Global Citizen 63

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Horseracing is back!

@RacingDubai

HUMAN METAMORPHOSIS

THE TRILOGY BEGINS. 16-17 NOV 2022 | RAS AL KHAIMAH, UAE

Discover a dynamic experience curated to connect changemakers and empower a future we are proud to leave behind. Join the global conversation this November as the worlds leading minds gather in Ras Al Khaimah — from heads of state and philanthropists, to award-winning artists and visionaries. The time has come to unveil a new collective identity as global citizens.

ASHANTI

Grammy Award-Winning Multi-Platinum Artist

RICHARD QUEST Anchor & Correspondent CNN Business Editor-at-Large

CHRIS VOSS Former FBI Negotiator CEO & Founder, The Black Swan Group

VISHEN LAKHIANI Founder & CEO, Mindvalley Best-Selling Author & Activist

MAYA DIAB Singer

WYCLEF JEAN Grammy Award-Winning Musician Record Producer & Philanthropist

DEEPAK CHOPRA Founder, Chopra Foundation & Chopra Global

RICKY MARTIN Philanthropist, Artist, Author Founder, Ricky Martin Foundation

CAROLINE SCHEUFELE Co-President & Artistic Director Chopard

PRESENTED BY IN SUPPORT OF

The world's most powerful life transformation platform is coming to Dubai

Step into your greatness

Experience the magic of Mindvalley, and discover your greatness in a weekend of transformation, deep connections, and unforgettable moments with amazing people and teachers who uplift you

The Concept

Utopia is a WEB3 ecosystem with a mission to disrupt classic business operation and create innovation through the launch of VR projects, NFT collections, and WEB3 powered businesses.

Highlights

We are one of the top five metaverse creators companies in the world. We have developed over 230 metaverse projects. Won more than 20 innovation and creativity awards.

Summary

We are building an ethical digital ecosystem curated for major brands.

Team

Alejandro Sáez

María Bravo

Eva Longoria

Randi Zuckerberg

Faze Banks

Deepak Chopra

Maha Abouelenein

Pepe Bastón

Our Vision

5 year timeline for the @utopiaavatar community.

We will create Utopia Avatars metaverse, an ecosystem where ethical & philanthropic corporations exist and grow together with their communities.

The metaverse is designed to have 6 areas at beta launch and there on after increase the number of real businesses increasing our Community Treasury.

Concerts & Life Events

From where we Will lifestream the GG Galas & holders Will be able to bid in real time.

Ganga Tattoo by Utopia

A place for Utopians to get a digital tattoo or buy Ganga merch at a special Price.

Utopia Shop

A place to buy Utopia merch, shipped directly to your location.

Utopia Academy

An education area for WEB3 enthusiasts to take part in lessons.

Utopia Gaming Partnership with eGoGames to roll out the first eSports metaverse competitions

Philanthropy

Utopia avatars project has already raised +10 million dollars from Venture Capital funding to create the project’s sustainable and long term vision.

As we mention in our DNA, we are philantropeneurs who believe in giving back throughout our growth journey. We have established a fixed sum from our drop to be deployed to our philanthropic foundation, The Global Gift Foundation.

Using Web-3 tech we will create transparency and traceability of funds that are destined for charitable initiati ves, that you will trace through our website.

Utopia will sponsor multiple Global Gift Galas on an annual basis.

As the Galas History has shown, the sponsorship funds were at least tripled during the Galas and now the community will be able to vote on the destiny of the funds through a transparent web-3 procedure.

TWO OTHER BUSINESSES HAVE BEEN CONTRACTED TO JOIN THE COMMUNITY TREASURY THROUGH FUTURE NFT COLLECTIONS RELEASED BY UTOPIA AVATARS.

CONTENTS

COVER 22 A GLOBAL VOICE FOR ALL HUMAN RIGHTS

Global superstar and humanitarian Ricky Martin’s remarkable philanthropic journey and the inspiring work of the Ricky Martin Foundation.

INTERVIEWS

28 LOKDEEP SINGH

The global CEO of Talkwalker, the leading consumer intelligence company that helps companies close the gap between their brand and their customers.

32 YUNIB SIDDIQUI

Behind the scenes with the group CEO and owner of casual-dining giant, Jones the Grocer, with more than 22 outlets across the Middle East and Asia.

34

MAXIMILLION COOPER

A supercharged chat with the Gumball 3000 founder.

36 RAHIL HESAN

Celebrated fashion designer Rahil Hesan’s Polka Dot Enjoy Life collection celebrates women, their stories, experiences, health battles, and victories.

38 SAWSAN HABER

GC sits with Lebanese designer Sawsan Haber for a glimpse into her journey to success and the opportunities and challenges of becoming known for her exquisite designs in a world of beauty.

40 ZEL ALI

Global Humanitarian and Education Advocate Zel Ali talks about the power of providing vulnerable children with the opportunity to education.

42 RABIH FAKHREDDINE

Founder and CEO of 7 Management, Rabih Fakhreddine has enriched the culinary, entertainment and nightlife industry in the Middle East with his creative and out-of-thebox ideas.

DESTINATION

44 SAINT LUCIA

Invest, build, and grow in the jewel of the Caribbean Sea.

HOROLOGY

46 HIGH-TECH CLASSIC Audemars Piguet introduces the Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon GMT with striking green hues.

48 TIMELESS STYLE

New colours and materials for Blancpain’s Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Flyback Chronograph.

50 ALPINE EAGLE

A new dial colour joins Chopard’s Alpine Eagle collection in support of the Foundation dedicated to preserving the Alpine environment and its biodiversity.

54 ESSENTIAL GREY

Hublot’s exclusive Big Bang Unico Essential Grey is a stunning cocktail.

56 HUBLOT OPENS IN DOHA Hublot reinforces its presence in Doha ahead of the World Cup

58 TIME ON MARS

OMEGA’s latest space watch tracks the rhythms of the red planet.

ALPINE EAGLE

With its pure and sophisticated lines, Alpine Eagle offers a contemporary reinterpretation of one of our iconic creations. Its 41 mm case houses an automatic, chronometer-certified movement, the Chopard 01.01-C. Forged in Lucent Steel A223, an exclusive ultra-resistant metal resulting from four years of research and development, this exceptional timepiece, proudly developed and handcrafted by our artisans, showcases the full range of watchmaking skills cultivated within our Manufacture.

AUTOMOTIVE

60 BMW XM

BMW introduces its high-performance electric drive system

62 GENESIS X SPEEDIUM COUPE

In the era of electrified driving, Genesis unveils X Speedium Coupe Interior 64 LOTUS EVIJA

The world’s first pure electric British hypercar makes its debut 66 AUDI SKYSPHERE

Audi redefines progresive luxury with its electric roadster 68 CADILLAC CELESTIQ

78 VERTICAL FARMING

Bustanica has opened the doors to the world’s largest hydroponic farm

80 BIODIESEL LANDMARK

McDonald’s UAE marks 20 million kilometers fuelled by biodiesel

82 SUSTAINABILITY TRENDS

Four sustainability trends to look out for in 2023

84 ULTRAHUMAN

Super sports enthusiast Anwar Shaikh brings Ultrahuman to the UAE

STYLE

98 LOW-EMISSION KICKS

ASICS aims to reduce emissions across all stages of the product lifecycle

GADGETS

100 GADGETS & GIZMOS

GC’s top recommendations for gadgets and gear to enhance any area of your life

102 GOOGLE PIXEL PORTFOLIO

From the new Pixel phones to the very first Google Pixel Watch, Google’s Pixel lineup is ready to help

104 SONOS SUB MINI

Small but mighty, the Sub Mini boosts bass across movies, music, gaming and more

ARTICLES

72 DEEPAK CHOPRA HOSTS LONGEVITY RETREAT IN UAE 74 DUBAI DESIGN WEEK

Discover the highlights, from installations, exhibitions, and experiential mediums

76 A FLYING FIRST

Zephatali Walsh makes history as the winner of the world’s first flying car race

86 STYLE LIFE

GC’s top picks for your seasonal wardrobe

88 HIS AND HERS

Emporio Armani’s seasonal collection of bodywear for men and women

90 A CELEBRATION OF SUSTAINABLE FASHION

The CNMI Sustainable Fashion Awards 2022 closed Milan Fashion Week in conscious style

94 FLORIS No. 007

Floris London launches its exclusive fragrance to commemorate the James Bond film anniversary

96 RACING SEASON STARTS AT MEYDAN

The 21-week spectacular will attract the world’s elite jockeys, trainers, and horses

The ultimate manifestation of ultra-luxury redefined through the spirit of futurism and the avant-garde 64 74

106 MUST-HAVE GOLF GADGETS The latest gadgets to level up your golf game experience

DESTINATIONS

108 DISCOVER LISBON

Plan the ultimate escape to one of Europe’s most atmospheric and beautiful cities

112 TOP GOLF DESTINATION

Discover these top-ranking golf courses to plan the ultimate getaway

EDITOR’S LETTER

s we round out the year with Global Citizen’s November/December issue, culture and ingenuity are common threads that are woven throughout the pages. Our cover story features global superstar and humanitarian Ricky Martin. This GC exclusive explores his remarkable philanthropic journey and the inspiring work of the Ricky Martin Foundation.

This issue also pays homage to the legacy of time-honoured brands. In commemoration of BMW’s 50th anniversary, the marque introduces its high-performance electric drive system. In horology, Hublot’s exclusive Big Bang Unico Essential Grey embodies the timeless aesthetic and visionary genius of the master watchmaker.

Celebrating sustainable fashion, the CNMI Sustainable Fashion Awards 2022, in collaboration with the Ethical Fashion Initiative and Ellen MacArthur Foundation, took place in September, with twelve awards dedicated to honouring the industry’s progress on ESG, from climate action to human rights, measured using EFI’s ESG Due Diligence Framework.

Here in the UAE, the highly anticipated racing season is set to kick off, which will culminate to the Dubai World Cup, an event that has firmly established itself as some of the top racing challenges in the world. Meanwhile, Dubai Design Week - the region’s largest creative festival - will see over 200 regional and international brands and designers present their latest collections and innovative products in a series of exhibitions and installations throughout the city.

To fuel your wanderlust, our travels take us to Lisbon, Portugal, an effortlessly elegant city, full of old-world charm. From there, golfing enthusiasts will find no shortage of inspiration to plan the perfect golf getaway with the world’s top-ranking golf courses.

Enjoy the read!

GLOBAL CITIZEN

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Andrea Antal

COPY EDITOR

Sameer Denzi

CREATIVE

Fierce International Art Team

CONTRIBUTORS Teresa Esmezyan

www.global-citizen.com www.issuu.com/global-citizen www.facebook.com/GlobalCitizenMag www.instagram.com/GlobalCitizenMagazine

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A GLOBAL VOICE FOR ALL HUMAN RIGHTS

GC’s exclusive with global superstar and humanitarian Ricky Martin, on his remarkable philanthropic journey and the inspiring work of the Ricky Martin Foundation.

By Teresa Esmezyan

Photo by Omar Cruz

Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico and having lived and travelled around the world, Ricky Martin has always believed in the power of being a global citizen. Recognised globally as a philanthropic leader, humanitarian and activist, international superstar and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador — Ricky Martin is also a twotime Grammy and four-time Latin Grammy Award winning singer, songwriter, performer, EMMY Award nominated actor, and New York Times best-selling author.

“It is important to remember that: who you are, and what you do, are not the same thing. Both are part of life and part of the journey. If you don›t at least try to do what you’re passionate about, you will never know if your dreams could have come true,” he shares.

And through the power of his legendary voice and dedicated vision, in 2000 — after coming face to face with the devastation of child trafficking in India, Martin put his passion into motion, bringing to life one of the most meaningful projects dedicated to leaving the world a better place: the Ricky Martin Foundation.

“I started the Ricky Martin Foundation after seeing what can happen to children on the street, and how important it was to educate people about human trafficking, a topic which was almost taboo at the time. Sadly, it still is,” said Martin.

“One of our first programs was called “People for Children,” and our goal was to bring this conversation to the forefront, and open people’s eyes to the fact that trafficking was happening all around them – no matter where they lived or how safe they thought they were. Knowledge is power, and to this day, our educational programs are a core part of the Ricky Martin Foundation. Our mission has evolved over the years to include all human rights, because we must continue to protect the children.”

Students at the Ricky Martin Foundation’s Centro Tau’s bilingual K 4 school in Loiza, Puerto Rico

For over two decades, through programs and partnerships, the Ricky Martin Foundation (RMF) has played an instrumental role in educating, protecting, and advocating for inclusivity and human rights, while driving immediate and long-term support to children in vulnerable communities around the world.

In continuation of the trafficking prevention efforts that have existed since RMF’s inception, it became clear that the risk of human trafficking tremendously heightens after any natural disaster.

This has since prompted RMF to become an active first responder after the tsunami in Thailand (2004), and again after the earthquakes in Haiti and Chile (2010).

Following Hurricanes Irma & Maria (2017), which decimated Martin’s home island of Puerto Rico, he launched the most ambitious RMF fundraising program to date, promptly providing humanitarian aid and life-saving medical equipment and solar supplies to families in Puerto Rico, while the power grid remained down.

On the one-year anniversary of Maria, over 40 of the world’s most recognisable celebrities answered Martin’s call to join his Foundation’s ongoing efforts for the island’s people.

Funds raised from the collaborative #Allin4PR initiative enabled the organisation and its partners to expand programs and services for displaced families, long after other first responders had left the island.

“What happened after Hurricane Maria was the perfect example of how we are stronger when we collaborate,” Martin explained.

“In the weeks following the hurricane, my Foundation allied with the Leonardo Dicaprio Foundation and Music for Relief, which was started by the members of Linkin Park. In alliance with these organisations and their partners, we were able to quickly procure 100 “Solar Suitcases” for hospitals across Puerto Rico. Each suitcase provided power for critical lighting and medical devices, while the island was still in the dark, and saved countless lives,” he shared.

“At the same time, the RMF team mobilised with our local partners and other NGOs on the ground to deliver food, water and humanitarian aid to families in need. And with help from my generous fans around the world, corporate partners, and my friend Ellen DeGeneres, who allowed us to share our story on her show in real time, we raised millions. These funds enabled us to put the next phase of our plan into action - building and repairing homes for over 150 families who had lost everything.”

Belelé Folkloric dance troupe performing at Centro Tau

Amongst the foundation’s priority initiatives is the Ricky Martin Foundation’s CENTRO TAU Community Center, located in Loiza, Puerto Rico.

Operated by RMF and the local municipality, the center offers key programs for youth, teen and adults, which includes a bilingual school, arts, sports and cultural activities, vocational programs with the local community, and a greenhouse garden created in collaboration with Estuario de San Juan.

“Centro Tau is literally a safe haven for children and families, located in Loiza, which is a municipality full of vibrant culture. We believe that ALL children should have access to education, food, music and the arts, and at Centro Tau we have it all,” Martin shared.

“We operate a bilingual K 4 school, grow food in our community garden, and are about to open a permanent community kitchen for those in the local area suffering from food insecurity. During the pandemic, when schools were closed and our programs were down, we utilised our center as a vaccine clinic. We believe that everyone has the right to feel safe, protected and valued, and when you walk through the halls of Centro Tau, you can tell that the community does.”

With RMF’s continued commitment to support and protect vulnerable children, the organisation also launched an educational curriculum customised to age and population, training local hotels, airlines and law students to recognise the signs of human trafficking. With the curriculum’s efficiency and effectiveness in fighting human trafficking through prevention; partnerships and funds raised through RMF will allow the program to be available and accessible worldwide.

In fact, during the first months of the COVID 19 pandemic, RMF raised funds to procure and deliver desperately needed PPE to courageous front lines health workers in over 50 hospitals across Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and the continental United States. It was a collaboration with global health organisation Project HOPE that enabled RMF to move the PPE out of China (at a time where that was next to impossible), and an ongoing partnership with Jet Blue that made it possible for the PPE to ultimately get to the hardest hit areas where it could do the most good. RMF continued to run its COVID 19 vaccination clinic through July, 2021, serving at-risk communities. This fall, it switched to providing Monkeypox vaccines, along with continuing to provide much needed social and mental health services.

Ricky Martin Foundation delivering PPE to a hospital in the Dominican Republic during the COVID 19 pandemic

“Last year, we celebrated the 20th Anniversary of RMF, which initially was focused on only one goal: preventing human trafficking. That is still the core of our mission, and always will be, but over time we realised that what we were actually doing was protecting vulnerable children, families and communities,” Martin said.

“We realised that as we evolved, first through education, then disaster relief, then providing homes and food, that it all came back to one thing: human rights. We realised that we are so much stronger together, and that our partners are the key to impacting even more lives.

Our allies are amazing – whether they are volunteers, corporate partners, like-minded artists, local or international NGO’s, individuals or governments.

As we continue to expand our network of allies, it helps us continue to multiply the funds that we raise, in order to impact even more lives. Together, we will continue to unite; to bring people safety, security, joy and hope. That’s what this is all about.”

Martin will next be seen starring in the upcoming AppleTV+ comedy series, “Mrs. American Pie,” alongside industry luminaries Kristen Wiig, Allison Janney, Laura Dern, Carol Burnett, and more.

Martin Ricky

Martin in Puerto Rico with humanitarian aid recipients after Hurricane MariaHurricane

Martin in Puerto Rico with humanitarian aid recipients after Hurricane Maria

Photos courtesy of: Ricky Martin Foundation

Martin with homeowners of houses funded and built by the Ricky Martin Foundation after Hurricane Maria

ACCELERATING CONSUMER INTELLIGENCE

Global Citizen talks with Lokdeep Singh, global CEO of Talkwalker, the leading consumer intelligence company that helps companies close the gap between their brand and their customers.

A highly experienced and celebrated business leader, Lokdeep Singh has had a hand in the success of multinational tech giants, including Synchronoss Technologies and Syniverse. Since joining Talkwalker last year, his proven leadership style, persistence, technical knowhow, and work ethic, has delivered an immediate impact on the company’s product roadmap.

Born and raised in India, Singh has lived in the USA, Russia, Brazil, Japan, Iceland, and Finland, before moving to Luxembourg. His combination of global experience, knowledge, and dedication to customer success enhances Talkwalker’s mission to empower brands to drive innovation, create more successful campaigns, and provide an enhanced customer experience.

Tell us about your career journey prior to joining Talkwalker.

Prior to joining Talkwalker I took several roles that dealt with product management, innovation, and general management and have had the opportunity to live and work in various parts of the world, I’ve developed a global perspective on how a business runs in different countries. From India, where I am originally from, I learned the importance of diversity. From Japan, I learned the art of negotiation and consensus building; and from Luxembourg, where I’ve been living for the past 12 years, I’ve learned the power of customer-centric innovation.

I am a technologist at heart with an engineering background and business acumen developed over the years since the 90s. My career journey has been anything but linear. Having worn multiple hats, I’ve led teams on several projects that have led to real-life impact on the fronts of networking and connectivity.

As a matter of fact, before I joined Talkwalker and became a Yeti (our mascot), I had it on my radar. It was clearly a company on a mission to transform the space it operates in and has all the right infrastructure in place. As the new CEO of Talkwalker, I intend to bridge the gap between our product and customer needs, in a way that ensures long-term alignment and success.

What are some of the important lessons you’ve learned as the tech industry has evolved over the years?

One key thing I’ve learned throughout my career is that standing still is far more dangerous than trying and failing. In fact, there’s a quote by Rabindranath Tagore that resonated with me all these years: “You can’t cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water.” So, I’ve made it my guiding principle to always think of the right strategies and approaches to make things happen, either by adopting the SMART framework or encouraging our teams to strategise and stay focused.

