Men's passion #81 december 2016 : january 2017

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THE COLLECTORS EDITION A passion for appreciation

In theory, it is impossible to combine a perpetual calendar with a moon-phase display also indicating the constellation of the moon, earth and sun without impairing legibility of the watch.

RICHARD LANGE PERPETUAL CALENDAR “Terraluna”

The Richard Lange Perpetual Calendar “Terraluna” combines

The opposite side showcases a horological innovation: Lange’s patent-

mechanical complexity with remarkable functionality. Apart from

ed orbital moon-phase display. It reproduces the moon phases with

hours, minutes, and seconds, the dial features four precisely jump-

extreme precision and shows the ever-changing constellation of the

ing calendar indications that are always unambiguously legible.

moon relative to the earth and the sun. The display tracks the synodic

Morad Yousuf Behbehani · Salhiya Complex – Ground Floor · Kuwait · Tel. + 965 2242 1945 · www.myb.com.kw

But only in theory.

The patented orbital moon-phase display

month of the moon so faithfully that if the watch runs without inter-

of the movement. The calibre L096.1 is endowed with a patented con-

ruption, it has to be corrected by one day only after 1058 years. In the

stant-force escapement. It controls the enormous power stored in the

centre of the display, the earth rotates about its own axis once a day.

twin mainspring barrel and assures consistently high precision dur-

The fixed position of the sun is occupied by the balance on the edge

ing the power-reserve period of 14 days. www.alange-soehne.com

TIMELESS GREETINGS Globemaster – Master Chronometer certified

ISSUE NUMBER 82 - DECEMBER 2016 / JANUARY 2017

JUST A THOUGHT Dear Passionate Readers, With this issue, we wrap up 2016 as we get ready for the New Year to come.

What an interesting year it has been with all the speculations of how the events of 2016’s will impact our years to come.

In my humble opinion, analysts have failed in the most important of predictions for almost a decade now. For ours are indeed interesting times, with changes occurring so consecutively and at a far greater pace than ever before.

Our ability to compute, adapt and evolve is being stretched to new limits.

So putting all analysis on the side, I am adopting one of my best friends’ strategy for 2017: 2C2P = ∞ Cognizance + Creativity + Positive Psychology + Persistence = “The world is my oyster” In today’s world, one has to amass more and more qualities if one is to maintain a leading position.

And leading remains the only way forward.

To 2017, to great things in the making, to greater things that wait.

And to all of you collectors, may you always collect the best of memories and the best of what the world has to offer.

See you next year!

Zeina Mokaddam Managing Director

Geophysic Universal Time watch Philippe Jordan, Chief Conductor and Music Director in Paris and Vienna

Open a whole new world

ON THE COVER:

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Amera Al-Awadhi December 2016 - January 2017

MEN’S PASSION - December 2016 / January 2017 - ISSUE #82 - SOLD IN KUWAIT KD 3 - UAE DHS 35

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Collections are curated selections. These may be curated through any number of criteria, each suiting the passion – and the whim – of the collector. They may be collections of the many, they may be collections of the few. The collections that attract most interest, and often most value, are those of limited editions. Amongst the art world, this is most usually a limited edition of just one – the original. Watches? Perhaps only a handful. If the figure quote stretches to three-figures, to us it’s not a true limited edition. Look for the maker’s mark. Anything around (or less than) 1 of 10 and you’re in rarefied company, and have a piece worthy of any collection.

A passion for appreciation

26 The Complications of Time

Salon des Grandes Complications

MANAGING DIRECTOR Zeina Mokaddam GENERAL MANAGER Chimene Ibrahim BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Nouf Al-Hajri

MANAGING EDITOR Simon Balsom

CONTENTS

22 Abbas Behbehani

Life in Time

PUBLISHED BY

GROUP CREATIVE DIRECTOR Yousif Yousif Abdulsaid

THE COLLECTORS EDITION

16 Mohammed AlSharekh

Businessman and Art Collector

LEGAL CONSULTANT Khaled Al-Kandari Al-Kandari Law Firm

EDITOR Pamela Azzi

32 The Collector’s Guide

Middle Easter n Moder n and CONTRIBUTORS

Contemporary Art 42 Hassan Al Akhras

Founder, Arab Watch Guide

MaryAnn D’Silva Anna Amin (Cityscape) Rita Makhoul (Arabnet) CREATIVE DIRECTOR Nidal Al-Shaker HEAD OF PHOTOGRAPHY Maher Al-Nouri PRODUCTION MANAGER Jad Nahhas PH7 is a specialized publishing house based in Kuwait.

Telephone +(965) 2572 0810 Fax +(965) 2572 0860 Website www.ph7-kw.com To maintain the desired quality of our publication, your contribution and feedback are welcomed.

Please email your suggestions to zeina@ph7-kw.com For advertising, do not hesitate to contact info@ph7-kw.com For subscription, please email your details to info@ph7-kw.com PH7 wishes to state that the opinions expressed in MEN’S PASSION are those of the authors concerned and not necessarily those of the publisher.

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A Trunkshow of Exceptional Know-How & Mastery

46 BMW Art Journey

Abigail Reynolds visits the lost

libraries of the Silk Road

64 HUGO BOSS sets sail in quest

for Vendée Globe glory

Skippered by Alex Thomson

48 Porsche’s Panamera Additions 66 Warm up Your Winter with

Porsche debuts new additions to its Canada Goose

Panamera model line

at Harvey Nichols Kuwait 50 McLaren confirms world’s first Hyper-GT

Three-seater, 106 units, sold-out 51 Jaguar Electrifies with I-PACE

Concept Car

First Jaguar Electric Vehicle Revealed 52

FERRARI ZAYANI experience at Bahrain International Circuit with the Ferrari 488 GTB, California T and the GTC 4 Lusso

54 A Crystal-Clear Sound

L.U.C Full Strike 56

Precision Without Compromise A. Lange & Söhne presents the RICHARD LANGE “Pour le Mérite” in white gold

57 Panerai at Dubai

Watch Week 58 Rebirth of an Icon

Rado unveils new Ceramica

designed by Konstantin Grcic 59 Bomberg Bolt-68

Chrono Quartz Chroma II 60 Sachin Ahluwalia of Sachin

& Babi

at Harvey Nichols Kuwait 62 Hugo Boss

New stores and new look for

Winter 2016/7

68 Versus Versace

Fall Winter 2016 70 Bentley Collection

Specially curated gift ideas from

the new Bentley collection 72 Unconventional Creations

by Mazlo 74 Marie Munier,

When Jewelry Inspires Lighting 78 Dubai International Film

Festival 2016

Preview – The Producer’s Picks 82 Waldorf Astoria, Amsterdam

A Timeless Elegance 84 L’hotel du Collectionneur,

A Historic Heritage in Paris 86 The America’s Cup 2017

The Boats: AC45F to AC45S to ACC 88 Five GCC Startups to put on

your radar

from Arabnet 90 HOME ‘SMART’ HOME 94 ZEITGEIST

Hasselblad X1D 96 EVENTS 108 LISTINGS

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THE ART COLLECTOR

Mohammed AlSharekh

M

Businessman and Art Collector

ohammed AlSharekh has put his passion for the culture and language of the Arab world to very good use throughout his life. Through his company, Sakhr Software has revolutionized the local technology industry, dedicating the last 28 years towards leading research and continuously developing Arabic computational linguistics. He has also amassed a sizable collection of Arab art.

THE ART COLLECTOR

Mr. Mohammed AlSharekh with his two sons, Fahad on his left and Abdullah on his right.

His time at Cairo University in the 1960’s, during which he formed lifelong bonds and friendships with local artists and writers, laid the foundation for what has become a highly regarded collection of post-modern Arab art. It is a collection which, perhaps unsurprisingly, focuses largely on work by Egyptian artists.

For this special Collectors Edition of Men’s Passion, Mohammed AlSharekh discusses with us the genesis of his collection, and introduces us to just a few of his favourite pieces.

What was the genesis of your collection? Did it start with a focus, or was it simply a few favoured pieces which then expanded into a full collection?

I was living in Cairo during my twenties and attended Cairo University in 1961 where through some common friends I became acquainted with a group of writers, poets, and painters. Although I was studying economics and later returned to Kuwait to work for the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, I would often return to Cairo on visits to meet with my group of artist friends, engaging in discussions about poetry, art, and literature. The group included Hassan Soliman, Ahmed Morsi, Fathi Afifi, George Bahgory, Gamil Shafik, and Adam Henein.

During my university years, I wrote and published several short stories revolving around our group and my life in Cairo.

I never saw myself as an art collector when I was in Egypt or bought art for the sake of buidlding an art collection.

We simply enjoyed the company of our artist friends and soon found ourselves becoming surrounded with beautiful paintings and the stories of dear friends. My first painting was a gift from my dear friend Hassan Soliman for my wife and I during our honeymoon in Cairo.

What are the criteria for adding to your collection? Do you have a focus for an artist style, medium or country?

Growing up in the sixties, I was like many people in my generation who were connected to the ideals of Pan Arabism and the preservation of our Arab culture and language. My collection consists mostly of Post Modern Arab art with a focus on artists from Egypt spanning 40 years, from 1968 until 2008.

When I visited galleries and museums during my travels, I seldom saw the talented Arab artists I knew so well being represented in their programs. I wished for the world to see our rich Arab culture in museums, and wished to bridge this gap between East and West through art.

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THE ART COLLECTOR

Personal Selection – A few of Mohammed AlSharekh’s favourite pieces

Fathi Afifi (2009) Always people. Always in a hurry. Always blue and black. They push each other.

This guy comes from the street, from the factory where he sees people always tired and rushing. No other painter has lived people’s lives through his art like Afifi.

Injy Efflatoun (1974) Yes that is the way we see it when we look up directly to the sky lying down at a palm grove. The blue sky, brown palm trees and birds. She captured a vivid moment of wonder.

THE ART COLLECTOR

Georges Bahgory (Undated) Bahgory (and others) made so many paintings for the legendary Om Kalthoum but this one is the best of all. Bahgory found a way to draw the spiritual strength of her voice and soul coming through the painting.

Georges Bahgory (1975) Early Bahgory. Although features of the face are distorted, the female beauty is shining.

Cheeks, neck and a beautiful little mouth. Bahgory must have spent a lot of time processing and filtering female beauty for his own style.

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THE ART COLLECTOR

Farouk Husni (1992) A Japanese abstract. Farouk Husni, Minister of Culture in Cairo, visited Japan in the 1980’s and returned to produce wonderful paintings influenced by this visit. This one, in my opinion, was the best of this collection. The Japanese spirit overwhelms. If it was not signed by Husni you would think it must have been by a Japanese painter. You see a Hokusai sky with bright red colors.

Ahmed Morsi (1972) One of the oldest I have for Morsi. A Horse on his back with legs crossing. Is he playing or suffering? The painting was actually a wedding gift from Morsi and hung in our Watergate apartment, when I was at the World Bank in Washington DC. Yehya Yuqman, the Yemeni Ambassador at that time, used to say, “This is a metaphor for the Arab world’s current upside down situation”.

THE ART COLLECTOR

Adham Wanly (1959) A blue lake. All blue water with a blue sky and half-moon far away. Or it could also be in a cave, with a light in the distance leading to the exit. Small boats full with people enjoying themselves.

A piece of blue paradise.

Hassan Soliman (1963) In the early sixties Hassan concentrated his artistic capabilities in painting still life. Dark Colors, balls like fruits, just to play with light and shadow. Indeed drawing shadows on a brightly light surface.

Adam Henein (Undated) The bronze sculpture of a woman is the most poetic of Adam’s work. Smooth, black, balanced, and a strong form.

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THE WATCH COLLECTOR

Abbas Behbehani Life in Time

A

bbas Behbehani is simply one of those men whose star appears to perpetually be in the ascendancy. His is the name on everyone’s lips when the topic turns to watch collecting in Kuwait – without revealing numbers, he has almost certainly the largest collection of complicated watches in the countr y. One of the best-connected people within the world of horology, his Rolodex is a veritable A-List of the major players in the global watch business. Equally, his name is high on the list of those same players when it comes to seeking advice, securing an opinion, and indeed when thoughts turn to selling their latest masterpieces of time.

Steeped in the culture of watches ever since he began joining his father and uncle at the family’s Omega boutique in Kuwait City at the tender age of thirteen, he developed a passion which led to him setting off down the road of becoming one of the most highly regarded of the region’s watch collectors of the past three decades.

We have alluded to a reticence to claim the largest collection – indeed he will more readily claim to being slightly unclear as to exactly how many watches he does own (it is likely to be over the 1,000-piece mark however). Significantly though he says, “I wear them all. I love my watches – and I want to enjoy wearing them”.

His penchant for Jaeger LeCoultre is well-known. Ultimately however, he says plainly, “I buy watches that I like”. There is little in the way of a plan – his collection is the curation of an unbridled love for fine timepieces, and is fuelled by an insatiable appetite for knowledge of the technicalities involved in their creation.

His drive to collect is inspired by the innate style and technological innovation of a piece. Although these two attributes, in the rarefied world of haute horology, demand high prices, to Abbas monetary value is secondary and he is

cagey when it comes to discussing what he pays.

Possessor of a gregarious personality, he’s to be found at many of the world’s leading watch shows and exhibitions. First attending Baselworld in 1985, he finds such events a great way to source the latest information in a personal setting. He laments the success of Baselworld, however, noting that due to its increased popularity it became ever more difficult to enjoy. He’s a regular at, and enjoys, Geneva’s annual SIHH, and was most recently to be found in the United Arab Emirates for the third edition of their Dubai Watch Week (DWW).

Such is the respect in which he is held, he was present at DWW in the capacity as judge for the Middle East Watch of the Year Awards. A multi-national panel of watch-world luminaries was appointed – with Abbas being the only representative from Kuwait.

Notwithstanding the magnitude of his collection, he insists he is not a watch fanatic. He says’ “I don’t take it too seriously”.

Adding that he just collects for fun, but mainly for his pure love of watches. Knowing that he is also the owner of a dozen or so fine automobiles, and has a passion for elite writing instruments too, shows him as a man of wide interests – and an appreciator of the world’s great aesthetics.

THE WATCH COLLECTOR

The Collection

When you have got watches of this quality in your own collection, you will know you are on your way to becoming a collector of some note.

Vacheron Constantin Kalla Vacheron Constantin diamond watches stem from the accurate and meticulous workmanship performed by one of the in-house Artistic Crafts artisans: The Master Gemsetter. Within the dedicated workshop of the Manufacture, this jewellery craftsman arranges the precious stones on these diamond watches per their size and the way they reflect their light, in complete harmony with the quality standards upheld by the Maison.

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THE WATCH COLLECTOR

Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso Abbas is a self-confessed fan of the Reverso in all its forms. This is the Grande Reverso Blue Enamel has a dial made of white gold and finished by hand in traditional grand feu enamel. The dial undergoes approximately 20 firings in an oven at 800°C in order to achieve its eye-catching electric blue color. The final layer is a translucent enamel that imparts a shiny brilliance to the dial that is intended to stand the test of time.

Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso Gyro Tourbillon The Reverso Gyrotourbillon 2 is excellence at its best.

Invented in 1931, the Reservo watch continues to amaze people. JLC’s watchmakers decided to incorporate the gyro tourbillon watch with iconic swivel cases of the Reverso watch.

Harry Winston Opus 9 The Opus 9 is an intimate blend of watchmaking and jewelry in a sculptural case that enhances the functional beauty of the gems, in a limited series of 100. There are no hands; instead, a linear display uses two vivid almandin garnets as the indicators. Transforming rotational time into linear time, a rack and pinion mechanism creates the lateral drive needed to propel the continual gliding movement.

Oh, and the one Abbas Behbehani wears was made especially for him – with blue sapphires.

