Latitude Magazine -- Issue 23

A MILESTONE MOMENT

Welcome to a new issue of Latitude, whose timing coincides with the greatest football championship on the planet. Excitement has been building for years as the clock ticked ever forward to this incredible moment. As we find out in this issue, however, this massive international event, and the spotlight now shining on Qatar, is about more than football matches; it is about building a future beyond the game and inspiring the world through the country’s pioneering approach to sport, heritage, culture, education, lifestyle and more.

Knowing that the country is flourishing in terms of new openings, from events and exhibitions to beaches and restaurants, we dedicate this issue’s travel section to act as your guide, presenting seven ideas to explore in seven days, in what will be a week full of wonders. In other features we explore the country’s wealth of cultural happenings, including a must-see exhibition on the world of football.

Elsewhere, our fashion pages are filled with exclusive interviews that take you inside the worlds of Kiton and Oscar de la Renta, as well as the freshest ideas for styling your way through the coming season. We also have news on incredible new watches and jewellery from leading international names, which will surely top your wish-list for gifting to others or yourself. Don’t miss our technology highlights this issue, especially news of where to catch Hisense out and about throughout the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ for an interactive experience that is considered the perfect match. And, wherever you are, enjoy the experience of Qatar’s well-deserved time to shine.

Published by CITY NEWS PRIVILEGE ON BEHALF OF DARWISH RETAIL P.O. BOX 615 DOHA - QATAR

HELEN ASSAF ArAbic editor SAMAR MAATOUK MediA MAnAger ROLDY ARROUK MediA coordinAtor SAHAR HAMMOUD / FAWZIA ALIEH Art director LAYLA NAAMANI corPorAte PhotogrAPher RAYMOND IBRAHIM

execution JAD ASSAF / KAMAL NEHDI / DANUSHKE MIGUEL / SARA JOUDY / DINA MANSOUR

DIRECTOR

Proudly Kiton

Antonio de Matteis, CEO of Kiton and Menswear Creative Director, offers insights into the family business and how quality continues to power its success.

Your uncle, Ciro Paone, founded the business and you worked alongside him. What are the most important lessons you learned from him?

Ciro Paone was my mentor, for which I consider myself really lucky. He was the person who inculcated me with an unwavering obsession with quality. “I have never compromised on quality,” he would always say. The term ‘quality’ did not just refer to Kiton products but embraced a broader concept of the work ethic: a sense of responsibility, respect and affection for employees, the importance of quality in all procedures and providing the end user – the customer – with an excellent service. These virtues were engrained in my uncle’s DNA and he undoubtedly succeeded in transferring them to his company.

Kiton is still a family business, which is a rare occurrence in today’s fashion world. How has it managed to remain so and what are your hopes for the future in this regard?

Kiton is still a proud family-owned business. Credit for this should unquestionably go to the visionary farsightedness of our founder who realised that the secret of ensuring that the members of the same family could work in harmony lies in identifying the specific skills of individuals and assigning them specific functions. Maria Giovanna Paone, the eldest daughter of my uncle Ciro Paone, is president of the Kiton group and creative director of Kiton’s womenswear, known as ‘Linea Donna’. Her sister Raffaella is head of Human Resources. I am the CEO and the Creative Director of Kiton menswear, known as Linea Uomo. My cousin Antonio is president of our American company Kiton Corp, while Silverio, the youngest of the five cousins, is director of Kiton Production. Each of us has our own specific function. We sometimes have heated arguments like all the best families, but the decisions are always taken collectively. In other words, the secret of enabling a family firm to thrive and prosper is always to row in the same direction.

What is your take on ethical consumerism and the growing backlash against fast fashion – are we as a world any closer to realising the importance and appreciating the value of craftsmanship, quality and the origin of what we buy?

The world has become increasingly divided into two large blocks of consumers. The origins of this split are undoubtedly economic in nature, but they are also based on an ethical premise. Those who display a sensitivity

ANTONIO DE MATTEIS, CEO OF KITON AND MENSWEAR CREATIVE

towards environmental and social sustainability (the impact on the environment, but also the conditions of workers) tend to choose quality products that retain a high value over time and can be handed down to subsequent generations. Kiton belongs by its very nature and vocation to this world.

You once said: "The Kiton client buys the product for himself, not for others to notice it." Can you elaborate on this?

I can wholeheartedly confirm this statement! The Kiton client is not keen on ostentation, and has no need to display social status through the possession of an object or by wearing a specific item of clothing. Our clients are like collectors. They purchase and dress in Kiton clothing to assert, with silent pride, their membership of an elite group of philosophers of timeless elegance.

Under the leadership of your cousin Maria Giovanna Paone, Kiton womenswear has received excellent reviews for its recent collections. How does womenswear fit into Kiton’s business strategy in the coming years?

My cousin Maria Giovanna is doing extraordinary work with Kiton womenswear. In this case too, as I mentioned at the beginning, it is an example of teamwork based on a shared strategy. Our aim is to develop the womenswear collection from both a stylistic and distributional perspective and to expand it until it contributes to 50% of the brand’s overall turnover. Admittedly this is an ambitious aim but we remain confident of succeeding. All the relocations and new openings are stores which will feature both the menswear and womenswear collections.

Who is the typical Kiton womenswear customer?

Kiton womenswear reaches out to independent women with class, strong personalities and a keen understanding of the tradition of high-quality tailoring who wear Kiton garments as a self-referential cuddle in the name of tactile, visual hedonism. They are women who like to feel sensual in an elegant atmosphere that never descends into vulgarity.

KNT (Kiton New Textures) was co-founded by your sons Walter and Mariano. What does the fact that Kiton is now in its third generation mean to you personally?

KNT is a project that began almost as a whim way back in 2016. The aim was to develop a project that would bring innovation and experimentation to raw materials: based on constant research into fabrics, we wanted to transfer precious Kiton fabrics to the world of sneakers. After two years of experimentation, we achieved excellent results and in 2018 we launched the first collection designed for a different kind of clientele. The stylistic approach was entrusted to my two sons Mariano and Walter, who have managed to interpret our ideas using new languages and forms, grasping the opportunities of a new market. The running of KNT represents once again a shining example of the teachings of my uncle Ciro Paone: the third generation has gradually entered the company with specific roles. Six people are currently working on the project: as well as my two sons, the people involved include Martina and Ulderico Klain – the children of Maria Giovanna – and Raffaella’s two daughters –Adelaide and Margherita Alfano.

What is the essence of KNT and who is it aimed at?

KNT aims to bring Kiton to a new clientele imbued with a freer spirit and a more relaxed dress sense. KNT is designed for modern globetrotters who adore exploring new places, discovering new cultures, packing their lives into a suitcase and setting off on their travels. KNT customers are dreamers and their lives oscillate between dynamism and relaxation, design and comfort.

How important is Qatar as a market to Kiton and what are the values shared between the brand and its customers here?

Qatar is an important market because it caters for a local clientele. The experience of the pandemic has taught us the importance of being able to count on a strong local market that loves the quality of our products and service - values that underlie the Kiton philosophy. We are convinced that we will achieve great success in Qatar thanks to the extraordinary contribution of our partners, Fifty One East.

How do you see the future for Kiton?

We have a radiant future ahead of us.

* Discover Kiton and KNT at Fifty One East, Lagoona Mall.

KITON WOMENSWEAR

KITON MENSWEAR

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: PHOTOS FROM THE ARCHIVES OF KITON, WHICH WAS FOUNDED IN 1968 IN ARZANO, NEAR NAPLES, BY CIRO PAONE.

LEFT: CIRO PAONE (CENTRE), WHO SADLY PASSED AWAY IN 2021, SEEN WITH HIS GRANDCHILDREN, MARTINA AND ULDERICO KLAIN, AND ADELAIDE AND MARGHERITA ALFANO.

The art of making a connection

A recent Oscar de la Renta pop-up at Fifty One East was graced with the presence of the label’s co-creative directors, Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia, who happily sat down for an interview with Latitude to share more on their collaboration and the importance of making the trip to Qatar.

You both had experience of working at Oscar de la Renta before launching your own brand. What were your feelings when you were approached to return to Oscar de la Renta as co-creative directors?

