Emirates Woman-January 2026

emirateswoman.com

A MOTIVATE PUBLICATION

JANUARY 2026

DHS25 RO2.70 BD2.60 KD2.10 SR25

Jess Hunt A NEW ERA

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Obaid Humaid Al Tayer MANAGING PARTNER AND GROUP EDITOR Ian Fairservice CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER Anthony Milne GROUP CONTENT DIRECTOR Thomas Woodgate SENIOR EDITOR Jessica Michault jessica.michault@motivate.ae SENIOR ART DIRECTOR Olga Petroff SENIOR REPORTER Aminath Ifasa DIGITAL STYLE EDITOR Sarah Joseph FASHION EDITOR Camille Macawili DESIGNER Vibha Monteiro EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Londresa Flores GENERAL MANAGER PRODUCTION Sunil Kumar PRODUCTION MANAGER Binu Purandaran ASSISTANT PRODUCTION MANAGER Venita Pinto GROUP SALES MANAGER Chaitali Khimji chaitali.khimji@motivate.ae SALES MANAGER Sarah Farhat sarah.farhat@motivate.ae WEB DEVELOPER Firoz Kaladi CONTRIBUTORS Alice Holtham-Pargin, Ekaterina Shirshova, Kareena Adlakha, Mark Mathew, Morin Oluwole, Rhea Lobo, Yi-Hwa Bayar Hanna

HEAD OFFICE Media One Tower, Dubai Media City, PO Box 2331, Dubai, UAE, Tel: (+971) 4 4273000, Fax: (+971) 4 4282261, E-mail: motivate@motivate.ae DUBAI MEDIA CITY SD 2-94, 2nd Floor, Building 2, Dubai, UAE, Tel: (+971) 4 390 3550, Fax: (+971) 4 390 4845 ABU DHABI PO Box 43072, UAE, Tel: (+971) 2 677 2005, Fax: (+971) 2 677 0124, E-mail: motivate-adh@motivate.ae SAUDI ARABIA Regus Offices No. 455 - 456, 4th Floor, Hamad Tower, King Fahad Road, Al Olaya, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Tel: (+966) 11 834 3595 / (+966) 11 834 3596, E-mail: motivate@motivate.ae LONDON Acre House, 11/15 William Road, London NW1 3ER, UK, E-mail: motivateuk@motivate.ae

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ONE A DAY

Simple Abundance 365 Days to a Balanced and Joyful Life

by Sarah Ban Breathnach is a daybook that came out 30 years ago. Breathnach is a beloved OG of the wellness movement. If you ever wondered where the concepts of a gratitude journal and the term “authentic self” came from, look no further.

EDITOR’S LETTER

Knowledge is Power

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here is nothing like a milestone to inspire a bit of introspection. As luck would have it, every year I have a pair of them that land hand in hand. My birthday and the last day of the year are one and the same. So yes…I can always find a party to mark the occasion. But on a more profound level I use the first few days of January to both take stock and write out goals for the new year.

I have found that writing out what you want can be a very powerful act. It grounds dreams in the real world, and it can help clarify what is important. Top on that list for me this year is health – mind, body and soul. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Emirates Woman is kicking 2026 off with a wellness issue. In fact, the health and wellness of women has, for generations, been sorely under examined or talked about openly. This is why in this issue we take on a few topics that don’t get the wider attention they deserve. From understanding the impact of the menstrual cycle on a woman’s life (page 58) and the challenges of the “fourth trimester” of pregnancy (page 64) to just how crucial lots of sleep and a balanced circadian rhythm is for a woman’s wellbeing (page 60) – let’s get those conversations started.

But beside the more deep think articles in this issue we also have features designed to inspire. Like that of our cover star Jess Hunt who, in just 5 years, has turned REFY – the beauty company she co-founded – into a global phenomenon. In the When Less Is More cover story (page 26) Hunt talks about entering her “founder era” as she launches her brand in the Middle East. Then there is our interview with Delphine Bellini, the always insightful CEO of Schiaparelli (page 38). And we have Dr Maya Shahsavari giving us the scoop on the latest trends in tweakments (page 80).

So start this year by remembering to “put the oxygen mask on yourself first”. It’s time to get educated about your personal health and wellbeing. You’re no good to anyone, until you are good to yourself.

Enjoy the issue.

Senior Editor jessica.michault@motivate.ae

JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED

The actor Noah Wyle can do no wrong. From his days on ER, through Falling Skies and The Librarian to his latest hit – The Pitt – watching him work is always a pleasure. Season 2 of The Pitt is out this month and the pure torture of having to wait a whole week for a new episode is only bearable because the show is just so good.

GET YOUR ZZZZ

Scientists are sounding alarm bells about how critical sleep is to health. One of the tools I turn to is the Better Sleep App. It’s a customisable platform that offers a collection of sleep sounds, guided meditations, bedtime stories and breathing exercises. It’s an easy to use wellness tool for anyone who needs help shutting off the world.

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CONTENTS January 2026

CURATE 12 Monitor News The latest wellness launches and hero buys to know about this January

13 Social Listings A curated guide of all the wellness Instagram accounts to #follow this month

14 Form and Function Workout staples that deliver superior style and support

16 Flex Appeal Stylish activewear essentials to seamlessly transition from the studio to the streets

18 Here I Am How Mia Pereyra Matteazzi, founder of I AM Active Studios, transformed wellness, movement, and modern minimalism into a new fashion grammar

Top & Jewellery: McQueen AW25

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Top left: Schiaparelli SS26; Top right: Top: Paula Conovas del Vas; Body: Atelier Soven; Tights: Archive; Shoes: Jimmy Choo; Rings and bracelet: Wouters & Hendrix; Earrings: McQueen

42 Strike A Pose Get a leg up on the new year by adding some colour and confidence into your wardrobe

MODE 22 Soft Strength Lesley Ryf, Founder of activewear brand AMADA, opens up about the rise of versatile activewear, building community through movement, and designing pieces that support women from the inside out

26 When Less is More With the debut of REFY in the Middle East, co-founder Jess Hunt is proving that there is global power in pared back beauty

38 A Gilded Future Schiaparelli CEO Delphine Bellini reflects on the Maison’s surreal legacy, its modern renaissance under Daniel Roseberry, and the global momentum building ahead of the V&A’s landmark exhibition

54 An Artistic Intersection Artist Katia Luna Benaï is creating an oeuvre that transcends cultures and customs while tapping into her Amazigh heritage

VISION 58 Your Body’s Rhythm Why listening to your cycle is the ultimate act of self-care

60 The Power of Knowing Dr. Kristen Holmes is putting women’s health at the heart of her work at WHOOP

62 A New Wellness Language In a year that calls for balance over burnout, a founder and a physician share a calmer blueprint for health

64 Reframing the Fourth Trimester From debunking the six-week myth to confronting postpartum isolation, explore how to navigate the unseen mental and emotional terrain of new motherhood

68 20/20 Vision Morin Oluwole, an International Luxury Business Leader who serves on the boards of Breitling, Rituals, Mobkoi, and Biologique Recherche and the former Global Luxury Director at Meta, reminds us that manifesting a vision is not wishful thinking, but comes from a quiet confidence to move through the world with intention

70 Arts, Crafts & Good Vibes Cultural platform, Quoz Arts Fest by Alserkal, is an artistic manifestation firmly anchored in culture and community

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CONTENTS January 2026

On the cover: Total Look: McQueen

GLOW

Talent: Jess Hunt Senior Editor: Jessica Michault Photographer: Greg Adamski Fashion Editor: Camille Macawili Makeup: Kimberley Lever Hair: Loui Ferry Videographer: Alex Suhorucov Location with thanks to Paus Club

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Wellness must-haves to start the year with mindful intentions

76 The Night Shift Dior Skincare’s Virginie Couturaud and Dr. Patricia Ogilvie reveal how to build a 24-hour shield to defend skin’s youth

78 Pause Please Take a break at Saadiyat Island’s newly opened Talise Spa

80 Top Tweakments for 2026 To decode what’s in, what’s out, and what’s next, we turned to Dr. Maya Shahsavari of Ouronyx Dubai, whose patient-first philosophy and global industry perspective make her one of the region’s most trusted voices

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91 Eat Your Vegetables Cookbook author Camellia Panjabi knows what your plate is missing

ABODE 96 Recalibrate Without Borders

Founder and CEO of SKITCHEN, Sofia Krapivina talks us through her must-have beauty staples

85 Mindful Mists

100 Flights, Camera, Vacation!

86 Take the Plunge The ultimate Emirates Woman guide to contrast therapy in the UAE, from ice baths to hot saunas

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Himalaya-born brand Almora Botanica takes clean skincare to seriously

From the Maldives to the mountains, discover the world’s most coveted retreats where wellness isn’t a weekend indulgence, it’s a reset for your entire 2026

84 Beauty Shelf

From eco-conscious formulations to emotional balance, these perfumes are shaping the next evolution of fragrance

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90 A Pure Approach

Dive into travel’s new obsession, where fandom is translating to flight paths

MOST WANTED

88 AM/PM Beauty

106 Modern Alchemy

Founder of ONORI, Emirati fashion designer Sharifa Alsharif AlHashemi shares her morning to evening beauty routine

Prada’s new Couleur Vivante fine jewellery collection offers a flirty challenge to traditional parures without ever raising its voice

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Photograph by Yousef Al Harmoodi

EXCLUSIVE PAINTINGS, SCULPTURES, PHOTOGRAPHY AND TIMEPIECES FROM AWARD-WINNING INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS

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Limited Edition, United Arab Emirates themed Marine Chronometer Clock by David Galbraith Order online from TheArabianGallery.com or Rivoli DIFC Mall, Dubai and Rivoli Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi

Painting by Faisal Abdul Qader Dimensions: 102 X 80 CM Price: USD 9,550

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FIGURE IT OUT

CURATE

In the major new Pablo Picasso exhibition that will open at Louvre Abu Dhabi on January 19th, the focus is firmly on the acclaimed artist’s exploration, and lifelong fascination with, the human form. The show will trace how Picasso distorted, reimagined and reinvented form across myth, modernity and surrealism. Spanning paintings, sculpture and works on paper, the show will include major works of art like Woman with a Mandolin (1911), Portrait of a Seated Woman (Olga) (1923) and Woman Sitting in Front of the Window (1937). The exhibition is accompanied by a programme of cultural events and a yet-to-be-revealed immersive experience, underscoring the museum's most ambitious season to date.

Start fresh and...

– Find your own unique haven of serenity –L ook for a balance of form and function –W ear clothing that works as hard as you do –T urn to fashion that can be transformative

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Pablo Picasso,Woman with a Mandolin (1911)

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The Year of You

THE HERO BUYS

The latest wellness launches and hero buys to know about this January WORDS: SARAH JOSEPH

A CALM HAVEN Dubai’s social wellness club, Re at One Central is designed to reset the system through personalised experiences. With bespoke services and the finest amenities, guests can restore energy and feel revitalised in this mindful space.

Syracuse Embroidered Polo Dhs800 Sporty & Rich

Quilty Pleasures Tote Bag *Medium 12L Dhs690 lululemon

Syracuse Embroidered Disco Shorts Dhs475 Sporty & Rich

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Hair + Skin + Nail Supplement Dhs273 Wellbel

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Marble Dumbell Set Reggio Verde 2Kg Dhs855 La’ Barre

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Moroccan Rose Candle 280g Dhs175 Aery

740 Sneakers Dhs650 New Balance

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THREE TO OWN

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@amadawear

@minosbeachart_hotel

@iamactivestudios

Sleek design meets real performance for everyday motion with this label.

Artful architecture, private beaches and Cretan soul.

Timeless pieces crafted to last for women who lead with intention.

@the_icehouse_dubai

@necessaire

@kintsugispace

Discover the power of cold water immersions and saunas in Dubai.

Clean ingredients and thoughtful formulas for self-care made necessary.

The starting point of a new feminine frequency in the heart of Abu Dhabi.

@theuncommonclub

@saltandstone

@maeyaclothing

Dubai energy with real community where movement meets meaning.

Elevated self-care beauty products formulated to soothe and restore.

Dubai-based luxury activewear brand taking your fitness routine to the next level.

Social Listings

A curated guide of wellness Instagram accounts to #follow C O M P I L E D BY: S A R A H J O S E P H

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Both pages: Seamless Knit Leggings Dhs467; Seamless Knit Bra Dhs369; All Vaara

C O M P I L E D BY: CA M I L L E M ACAW I L I

FORM AND FUNCTION 14

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Workout staples that deliver superior style and support

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SkinLuxe Contrast Edge Sports Bra Dhs186 Tala

Pegasus Trail 5 GTX Sneakers Dhs800 Nike available at Level Shoes

Matte HighWaisted Footsie Grip Leggings Dhs470 NikeSkims

Matte Double-Strap Scoop Tank Top Dhs250 NikeSkims

Vintage Seamless Full-Zip Jacket Dhs286 NikeSkims

Elea Slippers Dhs620 Ugg available at Level Shoes

Shine HighWaisted Bonded 26" Leggings Dhs397 NikeSkims

Cocoon Zip Through Hoodie Dhs289 Tala

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Core Sports Bra Dhs185; Core Sculpting Tank Dhs185; Sculpting Leggings Dhs190; All Sculp

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Beoplay H95 Headphones Dhs4,550 Bang & Olufsen available at Ounass

Sculpt Seamless Bandeau Sports Bra Dhs206 Tala

Sculpt Seamless Scrunch Legging Dhs264 Tala

Padded Technical Sport Bag Dhs329 Oysho

Yoga Mat Dhs317 Vaara

Sky Stainless-Steel Drinking Bottle Dhs264 Georg Jensen

Flex Appeal Stylish activewear essentials to seamlessly transition from the studio to the streets C O M P I L E D BY: CA M I L L E M ACAW I L I

Perfect-Adapt Cross-back Sports Bra Dhs249 Oysho

Perfect-Adapt V-waist Skirt Dhs249 Oysho

Oura Ring 4 Smart Ring Health Activity Tracker Dhs1,339 Oura Ring

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Azul Gonzalez Aparicio, CFO, and Mia Pereyra Matteazzi, founder and creative director, I AM Active Studios

T H E VA N G U A R D

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HERE I AM

How Mia Pereyra Matteazzi, the founder of I AM Active Studios, transformed wellness, movement, and modern minimalism into a new fashion grammar WORDS: SARAH JOSEPH

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realised I wasn’t just designing clothes, I was designing identity,” says model-turned-creative and founder of I AM Active Studios, Mia Pereyra Matteazzi. Some brands are born from a untapped space in the market. Others from nostalgia. But for Pereyra Matteazzi, the birth of her brand came from something deeper, almost instinctive, it was the merging of a personal awakening with a city that refuses to stay still. “I saw a gap,” she says simply. “Women here move, emotionally, professionally, creatively, but their clothes didn’t move with them.” That observation, combined with a lifetime spent immersed in aesthetics, became the seed for a label that today sits at the intersection of movement, identity, and minimalism.

Born in the vast, earthy landscapes of Argentina and later shaped by years drifting between Milan, Paris, London and Dubai, Pereyra Matteazzi’s early life was steeped in art, architecture, sport and creative expression. Her mother was a model; her brother a designer in major fashion houses; her father an extreme sports lover who instilled in her a steady appetite for adrenaline. “I grew up surrounded by nature and motion,” she reflects. “So I guess movement was always my language.” Her modelling career sharpened that language. “Modelling teaches you more than people realise, you learn what quality feels like, what silhouettes flatter across different bodies, how fabric needs to move for a photograph, and how a collection tells a story.” Years in front of the camera quietly became her education behind the scenes, turning instinct into a blueprint.

It was only when she moved to Dubai seven years ago did that instinct transform into direction. “I felt something missing,” she says. “A brand that understood the modern woman who is active, fluid, creative, confident, spiritual, all at once.” She wanted clothes that transitioned from early morning workouts to desk meetings, from city strolls to late dinners, from grounded rituals to creative surges.

Clothes that had ease without losing intention. This idea

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became I AM Active Studios. At first, the name was just a coincidence, her name, read backwards spells out the words “I AM.” It was her mother who pointed it out. “She said, ‘Do you know your name is I AM?’ And I told her she was brilliant… but no, she still doesn’t get shares,” laughs the founder. But as Pereyra Matteazzi deepened her own wellness journey, leaving alcohol behind, journaling daily, embracing grounding, nature, ice baths, and long periods of internal recalibration, the name expanded into a philosophy.

