Jumeirah | February 2018

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Showjumping in style

The Gulf Elite Tour is a highlight of the equestrian world

The business of blogging Meet the UAE’s new digital entrepreneurs

Love Is in the air

A touch of romance in Jumeirah hotels around the world

AISHWARYA RAI We talk exclusively to Bollywood's comeback queen

FEBRUARY 2018 A

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Showjumping in style

The Gulf Elite Tour is a highlight of the equestrian world

The business of blogging Meet the UAE’s new digital entrepreneurs

Love Is in the air

A touch of romance in Jumeirah hotels around the world

Jumeirah Magazine Jumeirah Corporate Office, Al Sufouh Rd, PO Box 73137, Dubai, UAE, Tel: +971 4 366 5000, Fax: +971 4 366 5001.

Website: www.jumeirah.com Jumeirah is a trading name of Jumeirah International LLC. A Limited Liability company.

Registration Number 57869.

Share Capital Dhs 300,000 fully paid up.

AISHWARYA RAI We talk exclusively to Bollywood's comeback queen

01_Cover Aishwarya RAI FEB18.indd 1

Image: Longines

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Jumeirah International LLC its affiliates, parent companies and subsidiaries (“Jumeirah Group”) and the publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for errors or omissions contained in this publication for whatever reason, however caused.

The opinions and views contained in this publication are not necessarily those of Jumeirah Group or of the publishers.

Readers are advised to solicit advice before acting on the information contained in this publication which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the readers’ particular circumstances. Jumeirah Group and the publishers take no responsibilty for the goods and services advertised. All materials are protected by copyright. All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form (Including photocopying or storage in any medium by electronic means) without the written permission of the copyright owner, except as may be permitted by applicable laws.

Editor-in-Chief

Obaid Humaid Al Tayer Managing Partner & Group Editor

lan Fairservice Editorial Director

Gina Johnson Senior Editorial Assistant

Cecilia D’Souza Senior Art Director

Olga Petroff Art Directors

Clarkwin Cruz, T Prasadan Contributors

Rachel Silvestri, Gareth Rees, Ann-Marie McQueen, Jennifer Gibson, Emma Day, Nina Catt General Manager – Production

S Sunil Kumar Production Manager

R Murali Krishnan

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Production Supervisor

Venita Pinto Chief Commercial Officer

Anthony Milne

CONTENTS This Month

Publishing Director

Carlos Pedroza Group Sales Manager

Ziad Saleh ziad@motivate.ae

14 City watch Discover the exciting events, news and previews happening this month

For Jumeirah

Charlie Taylor, Claire Hill

Featured 22 Comeback queen Jumeirah talks to the mesmerising Aishwarya Rai, the toast of Bollywood

Head Office: Media One Tower, Dubai Media City, PO Box 2331, Dubai UAE, Tel: +971 4 427 3000, E-mail: motivate@motivate.ae

26 The future is now Watchmaker Richard Mille explains the brand’s phenomenal plans and goals

Dubai Media City: Office 508, 5th Floor, Building 8, 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: editor-wo@motivate.ae London: Acre House, 11/15 William Road, London NW1 3ER, UK, E-mail: motivateuk@motivate.ae Printed by Emirates Printing Press, Dubai

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30 Precious pieces Stunning jewellery for any occasion from Maxmillian London

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Montegrappa Boutique, The Boulevard - Emirates Towers, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai Montegrappa Writing and Business Center, Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai www.montegrappa.me Tel: +971 4 3880620

FEBRUARY 2018

CONTENTS

Lifestyle 38 Jumping for joy How the Gulf Elite Tour is bringing a touch of style to showjumping 44 The business of blogging Profiling the region’s most successful bloggers and their businesses 48 Iconic buildings A look at some of the most eyecatching buildings in the world

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52 A new luxe venue Jumeirah Group adds to its portfolio with the Jumeirah Royal Saray, Bahrain

Travel 56 The beauty of travel UAE-based celebrity Joelle Mardinian is Jumeirah Group’s star guest 60 Sweet escape Romantic destinations to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your loved one 66 Spring forward The importance of the rituals and traditions of Chinese New Year 70 Just desserts Emirati chef Sahar Al Awadi talks about her love of pastry and all things sweet 76 The insiders guide to... UAE sports Meet the stars and change-makers of the UAE sports scene 80 Featured spaces Mu Beach Bar and Grill, Jumeirah Vittaveli, the Maldives

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82 The high life Daefi Lobby Lounge, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Dubai

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CITY WATCH

Key dates for your diary

DUBAI

Howzat February 22 to March 18 The Pakistan Super League returns to Dubai International Cricket Stadium and Sharjah Cricket Stadium for the second year running.

Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Peshawar Zalmi, Quetta Gladiators and Multan Sultans will compete in the third edition of the T20 cricket tournament, with all the league games and one play-off game taking place in the UAE before the remaining play-off games and the final in Pakistan.

Pakistan Super League, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai and Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah. psl-t20.com

LIFE IN CLEAR FOCUS GPP Photo Week returns for its 14th edition this month The annual photography festival, billed by its organisers Gulf Photo Plus (GPP) photography centre in Alserkal Avenue in Al Quoz as “the first and longest-running of its

All Aboard

kind in the region”, promises six days of workshops and talks from leading international photographers, photography walks, product launches and exhibitions.

February 27 to March 3

The theme for this year’s festival is Shift Your Focus. “Photo Week continues to evolve and

For the first time Dubai International Boat

embrace new technologies and shifts within the medium,” says GPP’s co-director Mohamed

Show (DIBS) takes place on the Dubai Canal,

Somji. “We want to play our part in facilitating the dialogue around photography and this

Jumeirah. With a bigger venue, this year’s

year’s theme is designed to reflect that.”

DIBS expects to attract 29,000 visitors with more than 450 superyachts and leisure

GPP Photo Week will be held for the first time in Concrete, Alserkal Avenue’s new

craft on displaced as well as entertainment

1,250sqm multipurpose cultural centre, the first building in the UAE built by Rem

including dedicated fishing and watersports

Koolhaas’s Office for Metropolitan Architecture. Concrete occupies four warehouses in

areas, a retail village and a parade of the best

Alserkal Avenue and boasts movable walls, among other architectural innovations.

supercars in the world.

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Dubai International Boat Show, Dubai Canal,

GPP Photo Week takes place from February 7 to 12 in Gulf Photo Plus, Dubai. See

Jumeirah, Dubai. boatshowdubai.com

gulfphotoplus.com for more details

JAZZ AND MORE Emirates Airline Dubai Jazz Festival has been a solid fixture on the Dubai music scene since its launch in 2003. The 16th edition of the three-day festival takes place in Dubai Media City Amphitheatre this month.

Its claim to offer “much more than jazz” is well-founded, with the past stellar line-up including pop and rock stars such as Tom Jones, Mariah Carey, Enrique Iglesias, Santana, Sting, David Gray, James, John Legend, James Blunt, Olly Murs, James Taylor, Deep Purple, Robin Gibb and Kool and the Gang, as well as jazz musicians such as Jamie Cullum, Al Foster, Wallace Roney, Sean Jones, Freddy Cole, Courtney Pine, Billy Cobham, Archie Shepp, Bobby Durham and David Reinhardt.

This year’s line-up promises to be no less eclectic, with British new wave stars and 80s favourites Duran Duran headlining on Wednesday, festival regular singer-songwriter John Legend headlining on Thursday and Latin poster boy Ricky Martin topping the bill on Friday.

Each headliner will be preceded by a yet-to-be-confirmed jazz act.

Emirates Airline Dubai Jazz Festival takes place from February 21 to 23 in Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, Dubai. See dubaijazzfest.com for more details

Eat Local February 22 to March 10 Dubai Food Festival takes over the city with an impressive line-up of foodie events. Some of the city’s best restaurants will offer threecourse menus for just $54 during Dubai Restaurant Week (February 22 to March 3), Beach Canteen will feature local food trucks and family entertainment on Sunset Beach (February 21 to March 10) and, the icing on the cake, Taste of Dubai will showcase Dubai’s restaurant scene in Dubai Media City Amphitheatre (March 8 to 10).

Dubai Food Festival, various locations, Dubai. visitdubai.com

Musical Extravaganza RedFest DXB returns to Dubai Media City Amphitheatre for its fifth edition this month

How To Ace It February 19 to March 3

Previous editions of Virgin Radio’s annual music festival,

Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium hosts

launched in 2014, have boasted internationally renowned artists

the annual Dubai Duty Free Tennis

such as The Lumineers, Jessie J, Demi Lovato, Sean Paul, Mike

Championships. Having recently undergone

Posner, The Script, Iggy Azalea, Tinie Tempah, Bastille, Rita Ora,

hip surgery, current men’s champion Andy

Adam Lambert and Fifth Harmony, as well as DJ sets from Mark Ronson, Zane Lowe, Gorgon City,

Murray will not compete in this year’s

Wilkinson and Steve Aoki.

tournament, but with the list of previous champions also including Roger Federer,

This year’s line-up is no less impressive, with the two-day festival welcoming the electronic

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic and the

dance DJ duo The Chainsmokers, rap star Russ, British singer-songwriter Kelli-Leigh, Lebanese

list of women’s champions including Venus

singer and musician Anthony Touma on Thursday and singer-songwriter and rapper Kesha, DJ

Williams and defending champion Elina

Marshmello, singer-songwriter Bebe Rexha and British singer-songwriter Craig David bringing the

Svitolina, spectators can expect to see some

event to a grand finale on Friday. Award-winning UAE-based DJ and radio presenter Dany Neville

of the biggest names in tennis compete for

will close both nights with a DJ set.

the 2018 titles.

Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships,

RedFest DXB takes place on February 8 and 9 in Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, Dubai.

Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, Dubai.

See redfestdxb.com for more details

dubaidutyfreetennischampionships.com

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ABU DHABI/LONDON

Cultural Dialogue February 1 to March 17 Manarat Al Saadiyat presents the exhibition From Barcelona to Abu Dhabi.

Curated by Ferran Barenblit, director of Barcelona Art (MACBA) and Nasser

On Trend

Abdullah, chairman of the

February 22 to 25

Museum of Contemporary

Emirates Fine Art Society, the show is a dialogue

We Jammin’ February 9 and 10

between works from the MACBA collection and works by 15 Emirati artists.

