Under the Patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain
See you next year 21 - 25 November 2023
Chairman’s Message
Innovation, disruption and changing the status quo are not buzzwords but are essential when looking to the future.
With the first edition of our luxury publication, Life N Style, we have walked our first few steps into the publishing industry in Bahrain to redefine how luxury content is created, curated and consumed.
Digital is at the heart of everything we do and we have plans to ramp up our offerings significantly with our app which will be launched soon.
In this issue, we showcase the voice of the young, intelligent, enterprising, accomplished Bahrainis and residents of Bahrain to the world in a very innovative and engaging manner. Luxury brands conceptualised by Bahrainis have taken precedence over the global brands, by choice, as it sets us apart from the milieu, especially for our first edition. We also place a special emphasis on inclusivity and diversity - as our cover reflects.
As we present to you our labour of love, I hope that you will enjoy our content as much as we have enjoyed the process of creating it.
Happy Reading!
Mohammad Mansoor
About Us
Our quarterly luxury lifestyle publication, Life N Style, was conceived and curated as an ode to luxury, the fine art of living, a celebration of the beautiful Kingdom of Bahrain and its extraordinary achievers, illustrated with mesmerising photography. Words and images to see, touch and feel, to inspire and uplift from cover to cover.
As a magazine that looks into the future, we are digital first as our attention to the online space shows in our aesthetically filmed video interviews with the Arab voices defining the landscapes of their chosen fields.
Only found in prestigious and exclusive locations reaching a very high calibre readership; precious and rare, printed only for those discerning who desire them Life N Style represent the changing Bahrain - one with sass, style, and elegance carefully nurtured with inclusivity and diversity.
I hope that between the covers of this magazine you find yourself immersed in a good read, chuckling at some unexpected humour, feeling the pangs of hunger as you browse through the delectable delicacies and finding yourself surrounded by great beauty, joy and a sense of belonging. We hope to be a place where you come to escape and enjoy.
In this edition you will see our interviewees as people beyond their official responsibilities and job titles, you will discover that NHRA CEO Mariam Jalahma's greatest joy is travelling, HE British Ambassador Roddy Drummond makes a mean 'Madrouba', HE Jérôme Cauchard, the French Ambassador, loves the piano and can even play a note or two, and what a BD250,000 pearl necklace looks like.
This issue our focus has been on Bahrain and highlighting some of the luxury brands, established and new ones that are creating a niche for themselves on the world stage from Designer Shaik to Qannati.
Our magazine is about Life, Style and Luxury. We are inspired by luxury –its more profound definition, beyond materialism. It is about appreciation, heritage, connoisseurship, enjoyment, time to enjoy, and creating moments… luxury is a state of mind, a choice and a way of living. These beliefs are married to Life N Style magazine and poured into each page.
I hope you find inspiration here and appreciate you spending your precious time with us.
Editor-in-Chief
Sonorita Chauhan Mehta
Chairman
Mohammad Mansoor
Managing Director
Heena Mansoor
Editor-in-Chief
Sonorita Chauhan Mehta
DOP and Head of Sales & Marketing
Sanuraj Somaraj
Contributors
Eunice D’Souza
Mary Claire Roberts
Christie Klien
Contributor
Vivek Biju
Publishers: Al Ayam Publishing Est.B.S.C ( C )
@Lifenstylemagbh Life N Style www.lifenstyle.bh
@lifenstylebh
SPECIAL EDITION FOR JEWELLERY ARABIA
Contents
Bahrain-UK: From Strength to Strength
Interview with HE Roderick Drummond, the British Ambassador to Bahrain
Spectre Makes History at Rolls
Rolls-Royce's bright, bold all-electric future
A Trailblazing Leader
Interview with Dr Mariam Jalahma, CEO of the National Health Regulatory Authority
Most Magical Luxury Travel Destinations to Ring in 2023
A curation of some of the most exclusive resorts & getaways to travel to
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection Sets Sail
The new era of yacht-cruising
50 and Going Strong!
Interview with the HE Jérôme Cauchard, the French Ambassador to Bahrain
Fashion meets Art & Design
A look at Fashion Week Paris to Manama
Arab Fashion Week
A heady mix of haute couture and pret-a-porter
Lavender Oil - A magical elixir
The secret to better skin care this winter
Biggest Make-up Trends for Spring 2023
Upcoming make-up trends
Classy & Classic: The Allure of Bahraini Pearls
Interview with Vijay Shah of Al Hashimi Pearls
Qannati Objet d'art: Celebration of Time
Exploring this innovative luxe watch brand
The Golden Canary
The world’s largest flawless diamond
The Shaik of Luxury
Interview with Mohammad Al Asfoor of Designer Shaik
Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain Resort & Spa unveiled
A look at Bahrain's newest five-star resort
‘Travel with Purpose’ the Hilton Way!
Exploring the Hilton Juffair's environment-friendly side
A sensory delight!
Fine Dining La Table Krug by Y at The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain 6/9 50/53 21/28 74/75 16/19 58/67 40/41 84/87 10/15 54/57 34/39 76/77 20/27 68/73 42/49 88/91 96/97
BAHRAIN–UK: FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH
Bahrain and the United Kingdom share a very special relationship spanning over two centuries that has only continued to grow stronger with time. This bond has been nurtured by the royal families of the two nations. For the UK, this year has been one of highs and lows - from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations to her demise and the swift change of guard at 10 Downing Street. To talk about these and more, Life N Style met the British Ambassador to Bahrain, HE Roderick Drummond and his wife Yasmin at their residence.
First, we would like to offer our deepest condolences for the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Her extraordinary reign of selflessness and devotion to public service, she has been a role model for many across the world. What is your fondest memory of her?
HE Roderick Drummond: It's been very moving to hear from people in Bahrain about the connection they have had with her over the years, some have even shared images with us. I was very fortunate to meet her when I was High Commissioner in Fiji, and she took so much interest in what was happening in a place that she had known for over five decades, asked such fascinating questions and really wanted to hear what was happening. She had a great sense of humour as well.
The relations between the two countries go back over 200 years and an instrumental role was played in the maintaining of these relations by the two royal families. We've seen many heart-warming photographs of her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth with the Late Emir, Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, of HM the King riding to the Ascot with Prince Charles and the late Prince Philip. And now going forward with His Majesty King Charles ascending to the throne, there is a sense of new beginnings, how do you see these bilateral ties progressing?
Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth played a huge part in developing our modern relations with the Gulf and with Bahrain. But I have no doubt that His Majesty King Charles, who's been very much a part of that and has strong relationships with everyone here, and other members of the royal family, will pay it the same attention. Similarly, the new Prime Minister and other members of our government really understand the strategic importance of our relationship with Bahrain. I have no doubt that things are going to go from strength and strength.
The embassy has a pretty full calendar for the next couple of months. Give us an idea of what we can look forward to.
We’ve got a very busy period coming up, particularly from now to Christmas. We're looking for more collaborations, which are coming together, there are a few announcements I hope to make. For the Manama Dialogue, we expect a couple of senior ministers and hope to organise some reciprocal visits to the UK including HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister with a big economic push to thicken up our economic relations.
You have had an illustrious career in the Diplomatic services - you joined the Diplomatic Service in 1985, and have had an exciting career being stationed in Damascus, Riyadh, Doha, Amman, Algeria, Fiji and now Bahrain. That's more than 35 years, and doubtless, the journey has been eventful. What do you consider your greatest accomplishments during this time?
His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa with the late Queen Elizabeth II (1979)
So there were some interesting things in Fiji where I was High Commissioner – helping them through a Democratic transition, getting back into the Commonwealth, and playing a very positive role in climate change. But the bulk of my career has been in the Middle East, dealing with trade investment, defence, security and political relationships. And that's been hugely rewarding because you can really build very strong relationships here. At the same time, we also had a lot of fun.
I've really enjoyed you know, travelling in the desert, crossing the Rub' al Khali in Saudi Arabia from north to south and camping in the desert in Jordan and in Syria. And Jordan, of course, is where I learned Arabic originally. So that was great...
Apart from bilateral relations we also want to know the man behind the diplomat. And we're going to ask you a controversial question: in the FIFA World Cup, whom do you support?
Well, it's very exciting with both Wales and England having qualified but sadly not Scotland, but I will be supporting England and Wales till the very last second of extra time in every match that they take part in.
Well, we’ve also heard that you've been a rugby referee...
Yes, I was a referee and a coach both, of a junior team and an adult team, for a number of years. And that was fantastic fun. And we helped plant a little seed by settling rugby in Syria where it's still played. And they have a women's team now as well.
We've also heard you are a big fan of motorsports as well...
Yes! Motorsports, particularly F1. And following all the British teams because we have you know so many teams that have their base in the UK and several British drivers.
I met Lewis Hamilton, who's an amazing guy. He really is, for someone who's so talented, he’s very humble, I was very impressed with him. But of course, McLaren is the flagship Bahraini investment in the UK, in motorsport, and that's very important. So I've also had a bit of fun on the track driving McLaren supercars. So that's been a lot of fun and occasionally a bit scary.
You've lived in so many places in the Middle East, what from the Middle Eastern cuisine, is your favourite?
Well, I love Madrouba, of course, the classic Bahraini dish. I will eat most things, but I must admit I'm a little bit nervous about all the sugary things here, so I try and keep it savoury. But there are so many different dishes. Most of the things I cook myself are Middle Eastern influenced.
We must try it one of these days. Moving on, your role as an
Ambassador comes with a lot of stress because you have to manage so much, but we've seen you in pictures, always smiling and laughing. How is it that you remain so calm and what do you do in your spare time?
HE Roderick Drummond, British Ambassador to Bahrain
That's a good question. Well, I think I'm a naturally calm and positive person. All my experiences have had so many more positive things than, occasional stressful points.
Bahrain's a lovely place, a very relaxing place. So we spend a bit of time looking at Bahraini art. We socialize a lot with different friends. I think we've made friends here with some Bahrainis whom I hope will be friends for life. And that's not to be taken for granted making, real friends. So no, life is pretty good here.
We believe you're an art lover because your wife, Yasmin, is an artist. Yasmin, take us through some of the paintings that you have done and talk us through your thought process.
Yasmin Drummond: This painting is called 'A labour of love’ and it depicts a family and the love that engulfs them. I hope when people stand in front of it, they feel a connection with the painting and remember their own families and how much love there is in their lives. My painting 'Separation' was painted during the time of COVID because I felt that we all wanted to be together but
because of COVID, we couldn't really have any time together. And I'm so glad those days are over.
It is so beautiful that you've managed to put together a wonderful representation of what we went through in the last two to three years.
This painting 'Strata' shows different societies in a community and how certain societies are more visible than others. So you have the bottom part where you hardly see people or they're almost invisible. You have the commuters in the UK where you see a lot of people going on the train and trying to get to work then there is the top level that you hardly ever see in society.
Yasmin, abstract art gives one so much to think about - it means different things to different people. You've definitely given us a lot to think about, even as we see the other artwork in your house. Thank you so much for introducing us to these beautiful paintings.
These are excerpts from our video interview with the British Ambassador HE Roderick Drummond. While we have presented to you the essence of our conversation here, however, only a video can bring to life the cheery personality of HE Drummond as he talks about his love for Middle Eastern cuisine as well as the vibrant colours in Yasmin’s art. You can watch the full interview on our website. Scan the QR code to watch the video.
