Sur La Terre - Issue 13 Doha (Mar11) by Firefly Communications

Foreword. >>> The car is one of the ultimate expressions of freedom. The romantic ideal of the open road ahead with not a care in the world is one to which everyone can relate. It has become so ingrained in the human psyche, we compose songs about it, make movies about it and write books about it. The car has transcended its raison d’être as convenient mode of conveyance to become something altogether more visceral, as well as the ultimate status symbol - a measure of wealth and success rarely attained by a mechanical object. And all of this is why, every March, the eyes of the world turn to Geneva. Its motor show is the longest running in the world and where the major car manufacturers choose to showcase their visions of how we will relate to our vehicles and travel our city’s streets in years to come. Therefore, we dedicate our feature to some of the highlights of the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, while our director of publications, Mohamed Jaidah, looks into the current industry trend towards the luxury micro “city car.” With a few other tips of our hat to a loose “automotive” theme, nestled in amongst our regular fare of fashion, art, culture, travel and everything luxury, we hope that you enjoy the ride. We can guarantee you will see some sparkling sights on your journey from here to the final page. However, before we rev up for our regal road trip down luxury lane, let us consider the humble Toyota Land Cruiser. By far the most prevalent car seen on our roads, it was born as far back as 1951 in Japan, currently the number two-ranked exporter of the world’s cars. Historically, Japan is also one of Qatar’s strongest economical and political partners in the international arena. I am sure you are aware of the devastating natural disaster that left many people in the north east of Japan without power, food, clean water and, in some cases, their homes. We here at Sur la Terre are asking you to help the relief effort by visiting the link to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent appeals on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/SLTme) and making a small donation in order to help the thousands of affected people in Japan to move forward from this horrific tragedy because, in the end, a real luxury is the ability to help those worse off than ourselves. James McCarthy Regional Managing Editor

• sur la terre • foreword •

www.surlaterre-me.com

Publications Director Mohamed Jaidah m.jaidah@firefly-me.com

Editorial

Regional Managing Editor James McCarthy j.mccarthy@firefly-me.com Senior Editor Steve Paugh s.paugh@firefly-me.com Fashion & Style Sophie Jones-Cooper s.jones-cooper@firefly-me.com Deputy Editor Reem Shaddad Contributors Rosie Garthwaite

Art & Design

Creative Director Roula Zinati Ayoub Art Direction Rena Chehayber Design Coordination Rana Cheikha Designers Sarah Jabari, Teja Jaganjac Finaliser Michael Logaring Photography Herbert Villadelrey

Sur La Terre International S.A. Head office 26 avenue de la Praille 1227, Geneva, Switzerland. Tel: + 41 22 310 48 00 Fax: + 41 22 310 48 01

Sales & Marketing

Regional Sales Director Julia Toon j.toon@firefly-me.com

Printing & Distribution

Distribution Manager Azqa Haroon a.haroon@firefly-me.com Logistics

Dan Louis Javier

Printer

Raidy Printing Group, Dubai www.raidy.com

Publisher

Firefly Communications The new 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible, arriving at the end of September exclusively through Jaidah Automotive. Toll Free Hotline: 8000 100

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PO Box 11596, Doha, Qatar. Tel: +974 4434 0360 Fax: +974 4434 0359 info@firefly-me.com www.firefly-me.com

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EARTH 14 24 34 37 44 50

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the list the scene globe trotter revue for your eyes only style confidential

WATER 58 60 66 74 78

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in focus feature up close and personal trends confidential look book

WIND 82 • 86 • 92 • 97 • 100 •

origins in motion horizons beauty out of the box

FIRE 106 • 110 • 115 • 124 • 128 •

accessories lifestyle fashion market place between the lines

Sur la Terre is published bi-monthly. © 2011 Firefly Communications. All material strictly copyright and all rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part, without the prior written permission of Firefly Communications, is strictly forbidden.

• sur la terre • contents •

the list

The Scene

Globe trotter

Revue

for your eyes only

Style confidential

art & culture

Told/Untold/Retold Exhibition

Sharmila Dance Extravaganza 2011

When: Until 28th May Where: Mathaf, Doha What: If you’re one of those people who sits around complaining that there is nothing cultural to do in Doha, and you still haven’t been to the Mathaf Arab Museum of Modern Art, which was opened last December, then all we have to say is “for shame,” with a solid wag of our judging finger. But don’t worry, there’s still time to save face. Mathaf’s three inaugural exhibitions are still ongoing! Told/Untold/Retold (ends May 28th) at the Al-Riwaq Art Space at the Islamic Art Museum shows 23 works by 23 different artists doing 23 different things. It’s a very dynamic exhibition that definitely achieves the “transmodern” verve it purports. Interventions (ends May 28th) while a bit more focused, is no less impressive in its celebration of the lives of famed regional artists Dia Azzawi, Farid Belkahia, Ahmed Nawar, Ibrahim el-Salahi, and Hassan Sharif. Sajjil: A Century of Modern Art (ends October 1st) is the most comprehensive of the three, bringing over 200 works from the regular collection to the fore. There now, go get some culture in you! www.sharmiladance.com

When: 14th - 16th April Where: Various locations, Dubai, UAE What: If you’re a fan of Glee or So You When: 19th April, 7pm Think You Can Dance, then the Sharmila Where: Emirates Towers Hotel, Dubai, UAE Dance Extravaganza 2011 is just the event What: Edge of Arabia, the revolutionary art project that has done wonders in recent to put a spring in your step. Sharmila Kamte years in increasing awareness and appreciation for the art and culture of Saudi Arabia, is a classically trained dancer (from the will be holding a six-work auction at Christie’s Dubai on April 19th. Focusing on Anna Pavlova Ballet School in the Russian “Modern and Contemporary Arab, Iranian and Turkish Art,” all sales will help raise Cultural Centre in New Delhi) in a multitude funds to further the expansion of Edge of Arabia’s education programme and of different styles and with over 20 years art workshops in Saudi Arabian schools and universities. This will all lead to an of experience before she found herself in event in December 2011, featuring an international symposium in Jeddah that Dubai. Taking place from Friday April 14 will bring local and international Saudi contemporary art enthusiasts together to Saturday April 16 at the Centre Point for the first time. The group of works from selected artists will hopefully Theatre, Dubai Community Theatre and raise an estimated US $150,000. To be a part of or even purchase a part of Arts Centre at the Mall of the Emirates, the history. www.christies.com extravaganza promises to be even bigger than last year. In 2010, the sold-out shows consisted of 22 acts performed by over 180 trained UAE-based performers of varying ages and styles. An additional show in Abu Dhabi will be held on April 20th at the Abu Dhabi Heritage Theatre. Further information about this year’s show will be announced soon, so watch Sharmila’s website for more details! www.sharmiladance.com

Christie’s Dubai, “Edge of Arabia” Auction

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Dubai Fashion Week

When: 19th - 23rd April Where: Various Locations, Dubai, UAE What: If you too have a weakness for fashion, then you, like us, will be looking forward to the next showcase of Dubai Fashion Week. It may just be Spring at the moment, but fashion’s fast-forward world is already feasting on the future. The showcase will focus on Fall/Winter collections, which are bound to warm the cockles of the fashion world’s heart. Showcased at this season’s event will be, amongst many, many others, regular highlight Hassan Sheheryar Yasin (or HSY), Mariam Al Mazro and Abeer Al Suwaidi. This season’s Grand Finale Designer will be none other than Rajesh Pratap Singh. If you’ve attended a fashion week in Dubai before, you’ll know exactly what to expect: glitz and glam of epic proportions. If you’ve never been, then the fall/winter show is the best place to start! www.dfw.ae

lifestyle

1st Middle East Film & Comic Con

When: Summer Where: Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, UAE When: 2nd - 4th April What: LOOK! Up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s Where: Dubai World Trade Centre, UAE a plane! No, it’s... the first ever Middle East What: Smile! It’s time for the 7th International Digital Film and Comic Con! The world’s greatest Photography and Imaging Exhibition. To the untrained eye, this defenders of truth and justice will converge may seem like it’s all about the industry of making photographs upon the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition rather than the imagination and fun of taking pictures, but Centre (ADNEC) to save the worlds of that’s not necessarily true. Oh sure, PhotoWorld-Dubai comic book geeks, anime nerds, manga is, as its literature states, “a well established gathering of dorks and shut-in film snobs. The MEFCC exhibitors, opinion formers, decision makers and solution will have something for everyone, including providers in the industry,” but it also has a great number the usual convention stuff like action figures of interesting seminars for anyone who fancies him or and other collectibles, science fiction films herself a snappy snapper. Some of last year’s seminars and of course, comic books and graphic included subjects like finding the perfect aperture, novels. There will also be more mainstream playing with angles, framing natural patterns and fare for weekend heroes, like pop art shapes and taking dramatic images. displays and epic gaming sessions. There www.photoworld-dubai.com will also be the requisite autograph signing sessions from industry giants. To keep up with the quickly-developing goodness of the Gulf’s first Comic Con, make the official website your loyal sidekick. www.mefilmandcomiccon.com

PhotoWorld Dubai

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When: Nightly Where: Habtoor Grand Hotel & Spa, Beirut, Lebanon What: The Habtoor Hotel is a towering landmark in Beirut, dwarfing its surroundings and reaching 32 dizzyingly-high floors into the sky. Soon, Lebanon’s sybaritic socialites will be able to dance the nights away on top of the world, as the 32nd floor is set to fling open its doors at the beginning of April with the opening of “32”, Beirut’s newest, fullyfledged nightlife experience - with arguably the best view in town. The club is set to feature weekly appearances by the region’s biggest DJs and artists, with international talent flying in on a regular basis to wow the fist-pumping crowds. Week nights are to be themed, with club favourites rubbing shoulders with some new clubbing When:Daily concepts. Where: W Hotel, Doha www.habtoorhotels.com What: If you love taking your coffee breaks

W Cafe

at the W Hotel, but The Market is just a little too much hassle for those short-on-time caffeine hits, then we have good news: The W Cafe is now open! Tucked away on the ground floor, next to Teuscher’s Chocolates and the iSpot concession, this light, airy environment is the perfect place for that quick wind-down. Let the modern decor swallow you up as you you tickle your tastebuds on the cupcakes, pastries and freshly ground coffee. The cafe also serves up breakfast for the early birds, light bites for that lunch on the run and the cafe’s high tea is a highlight. www.whoteldoha.com

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Blue Grill Steakhouse

When: From Monday to Saturday 7pm to midnight Where: Yas Island Rotana Hotel, Abu Dhabi, UAE What: The Blue Grill in Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island Rotana may be a steakhouse, but it’s not your average spit and sawdust kind of place. Replete in a minimalist chic atmosphere with rich woods, soft velvets and smooth jazz, you already know you won’t be chowing down on greasy spoons and gristle. Instead, you can enjoy any one of the sumptuous dishes that Blue Grill has to offer, like the pan-seared fois gras for example, or perhaps the toothsome soya burger. Of course, this IS a grill, and all of the meats, which range from Australian Wagyu to some of the best American steaks (both sourced directly), are some of the best you’ll get on Yas Island, not to mention quite possibly the UAE capital’s biggest, fattest onion rings. Seriously, these must be tasted to be believed. www.rotana.com

eat, drink, dance

entertainment

Red Bull X-Fighters

WRC Jordan Rally

When: 14th - 16th April Where: Jordan Valley, Jordan What: It’s time for a different kind of Middle East rally, as Jordan once again hosts the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) between April 14 and April 16, 2011. The rally, which stands as the fourth round of the WRC season and also incorporates the Middle East Rally Championship, starts with a grand ceremony at the former Roman city of Jerash, and then continues to wind in and out of the legendary Jordan valley. This is the third such race in as many years, and it has become a highly anticipated annual event that should not be missed by any petrol-head in the region. All of the big boys will be there, including Finland’s Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvalafriving from the Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team, as well as defending world champion and current board leader, Sébastien Loeb. To stay ahead in the final burn before the race, stop by the official website. www.jordanrally.com

When: 15th April Where: Jumeriah Beach Hotel, Dubai, UAE What: Sounding like some kind of odd (and awesome) marriage between superheroes and Star Wars, the Red Bull X-Fighters event is, for the first time in its 10 year history, kickstarting its season season in the United Arab Emirates. Held at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel and Burj al Arab in Dubai, this extreme freestyle motocross event is likely going to be the craziest thing to hit the shores of the Gulf. All of the big guns will be in attendance this year, like reigning champ Nate Adams and his contending compatriots, Andre Villa and Levi Sherwood, both with gears and axes to grind. It will be the first time that the event will be on a beach, but even though things start on (relatively) terra firma, the bikes and bods are set to soar acrobatically all over the place to the soundtrack of your most heartfelt ooohs and aaahs. www.redbull.com

Abu Dhabi Classics

When: 11th May Where: Emirates Palace Hotel, UAE What: Led by accomplished American conductor, Keith Lockhart, the BBC Concert Orchestra will once again delight and amaze Abu Dhabi with a gala concert on May 11 this year. Taking place at the Emirates Palace auditorium, this concert will be the last of the season, and will undoubtedly go off with a bang! As the night has been called a journey “from Broadway to Hollywood,” you can expect an amazing night of pops, from old favourites to modern classics, which are specialities of Lockhart and the famed company of musicians. The Abu Dhabi Classics Academy has helped bridge gaps between artists, audiences and cultures. Whether you’re a fan of the classics or simply a lover of music, this is a MUST to close out the local season. www.abudhabiclassics.com

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TAHOE Live large and conquer. The Chevy Tahoe.

global gatherings

Guitarra Heroes

Yes We Cannes!

When: 11th - 22nd May Where: Cannes, South of France What: The Cannes Film Festival is back again in 2011 to serve up some of the international film scene’s most splendiferous cinematic specimens. Now in its 64th year, the annual event has proven to be one of the most distinguished events of its kind in the world, with winners of its prestigious awards selections being seen as the crème de la crème of the industry. This year’s festival will take place from the 11th to 22nd of May in its idyllic south-ofFrance namesake, and will once again showcase the film world’s lasting lustre. Heading up the the 2011 edition in his capacity as President of the official Cannes jury is our very own Doha Tribeca Film Festival co-founder, Robert De Niro, while the opening film is slated to be Midnight in Paris by none other than neurotic maestro, Woody Allen. At press time, not much else was clear about the official selections, but keep an eye on the festival’s website for more announcements. www.festival-cannes.com

When: 1st April - 21st May Where: Barcelona, Spain What: One of the coolest cities on the planet is tuning up to host what is arguably its most popular festival. Barcelona’s “Festival de Guitarra,” which loosley translated into English means “Guitar Festival,” will take place between April 1st to 21st May this year, and will feature some of the best picking, licking and shredding in the world. Appearing at this year’s event will be some of the best strummers and bands on the international scene, including Ariel Rot, Rafa Pons, Owen Pallett, Tommy Emmanuel, Chuck Loeb, the Stanley Clarke Band and and Lax ‘n’ Busto, to name just a few. The venues of the shows will be almost as multitudinous and will include city hotspots like the Palau de la Musica Catalana, Razzmatazz, L’Auditori and the Gran Teatre del Liceu. If you’re ready to have your socks literally rocked off in one of the most happening places in the world, look no further! www.theproject.es

Brighton Up Your Life

When: 7th - 29th May Where: Brighton, UK What: The 2011 Brighton Festival will encapsulate, as did all of its progenitors, “three weeks of unrivalled arts celebration.” Taking place this year from the 7th to the 29th May, the festival will simultaneously celebrate the corresponding and colliding worlds of music, dance, circus, theatre, art and film. The Brighton Festival is now in its 45th year, and has become one of the UK’s (if not the world’s) most eagerly anticipated cultural events. This year’s Guest Director will be Aung San Suu Kyi, the courageous leader, human rights advocate and Nobel Peace Prize winner who was, until recently, under house arrest for her valiant struggles to establish and preserve democracy within Burma. Using as its mantra her plea to “use your liberty to promote ours,” each and every exhibitor, performer and attendee will undoubtedly enjoy all that the cultural world has to offer. www.abudhabiclassics.com

• sur la terre • the list •

the scene

1. Rockabilly blogger at Osman 2. Structured silhouettes and blunt fringes at Osman

3. Model Lily Donaldson at Burberry 4. Hats off the men at at Mulberry 5. Prince Cassius, Designer at Mulberry

6. Bianca Pal, Fashion Editor at Mulberry 7. Sarah Clements and Emma Summer at Mulberry 8. Dr Who Actress Karen Gillian at Mulberry 3

9. Style expert reporting from Mulberry

10. Model Emily Byron 11. Sheepskin and fur at Holly Fulton 12. An Alexander McQueen fashionista at Burberry Photography: Lottie Ettling

Sur la Terre at London Fashion Week Sophie and the Sur la Terre Fashion & Style team took to the streets of London for the recent fashion week. As well as attending shows and bringing you the latest trends from the likes of Burberry, Holly Fulton, Mulberry and David Koma they went in search of the best dressed attendees and the most stylish celebrities.

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the scene

1. Julia and Miriam 2. Classical music filled the exhibition centre 3. Ali Bin Ali modelled some exquisite pieces

4. HE Shiekh Jassim Bin Jabr AlThani opens the show 5. Al Makki Jewellery showcased a jewel-encrusted “2022” football 6. Rob Altamirano and Victoria Ferraris 7. Mouwad representatives receive the Guiness World Record for its “1001 Nights” purse (For Your Eyes Only, Page 47) 8. Dana & Noor Alfardan modelling Chaumet’s latest pieces for Sur la Terre 9. Nabeel Abdullah Al Zain 10. Louis Ferla and Nabeel Ali Bin Ali 11. Karen Nimarota, Maria Ramirtz, Victoria Acquah, Sarah Walker and Huwet Sammie

The Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition Under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al-Thani and organised by the Qatar Tourism Authority, the 8th annual Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition came and went in February 2011. The bright lights didn’t just shine within the diamonds, gems and precious metals on display at the Doha International Exhibition Centre in February, but also in the superstardom of the attending throng of local, regional and even international V.V.I.Ps.