From Barcelona to Abu

Reggae legend Bob Marley’s sons and fellow reggae

Dhabi is a celebration of the

artists Ky-Mani Marley and Julian Marley celebrate

15th anniversary of the Abu

their father’s birthday with a performance at the

Dhabi Festival.

Bob Marley Birthday Festival. The fifth edition of the

From Barcelona to

annual reggae festival takes place on Yas Beach.

Abu Dhabi, Manarat Al

Bob Marley Birthday Festival, Yas Beach, Abu Dhabi.

Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi.

reggae-beachfest.com

saadiyatculturaldistrict.ae

Following hot on the heels of London Fashion Week, one of the biggest fashion weeks of the year, comes London Fashion Week Festival. Highlights of the event, held in The Store Studios on the Strand, include items from designer collections available at exclusive prices, catwalk shows and talks by industry experts.

London Fashion Week Festival, London. londonfashionweek.co.uk

Ice, Ice, Baby Until February 24 There is still time to embrace the British winter with a visit to Canary Wharf ice rink.

Open throughout the week, skaters can enjoy the 1,300sq m rink, a skate path beneath the trees of Canada Square Park and a rinkside bar before exploring Canary Wharf’s many restaurants and shops.

Canary Wharf ice rink, London. icerinkcanarywharf.co.uk

News Man FLOWER POWER February 10 to March 11

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The Design Museum’s exhibition Jon Snow: Colour Is My Brand explores the veteran British newsreader’s infamous love of colourful ties. The exhibition explores the process

Kew Gardens presents the 23rd edition of its annual Orchids Festival. The festival, a

of creating Snow’s ties, most of which are

celebration of Thailand’s culture and plant life, features floral displays, handcrafted Thai

designed by Victoria Richards and woven by

umbrellas, an orchid palace, a Thai cart and the opportunity to learn about the importance

Vanners, one of the UK’s oldest silk weavers.

of the orchid in Thai culture through a series of tours, talks and courses.

Jon Snow: Colour Is My Brand, Design

Orchids Festival, Kew Gardens, London. kew.org

Museum, London. designmuseum.org

GEMSET DESIGNS DMCC

Suite 28-D, Almas Tower, Jumeirah Lake Towers P.O. Box 45962 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel: +971 4 435 7137 Fax: +971 4 435 7136

FRANKFURT/SHANGHAI

Year Of The Dog February 15 to 21 Shanghai celebrates Chinese New Year with

CLASSIC FINALE Until February 18

a public week-long holiday from February 15. On February 16, 108 Buddhist monks will strike the bell in Longhua Temple to signal the start of the New Year. Celebrations will

Oper Frankfurt presents Capriccio, the final opera by German composer Richard Strauss.

take place in Yu Gardens, on the Bund and

First performed in the Nationaltheater Munchen in 1942, Capriccio, which Strauss

Nanjing Road and the city’s many temples

described as “a conversation piece for music”, explores the relationship between words

throughout the public holiday.

and music in opera.

Chinese New Year, various locations,

Capriccio, Oper Frankfurt, Frankfurt. oper-frankfurt.de

Shanghai.

Modern Master February 26 to May 27 Schirn Kunsthalle presents Basquiat: Boom for Real, a major exhibition of the work of the late 20th century American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Basquiat started his career working as a street artist in

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Italian Architecture

the late 1970s in New York

Until March 11

as a prominent member

Power Station of Art’s latest exhibition

of lower Manhattan’s

explores the work of Italian architecture

underground art scene and

collective Superstudio 50. Curated by Italian

went on to become one of

architect and critic Gabriele Mastrigli, the

the most important artists

exhibition is the first major retrospective of

of his generation and an

Superstudio 50’s work in Asia and explores

international star. Basquiat:

the group’s development through more than

Boom for Real features more

200 pieces, including objects, installations,

than 100 works by the artist.

graphics, photographs and publications.

Basquiat, Schirn Kunsthalle,

Superstudio 50, Power Station of Art,

Frankfurt. schirn.de

Shanghai. powerstationofart.org

MahallatiJewellery

MahallatiJewellery

Mrs.Mahallati

FEATURED 22 Comeback queen

Meet Aishwarya Rai, a brand ambassador for Longines and the toast of Bollywood

26 The future is now

Watchmaker Richard Mille explains the brand's digital growth and future plans

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FEATURED: AISHWARYA RAI

COMEBACK

QUEEN

Bollywood icon, Miss World, philanthropist, mother. Just how does Aishwarya Rai do it all? Emma Day meets the legendary actress to find out

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ovember 19, 1994, was the day Aishwarya Rai’s life transformed with the placement of a single tiara. That morning, she awoke in South Africa’s Sun City as a 21-year-old architecture student. The next, she rose out of bed as Miss World.

That night marked the start of an illustrious career that has seen the Mangalore-born star gather titles under her wing like a mother hen; model, actress, activist, goodwill ambassador.

Yet, despite her myriad achievements and successes, 44-year-old Rai – who is also known by her married name, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan – brushes off compliments with a smile, instead attributing everything to those who have supported her along the way.

“I’m thankful I’m able to do so much and I would love to continue to do more, thanks to the blessing of being on a public platform,” the humble star of Bride and Prejudice says when we meet in a suite at Meydan racecourse, Dubai.

Image: Getty

“I want to continue using the affection I get to enjoy from so many people in a blessed way.”

Visiting the city ahead of the Dubai World Cup Carnival, presented by Longines, there are no visible clues that Rai stepped off a plane just hours before. Softly spoken yet commanding, her aura is overwhelming as she sweeps into a leather chair in a floor-length sapphire gown, her wrist dain-

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tily glinting with diamonds. It’s easy to see why, in the years following her Miss World win, directors and luxury brands came calling.

Cannes film festival when she wowed on the red carpet in the Cinderellastyle baby blue voluminous ballgown.

Yet ever since the get-go, Rai has wanted to use her profile for the greater good as well.

“I am very thankful that there are so many amazing designers, new and highly established, who have been so generous with their creativity with me,” says the actress, who sat on the festival’s jury in 2003.

“People over the years could believe it was always just the perfect answer,” she says, on her pageant pledge to become an ambassador of “peace, goodwill, harmony and compassion”.

“Who knows, maybe I thought that until I got the title?”

But, says Rai, after securing her crown she was determined to live up to the expectation set by the Miss World motto “beauty with a purpose”.

“It’s not about getting dolled up, wearing a tiara and just going to places and flashing a smile.”

She might be jesting but with decades spent in the public eye, Rai, a brand ambassador for luxury Swiss watchmaker Longines, has certainly learned a thing or two about harnessing great style. Her top tip for those keen to emulate her elegance? Just stay true to yourself.

True to her word, Rai has dedicated much of her 23-year career to supporting worthy causes, from backing campaigns to promote eye donation and the eradication of polio in India to becoming a goodwill ambassador for the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and Aids. But with so many charities craving endorsement, how does Rai split her time?

“Style is not just about externalised fashion, it’s about what makes you who you are and tells your own story on any given day,” she says, adding that she often sports Longines’ Dolce Vita timepiece.

“Thankfully I had some kind of confidence in a long-standing career at the time [I won Miss World] and decided I was going to pace myself and not do it all at once,” she says.

“I think in all my choices over the years, you will recognise that while I like to be dressed for the occasion, I do not believe in anything that screams for attention. I respect history and experience but at the same time I believe everybody needs to carve their own story, leave their own mark and create their own milestones.”

“Everyone is asking you and obviously, if you have your heart in the right place, you’d like to champion every cause that needs attention.

“So this is what I do. I wait for my voice to be heard and then go on to give my voice to the next cause that needs it.”

A winner of a Padma Shri award (one of the highest civilian awards, they are presented every year to those who have contributed to the arts, science and medicine), Rai launched an eponymous foundation in 2004, dedicated to supporting underprivileged children, families and individuals in her native India. “Initially I didn’t want to call it the Aishwarya Rai Foundation because I worried it could sound a bit pompous,” she says, “but then I realised that’s what makes people recognise it’s your foundation, and through that you can do so much.

“I’m grateful for the support of so many people who’ve actually paid attention.” Charitable endeavours aside, Rai has also been busy making a welcome return to the silver screen, following a five-year sabbatical after giving birth to her daughter Aaradhya in 2011.

A re-emergence in the industry has also sparked more star turns on the red carpet – and she certainly stole the show on one occasion in particular last year. Donning a majestic Michael Cinco creation, Rai – who will star in the upcoming Bollywood musical Fanney Khan – made headlines at last year’s

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While reticent to pick a favourite red-carpet look of late, Rai admits with a grin that wearing the Cinco-designed number was a memorable moment.

“Eight months later, it’s still being talked about and has been so impactful,” she says. “Full marks to the creative team, both the designers themselves and the team that made me look the way that they have for the day. And thanks to the photographers for doing such a good job!”

Indeed, among the women currently doing just that are Rai’s industry peers, the great and the good of Hollywood, who last month came together in a stark statement of solidarity to support victims of sexual harassment, assault and workplace inequality by collectively wearing black at the Golden Globes awards ceremony.

When quizzed on what shake-ups the industry could see as a result of the recent #TimesUp campaign they were supporting, Rai cites Oprah Winfrey’s rousing speech, delivered at the awards as the American TV host accepted a lifetime achievement trophy.

“She basically said what everybody feels and what everybody is optimistic about,” says Rai on the stirring address in which Winfrey called for “a new day... when nobody ever has to say ‘me too’ again”.

So is the Devdas star herself sanguine about the situation in Hollywood and the world at large?

“We all live with conviction and in hope,” says Rai says. “It’s not that we hope it’s the dawn of a new era; it had better be the dawn of a new era.

“With the strong impact of a collective voice, we have to believe this could be it. We can’t just hope.”

Image: Longines

FEATURED: LEWIS HAMILTON

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THE FUTURE IS NOW Richard Mille represents to watchmaking what a Bugatti Chiron or a McLaren P1 represents for the car industry. Cutting edge, very limited, technologically advanced and extremely expensive. We meet the brand’s creator and namesake.