It felt like coming home. Oscar was truly our first teacher, so although coming back to the house was a huge responsibility and one that seemed at times daunting, we had already learned the language Oscar taught us and were excited to fuse its native tongue with our own personal dialect.

It’s been five years since your debut collection for Oscar de la Renta. What are your thoughts looking back on these five years and how have they shaped what is still to come?

These five years have been some of our most formative years as designers. We are constantly learning and evolving as creative beings and are proud of every collection we have executed—as the creation process for each collection is a learning experience which we intentionally try to use as a steppingstone for the next.

Can you describe your working relationship?

We are extremely collaborative and trusting of one another’s strengths and are able to leverage this to optimise our efficiency and design story, as well as maintain a flourishing work environment.

You are both judges for the Fashion Trust Arabia Awards. How did you get involved with this?

Oscar de la Renta has a thriving client base in the Middle East. We also admire the style culture, so when we were asked to be on the judging panel for the Fashion Trust Arabia Awards, we instantly knew it would be a fruitful experience for us!

Leading up to your first trip to Qatar, what were you most looking forward to?

Anytime you can be immersed in a culture outside of your own is an opportunity to deepen your understanding

of the world and your place within it. We were looking forward to exploring Qatar and the incredible culture, as well as being judges for Fashion Trust Arabia and seeing all of the exceptional talent. We were also extremely excited to launch our two-week pop-up with Fifty One East. We feel so lucky to be able to meet clients and style pioneers in the region and walk them through our collection at the pop-up opening!

Can you tell us more about the pop-up concept Oscar de la Renta brought to Fifty One East for this occasion?

Since we have an established client base throughout the Middle East, it was important for us to think of ways in which we can speak to our community here. This pop-up allows our community to explore the collection in person and see the artistry behind each design. Travelling to Qatar and hosting the launch of the pop-up also aids in deepening our connection with and understanding of our clients in Qatar.

Can you walk us through the Oscar de la Renta collection currently in store.

The Pre-Spring 2023 Collection is a celebration of botanical gardens around the world and the study of horticulture. The collection prints strategically incorporate a collection of flowers, most notably the passionflower, poppy, courgette flower and hydrangea. The prints also feature fungi, as well as a range of vegetables and fruits, such as pumpkin, fig, passion fruit, string beans and kumquat. We explored design techniques and fabrics such as laser-cut floral quilted fabric, crochet with embroidered florals and botanical forest fil coupé.

* Explore the Oscar de la Renta collection at Fifty One East, Lagoona Mall.

GEORGES HOBEIKA

Every shade under the sun can put you in the spotlight this season as designers opt for glamour in glorious hues.

Striking colours dominate the Spring/Summer Readyto-Wear collections from leading fashion designers, with each bringing their unique inspiration to life on the runway. Many of them pay homage to nature this season: Jenny Packham took her palette inspiration from an impending trip to Africa and its intense sunrise and sunset, while Carolina Herrera has created a “garden of visual delights” with a kaleidoscope of floral prints that exude joy, and Monique Lhuillier has conjured designs whose colours and prints pop with vibrance against a Venice sunset. Ruffles mimicking the grace of flowers bring gowns in sumptuous shades to life at Tony Ward and Naeem Khan. At Marchesa, classic glamour takes on a resolutely modern feel in an intense shade of green. Myriad eras are channelled by Georges and Jad Hobeika to dream up modern silhouettes, while Azzi & Osta delve into decades past to create their own forward-thinking take on luxury and glamour, resulting in designs that could be worn to “the ultimate party”.

* Explore this season's evening wear at Fifty One East, Lagoona Mall.

NAEEM KHAN

TONY WARD

MARCHESA

JENNY PACKHAM

CAROLINA HERRERA

Chapter One of an Artful Approach

New brand Objects IV Life delivers wardrobe essentials with a difference.

“An endless assembly of research, inquiry and exploration” is how new brand Objects IV Life is described by its co-founders, artist Daniel Arsham and Stefano Martinetto, CEO and co-founder of Tomorrow. Or, put another way, Objects IV Life is a brand as seen through the eyes of an artist and with the artist’s role of seeing the world differently at its heart. As such, the brand is setting out on a mission to do things better, building an offering of foundation pieces that are, as the name suggests, crafted for life, both in terms of their functionality and longevity.

Arsham is already well known in the fashion world, having become a highly sought-after collaborator with leading brands and luxury labels, including several for the LVMH Group, for whom he has brought his creative touch to collections by Dior and Moynat among others. In Chapter

One, Objects IV Life’s first collection since launching, Arsham delivers his take on denim, repurposing classic denim archetypes as contemporary workwear with updated functionality for the contemporary world. Consciously rejecting the notion of fashion seasonality and emphasising the concept of sustainability, Chapter One’s denim used technical innovations to transform dead-stock materials from the past that are designed to last well into the future. Quality is taken seriously, naturally, with all garments made in Portugal and Los Angeles, and custom hardware sourced from Italy. The duo behind the label are keen to emphasise that subsequent creations will build on the knowledge gained from each chapter before them. Meanwhile, what is offered by the brand is a tangible manifesto for change toward a more positive future, with its consumers being invited to be the vehicles for that change.

* Visit the Maria Luisa Corner at Fifty One East, Lagoona Mall to browse the Objects IV Life collection.

Daniel Arsham Photo credit Guillaume Ziccarelli

DREAM DESIGNS

Luxury craftsmanship reigns at Keti Chkhikvadze.

Although Georgian by birth and now living in the world’s fashion capital Paris, Keti Chkhikvadze often designs with Qatari women in mind. “They are very sophisticated and appreciate mostly very precious clothing, made with sumptuous fabrics and lavish decorations, such as embroideries with jewels,” she says, adding that she always considers their taste and needs, with some parts of her collections made specifically for them.

This deep appreciation and understanding of luxury is what Qatari women share with the typical Keti Chkhikvadze woman, who is also described as “elegant and stylish”. For her newest collection for Spring/Summer 2023, Chkhikvadze has dreamed up a highly feminine selection of designs with an accent on the silhouette, particularly on the waist, through a choice of exceptionally light fabrics. Dream is the key word here, with the designer admitting that her limitless creativity leads to her even coming up with ideas when asleep.

Additional elements like flowers, embroidered gems, and accented broad shoulders imbue this collection with an even more precious air. Flowers are handmade, an important detail for Chkhikvadze, who ensures that every collection blends modern clothing technologies with the human touch. For this season, these floral adornments also convey the personality of the wearer, a woman who shares joy with those around her, just like a flowery scent.

* Visit the Maria Luisa Corner at Fifty One East, Lagoona Mall to browse the Keti Chkhikvadze collection.

Photographer: Ksenia Usacheva

Model: Elena Melnik

Keti Chkhikvadze

Photographer: Ksenia Usacheva

Model: Elena Melnik

The Genius Touch

The name Versace needs no introduction, having set the fashion industry alight since the Italian couture label’s origins in the 1970s. By the late 1980s, Versace Jeans Couture was born, with its name signifying the brand’s DNA: a clash of jeans and couture. Today, this label continues to be the meeting point between high fashion and streetwear, speaking to new digital-born generations through innovative approaches that deliver an unexpected twist on the fashion house’s codes and history.

For Autumn/Winter 2022, the collection pays homage to the alternative youth culture of the 1990s, fusing two much-loved subcultures of cyber and grunge. A palette of dark and rusty tones pervades the collection, amping the

vintage feel. On denim this is expressed through distressed and patchworked creations with dark wash, rinsed indigo and faded black finishes. Prints are a key aesthetic this season, roaming from retro stained baroque patterns to sci-fi influenced galactic visual stories. Cut-out details, exaggerated sleeves, mesh garments, colour blocking, and graphic argyle knits in mohair are among the delights making a return from the 1990s, while artist Reza Hasni brings the future into focus with a capsule of graphics across t-shirts and sweats for men and women. There is everything here to ensure that Versace Jeans Couture hits the perfect note with its core audience of new luxury customers: young and dynamic people around the world who appreciate that today’s runway can be found on the streets.

