BADR JAFAR
Leading by Example
BOLD Bespoke Designs takes you through a luxury tour
First Glimpse of
BENTLEY SUV
MEN’S ISSUE
RICARDO SCIUTO LUCA CAPRAI XAVIER DE ROYERE ROJA DOVE 1 .
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The ultimate power play. Mulsanne. Fuel economy figures for the Mulsanne in mpg (l/100km): Urban 10.9 (25.9); Extra Urban 23.7 (11.9); Combined 16.6 (17.0); CO2 Emissions (g/km): 396.
BENTLEY EMIRATES - Al Habtoor Royal Car, Tel: 02 - 222 2445, Fax: 02 222 2554 www.bentleymotors.com, Al Habtoor Motors, Tel: 04 - 294 4492, Fax: 04 - 294 4422, Bentley Marina Boutique, Tel: 04 - 447 5365 www.habtoormotors.com The name ‘Bentley’ and the ‘B’ in wings device are registered trademarks. © 2013 Bentley Motors Limited.
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Elegance is an attitude Aishwarya Rai
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www.etro.com
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EDITOR’S LETTER
Dear Readers, Here’s wishing you all a very prosperous new year. This New Year has brought with it a new wave of thought and passion. It has just been a month and we are already filled in with the plans of various high end brands and organizations for the entire year. From collaborations to launches, the world of business seems to be blooming this year. While our editorial team was busy compiling the news articles, we came across one prominent feature – successful businessmen. Right from planning exclusive ventures and professional alliances to designing leading hotels and resorts, men have been leading the market since time immemorial. Hence we proudly dedicate this issue to successful men, their challenging roles, their success stories and their personal life. Furthermore, this year we plan to carve a niche for ourselves by focusing on providing you with an insight into the luxurious lives of various personalities and prominent socialites based on their personal experiences. In this issue, we have Mr Badr Jafar unleashing his personality by talking about his journey to success and his personal life. We also have some esteemed personalities like the General Manager of Hogan- Mr Riccardo Scruitto, the CEO and founder of the elegant brand Cruciani - Mr Luca Caprai and the CEO of the opulent Maison Corthay – Mr Xavier De Royere. Through this initiative, we intend to present a closer look into their lives and form a connection between you and them. We, thus, sincerely hope to inspire many more upcoming people through the same. Happy Reading! Aline M. Fakhry
Member
Issue 18 Spring 2014 UAE MEDIA CAPITAL
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ART & CREATIVE DIRECTOR Galia Dirany galia@galiadirany.com MARKETING MANAGER Ese Sakpa SALES EXECUTIVE Souad Rizkallah
MANAGING DIRECTOR Wissam M. Itany
PR MANAGER Shavrat Khalid
EDITOR Sherine Deeb M.Al Rahi Sara Sharief Diksha Vohra
PHOTOGRAPHER Charbel Khayrallah ACCOUNT MANAGER Tony Fakhry
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FEATURES CONTENTS
Luxury Piaget Altiplano 38mm 900p de Grisogono Allegra Collection de Grisogono the new Allegra bracelet collection Luxury brands celebrate the year of the horse
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Cover Topic Badr Jafar: Leading by example
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EXPLORE THE PLEASURES OF LIFE SURROUNDED BY TRUE LUXURY
Discover the Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club, a unique destination where polo players and fans can gather together in a world-class venue, designed to showcase the finest the sport has to offer. Hundreds of fans will be on hand to celebrate the Polo Season which will feature a series of renowned polo tournaments attracting the finest players. What’s more, the club is also ideal for private parties, special events and corporate sponsorships. Ideally situated opposite the Arabian Ranches, the club presents the ultimate lifestyle destination, whether it’s for horse riding, relaxing or dining. • 68 acres of majestic desert landscape • 336 stables • International standard polo fields • Show jumping and dressage arenas • Swimming pool, gym, fitness classes and a spa • Exceptional restaurants and lounges For more information, please contact: Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club | P.O.Box 7477, Dubai, U.A.E. Tel. +971 4 361 8111 | Fax +971 4 361 7111 | Email info@poloclubdubai.com
Become a fan to get information on the latest news and upcoming events. Follow us on twitter 19 .
FEATURES CONTENTS
Men’s Issue Ricardo Sciuto: General Manager, Hogan Luca Caprai: Founder of Cruciani Xavier de Royere: exemplifying perfection Roja Dove: the Scent of Luxury Exotic Limos: Living in Style
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Timepieces & Horology The Longines: column-wheel single pushpiece chronograph heritage and tradition La Monasque de Roger Dubuis
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Luxury Automobiles First Glimpse of Bentley SUV
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PORSCHE DESIGN eyewear
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FEATURES CONTENTS
Luxury Living Bold Bespoke Designs TimeOut Xclusives Yachts: adding Miaora 78 ft Luxury Yacht in their fleet optionsv The style that makes you an Icon
Capital Club Celebrating modern middle eastern culinary flair at the capital club Michelin star chef Greg Malouf delights Dubai’s food lovers
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Billionaire’s Life Billionaire Check-Out
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Passport To Luxury
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Luxury Tour Luxury Brands make resurgence with hotel alliances Luxury Undergrounds Shanghai builds a luxury hotel groundscraper
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FEATURES CONTENTS
Business & Finance Top 10 most influential PR people in the world
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Luxury Fashion & Beauty Level Shoe District
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Gastronomy Aspen by Kempenski: accentuating the taste of fine dining Chef Ernesto Tonetto Cavali Club
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aLtipLano 38mm 900p when the woRLd’s thinnest mechanicaL watch meRGes the caLiBRe with its case . 26
COMING SOON
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either entirely a movement nor exactly a case – or rather both at once: introducing the Altiplano 38 mm 900P, the world’s thinnest mechanical watch. Merging the hand-wound calibre with the case elements, it is designed as a single entity in order to achieve record-breaking slenderness at just 3.65 mm thin. Representing a crowning achievement in over half a century of virtuoso skills displayed in the realm of ultra-thin watchmaking where Piaget reigns supreme, it conveys the excellence of the two integrated Manufactures run by the Maison. Places where the skills of the watchmakers, case constructors and designers converge in giving life to this masterpiece of reliability and precision. 2014 is a vintage year for Piaget! The Maison is celebrating its 140th anniversary and marks the occasion by launching a model that is set to defy the conventions of ultra-thin Fine Watchmaking for many years to come: the Altiplano 38 mm 900P. While clearly geared towards cutting-edge innovation, it is also a nod to history, since it gets the 900P part of its name from Calibre 9P, which was the first ultrathin hand-wound movement made by Piaget in 1957. That particular mechanism measured just 2 mm thin and sealed Piaget’s destiny in the field of ultra-thin horology. By 1960, Piaget was ready to set a first record with its Calibre 12P, the world’s thinnest automatic movement at just 2.3 mm. The following years witnessed a spate of new slimness records in the fields of hand-wound and automatic models, with or without horological complications – like Calibre 600P, the world’s thinnest hand-wound shaped tourbillon movement; and 1208P, an automatic movement that is also the thinnest in its category, to mention just a couple of these feats.
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LUXURY
de GRisoGono aLLeGRa coLLection ReJoicinG the passinG of time . 30
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egend has it that Beethoven cried with joy while composing the Ode to Joy in his Ninth Symphony, played almost entirely in allegro. Fawaz Gruosi is too reserved by nature to admit to tears of joy, but he must have had similar feelings ten years ago when he created his Allegra collection and dedicated it to his daughter, Allegra. He had created his own Ode to Joy – an ode to his daughter’s joie de vivre, the joyfulness of youth, a homage to the magic of jewellery, with its light-filled vibrancy; it captured and held the light of life. The father has matured, and the daughter has grown up. Ten years have gone by, and their bond is more evident than ever: their eyes shine when they smile at each other, whether the tempo is allegro maestoso or allegro energico. For Fawaz Gruosi time has taken on a new meaning as he watches his daughter grow into a young woman. So much so, that he has decided to dedicate a watch to Allegra. A lucky charm from a father whose waking dreams, days, and nights are filled with scintillating gemstones and dazzling colours. Allegra, turning the passage of time into joy. Allegra, a father’s pride and joy, and a dream-like jewel.
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de Grisogono
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‘Spontaneous Luster. High energy, high style’
The New Allegra Bracelet Collection Enter the world of infinite spirals and colorful rainbows. Diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, tsavorites create spontaneous swirls of light and luster, like the leaping flames of a bonfire, high-energy, high style. The Allegra Bracelet shares a woman’s most treasured moments, a cool and relaxed day or an intimate candlelight dinner. These precious and unforgettable memories belong to her and her Allegra Bracelet. Named after the eldest daughter of Fawaz Gruosi, the new Allegra Bracelet Collection comes in pink and white gold, with a leather band offered in a variety of 10 colors.
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LUXURY
Luxury brands celebrate the
Year of the Horse
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The Chinese New Year on January 31st introduced to the world, the Year of the Horse. According to Chinese astrologers, 2014 is the year of the Wood Horse. Hence, this year will witness a lot of royal colors and objects relating to metal, fire or wood as they are auspicious for the same. Taking inspiration from this trend, Luxury brands worldwide have developed and produced a special collection dedicated to the Year of the Horse, marking a new era in the history of the luxury industry. Special care has been taken while designing these selective collections in order to portray the cultural values and beliefs of the Chinese by using vibrant colors and the Chinese horse in a lot of their designs. Elegante’ takes a look at the most prominent ones: Diksha Vohra
Gucci
The Chinese Year of the Horse seems to have bestowed its luck on Gucci as their latest Capsule Collections looks all the more glamorous. Their collection features the classic and very popular Bright Bit handbag, shoulder bag and a clutch. Showing Gucci’s long relationship with the world of horses, Gucci kept the horse bit hardware, which is used in many of its collections rather than creating new horse motifs for the Chinese New Year collection. Adorned by a brass palette bearing ‘China Exclusive’, the fine combination of the bright red and gold, which represent prosperity, luck and success, are not only enhancing the overall appeal but also add a flavor of luxury to the entire collection.
DKNY
The love of New Yorkers’ DKNY has also dedicated an entire collection for their esteemed Chinese clients and those who want to celebrate the same. Their collection includes T-Shirt dresses, silky baseball shirts, red handbags and red lacy dresses embodying the casual luxe. The embroidered horse design adds to the style and prestige of the collection. Through this fusion collection, DKNY has managed to bridge the gap between culture and trend.
Carolina Herrera
Famous designer Carolina Herrera designed something exclusive too for the ongoing festivities. Her special edition Matryoshka bag has been recently launched. Decorated with a suave red and shiny gold, the bag is one of its kind reflecting true class and elegance.
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Chopard
Chopard, a well known luxury brand, have also crafted Year of the Horse timepieces. This elegant timepiece collection has used the famous Urushi method of lacquer art, hence proudly called the Urushi series. The Chopard year of the horse timepiece is created using gold foil and mother-of-pearl and a black alligator leather strap, giving the timepiece a lustrous yet pleasing to the eye look.
Vacheron Constantin
Vacheron Constantin, a Swiss watchmaker known for producing high end designer collection of watches, has launched two limited edition watches featuring bamboo and horse, symbolizing lively and independent spirits. Inspired by the art of paper cutting or Jianzhi, the timepieces are crafted in a soothing pink gold or platinum. This is emulated with enameling and hand-engraving works on the dial.
Moleski and Shanghai Tang
After collaborating for the snake themed collection dedicated to the Year of the Water Snake last year, Moleskin and Shanghai tang seem to be recreating history by designing a special collection of Horse Themed Notebooks. The exclusive books feature a horse in the form of a Tangram, a seven piece puzzle invented during the Song dynasty and Feng Shui based calendars. . 36
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LUXURY
Rolls Royce
Rolls Royce, the name which makes millions in minutes, announced its Majestic Horse Collection which is a limited production of Rolls Royce Ghosts that fuses the interpretation of the horse in traditional Chinese art. Prevalent in Chinese ink paintings, horses are considered highly intelligent and loyal animals. Rolls-Royce aims to capture that with a warhorseinspired motif, in the form of handcrafted marquetry to the glovebox and dashboard, as well as embroidery to the headrest and cushions. The exterior of the sedan is also finished with the auspicious horse motif, handapplied to the twin coach lines.
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COVER TOPIC
BADR JAFAR Leading by Example Born and growing up in the UAE’s northern emirate of Sharjah, Badr Jafar showed early signs of outstanding entrepreneurial prowess. In addition to graduating with a Master’s Degree in Engineering and Business from Cambridge University, he was honored with the Harvard Book Prize which is presented to individuals who display excellence in scholarship and high character. He went on to founding and developing his own profitable fashion business in Europe and the Far East at the age of 21, before focusing his energy on the Middle East, becoming one of the youngest Oil & Gas executives in the Region. His recognition in the energy sector was further emphasized when at the age of 29 he was bestowed the title of ‘Young CEO of the Year’ by the Middle East Awards, and ‘Energy CEO of the Year’ the following year. His appetite for entrepreneurship seems to have no boundaries, from leading business development as President of his family petroleum business to founding a variety of endeavors focusing on social impact: The Global Gumbo Group, founded with legendary music producer Quincy Jones, the Middle East Theatre Academy, founded with two-time Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey, and the non-profit Pearl Initiative in partnership with the United Nations Office of Partnerships are just some of the creative ventures embarked upon by the young and ambitious business leader. Elegante had the pleasure to discuss the background to his success on such a global scale. Sara Shareif
Can you give us some background on the family business? The Crescent Group has been operating out of the UAE as family business group for over 42 years. The Group comprises two main companies: Crescent Petroleum and Crescent Enterprises. Crescent Petroleum is the first regional, independent, privatelyowned petroleum company in the Middle East and engages in the acquisition, exploration and development of petroleum concessions, and the production and sale of crude oil, petroleum products and natural gas. The company has held concessions in Argentina, Canada, Egypt, France, Pakistan, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen and Yugoslavia. However, its current focus is on energy opportunities in the Middle East, specifically within the Gulf region, as well as North Africa. Crescent Enterprises, which is the non-energy arm of the Group, is a conglomerate operating across eight core sectors of the global economy, with an international presence in 22 countries and employment over 6,000 people through its 20 subsidiaries. Crescent Enterprises is currently active in Ports and Logistics,
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Power and Engineering, Aviation, Healthcare, Media and Entertainment, Real Estate and Construction, IT Commerce, and Private Equity. What is Crescent Petroleum’s mission and how do you differentiate it from other oil companies in the same market? Competition for access to the best prospective resources, people and equipment is indeed intense, especially when one must always balance such competition with the need to maintain the highest standards of safety and social and environmental responsibility. As an independent oil and gas company, Crescent Petroleum has a competitive advantage in that we are able to think innovatively, adapt to market changes and act quickly. As such we provide an invaluable complement to the larger state-owned oil companies that dominate much of the world’s resources. Independents do not compete with these national oil companies (NOC’s), rather we work alongside them by filling in the market spaces and needs of
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countries, particularly at exploration stages. At Crescent Petroleum we continue to aggressively invest in exploration as the lifeblood of our industry and pursue innovative partnerships to secure access to new prospective resources and maximize the economic benefit to the countries in which it operates by fast tracking development; proving up new resources and commercializing them in a fast, cost efficient manner while ensuring that maintaining safe operations remains paramount at all times. How are business groups such as the Crescent Group affected by the economic and political crisis? As a private sector entity, how do you overcome these current challenges? A Group which is diversified in its range of products and services is better designed to survive crisis, whether economic or political. Crescent Enterprises has allowed the Crescent Group to diversify out of petroleum and to achieve a broad spectrum within global markets, and is growing by the year as we look to explore other sectors and territories. Although Crescent Enterprises was created in 2007, many of the assets and intrinsic knowledge within the company was developed much before this. As CEO, I wanted to create an entity which was responsible for diversification into different industry verticals and done so in a synergistic manner, adding value to the whole group wherever possible. The Group also looks for synergies with other territories. For example Gulftainer, a subsidiary of Crescent Enterprises and currently the world’s largest privately-held ports operator, has in the past 3 years expanded its operations outside the UAE into Russia, Brazil, Turkey and Saudi Arabia. As a result, and during the last six years through the worst recession in living memory, Gulftainer has grown by 15 percent year-on-year. Here’s an example of how you can survive and flourish, in spite of challenging circumstances.
