Emirates Woman - February 2024

A MOTIVATE PUBLICATION

FEBRUARY 2024

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THE TECH ISSUE Innovation & Scale

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Obaid Humaid Al Tayer MANAGING PARTNER AND GROUP EDITOR Ian Fairservice EDITOR/ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Amy Sessions amy.sessions@motivate.ae SENIOR ART DIRECTOR Olga Petroff DIGITAL EDITOR Ruman Baig DIGITAL STYLE EDITOR Sarah Joseph FASHION EDITOR Camille Macawili JUNIOR DESIGNER Charissa Canlas EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Londresa Flores GENERAL MANAGER PRODUCTION Sunil Kumar PRODUCTION MANAGER Binu Purandaran PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR Venita Pinto CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER Anthony Milne GROUP SALES MANAGER Chaitali Khimji chaitali.khimji@motivate.ae GROUP MARKETING MANAGER Joelle Albeaino WEB DEVELOPER Firoz Kaladi CONTRIBUTORS Joëlle Albeaino, Izzy Turner, Mark Mathew, Ahmed Abd El-Wahab, Guido Duken

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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HAPPY DIAMONDS Handcrafted in Ethical Gold

Editor’s Letter

inclusivity and sustainability in One Size Wonder on Welcome to The Tech Issue. page 34, and Chief of Fashion and Retail at Sela’s In this issue we explore both the benefits of, and Mwaz Store, Aram Kabbani, shares the concept’s boundaries needed around technology. The pace and journey of opening the first ‘phygital’ store in Riyadh speed with which tech can support businesses to scale, in Immersive Retail on page 58. individuals to optimise their time and now with the ability Tech-driven wellness is also a focus and we have to harness AI, it can create something truly amazing. doubled down on listening to what it takes to be For our cover, we partnered with MAXION, the the best in this arena with interviews matchmaking concierge scaling both from Head of Project Management regionally and globally. With Valentine’s KEEP YOUR of Lanserhof Group and Director of Day around the corner, Christiana BOUNDARIES Lanserhof at The Arts Club, Eva Maria Maxion, Founder of MAXION, shares CLEAR. Hasenauer, who discuss delivering a level personal insights that kick-started her above the rest in Level Up on page 112 to career in building long-lasting human TikTok and Meta’s take on unlocking social media’s connections through tech and why the app she is evolution and innovation potential in Vision and Voice launching is changing the dating game in Breaking on page 98 and inspiring women we know who share The Code on page 14. how they leverage technology to ensure they use their We look at AI-backed wearable fashion brands for time productively in Optimize on page 118. the tech aficionado in Into The Future on page 26, Harnessing the power of tech is beneficial but keep Georgiana Huddart of Hunza G discusses building a your boundaries clear. one-size-fits-all swimwear brand on the principles of

Amy Sessions EDITOR / ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

T H E H E R O B U YS

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CONTENTS February 2024

The Monitor Monitor News p.12 Social Listings p.13 Breaking The Code – Cover Shoot with MAXION p.14

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Technically Perfect – Christopher Esber CR24 p.52

Technical Detail – Sportmax SS24 p.46

Fashion Geek Chic – Seriously smart dressing p.20 The Tech Business – Data-driven scaling p.24 Into The Future – AI-backed wearable fashion brands for the tech aficionado p.26 The Future of Fashion – How fashion brands are leveraging emerging frontier technologies p.28

Beauty Shelf – Elle Sawyer, Founder of POSTURE p.92

Bold Moves – Co-Founder of ALTAVA Group, Elizabeth von Guttman, shares how she steered her career

in fash-tech p.30 One Size Wonder – Georgiana Huddart of Hunza G on building a one-size-fits-all swimwear brand p.34 Detail Oriented – Tom Ford Eyewear SS24 p.40 Immersive Retail – Chief of Fashion and Retail at Sela’s Mwaz Store, Aram Kabbani, shares the concept’s journey of opening the first phygital store in Riyadh p.58

Beauty Hot New Buys p.72 Science-backed Beauty p.74 Beauty Breakthrough – An interview with Sophie Vann Guillon, CEO of Valmont p.76 Data Driven – An interview with Ali Hashemi, Co-Founder of meta[bolic] p.78

Dispersion – Missoni SS24 p.64

Straight – An interview with Vijeta Ramachandran, Design Manager at Dyson Singapore p.80

Virtual Reality – Paatiff p.68

Laser Technology – UAE-based skincare

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CONTENTS February 2024

The Wanderlust – Five destinations that are one step ahead of the innovation game p.122

A Technical Build – Hot-air balloon inspired construction was the backdrop for an adventurous SS24 show at Louis Vuitton p.60

expert Rebecca Treston on the latest innovative laser techniques p.82 The Future of Fertility – IVF specialist, Dr Mari Mitrani, on how technology is making an impact p.86 Protect – Tech tools for healthy hair p.88 DNA Reversal – Dr Sladana Pavlovic, Specialist, Internal Medicine, Medcare Medical Center on the intricacies of DNA Testing p.90 AM/PM Beauty – Daria Kantor, Founder & Director of TruBe p.94

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Lifestyle Vision and Voice – Emirates Woman taps TikTok and Meta to unlock social media’s evolution and innovation potential p.98 Peak Performance – Powered by tech and willpower, Jade Palmer shares what it takes to deliver peak performance p.102

The Art of Bridging the Gap – An interview with Clemence Cazeau, Director of Arts and Events at 37x p.104 Personal Space – In the office with Clemence Cazeau, Director of Art and Events at 37x p.106 Level Up – An interview with Eva Maria Hasenauer, Head of Project Management of Lanserhof Group and Director of Lanserhof at The Arts Club p.112 Tech Support – Mobile apps designed to deliver

a more mindful and productive approach to your days p.116 Optimize – Inspiring women on leveraging technology to ensure they use their time productively p.118 Technology & Tradition – Le Bristol by La Prairie p.120 The Directory p.128 Most Wanted – Sound Check – Mara Paris p.130

MAXION

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Tech Game

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The latest launches, new openings and hero buys WORDS: SARAH JOSEPH

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THREE TO OWN

THE MONITOR

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@coperni

@dyson

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French DNA blended with a futuristic eye.

The future of haircare through Coanda airflow.

The original crinkle swimwear one size fit crafted to perfection.

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A smart ring to track fitness, stress, sleep and health.

Creating beautiful skin through laser technology.

Bridging art and technology.

@mwaz.co

@apple

@trubeapp

The first phygital store to open in Riyadh.

Born to transform the game in the tech industry.

Created for in-person sessions with expert coaches in fitness.

Social Listings

A curated guide of tech-inspired accounts to #follow this month C O M P I L E D BY: S A R A H J O S E P H

THE MONITOR

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Breaking

THE CODE Christiana Maxion, Founder of MAXION, shares personal insights that kick-started her career in building long-lasting human connections through tech, plus her vision for a different online future

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COVER STORY

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COVER STORY

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What first ignited your interest to develop and start MAXION? It all started with an Instagram account… I started documenting my dating experience in 2020 and people were really drawn to my empowered dating standpoint: dating with high standards and low expectations. I absolutely loved dating in Dubai but the account taught me one thing: people hated dating in Dubai and I was shocked because the most amazing people I have ever met have lived here! I soon figured out that people were just missing one another and I wanted to be the bridge that connected them.

I opened up my matchmaking agency in 2021 and we saw immediate success and extreme demand. Which proved to me that people were searching for an alternative to what was currently on the market. In seven months Christiana MAXION Solutions was offering elite matchmaking for high and ultra high net worth men, not only in Dubai, but worldwide! We now boast an over 95% success rate with a 40,000+ global database. What I realized with the matchmaking agency is that we only service a niche group of people and can only take on a certain number of clients per quarter – but I wanted more! I wanted to create more connections and success for a larger pool of people. So I decided to digitise my services, marrying compatibility and concierge, and boom – I launched MAXION in ten months time and we are bringing my elite matchmaking to the masses!

What is the USP of the app that sets it apart from the others? MAXION is a matchmaking concierge for driven, smart, ambitious individuals across the GCC who are timepoor, and designed to expedite the entire connection process and put you in front of the right people. Most of us move to the UAE on a work visa without close friends, family or a partner, and it could be a lonely place to start. We all go through proximity settling (forced to be friends with people you work with or live in your neighborhood, rather than true compatibility) and spend lots of wasted time in heaps of trial-and-error relationships. In a city like Dubai, where you outsource everything, why not outsource your love life to the experts?

MAXION is changing the way accomplished professionals form meaningful connections – getting busy professionals off the app and in-person with compatible partners. What is on the market right now is NOT working! 42% of online daters have a negative experience; 71% of people lie on dating apps; 77% of online daters don’t go on in-person dates. The UAE is becoming more of a permanent place rather than a transient city and meaningful connections will assist in people’s decisions to choose the GCC as their future home.

Now is the perfect time to launch as we want to capture this demand and ride on the success of the agency by catering to a wider audience and expanding into friendship in addition to romantic connections. ∙ Only vetted, verified, real people: No tourists. All members are LinkedIn and EID verified.

“I entered a totally new space blind but figured it out. I always say, “jump, then figure out how to fly.”

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FASHION EDITOR: CAMILLE MACAWILI; MAKEUP & HAIR: MAURO HERNAN AT MMG ARTISTS; COVER STAR: CHRISTIANA MAXION; LOCATION WITH THANKS TO UPSIDE LIVING; STYLING WITH THANKS TO OUNASS

WORDS: CAMILLE MACAWILI

∙ Compatibility: No more swiping. New, expertly-picked profiles sent weekly. ∙ Concierge: No more wasted time chatting. We plan, book, and confirm all of your dates through our partnership with Seven Rooms.

We get you to the date with our partnership with Yango. ∙ Connection: No more ghosting. Feedback gives you direction and feeds into our compatibility engines to perfect the process. ∙ Cherry on top: Not everyone has the time to go on one-on-one dates so maximise your chances of connection by gaining access to our member-exclusive parties.

MAXION is designed to skip the chit chat and get you in-person in order to see if there’s a connection. Our ratio will always be 50:50.

MAXION was on beta test and officially launched last year. How has it been received? We are so excited to announce that we now have MAXION Members on our platform connecting, going on dates, and attending events. We already have a few couples just from our launch party! We had a slight hiccup post launch with transitioning from an external agency to an internal tech team, but ever since our second launch, we are proud to say that we have over 1,000 downloads and 800 plus applications in just six weeks! We are ready to take over and solve the GCC connection crisis!

Have you had to get comfortable as an entrepreneur and has it changed the way you view yourself? I always knew I was destined for greatness but didn’t know which route would make me shine the brightest and now I’ve found it. I’ve been an athlete, Pilates trainer, author, school leader, millionaire matchmaker, and now tech founder… billionaire next. I LOVE who I am today. The woman I look at in the mirror today is a completely different woman than who I was when I moved to this country in 2016, when I was a school leader in 2018, and in between jobs in 2021. I have built myself into what I am today and truly believe that the successes I’ve achieved in all aspects of my life, in particular, my fitness, sobriety, my matchmaking agency and now as a tech founder are at the core of my confidence, drive, ambition, resilience, and grit.

How many people are in your team now and did you start out alone? Being a solo firsttime tech founder came with its many challenges, but I always saw every speed bump as a learned lesson and used it to be better moving forward. I entered a totally new space blind but figured it out. I always say, “jump. then figure out how to fly.” The first thing I did when I entered the tech space was ask all of my friends to introduce me to anyone in the space – tech founders, fund managers, anyone and everyone. I connected with people and the first thing I asked them was “tell me the two biggest mistakes you ever made and how you fixed them.” I learned massive lessons from these conversations.

Our current team: We now have three advisors and eight MAXION employees. Advisors are KEY especially for a solo founder. I have a tech advisor, strategy advisor and startup advisor. Our team consists of operations, tech, marketing, and memberships, but in all honesty there’s only one role in startups: whatever it takes! You must be able to wear all hats to make this wheel turn. But I could absolutely not live without my right hand! Samreen Khimani is our Operations Lead.

I’m the head and she’s the neck. I have the vision, dream, can see the future, and make things happen, but she makes things move. Without the neck, you have no head. She is an absolute critical person to how we function and I trust her wholly and completely. We’ve known each other for years and she has been on this journey with me since 2020!

You’re clearly a driven person. Where do you think it all comes from?

I am highly motivated by status. I grew up in a very affluent area

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but always felt a couple of steps behind and I’m determined to be hundreds of steps ahead now. I want to be known as the best, the top, tech phenomenon. Tell me I can’t do something, and I’ll do it ten times better and ten times faster. I had a previous partner that told me I would be nothing without him and I’ve let that statement drive me. It has propelled me into success in all aspects of my life.

My drive also comes from my obsession to contribute. Not only contribute by creating connections but also by funding and helping to fuel other female founders’ dreams and businesses.

As a female in the tech industry, are there any difficulties you’ve faced and how did you overcome it? Many people don’t take you seriously or waste your time. I also think being young and beautiful is looked down upon but I use it as my superpower! Beauty gets you in the doors, but brains gets you to the top floor. I’ve had people waste my time with meetings disguised as potential investors but really they just want to take me out or get to know me personally. I’ve had so many people say it’s a silly idea and it will never work. I’ve had people question my lack of experience and cast doubt on my abil-

ity to thrive… I laugh! They obviously don’t know I’m a force to be reckoned with. I am driven by naysayers. I let the hate fuel me. FUNDING. We are about to close our pre-seed round at $950,000 USD! Which is absolutely incredible for a first-time female tech founder and unheard of.

How do you and your product team approach innovation within the company? Community Portals: We now have our first portal launched for the international expat community in Dubai. We have started to localise the product to be Shariah-aligned for Islamic marriage connections for the local communities across the GCC. We cannot wait to serve and create more connections for all communities with the ever-expansion of our new portals.

AI: I am so excited to catapult MAXION into the next stratosphere with all of the AI concierge services we have planned. We are not only a matchmaking concierge for connections, but we will soon take over your social life and be your pocket concierge for all of your social needs.

More to be revealed soon!

What are your top tips in building authentic and elevated connections, online and offline? Be you! My favourite quote of all time is by Dr. Seuss ‘No one is you-er than you’. I relate this to business as in no one can do what you do so keep your head straight and focused on your own path and prize. I also relate this to relationships. Being your authentic self is the number one key to attracting the right people for you. In this day and age where everyone is obsessed with image and social media, people complain about the lack of authenticity as most people feel like carbon copies of what they see online. Instead embrace your quirks and your uniqueness and shine brighter than ever. Stand on a pedestal built on your accomplishments, successes, and character. This is the foundation of who you are and your ideal people are going to put you on that pedestal for those exact reasons. Shine bright and don’t let anyone dim your shine!

This is The Tech Issue – what technology has been a game-changer in your life and how so? I am obsessed with my Oura Ring! I get up every morning and immediately check my sleep data and my readiness score. It is so accurate and I get a high form seeing the little crowns for optimal readiness.

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GEEK CHIC Seriously smart dressing

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The Tech Business We discuss tech, AI and data-driven scaling with Efe Erturk, Head of Data Growth and Aya Assi, Head of Trade at OUNASS

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FAS H I O N

IMAGE: SUPPLIED

What is the strongest tech tool you use that supports the business? As a tech-centric company, pinpointing a single tool as the linchpin of our operation does not quite capture the full picture. Our strength at Ounass is derived from the collaborative functionality of an array of tech tools that orchestrate our operation from the ground up. This includes systems that enhance customer discovery, optimize product relevance, streamline order placement, and guarantee timely delivery. It’s this cohesive technological infrastructure that empowers us to provide an exceptional service to our customers, ensuring that their needs are met efficiently and effectively at every touchpoint.

How has the tech used in the business developed since the brand launched? Since the launch of Ounass, the evolution of our technology has been both rapid and strategic, aimed at staying ahead in a competitive e-commerce landscape. Initially, our focus was on establishing a robust online presence with a seamless shopping interface.

Over time, we’ve significantly enhanced our backend systems, improving not just our order processing and inventory management but also how we handle logistics and customer interactions at scale. This part was important for us as we had to know our tech infrastructure can handle the growth.

Are there plans to use AI and if so, where will you implement this first? Our cautious yet progressive approach to AI reflects our commitment to meaningful innovation. We are currently exploring AI to enhance several internal processes where it can add the most value without disrupting the proven systems that our customers rely on.

How do you combine tech with personal connection to drive customer engagement? We shouldn’t think about technology and personal connection separately – the technology we build, in itself, is meant to provide a personal connection to the customer. The vast and structured data that we are able to collect makes us understand the customer better than any physical retail store, and tailor our experience accordingly. Our mission has always been to integrate all this intelligence in every single one of our workflows: our merchandising, our app design and features, our content, our marketing strategies, etc. We are trying to optimize the connection and engagement with each one of our customers across any touchpoint – the more targeted and personalised we are, the more connected our customers will be.

Which platforms do you see customers communicating most from and does this differ based on region? Our customer communication preferences are quite diverse and often vary by region. Generally, phone calls and live chat are the most popular channels across the board due to their convenience and the immediacy of feedback they offer. Customers appreciate the real-time interaction and the personal touch these methods provide.