Versace Jeans Couture brings luxury to the streets.

* Discover the Versace Jeans Couture collection at Fifty One East, Lagoona Mall.

Latitude checks out this season's freshest looks and must-have items available at Fifty One East, Shoes & Bags, and Decode.

This season there's a wealth of ways to express your personality through your choice of colour palette, creative flourishes, and luxuriously comfortable tailoring.

Jennifer Chamandi

Khoon Hooi

Mame Kurogouchi

AZZI & OSTA

Lalage Beaumont

Weinsanto

Jennifer Chamandi

Rodo

Rokh Our Top Pick Paco Rabanne Biyan

Sì Rossi

LoveShackFancy

Tony Ward

SANKUANZ

Koché

Courrèges

MM6 Maison Margiela

For Him

Brioni

Off-White Y-3

Tony Ward

Koché

Our Top Pick Moreschi

GmbH

Koché

Tony Ward

Kusikohc

Noya

JUUN.J

For Kids

Elie Saab Junior

Moschino

Balloon Chic

Roberto Cavalli

Our Top Pick Balmain

Moschino

Balmain

Copyright Melodie McDaniel

Vanessa Paradis

Tilda Swinton

LET’S MEET IN MONTE-CARLO

CHANEL heads to Monaco for its Cruise 2022/23 collection.

For many, Monte-Carlo is synonymous with luxury and glamour. For CHANEL, however, the location at the heart of the Monaco principality means so much more. “To me, Monaco is a matter of feelings above all,” creative director Virginie Viard explains of the decision to hold a show there at its famed Beach Hotel, a short distance from where former creative director Karl Lagerfeld once had a villa, La Vigie. Viard recalls the beautiful moments she spent with Lagerfeld there, as well as the first time she saw the ever elegant Princess Caroline of Monaco on the beach. All these memories of icons in a legendary location inspire the CHANEL Cruise 2022/23 collection, with white high collars on long shirt-dresses appearing in an affectionate

* The CHANEL boutique can be found at Lagoona Mall.

nod to Lagerfeld, black satin shoes referencing the MonteCarlo ballet, and bags shaped like tennis racquets paying homage to the principality’s sporting ties. The latter is alluded to further in promotional trailers directed by Sofia and Roman Coppola, featuring girls enjoying boat trips, bathing in the sea or motor sports. The sporty atmosphere of the collection is complemented by jumpsuits in silk and tweed, as well as starry elegance such as sequinned attire for evening. This is a collection designed to take you anywhere in the world, but with its glamour and joie de vivre firmly rooted in CHANEL’s personal ode to Monaco. As Viard says, “Monaco is inherent to the history of CHANEL. We have lived so many happy moments there.”

ETERNAL BEAUTY

Brioni crafts elegance inspired by its native Rome.

Known as the eternal city, Rome exudes not only millennia of history but a certain mindset among its inhabitants: an awareness that nothing is really permanent and yet everything remains. This sense of detachment, lightness and playfulness toward life inspires Brioni, the quintessential Roman House, this season, ushering in a collection that has a softness of tailoring and a relaxed approach to formality. The atmosphere of lightness is conveyed through a summery palette of tones, all inspired by Brioni’s admiration for Rome’s artistic and natural heritage. Fabrics such as washed silk, seersucker, extremely light wools and linen are also carefully selected for their quality and ease of wear.

For women, this season Brioni has crafted unlined, light pieces whose inspiration is rooted in men’s tailoring but then given extended lengths that exude flow and grace. As with the men’s collection, this is exquisitely tailored apparel, built upon Brioni’s own soft take on tailoring, which in its own words “hides perfection and preciousness under a mantle of ease”. This is apparel designed to make sartorial elegance appear effortless, and with an outfit for every occasion. Notably, as carriers of the Brioni name, these garments are also crafted with a sense of permanence, not for one season but for life and for those seeking eternal beauty.

* Discover the Brioni collection at Fifty One East, Lagoona Mall.

Clarks Craftdean Cap in black leather

Almost 200 years have passed since brothers James and Cyrus Clark first broke new ground in the field of shoemaking in rural England when they created a slipper from sheepskin off-cuts.

Today, Clarks is a name synonymous with expertly crafted, stylish and versatile footwear for every member of the family and any occasion, with collections perfectly combining form, function and contemporary design.

Clarks remains headquartered in Somerset, UK, where its archive pays tribute to the thousands of shoe prototypes that have been created at its factory year on year, including the original, iconic Clarks desert boot.

Decades on, the brand continues to build on this rich legacy of craftsmanship, while also pioneering new innovations and championing changing ways of working, such as ensuring its premium leathers are responsibly sourced and introducing ground-breaking flex, waterproof tech, ultra-grip shock-absorbing soles and super-lightweight cushioning into its footwear.

*

The new Autumn/Winter 2022 collections include an eye-catching array of footwear to suit all tastes and lifestyles, from sturdy hiking boots and biker-inspired options to smart, slim-line brogues in premium leather and high-performance trainers.

Women will love the elegant and refined dress shoes in timeless silhouettes that allow wearers to move effortlessly from day to evening in total comfort and style, thanks to their luxe, plush cushioning.

There are plenty of clever features incorporated into the children’s footwear collections too, such as grippy rubber soles on boots to prevent slips and falls, and breathable linings for warmth and comfort. The younger members of the family haven’t been forgotten when it comes to smart options either, with mini-me brogues available for special occasions.

Above left: Clarks Craft Run Tor in mauve combi for women

Above right: Clarks Rex Hop for kids in black leather

Visit the Clarks store at Lagoona Mall.

SILKY SMOOTH

Koishimaru might not be a word familiar to most of us, but to those who appreciate fine fabrics they will know it as the rarest and most prized of silks. Native to Japan, this silk is often referred to as “precious treasure” and was once reserved only for the Imperial family. Its special power, said to have made the hands of Japanese silk weavers so beautiful, is the inspiration behind SENSAI skincare. Combining this silk’s precious secret with advanced skincare technologies, SENSAI creates skincare that helps everyone discover the utmost beauty of their skin. Importantly for SENSAI, each of us has a beauty that is uniquely our own, influenced not only by our innate nature but by the life we lead. SENSAI respects this individuality, believing in personalised skincare recommendations.

The brand also advocates a unique skincare ritual called “Saho”, consisting of following a skincare routine in the correct order every day for optimum and immaculate results. The SENSAI Comforting Barrier Mask, for example, should come at the end of a daily skincare routine. The mask’s creamy texture easily melts into skin, easing any dryness, redness or roughness to leave skin feeling supple, soft and resilient, akin to silk.

Representing the sense and the science of Japan, SENSAI also has a full make-up range that supports its mission of helping women discover their utmost beauty. Each product is formulated to deliver an experience that is nurturing and results-oriented. The Lash Lengthener mascara, for example, is crafted with a “Smooth Stretching Formula” that lengthens lashes for a finish that is exquisite from every angle.

* Discover the world of SENSAI at Fifty One East, Lagoona Mall.

SENSAI helps you discover your utmost beauty.

Top and above: SENSAI Lash Lengthener mascara

SENSAI Comforting Barrier Mask

A MOMENT FOR THE WORLD!

THE REFERENCE AMONG DIVERS’ WATCHES

The Oyster Perpetual Submariner and Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date, archetypes of the divers’ watch, epitomize the historic link between Rolex and underwater exploration.

The Submariner, created in 1953 for pioneers of underwater exploration, and the Submariner Date, launched in 1969, are universal symbols of

and reliability. With their rotatable bezels to accurately monitor dive time, they are among the most recognizable, iconic watches ever designed.

Launched in 1953, the Submariner was the first divers’ wristwatch waterproof to a depth of 100 metres (330 feet). The Submariner Date, with its date function in addition to the time, was introduced in 1969. The waterproofness of both models was later increased to 300 metres (1,000 feet). Thanks to their renowned robustness, they have moved beyond the marine depths, becoming watches of choice for a wide range of sports and other activities.

A TRUE DIVERS’ WATCH BY DESIGN

As an underwater survival tool, the Submariner’s design has been entirely dictated by the practical needs of divers. The model has evolved technically and been endowed with features to improve overall functionality.

