TWO LEGENDS COLLIDE
LENNY KRAVITZ & JLC’S REVERSO IN THE SPOTLIGHT
LA DOLCE VITA EXPOSED
FERRARI ROMA GOES OPEN-TOP
EXPLORING CIRCULAR LUXURY THE FIRST HUBLOT X NESPRESSO COLLABORATION WATCH
WALKING WITH ELEPHANTS
ANANTARA GOLDEN TRIANGLE ELEPHANT CAMP AND RESORT
Rolls-Royce’s V12 engine take the bow with the Wraith Black Arrow
Erling Haaland
Pro footballer, member of the all-star squad
Sobha Realty's first project at Dubai Harbour is a unique waterfront neighbourhood near the city's beloved landmarks. Hidden in a quiet corner of the Marina and Harbour, this little haven is the perfect place to take in gorgeous views of the iconic Palm Jumeirah, prominent Ain Dubai, regal Burj Al Arab, and the stunning Dubai Harbour & Marina skyline. Whether you are looking to relax by the pool, on your yacht, stroll along the harbourfront to explore the Marina, or simply enjoy the incredible views- Sobha SeaHaven is the perfect place to find your piece of paradise.
Sobha SeaHaven is an exciting sea-facing destination equidistant from the two international airports and a stone’s throw away from the top conglomerates of Dubai.
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Located in the heart of DAMAC Hills, Trump International Golf Club, Dubai brings links-style golf inspired by the game’s homeland of Scotland. Magnificent golf blended with culinary excellence and well-equipped leisure facilities creates an elegant lifestyle oasis in the United Arab Emirates for members and guests, alike.
Our stunning property boasts an exquisite 18-hole championship links-style golf course and a PAR 3 floodlit 9-hole course designed by world-renowned and 2016 Olympic golf course architect, Gil Hanse. Featuring state-of-the-art facilities, Trump International Dubai is home to the Trump Dubai Golf Performance Academy with air-conditioned indoor swing studios that offer virtual golf and SAM Puttlab technologies, a one-of-a-kind double sided LED floodlit TrackMan driving range, and immaculate short game area with practice facilities.
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Visit Trump International Golf Club, Dubai to experience championship golf and a luxurious golfing lifestyle.
While the last Rolls-Royce to be powered by the marque’s V12 engine graces the cover of our 49th Edition, there is distinctly scholastic thread running through it. It begins with an exclusive interview with H. Moser & Cie’s CEO Edouard Meylan, while Lenny Kravitz shares the spotlight with the Reverso at Jaeger-Lecoultre. Hublot and Nespresso explore upcycling in luxury goods with a new Big Bang Unico. Rolex unveils an all-new collection of formal watches that recall its founder, Hans Wilsdorf.
Professor Gordon Murray unveils his T33 Spider at Goodwood. Another automotive genius, Professor Giotto Bizzarrini, has an all-new supercar - deigned by Giorgetto Giugiaro – being built to honour him. Hedi Slimane at Celine Homme revisits the Bauhaus artistic movement for his SS23 collection. Kean Etro explores the essence of poetry and literature in his last collection for the his family brand.
Chef Vladimir Mukhin at Krasota Dubai fuses two vastly distinct streams of art – fine dining and visual art - in one sensory experience. Montblanc’s new Masters of Art series of writing instruments honours Vincent van Gogh, while its pop-up at AlUla celebrates The Library Spirit. Anantara Golden Triangle invites us to walk with the elephants, Batoka Zambezi Sands takes us deep into the African wilderness, and Resplendent Ceylon’s five boutique properties may lead to serendipitous experiences.
As always, enjoy the read!
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Hublot’s new Big Bang Unico captures the spirit of the summer sky with its new ceramic hue
Hublot captures the light, playful spirit of the summer sky with the new Big Bang Unico Sky Blue. This 200-piece limited-edition watch’s 42mm case is constructed in ceramic, and comes with colour-matching straps.
In 2019, Hublot introduced brightly coloured ceramic as a material for watchmaking. Since then, the brand has presented a watch in numerous colours. The Big Bang Unico Sky Blue presents this ceramic in the world’s most widely loved hue.
Produced using the brand’s unique processes, this exclusive, high-tech material is hypoallergenic and adapts to the temperature of the skin. Lightweight and ultra-resistant to oxidation and scratching, it is the ideal material for outdoor summer activities.
The dial, like a cloudless sky, reveals the column wheel of the HUB1280 manufacture calibre, a self-winding chronograph movement with a 72-hour power reserve. As its Unico manufacture movement gently tracks the easy passage of time, the Big Bang Unico Sky Blue evokes a sense of calm and timelessness.
The white luminescent hands and indices, appear suspended. The brand’s six iconic screws stand out against the blue of the bezel, which is also made from polished and satin-finished ceramic. This watch comes with a Velcro strap with sports fastener, as well as its iconic lined natural rubber version with a titanium deployant buckle.
H. Moser CEO, Edouard Meylan shares with us his insights on some the brand’s iconic watches and its outlook
Edouard Meylan, the young, dynamic CEO of the independent watch brand H. Moser & Cie. Born in the Vallée de Joux, Switzerland, Edouard’s connection with Swiss watchmaking goes back generations. After earning a Master’s in Engineering from the EPFL in Lausanne, and an MBA from Wharton, Edouard became CEO of H. Moser in 2013.
Since then he has been credited with refreshing the brand, both in terms of defining a clear brand identity and sales numbers. Ten years on, H. Moser’s timepieces are admired for their minimalist aesthetics and daring innovation.
Edouard was kind enough to speak to Signé Magazine about some of the exceptional watches to bear the H. Moser & Cie name as well as the brand’s special relationship with the region.
H. Moser & Cie. presented a very exclusive limited edition of 15 pieces, based on the Pioneer Cylindrical Tourbillon Skeleton, as a tribute to your long-standing partnership with Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons. What is the significance of this watch and how did it come about?
The friendship which links the Seddiqi and the Meylan families goes back two generations. The Seddiqi family has helped us when no one knew anything about H. Moser & Cie., 10 years ago. They believed in us and supported us. To celebrate our partnership and the values that we share, we created this limited edition, very exclusive.
In this series, everything is about elegance and understatement. The minimalism is enhanced by the transparent sapphire sub-dial, which allows a perfect and undisturbed view of the skeletonized movement. A true masterpiece for a true partnership.
The Pioneer Cylindrical Tourbillon Skeleton won the Tourbillon watch prize at GPHG 2022. Your thoughts on winning this prize?
This award means a lot and shows that we are on the right track. It is the recognition of our almost 200-year-old know-how, of uncompromising mechanical watchmaking, and of the power of classicism approached in an offbeat and sexy way. It is also a
great reward for independent watchmaking. This award marks an additional stage in the development of the Moser brand and sets a very positive outlook for the future.
The Endeavour Centre Seconds Genesis is a watch that bears a unique QR code engraved on its sapphire crystal. What is this watch about and how does it fit into your brand experience?
At H. Moser & Cie. we are constantly seeking to innovate, to explore new territories and to push our limits. Our main objective is always to be customer-focused and to bring added value. With the development of new technologies, we are now able to follow the consumer journey, which does not end once the watch is sold, much further.
C to C business has expanded with the emergence of the secondary market. Thanks to the ecosystem that we have developed, we are now able to offer a warranty with increased transparency, traceability and security to our customers. The Genesis watch is a symbol of this commitment and represents the future. It is a hybrid product embodying the project, which combines the physical, virtual and digital dimensions.
The new Streamliner Tourbillon Vantablack Rainbow, with its rainbow gem settings, appears to be a departure from the conservative or minimalist aesthetics of the collection. Is this a true assessment?
With this model, we wanted to create a poetic interpretation of our Streamliner Tourbillon model. More than the beauty of the sapphires, we loved the contrast between their reflections and the Vantablack dial. A jewellery model with roots in horological tradition, the Streamliner Tourbillon Rainbow marries the fundamentals of minimalism and contemporary elegance, and adds a dash of opulence.
Streamliner Tourbillon Vantablack Rainbow
Plans ahead – upcoming launches and outlook for 2023?
We have lots of beautiful launches scheduled for 2023 spread across our four collections. We will introduce two entirely new calibres and a new diameter in the Pioneer and Streamliner collections, and we will play on new colours for our dials. One of our biggest launches will happen during the Dubai Watch Week, so stay tuned.
What are the peculiarities that you have observed or find interesting about the Middle Eastern luxury watch market?
Middle Eastern is a very interesting market, with huge potential. The customers have a precise and demanding knowledge of watchmaking. They are also passionate about independent watchmakers. We are very happy to have a good presence here, thanks to our subsidiary MELB Middle East and to our partner, Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons.
For Jaeger-LeCoultre, the first half of this year has been a celebration of its iconic Reverso. First came an extensive reveal of new novelties at this year’s Watches & Wonders, where the theme was ‘The Golden Ration,’ represented in the length-to-width of the Reverso. Now, the watchmaker has announced Lenny Kravitz, a long-time Reverso admirer, as its newest brand ambassador.
When the multi-talented artist - singer, songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist, actor, designer and photographer - performed at this year’s Oscars ceremony, he paired his black silk jumpsuit and layered jewellery with a Reverso. He also chose to wear a Reverso when appearing in the promotional video to announce his brand ambassadorship. This is quite an endorsement of Reverso’s style quotient, given that Lenny was recognised last year by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) with its ‘Fashion Icon’ award.
“Beyond the function of a watch, style is very important – how it looks and the way it fits on your wrist. You have to really connect with it,” says Lenny. “My Jaeger-LeCoultre pieces feel like they have always been there – they blend with me and their style is absolutely timeless. You can really make these watches your own and when you want to change the mood, change the vibe, they always fit. It’s as if they become one with you.”
Lenny will have a choice of four new models, and several variants, to add to his Reverso collection. The four new models presented at this year’s Watches & Wonders are Reverso Tribute Chronograph, Tribute Duoface Tourbillon, Tribute Small Seconds, and the Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179.
The Reverso Tribute Chronograph, as the name suggests, pays tribute to the first Reverso Chronograph of 1996. The six-piece limited edition was powered by the Calibre 829the first chronograph movement in a rectangular case. It
was also the first manually-wound integrated chronograph developed by JLC from scratch in the post-quartz era.
The 2023 Reverso Tribute Chronograph is powered by the new Calibre 860, which presents a chronograph with a double-sided display of the time. The front dial bears all the hallmarks of the Reverso Tribute line, with its baton hour markers, Dauphine hands and peripheral chemin de fer minutes track. The dials are discreetly elegant with a sunraybrushed surface.
The reverse side reveals the beautifully crafted chronograph mechanism through a skeletonised dial. The bridges are decorated with Côtes de Genève, while the chronograph seconds and minute tracks are highlighted in black to maximise legibility. The blue chronograph hands complement the blued screws, and they starkly contrast against the other components.
The Reverso Tribute Chronograph is presented in two variants. The steel variant comes with a blue-grey dial and dark blue straps. This sophisticated colour is achieved through the innovative Atomic Layer Deposit process, in which ultra-thin layers of titanium oxide are deposited progressively. The pink gold variant comes with a contrasting deep black dial.
The new Reverso Tribute Duoface Tourbillon presents the Duoface dual time zone complication and a tourbillon in the same watch for the first time. The Duoface has become a pillar of the Reverso collection since it was introduced in 1994. JLC’s first tourbillon was developed for a pocket watch in 1946, and in 1993 JLC became the first watchmaker to present a tourbillon in a rectangular case.
JLC’s ultra-thin hand-wound Calibre 847 is the movement that unites these two features, while being just 3.9mm thick. To achieve this, JLC’s watchmakers had to completely rethink the tourbillon mechanism, to reduce as much height as possible. Comprising 62 components and weighing a mere 0.455 grams, this highly sophisticated tourbillon does not have an upper bridge. The outer tourbillon cage was replaced with a ball-bearing system, and the balance wheel is attached to the centre of the tourbillon.