Ulysse Nardin Astrolabium The Astrolabium displays local and solar time, the orbits and eclipses of the sun and the moon and the positions of several major stars. It was named by the Guinness Book of Records in 1989 as the world’s most-functional watch (with 21 distinct functions).

THE WATCH COLLECTOR

Parmigiani Bugatti In 2001, Bugatti was looking to partner with a watchmaking brand with a propensity for technical excellence, a heightened awareness of design and a truly independent manufacture.

Three years later, the Molsheim-based carmaker and Parmigiani Fleurier logically formalised their association. There followed a series of remarkable timepieces, of which Abbas owns a beautiful example. Shown here is the Super Sport.

Girard-Perregaux Three Gold Bridges The Girard-Perregaux three gold bridges movement design has been an enduring feature of their most high-end timepieces. Today that collection mostly peaks with the Tourbillon with Three Gold Bridges watch collection. Here, the 41mm wide case version is in 18 pink gold, with a dial that focuses on the three signature styled bridges and complex tourbillon escapement.

Rolex Ice As you can see, it’s not your typical Rolex. The Rolex GMT Master Ice wristwatch is certainly aesthetically stimulating and visually pleasing. It is made of some of the finest materials, including 18 ct white gold and nearly 30 carats of brilliantly cut diamonds that cover nearly the whole surface of the watch.

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WATCHES

The Complications of Time Salon des Grandes Complications

T

he biggest challenge for collectors is the gathering of knowledge. Yes, there’s the internet. But relying on an online trawl for information is no match for sitting face-to-face for recognized global experts in their field. When an opportunity to do this presents itself in the region, we jump at it.

Dubai’s recent Salon des Grandes Complications provided just such an opportunity. Some of the world’s most complicated watches were displayed during the Salon des Grandes Complications, which took place at DIFC in November. The annual exhibition has become the go-to destination for serious watch enthusiasts in the region, and this year’s third annual event showcased the creations of numerous world-famous brands – and the show-stopping complications crafted by them.

We took the chance to meet with three fine men from three fine brands to learn a little more about today’s collectibles.

Roger Dubuis The story of Roger Dubuis is primarily one marked by dazzling success. The company was founded in 1995 by a talented master watchmaker – Roger Dubuis. With remarkable dynamism, manufacture Roger Dubuis soon ignited the world of Fine Watchmaking.

Striking a fine balance between traditional watchmaking expertise and avant‑garde design, its timepieces immediately made their mark. Their iconic Collection Excalibur is the highlight of their show in Dubai with a new Automatic Skeleton version in carbon. We met Jean-Sebastien Berland – Regional Brand Director.

Roger Dubuis is a relatively young company, it built a solid pedigree as an independent and then was taken over by Richemont. What effect did the takeover have on the brand?

It was the best opportunity for Roger Dubuis’ future as a watchmaker. We pride ourselves on creating highquality timepieces in our own independent and integrated Manufacture in the heart of Geneva. Richemont has a strong history in nurturing brands like us. Although the obvious effect was that we have grown – but this is not the only effect. Behind the scenes the improvements in terms of

Jean-Sebastien Berland – RD’s Regional Brand Director

WATCHES

manufacture, logistics and management have strengthened the brand throughout.

We’ve been huge fans of the Roger Dubuis style since day one. Today we see a different style developing. What can you tell us about this?

It’s an interesting story. A handful of years ago we came up with the concept for a ladies-only watch. This is very unusual in our industry. Typically, a lady’s watch is a scaleddown man’s watch. It’s almost like an after-thought. But for our Velvet timepieces we approached it from a woman’s perspective from the very first moment. We were not sure what the response would be – we manufacture all of our watches only with a mechanical movement and were not sure how this would be received in a feminine watch. But we have been very fortunate – the Velvet has grown beyond our expectations.

Combined with the smaller versions the Excalibur, our ladies’ business makes up a third of our total turnover.

How aware is the Kuwait market of Roger Dubuis?

For me, Kuwait is typically a business case model. With our supportive partner, the Behbehani family, our business in Kuwait is a fine example that others can learn from. They are very knowledgeable and have a very acute desire – they know what they like, they know what they want. They are very happy to explore niche brands and new products. Whenever I’m in Kuwait, I have the most in depth conversations with collectors – they are very curious too.

How is this year’s Salon for you?

The location is wonderful. The heart of Dubai’s commercial centre. It’s been a great opportunity to meet with collectors and HNW clients. Many of these will be people who don’t have the time to walk in to the stores. Because we are here, we have made the connection very easy for them. We are seeing mainly people from Dubai, but also from the region.

What did you introduce here that’s been most notable?

The Velvet collection has given us the headlines. The Blossom collection with the Grand Feu enamel and the diamonds. Also the limited edition Velvet by Massaro with its rich, gold leather strap. This is what Roger Dubuis is about – it’s different and

it’s luxurious. We always add a twist. For men we have the Excalibur collection – the highlight is the Carbon Automatic Skeleton. It’s about the architecture of this watch – it’s a model we are offering in exotic materials.

How do you view the future for Roger Dubuis in the region?

We are cautiously optimistic. We are at the heart of a great region with full knowledge of this sector. We are enjoying playing a key role, learning from collectors and buyers and working with them as we continue to grow.

Roger Dubuis Excalibur 42 Automatic Skeleton Carbon Though the execution of the movement is a key element to the Excalibur Skeleton’s design, its carbon composite case is impossible not to admire. Originally available in DLC titanium and pink gold, the use of carbon as a case material here works out well.

The movement design is far too asymmetrical for any structured carbon to really make sense. Each of its 167 components are hand-finished on all sides, as no part of the movement is hidden from its observer.

Just the movement and not the complete watch itself, requires a total of 530 hours of manufacturing to complete.

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WATCHES

A. Lange & Söhne Owned by Richemont but still run very successfully along the lines of a family business, all Lange watches contain mechanical rather than quartz movements and, with the exception of a very few special edition watches, Lange watch cases are made of yellow gold, rose gold, white gold, honey gold or platinum. Lange movements are developed, produced, and assembled by Lange itself. We met with Regional Brand Director, Ramzi Naël.

This is your second year at the Salon. What can you tell us about your experiences here, and what’s the show’s added value for a house such as Lange?

For A. Lange & Söhne, being a very niche brand that caters to a specific market rather than a large scale event that caters more to the mass market, it’s very important for us to take part in these small scale and exclusive events. Specific to the Salon, what is very important to us is the location – being at the heart of Dubai’s financial center it enables us to be very close to the financial institutions, private banks and law firms, which at the end of the day are our target audience.

Is the salon attracting clients exclusively from Dubai or also from across the region?

The added value of DIFC is precisely this – it is a regional hub, so it attracts people from Dubai as well as others from across the GCC. What are you showcasing at the Salon?

Here we are focusing on the novelties introduced at SIHH 2016. Amongst them we have the Saxonia Moon Phase, the Grand Lange 1 Moon Phase Lumen, the Richard Lange Jumping Seconds – a limited edition of 100 pieces, and the Datograph Perpetual Tourbillion which was the main highlight of January’s fair.

You were talking about attracting the financial people, tell us about investing in a watch. How do you advise your clients?

First of all, I would advise my customers to buy a timepiece that they like – even before looking on it as an investment. I see

Ramzi Naël – ALS’ Regional Brand Director

WATCHES

reasons. This isn’t simply because we want to cap production but also for the simple reason that to be a Lange watchmaker requires a craftsman with the highest of skills. We take only the best – and we will only produce the number of watches our small number of craftsmen can comfortably do. Plus, our watches are very time-intensive because of their level of complication. And something very unique to Lange is what we call their ‘double-assembly’. We are the only brand that assembles their timepieces twice. We build the watch, test it, then disassemble it, refinish, reassemble, retest and only then we deliver. These are the de-facto limits on our production – but the advantage is that our relative slowness means we are not exposed to the ‘bumps’ in the luxury market as much as other brands are.

How important is the Kuwait market to Lange?

The Kuwait clientele is one of the most sophisticated when it comes to complications. They have been exposed to fine watches for many years – long before these brands became available in the country because of their extensive travelling to the world’s other major cities. Today we are closely with our long-term partners in Kuwait – the Behbehani family – they are very knowledgeable and passionate themselves.

a timepiece as a very personal product. It’s not a house, it’s not real estate. It’s an item you are going to wear on your wrist every day, so it has to be something you like, it has to be useful.

At the same time, it has to offer you everything you are looking for in a watch. For sure, the more you focus on niche brands that have a long term strategy and a very clear DNA, the better your investment will be. Frankly, with Lange & Söhne’s very clear strategy and DNA since the relaunch in 1994, we would definitely be considered as a good investment.

How has the recent and current economic situation affected your industry?

Today we cannot hide the fact that the watch industry in general is going through some ‘bumps’ – this isn’t unique to watches, it’s affecting the whole luxury sector. The larger the company the more you feel the impact of this. We are lucky, because we are very selective and very niche. Also, our production has always been carefully considered and limited for a number of

A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon Just limited to 100 watches, this is perhaps the most iconic chronographs produced by A. Lange & Söhne and definitely is one of the most desired.

The black solid-silver dial contrasts beautifully against the 41.5 mm platinum case as well as the hands and hour markers in rhodiumed gold.

Developing the 729-part caliber L952.2 movement, the finissage and assembly of this masterpiece is no easy task, with the entire process challenging the expertise of watch manufacturing. Only the most talented watchmakers can overcome the numerous obstacles encountered in creating flawless interaction of the individual modules.

The path to success requires extensive experience, dexterity, concentration and patience. Thus, the Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon is yet another manifestation of A. Lange & Söhne’s determination to never stand still and to test the limits of mechanical horology.

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WATCHES

Vacheron Constantin The oldest manufacturer of fine watches – since 1755 – and today renowned for creating the world’s most complicated timepiece. Indeed, in 2015, for the Manufacture’s 260th Anniversar y year, Vacheron Constantin revealed the world’s most complicated mechanical watch, named reference 57260. It took three watchmakers eight years to build the 57-complication marvel at the request of a client. In the Bloomberg. com interview about this grand complication, Vacheron Constantin would not disclose the exact price of this watch but did confirm that the price was between $8 million and $20 million U.S. dollars that had been estimated on various internet sites. We met Alexander Schmiedt, VC’s Regional Brand Director You have been present at each of the three editions of the Salon. Who is it attracting, how does Vacheron Constantin benefit from being here?

It’s essential that we are here. Since our foundation we have been the master of complications. It’s the only show in the region that focuses on this narrow sector of the market, it attracts true watch aficionados. This is our natural home.

People come and share and appreciate the quality here.

Assembled here is the very best of fine watchmaking.

Which are your key pieces for this year’s Salon? Which is the highlight?

We have brought a small number of very special pieces.

It’s a hard choice to know what to bring. If I had to choose one to highlight above others, for me it would be the new Traditionelle Chronograph Perpetual Calendar. We first presented this just two months ago. It combines the essence of Vacheron. A high complication, a combination of two of the most complex complications that you can imagine – the perpetual calendar and the chrono – a wonderful expression of complexity and classicism.

Alexander Schmiedt, VC’s Regional Brand Director

But each of our pieces shows a different strength of Vacheron. We possess the traditional competence of fine watchmaking – the movement finishing – but we also have the métier d’art of the house. Our uniqueness is delivered through our combination of fine watchmaking with the metier d’art. We have a gem-setter who specializes only in watches – gem-setting for jewelry is very different. Every timepiece we produce is the result of more than two and a half centuries of progression.

WATCHES

The 57260 is a most remarkable piece.

It is. It combines three of our most important strengths. The first is our mastery of complications and understanding the tradition. Secondly, and importantly – because tradition is only one side of the coin – is innovation. Remember, the tradition of today is the innovation of the past. Only the best things become tradition. We have been reinventing ourselves for 261 years now – but in a unique way that respects tradition. The third, and a key strength, are those pieces that are ‘made-to-order’ for each client. We have a department conceived entirely to fulfil these orders. Indeed, the Caliber 57 was made to order following the request of a client.

How difficult is it to recruit people skilled enough to make your timepieces?

On one hand we’ve always maintained traditions, skills and always handed them on to the next generation. Essentially, forming the next generation from within is how we do this.

On the other hand, we also attract the finest craftsmen from outside because we offer them something that they can rarely find anywhere else. For example, one of the highlights of our company is the restoration atelier. We have 20 watchmakers who do nothing else other than restore watches we receive in from our clients – and these are watches dating back to the beginning of the company. A service like this is something that very few brands can offer – and equally very few people have the skills to work on this. The restorers are usually the very best watchmakers – we are one of few places they can practice their art.

How is your business in Kuwait?

Right now Kuwait is very good for us. The general effects of the economy in the region influences our outlook a little, but we’re focusing on increasing our visibility and this has helped us develop. The environment isn’t easy, but we’re cautiously happy for the future.

Vacheron Constantin Overseas World Time Tagged as ‘an ideal travel companion’ by this famous watchmaker, this particular piece has the world at your wrist.

The watch has a center that features a ‘Lambert’ projection map depicting the continents (enhanced by a sunburst satinbrushed finish) and the oceans (in a velvet finish), along with a translucent lacquered disc bearing the city names.

A third sapphire disc is laid over the map that provides day/ night indications by means of subtly graded smoky tints,

synchronized with the 24-hour disc. Finally, a translucent lacquered velvet-finished outer ring serves to indicate the hours and minutes.

The case of the new Vacheron Constantin Overseas World Time is 43.5 mm in diameter by 12.6 mm thick. It is water resistant to 150 meters, and even features a soft-iron antimagnetic ring.

Caliber 2460WT is self-winding, and the rotor is made of 22k rose gold. In its entirety, this beautiful piece is made in-house

by Vacheron Constantin. The 36.6 caliber offers 40-hours of power reserve, beating at 4 Hz, with 255 components.

The whole watch, inside and out, is just beautifully finished, and is Geneva hallmark certified.

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THE COLLECTOR’S GUIDE

The Collector’s Guide Middle Eastern Modern and Contemporary Art

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iddle Eastern Art specialist Masa Al-Kutoubi surveys the market and introduces the key artists to buy, illustrated with works from Christie’s latest Dubai auction. We had the chance to have a wider look about it in this detailed one-on-one.

How has the market grown, and what has driven this?

This year, Christie’s has celebrated its 10th anniversary in Dubai, which reflects how young the market is in the Middle East. Galleries have promoted Middle Eastern artists for some time, but the international market only really started to sit up and take notice in around 2003 when work began to be included in Islamic auctions in both London and Paris.

Since then the market for Middle Eastern art has grown exponentially, as shown by the prices realised for the pieces

by Louay Kayyali and Dia Al-Azzawi in our Dubai auctions of 2006 and 2007, compared with the estimates for works by the same artists in this month’s sale. This upturn has been fuelled by a growing appreciation and understanding of Middle Eastern artists and their markets.

What themes are prevalent in both Contemporary Art in the Middle East?

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The most common focus is on the adaptation of traditional motifs and ideas. Many Middle Eastern artists also grapple with notions of identity, as well as with the cultural and political events that change the way people think and live, while for those artists who have left their homelands to work abroad, ideas around the notion of self-identity are particularly prevalent.

Are there specific movements, schools or trends that are popular with collectors right now?

Collectors are actively looking for works around the start of specific movements within art history. It is extremely difficult, for example, to find Iranian Modern works from the Saqqakhaneh School of the early 1960’s. Untitled (Composition 3) by Faramarz Pilaram (1937-1982) — the largest of his works to come to auction — is a true testament to the Saqqakhaneh style, incorporating elements from votive motifs in a manner that is truly Modern.

There is also a new appreciation for female artists — previously overlooked in what has traditionally been a male-dominated world. In the upcoming Modern & Contemporary Art sale in Dubai, we have works by the Lebanese artist Helen Khal, the

Iranian artist Monir Farmanfarmaian, the Turkish/Jordanian artist Fahr El Nissa Zeid, and Tahia Halim from Egypt.

