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LIVE LIFE IN INFINITY

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Contents Editorial Editor in Chief Khalid Ahmed Juman Features Editor Tariq Khonji Deputy Editor in Chief Ahmed Khunji Art Art Director Nils Albrechtsen

Volume 10 Issue 03 Spring 2018 010 First Impression

084 A Fiery Collection Rani Zakhem Couture Spring Summer 2018 collection

Editor’s Letter

012 Celebrating Culture Interview with HE Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa

018 Leading Legacy Interview with Khalid Mohamed Kanoo

086 Modern Femininity Tadashi Shoji Fall 2018 collection

030 Experience Bliss Interview with Reef Resort GM, Darryl Marsden

036 Connoisseur of Luxury

Interview with Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain Executive Assistant Manager-Sales and Marketing Soufiane Elallam

090 On the Money Billionaire Autumn/Winter 2018 collection

094 Riding High Interview with artist Elise Genest volume 10 Issue 03 SPRING 2018

052 Watchmaking Excellence Hublot’s Middle East Roadshow

054 Luxury Statements Watches for men

058 Feminine Charm Watches for women

062 Scented Power Perfumes for men

066 Captivating Fragrances

The top 5 most expensive paintings in the world

102 Boutique Experience

Discover Jodhpur, India

112 Redefining Hospitality The best hotels in the world

120 The Count’s Horse The story behind Ferrari’s crest

124 Serene Treatments 134 Refined Taste Top dining locations

144 Tribute Chef Paul Bocuse (1926 – 2018)

150 D-Experience Ferrari 488 GTB and GTC4Lusso

154 Driven by Luxury

The latest in designer brand women’s shoes

082 Inspired by Love EsposaCouture Bridal 2018 collection

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Mr. Khalid Mohamed Kanoo, YBA Kanoo Group Chairman

Car reviews

Durrah is a premium quarterly English-language luxury lifestyle magazine, covering topics including VIP interviews, fashion, yachting, architecture, art and culture, jewellery and travel, Durrah’s quality is unsurpassed. Durrah, in Arabic, translates to ‘Pearl’, and focuses on luxury that is based on substance and lifestyle with intellect, rather than excess. On contemporary living that evolves from deepset roots, rather than globalization, ensuring an inherently authentic flavour for a globally travelled audience. With a core focus on the colourful fusion of both traditional and modern elements that make up the Arabian identity, Durrah aims to promote and preserve all of the elements that make the Arabian Gulf so unique. Durrah adopts international standards, however also remains closely connected to Middle Eastern heritage, culture and achievements, all of which are prominently featured.

162 Men’s Must Haves Luxury items for Men

168 Women’s Must Haves Luxury items for women

174 Host of Culture Bosphorus Private

The latest in ladies’ brand name bags

078 Stepping in Style

Cover Image

The best spas in the world

The Tianjin Binhai Library

074 Exquisite Style

Luxurious shopping destinations

106 The Blue City

Perfumes for women

070 Cascade of Words

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098 Artistic Impressions

050 A Timekeeping Legacy Omega’s new collections

PO Box 13990, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain T. +973 77077777 F. +973 17226555

Dsquared2 Fall/Winter 2018 Collection

046 A Dream Come True Interview with Turkish artist Hayrettin Arslanoglu

DURRAH LUXURY MAGAZINE

092 Rhinestone Rebel

042 Creative Quest How to Choose Art in the GCC, by Gregg Sedgwick

IT support Digital Manager Hussain Al Anjawi

Balenciaga Spring/Summer 2018 women’s collection

028 Prestigious Perfumery Interview with Yousif Alhawaj

Production Production Support Venkatesan J. S

088 More than Meets the Eye

022 Refined Arts Interview with Sh. Rashid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa

Marketing and Sales International Media Sales Director Hussain Al Zaimoor

ISSN 2210-1322

178 Masters of Visual Arts

Understanding Calligraphy: The Ottoman Contribution

182 Final Pearl Bahrain F1 and Spring of Culture

DURRAHMAGAZINE

www.durrah.bh e.mail: info@durrah.bh

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Welcome

First Impression A word from the editor-in-chief

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ere we are with yet another luxurious issue of Durrah. As our dear readers have come to expect by now, we spare no effort and no expense to craft a magazine filled to the brim with interesting insights, the latest offerings, and breathtaking scenery from locations around the globe. I’m always delightfully surprised by the sheer number of talents and magnificent creations to be found in the world of the elite. We strive to capture the essence of the finer things in life.

In this issue, we talk to HE Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA), who discusses the significance of Muharraq being awarded the accolade of ‘Capital of Islamic Culture 2018’, and BACA’s popular festivities and special events organized in line with its mission to highlight the island’s unique heritage and culture.

One of Bahrain’s leading business figures, Khalid Kanoo graces our pages this month. He shares his wisdom and insight into preserving one of the largest family-owned businesses in the region, a role he still actively plays in his new position of Group Chairman of Yusuf bin Ahmed Kanoo Group.

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We delve into the creative mind of Shaikh Rashid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, the Honorary President of the Bahrain Arts Society, who has been a leader in the local art movement for the past 40 years. Meanwhile, Yousif Alhawaj shares his insight on what it takes to maintain the reputation of the most prestigious name in Bahrain’s perfumery business, and we learn how Hayrettin Arslanoglu, one of the most prominent artists in Turkey’s history, has been preserving his country’s heritage by creating Ottoman helmets using the same material and processes used by his countrymen many centuries ago.

And as always, it wouldn’t be Durrah without the most breathtaking travel sights, the finest dining destinations, the latest in designer brand apparel, and the numerous articles that cater to the palate of the most discerning connoisseurs. Where there’s luxury, there’s Durrah.

Enjoy your read!

Khalid Ahmed Juman Editor in Chief

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Up Close and Personal

Rich in heritage, Muharraq has always been of historical importance to the Gulf region. It has been lauded as a vibrant political, trading, and economic centre. Over the years, it has received recognition for shaping its modern image as an Arab and Muslim nation, culminating in its selection as the Capital of Islamic Culture 2018. HE Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA), discusses the significance of being awarded this accolade, and the popular annual festivities and special celebrations organised by BACA, in line with its mission to highlight the island’s unique, deep-rooted heritage and cultural tourism.

Celebrating Culture

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his is a very special year for the Kingdom of Bahrain, as it sheds light on the city that is dearest to all our hearts, Muharraq. We are honoured that it was selected as the Capital of Islamic Culture by the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO),” Shaikha Mai said.

The seaside city, Shaikha Mai went on to explain, once served as the port of the world. It is a place where cultures were forged and different people came together. BACA’s programme allows the city to regain its features and characteristics as it continues to bring beauty and inspiration to the entire world.

“The programme transmits our visions and dreams to every corner, whether through cultural projects or investments in arts and human history, and embeds within the city a sustainable cultural movement that will continue to inspire,” Shaikha Mai added.

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BACA continuously strives to develop the Kingdom’s cultural infrastructure in order to conserve its heritage and grow Bahrain’s sustainable tourism sector. “Case in point was the launch of the nationwide ‘Invest in Culture’ initiative, which seeks to build unprecedented partnerships between the private and public sectors for heritage preservation,” Shaikha Mai said.

“Muharraq, for example, contains numerous monuments that bear witness to a rich history. Whether they are long-time residents or simply passers-by, people have built a sense of affinity and belonging to the city and have a love for it deep within their soul. It has always been like a womb that nurtures all things joyful and amazing, which makes it a radiantly beautiful city, as big as the nation itself.”

Every city has its own unique identity, which is reflected by its children, and Muharraq is no different. “Muharraq’s legacy boasts such a deep-

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Up Close and Personal

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BACA’s programme allows the city to regain its features and characteristics as it continues to bring beauty and inspiration to the entire world. rooted history, which manifests itself in its children’s homes, ventures, and dreams. It is a legacy firmly and inseparably intertwined with the history of the pearl,” Shaikha Mai said. “And today, the ancient pearl that lay hidden in the city’s sea has re-emerged in the Pearling Path, a recently-inscribed UNESCO World Heritage Site.”

Along with oyster beds and a seaside port, the Pearling Path features ancient houses that have been transformed into heritage assets, which radiate beauty and history. Exquisite architecture, replete with Islamic engravings, became places for endowments and production. “Nothing from Muharraq’s age goes away. Nothing is lost as long as we hold on to it,” Shaikha Mai stressed.

There are many significant events taking place in line with the year-long celebration of Muharraq Capital of Islamic Culture, including the 6th International Bahrain

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Sculpture Symposium, the 44th Bahrain Annual Fine Arts Exhibition, the 3rd Food is Culture Festival, the 13th Spring of Culture Festival, the 10th anniversary of the opening of the Bahrain Fort Site Museum (Qal’at AlBahrain), the 18th Bahrain International Book Fair, the 26th Heritage Festival, the 42nd World Heritage Committee session, the official launch of the Pearling Path Project under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of Bahrain, as well as numerous other highly anticipated events.

The ongoing Spring of Culture festival is another chance for Bahrain’s residents and visitors to enjoy a wealth of exciting experiences. Now in its 13th season, the annual festival, which continues until the end of April, features a wide range of cultural events and activities from across the globe that activate the local cultural landscape while building bridges with the world.

The festival is jointly organised by the Bahrain

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01 Bu Maher Fort 02 Al Khalifiyah Library 03 HE Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa 04 House of the late Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa

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Up Close and Personal

Authority for Culture and Antiquities, the Economic Development Board (EDB), and the Shaikh Ebrahim bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Centre for Culture and Research, in collaboration with Albareh Art Gallery, and La Fontaine Art Centre of Contemporary Art. Last year, in celebration of Muharraq, Capital of Islamic Culture, BACA launched an initiative for authors around the Kingdom and the Arab world to write about the city. “Our audiences were excitingly engaged in this initiative from the moment we sent out the calls, and we have already accepted several of submissions of texts and manuscripts that shed light on various aspects of the city of Muharraq,” Shaikha Mai said.

Participation was open to all literary forms, including poetry, prose, novels, short stories, studies, heritage, archaeology, and more. The selected works will be published by BACA and formally launched during the 18th Bahrain International Book Fair, which is set to take place at the end of this month.

05 Dar Al Muharraq for Folk Arts 06 Qaisariyah Souk, one of the stops of the Pearling Trail 07 House of the late Sheikh Isa bin Ali

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Up Close and Personal

Recently appointed Group Chairman of Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo Group, one of the largest family-owned multinational businesses in the Middle East, Khalid Mohamed Kanoo can add another notch to a long and illustrious career. Utilising his wealth of knowledge in various roles over the decades, he has cultivated a preceding reputation for having a strong focus on transparency, governance, and fairness. Durrah speaks to the veteran business leader to learn what it takes to preserve one of the most respected businesses in the region.

Leading Legacy Interview with Mr. Khalid Mohamed Kanoo Do you think the way people see family businesses in the GCC has changed in recent years? Has it been a positive or negative change?

Family business owners are always concerned about their reputation and their position in both the local economy and the community. They will always strive to uphold this reputation by treating those they deal with fairly since any shortcomings in the way they behave reflect directly on their family name.

Such an attitude is positively received by all who come in contact with family businesses. The passage of time produces changes within family businesses as control by founders is passed to the younger generation who have their own ideas and directions for the organization. When originally established, the leader of a family business needed to ride two horses: on the one hand managing the family and on the other managing the business. As these organizations

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have grown in size and complexity it has become necessary to place the business operations under a professional management team and formally structure the management of the family with a constitution enshrining vision and values. Another change being experienced by family businesses is the need to compete more intensely in the labor market to attract good staff and offer a working environment which is visionary, progressive and fulfilling for prospective high-quality applicants. It is this aspect of family businesses which needs some attention in order to make sure they are not seen as old-fashioned and stuck in their ways. By innovating in new directions and always maintaining a fresh outlook, they can present themselves as attractive places of work.

You have taken many projects over the years. Do you still see certain projects as big or do you feel like it’s all easy now?

Projects we undertake as a business always seem a bit daunting when we start out. Of course, once they have been completed, we tend to forget the difficulties that we had to overcome, and they look easy. However, the business environment is

01 Mr. Khalid Mohamed Kanoo, Group Chairman of Yusuf bin Ahmed Kanoo (YBA) Group 02 HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain presents YBA Kanoo Group Chairman Mr. Khalid Mohamed Kanoo with National Day Medal of Honor 03 Visit to the Majlis of HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of Bahrain 04 HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince of Bahrain presents YBA Kanoo Group Chairman Mr. Khalid Mohamed Kanoo with Lifetime Achievement award at Bahrain Award for Entrepreneurship in 2017

very dynamic and fast changing, we have many new challenges to face regionally, and success in the projects of the future will not be simply about applying our old skills and experience. Today, we must innovate by bringing new ideas and new ways of executing our business to the market. The challenge is therefore to remain up-to-date and relevant in the ever-changing economy and this is never easy no matter how many successful years you have behind you.

How would you define leadership? What qualities do you need to be a leader?

Leadership, for me, is to uphold the Kanoo culture and values. This is the essence of what keeps us united and which distinguishes us from others.

Among our values is the need to make sure that all stakeholders this applies to both parts of the organization: the business and the family. Family members must all be treated fairly, and staff must be empowered and motivated. While we have a clear distinction in Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo between family and business, each one requires appropriate leadership and it is the leaders’ job to build bridges between these two groups. In a diverse company such

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as Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo, there are many thousands of interested parties whose lives and businesses are impacted by what we do. It is a challenge as a leader to have the vision to both identify those plans that will have a critical impact in the short medium and longer term and to oversee their successful implementation.

All this to be carried out whilst upholding the values of the family business. Obtaining alignment across the whole organization so that everybody is pulling in the same directions and working for the benefit of the whole is key to success. This challenge is particularly difficult when an organization such as ours is spread out geographically, working in different cultures and different environments yet expecting everyone to behave according to the same standards. I work with all our leaders to continuously reinforce our family values as I believe this is what will sustain us, and it is these that mark us out against others in the market

How would you compare BCCI’s role to the time when you were Chairman? Are they facing different challenges today?

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When I first joined the BCCI, it was in the role of Deputy Chairman which I held for four years. This was followed by a second election where I took up the

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Up Close and Personal

05 YBA Kanoo Group Chairman Mr. Khalid Mohamed Kanoo’s art gallery 06 His Majesty’s visit to the Kanoo family 07 Mr. Khalid Mohamed Kanoo, YBA Kanoo Group Chairman with Mr. Fawzi Kanoo, YBA Kanoo Group Vice Chairman 08 YBA Kanoo Group Chairman Mr. Khalid Mohamed Kanoo’s art workshop

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position of Chairman – a position I held for another four years. During my time, the Executive Committee comprised representatives from the large family businesses who worked together very well with no political disruption between them. HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of Bahrain provided unprecedented support to the BCCI, not only encouraging us to enhance the business environment in Bahrain, but also by giving both land and funds to build a new and now iconic headquarter. I worked on this building project, which was the foundation of the redevelopment for BCCI’s prominence in the business community. Since that new beginning, I have been concerned to see that subsequent groups at the BCCI have not been so cohesive and there has been a lot of politics between them, which has hindered them in their objectives. I hope that with the new election, this behavior is behind us and look forward to seeing the recently elected officers working together to regain the standing Bahrain’s business community had.

With taxes now being introduced into Bahrain’s economy, what effect do you think it will have on Bahrain’s business climate?

Taxes are inevitable. Almost every developed economy in the world has a system of taxes and most of these systems become complex over time. We should expect the same. Since taxes will be applied equally across all businesses in the market, there should be no bigger impact on one sector than on another. The consumer will certainly feel the impact, however, the Prime Minister, in his wisdom, has ordered that taxes be gradually applied in small steps so that we all have time to adjust to this new reality.

In the first instance, we must look to improving our efficiencies and productivity to make up for any losses due to tax, and I think there is a lot of opportunity here to make progress. We must look at investment in productivity, automation, and better business processes to defray the impact that tax will have.

Is the hotel industry in Bahrain thriving at the moment? Does it have advantages over the hotel industry in other GCC countries?

The hotel sector in Bahrain is very competitive and, coupled with internet-based booking systems, hotel guests can obtain very competitive prices. There is a huge range of hotels in Bahrain and more continue to be built. The room inventory is driving rates down.

This is good for the consumer but not so good for those who are seeking to invest in the hotel sector.

This is a time when I would like to see more support for hotels from the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority (BTEA). They need to work more closely with the hospitality industry leaders to create programs for the benefit of the sector, and to strongly position Bahrain as a destination for tourists in the GCC. Since I have worked in the travel and holidays sectors, and was a member of the Gulf Hotel board for many years, I have learned that hotels offering good standards of service and fair value for money can be successful in all business environments. When I started the K Hotel, we maintained our success by holding to our high customer experience standards and ensuring that all guests checkout with a smile on their face and with positive comments on social media. This is what keeps K Hotel guests coming back for more.

What project are you proud of the most?

When I look back at my life, I am most proud of my early career. After the completion of my university education in the USA, I was appointed as Assistant Branch Manager in Abu Dhabi where I spent 12 years working under the direction of my father Mohammed, uncles Ahmed, Mubarak, Abdulla, and Hamad Kanoo.

During this time, we established Kanoo in The Trucial States (now the United Arab Emirates) with operations in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Following this, I was promoted to the position of Director and transferred to Jeddah to run the Kanoo business in the Western Province of Saudi Arabia, and later I was promoted to Managing Director of Saudi Arabia, based in Dammam.

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After several years, my Uncle Ahmed brought me back to Bahrain to work on expanding the business from the head office. The contacts I established and experience I gained from working across the whole region have always been a great advantage.

Life was not always easy however, and the business experienced many up-and-down cycles during this period, requiring us to adapt and change as new challenges presented themselves. I’m proud of the success we made in spite of the many difficulties we faced. This success makes the memory of those times even more enjoyable. I’m proud to look at our family business and see the youngest generations: brothers, sisters and cousins; children and grandchildren meeting and working together, exchanging messages on their smartphones and genuinely enjoying each other’s company. This gives me a great deal of hope for the future. I can see the unity and cohesion that exists and that, once established at an early age will endure to provide the glue that will hold both the family and the business together into the future.

What has been the most challenging part of your life so far?

I have recently been appointed as Chairman of Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo and added this to the long list of activities in which I’m involved, which includes the Chairmanship of the Bahrain Family Business Association. I have even taken up painting as a hobby.

As I get older, I don’t seem to get any less busy, and time management is increasingly a challenge to me. I myself wonder how I manage to get through such a variety of activities during the week! My wife Salwa, and my children Nabeel, Nada, and Faisal are always reminding me that they and the grandchildren don’t see enough of me. There always seems to be something else that needs to be done and not just done, but done well. I am always re-examining how I can work more effectively. This is a challenge that I’m continually grappling with.

Is there a famous entrepreneur or personality that you have always looked up to? Someone that has inspired you?

Throughout my life, I have always looked up to my uncle Ahmed and my father Mohammed Kanoo who formed a powerful team. They worked together in the company. The vision provided by Ahmed and the operations managed by Mohamed filled me with inspiration and motivation to work hard and build the business. I still marvel at their achievements and the pioneering spirit which they followed. They were the first to establish an insurance company in the Gulf.

Following the installation of computers at Aramco and BAPCO, Kanoo was the next to adopt this new technology when many people have not even heard of such equipment. They would travel to Europe and the United States looking for new opportunities and new businesses they could bring to Bahrain. This still inspires me today. kanoo.com

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Refined Arts

For over 40 years, Sh. Rashid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa has been a beacon of the art movement in Bahrain. He was the first President, and the current Honorary President, of the Bahrain Arts Society. His influence over other local artists stretched over the decades, as they not only learn from him, but also try to follow in his footsteps. Durrah speaks to the art pioneer to find out what has sustained his passion as an artist, and the state of art in the GCC today compared to the early days of his journey.

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Masterpiece 01 Convex 120 x 120 Enamel paint on Aluminium 2015 02 The artist, HE Sheikh Rashid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, near his paiting Convex 120 x 120 Enamel paint on Aluminium 2015 03 Photo of The One Man Art Exhibition at “Ayyam” Gallery, Dubai, 2018

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Interview with Sh. Rashid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa Can you tell us about how your journey as an artist started?

I believe that the gift of art is born with every person in various degrees. Art is a high frequency of emotions that makes the artist more attuned to identifying where beauty lies, and more capable of embodying it. Therefor, it’s natural that this talent would be discovered, if it exists, at an early age.

How did you discover your passion for visual art? And how did the people around you react at the time?

I had my first exhibition when I was 16 years old.