Featuring a 41 mm Oyster case, distinctive dial with large luminescent hour markers and hands, unidirectional rotatable bezel and Oyster bracelet, the Submariner and Submariner Date are among the most recognizable watches ever designed. Contributing to the strong visual identity, a graduated Cerachrom bezel insert made from hightech ceramic is key to their functionality. Its 60-minute graduation allows a diver to monitor diving time accurately.

RELIABILITY, ROBUSTNESS AND FUNCTIONALITY

The Submariner and Submariner Date’s Oyster case is guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 300 metres (1,000 feet). The Triplock winding crown – fitted with a triple waterproofness system – screws down securely against the case, providing increased water resistance.

Designed to be both robust and comfortable, the Oyster bracelet is equipped with an Oysterlock safety clasp, which prevents accidental opening, and a Rolex Glidelock extension system, allowing fine adjustment of the bracelet length without using any tools.

The Submariner and Submariner Date are equipped with calibre 3230 and calibre 3235 respectively, selfwinding mechanical movements entirely developed

and manufactured by Rolex. Their architecture, manufacturing and innovative features make them singularly precise and reliable. Both movements’ power reserve extends to approximately 70 hours.

SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER CERTIFICATION

Like all Rolex timepieces, watches in the Submariner range are covered by the Superlative Chronometer certification. This designation testifies that every watch has successfully undergone a series of tests conducted by Rolex in its own laboratories. The Superlative Chronometer status is symbolized by a green seal and is coupled with an international five-year guarantee.

A KEY TO THE DEEP

The Submariner was created specifically for underwater exploration and diving. When it first came out of the Rolex workshops, the watch was an immediate success with many pioneering deep-sea professionals, who were asked to test it. One of those trailblazers was Dimitri Rebikoff, a French engineer and underwater photographer. In his 1953 report, Rebikoff wrote that it had performed outstandingly well in trials: “We are able to confirm that this watch has not only given entire satisfaction in diving conditions which were extremely tough and particularly murderous for the material used, but that it has proved an indispensable accessory for all diving with independent equipment.”

Watches in the Submariner range are symbols of reliability and among the most recognizable timepieces ever designed.

Here comes the sun

It’s incredible to think that the Serpent Bohème collection was first launched as long ago as 1968. Yet, it is precisely this ability to transcend time that propelled it to one of the Maison’s iconic pieces. Now, in 2022, a new chapter is being written in the illustrious history of this range of jewellery, with a new identity known as Solarité. The emblematic codes - the diamond-studded droplet, and its honeycomb latticework or embossed gold – are still here, but now reimagined with a daring vision that emanates

infinite radiance. Size and scale come to the fore in this new chapter, with huge hoops like halos, stunning necklaces with 360-degree motifs and asymmetric earrings all inviting wonder in the way that they create impressions and catch the light. Modelling this new line is Maison Boucheron ambassador, Alexa Chung, who with her radiant personality is deemed a perfect fit to encapsulate Boucheron’s creativity that continues to transcend time in iconic style.

Above left: Serpent Bohème

Solarité hoop earrings, paved with diamonds, in yellow gold

Above right: Serpent Bohème Solarité 35 motifs necklace, paved with diamonds, in white gold

Serpent Bohème takes on a new radiant identity.

* The Boucheron boutique is located at Lagoona Mall.

Above left: Serpent Bohème

Solarité multi-motifs necklace, paved with diamonds, in yellow gold

Above right: Serpent Bohème

Solarité earrings, paved with diamonds, in yellow gold

Boucheron goes XXL

The new Icons campaign reflects the Maison’s pioneer status.

Quatre, Serpent Bohème, Jack de Boucheron and the Vendôme Liseré collection are well known to Boucheron fans, but in the new Icons campaign from the Maison they take on a new form of expression through the XXL (extra extra large) concept. For Boucheron, this campaign reinforces the Maison’s status as the first of the great contemporary jewellers to open a boutique on the famed Place Vendôme in Paris. This pioneering approach remains true today, with Boucheron pushing forward its heritage toward unexplored territories, in this case offering XXL

versions of beloved collections that allow their wearers to stand out from the crowd.

For the campaign, photographer-stylist team David Sims and Emmanuelle Alt were commissioned to shoot model Anja Rubik, seen as the personification of Boucheron femininity. The renowned model exudes pure beauty and natural sophistication, as well as, in the words of Hélène Poulit-Duquesne, Boucheron CEO, a cutting-edge energy that is “utterly consistent with the House”.

Above: The iconic Boucheron

Question Mark necklace

Facing page top: Boucheron Quatre cuff bracelet

Facing page bottom: Boucheron Serpent Bohème

* The Boucheron boutique is located at Lagoona Mall.

CHAIN REACTION

When launched in 1987, it’s safe to say the PREMIÈRE watch caused a sensation. Not only was it the first watch creation by CHANEL, but its design surprised the watchmaking world that until that time had been governed by masculine codes. Now, in 2022, the PREMIÈRE is making waves once more with the presentation of the Hors-Série PREMIÈRE Haute Horlogerie capsule.

Three breathtaking creations, each limited to only five pieces, take their inspiration from the PREMIÈRE’s iconic gold interlaced chain, each in its own brilliant way. The first of these creations, the Hors-Série PREMIÈRE Iconic Chain, features 625 diamonds set in its gold chain bracelet that snakes in multiple turns around the wrist. The second, the Hors-Série PREMIÈRE Gourmette Chain, sees the gold interlaced chain incarnated in an oversize volume, this time set with 1,016 diamonds, while its black-lacquered dial sparkles with 116 brilliant-cut diamonds. The third, the Hors-Série PREMIÈRE Chain Charms, plays with volumes in a different way, featuring a diamond-set yellow gold chain bracelet from which hang six large charms in yellow gold, onyx and diamonds representing symbols of the House: the number 5, a lion, camellia, Gabrielle Chanel, a comet and a byzantine motif.

For Arnaud Chastaingt, Director of the CHANEL Watchmaking Creation Studio, these three hautehorological designs play with excess in a way that pays tribute to the original PREMIÈRE, delivering creations that continue to embody the sensational audacity of an era.

* The CHANEL Watches & Fine Jewellery boutique is located at Lagoona Mall.

Three limited edition CHANEL watches pay tribute to the iconic PREMIÈRE.

CHANEL Hors-Série PREMIÈRE Iconic Chain CHANEL Hors-Série PREMIÈRE Chain Charms

CHANEL Hors-Série PREMIÈRE Iconic Chain

Flight of FANTASY

Travelling to the moon may be beyond most people’s reach, but to celebrate the end-of-year, CHANEL Fine Jewellery is offering a fantasy-fuelled idea of what such a journey might feel like in its festive season campaign. This can be no ordinary trip, of course, when CHANEL is involved. Ascending in a hot air balloon, CHANEL Ambassador Soo Joo Park, and models Giedre Dukauskaite, Adesuwa Aighewi, Matthew Bell and Reece Nelson are dressed in exquisite CHANEL pieces from COCO CRUSH, CAMÉLIA and N°5 Fine Jewellery, as

well as J12 and PREMIÈRE watches, whose gold hues and diamonds sparkle against the night sky. Towering stacks of CHANEL gift boxes tied up with ribbon also make an appearance in the campaign video, reminding us that receiving any such box shares similar emotions to those when ascending to the stars. And, as the campaign story’s characters demonstrate with style, there are breathtaking choices for men and for women when selecting CHANEL as a festive season gift, but always with one conclusion: leaving the recipient elated and starry-eyed.

* The CHANEL Watches & Fine Jewellery boutique is located at Lagoona Mall.

Above: CHANEL Ambassador Soo Joo Park, and models Giedre Dukauskaite and Adesuwa Aighewi wear COCO CRUSH, LES INFINIS DE CAMÉLIA, ETERNAL N°5, J12 and PREMIÈRE pieces

CHANEL invites you to the moon for its end of year campaign.

Renowned cyclist Fabien Cancellara

RIDING HIGH

TUDOR announces a new partnership with Fabian Cancellara.

