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contents
ESSENTIALS
18 Publisher’s Letter
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24 Dubai – Sustainable City 38 Only YOU, Málaga 46 Modern Saunas 58 The New Tesla S Plaid 62 Juice Technology Comes to Málaga 66 Property in Málaga 76 Jason Momoa
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GO TO TRENDS 84 Hot New Films 88 Cool New Series
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92 New Book Releases 96 Walks Around Marbella 98 Touchless Screen Technology 102 What’s Cool
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GO TO LIFESTYLE 108 Into the Light, Villa with Views 120 Fashion 122 The Benefits of Pet Ownership 124 Luxury Dog Beds
GO TO SPA 128 Natasha Denona 132 Maui Moisture 134 Cardiac Arrhythmia
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136 Eye Reconstruction Treatment
GO TO ENTERPRISE 140 Marbella United Nationalities Summit 144 The VIBE 150 Business News 158 ETIAS 160 Brexit – One Year On
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GO TO GOURMET 164 Mosh Fun Kitchen
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170 Gourmet Bytes 174 Effects of Fast Food on Health 176 Domecq Days
In 2021 we have sold in Marbella than any
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Issue 266 – January 2022
STAFF
PUBLISHER & DIRECTOR IAIN BLACKWELL director@essentialmagazine.com DIGITAL & CREATIVE DIRECTOR ANDREA BLACKWELL andrea@essentialmagazine.com ASSOCIATE EDITOR MARISA CUTILLAS marisa@essentialmagazine.com DESIGN & LAYOUT ANDREA BLACKWELL, INMA AURIOLES design@essentialmagazine.com
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D WORDS BY IAIN BLACKWELL PUBLISHER
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I
hope your Christmas was full of warmth and fun.In a month that tends to make us take stock of what kind of shape we’re in, our articles on the effects of fast food on health, the benefits of pet ownership, and modern saunas may aid this process. Jason Momoa also enlightens us on his fitness regime and we review a new book on the 35 Best Walks Around Marbella. Half way through the Dubai Expo, we bring you exciting sustainable innovations being showcased in some of its pavilions and we visit The Sustainable City – the first Net Zero Energy city in Dubai. Málaga features prominently in this issue,
18 / OCTOBER 2021 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE
with a triple focus on the new five star Only YOU hotel, an interview with Cristophe Erni, CEO of Juice Technology, who has recently chosen the city for its entry into Spain, and a report on its booming property market. Finally, for a spot of much needed diversion, don’t miss our previews of hot new films and series releases, going for a burn in the new Tesla S Plaid, and our lively evening out at Mosh Fun Kitchen.
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“LOVE IS THE BRIDGE BETWEEN YOU AND EVERYTHING” 120
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spotlight
WITH THE EXPO IN FULL SWING AND ITS SUSTAINABLE CITY, DUBAI IS CURRENTLY AN INTERNATIONAL SHOWCASE FOR QUALITY SUSTAINABLE LIVING. READ ABOUT MÁLAGA'S PROPERTY BOOM AND THE LAUNCH OF ITS LATEST FIVE STAR HOTEL, ONLY YOU. CLIMB ABOARD THE NEW TESLA MODEL S PLAID, WHICH HAS A STAGGERING PULL OF MORE THAN 1,000-HORSEPOWER AT ITS DISPOSAL.
GO TO PAGE 46 FOR MODERN SAUNAS
GO TO PAGE 58 FOR THE NEW TESLA
GO TO PAGE 66 FOR PROPERTY IN MÁLAGA
CULTURE TRAVEL HISTORY PEOPLE MOTORING 24 Dubai – Sustainable City 38 Only YOU, Málaga 46 Modern Saunas 58 The New Tesla S Plaid
GO TO PAGE 24 FOR DUBAI
62 Juice Technology Comes to Málaga 66 Property in Málaga 76 Jason Momoa
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DUBAI
THE SUSTAINABLE CITY? Think of Dubai – the city founded on oil wealth – and you picture gleaming skyscrapers, highways filled with petrol-guzzling cars, luxury resorts and endless malls. Not exactly the prototype of a sustainable city…and yet… WORDS MICHEL CRUZ
Sustainable comfort in the desert
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et’s face it, the world has been slow to change its ways. People have been talking about the same stuff since the environmental debate first became a mainstream topic in the 1970s. That’s half a century ago, and all we did in the meantime is become more oildependent, drive more and bigger cars, consume and fly more, double the world population and waste time on endless philosophical debates. To be truthful, the track record of the West in this regard is shockingly poor, so it has fallen not to ‘progressive Europe or Australia’, nor to ‘advanced North America and Japan’, but to ‘lessenlightened’ places such as China and the UAE to take the first firm steps towards creating sustainable city prototypes that should inspire a new way of thinking for the (near) future. Of course, such things are easier to move forward in more autocratic regimes, but all the same…
AN EXISTING TRACK RECORD The UAE already has some pedigree when it comes to this, having launched the pioneering Masdar City project near Abu Dhabi as early as 2006. Masdar City is a fascinating study in how to create an enjoyable,
social living environment in a hot desert location without excessive use of energy-driven cooling. Instead, the revolutionary setting is courtesy of design concepts developed by Norman Foster and his team, and it provides many possible answers for an energy-efficient, largely car-free society in which roads no longer separate living spaces and people can interact within modern urban areas inspired by traditional vernacular architecture. ›
THE SUSTAINABLE CITY Probably inspired by this, Dubaibased Diamond Developers launched a somewhat less futuristic project in 2015 named The Sustainable City. It’s described as the first netzero energy development of a residential nature in Dubai, and while a little less ambitious than Masdar City this is a very real new suburb where people live and work. Uniquely in vehicle and road-crazy Dubai, it is also car-free, taking inspiration from Masdar City, and elevating the concept beyond most comparable initiatives in other parts of the world. Though still moderate in size, the very name ‘The Sustainable City’ hints at the ambitions of a developer keen to pioneer better, cleaner living. ›
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Urban planning for the future
Indeed, there is space to grow, and before long more zones will be added until the present suburb becomes a city in its own right – and one that could well serve as an example to the rest of the world. At present, The Sustainable City is a mixeduse extension of the Dubai metropolis that consists of 500 villas, 89 apartments and an area made up of offices, retail
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spaces, healthcare facilities, a nursery, and hospitality and F&B outlets. In addition to more homes, parks and public spaces, the second phase will also contain a school, luxury hotel (this is Dubai, after all) and an intriguingly named ‘innovation centre’, a concept that of course fits right in with a green town. Spread over almost half a million square metres of land,
this shining new example of a city of the future has moved away from the standard, American-inspired methodology of Dubai, where cars, highways and glass towers dominate urban life. The Sustainable City is delightfully human in scale, partly because it is low-rise, has lots of green zones and is not dissected by busy roads. Here children can roam around safely, as there are only roads encircling and providing access to the suburb, all of them leading to parking zones. Once you reach these points, you either walk, cycle or (if really necessary) take small electric buggies around leafy streets, squares and green parks. ›
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Let’s face it, this is residential living as it should be, with cars standing in parking spaces under the shaded cover of solar energy panels. They and their counterparts installed upon the roofs of homes and commercial buildings provide hot water and electricity, while the parked cars plug into recharging stations. Peak production thus generated reaches 10MW, with townhouses covered in UV-reflective paint that minimises the heating up of the structure. Waste water is recycled, with separated draining for grey water and black water, and natural materials such as papyrus are used to filter it. Such solutions have been around for a while, but their combined implementation in a project of The Sustainable City, Dubai this scale is truly inspiring. The rejection of cars, for one thing, has led to the creation of a more resident-friendly environment that prioritises pedestrians and cyclists, while providing attractive green leisure spaces and also public amenities constructed with the help of recycled building waste. The Sustainable City shows the world the way forward, above all because it is one of the first residential projects of any scale that truly attempts to close the circle between human needs and reduced environmental impact.
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DESIGN Though Diamond Developers’ CEO, Faris Saeed, cites the West Village campus of the University of California Davis in the USA as one of the main sources of inspiration for the design and layout of The Sustainable City, in terms of aesthetic architectural styling there has been a concerted attempt to move away from the glass and steel towers of the recent past and back to the intimate feel of vernacular Arabian architecture. In this case, the direct reference is Dubai’s own historic Bastakiya quarter, whose classic Gulf styling, decorative detailing, shaded pathways and little squares encourage social interaction while also providing a cooling environment. Sports facilities, including an equestrian centre, combine with squares, parks and other green zones to make this one of the most pleasant living environments in Dubai, and indeed all of the Middle East. Other parts of the world can and should also take note and learn from what has so bravely been achieved at The Sustainable City – a truly inspiring example of how we can (and should) be living in the 21st century, even if this means a partial return to our roots in different parts of the world. In this sense the
concept also ties in with the km-zero philosophy, and this is visible in the eleven biodome greenhouses used for organic food production and plant nurseries. The latter use natural resource inputs and are cooled using a passive method that works with fans and pads. The overall concept has been successful, ensuring that The Sustainable City will continue to grow and also form the basis for others to come, including already new projects in the UAE’s Sharjah, but certainly also beyond. In announcing plans for Sanad Village, the world’s largest rehabilitation centre, Faris Saeed said, “Through Sanad Village, we want to assure that The Sustainable City continues with its plans to evolve into a complete society that provides the UAE and the world with innovative ideas, not only on different aspects of sustainability, but also the initiatives and projects that target all segments of society and its different needs.” In other words, a fine example of ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) thinking! i www.thesustainablecity.ae
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EXPO 2021 DUBAI WORDS MICHEL CRUZ
ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY Delayed a year by the coming of the Covid-19 crisis last year, Expo 2020 Dubai looks more openly to the future than many an event of its kind has done for some time. The official theme, ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’, says as much, and now more than ever there is an urgency about the concepts and technologies being displayed here.
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Exploring nature
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n a location such as Dubai, there is of course no shortage of ambition and visual impact, all the more so because this Expo falls on the 50th anniversary of the UAE’s independence, and over the 182 days of its duration, this amazing tech-based event will feature an average of 60 live events per day, as well as multiple pavilions and exhibitions set within almost five square kilometres of grounds, complete with educational and entertainment elements and 200 food and beverage points representing 50 world cuisines. 192 countries – each with their own pavilion – will be participating in a spectacle with purpose, where the bottom-line motto is: Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability as interconnected drivers of progress. This, the largest event ever organised in the Arab world, is squarely aimed at finding new methodologies, new solutions to the challenging problems of our time, and in this technology will be the star performer for everything from energyefficiency and new transport systems to agriculture and how to design the cities of the future.
OPPORTUNITY, MOBILITY AND SUSTAINABILITY The cited objective, quite apart from the fun elements, the promotion of the host location and the global business and networking opportunities of a World Expo, is to “…create new perspectives, and then plan the path forward for urgent action.” › WWW.ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM / 31
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back to CONTENTS The Russian pavilion Museum of the Future
Colourful Pakistan at the Expo Dubai 2020 Al Wasl Dome
In other words, the 2020 Dubai Expo is one of the first ever whose purpose extends beyond the mere exposition and promotion of ideas and ideals to the actual search for practical solutions – with a view to finding and implementing the best options available as soon as possible. This sense of urgency never seen before will be channelled through visual technological and conceptual displays, multilevel discussions held among academics, public officials, business leaders and 32 / JANUARY 2022 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE
technology experts on topics such as water, soil, space and energy-management, logistical and transport developments, smart and sustainable cities, food production and liveable environments. Those who visit the spectacle will be in for just that: high-tech marvels, architectural and engineering wizardry, living rainforests, vertical farms, and a whole new level of AR and VR experiences. The World Expos have always looked to the future, first with brazen confidence and now with the trepidation of societies and
environments that feel a little broken but, given this newly defined role, their importance is perhaps greater than ever, and in bringing together so many people from across the globe in numerous relevant and related fields, the 2020 Dubai Expo is setting the tone for all subsequent events of this kind to come. Gone is the purpose purely to entertain; as of now a World Expo is a fantastic and precious opportunity to help get things done. ›
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A water feature at the Dubai Expo 2020
Terra Sustainability Pavilion
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USING A WORLD EXPO TO PROMOTE ACTION The UAE backs this initiative with what it calls a “… collaborative and peoplecentred strategy”, and at the heart of the Expo’s focus on rebuilding our natural world with the use of sensible technologies are three pavilions that allow us to rediscover the wonder of our planet in all its savage diversity, dynamic equilibrium and splendour. The designers have ensured that travelling through these pavilions really does feel like exploring the mysterious depths of untouched nature. Building on the natural world is technology – the manmade
element that has allowed us to destroy it and which remains our only true hope to return it to health – and naturally the many glistening new tools of modern science and the digital world are on display in tech-orientated pavilions, both in the form of current innovations, new ones and futuristic concepts. It is really the latter two categories that the 2020 Dubai Expo seeks to find in plentiful supply. The main themes include: Z Climate & Biodiversity, including space; urban & rural development; travel & connectivity; health & wellness; food, agriculture & livelihoods, and water
Z Innovation & Technology Z Architectural marvels – such as those of the Expo itself Z MULTI, the world’s first ropeless elevator for skyscrapers Z The BlocExpo & World Blockchain Summit Z Egypt Pavilion’s Time Machine Z Robo-Beethoven at the German Pavilion’s Culture Lab Z Future automotive manufacturing Z Ukraine Pavilion’s crosscountry e-bike And much more!
i www.expo2020dubai.com 1 October 2021 – 31 March 2022
Inside the Sustainability Pavilion
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TAKE A MOMENT
To view
A bespoke development of 44 private sea view residences, immersed in authentic Andalusia, bordering a protected nature area and conceived by a world class team. Many of the components, amenities and place names of Ocean View and the surrounding areas depicted and/or described in this material are still in the conceptual planning stages and are subject to change without notice. This material is intended to encourage the sale of the residential units; however, it does not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation of offers to purchase in any state where prior registration is required.
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY +34 951 255 255 info@oceanviewmarbella.com OCEANVIEWMARBELL A.COM
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THE ONLY YOU HOTEL MÁLAGA OPENS ITS DOORS
The Madrid-based Only YOU Hotel chain, part of the Palladium Hotel Group, recently launched its newest five-star hotel in Málaga, ready to raise the bar when it comes to offering discerning tourists a luxurious stay in the capital of the Costa del Sol. Marisa Cutillas brings you the inside scoop on this new haven of rest and relaxation. PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF ONLY YOU HOTELS
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A UNIQUE LOCATION Only YOU Hotel Málaga is situated in an enviable spot in the city of Málaga: the emblematic La Equitativa building, which is ensconced between Calle Larios and the Old Town and the port zone and Muelle Uno. It is a short walk from the many enticing sights in the city centre – including the port itself, the
shopping haven that is Calle Larios, the Málaga Cathedral, and both the Carmen Thyssen and Picasso Museums (both of which are a sixto-seven minute stroll away).
A HAVEN OF COMFORT The new hotel has 93 rooms, which are divided into eight categories (Classic, Deluxe, Premium, Premium
SEA, Premium Larios, Premium Terrace, Junior Suite OY Love, and Junior Suite Terrace Marina). If you’re after something a bit romantic, the Junior Suite OY Love is ideal. Measuring 40m2, it boasts stunning views over the Plaza de Marina, is completely soundproof, and offers a series of premium services and fittings – including a gorgeous standing bathtub, a 50” TV screen, and a 29 cm mattress with a wide selection of pillows. View-wise, the pick of the bunch has got to be the Junior Suite Terrace Marina, with serene views over the Mediterranean Sea, Málaga Harbour, and the popular Paseo del Parque Avenue. This space measures 45m2 and has a living room, bedroom, and chill-out terrace. › WWW.ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM / 39
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ART DÉCO INFLUENCES The Hotel boasts various common areas which are also open to members of the public who are not staying at the hotel. The interiors, created by renowned design studio Proyecto Singular, bear a distinct Art Déco style, married to fresh, urban, Mediterranean influences. Warm hues dominate the communal zones, which are flooded with natural light, and fitted with midcentury furniture pieces and a wide range of plants. The rooms, divided into six floors, have a distinctly relaxed, Mediterranean feel. Here, solid wood furniture, braided fabrics, and natural fibres hold sway. Natural light and energy abound, as is only fitting to this sun-kissed corner of the globe.