Which countries have tended to produce the leading Middle Eastern Modern and Contemporary artists?

Traditionally, the key centres for Modern art — which generally encompasses artists whose main body of work and practice is from the early 1900’s until the late 1980’s — have been Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Lebanon and Syria. The region’s leading Contemporary artists tend to come from Iran and Lebanon.

Who are the important names of Middle Eastern Modern Art to look out for?

Mahmoud Saïd (1897-1964) is renowned as the father of Modern painting in Egypt. His oil paintings employ Western techniques to depict scenes of contemporary life that reference the country’s long history. The son of an Egyptian prime minister, he left a career in law to study painting in Florence.

Parviz Tanavoli (b. 1937), one of the founding members of the Saqqakhaneh School, aims to reconcile contemporary sensibilities with his Persian heritage using classical poetry, calligraphy, mythology and miniature painting as sources of inspiration. Known primarily as a sculptor, his paintings are quite rare, touching on classical stories such as Farhad the Mountain Carver and the The Achaemenid Empire of Darius the Great (also known as the First Persian Empire).

Burhan Dogançay (1929-2013) is regarded as Turkey’s leading Modern artist. In the 1970’s he moved to New York and became fascinated with the dynamism and spontaneity of street art; works from this period, including the renowned Ribbons series, are the most sought after by collectors.

Kadhim Haider (1932-1985) is one of the pioneers of Iraqi Modern Art, adapting traditional imagery and ideas through Western stylistic elements such as Cubism, Expressionism and Abstraction. Intrigued by Shi’ite cultural traditions, his most celebrated works are the Martyr series depicting the Battle of Karbala in the 7th century, in which the Prophet’s grandson Hussein was killed.

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Lebanese artist Paul Guiragossian (1926-1993) is acclaimed for his Expressionist paintings in which groups of women are a recurring theme, symbolising hope, continuity and freedom.

In the 1980’s his work became less figurative, and his vibrant colour palette and intense brushstrokes laid the groundwork for the completely abstracted works that followed.

Who are the key names to know in Middle Eastern Contemporary Art? Farhad Moshiri (b. 1963) has been described as ‘the Warhol of the Middle East’. His works play on the kitsch, the material and the banal to highlight the gulf that exists between Islamic history and tradition on one side, and contemporary attitudes within Iran and the Western world on the other.

Ahmed Mater is a founding member of Edge of Arabia, a group of Saudi Arabian artists seeking to highlight Contemporary artistic practice in the Gulf, and Saudi Arabia specifically. Mater is a medical doctor, and his art encompasses photography, calligraphy, painting, installation, performance and video.

The Lebanese artist Nabil Nahas (b. 1949) lives and works in New York, where he blends Western techniques with traditional motifs from his homeland in richly coloured abstract works that celebrate nature.

After living in New York between 1945 and 1957, Monir Farmanfarmaian, now in her nineties, returned to live in her Iranian homeland. The Islamic Revolution of 1979 subsequently forced her to return to the United States, where she spent a further 26 years in exile.

It was in New York that she variously befriended artists such as Willem de Kooning, Jackson Pollock and Andy Warhol. Her re-appropriation of the traditional Iranian technique of mirrormosaic has produced mirror balls that exude the glitz of the pop culture the artist encountered in 1970’s America. In 2015, the Guggenheim in New York staged a major retrospective of Farmanfarmaian’s work.

Where are the best places to see Contemporary Art in the Middle East?

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Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art in Doha and Sursock Museum in Lebanon are both excellent, although the previews of our auctions in Dubai offer a truly comprehensive selection of Modern and Contemporary Art from the Middle East.

Lot 61 Mahmoud Saïd (Egyptian, 1897-1964) Le Vieux Cheikh (The Old Sheikh) Signed and dated ‘M.SAÏD 1927’ (lower left) Oil on board 38 1/8 x 26in. (97 x 66cm) Painted in 1927 Estimate USD 120,000 - USD 180,000 Price Realised USD 307,500

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THE COLLECTOR’S GUIDE

Lot 28 Burhan Dogançay (Turkish, 1929-2013) Arabian Horse (from the Ribbons series) Signed, inscribed and dated ‘B Dogancay 1978 N.Y.C’ (on the reverse) Acrylic on canvas 60 x 60in. (152.4 x 152.4cm) Painted in 1978 Estimate USD 100,000 - USD 150,000 Price Realised USD 125,000

Lot 32 Kadhim Haider (Iraqi, 1932-1985) Untitled Signed and dated twice in Arabic (lower left) Oil on canvas 22 x 29 7/8in. (56 x 76cm) Painted in 1969-72 Estimate USD 50,000 - USD 70,000 Price Realised USD 50,000

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Lot 40 Louay Kayyali (Syrian, 1934-1978) Ghafwa (Slumber) Signed and dated in Arabic (along the upper right edge); titled in Arabic (on the reverse) Oil on masonite 37 ¼ x 37 ¼in. (94.5 x 94.5cm) Painted in 1974 Estimate USD 80,000 - USD 120,000 Price Realised USD 87,500

Lot 76 Parviz Tanavoli (Iranian, b. 1937) Heech Signed, numbered and dated ‘Parviz.02.4/6’ (on the top of the base) Painted fibreglass Height: 98½in. (250cm.)

Executed in 2002, this work is number four from an edition of six Estimate USD 150,000 - USD 200,000 Price Realised USD 150,000

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Lot 56 Paul Guiragossian (Lebanese, 1926-1993) Al Risala (La Lettre) Signed ‘Paul.g.’ (lower left) Oil on canvas 45 5/8 x 35in. (116 x 89cm) Painted in 1977 Estimate USD 80,000 - USD 120,000 Price Realised USD 100,000

Lot 1 Parviz Tanavoli (Iranian, b. 1937) Untitled (Persepolis) Signed in Farsi (upper right) Oil, gouache and pencil on card 34 5/8 x 24in. (88 x 61cm) Executed circa early 1960’s Estimate USD 40,000 - USD 60,000 Price Realised USD 137,500

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Lot 33 Dia Al-Azzawi (Iraqi, b. 1939) Arsak Mowt (Your Wedding is Death) Signed and dated in Arabic (lower right); inscribed and dated ‘Dhia Al-Azzawi 1970 IRAQ’ (on the reverse) Oil on canvas 53 ½ x 53 ½in. (136 x 136cm) Painted in 1970 Estimate USD 60,000 - USD 80,000 Price Realised USD 235,500

Lot 96 Nabil Nahas (Lebanese, b. 1949) Untitled Acrylic and metallic paint on canvas 55 x 82 ¾in. (140 x 210cm) Painted in 2006 Estimate USD 70,000 - USD 90,000 Price Realised USD 100,000

Lot 86 Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian (Iranian, b. 1924) Pentagon With an artist’s plaque (attached to the reverse) Mirror mosaic, reverse-glass painting and plaster on Plexiglass 42 7/8 x 44 7/8in. (109 x 114cm) Executed in 2011 Estimate USD 120,000 - USD 180,000 Price Realised USD 150,000

Lot 84 Farhad Moshiri (Iranian, b. 1963) 2 Flamingos Signed and dated in Farsi; signed, titled and dated ‘“2 FLAMINGOS” Farhad Moshiri 2008’ (on the reverse) Acrylic, glitter and glaze on canvas laid down on panel 74 5/8 x 58 ½in. (189.5 x 148.5cm) Executed in 2008 Estimate USD 100,000 - USD 150,000 Price Realised USD 199,500

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THE COLLECTOR’S GUIDE

Lot 109 Ahmed Mater (Saudi Arabian, b. 1979) Cardiac Illumination II Signed and dated ‘Ahmed Mater 2009’ (lower left) Gold leaf, tea, pomegranate, Dupont Chinese ink and offset x-ray film print on paper 61 x 41 3/8in. (155 x 105cm) Executed in 2009 Estimate USD 15,000 - USD 20,000 Price Realised USD 18,750

Lot 4 Faramarz Pilaram (Iranian, 1937-1982) Untitled (Composition 3) Signed and titled in Farsi (on the reverse) Ink, metallic paint and acrylic on paper 70 ½ x 34 5/8in. (179 x 88cm) Executed circa early 1960’s Estimate USD 100,000 - USD 150,000 Price Realised USD 150,000

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THE PUNDIT

Hassan Al Akhras Founder, Arab Watch Guide

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collector since his teenage years, Dubai-based Hassan Al Akhras founded the Arab Watch Guide in 2014. Since then it has grown to become a well regarded source of news, information and opinion by both sides of the watch business – manufacturers and aficianados alike. He is also the founder and presenter of the recently launched – and currently only – Arabic-language weekly watch show. In collaboration with Moneywatches it is broadcast via YouTube. A great conversationalist, there are few who match the passion and knowledge of Hassan in the field of timepieces. We sat down for a special one-on-one, and learned about his collection, where to source information, and what’s next from AWG. Can you give us an overview of your collection. Which are the headline pieces?

My style of collecting is very diversified as I like to have different types of watches in terms of functionalities, brands and also in their positioning on the haute horologery scale.

They can range from a daily watch such as my Tudor Black Bay Bronze, or a more sporty and functional / heavy duty piece such as my Suunto Spartan to the more elegant watch such as the Jaeger LeCoultre Duometre.

Do you follow brands, or types of watch?

I don’t like to stick to one brand only; every brand has something to offer in its collection and my personal goal is to have at least one watch of every brand that I appreciate. In terms of types, I also like to have a watch from every complication possible in its pure form - meaning one complication per watch and not all of them together at once.

THE PUNDIT

As a collector, what are the key attributes a watch must have while determining whether it will be added to your collection?

There are several factors that go into my evaluation of a watch that would either shortlist it to the collection or not. Starting from the dial side, there must be an aesthetic attraction when I consider the dial: a ‘Coup de foudre’ as we say; if I don’t get that emotional feeling, then it will never catch my attention. And this feeling could be triggered by a simple color combination inside the dial or between the dial and the hands, or the dial and the case. I also look out for more complicated dials versus very simple one - of course that is not always the rule, but I tend to enjoy busy dials, with many counters, indicators or hands. The case size must be between 39-41mm usually to fit my wrist perfectly; although there have been a few exceptions along the way. Another major criterion which becomes more essential in fine watchmaking is the finishing on the movement and the details that the watchmakers have worked on to make that piece more refined and elegant aesthetically, in places where most people won’t be looking; and that makes the watch even more desirable.

Which is the current personal highlight within your collection?

Frankly these days, I am enjoying my Tudor Black Bay Bronze and my F.P. Journe Chronomètre Bleu And which is the Holy Grail – the watch you would like to add but haven’t yet?

I think if I ever considered a watch a Holy Grail, it would have to have a minute repeater function in it or even a Grande and Petite Sonnerie - such as the Journe Grand and Petite Sonnerie.

Where do you buy? Dealers. Auctions. Other collectors.

All have their advantages, and disadvantages. What’s your approach?

I mostly buy from the retailers and sometimes in auctions.

Dealers are sometimes handy when the pieces are out of stock in all stores and everyone is asking for a crazy premium when the dealer can just get it for me at a more reasonable price.

Where is your richest seam of information? Online has a wealth of news – is it reliable? Who are your trusted sources?

I like to check up on many Instagram watch accounts to get any updates I have missed. Most of the times I already know what’s being released as I am in contact with all the watch brands and receive their press kits and embargoed news before anyone else. I like to read a lot on the internet, sometimes on blogs, but most of the time I am looking for specific information that I need to dig out by myself. Blogs such Hodinkee, Ablogtowatch come in quite handy sometimes as well.

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THE PUNDIT

What advice would you give to collectors seeking to start out or looking to add pieces?

My advice is first to read about watches and their stories; find your own rhythm and style and try not to blindly follow trends and people around you just to be cool or to feel that you fit in.

A watch is a very personal item and needs that emotional link with it to get the full appreciation and satisfaction from very purchase. So, just create your own collection with your own style and persona, and forget about what other people tend to tell you to buy or not to buy.

Which of this year’s new launches do you see as becoming the collectible of tomorrow?

I believe the Tudor is a big contender as it already won an award at GPHG for its latest release and they keep getting better and better. Frankly, this year not many releases were outstanding or major breakthroughs, they mostly were small variations on already known models. I personally think the A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Tourbillon is an amazing watch to have in the collection.

You’re a lifelong collector. How do you view the current state of the global watch sector? Who are you looking at to be strong over the next generation – will we see the heritage brands retain their cache or is there room for newer names to move in and position themselves as players in the collector’s market?

We seem to be going into a new phase of collecting watches.

First, most of the brands are trying to penetrate the more affordable segment of watches where the young and trendy collectors are the target. I see that the mature and more experienced collectors are heading towards more of the Independent brands for their rarity and uniqueness which

makes them very desirable. There is always room for both players: the institutions and heritage brands are here to stay – if they can cope with the new trends without going overboard and losing their identity as well as over supplying the market with watches. The Independent are becoming more and more interesting and in demand for the educated collectors that want to be different and distinguished.

What does AWG offer its own readers in terms of depth of information and integrity?

AWG is about the lifestyle element and not the technical geeky reviews of watches. The readers of AWG are interested in the stories behind the watches, the way they are integrated in our life and how we wear them daily. A major part of AWG is the exploration and adventure angle that is around the stories we tell of the watches and brands we collaborate with to bring their stories alive. This is the AWG DNA and it will remain always about the experiences and not the technical reviews unless it is in our videos.

How do you see yourself using the growth of social media in supporting AWG? You’re online, have 80k+ followers on IG and a highly-viewed YouTube channel. What can we expect next?

AWG on social media, especially on Instagram and Snapchat, is growing to become more of a lifestyle coverage that has the watch elements as a key factor in it but also covers the things that we collectors enjoy as well such as our athletic side, our traveling explorations, our ‘boy’s toys’ such as cars and cigars. The expansion will be aimed towards making the stories revolve around many aspects of our lives and keep our followers informed of what is happening in the watch world day-by-day. There are a few projects we are working on for 2017 and you will hear about them soon once they are ready!

THE LUXE REVIEW

THE LUXE REVIEW Our exclusive guide to the finest from the spheres of horology, automobiles, style, travel, design and much more.

In the Luxe Review we look at the best, and meet the people that are making it happen.

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BMW Art Journey

Abigail Reynolds visits the lost libraries of the Silk Road

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MW Art Journey winner Abigail Reynolds (represented by ROKEBY, London) has begun the first leg of her journey along the Silk Road, which sees her travel by motorbike to visit the sites of ‘lost libraries’ she has come across in her research. Reynolds is the third BMW Art Journey winner and will be the second artist to unveil her work at Art Basel’s Hong Kong show, following work by previous winner Samson Young which debuted at this year’s edition.

Reynolds is currently completing the first stage of her tour, and has so far travelled from the UK to China, where she has visited Xi’an before heading to Yinchuan, where her work has been included as part of the Biennale. From Yinchuan she will travel through Dunhuang before heading to Kokand in Uzbekistan and Istanbul in Turkey.

The first stop on Reynolds’ journey saw her visit the Xianyang Palace library, founded in 350 BCE and destroyed in 206 CBE. Xianyang was made the capital of the state of Qin in 350 BCE where the Ch’in dynasty (221 BCE – 207 BCE) left a lasting impact. While the site is mentioned in many ancient scholarly texts and the site was excavated in 1956, all that remains today is a barren plot of wasteland, the sight of which was a resonant and moving experience for the artist.

Reynolds’ second stop took her to the Baisikou Pagodas.

These Pagodas, home to a library containing the first ever book printed with moveable type, were built by Xixia in 1075, partially destroyed by Genghis Khan in 1227, and were completely destroyed during the cultural revolution, with replicas constructed in the 1990s. The artist explored the site and Xi’an’s local libraries to find documentation on the original pagodas, piecing together the circumstances of their gradual and complete destruction.

