Jumeirah | September 2015 by Jumeirah

Tyrese Gibson

Dreams of turning Abu Dhabi into the new Hollywood

Refined Styles

What’s new in couture and bespoke

Curated Journey Explore England with Bentley and Queen Elizabeth II

ZHOU XUN

“I am inspired by love and by listening to my heart”

Image: Trunk Archive

september 2015<<

Jumeirah Magazine Jumeirah Corporate Office, Al Sufouh Rd, PO Box 73137, Dubai, UAE, Tel: +971 4 366 5000, Fax: +971 4 366 5001. Website: www.jumeirah.com Jumeirah is a trading name of Jumeirah International LLC. A Limited Liability company. Registration Number 57869. Share Capital Dhs 300,000 fully paid up.

Jumeirah International LLC its affiliates, parent companies and subsidiaries (“Jumeirah Group”) and the publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for errors or omissions contained in this publication for whatever reason, however caused. The opinions and views contained in this publication are not necessarily those of Jumeirah Group or of the publishers. Readers are advised to solicit advice before acting on the information contained in this publication which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the readers’ particular circumstances. Jumeirah Group and the publishers take no responsibilty for the goods and services advertised. All materials are protected by copyright. All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form (Including photocopying or storage in any medium by electronic means) without the written permission of the copyright owner, except as may be permitted by applicable laws.

Editor-in-Chief

Obaid Humaid Al Tayer Managing Partner & Group Editor

lan Fairservice Editorial Director

Gina Johnson Goup Editor

Sophia Serin Art Director

Karen Evans Editor

Contents

Danae Mercer danae@motivate.ae Picture Editor

Janelle Salangsang

Monitor

Contributors

Olivia Cuthbert, Genevieve Hall, Rachel Ingram, George Mitton, Phill Tromans

Essential news and previews

Publisher – Luxury & Lifestyle

Negar Ghodstinat negar@motivate.ae

13 City Watch Discover exclusive events around the world

General Manager – Production

S Sunil Kumar Production Manager

R. Murali Krishnan

21 Plaza Worker Visit Elgiz Museum in Istanbul

Production Supervisor

Venita Pinto Chief Commercial Officer

Anthony Milne

23 All by Design Explore the London Design Festival

Group Sales Director

Craig Wagstaff Group Sales Manager

24 The Great Italian Opera Enjoy beautiful sounds in Rome

Ziad Saleh ziad@motivate.ae Abu DhAbi OffiCE

Featured

Publisher

Imane Eddinari for Jumeirah

Piers Schreiber

28 The Star of China Actress Zhou Xun speaks about life and her greatest passions

Head Office: Media One Tower, Dubai Media City, PO Box 2331, Dubai UAE, Tel: +971 4 427 3000, E-mail: motivate@motivate.ae Dubai Media City: Office 508, 5th Floor, Building 8, Dubai, UAE, Tel: +971 4 390 3550, Fax: +971 4 390 4845 Abu Dhabi: PO Box 43072, UAE, Tel: +971 2 677 2005, Fax: +971 2 677 0124, E-mail: editor-wo@motivate.ae London: Acre House, 11/15 William Road, London NW1 3ER, UK, E-mail: motivateuk@motivate.ae Printed by Emirates Printing Press, Dubai

34 Big Screen Dreams Actor Tyrese Gibson wants to make Abu Dhabi the new Hollywood 38 If the Suit Fits Join celebrity Morgan Watkins in Pal Zileri

september 2015<<

Contents 52

Lifestyle 46 Digital Arias Operas go online with this clever innovation 52 A Refined Style Explore couture, bespoke shoes, and coloured diamonds 56 Wish List This Harry Winston watch stars in a charity auction

58 Luxurious Feast Create these decadent restaurantworthy dishes at home

Travel 67 A Day in the Life Meet female pilot Aoife Duggan 68 A Warm Welcome One journalist’s first-hand account of kindness in Jordan 70 Classically English Explore England with Bentley and HM The Queen 74 Of Crimes and Mysteries Famous authors arrive in Istanbul for ‘Black Week Turkey’ 78 Secret Spaces Unwind at Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf 82 The High Life Savour fresh flavours at Amala in Jumeirah Zabeel Saray

Marine Chronometer Manufacture Manufacture chronometer movement with Silicium technology. Self-winding. Water-resistant to 100 m. 18 ct rose gold case. Available also on leather strap or gold bracelet. Ulysse Nardin Boutique-Mall of The Emirates +971 4 3950577 Ulysse Nardin Boutique- The Dubai Mall +971 4 4341421 Dubai Duty Free-Dubai International Airport U LY S S E - N A R D I N . C O M

W W W. B I N H E N D I . CO M

City Watch

Explore some of the finest events happening this month

Dubai/abu Dhabi

thE ScEnE clUb throughout September

alice in Wonderland 18 to 19 September

Dubai’s indie film society ‘the Scene club’ has returned for a new season of independent films. Founded in 2007 by Emirati Director/Producer Nayla al Khaja, the Scene club was the UaE’s first official film club. Since its launch, it has hosted numerous well-known filmmakers from Europe, asia, and the Middle East. the exact film line-up is still being determined, but one thing is clear: the shows will be interesting, engaging, and entirely unique. the Scene Club, Knowledge Village Conference Centre, thesceneclub.com

Dance company IceVision St Petersburg will pirouette, spin, and sweep across abu Dhabi in a new rendition of Lewis carroll’s much beloved alice in Wonderland. During the show, Olympic-standard skaters from Saint Petersburg State Ice theatre of Russia will perform powerfully beautiful moves. Visit ticketmaster.ae for more information

Etihad ModErn art GallEry

compiled by: angela Boshoff hundal

Until 30 September

Swan Lake acrobatic Ballet by the Great chinese State circus 3 to 5 September Be dazzled by a talented troupe of performers pairing the art and skill of traditional chinese acrobatics with opera and ballet to bring a modern twist to the classic Swan Lake ballet. the award-winning Great chinese State circus has performed for Queen Elizabeth and the Prince of Monaco, staging over 150 shows across asia and Europe.

Enjoy a wide variety of styles, techniques, and mediums that bridge the traditional and the contemporary. Greek artist Yiannis Roussakis reveals authentic and sometimes surprising ingredients of Emirati life through his photography and design work, exploring the connection of Emirati people with their land, culture, and animals. Etihad Modern art Gallery, etihadmodernart.com

Swan Lake acrobatic ballet by the Great Chinese State Circus, Dubai World trade Centre, Dubai, dreamscape-concerts.ae

London

Tour Buckingham Palace The gilded doors of this grand estate will swing open this summer. Visit the official London residence of Queen Elizabeth II to wander through lavishly furnished State Rooms. Highlights include beautiful paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Vermeer, Poussin, Canaletto, and Claude; sculptures by Canova and Chantrey; exquisite pieces of Sevres porcelain; and exceptional examples of English and French furniture. Tickets go quickly and booking in advance is strongly recommended.

Image: Steve Stills

until 27 September

The State Rooms, Buckingham Palace: A Royal Welcome, royalcollection.org.uk

Totally Thames 1 to 30 September

Head down to the water to experience an incredible array of artistic and cultural happenings spanning the 42-mile stretch that is the River Thames. One of the key items at this year’s show will be the first-ever public event to take place inside Tower Bridge. In the form of a concert within the Bascule Chambers underneath the bridge, composer Iain Chambers will be metamorphosing the bridge’s lifting mechanisms into instruments that will help to play his score.

Image: Corbis

Totally Thames, on the River Thames, London, totallythames.org

PorToBello Film FeSTival Established in 1996, the Portobello Film Festival was created to provide a platform for groundbreaking filmmakers to showcase their work. With 600 movies spanning several categories – including art, music, documentaries and world film – being screened in parks, theatres, clubs, bars and cinemas, annual premiers of shorts, documentaries and animations being shown, as well as talks and workshops with some of the world’s top directors taking place, you might want to get yourself some popcorn. Portobello Film Festival, Portobello Road, notting Hill, London, portobellofilmfestival.com

Image: Chris Christodoulou

3 to 14 September

BBC Proms in the Park 12 September

Classical lovers unite at the largest outdoor classical music event in the UK. Featuring an array of top acts, the open-air concert will see soprano Danielle de Niese take to the Hyde Park stage alongside the BBC Concert Orchestra under the baton of Richard Balcombe. The evening’s main performance will culminate in a live link-up with an event at the Royal Albert Hall for the traditional Last Night finale that signals the end of the BBC Proms season. BBC Proms in the Park, Hyde Park, London, bbc.co.uk/proms

SHangHai/iSTanBul

louiSe BourgeoiS: larger Than life

Image: Corbis

1 September to 28 november

Shanghai Tourism Festival 13 September to 6 october

Since its inception in 1990, this cultural festival has welcomed eight million people. Each year it showcases a number of traditional and non-traditional events, including a grand Opening Ceremony Parade with beautiful floats from around the globe. Visitors can also enjoy a sailing carnival, a festive boat parade on the Huangpu River and the Shanghai International Music Fireworks Festival.