The positive reception it received from the local media at the time motivated me to make a decision regarding my future studies. So, I went to the UK to study art. It was over there that I found an area where the warm environment I grew up in intersected with the cold weather in that country. The foggy vision I had was the result of the gulf desert’s sand mixing with London’s European fog.

Which international artist do you consider a source of inspiration for your work?

While I was studying, I found a great source of inspiration through the works of the famous English artist, Joseph Turner. He was one of the greatest impressionist

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artists. His talent allowed him to surge to a level comparable to historical art with his foggy landscapes.

This was one of the things that my previous work has had for a while, as it was characterized by mystery.

Can you tell us about your stay in Bahrain and your art work here?

After I returned to my home country and started a new life as an employee, my passion for art was still an obsession. I joined a group of fellow Bahraini artists and we founded The Bahrain Art Society in 1984. Our activities weren’t limited to just Bahrain, as we expanded into neighboring GCC countries as well. The Society still plays an important role in supporting artists today.

How would you describe your art?

I’m always striving towards improvement. I believe that it’s a continuous process and challenge for the artist. I also believe that beauty is the source of inspiration for the artist. The concept of beauty may differ from person to person, but to me, it lies in details. These details connect the various parts, creating harmony, and giving us the full picture that we see in that moment. The artist is the person who can feel that. He would have the ability to create and bring these scenes to prominence.

Which type of art is the closest to your heart?

To be honest, I don’t choose a particular art form.

It could be natural portraits, abstract, or surrealist art.

But creativity and success in reaching the highest levels of proficiency in techniques is what truly impresses me, regardless of the art form.

What are your dreams and ambitions for the visual art world on GCC’s level?

Truth be told, today I’m living in a time when my dreams have come true. 30 or 40 years ago, I dreamt of universities and institutes that would teach art in the GCC. Today, they exist in every GCC country. I dreamt of exhibitions and activities that Gulf communities would embrace. Today, we find that support on every level. It’s no longer a dream. It’s a wonderful reality.

And it’s improving day by day.

When you’re not creating, what do enjoy?

When I’m not in the studio painting, apart from my official job, I would be in the process of designing interiors or working with architects on some projects. Being involved in the art community, one way or another. rashidalkhalifa.me

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04 Convex 80 x 60 Enamel paint on Aluminium 2017 05 Convex 120 x 120 Enamel paint on Aluminium 2015 06 Convex 120 x 120 Enamel paint on Aluminium 2016 07 Convex 120 x 120 Enamel paint on Aluminium 2015

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30 or 40 years ago, I dreamt of universities and institutes that would teach art in the GCC. Today, they exist in every GCC country.

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COMFORT BY DESIGN Indulge in seating created to embrace you.

With innovative structural advances our new Gulfstream seats are as comfortable as they are beautiful.

Discover promise in every journey.

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Up Close and Personal

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Few families in the Kingdom’s history can claim to have the reputation that Alhawaj has maintained over decades. One of the earliest local perfume businesses, it formed such a close bond with customers that the word “Alhawaj” became synonymous with “perfumer”. Today, Alhawaj Group employs nearly 1,000 employees across Bahrain. Durrah speaks to Yousif Alhawaj to find out more about the business and its plans to stand out in today’s competitive luxury perfume market.

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01 (left to right) Abdul Wahab Alhawaj, HRH Sh. Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of Bahrain, and Yousif Alhawaj 02 Yousif Alhawaj

Alhawaj will open the first exclusive niche perfume boutique in Bahrain at The Avenues.

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Interview with Yousif Abdulwahab Alhawaj Does being a family business present advantages in running the company’s affairs?

In Bahrain and the GCC countries, most businesses started as family businesses. Especially in the old days, starting a family business was much easier than starting a business on your own. I’m aware of this because of the old stories and experiences I kept listening to since I was a teenager. The way they help each other hand-tohand and how they cooperate in their family business made it easier to manage a family business. Today, being in a family business is an advantage because you can learn from their great experiences during all these years. It gives you some indication of how you can continue this family business in the long run while using the modern management practices along with the family values. Today, you have to know how to inject the modern management practices, innovative ideas and thoughts, using the new generation without losing the family core values.

How does Alhawaj maintain such a prominent position in Bahrain’s perfumery business against the increasing competition from international brands?

The whole world is facing challenges these days, as there is a slowdown in the luxury industry. This is why we are always trying to find different ways and new methodologies to move ahead. Whatever the challenges are, we will always bring new products and ranges to our customers who highly depend on us. We don’t work

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for the end result, we work to please our customers and give them superior products and services, and this allows us to keep our momentum.

What has been the most successful brand in the history of Alhawaj so far?

I will answer this answer with a question: if a mother has 5 children, can you ask her which one is her favorite? Over the years, Alhawaj has become a generic name for perfumes in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

We started introducing many other product range of businesses such as cosmetics, fashion, electronics, and hospitality. If you ask me, personally, perfumes will always have a special place in my heart.

Which perfume materials are the most popular with Alhawaj customers?

There are no any specific popular materials with our customers. Every customer has a taste of their own, but in GCC countries, customers mostly would go to the Arabic essence such as oud and musk. The new Arab generation does like oud, but some of them like it in a unique way other than the classic essence, so offer all kinds of materials.

What are some of the challenges you face today as a Bahrain-based business?

The issues we face are the same ones faced in general by the business community, both locally and worldwide. Most notably are the changes in customer behavioral pattern.

The modern-day customer is very upscale and expects a

lot. They key challenge we face is to continually improve our service standards to match their evolving requirements.

Do you feel the government today is supportive of local businesses or do you feel more should be done?

Our government has always been supportive towards businesses. As an example, we are one of the first countries in the GCC who focused totally on digital marketing and online businesses. We also are one of the first who introduced the e-Commerce platforms. The government has always been supportive. It all depends on the business owners or entrepreneurs and how they utilize the facilities offered by the government. They should know how to utilize them in the right way.

Is there a big project or new brand we should expect from Alhawaj soon?

Indeed, we do. Alhawaj always plan to create new projects that are keeping up with the times. We just finished the grand opening of the House of Samsonite in City Center Bahrain, which was under the patronage of the American Ambassador. It was a remarkable success. The Avenues Mall is a new place where we do have some ideas that we will be implementing very soon. Work is currently ongoing in a couple of projects as well, and Swarovski is coming soon.

But one of our most significant projects is the introduction of Niche Perfumes, which are notable around the world for their higher concentration levels and reputation for luxury.

Alhawaj will open the first exclusive niche perfume boutique in Bahrain at The Avenues. We are proud of developing this concept and we are confident it will become a landmark decision in the history of Alhawaj Group. www.alhawaj.com

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Up Close and Personal

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Experience Bliss Nestled amidst expansive date gardens leading up to a pristine lagoon, Reef Resort is a peaceful sanctuary right within the heart of Reef Island. Offering scenic views of the lagoon, it’s a luxuriously welcoming experience that will satisfy even the most particular taste. It boasts an array of captivating features, making it the perfect destination for family holidays, romantic escapes, or business meetings.

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ocated on Manama’s northern shore, and minutes away from the new Bahrain Financial Harbour, Reef Island offers its residents and guests all the convenience of easy access to a bustling cosmopolitan city complimented with the tranquility of a tropical island getaway. The Island is home to Reef Resort, where a remarkable experience awaits.

Tucked within Reef Resort’s green environs are 39 stunning villas that are home to 102 premium living spaces which include villas, premium suites and luxurious rooms. With contemporary décor, water flanked walkways and landscapes dotted with majestic palm trees, each of the impressive accommodations flaunts its own unique theme and layout. The sophisticated and airy Villas and Suites are elevated by high ceilings and tall windows, making them a peaceful oasis where comfort meets delicate luxury. Room amenities include private room safes, fully-stocked refreshment bar, wallmounted LED TVs, complimentary high-speed wireless

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internet access, and large marble-tiled bathrooms with a jacuzzi in each bathroom. You can also take in recreation activities by swimming in the 5000 sqm infinity edge pool or workout in the gym.

The luxuriously welcoming Reef Resort offers a dazzling array of facilities and fun activities as well, with its various outlets that cater to the most discerning guests.

With direct access to the poolside, Pool Delight is a bright, lively, interactive restaurant which offers lavish breakfast and lunch buffets with a diverse international fare, including fresh pizza from our show oven. Salads topped with a choice of the finest gourmet ingredients and an authentic mix of Lebanese savouries and snacks adds creativity and variety to our sumptuous buffets. With a generous flood of natural light and endless pool and lagoon views, the restaurant forms a tempting venue for a Friday Brunch packed with flavour and creativity.

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With the stunning, white and dark chocolate interior and lagoon backdrop, Chocolaterie is a lobby café perfect for coffee mornings and sophisticated Arabian and English high teas. Indulge in freshly baked pastries, light gourmet fare, and specialty coffees by day, and watch it transform into a fabulously elegant Champagne and Caviar Lounge by night. Timeless and delicious, its custom made, signature chocolates further accentuate the rich menu.

Fine Café offers stylish and refined café dining. The wooden interiors, mingled with earthy colours, create an elegant space that is captivating by night. The à la carte menu displays an exquisite blend of Meditteranean cuisines with a focus on fresh and healthy cooking. A table by the window comes with stunning views of the Resort’s famous infinity pool and garden.

Tokyo Reef is a contemporary Japanese restaurant that flaunts a menu rich in creativity, history and Japanese culture.

Shisha Lounge offers an indoor lounge setting with private enclosures, as well as a relaxed outdoor terrace overlooking the pool.

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And finally, there’s Sunset Saloon. With a breathtaking sunset view over the lagoon, it is a haven for those seeking an uncompromising environment for enjoying premium wines and cigars in a refined setting.

Reef Resort is home to Reef Aqua Spa, one of Bahrain’s most sought-after destinations for complete relaxation of mind, body, and soul.

Guests can lie back and revel in an extraordinary journey of rejuvenation, relaxation, and pure wellness in the luxuriously appointed spas for men and women.

An oasis of serenity awaits as holistic therapies from around the world exude exotic aromas through the spa’s enchanting interiors. Designed to restore and revitalize, these chic and elegant spas energise the body and replenish the mind.

A series of customised face and body treatments are delivered in the well-equipped treatment rooms.

From traditional treatments to customised therapies, our personal therapist works with you on a tailor-made package that enhances your spa experience. reef-resort.com

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01 Bespoke Interiors and luxuriously appointed room 02 Reef Resort Sauna with Himalayan Salt 03 Reef Resort’s Sand Beach Infinity Edge Pool

Tucked within Reef Resort’s green environs are 39 stunning villas that are home to 102 premium living spaces which include villas, premium suites and luxurious rooms.

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Interview with Reef Resort General Manager, Darryl Marsden

05 04 Relaxing Jacuzzi tubs in all bathrooms 05 Reef Resort General Manager, Darryl Marsden

Darryl Marsden has had a 35-year career of prominent roles in the hospitality industry. He has held positions that include Group Director Resort Operations, VP Resort Operations, Director of Operations, and many others.

Through his various roles, he was extensively involved in the coordination of hotel openings and renovations, and has provided operational input for new projects. Now, as General Manager of Reef Island’s newly-opened Reef Resort, he looks forward to utilizing his vast expertise in yet another chapter of a storied career.

What kind of challenges have you met so far in your role as GM? Does Bahrain present a new type of challenge compared to your previous experience at other resorts?

With any new role and project comes a new set of challenges, the first of which here at Reef Resort has been to get this stunning property ready for guests to enjoy. The hospitality industry is all about people and emotions of our guests and team members, and while there are some cultural differences of our guests and the many nationalities of our team members from the countries I have worked in before, it may be surprising at how similar we all are in our desire to be pampered or engaged as a guest or team member

How would you define luxury?

Luxury means different things to different people. In my experience, one of the tasks managers must do is identify the key luxury qualities that our guests expect.

Once those have been pinpointed, we proceed to enhance and improve all aspects to create the perfect experience. It’s our responsibility to keep improving the facilities and continue building on progress.

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What distinguishes Reef Resort from other resorts in the Kingdom? Can you tell us about the amenities and outlets available?

Reef Resort is home to Reef Aqua Spa, one of Bahrain’s most sought-after destinations for complete relaxation of mind, body, and soul. It has gorgeous, scenic views of the lagoon, and two infinity edge swimming pools for adults and kids. Two separate male and female health clubs are located within the spa area.

We have 6 outlets offering a range of amenities. Pool Delight is a lively interactive restaurant with direct access to the pool. Chocolaterie is a lobby café perfect for coffee mornings and sophisticated Arabian and English high teas. Fine Café is perfect for refined café dining with an a la carte menu. Tokyo Reef offers authentic Japanese cuisine. We also have Shisha Lounge and Sunset Saloon for smoking connoisseurs. We also have two Kids Clubs that offer fun, engaging, and supervised facilities. Our guests are not only relaxed, but they make memories that last well beyond their stay.

How would you describe the guests at Reef Resort? Does it cater to those looking for specific qualities?

Reef Island was conceived to be Bahrain’s benchmark of luxury living, serenity, and relaxation. Its residents and our discerning guests demand an exclusive experience.

This is why every aspect of our resort was tailor-built to create a lifetime of memories. Our location, being on Manama’s northern shore and minutes away from the Bahrain Financial Harbour, makes Reef Resort ideal for those who are looking for only the best there is to offer when it comes to relaxation and getaways. reef-resort.com

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Up Close and Personal

Set within 20 acres of lush gardens and golden sandy beaches in Seef district, The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain promises the ultimate vacation on the island. Guests at the 5-star luxury beach resort can immerse themselves in the local culture, enjoy extraordinary cuisine, and explore the Kingdom’s capital. Durrah speaks to Soufiane Elallam, Executive Assistant Manager-Sales and Marketing, to find out what it means to get the ‘Ritzy’ experience.

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Connoisseur of Luxury

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Up Close and Personal

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The Ritz-Carlton is for guests who seek the extraordinary, who enjoy a warm ambience and friendly atmosphere upon arrival and want the best value in a luxurious stay wherever their destination may be.

Interview with Soufiane Elallam How would you define the Ritz-Carlton guest?

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The dedicated ladies and gentlemen of The RitzCarlton, Bahrain, time and again bring to life each unique vision to ensure everything is immaculately tailored to exceed the expectations of our guests in order to create unforgettable Ritz-Carlton memories during a guest’s stay. There is no one in the industry that can beat us on this promise. Other exclusive amenities would also include our Ritz-Carlton Club Level, the only elevated VIP lounge in the Kingdom of Bahrain, Royal Beach Club facilities, signature Ritz-Carlton Spa, private island and beachfront, and of course the epicurean creations that are second to none from our 11 award-winning restaurants.

Ritz-Carlton guests seek luxury and sophistication.

They are global travelers in search of unique, transformational and memorable experiences, as well as families who enjoy trusted services and a ‘place of home’ atmosphere when they travel. The Ritz-Carlton is for guests who seek the extraordinary, who enjoy a warm ambience and friendly atmosphere upon arrival and want the best value in a luxurious stay wherever their destination may be. With over 90 hotels worldwide in 30 countries, from Bahrain to Moscow and beyond, we guarantee the same level of service for all our guests, no matter where they travel in the world. Guests who are part of The Ritz-Carlton rewards program can truly benefit from being a member with us year-round as well.

Are there any special promotions or announcements for 2018 that you’d like to share?

What are some of the exclusive amenities or facilities that The RitzCarlton offers?

This year, we saw many new and exciting things for the hotel, including a 1.5 million dollar newly enhanced, European designed marina along with heated pools, close to that of a Turkish Hammam. We are also

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Up Close and Personal

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01 Ariel view of the iconic 5-star luxury Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain resort 02 The resort’s newly enhanced European-designed marina 03 Soufiane Elallam, EAM-Sales & Marketing 04 Seaside Villa veranda 05 Kahlo Club lounge next to Cantina Kahlo restaurant

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excited to share two new and unique Corporate and Social Bash group packages for meetings and events held in our seaside Villas. New experiential events will also avail this year, along with property enhancements to our facilities and restaurants.

You have the largest luxury private beach resort in the Kingdom. What kind of experience can customers expect when they reside in your seaside Villas?

Our three-bedroom seaside Villas are a kingdom within a kingdom all unto themselves. They not only have a 24-hour personal concierge, but they also provide a level of sophisticated luxury with private beach access, infinity pools, in-Villa breakfast each morning, as well as access to The Ritz-Carlton Club Level Lounge and the full resort facilities. Guests can truly feel a sense of home, seclusion, and comfort without being in the hotel room atmosphere. It’s the best of both worlds.

How does The Ritz-Carlton maintain its reputation considering the increase in competition over recent years?

We remain truly diligent to our brand pillars and

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founding as The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, where we guarantee a warm, yet refined ambience and best personalized services to our guests. This is what our ladies and gentlemen truly live by, and what we instill in our everyday workings as the number one luxury hotel company in the world.

What perks or advantages do luxury resorts in Bahrain have in comparison to other destinations in the region such as Dubai?

Bahrain scenery has always been dynamic, and the reason why more international hotels are investing in the destination. It is on one hand more affordable compared to Dubai and other GCC countries, while the quality of service and hotels are similar to what UAE is offering, adding more value to invest in the region. In Bahrain, there’s also a liberal and social climate, while still remaining authentic as observed by the warm Bahraini culture and historical sites. And this is one thing that truly stands out within the region, where guests visiting the country can immerse themselves in the local history, culture, and ancient civilisations dating back several centuries. ritzcarlton.com/bahrain

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Creative Quest Masterpiece

As the Founder of Gallery One, the region’s best loved gallery store, Gregg Sedgwick has his finger on the pulse of the art world in the Middle East. Over the years, he has developed methods for finding premium artwork by well-known and emerging artists with the right amount of creative flair. In this exclusive for Durrah, he shares with us his insight on how to choose art in the GCC using his unique and personal approach.

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01 Gregg Sedgwick 02 99 Names of Allah (Jawaher)

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ips on choosing art in the GCC

by Gregg Sedgwick

For me, there are some basic principles when buying artworks. I buy what I like (I don’t buy it because someone else tells me it’s a great piece of art). Secondly, I never buy an artwork as an investment – the value of art is completely intangible, and I am happy to pay the market rate with no expectation of financial gain.

Finally, I trust my intuition – if I like the look of it and it fits my sensibilities then it has value. Norman Ackroyd of the Royal Academy said about collecting; “When it goes on the wall, can you live with it?

Sometimes of course the question is, could you live without it – and if it’s no, that’s when you really go for something.”

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Simplifying the buying of art has been something of a mission for me. Our retail stores sell art in an unpretentious and accessible style. Why should buying art be any more difficult than buying a rug, a car or a sofa? Art is all around us yet the moment we put something in a frame and hang it on the wall – it becomes an object of reverence. Men in particular seem to be reticent about buying art; yet the same men will talk endlessly about the aesthetic prowess of a Ferrari or the particular cut of an Armani suit.

My point is that we all have an intrinsic ability to recognise good design and creative achievement – we don’t need to understand the principles of ‘golden section’ to appreciate good ‘art’.

Across the GCC, art has become increasingly accessible. Galleries have appeared (and disappeared) in malls, souks and industrial warehouses. This is

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particularly so in Dubai, where there is a vibrant and eclectic art scene to match many of the world’s great cities.

So here are my top five tips for buying/owning art: 1. Explore social networks to find an artist you like - Instagram in particular is becoming an increasingly important forum for artists, galleries and collectors, with a growing number of buyers purchasing works found through the platform. When developing a collection, you can follow contemporary commercial galleries to discover emerging artists and art fairs for key events in the arts calendar. I visit Graduate degree shows to look out for new talent - in several years, these same students could be represented by a commercial gallery and their pieces may have substantially increased in value. Buying at the end of a degree show can give you access to raw talent at very affordable price - meet the artists and talk to them about their work - follow up with a visit to their studio and become an early advocate for their work.

You’ll hear about new works first and you will have won valuable loyalty from hungry new talent.

2. Look after your artwork and find a framer who will help you make the most of your print, original or poster.

The right frame can make a huge difference to the overall effect of the artwork. At the Gallery Workshop in Al Serkal, you can speak directly to picture framers and even watch your piece being framed.

3. If an artwork isn’t working in a given room or wall – don’t be afraid to move it to another space.

You’ll be amazed how different a piece can look in a different environment with different light and adjacencies.

4. Finally, don’t be afraid to get it wrong. Tastes change over time and my advice would be to store the artwork for a few years. When you return to it with a new perspective, it may just be the piece to transform your home.

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Across the GCC, art has become increasingly accessible.