In a move that reaffirms TUDOR’s daring spirit and passion for pushing boundaries, the Swiss watchmaker has teamed up this year with the multi-award-winning cyclist Fabian Cancellara to create an all-new international cycling pro team.

As part of this exciting collaboration and with an eye on long-term success, Cancellara has handpicked a team of cyclists who are not only outstanding athletes in their field, but also share TUDOR’s ethos and values, which include a no-compromise attitude and history of innovation. Combined with Cancellara’s wealth of experience and vision for the future of professional cycling, the partnership is set to take this thrilling and gruelling global sport to the next level.

This epic sporting adventure is already well under way, with the TUDOR Pro Cycling Team having passed its

first milestone when the athletes competed in the UCI Continental class for the 2022 season, easily recognisable in their black shirts, adorned with red TUDOR shields on both front and back.

Under the expert guidance of Swiss national Cancellara, whose impressive accolades include two Olympic medals and four World Titles, the team now has its sights set firmly on the 2023 UCI ProTeam season and qualifying for the sport’s most prestigious races the following year. As part of their ongoing preparation for success, the cyclists will be constantly pushing themselves and setting new challenges for self-improvement, in a further reminder of why TUDOR is an ideal partner for the team on its groundbreaking journey.

* TUDOR watches are available at the new TUDOR shop-in-shop at Fifty One East, Lagoona Mall and at Fifty One East Watches & Jewellery store, Doha Festival City.

Left: The TUDOR Pro Cycling Team

Pioneering with STYLE

TUDOR launches an exciting addition to its renowned dive watch family.

Sports enthusiasts and lovers of stylish, technically outstanding timepieces will be delighted to learn that the award-winning Swiss watch brand TUDOR has added to its famed Pelagos family of cutting edge, mechanical divers' watches.

Showcasing the refined aesthetics and technical prowess that followers have come to love and expect from the TUDOR name, the Pelagos 39 is the ideal wristwatch for whatever the day holds, whether that includes a new daring underwater adventure or high-level meeting in the city.

While the Pelagos 39 displays many of the signature features that have made the collection such a favourite with lovers of a bold, active lifestyle, other first-time elements confirm that this new addition to the family is a distinctly individual, contemporary timepiece.

Smaller, lighter and slimmer than the other models, the Pelagos 39 comes with radiant sunray satin finishes on both the bezel and black dial, alongside luminescent ceramic composite monobloc hour markers. Its satin-brushed, 39-millimetre case is grade 2 titanium, while ‘snowflake’ hands – a hallmark of TUDOR dive watches – have been created in grade X1 Swiss Super-LumiNova® luminescent material.

A Calibre MT5400 manufacture, certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute, and silicon hairspring are other key characteristics, while the 70-hour power reserve, 200-metre water resistance and diver’s extension reaffirm TUDOR’s professional dive watch heritage, which has always been matched by proven reliability and unique value for money.

* TUDOR watches are available at the new TUDOR shop-in-shop at Fifty One East, Lagoona Mall and at Fifty One East Watches & Jewellery store, Doha Festival City.

Facing page bottom: The Pelagos 39 model joins the TUDOR family of technical divers' watches

Star gifts for sparkling smiles

Inspired by intriguing, on-point themes that include nature’s wonders and the mysterious nocturnal world, the latest, hand-finished collections from Pandora sparkle with elegance and a hint of romance, making them excellent gift ideas.

Firmly established as the world’s biggest jewellery brand, Pandora is famed for its classic, yet creative and contemporary designs loved by wearers across the globe.

Beautiful blooms are to the fore in one of these latest sets, which is presented under the Pandora Timeless banner and has a delightful Herbarium motif as its centrepiece. Dainty stones in a variety of shapes and shades are cleverly combined to create the silhouette of a flower in this ensemble, which includes a necklace, bracelet, earrings and rings, available in 14k rose gold plating and sterling silver.

A rare and spectacular sight to behold, a shooting star provides the perfect inspiration for another new set of jewellery, which glistens and dazzles in worthy tribute to its subject. Created as part of the Pandora Moments collection, these 14k gold-plated earrings, ring and necklace evoke a nocturnal world full of wonder and warmth, which is likely to see them added to any special occasion wish list.

* Pandora is available at Lagoona Mall, Doha Festival City, Villaggio, Landmark, City Center Doha, Mirqab Mall and Hamad International Airport.

Pandora takes inspiration from nature’s wonders for exquisite new jewellery ensembles.

Dainty stones in a variety of shapes and shades create the silhouette of a flower in a collection comprising a necklace, bracelet, earrings and rings

A WEEK FULL OF WONDERS

While the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ rightfully captures the spotlight, the country has plenty worth exploring outside the games. Here’s Latitude’s handy seven-day guide to how to discover the latest and greatest of what’s on in Doha and beyond.

Day 1: Heritage

ثارتلا :لولأا مويلا

From palatial wonders to historic souqs and forts, Qatar is home to a fascinating array of buildings and heritage sites revealing a rich cultural legacy.

Built in 1906, the majestic and imposing Old Palace in Doha initially served as the residence of Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani and the seat of government. Restoration work undertaken in recent decades was focused on preserving authenticity, with great success. Today, the Old Palace sits at the heart of the new National Museum - a masterpiece in its own right - offering visitors a glorious architectural dovetailing of old and new.

The present also meets the past at Souq Waqif, a bustling marketplace in Doha, which has acted as a hub for commerce in different forms for centuries. Now restored, the souq houses authentic mud-coated buildings alongside modern cafes in charming winding alleys.

Located nearby, Al Najadah - one of the oldest districts in Doha - has also been given a new lease of life. Originally a busy centre, and today boasting a cultural and creative hub, the district includes an authentic traditional architectural cluster in its original configuration.

Outside of Doha, Qatar is home to a wealth of sites that when combined, create a tapestry of the country’s history, from intriguing rock carvings along the coast to formidable forts and towers. Al Zubarah, Qatar’s largest archaeological heritage site, which has UNESCO World Heritage Site status, certainly deserves a place on the must-visit list.

Souq Waqif Courtesy of Visit Qatar

Qatar has taken family fun time to a new level this season with the opening of Lusail Winter Wonderland, a fantastic theme park offering a wealth of entertainment and activities for all ages.

Modelled on the successful attraction in London’s Hyde Park and located on Al Maha Island, Lusail Winter Wonderland is home to more than 50 rides. Live entertainment and great food options are among the many other attractions.

Highlights of Lusail Winter Wonderland include CoComelon Town, a major attraction, complete with live characters from the hugely popular YouTube show. CoComelon Town is set out over five zones, ranging from JJ’s house, where kids can play, to the Musical Bus and Melon Patch Academy Playground with outdoor games. Admission provides children with access to all zones and the opportunity to be photographed with the characters. Merchandise is also available to purchase. With the clue in the Lusail Winter Wonderland name, several of the rides and activities have a chilly theme to them, such as the giant ice slide. The Ooredoo 5G rollercoaster is a must for more daring visitors, while Qatar Airways’ forest train provides an unforgettable trip through a festive forest.

The Ain QNB 150-ft Ferris W heel offers riders fantastic views from new heights, while the outdoor ice-skating rink – a first for the region - means this seasonal experience can now be enjoyed without the need to travel farther afield.

Tickets can be bought at lusailwinterwonderland.com.

In a move that reflects its growing status as a destination for art and culture, alongside top sport events, Qatar has organised an exciting and diverse schedule of exhibitions, many of which will remain open well after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™

For visitors interested in learning about the country’s history, the National Museum of Qatar is an ideal starting point. Designed by Pritzker Prize winning architect Jean Nouvel, this impressive building is home to a treasure trove of artefacts, from architectural remnants to stunning jewellery.

Another architectural masterpiece, the Museum of Islamic Art is currently the venue for an intriguing exhibition that shines a spotlight on the urban and artistic legacy of the Iraqi capital. Running until February 25, 2023, “Baghdad: Eye’s Delight” showcases a fascinating selection of exhibits, including some on loan from leading institutions.

The topical issue of how best to re-engage with nature in an urbanised Doha is explored by the Qatari artist and naturalist Almaha Almaadeed, in a thoughtprovoking show at Mathaf, which finishes on January 28, 2023.