Be enthralled by 58 incredible pieces created by this revered French-American artist. Although Bourgeois was often described as a feminist artist, she preferred to believe that her art existed before gender, in the human notions of fear, jealousy and loneliness. Her most well known work is a 30-foot sculpture called Maman that depicts a giant spider in steel. It was originally created for the turbine hall of London’s Tate Modern. louise Bourgeois: larger than life, akbank Sanat, Turkey, akbanksanat.com

Shanghai Tourism Festival, Shanghai, facebook.com/ShanghaiTourismFestival

Image: Corbis

Book now: Black week Turkey 22 to 24 october

Shanghai International Music Fireworks Festival 30 September to 6 october

This festival began in 2000 and has occured on National Day in Shanghai Century Park every year ever since as part of China’s Golden Week, a semi-annual seven-day national holiday. Not only is this one of the most influential international music firework events in China, it’s also one of Asia’s most famous. Featuring music, visual arts and cutting-edge technology, the festival sees six of the world’s most famous firework companies coming together to light up the skies.

The world’s most luxurious historical hotel, Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah, is hosting ‘Black Week Turkey’ in honour of Agatha Christie’s 125th year of birth. The crime fictionthemed week is formed as a cultural activity. Famous authors from around the world will be present for a range of discussions, debates, and themed ‘whodunit nights’. For more information, turn to page 74. Black Week Turkey, Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah, blackweekturkey.com

Shanghai international Music Fireworks Festival, Shanghai Century Park, Shanghai, shfireworks.org

FrAnkFurt/roMe

Frankfurt Auto Show 17 to 27 September

The International Automobile Exhibition is the world’s largest biennial motor show and features debuts from leading brands like Audi, Ferrari, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus and Maserati, some of whom might reveal special limited editions and concept cars during the event. VIP guests can arrange GC Privé to fly there via private jet before enjoying an exclusive, custommade hospitality package. Jumeirah Frankfurt is an official partner hotel of Mercedes-Benz. When staying at the property, you can enjoy a luxury chauffeur service with the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Frankfurt Auto Show, Messe Frankfurt and Hanover Fairground, Frankfurt, iaa.de

From DarkneSS In To LIghT 4 to 16 September Immerse yourself in history and be moved by a haunting vocal concert showcasing the music of the Masters of the Sistine Chapel within the Capuchins Choir. Then explore the beautiful Capuchins Museum, which houses an eerie crypt filled with 4,000 bones, as well as Caravaggio’s canvas, St Francis in Meditation. Before leaving, soak up the beauty of original Domenichino and Remi masterpieces. From Darkness In to Light, Capuchin Church, rome, romaoperaomnia.com

TaSTe oF roma 12 to 20 September Is fine dining the first thing you think about when you hear the word Italy? Prepare to spoil your taste buds with some of the finest fare Rome has to offer. With 12 of the city’s best restaurants serving fresh cuisine, some of the country’s most well-known chefs whipping up feasts, and artisanal bakers, pizza makers and cake designers sharing trade secrets, this is a culinary event you won’t soon forget. Buon appetito. taste of roma, Auditorium Parco della Music, rome, tasteofroma.it

Doug Aitken Exhibition Until 27 September

Feelings of hope and terror are both vividly portrayed in this American artist’s spectacular film and sound creations that take viewers on an emotional journey inside and out. Exploring a kaleidoscope of expressive images and rhythmic landscapes, the exhibition is curated by Matthias Ulrich and features four sweeping film installations, corresponding sculptures, and sound installations specific to each site. Doug Aitken exhibition, Schirn kunsthalle Frankfurt, Frankfurt, schirn.de

this is when modeling comes in handy

>>monitor<<

Image: Seçkin Pirim, Come, 2014

plaza worker

So much in life is work, and work, and work. What does this mean for humanity? And what about the anonymity created by today’s rushing, modern society? Plaza Worker, the latest temporary exhibition at the Elgiz Museum in Istanbul, teases with these questions. Pieces inspired by Sean Henry’s Plaza Worker (a statue that shows an employee using his briefcase as his pillow, sleeping in his suit before another day’s work) stretch across several rooms. Works are created by local and international artists alike, and all deal with ‘the plaza worker’s loneliness and despair’. Plaza Worker, Elgiz Musuem of Contemporary Art, Istanbul, Turkey, until 19 September. Elgizmuseum.org

>>monitor<<

all by design

This month, the annual London Design Festival will stretch across the city for the 13th time. This festival features more than 350 events and exhibitions staged by hundreds of studios and organisations. Expect everything from modern high-end furniture, innovative home interiors, unique dishes, and contemporary art pieces placed throughout the city.

that has launched a playfully postmodern season based on the work of their longstanding design hero, Ettore Sottsass. To quote Darkroom directly: â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is Sottsass with a twist, so expect a sculptural array of hand-painted laminate style patterns, colour palettes that clash cute with crazy, and juxtaposed materials that push the boundaries between furniture and fashionâ&#x20AC;?.

The image featured here is from Darkroom, a group

London Design Festival, 19 to 27 September, londondesignfestival.com

>>monitor<<

the great italian opera With four performance dates throughout September, this marvelous opera will allow one to indulge in beautiful arias from Verdi, Rossini, Puccini and Donizetti. Solos performed by Roberta Polverini, Emil Alekperov and Maurizio Zanchetti will be joined by a string quartet and grand piano. With an impressive programme consisting of 12 main acts, this 90-minute marvel will satisfy both a lust for music and a passion for powerful songs. Great Italian Opera, Chiesa di S. Paolo entro le Mura, Rome, 3, 10, 17 and 24 September

‫بيال‬

Bella

40 cm natural rose that lives forever without water or sunlight in a glass globe

‫ سم‬٤٠ ‫زهرة طبيعية طولها‬ ‫تعيش إلى األبد بدون ماء أو‬ ‫أشعة شمس في زجاجة دائرية‬

‫أطول الورود عمرا ً في العالم‬

THE WORLD’S LONGEST LASTING ROSES

،‫ شارع الكورنيش‬،‫ أبوظبي‬:‫موقع‬ ‫برج النهضه مستشفى االمارات الفرنسي‬ ٠٢٦٧٧٤٤٤١ :‫الهاتف‬ ٢٠١٥ ‫ االفتتاح في نوفمبر‬- ٢ ‫ مرحلة‬,‫ ستي ووك‬,‫دبي‬

Location: Abu Dhabi, Corniche, Emirates French Hospital Building, Ground Floor. Tel: 02 6774441 Dubai, City Walk, Phase 2 - Opening in November 2015 ForeverRoseLondon facebook.com/ForeverRoseLondon ForeverRose_ www.ForeverRose.ae

Featured Zhou Xun Actress Star of China p. 28 Tyrese Gibson Actor Abu Dhabi focused p. 34

Image: Corbis

Morgan Watkins Pal Zileri Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s style p. 38

星 The sTar of china Zhou Xun, one of china’s most beloved actresses, speaks to Danae Mercer about performing and passions

Beautiful and lithe, 41-year-old Zhou Xun is one of China’s most famous actresses. She’s been cited as both

the region’s favourite star and one of its highest paid per-

formers, earn an estimated USD2.5 million per film. Her career has spanned the urban noir Suzhou River to

the more Hollywood friendly Cloud Atlas, with many roles seeing her capturing the delicate nuances of finer

emotions. As a result, Xun has won numerous accolades, including the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actress

(Perhaps Love, 2006), the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Supporting Actress (The Banquet, 2007), the Asian

Film Award for Best Actress (The Equation of Love and

Death, 2009), and more. Alongside acting, Xun has built a successful singing career, and has worked as an

ambassador for Chanel. Most recently she partnered with IWC Schaffhausen, joining Cate Blanchett and

Emily Blunt for a day of shooting. Here we speak to Xun about acting, style, and the importance of passion.

ć&#x2DC;&#x;

>>featured: zhou xun<<

The interview 据我们所知，你在很年轻的时候就开启了你作为演员的职业生涯。你觉得这么年轻就开始演戏是如何影响你今后的人生的？因为在十几岁的时候就成为了演员，让我在青少年时代就有机会接触和学习很多与表演相关的东西，我没有学过表演专业，但一个个片场就是我的学校，每一部戏的导演、演员和其他所有工作人员，都是我的老师。我在他们身上学到很多东西，对我来说，这些经历和经验对我终身受用。 You started acting when You were quite Young. how do You think that impacted Your life?

I became an actress when I was a teenager, so I learned a lot about performing at a young age. I did not study performing at an institute, but film sets became my schools, the directors, actors, and film crews my teachers. I learned a lot from them. I have benefited from what I learned throughout my entire life.

你是从什么时候发现你所钟爱的是演戏和唱歌，发觉它们是你的心之所向，热情所在？对我来说，很多事情都是自然而然的发生，并没有那种刻意的发现或者恍然大悟，都是顺其自然的就会往那个方向走，演戏和唱歌也都是这样。 when did You know You wanted to act and sing professionallY?