‘CARMEN’ AND ‘LOLA’ RESTAURANTS – THE GASTRONOMY OF MÁLAGA AT ITS FINEST Only YOU Hotels are known for
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prioritising their culinary offerings. Only YOU Málaga is home to two restaurants, both of which are open to guests and members of the general public. One of them, Carmen, is located on the ground floor, featuring nonstop, quality bistro-style dishes that are ideal for sharing. It serves a classic Malagueño-style breakfast followed by an à la carte lunch and dinner, as well as post-meal drinks. ›
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On the seventh floor, meanwhile, is Lola – a formal dining space headed by Chef, Pedro Hervás. The menu here is centred on marketfresh produce that is faithful to the zero-km cuisine concept. The latter comprises organic, healthy, sustainable food which is grown close to the establishment. Its dishes pay homage to traditional Malagueño fare, with some of its star choices cooked in a traditional charcoal oven. This restaurant has interior and exterior/ terrace-style dining spaces with lovely views over the city.
THE LOLITA SKYVIEW POOL & LOUNGE The top floor of the Hotel, floor eight, is arguably the most emblematic spot in the hotel. It comprises an impressive rooftop terrace with panoramic views over the city. It boasts an infinity pool, bar (with a special ‘pool bar’ menu), and sun lounger zone. This is an elegant new spot in which to chill out while watching the sun set over one of Andalucía’s most architecturally stunning cities. g C/ Alameda Principal 1, Málaga. Tel: (+34) 951 390 069.
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www.onlyyouhotels.com
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MODERN SAUNAS WORDS MICHEL CRUZ
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volutionary anthropologists tell us that our capacity to perspire has played a major part in our evolution and ability to become masters of this planet. It is, of course, our method of ventilation and cooling our insides off, but sweating is also a great way to get rid of toxins from the body, and this the ancients right across the globe discovered early on. It wasn’t long before several began to experiment with enclosed huts and chambers that trapped smoke and heat, often scented with herbs or even hallucinatory agents. One of the finest developments upon this theme was the sauna, which would win out as the ultimate venue in which to expel impurities, relax and improve one’s health and endurance. ›
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Convenient stylish home saunas from the Imagine range
People have been perspiring ever since our species first evolved – indeed, to sweat is to be human – but it didn’t take long for someone to figure out a way of making even this most basic of physical functions altogether more satisfying.
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From the early tribal passage of age rites, group bonding rituals and mind-expanding experiences to the winter-warming practices of those on the Arctic fringe, the sauna has come a long way to travel from the country cottages of Finland and Karelia into the modern hotel, spa and home. Today’s experience is no longer shamanistic in character, no longer connected to the spirits of the forefathers or the mysterious forces of nature. Now it is a relaxing, sensual thing that we experience as a form of recreation but which in essence can also be an integral part of a sound health and beauty regime. It’s not for
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nothing, after all, that the sauna takes such pride of place in every wellness centre on the planet.
FROM FINLAND TO THE WORLD The Nordic country may not have invented the concept of heating in this way, but its fires have been stoking for over 7,000 years and its saunas have gone on to conquer the world, now appearing in every corner of the globe. Typically made of grained pine wood, the sauna comes with a characteristic scent courtesy of leaves of laurel and other herbs whose fragrances blend with the steamy air. Add to the temperature
Home saunas made to measure by the wellness specialists
and vapour simply by turning the dial up and pouring water on the coals, and in the process you will allow a rich profusion of herbal perfume to fill the cabin as well. Many of the original saunas set in the country were little wooden outhouses of this kind, but in the second half of the 20th century the cabin slowly became a room within a part of the house. If the sauna moved indoors, then it first bordered bathrooms and laundry areas, later to become luxury accessories alongside the gyms, spas and even bedroom suites of luxurious villas – and occasionally even apartments. ›
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The Imagine D-sign sauna by Freixanet Wellness
Bespoke projects from Freixanet Wellness
This trend is now well-established, and few contemporary Marbella villas worth their salt come without a stateof-the-art sauna installation of the finest pedigree. Many are bordered by an equally impressive Mediterranean variation of the same thing: the Turkish Baths or Arab Hammams that were
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themselves further developments of Roman bath houses. Dry heat from the sauna complements humid heat from the possibly even more scented baths, and together with a cool dip – a pool if you have no Russian or Finnish winter lake to hand – it’s the holy trinity of such health regimes. ›
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D SPOTLIGHT saunas
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Make your sauna as impactful as you like
MODERN SAUNA OPTIONS Many cultures around the world have sweating, bathing and massaging rituals of this kind, but generally we’re sticking with the Finnish-Mediterranean version, and for this reason most of the finest modern gadgetry of this kind continues to come from countries such as Finland. They have long since transcended early electrical and infrared systems to incorporate the latest styles, materials, lighting, comfort levels and also non-harmful broad spectrum infrared sauna therapies. Though personal tolerance levels vary, the
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recommended ideal length of time for a good sweat session in a sauna is 20 minutes, after which you’ll feel relaxed and any muscle pains will receive soothing relief. Instead of the steam-generated heat of conventional saunas, those who struggle with the high temperatures produced can also opt for infrared lamps that many claim also produce more beneficial results. These focus primarily on relaxation and muscle and joint ache relief, purifying, weight loss, better skin complexion and blood circulation, as well as improved sleep. As with most things there is a health warning, particularly for those with heart conditions and also pregnant women, but if the temperature setting and length of stay in the sauna are kept at sensible levels the risks are minimal. Just make sure you drink enough water and don’t fall asleep inside. ›
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Nordic sauna feel Spanish-made
21ST CENTURY SAUNAS From the traditional outdoor cabin house to the classic wooden one in your home, the sauna’s journey through the 20th century has brought it to a new chapter in a high-tech world. The natural feel, scent and aesthetic of sleek Scandinavian pine is still much in vogue, but accessories and exterior design are becoming increasingly modern, while glass frontage is also progressively popular in today’s in-house models – both from a design and space-saving point 54 / JANUARY 2022 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE
of view. A whole world of luxury options is now available, whether for stand-alone saunas or those that form part of commercial or private spa and gym areas. Here, glass and wood merge with stone, marble and contemporary mosaic stones and crystals, which together with LED lighting produce stunning effects. One of Europe’s leading manufacturers of sauna systems is actually Spanish. Freixanet Wellness from Manresa near Barcelona creates individual designs as well as building
integrated spa systems, and one of the most exciting new range of products is the Imagine D-Sign – a beautifully styled glass-fronted sauna with a modular feel that can fit into most homes. Featuring pure, simple, modern styling and quality materials, ergonomic detailing and ambient lighting, this little designer cabin makes it possible to incorporate a warm, cosseting relaxing chamber in your own home when you always thought you’d need space for an entire wellness centre. Just lie down, relax, look at the starlit roof and let the fragrant warm air glide all over you. e i www.freixanetwellness.com
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TESLA
MODEL S PLAID It’s a rare day when the world’s media hasn’t got something interesting to say about Tesla, Inc. and its charismatic founder and CEO Elon Musk. When we first visited Tesla in the late 2000s it was marketing an electrified sports car based on a Lotus chassis and body. The car was not exactly a blockbuster and there was little to indicate that the operation would one day become by far the world’s leading EV manufacturer and the sixth most valuable company on the planet by market capitalisation. WORDS TONY WHITNEY PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF TESLA
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T
here’s always been a lot of speculation about Tesla’s complex financial makeup but despite significant achievements in aerospace and other sectors, it has been the cars that have really paved the way for the company’s remarkable success. The Model S
flagship has always led the charge in the luxury EV car market and for good reason. When figures like acceleration and range get so much attention, it’s often overlooked that Tesla created a highly attractive luxury saloon with impressively clean lines and a level of fit and finish that
matches or exceeds anything from rival makers that have been around for a century or more. The car is a lot more than a high-end EV and we often ponder whether it would have sold almost as well with an internal combustion engine under the bonnet, as it looks so good.›
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The latest variant on the Model S theme is the Plaid, a name that, according to Elon Musk, refers to a high-speed space travel scene in the comedy movie Spaceballs. Call it what you like, the Model S Plaid is one of the most significant luxury saloons ever marketed, not least because of its 322 km/h top speed and otherworldly acceleration figure of 100 km/h in 2.1-seconds. To put this into perspective, Formula One cars are generally believed to hit 100 km/h in around 2.6-seconds. Basically, the Model S Plaid is a sizeable luxury saloon comparable to something like a Mercedes-Benz S-Class or an Audi A8. The first Model S was launched in 2012 and although the ensuing years have seen 60 / JANUARY 2022 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE
many updates, the basic look of the car remains the same. Given that this was one of those rare ‘right first time’ cars, it’s perfectly forgivable for Tesla to have stayed away from any radical bodywork upgrades. The detailing around the coachwork is very impressive and as an example, the door handles are so cleverly integrated you won’t spot them at first glance. The panels fit flawlessly and the overall level of quality is surprising for a manufacturer that is still very
much a newcomer to the car industry. The Plaid gets its whopping 1,020-horsepower from a trio of electric motors, one at the front and two at the rear, that power all four wheels. With so much horsepower on tap, all-wheel drive is pretty well essential to safely maximise response. As with all EVs, full power is available almost as soon as the accelerator is pressed and there’s none of the ‘spool-up’ you’d associate with internal combustion engines.
Advanced battery technology ensures that despite the Plaid’s performance levels, the car’s claimed maximum range of 637 km is still very impressive. On the other hand, one new Tesla buyer we spoke to pointed out that the owner’s manual advises drivers not to fully charge their car, nor to run it with less than a certain level of charge, which raises some questions about true range. While exterior changes are confined to details like wider wheel arches to accommodate bigger tyres, the interior benefits from a radical upgrade. The layout and controls are so advanced, the Plaid interior looks more like one of Elon Musk’s spacecraft than a conventional EV saloon.
Most noticeable features are the yoke steering wheel and the huge infotainment screen, surely the biggest ever seen in a production car. Rear passengers get a screen too, but it’s not quite so large. It’s all beautifully integrated and will certainly convince the owner that they’ve climbed into a car a generation ahead of its rivals. Several luxury carmakers are either marketing or planning to market Tesla S rivals and there’s no doubt many will come close or even exceed the attributes of Elon Musk’s flagship. This may be so, but Tesla will take a lot of dislodging from its dominant place in the premium EV market despite its comparative youth as a vehicle producer. e
Z ENGINE: Three electric motors, 1,020-horsepower total, all-wheel drive. Z ACCELERATION: Zero to 100 km/h in 2.1-seconds. Z TOP SPEED: 322 km/h. Z RANGE: 637 km. Z I LIKED: Astonishing levels of performance combined with excellent on-road refinement and quietness. All-wheel drive helps transfer the huge power output safely to the road. Z I DIDN’T LIKE: True range may be less than claimed. Z MARKET ALTERNATIVES: Porsche Taycan Turbo S, MercedesBenz EQS, Audi e-tron GT, BMW i4. Z WHO DRIVES ONE? Buyers who want to make an environmental contribution but don’t want their car to fall short on luxury and performance. Existing owners of a Tesla Model 3 or Model X who want to move upscale. Buyers who simply want the fastest luxury saloon out there. Z PRICE AND AVAILABILITY: Available now with prices starting around €106.000.
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JUICE TECHNOLOGY LEADING EV TECH COMPANY COMES TO MÁLAGA
Málaga has been steadily drawing in more and more tech start-ups as well as well-known international corporations such as Oracle and TDK. The most recent arrival at what is becoming one of the main technology hubs in Spain is Juice Technology, a Swiss-based multinational market leader in the field of electric vehicle recharging solutions. WORDS MICHEL CRUZ PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF JUICE TECHNOLOGY
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he environment is such a hot topic right now that we’re inclined to forget there have been companies working in this field for years, and indeed decades. Among such pioneers is Juice Technology, a Swiss-based tech development company whose electric vehicle recharging solutions are finding ready markets around the world. Having already expanded into China and North America, the company recently chose Málaga for its entry into the Spanish market. At a time when sustainable transport, and in particular electric vehicles, are at the threshold of a veritable boom in investment and development, the company will be using its
base in Málaga to introduce into the Iberian Peninsula the products and innovations that have made it a European market leader and technology frontrunner since 2014. “We will be building upon both local and international talent in this regard,” says Christoph Erni, founder and CEO of Juice Technology. “We chose Málaga because it is becoming an increasingly recognised technology hub with an excellent infrastructure. Good international communications and the quality of life this area offers makes it easier to draw international talent in the tech field.” The company that is the leading supplier of 22kw portable chargers in Europe
will also be developing new systems to complement its existing range of fixed and portable charging equipment.
TECHNOLOGY IN SUPPORT OF THE ENVIRONMENT Christoph Erni is a great example of an innovator who began his career in the IT sector and has since transitioned to environmentallybased tech innovation. He explains how it came to be: “During a lunch with a client, who is a true eco-activist, I saw the contradiction of someone who was extolling public transport as our only salvation while asking me for a lift to the airport, as he was flying to Bali for a cultural exchange.” ›
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The irony of the situation was not lost on Christoph, and when he later heard about an American tech entrepreneur [South-African born Elon Musk] who wanted to build exclusively electric cars on a large scale, he realised the former pipedream was beginning to attain critical mass. “So I decided to give it a try myself, starting with buying an electric vehicle and eventually finding the inspiration to found Juice Technology.” He has since become an avid fan of the noise and friction-free glide of an electric car, when compared with the more abrasively tiring drive of a combustion engine. He also decided to address the main 64 / JANUARY 2022 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE
downside of electric cars at the time – limited driving range and an underdeveloped charging infrastructure – by helping to create new technologically advanced, portable and fixed solutions that work fast, are easy to use, affordable, durable and practical. “When I acquired my first e-car in 2013, it was delivered with only a charging cable and the plug did not fit into Swiss sockets. So I bought an adapter from the hardware store, which melted in the first night. It was simply not designed to charge a car. After my initial displeasure and subsequent research, I found the appropriate adapters and cable sets on the Internet.
Nevertheless, charging options were very rare at that time and were still in their early days. The charging cables on the market were of very poor quality, so I finally came to the conclusion to start my own development and this was the beginning of Juice Technology in 2014,” says Christoph. It’s a classic example of how opportunity can grow out of necessity, and now Juice Technology ranks among the global leaders in the field, an environmental tech innovator in a sector that is just about to take off in a very big way. In fact, the company has gone from having to explain that the future does not lie in fossil fuels to a celebrated environmental
unicorn – Europe’s leader in 22km portable charging stations and one of the few full-line providers in the industry. From mobile AC to stationary DC systems to software solutions, Juice offers a complete ecosystem. The flagship product within the range is the Juice Booster 2, a portable charging station known for its flexibility of use. It’s light, accommodating, adaptable and portable, so easy to keep in the boot of the car and plug in wherever you can, whenever you need it – be it at a carpark, a hotel, the office or at home. You can also mount it on the wall and keep it in one place – it’s really everything you want to keep your electric vehicle moving. From lithe and flexile to larger and more powerful, Juice Technology provides the full range of charging systems
with supporting software – complete with sturdy, light-weight material and attractive design.
CALIFORNIAN SPIRIT AND SWISS PRECISION This blend of innovative thinking and engineering is now also driving the Málaga establishments, where Juice Technology will be helping to expand the recharging infrastructure of the Iberian Peninsula while also promoting and evolving a product range that has seen it earn contracts with large car manufacturers such as Stellantis (the merged PSA and Fiat Group range of vehicle brands). An excellent result for a company that describes itself as “unconventional, fresh, innovative and inconveniently disruptive.” With tech firms such as Juice Technology in our midst, Málaga will play a growing role in the transformation that the automotive industry – and transport as a whole – is undergoing now and in the years to come.
g C/Medellín, 3. 29002 Málaga. Phone number: (+34) 951 778 655. Email: sales-iberia@juice-technology.com Web: https://en.juice-world.com
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D SPOTLIGHT property
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MÁLAGA,
THE COSTA DEL SOL’S OTHER PROPERTY MARKET The real estate sectors of Marbella and its surrounding areas are well-established, but what do we really know about the nascent market on our doorstep? WORDS MICHEL CRUZ
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M
álaga is a destination that is firmly set upon the map for both Spanish and international buyers and lifestyle seekers, and it has been so since the 1960s. However, when we say that, we automatically refer to the Costa del Sol – the stretch of coastline that extends from Torremolinos to Sotogrande. At its epicentre is Marbella, the sparkling jewel in the crown of luxury homes and resort areas, a place with a glamorous reputation that extends across the world… but what about the regional capital itself? Up until the beautification programmes
launched by mayor Francisco de la Torre at the turn of the century, Málaga was an interesting but somewhat rundown Mediterranean port city. Most people turned right at the airport and headed straight for the coast, largely missing its hotels and certainly its real estate. It wasn’t until a decade later that the appetite for Málaga properties began to grow, and as the first pioneers focused upon the historic centre and snapped up its gorgeous period buildings to renovate and add to the global Airbnb pool, the dynamic began to change. ›
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Tastefully refurbished properties a plenty
The once cheap opportunities available in Málaga’s beautiful classical quarter grew more expensive, and development spread outwards into neighbouring residential areas, where the likes of Soho, Parque Ayala and Huelin became increasingly fashionable districts. The gentrification of the city, both public and through private renovation, and the construction of the first new housing stock in years, is taking pace at an impressive rate, and while the Covid-crisis initially slowed down its momentum, the pace of development has been resumed.