Emails remain a constant for those who prefer detailed communication or are dealing with complex issues that may require thorough documentation. Social media is also a growing platform for customer engagement, especially for quick queries and for a demographic that is more digital savvy. We continuously adapt our customer service approach to meet these regional preferences, ensuring that we’re providing the most accessible and preferred lines of communication

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WORDS: AMY SESSIONS

to all our customers, wherever they may be.

What differences do you see between generations of shoppers and how do you bridge this technological gap in order to speak across all demographics? Without generalizing too much, it’s clear that younger shoppers will inherently understand our value proposition more easily. After all, what we provide is almost native to them – selfservice shopping at your fingertips, on your own time, at your own convenience, without too much human interaction. For those who are not so digitally native, and perhaps used to a different interaction while shopping, our goal is to make the journey as native as we can, almost instinctive. We put a lot of work and focus on our product, making sure we are continuously optimizing and improving the experience to reach that goal.

Once a new customer completes their first purchase, the speed of service with 2-hour delivery in Dubai and 3-hour delivery in Riyadh is enough to impress anyone. Additionally, on top of the tech, we’ve also grown our assortment significantly over the years to be able to cater to any type of customer.

We pride ourselves on our understanding of this region, filled with a wide variety of cultures, nationalities, and age groups.

“Our cautious yet progressive approach to AI reflects our commitment to meaningful innovation.” emirateswoman.com 25

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INTO THE FUTURE

WORDS: SARAH JOSEPH

AI-backed wearable fashion brands for the tech aficionado

IMAGES: GETTY IMAGES AND SUPPLIED

Nike ACG

This exclusive All Conditions Gear line takes performance wear to the next level, with a series of hiking products crafted to perfection. Aimed towards more extreme activities, like rock climbing and mountain biking, ACG boasts an eclectic lineup of durable sneakers that make immaculate use of Nike’s constantly cutting-edge materials and technologies. www.nike.ae Senscommon

Driven to enhance everyday living through innovative textiles and a pragmatic approach, this minimalist lifestyle apparel label is based in Amsterdam. The brand starts at the ma-

terial level with source by source, and fibre by fibre. They research the tactile and functional qualities of old and new and yet-to-be-made textiles and let their performance naturally indicate their best use in the context of urban living. www.senscommon.com Acronym

Scalpel cuts, technical materials, non-standard finishes and surrealist designs are often on the menu of this Berlin-based label’s collections. In addition to the design, it uses technological materials to improve the capabilities of its wardrobe in terms of waterproofing, flexibility and thermal regulation with innovative aesthetics. www.acrnm.com

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Iris Van Herpen

Inspired by the concept of biomimicry, this multidisciplinary brand creates delicate clothing through artisanal craftsmanship.

Whether shaping a dress through electromagnetic weaving or sculpting one from 3D hand-cast transparent leather, the maison challenges traditional notions of the handmade to create ethereal garments that are radically future-facing and exquisitely feminine. www.irisvanherpen.com Under Armour

This techwear brand focuses on performance and innovation. With a focus on advanced fabrics and construction techniques, Under Armour creates clothing built to handle even the most challenging conditions. Whether you’re looking for a pair of running shoes that will help you push your limits or a shirt that will keep you cool and dry during intense workouts, Under Armour has you covered. www.underarmour.ae Patagonia

Made for everything outdoors, the brand sells bespoke mountain climbing gear including sportswear. The brand also introduced the ‘worn wear’ concept in 2017 allowing customers to return particular items in good condition in exchange for new merchandise credit. eu.patagonia.com

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WORDS: CAMILLE MACAWILI

THE FUTURE OF FASHION How fashion brands are leveraging emerging frontier technologies for a tech-aided future

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IMAGES: SUPPLIED

WEARABLE TECH

Merging fashion, function and technology, the wearable movement remains a hard sell within the industry. As the use of artificial intelligence accelerates, a few innovations stand out making the case for its normalisation and integration into our everyday lives.

Enter: Humane AI Pin, a screenless device powered by an advanced Snapdragon®™ processor from Qualcomm Technologies plus, Microsoft and Open AI that blends smart technologies and intuitive interaction.

Debuted as part of a collaboration with Parisbased fashion label Coperni, the AI Pin was showcased on the SS24 runway displaying the versatility of how the device can be worn.

It boasts a host of new AI-driven capabilities and experiences, giving us a preview of what a post-smartphone era could potentially look like in forward-thinking fashion. @hu.ma.ne

DIGITAL IDS

Digital IDs are unique product passports or digital tags attached to a product in the

DIGITAL WEARABLES

Over the past year, the fashion industry has played the game of experimenting with Web3. This nascent opportunity emerged as a promising new avenue for fashion brands to draw in new and loyal consumers to interact in ways that are arguably deeper. Although it remains in its infancy, this frontier technology promises to be a gamechanger in many aspects for fashion and luxury power players.

Every first Thursday for every month, for form of a QR Code or a secured NFC chip.

24 hours, Prada releases a limited-edition This unique digital tag uses AI-powered piece for its Timecapsule collection. These technologies that come with potential uses blockchain-based drops offer NFT holders from providing digitised product details, value and utility such as invitations to excluverifying an item’s authenticity to transfer sive events, allowing tech-savvy shoppers to of ownership and more that provides added engage and create an affinity with the brand. value and engagement to customers beyond Alternatively, Louis Vuitton’s Web3 project point of sale. EON, a leading retail Digital called VIA Treasure Trunks allows token ID platform backed by the visionary enholders to claim the corresponding limitededition physical item. For SS24, the VIA trepreneur Natalie Massenet, has taken on Tile Trunk designed by women’s artistic dicollaborative special projects with notable rector Nicolas Ghesquière, made its runway brands Chloé and Coach and more recently reveal. A homage to the signature “damier” with Balenciaga for tech-enabled merch embedded with an NFC chip to access an motif, this mini trunk can be claimed in exclusive media experience. @eon March 2024. @prada; @louisvuitton

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BOLD Co-Founder of ALTAVA Group and creative visionary, Elizabeth von Guttman, shares how she steered her career in fash-tech and what to expect from its newest AI-powered creation platform WORDS: CAMILLE MACAWILI

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lizabeth von Guttman continues a trailblazing path as co-founder at ALTAVA Group, a leading metaverse group shaping a new era of innovation that merges fashion and technology. Adding a fashion-forward perspective, she brings her honed eye, pioneering spirit, and content experience gleaned from previous editorial roles.

What do the first 30 minutes of your day look like, your morning routine? Mornings are always quite hectic! I start my day with a few stretches with Yoga365, it only takes a few minutes but makes all the difference. Coffee is a must, then it’s a race against the clock to get the kids off to school!

Can you talk us through your career journey? I started my career in fashion as it’s a true passion of mine. I worked on the entertainment side connecting brands to talent, then I focused on the sustainability topic trying to encourage brands to be more responsible through innovation. The project was called Ever Manifesto. I then launched my own magazine over 10 years ago focusing on fashion called System Magazine. Over the past few years, I got intrigued by all the possibilities of the Web3 world which brought me to ALTAVA! What prompted this move in starting ALTAVA and how has it been received? We have witnessed such massive changes in these past years, from the rise of social media to gaming.

People are consuming differently, as well as communicating differently. I noticed there was a décalage (gap) between what was going on in the tech world and the fashion industry. So, when I met Andy Ku, my co-founder who comes from a gaming background, a whole new world opened up.

Tell us about the concept and how do you approach things differently? ALTAVA started life as a fashion-tech focusing on virtual try-ons and avatar systems. The company evolved into a luxury fashion metaverse called WOY (Worlds of You). Earlier in 2023, we took our collective experience in luxury fashion, technology, Web3 and created ALTAVA Boutique, our AI virtual item creation platform. We realized that despite the explosive growth in Generative AI, the outputs are still not usable or even practical for virtual worlds. This is why we developed ALTAVA Boutique. It’s very fashion focused and the

“The tech world is predominantly male, but in the past few years, we have seen amazing women creators and entrepreneurs with solid ambitions and works.”

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outputs will be a lot more usable for designers to modify for various virtual worlds.

How did your previous experiences in fashion support your current role? The tech and fashion worlds are very different. This is why my experience in the fashion industry supported me in bridging both worlds together. The tech world is very fast paced compared to the fashion industry which is all about the details and storytelling. When both worlds collide, it can create some very exciting projects.

How does your role impact innovation and tech at ALTAVA? ALTAVA is already a very capable company when it comes to technology. What I brought to the table is the perspective of luxury fashion brands. How they see the world, especially on the digital side of things. We always say that ALTAVA is fashion meets tech and that is really personified by my co-founder and I. I bring the fashion side for projects and Andy stands up for the tech side in projects.

As a female in the tech industry, are there any difficulties you’ve faced? The tech world is predominantly male, but in the past few years, we have seen amazing women creators and entrepreneurs with solid ambitions and works. This also makes the feminine touch well needed in the tech world. I hope there will be more women-led projects and women leaders in the tech industry so that inequalities are not the topic anymore.

You’ve created revolutionary projects for top brands like Prada, Fendi, and LVMH. How do you identify projects with long-term value add? It’s about connecting with the younger and new consumers on a global scale, for instance by creating exciting web3 environments, so these new consumers for the future generations can relate to the brand from now

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on. With ALTAVA, I also help to identify the new technologies that will help the brands to innovate and bring long-term value.

ALTAVA Boutique is a highly-anticipated concept – do tell us more about it? ALTAVA Boutique will invite luxury fashion brands to the platforms of tomorrow, especially for creators by generating a seamless digital experience across virtual worlds and gaming.

As part of the Boutique, we are developing an ALTAVA Creator Community with leading and emerging 3D designers, who will shape the future of fashion and create a new platform for them to express themselves.

AI, AR, and Digital IDs: what is their future, and do you think these technologies could be further scaled and potentially change the fashion and retail landscape? AI, AR, and Digital IDs will definitely keep developing and become a native way to interact with the world and have the potential to grow if used wisely. At ALTAVA, we are evolving these technologies for the next generation of our products and our forward-thinking partners. For example, while augmented reality has been around for a few years now, we have created a groundbreaking beauty filter with Ines Alpha, a leading digital 3D artist, for the Clarins Precious project. These technologies will help the new generation of designers to create fun and exciting collections, building interactive and inclusive fashion for end-consumers.

How can the fashion industry future-proof their brands through tech? One of the biggest challenges facing the fashion industry, especially on the luxury side of the scale, is indeed counterfeit goods. Counterfeit is estimated to be a between $3-$4.2 trillion USD industry according to several pieces

of industry research. I believe that technology like blockchain and its immutable nature can really address this issue. It hurts everyone including consumers. The market for secondhand luxury goods is also very big and vibrant. The biggest fear for most consumers is the authenticity of the merchandise that they purchase. While there’s no silver bullet, authentication of each good using DLT (distributed ledger technology) where you can continuously track the transaction with each individual owner of a good can be very helpful and a credible deterrence.

What else does the future hold for ALTAVA and what excites you about it? We obviously are very excited about ALTAVA Boutique, our AI virtual item creation platform. We had a very good Close Alpha test in late December 2023 and plan to open it up to a broader audience in Q1 of 2024 as a CBT (Close Beta Test) and we look forward to feedback from fashion designers and users.

As you know, AI becomes smarter with increased usage. So, I’m definitely looking forward to seeing how Maker AI, the AI engine behind ALTAVA Boutique, will grow and become smarter as more people use it.

This is The Tech Issue – what technology has been a game-changer in your life and how so?

One technology that has been a game changer is 3D, especially for fashion design. For instance, for photoshoots, instead of having several days with ten different models and fifty looks that are shot by multiple departments, 3D rendering, and digitalisation of assets can lower the number of looks being transported and resources engaged with ultimately and importantly lowering the carbon footprint, which is another key topic of sustainability in the fashion industry.

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“ALTAVA Boutique will invite luxury fashion brands to the platforms of tomorrow, especially for creators by generating a seamless digital experience across virtual worlds and gaming.”

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Georgiana Huddart

What do the first 30 minutes of your day look like? I generally wake up with both my kids. Frank is 4, so he normally wakes me up just before my alarm, then I go downstairs for a coffee with him and Stella. I am very lucky if I have managed to get dressed before they wake up.

What was the inspiration behind co-founding Hunza G? I genuinely just wanted the product. I thought it was crazy that it didn’t already exist, and I felt there was a huge gap in the swimwear market for something accessible, but aspirational that made women feel amazing. We were one of the first, if not the first, to be a diverse and inclusive brand in this category. It felt like what existed in swimwear was very one dimensional and only catered for certain groups of women.

Each brand took on one customer and catered to that woman only. I just thought it would be cool if there was a brand that spoke to multiple women and eliminated size trauma when shopping for products.

How do you get into a creative headspace?

Honestly music and making mood boards.

I am a big music person, so I have lots of different playlists for different moods. Normally, I just get to do a few solo evening ses-

sions to focus on a collection and then I sit with my team, and we hone it over some long design meetings. They are amazing.

The addition of the “G” to “Hunza” marked a significant transformation in 2015. What inspired this change? The G stands for me!

It’s when Peter and I launched it as a new brand together with me as creative director and co-founder.

Body positivity is a key aspect of Hunza G's philosophy. Can you elaborate? Firstly, as I said earlier, we eliminate size trauma for the women buying the product and the men giving them as gifts. But also, we have all women wearing the same product and all looking different but equally amazing in it. The actual product is incredible and the feedback we get daily is astonishing because of the tubular nature of the crinkle fabric and its stretch abilities. It’s really flattering and comfortable. Women who said they didn’t imagine themselves ever feeling confident on a beach in swimwear at their most vulnerable, feel truly amazing in the crinkle product, so that’s how I think we promote body confidence. All women are invited to the party.

Sustainability and ethical practices are central to your brand's ethos. How do you inte-

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grate it in every aspect? Production wise, every factory we work with is ethical and audited. Their credentials are truly inspiring. We are also carbon neutral and work with a company called Be Zero on this. The team is conscious of the culture we have created, so it feels intrinsic to the values outwardly and internally at Hunza G. The fact that it’s one size means there is limited wastage on stock and production, any waste fabric gets turned into scrunchies.

Julia Roberts famously wore one of Hunza's cut-out mini dresses in Pretty Woman. How did this iconic moment influence the brand's journey? I think it was one of the coolest moments for us as a brand and certainly in Hunza’s first iteration without the G, the biggest and most iconic moment. It’s such a brilliant film and kind of timeless. Julia Roberts recently just did a video about her five most iconic outfits and that was the first one she named. She also now wears Hunza G products on the beach, which feels like a full circle. It was one of the most exciting moments for me while re-launching the brand, as the original icon who was wearing it back then is still wearing it 30 years later.

How do you envision the future of Hunza G and what innovative directions are you exploring? It’s exciting, but you must wait and see. We get copied so much that I can never really discuss our plans, but more collaborations with amazing women/ brands and launching some of our own new products in new categories.

How do you balance your role as a fashion entrepreneur with your commitment to environmental and ethical causes? It’s a tricky one to navigate because we are still a consumer brand, but I think there are ways to do it and ways not to. I have always loathed fast fashion, and that’s not because of the price. I think it’s amazing that it makes fashion accessible, but I hate the speed of the changing trends and therefore how much product people buy, and that is also linked to low prices. It’s boring and obvious to say, but you just need to buy good items, in great fabrics that last for a long time and that don’t feel trend orientated when it comes to design. I still wear clothes I had at university, and I am in my mid 30s now.

This is The Tech Issue, how does technology improve your daily life? Being connected to the world and to people is incredible. My grandpa died last year at 96. I was able to WhatsApp him regularly, that’s kind of incredible, isn’t it? My car is electric- (not a Tesla!) but that’s amazing. I think in terms of medical advancement, communication, and accessibility to information it’s brilliant. I built my brand on social media, so I am grateful for that, but social media also scares me a little bit.

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WORDS: AMY SESSIONS P H OTO G R A P H Y: GIOVANNI GIANNONI AND JOSEPHINE LOCHEN

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Lab-coat inspired detailing at Sportmax for SS24

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Christopher Esber channels technically perfect cuts and sportwear inspired fabrications for CR24

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IMMERSIVE

What do the first 30 minutes of your day look like, your morning routine? The first 30 minutes of my day is to ensure a productive and strategic start to each day. I start my day when I first wake up and typically have my coffee as I plan my whole day. After my day has been planned, my morning exercise comes next, then I go to the office and begin my busy day.

What inspired you to launch Mwaz Store?

Launching Mwaz was driven by a deep passion for fashion, a desire to create a unique retail experience and a vision for innovation.

A unique city like Riyadh and the people should have a unique store like Mwaz.

Tell us about the experience and what can customers expect? The customer experience is designed to be immersive, personalised and dynamic. Mwaz is not only a store, it’s an entity that not only provides retail experience, but also fashion services for new concepts, styling, image consulting and more. Customers can experience a 360-degree perspective in fashion at Mwaz.