Richard Mille

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FEATURED: WATCHES

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young brand with less than 20 years on the market, Richard Mille is now the reference for wearable high-complication pieces at the very top of the market. Mr Mille, who started his career in the mid70’s at the heart of the Swiss watch industry, launched the watch division of jeweller Mabboussin, before launching his own brand in 1999.

His principles are an extension of his personality and interests: technological innovation at every level of the production process, wearability (his watches are not made to be stored in a safe), handcrafted and complicated with practical functionality. Tradition and heritage are merged with a graphene case, one of the many materials he uses that are in the early stages of scientific research. The craftsmanship of the pieces are a constant experimentation and people love it.

Words: Carlos Pedroza

What is the long-term strategy for Richard Mille? Is the brand considering stand-alone boutiques across the world?

My strategy is quite simple, to continue following the same philosophy, goals and plans set out from the beginning, which have remained unchanged since that time. That being said, I do prefer creating our own boutiques, because I want to build a comprehensive experience for the client. It is not just about selling a product, it’s about bringing them into the Richard Mille family and explaining our approach to watchmaking in great detail. Our network of stand-alone boutiques has grown considerably in the last four years, to a total of 37 as of today. It is also important to be well represented when you consider after sales services; a watch is like a car, and needs regular upkeep.

It is also essential to be able to support our clients in their home countries by providing efficient services with a long-term guarantee. We are the only ones to offer a five-year warranty, even if the watch ceases to work after a minor shock.

What are the pillars and most important values for Richard Mille?

My clients expect novel and exclusive high-end timepieces that reflect a contemporary approach to aesthetics, materials, mechanical complications and comfort, combined with the very best of the traditional values of watchmaking: precision, quality and workmanship. The brand must exist as the epitome of 21st Century watchmaking on every level, from our overall philosophy down to the smallest, even invisible details.

What is the criteria for selecting ambassadors and partnerships?

Whoever they may be, I search for people who are always pushing the envelope in their respective fields of endeavour whom I also happen to like and enjoy being with! These kinds of relationships are very personal for the brand, as the contact also functions as a testing ground for new ideas and developments. By always changing our design briefs to meet the needs specific to each type of sportsperson – from the tennis star or Formula 1 driver to the professional polo player – we have earned an unparalleled legitimacy and savoir faire. Our partners’ feedback is crucial to this. By adopting this ‘crash-test’ approach, we have made significant advances resulting in pieces that are formidably technical.

(Rafael) Nadal’s specific demands for light and tough watches during competitions on the court, or our long-term collaboration with McLaren, are two of many such examples, where the brand’s watchmaking developments are enriched by contact with our partners, ambassadors and collaborators.

What is the maximum number of pieces per model?

That can vary from only five pieces to a couple of hundred, dependent upon the model and whether it is a limited edition, a tourbillon, mechanical or automatic watch. Given our highly limited yearly production, now at about 4,000 pieces, we cannot produce large numbers of any particular model in any case.

Your passion for cars, both classic and F1 is patent. How do you develop the concept for an automobile based new piece?

It’s a form of legitimacy, and I am a fanatic of all things technical. What’s fascinating about watchmaking is working on such an infinitesimal scale.

I know a lot about the construction details of racing cars; there is also an extensive library of books on the subject at my office. An idea might take root after seeing a drawing of a small detail, or a blow-up drawing of an engine design, an article about new materials being developed for the cars, or an experience I had while driving an automobile from my collection. So, there is vast amount of physical material in documents and the cars themselves at my disposal. The problem is mostly which idea to choose from so many!

How would you define “real luxury” these days? We have been overwhelmed by pseudo luxury products in the last years. How can the client base identify true luxury products?

For me, it’s all about doing what I love. There are many ways to define luxury; for me luxury is based on a no-compromise approach, where every detail is important, even those the client cannot see or measure. This is combined with a high comfort factor while wearing and using the watch, and extremely limited production numbers.

In terms of R&D, could you describe the length of product development and the main focal points of this process within RM? We have our own large team at Les Breuleux in the Swiss Jura, and we have worked together for many years now. Research is quite simply the foundation, the origin of what we do and who we are. It is thanks to its R&D that the brand has made a name for itself by reinventing horological mechanics through a combination of determination and effort. The department is

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FEATURED: WATCHES

The RM53-01 Tourbillion released at SIHH 2018 created in partnership with Argentinian polo player Pablo Mac Donough

staffed by a young, eager and passionate team which enjoys working with unorthodox ideas that may seem extravagant at first. But this is exactly what drives our absolutely amazing, unique and pioneering savoir faire. An idea can originate with me, or the team may bring up a new concept, and often enough we all arrive at an idea together. It starts with freewheeling and throwing ideas around. There are no limitations at this point. From there, at each subsequent stage, it may be that more and more clarity develops, coalescing into something serious. And even at this point, an idea might remain in a holding pattern until it can become a logical part of a coherent collection plan. When we start working on a new idea or complication we never know starting out how many iterations it can take to achieve it. But we always meet the challenge.

How do you get hold of new materials and what is the decisionmaking process to choose one for a new piece?

We spend a lot of time on R&D, and when a really interesting discovery is made it can provide a wonderful impetus to create something incredible.

Finding new materials is actually the easy part – every year there are amazing and novel developments and offerings. Our issue is how a material can fulfil the specific needs and requirements we are looking to meet, and how it will survive testing of all kinds. In the end, the decision-making process behind choosing one or the other material is a rather analytical and dry process, where technical properties dictate the final choice.

How would you describe your ideal customer?

Every Richard Mille client is the ideal client, because they have impeccable taste, knowledge and refinement of course! Our clients come from a wide range of backgrounds! The common ground of this highly sophisticated clientele lies in a determination and quest for the rare, the unique, the truly extraordinary.

Our clients are looking for a product that sparks an emotion, and I believe I

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can safely say we do that. You can find such people in all walks of life.

You have a long standing creative partnership with Giulio Papi.

And it is a very successful one. How do you work together on the creative process?

He supported us from the very start, we clicked, and today it is no different.

We don’t need a lot of lengthy discussions to get things done, and we understand each other’s tastes and methods of working. However, I would add that although I still happily work together on various projects with Giulio, today, more and more design work is now being executed in-house, directly by our own headquarters in Les Breuleux, Swiss Jura.

Which is the piece or collection you’re most proud of?

I always have the same, simple answer each time I’m asked: the newest watch I am working on at any given moment. The newest creations take up all my mental activity and they are recipients of the most ‘love’ – until they are finished and I move onto the next model. I am always working on several models at once for future years as well.

On the digital side of things, we have seen some mechanical watch brands becoming connected or trying to get there. Richard Mille has embraced technology from an integrated product point of view, not as a gadget. What are your thoughts on the digital front?

Smart watches and our watches are so radically different from each other in every single way. And at the moment, no one in the Swiss mechanical watch industry seems yet to have formulated a real long-term response to the smart watch, except to add a few simple electronic functions with a mechanical movement design or to launch a fully electronic watch. I will always uphold the primary importance of the mechanical side of watchmaking.

LIFESTYLE: ACCESSORIES

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Compiled by:Cecilia D'souza

Diamond and pearl sautoir set with rubies set in 18-carat white gold

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LIFESTYLE: ACCESSORIES

Diamond bracelet in 18-carat white gold Unique diamond briolette necklace in 18-carat yellow gold Unique diamond briolette earrings in yellow gold

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LIFESTYLE: ACCESSORIES

Diamond and akoya pearl bracelet in 18-carat white gold Diamond and natural South Sea white pearls in 18-carat white gold

Available at Maximillian London boutique, Jumeirah Al Qasr hotel, Dubai

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LIFESTYLE 38 Jumping for joy

A behind-the-scenes look at the world of showjumping in Dubai

52 A new luxe venue

Image: Getty

Introducing the Jumeirah Royal Saray hotel in Bahrain

JUMPING FOR JOY With Dubai’s first showjumping series in full swing, Jumeirah explores how the Gulf Elite Tour is supporting young UAE talent, pulling in top equestrians from the region and beyond – and entertaining the crowds with its dazzling thrills and spills

Sheikha Latifa bint Ahmed Al Maktoum

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SPORT: SHOW JUMPING

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Words: Mariano Silvestri

t’s a discipline that combines grace and refined style with speed and agility, with both horse and rider working as a seamless team; it’s compelling viewing on an international scale, with Grand Prixstyle tours happening the world over. Men and women compete on equal standing, with only their horse, training and talent to give them an advantage. And now, a tour of the highest standard has come to Dubai.

With Dubai’s horseracing and polo both internationally renowned and the homegrown talent of Team UAE flying the flag for Emirati showjumping, with their recent Challenge Cup win at the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) competition , it was high time for a jumping series to make its home in the emirate and complete the equestrian spectacle. And so it was that the Gulf Elite Tour – forming part of the Emirates Longines League – came to fruition.

“I was inspired to form the Gulf Elite Tour by two things,” says Rosanna Chopra, the event’s founder. “One was a horse called Cacharel, who has the spirit, courage, honesty, determination and an absolute ability to both place trust and be trusted by her owner and rider, Sheikh Ali Al Qassimi. She epitomises the grace and beauty of equestrian sport and the very reason we

The Gulf Elite Tour ambassadors put their steeds through their paces

need to support more so that she might continue to shine and inspire. My other inspiration was a generation of young Emiratis and Arabs who are passionate, patriotic and believe in a united voice. I wanted to bring them together to showcase their talent and inspire others to excel,” adds Chopra.

“It was created for the riders and I must never lose sight of that.”

The Gulf Elite Tour is a show of pure jumping talent, attracting riders from all walks of life and a range of abilities. It is patronised by some of the world’s top horsemen and women. The surnames of the jumpers form a roll-call of the UAE’s ruling families. Sheikh Ali Al Qassimi of Sharjah, Sheikh Ali bin Jumal Al Nuaimi of Ajman and Dubai’s own Sheikha Latifa bint Ahmed Al Maktoum are all ambassadors for the tour.