Colourful embroidery, meanwhile, takes centre stage at an exhibition of traditional Palestinian dress (thobe), titled “Labour of Love”, at Qatar Museums Gallery, Katara, which also ends on January 28, 2023.

With Qatar in the media spotlight, a show telling the story of Al Jazeera’s evolution to global industry giant seems timely. “Experience Al Jazeera” can be found at the Fire Station and runs until March 25, 2023, complete with immersive, interactive studio sessions.

Right: Labour of Love (© Palestinian Museum, 2022) Far right: Museum of Islamic Art (Photo Chrysovalantis Lamprianidi, © 2022 MIA / QM)

With the weather now at its best for enjoying the great outdoors, there’s never been a better time to soak up the sun while discovering the latest beaches to open in recent months.

NAMMOS has carved a worldwide reputation for its luxurious beach destinations and is now bringing its Mediterranean-inspired chic to Doha’s shores. With the promise of delivering “the atmosphere of life aboard a luxurious yacht on the beach”, NAMMOS Qatar is welcoming beachgoers from its location at Al Maha Island.

The new B12 Beach Club in the West Bay area is a family-friendly destination, with plenty of activities happening onsite to keep children entertained, as well as allday dining and great drinks that can be enjoyed from your sun lounger if desired. Adults can also partake in sports such as beach volleyball or football, or simply relax and enjoy the view or take a dip in the sea.

For those that like a sporty take on beach life, head for Fuwairit Kite Beach, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, located an hour to the north of Doha. Set on a natural lagoon, this resort offers a serene coastal location where some of the world’s best kite surfing can be enjoyed, as well as other water activities and onsite dining.

Day 5: Dining معاطملا :سماخلا مويلا

Doha’s reputation for top-notch dining experiences has been on the rise in recent years but is now reaching stratospheric proportions as an incredible number of restaurants open their doors. Excitement is in the air over Doha being selected as a new home to one of London and New York’s most exclusive hotels and private members’ clubs, The Ned, which will offer a choice of seven restaurants, each with its own inspiring theme. Expect gorgeous interior design as well as a glimpse of heritage from its location inside the former Ministry of Interior building on the Doha Corniche.

Making waves at the new Waldorf Astoria Lusail in Entertainment City, meanwhile, is SUSHISAMBA Doha, which not only brings the brand’s signature restaurant to the capital but also the very first beach club. Here too, exquisite design is to the fore, along with a tantalising menu of culinary creativity that ranges from Japanese to Brazilian and Peruvian influences.

Also serving up Japanese delights in style is Zuma, which is bringing its awardwinning cuisine and signature informal izakaya dining concept to Doha’s Al Maha Island for a pop-up concept during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. Al Maha Island has a number of outstanding concepts lined up that are destined to make it a choice hotspot on Qatar’s culinary scene.

Not a new opening, but a reopening worthy of attention is IDAM by Alain Ducasse, which celebrates ten years as a trailblazer of haute cuisine in the country. From its position atop the Museum of Islamic Art, it welcomes guests to a Philippe Starck designed décor with an enhanced menu and elevated experience.

Ideally located between Lusail and West Bay, and only a short 12km drive from Hamad International Airport, Lagoona Mall is the perfect destination for all your shopping needs and more. Set over more than 128,000 sqm. and across two levels, Lagoona Mall is home to over 160 stores, as well as 18 food and beverage outlets. Regarded as Doha’s premium shopping and lifestyle destination, this is the place to find the best international brands under one roof, as well as excellent levels of service. There is also an expertly selected and highly desirable array of local and regional brands, alongside world renowned names such as CHANEL, Rolex, FNAC, Patek Philippe, Bang & Olufsen, Pari Gallery and Carrefour Market. As the anchor store, Fifty One East has a wealth of such designer names waiting to be browsed, making shopping as convenient as can be. The 2,000 parking spaces onsite also ensure that arriving, staying and leaving is effortless. All this is offered amid the most sophisticated and stylish surroundings, ensuring that your visit is an unforgettable lifestyle experience.

Expect plenty of excitement during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ too, with live football matches broadcast on big screens, immersive events and activities, and plenty of entertainment for all ages.

Day 6: Shopping

Fifty One East (above and right) at Lagoona Mall, where plenty of football-related activities (far right) can be expected

In recent years, Qatar’s commitment to public art has set a leading example for the world, and ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 ™ this commitment has blossomed, with an incredible number of works now installed across Doha and far beyond. These installations encompass work by Qatari artists, such as Shua’a Ali, as well as international artists, such as British designer Faye Toogood, whose sculptural benches now adorn the grounds of the Qatar National Theatre.

Three recently unveiled site-specific installations by the high-profile artists Simone Fattal, from Lebanon, Olafur Eliasson, of Icelandic-Danish descent, and Brazil’s Ernesto Neto, situated in the northern desert, are cases in point.

These seminal works, which all pay tribute to the desert, are located close to Al Zubarah, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the historic village of Ain Mohammed, meaning visitors can factor plenty of great sightseeing into their trip out of town.

In Doha, Al Masrah Park is home to a newly inaugurated inflatable installation of a Dugong mammal by the renowned American artist Jeff Koons. The park offers an added attraction in the form of an interactive installation by the London-based artist Shezad Dawood, named “Doha Modern Playground”, which both the young and young at heart will find irresistible.

Children and adults alike will also love the colourful polka-dot wraps created for the palm trees along the waterfront which could only be the work of Japan’s Yayoi Kusama.

Perhaps fittingly, the departure lounge of Hamad International Airport is home to what remains Qatar’s most popular art installation - the iconic “Lamp-Bear” by the Swiss artist Urs Fischer. This towering teddy will undoubtedly garner plenty of new admirers this season.

Fun with impact

Educational and fun: it is these qualities that have made Miniland the number one brand in its native country of Spain for toys that are popularly used both at school and at home. The success of the company, founded more than five decades ago, has also made it a leader internationally today, propelled by its mission of accompanying children on their journey of growth.

At the heart of the company’s purpose is to build a better world in which each child “shines with their own light”. Indeed, Miniland relishes the challenge of promoting

diverse ways of exploring, discovering and awakening the talent that lies within each child. It also believes in giving children the certainty of knowing that anything is possible and dreaming further. It sees play as a way to learn skills and knowledge, but equally sees fun as a way of life.

The journey to unlock potential begins from the earliest age, with Miniland’s range of toys tailored to different age groups, starting at 0 to 3 years. These toys encourage a vast range of skills in children through experimentation, using a learning-by-doing, hands-on approach.

Miniland empowers children to unlock their potential.

Left: The Miniland Rocket 10 is a powerful teaching resource that promotes the learning of basic mathematical concepts

Below: The Miniland activity Euro tray toy helps to understand money values and practices arithmetic, for children aged 5 to 9 years

This journey of discovery is inclusive, with Miniland toys designed to bring parents closer to their youngsters, creating significant shared moments and experiences that bring families together. Miniland also envisages a world where communities of educators and children are formed through the active collaboration, collective creativity and continual learning that its toys inspire.

* Discover Miniland at Toysaloona, located on the ground floor of Fifty One East, Lagoona Mall.

Youngsters love stacking up the pieces of this Miniland toy and then knocking them down

Step into the Spotlight

With more than 50 years as pioneers in the pro audio industry, Yamaha is the brand of choice when it comes to professional sound for events. Now, with the launch of the Yamaha STAGEPAS 1K, achieving excellent acoustics in public is easier than ever before. The STAGEPAS 1K has a compact size, making it conveniently portable as well as simple to set up anywhere. With its user-friendly controls, finetuning your sound before you start your event can be done in minutes. Once you begin, there are 1,000 watts of power at your disposal, with 810 watts coming from the classleading 12-inch subwoofer and 190 watts from the slimline array speaker. Stacked within the latter are ten tiny speakers, delivering 30 degrees of vertical coverage that

allows high-quality sound to reach your audience, whether they are seated or standing. The 170 degrees of horizontal coverage also means sound reaches an entire room.