What are the store’s four distinctive ‘frontiers’ – tell us more. Mwaz’s four distinctive “fron-

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tiers” representing the key pillars that define our unique approach to fashion. Each frontier embodies a core aspect of our philosophy that contributes to the overall experience. Innovative technology integration such as our holograms, sensors, lift and learn; Curation of designers; personalised services and style consultations; community and engagement.

The AI-powered ‘try-on’ section is an innovation in the retail sector – how does it work?

Stay tuned as we’re bringing this innovation to Mwaz soon.

What are some of the key brands that customers can expect to see at the store? We curate a diverse collection, and all brands are unique at Mwaz. The anticipation is part of the experience, and you cannot find most of our brands in other areas, especially that some of our respected brands are exclusive to the store. Spread over 17,500 square feet, the new store features an exclusive range of international designer brands.

This experiential shopping space fuses fashion with the arts, technology and entertainment – tell us more. Mwaz is not just a store

destination, it’s a carefully crafted experiential space that transcends traditional shopping. Our concept revolves around seamlessly merging fashion with the arts, technology, and entertainment, creating a dynamic environment for customers. The store combines high fashion, art, entertainment and modern technology to provide an upscale luxury retail experience in the Middle East.

What lies ahead for the brand in terms of innovation? The future for Mwaz holds continuous innovation across various fronts, shaping the future of fashion and retail. The sky is the limit for Mwaz.

Overall, how is the shopping experience in Saudi Arabia transforming? At the end, it’s not only the shopping experience, but everything you experience in Saudi Arabia is growing rapidly.

This is The Tech Issue – how does technology help you improve your daily life? How can we live in a world without technology? With that said, technology is an indispensable tool that enhances various aspects of my daily life, which allows me to work wherever I am.

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WORDS: SARAH JOSEPH

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Chief of Fashion and Retail at Sela’s Mwaz Store, Aram Kabbani, shares the concept’s journey of opening the first phygital store in Riyadh

RETAIL

“Guests can experience innovative technology integration such as our holograms, sensors and more.”

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Hot-air balloon inspired construction was the backdrop for an adventurous SS24 show at Louis Vuitton

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SCENOGRAPHY: JAMES CHINLUND

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COLOUR

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José Sabral, the creative mastermind at Paatiff, converges AI-driven design with traditional techniques

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Beauty Breakthrough

nature to create skincare products that don’t exist elsewhere. Always with the motto of cellular cosmetics, which is to provide biocompatible ingredients for perfect affinity with the skin, and therefore greater effectiveness.

Are there any ingredients we won’t see in Valmont formulas and if not, why so? I don’t put barriers in my creative process, my objective is always the result, with respect for the skin and the environment. That’s why I sometimes use ingredients from the animal kingdom, through processes that are obviously respectful, and whose affinity with the skin is exceptional.

What benefits do you experience with skincare backed by Swiss cellular science? Cellular cosmetics have been part of our medical heritage from the Clinique Valmont, and today it is our scientific signature. Cellular cosmetics are inspired by cellulotherapy, and it uses bio-mimetic active molecules that guarantee exceptional bio-affinity and bioavailability. This means, they are perfectly assimiWORDS: CAMILLE MACAWILI lated by the skin to reproduce or compensate for the natural biological phenomena we are targeting, to achieve exceptional efficacy. Supported by our duo of iconic molecular ingredients: salmon DNA and RNA. This n the dynamic skincare landscape, bio-mimetic expertise is a real difference on the market. Having a “Swiss Valmont emerges as a game changmade” guarantee puts you at the cutting edge of innovation, quality, preer. More than just buzzwords, this pioneering luxury skincare brand is cision, research and a guarantee of excellence recognised the world over. rooted in meticulous research and What benefits do you experience with skincare backed by Swiss celexpertise based on unique science that sets lular science? Valmont belongs to the family of cellular cosmetics, as unparalleled standards for beauty regimens it features cell extracts (DNA extracted from the milt of wild salmon in UAE and beyond. by means of a complex process) and RNA, extracted from yeast. What makes the products different from others is their bio-mimetics with the skin. The way they merge into the skin to reproduce or compensate for The brand counts over 100 skincare treatbiological phenomena. ments to date. What goes into the creation Is there a big difference in the skin of women in Switzerland and Middle of each product, and which is your most adEast? If so, how do you see this affect the buying patterns within the revanced to date? Each creation comes from my intuition, in phase with my knowledge gion? Yes, definitely, the prototype is not the same. In Europe, it’s the of the needs of women and men. I sense bephototypes I and II, whereas in the Middle East it’s more like IV and V. fore the user what she needs and what will This, in no way affects purchases, as we offer a wide range of products give her pleasure. Each time, I look for the for all these skin differences. unique alchemy, the perfect balance between What is your must-have product? The Prime the power of natural Swiss ingredients, with Renewing Pack (PRP): iconic and polyvaimportant to reinvent ourselves every day, their exceptional virtues, and the power of lent. Its radiance and anti-fatigue results while remaining true to our DNA. Even science to enhance these benefits. I follow are so amazing that its community has our most established collections are revisthe latest scientific innovations in the field ited using technology to take the experinamed it the Happy Mask. Celebrating its of cellular cosmetics to offer the very best in ence of our products even further. It feeds 40th anniversary this year with a superb, effectiveness, but also in customer experiour thinking, stimulates our creativity and limited edition and lots of surprises. enhances our results.

What sets Valmont apart from other premience. Sensorially and visible, long-lasting results are the key. Each ritual has its own Valmont is at the forefront of cutting-edge um skincare ranges? The clear communicutting-edge specificity, linked to the skin cation we provide about our formulas, the research and advanced Alpine-sourced indisorders we are seeking to rebalance. In concentration of our active ingredients and gredients. How do you merge technology 2024, new groundbreaking innovations will all the work we put into offering unique texand nature seamlessly? It’s all a question be introduced, such as a protective SPF tures. Our expertise in professional skincare of hybridization and alchemy. I love nature treatment with a light, invisible, non-greasy protocols is also a key factor in our success.

– it inspires me, it carries me. I’m curitexture, a real feat of formulation. ous by nature and I like to look for synerWhat makes a beauty entrepreneur of gies and links where there are none at first The company has been innovating in beauty a thoroughly innovative luxury skincare sight. I like marrying opposites, balancing for over 30 years. How do you leverage tech brand? Keeping up with the times, staying contrasts, playing with materials to find in touch with our customers and markets development? Tech development is essenthe perfect alchemy between science and and making sense of everything we do. tial if we are to remain contemporary. It’s

CEO and the visionary behind Valmont, Sophie Vann Guillon, deep dives into the brand’s DNA, groundbreaking formulas and the potential future of skincare

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“Tech development is essential if we are to remain contemporary.

It’s important to reinvent ourselves every day, while remaining true to our DNA.”

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We discuss accurate data and what to do with it in the tech and wellness space with Ali Hashemi, Co-Founder of meta[bolic] WORDS: AMY SESSIONS

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Data Driven

What is the DNA of the brand based on? The DNA of our platform is based on driving superior outcomes for our members. We measure ourselves not by what we DO (i.e. an array of clinical services, drugs prescribed, or testing done) but rather the outcome we ultimately DELIVER. We launched GluCare.Health back in 2019, which together with Zone.Health, ultimately became the pillars of meta[bolic] with a very specific thesis – demonstrating that hybrid healthcare would be superior in every way when compared either to traditional care or digital health/virtual care on their own. This thesis gelled into a vision to build a continuous model of care that delivered superior outcomes by giving agency back to our patients – where we define agency as the ability to turn data into knowledge, into insight, into action, into measurable outcomes. What that meant in a practical sense was harnessing the full potential of all the continuous forms of data we’re already capable of producing, from wearables and connected devices, with a hyperpersonalised physical footprint that served to translate data correlations into actionable insights for our patients. An engagement platform if you will, around best-in-class clinical care, powered by data driven insights.

At the time, there were innovative first-generation digital health companies already tackling metabolic health, but none were meaningfully managing the care provision to the patient or tackling inefficiencies and misaligned incentives at the grassroots level. We felt that was an important gap and set out to build a platform that would take the best of both worlds and deliver a care model that was both comprehensive and continuous. We were self-funded, and willing to take the risk on our bet that hybrid healthcare would ultimately earn the right to win. We deconstructed every aspect of the patient journey, both physical and virtual, and re-assembled it into something that was both seamless and magical for our patients, but also something that within the first year was delivering among the best outcomes in the world. The best published results over a 10-year period for ICLDC were a 0.9% reduction in HbA1c, whereas GluCare delivered 2.1% reduction in just 3 months – one-fortieth the time – a hugely unprecedented improvement.

The DNA of meta[bolic] is deeply rooted in a holistic approach to metabolic health care, combining clinical expertise with cutting-edge technology and behavioural science. Similarly, OURA’s brand DNA centers around empowering individuals with personal health data, primarily through their advanced sleep tracking technology, which has now expanded to include metrics around daytime stress. Together, meta[bolic] and OURA share a commitment to innovation, accuracy, and the transformative power of integrating wearable technology with health care delivery. This partnership reflects a shared vision for patient-centered care that is data-driven, hyper-personalised, and enhanced through continuous monitoring and en-

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gagement – a synergy that aims to elevate the standard of care in metabolic health.

Why is accurate data so important when it comes to evaluating health? Accurate data is crucial for evaluating health because it provides a reliable foundation for understanding a patient’s health status and for making informed decisions. In the context of metabolic health, accurate data allows clinicians to monitor vital health metrics, understand individual patient patterns, and tailor care plans effectively. That said, people who have worn different wearables would have seen that there’s always variability around the readings, largely because the insights that wearables produce are not “hard truth” but rather an interpretation of an underlying optical signal. Wearables are ultimately translating an optical signal, based on the physics of light absorption in the body, into a “reading” of some kind – whether that reading is your blood oxygen level, your heart rate variability, or your core body temperature.

There will always be a margin of error. What is as important as accuracy is precision, in other words that the readings are reliable and consistent, and that they can be correlated to other sources of data to generate more valuable insights for members. It enables the identification of correlations between lifestyle behaviors and health outcomes, which is essential for preventive health strategies and managing conditions such as diabetes and obesity.

Our model is centered around insight evaluation and delivery of that insight into an action around behaviour. Precise data is crucial if we are to successfully deliver those actionable insights and ultimately change behaviour.

How does meta[bolic] utilize this data? meta[bolic] utilizes data by integrating it into its clinical portal, where it aggregates clinical, subclinical, and behavioural data— including sleep, diet, daytime stress and activity metrics from wearables like the Oura Ring, continuous glucose monitors, and lab tests. This comprehensive view allows clinicians and patients to understand how behaviours impact health metrics. The insights derived from this data are used to create personalised care plans, drive patient engagement, and improve overall health outcomes.

What are the benefits to an Oura Ring wearer?

The benefits to an Oura Ring wearer include the ability to track sleep, stress, and activity data continuously and in high fidelity. This data contributes to a deeper understanding of their health patterns and trends and is especially important in improving metabolic health outcomes. Oura Ring’s advanced sleep and stress tracking technology enhances patient engagement and aids in behavioural change, which is instrumental in managing metabolic health. The wearer can also experience better clinical outcomes due to the personalised insights and care plans

be used as a tool to enhance health, such as tracking wellness metrics and facilitating healthy habits, rather than distracting from them. It’s also important to have tech-free times to disconnect and engage in non-digital activities, ensuring a balanced lifestyle. Boundaries also should be considered around data privacy, especially in the context of health and wellness. Today, the data we’re producing with our myriad of devices all sit in different siloed clouds, disconnected from each other and each susceptible to breach and unauthorized use. As a regulated healthcare provider, a subtle service that we, by default, deliver to our members is the consolidation of this disparate data into a single secure repository of data governed by the stricter regulatory oversight that comes with patient medical data.

Which apps and tech can we implement at home that are game changers? Apps and tech that can be game changers at home include wearable devices like the Oura Ring for sleep and activity tracking, continuous glucose monitors for real-time derived from the data collected by the ring. blood sugar monitoring, and health management apps like GluCare.Health and Zone.

What three things should we be doing to imHealth that offer integrated care platforms prove our health and wellness at home? 1. Enand continuous connectivity to a multidisgage in regular monitoring of health metrics ciplinary care team. These technologies prousing wearables and health apps to stay invide actionable insights and support in manformed about your health status and identify aging metabolic health and wellness at home. areas for improvement. 2. Practise consistent and balanced routines involving healthy eatCan you define how the partnership between ing, regular physical activity, and sufficient meta[bolic]’s (parent company of GluCare sleep to maintain metabolic health. 3. Utilize and Zone.Health) and OURA, creators of the engagement and behavioural coaching proOura Ring started? The genesis of the partgrams to drive and sustain healthy lifestyle nership between meta[bolic] and OURA was changes, as these can have a significant imsomewhat serendipitous. Our founders had pact on long-term health outcomes. met OURA’s chief scientist through a friend and colleague at Harvard Medical School How do you scale without compromising on about a year back and started a dialogue quality? We think about brand and scale difon the clinical research potential of teamferently than other healthcare providers.

Scale to us is not just about building another ing up scientifically. In parallel, one of the early investors in OURA connected us with clinic or increasing access to our service to a wider population of people. Scale to us is the Tom Hale, OURA’s CEO to discuss a more authentic replication of the outcome itself. If strategic partnership to help OURA enter we are unable to stay true to our mission to the healthcare space. There was immediate deliver the world’s best outcomes, then we’re alignment on mission and vision, and the not scaling the right way. So a minimum partnership was cemented. The partnership standard of quality and authenticity is built began with the shared goal of enhancing painto the growth plan from the outset. Any tient engagement and improving clinical growth opportunity that puts the core outoutcomes in metabolic health by leveraging the advanced sleep and stress tracking come engine at risk is simply not considered. technology of Oura Ring. meta[bolic] was This is one of the reasons we have built a fully vertically integrated offering for our paattracted to OURA due to the depth of intients. It allows us not only to control all the tegration offered by the OURA APIs, long incentives and behaviors within our walls, battery life, the quality of its continuous but it also allows us to quickly identify pain data collection, and the high patient adherpoints and iterate solutions and improveence facilitated by the ring form factor. The partnership aims to incorporate Oura Ring ments. Our heavy use of data analytics allows data into meta[bolic]’s care delivery model us to monitor and manage health outcomes and conduct research on sleep and metabolefficiently, maintaining a high level of patient engagement, and ensure that the care team ic health, as well as the impact of patient encan provide personalised care. As we expand, gagement on clinical outcomes. The future we simply adapt the core outcome-oriented of healthcare demands a real-time, multimodel to other regulatory and reimbursedimensional, and personalised approach.

Together with Tom Hale and the wonderful ment environments across different markets. team at OURA, we’re set to continue to revThis is The Tech Issue – what boundaries olutionise this landscape. Oura Ring, ranked should we have around using technology as the best wearable last year will take center at home so we can optimize our wellness? stage in our clinical settings, showcasing the Boundaries around using technology at profound impact of continuous data monihome for wellness should include mindful usage that supports health goals without caustoring on outcomes, with a particular focus ing stress or addiction. Technology should on the impact of sleep and stress.

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STRAIGHT

The new Dyson Airstrait delivers wet to dry straightening with air-only, how challenging was it to get this right and what is the benefit of this? Dyson’s expertise in airflow is fundamental to the performance of the Dyson Airstrait™ straightener. Of all our hair care machines, the air path of this machine is by far the most complicated.

The airflow comes in from the base of the machine, through the filter and passes through the motor, before being split into two high pressured jets of air angled at 45-degrees, which form one focused jet of air with the downward force to straighten hair as it dries, with control. 1mm-wide aerodynamic vents are precisely positioned to project a stream of high-velocity airflow along each arm, for even distribution. This is expertise, which we’ve gained over the last 30 years, that has enabled us to deliver our first wet to dry straightener, with no hot plates, and no heat damage. Delivering the ease-of-use that people love about straighteners but with high-velocity air blades, saves time, maintains hair strength and achieves an everyday natural straight style for all hair types.

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Can you define the science bit behind this new tool and why this was a key issue to solve for James Dyson? Dyson has been researching the science of style for over a decade and is investing half a billion GBP to expand and accelerate research and technology development across the beauty category. Our engineers have studied in detail everything from the structure of hair to airflow dynamics whilst understanding thermal, mechanical and chemical damage – and the subsequent effects on hair health.

To change your hair style, hydrogen bonds within each hair strand must be broken and reset to hold a new shape. This can be done with heat or moisture. Styling with powerful airflow from wet, results in less need for high heat, creating less frizz and flyaways and protects natural shine.

When hair is wet, water naturally weakens these bonds.

In this state, the bonds are more elastic and can be reset as hair dries, without using extreme temperatures. By using the optimum level of heat and controlled airflow, we’ve found a way to style hair with less damage. Styling with air allows for the creation of straight styles whilst maintaining volume and movement. Once hair is dry and aligned, the bonds are reset in different ways, locking the new style in place.