“I AM became a blank canvas,” she explains. “Every woman can complete the sentence: I am grounded. I am becoming. I am enough.” That affirmation now sits at the core of every silhouette oversized, modular, fluid, intentionally non-restrictive, and always rooted in movement. For Pereyra Matteazzi movement is not just physical; it’s emotional, energetic, spiritual. “Dubai teaches you that your life can shift every hour. Your clothes should support that.”

Earth-tone palettes were an organic choice, an echo of her childhood in the Argentine wilderness and her love for natural shades. “Earth tones calm the nervous system,” she says.

“They’re timeless, versatile, and they work across environ-

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ments such as the desert, the city, anywhere.”

Architecture, too, creeps into her work. Years of sketching structures and studying proportions inform the brand’s clean lines and sculptural minimalism. But behind the aesthetic simplicity lies rigorous attention. Pereyra Matteazzi tests every piece personally, wearing, washing, stretching, refining. “People only see the final garment,” she says. “But the journey from prototype to production is intense. You learn, unlearn, fix, start again. I’m involved in every pattern, seam, and adjustment.” This obsessive eye is evident in the brand’s newest launch: the I AM RAW Collection, a capsule built on stripped-back structure and modular ease.

Its hero, the Short-Sleeve RAW Blazer, is designed intentionally as a “one-piece, four-ways” foundation. For mornings, it pairs with tanks and sweatpants; for off-duty hours, with denim and second-skin tees; for evenings, it drapes over fluid dresses; and for work, it sharpens tailored trousers and turtlenecks. “It’s one of those pieces that shifts with your day,” she says. “Raw, undone, confident, like the women who wear it.”

Now I AM Active Studios is growing beyond its Dubai roots. With two pop-ups under its belt, including one in Alserkal Avenue, the brand is expanding into Saudi Arabia and preparing for fairs in Paris and London. A newly formed partnership marks another milestone in the brand’s evolution.

“It took years to find the right people,” she acknowledges.

“But when the team aligns with marketing, production, sampling, design, the brand rises to its next level.”

“My pieces don’t tell you who to be,” Matteazzi explains.

“They meet you where you are, and support whoever you are becoming.” In the end, her goal is for the company to to be more than just another clothing label. She sees it as a narrative of identity – designed in motion.

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IN THE BAG

Take it easy by…

– Wearing clothing that moves with you –F inding balance between work and wellness –L etting your fashion tell your story –S treamlining your style –L istening to your inner artist

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PHOTOGRAPHY: HEIKKI KASKI

MODE

This month, the first creations of designer Jonathan Anderson’s reign at Dior arrive in stores. One item that has gotten particular buzz is his updated take on the brand’s beloved book tote. Taking the idea to its literal – and literary – conclusion, Anderson has used the façade of the bags to act as a front to some iconic tomes like Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert, Les Liaisons Dangereuses by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, and Bonjour Tristesse by Françoise Sagan. It’s a clever twist on a classic concept and no doubt will be one that both bibliophiles and fashionistas will find hard to put down.

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Soft

Lesley Ryf, founder of activewear brand AMADA, opens up about the rise of versatile activewear, building community through movement, and designing pieces that support women from the inside out WORDS: SARAH JOSEPH

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feel like back in the day, it was either you’re healthy and spiritual or a corporate boss, whereas now it’s about creating spaces where you can be both.” With that single line, Lesley Ryf, founder of the activewar brand AMADA, captures the cultural shift unfolding across the region, and the essence of her quietly powerful activewear brand. In a world where women are no longer defined by binaries, her pieces are built for the in-between. It’s for the woman who meditates before a board meeting, the one who goes from reformer to strategy session, the one who is soft and strong at the same time.

Born in Switzerland to a Swiss father and Dominican mother, raised between Europe, the US, and the Caribbean, and shaped by a global lifestyle that spans Dubai, London and Zurich, her story mirrors the brand she has created. It’s fluid, multicultural, and firmly grounded in intention. “I always say I’m the opposite of Arabic, even though I live here,” she laughs, describing a background that blends structure with soul. “I grew up between cultures, between languages, between continents. I think that’s why versatility became the core of AMADA. Nothing in my life ever fits into one category.” Before AMADA existed, Ryf was a brand consultant constantly on the move, taking meetings, travelling, socialising, fitting in gym classes between flights. At the time, activewear was

“I needed pieces that could move with me, from studio to street, without loud, logo-heavy and often one-note. “Years ago, the now wellknown activewear staples weren’t even accessible in every market,” she explains. “I needed pieces that could move with me, from studio to street, without screaming ‘gym’. Something functional but beautiful, soft but structured, minimal but flattering.”

That personal need became the brand’s starting point. What she couldn’t find, she designed. What didn’t exist, she built. AMADA launched in 2021, in the peak of pandemic uncertainty, when Switzerland shut down just a week after her first drop. “I couldn’t shoot, I couldn’t host events, nothing. My American friends kept saying Dubai was open, so I came here thinking it would be short term. But this country just gives you opportunity. Here, opening a business is encouraged, not blocked.”

It also turned out to be the perfect place to build a wellnessforward community before the wellness wave hit. “People forget this, but two years ago nobody here knew what a reformer class was. I’d organise influencer Pilates sessions and most of them had never tried it. Many had never had matcha before. I felt like I was introducing people to this world I already lived in.”

Today, the GCC’s wellness scene is thriving, and AMADA has grown alongside it.

One of the brand’s biggest differentiators is its invisible engineering, technical choices you don’t notice until you wear them, and then can never un-feel. Every line curves with the female form.

Every seam is intentional. Every fabric is chosen with precision.

“Our bodies aren’t straight lines,” she says. “Even if you’re pe-

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screaming ‘gym’.”

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tite or slim, you have shape. So every piece is curved, sculpted, cinched or softened in ways that honour that.”

Leggings follow the natural leg line. Waistbands hold without cutting. Tops include integrated bra shells so no extra layering ruins the silhouette. Sleeveless openings are oval, not round, to prevent tightness.

The flared shorts widen slightly at the hem so they never dig in. The jumpsuit (one of the brand’s early heroes) hugs, lifts and lengthens without restricting movement.

These details, she explains, are the difference between clothing that looks good and clothing that makes you feel good. “If something is itchy, slips down, digs into your waist or presses your stomach, it affects your whole day. I design so you forget you’re wearing activewear, but everyone else notices how good you look.”

The brand’s refined colour palette is another signature. It focuses on earthy neutrals, soft pastels and calming tones that feel wearable across seasons and continents. “I don’t believe in fast-fashion or fast trends,” she says. “I wanted a palette that feels timeless, grounding and elegant. Something you can mix with jeans, blazers, cashmere, not just leggings.” Designing between sunny Dubai and wintery Switzerland also sharpened her approach. “I would be sketching here looking at palm trees, but in Europe it was snowing. So I needed colours that worked everywhere, for everyone.” It’s also an emotional choice: grounding colours ground the wearer. They reflect the brand’s entire philosophy, ease, balance, clarity, presence.

What also sets AMADA apart is how seamlessly the pieces fit into real life. They solve outfit dilemmas, simplify busy mornings, and make movement feel accessible rather than intimidating. “My friends always say AMADA saves their day. If they don’t know what to wear, they throw on the jumpsuit with a cardigan. If they have a casual meeting, they pair the asymmetric top with a blazer.

It’s effortless,” say Ryf. This, she believes, is where wellness truly begins, by removing friction and creating flow. Wellness has also shaped her personally.

“Meditation changed my mornings,” she says. “Not the traditional

Lesley Ryf, Founder of AMADA

sit-still type, sometimes I daydream, sometimes I just breathe.

But it sets the tone.” Switching from heavy weightlifting to Pilates and barre also helped her reconnect with feminine energy. “Working and building a brand is very masculine. Pilates with women, complimenting each other, laughing, suffering together, that atmosphere softened me in the best way.”

AMADA has become known for curated gatherings, Pilates sessions, movement classes, wellness pop-ups and intimate events designed to make women feel seen. “Community makes everything easier,” she says. “When you enter a room where you feel supported, you naturally become a better version of yourself.”

From Switzerland to the Middle East, from pilates studios to boardrooms, from daydreams to product design, AMADA is the intersection of all Ryf’s worlds. A brand born out of movement, shaped by experience, and rooted in the belief that wellness and style no longer live in separate lanes. Because today’s woman doesn’t choose between strength and softness – she wears both.

MODE

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Jacket, Blouse, Trousers: McQueen AW25

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WHEN LESS IS MOR E With the debut of REFY in the Middle East, co-founder Jess Hunt is proving that there is global power in pared back beauty W O R D S : J E S S I C A M I C H A U LT PHOTOGRAPHER: GREG ADAMSKI

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This page: Total Look McQueen; Right page: Black Jumpsuit: McQueen SS26 Pre-Collection Holiday Capsule

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lease don’t ever discontinue your Gloss Highlighter” is pretty much the first thing Emirates Woman’s Fashion Editor Camille Macawili says to Jess Hunt as she arrives on set for this month’s cover shoot. It’s a cri du coeur that says it all. Fans of REFY, the beauty brand that Hunt co-founded at the end of 2020, are as diehard as they come – and Hunt knows it. “I get asked if it bothers me when people walk up to me on the street to talk about REFY, and that always surprises me – because I love it,” reflects Hunt, who counts nearly 2 million followers on her Instagram alone.

“The fact that someone wants to take time out of their day to tell me how they feel about REFY, give me advice or feedback, it’s so, so special to me. It’s an instant reminder that what we are doing is having a real impact on people,” she adds.

In person Hunt is a bit of a revelation. Her online persona, which telegraphs a polished cool girl energy, melts away. On set she is quick to laugh, game to test her sartorial boundaries and open to ideas or new directions that pop up at the last minute. She readily admits that some people are surprised at that slight disconnect between her digital profile and who she is IRL. “I think I’m just very protective of who I am,“ she confesses. “If I’m honest with you, I find it really hard to put my entire self out there. You’ll go on my Instagram and you won’t see any of my friends or family. It’s very curated. But I see that as a good thing, because I think it helps me separate what is my online life and what is my personal life.” But Hunt also is very aware that she is at a pivotal time in the history of her materialise in real time. And yet, as is often the case with meteoric budding beauty empire. Now five years in, she understands rises, Hunt’s story begins in a place of sweet simplicity: her grandthat keeping, and growing, the fan base for her brand must mother’s makeup bag. “My grandma, she was so beautiful, and remain the north star for REFY. It’s one of the reasons why she would always have a makeup bag with her everywhere that she she is visiting Dubai – to announce the entry of REFY into went,” Hunt recalls. “And it would always be this thing of her saythe market in partnership with Sephora. She is determined to ing ‘I’m just gonna nip to the bathroom and check on my makeup.’ have real world interactions with the women of the region. To And I’d always want to go with her. I think that’s the thing that learn first hand about their unique beauty needs and how to sparked my love for beauty, but also that love for connection and proactively support them with products designed to streamhow beauty can bring people together.” line their routines in ways that arm them for the day ahead.

It is this idea, of creating connections, that feels like a powerThe timing feels serendipitous. The new year, the new ful throughline in everything Hunt puts her mind to. Unlike many issue (our Wellness edition) and a founder entering the fullfounders who build their business in a bubble of secrecy and then ness of her professional calling. If wellness is, at its core, push outward, she formed REFY from the outside in. From conabout aligning inner truth with outward expression, then versation. From community. From the kind of everyday curiosity Hunt’s rise is a case study in exactly that. The REFY foundthat has shaped her online persona for a decade. And she’s quick er may have built her early audience through a carefully cuto acknowledge how her early career as an influencer laid the founrated social media presence, but today her work is rooted dation for her brand’s trajectory. “If I hadn’t had my influencer not in intention, but in craft. In community. And increasbackground, I wouldn’t have built my community to be able to ingly, in self-awareness. “I feel like the past year is probably honestly see whether REFY was even a real possibility. My comwhen I’ve felt my most grounded and my most sure,” she munity influenced me so much from the very beginning ” she says. shares. “I still have so much to learn, but I feel the most Those early conversations, about everything from brow rouconfident I’ve ever felt, and it’s really empowering.” tines and shade preferences, to packaging choices, quietly seeded That confidence is visible in every facet of REFY’s arrivwhat would one day become a multimillion-dollar brand with a al in the Middle East. This is no tentative regional toe-dip; global footprint. But the path to that clarity was not without its it is a fully realised moment. A brand with a global cult foldetours. In the beginning the packaging in particular had a very lowing stepping onto one of the most dynamic beauty stages different look. It was pink and blue and featured Hunt’s own face. in the world. Sephora Middle East, with its trend-hungry, The diametric opposite of its current ultra minimalistic, neutralhighly educated, ultra-engaged community, is not a pashued visual aesthetic. “Honestly, it was completely different,” she sive environment. Brands do not wander in; they arrive with laughs. “It was not the brand that we are today.” It took a pandempurpose or they do not resonate at all. And boy has REFY ic, and the stillness that came with it, for Hunt, and her co-foundresonated here. “On week one, with our launch in Sephora er, beauty entrepreneur Jenna Meek, to strip everything back and UAE, we were number one online,” Hunt says, her voice still start again. “Jenna messaged me and said, ‘I’m gonna be honest, carrying the buoyant disbelief of someone watching a dream

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Top & Jewellery: McQueen AW25

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I hate the packaging.’ And I was like, ‘I’m so glad you said that, because me too.’” The reset that followed, one of quiet, introspective and strategic choices, became the foundation of REFY as it is known today. A brand built to guide women towards the mindset of more minimalistic and holistic beauty, with product lines designed to optimise a woman’s daily beauty rituals. “We want to create a brand that simplifies beauty,” affirms Hunt. “We will only do things with purpose.”

She stands firmly in the belief that beauty can be uncomplicated, intuitive, and personal. “I don’t have any professional expertise,” she admits openly, “I just enjoy it, and I want makeup to work for me. I wanted to build a brand that works for everyone and is just enjoyable and easy.”

It is this ethos, the democratisation of beauty through clarity, that feels especially relevant in the Middle East, a region known for bold glamour but equally rooted in deep knowledge and aesthetic confidence. Hunt felt that duality as soon as she stepped into her first Sephora store visit here. “They are just such beauty experts,” she says of Middle Eastern consumers. “They love experimenting, they love trying new things, and they are almost the first to try a new trend. I love that about them.” But perhaps the most aligned

“I would like to be seen more in my founder era right now. That is my everyday.

It’s not social anymore; I’m literally in the thick of it.” connection between REFY and the region lies in the brand’s new direction. It has expanded out from its iconic brow products and lip offerings into something quieter, deeper, more rooted in wellbeing: skincare. The launch of REFY Skin last year marked the moment Hunt feels that she really stepped not just into her founder era, but into her wellness era as well.

Her skincare philosophy is, unsurprisingly, grounded in simplification. Two products. One routine. Skin that feels good because it is cared for, not covered. “With skincare, nothing will just be done to tick a box,” she says about her plans for the line. “Every single thing has to bring some kind of innovation and has to simplify the routine.”

The two current products, a cleanser that hydrates within 30 seconds and a moisturiser infused with an ingredient called Insta-Tight, took two years to develop. “I hate that stripped feeling after cleansing,” explains Hunt about her previous skincare routine. “My skin was always left feeling tight. But this cleanser works for all skin types, and gives that instant glow.”

As for the moisturiser, she beams talking about its double function. “The applicator has cooling roller balls so you can really de-puff and sculpt the face. It combines two steps into one. For me, it’s always about simplifying.” It is striking how this skincare philosophy dovetails so perfectly with Hunt’s

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own personal wellness journey. She talks openly about learning to prioritise restorative routines and quiet rituals. “I used to think I had to be productive all the time,” she shares. “But now I realise being in a really good frame of mind is what is productive. It means I can show up as my best self.” Her wellness ritual begins with breakfast, a cup of tea, her Five Minute Journal, and a walk outside. “That morning routine has helped me a lot,” she says. “It sets me up for a really good day.”

It is this duality, ambition anchored with intention, that defines Hunt today. A founder who knows the thrill of a soldout launch and the grounding power of a quiet morning walk.

A woman who commands a global following and still cries on a London street when she sees her community queuing for hours just to meet her. “I started crying, like bawling my eyes out,” she says about an early community building event REFY put on. “That was my moment of, ‘Oh my gosh, look at what we have created!’ It was so special.”

It is easy to see why REFY has thrived in the saturated beauty industry. Hunt has built this brand the same way she builds relationships with her community, with sincerity, openness, curiosity, and gratitude for the people walking beside her.