A lot of things happened naturally. There was no intentional discovery, no great fall. I have always just gone ahead according to my intuition. For me, performing and singing are things like that.

请问你与凯特·布兰切特和艾米莉·布朗特一起拍摄的时候你是什么样的感觉？对我来讲他们都是非常优秀也是我自己很喜欢的演员，这次拍摄对我来讲犹如梦幻般的团队，所以在意大利的时候特别开心。IWC万国表深谙如何将极致美感、专业技术和生活艺术完美糅合在一起。通过这次拍摄，我更加体会到，IWC万国表不仅对时尚和风格设计把握精准，对讲述故事也同样充满激情。 what was it like being surrounded bY the likes of cate blanchett and emilY blunt for the shoot?

To me, they are all excellent actors and I really love them. It was like a dream team for me and I had a great time when we were shooting in Italy. IWC really knows how to combine breath-taking aesthetics, technological expertise and the art of savoir-vivre.

那一次的拍摄，你有什么印象深刻的瞬间可以与我们分享的吗？柏涛菲诺是个经典、优雅、充满诗情画意的海港度假胜地。拍摄的整整三天，柏涛菲诺成为拍摄的灵感源泉。港口、丽娃（Riva）游艇，还有停在偏僻的塞瓦纳（La Cervara）入口处的老爷车。一座古老的修道院，有着

绚烂的花园，也是这次拍摄的主要场地。我们三个都身穿燕尾服一起演绎我们腕上的风景，那种情绪和格调是享受悠然美景，陶醉优雅格调，率性自在的态度。IWC万国表不仅以高级制表工艺以及它对于制表工艺的执着与激情闻名全球，作为一名电影人，更因为其对电影艺术的热忱所打动。经典巧妙的设计，精致却操作简便，充满张力的特色不仅为男士专有，有个性的女性同样热爱，佩戴它赋予我力量和信心。 Do you have any other favourite memories from that Day?

Portofino is a beautiful coastal resort filled with fine wines, wonderful cuisine, a lovely climate and timeless elegance. For three days, the location became both the backdrop and the inspiration. [Imagine] the harbour, the boat, and the vintage car on the solitary drive up to La Cervara (an ancient abbey that was the main location for the shoot). Once there, [picture] a garden and a long hall running through the entire building where you can still hear the muted murmuring of the monks of bygone days. As someone from the film industry, I’m really impressed by IWC Schaffhausen. It is renowned not only for its luxury watches, but also for its long-standing passion for cinema and partnerships. I feel confident and powerful when I’m wearing an IWC watch.

我们发现，最近你开始了你的好莱坞首秀，请问你会在未来为自己安排更多出演好莱坞电影的机会吗？不会刻意安排，如果遇到合适并且打动我的角色和故事的时候就会去演，如果暂时没有，我想那就是时机没到吧? you recently maDe your hollywooD Debut. Do you see yourself acting in more hollywooD films?

I don’t plan on pursuing Hollywood intentionally. If there is a film script or role that touches me, I’ll take it. I’m still waiting for the right chance and time to arrive.

你认为亚洲的电影业是否与美国的电影业大不相同？当然，还是存在很多不同之处的。 is the film inDustry in asia very Different from that of the us?

Of course! There are big differences.

你在环境保护方面做出了十分重要的贡献。请问你为什么声援并支持环境事业？从你这里你最想要看到的在环境方面做出的改变是哪些？很简单，因为环保可以让我们的生活环境变得更好，作为公众人物，我希望可以通过我个人的影响力，去做更多能力可及的事情，哪怕只是一点点很小的转变吧。希望环保意识可以深入人心，大家自觉自愿的去做环保。

>>featured: zhou xun<<

You have made quite a significant contribution to environmental awareness. whY do You champion this cause, and what would You like to change?

That’s simple. Since environmental protection will make our lives better, I hope that as a public figure and with my influence, I can do things [to make a difference], even slight changes. Eventually, I hope that a sense of environmental protection will root itself deep into people’s hearts, so that they start helping the environment consciously.

过去这些年和在你的职业生涯里，有什么给你很大惊喜的事情？去年有一次，我去探访一个自闭症儿童的教育机构，我个人其实不太善于和小孩子交流，尤其那次要见面的又是一些自闭症孩子，对孩子们来说，我就是一个陌生人，我不知道他们见到这样陌生的我，他们会有怎样的反应，所以我当时也很忐忑，结果没想到，有一个孩子，在我进屋的瞬间就张开双臂跑过来抱住了我，当时特别特别的惊喜，完全没想到，那个拥抱，太棒了！ what has surprised You the most about Your life and career?

Last year, I visited an institute for educating children with autism. I’m not good at communicating with kids, and I wasn’t sure what reaction these children would have when they saw me, a stranger. I felt nervous. Then, quite unexpectedly, a child opened his arms and hugged me the moment I walked into the room. It was a complete surprise – but the hug was fabulous.

是否可以分享自己一件能够惊喜到大家的事情。目前……好像……真的没有（笑）。 what’s one thing that might surprise people about You?

I think [there has been] nothing so far.

是什么激励着你去成为一名演员和歌手？对于你来说，驱动你不懈追求的动力和热情是什么，作为一名演员和歌手，你热爱的是什么？就是喜欢，然后跟随自己的心吧。有很多有趣的事情在不断发生。 what inspires You to pursue Your career as an actress and singer?

I am inspired by love and by listening to my heart. I love that as an actress and singer, interesting things happen continuously.

当你休息或不拍戏和唱歌的时候，你都是做点什么？放空休息，什么都不做，或者看书、看电影、散步。 what is Your favourite waY to spend Your time when not acting or singing?

I love just resting, doing nothing, reading, watching movies, or going for a stroll.

big screen dreams

images: corbis

singer, actor, and entrepreneur Tyrese gibson wants abu dhabi to be the film hub of the world. The gregarious star sits down with Danae Mercer to explain just what heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to do about it

>>featured: tyrese gibson<<

Known both for his role in Hollywood blockbusters (Furious 7, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen) and for his considerable success as an R&B singer, Tyrese Gibson has big plans for the film industry in Abu Dhabi. He tells me as much almost immediately, sat in Jumeirah at Etihad Towers with his legs stretched out beneath his kandora. Gibson doesn’t linger for long on the success of his recent album, Black Rose, which has just hit number one on the Billboard 200 chart. Nor does he focus on his background: acting in big budget films. When I touch on this, he shrugs, smiles his striking smile, and notes that I’ll find all that on his latest disc. Instead, Gibson’s emphasis is on his new venture: a plan to bring Voltron Studios to Abu Dhabi, and create the infrastructure and incentives required to get Hollywood into the Middle East, a place he loves so much.

The interview Congratulations on the album.

Thank you. It’s really cool to have worked so hard on something and to have the world embrace it at this level. It’s been a game changer for me. Were you expeCting it?

Here’s the thing about creativity, right. We’ve all seen some creative stuff come, do ok, and then other things come and literally cave all the doors in and blow all the windows out. And no one goes into the studio saying ‘When I release this album, I want it to perform in an average way’. We all want our albums to do well. But I had no clue that it would be number one, that we’d be doing an autograph signing in Abu Dhabi. you mentioned Collaboration With a loCal singer. What appeals to you about mixing genres?

I feel like it’s an educational process, it’s an educational thing. It’s like look, this is what we do vocally, this is the way we sing, this is our approach to the music with traditional instruments and everything we do. And being able to mix and combine the energy of R&B, soul and traditional Arabic music, it all is very exciting. hoW did your Career begin?

In the album, there’s a DVD where I go into the whole backstory. I remember the place that I was standing when my neighbour heard me sing. It changed my life forever. did you alWays knoW you should do this?

I grew up in south-central LA. In LA you have the west side, which is considered the valley, where the Kardashians live, and on the east side, where I’m from. So here I am, born and raised on the east side, and now my album is coming out in the Middle East. It messes me up. My brain is just trying to process it all. What do you mean?

It’s like, it’s doing so well, my mind is just trying to process it all. What’s next?

I have been wanting to build Voltron Studios here, which is a fully functioning movie studio, equivalent to Universal Pictures or Paramount, right here in Abu Dhabi. When we came here to shoot Furious 7, instead of me just

being an actor in the movie, I was actually studying everything. I was studying the local crews to see how they were functioning. I was looking at the trailers, thinking about how much equipment we had to put on an airplane in order to shoot on the level we did. We had to put 25 pallets on a plane. No one can question the hospitality, the five-star everything, because it doesn’t get any better. But you can’t come out here and stay in a seven-star hotel, and not have current equipment and gear, the cameras, the lighting, the movie trailers and makeup trailers. Everything needs to be as A-list as the hotels.

What’s a filM slate?