How important is customer experience for the brand and how do you know when a product is ready for launch? Our customers and their needs are at the core of everything we do. Our ethos is to solve problems that others ignore to deliver exceptional products to our customers. It is their unmet requirements that shape our future innovations. At Dyson, we have a customer-centric vision backed by a rigorous iterative method to develop, build and test our products in phases. We do multiple user trials and gather feedback from them to measure performance against customer satisfaction tar-

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The new Dyson Airstrait delivers an immaculate finish using new air-only technology. We discuss launching and what drives the brand to enhance customer experience with Vijeta Ramachandran, Design Manager at Dyson Singapore

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WORDS: AMY SESSIONS

gets. Through this iterative process, we improve product design and performance. The various product phases are also assessed against predefined mile markers to evaluate product maturity in terms of quality, engineering and market readiness to launch.

How big is the market for straighteners globally? And is that what inspired this innovation? We’re obsessive about understanding hair. Knowing all about hair types and maintaining hair health sits at the core of our research and development. Thus, prevention of heat damage remains a key focus for us across all our existing and future hair care technologies. For the past decade, Dyson engineers and scientists have invested in global hair laboratories across the world. We relentlessly experiment and test and deliver machines which style hair better, limiting exposure to extreme heat damage. It is no different with the Dyson Airstrait™ straightener. It can straighten multiple hair types from wet, with no hot plates or heat damage, with air. Additionally, the great thing about being able to start from wet is that we can completely cut out that rough drying stage. Simultaneously drying and straightening reduces two steps into one. This simplifies owners’ routines. Previously, they needed a hair dryer and then a straightener to achieve a straight style, now this can be achieved with one single machine, faster.

Dyson is known for changing the game in various industries with new technologies – how are the next projects decided upon – do you use focus groups to look at problems that need solving? In late-2022, Dyson announced that we would be investing half a billion GBP to expand and accelerate our research and technology development across our beauty portfolio, announcing plans to launch 20 new beauty products in the next four years. Across our four Technology Campuses, we have over 6,000 engineers and your routine and simplifies it. The tool combines two steps in one scientists who have access to hundreds of laboratories, – drying and styling – saving you time without compromising your and teams that predict upcoming trends. The teams rigstyle or hair health. orously test new ideas and technologies 24 hours a day.

To use the tool, we recommend that you towel dry hair and The Airstrait was six years in the making, with Dyson then pre dry the roots using the blow-dry setting. We then recomengineers from around the world working with profesmend you section and style the hair by putting the sections between sionals like Irinel de Leon, celebrity hairstylist and Dyson the blades and slowly moving down to the end of the strands. The global styling ambassador, to ensure this tool has unique Airstrait™is suitable for all hair types and leaves a lasting finish. advantages for every single hair type.

How does the intelligent Heat Control work and why is this a benefit?

We are constantly innovating at Dyson and seek acHeat damage to hair cannot be reversed so we have equipped all our hair care tools with an intelligent heat control feature. In the Dyson tive feedback from our customers to identify any improveAirstrait™ straightener, glass bead thermistors measure the temments we can make in our own products as well as gather data on gaps that are present in other products available perature of the airflow 16 times per second to prevent heat damin the market. We use various methods to gather these inage and protect hair’s natural shine. This data is sent to the miputs and translate them into problem statements that our croprocessor which regulates the heating element, ensuring airflow products aim to solve. Our keen focus on research and hair doesn’t exceed the temperature required. science keeps us innovating and iterating.

This is The Tech Issue – which tech has been a game changer for you Do we still need to use heat protection on our hair before in your personal or work life and why? I see a huge benefit as a Type 3 hair user (curly, wavy and coarse hair) of using the Dyson Airusing and if so, what would you recommend that works strait™ straightener in my daily routine. It’s an easy to use, simple best in tandem with the Airstrait? This is up to the inditool which I can use with one hand after I towel dry my hair. The end vidual, if it supports the desired style result. However, the Airstrait doesn’t use extreme temperatures, thus finish also works well in terms of the current hairstyle trend of naturally straight hair. I have shoulder length hair and for me personally, eliminating the risk of damage so it’s not required to use I can get my desired style in 15 to 20 minutes, from start to finish. heat protection prior to use.

It helps to reduce flyaways and I have a smooth finish all day long How complicated is this to use and does it dry evenly which can be otherwise challenging in hot and humid locations. throughout even thick hair? The Dyson Airstrait™ takes

“The tool combines two steps in one – drying and styling – saving you time without compromising your style or hair health.”

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LASER TECHNOLOGY UAE-based skincare expert Rebecca Treston on the latest innovative laser techniques

What do the first 30 minutes of your day look like, your morning routine? I am a real morning person and love waking early, usually around 5am. I love the silence in the morning. I grab a coffee and take the next 30 minutes to relax and contemplate the day ahead.

I wish I could say I meditate and journal, but I’m not quite there yet! It’s definitely a goal for 2024, though. I wake my two girls up at 5.30am, then I head to the gym.

Laser skin resurfacing is a celebrity-loved treatment – tell us more. Laser skin resurfacing is a great treatment indeed! It’s available in ablative and non-ablative modes, as well as full-beam and fractional techniques. Ablative mode is where the skin is vaporised, either in full beam – which means covering the full surface area of the skin – or fractionated beams, where grid-shape pixels of skin, usually around 30% of the surface area, are treated. Fractionated beams allow the skin to heal much faster than full-surface ablation. Nonablative resurfacing refers to micro-thermal zones of injury rather than ablation. Both techniques are great for skin texture, tone, scars and wrinkles. Significant results can be seen in as little as one session, but there will be some social downtime depending on the type of resurfacing treatment needed.

What’s one at-home technology device that you incorporate in your beauty routine. A home device I’d use at home and absolutely recommend would be a good quality LED mask. LEDs contain different wavelengths of light that reduce inflammation in the

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skin, improve collagen and elastin and kill bacteria that can breed acne. I also personally love a good micro-current device to work on the underlying facial muscles, such as Pure Lift by Face Gym. This pumps up the facial muscles, and improves blood circulation and lymphatic drainage.

Laser treatments stand out for their transformative effects – what are the main laser treatments that you offer your patients? I have several favourite lasers that I use daily to improve all skin imperfections. Picogenesis is great on all pigmentation, including tattoos, and safe to use on all skin types. Fotona Dynamis is available in two wavelengths – Erbium (ablative, both fractional and full surface) and Nd YAG – ranging from ultra short pulses to long pulses so I can tackle different vascular lesions as well as rejuvenate and tighten the skin. Fotona Starwalker is a hybrid nanosecond device made up of pico pulses that’s built to tackle the most stubborn pigments and tattoos. Broadband Light (BBL) stimulates fibroblast activity, reducing superficial pigment and targeting diffused redness in the skin like rosacea. A study conducted by Stanford University has shown that this particular device changes the gene expression to a younger skin type! Moxithulium laser is a superficial non-ablative device working on fine lines and wrinkles, pores, mild scarring and pigments, that will leave your skin worthy of a place at Twilight’s Cullen family table. And we all know how flawless their skin is! Halo is a hybrid laser that can be used to simultaneously achieve deep penetration and superficial remodelling. It’s an amazing treatment for deeper wrinkles, scarring and textural issues, as well as for deeper pigment.

Then we have our energy-based devices that include Sofwave, an ultrasound technology that delivers columns of significant energy to stimulate the remodelling of the dermis without interference to nerves or subcuta-

WORDS: SARAH JOSEPH

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neous fat. The beams of energy make this a game-changer, due to the larger surface area treated, giving a better result and the safest profile compared to other lifting and firming devices. Ulthera is another ultrasound device with deep-see technology that allows you to see in real-time where you’re delivering the energy, making it the most advanced and safest of the high-focused ultrasound devices.

Tixel is a device that uses a heat that is applied to the skin to create an injury in order to repair and rejuvenate. I love this around the eyes, as it’s not a laser so can be applied over the lids. Healing time is also faster than conventional fractional laser and Morpheus 8 is a versatile device that uses micro-needles and radio frequency energy to both puncture and heat the layers beneath the surface to improve texture such as scars and wrinkles.

It improves firmness and can be used to contour and reduce fat. It can also be used to treat acne and reduces oil secretion.

How does laser technology heal the problem from the inside-out? Lasers and energybased devices (EBDs) use different types of energies to improve overall function and structure of the skin. We usually start losing 1 per cent of collagen per year from the age of 20, and, if you’re someone who exposes themselves to UVA regularly, you can double that. Ageing presents itself in the skin as inflammation, with signs including pigmentation; acne; dehydration; rough, dull skin; vascular abnormalities such as rosacea and talengectasia; thin, loose skin; and wrinkles and scarring. Lasers are the fastest way to improve all of the above by reducing inflammatory markers. By using the correct wavelengths and technology, you can specifically target any skin imperfection and boost the metabolism of your skin. Combine that with a healthy lifestyle encompassing exercise, good nutrition and clean skincare, and you’re on a winning trajectory.

What’s one of the most popular laser treatments that your clients opt for? When you understand and take into consideration the different energies and their targets, and the condition of your patient’s skin, it’s very

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be associated with your treatment plan, as well as the cost and commitment involved. Also, do ensure you get a good idea of the results you can expect to achieve, and the maintenance that will be required to make sure these results last.

Ageing is dynamic, and therefore a dynamic approach is key.

What are the key innovations in laser skincare? Are there any new treatments that have been effective in the skincare industry? Key innovations in laser treatments would be the integration of wavelengths in a single device. The precision and capability of these devices are impressive, and continued education is paramount. Lasers are costly, and to treat all skin conditions you need specific wavelengths and pulse durations. Results are so dependent on the right tools and techniques. We’re seeing a stepping-away from invasive, longdowntime procedures such as deep ablation. Of course, there is an absolute need for such treatments, but gentle combinations of energies are preferred by patients nowadays. As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure, and this certainly rings true for skin. Prejuvenation – making sure to treat your skin well to keep it young – and regular caretaking treatment will minimise the need for harsh correctional lasers later on.

This is The Tech Issue – how does technology help you improve your daily life? My hard to opt for one treatment alone. All the method is based upon the most innovative, above lasers and EBDs are the tools to heal precise technology to improve skin health, and repair, and my method is to evaluate and I simply could not achieve the amazing every individual and layer the energies to results I do without my plethora of lasers. achieve unrivalled results. All of my lasers Unfortunately, my technical skills outside are favourites, and I’m able to use several in my field of lasers fall sadly short! In my a single session. The decision on which depersonal life, I love Audible. I don’t have enough hours in the day to read books, but vices I choose solely depends on the patient, I love learning about self-improvement, and taking into consideration their concerns, Audible allows me to listen on the move and lifestyle, work or social engagements, skin speed up the narration. The same goes for colour and tone, medical history and budget. podcasts. I love listening to wellness podWhat’s one caution to keep in mind before casts and learning from some of the most embarking on a journey with laser treatments. recognised experts. Mind Valley is another Before embarking on your treatment journey app I’m delving into. I want to master the it’s crucial to be aware of the pre- and postart of meditation and manifestation, and care commitments. For example, avoiding improve focus. Mind Valley gives me access direct sun exposure is very important when to experts from across many fields, and to undergoing laser treatments to avoid detriinsights that can be life-changing. I think mental side effects, so if you’re preparing for it’s safe to say everyone can get carried away an Ironman competition where you’re comwith scrolling however, I try my best not to mitted to a gruelling training programme do that. Social media and tech have amazoutside, you may need to postpone treatment. I’d always recommend researching ing benefits, but they can also be quite isoyour practitioner and the devices and treatlating and addictive. I make sure my social media and scrolling are kept to a minimum, ments recommended, and taking the time to understand the social downtime that could but I am partial to an Audible before bed.

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“By using the correct wavelengths and technology, you can specifically target any skin imperfection and boost the metabolism of your skin.”

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Calling all podcasters and content creators!

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WORDS: SARAH JOSEPH

THE FUTURE OF FERTILITY

IVF specialist, Dr Mari Mitrani shares how technolog y is making an impact Talk us through your background. I’m a physician scientist with extensive expertise in biological medicine and regenerative approaches to help improve my patients’ quality of life. I am currently the Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Gattaca Genomics, the most advanced and complete preimplantation genetic testing available for embryos. Previously, I Co-founded Organicell Regenerative Medicine, as well as the American Stem Cell & Anti-Aging Center, a pioneer in Autologous Stem Cell therapy in South America. I have been recognised as one of the ‘Top 100 Healthcare Leaders’ by IFAH for the COVID-19 therapeutic work, and most recently recognised for “Scientific Excellence” by the Academia Mundial de Terapia Neural Huneke for my contribution to science.

Can you expand on what IVF is? Couples that are navigating through the fertility process through IVF (in vitro fertilisation) have an option now to test the genetic count of those fertilised embryos. Just a few cells are taken from the embryo and sent to our state-ofthe-art laboratory to analyse the gene components of those cells through Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). A final report is sent to the patients IVF doctor and the Genetic Counselor as well.

Are there any specific advancements and techniques that have improved success rates? The IVF world has been advancing every year, thanks to hormone therapy to mature multiple eggs, quality/quantity control, embryo monitoring after fertilisation can now be done in a separate environment like a time-lapse embryo imaging system which

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allows the embryos to be kept in a controlled environment without disturbing them while the Embryologist receives high-definition images multiple times a day. Genetic testing for these embryos that are ready for implantation has also advanced to allow the experts to have more in-depth information about the genetic component and therefore allow the reproductive physician to decide which embryos to implant first. Furthermore, breakthroughs in cryopreservation techniques, like vitrification, have enhanced the preservation and storage of embryos and eggs, offering greater flexibility and success rates for patients.

In your opinion, what are some of the most exciting developments or future possibilities in the IVF space? In my field, preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) techniques, such as PGT-A for aneuploidy screening and PGTM for single gene disorders, has enabled more detailed information for embryo selection.

This year, we are launching the next frontier of genetic analysis as we will be able to offer Whole Genome Sequencing, which will allow us to understand in-depth into the embryo’s genetic health. This will be very valuable for identifying many more risks of disease.

As an advocate for fertility preservation, what options are available for individuals or couples who wish to preserve their fertility for the future? We have clear statistical data referring to maternal age and how it impacts the production of healthy eggs. Understanding that fertility and infertility is so multi-factorial, the one thing we really know is how to act in this specific characteristic. Now we know that after 35 years, women’s egg quality starts deteriorating rapidly year by year, and as a woman

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who cheers on other women to always pursue their dreams, I would say to always keep this cut-off time in the back of your mind. The possibility of freezing healthy eggs or embryos has a better impact for the future when couples are ready to start their family. Unfortunately, many couples or females wait until after this age to start their fertility journey and the doctors and science can only do so much.

This is the one thing I would love to keep educating women all over the world about, your chances and decision of having a family in the future is possible if you act early on.

Can you share any ongoing research or innovative techniques that you are currently involved in or excited about in the field of fertility treatment? Gattaca Whole Genome Sequencing is an embryonic genetic screen-

IMAGE: GETTY IMAGES

ing which will allow us to understand more in depth the embryos genetic health, this will be valuable for identifying disease risks and therefore a future medical treatment or intervention, if needed. Given the diverse background of our staff, we are utilising artificial intelligence to further analyse and interpret data obtained through genetic testing and further dive on the morphology from time-lapse embryo machines.

Are more residents opting for IVF treatments in the Middle East? An executive insight report by L.E.K. Consulting shows that the UAE has the highest infertility rates in APAC (Asia-Pacific) and the Middle East, mainly caused by the high prevalence of diabetes (19 per cent as compared to 7 per cent in the UK and 11 per cent in the US) and vitamin D de-

ficiency (70 per cent as compared to 20 per cent in the UK and 42 per cent in the US).

This leads me to believe that more and more couples will be opting for IVF treatments to further their chances according to the data that has already been recorded.

What is Genetic Screening and how has this impacted the future of IVF? Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) is a genetic screening done in fertilised embryos before they are selected for implantation. PGT is advancing and innovating the fertility space, due to its added value on reporting Aneuploidy, which is the abnormal count of genes present in the embryo which explain a higher rate of miscarriages. NGS is allowing us to read valuable characteristics of embryotic genetic in which we are able to predict and or diagnose

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genetic disorders and diseases beforehand.

This is The Tech Issue – how has technology improved your daily life? I think 2024 is a great year for Tech. I’m able to open my car, garage door, pay for my groceries and more just from my phone! Who would have thought that this was possible? I can be in a conference call as I drive my electric car to pick up my daughter from her practise. I’m maximising my productivity as an entrepreneur and excelling at motherhood, keeping track of my daily tasks and with new apps I can ensure I know in which part of my monthly cycle I am on. Last year, we saw women at the pinnacle of their careers and advancing the field in music, films, science, and aerospace, thanks to technology I have no doubt we will keep excelling this year.

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Left: Supersonic hair dryer Nickel/ Copper Dhs1,749 Dyson; Below: Propolis Infused Heat Protecting Spray Dhs170 Gisou

WORDS: RUMAN BAIG

PROTECT The tech tools to trust for healthy hair

FAJER FAHAD CO-FOUNDER, BEAULINE BEAUTY What are the different tech hair tools you use and why? I use a Dyson Airwrap, and the Mermaid Double Waiver. I often worry about using heating tools on my hair to not damage it and these are the best in the market – great results and easy to use.

Which heat protectant spray do you use for your hair? I use Augustinus Bader hair oil, Gisou heat protecting spray, Kérastase Resistance Ciment Thermique Hair Serum and Blow Dry Primer.