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the scene

1. Herbert Villadelrey, Loris Bicocchi and Mic Logaring

2. Representatives of NBK Automobiles 3. VW Development Director, Ulrich Hackenburg with the XL1 Concept 4. Porsche CEO, Matthias Müller presents the 918RSR 5. Matthias Müller with Salman Darwish and Porsche Middle East representatives

6. VIPs turned out in force for the big reveals 7. Dakar Rally winners Nasser AlAttaiyah and Carlos Sainz 8. Nasser Al-Attaiyah and Carlos Sainz pose for the photographers 9. The ribbon is cut on the inaugural Qatar International Motor Show 10. Mohamed Jaidah with representatives of Shell Qatar 11. Bentley’s Steve Graham with Shiela Dalumpines from Dana Motors 12. Lamborghini CEO, Stephan Winkelmann poses next to the new Gallardo Bicolore

The 2011 Qatar Motor Show The first annual Qatar Motor Show got off to a roaring start in January of 2011, featuring some of the most sought-after rides in the world today. A veritable armada of automobiles were on display, with some of them making their first appearances to the world at what promises to be a premier event with many miles ahead of it. Outside the Doha International Exhibition Centre, the fun continued, with a special track and schedule of programmes, including Red Bull’s drifting events and FMX riders.

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the scene

1. Ali Khan and Melanie McClintock 2. Carla Mallari and Dana Riad 3. Joanna Dallimore and Sahar Mari 4. Cynthia Hanna and Hansa Mungegera 5. Ahmed, Yang Soon Ju, and Corby Elford 6. Mary Denney, Vanja Smitran, and Zoe Donald

7. Selina Farooqui 8. Sonali Raman, Patricia Duignan, and Pegah Simi 9. Salman Al-Muhannadi, Mohammed Al-Malek, and Natalie Talihan 10. Abdul, Victoria, Carla Mallari, Orna Ballout and Rob

VCU Qatar Fashion Rush at Saffron Hall The Fashion Design Department at Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar hosted the very first “Fashion Rush” event last February in order to increase the awareness of the fashion industry in Qatar. “We are encouraging our designers to forge ahead and make new paths. The world is looking at Qatar, it’s the perfect time to let the bright minds of our youth create a brilliant vision. [This is] something that is of Qatar, by those who live in Qatar,” said Sandra Wilkins, chair of the Fashion Design department at VCU.

• sur la terre • the scene •

the scene

1. The Burns Family - John, Ryan, Siobhan, Leigh, Anne and baby Alicia 2. David McDowall, Alison Bums, and HE British Ambassador John Hawkins 3. Guest and Salman Abdullah Al Abdulghani 4. Arnold de Parseval and Philippe Tavernier 5. Alaa Abbas, British Ambassador John Hawkins, guest and Salman Abdullah Al Abdulghani 6. The rare beauty of the Aston Martin One-77 7. British Ambassador John Hawkins 8. Alaa Abbas and guest with British ambassador john Hawkins

Aston Martin Showroom Opening Aston Martin Qatar kept the country’s car craze on a high just after the inaugural motor show with the opening of its shiny new showroom. With Aston-owning VIPs, as well as the British Ambassador, in attendance, the well-heeled petrol heads were allowed another glimpse of the extremely rare One-77, as well as the latest and greatest cars to roll off the production line in Gaydon, UK.

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Re la x i at o n

globe trotter

St James Gemology Spa Where: Paris, France GPS: 48° 52’ 13.70” N, 2° 16’ 47.13” E Enter a warm world of velvet sofas, candles, mirrors and oriental lanterns for probably the most luxurious beauty treatment you will ever have. For its new spa, the Saint James Hotel in Paris has selected the exclusive French brand, Gemology Cosmetics, using the cosmetic properties of 18 precious and semi-precious minerals. Bringing a whole new meaining to the phrase “rock & roll,” patrons will be able to enjoy a massage of the face, neck and back with hot stones such as rose quartz and aventurine, before retiring to one of the spa’s two big steam rooms or the well-appointed

gym. However, to preserve the tranquility and exclusivity of the spa, access is reserved for hotel guests and club members. www.saint-james-paris.com

The Webster Fashion Concept Store

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in pp o

Quickly becoming a hub for international fashion and local designers, Miami now has its sartorial epicentre: The Webster. A 20,000 square foot luxury multi-brand boutique located in the heart of Miami Beach, in a historical Art Deco building designed in 1939 by famed architect Henry Hohauser, this three-level boutique is devoted to fashion, photography and entertainment. The Webster has also teamed up with acclaimed Parisian restaurant Caviar Kaspia, which has an eatery located on the ground floor next to the luxury sportswear. The second floor is entirely dedicated to luxury fashion: men’s and women’s ready-to-wear, accessories, bags and shoes. With voluminous natural light and a posh private residence feel, this lofty second story includes a cozy sitting room in addition to all of fashion’s finest. On the third floor lays a gallery space and corporate offices, where rotating shows, fashion pop-up shops, and special events take place. The roof of the Webster offers a restaurant lounge setting with unobstructed views of the ocean. Truly a fashionista’s shopping paradise. www.thewebstermiami.com

Where: South Beach, Miami, USA GPS: 25° 46’ 59.78” N, 80° 07’ 52.49” W

H te o l

W Leicester Square Where: London, England GPS: 51° 30’ 42.63” N, 0° 07’ 56.80” W

With the W Hotel Doha giving the Middle East its fix of the Whatever/Whenever philosophy, we are all aware of the quality lifestyle experience that staying in these sumptuous Starwood properties offer. Now, those of you travelling to London have the option of staying at one of the chain’s flagship hotels, the W Leicester Square. Nestled in the heart of “Theatreland” this, the 40th W Hotel to open worldwide, offers no less than five Fantastic Suites, two Marvellous Suites, three Spa Suites, seven Studio Suites, three Wow Suites and one E-Wow Suite, all featuring custommade furnishings and stylish accents unique to London. Add to this the chain’s reputation for its signature Bliss spa and world-class restaurants and bars, and you will be set for a Wonderful stay! www.wlondon.co.uk

Geranium Restaurant

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in in

Scandanavia has a glut of amazing restaurants, so to stand out above the crowd is a feat in itself. However, one hardy perennial that continues to bloom in Copenhagen is Geranium. Or, to be precise, Geranium2, since it reopened after a refurbishment in 2010. The celebrated Rasmus Kofoed, nominated the best chef in the world earlier this year, won gold in the 2010 Bocuse D’Or Europe for his cuisine at the Michelin-starred eatery. He serves up a gastronomic storm that is both organic and biodynamic in both its ingredients and composition. Exploring “the sea of tension between the urbane and the natural,” the restaurant is situated on the 8th floor in Fælledparken (Common Gardens) in the centre of the city, offering a lofty vantage point for the diner to contemplate the seasons’ journey through the tree crowns, catch glimpses of the city’s green copper roofs and just see the windmills of Oeresund. www.geranium.dk

Where: Copenhagen, Denmark GPS: 55° 42’ 12.00” N, 12° 34’ 16.71” E

h ib it

Ralph Lauren’s Car Collection

Legendary designer, Ralph Lauren’s, car collection has long been the stuff of automotive lore. Now, thanks to the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, the petrol-headed public is going to get its chance to salivate over some of the designer’s choicest examples of automotive history and design at the The Art of the Automobile: Masterpieces from the Ralph Lauren Collection from April 28th to August 28th. Visitors to the museum can look forward to seeing a quartet of luscious metal that includes a 1964 Ferrari 250 LM, a 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Scaglietti, a 1956/1958 Jaguar XKS and a 1931 Alfa Romeo Monza 8C 2300. In addition, a total of 13 other masterpieces will be on display, including two of the world’s most expensive vehicles: a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO and a 1938 Bugatti 57 SC Atlantic Coupe, both of which are worth an estimated $30 to $40 million each. www.lesartsdecoratifs.fr

Where: Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris, France GPS: 48° 51’ 48.02” N, 2° 19’ 59.91” E

Premiere Supper Club Where: Hollywood, USA GPS: 34° 06’ 06.54” N, 118° 20’ 10.71” W

Looking for an evening hangout in Los Angeles? Maybe do a bit of celeb-spotting while you kick back and enjoy some food and a great dance mood? Look no further than the Premiere Supper Club on Hollywood Boulevard. Nestled in a neighborhood rich in both theatre and nightlife, Premiere’s stage is set to suggest the dramatic and romantic Catalonian region of Spain, starring flamenco dancers, matadors, and bull fighters. Walls are draped in lavish crimson velvet curtains, with exposed brick and stucco, dark-stained pine and wrought-iron accents. Props and tiny details, such as the broken Spanish tiles that embellish the bars and bathrooms, help to further accentuate the rich aesthetic, while a prominent chandelier, spanning 12 feet, above centre stage, softly illuminates the dance floor, giving club-goers their moment in the limelight. www.premieresupperclub.com

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Naser Mestarihi, Naser Mestarihi SLT Rating: 4 pearls

A local boy makes good... by rocking our faces off! >>> In his self-titled debut EP, locally-based Naser Mestarihi (Up Close & Personal, Page 66) is testing his strengths and learning to play to them. It’s easy to hear that Naser is a man who revels in being a musician and, while he takes things seriously lyrically, it’s clear that he is having all kinds of fun with his instrumental innovation. His song “Phoenix” is a perfect example of this. As a song that verges on the epic, it’s obviously the direction in which Naser wishes to tread. Lyrically, “Phoenix” feels a bit rushed. Although it doesn’t kill the song, his lyrical thread comes across as both precursor and afterthought in a heavy, hard race to practice the magic of his instrumentals. And they are magic. When the solo kicks in at about three and a half minutes in, it’s clear what cranks Mestarihi’s tractor: guttural riffs threaded beautifully, if not maniacally, with the screeching whine of fast licks. Even though it’s a somewhat similar song, “Blazing Temple” is a completely different animal that is more lyrically sound and musically experimental. It seems to be a sort of recurring theme in the album that Mestarihi seems interested in showing us the way through the range and diversity of his talents, and the more we listen to his songs, the more we dig the journey. “Blazing Temple” is a methodic (but not plodding) build into a much more structured, yet fierce explosion that lets the tune break out and become more wild, allowing Naser more room to play, a position in which he excels. Again, he shines in a strong peppering of frettickling, almost computerised-sounding builds that you can’t help but double-back on and listen to over and over again.

“Salvation” is by far his best and most versatile song, and the one that will resonate most with a wider audience. Even though it’s the album’s least “rock & roll” offering, it’s also, almost ironically, its strongest. He keeps his vocals within an obviously more comfortable (though still quite impressive) range, and benefits from a more relaxed musical cadence than in other tunes. The way he casually strolls across the frets, particularly around the two minutes and forty five second mark, shows his ability to throw in an equal parts gorgeous and dynamic bluesy technical acumen, and solidifies for us that his is a destiny of becoming a modern minstrel (definitely regionally and hopefully internationally) within the coming years. Our verdict: make some room on your iPod for Naser Mestarihi, and not just because you “should” support local music, but because he’s just really quite good, and if this debut album is any indication, he has a great future ahead of him, and Sur la Terre, for one, is looking forward to hearing every step.

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Addressed for Success SLT Rating: 4 pearls

The Address is all business... and we like that.

Senior Editor Steve Paugh sets off for Dubai and gets the Address of one unforgettable hotel.

1 The Address Dubai Marina 2 Guestroom 3 The spa 4 The lobby 5 Kambaa: The Lobby Lounge 6. Mazina

>>> There are few moments in life that can be called truly magnificent. In these instances of vast import, where visual spectacle seems to overtake the real, it is hard to not have your breath literally stolen. These are the fast passions, the flickering white hot seconds, the flawless and, if I’m frank here, unfathomable first impressions. Seeing the monumental treasury through rocky, multi-hued crags in Petra is one of these; skimming the waves on the New York Harbor for the first time on the way to see the Statue of Liberty is another. Walking into the Address Dubai Marina, however, is not... and that’s a good thing. Burning quickly in the inaudible awe of the agape, the experiences mentioned above may exist beyond brilliance, but that radiance is fleeting and short-lived. Perhaps this is the steady advancement of my years talking, but I am beginning to enjoy the slow burn rather than the burn out; the fire that gets progressively warmer for comfort rather than a short burst of hot hot heat. In this, the Address Dubai Marina succeeds where even the greatest of the world’s wonders fails.

While being far from nondescript, the Address Dubai Marina is understated in its elegance, refined in its charm. It simply wishes to impress you, the guest, in ways far beyond the gilded lilies of other hotels and resorts. It may not do so as instantly as some other mega-hotels might, but its excellence builds the longer you stay; more of a growing crescendo than a quick climax. If ever there was a quintessentially modish hotel for business moguls, it would be the Address Dubai Marina. The conference area is a thing to behold, with 15 rooms able to host a wide variety of different events. I haven’t even mentioned the impressive Constellation Ballroom, which can accommodate a 1,000-guest reception inside and is currently being expanded with outdoor seating/standing room with an expansive balcony. The world-spanning Address brand, which has five sites in Dubai alone, boasts a “one size fits one” business model that is catered to the individual guest. While this sort of rhetoric is often talked, rarely is it so impressively walked. Of course, the Address Dubai Marina is more than just pure business.

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4 From the smiling faces that peek out and greet you from behind the small, approachable check-in desks in the lobby, you feel at the Address that you are going to be well looked-after. It’s a feeling that continues to resonate when you reach your room. My Premier Suite, which is but one of the 200 impeccable rooms (including 58 other suites and one of the Presidential variety), seemed built with me and my needs in mind, particularly the spacious workstation and impressive high-speed wireless internet; a necessary in-room feature that I find fails more often than not in similar hotels. As is true with a majority of the environs at the Address Dubai Marina, the room is not as “flash” as you might expect from a property in the Gulf, nor does it need to be. It obviously enjoys the simple sophistication of the hotel’s ethos, and benefits from it with a sort of restrained gusto. Saying that, two of the walls in the bedroom are floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing a flood of either light or night to pour in from around the halo of skyscrapers that surround the hotel. Unfortunately, I wasn’t lucky enough to get a room overlooking the marina, purported to be the largest manmade one of its kind in the world, so my view was a bit more “industrial” than I would have liked, but I don’t feel as though I had suffered the worse for it. Speaking of suffering, after inspecting the room and bathroom, which was massive; seemingly as long as the room itself, and equally as bright with a great window next to the amply-sized tub, I decided to conduct a little power meeting with an old business partner: my body. I don’t usually write about gyms in hotel reviews, but I feel as though I would be remiss if I didn’t speak of the 24-hour facility at the Address Dubai Marina. Again, it is not flashy or ostentatiously impressive, but its sweeping, open-plan space that overlooks the marina via more full-length windows makes it feel like a stand-alone fitness centre, rather than one crammed inside of a hotel out of necessity. The same is true of the place where health and wellness at the Address Dubai Marina continues: the spa.

To spread the wealth, so to speak, I decided to eschew my spa treatment, instead leaving the pampering to the one and only Mrs. Julia Toon, Sur la Terre’s Regional Sales Director and resident legend. Having already enjoyed the comfort and relaxation of the “marshmallowy” beds and ease with which our business was conducted through the hotel, Julia was quite happy to take over my spa-rating responsibilities for the day whilst I opted for the guided tour. It was easy to see why Julia enjoyed her 50-minute rejuvenating massage, not only because it helped to heal her after a night of prowling the Dubai International Boat Show (where Sur la Terre was a media partner), but also thanks to the spa’s relaxing atmosphere. Any person, regardless of gender, would easily be kneaded into a puddle of calm surrounded by the dark, rich features of the spa, and it’s no surprise that it has recently entered into the running for a prestigious local design award. The Address Dubai Marina’s ability to set itself apart doesn’t end there, however. The Address has five dining venues from which to choose, including the buffet-style flagship restaurant Mazina, which hosts a unique family-orientated brunch on Saturdays, and my personal favourite, the three-in-one Blends Mixed Company, which combines a swanky night club, a chilled-out cocktail bar and a fantastic cigar lounge with built-in humidors and imposing leather chairs. The hotel is distinguished in other ways, as well, with a physical connection to the small but adequate Marina Mall, and more impressively, its walkable 500-metre proximity to one of the area’s most beloved nightlife spots/exclusive lifestyle clubs, the Dubai Marina Yacht Club. With all of the choice for accommodation in Dubai, it would be easy to overlook the Address Dubai Marina for your business trip or personal holiday, but that would be a shame. Unpretentious, comfortable, clean and safe, it deserves every one of its five stars. Sur la Terre couldn’t recommend frequenting this particular Address more.

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Another Universe SLT Rating: 4 pearls

Up, up and away, this title saves the day

>>> DC Universe Online is the best game I have played in a long time, mostly thanks to its scope of vision, faithfulness to comic book mythos, impossibly articulate level of artistry and near infinite re-playability. To explain, DCUO is a massively multiplayer online (MMO) action game that allows a player to create his or her own superhero or villain, and then wreak havoc or enforce truth accordingly within any of the beautifully rendered fictional environments of the DC Universe, like Gotham City and Metropolis. The wealth of choice I had when building my character, NeverMan, was nothing short of intimidating. Saying that, choosing movement (flight, super-speed, acrobatics) and the nature of your abilities, whether it’s metahuman, magic or science, offer huge thrills. Despite then having the choice between such formidable powers as fire, ice, science and sorcery, I decided to go with

mental powers, allowing me to bring the hurt to my enemies with salvos of purple mind bullets. Dreams really do come true! The structure of gameplay is both easy and dynamic, with a non-turn-based/buttonassigned (melee/range attack) system that allows even the greenest “noob” to instantly

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“pwn” DC heavyweights like Braniac and Bizarro. MMO snobs may say this system is “too easy,” but with a comprehensive levelling system that allows for powerbuilding, appearance-tweaking and combo implementation, as well as a constantlychanging rotation of vastly different enemies, it never feels stale.

When punctuated by cut scenes orchestrated by industry legends like the incomparable Jim Lee, taking part in campaigns also pays visual dividends. If you don’t want to take part in the main story modes, you can always side track on other in-game elements like PvP (player vs. player) campaigns, legend battles between the likes of Batman and the Joker or “Wanted” missions, wherein you arrest or best titans of tyranny or truth. Now, the game isn’t completely bulletproof. For example, some of the voice acting (barring Mark Hamill‘s Joker and Kevin Conroy’s Batman) is downright atrocious. Sound and animation aren’t always as fluid as they should be, but in an environment this expansive, you expect that sort of thing. You also HAVE to be online to play DCUO, and with limited internet connectivity, and with a QR50.00/month service charge, that can be frustrating, but it’s indeed a small price to pay for something this fun. I was also nearly defeated before even getting to play once, as the PS3 store is not available in Qatar. I was lucky enough to find a workaround, though, which may help Gulfbased players with this and other games. Simply create a profile on your PS3 with a UK address, and you’ll be able to play on a UK server. It’s as simple as that. In the end, DC Universe Online is a game that’s better than good. It’s even better than great. There’s only one word that seems to define DCUO. Super.