In the absence of an outer cage, the hairspring was replaced with an innovative S-shaped balance spring. One end of which is attached to a fixed point at the centre of the tourbillon mechanism, and the other end is fixed to the balance wheel. The S-shape avoids the coils of the spring from touching each other and makes the spring perfectly concentric to the tourbillon.
These understated details and the subtle glow of the silver sunray-brushed front dial allow the tourbillon to take centre stage. The cradle of the case features a visually dramatic sunray pattern emanating from a mirror-polished disc. The latter aligns with the tourbillon to reflect light through the mechanism.
The reverse dial of the watch has a bolder character, enhanced by partial skeletonisation and dramatic decorations. The second time zone is indicated by golden hands and indexes on a black sunray-brushed dial, and above the dial, the night and day indicator features an exquisite starry night sky. The gold bridges are richly textured with Clous de Paris guilloché, while blued screws contrast with the gold.
Soon after its creation in 1931 as a watch for polo players, Reverso became popular amongst other members of high society. This led to new variations of the watch featuring coloured dials that contrasted vividly with the case metal. This was an innovative departure at a time when white or silver dials were the norm for men’s watches.
The 2023 Tribute Small Seconds adds to this story with sunray-brushed coloured dials. Three of these - Black sunray, Burgundy lacquer, and Silver sunray - are encased in a significantly redesigned pink gold case which, at 7.56mm, has a reduced thickness of almost a millimetre. The fourth variant has a Silver opaline dial with black nickel finished hands and indexes in a steel case.
All four models are powered by the manually wound Calibre 822. This elegant and well-proven movement has a power reserve of 42 hours.
Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179 brings together the maison’s technical masterpiece – the multi-axis tourbillonwith the finest artistic craftsmanship from the Manufacture’s Métiers Rares (Rare Handcrafts) to elevate this timepiece to the level of high-art.
Calibre 179 features the fourth evolution of the multiaxis tourbillon or Gyrotourbillon. As with the Calibre 847 of the Reverso Tribute Duoface, Calibre 179 was developed specifically for the Reverso, and is also a Duoface movement. Comprising 382 components, this highly complex movement has been remarkably accommodated within an overall thickness of just 13.63 millimetres.
Visually enthralling to observe as it pirouettes around its twin axes, the highly complex structure of the Gyrotourbillon has a total of 123 components. It has an ultra-light titanium cage and a peripheral carriage mounted on ball bearings. These two elements turn perpendicularly to each other at different speeds. The inner tourbillon cage rotates 360 degrees every 16 seconds, and the peripheral carriage makes a full rotation once per minute. This peripheral carriage also provides a small seconds function, indicating the seconds on a ring that encircles the tourbillon aperture.
Rather than being held in place by a conventional bridge, the tourbillon mechanism is supported by a ring of ball bearings. As a result, the Gyrotourbillon appears to be floating in the space between the front and back dials of the Reverso. The effect is amplified by the light reflected from the mirror-like surface of a polished blue lacquer disc positioned on the supporting cradle of the watch directly beneath the tourbillon aperture.
On the aesthetic front, glowing dark blue lacquer on either side creates a rich contrast with the pink gold case of the watch. On the front dial, in a subtle allusion to the geometric patterns of Art Deco, a fine lattice of golden lines contrasts with the blue lacquer of the complements and the time display. On the reverse dial, blue lacquer has been applied to the fine tracery of the skeletonised hours-minutes ring and its supporting bridges, which similarly contrast with the golden tones of the various movement components.
“Elegant, classic and decidedly contemporary,” is how Rolex describes the timepieces in its all-new Perpetual collection. Unveiled at the Watches & Wonders 2023, the collection debuts four Perpetual 1908 models – all are time only, in understated white and yellow gold cases, and possessing a modern-chic dressy aesthetic.
The Perpetual collection is widely rumoured to be a replacement for the brand’s Cellini collection, although there has been no official statement from the brand on the subject. If we were to compare the two, based on the initial models, the Perpetual model appears to be more of an everyday watch than a Cellini. While the latter is generally regarded as a suit-compatible watch, the Perpetual seems to be just as compatible with a jeans-and-shirt combo as it is with a suit.
The word “Perpetual” was chosen for the collection’s name because it was inspired by one of the first Rolex watches fitted with the perpetual rotor. The “1908” of its first models pays homage to the year Hans Wilsdorf, the band’s founder, settled on the name ‘Rolex’ for his watches and registered the brand’s trademark in Switzerland.
The elegant and understated 1908 watch features a slim 39 mm case in 18 ct yellow or white gold. It has a two-tiered bezel with the lower part elegantly fluting and the upper part domed. The curve of the lugs is highlighted thanks to gentle chamfering on their top edges. Complementing the partially domed bezel is the domed sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating.
The case back is transparent – also sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating - which allows the technical and decorative aspects of the movement to be seen and admired. The case is “guaranteed” to be waterproof to a depth of 50 metres (165 feet).
The sleek dial, either “intense white” or “intense black” depending on the version, is graced with Arabic numeralsat the 3, 9 and 12 o’clock positions. The index hour markers are faceted. It also offers a small seconds subdial at 6 o’clock, with the words ‘Superlative Chronometer’ above it in an arc shape. The hour hand is distinctive with its circle just before the tip, while the minute hand resembles a twoedged sword.
The white dial has a slightly grainy finish, which gives it a bit of a luxuriant texture. The black dial noticeably matte finish. The colour, reflections and surface texture, along with decorative elements give the dial, and by extension the watch, its intrinsic character.
As with other Rolex models, all aspects of the dial are produced in-house, from the initial sketches to the final inspection. This includes the use of cutting-edge technologies such as magnetron sputtering, a complex technique for colouring the surface of a dial by depositing a thin film of material in a vacuum environment.
The 1908 is equipped with calibre 7140. This self-winding movement, also unveiled this year, is wholly developed and manufactured by Rolex. It enables the 1908 to display the small seconds in the sub-dial, as well as the central hours and minutes. It features the Chronergy escapement, which combines high energy efficiency with dependability. Made of nickel-phosphorus, this escapement is resistant to strong magnetic fields.
The movement’s patented Syloxi silicon hairspring has a geometry that ensures the calibre’s regularity in any position. The oscillator is mounted on the patented high-performance Paraflex shock absorbers, designed by the brand, to increase the movement’s shock resistance. The oscillating weight is fashioned in 18 ct yellow gold and is then fitted with an optimized ball bearing.
Its bridges are finished with the Rolex Côtes de Genève, a decoration that differs from traditional Côtes de Genève because of the slight polished groove between each band.
Calibre 7140. It is equipped with a self-winding system via a Perpetual rotor. Thanks to its barrel architecture and the escapement’s efficiency, the power reserve of calibre 7140 extends to approximately 66 hours.
The 1908 is fitted on an alligator leather strap. Matt brown or matt black, this elegant strap is tailored for the new watch. It has a green calfskin lining and tone-on-tone stitching. It is equipped with the brand’s Dualclasp - a double folding claspin 18 ct yellow or white gold. The Dualclasp is designed to sit centred on the wrist.
Like all Rolex watches, the Perpetual 1908 carries the Superlative Chronometer certification redefined by Rolex in 2015. This designation testifies that every watch leaving the brand’s workshops has successfully undergone a series of tests conducted by Rolex in its own laboratories according to its own criteria, following the official certification of the movements by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC).
These in-house certification tests apply to the fully assembled watch, after casing the movement, to assess its precision, power reserve, waterproofing and self-winding. The precision of a Rolex Superlative Chronometer is stated to be at “−2/+2 seconds per day,” which is significantly smaller than that accepted by COSC for official certification of the movement alone.
The Superlative Chronometer status is symbolized by the green seal that comes with every Rolex watch and is coupled with an international five-year guarantee.
Rolls-Royce recently unveiled the Black Badge Wraith Black Arrow to mark the end of production of one of the most transformative motor cars in the marque’s history. This bespoke masterpiece, limited to just 12 examples worldwide, is also the last V12 coupé Rolls-Royce will “ever make,” as it embarks on an allelectric era.
Launched in 2013, Wraith is considered one of the most important and influential models ever designed and built at Goodwood. More performance-focused than its predecessors Phantom and Ghost, Wraith fundamentally altered perceptions of Rolls-Royce and brought new, younger customer groups to the brand for the first time. Its wider cultural significance is underlined by countless references to the Wraith in music, cinema, art and fashion.
Wraith’s dramatic ‘fastback’ silhouette signalled its dynamic intent upon launch. This was further amplified in 2016, with the introduction of the Black Badge Wraith – an even more powerful expression of the car. It delivered some of the highest levels of performance ever achieved by a V12-powered Rolls-Royce. When considering how best to mark the end of the Wraith era, Goodwood’s designers and engineers took inspiration for the Wraith Black Arrow from another significant V12 in Rolls-Royce’s history.
In 1938, Captain George Eyston set a world land speed record of 575.335 kmph with Thunderbolt - a seven-tonne, eight-wheeled leviathan equipped with two Rolls-Royce V12 ‘R’ Series aero engines. The outbreak of the Second World War in the following year ended Eyston’s endeavours. All subsequent records were set with different engine types and configurations, thus enshrining Thunderbolt in perpetuity as the fastest V12-powered motorcar ever built.
Thunderbolt’s record attempts took place on the legendary Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. Against the glare of the brilliant white surface, and under a blazing desert sun, the reflections from the car’s polished aluminium body made it almost impossible to tell precisely when it passed the timing equipment.
Eyston’s simple but ingenious solution was to paint a large black arrow on the car’s sides, incorporating a yellow central circle motif that could be seen clearly even at high speed. This is where the Wraith Black Arrow gets its name and its historical context.
Wraith Black Arrow’s exclusive Bespoke finish features a fullcolour graduation between two tones - Celebration Silver and Black Diamond. A glass-infused ‘Crystal’ paint overlayer has been
applied to the Black Diamond paint to enhance the transition between the two colours, achieving a striking motion blur effect from front to rear. This exclusive technique also gives the coachwork a subtle texture inspired by the crusted surface of the Bonneville Salt Flats, set beneath a high gloss lacquer, which is polished for more than 12 hours to achieve a glass-like finish.
The realisation of this extraordinary finish required the marque to undertake 18 months of surface testing and development before it complied with Rolls-Royce standards. The total time invested in developing the material chemistry, application technique and surface finishing makes Gradient Paint one of the most technically complex paints that RollsRoyce has ever created.
Contrast to the Gradient Paint is provided by Bright Yellow bumper inserts and wheel pinstripes, subtly recalling the yellow circle within Thunderbolt’s black arrow. In another Rolls-Royce first, Black Arrow’s V-struts, located behind the radiator grille and in front of the engine, are also finished in Bright Yellow. This subtly draws the eye to the V12 engine sitting behind the car’s dark chrome grille surround. The use of Bright Yellow extends to the base of the motor car’s layered carbon fibre Spirit of Ecstasy, which incorporates a Bright Yellow ring detail and an engraving of the Collection name.
To commemorate Rolls-Royce’s last-ever V12 coupé, the marque’s Bespoke Collective – comprising designers, craftspeople and engineers - collaborated to create a unique artwork for Black Arrow’s fascia. The intricate, tactile design skilfully depicts the contemporary V12 engine in Wraith.
In keeping with the Black Badge family’s noir ambience, the highly complex design - itself the product of two months of development - is engraved in a single sheet of black-coated aluminium to reveal the gleaming metal beneath, providing a bold visual link to Thunderbolt’s polished aluminium body.
Black Arrow’s coach doors are lined with open-pore Black Wood, in a complex design comprising over 320 multidirectional and lasered marquetry pieces that mimics the cracked, irregular surface of the Bonneville Salt Flats. This extraordinary feature also extends onto the rear ‘Waterfall’ panel, which separates the two rear seats.
Thunderbolt underwent a series of design iterations during its lifetime. Its final shape, in which it captured the records is recalled in the polished and illuminated aluminium Speedform encapsulated behind glass on the front console.
Inside, Black Arrow’s interior is provisioned with a new material type developed specifically for the Collection. The armrests, seat gussets, transmission tunnel, door detail, door panniers and lower dashboard panel are all finished in ‘Club Leather.’ Its intentional greater sheen and even deeper black
colouration provide a subtle contrast to the matte RollsRoyce natural-grain black leather.