“Unfortunately showjumping doesn’t get the same coverage here [in the Middle East] as it does in Europe,” says Sheikha Latifa, the first Emirati and second Arab woman to qualify for an equestrian event in the Olympics, competing in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. “In Europe, showjumping is a very big sport and has a big crowd attraction. We need more coverage so people can understand what it is we do and how beautiful this sport is. The Gulf Elite Tour is a new concept that tries to bridge the gap between the

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Sheikh Ali bin Jumal Al Nuaimi

competitors and the audience as well as the sponsors. We are trying to get everybody involved so we can develop and progress the future of our sport.”

Other prominent participants include the tour’s global ambassador Scott Brash – currently ranked fifth in the world – as well as Olympic hopeful Abdullah Al Marri, who paved the way for Team UAE’s FEI victory in Barcelona with an unprecedented clear round and just two time penalties. The win saw the UAE steal the victory from the European gold medallists.

“I saw a few of my fellow riders become part of the Gulf Elite Tour as ambassadors, which got me really interested,” says Al Marri. “I am very passionate about the future of our sport and the idea was very futuristic so I didn’t hesitate at all once they were interested in having me as an ambassador.

“The sport needs ideas like the Gulf Elite Tour to improve. The team that is involved in it is amazing and I truly believe they are capable of doing great things in the future.”

So has Gulf Elite proven to be a good addition to the Emirates Longines League?

“Definitely,” says Al Marri. “It’s probably the main event on the season’s calendar, and I think the team behind it has exceeded all expectations. They are still working on pushing the bar even further, which is truly amazing.”

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So how will the Gulf Elite Tour, already such a success, continue to evolve?

Sheikh Ali Al Qassimi, who delighted local jumping audiences in January last year by winning the FEI World Cup Arab League qualifier in Dubai, has high hopes for the tour: “As a member of the Gulf Elite team, I can gladly say that we always set very high targets due to the strong belief that we can always reach our goal. Our vision is to make the Gulf Elite brand one of the most recognisable showjumping shows around the globe.

“Both the Emirates Longines League and Gulf Elite share the mutual goal of increasing the quality of showjumping alongside offering riders the best environment they can possibly provide. The Gulf Elite Tour is also an addition of six show jumping events to the Emirates Longines League, fulfilling both international and national standards.

“Personally, I am very satisfied with what we have achieved in such a short period of time and I’ve worked my hardest to make it the ultimate addition.

But it’s not up to me to make that judgement – I’ll leave that to the show jumping community to decide,” adds Sheikh Ali. As well as being something totally new on Dubai’s social scene, the tour is also a valuable opportunity for the region’s riders to stretch themselves before even more challenging meets.

“It’s a big year for the UAE as we are preparing for two major championships in September,” says Al Marri. “The Asian Games and the World Equestrian

SPORT: SHOW JUMPING Sheikha Latifa bint Ahmed Al Maktoum

Abdullah Al Marri

Rosanna Chopra

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SPORT: SHOW JUMPING Sheikh Ali Al Qassimi

Games are coming up so ideally our season is going to be the best preparation for these two major events.”

As the UAE’s showjumpers will be making a splash internationally as well as closer to home, there will be no better opportunity to see some of these stars on home turf than at the Gulf Elite Tour’s last three dates in Dubai this year.

involved all want to work together more for the greater good of the sport. We have found challenges in the venue where we hosted the first three events and if we wish to upscale, which we do, we need to look at other opportunities.

We hope to be on the beach at Jumeirah, Sharjah, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain but it will take time. When we see consistency on the international stage for the selection and placement of UAE riders, we will know what we began has reached the point where it needs to be.”

“We have so much more to achieve, this is just the beginning,” says Chopra. “The wonderful thing is that the people, entities and companies

And at this level of determination, it seems that the UAE flag will be flying ever higher in the world of showjumping – sooner rather than later.

A TWO-HORSE RACE Rosanna Chopra explains how shared values and equestrian vision have brought Jumeirah and the Gulf Elite Tour together “Jumeirah is an extraordinary brand to be aligned with. When we met to discuss our partnership, the synergies were obvious. When we discussed the key messages for Al Qasr and the Madinat Jumeirah resort, they were matched with the messages that each of our ambassadors represent: heritage, legacy, iconic, elegance, unity, health and fitness and equestrianism. I have worked with the Jumeirah team for many years and really feel that they have the people in place who will reinvigorate and help us all. As the campaign message goes, it will help people Rediscover Madinat. We hope to support this as they move to make Al Qasr the home of UAE equestrian sports along with Godolphin. It is a privilege and an honour to work alongside them.”

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Words: Jennifer Gibson

BUSINESS: BLOGGING

THE BUSINESS OF

BLOGGING They might have started out as mere online essays but these days, blogs are big business. We meet five of the UAE’s most successful online entrepreneurs to find out how they’re turning their diaries into dollars

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he days of bloggers being seen as little more than enthusiastic amateur diarists are a long time gone. By October 2017, the social networking site Tumblr alone was hosting an extraordinary 373 million blogging accounts globally while over at WordPress, an astonishing 86.4 million new blog posts are created each month. But when Dubai-based Tala Samman set up My Fash Diary in 2009, the landscape was very different.

“Blogs weren’t a thing when I started and they didn’t even exist in Dubai,” says the fashion blogger and DJ. “Mine was the first to come out of the UAE. I felt the need to start something where I could share my experiences with my friends who actually enjoyed fashion.”

The site she created has since evolved to document her loves for everything from fashion and beauty to travel, as well as host interviews with stars such as Khloe Kardashian, and now it garners 58,000 views per week. Running the site is now very much Samman’s full-time job, leading to high-level brand collaborations and a lifestyle that looks nothing short of ludicrously luxurious, but she admits running the business is harder than the glossy site might suggest. “Being a full-time blogger sounds exciting and it’s definitely an incredible thing to wake up every day and monetise something you love.

That being said, it’s also a very oversaturated market so building a solid site with good content is not easy. It doesn’t hurt that my site was the first, but I’ve always stuck to quality content, which has had its cons.” While she admits passing on paid projects with brands she didn’t feel were the right fit has been tough at times, “it has definitely kept my integrity and a loyal readership.”

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Samantha Wood

While Samman’s site has been a groundbreaker on the UAE scene, there’s one local name that dominates globally – Huda. When Hollywood make-up artist Huda Kattan set up her blog in 2010, she admits “I had no idea it was going to blow up the way it did.” Eight years on, her Instagram account alone boasts more than 23 million followers, and her blog videos are rarely less than viral hits. It is this online success and her honesty with her followers – see her video about face shaving for proof – that have led to the enormous success of her own Huda Beauty range of cosmetics. “I am constantly inspired by the comments and requests we see on Instagram,” she says of her online reach and how it influences her product line. “When it comes to creating new products, we always take into account what our social family is asking for. Our community really and truly helps with the creation of Huda Beauty products – more than they probably realise. And this is true for every product we create; there must be a need for it or I won’t create it.”

While Kattan’s online profile has undoubtedly been a huge component in the success of her physical product range, she admits that maintaining her site while also running a retail business is challenging. “As our following has grown it has become increasingly difficult to reply to everyone. I spend about four hours a day reading and responding to comments on Instagram as it’s super-important to me to build those relationships. I want people to know that I see their posts and want to thank them for buying our products.

I only wish there were five of me just to go through all of the comments and show how much we appreciate every single one of them.”

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Indeed, the multi-tasking nature of making money on the back of a successful blog is a common thread for many of the region’s most successful online entrepreneurs. Take lawyer Natalia Shustova, whose successful Shoestova blog (5,000 hits daily and over 132,000 Instagram followers) has seen her gone on to carve out a lucrative career incorporating modelling, styling, digital content creation and high-end collaborations with brands including Burberry, Tiffany, Marc Jacobs and Elisabetta Franchi. “My digital following definitely played a big role in the work I do today,” Shustova demurs. “I started as an absolute outsider in the fashion world and today my fashion advice is taken as expert and I’m very flattered to have achieved this. I think the success is due to being honest and very consistent. I produce and distribute high-quality content. I answer the huge amounts of personal messages which are sent to me daily. Sometimes I even advise readers one-on-one on what to wear to a particular event. It’s a very well-established dialogue we have. I answer

BUSINESS: BLOGGING

each and every comment which people send me and am thankful for that. I believe I am establishing more of an online friend platform rather than just being somebody on social media.”

Tala Samman

But while building something of a celebrity persona online is key to those carving out their success in fashion and beauty, in some other fields, anonymity is key to success. When Samantha Wood set up Foodiva back in 2011, her aim was to be as anonymous as possible, in order to provide truly honest reviews of the UAE’s much-lauded restaurants. “Both myself and my guest reviewers have a no-freebies anonymous policy for our restaurant reviews and do not accept invitations in exchange for reviews on the site or app. By paying our own way, we can share honest, constructive feedback of a dining experience and we’ve been able to build credibility and influence.” So much influence that Wood now runs a very successful, multi-pronged business,

Natalia Shustova

which also incorporates digital consultancy for the food and drinks industry and a programme of food-based tours entitled Dine Around Dubai.

The result is that Wood is a familiar face on the food scene now, something she admits can occasionally prove difficult when she shows up to review and is unmasked almost immediately. No such problems yet for one of the city’s newest up-and-coming foodies, whose true identity remains a closely guarded secret. The Food Sheikh won’t even confirm their gender, let alone their nationality or identity, but what is known is that he/she has decades of experience across the hospitality industry – something that shines through in the site’s witty, honest reviews, now followed avidly by 25,000 subscribers.

“I think initially the anonymity made it easier for me to review places, especially working in the industry as well,” the blogger admits. “The Food Sheikh restaurant reviews are sacred and are always without bias. They cannot be bought or influenced and being anonymous helps me maintain this level of credibility. I think the audience that reads the reviews appreciates that I pay for every meal from my own pocket and always post the receipts.” But is there room for another wildly successful blog-based business in 2018? FS thinks so. “Moving forward, we aim be the very best platform for original and engaging food stories in Dubai. We want to celebrate the food industry and tell great stories at the same time and we want to do it with credibility and a sense of fun. It’s really that simple.” Watch this space.