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Il Teatro: On the Stage of the Satisfied

revue food

SLT Rating: 4 pearls

You will be surprised by both the expected AND the unexpected.

Senior Editor Steve Paugh revisits an old Doha gastronomical go-to in the Four Seasons’ Il Teatro, and happily learns that old favourites are new again, and things have definitely changed. >>> Early 20th century French playwright Tristan Bernard once said, “In the theatre, the audience wants to be surprised ... but by something that they expect.” Before a few days ago, I would have whole-heartedly disagreed with that statement, at least as it applies to what I would call the culinary theatre of the Gulf. I came to the opinion primarily because of the feeling behind Bernard’s words. In a sense, we already know what to expect at, say, a Four Seasons restaurant, for example. We assume greatness, and quite rightly so. Dining at the Four Seasons is peerless, boasting an atmosphere rich with poise, polish and an emotive feel of effortless luxury. However, we local and expat residents in the Gulf have become jaded to the five-star hotels and high-end restaurants. You can’t blame us for not being surprised anymore, of course, and certainly not by what Bernard would call “the expected.” We’ve seen, felt and tasted everything in the sumptuous buffet of luxury life, and it’s hard to be surprised when you’ve done it all. Right? Like most decadents, I live by the old axiom “leave no stone unturned,” but I have recently learned that once they all have been flipped, I shouldn’t be afraid to go back and see what has changed. In the case of Il Teatro, the Italian restaurant at the Four Seasons hotel, I am glad that I did. We were invited to the Four Seasons because we were told that its food and beverage division had recently undergone a big shake-up, with new members, new developments and above all else, new tastes. Eager to take a bite out of this new direction, I happily volunteered to meet with the new culinary captain, Chef Matteo Arvonio, and sample this Bernardian surprise of the expected. As it turns out, while I was delightfully surprised, the experience was anything but expected.

1 Head Chef Matteo Arvonio with the Seafood Duet starter 2 The Four Seasons’ Il Teatro 3 Comfortable arrangements 4 Rich refinement

After being welcomed to the restaurant by David Suarez, Il Teatro’s manager, I was quickly whisked away on a brief tour of its surprisingly substantial wine cellar (which boasts an impressive range of over 200 bottles from around the world) and inner foyer. The ambience WAS expected, and happily so. Class breathes in Il Teatro, across the marble floors, up the milk chocolate walls that shift suddenly into rich dark woods before relaxing in a ceiling of cream. It doesn’t choke on its

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own opulence, however, and unwinds in a sort of demure yet relaxed lounge. In a word, it is comfortable, without being clumsy. As I sat down, David informed me that, as a surprise, I would be tasting, for the first time ever, the brand new forthcoming menu at Il Teatro, to be specially prepared by the head chef himself. Quiet and reserved, Chef Arvonio’s soft-spoken and modest demeanour belies his culinary clout, but I like a man who lets his skills, and not his gums, do the talking. Speaking of gums, mine were about to get a very surprising shock... with a fistful of truffle. “It’s a truffle cocktail,” said David as he set down a martini glass filled with a cloudy, pale green liquid. “It sure is,” I said, timidly leaning over the glass for a reconnaissance whiff. Luckily, the taste was not that of a glass of pureed expensive fungus, but rather a refreshingly semi-sweet cocktail collision that oddly married the contradictory olfactory and flavour sensory input together in a jarring, but not entirely unpleasant way. What followed were dishes that were perhaps more expected, but no less surprising. The antipasti was the “Seafood Duet” starter, which consisted of a rich king prawn coated in a crumbly almond crust, which, while a touch dry, went beautifully with the side of fava beans and ricotta puree. It was made ever more piquant with the small, candied cherry tomato served as a companion. Served alongside the prawn, atop a bed of Italian castellucio lentils was a perfectly prepared sea scallop (a particular weakness of mine) draped in a rasher of glazed beef bacon. It was a delicious combination and a valiant effort to utilise beef instead of pork, but one is left to wonder what the chef could have done with the real thing. Next on the menu was the “baccala.” The salt cod cooked in homemade ravioli itself is more subtle than one would expect, but its richness of flavour is lovingly exhumed by the fresh dollop of pesto, pine nuts

and basil. The sweet and savoury theme continued on the plate with the “saor,” another traditional Venetian dish of candied red onions and raisin dish typically served with fish, and an ideal tandem to choose for the toothsome assault already being waged on my tastebuds. With the salvo of flavours launched at me in the preceding plates, Chef Arvonio was wise with the use of his next dish, the herb-roasted pumpkin risotto, which soothed my tastes in subtle richness. I am usually not a fan of the mushrooms the chef used in this dish, as I feel that the stringy, almost gamey enoki can be flavourless and off-putting thanks to its texture, but used sparingly with the trusty and more benign shimeji mushroom and a well-placed pistachio crumble, I once again had to relearn and celebrate what I thought I knew about the expected. Regardless of how I felt about the primi dishes, it was the secondi courses that stole the show for me. Many people do not understand the use of cephalopod ink in ingredients like pastas, and even though its main use is for colouring, I still feel that it does something for the richness or texture of the dish. However, I had never tried, nor was I prepared for the way in which Chef Arvonio used it, which was in cous cous. Served alongside the lovely snap of seared cuttlefish with “salmoriglio” herb dressing and a halo of clams and mussels “guazzetto,” the cous cous was perfect in its role as not only the aesthetic, but as the textural centrepiece of the dish, particularly with the salmon roe served on top. It was the perfect lead up to my favourite point in the evening. The final dish was a sliced filet of ostrich, cooked until still red for a gorgeous flavour and melt-in-the-mouth texture. Acting as a crown atop the ostrich was an achingly delicious handful of pan-seared fresh foie gras. Added as a sauce on this exquisitely cacophonic concoction was a deft drizzle of Acacia honey, red chili and balsamic jus, and it was all served over a bed of caramelised Belgian endive. Phenomenal does not begin to describe this truly inspired dish, and if you are thinking of visiting Il Teatro for no other reason, then this should be it; truly a masterpiece. As I licked clean the spoon from the last morsel of tiramisu and supped the last sip from my hand-chosen glass of grappa, selected, like all of the exemplary and exceedingly complementary wines paired with every portion, by the manager, I had to give old Tristan Bernard his due. I had an idea of what to expect when I walked into the Four Seasons and Il Teatro, and indeed I was surprised by the impressive lustre that still shines on this well-known, but newly polished treasure. Indeed, if Il Teatro was, like its namesake, a theatrical performance, I would give it a standing ovation. Expect to be impressed.

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Buckle Up >>> Deep down inside every man, there is a part of him that wishes he was James Bond; if not for the fast cars, international travel and beautiful women, then most definitely for his gadgets! Now, thanks to engineering and design genius Rolend Iten, if you have the cash, you can have the cool. At the Geneva Motor Show Iten unveiled his latest creation: The R22 Mk.I-22mm “Bugatti edition” mechanical belt buckle. Comprised of precisely 100 components in solid white gold with rose gold accents, lightweight titanium and stainless steel, each piece of this limited edition series of 22 has been entirely handcrafted, polished and assembled by R Magnin Bijouterie, the Geneva-based watchmaking master craftsmen and is expected to cost around US$64,000. www.rolanditen.com

Body Art >>> With so much money flying around these parts, it is not unusual to see priceless pieces of fine art adorning the walls of both institutions and homes of the region’s wealthy. However, we hate to tell you that, these days, your Picasso is so passe, while that newly acquired Rembrandt might be considered too reactionary to be cool. Step up DNA 11, a company specialising in the most unique, oneoff art pieces known to man. These are DNA Ancestry Portraits. Promising novelty, scientific ingenuity and arresting beauty, art lovers can unlock the secrets of their ancestry and get a gallery-worthy art piece at the same time. For upwards of $440, DNA 11 uses a simple cheek swab to create a personalised ancestry page detailing your maternal lineage and then prints a 2D barcode onto a custom canvas in one of three sizes and in one of 25 colour combinations. When scanned with a smartphone, your new modern art piece will lead the viewer back to your custom ancestry page. www.dna11.com

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Jam With Jarre >>> As a musician, he was on the cutting edge of the synthesiser revolution and the emergence of electronic music in the 1970s. Now, Jean Michel Jarre is dedicating his decades of sound & vision experience to the improving and developing the sounds of the (relatively) recent digital audio revolution. The musical virtuoso’s first release is AeroSystem One - a $1,100 iPhone and iPod compatible, HD multi-directional sound tower. It is equipped with a full spectrum speaker that delivers stereophonic sound from a single multi-axial point. Jarre devised the AeroSystem One with the sole aim of retrieving and restoring the audio capabilities of digital music to the meticulously produced sound originally intended by the musicians in the studio. It also looks phenomenal. www.jarre.com

Sweet Hearts >>> We all have fond memories of the Candy Heart sweets of yesteryear. Surreptitiously handing one that said “I Love You” across the aisle to your first classroom sweetheart was great; not so much the subsequent “I Hate You” one after the emotional turmoil of being dumped for the first time. Well, now you can relive that rollercoaster of candy-based emotion with these cool enamel necklaces designed and crafted by Los Angeles-based designer, Melissa Williams Netherton, owner of Zedena Designs. You can buy them online for $34 each by visiting the Zedena Designs website. www.zedenadesigns.com

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Vibro-Gem >>> Vibrating plates have become a popular way of exercising among the world’s sculpted A-listers, with the uber-toned Madonna among its most vocal supporters. Now, thanks to VibroGym, you can exercise in A-list luxury with the VibroGym Diamond Edition, a $70,000 home exercise machine that is coated in no fewer than 65,000 Swarovski crystals, with a further 600 gems making up the coloured VibroGym logo that runs down the side of the unit. Shimmer as you shake with this decidedly decadent toning tool. www.vibrogym.com

The Planet’s Priciest Purse >>> There is something deliciously ironic about a purse being more expensive than the contents it is carrying. Perhaps it was this sense of grandiose grandeur that motivated the House of Mouawad to create “The 1001 Nights Diamond Purse,” or maybe it was just an attempt to capture a Guinness World Record - either way, they have succeeded. At $3.8 million, it is by far the most expensive handbag in the world. Created after a painstaking 8,800 hours, this heart-shaped handbag has been rendered from 18-carat gold and 4,517 diamonds (105 yellow, 56 pink and 4,356 colorless), with a total weight of 381.92 carats. If that doesn’t get your bejewelled blood pumping, nothing will. Of course, Mouawad is used to breaking records. In 2000 the company made the $11 million “Fantasy Bra” with Victoria’s Secret, but with The 1001 Nights Diamond Purse, it’s safe to say that Mouawad has the perfection of decadence in the bag. www.mouawad.com

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Bling Bling! >>> A bicycle is often the cheapest form of personal conveyance available, as well as being an environmentally-friendly way to get from A to B. Now, using one of Mother Earth’s most precious gifts, Danish designer Aurumania has created the CPH Street range of bicycles, 79 of which will be made from 24-carat gold. The Gold Bike Crystal Edition is designed around the current trend for track bikes, which means that for your $108,000, you don’t get brakes or gears... or even a lock. But you will get a 10year warranty and many admiring glances as you cruise past cars that cost less. www.aurumania.com

Speed Camera >>> Walter D’Silver is a legend in modern automotive design circles, but now he has turned his talents to something a bit snappier. The VW Group’s chief designer and his Audi Design Team have re-imagined the iconic Leica M9 camera to create the M9 Titanium. Limited to just 500 units, the $29,000 M9 Titanium is offered as a set, together with a special, but very cool, shoulder holster and a Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 ASPH lens, which is also crafted from solid titanium. Not Haute Couture enough? Then look no further than the Leica M7 Hermès Edition. Even more limited, in a 200unit run (only a few of which remain), this $13,000 camera comes covered in fine “etoupe” leather with matching strap, the same Summilux-M lens as the M9, but without the Titanium and a Leicavit M rapid winder mechanism. However, while they work perfectly as cameras, be in no doubt that these are collectors items, individually numbered and presented in a beautifully crafted wooden and silk-lined box. www.leica-camera.com

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Verne, Cleef & Arpels >>> With his futuristic books 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea and Journey To The Moon, Jules Verne has inspired men to explore the seabed, take to the skies and to break the surly bonds of Earth itself. Now he has inspired a spectacular watch collection from legendary jewellery house, Van Cleef & Arpels, the flagship of which is this stunning piece: Five Weeks In A Balloon. Built on a Girard Perregaux base, the retrograde, manually wound movement is inspired by the Jules Verne classic Les Voyages Extraordinaires. The dial of the watch features a rendition of a balloon soaring above the clouds. A cloud conceals the source of the hands; one being a bird to indicate the hours, and another being an anchor on a rope to indicate the minutes, all made by hand in champleve style enamel, and inlaid with mother-of-pearl. Make an extraordinary voyage to Van Cleef & Arpels and pick one up for $116,000. www.vancleef-arpels.com

Take The Tablet >>> It’s pale, skinny and you just wanna touch it. No, I am not talking about Keira Knightly, I am referring, of course, to the geek-chic gorgeousness of Apple’s iPad 2, which hit US and European shelves in March. Apart from, obviously, the skinniness and the lack of weight, the iPad 2 doesn’t differ greatly in looks from its predecessor, with the main aesthetic change

being the addition of two cameras (one front and one rear) and it’s shiny white casing. In fact many of the improvements come under the hood, with the dual-core A5 processor which promises blazing fast performance and stunning graphics. Other enhancements include Personal Hotspot to share an iPhone 4 data connection over Wi-Fi; Bluetooth

support; a built-in gyro for advanced gaming; HSUPA support for enhanced 3G upload speeds and the ability to connect your iPad 2 to your HDTV using an optional HDMI adaptor. Available in Black and White, the top of the range 64GB option will cost $699 for the WiFi model and $829 for the 3G+WiFi version. www.apple.com

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The a- z of spring style 50

Sophie Jones-Cooper shows you that this season’s style can be as easy as A, B, C...

a Ankle teasers If there was ever a time to buy yourself a new pair of shoes it is now, as heels and flats have taken a serious step to the wild side with embellishments and colour galore. Give up your winter boots and treat your feet to a must-have pair of ankle ties, such as these beauties from Dior. This is one gift that must be wrapped up in a bow.

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Biker chic Far from the pretty and the romantic, spring’s alter ego is rough-edged, bad girl punk. Rebel layers of leather, metallics and animal print rocked their way down the Burberry, Balenciaga, Balmain, Givenchy and Jean Paul Gaultier catwalks. Think slim fit leather trousers, torn tees and the ultimate ‘it’ jacket, Burberry’s must-have shrunken biker (above).

Chain mail Let your bag lie low but scream style thanks to this season’s array of must-have chain handle handbags, like Carolina Herrera’s Bambita (left). And if that isn’t enough chain reign for you, add this bracelet from Pomellato’s Tango collection, as worn by Emilia Fox at the BAFTAs, to your jewellery box.

f e Elie Saab One of Lebanon’s finest fashion exports is seriously sizzling on Hollywood’s A-list circuit. Celine Dion and Mila Kunis joined Halle Berry, Florence Welch and Scarlett Johansson in the “Elie Saab Couture Fan Club” this awards season, choosing his elegantly feminine S/S 11 couture gowns for their red carpet moments at the Oscars.

Get sporty On your marks, get set, go – it’s time to race your way into spring’s sleek luxe sportswear. But leave behind the running track and take inspiration from the runway. This look is all about clean lines, minimal shapes and high tech fabrics. Celine’s wide legged white trousers (left) with racer stripes and Burberry’s mesh trousers are clear winners.

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Feathers & fringing From pre-flight plumes at Chanel and Alexander McQueen to shimmering tassels and fringing at Gucci and Matthew Williamson, the message is clear… adorn yourself in texture a-plenty. Homemade handicrafts have been given a modern spin and work on everything from skirts and handbags to jackets and belts.

River Island

Designer watch High street and designer collaborations have become big news for fashion frugalistas in recent times - last year we couldn’t get enough of Lanvin for H&M and Christopher Kane for Topshop. But for S/S 11, it is Debenhams we will be watching for its accessible collections from top designers Roksanda Ilincic, Preen, Jonathan Saunders and Jonathan Kelsey (right).

It bags “Anya’s bags have the best craftsmanship with a nod to fashion,” says fashion ‘it’ girl Olivia Palermo about designer Anya Hindmarch’s gorgeous designs, but it seems the rest of the fashion jury is weighing up other options for the next covetable ‘it’ bag. Keep your eye on the latest addition from Mulberry - the Tillie, (left) Celine’s semi-slouchy flat bag, Victoria Beckham’s hexagonal chain crocodile bag (right) and Hermès’ wicker Kelly.

Bimba & Lola

Juice boost Designers have certainly packed a tropical punch this season and none more so than British designer Stella McCartney. “I wanted to add a punch of colour to the collection and I think that doing it in a really bold citrus print gave it a slight sense of humour,” said Stella about her juicy S/S 11 collection. Other brands also went zesty and citrus, while Prada opted for bunches of bananas.

Emilio Pucci

Heads up This is the season to be headstrong. If simplicity is what you are after, a silk headscarf will get that bohemian beach look in an instant. For something a little more dramatic, a striped Prada-esque large brimmed hat will get you in the fiesta mood, or ooze sophistication with this River Island turban. For the truly avant garde, get ahead of the style game with a hair stencil from By Bleach at Topshop.

Kick off your stilettos Spring is a veritable shoe shop of big fun with designs in all sorts of bold shapes and styles. Go Dutch with a pair of chunky clogs, stride back into the 70s with stacked platforms or wooden wedges and if sporting a heel, make sure it’s a ‘block’ buster. With Harrods’ new shoe salon now open, a weekend break to London is surely on the cards…

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Legs are long and wide As well as our addiction to maxi dresses, trousers too are going to great lengths, not to mention widths - Jil Sander’s S/S 11 yellow trousers measure a whopping 92cm in width. But for something a little more subtle yet on trend, Dior’s high-waisted, wide-legged pants (above left) teamed with a pair of wedges and a silky blouse certainly fit the bill.