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Crafting History Hayrettin Arslanoglu is one of the most prominent artists in Turkey’s history. A graduate of Mimar Sinan Academy of Fine Arts, Turkey’s finest art academy, in 1977, he continued in his creative path, culminating in the Ottoman Soldiers and Sultans collection that he crafted in the 1990’s. The 1000 pieces were an immediate success with the crowds, selling out in 2 weeks, as they preferred their authentic material and attention to detail over the plastic options available in Istanbul’s markets at the time. Ever since, he has been providing high-quality Ottoman artworks, most notably his Ottoman helmets, which have been gaining him the praise of his nation, art lovers, and historians worldwide.

Interview with Hayrettin Arslanoglu

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How long have you been creating Ottoman helmets? What inspired you to start?

What special features make Ottoman helmets unique?

We produced our first Ottoman helmet in 2012, but my dream of creating one goes all the way back to 1966, when our school took us to see Topkapi Palace museum. I saw many Ottoman helmets there and it made me realize the richness of our culture. I believe in chasing our dreams, and having technology there to help us can get us closer to achieving them. In our modern world, a lot of people just want to buy everything they like and fill their houses with mediocre items. But when you’re at a museum, you see incredible pieces of art that will be there for many, many years. There’s no such thing as a “final date” for artists who create. Their work will exist forever. This is the purpose of the artist: to create immortal products every day.

Our Ottoman helmet examples were originally made in the 17th century. Turkish ornament art was at its highest level in that century. The age of these Ottomans and the Turkish handmade decoration shows the basic language used in the material, and how the ornaments were balanced with functionality. Ottomans have brought many successful achievements to the Islamic world, and this is just one of them.

How long does it usually take you to finish creating a helmet?

Designing an Ottoman helmet is never easy.

We were producing replicas from Topkapi Palace museum with our inspirational ideas. From start to

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finish, the designing and creating process takes as much as two years for us. But when the circumstances are ideal, it can be achieved in one month. This is because in the past, we were still trying to discover how to best produce them and which techniques should be used.

As we find more technological and new methods that can work with old material, we gain the production certification needed to create them seamlessly and in a way that evoke emotions.

Which of your designs is your favourite?

My best work is my Golden-plated Ottoman Conqueror helmet, because it’s the one that motivated me to discover all those techniques. The ‘Conquest of Istanbul’ helmet is adorned with red sapphire and turquoise stones. Only 100 pieces were produced of that limited edition.

Other than helmets, what other items from Turkish history do you enjoy creating?

I have several other things I enjoy working on. For example, I like creating edict boxes with important messages, caftans, and palace mirrors used by Sultanas. I also enjoy creating Qur’an boxes.

My latest important production model of the Kaaba is undoubtedly the best work I have ever done.

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01 Silver-coated ceremonial helmet from 16th and 17th century

Are there famous designers or artists that inspire you?

Yes, I am inspired by many. Unfortunately, they are all from previous periods in my life and none of them are with us today. I am indebted to them in many ways. Even though they never had the chance to see my work, I am proud to be the latest envoy of their unique art.

02 Gold-plated ‘Semse’ helmet 03 ‘Ayetli’ with bronze-coating 04 Seljuk helmet

What would you like the world to know about Ottomans and their helmets?

Ottomans showed the world that even at war, you can still be elegant! With their lifestyle, their way of thinking, and their various pieces of arts, they truly showed how you can stand out. These cultural products communicate all of that to people in the skillful carving, shaping, and artistic expression. I would just like to say that artists shape the world.

And they should shape it in a way that allows for more dreaming towards making the world a better place for the next generation, who will need to touch and feel the art that was created before them.

That way, they will understand their past, present, and future. matraksanat.com

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Watches

A Timekeeping Legacy OMEGA introduces two collections, celebrating its role as the Official Timekeeper of the Olympic Games which it has held on 28 occasions since 1932, and introducing a watch that evokes the personality and overall style desired by the woman of today, perfect for a casual day out or sophisticated evening event.

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n 2018, OMEGA is proudly introducing the “Seamaster Olympic Games Collection”, which celebrates the brand’s unrivalled timekeeping legacy through five unique watches.

The collection represents the different colours of the famous Rings of the Olympic Games, with models available in black, yellow, green, blue or red. As well as having a vibrant colour design and playful spirit, the collection has largely been inspired by several OMEGA stopwatches from the brand’s timekeeping past – particularly those used at the 1976 events in Montreal and Innsbruck.

On the caseback, there is an anodized aluminium ring which includes all known host cities and dates from OMEGA’s Olympic Games journey, from Los Angeles 1932 up to Los Angeles 2028. This impressive list shows exactly how OMEGA has established its name at the event over so many years.

The 39.5 mm watches are presented on leather straps, which are micro-perforated both for style and to aerate the wearer’s skin. Inside, the watches are driven by the Master Chronometer calibre 8800.

Only 2,032 versions of each model have been created, a reference to OMEGA’s role as Official Timekeeper, which

extends right through till 2032, marking 100 years of Olympic Games timekeeping. The Limited Edition number is engraved on the side of the case.

OMEGA’s second collection is the new De Ville Trésor, which is offered in a diverse range of materials and colours. The Trésor delivers a classic design with a truly modern edge. Each model is distinguished by its thin case, available in either 39 mm or 36 mm sizes, with diamond paving that curves along each side.A single diamond is also set within the crown. This is included within a radiant flower, created from five OMEGA logos in red liquid ceramic. The timepieces are also noticeable for their transferred or embossed Roman numerals, which elegantly circle the lacquered dials.

Finally, on each Trésor model, OMEGA has included a special mirrored caseback with a “Her Time” design.

While providing a useful accessory at hand, the inclusion is more about the idea of reflection, giving women a reminder of who they are and the natural charisma they possess. Behind this caseback sits the OMEGA calibre 4061. omegawatches.com

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01 Omega stopwatches provided inspiration for the collection 02 Seamaster Olympic Games Collection

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Watches

Always first, different, and unique, Hublot comes back this year with its first novelties for 2018: a varied collection ranging from new Big Bang models to timeless, stylish, and artistic Classic Fusions. For the third consecutive year, the brand showcases its novelties through its roadshow in the Middle East, with recently appointed Regional Director Hublot Middle East and Africa, David Tedeschi, and Managing Director of Bahrain Jewellery Centre, Dr. Abdul Qassim Shirazi presenting the new watches at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay.

Watchmaking Excellence

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he star of the new collection, the Big Bang Unico Golf, was created in partnership with world #1 Golfer Dustin Johnson, with Hublot designing, developing, manufacturing, and assembling a module to equip its new UNICO movement with a function specifically created for golf, allowing golfers to seamlessly calculate their score whilst on course. Another prominent creation on display was the Big Bang One-Click 39mm, a first in Hublot’s range for ladies. Taking on Sapphire, with the elegant, modern, understated and irresistible Big Bang OneClick Sapphire, the watch is cut from white, pink or blue sapphire, and dons an interchangeable rubber strap to suit any occasion and any look.

In the same spirit of transparency, the Big Bang Unico Sapphire Galaxy 45mm was inspired by the billions of stars found in the solar system. On the bezel, amethysts and sapphires in rose, orange, fuchsia and different shades of blue evoke the Milky Way with its

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constellation of stars. While the Big Bang Meca-10 Blue Ceramic, forged in blue ceramic, opens to a bluish skeleton mechanism and comes with a rubber strap in the same royal color.

In 2012, Hublot launched its collaboration with Ferrari with the iconic Big Bang Ferrari, presented in a ground-breaking and patented alloy, Magic Gold. The brand relaunches this year the Big Bang Ferrari Magic Gold Ferrari in its new design, in honor of both its immutable partnership with Ferrari, and what is considered as the world’s most resistant and hard metal. Also on display was The Classic Fusion AeroFusion Chronograph Orlinski, which perfectly shows how ‘Hublot Loves Art’. Hublot and French artist Richard Orlinski combined their know-how to create a work of art which shows time and brings to life the artist’s graphic universe. The watch features a brand-new design playing with angles and reflections.

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01 The Hublot Roadshow at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay 02 Big Bang Unico Sappire Galaxy All-black

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Ridges and facets on the watch reflect each other, from case to bezel, push buttons to hands. For 2018, the stylish Hublot Classic Fusion Italia Independent has been given a sporty twist with the addition of a chronograph movement to three different limited editions. All three Classic Fusion Chronograph Italia Independent sport exquisite fabrics chosen from the archives of the legendary Italian tailor Rubinacci.

The second part of the event welcomed Hublotistas and friends at a private function at the Blue Moon Lounge, where they interacted with members of the Bahrain Jewellery Centre and the Hublot Middle East and Africa team. With football being the brand’s big theme for 2018 in anticipation of the FIFA World Cup 2018, this year promises to be as big and exciting as ever. hublot.com

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Watches

Oris Clipperton Limited Edition Created as a tribute to Clipperton Island, the world’s most isolated landmass and an uninhabited atoll, The Oris Clipperton Limited Edition is a diver’s watch based on the brand’s Aquis series. It has a gradient blue dial designed to reflect the colour of the water around the atoll, which drops to 60 metres deep just offshore. The 43.5mm stainless steel case is water-resistant to 30 bar (300 metres) and has a screwed case back embossed with an outline of Clipperton Island and its coordinates.

Its automatic movement provides it with a date function and a sweeping seconds hand, which Oris has finished with a ‘lollipop’ filled with luminescent Super-LumiNova.

A percentage of funds raised by sales of the 2,000 pieces produced will go towards the protection of our ocean in upcoming initiatives. oris.ch

Luxury Statements The best and latest from the world of watchmaking for the man of today.

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Porsche Design 1919 Chronotimer Flyback Inspired by the design and functional aesthetics of the Porsche 911, the Porsche Design 1919 Chronotimer Flyback is the latest in the automaker’s series of well-designed timepieces.

Its COSC-certified Porsche Design Werk 01.200 movement is made in-house and sits within a sleek titanium case with minute indices positioned on the outer edges of the dial in lieu of a traditional tachymeter bezel. The dial, with a 30-minute chronograph subdial at 12 o’clock, a 12-hour subdial at 6 o’clock, a date window at 4 o’clock, and a “function indicator” for the running seconds at 9 o’clock, is a deep brown color that harmonizes well with the brown leather strap. The flyback chronograph function, which allows the user to measure successive intervals of time, is ideal for such activities as recording cars’ lap times on a racetrack. porsche-design.com

Montblanc 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter Unique Piece Only Watch’17 & The TimeWalker ExoTourbillon Minute Chronograph Limited Edition 100 Donated by Montblanc to sustain Only Watch 2017, a wellknown biennial charity auction of high-end timepieces, the one-of-a-kind 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter Unique Piece Only Watch ’17 features a bronze and vintage green aesthetic.

This in-house chronograph has been entirely handcrafted at the Montblanc Manufacture in Villeret and is a sight of unparalleled beauty thanks to its finishing. Designed in a large “pocket watch” style, the calibre MB M16.29 has been inspired by the original calibre 17.29 designed for pocket watches and wristwatches in the 1930s.

The new Montblanc TimeWalker ExoTourbillon Chronograph Limited Edition 100 combines two of the most significant chronometric complications: Montblanc’s exclusive in-house patented one-minute ExoTourbillon with a quick stop-second mechanism and a monopusher chronograph with sectorial scales. These two innovative functions, combined with a sporty black aesthetic and a mix of innovative materials, result in a dynamic new limited edition that honours the spirit of motor racing, while offering a highly contemporary timepiece for today’s gentleman drivers. montblanc.com

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Watches

Raymond Weil Bob Marley Limited Edition Designed in collaboration with the House of Marley, The Bob Marley tango 300 limited edition is a tribute to the life and musical career of one of the most influential artists of all time, with manufacturing limited to just 600 pieces. Raymond Weil has chosen its emblematic tango 300 collection for its versatility and durability, as the canvas for the design of the limited edition. Its 41mm diameter stainless steel case with black PVD plated bezel houses a quartz chronograph mechanism. Punctuated with green hands on the sub-dials and a yellow coated second’s hand, this timepiece takes in the color palette representing the Ethiopian national flag. raymond-weil.com

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Audemars Piguet’s collection is bursting with colour and contrast, vibrant with new ideas, material combinations and design features. Complications and ultra-thin models: two time-honoured Audemars Piguet specialties meet in the Royal Oak RD#2. It has taken five years to develop the new ultra-thin 5133 calibre with perpetual calendar. This patented system features a record-shattering 2.89mm central rotor. At just 6.30mm, the redesigned case shaves almost 2mm off the Royal Oak Extra-Thin Jumbo, making the Royal Oak RD#2 the thinnest self-winding perpetual calendar on the market today.

To celebrate The Royal Oak Offshore’s 25th anniversary, Audemars Piguet is issuing a re-edition inspired by the 1993 model, incorporating all the knowledge and techniques of 2018 while remaining faithful to the timeless design of the original. This is accompanied by two new limited series of the Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph: one in stainless steel and one in 18-carat pink gold. audemarspiguet.com

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Ferdinand Berthoud Chronomètre Fb 1r.6 -1 With its original regulator-type display and its ultra-resistant carburised stainless steel case, the Chronomètre FB-1R.6-1 enriches the Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud collection.

This new presentation radically transforms an exceptional timepiece whose c omplications, together with the quality of its construction and production, remain true to their underlying philosophy. Its FB-T.FC.R tourbillon calibre with fusee-and-chain transmission can be admired through a sapphire crystal case -back and two lateral portholes, offering a unique view inside this outstanding chronometer. Like the previous editions of the Chronom ètre FB 1, its movement is equipped with horological complications inspired by the scientific instruments represented

by Ferdinand Berthoud’s marine chronometers. A rare and unusual -looking timepiece, the Chronomètre Ferdinand Berthoud FB 1R.6 -1 is a comprehensive horological work, issued in a 20 -piece limited edition intended for discerning and passionate collectors ferdinandberthoud.ch

Tag Heuer Link for Men The famous Link celebrates its 30th birthday with a masterful makeover. A noticeably larger diameter (41 mm), an understated contemporary design, halfway between a round and cushion shape, all while retaining its signature: the iconic bracelet with its S-shaped links.

A design that dates back to 1987, its defining feature is the immediately recognizable bracelet, boasting the signature S-shaped links. Each link is rounded on the top, bottom and sides for an exceptionally smooth feel on the wrist. Made entirely of steel, the bracelet is totally integrated into the case, making horns superfluous, and providing a more fluid and ergonomic design. The finishes are sophisticated, with a combination of polished and brushed finishes on the case and bracelet. With a diameter of 41 mm, the silverplated open dial allows for maximum readability, while the bezel features two components, combining two designs: a cushion base and an overlaid ring. tagheuer.com

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Watches

Feminine Charm

The latest iconic feminine timepieces for the elegant and refined woman of today.

de GRISOGONO Allegra 25 The legendary outlines of this now iconic model have earned it a place among the greatest feminine timepieces. Forming an infinite circle, a woven gold ribbon graced with delicately interlacing circles elegantly create a seamlessly flowing visual effect providing tantalising glimmers of light through tiny gaps. A subtle play on volume, contrast and perspectives reveals 29 polished or diamond-set rings entwined around the dial at 3 and 6 o’clock. The daring offset mother-of-pearl or diamond-pavÊ dial is the shimmering face of a 41.7mm jewellery timepiece combining the radiance of gold with the magnetic appeal exuded by 4.80 carats of alternately snow-set and bezel-set gems. degrisogono.com

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Bulgari Divas’ Dream Minute Repeater & Tourbillon Phoenix Infinitely more than just a timepiece equipped with the most complex of all complications, the Divas’ Dream Minute Repeater asserts at first glance the elegant jewellery personality exuded by the Divas’ Dream collection. A slender 18kt pink gold case flowing into voluptuous flared lugs, all enhanced by a brilliantcut diamond setting; an 18kt pink gold crown set with a facetted diamond. The deep brown gold-specked Urushi lacquer dial, crafted in harmony with the finest Japanese artisanal traditions, also proclaims the Maison’s roots in the most refined handcrafted skills. Divas’ Dreams Tourbillon Phoenix has an elegant case surrounds a watch mechanism every bit as slim and delicate as the partially openworked and entirely handpainted dial intricately depicting the phoenix alongside the ardent flames. Applying the colours calls for three full days of meticulous craftsmanship. Its vivid, flamboyant colours – ranging from red to orangey to yellow in subtly graded shades – make a delightful contrast with a scattering of blue accents.

The legendary bird also appears around the inner rim of the slim 18kt pink gold case topped by a diamond-set bezel. bulgari.com

TAG Heuer Link Bella Hadid All matt black, with a magnificent mother-of-pearl dial proudly showcasing 12 diamonds, the Link - Bella Hadid watch is modern and contemporary. It’s made entirely from ceramic, the perfect watchmaking material. The bracelet is the famous Link design, which is one of the most comfortable bracelets to wear. Each component of the bracelet is polished, ensuring it is smooth to the touch and flexible on the wrist. Thank to this sublime attention to detail, wearing the Link becomes a veritable experience, one filled with elegance and charm. The piece is further embellished by a bezel set with 48 diamonds, while the back of the watch is engraved with Bella Hadid’s signature.

The result is elegant, glamorous, and full of character.

Limited to 500 pieces. tagheuer.com

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Watches

Corum Golden Bridge Rectangle Diamonds Baguette-cut diamonds set the bezel of the Golden Bridge Rectangle. The rectangular cut of the stone also serves to perfectly highlight the identical form of the bezel. Whilst, the arches on both sides of the movement, as well as the horns with their subtly curved profile are set with round cut diamonds. Here and there, the diamonds are sculpted to individually highlight each line of the Golden Bridge Rectangle. Next, the skeletonised details grace the piece with luminosity. The artistic craft applied to each component allows the brilliance of the surrounding diamonds to pass through. The sculpture gives depth to the Golden Bridge Rectangle. Each index is individually carved into a mass of gold to form the Roman numerals present along the dial-side of the piece, while the engraving gives the Golden Bridge Rectangle an exceptional splendour. corum-watches.com

Ulysse Nardin Jade “Jellyfish Thanks to its UN-310 caliber and its innovative crown design, Jade was, at its launch in 2013, the first timepiece to take into account a woman’s delicate manicure when manipulating the settings. No pulling is required to wind the watch, set the time, or adjust the date backwards or forwards, only a simple turn. The exquisite elegance of Jade “Jellyfish” attains a new level of decorative beauty with the addition of rare enameling technique mastered

by Donzé Cadrans specialist, a member of the Ulysse Nardin group of companies. With a magical marineinspired design, its dial is in Champlevé enamel. The eternal femininity of Jade Jellyfish is celebrated on the dial and the bezel set with 114 diamonds. Water resistant to 30 meters, it boasts an 18 ct white gold case with a sapphire crystal case-back and a white leather strap. ulysse-nardin.com

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Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Frosted Gold Limited Edition The new Royal Oak Frosted Gold Limited Edition 41mm is a sleek and stylish timepiece, ideal for ladies who love the 33mm and 37mm Royal Oak Frosted Gold but desire something bigger and bolder. This latest offering from Audemars Piguet comprises an 18-carat white gold case and bracelet, a glare-proofed sapphire crystal case back, a blue toned Grande Tapisserie dial, and Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating. The defining feature of this watch is its shimmer, which comes from a process rooted in ancient gold hammering, known as the Florentine technique. Beating the gold with a diamond tipped tool creates tiny indentations on the surface, giving a sparkle effect similar to that of precious stones. audemarspiguet.com

Hermes Cape Cod A square embedded in a rectangle, the Cape Cod watch is magnified by its double tour strap that gives the watch an additional touch of originality and boldness.

Cape Cod welcomes new versions. The first features a rhodium-plated dial, polished to create a mirror-like effect and coated with a precious translucent lacquer.

It is available in two versions – Large Model and Small Model – with a single or double tour Milanese mesh bracelet. Two other variations are also introduced, in Large Model version only, with a single or double tour étoupe or Malta blue strap. The dial of the first features a black gold treatment, while the second is blue lacquered. “Anchor Chain” motifs are applied to the dials of these two models – a detail that once again emphasises the spirit of the Cape Cod, which is all about nuances and subtle discoveries. hermes.com

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Fragrances

An eclectic mix of stimulating fragrances and intoxicating aromas guaranteed to make a statement.

For men.