HRH Shaikh Salman bin Isa al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister riding to the Royal Ascot with the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in 2010
HRH Shaikh Salman bin Isa al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister with King Charles during his visit to Bahrain in 2016
Spectre makes history at Rolls
From the 1900s
prophecy of Rolls-Royce cofounder, Charles Rolls, foreseeing an electric future for the motor car to more than 120 years later, when Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is about to fulfil the prophecy with Spectre.
Last year Rolls-Royce CEO, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, made a public commitment to electrification by announcing Spectre as a symbol of a bright, bold future as Rolls-Royce progresses into an all-electric era.
With Spectre, Rolls-Royce has harnessed a revolutionary ‘Decentralised Intelligence’ system that allows for the free and direct exchange of information between more than 1,000 vehicle functions, further elevating the marque’s celebrated quality of ride.
Design
In unveiling Spectre, Rolls-Royce sets a new precedent in the creation of an entirely original class of motor car; the ultra-luxury electric super coupé. This designation refers to Spectre’s indulgent proportions, specified in response to a commitment that there is no greater luxury than that of space.
The marque’s designers are deeply rooted in the context occupied by their motor cars. Therefore, their inspiration is drawn from worlds far beyond automotive, including haute couture, modernist sculpture, nautical design, tailoring and contemporary art.
From the front, Spectre’s split headlight treatment is intersected by the widest grille ever bestowed on a RollsRoyce. The vanes of the Pantheon grille are now smoother in section and have a flusher fit, designed to help guide the air around the motor car’s front.
The silhouette’s most dramatic feature is Spectre’s fastback, which recalls the most evocative motor cars and watercraft in history. The seamlessness of the greenhouse surfacing significantly contributes to achieving the lowest drag coefficient ever for a Rolls-Royce.
Following the roofline back, the tail lamps are set into the largest single-body panel ever produced for a Rolls-Royce, which extends from the A-pillar to the luggage compartment.
Alongside the extraordinary, illuminated surfaces, Spectre is equipped with a completely redesigned digital architecture of luxury named SPIRIT, presented in quintessential Rolls-Royce style.
Not only will SPIRIT manage the motor car’s functions, but it is seamlessly integrated into the marque’s Whispers application, allowing clients to interact with their car remotely, and receive live information curated by the marque’s luxury intelligence specialists.
For the first time ever, clients can now extend their bespoke commission beyond the physical world and into the digital architecture that underpins SPIRIT. Inspired by the marque’s clients’ love of bespoke timepieces, the colour of the dials can now complement the interior hue of the motor car.
POWER, RANGE AND DIMENSIONS
The final power, acceleration and range figures are still being refined, as the extraordinary undertaking of finessing Spectre enters its final phase before concluding in the second quarter of 2023.
Preliminary data shows Spectre is expected to have an allelectric range of 320 miles/520 kilometres WLTP and offer 900Nm of torque from its 430kW powertrain. It is anticipated to achieve 0-60mph in 4.4 seconds (0-100km/h in 4.5 seconds).
With many months of testing and optimisation of Spectre still ahead, these figures are subject to change ahead of official confirmation prior to market launch in Q4 2023.
MARKET DEBUT
Spectre is available for commission immediately, with the first client deliveries commencing in Q4 2023. Spectre pricing will be positioned between Cullinan and Phantom.
A TRAILBLAZING LEADER
The world needs strong women. Women who uplift and build others, who break glass ceilings and are dedicated to a cause, women of indomitable will who continue to blaze a trail - women like Dr Mariam Jalahma, CEO of the National Health Regulatory Authority. A woman who has led a truly exemplary life both in the public and the private sector. In this conversation with her, we delved deeper into her work and life, to find out how she managed the challenges in the time of COVID, her vision for healthcare in Bahrain, her wanderlust and where it has taken her and seen many facets of her amazing personality.
Bahrain was ranked 24th on the Forbes List of 100 Safest Countries for COVID-19 in 2020. This was made possible by the robust efforts of the Ministry of Health, the National Task Force, the medical fraternity, and especially the organization you head-the NHRA. Bahrain was one of the first countries to approve the maximum number of vaccinations and the second after the UK to authorise the Pfizer COVID vaccine. Looking back, on what was doubtless a tough 2 years, from your perspective what were the biggest challenges you faced and tackled? And what would you consider your biggest achievement?
Dr Mariam Jalahma: True, Bahrain’s strong sense of national solidarity and collective awareness has been instrumental in overcoming COVID-19 challenges. It was a success story - to beat the pandemic. The leadership of HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa was the driving force behind this success. His comprehensive follow-up of all the procedures, ensuring and managing the crisis in accordance with sound scientific standards, his vision and successful management garnered praise from the World Health Organization.
On a personal level, challenges make me stronger as a person especially as I was a member of the task force combating COVID. I was given the responsibility of managing the quarantine facilities and leading the medical team in those facilities.
On the other hand, as the CEO of the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA), I had a bigger challenge as we had to respond to the needs without delay to give emergency use authorisation for the vaccines, medicines, and medical supplies to ensure the supply chain for Bahrain. As a regulator, our role was to ensure the safety and efficiency of such new innovations, which was the biggest achievement for the NHRA and its team.
You have been a trailblazer throughout your career, in 2000 you were one of the first four women appointed to the Shura Council by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. This paved the way for women in parliament in Bahrain. You have been a working medical professional, a civil servant, a politician and now the head of one of the most important regulatory authorities, what do you consider the greatest achievements in your career?
I am completely dedicated to all assignments that I am entrusted with. My life has had many chapters starting with my decision to become a doctor in which I had the complete support of my family. After finishing my degree, I became a consultant family physician then pursued a higher studies diploma in medical education from Scotland. Post this, I joined the family practice training
program in Bahrain to teach the speciality at the Ministry of Health and the Arabian Gulf University as an assistant professor.
One of the biggest turns in my life was when I was offered to produce and present a live medical show on Bahrain TV. Through the show, I was able to serve the community as a doctor. In fact, I still meet people who remember and appreciated the show. Many say they really benefitted from the medical advice given through the show.
From that to politics and as you mentioned, I was appointed by His Majesty the King as one of the first four women to the Shura council where I focused on reviewing and developing legislation. One of the most important ones was proposing the premarital law in Bahrain with my colleagues in the council, this was one of the most important measures to decrease the prevalence of hereditary disease in Bahrain.
In 2009, I was appointed by His Majesty the King as the assistant undersecretary for primary care and public health of the Ministry of Health. During this period, I worked as an advisor to the World Health Organization and a member of the GCC ministers of health executive board, where I participated in putting disease control and prevention plans in place. Also, during that period, I was appointed by His Majesty the King as a member of the Human Rights Institute.
In 2015, I moved from management to regulations when His Majesty the King appointed me as the CEO of the National Health Regulatory Authority. So, you can see that I have been a physician, a tutor, worked in the media, politics, human rights management and finally in the field of regulations and each of them I have had many achievements - all in the devotion to my country and for the benefit of its people.
A lot of developments are taking place in the medical sector under NHRA's guidance, recently virtual consultations were approved. What is your vision for the sector in the future?
NHRA vision’s will continue to ensure the safety and quality of the services provided by the healthcare sector. We seek excellence and want our healthcare sector to be one of the best in the region. We work closely with the private health sector to assure that we provide high-quality standards while providing patient care.
There are many opportunities in the related fields of telemedicine, training, medicines, and medical supplies manufacturing and we hope to make advances and the government of Bahrain provides many incentives for investors in the health sector with support from the economic Development Board and TAMKEEN. So hope to make more advances in these fields as well.
As more Bahraini women join the workforce especially in the medical sector, what would be your words of wisdom to those just starting out?
Females outnumber males in the healthcare field but of course they also bear family responsibilities. I see a lot of young professionals juggle work and life – being dedicated to their career and raising children at the same time. My advice to them is to plan well, have a target, manage time and always seek support. It’s not easy but that’s life - we
need to work hard to prove ourselves. A lot of young professionals are overworked and stressed leading to depression and mental health issues. What would your suggestion to them be?
Take care of yourself so you can take care of others. Sleep well, eat healthy and exercise. Allocate a dedicated time for yourself to do the things you like and stay away from negative people and environment.
We know you are passionate about your work, but what is Mariam Al-Jalahma the person, passionate about?
I would say work, my work is my passion (laughs) but of course, I am passionate about my family. I like reading, cooking, and travelling as well.
We know you like travelling, what has been the most interesting destination you have travelled to?
I love to travel to destinations with a lot of history. One amazing adventure I went on recently was travelling to India, to Rajasthan. I took the ‘Palace on Wheels’ to traverse through different parts of Rajasthan – Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer – it was fascinating. The region is full of history, nature, beauty, and architecture, what an amazing civilization! A journey I will never forget!
Are you someone who sticks to the same routine, or do you like to challenge yourself with adventures? What was something you recently did that was fun and exciting?
No one likes to stick to routine, otherwise, you will get bored and lethargic. The most exciting thing I did this year was to take a break and travel with my family. We planned a family trip to a new destination where we hadn’t been before. After not having travelled for two long years due to COVID, it was a wonderful break for the family.
Her eyes light up as a passionate Mariam Jalahma talks about her life's journey, her work, and travelling, making her video interview a mustwatch.
Jaipur, India: Vibrant, colourful, rich with history and one of Mariam Jalahma's favourite travel destinations
MOST MAGICAL LUXURY TRAVEL DESTINATIONS
TO RING IN 2023
We’ve curated some of the most beautiful and exclusive resort getaways for you to choose from. As the end of this year approaches and a new one peeks over the horizon, it's time to plan your final getaway for 2022. Travel satiates the soul and allows you to find aspects of your personality you did not know about; it relaxes, de-stresses and connects you with your loved ones and nature.
VELAA PRIVATE ISLAND
One of the truly private islands in the Maldivian archipelago, Velaa Private Island is an elite ultra luxury tropical paradise of pure seclusion in harmony with nature.
The resort comprises 47 private villas, houses and exclusive residences. While 18 of the 47 are built over water, the Romantic Pool Residence can only be reached by boat, allowing for even more privacy and exclusivity. Each villa has its own discreet butler who seems to anticipate one's every whim.
With a golf course, air-conditioned tennis courts, a wide-ranging variety of sea sports, and yachting experiences, Velaa will truly keep you occupied. Swimming in the clear turquoise waters, one can mingle with some of the most fascinating creatures of the ocean. The untouched Noonu Atoll is home to numerous exotic dive sites featuring shark cleaning stations, dramatic swim-troughs and elusive eagle rays. A dedicated marine biology team oversees the development of the largest coral restoration programme in the Maldives, and guests can arrange an immersive tour of the coral garden as well as discover the fascinating hidden gems located within the house reef.
The festive season at Velaa promises to be the most unforgettable experience across the Indian Ocean as the resort celebrates its ninth anniversary which culminates in a mesmerising performance of 'Katya', an unrivalled New Year’s Eve show to welcome 2023.
A 45-minute seaplane ride from Malé, Velaa offers transfers in its private nine-seat aircraft, and guests arriving by private jet can land at Maafaru International Airport and take a 35-minute boat transfer.