Here are the three lessons I’ve learned from being in the tech industry for this long:

Lesson 1: Technology is built by people, for the people. Here at Talkwalker, we are focusing our efforts to solve our clients’ problems with cutting-edge technology. This customer-centric approach guarantees we’re on the right path and that our products are transforming industries along the way. Even more, we are taking active measures to foster our teams’ skills both soft and hard through trainings, online courses, certifications, and so on.

Lesson 2: Keeping up with technological innovation is a business imperative. What seems to be a moonshot today is tomorrow’s reality. At Talkwalker, we have built this internal culture of innovation and bold ideas where there’s no wrong answer and thinking outside the box is the norm. Our R&D roadmap reflects our commitment to creating the future of the consumer intelligence industry alongside our clients, partners and community.

Lesson 3: The tech industry is competitive but collaborative. Throughout my career, I have learned that the best tech leaders and, by extension, the best companies are those that build bridges instead of walls. It has long been said that competition spurs innovation, though collaboration is what accelerates innovation and keeps it going in the right direction.

Who or what inspires your creativity and innovation?

When people talk about inspiration and creativity, oftentimes they assume it happens through an epiphany or a moment of clarity. I, for one, believe that inspiration could be found in the mundane things we do. Cooking a meal, a small chat, or even coffee art, inspiration could be found anywhere. The key is to be really listening and keeping an open mind.

When I’m talking with our teams or clients, I make sure to actively listen and engage for a purpose. What this means is that I am seeking value from that conversation by trying to brainstorm new ideas, ask questions, and identify our customers’ pain points.

Secondly, I find books to be a source of inspiration. Those don’t necessarily have to be about tech or business. In fact, most recently I’ve read a book by Clayton M. Christensen called Innovator’s Solution, that talks about creating and sustaining growth.

Finally, when I must clear my head and look for inspiration I like going to the mountains and spending some time hiking and mountaineering. This is more of a personal choice, but I believe spending time in nature away from distractions inspires creativity in all.

You’ve worn multiple hats in the tech industry across the world. Do you notice any similarities between yourself and today’s young entrepreneurs and CEOs?

Today’s entrepreneurs and CEOs have a different perception of time, and it’s only natural – they were born at a time when the Internet, AI, data are the norm. They never had to send a fax or wait for a bank transfer to happen. Everything is instant and so is their business mindset. Thankfully, my careers have spanned both sides of this which gives me a better perspective.

Also, today’s entrepreneurs and CEOs are far more empathetic towards their clients, teams, stakeholders and essentially everyone around them. This has proven to be a huge competitive advantage in today’s hybrid environment. At Talkwalker, we understand that creating a human connection is at the core of relationships. Our clients feel more connected to us and are at ease to share their pain points with our customer success teams. Our team members are engaged in our decision-making and are actively participating in surveys to tell us what they’re feeling.

One key thing that I believe I have in common with today’s entrepreneurs is the realisation they exist in an ecosystem rather than a bubble where they spearhead innovation on their own. I’ve always believed that underlying the tech industry’s accelerated growth is a cultural mindset that breaks barriers. We are doing that ourselves at Talkwalker with our strategic partnerships across the globe.

These days, more and more people expect CEOs and companies to play a role in addressing societal problems. What are some of the key problems that you think technology could do more to alleviate?

I believe that technology will play a crucial role in alleviating some of the issues we are facing today. Climate change is a big issue where I see artificial intelligence playing an active role in accurately forecasting weather behaviour and modelling the viability of solutions. It is important for us at Talkwalker to be carbon neutral and to support initiatives such as reforestation and conservation.

In addition, I believe that technology will decrease inequality and accessibility. Technology is a malleable thing and should be designed with people in mind, equitable and fair access to technology should be the new norm. It’s not difficult to design a user-interface that’s suitable for people’s needs and abilities.

And finally, education. I believe that educational technology has the potential to uplift societies and transform economies in the long run. Every child should have a fair opportunity in getting the education they need to have a better life. Today’s technology can do that.

At the Talkwalker level, our mission is to help brands get closer to their consumers, surfacing the challenges, needs and reality of specific audiences, through a mix of social analytics expertise, industry-leading technology, and cultural understanding.

How is Talkwalker changing the way brands do business?

Simply put, we are closing the gap between brands and consumers through data. Talkwalker’s real-time data is bringing brands around the world closer to their consumers. They ultimately make better, faster, and more accurate decisions when it comes to their business. Also, Talkwalker’s technology is allowing brands scale up their digital footprint sustainably.

Even more, our holistic solutions fast-track innovation based on consumer feedback – embedding the voice of the consumer into every decision being made.

Our latest innovation which is called Talkwalker Forecasting allows brands to anticipate key metrics like reach and engagement up to 90 days in the future.

It’s a game-changer that will help our clients when planning their business strategies, arming them with future insights based on past consumer trends. This is just the start of what we plan to do with predictive analytics. Our mission is to steer businesses toward making data-driven business decisions that’ll drive sales and revenue, based on the data of yesterday, today, and tomorrow, powered by our Blue Silk AI technology.

Our in-house predictive models work on a massive scale, generating over 900 billion predictions every month to give you valuable indications on how certain topics, posts or campaigns might resonate with consumers globally, enabling you to effectively optimize your marketing strategies.

How do you envision the future of Talkwalker?

The future for Talkwalker is bright. We have the right mix of talent, technology, customers, and community to make it happen. For the short term, we will continue to provide the best consumer intelligence to our customers amid a turbulent global economic environment.

This will set the scene for our long-term plans of sustainable growth and innovation. We will continue hiring talent, making the right investments in our platform and expanding our strategic partnerships network.

Talkwalker recently announced the launch of its forecasting capability. How does this innovation help brands forecast consumer trends?

Imagine how powerful your business would be if you already knew what will be trending next month. You’d be able to create more engaging campaigns, develop timely products that meet clients’ needs, and deliver more personalised customer experiences. And that’s just what Forecasting brings.

As a matter of fact, we have recently announced our strategic partnership with Khoros to help brands improve engagement and drive customer satisfaction. Together, we can deliver best-in-class consumer intelligence, deep listening, customer engagement, and social media management.

On the innovation side, we will continue to build industrychanging products along with new pricing models. As well as develop products that our customers want, all while continuously improving our AI models, accelerating our rebuild speeds, and reimagining our data visualising tools.

BEHIND THE SCENES

Exclusive interview with Yunib Siddiqui, group CEO and owner of casual-dining giant, Jones the Grocer, with more than 22 outlets across the Middle East and Asia.

Asuccessful entrepreneur for half of his life, Yunib Siddiqui established his first business in London, England in his early twenties sourcing and distributing handmade interior accessories from across Africa to retailers like Liberty, Selfridges, Bloomingdales, Harrods and Galleries Lafayette along with hundreds of smaller independents. His franchising experience began in 2003 when Yunib joined the board of Team-A ventures as their Brand Development Director. Team-A is the country franchisee operating 30 stores in Pakistan for brands like Next, mothercare, ELC, Crocs, Debenhams, Accessorize, Monsoon, Timberland & FitFlop.

A keen foodie and opportunist, Yunib opened his first franchised Jones the Grocer store in Abu Dhabi in 2009, which garnered instant critical acclaim and became the benchmark for the ensuing expansion of casual dining across the UAE. Six further openings followed in quick succession including a flagship store in Dubai.

He subsequently went on to purchase the global intellectual property rights for Jones the Grocer and relocated the brand’s corporate head office to Dubai. There are currently 25 new stores in Jones the Grocer’s future development pipeline. Yunib is an active advocate of entrepreneurship and is a member as well as former board member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO). He has authored several articles on entrepreneurship for The National newspaper and has been a judge at the Gulf Capital SME awards.

What was your first entrepreneurial venture?

I bought a car while at university for GBP 750 from money

I earned answering phones at a university front desk. It was a Mitsubishi Lancer Colt with 100,000 miles on the clock and I ran it as a taxi taking summer school students to the airport.

How did you come up with the concept for Jones the Grocer?

I was looking for something to do after selling my first business. Jones the Grocer was already open in Singapore so I approached them after reading about them in Wallpaper magazine to franchise for London. Subsequently, I decided to opt for the UAE. Today, we own the brand.

How does Jones the Grocer differentiate itself in the food and beverage industry?

Made from scratch, artisan food, which essentially means we source fresh ingredients and make it all in our kitchens. For example, our bread is made from water, flour, eggs and butter, not using a pre-mixed bag to which we add water and bake.

Any plans for further brand expansion?

Yes! We are opening a second store at Bangalore airport. Three stores will open in Riyadh over the next four months. And there will be an opening in England before the summer of 2023. And more….

How do you envision the future of Talkwalker?

The future for Talkwalker is bright. We have the right mix of talent, technology, customers, and community to make it happen. For the short term, we will continue to provide the best consumer intelligence to our customers amid a turbulent global economic environment.

This will set the scene for our long-term plans of sustainable growth and innovation. We will continue hiring talent, making the right investments in our platform and expanding our strategic partnerships network.

As a matter of fact, we have recently announced our strategic partnership with Khoros to help brands improve engagement and drive customer satisfaction. Together, we can deliver best-in-class consumer intelligence, deep listening, customer engagement, and social media management.

On the innovation side, we will continue to build industrychanging products along with new pricing models. As well as develop products that our customers want, all while continuously improving our AI models, accelerating our rebuild speeds, and reimagining our data visualising tools.

What has been your proudest achievement along your entrepreneurship journey?

I could list out a whole load, but to be honest, coming through the pandemic, to still be growing and to still be sane is right up there.

We hear you’re writing your first novel. Tell us about it! Actually, it’s more of a collection of short stories. I love the idea of compressed stories, which give a slice of life in a fraction of the size of a novel. People and relationships fascinate me, and that’s what I write about.

Having served as a judge at the Gulf Capital SME awards, what are some of the qualities you look for among the contestants? I look for stories. Typically, the best businesses, the best products, make connections with their customers. These connections are driven by emotion, a feeling, and that is usually driven by a strong story underlying the idea.

Do you have any plans for new business ventures?

My hands are full with Jones, but if I had the time and money, a small country hotel with a fabulous kitchen would be right up my street.

As a father to three sons, do they share your passion for entrepreneurship?

What’s amazing is how different they are. One is an opera singer, and sings professionally. Another is a senior manager at a big five accountancy firm. And one has just started a job post-university. I have always encouraged them to get a job and be independent. It’s too early to say if they have the bug.

Any advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?

Be thorough, dive into the deal. Always build a business plan, take constructive feedback, and adjust the plan without letting your ego get in the way.

SUPERCHARGED CHAT WITH GUMBALL 3000 FOUNDER MAXIMILLION COOPER

By Teresa Esmezyan

Gumball 3000 is truly one of its kind. When the idea first came to mind, was the first thing you did to turn the vision to reality? During the nineties I’d been fortunate to experience the fashion and motor racing world in parallel as both a designer, model and racing driver. This took me around the world, tasting new cultures and often mixing in a social scene along with the celebrities and influencers of the moment. My eclectic group of friends were literally skateboarders, supermodels, artists, fashion designers, musicians and racing drivers to heads of industry and multi-millionaires - and I wanted to create something that combined my passion for fashion, cars, music and adventure... that would equally appeal to these friends. Essentially the plan was to create a lifestyle brand. The idea to invite everyone on a road trip around Europe, hosting some pretty cool parties along the way was simply my concept to bring everyone together and create something memorable and fun, quietly hoping it would lay the foundations for my vision...

The rally has trekked routes across the globe. What is your favourite destination so far, and which one are you excited to cross off your list next?

Probably taking Gumball to Pyongyang, North Korea, as part of the 2008 rally that started in San Francisco and crossed the finish line at the Beijing Olympic Games is my favourite - especially when I look back on it and question how did we actually pull it if! The operational challenges that come with flying over 100 cars across continents mid-rally is nothing short of a military operation - and any delays could knock the rally out of sync and end it there and then. Add to that a 24- hour stopover in North Korea with a concert, formal dinner and karaoke hosted by Kim Jong Il - and who knows what could have gone wrong... but amazingly things all went to plan! Next on my list to explore is South America... it’s the one continent that I’m least familiar with and excited to discover and take another 300 people with me on that Gumball journey...

I think being able to travel freely and explore the world comes with a responsibility to learn and respect all the cultures and diverse people that we encounter - and to learn how to respect and enjoy our differences, as well as celebrating those things that unite us. Having created a brand that celebrates sport, music, art and celebrity culture - I’ve seen first hand how these passions have the ability to unite people. This is incredibly important to embrace, especially in a world that is far too focused on political goals that very rarely bring communities and cultures together...

You wear many hats: entrepreneur, movie producer, collector, philanthropist, family man — what is the one underlying purpose or personal mission that drives you?

Gumball is definitely built with a passion for living life, fuelled by pushing the boundaries of adventure, and with a dose of British eccentricity. There’s something quite special about being able to bring people together from all walks of life and create an event that’s become something of a “bucket list”experience for car enthusiasts to the worlds rich and famous. The older and wiser you become, I think focus diverts from personal goals to creating a lasting legacy and making a positive difference in the world. I’m aware of the voice that we have as a brand, and the collective voice of our powerful alumni - and it’s important for me to use this to our advantage to create a better future for the next generations...

What does Gumball 3000 Group have in store for 2023? Despite being over two decades old as a brand we’ve never stopped pushing the boundaries of adventure and creativity. We’re too busy planning “what’s next” to rest on the laurels of success already achieved. As the rally itself has organically grown into a mobile festival of cars and music for the fans, the scale and enormity of the production now means that each annual rally is worked on for nearly 3 years in the planning and organisation. We’re also always expanding the brand’s reach across multiple merchandise avenues, and we’re excited to be developing Gumball 3000 in the metaverse, as well as launching a new console and Web3 game, and launching an eSports team in the coming months. Next years rally route is back in Europe, starting in Edinburgh (Scotland), and incorporating 12 counties en route to crossing the finish line in the beautiful country of Montenegro. It’s a great route full of cultural and geographical contrasts - and I’m excited to bring the rally back to London (our home town) - and to put on a spectacle for the city like never before...

It’s safe to say that you’re a Global Citizen. What do you think makes a Global Citizen and the responsibilities that come with it?

FROM SURVIVOR TO THRIVER

Celebrated fashion designer Rahil Hesan’s Polka Dot Enjoy Life collection celebrates women, their stories, experiences, health battles, and victories.

Born and raised in Dubai, UAE, with a devotion to all things fashion, Rahil completed her studies at Cavendish College, London majoring in Fashion Design, Accessory Design, Colour Theory and Fashion Psychology. After graduating in 2004, she launched her own fashion brand and business the following year. Named Warda Haute Couture, Rahil’s brand reflected her signature with innovative and fresh collections. Her unique blend of Eastern flair and European simplicity quickly won her high-profile clientele, and she was invited to showcase her collection at the Dubai Bridal Show.

Warda Haute Couture boutique and atelier in Jumeirah was launched in 2009 and in 2010 the brand presented its Spring/Summer collection at Dubai Fashion Week, propelling Rahil Hesan’s status to new heights in the fashion industry. Her designs have adorned many international red carpets and her glamorous gowns have been seen on Hollywood celebrities including Sofia Milos at the Monte Carlo TV Awards, Gemma White at the Cannes Film Festival, and Samantha Gutstadt and Eva Longoria at the Emmy Awards. Reaching new heights, Hesan’s Spring/Summer collection was showcased at the 2014 New York Fashion Week, the home of ground-breaking, edgy fashion, to great success.

In 2015, a cancer diagnosis forced her to put her business on hold in order to focus on her health. After having overcome this phase and regaining her health, she made a comeback with a fashion show and dressed international celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood. The

decided to pursue other various aspects of fashion, including

American tour. That same year, she partook in Los Angeles

in her showstopper to huge acclaim.

year,

In June 2019, she presented Miss Lili, a capsule collection for Ramadan. After a break due to the loss of her father, she introduced another capsule collection, La Soie. In December 2020, Rahil introduced a unique T-shirt line, and was the first designer in the UAE to create couture customised face masks during the pandemic. Today, Rahil is back on track with her fashion brand Rahil Hesan and is moving forward, steadily regaining her place on the fashion scene with her latest collection leaving an indelible mark.

POLKA DOT ENJOY LIFE

Inspired by her own journey with breast cancer, Hesan’s Polka Dot Enjoy Life campaign is a collective platform for women to come together to share their stories, experiences, health battles, and victories. The project embraces women and their suffering; not only breast cancer, but skin disease, acid attacks, vitiligo, obesity, birthmarks, physical and emotional abuse -- anything that adversely affects their quality of life. The objective is to reach these women and have them share their stories with the world. Rahil strongly believes every woman has a story to share, spreading inspiration and hope to others enduring their own personal tribulations. Boasting Hollywood glamour and rock chic style, Polka Dot represents various sizes and colours. Just like women. Texture is also revealing, depending on what you see. You may see a woman with spots and darker shades or a woman with many spots and stains. It is all about perception, whether you see colourful spots or the darker side. Think body scans. What do you see?

The survivors and thrivers are the cornerstones of the project. These indomitable women come together to spread their tales and experience. Proceeds from the collection will be donated to those who give their time and help for their knowledge, who also have the opportunity to pay it forward to others suffering from a life-limiting condition in order to help them face their challenges head on. Polka Dot is about spreading the word and supporting those in need. Rahil’s mission is to connect with survivors to share their stories, talk to them, listen and gain inspiration for the collection by having a photo shoot with them, to present role models, and get to know the real heroines of these stories.

following

despite great demand, Rahil

designing exclusively for singer Carrie Underwood for her

Fashion Week by dressing American star Maria Valentino

EXPANDING THE HORIZONS OF INTERIOR DESIGN

GC sits with Lebanese designer Sawsan Haber for a glimpse into her journey to success and the opportunities and challenges of becoming known for her exquisite designs in a world of beauty

What inspired your journey as an interior designer?

It was my mother. Her dream became mine without me even noticing it. I was taught to say that I am an interior designer at the same time I was taught to say my name, so it’s no surprise that it would become such a big part of my identity. By the time I was a teenager, before there was the internet or social media – I would visit the school library and bury myself in interior design books. The rest was history.

Where do you get your source of inspiration?

God’s creations are my number one source of inspiration, and my Lebanese upbringing played an important role in that. During my childhood, I spent a lot of time outdoors and built a very strong connection with nature, the Earth and the universe. Be it sunrises, sunsets or the beauty of the four seasons, from rain, soil, and the sea -- nature has always amazed me. Today, it inspires the combination of colours I bring to my work, the shapes I use and the concepts I create. But also trends in fashion inspire my designs. Many times, I dress homes the same way I dress myself. Style, taste and art are all connected and can be reflected the same way in outfits or interiors.

What piece of advice would you give to women who look up to your achievements and success?

Never surrender to fate or destiny or what they call hard luck. Keep fighting for what you want until you achieve it. You create your own destiny and build your own luck. It’s also important to be good to yourself, be good to others, do the maximum you can do as a human and mostly, have faith in yourself and faith that you’re blessed and protected. Only then, can you surrender to the higher force to handle the rest. Whether you call it the universe or call it God. I’m a strong believer and my faith is my power and my moto.

As a migrant female entrepreneur in one of the fastest growing cities in the world, what sort of challenges and opportunities have you faced throughout your career in Dubai?