Throughout the journey, Reynolds will be recording her travels using 16mm film and a Bolex camera. The camera itself is heavy and cumbersome, while the film is delicate and can be easily affected by its conditions. Reynolds is at present unsure whether the film from China will survive owing to the strong X-ray scanners in many international airports as well as the extreme weather found in the desert conditions of Central Asia. Images and scenes captured will only be revealed upon developing the film in the UK. However, Reynolds believes that should

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the film be fogged or damaged, then this decay will mirror the conditions of the sites she is visiting. The idea of having to salvage what she can find from the film directly correlates to the various degrees of preservation and redevelopment she will encounter on her journey.

Having studied English Literature at Oxford University, Abigail Reynolds frequently draws inspiration from literary essays and figures to imagine places and moments from the past, present and future. Her project for BMW Art Journey 2016/17, ‘The Ruins of Time: Lost Libraries of the Silk Road,’ will allow her to connect the complex religious and secular narratives of Europe and Asia through an extensive multi- continent series of visits to historic and fabled repositories of books. The artist will trace sixteen sites of libraries lost to political conflicts, looters, natural catastrophes and war. Conceptually, Abigail Reynolds intends to explore blanks and voids, with the library symbolising the impossibility of encompassing all knowledge.

The second half of Reynolds’ journey will be completed by the end of January 2017. This second leg will see Reynolds travel to sites in Italy, Egypt, Turkey and Iran before once again returning to the UK. Abigail Reynolds’ project, ‘The Ruins of Time: Lost Libraries of the Silk Road’ will be presented by Art Basel and BMW at Art Basel in Hong Kong 2017 and will comprise a body of work completed by Reynolds in response to her findings along the Silk Road.

The BMW Art Journey is a global collaboration between Art Basel and BMW, created to recognize and support emerging artists worldwide. This unique award is open to artists who are exhibiting in the Discoveries and Positions sectors in the Hong Kong and Miami Beach shows of Art Basel, respectively.

Two judging panels comprised of internationally renowned experts meet first to select a shortlist of three artists from the sector, who are then invited to submit proposals for a journey aimed to further develop their ideas and artistic work. The jury reconvenes to choose a winner from the three proposals. The next round of selections for the BMW Art Journey will take place during Art Basel in Miami Beach.

BMW is a global partner of Art Basel and has supported Art Basel’s three shows in Basel, Miami Beach and Hong Kong for over a decade.

Art Basel and BMW will collaborate with the artists to document the journey and share it with a broader public through print publications, online and social media.

For further information about the artists and the project, please visit: www.bmw-art- journey.com

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THE LUXE CARS

Porsche’s Panamera Additions Porsche debuts new additions to its Panamera model line

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he 2016 LA Auto Show saw Porsche present a new 330 hp V6 turbo petrol engine in rear wheel and all-wheel drive, along with an Executive model, which offers an extended body option. The V6 turbo derivative is a highly efficient and agile addition to an already diverse range of engines that power the segment-leading four-door saloon. It features a 20 hp increase from the corresponding engine of the previous Panamera generation and a reduced consumption of up to 1.0 l/100 km. In addition, three Executive versions of the Panamera will be introduced at the same time.

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While the Panamera and Panamera 4 redefine the entry to Porsche’s luxury saloon range, the Executive derivatives, with their 150 millimetre longer wheelbase, expand the model line’s body and equipment portfolio. Designed as a chauffeur car, this Porsche is available as an all-wheel drive version in the Panamera 4 Executive (330 hp), Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Executive (462 hp), Panamera 4S Executive (440 hp) and Panamera Turbo Executive (550 hp).

The new Executive range is equipped with various standard features, including a large panoramic roof, heated comfort seats with multi-way electrical adjustment in the front and rear, as well as adaptive air suspension with an electronically controlled damper system (Porsche Active Suspension Management). Roll-up sunblinds behind the headrests in the rear also come as standard.

Meanwhile, the Panamera 4S Executive and Panamera Turbo Executive benefit from even more features, such as rear-axle steering and soft-close doors. The most powerful model is equipped with four-zone climate control, LED main headlights, including Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS), and ambient lighting as standard.

Furthermore, customers can choose from a range of optional equipment, such as newly developed large rear centre console, which can also be equipped with two integrated folding tables, and an inductive antenna connection for an additional smartphone. The exterior of the Executive versions can be further individualised with a Sport Design package.

The newly announced derivatives are available for order now.

First deliveries can be expected during the second quarter of 2017, whilst the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid versions arrive midsummer next year.

The basic retail prices for the latest Panamera models in Kuwait are as follows: Panamera KWD 31,900 Panamera 4 KWD 33,700 Panamera 4 Executive KWD 36,400 Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Executive KWD 39,800 Panamera 4S Executive KWD 42,500 Panamera Turbo Executive KWD 59,000

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THE LUXE CARS

McLaren confirms world’s first Hyper-GT Three-seater, 106 units, sold-out

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cLaren Special Operations (MSO), the department of McLaren Automotive responsible for bespoke customer commissions, has confirmed details of the world’s first ‘Hyper-GT’ which will be the most exquisitely crafted and luxurious road-going McLaren to date. Development of the car, codenamed BP23, standing for Bespoke Project 2 and featuring three seats, will be entrusted to MSO with production limited to 106 units, all of which have already been pre-sold.

On the announcement of the project, McLaren Automotive’s Chief Executive Officer, Mike Flewitt, said: “BP23 will borrow the three seat layout with the central driving position made famous by the iconic McLaren F1, and it will be housed in a streamlined, shrink-wrapped carbon fibre body of great elegance. We are calling BP23 a ‘Hyper-GT’ because it’s a car designed for longer journeys, but with the high levels of performance and driver engagement expected of any McLaren. A hybrid powertrain will make it one of the most powerful McLarens yet created but the car will also deliver the highest levels of refinement, enabling significant journeys to be undertaken with up to three people aboard.”

Design work has begun, with an ambition to deliver the first examples in early 2019. Production is being capped at 106 units which is exactly the same as the number of McLaren F1s produced. Future owners will work alongside MSO to create their own bespoke cars, being able to select colour, trim and other points of personalisation unique to them.

Such is the exceptional nature of the project, all of the switchgear will be bespoke and exquisitely crafted for the car.

Like the McLaren F1 and all of McLaren Automotive’s road and track cars, the car will feature dihedral doors, but for BP23, the doors will be powered for the first time with apertures extending into the roof.

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Jaguar Electrifies with I-PACE Concept Car

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First Jaguar Electric Vehicle Revealed

he Jaguar I-PACE Concept car is the start of a new era for Jaguar. This is a production preview of the Jaguar I-PACE, which will be revealed next year and on the road in select markets in 2018.

Customers in select markets can register now at Jaguar.com to be one of the first I-PACE owners.

Jaguar’s engineering and design teams have torn up the rule book to create a bespoke electric architecture, matched with dramatic design. The result is no-compromise smart, five seat sports car and a performance SUV in one.

Ian Callum, Director of Design, said: “The I-PACE Concept represents the next generation of electric vehicle design. It’s a dramatic, future-facing cab-forward design with a beautiful interior – the product of authentic Jaguar DNA, electric technology and contemporary craftsmanship.

“Our virtual reality reveal today has pushed technology boundaries as well, and captures the hi-tech essence of the concept car. We only have one concept car and it is in LA for the reveal. For the first time, VR has allowed us share it across the globe in the most immersive way possible.”

This unique and world-first ‘social VR’ reveal is believed to be the largest live and connected VR event of its type to date. Throughout the day more than 300 guests were transported into a specially created life-like virtual space, into which, two of the car’s creators,Ian Callum and Ian Hoban were projected.

From VR hubs in Los Angeles and London, groups of 66guests including A-list stars Michelle Rodriguez, Miranda Kerr and James Corden, used HTC Vive Business Edition headsets, powered by Dell Precision workstations, to put themselves inside the concept car and interact live with other participants.

Guests ‘sat’ on the concept’s virtual seats, had a 3600 view of Venice Beach as the concept was built piece by piece around them, and saw the I-PACE Concept race towards them across a virtual desert.

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FERRARI ZAYANI

experience at Bahrain International Circuit with the Ferrari 488 GTB, California T and the GTC 4 Lusso

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aving announced the arrival of the Ferrari 488 GTB, California T and the GTC 4 Lusso to Kuwait, Zayani organized a trip to Bahrain International Circuit putting the three models on track.

Here is a brief feature about the three iconic Ferrari.

Ferrari 488 GTB The new Ferrari 488 GTB not only delivers unparalleled performance, it also makes that extreme power exploitable and controllable to an unprecedented level even by less expert drivers. An exceptional engine and sophisticated aerodynamics combined with refined vehicle dynamic controls radically the already razor-sharp responsiveness of Ferrari’s road cars to near-track level.

The Ferrari 488 GTB’s exceptional sportiness and performance are underscored by particularly aggressive styling. The design is aerodynamically highly efficient yet retains the classically clean, pure lines typical of Ferrari’s legendary styling.

To ensure the Ferrari 488 GTB is even more unique and suited to owners’ individual requirements, Ferrari has created a vast Personalisation Programme with new options developed specifically for the model.

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California T

GTC 4 Lusso

The California T delivers true sports car dynamics, thanks to reduced steering wheel activity and improved steering response to driver input, courtesy of a new steering box and suspension set-up. New springs and latest-generation Magnaride dampers, combined with body motion accelerometers, reduce roll and pitch for more precise handling whilst still guaranteeing an incredibly comfortable ride.

The Ferrari GTC4Lusso is a new four-seater model that integrates rear-wheel steering with four-wheel drive for the first time, hailing another major advance for the versatile sporty Grand Tourer concept.

Considerable attention was paid to the design, maintaining the outgoing model’s overall dimensions while ensuring that the California T has a new, individual personality.

The shape of the California T’s flanks is inspired by the 250 Testa Rossa’s famous pontoon-fender styling, with the front wing line stretching back towards the compact, muscular rear, bringing an aerodynamic sleekness and movement to the sides. The rear benefits from meticulous aerodynamic research resulting in a new triple-fence diffuser.

Seamless integration of its complex vehicle dynamics control systems means the powerful GTC4Lusso performs brilliantly in all driving situations, but really comes into its own on challenging low-grip surfaces, delivering a consistent sense of stability and comfort.

Penned by Ferrari Design, theGTC4Lusso is a further refinement of the shooting brake coupé, reinterpreting the concept with an extremely streamlined, tapered shape that gives it an almost fastback-like silhouette.

All three models are available at Zayani showroom, Kuwait. www.al-zayani.com

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A Crystal-Clear Sound L.U.C Full Strike

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s the crowning point of the celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of Chopard Manufacture, Chopard launched its first ever minute repeater: the L.U.C. Full Strike, featuring a number of world première features. Striking the hours, quarters and minutes on sapphire gongs, this standout model is in a league of its own thanks to its original construction, the excellence of its Poinçon de Genève finishing, and above all its extraordinary sound. This refined and easy-wear model epitomises the best of the Chopard Manufacture expertise, inventiveness and quality.

The accomplished, expert and versatile Chopard Manufacture has been working for more than six years on its most sophisticated chiming watch to date. If you’ve never heard the chime, you can do so online at menspassion-online.com – look for this month’s L.U.C. Full Strike feature. The L.U.C collection already included the L.U.C Strike One model launched in 2006, which chimes each striking hour. The collection now welcomes a minute repeater entirely developed, produced and assembled

by Chopard: the L.U.C Full Strike. This distinguished 42.5 mmdiameter watch in Fairmined rose gold with an openworked dial houses a substantial number of technical solutions that make it one of the most innovative minute repeaters on the market.

The L.U.C Full Strike is an exceptional watch that chimes the hours, quarters and minutes on transparent crystal gongs.

These sapphire rings are an integral part of the watch glass, which creates a perfect loudspeaker faithfully to diffuse the chimes of the hammers striking the sapphire. This is a unique technical solution which is visible at 10 o’clock and results in a tone of matchless purity that is rich and full, powerful and resonant. The traditional metaphorical description of a sound as “crystal-clear” takes on a very literal meaning here.

The L.U.C Full Strike chimes as a silver knife were delicately tapping a Bohemian crystal glass placed on the table of a gourmet restaurant.

Chopard’s watchmaking creativity Behind this acoustic result lies one of the most sophisticated and inventive movements ever created by Chopard Manufacture. Almost 17,000 hours of development have been lavished on the development of calibre 08.01-L, which is subjected to three pending patents. Chopard has found all-new in-house responses to historical issues relating to the nature of the gongs, as well as to the operation and ergonomics of the striking system as a whole.

THE LUXE WATCHES

Between notes In music, silence is as important as the notes themselves.

For a minute repeater, silence is equally important and Chopard has developed the L.U.C Full Strike with this in mind. The rotations of the strike governor – the component that gives the striking mechanism its rhythm – are visible at 8 o’clock. While this part may sometimes emit a humming sound, that of calibre L.U.C 08.01-L is entirely inaudible.

While components used for the striking mechanism sometimes make a clicking sound at the end of the tune, the L.U.C Full Strike does no such thing. Finally, it resolves one of the most disturbing problems faced by a minute repeater: the silence between the last hours stroke and the first quarters stroke, which may vary according to the specific quarter-hour to be struck.

In simple terms, the minute repeater sequence comprises one time-window for the hours, another for the quarterhours and a third for the minutes. A chime is thus generally punctuated by long silences, during which the watch owner must wait and may in fact wonder whether the watch is still working. The structure of calibre L.U.C 08.01-L enables it to skip these silences automatically. Its hours, quarters and minutes gear trains are superimposed and mutually drive each other. When one has completed its task, it automatically triggers the next, maintaining a constant cadence however many strokes are to be chimed subsequently.

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THE LUXE WATCHES

Precision Without Compromise A. Lange & Söhne presents the RICHARD LANGE “Pour le Mérite” in white gold

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ith a limited 218-watch edition of the RICHARD LANGE “Pour le Mérite”, A. Lange & Söhne revives the concept of the uncompromisingly precise timekeeping instrument. The new version in white gold with a black dial had its debut at the company’s international dealer convention in Dresden on 22 September 2016. Its fusée-and-chain transmission ensures constant torque and superb rate accuracy.

The RICHARD LANGE “Pour le Mérite”, first introduced in 2009, exemplifies an ambitious tribute to precision in its purest form: the sole objective of its complication, discernible only on the movement side, is to improve rate accuracy. The pink-gold and platinum versions, now sold out, are now being complemented with a limited white-gold edition featuring a black dial.

Utmost technical complexity The mechanism guarantees constant torque and thus stability of the amplitude of the balance across the entire power-reserve range. Wrapped around the mainspring barrel, the chain delivers the power of the main-spring to the wheel train via the cone-shaped fusée. In principle, the mechanism works like the gearing of a bicycle except that the gear ratios are infinitely variable rather than fixed.

The 636-part chain can support a weight of over two kilograms.

But to fully exploit the positive effect of the fusée-and-chain device, the product developers added a technical refinement: two separate mechanisms block the winding system before fully wound and fully un-wound states. Both prevent the chain – which is only 0.25 millimetres thick and 156 millimetres long – from being overstressed.

The most important parts of the fusée-and-chain device are clearly visible through the sapphire-crystal caseback.

Generously dimensioned openings in the three-quarter plate made of German silver reveal the mechanism.

Perfection down to the last detail Manifesting artisanship at its finest, the engravings on the balance cock as well as on the escape-wheel and fourth-wheel cock give each of the 218 watches the status of a unique work of art. The number of watches of this edition has a special meaning. The current number of global points of sale at which A. Lange & Söhne timepieces are available is 218.

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Panerai at Dubai Watch Week Demonstrate the latest technical creations

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FFICINE PANERAI, the Florentine high-end sports watchmaker, participated at the third edition of Dubai Watch Week held under the patronage of the Dubai Art & Culture Authority. This prestigious horology event brought together the world’s biggest names in the watch industry to demonstrate the latest technical creations, discuss the dynamics of today’s market and to learn the art of making timepieces through many accessible masterclasses, workshops and forums.