Scented Power Gucci Guilty Absolut 150ml Born out of a special collaboration between Creative Director Alessandro Michele and master perfumer Alberto Morillas, Guilty Absolut was created using a particular blend with a structure that remains unchanged from the first time it’s applied to the skin. Leather accord and goldenwood are custom-mixed with natural extract of the Nootka Cypress, selected especially for Gucci Guilty Absolute. The resulting scent features ultra-dry woody notes. It uses a special linear structure with four key ingredients: WoodLeather, GoldenWood, Patchouli, and Vetiver. gucci.com

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Dior Homme Sport Powerful, effusive, juicy, fruity freshness. The new Dior Homme Sport’s opening line is a flight of citrus with a hot-headed temperament. Vivacious and juicy Blood Orange meets subtle Cedrat Essence, which diffuses its gently piquant notes together with a Grapefruit note. A Pear Extract caresses this ballet of sharp lemony notes, surrounding it with juicy sweetness. Dior Homme’s aromatic-spicy signature rapidly follows these effusive citruses. Heightened by a note of Elemi, it unfurls a lemony incense that supports the composition. This very structured, fruity and spicy freshness has a foundation so robust that it lasts and lasts, thanks to “relay-notes” of Pink Peppercorn and Nutmeg. dior.com

Yves Saint Lauren L’Homme Ultime Fragrance For the man who leaves his mark. A duality of freedom and control. An audacious blend. The sensuality of sage with the depth of aromatic woody notes creates an ultimately distinctive signature. The effortless leader by Yves Saint Laurent, it presents the essence of a modern man through notes that reflect courage, elegance, and magnetism. The set contains a 3.3 oz. Eau de Parfum Spray and a 2.0 oz Eau de Parfum Spray. yslbeautyus.com

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Fragrances

Dolce&Gabbana The One for Men Utterly modern yet a true classic, The One for Men reflects the playful charm, the self-confidence and the inborn appeal of the Dolce&Gabbana man. As sharply-tailored as a suit, The One for Men is presented in an elegant heavy glass bottle with geometric lines, crowned by a brushed brown cap made of metal: a true and assertive design statement. The One for Men Eau de Toilette gives off a refined accord of oriental wood and tobacco, with a vibrant blend of spices and herbs: coriander, basil, cardamom and ginger –a concentrate of masculine elegance and sophistication. The One for Men range also includes the One Royal Night by perfumer JeanChristophe HÊrault. The fragrance explores the multifaceted world of spices and oriental amber, steeped in mystery. dolcegabbana.com

Hugo Boss Hugo Urban Journey The unexpected citrusy freshness of the Himalayan whorlflower contrasts with the intense aromatic heart of black tea, which is reinforced by the masculine guaiacwood to fuel you with a daring new energy. Presented in an iconic flask-shaped flacon designed with concrete technology, this fresh scent adds character to every day. A 75ml bottle of HUGO Urban Journey eau de toilette. hugoboss.com

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Jimmy Choo MAN ICE MAN ICE exudes the same pure masculinity, innate confidence, and effortless attitude that defines the Jimmy Choo man, but his intense sensuality subsides as he succumbs to a more whimsical side. His rebellious attitude and moody masculinity are set against a softer spirit as his passion and humour develop along with the top notes of the fragrance. Jimmy Choo MAN ICE presents a playful game of seduction between a man and woman captured in an enticing fragrance. jimmychoo.com

MEMO Paris African Leather Containing key notes of cardamom, geranium, and leather, this Eau de Parfum evokes memories of Africa from giraffes and elephants to the winter sun and the savannah. Its ingredients include oil of bergamot, oil of cardamom, oil of saffron, oil of cumin, geranium absolute, oil of patchouli, oud accord, leather accord, essence of vetiver, and musk. memoparis.com

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Captivating Fragrances An eclectic mix of stimulating fragrances and intoxicating aromas guaranteed to make a long-lasting statement for women.

Boucheron The Fragrance Collection An expression of the perfect harmony between jewellery and fragrance creation, this new collection of six fragrances with their captivating exotic resonances continues the extraordinary tradition of the Boucheron gem hunters. These perfectly proportioned glass columns are set with a golden metal neck that reinterprets the emblematic Maison Boucheron double gadroons. The bottles are topped with a solid white cap which echoes the elegance of marble. Adorned with a metal plaque bearing the name of each fragrance, the heavy, transparent glass showcases the colourful, radiant juices: the blue-violet of Iris de Syracuse, the pastel yellow of Tubéreuse de Madras, the sea-green of Néroli d’Ispahan, the orange-yellow of Vanille de Zanzibar, the caramel shades of Ambre d’Alexandrie, and the candied chestnut tones of Oud de Carthage. us.boucheron.com

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Elizabeth and James Nirvana Created in partnership with Firmenich, Elizabeth and James Nirvana White is an alluring floral musk with notes of peony, muguet, and musk, while Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black is a sensual, woody scent with notes of violet, sandalwood, and vanilla. The architectural lines, rich gold accents, and distinctive texture of the bottles are inspired by a vintage keepsake.

Nirvana Rose is an alluring floral scent embodying the heart of a dark rose with notes of geranium, rose de mai and vetiver, and Nirvana Bourbon is an oriental scent blending notes of vanilla bourbon with oakwood and hints of tuberose. The bottles feature translucent scarlet and amber tones inspired by the fragrances. elizabethandjames.us

Alaia Paris Alaia Nude The new AlaĂŻa Nude fragrance from AlaĂŻa Paris is a fruity and floral creation to tantilise the senses.

Seamlessly blending top notes of cedar and cashmeran with a middle of orange blossom, the feminine scent is enriched with a hearty base of Tonka bean, musk, and leather. This Eau de Parfum comes in a 50ml bottle. alaia.fr

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Fragrances

Nina Ricci Rose Exta This fragrance initiates a bodily contact between a fully blossomed, absolute rose, a ravishing multitude of sumptuously scented petals; with a pulpy, sparkling, barely acidic raspberry and a whirlwind powdered with sensual vanilla musks, wrapped in the infinitely seductive spiral of white woods tinged with amber. Keeping up the chic, Parisian spirit of Nina Ricci, Rose Extase’s bottle is inspired from a couture clutch, the Maison’s emblematic accessory. ninaricci.com

Yves Saint Lauren Vestiaire des Parfums To celebrate the eternal union of the couture spirit and the world of perfume, YSL Beauté’s VESTIAIRE DES PARFUMS is interpreting the fashion house’s iconic elements through sensual, voluptuous, mysterious and highly singular compositions. Today, three new works of perfumery art are joining the VESTIAIRE DES PARFUMS. In their own way, each one expresses Monsieur Saint Laurent’s non-consensual taste for the masculine-feminine mix. For this occasion, great names from the perfume world have composed fragrances which this time incarnate the couture house’s emblematic addresses. On this olfactory expedition, we head for the Left Bank and three inspired and inspiring destinations which mark out the creation of a collection. yslbeautyus.com

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Maison Margiela Replica ‘Wicked Love’ ‘Wicked Love’ is a modern take on rose. The fragrance explores the dangerous facets of the flower of passion.

An obsessive centifolia rose locked in a magnetic metallic accord. The sharp rose unites to jasmine in a vibrant attraction. Then, the flower’s sensuality return. Vetiver, cedar wood and a white musc accord reveal the flower’s opulence. ‘Wicked Love’ plays hot and cold, as would do an extremely modern fragrance. maisonmargiela.com

Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy Soiree Viva La Juicy Soirée dazzles with bright and lively fruity top notes that settle like a colorful dusting of confetti atop a well-balanced combination of floral mid notes and warm base notes. Both exotic and playful, the Pink Kiwi is a distinctive note that magnifies the magic of the overall composition. The pink and magenta splatterpainted bottle offers a playful pop of color to any vanity.

Encircled by a translucent pink bow, the gemstone cap and regal gold detailing speak to the glamour that the Viva La Juicy brand is known for. juicycouture.com

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Special Feature

Cascade of Words

All photos (c) Ossip van Duivenbode

With its breathtaking design and record number of books on its shelves, the Tianjin Binhai Library captures the essence of every book lover’s dream. Unique, innovative, and stunning in form and function, it has been declared a tourist landmark in China, and is a visual testimony of what libraries can be in the future.

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collaboration between MVRDV and Chinese architects TUPDI, the Tianjin Binhai Library is a 33,700m2 cultural centre featuring a luminous spherical auditorium around which floor-to-ceiling bookcases cascade. The undulating bookshelf is the building’s main spatial device and is used both to frame the space and to create stairs, seating, the layered ceiling and even louvres on the façade. Tianjin Binhai Library was designed and built in a record-breaking time of only three years due to a tight schedule imposed by the local municipality. Next to many media rooms, it offers space for 1.2 million books.

The library was commissioned by Tianjin Binhai Municipality and is located in the cultural centre of Binhai district in Tianjin, a coastal metropolis outside Beijing, China. The library, located adjacent to a park,

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The library is MVRDV’s most rapid fast track project to date. It took just three years from the first sketch to the opening.

is one of a cluster of five cultural buildings designed by an international cadre of architects including Bernard Tschumi Architects, Bing Thom Architects, HH Design, and MVRDV. All buildings are connected by a public corridor underneath a glass canopy designed by GMP. The building’s mass extrudes upwards from the site and is ‘punctured’ by a spherical auditorium in the centre. Bookshelves are arrayed on either side of the sphere and act as everything from stairs to seating, even continuing along the ceiling to create an illuminated topography. These contours also continue along the two full glass facades that connect the library to the park outside and the public corridor inside, serving as louvres to protect the interior against excessive sunlight whilst also creating a bright and evenly lit interior.

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The five-level building also contains extensive educational facilities, arrayed along the edges of the interior and accessible through the main atrium space.

Public program is supported by subterranean service spaces, book storage, and a large archive. From the ground floor, visitors can easily access reading areas for children and the elderly, the auditorium, the main entrance, terraced access to the floors above and connection to the cultural complex. The first and second floors consist primarily of reading rooms, books and lounge areas whilst the upper floors also include meeting rooms, offices, computer and audio rooms and two roof top patios.

The library is MVRDV’s most rapid fast track project to date. It took just three years from the first sketch to the opening. Since its opening on 1 October,

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the building has been a great hit in Chinese media and social media; reviews describe it as an ‘Ocean of Books’ (CCTV) and the ‘Most beautiful library of China’ (The Bund). Comments on social media call the building a ‘sea of knowledge’, ‘Super Sci-Fi’ or simply ‘The Eye.’ Tianjin Binhai Library was built according to the Chinese Green Star energy efficiency label and has achieved two-star status. MVRDV collaborated with Tianjin Urban Planning and Design Institute (TUPDI), structural engineers Sanjiang Steel Structure Design, TADI interior architects and Huayi Jianyuan lighting design. It is the second realised MVRDV project in Tianjin following TEDA Urban Fabric, completed in 2009. mvrdv.com

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Bags

Exquisite Style

Gorgeous designer hand bags to add a touch of class to your look.

DOLCE Box Bag Velvet with Embroidery The sacred heart, an emblem of Dolce&Gabbana’s heritage, illuminates this collection with love and passion. This handbag from the Dolce Box line comes in wood and is covered in velvet and ayers snakeskin. It’s embellished with gold work embroidery and heart jewel appliqués, and features padlock closure in galvanized light gold that’s embellished with an enameled flower. It also has Ayers snakeskin trim with rounded stud appliqués, a top handle, and adjustable and detachable strap in ayers snakeskin, calfskin lining, and an internal pocket with concealed magnet closure. dolcegabbana.com

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Versace Small Tribute Medallion Handbag A classic bowling bag style with the Versace bondage touch. As a tribute to Gianni and the love and passion he put into his work, these special Tribute pieces are crafted in a way that recreates the original bag designed in 1992 - a timeless piece for a modern generation. Supple calf leather exterior and interior lining grace this bag with elegance, while plated goldalloy Medusa medallion-embellished leather straps and handles give a Versace edge. This style features a top zip closure and removable shoulder strap with internal “VERSACE TRIBUTE” label and “1992” embossed label. versace.com

Louis Vuitton City Steamer MM The City Steamer pays homage to House heritage while offering a host of new signature twists: note the engraved padlock, nametag, and hot-stamped LV Circle. Crafted of grained Taurillon leather, this city bag takes care of business, with ample room for papers and files. It also features golden or silver colour metallic pieces (depending on the handbag’s colour), 2 Toron handles, a removable and adjustable leather strap, and a front flat pocket with lock and loop for padlock. louisvuitton.com

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Christan Louboutin Rubylou Small Black Calfskin Rubylou is an iconic accessory for the modern woman.

Its elegant shape is defined by intricate leatherwork, as the handle weaves eloquently through the flap, and the foundation is shaped in a feminine curve. Finished with a Louboutin logo charm, this small handbag is a luxurious everyday piece. It has one flat pocket, leather handle strap and an adjustable shoulder chain strap with leather inclusion. christianlouboutin.com

M2Malletier Amor Fati Lilac and Floral Embroidery Titled Amor Fati, this bag is from the SS18 collection, and is distinct for its use of lilac and floral embroidery. The embroidery is exclusive to M2Malletier, and was designed by the co-founders of the brand, Marcela Velez and Melissa Losada, after several trips that included exotic and botanical gardens. It is made of silk threads, crystal, and pressed glass beads. m2malletier.com

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Dior Mini Lady Dior Bag Blue Denim with Embroidered Flower Dior continues to be the ultimate symbol of elegance, excellence, and luxury with this Mini Lady Dior supple bag. Embroidered with beaded flowers, it features blue denim, D.I.O.R charms, and a detachable chain in aged gold-tone metal. Its genuine material, elegant looks, and small size makes it perfect for carrying in the hand, on the shoulder, or across the body. dior.com

Bulgari Serpenti Forever Encircled with legend, the seductive serpent is wound tight with the history of humanity. Bulgari gives new life to this symbol with this flap cover bag. Titled Serpenti Forever, it comes in white agate calf leather featuring a studded Pop-Heart motif, and brass light gold plated snake head closure in shiny black and glitter silver enamel, with eyes in black onyx. It has a small size with one gusset and precious snake body shaped chain and internal pocket mirror. It is also available in other colours. www.bulgari.com

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Shoes

Stepping in Style

Add iconic style to your luxury collection with the latest and most sought-after designer women’s shoes.

Versace City Stud Strap Sandals It would be impossible not to be seduced by these City Stud Strap Sandals from Versace. Made from 100% leather, they feature high heels, open toe pumps in calf leather with City Stud two-tone, alternate size studded toe and ankle straps with a Medusa head sole. Embodying the Italian brand’s unwavering penchant for inimitable style, they perfectly pair with pair with an elegant day or evening dress. versace.com

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Sophia Webster Evangeline Crystal Sandals Sophia Webster’s Evangeline Crystal sandals feature stunning black suede with laser cut Angel Wing detail, embellished with rainbow crystals and finished on a rose gold pin heel. Made from 70% Kid Suede and 30% Crystal, they could be a snug fit, but are an undeniably necessary addition to the modern woman’s collection, bringing the bold yet playful design approach prevalent in Sophia Webster’s footwear. sophiawebster.com

Jimmy Choo Black Suede Pointy Toe Pumps with Halo Crystal Hotfix Lucy in black suede with halo crystal hotfix exudes elegance. Employing a leg-lengthening stiletto heel and an exposed section on the inner side of the foot, this considered style wraps artfully around to the back of the ankle and concludes with a dainty ankle strap. Showcase Lucy at a dressy dinner or a formal evening event. jimmychoo.com

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Prada Calf Leather Pointy Toe Pumps Made from calf leather, these pointy toe pumps from Prada exude a feminist fashion sense. They feature 85mm heels covered in the same material as the upper leather sole, with a metal lettering logo. Modern and chic, they bring a noticeable dash of luxury to any outfit, and are designed to provide the right level of comfort at the perfect height. prada.com

Alexander Wang Kirby High Heel Bootie Add an edge to your outfit with these Kirby high heel booties from Alexander Wang. Crafted from 100% luxury suede, these boots feature a wrapped heel, metal plate, and post detail. They also include an inside zipper closure and a molded leather outsole. Heel size is 90mm in height and a dust bag is included. alexanderwang.com

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Dolce&Gabbana Keira Satin Sandals with Embroidery Made with Dolce&Gabbana’s trademark attention to detail, these unique Italian-made satin Keira sandals come with hand-embroidered butterflies in organza.

They feature 4.1-inch satin-wrapped heels with embroidery, straps with light galvanized gold buckle, and satin insoles with nappa leather lining and the logo on the label. dolcegabbana.com

Burberry Tartan Cotton High Cone-heel Sandals Explore a quintessential British fashion sense with Tartan Cotton High Cone-heel Sandals from Burberry. This pair of sandals work in contrasting cotton tartans, reflecting the varied clans and tribes of the British Isles. The style is kept feminine with slender T-bar straps and a high cone heel. The upper part is 99% cotton and 1% calf leather, while the lining is 50% calf leather, 48% cotton, and 2% polyester. The sole is 100% calf leather. It also features a buckled ankle strap. burberry.com

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Love is the inspiration behind the EsposaCouture Bridal 2018 collection. With a wide selection of versatile dresses, precious accessories, and delicately embroidered veils to choose from, every bride can look and feel like a fairy-tale princess on her big day.

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his line by Kristie Romanos is replete with creations that redefine the glamorous woman through rare and luxurious fabrics, elegant designs, meticulous details, and high-quality craftsmanship. From messages reading “toi et moi” or “oui”, to out-of-the-ordinary symbolic props, handmade headpieces, bracelets, and earrings, the collection celebrates love in all its wonder.

Before the eye gets lost in the adorning details, it is first mesmerised by the fabrics of the gowns, luxurious in their texture and stunning in their handworked embroidery.

Nothing is ordinary or déjà vu here; every inch is worked meticulously with intricate motifs and patterns, embedded or 3D, to make each piece unique.

In a soft palette of nude, ivory, gold, or silver, the dresses exude classic flair with a modern twist. Whether through the faux or nonchalant off-the-shoulder, the illusion plunging neckline, the geometric pattern, the unusual movements, or the discrete beading, the 2018 “light” princess gowns are tailored for the versatile bride who fancies a modern infusion to her classic taste and a touch of art to her style.

EsposaCouture’s bridal 2018 wedding dresses are now available in Esposa Privé boutiques in Downtown-Beirut and Dubai. esposagroup.com

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A Fiery Collection Fire is the essential element of the Rani Zakhem Couture Spring Summer 2018 collection, giving new depth to the phrase haute couture. It features sumptuous yet relaxed designs that erupt with style and celebrate life in incandescent metaphors.

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ome creations, like the pearl-beige silk dress, seem to be sculpted in light. Its red, orange, and gold gems glow with sequins that bring reflections to the surface. An image of a volcano is spun to the neck, columned and entirely gilded, which is a recurring element of the collection.

From gold to red, through to yellow and bright orange, the collection adopts a fiery colour palette and is infused with sequins and geometric forms that allude to the disco spirit of the 1970s. There are many references to Halston, especially in the single shouldered fluid dress with a golden Mao collar. Gold also sculpts the feuille d’or chiffon dress, knotted in a wrap-around bustier that drops into a deep backline.

The fire theme, sometimes extinguished leaving precious streaks of diamonds on silky nights; sometimes fluid, sizzling cascades of molten metal on a short dress with dripping panel, and sometimes gently iridescent with

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warm colours, is only a pretext chosen by Rani Zakhem to salute some of his biggest influences.

The scarfed collared, split yellow chiffon, plissé soleil dress with mouton sleeves, is a nod to JeanLouis Scherrer. The short black silk satin, Moujik tunic, adorned with pleated yellow faille and embellished with a large bow, references Yves Saint Laurent. The densely embroidered golden top, with narrow three-quarter sleeves and a long black pleated skirt, is a reverence to Balmain. The liquid gold drape of the silk jersey habillé evening sheath, ending with a large bow of black silk satin on the shoulder, is a tribute to designer Madame Grès.

The black silk satin kaftan, which is embroidered with gold sequins and flame patterns, recalls Rani Zakhem’s native orient and plays with the bond between his multiple cultures. ranizakhem.com

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The Tadashi Shoji Fall 2018 collection is a well-rounded and effortlessly chic range that showcases the designer’s trademark flair. The woman who enchants life with her sensuality, colour, and joie de vive, serves as its inspiration.

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er confidence is the source of her beauty and she wears it brazenly, shimmering in crystal diamantĂŠ. Self-assured and statuesque, she strikes with awe in bold hues and bare shoulders. She accentuates her curves by way of cut, line, and silhouette. She is a fluid, dazzling vision of modern femininity.

Her ease is reflected through sinuous draping and her radiance is symbolised in golden hues. She obeys her heart and defies the minds of others. She is ever bold and unapologetic.