UAE and mainly Dubai is the land of opportunities. The minute I stepped here back in 2000, many doors opened to me. From retail stores to private apartments and villas, many projects came to me effortlessly just by word of mouth. People saw my work and trusted my skills; it didn’t matter how young I was or if I was famous or not. What mattered was my talent, my designs and my professionalism. My fame grew and each completed project resulted in an extra two or three more. But the journey that started with this boost had many challenges, bumps and falls throughout the years. When you see that you are an alchemist and that your creativity can turn any raw material to gold, the dreams become bigger, adrenaline goes higher, invested amounts grow – and hence, the fall is deeper. One of the biggest challenges I faced was in 2009 after I invested all my earnings in a furniture franchise. Then all was lost in one day due to an unfortunate accident were everything got destroyed. I went bankrupt, and harshly since it was a recession year. But this didn’t pull me down. The injustice I faced and the hard luck that happened gave me more flame to fight and grow again high and higher.

What are some of the most memorable milestones that have shaped your life as a global citizen?

Having big dreams was my identity since childhood and pursuing those dreams at a young age shaped my personality and made me believe that nothing is unachievable or unobtainable if we have the determination and a strong will. I think traveling to China, a woman alone, for the first time, to an industrial area when I was only 26 years old looking for manufacturers to execute my own furniture brand was the start of my journey as a global citizen. Closing the deal with Italians when I turned 31 and making them trust me as an entrepreneur, getting their franchise exclusively to UAE was the second step of the ladder in my journey. Then after few years, I was able to close a deal with another Turkish furniture franchise. Working with different nationalities, with different cultures, backgrounds and ways of business is not an easy mission that any young woman can accomplish. Today what makes me global is the power of my designs that are recognized world-wide through social media, but also because it’s a way of communication without language or words. It’s just the power of beauty, perfectionism, passion and creativity that is reflected through visuals, the most effective international medium of communication.

A GLOBAL CITIZEN WITH HOPE FOR A UNIVERSAL MISSION

An exclusive conversation on the power of providing vulnerable children with the opportunity to education, with Global Humanitarian and Education Advocate Zel Ali.

A global citizen can understand the power and potential of making a positive impact in the world. But for the Founder of HOPE, and Global Founding Ambassador of Universal Mission, Zel Ali, her “roadmap to passion for compassion” was a personal mission to embody the change she wanted to see in the world. And the future generation. She is not only a passionate humanitarian and education advocate, but a true global citizen of Afghan origin, Canadian nationality, UAE residency, and philanthropic operations in the UAE, India, and across the world.

How did your philanthropic journey begin?

I started my professional career in Dubai over a decade ago, working within numerous brand building leadership roles and representing global luxury brands. As I grew professionally with global exposure, I became more inspired and gravitated towards humanitarian initiatives and launched many Corporate Social Responsibility campaigns through my global luxury brands.

Through this exposure, my inner commitment to give back grew immensely, and I had much less tolerance and acceptance of children in poverty and their dire conditions. This inner drive and passion to change the world so to speak, further guided me to bridge my professional experience and expertise. With my growing passion for philanthropy, finding my true purpose to “serve” aligned beautifully with my holistic approach to life -- from body to mind with spirituality being my core guiding light. After 12 years of the corporate luxury world, I closed that chapter and dedicated myself to serving humanity through providing free education opportunities for children in vulnerable communities.

What was your core mission when you first started and how has it evolved?

I grew up in Mumbai during my father’s two diplomatic tenures, and my husband is Canadian of Indian of origin, so I have a very close relationship with India, and it has always held a special place in my heart. Seven years ago, I was astonished to learn about the number of street kids with families in the slum. Just because they were born on the other side of the fence, they had to surrender to a life of being compromised, exploited and endangered in more ways than one, and this reality was unacceptable to me. My immediate mission was to integrate and support these vulnerable children by creating and enrolling them to a free school, whereby they would be off the streets for 60% of the day with one meal being provided. I committed to visit Delhi every six weeks for five years to make this possible.

Share your story about founding HOPE and its positive impact on children’s lives?

Through time, I realised that though the grassroot aspect of providing free education opportunities was successful, I started observing that this too required more of a structure like a corporation in order to sustain itself and grow with added value. During the pandemic, I was challenged with under 100 kids that required education but due to the dire situation in the world, there was no choice but to provide these children with education under bridge blocks in a construction zone inhabited by slum families.

As the numbers grew and this project became very personal and close to my heart -- and the number of children grew to over 480 students -- I named it the “ School of Hope.” This was the birth of HOPE whereby I committed to grow in giving hope and opportunity for a brighter future to the children in India. Today it is my mission to expand to as many schools of HOPE as I can, while continuing to create a positive impact on their lives through additional services such as medical programs, meals during emergencies, solar panels, and clean water.

What is your role as Global Founding Ambassador of Universal Mission and what the future holds for the organisation?

My role at Universal Mission is very similar to the grassroot efforts in my area of work but with a mission to bring about change by uniting likeminded women and result oriented goals. As one of three founding ambassadors, we combined our expertise, exposure and reach to support and celebrate women in philanthropy while changing the lives of women and children globally. HOPE operates across the UAE, India, Latin America, and Africa to provide education to children in the most underprivileged communities. MISSION ONLUS operates across Europe to protect women and children from abuse, and Elevate Intl operates in Canada, USA, and Latin America to empower and advance girls leadership roles globally. Through talks, podcasts, panel discussions and fundraising galas, we aim to grow the community and gain extensive support from celebrities who will amplify the mission and bring more voices and causes that are in line with our Universal Mission.

Tell us more about your involvement with the Save Soil campaign?

I have immense respect and appreciation for spiritual wisdom to live at our best human capacity in our world. Through the Global Citizen Forum and meeting with renowned spiritual master Sadguru, I committed with my own passionate pledge to serve our planet and advocate for the Save Soil campaign. As an educator, I felt it was my responsibility to extend the campaign and initiative to my students and teachers in Delhi, which lead to creating a powerful awareness in the community via the expression of writing and drawing letters to their PM to act on “Save Soil”. This resulted in over 400 passionate and conscious letters of pledge for change. We celebrated the success of our efforts with the campaign, and it was so special to see the gratitude and joy in the hearts of the kids – who for the first time – were finally included in a world current affair and got a glimpse of hope that they too can make a difference like the rest of the children in the world.

What is one of the most rewarding moments in your philanthropic journey?

Oh, I would say every day is rewarding but to highlight few key moments, I would include the many successful sight saving surgeries and cleft lip surgery where we were able to witness a baby eat and talk for the first time. It is also very rewarding to see our youth getting admissions into schools, the joy of children receiving fresh water, and most recently, feeding over 700 kids and families for a week when their slum was hit by floods. It’s all the joys of little things that are ordinary for many, but for them a milestone. It feeds my soul and lights up my heart.

MAKING MEMORABLE MOMENTS

Founder and CEO of 7 Management, Rabih Fakhreddine has enriched the culinary, entertainment and nightlife industry in the Middle East with his creative and out-ofthe-box ideas.

A visionary at heart, with a passion for creating new experiences and concepts, Rabih Fakhreddine left the corporate world behind in 2015 to pursue his passion in the dining and entertainment industry. He founded 7 Management with its inaugural launch of Seven Sisters, a luxurious oasis where music and cuisine unite within the heart of Beirut. Seven Sisters quickly became the catalyst for the development of the food, beverage and entertainment brands that followed shortly thereafter in Beirut, Dubai, Doha, Riyadh, and Erbil. Antika, Sayf, The Theater, February 30, B018.DXB, Café Beirut, Black Flamingo, and Lucia’s are just a few of the homegrown concepts of 7 Management, which now has its sights set on expanding to North America and Europe.

The award-winning entrepreneur was named 2022’s Best Nightlife Entrepreneur and has been included in the Middle East F&B Power 50 List, and featured in Hotel & Catering News as one of the Top 30 Hospitality Heavyweights for the Middle East. He serves as a member of the Young President’s Organization UAE (YPO) - UAE Chapter, and board member of the Global Smile Foundation.

How did you get into the hospitality and nightlife industry?

It all started in university when I was organising parties as well as World Cup and Ramadan events, which helped me discover my passion for the industry.

What inspired the start of 7 Management?

When I worked at British American Tobacco, I handled HORECA events and sponsorship. At the time, I started as a silent partner in a few concepts in Beirut until 2012, but when I launched February 30 on Hamra Street, that’s really when my journey started. 7 Management was founded in 2015 following the launch of several bars based in Beirut. The name was inspired mainly by Seven Sisters, because I formed 7 Management when I launched Seven Sisters in 2015. The inspiration was the industry and my passion in the field, as well as the experience I garnered from 2012 through 2015, when I decided to quit my job at BAT and start my own company.

Did you ever have a fear of failure when you started?

Although I was advised by friends and family to stay in a stable job (I was the market manager for Lebanon in a multinational company), I have always enjoyed challenging myself and taking risks. However, this was a calculated risk, and failure doesn’t exist in my dictionary, because I believe you always must try in order to succeed and grow.

Looking ahead to the next five to ten years, what projects would you most love to see come to life?

We have done a lot with the company in the last few years, especially with our expansion in Dubai, Beirut, Riyadh, and Doha. My vision for the next five to ten years is to be the leader in the hospitality and entertainment sector as an operator in the region, start our operations in Europe and North America, in addition starting our boutique hotel chain, which is already in the works and should come to life in the next few years.

What changes and innovations do you foresee for the nightlife industry globally?

I think the industry is always changing, particularly as it relates to food, entertainment, and music specifically, which constantly evolve with time. We see how some cuisines grow trendy while others grow outdated. Just as we have new technologies in preparing and serving, the same applies for music and entertainment – we had the techno era, then R&B, hip-hop, house. It’s an ongoing evolution, which is why we always must stay ahead of the curve and keep our finger on the pulse. Going forward, I believe our industry will lean more heavily on tech – whether it’s data, communicating with our consumers or kitchen, I believe our industry will play a major role in the tech revolution.

Would you like to expand 7 Management geographic reach?

The advantage of 7 Management is our diverse portfolio. Most of our brands can integrate into any part of the world. Of course, I have a few brands that are dear to my heart, but in terms of efficiency and scalability, I think concepts like Café Beirut in particular, with its unique name, delicious Lebanese cuisine, and homage to our culture will be explored and scaled globally. There’s also Antika, which, being the leading oriental entertainment nightlife brand, also has big equity and can be opened anywhere in the world where there is a significant Arab community.

If you could introduce or manage any one project anywhere in the world, what would it be and why?

Lucia’s, as a festive Italian restaurant with Italian cuisine, is very famous and trendy. Following Covid, people are looking for a one-stop shop where they can enjoy great entertainment and vibes, good food, and good music, and that’s what we did in creating The Theatre and Lucia’s as festive destinations. Whether for dinner, shows, or as a festive restaurant, Lucia’s has a lot of potential. The same goes for February 30. Beach bars can be opened in any coastal city, such as the south of France, Mykonos, Ibiza, etc. As for The Theatre, that’s a much bigger operation and will hopefully be launched in major cities.

What upcoming project(s) are you most excited about?

We have a lot in the pipeline. We just launched Black Flamingo, Café Beirut by the Sea, Sayf, and Limonata. These are all in the UAE, Dubai specifically, and we are in talks to expand to Abu Dhabi. We have a big project in Dubai due to be launched in October 2023, which will be a landmark destination characterised by its entertainment and lifestyle. Stay tuned!

SAINT LUCIA

THE JEWEL OF THE CARIBBEAN

By Bilal Aqeel

Feel the soft water-soaked sand on your feet, shimmering under the golden afternoon sun. The sublime blue sea, glistening like diamonds, brings in a soothing breeze that embraces you. White foamy waves ripple gently and the air is perfumed with the scent of salty seawater. You are in a tranquil abode; you are in Saint Lucia.

“Rising costs of living, talks of a looming global recession and increasing political instability have made our outlook bleak and uncertain. Saint Lucia considers it a duty to help those impacted by unfortunate circumstances and offer a way out. Through the gift of global citizenship, we’re proud to provide people access to a better lifestyle and the opportunity to build a brighter future for their families.”

Mc Claude Emmanuel Chief Executive Officer Citizenship by Investment Unit Saint Lucia

An Alluring Retreat

The jewel of the Caribbean Sea, Saint Lucia is a paradise island known for its breath-taking coastlines, pristine beaches, and pleasant tropical weather. The mesmerising lush green Pitons tower majestically over the horizon, and the dense rainforest blankets the landscape in a magical emerald green. Golf courses, sports stadiums and luxury resorts abound, and the vast sea rings with a warm invitation, calling you in to sail through its waters. When the sun starts to set, veiling the sky in star-lit darkness, Saint Lucia’s bustling nightlife emerges. Energy envelops Rodney Bay Village, as young souls sing, dance and indulge in authentic delicacies. At the Friday Gros Islet Street Party, people down pints of Piton beer at table-top bars, arts and crafts vendors lay out their stalls, and the village pulses with lively music till dawn.

Invest, Build and Grow

While Saint Lucian citizens enjoy increased global mobility, the country has much more to offer beyond the passport. Once a single-crop agricultural economy, Saint Lucia now boasts a booming tourism industry, attracting close to a million visitors annually. A strong international banking sector and an expanding manufacturing infrastructure make the country ripe with opportunities for business. Saint Lucia has no taxes on global income, inheritance or capital gains, making it highly favourable for tax optimization. And with excellent air links to North America and Europe, the country is also well connected with the rest of the world, despite its remote but heavenly location.

As a member of the United Nations, CARICOM and OECS, Saint Lucia is a safe, peaceful and stable country for families to reside in. The Education Act provides free education for children between the ages of 5 to 15, who can then go on to attend the prestigious University of the West Indies. While modest in its geography, the country is also home to about 40 different healthcare facilities and a world-class public healthcare system.

Citizenship by Investment

In 2015, Saint Lucia opened its borders to foreign investors, granting full citizenship in exchange for an economic contribution to the country. The diverse range of available investment options arguably make it the bestpositioned citizenship by investment program in the entire Caribbean. Offering a swift processing time of under 3 months, Saint Lucia’s CIP is one of the fastest paths to second citizenship in the industry. The program’s minimal requirements make the application process exceptionally seamless and simple – investors are not required to travel to Saint Lucia during the application process, and do not need to interview, or provide any educational or managerial experience.

With visa-free access to over 135 countries – including the Schengen Area, United Kingdom, Hong Kong and Singapore – the powerful Saint Lucian passport expands global mobility substantially, allowing citizens to travel anywhere, anytime. Saint Lucian citizens can also apply for B1 or B2 visas to the United States, through which they can reside in the country for up to six months per year.

With its recognition of dual citizenship, no tax on worldwide income or physical stay requirements, Saint Lucia’s CIP is especially advantageous for those looking into business expansion and tax relief.

Expand your horizons, discover possibilities unthought of, and live a life of luxury in one of the most alluring destinations in the Caribbean; Saint Lucia is your gateway to a world of opportunity. Embark on a journey towards the unimagined and let her inspire you.

HIGH-TECH CLASSIC

Audemars Piguet introduces the Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon GMT with striking green hues

Swiss Haute Horlogerie manufacturer Audemars Piguet introduces a new animation of its Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon GMT in 44 mm. For the first time, the complicated timepiece’s titanium case is topped off with a green ceramic bezel for a highly contemporary look. The black architectural movement, visible through the dial and sapphire caseback, features green CVD-coloured inserts matching with the bezel’s hue – a powerful contrast furthering the watch’s high-tech aesthetic.

STYLISED GREEN ACCENTS

The new Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon GMT model encompasses a sandblasted titanium case enriched with a bezel, crown, and push-piece, all crafted in green ceramic and finished by hand with an alternation of satin-brushing and polished chamfers. Although green ceramic was first introduced at Audemars Piguet in the Royal Oak Offshore collection in 2018, this material makes its first appearance this year on the Royal Oak Concept.

Zirconium Oxide powder, modified to obtain a green pigmentation once baked, is mixed with dedicated binder content before being transformed into ceramic through a complex industrial flow requiring different stages of high-precision machining. The exact composition of ceramic remains the secret of its manufacturers. The components achieve their final green colour only once they have been sintered at more than 1,400°C. Reaching a homogeneous colour represents an additional challenge as ceramic’s final colour depends on the sintering temperature, which allows no variation. The Le Brassus artisans have then finished each ceramic component with the same detailed and meticulous hand-finished as they would if they were honed from precious metals, endowing the timepiece with a rich play of light.

As per Royal Oak Concept design codes, the architectural movement ticking within takes centre stage on both the dial and caseback sides. To further enhance the introduction of green ceramic, the hand-wound Calibre 2954 has evolved to contrast the movement’s black PVD bridges with evocative green CVD-coloured inserts. A very thin layer of green colouring, specifically developed for the occasion, has been applied by Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD). A precursor gas is injected into a chamber, which is then heated until the gas breaks down and bonds to the surface of the different elements.

In addition to offering a rich play of light, this technique ensures colour homogeneity across the components, as well as unalterable colouration over time.

The timepiece’s contrasting tones are illuminated by pink gold accents. The pink gold hands filled with luminescent coating and the applied AP monogram at 12 o’clock are echoed by the pink-gold-toned flying tourbillon cage and escapement components peeking through the openworked bridges. The transferred white hour-markers on the black inner bezel add yet another bright touch.

A green rubber strap, fitted with a sandblasted titanium AP folding clasp, completes the watch’s avant-garde design. The timepiece also comes with an additional black rubber strap.

A BLEND OF TRADITION AND ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY

The hand-wound Calibre 2954 combines the prestige of the flying tourbillon with state-of-the-art displays: a second time zone indication – also known as GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) – and a crown position indicator at 6 o’clock with the letters H, N and R respectively standing for the time-setting, neutral and winding positions of the winding stem.

The GMT display located at 3 o’clock provides an instant reading of the time in a second time zone. It is adjusted using the push-piece at 4 o’clock (one press adjusts the time by one hour). The indication of the second time zone, based on 12 hours, comprises two superimposed discs. The hour disc, which completes a rotation in 12 hours, is crafted in sapphire and encompasses white figures outlined in black. In contrast, the day/night disc, honed from brass, completes a turn in 24 hours and has two coloured areas: a white half for daytime and a green CVD-coloured half representing nighttime.

Calibre 2954 is equipped with the Manufacture’s patented parallel double barrel system which ensures that the Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon GMT runs for as many as 10 days before it needs to be manually wound again, generating a constant force during approximately 237 hours of autonomy. The energy from the two barrels is fed into the geartrain at the same time via a single pinion bridging the two, ensuring smooth energy transmission. While this system reduces pressure in the gearing, the friction in the two barrels is used to offset torque variation and increases precision, power reserve and reliability.

THE ROYAL OAK CONCEPT TURNS 20

The Royal Oak Concept saw the light of day in 2002 to celebrate the Royal Oak’s 30th anniversary. For the occasion, Audemars Piguet released a 150-piece limited edition inspired by Concept cars that combined titanium with Alacrite 602, a light yet highly resistant alloy mainly used in the aeronautical industry. While the bezel retained the Royal Oak’s trademark octagonal shape, the massive rounded 44 mm case, whose ergonomic curvature matched the natural shape of the wrist, brought this timepiece to new horizons. To complement the case’s futuristic aesthetic, the dial exposed the advanced hand-wound mechanism, while providing a variety of innovative functions: a crown position indicator, a dynamograph displaying the mainspring torque and a linear power-reserve display. The tourbillon cage and its shock-absorbing bridge was also visible at 9 o’clock.

Although originally conceived as a one-off limited edition, the Royal Oak Concept established an entirely new aesthetic for 21st-century Haute Horlogerie and led to the creation of a collection that has endured the test of time and style.

TIMELESS STYLE

New colours and materials for the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Flyback Chronograph.

Blancpain’s latest variants of its Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe watches play with styles by means of red gold and grade 23 titanium. These two materials now adorn the Flyback Chronograph model, a staple of the Bathyscaphe line for nearly a decade.