PANERAI captured that moment in time, defining their brilliant insights in combining complicated horology expertise with Italian style and sober luxury to international watch enthusiast, collectors and top influencers in the field.

From the 15th to the 19th of November 2016, PANERAI took part in the ‘Horological Movement Exhibition’ in DIFC, where exceptional timepieces along with rare complicated in-house movements were showcased. The aim of this exhibition was to engage clients and give visitors an exclusive insight to the brand’s heritage and craftsmanship that makes PANERAI one of the most admired international brands of high quality sports watchmaking.

Further to that, a creative hub networking session was held with regional PANERAI enthusiasts and watchmaking connoisseurs to foster creativity talks and highlight the latest innovation. The week ended with two exclusive watchmaking classes orchestrated by a PANERAI master watchmaker coming from the manufacture in NeuchâtelSwitzerland that gave attendees the opportunity to assemble the brand’s most renowned movements.

Finally, from the 15th till the 29th of November 2016, a historic Luminor Marina Militare made for the commandoes of the Italian Navy (The PamPL009) along with the Luminor Submersible 1950 Carbotech (Pam00616) was on display at the Mastery of Time Exhibition curated by the Foundation de la Haute Horologie (FHH), located in the grand atrium at Dubai Mall.

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Rebirth of an Icon

Rado unveils new Ceramica designed by Konstantin Grcic

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minimalist design icon has been reborn: the Rado Ceramica, a timepiece known for its striking linear shape and visionary use of high-tech ceramic, has been redesigned by renowned industrial designer Konstantin Grcic. In this new design, one of Rado’s most recognizable hightech ceramic timepieces has been given a contemporary interpretation while retaining the strong geometric shape that made the original such a classic.

Like the original upon which it is based, the new Ceramica is a high-tech ceramic timepiece for both men and women who appreciate purist, modern aesthetics. The linear bracelet silhouette of the original has evolved into a more classic watch shape, with the gently curved edges of the monobloc case taking center stage. Advances in technology, together with Grcic’s vision, have given rise to this masterful combination of form and material, which finds expression in the eleven models that make up the new Ceramica collection.

About Konstantin Grcic One of the world’s foremost industrial designers, Konstantin Grcic has developed furniture, lighting, accessories and housewares, with many of his products receiving prestigious international design awards. Known for his passion for technology and materials, Grcic was a natural choice for the 2016 redesign of the iconic Rado Ceramica. Grcic is often referred to as a minimalist, but the designer himself prefers to speak of simplicity.

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Bomberg Bolt-68 Chrono Quartz Chroma II

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omberg has presented two newcomers in the BOLT-68 Chroma family which will brighten your life by bringing on your wrist and in your pocket the multicolors. Do you want to be noticed?

Then these colorful timepieces are the perfect choice for you. Elegant yet playful, the two new BOLT-68 CHROMA II will turn heads.

Chroma II Ice Brown PVD, vertical gadroons finishing, multicolor printed letters on the strap Chroma II Ice Blue PVD, vertical gadroons finishing, multicolor printed letters on the strap Not only standing out with design and materials, these new watches are also crafted with an ingenious bayonet system including a trigger guard. Patented by the brand itself, this system makes each piece even more flexible as it doubles as a pocket watch when the time-keeping module is detached from its base and attached to a metal chain.

This modern and innovative system is a real development in three aspects of watchmaking : size, engineering and security.

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THE LUXE STYLE

Sachin Ahluwalia of Sachin & Babi at Harvey Nichols Kuwait

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or two decades, Sachin & Babi Ahluwalia have been forging their path in the luxury lifestyle world. Sachin, in a special talk to Men’s Passion during his visit for the collection launch at Harvey Nichols stores in Kuwait, revealed about their start, progress and market penetration having worked for the most exclusive couture houses for unique embroideries.

Your wife and yourself founded Sachin & Babi. At what point did you decide to work together knowing that you both met at design school?

We are both from India she’s from New Delhi and I am from Mumbai, and we met at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in the United States. Being in a new city you look at a familiar face and we became good friends, when we graduated neither of us wanted to go back to India, and we decided to start a company together, our parents encouraged us to get married we were very young at that time.

So we started our business together specialized in embroidery designs, over the two decades we were very fortunate to work with the best design houses in the world from Valentino, Giorgio Armani, to Carolina Herrera, Oscar de la Renta, Bill Blass in New York and we developed an atelier in India with 230 people and about 260 hand embroiderers working exclusively for us.

It was only about five/six years ago that we decided to start our own label and that was primarily where we started to think about creating a collection with the same esthetics, the same level of finish and luxury and the same quality of fabrics that we used to provide to the fashion houses, yet we wanted our collection to be more affordable and more approachable for our friends and for people like us.

How can you describe your relation at work and at home?

It is very unique! Obviously when we started it took us many years to separate between home and office.

At the office we are different types of partners than at home. I think that since we had our daughters it’s kind of pretty hard to focus on something but them. I always say children are a good distraction. So dinner tables are usually about school and life. Both Babi and myself we hold our spaces, my wife runs certain parts of the business and I run different parts, and it took us years to figure out this kind of balance which makes it easier for both of us.

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Who does what?

I studied design and my wife studied textiles at FIT, so I am more involved with the design aspect of the business and my wife holds all the technical and tactile aspects, she is the woman behind the brand, she’s also the muse and the reason why we do what we do, so she’s sort of my inner voice; I am the hand and she is the brain.

From where do you get inspired?

When we talked about our Spring collection our inspiration was ballet dancers; when I look at today’s modern woman I see she is filled with grace, very feminine but at the same time she is very strong and comes from a point of strength, and if you look at ballet dancers they are very gracious, very feminine and when you look at their feet you see they come from so much strength.

So that was a wonderful source of inspiration for our collection along their silhouettes we wanted fabric to float beautifully and easily with a lot of ruffles and where you can see a little bit of the leg. For our presentation, we brought four ballet dancers and they absolutely understood the connection.

What do you have to tell us about your new collection? As we saw that the entire patterns are flowers.

I have always loved botanicals; I think that what attracted me most to this field.

A collection is always known to be feminine and I have always admired that aspect of it.

How will it respond to Kuwaitis’ women taste and style?

I am still learning about the Kuwaiti woman through our partners and buyers. I see her very fashion oriented, she really knows what she wants and aware about the current trends. Just by looking at the selection this store has it really speaks to who she is. Today the Kuwaiti woman- like all of the women in today’s modern societies- looks for cloth that fit her lifestyle. I see this in Europe, America and I don’t think it’s any different here.

According to me, the woman is really taking control of her life and she’s really challenging the designers like myself to give her a collection that really speaks to her, to her needs and to her lifestyle.

How do you describe your partnership with Harvey Nichols Kuwait?

I’m not sure when but ever since we have started, we have seen that Kuwait grew into one of the largest markets we have in the Middle East. Harvey Nichols Kuwait has been one of the strongest partners we have in the region that’s why I wanted to come here and see for myself. This is a store that looks at the emerging brands, really nurtures them, helps them grow and gives them the potential especially for young emerging designers like ourselves and we couldn’t ask for a better partner than them.

If you weren’t designing Sachin & Babi, what would you be doing?

Oh my Gosh!! If I weren’t designing Sachin & Babi I would most probably be a Chef. I love to cook, I absolutely enjoy it and I follow all the cooking shows on television. For me it’s another creative process and like any creative process you start something from ingredients and you see that over a period of time it becomes fruition and that, what makes it so satisfying. To see something from an idea into a natural physical thing is very rewarding, and the chef when he takes some ingredients then adds spices and herbs, his dish will transform into something that touches the senses, so I think that is a fascinating journey.

What will be your piece of advice for young designers?

Relevance is so important, there are so many products in the market. I always say to young designers look at the opportunities of what the market wants rather than creating something that they want. There is always space for new designers but I think that they need to find that space for them to be individual but also distinct from everything else. And if they can do that they will have definitely a good space to be in.

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Hugo Boss New stores and new look for Winter 2016/7

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hen Hugo Boss decides to relaunch their stores in Kuwait an interesting story comes with it. In a special conversation with Men’s Passion on the occasion of the new stores’ opening the Managing Partner of Serb Fashion, Rami Rahal, highlights style and elegance over fashion and trend.

How can you define the relaunch of the store at this time of challenging economic conditions?

Hugo Boss is one of the market leaders in the premium and luxury segment of the global apparel market. It focuses on developing and marketing of premium fashion and accessories for men and women. Headquartered in Metzingen, the company generated with almost 14,000 employees net sales of EUR 2.8 billion in fiscal year 2015, making it one of the most profitable listed apparel manufacturers in the world.

Thus, it only seems fit to have the locations renovated and to be on par with the standards the brand is portraying across the globe.

What is the story behind the design?

The new store concept B7 plus is already adopted in major global cities. The concept features clean, angular aesthetics – the perfect showcase for the brand’s collections grounded in tailoring and elegance.

The design embraces harmony between lines, shapes and colors. Throughout a store layout, matte and textile surfaces contrast with high-gloss and mirrored materials. The overall outcome is a refined space with a classic, yet airy, modern feel.

A high-quality and professional execution of all construction works is the basis for this uniform appearance and unique customer experience across all Boss distribution channels on a global level.

The new interior design provides the perfect backdrop to present Boss, which epitomizes authentic, understated luxury and offers modern, refined business- and eveningwear along with sophisticated casual looks.

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Did you remain faithful to the Hugo Boss brand identity with this new design?

Definitely. The Boss core brand epitomizes authentic, understated luxury. The men and women collections offer a rich array of modern business wear, exclusive sportswear and elegant evening apparel. The unique fits, high-quality materials and exquisite styles lend the Boss look a timeless elegance that is perfect for every occasion. Shoes and accessories round out the collections, supplemented by watches, eyewear and fragrances produced under license.

The new shop design precisely complements this identity.

How would the winter collection speak to your clients?

Soft, clean, pure light – the ultimate source of inspiration for the Fall/Winter 2016 collection from Boss Menswear. The menswear message is cool, modern and masculine. The design approach is refined and simple with an exceptional focus on quality and a precise, understated use of detail. Multi-functional styles are important throughout, from the two-in-one coat to the reversible jacket to the packable pieces of the season’s travel capsule.

What are the hot lines you are most looking forward to?

The Boss Green line. This line offers a collection of modern sportswear and active performance wear with a high standard of quality and functionality, blending premium fashion and sports performance. This line will surely be in the spotlight.

How do you see the retail market for Hugo Boss in Kuwait?

The Boss brand is growing in Kuwait. It has been in this market for more than 30 years and, as a result, it has developed a loyal clientele with growth year on year.

Who is Hugo Boss clientele?

Sophisticated, modern, elegant, confident… These are some of the traits that reflect the personality of the Boss client.

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HUGO BOSS sets sail in quest for Vendée Globe glory

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Skippered by Alex Thomson

n 7 November, Alex Thomson departed from the Vendée Globe start line in Les Sables d’Olonne, France, alongside 28 other sailors. He set off on board his new IMOCA 60 race boat, HUGO BOSS – a yacht which, after more than two years in the making, was unveiled at the end of 2015. Overnight Alex Thomson took first position. He has reached speeds in excess of 20 knots and is now battling against two of the French favourites Armel le Cleac’h on board Banque Populaire and Jean Pierre Dick racing on Stmichael Virbac.

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The Vendée Globe is a solo, non-stop, averaging 26,000 nautical mile unassisted race around the globe, that is often termed ‘the Everest of Sailing’. It takes place every four years and is one of sport’s most extreme endurance challenges, pushing even the world’s most capable sailors to their very limits in the quest for victory. Just 71 of the 138 sailors who have ever attempted to complete the race have successfully made it to the finish line. “After four years, the day has finally arrived”, said Thomson.

After successfully completing the 2012-2013 Vendée Globe and crossing the finishing line in third place, Thomson seeked to make history this year and become the first British sailor ever to win the iconic race.

“As a lead sponsor of the racing team, we were proud to be part of this adventure and we wished Alex the best of luck in this highly challenging race”, said Mark Langer, CEO HUGO BOSS AG.

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Warm up Your Winter with Canada Goose at Harvey Nichols Kuwait

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mpeccable performance-wear and innovative technology form the backbone of this Canadian cold weather specialist. Its down-filled coats, complete with fur trims, have garnered mass appeal since the label launched in 1957. Today, the jackets, which come in an array of colours, have become ultra-covetable among design connoisseurs.

Worn by a slew of celebrities such as Ryan Reynolds, Drake, Ashton Kutcher, Ryan Gosling to name a few, Canada Goose jackets are now available at Harvey Nichols Kuwait.

Canada Goose jackets and parkas are built to conquer extreme temperatures. Ever y detail from stitches to buttons and zipper are carefully chosen and meticulously put into place. The products pass through 13 production stages before leaving the factor y ensuring no detail is overlooked. And with this close attention and precision to detail the Canada Goose defines the Canadian luxur y.

Since 1957, the precision of ever y cut, fold and stitch is one that is guided by decades of experience.

For fur ther information on Har vey Nichols see www.harveynichols.com/store/international/kuwait/

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Versus Versace Fall Winter 2016

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he tough, rebellious attitude of Versus Versace: a utilitarian mood for the city streets, from creative director Anthony Vaccarello. Trench coats, zip-up bombers, double-breasted coats and cargo pants define the season for both women and men.

Camouflage prints are reborn with the head of the Versus Versace lion, while paisley prints bring softness and leopard prints have rock energy.

Mini skirts in either print or pleated with the Versus lion hardware, are daring, a playful contrast when worn with utilitarian coats.

Everything has an attitude, especially the fur-trimmed parka, or the men’s blouson with a fur collar.

The shirt is the new city essential, like the women’s black shirt with epaulettes, or the men’s camo shirt, always with a covered placket.

There’s tomboy toughness to women’s pieces like the pinafore body miniskirt or the loose fit jeans, especially when worn with flat ankle boots.

Checkerboards of patent or studs turn bombers and miniskirts optical, the perfect combination for shirt prints that remix the iconic Versace Greek key.

Fearlessness is innate, like the diamond slashed lingerie top for women, or the black sheer long dress with utility pockets at the chest.

A one-sleeved black mini-dress is held by the Versus lion, while a black T-shirt dress has a bold trim of Versace metal mesh.

“I love people with a strong sense of mind. It’s this toughness that we capture in the new Versus Versace collection - the individual attitude of the new generation.”

Donatella Versace

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Bentley Collection

Specially curated gift ideas from the new Bentley collection

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entley has curated its finest collection of gifts yet, inspired by the craftsmanship and heritage of the world’s most sought-after luxury car brand ahead of the upcoming festive season.

Whether it’s a traditionally crafted leather holdall, a stunning cashmere blanket, or a hand-made child’s ride-on car, the new 2017 Bentley Collection has something for everyone, from brand connoisseurs to those who simply appreciate classic design and the finest materials.

The new collection consists of over 100 different items from eight different capsule collections: Home, Fragrance, Business, Heritage, Bespoke, Colour, Iconic Classics and Bentley.

Customers across the Middle East who are looking for a luxury purchase with a difference can place orders from the 2017 Bentley Collection online (www.bentleycollection.com) or at their nearest Bentley showroom.

For Lady Racers Crafted from supremely soft lamb nappa leather, the Iconic Classics ladies leather jacket features signature Bentley detailing throughout, from the cut of matrix grille lining reflecting the dashboard, to the hanging loop cross stitched by hand. Available in classic shades of Beluga or Dove Grey, either choice is sure to be a go-to piece from one season to the next.

For cooler evenings this winter, the ladies cashmere wrap in pale blush or dove grey replicates Bentley’s distinctive diamond quilting.