A GROWING ALTERNATIVE TO MARBELLA Such is the excitement, potential and critical mass achieved that Málaga is now a viable alternative to the property markets of Marbella and other parts of the Costa del Sol. It is, of course, popular with affluent and professional locals, but increasingly also with international buyers, many of who follow tourists in viewing the city as the ‘second Barcelona’. With the Catalan capital now beset by problems of its own, Málaga draws people keen on having a pied à terre in a cultural hotspot such as it has become. Properties here have also proven to be a good investment, with prices rising steadily from under €1.000/m2 not so long ago to €2.150 in Q3 of 2021 – 3.5% up in the course of the year so far. TINSA, Spain’s largest valuation company, reports a year-to-year increase of 12.9% in Málaga, over double the national level. Savills Aguirre Newman, a specialist in Spanish urban real estate,
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expects continued growth in different segments of the market, including residential, commercial, retail, logistics and hotels. With Málaga now the sixth-most valuable real estate city on a per/m2 basis, the top-performing areas within it are Puerto de la Torre, Teatinos and the eastern part of town – reflecting a recent trend towards the suburbs that seems to be in line with post-Covid experiences elsewhere in the world. The east has now surpassed the centre both in price and trend, with the historic quarter losing some ground in the latest months. A square metre now commands almost €3.000 in the east, where city living has the added attraction of proximity to beaches. ›
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GROWING SALES VOLUMES Property transactions in Málaga city reached 9,225 in Q3 of 2021, up almost a quarter on the same period last year, and while the resale market rose by one-sixth, sales of new-build homes shot up by almost half to produce the highest modern home transaction level in eight years. Overall, the city ranks fifth in the country in overall property sales, and third in the proportion of newly built homes sold – and if you’re wondering how foreign buyers stack up in this, well they make up over a quarter of the total now, and it’s rising all the time. This is surely driven by the appeal of the culture and lifestyle offered by Málaga, but also by solid rental returns, which outstrip those of Madrid and Palma de Mallorca – a factor driven not only by a strong market for holiday stays, but also by the arrival of many professionals now working at the nearby Parque Tecnológico de Andalucía. In all, ROI on property rentals in Málaga range between 4% and 6%, and this in the face of large holiday let supply and prices that have slipped back almost 5% to an average rate of around €9,50/m2, according to Idealista. If average selling times of little more than a month are an indication, the Málaga property market has bounced back strongly from the Covid impact of 2020 to resume its upward movement and growing appeal among international buyers and investors. Property prices held their own last year, and are back up on the rise in 2021, 70 / JANUARY 2022 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE
expected to continue doing so in the near future too – and with many of the buyers young, qualified and affluent, their appetite for the city and its lifestyle makes Málaga an increasingly powerful alternative to Costa del Sol living and homeowning.
On the Plaza de la Merced
Apartments and studios full of charm in historic quarters
MARBELLA AGENCY OPENS NEW MÁLAGA OFFICE
On Thursday 2nd December, Strand Properties inaugurated its stylish new offices on Calle Marín García in the historic centre of Málaga, becoming one of the first Marbella-based real estate companies to do so. The move comes in recognition of the exciting phase the city’s property market is going through, evolving as it is from a largely low-key local one to an increasingly fashionable place to invest, own and live.
Anssi and Sirena Kiviranta, founders of Strand Properties, believe in Málaga and its future. No strangers to starting new ventures, they founded a highly successful real estate company that grew to become one of the leading brands in Finland, with 200 offices in 15 cities. A few years ago, they brought the concept to Marbella, and with Strand Properties now well-established in its market, the husband and wife team have embarked upon Málaga.
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“We love the energy and potential of the city, which complements Marbella and the other parts of the Costa del Sol so well,” says Sirena. The company’s signature style of presentation and its design and lifestyle-driven approach to real estate is popular with a new generation of affluent buyers, and it forms the basis for an expansion plan across Spain, with a new office scheduled to open in Palma de Mallorca in the coming year. “Right now, Málaga is one of the most up-and-coming cities in the country, with a rapidly-evolving property sector and new renovation projects, modern developments and also newly fashionable residential districts creating a dynamic and highly diverse market. Watch this space.” i www.strandproperties.com
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Modern Scandinavian style for a modern agency Sea views and beaches – in Málaga too!
S T R A N D FA M I LY WA N T S T O T H A N K YO U ! We are so honoured to work with such fantastic clients and collaborators, we are excited to continue working together. So many beautiful homes have found happy new owners by the help of Strand Properties. You inspire us to do our very best. Have a wonderful holiday season! We will do our very best to help you find the perfect home from the Marbella area and get you happily settled. Homeowners, we are at your disposal anytime and we would be delighted to help you sell your property.
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WAY TO GO,
MOMOA
You need only look at the wild beard, unkempt hair and rugged dress code – which often suggests the 42-year-old actor has been shopping in the Wild West – to surmise that Jason Momoa takes a largely rugged approach towards fitness, nutrition, health and wellbeing… and you’d be right.
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xcept, it wasn’t always that way for the bulked up Hawaiian who notes Conan the Barbarian, The Bad Batch and Sugar Mountain as some of his biggest lifts on the big screen. As a teenager appearing in Baywatch: Hawaii around the turn of the Millennium, Momoa was toned, of course, but also waxed, preened and coiffured to within an inch of his muscular frame. “I do look back on those early projects, and sure, they make me reel a little,” he begins. “That feels like a very different version of me now – it was back in the times when, dare I say it, fitness much more focused on image, and how others viewed me, rather than it being something for myself. It was a kind of ice-breaker. I was one of those guys who put it
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out there and took it on. “These days, I’m doing it strictly for me.” Momoa’s shift in personal perception came around the time he met Lisa Bonet. The couple finally married in 2017, 12 years after meeting, and have two children together. “When I relaxed, emotionally, I had a real desire to build authentic strength, not the sort of thing that looks good on the set of Baywatch,” he says. “It is very difficult for me now to have the motivation or enthusiasm to work out for vanity reasons. Instead, what I found I was looking for was something that I could feel coming from deep inside, like a very raw, almost cannibalistic instinct to building real warrior power, and to protect those around me.” ›
“My routines aren’t set, but my mindset is – I am constantly good at working hard and doing what I need to do. Rockclimbing is there because that helps me stay sane, always,” he says. “It gives me such a release because I need to be so switched on to strength, problem-solving, danger and stamina”
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While gym routines are still part of what the former Game of Thrones actor practices, Momoa’s range now also encompasses rock-climbing, Brazilian ju-jitsu, water sports and countless other outdoor challenges. “My routines aren’t set, but my mindset is – I am constantly good at working hard and doing what I need to do. Rockclimbing is there because that helps me stay sane, always,” he says. “It gives me such a release because I need to be so switched on to strength, problem-solving, danger and stamina. “If I’m in the mood I’ll take it a step further with bouldering,” he says, referencing the stripped back, raw thrill of climbs without harnesses or ropes. “You won’t improve strength by climbing, you’ll just prove you have it and can use it. “Then there’s surfing, the truest battle of the elements; while MMA is the perfect combination of respect, power and control. Add in hiking, Yoga, boxing – these, to me, are the purest of exercise forms, and the most valuable.” Momoa isn’t alone in endorsing a return to a brand of fitness that is manual, uncomplicated and sporadic. While the actor’s training team will still keep him targeted on routines and goal-orientated regimes, don’t expect the Aquaman star to pull out a VO2 Max print-out, or relay the latest findings from his sports scientist.
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“I’ve become a lot less focused on recording all my workout data. I think anyone getting back on it needs to be set on building fitness, endurance and stamina, and that’s the priority. You don’t need a fitness tool to help you do that because you know in yourself when you’re fit. “In the middle section of getting in shape I think it’s good to push yourself by knowing where you are, so that’s when you should be recording what you do and mapping it. “But at the top end of things, it’s less important again – you’re so primed you know what shape you’re in; you know you’re owning it. I mean, my trainers will still look at that stuff – they will still format everything; but I’ll be taking myself off rock-climbing… try formatting that!” And yet, as much as Momoa’s blueprint for health is, in essence, not to have a blueprint, there is one convention he refuses to break
with. “Beer”, he laughs. “I really love beer. I will take that over any carbs… I just won’t eat any all day long if I know there is a beer waiting for me at the end of it. “When I’m filming, particularly, I am away from my wife and kids – I am not eating any carbs, and will be on some crazy diet. I have to work out in between busting my ass and doing some crazy stunts, and that dog needs a bone. So the bonus at the end of the night is a beer, or a nice Guinness. “On every new day on set, I will wake up in pain and then the cycle begins again… the same thing over again; the monotony of it. Sometimes I will look forward to a particular scene, but I am a social butterfly – I like to sit down and talk to my friends… talk about anything other than work, and have a couple of pints.” ›
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Momoa, who in bulking up in the immediate lead-up to filming, will wake at 5am each morning and train for up to six hours per day, has even found that stout provides an unexpected boost for the much-vaunted ‘shirtoff’ scenes. “On Batman vs Superman, I wanted to go for that really thick skin look, something that as a Hawaiian I have anyway. I was carbdepleted, and had only had a couple of ice cubes so that I could be at my peak for one day, in much the same way a bodybuilder would. “Yet whatever was going on, my body just wasn’t showing up – it wasn’t happening. I said to my trainer, ‘Give me a Guinness’. So right before we did the big water scene in the movie, I cracked open two cans and pounded them. That was it then – my body just woke up and across both of my arms you could see my veins popping out, my muscles filling up. My body is just so used to having its sugar intake. e
“I love bread, cheese, pasta – I know other strength guys want donuts and chocolate; but for me, beer or stout. I think the point is you’ve got to go your own way, got to reward yourself and got to listen to your body. At the heart of it, remember that physical accomplishment is a mental process – you have to look after both”
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trends
TAKE TIME OUT FOR SOME ENTERTAINING DIVERSION WITH THE LATEST FILM, SERIES AND BOOK RELEASES. CONSIDER THE MANY WALKS YOU COULD GO ON AROUND MARBELLA. DISCOVER NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN TOUCHLESS SCREEN AND HOLOGRAPHIC TECH, AND CHECK OUT WHAT’S COOL IN SPAIN AND FURTHER AFIELD.
GO TO PAGE 88 FOR COOL NEW SERIES
GO TO PAGE 84 FOR HOT NEW FILMS
GO TO PAGE 102
FOR WHAT'S COOL
GO TO PAGE 98 FOR TECHNOLOGY
CINEMA SERIES MUSIC NEWS 84 Hot New Films 88 Cool New Series 92 New Book Releases 96 Best Walks Around Marbella 98 Touchless Screen Technology 102 What’s Cool
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HOT NEW
MOVIES WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS
355
» Genre: Spy Thriller » Director: Simon Kinberg (X-Men: Dark Phoenix) » Actors: Jessica Chastain, Penélope Cruz, Lupita Nyong’o The film’s title is derived from Agent 355 – the code name of a female spy who was active during the American Revolution. Jessica Chastain plays Mace Brown – a wild card CIA agent who teams up with other international agents to find a top-secret weapon that could open a Pandora’s box of trouble. Chastain, recently told Empire that Hollywood often displays female spies as honeypots when in reality, “Women weren’t being used for their bodies, they were being used for their minds, which is a more interesting concept.” This film seeks to knock down this and many more stereotypes about women.
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DEEP WATER
» Genre: Thriller » Director: Adrian Lyne (Jacob’s Ladder) » Actors: Ana de Armas, Ben Affleck, Finn Wittrock Based on the novel of the same name by Patricia Highsmith, Deep Water tells the story of an affluent couple who have fallen out of love with each other and who begin playing deadly mind games to put each other to the test. The husband initially allows his wife to have affairs in order to avoid a divorce but he becomes the prime suspect when her lovers start dying.
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THE KING’S MAN
» Genre: Adventure » Director: Matthew Vaughn (X-Men: First Class) » Actors: Ralph Fiennes, Harris Dickinson, Gemma Arterton This action-packed film is the third in the Kingsman film series, which is based on the comic book, The Secret Service, by Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons. It is a prequel to the previous two. The action begins when a group of criminal masterminds get together and plot a war that will wipe out millions in one fell swoop. One man and his apprentice unite to put a stop to their deadly plan.
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THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH
KING RICHARD
» Genre: Drama/ Biopic » Director: Reinaldo Marcus Green (Monsters and Men) » Actors: Will Smith, Aunjanue Ellis, Jon Bernthal The Williams Method is a biopic that delves into the rise of Venus and Serena Williams. The focal point of the film is their father, Richard, who decides that they will be number one and two in world tennis before they are even born. His method is intensive and innovative and he does everything it takes to support his daughters. The real-life Williams sisters assisted with production to give a realistic, exciting edge to the featured matches.
» Genre: Drama » Director: Joel Coen (Fargo) » Actors: Denzel Washington, Frances McDormand, Alex Hassell A drama written and directed by Joel Coen and based on Shakespeare’s Macbeth. This is the tragic story of a Scottish Lord who sets out to become King of Scotland after three witches convince him that this is his destiny. After committing a foul deed, he becomes wracked with guilt and all his best-laid plans go awry. e
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TOP NEW SERIES TO SAVOUR
Enjoy the following hot series, available this month on top streaming platforms.
EMILY IN PARIS S2 Netflix
» Genre: Romantic Comedy » Creator: Darren Star » Actors: Lily Collins, Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, Ashley Park Lily Collins returns as a young Chicago marketing executive who lands her dream job in Paris. Tasked with bringing an American vision to her Parisian firm, she must also adapt to a whole new way of thinking while juggling her career, romance, and new friends.
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HELLBOUND
Netflix
» Genre: Modern Dark Fantasy » Creators: Yeon Sang-ho and Choi Gyu-seok » Actors: Kim Hyun-joo, Yoo Ah-in, Park Jung-min A story about divine beings who appear out of nowhere to issue a decree and condemn individuals to hell. The mayhem commences when people begin hearing predictions about their death. When the time comes, a ‘death angel’ appears before them and kills them. Meanwhile, the religious group The New Truth starts to grow more powerful. Detective Jin Kyung-hoon grows suspicious and begins investigating this organisation’s involvement in the mysterious events.
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EUPHORIA S2 HBO Max
» Genre: Drama » Creator: Sam Levinson » Actors: Zendaya, Hunter Schafer, Barbie Ferreira, Jacob Elordi When the first season of Euphoria ended, teen rebel, Rue (Zendaya), had just relapsed after Jules left her at a train station. In Season Two, Rue, Jules, Cal, and friends will be facing many more challenges and struggling to adapt to change. Rue gives us an inkling of the dark new phase she has entered in the trailer, when she says, “When you’re younger, everything feels so permanent. But as you get older, you begin to realise – nothing is. And everyone you love can drift away.”
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COWBOY BEBOP Netflix
AS WE SEE IT
Amazon Prime Video » Genre: Drama/Comedy » Creator: Jason Katims » Actors: Rick Glassman, Albert Rutecki, Sue Ann Pien As We See It is the story of three twentysomething-aged flatmates who have one thing in common: they all have autism. Viewers accompany the trio as they strive to find employment, keep their jobs, acquire friends, find romantic partners, and navigate a sometimes complex world.