Tell us about the achievements of the Pearl Initiative so far, and its aims moving forward? The Pearl Initiative was founded in 2010 in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Partnerships, as a Gulf-based, private sector-led; not-for-profit organization set up to foster a corporate culture of transparency and accountability in the Arab world. To date, 78 companies from across the region have joined us in our efforts and the Pearl Initiative has held interactive roundtables throughout the Gulf region on anti-corruption, corporate governance, ethics and integrity, and integrated reporting, involving over 700 business leaders and 2000 university students in the dialogue forums. Our aim was and still is, to create an environment in which current and future business leaders see corporate accountability and transparency as key pillars of business success. Through collaborative stakeholder engagement and joint corporate action, the Pearl Initiative will continue to have a positive impact on the business environment and foster competitive economic growth, sustainable social development and job creation.
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How important is corporate governance to any company operating in this part of the world? Do you think that good corporate governance is critical to the growth and success of businesses in emerging economies? I would argue that creating a culture of good corporate governance, accountability, transparency and a sense of strong business ethics is vital to any company regardless of whether it is in the private or public sector. A strong and robust corporate governance model will have a positive impact on businesses in emerging economies for a number of reasons. Primarily though, if companies in this region are to compete successfully with those outside of the region, then we have to level the playing field which requires us to adopt the same standards. Robust corporate governance is also critical when competing for international capital. By demonstrating strong systems for accountability, transparency and a strong Board, then capital will be more accessible, and on more favorable terms.
“Crescent is always looking for opportunities to assist and partner with the MENA region’s governments and leading state companies based on a close working partnership model”
What do you think Arab Youth need the most in terms of education? The Arab World is facing an unemployment crisis. It has been calculated that 150 million jobs need to be created over the next 20 years, which is more jobs than we’ve created in the last century. There are two ways to help combat this rising epidemic: Firstly, there is a widening gap between the economic opportunities that are available to many people across the region and the perceived opportunities that are available in other parts of the world. Too many youth are entering the workforce with qualifications which are not suited to today’s employment market. We need to educate the youth for employment. I am involved in an organization called Education for Employment, as a member of their Global Board, set up to empower youth with the skills and opportunities they need to build promising careers, which will benefit themselves, their communities and the world in turn. Alongside this, job creation is imperative. We know that small and medium sized enterprises (SME’s) employ 70% of the global workforce, yet SME’s in the Arab World make up less than 15% of the economy, compared to an average of 80% in most developed markets. It is therefore critical for a stakeholder approach to encourage entrepreneurship, thereby boosting our number of SMEs and in-turn employment levels.
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COVER TOPIC
“For years Quincy and I have discussed the musical cultural divide between East and West in spite of the promising talent you can find on a global scale.”
Could you tell us more about working with Quincy Jones? How did you get involved and what were your motives? For years Quincy and I have discussed the musical cultural divide between East and West in spite of the promising talent you can find on a global scale. We wanted to offer a platform to Arab musicians and talented artists to enable them to share their skills with each other and the world. Consequently, we set up Global Gumbo Group, the first of its kind cross-cultural music and Entertainment Company based out of Dubai and Los Angeles. Our first project was the Tomorrow-Bokra charity music project, an Arabic re-adaptation of Quincy Jones’ Grammy-award winning song entitled ‘Tomorrow (A Better You, A Better Me), which featured 24 Arab, stars from 16 nations across the Middle East and North Africa. It instantly hit the top of the music charts for both International and Arabic music across the Middle East, staying at #1 for 5 consecutive weeks, becoming the fastest viewed
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Arabic music video on YouTube with more than 8 million hits to-date. Funds raised as part of the single’s global distribution are being used to finance educational programs in music, arts and culture for children from across the Arab world. Tell us more about your interest in theatre and partnering with Kevin Spacey? Just as with music and the resulting Global Gumbo Group initiative, I noted a cultural divide in drama and theatre between the East and West. Together with Kevin Spacey, I founded the Middle East Theatre Academy with the aim of “bringing theatre to the Middle East” and introducing the youth in the region to the art of theatre and stage performance. This non-profit Academy is a first-of-its-kind in the Middle East, and using existing theatre and staging facilities throughout the region to offer a range of creative opportunities for emerging artists across the region, including workshops, master classes and
special events led by industry professionals in all aspects of theatre and stagecraft: performance, directing, writing, producing, stage management, lighting, set design, costumes, make-up and so on. The Academy focuses particularly on motivating children and teenagers who would benefit from rebuilding lost confidence or developing their self-assurance to reach their full potential in all facets of their lives. In many cases the benefits will be two-fold: tapping undiscovered regional talent in the creative arts, while simultaneously promoting Middle East content on international stages, such as on Broadway in New York and the West End in London.
In March 2011, you were named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. How do you advise fostering an entrepreneurial culture among the region’s youth? What is required for achieving this goal? Encouraging entrepreneurship in the region must be a major priority as it not only helps to combat unemployment, but creates value for the economy, allowing emerging markets to mature and become more competitive. Creating hundreds of millions of new jobs we need is virtually impossible without investing in entrepreneurship and its solutions. Entrepreneurship is a tool that creates new wealth and empowers communities economically. Creating an ecosystem of entrepreneurship involves every stakeholder in society, from the home to the school to government to the business community. Public-private partnerships have proven that transfer of skills and knowledge to youth can be systematic, institutionalized and successful when led by the private sector and enabled by the public sector.
You wear many hats and you’re actively involved in charity work… you are a successful businessman at such a young age. How do you do it? I come from a diverse family background in what my father and forefathers did. I always say that my father Hamid Jafar taught me everything I know, but he hasn’t yet taught me everything that he knows! One very important thing he taught me is never to accept things for what they seem; always question. Use your common sense and initiative to identify the opportunity. That’s what I’ve taken with me throughout my entrepreneurial career so far. I am interested in creative capitalism; how real financial value can be created but also interested in the triple bottom line with the social and, wherever possible, the environmental return. As a very proud Arab, and in order to propagate that way of thinking with our next generation of business leaders in Arab World, I continue to work with organizations such as Ashoka, Synergos and the Schwab Foundation for Social Enterprise to educate as well as nurture our young social innovators across the Region, and in particular our women who are a huge untapped resource in the whole Arab World. Giving back is an absolutely essential part of my ethos, and the lessons by which I was brought up. No one has ever become poor by giving, and it is also not how much we give but how much love we put into giving that shows real results.
Considering the market is already dominated by some major successful industries, what inspires you to venture into new projects? Even in more developed countries, there is always scope for new ideas and innovative endeavors. This is even more so the case in the Middle East; we have so much potential that has not yet been explored and considering the impending unemployment crisis we are facing, which I referred to earlier, we need to promote entrepreneurship within the region in order to encourage job creation and make the economy more sustainable. However, we must also shift our focus on business from solely financial profitability to a more overarching and holistic approach. When investing, we need to triplicate our focus to profit, people and planet, the 3Ps, a triple bottom line approach. This is social entrepreneurship and re-defines what it means to be successful in business. If your business model really satisfies the base of your economic pyramid, then you will find that your business model ends up being more sustainable, scalable and robust to economic fluctuations. What are the three most important ingredients for a successful business? Profitability with purpose and passion, of course! Where do you draw your inspiration from and who is your role model? To be honest, the men and women throughout history who have demonstrated tremendous capabilities and skills are in a multitude of disciplines. These include people like Leonardo Da Vinci, who was an artist, architect, musician, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, geologist, cartographer, botanist, and writer. Benjamin Franklin is another who comes to mind. My grandfather Dhia Jafar was also a successful politician, engineer, writer as well as artist and a family man. These individuals throughout history inspire me to never limit my activities to what I might feel I am good at or used to, and to constantly push myself to learn new skills. What was your most favorite vacation destination ever? I chair the UAE Chapter of the Young President’s Organization. In 2000, a group of us went to Antarctica. That must be one of the most incredible places I’ve ever been to, and not somewhere I will probably get the chance to go to again in my lifetime! When you have a chance to relax, what do you do? I used to study an ancient Indian philosophy of life, called Vedanta. One of the tenets of this philosophy is that intense work is rest, and so to be honest I always strive to keep myself busy, whether it is a for profit, non-profit or purely social activity. I also try and do something once a year that takes me completely out of my comfort zone, such as climbing a small mountain or a deep dive in the ocean – it is good for the soul to keep challenging oneself mentally and physically.
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MEN’S ISSUE
RICARDO SCIUTO General Manager, Hogan Revealing the story behind his success, his secrets and his opulent lifestyle ‘Like what you do and do what you like, that too in style’, is the perspective with which many of us want to live our life. However, only a few follow their dreams and enjoy a lifestyle that justifies the same. Riccardo Sciutto is one of the few whose passion for his work drives him to the top against all odds. From Calvin Kline to Hogan, perfectionism is what he is known for. He is the General Manager of Hogan, an exclusive Italian brand known for their classical yet modern touch in shoes, handbags and readymade clothes for both men and women. Elegante’ met with him to provide you an insight into his personal life, his work and above all, his passion for luxury. Aline M. Fakhry
How do you find Dubai? Is it your first time here? No, certainly not my first time. I have come here 10 years ago and I find a lot of change in this country. Dubai is a very fast and vibrant country. Here promises are made today and delivered tomorrow. One of the best things about this place is that it is so multicultural. You can find the best of brands from any corner of the world anytime. You only need to desire something and you have it.
“Uniqueness is what I look for. If I am buying something which gives me a good experience and lasts forever, which makes me happy, I would buy it.” We are now competing with business hubs like New York and Europe now. In comparison to Far East markets, considering you have dealt with them previously, how do you find Middle East markets? I love Middle East. The diversity in cultures, thoughts, views and business styles are different and inspiring at the same time. However, the focus for businessmen has shifted a great deal towards China as there has been an increase in the elite population there recently.
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Certainly! The world, lately, has witnessed Far East markets, particularly China, booming with Luxury and Fashion products. What are the various challenges you face while dealing with such diverse markets? Well, across the world people grow in two respects – Economy and Culture. China too has witnessed growth in the same, and they deserve what they have got too. There is a lot of difference between China and Middle East. The Chinese really value and preserve their culture and values. They are relatively closer to their tradition than other countries. The culture of travelling has been in China since time immemorial. However, as time is progressing, China is trying to arrive at the same level of luxury that other countries enjoy. Furthermore, Middle East’s proximity to Europe is like a boon in disguise. They, hence, have easy access to fashion changes, latest technology, innovative ideas and much more. In addition to this, their cultural diversity provides them with the knowledge and instinct of when to take the right step. Hence in terms of markets for Luxury products, Middle East is more established. We also witness a culture difference between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Abu Dhabi is more family oriented and cultured compared to Dubai which is more commercial and vivacious.
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As far as hosting international events is concerned, what do you prefer – Abu Dhabi or Dubai? Both emirates have their own advantages. There are a lot of hospitals and museums now been built in Abu Dhabi and their focus is more on restoring their art and culture. Whereas in Dubai, there is much more energy complementing the huge market and structures beautifully. Hence, everyone is different and we love the difference. I, however, feel that we should all digest the difference. Sometimes, brands want to be straightforward in their approach. They expect the country to follow their trends instead of adapting to theirs. I do not support this ideology considering a part of the brand is also the experience of customs it brings along with it.
So this means you have a special range of products particularly catering to the Middle East? What is the era of Hogan in Middle East? We have two divisions – men and women. The products relating to men are more casual business oriented like formal shoes which are slightly light. They look very good and are comfortable for a long day’s work, which is what men look for mostly. Women, however, have the luxury to experiment different things. We make sure that our products do not exhibit nudity but they look glamorous and beautiful always.
Looking at your collection, I perceive you don’t have a section for high heels. We certainly do. Our latest collection includes sneakers with high heels. It is something you can wear all day comfortably, yet look stunning. 25 years ago, we were the ones to add sneakers to our brand. So we decided to bring the old fashion back. With fashion changing with every season, regular people want to be more modern today, and we offer a luxury brand which can satisfy these needs. Our products are very classical but not classical. Hogan is quite fashion sensitive. Are you looking forward to anymore expansions either in the Middle East or anywhere else? We are in talks with the Shaloob Group. Our next venture would hopefully be in Saudi Arabia – Riyadh and Jeddah. Kuwait is definitely next on our target list followed by another store in Abu Dhabi. We are also looking at doubling our production process in Dubai.