Trust Yamaha to ensure that this sound also includes clear, crisp bass, much to the delight of music players. With the STAGEPAS Editor app, you also have the freedom to move around and still be in control of the five-channel digital mixer, meaning you can tweak your sound without having to interrupt your performance. Whether for gigging musicians, DJs, school or corporate events, the STAGEPAS 1K is an all-in-one portable system that ensures you can focus on your performance while staying easily in control of its professional delivery.

The Yamaha STAGEPAS 1K brings simplicity and professionalism to performance.

THE POWER IS IN YOUR HANDS

Pick up a brand-new Yamaha folk or classical guitar and when you play it you might notice that the sound it emits is more akin to that of a vintage instrument whose tones resonate with the depth of years of playing. The secret to this incredible performance lies in acoustic resonance enhancement (A.R.E.) technology, developed by Yamaha engineers based on their decades of acoustic guitar design prowess and over 100 years of exceptional woodworking skills. A.R.E. is a patented, non-chemical treatment that is applied to wood panels before they are incorporated into guitars, helping to improve sound transmission and resonance, and allowing the wood to vibrate more easily. This makes for a better-sounding guitar with greater tonal richness and extra sound projection, no matter in which environment it is played.

The brilliance of sound is also integral to Yamaha’s TransAcoustic guitars, which recreate the experience of playing in a live room, adding richness, depth and increased dimensionality, without the need for any amplifier or special effects. In essence, the body of the guitar becomes its own speaker, blending effects such as reverb and chorus with its own acoustic tone, thanks to Yamaha's technological innovation. Whether you are simply practising at home, recording or playing for fun, with the TransAcoustic Guitar you will have the instrument in your hands that will inspire you to play better, longer and with even more creativity.

Yamaha technology turns acoustic guitars into incredible sound makers.

New Narratives

Art Mill Museum 2030 showcases a pioneering cultural hub on the horizon.

Ataste of what Doha will look like eight years into the future is among the current cultural highlights, at the exhibition titled Art Mill Museum 2030. In two locations in the city - Qatar Flour Mills Warehouse and Al Najada Heritage House #15 - visitors are invited to explore the vision for the Art Mill Museum, whose planned opening in 2030 will reveal an exceptional international art collection assembled over the past 40 years and complete a cultural district that already comprises the Museum of Islamic Art, MIA Park and the National Museum of Qatar.

At Qatar Flour Mills Warehouse, the public will be given the first opportunity to enter what will be part of the future Art Mill Museum complex. Here, the vision of architect Alejandro Aravena and ELEMENTAL will be presented, showing how the existing building will be reimagined for the future. In addition, visitors can browse an exhibition of artists’ works that were commissioned to show the parallels between the flour mill and its future museum status.

At the second location of Al Najada Heritage House #15, a recently renovated house near Souq Waqif, an exhibition titled The Museum’s Garden sets out the design by VOGT Landscape Architects for the signature garden of the Art Mill Museum, as well as its inspiration, and two artworks: a mosaic by Hamra Abbas and a commissioned film by Amal Al Muftah, produced in collaboration with Doha Film Institute (DFI).

When the Art Mill Museum opens, it will take its place not only as a major cultural hub in Qatar but as a pioneering institution in the non-Western world, with its mission of representing the modern and contemporary arts of all regions of the globe on an equal basis.

Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, said, “As visitors from around the world come to Doha for Qatar Creates and the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, we are thrilled to take the public behind the scenes, revealing the complex and fascinating process of how we are developing an institution that will be one of the world’s leading museums of modern and contemporary art. The Art Mill Museum is the conclusion of a twenty-five-year cultural plan. It will place Arab modern and contemporary art in the context of global art, allowing us to further engage with the rest of the world by creating new, unexpected narratives."

Art Mill Museum 2030 is free of charge and on view to the public until March 30, 2023

Left: Art Mill Museum conceptual design: view of a small courtyard in the Creative Village (Doha, Qatar) 2022 Rendering © Qatar Museums

Below: Art Mill Museum conceptual design: aerial view of the museum in the Cultural District (Doha, Qatar) 2022 - Rendering © Qatar Museums

Hamra Abbas (1976, Kuwait City – works in Pakistan)

Flowers: Gardens of Paradise 2 2021 - Marble, lapis lazuli, serpentine, pink calcite, onyx, jasper- 9 panels: 81 x 122 cm each, 243 x 366 cm overallUnique - Art Mill Museum, Qatar Museums, Doha © Hamra Abbas

Below: Amal Al Muftah (Doha, Qatar, 1994 – works in Qatar

Installation view of World of Football at the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum.

Courtesy of Qatar Museums

“World of Football” exhibition kicks off

Iconic memorabilia and interactive experiences celebrating the beautiful game among attractions at t the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum.

With football fever having well and truly arrived in Qatar, a new exhibition celebrating the beautiful game is unsurprisingly proving to be a winner among sports fans and others who simply love browsing fascinating historical memorabilia.

Titled “World of Football”, this exciting and highly topical show at the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum aligns perfectly with the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, adding a brilliantly entertaining and informative backdrop to the tournament.

A veritable trip down memory lane, the exhibition charts football’s journey, from its origins to the game we know and love today, including this year’s competition in Qatar, which marks the first time that the event has been held in the region.

Once inside “World of Football”, visitors can relive milestone moments in the sport’s history thanks to stateof-the-art interactive experiences, while enjoying a fantastic display of memorabilia from private collections and major international partner museums, including some exhibits on show for the first time.

Not-to-be-missed items include the iconic shirt worn by Argentine great Diego Maradona in the 1986 World Cup quarter-finals against England, when he scored what is widely viewed as the goal of the 20 th century. On loan to the exhibition after being sold at auction this year, the shirt holds the record for the most expensive piece of sports memorabilia ever bought.

Other fascinating memorabilia include the football used in the finals of the first World Cup tournament in 1930, the first written account of the rules of football, and one of only two bronze busts ever made of Brazilian maestro Pelé’s right foot.

Curated by the renowned sports heritage consultant Andrew Pearce and running until April 1, 2023, the show remains faithful to football in both theme and format, taking the form of two halves, complete with an extra time section. “Football for All, All for Football” - the first section - examines the game’s far-reaching appeal, while the second part, named “The Road to Doha”, tracks the World Cup story, from its beginnings almost 100 years ago to the 2022 tournament final at the Lusail Stadium on December 18. Organic in format, the extra time component is titled “History in the Making” and will expand throughout the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ to include souvenirs and memorabilia from the event.

Significantly, while football dominates the exhibition, other broader themes are also given weight, including the part that the game, and sport in general, can play in breaking down barriers and building bridges - messages that the Qatar Creates cultural movement, which has oversight of “World of Football”, is keen to champion.

The “World of Football” exhibition takes place at the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, Khalifa International Stadium, until April 1, 2023

Installation view of World of Football at the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum. Courtesy of Qatar Museums

Memorabilia on show at the World of Football exhibition at the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum. Courtesy of Qatar Museums

Future Goals

An international football tournament of a different kind played out in Doha in October, when 28 teams of children representing 25 countries flew in with Qatar Airways to battle it out in the Street Child World Cup. Organised by Street Child United (SCU) in collaboration with Qatar Foundation, this event is designed to highlight the plight of vulnerable children across the world and use the power of football to make a call for change. Of the 15 boys’ teams and 13 girls’ teams, 10 were represented by refugee or displaced children. As SCU’s founder and CEO, John Wroe, explained, for many of these children this would have been their first time leaving their home country, while being in Qatar represented a life-changing journey.

Over the course of eight days, the teams battled it out in a tournament that took place at Oxygen Park in Qatar Foundation’s Education City, but also participated in art workshops as well as child-friendly congress sessions with the aim of placing the issue of vulnerable street children in the spotlight. The eventual winning teams were Brazil for the girls and Egypt for the boys. All teams, however, could be considered winners, with the ultimate prize being optimism that the world would take note of their presence. As John Wroe assured all the children in his opening address: “For those that have just about given up on everyone and everything, I promise you that this is the World Cup of hope."

The Brazilian team of girls celebrate their victory

The Street Child World Cup champions the power of football.