» Genre: Fantasy/Action » Creators: Hajime Yatate » Actors: John Cho, Mustafa Shakir, Daniella Pineda, Elena Satine Cowboy Bebop is the story of three bounty hunters (Spike Spiegel, Jet Black, and Faye Valentine). The crew travel through the solar system in a retrofitted fishing trawler dubbed ‘the Bebop’ to fight off criminals and assassins. They make their way to incredible locations such as Mars or the sunny bubble known as Nueva Tijuana. Action, comedy, and special effects abound in this fun remake of a 1998 TV anime. e
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THE NEW YEAR IS OFF TO AN EXCITING START WITH SOME FANTASTIC NEW RELEASES! WORDS ALICIA DUGGAN OF THE BOOKSHOP IN SAN PEDRO DE ALCÁNTARA , CC LA COLONIA LOCAL 21, SAN PEDRO DE ALCÁNTARA. TEL: 951 779 785. WWW.THEBOOKSHOP.ES
TO PARADISE BY HANYA YANAGIHARA From the author of the global phenomenon, A Little Life, comes an epic dystopian narrative spanning centuries and told in three parts. In an alternative version of New York in 1893, where people have the freedom to love who they choose and live how they please, a young man from a distinguished family risks forfeiting his inheritance when he refuses an arranged marriage to a high-status suitor in favour of a penniless but charming music teacher. In an AIDS ravaged Manhattan of 1993, David, a young Hawaiian paralegal, lives with his wealthy, older partner Charles. As they deal with the assisted death of Charles’s former lover, David struggles to come to terms with the fate of his own father. New York in 2093 is a totalitarian state plagued by pandemics. As insurgency builds, a young woman searches for her missing husband. A bold novel about what it is to be human.
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WAHALA BY NIKKI MAY Nikki May’s debut novel is tipped to be the most talkedabout book of 2022. Ronke, Simi, and Boo are three Anglo-Nigerian friends living in London. Somewhat dissatisfied and fed up with their respective lives and situations, the friends meet up regularly to vent their frustrations and support each other. When Isobel, an old and extremely rich acquaintance of Simi’s, turns up she seems generous and helpful, taking the women into her confidence and showering them with gifts. As Simi and Boo fall for Isobel’s charms, Ronke remains suspicious of her motives. An engaging and amusing story of friendship, loyalty, and jealousy for fans of Queenie and My Sister the Serial Killer.
STANDING ALONE BY STEPHEN LEATHER When former Navy SEAL, Ryan French, goes rogue and becomes an assassin for hire, SAS trooper Matt ‘Lastman’ Standing is sent to track him down. Standing is the perfect killing machine with experience in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria, however, having worked with French in the past, he is reluctant to accept a mission that would see him taking down a former friend, but he has no choice. The hunt takes him to Humboldt County where The USA produces the majority of its legal, and illegal, cannabis. As Standing closes in on French he finds himself in the crosshairs of Mexican Cartels, Russian Mafia, and Hungarian gangsters. A gripping page turner.
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BETRAYAL BY DAVID GILMAN It has been years since Dan Raglan served in the French Foreign Legion but when a fellow former legionnaire goes missing, Dan is duty bound to help. Raglan’s former comrade, an intelligence officer at The Pentagon, disappears leaving a message… should he ever go missing, contact Raglan. However, Raglan is not the only one looking for the missing man. As he travels from Marseilles to Florida he is pursued by the CIA, a rogue FBI agent and an even deadlier organisation. It soon becomes apparent that his friend’s disappearance is part of a much larger conspiracy. The search takes Raglan to the jungle of Honduras where he becomes the hunted party, however, Raglan is much more competent than his pursuers could have imagined.
THE SECRETS OF BRIDGEWATER BAY BY JULIE BROOKS Childhood friends Rose and Ivy board a ship to Australia in 1919. Rose is going to marry a man she has exchanged letters with but never met. However, when the boat arrives in Australia, Rose disembarks alone. In 2016 Rose’s granddaughter Molly, receives a letter from her recently deceased grandmother asking her to solve the mystery of her mother’s disappearance in the 1960s. With the letter is a photo of two women in First World War nurses’ uniforms labelled ‘Rose and Ivy 1917’. Molly, a historian, travels to London to begin her investigation and uncovers lost relatives, family secrets and betrayal. A gripping debut novel for fans of Lucinda Riley. e
VISIT THE BOOKSHOP 94 / JANUARY 2022 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE
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El Chorro
35 BEST WALKS AROUND MARBELLA DISCOVER MOUNTAINS, LAKES, WHITE VILLAGES, HERITAGE, AND THEIR STORIES BY SASKIA MEULEMANS Marisa Cutillas interviews local author, Saskia Meulemans, about her new book, which invites people to discover more about the many beautiful natural areas in and around Marbella. PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF SASKIA MEULEMANS
T
ime spent in nature is more than a hobby. It is an essential human need and a powerful way to battle stress and stay in shape. Saskia Meulemans, author of the book 35 Walks Around Marbella, knows plenty about the quality that nature walks can add to life. She hails from Belgium but knows Málaga’s natural areas more than many who have lived here for a number of years. So passionate is she about the beauty and rich cultural heritage of our landscapes that she began writing for Dutch publication, Kosta Magazine. Her articles covered walks in a myriad of areas – including
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the Serranía de Ronda, the Guadalhorce reservoirs on the Gran Senda de Málaga, and Istán in Marbella. Saskia took a course in photography to accompany her texts and her book is filled with beautiful images that are dominated by blue, green, and stone grey hues. Lakes, rolling mountain ranges, ancient monuments and sites, and quaint white villages abound. The popularity of her writing inspired her to share her knowledge on new routes in one practical, easy-to-follow book.
THERE IS MORE TO MARBELLA THAN LUXURY “There is more to Marbella than exquisite dining, glamorous venues and beach resorts. Close by, there are beautiful mountains, lakes and natural parks to explore and there is a rich cultural and natural heritage many people don’t know about,” says Saskia. Her book presents numerous discoveries you can make while you are walking, such as local bird species, olive groves and ecosystems. It delves into the history of local areas and covers quirky facts. She says, for instance, that “there is a little village called Juzcar that is known as the ‘Smurf Village’. It was once completely white but in 2011, every single building and home was painted blue to embrace the premiere of the Sony film, The Smurfs 3D. After promotion season was over, the whole town decided to keep its distinctive colour.”
SECRETS TO DISCOVER The book contains fascinating facts about local species, one being the Leonardo bird, which has an impressive three-metre wingspan. Saskia elaborates, “I also cover the cultural side of inland Málaga and nearby zones, mentioning bodegas, olive groves, art and architecture, and
a collection of additional points of interest, stories, and legends. The area of Acinipo, for instance, has Roman ruins that are in a magnificent state.” Saskia highlights the wonders of nature. “Marbella is at the foot of the Sierra de las Nieves, which is home to so many protected ecosystems.” Historical anecdotes also abound. “There is a walk called the Ruta de Los Bandoleros, which was a place of hiding for the real-life Robin Hoods of Andalucía.” By sharing historical anecdotes, she hopes to make nature walks more enriching.
WALKS FOR PEOPLE OF ALL LEVELS The book is a light, fun read; one in which walks are divided according to level and described in easy bullet points so readers can instantly find what they need. Saskia explains, “Many walks can easily be completed by children and absolute beginners. I have also included routes for expert hikers. The idea is for all people in our area to have so many more ways to fill their leisure time than simply heading to the beach or staying indoors.” The book is divided into three parts: the first contains walks located within a 20-minute drive (including beachfront walks and
Sierre Blanca mountain walks). The second has routes within a 30-minute drive (such as Ojén, Monda, Istán, and Benahavís). The third covers walks that are a maximum of one-and-a-half hours away (in Casares, Sierra Bermeja, Ronda, the Caminito del Rey, El Chorro, and Acinipo). It features a variety of walk types – including beachfront ones. The Costa del Sol is continually extending the reach of its wooden beachfront pathways and Saskia tells me that a 182 km walkway starting all the way from Manilva to Nerja is currently in the works. There are lakeside and mountainside trails as well as flatter ones. Saskia has published what is no less than a gift for those seasoned trekkers and beginners alike. She says, “We are in the midst of a pandemic but the one thing that abounds in our area is Nature. We are privileged to live here because Nature does wonders for the body and mind and all this beauty is totally free.” g Saskia’s book can be found on Amazon, Waterstones, and Barnes & Noble. It is also available at Bookworld Puerto Banús. All the routes are on Wikiloc, so you can use your smartphone to access details of any route you wish to take. WWW.ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM / 97
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TOUCHLESS SCREEN AND HOLOGRAPHIC TECH THE WAY FORWARD FOR SAFE EVENTS, EXHIBITIONS, AND EXPERIENCES The world has changed vastly over the past two years and although events and other gatherings are back with a vengeance, audiences have developed high expectations when it comes to safety and hygiene. Touchless screen technology is an ideal way for consumers and event attendees to discover information, focus on chosen topics or products, and make selections. When it comes to touchless screens, there is a wide array of technologies working together to provide users with a top-of-therange hands-free experience. Below are just a few innovations to watch out for. WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS
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INTERACTIVE WALL DISPLAYS Envision heading to a museum, exhibition, or cultural centre and staring at a wall display that understands what you are looking at, customising what you view based on your interests. It is already happening thanks to ‘proximitybased activation’ – a system that comprises various sensors placed overhead and throughout viewing areas. This type of experience can capture the attention of people walking by, motivating them to learn more about cultural and commercial offerings. Equally impressive is Microsoft Azure Kinect’s full-body tracking capabilities, which invite audiences to interact
with screens using large gestures. By encouraging them to use more muscle groups, the system makes for a more immersive, active experience.
EYE TRACKING SOFTWARE Imagine simply gazing at a screen and making a selection, as if you had clicked on your screen with a mouse or tapped on your smartphone screen. This technology has been no less than a lifesaver for people with mobility issues and today, it is being used to enhance safety for a wider array of audiences. Tobii is one of the leading companies specialising in this automation. ›
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GESTURE CONTROL SOLUTIONS
TOUCHLESS SCREENS FOR CARS
Museums, aquariums, zoos, and indeed all public spaces can rely on gesture control features to enable visitors to interact with digital books and turn their pages without touching a screen. The tech making this possible includes electrical near-field (E-field) 3D gesture and motion tracking controllers, which allow users to use natural hand and finger motions to carry out a wide array of functions. The latter include turning light switches on and off, using electronic readers, playing computer games, listening to audio files, and controlling appliances such as office air conditioners.
Jaguar Land Rover is one of a small number of car marques that use contactless touchscreens in car interiors. This company’s ‘predicting touch’ technology was designed alongside University of Cambridge academics to keep drivers’ eyes on the road while reducing the spread of viruses and bacteria. The technology uses artificial intelligence to predict the item the user intends to select on the screen, speeding up the interaction. The system’s gesture tracker uses visionbased and radiofrequencybased sensors to combine contextual information (such as the user profile) with
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information obtained from an eye-gaze tracker to make predictive selections.
HOLOGRAPHIC DEMONSTRATIONS Imagine sharing augmented reality (AR) content with your clients when you visit them, without asking them to don a heavy headset. The company, Looking Glass Display is already making it happen, with screens ranging from around 30cm to 91cm in size. The smaller screens are portable and are being used by leading sales teams to show off their products and services in a dynamic, fresh way. Companies like eventworks4d (ew4d), meanwhile, are bringing lifesize telepresence
holograms to a stage and sharing this image with an unlimited number of worldwide remote audiences. Thus, audiences can visit a stage to view a hologram upclose while the talk or event is streamed across the globe. ew4d is arguably the master in holographic events tech, with so many event types on offer. For instance, they offer a holographic projection experience for use in fixed or temporary exhibitions, thanks to a modular stage that can be assembled and disassembled as required. The company uses 4K OLED technology, sound, lighting and backdrops to create a realistic-looking exhibition that can be as large or small as you require. Recent world events have led to a boom in touchless screen tech. This technology is taking over everything from events to concerts and even car interiors. Holographic demonstrations are also making it possible for companies to reach audiences far and wide in a far more dynamic way. e
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? l o o c s ’ t wha ACKWELL COMPILED BY IAIN BL
INGOYA MADRID y 16 Running until the Januar ez at Madrid’s Fernán Góm , Centro Cultural de la Villa INGOYA offers visitors an immersive audiovisual experience to enjoy the works of the Aragonese master in a unique way. The exhibition features more than a thousand images beamed from 40 s, state-of-the-art projector ical synchronised with class om music. i www.ingoya.c
EASY MEG A new outdoor solution from Abet Laminati, Easy Meg is a simple ready to install siding system for the creation of external facades. Supplied in a complete and practical installation kit, the range comprises 16 décors of solid colours and woodgrains that require low maintenance, resisting atmospheric changes and light. i www.abetlaminati.com
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re delicacies from signatu ue sq Ba D g RI rin AD fe M of R rid KA ad ÉL ect in M dor, at new haute cuisine proj or of the Torre Empera flo rd 33 e th on d te ca Élkar is Aramark Spain’s ea. Lo s of the rate and Beñat Ormaetx iding spectacular view ov pr n, ai Sp in nt ra chefs, Sergio Ortiz de Zá au t rest nd level, it is the highes 160 metres above grou stauranteelkar.com city’s skyline. i www.re
ONE PALACE PLACE erty to The first residential prop MUNE be certified with thTMe IM s been Building Standard ha e Palace unveiled in London. On private Place, incorporating 35 theatre apartments, a 312-seat r open and a restaurant and ba essfully to the public, has succ ity of implemented the major ed in the 135 measures includ TM index. i the IMMUNE scoring com www.immune-building.
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BILLIE EILISH – PETA Billie Eilish is the youngest person to be designated PETA’s Person of the Year. This year Eilish launched a collection of Air Jordan sports shoes made from 100 per cent vegan leather and caused a sensation at the Met gala wearing an Oscar de la Renta evening dress free of silk, only after the brand agreed to stop using furs. i www.peta.org
Billie Eilish at the 2021 Met Gala © Vogue Taiwan
W ROMA W Hotels Worldwide, a brand that is part of the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio, has made its debut in Italy with the long-awaited opening of the W Roma. Occupying two adjoining 19th century palazzos, the 162-room hotel is set to redefine Roman hospitality from its location in Via Liguria, next to the Spanish Steps. i www.w-rome.com 104 / JANUARY 2022 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE
LOLA FLORES LEGACY Renowned Mallorcan artist, René Mäkelä, in collaboration with the largest chain of fine arts and crafts stores in Spain, Milbby, has paid tribute to Andalucía and specifically to Jerez, with a largeformat artwork of the mythical Lola Flores, which will remain on display permanently in the CC Área Sur. i www.makelismos.es
CARTIER PRESENTS ‘LOVE IS ALL’ Featuring an extraordinary casting of international stars, Love Is All represents the vision of the House of Cartier, celebrating universal and eternal love which it wishes to share with joy and generosity. Shot in Paris, Los Angeles and Shanghai, the new film celebrates the family in all its forms. i www.cartier.com
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lifestyle
CHECK OUT THE VIBRANCY OF THE SETTING, THE INTERIORS AND THE VIEWS IN OUR INTERNATIONAL VILLA FEATURE. BE INSPIRED BY OUR FASHIONIONABLE PARTY LOOKS. CONSIDER THE MANY BENEFITS OF OWNING A PET AND CONTEMPLATE A RANGE OF LUXURY BEDS FOR THE SUPERIOR COMFORT OF YOUR POOCH.
GO TO PAGE 124 FOR LUXURY PET BEDS
GO TO PAGE 120 FOR THE PARTY EDIT INTERIORS ARCHITECTURE ART FASHION
108 Into the Light, Villa with Views
GO TO PAGE 108 FOR WORLD DÉCOR
120 The Party Edit 122 The Benefits of Pet Ownership 124 Luxury Dog Beds
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INTO THE LIGHT WORDS ROBYN ALEXANDER/BUREAUX PHOTOGRAPHY GREG COX/BUREAUX PRODUCTION SVEN ALBERDING
This Cape Town home combines its breathtaking location with clean-lined architecture, panoramic views and considered interiors featuring a spectacular selection of contemporary designs.