A film slate means that if there’s a local fund for a film slate, if Furious 8 is being filmed here in Abu Dhabi, we have a film fund that’s in place to say not only do we want you to shoot the movie here, not only do we have the best rebate and incentive, we want to help you fund it. So then you have all the incentive in the world to want to fly 17 hours on the plane. Do you Want to becoMe a businessMan?

Oh no, baby. I have 43 companies and projects. I’m a fully functioning entrepreneur. Singing and acting take the back seat for me as a businessman.

Why are you focusing on abu Dhabi?

hoW has your experience been at juMeirah at etihaD toWers?

Abu Dhabi has the tax-rebate programme, which is the only thing Hollywood really responds to. But it’s not as aggressive as it should be. I would love to work with the local film commission to build and design a fully functioning movie studio that has the biggest and the best… Everything we do here has to be the biggest, the best, the most modernised, the most futuristic.

I love it here. Sheikh Suroor bin Mohammed Al Nahyan just gave me the biggest room of all time. I’ve been doing cardio in my room because it’s so big. Sprinting, sliding with my socks on. I love the traditional local food. I love the coffee and the teas and the dates. I love everything. I love it here, I’m very happy here, very comfortable here.

it sounDs like you really like the MiDDle east…

is there anyone you WoulD still like to Meet?

I have never been happier, I have never been more comfortable, and felt safer, than coming here to Abu Dhabi, to Dubai, and experiencing the Middle East. When Paul Walker died, I was sad and depressed in America. I didn’t find my joy, I didn’t smile, until I came to the Middle East. I found my smile here again in Abu Dhabi.

I’ve yet to meet Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He is my hero. I look up to him as a visionary, and I have the greatest deal of respect for him as an entrepreneur. I would love to be in business with him. It would be a dream come true. With all your faMe anD success, aren’t you teMpteD to relax?

as a successful actor anD singer, hoW Will you finD tiMe to Manage this project?

I’m here, right? I found time to be here now. If they schedule it, I will be here. I will commit my time. I will come here and walk around and find the best location. One of my partners is Scott Mednick (a producer known for 300, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Where the Wild Things Are, Superman Returns). My other partners are Pacifica Ventures. All they do is build movie studios. I need a couple hundred acres and I will make this the biggest, the best, that they’ve seen in the world. No one will be able to touch Voltron Studios in Abu Dhabi. i think When you have a passion, you have to be absolutely confiDent it’s going to succeeD. Do you agree?

I’m so confident. Trust me, trust me. I’ve already designed it. I know what it looks like. I’ve got the entire thing done and ready to go. But here’s the thing. I wouldn’t want to build a studio unless the rebate and incentive programme is better. So Voltron Entertainment, Voltron Studios, and lets go even further, I’d also love to do a film slate.

I don’t wake up every day thinking about how can I be more famous. I decided a long time ago that I don’t want to be another person who has lived and died and hasn’t done anything effective. When I come here, it’s not about the money people have. I know plenty of billionaires and multimillionaires in America who are miserable. Money doesn’t make me happy. What makes me happy is being able to have a vision and an idea, to implement it and see it through. Right now, we are sitting inside someone’s idea. This room, the way it’s designed, the way it looks, if they kept this vision inside their head, we wouldn’t be sat here. For me, implementing visions is what makes me happy. I’m reaching out my hand and I’m saying I need your help. I want to contribute to the Middle East. I’m ready. I want to come here. I want to make my mark. I want the entire world to say I want to shoot my movie in Abu Dhabi and stay in Jumeirah at Etihad Towers… until that happens, I won’t be happy. For more information on staying at Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, visit jumeirah.com Furious 7 is also available on OSN Box Office HD.

>>featured: tyrese gibson<<

if the suit fits english actor and model Morgan Watkins talks to Jumeirah about travel, fashion, and luxury

>>featured: morgan watkins<<

Watkins wears Pal Zileri

>>featured: morgan watkins<<

odel and actor Morgan Watkins has made a name for himself both across critically acclaimed short films (Dexter Fletcher’s Wild Bill, James Marsh’s Shadow Dancer, Alan Rickman’s A Little Chaos) and more mainstream box-office hits (Kingsman: The Secret Service). In October, Watkins will star alongside Meryl Streep, Carey Mulligan, and Helena Bonham Carter in the much anticipated film Suffragette, a drama set amidst the battle for women’s voting rights in early 20th Century England. Here Watkins, a Royal Academy of Dramatic Art graduate, explains his passion for the screen and the stage. What does luxury mean to you?

Luxury is good friends, family and good health. You don’t need anything else. Where is your favourite spot to travel?

I have been lucky enough to travel to some interesting places. I often don’t get to see much of where I am, as I’m usually working. I love Rome! I also travelled once to Goa in India. To me that place is paradise. What might surprise people to knoW about you?

I love cats and animals. I think the preservation of our natural habitat is an important challenge of our age. hoW is a photo shoot different from acting?

Photo shoots are definitely a lot of fun and are relaxed compared to acting. For Pal Zileri, my agent was approached and they expressed interest in connecting with me. They wanted to use a personality and a character to front the brand. It seemed like a great job. It wasn’t a conventional shoot as they wanted it full of life and character. This gave me the opportunity to express myself more and hopefully make the photos seem a little bit more interesting. I loved working with the guys there and the clothes were beautiful. Why do you enjoy acting so much?

Acting will always be one of my biggest passions. I was always ambitious and had dreams of playing alongside the greats. Sometimes on set when amongst Oscar winners, you can feel a little overwhelmed. But you have to remember that they all started somewhere and learnt the craft. You have to trust in your abilities and try and give what you can. It’s important to always learn and it is wonderful when you get the opportunity to learn opposite some of the greatest screen actors on the planet!

As An Actor, do you prepAre differently for stAge As opposed to screen?

With stage you usually have a five-week period of rehearsals, which allows you, the other actors and the Director to really work out what is going on in the script. You spend weeks preparing and then put it on stage and hope the audience enjoys it. You learn every night on stage and the play usually changes as the run goes on, but it is always rooted in the foundation of the rehearsals. With screen you often don’t get the luxury of rehearsal and you have to turn up and deliver. On screen the tiniest details of your performance are picked up and the subtleties of the performance are often very important.On stage you don’t quite have that. You need to give the play to the audience and it require more gusto and technical work. Preparation is generally similar though: you break down the script, work out the psychological truth of moment to moment and build your character. I enjoy them both for different reasons. do you see yourself As A mAn of fAshion?

I wouldn’t call myself a man of fashion if I am honest. I like simple classic style. However I like the stylish feel of Pal Zileri. They made me feel exquisite and I think the clothes have character. I guess this is why I identify with them! WhAt’s your fAvourite piece in the pAl Zileri AW 2015 collection?

The Parka, which is equally modish in sheepskin with a nappa finish or in leather and flannel with a feather-filled lining. The contrast is not only a creative quirk but [it] fulfills two different functions. do your chArActers every folloW you home?

Sometimes... I try not to let them, but they are part of you and you are part of them!

>>featured: morgan watkins<<

LIFESTYLE Digital Arias Operas Going online p. 46 Refined Style Talking points Couture and diamonds p. 52 Wish List Harry Winston Charity auction p. 56

Image: Corbis

Luxurious Feast Great recipes Exclusive insight p. 58

digital arias

A new website makes opera performances available on-demand to everyone, so you neednâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t don your ball gown each time you want to watch Don Giovanni. george Mitton reports

>>culture<<

Cast members from Opera Australia perform during the final dress rehearsal of Opera Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s La Traviata at the Opera House, Sydney Australia on June 30 2015.

>>culture<<

uke O’Shaughnessy was disgruntled. Because he was only 11, he wasn’t invited to the party his older siblings were throwing at the family home. Life can be so unfair. To placate him, his parents took him, for the first time, to the English National Opera in London. They saw ‘La Traviata’ by Giuseppe Verdi. It was a significant event in the young boy’s life, for it kindled a lifetime’s love of opera. O’Shaughnessy is now the project manager of The Opera Platform, an initiative part-funded by the European Commission to spread knowledge about opera and make performances available online, on-demand. The project is a pan-European venture in partnership with 15 theatres, the broadcasting channel ARTE and industry group Opera Europa. The Opera Platform went live in May. The inaugural performance broadcast on its website? Verdi’s ‘La Traviata’. “I feel like I’ve come full circle,” says O’Shaughnessy.

Spread the word

There are few experiences more top-notch than a night at the opera, a phrase that conjures up images of top hats and tailcoats, floor-length ball gowns, evening gloves and opera glasses (binoculars used to observe the stage). In funding the Opera Platform, the European Commission is keen to emphasise that opera is a truly European art form. Developed in Renaissance Italy at the end of the 16th Century, opera was first conceived as a revival of ancient Greek drama, in which the actors were expected to sing their lines. The new Italian art form proved influential and soon opera traditions sprang

up in France, Germany, England and, later, Russia. Opera developed over the next four centuries through stages known as the baroque, bel canto and golden age periods, ending in modernism in the 20th century. Among the most famous composers in the history of opera are Mozart, Wagner and, of course, Verdi. In part-funding The Opera Platform, says O’Shaughnessy, the European Commission is hoping to support this distinctively European art form while at the same time emphasising that opera is the shared cultural property of all the people of Europe. “For them [at the Commission],” he says, “culture is the glue that binds the people of Europe together.”