What do you like most about Dubai? I love Dubai. This place is like a rejuvenation centre for me where I can come to take a break, relax, have fun and recharge myself completely. I also admire the international worth in this country and the energy it exhibits. How would you define Luxury? Luxury for me is time. You need ample amount of time to buy products you like. So if you purchase something that is either priceless or timeless, which remains with you forever and yet doesn’t get old enough, that is luxury for me. Also a personalized and tailored product or service means luxury to me. For me, value isn’t defined by money; it is defined by the experience it brings to me. So for you luxury is only about experience and not price? Honestly, price doesn’t matter to me. Uniqueness is what I look for. If I am buying something which gives me a good experience and lasts forever, which makes me happy, I would buy it. What are your likings or things you are fond of buying? Undoubtedly, it has to be gadgets. My friends call me a gadget man. I may perhaps use a latest, technologically advanced gadget just once, but I still need to purchase it. Apart from gadgets, I like purchasing watches. Previously I was very fond of cars. I would get a brand new car every two to three months. Among cars, I was fond of Ferrari, Q5, Q7 and like. I am not a big fan of motorcars, however, I do like motorbikes. Even in motorbikes, I look for comfort more than speed limits. How would you envisage a leisure day for yourself ? For me leisure is discovering something new. I look at myself in the mirror every morning and I see the desire to do something new each day, and I do it. I thrive on challenges, they boost me. Not meeting new people is like a disaster for me. I can live like this forever by getting physically tired daily, but if I am not mentally tired, I am not comfortable.
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LUCA CAPRAI Founder of Cruciani
In today’s world of fashion and luxury, where most get to witness reformed versions of previously made designs, there are some who pledge to carry their family tradition of presenting elegant designer clothing and accessories reflecting their superior culture, beliefs, pride and love. Luca Caprai is one such entrepreneur, whose culture and passion to present the best is explicitly depicted in all products of the Cruciani brand. Since everybody knows the brand, we at Elegante’ got an opportunity to discover the person behind it all, his passion, personality, likings and much more. Diksha Vohra
From your home town - Italy, to a happening destination – Dubai, how has the journey been? The journey has been quite interesting and luckily for Cruciani, the journey has been quite promising. I came to Dubai in September – October 2009 which was when the financial crisis had just hit UAE. At that time everyone around me was quite skeptical about investments considering the sudden downfall in the market. I, however, was quite convinced that this market will boom very soon. Hence I invested in this country and I am happy with the way Cruciani is progressing here. How different is the market in UAE compared to other markets you have dealt with? The UAE market is one of the top six international markets in the world. This speaks for itself on how different the market would be. People over here are very sensitive to fashion changes and quality variations, particularly the Arabian women. The American woman knows a bit about fashion but not everything unlike women here. The contributing fact to this difference is that outside; people invest in luxury fashion only for special events and occasions. On the contrary, the social life in UAE is more vibrant and demanding hence women invest in fashion more often.
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“Perfection is my style and that does not change, neither for my job nor for my life”
Your Hand of Fatima design has been created especially for people in Dubai. What inspired you to do so? Are you planning to launch any other designs for the Middle East? The inspiration behind it was the culture of the Arab world. I love the culture and I was asked to design an amulet for them and hence my team designed the Hand of Fatima. I introduced it in Dubai and then in Japan and other countries worldwide. It has certainly been among our most popular pieces mostly because of the rich culture and heritage it depicts through its fine craftsmanship. We also launched the ‘CrucianiC Evil Eye’ amulet in December which is personally my favorite. We are also planning to launch a collection of Cruciani main line Crocodile bags in different colors in February 2014. We have worked very hard and uniquely designed something fresh for our clients.
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With Paris Hilton, Beyonce and many others wearing your exclusive bracelets on various occasions, how does it feel? This is a very critical point and definitely it feels good to know that 1,300 celebrities are wearing our brand across the globe. However, this encourages us to put more effort and energy into providing something different, elegant and unique every time to our esteemed clients. The celebrities, VIPs, VVIPs and others are taking pride in purchasing our bracelets which is certainly unbelievable. But now we need to invest more time and effort in studying innovation and producing more to increase our celebrity count to 2400 and beyond. Our clients are very special to us and we love taking care of their needs and providing something they would like and cherish forever. Managing a huge brand in such a diverse and distinct market is quite tough. What is the biggest challenge you have faced so far in UAE? According to me, the biggest challenge in the entire world and especially in Dubai is producing the best quality of bags. In the Middle East, people are excessively conscious when it comes to fashion in bags. For example, Chanel has a huge market hold in Dubai because I see a lot of people carrying their handbags. Entering such a tight market has been hard but we have successfully launched our bags here and they are doing very well. Our bags are 100% leather of the finest quality and in different colors. Our accessories are made of brass but given a gold plating to make them look more rich and elegant. This is our distinguishing factor and this is how we take care of minute peculiarities to meet the needs of our clients.
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How would you define luxury? Luxury for me is two sided – real luxury and lifestyle luxury. Luxury can be buying exclusive luxury products or having a lifestyle revolving around it. Unfortunately, today people confuse luxury with a strange fashion sense. Hence, for me luxury is high class and nothing but that. Who is your favorite designer? Whom do you take inspiration from? My all time favorite has been Mr. Alexander McQueen. Unfortunately he passed away a few years ago and we really miss him. He produced some of the finest quality designs which can never the replicated. In my opinion, he is a real genius. A more contemporary favorite of mine is certainly Ms Abe who is the co-owner of Sacai, a fashion brand. I absolutely love her work. In fact I had even offered her to join my team but due to certain issues, the deal never materialized. The brand is really strong and just gorgeous. Is there something you are passionate about purchasing? What is your must-buy product? I am a fanatic when it comes to purchasing quality products. I like everything which is good. Be it an accessory, a jacket or a bracelet, for me the size or brand does not matter when I come across a good product. I am, however, obsessed with latest technological gadgets. When iPhone 5S came out, I purchased 5 – 6 of them at a stretch. Even though I only use the phone call, messaging and email feature in them, I still love to collect them. My four
year old son has developed enough skills to browse through my 100 inch television which is highly complex but I do not know. I have probably used Skype five times in my entire life but I still love to purchase the latest gadget. I have 25 pieces of hands free Bluetooth but I haven’t even once used any.
People think cashmere is warm. Is it so? What kind of quality of cashmere does Cruciani produce? Firstly I would like to bring to your notice that different qualities of cashmere are available throughout. I like cashmere because it is really soft. A common myth is that cashmere is warm which is undoubtedly wrong. A pile of synthetic clothes or even wool is warmer than cashmere. It is warm but not the warmest. Cashmere is soft and natural which makes it stand out among all other types of fibers. We purchase the finest quality of Cashmere especially from China and Mongolia. Our cashmere is the softest, the finest, the whitest and the longest surviving. It is eight times more expensive than the lowest quality of cashmere but since Cruciani is committed to produce the best, we have to purchase the best too.
Have you designed anything for Cruciani yourself ? This is like a huge disclosure. I manage huge projects of a designer fashion brand but I cannot draw a single circle around a glass too. For me it is impossible to design something but I have a very talented team who has pioneered this art. When I have an idea or a thought, I convey it to my designer who takes care of the rest.
The idea is mine but the effort is theirs which is why I insist on team work every time. Once the design is prepared, I approve or decline it accordingly. If I like it, I approve it and if I don’t, I ask my team to improve the design. Either way I do not compromise on quality under any circumstance. My style is the same, be it my job or my life.
Tell us something about your latest collection of main line Cruciani Crocodile Bags which you are launching this month. Yes of course. We are launching the latest collection of crocodile bags. They are expensive but they are all worth the investment. We have different colors in this collection, the blue one being my favorite. These bags would fit any occasion. Each of these has a different style and these bags are especially for our clients in the Middle East.
You have recently joined the Capital Club. How has your experience been with them so far? I am really enjoying being associated with the capital club. In Italy, the concept of a club is not as advanced as it is here. The facilities present in the capital club for leisure and work like spa, meeting rooms, dining areas and coffee lounges is very exclusive and beautiful. Such a thing is almost unimaginable in Italy. I am a very new member of the Capital Club, maybe even less than a year but I assure you that I will be a member with them for the longest time.
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Xavier De Royere Exemplifying
Perfection Establishing your luxury brand across continents, yet managing to maintain the brand image reflecting superior quality, fine craftsmanship and exemplary couture is a challenge in itself. However, having worked with Louis Vuitton, the experience and passion that Mr Xavier De Royere carries with himself has helped him establish one of the leading brands among bespoke designer shoes, Maison Corthay in Dubai. Elegante’s team interacted with him and is now providing you with a glimpse into his simple yet inspiring lifestyle and the brand. Diksha Vohra
How has your journey been so far with Maison Corthay? Eventful! It’s going to be four years since I joined Maison Corthay. It has been a lot of work and definitely some credible fun. I only have fond memories to count. Maison Corthay is established in France, London, San Francisco and finally Dubai. How do you compare and contrast the western markets with the Middle Eastern markets? There are a lot of similarities between these two markets. For example, your iconic products that sell well at one place, usually sell well everywhere. The general need of the customer is to invest in good quality throughout and this is the case for most brands in the luxury industry. This similarity is actually the point of convergence between these two distinct cultures. Another point of similarity is that customers today learn very quickly and the pace has certainly accelerated with the growth of internet and press in these years. Since we get customers from all over
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the world in Dubai, because of the similarity in knowledge, we are able to provide what they look out for. There is, however, a contrast in the way people react to certain products. In Dubai, the camel leather is particularly worth a mention since people react very well to the cultural and the local aspect of this material. Our approach is hence, to make something very local in essence and international in craftsmanship. How do you manage to bridge the gap between these distinct cultures? There is only one way I feel one can bridge gaps that is by listening and watching. Interacting with your clients is important. I believe however talented you may be, if you are going to sit within the four walls of your office and plan designs or strategies for the world out there, it is most likely not going to work. When we talk to our customers, we get an insight into their likings and preferences and most importantly on what they do not like, which is also potentially very vital to us. We are working on developing a
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kind of sandal for our clients here which has taken us 18 months and should be out sometime in May or June this year. We have carefully invested this time in understanding the changing tastes and preferences of people. It is a long period but if we cannot compromise on perfection else nobody would wait for Corthay’s products. Corthay also provides bespoke shoe designing services. What inspired you to think of such a unique concept? I guess these days there is a wave of investing in bespoke products. More and more people want to be individual and different from others. There is a general trend towards personalization. And so it makes sense to provide something that is really tailor made in terms of comfort, style and fit. You can choose whatever color, whatever design and whatever skin you want in your shoes. We certainly did not start the trend in bespoke because since a while people have been into making bespoke watches which are very complex including all types of functions. Once you are a customer in bespoke, you will not want to settle for anything less, that’s the charm of this line. Corthay also provides bespoke shoe designing services. What inspired you to think of such a unique concept? I guess these days there is a wave of investing in bespoke products. More and more people want to be individual and different from others. There is a general trend towards personalization. And so it makes sense to provide something that is really tailor made in terms of comfort, style and fit. You can choose whatever color, whatever design and whatever skin you want in your shoes. We certainly did not start the trend in bespoke because since a while
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people have been into making bespoke watches which are very complex including all types of functions. Once you are a customer in bespoke, you will not want to settle for anything less, that’s the charm of this line.
“I believe you need time to do beautiful things and you also need time to enjoy them. Time is perhaps the only thing you cannot buy.” 18 months is definitely a long time. Can you tell us more about the process involved in bespoke shoe designing? One of the distinctive features of bespoke is that the person who speaks to you first and to whom you convey your tastes and preferences to is the same person who will give you the trial fitting and the same person who will deliver you the final product. This way, all your peculiar intricate details are well taken care of since there are no channels in between. The conversation you have with our representative is very important to us. We don’t make a shoe for your foot, we make one for your personality. We look at your style, posture and where would you like to wear the shoe because no two individuals have same characters, lifestyle and age. A 60 year old’s aspirations for buying bespoke would be different from that of a 45 year old. A 60 year old man would want a comfortable shoe whereas a 45 year old man would prefer something sharp. The overall process for one pair of shoes is six months and if you are not satisfied, we are ready to redo the entire piece till you are satisfied and happy. It actually is a struggle to prepare a piece in 6 months because it actually takes longer than that.
We have heard that you are the first brand to have introduced Camel Leather in the market. Why camel leather? This is a very interesting story. My friend and I went to Abu Dhabi and amidst a dessert we found a very green, eco friendly tannery called Al Khaznah Tannery. The owner of the tannery was French and he told us how passionate the people in Dubai were about camel and camel products. He showed us a camel skin test and actually the camel leather is really good quality. It is two and a half times more resistant than box leather. Its innovative, comfortable and very close to people’s heart in this region. Considering the time involved in producing one piece, have you ever considered using machines instead of manual labor? Our intention is not to increase production. That forfeits our purpose. The hand does a better job than machines especially in this particular field. Shoemaking you see, is an art and machines cannot learn it. When you visit our workshop, you will be able to see the extent of manual labor involved and getting that same amount of thought and creativity from a machine is not possible. Clive Oven, Cate Blanchett, Rafael Nadal and many more celebrities choose your bespoke shoes over others. How does that feel? Great. We are very proud that people come to us even though so many choices are available. It is recognition for us. We don’t chase celebrities or make stuff to impress them but we are very happy to have them. Who is your favorite designer? Tom Ford and Galliano are my favorite designers.
What does ‘Luxury’ mean to you? Luxury means time. I believe you need time to do beautiful things and you also need time to enjoy them. Time is perhaps the only thing you cannot buy. Is there anything you are fond of collecting? I am a compulsive magazine reader. I always have a pile of magazines and very rarely, due to the shortage of time and my busy schedule, I miss out reading on any one of them. I love reading. You are partnering with SkyDive Dubai Falcons race team. How did this alliance come about? his alliance came about as most things come about in life, and that is by chance. Our communications director, Mr Francois POURCHER, has a personal relationship with the members of their team. We associate with people not for the sake of it but only when we share something common. And we go ahead with the alliance if only both parties agree on the same beliefs and values. SkyDive Falcons are probably the best at what they do and so are we. With an increasing demand for bespoke products, are you planning on any future expansions? We are considering opening another store in Dubai very soon and in Doha, Qatar. We have also been proposed to start a store in Delhi, India but again we are in no rush. Store planning is a tedious job in itself where the market needs to be carefully studied first so that we are able to reach our target clients and provide them with an unforgettable experience to the best of our ability.