ZOYA SAKR FOUNDER, THE FLOWER SOCIETY What are the different tech hair tools you use and why? I use a Dyson hair dryer and the one with different barrels based on the styling I want to execute. I style my hair at home and daily, so this one is the best. I also love using GHD flat iron to curl my hair, it’s super easy to use, it has round edges which makes the curls look natural and nice, and they last so long.

Which heat protectant spray do you use for your hair? I have forgotten to use it lately, but the best one I have is from Oribe.

TALITHA PRICE

curls from root giving the finished look of a blow dry. We also use the GHD wide iron for a classic glossy straight look, it is also a popular tool. Another tool we use on every client is Fox and Vamp Hair Extensions brush, even though it was created for hair extensions, we have found it can be used on all clients’ hair, it is the perfect detangling brush on wet or dry hair.

Which heat protectant spray do you use for your hair? I absolutely love Color Wow Dream Coat, it makes the hair feel smooth, glossy and protects the hair from heat and works as a dehumidifier. This product works on all hair types, and we encourage all clients to use this hero product.

ROSEMIN MADHAVJI

FOUNDER, RR&CO LUXURY MANAGEMENT What are the different tech hair tools you use and why? I’ve been a loyal Dyson customer for over 20 years. It’s a brand that I have used for all my home devices, so you can imagine how thrilled I was to start using their hair line. No heat damage, well designed, cordless – It’s perfect for me.

Which heat protectant spray do you use for your hair? My hair is thin, so I try to avoid too much product to be honest. But if I had to pick, I like Aveda, Harklinikken hair line and Kérastase.

FOUNDER, FOX & VAMP What are the different tech hair tools you use and why? Our go to tools in the salon are always GHD Curve, we love the diversity of it. You can create soft beach waves with straight ends and the big bouncy

Above: Dream Coat Supernatural Spray 200ml Dhs122 Color Wow; Right: Airwrap multi-styler Complete Long Nickel/Copper Dhs2,499 Dyson

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Dr Sladana Pavlovic, Specialist, Internal Medicine, Medcare Medical Center shares more about the intricacies of DNA Testing and how we can fix defects WORDS: SARAH JOSEPH

What do the first 30 minutes of your day look like, your morning routine? My morning routine typically begins with a peaceful moment of reflection or meditation to set the tone for the upcoming day. I prioritise hydration with a glass of water and a moderate resistance workout to awaken my body. After a nutritious breakfast, I opt to walk to the clinic to amp up my vitamin D and get my steps count.

Talk us through the process of DNA testing and how does it work?

Overall, there are several types of DNA or genetic testing. We differentiate between diagnostic DNA testing to identify a suspected mutation causing a specific disease and predictive DNA testing which can comprise prenatal or carrier testing. The process involves a systematic procedure, starting with the collection of biological samples such as blood, saliva or tissue. Extracting DNA entails breaking down cells using specialised chemicals and enzymes, ensuring purification for pristine samples. After nucleic acid isolation, one of the challenges to genomic sequencing methods is the identification of DNA fragments with the same sequence, due to initial preparation of many millions of different sequences with many different DNA pieces. To overcome this problem, the nucleic acid sample is prepared into a “library” – a collection of DNA fragments each with common sequences. During analysis by bioinformatics there is a comparison of the fragments with databases or genetic markers to detect variations or mutations and hence allow interpretation of results, uncover relationships, predispositions or origins. These findings are compiled into detailed reports, pivotal for forensics, diagnostics, ancestry, and personalised medicine. DNA testing’s advancements have revolutionised genetic understanding, providing critical insights into heritage and health across diverse fields.

Stress can increase your biological age – are there any tips to reverse it? Stress significantly accelerates biological ageing, impacting both

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DNA REVERSAL

physical and mental health. Yet, lifestyle adjustments offer a potent counterbalance. Mindfulness practises like meditation, yoga, and deep breathing show promise in reducing stress hormones and hence slowing ageing. Simultaneously, regular physical activity not only lowers stress levels but also nurtures cellular health, metabolism, and mental wellbeing through moodboosting endorphins. A balanced diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and essential nutrients becomes a vital defence against stress-induced free radicals, supporting cellular health and potentially reversing ageing effects. Additionally we can add antioxidants in the form of supplements to enhance our dietary intake.

Prioritising restful sleep aids cellular repair, countering stress-related wear and tear. Integrating stress management techniques and seeking professional guidance equips individuals with coping strategies, mitigating stress’s impact on biological age and overall wellbeing.

There are millions of DNA pieces in a single drop of blood – tell us more. In a mere droplet of blood, there exist millions of distinct DNA fragments. These microscopic segments encapsulate an individual’s genetic blueprint, offering an expansive reservoir of biological information. Each fragment carries a unique code, contributing to the comprehensive understanding of an individual’s genetic makeup and inherent characteristics. The abundance of these DNA pieces within a single drop of blood facilitates profound analysis, unravelling the complexities and nuances of one’s genetic composition and providing invaluable insights into their traits and predispositions.

Prime editing is the latest advance in the field of gene editing, which is developing at an incredible pace – can this edit DNA? Prime editing, a cutting-edge breakthrough in gene editing, represents a “search and replace” technology with a rapid evolution in the field.

This method enables highly-precise modifications in genome editing technology that can perform all 12 possible base-to-base conversions, insertions, and deletions by employing a customised Cas9 enzyme coupled with a reverse transcriptase. Its refined approach holds immense promise in rectifying genetic mutations, presenting novel opportunities for addressing a spectrum of genetic disorders and diseases with exceptional precision and efficacy. However, it is a fairly new method which definitely requires further scientific research and studies for optimisation.

Is it possible to fix damaged DNA? Tell us more. Repairing DNA damage is feasible through intricate cellular mechanisms like DNA repair pathways. Yet, certain factors affect the effectiveness of repair. The extent and type of damage, environmental exposures (radiation, toxins), and an individual’s age or genetic predisposition influence repair capabilities. Repair mechanisms might fail if overwhelmed by extensive damage or impaired due to ageing or genetic mutations. However, advancements in research and technology continually unveil new strategies to enhance repair processes.

Understanding these factors and exploring innovative interventions holds promise in improving DNA damage repair, potentially mitigating its effects on genetic stability, and preventing associated health issues.

Spending a day in the sun can cause 100,000 DNA defects in each exposed skin cell – what’s the best way

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to take precaution? Shielding skin from excessive UV light exposure is crucial. Employing broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF with two hourly reapplication is one of the easiest and most effective ways to prevent sun damage. Protective clothing and avoidance of high UV exposure during peak sun hours are additional measures generally recommended. Regular and sufficient hydration is also considered very effective to aid skin health. Seeing a dermatologist annually for a skin check-up is a major factor in preventing the malignant course of skin changes and early skin cancer detection. A combination of these precautions significantly reduces DNA damage risks caused by sun exposure, safeguarding skin cells from the harmful effects of UV radiation and decreasing the likelihood of long-term skin damage and mutations.

What are the innovations in DNA testing? How has this grown over the years? Innovations in DNA testing have surged, evolving from early techniques like PCR to advanced methods such as next-generation sequencing (NGS) and CRISPR-based technologies. NGS enables faster, cost-effective whole-genome sequencing, revolutionising research, and diagnostics. CRISPR offers precise gene editing, promising therapeutic breakthroughs. Miniaturization and automation streamline

processes, enhancing efficiency. Moreover, AI integration expedites data analysis. Over the years, DNA testing has transcended boundaries, expanding applications in medicine, forensics, agriculture, and personalised health, fostering a profound impact on diverse fields, and shaping the future of genetic exploration.

Are more people in the UAE testing their DNA? How has the curiosity grown over the years? The interest in DNA testing has seen a notable rise in the UAE over the years. Factors like increased awareness, advancements in technology, increased focus on health and a growing curiosity about ancestry have propelled this trend. The availability of direct-to-consumer DNA testing kits has made it more accessible to individuals, fostering curiosity about genetic heritage, predispositions to diseases, and personalised health insights.

This is The Tech Issue – how does technology help you improve your daily life? Technology enhances daily life through connectivity, efficiency, and convenience. Communication tools like smartphones and social media foster instant connections worldwide. The biggest advantage undeniably is the access to infinity learning platforms and access to vast information. Being a doctor, I would like to emphasise telemedicine which has offered us an opportunity to monitor patients in remote areas, adjust therapy plans and hence reduce hospitalisation rates. Overall, technology catalyses convenience, connectivity, and productivity, transforming routines and enabling a more connected, efficient, and versatile lifestyle for individuals across diverse spheres of daily life.

“Advancements in research and technology continually unveil new strategies to enhance repair processes.”

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The Beauty Shelf Elle Sawyer, Founder of Dubai-based Pilates studio POSTURE and new app POSTURE on Demand, shares her hero beauty buys C O M P I L E D BY: J O E L L E A L B E A I N O

Les Beiges Bronzing Cream Dhs215 Chanel

This doesn’t leave my side.

Especially living in the sun, it gives you this radiant glow even with the lightest of strokes. It’s buildable into a bronzer but light enough to wear without anything underneath. I cannot live without it.

Facial Scrub Dhs234 Dr. Barbara Sturm

does! It’s a must if you are a Byredo perfume girl.

Soleil Blanc Eau de Parfum Dhs1,083 Tom Ford

Hollywood Flawless Filter Dhs225 Charlotte Tilbury

My favourite perfume for the daytime, it has a fresh floral smell, suited for any occasion.

I’m not a big makeup foundation girl, but I love this product. It’s light, it gives a radiant glow and has a buildable coverage, so it can be either thick or thin as you desire.

Perfect Strokes Gel Eyeliner Dhs110 Rare Beauty

I buy brown to compliment my eyes and use this product every day to define my eyes, even on the no makeup days. Just a small flick at the end of the eyeline changes everything.

Liquid Liner Girlies – Don’t walk, RUN! Liquid eyeliner is my

Adding this to your ends after a hair wash is a game changer.

Bal d’Afrique Body Wash Dhs225 Byredo

I matched my perfume when purchasing this order, hoping the scent would seep into my skin and make my perfume last longer, and I can confirm it

I’m very old school with my mascara brand, I still swear by the benefits of ‘they’re real’ mascara. It’s been a staple in my makeup drawer ever since the

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Perfect Strokes Matte Liquid Liner Dhs120 Rare Beauty

Moroccanoil Treatment Original Dhs176 Moroccanoil

They’re Real! Lengthening & Volumizing Mascara Dhs140 Benefit Cosmetics

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product first launched, and I’ve not been able to find a mascara that does it like this wand does.

go-to. When perfected, it defines the eyes in the best way possible.

Selena Gomez’ chic new brand ‘Rare Beauty’ has really perfected the liquid eyeliner when so many brands do it wrong.

Bright Plus Dark SpotTargeting Moisturizing Emulsion Dhs248 Clarins

The full range tackles pigmentation. I’ve used this range for years and I love how light and moisturising it feels.

Olaplex 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 Bundle Haircare Set Dhs636 Olaplex

I cannot live without these, especially being blonde. I feel the difference instantly if I use another brand. There’s just something about the formula they use; it’s built to repair the hair from the core.

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I use it in the shower once a week on my face and it smells like a dream – thank me later.

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Elevate your content strategy mmgsocial.com

C O M P I L E D BY: S A R A H J O S E P H

AM TO PM BEAUTY

Daria Kantor, Founder & Director of TruBe, the on-demand personal training app shares her morning to evening beauty routine Talk us through your morning routine. My morning routine is all about self-care and energy. I wake up at 6:30am, enjoying a moment of calm before the day’s hustle. A revitalising cold shower kickstarts my energy, followed by a comforting cup of ginger tea. My morning skincare essentials, ‘Révive Renewal cream with an SPF 30’ and Skin Design Vitamin C serum, help me hydrate and give my skin a radiant boost. I always make time for a personalised morning workout at home, vital for my overall wellbeing. The workouts are tailored depending on my energy levels, with the guidance of TruBe’s outstanding experts.

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How does your evening routine differ? I finish my days late since we recently expanded TruBe in Los Angeles, so my evening routine is designed for relaxation. I enjoy a late-night bath with magnesium salts and calming oils like lavender. Scents play a significant role in helping me prepare for a serene night’s sleep; I make it a point to light a candle before tending to my skincare routine. For skincare, I keep it simple with La Mer body cream and the Sleeping Beauty face mask by Skin Design.

What are your go-to skincare products? My go-to skincare products are an integral part

of my healthy lifestyle. I prioritise my skin’s wellbeing with a daily face wash using Révive and Dr Hauschka products, which are my favourites. These morning and evening rituals help me maintain a fresh and radiant complexion. In addition to my cleansing routine, I include a gentle Nuxe Tonic Very Rosewater, another top-used skincare product, in my regimen. It adds that extra touch of rejuvenation and helps keep my skin looking its best. I’m also a fan of various serums catering to different skincare aspects. They allow me to target specific concerns and enhance my overall skincare routine.

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Clockwise from top left: Angels’ Share Eau de Parfum, 50ml Dhs940 Kilian Paris available at OUNASS; C Antioxidant Glow Serum, 30ml Dhs564 Skin Design London available at NET-A-PORTER; Very Rose 3-in-1 Hydrating Micellar Water Dhs77 NUXE; Cryo De-Puffing Energy Mask (Box of 5) Dhs475 111SKIN; Baume Lip Balm Dhs180 By Terry; Le Lion De Chanel Dhs905 Chanel Beauty

Are you a fan of masks? Masks have become a cherished part of my skincare routine, especially since I’m constantly moving due to my frequent travels. One mask I adore is the 111SKIN Cryo De-Puffing Mask, which works wonders for combating the effects of travel fatigue. However, my ultimate go-to is my trusty LED light mask, a true lifesaver during my journeys.

How would you describe your relationship with makeup? My relationship with makeup is refreshingly uncomplicated. Due to my busy lifestyle, which involves selecting trainers for TruBe, I prefer to keep my

makeup minimal throughout the day. Even in the evenings, simplicity remains key.

What can always be found in your makeup bag? You’ll always find a trusty lip balm in my makeup bag by Terry – the Baume de Rose.

Which is your favourite fragrance currently? I usually stick with my favourite perfume, Coromandel by Chanel, but recently, I’ve fallen in love with Kilian Parfum’s Angels’ Share. It’s added a fresh and exciting dimension to my fragrance collection. Lately, I’ve been particularly drawn to Le Lion by Chanel.

Talk us through your hair routine. My hair routine revolves around hydration and pro-

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tection, especially in London’s cold weather.

I’ve been favouring Tokio Inkarami lately, particularly their 3-step Japanese hair treatment system. It works wonders in keeping my hair hydrated and nourished.

What is the most unusual item in your makeup bag? The most unusual item in my makeup bag isn’t makeup – it’s a collection of essential oils. I’m a big fan of these oils and carry different varieties to suit my mood and needs. For instance, when braving London’s cold winter months or travelling extensively in air-conditioned environments, I always have Ravintsara oil.

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The Famous Roman Royalty and International Celebrity Countess Donatella Pecci-Blunt takes the Jumeriah Lake Towers area by her regal storm launching her Italian restaurant La Contessa.

Enter La Contessa, the crowning jewel in her opulent legacy. From fine fragrances to exclusive golfing clubs and silver-screen masterpieces, the Countess has woven a tapestry of luxury. Now, she invites you to indulge in the symphony of flavours that is La Contessa – an Italian restaurant like no other.

In the realm of Mediterranean cuisine, our menu is a masterpiece, a testament to the Countess’s refined taste and magnetic charm. Crafted with precision and sophistication, it beckons you into a world where each dish is a manifestation of culinary artistry.

La Contessa is more than a restaurant; it’s a manifestation of a versatile legacy, a symphony of flavours orchestrated by a Countess with a penchant for perfection. Join us on a journey where luxury meets gastronomic brilliance and let the echoes of our story linger on your palate, forever etched in the memories of fine dining connoisseurs. Welcome to La Contessa, where every bite tells a tale of regality and indulgence.

Lake Level, Fortune Tower Cluster C, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai. Tel: 04 529 9551 www.lacontessa.ae

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WORDS: CAMILLE MACAWILI

Vision and Voice

KINDA IBRAHIM

TIKTOK GENERAL MANAGER OF OPERATIONS - MIDDLE EAST, TURKEY, AFRICA, PAKISTAN AND SOUTH ASIA What do the first 30 minutes of your day look like, your morning routine? I start my day at 6am with a quick coffee, followed by a morning exercise routine that I like to switch up every once in a while. Afterward, I go back home for a nutritious breakfast while catching up on the news. This routine not only energises me but also sets a positive tone for a productive workday.

Tell us how you got your start in the industry.