GoinG Global

Of course, because it is online, The Opera Platform is available to everyone, not just Europeans. O’Shaughnessy is keen to emphasise that the service is available in many languages. “It’s not about the domination of the English-speaking world,” he says. The platform is available in English, French and German, and each opera broadcast on the website will be subtitled in six languages – English, French, German, Spanish, Italian and Polish. As of yet, the service is not available in non-European languages. Neither is the service aimed at experts nor opera buffs. O’Shaughnessy says when his team put together the website, “we had in mind someone new to opera”. As well as the full-length opera performances, the website will screen

>>culture<<

short videos, interviews and behind-the-scenes footage, plus explanations of the operas and information about participating theatres. Because of the range of material on the site, it is hoped The Opera Platform will be a useful aid for music teachers and students.

Opera performers face a similar dilemma when deciding whether to consent to online streaming. Will they be rewarded for it? Could freely available streams of their work diminish demand for music sales or, worse, reduce demand for tickets?

“You’ll be able to find out what the director was thinking when putting it together, who the composer is and more about them, or more about the opera house putting it on,” says O’Shaughnessy.

“We hope over the years to convince rights holders that this is good for opera,” says O’Shaughnessy. “We believe in the importance of coming to see opera live but we have to use modern technology now. It’s a great tool. On the platform, each of the partners has its own page. They’ve got their own Facebook and Twitter feed and their website. We’re not selling tickets but we’re saying, if you want to know more, why not go and find out more.”

The TheaTres

For the participating theatres, the platform offers a way to gain exposure online and reach new potential audiences. A web user in India who enjoys a performance of Sibellius ‘Kullervo’ on The Opera Platform might, in our digitally connected age, book a ticket to see the same work performed in Finland on his or her next holiday. For the most popular theatres, it can also help counter seat shortages. The Royal Opera House in London and the Vienna State Opera, for instance, are frequently sold out. “In big metropolitan capitals there is a lot of pressure on the box office,” says O’Shaughnessy. “Opera is popular and people have to work hard to get a ticket. Developing digital strategies is a way to maximise their reach.” In a more general sense, The Opera Platform allows participating theatres to influence how they present themselves online. It is fair to say that theatres are at different levels when it comes to online engagement. Some are well advanced and already host recorded performances on video-streaming websites such as YouTube. Others, meanwhile, are still trying to decide how to manage the opportunities and challenges the Internet presents.

righTs and rules

One of the main hurdles theatres must overcome is the question of performance rights. The orchestras, singers and technicians who together create the performances must give their consent before performances can be streamed online. O’Shaughnessy says one of the roles of The Opera Platform is to help the smaller houses obtain and manage the rights they need. “The likes of the Royal Opera House of the Vienna State Opera are prepared,” he says. “They have negotiated already with their orchestra, their chorus, to enable them to assign or licence the rights to platforms like ours for online streaming. Some, the less well known houses, are just beginning to take a risk in committing.” The question of online streaming rights can be controversial, however. A number of big-name recording artists have complained in recent years about not getting a fair deal from online streaming. Online music service Spotify, for instance, has been criticised in the past for paying very small royalties of less than one US cent per stream. The payouts are one reason Taylor Swift chose to publicly remove her music from the service last year. Other artists, such as The Beatles, have never appeared on the service (The Beatles have an exclusive deal with Apple iTunes).

how iT works

At time of writing, the Opera Platform has five broadcasts available for ondemand viewing. These include performances from the Latvian National Opera in Riga, the Wiener Staatsoper in Vienna and, of course, the first one that went online, ‘La Traviata’, by the Teatro Real in Madrid. What is the experience like for a new user to the website? I clicked on to the performance of La Traviata and was slightly surprised to find the recording begins several minutes before anything happens. Indeed, the video had been running for more than six minutes before the orchestra tuned their instruments. Was this intentional, so viewers could absorb the atmosphere of the auditorium, the susurrus of the audience, the anticipation of an eager crowd? Perhaps, but I found myself wanting to fast forward to when the music began. I wondered, would some casual viewers switch off before they made it this far? Attention spans are notoriously short on the Internet. I also wondered how many people would sit at their computer screens to watch an entire recording such as this, which clocks in at nearly two and a half hours. People with Internet-connected TVs could enjoy the experience from the comfort of their sofas, of course. But would viewers logging on from their desks be likely to stop watching before the end, or perhaps leave the music playing while they did other things? It would be interesting if, after the project has had some months to run, The Opera Platform could produce figures to see how its users are engaging. There are other online sources where viewers can watch entire operas or – and perhaps this is more common – can watch simply the individual arias and movements they most enjoy. YouTube hosts a number of full-length performances of ‘La Traviata’ as well as excerpts from famous performances by singers such as Luciano Pavarotti and Maria Callas. However, putting aside these queries, I found the sound and video quality of the Teatro Real broadcast to be high, seeming to my eye to be of a comparable standard to a televised performance. In addition, the recording of La Traviata came with some interesting additional content, such as behind-thescenes interviews and a short film explaining the context of Verdi’s work. Meanwhile, the musicianship, staging and performances in the Teatro Real production, which was directed by David McVicar, were excellent. As the curtain came down, I put aside my imaginary opera glasses and gave a vigorous applause.

a refined sTyle Women’s couture, men’s bespoke shoes, and decadent coloured diamonds. Three experts talk about what’s trendy and what’s timeless

Coloured diamonds

Q&a with francois Graff, Chief executive officer at Graff diamonds What makes diamonds special?

Diamonds are beautiful to look at, and they are also rare and difficult to come by. I’m very lucky; I’m in a business where people come to us out of emotion and love. It could be a man buying something for his wife, girlfriend or daughter, or a woman celebrating the fact that she feels great that day – it’s always for wonderful reasons that our clients come into our stores. Diamonds are one of the few luxury products that have an intrinsic value. Such high jewellery can be both treasured and worn now and passed down to future generations.

Ultimately, they are all fabulous of course. Perhaps there’s one that stands out for a few hours or a day, or even a week, but they are all incredibly beautiful. Over the course of our history we’ve handled some of the world’s most notable coloured diamonds including the Gemini Yellows, the Delaire Sunrise, the Blue Ice, the Empress Rose, the WittelsbachGraff, and the Graff Pink to name but a few. We feel honoured to be a guardian of these jewels while we own them.

coloured diamonds seem particularly popular lately. Why?

What trends have you seen in terms of diamonds?

The market began to open up in the eighties, and in the past five to 10 years, that growth has accelerated as more people have become aware of their extreme rarity and appreciative of their unique beauty. I remember the very first time I held a coloured diamond when I joined Graff Diamonds 25 years ago. I realised at once its intense desirability and that it was in another league.

We continue to see an extremely strong demand for large high-quality coloured diamonds, coupled with a scarcity of exceptional examples coming onto the market. I am certain that a decline in the number of new and important diamond discoveries is something that is set to continue, which will inevitably lead to an increase in the value of these diamonds over time. Pink and blue diamonds in particular have become highly prized – due to both their rarity and inherent beauty combined.

Why do you specialising in coloured diamonds?

For every 10,000 diamonds mined, only one displays colour. This rarity is compounded further when the coloured stone is intense or vivid and the clarity is flawless. At Graff we bring the best jewellery in the world to our clients, so it stands to reason that these stones include coloured diamonds. What is your favourite colour of diamond to Work With?

I would say blue diamonds. They are the most wonderful diamonds to hold in your hand, a combination of an excellent colour, clarity and cut results in a very special phenomenon.

do you have any advice?

Buying a diamond is a luxury and a celebration. The most important factor to consider, whether you have a budget of GBP10,000 or GBP10 million, is to buy the very best quality at every level. You can compromise on everything else, but you cannot compromise on quality. Quality is timeless. GraffDiamonds.com

>>fashion<<

Luxury shoes

Words from Anthony Delos, Berluti’s Bespoke shoemaker

My English is not so good, so I am sorry. It’s very simple to make a beautiful shoe, but to make a beautiful shoe that fits very well, that’s not easy. I first meet with a customer to talk about what he wants. I check the feet. After that I go to Paris and I make the last (a custom model for the shoe). After working with my atelier in Paris, I come back and we do the trial. When seeing the customer, I sometimes open the model shoe to see the proportion, the volume. Here it’s very important to check the arch. It’s my speciality. (laughs) It can take between six to nine months to complete, because we have to travel. If their feet are very difficult, I have to do two trials, which takes four months more. It can take up to 70 hours of working time. There is no average customer for me. There might be a French customer who has a wedding for his daughter. Another who wants casual shoes.