Swimming in the clear turquoise waters of the Velaa private island, one can mingle with some of the most fascinating creatures of the ocean
ZAMBEZI SANDS RIVER CAMP
Wilderness is not a luxury, but a necessity of the human spirit.
Being out in the wild is inspiring in and of itself but there is nothing more awe-inspiring than being surrounded by wilderness. That's exactly what the Zambezi Sands River Camp offers, unrivalled luxury in one of the world's most breath-taking natural settings and is the perfect base to rest in between spotting wildlife and exploring Victoria Falls. Seated right at the edge of the Zambezi River, in the wilderness of the Zambezi National Park, it is more than just a safari destination.
Zambezi Sands River Camp’s ten beautiful tented two-bedroom suites come complete with a private swimming pool, lounge and dining room and a deck for those desiring more privacy. A truly opulent experience as the bedrooms are styled as large African-style tents offering exceptional views from the huge veranda to the soundtrack of the area’s magical wildlife. The boardwalks that interlink each tent with the main dining area and bar offer protection from wandering hippos who often spend at least part of the night feeding in and around the camp.
The lodge’s elegant bar, lounge and dining area sit above the river, the stilted structure surrounded by the area’s lush landscapes. Decorated with stylish teak furniture, wooden flooring, leather chairs and sofas, it is quintessential Africa meets luxury. The canvas walls and ceilings create a traditional safari feel, yet the floor-to-ceiling glass doors let the sunlight pour in and add a touch of luxury.
Zambezi Sands River Camp: Unrivalled luxury in one of the world's most breath-taking natural settings in Zambia
The Zambezi Sands River Lodge offers an array of activities without even leaving the estate. In addition to the resort’s spa and fitness centre, guests can enjoy a myriad of water activities including game drives along the river and inland, game walks with an experienced professional and day or sunset river boat cruises.
It is not easy to be surrounded by the magnificence of the beautiful creatures of Africa from towering elephants, who are a regular fixture along the river bank to hippos and lions that roar nearby, and not be awestruck.
The resort is a 90-minute drive from the Victoria Falls airport though there is also a private 5-seater helicopter that you can take to really soak in the experience when you fly over the tumultuous falls and park.
YOUR OWN PRIVATE ISLAND RETREAT AT LE MERIDIAN RESORT AND SPA, MALDIVES
Dance with the waves, move with the sea, and let the rhythm of the water set your soul free. There’s nothing like standing at the edge of the ocean. With each wave barreling in one after the other, it is easy, in that moment, to forget that life exists outside this haven. And it is by far the best thing about having a private island all to yourself, where the ultra-luxury experience transcends into something sublime.
Bodu Finolhu, the whollyowned private island of the ultra-luxe five-star resort Le Meridian Resort and Spa, Maldives, is one such utopian setting for picture-perfect picnics when the golden sun dips beyond the horizon, casting shimmering shades of orange across the open skies.
Accessible only to the guests of the Le Meridian Resort and Spa located in the secluded south-eastern pocket of Lhaviyani Atoll it is the perfect place for a wide range of underwater activities,
romantic excursions, and curated destination-dining experiences.
The Le Meridien Maldives Resort & Spa itself is a 360-degree canvas inspired by the formation of the Atolls, fringing reefs and marine life. Spanning nine hectares, the island is a true castaway experience abundant with indigenous flora and fauna enveloped by a shimmering lagoon and coral reefs teeming with marine life, including pods of rays and turtles.
Summer never ends in the archipelago, so to unlock the very best of Bodu Finolhu, guests can either select the pre-prepared package or work with the concierge team to create a bespoke experience.
Indulge in gastronomic experiences, wander without an agenda, or simply slow down your steps until the stress of daily life melts away – design your own perfect holiday agenda. All these unique experiences are available to guests, including private beach dinners,
Bodu Finolhu: Spanning nine hectares, the private island of Le Meridian Resort and spa is a true castaway experience
Al Zain debuts special high jewellery collection at Jewellery Arabia
Al Zain, one of the most prominent luxury design and manufacturing jewellers in the region, will be presenting collections ranging from bespoke high jewellery to traditional 21k gold crafted in an unusual and sought-after gold colour and modern contemporary everyday jewellery crafted in 18k gold.
At this year's Jewellery Arabia, Al Zain will introduce three distinct experiential stands covering high jewellery, trends and 21K Gold, enabling them to offer different experiences for discerning customers. Debuting at Jewellery Arabia exclusively is Mushabbak High Jewellery. The house will also showcase its latest collections – Hab El Hayl Origins, Al Merriyah, Al Merriyah Moods, Al Merriyah Hyceram, Mosaic, Al Hilal, Cordoba, Precious Nina, Simply Nina, Edge and Treasures of Arabia, all of which truly depict Al Zain's loyalty to its roots, heritage and celebrating 90 years of craftsmanship.
Mushabbak collection from Al Zain
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection Sets Sail
It's perhaps the ultimate experience in luxury travel - the new era of yacht-style cruising as the Ritz-Carlton announces the debut of its yacht collection. It marks a significant moment for the iconic hospitality brand as it makes its foray into the luxury yachting space.
Envisioned to perfectly blend the lifestyle of the Ritz-Carlton resorts with the casual freedom of a yachting vacation, Evrima, the first of three custom-built yachts from 'The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection'.
Stopping at both intimate and signature ports of call, most voyages range from seven to ten nights, with no two journeys alike so that guests can combine itineraries without repeating a destination. Depending on the season, Evrima visits the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. Destinations along the way range from Spain’s Balearic Islands and coveted havens along the French Riviera, to the aquamarine shores
of Aruba and the tropical coastlines of Costa Rica. The intimate size of Evrima also allows unique access into some of the most sought-after ports of call, delivering yacht-style cruising in destinations such as Mykonos, Saint-Tropez, and St. Barts.
“The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is revolutionizing the luxury cruising industry, creating an entirely unique category designed for those in search of unmatched getaways, highly curated itineraries, insider access and a level of personalisation previously unseen in the space”, commented Douglas Prothero, Chief Executive Officer for The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.
Evrima, the first of three custom-built majestic yachts from The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
The specially designed yacht measures 190-meters and can accommodate up to 298 passengers. In addition to offering a high percentage of large suites, Evrima also features several innovative two-story loft suites.
All rooms feature a private terrace and floorto-ceiling windows, select suites also have the option to be combined into larger, open-concept spaces allowing for more flexibility when selecting accommodations.
Travellers enjoy a relaxed sense of freedom aboard Evrima, with access to a curated menu of spa treatments, a sauna and steam room, water sports from the yacht’s marina while at anchor, an infinity pool, a fitness studio and more.
Guests can also select from a breadth of dining options including locally-inspired creations in the Evrima Room, Southeast Asian Cuisine and a sit-down sushi bar at Talaat Nam, a speciality dining experience in S.E.A., designed by chef Sven Elverfeld of Aqua, the three Michelin-starred restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, Wolfsburg.
In each destination, guests can choose from a selection of unique experiences within The Shore Collection that align with their interests or utilise the services of the 'Concierge Ashore' to customise their own private tours.
Experiences onshore range from a guided tour in a world-class museum with its curator, visiting a UNESCO World Heritage site, to truffle hunting, and more. On select itineraries, guests can deepen their experience mid-voyage through an overnight tour, promising an unforgettable and uniquely
immersive cultural experience before re-joining the yacht at their next destination.
These yachts are also available for private charter.
50 and going Strong!
HM the King with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace in France in 2022
It's a momentous year in French-Bahrain relations as it marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations. His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa's meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, the official reception in his honour at the Élysée Palace underscored the importance both nations place on their bilateral relations in the economic, trade, investment, cultural and tourism sectors.
We spent an afternoon with the French Ambassador HE Jérôme Cauchard to explore the various sectors in which the two nations work closely together and talk about things that are classically Frenchculture, fashion and football!
Your Excellency, it’s been 50 years of diplomatic relations between France and Bahrain, how does the French embassy ensure that these bonds are strengthened?
HE Jérôme Cauchard: We are working daily to enrich the relationship. This year we celebrated 50 years of diplomatic relations. France was among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of Bahrain and since then we have had permanent dialogue with Bahrain even at the highest level. This year, in August, His Majesty the King was in Paris hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron.
France is a country of arts, from fashion to food and the French embassy in Bahrain organises career enhancement programmes like the screenwriting workshop, cultural scholarships, and the fashion week Paris to Manama. Why do you think it is so important to encourage art and creativity between countries?
Artistic relations play a big part in enhancing relations. This is why we have focused on Fashion Week Paris to Manama. It helps to bring the society at large together, not just officials from both countries. Our aim was to shine a spotlight on young, emerging, talented Bahraini designers.
French Ambassador HE Jérôme Cauchard
For the fashion week, FWPM, French and Bahrain experts mentored these young designers for six weeks and we showcased their best creations (four to eight pieces for each designer). It will help them expand their knowledge and their horizons. We are very proud to be part of this journey.
We also found talented, young Bahrainis in photography, astronomy and as you mentioned, screenwriting, Bahrain is full of talent!
For the past few years, prominent French companies have played a significant role in the development of key projects here in Bahrain, such as the new airport. Can you walk us through the process of how this came to be and shed some light on what the next project is?
French companies are interested in all the opportunities offered by Bahrain’s dynamic and diversified economy. We are focusing on a key sector for Bahrain - tourism and hospitality, in the broader sense of the term. The Accor group is number one in Bahrain with seven different kinds of hotels. Ranging from five-star hotels to Ibis.
French companies are also involved in transportation - the planes, the airport and when the time comes –the subway. And we are waiting for the processes to start but French companies are there, ready to collaborate. In the retail sector, there is Carrefour, and in banking - BNP Paribas has its regional headquarters in Bahrain.
I also want to mention the contribution of the French Chamber of Commerce & Industry in Bahrain which is very active in promoting French companies in the Bahraini market and does a great job.
Late Amir of Bahrain HH Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa with late former French President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing
You joined the Directorate of Personnel and General Administration at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1987, and have been stationed in Jordan, Syria, Romania, Serbia, Canada and Beirut to name a few, and for the past three years, you've been the Ambassador of France to Bahrain. How would you sum up your experience as a diplomat so far?
Well, diplomats are travellers. Our careers take us to many places across the world and no location is the same. And, as a diplomat, you must take into account the vast differences due to diversity. Each posting enriches you with wonderful encounters with different people. So if I want to sum up my career, I would say that the diversity of the places and people I have met has been very enriching.
Bahrain is a very unique mix of modern and traditional, what do you personally
like about the culture of Bahrain?
You're right. Bahrain is an incredible mix of history, archaeology, diversity, tradition, and interest in foreign cultures, but also at the same time modernity, and inter-religious dialogue. The Pope coming to Bahrain shows openness (of the country). So many passed by the Bahrain shores throughout centuries, and even millennia, we can feel it when we live here.
Mr Cauchard sits at the grand piano that graces the French residence and adds to its charm. He plays a note or two before turning to the camera and declaring that he is not a pianist so he will not attempt a tune, leaving us wanting more.
HM King Hamad bin Isa al Khalifa with former French President Nicolas Sarkozy at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France in 2008
This piano is of very high quality and we have had many famous French pianists (classical, jazz) who came and played wonderful concerts with this piano for guests. It’s a great piece of art and I'm very happy to have a real piano at the French Embassy because I'm a fan of music, although I am not a pianist
The French love their football. What are your expectations from the FIFA tournament?