The collection features rich tones, which appear in a variety of textures. Some of the highlights include a midnight blue, embroidered tulle dress with fun, fringe details and a baby pink, floor-length gown with bell sleeves and brighter pink panels of lace. Three-dimensional floral appliquĂŠs and prints also feature prominently. tadashishoji.com

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Nothing is as it seems in the Balenciaga Spring/Summer 2018 women’s collection. Exaggerated shapes fuse with juxtaposing patterns and colours to create a look that is bold and unmistakable.

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he study of the inherent possibilities of recognizable products and objects is the design impulse behind the Spring Summer 18 collection.

In this collection, self-alterable silhouettes are created through draping necklines that fuse two garments. Options for wearing one or the other arise in this ‘dual’ series, which includes a trench coat with a jean jacket, a nightdress with a leopard spot dressing gown, a utility coat with a biker gilet, and a shirt with a long sleeve t-shirt. Pants, inspired by modular tracksuits, are also interchangeable.

The unique collection also features store awnings transformed into trousers, fringed sun umbrellas turned into skirts, screen-saver prints, bank-note scans, topcase bags echoing wing-mirrors, and evening bags

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from Fall/Winter 17. Furthermore, jewellery and chain straps are cloned from duty-free and souvenir shops.

The exaggeration of everyday styles introduces the season’s most severe shoes, which come in the form of super-spiked stilettoes with platforms inspired and produced by CROCS. Founded by Spanish-born Cristóbal Balenciaga in 1917 and established in Paris in 1937, the iconic French fashion house defined the concept of modernity and elegance through the mastery of techniques and the use of innovative fabrics.

Balenciaga offers women’s and men’s ready-towear, handbags, shoes, accessories, and eyewear.

Exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue, City Centre Bahrain

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ashing daywear provides protection from the cold without compromising on quality or style. It features thick-knit Norwegian-style jumpers, three-piece suits in heavy corduroy, a loose fit herringbone overcoat, puffer jackets made from shaved mink with cashmere lining, a bomber in white mink, and fur-lined mountain boots equipped with metal hardware.

Shirts are made from beautiful silks and decorated in micro-design geometric patterns and, for moments of sheer opulence, there are python trenches and bombers, and full-length overcoats in mink and silver fox. Stylish triple-lens sunglasses offer protection against everything from a snowy glare to dance-floor lights.

Billionaire’s eveningwear is just as lavish. It includes

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burgundy velvet evening jackets with quilted detailing, striped two-way sequined tailored jackets, shawl-collared cocktail jackets with gold frog-fasteners, and velvet slippers with gold embroidered chevron motifs. And, for the last word in louche after-dark loungewear, there are matching silk robes and pyjamas in exotic Kashmir prints.

Billionaire was launched in 2005, combining the notions of success and masculinity in the ultimate men’s fashion and lifestyle brand. Reflecting the modern gentleman’s taste for the finer things in life, the brand’s exquisite tailoring is meticulously handmade in Italian ateliers using the finest fabrics. billionairecouture.com

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The Billionaire Autumn/Winter 2018 collection takes Italian luxury menswear to another level. Made using the finest materials, this line is dedicated to successful and self-confident men who expect the best out of life..

On the Money

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Rhinestone Rebel

Dsquared2 invites you to saddle up and take a trip to the Wild West with its Fall/Winter 2018 Collection, which adds another exciting chapter to the nomad design story of Dean and Dan Caten.

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hirts in checks, silk, denim, and stretch gabardine give a structured feel. They feature elaborate yokes covered in a wash of sequins, appliqued with lace or leather flowers, or dotted with jewelled cachon studs. A soft cotton design in a seamless patchwork of stripes, checks and florals is emblematic of Dsquared2 style and is infused throughout the season’s theme.

The collection has an elegant side too, tempering the sparkle with tailored jackets and pants featuring leather smile piping, and a Mongolian long-haired brown and white coat.

Denim, tailored, and leather pants have a new silhouette; a high waist, cropped with a flare that’s subtly revealed from behind the ankle, to show the embroidered cowboy boots.

The prairie nightgown-style dresses are reworked for men as asymmetric long tunic shirts.

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Other long dresses, made from silk scarves with flowery prints, are embroidered with glimmering beads. Their bohemian flow is given dimension with swinging suede fringe bags and sandals, crafted with plush fur and crystals.

Formal golden livery, used as bohemian decoration, is appliqued onto parkas and peacoats. Rugged shearlings come in traditional black and cream, while oversized knits feature Westin motif jacquards.

Dsquared2’s philosophy is an edgy mix of Canadian iconography, refined Italian tailoring, and playful sensuality. The collections are a seamless melding of contrasts: sporty and glamorous, laidback and extravagant, masculine and feminine, creating a distinctive concept of alternative luxury. dsquared2.com

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Masterpiece

From her studio in the Quebec City area, Elise Genest paints with her inimitable brushstroke. Horses, the mainstay subject in her art, have been a life-long passion. Her approach to her craft is as unique as her style. She takes the time to know her subjects, uncovering traits of their personality, which she captures within her camera lens. We talk to Elise to find out more about her special bond with horses and her distinctive art form.

Riding High Interview with Elise Genest What is it about horses that moves you to create such wonderful masterworks?

There is a connection between horses and people that has existed for thousands of years. Horses have left an amazing footprint on our history. They are amazingly beautiful and sensitive, and they are sociable and loving. Through horses, I can represent any emotion that is not only linked to horses themselves, but also linked to humans. They represent everything life has to offer. Alongside horses, I feel complete, as if they are an extension of myself. They really are the best way I can express the beauty of life.

Can you share with us your personal history with horses, as both a rider and an artist?

I grew up on an equestrian and breeding facility where my family owned over 50 horses. We had many foals every season. Horses soon became my passion, and now I can never see my life without them. It’s my passion and obsession for horses that inspired me towards drawing and painting them all the time.

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What varieties of horses have you drawn and how good do you think you have become at noticing the subtle differences between species?

I have been specialized in Baroque breeds for many years, because I was inspired by their curves and theatrical movement, but I have been painting and will always paint any breed. Every species and every individual horse has a specific way of moving and showing off its beauty. The energy can be different. The shape of the eyes and even the movement of the mane is unique to every horse. I like to get to know the horse’s physical features and its personality. The feeling I get from meeting them has an immense influence on the work I will create. I also like to work from my own photographs, because that way I paint not only with my eyes, but also with my heart.

What are the mediums you work in and why do you choose these mediums for your subjects?

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02 01 ‘Lancelot’, acrylic on canvas with gold leaf, 100x100cm, 2018

04 ‘Cheval de Mer’, acrylic

02 Elise and her horse Lancelot, photo credit: Vanessa Dubé Caron

05 ‘Immortel’, acrylic on canvas,

on canvas with gold leaf, 30x90cm, 2016 90x122cm, 2016

03 ‘Coming Home’, acrylic on

canvas, 38x75cm, 2017

The first step into creation is photography. I travel the world to meet the horses, and spend days photographing them. The inspiration from the photo session is immense! I will often take a lot of time to decide what painting to photograph, and sometimes create compositions with different horses. I work with mixed media on canvas, specifically acrylics, pure gold leaf, crayon, and ink. I have created my own approach by mixing mediums to bring transparency, lightness, and emotions to my paintings. The gold leaf brings light and richness. The drawing creates energy and motion.

Every step enhances a quality of the horse I wish to display on canvas to create a physically correct horse in a contemporary and abstract background.

What countries have you exhibited in? Is there one where you were most popular?

I have exhibited my work in equine events in Canada, USA, Germany, and Spain, but collectors buy from UK, France, Switzerland, India, Brazil, South Africa,

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I work with mixed media on canvas, specifically acrylics, pure gold leaf, crayon, and ink.

Austria, Australia, and more. People are familiar with my work through online channels, which is effective because you can spread the images easily. It’s difficult to say which country loves my work the most, but I can definitely say it attracts equine enthusiasts worldwide.

Who are some of your artistic influences?

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My favorite masters would be Leonardo Da Vinci, Picasso, Rien Poortvliet, Gustav Klimt, and Monet, among others. But my actual influences come from countless magnificent paintings and great artists that left an impression on me over the years, all of them for different reasons. Among the contemporary artists I admire at the moment are Paul Van Ginkel, Christian Hook, and Jean-Louis Sauvat. The equine artists community is getting closer thanks to social networks, and of course we get to know each other’s work through the web and sometimes through exhibitions.

Michelle Grant, Laetitia Plinguet, Tony O’Connor, Frederique Lavergne, Sally Martin are a few friends

who, just like me, dedicate their entire creation to horses only.

Who do you see as your most important contemporaries or even competitors?

That is a difficult question! I’m very much focused on creating my artwork and offering the best I can to my collectors. I don’t worry about competitors, since I know my artwork is unique, and that people who love my work will find what they are looking for.

Contemporary equine artists inspire each other. That helps improve their own work.

Outside of art and horses, what are some of your other hobbies and interests?

I have a 10-year-old daughter. We love spending time together as a family. I’m also a cyclist! Cycling helps me stay in shape and clear my head. elise-genest.com

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Works of art may be bought and sold every day, but there are only a few that form a unique connection with buyers that last decades. That one-of-a-kind painting that seemingly only improves with time is a rare find. However, as wealth and culture grow, so does the desire for owning a rare canvas. Buyers have recently been setting a trend with a string of record purchases of paintings at private sales and public auctions, finding the right price tag for works that have long been believed to be priceless. Durrah takes a look at some of the world’s most expensive paintings and the stories behind their creation.

Willem de Kooning’s Interchange (1955) $300 million A seminal masterpiece of abstract expressionism from 1955, This oil on canvas painting by Dutch-American artist Willem de Kooning was sold in 2015 by the David Geffen Foundation to Kenneth C. Griffin for $300 million, which was until recently a new mark for highest ever price for a painting.

In addition to being an influential painter himself, Willem de Kooning was a vital connecting force between his contemporaries. He was a friend and encourager to Arshile Gorky, Jackson Pollock, Franz Kline, and dozens of other Abstract Expressionists.

Throughout the period when these artists struggled, de Kooning remained a passionate cheerleader for their work. Interchange was painted right when the fortunes of de Kooning and his contemporaries were undergoing a massive change. They were becoming financially stable, many for the first time, meaning they had the opportunity to make new choices, both professionally and personally. For de Kooning, this manifested in the start of an 11-year period spent painting abstract landscapes, of which Interchange was one of the first.

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Paul Cézanne’s ‘The Card Players’ (1892-93) $259 million This painting by Cezanne is the first in a series of five paintings depicting peasants playing cards. Cezanne is said to have used local farmers as models in these works. The other paintings in the series can be found in the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art, the Musee D’Orsay, the Courtauld Institute and the Barnes Foundation. It was bought in April 2011 from George Embiricos for around $259 million.

None of the five paintings show any money on the table for antes or pots. It has been speculated the quiet nature of the game combined with the lack of gambling could mean these men are enjoying a game similar to gin rummy. During the five-year span in which he painted The Card Players, Cézanne created a dozen or so sketches and several painted portraits as practice for his series. The same farmhands were called on, sometimes again and again, to sit for these test studies.

Paul Gauguin’s ‘When Will You Marry?’ (1892) $210 million On loan to the Kunstmuseum in Basel, Switzerland for nearly a half-century, it was sold privately by the family of Rudolf Staechelin for close to US $210 million, one of the highest prices ever paid for a work of art. Gauguin travelled to Tahiti for the first time in 1891. His hope was to find “an Edenic paradise where he could create pure, ‘primitive’ art”, rather than the primitivist faux works being turned out by painters in France. Upon arrival, he found that Tahiti was not as he imagined it as it had been colonised in the 18th century, and at least two-thirds of the indigenous people of the island had been killed by diseases

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brought by Europeans. Despite this, he painted many pictures of native women dressed in traditional Tahitian clothes, and dressed in Western-style dresses, as is the rear figure in When Will You Marry?

Jackson Pollock’s No. 5, 1948 (1948) $200 million Pollock’s No. 5 is one of the first of his famous drip paintings, where he would place the canvas on the ground and drip the paint over it by swaying above the canvas. The subconscious physical movements involved in this technique became an important element of Abstract Expressionism. The painting was created on fibreboard, also known as composition board, measuring 8’ x 4’. For the paint, Pollock chose to use liquid paints. More specifically, they were synthetic resin paints but are referred to as oil paints for classification of the work. On inspection, it was grey, brown, white, and yellow paint drizzled in a way that many people still perceive as a “dense bird’s nest”.

Mark Rothko’s ‘No. 6, Violet, Green and Red’ (1951) $186 million

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This seemingly simple 1951 painting by noted abstract expressionist painter Mark Rothko was acquired in a private sale by Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev for about $186 million. The work by Rothko, himself born in Russian-ruled Latvia in 1903, was the second-mostexpensive painting ever sold at the time Rybolovlev acquired it. The sale made headlines not only for its bank-breaking price tag, as its new billionaire owner sued Swiss art broker and Singapore resident Yves Bouvier for fraud, claiming the latter inflated prices on nearly 40 works he sold to Rybolovlev.

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Architecture 01 The shop holds an exclusive collection of jewellery, accessories, and watches 02 Unique and original setting 03 Bulgari and Fornasetti’s New Curiosity Shop

The most luxurious shopping destinations from around the world.

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Bulgari and Fornasetti’s New Curiosity Shop, Rome Bulgari and Fornasetti have joined forces to create the first interior decor of the New Curiosity Shop, the temple of creativity that the historic Rome-based company is opening to celebrate the art of wonder.

It will hold jewellery, accessories, and watches in an exclusive collection based on experimentation, extravagance and daring explorations.

The two brands have already worked together on the exhibition “Serpentiform. Art, Jewelry, Design”, in which one of the exhibits in Rome in 2016 and in Singapore in 2017 was a precious carpet by the Milanese atelier. The new space, which opened its doors on 7 December 2017 alongside the historic shop in Via dei Condotti, houses some of the most iconic and representative pieces of Fornasetti’s output. The hand-lacquered wooden furniture, magic mirrors, and porcelain and gold dishes on an astronomical theme are striking in their irony and their touch of madness, and are perfectly in tune with this unique and original space.

When Sotiro Bulgari first opened the prestigious location at number 10, Via dei Condotti in 1905, he called it the “Old Curiosity Shop”. The collection of objects displayed in this workshop did not betray the expectations created by the name: it was a real cabinet of wonders, exhibiting marvelous and surprising creations, curiosities and mirabilia.

The New Curiosity Shop embodies the same spirit, representing a window onto the most eclectic creativity, a constantly changing showcase in which to display and illustrate new themes. fornasetti.com

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Georg Jensen, Dubai Georg Jensen, flagship brand of AW Rostamani Lifestyle, recently opened the doors to its new boutique on the 1st floor of the Fashion Avenue at The Dubai Mall, giving visitors the opportunity to closely discover the luxury design house’s inventive collections and pieces.

In existence for over a century, the Georg Jensen brand represents quality craftsmanship and timeless aesthetic design, creating lifestyle products ranging from hollowware to watches, jewellery and home products. Recently, Georg Jensen also commemorated the UAE National Day with a set of limited edition pieces including a Fusion Ring and Necklace in the colours of the UAE flag which clients can view at the new boutique.

Over the years, numerous design icons – from

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Henning Koppel, Arne Jacobsen and Vivianna Torun Bülow-Hübe to Patricia Urquiola, Marc Newson and renowned late architect Zaha Hadid – have partnered with Georg Jensen to help push its boundaries, defy convention, and reimagine what design can be. Prior to her demise, one of Zaha hadid’s last projects was the collection she designed for Georg Jensen.

The graceful new boutique represents the values of the brand and overlooks the iconic Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain. The brand’s pioneering collections are displayed in sleek glass cases that are perfectly complemented by the warm tones and stylish, contemporary décor of the boutique.

04 Inventive and unique collections displayed in sleek glass cases 05 Contemporary and elegant interior 06 Quality craftsmanship for over 100 years 07 Georg Jensen, Dubai Mall

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Travel

known as the ‘Sun City’ for its year-round bright and sunny weather, Jodhpur is home to many historical sites and cultural landmarks.

The buildings and landscapes of the city were featured in a number of international movies, including The Dark Knight Rises, The Darjeeling Limited, and others. A testament to its rich heritage that still draws visitors from every part of the world today.

The Blue City

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odhpur is the second largest city in the Indian state of Rajasthan, and the second metropolitan city of the state. It’s a popular tourist destination, featuring many palaces, forts and temples, set in the stark landscape of the Thar Desert.

Mehrangarh Fort stands a hundred feet in splendor on a perpendicular cliff, four hundred feet above the sky line of Jodhpur. Burnished red sand stone, imposing, invincible and yet with a strange haunting beauty that beckons. Much has been written about the Citadel of the Sun. It is one of the most impressive in all of Rajasthan. So colossal are its proportions that Rudyard Kipling called it “the work of giants”. Today, it is acknowledged as one of the best-preserved forts in India.

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The Fort and its palaces were built over a period of 500 years, following the foundation in the mid-15th century. As a result, the varied building styles of many different periods are represented, including the 20th century. The abrupt transition from one era to another, as you progress through the buildings, is one feature that makes a visit so remarkable.

One of the most memorable sights you will ever set your eyes upon is the Blue City. A series of boxy indigo houses that stretch for more than 10 kilometers along the walls of the historic walled old city. A blue pigment coating on a house used to indicate that a Brahmin—the priests of the Indian caste system—dwelled there, but over time the color became a badge of identity for non-Brahmins,

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too. It’s also said to have insect-repelling abilities.

Visitors are unlikely to forget the eye-catching color coating the houses, creating a luscious blue sea in the arid Indian landscape. A view from the top of the looming Mehrangarh Fort lets visitors overlook the bountiful, striking blue for which the city is known.

The century-old clock tower is another old city landmark. It’s surrounded by the vibrant sounds, sights and smells of Sardar Market, which is marked by triple gateways at its northern and southern ends. The narrow, winding lanes of the old city spread out in all directions from here. Westward, you plunge into the old city’s commercial heart, with crowded alleys and bazaars selling vegetables, spices, sweets, silver and handicrafts.

A mainstay in any tourist’s trip to Jodhpur is the Jaswant Thada. This milky-white marble memorial to Maharaja Jaswant Singh II, sitting above a small lake 1km northeast of Mehrangarh, is an array of whimsical domes. It’s a welcome, peaceful spot

after the hubbub of the city, and the views across to the fort and over the city are superb. Built in 1899, the cenotaph has some beautiful jalis (carvedmarble lattice screens) and is hung with portraits of Rathore rulers going back to the 13th century. The cenotaph’s grounds feature carved gazebos, a tiered garden, and a small lake.

Jodhpur is also home to Umaid Bhawan Palace, one of the world’s largest private residences. Named after Maharaja Umaid Singh, grandfather of the present owner Gaj Singh of the palace, this edifice has 347 rooms and serves as the principal residence of the Jodhpur royal family.

Whether you call it the Blue City, the Sun City, or the Gateway to Thar, Jodhpur is a rhapsody of magnificent historical monuments and architectural masterpieces that offer an unrivaled tourism experience. incrediblejodhpur.com

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Jodhpur is also home to Umaid Bhawan Palace, one of the world’s largest private residences.

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01 Traditional blue windows and wall in Blue City Jodhpur, India 02 The Jaswant Thada is a cenotaph located in Jodhpur, in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It was used for the cremation of the royal family of Marwar. Jodhpur Rajasthan India 03 Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India, Golden royal palace room with architectural details at Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur 04 Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India, Traditional Rajasthani singers perform at the Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur

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Travel 05 Colorful ethnic shoes and camel decorations on violet Rajasthan cushion cover on flea market in India 06 Clock Tower, Jodhpur, India

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The century-old clock tower is another old city landmark. It’s surrounded by the vibrant sounds, sights and smells of Sardar Market.

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Travel and Leisure

La Réserve Paris Hotel, Spa and Apartments Avenue Gabriel, set back from the Champs-Elysées: La Réserve Paris - Hotel and Spa. Place du Trocadéro: La Réserve Paris - Apartments. Two neighboring addresses located just three kilometers (a 15-minute drive) apart.

Two different visions, two complementary ways of making the most of the capital as the fancy takes you. Classical 19th century Parisian living at the hotel, a resolutely contemporary Parisian experience in the apartments, but always the same La Réserve-style way of life.

The intimate new La Réserve Paris Hotel and Spa is in keeping with the establishments bearing the Michel Reybier signature in Geneva and Ramatuelle. Far removed from the spirit of traditional 5-star palace hotels, La Réserve Paris is reminiscent of a private urban mansion, open to guests who share a particular philosophy of travel.