Made from the finest, softest leather, the Ladies Driving Gloves have a Bentley ‘B’ stud closure that replicates the iconic Bentley wheel centre.

For the Consummate Traveller The Soft Travel Bag from the Business collection is a smart combination of a traditional luggage case and a casual weekender, in supple calf leather.

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From the vibrant Colour collection, the Travel Tray and Luggage Tag in luxurious Kingfisher Blue leather are ideal for the wellheeled adventurer. The Travel Tray stores small items and stows easily, with popper-fastened corners, while the Luggage Tag is embossed with the Bentley Wings emblem, and has a chromefinish buckle engraved with the Bentley name.

For the Home Elegant walnut placemats and coasters from the Home collection feature nickel-plated metal detailing that displays Bentley’s distinctive knurling pattern.

Customers familiar with the Bentley Mulsanne will appreciate the polished chrome corkscrew, a perfect replica of the Mulsanne’s door handle.

And for those who wish to replicate the intense, exclusive scent of a Bentley car interior, reed diffusers and large candles carry the Tergus 37 fragrance – a rich fusion of spice, iris wood, saffron, black pepper and frankincense that evokes the finest leathers.

For Young Fans Middle East brand connoisseurs can begin their love affair at any age: whether it’s with a Bentley Ride-On Car, inspired by the Continental GT, with functioning steering wheel, horn and selection of music, or the Boys Print T-Shirt, with contemporary Blower graphic.

For those a little younger, the Birkin Teddy Bear – named after famous Bentley Boy Sir Henry ‘Tim’ Birkin – is impeccably soft and comes with his own spotty tie, a Birkin trademark.

For Business Keep perfect time with the Breitling for Bentley desk clock, a luxurious Swiss timepiece, encased in the finest veneers, with a flawless finish.

The Flying ‘B’ paperweight is a handsome addition to any office; inspired by the iconic Flying ‘B’ of the Bentley Mulsanne, it brings a chrome-plated touch of style to the working day.

Similarly suited to the smartest desks are the Tibaldi for Bentley GT Series fountain pens. Crafted from brass and elegantly finished in rhodium, each piece reflects the sporting intent of the Continental GT. For those travelling on business, the Ladies Business Card Holder with a Bentley ‘B’ stud perfectly complements the Ladies Purse.

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THE LUXE STYLE

Unconventional Creations by Mazlo

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emaining faithful to the rigorous and demanding framework of discipline and surprises when working with raw materials, Robert Mazlo tries to push the boundaries of his creations by instilling the richness of his imagination and his infinite love for art. During November’s ‘Be Unique’ experience hosted by Tanagra in Kuwait, Men’s Passion had the pleasure to meet with Mazlo in this exclusive one-on-one.

After years of designing, how do you see your work has progressed?

After all these years, it became clear to me that the best design ideas come from understanding human expectations. By this I mean that a mental projection, as brilliant as it is, is reductive if it does not fit into the field of human experience along with the concrete and physical use of the object. As a designer and artist working directly with the material, I have understood that my most successful creations are those that bring my personal experience and a universal history in which each of us can find an echo to his own life.

Equally, I would add that time has freed me from the constraints of learning the technique, which is very long in jewelry. Today the question of feasibility is no longer a problem because I know my medium perfectly. I can therefore give free rein to pure creativity. In a way, it is no longer a question of ‘creation’ but of recreation!

Out of the materials you use in your design, what is the most appealing for your clients?

And what is your unique edge over other designers?

The advantage of a tailor-made approach is that it evades any approach to generalization. The material is not unanimous and fortunately, because I refuse to reduce an individual to a square or an equation. Human beings are complex combinations of positive and negative experiences, conditioned by their environment and culture and much more. The challenge for me is to discover even a small piece of this essence and give it an artistic and portable form, much like a personal banner.

As for what distinguishes me from other designers, it’s a bit difficult to answer this question without falling into complacency... Perhaps my authenticity and quality of listening?

I could not devote myself to my art if I did not fully realize myself in this activity and I dare to hope that this love transpires in the pieces that I create.

On the other hand, unlike many designers, I’m not just a designer. I actually create my pieces, I work every day, I confront myself with the material. I am anchored on a daily basis in this work which has brought me an inner balance.

You make timeless pieces. What type of research do you do before designing a piece?

I first draw on an unconscious material constructed over the years. My memory is my first ‘databank’! It constitutes an inexhaustible reserve of sensations, of artistic experiences, of aesthetic readings and contemplations.

When it comes to working on a ‘Prestige’ collection, such as the collection of masbahas – ‘The Silk Roads’, the approach is a little different. My creative team consists of gemologists and specialists in graphic art and art history. Our goal is to create demanding collections that combine the rarity of materials, the excellence of know-how but also cultural qualities: objects of luxury with added cultural value in a way.

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For ‘The Silk Roads’, we made a dive into the ornamental and cultural heritage of the cities-steps of the silk roads, from antiquity to the 17th century, from China to the shores of the Mediterranean.

Do you get inspired by historical eras: Medieval, Persian… If yes, how difficult is it to make the pieces historically accurate?

I am not trying to reproduce in a literal way a remarkable building or a landscape. My approach is more that of the reproduction of a sensation, in the form of evocations of colors, of forms which act unconsciously on the memory of travelers. Interrogate any traveler, you will quickly realize that the vocabulary associated with the visit of a place is that of sensation and not an analytical discourse. The first data will be those of sight, light, colors, heat, cold, etc. It is these sensorial projections that I try to reproduce in my pieces while accompanying them with a certificate that allows the most demanding collector to contextualize the piece in its time, its specific geographical and cultural area.

How accurate is the ‘Mazlo test’, and how does it help in making a custom-made ‘Masbaha’?

This test is a great tool for dialogue. It can be very difficult to speak openly about our life. However, it is essential to avoid this pitfall in order to obtain the necessary information for design. This test allows me to break the ice. The 8 questions that compose it allow me to draw an objective portrayal of the person sitting in front of me. The result of the test constitutes a sort of identity card of the individual. This first exchange allows me to enter into communication and releases speech to refine the conception of the object. These abstract data are gradually transformed into real life stories.

The test is also very useful in the case of a gift. We are all tempted to offer what pleases us even if we do our best to find the right gift. No one escapes his subjectivity! To avoid projections, some of my clients have become accustomed to bringing me the test completed by the recipient and this serves as a basis for working together on the best gift to offer. Not to mention that the value of the gift adds up to the time and attention that the donor has invested in the implementation of the project. These are data that are not bought and that are worth more than all the gold in the world!

How do you relate to your clients in Kuwait?

Kuwaitis are the repositories of a multi-millennial culture.

Travel and modesty are at the heart of their DNA. Whether they are descendants of nomads, sailors or pearl fishermen, the Kuwaitis draw their strength from this constant tug-of-war between two poles: on the one hand, an innate sensitivity for

the values of humility imposed by a natural environment that is at the same time hostile (the desert and the sea) and the source of all wealth (both material and spiritual) and, on the other hand, a brutal material prosperity which takes them away from their roots. My Kuwaiti clients have in common a sensitivity and an artistic openness that allowed them to find the right balance between these poles and make it a force.

How do you describe your partnership with Tanagra in Kuwait?

More than a partnership, it is first and foremost a collaboration.

Tangara plays with the Maison Mazlo the role of publisher. It is not for me to impose a ‘finished product’ but to establish a dialogue around common projects. We therefore come up with proposals and the project is gradually enriched thanks to the irreplaceable expertise of the Tanagra teams, always as close as possible to the expectations of their clients. Our differences are perfectly complementary.

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THE LUXE STYLE

Marie Munier, When Jewelry Inspires Lighting

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othing ventured, nothing gained,” was and remains Marie Munier’s motto in life. Being highly regarded in the Middle East and beyond the creation of contemporary jewelry, Munier revealed to Men’s Passion in an exclusive one-on-one about her artistic path, and her unique exhibitions at Dar Al Funoon for her jewelry line and at Sheikh Mubarak Fahad Al Salem Al Sabah, Salmiyah Palace for her lighting sculptures.

What can you tell us about the progress of your work since 1970?

When I decided to launch my line of jewelry, I started it among my friends and close people and I succeeded, and exhibitions of my success started. My line was based on excavation elements and pieces such as coins, Roman heads, Pharaohs’ ceramics, so the influence of the Mediterranean was present in my creations. They are spectacular and not small jewelry, I used to amalgamate those pieces and inspirations with precious stones as Ruby, Diamonds… After six years of success, we had the war in Lebanon and this success was cut down from the world, when the situation was calm I used to come to Kuwait frequently, my success was acclaimed here and I kept a close relation with my Kuwaiti clientele.

The progress became relevant when my daughter Nathalie joined me after specializing in gemology studies. We decided to work on contemporary pieces and follow what the young wanted, so affordable pieces were created.

But unfortunately things after war changed and so does the woman… no one was interested in extravagant pieces anymore and in my opinion the spectacular woman vanished from the society and got replaced by the nouveau riche.

Being bored from the artistic life I needed to create something different and there came the idea to apply my jewelry drawings to lighting elements.

How did the idea to shift towards interior decoration elements become reality?

The idea came when I was searching for lighting to my apartment, so I said to myself why I don’t create my own

THE LUXE STYLE

lighting piece having several magical drawings. It was the same trial I did with my jewelry lines, it is not evident to create a piece and integrate light to it and give effects on the wall and the interiors and at the same time reflect an agreeable ambiance. I ended up with 24 pieces!

I am trying to adapt to the situation I am in, the young are more attracted to the apartments than jewelry, moreover this line is called “Jewels for Home�, in the past I used to dress the women with jewelry and now is the time to illuminate the interiors with my creations.

I started this collection two years ago, and selling was very promising at my boutique and atelier, so I decided to move, and as Kuwait is good luck charm for me and that Sheikh Mubarak invited me to exhibit my creations at his place, it encouraged me.

Out of all the materials (metal, stones, etc.) you work with, what is the most successful one for you?

The excavation pieces, the amalgamation of these pieces and the semi-precious stones helps a lot but the originality of this jewel is that basically it was made by excavation elements, whether it was mosaic of Roman stones or Phoenician, Egyptian masks, ceramic, superb antique pearls, Bronze heads, we worked with several elements.

Through these elements I had the chance to imagine beautiful creations such as brooches, rings I didn’t work small pieces they were extravagant spectacular pieces.

In my contemporary pieces I use silver, vermeil, copper

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whether oxidized or silvered, or stainless steel for the outdoors use creations because it’s more resistant to weather conditions. Any material I worked with had a remarkable success.

Tell us about your design style. What makes your collections unique in the industry?

My creations have a strong personality and each piece has a story to tell. People who bought my jewelries have the nostalgia of old times and they wear them years later with the same appealing way.

My Kuwaiti clients wear my pieces with pleasure and pride, and during the war here one of my clients kept her jewelries in a safe and preserved them more than her diamonds. This is where I know that my collections are unique and timeless.

Who buys your creations?

It’s not the common people… People with personality, having something to say and know what they want, I would say strong women and I am always happy to stay in contact with them because they know how to wear them and they are happy about it.

Back then it was the women of upper society in Lebanon who encouraged me and nurtured my creations. I kept it all through pictures, memories and I preserved them in my archives.

What do you have to tell us about copying your designs?

I always thank God for giving me the gift; we can be a designer, a painter but a gift is very unique, it is like having an inner idea and it became apparent. I have this lenience (without pretention) to create magnificent pieces.

They tried to copy me a lot and I was never upset… Marie Munier is well known, it is a school and it is the style; I was very proud about copying me, and when they used to that I was already on something different at an altered level. I am sure about one thing, I never lack of inspiration.

THE LUXE STYLE

As a designer, where do you draw your inspiration from?

What makes me inspired is looking at the woman; her features and I immediately know what will suit her best without killing her qualities and character. I have the element in hands and the person in front of me, which helps a lot.

When I work abstractly I think that if I can wear this piece someone else will definitely do and I never worked and created a jewel just for the sake of finalizing a piece, I give each piece its time and value. I also got inspired to create a collection for men, cufflinks, belt buckles, and key chains, even pins.

What advice would you give to someone interested in getting into the jewelry design business?

Unfortunately designing is becoming a trend! Everyone wants to be a designer, a painter, and a jeweler but to make it as an occupation there’s a fundamental study to follow and it is specializing in Fine Arts or Design, then if they are gifted they succeed, if not they will copy others and we cannot call them creators. So with the creation one should make studies to learn the know-how of the forms, colors, and materials, yet the gift and the imagination are the appropriate rudiments for their success.

What is the favorite piece you have ever created – and what made it so special?

I don’t have one specific special piece, I have several I didn’t sell and kept for my daughter and myself and, maybe one day if she will make a retrospective exhibition on jewelry, she will be having a private collection to share with the public.

Lighting Sculpture Exhibition 4-6 December 2016 Sheikh Mubarak Fahad Al Salem Al Sabah, Salmiyah Palace At: Salem Mubrak st. Block #4, House #86 Behind Abdul wahab Complex.

Opening Sunday December 4, 2016 at 5PM

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Dubai International Film Festival 2016 Preview – The Producer’s Picks

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or the 13th edition of Dubai International Film Festival - running from 7th to 14th December - eighteen promising projects from across the MENA region will be screened in the Muhr Feature Program, including documentaries and fiction films from Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia, amongst others. We turned to producer, and good friend of Men’s Passion, Talal Al-Muhanna, for an early preview of this year’s Muhr. “Having been an avid fan of DIFF for many years, I look forward to attending this year’s event and catching some of the latest films by talented Arab filmmakers from across the region” he told us. Here he gives us his highlights.

Tramontane

THE LUXE ART

“I’m particularly excited by the Tunisian line-up this year, including ‘Hedi’ by Mohamed Ben Attia and ‘Foreign Body’ by Raja Amari: I first came across Amari’s work in 2009, when her film ‘Secrets’ screened at Doha Tribeca Film Festival in Qatar – an intriguing tale about three female relatives living in an abandoned mansion. In the new film, tensions between another trio intimately involved with each other also seem to be up for examination when a young woman flees to France following her break with a fundamentalist brother.

The film stars the brilliant Hiam Abbas – known for her strong performances in ‘Amreeka’ and ‘The Lemon Tree’.

Like ‘Secrets’, Amari’s latest film also sees the involvement of renowned Tunisian producer Dora Bouchoucha – who is the producer behind ‘Hedi’ as well. In Ben Attia’s debut fiction feature ‘Hedi’, a soon-to-be wed young man ends up meeting a vivacious woman on a chance work trip that looks set to turn his world – and that of his family - upside down. A love story set around the time of Tunisia’s Jasmine Revolution, ‘Hedi’ won the Silver Bear in Berlin earlier this year and Best Film at Athens International Film Festival just a few weeks back.

Blessed Benefit

Two Lebanese films I am curious about are ‘Tramontane’

by Vatche Boulghourjian and ‘Still Burning’ from writerdirector Georges Hachem: I first heard about ‘Tramontane’ at the Cannes film festival last May, when the film was screened as part of the prestigious Critics’ Week. I also had an opportunity, last

Ali the Goat and Ibrahim

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July, at another festival, to hear the director talk about the process of writing his script while at the Sundance Institute’s Feature Film Program in USA. In ‘Tramontane’, a blind man who discovers his identity card has been forged - goes on a journey across rural Lebanon to locate his birth certificate.

The lead is portrayed by visually impaired musician Barakat Jabbour – a performance The Hollywood Report described as “dignified”.

Filmmaker George Hachem’s second feature film – following his debut fiction ‘Stray Bullet’ – has its World Premiere at Dubai and tells the story of two friends, long separated, who reconnect. It features actor (and filmmaker) Rami Nihawi as well as the wonderfully talented Algerian actress Adila Bendimerad, amongst others.