Her partnership with Meek is one of the clearest examples of this. “I’m fortunate I have Jenna,” she says. “She has such a wealth of knowledge. I learn so much from her daily. She’s not only my co-founder and CEO who I learn from in terms of business, but she is an amazing person, and she is there for anything that I need personally as well. I almost see her as a mentor.” But make no mistake: Hunt has earned her founder title.

Through mistakes and triumphs, she is learning, adapting, and determined to lead with honesty. “I always ask for help,” she says. “I don’t think I know everything. I have an amazing team around me who are way better in their fields than I am. That’s my method, surrounding myself with people who excel at what they do.” That humility is disarming, especially considering the scale of what REFY has already achieved. A five-year-old brand with 120 employees. A passionate international community. A viral product pipeline. Retail partnerships across the UK, US, and now the Middle East. And the courage to refine, reformulate, and reimagine REFY in an active reflection of what her engaged community is telling her with its feedback.

Fundamentally Hunt sees herself as a pure creative. When she talks about the campaigns she has overseen for REFY she sits forward in her chair, excited to share her vision. “That is what lights me up,” she admits. “I love it so much, seeing the models look and feel confident, seeing the campaign come to life. I love creativity. That is what makes me so excited.”

But for now Hunt is savoring the beginning of this new chapter in her life. One where the world sees her not only as the face of the REFY brand, but as a leader who has a clear vision where she wants to take her company. “I would like to be seen more in my founder era right now,” she says. “That is my everyday. It’s not social anymore; I’m literally in the thick of it.”

Hunt has big plans for REFY. Ones that extend well past the beauty space. She sees the future of her company as a big tent lifestyle brand that can explore other creative arenas with ease, thanks in no small part to the devoted community of women that trust her. Or as Hunt puts it, “I really just want REFY to be this legacy brand. A brand that, in 50 years’ time, is still as cool as it is today.”

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Coat & Top: McQueen AW25 Talent: Jess Hunt Fashion Editor: Camille Macawili Makeup: Kimberley Lever Hair: Loui Ferry Videographer: Alex Suhorucov Location with thanks to Paus Club

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In celebration of Schiaparelli’s gleaming new Dubai Mall pop-up, CEO Delphine Bellini reflects on the Maison’s surreal legacy, its modern renaissance under Daniel Roseberry, and the global momentum building ahead of the landmark V&A exhibition

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ven in a city known for statement making façades, the entrance to the new Schiaparelli pop-up store inside Dubai Mall’s Fashion Avenue is a sight to behold. The hammered gold exterior and abstract keyhole entrance, framed by an enigmatic eye and nose, sets a surreal tone even before stepping inside the space. Launched on December 1, the space might be temporary, just a three-month immersion into the French Maison’s world, but it feels like a milestone. A link, as CEO Delphine Bellini puts it, “between Paris, Dubai, and London,” where Schiaparelli will soon unveil its first major UK exhibition at the V&A. For Bellini, this moment is the culmination of months of work, but also the natural evolution of a brand experiencing a global rise. “We have this incredible audience,” she says, pointing to the region’s appreciation of craft, couture, and artistic fashion. The Dubai Mall location, she notes, sits at the crossroads of a discerning international customer base “there is an exceptional audience here, and the clientele is so elevated, ”she confirms. One that is able to

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understand both the Maison’s legacy and its forward-looking creativity.

Creative Director Daniel Roseberry’s recent recognition, as the recipient of the CFDA’s International Designer of the Year award, underscores Schiaparelli’s momentum. But Bellini insists the brand’s success comes from something deeper than headlines. “Daniel has been wonderful,” she says simply. His leadership is founded on instinct and curiosity, traits that mirror founder Elsa Schiaparelli’s original artistic circle.

The Maison has always thrived on surprising collaborations, and Bellini emphasises that nothing about that spirit has changed. “It does not come from a marketing strategy,” she explains. “Along the way Daniel meets people, artists, artisans, personalities who have talent, ideas, and together they create. It is something that feels very organic.”

The new Dubai Mall pop-up embodies this organic, instinctive way of working. Roseberry wanted the space to “transport a bit of the Place Vendôme,” Bellini says. Inside is an intimate re-creation of the Maison’s Paris salons. The black lacquer, sculptural gold fixtures, and curated ready-to-wear expertly recreates the touchpoints that define Schiaparelli’s universe. “The concept was really to open the door from time to time to the salon of Place Vendôme,” she explains. “The behind-the-scenes and all the cultural aspects.” Walking through the space, visitors encounter the quirky beauty that defines Schiaparelli: the sharpness of French couture and the surrealist irreverence that the founder introduced to fashion. The Maison’s signatures, anatomical jewellery, sculptural tailoring, the iconic Face and Secret bags appear displayed as though they are objet d’art. It is less a retail space than what Bellini calls, “an apartment where you have so many codes of the brand that people are familiar with, and indeed it surprises.”

But beyond aesthetics, the pop-up is designed as a narrative tool. “We wanted this to be a gift that we bring to Dubai for visitors to experience.” she says. For Bellini, Schiaparelli’s role is to create encounters, with craft, imagination, and the lineage of women behind the house. This story of women entrepreneurs is not separate from the pieces on display; it lives in every stitch, motif, and expressive form.

The opening in Dubai aligns seamlessly with the Maison’s future plans in London, where the V&A will host Shocking! The Surreal World of Elsa Schiaparelli, the United Kingdom’s firstever exhibition dedicated to the designer. Bellini highlights the

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significance of this moment: “We are going to present the legacy of Ms Schiaparelli,” she says, adding that the show will also explore “how her legacy is being translated by Daniel for today.” The Dubai pop-up becomes, in her words, “a bridge,” offering visitors from the region an amuse bouche of the rich surrealist universe soon to take over the London museum’s galleries.

It also demonstrates how the Maison tailors its approach to each region. “What we could do here,” Bellini says, was shaped

by Dubai’s appetite for immersive retail and creative expression.

“We have been working for months and months on this project to bring something super innovative,” shares the CEO. The result is a space that feels both intimate and cinematic, a capsule of the Maison’s artistry dropped into the centre of one of the world’s busiest luxury destinations. Part of the magic is the team itself. “We have an amazing team that is passionate about the brand,” Bellini says. Their role is not merely to sell but to guide, to “take each customer around a journey,” she explains. That journey includes storytelling about the Maison, its collaborations, and its modern reinterpretations of surrealism. Collaboration, after all, is embedded in Schiaparelli’s DNA. Bellini brings up how the founder’s own creative friendships were so fundamental in creating the brand’s distinctive DNA. “When she met Salvador Dalí,” she says, “they were not meant to do something. Their first collaboration was accidental, it was never meant to be something big” Bellini emphasises. Yet it became foundational to the Maison’s myth. That spirit continues today in the house’s relationships with milliner Stephen

Jones, artist collaborations, and couture-level artisans whose work animates Roseberry’s designs. “It blends beautifully,” Bellini says. “Legacy, but at the same time it is furnished with modernity.”

Leadership at Schiaparelli, Bellini insists, is not about force but stewardship. “I never think about being a female leader,” she says. “I think about being a facilitator to make the projects a reality and Daniel’s dreams come true.” Her role is to support, she says, “to make everything possible.”

Below: Delphine Bellini, CEO, and Daniel Roseberry, Creative Director at Schiaparelli

IMAGES: GETTY IMAGES AND SUPPLIED

Schiaparelli pop-up store, Dubai Mall

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STRIKE

Get a leg up on the new year by adding some colour and confidence into your wardrobe

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S E N I O R E D I TO R : J E S S I C A M I C H A U LT

PHOTOGRAPHER: RICARDO ABRAHAO

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Right page: Total look: Valentino

This page: Tights: Paula Conovas del Vas; Bag and shoes: Jimmy Choo

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Top: Paula Conovas del Vas; Body: Atelier Soven; Bra: Blumarine; Tights: Archive; Shoes: Roger Vivier

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Top: Paula Conovas del Vas; Body: Atelier Soven; Tights: Archive; Shoes: Jimmy Choo; Rings and bracelet: Wouters & Hendrix; Earrings: McQueen

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Dress, bag and shoes: Prada; Tights: Archive

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Body: Atelier Soven; Tights: Archive + Rui; Bag: Roger Vivier; Shoes: McQueen

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Top and skirt: Paula Conovas del Vas; Tights: Archive; Belt: Issey Miyake; Bracelet: Wouters & Hendrix; Bag: Celine; Shoes: Givenchy by Sarah Burton

Model: Karen Joigny Stylist: Serena Pompei Executive Producer: Jorge Rosell Production Manager: Sofia Potapova Production: We Made It Agency Make Up Artist: Nafik Bouchareb Hair Stylist: Megumi Sekine Stylist Assistant: Wissal Touma Photographer Assistant & Digital Tech: Jozue Anthony Studio: La Brique Rouge

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Artist Katia Luna Benaï is creating an oeuvre that transcends cultures and customs while tapping into her Amazigh heritage WORDS: RHEA LOBO

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here’s a quiet poise about Katia Luna Benaï that makes you lean in a little closer when you speak with her. A sculptor by trade, artist by instinct, and thinker by design, she might be softly spoken, but that belies a deeply felt dedication to the power of creativity. Through her eponymous studio she is committed to creating fine art pieces that seem to hum with history and feel both cerebral and deeply human.

Though born in London, Luna Benaï’s story begins further south in Algeria, where she was raised by her grandmother, in a household of proud Amazigh women. Amazigh, meaning “the free people,” are indigenous inhabitants of North Africa.

In a world that once sought to erase them, they remain a civilization defined by their resilience and by a remarkable tradition of matriarchal strength. For Luna Benaï, that lineage is not merely heritage, “it’s something that I treasure so much to this day, and it’s really made the tapestry of who I am as a person.”

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PHOTOGRAPHY: MARK MATHEW; STYLING: CAMILLE MACAWILI

Case in point: The Atlas Box, a one-of-a-kind jewellery box commissioned by Tiffany Dubin. A feature of the Jewellery as Art sale at Sotheby’s, it preserves the artist’s 4,000-year-old heritage through geometric symbols of the Amazigh. The symbols are a marker of the Tamazight language, carved on to a rhombicuboctahedron, one of Archimedes’ infinity shapes, offered with a detailed jewel holding and traditional hand-painted details.

Through peaceful resistance, just like the Amazigh, Luna Benaï treasures the culture while adding to it her own modern perspective, delicately unearthing centuries-old stories and offering them up to new generations. It’s why she has started to bring her art to the Middle East. “It’s mostly about the community, the culture,” she explains. “It bridges over so many things, so it’s about getting to know the community in terms of the arts and artisanal work.”

Her rich backstory has often been a fertile ground from which her creativity has flourished. “My mother is a strong Muslim Amazigh woman, my father is a French Mediterranean academic, and my grandfather was an open-minded scholar in Algeria. We all complement each other,” Luna Benaï says of her childhood. It’s that co-existence between worlds and philosophies that has profoundly shaped both her identity and practice.

Luna Benaï approaches her design projects through the lens of architecture. Her debut collection, Artefacts, featured two sculptural handbags – Nyx and Zazia – each a wearable objet d’art bridging sculpture with fashion. Crafted in exotic leather, the pieces are tactile yet culturally tied to Greek mythology and the Amazigh bloodline. “Zaha Hadid has always been a huge inspiration,” reflects the artist. “Her ability to challenge physics through architecture – I like to implement that within my work. For instance, with Object d’Arts, it wasn’t easy finding the right artisans. It took 39 hours to make Nyx.” For each piece Luna Benaï designs she begins with layers of cultural, historical, sometimes even psychological research, considering that her background includes an MSc in Psychology and Neuroscience. “Psychology is infused in culture, and in getting to know people,” she says. Having experimented with different mediums throughout her career she admits that one of the things she enjoys most is the research. A self described bookworm, the artist reveals that “I go the more historical route, looking at cultural heritage. I have a modern take on how I execute the designs, but the research is very much old school.”

Before turning her creative focus to fine art Luna Benaï spent fifteen years in the fashion space. “I know a lot about the fashion industry. But I found my true identity whilst doing fine art and fusing everything together.” That fusion is something that reflects how the lines between fashion and art have blurred over the past few years, and it's an arena the artist wants to investigate. “The fashion-adjacent collaborations with the art world are fascinating,” she confirms. “It’s something I’d love to explore further.”

Luna Benaï’s growing recognition in the art world speaks for itself. “The biggest high was my launch,” she recalls. “When I got

commissioned by Tiffany Dubin at Sotheby’s in New York. It was the first auction I had ever done, and I was pretty unknown, so it was a quite major moment for me.” Though nerves ran heavy at the time, what she decided to do afterwards was where she found herself to be the most fulfilled. She channelled 15% of the proceeds from that auction toward Hannan School, a grassroots charity that supports children’s education in Morocco. “We got to see the kids and the impact first-hand,” she says warmly. “They’re now working to build a secondary school so the children can apply for scholarships and university overseas. It’s nice when you can see where it’s actually going – that’s something I’m really proud of.”

For the artist, creativity and community go hand in hand.

“When I started my company the whole point was to give back,” she says. “It’s definitely something I want to explore further – working very closely with women and children nonprofits. The Middle East really accommodates that because there’s so much here in terms of values.” Existing within the bespoke market, Luna Benaï advocates a slow, selective ecosystem. “I don’t push a lot of

“I know a lot about the fashion industry. But I found my true identity whilst doing fine art and fusing everything together.” products out,” she says. “But I do like to experiment. What draws me in is the storytelling. I’m looking more on the community level right now, growing a story through that, and seeing how I can emphasise it.” That sense of shared narrative extends to everyone involved in her creative process and Luna Benaï, who sees herself as an introvert, tends to want to let her work speak for itself. “Once a project’s finished, I disappear. For me, it’s about seeing everybody happy, whoever I’m partnering up with. Or if it’s my own project, seeing the feedback and people’s reactions is enough.”

Her practice continues to expand both conceptually and materially, as she delves into new collaborations. “It’s really exciting to work with scent and taste for the first time,” she says of a new projec she is currently working on, but that is still under wraps. “It’s explorative, and the team is amazing. Having creative flexibility is really important, too.” Today, London remains Luna Benaï’s base, but her compass increasingly points eastward. “A lot of my stuff gets made in Italy, but I’m looking to make it home grown and locally,” she says as she embarks on new creative partnerships within the Middle East. Her work, much like her heritage, exists in the space between: between London and Algiers, between tradition and modernity, between sculpture and storytelling. And it is this mélange of places, cultures and avenues of expression that truly give her designs their unique magnetic power.

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AN ARCHITECT OF IMAGINATION

VISION

Emirati artist Asma Belhamar returns this month with a brand new solo exhibition.

Debuting January 17th at the Green Art Gallery in Dubai, her show, titled The Window Refused to Fly, and the Arch Decided to Hold the Sky takes the artist’s exploration of architectural touchpoints in new directions. Through the use of 3-D printed stoneware clay, wood, and ceramic tiles, Belhamar examines how structural, yet somehow whimsical, constructions can become a spark for the imagination.

That substantive materials, which act as hallmarks of the past, can also help to project us into a hoped for future. One filled with childlike spontaneity and joy.

It’s time to connect with…

– The true cycle of life –Y our inner clock –N ew wellness rituals –W hat your body needs –A clear vision for the future –A rtistic explorations

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Asma Belhamar When the window refused to fly, 2025 Ceramics, composed of 2 parts.

Courtesy the artist and Green Art Gallery, Dubai

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Why listening to your cycle is the ultimate act of self-care WO R D S : A M I N AT H I FA S A

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he modern blueprint for health – for sleep, for fitness, for performance – is a monologue.

It is a one-note script, largely based on male physiology, that expects a woman’s body to perform with the same unvarying rhythm day after day. We are told to adhere to a 24-hour cycle in a body that operates on a 28-day tide.

This fundamental mismatch stems from a silence at the heart of modern science: the female hormonal landscape remains a largely uncharted territory. For decades, medical research has treated the female cycle as a niche variable, leaving women to navigate their own physiology with a map drawn for a different body.

Into this silence, women finally are raising their own voices, learning to translate the body’s subtle, monthly dialect. The concept of ‘cycle syncing’ is emerging as a practice of deep listening.

“We’re trying to navigate a complex, fluctuating system with a map that only shows a straight line,” says Jade Palmer, founder of The Uncommon Running Club, who is focused on building awareness about this topic in the sports community. “The conversations are happening more frequently now, which is good. Women are asking questions. But in terms of knowing what to do, it’s still a bit of a grey area.” This grey area is where Dr. Jaimie Johnson, an OB/ GYN at HealthBay, practices. She paints a vivid picture of the dissonance. “Imagine a woman on a Monday, at the start of her cycle, feeling drained. She’s only slept five and a half hours, but she’s scheduled a 6:30am super intense workout before a ten-hour day.”