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ROJA DOVE The Scent of
Luxury
When uniqueness and individuality is present in one’s work, then you can expect nothing less but uniqueness and individuality from the person you meet. An interview like no other with the most renowned perfumer in the world, Roja Dove, founder of Roja Parfum, was able to spread the scent of beauty during our encounter. His originality leaves you to your imagination with his exclusive creations and ideas. With years of experience as a bespoke perfumer, Roja Dove decided to share the beauty of his creations by creating the Roja Parfum line for it to be accessible to those who want a smell of his luxury. Elegante sat with the famous creator to give you a glance behind this brilliant perfumer and a lavish scent you are sure to remember. Aline M. Fakhry
How did you journey started as a perfumer? I just fell in love with perfume when one night my mother came to kiss me goodnight, wearing a beautiful golden dress, and a beautiful perfume. Until this day I can remember the image of her dress, the smell of her facial powder and her perfume. At that moment I realized that perfume manages to transform people just like it managed to transform my every-day mom to a goddess. And I believe that ever since I was put on a path to become a perfumer. At the age of 15, I started putting away my pocket money to buy bottles of perfumes, and started working with Guerlain which I worked with them for 20 years. In 2001 I opened my own company and creating bespoke perfumes for elite clientele. Over the years, the demand on the perfumes increased to such an extent that in 2011 we created Roja Parfum, a commercial range. What is important to understand with these perfumes is that I work with one perfumery organs; so the oils I use in these perfumes are the same as the one used in the bespoke ones. What was your work with Guerlain? Back then, Guerlain was a family business owned by the family Guerlain, so all the perfumes were made by a family member.
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However I trained there and helped. The perfumes I made back then were given to people and never sold. Where do you sell your bespoke creations? The bespoke collection is not sold in any store. I make these creations for exclusive clients, where I go to their homes, anywhere around the world, and make them their own creations. How can you know the style of these clients? I can know a style in the process that I use. While visiting an elite client, I carry with me my perfumery organ, which is a box with small bottles of oils and scents placed like a church organ, and I give many of the oils to smell. During that process, I write the reactions, the feelings and the comment of each scent. When the consultation is over, I review my notes and start creating the unique smell. The exclusive item in these scents is what suits that specific client, with my interpretation of what I believe the perfume should smell like and what I perceive the personality is like. The process is not a short one; sometimes it might take up to 2 days with a client to go through different scents.
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What do you relate your worldwide success? I relate my success to hard work and perhaps I could say to luck. A close friend of mine always says that the harder she works the luckier she seems to become; so hard work is the essence of all. I have always wanted to be a perfumer, and I am focused and dedicated to that specific path. Another cause that could be added to my success is the fact that I own my own company, I take all the decisions in regards of the creations and the procedures; everything is about my sense of aesthetics. Every person that is successful, whether it is a journalist, or a politician, or a businessman; with all their success, they are unique, and would want to have something that is, as personal as a perfume, unique to them. When people buy luxurious perfumes from the shops, it is not a signature perfume; everyone can buy it; whereas my work offers uniqueness and individuality. What about the perfume you wear? It is a perfume that I create myself; and it has always been successful. Recently, because of all the positive reviews that I receive from others, my colleague suggested that we should sell the perfume. So we have decided to sell 25 bottles of my own perfume to Harrods’, and 25 to the rest of the world on my
birthday. The perfume was successful and sold instantly. After that success, we decided to sell my perfume, in a limited quantity every year on my birthday as a celebration. What is the story behind the luxury of your brand? Our bottles are always made with luxurious and high-end material. We have a bottle that was made specifically to my taste, where the top is a representation of my ring, and the bottle is dipped in gold. When you spray the perfume, you get real pieces of gold on your skin. Most people think that my brand is luxurious because of the packaging; however what they understand at a later stage that the gold is fun but the true luxury is in the oils themselves because the jasmine I use in my perfume is twice the price of gold, the Orris, which is the Iris root, cost three and half time the price of gold, and the ambecrus used in a perfume which is 10 times the price of gold.
“Perfume manages to transform people just like it managed to transform my every-day mom to a goddess” What are the storing conditions for a perfume? The worst enemies of perfumes are heat and light. Perfumes should be kept away from sunlight because it will cause its oxidation, and always have bottles in a cool place.
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Do you ever make perfumes for the people closest to you? I sometimes like to make a perfume as a gift for unique friends, especially for their wedding as I believe it is a beautiful gesture. One of my colleagues got married recently, since I knew him when he was very young, I offered him a perfume for his bride, and another that was burned at the reception so all the room and air was filled with that scent. What is your latest creation? It is a perfume called Enigma, which means mystery. What was your inspiration for Enigma? The creation of Enigma came with me hearing an old song by a French singer called Charles Aznavour. In that song, he sings a line that says: “tell me if you can, what makes a man, a man”. When I listened to that line, I thought that men and women’s DNA are the same; however there are the little things that make all the differences. So I came with an idea What are your passions besides creating perfumes? I like meeting new people. I thrive on interaction with people. I also enjoy traveling, which thankfully my job allows me to do constantly. I enjoy living new experiences in life. Restaurants are also a passion of mine, specifically Italian cuisine. Listening to opera is also a passion of mine, as well as playing the piano, though I don’t get the chance to do it often recently.
them. This is usually how the process of new ideas are developed; through a friendly discussion and the execution.
Who is your favorite designer? An Irish designer named Louise Kennedy. I don’t believe her work or her name are popular here. Her work is beautiful and so unique that I buy scarves from her collections since she makes only women’s collections. I don’t have one specific designer whom I like his or her work. For example, I always buy jackets made by Billionaire, as for the shoes, I go to Christian Louboutin for his creations.
What are the things you collect or you can’t live without? My Ipad. I don’t believe I can live without my Ipad. I am not conventional in my personal belongings. Unlike most men, I don’t own a car, and I never had the need to learn how to drive. I have always lived in the heart of London, so owning a car wasn’t necessary, as for when I travel, I always have a driver to drive me.
What is Luxury in your opinion? I believe it is comfort, but mostly it is something that cannot be bettered. I always buy things that make me happy. I always travel with my own blend of tea, I really appreciate the taste, and I need it with me wherever I go; this is a small example of how I enjoy things. My world is all about what makes me feel comfortable and happy.
What are the most beautiful places you have ever visited? I would say the south of France, the Cote d’Azur, and also around the Amalfi coast of Italy. I like the views, the sun, and I also appreciate the view from a higher altitude looking down at the sea. Is this your first trip to Dubai? No, I have been here before around 8 years ago with the invitation of Mr. Mohamad Al Fahim visiting Dubai for three years two weeks every month. It is through my visit in the Middle East that I really understood Oud because we supply basically every household in the Gulf region with Oud. What are your future plans? We have the launching of a new perfume I created which will be held around December or January. We will also be launching a new perfume for men in the early spring. We have many plans to make this collection more beautiful; I always have discussions about ideas that we are going to execute, and sometimes it flourishes into a beautiful project, while others are kept on hold. Recently we decided to create unique leather cases for the bottles; after showing the prototypes to one of my clients, they were so fond of it that we are currently in the process of making
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Exotic Limos
Living in style Managing Director Dubai Exotic Limo Traveling in luxury is an intrinsic requirement for many today but only a few commit to ensure all your luxury requirements during your travel are met. Dubai Exotic Limo is one such organization which not only ensures you travel in all luxury but guarantees complete safety, thus providing their clients with an unforgettable experience. Mr. Izzat Rustom, the Managing Director of Exotic Yachts takes us through the wonderful world of luxury travel. Diksha Vohra
Dubai Exotic Limo has redefined luxury travel in many ways. Can you enlighten us more on the various services that your company has pioneered in providing? Sure. Let me give you a background of Dubai Exotic Limo which was established in 2003. Our company was founded on a vision of providing the best service possible by untiring the latest technologies and industry standards from start to finish. New limousines, sedans and luxury transportation vehicles, highly professional, courteous and experienced chauffeurs as well as courteous, efficient and dedicated management staff; all combine to make Dubai Exotic Limo Service the recognized leader in Dubai.
You assure that you provide an extraordinary experience to your clients? What is unique about the experience you provide? Our services are one of a kind providing an experience which cannot be duplicated. We have a long history of providing reliable, safe and professional services to corporate, consumer and celebrity clientele. By paying attention to peculiar details of our esteemed client’s needs, we have established a reputation of being the most reliable and professional limousine and ground Transportation Company in our region.
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The luxury market of UAE is particularly booming with more and more luxury products that increase the standard of our lifestyle. How do you manage to keep up with this increasing competition? The luxury market is, most certainly, at its peak in the UAE and the competition is increasing undoubtedly. However, we have a different strategy. We try to upgrade our quality and introduce new products keeping in mind the changing needs and demands of the industry. For example we have been introducing new tourism products and services every year such as the Dubai Pink Limo for ladies and our latest hit, Dubai Big Red Party Limo, which is a car six feet high that can accommodate 30 passengers. We have also just launched our innovative tour package called Fancy Dubai Tour to take our valued clients across Dubai, in style. This year, we made a strategic tie up with Heli Dubai to offer the ultimate luxury tour experience.
“I feel that Dubai’s success story is rooted in the city loving everyone regardless of nationality and giving them tremendous support and opportunity.”
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That indeed is a brilliant idea. When was the company incorporated and how did it all start? Our company was established in the USA in 1993 and moved to Dubai in 2003. We felt that Dubai was a promising city, having a lot of potential and lead by some of the most dynamic personalities. We had to be here. Today our fleet comprises of 20 exotic stretched limos, each having a unique style and identity. The capacity of each range from 10,16,20,26 and 30 passengers. How different are your limousines from those of others? All our limousines were manufactured in California, USA. They are of the latest models and trends. Dubai Exotic Limo was the first super stretch limousine service in the city, offering the ultimate luxury experience for locals, expatriates and visitors. We are the leader in bringing innovative ideas and different models of limousines to UAE. We ensure that each limo has the highest safety standard and state of the art technology from sound system to fibre optic lighting. We also ensure total privacy for our VIP clients.
What kind of markets and clients do you cater to? Our stemmed clients range from tourists to corporate officials and local residents. We have a diverse list of clients and that is the beauty of our company. Our clients come from GCC, Russia, India and other European countries, China and U.S depending upon seasons and occasions. We also have the Dubai Miles program, a loyalty program where our clients receive a point for every amount they spend on any of the luxury services we provide. The accommodated points can be redeemed for gifts and free luxury experiences in Dubai as well as holiday packages outside the UAE. Are you planning any new ventures or additions to your luxury services in near future? We are planning to open an office in the Dubai World Trade Centre where we can offer our luxury services to visitors and exhibitors of events happening there. I feel that Dubai’s success story is rooted in the city loving everyone regardless of nationality and giving them tremendous support and opportunity.
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TIMEPIECES & HOROLOGY
The LONGINES Column-Wheel Single Push-Piece Chronograph Heritage and Tradition As part of the Longines Heritage Collection, The Longines Column-Wheel Single Push-Piece Chronograph models take their inspiration from the rich history of the brand with the winged hourglass logo. Fitted with an exclusive Longines movement, they recall the very first chronograph wristwatches created by the brand. These models are found in three different versions, in steel or in rose gold. Their white dials are adorned with black numerals and a red twelve that matches harmoniously with the blued hands. The fluted crown, in which the push-piece is inserted, completes the traditional aesthetic design of these timepieces.
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he Longines Column-Wheel Single Push-Piece Chronograph models take their inspiration from the first chronograph wristwatches developed by Longines in 1913. These timepieces housed the 13.33z calibre, the first chronograph movement made by Longines to equip wristwatches. The Longines Column-Wheel Single Push-Piece Chronograph model houses the L788 calibre, a monopusher movement developed by ETA exclusively for Longines and which, like its illustrious predecessor, is equipped with a column-wheel and measures 13¼ lines. All the chronograph functions can be controlled by simply pressing the single pushpiece. The Longines Column-Wheel Single Push-Piece Chronograph comes in three versions, all with a 40 mm diameter. In each version, the single push-piece inserted into the fluted crown produces a striking aesthetic impact that strongly recalls the original timepieces that inspired them. Their white dials are adorned with
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painted black numerals and a red “12”, in a direct reference to the dials of the period. They are completed by two counters, at 3 and 9 o’clock, together with a date aperture at 6 o’clock. Blued hands harmoniously complete the whole. Two versions, one in steel and one in rose gold, feature Arabic numerals, and a third version available in steel displays Roman numerals. The cases are a particularly interesting feature of The Longines Column-Wheel Single Push-Piece Chronograph. Two of the models have a well-rounded case, available in steel and in rose gold. Taking its inspiration from an historic timepiece, the third model in steel is fitted with moving lugs. This version has a thicker case with a more angular profile that gives it a great deal of character. On all three versions, the movement’s blue column wheel can be admired through the transparent sapphire crystal case back. All models of The Longines Column-Wheel Single Push-Piece Chronograph are fitted with a brown alligator strap.
The Longines Column-Wheel Single Push-Piece Chronograph models take their inspiration from the first chronograph wristwatches developed by Longines in 1913. This steel model is fitted with the L788 calibre, a column-wheel single pushpiece chronograph movement developed by ETA exclusively for Longines. With its 40 mm diameter, its case is fitted with moving lugs. The white dial features black Roman numerals and a red “XII”, a small seconds at 9 o’clock and a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock. The date aperture is situated at 6 o’clock. Blued hands harmoniously complete this timepiece, which comes with a brown alligator strap.
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timepieces & hoRoLoGY
La moneGasQUe de RoGeR dUBUis
aViGation oVeRsiZe cRown
Chronograph movement Power reserve 52 hours Case Rose Gold Leather bracelet Bezel set with 116 diamonds Price $ 40.700 (T.T.C) Available at ATAMIAN www.atamianwatches.com
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LUXURY AUTOMOBILES
First
GLIMPSE
of
BENTLEY SUV
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Bentley Motors today releases the first picture of the Bentley SUV, due to hit roads in 2016. It will be the most luxurious and powerful SUV on the market, setting it apart from any other SUV, true to the brand hallmarks of luxury, performance, quality and craftsmanship. Dr Wolfgang Schreiber, Chairman and Chief Executive at Bentley Motors, commenting at a press conference in London, said: “It will create a completely new segment in the SUV market.” The SUV forms part of Bentley’s £800 million investment in new model and facilities development in the next three years. The company anticipates a minimum annual sales volume of 3000 SUVs.