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TRAVEL: ARCHITECTURE

Words: Ann-Mare McQueen. Images: Getty

ICONIC BUILDINGS

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The stories behind the fascinating structures adding character to their cities

TRAVEL: ARCHITECTURE

Flatiron building, New York City

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he opening of the Louvre Abu Dhabi puts the UAE capital on the world map in more ways than one. Of course, the priceless art inside is a draw but Jean Nouvel’s gorgeous domed roof has cemented the gallery as one of the world’s newest and most iconic buildings. A stay at one of Jumeirah’s hotels, whatever city it might be, isn’t complete without a visit to a local architectural wonder. A building becomes iconic whether it’s functional or not but if it’s oddly-shaped, towering or some sort of architechtural wonder, all the better. Here are some spectacular buildings to consider.

Kuwait Towers The blue-green spheres on this group of three towers in Kuwait are visible from the Corniche and have been a landmark in the city since they were erected in 1979. The top sphere, which is 187 metres high, features both a restaurant and a viewing platform, complete with original coin-operated binoculars. The lower two towers are water tanks, with the lower globe storing about four million litres of water.

Stay at Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel and Spa, Kuwait

Flatiron Building, New York City Sure, the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building get all the glory but this is one gem that is truly Instagram-worthy. Built in 1902, back then many people believed that this 22-storey Fifth Avenue structure with the instantly recognisable triangular shape wouldn’t be able to withstand the city’s blustery weather. The building, which was designed by the Chicago architect Daniel Burnham, is located at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Broadway and was named after an old-fashioned iron for pressing clothes.

Designated a New York landmark in 1966, the neighborhood around it is called the Flatiron District.

Kuwait Towers

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Oriental Pearl Radio and TV Tower, Shanghai Completed back in 1994, this building sports a design that looks like an outof-date vision of the future. At 468 metres high, it features 15 different viewing levels, the standard revolving restaurant, a 20-room hotel, the Municipal History Museum and a shopping centre. The building features 11 spheres but the three at the base are purely decorative. The two largest – with the top known as the “space module” – are linked by three columns. All that and it is still a working radio and television tower, providing the city with dozens of channels and stations.

Stay at Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel, Shanghai

Alte Oper, Frankfurt This facade is all the more beautiful considering that it took almost four decades to rebuild after the destruction of Germany at the end of the Second World War. During that time the bombed-out shell was called Germany’s “most beautiful ruin”. While the original opera house opened in 1880, with a performance of Mozart’s Don Giovanni, there isn’t actually any opera performed in the reconstructed building. Dubbed Alte Oper, or the Old Opera, today it houses a concert hall and theatre.

Stay at Jumeirah Frankfurt Hotel, Frankfurt

The Shard, London

The Shard on River Thames in London

This 95-storey skyscraper, which is more than 300 metres high, is the tallest building in the United Kingdom and – until Brexit – in the European Union.

Located in Southwark, designed by the Italian architect Renzo Piano to appear as though it was emerging from the Thames river, it is basically a vertical city. Among the tenants behind those 11,000 panes of glass are the Shangri-La Hotel, several restaurants, a hospital and an investment firm.

Stay at Jumeirah Carlton Tower, Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel or Grosvenor House Suites by Jumeirah Living, London

Alte Oper, Frankfurt

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Dancing House by architect Frank Gehry, Prague

TRAVEL: ARCHITECTURE

Blue Mosque, Istanbul

Blue Mosque, Istanbul The Sultanahmet Camii is commonly called the Blue Mosque, due to all the handpainted blue tiles used throughout the interior. It is also bathed in blue light every evening. It was built between 1609 and 1616 and still serves as a working mosque as well as a major tourist attraction, which means it closes five times a day for about a half-hour each time to allow for prayers. The mosque has 13 domes and six minarets. Inside are 200 stained glass windows and more than 20,000 handmade tiles.

Nationale-Nederlanden, Prague No wonder this building was given the clever nickname of “the dancing house”, with 99 concrete panels of different sizes and shapes. The fanciful design was a joint effort by the American architect Frank Gehry – who tried to call the building Fred and Ginger, after the American performers Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers – and Vlado Milunic, a Croatian-Czech architect.

The building is so popular that it features on one of Czech Republic’s coins.

The house sits on a site destroyed by a US bomb at the end of the Second World War and is meant to represent the transformation of the former Czechoslovakia’s communist regime.

Chateau de Chenonceau, Chenonceau There can’t be very many buildings in the world that span an entire river, which is what this Loire Valley chateau has been doing for hundreds of years. Originally built on the site of an old mill in the early 1500s, it was later completed to stretch all the way across the river Cher. The building, its gardens and a fine dining restaurant make it the second-most visited chateau in France after the Palace of Versailles.

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Words: Meryl Lino D'souza

WELCOME TO...

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XXXXXX: XXXXXX

Jumeirah Royal Saray Bahrain

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n February 2018 Jumeirah Group, a brand synonymous with impeccable service, incredible attention to detail and outstanding quality, will bring its unique, luxurious

brand to the Bahrain market with the opening of their first property, Jumeirah Royal Saray, Bahrain.

With 20 hotels in nine destinations all over the world – including Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel, Jumeirah Himalayas and Jumeirah Vittaveli – the Jumeirah Royal Saray Bahrain’s arrival adds another five-star property to the portfolio.

Sitting majestically on a private beach on Manama’s new Seef district, Jumeirah Royal Saray, Bahrain is set to become the country’s crown for its luxury, hospitality and design. The hotel offers 167 guest rooms including two Royal Suites as well as a variety of dining options and state-of-the-art spa.

“We have been looking to bring Jumeirah to Bahrain for a number of years and are delighted to partner with Seven Holdings for Jumeirah Royal Saray, Bahrain and we look forward to welcoming local and international guests,” says Edris AlRafi, CEO of Dubai Holding, of which Jumeirah Group is the hospitality arm.

Stay tuned for more exciting news of this new haven in the months ahead…

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TRAVEL 60 Romantic escape

Go all out to celebrate love and romance this Valentine's Day

66 Spring forward

A look at the annual festivities that mark the Chinese New Year

THE BEAUTY OF TRAVEL

Words: Jennifer Gibson

When she’s not tending to celebrity clients at her Maison de Joelle salons, filming her reality show or adding to her product lines, star make-up artist Joelle Mardinian is exploring the world with her family.

Joelle Mardinian at Jumeirah Vittaveli, Maldives

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TRAVEL: CELEBRITY

Jumeirah Vittaveli Royal Residence

The first day I looked at the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, I was mesmerised. I fell in love – and the love keeps growing. I travel a lot and have done all my life but Jumeirah Group raises the bar every time and the service is perfect

How big a role does travel play in your life?

Travel is the most important thing in my life, and always has been. Before coming to Dubai, I lived in London and the weather there is not the best so naturally people in the UK travel a lot. I have grown up with that mindset and every year I look for exotic destinations to go to. I have been to the Caribbean, most of the Greek islands, the Canary Islands, Antigua, Kenya for a safari, Norway for skiing, Germany, the US and around the Middle East too. Of course, Dubai looks like a holiday destination and with the amazing weather, the choice of restaurants and hotels, the desert, the sea and the city life, there’s plenty on offer here too. But what I love about travel is that I go to places with my children so we end up spending a lot of quality time together and because I am a working mother, all I want is to be with my kids when they are off school. They love skiing but ever since they visited the Maldives, that’s been a family favourite. They love to go fishing and snorkelling, to look at the feeding of the sharks and stingrays, to swim in the sea, which is so beautifully crystal blue and calm. They feel free in the Maldives and I love it because my kids love it so much. They wait for it every year.

How does travel influence your work, in terms of sourcing inspiration?

It doesn’t really because I am so focused on enjoying the moment. Because my life is so busy, I forget what it feels like to be calm and collected. I reconnect with myself and my children and I find out many more things about them when I am on such holidays.

What has been your most memorable holiday in recent years and what made it so?

I really believe nothing compares to Jumeirah. They do things in the most incredible way. I cherish every time I visit the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah. If I tell my children, Ella and Bailey, about us staying there they get so excited – and not many things excite them. The first day I looked at the hotel when I arrived in Dubai, I was mesmerised. I fell in love right then but going inside was another experience for me and the love simply grew. Recently, I stayed with Jumeirah in London’s Grosvenor Suites – and what a destination. It’s right in the heart of London and everything about it was perfect and so cosy.

Some hotels you stay at, you don’t know where you are. You could be in Japan, Paris or even the UAE. But when you step into the Grosvenor Suites, you can really sense that you’re in London. I also loved Jumeirah Vittaveli.

Despite temperamental weather, the experience was amazing and so regal.

We stayed in the royal suite and had two butlers, a personal trainer and a personal chef, our own indoor and outdoor majlis, beach, pool, jacuzzi, gym and spa. It was a truly incredible experience and I don’t think that level of attention or perfection exists with any other group. I do travel a lot and have done all my life but the experience with Jumeirah Group raises the bar every time and the service is perfect. A lot of hotels spend money on decoration and location but don’t invest in the service, which impacts on the entire experience. With Jumeirah Group, that’s never the case and I am always surprised at how things run so smoothly. You are never disappointed with the food either. Room service food in so many hotels can be cold, tasteless

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and not cooked well. With Jumeirah, it’s delicious. I will never forget my breakfast in the Grosvenor Suites. It was as if I was eating in the restaurant.

What is your favourite destination, the one you will never tire of returning to?

For sure, it has to be the Maldives. Because my kids have been brought up appreciating nature and being really active, it suits them perfectly. Both Ella and Bailey do so many sports activities so when we go on holidays, they don’t really appreciate city breaks. They really enjoy destinations where they can be super-active, so the Maldives ticks every box.

Do you have a travel bucket list? What destination is at the top?

I would really like to go to Canada. I’ve heard that the Arctic is a destination that’s really memorable. I also want to go to South Africa, I would love to return to the Caribbean and I’d love to find out whether Hawaii is as nice as I imagine it to be.

As a beauty expert, you must be a bit of a pro when it comes to packing. Which beauty products do you never travel without?

I never leave home without my Joelle Paris range. I produce my skin and health care lines according to what I know I need in my life, with ingredients

Enjoying the pristine sands of Jumeirah Vittaveli

Jumeirah Group boasts one of the friendliest services

Royal Residence sanctuary at Jumeirah Vittaveli

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TRAVEL: CELEBRITY

Grosvenor House Suites by Jumeirah Living

Grosvenor House Suites by Jumeirah Living

that I want to use on my own skin and hair. I have always said that European and Japanese brands know how to create products for their [skin and tones] but I’m an Arab woman. Our skin is very different so our needs are too.