Johnson describes the cascade: the workout is a struggle, her mood plummets, her work suffers. “She ignored essentially all the signals that her body was telling her because of all the other daily responsibilities. She’s been taught to completely ignore those things.”

Palmer knows that inner conflict intimately. She spent years operating on a “hustle mentality” forged in the era of “size zero” and CrossFit. “I was that girl out the door at 4am, two cups of coffee in me, teaching a 5am class on an empty stomach,” she recalls. The cost was a body in revolt, seven years without a period, chronic inflammation, and a deep-seated exhaustion. “I looked back at photos from when I thought I was my fittest, and I saw the water retention, the bloating. I was holding onto everything.

My body was screaming with signals I had been trained to ignore.”

The practice of cycle syncing, then, is the patient work of building a new vocabulary for those signals. It’s about recognising the four seasons within. Johnson, who is also a certified yoga instructor, translates these phases into movement. The menstrual phase is an “inner winter,” a time for “flow, rest, reflection” and gentler practices like Yin yoga. The follicular phase is a “spring,” ideal for building energy with power yoga or vinyasa flows. Ovulation is a short, potent “summer,” a window for peak intensity. Finally, the luteal phase is an “autumn,” a gradual winding down calling for alignment-based Hatha yoga and mindful walking. “It’s kind of like a mountain,” she says, “a natural time to rest and digest.”

This practice demands a fundamental shift in perspective, especially in performance-oriented spaces. Palmer, who trains for 160-km ultramarathons alongside men, speaks to the daily challenge. “If you’re a female who is competitive, which most females I know are, training alongside men who are doing the same session… it is hard not to be hard on yourself.” Her solution is a mantra of self-compassion. “If you’re not training for the Olympics, then why are you bending over backwards? If you only have 40% to give, give 40%. You’ve still given 100% of what you had to give that day.”

This philosophy extends beyond the track. Johnson identifies one of the most damaging misconceptions she encounters: the normalisation of suffering. “The most common misconception is that a super heavy, super painful period is regular and normal,” she states. “If it’s always been this way, then there’s no comparison.

But should you really be down and out in bed for three days every month? The answer is no.” In this landscape of scant research, women are becoming citizen scientists of their own bodies, using tools and community to fill the data gap. Palmer, a self-described “data freak,” uses her WHOOP as a guide. She sees it as a conversation starter with her own body, a way to ground her intuition in tangible metrics. “I prefer to go by feel, and then I like to look and see if my feeling is accurate to what my WHOOP is actually saying,” she explains. This balanced approach allows her to understand her body’s signals on a deeper level, using the data to validate her instincts rather than override them. She still champions simpler starts like the intentional walk or an accountability buddy, bolting movement onto rituals you already love.

Johnson sees this community aspect as vital. She recalls her time in Hawaii, where her patients, friends, and workout community overlapped. She watched women transform as they began to honour their cycles. “They would share about how they changed their nutrition. I noticed they wouldn’t be in class every day anymore, they were adjusting. Their bodies changed in that they were getting stronger, but in all different ways.”

This is the quiet, collective work of cycle syncing. It moves beyond a rigid calendar of do’s and don’ts into a lifelong conversation.

It is the slow, patient work of learning to trust the wisdom of a body that science is still struggling to understand. This practice invites a truce. A gentle reminder to tune into the rhythm of your own being.

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THE POWER OF KNOWING Dr. Kristen Holmes is putting women’s health at the heart of her work at WHOOP

As she tells it, peak performance has never been determined solely by what happens in the gym. “It’s actually the other 21 hours of the day that are more reflective of how you’re going to show up.” That intuitive truth, one women have always lived, of juggling ambition, caregiving, and invisible labour, became her scientific north star.

When she met WHOOP founder Will Ahmed a decade ago, “he offered me a job, and I ended up joining forces.” She brought the research; WHOOP brought the hardware; and her expertise helped to build a platform that would help millions decode W O R D S : J E S S I C A M I C H A U LT the physiology behind wellbeing.

That mission took a sharp turn toward women’s health in 2017, when a researcher approached Holmes about conducting a pregnancy study. Holmes quietly began “doing all this female research, almost like in the shadows,” she remembers. A breakthrough moment came when WHOOP captured physiological signatures predicting birth timing across pregnancies: “In all the pregnancies, there was an inflection point. A massive bump in HRV and a massive decrease in resting heart rate.” It was the beginning of a scientific correction long overdue. Holmes insisted future WHOOP research include women in equal numbers. “Every single research study that we do is going to have as many women as it does men,” she says. Today her work spans menstrual cycles, exercise physiology, perimenopause, menopause, and female or years, women have been asked to listen to longevity with researchers from Stanford, North Carolina, and their bodies. Yet they have also been given rebeyond. “We’re really zooming out and asking: what are the markably few tools to understand what those baseline characteristics? It just doesn’t exist.” bodies are actually saying. Even today, much At its core, Holmes’s approach is deeply empowering. She of medical research, sports science, and wellbelieves women deserve data that make their choices clearer, ness technology remains built on male data their effort more intentional, and their performance more presets, male baselines, and male assumptions. dictable. “Your physiology impacts your psychology and vice Which is why speaking with Dr. Kristen Holmes, Global Head of versa,” she says. “If you understand how to apply your effort, Human Performance, Principal Scientist in Performance Science performance becomes more of a choice.” That insight feels parat WHOOP, feels like sitting with someone quietly rewriting the ticularly poignant in a region where women are increasingly rulebook on women’s health. Her work is not just about better embracing biohacking, strength training, and longevity science. data; it is about finally closing a knowledge gap that has shaped For Holmes, the fundamentals begin with strength. “Womwomen’s wellbeing for generations. Holmes’s journey into perforen should be lifting weights across their lifespan,” she says unmance science began long before she teamed up with the wearable equivocally. Cardio alone won’t do it. “If you’re under-mushealth tech company WHOOP, which has become something of a cled… that’s when problems arise.” Weight training improves cultural phenomenon of late. “I was building my own technology metabolic health, glucose uptake, and hormonal stability, all at Princeton University,” she recalls, describing the early days of critical for women navigating perimenopause and beyond. tracking athletes beyond the walls of the training centre. She was Just as important? VO2 max training. “If I were to do nothing not simply coaching her teams to championships, she was trying else, those two pieces are absolutely fundamental for women.” to understand the fundamental mystery every woman knows too She brings the same clarity to sleep, perhaps the most underwell: “Why am I ready some days and not ready other days?”

F

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estimated pillar of women’s wellbeing. “Modern life is set up to be quite destructive,” she warns. Our detachment from natural light cycles, food timing, and consistent sleep-wake rhythms comes at a physiological cost. “Sleep consistency is what drives quality sleep,” she explains. Yet WHOOP’s data shows women in the region are struggling: “This region is not good, it averages a 61% sleep consistency.” The goal is above 80%. “You’re really reducing the risk of illness and disease if you can hit that number.”

Holmes believes most sleep problems start not at night, but first thing in the morning. “People don’t understand how to get into that consistent sleep/wake time,” she says. The solution is deceptively simple: “If you stabilise your wake time, and get a hit of natural light right away… that signal is so vital.” The body’s internal clock needs that cue to know when to power up, and when to wind down.

Without it, even the most disciplined evening routine collapses.

But perhaps Holmes’s most compelling work lies in the futurefacing frontier of precision health. She lights up when discussing

WHOOP’s new integration of blood biomarkers with the WHOOP Advanced Labs feature. “Combining blood biomarkers and longitudinal physiological data is so exciting to me,” she says. “There’s nothing more precise than the marriage of these two components.” For the first time, the entirety of a woman’s internal landscape, from sleep, stress, and hormones, all the way to training, recovery, micronutrient status, can be understood as a single, interconnected system.

WHOOP is building what the WHOOP team calls “the health OS,” a personal operating system that helps women course-correct before symptoms become crises. “We just literally don’t have to guess as much,” she says.

“You’ll know within a couple weeks where you need to focus your effort.” It is a revolutionary idea: that women’s bodies, long overlooked in research and misunderstood in medicine, can finally be monitored with nuance and acted on with confidence. The emotional impact of this work is not lost on her. She shares the story of a man who charted his recovery from depression through WHOOP’s HRV data. “It makes me emotional,” she says quietly. “Your HRV is so strongly correlated with your psychological functioning.” For women, whose mental health often shifts with hormonal cycles, life stressors, and caregiving responsibilities, this kind of real-time visibility is transformative.

Currently, Holmes is hard at work completing her first book, Aligned. “It marries the physiology and the psychology,” she says, describing a body of work shaped by decades of research, and lived experience. Writing it has been “torture,” she admits with a laugh, but also necessary. “We are at an unprecedented time in human history,” she says. “Why wait until you’re on the razor’s edge of a health crisis? Every day you can have insight into how you’re travelling through life, so you can course-correct as you go.”

And that, perhaps, is the quiet revolution she is leading: not just helping women live longer, but helping them live better. So that women can live on their own terms, with their own data, and with a clarity the world has denied them for too long.

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A NEW

In a year that calls for balance over burnout, two expert voices share a calmer blueprint for health

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he new year has long been framed as a moment of reinvention, sharper routines, stricter goals, louder promises to ourselves. But as our collective understanding of wellness evolves, 2026 calls for a quieter recalibration.

As wellness evolves beyond rigid resolutions, it is increasingly shaped by those who understand balance from both sides, clinical expertise and personal burnout.

Boris Hodakel, founder of wellness brand Feel, brings founder-led insight forged through pressure and recovery; while Dr. Asima Nasir, American board-certified aesthetic physician and medical director of Orskin Aesthetic Clinic, offers a holistic, patient-first perspective rooted in preventative care and longevity. Together, they frame a calmer, more considered blueprint for wellbeing in the year ahead.

One rooted not in extremes, but in gentle discipline. It involves listening before fixing and supporting before optimising. “Wellness and physical wellbeing are inseparable,” says Dr. Nasir, a medical director specialising in regenerative medicine and longevity. “You cannot treat them as separate entities, they blend into one another.” It’s a truth that reframes the way we approach health altogether: the body as an ecosystem, not a checklist.

As we delve into the world of wellness, here’s what the experts have to share.

SLEEP IS NOT A LUXURY. IT’S INFRASTRUCTURE If modern life has a blind spot, it is sleep.

Sacrificed for productivity and worn as a badge of honour, it remains the most undervalued pillar of wellbeing, and the most foundational. “When you’re not sleeping well, you’re not thinking right,” Dr. Nasir explains. Elevated cortisol levels, chronic inflammation, weakened immunity and visible skin fatigue often trace back to disrupted sleep patterns. The consequences

W E L L N ESS L A NGUAGE WORDS: SARAH JOSEPH

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show subtly at first, dullness, brain fog, irritability, before compounding into deeper imbalance. From a supplementation perspective, Hodakel founder of Feel, notes that magnesium has emerged as a quiet hero, particularly among women navigating high-pressure environments. Vitamin D, too, is often overlooked in the UAE. “Seeing the sun doesn’t mean you’re absorbing it,” he says. “Deficiency here is more common than people realise.”

ruary. The experts agree: simplicity wins.

“You can’t build ten habits at once,” Boris says. “Start with one benefit you want to support, then build gradually.” Hydration remains the most underestimated essential, particularly in the UAE’s climate, while omega-3s continue to play a key role in immunity, heart health and inflammation control. “Wellness is a habit,” Boris adds. “The benefits aren’t immediate, but consistency changes everything.”

STRESS LEAVES A SIGN, LEARN TO READ IT

SKIN AS A REFLECTION

Stress rarely arrives dramatically. Instead, it accumulates, showing up on the skin, in digestion, in the way sleep becomes fractured. “Women tend to multitask constantly, and that builds chronic stress,” Dr Nasir says. “The first place you see it is the skin, breakouts, rosacea, inflammation.

Then the gut, then hair shedding, then immunity.” The antidote isn’t elimination, but regulation. Ten minutes alone. A short walk outdoors. An intentional pause between obligations. Boris speaks candidly about the importance of creating an endpoint to the day: “I force myself to stop.

And once a week, I slow everything down, no urgency, no agenda.” In a culture obsessed with momentum, choosing stillness becomes an act of self-preservation.

From a medical aesthetic perspective, Dr. Nasir champions restraint over excess.

“Sunscreen is the biggest prevention. Vitamin C for brightness, retinol at the right age, and a good moisturiser, that’s your base.”

Advanced treatments – peptides, biostimulators, red light therapy, can support skin health, but only when paired with sleep, nutrition and stress regulation. “When aesthetics and wellness work together,” she says, “you see the skin as it’s meant to be.”

THE GUT: WHERE MOOD, ENERGY AND CLARITY BEGIN Few wellness conversations today are complete without acknowledging the gut, and with reason. Over 90 per cent of serotonin, the hormone most associated with happiness, is produced there. “When people feel low or lethargic without a clear cause, it’s often the gut,” Hodakel explains. “Your microbiome affects mood, immunity, even how light or heavy you feel throughout the day.” Dr. Nasir echoes this connection, particularly through a skin-health lens.

“When gut inflammation is addressed, skin clarity often follows naturally.” Probiotics and gut-supporting nutrition have become central not as trends, but as tools for long-term equilibrium.

RETHINKING SUPPLEMENTS January often triggers an all-or-nothing mindset, drawers filled with half-used supplements, routines abandoned by Feb-

THE MOST IMPORTANT RESET IS MENTAL Perhaps the most powerful wellness practice for the year ahead is also the simplest: easing the pressure we place on ourselves.

“Take it easy,” Dr. Nasir says. “You are doing the best you can. Beauty is a reflection of how supported your body feels.” Confidence, she adds, reduces stress, and that calm inevitably shows. In 2026, why not try making a series of small, thoughtful choices that, over time, will lead to a life that feels not just healthier, but lighter.

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R E F R A M I NG THE FOU RT H T R I M EST E R WO R D S : A M I N AT H I FA S A

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FROM DEBU N K I NG TH E SI X-W EEK M Y TH TO CON FRON TI NG POSTPA RT U M ISOL ATION, E X PLOR E HOW TO NAV IGATE TH E U NSEEN M EN TA L A N D EMOTIONA L

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he arrival of a newborn is often painted as a portrait of seamless joy. A radiant mother, a serene infant, a perfect new beginning. Yet behind this curated image lies a profound and complex transition, one marked not just by physical recovery, but by emotional upheaval, psychological shifts, and a societal silence that leaves many new mothers navigating uncharted territory alone. As the world celebrates the baby, the mother’s own journey through postpartum can become an invisible struggle, overshadowed by outdated timelines and unspoken expectations.

This quiet crisis in maternal wellbeing is one that postpartum professionals like Daniela Mottram and Caridad Saenz encounter daily. Their work, and first hand personal experiences, reveal a critical gap between the reality of the “fourth trimester” (the first 12 weeks after a baby is born) and the myths that still constrain it. Moving beyond the physical, true postpartum wellness requires an honest conversation about mental health, a redefined support system, and the radical permission for a mother to reclaim her voice in her own story.

Perhaps the most pervasive myth is the notion that postpartum concludes neatly at the six-week mark. “Your hormones, your pelvic floor, your energy, your emotions, all can take months to settle,” explains Mottram, a pediatric nurse and doula. “If you tell a mother it takes six weeks and she has gone through it already, she would say, ‘No way.’” This artificial deadline sets women up for a sense of failure when their bodies and minds follow a more gradual, individual timeline of recovery.

Compounding this pressure is the expectation of instant, effortless bonding. The fantasy of immediate all-encompassing love can cast a shadow of guilt when feelings unfold more slowly, as relationships do. “You are getting to know a whole new human,” Mottram notes. This period is, in truth, the birth of the mother as much as the birth of the child. A becoming that requires patience and

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space, not a predetermined script. Beneath the surface of physical healing lies the critical, and often stigmatised, terrain of maternal mental health. The common “baby blues,” a transient hormonal shift in the first weeks, is frequently minimised or brushed aside.

However, when feelings of sadness, anxiety, or detachment deepen and persist, they signal a need for meaningful support. Saenz, a birth and bereavement doula, observes that a well-meaning family can inadvertently undermine a mother’s confidence by “babying” her rather than fortifying her. “Moms don’t need to be babied, they need to be empowered,” she clarifies. “It means I remind you that you can. I’m here to hold your space while you can.”

Too often, a mother’s emotional distress is met with dismissal.