Still Burning

Finally, I very much look forward to the World Premiere of Egyptian drama ‘Ali, the Goat and Ibrahim’. Scripted

by Ahmed Amer and directed by up-and-coming Egyptian filmmaker Sherif El Bendary, this truly odd story (in a good way!) is about a fellow named Ali who falls in love with a goat and who is encouraged by his mother to visit a healer (who, in turn, proclaims him “cursed”). In order to break the “spell”, Ali – along with new friend Ibrahim – go on a journey to throw three magic stones in Egypt’s three water bodies an adventure that takes them to the Mediterranean, the Red Sea and the Nile.

As an aside (although it’s not in the Muhr Feature program), do try to catch the MENA Premiere of ‘Gaza Surf Club’ – a collaborative documentary by a group of young German filmmakers in the Arabian Nights Program. The title says it all!

About Talal Al-Muhanna Talal Al-Muhanna is an independent filmmaker and media/ arts producer who was born in Kuwait and later raised in England and the United States. Talal’s film projects have been developed in places as diverse as Kuwait, Bahrain, Germany, France, Ireland, India, China, the U.K. and United States and his work has been screened at numerous festivals internationally and on the BBC Big Screen in the U.K. He has produced for TV programmes that have been aired on Al Jazeera Documentary Channel & TV5Monde.

Blessed Benefit

Foreign Body

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Waldorf Astoria, Amsterdam A Timeless Elegance

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irmly anchored in the history of Amsterdam, the hotel is ideally located in the heart of the city on the banks of the Herengracht canal, once home to the most famous 17th century merchant families, the Golden Age of the city, and now classified as UNESCO world heritage site.

THE LUXE TRAVEL

The hotel, which opened in May 2014, is actually made up of 6 mansions assembled during the construction of the hotel. The Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam thus offers the largest canal-side facade that can be found for a hotel in the city.

But it is truly when you enter the hotel that you realize how exceptional it is, you will find all the elegance, luxury and refinement of the Waldorf Astoria brand, as well as many ornaments and decorations of period: its sublime staircase in raw wood fashioned by the French architect Daniel Marot, its ceilings and their patterns...

And from its entrance hall, magic operates...

Once you step the entrance hall, Peacok Alley’s lovely lounge awaits you.

The room is bright, elegant, dressed in marble and finely decorated in shades of gold and gray/blue, including the famous blue Vermeer. The paintings inspired by Dutch Renaissance art blend with more contemporary decorative elements and give a resolutely modern side to the hotel.

In the center of the room, proudly stands one of the emblems of Waldorf Astoria hotels: its clock! Every hotel of the brand has one, unique in the world.

The Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam also has its own 2 Michelin star restaurant: the Librije’s Zusje - it is the only restaurant in the Netherlands to have obtained two stars at once, only 6 months after its opening. Delectable and delicious dishes can be enjoyed while admiring the sumptuous views of the hotel’s pretty private gardens.

The hotel is also home to a Guerlain Spa, the only one in the Benelux countries... A cozy atmosphere awaits you for this exclusive spa with refined and carefully picked products.

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L’Hotel du Collectionneur A Historic Heritage in Paris

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et up in one of the most prestigious living quarters of Paris, along the Parc Monceau and few steps away from the Champs ElysĂŠes, the Hotel du Collectionneur provides the most refined story, a proud historic heritage monument where art deco chic mingles with the taste of an unparalleled luxury of a special nature.

THE LUXE TRAVEL

Visitors discover a culture of service reflecting the Parisian lifestyle and a fine French heritage. With large windows offering a panoramic view over the Eiffel Tower, the hotel with its Andalusian garden, the 478 rooms and 59 suites including 33 private terraces overlooking the capital of the luxury combines comfort and elegance.

What makes the Hotel le Collectionneur an exclusive experience is the carve in the imposing site of the Rue de Courcelles 1930s style inspired by the designer ÉmileJacques Ruhlmann archives and the large ocean liners. An admirable collection of works of art, sculptures, consoles, marbles, bronze armchairs, mosaics and frescoes are arranged in the common areas of this vast seven levels hotel.

Along the fruit of labor and impressive research, one can only savor unforgettable moments at the foot of the majestic Arc de Triomphe, renew their strength and spirit at the Mosaic SPA with nearly 400m² dedicated to divine well-being and relaxation. The spa, completely covered with mosaics, also offers a fitness cure combining vitamins and oligo-elements.

Sports coaches concoct tailor-made sessions in the Parc Monceau nearby and state of the art cardio training machines.

Then how not to succumb to the delicacy of the Safran cuisine from the chef Joël Veyssière, formerly accomplished at the Clos Longchamp. In a chocolate vermeil setting that looks like a little cozy brewery from the 1990s seen by architect and interior designer Jacques Garcia, Veyssière goes through ongoing efforts to give to the Hotel le Collectionneur a greedy identity.

In short, there are real emotions, an establishment that seeks and pushes forward in style. The Hotel le Collectionneur is a nice invitation in time where opulence and countenance fuse with allures. This cultural journey in the art deco world surprises the connoisseurs by the meticulous work, Rio’s rosewood, Macassar ebony, ceramics, galuchat, Oriental granite, and furniture by Jacques Garcia, an enchanted Parisian Art deco experience.

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The America’s Cup 2017 The Boats: AC45F to AC45S to ACC

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ith the schedule for the 35th America’s Cup now out, we turn our attention to the boats that will be racing in Bermuda 2017, look at the boats being campaigned in the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series, and examine the differences between the America’s Cup Class (ACC) boats that will race in May and June 2017, and those being tested by the teams now between the rounds of the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series.

THE LUXE YACHTS

Basically there are three types of boats being used in the 35th America’s Cup. The AC45F (F for Foiling) is a one-design, foiling, wingsailed catamaran that is raced in the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series. Compared to an ACC boat the AC45F is relatively simple and as a one design yacht, all of the boats are identical.

For 2017, each team must design and build its own America’s Cup Class (ACC) boat. These boats are 15-metres long (nearly 50-feet) and are built to a design rule, but that rule allows designers and engineers to express their creativity in their designs. All racing in 2017, from the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Qualifiers to the America’s Cup Match, presented by Louis Vuitton, will be match racing in ACC boats.

The AC45S (or AC45T as some teams call them) is the bridge between the AC45F and the ACC boats. The teams are using these to test ideas, validate assumptions, and practice racing in a boat that closely approximates the ACC boats. The AC45S boats will never engage in ‘official’ racing and some teams have one of these boats while some have built more for testing and training purposes.

The hulls for the AC45S boats must be identical to AC45F hull lengths (45ft), but otherwise, as these boats will never race, teams have a lot of flexibility in the systems they can use on board.

In basic terms, that’s it. From AC45F to AC45S to ACC, the development is clear, but what is yet to be seen is just how fast the ACC boats will be. Exciting times are ahead so stay tuned!

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ARABNET

Five GCC Startups to Put on Your Radar from Arabnet

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ur top five startups from the GCC region to keep an eye on over the winter months. For us this month Arabnet have selected a range of startups that include everything from health to food delivery and transportation. and takes care of all logistic services. Carriage also does not have a ‘minimum-order’ policy and is one of the fastest food delivery services in Kuwait, with the average delivery taking an average of 45 minutes. While preparing to launch Carriage in January, the team received a seed capital fund of $1.3 million to kick-start the project, and Kuwaiti investors increased the funding again in May. Country: Kuwait Launched: May 2016 Category: Food Delivery

1. Carriage Carriage is a food-delivery service in Kuwait that offers delivery from registered restaurants, many of which don’t usually deliver, with live-tracking of orders. Abdullah Al-Mutawa, owner of The Stack restaurant and founder of Carriage, came up with the business model after he wanted to start offering a delivery service for his restaurant and realized how hassling and expensive it would be to set up.

Carriage’s process is straightforward. Customers select their area, choose from a list of over 50 restaurants, and place their order. The order is then seen instantly by both the restaurant and the nearest available driver, who then heads to the restaurant to pick up the order and deliver it to the client. In the meantime, customers can track their order and view the estimated time of arrival. Customers can pay cash on delivery or online via credit cards, and Carriage earns one KD per order regardless of location or the order size/value.

While Carriage is entering a very competitive market, which includes Carriage’s main competitor, Talabat.com, Carriage is unique in that it acts as a link between restaurants and clients,

2. Skiplino Skiplino is a free, cloud-based queue management system that allows businesses to handle customer queues at their facilities by monitoring real-time data and staff performance, collecting live customer feedback, and assessing valuable data to speed up processes and improve services. Skiplino is the first product to be launched by Level Z, a startup factory founded

by Bahraini native Zaman AH Zaman.

The process starts with customers booking their queuing tickets in a company’s location. The app calculates the distance from the location, the traffic inside the service provider, and the average speed of service, before informing the customer when they should arrive. For walk-in customers not using the app, an on-site tablet app is available for customers to book or sign up. In addition, a TV app is used to display the called/booked tickets and information on-site.

In February, Skiplino joined Microsoft’s cloud-based program Bizspark Plus, with the aim of boosting Skiplino’s sales and audience reach. They are currently working on adding 18 languages in addition to Arabic and English and aim to have 5,000 partnering branches in the next three years. While the Skiplino team is not the first to come up with a queuing solution, it is the first of its kind in the region and only costs between $99 and $149 per month for companies compared to the higher rates of other solution providers. They are currently onboarding 40 service providers from around the globe including banks, telecoms, and government agencies.

ARABNET

Country: Bahrain Launched: January 2016 Category: Cloud-based Management System

enabling customers to manage their things digitally, only pay for the space they use, and utilize the existing infrastructure of warehouses and delivery partners.

3. Cura Cura is a self-funded Saudi-based startup that offers patients ‘e-medical’ services through a smartphone application, allowing them to choose from a list of licensed doctors. Co-founded

by Abdullah Alswaha, Wael Kableh, and Mohammad Zekrallah, Alswaha was inspired to create Cura after he found out how difficult it was to book a doctor’s appointment, especially for single complaints not requiring lengthy examinations.

This May, the startup raised $600,000 in seed funding, led by Wamda Capital with contributions from Kuwait-based Arzan VC, Dubai-based investor Equitrust and others. Boxit also received almost US $100,000 in angel funding from active angel investor and tech enthusiast Sabah Al Bader. Boxit have also won several competitions including Startup MENA’s GCC Pitch Challenge 2015, the Kuwait edition of South Summit 2015, Smart City App Hack 2015 and were first runner-up at Seedstars Word’s Dubai 2015 round.

Cura is not the only app that offers this type of service, and has several competitors in the Arab world including Altibbi (UAE), Vezeeta (Egypt), Meddy (Qatar), and Tebcare (Gaza).

However, Cura differentiates itself in that it offers advanced instant communication between patients and doctors as well as an extensive directory of different medical specialties. For example, with Cura, patients’ consultations are entirely online: users communicate with their doctor via text, voice notes, and video, send images of their medical files and tests through a messaging system and doctors can also set up a clinic appointment with the patient if needed via the platform.

Cura is currently focused on the Saudi market, however plans to expand to the GCC and Egypt in the next three years. They also plan to add a wider range of medical services covering all aspects of the Saudi healthcare industry and partner with pharmacies/medical labs to digitize their services. While the application is currently free, Cura plans to adopt a subscriptionbased model that will give members access to an unlimited number of consultations, and incentivize doctors by giving them a percentage of revenues.

Country: Saudi Arabia Launched: 2016 Category: Health 4. Boxit Boxit provides smart solutions for physical storage by connecting consumers with storage facilities and was started

by CEO Premlal Pullisserry in Kuwait. Pullisserry came up with the idea as an answer to the problem of not wanting to throw away items when faced with modern-day space shortage and physical constrictions.

To order boxes, users use the app/website to select the number of boxes they need. The boxes are delivered to the user’s location at the scheduled time and date. The user can name the boxes and take photos of the items on the app, creating a visual catalogue, and when done, schedule a pickup. Users pay KD 3 per box per month, and the boxes are stored in secure partner warehouses. Though there are other self-storage companies in the region, Boxit asserts that its unique selling proposition is

Boxit plan to spend the money on new hires, marketing, and launching new boxes. The startup recently expanded to the UAE market and plan to expand to Saudi Arabia and Egypt next.

Country: Kuwait Launched: March 2015 Category: Storage 5. Wing.ae Wing.ae is an on-demand marketplace application that allows customers to book transportation to move parcels of any size across the UAE. The idea for Wing.ae was born after cofounders Muzaffar Karabaev and Sanjar Samiev discovered that there were very few tech solutions in the field of delivery and logistics. Their aim is to use technology to enable carriers to make use of spare capacity, cut down on emissions and increase profitability while providing customers with a reliable service.

To make their order, users use Wing.ae’s website or the mobile application. After specifying the weight of the parcel, pick-up location, drop-off location and courier type, users can specify the pick-up/drop-off time and day, add parcel details, input sender and recipient contact information as well as view the estimated fee of delivery. Once the order has been accepted, users can track the delivery in real-time and are shown the distance to pick-up and drop-off. Users can also rate a driver and vice versa, which helps optimize inefficiencies in the market and elevates the level of service.

Just a few months in its launch, Wing.ae managed to raise an undisclosed amount of seed-funding from the region’s e-commerce giant Souq.com. Moving forward, Wing.ae aim to improve their order allocation algorithm for couriers and improve their API for merchants/customers. The team is also working on growing their network of courier services and adding new features such as international shipping, COD (cash on delivery), balance management, and promotions.

Country: UAE Launched: 2016 Category: Transportation

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REAL ESTATE REPORT

HOME ‘SMART’ HOME

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rom a thermostat that can learn your desired temperature to a doorbell that acts as a camera - smart home automation is the first step towards the real estate of the future.

Cityscape investigates

REAL ESTATE REPORT

Technology is advancing at light speed, impacting significantly on how we interact with each other, while increasingly also altering the relationship we have with our homes.

Making homes ‘smart’ is a growing trend across the globe.

Today, a thermostat can learn your desired temperature, you can boil a kettle just by using an app and your refrigerator can tell you when you’ve run out of milk. It’s all part of intelligent homes.

Smart home automation technology focuses on effective communication between the devices at home and the benefits of conduct, convenience, energy savings, entertainment and security.

As the UAE works towards its vision of a ‘smart city’ by 2021, smart homes will play a vital role in reaching this goal.

FUTURISTIC PROPERTY According to Norm Gilsdorf, President for Honeywell Middle East, Russia and Central Asia, a global leader in building automation and smart building technology, there is an advancing appetite for continuously evolving technology in the region. “Smart or connected homes are steadily finding their ground, as consumers become increasingly aware of the technology systems available,” he says.

Gilsdorf says that there are various interconnecting home subsystems that are currently present in the regional market such as lights, locks, thermostats, garage doors and security systems. “The connected home concept relies heavily on the security industry in the region and therefore we’ve noted that security technology and services have become integral to the design of a smart home,” he says.

Earlier this year, Honeywell assessed the technology currently present across several sectors including residential, through its Honeywell Smart Building Score™ Middle East survey. “Dubai and Doha achieved top scores in the survey, demonstrating that they are leading the way in adaption of smart building technologies across the Middle East.”

Rohit Talwar, CEO of Fast Future, a UK-based research company that identifies and analyses future trends, and one of this year’s speakers at the Cityscape Global Conference,

says that developers around the world are starting to build smarter technologies into homes.

“These technologies are allowing people control of heating ventilation, building security, atmospheric management. It’s all about enabling you to run your home remotely from your mobile phone so you are able to switch services on or off using your device,” he says.

For him, whilst the Middle East was initially slower than the rest of the world in its adoption of smart home technology, it has since changed. “Now, developers are starting to see that by including the latest technologies into properties it makes for a very strong selling proposition in a market that has a desire for futuristic property,” he says.

GREEN & SAFE THROUGH TECHNOLOGY According to Gilsdorf, extensive research has revealed that people spend 80% to 90% of their time inside buildings – whether they’re at home, work, shopping or out for dinner.