QATAR CREATES

Culture blooms across the country in a year-long celebration.

While football might be the current buzzword in conversations about Qatar, fashion shows, exhibitions, concerts, festivals and the unveiling of new public art installations have paved the way for the country to also become a go-to destination for creativity, arts and culture.

Many of these events are taking place under the umbrella of Qatar Creates, a cultural movement and platform launched by Qatar Museums in 2019.

In the past, Qatar Creates took the form of a weeklong series of experiences. However, with a packed diary of happenings under way and the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ set to bring in record numbers of visitors, the decision was taken to extend the programme to a year-long celebration of the arts and creative industries.

Closely aligned with this timely move, Qatar Creates has also launched its One Pass, which offers holders seamless and simplified entry to many attractions. Available to buy online in tiered form on the Qatar Creates website, the gateway ticket offers holders free or discounted admission to numerous venues, including museums and galleries, and additional perks at leisure, food, retail and entertainment

outlets, among others. One Pass owners will also benefit from key privileges, such as early bird news.

Qatar has already successfully hosted several high-profile events spanning the creative industries this year, including Naomi Campbell’s Fashion For Relief Show, organised in partnership with Qatar Museums, and the Fashion Trust Arabia Awards. Fashion lovers can now also look forward to Qatar Fashion United by CR Runway at Stadium 974, which will showcase garments from the brands of many renowned houses.

Groundbreaking new public art installations, meanwhile, are garnering worldwide interest and are bringing culture to the streets of Doha and far beyond, including large-scale, site-specific artworks by renowned artists Olafur Eliasson, Simone Fattal and Ernesto Neto that were commissioned for the desert outside of Al Zubarah and Ain Mohammed heritage sites in the nation’s northernmost region.

With other events in the pipeline and exhibitions continuing into 2023, Qatar Creates’ bid to put art and culture at the forefront of the country’s future looks to be well on track.

Facing page: Shouq Al Mana (b. 1995, Qatar) Egal, 2022 Stainless steel, Various dimensions between 3.5m - 4.5m high (5 pieces) Lusail Marina Photo copyright Iwan Baan. Courtesy of Qatar Museums

Above: Martin Creed (b. 1968, United Kingdom) 1361, 2019 Neon, 170 x 4950 cm Sheraton Hall Photo copyright Iwan Baan. Courtesy of Qatar Museums

page: Qatar Museums Chairperson Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani at the unveiling of the largescale, site-specific artwork by renowned artist Olafur Eliasson

Welcoming the storytelling season

With the winter season once again upon us, a rich feast of art and culture has been lined up for the coming months including four mustsee exhibitions at Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, showcasing works by homegrown talent and other artists from as far afield as Singapore.

Now open to the public, these exciting shows form part of the Qatar-MENASA Year of Culture 2022, which celebrates the combined creativity and rich cultural legacy of the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA) region.

The exhibitions explore a range of intriguing themes, including identity, survival and uncertainty, through a variety of media and disciplines, with storytelling in all its forms a common thread.

Several of these ideas are brought to life in “One Tiger or Another”, an exhibition that melds the work of the contemporary Singaporean artist Ho Tzu Nyen with elements of the story of the legendary and controversial

explorer Tipu Sultan, also known as the Tiger of Mysore. Curated by Tom Eccles and Mark Rappolt the show brings together a mix of historical artefacts, 18th-century paintings, CGI-animation and contemporary comic books to shine a spotlight on the region’s magnificent tiger and, at the same time, explore deeper themes, including colonisation. “One Tiger or Another” is also serving as a research exhibition for “Rubaiyat Qatar”, a major new national art quadrennial project set to launch in 2024.

Historical narratives and their fragility are also explored in a show of work by the versatile Palestinian artist Taysir Batniji called “No Condition is Permanent”. Co-curated by Abdellah Karroum and Lina Ramadan, the exhibition features a cross section of work created by the Gazaborn artist between 1997 and 2022, when he was living in France, but still focused on his birthplace. The show is diverse on several levels, from the themes that permeate the pieces to the broad range of media utilised. Social uncertainty and oppression are just two of the concepts explored by Batniji through photography, drawing, video, installation and performance.

Below: Gallery view of One Tiger or Another, an exhibition by Rubaiyat Qatar at Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, Doha

Mathaf ushers in wintertime with four fabulous art shows.

Above: Taysir Batniji, Suspended Time, 2006

Left: View of the Taysir Batniji exhibition, No Condition is Permanent تقو ،يجينطبلا ريسيت :ىلعلأا يف 2006 ،قلعم

Narratives are given a somewhat different treatment by the Qatari-American artist Sophia Al-Maria in her first major exhibition in the Middle East.

“INVISIBLE LABORS daydream therapy” examines the importance of storytelling and speculative narratives as strategies for survival in the face of challenges and disappointment through installations, video work, drawings, commissioned soundscapes and online screenings, alongside others. Pressing issues related to the labour market and migratory dreams are among those explored in the project, which is curated by researcher and independent curator Amal Alhaag, in collaboration with Mathaf’s assistant-curator Abdulrahman Mohammed Alkubaisi.

A celebratory group show featuring the work of 36 artists, all of whom are alumni of the Fire Station’s Artist in Residence programme, is the fourth show this season at Mathaf.

Titled “Majaz: Contemporary Art Qatar”, and curated by Saida Al Khulaifi, acting head, Residency Programmes and Amal Zeyad Ali, the exhibition marks the five-year anniversary of the programme. Storytelling is once again to the fore here in paintings, sculptures and new media, which are cleverly displayed in dialogue with each other.

“One Tiger or Another” runs until January 21, 2023 “No Condition is Permanent” runs until January 21, 2023

“ INVISIBLE LABORS daydream therapy” runs until January 21, 2023

“Majaz: Contemporary Art Qatar” runs until February 25, 2023

At Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, Doha

SHEMAGHS BY FAN SHEMAG

The Perfect Match

Hisense brings its passion for football to fans.

With FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ fever bringing a palpable sense of excitement to Doha’s streets, Hisense decided to take things one step further, with a range of activities designed to rally enthusiasm and enhance the celebratory mood. As an Official FIFA World Cup 2022™ Sponsor, Hisense naturally shares a passion for football and is well-placed to create a perfect experience for fans. This was the inspiration behind the brand’s Perfect Match campaign, which highlights Hisense’s pivotal role in connecting football fans’ living rooms with football stadium action, thanks to its leading technology. Thus, not only does Hisense deliver the perfect match in terms of sharing every exciting and unforgettable moment of the football action, but it also matches FIFA World Cup 2022™ and its global fans in terms of their shared mission, aspirations and belief in quality.

Hisense won’t only be in fans’ homes this FIFA World Cup 2022™, however, as it is also bringing quality moments to Qatar and beyond. At Bidda Park Fan Zone, a Hisense Experience will welcome football fans for interactive entertainment inside a gigantic Hisense TV box structure, which is also an art installation. The brand’s line-up of topnotch products will also be on display. Another interactive Hisense fan zone can be found at Lusail stadium, where visitors can also win prizes as well as experience the excellent Hisense product range like Laser TV, ULED TV, refrigerators and ACs, highlighting the brand’s innovative technology. Out on the streets of Doha, meanwhile, fans should keep an eye out for the Hisense Perfect Match Bus, stationed at key locations, including Souq Waqif. As well as showcasing Hisense products, the bus will have plenty of interactive games and entertainment onboard, alongside many surprises. Make sure you score a slice of the action.

* Visit the Hisense store at Lagoona Mall to explore the product line-up.

LATITUDE TECH EDITOR

Devialet is known for being obsessed with the quality of sound. The launch of the Devialet Mania was three years in the making, as the Devialet experts translated their signature sound purity into portable form and honed what would become the brand’s first high-fidelity portable smart speaker with adaptive cross-stereo. What this means is the Mania morphs and adapts to whatever space it’s in, using active stereo calibration to deliver expansive 360° stereo sound of such incredible quality that, in the words of Devialet, it “leaves an emotional imprint on you and those around you”. In fact, Devialet believes that you too will become obsessed with sound quality once the Mania is switched on and will never want to listen any other way again.