Well, I've been playing sports throughout my life - football, as well as tennis. And for the football World Cup, we're very excited. My fingers are crossed for the French team. We will, at least for the people at the embassy, arrange screenings of the French matches to support our team.
These are excerpts from the video interview with HE Jérôme Cauchard at his official residence. While we have presented to you the essence of our conversation, only a video can bring alive the vibrance of the setting and seeing HE the Ambassador's enthusiasm as he speaks to Life N Style on various topics and plays a couple of notes on the legendary piano at the French residence. You can watch the full interview on our website by scanning the QR code.
Fashion meets Art & Design
Fashion Week Paris to Manama was a week of intense learning, robust exchange of ideas, workshops and talks that culminated in a fashion showcase of the best of what Bahraini designers had to offer. Organised by the French Embassy in Bahrain, in collaboration with the Ministery of Youth and Sports Affairs, the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities and Tamkeen, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between France and Bahrain. The second edition of the show brought the unique flair of the young emerging Bahraini fashion designers into the limelight.
The fashion show took place on the picturesque waterfront of the National Theatre of Bahrain with a dozen emerging designers displaying their collections. A jury of Bahraini and French experts voted to give the winners an opportunity to develop their fashion skills in France in 2023. Here are the winners:
BEST INNOVATION
Sumaya Faisal
INTERNATIONAL POTENTIAL
Alfi Alshakar and Talal Alkaabi
BEST EMERGING TALENT
Fatema Hussain Al-Turabi and Nouran Nasser
Showcasing the best of Bahraini fashion designers at Fashion Week Paris to Manama 2022
Arab FashionWeek
A
Heady mix of Haute Couture and Pret-aPorter
Trendy Dubai played host to Arab fashion with 36 designers from the region taking to the runway. The week-long extravaganza had a full roster of shows featuring the Fall Winter 22/23 Haute Couture and the Spring-Summer 2023 Ready-to-Wear shows.
The highlight of the week was the one-ofa-kind collaboration between the world’s most diverse doll, Barbie, and the Lebanese couturier Jean-Louis Sabaji – the first Arab designer to work with the global icon.
This edition of Arab Fashion Week has evolved and its profile grown on the international stage, it showcased new and established talents from the UAE, the region and across the world. Highlighting prestigious and creative partnerships and collaborations – all of which are geared towards rethinking the regular. Dubai’s place in the global fashion scene has gone from strength to strength.
The couture designers that showcased collections in this Arab Fashion Week came from all across the globe from Dorota Goldpoint (Poland); Stada Boutique (Romania); Rian Fernandez (Philippines); Maison Mada’en (UK-Jordan); Ilse Jara (Paraguay); Euphoria (UAE); All’s (Belarus); Ivan Young (Malaysia); Humariff (UAE); Maliche (UAE); Kel by Elena Kondratova (Ukraine); Pipatchara (Thailand); Mena Talal (Iraq); Lisa Ju (Indonesia); Erick Bendana (Nicaragua); and Ihab Jiryis (Palestine).
The Ready-to-Wear designers included
Lili Blanc (UAE); Poca & Poca (Poland); Yassmin Saleh (Lebanon); Vidhi Wadhwani (India); BHYPE (UAE); Emergency Room (Lebanon); Zardouz (Iran); Born in Exile (Libya); Louzan (UAE); and Slimi Studio (UAE).
Jean Louis Sabaji X Barbie
The Jean Louis Sabaji X Barbie capsule unfurled an array of sleek, form-fitting silhouettes crafted with surprising details.
Barbie comes to the international fore in pure couture regalia, awash in her preferred hues of powder pink and black, floor-sweeping evening gowns embracing the curves, while uptown cocktail dresses come to fruition. A homage to the incredible evolution of the 2021 Fashion Icon Awardee, feathers and the heart serve as Sabaji’s iconic hallmark: the latter is deconstructed into an ironic bodice and crafted into striking necklines and plunging backs, as Barbie again
evolves her aesthetic for one of fashion’s most exciting epochs of all.
Louzan
Silk abaya-inspired ensembles awash in a palette of Arabian sunset-to-sunrise colours sashayed down the runway which was a refreshing reminder of the region’s origins and the creative mystique that emanates from the Arabian Peninsula. The simplicity of the abaya came to the fore, consciously enhanced with sartorial elements like trench collars, fringe details and innovative textiles and prints like polka dots and architectural tile motifs.
Weinsanto
Victor Weinsanto, a former ballet student who cut his teeth at Jean Paul Gaultier, showcased the fall-winter season with an edgy injection of streetwear meets punk.
Ilse Jara
Paraguay-born designer Ilse Jara showcased the possibility of merging technological innovations with natural materials and traditional techniques, developing her own DNA through textures; intrepid in jungle paradise shades of red and green, fan detailing and long swathes of silk pelisse.
Rian Fernandez
Filipino designer Rian Fernandez is known for his couture looks driven by a love for traditional Filipino artisanal craft. Couture gowns and ensembles awash in fluorescent green and mermaid iridescent shades were punctuated by complimentary tailored ensembles for men. Elaborate bodices, intricate weaving and sultry tassels embraced the female figure.
The Giving Movement
The Giving Moment is a Dubai-LA-KSA brand pioneering ethically made, sustainable athleisure and street wear unleashed a collection of hijabs, silky pyjamas, utilitarian track pants and tees crisscrossed with hiking straps, and workout gear.
Lili Blanc
An intrepid explorateur, a savvy urbanite, a self-made woman… these were the sort of muses UAE-born designer Sabrina Mouhieddine of Lili Blanc spoke to with her spring summer 2023 ready-to-wear show. Named 'Reflection', the season’s teaser featured women in blazers and top hats wandering through nature, underscoring a journey towards self-awareness and empowerment. This continued on with a line-up of uptown leather ensembles, trenches, vests, and skin-embracing outfits.
Amato
With contemporary regalia fit for a modern Maharaja, designer Furne One brought his own light to the runway of d3 through an innovative couture display of darkness. His fall-winter 22/23 couture runway show was an all-black cast of looks characterized by otherworldly handmade embellishments, calling to mind the romanticism of vintage Indian costumery. Turbans, capes, feathered shoulders, and moulded armour served as the hallmarks of this fall-winter collection that pushed conventional barriers.
Maison Mada’en
Known for her handmade embroidered looks that have appeared in and around the Cannes Film festival, Dubai-based Farah Bseiso paid tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II with her fall winter 2023 couture collection inspired by the Gardens of London, their flora and their scents. Reflecting on the beauty of nature, Maison Mada’en infused inviting colours with fairytale motifs, encouraging us all to take a look beyond reality and dream. Dubbed 'Fallen Rose', the collection featured vibrantly coloured tulles and hues of silk Mikado that were envisaged to flatter all tones and body types.
Humariff
With its fall winter 2022/23 couture collection, Tamam Humariff drove its connection between the cultures of the Middle East and Russia even further in what came to the limelight as a regal wedding party. Fit for a modern sheikha or princess, the brand’s flair for embellishment catered to her every whim through a renaissance display of crystals, whimsical hand embroidery and metallised leaves. Gilded and crystallised, the Humariff woman’s mythical femininity was celebrated and fortified by capes and accentuated shoulders, which were paramount throughout.
Lavender Oil - A magical elixir
Five ways in which lavender oil is beneficial
It is said that the Egyptians used lavender for mummification and as a perfume. In fact, when King Tut’s tomb was opened in 1923, experts say that there was a faint scent of lavender that could still be detected even after 3,000 years! While this might just be bunkum - the many benefits of using lavender oil are very real. From being an antioxidant to helping with stress relief, here are five ways in which using the essential oil this winter might be just what you need.
As a moisturiser
It is the most universal oil and has a tranquil aroma that is soothing to the senses, as well as to the skin when applied topically. It works wonders in replenishing moisture in dry skin and its antifungal properties can soothe inflammation that comes with eczema. It can also be used to treat psoriasis and cleanse the skin.
Mixing two drops of lavender oil, with tea tree oil and 2 teaspoons of coconut oil will bring comfort to your skin during the harsh winter months.
Evens skin tone
Lavender oil helps with hyperpigmentation, and aids in reducing discolouration. Gently massaged onto the skin, it will gently treat acne and scars.
Helps with rejuvenation and prevents premature ageing
Lavender oil is a potent source of antioxidants and other beneficial phytochemicals, making it useful for battling signs of premature ageing. Free radicals are partly responsible for fine lines and wrinkles on the face. To use lavender oil for wrinkles, use a few drops of this essential oil along with coconut oil. The mixture can also be used as a moisturizer once or twice a day.
Stimulating Hair Growth
Cold winter breeze punishes the scalp by drying it out. Over-styling, genetics, and stress can be reasons for hair fall and hair thinning. Studies say massaging lavender oil into the scalp can stimulate hair growth by nourishing hair follicles. You may try a combination of coconut oil and a few drops of lavender oil for the best results.
Improves Mood and Reduces Stress
In recent years, lavender oil has been put on a pedestal for its unique ability to improve one's mood. One of the most popular aromatherapy oils, lavender has been used to treat migraines, stress, anxiety and depression.
To relieve stress and improve sleep, put it in a diffuser by your bed or in the family room while you’re winding down in the evening. You can also use it topically behind your ears for similar results.
How to use lavender oil for skin
How you use lavender oil depends on what you’re treating. You can put it on your skin with a carrier oil to form a lotion. If you’re putting it on a damaged part of your skin, it’s often best to use a cotton ball, which is cleaner than your fingers.
For wrinkles and dry skin, you can apply the oil directly with your hands. Lavender oil can also be ingested in pill form, or used as steam for aromatherapy.
Biggest Make-up Trends for Spring
2023
Make-up trends can be fickle, something that is IN this season can be OUT the next. And then there are trends that are favourites for several years. We have been keeping an eye on the latest in beauty and make-up from London to Paris and Dubai.
Trendspotting fashion houses and make-up artists on the runway, backstage and on social media, here are the biggest trends that are going to be in style in Spring 2023.
Bold Lips
The end of the mandatory mask mandates has brought out big bright lips not just on runways but also in real life. Bold lips made an appearance with fashion houses like Gucci, Roberto Cavalli, Etro and Versace. Blue, orange and reds were seen taking center stage alongside playful neons.
Super Blush
Etro put forward some larger-than-life super-blush looks, while Christian Cowan displayed the ‘more is more’ super-blush look that was both alluring and glamorous. Smashbox Cosmetics’ artist Lori Taylor Davis showed off her blush styles extending up to the forehead - along with a touch of it on the chin; while at the ALIÉTTE Spring/Summer 2023 show MUA Keita Moore brings us a different blush look onto the temples and across the cheekbones.
Playful Eyes
DSquared2, Valentino, Alice + Olivia's NYFW presentations and a whole lot more swooned us with brightly coloured pop-eyes. Blue is again seen as the dominant colour of choice. Another trend that stood out - Metallic eyes! Chloé, Dries Van Noten, Elie Saab and Dior explored metallic-eye details that make a statement round the clock, both day and night.