“Sometimes they start feeling bad, they go see the doctor… and the doctor’s like, ‘That’s fine. That’s normal.’ They just shrug it off. Nobody actually listens,” Saenz explains. This clinical neglect can deepen a profound sense of isolation. Mottram identifies a common thread among the new mothers she supports: a piercing loneliness that persists even in a crowd. “You feel lonely with your problems… it really hurts to feel lonely like that.”

In transient communities like Dubai, where extended family networks are often absent, this isolation can be particularly acute.

The solution, both experts agree, lies in intentional, pre-emptive community building. “Build your support system in advance,” Mottram advises, suggesting prenatal groups and professional doula networks as foundational. Saenz echoes this, noting that quality trumps quantity: “One person that can be empathetic is so much more valuable than thirty-five that can make you feel ‘not so good’.” This “village,” whether found or forged, is a cornerstone of sustainable wellness.

The constant barrage of unsolicited advice and digital noise presents another formidable challenge. “There’s 985 voices telling them to go left, right, straight, back, all around,” Saenz says of the modern mother’s environment. Social media amplifies this, projecting curated images of rapid “bounce backs” that distort re-

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The Mother (1895-1900). Found in the Collection of Museo Sorolla, Madrid

ality. Mottram points to the painful dissonance this creates: “You see [someone] on social media… they had their baby and one week later in their yoga dress, pushing their baby around the park. And then you look down on yourself and ask ‘What am I doing wrong?’”

Reclaiming agency begins with turning down the external volume and tuning into one’s own intuition. Saenz advocates for deliberate, reflective “mirror work” – having brutally honest internal dialogues to uncover core desires separate from fear or external pressure. “Make every decision out of love because you want it, not out of fear because you’re scared,” she advises. This principle applies equally to birth plans, feeding choices, and daily rhythms. Practical frameworks, like the traditional “555 rule” of rest (5 days in the bed, 5 days on the bed, 5 days around the bed), can help guard the sacred initial phase of healing. Physical rituals, too, hold deep restorative power, serving as a bridge between body and psyche. Techniques like the traditional “closing the bones” ceremony, found in cultures from Latin America to Morocco, offer more than physical realignment. The practice uses rhythmic massage, herbal care, and rebozo wrapping to support physical recovery, emotional release, and energetic closure after birth.“It feels like one big hug,” Saenz describes. “I’m just creating that space

to let you sit in the silence… to remind yourself that you are you.”

Such acts of care reaffirm a mother’s individual identity, which is essential to her holistic recovery.

Ultimately, navigating the postpartum landscape requires a fundamental shift in perspective: lowering impossible expectations, embracing flexible adaptability, and releasing the pursuit of perfection. “Don’t take yourself so seriously,” Saenz counsels with empathy. Mottram encourages a mindset where simply navigating the day with a newborn is a worthy accomplishment. The goal is not a return to a former self, but an integration of a new, more layered identity. “Maybe you don’t want to be who you were before you gave birth,” Saenz reflects. “This is the best chance to change who you are.” The path through postpartum, as agreed by the experts, is not a straight line marked on a calendar. It asks for a culture that listens more than it advises, that empowers more than it pities, and that holds compassionate space for the full spectrum of a mother’s experience. By dismantling taboos, challenging misconceptions, and prioritising intentional support, we can begin to honour this unseen, and often unspoken, journey of transformation. Redefining the postpartum period from one of silent endurance into a supported, witnessed becoming.

“ M A K E EV ERY DECISION OU T OF LOV E BECAUSE YOU WA N T IT, NOT OU T OF FE A R BECAUSE YOU’R E SCA R ED” VISION

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VIEW POINT

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20/20 VISION Emirates Woman columnist Morin Oluwole, an International Luxury Business Leader who serves on the boards of Breitling, Rituals, and Biologique Recherche and the former Global Luxury Director at Meta, reminds us that manifesting a vision is not wishful thinking, but comes from a quiet confidence to move through the world with intention 68 emirateswoman.com

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here is a quiet, subtle, almost invisible moment when a woman decides she is ready to become more. Not perfect, not finished, not certain… just ready. That moment is the spark of manifestation. Not the glossy version we see on social media, but the real, grounded, disciplined art of shaping a life with intention. Manifesting a vision for oneself is not magic. It is clarity. It is courage. It is consistency. And above all, it is a deep remembering that we, as women, hold the permission to design our futures – not wait for them.

Over the course of my career, from startup brainstorming sessions, to the boardrooms of global luxury maisons to the communities of creatives and entrepreneurs I meet today, one truth has remained constant: women lead differently. Our leadership carries intuition, empathy, precision, resilience, and a capacity to hold complexity while seeing possibility.

When a woman manifests a vision, she does it with her whole being. It’s not just strategic. It’s emotional. It’s embodied.

Start with the identity, not the outcome Manifestation begins long before goals and milestones. It begins with identity: Who do I want to be next year? In five years?

In the world I’m building? Manifesting is not about forcing an outcome; it’s about aligning your daily actions with your future self. It’s subtle yet powerful, like choosing the right intention before stepping into a room. That quiet shift guides everything that follows.

Your vision needs space to breathe One of the greatest gifts you can give yourself is the space to think expansively. We live in a world saturated with noise – deadlines, notifications, comparison, the demand to always be “on.” But visions don’t grow in chaos. They grow in stillness. Some of the most defining ideas of my career came not in meetings or strategy rooms, but in the quiet moments. For several years, I started my workday in Paris at 8:30am before everyone arrived to have a moment to breathe and focus. Women often feel guilty for taking time alone, but solitude is not indulgent, it’s strategic. When you disconnect from the world, you reconnect with yourself. And your intuition becomes louder than your fears.

Your future needs a narrative Every vision needs a story to guide it.

The luxury industry taught me the power of narrative. Not the story you tell others, but the one you tell yourself. Your narrative sets the tone for your confidence, your decisions, your boundaries, your ambitions.

Are you telling a story of possibility or limitation?

A story of expansion or hesitation?

A story of “someday” or of “now”?

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munity that mirrors the woman you are becoming, not the one you are outgrowing. A community that celebrates your ambition without making you shrink it. A community where your ideas are met with “Yes, and…”

A community that stretches your possibilities, not questions them.

Action is the engine of manifestation Manifesting requires movement. Not rushed, anxious movement, but deliberate steps toward the vision you hold.

Your future self doesn’t need you to know all the answers. She just needs you to begin. To make one bold ask.

To take one uncomfortable step. To honour one small promise to yourself each day. Women often underestimate how powerful tiny, consistent actions can be. Every message sent, every meeting accepted, every opportunity explored, every moment of preparation. These are the quiet architects of transformation. And its important to remember that you don’t manifest a vision by wishing for it. You manifest it by showing up for it.

The future you’re building already exists – you just haven’t stepped into it yet

Your internal narrative becomes the framework of your external life. Rewrite it with intention. Speak to yourself the way you would speak to a woman you admire.

Women manifest through community We never rise alone. One of the myths of manifesting is that it’s an individual practice. But women have always advanced through circles – those of trust, of wisdom, of support. Some of the biggest breakthroughs in my career happened because another woman opened a door, offered a perspective, shared a contact, or simply reminded me of who I was when I doubted myself. Build a com-

There is a depth in women’s ambition that the world rarely acknowledges. We carry goals not for ego, but for expression. For meaning. For impact. For legacy. Manifesting a vision for yourself is an act of profound self-respect. It’s choosing to live deliberately. It’s declaring that the woman you’re becoming deserves time, space, commitment, and devotion. Allow yourself to hold the complexities – both strength and softness, confidence and curiosity, clarity and exploration. Because at the end of the day Leadership is not the absence of fear; it is the presence of purpose. So take the first step. Trust the unfolding. And hold your vision with the quiet certainty that everything you imagine for yourself is already in motion.

Your future is calling. And it’s full of possibilities.

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Gayathri Krishnan WORDS: CAMILLE MACAWILI

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he line-up of the 2026 Quoz Arts Fest by Alserkal is a chocka-block two day happening (January 24-25) that features a cross-disciplinary programme which places visual arts on the same plane as live music and curated pop-up concepts to create a medley of immersive experiences. With Alserkal’s continued focus on discovery and the curatorial thread that’s long been central to its ethos, this edition brings unique and diverse perspectives. Basma El Bittar, Director of Alserkal Avenue, says, “Over the years, Quoz Arts Fest has grown alongside Dubai’s creative community, creating a space where artists, neighbours, and visitors can move, gather, and explore new forms of connection. The 2026 edition highlights the depth of regional talent.

Artists whose work reflects the pulse, perspective and creative energy of the region and bring together the local artisans.”

THE ARTISTS

A powerhouse roster of regional names are participating this year. The multi-genre musical acts include Palestinian hip-hop collective DAM and Lebanese singer-songwriter Yasmine Hamdan who will present a powerful set shaped by heritage and deep-rooted artistic legacies.

While the visionary brothers of TootArd and Gayathri Krishnan add new textures with a performance that draws from Levantine grooves, desert blues, and soulful South Asian influences blended with global pop rhythms.

In addition, From the Lips to the Moon – a creative force in London’s experimental performance scene - will present a spoken-word and music act created especially for the festival, hosted by composer and sound designer Pouya Ehsaei and writer Tara Fatehi, inviting festival goers for an immersive sonic experience. Merging movement and design, Jean-Baptiste André will perform his show Floe, a choreographic and performative work that brings visual artist Vincent Lamoroux’s scenographic work to life. Throughout the festival, Stage 2.0 will spotlight UAE-based emerging musicians, offering space for exchange, experimentation and new collaborations to form.

THE INSTALLATIONS

Visual and spatial spectacles will set the scene for the festival. Expect multi-media presentations, both in large-scale and intimate formats, that will create a unique sense of place and discovery within the grounds. Presented for the first time in Dubai and inside Concrete, Alserkal’s remarkable architectural wonder designed by Rem Koolhaas’ OMA, TAPE by acclaimed art

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ARTS, CRAFTS, & GOOD VIBES

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Left: TAPE Project in Bruges, Belgium; Below: Floe with Jean-Baptiste André in collaboration with Vincent Lamouroux at Port de Doëlan

collective Numen/For Use’s project will be taking over the venue with a sweeping structure composed entirely of cocoon-like tape forms stretched across the space. Previously presented across major cities worldwide, including Paris, Tokyo, and Milan, this installation brings a bold style to the festival grounds.

THE POP-UPS

Curated pop-ups, takeovers, and unique concepts will extend across Alserkal’s lanes, offering visitors a selection of tasteful indulgences, from global flavours and artisanal products to neighbourhood-driven culinary experiences.

Reel Palestine Screenings of independent Palestinian cinema will take place in partnership with Cinema Akil. It will be accompanied by a vibrant souk of more than fifty vendors showcasing crafts, design objects, and culinary expressions rooted in Palestinian heritage.

The souk will reside inside Warehouse 67 and throughout the surrounding outdoor spaces.

There is also a presentation by Mawaheb featuring works by adults of determination, reflecting the festival’s commitment to accessibility and inclusive creative expression.

Entry is to the festival is free upon registration for visitors under 18 and above 60, and a 100 AED day pass applies to all other guests.

Tickets for Quoz Arts Fest 2026 are available via platinumlist.net Yasmine Hamdan

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VISION

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CIRCLE OF TRUST

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Leave it to renowned jewellery designer Suzanne Kalan to uplevel the wellness game by encircling the very understated Oura ring in diamonds and gold. The one hurdle the health tracker had since it launched was its aesthetic appeal. But now, thanks to Kalan, the ring is making a statement for all the right reasons. Her Tech Ring Jackets, in the brand’s iconic Firework and Frenzy, scattered baguette diamond design, work seamlessly with the Oura. This way women don’t have to choose between external beauty or inner wellness. They can have it all.

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Start the new year right trying…

– The latest wellness gadgets – Dior’s new skin shield – A new spa destination –T he top tweakments of 2026 –H ot and cool treatments –S cents that clean the senses –S kincare designs with purity in mind –T o eat more vegetables

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Hot New Buys WORDS: CAMILLE MACAWILI

Wellness must-haves to start the year with mindful intentions

DEEP SLEEP A science-driven device designed with comfort in mind, even for side sleepers, to block out sleep-disrupting sounds and replace noise with any playlist you’d like to stream for the best sleep of your life. X Calm Sleepbuds Dhs1,098 Ozlo

Wellness in a Bottle

A premium wellness evening supplement enriched with a Holistic Complex of bioactive compounds that calms the mind and supports deep sleep, enhances mental clarity and stress management over time. Balance Rest & Reset Supplements Dhs1,646 Clinique La Prairie

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SWEAT IT OUT Loved by wellness insiders and enthusiasts, this portable self-care device lets you reset from the comforts of your own space. Layered with amethyst and tourmaline, the sauna blanket emits negative ions and supports collagen production. Infrared Sauna Blanket Dhs3,423 HigherDose

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GOLD STANDARD An innovative device that features five coloured healing light treatments that help soothe inflammation, breakouts, and reduce hyperpigmentation for a next-level self-care session.

Light-Therapy Golden Facial Treatment Device Dhs2,774 MZ Skin

Pure Delight An invigorating two-in-one bathing treatment that harnesses the healing properties of quartz to exfoliate skin, stimulate circulation and energetically cleanse. Purify Quartz Scrub & Soak Dhs532 AMAN Essentials

BRIGHT EYED Infused with peptide complex, vitamin E, and seaweed extract, these hydrogel eye masks target dark circles, boost the eye area’s cell function, and slow down the ageing process.

Sub Zero De-Puffing Eye Masks, Set of 8 Dhs395 111Skin

EYES WIDE SHUT

Lifted & Lit

This body device blends age-old gua shua techniques with microcurrent and red light therapy to boost circulation and reduce puffiness for complete skin repair. Level Up Microcurrent + Red LED Face & Neck Massager Dhs1,175 Solaris Laboratories NY

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A luxe light-blocking eye mask delivers a restorative beauty sleep every night while it pillows tired eyes with padded, mulberry silk.

Moonlight Shadow Eyelash Protecting Sleep Mask Dhs295 Drowsy

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WO R D S : A M I N AT H I FA S A

The Night Shift Dior Skincare’s Virginie Couturaud and Dr. Patricia Ogilvie reveal how to build a 24-hour shield to defend skin’s youth

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e have long believed night to be skin’s time of quiet repair. A period of pure regeneration.

But what if this was only half the story? What if, while we slept, a silent erosion was taking place? This is the provocative question that drove the scientists at Dior, a house with over five decades of pioneering skin rejuvenation, to look closer. The answer, they discovered, rewrites the entire narrative of nighttime skincare. “The concept until today was that the skin is all about defense during the day and nighttime is for regeneration and rebuilding,” explains Dr. Patricia Ogilvie, a dermatologist and member of the Dior Reverse Ageing Board.

“Recently, research found that specifically in the nighttime, we are losing a significant amount of collagen in the skin.” She reveals that the enzymes responsible for breaking down collagen are upregulated at night, and surprisingly, “the radical load is also high during night, and that degrades collagen. So we are losing. At the end of the day, night time is a time where we need to protect the collagen from degradation.”

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This discovery is the catalyst for a profound shift, moving the conversation from the defensive stance of ‘anti-aging’ to the restorative promise of ‘reverse aging.’ “‘Anti-aging’ is a very wrong name,” affirms Dr. Virginie Couturaud, Dior’s Director of Scientific Communication. “‘Reverse aging’ means that we want to have good functioning like young people. We want to reverse all the functioning of our tissues, not to fight against aging, just to live better and in a good condition.” Dr. Ogilvie emphasises that this is more than a vision; it is a scientific reality. “It is scientifically shown that it is possible, once it has already happened, we can turn it back. That is a shift. That is a complete mind shift.” This inclusive approach welcomes those who have already seen the signs of time, offering not just prevention, but correction.

The tangible result of this philosophy is the 24-Hour ProCollagen Firmness Protocol. Its cornerstone is a groundbreaking night cream. “We have created a new night cream, designed to not only boost collagen but also to reduce collagen loss overnight,” says Couturaud. The innovation lies in Prolatonine™, a technology Couturaud describes as, “like a shield to protect the skin collagen.” This nocturnal guardian works in perfect sync with the day cream, which leverages Dior’s signature OX-C Treatment™ to triple collagen production by day. This pioneering work is rooted in a long-standing commitment to regenerative science. “The Capture line has always been a pioneer,” notes Dr. Ogilvie. “They have been at the forefront of merging insights from stem cell research. It was very, very courageous of a skincare line like Dior in the early days.” The latest frontier is oxygen management, a field inspired by the most fundamental processes of life. Dr. Ogilvie highlights the cutting-edge nature of this focus, noting, “The understanding of how oxygen is actually transported within the body – intracellular oxygen transport – is something that was found 10-12 years ago. So it’s very new.” To address this as a core intervention is to work at the most upstream, foundational level of cellular vitality.