The leather’s natural markings are intentionally emphasised to give the interior more visible ‘life lines,’ and a closer resemblance to what was described at the time as “the club-armchair type of driving seat,” which George Eyston is said to have preferred above all others.
In keeping with the Black Badge series’ use of daring pulses of colour, Bright Yellow is employed for the front seat leather. Atop the seat, the outer headrest features an arrow embroidery motif, providing rich, tactile detail and referencing the arrow symbol painted on Thunderbolt’s aluminium body.
When the steering wheel is set in a straight-ahead position, a dark marking at the twelve o’clock position aligns with a similar pattern in the seats. This references the black lines Eyston’s team painted on the white Salt Flats to help him maintain direction - his sole point of reference at recordbreaking speeds. In recognition of the significance of this marking, this track guide flows in a deliberately asymmetric line from the steering wheel to the driver’s and rear passengers’ seats.
Given Thunderbolt’s record-breaking status, it is only fitting that Black Arrow incorporates a record of its
own. Casting a dramatic night’s-sky ambience over the interior suite, Black Arrow’s Bespoke Starlight Headliner incorporates 2,117 fibre-optic ‘stars’ - the greatest number ever seen in a Rolls-Royce motor car. All individually arranged by hand, the ‘stars’ depict the Milky Way as seen from vast open spaces, and the constellations precisely as they would have appeared over the Salt Flats in Utah on 16 September 1938, the date of Eyston’s final record.
Inspired by the analogue instruments of the 1930s, the fascia clock bezel references the raw, technical aesthetic of Thunderbolt’s interior, enhanced by black hand-tips that mimic the original car’s side-arrows. The surround is inscribed with the legend ‘Bonneville’ and Thunderbolt’s everlasting record speed for a V12-engined car. A further ‘arrow’ detail appears on the motor car’s Bespoke treadplates.
An exclusive Bespoke plaque is mounted on the engine cover to signify this as the last V12 ever to be fitted to a Rolls-Royce coupé. Machined from a single piece of polished metal, the plaque is inscribed with the V12 monogram in Bright Yellow, and the legend ‘Final Coupé Collection’ in Black.
All 12 cars in the Black Badge Wraith Black Arrow Collection have already been allocated to clients around the world.
Roma Spider adds the joy of open-top driving to Ferrari’s La Nuova Dolce Vita ethos
Ferrari unveiled the Roma Spider at an exclusive event at the El Badi Palace in Marrakesh earlier this month. The Maranello marque’s newest convertible possesses similar proportions, volumes and performance specifications as its “2+” GT coupé sibling, but comes with a strikingly beautiful new soft top.
Like the Roma, the Spider combines timelessly elegant design with high performance to deliver a contemporary take on the chic, pleasure-seeking Italian lifestyle of the 1950s and 60s. The Roma Spider is also the first front-engined convertible in 54 years to bear the Prancing Horse, after the 1969 365 GTS4s.
The Ferrari Roma Spider has retained much of the dynamic characteristics of the Ferrari Roma. Despite an increase in weight of 84 kg compared to its sibling, the Spider boasts a weight-to-power ratio of 2.5 kg/cv. The increase in weight has been minimised thanks to the use of lightweight components, which include the soft top mechanism and an all-aluminium chassis.
Like the Coupé, the Roma Spider is not just easy to drive, it is also dynamic and responsive. This makes it an ideal companion for out-of-town weekends and those long road journeys. And there is the added bonus of the exhilarating Ferrari V8 soundtrack playing in the background while the top is down.
Speaking of power, the Spider has the 620 cv V8 from the engine family that was awarded the “International Engine of the Year” on four consecutive occasions. The 3,855 cc power unit can punch out 620 cv at 7,500 rpm, the equivalent of 161 cvpl, which it combines with the flexibility of low-end pick-up, thanks to 80% of the torque being available at just 1900 rpm. This engine is coupled with Ferrari’s acclaimed 8-speed DCT gearbox, known for its incredibly fast shift times and excellent mechanical efficiency.
The Ferrari Roma Spider’s chassis is derived from the Ferrari Roma but features new components. The rear section draws on solutions used on the Ferrari Portofino M. The sill was developed specifically for the Spider, as were some elements required to install the soft top and the windscreen surround.
A number of features are designed to make this car versatile as well. It has a generous boot of 255 litres with the top up. There is a hatch via the rear seat backrests to allow larger items
to be carried. Wireless connectivity by Android Auto and Apple CarPlay Wi-Fi comes as standard. The ergonomic seats are 18-way-adjustable and heated, with an optional neck warmer for colder days.
Ferrari Roma Spider’s USP is, of course, its distinctive fabric soft top. It was designed not just to maintain, but to enhance the proportions of the coupé, without modifying that car’s elegantly flowing silhouette. Redesigning the coupé’s tapering, fastback roofline meant modifying the rear screen to incorporate it into the soft top so that it can fold below the tonneau cover when open. The roof cover appears as a body-colour band running across the base of the roof. It effectively divides the carbon-fibre active spoiler from the roof and rear screen. When the soft top is lowered, the active spoiler visually connects with the rear bench and headrests.
The Ferrari Roma Spider debuts a new technical fabric for its soft-top roof. Developed specifically for this car, it gives the car a sporty yet sophisticated allure, while its innovative two-tone weave also creates a striking iridescent red finish that further enhances the roof’s 3D surface. According to Ferrari, this soft top delivers occupant comfort on par with the retractable hard tops equipping the other spider models. During development, special attention was also paid to reducing the ballooning effect typical of soft tops.
The soft-top mechanism was designed to be light yet resilient with a Z-shaped movement that folds the soft top away in a mere 13.5 seconds. It can operate safely up to a maximum speed of 60 kmph. When stowed, the roof occupies a height of just 220mm, amongst the lowest in the category, and that, in turn, ensures a roomy boot.
A great deal of attention was lavished on aerodynamic comfort on board with the top down. Particular focus was given to minimising both turbulence and wind noise in the cabin. The solutions selected by Ferrari’s engineers were driven by the need to simplify the transition from top-up to top-down driving. This was achieved by introducing automatic movements for the surfaces tasked with creating an aerodynamic ‘bubble’ effect over the cockpit for comfort.
The first of these was the addition of a 5mm nolder on the new windscreen header rail in the area of the flow separation. The second was the development of a patented automatic wind deflector that can be deployed by the driver without any need to stop the car. If the driver wants to deploy the wind deflector, a button is pressed on the tunnel and the backrest of the rear seats, in the absence of rear passengers, will rotate into position behind the front occupants’ heads.
In this configuration, the airflow that would normally be drawn into the cabin from the rear of the car is deflected. Thus, creating an area of relatively still air around the occupants and reducing still further the turbulence around the heads of taller drivers.
The deployable wind stop’s permeability was optimised by a transverse aperture at its centre which, thanks to its calibrated angle, acts as a real aerodynamic duct, while its shape in the plan view is tapered at the sides. These two geometric characteristics combine to deflect the most highly energised flow entering the cabin, well away from the occupants.
The duct at the centre of the wind stop ensures that part of the flow entering the cabin is deflected downwards towards the rear seat, forcing it to mix with a slower flow. This means it loses
most of its energy, effectively reducing turbulence in the cabin. The result is an extension of the bubble around the occupants and particularly their heads. The shape, angle and permeability of the deployable wind stop are all crucial to achieving this objective, and were developed thanks to a combination of CFD simulation and many wind tunnel sessions.
The adoption of a fabric soft top and its indirect impact on the car’s bodywork geometries provided the starting point for the car’s aero development. The roof and its curvature had to retain Roma’s low drag, while also generating efficient downforce. The stylistic approach taken for the Spider’s exterior centres around a clean design and a symbiosis between its various elements.
The designers sought to preserve the minimalist elegance of the car’s forms by removing any vents or superfluous decorative features. In fact, the launch configuration does not even include the Scuderia Ferrari side shields. Engine cooling is provided by the perforated surfaces of the grille, which is finished in the same colour as the bodywork. Thus, rendering it seamless with the styling.
The modifications to the Spider’s bodywork also required new mobile spoiler geometry at the rear of the car’s upper body. Similar to the Coupé, the spoiler is designed to extend and retract as a function of the car’s speed, as well as the longitudinal and transverse acceleration. As a result, the Spider has downforce in handling situations and is aerodynamically balanced at high speeds.
The Spider’s long rear overhang, which is a characteristic of the Ferraris of the 1950s and 60s, has been re-proportioned here, resulting in a low, compact volume which hugs the rear axle. The dimensions of the tail light assembly has reduced, and is completed by a compact aerodynamic diffuser that incorporates the fence and exhaust tailpipes.
As in the Roma, the Spider’s cabin embraces the dual cockpit concept, comprising two separate modules that wrap around the driver and passenger. These modules extend from the dashboard all the way back to the rear seats, organically incorporating the dash, doors, rear bench and tunnel. As a result, the cabin has an almost symmetrical layout in which the passenger feels involved in the driving experience.
The steering wheel’s HMI has new features not seen in the Coupé. The left-hand spoke has indents corresponding to the touch controls so the driver can feel which one to use. The trackpad on the right-hand spoke has been improved with an indent that makes it easier to swipe.
These solutions help the driver know where the controls are, in line with the “Eyes on the road, hands on the wheel” philosophy Ferrari has been adopting for quite some time. The Engine Start button is now also backlit in red to underscore the thrill of the moment when the Ferrari twinturbo springs to life. With the top down, the Ferrari Roma Spider is set to take the La Nuova Dolce Vita experience to a whole new level.
Gordon Murray Automotive’s “everyday open-top supercar” – the T.33 Spider - made its public debut at the 80th Goodwood Members’ Meeting in April. The fourth model in the marque’s portfolio and its first convertible was officially unveiled by Professor Gordon Murray CBE and The Duke of Richmond on the pit lane lawn at the Goodwood Motor Circuit.
The T.33 Spider, similar to the sold-out T.33 coupé, on which it is based, is a two-seat mid-engine rear-wheel drive supercar. However, it comes with removable roof panels and a deployable rear window. As with any Gordon Murray car, the new Spider is engineered to offer outstanding ride, handling, and agility while keeping weight to a minimum.
At the unveiling ceremony, Prof. Gordon Murray said: “When drawing a car I imagine what it’s going to feel like to sit in, and how it will feel to drive. So from the first sketch of the T.33 Spider I knew that, with its open cockpit and the incredible Cosworth GMA.2 V12 engine right behind you, the T.33 Spider would deliver a truly involving driving experience that’s quite unlike anything else.”
T.33 Spider is powered by the Cosworth GMA.2 V12 engine, an all-aluminium, naturally-aspirated, dry-sump unit designed to be lightweight with a high specific output. Derived from the Cosworth V12 engine that powers the T.50, the GMA.2 variant made its debut with the T.33 coupé.
Weighing a mere 178 kg, it revs to a maximum of 11,100 rpm and produces 617 PS at 10,250 rpm. With 90 per cent of its maximum torque available from 4,500 to 10,500 rpm, it enables the T.33 cars usable for everyday drives. This engine is coupled with an H-gate six-speed manual gearbox, also derived from the T.50 transmission. Created by British motorsport specialists Xtrac, it weighs just 82 kg, making it one of the lightest high-performance gearboxes in the world.
The T.33 Spider’s Passive Boundary Layer Control (PBLC), featuring innovative underbody ducting, in combination with a rear diffuser deliver 150 kg of downforce at 240 kmph, and a maximum downforce at 312 kg at 335 kmph. Apart from the discreet active rear spoiler - which deploys automatically or can be activated by the driver - the car’s upper surface remains clean and streamlined.
With a dry weight of 1,108 kg, the Spider is marginally heavier than its hardtop sibling, as is expected, but is a contender for being the lightest open-top in its class. At the core of its lightness is the iStream Ultralight carbon monocoque. It features carbon fibre composite panels bonded to extruded aluminium tubing with precision diecast nodes. The result is a monocoque that is stiff and light. Additionally, all body panels are made from carbon fibre.