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capitaL cLUB
ceLeBRatinG modeRn middLe easteRn cULinaRY fLaiR at
the capitaL cLUB micheLin staR chef - GReG maLoUf deLiGhts dUBai’s food LoVeRs
by M. Al Rahi
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CAPITAL CLUB
M
odern Middle Eastern flair was at the order of the day as The Capital Club, Dubai’s premier private business club and member of the ENSHAA group of companies, welcomed Michelin Star chef Greg Malouf for its latest Celebrity Chef evening. Speaking about the evening Emma Cullen, General Manager at The Capital Club, remarked, “The recent influx of celebrity chefs has made this a very exciting time for Dubai’s food lovers and The Capital Club is delighted to be a part of this movement. Our Celebrity Chef evenings have become a neutral meeting ground for acclaimed chefs from the region and the world; that give our Members and their guests the chance to experience the work of true culinary masters in an intimate setting, and on this occasion Greg, working together with The Club’s Executive Chef Cyrille Troesch and his team delivered a beautiful menu that truly shone.” On arrival diners were welcomed with a Turkish Delight inspired martini accompanied by bite-sized portions of Turkish airdried beef filled with soft herbs and goat’s cheese and delicately flavoured Istanbuli fried fish sandwiches, before taking their seats for a shared platter styled feast. Wetting appetites even further, each table was supplied with burrata, a fresh cheese made from mozzarella and cream, seasoned with the Egyptian spice blend dukkah and served with crisp young vegetables, before the dining
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started in earnest with a selection of hot and cold mezze. The mezze selection delighted with a choice of barbeque chilli rabbit with vine leaves and parsnip skordalia, perfectly grilled tiger prawns served with shankleesh cheese a pomegranate mayonnaise, a melt in the mouth organic salmon ‘tarator’, and sultan’s eggplant delight with brik wafers. This was followed by a shared main course assortment consisting of roast baharat lamb shoulder in smouldering hay, a pigeon b’stilla – a traditional pie made with thin flaky pastry, delicately flavoured freekeh – green wheat served with pumpkin and Turkish sausage, and a refreshing winter tabbouleh with hazelnut oil. The evening’s culinary journey was brought to an end with a beautifully presented burnt honey muhallabia, served with pine nut praline and orange blossom and garnished with cinnamon camel wafers, for dessert. An Australian, from Melbourne, of Lebanese descent, Greg Malouf is renowned as the creator of the style of cooking that has become known as ‘Modern Middle Eastern’. The author of six beautiful and acclaimed books on different cuisines, Greg has had an immense impact on the way people from across the world understand and enjoy Middle Eastern food and was honoured as an Ambassador by The American University in Beirut at their inaugural awards ceremony for his achievements in promoting Lebanese cuisine around the world. Modern Middle Eastern flair
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CAPITAL CLUB
was at the order of the day as The Capital Club, Dubai’s premier private business club and member of the ENSHAA group of companies, welcomed Michelin Star chef Greg Malouf for its latest Celebrity Chef evening. Speaking about the evening Emma Cullen, General Manager at The Capital Club, remarked, “The recent influx of celebrity chefs has made this a very exciting time for Dubai’s food lovers and The Capital Club is delighted to be a part of this movement. Our Celebrity Chef evenings have become a neutral meeting ground for acclaimed chefs from the region and the world; that give our Members and their guests the chance to experience the work of true culinary masters in an intimate setting, and on this occasion Greg, working together with The Club’s Executive Chef Cyrille Troesch and his team delivered a beautiful menu that truly shone.” On arrival diners were welcomed with a Turkish Delight inspired martini accompanied by bite-sized portions of Turkish airdried beef filled with soft herbs and goat’s cheese and delicately flavoured Istanbuli fried fish sandwiches, before taking their seats for a shared platter styled feast. Wetting appetites even further, each table was supplied with burrata, a fresh cheese made from mozzarella and cream, seasoned with the Egyptian spice blend dukkah and served with crisp young vegetables, before the dining started in earnest with a selection of hot and cold mezze.
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The mezze selection delighted with a choice of barbeque chilli rabbit with vine leaves and parsnip skordalia, perfectly grilled tiger prawns served with shankleesh cheese a pomegranate mayonnaise, a melt in the mouth organic salmon ‘tarator’, and sultan’s eggplant delight with brik wafers. This was followed by a shared main course assortment consisting of roast baharat lamb shoulder in smouldering hay, a pigeon b’stilla – a traditional pie made with thin flaky pastry, delicately flavoured freekeh – green wheat served with pumpkin and Turkish sausage, and a refreshing winter tabbouleh with hazelnut oil. The evening’s culinary journey was brought to an end with a beautifully presented burnt honey muhallabia, served with pine nut praline and orange blossom and garnished with cinnamon camel wafers, for dessert. An Australian, from Melbourne, of Lebanese descent, Greg Malouf is renowned as the creator of the style of cooking that has become known as ‘Modern Middle Eastern’. The author of six beautiful and acclaimed books on different cuisines, Greg has had an immense impact on the way people from across the world understand and enjoy Middle Eastern food and was honoured as an Ambassador by The American University in Beirut at their inaugural awards ceremony for his achievements in promoting Lebanese cuisine around the world.
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Billionaire’s Life
Billionaire Check-Out Sara Shareif
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The Billionaire Census Reveals Details of Ultra-Wealthy Lifestyle
O
nce you become a millionaire, there’s always a desire to earn more money and become a billionaire. But it is interesting to know, what would you do with all that money? And how is your lifestyle going to be? Here’s our listing below: Cooler Transportations: It helps you avoid the hassle of waiting in line and getting stuck in the airport inspection. Therefore, cooler jets or Limo-car will serve your needs, undeniably, better. Have your Own Hotel Some of the well known billionaires would like to have their own hotels such as Donald Trump who owns a convenient hotel right next to Central park, New York. What a way to pamper yourself ? Entry to Hot World Events with Best Seats Seats are limited? Yes, but not to billionaires. You don’t need to
reserve a year ahead for the world cup, just grab a seat and pay with your credit card. Easy access to friends and family for a last minute plan, it’s time to catch up with old friends. Wedding Bells Is there anyone from your family getting married? Well, you have every reason to spread the joy on a luxury wedding, which will always be an inspiration to others. It is a memorable day after all – you only get married once, they say, but how about doing it all over again in the anniversary. Charities and Non-Profit-Organizations Charities are always in need for those with big pockets. Some billionaires like to contribute to a society which needs them the most. It could be something that makes them proud like building a mosque or a church, or bridges to reduce traffic, or reducing
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Billionaire’s Life
poverty or raising awareness through events. It all depends on the budget. To be a smart social entrepreneur, in today’s world where everyone is conscious about their social responsibility, one must contribute in a non-profit-organization.
Travel to Exotic Places Life is too short to waste time. If you are lucky enough, try to explore new cities, now better than later when you feel old and lose the desire to travel.
Lovely mansion to the family It’s always a great pleasure to wake up in a peaceful surrounding, away from the city life. Also, it’s a nice way to go back home and relax after long day at work or to maybe throw a house party for friends.
The top richest people in the world with net worth of US$ 6.5 trillion are too secretive when it comes to their private business sectors net worth and more likely to be cautious on how to reveal about their business marginal revenue. This has led UHNW intelligence provider with partner Switzerland’s UBS to present the Wealth-X and UBS Billionaire Census, which is the first comprehensive study on world’s billionaire population-that reveals the lifestyles and philanthropic interests of the ultra wealthy families’ hobbies and enterprises. Studies indicated that most of the billionaires have enterprises and properties in New York followed by Hong Kong, and Moscow.
Real estate US$78 million and four houses The average billionaire holds US$78 million in real estate and owns four homes, each one worth around US$20 million. Passion for fashion For some, it’s a hobby while for others it is pure pleasure. Fashion has increased interest to many investors over the years. Many billionaires have taken fashion as more than just a hobby – they became designers for their own brands, while others have put faith in other designers and supported their work by investing in their brands helping them make it to the top.
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Here are some of the typical billionaire behavioral patterns Nationality: European The majority of the world’s 2,170 billionaires are based in Europe, mostly known that European billionaires have less money on average than their American counterpart. In North America, there are 552 billionaires with total wealth of US$2.15 trillion; in Europe they have a combined US$2.12 trillion in assets. Although the
billionaire population in this region is the fastest growing -having soared 3.7 percent last year compared to a fall of the same size in Europe - Asia’s population of billionaires still ranks third with 508 billionaires and US$1.18 trillion in assets. Wealth: US$3 billion The average wealth of the typical billionaire is actually only US$3 billion. Globally there are 111 individuals with a net worth above US$10 billion, and their collective net worth is more than US$1.9 trillion -greater than the GDP of Canada. Fifty four percent of billionaires have a net worth of between US$1 billion and US$2 billion, however, this segment accounts for less than a quarter of total billionaire wealth. Unless you want to count the top of the list billionaire’s net worth such as, Bill Gate net worth $72.7 billion dollars, or Mark Zuckerberg $ 19.8 billion, or Steve Jobs net worth $ 10.2 billion.Not all billionaires’ net worth is by inheritance, some earned it the hard way. The trick, as in any business, is to work from your heart. Many executives like Mark Zuckerberg choose to pay themselves low salaries in order to increase the company’s profits as much as possible. When the company maximizes profits the overall value of their stock holding increases. Amusingly, Steve Jobs, Eric Schmidt, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, each earn only $1 per year in salary. That indicates that most billionaires are achievers at heart and mind more than money.
Source of wealth: Self-made Billionaires across the world are enterprising spirits. Self-made billionaires are approximately 60 percent of the total population. All four of the world’s mega-billionaires who each have a fortune of US$50 billionTand above, are self-made and soul achievers. These are Bill Gates, Carlos Slim, Amancio Ortega and Warren Buffet. Gender: male When it comes to billionaires, it’s still very much a man’s world. 87 percent of billionaires are male. The majority of female billionaires 71 percent have inherited their money, while only 17 percent are self-made. The fortunes of male billionaires are 64 percent self-made, while 15 percent inherited. University: Harvard University Harvard University has produced the most billionaires, with a total of 52 billionaire alumni, including Jorge Leman, who has assets totaling US$20.5 billion. Ranking second is the University of Pennsylvania, with 28 billionaire alumni. After going through the missing link between wealthy millionaire and wealthier billionaire, do you have in mind what type of luxury lifestyle matches your taste?
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coLoUR BLoom at
BentLeY BoUtiQUe New handbag palette arrives for spring season Silk scarves depict landmarks in abstract design Vivid leather goods complement a luxury lifestyle Bentley celebrates the spring season with a new range of colours for its capsule handbag collection that went on sale at the Geneva Motor Show. Vivid examples of Bentley’s exquisite colour palette bring new haute-couture choices to a woman’s range of luxury accessories. . 82
The celebration of ‘pure’ colour extends the collection of two handbag models – the Continental and the Barnato bags – with references to Bentley’s signature bespoke hide combinations. Concepts of refined luxury inspire a Special Ivory derived from Bentley’s 1952 Continental R-Type executed for the Continental handbag model in patent leather with a deep Burgundy interior. The Barnato handbag is now offered in an Imperial Blue exterior with linen panels, a linen interior accented with Imperial Blue pockets, representing the ultimate expression of luxury and refinement in harmony with sea and coastal landscapes, yachting and other leisure pursuits. Classical historic colours include Dragon Red drawn from the Continental GT V8, also executed in patent leather; and Cumbrian Green, which glances back to the renowned Bentley Blower model executed in combined patent and smooth leather, thus replicating the traditional 1930’s design where the car body was part paint, part trimmed in leather. Further intense colour specifications have been created through the significant expression of combinations evident in Bentley’s model palette. These bespoke pairings reflect a variety of global definitions of luxury taste, matching regional social and cultural values. The colour combinations can also be perceived as ‘passe-partouts’, or central blocks of colour which are bordered by contrast tones, as a picture in a frame. Such combinations include: Saffron/Linen, Imperial Blue/Linen, Portland/Pillar Box Red, Saddle/Linen. Relevant to Bentley’s extensive current car colours are combinations which express a thematic contemporary fashion statement: Autumn/ light blue (seasonal), Burgundy/ Linen (classic), St James’ Red/ Aquamarine (avant-garde).
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m missoni mULticoLoR Raffia
haZeL BaG spRinG sUmmeR 2014
This is a hand crochet bag in natural raffia all in hazelnut stitch. An expression of exquisite italian craftsmanship in the realm of accessories, it epitomizes a contemporary variation on the theme of signature M Missoni knits. Size and shape capture a city bag concept. The mood is at once smooth & elegant, fresh & original, a perfect balance of easy chic. The hazelnut stitch gives the bag a strong solid definition without adding any weight. True to form, color is a key element. The bag comes in ten different chromatic options: green, yellow, purple, orange, brown, black and sandy beige, plus melange versions of dark blue, deep sky and sandy beige hues. All feature
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lovely harmony/contrast interplays with the three different types and sizes of exclusive technicolor plexiglas ring handle. The iconic made in Italy label is ever present. From materials to colors to working processes and techniques, the bag is in every way a reflection of outstanding italian design and crafsmanship. This is emblematic of all M Missoni accessories, which - while always in perfect sync with the season’s clothing collection - can stand magnificently alone thanks to a unique and special appeal that makes each one an authentic must. A unique piece because it is a multipurpose accessory: removing the chain, coverts the bag into a clutch, the chain then becomes either a belt or a necklace.
cLassic sophistication takes centRe staGe with
GaRBo and naGai
coLLections fRom mimi
ISTANA, the renowned multi-brand jewellery retailer in the UAE, introduces the Garbo and Nagai collections from Mimi, classy and stunning pieces that will definitely charm jewellery aficionados in the UAE. The collections feature pearls and precious gems, sure to steal the limelight during red carpet events and chic social gatherings. The Garbo Collection is one of the most original and bestloved collections from Mimi, which highlights irresistibly alluring delicate boules of violet freshwater pearls and white sapphires. The latest addition to the collection features a pink gold choker, dangling enticingly like two precious pompoms from a chain of alternating gold rings and tiny pearls. Extremely easy to wear, the choker subtly flatters every look, while the matching rings and
earrings undoubtedly make an impression on every spectator. The necklace from Mimi’s Nagai collection is another piece to behold! Presented in gold, rose pearls and diamonds, this musthave piece is perfect for women who love classic flair and striking elegance. ISTANA recently introduced Mimi in the UAE, the renowned Milan-based couture jewellery brand. Mimí’s Creative Director is Giovanna Broggian, whose ingenuity and admirable craftsmanship paved the way to the creation of unique and timeless pieces that had become hallmarks of the brand. Capture everyone’s hearts with a refined style with Mimi’s Garbo and Nagai Jewel Collections, exclusively available at ISTANA’s boutique at The Dubai Mall and Burjuman Centre.