The philosophy of reversal extends beyond the cellular level to a deeply personal one. For Dr. Ogilvie, the impact of effective skincare is transformative. “On a very personal experience level, it is a struggle for every woman, seeing the way we change over time comes with fear,” she observes. This is where scientific innovation meets profound human needs. “With the progress that we have made in society, there is a gap between how we actually stand in society and how we look. Helping women specifically to close that gap gives them the confidence to actually do the next step. And that is the true magic.”

Together, Virginie Couturaud and Patricia Ogilvie present a new chronobiology of beauty. It is a recognition that true transformation requires a constant, intelligent dialogue with the skin’s innate rhythms. By understanding that the night is not just for rebuilding but also for protecting, they have created a protocol that fights time and actively works to reverse its visible effects. The ritual of care becomes an act of renewal, turning night time routine into a time for resilience and the dawn into a testament to restored vitality.

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Pause Please

Take a break at Saadiyat Island’s newly opened Talise Spa – your nervous system will thank you WORDS: SARAH JOSEPH

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“Every corner becomes a gentle invitation into introspection” more relaxed zone. Breathwork in the hammam hits differently. Maybe it’s the heat loosening the body, maybe it’s the acoustics wrapping around you like a weighted blanket, maybe it’s just the gift of having nothing to do for half an hour, but the shift is profound. I walked in with countless thoughts on whether I need to check my emails or am I missing out on a deadline, but I walked out softened, my mind actually at peace.

Then came the main event: The Grounding Ritual, one of Talise’s signature 90-minute experiences. Created by GROUND Wellbeing, known for its intuitive and sustainable approach, the treatment is designed for people whose nervous systems have forgotten what “baseline” feels like. As Micouris explains, the choice of GROUND was deliberate: “Their treatments are designed with both the guest and the therapist in mind. It’s about intuitive touch, mindful movement and preserving energy so the therapist can deliver their best every single time.”

From the moment my therapist begins the opening ritual, the warm spinal pillow, the breath alignment, the slow compressions, my shoulders instantly dropped. The grounding oil feels warm, earthy and deeply soothing, and every movement felt intuitive, almost as if she already knew exactly where the tension lived. When I opened my eyes, a tiny terrarium sat beneath the face cradle, a Talise signature. Mine resembled a miniature slice of Saadiyat beach, shells and all, a gentle reminder of where I was and just how far I’d drifted from my overflowing inbox. The massage flowed in gentle waves: slow, rhythmic, grounding. My mind, which normally n a city where even our matcha orders are in a hurry sounds like 50 tabs open simultaneously, eased into a single, quiet and calendar invites stack up like Jenga blocks, slowing tone. The stresses of deadlines, wedding planning, weekly guides, down can feel strangely radical. As someone who lives and endless WhatsApp groups faded into background static. in permanent fast-forward, while juggling interviews, Whatever the opposite of burnout is, that’s where I landed. shoots, deadlines, editorial calendars, and the occaWhat sets this Spa apart isn’t just the aesthetic perfection sional existential crisis over fonts, I’ve learnt that hitting or the world-class partnerships (though both deserve applause). pause isn’t a luxury, it’s survival. So when the new Talise Spa at It’s the philosophy, grounded in connection, not transaction.

Jumeirah Saadiyat Island whispered its promise of “inner peace, Every touch point, from the welcome tea to the intention card, performance, and deep wellbeing,” I did what any overstimulated the intuitive consultation to the final cryo globe ritual, is deeditor would do. I packed my tote, switched my phone onto DND, signed to make you feel seen. As Micouris emphasises, “Wellness and surrendered myself to its care. really does begin within and that applies to our team as much Walking into Talise Spa in Abu Dhabi feels a little like enteras our guests.” The combination of Swissline, with its highing a parallel universe, one where your nervous system immediately performance skin science, and GROUND’s soulful rituals and unclenches. The scent hits you first: grounding yet airy. Then comes sustainability approach to wellness create a menu that feels both the hush. The interiors, with their soft tones, natural textures, limeresults-driven and deeply restorative. Sleep rituals, menopause stone underfoot and native palm woods, are intentionally crafted treatments, pregnancy-safe therapies, gut-health support, mito quiet the mind. As Deborah Micouris, Director of Spa and crobiome-supporting facials, and grounding massages that feel Wellness, explains, the space is designed so that “every corner belike emotional realignment are all part of Talise Spa’s expansive comes a gentle invitation into introspection” and honestly, they’ve offering. Add to this the fact that the facilities also tick all the nailed it. My experience starts with the Sy’a nootropic welcome tea, wellness boxes with a salt room, plunge pool, Jacuzzi, experience hibiscus, blue tea, lemongrass, dried mandarin, the sort of drink showers, sauna, steam room, and an ice fountain for the brave. that makes you feel smugly healthy. This is followed by a sensory Everything at the spa is designed to balance, reset, and restore. tray, where I was encouraged to pick the oil intuitively (I pick the “We wanted to create a full ecosystem of wellness… where guests one that smelled like a Maldives vacation). My therapist then guidcan explore heat, cold, breath, scent and sound in a way that ed me to choose a crystal and an intention card, mine read, “Return truly resets the body,” Micouris shares. to Yourself.” It felt comically accurate.

By the end of my visit, I feel not just relaxed, but reorganised.

Pre-massage, when I should have logically been catching up on Softer. Clearer. Like someone had tidied up my internal landsome work, the team led me into Talise’s Grand Moroccan Hammam scape. The experience affirmed my understanding that wellness for a 30-minute breathing and sound session. The room itself is isn’t indulgent, it’s maintenance for the life we’re all sprinting an architectural exhale: warm stone, dim light, gentle acoustics. through. And as someone who thrives in chaos, deadlines, and Even the silence feels curated. As the therapist guided my breath, an obsession with making everything beautiful, this experience the sound vibrations moved through the warm air with a hypnotic reminded me of something simple: you can’t pour from an empty steadiness. I could feel the tension leaving my ribcage, the place I cup, but you can absolutely refill it in 90 minutes at Talise Spa. apparently store all my stress, and my breath settling into a deeper,

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TOP TWEAKMENT TRENDS FOR 2026 W O R D S : J E S S I C A M I C H A U LT

If 2025 was the year we collectively hit pause on overfilled faces and quick fixes, 2026 is shaping up to be the year we finally recalibrate. Subtle, strategic, and wellness-driven aesthetic care is officially the new luxury.

To decode what’s in, what’s out, and what’s next, we turned to Dr. Maya Shahsavari of Ouronyx Dubai, whose patient-first philosophy and global industry perspective make her one of the region’s most trusted voices

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COLLAGEN BANKING & ELASTIN STIMULATION WILL RULE

SKIN BOOSTERS ARE THE NEW INJECTABLES

The dominant shift, Dr. Maya says, is away from dramatic transformation and firmly toward maintenance and prevention. “People are less and less about quick fixes and lots of fillers and lots of Botox, and more about how can I maintain what I have?” she explains. “How can I prevent premature aging? How can I look like myself?” She calls this new movement “music to my ears,” noting that the consumer mindset is now shaping the industry, not the other way around.

DO: Focus on long-term skin health, not instant results.

DON’T: Chase extreme changes or trends that don’t align with your natural features

If there’s one phrase to remember in 2026, it’s this: collagen is currency. According to Dr. Maya, patients are increasingly turning to bio-stimulating treatments that strengthen the skin’s structural foundation. “I’ve definitely seen people move more towards collagen banking, elastin stimulation, and preventative measures,” she says.

These treatments don’t alter facial anatomy, they simply future-proof it.

DO: Consider skin boosters or biostimulators for minimal downtime and maximal payoff.

DON’T: Expect overnight miracles – collagen-building is subtle and cumulative.

When asked which procedures offer the “biggest result for the least downtime,” Dr. Maya doesn’t hesitate. “Skin boosters… collagen and elastin stimulation,” she says. “The downtime is anywhere between a couple of hours to maybe overnight.”

Today’s boosters combine multiple modalities, meaning fewer appointments, fewer needles, and better results, perfect for busy clients who want to glow without the recovery period.

DO: Book ahead of major events for that hydrated, lit-from-within look.

DON’T: Try to stack too many treatments at once, less is more.

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THE RISE OF “PREVENTATIVE AESTHETICS”

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BESPOKE SKINCARE IS THE NEW 10-STEP ROUTINE The era of cluttered bathroom shelves is over.

“More and more people are paying attention to ingredients, they want to consolidate and save time,” Dr. Maya notes. That’s why Ouronyx has launched its own customblended skincare, developed with biochemists and dermatologists. “It’s literally one cream for the morning, one for the evening.”

Goodbye, guesswork. Hello, skin simplicity.

DO: Seek personalised skincare that complements your in-clinic treatments.

DON’T: Layer random actives, Dr. Maya warns this can cause long-term barrier damage.

MINIMALLY INVASIVE = MAXIMUM DEMAND From Europe to the US to Australia, practitioners worldwide agree: minimal downtime procedures are trending everywhere.

“Globally, we are certainly moving towards minimally invasive, minimal downtime client expectations,” Dr. Maya says. Yes, regional nuances exist, sun exposure in the Middle East, for example, creates spikes in pigmentation concerns,but the overarching trend is universal.

DO: Tailor your treatments to your environment.

DON’T: Assume what works in another climate will translate directly to the Gulf.

NEXT-GENERATION ENERGY DEVICES ARE TRANSFORMING RESULTS

BEWARE OF THE AT-HOME DEVICE CRAZE

Technology is finally catching up to what patients want: powerful outcomes without the recovery period. Thanks to innovations like plasma resurfacing and advanced lasers, Dr. Maya says, “machines deliver good results but have minimal downtime… and you don’t necessarily need to repeat them often.” Meanwhile, AI-driven diagnostics are changing consultation rooms entirely. “AI makes it easier for us to communicate with clients and show them exactly what we see,” she adds.

DO: Look for clinics using modern imaging and energy-based technologies.

DON’T: Equate pain or aggressiveness with effectiveness, those days are gone.

From micro-needling pens to red-light gadgets, DIY skincare tech is everywhere, but Dr. Maya urges extreme caution. “You can actually cause scarring and a lot of damage,” she warns. “It may not be visible early on, but over time you would start to see it.” Even tools marketed as harmless, like gua sha or lymphatic drainage wands, can be misused. “I see a lot of people going in the opposite direction of the lymphatic flow,” she says. “Making everything worse.”

DO: Get expert guidance before using any device that penetrates or manipulates the skin.

DON’T: Trust social media demos as instruction manuals.

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Left: Ouronyx Dubai; Above: Dr. Maya Shahsavari

THE BIGGEST “DON’T” OF 2026: SKINCARE CHAOS Dr. Maya believes that trial-and-error skincare should now be officially cancelled.

“People who are layering actives, they come in with very damaged, burnt skin barriers,” she shares. Her final message: “It can take months or years to repair skin damage, so before taking your skincare routine into your own hands, particularly if what you are doing is penetrating the skin, go for a proper consultation.”

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The Beauty Shelf Founder and CEO of SKITCHEN, Sofia Krapivina talks us through her must-have beauty staples C O M P I L E D B Y: A M I N AT H I FA S A

V Amber Fougère Dhs1,725 Clive Christian

I love exclusive, niche scents, and this one feels uniquely mine. Rich, elegant, and unforgettable, it’s my signature confidence fragrance.

Heartleaf Quercetinol Pore Deep Cleansing Foam Dhs91 Anua

My favourite Korean cleanser.

Gentle, effective, and perfect for keeping skin balanced after workouts and long days.

This shampoo gives my hair clean volume and lifts the roots without weighing it down, which is essential in Dubai’s climate.

Elixir Ultime - L'Huile Originale Refillable Hair Oil 75ml for Dhs278 Kérastase

and keeps my under-eye area looking fresh even on busy days.

it’s one of the few masks that works immediately.

drate, and instantly brighten the eyes.

Masque VIP 02 Dhs925 Biologique Recherche

Rose Gold Illuminating Eye Mask, Pack of 8 Dhs415 111Skin

Exfoliating Polish Dhs435 ZO Skin Health

I use this for a transformative skin reset. It tightens, clarifies, and brings instant radiance –

These eye masks are my essential for early mornings, shoots, and travel. They depuff, hy-

It’s a powerful scrub that keeps the skin texture smooth and glowing. My go-to for an instant refreshed look.

It’s light, nourishing, and perfect for shine. I use it before styling, after styling, and anytime I need a smooth finish.

Bio-collagen Real Deep Mask Dhs109 Biodance

This mask is clean, effective and provides daily collagen that supports elasticity, glow, and hair strength. One of my insideout beauty staples.

Peptide Lip Tint in Ribbon Dhs175 Rhode

I love this lip tint as it’s effortless, soft, and dewy. This shade gives the perfect natural flush and fresh-skin look.

LED Hair Growth Helmet Dhs3,243 CurrentBody

My high-tech ritual for stronger, healthier hair. It helps reduce shedding and supports growth, which is especially important with styling stress.

Vital Contour Cream Dhs841 Valmont

This cream is luxurious and effective. It brightens, hydrates,

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Densifique Bodifying Shampoo Dhs 151 Kérastase

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1. Dirty Rose 50ml Dhs606 Heretic Parfum; 2. Incense Water 50ml Dhs720 Sana Jardin; 3. Jake’s House Marine Citrus 50ml Dhs440 Henry Rose; 4. Missing Person Eau de Parfum 100ml Dhs510 Phlur; 5. No. 8 Cerulean Crystal 100ml Dhs400 Arcadia By Amna; 6. Pacific Salt Dhs661 MONTROI; 7. Santal & Vetiver Body Mist 100ml Dhs175 Salt and Stone; 8. Wild Stride Eau De Parfum Dhs850 Thomas Kosmala; 9. Eucalyptus 20 100ml Dhs1,045 Le Labo; 10. Laundry Day Eau de Parfum 50ml Dhs860 Abel

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Mindful Mists

From eco-conscious formulations to emotional balance, these perfumes are shaping the next evolution of fragrance

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WORDS: SARAH JOSEPH

F

ragrance used to be about making an entrance, now it’s about keeping your nervous system in balance. What sets clean fragrances apart is their commitment to both the wearer and the world they inhabit. Free from harsh synthetics, endocrine disruptors, and unnecessary fillers, these formulations lean into nature-inspired profiles: think freshly crushed citrus, dew-soaked florals, crisp herbs, and airy woods. Yet, they never compromise on sophistication.

Today’s perfumers have mastered the art of creating scents that feel couture in composition but conscious in spirit. They are an experience, a grounding ritual, a wellness moment – bottled. Clean fragrances have quietly evolved into tools of emotional recalibration, designed to shift energy, anchor mood, and create a sense of inner ease. For women curating a holistic lifestyle, these perfumes become a final layer of self-care, the invisible accessory that sets the tone for the day. In an era where wellness is no longer a trend but a way of living, clean fragrances remind us that the most powerful beauty choices are the ones that feel good, for the body, the mind, and the planet.

To save you from countless hours of scrolling, Emirates Woman has curated a guide of clean scents to add to your vanity.

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TAKE THE PLUNGE WORDS: SARAH JOSEPH

The ultimate Emirates Woman guide to contrast therapy in the UAE, from ice baths to hot saunas

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n the ever-evolving landscape of wellness and health, contrast therapy has emerged as Dubai’s coolest, and hottest reset. Once reserved for elite athletes and Nordic purists, the hot-cold dance has now slipped into the mainstream as a chic recalibration for bodies running on deadlines, double shots, and desert humidity. However, don’t mistake it for a fleeting trend. Contrast therapy is the rare wellness practice backed by both science and sensation, a ritual that wakes up your circulation, sharpens your mind, and gifts your skin with a glow no highlighter can mimic. It’s shock, serenity, and smug self-care rolled into one icy-hot minute.

In true Dubai fashion, we’ve taken something ancient, elevated it with marble-clad saunas and cryo chic, and turned it into the city’s most stylish way to fuel your body for the year ahead. So, if you’re ready to take the plunge, see our guide to the best contrast therapy spots in Dubai.