The T.33 design ethos draws inspiration from the “most beautiful sports cars of the ‘60s,” which happens to be Gordon’s favourite period for sports car design. The interior is similarly minimalist and classically designed, nothing is
superfluous and everything is there for a reason. As with every GMA car, every aspect of the interior is designed to enhance driving pleasure and reduce distractions.
The materials used have been chosen for their aesthetics, their tactility and their lightness, such as the beautifully machined aluminium rotary controls, the 120 mm floodlit analogue tachometer or the exposed gearchange mechanism. Unlike the coupé, the Spider’s rear bulkhead trim between the two seats is body coloured. This creates the impression of the exterior colour flowing into the cabin when the roof panels are removed and the rear glass is down.
At the T.33 Spider’s unveiling ceremony, Gordon Murray Automotive’s first convertible was accompanied by two opentop Gordon Murray Heritage vehicles. One was the 1967 IGM Ford (T.1), the first car Gordon designed in 1967 in South Africa, for which he built and tuned a Ford 105E engine for racing purposes. The second was the legendary Duckhams Ford LM (T.3), which Gordon designed as a 3-litre prototype for the 1972 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Giotto is the second limited-run supercar by the Bizzarrini brand, scheduled to be launched in 2024
“To have the opportunity to design an entirely new car from Bizzarrini is a privilege,” says Giorgetto Giugiaro, the legendary Italian designer and co-founder of Italdesign. “Our two names are united in nearly six decades of history and a series of now iconic designs.”
The “entirely new car “ Giorgetto has designed is the Giotto, a limited-run super sports car by the Bizzarrini automotive brand. This is the second incarnation of the Bizzarrini name. The initial company was founded in the 1960s by the celebrated Italian automotive engineer and professor Giotto Bizzarrini.
The new Giotto supercar is the second model to emerge from the reborn brand. The first model was the 5300 GT Corsa Revival launched in 2022. This 24-unit limited-edition racer is a revival of the Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada, produced between 1965-1968. The Strada was styled by none other than Giorgetto, while he was working at Bertone. Given this historical connection between the brand and the designer, Giorgetto was the natural choice to establish the design language of an all-new Bizzarrini model.
“With the Giotto, we honour the past but we focus wholly on the future,” says Giorgetto. “Designed for purpose, and incorporating active aerodynamic technologies, we have created something that is both recognisably Bizzarrini and totally relevant for an entirely new era of this cherished Italian brand.”
The new Giotto has an intricately sculpted carbon fibre body with classic low-slung supercar proportions, a core design element of a Bizzarrini car. The prominent dual bonnet-mounted vents of the original Bizzarrinis have evolved into a new frontal visual character for the Giotto, and incorporate ultra-slimline LED headlights. As the lines slope down towards the centre of the bonnet, they cradle a prominent centre-mounted Bizzarrini badge, just as it was framed on the 5300 GT.
In profile, the Giotto reimagines the 5300GT’s triangular B-pillar and a rear windscreen that wraps so far around the rear it almost seems to cascade onto the wheel arches. Rear-mid-engined, rather than front-mid-engined like the 5300 GT, the Giotto has a predatorial forward stance. The
tail gently tapers and curves away gracefully, creating an aerodynamic teardrop shape.
Given Giotto Bizzarrini’s connection to the Lamborghini V12, the powertrain of choice is reported to be a naturally aspirated V12 engine. it will be exclusively tuned to meet “Bizzarrini-specific performance, drivability, emissions compliance and emotional targets.” The V12 will be paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.
The rebirth of the Bizzarrini brand occurred in 2020 as a subsidiary of the Pegasus Automotive Group - an
international company representing some of the world’s leading luxury automotive and retail brands with operations in London, Geneva, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, USA, and the Far East. The Group’s Sports Classics subsidiary provides classic car buying, servicing, restoration, and consultancy services. Pegasus also manages its UAE-based Pegasus Prestige Service Center, which caters to luxury vehicles.
Testing of the Giotto is scheduled to begin in 2024. The company has announced that it will be releasing technical details throughout 2023.
The year in which it turns 60, Automobili Lamborghini presents Revuelto, its first V12 hybrid plug-in HPEV (HighPerformance Electrified Vehicle). The track-inspired super sports car, with a distinct aeronomical theme running through its design, stays true to its V12 heritage while embodying a new paradigm shift for the brand.
“The new Revuelto is a milestone in the history of Lamborghini, and an important pillar in our Direzione Cor Tauri electrification strategy,” said Stephan Winkelmann, Lamborghini Chairman and CEO. “It is a unique and innovative car but at the same time faithful to our DNA: the V12 is an iconic symbol of our super sports heritage and history. Revuelto was born to break the mold, combining a new 12-cylinder engine
with hybrid technology, creating the perfect balance between delivering the emotion that our clients want with the necessity to reduce emissions.”
Lamborghini’s new V12 engine works synergically with three electric motors. Two are flux motors on the front axial while the third is a radial flux motor positioned above the first eightspeed double-clutch gearbox in a 12-cylinder Lamborghini. The three electric motors are powered by a high-power lithium-ion battery pack that also supports a fully-electric drive mode.
An output of 1015 CV is delivered from the combined power of the V12 and the three electric motors, resulting in a 0-100 kmph acceleration in only 2.5 seconds, and a top speed of more than 350 kmph. To manage all that power, the car debuts a new
electric torque vectoring system along with the requisite four-wheel drive. The latter is also available in fully-electric drive mode.
Carbon fibre is the principal structural element within Revuelto. It is used not only in the aeronautics-inspired ‘monofuselage’ chassis and frame but also for many elements of the bodywork. Overall, the Revuelto monofuselage is 10% lighter than the Aventador chassis. Also, Revuelto is the first car to be fitted with a 100% carbon fibre front. This structure is 20% lighter than Aventador’s aluminium front frame and has double its impact absorption. The torsional stiffness has also been improved by more than 25% compared to the Aventador.
Autoclave composite with pre-impregnated material is used in roof construction. The rear structure is made of high-strength aluminium alloys and features two important hollow castings in the rear dome area. These integrate the rear suspension’s shock towers and powertrain suspension into a single component. The result is a reduction in welding lines and weight, and an increase in rigidity.
Revuelto stays loyal to Lamborghini’s distinctive design DNA of the marque’s V12 lineage of cars, while establishing an entirely new stylistic language through new proportions. The V12 connection starts with the vertically-opening scissor
doors. The Diablo is represented in the proportions and the floating blade on the rear fender, while the muscularity and inclined front of the Murciélago are evident.
However, Revuelto introduces new aerospace-inspired design elements. The most prominent are the two lines that start from the front and embrace the cabin and engine, tapering down to the hexagonal-shaped exhausts. At the front, the shark-nose section of the hood conveys a sense of speed.
The headlamp clusters, featuring the distinctive Y-shape daytime running lights, are framed by aerodynamic blades that connect the splitter to the hood. The side fins, located behind the front wheel arches, channel the airflow along the sides and the pronounced concavities of the doors to the side air intakes, which feature sharp edges that echo the arrows on the front.
The recessed profile on the roof channels air to the rear wing but at the same time allows more headroom in the cabin for both the driver and passenger. In the rear, the fully-exposed longitudinal engine connects it to the double hexagonal exhaust. The latter is surmounted by the geometrically profiled wing and framed by headlamp clusters with the Y-shape light. Revuelto offers a choice of 400 water-based bodywork colours.
The “Y” motif continues into the driver-oriented interior design, defined by the marque’s “feel like a pilot” philosophy.
The cockpit offers a blend of digital and tactile experience both in daily driving and track environments. The visual centre of the cabin houses a pronounced carbon-fibre profile, visible on the dashboard, in the hexagonal air vents and to frame the dashboard and central vents.
The upholstery combines fine leathers with the new ultralight Corsa-Tex fabric in Dinamica microfiber, made of recycled polyester. Customers can customize the interior by opting for a balanced mix of leather and Corsa-Tex, or favour one material, with 70 colour options available.
Like the car, the steering wheel was inspired by the racing world, particularly the Essenza SCV12. The four rotors located on the spokes are used for selecting the driving modes, the car’s lifting system and rear wing tilt. Buttons are used to activate the turn signals and the launch control among other functions, while allowing the driver to maintain an optimal grip on the steering wheel at all times.
The Revuelto also debuts a completely new Human Machine Interface (HMI) system consisting of three displays: a 12.3’ instrument cluster, 8.4’ central display, and a 9.1’ display on the passenger side dashboard. The system has a fresh look and feel, with 3D graphics, animations, widgets and styling.
The three displays are managed by one technological ‘brain’ within a unified design, ensuring a consistent user interface across all displays. The system also debuts the “swipe” function, which allows the user to move applications and information from the central display to the side displays with the same intuitive, gestural ease as using a smartphone.
To ensure the cabin is roomy and practical, the roof design offers 26 mm more headroom than the Aventador Ultimae, while the new monofuselage provides 84 mm more legroom. This translates to additional space behind the seats to accommodate luggage up to the size of a golf bag. This storage space is in addition to the compartment under the front hood, which can hold two cabin trolleys. Internal storage compartments are also located under the centre dashboard and between the two seats, as well as a cup holder built into the passenger-side dashboard.
Giving his opinion on the new Revuelto, Rouven Mohr, Lamborghini’s Chief Technical Officer, stated: “Revuelto takes a significant step forward in terms of reactivity and responsiveness to ensure the most emotive and natural driving in every environment. Revuelto is a car delivering the highest performance but our objective right from the start was to confirm it at the very summit of driving emotions.”
The new all-electric BMW i7 M70 xDrive delivers high performance along with high luxury
The new BMW i7 M70 xDrive is an all-electric performance variant that sits at the very top end of the new 7 Series model range. A product of BMW M, it has an electric motor on both the front and rear axles, which together generate a maximum system output of 485 kW or 660 hp. It can accelerate from zero to 100 kmph in 3.7 seconds, making the luxury sedan the fastest all-electric BMW model. The top speed is electronically limited to 250 kmph.
The i7 M70 features the fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology, used in the standard BMW i7 but has been advanced by the specialists at BMW M to increase both performance and efficiency. The car features highly integrated drive units on the front and rear axles, with the electric motor, power electronics and transmission very compactly combined in a common housing.
The M-specific design of the current-excited synchronous machine principle enables the electric motor - especially in the case of the rear motor - to achieve a power density of 2.41 kW/kg, making it currently the most powerful BMW electric motor. This new performance benchmark is achieved thanks to an innovation patented by the BMW Group, which uses six
excitation coils in the stator of the electric motor instead of the usual three.
This allows the electric machine to generate extremely high power in a light and compact design and to provide it continuously up into high-speed ranges. According to the marque, this setup is superior to a drive solution with two motors on the rear axle not only in terms of power density but also in terms of efficiency.
The motor acting on the rear axle generates a maximum output of 360 kW or 489 hp, while the front axle generates 190 kW or 258 hp. Controlled interaction between the two motors results in the car’s all-wheel drive system. It is reported to deliver a system torque of 1,015 Nm in Sport Mode, and as much as 1,100 Nm when M Launch Control and the M Sport Boost function are activated.
In the M Launch Control mode, both the drive torque control and the traction control are integrated into the engine control unit. This ensures that the power generated by the electric motors is precisely controlled, so that it can be converted into maximum performance without any loss of traction.
The new i7 M70 is not just about performance, it also boasts impressive long-distance capability. With a usable energy content of 101.7 kWh, the high-voltage battery located in the vehicle underbody enables the luxury sedan to achieve a reported range of 488 to 560 kilometres, as determined in the WLTP test cycle. By using the new Max Range function, the range can be increased by around 15 to 25 per cent by selectively limiting the drive power and top speed, combined with reducing some of the comfort functions. The car’s software enables it to top up the range by up to 170 kilometres (WLTP) within 10 minutes at a high-power charging station.
The M-specific upgrades have been applied to not just the electric all-wheel drive but also to the steering, the shock absorbers and the driving dynamics systems to deliver better dynamics, agility and response, along with a high level of long-distance comfort.