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This casual outdoor lounging and dining area is situated adjacent to one of the home’s two swimming pools, and is furnished with sofas, a day bed, a coffee table, a round side table and a round planter table, all of which are from the Gio range at B&B Italia (bebitalia.com)
H
omes on this Cape Town cul-de-sac are not easy to come by. Situated high up on the slopes of Signal Hill and overlooking the world-renowned beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay, this is probably the city’s most exclusive location, and properties aren’t regularly on the market here. The owners of this remarkable house, for example, purchased their property back in the late 1990s, following a lengthy search for just the right spot for a Cape Town home. Situated at the end of the street, a position that means it has jaw-dropping vistas in almost every direction, the plot had a small existing house on it. However, it “didn’t take full advantage of the views that made the property so special,” say the owners. “We were attracted to the location and views that the site offered,” and so, after a lengthy process of planning and approvals, the old structure was demolished to make way for something new. › WWW.ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM / 109
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And the resulting house most definitely does showcase those superlative views – while also giving them a bit of healthy competition in terms of the visual appeal of its architecture and interiors. On arrival at street level, one’s eye is immediately caught by the home’s intriguing facade. A boldly ‘patchworked’ raised stone pathway leads to the front door, which is handle-free and almost invisibly punctures a wall clad in smooth, warmtoned cedar wood. Above this rises a semi-transparent, intricately patterned brise soleil, created using thousands of slimline terracotta tiles. ›
The street-facing facade of the house presents an intriguing aspect to visitors with an intricately patterned brise-soleil screen – created using terracotta tiles by Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola (patriciaurquiola.com) – above a wall clad in Canadian cedar wood. The bold ‘patchwork’ walkway, made from Paarl sandstone, evokes both sculpture plinths and playful childhood games of hopscotch
The top-floor deck area includes the home’s second heated swimming pool
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Once inside the door, the sense that one has arrived somewhere special is continued in the entrance hall, which combines dramatic, tripleheight proportions with a sculptural staircase. And before there is even time to take in the stairway and intriguing, poetic artwork applied directly to the wall alongside it, one’s attention is diverted by a sensational feather-clad polar bear sculpture, by Italian artist Paola Pivi. With additional lightbox artworks catching the eye under the stairs and a multi-strand pendant light fitting, this is a playful, impactful and gallery-like space. Take the long staircase up into the house, and the sense of boldness and an almost theatrical atmosphere
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continues. At the top is an expansive, open-plan living area – but the element that immediately draws the eye here is the spectacular 180-degree view of ocean and sky that unfolds all along one side of it. Once again, the space is filled with dramatic appeal, but as much of this is derived from the breathtaking view as it is from the considered mix of contemporary furniture and art that fills it.
Micro Wingback chairs with matching footstools, by Tom Dixon (tomdixon. net), are complemented by a round Garden of Eden rug from Moooi (moooi. com) and a glass-topped coffee table from Vibieffe (vibieffe.com)
What the owners have achieved – both here and on the higher floors of the house – are interiors that both complement and enhance the clean lines and view-framing simplicity of the architecture. In the living area, for example, sleek Antonio Citterio sofas provide comfortable seating, but are also an ideal design selection because they don’t visually interrupt the vista to the horizon. Also notable for their beauty here are the interior finishes and fixtures, which range from sandstone and marble to wood panelling. Throughout, the palette of natural materials chosen to complete the interiors adds a feeling of ease and luxury to the spaces, while the furnishings include a plethora
of prominent names in both contemporary and classic modernist design. Among the many highlights are modern classic pieces by Alvar Aalto and Le Corbusier; sculptural contemporary chairs by Tom Dixon; elegant outdoor furniture by Patricia Urquiola; and patterned rugs from Moooi. Adding unique touches are items such as the custom-made drinks cabinet by Ceramic Matters and a ‘pixelated’ server by Cristian Zuzunaga for Barcelona Design. And the final layer takes the form of artworks that are bound to be perennial conversation starters, including an ornate bust by South African contemporary art star AthiPatra Ruga. ›
The custom-made dining table, fabricated using wooden Douglas fir flooring planks from Dinesen (dinesen.com), pairs perfectly with the quilted Monster dining chairs by Marcel Wanders for Moooi (moooi. com). The Broadloom rug is also from Moooi
The kitchen – including the wall-mounted herb planters – was manufactured and installed by Bulthaup (bulthaup.com)
In this guest bedroom, the Alys bed – designed by Gabriele and Oscar Buratti – and bedside pedestals are all from B&B Italia (bebitalia.com). The Malmaison Guimauve rug is by Moooi (moooi.com) and the bed linen is from The Conran Shop (conranshop.co.uk)
In the master suite’s bathroom, the vanity, bathtub and fixtures are all from Lavo Bathroom Concepts (lavo.co.za)
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In the intimate dining area on the top-floor deck of the house, Canasta outdoor dining chairs by Patricia Urquiola for B&B Italia (bebitalia.com) are grouped around a circular table
The breakfast terrace is positioned to encapsulate the view of Lion’s Head, and is furnished with an outdoor dining table and chairs from the Gio range at B&B Italia (bebitalia.com). It’s the perfect spot for some quiet time spent enjoying breakfast alfresco and reading the newspapers, according to the homeowners.
This heated swimming pool – one of two pools at the house – is situated one floor below the glass-encased master bedroom suite, which has been positioned to maximise the views in every direction.
There is much to divert the eye and attention from a design point of view throughout this multilevel home, but the flow of the spaces is also organised to seemingly intuitively pull you through them – and inevitably, towards the panoramic views of the ocean at its front. Of course, the pristine and picturesque mountainside above and alongside the house is suitably celebrated too. The kitchen-diner space, for example, is perfectly situated for enjoying an alfresco breakfast, where one is positioned seemingly in the midst of nature rather than being mere minutes from the urban bustle of nearby Camps Bay and Sea Point. ›
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INTERIOR DESIGN & ARCHITECTURE
Ambience is a multiple award-winning and market leading Interior architecture firm that brings creative, inspirational residential and retail projects to life around the globe. Our team consists of 32 professionals: architects, interior designers, 3D render artists, furniture designers, communication manager, project managers, the admin & logistic team and of course an installation team. Since 2002, Ambience has been commissioned to work on luxury projects in the UK, Belgium, Hong Kong, The Netherlands, Germany, Egypt, Switzerland and St Lucia, and has ongoing projects with renowned architects and developers in both Spain and abroad.
FURNITURE
REFURBISHMENT
We are experts in turn-key projects and meticulously plan every design aspect of your home, from the entire interior design and furniture concept to kitchens, bathrooms, fireplaces, wardrobes, floors, etc. attending to the most smallest details, matched to perfection with our carefully chosen craftsmen for our recognized and influential bespoke designs, as well as always sourcing the new international providers and partnering with the most renown furniture brands, lighting & accessory worldwide. We believe that synergetic partnerships are the key to the steady growth of our company and our International success.
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d LIFESTYLE world décor
Interior and exterior merges for the main sitting area
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Another curvaceous, oak-clad staircase connects the main open-plan living area with the floor above. The ‘Dreams’ server is by Cristian Zuzunaga for Barcelona Design (bdbarcelona. com)
In the main open-plan living area, the Antonio Citterio sofas and square Diesis coffee table, by Paulo Nava, are all from B&B Italia (bebitalia.com). The suspended circular light fitting is by Delta Light (deltalight.com).
In the entrance hall, visitors are greeted by a whimsical, feather-clad polar-bear sculpture, ‘Bad Idea’ (2017), by Italian artist Paola Pivi (instagram.com/paolapivi). The oak-clad staircase is illuminated by a multi-part pendant light fitting by Bocci (bocci.com), while the light artworks placed under the stairs – ‘Alabasta’ and ‘Lifesystem’ – are by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa (jaumeplensa.com).
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The master bedroom suite includes this private lounge and home office space. The circular bookshelves with integrated gas fireplace were codesigned by the owners and the architects, while the wooden screens are by Piero Lissoni (lissoniandpartners.com) and the patterned Amoeba rug is from Moooi (moooi.com). The padded lounge chair with matching footstool is from B&B Italia (bebitalia.com) and the slipcovered Ghost sofas and armchair are by Gervasoni (gervasoni1882.com)
A Crinoline armchair by Patricia Urquiola for B&B Italia (bebitalia.com) in the top-floor ‘skybar’ area, with a rounded footstool from the Butterfly outdoor collection by the same designer, also created for B&B Italia
The owners spend their southern hemisphere summers at the house, and throughout that time, invite multiple sets of visitors to stay with them. Their spacious, open-plan home lends itself perfectly to entertaining, and sunset cocktails as well as alfresco meals, which are regularly taken in the outdoor patio area adjacent to the top-floor ‘skybar’ – as the owners say with characteristic understatement, from this vantage point, “the sunsets over the ocean are quite spectacular”. This is a house filled with dramatic design appeal, but the loveliest element of all remains the all-natural panorama that encompasses both pristine mountainside and the bold expanse of ocean. While they appreciate and enjoy spending time in every room of their home, the owners remark that it remains a “privilege to wake in the mornings to the wonderful views”. e 118 / JANUARY 2022 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE
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PARTY EDIT
d LIFESTYLE fashion
Prada designed a special collection for this year's celebrations, with crystal embellishments and sparkling fabrics and sequins. i www.prada.com
The new year is here and there is still plenty to celebrate over the coming weeks. Take your inspiration from the latest looks that are rolled out by some of the largest fashion houses, to kickstart 2022 in style. DISCOVERED BY MADDIE QUINN
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Givenchy presents sheer panelling and precise tailoring this season, complete with the house's emblematic locks. i www.givenchy.com
WORDS MADDIE QUINN PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF CUSTO
Some of Gucci's latest looks are complete with a new line of silver jewellery. i www.gucci.com
Rock the party in high‑shine sequins, revamped separates and dazzling, dance floor‑ready extras from Michael Kors. i www.michaelkors.es
Lots of sizzling silver and some fun colourful propositions in Valentino's party collection this year. i www.valentino.com
And now, for after the party, you can add up to nine characters to the plush cotton pattern of Versace's bathrobes. Choose from a wide range of colours and wrap yourself in personalised luxury. i www.versace.com
We also love Valentino's Garavani Stud Sign nappa shoulder bag coming in various colours.
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FOUR FANTASTIC WAYS THAT PETS CAN BENEFIT YOUR MENTAL HEALTH There are over 28 million pets in Spain, according to the National Association of Pet Food Manufacturers. For the vast majority of their humans, they are just another member of the family. Many people travel, spend their leisure time, and entertain themselves with their pets, and in moments of stress, more than one blogger, influencer, and celebrity has espoused the unique sense of calm and companionship that pets can bring. If you are thinking of adding a new addition to your household, the following benefits of pet ownership may just inspire you to take the plunge. WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS
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DEPRESSION AND LONELINESS It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to tell you that, at times when you feel like everyone has let you down, nothing lifts your spirit and ‘brings you back to life’ like your pet resting its head on your shoulder. Pets provide a sense of companionship and unconditional friendship that can sometimes be hard to find in two-footed creatures. One 2019 Florida State University study found that after painful, life-changing experiences (such as the loss of a loved one), furry friends can ease depression and help you feel less lonely.
PETS STRENGTHEN YOU IN CHALLENGING TIMES If, like millions of people across the globe, you struggled with the mental effects of the current global health crisis, know that having a pet can help. A 2020 survey by University of York researchers found that pets acted as an important buffer against psychological stress during the lockdown. Over 90 per cent of those surveyed said that their pet helped them cope emotionally and 96 per cent said that having a pet assisted them in keeping fit and active. The great news for those who live with more than one pet is that each exerts a positive
effect on your health. As stated by the researchers, “the strength of the emotional bond with pets does not statistically differ by animal species… people in our sample felt on average as emotionally close to, for example, their guinea pig as they felt to their dog.”
DOGS CAN HELP BOOST TEEN SPIRIT If you have moody teens at home, having a pet can help them feel more optimistic. Lindsay Ellsworth, a doctoral student at Washington State University, organises meet-ups where teens who are battling substance abuse can play with, brush, and feed dogs. Ellsworth reports that “one of the most robust effects of interacting with the dogs is increased joviality. Some of the words the (teens) use to describe their moods after working with the dogs are “excited,” “energetic,” and “happy.”
PET VIDEOS CAN TAKE YOU TO A HAPPY PLACE If you thought that you had to physically live with a pet to benefit from its moodboosting power, think again! Indiana University researchers found that simply watching cute cat videos has a far more
profound effect on your mental state than it may seem. Their study questioned almost 7,000 people. The results showed that videos of cats playing and being silly made viewers feel more energetic and positive and reduced the number of negative emotions. It also gave audiences great pleasure. Interestingly, many of those surveyed said they watched Internet cats while they were studying or at work. The researchers said, “Even if they are watching cat videos on YouTube to procrastinate or while they should be working, the emotional pay-off may actually help people take on tough tasks afterwards.” Living with pets, playing with them, or simply watching videos of them online can benefit your mental health in powerful ways. On a longterm basis, pets can battle stress and loneliness and provide you with unconditional companionship. In the short term, being with pets can lift your mood, make you feel more energetic, and put you in a positive frame of mind when you are working or studying. As the saying goes, “Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” e
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If you are discerning about your interiors, you may be looking for a bed for your beloved furry friend that is not only comfortable but just as stylish as the rest of your home. DISCOVERED BY MADDIE QUINN
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IT'S A
DOG'S LIFE! W
hen you shop around for luxurious pet beds, you have much the same factors to consider as when you are buying a sofa for yourself. Comfort being the highest on the list of priorities, the bed should also be durable, covered with good quality fabric that is removable for easy cleaning, and come in the right size and colours for your space. This may require a little investment but just as for your favourite armchair, it's worth the trouble if it stands the test of time. Fitting these requirements, this month, we found ACH's Pet Collection offering a number of different designs to match any modern home décor. The beds are covered in vegan leather and they are thick and comfortable with some even adapting to the animal's body shape. They have a slip-resistant base for stability and come in a variety of sizes, shapes and colours. And while you're at it, you can even complete the look with some of their fancy bowls. i www.achcollection.com/pet-accessories
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FIND OUT WHY NATASHA DENONA MAKEUP IS SO REVERED AND DISCOVER ECO FRIENDLY MAUI MOISTURE. CARDIOLOGIST, MANUELA REISBECK ENLIGHTENS US ON CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIA AND DR. ALI NOWROUZI EXPLAINS THE PROCEDURES INVOLVED IN EYE RECONSTRUCTION TREATMENT.
GO TO PAGE 136 TO READ ABOUT EYE RECONSTRUCTION TREATMENTS
GO TO PAGE 132 FOR MAUI MOSTURE
GO TO PAGE 128 FOR NATASHA DENONA
GO TO PAGE 134 FOR CARDIAC ARRHTYMIA
PRODUCTS BEAUTY SPA HEALTH
128 Natasha Denona Beauty 132 Maui Moisture 134 Cardiac Arrhtymia 136 Eye Reconstruction Treatment
back to CONTENTS When it comes to high-end, Big Four fashion week makeup looks and cutting-edge colour palettes, Natasha Denona is one of a handful of ‘greats’ who are continually breaking new ground. This brand is the eponymous brainchild of an award-winning artist who has been working in beauty for over 20 years. Natasha, who hails from Croatia, draws from her experience and dabbles in experimentation to create unique formulae that have gained the brand cult status the world over. WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS
DENONA
NATASHA
THE ARTISTRY OF MAKEUP WITH
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FASHIONABLE BEGINNINGS Natasha first came across the fascinating world of makeup as a teen, when she began working as a model. She had a passion for learning and her university was the backstage of fashion shows and shoots, where she grasped how colour, texture, and lighting interact with skin and with the angles of the human face. It was not until she became a mother, however, that she made the
switch to makeup artistry as a profession. She built up an impressive list of clientele that included many top models. Her revolutionary style and bold colour choices captured the attention of leading fashion photographers and over the following 10 years, she produced a succession of luxury fashion campaigns and magazine covers. One of her earliest muses was Israeli model Bar Refaeli, whose natural beauty was the perfect canvas for Natasha’s earthy, nude looks.
LAUNCHING A CUTTING-EDGE BRAND It is only logical that, after working so many years with top makeup brands, Natasha should decide to start a brand of her own. Her mother was a chemist so Natasha naturally took to the lab environment and created her first products – high-end eyeshadow palettes that rose like Champagne
bubbles to the top of prestigious lists like Allure’s Best of Beauty. What marks Natasha Denona palettes as special are two main characteristics: their rich pigments and their blendability. With a couple of brushes and the right blending techniques, everyday makeup lovers can create smooth, airbrushed looks that are usually found on the covers of glossy magazines.
A PASSION FOR EDUCATION Today, in addition to heading a makeup line that comprises a wide range of products, Natasha is passionate about education. She regularly appears at beauty-based events and gives masterclasses to an ever-growing student base. She is also active on social media, offering fans tips and tricks that enable artists and everyday makeup lovers to create natural and dramatic looks.