New prints Some prints come and go, but others remain closet classics such as Diane Von Furstenberg’s legendary designs. Launching this spring is her new vintage line entitled Diane (above), which Creative Director Yvan Mispelaere has created from archive DVF prints and which includes dresses, shoes, iPad cases and passport holders, as well as a remake of her celebrated wrap dress but in maxi. Talking about the dress Diane says: “The first time round, okay, it was a great dress… but now, even I am truly impressed.”

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Yves Saint Laurent

Mid length Demure and ladylike sexiness calls for a midlength hem. “Short is quite easy to do,” says British designer Christopher Kane, “but a longer length can be unexpected, and I like to do things to look modest and demure.” With a nod to the 50s, Christopher reminds us that this mid-calf length doesn’t have to mean mundane. “I’ve never seen Marilyn Monroe in a short dress,” he continues, “and people say she was one of the sexiest women in the world.”

Orient Express Look to the East for inspiration and adorn yourself in Oriental decadence. Kimono jackets, obi belts, Japanese-style silk prints, Chinese collars and exotic plumage all head West for an opulent outing. While at the Elle Style Awards in London, actress Thandie Newton (left) proved that Louis Vuitton is her label of choice for this elegant evening style.

p Pump up the volume Take it from Karl Lagerfeld that this is the season for flats and in particular, pretty pumps. “I’m a little tired of those high, high heels,” he declared after his spring couture show in Paris, which saw models in flat pumps. “The girls, when they walk – I think it’s sexier like this.” So keep it chic with these crystal embellished suede pumps by Chloé.

Queue up New York is one of the ultimate shopping destinations, but now two Stateside brands have made the journey to new European destinations. The legendary Michael Kors has opened his first and largest store in Paris on Rue Saint-Honoré (pictured here at the launch with actress Jennifer Hudson), and Club Monaco has created a special line exclusively for Browns in London to be showcased at a two month pop-up boutique in Browns 24.

r Run wild with animal print It wouldn’t be a Dolce & Gabbana season without a hint of animal print, and for S/S 11 they didn’t disappoint. And although classic animal print shifts, skinny waist belts and handbags are the perfect match for spring’s chic luxe, Marc Jacobs has taken things one step further, injecting a shot of colour into his daring animal prints for Louis Vuitton. Prowl in these shoes from Bimba & Lola (above) and get carried away this Michael Kors bag (below)

Dolce & Gabbana

Swim gym The trend for gym style pants isn’t just limited to the street this season. When it comes to your summer bikini go for old-school big knicker bottoms like this two-piece by Urban Outfitters. And if you are looking for a bikini that is really unique, then log onto www.clickini.com for an enviable selection of designer swim and beachwear.

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White spirit If you want wardrobe versatility, white is the colour for you. From Stella McCartney’s crisp boyfriend whites to Dolce & Gabbana’s über-romantic gypsy lace, white comes in every guise this spring. Denim has been whitewashed too, and a pair of fresh white jeans will give your wardrobe a basics boost.

x y z X-rated Plunging V-necklines, exposed midriffs and scooping backs may be more suited to the urban style capitals of the West, but for a more respectable take on the season’s risky cuts, choose asymmetric hemlines. Flaunt a oneshoulder floral mini dress from Carolina Herrera or channel your inner bohemian spirit with an off-the-shoulder peasant blouse.

Under wraps Chiffon is big news– from billowing maxi gowns to sheer blouses, its peek-a-boo qualities have given rise to an era of visible undergarments. Solid separates layered under lightweight chiffons give a fresh, free spirited look for spring.

Warehouse

Vibrant colour blocking Raf Simons’ show-stopping collection for Jil Sander with bold slabs of eye-popping colour (right) was the talk of Milan Fashion Week. Combining so many brights might seem a bit garish, but if you stick to simple blocks of colour, this is a fun trend to pull off. “Lots of women will find this amount of colour intimidating at first,” says Raf himself, “but shops are already complaining because they’ve run out of vivid pieces,” he adds.

Alberta Ferretti

Bottega Vanetta

The new suit Leave behind the bold shoulders and the structured tailoring of last season, and take a more subtle approach to your suit style with a relaxed feminine trouser suit. Bottega Veneta and MaxMara both showcased delicate suits. The key to this soft sophistication? Silk.

Your passport to style Need advice on what to purchase and pack for your summer vacation? Log on to www.stylepassport.com for a step-by-step guide to all the summer style essentials for your destination, then simply click and buy.

Zadig & Voltaire If you are looking for easy chic daywear with a tough girl edge, look to Zadig & Voltaire. Not only is supermodel Erin Wasson the face of the new campaign, but she is also turning her hand to design and is launching her first capsule collection for the brand later this year.

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IN FOCUS

feature

UP CLOSE & personal

trends confidential

look book

Size

Matters!!! Sur la Terre’s Director of Publications, Mohamed Jaidah, examines the huge potential of luxury micro cars, and why big car manufacturers are suddenly having very small ideas. >>> If you thought that this year’s big automotive news was the unveiling of Ferrari’s first hatchback, The FF, think again... and think smaller! In the last twelve months, we have seen a new trend in the luxury car market, a trend towards smaller and smaller cars. Sure, cars like the BMW 1-series, Mercedes Benz A-Class already exist, but we are now talking about even more compact cars; cars below four meters in length. These cars are commonly known as micro-cars and continue an on/ off trend started way back in the 1960s with the Fiat 500 and the Austin Mini. More recently, the most successful example is the late 1990s SMART car. Though it has taken a while since the SMART’s introduction, as a new decade dawns, the cottage industry of the micro motor has been reborn.

• sur la terre • in focus •

3 As you read these words, one of the world’s most famous luxury sports car marques, Aston Martin, is starting to deliver its own vision of a micro-car, based on the chassis and mechanics of the Toyota iQ and called the Cygnet. Despite having the engineering DNA of a budget, fuel-efficient Toyota, aesthetically it has been completely redesigned, from the outside to look like a proper, to-the-manor-born Aston Martin (right down to the famous sneering grille) and from the inside to feel like one, with all the hours of design expertise and craftsmanship that you would expect to be invested in a DBS or a V12 Vantage. When Aston first presented the Cygnet concept a little more than a year ago, the world was in shock. Questions were asked why would such a luxurious car maker, which has had all its history in superior racing cars, dilute its brand and go down the city car route. At the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2009, we were told by Aston’s representatives that the original plan was to offer the Cygnet to existing Aston owners as a second car at a subsidised price. However, such positive feedback for the dainty drive forced Aston’s hand, and they decided on a more general release. Since Aston’s bold step into the micro car market, quite a few other luxury car makers jumped onto the bandwagon, either presenting or announcing their own concept of an “urban car,” the new denomination for these luxurious micro-cars. BMW announced at this year’s Geneva Motor Show a new line of cars going under the prefix “i” which they hope will become as iconic for urban cars as the “M” prefix has become for their most powerful and sporty engines. The “i” will stand for intelligent, ecofriendly, less-consuming cars, with the i3 and i8 slated for a 2013 launch. Just a stone’s throw away on the neighboring stand, Mini unveiled the Rocketman, which is literally a mini Mini. In Detroit, Cadillac presented its ULC (Urban Luxury Concept), resembling a cross between a squashed SUV and a Chevy Saloon. No doubt we will continue to see a slew of similar concepts as other manufacturers follow suit. This leads us to ask, what exactly is an “Urban Car” and what are the reasons for this sudden rush to bring such cars to market, especially when the bigger the car is, the higher the margin (the margin on a single Mercedes S-Class is reportedly equivalent to that of four C-Class models)? To understand the current situation, firstly we need examine the native environment of such cars, namely the city. A quick look at the main cities of the world such as London, Paris, New York, Shanghai or Bombay uncovers a simple truth. More people need more cars. In these vast Metropolitan sprawls, which are becoming more and more crowded every day, the number of cars on their roads has risen in tandem with their populations. This means less parking space, less street space and more emissions.

4 It is becoming a hassle for people to drive bigger cars in cities where streets were never built to accept such vehicles. Take Europe for example. The heart’s of cities like London, Paris and Rome were laid out centuries ago and designed for the occasional chariot and horse drawn cart or carriage, not big, gas-guzzling sedans and urban 4x4s. As such, in order to stem this constant flow of traffic, city councils are imposing crippling financial penalties on drivers of larger vehicles; road tax, congestion charges and, in some extreme situations like Beijing, banning cars with certain registrations on given days of the week from entering the city at all. As such, the cost of driving a big car has become more expensive every year. People living in these cities are now choosing functionality over space and comfort, and this is where luxury car manufacturers have been trying to bridge the gap: Combining functionality with all of the luxury trappings that people have been used to in bigger cars. Another important factor that has pushed car manufacturers to think smaller are the new CO2 emission regulations that are being applied all over the world. In Europe, every car manufacturer is obliged to reduce its average CO2 emissions from new cars to 130 g/km by 2015. That is 18% below the 2007 average, which stood at 158 g/km before these rules were imposed. To comply with these new laws, it has forced car makers to create more efficient and greener engines, but sadly that is not enough. It also means they have had to explore lighter and smaller cars to keep the engineering, as well as research and development costs, to an acceptable level. So technically, the Urban Car has been created more out of necessity than by choice. In the coming years, it will definitely become the new way of mobility in big and crowded cities, a way for people to get around more easily and cost-effectively, and also for manufacturers to become more ecologically responsible. However, as Aston has proved, high-end car manufacturers can meet the new legal requirements in style, without sacrificing the luxury we have come to love and expect. In the coming years, we all have to be prepared to accept a new set of automotive truths: Less is more, size matters and small is beautiful. Is it too much to imagine that the next step is a Rolls Royce Cooper or a Maserati 500? Any takers?

1. The new Aston Martin Cygnet is a game changer in the luxury car market 2. The interior of the Cygnet proves that small can be luxurious 3. Could the future bring a Rolls Royce/Mini hybrid... 4. ...or a Maserati/Fiat 500 crossover

• sur la terre • in focus •

Geneva Fever feature

Geneva Motor Show was back with a bang this year, with a slew of clever concepts, long-awaited reveals and plenty of haute wheels. James McCarthy takes his pick of the automotive pack .

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>>> Green was the theme at a rejuvenated Geneva Motor Show this year, as nearly every car manufacturer, luxury or otherwise, showcased concepts based around electric or hybrid engineering. There was still plenty for the petrolheads to get excited about though, with a slew of powerful asphalt-eating supercars making their debut. However, with such a smorgasbord of automotive morsels to devour, there are always the plates you head straight for and those that throw up a few surprises. After picking through much of the standard fare, we have selected for your delectation only the tastiest treats that the world’s biggest car show has to offer. Lamborghini Aventador Every 10 years or so, the Geneva Motor Show feels the hand of automotive history resting squarely on its shoulders and the weight of expectation on the event increases tenfold. It happened in 2001 and, before that, in 1991. Now, in 2011, the smoke on the water of Lake Geneva was dispersed by a buzz of anticipation once again. Why does this phenomenon occur with El Nino regularity? Because these are the years in which the latest vessel, designed to house one of the most heavyweight engines in the sphere of luxury supercars, the Lamborghini V12, is revealed to a waiting world. The sound of a billion posters being torn off the bedroom walls of a billion teenagers deafened the world in 1991, as the mighty Countach was replaced by the demonic profile of the Lamborghini Diablo. As a new millennium dawned, the planets aligned once again and Geneva caught the Y2K bug for the menacing Murcielago. Now, a decade into the 21st century, we welcome the era of the Aventador LP700-4. Possibly one of the most anticipated cars in recent years, the Italian powerhouse from Sant’Agata continues the current trend of lighting the supercar way with extensive use of carbon-fibre to shed weight, increasing power-to-weight ratio and lowering its CO2 emissions, all

while delivering the visceral performance and that just-escaped-from-theinsane-asylum fun we have come to expect from Lamborghini. Taking its external design cues from both its predecessor and the über-exclusive Reventon coupe, under the hood, the Aventador employs a carbon-fibre monocoque to not only drop the wieght, but increase the tortional stiffness of the car; meaning more precise handling and greater safety at speed. Fusing the monster 6.5-litre V12 engine with a power-to-weight ratio of just 2.5kg per every one of its 700 horsepower means that, when aided by the super fast (50 millisecond) ISR transmission, the Aventador delivers face-melting acceleration, reaching 100km/h from a standing in 2.9 seconds and hitting a bladder-relaxing top speed of 350km/h. You would be forgiven for thinking that this snarling, angry bull would be tearing up the environment as much as it will the tarmac before it, but somehow the boffins at Santa’Agata have managed to decrease the big Lambo’s CO2 output and fuel consumption by a staggering 20% over the Murcielago, despite the 8% increase in power. So there you have have it: The Aventador, an ultimately caring and sensitive animal that is powerful enough to literally rip your face off. If you drive it properly.

• sur la terre • feature •

Ferrari FF It seems that Aston Martin has become quite the trendsetter in the last few years. Currently leading the charge into the micro city car market with its Cygnet (see In Focus, Page 58), the British sports car maker, along with its German rival, Porshce, has seemingly started the drive towards four-seater supercars. Three years ago, it announced its first Aston saloon car, the super-spy sleek Rapide. This was closely followed by the Porsche Panamera - a four-door car with the performance of a 911, but with a face as beautiful as Megan Fox stapled to a plumber’s backside. Despite this, it was clear that a revolution had clearly begun, as even the Italian maestro of mad motors, Lamborghini, joined the fourseater fray with its Estoque concept. Sadly, that one never made it to the production line, but it did open the door for Lambo’s Marinellobased rival, Ferrari, to corner the Italian market with its FF concept. Undoubtedly one of the most awaited reveals of Geneva 2011, the FF (or Ferrari Four) is the company’s first ever four-wheel drive and four-seater effort. Imagined by legendary design house Pininfirina (see Origins, page 82), this seemingly fat four-seater is no slouch in the performance department. A V12 powerplant and a transaxle dual clutch F1 gearbox drives the FF from 0 to 100km/h in under four seconds, while its intelligent four-wheel drive system maintains perfect weight distribution and ensures exceptionally responsive handling. Designed for the city or the track, in any weather, the FF is set to turn heads, especially in the Carrefour car park while you fill that 450-litre, hatchbacked bootspace with the weekly grocery shopping.

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The Pagani Huayra The second big replacement in our list, the Pagani Huayra is the evolution of the - now legendary - Zonda DNA. The Zonda was supposed to represent the Argentine god of wind who used to rush through the Andes Mountains. It looked less like a car, than a malevolent insect, waiting to sting the first person that showed it disrespect. It looked fast without even moving.

With its sweeping curves and fighter-jet-styled cockpit, this latest creation from the mercurial Argentinian designer promises as much function as there is form. With a central monocoque made from supertough carbon titanium, the remainder of the car is hewn from a number of advanced composite materials that not only make the car lighter, but provide an advanced energy-absorbing crash structure for complete safety - even at the ridiculously fast speeds that this car is capable of.

As we wave goodbye to one of the all-time greats, it is up to the Huarya to maintain the Pagani tradition of producing poster boys for the extreme side of supercar aesthetics. And it doesn’t disappoint. The aerodynamic concept of the Huayra is that of a wing, able to slice through air effortlessly. To aid the Huayra in this, the front ride height can be adjusted dynamically, as can four control flaps mounted on each corner of the car (these are controlled by the ABS and ECU and not the driver... the car is mental but not THAT mental).

At the heart of this new Pagani beats a 12-cylinder turbocharged Mercedes AMG engine, producing 700 horsepower and capable of projecting the Huayra’s slight, 1.3 tonne frame to top speeds in excess of 360km/h. There will be pressure on many parts of the car at those breakneck speeds, but no more so than on the tyres. That is why Pagani fitted bespoke Pirelli P-Zero tyres, designed and manufactured specifically for the Huayra, ensuring that the driver doesn’t get to test that energy-absorbing crash structure first hand.

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Rolls Royce EX102 It has always been said that rolling in a Rolls is like hardly moving at all, the ride is so smooth and its cabin so quiet. Never has that been more true as Rolls Royce unveiled its EX102 concept at Geneva. The EX102, also referred to as the Phantom Experimental Electric (EE), is the first fully electric Rolls Royce, and is built on the chassis of the company’s phenomenally successful Phantom Coupe. However, gone is the beautifully engineered 6.75-litre V12 to make way for an 850 Amp, 338 Volt DC lithium ion battery pack (the largest ever fitted to a road car) and two electric motors mounted on the rear sub-frame. According to the company, the new power system will allow you to swan regally past the unwashed proles in your sumptuous ride at a top

1 POWER SUPPLY

2 TRANSMITTER PAD

3 WIRELESS ELECTRICITY & DATA TRANSFER

4 TRANSMITTER PAD 5 SYSTEM CONTROLLER 6 BATTERY

speed of 160km/h. On an effortless wave of torque, your ‘leccy luxobarge will accelerate from 0-100km/h in a stately eight seconds, just 2.3 seconds slower than your standard petrol-driven Phantom, and it can do all of that for at least 200km - just enough juice to get from your gentleman’s club in the city to your stately home in the suburbs without having to stop and tip some urchin for the use of his power outlet. That’s not the best bit, though. How would you like a car that can charge wirelessly? Yep, you read that right. This is possibly the sole reason that the Phantom EE made into this list, as those clever, white-coated chaps in Goodwood have developed a technique called induction charging. Concerns about tripping over a trailing power cable connected between your Roller and your plug socket can be set to rest, now that re-charging can take place without any physical connection, not only delivering greater convenience for owners, but also hinting at the potential for a network of remote charging facilities. Employing two main elements; a transfer plate on the ground that delivers power from a mains source and an induction pad mounted under the car, beneath Phantom EE’s battery pack. Power frequencies are then magnetically coupled across these power transfer pads. Tests of the technique so far suggest a 90% efficiency and it is not essential to align the transmitter and Phantom receiver pads exactly for charging to take place. While the EE is still a concept and will be trialling for at least a year before any decision regarding production is made, the future of green, luxury motoring will likely put you out of pocket to the tune of around $1.6 million (and it doesn’t include the electricity bill) should it get the green light. That may not be too pricey to some, but it is still enough to give us here at SLT a jolt!