The standard suspension technology of the new i7 M70 includes M-specific adaptive two-axle air suspension with automatic self-levelling and electronically controlled shock absorbers whose response is optimised thanks to M-specific
hydraulics. Integral Active Steering and the Executive Drive Pro suspension package including Active Roll Stabilisation with Active Roll Comfort also feature as standard equipment. The package also offers an M sports brake system and 21inch M light alloy wheels.
Exclusive design highlights and hallmark M touches set the exterior design of the new i7 M70 apart from the other models in the series. The front design reinterprets the twin circular headlights and BMW radiator grille. The boldness of the car’s front is emphasised by the contour line lighting for the BMW radiator grille. The optional M Performance Package offers, for the first time, a radiator grille surround in high-gloss black.
The BMW i7 M70 xDrive marks an important milestone for BMW M on its path to transforming towards electric mobility. The luxury sedan is already the third performancemodel with an all-electric drive. The i7 M70 premiered at the Auto Shanghai international motor show in April. The global market launch is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2023.
In September, Marco De Vincenzo will take over as the creative director at the Italian fashion brand Etro. Thus, the men’s spring summer 2023 collection is the last to be presented by Kean Etro, the founder’s son and creative head of menswear since 1990.
As a man with a deep love for the written word, he wanted his last collection to be a celebration of poetry. Rather than just send the ubiquitous invitation to the collection’s unveiling, Kean had actors call the hundreds of individuals on the guest list, and recite personalised poems to each one.
“Poetry, today, is something utopian: it balances the purity of sentiment with the need to be grounded, pragmatic, and productive,” is how Kean outlines the ethos of the collection.
Seemingly eclectic pieces - “stripping down to maximize” - bend harmoniously through the art of layering.
The show followed the path that a day takes in its journey from morning to night. It opens with the white and neutral delicacy of the morning, burns in the zenith light, and sparkles in a starry night run by metallic threads. There was a luxuriant abundance of flowers, and motifs featuring the house’s signature patterns. Pieces on show included a broad spectrum of selections - caftan, kimono, souvenir jacket, a blazer closed by an obi, a seemingly immaterial duster coat pullover, breezy shirts, very long shirts, and boxing shorts.
Some of the materials are partially transparent. The perforations of the broderie anglaise run on t-shirts and shirts, in the transparencies of impalpable materials such as the silks of the caftans, the linens of suits and metalized cottons, under the flow of crushed satins in the tailored suits, in the swimming trunks worn with a shirt. Volumes are soft and accompany the movement. Shoes with rope soles and sandals complement the idea of lightness.
Celine Homme’s Hedi Slimane explores “Dysfunctional Bauhaus” in his SS23 collection
Celine Homme recently debuted its Summer 2023 collection with a runway show titled “Dysfunctional Bauhaus.” The show marked a significant milestone for Hedi Slimane, the creative director of Celine Homme. It celebrated the 20th anniversary of Hedi Slimane’s first show at Palais de Tokyo back in January 2002 for Dior Homme’s AW2002.
Showcasing a perfect balance of punk and luxury, which is emblematic of Slimane’s style, the collection draws its inspiration from Bauhaus - a revolutionary art movement that originated in Germany in the early 20th century. No doubt, a hint at Slimane’s formative years spent in Berlin. The Bauhaus art movement was known for its embrace of modernism, functionality, and minimalism.
The show presented sheer and embellished tops, and skinny neckties paired with sleek suits. Stovepipe leather trousers and raw-edged denim paid homage to the glory days of rock music.
The show’s standout pieces were the leather jackets that featured intricate stitching and embellishments, bringing a touch of luxury to the rugged and rockinspired aesthetic. The collection also featured a range of accessories, including leather belts, studded bracelets, and chunky chain necklaces, adding a punk edge to the looks.
The colour palette for the collection was primarily black and white, with pops of metallic silver and bold red. The use of sheer fabrics, sequins, and embellishments added a touch of glamour to the overall rugged aesthetic of the collection.
Elementa 01, the latest collection from Nature Hedonist explores the themes of simplicity and elegance
Celine Homme recently debuted its SummThe latest collection from Nature Hedonist, titled Elementa 01, explores the themes of simplicity and elegance through its distinctive linen wear selections.
Co-founded by Julia Sukhanova and Gulnar Tyndybaeva, Nature Hedonist is a Dubai-based linen-wear brand offering minimalist and effortless clothes that are timelessly elegant. The brand’s collections are all made from Oeko-Tex-certified and European flax standard linen. This means each item is machine washable, remains soft, and retains its shape over long periods. The Elementa 01 collection features
an array of Nature Hedonist’s signature loose-fit shirts, chic wide-leg pants and shorts, and linen coats. Flowing and unassuming, each silhouette allows for easy and gentle movement allowing for natural layering and easy wear. The colour palette features earthy and neutral tones, contrasted by a selection of black tones. Each piece is both lightweight and versatile, creating the ideal capsule wardrobe for the summer season.
Elementa 01 collection is available at the Nature Hedonist boutique in Jumeirah, Dubai, or on their website.
Level Shoes has taken significant strides this year in terms of delivering a higher customer experience. In addition to opening an all-new retail outlet at Atlantis The Royal, the home-grown hybrid retailer of designer footwear has also launched new personalised shopping experiences ‘Personal Shopping’ suite and ‘By Appointment.’
The new Level Shoes outlet in Atlantis The Royal adds to the brand’s existing stores in Dubai Mall. Beyond offering a new address to serve its customers, the new outlet also debuted an all-new customer experience concept, the Personal Shopping Suite. It offers guidance and style advice, and takes care of the full shopping journey by arranging the delivery of any online purchases directly to the guests’ location within 90 minutes. In addition, clients can make use of in-store services such as complimentary gifting. They also have the option to ship their online purchases internationally.
“Always one step ahead, we’re breaking new ground with the launch of this curated boutique and the opportunity to experiment with a new form of hybrid
retailing,” said Elisa Bruno, Managing Director of Level Shoes. “With clienteling and personal shopping at its core, I’m extremely excited to bring our platforms to the forefront of our customers’ reach and make shopping with us easier than ever. After all, what can be better than handsfree shopping with a personal stylist?”
The brand’s new By Appointment concept takes the exclusivity quotient a notch higher at its Dubai Mall store. Launched in collaboration with the Dubai-based design house Gallery Collectional, By Appointment builds on the Personal Shopping suite concept by offering a dedicated and intimate luxury space for clients to get even more personalised styling advice, or for brands to host clients and events.
Launched as part of the inaugural Dubai Fashion Week calendar, the By Appointment launch event showcased made-to-order products from coveted brands, set in the backdrop of Gallery Collectional’s curated designs.
At the launch event, Elisa Bruno, said: “We are excited to be launching our highly anticipated By Appointment service and suite. Following the recent success of our personal shopping suite in Atlantis The Royal, we are delighted to be extending this further with our very own dedicated design-inspired suite allowing us to personalize our clients’ experience even further.”
Penhaligon’s Highgrove Bouquet is a new eau de parfum inspired by and created with King Charles III, as a tribute to the magnificently fragrant summers at his residence, Highgrove Gardens. The result of Penhaligon’s unique collaboration with The Prince’s Foundation, the fragrance is as natural as it is elegant as it is warm.
In the Summer, between July and August, the weeping silver lime (Tilla Petiolaris) blossoms and fills the air. Highgrove Gardens is decorated with these elegant deciduous trees, with their silver-lined heart-shaped leaves, and flecked with yellow sprays of flowers that delicately perfume the air. Not just outside, on the grounds, but also inside the House.
When the days are warm, and the windows open, the rooms are filled with what can only be described as the smell of earthly sunshine. Created in close collaboration with The Prince’s Foundation, Penhaligon’s new fragrance, the Eau de Parfum Highgrove Bouquet seeks to capture the essence of these summer days.
A fragrance that is as uplifting as it is sun-filled and radiant. It opens with a crisp, confident burst of warm
energy, with vibrant lavender and geranium. As floral, powdery notes appear, a shroud of delicate yellow blossoms seems to fill the air, and to the mimosa, tuberose brings longevity and depth, a solar storm of rich delight. The restful, soothing base is a blend of elegance and sophistication from cedar woods and orris.
This fragrance has a charitable side as well, given its links to The Prince’s Foundation. Ten per cent of the proceeds of the fragrance will raise money in support of the charitable foundation. Ten per cent of proceeds will help fund the charity’s training and education programmes for thousands of pupils and students each year, including those in heritage crafts, traditional arts, horticulture, fashion and textiles, and sustainable food and farming.
In line with King Charles’ environmental vision, this project has been developed in a way that is mindful of the need to respect the planet, replacing plastic with “100% recycled and recyclable paper” and sugar cane eco-foam. Printing is done using all organic ink, free of mineral oils.
Montblanc’s new Masters of Art Collection honours the contribution of great artists. The first collection of this new series pays tribute to the Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh, through five limited-edition designs that recall the personal and artistic highlights from his life. Each design is available as a fountain pen and a rollerball version.
The new Masters of Art series is the successor to Montblanc’s Patron of Art Collection series which concluded last year, after a 30-year run, with the Victoria & Albert Collection. This new series is dedicated to prominent visual artists from a broad range of disciplines - from painting and sculpture to design and architecture - and covering different epochs - from the Renaissance to the Modern.
Each edition in this series will have a design limited to 161 pieces, in honour of the golden ratio (Phi), whose numerical value is 1.61. The writing instruments in this set will bear the Phi symbol embossed on the gold nib.
The Vincent van Gogh Masters of Art collection was conceived in cooperation with the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. Housing the world’s largest collection of Vincent’s art with over 200 paintings, close to 500 drawings and more than 700 letters, it is considered the foremost centre of expertise on the Dutch painter.
The five designs in the Vincent van Gogh Collection are unified by several motifs that run throughout the collection, with slight variations. Vincent was a collector and lifelong admiration of Japanese woodblock prints. Therefore, the silhouette of every pen in the collection resembles the Japanese wood-cutting knife called hangi-toh, used for making woodblock prints. The shape of the barrel and its cone recalls hangi-toh’s cutting blade.
The multi-colour lacquer-filled minuscule engravings encircling the base of the forepart is a nod to the coloured yarns Vincent used to test colour combinations, a testament to his deep understanding of colour theory. The barrel ring bears an engraved ‘Vincent’ signature, which, in some cases, is filled with coloured lacquer.
Vincent’s prized palette knife, used to create his famed impasto style, inspired the shape of the writing instrument’s clip. Meanwhile, its top replicates the smoking pipe that Vincent loved to indulge in. The angular line of the cap-top design draws inspiration from the triangular subdivisions of Vincent’s perspective frame, a tool which helped him create a realistic portrayal of landscapes. Vincent’s signature brushwork is stylised in the lacquer pattern of the cap top.
The Vincent van Gogh Limited Edition 4810 (limited to 4810 pieces) celebrates Vincent van Gogh’s time in Arles, in southern France, where he fell in love with the sun-drenched landscapes. The barrel, therefore, is decorated in shades of yellow and orange. The platinum-coated barrel ring bears the ‘Vincent’ signature in
orange lacquer. Adjacent to it, an ‘1888’ engraving commemorates the year he moved to Arles.
The cap is made from hornbeam wood, as a token of Vincent’s admiration for Japanese woodblock prints. Adjacent to the Montblanc emblem in yellow, we find ‘Borinage’ engraved in reference to the Belgian
coal mining town where Vincent lived as a lay preacher.
Embossed on the gold rhodiumcoated nib is a sunflower pattern recalling the series of five sunflower paintings from this period. The clip is platinum-coated, while the cap top is in yellow lacquer. The “pipe’s bowl” on the clip is filled with yellow resin.
The Limited Edition 888 evokes the artist’s time in SaintRémy-de-Provence and Auvers-sur-Oise, which followed his time in Arles. Thus, the ‘Saint-Rémy’ engraving on the cap top. Paintings from this period inspired the colour composition of the top. The blue skies and golden wheatfields are reflected in translucent lacquer inlays in different shades of blue and yellow gold skeleton overlay. The cap top complements with its blue lacquer patterns and the Montblanc emblem in yellow gold.