Following the 1953 launch of the Fifty Fathoms, the first modern diver’s watch, Blancpain developed numerous variations of this vital timekeeping tool for divers. The Bathyscaphe watch created in 1956 is undoubtedly one of the finest examples. Smaller than the Fifty Fathoms and featuring calendar indications, this timepiece quickly won over watch enthusiasts who were convinced that a sporty watch could be worn in all circumstances.

The flyback chronograph joined the contemporary Bathyscaphe line in 2014 and was the first complication to equip Blancpain’s “urban diver” model. The Manufacture is now returning its Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Flyback Chronograph model to centre-stage, housing one of the watch industry’s most renowned chronograph movements. Blancpain Calibre F385 is one of the latest in a line of Blancpain chronographs that have often been world firsts over the past 30 years.

This in-house movement draws on Blancpain’s refined vertical clutch design that ensures smooth engagement of the chronograph mechanism, eliminating the problem of the chronograph seconds hand making sudden, abrupt jumps. Control of starting, stopping and resetting the chronograph is done via a column wheel, enabling smooth and comfortable operation of the pushers.

The two Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Flyback Chronograph models each bring a new dimension to the line’s symbolic aesthetic s. The red gold watch with its blue dial stands out for its bold presence on the wrist, while the grade 23 titanium iteration opts for discretion with its anthracite dial. Recently introduced into its collections by Blancpain, grade 23 titanium is the purest type of titanium available. It notably contains less oxygen than the “standard” titanium used in watchmaking. This reduction in the amount of oxygen improves the metal’s resistance to breakage and corrosion. In addition to its unfailing strength, grade 23 titanium is also anti-allergenic and its biocompatibility has made it a favourite in the medical field.

Whether the model is in red gold or titanium, the dial is graced with a sunburst pattern throughout and a snailed motif on the chronograph counters, designed to create a sense of depth and contrast. The new Bathyscaphe Flyback Chronograph models are naturally framed by a unidirectional rotating bezel with a ceramic inlay, a signature of the contemporary Bathyscaphe line. The blue inlay on the red gold version sports a glossy finish and a Ceragold time scale, while the anthracite inlay of the titanium watch is satin-brushed and features a Liquidmetal scale.

The cases of both watches measure 43 mm in diameter and are water resistant to up to 300 metres. They are paired with a NATO or sailcloth strap matching the dial colour. The sail canvas strap of the red gold version comes with a choice of pin buckle or folding clasp, while the grade 23 titanium model is also available with a titanium bracelet.

ALPINE EAGLE

A new dial colour joins Chopard’s Alpine Eagle collection in support of the Foundation dedicated to preserving the Alpine environment and its biodiversity

The Alpine Eagle collection of sporty-chic timepieces has been enriched by two 41 mm-diameter models adorned with a dial in an original “Pine Green” colour. Available in versions featuring either Chopard’s exclusive ultra-resistant and highly luminous Lucent Steel A223 or ethical 18-carat rose gold, this timepiece beats to the rhythm of the Chopard 01.01-C movement, whose high-precision timing is authenticated by chronometer certification. In keeping with the Maison’s commitment to the preservation of the Alpine environment and its biodiversity, part of the proceeds from sales of these models will be donated to the Alpine Eagle Foundation, whose programmes have already enabled the reintroduction of the white-tailed eagle in the Lake Geneva region.

A highly legible, stylish green dial

A new colour is making its debut on the dial of the watches in the Alpine Eagle collection: like Aletsch Blue, Bernina Grey or Absolute Black, “Pine Green” is inspired by the palette of natural colours shaping the beauty of the Alpine biotope. It evokes the forests carpeting the mountains when, on summer days, the melting snow gives way to a deep greyish-green mantle of vegetation.

On this textured dial with its radiating pattern evoking the eye of an eagle, the indication of the hours, minutes and seconds provides an elegant and legible contrast through rhodium-plated or gold-plated hour-markers and hands enhanced with Grade X1 Super-LumiNova to ensure optimal visibility even in the dark. Positioned between 4 and 5 o’clock, the date is clearly indicated on a green disc matching the dial and thus ensuring perfect overall discretion and harmony.

Sustainable materials

Since the launch of the collection in 2019, Alpine Eagle has been distinguished by its choice of materials, of which the origins pursue the objective of promoting sustainable luxury. The large 41 mm-diameter case of this new Alpine Eagle model is available in a first version entirely made of Lucent Steel A223. In keeping with the ethical approach to which the Manufacture is committed, this metal exclusive to Chopard is made from 70% recycled material.

Thanks to its anti-allergenic composition, it has properties comparable to surgical steel, making it highly dermocompatible. With its resistance of 223 Vickers, this alloy is 50% more resistant to abrasion than conventional steels and has a unique hardness. Finally, thanks to a crystal structure boasting superior homogeneity, its purity enables uniquely shimmering light effects.

A second version of the timepiece is available in 18-carat rose gold. The fine gold used to produce Alpine Eagle watches is 100% ethical, as is indeed the case for all the Maison’s watch and jewellery creations since July 2018. As a rare watch Manufacture that has operated its own precious metal foundry for several decades, Chopard is thus in a unique position to control its value chain to offer creations reflecting a more rational world.

Mechanical precision

In keeping with the Manufacture’s commitment to certified precision, the Chopard 01.01-C self-winding movement at the heart of the Alpine Eagle watches and visible through a transparent sapphire caseback is developed in its own watchmaking workshops and certified by the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute. The word “Chronometer” on the dial is a reminder of this label of precision and excellence.

When fully wound, the mechanism enjoys a 60-hour power reserve. Constantly seeking to meet the highest standards of precision, the watchmakers have also equipped this movement with a stop-second function enabling the user to set the time to the nearest second.

The Alpine Eagle collection

Devised by three generations of men in the Scheufele family, the Alpine Eagle collection is a modern reinterpretation of the St. Moritz, the first watch creation by Karl-Friedrich Scheufele (now Co-President of Chopard) in the late 1970s.

With its pure and assertive design, Alpine Eagle further enriches this heritage with powerful natural inspiration. Alpine Eagle is a token of refined and resolutely contemporary elegance characterised by a round case with stylised raised sides, a crown engraved with the compass rose, a bezel with eight functional indexed screws, a textured dial with deep hues and luminescent indications, as well as an integrated metal bracelet.

Thanks to its independence and the integration of its various professions, Chopard performs all the production and assembly stages of the collection within its own watchmaking workshops, from movement to bracelet and including components as well as the case.

Direct support for the Alpine Eagle Foundation

Throughout its history, Chopard has always associated the success of its creations with a commitment to improving the common good. The Alpine Eagle collection is no exception, as it accompanies the actions of an eponymous Foundation. This non-profit organisation co-founded by Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, Jacques-Olivier Travers and Ronald Menzel is pursuing innovative and multidisciplinary environmental projects designed to raise awareness and mobilise the public regarding the importance, beauty and fragility of the Alpine biotope.

Alongside the unveiling of two new Alpine Eagle timepieces whose aesthetics are inspired by the power of Nature, Karl-Friedrich Scheufele has pledged to dedicate a portion of the profits from their sale to fund the Foundation’s programmes. As the Co-President of Chopard and co-founder of the Alpine Eagle Foundation explains: “Given that I personally find refuge in the pleasures of hiking and skiing, I appreciate the calm of the mountains, which are conducive to inspiration, reflection and serenity.

Preserving this environment is very important to us, and I am extremely proud that the beauty of our Alpine Eagle timepieces pays tribute to the Nature that inspired them and enables the funding of concrete actions to support the conservation of this fragile ecosystem.”

ESSENTIAL GREY

Hublot’s exclusive Big Bang Unico Essential Grey is a stunning cocktail

Rarely have the iconic lines of the Big Bang looked so alluring, thanks to the striking monochrome and satin finish. The new Big Bang Unico Essential Grey magnifies the unmistakable design of the original model. The iconic case, whose satin finish extends to the bezel, hands and dial is enveloped in lightweight titanium, which makes it particularly comfortable to wear.

The heart of the Big Bang Unico Essential Grey beats to the rhythm of the manufacture HUB1280 calibre a column wheel chronograph movement with a 72-hour power reserve. With a diameter of 42 mm and a case thickness of 14.5 mm, it is suited to both men and women. A unisex watch whose style is enhanced by the versatility of the two straps supplied in the Big Bang Unico Essential Grey presentation box. The first is a grey lined rubber strap and the second comes with a Velcro fastening a Swiss invention. Both are easily interchangeable thanks to Hublot’s patented One Click system.

Just 200 pieces of the Big Bang Unico Essential Grey, instantly recognisable by its monochrome metal grey appearance, will be produced. This limited edition is only available online at hublot.com and will not be offered in stores. A future collector’s item!

“For the first time in the history of Hublot, we have imagined and designed the Big Bang Unico Essential Grey limited edition solely to be sold online. In doing so, we wanted to emphasise how important e-commerce has become in our thinking. All our fans, collectors and potential clients now have an equal chance to obtain this magnificent and rare new model,” said Hublot’s CEO, Ricardo Guadalupe.

Since its inception in 1980, Hublot has been defined by innovation, which began with the highly original combination of gold and rubber. This “Art of Fusion” stems from the imagination of its visionary President, 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.

HUBLOT REINFORCES ITS PRESENCE IN DOHA AHEAD OF THE WORLD CUP WITH A FLAGSHIP BOUTIQUE AT DOHA’S

PLACE VENDOME MALL

October 6, 2022 (Doha) - Hublot and partner Al Majed Group are delighted to announce the opening of the new Hublot. Doha Vendôme Mall Boutique in Doha’s most prestigious shopping center, Place Vendôme.

The new Hublot flagship boutique spans over 200 square meters and is now ready to welcome clients in a warm ambience infused with the maison’s identity and its cherished “Art of Fusion” concept. Designed with contemporary furnishings and pop-art paintings, the space has been crafted to reflect Hublot’s mastery in fusing the traditional and the modern. With this most recent and sophisticated flagship, the brand cements its commitment to become closer to the Qatari Hublotistas and maintain a high standard of service and unique creativity, offering a wide selection of watches from the Big Bang to the Classic Fusion, as well as limited edition models. Besides celebrating this milestone, Hublot takes pride in being the Official Timekeeper of the first-ever FIFA World Cup to be held in the Middle East and precisely in Qatar. As the Swiss watchmaker continues to embark on the “Hublot Loves Football” initiative, in the coming period, the Swiss watchmaker will be gearing up to welcome residents and tourists alike in its Doha boutiques.

“2022 is a milestone year for Hublot in Doha as we open a flagship boutique and prepare to be the Official Timekeeper of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. I am very excited to strengthen our presence in this important market where we have very valuable clients.”

RICARDO GUADALUPE HUBLOT CEO

The opening of a flagship boutique in Qatar proves the importance of this fast-growing market for us in which we plan to continue our business expansion. We are looking forward to welcoming clients and guests alike at our new Hublot address where an elevated experience and a best-in-class service await them.”

DAVID TEDESCHI HUBLOT REGIONAL DIRECTOR LATIN AMERICA & CARIBBEAN, MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA

We are proud of the longstanding and promising partnership between Hublot and Al Majed Jewellery. The opening of the new Hublot Doha Vendome Mall boutique could have not been better in timing with the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™starting in a few weeks. Hublot is one of the elite horology brands owing to the perfect fusion of unconventional innovation and craftsmanship. We are excited to present to our customers a variety of watches, including a few limitededition models in this boutique.

JAMIL AL MAJED VICE CHAIRMAN, AL MAJED JEWELLERY

TIME ON MARS

OMEGA’s latest space watch tracks the rhythms of the red planet.

The creators of the first watch worn on the moon have anticipated the next giant leap with a stylish new Speedmaster designed to measure every moment on planet Earth - and Mars. Made in partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA), OMEGA’s Speedmaster X-33 Marstimer is everything the name suggests.

Providing power to the new Marstimer is OMEGA’s 5622 Calibre. A highly precise, thermo compensated, quartz movement, which handles the watch’s many digital and analogue functions with speed and efficiency.

The unique 45 mm chronograph, cased in grade 2 titanium, can track times and time zones, across our own world and on the mysterious red planet. Developed to assist scientists, OMEGA’s Marstimer offers a range of valuable tools for those working in the field of space research.

Its functions, developed under an ESA patented license, include an MTC function to track Mars’ sol date and time at the prime meridian, allowing for the fact that a day on Mars is 39 minutes longer than on Earth. As well as an innovative solar compass, to find true north on planet Earth and Mars. Wearers also have access to those applications available on the traditional Speedmaster Skywalker X33, such as MET (Mission Elapsed Time), PET (Phase Elapsed Time), alarms and perpetual calendar.

In keeping with OMEGA’s take on professional watches, it also performs its tasks in style. Its classic black dial provides a contrasting backdrop for the multiple analogue and digital readings, made even clearer by Earth and Mars symbols to distinguish which particular functions are in use. Circling the dial is an oxalic anodized aluminium bezel ring

in red hematite colour, reminiscent of Mars’ distinctive dust. This striking shade is also present on the seconds hand, which has a black to red hematite gradient, a design code to signal an OMEGA’s status as a professional instrument.

Turning the watch over reveals a caseback embossed in the centre with OMEGA’s famous Speedmaster wording and Seahorse logo. Circled by the words SPEEDMASTER X-33 MARSTIMER, ESA TESTED AND QUALIFIED. Testimony to the legitimacy of the partnership and integrity of the timepiece.

For President and CEO Mr. Raynald Aeschlimann, producing the Marstimer was a must for a brand with space travel in its bones. “Anyone interested in space, or even science fiction, is obsessed with Mars. It has generated so much curiosity, so many incredible stories. We have even created a name for its imaginary inhabitants. It’s so close yet so far. We long to walk across its surface. To be here on Earth and able to track its movements, gives the term timepiece a whole new meaning. I’m thrilled with this new addition to the famous Speedmaster family.”

For those wishing to switch out the grade 2 and 5 titanium bracelet, the Marstimer also comes with a dedicated NATO strap and strap changing tool. These are included in the special watch roll, which has a nod to the red planet on its inner lining: a reproduction of Hebes Chasma, a unique steep-sided canyon on the surface of Mars.

Although a crewed mission to the red planet may still be years away, OMEGA’s new Speedmaster X-33 Marstimer is available now, at multiple locations across Earth. A must for professionals, space fans and passionate collectors, it’s stylish to wear, compelling to operate and makes a perfect companion piece to OMEGA’s Speedmaster Moonwatch.

THE FIRST-EVER BMW XM

BMW introduces its high-performance electric drive system in line with its 50th anniversary milestone.

As BMW’s 50th anniversary celebrations continue, the marque brings us its first ever high-performance car with electrified drive system. A plug-in hybrid system comprising a V8 petrol engine and an exceptionally powerful electric motor endows the BMW XM with captivating dynamic prowess. The newly developed M HYBRID drive system, an extravagant design and the progressive luxury ambience inside the BMW XM come together to create a fresh interpretation of the Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) concept for the high-performance segment that will open up that unique M feeling to new target groups and markets.

The highlight of the brand’s model offensive in its anniversary year, the BMW XM is also the first BMW M original since the BMW M1. Thoughtfully crafted flourishes in the exterior design of the high-performance SAV recall the legendary mid-engined sports car. Production of the BMW XM will get underway at BMW Group Plant Spartanburg in the USA in December 2022 before it arrives at dealers in the Middle East and worldwide in spring 2023.

“Today marks a key milestone as we welcome the BMW XM - the most powerful BMW production car, ever. Developed with the Middle East in mind, the BMW XM perfectly combines the best of our X and M worlds into an all-new form of luxury and sense of interior space. This also makes it the very first hybrid BMW M model, a defining moment for our journey towards electrified performance,” said Dr. Hamid Haqparwar, Managing Director of BMW Group Middle East.

M HYBRID drive system for stunning performance and cruising with zero local emissions.

The M HYBRID drive system in the BMW XM delivers an overall output of 480 kW/653 hp (generated by the combination of the combustion engine with up to 360 kW/489 hp and the electric drive system with up to 145 kW/197 hp). It is underpinned by a newly developed, classically high-revving V8 engine with cutting-edge M TwinPower Turbo technology. The 4.4-litre unit features a cross-bank exhaust manifold, an optimised oil separation process.

One engine, one electric motor, three operating modes, four driven wheels.

The intelligently managed interplay between engine and motor delivers a well-resolved performance experience worthy of the M badge in all driving situations. It is defined by an immense build-up of power that begins instantaneously and is sustained throughout the rev range. The BMW XM sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.3 seconds, accompanied by an energy-charged soundtrack of rare emotional appeal for an eight-cylinder unit.

The M Hybrid button on the centre console is used to select one of three operating modes, including an ELECTRIC setting for cruising with zero local emissions at speeds of up to 140 km/h (87 mph) and over a maximum distance of 82- 88 km (51- 55 miles) in the WLTP cycle. This is thanks to the lithium-ion high-voltage battery mounted in the car’s underbody and the 25.7 kWh of usable energy it provides. The Combined Charging Unit in the BMW XM enables AC charging at up to 7.4 kW.

The BMW IconicSounds Electric developed in a collaboration between the BMW Group and film score composer Hans Zimmer also create a suitable backing track for the electric motor’s power delivery. The M-specific electric drive sound provides authentic feedback to every movement of the accelerator pedal when driving in the locally emission-free operating mode. And if the Sport or Sport Plus setting is selected while the drive system is operating in HYBRID mode, a boost sound will underline the electrical assistance being provided to the combustion engine.

Distinctive design as expression of presence and performance.

The exterior design of the BMW XM is a statement of exclusivity, presence and performance. The proportions of a modern SAV, powerful contours, a dynamically stretched silhouette, M-typical design cues, a reworked interpretation of the front-end look created for BMW’s luxury-segment models and a host of distinctive accents give the XM a singularly extrovert aura.

Interior: driver-focused cockpit, luxurious M Lounge in the rear.

The expressive style of the BMW XM’s exterior design continues inside the cabin. The cockpit and front seats are designed entirely around an active driving experience. A generous feeling of space, high-quality materials and extravagant design transform the rear of the BMW XM into an exclusive M Lounge. The sculptural headliner is quite unique with its three-dimensional prism structure, photo mount-style border and 100 LED units for illumination. Ambient lighting, four-zone automatic climate control, the Harman Kardon Surround Sound System and the Travel & Comfort System are all standard features, too.

Unparalleled variety of driver assistance systems.

The BMW XM boasts the largest selection of driver assistance systems offered – either as standard or as an option – for any high-performance vehicle from BMW M GmbH. Standard specification includes the Driving Assistant, which comprises Front Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning including lane return with steering assistance, the Evasion Assistant, Alertness Assistant and Speed Limit Info system. The optional Driving Assistant Professional combines Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function with a host of other features, including the Steering and Lane Control Assistant, traffic light recognition, automatic Speed Limit Assist and Active Navigation.

GENESIS X SPEEDIUM COUPE

Genesis revealed the Genesis X Speedium Coupe’s interior at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, continuing the design evolution of the Grand Tourer concept. The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is an automotive event held in August each year on the Pebble Beach Golf Links in California. Considered the most prestigious event of its kind, it is the grand finale of Monterey Car Week.

Exceptional design and performance have set Genesis vehicles apart since the brand’s inception. In pursuing its new vision for electrification, Genesis has put forward its unique design language to amplify the fun aspect of the driving experience. Born out of a “freestyle” design exercise, the X Speedium Coupe inherits the brand’s signature Athletic Elegance in an even more progressive way. The X Speedium Coupe concept made its debut in April at Genesis House New York. First shown as an exterior model, its interior design was developed over the past five months by the Genesis design group.

“The X Speedium Coupe was conceived as an internal design exercise that we later decided to reveal publicly. It was nothing more than a hard model built on our Athletic Elegance design identity,” said Genesis Chief Creative Officer Luc Donckerwolke.