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VeRsace women spRinG/sUmmeR 2014
The richness of Versace meets the attitude of the street, creating a fresh reality for day, and a powerful statement at night. Denim and leather jackets are the new blazer, while raffia skirts have liberating volume. Bands of elastic create structure in skirts, and cling to the body in shorts and tops. Cutaway waistcoats give freedom and a looser contrast. The T-shirt is redefined as a luxury item, especially in Versace floral prints. Heavy metal T- shirt prints imagine that Versace is on its 2014 world tour. The Versace hook-and-eye fastens blousons, and provocatively holds together slashes in jackets and dresses that reveal the body beneath.
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Triangles of metal mesh give the effect of bandanas at the neck. There’s also a metal mesh T-shirt dress, and metal mesh falls from a gown like a scarf. Chain Medusa harnesses are the new accessory for day, and toughen up tulle dresses for night. A new bag – The Palazzo – is totally unstructured, and can be rolled up and held in the hand. Platform sandals have bands of elastic as straps. “I wanted everything to be effortless, with the attitude of the street. This is a real woman. A luxury woman. A Versace woman.” Donatella Versace
BLinG BLinG “The more the diamond is cut, the brighter it sparkles and in what seems hard dealing, God has no end in view but to perfect his people.’’ Thomas Guthrie For those who believe diamonds are forever, Mercedes - Benz has what you’re looking for this year, a quality piece diamond car key. Designed predominantly for those who drive around in Mercedes, there is more to automotive aristocracy than just a car. Maybe, some more luxurious car accessories would complete this fairytale ride. Creativity has no limits when it comes to Rene Martin who produced a solid gold car key with 300 cut diamonds totaling 3.13 carat, mainly for the Mercedes car owners. The key was created to highlight the harmony between the personality of the golden key and the car owner. It’s available in many colors, such as rose, white and yellow gold platinum with full range of gemstones. You can even have the key engraved – sky is,
certainly, the limit. ‘’ My eye for beauty and aesthetic has made me an aficionado of these treasures, whose fascinating light and gracefulness are accentuated by the craftsmanship of a master. My keen sense of beauty and exclusivity is reflected in each of the carefully chosen items in the collection. My goal is to find the jewel that best fits and resonates with your unique and individual personality. I’d be delighted to advise you in the choice of a treasure that will enrich your life. ‘’ Rene Martin Rene’s concept is to supplant the standard plastic key and instead create a link between the bespoke Golden key and the elegant luxurious vehicle. In this way, the personality and individual style of each car owner can be accentuated. Just like the inside car details can be finessed by the choice of the highest quality wood and other material, the key as the constant companion can also be crafted to the desires of the owner.
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scandaL ensures you are Talked about FLORAL – SWEET & FLORAL: Fresh, Warm, & Very sensual “I remember when I first encountered Tuberose, I was shocked that a flower could be so sensual; as you inhale its perfume it becomes almost narcotic. I love how it transports you to the sun, removing you from the grey skies of England. I blended it with other white blossoms, creating an effect that is at once floral, sunny, and deeply sensual”. Roja Dove
adLeR’s camÉLÉon Let Adler’s Caméléon collection set your season in full bloom Bold and bright Spring/Summer ring collection unveiled at ISTANA UAE
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VictoRiaBeckham.com LaUnches ss14 Rtw
Victoria Beckham’s Spring Summer 2014 collection is now available on VictoriaBeckham. com Designer Victoria Beckham says, ‘I did not put the ready to wear collection on the site when e commerce initially launched as I really wanted to take the time to understand my customer and what exactly she wanted from me first. Icon was a huge success but was always going to be a limited edition collection of dresses so it now feels like the right time to introduce my edit of the ready to wear. And that’s what I’m so excited about - it’s my edit. So it’s really showing the ready to wear through my eyes!’ Women in the Middle East will be able to shop the critically-acclaimed collection, but will have to ship pieces to their UK, US or Europe addresses.
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BentLeY
foR men aZURe fRaGRance is LaUnched - Fresh and modern scent for the style-conscious and sporty - Builds on success of first Bentley for Men fragrance - Blue bottle reflects the dynamic curves of Bentley models
The luxurious scent was composed by one of the world’s top perfume creators, Mathilde Bijaoui, who has worked for 10 years at the prestigious French fragrance house Mane.
(Dubai, 10 February 2014) Bentley is following up the success of its first men’s fragrance with the launch today of Bentley for Men Azure. The new luxury composition takes its cue from the classic aromas of the fougère family, with its green citrus top notes and woody base notes.
With Bentley for Men Azure, Bijaoui has created an entirely new and contemporary scent from the classic aromas of the fougère perfume family that is a stimulating and exciting fragrance experience for today’s discerning man.
This powerfully expressive and complex fragrance has a fresh twist that appeals to sporty and style-conscious men.
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ceLeBRate easteR with
La maison dU chocoLat
La Maison du Chocolate celebrates Easter with a selection of traditional chocolate offerings, with emblematic products staying true to its commitment to fine craftsmanship and artisanal know-how. The latest seasonal creation by the deluxe chocolatier reflect Easter traditions with a special range created by Master Chef Nicolas Cloiseau - which brings to life not only children’s dreams, but adults as well! There are timeless gift boxes of praline-filled milk and dark chocolate covered eggs, and of course, the classic large Easter eggs, created by successive fine layers of chocolate, applied one by one by chocolatiers in the Paris atelier. Complementing this is a playful assortment, a mischievous interpretation of childhood tales and Easter games that turns the world of sculptured chocolate upside down, realising an imaginary world only to be seen through the eyes of a child. The child-like figures offer an invitation to make an imaginary visit to a land where chocolate is used to tell a stunning tale of the ever-evolving world of gourmandise.
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LUXURY LIVING
Bold
Bespoke Designs
Diksha Vohra
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I
f luxury is portrayed by our appearance, opulence is depicted through our surroundings. Today, everything associated with our lifestyle reflects our identity and enhances our appeal. BOLD Bespoke Designs takes care of all such needs of their clients, be it the architectural designs of exclusive villas or designing exquisite interiors. BOLD stands for Beautiful”Originality”Limitless and Daring. Synonymous with their name, BOLD is a luxury lifestyle boutique presenting a unique experience like no other in the UAE. Unlike any other furniture outlet in Dubai, BOLD customizes their services to your needs and desires. Their ‘Bespoke Designs’ defines and encompasses everything that is truly unique and individual contemplating the client’s taste, desires and lifestyle. They not only provide customized furniture but also create stunning interiors, aiming towards creating luxury lifestyle concepts. Their truly remarkable furniture not only consists of some
incredible deigns but also depicts high attention to detail and minute peculiarities. In order to offer variety to their high end clients, BOLD has a wide selection of exclusive luxury fabrics – brands such as Hermes, Missoni, Etro, Jean Paul Gaultier and Dedar, leathers by Lelievre and animal skins. Other decorative mediums like wood, marble and semi-precious stones graciously add to a truly bespoke interior design service. Furthermore, BOLD specializes in offering exclusive bespoke lighting services which have the ability to enhance the appeal of any luxury dwelling, creating a meaningful impact and leaving connoisseurs speechless. In any good interior design concept, lighting is one of the most crucial parts in highlighting the detail of the interior design itself and they have pioneered this art. They have furnished some of the most luxurious apartments in the Burj Khalifa, villas in Al Barari, Layaly Restaurant and many more with their unique furniture, landscaping and bespoke interior designs. Here’s a closer look at some of them:
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Burj Khalifa Apartment
An apartment in Burj Khalifa facing the Dubai Fountain and the magnificent Downtown Dubai, can anything else define luxury better? Since the apartment was already accompanied with natural decorations, BOLD carefully decided to give this apartment an elegant look by using suave colors in the customized furniture, giving the apartment a graceful touch. Particular attention has been paid while designing the furniture pieces to create a harmony with the unusual round shape of the apartment and the lounge. It is bright and spacious with the exquisite dining table and seating area, adding to the much desired sophisticated look of the apartment. Apart from these, the exclusive semi-precious stone embellishing one of the walls caught our attention instantly which was specially sourced from Europe. The customized contemporary luxury style furniture combined with the overall pleasant look of the apartment creates an unforgettable impact in the eyes of the viewer.
Al Barari Villa
Al Barari is one of Dubai’s most luxurious property developments and BOLD is one of their most renowned and recommended interior design architects that specialize in villa interior architecture. In this villa, BOLD custom made a library unit in walnut wood which was built over two floors. This exceptional masterpiece can accommodate over 5000 books and is accompanied with a sitting bench and an art display. The bespoke built-in wardrobe unit was designed for a “Queen”, and shelves and drawers was custom made by BOLD for her dressing room, uniquely designed to suit her image and class. It provides space for 40 Handbags, 60 pairs of shoes, over 200 dresses and is fitted with a special custom made display cabinet in Alcantara for watches, jewelry and sun glasses. This property, designed by BOLD, is hence the perfect blend of luxury thinking and luxury lifestyle.
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The Cobbler Shoe Shop, Dubai Mall, UAE
Shoes are the best indicator of one’s personality. Hence a lot of care needs to be taken in order to conceptualize the ideology of a potential client while designing a shoe shop. The famous Cobbler Shoe Shop in Dubai Mall is a perfect manifestation of perfection and opulence. The wall to wall display cabinets have been exclusively designed to accommodate all kind of the bespoke shoes, belts and fashion accessories. All the custom furniture in this shop has been meticulously designed and manufactured under BOLD UAE’s roof in their partner factory at Sharjah.
Layaly Restaurant, Dubai Marina Walk
A luxury restaurant is not defined as much by the contents of its menu as it is defined by its exclusive ambience. BOLD, with their classy and authentic interior designs; have made sure to give Layaly Restaurant at Dubai Marina a stylish yet poised look. From flooring to custom made furniture to lighting, BOLD ensures to give every project they work at, their exclusive finishing touches.
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TIMEOUT!
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Business, money, meetings and deals, is that what your life has become? Sit back, unwind yourself and think for a moment, when did you last groom and pamper yourself ? Ever thought of enjoying what you have earned all week round, and that too in style? Indeed work and family are very important and precious to all of us but that does not mean we forget to enjoy our priceless existence. Amidst the glory and shine of this country, we need to take time out and re-charge ourselves so that we don’t lose out on what life is providing us with. Sometimes unwinding ourselves helps us revive our freshness, passion and love for our work. We have, hence, compiled a list of leisure activities for you to indulge in and rejuvenate yourself over the weekend. Give them a shot. Diksha Vohra
Men’s Spa
Average cost: AED 400 – 700 per session After excessive work during the week, a spa massage certainly feels good. Massages essentially reduce pain and helps muscles recover from any injuries. Improving blood circulation, a massage eases inflammation and relieves muscle tightness. While treating you, a massage takes you into a meditative state where your mind experiences complete peace and tranquility thus bringing your life back into equilibrium. In addition to these, massages can also help you slim down and lose those extra calories over a couple of session. Isn’t it worth a try? There are different types of massages which are available across the country including Thai, Ayurvedic, Shaitsu and Aromatherapy, each providing a unique experience and comfort.
Health and fitness clubs Average cost: AED 700-800 per year
Joining a fitness club is very easy especially when the fitness club sales person ingrains a healthy and happy image of yours in your mind through their sugar quoted words. And we too tend to believe that the change will come overnight minus all the hard work when sign on that dotted line. However, the reality is, undeniably, that the enthusiasm with which we join the fitness club boils down in a few days and we eventually return to square one. Your wallet, hence, contributes more to the club than you do and the only way to justify this transaction is ‘Taking the initiative’. A good workout schedule does require effort but when the results
start coming, you will definitely feel that it was all worth it. Not only will your body get a good shape but your stamina would increase too. Particularly for men, having an impressive body provides an edge in every sphere of life. There are many fitness clubs around the city and to get the best results, hire a personal trainer. The trainer will check on your BMI and provide you an exercise schedule customized to your bodily needs so that you can stay fit as long as possible. But remember, keep motivating yourself to workout everyday, after all, dedicating one to two hours per day to your busy isn’t too much right?
Beauty Salons
Price depending on option availed. “Variety is the spice of life”, is a very popular saying and why not, especially when one can afford to. Lately, men’s fashion has grown beyond our wildest expectations. There is so much more to experiment today that one can possibly come out in an entirely new look every time they enter a salon. Latest in stores is a customized hair cut. We can finally say NO to the cliché standard boy cut and try out a variety of hairstyles which suit our look. The salons today click a picture and then graphically try various hairstyles to see which one suits you according to your face type. Furthermore, there are plenty of relaxing facials which you can get done to enhance your facial muscles and to rejuvenate yourself. To top it all, you can get a manicure and pedicure done to unwind your finger and feet muscles. You can also check out some latest face treatments, hair color options and body massages. Pamper yourself just a bit and we assure you that you will love it.
“The thing that is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of being yourself.” Anna Quindlen
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LUXURY LIVING
Xclusive Yachts adding Miaora 78 Ft Luxury Yacht in their Fleet optionsv
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Xclusive Yachts, the only renowned and licensed Yacht Charter Company in operations from Dubai Marina recently announced that they have added a Miaora 78 Ft Luxury Yacht in their Fleets list. Each year, the Yacht charter company has been adding a new Yacht to sere the Leisure & Tourism industry of Dubai. Owner & the Managing Director Mr. Amit Patel quoted that “Miora 78 ft Yacht is a stunning VIP luxurious yacht offering sleek exterior lines and superb interior luxury. The Yacht features sophisticated parquet wooden flooring, discrete ceiling lights, warm wooden walls which contain a touch of sugar colored fabric paneling with great offset against the stunning blue backdrop of the ocean.” The Yacht trip is functioning and being serving the tourists & locals who wish to charter a private yacht for party or corporate functions. The Marketing person from Xclusive Yachts further stated on the yacht specification that it can accommodate up to 30 Guests. Guest can choose to urbane dine area inside or the modern saloon that invites one to spend relaxing moments with friends and family. As per the company people, the customers’ testimonials for the Yachts has been stupendous and expected to further boost the revenue of the company
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LUXURY LIVING
THE STYLE
that makes you an
‘Icon’
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D.H.Lawrence had once quoted, “...how beautiful maleness is if it finds the right expression...” A common misconception, in today’s excessively consumerist society, is that only women are fond of accessories and focus on purchasing things which further enhance their status appeal and add glamour to their style. However, when we enter any exclusive shopping outlet today, our false perceptions are blown away like a twig when we witness a whole lot of rich, classy and stylish men, each looking for something unique. Today, men are seen discussing about latest fashion and make a conscious effort to distinguish their style from others. From electronic gadgets to cars, to clothes, to luxurious mansions and much more, men’s products have possibly never witnessed a recession because what men like, they certainly find a way to own it. As far as women are concerned, those who would once have no option but to purchase a branded wallet or a cool leather jacket as ‘the only gifts meant for men’, they now have big markets and showrooms to choose the best for their beloved. On this note, we thought why not make a list of everything men like to purchase today. And for the women out there, if you gift men something from the following, be rest assured that your gifts are going to be the best they have ever received.