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Jaguar XKR S This year’s motor show marked an automotive watershed that cannot be ignored; the 50th anniversary of that manliest of motors, the Jaguar E-type. A car so stylish, it became a synonym for automotive design and an icon of luxury living. In the 1960s it was one of the ultimate trappings of success. It was also ranked first in the Daily Telegraph’s list of the “100 most beautiful cars” of all time and, in our opinion, rightly so. Therefore, a lot was expected from Jaguar at this year’s event, especially after its breathtaking C-X75 concept unveiling in Paris last autumn. Sadly, there were no conceptual re-imaginings of the seminal E-Type. What we did get, however, was the XKR S - and we

are not complaining. With 550 horsepower, 502 pounds of torque and aggressively redesigned aerodynamic bodywork, this is the most powerful and vicious looking leaping cat to pounce out of the Warwickshire factory in many a long year. This untamed animal draws its power from an uprated and supercharged V8 direct-injection engine that delivers a 300kp/h top speed and gets off the line to 102km/h in a staggering 4.2 seconds. Jaguar promises that this is no cosseted salesman’s saloon. This is a raw, visceral performance car, with harder suspension and a more dynamic, agile ride. This cat has claws and is carving out a new segment for the company. The best thing about this car compared to the C-X75 or a nostalgia-inducing E-Type homage? This beast is actually being built and, for a hefty $156,000, you can feel the muscular power for yourself later in the year.

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Rock in a Hard Place

talent

>>> Modest. Unassuming. Personable. He may not seem like a budding god of hard riffs and slick licks when you first meet him, but make no mistake, Naser Mestarihi IS rock music. Sporting skinny dark jeans and a leather jacket, he wears his genre like a black badge, breathing it in with the same metallic skin hiss his fingers make as they absentmindedly garrote the strings between frets. It’s a role he wears naturally, almost as if he was born of music, which basically, he was. Born and raised in Doha to a Jordanian father and Pakistani mother, Naser was raised in a household often visited by the seven uncles on his father’s side, all of whom were professionally-trained musical virtuosos in instruments like the guitar, violin, keyboard, and the lute. Given this close proximity to proficiency, you would be forgiven for thinking it was this environment that inspired Naser to become the multi-faceted musician he is today, but you would be wrong. In fact, it was a family friend’s Guns N’ Roses album that truly awakened his “appetite for destruction.” “He was a dangerous dude,” Naser laughs, remembering his mother’s brother’s family friend. “I remember sneaking into his car and seeing the cover of this GNR cassette [Appetite for Destruction] and going, ‘Whoa!’ I mean, it had this big cross and this snake, it was crazy! So I put it in, and that was it, man. From the second I heard it, it changed my life.” In years prior to that moment, Naser’s mother attempted to foster her child’s musical acumen by plying him with an acoustic guitar and a few lessons, but this was a man who wanted more than just theory or to be more than the result of homework. “I wanted to be Jimi Hendrix, man,” he says with a smile. “I wanted to be rock and roll.” When you hear his self-titled debut album, which was recently called a “hugesounding, impressive debut” by Rolling Stone magazine, it’s hard to believe that such technical strength and unbridled flourish could be self-taught, even though his passion for music comes from a sort of inborn inheritance. His style is a bit more difficult to pinpoint, however, as are his influences, which range from what you’d expect in rock icons like Eddie Van Halen and Slash, to the slightly more divergent Abu Baker Salem and Vivaldi. That mix has bred an interlacing thrum of the unexpected, with 70s psychedelic rock licks suddenly shredding into epic 80s power ballads and bluesy threads, all tempered in the vast range of his modern vocals. Style being the subjective beast it is, we decided to go directly to the source for clarification on how he identifies himself, his style and his role within the new, and some would call desert frontier of rock music in the Gulf.

Local rock musician Naser Mestarihi talks with Sur la Terre about his history, his style, his highly anticipated debut album and the nigh impossibilities of creating a music revolution in the Middle East.

• sur la terre • up close & personal •

If you had to define your style to those who haven’t heard your stuff, how would that be and why? One of my favourite musicians, Phil Anselmo from Pantera, was on TV recently. He said that back in his day, there were like 10 bands, and that he used to rip stuff off of them. That’s what I do. I take techniques from every guitarist that I listen to, from Randy Rhoads [Ozzy Osbourne, Quiet Riot] to Slash [Guns N’ Roses] to Pete Townshend [The Who], and I mesh them together and come up with my own thing. I wouldn’t say I have my own style, but I have an amalgamation of styles. So, would you give it a title or a genre? Well, I refer to my music as rock and roll, but you can get misconceptions from that. There are so many different elements to my music. In my newer record, my full length album, I have some pretty heavy riffs. In fact, the last song on the record is a heavy metal riff, which I wrote when I was in a heavy metal band. But I don’t like to categorise myself, man. I mean, I love funk music. I write a lot of funk pieces on the guitar, and if it grooves, if it’s good enough, I’ll put it on my record. I just want to be as diverse and versatile with my music as possible. But I dunno, if I had to, I guess I’d just classify my music as rock. Yeah. I’m rock. What are some other areas that you have explored in your music or plan on exploring in later songs or albums? Something I’m really looking forward to right now is my full length album. I’m pretty stoked, too, because I’ve got enough material to put out two or three more albums now. I also have a lot of material for an acoustic record - an EP for free - that I’ve been working on. I’ve been working on recording some covers, too. I love doing covers.

Speaking of all these things plans for the future, do you think that Qatar and the greater Arabian Gulf is a good place to be right now for your style of music? The thing about Doha is that there is so much potential here. There are so many great musicians, like my friend Nigel D’Souza, who plays the guitar, my producer Bader Al Sada (or BR) and Ramy Azizah, a guitar virtuoso that just shreds and also has his own guitar school right now. These were the guys I looked up to when I was a kid. But I don’t want to be 31 or 32 years old, working just to survive and not doing anything with my music. I want my music to get out there. That’s the problem, though; it’s sort of inevitable in Doha. It’s horrible, but if you don’t leave, you won’t make it. There’s no exposure. There’s no support. I mean, the reality is that I’m a regular guy, I’m a university student and I’m trying to make it big, but I’m doing it all on my own. I may be a rock musician, but out here, no one sees that as a lucrative genre of music, so nobody’s willing to back me. They don’t understand that there’s a crazy rock scene here. The Filipino community ALONE could have a powerful impact! If it were marketed correctly, you could have a pretty decent rock scene. It’s all about marketing.

Concept albums are popular again these days. Ever thought about doing one? One of the reasons I love The Who is because of their concept albums. I think my third record will probably be a concept album. I’ve been thinking about it a lot. I just wrote four new tunes in the past few months; they’re pretty epic and long, and are all based on these events that happened to me in my last summer in England. That’ll probably be a mini-concept thing on my next record, at least for right now. But yeah, definitely a concept album is in the future. The Middle East’s first rock concept album. We like it! Is there anything else unusual you’d like to try? I want to write a song for the World Cup in 2022. They better not let Shakira do it, man. I will do the song, and I will make it a killer anthem. I’ve already got a football song written [based on his favourite football team, West Ham United], so that’s in the back of my mind, too.

• sur la terre • up close & personal •

Who/what are you listening to right now? Mastadon and the Badlands What is your preferred instrument to play? Guitar What is the best show you’ve seen? Queen (with Paul Rogers) Who do you wish would come here? The Who What would be your perfect show to play in? Who (alive or dead) would you want to jam or play a show with? Guns N’ Roses If you were a song, what song would you be? “Paradise City” by Guns N’ Roses

So you don’t get much support from local media? Well, look, the national television network of Denmark came to Doha once, just to make a documentary about my band, then they screened it throughout Europe. Denmark has shown us more support than our own national radio station. That’s crazy to me! It’s politics, and I know that, but it’s also why musicians like me will never have a proper chance to break through here, unless they’re lucky. Would you say then that rock is dead here? Was it ever given a chance to be alive? I’ll tell you something, when I started my old band back in 2004 or 2005, we started doing these battle of the band type gigs. We had a pretty decent following, and I was really proud of what we did. I mean, there was no one else doing heavy metal music in Qatar and we were the first heavy metal band here. When we started playing, we saw this incredible boom of new metal bands everywhere. That was the time we actually thought that there would be some sort of revolution with music. It was a cool time to be around. Looking at it now, though... realistically... it was just us getting our hopes up. Do you think things will change? In ten years time, things will change. Qatar’s going to be huge. It’s not just going to be Doha anymore; there will be other cities, like Lusail. There’s also going to be a huge influx of foreigners coming in thanks to 2022. What I want to do with my record and my music is start a scene here again. That’s my dream. The friends that I jam with have talked about this. We’re ready to gig and to tour. We just need access and opportunity. Man, there is so much potential in this country; in everything, not just music. Whether it’s photography or the arts, everything, you will find incredible talent here. I don’t know what it is or why these people are being shut out. Is it the traditional conservatism? I don’t know, but if they just give people a break or a forum, you would see things flourish. You would see things change. *To follow Naser via social media, go to www.facebook.com/ nasermestarihi, www.myspace.com/nasermestarihi or www.twitter.com/ nasermestarihi. You can search for his album on iTunes, Myspace Music, Napster and Tesco Entertainment.

• sur la• terre sur la•terre up close • section & personal • •

Nasser Al-Attiyah:

First Among Equals

talent

At the recent Qatar Motor Show, we spent a few precious minutes basking in the glow of Dakar Rally success with Qatar’s champion driver, and SLT favourite, Nasser Al-Attiyah.

• sur la terre • up close & personal •

>>> In 2009, when Sur la Terre first interviewed Qatari racing legend, Nasser Al-Attiyah, he waxed lyrical, and quite emotionally, about his ambitions to win the gruelling Dakar Rally with Volkswagen Motorsport. Just months later, he enjoyed a bittersweet podium finish after finishing just behind teammate Carlos Sainz in a historical first, second and third place finish for the VW team. However, with the calendar ticking over to 2011, it heralded not only a new decade, but a new Dakar champion. Finally Qatar’s greatest rally driver had scooped the rally world’s greatest prize. So, Nasser, how does it feel to have finally won the Dakar Rally and to be a genuine Qatari hero? It is a dream come true. It has been my dream for over 20 years, and to be the first Arab driver ever to win Dakar makes me very happy. It is the result of constant improvement since 2004. When I moved to Volkwagen Motorsport last year and I came in second, I said that I have only one aim, to win it in 2011.

Argentina. The people know a great deal about the race and follow it enthusiastically and there is a great feeling for the Dakar there. It is a great thing to have Dakar in South America. So now that you finally achieved your dream, what now? What is next for Nasser Al-Attiyah? We must keep going and push ourselves for a 24-hour race at Nürburgring, we have the start of the Middle East Championship, the start of the World Rally Championship and, of course, preparing for next year’s Dakar. I will do my best to win it again. I don’t want to do it just once and not just for two or three years either, I want to keep going and be the first Arab to win it five times, [laughs] maybe even six.

Describe to us what Dakar is like to drive. It must take quite a physical toll on you and the team? It is a difficult race. Dakar is 9,500km and 15 days long and that takes a lot of energy from the body, but we enjoy Dakar and it is only one race in the year. When we finish, we immediately start preparing for 2012, but we have other races to drive as well. Winning Dakar, though, is something special. Apart from the numerous hair-raising moments you endure during the race, what do you think is magic behind Dakar, why is it so special? There is a lot of risk in the race, but we have a great team and a great car. After three years, Volkswagen Motorsport has improved hugely. Also, I think that the race is much better since it moved to

• sur la terre • up close & personal •

Once a Superstar, always a Superstar 72

talent

Deputy Editor, Reem Shaddad sits with stunning Arab music superstar, Brigitte Yaghi, who proves she is still taking the Middle East by storm. • sur la terre • up close & personal •

“...my father [famed singer Abdo Yaghi] is my weak spot.”

>>> She announced herself to the Arab we produced my commercial which is music scene in style on the region’s Pop Idolcurrently being televised. esque musical talent show, Superstar in 2004. Despite only finishing in fifth place, the word was out: Brigitte Yaghi could sing. Since then, she has Who are the performers that you gone from strength to strength, selling out shows would like to duet with in the across the Middle East on the back of her successful future? [Laughs] That’s probably the hardest first album, We Ibtada Il Mishwar. During a recent question you could ever ask me. I love visit to Doha, Sur la Terre got the chance to music and am open to suggestions, meet with the songstress. Yesterday, I performed at a private party and therefore I would never turn anyone down. actually, [giggles] I was in for a surprise because I I would be excited collaborating with anyone hadn’t realised Wael Kfoury would also be performing! new, even in other languages. For example, only We sang several Umm Kulthoum duets together and it was last week I performed with Ronan Keating at the amazing; I was honoured to be a part of it. Tonight I’m off to the [Doha Laureus Sports Awards in Abu Dhabi. Ronan actually suggested Jewellery & Watches] show and then I have another private function we translate a portion of the song we were meant to perform into here, at the W Hotel. Arabic. It was spontaneous and unrehearsed but went so well and the audience really enjoyed it. I also performed in Hindi during the Have you had the chance to do any sightseeing around town yet? Desert Fusion concert with Atif Aslam! No, unfortunately, not yet. However, I believe my lovely hosts at the W will be taking us on a special boat ride tomorrow morning to see The Pearl, How did you learn the words to a Hindi song? which I’m very excited about. The people of Doha have been very kind [laughs] It’s actually a really funny story, but because the song was in and generous to me, and I look forward to enjoying these trips. Hindi, and obviously I can’t read Hindi, I had to write the words down in internet speak! It worked, which was great, but I did need to ask What can you tell us about your latest projects, what can your Atif what the song meant, because here I was singing a song I didn’t understand! It wasn’t my first time singing that particular song either. fans expect from you? I am currently working on a music video. I have a couple of storyboards Atif and I had performed the same one in Dubai before we had for different songs to choose from. Hopefully when I am back home travelled to Doha. It was a great experience. I even told my mother I in Lebanon this week, I’ll be able to get to work on that and finalise my should be looking into singing in Japanese next! decision. We will be shooting in Lebanon also, which is such a treat considering how much I travel. It’s good to be home amongst family You have experience with many languages, but in which do you and friends. I do miss it. prefer to perform? Definitely Arabic. Although it’s enjoyable to try many different Now, we know you’ve answered this question many a time, but languages, I feel like my voice is most suited to Arabic. Those how did your participation in Superstar affect your journey in close to me always encourage me to sing in English, particularly my friends, because they like the tone of my voice, but I am definitely the business? Superstar opened many doors for me. Although I was only young, most comfortable and feel like my voice is the most beautiful when it was a great experience and I met many wonderful people and singing in Arabic. built some lasting friendships. It exposed me to the world and, all of a sudden, people knew who I was. I will always be grateful for that Has your father [famed singer Abdo Yaghi] helped you in your journey to success? opportunity and what the show provided me. Of course he has. I can’t even begin to tell you what my father means to me. In spite of all his success, he has never tried to take What can you tell us about your current gig with Pepsi? [Excitedly] I don’t know where to begin! It is such an exciting campaign control of my career and has given me the freedom to make my own to be a part of. Just looking at the performers who have represented choices and learn from any mistakes, under his guidance of course. Pepsi in the past, including Amr Diab and international stars, like However, I couldn’t bear it if he was ever to be upset with me. My Beyonce and Britney Spears, is exciting and I am honoured to have father is my weak spot. Although I know he feels the same way about me, he is still firm with me. When I’ve made a bad choice or done been chosen to be a part of the Pepsi legacy. something wrong [giggles] he’s not the type of person to baby me I was approached by the company to participate in their musical film and tell me everything is okay. No, he is both gentle but firm in the Sea of Stars and was then offered the opportunity to continue on and right situations. Welcome to Doha! How are you finding it here so far? This isn’t my first time in Doha. I was here last summer as part of a huge concert called Desert Fusion, and performed with Atif Aslam and Paris House Addict, who play the violin and saxophone. That really was a great concert.

• sur la terre • up close & personal •

s Trendential d confi

The new era of flower/power

>>> On one side of the new season’s seventies-style redux is the bohemian luxe attitude of carefree peasant femininity and, on the other, the exotic elegance of high-octane glamour. We are entering a new season where two trends inspired by the same decade, both equally as covetable, are fighting for pole position in spring’s style revolution. This is a question of flower versus power, where a gypsy renaissance of cascading florals and sweet romance is up against an exuberant and exotic display of after-hours extravagance.

There’s a battle on fashion’s front line this spring and it’s all in honour of the fabulous and free spirited seventies. Sophie Jones-Cooper reports from the front line.

Standing its ground in the bohemian ‘flower’ corner is the secret garden of D&G with their fly-away array of maxi garden party florals, Alberta Ferretti’s delicate laid-back luxe chiffons, brightly coloured cottons and off the shoulder smock tops at Salvatore Ferragamo, dream-like lace at Erdem and a watercolour wash of pastel florals at Paul & Joe. Dolce & Gabbana’s romantic white gypsy lace pays homage to the decade of freedom and love, and Emilio Pucci who, thanks to Creative Director Peter Dundas, has certainly not been left on the vintage shelves. Wonderfully sexy billowing slit maxi gowns are right on par for today’s new era of modern romance, while the skinny flares and silk headscarves have seventies boho written all over them.