“Given the positive reception it received at the event, we chose to complete the concept and present it to discerning attendees at the Pebble Beach Concours. The interior captures the Genesis brand’s “Beauty of White Space” design ethos, which suits various luxury lifestyles and adds to the appeal of the dynamic GT.”

Exterior Styling that Embodies Genesis’ Timeless Design Identity

The Genesis X Speedium Coupe’s most eye-catching exterior feature is the extended full-width lamps that reinterpret the Crest Grille. This detail carries the brand’s signature look into the electrification era while symbolising Genesis’ transformation to a pure electric car brand.

The shape of the body resembles an hourglass when viewed from above. The curvaceous form accentuates the wheel arches and creates a muscular presence. From the side, the Parabolic Line extends from the front to the rear. The deliberate “anti-wedge” profile gives the car a relaxed attitude, which is balanced by tension between convex and concave surfaces. The elliptical tail and V-shaped brake light combine to create a striking contrast at the rear.

Named after Korea’s famed Inje Speedium race circuit, the X Speedium Coupe embodies Genesis designers’ passion for motorsports. The car’s metallic emerald hue, Inje Green, is named after the mountainous landscape that surrounds the racetrack. It completes the image of a classic car that personifies dynamism, speed, and timeless elegance.

A Driver-Oriented Layout and UI Concept

The interior of the Genesis X Speedium Coupe leverages a classic Korean design principle known as “the Beauty of White Space.” Inspired by Korean architecture, this aligns closely with the ideology of reductive design and is expressed though a minimalist and pure form language punctuated by strong design elements.

The asymmetric, driver-oriented layout is a continuation of the theme found on Genesis’ more recent concept cars, in which all the control systems and displays surround the driver. The instrument panel and floating center console wrap around the driver cockpit, amplifying the driving experience in the era of electrification.

This effect is further accentuated by the interior’s contrasting color palette, which clearly distinguishes the driver’s area from the passenger space. The driver’s seating area is set in Pinegrove Green, which perfectly complements the Inje Green exterior. The contrasting Monterey Gold around the driver’s seat—a color inspired by the scenery along the Northern California coast— alludes to the yellow flowers and golden sand found in the region.

In addition, Genesis is exploring the future of audio experiences through a new sound architecture, which blends technology and art while highlighting the brand’s attention to detail. In collaboration with sound mater Guk-il Yu, the head of Metal Sound Design—a company that specialises in high-performance speakers—the X Speedium Coupe features strategically-placed speakers to fill the interior with rich sound.

Tweeters, midrange speakers, woofers and subwoofer are strategically positioned to provide the finest staging sound experience. The aluminum tweeters, which emit high-pitched sounds, were flawlessly crafted with a precision milling method to optimise acoustic performance.

The driver-focused cockpit has a curved OLED display that visualises the heritage of high-performance cars. The cluster’s GUI includes a center-mounted motor output indicator designed in a “newtro” style, which is a stark contrast to the RPM gauges found in ICE models. The vertical display on the right side of the driver’s seat features an integrated touch display with an optimised UI design. The display includes the start button as well as the multimedia and vehicle control functions.

Craftsmanship that Lives in the Details

The X Speedium Coupe’s cargo area features X straps on top of the loading space, a detail inspired by the brand’s unique G-Matrix Pattern that underlines the dynamic coupe experience. This design feature was derived from the Genesis Mint Concept.

Another noteworthy detail is the leather—the material itself as well as its application. The quilted pattern on the leather seats and the door trim gives the impression of a classic sports car. Meanwhile, the steering wheel features cut-off leather that were salvaged from repurposed car seat materials and woven together.

Two types of leather were used in the interior: Vegetabletanned leather and an innovative new breathable grain leather. The vegetable-tanned leather is treated with plant-derived substances—such as citrus fruits and mimosa—and processed without chromium. Compared to ordinary leather, the breathable grain leather used in the upper part of the cabin requires less water and lower levels of chemicals to manufacture. The threads used in the finishing process are made from repurposed plastic, adding to the material’s durability and water resistance factors.

LOTUS EVIJA

The world’s first pure electric British hypercar makes its debut

The world’s first fully electric British hypercar, the all-new Lotus Evija, has been revealed. With unparalleled performance and a target power output of 2,000 PS, it sets new standards in terms of advanced EV engineering. Quite simply, the Lotus Evija is the most powerful series production road car ever built.

Like all Lotus cars throughout the brand’s storied 71-year history, the Evija has been precision-engineered to deliver an outstanding driving experience both on the road and track. It is the most dynamically accomplished model ever built by the company, setting new standards for Lotus driving performance. Above all else, it is ‘For The Drivers’.

As a name, Evija (pronounced ‘E-vi-ya’) means ‘the first in existence’ or ‘the living one’. It is highly appropriate; Lotus has an unquestionable reputation for its pioneering approach in both automotive and motorsport.

The Evija marks the start of an exciting new chapter in the history of an iconic and much-loved British sports car brand. It is the first hypercar from Lotus, and the company’s first model with an electrified powertrain. As the first completely new car to be launched under the stewardship of Geely – the world’s fastest growing automotive group – its significance cannot be overstated.

Exclusivity and desirability go hand in hand in the world of hypercars, and the Evija is blessed with an abundance of both. Production is limited to not more than 130 examples, making it among the most exclusive cars ever launched. It’s a figure set in tribute to the car’s project code, Type 130. Lotus road and race cars throughout the brand’s seven decades of success have been assigned a Type number, and the Evija is no exception.

Hethel, close to the historic city of Norwich in the east of England, UK, has been the home of Lotus since 1966. The company has confirmed production of the Evija will begin there during 2020.

As well as tempting the world’s hypercar buyers, the car will act as a halo for the rest of the Lotus range – the renowned Elise, Exige and Evora. It will do the same for a range of eagerly anticipated new Lotus performance models to come.

Speaking at the unveiling in London, Lotus Cars CEO Phil Popham said: “The Lotus Evija is a car like no other. It will re-establish our brand in the hearts and minds of sports car fans and on the global automotive stage. It will also pave the way for further visionary models.”

He added: “This is another amazing moment in the history of our company. The Evija is a true Lotus in every sense – it has been developed with an unwavering passion to push boundaries, to explore new ways of thinking and to apply ground-breaking technologies.”

A stunning piece of contemporary automotive design, the Evija features a dramatic Venturi tunnel through each rear quarter, giving it a truly breath-taking presence.

Russell Carr, Design Director, Lotus Cars, said: “We studied how Le Mans race cars use air flow creatively to go over, under and around the vehicle, but also through it. This concept of ‘porosity’ is key to the Evija and has enabled us to create a timeless design with exceptional amounts of downforce.”

The Evija signals the start of a contemporary new design language for Lotus, which will evolve and reappear on future high-performance cars.

Illustrative of the innovative thinking and ingenuity which has always been part of the Lotus DNA, the Evija is a technical tour de force. It continues the legendary Lotus bloodline that’s rich in firsts and technical game-changers, both in the automotive and motorsport sectors. While it is a glimpse of the future from Lotus, it remains true to the company’s DNA and the guiding principles of founder Colin Chapman, who built the first Lotus in 1948.

At the heart of the Evija is an ultra-advanced all-electric powertrain. It has been developed with technical partner Williams Advanced Engineering, famed for success in motorsport, from Formula One to electrifying the first four seasons of Formula E. The battery pack is mid-mounted immediately behind the two seats and supplies energy directly to four powerful e-motors. This highly efficient system is the lightest, most energy dense, electric power package ever fitted to a road car. With a target weight of just 1,680 kg, it will be the lightest pure electric hypercar ever to go into series production.

Engineered for precise and sustained performance, the Evija has five driving modes – Range, City, Tour, Sport and Track. It can race from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in under three seconds and accelerate to a top speed of more than 200 mph (0-320 km/h).

Matt Windle, Executive Director, Sports Car Engineering, Lotus Cars, said: “Every element of the Evija has been meticulously analysed and validated. Precision engineering is nothing without human engagement, and that’s why technology with soul is the benchmark for this and every Lotus.”

The Evija is the first Lotus road car to feature a one-piece carbon fibre monocoque chassis. The cabin, from the fully adjustable race-style seats to the multi-function steering wheel, is the very pinnacle of motorsport-inspired road car design and technology.

THE FUTURE IS WIDE OPEN

Audi redefines progresive luxury with its electric roadster.

The Audi Skysphere concept shows how Audi is redefining luxury in the future – it’s no longer just about driving. The concept car was designed with the clear objective of offering its occupants captivating and worldclass experiences.

To give passengers the maximum amount of freedom, the Audi Skysphere concept was designed for two different driving experiences: a grand touring experience and a sports experience. This makes use of a spectacular technical detail – the variable wheelbase. Electric motors and a sophisticated mechanism with body and frame components that slide into one another make it possible to vary the wheelbase itself and the exterior length of the car by 250 millimeters. At the same time, the vehicle’s ground clearance is adjusted by 10 millimeters to enhance comfort and driving dynamics.

With the touch of button, the driver can take advantage of their freedom and choose their own driving experience–either they pilot their 4.94-meter-long e-roadster themselves in “Sports” mode with a reduced wheelbase, while the rear-wheel steering ensures that the vehicle remains extremely agile despite its dimensions. Or they can choose to be chauffeured around in a 5.19-meter GT in the autonomous “Grand Touring” driving mode while enjoying the sky and the scenery, maximum legroom, and the services offered by a seamlessly integrated digital ecosystem.In this mode, the steering wheel and pedals move into an invisible area; the feeling of space in the concept car opens up completely new realms of possibility for such a sporty convertible. Meanwhile, the Audi skysphere automatically keeps an eye on the road and traffic with its sensor system and drives the occupants safely to their destination.

Similar to how the interior design offers a new, contemporary interpretation of luxury, digitization and the ecosystem open up unprecedented levels of freedom and worlds of experience for the vehicle’s passengers. Thanks to Audi’s own services and the ability to integrate digital services, the possibilities are nearly endless. In addition, the passengers can share their experience on the road with friends via social media, with images of the interior and the surrounding area.

The vehicle also takes care of everyday tasks that go beyond the ride itself. For example, the autonomous Audi skysphere concept picks up its passengers with information about their current destination and independently handles parking and charging.

“New technologies like electrification, digitalization, and autonomous driving gave us the opportunity to create an experience that goes way beyond the one that typical roadsters offer today,” said design project manager Gael Buzyn.

The electric motor positioned on the powered rear axle is responsible for delivering power to the wheels of the Audi Skysphere. A total of 465 kilowatts of power and 750 Newton meters of torque have an easy time with the roadster, which only weighs around 1,800 kilograms. The weight distribution of around 60 percent on the powered rear axle results in ample traction and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in just four seconds.

The Audi Skysphere’s active suspension plays a key role in the versatility of the car’s handling characteristics. When simply coasting along, the individual wheels are selectively raised or lowered to compensate for unevenness and undulations in the road surface – the result of a symbiosis between the navigation system’s digital predictions and the active chassis’ sophisticated control and actuation systems. Mounted on aerodynamically styled 23-inch alloy rims, the 285/30 tires strike a perfect balance between suitability for long-distance trips thanks to minimal rolling resistance and a sporty, active driving style with high longitudinal and lateral acceleration.

Free of controls, the interior appears as a light, spacious environment, inspired in many areas by the Art Deco universe. The comfortable seats boast the visual elegance of designer furnishings, yet they fulfill their function without any compromises – side support and safety features are part of the package. They are upholstered in sustainably produced microfiber fabric and, thanks to their variable position in the interior, offer the kind of freedom to move and legroom that can otherwise only be experienced when flying first class on an airplane. Environmentally certified eucalyptus wood and synthetically produced imitation leather are other sustainably manufactured materials that contribute to creating an unparalleled experience in the vehicle’s interior.

In driver-operated mode, the interior transforms into an ergonomically perfect driving machine cockpit. Together with the chassis and body, the instrument panel and the monitor panel on the center console also move to the rear. The driver finds all the controls, including the steering wheel and pedals, in the position that best suits them.

Large touch monitor surfaces on the dashboard and in the upper area of the center console are used to operate the vehicle and infotainment systems. In Grand Touring mode, this can be used to display content from the Internet, video conferences, or streamed movies. Small touch panels in the doors are used to operate the air conditioning.

A high-quality sound system – befitting of this luxury convertible – delivers concert hall audio quality even when the vehicle is in motion. The speakers are hidden behind the door panels; a few more in the rear interior wall even produce surround sound. The shape of the headrests prevents turbulence and also annoying wind noise.

CELESTIQ

Cadillac’s all-electric Celestiq is the ultimate manifestation of ultra-luxury redefined through the spirit of futurism and the avant-garde

Cadillac has drawn from every era and element of its rich heritage to deliver the most advanced, most luxurious and one of the most important vehicles the brand has ever produced, serving as the flagship for the brand’s electric future.

“Celestiq is the purest expression of Cadillac, acknowledging our incredible history and driving us to a bolder and brighter future,” said Global Vice President of Cadillac Rory Harvey. “It is a completely bespoke work of automotive art, built around the most advanced and innovative technology that we have ever engineered into an automobile.”

The Celestiq story is built on legacy, with its design, cutting-edge technology, and personalised luxury rooted in Cadillac’s history of building handcrafted, iconic vehicles.

Its exterior and interior design are inspired by vehicles from the luxury marque’s past, particularly the pre-war bespoke V16 coaches and the hand-built 1957 Eldorado. It shares many design elements with the Cadillac Lyriq luxury electric crossover, namely the front “grille” LED lighting display, which features similar vertical lighting signatures on both sides, horizontal accent lights, and a lighting pattern across the glossy black grille display.

The design, features, materials and technologies include Ultra Cruise, GM’s upcoming driver assist technology that will allow for hands-free driving in most real-world scenarios. In fact, the Celestiq will be one of the first vehicles to boast this technology.

The Celestiq is also the first vehicle to feature Suspended Particle Device (SPD) SmartGlass, which allows the passenger to toggle the roof’s opacity to their preference by applying an electrical charge to particles, while also delivering several secondary benefits such as greater headroom and increased driving range.

Inside, the Celestiq has five interactive HD infotainment displays, including a massive 55-inch LED display spanning the width of the dash, which includes digital electronic blinds to prevent the driver from being distracted by the passenger’s screen.

The 2024 Cadillac Celestiq rides on GM’s BEV3 platform and uses a 111-kWh battery pack driving a twomotor setup for all-wheel-drive propulsion. The ultra luxury sedan facilitates a 200 kW DC fast charging system that can add up to an estimated 78 miles of range in just 10 minutes at certain charging stations. In addition, the advanced AWD system can disengage the front or rear drive motors as required to provide optimal torque to enhance ride quality and electric driving range.

Total system output is a GM-estimated 600 horsepower and 640 pound-feet of torque. Unlike other Ultiumbased EVs, the Celestiq has unique 11.59:1 front and 11.63:1 rear gear ratios, which are specially designed to optimise range and performance. The impressive horsepower and torque numbers enable the vehicle to achieve a zero to 60 mph acceleration in a blistering 3.8 seconds.

There are four available design themes instead of trim levels for the Celestiq, and each provides a starting point on which the vehicle can be fully customised. These themes are Aurora, Mist, Vale and Magnetic, each providing a different color scheme to lend a unique personality to the Celestiq while still allowing its buyers to customise every aspect.

Explore the Path to

Longevity

Join The Chopra Foundation and Deepak Chopra, MD, for a one-of-a-kind experience

If you could attain the "secrets" of well-being and longevity, while simultaneously uncovering your purpose in this world, would you?

Learn more about the work we are doing

DEEPAK CHOPRA HOSTS LONGEVITY RETREAT IN UAE

By Teresa Esmezyan

Attain the “secrets” of well-being and longevity, while simultaneously uncovering your purpose in this world.

Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, saw a first-of-its-kind transformative experience, hosted by one of the world’s most iconic spiritual leaders, Founder of Chopra Foundation, Deepak Chopra. The 2022 Explorers – Journey to Longevity Retreat was co-hosted by the Global Citizen Forum, which featured Chopra as an honoured speaker and guest at their acclaimed Annual Summit following the retreat.

The Chopra Foundation’s three-day Longevity Retreat included both a theoretical and practical understanding of the shift of identity from physical circumstances to the source of all experience, which is consciousness and awareness.

Dedicated to unlocking personal growth in an immersive and boundless setting, the Longevity Retreat combined techniques from Eastern wisdom traditions and Western science. Guests attained a deeper understanding of the new reality that we, as humans, have the potential to create.

“Current scientific models are exploring the role of signalling molecules and adaptogens in DNA repair and selfregulation of metabolism. Epigenetic modulation and gene regulation through vagal stimulation, yoga, meditation, and breath control is now known to activate healing and self-repair systemically,” shares Deepak Chopra with Global Citizen magazine. In fact, data and research on epigenetics indicate that the human health span and lifespan could be extended beyond 100 years and that the future of well-being is precise, personalised, preventable, predictable, processoriented, participatory, and even reversible.

“The longevity retreat experientially explored both modern scientific principles and eastern techniques for regulation of health span and longevity, including how to regulate the metabolism of time. It also got us to connect with nature and the great outdoors – as we venture into the incredible surrounding vistas, expansive experiences, and anchor ourselves in moments that will reconnect us to our true nature,” Chopra continued.

Although the retreat curated a powerful experience, it was crucial that participants continued to commit to the discipline of making the techniques a permanent habit, or else, the course will not be of full benefit to them.

“The Chopra Foundation, with its focus on mental well-being and longevity, will continue to deliver a highly effective, personalised Longevity Protocol to enhance health span,” shares CEO of the Chopra Foundation, Poonacha Machaiah. “Our mission is to create a platform that will empower a metamorphosis for people to feel healthy, stay active, and enjoy the vitality of both mind and body for years to come.”

DUBAI DESIGN WEEK RETURNS

Curated in strategic partnership with Dubai Design District (d3), a member of TECOM Group PJSC, and supported by Dubai Culture, Dubai Design Week returns for its eighth season, 8 - 13 November, providing individuals and companies with a platform to showcase their design experience and thinking by ways of installations, exhibitions, and overall experiential mediums.

The annual event is one of the region’s most significant cultural occasions with a line-up of programming demonstrating Dubai’s commitment to design, and is scheduled to take place at d3, a regional hub for art, design fashion and architecture. This year’s programming will have a focus on designing for a sustainable future that will be integrated across the week’s activities in a range of disciplines including architecture, product design, interiors, and multimedia by international and regional designers.

Dr. Saeed Mubarak bin Kharbash, CEO of the Arts and Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, said: “Design is a key pillar of our strategic roadmap in which we continuously support to empower creativity and the talented people behind them toward the development of the creative economy and to cement Dubai’s position as a global centre for culture, an incubator for creativity, and a thriving hub for talent as well as the global capital of the creative economy. Dubai Design Week is an annual celebration of design and designers that we are proud to be continuously supporting.”

DUBAI DESIGN WEEK HIGHLIGHTS

Trade Show

At the heart of Dubai Design Week is Downtown Design (9-12 November), the Middle East’s leading fair for contemporary and high-quality design, that will again take place at the Waterfront Terrace at d3, with this year’s fair being the most extensive to date with a line-up of leading international speakers, designers and brands taking part for the first time.

Installations

This year’s installation programme named DESIGN WITH IMPACT, will feature both regional and international names who will produce a series of immersive installations placed throughout Dubai Design District (d3), using materials that will spark conversations around how design can have a positive impact on the environment.

Exhibitions

A series of exhibitions will be hosted within the core of Dubai Design District (d3) that will include an exploration on how Metaverse technology is pushing the boundaries of design and within Downtown Design, the UAE Designer Exhibition, supported by Dubai Culture will once again highlight work from some of the most exciting locally based designers.