PEAQ

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This new destination is designed for everyday wellness, for those who want a life of balance without the rules. Members have unlimited access to infrared sauna, steam, cold plunge, and red light therapy. A hyperbaric chamber and PEMF treatments support cellular renewal, while the pelvic chair offers specialised care often overlooked in conventional clubs. Therapists provide deep-tissue and signature massages, maderotherapy and cupping, each tailored to the day’s needs rather than a rigid programme. Located in Kempinski Hotel, Mall of the Emirates, this haven is a must-visit. graywellness.com

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GRAY WELLNESS CLUB

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hour private contrast-therapy appointment priced at Dhs220 for individuals or Dhs260 for two, making it the chicest wellness date in the city. For those ready to make recovery a lifestyle, memberships begin at Dhs599 for four sessions, offering a sleek, modern reset on repeat. It’s wellness with intention, and engineered for the woman who takes her self-care as seriously as her schedule. beitsisu.com

PEAQ PEAQ offers a diverse range of services, including high-intensity workouts like Lagree Method, rejuvenating recovery treatments like ice baths and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and calming practices such as breathwork and sound healing. Beyond physical wellness, PEAQ fosters social connections through its in-house café, providing a welcoming environment for members to relax, work, and meet otherlive minded. By combining cutting-edge fitness techniques with traditional healing practices and a strong sense of community, PEAQ redefines the concept of wellness, offering a transformative experience for those who seek a balanced and fulfilling lifestyle. A single cold plunge session is priced at Dhs130. peaqwellness.com

PLUME STUDIO

CONTRAST Wellness

CONTRAST WELLNESS At Contrast, guests can experience an immersive ice bath to improve circulation, reduce inflammation, aid muscle recovery and strengthen mental resilience, making it the perfect modality to complement the sauna experience. As a sanctuary for recovery, visitors can soothe, switch off, rest and recharge.

With both hot and cold therapy, guests have the choice to promote relaxation or detoxification. Located at Golden Mile 6, Palm Jumeirah, the Ice Bath is priced at Dhs95 per 30-minute session. contrast-wellness.com

THE ICE HOUSE The newest addition to Index Mall transforms Dubai’s cold-plunge craze into a serene, design-forward escape in the heart of DIFC. Celebrated for reducing inflam-

mation, improving circulation and sharpening mental clarity, ice baths take centre stage here inside private suites equipped with Odin Pro tubs, where you can test your limits with a three- to five-minute plunge. The entire experience clocks in at just 15 minutes, ideal for a midday refresh, and is priced at Dhs120, or Dhs220 when paired with a 45-minute infrared sauna for the ultimate hot-cold wellness ritual. theicehouse.ae

BEIT SISU Here is where Dubai’s wellness set goes to recalibrate, a sanctuary of infrared heat, icy plunges, and red light ritualism tucked discreetly within Arjaan by Rotana, Media City. Sessions feel more like a curated experience than a treatment, with a one-

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This is a haven exclusively for women, a sanctuary where empowerment meets elegance and transformation is woven into every detail. Located in Jumeirah 2, Plume redefines luxury fitness with a holistic approach that integrates movement, mindfulness, and strength. Guests can avail of the class credits package that can be used towards the sauna and ice bath sessions, with classes priced from Dhs190. theplumestudio.com

EMBODY FITNESS This fitness space offers state-of-the art recovery suites, Olympic standard gym equipment, sport therapy treatment rooms, luxury changing rooms and a healthy café.

For expert sports therapy, customers can utilise the modern recovery suite including infrared saunas, ice baths and sports therapy treatment rooms to improve their performance to the next level. Located in ICD Brookfield, a session is priced at Dhs130 for 60 minutes and Dhs1,200 for unlimited sessions per month. embodyfitness.ae

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WORDS: SARAH JOSEPH

AM TO PM BEAUTY

Founder of ONORI, Emirati fashion designer Sharifa Alsharif AlHashemi shares her morning to evening beauty routine Talk us through your daily routine. I usually start my day around 7:30am with a refreshing shower and my skincare routine. It’s my little ritual to feel centred and ready. Most mornings are dedicated to movement with a mix of personal training and Pilates. After my workout, I take a quick shower and head to work. I’m usually in the office by 10am, where I start by reviewing my emails, organising my inbox, and setting my to-do list for the day and week. Around 11am, I always have my matcha latte, my favorite daily treat.

How does your evening routine differ?

My evenings are much slower and more re-

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laxed compared to my mornings. If I have the energy and time, I like to go for a walk, usually somewhere peaceful to clear my mind after a long day. On quieter days, I prefer staying in. I’ll have dinner, spend some time reading, and then do a sauna session, which helps me unwind and disconnect before bed.

What are your go-to skincare products?

My skincare ride-or-dies are all about highperformance results. Biologique Recherche’s Lotion P50V keeps my skin smooth and balanced, while the brand’s VG Tensil serum gives that instantly lifted, sculpted effect. Skin Design London’s C Antioxidant

Glow Serum delivers a bright, fresh radiance, and SkinCeuticals’ iconic C E Ferulic seals the deal with powerhouse antioxidant protection and long-lasting luminosity.

Are you a fan of masks? Not really, I don't always have the time to apply them regularly.

But I do have one cleansing detox mask that I use whenever I have an event or travel the next day. It gives my skin an instant refresh.

How would you describe your approach to makeup? My approach to makeup is very clean and minimal. I usually don’t wear much unless it’s for an event or a special occasion. I prefer focusing on healthy, glowing skin rather than covering it. I like

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Initialization Stage Lotion P50V 150ml Dhs490 Biologique Recherche; C E Ferulic® with 15% L-Ascorbic Acid 30ml Dhs679 SkinCeuticals; The Alchemist’s Garden A Midnight Stroll Eau de Parfum 100ml Dhs1,420 Gucci Beauty; Cicaplast Balm B5 Multi-Purpose Repairing Balm 100ml Dhs150 La Roche Posay; Abyssae Eau de Parfum 75ml Dhs1,100 L’Artisan Parfumeur; Hydrating Serum Dhs739 Skin Design London

to enhance my natural features. On most days, I’ll just wear a bit of eye pencil on the lower lid and a lip liner, What can always be found in your makeup bag? A lip liner, eyebrow brush and eye pencil.

Which fragrances are your current favourites? My fragrance wardrobe leans toward bold, mysterious blends with real presence. Clive Christian remains unmatched for opulence, as the oudh notes wrap you in deep, resinous warmth that feels both modern and timeless. For something more atmospheric, Gucci’s A Midnight Stroll delivers that smoky incense trail that lin-

gers like a memory. And when I want depth with an unexpected softness, L’Artisan Parfumeur’s Abyssae is my go-to, earthy, elegant, and effortlessly enchanting.

Talk us through your hair routine. I don’t really follow a strict hair routine, but I try to keep it as natural as possible.

I avoid blow-drying or playing with it too much to prevent damage. I focus on using good quality shampoo and conditioner with chemical-free ingredients.

I also try to apply a hair mask once a week for extra nourishment and shine.

What is the most unusual item in your makeup bag? Honestly, nothing unusual.

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I’m very simple when it comes to what I carry. Maybe the only thing that stands out is that I always keep hand cream, sanitiser, and alcohol swabs. I like feeling clean and fresh throughout the day. Other than that, my makeup bag is very minimal, just the basics.

Where are you traveling to this winter and what is your winter skincare routine?

Wherever I go, my main focus is keeping my skin deeply hydrated, especially in colder climates. My go-to product is the La Roche-Posay B5+ cream. It’s rich, soothing, and gives my skin that healthy, nourished glow. I also use retinol at night to maintain smoothness and radiance.

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W O R D S : J E S S I C A M I C H A U LT

A Pure Approach Himalaya-born brand Almora Botanica takes clean skincare seriously

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here is no denying the booming clean skincare market. But there is “clean” and then there is Almora Botanica, an Ayurvedic-inspired, science-driven brand with a purity standard so uncompromising it borders on philosophical. Founder Ravi Prasad says it plainly: “I have no USP because I don’t believe in selling propositions. I believe in the brand, in the product.” For Prasad, that belief begins with what he calls absolute purity. “There’s the myth that if you are natural, you’re safe,” he explains. “We wanted to ensure that every ingredient is absolutely free of contaminants.”

Not fewer contaminants. None. “The contaminant filters that we had were first for heavy metals, particularly lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury, we have zero tolerance. Now I have added cobalt as well.” This level of purity forced Prasad to chase ingredients across the world. “I could only source one ingredient from India because of this filter… that’s tamarind seed. Everything else comes from elsewhere.” From bio-retinol in Brazil to Centella from Madagascar, each ingredient earned its place through uncompromising testing. One of his stars, rainbow algae from Brittany, has already developed a cult following. “It starts lightening the dark spots and people are coming in buying it again and again. This sort of thing only happens because they are seeing real results.”

But Almora Botanica is not just about sourcing; it is also about structure. Prasad and his R&D partner built their own baseline for each product. This includes testing “plus 55 degrees Celsius to minus 55 degrees Celsius, let’s say from Saudi to Siberia,” affirms the founder. It's a dedication that has led to a light, fast-absorbing foundation created from seven cold-pressed oils spun at different centrifugal velocities. Heavy botanicals often struggle to penetrate skin, so Prasad and his team engineered a micro-emulsion system designed to disperse instantly. “If the ingredient is hard and nano particles, then it stays inside the skin and doesn’t get absorbed easily,” he explains. Their method prevents that.

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His interest in this intersection of nature and science began after decades in allopathic pharma. “The molecules were more symptomatic in their relief, and the problem would recur,” he recalls. “I felt that maybe there is some merit in Ayurveda, and that’s when I got into Ayurveda and studied it.” Years spent at the renowned Himalaya Wellness Company, where he rose from export division head to CEO and eventually Executive Chairman, taught him just how undervalued Ayurvedic ingredients were in global luxury retail.

It only sharpened his conviction that there was a place for clean Ayurveda products to be sold in places like Harrods or Selfridges.

Almora Botanica is his answer.

But purity alone doesn’t create luxury. “The differentiation comes from the science,” he insists. Almora Botanica’s clinical trials, 15 to 75 days, consistently rank its age-spot serum, gel cleanser, and fine-line serum among its top hypoallergenic performers.

“These were the three products rated very highly,” he notes. Almora Botanica’s mission remains simple. “Our body is very clever,” Prasad reflects. “And we overwhelm it by using things we should not be using. So I want to pare it down to the basics.” Cleaner than clean, rooted in Himalayan wisdom, and clinically uncompromising, Almora Botanica signals a new era of purposeful beauty. One that is built on purity, provenance, and good old-fashioned proof.

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Eat Your Vegetables WORDS: KAREENA ADLAKHA

Cookbook author Camellia Panjabi knows what your plate is missing

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f Indian food had a quiet conscience, it might sound a lot like Camellia Panjabi. Thoughtful, discerning, and deeply rooted in lived experiences, she has spent a lifetime understanding not just how Indian food tastes, but the memories it holds. She speaks about cuisine the way others speak about culture or memory, with purpose, restraint, and an instinctive sense of responsibility. Long before her name became synonymous with 50 Great Curries of India, the landmark cookbook she published in 1994, Panjabi was already shaping how Indian food was experienced outside the home. As marketing director of Taj Hotels, she helped define a new era of dining in India, which was confident and unapologetically ambitious. The opening of Shamiana, India’s first coffee shop, followed by Golden Dragon, the country’s first Sichuan restaurant, quietly shifted expectations of what hotel dining could offer.

Born in 1941 in a Sindhi household, Panjabi grew up between two complementary worlds in the bustling city of Bombay.

Her father valued elegance and presentation, believing that food should always look as good as it tastes. Her mother, a doctor, believed in nourishment, ritual, and freshness, insisting that vegetables be cooked just before serving and never reheated. Between them, she learned something that would stay with her forever: that pleasure and discipline are not opposites, but partners.

Currently based in London, where she runs celebrated Indian restaurants with her sister and brother-in-law, Namita and Ranjit Mathrani, Panjabi has returned with a book that feels both timely and deeply personal.

Vegetables: The Indian Way is the result of over 20 years of research, collected patiently alongside a demanding professional life and finally shaped during the stillness of the pandemic.

“I only write a cookbook when I have something very important and different to say,” she affirms. This time, her focus is on vegetables, not as a health trend, but as an expression of abundance. She wanted to show that Indian vegetarian food is complete in itself, capable of depth and beauty without excess.

The book organises vegetables by how they grow, an approach that feels intuitive and grounding. It offers knowledge freely, from small techniques that transform flavour to recipes, dishes like makhana kheer, singhara atta halwa, and a Gujarati-style guava stir-fry reflect a cuisine that is lighter and simply more thoughtful.

She also mentions the importance of presentation and how vegetarian Indian food has too often been denied beauty. This book corrects that, pairing visual grace with nutritional insight.

“Most people realise that including more vegetables in one’s diet is a good thing from a health, energy and looking good point of view. But knowledge of how to cook a variety of vegetable dishes to make them tasty and visually attractive, has been inadequate,” shares Panjabi.

Today success means something quieter for the author. It is the feeling of having shared what she knows, of having completed a circle. After more than six decades spent shaping how Indian food is cooked, served, and understood, Panjabi is not chasing relevance. She is leaving behind clarity. And that, perhaps, is her most generous offering.

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WO R D S : A M I N AT H I FA S A

The Pilates Atelier

Technogym Reform is where the discipline of movement meets the art of design

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ilates has long existed in a space of pure function, a practice defined by reformers of clinical aesthetics and utilitarian design. Technogym’s Reform reimagines this entirely, introducing a machine that behaves not just as gym equipment, but as a considered piece of residential architecture. It brings the atelier into the home, merging the disciplined language of Pilates with a profound attention to material, form, and environment.

Crafted from innovative and sustainable materials like brushed aluminum, rich wood, and soft vegan leather, the Technogym Reform feels less like a tool and more like an heirloom. It comes in three subtle colourways: Sandstone, Pearl Grey, and Diamond Black, each designed to harmonise with interior spaces rather than dominate them. This is wellness as a facet of interior design, a machine that elevates a room’s atmosphere, even in stillness. Yet its beauty is deeply functional. Developed with master instructors, the Technogym Reform offers an intuitive and fluid practice. Every component from the headrest, shoulder pads, and foot bar to the spring system, which adjusts effortlessly, preserves concentration and ensures the body moves with precision and grace. The marine-grade ropes provide silent, durable resistance, supporting a practice that feels both grounded and expansive.

Through the Technogym App, users access a library of ondemand sessions tailored to all levels, transforming the machine into a personal studio. It honours the legacy of Joseph Pilates, his focus on control, breath, and alignment, while updating the practice for the modern home. Technogym Reform is designed to act as a statement, empower, and reaffirm that the environments we cultivate intrinsic to our wellbeing. Because true performance begins when design supports every movement.

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STRAIGHT TO THE TOP

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Dubai has a new claim to fame. It is now the home to the world’s tallest hotel.

Ciel Dubai Marina has already made its mark on the metropolis with its sky-high keyhole façade. An opening that is home to the TATTU Sky Pool, the world’s highest infinity pool, which looks out onto sweeping views of the city’s coastline.

The hotel is all about creating a sanctuary in the sky with its expansive atriums, floor-to-ceiling glass interior and over a thousand rooms and suites across 82 floors that rise up 377 metres into the air. It’s a must visit in 2026.

Get a bit of serenity through…

– Wellness retreats from around the world –C inematic destinations that are ready for your close up

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R ECA L I BR AT E WORDS: SARAH JOSEPH

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From the Maldives to the mountains, discover the world’s most coveted retreats where wellness isn’t a weekend indulgence, it’s a reset for the year ahead

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ellness travel is no longer about escaping life; it’s about curating the version of yourself you’d actually like to come home to. With an overwhelming work schedule, long hours in front of the screen or an itinerary of back-to-back events, finding the time to breathe and take a break doesn’t come easy, especially if you live in bustling metropolitan cities. Hence, wellness retreats have become our go-to travel experiences.

From Himalayan sanctuaries perched above the clouds to Mediterranean hideaways where time seems to dissolve into the sea, the world’s most considered retreats now merge ancient healing with design-driven luxury. Think sunrise rituals, bespoke nutrition, and spa philosophies so advanced they could double as degree programmes, all delivered in settings engineered for serenity.

Yet beneath the silk robes, herbal tonics, and glossy infinity pools lies a sharper truth: women aren’t just booking retreats for rest.

They’re booking to find clarity, recalibra-

tion, and a temporary suspension of the chaos that comes with being “on” all the time.

Whether it’s a detox with gravitas, a resultsoriented longevity programme, or a spiritual deep-dive that promises to shift your internal compass, today’s retreats understand the brief: leave guests not just glowing, but grounded. An idyllic wellness escape to reset for 2026 is a must to start the new year balanced – both body and mind. Below, is a curated edit of the world’s most compelling wellness escapes, each offering its own pathway to renewal. Think of it as your passport to a more luminous state of being, no baggage – beyond an open mind – required.