The barrel features stars shining brightly on the night skies over the wheatfields, represented by sparkling particles in the blue lacquer. Adjacent to Vincent’s blue lacquerfilled signature is the engraving ‘1889,’ recalling the year he moved to Saint-Rémy. The image embossed on the gold nib immortalises ‘Almond Blossom,’ the painting Vincent produced to commemorate the birth of the nephew who shared his name. The clip is platinum-coated, while the pipe’s bowl is adorned with a yellow citrine.
Limited Edition 161 captures the artist’s final years in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and Auvers-sur-Oise with design details reflecting his last work, Tree Roots, among others. The sterling silver barrel is decorated with lacquer inlays inspired by the design and colours from Tree Roots, which depicts a group of trees with their roots exposed by erosion on the side of a hill. The solid gold barrel ring has ‘1890’ engraved to register the year he painted Tree Roots.
Vincent’s ‘Wheatfield and Cypresses’ depicts an impetuous sky over a landscape full of movement. Vincent painted this view from the asylum in Saint-Rémy three times. His drawing of the same view, made with pencil, reed-pen and pen-andink, is interpreted in the engraving on the sterling silver cap. The Montblanc emblem in solid gold, and embedded in a blue field, echoes the bright stars often found in his works. The cap-top design is in red lacquer, while the pen’s clip is adorned with a citrine stone.
The Limited Edition 90 takes us back to Arles, to pay homage to Vincent’s impasto technique. As seen in his work ‘The Harvest,’ the impasto style involves applying thick paint in rough strokes to create a topography of coloured layers. This technique has been interpreted by hand in the artwork adorning the cap and barrel, using the colours often used by Vincent: yellows, oranges and greens. Each pen in this edition, therefore, is unique in the way the strokes of colour fuse together, giving this edition the quality of a painted canvas.
‘Arles’ is engraved on the cap top. The Montblanc emblem in yellow gold outline is filled with orange lacquer and surrounded by a field of blue lacquer. The year ‘1888’ is engraved alongside the ‘Vincent’ signature on the golden barrel ring. Vincent is known to have painted 35 selfportraits during his life; one of these, entitled “Self Portrait with Straw Hat,” inspired the engraving on the forepart. His five sunflower paintings inspired the embossing on the handcrafted yellow gold nib. The yellow gold-coated clip has a fire opal set into the pipe’s bowl.
Finally, we have the Limited Edition 8, as a testament to the breathtaking blue skies and brush style that have made Vincent’s work ‘Wheatfield with Crows’ a true masterpiece. The jewel-like quality of this sky is captured in the blue lacquer artwork on the solid gold cap and barrel. The latter is partly set with brilliant-cut diamonds and enhanced with swirling engravings that echo the movements of Vincent’s brush over the canvas. The sky imagery continues on the cap top, where a hand-painted field of intense blue lacquer edged with brilliantcut diamonds frames the Montblanc diamond at the centre in a gold setting.
The cap features an elaborate handcrafted marquetry design inlaid onto white gold, rhodium-coated and composed of tiny pieces of mother-of-pearl, sycamore, tulip tree, beetle elytra and straw. Sapphires, Paraiba tourmalines and brilliant-cut
diamonds set around the marquetry inlay intensify its vividness. A hand-engraved quote from Vincent’s letter to his brother, Theo, which runs along the surface of the barrel and cone reads:
‘Le tableau me vient comme dans un rêve’ or ‘The painting comes to me as if in a dream.’ Vincent’s ‘Self-Portrait with Grey Felt Hat,’ inspired the engraving on the forepart. His engraved ‘Vincent’ signature is filled with blue lacquer. The pipe’s bowl is set with a blue sapphire.
Writing accessories accompanying the collection include a notebook that takes its outer design from the sun-filled landscape of Wheatfield, with a Reaper created in 3D-print to recall Vincent’s impasto technique. The notebook’s cover is adorned with his signature. The soothing turquoise of his work Almond Blossom has inspired the new Montblanc ink in a shade of Turquoise.
S by Salanitro - where the ‘S’ stands for ‘Sparkled’ –presents The Backgammon, a customisable game board made from wood and leather and finished in precious stones.
S by Salanitro specialises in designing and producing luxurious objet d’art pieces with an exceptional savoir-faire in precious stone settings. Pierre Salanitro founded S by Salanitro in 2020 as a sub-brand of his Geneva-based Salanitro watch manufacturing company.
Founded in 1990 as a stone-setting specialist company for the Swiss watch industry, Salanitro has grown to offer a broad range of services, from design to serial or customised watch manufacturing. Managing a group of over 200 specialists in its state-of-the-art workshop is the company’s founder Pierre Salanitro, who started his career as a gem-setter for some of Switzerland’s biggest watch brands.
S by Salanitro currently offers three customisable objet d’art pieces: The Mask, The Mirror and the subject of our story, The Backgammon, all manufactured with an Haute Couture spirit.
The Backgammon board is made from select Swiss wood species and covered in premium leather. The wood and leather are patinaed to offer the best quality of play. Of the 30 checkers, 15 are in vibrant blue and 15 in anthracite, matching the colours of the leather. Two dice accompanying the board are also made of noble materials, as is the third, larger, 6-sided die called the doubling cube.
The brand’s signature is in the details. The checkers are set with black diamonds or blue sapphires along their periphery, as are the 24 points (the wedges) on the board. The dice cup, entirely finished in anthracite leather, bears the S by Salanitro logo. The doubling cube is set with 137 black diamonds that make up the number on each side.
S by Salanitro plans to introduce 10 new backgammon sets per year. Naturally, the brand’s bespoke service will be available to the discerning client. S by Salanitro’s Backgammon is an exceptional gift object or an heirloom that can be passed down to future generations.
The 200-piece limited-edition Big Bang Unico Nespresso Origin is the result of the first-ever collaboration between the two premier Swiss brands - Hublot and Nespresso. It is the world’s first watch to use recycled Nespresso aluminium capsules and coffee grounds in the manufacturing process. Ricardo Guadalupe, Hublot’s CEO, comments: “This is a watch that delivers three world firsts: a symbol of the infinite possibilities for upcycling: a Big Bang made from the recycled aluminium of Nespresso coffee capsules; the first watch with a rubber strap containing 4.1% recycled coffee grounds from Nespresso capsules and 8.2% recycled rubber; and finally, the first watch with a Velcro strap made with SCafé, a fabric containing 5% recycled coffee grounds and 95% recycled polyester. “
Since it was founded in 1986, Nespresso has revolutionised coffee consumption for casual drinkers and connoisseurs alike with its portioned system, which delivers both precision blends and exceptional taste. In 1991, the brand added to its recycling commitment by implementing a system that separates the coffee grounds from the aluminium capsules, enabling each component to be repurposed efficiently.
Over the last seven years, Nespresso has partnered with prestigious Swiss brands to create new products from used aluminium capsules and coffee grounds as part of its ‘Second Life’ initiative. Hublot, through its Art of Fusion initiative, is renowned for developing new alloys, materials, and composites used in the manufacture of watch components.
It was only a matter of time before the two Swiss brands collaborated, and that is how coffee capsules and grounds are now part of a watch. The aluminium from the capsules is fused with Hublot’s recycled aluminium to become the Big Bang Unico Nespresso’s 42-mm case, bezel, crown and pusher. Meanwhile, the used coffee grounds form part of the watch’s rubber and fabric straps.
According to Hublot, 28% of the recycled aluminium used in the watch comes from Nespresso coffee capsules. The metal is anodised in vibrant green, then satin-finished and polished. The crown – engraved with Nespresso’s iconic “N” logo - and the pusher undergo the same treatment. The vibrant green colour is a nod to Nespresso’s Master Origins Peru Organic capsule. The bottom of the case and the container are both made from recycled titanium, or Eco-Titanium, as Hublot likes to call it.
To create the rubber strap, Hublot’s experts had to blend 4.1% coffee grounds and 8.2% recycled white rubber with other ingredients to achieve the desired colour, quality and durability. For the fabric strap, Hublot has collaborated with SingTex, one of Nespresso’s partners who was already using recycled coffee grounds to produce a fabric called Scafé.
This 100 per cent recycled fabric - composed of 5% coffee grounds and 95% recycled polyester – has been used for the first time to make a watch strap. The titanium deployant buckle of the rubber strap, with its decorative recycled aluminium cap,
and the sport buckle of the Velcro strap are also in the same anodised green colour as the case.
Working with Nespresso’s experts, “it took the R&D teams a whole year to achieve the uniformity of colour of the watch’s seven different materials, find the right balance of ingredients and perform the quality and durability testing on all the product components,” says Ricardo.
The Big Bang Unico Nespresso Origin is the first watch to come in Hublot’s all-new Greenbox case. Henceforth, this case will accompany all Hublot watches. Created entirely from oak, including its hinges, the box is carved from mostly traceable wood, whose sourcing and manufacture promote short supply chains.
Designed to be a reusable item, 98% of the box’s removable interior is made from eco-friendly and recycled components, such as recycled fabrics, plastic yarns, PET and eco-labelled recycled paper and cardboard. For the 200 Bang Unico Nespresso watches, the Hublot Greenbox case has been specially decorated with the two brands’ logos, affixed using coffee grounds.
“The Big Bang Unico Nespresso Origin is the perfect illustration of the harmonious coexistence between circularity and luxury. It demonstrates that circular products can be just as elegant and refined as conventional luxury products, proving that it is possible to combine environmental values and aesthetic requirements without compromise,” said Guillaume Le Cunff, Nespresso’s CEO.
L’Amo Bistro del Mare is an upscale Italian seafood restaurant that brings the cuisine and atmosphere of the Southern Italian coast to Dubai. Anchored at Dubai Harbor, the venue offers panoramic views of the adjacent Yacht Club, Bluewaters Island and Ain Dubai.
Surrounded by water, the restaurant’s airy open-plan dining room is fitted with floor-to-ceiling windows all around, offering unobstructed 360-degree views of the surroundings. Reflecting the flair of Southern Italian restaurants, the interior space is highlighted by neutral tones of beige and wood, with terrazzostyle tiles. The restaurant also encompasses an outdoor terrace and a sundowner spot serviced by a separate bar with low-lying lounge tables.
Inside, a display bar presents the daily catch imported directly from Italy, Spain and the Galicia region, which can be cooked to order. The venue also offers an extensive selection of caviar and a collection of 300 grape labels, imported exclusively from Italy.
L’Amo serves several signature dishes, each a culinary delight. Spaghettone Cacio & Pepe e Ricci Di Mare is a sumptuous Spaghetti Mancini with sea urchins, pecorino cheese and black
pepper. Spaghetti Alla Chitarra con Vongole & Calamaretti e Bottarga brings together spaghetti with clams, squid and mullet roe. Bottarga, or mullet roe, is a seafood delicacy brought to L’Amo from a small Sardinian farm called Smeralda in Cagliari.
Le Tre Tartare is a combination of three delicacies: a Sicilian red prawn with caviar, tuna with capers mayo and croutons, and seabass with mullet roe, lime and celery salad. A newly launched dish for the summer season is the Insalata Mediterranea, a Mediterranean-inspired Seafood salad made with frutti di mare, tomatoes, and cucumber. Other highlights include Sashimi Di Ricciola Mediterranea Con Panzanella, Gallician amberjack sashimi and panzanella salad.
The restaurant also offers some of Italy’s much-loved traditional desserts, such as Profiterole - a delicate chou pastry filled with indulgent in-house hazelnut cream and topped with roasted hazelnuts. Another standout is the ‘Baba,’ a deliciously decadent cake soaked in a traditional citrus syrup, served with freshly made pastry cream.
Following a successful launch in March 2022, L’Amo Bistro del Mare was awarded one toque rating in the prestigious Gault&Millau UAE guide.
Krasota Dubai’s Chef Vladimir Mukhin presents The Imaginary Art Show, fusing fine dining and visual artsa venue for those who prefer laid-back luxury
Krasota Dubai’s award-winning Chef Vladimir Mukhin presents The Imaginary Art Show - a spectacular, oneof-a-kind immersive dining experience that combines haute cuisine with innovative AI-empowered visual arts. Located at The Address Downtown Hotel, Krasota Dubai is the latest dining concept from the White Rabbit Family restaurant alliance.