“Given that this large proportion of time is spent inside buildings, there certainly is a growing need for buildings to be smarter and to install the necessary technology required to be greener in terms of energy efficiency as well as safety,” he says.

“In addition, we believe that buildings whether residential or commercial should contain a productive environment for occupants through technologies such as lighting systems, data and communications infrastructure and backup electricity systems.

“Smart technologies increase the usage of web-based tools enabling utilities and industries to turn greener, safer and more productive by adopting the technology, all which feed into the IoT [Internet of Things] drive, present in the region,” he explains.

For Talwar, futuristic properties are a good selling point because they help people to differentiate their property and build a lifestyle image.

Other factors are cost and security; “there are costsavings to be had when it comes to cooling and heating. In terms of security, we are now seeing instances where the

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doorbell acts as a camera so homeowners are in control of their own security. It all enables the homeowner to have more control over their property and appliances in order to manage the home in a more intelligent and cost-saving way,” Talwar says.

SMART REAL ESTATE Until recently, home automation was powered during the construction phase of a house through procedures such as internal wiring for switches, lighting, and entertainment systems. Now, it’s being replaced by wireless equipment across all sectors adopting smart technologies.

“We believe that by introducing wireless and communication technologies there has been viral growth in awareness amongst consumers who would potentially want to install the technology in their homes. Each new technology installation takes us closer to customers receiving multiple services to their homes through the same channel,” explains Gilsdorf.

Following the market crash of 2008, property developers have been looking at differentiating their products in order to appeal to investors, including through smart home automation, explains Gilsdorf. “Many have pushed

their efforts to offering smart homes equipped with smart technology and that’s where we can evaluate the integration of smart homes into the real estate sector.”

Though such initiatives come with their own set of challenges, he says. Although there is visible recognition amongst developers to switch to constructing smart homes, “it is imperative that we educate the likes of developers, architects and consumers combined on the clear benefits of smart homes, convince architects and developers in particular on how to make appropriate changes in an existing structure and architecture of a building and in the end, make sure that the developer decides and sells on a price which is inclusive of all the installation of the home automated solution,” says Gilsdorf.

THE FUTURE Over the next five to ten years, homes will start to see a rapid shift into an even smarter sphere.

Talwar, known as a futurist, says that everything will be connected from all appliances and furniture to even the floorboards and bricks used to build the home.

REAL ESTATE REPORT

“There will be more sensors built into the home and we will start to have a more monitory environment. It’s quite possible that even the bricks that we use and individual elements within the home could be intelligent. It will allow for complete efficiency,” he says.

Technology will eventually power everything, including the real estate sector, says Talwar. “By 2021 we will see homes that are completely futuristic, we will be shocked and then we’ll take it for granted.”

While it may sound like science-fiction, we’re not that far away from it; Talwar predicts that we’ll start to see these changes in the next five years. While the technology is developing at a rapid rate, it’s still only the tip of the iceberg.

This article is supplied by Cityscape Magazine.

For Talwar, intelligent homes are a step towards artificial intelligence.

“The next stage will include devices in our homes which we can talk to and we’ll start to see more robots coming into the home. Everything will move up a level in intelligence and we’ll be able to interact with it. Systems in the home will know when we’re coming home and will be able to put on the stove, make our beds, clean our homes, book our trips, essentially manage our home and become the smartest personal assistant – while monitoring, tracking and learning everything we do,” he says.

Cityscape magazine is the Middle East’s leading real estate investment title and is owned and published by Informa Middle East Limited. For more information, please visit www.cityscape.org Visit Cityscape Kuwait, the only international real estate investment event in Kuwait for buying your dream home.

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ZEITGEIST Good design, where form and function come together so exquisitely, should always be celebrated.

This month Men’s Passion features some of the most desirable and well executed products that define the times in which we are living.

Hasselblad X1D

THE LUXE ZEITGEIST

At less than half the weight of a conventional digital medium format camera, the mirrorless X1D is a game changer in the world of photography.

Inspired by their iconic design heritage, the camera is ergonomic and compact, offering a handling experience unlike any other.

By opting for a mirrorless design, Hasselblad were able to take their 50MP CMOS sensor and pack it into a footprint smaller than most full frame 35mm cameras. For the very first time, photographers have a camera that is no larger than a small format rangefinder, but offers the quality that only Hasselblad medium format can give.

The X1D can capture up to 14 stops of dynamic range, allowing for unprecedented detail – from the deepest shadows to the brightest highlights.

Handmade in Sweden, the X1D combines Scandinavian sensibility with beautiful performance.

Small enough to take anywhere, powerful enough to capture anything, it comes in at around US$10,000.

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THE LUXE EVENTS

Tanagra says “Be Unique�

Mid-November, VIPs and press from lifestyle magazines and business titles were invited to discover the knowhow and craftsmanship of Richard Gioni porcelain painting, Mozer crystal engraving, D. Porthault hand embroidery, ST Dupont personalized leather goods and Mazlo personality based masbaha during a special exhibition at Tanagra, Grand Avenues.

In addition, guests enjoyed discovering limited edition pieces from Daum, Baccarat, Christofle, Lalique and Lladro.

Guests were welcomed by hostesses at Tanagra, Grand Avenue and enjoyed the atmosphere of luxury while the supreme craftsmanship of the artisans who came from France, Italy and the Czech Republic was revealed.

A saxophonist entertained the guests with a mixed variety of music while they were discovering the collection.

Mrs. Sheikha Al Rajaan, Mrs. Riham Al Habchi, Mounira and Noura Al Babtain and Nabil Chalhoub.

THE LUXE EVENTS

Bvlgari

Trafalgar never ceases to amaze their clients with their prestigious events, and the Serpenti launch was a unique experience.

In November the Bvlgari boutique gathered their VIP clients and media at the Angelina CafĂŠ at Al Hamra, Kuwait City to discover the latest Serpenti collection, a style statement, an attitude, and a true classic with both ranges the Serpenti Tubogas and the Serpenti Spiga.

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THE LUXE EVENTS

Glashütte Morad Yousuf Behbehani’s refurbished store in Salhia Complex, Kuwait launched the Glashütte Senator Cosmopolite “All 37 Time Zones in One Watch.” Connoisseurs of fine German watchmaking doubtless appreciated both the aesthetic dimensions of the Senator Cosmopolite and the extraordinary mechanics within through a live presentation provided by the Glashütte Original watchmakers.

The event gathered prominent figures and media in the country providing them the chance to witness the fine German craftsmanship at work.

THE LUXE EVENTS

Sachin & Babi New Collection at Harvey Nichols Setting style statements for the season ahead, Harvey Nichols Kuwait was proud to present the Sachin & Babi collection - the fashion label best known for their luxurious and elegant designs. A red carpet favorite amongst celebrities like Scarlett Johansson, Zoe Saldana and Vaneesa Hudgens, Sachin & Babi is all set to capture the hearts of customers in Kuwait.

For this season, classic Latin silhouettes, rich jewel tones, Flamenco flair and a recent trip to Valencia and Granada set the tone for the Sachin & Babi Fall/Winter 2016 collection.

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THE LUXE EVENTS

A Fifteen-Year Journey: The Art of Amira Behbehani at CAP This exhibition is a wait of fifteen years where artist Amira Behbehani was accumulating in her mind a very special and personal journey, which she finally decided to reveal to the public. It’s a timeline of very intimate periods of her life, an emotional attachment to objects, places and people.

“A Fifteen-Year Journey” comes as homage to the memory of her aunt. With that reaction, came a moment of realization that now is the right time to get the mourn out of her system. It has been bubbling up and now it is manifesting itself, as she looked back and tried to figure out what was happening, more things started to appear. The chair is dedicated to her grandfather, the collage masterpiece is dedicated to her uncle Jawad Bou Chehri who was the first initiating her to art and, from that moment on she went on discovering herself through painting.

This exhibition reveals Behbehani’s experience with different methods, mediums and techniques from threads, watercolor, and acrylic.

This exhibition reveals Behbehani’s experience with different methods, mediums and techniques from threads, watercolor, and acrylic. The exposition will continue until December 21st, 2016.

THE LUXE EVENTS

Poor Image at Sultan Gallery Sultan Gallery curated Khalid Al Gharaballi’s first solo exhibition after establishing a duo practice with Fatima Al Qadri and then co-founding the artist collective GCC; a group of seven Kuwaiti artists and one Bahraini whose work has been exhibited at galleries across Paris, Beijing, New York, and the United Arab Emirates.

Poor Image consisted of 10 artworks mainly representing the “Khaliji” domestic spaces such as the “Diwan” with very detailed patterns of the traditional textiles, meal gathering reflecting cultural heritage aspects and patrimonial interiors away from fancy and contemporary living spaces.

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THE LUXE EVENTS

Universities Consortium in advancing National Innovation and Entrepreneurship Challenge Fall 2016 Startup Kuwait continues with providing cross support to students and faculty in the consortium of universities in November 2016, including revisit by Mr. Nish Acharya (USA); Mr. Smakie (Co-director of Sajilini on-line event management company, and accelerator officer), Mr. Qanadilo (Oasis 500 accelerator, and mentor) working with students on their business ideas and business pitch preparation as getting ready for mid-December 2016 for internal competition at GUST, AUK, BHCK , AOU, PAAET, and KU. In coming weeks, students would go through additional preparatory works with mentors, coaches and young entrepreneurs to bridge the gap of their project ideas with market needs and opportunities.

Dr. Redha Behbehani stated that he is very encouraged with schools in the consortium participating in Startup Kuwait National Innovation and Entrepreneurship Challenge Fall 2016, and efforts these schools are putting forward to support their students to succeed with their business ideas and provided skill sets and tools.

THE LUXE EVENTS

‘The Gardens Perform’ – at 360 Mall 360 MALL, Kuwait’s iconic shopping center, received immense appreciation from visitors who attended the night of prose, poetry and music – ‘The Gardens Perform’.

Visitors were able to enjoy an exclusive evening curated by 360 MALL as a collaborative initiative with Nuqat – a nonprofit organization aimed at developing Arab creativity.

During this event talented writers, musicians and poets from Kuwait and other region showcased their talent and expressed their bespoke creations at the mall’s Vertical Gardens, while complimentary drinks and snacks were offered to the guests from the Meat Co. and Coffee Republic.

The initiative was part of the 7th Annual Nuqat Conference, a seven-day symposium, held at various venues in Kuwait from November 11-17, 2016. The event hosted several workshops, seminars and cultural events with an objective of connecting and educating creatives in the Middle East.

Participants included organizations and society groups like Kuwait Writing Club, Human Line Organization, Divan and The Afterthought, in addition to poets and writers including Nejoud Al-Yaqout, Fadya Senan, Thurayah Al-Baqsami, Abdullah Al-Failekawi, Yousef Nayef, Abdullah Al-Enizi, Faleh Al-Ajhar and Afra Atiq.

‘The Garden Performs’ event preceded by an interactive gardening workshop organized by 360 MALL at the Amricani Cultural Center, for children between 8-12 years.

Held in collaboration with the ‘Secret Garden’ – a project to help beautify and plant Baghdad Community Garden – the interactive gardening activity taught them significance of sustainable gardening.

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THE LUXE EVENTS

PRADO, Urban Cruiser 2017 Launch

Mohamed Naser Al Sayer (MNSS) -one of the Al Sayer Group Holding Companies-set a press conference to unveil the 2017 PRADO Urban Cruiser in its limited edition by Toyota.

Mr. Mubarak Naser Al Sayer (Board Member and CEO) welcomed the representatives of the press and media at the event, which was held at Toyota Al-Rai Showroom.

Available in four trendy colors of silver, bronze, gray and white pearl, the top quality accessories installed in the limited edition 2017 Urban Cruiser include: roof rail, side mirror trim, grill inserts, door handle cover, LED fog lights, bumper protector in chrome finish, rear parking sensors, side doors molding. In addition to the interior accessories: the dual USB adapter, air compressor, and the combo hook.

Mr. Mubarak stated that regardless of the regional economic challenges, they would continue to invest in infrastructure expansion with new showrooms and service centers along with the Toyota City, which will start building soon in Kuwait.

THE LUXE EVENTS

Bushaiba and Al-Baaz Team Win Red Bull Bar Bahr’s Title A huge crowd gathered around the Marina Crecsent cheering on the 16 Quad Bike and Jet Ski riders who competed during the second season of Red Bull Bar Bahr on Friday 11th November.

Deservedly, Meshari Bushaiba and Mohammed Al Baz won the first place, scoring the fastest record and wrapping up the long-awaited Quad Bike and Jet Ski relay race.

We’ve a full report online at menspassion-online.com/redbullbarbahr

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THE LUXE EVENTS

FERRARI ZAYANI at Bahrain International Circuit Al Zayani knows very well that being a Ferrari owner means you belong to a league of your own. This is why every year, accompanied by a group of Italian experts, his own local team, and his family, Al Zayani organizes trips to Bahrain International Circuit where Ferrari owners and potential owners can experience the full power of their Ferrari in an adrenaline filled adventure.

Men’s passion was invited to take part of the trip that started with a chartered flight and ended up with a track experience of the Ferrari 488 GTB, California T and the GTC 4 Lusso.

THE LUXE LISTINGS

Listings Our carefully curated monthly list of events not to be missed.

A Fifteen-Year Journey What: The Art of Amira Behbehani Where: CAP, Shuwaikh When: 9 November – 22 December 2016

Still Departure What: Georges Awde Exhibition Where: Sultan Gallery When: 6 December 2016 – 5 January 2017

If you still didn’t make sure to visit CAP and travel through the amazing voyage of Amira Behbehani. The exhibition is the work of fifteen years and her engagement in her art production and confidence sharing intimate periods with her public makes this artistic presentation a unique one to attend.

Georges Awde’s first solo exhibition in Kuwait, chronicles the transitory existence of young men and boys - emigrants laborers from Syria and Syrian Kurdistan living in the context of Beirut from 2007-2016. These photographs consider the embodiment of becoming men, while appreciating issues of mobility and nationality as we each etch out our place in this world.

Messila Chamber Ensemble & Kuwait Youth Orchestra What: Music Where: Dar Al-Athar Al-Islamiyyah When: 14 December 2016

Slava’s Snow Show What: Theatre Where: Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre When: 22 December – 25 December 2016

The Messila Chamber Ensemble joins Kuwait Youth Orchestra to play Mendelssohn, Vivaldi, and others. You will be at appointment with the best professionals and the most promising young musicians of Kuwait.

The Messila Chamber Ensemble is a group of adult classical musicians in Kuwait and the Youth Chamber Orchestra is of 12 children aging from eight to fourteen years old. They will be combining to play in this orchestra.

Slava’s Snowshow is a stage spectacle created and staged by Russian performance artist Slava Polunin. Snowshow is a universal and timeless theatrical spectacle, which has unanimously enchanted and empowered the imagination of audiences and critics since 1993, with multiple performances and millions of ecstatic spectators from all nationalities, types, cultural backgrounds and beliefs probably like no other show.

Omar Khairat What: Classical Music Where: Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre When: 23 December 2016

Horeca Kuwait What: Horeca Where: Kuwait International Fair – Hall 8 When: 16 January – 18 January 2017

From the hallowed halls of Cairo’s Opera House, Omar Khairat will be performing in Kuwait’s very own National Concert Hall for a night of classical Arabic symphonies. He is a composer, pianist, conductor and founder of the “Omar Khairat Group.”

Make sure to not to miss it and book your tickets early!

HORECA Exhibition is held annually in Kuwait, and is the biggest hospitality and food industries event in the country. The exhibition contains contests in cooking performances and desserts, decorating dining tables and an Annual Discussion Forum, where all the key players in the hospitality sectors share the latest trend in this field.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR 5th Edition of

KUWAIT YACHT SHOW

28th till 31st of March 2017 At Al-Kout Marina

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