Winged Eyes
Moschino chose to go with the classic winged look and Versace displayed quintessential rich, thick and luxuriant wings. Striking eyeliner appeared to be the dominant look in spring 2023 shows. At least if designers like Dior, and Prada are any indicator, exaggerated dramatic eyes are here to stay and slay.
Bleached Eyebrow
The Met Gala 2022 and the fashion weeks that followed saw numerous A-list stars bleach their eyebrows and strut with confidence! The hashtags #bleachedbrows and #bleacheyebrows had 515 million viewers.
Jewellery Arabia celebrates Pearl Anniversary
Jewellery Arabia 2022, the Middle East’s premier jewellery and watch event, is gearing up to celebrate its 30th anniversary at the newly constructed Exhibition World Bahrain in Sakhir. Held under the Patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the event is scheduled to take place from 22-26 November 2022, boasting widened shopping walkways, improved exhibitor and visitor experience, and the launch of Scent Arabia for the first time in the Kingdom.
Spanning 54,000 sqm, the new state-of-the-art venue will provide visitors with access to a wider range of renowned exhibitors from highly coveted regional and international brands, new brands taking part for the first time ever, as well as various food and beverage retail outlets and more.
The highly anticipated event will include a traditional Bahraini
‘Gold Souq’, dedicated zones for watches, pearls, up-and-coming designers and pre-loved items.
Mohaned El Mahgoub, General Manager, Informa Markets Bahrain, is delighted to host the
event at the newly launched Exhibition World Bahrain.
“Accommodating a larger number of exhibitors, this year’s event will leave an impressionable mark on all visitors, as we aim to host an unforgettable visual experience with enhanced services and an array of products from the most prestigious brands across the world.”
Jewellery Arabia consistently attracts over 550 exhibitors from 30 nations; whose exhibits range from incredible finished jewellery to luxury timepieces, to precious stones of every size, shape and cut.
World-famous international jewellery houses, watch manufacturers and highprofile designers are regular participants, many of whom choose Jewellery Arabia to introduce new collections and limited edition pieces to the Middle East collector’s market.
Scent Arabia, the Kingdom’s first luxury fragrance event, will debut alongside Jewellery Arabia 2022, showcasing a vast selection of luxurious fragrances from across the region and the world. Jewellery and perfume enthusiasts alike will gather to experience a variety of fragrances and limitededition pieces.
CLASSY & CLASSIC THE ALLURE OF BAHRAINI PEARLS
As the rarest and most precious of gems, the beauty of pearls, especially those from the seas of Bahrain, find a place of pride in the heirloom collections of royal families, nobility and those with impeccable taste.
In fact, it was recently revealed the luxury jewellery brand Cartier acquired their iconic New York flagship store in exchange for a pearl necklace.
In 1916, Pierre Cartier displayed a magnificent two-strand pearl necklace (with rows of 55 and 73 perfect pearls) in his New York showroom. It was worth close to a million dollars at the time (approximately $24 million today). This attracted the attention of a prominent railroad magnate's wife who fell in love
with the piece.
Cartier made her an extraordinary offer, he would trade the one-of-its-kind pearl necklace for just $100. The only catch was that she would have to part with her Italian-renaissance-inspired mansion on New York's Fifth Avenue. So strong was the allure of the necklace, that she agreed and the rest is history.
Mr Vijay Shah, Director, Al Hashimi Pearls
BAHRAIN’S PEARLING HISTORY
Bahraini pearls have been admired and coveted for millennia. They find mention in the writing of the renowned Roman author and philosopher, Pliny. The Kingdom’s pearls have a legendary status that comes from their brilliance, lustre and timeless beauty. Many believe that this is perhaps due to Bahrain’s oyster bed being located near underwater sweet water springs.
A testament to the longevity of Bahraini pearls is showcased in the Bahrain National Museum where two pearls still attached to the shell are on display. They were excavated in Saar and date back to early Dilmun period (2000-1800BC) giving Bahrain a staggering 4,000-year pearling history. It is no wonder then that in 2012, UNESCO declared Bahrain's pearling beds as a World Heritage site.
Today, natural pearls are found in only two places: in the seas off Bahrain and Australia. Their scarcity is reflected in the prices they fetch at auctions, with antique pearl necklaces and earrings selling for record-breaking sums. Life N Style decided to explore the world of exquisite Bahraini pearl jewellery with one of the renowned masters of the craft, Vijay Shah of Al Hashimi Pearls. The luxury brand
is well known for exclusive and classic designs put together by seasoned craftsmen.
Besides the three renowned stores in Bahrain, Al Hashimi Pearls is a well-known name across the Middle East, US and Europe. Its chairman, Vijay Shah came to Bahrain as a young boy enamoured by the beauty of its natural pearls in the early 1980s.
It is Bahrain, he says, that taught him everything there is to know about natural pearls. Pearls are the queen of gems and a gem of the queens. "Bahraini pearls have adorned the necks of royalty across the world. From her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth of England who has been frequently seen wearing two-three strand pearls to the erstwhile Maharajahs of India who are seen in photographs and portraits wearing nine, 11 or 21 rows of pearls, all supplied by Bahrain. So, Bahrain has been the main hub for natural pearls, globally, for centuries."
NATURE’S TREASURE
There are four main kinds of pearls - the most widely available, are the freshwater pearls growing in large water sources across China. They are less rare and thus are more reasonably priced of the four.
The Japanese Akoya pearls, a variety of saltwater pearls, are known for their unique shine and spherical shape.
Tahitian pearls are cultivated in the islands of French Polynesia. They too are saltwater pearls and are often referred to as black pearls but also come in gorgeous hues of grey, purple, blue and green.
And finally, South Sea Pearls, found in Australia and the Philippines. They are the largest pearls available and are usually of white, cream or golden hue.
"All these freshwater pearls, cultured pearls, south sea pearls, the Haiti black pearls are man-made and produced in the farms, but pearls from Bahrain are found naturally in the sea. There are no farms in the Gulf. Our pearls are pure because they are made by God", says Mr Vijay Shah.
Pearls are extremely rare in nature as only one percent out of 10,000 oysters contain pearls. The long, impatient period between each discovery only feeds the desire for the elusive pearl. This also makes it difficult to construct pieces that require symmetry - in colour, texture, and lustre.
"We don't enhance any colours, shape or process the pearls in any way. We only grade them to place them in designs so that we can build an exquisite work of art which can be passed down through generations as heirlooms."
A necklace called 'Jalada' made with turquoise, ruby and Bahraini natural pearls
Holding a rich golden cream-hued three-strand necklace that is worth approximately a quartermillion Bahraini dinars. Vijay Shah talked us through the painstaking process of making a necklace of this calibre, "It takes a minimum of 15 to 25 years to collect the right pearls, to match them properly and turn them into an elegant piece."
Natural pearls come in all shapes and sizes, some of which can be found in the vaults of Al Hashimi Pearls. From pink, black and brown, Vijay Shah has seen pearls of all varieties but one of his favourites is a 20-millimetre baroque, drop-shaped pearl weighing 15 karats, which he placed in a delicate necklace, a thoughtful juxtaposition to enhance the brilliance of the unusual gem. It is just the kind of modern setting that young people these days seek.
“While we at Al Hashimi pearls have been famous for our traditional Bahraini jewellery, increasingly we find that our younger clients want the same gems but in a modern setting.”
Attention is paid to the most minute of details to ensure that each piece stands out. They even use the smallest of pearls to create their alluring and versatile ‘karkoosha’ (tassel) collection, which is made of Bahraini pearls in symphony with gleaming diamonds from Belgium, rubies from Burma, emeralds from Zambia in a scintillating piece of fine jewellery. Each design in their collection is a masterpiece in its own right.
These were excerpts from our conversation with Vijay Shah but the true brilliance of the Bahraini pearls has to be seen to be believed. Our video interview captures the many unique pieces at Al Hashimi pearls in all their glory from the simple yet elegant three-strand flawless necklace, to the maharajah style neckpiece, and Bahraini traditional wedding jewellery pieces. The video is a treat for lovers of fine craftsmanship and brilliant gems. You can watch the video on our website or scan the QR code.
QANNATI OBJET D’ART: CELEBRATION OF TIME
Inspired by Mesopotamian culture, Qannati’s collection is a bridge between art & horology
The unique pieces from Qannati Objet d’Art are unlike anything you have ever seen before; they challenge the industry norm with a highly expressive and rare artistic mastery of time.
Qannati Objet d’Art, the ultra-luxury watch brand, has an Arab heart as it was founded in 2018 by Mahmood Qannati, a Bahraini who has been described by Forbes as a “global entrepreneur with a passion for history, a keen eye for and a love of fine craftsmanship.”
The Gladiators quantum timepiece was handcrafted in 864 days
The Collection
The recently launched in the Paris Haute Couture and Dubai “Celebration of Time” collection has been designed and crafted in France and manufactured in Switzerland. The collection has watches and bracelets elaborately adorned with precious and exotic materials, extravagant designs and monumental themes encompassing ancient cultures through futuristic motifs.
Dinosaurs fossils, Roman-era coins, real meteorite fragments, or parts of a spaceship find space alongside precious gems. Even the strap skins are far from ordinary - Qannati uses python, frog, or stingray skins for the desired effect to complement the piece.
“This collection is comprised of original handmade objects that will stand out in the eyes of an elite international clientele who appreciates the superlative craftsmanship of timeless ornaments, meticulously crafted and always one-of-a-kind. We believe in exclusivity, which is why each masterpiece is unique, because each life experience is unique”, says Mahmood Qannati.
An ancient Roman Empire coin in the buckle of the Gladiators quantum timepiece
A meteorite fragment from the depths of the universe is used for the buckle.
The Concept
More than 4500 years ago the Mesopotamian kings used to wear bracelets on both hands. This inspired Qannati to introduce ornamental objects and functional timepieces through six eternity bracelets and six quantum watches that can be worn individually or on both wrists.
The eternity bracelet is shaped like a timepiece but it doesn’t tell time. It is designed for the wearer who has mastered time, and who prefers to lead rather than to track time. Each eternity bracelet encapsulates a handcrafted miniature universe that reflects its own time, whether past, present or future, a little like the surprise of a Fabergé egg.
Quantum Timepieces are pieces of wearable art that together with the eternity bracelets complete the ancient Mesopotamian tradition. They are designed for those who master time and are free from its limitations.
Each quantum timepiece is a one-of-a-kind, °360 view sculpted universe.
These are adorned with the 'Flower of Life' symbol which is to be one of the most fascinating and mystical, geometric symbols of time.
Qannati captures the universe with miniature ‘métier d’art’ watch masterpieces, synthesising exceptional craftmanship with modern technology's power, allowing its clientele to treasure life’s precious moments into a work of art.
The Alpha eternity bracelet took 999 days to create
A real meteorite at the heart of this stunning bracelet
Exceptional Craftsmanship behind Qannati
To make its vision of unique wearable art objects a reality, Qannati Objet d’Art has harnessed the talents of two of France’s most exceptional master craftsmen. The jewellery ‘conceptor’ and designer Frédéric Mané, Artistic Director of Qannati, and Jothi-Sèroj Ebroussard, a master jeweller and sculptor bring their impeccable ‘Métiers d’Art’ sensibility to Qannati’s masterpieces.
Mané has used his immense talent to create outstanding objects for the world’s most renowned luxury brands and important high jewellery houses of the Place Vendôme while Jothi who has collaborated with several high jewellery maisons brings an unmistakably authentic touch to his unique creations for Qannati.