From the outset, my passion for technology was evident. Supported with an undergraduate degree in computer science, I embarked on a career in programming and development. While pursuing my MBA, I seamlessly transitioned into the realm of business, maintaining a strong connection with technology. My journey led me through diverse roles in analytics, project management, business operations, and partnerships within prominent tech companies across North America and the Middle East – including influential names like IMS Health, Yahoo, Microsoft, Twitter, and most recently, TikTok. How does your role impact innovation and tech at TikTok? The region is a vibrant hub of creativity, and TikTok’s phenomenal success in the market mirrors the enthusiastic embrace of a platform that provides a unique and positively engaging space for creativity. Since assuming the role of General Manager, I’ve been inspired by the incredible diversity, innovation, and expansive reach of TikTok in the region. In my role, I spearhead the localisation and implementation of our cutting-edge features that resonate with the diverse user base in the Middle East, Turkey, Africa, Pakistan, and South Asia. By collaborating with partners and

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talents, understanding regional cultural nuances, and fostering partnerships with key stakeholders, I ensure that TikTok remains at the forefront of technological advancements in the region. I am thrilled to lead a dynamic team as we continue to enhance and evolve TikTok’s presence in the region.

How has the Middle East region changed in terms of interacting with TikTok – has there been a shift in the way content is consumed?

The Middle East region has witnessed a notable transformation in its interaction with TikTok, reflecting a shift in content consumption patterns. Short-form content has become increasingly popular, with a focus on engaging elements such as humour, personal anecdotes, and emotional resonance, offering a more immersive and entertaining experience for users. There has been a discernible surge in content consumption across diverse categories including Entertainment, Lifestyle, Education, Music, Sports, and Gaming. Users are actively engaging with content formats like recommendations and reviews, daily life snippets, tips and tricks, as well as the creation and sharing of memes and skits.

This evolving landscape underscores the platform’s versatility and its ability to cater to a wide range of interests, making TikTok a dynamic hub for diverse and engaging content experiences in the Middle East.

How do you aim to drive the platform forward in the region? TikTok’s remarkable success in the region motivates me to further cultivate and enhance this achievement. With more than 1 billion people around the world who now come to TikTok every month to be entertained, TikTok has become a go-to platform for entertainment.

Our commitment is to continually illustrate how TikTok is revolutionising the content landscape and democratising content creation by tapping into the strength of its diverse and authentic community.

Functioning as a dynamic cultural hub, the platform connects individuals from various backgrounds, experiences, and communities. TikTok not only facilitates creative expression but also propels global discovery, empowering creators on a worldwide scale. What distinguishes TikTok is its unique ability to provide entertainment while nurturing a gratifying sense of community. Through its inventive strategies, TikTok has reshaped the global and inclusive dimensions of entertainment consumption. A prime example is TikTok’s role as a central hub for originating viral cultural trends, spanning music, fashion, beauty, comedy sketches, recipes, and the discovery of emerging talents. TikTok holds the power to propel these trends into the mainstream, opening doors for opportunities in the entertainment industry for regional talents.

Community is at the core of TikTok. How does the company approach innovation to ensure the content is fresh and engaging?

The TikTok community is at the heart of everything we do, and we are keen to constantly provide them with opportunities to amplify their voices and enable them to be a positive force of change in society. We are a platform that nurtures creative, authentic and positive content communities which are diverse in age, culture and geography, and allows everyone to have a voice.

The beauty of TikTok is that there are trends and communities emerging constantly, such as #BookTok where users share reviews and recommendations of their favorite books, #WhereToVisit acting as personalised city tour guide from the TikTok community, #WhatToWatch an Entertainment Hub featuring recommendations, reviews and their reactions on the top movies and series from our community and leading streaming platforms, #TikTokCookbook for our at-home chefs.

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What drives the future of social media?

Emirates Woman taps TikTok and Meta to unlock social media’s evolution and innovation potential

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instant availability of information on our smartphones has reshaped communication dynamics, turning these devices into gateways to a vast digital world. Online platforms, in turn, have broken down traditional barriers, allowing individuals from diverse backgrounds to share their perspectives and contribute to a more inclusive and interconnected global conversation. This seamless integration of technology has not only accelerated information flow but has empowered individuals to actively shape the narrative, marking a significant shift in how we interact with and contribute to the world around us.

ANNA GERMANOS

“Our commitment is to continually illustrate how TikTok is revolutionising the content landscape and democratising content creation by tapping into the strength of its diverse and authentic community.”

We also have a robust localisation strategy to encourage users to create content relevant to their local cultures and trends. Our operations teams ensure TikTok provides the best community support for creativity and discovery for our local users in Arabic.

How do you view the future of TikTok and how do you see the use of social media evolve in the next 5 to 10 years? With the world constantly changing and the rapid evolution of technology, it’s hard to say how digital platforms and social media will evolve in the coming years.

However, it is certain that TikTok will persist in reshaping the landscape of entertainment by leveraging the strength of its diverse and authentic community. Through its innovative strategies, TikTok has revolutionised the global and inclusive nature of entertainment consumption, a trend that is poised to strengthen further. The platform’s influence extends to mainstream recognition, offering

significant opportunities for creators in the entertainment industry.

With social media use at an all-time high, what type of content stands out to you? For me, content that really stands out to me is authentic. The TikTok community has created a new global language around video and sound, not just text, by sharing authentic stories, thoughts and experiences with each other. The creativity and authenticity that lives on TikTok cannot be replicated or found anywhere else.

This is The Tech Issue – what technology has been a game changer in your life and how so?

The game changer in my life has undoubtedly been the integration of smartphones and connectivity, along with the subsequent rise of online platforms. This technological duo has transformed the way we access information, democratising content consumption and providing a voice to everyone. The

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META GROUP DIRECTOR FMCG, LUXURY, RETAIL & E-COMMERCE (MENA) What do the first 30 minutes of your day look like, your morning routine? My day begins with a glance at my phone, catching up on messages from friends and family sent overnight, and reading the latest headlines. The morning hustle then begins – waking the kids up and preparing them for school, a daily marathon of its own. I drop them at the bus and hit the gym at 7am at least three times a week.

The 7-8am hour is my only time for fitness.

Tell us how you got your start in the industry.

My journey in Consumer & Retail began with an internship at Booz & Company during my MBA year. I found myself captivated by industries closely connected to consumers, leading me to focus the rest of my consulting career on consumer and retail projects across the MEA region. In 2017, an opportunity presented itself in Google’s consumer team. Leveraging both my industry expertise and engineering background, I made the transition into the tech sector.

Since then, I’ve been advising global and regional clients in Consumer, Retail, Ecommerce, and Luxury on their digital marketing transformation journeys.

How does your role impact innovation and tech at Meta? In my role at Meta, I directly engage with consumers and advertisers, translating their needs into actionable insights which helps bridge the gap between user requirements and our product teams.

These insights also play a pivotal role in shaping Meta’s innovation roadmap, ensuring our products resonate with a diverse regional audience. I also oversee the adaptation of innovations to specific markets, leveraging local nuances for maximum impact. Naturally, any innovation undergoes rigorous testing before its global launch, and in our region, advertisers frequently participate in testing alphas and betas, which help shape the end-product development.

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What are the key goals to lead the change in terms of innovation in the tech industry? Ultimately, innovation has to be centered around people. Everything we do at Meta is about breaking down barriers and connecting people, empowering them to create. The concept of the metaverse, for example, underscores the ability to facilitate profound connections through social presence and natural interactions using voice, facial expressions and gestures. Innovation is also about making our technologies accessible to users of all backgrounds and abilities. Whether through advancements in virtual and augmented reality or improved accessibility features, our goal is to ensure that everyone can participate in the digital revolution.

How has the Middle East region changed in terms of interacting on Meta platforms – has there been a shift in the way content is consumed? There has been a noticeable shift in content consumption globally and our region is not an exception. It would come as no surprise that there has been a steady rise in the consumption of short-form video content, such as Reels, across all platforms. For instance, people spend more than half their time on Facebook and Instagram watching videos. As we have moved almost entirely to mobile first, when it comes to social media, brevity and shareability has become key. We are also seeing creators explore new frontiers through the use of AR and VR, experiment with new formats and tools, and find new ways to monetise their work.

Another big shift is the growth of e-commerce on social media. While people have been using our apps to buy and sell things for years, the integration of e-commerce tools such as shoppable posts and branded content tools on Instagram, Facebook Marketplace, live shopping, product stickers and integrated chatbots for customer support has made the experience more natural and seamless. E-commerce in MENA is projected to reach $50 billion by 2025, 1.7x from 2021 with KSA and UAE leading.

How do you aim to positively drive the platforms forward in the region? The Middle East is a hub of immense potential, both creatively and in the business realm, and we are enthusiastic about deepening our collaborations with regional partners to expedite the development of the local ecosystem.

We are deeply invested in amplifying the influence of the vibrant local creator community in the region – a community rich in talent and diversity. Initiatives like Creators of Tomorrow, Creator Lab, and locally flavoured campaigns are a launchpad that celebrate these talents and we aim to continue this momentum. We’re also constantly expanding on ways creators can monetise their content on our platforms.

As our creator community thrives, so do the opportunities for brands and advertisers on our platforms. The regional success stories are compelling; brands leveraging our platforms have witnessed a substantial boost in ad effectiveness and sales. For instance, with AI-driven ad solutions, Home Center, a prominent home furnishings retailer in the GCC, experienced a 40% lift in return on ad spend using our tools. Similarly, Level Shoes, a luxury multi-brand footwear retailer in the UAE and KSA, reported a remarkable 92% higher return on ad spend in KSA. In addition to growth, we are dedicated to making our platforms a safer space, especially for minors. We’ve recently announced a new bundle of protections to give teens more age-appropriate experience, and overall, we’ve developed over 30 different tools and resources to support teens and their parents.

UX/UI is at the core of Meta. How does the company approach digital innovation to ensure the content is fresh and engaging? We want to make the most of people’s time, and we believe personalisation is the way to go

“Innovation is also about making our technologies accessible to users of all backgrounds and abilities.” about it. We prioritise content that generates authentic interactions and that people seek out and return to on a regular basis. We use a wide variety of AI algorithms to ensure users get a good mix of staying connected to their close friends, while being engaged with new content relevant to their interests. We do that by analysing different factors including history of interaction, location and the user’s activity to try and predict what they will enjoy the most. Another aspect is giving creators better tools and helpful guides to empower them to engage with their communities and produce trendy, entertaining content. Features like Reel templates, Remix, Collabs and many more are all there to ensure we keep the bar high for quality content on our platforms. We also provide global guides via @creators on Instagram and creators.instagram.com to help creators get inspiration, learn how to best monetise their content, and stay ahead of the curve.

Meta is also experimenting with incorporat-

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ing generative AI Post creation elements. Do you believe AI will be the defining technology of our generation or is this a passing trend?

While it’s still early days for generative AI, the visible impact it is making leaves us anticipating positive changes across various domains, from business and healthcare to the delivery of public services. Far from being a passing trend, I firmly believe that AI is a transformative force here to stay.

For over a decade, Meta has been a trailblazer in AI innovation, utilizing it to curate personalised content and ads for our users while ensuring safer experiences on our platforms. We’ve actively collaborated on over 1,000 open-source AI projects, contributing to the broader AI community. The transformative potential of AI is evident in its application by researchers, accelerating antibiotic discovery and enabling the creation of detailed MRIs with significantly less raw data. Now, Meta is extending its AI endeavors with the development of new generative AI experiences. These innovations aim to make our platforms more social, more useful, and more immersive, further solidifying AI as a driving force in shaping the technological landscape of our generation.

With social media use at an all-time high, what type of content stands out to you? The content that truly resonates with me is usually unique and genuine. I gravitate towards creators and influencers who can either inspire or entertain me with their authentic passion. I prefer to engage with content that is specialised in a specific genre, rather than spans multiple areas. More broadly, content such as sports, fashion and beauty typically dominate in terms of popularity, followed by music and comedy. However, in our region, cultural events often bring other genres to the forefront, such as food and entertainment shows during Ramadan. I am also very intrigued by the emerging new technology and AI generated content that truly boosts engagement, similar to what Tom Jauncey (@tomjauncey) and Murad Osmann (@muradosmann) are creating on Instagram. Ultimately, content that is crafted with sincerity and passion is the most impactful.

This is The Tech Issue – what technology has been a game changer in your life and how so?

To me, WhatsApp is a revolutionary tool. Its user-friendly interface allows even the least tech-savvy individuals to connect effortlessly; case in point: my 93-year-old grandma is on WhatsApp! It really simplified my personal life management as a working mother.

Professionally too, WhatsApp’s prevalence has expedited tasks, making communication more efficient than other channels. The benefits I’ve reaped in terms of connectivity, time-efficiency, and effectiveness through WhatsApp are immense.

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Peak Performance Jade Palmer is running 7 Ultra Marathons, in 7 Days, across 7 Emirates. Powered by tech and willpower, we discuss with Palmer what it takes to deliver peak performance and how she track her progress

WORDS: AMY SESSIONS

Where did the idea originate for this fitness challenge and how did you prepare? Triple7 originated off the back of a 105km race two friends did in Italy at the start of 2023. The idea was to do something bigger, with a greater purpose. Therefore, myself and six others will be running 7 Ultra Marathons (50km), 7 days in a row, in each of the 7 Emirates in support of UNHCR to raise funds in response to the ongoing conflict in Sudan that erupted in April 2023. The goal is running for those who have been forced to run.

We are in our final training weeks of preparation and the journey has been nothing short of interesting but thankfully we have some amazing coaches and recovery partners who are making sure we stay healthy and ready come the week of February 12th.

How important is nutrition in the run-up and duration of this challenge as well as physical training? Nutrition is super important. Period. When training for a run of this magnitude, it’s crucial to find a system in which you can fuel successfully pre/during/post race/ run. Could you find out if gels work for you? or if you’re like me, real food? Overall, we are burning a lot of calories so an adequate intake of carbs and protein is important when preparing for your run. I’m a creature of habit so I will stick to what I know works best for me. Take the time to get your body assessed to check if you’re low in anything. I go to GluCare in Jumeirah to have this checked.

How do you train your mind to go through the

head after classes at uni, then it progressed to where I am today – running ultra marathons.

You use an Ultra Apple Watch to track data – why is this your tech of choice? The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is my go-to when tracking my runs and overall fitness goals. For anyone running ultras or longer distances, you want to know as much as you can in the simplest format during your sessions or races, for me the Ultra 2 provides that from its display format, and in-session haptic reminders and trackers. The device excels with its precise sensors, reliable GPS, and overall features for runners. It measures tonnes of advanced running metrics like cadence, ground contact time, running power, and heart rate zones which have been instrumental in my training.

What specific data markers do you track? For me, tracking distance is one, but pacing this is so important. With the new updates to iOS, I can now get my running programme loaded on my watch. The best part...the pace guide. The Ultra now gives you haptic reminders of what your pace window should mental walls you will have to? It comes down be and if you’re in range, ahead, or behind. to a strong training programme. My running programme has been designed in a way How important is accurate data reading durwhere my body is going to feel a snapshot of ing an endurance challenge like this? I love the fatigue I will endure both physically and data feedback. The more data that is tracked, mentally over the 7 days. From running multhe better. This helps me understand where I’m at, whilst knowing where I still need to tiple short and sharp runs to clocking 72 kiget to. It also gives my coach a clear view of lometres over 48hrs. Getting a lot of mileage how well I’ve recovered post-sessions. under my belt to see how my body pulls up has been a game-changer and a process I’ve This is The Tech Issue – which other pieces enjoyed for the most part. It highlighted what of tech have been a game changer in your life is working well, it also highlighted the areas and why? I’m loving my Powerbeats Pro wireI need to work on. It also made me aware of less headphones. Perfect for long solo runs. how important training buddies are.

What boundaries do you implement around When did you start your fitness journey? My the use of technology in your life? As much as health and wellness journey started many I love getting data feedback, it’s so impormoons ago, but the point where I started tant to listen to the body’s internal signals. taking fitness on a more serious note, outSometimes we don’t need an app to remind us we’re tired, or we need to run faster. Howside of school sports, would’ve been when I ever, if you’re starting out or simply want to finished high school and joined the Nike Run log your fitness journey throughout the week, Club. They held 3 runs per week (free) and also had the Nike Women’s Training Club fitness trackers can be an amazing help. which I attended about 2-3 times a week.

Connect your Apple watch to your friends This started purely as a means to clear my and support each other along the way.

“It measures tons of advanced running metrics like cadence, ground contact time, running power, and heart rate zones which have been instrumental in my training.”

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WORDS: CAMILLE MACAWILI

largest art gallery in the UAE. Furthermore, during the pandemic I created my own, environmentally-friendly fashion brand called Talaiaa, with my sister Elodie, with the goal of creating unique pieces inspired by art, architecture and culture.

In 2020, after meeting Danilo S. Carlucci, Founder of Morningstar Ventures, we embarked on the adventure of building 37xDubai – a new concept focusing on bridging art and technology. Today, I use my passion for the art and tech world, team leadership knowledge, and business acumen to manage a space that became more than just a gallery.

Was the goal always to start something different in the art and tech space? Yes, without a doubt. Our aim was always focused on showcasing a carefully curated collection of art mixed with digital experiences.

37xDubai is more than just a gallery, this is why we focus on our web3 membership model, and host events for a wide range of creative events. Especially with Morningstar Ventures’ background we wanted to create the first interactive and immersive art gallery. Furthermore, via educational programmes, activations, private events, and monthly gatherings, 37xDubai aims to create a global community of digital art and tech enthusiasts. Featured artists will be able to leverage Morningstar Ventures’ and 37x’s network to expand their reach by engaging with other web3 enthusiasts.