• sur la terre • trends confidential •

YVES SAINT LAURENT

PAUL & JOE

vs. There is no denying that Peter Dundas has upped the glam levels with many of his spring creations and Pucci crosses the boundary into the team of “power” purveyors; but there is certainly no shortage of designers to turn to for seventies glamorama. Gucci’s brazen blocks of exotic seductive shades mixed with decadent splashes of metallic gold, Marc Jacobs’ sleek silhouettes and thigh-splitting, animal print silk dresses for Louis Vuitton, as well as his homage to Studio 54 for his own satin-fuelled and corsage-brimming collection, while Diane Von Furstenberg’s signature prints’ sleek draping and tailoring all ooze extreme exoticism. But if there is one house that epitomises the power of seventies style, it is Yves Saint Laurent. For S/S 11, Stefano Pilati, who holds the design reins today, has reinvented many of the YSL classics with a focus on high gloss slinky all-in-ones, seductive sheer blouses, slit skirts and provocative hints of exposed midriffs. But why have the seventies bounced back with such a vengeance this season? What has made designers around the world reinvent a decade of closet classics for a new generation? The seventies was a decade of love and liberation where the born-free

hippie movement was rife. Women were burning their bras and revelling in their new-found independence, whispering words of peace and love in sweeping tiered maxi skirts, cheesecloth gypsy blouses and waistcinching denim flares. Over and above the Stevie Nicks LPs and gentle voice of Karen Carpenter, it was flower-power that ruled the airwaves. Seventies icons Ali MacGraw, Jane Birkin and Veruschka epitomised the bohemian elegance of these seventies women whose beauty lied in their subtle sophistication and independent free-spirited romance. Meanwhile down at Studio 54 in New York and Maxim’s and Régine in Paris, disco fever was sweeping the style circuit and it was a veritable boogie wonderland of iridescent fabrics, Lurex jerseys and all-in-one lamé. Fabulous fashion divas and Halston heroines seduced the nights away and glamour reigned supreme. There was no stopping the high flying power of the fashion royalty which included Jerry Hall, Bianca Jagger, Diane Von Furstenberg and Marie Helvin. “We thought we had invented freedom,” recalls Von Furstenberg, “We wanted to become an independent woman… We became that woman through fashion.”

• sur la terre • trends confidential •

This was thanks in part to one particular gentleman... Behind these self-assured newfound women and free-spirited bohemian hippy chicks was a master at work, none other than Monsieur Yves Saint Laurent, who was creating liberating styles which would last forever. The late, great style legend was responsible for a style revolution which has gone on to shape the future of fashion as we know it, and whose designs continue to be reinvented decade after decade. This season, more than ever, sees his soul live on. From his high-gloss colour blocking, masculine power dressing and disco-ready slinky allin-ones to his simple gypsy dresses and peasant blouses, YSL style glamorama and hedonistic peasant panache is back in full force. Dolce & Gabbana

Between the seventies and now, fashion has experienced both decades of excess, in particular the eighties, and decades of frugality. This was the case throughout the nineties and again in recent seasons. Admittedly, back in the late nineties Tom Ford did reinvent the seventies sentiment of elegant glamour with his collection for Gucci, but for the most part,

Gucci

fashion has travelled a more subtle and minimalist road. Clean and pure cut lines as well as the more rough, destructed designs (of course with the odd eighties nuance - how could we forget the return of the bold shoulder?), have been style staples season after season, while last winter Phoebe Philo made sure we couldn’t resist her simple yet chic collection for Celine.

But after all this time of dressing safely and modestly, today’s designers are turning back the clock and reviving the glamour of dressing for a new era which, more than ever, is calling for a burst of seventies hedonism. “It felt right to revisit it [the seventies] for young women who didn’t experience it the first time,” says Marc Jacobs about his spring collection. And with 1976 being recently declared as the best year on record for quality of life by the New Economics Foundation, an injection of the seventies spirit could be just what the doctor ordered (after all, retail therapy is the best medicine). Hard times require high style. And who better to benefit from the joy of the seventies, than the offspring of the original seventies rock star generation. Jade and Georgia May Jagger, Pixie Geldof, Julia Restoin Roitfeld and Alice Dellal are just a few of this new breed of budding fashionistas and

• sur la terre • trends confidential •

socialites who have inherited the work hard/play hard attitude of their parents and are ready to relish the seventies carefree spirit themselves.

Alberta Ferretti

EMILIO PUCCI

“My mum is my inspiration,” says 18-year-old Georgia May Jagger, daughter of model Jerry Hall and Rolling Stones leading man Mick Jagger. “She has the most amazing wardrobe, full of seventies gowns and styles that have come back into fashion.” American designer Tory Burch also admits the influence of her parents on her spring collection: “The navy and striped suit from the collection was inspired by a pair of my father’s trousers.” Although we are still cooing over the new spring collections, the fashion world is always one step ahead and having recently spent a month globetrotting the style capitals to get the first glimpse of the autumn collections, one thing is clear; this retro

revival is staying on the scene well into autumn. So to keep this style ethos as part of your wardrobe once the summer is over, watch out for Gucci who is still striding back to the seventies with sheer sophistication (quite literally with chiffon blouses and maxi dresses) and make sure Osman’s extra wide trousers, YSL’s wedge lace-up knee-high boots and a pair of Burberry’s skin-tight bell-bottomed flares are on your autumn wish-list. However, for the ultimate in luxe laid-back chic, look to Hannah MacGibbon’s collection for Chloé. Ultimately, there is room for every influence when it comes down to fashion. Whether bohemian or glamorous, rebel-edged or ladylike, romantic or lavish, flower-packed or power-driven; spring is a celebration of style. Whether you are looking for modern romance or newfound empowerment, bring on the bold bright colours, wistful maxi gowns and of course, some high voltage glamour.

• sur la terre • trends confidential •

Brimming With Prim >>> Delicate ladylike lace, demure hemlines, vintage jewels and a soft pretty-girl palette are a fresh alternative to spring’s bold brights

Images: Getty Images, Shutterstock

Top tip >>>

Go hands free this season and fling spring’s hottest accessory over your shoulder - a long chain-strap handbag

Catwalk moment: Dolce & Gabbana and Alberta Ferretti played with sheer fabrics to give this bygone look a modern style upgrade

WATCH Bulgari, NECKLACE Dior, NECKLACE Accessorize, SHOES Alberta Ferretti, SCARF Alexander McQueen at Bloomingdale’s, HANDBAG Dolce & Gabbana, BLOUSE French Connection, EARRINGS Carolina Herrera, CHARM BRACELET Dolce & Gabbana, DRESS Stella McCartney at Net-A-Porter.com

• sur la terre • look book •

Geek Chic

>>> Shorten your slacks, don a tee, loosen your tie and work spring’s urban preppy look Images: Getty Images, Shutterstock

Top tip >>>

Get your footwear right. A pair of colourful suede loafers give conventional a quirky twist, while plimsolls or sandals keep things on a more casual footing

As seen AT: Giorgio Armani and Gucci

GLASSES River Island, SHOES Moschino, BAG Dior, JACKET Carolina Herrera, SHIRT AND TIE Thomas Pink, CARDIGAN French Connection, TSHIRT French Connection, BELT Giorgio Armani, SHOES Jeff Banks at Debenhams, TROUSERS Asos.com

• sur la terre • look book •

ORIGINS

IN MOTION

HORIZONS

BEAUTY

OUT OF THE BOX

origins

Driven by Design:

The Pininfarina Story What do the torch of the 2006 Winter Olympics, the 2001 FILA running shoe and a Slovenian manufacturer of home appliances have in common? They were all conceived, from concept to product by none other than renowned Italian design firm and coachbuilder, Pininfarina.

• sur la terre • origins •

2 >>> Not ringing any bells? How about the exclusive Coca Cola Freestyle? No? Well, what if we told you Pininfarina was (and remains) the mastermind behind designs for the cream of the luxury car crop, including Maserati, Rolls-Royce, Cadillac, Jaguar, Alfa Romeo and of course - and most notably - Ferrari, with Atomotive masterpieces like the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti and Ferrari F50 in its portfolio? Aha, we thought so.

Founded in 1930 as the Società anonima Carrozzeria Pinin Farina by automobile designer and builder Battista “Pinin” Farina, the firm has gone from strength to strength within both the automobile and the design worlds. Having served a multitude of industries since, what eventually became known as “Pininfarina” has left its mark on the world of architecture (the Juventus Stadium), the fragrance empire (Guerlain “Homme” bottle), even the competitive realm of technology (the Acer AT58 TV) and homewares (Coleman Pininfarina Barbecue), amongst countless other projects and successful design endeavours. The firm’s most distinct accomplishments have come in the form of transportation, be it within the auto world or through other means. The standout of these feats include some pinnacles of European transport, including trams in France, high-speed trains in Holland and similar transatlantic achievements, such as trolley buses in the United States. Much of Pininfarina’s success can be accredited to Battista Farina’s grandson, Andrea, who widely managed the Pininfarina operations up until his passing in 2008. Andrea’s younger brother, Paolo Pininfarina, was then appointed successor and now acts as manager of Pininfarina as a whole, yet is based in his home town of Turin, in northern Italy. Pininfarina’s history is one specked with some of the standout names in automobile history; the firm’s Cisitalia 202 design was arguably the model that started all the buzz. Commissioned by Italian sports and racing car constructor, Cisitalia, the 202 featured a unique, handcrafted body, with aluminum panels moulded over wooden forms. Due to this time-consuming process, the 202 was not mass produced; on the contrary, only 170 models were produced between 1947 and 1952. The model was a resounding success at the 1947 Paris Motor Show and was later honoured by New York’s Museum of Modern Art for excellence in design. Showcased amongst a handful of other emblems of supreme automobiling calibre in MoMA’s Eight Automobiles display, such as the 1939 Bentley Saloon with coachwork by James Young, the Cisitalia 202 remains part of MoMA’s permanent collection.

• sur la terre • origins •

The 1951 subsequent co-operation with American based Nash Motors resulted in high-volume production of Pininfarina designs and eased entry for the Italian firm into the American automobile market. The Anglo-American Nash-Healey sports car, a collaborative effort between Charlie Nash’s successor George Mason and British car manufacturer, Donald Healey, was restyled by Battista Farina. Assembled in limited numbers from 1952 to 1954 at Pininfarina’s Turin facilities, Nash was incredibly pleased with the outcome of the collaboration. The company heavily advertised its link to what had become the famous Italian designer and firm. As a result of Nash’s marketing efforts, Pininfarina became a household name in the United States, and played a winning hand in gaining attention that would be critical for further stateside cooperation in the future. This included building the bodies for the limited-series Cadillac Eldorado Brougham for General Motors in 1959/60, which were assembled and sent back to the United States. Pininfarina has always been synonymous with its trademark styling. This features a distinct beauty, elegance and functionality with an aesthetic prowess that extends beyond automobiles and through all of Pininfarina’s dealings. The firm’s designers are responsible for carrying out the research required for this aesthetic accomplishment and steer constantly towards achieving pure, uncluttered shapes. This perpetuates the potential beauty behind each and every project Pininfarina adds to its impressive and continuously growing portfolio of produts and clients. The activities completed within the Style Centre are key to the quality that defines the Pininfarina name and include a long list of procedures that are eventually deemed responsible for the five-star offerings.

The process with which a product’s life cycle begins is set off via technical and product briefs. Hand and digital sketching are then performed in order for designers and clients to better grasp the concept of the potential final creation. Virtual reality visualisation is then applied where appropriate and preliminary feasibility studies are carried out to ensure the health of the proposed projects. Where suitable, virtual aerodynamic studies are also carried out, reduced size 1:1 scale mockups are built, with milling and manual modelling carried out for the closest possible preview to the actual eventual product. Automobile mockups then go through a rigorous process of optical scanning, reverse engineering, wind tunnel tests, styling feasibility, realisation of B-class surfacing, master model building and a final product feasibility test. Due to the masterful creations that result from the intricate evaluation processes of all items that undergo the Pininfarina once over, the brand’s success continued to rocket through the design stratosphere, with similar arrangements to the Nash-Healey and Cisitalia 202 repeated over the decades. In the late 1980s, Pininfarina designed (and partially assembled) the Cadillac Allante. The car’s bodies were assembled and painted in Italy before being flown to Detroit for final vehicle assembly. Additionally, Pininfarina Sverige AB in Uddevalla, Sweden, was established in 2003 as a joint venture between Volvo and Pininfarina. Pininfarina holds the majority vote with 60% ownership, over Volvo’s 40%. The C70 model was the first car built within the joint venture and was launched only five years ago, on April 13th 2006, sharing the Volvo P1 platform used in the S40.

• sur la terre • origins •

Now, although it may be unfair to highlight this particular prototyping project Pininfarina carried out from within its vehicle archives, the firm’s work with Ferrari remains the sparkliest gem in its automobile crown. Most prototypes created by Pininfarina have served solely as concept cars, such as the Ferrari Mythos. However, several have become production models, including the aforementioned Ferrari 612 Scaglietti and Ferrari F50.

4 One of the more recently privately-commissioned custom examples, also for Ferrari in 2006, was the Ferrari P4/5. Pininfarina was responsible for a one-car rebody - the changing of the exterior design - of the Enzo Ferrari according to a client’s specification. The Ferrari P4/5’s design commenced in September 2005, with sketches proposed by Jason Castriota, moving through the motions of the firm’s Style Centre and, in particular, through computer aided sculpture and stringent wind tunnel testing. More than 200 components were designed especially for the car though the engine and drivetrain, while many other components were simply modified from the original Enzo Ferrari. The Enzo was revealed in August of 2006 at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and shown again at the celebrated Paris Motor Show in September of the same year. With Pininfarina’s name so deeply engraved in the history of the automobile industry, Pininfarina Extra also continues to make marks outside the transport sector, as mentioned, with noticeable accomplishments in the form of international hotel chains and even perishables. We don’t see Pininfarina slowing down any time soon, and with that Ferrari track record, why would they?

1. Design artwork for the Ferrari P4/5 2. initial design skethches of the Ferrari P4/5 3. The humble scissors even get the Pininfarina touch, this is an example for Germany’s Leader brand. 4. The Pininfarina “Sintesi” concept car, unveiled by the comany at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show 5. A Pininfarina-designed BRIC’S suitcase

• sur la terre • origins •

Return of the

Mach

With the Aerion SBJ cleared for landing in 2015, Sur la Terre celebrates the dawning of a new supersonic age.

• sur la terre • in motion •

>>> When the mighty Concorde was finally grounded in 2003, the era of supersonic passenger aircraft fell to earth with it. Since the legendary aircraft’s final touchdown at Heathrow Airport eight long years ago, humanity’s airborne ambition has devolved, once again, into bloated, subsonic airliners. Where once man soared, skirting the stratosphere, we now cruise lethargically at a paltry 30,000 feet, developing Deep Vein Thrombosis alongside 299 other disgruntled souls. Like the art-deco elegance of the Zeppelin age before it, the exclusivity of travel at twice the speed of sound, the excitement of record breaking flights between London and New York and the promise of bringing hemispheres within a day’s flying time have been dashed on the runways of history... until now. As a British company breathes life into the long forgotten world of zeppelin flight with a 600-foot Hybrid Air Vehicle that will take flight in 2012, our hopes that we would once again streak across the sky, scattering clouds in a sonic boom, were also given a lift when we discovered Nevada-based Aerion Corporation.

Aerion is the developer of the Aerion Supersonic Business Jet (SBJ), which is designed to be the first private plane capable of travelling at speeds of up to Mach 1.6 over one and a half times the speed of sound - and cruise at an altitude of 51,000 feet. This is no airy-fairy, cloud-cuckoo-land pipe dream, either. In October last year, the company completed aerodynamic flight tests up to Mach 2. For the first time since the Anglo-French, delta-winged god of thunder, Concorde, powered down its mighty Rolls Royce engines for the last time, the exclusivity of a single-day supersonic round-trip commute between Europe and the US is once again within the grasp of the incredibly wealthy. Following in the footsteps of its lofty predecessor, the SBJ is breaking new ground in... er... the air. Thanks to its design, coupled with its its Pratt & Whitney JT8D-219 engines, the Aerion Supersonic Business Jet will be able to cruise at Mach 1.15 over land without producing any sonic boom. Unlike the Concorde, which could only fly to certain airports and on certain flight paths because of its operational requirements, the

• sur la terre • in motion •

SBJ is designed to comply with environmental, sound and airport regulations everywhere. The plane can also fly at just under the speed of sound, 0.98 Mach, but still offer a similar cost-per-mile as that old-fashioned turboprop thing you have parked at Doha International. Over water, you can really give it the beans though, meaning the Aerion can get you from Doha to Paris in roughly four hours! For such a small, sleek little number, the SBJ has a range of around 4,600 miles on a full tank. Another useful feature is that it only needs 3,500 feet of runway to land, which means that, while Roman Abramovich won’t quite be able to drop his on the deck of his former mega-yacht, Le Grand Bleu, you will be able to land yours at any airstrip in the world - or even on your driveway if it’s long enough. A second key area where the SBJ differs from its forefather is in its design. Aerion’s philosophy is to employ the latest technologies and to minimise the complexity of the aircraft.

For instance, the wings will be made from carbon fibre composites for both its low weight and its torsional stiffness. The supersonic natural laminar flow (SNLF) wings reduce total airframe drag by as much as 20 percent when compared to delta wing configurations such as that used by Concorde. This means that less power and less fuel are required to sustain supersonic flight over longer distances, in turn lowering weight and increasing efficiency. Aerion will also employ construction methods and materials that are more commonly found on modern fighter jets. Inside the plane, passengers can customise their seat configuration as they like, as well as the carpets, seat coverings and other interior design

elements. LCD lighting will bathe the cabin in soothing colours, while the seats will cocoon passengers in their own personalised comfort zones. According to Aerion, the recliners can even be heated or cooled to individual preference. The space will be equivalent to existing large business jets, with a cabin height of over six feet and able to accommodate up to 12 passengers, depending on configuration. A cabin length of 30 feet allows for up to three separate seating areas, plus room for a full galley. While Aerion is bringing sexy back to air travel, this kind of exclusivity and style will not come without a hefty price tag. Initial reports suggest that the price for one of these airsplitting babies will lighten your pockets to

• sur la terre • in motion •

the tune of US $80 million, a mere snip, if only for that priceless look on the faces of your friends as you taxi past while they board their run-of-the-mill Gulfstream. Aerion is currently taking downpayments of US $250,000 for a place on the forty-strong list of those wishing to be among the first to take delivery in three years’ time. Should you choose this option, you will be in good company, as HE Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Ruler of Dubai, is reported to have put his marker down as early as 2007. Sign up now and your SBJ could be racing his to be the first to land at Doha’s newly completed airport.

McLaren’s Lightness of Being

In motion

Sur la Terre previews the Middle East’s newest forthcoming resident, the McLaren MP4-12C. Its name may be a mouthful, but its power and design will have you salivating.