And it’s the same with our hair – it’s much coarser, we blow-dry it more and frankly, torture it more regularly. Our lifestyle is different and that’s why my products are created for Arabs living in Arab countries.

When you’re on holiday, are you a sunscreen and bare face kind of girl or an expert at holiday product application?

As anyone can see in my pictures from the Maldives, my make-up was so minimal. During the day I stick to just sunblock and at night, I wear a tinted sunblock, a little gloss on the lips and cream blush on the cheeks. I also use a Joelle Paris eyebrow gel that I haven’t released yet. I have been developing it for a couple of years and I cannot do without it. My make-up is minimal and can be done in less than five minutes. For me, looking good while travelling is all about protection. That means sun protection, lip protection, a hat or a cap and a lot of nourishing oils on your hair during the day. Apart from those essentials, I believe less is more while on holiday. You have to let your happiness shine through because when you are happy, you glow with beauty.

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SWEET ESCAPES Planning a vacation during the month of love?

From a secluded paradise island to a cultural city break, Nina Catt explores some of the most romantic experiences around the globe

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TRAVEL: ROMANCE

Herb-crusted rack of lamb

Sandcastle dining

Sandcastle Dining at Jumeirah Vittaveli, Maldives The resort: With world-class dining, beautiful beaches and elegant spas, it’s no wonder the Maldives is a top location for romantic getaways.

Located a short 20-minute boat ride from Male, luxurious catamarans await to whisk guests from the mainland to the island of Bolifushi, home to the Jumeirah Vittaveli resort. Interestingly, Bolifushi translates as ‘island of shells’.

There’s a fun fact associated too: Shells were the first known medium for currency exchange in the Maldives.

Once you’ve set foot in paradise, you won’t want to turn back. A total of 89 villas and suites, each with their own private swimming pool with direct lagoon, or beach access offer unparalleled views of the Indian Ocean, providing Instagram-worthy backdrops you’ll never forget.

Aerial view of Jumeirah Vittaveli

Must-do: For the ultimate dreamy dinner experience, Jumeirah Vittaveli’s Dine by Design offering is not to be missed. From unique set-ups on a private stretch of beach to feasting with your toes dipping in the shallow waters of a sparkling swimming pool, enjoy a delicious island-inspired meal with your loved one under the stars. Book the Sandcastle Dining experience, where your entire table and seating will be sculpted into the sand. Oceanfront dining doesn’t come any more romantic than this.

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Romantic Moonlight Swim at Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, Dubai The resort: Famous for being the most luxurious hotel on the planet, the iconic sail-shaped Burj Al Arab Jumeirah is the ideal setting for top-class pampering.

At 321 metres above sea level, the magnificent structure is the tallest allsuite hotel in the world, boasting 202 suites with stunning views across the Arabian Gulf and an impressive skyline.

Must-do: When it comes to romance, the illustrious hotel exceeds

expectations. The aptly named Romantic Moonlight Swim is a once-ina-lifetime experience taking place in the serene environment of the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah’s Talise Spa. The treatment begins with a soothing couple’s massage to relax and unwind, followed by the beautiful main event. A private infinity pool decorated with rose petals, set 150 metres in the sky, awaits. Set the tone with personalised music and bespoke refreshments while enjoying the glimmering moonlight and sweeping views of Dubai.

Guests are gifted a signature bathrobe to take home as a keepsake of the unforgettable experience.

Romantic moonlight swim, Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, Dubai

Sunset view of the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah

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Spa facilities

TRAVEL: ROMANCE Eggs Benedict, Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel, London

Picnic on the lawns

Executive room

Belgravia Experience at Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel, London The resort: Those looking for an adventurous and historical city break should look no further than the sights and sounds of London.

Must-do: Guests of Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel can delve into the history of the exclusive area with the Belgravia Experience package.

The beautiful district of Belgravia is laden with history. Did you know that Mozart wrote his first symphony while living in Ebury Street in Belgravia?

Or that much of the Great Train Robbery of 1963 was planned over drinks in a local watering hole, the Star Tavern? Or that famous milliner Philip Treacy opened his first store on Elizabeth Street?

The special bed-and-breakfast package includes bicycles with a bespoke map produced by a local tour company to help couples discover all the hotspots. Also included in the adventurous experience is a traditional British picnic packed with mouthwatering, handmade delights created by executive head chef Martin Gabler, designed to create a romantic lunch to be enjoyed in one of the local parks. Other thoughtful touches include a gift voucher for local artisanal cheese and chocolate stores, where you can pick up a delicious takeaway treat. Enjoy the great British outdoors with this unique adventure.

Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel is a chic, contemporary retreat located in the renowned Belgravia village. Set in a serene, leafy square, the 87 rooms and suites are just moments from the city’s most fashionable shops and boutiques.

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TRAVEL: ROMANCE

Club deluxe room

Museum Tour at Jumeirah Himalayas, Shanghai The resort: Romance and cities steeped in culture go hand-in-hand. Nothing beats putting yourself at the heart of a thriving arts scene, which is why a stay at Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel should be at the top of any art aficionado’s wishlist.

Located in its own stylish wing of the renowned Himalayas Centre in Pudong, offering a choice of 403 rooms, suites and residences, the hotel neighbours a shopping mall, theatre and an impressive museum.

The Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel is an architectural wonder incorporating modern design with Chinese ideas of nature and humanism. To locals, it’s a symbol of the thriving Pudong neighbourhood. For visitors, it’s a chance to experience Shanghai’s cultural variety in one place.

Must do: A tour of the fine art collection in the Himalayas Art Museum.

Moving from its former home in the Zendai Art Museum, the impressive collection has been reimagined in its exciting new space, breathing fresh life into the breadth of works on show. Visiting exhibitions add an everchanging layer of exploration while the permanent collection emphasises the contribution made by Chinese artists to contemporary art around the world.

Fall in love with the history, the culture and one another in Shanghai.

For bookings visit jumeirah.com

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Sushi platter, J-Mix restaurant

SPRING FORWARD

Words: Rachel Silvestri

Chinese New Year is upon us and this spring festival sees a transition from the Year of the Rooster to the Year of the Dog. Jumeirah explores the beauty of traditional Chinese celebrations

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Festival decor at Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel, Shanghai

TRAVEL: FESTIVEL

I

t’s a time of rebirth, renewal and the rekindling of family ties.

As winter comes to a close and the joys of spring edge nearer, Chinese people prepare for the biggest celebration of the calendar – the Spring Festival, otherwise known as the Chinese New Year.

Changing dates every year, the Chinese New Year follows the lunar calendar, falling upon the new moon between the winter solstice and the spring equinox.

The Chinese zodiac follows a cycle of 12 years, always coming in the same order – last year was the Rooster, this year will be the Dog. People born in the same year are thought to have similar characteristics and varying compatibilities with other zodiac years. And every 12 years, one should be careful – when your own year comes around again it’s traditionally thought to be unlucky. So anyone celebrating their 12th, 24th, 36th, 48th, 60th, 72nd, 84th or 96th birthday after February 15 should be a little more cautious, if you want to believe the superstition.

New Year spread at Shang-High restaurant, Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel, Shanghai

Spring Festival is all about tradition and there are a huge number of customs followed both in China and by Chinese people abroad.

in the Maldives. “We are honoured to have become such a popular resort with Chinese travellers, from multi-generational travel to honeymoon trips.

Our location only 20 minutes by luxury catamaran from the international airport in Male means guests can reach us less than an hour after landing in the Maldives and dive right into island life. We ensure to celebrate traditional Chinese holidays throughout the year, not only for Chinese New Year.”

Travel

Food

The most important tradition of all during Spring Festival is family togetherness. With such a large amount of China’s population working far from their ancestral family homes, whether in other parts of the country or overseas, this time of year sees the largest human migration in human history – and it grows every year. It’s estimated that more than three billion people will take a Chinese New Year trip in 2018, normally to their home town or village, but overseas travel during this period is also becoming more popular.

When families get together, thoughts inevitably turn to food – and with China’s rich culinary heritage, everything has a meaning. Noodles denote longevity, jiaozi dumplings are for wealth, fish for prosperity and citrus fruit for luck. But most important of all is joining together and eating as a family.

“The Chinese market is very important to Jumeirah Vittaveli. China is the number one source market for the Maldives as a whole and it is also our top market,” says Amit Majumder, general manager of Jumeirah Vittaveli resort

“Gathering with family and friends to enjoy local Shanghainese dishes is the best way to celebrate during the Chinese New Year,” says Winston Chien, general manager of the Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel, Shanghai. “Our Michelinstarred restaurant Shang-High will launch a special Chinese New Year’s Eve set menu for our guests this year featuring traditional Shanghainese cuisines, allowing them to gather in our hotel as their home away from home to enjoy an unforgettable family reunion.”

A gala dinner to celebrate new beginnings

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TRAVEL: FESTIVEL

Gifts At Chinese New Year, cash gifts flow. The traditional Spring Festival gift is a red envelope called a hong bao, stuffed with money, preferably crisp new notes making up a lucky amount ending with an eight. These are normally given to children and within families but employers can also give them to their workers. As China becomes a more technologically advanced society, the humble hong bao has also had a digital makeover. Electronic hong bao payments are now becoming the norm, making it easier than ever to brighten up someone’s Spring Festival with a few extra yuan.

Fire poi dance at Jumeirah Vittaveli, Maldives

WITH A BANG Celebrate Chinese New Year at Jumeirah properties, wherever you are in the world ISLAND FORTUNE Feel the sand between your toes as you marvel New year gala buffet spread

at the dazzling fire poi and traditional lion dance on Samasara beach before filling up on treats at a special Chinese New Year buffet featuring all the traditional favourites, served in relaxed island style.

Chinese New Year at Jumeirah Vittaveli, Maldives

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS Let chef Frank Hu’s award-winning cuisine guide you through a traditional New Year banquet, Shanghai style. With its sweet, sour and delicate flavours, Shanghainese dishes have something for everyone. Let your first meal of the Year of the Dog be the best you’ll taste in 2018.