When did you first conceptualise 37x, and what inspired you to enter the art and tech industry and start 37x? About two years ago, I had dinner with Danilo in DIFC where he shared the idea of a physical space that would bridge the worlds of art and technology. At that time, I was doing research about fractionalisation of artworks, digital art, the NFT technology and the enormous potential of blockchain.

With a background in the traditional art world, I was very inspired by his idea of creating a new concept that would make an artistic place more interactive and exciting to the public.

With this business model, how was this vision received? So far, it has been received positively. We had a successful grand opening with over 300 guests flying in from all over the world as well as experts from different industries. Since the opening in October, we have also been approached by many fashion and luxury brands to host private events in the space. We’ve already hosted a couple of private events, and I must say it’s great to see that industries within and outside of web3 can identify with the gallery’s mission and find something relevant to their brand. We also continue to receive membership applications, which indicates that people are interested in what we are doing and want to join our community.

The facilities are simple yet tech-forward. How challenging was it to define what was needed for a superlative fit-out and to execute it? It was, without a doubt, a challenge. With a space like 37x, we rely heavily on technology. For example, when the WiFi is out, your whole gallery doesn’t work, when the power is out, the digital art pieces displayed on the monitors don’t turn. So, when building the space, we focused on quality products that would not only look good but work seamlessly.

The Art of Bridging the Gap

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roviding a tech-driven creative space, 37x is a new art concept contributing to redefining the burgeoning digital art scene in UAE. Bridging the gap between digital and contemporary art, the gallery showcases animated and interactive works with innovative technology of sought after names in the field that are influencing a new era of artistic expression.

What do the first 30 minutes of your day look like, your morning routine? I start my day by checking my emails and which meetings I have for the day. Then, I do an hour of sport or yoga to start the day with good energy and a strong mindset. Once I reach 37x, I check that the technology in the gallery is up and running. I then meet with my team and go over what needs to be done. We are lucky to have the skills and expertise of the 25 team members of Morningstar Ventures supporting us, however since a large part of the team is located in different countries and time zones, we have to make sure that communication is seamless. Throughout the day, my colleague Sebastien gives tours of the space to visitors, potential collaborators or artists. I also think that personal development is essential and by the end of the day it is important for me to wind down and focus on my personal hobbies.

Talk us through your career journey. Coming from a family of art collectors and gallerists, I grew up with the beauty of the art world. After working in several art institutions and graduating from the US, I continued my journey in Dubai. In the past years, I had the chance to grow my network and gather years of experience while working for an auction house and the

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With a passion for the arts, Clemence Cazeau, Director of Arts and Events at 37x, shares her earliest foray into the field and the ways the gallery is aiming to bridge the gap between art and technology

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How is 37x changing the game in terms of art and technology and what have you learned about this world? As a new web3 concept that focuses on merging art and technology, we wanted to ensure that 37x is a place for like-minded people to come together. I think the fact that our members come from so many different industries, such as crypto, web3, art, finance, luxury, and fashion – we have already done a good job of bringing people from both art and technology together. In the future, we also want to focus more on education, specifically around web3 and art. Both industries, though inherently different, can seem a bit daunting to tackle. Often one doesn’t know or struggles to identify where to start when it comes to understanding either web3 or art, we hope to utilise our network to make it a more approachable space.

37x adds to Dubai’s growing blockchain and web3 community.

Was this the vision from the outset? Yes, it was. 37x is backed by Morningstar Ventures, a proprietary investment fund focusing on web3 projects. Because of the expertise of our Founder Danilo, coupled with my expertise in art and the NFT space, we wanted to showcase what capabilities blockchain and web3 have in the wider art world. In the gallery, we have several NFTs that are naturally stored on the Ethereum blockchain and can be purchased with ETH. Furthermore, via various events and

brand collaborations with companies from different sectors, we are offering a place where the web3 community can grow.

How long did it take to get the business from conception to delivery, and what were your biggest challenges and milestones along the way? From start to finish, I would say almost two years. It’s never easy building a business, that is for sure, but building a physical space and having to think of everything from construction to lighting, to staff, and licenses takes time. So even though the concept was there for a while, the physical execution and opening of the doors to the public took its time and didn’t come without challenges. The main challenge was to develop the initial idea, from its business plan to the architectural drawings, and to communicate with teams speaking different languages.

Do you believe AI will be the defining technology of our generation? AI is a very powerful tool and I think that it has a lot of potential to create great things. For example, in the art world, generative art has become all the rage, especially with recent exhibitions in museums such as the MoMA in New York.

But like with every new innovation, AI will need to be regulated in order for it to become a tool for the better. If I would have to voice one concern, it’s how we will regulate ownership of the original creator. AI agents have scanned millions and millions of images, texts, and data points, which we are currently free to use. Though this has its benefits, it takes the credit away from the original creators, I think coupled with the power of the blockchain, AI agents can be more regulated in terms of transparency and tracking of where original data is from so that they can be properly credited to the original creator – this will also be instrumental in the art world.

This is The Tech Issue – what technology has been a gamechanger in your life and how so? Of course, blockchain technology and everything in and around the crypto ecosystem has been a game-changer in my life. It led me to where I am today and was a driving force when creating 37xDubai. Furthermore, given my background in art, I was also keen to understand how blockchain technology impacted the art world. With the blockchain, I’m glad to see that artists have the possibility to track their work and thus be paid the royalties they deserve. Furthermore, I enjoy and admire every form of art. I’m excited to see how art, technology, and web3 continue to find synergies in the future, as there have already been some great advancements.

“I’m glad to see that artists have the possibility to track their work and thus be paid the royalties they deserve.”

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In the office with Clemence Cazeau, Director of Art and Events at 37x WO R D S & C R E AT I V E D I R E CT I O N : C A M I L L E M AC AW I L I P H OTO G R A P H Y: M A R K M AT H E W

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How long have you been in this space? The gallery officially opened its doors to the public on November 1st, 2023. However, I’ve been in the art world pretty much since I was born. My parents were both in art, and I knew this was what I wanted to do. I’ve been combining my love for art with tech since about 2018. This is when I first started digging deeper into NFTs and the power of blockchain technology. In 2021, we started looking for venues, architects and contractors to build what is now 37xDubai.

Have you custom-built any bespoke pieces? We have not built any bespoke pieces for 37x. But we have curated many interesting artists for our cur-

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rent “Radiance” exhibition. Some of the works are from The SHIMURABros, a sister-brother duo from Japan, Justin Weiler, a French artist, and Juno Shen from China, who have all created unique artworks that beautifully reflect the power of light – as well as the combination of art and technology.

How do you think the interior reflects you? The design of 37xDubai embodies art, innovation, and creativity. As an initiative by Morningstar Ventures, it has a strong DNA derived from the world of technology.

Describe your taste in three words. Beauty, creative, environment-inspired. @37xdubai

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Level Up

Widely considered a global leader in wellness, Lanserhof delivers optimal healing, leveraging cutting-edge technology as well as a holistic approach so you can level up in the health game.

Head of Project Management of Lanserhof Group and Director of Lanserhof at The Arts Club Eva Maria Hasenauer discusses delivering a level above the rest WORDS: AMY SESSIONS

You have three Resort locations and one Clinic – can you expand on how they differ and what their offerings focus on? The three locations all have a very different look and feel, providing comprehensive support in various capacities with slight differences in treatments depending on the expertise on site.

Lanserhof Sylt is our latest offering and has a slight tendency for respiratory and cardiac focused patients, due to the distinct climate of this beautiful island. Located on one of the island’s highest elevations, it sits beautifully between the sand dunes and the sea.

Lanserhof Lans is our original resort where it all started. It has a unique setting in the mountains, overlooking the town of Innsbruck. Slightly smaller than the other resort sites, it provides a warm and homely environment, where you will find extra attention on energy healing treatments.

Lanserhof Tegernsee is the flagship and situated in the scenic Bavarian Mountains, a convenient 45 minutes south of Munich.

This is the first location where we offer the Brain Health Concept. It also offers a permaculture experience for its guests with the added benefit of a golf course.

We also have Lanserhof at The Arts Club, an oasis of tranquillity in the heart of Mayfair. A private wellness clinic, it combines the standards and expertise of two of the world’s

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most renowned institutions, to offer innovative and personalised wellbeing solutions to members and non-members alike.

What is the DNA of the brand based on? The core essence of the brand is a tailored therapy approach to each individual combining school and natural medicine. The innovative Lanserhof Concept combines holistic medicine with regeneration and prevention.

What are the most common reasons for clients visiting you and how long would you suggest in terms of duration for a stay? The reasons our guests visit are varied. There are those seeking a very intense regeneration, detox with a desire to look and feel better. We then also have an array of patients with health issues (from the very complex to more common concerns) who want to take on a proactive approach to their wellbeing, whether it be for prevention, resolution or recovery. At the resorts we would expect our guests to stay a minimum of 7 days in order to see effective and beneficial results.

If a client only has a day – what can be done to optimize health? We have various services at our London Clinic, Lanserhof at The Arts Club, where in order to optimize health, each patient receives individualised attention, with care plans tailored to their unique health requirements, lifestyle factors, and personal goals. Our aim is to always start

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with a thorough diagnostic, as it is important to have a good overview of someones health status and also to understand potential risk factors popping up.

What are the most popular treatments, and do you see this differ depending on where clients are from? This is difficult to answer, as each patient’s need is completely unique and highly individual. There is not one treatment that does the trick or is the most sought after. It is always the combination of the right treatments together (ideally a series over a few days) and not all treatments have the same results for a patient. Therefore the doctors stay in control of a guest’s health journey and regularly check in.

We know it is not something people like to hear, especially when there are trending offerings out there that they may wish to use, but in health there is no one size fits all.

What three things should we be doing to improve our health and wellness at home once we leave? Follow the doctor’s recommenda-

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tions for your particular condition. Ensure 80% of good habits rather than bad habits are maintained, healthy balance is always key and maintaining a healthy lifestyle where consistency is paramount and regular checkups with a doctor.

What tech have you implemented at Lanserhof to deliver precise, accurate data to base protocols on? Protocols are constantly reviewed with changing technology, and we work closely with a range of specialists and university clinics to ensure all new developments are adhered to. With over 40 years’ experience, the Lanserhof concept stands for innovative medicine as well as prevention and health regeneration, it is the result of years of research and development, a symbiosis of traditional naturopathy and the latest medical findings.

How often would you suggest clients need to revisit? For the resorts, we would recommend our patients to ideally visit once per year. This is most beneficial and works best

for preventative measures. However, some prefer to check in more regularly (two or three times a year), whilst others less frequently (once every two to three years) Can you tell us more about the collaboration with The Arts Club? The Arts Club and the Lanserhof founders are family friends. Lanserhof has never done a “club model” before and with the partnership of The Arts Club has been able to bring the Lanserhof way, its doctors and treatments to an urban environment in order to help people stay on track.

The practise of medicine and treating the individual is an art form that requires particular skill sets, hence the affiliation.

How do you scale without compromising on quality? All doctors, experts and specialists undergo a thorough training process.

There are regular therapy meetings to ensure all teams are effectively communicating. Our multi-disciplinary approach is one of the key drivers for the patient’s success.

This is The Tech Issue – what boundaries

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should we have around using technology at home so we can optimize our wellness?

Technology can make your life easier and tracking your health more efficient and effective. It goes without saying that we incorporate cutting-edge technology to successfully treat our patients.

However, do not solely rely on a device to understand your body’s reactions. It is important to remain connected to your emotions and thoughts, be aware of them and how you feel. You should not just purely trust a gadget to understand for example how well you slept the night before.

Which apps and tech can we implement at home that are game changers? There is a vast array of offerings out there and we would not want to endorse just one, as it is very much case by case dependent. We would definitely encourage apps to increase movement (Daily steps, Yoga, Pilates), monitor blood pressure, sleep, weight, metabolism and even to support with taking medication.

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TECH SUPPORT WORDS:

CAMILLE MACAWILI

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Revolutionise your life with the apps designed to deliver a more mindful and productive approach to your days

Arcush

For time-blocking and smarter planning A daily planner and calendar app that helps build a balanced and smarter schedule for a productive day. The efficiency lies in its minimalistic visuals and interface so you can colour code and structure your day with time blocking to get the right things done.

One Sec

For eliminating digital distractions Social media is designed to give you instant dopamine boosts in small increments – hence it’s so addictive. Gain back precious time that could be spent more effectively with the help of One Sec, a focus app developed with the help of psychologists and user experience experts. This game-changing app gives you the chance to pause and think twice before you get sucked into an hour of doom scrolling by making you wait longer for the social media app to open. It has “Focus Sessions” which does not allow you to open any of the configured apps – and there’s nothing you can do about it but focus and get things done.

Blacklane

For productive travelling

IMAGES: COURREGES; ARAM SABAH/UNSPLASH

Blacklane, the leading chauffeur-hailing service offering a premium experience, is an essential for convenient transport within and outside of Dubai. You can seamlessly schedule your pickups in advance via the app and your chauffeur will turn up.

Open

For on-the-go mindfulness Stress less, do more. Make a practise of resetting and aligning – especially during a busy day – with mindfulness practises that can help de-stress the mind to avoid digital burnout and improve focus on the day’s tasks and goals. Open, with its aesthetically pleasing user interface, is a subscriptionbased app equipped with breathwork and meditation courses and guides in three modalities: Breathe, Move, Meditate.

Flora

For building life-changing habits Focus on building discipline through creating positive and life-enhancing habits that can increase your productivity daily whether it’s listening to a podcast, doing an online course, or moving mindfully. Flora is a todo list app with a built-in gamified habit tracker designed to reward as you complete your daily habits.

Notion

For completing work tasks and collaborative task management A productivity and note-taking app developed by Notion Labs Inc. that blends your everyday work apps into one providing an

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all-in-one connected workspace for you and your team, so you stop switching between apps and tabs to get work done effectively.

Some of the useful organisational tools include project tracking, task management, and even integrating your favourite thirdparty work tools like Asana, Figma, Google Drive, Slack and more.

Flow Lab

For positive-thinking habits Train your mind to be active and get more things done with Flow Lab, an app with mental training techniques and guided meditations by personal coaches to develop a growth mindset that fuels productivity and motivation.

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OPTIMIZE

Inspiring women share how they leverage technology to ensure they use their time productively BRYONY DEERY FOUNDER OF PILATES BY BRYONY What three tech devices/apps have been a game changer in your life in terms of productivity? Firstly, the Notes App on my iPhone. I am always sharing different ideas/notes with the team. Secondly, Morning mindfulness practise has been a game changer in terms of productivity and clarity for me. I am so lucky that I have the sound bath and breath work on the (Pilates By Bryony) app and finally, it’s really simple, but my google calendar really helps me stay organised. I am really into stacking my time, I even schedule workouts in my calendar and schedule my work calls in the afternoon.

What boundaries do you put around technology personally so you can disconnect?

I put my phone away from arms reach, so I have to get up and get it in the morning. Additionally, in the evening I make sure I have half an hour without screen time before winding down. This has really helped me to feel more relaxed and I found myself falling asleep quicker.

JESS HUNT FOUNDER OF REFY What three tech devices/apps have been a game changer in your life in terms of productivity? Can I say my Google calendar? I know that isn’t groundbreaking but it’s the best way to keep up-to-date with the rest of the REFY team and gives me visibility on everything that is going on and keeps us all accountable. Pinterest is one of my favourite apps as I am very visual so I use it for everything from mood boarding for a shoot to inspiration for my home. It’s such a creative and inspiring platform, it really helps me with planning and productivity and finally, my AirPods are also a must-have, especially

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with the noise cancelling feature as I am often on the move so I can pop them in, get a playlist on and really focus on my work no matter where I am.

What boundaries do you put around technology personally so you can disconnect?

Social media is a huge part of my day-to-day as my job is primarily online and interacting with social, so I make it a non-negotiable to go through my morning routine each day and making sure access to my phone is limited. Not going on my phone first thing in the morning has been such a game changer for me. I always get a workout in, usually pilates, enjoy a coffee and journal to set myself up for the day ahead. Also blocking out time in my calendar where I put my tech on do-not-disturb, so I can either focus on a task or switch off for a few hours is really helpful.

approach to sleep and fitness. It’s a compact tech wonder, analysing my sleep patterns and guiding my daily activity levels. By tracking my heart rate variability and body temperature, it helps me balance work, workouts, and rest, keeping me energised and focused.

What boundaries do you put around technology personally so you can disconnect?

To maintain a healthy balance with technology, I’ve set some straightforward boundaries. At the dinner table, phone use is a no-go, ensuring quality family time. When with my kids, my phone is out of sight, giving them my full attention. I’ve also turned off notifications from time-consuming apps and avoid checking my phone first thing in the morning. These simple steps have significantly helped me reduce screen time and stay present in the moment.