1 >>> If you have ever been, as we at Sur la Terre have, to any of the multitudinous stops along the international car show circuit, you will have heard at least one derivative of the following phrase in almost painfully cliched abundance: The rules in the sports car world [dramatic pause] are about to be [dramatic pause] rewritten. Of course they are.

Now, while this kind of verbiage may wander into hyperbolic overdrive, what McLaren promises to bring to the Middle East with the arrival of the new McLaren MP4-12C is nothing short of a complete rehaul of the greater “body” of supercar design thinking... and it starts with the car’s “skeleton.”

A phrase like this sounds more like the overzealous grandstanding usually reserved for some epic Hollywood film trailer. The only thing missing is an end line like, “...and this time it’s personal,” or “...with a vengeance.”

The 12C is indeed “pure McLaren,” as all of the parts are made exclusively for the model at the brand’s HQ in the UK, but just because it’s designed to give less flex and because it’s 100% British, doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s overly stiff. The Carbon MonoCell revolutionises the chassis structure in the two-seat, mid-engine, “core” sports car segment. It takes its inspiration from the strong, lightweight engineering that McLaren made famous first in the 1981 F1 MP4/1 and then again in the 1993 F1 road car.

You can understand our suspicion, then, when the folks McLaren Automotive, who are affiliated in no small way to the legendary F1 marque announced, with poignancy and considerable zeal mind you, that they too would be “rewriting the book” of super-sportscar-dom.

• •sur surlalaterre terre• •insection motion• •

What the MonoCell basically does is bring the strength, dynamism and precise manoeuvrability of an F1 car to a much more affordable, real-world driving strata. In layman’s terms, this means it’s really, really fun to drive without being really, really expensive. It’s basically like getting the Six Million Dollar Man for like sixty bucks. That’s not bad.

for breakaways and terrifying local authorities. We are similarly impressed by the Pre-Cog functionality of the 12C, not just because it makes it seem like a psychic version of KITT from Knight Rider, but more importantly because it intuits your next gear change and primes the gearbox, making your shifts much more satisfyingly quick.

The carbon composite chassis also offers better, more responsive handling and driver comfort, as well as a much more greatly expanded, not to mention acutely frightening, power output, thanks to its low weight. The thing only weighs about 80 kilograms for goodness sake, and with the other specially-developed lightweight features, it means that this thing has the spry gumption to really move!

Yet again, added with the lightweight construction of the 12C, all of these features make for a driving experience that does feel new, fresh and yes, even “rewritten.” So, we know about its musculature and its soul, but what about its face? You can call us vapid and imageconscious if you like, but despite its prowess, we only like to associate with the good-looking.

At a thumping 600hp, the pony power on this puppy is something to behold. What’s especially impressive, though, is when you compare the power output to its low CO2 emission numbers, which are shockingly low, thanks again to the lightweight chassis and new performance measures in the car.

McLaren Automotive Design Director, Frank Stephenson, once said that cars should never be referred to as “of its time,” and should instead be timelessly good-looking. We couldn’t agree more. While we at SLT are not the “biggest” fans of the old 1993 F1 - thinking its front end conjures in the mind the image of a semi-squashed bug - we do appreciate what Stephenson and the McLaren team have done with the 12C.

According to Antony Sheriff, McLaren Automotive’s Managing Director, “The 12C delivers the highest horsepower to CO2 ratio of any car on the market today with an internal combustion engine... and that includes petrol and diesel hybrids.” This is great for the friendsof-the-earth tree-huggers out there, but what it really does is tantalise your taste for power... and this thing’s got it in spades. The heart of the 12C beats with a bespoke McLaren ‘M838T’ 3.8-litre, V8 twin-turbo engine, allowing all of those 600 lovely horses to gallop along through a McLaren seven speed Seamless Shift dual clutch gearbox (SSG). On top of the engine, there are other elements that make the 12C dotingly safe, technically sound and stupidly fun to drive, like the Brake Steer, for example, which was pioneered in McLaren’s F1 car back in 1997. Implementing this little system allows to counteract understeering when going into a corner and increasing the traction on the way out. That’s great

It’s an almost direct descendent of the F1, which is evident when seeing the two side-by-side. As Stephenson says, “The 12C does not reproduce the F1 design but it unashamedly builds on its functionally-driven engineering and design highlights such as the large, deep windscreen and the low cowl. Any similarities are there for a reason.” Still, even though one obviously begat the other, the reservations we had with the looks of the F1 are just not present in the 12C. Sleek, more supple and much more inoffensively rounded, the 12C’s good looks are more than just skin deep, as each of the curvaceous and alternating convex and concave contours are there for a reason, whether it’s pure aerodynamics or to help seamlessly integrate engineering elements (like the front design around the cooling radiators and the scalloped shoulders that drive airflow to the air brake).

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It looks like it could move frictionless through the air without disturbing so much as an atom. One element we are glad stuck around from the F1 is the continuation of the dihedral doors, which only succeed in heightening the space-aged look and feel that have almost become inherent within the McLaren legacy. The interior is cleaner and unfettered, much more so than you might expect in a supercar. It’s nice to see that a refined simplicity is still the name of McLaren’s aesthetic game. Although the driver and passenger seats in the cockpit have been brought closer together, it doesn’t feel cramped. Cozy, perhaps, is the better word.

1 The 12C showing off its classic dihedral doors 2 Come to grips with the 12C’s greatness 3 The clean, simple interior of the 12C 4 Running in the family, the old but still cool McLaren F1 Hawk 5 The MP4-12C at the McLaren Technology Centre 6 A view to get used to

The designers of the 12C say that the interior symmetry will help the driver feel more “physically and emotionally comfortable.” We suppose that means that the tight hug that the interior gives helps to soothe our aching soul? Perhaps not, guys, but it does feel comfy without having to rely on the “wider is better” school of sportscar thought. One of our favourite things to come to grips with (if you’ll pardon the pun) is the steering wheel, which not only looks and feels like something out of an intergalactic cruiser, but it also benefits from the grips similarly used by past McLaren F1 champions.

In fact, the steering wheel, of all things, nicely encapsulates the entire “feel” of the 12C in general. It is performance driven, definitely, but the feeling of its control, in its powerful backed-up bluster and its downright taut sexiness makes this McLaren something to truly look forward to here in the Middle East later this year. We certainly can’t wait to see more of these roaming the streets here in Doha, and of course, get our own hands on the wheel of this beautiful lightweight lothario.

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Re-Oriented

Acclaimed journalist, Al Jazeera producer and special guest writer, Rosie Garthwaite, discovers the marvel of Myanmar and develops a love-affair with Laos.

>>> “Get out of Myanmar, in fact get out of Asia – it is dangerous for you.” It was my first night in Myanmar and this was the second time someone had tried to tell me my fortune. I preferred the first one: “Love and success will come to you on April the 17th”.

It didn’t feel very dangerous, and since home (Doha, Qatar) is technically in Asia too, I decided to take my chances, and I was glad I did. Myanmar is magic. My arrival coincided with the signing-in of the country’s new government after last year’s dodgy election, in which opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her very popular National League for Democracy party decided not to take part. The Egypt revolution was in full swing and all over the television, but people in Myanmar – or the vast majority at least - don’t look to politics for a solution. “Sanctions suck,” one businessman told me, “but there are ways around them.” From a tourist point of view, however, it’s fantastic. You don’t need an archaeologist to dig down and find the remains of ancient generations. They are still standing abandoned all around the country.

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Mandalay The first stop on my whistle-stop tour of Myanmar is the last royal palace, Mandalay. It is one of the “big 4” must-see places in the country. My Orient Express tour will take me to three of them. Going off that trail will elicit a shaking head from many tour operators you meet, but I am assured by one who has been running a top travel company in Yangon for five years that it is easy. Contrary to popular belief, government approval is needed for only a few areas and can usually be gained on arrival rather than in Yangon.

Every village has an industry, and each works hard to make its own work. We passed through a pig village and then a bamboo chair village, then a village famous for making pots. Not surprisingly, Mandalay is the hub for making the gold-leaf scattered across the skyline. It takes 3,000 bangs to make one tiny inch of bling. It is painstaking but holy work that I am told will reward the people who make it. It is the very measure of “being this beautiful does not come easy.”

Myanmar is the only place I have ever been where the praying locals outnumber the prying tourists. It is a truly holy place. Almost every man spends some time as a monk, even if it is just a week. There may be 400,000 people in the army, but there are 400,000 monks, too.

The city, like Yangon, feels international rather than cut-off. You can pay for everything in dollars, as long as they are brand new notes, and wellknown brands are plastered on every lamppost. I stayed outside the city on the river near Anapura village on a stunningly luxurious boat called “The Road to Mandalay.” From the Bulgari product-filled bathroom to the pool on the deck and late night cocktail parties with candles floating down the river, I could not have felt further away from the village as I sat on a floating, colonial-style paradise with all the delicious trimmings. However, go watch the staff give out alms to the monks in the morning, fog still lifting off the water, and you can see the connection with the land.

The romantic sounding Mandalay was home to the last royal palace before the Brits came in and bombed it to smithereens in World War II. Now it is anything but romantic. Though it may be an industrial city with key links to China and India, the surrounding area retains its charm. The trip from the airport to the boat passed ancient teak and bamboo villages on stilts and through mango plantations and fields packed full of sunflowers. The shining tops of Buddhist stupas (mound-like structures containing Buddhist relics), pagodas and temples are the only buildings more than two stories high.

My guide, San, wants to be a monk one day. I must have visited dozens of Buddhist temples around Asia, but I never really understood the religion until I spent three days with him. He is as serene as the beautiful Buddhas we meet along the way. He would be a fantastic monk. Sagaing Hill, just across the river from the boat, is where he would like to live for the rest of his life, and I can see why. Half of the country’s monks worship and learn in the monasteries packed into the winding streets. The quietness of the place is pierced only by the chanting of morning prayers.

An estimated 500, 000 foreigners visit Myanmar each year and many of those are repeat trips by businessmen, not tourists. Step a few metres off the well-worn trail and you will be on your own with some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet; and you will meet a lot of them.

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Close-up, the pagoda itself is overwhelming, but it’s from a distance that its golden majesty can truly be absorbed, excepting perhaps the believers praying at its ruby toes. Yangon is the place where I found most time to meet people. There was Victoria, the homeless catholic woman who hopped into my taxi with her umbrella to tell me about the oppression of the people in her church. Then came the affable, well-educated businessman; so well-connected, so cynical, so matter-of-fact about the damage caused by the exclusivity of the wealthy. There was the bespectacled fortune-teller with the huge Buddha tattooed across his mahogany chest who politely said I couldn’t take his photo because he would never be able to join his image outside the country. There was the crinkled-eyed woman who put down her sewing and swiftly photo-shopped my burnt red nose and bra strap out of a visa photo taken for my arrival in Laos.

Bagan We spend a day dawdling past timber yards, washing lines and children playing in the water. The riverside is surely the prime location in Myanmar, even though it is winter and midday is still scorching. Men and women soak their longis (tube style sarongs) in water and tie them up to stay cool. Bagan is the prize at the end of the journey. It’s a stunning ancient place where the locals say 5,000 stupas have survived the Mongol invasions and earthquakes. When you climb to the top of one of the taller ones, you can well believe it. Once you have your bearings, take a bicycle and a boy or girl will quickly join you as a guide around the off-track stupas. It is easy-going unless you get a puncture... like I did. The magic lies inside the smaller stupas, with cows grazing outside and moss growing on the roof, punk-style. To describe what it feels like when you push aside the cobwebs and go inside one of these secret places to find a giant, intact Buddha all your own… well... words escaped me then and they do now. A visit to Shwe Dagon pagoda at dawn in Yangon is a place without words too, only bells and smells and chanting. The holiness of the place cannot help but stamp itself onto you.

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LAOS Laos and Myanmar may be neighbours, but they are light-years apart in terms of development. Even Luang Prabang, where my journey began, is set up like London’s Soho in terms of restaurant-to-resident ratio. The food here is stunning. A combination of Thai, Vietnamese and French, it packs a punch in terms of spice and will be a shock after Myanmar. Fresh noodle soup for breakfast, stuffed lemon grass, fish steamed in banana leaves, beef cooked in coconut juice fondue-style, English style spicy sausages, barbequed everything! Of course, it’s not just because of the food that we decided to get active. The influx of tourists has been both good and bad for Laos; good in terms of the money they bring, but bad because you can’t help but feel in many places that its charm has been sold in the process. That’s why it’s essential to go the extra mile to find it. Stay on the edge or even outside of town in villages where you can. Get up with the sun. See the army of monks marching down the streets with their tiffin tins to get food for the day, their smart orange uniforms pulled tight with a geisha belt. Visit the local markets to get your own. They also sell grilled rats and dead canaries if you fancy them for breakfast. From Luang Prabang, I took a bicycle with no gears and a shaky basket on the front an arduous but amazing 32 kilometres through cotton weaving villages to Tat Kuang Si. There I found a simple but clean guesthouse, run by the industrious Mrs. Vandala, with a cooking class and its own private waterfall. We took a tuk tuk back, our thighs unable to pump us back home. Vang Vieng is a whole new level of madness. Sitting on the edge of a river and surrounded by paddy fields, limestone mountains rise one on top of each other less than a kilometre away. Unfortunately, it has been taken over by an exceptionally burned-out student crowd.

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Still, I could not stop grinning during our moped adventures through tiny villages, into caves under mountains and over wooden swinging bridges that creaked under our weight. If you can swim and you like a good time, don’t let anyone tell you tubing down the river from bar to bar, swinging off high ropes and sliding into the water is not fun. Go early and bring a jumper! My journey ended in Vientiane, a tiny gem of a city with everything a person could need: corner shops stuffed with art and street markets with different delicious morsels to feast on morning, noon and night. If a young apothecary can’t sell you dried geckos and turtle tongue, they’ll point you over the way to their sister sitting dwarfed by piles of fake DVDs and CDs. Everyone wants to tell you his or her story in Vientiane. I met the best singer in Laos, the lovely “Little Sunshine” Noi, who was trying to set up a music and theatre school for disabled people, but hadn’t the money to bribe the right official. She gave me a book of ancient Laoatian myths, which told of a time before Laos became the most bombed country in the world during and after Vietnam War. When you need to remember the outside world, a walk along the wide meandering Mekong will take you there. It feels like the smallest capital city in the world. Only 650,000 people live in the sprawling town. And you can’t help but wonder if most of them have popped over to Thailand on the other side of the Mekong for the day. Still though, the countryside of Laos is amongst the most beautiful places filled with some of the most beautiful people I have ever been. Go for a walk. Climb a mountain. Take a bicycle or a boat or a moped and get lost in the countryside. There will always be someone to help you find your way. Here, it is not monuments or religions that matter. It is the soil and water, the paddy fields and mountains. That is where the Laos you have heard about lives.

Essentials Books The Glass Palace by Amitav Ghosh – a best-seller novel all set in Mandalay. One Crowded Hour by Neil Davis – a photographer who covered the Vietnam was from the jungles in Laos. Visas Myanmar used to offer visa-on-arrival service, but sadly no longer. The government is a little tetchy since they let out Aung San Suu Kyi. The easiest way to get a visa is if you go with a tour. Their established connections mean your intentions will never be questioned. If you have a slightly contentious job like “journalist” or “photographer,” make yourself a teacher or researcher for the duration of the holiday. Laos requres visas from several countries, but most are available on arrival. Check before you go. Money In Myanmar there are no ATMs and very few places that accept credit cards. Crisp, clean and unfolded high value dollar notes are highly necessary. You won’t believe how fussy you are until someone rejects your perfectly good hundred dollar bill for the third time. Have a look for the serial number on the note. Cultural don’t be surprised when you see people making kissing noises at waiters and waitresses, that’s the way it is done in Myanmar. In both Myanmar and Laos keep your shoes or flip-flops on at all times unless you are in a temple or house. It is rude to walk bare feet in the street. Food Tamarind and L’Elephant in Luang Prabang. Both serve food to die for.

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Where To Stay Orient Express (www.orient-express.com or 0845 077 2222) accepts credit cards in Myanmar The Road to Mandalay boat tour – Prices for the three-night Highlights of Burma journey start from $2,432 per person based on two people sharing a Superior Cabin. This also includes all table d’hote meals, accommodation on board and internal flight transfers in Burma. Yangon – A Deluxe Garden Room at The Governor’s Residence starts from $221 including daily breakfast www.governorsresidence.com Luang Prabang – La Residence Phou Vao (on the edge of town) – starts at $260 (low season) to $470 (peak season) reservations@residencephouvao.com www.residencephouvao.com Vientiane – Ansara Hotel www.ansarahotel.com $120-220 a night inc breakfast.

beauty

Photographer Fabrizio Nannini Stylist Gloria Storchi, Roberto Ciapan and Federico Toretti

Sublimage cream, Chanel Serum, Silicum+ Eclat Phyto-gel, Sisley

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Pink nail varnish, Givenchy Metal grey varnish (from new collection), Chanel Electric red varnish, YSL

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out of the box

With a purse full of euros and a spare suitcase for those all important designer buys, when Sophie Jones-Cooper jets off to cover the fashion weeks of Europe, she sleeps in style.