Shang-High Cuisine, Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel Shanghai

CULINARY JOURNEYS The home of traditional Chinese cooking in Dubai, Zheng He’s (named after the ancient explorer) is the perfect destination for any gourmet traveller. Beggar’s chicken, delicate dim sum and succulent roasted Beijing duck are the centrepieces of the culinary cornucopia.

Zheng He’s, Jumeirah Mina A’ Salam, Madinat Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel, Shanghai

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Jumeirah, Dubai

JUST DESSERTS Sahar Al Awadhi has realised her childhood dream – to become a chef.

Gareth Rees spoke to the 30-year-old junior sous chef in the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah about her journey from passionate amateur baker with a career in marketing to becoming the first Emirati to work as a pastry chef

W

hen Sahar Al Awadhi was 12 years old, she baked her first cake.

Did it go well?

“Yes,” says the 30-year-old Emirati with a chuckle.

Al Awadhi, who is now junior sous chef in the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, is laughing because she didn’t leave much room for failure. The ingredients for her first creation came in a box printed with clear, simple instructions for how to transform them into something delicious in just 20 minutes, courtesy of everybody’s favourite fictional home baker, Betty Crocker.

“It’s a good place for anybody who is very young to start because it’s foolproof and encourages you to do more,” she says. “When you start off with something that comes out delicious and perfect, it motivates you to do more.”

Even if her cake hadn’t been perfect, it’s unlikely the aspiring baker would have quit. Al Awadhi is the youngest of five hardworking, ambitious siblings.

They include Mohamed, 44, the co-creator of journalism app WePress and founder of communication consultancy Qissa Social; Peyman, 41, a serial entrepreneur whose ventures include co-founding the Wild Peeta shawarma restaurant with Mohamed as well as Qabeela New Media, E3M Entertainment and Barza New Media; Marwan, 36, better known as DJ Bliss, the chief executive of Bliss Inc, an umbrella for seven entertainment ventures and Ehsan, 33, a director for Dubai-based QB7 Studios.

Their grandfather Mohamed and father Younes were successful businessmen.

Hard work and a never-say-die attitude are hardwired in the siblings.

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FOOD: SWEETS

One of Sahar Al Awadhi's mouthwatering creations

Nevertheless, despite the fact Sahar Al Awadhi was raised by supportive parents in a household where everyone had a can-do attitude, her mother was “cooking all the time” and her father “loved food”, she lacked role models in the food industry.

“There weren’t really any Emirati chefs when I was growing up,” she says.

Instead she was inspired by French chocolatier Jacques Torres, whose television show she watched and the cookbooks of American chef Thomas Keller. “There weren’t any Emirati chefs to look up to but there were plenty of chefs around the world to look up to,” she says. “I didn’t want to be good at a national level, I wanted to be good at an international level so I had to find the chefs that were great on an international scale. That is what I aspire to become.”

Still, it wasn’t until much later that Al Awadhi gained the confidence to pursue her dream.

Dubai Tourism office in the city and interned at Le Saint Georges in Paris, where she worked from early in the morning until nine o’clock at night.

Then in June 2016, she got her big break. She attended a Jumeirah Group careers fair, applied for a position in the kitchen of the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah and impressed the hotel’s executive pastry chef Johannes Bonin so much during her interview that she was offered a job.

“I took the job because my pastry chef is, I think, the best in the UAE,” she says. “He has worked with other great chefs such as Alain Ducasse, Pierre Gagnaire and Pierre Hermé, who is probably the best pastry chef of our time. It was a great opportunity to be able to learn from him, not to mention working in a larger scale operation where I would have to oversee eight restaurants, banqueting and in-room dining. It was a much bigger responsibility and I was happy to take it on and learn.”

It all sounds so simple. It wasn’t.

“I went to university and after that I had a marketing job but [pursuing a career as a chef] was always in the back of my mind,” she says. “I did little things. My brothers had a restaurant and I made brownies for them almost every day. I was trying to work in different restaurants but it was a very foreign concept to me. There was nobody to speak to about it so it scared me. But later, I just took the leap – and I have never looked back.”

The leap was in 2014, when Al Awadhi quit her marketing job and joined the kitchen brigade at La Serre bistro and boulangerie, working in the pastry section. During her time there, Al Awadhi travelled to Seoul in South Korea to cook four Emirati dishes for 150 people attending the opening of the new

Her parents backed her all the way because they could see how passionate she was about making it as a chef, but even the most supportive of parents “didn’t know what to do with it” when Al Awadhi first floated the idea.

“My brothers all worked very hard, for very long hours [to achieve their success] but for me, as an Emirati woman, to be in the hospitality industry was still a very foreign concept versus working at a desk job.”

It wasn’t just the idea of working in the hospitality industry that was hard for people to come to terms with. Even when she first started working in a

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White Chocolate Catalan Creme Brulee with Tropical Fruits, Chantilly and Fresh Berries.

Delicious and savoury bites

professional kitchen, finally making her dream a reality, Al Awadhi’s colleagues found it hard to fathom.

“People I worked with didn’t really know how to deal with me,” she says.

“They had never worked with Emiratis. Most of them had never even interacted with Emiratis, regardless of how many years they had been working here. So people didn’t really know how to act around me, whether they could joke with me, if they could give me work to do or if they had to babysit me.

“The important thing was to make sure that everybody realised I was not there just to walk through the job. I was there to work, to learn the job and I had to make sure everybody knew that and didn’t treat me differently. I did the same work as everybody else and [made it clear] I didn’t want special treatment from anybody. That’s the only way I could earn their respect.”

Four years after she started working in the hospitality industry, Al Awadhi thinks there is still some way to go before the idea of a young, female Emirati pursuing a career as a chef becomes mainstream but she says things have changed for the better.

“I think the [Emirati] community and [UAE] society is opening up a lot because millennials are following their passion, regardless of what that is – whether it’s in photography, food or fashion – and the older generations are easing into it. They’re becoming more familiar with it and more accepting.

The restaurants and the large hotel brands are also more receptive to having Emiratis come in and do the job so it’s really changing.”

Does she think her role has been instrumental in this ongoing change?

“I’m [only] one person and I don’t know how much of an impact I’ve had

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Almond Daquoise with Sweet Mango Chutney and Vanilla Whipped Ganache

on the entire industry but I think I’ve made an impression on the people I have interacted with and I have proved I can do the job, regardless of where I’m from and that I can do it exactly like they do – or even better. It doesn’t really matter where I’m from. I just need to do the job and to do it properly.”

It appears others are following Al Awadhi’s lead. Another female Emirati chef started working in the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah recently. “It makes me happy to see that – to see people come into the industry, regardless of the baggage that it brings, because they love food,” she says.

“I feel like I need to set a bar and I have a responsibly to set some standards because there are hardly any Emirati chefs working in the industry. It’s important to set the bar high so that it doesn’t appear as though we’re being given an easy time, so we’re given equal amounts work and so we’re respected.”

Is the attitude of people in the hospitality industry to working with Emiratis changing?

“I hope [it is changing] because it makes me sad that there are people who have been living here for years who don’t have Emirati friends or who don’t interact with Emiratis,” says Al Awadhi. “I don’t understand it.”

Al Awadhi’s previous career in marketing now seems like a long time ago.

“I started working in the industry about four years ago and I have never looked back,” she says. “I never think about what would have happened if I had stayed in marketing or why I took the job. I enjoy every aspect of working in the kitchen – not just the cooking but all the organisation and admin too. I love all of it.”

THE INSIDERS GUIDE TO…

THE UAE SPORTS SCENE

Night view of the Jumeirah Living World Trade Centre Residence

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TRAVEL: DUBAI

MIKE PHILLIPS

Former professional rugby union player and coach for the Mike Phiillips Just Play Rugby Academy

I moved to Dubai last year. I got married in the summer and my wife had her own business plans here. I thought: “Why not?” What a great place to live.

Dubai has a brilliant sports scene and one which is continuing to grow so it was an easy choice to make. Without a doubt [the appeal for both current and former professional sports people] has to be the weather. It can make such a big difference to your day and for those who love to be outside and play sport, Dubai has so much to offer for the majority of the year.

Words: Gareth Rees

The UAE is a young country so sporting pathways are still developing but they are growing and evolving rapidly. I would love to see more international tournaments and games played here and I don’t think that is too far away. Take rugby, for example: more people are beginning to join clubs and it’s brilliant to see the support people are beginning to show for the sport. I also believe that with the support of UAE rugby and international development, the opportunity for the UAE to compete on a global scale isn’t too far away. I haven’t played any rugby in the UAE yet but the standard is pretty good and the numbers are improving all the time.

It’s important to have good quality coaches and hopefully that’s something I can use my experience to contribute to. I’ve been lucky enough to play with some of the top coaches around the world and my focus now is to use what I’ve learned throughout my career to help teach others. I am a member of Darjeeling Cricket Club and I’ve just got back from the Abu Dhabi Invitational Golf Tournament for professionals versus celebrities.

I met so many great people and it was an honour being able to play with such legends and professional golfers and all for a great cause (Rahma Cancer Patient Care Society). It was great being back out there with the Scarlets [in South Africa late last year] – I loved it. Keeping fit and active is important to me but I don’t have any plans to return to professional rugby [permanently].

My focus is now on the Mike Phillips Just Play Rugby Academy and coaching others to be the best that they can be – and, most importantly, enjoying the sport and keeping active. There’s a huge amount of support for rugby here in the UAE, from the grassroots level all the way to the international game. I’m enjoying working with some really exciting young players and passing on the skills and knowledge that have served me so well over the years to a new generation. The great thing about rugby is that it’s for everyone – it can be played by boys and girls, men and women of any age.

In recent years we have seen more women getting involved in the game, not just within the UAE but globally, with a thriving women’s professional game and a growing women’s development programme. This is something that we wanted to encourage throughout the academy. I’m thrilled to have the chance to work with youngsters of all ages, abilities and nationalities here in Dubai.

Coaching is definitely the path I see myself on from here. I’ve learned so much over my career and I’m passionate about passing that on to the next generation. Of course, an opportunity such as coaching the UAE national team would be amazing but that would be a long term goal. For the time being, I’ll be focusing on encouraging kids in the UAE to keep fit and healthy.