Watches
Some watches are meant for sport, some are meant for spirit and some are legacy watches which are passed down from one generation to the next maintaining the honour of the family. However, in addition to these is a separate class of watches purely meant to inspire jealousy and lust among others. Such watches differ on grounds of exceptional looks, technical complexity and above all, price. Luxury watches may show the same time as other normal watches but they have the ability to turn the tide of social respect and popularity for those who wear them. Among men, watches continue to be one of the most popular and evergreen style symbols. As for last year, Jean Dunand Palace was the watch that made a mark last year being the most popular watch among men followed by Maitres Du Temps Chapter One. Jean Dunand Palace, with a look of a vintage motorcycle, is a watch that can be customised to your needs and is undoubtedly the best timepiece one can either get or gift someone.
Cars
Men talk about features, mileage and much more when they plan to buy a car but all of these suddenly seem to vanish in cold air when they come across a stylish Ferrari or a Lamborghini. Yes, when they come across such cars, you can literally see their eyes twinkling with joy and the moment they own it, mama mia, they seem to have the world in their feet. Why not? After all a sports car or a top class high profile model is not only about personal satisfaction and pleasure but is also an indicator of a man’s class and status. For such cars, it is not anymore about the need of it but the pleasure of owning and driving one that influences the purchase of it. As a result, according to Forbes, Porsche, GMC and Ford F series top the list of most popular car brands among men.
“Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak.” – Rachel Zoe 103 .
LUXURY LiVinG
Electronics
In today’s world addictions are of different kinds. Before your thoughts touch another tangent, allow me to introduce you to the newest addition yet the most popular form of it – Gadget Addiction. Today, where each and every company is releasing one device after another with each presenting something unique, we find that people too eagerly look forward to the release of new gadgets. Gadgets today have become like a wishing wand which, through a soft touch replacing the click, makes the life of its users very comfortable. The latest one being Kolibree’s mobile phone’s latest connected electronic Toothbrush which is as good as a dentist in your phone. It precisely decides what your teeth need and how well to brush them to make them look good. Interesting much? Here we go with another one. Portable Furgoo speakers can possibly help you listen to your favourite music while surfing. Isn’t that quite innovative? With high end products bombarding the market daily, and with cutting edge competition, customers undoubtedly are assured to get the best to fit their style and image.
Bikes
With winds gushing right on your face, clean roads, a scenic route and yourself on a sports bike riding at the speed of 200kmph, can life get any better? We don’t second that. Even though so many of cars have occupied a lot of mileage in the sales sector today, the pleasure of riding a sporty and fast bike is by far incomparable. For men in particular, bikes have been among their favourite vehicles since its invention. Stylish and trendy bikes certainly have the
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ability to add to one’s prestige and social status. The most popular high end bike among men has been Suzuki Hayabasa with the highest speed of 188 to 194 miles per hour, certainly the best.
Adventurous activities
Be it jumping off a plane from 16000 ft above sea level or surfing on the highest tides or kayaking, men have now found various ways and options to redefine their valour and courage. Adventure sports have become an outlet for men to celebrate their masculinity. And that is definitely the biggest USP of adventure sports. Men love speed, thrill, challenge and above all, risk. Hence sites like the Gold Coast, Australia and Queenstown, New Zealand are among the best destinations for most men. Adventure sports are where money seems to be subordinated under the pride of accomplishment. They help you discover the ‘New You’. Sky Diving, Bungee jumping and river rafting are some of the popular adventurous activities to look forward to for men at least once in a lifetime.
Luxury homes
Who says men like space only in relationships? They like space all around. Men today are fond of purchasing the most luxurious and spacious apartments, bungalows or villas in the most picturestique location accompanied by various facilities. Indeed one may not be able to enjoy all luxuries at once, the facilities still add value to their class. The care and loving nature of men is depicted by the beauty and glamour of their dwelling which is why luxury apartments are sold first and everyone looks forward to discovering new areas every time. And of course homes are not only about the location but also about its interior and layout. This is a zone where one can distinguish between only money or money with brains. Hence today a lot of men invest a lot of time hunting for the best interior designer and decide on a unique theme for their homes, thus increasing their social value and prestige.
Clothes
And here’s saving the best for the last, Whoever thought men’s clothes, in comparison to those of women, don’t have variety in types and styles is certainly mistaken. Luxury brands today see to it that men are not any less than women
when it comes to fashion and vogue. Men of the elite class have been meticulous about the way they dress since time immemorial. Men can almost waste half a day hunting for a matching tie to go with their Armani suit and black leather shoes, they are that conscious about their presentation and looks. Sometimes deals worth millions of dollars are signed in the flick of a second purely based on handsome looks and presentation of the partnering individual. And how can we forget appropriate dressing for social events like marriages, anniversaries and functions. There men can be seen in some stylish kandooras or traditional outfits, each better than the other. If men want to flaunt their attitude through their attire, or get a jaw dropping welcome from a woman, there is no better occasion than social events. Some clothes are studded with diamond buttons whereas some are designed giving a simple and elegant look, you name it and you have it. Jackets in fact have been popular as gifts for men from a very long time. Their fashion, unlike those of women, doesn’t get too old too quickly, thus increasing the worth of the amount spent on them. Hence clothing brands have become belligerent to become the apple of the eye of every man. Ralph Lauren grabs the first position in the race of the most popular clothing brands followed by Armani and Varsace. They exhibit class, grace and above all status and dignity.
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LUXURY toUR
LUXURY BRands make ResURGence with hoteL aLLiances
Today, every luxury brand is trying to travel that extra mile to carve a new image in the minds of their clients. From bringing in a new collection for every season, the trend has not shifted to liaising with various high end organizations from the travel industry to grab the attention of travelers. Considering world today has become too small and brand being global, tackling potential clients across different countries and varied industries certainly works best. Diksha Vohra
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LUXURY TOUR
Hotel Saint-Barth Isle de France Ferrari, the luxury Italian automobile brand has announced a theme park to be built in PortAveture Entertainment, Barcelona along with the brand’s first luxury hotel, defining uniqueness in every respect. Since Ferrari is in the business of acquiring high end consumers and brand enthusiasts, the new park may help the brand captivate the attention of a younger elite audience. Following this trend, many other luxury brands have leveraged their brand image to tap into the thriving travel business, thus leaving no stone unturned in order to increase the popularity of their brand. For instance, LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton’s acquisition of Hotel Saint-Barth Isle de France bolstered the luxury conglomerate’s presence in the travel and hospitality sphere. The conglomerate intends to transfer products such as wines and spirits hoping to enhance and add value to the property’s allure and prestige. Similarly, Italy’s exotic jewelry brand Bulgari’s hotels and resorts in Milan anticipated an influx of fashion forward guests during the city’s annual fashion week. Guests who may have been unfamiliar with the jeweler’s lifestyle or unaware of its hotel properties were
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introduced through exclusive experiences likely to create repeat guests. Since last November, the world’s second Armani Hotel opened in Milan while the world’s third Bulgari hotel opened in London under Marriott International and Ritz Carlton’s luxury umbrella. Where Armani reflects prestige and style, Bulgari is all about class and elegance which are both perfectly exhibited by the peculiar designing of their respective hotels. Furthermore, Palazzo Versace hotel inspired by Gianni Versace Italian Fashion Brand opened in Gold Coast, Australia in 2000. Meanwhile in 2005, Brussels based Rezidor hotel group and Missoni launched a partnership to develop luxury hotels with the brand name of Missoni. Such joint ventures help both brands gain a larger market share since the image of one helps enhance the image of the other too and vice versa because customers trust brands with high value propositions. Cross brand goodwill association undoubtedly helps increase recognition, clients, value and appeal.
Bulgari Hotel - London
Ferrari theme park
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LUXURY TOUR
Luxury Underground Shanghai builds a
Luxury Hotel Groundscraper
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B
y Groundscraper we mean an enormous structure built underground. Since a long time, China has been a front runner in the race of skyscrapers. And what better way to take the lead by building an underground
luxury hotel? Shanghai is all set to create the 8th wonder of the world, a venture that would mark a new era in the world of luxury, hospitality and tourism.
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LUXURY toUR
Designed by Atkins, a UK based company behind the ostentatious Burj Al Arab in Dubai, this hotel will be one of its kind with 19 stories – 3 over ground and 16 underground. Seven years of tremendous hard work finally paid off when they grabbed a Gold Medal at the MIPIM Asia Awards for its spectacular design, exemplifying beauty and opulence. Built in Shanghai’s Toanmashan in a 100m deep pit, this hotel will be 700m lower than the top floor of the world’s to be tallest building – Shanghai Tower, whose completion is due around the same time. Intercontinental Shimao Wonderland, as this wonder is called, is built by Shanghai Shimao Property and will be managed by Intercontinental Hotels group, a well known brand behind most of the world’s high end hotels and resorts.
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Much to the delight of the tourists, this hotel will have an Underwater Restaurant and arrangements for outdoor activities like bungee jumping and rock climbing, thus taking advantage of its mountainous surrounding. The approximate rent for each night will be around $320, which is five times more expensive than the hotels which surround it but it is all worth the jaw-dropping luxury and view. This massive hotel is also taking the eco-friendly move by building a reservoir to save water from the lakes and rivers close to it as a precautionary measure to avoid fires. This hotel, which is a manifestation of perfection and excellence, is expected to be completed by 2015.
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BUSINESS & FINANCE
Top 10 most influential PR people in the world
PR pros are the people who work behind the scene. What you see in headlines is majorly influenced by their needs. They decide what side of the picture they want to show you and how exactly should the story be told to influence your perception in the intended direction. It is, hence, certainly not an easy job. A lot of brains go behind producing the right PR strategy so that their organizational goals and met in due course. And in today’s world, it is no more about where you work but who you know which is why multinational companies look out for the best candidates when it comes to selecting PR pros. We have put together a list of the top 10 most influential PR people, whom the world looks forward to. Have a look: Diksha Vohra
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10
10. Carolyn Penner, Twitter
She is the one who is responsible for changing the face and phase of Twitter, particularly towards the journalists. She left Google for Twitter and soon Twitter saw a huge increase in their fan base and member interactions. In the good old days, Twitter would post a blog and some tweets occasionally but after she joined, she made sure that actual replies were given to the members promptly in order to enhance the interaction thus making building stronger the relationship between Twitter and journalists. Now that is called using ‘Common sense’ in an uncommon way.
9. Krista Canfield, Linkedin
Krista was one of the first employees of Linkedin’s PR team joining it in 2008. Today, her PR skills are the reason why Linkedin has become a well known professional-social media network brand worldwide. In 2013, her constant features on interns and tidbits here and there have made her one of the most talked about PR person. Her recent accomplishment includes her special on Linkedin’s 10-year anniversary which was run on Bloomberg TV. She is the perfect blend of beauty and brains.
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8. Barry Schnitt, Pinterest
Having worked in Google, then Facebook, Barry brought with him an enormous experience of a decade to Pintrest. He is always seen out there constantly developing new strategies to help Pintrest go viral which has proven to be beneficial. Hence he has successfully earned a respectable position in our list of top 10.
7. Ricardo Reyes, Square
He is surely someone who has connections in the industry and who knows how to use those connections to the company’s benefit. A thorough professional who has worked with Google and Youtube before, Reyes is the perfect example of a PR pro. Handling communications at Square currently, Reyes has managed to bring the Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey into the media limelight. Dorsey is now loved by the media and his stories are regularly covered over various media platforms. He is surely someone whose skill shows in his work and achievements.
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“There Is Only One Thing In The World Worse Than Being Talked About, And That Is Not Being Talked About.” Oscar Wilde
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BUSINESS & FINANCE 6
6. Steve Dowling, Apple
Apple, surprisingly, is not a media friendly brand. Even though people all over the world look forward to the launch of Apple’s products, it is really hard to get a response or review about the products from its PR person. That way, Steve Dowling has done a good job by entering apple. His experience as a journalist for CNBC, which was just before he joined Apple, helped him in getting across to people and companies with ease. He is one person who is appreciated by his colleagues and competitors for being a thorough professional. Afterall working in Apple isn’t a cake walk right?
5. Margit Wennmachers, Andreessen Horowitz
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She is known to everybody in the PR industry as ‘the best PR person in the world’. Wennmachers co-founded a PR company called OutCast Communications that represented Yahoo, Facebook and Andreessen Horowitz among others. Today her network of power is still growing as she uses her experience from Yahoo and Facebook to carve a niche for herself and Andreesen Horowitz.
4. Frank Shaw, Microsoft
Where almost the entire world writes about Microsoft, it is hard to handle so many reporters together. But for one like Shaw, who knows the ins and outs of media and the tricks to push news forward, he proves that he is meant to stay in this industry for long. He is known from coast to coast as one of the best PR people one can come across.
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3
“To establish oneself in the world, one does all one can to seem established there already’” - Francois de la Rochefoucauld
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3. Caryn Marooney, Facebook
Ever wondered how Facebook became so popular in the entire world in less than a decade? It is,without a doubt, because of masterminds like Caryn. Caryn had also co-founded OutCast with Mirgit and when Mirgit moved to Twitter, she moved to Facebook. She is the one behind the PR of all product launches, feature changes, engineering issues and much more making Facebook one of the most popular social media sites worldwide.
2. Broke Hammerling, Brew Media Relations.
She knows everyone from East to West in the media and communications industry and is equally liked by all. Now that is impressive. It is quite hard to make a mark in the industry without being envied or disliked by anyone. However Hammerling has done it all, adding to her professionalism. Her clients include major companies across the NYC including: Weathfront, Smartthings, August, Quantcast and Oracle. Her hard work has certainly paid of making her the second on this list.
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1. Rachel Whetstone, Google
If you can’t find anything, search on Google and you will be fine. However, who has made Google this big? Undoubtedly, it has to be someone who has such connections. Rachel, wife of Steve Hilton, former director of strategy for U.K Prime Minister David Cameron, manages to program the minds of people to think through her search engine. She is the one driving the steering wheel for Google making it massively popular among all age groups and across all sectors. She is also the one liaising with different Governments across Europe, Africa and the Middle East in order to promote Google wherever she can. Now that is a lot of hard work and effort.