The Alpha eternity bracelet represents the Big Bang. Created in 999 days, and designed using Ethiopian opal in the explosion’s core, it includes scattered diamond slices and natural magnetic sand from New Caledonia. The alligator strap is armoured with a shield made of gold, carbon and black diamonds.
The Jurassic eternity bracelet captures the era when the dinosaurs roamed the earth. Rocks of cognac rough diamonds stand out from the ground, handcrafted using opalised ammonite fossils. The dinosaurs were crafted in 18k yellow and grey gold and encased in titanium, facing each other in a fight for survival. The piece was realised in 852 days and to make it even more extraordinary, it has a buckle universe of fossilised dinosaur bone.
'Pearl Of The Gulf' eternity bracelet
In collaboration with Bahrain’s leading national pearls lab - Danat, this piece took 920 days to make. The 18k yellow gold shoreline overlooks a crystal clear blue sea made entirely of larimar gemstone. To enrich the landscape, a traditional pearling boat made of brown silver sails off in search of the famous natural pearls. The buckle universe is made entirely from mother of pearl with a natural pearl from Bahrain encased in the eternity bracelet. The strap is made using frog leather.
Al Fallah
Quantum Timepiece
Inspired by the Al Fateh Mosque in Bahrain, the quantum timepiece shows the moment when the call to prayer is spoken, opening the doors of the mosque to its faithful. Bringing the most sacred moment to life, this masterpiece represents the grace of prayer and its union. It has a pearl from Bahrain encased in the eternity bracelet and the strap is made using frog leather.
Pearl Of The Gulf eternity bracelet
The
Golden Canary The world’s largest flawless diamond
The world’s largest flawless diamond is ready to be auctioned by Sotheby’s in December 2022!
The Golden Canary is a rare, scintillating, intense yellow-brown coloured weighing a colossal 303.10 carats. The fancy deep brownish-yellow diamond is one of the largest polished diamonds in the world and the largest flawless or internally flawless diamond ever graded by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).
The Golden Canary is originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo and was discovered in the early 1980s, by a young girl playing in her relative’s backyard. Discarded as rubble at first, it turned out to be an 890-carat rough diamond joining the list of the world’s largest diamonds.
Over the course of the next five years, the rough diamond was cut into 15 finished stones, from which the largest of the resulting diamonds, a fancy deep brownish-yellow weighing 407.49 carats, became formally known as the ‘Incomparable’.
Touring most of the world since its discovery and cut, the diamond will now be auctioned at Sotheby's 'Magnificent Jewels' auction in New York on 7th December, with an estimate in the region of $15 million, and offered without reserve, with bidding starting at just $1.
The Majestic Beauty of the Himalaya Birkin:
The most coveted handbag in the world
The Himalaya Birkin is one of the most sought-after handbags in the world fetching record numbers at auctions - both public and private
The Hermès Himalaya is truly a piece of wearable work of art. Crafted from Niloticus crocodile, the Himalaya is famous for its delicate gradation of colour: fading from a smoky grey into a pearly white, resembling the majestic, snow-capped Himalayan mountain range. By using precious materials, coupled with exquisite craftsmanship, the Himalaya is the ultimate expression of the artistry and tradition of the storied Hermès House.
The Himalaya series includes the three most collectable Hermès models — the Birkin, Kelly and Constance.
The Hermès Himalaya takes its true inspiration from early crocodile handbags that, if not dyed black or brown, would be lightened to highlight the skin's natural colouring. This natural ombré went out of style as dyeing techniques improved and colour created more and more possibilities for exotics.
Initially, the 30cm matte Himalaya Birkins were kept secret and only sold to top collectors. This new, unique style was only known to the most dedicated Hermes fans. That is, until 2010 when Jean-Paul Gaultier sent a Himalaya Birkin down the Hermès’ spring runway. From that moment on, the Himalaya Birkin was the bag to have.
Currently, a 25cm Himalaya Birkin retails between $45,000 and $65,000 at Hermès (prices can vary by country and with local taxes).
In 2017, the average price for Himalaya bags at auction was just over $106,000 with the record held by a 25cm Kelly that achieved just over $150,000.
Fast forward to 2022 and the record is still held by a 25cm Kelly, but the top number has ballooned to over $435,000.
The Shaik of Luxury
The name Designer Shaik conjures up images of grandeur, opulence and timeless beauty rooted in the Arabian heritage and mystique of the desert sands. From fragrances to timepieces, everything Designer Shaik make carries their distinctive signature of timeless craftsmanship which in turn is reflected in the spectacular growth of this truly outstanding fashion house.
As one of the first Bahrain-based luxury brands that made a mark internationally, Life N Style was curious about the inspiration behind the House of Designer Shaik and the man who conjured it all up - CEO and Conceptualist Mohammad Al Asfoor. As Mr Asfoor opened his heart & the doors of his headquarters to us, the conversation flowed, here are some excerpts from the interview.
Each piece that Designer Shaik has launched has created a distinct identity for itself in the international luxury market. With its unique Arabian charm and modern presentation, what was the inspiration behind the brand?
Mohammad Al Asfoor: As an Arab, a Bahraini, who has lived in the region for a long time, I have seen the colourful history of Arabia - that was the inspiration for the desert prince - the Designer Shaik. This creative Shaik represents the rich, romantic and opulent Arabia of the past. We developed our
products around his personality as the main theme of the brand. The mystique of the desert prince created an old-world Arabian charm that is embodied in our products and our customers across the world enjoy it. It combines the romantic vision of the Orient and the style and practicality of the West, an emotional and intellectual bridge between the East and the West.
What is unique about Designer Shaik is that you do everything in-house and everything in Bahrain. As one of the first luxury brands from Bahrain, what challenges did you face in doing something that had not been done before?
The struggle was only initial and it’s all about the idea. You take the idea, start sketching, designing, and developing and then start the arduous process of bringing it to life and that takes years. Slowly, from one room we expanded to this three-storey building. But it takes ages before you get it right - the theme, the experimentation with the product and everything that comes with building a big brand.
We have to talk about your iconic fragrance bottle designs, what inspired you to create something of such beauty and elegance?
The design is similar to the 'Khanjar' which is a weapon used by men in the Arab world. There is nothing similar for the women, so we designed the bottle like a Khanjar serving a dual purpose in empowering women, she could use it to protect herself (symbolically, with the Khanjar), and use the perfume to attract the men she liked. The cap is like the eye of the falcon. The falcon is a prominent status symbol in the Arab world so we thought we will incorporate all these elements to make a beautiful bottle that embodies the message of love and empowerment from the desert prince.
In the world of luxury, it is very important but also very expensive to protect your intellectual property but you have done it very early on in your brand’s journey. What was the thought behind it?
In the early days of a brand, you know that you must protect your ideas but the process is very expensive. You have to register your industrial design & copyright among other things. However, despite the cost-prohibitive nature of the process, IPR is an important aspect of the luxury business because the moment you are successful, everyone will try to copy you. We were very confident of the brand we were creating, so we went ahead with the registration process quite early in our journey.
We are at your design facility, housed within your headquarters, where the magic happens. Take us through the various aspects of the design process at Designer Shaik.
Design is our strength and this is the place where all our ideas come to life. We take a small idea, sketch it out, recreate it in 3D and then work on the product till we reach a point where we feel it is ready to be launched. And that might take years. Some of the products have been here for three
years, some for ten years. The watches have been in development for 15 years because we believe in creating something unique.
A new product we are going to launch soon worldwide is the perfume called Sochi, named after the Russian city. It represents the Shaik's love of the dark Sochi nights. With Sochi, we can see the desert prince finding inspiration from other cultures.
Your exquisite watches are breathtaking in their detail and craftsmanship, what does it take to bring a luxury watch to market?
The process of watchmaking is very delicate. It takes a long time to bring one piece to the market. We start with the 3D design on the computers, develop the whole concept, and 3D-print them to get a better idea. During production, we face a whole new set of challenges - like this piece we are developing now, which has an intricate design cut into a stainless steel body. If it is gold or a similar metal - it is easier because it is cast but to get precision in stainless steel is a real challenge. It has been about four years in development and will probably take another year or so.
As one of the brands that have built its distinct identity out of our lovely Kingdom of Bahrain, there are many entrepreneurs who would want to follow in your footsteps. What would be your message to them?
Building a brand comes from intense passion. It has to be cared for and nurtured like a little baby. In fact, from inception onwards, you have to have confidence in your idea and passion to carry on despite the challenges you are likely to face. It is also important never to copy something that is already successful because once you go down that road you are likely to lose your direction and create a clone and not something original that you can be proud of.
These are excerpts from our video interview with Mohammad Al Asfoor at Designer Shaik’s headquarters in Bahrain. While we have presented to you the essence of our conversation here, however, only a video can bring alive the colourful personality of Mr Asfoor as he takes us on a tour of his design facility and is interrupted by his playful dog who wanted to be in the video as well and, well, we acquiesced! You can watch the full interview on our website. Scan the QR code to watch the video.
Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain Resort & Spa unveiled
Resting majestically on the unexplored, pristine beaches of Bahrain's West Coast, Jumeirah Group's newest address offers an idyllic setting for relaxation and rejuvenation.
Located just 10-minutes away from the Bahrain International Circuit, Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain Resort & Spa is filled with stunning ocean views, breath-taking sunsets, soothing ocean waves and an extensive range of leisure and wellness facilities. This fusion of beaches and gardens, the property has 196 rooms, as well as a private 11- bedroom Gulf Summer House, located directly at the beach.
Thomas B. Meier, Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Jumeirah Group said: “With the unveiling of our new property in Bahrain, Jumeirah Group is set to diversify the growing hospitality landscape in the Kingdom. As the darling brand of Dubai, Jumeirah will bring its considerable expertise and success to our neighbouring Gulf state, creating exceptional moments that deliver our promise of Stay Different. From its unique location on the pristine beachfront, Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain Resort & Spa will provide unparalleled Arabian hospitality with a focus on wellbeing, inviting guests to immerse themselves in the stunning
surroundings and embrace a different pace of life. With a passion for destination dining, Jumeirah Group will also bring its renowned signature dining know-how to the hotel, giving guests and residents of Bahrain an unrivalled choice of culinary experiences.”
The resort caters not just to ocean lovers but also to families with a 36-seater cinema as well as Jumeirah’s award-winning Talise Spa, including female-only spa facilities, couple treatment rooms, and a spectacular indoor pool among other facilities
‘Travel with Purpose’ the Hilton Way!
Hilton Bahrain, the Kingdom's first new five-star hotel since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, opened in August, in the heart of the country’s entertainment district –Juffair.
The architecture and luxurious feel of the hotel aside, what caught our eye was the strong emphasis the hotel and group placed on being environment and pet friendly – two things that are very close to our hearts.
Tamer Farouk, General Manager, Hilton Juffair told us more about Hilton’s environment-first philosophy.
We are in a time crunch with the environment; actions matter more than words, and we have heard that the Hilton, Juffair has committed to a 0% single-use plastic and renewable energy, in fact even your staff uniforms and footwear are made of recycled materials! Tell us more about your sustainability efforts?