Another who wants to be very discreet, because he’s a lawyer. Overall, these are for someone who really loves his shoes. A man feels special wearing them. I do this because it’s interesting. I meet a lot of customers, because it’s important to build a relationship, to speak with them, to understand. I work on my English by speaking to the customer! (laughs). The one thing I want to explain is that it’s another world. Shoemaking must be a passion, because I prefer to take time, to be perfect. I always say that it’s better if you wait two months more, because you have the shoes for one life. My job is to be good, because sometimes customers wait maybe 40 years to make their first pair of bespoke shoes. My challenge is to be good for the customer. Berluti.com

>>fashion<<

The laTesT women’s couTure

Q&a with eda Kuloglu, senior VP of merchandising, harvey nichols Dubai What trends did you see in Women’s couture fashion for the neW season?

The key trend we saw was the 60s and 70s inspired boho style which consists of lots of fringe, mini skirts, mod dresses and oversized blanket coats and ponchos. The Victorian trend, which consists of capes, high neck and billow sleeve blouses, lace, and velvet, was another thing we saw. any surprises?

It was surprising to see how strong the boho trend has come back. Designers piled on the prints and fringing to create various textures. From floral printed dresses accessorised with fringe waistcoats and capes, to flared trousers and peasant blouses, there are many versions of the trend to love. The most significant staple piece from this craze is the poncho.

What colours Will be popular?

This season, designers were not afraid to use colour and mix and match shades and prints to create bold statement looks. Vivid, graphic patterns swirled across the collections and we saw a lot of retro colour blocking. With that said, red was dominant this season as well as cobalt blue, bordeaux and military-inspired khaki. We did see a significant amount of black, also, especially for the Victorian-inspired pieces. What items do Women need to get rid of and keep in their closet right noW?

The designer who stood out to me during fashion week was Givenchy. The collection was very emotional, with romance and darkness being the prevailing theme. There was also a strong element of Victoriana with luxe fabrics and a rich colour palette that I was drawn to.

Women can get rid of their wedge sneakers and replace them with chunky block heeled pumps. Women can also get rid of their peplum tops and replace them with moody lace and high ruffle neckline blouses to create a 19th century vibe. All of the fashionistas should keep their menswear-inspired tailored blazers and trousers in their closet as this has come back in a big way from brands such as Phillip Lim and Stella McCartney.

did you have a favourite piece?

What Was your one big takeaWay?

I loved the lace pieces that went down the runway at Altuzarra. They were romantic and delicate but sensual at the same time with Joseph Altuzarra’s signature thigh-high slit. What look do you think Will be big in the next year?

We saw an abundance of trends this AW15 which could make it difficult to absorb. If you can’t decide which AW15 trend to try first, just pile them all on at once. We saw this being done by Marni and Mary Katrantzou who teamed their bold prints with boho elements. The easiest way to get dressed for the new season is with an ‘anything goes’ attitude.

A 60s-inspired mod dress paired with an oversize blanket coat or poncho. Another key look will be a floor-skimming embellished skirt paired

HarveyNichols.com

Was there one particular designer that stood out?

with a Victorian-inspired frilled blouse to create a dark, decadent, and luxurious feel.

>>WATCHES<<

WISH LIST One of a kind. Exclusive. This Harry Winston piece has been created for the Only Watch charity auction, which benefits the Monaco Association Against Muscular Dystrophy.

On November 7, guests will vie for the Ocean Dual Time Retrograde Only Watch. Featuring a 44.2mm white gold case and a self-winding automatic Dual Time Retrograde mechanical movement, with 32 jewels scattered throughout, the piece would make a striking addition to any watch collector's wardrobe. HarryWinston.com

LONDON. LONDON. LONDON.

Jumeirah Carlton Tower

Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel

Grosvenor House Apartment by Jumeirah Living

One iconic destination. Three unique experiences. Discover the essence of Knightsbridge at Jumeirah Carlton Tower. Revel in the tranquility of Belgravia at the boutique Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel. Relish your sophisticated lifestyle at Grosvenor House Apartments by Jumeirah Living on Park Lane. Enjoy London. Enjoy Jumeirah.

For more information or to make a reservation, visit jumeirah.com

luxurious fEAsT As Jumeirah Emirates Towers launches its new Gastronomerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dinner, a three-restaurant feast of the finest proportions, we ask several chefs to share their favourite recipes

PolIPo Arrosto FranceSco Di noia, italian cheF De cuiSine, alta BaDia reStaurant, JumeIrAh emIrAtes towers

IngredIents

PresentAtIon

serves one

1) cook the octopus in water with

on a round plate, place the grilled

1 avocado

carrots, celery, and onions until

octopus in the middle and the baby

30 grams of baby potatoes

tender. leave it to cool in the same

potatoes on the side. With a piping

water.

bag or a spoon, plate the eggplant

5 grams of fresh parsley 5 grams of fresh carrots 5 grams of red onion 5 grams of green celery stick 1 gram of bay leaf 15 ml of lemon dressing 5 ml extra virgin oil olive 200 grams of fresh octopus 3 ml lemon juice 100 grams of eggplant 1 garlic clove

2) once cool, cut octopus into several pieces. Grill until it obtains a golden-brown finish. 3) cut the eggplant in half and season with salt, pepper, garlic, and thyme. Wrap in foil paper and cook for 30 minutes in the oven at 225 degrees. once cooked, remove the pulp and blend it. 4) Steam baby potatoes, peel them and put aside. 5) Peel and pit the avocado. add

15 grams of thyme

lemon juice. Season with salt and

10 grams of salad leaves

pepper and blend it until smooth.

Salt and pepper

stePs

and avocado. Finish the dish with lemon dressing, chopped parsley, and a few leaves of salad

>>recipes<<

salted meat rub

LuIGI VesPeRo, Head CHef, THe RIb Room, Jumeirah emirates towers

steps

ingredients

expertise

1½ tbsp salt

1) Place all dry ingredients in a bowl

Grilling a fine steak is an art form, a craft,

½ tsp smoked paprika

and mix well.

and something every budding chef

½ tbsp crushed black pepper

2) Rub one teaspoon of the mixture

1 tbsp dried onion powder

on the meat and allow it to rest for

1 tbsp garlic powder ½ tsp celery salt 250 grams tenderloin

five minutes. 3) Grill the meat to the desired finish.

should have within their skill repertoire. The ideal piece of finished meat should have a rich, slightly crunchy, deep brown exterior surrounding a succulent, tender interior. While the nuances of preparing meat are many, the short and fast is that you must start with a good product. Check for marbling and aim for a steak that’s at least two inches thick. If you have time, salt in advance of seasoning. Cook your meat slowly and gently, then allow it to rest when finished. Like a fine whiskey, some things are better when not rushed.

raspberry souFFlé BEN ToBITT, HEAD CHEf, THE Ivy, Jumeirah emirates towers

steps

ingredients serves 12

1) Heat oven to 180 degrees Celsius.

500 grams raspberry puree

2) Bring raspberry puree to a boil and then add corn flour.

15 grams corn flour 220 grams caster sugar 100 ml water 150 grams egg whites

3) Stir and cook until thickened, remove from the heat, and set aside. 4) In a separate saucepan, combine 100 grams sugar with the water and bring to a boil at 120 degrees Celsius. 5) Pour the sugar into the raspberry puree and mix well. This will become the soufflé base. Set aside to cool. 6) Place egg whites into a bowl and whip until they begin to form soft peaks. Slowly add in the remaining 120 grams of sugar. 7) Mix the soufflé base with the egg whites meringue. 8) Place the mixture inside individual ramequins and bake for nine to 10 minutes. 9) Dust with icing sugar and serve.

Fine dining If cooking isn’t your idea of a relaxing evening, enjoy dining instead with the Gastronomer’s Dinner. Designed for those who want to explore fine dining, the dinner stretches across three restaurants in Jumeirah Emirates Towers: Alta Badia, The Rib Room, and The Ivy. Designed for groups of up to 10, the journey begins with ‘Cocktails at Altitude’ at Alta Badia Bar on the 51st floor. Next you move to the chef's table inside the kitchen of Alta Badia Restaurant for an authentic Italian starter. Main courses will be served in The Rib Room with the signature ‘Butcher’s Block’, while The Ivy will play host to the deliciously indulgent dessert platter. The dishes featured in these pages will be available to order. The evening costs Dhs750 per person and includes grape pairings. jumeirah.com Alta Badia

The Rib Room

The Ivy

>>recipes<<

TRAVEL Female Pilot British Airways Day in the life p. 67 A Warm Welcome Jordan The kindness of people p. 68 Classically English Bentley Queen Elizabeth II p. 70 Of Crimes and Mysteries Famous authors in Istanbul â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Black Week Turkeyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; p. 74

Image: Corbis

Secret Spaces Beautiful property Hidden Dubai charms p.78 The High Life Delicious restaurant Exquisite Indian food p. 82

PARADISE FOUND ON THE MEDITERRANEAN

Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel & Spa, the first leisure resort from Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts in Europe, brings to the Spanish island of Mallorca a new standard and concept of luxury.