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Luxury Fashion & Beauty
LEVEL SHOE DISTRICT launches the level experience gift card the ultimate gift for shoe lovers . 118
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ffering a retail experience unlike any other, Level Shoe District is the leading footwear destination in the world, presenting over 350 brands and 40 international boutiques under one immaculately designed roof. Located at the heart of the iconic Dubai Mall, the 96,000 square feet concept store presents an expertly curated selection of footwear by world renowned designers and word-of-mouth artisans with styles from contemporary to classic to cater to every palate. Classified into four distinctive multibrand areas, Level Shoe District’s unrivalled proposition has been handpicked by its team of specialists, whose footwear knowledge is unbounded. Each style falls under the Women’s Designer, Women’s Contemporary, Men’s Designer and Trends headline with each section bestowed with its own unique identity. Across Women’s Designer, a clutch of the world’s most prestigious names is elegantly displayed in a boudoir ambience, with gilt birdcages and a powder-soft scheme beckoning the most shoe avid. Women’s Contemporary presents the niche, the emerging and the word-of-mouth in a suitably seductive setting, sultry lighting
offsetting each style. This year, Level Shoe District is offering a unique and truly special experience to Level’s esteemed customers with the Level Experience Gift Card. Available from March 2014, the Level Experience Gift Card will provide an unforgettable experience package at the world’s finest shoe metropolis. For a price of 400AED, the gift card includes a personalized shoe styling session with one of Level’s in-house stylists; a 3-course set menu lunch at the Vogue Café – the first of its kind in the region; two treatments at the Sole Lounge by Margaret Dabbs – the very first Sole Lounge outside the UK; and to complete the ultimate shopping experience, a VIP concierge delivery service for all purchases made. Additionally, gift-givers can add extra credit on the Gift Card to further indulge in the shoe obsession with the opportunity to purchase stunning shoes from the Spring/Summer 2014 collection available at Level Shoe District, including over 100 brands that are regionally exclusive to Level. Level Shoe District is the leading footwear destination in the world, offering a retail experience unlike any other.
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SOCIETY
PIAGET
returns to Palm Beach to celebrate Polo’s Best
Swiss watchmaker and jeweler, Piaget, returned to Palm Beach for the seventh consecutive year as the presenting sponsor and Official Timekeeper of the Piaget Gold Cup tournament at the International Polo Club in Palm Beach. World class polo players and brothers, Facundo Pieres, Gonzalito Pieres, Nico Pieres and Mariano Aguerre of the Ellerstina Piaget team, Piaget North America’s polo ambassador, Jeff Hall and his wife, Michelle Hall, and close friends of the brand Marc Ganzi and Melissa Ganzi, joined Larry Boland, President of Piaget North America, to celebrate the final match of the intense
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three-week tournament. It was a heated competition between teams Valiente and Alegria, with the latter, led by Clemente Zavaleta, Mariano Aguerre, Hilario Ulloa and Julian Mannix, looking to defeat Valiente’s long- running title. From the start, Valiente, fronted by Adolfo Cambiaso, Sapo Caset, Santi Torres and Robert Jornayvaz, took control and led the score 7 to 3 by half time. In an exciting change of events in the fifth chukker, Alegria pulled through and tied the game 9-9. Nevertheless, Valiente triumphed over Alegria to win the championship 11 to 10 with two minutes to spare. Sapo Caset was
recognized as the Most Valuable Player and awarded with a Piaget Polo clock by Larry Boland, in honor of polo great, Carlos Gracida. Atissa Tadjadod, Global Director of Communications for Piaget, also awarded Best Playing Pony to Sapo Caset’s pony, Pipi. Earlier in the day, Piaget kicked off the celebration with a traditional pre-match brunch for fifty at the International Polo Club’s Mallet Grille. In addition to the Pieres brothers, the Ganzi’s and the Hall’s, guests included Joe and Diana DiMenna, Executive Fashion and Beauty Editor, Avril
Graham of Harper’s Bazaar, Helga Piaget and IPC’s John Wash and wife Toy Wash. Piaget also transformed the 7th Chukker terrace in the IPC stadium to showcase the latest editions from the Piaget Polo FortyFive timepiece collection, including the bold black-on-back Chronograph and Automatic in ALDC-treated titanium. Rising above the timepiece presentation, was a life-sized polished aluminum polo pony and rider filled with hundreds of fragrant pink Yves Piaget Roses along with the legendary Piaget Gold Cup trophy. Piaget has a long history with polo, dating back to the 1970s when Mr. Yves Piaget
became a major advocate of the sport in Palm Beach. He strongly believed that polo embodied the same attributes of the brand: beauty, daring and precision. The House will also be hosting the upcoming Piaget Hamptons Cup, in August.
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SOCIETY
La Maison du Chocolat
opens in The Dubai Mall Luxury French Chocolatier opens first boutique in Middle East
signature taste throughout his work, from the delicate chocolate covering, to the sumptuous ganache, following through to the chocolate pastries.
Renowned international luxury chocolatier La Maison du Chocolat officially opened its doors in The Dubai Mall on 20th November 2013. The grand artisan’s first boutique in the Middle East will offer its exceptional, highly sought-after creations in a warm café setting from its exclusive Fashion Avenue location. A reference for deluxe chocolates the world over, La Maison du Chocolat’s creations are handmade with inimitable artistry, showcasing the brand’s true savoir-faire and incredible craftsmanship. “We are proud to be bringing our values of excellence, creativity and luxury to the Middle East and to enter the market with
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this prestigious boutique. Our chocolates offer not only exceptional taste and the best ingredients, but are the pure embodiment of Parisian art-de-vivre,” said Geoffrey D’Anglejan, Managing Director, La Maison du Chocolat.
The Maison typifies artisanal expertise imbued with elegance and finesse, always pushing the limits in search of new sources of taste. Selecting only the finest cacao beans and best vintages available and through the subtlety of balance, mastery of craftsmanship and dedication to innovation, La Maison du Chocolat’s creations are one-of-a-kind. La Maison du Chocolat has taken the science of balance and associations to an art form, creating perfect harmony on the palate and a unique experience of excellence.
La Maison du Chocolat was founded in 1977 by visionary Robert Linxe and has crafted incredible chocolate creations of unique taste in its famous Parisian atelier ever since. The brand carries on the tradition of its grand classics and each season, crafts new chocolate collections, showing that the art of chocolate is everevolving. Nicolas Cloiseau, Master Chef of La Maison du Chocolat, maintains a
“With the introduction of La Maison du Chocolat, we are bringing a taste of French luxury lifestyle to the region. It is a certain lifestyle that the Maison offers, and is a perfect reflection of the dreamlike universe of delicate artistic creations; La Maison du Chocolat is an overall experience unlike no other,” added Wissam Al Mana, Executive Director of Ikram Group, La Maison du Chocolat’s partner in the Middle East.
Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons
to hold iconic exhibition with neverseen-before watches, personal effects and memorabilia from the family archives
2 Ibn Saud (1880-1953), founder of Saudi Arabia. Fine 18K pink gold and ruby keyless presentation dress watch with a painted on enamel dial. 3. Rolex Collectible Vintage $20 Lady Liberty Coin dated 1904, Pocket Watch
1 Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, the region’s leading luxury timepiece retailer with over 60 years of history in the United Arab Emirates and credited with being the driving force in the deepening and strengthening of the region’s timepiece industry will be showcasing historical items from the private family archives, including rare watches that have never been shown to the public before. The historical objects have been handpicked to depict the journey and rise of the Seddiqi family from one single store operation in the 1950’s to the powerhouse that it is now, as well as include personal effects of the late founder Mr. Ahmed Qasim Seddiqi that have deep historical and personal value. The exhibition is free
to view and will be held at the Mall of the Emirates from 2nd to 9th April 2014. Captions: 1. The personal typewriter of the late founder, Ahmed Qasim Seddiqi – a Vintage 1956 Optima Elite 2. Patek Philippe pocket watch specially ordered for Saudi Arabian retailer in 1953 in honor of King Abdul al-Aziz III
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GASTRONOMY
Aspen
by kempenski
Accentuating the taste of
Fine Dining
F
ine dining is enhanced by perfecting three aspects – a good menu, opulent ambience and sophisticated service. Aspen at the Kempenski, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai has truly and in all respects has taken the luxury experience of fine dining to another level. We at Elegante’ were cordially invited over an exclusive lunch to explore their world of fine dining, the European way.
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Diksha Vohra
We will usher you through a visual tour of this unique experience. As we entered the lavish restaurant, we could feel the European Chic all throughout Aspen. From a service perspective, we found out that Aspen’s own resident barista serves over twenty varieties of Tchaba designer tea and more than ten different Dallmayr coffee creations providing their guests with a wide choice of beverages. Furthermore, Aspen also features the exclusive Victoria
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GASTRONOMY
Arduino Venus Century Espresso Machine, of which there are only one hundred in the world; Kempinski Hotel, Mall of the Emirates managed to get the final, hundredth one. “The outlet has been positioned as a luxury lobby lounge and adds value to the overall experience of our guests, serving generous portions with high-end quality ingredients…” says Konstantin Zeuke, General Manager, Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates The modern interior has been executed in a stylish palette of orange, green and white walls, warmed up by a large Swarovski chandelier lighting feature, making us as comfortable as possible through their elegant ambiance. On the other side of this glamorous restaurant lies the world of an exotic kitchen, designed specifically to meet the tastes of their valued patrons. Making sure to serve the best quality food is the executive chef – Sudqi Naddaf, the man behind the preparation of their mouthwatering unique cuisine.
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Coming to the main part, their food is hearty, but refined and while modern British cuisine is at the forefront, French touches make their way on to the plate. We started with the smoking Tomato Soup which proved to be an excellent start to our fine dining experience familiarising us with the deep rooted European culture. Their signature mains included Wagyu Beef Cheek, which is the finest combination of texture and flavors. Generously adding to the tastes of the mains are the delicious desserts like the Chocolate and Coffee Tiramisu which melts in your mouth and is the best way to finish a lovely meal. We thoroughly enjoyed the excellent classic restaurant experience provided and highly recommend this for occasions relating to both business and pleasure.
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GASTRONOMY
Chef
Ernesto Tonetto Cavali club
C
hef Ernesto Tonetto is without a doubt one of the UAE’s best-respected ambassadors of Italian cuisine. From his first restaurant Ristorante “dell’Angelo” located in Bergamo Italy (#1 Michelin star) to date, the Head Chef at Cavalli Club Dubai has blended his creative flair with his Italian heritage to create dishes that sit at the junction of tradition and innovation.
Ernesto has worked with some of the world’s most acclaimed chefs and restaurateurs including tenures in a number of Michelin starred kitchens. At Cavalli Club Dubai Ernesto draws on his experience to continually develop both the menu and the service standard to play perfectly into the glamour and drama of the Cavalli setting.
Over the last 36 years, Ernesto has honed his skills to create dishes that showcase his maturity as a Chef and his passion for sourcing only the finest Italian ingredients. Thus he aims to evoke a perfectly executed contemplation of history, territory, and flavour for each and every guest.
During his spare time, Ernesto can be found exploring Italy for culinary treasures to find rare produce and hone traditional cooking techniques, which he then translates for the tastes and climate of Dubai. This passion and continual sense of discovery is a critical factor in the on-going success of the Cavalli Club dining experience.
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GastRonomY
by Chef Ernesto Tonetto - Cavali Club
Capesante scottate con consommĂŠ di funghi, verdure al tartufo Pan-fried scallops with mushroom consommĂŠ and truffle vegetables Ingredient for 5 Pax 15 Pcs Large sea scallop 5 Pcs Baby leeks steam 5 Pcs Baby carrots steam 15 Pcs Baby asparagus steam 5 Pcs Baby zucchini steam 200 Gr Mix mushroom 1 Lt Vegetables stock Salt & Pepper Extra virgin olive oil 20 Gr Shaved black truflle . 130
Preparation Heat a nonstick pan skillet over medium high heat for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the oil, and heat until quite hot. Put the dry scallops in the pan, uncrowded layer. Season with salt and pepper and let sear undisturbed until one side is browned and crisp, 2 to 4 minutes then turn the scallops and sear the second side is well browned and ready. Bring the stock to boil, take away to the heater and then add the mushrooms, put a lid on and leave to infuse for 30 minutes and strainer in the end. Serving Arrange the scallop in a soup bowl, dispose the vegetables on top add the mushrooms stock and in the end shave the truffle.
by Chef Ernesto Tonetto - Cavali Club
Gnocchi alla romana, asparagi e salsa al taleggiotartufo Semolino gratin dumpling, asparagus and taleggio cheese sauce (V) Ingredients for 5 Pax 250 gr Semolina flour (or semola rimacinata di grano duro) 1 lt Whole milk 2 tsp Salt 140 gr Parmigiano Reggiano cheese finely grated + more for baking 2 large egg yolks a pinch of nutmeg 50 gr Butter for baking 30 Pcs Steamed asparagus 200 gr Taleggio cheese 100 ml Fresh cream Preparation In a heavy bottomed saucepan, bring the milk to a lightly simmer, then add salt, nutmeg and semolina flour then stir well with a whisk to avoid lumps. Continue to stir with a wooden spoon and cook for at least 10 minutes or until it begins to pull away from the sides of the saucepan. The mixture should be like some thick and firm mashed potatoes. Remove from heat and add Parmigiano cheese and stir with a
wooden spoon until the cheese is melted and absorbed. Quickly add the egg yolks and stir until all is well mixed. Put the dough over a baking paper, cover with a cling film or plastic wrap and roll with a rolling-pin until it’s flattened to about 1-2 cm. Leave to cool in the fridge for at least 1 hour. Once cooled in the fridge, you can cut the dough in circles with a round pastry cutter (5-8 cm Ø) or in squares or rhombus with a knife. It the dough has not cooled enough and it’s sticky, plunge the cutter into some water to help you (or brush it with some extra virgin olive oil). If you choose the classic form (circle) you can put the remaining pieces of dough (if still soft and mixable) you can re-knead what is left and roll out again to make other Gnocchi. Line up Gnocchi in a spread butter baking pan. Sprinkle some more Parmigiano Reggiano and add melted butter on top. Bake at 200°C for about 20-30 minutes. Serving Make a circle line with a taleggio cheese sauce (melt the Taleggio cheese with in a boiling cream) place the semolina gnocchi on top the sauce add the steamed asparagus randomly. Garnish the dish with some cherry tomato and fresh basil. 131 .
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