Workshops

The Dubai Design Week workshops programme will provide visitors of all ages and levels the opportunity to experience and learn from a range of professionals, from professors of world-renowned institutions to makers who push the envelope in material experimentation and innovative ways of creating.

Market

For the first time, the d3 Design Market by FLTRD will take place across the week offering a retail experience full of homegrown offerings that span from homewares to ready to wear, with the programme expanded on the weekend to offer the best in local artisanal products.

Talks

For those who are looking for engaging panel discussions and opportunities to interact with other design professionals, The Forum at Downtown Design will host leading international and regional experts within the design industry to discuss the latest trends and innovations in regional and international design. Dubai Design Week 2022 will a be a free to attend event that will offer a uniquely varied programme that suits the culturally curious of all ages.

In parallel to Dubai Design Week, Dubai Design District (d3) will also be running its annual d3 Architecture Exhibition, from 8-13 November. This year’s edition, now in its third year, will highlight the work of d3-based regional and international architects with installations dispersed around d3 and showcase innovative designer and architect collaborations.

A FLYING FIRST

Zephatali Walsh makes history as the winner of

world’s first flying car race

A landmark moment in both the history of motorsport and the genesis of the flying car mobility revolution has been made in the salt flats of South Australia. Airspeeder pilot Zephatiali Walsh beat fellow-competitor Fabio Tischler in a tense and close inaugural EXA remotely piloted race. This was the first time two pilots were given full license to race their 4.1m long eVTOL race-craft blade-to-blade in a fully competitive race setting.

No concession to preserving their vehicles was made as the competitive instincts of born racers was on display from the very beginning of this historic first race, staged above the pink salt flats of Lake Lochiel near Adelaide, South Australia.

Every second of the 270+ test flights and thousands of hours of simulator preparation informed both competitors approach to securing their place in the history of motorsport and flying cars as the next great coming leap in human transportation. This skill and commitment was on show from the very beginning, with three overtakes in the first lap alone. The most daring manoeuvre of all was rewarded with the ultimate victory, when Zephatali daringly overtook Tischler who had gone wide at Turn 1.

On losing speed on exit, Zephatali made his move flying just one meter below his fellow competitor to secure the track position that ultimately led to this historic maiden victory. This move illustrated the scope for drama when racing craft at close quarters with F1 car turning ability and the third dimension of vertical maneuverability.

“As pilots, we’ve been developing this sport behind the scenes over hundreds of hours of simulator, engineering and testing work and through this process we have been united as a group of pilots in one common goal - to deliver this historic first race. As soon as the lights turned green, we became racers competing for a place in the history of this sport and flying cars as the coming transportation revolution. I couldn’t be prouder to know that forever more I’ll be the first winner of an electric flying car race and I look forward to retaining my crown as we go racing around the world in the coming months,” said Walsh.

the

The circuit race took place over a one-kilometer digital sky-track, with the competition played out in two sessions punctuated by the rapid battery-swap pitstops that will add a compelling strategic layer to every EXA remotely piloted and ultimately Airspeeder crewed Grand Prix.

This is the first of a series of EXA remotely piloted races that will serve as the development and feeder series for the Airspeeder fully crewed Grand Prixs starting in 2024. The race was commentated on by Bruno Senna, Airspeeder development pilot and ambassador and Nikki Shields, acclaimed motorsports broadcaster.

The highlights package offers a glimpse of the streams that will allow a generation native to live streaming to watch and interact with the sport on-demand and from any device.

This historic first race is just a taste of what is to come from a sport more than 4 years in the making. EXA Remotely piloted races will soon feature a much wider grid of pilots including Bruno Senna, former F1 and World Endurance Racing star.

These races will be staged in places where racing has never been seen before. Digital sky-tracks and a light approach to infrastructure means racing can take place in a range of locations and landscapes from marine to forest and desert settings.

A PROVEN ECOSYSTEM FOR RACING

Beyond making motorsport history, Alauda Aeronautics, the technical team and manufacturer of the pioneering Speeders that compete in EXA and Airspeeder races has created an engineering and digital ecosystem for electric flying car (eVTOL) racing.

This is an extraordinary technical accomplishment delivered by a team drawn from some of the most celebrated names in Formula 1, motorsport and advanced aerospace development. This includes multi-World Championship winning engineers from Ferrari and development talent from Boeing, Airbus, McLaren, Jaguar Land Rover and Rolls-Royce.

To support this historic first race, they had to build Race control stations, pilot control station, cutting edge 5G networks, Augmented Reality (AR) Sky Tracks, an engineering and team control station, akin to that seen in elite traditional motor racing. In addition they had to develop race rules and a full suite of safety, logistics and race management protocols. In turn, the technology used in racing is a snapshot of what our cities will be using in the next decade to underpin the emergence of electric flying cars (eVTOL) as a viable means of passenger transport.

This technical ecosystem starts with the 4.1 meter flying racing car (eVTOL), a carbon fiber construction full-scale racing quadcopter. At its heart it is a performance machine, maximum power it delivers 320kW, equalling an Audi SQ7 performance SUV. The Audi weighs 2,500kg while an Airspeeder racing craft (without pilot) weighs just 130kg. It can lift a weight of more than 80kg, proving the viability of the powertrain for piloted races. Acceleration from 0-62mph takes 2.8 seconds and the Speeder can climb to 500 meters.

The technical package proven in these inaugural EXA races will underpin future crewed Airspeeder races. Indeed, the key safety and digital systems that will not only drive the world’s most exciting new form of motorsport but will also serve as a place and a space for the eVTOL industry to develop vehicles with real-world passenger and logistics applications.

For example, Alauda has collaborated with technical partners, Telstra Purple, Acronis and Amazon Web Services throughout the development of these races to create the digital architecture that will drive the 5G enabled infrastructure needed to ensure the safe management of autonomous and piloted eVTOL vehicles in urban environments.

This collaborative approach to the development of not only a sport but the wider ecosystem will underpin the eVTOL mobility revolution extended to every one of Airspeeder and Alauda’s commercial and technical partners.

This started with a knowledge exchange between Alauda’s expert team of engineers and the designers and specialists at the company’s Engineering and Timekeeping partner, IWC Schaffhausen. This ongoing dialogue serves as a vital light house in producing the highest quality racing machines with sustainability at the art of their purpose and function.

The Alauda and Airspeeder teams were also able to draw upon expertise from Acronis and Teknov8 in securing and managing vital telemetry and race data. The staging of the race was supported by the Government of South Australia which has nurtured an ecosystem of the world’s leading space and advanced aerospace companies. This extends to co-funding Alauda Aeronautics hyper-factory, a place where the world’s best performance flying cars will be built alongside space-craft, satellites and aircraft.

This historic first remotely piloted race will be followed by Grand Prixs with wider grids flown over a multitude of locations and track lay-outs. These EXA races will serve as the feeder series for Airspeeder crewed races set to take place in 2023.

VERTICAL FARMING

Bustanica has opened the doors to the world’s largest hydroponic farm

Backed by an investment of $40 million, this ground-breaking facility is the first vertical farm for Emirates Crop One, the joint venture between Emirates Flight Catering (EKFC), one of the world’s largest catering operations serving more than 100 airlines, and Crop One, an industry leader in technology-driven indoor vertical farming.

Located near Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central, the 330,000 square-feet facility is geared to produce more than 1,000,000 kilograms of high-quality leafy greens annually, while requiring 95% less water than conventional agriculture. At any point in time, the facility grows in excess of 1m cultivars (plants), which will provide an output of 3,000 kgs per day.

Bustanica is driven by powerful technology – machine learning, artificial intelligence and advanced methods – and a highly specialised in-house team that includes agronomy experts, engineers, horticulturists and plant scientists. A continuous production cycle ensures the produce is super fresh and clean, and grown without pesticides, herbicides, or chemicals.

Passengers on Emirates and other airlines can look forward to forking these delicious leafy greens, including lettuces, arugula, mixed salad greens, and spinach, onboard their flights from July. Bustanica is not just revolutionising salads in the sky – UAE consumers will soon be able to add these greens to their shopping carts at the nearest supermarkets. Bustanica also plans to expand into the production and sale of fruits and vegetables.

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group said, “Longterm food security and self-sufficiency are vital to the economic growth of any country, and the UAE is no exception.

We’ve specific challenges in our region, given the limitations around arable land and climate. Bustanica ushers in a new era of innovation and investments, which are important steps for sustainable growth and align with our country’s well-defined food and water security strategies.”

“After significant planning and construction, and navigating the unforeseen challenges of the pandemic, we’re thrilled to celebrate this tremendous milestone alongside our joint venture partner, Emirates Flight Catering. It’s our mission to cultivate a sustainable future to meet global demand for fresh, local food, and this first large format farm is the manifestation of that commitment. This new facility serves as a model for what’s possible around the globe,” added Craig Ratajczyk, Chief Executive Officer, Crop One.

The farm’s closed-loop system is designed to circulate water through the plants to maximise water usage and efficiency. When the water vaporises, it is recovered and recycled into the system, saving 250m litres of water every year compared to traditional outdoor farming for the same output.

Bustanica will have zero impact on the world’s threatened soil resources, an incredibly reduced reliance on water and year-round harvests unhampered by weather conditions and pests. Consumers buying Bustanica’s greens from supermarkets can eat it straight from the bag – even washing can damage the leaves and introduce contaminants.

BIODIESEL LANDMARK

McDonald’s UAE marks 20 million kilometers fuelled by biodiesel

McDonald’s UAE has revealed its latest milestone in its biodiesel programme which gets used cooking oil from their restaurants converted to 100% biodiesel to fuel their supply trucks.

To date, McDonald’s UAE’s supply trucks have travelled 20 million kilometers on pure biodiesel, saving 16,761,117 kg of carbon dioxide and related greenhouse gasses - equivalent to the weight of 33,522 camels.

McDonald’s UAE reduces its CO2 emissions through the biodiesel programme with Neutral Fuels, compared to driving on regular petro-diesel.

The biodiesel program, launched in 2011, stems from a partnership between McDonald’s UAE and Neutral Fuels aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of the brand’s restaurants. It also enhances a sustainable circular economy for the restaurant chain.

More than 8,412,496 liters of UCO have been converted into biodiesel, which has exponentially reduced McDonald’s UAE carbon footprint.

Walid Fakih, general manager at McDonald’s UAE, said: “Focusing on the environment is key for us at McDonald’s UAE. We are glad to work on this program with Neutral Fuels which helped us reduce the amount of carbon emissions, and we will continue to promote sustainable and regenerative practices - for communities today and in the future.”

The biodiesel program, launched in 2011, stems from a partnership between McDonald’s UAE and Neutral Fuels aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of the brand’s restaurants. It also enhances a sustainable circular economy for the restaurant chain. More than eight million liters of used cooking oil have been converted into biodiesel, which has exponentially reduced McDonald’s UAE carbon footprint. In fact, recycling impact until date has the same impact as:

- Recycling 75 million plastic bags

- Recycling 170,702 car tires

- Planting 412,097 tree seedlings grown for 10 years

- 8,624 tons of waste recycled instead of landfilled

Commenting on the milestone, Walid Fakih, CEO at McDonald’s UAE, said, “Focusing on the environment is key for us at McDonald’s UAE. We are glad to work on this program with Neutral Fuels which helped us reduce the amount of carbon emissions, and we will continue to promote sustainable and regenerative practices - for communities today and in the future.”

About McDonald’s UAE:

Operating since 1994, McDonald’s UAE today has more than 190 restaurants geographically located to service customers in many areas. McDonald’s UAE is committed to the quality of the products it serves at each restaurant and also maintains an active social responsibility agenda.

In an ongoing effort to contribute to the wellbeing of the communities and highlight the continuous environmental benefits of their actions McDonald’s UAE and Emirates Environmental Group joined forces in spreading green values among the UAE’s children by planting trees across the nation as part of their ‘Planting a Greener Future’ campaign.

McDonald’s UAE also significantly reduced its carbon footprint since the launch of its biodiesel program in July 2011.

100% of McDonald’s used vegetable oil is collected from its restaurants across the UAE and converted into 100% biodiesel which is used to fuel the company’s logistics fleet.

In addition, McDonald’s UAE prides itself on being a local member of the community and has been committed to being a responsible corporate citizen since the first restaurant opened in the UAE back in 1994.

To find out more about McDonald´s UAE and the biodiesel program, visit our website https//www.mcdonalds.com/ae/biodiesel-initiative.html

Mr Walid Fakih CEO of McDonald’s UAE

FOUR SUSTAINABILITY TRENDS

TO LOOK OUT FOR IN 2023

By James Mark, EMEA Marketing Director at PETRONAS Lubricants International

As we look towards 2023, it means we’re yet another year closer to 2050 and one year closer to D-Day for reaching our global net-zero targets. The pressure is on if we are going to protect our planet for future generations.

As a result, businesses and consumers are now looking for new ways to live sustainably and reduce their impact on the environment, but also to ensure a better future for communities, and create a positive social impact. Here at PETRONAS Lubricants International (PLI), we are taking extra steps towards achieving our own 2050 goals, not only environmentally but by practising responsible governance, protecting human rights, and promoting diversity and inclusion. With this in mind, we’re also seeing emerging trends and innovations that could catapult us all towards a greener tomorrow.

From smart home technology to affordable electric vehicles, to digital tree-planting initiatives, global research & development teams are hard at work crafting products and processes that help consumers make more sustainable and socially beneficial choices. We all need to do our part in the fight for a better, more environmentally focused future and come to terms with the need to adapt our everyday lives to achieve our goals. It’s not just up to governments and big businesses – if we all work together a net-zero future might be closer than we think. After all, if living with the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything over the past two years, it’s that individual sacrifices and scientific advancements can combine to make a world-changing difference. So, let’s take a closer look at the biggest trends ahead.

FORESTS FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE AND CREATE A POSITIVE SOCIAL IMPACT

A typical tree absorbs around 25kg of CO₂ a year while producing 177kg of oxygen in exchange. As a result, governments around the world are now making tree-planting initiatives a central pillar of their net-zero targets, while the EU aims to plant over three billion additional trees over the next eight years. The heatwave across Europe this summer has caused desertification across countless countries, so by pledging to plant more trees we will be able to not only slow down the rise of global temperatures, but also offer socio-economic benefits for local communities all over the world. This is what we mean by a positive social impact. Trees don’t only reduce carbon emissions, but offer opportunity in terms of food security, trade, jobs and education. These social projects offer us all a chance to make a difference—whether through corporate planting programmes or paying for a tree to be planted on our behalf.

ELECTRIC AND HYBRID VEHICLES RULE THE ROAD

Even in a market hit by COVID and semiconductor chip shortages, electric and hybrid vehicles enjoyed a record year, with combined global sales topping 6.4 million. This new popularity may be in part down to preparations for government bans on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars. But the benefits of EVs aren’t restricted to their reduced emissions.

Thanks to higher engine efficiency, the cost-per-mile to power an EV is often lower than fossil-fuelled equivalents. Modern EVs are also usually cheaper to maintain, offer convenient home charging stations, and can even outperform petrol cars in acceleration and torque. And with government purchase incentives, such as grants of up to €5000 available in the EU and zero congestion charges for driving in central London, it’s no surprise that European EV sales are set to overtake petrol-powered equivalents by 2025. Consumers are realising that by investing in an EV or hybrid car, they are able to positively impact the environment by adopting low carbon solutions as part of their everyday lives.

SHIFTS IN VEHICLE FLUID TECHNOLOGY

While consumers know they must become more sustainable and take part in changing their everyday habits to be more sustainably minded, the focus is still on businesses to set an example and offer them the greener products and services that make sustainability all the more possible. Here at PLI, we’re constantly evolving our technology to give our customers fresh ways to reduce their environmental impact.

Sustainability needs to happen from the inside out. Take the new rise of EVs in EMEA. Whilst emitting less carbon, these vehicles still demand fluid solutions that offer superior control over friction, wear, and thermal management, and maximise performance and efficiency. New, planet-friendly EV fluid solutions such as the PETRONAS iona range of e-fluids, help support motorists to accelerate their journey towards a greener future by ensuring they are doing their part for the environment from what goes into their vehicle, to what comes out.

It’s not just about the product itself either – it’s about the packaging and supply chain too. How can we use less plastic and more recyclable material? For example, the 2022 range of PETRONAS Syntium product packaging now uses 15% less plastic, while the forthcoming 20L packs will reduce plastic usage by up to 90%. Businesses need to constantly innovate and develop. PLI has also introduced a new Bag-in-a-Box packaging that uses 92% less plastic compared to its original packaging, dramatically reducing plastic waste and pollution.

GREENER RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Dedicated internal development helps brands to transform their sustainability, right across the supply chain. Investment must be made into R&D to continue to innovate and find better ways of doing things, from the top down.

How are we doing this at PLI? Since 2018, PLI has directed 75% of our research and technology (R&T) investments towards products that’ll reduce customer emissions and improve vehicle longevity, supporting our wider goal of net-zero by 2050.

At the PLI Research and Technology Centre in Turin, our team is investing heavily into the exploration of EV dielectric fluids. EV engines operate differently from traditional ones, so by dedicating a specialist team and extra resources to their specific needs we’re able to understand how to optimise their performance. This also allows the team to collaborate with automotive companies, sharing our findings to help manufacturers create advanced, greener vehicles.

Our collaborative way of working has also advised new, more sustainable working practices. In fact, the Turin R&T centre itself has now become an energy provider. We’ve redesigned our mechanical benches to recover the energy they produce during testing processes, rather than dissipating it as wasted heat. This energy is then re-circulated to power the rest of the centre, while any surplus is sent to a local electricity supplier.

These types of innovations help businesses in all industries to transform their efficiency, inside and out. Ultimately, at PLI we know we still have a long sustainability journey ahead of us. But by redeploying our technical skills to researching greener products and positive, responsible practices, we can make a worthwhile, lasting contribution to the protection of our planet and our people.

ULTRAHUMAN

The world’s most advanced metabolic fitness platform, Ultrahuman, is now embarking on a great start in the UAE. The concept was brought to life by Mohit Kumar and Vatsal Singhal in 2019 in India, while super sports enthusiast Anwar Shaikh introduced the metabolic platform to the UAE market.

“The UAE is a great launchpad for international expansion for it is home to many nationalities as well as ethnicities, as well as its advanced consumer technology,” said Shaikh, who is originally from Bahrain but has extensive experience in the Middle Eastern market because of his involvement with F1 and pro cycling in the region.

“We will take Ultrahuman to the US in 2023 after its official launch in Abu Dhabi,” he added.

Shaikh, the man spearheading Ultrahuman UAE, says the metabolic health issues in the region can be addressed through the app. Users can monitor their blood glucose with Ultrahuman towards a healthier lifestyle.

How about getting real-time data about the human body that will aid in healthy body hacks? Ultrahuman has the answer. For example, if you move around for five minutes, you will notice your glucose levels decrease in real time.

One of the exciting products is the Ultrahuman M1 – a metabolic health tracking platform that provides intelligent nudges based on glucose biomarkers. The tool helps people optimise their exercise, sleep and nutrition based on deep insights from the app-based platform.

Super sports enthusiast Anwar Shaikh brings Ultrahuman to the UAE

“The M1 tracks the wearer’s metabolic health as they go about their day. It triggers timely nudges to the user, such as alerts to a high blood glucose event and suggestions to take a walk for optimising their glucose levels,” add Shaikh.

Recently, the company launched the first metabolism-tracking wearable, the Ultrahuman Ring. It measures movement, sleep, and the body’s energy dynamics, coupled with intelligent activity or recuperating recommendations in real-time, to balance and take control of your health.

“The Ring will free up the real estate space on your hand, and users can opt for their favourite watches and bracelets alike,” says Shaikh, adding it does reduce the number of screens people check on an average day.