For more information, visit jumeirah.com or call +34 971 637 888

>>travel<<

DAy in tHe liFe OF A FemAle pilOt

image: Corbis

First Officer Aoife Duggan has been in aviation for seven years and with British Airways for three. Here she talks through the highs and lows of a life of flight

I have been based here for the last two and a half years.

one in Dubai at the Dubai Autodrome. I also make sure I visit the gym at hotel I stay at whenever I travel.

wHat Made you cHoose a career as a pilot?

wHat’s a typical day at work for you?

It was very natural for me to grow up with an interest in aviation. My mum started work in the airline industry at 18 and worked for over 20 years (Aer Lingus). My dad, at the age of 39, was able to realise his dream of being a commercial pilot. My sister is also a pilot. Today, I fly the Airbus A320 on short-haul flights for British Airways. For me, it’s a lovely ‘work’ environment. The seats are comfortable, the flight decks are spacious, and the aircraft itself is user friendly.

There is never a typical day at work as no two days are ever the same for us. Sometimes it can be challenging, especially if you end up flying with three different sets of crew in one day. We check in at T5 (in Heathrow) one hour and 10 minutes before departure and the first thing I do when I arrive is login to my computer. I then find the briefing rooms, print the necessary paper work, check the weather and view the runway schedules to see if the airports on the route assigned are open. Once I have reviewed all the paperwork I arrive at the aircraft at least 40 minutes before departure. There are security checks conducted with crew and the pre-flight set up. There is one done before and during passenger boarding and we cover both normal and emergency procedures. Sometimes we can end up repeating the briefings three times a day. At the max we work 14 hours straight and rotate between four pilots so that we have time to sleep, rest and recover.

How long Have you lived in tHe Middle east?

wHat are your favourite views?

Well a personal favourite is Dublin – I love flying over the house I grew up in! Another is flying into London Heathrow – there are few places in the world where you can fly over a city with all the tourist sites in view. wHat are your favourite Holiday destinations?

Thailand or cities in Europe. I also love the beaches, the friendly locals and food in Barbados. At times I visit Singapore as well having lived there for four years.

How do you cope witH cHanges to sleep scHedules or jet lag?

wHat’s in your carry-on bag?

wHo is your feMale inspiration?

Lip balm for sure! I also like to snack on [and bring with me] something healthy, like fruits and nuts.

Susie Wolff, the Williams F1 Team Development Driver. She has made a mark for herself in a male-oriented world and holds her own! She’s an inspiration to all of us women.

I sleep well at any time. Everyone needs to recognise that as an individual you have to be well rested and do what is necessary to ensure you are.

do you Have a fitness regiMe?

Depending on which city I am, I look for a cycling track. They have a great

For more information, visit BritishAirways.com

Image: corbis

A wArm welcome

Yesterday morning a fruit seller gave me half a pomegranate as I walked by. There was no reason. He just reached out and offered the fruit, smiled politely, and went back to organising his stall. That afternoon, a hardware store owner offered up his own tape measure to save me the expense of buying one from his shop and a helpful Carrefour salesman invited me to his wedding. In any other country, so many small acts of kindness from strangers in a single day would be an aberration – but I’m coming to expect it in Jordan.

It takes a certain amount of getting used to, this strings-free generosity, and I find myself building up a mental list of obligations to repay towards all those who have offered a helping hand. But Ziad waves away the suggestion. “We like welcoming new people to our country in Jordan,” he says as he gives me a lift to the paint shop on his Saturday afternoon off. “We have a good opinion of foreigners and it’s our pleasure to make you feel at home here too.”

It’s been several months now since I moved here from Dubai and I’ve been shown more simple generosities than I can possibly recount. Taxi drivers pass over pieces of their lunches. Strangers on the street show lost newcomers to their destination. People offer again and again a warm ‘welcome to Jordan’ to a foreigner still discovering the country.

This cordiality towards outsiders has deep roots, stemming from the ancient Bedouin culture that underpins modern Jordanian society. The majority of Jordan’s population can trace their family line back to Bedouin ancestors and the country still has a thriving Bedouin community. These people live much the same as they have for centuries, dwelling in simple goat-hair tents and following the ancient lore of their society, which dictates that no stranger should be turned away to fend for themselves in the harsh desert environment.

According to my new landlord, this is typical of Jordanians. Ziad Maraqa is a lawyer by trade and has lived in Jordan all his life although, like many here, he is originally from Palestine. “Being helpful to others is central to Jordanian culture. Elsewhere in this region, you’re less likely to find people willing to do favours for nothing, but here it’s not about the money. People will always try to find a way to help if they can.”

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These days, the nomadic way of life has all but died and the renowned Bedouin hospitality has more to do with a natural respect towards others than a need to help wanderers in the desert. “Respect is extremely important to the Bedouin. Whenever anyone comes to your home, the first thing we do is show them

>>travel<<

A lot of Arab countries lay claim to a deep-rooted tradition of hospitality towards strangers, but few demonstrate it as often and as openly as the people of Jordan. Olivia Cuthbert reports

respect by treating them cordially,” explains Muhammad Difalla. Muhammad is part of a sizeable community of Bedouin families living in the Dana Biosphere Reserve, Jordan’s largest national park. Many of these Bedouin have benefited from the presence of the Feynan Ecolodge, which places particular emphasis on offering employment to local people. Muhammad has put his local knowledge to good use and now runs creative walking tours for tourists staying at the lodge into the rugged and beautiful landscape around the reserve. He encounters a broad mix of cultures and nationalities in his line of work and takes particular pride in introducing all newcomers to the spectacular scenery and rich culture that characterises his homeland. “A Bedouin welcome is given regardless of race or religion,” he says. “We don’t look at the country a person comes from or consider whether that should impact our courtesy towards them. In a Bedouin household, all strangers are guests and due a warm welcome.” Sara Alamad comes from a well-to-do Jordanian family and is currently a student of dance at the University of Colorado Boulder in America. Being away from Jordan for most of the year reminds her of the qualities she values most about her home country, particularly the food and the family-orientated culture. “Jordanians are born and raised on the idea of treating visitors from for-

eign countries as part of their family, so they are quick to demonstrate their hospitality with shelter, food, transportation and any kind of help they need, even if it comes at a financial cost to themselves,” she says. ❖

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It’s dusk on a Thursday evening and I’ve spent the last few hours milling around the fruit and vegetable market in the old Downtown quarter, beneath which lies Philadelphia, the Roman city on which modern Amman was built. Evidence of these historic foundations can be seen in the Roman ampitheatre, and beyond it the Nymphaeum monument, beside which the fruit sellers ply their wares. I wander past, laden with bags of fresh strawberries and nectarines, searching for an empty taxi amid the bustle of crowded, dusty streets. Up ahead is a pile of books on the pavement, propping up a half-collapsing canopy. Curiosity aroused, I move closer to inspect. The owner of the stall, Hamzeh Al-Ma’aytah, spies me looking and immediately invites me in for coffee as he recounts the history of his family-business. Half an hour later I leave clutching a book. I didn’t buy anything. He wouldn’t hear of it – it’s a gift for a new friend.

>>travel<<

cLassicaLLy EngLish What happens when luxury car manufacturer Bentley curates a trip to England? Danae Mercer flies into London to find out When sitting with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, what should one wear? Earlier this year, I received an invite to join The Queen at The Guards Polo Club for The Bentley Motors Royal Windsor Cup. The setting, The Royal Box, would be small and intimate. In a letter weeks before flying, there was some guidance: for men, shirt and tie, suit or flannels, and blazers or jackets; for women, formal summer dresses, skirts or tailored trousers. For both, jeans, shorts, vests, and flip-flops were strictly forbidden. This theme of classic outfits fit for refined moments was one that would run throughout my entire trip to England with Bentley. The ultra-luxury automotive brand invited me out to attend polo on the grounds of Windsor Castle, a nod to their long-running association with the sport of polo. Yet there would also be dinners and tours, art galleries and London walks. Which brought me back to that same question: what to wear, and what to pack? Staring at my suitcase on the morning before my Emirates flight, I debated. Into my bag went a Tiffany T bangle; a pair of Santoni red highheeled shoes with the most delicate heel and delightful rose flare over the toes; an old woollen jumper; and dress after dress after dress. When travelling with luxury, I figured, it’s impossible to be overdressed. ❖

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I flew. I landed. And then, as the summer sun set over London, I joined a small group of journalists from around the world and Bentley experts in the unassuming Mosimann’s Restaurant. This members-only venue looks like a charming Victorian house from the outside. Inside another world is revealed, one with a balcony-lined dining room, intimate tables, and quietly refined guests. In total, there are seven private dining rooms at the familyrun Mosimann’s. Our group settled into The Bentley Dining Room, a space decorated with photos of Le Mans races and famous Bentley Boys, and furniture made from materials that echo those used in the cars. As I sank into a leather chair, out came oak-smoked Scottish salmon with a small smattering of capers, then grilled honey-glazed poussin with meltingly fresh market vegetables, and finally bread and butter pudding rich with classic English charm. The aim of the meal was simple: to give a ‘glimpse of the lifestyle of a Bentley Owner’. Laughing over great full-bodied reds and sharp espressos, I didn’t finish until midnight. ❖