Tamer Farouk: Hilton Bahrain is a proud supporter of Hilton’s Travel with Purpose - our economic, social and governance strategy to drive responsible travel and tourism. It is our goal to be a champion for sustainability and environmental activism in the hospitality industry in Bahrain. To that end, we have removed all single-use plastics from the hotel. And yes, you are right about the recycled uniforms and footwear, in fact, another project I am very excited to tell you about is called ‘the Water Plant Project’, which aims to save 1,496,750 plastic bottles, equivalent to 50,890kg of plastic and 122,734 carbon footprint in a span of 5 years.
Hilton is a pet-friendly hotel! What are the special amenities available for our furry friends?
Hilton Bahrain is the first ever 5-star pet-friendly hotel in the country. We continue to improve travel experiences and we understand the need for pet lovers, such as me, to have a trusted destination where we can share memorable experiences with our pets. We have several ‘pawfect’ services like an exclusive VIP pet membership, grooming services, treats and their own in-room pet dining menu!
You have over 26 years of experience with Hilton across the GCC. How does the hospitality sector in Bahrain differ from the others?
26 wonderful years and counting! And yes, after being in the Kingdom of Bahrain for two years, I can easily say this is one of the best countries to work and live in, as an expatriate. The people are some of the friendliest and most welcoming I’ve met and the government has been nothing but supportive. The hospitality here is thriving due to the many amazing qualities of the country. The Kingdom is a perfect example of the co-existence of culture and modernism, something that I love.
A certain feature, amenity or service that is distinct to the Hilton?
We have taken great care to ensure that the property lives up to how we have envisioned. The property features modern and stylish studios – as well as one and two bedroom apartments with breathtakingly beautiful sea views from the balcony. All our fabulous amenities aside I think what really sets us apart is our team members. Their dedication and hospitality are the heart of Hilton Bahrain. They are what makes us who we are and the most distinct feature that keeps our guests coming back.
Rasha Al Mannai, Art Consultant, Hilton Juffair
Architectural substance meets interior design style!
The brainchild of real estate magnate, Salim Ahmed Mannai, the Hilton Juffair was conceived to give Juffair its tallest tower with one of the biggest hospitality brands in the world.
Award-winning Singaporean design consultants, Silverfox Design developed the concept which was executed by Mannai in-house with Mtc Décor and engineering team led by Aparnaa Parab, a seasoned architect.
The design was developed to mimic the endless sand dunes in the desert of Bahrain in the form of sculptural modernism. Multi-faceted surfaces throughout the building complement the shimmering glass exterior.
The rich cultural heritage of Bahrain is reflected in the aesthetically placed accessories reflecting elements of black gold & aquamarine for the surrounding seas and rich hues of pearls and gold give a classy luxurious edge to the décor.
Local art consultant Rasha Al Mannai developed vibrant art pieces that complemented the bold architectural design features. The artwork of the hotel was inspired by Bahraini gold, characterised by its intricate craftsmanship and the Bahraini natural pearls.
Aparnaa Parab, Design Project Manager, Mannai Holding
Al Areen Palace & Spa:
Fairy-tale location for a picturesque wedding
“Happy marriages begin when we marry the ones we love, and they blossom when we love the ones we marry.”
And every happy marriage deserves the memories of the picture-perfect wedding day. While there are a lot of moving parts that result in those happy memories that you will treasure forever, the backdrop against which they are set - the venue is perhaps one of the most important aspects you would want to get right.
Whether you are looking for an outdoor setting, with the sunset framing your wedding photographs or a glamorous ballroom, Al Areen Palace and Spa by Accor, is ideal to make your dream wedding a reality.
You can take your pick of the mesmerising landscaped gardens and gorgeous ballrooms. Famous for its superior Arabian hospitality and picturesque terrain, Al Areen Palace & Spa is quite a popular wedding venue.
If you are looking for a winter or spring wedding, Al Areen has sweetened the deal with a special wedding package - with an all-inclusive complimentary one-night stay at their luxurious villa which comes with its own pool and jacuzzi, complimentary prewedding dinner, a beautiful wedding cake and a couple's massage to de-stress you before or after the wedding.
Al Areen Palace and Spa's dedicated team will ensure that you enjoy your own wedding as a dedicated team of event planners and coordinators take care of every little detail to ensure your special day is as beautiful and gorgeous as you envisaged. For more information: 17845000
La Table Krug by Y at The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain
A delight!sensory
has created the quintessential ‘rough luxury’ experience led by culinary innovator, Yann Bernard Lejarda and is a coming together of two icons of luxury - Krug Champagne and Ritz-Carlton at the recently reopened restaurant.
The first Krug Ambassade in the Middle East and the fourth exclusive La Table Krug in the world, diners can expect a sensory culinary experience that draws inspiration from artistic expression and the rarefied feeling of dining in an estate in the French countryside.
The tantalizing dishes, tastefully sculpted to create culinary masterpieces, are served in the most enlivening and lavish atmosphere. The senses are awakened with every mouthful as each delicate serving is more than food but the cuisine of desire, a moment that waves the sentiments and comforts the soul with an elevated experience where modern luxury is a lifestyle.
The culinary journey at La Table Krug by Y is inspired by Yann’s artistic expression where the food comes alive and transports diners to unexpected places within their imagination. A gastronomic paradise, the food and beverages on offer are constantly reinvented through creative dishes that take inspiration from the vast culinary world heritage and the legacy of the natural French-born chef.
“Food should be more than just a means of sustenance; it should be a complete sensory experience. When dining at La Table Krug by Y, we want to create a unique journey for each guest. The menu will always be daring, playful, and unexpected".
Yann Bernard Lejard, Director of Culinary and Food & Beverage, The Ritz Carlton Bahrain
The Riviera in Bahrain
It's like being at the French or Italian Riviera as you walk into the beautifully designed pop-up at the beachfront venue of the Ritz-Carlton Bahrain. Set against the sparkling Arabian Gulf, The Riviera is the perfect place to sample an ensemble of curated dishes from Ritz Carlton Bahrain, Chef de Cuisine, Alexis Knecht, who specialises in extraordinary Provencal cuisine, focused on preserving the taste and texture of fresh ingredients.
The Riviera showcases the beauty, glamour, and rich culinary traditions of the French and Italian Riviera and is the perfect location to enjoy the highlife and appreciate the bespoke gastronomic experience provided by their dedicated team.
The bespoke experience is accentuated by the Riviera’s interior design including simple yet elegant décor. The restaurant adds touches of modernity with an extended patio to enjoy a well-deserved drink while taking in the stunning views. It's the perfect place to wind down after a hectic week or a quiet evening out with your loved one.
A taste of Spain!
The gastronomy of Spain is renowned for its flamboyant flavours, vibrant colours, and heartiness influenced by the geographical location and the people who settled on the Iberian Peninsula. Bathed by the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, the Spanish diet is rich in seafood. In the countryside, vegetables and meats are valued in broths, soups, and stews.
Salero, at the Westin Hotel Bahrain, is one of the first authentic real Spanish restaurants in Bahrain. Never a dull moment at this casual contemporary dining restaurant with live cooking and entertainment including very exuberant Flamenco dancers.
Chef Jordi Bataller, the man behind the flavours of Salero, inherited his passion for cooking from his mother and grandmothers and stayed true to their traditional Spanish recipes.
The menu includes a large variety of different Spanish delicacies from tapas, to croquetas, to a selection of seafood, and succulent meat
dishes. Some of the Chef’s recommended dishes include Solomillo de Ternera en Costra de Queso Manchego - juicy beef tenderloin with a cheese crust, Suquet de Pescado – a mouth-watering Catalonian fish & mussel stew, & Costilla de Vacuno 36 Horas – tender and moist beef rib that is braised for 36 hours.
With the festive season around the corner, Salero has a special line-up in place - including a Christmas Eve dinner, a Christmas Brunch & a New Year’s Eve celebration!
Comes to Las Vegas next season! Formula
Formula 1 fans were ecstatic as F1 drivers George Russell, Lewis Hamilton and Sergio Pérez took over the Las Vegas Strip for the formal announcement of Las Vegas' addition to the 2023 calendar.
As the symbolic start of the lead-up to the 2023 race, there was a ‘painting of the start line’ ceremony at the future site of the paddock building. Executives including the Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali, Liberty Media President and CEO Greg Maffei and Formula 1 Heineken® Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix CEO Renee Wilm were present.
mula1
Fans thronged the Caesars Palace and Las Vegas Boulevard to catch a glimpse of some of the sport’s biggest star drivers including 7-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton, his Mercedes-AMG Petronas teammate George Russell, Oracle Red Bull Racing's 4-time Grand Prix winner Sergio Pérez, as they sped down the iconic Las Vegas Strip – giving spectators a preview into the upcoming event. Following the car runs, Hamilton, Russell and Pérez as well as Haas Team Principal Guenther Steiner and Williams Racing Driver Alex Albon and Team Principal Jost Capito were presented on the main stage and shared their excitement to race in Las Vegas in 2023.
BIC RACING season
raising the heat in Sakhir
The 2022/2023 season at Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) is in full swing, and with the temperatures across the Kingdom of Bahrain beginning to cool down, the action and intensity on the tarmac at ‘The Home of Motorsport in the Middle East’ are only heating up.
BIC recently hosted its first major global event of this campaign with the Bapco 8 Hours of Bahrain, the grand finale of the 2022 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). It was an extra special occasion for the elite of endurance motorsport, who were celebrating the end of the milestone 10th anniversary of the WEC in Sakhir, where the series’ newest champions were crowned.
The winners were headlined by Toyota Gazoo Racing's sensational title double, with the triumvirate of Sebastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley and Rio Hirakawa coming away with the Hypercar drivers’ title and their Japanese team securing the Hypercar manufacturers’ crown. Also taking to the track during the WEC weekend were the WTCR-FIA World Touring Car Cup and the
Porsche Sprint Challenge Middle East, both as support series.
The WTCR held the Race of Bahrain, and it marked the series’ debut both at BIC and the region. It was also the first time the WTCR appeared on the same weekend as the WEC, bringing together the very best of touring car and ME once again brought together before the big race weekend. The tests will take place over three days from 23 to 25 February, offering the last opportunity for F1’s teams and star drivers to get their contenders ready for the brand-new season.
The annual international programme at BIC continues to grow each year and it is no different in 2023.
For the first time ever, the Bahrain ProAm 1000 will take place on 27 and 28 January.
The event is a ground-breaking GT endurance race that will feature a high-quality field of GT3, GT4 and Cup cars from around the world doing battle over 1,000km. Supporting the Bahrain ProAm 1000 will be the Middle East TCR Series, the only championship in the Gulf dedicated exclusively to TCR cars.
The relaunched series will be holding the third round of its ongoing season at BIC.
The 2022/2023 campaign in Sakhir also features a packed calendar of national racing events, headlined by the hugely popular Bahrain Drag Racing Championship, which features many top teams and drivers from around the world including NHRA Champions Bahrain1Racing.
The season is set to feature five rounds of head-to-head battles starting in December and continuing until February 2023.
The BIC 2,000cc Challenge will also be a top draw amongst circuit racing enthusiasts, with many of the Kingdom’s best gentleman drivers suiting up for heated bumper-to-bumper competition in their two-litre challengers. This 2,000cc campaign will have five rounds.