Michel Reybier’s urban mansion has all the elegance 01 of an early 19th century private apartment. There is no classic reception desk per se, but instead every guest who 03 arrives at 42 Avenue Gabriel is welcomed personally in the Salon Louis XV and taken to their suite to make sure that they feel at home immediately, just as one would do for a friend coming to visit at home. More suites than rooms, large spaces in re-interpreted classical style, all the codes of a certain way of life: a library with an honesty bar reserved for guests and their friends, a smoking room, a 16-meter indoor pool (a rarity in Paris), a spa with three treatment rooms including one specifically for men, and wine cellars in the suites.

A secret hideaway for those who enjoy being free to experience Paris, with their families or with friends, the apartments of La Réserve Paris take on a new dimension with the opening of the nearby La Réserve Paris – Hotel and Spa. The ideal synergy between the two concepts offers guests at the apartments tempting new opportunities: treatments at the hotel spa, dining at the restaurant, a chance to rendezvous at the bar or in the library… not to mention the possibility of doing a few lengths in the hotel’s private pool. All the apartments offer services included to ensure peace of mind for their guests: valet parking, concierge available on request, secure access, a library… Every morning, the housekeeper takes care of preparing breakfast as well as doing the shopping, and is always available to help with organizing the day.

A chef will prepare meals and receptions on request. A whole range of in-home treatments is available: wellbeing, manicure, pedicure. A children’s activity organizer can look after the kids and organize an age appropriate program for them to discover Paris. michelreybier.com

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Let Durrah be your guide to discovering the true meaning of hospitality and experience the ultimate in luxury at these global destinations.

02 La Reserve Paris Suite Room 03 La Reserve Paris Suite Bathroom 04 La Reserve Paris Suite Lounge

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Redefining Hospitality

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Travel and Leisure

All rooms and suites have expansive views over the breathtaking Dubai skyline or the Arabian Gulf, with large balconies to truly soak up the magnificent scenery.

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The Bvlgari Resort Dubai An ultimate urban resort, The Bulgari Resort Dubai is part of the Bulgari Resort & Residences Dubai, developed by Meraas, a leading Dubai-based holding company. Located on the magical seahorse shaped island, it is set to become the destination of choice for visitors seeking the solitude of an island escape, the residential feeling of a private house, yet situated just minutes from the heart of the vibrant city and its cultural attractions.

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As with all the Bulgari Hotels & Resorts, the Bulgari Resort Dubai was designed by renowned Italian architectural firm Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel.

Both the interiors and exteriors have been created with the same detail and precision of a Bulgari jewel: pairing rare, raw materials according to colour, texture and feel, and sculpting them into objects of enduring beauty. Styled with European inspired boulevards, illuminated gardens and pools, it blends Mediterranean landscaping with the natural surroundings of the shores of the Arabian Gulf.

The resort includes 101 hotel rooms and suites and 20 hotel villas, all exquisitely furnished with the highest quality Italian luxury furniture brands such as Maxalto, Flos, Fexform and others, in an expression of the quality of ‘Made in Italy’. All rooms and suites have expansive views over the breathtaking Dubai skyline or the Arabian Gulf, with large balconies to truly soak up the magnificent scenery. For guests looking for ultimate space and privacy, the resort’s five categories of villa enable families and friends to create a bespoke experience. Ranging from one to three bedrooms, with options to connect villas, the properties vary from 175 sqm to 540 sqm in size, all with a personal butler service and private pool and gazebo. Features include a large living area, a sunken bath tub and a private lush garden with a large outdoor swimming pool, to ensure guests are provided with every home comfort they could possibly need.

This newest addition to the Bulgari Hotels & Resorts collection is the fifth in the group, following on from the most recently launched Bulgari Hotel Beijing, which opened in September 2017. It joins a growing portfolio of properties around the world, which began with the inaugural Bulgari Hotel Milan in 2004, The Bulgari Resort Bali in 2006 and The Bulgari Hotel London in 2012, and will be followed by Shanghai in early 2018, and then Moscow in 2020. bulgarihotels.com

05 Bulgari Resort Dubai 06 The Bulgari Suite Living Room 07 The Bulgari Suite Bedroom

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Sofitel Frankfurt Opera A five-star Superior Hotel located at the heart of Frankfurt am Main, Sofitel Frankfurt Opera contains 150 rooms and suites. The Frankfurt Opera is the flagship of the Sofitel brand and offers a number of outstanding facilities.

The furnishings, decoration and design of the luxury hotel bear the signature of the French interior architect Nicolas Adnet, who works in conjunction with his Parisbased studio MHNA. Rooms at the Sofitel Frankfurt Opera boast a minimum size of 36 square metres. This makes them some of the largest anywhere in the city.

The level of service the hotel provides also sets it apart from the competition. There are, for example, selected suites that come complete with a butler. A car park with eight TESLA charging stations is available to guests at an additional charge.

The walls are adorned by five large-format full-length portraits of the German fashion icons Nadja Auermann, Wolfgang Joop and Barbara Schöneberger. Each model embodies a separate opera in allegorical form in order to create a connection between the topics of art and fashion In his interior design concept, Nicolas Adnet combines timeless classical décor with modern luxury. The round walls of the hotel’s Superior Rooms create a cosy “cocoon”.

The closed-in nature of this principle is broken up by large windows which offer views of the Old Opera, the adjoining City Park or the Atrium.

The minimum size of the hotel’s 55 Classic/Superior

Rooms and 64 Luxury Rooms is 36 and 40 square metres respectively. All are equipped with the Sofitel MyBed®, bathrooms with a rain forest shower system or bathtub and separate WC, Hermès Amenities, a Bose Sound System, a large-screen Samsung television, an Illy espresso machine, a kettle and free Wi-Fi. The 31 suites comprise 15 Junior Suites of 50 square metres each, 13 Prestige Suites of 60 square metres, two Opera Suites of 90 square metres and a Presidential Suite which extends over an area of 120 square metres. All suites have the same facilities as the rooms with the addition of separate bathrooms, a butler service and a Bose 321 System.

At the Sofitel Frankfurt Opera, “Lili’s Bar” and the “Schönemann Restaurant” represent a continuation of Frankfurt’s tradition of generosity and hospitality. Chef de Cuisine Lukas Sulik and Head Barkeeper Ran Hoch primarily see themselves as hosts whose role it is to provide guests with highly enjoyable moments in the city.

So SPA & So FIT health and beauty spa and gym facility extends over an area of 400 square metres and is available for use by all hotel guests wishing to relax or keep fit. A separate pedicure and manicure area provides four treatment rooms. The So SPA is the only Carita Day Spa in Frankfurt am Main and uses both Carita und Decléor product lines. sofitel.com

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08 Sofitel Frankfurt Opera Lobby 09 Opera Suite, 1 King Size Bed 10 Superior Room, 1 Queen Size Bed 11 Junior Suite 2 Single Beds

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The Langham, New York, Fifth Avenue The Langham, New York, Fifth Avenue – formerly known as Langham Place, New York – has wrapped up a successful year that brought with it the title of #1 Hotel in New York City by Conde Nast Traveler, a brand new Presidential Suite by Roche Bobois, the new full-service spa Chuan Body + Soul, and a new name. The hotel, with its contemporary style, Alex Katz art pieces, and an enviable location in one of the most exciting cities in the world, has always upheld the highest standards of sincere service that guests have come to expect from any Langham hotel around the world.

The recently debuted Presidential Suite by Roche Bobois features luxe interiors by the design house and retailers, Roche Bobois, the 1,900-sq. ft. two-bedroom suite on the hotel’s 27th floor also features the ultimate in culinary exclusivity - a Michelin-starred restaurant brought right to the guest’s room. In partnership with The Langham’s award-winning restaurant, Ai Fiori, part of Chef Michael White’s Altamarea Group, guests of the Presidential Suite by Roche Bobois will be able to enjoy all the benefits of dining at Ai Fiori in their suite dining room, as well as access to a private chef service from the Ai Fiori culinary team, and a mini-bar and pantry curated by Chef Michael White himself.

The Presidential Suite by Roche Bobois, Suite 2704, located on the highest floor in the hotel, features two full king sized bedrooms, two full marble-clad

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bathrooms with generously-proportioned soaking tubs and separate rainfall showers, a spacious living room, dining area that seats up to eight people and a full kitchen with state-of-the-art appliances by Miele, including a hidden washer/dryer, all off-set by floorto-ceiling windows overlooking the most iconic sight in New York City - the Empire State Building and the magnificent skyscrapers surrounding it. Unique to the Presidential Suite, the kitchen is outfitted with flatware

by Christofle, and china and glassware by L’Objet, the perfect accompaniment to the exclusive access to Ai Fiori being offered to guests of this suite.

Centrally located at 400 Fifth Avenue, between 36th and 37th Streets, the hotel’s 234 guest rooms and suites are some of the largest in the city. As of Spring 2017, The Langham features a full- service spa and fitness center, Chuan Body + Soul, offering a comprehensive menu of skincare, massage and body treatments. Ai Fiori, a Michelin-starred restaurant from Michael White’s Altamarea Group, and Bar Fiori, a destination bar and lounge, are both located on the hotel’s second floor. The Langham also has the capabilities to host meetings, events and social gatherings of all sizes in The Gallery at The Langham, a full floor of function space on the hotel’s third floor. langhamhotels.com

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12 LPNYC Lobby 13 LPNYC Exterior 14 LPNYC Roche Bobois Suite Bedroom 15 LPNYC Roche Bobois Suite Living Room

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Special Feature

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The Count’s Horse C

The prancing horse emblem on the Ferrari crest has been the brand’s logo for decades and has become as iconic as the Ferrari brand itself. The man who inspired the logo did not frequent race tracks though: he was a war hero and a horse riding enthusiast. This is the story of a hero who fell for his country and a resurrected horse.

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ount Francesco Baracca has everything a hero in Italy could have. A museum is dedicated to him, monuments were erected in his memory, and several streets and squares are named after him. During his brief career, this man, who was from a well-to-do family and distinguished fighter pilot in the air force, shot down no less than 34 enemy aircraft, earning him the nickname “Ace of Aces”.

However, before he was a pilot, Baracca was a horse rider. Born in 1888 in Lugo di Romagna, the son of a rich landowner, he attended a private school in Florence and continued his education at the Military Academy of Modena where he indulged in his passion for horses. In 1910, he joined the prestigious Piemonte Reale Cavalleria regiment and excelled in various equestrian competitions.

One day, he attended a flight demonstration at Rome-Centocelle airport and his fate was immediately determined to be a pilot.

The young Baracca took flying lessons in Reims and obtained his pilot license on 9 July 1912. He was quickly assigned to the Battaglione Aviatori and joined the

01 Count Francesco Baracca 02 The prancing horse, symbol of Ferrari 03 Enzo Ferrari 04 Baracca in his aviation days 05 SPAD S.XIII aircraft model 06 Baracca and his preferred model, SPAD VII

5th and 6th Squadriglie. He was finally ready to serve his country. Italy, however, kept its distance after the outbreak of the First World War and did not join the fighting until May 1915. Baracca was assigned to train in Nieuport 10 two-seat reconnaissance aircraft, but the latter were no match against the Austro-Hungarian raids.

They lacked speed and were slow to gain altitude. As a result, the frustrated pilots often took off without scouts - not that it made much difference to their effectiveness.

A new model was introduced in April 1916: the singleseat Nieuport 11 equipped with a Lewis machine gun and designed by engineer Gustave Delage - who would later specialise in precision mechanics and take the helm at the Jaeger watchmaking factory (future Jaeger -Le Coultre).

This new airplane proved far superior and allowed Baracca to achieve his first aerial victory on 7 April - as well as the first victory for the Italian military air force.

Around the same time, Baracca had his personal emblem painted onto the side of his Nieuport 17: a black prancing horse as a tribute to his former cavalry regiment.

This emblem and the mastery that Baracca displayed in

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the air earned him the nickname “The Cavalier of the Skies” among his teammates. Baracca already had the makings of a national hero when he was posted on 1 May 1917 to the 91st Squadriglia, known as the “Squadron of the Aces” where he quickly showed a preference for the SPAD VII, a highly maneuverable French aircraft with which Georges Guynemer would also accumulate a string of victories. The plane, equipped with a Hispano-Suiza V8 engine designed by Swiss engineer Mark Birkigt, was perfectly suited to his favourite tactic: approaching the enemy from behind, at low altitude, until the aircraft was within range.

Despite his many successes, Baracca always maintained a chivalrous attitude. He regularly visited his victims in hospital or put flowers on their graves. At the end of 1917, with thirty victories to his name, he was awarded the Gold Medal of Military Valour by King Victor Emmanuel III at a ceremony in La Scala.

The Italian airmen gained confidence and undertook to strafe troops on the ground by flying at low altitude.

On 19 June 1918, after 34 victories, Francesco Baracca did not return to his base after a mission to Montello. His body was not found until four days later, next to the wreck of his SPAD VII. He had a bullet wound in his head and was

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still holding his gun in his hand. His death prompted much speculation: according to the Austrians, Lieutenant Arnold Barwig shot down his plane and Baracca shot himself in the head so as not to fall into the hands of the enemy.

Other sources allege that he was reportedly shot down by artillery units.

When Enzo Ferrari won his first Grand Prix (the Targo Florio) on 17 June 1923, alongside mechanic Giulio Ramponi in an Alfa Romeo RL on the Circuito del Savio in Ravenna, he was visited by Count Enrico Baracca whom he had met shortly beforehand in Bologna. His wife, Countess Paolina Biancoli, allowed him to use the emblem of her son killed in battle on his racing cars to bring him luck. “I still have the picture of Baracca, signed by his parents,” wrote Enzo Ferrari in 1985, adding that the emblem of the black horse remained unchanged. Ferrari only changed the background colour, replacing the white with yellow, the colour of Modena.

Enzo Ferrari saw his reputation as pilot soar in the 1920s. He joined Alfa Romeo and became its team manager. He retired in 1932 after the birth of his son Dino.

In 1929, he formed his own team, Scuderia Ferrari, racing in Alfa Romeos. Baracca’s prancing horse did not figure on his first vehicles. It appeared for the first time on 9 July

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1932 in Belgium, at the 24 Hours of Francorchamp, which was won that year by Antonio Brivio and Eugenio Siena in an Alfa Romeo 8C-2300 LM. Brivio, who was also a world bobsleigh professional, would go on to win the Targa Florio twice and the Mille Miglia once. Siena came second in the 1934 Mille Miglia, with Tazio Nuvolari.

Enzo Ferrari started manufacturing cars in 1947, with each car bearing Baracca’s emblem. Some purists in the equestrian world consider this emblem to be unrealistic: a horse that rears up cannot lift its tail. Francesco Baracca, an experienced horseman, was certainly aware of this: old documents prove that he had originally drawn his horse with the tail down.

It is also worth noting that the prancing horse figures on the Porsche logo. It is a miniature version of the coat of arms of the city of Stuttgart - whose original name, Stuutengarten, means stud farm or garden. Some say that Francesco Baracca copied this horse from the coat of arms on the fuselage of a German plane that he allegedly brought down, a custom that was common at the time once pilots reached the status of “ace” (after the 5th enemy aircraft was shot down). ferrari.com

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Al Baraka Banking Group (B.S.C) is licensed as an Islamic wholesale bank by the Central Bank of Bahrain, listed on Bahrain Bourse and Nasdaq Dubai stock exchanges. It is a leading international Islamic banking group providing its unique services in countries with a population totaling around one billion.

It is jointly rated BBB+ (long term) / A3 (short term) on the international scale and A+ (bh) (long term) / A2 (bh) (short term) on the national by Islamic International Rating Agency & Dagong Global Credit Rating Company Limited, and by Standard & Poor’s at BB+ (long term) / B (short term).

Al Baraka offers retail, corporate, treasury and investment banking services, strictly in accordance with

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the principles of the Islamic Shari’a. The authorized capital of Al Baraka is US$ 1.5 billion, while total equity is at about US$ 2 billion.

The Group has a wide geographical presence in the form of subsidiary banking units and representative offices in fifteen countries, which in turn provide their services through over 700 branches.

Al Baraka currently has a strong presence in Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Sudan, Bahrain, Pakistan, South Africa, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Saudi Arabia, including two representative offices in Indonesia and Libya.

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Spas

The Spa, Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay

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The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay now offers guests high-end iS Clinical facials unique to their skin problems, targeting a variety of issues such as skin health, fine lines and wrinkles, age reversal, brightening, and oiliness. Available for the first time at The Spa, the clinically-validated skincare products by Innovative Skincare deliver dramatic physiological improvements, all for a skin fit for a Hollywood star.

The intensive and remarkably effective Fire and Ice Facial is designed to resurface the skin rapidly and safely. Precise combinations of two professional treatment masks are complemented by serums and creams expertly selected to address guests’ skin concerns. This bespoke facial reduces fine lines and wrinkles, smoothens, softens and encourages cellular renewal. While the advanced Exfoliating Clear Skin Facial gently exfoliates and

provides soothing and healing effects. The iS Clinical Exfoliating Clear Skin Facial keeps the skin clean by removing impurities from within, while maintaining that smoothness and glow. It promotes healthy and well-hydrated skin, and minimises pores. During the treatment, a gentle, warm steam contributes to opening the skin pores effectively.

Ideally suited for a well-deserved wellness retreat with family, friends or loved ones, Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay is offering the Stay Longer – Third Night Free Package for those looking to visit this emerging island destination, and with its excellent dining options, deeply relaxing Spa and four swimming pools, the Hotel is the perfect base for a long weekend discovering all that the country has to offer.

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Take your body and mind on a journey of relaxation and transcend the stresses of everyday life with these worldwide destinations of tranquility.

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Serene Treatments

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04 Gorgeous interior at La Reserve 05 Fitness area 06 Relaxing pool 07 Welcome desk

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La Reserve Paris Set around the 16-meter indoor pool are just three treatment rooms, a fitness area with a sports coach and a steam room, creating a peaceful atmosphere where one is finally relieved of pressure and can succumb to a complete disconnect from the daily grind. Men are not forgotten, with a range of services indispensable to modern-day gentlemen.

The Nescens brand of Swiss anti-aging science offers sophisticated treatments for men and women, including massages and cosmeceutical anti-aging products. These services have been developed by drawing on knowledge of the biological mechanisms involved in aging and existing solutions that can be employed to effectively slow down the effects of time. Completely personalized body and face treatments may be tailored to every individual need and desire. All the spa treatments as well as hair styling and manicure services are also available to

guests of the La Réserve Paris – Apartments, as well as for outside bookings.

Born of the expertise cultivated in the Center for the Prevention of Aging at the Clinique de Genolier in Switzerland, and founded by Professor Jacques Proust, the Nescens brand offers an authentic program of personalized anti-aging treatment for every individual, in order to prevent, compensate or delay the effects of aging, while fulfilling personal aspirations. Known in Switzerland for its preventive medicine centers in the GSMN clinics as well as its “better-aging” programs at the Nescens Spa at La Réserve Genève, the Nescens brand is also present in Paris with its Nescens Paris Spontini clinic, exclusively dedicated to surgery and aesthetic medicine. michelreybier.com

Completely personalized body and face treatments may be tailored to every individual need and desire.

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Spas 08 Jacuzzi at Cavalieri Grand Spa 09 Forest treatment room 10 Ayurvedic treatment room

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The Cavalieri Grand Spa Club offers a myriad of treatments to relax, pamper, invigorate or soothe with industry leading partners to cater to every aspect of your well-being.

Cavalieri Grand Spa Club, Rome Cavalieri At the top of Monte Mario, high above Rome there is a verdant green park, where Aleppo pines, palms and pools refresh. Here you can enjoy a spa experience like no other. Italy’s most luxurious spa and fitness facility, The Cavalieri Grand Spa Club offers a myriad of treatments to relax, pamper, invigorate or soothe with industry leading partners to cater to every aspect of your well-being.

Experience facial treatments for ageless beauty and infinite luxury using La Prairie products, such as Swiss cellular anti-aging and caviar firming facials, or discover the refinement and pureness of the Damask rose in the comforting and restorative facial treatments with Aromatherapy Associates products to bring back your radiance, soothe the emotions and nurture the heart.

Take your time and find your new balance of wellness with the essential oils of Aromatherapy Associates London: a selection of 12 natural oils, formulated with plant and flower oils with wonderful

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scents and powerful therapeutic benefits for body and mind.

A three-hour “dream” experience that suspends time! Using techniques based on a true synergy between face and body and drawing on principles of the iconic Skin Caviar which lifts and firms, this special program simultaneously “works” the entire body – from scalp to toes – producing a sensation of total relaxation and well-being.