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Most people would recognise works by artist Dale Chihuly, even if they don’t know his name. The American glass sculptor’s hand-blown pieces appear around the world, in Vegas and London, Dubai and Kuwait. On day two, in walking boots and layers, I went in search of Chihuly. I found his

pieces nestled amongst the West End’s boutique designers, within the whitewashed Halcyon Gallery London. As our small group arrived, the gallery was hosting a special exhibit of Lorenzo Quinn’s larger-than-life sculptures. Yet Chihuly’s pieces were everywhere. In one room, a backlit table flowered with his elaborate creations. Upstairs, his early works waited on shelves and in nooks, not yet revealed to the public. I paused under one of Chihuly’s impressive glass chandeliers. “Notice how the pieces connect,” suggested Gallery Director Michael Frootko. In some of the artist’s creations, you can see the metal underbelly. Doing so felt like glimpsing a secret. “And now for a shave,” suggested one of our hosts as we stepped back into London’s sunshine, glasses of Champagne left behind. We paused in the Pankhurst London, a speakeasy-meets-gentleman’s club that uses old leathers and dark woods to good effect. A ‘haven of masculinity’, each of the venue’s bespoke barbers’ chairs was upholstered by the leather craftsmen at Bentley motors. In absence of a beard, I left the men with their Scotch and clean shaves and stopped into Luxury Living to view the Bentley Home Collection. Aimed at ‘those who are in relentless pursuit of both luxury and sophistication,’ the line featured fine leathers, decadent fabrics, and creations in subtle shades of grey, tans, and creams. Following a quick outfit change (high heels, dresses, jackets) we arrived at The Pantechnicon for dinner. Named after the prestigious 1830s landmark building on Motcomb Street, this gastro-pub featured a private dining area and classic English dishes cooked perfectly. ❖

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By day three, we were ready for the main event: The Bentley Motors Royal Windsor Cup at The Guards Polo Club. I sank into the passenger seat of a Bentley Mulsanne and away we drove. This car, designed both for luxury and performance, moved smoothly through London traffic. It’s V8 engine sat quietly most the time, roaring when the accelerator was pressed down. Later in the trip, I would visit the factory in Crewe, meeting the many hands and experts that carefully craft such a vehicle over roughly 500 hours. The steering wheel alone takes around three full days. Today, as in the past, the stitching

lines are marked by the prongs of a fork, the thread strung through by hand. Yet on day three, as we drove towards out of England’s capital, I didn’t think of these things; I flicked on the leather seat’s massage function and relaxed. When we arrived into Windsor, the weather was brisk but clear. A host pinned a small hand-written badge to my dress as we walked into The Royal Box. “You must wear this at all times,” I was reminded. “And please remember, no photos.” In a space equipped to handle (at most) 30 people, I sat down to lunch. The other guests were elite Bentley customers, invited by the company to enjoy the match. We dined, and then we moved outside to watch the games begin. At some point, Queen Elizabeth II arrived, wearing a green dress and green hat, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh. Quietly, and without much fuss, she settled into her seat. She watched the match, and so did we. Midway through, the game paused and the horses moved off to the side. In heels and brogues we were invited out onto the grass to stomp divots, tapping them down even as a marching band played. “Now off the grass!” the announcer ordered as the band stopped and the crowds dispersed. One rogue child sprinted by, giggling. Scooped up, the game continued. As for what I wore? In the end, I went with a look inspired by Bentley’s ultraluxury, classically refined ethos. I chose a simple sheath dress, closed-toe heels, and a bracelet from Tiffany & Co. When I felt chilled, a hostess from The Royal Box brought out a blanket to drape around my knees. The afternoon rolled on and somewhere along the way, nearly all too soon, the match was over. The Queen presented trophies to the winners. I adjoined back into The Royal Box for afternoon tea while, with as little fuss as when she arrived, The Queen departed. Eventually, after a few lingering moments mingling with other guests, so did we, slipping into our comfortable Bentley Mulsanne. My friend tossed his jacket across the leather of the backseat while I nudged my heels off to feel the plush carpet. The Mulsanne roared to life. I laughed. And with that, we were away. Bentley.com

>>travel<<

Of crimes and mysteries

Image: Corbis

Crime fiction authors from around the world fill the historic halls of Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah from 22 to 24 October for ‘Black Week Turkey’. This event, honouring the 125th year of Agatha Christie’s birth, includes cultural talks, debates, mystery-themed evenings and more. Enjoy these excerpts from the works of some of the authors scheduled to attend

>>travel<<

Alexander McCall Smith

Leslie Klinger

From: UK Books: Author of the well-known The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, as well as The Full Cupboard of Life, The Good Husband of Zebra Drive, The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party, and more. WeB: Alexandermccallsmith.co.uk excerpt: The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency

From: USA Books: A noted literary editor and annotator of classic genre fiction, Klinger’s pieces include: A Study in Sherlock, Annotated Sandman, In the Shadow of Sherlock Holmes, and more. WeB: Leslieklinger.com excerpt: A Study in Sherlock, with Laurie R. King

She was a good detective, and a good woman. A good woman in a good country, one might say. She loved her country, Botswana, which is a place of peace, and she loved Africa, for all its trials. I am not ashamed to be called an African patriot, said Mma Ramotswe. I love all the people whom God made, but I especially know how to love the people who live in this place. They are my people, my brothers and sisters. It is my duty to help them to solve the mysteries in their lives. That is what I am called to do.

Variations on the theme of Holmes have been played ever since the man first saw print. Some have been whimsical, others deadly serious; some have even taught us something about ourselves. For Sherlock Holmes is both us, and a super-hero, armed not with greater-than-human powers, but with wits, experience, a small community of dependable friends, and the occasional singlestick or riding crop. Like the artist-scientist, Holmes takes a mass of cold, unrelated, and inert fact, shapes it between his narrow, nicotine-stained hands, and then electrifies it – and us – with a bolt of inspiration.

In idle moments, when there were no pressing matters to be dealt with, and when everybody seemed to be sleepy from the heat, she would sit under her acacia tree. It was a dusty place to sit, and the chickens would occasionally come and peck about her feet, but it was a place which seemed to encourage thought. It was here that Mma Ramotswe would contemplate some of the issues which, in everyday life, may so easily be pushed to one side. Everything, thought Mma Ramotswe, has been something before. Here I am, the only lady private detective in the whole of Botswana, sitting in front of my detective agency. But only a few years ago there was no detective agency, and before that, before there were even any buildings here, there were just the acacia trees, and the river-bed in the distance, and the Kalahari over there, so close.

Come to think of it, perhaps we should envision him, not as an archetype, but as a golem, a mud figure brought to life by human need. In any event, Sherlock Holmes shows no sign of flagging in this new era. A century and a quarter after the world was greeted by his gleeful cry at a laboratory discovery, men and women still find Holmes the ideal vessel to carry a variety of stories, aspirations, reflections. For more information on Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah, or the range of luxurious offers available around Black Week Turkey, visit jumeirah.com or blackweekturkey.com

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>>lifestyle<<

>>Your guide to living the jet-set lifestYle with jumeirah<<

The high life:

Amala, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray

What: This warm and authentically Indian restaurant brings some

peppers, mint and coriander chutney fall into the latter category,

of the finest dishes of the Orient to the table.

and are sure to suit any meatier craving.

The atmosphere: Opulent, beautiful, and exotic. Dark interiors and

The tasting menu: This tantalising three-course menu is another

deep woods mix with marbles, candles, and elaborate lamps, all

delectable Amala option. With it, you can enjoy a selection of the

creating the feeling of escaping into the richness of India’s beauty.

chef’s favourites at an exclusive set price.

The food: The delectable cuisine, known as Mughlai, is influenced

Insider’s advice: If you’re particularly passionate about Indian

by both Persia and Turkey. It’s characterised by its richness and use

cuisine, or are a budding chef keen to learn more, book yourself

of exotic spices, dried fruits, and cream. The taste varies from warm

into one of Amala’s exclusive cooking classes. Taking place every

and mild to rich and spicy, and the variety of dishes is extensive.

Wednesday, these classes allow Chef Aman to introduce you to the flavours of a true Indian kitchen in the al fresco setting of the

What to expect: Starters range from crispy puffed bread with

Amala terrace. Once the work is done, you can relax with lunch

chickpea dumplings to pan-fried scallops with cumin and corian-

and refreshments.

der. Mains extend across curries (the chicken jaffrezi, done with a

particular amount of spice, is especially flavoursome), vegetarian

For more information contact Amala at +971 4453 0444 or email

dishes, and a variety of tandoor. The lamb chops served with onion,

jzsrestaurants@jumeirah.com