>>> After a day of runway shows, retail marathons, historical culture hits, modern art moments, one too many street café espressos and fighting off the jet-lag, where you rest your weary feet and get your eight hours shut-eye is crucial to get the most out of a European city break. Some of us prefer the luxuries of a 5-star designer or boutique hotel with all the trimmings where you can simply immerse yourself in Michelin-starred cuisine, sip after-hours cocktails on the rooftop terrace and call on the 24-hour concierge for your every need. Others prefer a home-from-home apartment style abode - your very own piece of the city where you can muster up the local delicacies, feel and live like a local and come and go from your urban bolt-hole without the ever-present hotel welcoming committee. When in two of the world’s most stylish and vibrant cities for work or play, here are two places to you can check into and call your home from home… THE HOTEL: Park Hyatt Paris - Vendôme Ernest Hemingway once said: “If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a movable feast.” Many of us may not have lived in Paris, but even after a few days in this magical city, memories are made that will last forever. The Park Hyatt Vendôme stands proud next to Van Cleef & Arpels on Paris’ elegant Rue de la Paix, and just a stone’s throw from the legendary Place Vendôme, itself a jewel in this sparkling city. Even without stepping foot outside the hotel, a true Parisian encounter awaits. Enjoy a pre-dinner tipple amongst Paris’

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elite style set at the Le Bar before savouring gastronomic delights at Jean-François Rouquette’s Michelin-starred Pur’. The open grill serves up some of the finest seafood and Wagyu beef Paris has to offer. A good sommelier is a prerequisite in Paris, but at Pur’, with its six-metre ‘wine wall’, le vin plays as much part of the culinary journey as the cuisine itself. If city life is too much, Le Spa is a hedonistic haven for that much-needed R&R. In each element of the hotel every detail is seen to, and in true Park Hyatt style, the balance is just right between historic natural beauty and effortless contemporary refinement. www.paris.vendome.hyatt.com

Milan’s bustling streets are far enough away to take a break from it all, but close enough to feel like you are still living amongst the city and its local residents. There is no reception, no Michelin-starred restaurant and no spa or gym, but that is exactly what makes this place so special. It is your very own pied-à-terre from which to enjoy the sophistication of Milanese living. And do not fret if you can’t survive without hotel-style concierge services, The Place’s excellent guest services department can meet your every wish and are just a phone call away. www.the-place.it

THE APARTMENT: The Place Apartments, Milan It must have taken a lot to rattle George Clooney into putting his €30 million villa on Lake Como up for sale. The paparazzi and fans have caught up with him and he is looking for something more peaceful and secluded. But relocating down the road to Milan is unlikely to be a contender for George and Elisabetta. Milan is a city that, even when the trams aren’t buzzing their way down the cobbled streets and mopeds aren’t hooting their way through red lights, there is still an evident go, go, go mindset. In Milan in particular, there’s nothing like knowing you have a place to escape the beat of the street and a little retreat to call your own away from the city hum and the maddening crowds. Staying at The Place Apartments, which are located in and amongst some of Milan’s most famous streets around the Duomo and fashion district, is like renting your own pad in the city. The luxurious, yet homely, hotel-spec serviced apartments just a few floors up from

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out of the box

Sur la Terre peeks through The Gate, quite possibly one of Doha’s most game-changing projects.

>>> In history, myth, legend and lore, the concept of the gate has become a very powerful, almost magical thing. Famed in our collective human imagination as history’s most imposing azure archways, we have The Lion Gate of Mycenae, while the storied Gates of Alexander are similar doorways to mass intrigue. The Pearly Gates (aka, the gates to Heaven) hold fast the mysteries of the afterlife, while the stargate from the appropriately named film Stargate acts as a portal to the infinite enigmas of the universe... which apparently manifest themselves as ancient robot space Egyptians for some reason, but that’s beside the point. Gates hold secrets and special things; different worlds of gold, light and magic. It is no surprise then that Doha’s most exciting and luxurious development should take this most iconic image as its name, because from what we hear, once The Gate finally swings open, everything you think you know about luxury retail will change.

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Salam Bounian conceptualised The Gate with one thing in mind, which was to create “THE business, commercial and entertainment zone of West Bay, Doha.” That’s no small task given the other points of interest in West Bay, including all of the five-star hotels, malls and select outlets, but if the lofty plans of the development come to fruition, it looks like The Gate will honour the iconic status of its thematic namesake by containing a whole world of intrigue. According to its literature, The Gate consists of a shopping mall with two levels of luxurious and elegant retail brands. It also contains one level of restaurants and leisure as well as one level of health and wellness services. If you have driven around West Bay at all, you have most likely seen the 13-storey smart technology office towers, which has at its crown a bridge that connects the two. Of course, this isn’t “just another mall,” like you may be thinking, but instead more of a lifestyle destination. Not only does The Gate promise to have some very exclusive brands, the likes of which are not available anywhere else throughout West Bay, but it will also be a game-changer in terms of its aesthetics. Apparently, it will contain soft spot-lighting, thematic ambient music and even perfume in the air circulation. Developers hope that it will be this commitment to detail that will enhance the individual experience and elevate The Gate above all other destinations in Doha.

There will also be some other great features in The Gate’s pipeline, such as a special concierge service, from which you can arrange a personal shopper, children’s daycare, high speed internet connectivity and a limousine service. The parking is also set to be much better than the downright infuriating situation you find yourself in at other shopping destinations in the city. At over sixty thousand square feet, The Gate features three floors of parking! Now that’s impressive. The underground parking is also equipped with an innovative indicator system that alerts parkers to available bays. Finally, someone listened to us as we shouted expletive-laced tirades within our cars while waiting for parking spots. Surprisingly, The Gate offers all of these amenities while under the strict structure of its own social commitment to sustainability. Its “green” strategies include water consumption control systems, comprehensive light, heat and water conservation measurements and new energy saving materials, like high-performance glass with high UV filtering values. The Gate has also set up a recycling programme (an idea still in its nascency within Qatar) that will instill waste and water efficiency for landscaping measurements. Indeed, it seems that The Gate is well-named as it looks like it will stand as a doorway to the future of a whole new shopping experience.

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ACCESSORIES

LIFESTYLE

fashion

MARKETPLACE

BETWEEN THE LINES

SPRINGTIME Photographer Fabrizio Nannini Stylist Gloria Storchi, Roberto Ciapani and Federico Toretti

Patent leather bag with chains, CHANEL Green peep toe shoes with detail, ENRICO COVERI Leather clutch, SALVATORE FERRAGAMO Belt with stitch detail, BRIONI Business card holder in apple green, violet and grey, VALEXTRA Chain mesh ring with emeralds and rubies, PIANEGONDA

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Powder puff pink leather bag, Valextra Python leather shoe, Rodolphe Menudier Diamond heel sandals, Prada Floral hair band, Louis Mariette Leather clutch, Versace Clog sandals, Frankie Morello White wallet, Louis Vuitton

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Beige and pink leather gloves and red Birkin bag, Hermes Wedge sandals and floral foulard, Salvatore Ferragamo Sunglasses, Louis Vuitton Rings in white gold or pink gold with diamonds, rubies or sapphires, Valente Milano

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Leather toiletry bag, Valextra Falabella woven cotton-blend bag, Stella McCartney Leather credit card holder with gold logo, Miu Miu Sunglasses with glitter frame, Chanel Platform sandals, Rodolphe Menudier Leather clutch, Hermes Zipper sandals, Baldinini

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Zighy Stardust Senior Editor, Steve Paugh, recounts his rise to glory and fall into relaxation at Oman’s premier luxury resort, Six Senses Zighy Bay. (Ed. Note: No David Bowies were harmed in the production of this article.) Starman waiting in the sky... “When I say so, you must run ... and you must keep running,” barks the thickly accented Bulgarian voice at my shoulder. “Whatever happens, keep running.” The silence that followed before the expectation of my impending rush and the fruition of my inevitable leap is suddenly broken by an audible SNAP! It’s the sound of softly rustling canvas gasping frenzied mountain air, pluming it into life and covering me in the shadow of its rise and eclipse. I immediately wonder if this is such a good ide.... “RUN!”... Oh crap. I run. And I run. And I keep running, even as I am launched skyward and pedal nothing but wind ... probably looking about as graceful as a tweaked-out camel in some kind of anti-grav galumph. I keep running, briefly making contact with the ground again, allowing my Adidas to kiss the edge of the cliff and send a zephyr of dust and pebbles careening over a sheer drop, and me into open air. I run over trees that grow from stone. I run over deep craggy veins of rock. I run over a sea whose lap becomes a curvaceous ley line of white foam. I run on air, while a hundred feet below me, paradise waits. Flight. It’s just one of the many unforgettable experiences on offer at Six Senses Zighy Bay Resort.

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The man who fell to earth...

Hang on to Yourself Paragliding is a hell of a thing. It’s freeing, a bit terrifying at first and it’s by far the best way to make your grand entrance into the Sultanate of Oman’s most unique luxury resort. Sure, you can arrive by SUV or at the marina by boat, but to establish sheer presence, there is no more stylish way to make an entrance (weather permitting). It also stands to reason that after completing a controlled fall down a mountain, “relaxing” is the one and only thing on your brain. Well played, Zighy Bay. Despite the harrowing nature of my descent, once I crossed under the welcoming threshold of its gate, I immediately realised the true ethos of Zighy Bay. Here, the folks at Six Senses have created not only another universe of well-being, but a new understanding of luxury. While winding through the tree-lined, immaculately manicured earth and stone roads that naturally thread the private villas of the resort together, it’s easy to see that Zighy Bay is not only miles away from civilisation, it was also just as far from the gilded ostentation we have all become so achingly jaded with in the Gulf.

Once you’re inside, you are no longer held under the world’s foolish rules of hustle and bustle, or the fickle trends of pomp and circumstance. You’re not even in the same time zone. At Zighy Bay, you’re on “Zighy Time” (one hour ahead of Dubai, two hours ahead of Doha). This innovative step succeeds not only in giving you a bit

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more daylight to play with, but also in separating you from whence you came. With my watch synchronised, my thirst for adventure slaked and my interest officially piqued, I was ready to explore this brave new world of Zighy Bay. My first day was spent, for the most part, ruminating on this quiet subtlety from the welcome solitude of Villa 59. When Lotte Gossage, one of Zighy’s cheery yet relaxed sales executives, told me that I would be staying in one of the “base models” of accommodation, I expected a nice, but small one-room hut with not much in the way of jaw-dropping amenity. What greeted me when I opened the large wooden door, however, was an expansive studio-style bungalow, replete with a large great room (living/bed/bathroom), two showers (one indoors, one outside), a cavernous bathtub (wherein you can order any one of the resort’s signature baths to be drawn - I suggest the “Aphrodite,” which comes with champagne and chocolate), and a back patio overlooking an outdoor lounging cabana and my very own 21 square metre infinity pool. These features do not sit stiffly in inapproachable luxury, and instead are offset in only a soft murmur of richness. The inherent luxury of Zighy is wrapped in an alluring swathe of stone and wood, fitting harmoniously into the captivatingly natural background of Oman’s famed Musandam Peninsula that surrounds the resort, rising as if organically in a sort of placid writhe. Of course, this is all part of Zighy’s master plan...

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Soul Love Just like other Six Senses sites across the world, Zighy Bay adheres to the “SLOW LIFE” principle, which celebrates Sustainable, Local, Organic, Wholesome, Learning, Inspiring, Fun Experiences. It’s an innovative little acronym, the inherent tenets of which are palpable throughout the resort. For example, much of the food comes from the Zighy garden and adjoining fishing village, while the resort also host quite a few outings that offer fun education about, and interacting with, the local world and wildlife (snorkeling, diving, kayaking, hiking). Together with the soothing, slacked-out spirit of the resort, this mantra seems to permeate every environmental element of Zighy Bay. Even the lights in the villas, restaurants, spa and main administrative buildings don’t seem interested in exceeding the “low” setting. You can feel Zighy’s steadfast attention to the Six Senses essence whether you’re in one of the 33 pool villas (like mine), a beachfront 412 square metre pool villa suite or a spa pool villa, which has its own private treatment room. Near the top end of this impressive spectrum are the Dar Bin Majid and Dar Hamdan retreats, which sleep four adults and two children, and come with a host of amenities, including an even more robust and individually catered form of the butler service that is available in the smaller villas.

Believe it or not, I’m walking on air! At the apex of Zighy’s accommodation, however, is the Bait Musandam private reserve. A self-contained compound offset from the rest of the resort by a large wall, this is paradise-within-paradise. Comfortably sleeping eight adults and two children, Bait Musandam not only offers an enhanced version of Zighy’s sumptuous comfort and thematic verve, it also has a private gym and yoga studio, a banquet hall / majilis, a long length of private beach perfect for party and BBQ hosting (which can be arranged by the staff) and even its own elevator, just in case its lazy-inducing environs saturate you to your core. At US$15,000 per night, it ain’t cheap, but for a once-ina-lifetime experience that completely encapsulates everything Zighy Bay stands for... accept no substitutes. Saying all of that, Zighy Bay is more than just lush environs and luxurious facilities. It’s really all about the experiences you’ll have. Even though I am okay with things like paragliding, there is one experience in particular I have been avoiding with great care. Thanks to Zighy Bay, however, I was finally forced to face my fear...

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This mellow thighed chick just put my spine out of place... Until my second day at Zighy Bay, I had never, ever enjoyed a massage. Call me traditional, but doffing my clothes and having a stranger prep me for a greased-up rubdown isn’t exactly how I choose to spend my Saturday nights. That’s a Tuesday thing.

However, accepting my role as a paragon of journalistic integrity, and understanding that Zighy is one of the world-famous Six Senses sites (all of which are renowned for their holistic spa treatments and wellbeing programmes), I would be remiss if I didn’t accept the kneading hand that Zighy Bay proffers its guests. Besides, I want this article to have a happy ending. Deciding to take some advice from massage veterans, I arrived at the spa early. After filling out a waiver/information form, which allowed me to cater my treatment down to the most minute detail (and warn the masseuse about the ol’ plastic hip), I plunked myself “backstage” in the shower room and approached the situation with little more than a decency towel and a childlike sense of wonder. While waiting for my first massage to commence (simultaneously having visions of a hairy-lipped Bavarian woman named Helga cracking her knuckles in preparation), I bounded about through the amenity-replete locker rooms thusly: sauna; ice room; steam room; ice room; someone else’s shower accidentally; ice room. The facilities offered a veritable smorgasbord of varying extremes, and my playful romp amongst the rooms of relaxation did quite a nice job of loosening me up for the main event. I lay down on the table and was immediately set upon by what seemed a flurry of churning fingers. A little over an hour later, my skin, my muscle and what some might call my “soul” were rendered into a sort of doughy puddle by the expertly trained hands of my masseuse. I could finally see what others so dearly loved about the legendary Six Senses treatments. They are perfect. By the end of it, as I was roused from my hypnotic state, the only thing I had to worry about was whether I could power through the all-encompassing thrall of relaxation that had spread over me like thick cream and make it to my scheduled dinner... AT THE TOP OF THE WORLD!

• sur la terre • lifestyle •

The dusty

trail!

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4 Moonage Daydream Indeed, my trip ended somewhat similarly to the way it began: staring over a precipice and being utterly and irrevocably amazed at what stared back. In this case, it was a veiled night sky, a blossoming moon and the soft twinkle of paradise dreaming itself to sleep hundreds of feet below me. I was on top of the world... and I was hungry. Of course, it wasn’t just food that I craved that night, as I was also hungry for one more unforgettable experience before my exit from Zighy Bay. I left dinner arrangements to Lotte, who promised to mix a special flavour into my last bite of paradise. Lotte is a woman who keeps her promises. After a 15-or-so minute night drive up the mountain from the gate, we finally arrive at the cliff upon which Zighy’s Sense on the Edge restaurant seems to perch itself precariously. Usually reserved for romantics (many gentlemen “take the plunge” - metaphorically speaking - by proposing marriage here or on a secluded platform nearby), and those keen on devouring sweeping panoramas with their meals, Sense on the Edge is indeed a heady dinner destination. However, on this night it played host to seasonal local victuals, spiced with herbs and garnishes from the Zighy garden, excellent wine from the well-stocked cellar and delicious yet laid-back banter with Lotte, which included such topics as the resiliency of the local environment, Zighy’s impressive measures of sustainability and, quite randomly, donkey teeth. Yeah, don’t ask.

Nothing sa

tdoor u o e k i l m o d ys free

bathing!

1. Six Senses Zighy Bay: Senses on the Edge 2. Confident, meet terrified! 3. Zighy creates bespoke experiences, like a luscious mountain picnic 4. The central pool

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The Six Senses Zighy Bay Resort in Oman shares more similarities than just a name with David Bowie’s classic concept album, Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. Don’t worry, I’m not talking about space arachnids. I’m talking about a once-in-a-lifetime experience that is dreamily out of this world, and based in a deep appreciation for the “extra” terrestrial.

To find out more about the facilities, experiences and rates at Six Senses Zighy Bay, visit: http://www.sixsenses.com/SixSensesZighyBay

• sur la terre • lifestyle •

The Lightness

Photographer Fabrizio Nannini Stylist Gloria Storchi, Roberto Ciapani and Federico Toretti

of Being

Dress with brown underskirt, Alviero Martini Armbands and platform sandals, Frankie Morello

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Dress with jewel detail, Emilio Pucci Linen floral patterned jacket, Scapa Bracelets, Frankie Morello Platform sandals, Sergio Rossi

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Dress with lined petticoat and floral top bracelets and necklace, Frankie Morello Platform sandals with ankle laces, Versace

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Jewelled sandals, Sergio Rossi Armbands, Sharra Pagano Backless dress with split, Ralph Lauren Collection

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Tiered dress, Kenzo Sandals with flowers, Baldinini Armbands, Sharra Pagano

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Dress with brown underskirt, Alviero Martini Armbands and platform sandals, Frankie Morello

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Patterned corset dress, Moschino Armbands, Sharra Pagano

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Patterned dress, Richmond X Transparent print top, Missoni Platform sandals, Versace

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Dress with embroidered bustier, Trussardi 1911 Dress with patterned hem, Alviero Martini Sandals, Sergio Rossi Bracelets, Frankie Morello

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MARKET

PLACE >>> Welcome to the SLT Marketplace. A go-to guide of the hot products you should be buying, available in the local market now.

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• sur la terre • marketplace •

1. Pasquala Bruni Sissi Rings, available at 51 East, Salwa Road, Doha 2. Bladon Drill bag, from Alfred Dunhill’s SS11 collection available exclusively at the Dunhill boutique in Dubai Mall 3. Sporting Chronograph with Wood Dial from the Ralph Lauren SS11 collection, available at Ali Bin Ali Jewellery, City Centre, Doha 4. Amouage Opus V, now available at Pari Gallery, Royal Plaza, Doha and the Amouage Boutique in Dubai Mall 5. Maserati Gran Tourismo MC, available from Al Fardan Luxury Automobiles, The Pearl Qatar 6. Boucheron’s Bague Cheval ring, available at 51 East, Salwa Road, Doha 7. & 8. Lacost’s LIVE! SS11 collection now available at the Lacoste boutique in Villaggio Mall, Doha 9. Ulysse Nardin’s Starry Night ladies watch from Ali Bin Ali Jewellery, City Centre, Doha 10. TUMI Vapor Floral carryon case, available at Salam Stores, Maysaloun Street, Doha

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• sur la terre • subscription •

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• sur la terre • between the lines •