac’s Cathedral, the fourth largest of its kind in the world and experience the otherworldly chanting and incense inside its frescoed interior.
Ever since St Petersburg set the stage for the original Nutcracker, ballet has found a warm welcome in Russia. Considered by many to be the ballet capital of the world, the city is home to many of the greatest ballet companies, academies, dancers, and theatres on Earth.
On the edge of the city discover the Grand Peterhof Palace, summer residence of the Tsars and still one of the most dazzling palaces and gardens in Russia. Known as the Versailles of the East, this Imperial creation is certain to be a highlight of any visit to St. Petersburg.
From the Mariinsky Ballet to the Bolshoi Ballet, Russia is also home to some of the most renowned and influential ballet companies in the world. Mariinsky Ballet is the resident ballet company of St Petersburg’s Mariinsky Theatre. Originally named the Imperial Russian Ballet (or Kirov Ballet, as it was known in the Soviet era), the company was founded in the 1740s after the 1739 opening of Russia’s first dance school. Mariinsky Ballet works with many of the greatest talents of the Russian ballet world, not just dancers, but choreographers and ballet masters, too.
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Where to stay:
At once quintessentially Russian Imperial and contemporary European, the interiors of the twobedroom Tchaikovsky Royal Suite are truly superlative. Enter through a spacious hall dressed with vintage mirror, passing the guest bathroom and elegant library before reaching a light, airy dining area,
Hotel Astoria is set right in the heart of magnificent St Petersburg and also shines in its own right as a city landmark. As a guest at Hotel Astoria experience curated tours to feel like a privileged local. From behind the scenes of the Mariinsky Theatre to highlight exhibitions at The Hermitage and The State Russian Museum, as well as intimate glimpses of secret city gems, your memories will live with you long after you have flown away.
furnished with antique chandelier, table and chairs complemented by exquisite artworks worthy of a St. Petersburg palace. A stunning balcony terrace overlooks St. Isaac’s Square, the Mariinsky Palace and St. Isaac’s Cathedral and can be set up for scenic al fresco dining in the warmer months. To the right of the dining room, discover a large, comfortable sitting room with deep blue sofas and tasteful traditional rugs, original paintings, and books by Russian Incomposers.themaster bedroom, a four-poster bed takes pride of place, with a mirrored wall reflecting the suite’s inimitable views and a walk-in wardrobe and dressing room for convenience. The master bathroom, crafted in exquisite marble and featuring a walk-in shower as well as a bath, is the perfect place in which to savour some pampering.
list of things to do during your stay: Stroll down Corso Vittorio Emanuele and pass by churches, palazzi and the city’s breath-taking cathedral; Glide through the Gulf of Palermo aboard a private boat; venture out to the medieval village of Castelbuono, and sample sea-fresh fish and raw crustaceans with magnificent views of the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Escape to an Italian palazzo in the Gulf of Palermo
with market sellers singing the merits of their wares at the top of their lungs and locals sourcing the freshest
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Having been under the rule of great civilisations, from Greek and Roman to Arab and French, Palermo has an incredibly rich artistic legacy. From The Palazzo dei Normanni, which was the seat of the Kings of Sicily during the Norman domination (and today houses the city council), to Monreale’s cathedral, commissioned by the Norman ruler of Sicily William II, this is a city steeped in history — and a culinary Reminiscentwhirlpool. of Arab souks, Palermo’s markets, from Ballarò, to Capo and Vucciria, are perhaps the best place to soak up its theatrical and vibrant atmosphere,
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wooden floors, an earthy palette and resplendent with hand-stitched fabrics, curated artworks and antiques, the beauty of Sicily is reflected throughout the décor of the Suites with Sea View and Terrace. Find peace in which to read or entertain in the light-filled sitting room or on your private terrace. Make sure to savour the spectacular views over terraced coastal gardens leading down to the water. Inside, the adjacent bedroom is furnished with a super-king-sized bed with pillow menu to ensure exceptional slumber, a walk-in wardrobe, and a serene en suite bathroom, crafted from Carrara marble and exquisite handmade Sicilian floor tiles. Luxuriate in the decadent bathtub or separate walk-in shower and enjoy Irene Forte Skincare products created from local botanicals.
Where to stay:
history, majesty and serenity at Villa Igiea: a turn-of-the-century palazzo at the perimeter of vivid Palermo, the foot of Mount Pellegrino and the Gulf of Palermo. A long-loved seaside-meets-city sanctuary for royalty, dignitaries and Hollywood luminaries, trace their paths through tiered villa gardens that sweep down to the port and out to the Tyrrhenian Sea; on excursions to Palermo’s bustling markets, Baroque palaces and ancient sites, or yacht trips along its
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picturesque coast; and through Villa Igiea’s Italian restaurants, atmospheric bars and palatial Art Nouveau Withinterior.smooth
A coral-hued Art Nouveau palazzo nestled at the base of Mount Pellegrino in the vibrant city of Palermo, Villa Igiea sits in a prime location overlooking the beautiful marina. Each suite has been given a contemporary twist by designer Olga Polizzi and is furnished with classic antiques and delicate fabrics. Terraced gardens surround the sparkling pool and at the Igiea Terrazza Bar, the finest aperitivos are served amid charming Discoverfrescoes.
“We have fully embraced our esports category with the Razer partnership. We are looking to deliver new and exciting products that are truly in line with the attitude and passion of their gaming community,” said TUMI Creative Director, Victor Sanz.
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Travel in style with Tumi’s limited-edition collection, in collaboration with Razer.
International travel and lifestyle brand Tumi has teamed up with Razer, the leading lifestyle brand for gamers, to reimagine some of its best-selling bags and create a limited-edition gaming collection. The limited-edition bags collection has been launched by one of our favourite luxury travel bag companies in the region and it has collaborated with the most recognisable gaming company in the industry. Tumi and Razer use innovation and design excellence to create a collection of highquality travel bags for the spring.
THE GAMING COLLECTION
The bags have been redesigned in some of Tumi’s best-selling products, with the signature colours of Razers logo design, in charcoal grey and florescent green. E-sports has become extremely popular over the years and so it deepens Tumi’s footing within the industry.
Laptop covers, roll-on cases and backpacks are featured within this collection and items are partly made with recycled materials, an essential aspect for both companies who strive to provide a commitment to sustainability. Only a specific number of units will be sold around the world in each style. 1,337 or ‘Leet’ short for ‘Elite’ is a number that gamers and esports athletes use as signals within games, and so this was decided as the number of pieces that would be available.
Arton Capital is a leading global financial advisory firm providing custom tailored services for immigrant investor programs to government agencies, certified partners and high net-worth individuals and families from around the world. Become a Global Citizen® and Empowering Global Citizenship® are registered trademarks of Arton Capital. MONTREAL | PARIS | LONDON | PODGORICA | SOFIA | ISTANBUL | LIMASSOL | BEIRUT | DUBAI | CAPE TOWN | SINGAPORE | BEIJING | ARTONCAPITAL.COM Sail to a world of possibilities. Anchor in Montenegro. Invest from € 250,000 in an approved real estate project in addition to a donation of € 200,000 to qualify for residency and citizenship in Montenegro, one of Europe's youngest and most promissing countries. Qualify for citizenship in 6 months. Become a Global Citizen® Citizenship by Investment Program MONTENEGRO T + 971 4 456 9220 | INFO@ARTONCAPITAL.COM EMPOWERING GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP ®
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