Ultrahuman M1 and Ultrahuman Ring also work in combination to offer users even deeper metabolic insights and more precise actionable methods to make the health and wellness journey for people more personalised and impactful.

STYLE FILE

Cover up for the cooler temperatures while looking effortlessly cool. Not sure where to start? Somewhere between work-leisure and varsity trends, there’s a style that jives with your aesthetic. Get ready to make these outfits your own as you take a dive into this season’s best sartorial trends.

LOOK 1

Zegna High-neck knitted jumper

Moncler Logo-patch padded jacket

Emporio Armani High-waisted wide-leg trackpants

Wander X-Pac 40L backpack

Burberry Vintage Check low-top sneakers

Lemaire

Saint

Holzweiler Diana single-breasted coat

Wood Wood Quarter-zip roll-neck jumper

Carhartt WIP Straight-leg cargo trousers

Tonal-stitching leather shoulder bag

Laurent Wyatt Jodhpur leather boots

HIS AND HERS

Emporio Armani’s seasonal collection of bodywear for men and women

EMPORIO ARMANI MEN’S COLLECTION

A strong, precise identity, a wide variety of proposals, new fabrics and patterns: these are the focuses of the Men’s Emporio Armani Underwear Fall-Winter 2022 collection.

The most important innovation comes in the form of the increasing use of fabrics and yarns with an ecosustainable and recycled approach: fabrics that as always ensure comfort and practicality, with a particular focus on the environment.

Among the season’s proposals, the Comfort line, the loungewear section, stands out, capable of combining a comfy fit, soft fabrics and attention to detail. The season’s innovations range from viscose with a comfy-standard fit to the sought-after viscose seersucker with a tartan effect, ending up at a very warm furry fabric combined with terry enriched by new logoed piping ensuring grit and personality. The elegance of the brand is found in the colour palette: navy blue, black and charcoal grey with white accents.

The colourful pop spirit of Emporio Armani emerges in the Cozy at Home line. These underwear and loungewear garments in fact interpret the fresh and ironic spirit of the brand by playing with colour contrasts such as lime green combined with multi-colour blends, with new interpretations of the logo in which it takes on an increasingly central role, with puff printing techniques and with funny, geometric prints.

Playing an ever more vital role in everyday life, the homewear section is enriched with corduroy garments combined with smooth velvet: a chiaroscuro effect that ensures maximum style even at home. The selection of underwear and pyjamas made from the new yarn-dyed fabric with a striped pattern brings a breath of elegance.

EMPORIO ARMANI WOMEN’S COLLECTION

The Emporio Armani Women Fall Winter 2022 collection offers underwear and loungewear designed to bring the brand attitude into every moment of our day and our life, wearing comfortable garments that stand out thanks to their style and attention to detail.

The Essentials section encapsulates the brand’s style code, featuring the collection’s most iconic items. Spending more time at home has redesigned our habits, helping us focus on how important it is to take care of ourselves in all settings: Emporio Armani therefore offers underwear and loungewear to create a perfect balance of style and comfort. A selection that tells a story of snow-covered atmospheres and landscapes, of evenings in front of a blazing fire in the hearth, of relaxing moments spent in a spa. The athleisure garments are made from various terry fabrics, customised with logos that reinforce the brand identity, and by casual items made from organic cotton and printed microfibre. The line is completed by an enveloping dressing gown and coordinated socks.

The desire for sophisticated, feminine underwear translates into Modern Romantic: opulent fabrics and floral patterns reminiscent of the interiors of an elegant period mansion covered with tapestries, wall hangings and paintings by great masters. The inspiration comes from the past, but the approach does not forget the essential values of the brand, which continues to have sustainability at its core. Sophisticated garments in “Chantilly” lace and recycled “satin” effect microfibre are combined with “lingerie de nuit” pieces in printed satin and precious “robes de chambre” in quilted chenille. The warm red wine and powder pink tones, illuminated by crimson and contrasted by black, make up the sophisticated palette of this segment.

A CELEBRATION OF SUSTAINABLE FASHION

The CNMI Sustainable Fashion Awards 2022 closed Milan Fashion Week in conscious style

The CNMI Sustainable Fashion Awards 2022, in collaboration with the Ethical Fashion Initiative and Ellen MacArthur Foundation, took place on the 25th September 2022. 12 Awards recognised the industry’s progress on ESG, from climate action to human rights, measured using EFI’s ESG Due Diligence Framework.

Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, in collaboration with the Ethical Fashion Initiative (EFI) of the International Trade Center, an agency of the UN and WTO, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, of the The ICE Agency and the Municipality of Milan organized the ceremony of the CNMI Sustainable Fashion Awards 2022 at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan.

The event recognised examples of Italian and international fashion making strides in Sustainability, awarding companies and individuals for their vision, innovation, commitment to craftsmanship, recognition of differences, circular economy, human rights and environmental justice. Opening the awards alongside CNMI’s Chairman Carlo Capasa and the chair of the Jury, Dame Ellen MacArthur, Simone Cipriani, Founder UN EFI & Chairman UN Alliance for Sustainable Fashion, delivered a speech on the urgent need for the industry to invest in sustainability:

“It is time to stop this run towards an environmental catastrophe and to repair the damage of global inequality. I am a UN officer, and I see the impact of this on some of the most vulnerable societies of the planet (…) The investment needs to reduce our impact is enormous and we cannot come out of this unless the private sector engages fully in sustainability.

The fashion industry is one of the most promising sectors to lead this movement. Fashion has created effective and efficient business models; you are all formidable entrepreneurs and managers.

As we see this evening, you are already engaged and doing lots of good things. Let us step up this engagement, let us do more. Thanks to CNMI for having taken the engagement to work together towards these objectives. The new sustainability revolution can start from here.”

THE AWARDS

The Human Rights Award

This Award recognises those who have placed the defence of human rights at the centre of their individual or corporate equality strategy. In fashion supply chains, these efforts lead to the protection of workers’ rights and the maintenance of adequate standards in terms of working hours, fair remuneration of work, health and safety – both at individual workers’ and communities’ levels. A special recognition is attributed to those who continuously challenge the status quo, drive actions that improve human rights, and support open discussions.

Shortlisted: Dr. Rubana Huq, Cooperativa Alice, Made for a Woman (M4W)

Winner : Dr. Rubana Hug

The Circular Economy Award

This award recognises the outstanding work of those fashion brands, suppliers, platforms and smallmedium enterprises that are demonstrating principles of the circular economy. These include –eliminating waste and pollution, circulating products and materials, and regenerating nature. Special consideration was given to organisations that combine circular economy principles and systems thinking at the core of their business.

Shortlisted: Timberland, Vestiaire Collective & Rifò Winner: Timberland

The Bicester Collection Award for Emerging Designers

The Climate Action Award

The Climate Action Award is dedicated to fashion brands, suppliers, organisations and stakeholders that work to address greenhouse gas emissions, find innovative solutions for the sector and drive solutions-focused climate change strategies. Special consideration was given to those projects addressing the most urgent issues impacting climate change: intensive farming, deforestation, and industrial production.

Shortlisted: La Soledad x Gucci, Radici Group, Sea Forest Winner: La Soledad x Gucci

The Social Impact Award

This Award recognises significant positive actions directed to change, solve or address social injustice and challenges, as well as those focusing on human development and strengthening of social capital. It highlights the value of those businesses or organisations that, through strategic and operational efforts, are creating direct positive impact to society, in alignment with United Nations’ Social Development Goals.

Shortlisted: Ara Lumiere, Nannacay, Russo di Casandrino

Winner: Ara Lumiere

The Award celebrates the emerging talents of individuals and small brands who, despite their smaller scale, are striving to create significant positive impact in the global fashion community, delivering a message that combines design, innovation, and responsibility. Special recognition was therefore given to those businesses who decided to embed practices generating a positive impact in their product portfolio from day one, and choosing to address at least one of the most pressing environmental challenges facing the fashion industry.

Shortlisted: Nkwo Onwuka, Themoirè & Torlowei

Winner: Nkwo Onwuka

Pierpaolo Piccioli and Rossy de Palma. Photo: Courtesy of CNMI Sustainable Fashion Awards, Max Montingelli

The Biodiversity Conservation Award

This Award celebrates the companies and organisations that not only recognise the paramount importance of biodiversity for the benefit of humankind but are actively taking steps to pursue positive outcomes for nature, leave a better environment to future generations and inspire all stakeholders to become active part in this conversation.

Shortlisted: Ermenegildo Zegna Group & Bally Winner: Ermenegildo Zegna Group

The Craft & Italian Artisanship Award

The Craft & Italian Artisanship Award honours attention to fabrics and techniques from the past, as well as valuing the resilience of such business models when approaching the future. It intends to recognise dedicated efforts in Italy which encourage research and development around local design, materials, and production processes, often certified by traceability or innovation patents. Special consideration has been given to Made in Italy best practices and heritage, not only limited to the Fashion industry but to the Italian way of life and traditions.

Shortlisted: Bottega Veneta, Fendi, Sergio Rossi Winner: Bottega Veneta

The Oceans Award

The Oceans Award recognizes the importance of the health of the oceans and marine ecosystems. It seeks to highlight the industry’s efforts and accountability in protecting and improving marine ecosystems and resources, reducing their exploitation and raising awareness of their paramount relevance so that future generations can thrive. Special recognition was given to projects tackling plastics pollution, one of the most pressing threats to ocean health.

Shortlisted: Prada, Sea2See, Panerai Winner: Prada

The Philanthropy & Society Award

This Award is designed to reward those individuals who have carried out social or charity projects, as well as companies that have created their own foundation for philanthropic purposes as an effort to improve human welfare. The Award highlights the importance of clear and transparent communication: effectively disseminating its purpose, enabling positive replication, and creating advocacy for the philanthropic causes it seeks to promote.

Shortlisted: The OTB Foundation, The Apparel Made-ups & Home furnishing Sector Skill Council (AMH SSC), Gucci X Chime for Change

Winner: The OTB Foundation

The Woolmark Company Award for Innovation

The Woolmark Award is dedicated to brands, suppliers and organisations actively working to make the wool textile sector more responsible and resilient to current sustainability challenges. The Woolmark Company has always been devoted to the sector’s sustainable development, working to produce high quality material, while making sure both animal welfare and land health are preserved.

Shortlisted: Sease, Reda, The Schneider Group

Winner: Sease

The Groundbreaker Award

The Groundbreaker Award intends to recognise the work of start-ups, fashion brands and suppliers on the creation of innovative solutions that address critical pain points within the fashion industry, such as intensive farming practices, the use of toxic chemicals across the supply chain and the reliance on fossil-based as well as natural material that contribute to land degradation. Special focus has been given to innovations focusing on natural or bio-based solutions to replace conventional technologies that degrade land and deplete natural resources.

Shortlisted: Bananatex, Demetra and Gucci Off The Grid by Gucci, Grounded Indigio by Albini_Next and Stony Creek Colours

Winner: Grounded Indigio by Albini_ Next and Stony Creek Colours

The Visionary Award

This Award appreciates those who approached the broader spectrum of sustainability, recognising how all of the dimensions are interconnected, bypassing any compartmentalisation and enhancing positive side effects. The Award intends to highlight the value of a holistic approach, intended to be delivered to that protagonist of the global fashion industry who has displayed, over the years, full understanding of its many nuances, from environmental commitment to social dedication, from economical responsibility to ethical stance.

Winner: Armani

The Equity and Inclusivity Award

The Equity and Inclusivity Award seeks to award positive actions taken by key players of the fashion industry to remove prejudices and stereotypes and shorten cultural gaps, providing equal access and opportunity for all. The Award, therefore, intends to highlight the value of a Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion (DEI) strategy as a component of a business’ broader sustainability path, via dedicated strategies, programs and practices. Many aspects of anti-discrimination were considered, such as the presence of a team accountable for strategy development and a dedicated budget, to ensure the equitable advancement of each person, regardless of their ethnicity, gender, community, or preferences. Taking this into account, it was decided by the Jury not to award this Prize in the 2022 ceremony, a call to action for the industry to formalise actions, policies, and commitment to a more equitable and inclusive industry.

Giorgio Armani accepting the Visionary Award from Actor-Producer Cate Blanchett.

Photo: Courtesy of CNMI Sustainable Fashion Awards, Max Montingelli

FLORIS NO. 007

Floris London launches its exclusive fragrance in celebration of 60 years of the James Bond film anniversary

Floris London recently launched its exclusive Floris No. 007 edition at Harvey Nichols, Mall of the Emirates. Created in celebration of 60 years of the James Bond film franchise, the perfumery team at Floris have created the exclusive No. 007. The fragrance draws inspiration from the effortless style and substance of the James Bond films which have entertained audiences for generations.

A rich and spicy fragrance with amber at its base, this captivating scent is a blend of refreshing citrus and juniper notes set against a subtly smoky accord with flashes of spicy dianthus carnation and an aromatic heart created by a fusion of rose, lavender, rosemary, and geranium, underscored by the reassuring warmth of sandalwood, oakmoss and musk.

Edward Bodenham, Perfume Director, Floris London said: “We are delighted to collaborate with EON Productions to create a fragrance that celebrates 60 years of James Bond films. The perfumery team here at Floris was inspired by this exciting project and felt it was important to reflect on what the 007 and James Bond films mean to so many people, and how much they have greatly entertained our lives over the years.

Drawing on Bond’s charm and charisma, it was our desire to create a fragrance with strong character and style, with an uncompromising edge. The stunning locations of the Bond films served as a constant muse and source of inspiration to steer the composition, as did many of the ingredients used to create James Bond’s favoured martinis. Fragrance has the ability to transport your mind, and with No.007 we have strived to evoke the rich tapestry of spectacular James Bond films.”

Dr. No (1962) was the first film in the James Bond franchise. As the film begins, audiences see a single white dot appear on screen, and morph into the barrel of the gun through which Bond is seen; he shoots, and the screen is washed red.

RACING SEASON STARTS AT MEYDAN

The 21-week spectacular will attract the world’s elite jockeys, trainers, and horses

The attention of the racing world has set its sights on Meydan Racecourse as the UAE’s flagship sporting venue kicks off its 2022/2023 season. Ever since its ambitious launch in 2000, the racecourse has set the coveted standard for flat racing in the UAE and Middle East region. This is where some of the world’s best jockeys, owners, and horses, will compete over 21 high-quality race meets in a bid to enhance reputations and earn a share of the lucrative prize money. Administrated by the Dubai Racing Club (DRC), the racecourse separates itself from other major jurisdictions around the world in the fact that it stages races for both thoroughbred and purebred Arabian horses.

A new chapter of UAE racing will be written this year with the addition of several new races, jockeys, and trainers adding to the overall spectacle of racing under Meydan’s brilliant lights. Looking ahead to the new season, Sheikh Rashid bin Dalmouk Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Racing Club, said, “We are delighted to announce an enhanced program for the 2022/23 racing season in Meydan. We are also grateful for the support of our local horsemen and women, as well as our loyal racegoers, and look forward to welcoming them back to our iconic Meydan Racecourse for the first of our ‘Racing In Dubai’ meetings on November 4.”

Sheikh Rashid highlighted the progress horse racing has achieved in the UAE since its early days in the nineties.

“Dubai continues to introduce initiatives to boost the sector and revitalise the global community of horse owners, trainers, and other equestrian professionals. With its deeply rooted traditions in horse riding, racing, breeding, endurance, showing, and show jumping, Dubai continues to be the focal point for the global equestrian fraternity,” said Sheikh Rashid. With race meetings being held during the winter months in Dubai, and with perhaps only Australia in the Southern Hemisphere staging races of significance, Meydan finds itself in a very privileged position and is attractive to connections who seek year-round involvement in the sport. One of the highlights of the racing season in Dubai is the 20th edition of the Dubai World Cup Carnival, which is set to launch on Friday, 6th January.

LOW-EMISSION KICKS

The GEL-LYTE™ III CM 1.95 is the result of over 10 years’ research and development by ASICS to reduce emissions across all stages of the product lifecycle

ASICS has officially launched its GEL-LYTE III CM 1.95 sneaker. Emitting just 1.95kg CO2e across its life cycle, significantly lighter than the lowest CO2e sneakers currently available on the market, it represents a significant leap forward by ASICS in its commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

The GEL-LYTE III CM 1.95 is the result of over 10 years of research and development by ASICS, beginning when ASICS first partnered with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) back in 2010 to find a better way to accurately measure the CO2e impact across the entire life cycle of a product.

In continuing to finetune its research and reapply the findings, ASICS has been able to make hundreds of incremental gains across the four key stages of the product life cycle (Materials & Manufacturing, Transportation, Use and End-of-life), identifying all the small differences that combine to make a big impact. The result is the GEL-LYTE III CM 1.95 - achieving new levels of sustainability without compromising on quality.

Among the sneaker’s series of innovations is a new carbon negative foam, which features as part of its midsole and sockliner. Made from a fusion of bio-based polymers3 derived partly from sugarcane, these combine to deliver high-level comfort and quality in a sustainable way.

Other key design details in the shoe include the use of recycled and solution dyed polyester in the main upper material and the sockliner mesh, reflecting ASICS’ target of sourcing 100% of its polyester from recycled sources by 2030. The shoe features a new structure utilizing tape that enables less material usage, and 100% renewable energy used throughout the manufacturing phase.

The result of all these innovations and changes coming together is the GEL-LYTE III CM 1.95. The ground-breaking new sneaker is a milestone in ASICS’ long-term ambition of achieving net-zero emissions as a business by 2050, helping conserve the ability of future generations to continue experiencing the uplifting power of sport on the mind.

Yasuhito Hirota, ASICS CEO said: “ASICS has long believed in the powerful intrinsic link between sport and the mind. That’s why we’re so committed to doing our part to ensure the long-term viability of our planet. That way we can ensure that future generations can continue to experience the uplifting impact of sport on the mind.

To achieve a sound mind in a sound body, you need a sound earth to move on, after all. The road ahead maybe long but the GEL-LYTE™ III CM 1.95 is our latest statement of intent on this journey. We hope it can help inspire real positive change in the sports industry on the way to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.”

GADGETS & GIZMOS

Whether it’s a world-changing invention or reimagined antiquated tools, technology has changed the world for the better. We’ve got the top recommendations for gadgets and gear to enhance any area of your life.

The Golfather A Golf Cart You Can’t Refuse

Just like your love of the game, The Golfather is unflinching in his dedication to bring you quality golf products. The Decolt Grand Electric Cart from The Golfather changes the way you play with its revolutionary design and unparalleled performance. Outfitted with an integrated golf bag, easy-access exterior slot for your clubs, a rain hood, umbrella and its holder, and a leather score card cover, the Decolt Grand equips you for several hassle-free hours on the green. With a remote control for smooth maneuverability, a powerful battery that supports three rounds of golf or more on a single charge, and optional non-motorised operation, the Electric Cart is a dream to handle.

Jamstik Electric Guitar & Synth In One

Founded in Minneapolis, Zivix builds innovative electronic instruments and connected software to inspire, educate, and empower musicians and creative professionals. Their Jamstik Studio MIDI Guitar was built for producers, guitarists, and songwriters alike. This headless, 24 fret electric guitar with full MIDI capabilities can play over 100 custom instrument presets or create your own to play any digital instrument using the guitar format you’re familiar with.

Magmini 6-In-1 Magnetic Charge Station + Bedside Lamp

The Wonder Cube

Simplify your daily charging experience with one mini station that does it all. The MagMini 6-in-1 Wireless & Wired Charging Station is a compact and powerful charging station for all your go-to devices. It features three wireless charging spots: one magnetic floating charging stand that keeps your phone at the optimal viewing angle, an Apple Watch stand in the back, and a versatile Qi wireless charging spot at the base for your Qi-compatible earbuds. The addition of a USB port for wired charging means you can power up to 4 devices simultaneously from a single outlet without any of the clutter. This elegant, space-saving design also doubles as a bedside lamp with two brightness levels and convenient touch controls.