A BRAND IN GROWTH Although Natasha Denona is best known for her eyeshadow palettes, she has a full range of merchandise that includes base products, lipsticks, cheek products, and accessories (such as sponges, brushes, puffs, mixing palettes, and eyelashes). She regularly launches collections comprising products from different categories. For instance, her Holiday collection includes the Mini Metropolis Christmas
Kit (containing a mini eyeshadow palette and eyeshadow brush) and Baby Glam (a simple, threetoned eyeshadow palette comprising nude shades). Also popular at this time of year is her Smoke In Vision line, featuring a must-have smoky eye palette called Mini Xenon that includes shades ranging from skin to pure black, as well as liquid and cream liners and brushes. A super elegant collection that can be worn year-round is Bronze, which features a 15-shade eyeshadow palette, the Bronze Cheek Face Glow Palette, and lip glosses and balms.
TOP LOOKS The best way to get an idea of how to use Natasha Denona’s palettes is to check out her looks on the brand’s website and social media channels. You will soon see that her work varies immensely and ranges from very soft, nude looks à la Kim K, right through to ultra-colourful creations comprising shades like turquoise combined with rich, glittery gold. The brand’s large-sized palettes encourage you to play around with colour, creating warm, cool, and fantasy looks that will stay sleek and smooth even after a night on the town.
CRUELTY-FREE Natasha Denona is a 100 per cent cruelty-free brand. Although it is not vegan, its products contain a high percentage of plant-based products. ›
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BEST-SELLERS IF YOU ARE NEW TO THE NATASHA DENONA BRAND, CHECK OUT THE FOLLOWING TOP-SELLING ITEMS. 1 – BIBA PALETTE The ultimate palette for everyday nude looks with a touch of shimmer. 2 – SCULPT & GLOW PALETTE A palette for contouring, highlighting, and strobing. 3 – BRONZE EYESHADOW PALETTE A warm palette that is ideal for creating a sun-kissed look.
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4 – HIGHLIGHTING BLUSH – BLOOM A blusher with an appealing shimmer. 5 – SUNRISE PALETTE Featuring a range of ochre, burgundy, orange, and metallic shades. 6 – MINI LOVE PALETTE Give in to fun fuchsia, violet, burgundy, and red shades. 6
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SPECIALISTS IN SMILE MAKEOVERS
DR. ACE KORKCHI
www.acedntl.com
DR. EYAL MIROSHNIK
T. 951 567 547
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TROPICAL PARADISE IN A BOTTLE 132 / JANUARY 2022 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE
While most shampoos and conditioners are based on deionised chemically treated water, Maui Moisture has focused their products on an eco friendly unique blend of aloe vera and pure coconut water. No matter what type of curls, thickness or density you have, when you visit their webshop you will be amazed by the range of products dedicated
to haircare, all silicon, sulfate and paraben free, yet promising to lock-in an immense amount of moisture in a purely natural way. Heal and hydrate with shea butter, coconut and macadamia oil, condition with sea kelp, plumeria or papaya extract, and fortify with hemp seed, cacao butter and passion fruit... and the list goes on to choose and pick from for your own particular needs. From shampoo, conditioner, masks, stylers and treatments, all their creations are vegan and are not only packed with ingredients that are typically found in a tropical island like Maui but also infused with the heavenly scents of these that will trap your winter in an endless summer. i www.mauimoisture.com
The Mediterranean summer can be harsh on hair that damages all too easily from the salty sea and the relentless sun and finding good products can be tricky so we tend to stick to a favourite endlessly. But if you are still struggling with frizz and disobedient curls, now is a good time to try and test out some new options, and as usual, we looked for something that is as free from chemicals as it possibly can be. DISCOVERED BY MADDIE QUINN
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ARRHYTHMIAS EVERYTHING YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THEM IN A NUTSHELL “My heart beats fast and irregular or skips a beat or two, I can feel it in my stomach, in my jaw and in my head and sometimes I get dizzy for no reason at all” – the typical description from many affected patients. WORDS DR. MANUELA REISBECK PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF CARDIOCARE MARBELLA
irregular heartbeat. Some patients Arrhythmias are simple errors in the are not aware of it, others feel immediately unwell, tired, short of electrical impulse and conduction breath with exertion or simply dizzy. within the cardiac electric circuit. Atrial fibrillation is an important There are many different types of arrhythmias causing palpitations – diagnosis because it can cause heart weakness and strokes if left mostly signifying that the patient untreated. can feel their heart beating which Other important arrhythmias are usually is not the case. Although slow heartbeats, so called heart most of them are harmless, blocks, causing long pauses caused by stress, age and other between heart beats. These are medications taken for completely dangerous because the blood different conditions, on some supply to the body, especially to occasions arrhythmias can be of great importance and danger. the brain is reduced. Symptoms This is why cardiologists always here include dizziness, fatigue advocate a thorough investigation and quite often the sudden loss of once a patient complains of consciousness, which may only anything suggesting a heart last for seconds, but nevertheless arrhythmia. is a very worrisome event. Most The most common condition is patients attribute these spells that of atrial fibrillation, especially to stress and dehydration, and with age, causing a fast and the significance often remains
ECG PICTURE
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underestimated until severe accidents happen or even the worst-case scenario, the sudden cardiac death. Consulting a cardiologist is the most important step to take: the investigations performed like ECG's, Holter-ECG's and heart ultrasound examinations will determine the fundamental problem and determine the severity of the situation. At times, there are underlying reasons causing the arrhythmias, like coronary artery disease or a dilated weak heart.
Treating the cause and not just the symptoms is key to avoid heart attacks and other severe conditions. The treatment for all sorts of arrhythmias has changed in recent years. Rather than using medication, we perform Electrophysiology Studies and Ablation Therapy which are highly effective and minimally invasive interventions. To ruleout coronary artery disease, we perform coronary angiograms and place stents, if necessary, this way terminating the induced arrhythmia. In the case of heart blocks, pacemakers must be implanted to avoid further episodes of loss of consciousness, the result of a short flat line in your ECG! As for stroke risk reduction, a minimally invasive intervention in indicated cases can be performed, closing off the unnecessary cavity in the heart's left atrium, where usually blood clots are being produced. This procedure is particularly important for
patients who must take blood thinning medication to reduce the risk of a stroke, but have a high risk of spontaneous bleeding as well. CardioCare Marbella is fully equipped to diagnose all arrhythmias and cardiac conditions. Our team of highly experienced specialists will perform all treatment modalities involved with Arrhythmias. Many things can prevent you from seeing a cardiologist in time, you may be busy, you may be scared, but when it comes to the heart, we insist that it must be placed on top of your health priority list – especially when you receive the first signals of alarm. So please do not hesitate to make an appointment for a cardiac evaluation and have a specialist explain your individual options in detail. i Please visit our website for more medical information. www.cardiocaremarbella.com
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PERIOCULAR REJUVENATION
FOR A YOUNGER LOOK
A
friendly, fresh, and impressive look is a source of satisfaction for those who can offer it and for those who receive it. Unfortunately, over the years, the tissue around the eye ages, the skin becomes loose and tends to droop, making the eyes look tired and sad. Several surgical rejuvenation methods are available to help improve the appearance of the eyes, but sometimes discrete medical treatments that do not require recovery can be as effective as them, resulting in a drastic improvement in the periocular appearance. Dynamic reconstruction of periocular tissue is a collection of these newest methods that can be done alone, or in combination with other treatments. We start with a 3D periocular scan using a special simulator to evaluate a number of procedures for the face. This enables us to make the best and most realistic 136 / JANUARY 2022 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE
decision personalised for the patient’s needs. Then a combination of dynamic reconstruction treatments is planned to achieve the best possible results.
CARBON DIOXIDE LASER These treatments include non-incisional CO2 laser blepharoplasty or minimally invasive blepharoplasty (Mini-Bleph) as a new non-invasive and non-surgical procedure, based on laser rejuvenation of the upper and lower lid skin. Using continuous-wave CO2 laser means shorter operative and recovery times, a more natural outcome, and no scarring, compared to traditional surgical techniques. This treatment could be offered as a combined approach with others such as periocular IPL and RF treatment.
WHAT ARE IPL AND RF IPL, a system which was initially
We talk about the new concept of dynamic reconstruction treatment in periocular rejuvenation with Dr. Ali Nowrouzi, member of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, eye surgeon and specialist at the department of ophthalmology in Hospital Quirónsalud Marbella. employed to treat vascular lesions can be also effective in improving the signs of periorbital skin ageing. Using various optical filters it is shown to be effective in skin rejuvenation and the reduction of wrinkles and unwanted pigmentation. Radiofrequency (RF) tissue tightening was developed to create thermal effects in the dermis without external cutaneous wounding. RF results in a dermal collagen remodelling and secondary skin tightening with rhytid improvement. This is a dynamic reconstruction treatment that we offer, combined with a surgical blepharoplasty if necessary, using CO2 laser incisions which has fewer side effects and post-operative hematomas. It also offers a faster recovery time, especially when we complement it with post-operative autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to obtain better and faster suture line healing. One of the best characteristics of a
dynamic reconstruction treatment is that it can be very specific to, and customised for each patient. Topical complementary therapy is another part of dynamic reconstruction treatment to enhance collagen production.
FILLERS AND MORE... The third part of dynamic reconstruction treatment consists of complementary injectional treatment with PRP, autologous fat transfer (AFT), fillers, mesotherapy, and botulinum toxin. Autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is being used more frequently and could play a promising role in multimodality regimens for periorbital rejuvenation. The mechanism by which PRP leads to skin rejuvenation is that it increases the dermal fibroblast proliferation, expression of matrix metalloproteinase, and collagen synthesis. Another benefit of PRP treatment is the high secretion of endogenous hyaluronic acid described to accompany skin fibroblasts. All of these processes can have a positive effect on skin quality and may contribute to a decrease in visible signs of skin ageing. Autologous fat transfer (AFT) is gaining popularity in periorbital and facial rejuvenation as well as a structural reconstruction because of the advantages that fat offers over other fillers and implants. When a patient desires more volume in the periocular region, this can be achieved by drawing fat from their own body.
Dr. Ali Nowrouzi MD, Ophthalmologist FEBO, FICO.
This process known as fat grafting or fat transfer, is performed in two steps: liposuction and injections. For the liposuction step, fat is removed from an area of the body, which is typically the stomach, thighs, or flanks. The removed fat is then purified, placed in a syringe, and a very small amount is injected into the cheeks or under-eye area. As PRP has a liquefaction effect, we like to add it to this treatment for better fat grafting survival. While helping with the application, it also reduces the asociated bruising and inflamation. Neuromodulators such as botulinum toxin (botox) and soft tissue fillers alone, and in combination with other modalities have been useful for reducing wrinkles and filling in the tear trough region. However, the use of fillers in this area has been associated with complications, bearing in mind that clinicians should have an advanced knowledge of anatomy and injection techniques. For any preocular rejuvenation treatment we highly recommend that you use ophthalmologists trained in ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery, as
Specialist & Fellowship-trained in refractive surgery, cornea, premium cataract and crystalline surgery. Board certified of European Board of Opthalmology (FEBO). Board certified of International Council of Ophthalmology (FICO). Member of American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Specialist at the Ophthalmology Department of Quirónsalud Hospital Marbella. Email : dr.alinoroozi2020@gmail. com Instagram: dr.ali_nowrouzi LinkedIn: Ali Noroozi Twitter: Dr.Ali-Noroozi Dr. Nowrouzi has extensive experience in refractive & premium lenses surgeries and the treatment of corneal pathologies, and is the author and coauthor of more than 50 international publications and book chapters on the subject.
they have the specific knowledge required for the surgical and non-surgical treatment of the periocular region. The botulinum toxin is ideal for treating wrinkles on the forehead between eyebrows and especially the famous and annoying ‘crow’s feet’. e
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enterprise
THE FOCUS OF THIS YEAR’S UNITED NATIONALITIES OF MARBELLA SUMMIT, FIND OUT ABOUT THE IMPORTANT ISSUES BEING FACED BY LOCAL TEENAGERS. CHECK OUT A NUMBER OF DEVELOPMENTS PERTAINING TO LOCAL BUSINESS, AND VIEW PHOTOS FROM SOME OF THE BEST EVENTS THAT TOOK PLACE RECENTLY.
GO TO PAGE 160 FOR BREXIT – ONE YEAR ON
GO TO PAGE 144 FOR THE VIBE
GO TO PAGE 140 FOR THE MARBELLA UNITED NATIONALITIES SUMMIT
GO TO PAGE 150 FOR BUSINESS NEWS
BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROPERTY FINANCE LOCAL NEWS 140 Marbella United Nationalities Summit 144 The VIBE 150 Business News 158 ETIAS 160 Brexit – One Year On
z THE PRO enterprise
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THE UNITED NATIONALITIES MARBELLA SUMMIT ADDRESSING THE ISSUES FACED BY OUR YOUTH
The Harbour Marbella was the perfect backdrop for the United Nationalities of Marbella Summit. Led by Nicole King and Georgina Shaw, the event brought together influential members of the community to tackle the issues faced by young people in our area, including a lack of career opportunities and work experience, the alarming increase of suicide attempts by people aged 10-to-24, and a lack of leisure activities specifically aimed at this age group. PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF NICOLE KING/ THE UNITED NATIONS MARBELLA SUMMIT AND SHUTTERSTOCK Nicole King and Georgina Shaw
T
he event saw entrepreneurs, members of the media, and other leaders join forces with representatives of the Marbella Town Hall and suicide 140 / JANUARY 2022 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE
prevention charities. The aim was to discuss problems and brainstorm solutions to help our youth. Participants included Remedios Bocanegra (Foreign Residents Councillor from the Marbella Town Hall), Mirijana Stefanovic (the President of the Marbella International University Centre/ MIUC), and Ana Lancho and José Manuel Dolader (from the suicide prevention charity, La Barandilla). Brenda Cuby of GIBSAMS (a confidential and anonymous free call/live chat service that is open daily from 6pm to midnight) provided key information on youth suicide. Sr. Dolader, meanwhile, shared
worrisome statistics, including the fact that the number of youths who die via suicide doubles that of people who lose their lives in road accidents.
THREEFOLD CHANGE IS NEEDED Nicole King urged attendees to take action so as to make Marbella a better place for younger generations. She asked for businesses and individuals to take all the steps needed to make Marbella more appealing to younger people in three main ways: Z By creating safe, fun hangout spots for youths Z By offering them internships
Ar t can help save
and work opportunities Z By expanding the La Barandilla suicide prevention hotline so it provides 24/7 service and to provide help in Spanish and English Nicole tells us, “Many attendees had suggestions we found very useful. For instance, Lorraine Williamson proposed the provision of suicide prevention assistance via chat. Some teens are reticent to speak on the phone but are more expressive when texting, simply because they are so used to these technologies.” At the event, MIUC students expressed their needs and urged local businesses to provide more internships and work opportunities.
REASONS TO STAY IN MARBELLA For Nicole, making Marbella
interesting from a personal and professional perspective is key if we are to stop talented youths from leaving our town. “Many international kids are brought here and put into good schools but after high school, they often go back to their countries of origin because there are few opportunities and places where they feel they belong.” Nicole recalls that in her youth, which she spent in Weybridge, Surrey, “there were always fun things for us to do. We would spend all morning playing tennis, then have lunch, play squash in the afternoon, and have a party or event to attend in the evening. If children are to be truly privileged to live in Marbella, they need fun, safe places to enjoy themselves and socialise. Our aim is for businesses to function year-
lives
round and to provide youths with good reasons to stay and make Marbella their home.” When we mention that Marbella has many resorts and clubs with sporting and other events, Nicole answers, “Yes, but people need to organise more events for them. Currently, clubs don’t encourage youths to hang out together. You can book a golf lesson, but that’s not the same as spending time with your group of friends. Marbella needs more places for youths to hang out. They don’t necessarily have to be cheap; they just need to be appealing and offer specific services to this demographic. We want businesses and individuals to actively demonstrate that youths are valued members of our community and we want them to get involved.” › WWW.ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM / 141
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WORK AND INTERNSHIPS ARE NEEDED
SCHOOLKIDS AS COMMUNITY LEADERS
In the realm of work, Nicole mentioned that businesses need to “offer decent jobs with career and work experience opportunities. If we want to attract more people to buy homes here and relocate, we have to provide a thriving professional environment for them and their children.” Nicole is working alongside the Town Hall, CIT Marbella (La Asociación de Empresarios y Profesionales de Marbella) and The British Chamber of Commerce (among others) to find ways to get businesses more socially committed to young people. “We are looking to create a training video that shows companies what they can expect when they have an intern and how to empower their interns to make the most of their experience.”