La Prairie’s Perfect Manicure uses Hydrating Firming Mask to provide concentrated nourishment and stimulate fatigued skin, and a hand and forearm massage with Cellular Hand Cream will tingle your hands into new life, leaving you soft as velvet. While La Prairie’s Perfect Pedicure provides a deep, yet gentle exfoliation using a stimulating mask for feet, ankles, legs, and a final massage that will make your legs and feet want to jump for joy. romecavalieri.com

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Spas 11 Thai treatment room at Saray Spa 12 Breathtaking experience upon arrival 13 Relaxation area 14 Treatment Room

Saray Spa, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai Tucked away behind ornately carved doors, the world-class Saray Spa is a health and wellness haven at the heart of the world’s tallest hotel. True to its name and drawing inspiration from the historic Caravanserais located along the silk trade routes of old, Saray Spa offers a personal experience of restoration and renewal through rituals that have withstood the test of time.

Ancient healing techniques and locally sourced natural ingredients are combined to pay homage to the Arabian heritage of Saray Spa. All products used in these treatments come from an exclusive line only found at the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai in the UAE and are available in our luxurious Saray Spa Boutique.

Experience a bespoke holistic treatment with

Exclusively Yours, which invites you to enjoy 200 minutes of pure indulgence as you experience a completely personalised treatment tailored to your needs. This treatment includes a customised and results-focused facial, customised nourishing body wrap, and your choice of massage to maximize the therapeutic effects.

The Saray Spa has won various awards and accolades, including The Hospitality Excellence Silver Award 2017 - Spa of the Year, Best Spa Global Award for Best Male Spa by World Luxury Spa Awards in 2017, and The Best Hydrotherapy Treatment by the Middle East Pool and Spa in 2016. jwmarriottmarquisdubailife.com

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Saray Spa offers a personal experience of restoration and renewal through rituals that have withstood the test of time.

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15 Exquisite spa treatment 16 Bulgari Spa’s majestic pool 17 Unforgettable night view at Bulgari Spa

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Experience Bulgari’s exclusive nurturing spa journeys inspired by the ancient wellness traditions of the world, such as the Royal Lulur Treatment.

BVLGARI Spa, Bulgari Resort Dubai Conveying the exclusivity of the Bulgari brand with state-of-the-art thermal and bathing experiences and luxurious spa suites, the BVLGARI SPA at The Bulgari Resort Dubai provides the ultimate spa offerings and innovation in terms of treatments, products and services.

Experience Bulgari’s exclusive nurturing spa journeys inspired by the ancient wellness traditions of the world, such as the Royal Lulur Treatment. Created for royalty, this exotic spice and yogurt exfoliation and body polishing process has been faithfully practiced in the palaces of Central Java since the 17th century.

There, the pursuit of beauty has long been a sacred daily ritual, with the Javanese lulur an integral step, leaving skin soft, supple and shining. While the spa’s Amber Mystical Journey delivers a powerful bioenergetic therapeutic ritual with a flower water spray, a full-body exfoliation, and the magical grains of golden amber powder exfoliator salts. The soothing

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scent evokes the atmosphere of the ancient forests, a sweetness that awakens the senses.

The Majestic Hammam Journey closely follows the ancient cleansing principles of the Hammam tradition, using natural black soap and Miel d’Ambre from Maroc Maroc, an exfoliating and detoxifying body balm, made from sesame oil and honey extract, followed by a ceremonial body massage to melt away muscular tension.

You can also experience facial treatments using La Mer’s legendary products, infused with the nutrientrich Miracle Broth™, which has the power to transform the complexion, leaving skin softer, firmer and visibly younger, and discover luxury skincare rooted in advanced botanical chemistry with Amala skincare treatment, made from 100% natural ingredients, delivering extraordinary, visible, clinically-proven results for every complexion. bulgarihotels.com

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Dining

Durrah takes you on a culinary journey with this selection of award-winning and critically acclaimed restaurants from around the world.

Refined Taste 01 WU Asian Restaurant and Lounge 02 Stylish bar 03 Delectable Sushi 04 Authentic Japanese cuisine

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Wu Asian Restaurant & Lounge, Art Rotana, Amwaj Guests at Art Rotana can indulge in a wonderful variety of sumptuous cuisines, feasting their senses on a vibrant blend of cultures as WU will take you on a culinary journey through the Far East.

Inspired by five distinctive cuisines, Wu offers popular elements from each, presented through a contemporary approach with a casual twist. Wu – which means ‘five’ in Chinese, serves mouthwatering dishes from Malaysia, China, Japan, Thailand, and Korea, offering patrons the best seasonal specialties of Asian cuisines, served in portions perfect for sharing.

The carefully selected dishes are served in portions perfect for sharing and are delivered to the

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table progressively ensuring an exciting and evolving dining experience. You can also choose to just relax at WU Lounge and Bar with its inspired modern interior, outdoor seating terrace with unbeatable beach side views, while the live DJ keeps you captivated with uplifting beats in an atmosphere that will transport you to a place far away.

Wu also boasts a spectacular setting, with views across the beach to the sea giving you a seaside holiday feel. A variety of indoor and outdoor seating areas, with an overall chic yet casual atmosphere, adds to this vibe.

Guests at ART Rotana can also enjoy the stunning design elements across the premises as ART Rotana

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invites guests to experience a cozy blend of tradition and modernity perfectly balanced within tranquil surroundings, soothing luxury and unparalleled service.

Art and creativity are at the heart and soul of this hotel and define its very existence. From the striking illuminated arch adorning the hotel’s entrance and lobby to the exhilarating dancing fountain featuring a blend of music and lights, ART Rotana stays true to its artistic routes and promises an all-inspiring ambience.

Families and corporate clients alike will find it an ideal destination for both leisure and business. asiadecuba.com

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05 Beef tartar: wagyu beef grade 6, pickles, quail egg and homemade steamed bun 06 Ultimate bar experience at Iris 07 Sophisticated dining 08 Chicken leg: mint marinated chicken leg with saffron yoghurt dip 09 Cuisine at Iris features various culinary backgrounds

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Iris Bahrain

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Located in the heart of Adliya, Iris is an outdoor rooftop lounge. A franchise lounge/bar that started out in Beirut, Lebanon, it has expanded into United Arab Emirates, opening a location in Dubai and another branch in Abu Dhabi.

Set in a sophisticated lounge, people can come to enjoy the highest caliber of food and drinks while listening to great music. The food is made from some of the finest ingredients sourced from around the world, and the drinks are created by innovative mixologists. The menu includes a contemporary cuisine that combines elements of different culinary backgrounds, while the cocktails menu includes

creative specialty drinks made with fresh fruits.

The tables available are 10-15 seater lounge, table for 6, and a table for 4. Every Wednesday, Iris hosts either a DJ or band from abroad, with some high-end names hosting the night. Entertainment features smooth lounge music starting during sunset hours that livens up during the late hours of the night.

This is the ideal go-to venue for the midtown postwork crowd, as it is often seen filled by classy executives and elegant clientele. It’s an unrivaled getaway, offering patrons the ultimate in bar and lounge experience. irislounges.com

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Twins Garden, Moscow Launched in Moscow in Autumn 2017, following a successful relocation and renaming of TWINS–the restaurant founded by identical twin brother chef patrons, Ivan and Sergey Berezutskiy, in 2014, Twins Garden offers an exciting range of dishes, honoring the chefs’ commitment to fresh, local and seasonal ingredients.

After acquiring an 125-acre farm in Russia’s Kaluga region, the embellishment of the establishment’s name with the word “garden” seemed appropriate. With the farm in full operation, many of the ingredients served at Twins Garden are produced there–the twins’ own garden.

In their efforts to diversify the range of ingredients served at the restaurant, with its own large fullcycle farm and plans to reach a level of 80-90% of self-dependence, Twins Garden is a unique project for Russia. The brothers are now cooperating with specialists from the Russian State Agrarian University, who not only look after greenhouses and open plantations, but also search and restore forgotten and rare varieties of vegetables, fruits and herbs that Ivan and Sergey want to return to Russian tables.

Ivan and Sergey regularly travel the vast expanse of Russia for their cooking, taking advantage of the diverse produce that the region has to offer. The brothers celebrate Russian flavours by featuring exciting and unusual ingredients including Kamchatka king crab caviar, cured Bashkiria goose and pineapple guava–a Latin

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American fruit cultivated in the South of Russia. Through their dishes, they hope to bring about a sense of nostalgia and familiarity as well as surprise. The introduction of an impressive laboratory in the new restaurant helps them to do so. Drinks menu is an important element too. Twins Garden boast the largest wine list in the whole of Russia.

The cocktails served in the bar with panoramic views over Moscow city centre can be enjoyed inside in the warmth or out on the elegant covered terrace. 5G WiFi is accessible for all clients.

Inspired by Russian constructivism and, in particular, the work of the Vesnin brothers, the design of the restaurant is beautifully simple. Set over two floors, an eco-minimalist style captures elements of the outdoors in the 70-cover restaurant, with naturally rough surfaces made from rocks, walls that glisten as if they were wet and mossy cache-pots adorning the tables. Twins Garden boasts a ‘digestif zone’ in which guests can recline after dinner with a glass of whatever they please. The chef’s table is situated downstairs in the restaurant but there is also a table that can seat up to four individuals in the chef’s laboratory. The latter is reserved for the most serious of foodies and those that wish to witness the process and science behind Ivan and Sergey’s culinary creations first-hand. twinsgarden.ru

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10 View from the second floor at Twins Garden 11 Elegant yet simple interior 12 Lettuce Garden

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The 1,000 square foot space, which can seat 18 in The Living Room during daytime hours, and 18 in The Dining Room for dinner service, will evolve over time.

Gem, New York Following the debut of his namesake documentary “CHEF FLYNN,” which premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, and after nearly a decade of cooking at his supper club restaurant, Eureka - which he ran out of his childhood home in San Fernando Valley and as a pop-up in New York City - prodigy chef Flynn McGarry has opened up his very first restaurant at just 19-years-old.

Gem, which will be housed in the old Cafe Henrie space in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, will offer two distinct experiences: “The Living Room” and “The Dining Room.”

The Living Room will be an all-day cafe and coffee shop open daily from 8:00am-5:00pm. It will offer a rotating selection of small roaster coffees and rare teas, as well as house made pastries and snacks.

The Dining Room, which will be open Tuesday through Saturday, will offer a $155pp (includes gratuity) multicourse (featuring approx. 12-15 courses) dining experience, with seatings at 6:00pm and 9:00pm for up to 18 guests.

The experience is intended to be a reflection of an intimate dinner party: guests will begin in The Living Room with snacks and champagne; after being seated in The Dining Room, guests will be able to enjoy a menu comprised of small plates and larger, family-style dishes, as well as dessert.

Wine pairings will be available at a base cost of $100 per person. Wine, beer, sake, and cider will also be available by the glass and bottle.

The 1,000 square foot space, which can seat 18 in The Living Room during daytime hours, and 18 in The Dining Room for dinner service, will evolve over time. Upon opening, guests can expect rotating artwork from friends of Flynn and artists who inspire him, as well as design elements like handmade walnut tables and banquettes from Hudson, New York, and a collection of vintage furniture selected by Flynn.

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13 An aged beet 14 Caramel roasted pear 15 A distinct and intimate experience 16 Iconic New York style

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Bon AppĂŠtit

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In memory of Paul Bocuse (1926–2018) “Work as though you’ll live to be 100 and live as though tomorrow will be your last”. This was the motto by which Chef Paul Bocuse lived his 91 years of life. Dubbed ‘the Pope of Gastronomy’, Bocuse wrote one of the most influential chapters in culinary history, not only in his native France but also around the world.

In his quest for excellence, he has helped shape and define modern French cuisine, and although he has now left us, his legacy will remain for many years to come.

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t would be no understatement to say that Paul Bocuse was the first chef to step out from behind the stove and bring his profession to greater public awareness, while developing France’s reputation for culinary excellence by opening Bocuse-branded restaurants in other countries. In addition to focusing the spotlight on the fine-dining industry, he can also be credited with masterminding such initiatives as the Bocuse d’Or, the most prestigious cooking competition on the planet. Ever since the contest’s inception, chefs around the world have compared the prospect of winning the event to finding the Holy Grail. People the world over can instantly identify with the image of Paul Bocuse standing tall in his chef’s whites. ‘Monsieur Paul’ as he was often called, was also known for his exuberant personality and charisma, in addition to his

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culinary expertise and his dishes which have become a cornerstone of France’s fine-dining legacy.

Paul Bocuse was born on 11 February 1926 in Collonges-au-Mont-d’Or, just a few miles down the road from Lyon. The only son of Georges and Irma Bocuse, Paul Bocuse perpetuated the family’s long line of chefs stretching all the way back to 1765, with stories of a certain Michel Bocuse and his wife delighting the local inhabitants’ taste buds with small fry, pork products, and local cheeses.

He began learning his craft under Eugénie Brazier, known as ‘Mother Brazier’, before continuing his apprenticeship with Fernand Point, Head Chef at La Pyramide in Vienne, where he learnt what would later become his two guiding values: simplicity and expertise in cooking methods.

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A stint working at the Lucas Carton restaurant in Paris under Chef Gaston Richard gave him an insight into the formal rules and conventions that defined the capital’s haute cuisine style. After returning to Fernand Point in 1956 as a pantry chef, Paul Bocuse entered the family-run business at the Hôtel du Pont de Collonges.

In 1958, his career hit the fast lane. The Michelin Guide awarded the restaurant its first star. The Abbaye de Collonges was built just a few hundred metres away from the Auberge as a prestigious events venue. In 1961, Paul Bocuse was honoured with the coveted France’s Best Craftsman award (Meilleur Ouvrier de France). The next year, the restaurant garnered its second star, followed by a third star in 1965, which it has maintained ever since.

The 1970s were witness to the emergence of the Nouvelle Cuisine movement, a new approach to cuisine which already featured a dozen three-star chefs. Paul

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Bocuse soon became one of its leading proponents in France and abroad. Nouvelle Cuisine championed a philosophy that stimulated the five senses with increased emphasis on the products used (instead of being swamped in rich sauces). With reduced cooking times, new ways of using products (local produce), streamlined menus, low-fat sauces, simplified presentations and constant innovation, chefs are no longer bound by the shackles of haute cuisine.

In 1987, Paul Bocuse created the Bocuse d’Or, one of the most prestigious cooking contests in the world and was subsequently named President of the Meilleur Ouvrier de France competition (in the cooking and restaurant management category). Finally, he opened the Institut Paul Bocuse in 1990, which is attended by students from 37 different countries, followed by the Paul Bocuse Foundation in 2004 to build on his

01 The late Chef Paul Bocuse 02 Chef Bocuse at The Abbaye, a homage to the monks of Ile and to the Hotel du Pont de Collonges 03 Paul Bocuse created Black truffle soup VGE (Valéry Giscard d’Estaing) for the Élysée Palace to coincide with receiving the title of Knight of the Legion of Honour from President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing on 25 February 1975.

04 Red mullet with crispy potato flakes, A highly refined dish that calls for painstaking preparation.

05 Chefs carry the coffin of French Paul Bocuse during the funeral ceremony at the Saint-Jean Cathedral in Lyon on January 26, 2018

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The only son of Georges and Irma Bocuse, Paul Bocuse perpetuated the family’s long line of chefs stretching all the way back to 1765.

passion of passing on his knowledge and expertise to the widest possible audience. The competition features qualifying heats in several countries based on predefined themes. The two-day final, which coincides with the SIRHA exhibition in Lyon, sees chefs from 24 different countries competing against one another over 5 hours and 35 minutes, supported by their fans in scenes worthy of the greatest sporting events.

Bocuse made many contributions to French gastronomy, both directly and indirectly, because he had numerous students, many of whom have become notable chefs themselves. He took delight in eliciting pleasure and serving in the noblest sense of the world.

It’s those attributes that have earned him the accolade ‘Chef of the Century’. bocuse.fr

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06 Chef Paul Bocuse passing years of experience to the next generation 07 Hare a la royale dessert 08 The famous French-style lobster salad

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Ferrari 488 GTB & GTC4Lusso Experience

Whether you’re a diehard thrill-seeker or on a constant journey for the ultimate in exclusivity, Durrah Experience is your guide to the truly extravagant and unique events guaranteed to give you that unrivalled rush and cherished memories.

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01 Ferrari 488 GTB 02 Ferrari GTC4Lusso

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his time around, Durrah raises the bar even further, as we test drive two masterpieces in automotive excellence, the Ferrari 488 GTB and the Ferrari GTC4Lusso.

The Ferrari 488 GTB’s name marks a return to the classic Ferrari model designation with the 488 in its moniker indicating the engine’s unitary displacement, while the GTB stands for Gran Turismo Berlinetta.

Power (670 cv), engine and vehicle response times (0.8 s and 0.06 s respectively) give the Ferrari 488 GTB a unique character and guarantee unmatched driving pleasure to drivers of all abilities.

The Ferrari 488 GTB’s all-new 3902 cc V8 turbo is at the top of its class in terms of power output, torque and response times. It delivers 670 cv at 8,000 rpm and a response time to the accelerator of just 0.8 seconds (at 2,000 rpm in third gear), making it the new benchmark for this kind of architecture, thanks in part to innovative work carried out on the turbine to reduce friction and inertia.

Aerodynamics made a pivotal contribution to performance: the car’s 1.67 E index figure is a new record for a production Ferrari, and is the fruit of 50 per cent more downforce than the previous model along with lower drag.

Thanks to subsystems and electronic controls that make its power and performance instantly available and controllable, the Ferrari 488 GTB is the most responsive production model there is, with blisteringly-fast response times comparable to those of a track car. The Ferrari 488 GTB’s exceptional sportiness and performance are underscored by particularly aggressive styling.

Our second Ferrari, The GTC4Lusso, also has many impressive features of its own. The GTC4Lusso’s name references several illustrious predecessors, not least the 330 GTC or its 2+2 sister model, the 330 GT, as well as the 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso, which married extreme performance with stylish design and sophisticated materials and craftsmanship.

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The GTC4Lusso sports the latest evolution of the naturally-aspirated Ferrari GT V12 that melds incredible power with efficiency and provides a soundtrack which is thrilling in performance driving, yet discreet and harmonious in normal touring conditions.

Intense research and development has boosted the 6,262 cc V12’s maximum power output to 690 cv, making the GTC4Lusso the most powerful car in its segment. Both its 2.6 kg/cv weight-to-power-ratio and its 13.5:1 compression ratio set new records for the category, too.

As is the case with all Ferraris, the GTC4Lusso introduces a slew of technological innovations, notably the new Ferrari-patented 4RM-S which guarantees exceptional handling even on low-grip surfaces and superb stability and responsiveness in all conditions.

The GTC4Lusso’s aerodynamic development introduced new solutions, too, including a slotted diffuser and a rear spoiler integrated with the hatch, all focused on reducing drag and improving aerodynamic efficiency.

As a result, the GTC4Lusso exudes elegance and exclusivity, its unprecedented forms underscoring its most dynamic traits in an effortless marriage of sportiness and signature Grand Tourer traits.

The Ferrari 488 GTB’s all-new 3902 cc V8 turbo is at the top of its class in terms of power output, torque and response times.

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03 The new 488 GTB delivers unparalleled performance 04 The GTC4Lusso packs a range of technical innovations 05 GTC4Lusso is sublime and elegant

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Automotive

Driven by Luxury From eagerly anticipated car launches to ground-breaking technology, Durrah brings you news from the automotive world’s luxury and supercar manufacturers.

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Bentley Bentayga V8 At the heart of the new Bentayga V8 sits an all-new 4.0-litre, 32-valve, V8 engine featuring dual twinscroll turbochargers located inside the ‘V’ of the engine. The dynamic unit develops 542 bhp (550 PS) and 568 lb.ft. (770 Nm) of torque, resulting in a top speed of 180 mph (290 km/h) and 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds (100 km/h in 4.5 seconds).

The class-leading performance of the Bentayga V8 is complemented by a range of 464 miles (746 km), with CO2 emissions of 260 g/km. This refined efficiency (24.8 mpg / 11.4 l/100 km combined) comes, in part, through the ability of the engine to de-activate four of its eight cylinders in suitable conditions, without compromising the drive. The seamless change happens in just 20 milliseconds, making it imperceptible to customers. The addition of Stop-Start technology, which can activate at ‘near-to-stop’ speeds, also contributes to the emissions figure. This unique blend of power and refinement gives the Bentayga V8 a distinct,

unrivalled position in the luxury SUV market.