The Imaginary Art show’s gastronomical theatre is set in an auditorium with curved walls. At its centre is a large circular table that can accommodate 20 diners. A 3D multimedia performance is projected across the curved walls and the adorned table, providing a visual feast for the eyes.
The projections feature the paintings of eight world-renowned contemporary artists from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Chef Vladimir Mukhin has created a set menu of eight courses, each dedicated to one of the artworks.
One of the highlights of the show is the dish accompanying Nicholas Roerich’s Himalayas (Blue Mountain) from 1939.
Chef Mukhin has captured the essence of Roerich’s mastery of light with fragrant Artichoke Curry with a Coconut Rice accompaniment. When stirred, it reveals Roerich’s paint strokes. The hues of sunrise that set the mood in the painting are captured in the scarlet of the sweet potato and the incandescent orange of the pumpkin.
Another standout dish is the Black Cod, Plum and Fig, inspired by Ivan Aivazovsky’s The 9th Wave from 1850. The painting depicts the harrowing journey of shipwreck survivors through a storm in the Norwegian Fjords. Chef Mukhin’s impressions of the painting are captured with thin slices of plum, representing the beauty, power, and movement of the waves, while the black cod provides a salty contrast to the sweetness of the fruit.
The Imaginary Art show consists of a welcome Amuse Bouche, eight courses, and eight visual acts, with two signature drink pairings served in the intervals. The first Soirée is at 6 PM, and Second Soirée is at 9 PM.
The Rio Brunch at Sushisamba is a captivating celebration of life and cuisine
Billed as the “ultimate daytime party experience,” the next Rio Brunch at Sushisamba is scheduled for Saturday, May 27. Guests get to immerse themselves in the vibrant culture of Brazil as the Samba room transforms into a captivating celebration of life and cuisine.
Located on the 51st floor of The St. Regis Dubai, The Palm, Sushisamba offers a unique blend of Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian cuisine, culture and music. The menu is a mix of new and signature dishes, with an emphasis on piquant flavours, the finest ingredients, and artful presentations.
As the highest restaurant on Palm Jumeirah, the 12,000 sqft location offers unobstructed 360-degree views of the Palm Jumeirah coastline, the Arabian Gulf, Ain Dubai and the Dubai skyline through its floor-to-ceiling windows.
The enticing sharing-style menu promises delectable options such as the tantalizing Peruvian corn salad, the succulent Chilean Seabass Anticucho infused with miso and chives, Crispy Cassava, featuring tapioca root, sour cream, molho a campanha, and salsa verde.
Concluding the gastronomic journey with a choice of delights, including the Japanese Doughnut Andagi with dolce ganache, the Yuzu Cheesecake paired with matcha ice cream and velouté, or the delightful Samba Pops adorned with chicha morada sorbet, crispy raspberry, white chocolate, and lime.
The energizing beats from Sushisamba’s resident DJ are selected to elevate the brunch experience, while the sensational samba dancers create a lively and vibrant atmosphere.
The next Rio Brunch experience is scheduled for next month, on June 17.
Bund Lounge’s Gong Dinner Party recalls the vibrant nightlife of Shanghai’s golden age
This May, Bund Lounge unveiled its highly exclusive Gong Dinner Party, hidden away within Shanghai Me restaurant at DIFC. The sophisticated speakeasy experience welcomes guests every Monday evening, and offers a unique fantasy-like experience that seamlessly fuses exquisite PanAsian cuisine with captivating live entertainment.
Dinner commences at 9:30 pm with Shanghai Me’s sumptuous a la carte menu, featuring dishes inspired by Chinese and Japanese cuisine. Guests are served an array of signature cocktails, grapes, sake and tailor-made concoctions to compliment the dinner party vibe. After dinner, the night continues with bottle service.
The immersive live entertainment features dancers entertaining guests with their vivacious yet sophisticated performances. East meets West through diverse costumes and choreographies that fuse Far-eastern cultural heritage with modern elements.
The sound of the Gong signals the beginning of a vibrant party that pays tribute to Shanghai’s golden age, the 1930s. The sets of eclectic beats churned out by the lounge’s resident DJ entice an ambience of merriment until late into the night.
The intimate and lavish lounge oozes elegance. Sleek and moodily lit, the space is dressed in plush velvet, with intricate artworks and opulent furnishings. The decor ensures the perfect backdrop for a unique experience, where every dinner turns into an unforgettable entertainment experience.
Grill 88 at The Biltmore Mayfair Hotel is set to become a Grosvenor Square dining hotspot
The Biltmore Mayfair Hotel has announced the opening of its newest dining venue, Grill 88, with reservations now open. Set to be a dining highlight on the historic Grosvenor Square, Grill 88 will offer guests and visitors premium-quality steaks and seafood in an intimate setting, ideal for everyday relaxed yet sophisticated dining. The menu, designed by Executive Chef Luis Campos, features the highest-quality meats, from aged Lake District Sirloin Steaks to Japanese Wagyu, Australian cuts, and the finest Kelly and Gillardeau oysters. Every dish is prepared with speciallysourced Holm Oak charcoal, rich and earthy with peaty notes.
“To me, cooking is a lifestyle. It gives you not only what you need to stay creative on a daily basis, but also something special to share with your family, friends and community” said Executive Chef Luis Campos. “When designing the menu, I looked back on my travels around the globe and aimed to bring not only some of the world’s highest-quality meat cuts, but also experimental flavours, to Grill 88 and Mayfair.”
Diners will be able to select from a variety of prime beef cuts – such as the grain-fed Japanese A5 Kagoshima Black Breed Ribeye Wagyu – as well as large cuts to share – such as the Full-Blood Wagyu Chateaubriand or Butcher’s Platter. For convivial celebrations and a touch of ceremony, guests can enjoy steak cooked at the table on Himalayan salt or a lava block, including a Black Pork Iberico Presa.
Evoking the glamour of times gone by with its sleek artdeco-inspired interiors, the restaurant’s ambience is serene yet sultry. With just 32 covers, an open-plan kitchen and live cooking, Grill 88 promises personalised and intimate dining experiences.
Sage green tones are complemented by cool white marble surfaces and brushed brass metalwork. The early evening sunlight flows in at dusk, thanks to large sash windows overlooking Grosvenor Square, and highlights the abstract hanging artworks by La Viola.
Anantara Golden Triangle is an exceptional luxury resort and elephant rehabilitation camp in northern Thailand
Perched on a hill overlooking the Mekong and Ruak rivers, Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp And Resort is located within 160 acres of lush jungle, bamboo forest, rice paddies, hill-tribe culture and an elephant camp. The property is located in northern Thailand, within sight of where the country’s border converges with that of Laos and Myanmar - the fabled Golden Triangle.
Guests can arrive at the resort via Chiang Rai Airport, and then take a one-hour drive by luxury limousine to the resort. Alternatively, guests can also fly to Chiang Mai, which is four hours by road. By opting for the VIP Regal Elephant Arrival, guests can make their arrival at the resort itself an extraordinary experience.
It begins with collection from the airport, and then taking a traditional longtail boat on the Mekong River, before venturing down the Ruak River to dock at Anantara’s private jetty. The concluding leg of the journey is an elephant trek along jungle paths with astonishing views, and ends at the hotel lobby.
Designed in royal Thai Lanna style, the resort offers 63 rooms and suites. These include five ‘Three Country View’ family suites. Each of these suites can be expanded by interconnecting them with an adjoining Deluxe Three Country View Room.
All rooms and suites feature a spacious balcony with a built-in sofa overlooking the misty hills of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos. Interiors showcase the elegance of Thai culture with silks, textiles and teakwood furniture complemented by a host of modern amenities. The terrazzo
bathtub for two features retractable doors that can be opened for a view of the lush surroundings.
The standout accommodations at the resort are the one and two-bedroom Jungle Bubbles. Located in the midst of lush vegetation on the banks of the Ruak River, each of these fully transparent accommodations is perched on a raised wooden deck, and offers uninterrupted views of the elephants during the day, and stars at night.
Constructed with high-tech polyester fabric, the wellappointed bubble accommodation is fully air-conditioned. The bedrooms - with a king bed and premium bedding - and the seating area with lounge furnishings are under transparent roofs, while the enclosed suite shower and vanity are nontransparent.
The wooden deck offers ample space for al fresco lounging and dining, along with a plunge pool. The Jungle Bubble experience is an optional activity in which the guests spend the night, from dusk till dawn, at the Bubble, returning to their regular accommodation in the morning. The package includes a dinner basket and 24-hour in-room dining service.
All guests at the resort stay on a Discovery Experience package, which combines luxury accommodation with unique allinclusive benefits. In this package, for each night stayed, guests choose one activity from four categories. The most popular of these is Walking with Giants, where guests join the elephants as they roam free and splash in the water, accompanied by their mahouts and the resident vet or biologist.
The second all-inclusive signature experience category offers pampering at Anantara Spa, with a choice of two 90-minute rituals. Guests can tailor their ideal experience from a selection of scrubs, wraps, massages, facials, manicures and pedicure treatments, or indulge in one treatment from a choice of signature facials and massages.
Anantara’s Spice Spoons Thai cooking school offers the third all-inclusive activity option. Richly interactive, the experience begins with a chef-guided market tour and coffee with the locals in the nearby former Lanna Kingdom capital city of Chiang Saen. This is followed by a temple offering and breakfast picnic on the temple grounds. Back at the resort, students tour the herb garden before donning aprons for the step-by-step cooking class, learning how to recreate Thai cuisine’s unique four-flavour balance with a master chef.
The fourth all-inclusive activity involves exploring the unique character and traditions of Thailand and Myanmar, with the option of adding a Laos experience. The cultural trip incorporates market, temple and ancient Lanna experiences, travel by private car, tuk tuk and longtail boat. The adventure is led by an experienced guide who takes care of immigration formalities, provides language assistance and narrates insightful facts and stories about the region.
Gourmet all-day dining at the resort starts with an international buffet breakfast on a terrace with misty Golden Triangle views. Lunch and dinner may be enjoyed at authentic Thai and Italian restaurants, or at the international colonial-
style bar and lounge. Free-flowing beverages offer freshly squeezed exotic juices, mocktails, classic cocktails, local beers, imported spirits, and international house wines selected by the resort’s ‘Wine Guru.’
In terms of activities, the resort’s facilities and its surroundings leave guests spoilt for choice. Nature lovers can go bird watching, walk or jog along beautiful trails and contribute to Anantara’s conservation work with a native tree planting activity. Nearby, ancient Lanna kingdom ruins, tea plantations, hill tribe villages, palaces, flower gardens and the famous White Temple all beckon exploration.
Anantara Golden Triangle is the only resort in Thailand to offer its guests the opportunity to explore the surrounding area on two Royal Enfield Classic 500s sidecars. Guests can explore the Thailand portion of the Golden Triangle and its historical landmarks, or take a ride to the nearby Doi Tung, the highest point of the Doi Nang Non mountains, revered for its ancient stupa and the Royal Villa - the final residence of Thailand’s Royal Grandmother.
The resort offers an exceptional setting for weddings, events and business meetings. The Rim Khong room can host 24 delegates, and for larger gatherings, there is the Mae Khong
room. It can host 144 people indoors, and an additional 150 on its terrace. Business events can be combined with unique team-building activities such as elephant polo.
The resort’s enchanting landscapes offer an abundance of picturesque settings for fairytale weddings, each tailored to the couple’s needs. For instance, the solemn ceremony could be set on a secluded hilltop overlooking the Mekong River or amidst verdant rice paddies. Newlyweds may ride off atop a majestic elephant. Distinctive evening dining celebrations include a Khantoke sunset dinner on a private hilltop, with traditional local delicacies served for guests to share as they recline on Thai triangular pillows in a Lanna-decorated sala.