ZEINA ABDALLA

DR SALIHA AFRIDI

CEO AT GLUCARE HEALTH What three tech devices/apps have been a game changer in your life in terms of productivity? Balancing a full-time career and parenting three energetic kids, I’ve found three invaluable tools that help me stay on top of things: the GluCare app, the Oura ring, and the Audible app. The GluCare.Health app has been a game changer for my health regimen as it keeps track of a wide range of health metrics, including blood glucose levels, heart rate, blood pressure, weight, and sleep, offering a comprehensive overview of my health. Additionally, it connects with my CGM and syncs with my Oura Ring, further enriching this holistic health profile. I have access to a wealth of educational content within the app, which empowers me with knowledge about health and wellness, further aiding in my journey towards smarter living. All these functionalities come together, making it an indispensable tool. The Oura Ring has transformed my

FOUNDER OF LIGHTHOUSE ARABIA What three tech devices/apps have been a game changer in your life in terms of productivity? Brain.fm uses a science-first approach, employing neural phase-locking through AI-generated sounds. The idea is that these sound waves can positively influence brain activity, helping users achieve the desired mental state more effectively. I use this mainly for focus and meditation, but you can also use this for sleep or relaxation. Secondly, ChatGPT greatly reduces the time spent on outlining, organising and researching certain topics as a starting point although I am a creative and love the creative process. Finally, Google calendar is the one app I depend on as my whole life and every bit of my life is organised into my Google calendar. Even my ‘downtime’ or ‘do nothing’ is scheduled into my calendar which allows me to plan, organise and allocate my time most efficiently.

What boundaries do you put around tech-

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nology personally so you can disconnect? I plan my days in a very detailed way, so I don’t have to put too many boundaries around the technology to disconnect. The cost is too high to stay connected or to get distracted. I plan my day down to the detail, avoid social media in liminal spaces and do not use it during the workday. I never keep my notifications on ever, I strictly avoid technology for anyone during family lunches and dinners, I avoid walking and driving while texting as those moments in between are so important for the brain to rest and not get overloaded.

In between meetings, I also have a few minutes of doing nothing, no tech, no talk – only looking out the window, or doing a body scan or shaking or tapping the body for a couple minutes to reset for the next meeting.

ADA OOI CELEBRITY FACIALIST, RED CARPET SKIN EXPERT AND FOUNDER OF 001 SKINCARE What three tech devices/apps have been a game changer in your life in terms of productivity? Uptime is an app that turns books into bitesize insights. They kindly gifted me a subscription and I’ve genuinely used it so much. Being a Modern Chinese Medicine Practitioner and Red Carpet Aesthetician, I love reading about how health practitioners coming from different backgrounds might have different perspectives and explanations on health related issues and challenges. The app helps me read more in a much shorter amount of time. Another app is Monday, where I have team members from all around the world for both my product and clinic businesses. Monday helps us collaborate together, manage and track progress throughout all of our projects, whether big or small.

Finally, to keep your health in check, Nutracheck, the app Health is important. It has a large built-in barcode scanning database that makes it very easy to keep a food diary with all the nutrients and calories listed out.

It took me a little while to be disciplined in recording the meals in the beginning but you get used to it very quickly.

What boundaries do you put around technology personally so you can disconnect?

Like everyone, I can’t live my life without my phone now. All my businesses, my professional and personal life are entangled in this little palm-sized device while I spend a lot of time using technology to monitor all the ins and outs on news, trends and innovations, while also managing my team and communications. First boundary I place is to make sure I rely on devices/apps only when necessary. I am very mindful of what app I download and limit myself to only two home

screens on my phone. I set my instagram on quiet mode between 9pm-9am and I try to stay away from my phone during this period of time too. On most Saturdays, I have a ritual, I check my phone and reply to emails, then I put my phone in my wardrobe and go out.

It feels very liberating to not have my phone around so I can concentrate on socialising, enjoying food or immerse myself into the real environment that I’m paying a visit to.

MARRIAM MOSSALLI FOUNDER OF NICHE ARABIA AND CO-FOUNDER OF POWDER BEAUTY What three tech devices/apps have been a game changer in your life in terms of productivity? Firstly, it’s the iPad for my children, then TikTok as a search engine has become like my Google search engine where I get the answers to all my questions. Finally, WhatsApp, although my team dislikes it for everything, it helps ease communication, despite leaving me with more than 1,500 unread messages at any given time.

What boundaries do you put around technology personally so you can disconnect? I don’t put boundaries per se – I feel like people these days like to make these statements a la Selena Gomez style. When I’m present.

I’m present. When I’m home, I’m with my kids and I’m not connected; I focus on connecting to my family.

NITYA SAHNI FOUNDER OF ERBA What three tech devices/apps have been a game changer in your life in terms of productivity? For me, it’s all about circulation, as I feel it really affects my skin & puffiness on my face. Our lymphatic system is so sensitive, and small things from the food we eat or the environment we’re in can cause congestion without us even realising. That being said, tech devices have really helped me are: The NuFace Trinity+: I massage my face with it every night and it really helps with circulation and makes my skin feel firm and lifted.

I’m addicted to the breathwork app “Open.”

I start my day with its meditation, I depend on it when I’m stressed or need a quick recharge and also use it to wind down before bed. Breathwork has so many benefits both physically and mentally.

What boundaries do you put around technology personally so you can disconnect?

Whenever I meditate in the morning, I sit in front of my red light panel to increase energy production for the body’s mitochondria (the part of our cells that produces energy), so

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automatically in the evening, my body will start naturally producing melatonin, allowing me to fall asleep better. As great as I feel after doing this, I only do red light therapy earlier in the day to encourage a healthier circadian rhythm. When I go for my evening walks, I make sure to not use my phone or listen to music and just be in the present.

It’s very easy to distract ourselves nowadays, where one of the most valuable things we can do for our wellbeing is to be mindful and value the moment. Overall, technology can be very disruptive in our daily lives if we don’t create boundaries with it.

AYAT TOUFEEQ CO-FOUNDER AND CEO OF POWDER BEAUTY What three tech devices/apps have been a game changer in your life in terms of productivity? I live on Notion! It’s so intuitive and user-friendly and has helped me and my team stay organised. I also love to take my time when I drink my coffee, and good coffee is an absolute essential for me. I can’t live without my Ember mug along with the app which helps me keep my coffee at the perfect temperature for as long as I’m sipping on it.

Additionally, when I travel, I use the Rise Sleep to help me reduce jetlag and adjust to a different time zone as quickly as possible.

What boundaries do you put around technology personally so you can disconnect?

I switch off or limit the app notifications on my Apple Watch when I need to disconnect because they can be really disruptive when I’m not working.

NAMRATA KAMDAR FOUNDER OF SKINCARE BRAND, PLENAIRE. What three tech devices/apps have been a game changer in your life in terms of productivity? Notion, pocket yoga, and my favourite, Calm. I love my Amazon Kindle and my Beats by Skims earbuds for running.

What boundaries do you put around technology personally so you can disconnect? A few strategies that I use, begin with how I have disabled most notifications and I use focus mode quite a bit. I often disable my internet and take breaks to check emails or answer calls when I am in the midst of working on outputs, a deck or a piece of strategy or writing. I try and go running at lunchtime or afternoon to avoid the 3pm “slump” and the other surprising thing I have used is a power nap with guided meditation at lunchtime – zoning out for 30 minutes when working from home, can be extremely effective for me.

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WORDS & STYLING: AMY SESSIONS

THE STAY

Le Bristol was the first hotel in France to receive the title of Palace and for good reason.

Elegant while still feeling cosy, this is a hotel that really feels like home complete with resident cat – you’ll want to return to again and again. Set directly on rue du Faubourg SaintHonoré, the location couldn’t be better for a pre-breakfast brisk morning walk. Rooms are spacious and the turn down service will leave you feeling ready for the perfect rest.

THE DINING

Awarded a Michelin star, 114 Faubourg has established a loyal clientele who make it their Parisian dining room. Showcasing the extraordinary cuisine of world-renowned chef Eric Frechon, this smart but relaxed two-floor space is energised by an open-plan kitchen. If you’re ahead of the curve, you’ll book for Valentine’s s day – thank us later.

THE WELLNESS

In an ode to healthy and radiant skin, Spa Le Bristol by La has brought globally renowned technology to Paris’ most exclusive spa in the form of HydraFacial treatments.

Guests can now experience the patented system that has changed the face of skincare forever thanks to its deeply nourishing and visibly replenishing effects from the very first treatment. Combined with any facial by La Prairie or Tata Harper, the ritual becomes a holistic and uniquely pampering experience that works on the skin’s surface in three non-invasive steps to cleanse and exfoliate, remove impurities and hydrate with intense moisturizers and powerful antioxidants.

Observable immediately, the treatment’s effects work deep into the skin’s layers, brightening the complexion and boosting elasticity for a healthy and youthful glow. @lebristolparis

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IMAGES: SUPPLIED

Le Bristol by La Prairie fuses technology with tradition, delivering new, personalised spa treatments to leave you looking revived and refined

WHAT TO PACK Bina ribbed Lyocell-blend top Dhs810 Citizens of Humanity Double-breasted wool and cashmereblend blazer Dhs13,450 Saint Laurent

Stiletto patent-leather knee boots Dhs2,665 Paris Texas

Stretch-leather leggings Dhs3,977 Joseph

Knot intrecciato leather clutch Dhs14,900 Bottega Veneta

TRADITION LIFESTYLE

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THE WANDERLUST WORDS: CAMILLE MACAWILI

From eco-conscious concepts to advanced wellness destinations and futuristic hotel architecture, these destinations are one step ahead of the innovation game

LOW-TECH LUXE

HOTEL TERRESTRE – OAXACA, MEXICO

The latest addition to Grupo Habita’s family of lifestyle hotels, Hotel Terrestre champions slow living aimed for guests to disconnect from technology.

This blissful escape in Oaxaca puts the spotlight on Mexico’s beauty through a bold architectural design that beautifully blends with its surrounding environment and is then juxtaposed with low-tech sustainable efforts by operating completely off the grid using 100 per cent solar power. terrestrehotel.com

HIGH-TECH WELLNESS HAVEN LANSERHOF TEGERNSEE – TEGERNSEE, GERMANY

With healing as its core concept, Lanserhof, one of the leading luxury wellness spas in the world, offers a host of holistic and advanced medical-based fitness programmes, detox treatments, and innovative holistic diagnosis such as genetic analysis and capsule endoscopy.

This modern health resort situated in the Bavarian Alps leads the way in pioneering regenerative health and wellness. Naturopathy meets cutting-edge medicine. lanserhof.com

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Previous spread: Lanserhof Tegernsee; Left page: Hotel Terrestre; This page: (from top) Lanserhof Tegernsee; Alila Uluwatu

SUSTAINABLE STAY

ALILA ULUWATU – BALI, INDONESIA

Alila Uluwatu sets the standard in sustainable tourism.

This picture-perfect property perched on a cliff in Bali, Indonesia dramatically impresses with its savannah-like architectural design aesthetic. Beyond the beauty and luxury it delivers, Alila Uluwatu integrates eco-friendly concepts and practises into place within its daily operations – from the private villas constructed with locally sourced materials such as bamboo and lava rocks that help minimise electric consumption to its on-site Sustainability Lab initiative. alilahotels.com

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Above: Hotel Morpheus; Below and left page: One&Only One Za’abeel

cal therapies; a Movement Studio with state-of-the-art gym facilities; a Longevity Bar; and the region’s first Longevity Index Lounge, which boasts cutting-edge solutions including the Neuro Wave Stimulation – a tech-guided acoustic and vibrational therapy that enables even the busiest of minds to enter a deep state of relaxation. oneandonlyresorts.com/onezaabeel

WELLNESS IN THE CITY

A FUTURISTIC CITY STAY

Set to open in March 2024, the Longevity Hub at Clinique La Prairie at urban vertical resort One&Only One Za’abeel, combines evidence-based medicine and pioneering aesthetic to deliver ultra-personalised wellness solutions to address the daily stressors of urban living.

Spread over three floors, The Hub comprises of 29 treatment rooms for wellbeing and clini-

This futuristic architectural vision by design genius Zaha Hadid combines ultra-luxury and innovation in the form of 772 guest rooms and suites equipped with cutting-edge technology. From its dystopian-like exoskeleton steel frames to best-of-the-best amenities, Morpheus delivers an opulent experience like no other property in Macau or the world. cityofdreamsmacau.com

IMAGES: SUPPLIED

ONE&ONLY ONE ZA’ABEEL – DUBAI, UAE

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HOTEL MORPHEUS – MACAU, CHINA

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THE DIRECTORY

All Saint Laurent SS24

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F Fendi (04) 3399782 Farfetch (800) 0320327 Forever 21 (04) 3277488 Fornasetti (800) 74676277 Francesco Russo (800) 5383573 French Connection (04) 2273848 Furla (04) 3410285 G Galeries Lafayette (04) 3399933 Galleria Mall (04) 3444434 Gap (04) 3850988 Gérard Darel (04) 3399780 Giambattista Valli +44 (0) 2039848044 Gianvitto Rossi (800) 5383573 Giorgio Armani (04) 3951373 Giuseppe Zanotti (04) 3413117 Givenchy (04) 4227073 Globe Trotter Online at matchesfashion Golden Goose (04) 3355218 Gucci (04) 3398576 H H&M (04) 4190346 Harry Winston (04) 3398972 Harvey Nichols – Dubai (04) 4098888 Hermès (04) 8181390 Hervé Léger 800 382246255 Holland & Barrett (04) 3882401 I&J Ibn Battuta Mall (04) 3621900 Inglot (04) 2228344 Jacquemus (04) 3951200 Jaeger (04) 2840840 Jaeger-LeCoultre (04) 3398769 JetSet (04) 3995005 Jimmy Choo (04) 3398925 Jo Malone (04) 4190287 Joseph (04) 8803433 Juicy Couture (04) 3475591 K Karen Millen (04) 3398608 Kate Spade (058) 1030866 Kenneth Cole (04) 3555872 Kenzo (04) 3308455

Khalil Al Sayegh (04) 2276555 Kiehl’s (04) 2886376 Kristina Fidelskaya (04) 3627500 Kurt Geiger (04) 3413883 L Lacoste (04) 3410575 Lanvin (04) 3555310 Le Labo (04) 4190953 Level Shoes (800) 5383573 Loewe (04) 3253754 Loquet Online at thelabelhunter Louis Vuitton (04) 3950431 Lucas Hugh+44 (0) 2039622362 M MAC Cosmetics (04) 4190856 Maje (04) 8815988 Maison Des Fleurs (04) 2765886 Maison Michel +44 (0) 2039622362 Mall of the Emirates (04) 4099000 Mango (04) 3414663 Manolo Blahnik (04) 3398122 Marc Jacobs (04) 3951281 Mark Cross +1 8885509675 Marks & Spencer (800) 62637 Maria Tash (04) 8817885 Marni (04) 3549417 Marysia (04) 3951200 Massimo Dutti (04) 3399070 Max Mara (04) 3882070 Messika (04) 4255575 Michael Kors (04) 3253491 Missoni (04) 3951400 Miss Selfridge (04) 3398016 Miu Miu (04) 3249276 All Things Mochi (04) 4433451 Moncler (04) 3300280 Moschino (04) 3398079 Montblanc (04) 3304810 Monica Vinader (04) 3951700 N Namshi.com (800) 626744 NARS (04) 4227531 Natura Bisse (04) 2993090 New Look (04) 4340740 Next (04) 4190522

Nike (04) 4342683 Nina Ricci (04) 3308789 Nine West (04) 3410244 O O Concept (04) 3455557 Off White (054) 4541546 Oscar de la Renta (04) 3399005 Ounass 800 686277 P Paris Gallery (04) 3308289 Pandora (04) 3235607 Pastels Salon (04) 3883534 Parfois (04) 4343167 Paul Smith (04) 3951742 Paule Ka (04) 3882384 PE Nation (04) 3951200 Piaget (04) 3398222 Pomellato (04) 3882036 Prada (04) 3049700 Proenza Schouler (04) 448344 R Ralph & Russo (04) 874 8593 Ralph Lauren (04) 3308347 Rami Al Ali (04) 3945607 Reiss (04) 3410515 Rene Caovilla (04) 3253677 Repossi (04) 2771392 River Island (04) 3399415 Rivoli (04) 3413121 Roger Vivier (04) 3475695 Roland Mouret (04) 5519356 Rolex (04) 3627500 S Saint Laurent (04) 3410113 Salvatore Ferragamo (04) 3411022 Sandro (04) 3951281 Samsonite (04) 3398690 See by Chloé (04) 3951880 Sephora (04) 3951978 Sergio Rossi (04) 3324829 111 Skin (04) 4068800 Smythson (800) 589 Sonia Rykiel (04) 3308464 S*uce (055) 3447270 Stella McCartney (04) 3399179 Sunglass Hut (04) 3995824 Swarovski (04) 3685573

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The Pod Cuff in Gold Vermeil Dhs1,931 Mara Paris

SOUND CHECK WORDS: CAMILLE MACAWILI

Elevate ubiquitous tech with this AirPod jewellery by Mara Paris. Designed to secure your AirPods in place, this conceptual jewellery combines form, function and aesthetics 130 emirateswoman.com

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MOST WANTED

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