The exterior design of the Bentayga V8 reflects the model’s sporting position within the Bentayga family. The shape is defined by the Bentayga’s unique muscular, sculptural lines, balancing athleticism with an unmistakable presence on the road. From the four round LED headlamps to the large matrix grille, the Bentayga V8 exudes the Bentley design DNA, while the overt powerline, large rear haunches and raised ride height reflect the rugged off-road ability of the luxury SUV. For the first time, optional carbon-ceramic brakes are offered on the Bentayga. The braking system is the largest and most powerful ever fitted to a Bentley, and the largest front brake system available on any production car.

Customers can specify hand cross-stitching, which highlights the interior styling lines of the seats and door panels, and there is the choice of the Bentayga’s four-, five-, or seven-seat configuration, for ultimate versatility. Three innovative new interior

options are offered in the Bentayga V8: a highgloss carbon-fibre finish replacing traditional veneer surfaces; a wood and hide steering wheel; and a new rich red leather, Cricket Ball.

For the first time in a Bentley, a high-gloss carbon-fibre finish is offered to customers seeking a contemporary, technical feel. Bentley has traditionally offered a matt carbon-fibre surface to replace the veneer on panels including the fascia, centre console and door waistrails, but this is the first time the finish has been offered with a high gloss, which enhances the technical weave. Another first – the wood and hide trimmed steering wheel – can be specified in the Bentayga V8. Uniquely, the new three-spoke, wood and hide trimmed wheel (available in seven different veneer finishes) uses a solid wood base and thus maintains the integrity and authenticity of interior features offered by Bentley. bentleymotors.com

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02 Front Interior 03 Bentayga V8 04 Front wheel carbon disc 05 Rear interior

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Aston Martin DB11 Volante 06 The DB11 Volante is sleek and athletic in character, its defining feature the convertible roof 07 The interior features duotone leather environments with contrasting stitch colours; on the back seats are new wood or carbon fibre veneer panels 08 Dramatic ultra-slim ‘light blade’ tail lights create a bold C graphic 09 Greater levels of performance accentuate the more sporting side of the DB11 Volante, while increased refinement, comfort and interior space ensure it remains a consummate grand tourer

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Joining the DB11 Coupe, which was launched to wide acclaim in 2016, the new DB11 Volante sets new standards of performance, innovation, engineering, and style to create the definitive open-top Sports GT. Powered by a new 4.0-litre twin-turbo 510PS V8 engine, the DB11 Volante is built around the allnew bonded aluminium structure first seen in the DB11 Coupe. Lighter and more rigid than previous models, the DB11 Volante has been engineered to deliver a much broader envelope of abilities. Greater levels of performance and handling accentuate the more sporting side of its character, while increased refinement, comfort, and interior space ensure it remains a consummate grand tourer. This depth and breadth of ability is made possible by the Volante’s 3-stage powertrain and chassis modes. Working in perfect harmony with the 8-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission, electric power steering and limited-slip differential with dynamic torque vectoring, the driver is able to configure the car’s responses and tailor its behaviour in a way that best suits the road, weather conditions or their mood. Visually the DB11 Volante features the striking single-piece aluminium bonnet and innovative

‘Curlicue’ aerodynamic feature from the DB11 Coupe, combined with new wood or carbon fibre veneer panels on the seat backs, a beautifully tailored fabric hood – available in a choice of bordeaux red, black silver or grey silver - dramatic ultra-slim ‘light blade’ tail lights that create a bold C graphic and a striking new design of forged alloy wheel.

The defining feature of the DB11 Volante is its convertible roof. Combining the timeless appeal of a fabric hood with the very latest acoustic and insulation materials, the all-new 8-layer roof cossets occupants from the extremes of weather and wind noise. Folding to a class-leading stack height, the Volante’s hood takes just 14 seconds to lower and 16 to close and can be operated remotely from the key or on the move.

Engineered to be the most advanced and complete open-top Aston Martin ever built, styled to put its rivals in the shade, and honed to achieve a fine balance of ride, handling, responsiveness and refinement, the DB11 Volante is dedicated to delivering a new dimension of driving pleasure. astonmartin.com

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Automotive 10 Explore the vistas in a new way 11 Rolls-Royce delivers on its ‘Best seat in the house’ promise with the Cullinan 12 The model includes a host of innovative features 13 The Cullinan takes beautiful furniture to the most remote places

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Rolls-Royce Cullinan Focused on offering a truly authentic and luxurious experience to Rolls-Royce customers through fascinating surprise and delight, the Cullinan is so much more than an SUV, Crossover, or Off-roader. It delivers effortless luxury everywhere its owner chooses to venture. Such boundless luxury is enhanced through a suite of features only the designers, craftspeople, and artisans at the Home of Rolls-Royce can imagine and create.

The first of these authentic Bespoke features is the Rolls-Royce Cullinan Viewing Suite. Designed and engineered at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, the Rolls-Royce Viewing Suite is automatically deployed at the touch of a button.

Two rear-facing, beautifully contemporary, finest leather chairs, and a cocktail table gracefully emerge from within the rear compartment of Cullinan.

It is from this luxuriously comfortable viewing

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platform that a Cullinan owner may take in the world’s most breath-taking vistas or view a sports event or even watch their children take part in their school sports day.

The beauty of Cullinan’s Viewing Suite, the manner in which it deploys so effortlessly, the attention to detail, the finest leathers that match the interior of the customer’s Cullinan, and how it all comes together to bring beautiful furniture to the most remote places, all bear testimony to the unequalled Bespoke competence of the designers and craftspeople at the Home of Rolls-Royce.

Wherever one ventures, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan Viewing Suite guarantees the best seat in the house, and approach that is a first for both the automotive and luxury industries. rolls-roycemotorcars.com

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Must Have

My Wish List The latest and most exclusive luxury items for men

David Linley Ebury Tech Tidy Black A sophisticated and unique solution to holding your phone and other desk accessories, the Ebury Tech Tidy is a multi-device charging station stitched in genuine black leather. It hosts a high-quality 5-Port USB port which is able to charge 5 devices simultaneously (2 smartphones, 2 tablets, 1 Apple Watch) and provides a comfortable view, and features solid walnut cover on a leather covered wooden structure with walnut wood finishes. davidlinley.com

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Ambassador 80mm Brass and Beech Wood Telescope Powerful enough for terrestrial viewing and astronomical observations, Celestron’s vintage-inspired 80mm telescope will make an impressive showpiece in your study. It has a gold-tone brass case fitted with an exceptional refracting lens that offers up to 189x zoom magnification and is set on a rotating cradle altazimuth mount and fully adjustable beech tripod. celestron.com

Audiowood X Uncrate Barky Turntable Cut from an Ash tree, with the rings and bark left intact, each Barky turntable is beautiful and unique.

Handmade in New Orleans, this collaboration between Uncrate and Audiowood is built with ebonised ash wood and finished in polyurethane and paste wax, giving it a fresh and polished look. It comes with a hefty glass platter and blackened solid brass spike feet, along with an award-winning Rega Elys2 cartridge and super high-end Rega RB330 tonearm. And, since the cartridge is already aligned and mounted, the turntable goes from unboxing to playing your favourite albums in minutes. For true connoisseurs, 230V 50hz versions are available on special request for an additional cost. uncrate.com

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Must Have

MB&F Kelys & Chirp Developed as a co-creation between Reuge and Nicolas Court, Kelys & Chirp is a joyous celebration of friends.

Kelys (from the Greek chelone or chelys for tortoise) moves in a realistic tortoise-like gait with his head moving slowly side-to-side, his movements all in synchronicity with Chirp as springing from her nest and pirouetting, her beak opening and closing, wings flapping, and tail wagging, all in time to the melodic bird song.

While Kelys & Chirp may look relatively simple compared to a complicated watch, its 480 components (enough for a minute repeater) lie testament to the complexity within. Kelys & Chirp is available in 4 limited editions of 18 pieces each in blue, green, yellow ochre. mbandf.com

Louis Vuitton Ping Pong Set More than just a fancy carrier, the Louis Vuitton Ping Pong Set includes everything you need to get a game going — minus the table. The Monogram Eclipse canvas cover holds two professionally-designed paddles made from wood and finished with LV circle medals. Also included is a custom holder in matching canvas for the four regulation balls. us.louisvuitton.com

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Montblanc Great Characters: The Beatles Edition Montblanc puts a spotlight on the ground-breaking work and cultural influence of one of the most famous music acts of all time, The Beatles with three unique editions. The Beatles Special Edition draws inspiration from the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album, featuring bright multi-coloured striped cap and barrel, which are the stripes colours of the uniforms The Beatles wear on the album cover. The Beatles Limited Edition 1969 captures the magic of The Beatles era with symbols on the lacquered cap and barrel of the writing instrument associated with the iconic album “Abbey Road”, while The Beatles Limited Edition 88 features a solid gold skeletonized cap and barrel with several metal inlays adorned with lacquer. The Montblanc tribute to The Beatles also includes a special ink and refills edition in a new psychedelic purple colour inspired by the music style they pioneered. montblanc.com

Tumi Alpha Bravo Collection Upgrade your wardrobe with the modern, casual stylings of Tumi’s Alpha Bravo Collection. The fully functional range features versatile business bags and backpacks that are perfect for work, school, and travel. The new Alpha Bravo Collection with Blue Camo print is designed with the urbanite in mind. It is durable and seamlessly transitions between work and everyday use to become the modern trailblazer’s quintessential counterpart. The Alpha Bravo Mayport Three Way Brief was created with urban versatility in mind. The padded shoulder straps and brief handles stow away when not in use, allowing this adaptable bag to quickly transform from a subtle and sophisticated briefcase for the office, to a spacious backpack for short trips, and then into a messenger bag for casual adventures. tumi.com

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Must Have

Lanvin Dinosaur Key Ring If you’re looking for an accessory with plenty of bite that makes an immediate impression, look no further than this dinosaur key ring from Lanvin. It is inspired by themes from the 2018 Spring season and exudes a casual, sporty flair. Made in Italy, it features calfskin leather, antiqued silver brass, and adjustable orange elastic detail. lanvin.com

Berluti Shoe Care Kit Berluti’s comprehensive shoe care kit includes everything you need to keep your shoes in pristine condition. It contains conditioning creams, polishing brushes, cloths, and a shoehorn – all packaged neatly in a felt pouch embroidered with the house’s ‘90s-era leg motif. This set is an ideal gift for fans of fine footwear. berluti.com/en

Hermès foosball table French fashion house Hermès has unveiled the latest musthave for men with discerning taste and a penchant for games.

Made with Maple and Swift calfskin, this fully functional table differentiates itself with players dressed as jockeys, complete with colourful jerseys and riding boots. It features stunning leather-work and fine finishes, including saddle stitching and stylish upholstery. hermes.com/us/en

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Must Have

My Wish List The latest and most exclusive luxury items for women

Bottega Veneta Mist Goat/ Intrecciato Nappa Dog Charm This impeccably crafted limited-edition charm features a playful dog silhouette. Designed from a combination of leathers intrecciato nappa, goatskin and crocodile and finished with brunito metal studs, it comes in off white, black, and white colours, and features Brunitofinish hardware. bottegaveneta.com

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Hermes Le Flâneur d’Hermès This multi-purpose unisex city bike is made from extremely lightweight carbon fibre and comes in charcoal colour with natural smooth bull leather on the contact points. It features 8 gears and is size M, making it recommended for people between 1.65m and 1.80m. hermes.com

Boca Do Lobo Maharaja Jewelry case The most exceptional pieces of jewelry are usually masterpieces of exquisite craftsmanship born through the passionate work of talented jewelers. These jewels transcend generations as dear treasures that trigger the most beautiful emotions, which is why they deserve fitting storage that is as perfect in its craftsmanship, design and materials as the jewels in themselves. With a wood structure and silver leaf finishing, this royal case lovingly harbors the dearest and most exquisite pieces of jewelry. bocadolobo.com

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Puma Fenty Fur Slides Built on the PUMA Leadcat silhouette, the FENTY Fur Slide features a faux fur strap with a satin foam backing to enhance comfort. In seasonal military green with standout “F” and “U” chenille badges on the left and right slide, the Fur Slide is a nod to the “FENTY University”.

FENTY PUMA by Rihanna branding is applied on the heel and the footbed of a comfy EVA-cushioned midsole to complete the FENTY luxe look and feel. puma.com

Gucci Tiger Print Metal Folding Table Introducing Gucci Décor, a collection of pieces designed to personalize your space, this metal folding table features a round tray printed with a tiger print. The energy of the tiger, a powerful creature, is captured in various ways throughout the collections. The image is layered together to create an abstract effect. Set atop three legs, the table can be folded and features a ring at the top to hang. gucci.com

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ARABESQUE Antique decorations, extravagant geometries created in Micro Mosaic, embroidering fantastic chimeras, highlighted by white Diamonds and a magnetic red Ruby. The ‘Arabesque’ earrings and ring transform the shapes into free and acrobatic figures, which convey a pleasant sense of sinuousness and intriguing beauty. A new horizon for the stylists of the Maison, in search of creating unique and exclusive jewels, embellished by an extremely refined Micro Mosaic, combined with precious stones and gold. Art into a jewel. sicis.com

Karl Lagerfeld K/ Ikonik trolley Made from technical Saffiano leather, this durable design features the designer’s iconic artwork and handwritten signature imprinted on the front. The zip closure opens to reveal a roomy interior, making it perfect for storing travel essentials. It also features interior zip compartments, side zip pockets, a combination lock, and handles on the top and the side. karl.com

Fornasetti Trumeaus Architettura celeste Fornasetti’s myth wouldn’t be the without be the same without his work on furniture design. Trumeaus and wardrobes were and still are among the most original and coveted Fornasetti originals, capable of turning any room into a true museum. The Trumeau Architettura celeste is wood printed, painted, and lacquered by hand, and is 81 cm long with a depth of 39 cm and height of 219 cm. fornasetti.com

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Montblanc High Artistry Homage to Hannibal Barca Limited Edition 1 Celebrating the journey of military commander Hannibal Barca, who crossed the Alps in 218BC on elephants, the one-of-a-kind Montblanc High Artistry Homage to Hannibal Barca Limited Edition 1 features a combination of white gold and diamonds, contrasted with a full pave of blue sapphire and embellished with individual rows of carĂŠe cut individual diamonds. The elephant trunk clip is one of the most sophisticated ever conceived by the luxury Maison because all of the stones were individually cut and set by hand, which required months of meticulous craftsmanship. montblanc.com

Royal bespoke gold and silver coffee maker Considered the world’s most expensive coffee maker, each Royal is handmade using the finest Baccarat crystal plus silver, copper and 24K gold. They are designed for true connoisseurs who appreciate the intricacies of temperature, flow, and contact with boiling water that go into creating the perfect cup of coffee. Royal coffee makers are painstakingly designed to ensure perfection at every stage of the brewing process, and to seal in the important aromas and flavours that produce a cup of coffee unlike anything ever tasted before. royalcoffeemaker.com

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Showcasing the lifestyles of twenty private homes along the Bosphorus Strait, ‘Bosphorus Private’ is a book about the melding of two continents, countless creative influences, and millennia of history. These vibrant personalities each have a story to tell, something that tethers them to this enchanted slice of the world.

Host of Culture

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rom the ancient Greek, Roman, Persian, and Byzantine eras to the Ottoman Empire to the present day, the Bosphorus strait is a storied and scenic region of Turkey. As the crossroads of the country’s European and Asian subsections, it is home to rich culture, incredible people, delicious food, unique architecture, and unmistakable style.

Countless creatives have been awed and inspired here, including Tommy Hilfiger, Christian Louboutin, Nicky Haslam, and Cher. Turkish denizens and visitors

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alike are thrilled by the skyline, a breath-taking view of calming waters and magnificent bridges. But some of the best places to discover the style of the Bosphorus are within the private homes of its welcoming residents, who are always gracious and ready to entertain, and who know just the right balance of old and new to both pay homage to their country’s glorious past and herald its future. assouline.com

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01 01 Bosphorus Private 3D cover 02 Home of Berrak Barut

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Turkish denizens and visitors alike are thrilled by the skyline, a breath-taking view of calming waters and magnificent bridges.

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03 Home of Rahmi M. Koç 04 Home of Nevbahar Koç 05 Home of Belma Simavi 06 Home of Serdar Gülgün

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Masters of Visual Arts Exploring Ottoman contribution to Islamic calligraphy, Understanding Calligraphy: The Ottoman Contribution, from the Collection of Cengiz Çetindogan, contains rare works by leading Ottoman calligraphers dating from the fifteenth century to the twentieth. It marks the first publication by Turkish giant Demsa Group and will undoubtedly serve as a valuable resource for museums, collectors, and all those who appreciate the fine arts.

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ttoman calligraphy marks the pinnacle of the Islamic arts. Trained with strict discipline by apprenticeship to a master, calligraphers who attained the necessary level of accomplishment to receive their diploma possessed skills passed down from generation to generation. This was an art that was constantly evolving in the hands of talented masters and which continued to be held in the highest regard over the centuries. After the Turks settled in Anatolia they embraced the art of calligraphy and ever since the great achievements of the Ottoman calligrapher Seyh Hamdullah, Ottoman calligraphy has been marked by innovative development.

“Understanding Calligraphy: The Ottoman Contribution, from the Collection of Cengiz Çetindogan” has been written to demonstrate the contribution of Ottoman calligraphers to the art of calligraphy, illustrated by selected works from the calligraphy

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collection of Cengiz Çetindogan, which is one of the world’s foremost private calligraphy collections. Written in English by Dr. Nabil Fathi Safwat, an expert on the Islamic arts, the book examines the rare works that form this collection, arranged in accordance with the “genealogy” of the most outstanding Ottoman master calligraphers of the last 500 years. Works by masters ranging from Seyh Hamdullah to Hafiz Osman and Mustafa Rakim to Sami Efendi include Korans, cüz (Koran sections), prayer books, calligraphic albums, calligraphic compositions, exercises and hilyes (written descriptions of the Prophet Muhammed).

The lavishly illustrated text introduces readers to the subject, through the author’s informative explanations and commentary. This is a book that anyone interested in the art of calligraphy will enjoy. demsagroup.com

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01 Cover 02 Hafiz Osman Quran (inv.3781) 03 Sami Efendi inv.3376 04 Mahmud Celaleddin inv.3114

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Final Pearl

Final Pearl

The Formula 1 2018 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix

13th Spring of Culture

ormula 1’s favourite night race is back! Bahrain International Circuit will be hosting another brilliant spectacle under the desert stars as ‘The Home of Motorport in the Middle East’ will be front and centre once again on the international stage, with the Formula 1 2018 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix grabbing the global spotlight.

The Sakhir event will mark the second of 21 rounds on the 2018 FIA Formula 1 World Championship, following the season-opening meeting in Australia.

Motorsport’s elite will be lining up on the grid for another epic 57-lap battle, including superstar talents such as Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas, Sebastian Vettel, Kimi Raikkonen, Fernando Alonso, Daniel Ricciardo, Max Verstappen and so many more.

Aside from Formula 1, a number of international support series will also be taking to the tarmac; while a wide variety of off-track family entertainment will keep race-goers coming back for more throughout the three-day extravaganza.

The 2017 Bahrain Grand Prix saw a record crowd of 33,000 on race day and 93,000 over the weekend, with the Main Grandstand, Paddock Club and corporate boxes all sold out for the first time ever. Expect an even greater turnout in 2018 as the popularity of motorsport in the region, spearheaded by the Bahrain race, reaches an all-time high.

he 13th edition of the Spring of Culture Festival brings with it a treasure trove of surprises that cover the different interests and tastes of the culture and art audience. Hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain’s numerous cultural institutions, historical sites and landmarks, the festival’s wide variety of events, programs and activities continue to build bridges of cultural communication between Bahrain and the rest of the whole world.

This year’s edition of the festival is part of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities’ celebration of Muharraq, the Capital of Islamic Culture in 2018, in which it highlights the deep-rooted heritage and traditions of this ancient city.

The festival kicked off in conjunction with Arab Tourism Day, an initiative which was adopted when Manama was the 2013 Capital of Arab Tourism to mark the anniversary of the birth of the Arab traveler Ibn Battuta. Among the Bahraini, Arab and international foreign artists performing are Abdullah Al Rowaished, Nabil Shuail and Ragheb Alama, as well as international stars Rita Ora and James Arthur, and local band Likwid & Friends.

All of this in addition to the festival’s typical bustling schedule of workshops that focus on nurturing and fostering budding talents in a variety of cultural disciplines.

bahraingp.com

springofculture.org

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