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ANDY MEIKLE

Entrepreneur and founder of the 10 sports app

When I was growing up in Dubai it felt like a small town, with few roads and lots of open space, where everyone knew each other. My family and I used to go past Chicago Beach Village, where Madinat Jumeirah is now, to the area that is now Dubai Marina and JBR. There was nothing there, with the exception of a few bungalows that lined the road running parallel to the sea.

The expat community was small, which allowed us all to build many close friendships that we still have today.

I played football for Dubai English Speaking School and then English College but the standard of football at school level in the UAE at the time was not great. Each school team had one or two decent players but unfortunately the quality wasn't there to push the better players in the region so I played in the men’s Dubai Amateur Football League from when I was 15. Gordon Smith, a Scottish agent, introduced me to a company called FirstPointUSA. They hosted a mass trial in Scotland, where coaches came over from all over the US to watch more than 70 players over the course of a weekend.

I subsequently received around 10 scholarship offers and accepted a move to West Virginia Wesleyan College. Dubai changed most while I was living in the US from 2003 to 2007. I would return in the summer and for Christmas break and the amount of change every six months was jawdropping. After graduating from college, unfortunately my chances of going professional ended through injury. I returned to Dubai in 2008 and launched a business called The Question Company.

Those were tough times for any business, especially for a start-up. The ecosystem to encourage entrepreneurship was not yet established, which was the driver behind my move to London in 2012 to launch the sports social network Sportlobster. I returned to Dubai again recently to launch 10, a new sports app. The UAE has had great facilities for a long time and that continues to be the case; however, it didn't necessarily have the infrastructure for developing up and coming sports people.

Today, my understanding is that the infrastructure is in place (facilities and top-level coaching), which drives a high level of training and development

on a weekly and daily basis, rather than twice a year as it once was. This will, without a doubt, increase the opportunities for young athletes to reach the pinnacle of sport.

Furthermore, facilities such as Sports City and other initiatives driven by Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum are really encouraging people to get active, which all plays an important part not only in keeping people fit and healthy but in finding the superstars of the future.

As the UAE develops world-class facilities, it increases it's position as a major hub to host international sporting events such as the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, The Race to Dubai and the FIFA Club World Cup, among many more. This in turn encourages youth to aspire to reach those levels, which brings in more awareness and investment to the region to help facilitate the development of grassroots. I believe 10 plays an important role here.

It provides fans with personalised sports updates, such as breaking news or a goal update for the team or teams they support, but more importantly encourages those fans to continue the experience by generating content in response to those updates.

The younger audience demand an experience driven by personalisation, where they can share their opinion or hear other people’s opinions and the main way they communicate these days is through photos and videos. By bringing the sports digital experience in line with younger audiences’ online behaviour, we will encourage them to follow sports more passionately, in turn inspiring them to get back out and playing sports. When it comes to participation, without a doubt the UAE has the potential to become a hub for developing talent to the highest level based on the facilities that have been created and no doubt will continue to be created.

Investment must go into bringing more top-level coaching to the region but also, as we see higher education in the region rapidly expand through the introduction of more schools and universities, the UAE has an opportunity to look at other markets, such as the US, and build a model which encourages talent to the UAE within the region by being better able to identify potential, develop it and educate them in parallel. Much the same way I was attracted to the US to play sport for four years, the UAE has the potential and should aim to attract talent here from elsewhere in the world.

Andy Meikle

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TRAVEL: DUBAI

Terry Kidd with his young and eager wards

TERRY KIDD

Director of football, City Football Club

I moved to Dubai in 2006, taking up the role as director of football for E-Sports Football Club. Since then, Dubai has developed significantly as a city. It has seen growth in sports, especially football, which has scaled quite drastically, when there were only three or four football programmes operating in the region.

When I arrived some time ago, sport was very much an up-and-coming future asset, destined to play a big part in the city’s growth and status. Facility-wise, Dubai was certainly not as resourced as it is now and the development of new sport facilities has played a pivotal role in the growth of sport in the region.

Fast forward to today and there is a wide variety of competitive leagues and tournaments running across the city so certainly no shortage of games and fixtures available for clubs and academies.

Dubai has the potential to develop and provide really top talent to graduate through this region and on to the bigger stage. Dubai is proving to be a vehicle for youths who want make the commitment to be the best they can be.

The opportunity to be managing director of the new Dubai City Football Club was presented to me with the objective to improve and develop a professional club with a true focus on creating an elite environment for players to improve and hopefully progress through our player pathways – whether that be playing at a professional level, locally, in Europe or at collegiate level in the US.

right now and we are proud to be making a positive impact on this very talented and ambitious generation of student athletes.

E-Sport provided me with an unrivalled opportunity to work in an environment that was challenging, exciting and very fast paced. The growth of football has organically increased in hand with Dubai as a city, playing a big part in connecting a very diverse community. The standard of football locally has certainly improved with a larger population of expats residing in Dubai and with the increase of schools in the area, fuelling the appetite for the game and participation at every level.

From the perspective of coaching, Dubai is certainly attracting some highly qualified individuals, who bring a wealth of professional experience and knowledge that can further engage and develop the footballing community for future years to come. Football in Dubai at elite/high performance level isn’t far off the standards of the UK. The differentiator is that there is a far greater recruiting pool of talent in the UK and the fight to make it is tough and ruthless.

This has a huge impact on the mental toughness of the players as they are every day preparing to compete and fight for their place in the team or retain their place. Dubai presents a safer environment for players, which removes the element of fear as players feel they are part of the team and will almost always be involved irrespective of performance. However, it’s important for us at Dubai City Football Club that our players work for their place in the club and their respective squads.

The environment I have been able to develop is a real point of difference. I have a vested interest in providing an equal pathway for my coaching team by handing over more responsibility and input when it comes to improving our programming and outcomes for our players. Each member of my team has an individual development plan that keeps them focused, engaged and driven to attain the highest level of performance possible, resulting in greater opportunities.

One real positive about Dubai is that the climate for football during the peak season is superb and you can guarantee excellent playing surfaces week in week out. We are very much spoiled in this area as many facilities are on par with some of Europe’s top football club youth academies. I would really hope to see the UAE national team become a competitive force and present at a world cup soon as there is no shortage of talent, passion or desire in the region.

This I feel is a really healthy culture to set within the club at both player and staff level as we endeavour to breath elite every day and build habits and standards that will underpin our future successes as a club. Having been part of the past decade of growth in Dubai, it is definitely an exciting place to be

All in all, I would hope that at a youth level, there is cohesion between expat and local clubs as well as at a professional level and that the domestic league can continue to attract top international players from Europe, allowing the national team to grow as a competitive team at the highest level.

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TRAVEL: MALDIVES

FEATURED SPACES MU BEACH BAR AND GRILL, JUMEIRAH VITTAVELI

The average flight time from Dubai to the Maldives is between four-anda-half to five hours. It’s not an excruciatingly long journey but it’s slightly further afield for a weekend getaway – especially if you consider the seaplane ride from Male’s international airport to any one of the island nation’s atolls. Some of those atolls are about another hour-and-a-half away from Male. The last thing you need after a long journey is another flight to get to your holiday home. Luckily, Jumeirah Vittaveli is only a short 20-minute catamaran ride away from Male, making it one of the most convenient resorts in the archipelago.

For dinner, pamper yourself with the very best meats that the Maldives has to offer, in different marble scores, and the freshest seafood, including lobster, prawns and fish cooked to perfection, all served under the light of the stars and to the gentle sound of waves crashing in the background.

What could possibly make a better Valentine’s date night?

Mu Beach Bar and Grill serves lunch from 12.30pm to 5.30pm and dinner from 6.30pm to 10.30pm from Monday to Saturday. Call +960 664 2020 or email VittaveliLifestyle@jumeirah.com to book a table

Words: Meryl D’souza

While soaking in the sun from your water villa or the hotel’s recently launched five-bedroom Royal Residence, the resort lets you live out that opulent fantasy you’ve always dreamed of. We recommend visiting Mu Beach Bar and Grill. Few things in life are better than nibbling on tapas and pinchos for lunch while you’re comfortably perched on a sofa with your feet digging into the white sandy beach overlooking the turquoise water. Should you feel the ocean calling, don’t shy away. The atoll is home to the country’s best coral reefs, a mere 100 metres off the coast, complete with a variety of sealife and shipwrecks. And if, perchance, the heat gets to you, the bar – armed with every concoction you might need and an able, friendly bartender – is at your service.

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THE HIGH LIFE:

Daefi Lobby Lounge, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Dubai

THE LOWDOWN: Located on the lower level of Jumeirah Emirates

THE FOOD: The Daefi Lobby Lounge keeps its menu short and simple,

Towers, in the striking twin Emirates Towers in the heart of Dubai's

with a selection of classic teas, coffees and juices and an assortment

financial district, the Bedouin-inspired lounge is the perfect blend of

of delectable nibbles.

relaxation and sophistication, with an aura unmatched by any other spot in the city.

INSIDER’S TIP: While the rest of the world might associate Chopard

Words: Meryl D'souza

with luxury timepieces and jewellery, those in the know will be in on a

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THE ATMOSPHERE: The setting is ultra-luxe and looks like something

secret: the Swiss brand has a spectacular afternoon tea in the lounge.

straight out of a movie production studio with its high ceiling, rays of

The five-course experience presented by Chopard runs from 3pm to

sunshine dazzling through a glass facade and golden sofas as a striking

6pm and starts from $45.

contrast to the neutral tones. Despite the opulent backdrop, the area itself is actually quite cosy, making it one of the best places to meet

BOOKING DETAILS: Daefi Lobby Lounge is open 24 hours a day. Call

friends or business associates.

+971 4 319 8379 or email Restaurants@jumeirah.com

Tel: (+971) 4 337 7000 Email: ahmad@ahmadkurdi.com www.ahmadkurdi.com https://www/facebook.com/ahmadkurdifinejewellery | https://www.instagram.com/ahmadkurdifinejewellery

CO LLE CT I O N

ŠPhotograph: Laurent Ballesta/Gombessa Project

Fifty Fathoms

Available in Blancpain boutique in Dubai Mall And Rivoli Prestige showrooms across UAE Call toll free 800-Rivoli or visit www.rivoligroup.com