Como Audio Bluetooth Turntable

The Como Audio Bluetooth Turntable combines vintage aesthetic with the best of modern technology. You can stream your records wirelessly via Bluetooth or the built-in Phono stage allows wired connection to the device’s Moving Magnet Phono input, while the Line Out permits connection to a device’s Line/Aux input including powered speakers.

Sealy Smart Eye Massager

The Smart Eye Massager with Bluetooth Speaker is the ultimate solution when eye fatigue gets the best of you. Whether at home, at the office, or while travelling, this portable wearable device stimulates acupuncture points and increases blood circulation for ultimate relaxation. In addition, it also helps to enhance skin elasticity and decreases dark circles and bags under eyes.

Campfire Audio Holocene In-Ear Monitor

The Campfire Audio Holocene In-Ear Monitors has a sound that is layered with rich with inviting detail, channeling the spirit of explosive expansion humankind is experiencing in our current geological epoch. Holocene’s remarkably even and balanced frequency response curve conceals the speed and resolution of a true audiophile’s reference earphone. Holocene features a single custom-tuned driver for highs, and two independent custom-tuned drivers covering mids and lows. The drivers are combined and optimised using Campfire’s signature 3D printed acoustic chamber design. Holocene’s harmony of driver and design will elevate your listening experience, taking you on a journey through the past, present, and future of Hi-Fi.

Raptic Titan 100x Portable Solar Panel

Featuring a lightweight, compact, and rugged design, the Raptic Titan 100x Portable Solar Panel gives you a 100W of power when you’re off the grid. Perfect for travelling, backpacking, camping, and virtually everything under the sun, the Raptic Titan 100x Solar folds down into a compact size so it’s easy to take with you and store when not in use. The sturdy, integrated kickstand lets you angle the Titan Solar for optimal exposure to sunlight. This panel even has loops, allowing you to hang the solar panel for vertical exposure to sunlight.

PIXEL PORTFOLIO

From the new Pixel phones to the very first Google Pixel Watch, Google’s Pixel lineup is ready to help

Google has introduced a true portfolio of Pixel products for the first time: the new Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, and thevery first Google Pixel Watch. Every Pixel device is designed to deliver a level of personal intelligence that turns dayto day problems into truly delightful experiences. All of this is brought to life thanks to a combination of foundationaltechnologies, artificial intelligence, Android and Google Tensor.

The highly anticipated lineup includes designed Pixel phones, watches and earbuds that work together tounderstand your needs and deliver the helpfulness you expect from Google. “We believe Pixel isn’t only a phoneexperience, it’s a personal, intelligent, cohesive computing experience,” said Rick Osterloh, Senior Vice President,Devices and Services. With the expansion of the Pixel portfolio, the phone is at the center of it all. The new Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro take all the helpfulness and personal intelligence people love about Pixel, and make them evenbetter. The design is the ultimate refinement of Pixel, simplifying the parts and construction to make phones thatare sophisticated and distinct.

Underneath, they’re powered by the second-generation Google Tensor G2, the only processor that makes itpossible to bring Google’s artificial intelligence and machine learning directly to the phone. The new Pixel phonesare great for photography, with features that can sharpen your photos and shoot cinema-quality videos. Pixel CallAssist is a new suite of features that helps with everything from making calls to avoiding them. They also providefast, accurate voice assistance with Live Translate and Assistant voice typing.Pixel 7 is engineered to understand you and your world, putting Google’s personalised intelligence right in yourhand. And Pixel 7 Pro is Google’s most powerful phone. It brings serious performance, and an upgraded telephotolens, for people who want an even better zoom experience.

The new Google Pixel Watch is the first smartwatch to provide the best of Google and Fitbit, and it’s the perfectcompanion to the Pixel phones. Pixel Watch features a stylish, custom-developed 3-D coverglass that’s durableand scratch resistant, with three distinct jewellery inspired stainless steel finishes in black, silver, and gold. Wearerscan personalise the look of their watch with a variety of watch bands — active, stretch and woven, metal, andleather — along with customisable watch faces and an easily personalisable user interface. Google Pixel Watchhelps simplify your life by integrating with your favourite Google apps, to listen to music, manage your smarthome, get directions, make payments and more. Google Pixel Watch is the first WearOS device that combinesGoogle’s helpfulness with best health and fitness insights from Fitbit.

Earlier this year at I/O, Google previewed plans to build an Android tablet powered by a custom Tensor G2processor. And more recently, the tech giant shared more about their vision for making the Pixel Tablet the mosthelpful tablet whether you’re at home or on the go. For a truly unified experience, Pixel Tablet pairs with acharging Speaker Dock to keep your device fully charged. It offers a terrific audio experience, while bringing someof the best features from a smart display to your tablet. Pixel Tablet is designed to seamlessly transition from an athome display to an entertainment device you can take anywhere - making it one of the most versatile tablets thateasily adapts to you. From their design to the high-tech features, the comprehensive portfolio of devices andservices embody the best of Google.

SONOS SUB MINI

Sonos expands its home theater portfolio with a new subwoofer that delivers bold bass for smaller-sized rooms

Sonos’ wireless subwoofer sets a new standard in its category for powerful, balanced bass. Building on the award-winning designof Sub, Sub Mini delivers rich, clear low end in a more compact, cylindrical design, available in matte black and white.

“We’ve entered a more thoughtful era of streaming that prioritises quality over quantity, with creators and platforms investing inimmersive entertainment experiences that put premium sound at the forefront,” said Maxime Bouvat-Merlin, SVP for Hardware and Operations at Sonos.

“Sub Mini is a welcome addition to the Sonos family, rounding out our home theater product line-up so listeners can experiencecinema quality sound that makes them feel like the main character - or player - in their favourite content.”

On the heels of introducing two new soundbars - Beam and Ray - Sonos is expanding its home theater lineup even further withSub Mini, the brand’s new subwoofer that makes it easier than ever to supercharge your streaming experiences.

Bass without the Buzzkill: Dual custom woofers and advanced processing generate deep, dynamic lowend with no buzz or rattle, helping you feel moreimmersed in every sceneand song.Within the acoustically sealed cabinet,both woofers face inward to create a force-cancellingeffect that neutralises distortion.

Balanced Sound: Advanced digital signal processing maximises bass response and reproduces the full-toned low frequencies expected from a much larger subwoofer, allowing paired speakers like Beam, Ray, One, or One SL to focuson more mid-range andhigh frequencies for a richer,more powerful sound experience all around.

Pairs Well With…: Drum up the drama in every moviescene by pairing Beam orRay with Sub Mini, or drop iteven lower on your at-homedance floor by making SubMini your Sonos One’s plus one.

Looking Great at EveryAngle: Unlike other subwoofers, Sub Mini features a round design that allows it to blend naturallyinto your home aestheticwithout taking too much space (or attention).

Seamless Set-Up: Add Sub Mini to your Sonos system injust a few taps on the Sonos app, mixing and matchingwith different Sonos speakers to create yourperfect sound system,whether you’re hosting ahousewarming party ormovie night with friends.You can also fine tune Sub Mini’s sound with Trueplay,which detects and adapts the speaker’s sound forreflections off of walls and furniture, giving you the bestlistening experience for yourroom and setup.

LEVEL UP YOUR GOLF GAME

Discover the latest gadgets that add real value to your golf game and overall experience.

SWING ANALYSIS Arccos Golf Smart Sensors

The Arccos Golf Smart Sensors have remained among the best golf gadgets and accessories on the market for years. They require minimal setup, other than to insert them into the vent of your golf club grip.

There are 14-sensors included in a pack, which is enough for every golf club in your bag. Once the sensors are in, they feed data to the Arccos Caddie application for you to analyze your performance with every club in the bag.

One example is the strokes gained by the club feature. It tells you if you are losing or gaining strokes with a specific club. That enables you to work on those clubs the next time you are on the range.

GOLF SWING

SKLZ Golf Flex Swing Trainer

The SKLZ Golf Flex Swing Trainer is a flexible stick can boost every element of your golf swing. The SKLZ Trainer produces the sensation of lag on your downswing, requiring you to activate your core muscles to maximise rotation through impact.

Employing your core muscles forces you to adjust your body position to develop a flatter swing plane. The golf flex design encourages you to consistently swing the stick back and forth to perfect a fluid motion. Look at the stick as a metronome as you take it back and swing it through.

SHORT GAME PRACTICE Callaway Chip-Shot Net

When you think of the latest golf gadgets, a simple chipping net may not be high on the list, but it should be. The Callaway Chip-Shot Net enables you to work on your distance control and accuracy in and outdoors.

This simple yet affordable gadget will improve your up and down record. Three holes line the 25x25-inch netting, running from the top to the bottom. Pick a hole and dry slam dunk the ball to show your distance control with a wedge. Alternatively, you can set the net up to pitch the ball into the hole on the bounce. Callaway constructed the net for compatibility with actual golf balls and foam designs.

ALL-IN-ONE TOOL Victorinox Swiss Army Golf Tool

The Victorinox Swiss Army Golf Tool may not directly improve your game, but golfers will appreciate the versatile and handy design that will keep you prepped on and off the course.

The tool’s ten functions includes a ball marker, divot repair, or groove cleaner. In addition, it features a tee punch, nail file, blade, scissors, bottle opener, and tweezers. It makes your life easier in various circumstances, so it is worthwhile storing in your bag. Plus, there is a screwdriver if a screw loosens on your golf cart, bag, or clubs.

GOLF BALL CLEANER Clean Flight Golf Ball Washer

The Clean Flight Golf Ball Washer is portable and can fit in the cup holder on a cart, or clip it to your golf bag. Simply remove the cap and add detergent, place your ball in the allocated slot, and move it up and down. After a few seconds, remove your ball and inspect its condition. If it is sparkling, dry it with a cloth, and it is ready to use. Should dirt or mud remain on the cover, clean it again. Once your ball is sparkling, it reduces the risk of deviating offline on a putt or catching the wind and losing carry distance.

RANGE FINDER Callaway 300 Pro

The Callaway 300 Pro offers superior range and accuracy, measuring up to 1000 yards and is accurate to the nearest yard. Plus, slope mode enables the device to provide plays like distance. It is equipped with 6x magnification to produce crystal clear optics and reduce the lead time for a read. Plus, Pin Acquisition Technology enables the model to lock onto the flagstick from 300-yards out. This device is rain and fogproof to ensure optimal performance in any condition. A clever magnet enables you to attach it to the frame of your cart for ease of use.

GOLF ORGANISER

Athletico Golf Trunk Organiser

There is only so much a golf bag can hold, meaning golfers need to be selective about what and how much they carry. The Athletico Golf Trunk Organiser is ideal for leaving in your vehicle in case you need to top up on supplies from game to game.

It provides ample storage space to keep your apparel, headwear, golf balls, tees, and pens. If you are running low on balls or tees, you’ll be happy to have them with you on the go. Alternatively, you can place it in the storage basket of your cart to have everything nearby.

ESCAPE TO LISBON,PORTUGAL

One of Europe’s most atmospheric and beautiful cities

Europe’s second oldest capital, Lisbon is an effortlessly elegant city, full of old-world charm.

Portugal‘s capital was originally named Allis Ubbo by the Phoenicians, meaning ‘calm harbour’, thanks to its idyllic location on the banks of the Tagus River. The city subsequently fell under the rule of the Romans and the Moors before eventually being captured by European crusaders.

Each ruling dynasty left their mark and Lisbon’s neighbourhoods have their own unique character, from the grand 18th-century buildings of the lower town to the labyrinth-like streets of the oldest district, Alfama, that sits at the base of the Moorish Castelo de São Jorge. Rebuilt after the earthquake and tsunami of 1755, much of that historic era of reconstruction remains.

Today, Lisbon continues to expand along the banks of the River Tagus, towards the Costa Caparica heading for the Atlantic.

Winding your way through the city, you’ll pass rows of houses in warm shades of orange, yellow and rust red. Washing is strung from wrought iron balconies and window boxes overflow with flowers. Weaving their way through this pretty patchwork are the city’s trams, the favoured mode of transport of Lisbonites and a great way to hop between the different districts.

Lisbon has plenty to offer, with a plethora of museums and galleries as well as beautiful buildings covered in iconic azelujo tiles.

The city is built on seven hills, each one offering spectacular views over the city and the River Tajo. It is also known for its lively restaurant scene and there are plenty of places to stop, sip a coffee and savour a Portuguese custard tart while watching the world go by.

What to do

River Tagus

As this wide river, flowing into the Atlantic, was the source of Lisbon’s wealth from fishing and trade it makes sense to begin with a stroll along the bank of the Tagus.

Numerous bars, cafes and restaurant provide resting places to take a break and watch the river traffic.

Lisbon Heritage Hotels

As Janelas Verdes is an 18th century townhouse and was once the home of famous writer Eça de Queiróz. It is one of five Lisbon Heritage Hotels. This 29 bedroom boutique hotel is located between the chic neighbourhood of Lapa and the design district of Santos, giving spectacular views over the River Tagus. The hotel is located on Rua das Janelas Verdes, a characteristic street of Lisbon, a place with antique palaces, churches and convents converted today.

Historic Districts

Alfama and Bairro Alto are two historic areas, both clinging to the sides of the steep hillside rising from the river. They both epitomise Old Lisbon. Walking tours are the best way to learn the secrets of these two charming neighbourhoods.

Cobbled twisting narrow seats almost pedestrianise these two regions of Lisbon, cars are rare. Cafes and restaurants spill over onto the cobbles.

Museums

Lisbon displays a wealth of art in its numerous museums, from a museum of antiquities through to the museum focusing on contemporary art.

Undoubtedly, the Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology (MAAT) at Belem has the most spectacular construction. Sinuous white curves arise from the river bank to cradle its contemporary exhibits.

Belem

Taking the train from the Cais do Sodre station not only takes travellers to MAAT, Belem is also the rail station for the Monument to the Discoverers.

It is a favourite escape from the city at weekends for Lisbon folk. Bikers, walkers and skateboarders can take in views of the 25th April Bridge, that celebrates the revolution that overthrow dictatorship in 1976. They can also look across the river to the towering monument to Christ.

Belem celebrates Portugal’s golden age of exploration. In the 15th and 16th centuries, Portuguese caravels sailed east, west, north and south. A globe, represented in the floor tiles, records the historic voyages of these brave explorers at a time when many still believed that the world was flat.

Costa Caparica

Get back on the train at Belem and head west for a few stops. One option is to alight at Estoril, a wellto-do seaside resort that hosts both a casino and grand prix.

It is only a 40-minute stroll, west along the promenade, to another stylish resort. Cascais has a beach, harbour, numerous restaurants, and a fascinating lighthouse museum.

Fado

Late at night, throughout Lisbon, the lights are dimmed, and it is time for fado. The fadistas sing of times of trouble and woe. Fado is Portugal’s take on the blues, the songs for when people have had a hard day, a hard life.

At Ofai, a fado restaurant in Bairro Alto, sad songs have been sung since the restaurant opened in 1947. Usually there are three sets, where acoustic guitarists accompany the singers, whilst fado is sung.

Lisboa Social Press

Lisboa Social Press is run by Tom and Jilly, two English artists now working from their Lisbon studio.

They offer regular workshops where visitors can drop in to develop their creativity and artistic skills.

One workshop shows guests how to develop linocuts, in the tradition of the Azulejo tiles, to print onto cards and postcards.

PLACES TO PLAY

Discover these top-ranking golf courses to plan the ultimate getaway

TARA ITI Mangawhai, New Zealand

ROYAL COUNTY DOWN (CHAMPIONSHIP) Newcastle, Northern Ireland

Royal County Down is located in one of the world’s most naturally beautiful links settings in the Murlough Nature Reserve. On a clear spring day, with Dundrum Bay to the east, the Mountains of Mourne to the south and gorse-covered dunes in golden bloom, there is no lovelier place in golf. The design is attributed to Old Tom Morris but was refined by half a dozen architects in the past 120 years, most recently by Donald Steel.

Though the greens are surprisingly flat, as if to compensate for the rugged terrain and numerous blind shots, bunkers are a definite highlight, most with arched eyebrows of dense marram grasses and impenetrable clumps of heather.

Built by American designer Tom Doak from what had been a pine-covered Sahara along the eastern coast of New Zealand’s North Island, it’s far more links-like than the country’s other coastal courses, most of which are on rock. Design associate Brian Slawnik spent more than two years gently resculpting the sandy soil into hummocks, punchbowls and sand dunes that look like they were formed by wind and vegetated by nature. There’s lots of sand but no bunkers.

Golfers may ground the club anywhere. With holes inspired by Cypress Point, Royal Dornoch and Royal St. George’s, and views everywhere of the Hauraki Gulf, this might be New Zealand’s answer to Pebble Beach’s Carmel Bay. The greatest meeting of land and sea is clearly up for debate.

ROYAL DORNOCH (CHAMPIONSHIP) Scotland

Herbert Warren Wind called it the most natural course in the world. Tom Watson called it the most fun he’d had playing golf. Donald Ross called it his home, having been born in the village and learned the game on the links. Tucked in an arc of dunes along the North Sea shoreline, Dornoch’s greens, some by Old Tom Morris, others by John Sutherland or 1920 Open champion George Duncan, sit mostly on plateaus and don’t really favour bounce-and-run golf. That’s the challenge: hitting those greens in a Dornoch wind.

ROYAL MELBOURNE (WEST) Black Rock, Australia

Alister MacKenzie’s 1926 routing fits snuggly into the contours of the rolling sandbelt land. His greens are miniature versions of the surrounding topography.

His crisp bunkering, with vertical edges, a foot or taller, chew into fairways and putting surfaces. Most holes are doglegs, so distance means nothing and angle into the pin is everything.

For championships, holes 8 and 9 and 13 through 16 are skipped in favor of six from the East Course, which is ranked 19th. That “composite course” was once ranked among the best in the world by several publications.

HIRONO

Hyogo, Japan

This is undoubtedly the finest design of globetrotting C.H. Alison, longtime partner of H.S. Colt. He laid out Hirono in the early 1930s in a hilly pine forest slashed by gulleys, clearing wide corridors and positioning greens on the crests of ridges.

What makes Hirono special was Alison’s spectacular bunkering, which ranged from diagonal cross bunkers, fearsome carry bunkers and strings of ragged-edged ones. Soon after completion, writers were calling Hirono the Pine Valley of Japan. The restorative work by Tom Mackenzie and Martin Ebert has sharpened the teeth of Alison’s bunkering and restored the lost tees of the par-3 13th, making the hole play once again at an angle to the fronting lake rather than directly across it.

MORFONTAINE

France

A timeless 1927 design north of Paris by British architect Tom Simpson, Morfontaine looks suspiciously like a heathland course around London, with windswept Scotch pines and clumps of heather atop a base of sand.

But it’s tighter than Sunningdale or St. George’s Hill, and the forest surrounding holes is far denser.

Thirteen years ago, American architect Kyle Phillips updated the layout in 2004, adding a new 12th green to extend the par 5 by 60 yards. It fits in perfectly.

Live your moments in Ras Al Khaimah

A hidden gem in the UAE, Ras Al Khaimah is just a 45 minute drive from Dubai. Home to world class hotels and set against a breathtaking nature, Ras Al Khaimah is renowned for its spectacular mountains, terracotta desert and clear coastline.

Ras Al Khaimah offers more attractions, activities and scenery than you would ever believe possible. All year round, there’s plenty to experience – from a relaxation by the beach to action packed water sports and the world’s longest zipline.

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