Nicole also encourages youths to take an active role in charitable pursuits. She recalls, for instance, that “when COVID-19 started, older people who used to volunteer at charity shops were no longer able to do so. Therefore, children from local schools stepped in.” Schoolkids can take part in charitable activites in so many ways. Nicole elaborates, “Children from different school years could take charge of specific tasks to support charity events – including taking photographs, arranging social media, and the like. We hope that schools can include this type of work as part of their curricula so that children feel they are important to each other and to their community.”
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ART FOR A CAUSE One of Nicole’s most creative
projects is #MarbellaLoveMugs, an initiative that supports local charities and artists and promotes the area of Marbella. If you log onto the UNMS site (below) and click on Love Mugs, you will find a limited collection of mugs, each of which was designed by one local artist. Nicole explains that the idea for this initiative arose during lockdown when a mug was “the only way I could get a drawing I made for my granddaughter to her. I then thought that perhaps other people could share their artwork on a mug and contacted some local artists for their feedback.” The mugs make lovely gifts or collectors’ pieces for those who enjoy viewing original artworks in their homes but who may not be able to afford a traditional piece. Nicole says, “The proceeds from this initiative go to the local suicide prevention hotline.” Nicole is constantly looking for new, creative ways to help the community and its youths. Recently, her Love Mugs formed part of a Christmas pop-up shop at the Nina Nolte Gallery (the shop additionally featured accessories by fashion designer, Oscar Udeshi). She is also thinking of creating jingles for TV and radio and different spots to
encourage local media to keep the mental health of Marbella’s youths in mind. “Businesses could even have a small reminder supporting young people at the bottom of their emails. They could provide useful information – including, for instance, the telephone number of the suicide prevention hotline. “Suicide among youths is now a worldwide pandemic,” she says, “and we need to look the problem in the eye and do something about it.”
g Discover more by visiting www.u-n-m.org or watching Marbella Now on RTV Marbella. Suicide prevention helplines: La Barandilla from 9am to 9pm every day for Spanish speakers on Tel: 911 385 385 and GIBSAMS for English speakers on Tel: 116 123 from 6pm to midnight daily.
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STRAND PROPERTIES OPENS IN MÁLAGA Strand Properties inaugurated their new office in the city of Málaga, located in Calle Marín Garcia in the heart of the historical centre. Staff members and guests toasted its future success, which seems likely given that acquiring property in Málaga has become an evolving trend during recent years. i www.strandproperties.com
“In none of the Spanish towns have I been so happy, so entirely at home, as here in Málaga” – Hans Christian Andersen
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF STRAND PROPERTIES 144 / JANUARY 2022 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE
CLÍNICA PREMIUM LAUNCH PARTY Accompanied by a host of local personalities and Spanish celebrities, Clínica Premium inaugurated its 2nd centre in Marbella, comprising 20 advanced medical consultancies in an installation of 900m2. With these two clinics, Clínica Premium is now recognised as one of the principal private medical specialists on the Costa del Sol. i www.clinicapremium.com
“Health is a state of complete harmony of the body, mind and spirit” – B.K.S Lyenger
PHOTOGRAPHY KEVIN HORN WWW.ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM / 145
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MARBELLA ARENA PLEASURE DOME Marbella Arena, the largest multiple leisure space on the Costa del Sol, situated in the old bullring of Nueva Andalucía, has just inaugurated the largest dome in Europe, under which it will be able to offer a host of multidisciplinary and intercultural presentations, including concerts, opera, sporting, corporate and institutional events. i www.marbellaarena.com
“The world is a stage, the stage is a world of entertainment” Howard Dietz
PHOTOGRAPHY KEVIN HORN 146 / JANUARY 2022 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE
EL OCEANO CHARITY BALL Famed establishment, El Oceano Beach Hotel, Restaurant & Spa recently held its annual Christmas Charity Ball, raising funds for Amusuvig, Inserta Andalucía and Ciudad de los Niños. Guests enjoyed an evening to remember, with an auction, raffle and live entertainment from Aaron Harding and DJ Fuller. i www.eloceanohotel.com
“Good actions give strength to ourselves and inspire good actions in others” – Plato
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VIP PROPERTIES OPEN HOUSE VIP Properties invited real estate agents, associates and members of the media to view its latest project, La Villa located on the emblematic Avenida Generalife in Las Brisas, Nueva Andalucía. Guests enjoyed touring the exclusive property as well as the sumptuous spread assembled by Dani’s Catering. i www.vipestates.com
“Home is the nicest word there is” – Laura Ingalls Wilder
PHOTOGRAPHY KEVIN HORN 148 / JANUARY 2022 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE
COLLECTIVE CALLING CHRISTMAS PARTY Collective Calling held a well-attended Christmas Family Fun day on a lovely sunny afternoon at local restaurant, Divot. Families and friends came together on a festive occasion, simultaneously raising funds for charity, to help others in times of crisis. i www.collectivecalling.org
“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention” – Oscar Wilde
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business news
FINE & COUNTRY SAYS ‘HOLA’ TO A NEW OFFICE EVERY MONTH IN 2021 With 12 new locations launched this year across inland and coastal Spain and catering to British expats, Spanish locals and other Europeans, Fine & Country are continuing to solidify their brand presence in this country. Representation can
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WORDS BY MARISA CUTILLAS
now be found in some of the most prestigious and upmarket locations – from the white sands of Ibiza to the tranquil mountainous region of Benahavís. Spain continues to be the most popular European destination for British families and retirees, with over 300,000 British citizens living within its borders. i www.fineandcountry.com
METT HOTEL & BEACH RESORT OPENS IN ESTEPONA METT Hotels & Resorts recently held a press reception to announce the opening of the METT Hotel & Beach Resort in Estepona. The launch date will be Summer 2022 and the resort will feature 250 elegantly designed guest rooms and
suites, one main outdoor swimming pool, the MOI Spa, RAISE Fitness & Wellness, and a rich and varied dining scene that includes Folie Restaurant & Sea, suited to the traveller of today looking for his or her place to unwind and have fun. i www.mettsocialliving.com
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VISTA LAGO WINS BEST DEVELOPMENT IN SPAIN Vista Lago Residences has won two accolades in this year’s European Property Awards: Best in Spain for ‘Architectural Multiple Residence’ and Best in Spain for ‘Residential Development’. These two wins automatically nominate Vista Lago Residences for the next stage in the competition where national
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winners across Europe compete for the coveted ‘Best in Europe’ title. Vista Lago is up against fivestar residential developments in Norway, Portugal, Greece, Turkey, Hungary, Latvia, Romania, Poland, Russia and Ukraine. Winners of the European award will compete with other world regions for the grand title ‘Best in the World’, to be announced in February 2022. i www.vistalago.es
BOHO CLUB WINS ‘BEST LUXURY HOTEL BOUTIQUE AWARD’ Boho Club is the proud winner of the ‘Best Luxury Hotel Boutique Award’, granted at the Spain Luxury Hotel Awards. The jury, comprising representatives of renowned companies in the tourism and luxury sectors, valued factors such as guests’ opinions. Boho Club is a unique resort centred on Marbella's Golden Mile, catering to travellers seeking a vibrant luxurious setting with beautiful décor, state-of-the-art facilities, dining par excellence and a chic ambience. i www.bohoclub.com
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HADAS CARADAS (THE FOOD FAIRIES) RAISE €16.000 FOR CHARITY The Asociacion Hadas Caradas (The Food Fairies) recently held their yearly charity event to make sure underprivileged children enjoy a fabulous Christmas. The event, called Cirque de Siroko and held at Siroko Beach Marbella, raised €16.000. It was organised by Kara Caradas, Jack Bourke and Lynn McCabe. Christmas Food Hampers were provided to over 1300 underprivileged families along with Christmas gift donations for the children. i www.hadascaradas.org
WTC GIBRALTAR CHARITY GOLF DAY RAISES TEERIFIC AMOUNT FOR TWO CHARITIES A record amount of money was raised at this year’s World Trade Centre (WTC) Gibraltar Charity Golf Day at the prestigious La Reserva de Sotogrande golf course. The event, now in its third year, raised £3,850 for Cancer Relief Gibraltar and Hogar Betania Spain. Some 32 players, members and guests of the World Trade Center Gibraltar, took to the course and battled for the cup. The welldeserved winners of the day were Adam Joseph (Eyas Gaming) and Mike Bull (Cazenove Capital). i www.world trade center.gi
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SPECSAVERS’ NAME A GUIDE DOG PUPPY COMPETITION HAS A WINNER CALPE resident Mildred du Plessis Hickey has been crowned the winner of the Specsavers Ópticas ‘Name a Guide Dog Puppy’ Competition. The winning name, Nakoa, means ‘brave’ in Hawaiian. Specsavers Ópticas received nearly 150 entries for the competition, run in conjunction with the ONCE Foundation for Guide Dogs (FOPG) during the month of October.A judging team from FOPG chose the name owing to its originality and meaning. i www.specsavers.es
PROINSERMANT TURNS 40 Prestigious engineering group, Proinsermant, recently celebrated its 40th anniversary in the company of approximately 100 professionals from the high-end engineering sector. The event, held at El Cortijo San Francisco in Estepona, celebrated the company’s many successes in projects of high prestige, in zones like La Zagaleta and Sierra Blanca. CEO, Carlos Sepúlveda, gave a speech, highlighting the unique nature of Marbella – a relatively small area with a high concentration of groundbreaking companies famed for their cutting-edge systems and technologies. i www.proinsermant.com WWW.ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM / 155
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NAO VICTORIA DOCKS IN PUERTO BANÚS Nao Victoria, a replica of a legendary ship that took part in the first voyage around the world from 1519 to 1522, recently docked in Puerto Banús. The voyage, led by Magallanes and Juan Sebastián El Cano, lasted three years and 14 days, with the crew sailing some 32,000 nautical miles. The replica, which measures 26 metres in length and seven metres in breadth, has voyaged extensively, visiting various European countries as well as the United States. i www.fundacionnaovictoria.org
ALBERTO CAMPO BAEZA WINS NATIONAL ARCHITECTURE PRIZE Renowned Architect, Alberto Campo Baeza, recently received the National Architecture Prize at San Felipe Neri in Cádiz. The prize was awarded by the Minister for Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda, Raquel Sánchez Jiménez. Campo Baeza is the winner of various international prizes, including the Heinrich Tessenow Gold Medal in Germany and the Arnold W. Brunner Memorial Prize, awarded by the American Academy of Arts and Letters. i www.campobaeza.com
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CUDECA REMEMBERS JOAN HUNT WITH EMOTIVE VIDEO Cudeca Foundation's Volunteer Department recently produced its annual video to pay tribute to the work of its volunteers and to thank them for their dedication. This year’s video is dedicated to Cudeca’s Founder, Joan Hunt O.B.E., a woman who emphasised the importance of volunteer work to the hospice. Joan managed to involve a large part of the foreign community living on the Costa del Sol and many Spaniards also joined the multicultural team of volunteers. i www.cudeca.org
FREE BIOPARC ANNUAL PASS FOR CHILDREN Bioparc Fuengirola is celebrating its 20th anniversary by giving a free annual pass (worth €38) to children aged three to nine. Their aim is to enlighten families on the important work they are carrying out in the conservation of tropical animal species. To take advantage of this opportunity, request the pass online. You have until January 6, 2022 to do so. i www.bioparcfuengirola.es
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ETIAS
THE EUROPEAN TRAVEL INFORMATION AND AUTHORISATION SYSTEM TO BE COMPULSORY FOR THIRD-COUNTRY CITIZENS TRAVELLING TO EUROPE
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s early as 2016, European Commission (EC) President, Jean-Claude Juncker, announced that the EC would be proposing “an automated system to determine who will be allowed to travel to Europe, (to) know who is travelling to Europe before they even get here.” The result was the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) – launched to strengthen the security of travel to the Schengen area under visa-free agreements. ETIAS aims to identify possible security concerns prior to a traveller’s entry, thus leading to improved management of the 158 / JANUARY 2022 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE
EU’s external borders. Around 1.4 billion passengers from 60 different countries are eligible for ETIAS. By the end of 2022, all visitors who do not currently need a visa to enter Europe will be expected to apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation. ETIAS, which applies to visa-exempt non-EU citizens, has a five-fold aim: Z To save travellers time and hassle Z To improve border management Z To prevent irregular migration Z To complement the EU’s visa liberalisation policy Z To reinforce the battle against crime and terrorism
ETIAS IN ACTION The system works easily. Visaexempt non-EU citizens will apply for ETIAS online, paying €7 if they are aged between 18 and 70. During the application process, specific data (such as one’s travel document, questions relating to criminal records, and the like) will be obtained. Once this information is checked, ETIAS staff will respond to applicants, providing them with either: Z A valid travel authorisation (which is valid for three years) or Z Justification for a refusal (applicants have a right to appeal this decision)
In addition to having their approved ETIAS permit, passengers should also ensure they are carrying the same biometric passport they used to apply for ETIAS. ETIAS will be checked by carriers (air, land, and sea) and only those with a valid travel authorisation will be allowed to travel. Once at the Schengen area border crossing point, travellers will have to show their valid ETIAS authorisation and they will be also be checked in the Entry-Exit System database (EES). The latter registers the entry, exit, and refused entries of eligible third-country citizens entering Europe through the external Schengen borders. It can be considered a replacement for manual stamping, since it digitally records passengers’ entries to (and exits from) EU countries.
WHAT DOES ETIAS ENTITLE YOU TO? Once passengers have entered the relevant country, they will be allowed to stay for up to 90 consecutive days within a 180-day period, moving around freely from one member state to another. They can leave the Schengen area via any member state – not necessarily their point
of entry. Once authorisation is granted, ETIAS is considered valid for a three-year period.
ETIAS MAKES TRAVEL FASTER AND SMOOTHER Passengers will benefit majorly from the new system. As stated Livia Vosman (a spokesperson for the European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice(eu-LISA)), “border crossing for third-country nationals will be smoother and faster” thanks to the implementation of EES and ETIAS. For instance, instead of having their passports stamped manually, passengers can use self-service kiosks at airports to register their entries and exits.
ENHANCED SAFETY ETIAS will also make European destinations safer for everyone. Vosman explains, “ETIAS will significantly contribute to closing existing security information gaps. It will help member states' authorities to spot earlier any individuals who may pose risks to internal security, as well as to take action before the individuals reach Schengen's external borders.”
HEALTH CHECKS Since the commencement of the COVID-19 crisis, the EC has proposed to strengthen European health laws in various ways – including reinforced video surveillance, improved EU data reporting, and the ability to declare EU emergency situations (among other key strategies). ETIAS will also play an important role in enhancing health. Although currently, health insurance for foreign visitors is not mandatory for third-country nationals of the Schengen area, it will soon be required for those wishing to complete an ETIAS application online before departure to check health. By confirming where people are travelling from, the EC can better identify people hailing from areas that are experiencing an outbreak of a specific disease. By the end of 2022, all thirdcountry citizens of the Schengen area will need to be ETIASauthorised. Nationals of some 60 countries will need to apply for an ETIAS visa waiver when visiting the Schengen zone and the system is likely to be available to more countries soon. g Further information, www.etiasvisa.com
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BREXIT
A YEAR ON
It has been a year since the UK left the European Union. And while British expatriates continue to enjoy the life they were used to in Spain, there have been some changes to understand and get used to, some more inconvenient than others. However, for those wanting to move here now, it’s a whole new ball game. The door to Spain is not closed but things are more complex than they were. The key is planning ahead and taking specialist advice. On a dayto-day level, many of us have run into issues when receiving parcels from the UK, whether it is delays at customs, import taxes or some UK shops no longer shipping to here. But there are bigger issues to deal with too. WORDS DAVID BOWERN, PARTNER, BLEVINS FRANKS
Z THE 90-DAY RULE People with holiday homes were used to being able to come and go as they pleased. Now, unless you have Spanish residence or EU citizenship, UK nationals are ‘third country’ visitors. This means you can only spend up to 90 days in the EU Schengen zone in any rolling 180-day period without a visa. 160 / JANUARY 2022 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE
Non-resident Britons now have their passports stamped at EU airports. Once the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) comes into force, it will keep track of arrival and departures electronically.