ANANDA WELLNESS RETREAT, INDIA This renowned Himalayan wellness retreat offers a perfect blend of elegance and comfort. Suites boast breathtaking views of the Rishikesh valley or the Maharaja’s gardens. The retreat also offers a range of wellness programs to suit various needs.

Intensive Wellness Programs are designed

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for those seeking transformative results, offering continuous consultations with experts and daily therapies like yoga, meditation, fitness, and other wellness practices.

Comprehensive Wellness Programs cater to individuals with proactive health goals or moderate disorders, providing personalised consultations and daily wellness sessions.

Foundation Wellness Experiences introduce guests to holistic practices, including yoga, meditation, and Vedanta, with daily group sessions and customised individual sessions. With its serene location, luxurious accommodations, and personalised wellness programs, Ananda offers a truly transformative experience. anandaspa.com

SIRO BOKA PLACE, MONTENEGRO Perched on the shores of Montenegro’s breathtaking Boka Bay, SIRO Boka Place is a true bucket list destination for wellnessdriven travellers. Combining cutting-edge fitness, holistic recovery, and mindful luxury, this immersive retreat transforms the

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Adriatic into a personal training ground.

With state-of-the-art wellness labs, tailored outdoor adventures, and nourishing, chef-crafted cuisine, it’s the ultimate escape for those seeking transformation, connection, and calm in one of Europe’s most stunning coastal locales. sirohotels.com

RXV WELLNESS VILLAGE SAMPRAN, THAILAND Wellness may not solve all your problems, but an hour outside Bangkok, it certainly comes close. RXV Wellness Village, created by the award-winning minds behind RAKxa, offers a restorative reset across 4,000sqm of cutting-edge facilities set within the lush heritage gardens of Suan Sampran. With 83 elegantly redesigned rooms and personalised 3-, 5-, and 7-night programmes, every stay begins with pre-arrival diagnostics by

Previous pages: Ananda Wellness Retreat, India; Below: Joali Being, Maldives; Right page (from top): RAKxa Integrative Wellness, Thailand; RXV Wellness Village Sampran, Thailand

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a 22-strong team of experts to tailor plans around stress relief, detoxification, mindfulness and physical rebalance. The retreat’s newly launched integrative journeys span beauty, detox, destress, mindfulness, physical restoration and even a playful wellness foundation for kids, blending modern science with traditional Thai therapies, restorative rituals, and sustainably crafted, colour-rich nutrition. Whether you’re seeking a deeper transformation or simply space to reconnect with yourself (and your people), RXV delivers a holistic reset that feels both grounding and gently life-enhancing. rxvwellness.com

ARCTIC BATH, SWEDEN Arctic Bath in Sweden offers a unique and immersive wellness experience, situated amidst the stunning backdrop of the Arctic Circle. This floating hotel seamlessly integrates luxurious accommodations with a focus on wellbeing, inviting guests to connect with nature. The hotel’s spa facilities, featuring saunas, hot baths, and refreshing icy dips, provide a holistic approach to relaxation and rejuvenation. The architecture, harmoniously blending with the natural en-

vironment, enhances the sense of tranquility. The Arctic Bath invites visitors to embrace the therapeutic benefits of the Arctic region, creating a one-of-a-kind escape that nourishes both body and soul. arcticbath.se

JOALI BEING, MALDIVES From the minute you enter, this wellness sanctuary focuses on finding out which aspect of you from the Mind, Microbiome, Skin and Energy – needs attention. Home to a total of 68 guest villas, consisting of 33 beach villas and 35 water villas, each accommodation comes with its own private infinity pool. Guided by a team of wellbeing experts, culinary maestros, herbalists, tea sommeliers, and personal trainers, among others, guests can fully immerse in the island’s elemental therapies and healing experiences. Inspired by the joy of spice markets is Aktar, also known as the herbology centre where guests can create their own remedies and get advice on how to treat any ailments naturally. For an immersive wellbeing experience, Joali Being provides recreation facilities with alternative healing treatments. joalibeing.com

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reboot that leaves you lighter, clearer, and quietly convinced you’ve unlocked the secret source code to longevity. In true Lanserhof fashion, it’s not just a retreat, it’s a recalibration of the self. lanserhof.com/en/ lanserhof-tegernsee

RAKXA INTEGRATIVE WELLNESS, THAILAND

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LANSERHOF TEGERNSEE, GERMANY Here, rejuvenation isn’t a promise, it’s protocol. Set against Bavaria’s cinematic Alpine backdrop, Lanserhof Tegernsee operates like a high-performance lab disguised as a luxury retreat. Guests undergo indepth diagnostics, metabolism mapping, and personalised movement therapy, all designed to reset the body from its founda-

tion upward. Their famed gut-health programme, inspired by the Lanser Method, strips wellness back to its essentials: intelligent nutrition, mindful chewing, targeted treatments, and a deep focus on restoring the body’s natural rhythm. Days are punctuated by oxygen therapy, cryotherapy, fascia release sessions, and silent panoramic hikes that soften even the most overstimulated mind. The result? A complete internal

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This calming Thai wellness destination offers expert tips to revitalise your well-being. To achieve physical harmony, they recommend practices like Tai Chi and Pilates, alongside innovative techniques such as the NEURAC method, a physiotherapy technique that uses Redcord suspension slings to restore functional movement. For emotional and mental balance, traditional therapies like Thai Salt Pot Massage, Ayurvedic Marma Healing Massage, and Acupuncture are combined with modern approaches like Pranayama and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. To complete the holistic approach, RAKxa emphasises the importance of restful sleep and a nutrient-rich diet, potentially enhanced by Intravenous Antioxidant Therapy. By integrating these practices, you can restore balance, rejuvenate your body, and revitalise your mind. rakxawellness.com

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WO R D S: Y I - H WA B AYA R H A N N A

F L IGH TS, CA M E R A , VACAT ION!

As movie-inspired travel takes over touristic itineraries the world over, fictional destinations are increasingly becoming our next holiday scene-stealers – and giving us more chances to step into the stories we love. Let’s dive into travel’s new obsession, where fandom is translating to flight paths

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he first time I ever watched James Cameron’s seminal science-fiction epic Avatar, I was struck by one irrepressible thought: how much I wished I could visit Pandora, the fictional moon depicted in the film, where the story takes place. Unfortunately, the problem with sci-fi worlds is that the fiction aspect can render their settings impossible to visit in real life. But not always.

Take the Hotel Sidi Driss in Tunisia, for instance. This unusual boutique hotel in Matmata, in the south of the country, features a unique troglodyte aesthetic that will be instantly recognisable to any fan of George Lucas’s Star Wars franchise, since it was part of the set of the first film in the series: Episode IV: A New Hope. The other half of Tatooine is located in Death Valley National Park in California. Tunisia’s cave-dwelling structures weren’t created for the film – they were already part of the town carved out by Berber refugees long ago, and many locals still live in these underground structures today. For the film buff, however, it’s a chance to visit the Lars Homestead on Tatooine, where the story’s protagonist, Luke Skywalker, grew up. Perhaps more curious than the pit dwellings themselves is the fact that the hotel was first opened in 1968 – nine years before the film was released.

Hotels have long been part of the sets of movies many of us know and love. From Los Angeles’ Beverly Wilshire hotel in Pretty Woman and Japan’s Park Hyatt Tokyo in Lost In Translation, to New York’s The Plaza Hotel in The Great Gatsby and Home Alone 2, they can sometimes play such a large role that the property in question becomes a character itself. Take The White Lotus, for instance. The entirety of the hugely popular TV show’s first season was shot at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, Hawaii, and although the property was presented as a fictional White Lotus

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hotel, following the release, the real hotel’s website saw a 425% increase in visits. The show’s second season was shot at the Four Seasons San Domenico Palace in Taormina, Italy, and while ratings for the show continued to skyrocket, post-release the hotel was fully booked for six months straight. This trend has become such a phenomenon that travel experts have given it a name: set-jetting.

THE ULTIMATE DRAW? It’s not just hotels benefiting from a chance to shine on the silver screen – entire cities and other touristic destinations have also seen a boost in visits through a starring role in popular media, from film and television to the books that inspired them. In 2024, 38% of tourists visiting France’s capital city – a destination that has never needed any additional help for its already-mighty appeal – had specifically travelled there because of the Netflix show Emily in Paris. Fantasy fans have been flocking to various parts of New Zealand ever since Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings films came out, and TikTok and Instagram are awash with videos of eager Harry Potter fans visiting London’s King’s Cross Station, Oxford’s Christ Church College, Northumberland’s Alnwick Castle, and Scotland’s Glenfinnan Viaduct. The chance to visit the locations of well-loved films, across every genre, Previous page: Layan Wellness has become such a popular spa pool, Anantara Layan draw that VisitBritain – Phuket Resort; Below: Indoor the official tourism board spa pool, Bürgenstock Resort for the United Kingdom – Lake Lucerne; Right: Outdoor even based one of their key pool and villa interior, Four 2025 campaigns around the Seasons Resort Koh Samui

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concept. “Starring GREAT Britain” featured a short film directed

by British-Australian filmmaker Tom Hooper – the talent behind The King’s Speech and Les Misérables – highlighting many of the most iconic TV and film moments shot across the UK, from movies and series such as Notting Hill, Bridgerton, House of the Dragon, Succession, Mission: Impossible – Fallout, Spider-Man: Far From Home, and Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason.

As the popularity of set-jetting grows, its impact on global tourism has been so mighty that it’s even contributing to the growing problem of overtourism in some parts of the world. Maya Bay in Phuket, Thailand, received so many visitors after the Leonardo DiCaprio film The Beach came out that its ecosystem was damaged, with careless and overeager tourists destroying its coral reefs and forcing out its blacktip reef sharks in droves. As a result, Thai authorities closed the bay for nearly four years, reopening with strict new regulations. While Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight certainly gave an economic boost to the otherwise off-the-radar American town of Forks, Washington, residents of the once-quiet town have grown increasingly fed up with the noise, traffic, and various eccentricities of the “vampire tourism” enthusiasts the books and movies have inspired. In the small Swiss village of Iseltwald, a bevy of tourists have been flooding a specific lakeside dock since the release of the K-Drama hit Crash Landing On You in 2019 – and as a result, the once-free location now charges a fee to access the pier, alongside strict regulations for respecting the 400 residents that the influx of tourists was affecting.

On the positive side, the benefits of set-jetting can offer a draw for decades to come – even when a place is simply film-adjacent. The Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne, for instance, isn’t just famous for having been a filming location for the James Bond film Goldfinger – it was also the place that Sean

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FILM IS COMING HOME

Connery, playing 007, and the rest of the cast and crew stayed in while they worked in Switzerland. In fact, for film aficionados, a stay at this particular resort almost feels like an ongoing treasure box of delights: Audrey Hepburn married Mel Ferrer in the chapel on its premises, before returning to the property multiple times throughout her life. Sophia Loren and her film producer husband, Carlo Ponti, are said to have spent many months living in one of the private villas on the resort’s grounds to take a break from paparazzi life in the 1960s.

Across the Atlantic, another film star famously took up residence in a hotel that now proudly proclaims it as a claim to fame: Marilyn Monroe lived at The Hollywood Roosevelt in Los Angeles for two years, and it’s even suggested that the property is now haunted by her ghost, after guests reported seeing her apparition appear in the full-length mirror that once hung in her room. For true movie junkies – or those interested in movie-related accolades, to be specific – The Hollywood Roosevelt was also where the first-ever Academy Awards was held back in 1929. Brigitte Bardot is another film star with a famous connection to hotels: rumour has it that Lebanese businessman Jean-Prosper Gay-Para built the Hôtel Byblos in Saint-Tropez, France, to try and impress her.

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For years, residents of the GCC would have had to travel overseas to be able to get that dreamy Instagram-worthy shot with a backdrop of their favourite films. But in recent years, that’s started to change. In the past, many movies – including the notorious second instalment of the SATC franchise – were said to take place here but weren’t actually shot here. That movie, for instance, was filmed in Morocco. But in 2025, the list of major motion pictures shot in the UAE is more substantial, and continues to grow. The Fast and the Furious series’s Furious 7 featured a jaw-dropping car stunt between Etihad Towers, while also showcasing Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Palace, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Yas Marina Circuit, and the nearby Liwa Desert. This particular stretch of desert also provided an otherworldly background for the Dune films, playing a key role as the fictional planet of Arrakis. Several years earlier, that same desert was transformed into the planet of Jakku in Star Wars Episode VIII: The Force Awakens.

Two more unforgettable films that had residents of the UAE cheering in cinemas were Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, in which Tom Cruise runs through and across the rooftop of Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport, and Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, in which he scales the Burj Khalifa in a deathdefying stunt – all of which he famously did himself, rather than appointing a body double. Nearby, Dubai International Financial Centre’s Central Park Towers were featured in 2016’s Star Trek Beyond, and soon, we’ll be able to watch John Krasinki walk through the same part of Dubai as he reprises his role in Jack Ryan: The Movie, set to be released by 2026.

Across the Middle East, Jordan’s Wadi Rum provided a backdrop for The Martian starring Matt Damon, while the beautiful destination of Petra became the Canyon of the Crescent Moon

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From left: Dining carriage of Saudi’s Dream of the Desert; Exterior of Orient Express La Dolce Vita; Below: AlUla, Saudi Arabia

in Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade. As Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning tourism industry works towards its Vision 2030 goals, screen-inspired travel is not being forgotten. While parts of one of the world’s most epic historical films about the Middle East, Lawrence of Arabia, were filmed in the kingdom in the early 1960s, since then, the country has largely been unused as an international movie set – but now, all of that could change. In recent years, a couple of American films such as Kandahar (starring Gerard Butler) and Cherry (with Tom Holland as the lead) were filmed in Saudi Arabia, with both of them having made good use of one of the country’s most exciting new tourism destinations, AlUla. Yet while set-jetting may be one of the most exciting ways to visit the world – especially at a time when fandoms are becoming increasingly immersive and treasured ways to connect with other people – for residents of the region, the future of set-jetting may not always have to involve travelling elsewhere. At the recent TOURISE Summit – a pioneering event for the global travel and tourism industry powered by the Saudi Tourism Authority, held in November 2025 in Riyadh – more than 140 speakers and up to 8,000 registered attendants gathered to connect, learn, and discuss the future of the sector. One of the key sessions held on its last day,

titled “Fiction to Fandom: How Shows Drive Niche Travels” featured a panel moderated by renowned British news anchor Richard Quest, and included Diego Buñuel, a lauded filmmaker who has also hosted and directed numerous travel media features including the National Geographic Channel series Don’t Tell My Mother, and the French show Les Nouveaux Explorateurs. Buñuel, who also happens to be the grandson of the legendary surrealist filmmaker Luis Buñuel – who once worked with the painter Salvador Dali on the seminal film Un Chien Andalou – is a firm believer in the power of storytelling and content to drive travel.

Speaking with him at the event, I asked him how the intersection of storytelling, filmmaking, and tourism can come together to encourage more people to see more of the world – or at least how it can help them experience it in a new way. “What the content industry can provide is [a unique] ability to make the world a smaller place in a way, and open new doors,” he said. He added that if the tourism and content industries work together, more magic could be created from the outset.

Saudi Arabia has already worked to make the most cutting-edge studios and production technology available to filmmakers who aspire to shoot there, but having more locally-based talent, for one thing, could be a game-changer in multiple ways. Firstly, it would reduce costs and logistical challenges for directors and producers who may otherwise be interested but for the heavy requirements that can come with having to fly this talent over. Secondly, it could inspire more local writers and creators to create more original storytelling that is designed to showcase the region. “Location scouts are always looking for the next place to be. When you start working on films, you never think of the location first – you think of the story, then you figure out where you’re going to do that in terms of location,” Buñuel said. “But I think Saudi is one of those places where for so long, it was so inaccessible that [even the few] films about [the kingdom] were never shot in Saudi. The question is, how do you develop local intellectual property (IP)? A country that has such a long history and such a long culture has natural IPs that can be developed [and brought to] Western audiences.”

As more and more people across the world flex their ability to travel by seeking to visit their favourite fictional worlds – or at least get as close as possible to them – we’re more than ready to jump on this train (perhaps even one from the emblematic brand featured in Murder on the Orient Express). Finding your next dream holiday destination can be as easy as Googling “filming location” and the name of your favourite media of the moment. If you’re a true fan, then the golden rule of travelling with respect for the incredible buildings, nature, cultures, people, and everything else that goes into the settings that helped to create the worlds we love, is one that should be easy to follow: to take only pictures, and leave only footprints.

ABODE

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