BIC’s world-class grassroots racing facility, Bahrain International Karting Circuit (BIKC), has already been busy with plenty of action being held.
The 1.414-kilometre CIK-FIA track has completed its latest campaign in the Sakhir Rotax MAX Challenge (SRMC), and is now hosting action in the Bahrain Rotax MAX Challenge (|BRMC).
There are also highly entertaining local championships in autocross and drifting, being held as part of BIC’s all-encompassing racing programme.
The BIC season would not be complete without the widerange of motorsport activities on offer for the public to enjoy.
These include Open Track days and nights, the Ebrahim K. Kanoo Drag and Drift Nights, the Track Experience featuring the BNI Clio Cup Experiences and Radical Experiences, the Kanoo Motors Rolling Drag, the YK Off-Road Experience, and the Batelco Fitness on Track. All this and so much more is taking place this season at BIC.
IN FINE ARABIAN FORM!
It has been a great year for the Bahrain Royal Equestrian & Endurance Federation having notched four top international wins this year. This success has come as a part of His Majesty King Hamad’s Representative for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs and Royal Endurance Team captain HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa's constant efforts.
The latest success was HH Shaikh Nasser's win at the Fédération Équestre Internationale's World Endurance Championship for eight-year-old horses in Spain, where he outclassed 57 elite riders representing 20 countries in the 120km race. Shaikh Nasser clocked 6 hours, 20 minutes and 10 seconds on his way to victory.
The Royal Endurance Team has progressively built on each of its recent successes in major European races this year. These include the Royal Windsor Horse Show, the Montalcino International Endurance Championships in Italy, the World Endurance Championships in Šamorín, Slovakia and the FEI World Endurance Championships for eight-year-old horses in Spain.
In Šamorín, Slovakia, HH Shaikh Nasser rode his horse 'Bullet' and covered the distance of the race in 7 hours,
55 minutes and 42 seconds. “This victory confirms the readiness of the royal team to participate in the upcoming world championship… The vision has become clear to us after we achieved several positive results in the past period that confirm the team's readiness and high potential before the world championship”, he said.
HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa at World Endurance Championships in Šamorín, Slovakia
He added that equine sport in the kingdom has proven its ability and capability, allowing Bahrain to achieve notable successes globally.
Royal care and attention have turned the endurance sport into an asset for promoting the Kingdom of Bahrain in overseas competitions in Europe furthering the goals stipulated in the 2030 Bahrain Economic Vision.
It's no secret that Arabian horses are the champion of all steeds and they are defined by their grade, elegance and striking beauty. They are also a force to be reckoned with across the world for their speed, power, and endurance.
Endurance horse racing tests the rider as well as the horse. Based on controlled long-distance races, this equestrian sport is a true display of the powerful bond between a horse and its rider. Intense and tactical, the mental and physical demands of the sport are a test of the grit and determination of the athlete as well as the equine.
To watch snippets from some of these races, scan the QR code to watch the video.
ARAB SAILING CHAMPIONSHIP 2022 back
after a three-year hiatus
120 sailors from the region took part in the five-day event.
The Arab Sailing Championships came to a close after five days of exceptional racing from the best young sailors in the region in Oman.
In the Optimist competition, UAE's Mayed Al Ali edged out Oman's Tamim Al Balushi by four points to take gold, with his teammate Mohammed Al Marzouqi finishing third. Karma Walid Mohammed won the women's category, finishing third overall, ahead of Bahrain's Malak Al Doseri - fourth overall - and Egyptian Talia Hussein Emad who finished eighth overall in what was a very high-quality fleet of both male and female sailors.
It ended up being a UAE one-twothree with Othman Al Hammadi taking gold despite easing off in the last race. Alharith Al Ali finished second and picked up the silver, ahead of Mohammed Al Zaabi in third. Ganna Mohamed Shaalan of Egypt took the women's gold, finishing fourth overall, ahead of teammate Asmaa Wael Mahfouz in second and Ourabah Sofia of Algeria in third. Elyass Al Fadhil was the highest-ranked Omani sailor in fifth overall and fourth in the men's category. Teammates Hatim Al Ouraimi finished seventh overall and Alsalim Al Hamdani finished ninth overall.
The Arab Sailing Championships marked the debut of the RS Venture class, a highly versatile dinghy for para sailors, and it was a victory on home waters for the Omani pair of Malik Juma Al Qartoobi and Ghaliya Al Jabri. Leading all week, the team notched up another win to seal victory overall. Sami Al Sulaimi and Naser Al Rahbi of Oman finished second, winning the final race of the day to bring a very impressive campaign to a close. The Saudi crew of Saleh Al Tuwaylie and Turki Al Khawaji finished third after showing great consistency throughout. The team skippered by Ahmed Salman Abdulwahid of Iraq finished fourth.
BRAVE celebrates Six Years of Success
HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the visionary behind the success of Brave Combat Federation
Brave Combat Federation turns six this year and is a stellar example of how passion, determination and foresight can create history.
The fastest-growing mixed martial arts organisation in the world is the brainchild of His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, Chairman of the General Sports Authority and President of Bahrain Olympic Committee. It is his vision that has made Brave CF the world's most global mixed martial arts organisation in the history of the sport, having officially hosted shows in 28 countries in less than six years of operations.
It has also become the most significant sports media property in the Middle East, earning Asia’s largest MMA market share. Seen by millions in 160+ countries through its broadcast deals around the globe –all the while establishing its own OTT platform, BRAVE CF TV, the first of its kind for sports in the kingdom – and set to have the largest reach in the entire Middle East.
The celebration of the sixth anniversary was the return of the promotion to Bahrain in October for three Kombat Kingdom events which thrilled fans in Bahrain as the fighters from around the world descended upon the kingdom for world-class action.
HH Shaikh Khalid commended the efforts of BMMAF in hosting the event and added that Bahrainis have always demonstrated their dedication to the success of organising and hosting sports events. And that Brave events always worked on supporting talent and has significantly contributed to creating stars in the global MMA scene.
BAHRAIN AS YACHT HUB
His Majesty King Hamad’s Representative for Humanitarian Works and Youth Affairs Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Prince Albert II of Monaco signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop and regulate harbours and marine yachts.
HH Shaikh Nasser stressed the MoU’s importance in making the Kingdom a hub for ports and yachts, given the extensive experience that the Monaco Yacht Club possesses in this field and support Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030.
The meeting discussed cooperation in various fields, especially in organising ports and seaports to serve the traffic, and yachts and contribute to the maritime transport development and
highlighted ways to create a digital window for yachts in support of the tourism sector in Bahrain.
His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports (SCYS), Chairman of the General Sports Authority (GSA) and President of Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) was present at the signing.
This is in line with Bahrain's efforts to increase the tourism sector's contribution to GDP, and the government's development plans, which aim to increase the total number of tourists to 14.1 million, up the contribution of tourism to GDP to reach 11.4% in 2026, to highlight Bahrain's position as a global tourist hub.
To support these initiatives, the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority is developing several tourism projects, including developing Bahrain's coastline.
You can watch a video of the signing ceremony here by scanning the QR code
HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Prince Albert II of Monaco
Fly for FIFA matches in luxury & at your convenience! RoyalJet Abu Dhabi announces special match day flights
Fly to watch the biggest sporting spectacle of the year, FIFA World Cup, in style and luxury as RoyalJet Abu Dhabi announces special match day flights to Doha.
Keeping in mind the massive surge in demand for flights to the football world cup, RoyalJet Abu Dhabi, the award-winning global leader in premium private aviation, has launched these flights for football fans to not only provide for the high demand but also allow fans to travel at their convenient times on match days and return the same day if they wish.
Mohammed Husain Ahmed, CEO of RoyalJet said, “We really want to facilitate people to travel for FIFA matches to enjoy and celebrate the event with their friends and families and there is no better way to do this than fly private with your loved ones and create some beautiful memories together.”
RoyalJet LLC is an Abu Dhabi Emiratesaffiliated company which leads the global premium private aviation sector. Headquarters in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, operates mainly from its Fixed Based Operations (FBO) / VIP Terminal at Abu Dhabi International Airport.
ADECADE OF DISTINCTION!
The skies at the Sakhir Air Base came alive as the much-anticipated Bahrain International Airshow made a comeback after four long years!
Inaugurated by His Royal Highness, Crown Prince and Prime Minister Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the show was a runaway hit with participation from 180 companies from over 30 countries taking part.
The atmosphere was abuzz with the sights and sounds of the world’s most renowned air display teams and aircraft, with showcases from the Gulf Air 787, RBAF, JF-17, Fursan Al Emarat, UAE Mirage 2000, RSAF Typhoon, USAF F-16 demo team, Global Stars, Red Arrows, DHL B767-300 Flypast, UAE F16, Saudi Hawks and P-8 flypast.
On the business front, several key deals were inked at the airshow including the purchase of Pratt & Whitney engines by Royal Jordanian and a codeshare partnership between Emirates and Gulf Air.
The air show also provided the perfect opportunity to make a move towards private aviation and decide between the several models on display.
'Spinning around' on NYE with Kylie Minogue in Dubai
This may reveal this writer's age but we are thrilled for New Year's Eve planned by Atlantis: Palm, Dubai which has the sensational Kylie Minogue headlining their glamorous black-tie affair, the New Year’s Eve Gala dinner themed 'A Night Under The Stars'.
Kylie first performed in the Middle East at the resort’s grand opening back in 2008. Featuring a set list of chart-topping hits and fan favourites, revellers can look forward to an electrifying performance to kick off 2023 with a true dusting of magic.
Home to the region’s best and most memorable entertainment moments, Kylie will take to the stage in the lead-up to Atlantis, The Palm’s 2023 countdown, entertaining guests with global anthems such as ‘Can’t Get You Out Of My Head’ and ‘All The Lovers’ as well as classics such as ‘The Loco-Motion’. Only those attending the gala dinner can take advantage of seeing the spectacular live appearance from the world-renowned entertainer followed by one of Dubai’s largest and most stunning fireworks and pyrotechnic displays, as the skies above The Palm Beach are filled with a riot of colour.
Accommodated on a custom-built deck under the stars overlooking the Palm Island and the twinkling Dubai skyline, the legendary event features live music from a 30-piece band. A decadent buffet has something for everyone featuring a myriad of dishes from lobster and caviar to a live sushi station among others.
Kylie Minogue to perform at the Palm Atlantis
Newest Jewel in Bahrain Tourism's Crown
With the launch of the new Exhibition World, Bahrain now has the region’s largest exhibition space to play host to local, regional and international conferences on a massive scale.
Inaugurated on 21st November by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, on behalf of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Jewellery Arabia, Scent Arabia and Cityscape exhibitions were held at the spectacular new venue.
Exhibition World features 95,000 sqm of exhibition space over 10 halls, a 4,000-seat tiered auditorium, 95 meeting rooms, 20 translation booths and a grand, VVIP & VIP majlis. All supported by event organiser’s offices, a 250-seat capacity restaurant and 24 additional restaurants, cafes and retail experiences. The centre’s strong capacity will enable it to host several events and exhibitions simultaneously .
Exhibition World, in sakhir
Life N Style in association with Jewellery Arabia Present 'Beauty of Arabia' Fashion extravaganza to celebrate 30 years of Jewellery Arabia from Nov 22 - Nov 26 2022 in Hall 5