Z ‘GREEN CARD’ AND TIE Those resident in Spain before Brexit maintain their citizens’
rights. You should have an official residence permit – the old ‘green card’ or new TIE. The ‘Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero’ biometric card explicitly states it has been issued to the holder under the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement. The green card remains valid and proof of your rights. Changing it is supposedly
optional, but some authorities insist on the TIE. The Spanish government also recommends getting the TIE, which is more durable and may simplify administrative processes.
Z RESIDENCE PERMITS FOR NEW ARRIVERS It appears that working visas are proving quite hard to obtain, but retired people can apply for Spain’s Non-Lucrative Visa and Residency Permit. You need to demonstrate sufficient financial resources, suitable medical insurance and clean police records. You have to apply in the UK before moving. If you can make a substantial investment in Spain (eg buying property worth €500.000), a more flexible approach is Spain’s ‘Golden Visa’. You won’t need to spend six months here to maintain right to legal residence.
be tax resident here and must declare your worldwide income and wealth.
Z UK-BASED FINANCIAL ADVISERS AND SERVICES The UK lost financial services passporting rights with Brexit and UK-based advisers are no longer authorised to give advice within the EU. More UK advisers are having to concede they can no longer appropriately advise or service EU resident clients. This also applies to banks, investment and insurance companies, stockbrokers, etc. If you still use UK-based financial advisers or services, confirm they can legally provide you with regulated services, or if there are limitations. For example, will you have to return to the UK for advice? Does their professional indemnity insurance cover you?
Z TAX RESIDENCE
Z UK PENSIONS AND SPANISH WEALTH TAX
You are resident in Spain for tax purposes if you spend over 183 days a year here, or your centre of economic or vital interests is in Spain. Whether you have the TIE card or a nonlucrative visa, you are likely to
Although pension plans are generally listed as exempt from wealth tax, a 2019 ruling by Spain’s Directorate-General for Tax concluded that “the consolidated rights and economic rights of pension
plans established in non-EU Members States may not benefit from the exemption”. Unfortunately this means that, following Brexit, UK private pension plans are liable for wealth tax. There may be more postBrexit changes to come. The pandemic may have delayed measures and as the UK develops rules that don’t need to be aligned with its European neighbours, the differences could widen and present more challenges. But also, as time goes on, everyone will become more used to the new systems and they’ll become the norm. We’re encouraged to see that, on the whole, Brexit hasn’t put people off moving here. Regardless of Brexit, from a wealth management point of view, you always need to adjust your tax, estate and financial planning to suit the local regime and make the most of what Spain has to offer, so take specialist cross-border advice.
g All information is based on Blevins Franks’ understanding of legislation and taxation practice, in the UK and overseas at the time of writing; this may change in the future. WWW.ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM / 161
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gourmet
DISCOVER WHY MOSH FUN KITCHEN IS APTLY NAMED IN THIS MONTH’S RESTAURANT REVIEW. REFLECT ON SOME OF THE DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS FAST FOOD CAN CAUSE TO YOUR HEALTH. REMINISCE ABOUT THE HEADY SHERRYIMBIBING DAYS OF THE DOMECQ DYNASTY.
GO TO PAGE 174 FOR THE EFFECTS OF FAST FOOD ON HEALTH
GO TO PAGE 176 FOR DOMECQ DAYS
GO TO PAGE 170 FOR GOURMET NEWS
GO TO PAGE 164 FOR A MOSH KITCHEN
NEWS GASTRONOMY CHEFS WINE
164 Mosh Fun Kitchen 170 Gourmet Bytes 174 Effects of Fast Food on Health 176 Domecq Days
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MOSH MADE ME DO IT
The title above is not actually a reference to why this review was written. Rather it is a company slogan, appearing on some of their plates and on the wall beside the bar area in their iconic venue, and it is representative of what Mosh Fun Kitchen is all about, where the emphasis is focused on having fun. WORDS JAMES SINCLAIR PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF GRUPO MOSH
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EAT DRINK PARTY The team at Mosh dare you to be different and you can certainly get in the mood with their choice cocktails, scintillating sushi, and lively DJ music. Expect to encounter a trendy Marbella crowd who respect a good time and know where to find it. A spacious dining salon awaits you, with a warm welcome on arrival from Manager Christian and his friendly team, but it’s more like entering a club than a restaurant, with subdued lighting, house music that builds in intensity, revolving spots, shishas and good vibes. This is the perfect place to visit with friends or a partner you’re out to
impress and there are many evenings with spectacular live entertainment.
PLUSH DÉCOR The interior is inviting, with wooden flooring and tables, upholstered arm chairs, enveloping sofas, brickwork, glass, and multi-dimensional lighting. With an enticing bar area and an ample exterior terrace featuring heat lamps at this time of year, there is a great array of seating options catering to all nature and numbers of visitors. The talented DJ operates from a booth on a raised platform in front of a large video screen, in close proximity to the audience. ›
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SELECTIONS THAT HIT THE SPOT However, this is not only an establishment for fun times and partying as there is a comprehensive menu to select from. Divided into Small Bites, Mini Hamburgers, Starters, Fish and Meat selections and Sides, you can enjoy Steak Tartar, Grilled Octopus, Tuna Tartar, Gyozas, for example, before savouring a main course of Salmon, Cod, Rib Eye or Beef Fillet. A very popular speciality of the house are the sushi preparations made freshly on the premises – choose from a range of Uramakis, Nigiri, Nigiri Aburu and Sashimi and you will not be disappointed. Accompany any of these with Champagne, a signature cocktail, a premium wine or a mixer drink. ›
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Tel: 952 818 392 www.thaigallerymarbella.com
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ALL OUR RESTAURANTS ARE OPEN ACCORDING TO REGULATIONS, WITH FULL SAFETY MEASURES!
Puente Romano Hotel, Plaza Village, Marbella.
IN ES E R ES TA U R A N T PO LY
NEW TAI PAN
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Marbella
ES IA N BA R
Tel: 952 777 893 / 952 775 500 www.taipanmarbella.com Puente Romano, Fase 2, Marbella. Open Daily for Dinner from 8:00
SUKHOTHAI Exquisite Royal Thai Cuisine Tel: 952 770 550 www.sukhothaimarbella.com Marbellamar, L-3A, Marbella. Open Daily for Dinner from 8:00
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You can finish on a sweet note with the House Lemon Pie, Ice cream or Chocolate Coulant. Our waiter, Enrique, was on the ball taking good care of us, especially in ensuring that one member of our group with a severe food allergy did not have any problems.
LIVE LIFE AT MOSH For any celebration, social occasion, festive gathering, or simply a night out with friends or loved ones,
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Mosh has it all. Top food and drinks, great sounds and service, and a special ambience that will make your night and leave you with the desire to return for more of the same again soon. Mosh Fun Kitchen. Open every day except Tuesday from 8pm until 2am. Avenida Del Prado, Aloha, Nueva Andalucía. Reservations recommended. Tel: 952 813 859. www. moshfunkitchen.com
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WORDS BY MARISA CUTILLAS
VÍCTOR MARTÍN SANZ
FIFTH EDITION OF FIESTA POP
WINS CINCO JOTAS COOKING CHALLENGE Talented culinary whiz, Víctor Martín Sanz is the official winner of the sixth edition of the Cinco Jotas Cooking Challenge. His creation, entitled Russian Geometries and Cinco Jotas, was inspired by the suprematist movement, founded in 1915 by Kazimir Malévich. This movement highlighted the ability of geometric shapes and beautiful colours to appeal to the senses via visual abstraction. The judges’ panel comprised renowned Chef, Pedro Subijana, culinary journalist, Raquel Castillo, Professor of the Basque Culinary Centre, Adrián Leonelli, and Cinco Jota’s Director of Communications, María Castro. i www.cincojotas.es
Grupo All Stars recently celebrated the fifth edition of Fiesta POP at the Hotel NH Málaga. This event seeks to highlight newly harvested extra virgin olive oils (Primum Oleum Premium or POP) alongside legendary Iberian artisanal products such as ‘legendary hams’. The yearly event is a highlight of the winter season and is a celebration of flavour and local tradition. i www.marbellaallstars.es
GALERÍA CANALEJAS FOOD HALL OPENS IN MADRID If you appreciate the variety of choice that food hall-style dining offers and you plan on visiting Madrid, make sure that the Galería Canalejas Food Hall is on your agenda. The new food haven features a total of 13 restaurants serving national and international delights as well as fusion cuisine. Top
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establishments to watch out for include Monchis (a fusion of Japanese and Mexican cuisine), The Eight (featuring charcoal-grilled meat dishes), and 19:86 by Rubén Arnanz (serving traditional food from Castilla). i www.galeriacanalejas.com
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SOLLO RESTAURANT
PRESENTS CAMINHO 2022 Caminho 2022 is the name of Michelinstar restaurant, Sollo’s brand new tasting menu, created by talented Chef, Diego Gallegos. Caminho 2022 surprises diners with new flavours that represent a fusion between Latin American and Mediterranean cuisine. It includes delights such as river sobrasada with a sherry reduction, smoked crème and seasonal vegetable macaron, and a 15-gram Russian style Riofrío caviar with a Dom Pérignon Vintage 2010. i www.sollo.es
ICECOBAR LANDS IN MARBELLA
If you love traditional Thai-style rolled ice-cream, then you will be delighted to know that IceCoBar, which serves this unique dessert, will be opening in Marbella soon. It will be the company’s 10th establishment and is part of an ambitious expansion plan. All IceCoBar’s ice-cream products are made from 100 per cent natural ingredients. Watch this space in the New Year for further details.i www.icecobar.com
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WE WISH YOU LOTS OF LIGHT AND HAPPINESS
For The New Year
ew N e h T For
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n many developed countries, people consume fast food between one to three times a week, with research by the CDC in the U.S. showing that the percentage of adults that do so increases as family incomes rise. The statistics are testimony to the link between stressful lifestyles and unhealthy foods, with many adults resorting to takeaway and quick meals as a result of a poor work-life balance. The food you eat affects both your physical and mental health in many ways. A diet that is high in calories, carbohydrates, and unhealthy fats is linked to obesity, cardiovascular disease, Type II diabetes, and depression. Fast food also weakens your immune system. Check out the latest research on the subject and consider detoxing from unhealthy foods to give your body the best chance it has to fight off infections.
THE SURPRISING EFFECTS THAT FAST FOOD HAVE ON YOUR IMMUNITY WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS
FAST FOOD MAKES YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM MORE AGGRESSIVE When you consume a high-fat, high-calorie diet, your immune system reacts to it in the same way it would to a bacterial infection – as found in research conducted in 2018 by University of Bonn researchers. That is, this type of diet makes the body’s defences more aggressive and even after you switch to a healthy diet, inflammation and overstimulation of the immune system prevail. This is because your immune system has a kind of ‘memory’. After an infection or unhealthy meal, it remains in a state of alarm so it can react more quickly to a new attack. It then produces changes to your DNA that can lead to the development of diseases like Type 2 diabetes, clogged arteries, and more.
SALTY FOODS WEAKEN THE IMMUNITY Fast foods often contain high amounts of salt 174 / JANUARY 2022 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE
or sugar to make them more palatable. Unfortunately, lab tests have shown that mice fed a high-salt diet are much more likely to fall prey to bacterial infections. Human beings who consume around six grams more of salt per day than usual have also been shown to have immune deficiencies. The findings are a wake-up call to the importance of prioritising homecooked meals made with healthy produce and less salt.
FAST FOOD ACCELERATES AGEING If you want to have smooth, firm skin, avoid soda beverages as they contain high levels of phosphates (which are used to give drinks a tangy flavour and to prevent the growth of mould and
bacteria). High phosphate levels have been found to accelerate signs of ageing. They are also linked to a higher rate and greater severity of age-related issues such as cardiovascular and kidney disease. The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology reports that high phosphate intakes can induce muscle and skin atrophy.
DON’T MAKE YOUR GENES WORK OVERTIME One of the most important reasons for embracing a healthy Mediterranean-style diet is that fast foods affect gene expression (the way in which instructions in your DNA are converted into important products like proteins). As found by biologists at the Norwegian University of Science
and Technology, eating too many or too few carbohydrates cause various genes to work overtime. This creates inflammation in the body and is closely related to various types of cancer, dementia, Type II diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. To ace your nutritional regimen, aim to follow a diet that comprises lean proteins, organic fruits and vegetables, pulses, nuts, and other ‘slow’ foods. Only one-third of your diet should be made up of carbohydrates to keep inflammation down. You should also make sure to eat plenty of fibre to keep your gut microbiome healthy and to ensure you feel at your best both physically and mentally. e
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b THE GOURMET wine
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DOMECQ DAYS Of all the brand-names associated with Spanish wines, Domecq is undoubtedly in the top ten. Like many sherry houses, it was founded by non-Spaniards, along with the likes of Williams, Garvey, Croft, Sandeman, Osborne, Humbert, Harvey, Byass, etc, in Domecq’s case of French origin. WORDS ANDREW J LINN
S
herry was the first wine to be exported and was drunk in England in Shakespeare’s time. Only the towns of Jerez de la Frontera, El Puerto de Santa María and Sanlúcar de Barrameda can be referred to as producers of Xérès, or sherry: the sherry triangle. The golden age of sherry was the last half of the 20th century, when demand outstripped supply, and most members of sherry families did little work. The Domecqs were possibly the most numerous, with around 180 family members working in the bodega from a total of nearly 400. The surname was enough to open any door, and most of them led a charmed, not to say
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unreal, existence, comprising of a social calendar that included the ferias of Sevilla, Jerez, the El Rocio pilgrimage, shooting parties in the winter, and polo in the summer at Sotogrande. Practically all of them depended financially on the dividends paid each year by the company, and the money they spent on horses (a Jerez priority), fighting bulls, country estates, motor cars and a jet set lifestyle has never been quantified. As one example, I remember a famous party in a Domecq country house for which a Mariachi band was flown over from Mexico. While the good life lasted, it was the best to be had anywhere, and to be a
señorito in Jerez, from a bodega-owning family, was to be blessed. Everyone believed at the time that sherry sales would go on growing forever. The Domecqs constituted a big family with expensive tastes, and the time eventually came when the wine business could not continue to keep them forever in the style to which they were accustomed. Eventually a transformation took place and all over Jerez the bodegaowning families started to be replaced by multinationals. The granddaddy of them all, Domecq, was acquired by Pernod Ricard/Beam Global/ Fortune Brands, which would then proceed to split up the family companies.
Entrance to the Domecq Winery in Jerez
José Domecq de la Riva, or Pepe Domecq ‘Pantera’, as he was known (the last surname being acquired because of a pet panther he once owned) was the scion of the family. During my Jerez years I got to know him well and would often go up to his bathroom and sit by his tub drinking pre-lunch copìtas of La Ina brought up by the butler. At his office in the bodega, he did nothing apart from sign cheques and drink sherry supplied through a dumb waiter. Every August the family summered in Marbella, initially at the Don Pepe hotel and later on board his yacht in Puerto Banús. There were never less than ten people for lunch
daily, always at Antonio’s in Puerto Banús, and occasional dinners at La Fonda. The Domecq private secretary, Badillo, would come down from Jerez at the end of the stay to go around Marbella settling all the bills that Pepe had signed during the month. As Pepe aged, he became more concerned about his financial situation, an example being when the palace’s domestic staff requested an increase in their bread ration and as a result felt the rough edge of his tongue. Needing to remove a cyst behind his ear, and rather than pay for private medical attention, a paramedic carried out the operation, without anesthetic, in the surgery of his private bullring. Lashings of La Ina was available for the onlookers. There was always a shadow
over Pepe’s social situation, as he had committed an offence for which he was never forgiven by his Jerez peers. He had become involved with one of the servants, which resulted in his wife leaving him and taking the children. He continued the affair and replaced his wife with his mistress. This behaviour was unacceptable, and he was ostracised for life. Although he continued to act the part of a sherry baron at the ferias, he was rejected socially by his peers. Following his death, the bishop would not allow his coffin to enter the cemetery’s chapel, describing the occupant’s life as dissolute and ‘extramarital’. A life described elsewhere however as that of ‘the last señorito of Jerez’. e
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