Anantara Golden Triangle’s greatest accolade is its elephant camp, which works in conjunction with the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation (GTAEF). Both were set up primarily to help domesticated elephants that have suffered abuse or those that are unable to earn an income to support themselves and their mahouts. The resort helps the elephant caretakers to raise the funds they need to look after the gentle giants, and to give them a natural environment where they can enjoy life with their peer group.
The Batoka Hospitality Group has opened the doors of its Zambezi Sands River Lodge, offering visitors five-star luxury at the western end of Zambezi National Park, just one hour from Victoria Falls.
Batoka Hospitality is a luxury eco-tourism and community development group focused on preserving and empowering local communities where the company’s lodges are situated. By doing this, they aim to foster the preservation of local wildlife and the environment surrounding their lodges. The company owns and operates Batoka Zambezi Sands River Lodge and Batoka Gorges Lodge, both situated at Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River in Zimbabwe.
The newly renovated Zambezi Sands River Lodge is the first native female-owned Safari Lodge in Africa. “We are empowering the African dream of success through ecotourism and hospitality,” says Vimbai Masiyiwa, Executive Director of Batoka Hospitality. “At Batoka, people come first: whether it is our staff, our guests or the community surrounding us.
“As much as we enrich the lives of our guests through a truly authentic African experience, we want to create self-sustaining villages and economic growth for the communities around us.”
The opening of the property will coincide with the launch of Tesse Fund, which will be financed by 10% of the revenue made from each guest stay. The purpose of the fund is for staff members within the Batoka Hospitality family to come up with projects that benefit their local community.
The destination’s 10 tented suites, six of which have a private plunge pool. These tents have been designed by South African interior designer Yvonne O’Brien, best known for creations which are understated, personal and quietly refined. Particularly for GCC travellers, the resort offers a two-bedroom suite complete with a private swimming pool, lounge, dining room and deck, offering more privacy and an opulent home away from home experience.
The natural materials and tones O’Brien and her team have brought to the Batoka Zambezi Sands River Lodge blend seamlessly into the Victoria Falls landscape, where breathtaking vistas greet guests from every suite.
Bedrooms are designed as large African-style tents offering exceptional views from the huge veranda to the soundtrack of the area’s wildlife. The boardwalks that
interlink each tent with the main dining area and bar offer protection from wandering hippos who often spend at least part of the night feeding in and around the camp.
The lodge’s elegant bar, lounge and dining area sit above the river on astilted structure is surrounded by the area’s lush wild landscapes. Decorated with stylish teak furniture, wooden flooring, pewter ornaments and leather chairs and sofas, it is quintessential African meets luxury. Outside, an expansive deck has dining tables and a sunken fire pit where pre-dinner beverages are the order of the day.
In addition to being a base camp for safaris, the resort offers guests an array of activities without even leaving the estate. In addition to the resort’s spa and fitness centre, guests can enjoy a wide range of activities which include game drives along the river and inland, game walks with an experienced professional guide and day or sunset river boat cruises.
Sustainability and local employment are at the heart of the resort’s stated mission, enabling guests to experience authentic African culture and hospitality with as little harm to the environment as possible.
Resplendent Ceylon offers a broad selection of exclusive experiences across its five one-of-a-kind properties
Resplendent Ceylon - Sri Lanka’s boutique luxury hospitality brand - offers a broad selection of exclusive experiences across its five one-of-a-kind properties. From a fun-filled family adventure in the jungle to a tranquil escape into the tea trails, a refreshing beachside chill out, or a wellness retreat, the options offered are ideal for family getaways during the holidays.
Conceived by the Fernando family, founders of Dilmah Ceylon Tea, Resplendent Ceylon is a collection of boutique resorts strategically located to offer discerning travellers a luxurious circuit across Sri Lanka. The brand also supports the family’s philanthropic programs through the MJF Foundation and Dilmah Conservation.
The brand’s “best of Sri Lanka” circuit features three distinctive resorts - Ceylon Tea Trails in the tea highlands, Wild Coast Tented Lodge between a beach and a National Park, and Cape Weligama on the coast. These resorts are the only Sri Lankan members of Relais & Chateaux, the global network of individually owned and operated luxury hotels and restaurants.
Resplendent Ceylon also owns and manages Reverie, a newly launched collection of laid-back boutique properties. Currently comprising two properties - Kayaam House and Ahu Bay - are
meant for those seeking to embrace the slower pace of island life, particularly over longer stays.
Resplendent Ceylon’s Wild Coast Lodge offers the Junior Ranger Program specially curated for children aged 6-16. This luxury tented camp is adjacent to the famous Yala National Park and overlooks the Indian Ocean. This program features multiple options, including animal identification, footprint identification and tracking, and animal group characteristics.
The program offers a Junior Ranger Certificate, badges for accomplishments, and a specially designed kid’s tasting menu. The package includes three exclusive game drives, a choice of three additional activities, and the opportunity to explore Yala National Park. This package is for a threenight stay for a family of up to four children.
Ceylon Tea Trails, located in the picturesque tea highlands of Sri Lanka, offers the Private Escape package for families or groups of friends seeking a tranquil experience. Guests can enjoy an all-inclusive private getaway at one of the beautifully designed Tea Trails bungalows, offering guests old-world charm and refinement in idyllic isolation.
Each of the five restored historic tea planter residences, called bungalows, features its own private pool, a private chef, and a butler to ensure an elevated luxury experience. The special offer also includes a half-day guided walk or bike ride and a private guided tea factory tour for those who wish to explore beyond the beauty of their bungalow.
Cape Weligama is a sea-facing resort on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, near the historic city of Galle. Its Garden Package is an all-inclusive experiential stay that includes three nights or more in a luxurious villa with a dedicated garden and pool.
The property is divided into segregated gardens, with each garden having 2 to 4 villas with a pool and private garden, making it ideal for family or group getaways. The villa architecture features terracotta-tiled roofs, expansive outdoor verandahs and manicured tropical gardens. The contemporary living quarters have tasteful interiors inspired by the island’s maritime heritage. These villas offer guests complete privacy and seclusion with their dedicated concierge on call.
Guests can wake up to breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean, followed by a floating breakfast in the private pool. Mixology classes, sundowners, morning yoga classes, and private dinners are all part of the experience. In addition, guests are also treated to a special chef’s table dining experience.
Reverie, Resplendent Ceylon’s newly launched collection of laid-back boutique properties were designed to embrace the slow pace of life on the island. These resorts are ideal for those seeking a home-stay like experience, or to unwind from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Kayaam House is a spiritual sanctuary in a secluded spot, just steps from the beach. It offers six Ocean Rooms, two Palm Suites and a chic restaurant. The Kayaam House focuses on restoration and recovery with wellness as a key part of every guest experience. The Sanctuary Spa features a treatment room with therapies based on traditional healing methods utilising hyperlocal herbs and spices. Guests can also bathe in nature at the outdoor yoga pavilion, or dive into the far-reaching infinity pool.
Perched on Ahungalla Point between two secluded bays on the southwest coast is Ahu Bay. It offers a collection of four suites and three three-bedroom beach villas. These accommodations are available either on a rent-by-the-room or exclusive-use basis. Pared-back, rustic interiors feature neutral sandy tones, rattan furniture, recycled wood accents and plenty of natural greenery. The resort’s casual all-day dining venue serves Sri Lankan and international favourites, surrounded by manicured lawns, beach cabanas, the Sanctuary Spa and a shimmering infinity swimming pool.
Etihad Airways will debut a new Business Class Seat and several new conveniences with its new 787s
Etihad Airways showcased a suite of new products and enhancements at this year’s Arabian Travel Market, Dubai. This included the new interior that will debut with the 39 additional Boeing 787 Dreamliners scheduled to join the fleet in the third quarter of this year.
“Etihad’s new 787 Dreamliner cabin interior showcases further enhancements to our award-winning and industry renowned cabins. Our new Business class takes the guest experience to new heights with the second evolution of the Business Studio which was launched on the Airbus A350-1000 last year,” said Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways.
The new 787 Business cabin features a customised version of the Elements seat manufactured by Collins. Etihad is the first airline in the world to introduce the Elements seat on the Boeing 787. These new seats are designed to provide guests with a comfortable and spacious environment with added privacy provided by a suite door. The height of the suite has been increased from the A350’s debut model, offering even greater privacy for guests.
Each of the 32 Business seats has direct aisle access with the cabin designed in a 1-2-1 configuration. This layout offers convenience to those travelling individually or with companions. The seats recline to a fully lie-flat bed, 78” in length. Each seat has a 17.3” 4K TV screen, Bluetooth headphone pairing, multiple charging ports and wireless charging, and plenty of storage.
The new 787s will also debut the latest in inflight entertainment technology from Safran. These include Rave Ultra 4K monitors, Bluetooth headphone pairing and the option to pair personal phones and tablets to the screen, and use them as a remote.
Another debutant is a new connectivity solution from Viasat using Ka-band technology which offers high-speed WiFi with streaming capabilities on board as well as Live TV, including news and sports channels. This is in addition to the new Wi-Fly packages introduced this year on its wide-body fleet with Chat and Surf packages offering unlimited data.
Etihad Guest members, including those who enrol instantly just before the flight, are rewarded with free Chat packages while they fly. These free Chat packages provide access to
popular messaging apps such as What’s App, WeChat, Messenger and others. Generous Surf packages offer unlimited data for the duration of the flight.
Etihad’s E-BOX offers hours of entertainment catering to a broad range of preferences. Hundreds of blockbuster movies from Hollywood to Bollywood, Arabic, Asian and European content, as well as popular TV shows, music, podcasts and games.
Etihad’s unique partnership with Armani Casa, which has now fully rolled out across the airline’s Business class cabins, will be offered on the new 787s. Providing guests with a heightened experience, the range features bespoke dining ware and soft furnishings designed in collaboration with the designer brand.
Neves adds: “We remain fully committed to providing industryleading experiences for our guests. This year is about growth for Etihad – as well as enhancing our guest experience and adding aircraft to our fleet. We’ve announced new routes for our network, including Kolkata last month, Lisbon, Malaga and Mykonos this summer and Copenhagen and Dusseldorf in the fourth quarter.”
Montblanc’s pop-up at AlUla’s Ashar Valley presents the chapter one of “The Library Spirit” campaign
Montblanc has opened a pop-up boutique in Al Ula’s posh Al Ashar Valley precinct to present the first chapter of its global “The Library Spirit” campaign.
The concept showcases the brand’s redesigned Sartorial Collection of stylish leather goods, as well as several Limited Edition watches and writing instruments. The latter includes the Montblanc Ferrari Stilema SP3 Limited Edition 599.
Created by Montblanc’s Artistic Director, Marco Tomasetta, The Library Spirit was unveiled in January, at La Réserve Hotel, during the men’s fashion week in Paris. The first chapter of the campaign, featuring British actor Callum Turner, is set in Milan. The Second chapter takes us to the London Library, established in 1841, in St James’ Square. Starring actor James Norton, model, singer and author Karen Elson, and model Arthur Gosse, the London chapter highlights the new Meisterstück Around The World in 80 Days Doué Classique Fountain Pen, the Soft Mini Bag with its external writing instrument holder, the Soft Backpack, the 24/7 Bag and the 1858 Iced Sea watch with a grey dial. The centrepiece of the first chapter, which is being presented at the pop-up in Al Ashar Valley, is Montblanc’s
new Sartorial Collection. Fittingly, the collection uses design codes inspired by the “beauty and experience of handwriting.”
The Sartorial Collection features bags and smaller accessories in softer leather with a deep two-tone effect and new colours. The collection also debuted a new modular system that allows small pieces to be attached to larger bags – creating new functionalities and numerous customization possibilities.
The star of the writing instruments on display is the Montblanc Ferrari Stilema SP3 Limited Edition 599, the result of a design collaboration between the two brands.
Jade Hantouche, Managing Director, Montblanc KSA, said: “Our latest campaign explores the inspiration we can gain from the library as a source of discovery, and there is no better place to explore this than in the Kingdom’s cultural capital, AlUla. We look forward to welcoming our Saudi customers to experience the inspirational power of the library with us, and preview our latest Sartorial Collection.”
Montblanc’s Library Spirit pop-up is open every day from 4:00pm to 10:00pm.
