MP issue#110 February/March 2020

THE BARR AL JISSAH LIFE Inside Oman’s hidden jewel

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Corneliani

Corneliani

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THE KUWAIT EDITION ISSUE NUMBER 314 - FEBRUARY / MARCH 2020

TIME TO REBRAND Dear Passionate Readers, Welcome to our first edition of 2020. Definitely not just another year!

It started with one big news event after another; it made me feel like the turn of a century… not just a decade!

And the world keeps turning … and life keeps evolving…

With all that is happening around us, it feels time has never been running faster, and that is why we now have a duty to ourselves to create a space separated from time and events….

Now, more than ever, we need to work harder on creating our own world…

Our own peace of mind … and where better than in the open arms of the sea.

We dedicate this issue to the late Sultan Qaboos, whose imprint will be forever marked in the heart of the Gulf, and to our brothers the Omani people, who continue to develop their beautiful country so it may be the haven we all seek.

Till next issue,

Zeina Mokaddam

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ON THE COVER: February - March 2020 Each year we devote a significant section of one issue of Men’s Passion to Kuwait. In it, we look a little deeper and judge, in our eyes, the state of the nation. This year, we’ve handed the pages over to a few of our favorite people and invited them to give their views.

From the spheres of design, architecture, social activism, and hospitality, they are each vocal advocates for change. Read on as they cast their minds over Kuwait, reflecting on their corner of society, as they guage the temperature of the nation and its pace of change today, and look forward to tomorrow.

THE BARR AL JISSAH LIFE Inside Oman’s hidden jewel

CONTENTS 16

Essential Oman What not to miss in the Sultanate!

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Barr Al Jissah Luxury haven on the Gulf of Oman

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Al Mina Yacht Club Barr Al Jissah’s latest exclusive addition

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Sultan Qaboos bin Said November 18, 1940 - January 10, 2020

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Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said

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AlAnoud Al Sharekh Social Activist

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Nasser Abulhasan Architect

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Ziad Alonaizy Product Designer

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Talal Al Rashed Bon Vivant

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Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival – Kuwait is Coming!

Three young artists to represent the nation

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Dar Shaikha!

Days out in Kuwait just took a turn for the better!

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Nouf Al-Hajri LEGAL CONSULTANT Khaled Al-Kandari Al-Kandari Law Firm PUBLISHED BY

MANAGING DIRECTOR Zeina Mokaddam GENERAL MANAGER Mishleen AlKazzi SALES DIRECTOR Rosy Ajaka MANAGING EDITOR Simon Balsom EDITORS Rawan Qabazard Anju Kakar CONTRIBUTORS Adel Al-Ansari Yousif Abdulsayed SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Shadi Moufied IN-HOUSE PHOTOGRAPHY Maher Al-Nouri 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 info@ph7-kw.com For advertising, please contact info@ph7-kw.com For subscription, please email 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.

DAR SHAIKHA | ‫دار شيـــخه‬ Working Hours: 9 AM - 9 PM, Thurs/Fri/Sat For Cabana Reservation: Whatsapp +965 93333993

MEN’S PASSION

Essential Oman What not to miss in the Sultanate!

Whether you’re visiting Oman for the first time or the fiftieth, there are a number of key essentials you mustn’t miss out on!

Follow our guide to essential Oman and you may be a tourist, but you’ll move around the country like a local!

SPECIAL REPORT - OMAN

ESSENTIAL OMAN

The most beautiful, varied, and friendly of Arab countries, Oman remains a relatively quiet outpost at the southern-most end of the Arabian Gulf. There’s much to explore – ancient delights as well as modern luxury!

Perhaps there’s no better place to start a tour of one of Muscat’s most remarkable of gems – the Grand Mosque. Completed in 2001, it was a gift to the nation from the late Sultan Qaboos to mark the 30th year of his reign. Open to visitors from 8am to 11am, it provides an oasis of spiritual calm, plus a breath-taking display of contemporary Islamic architecture.

From one design marvel to another… this time it’s the Royal Opera House. Another relatively recent addition to the city’s urban landscape, you can take a tour any day (except Friday) and, pick the right moment to visit Muscat, you’ll catch a world-class show too!

Muttrah Souq is your destination for a spot of shopping… and it’s the ideal venue to pick up local specialities including frankincense, silverware, and other Omani handicrafts.

To walk the corniche at Muttrah is a real step back in time. Lined by 19th century merchant’s houses, the low-rise skyline is sprinkled with multicolored minarets. It is the Arabia of Disney movies… but for real here in Oman’s capital city.

For those looking to turn back the hands of time, add Bait Al Alam Palace, the National Museum, and Old Muscat to your list of ‘must do’!

Bait Al Alam is one of the royal palaces, and was used by Oman’s beloved ruler Sultan Qaboos for ceremonial occasions during his reign. It offers a glimpse into the genteel, refined, and intellectual world of His Majesty and the finest of his subjects.

Oman has some of the best beaches in the Gulf! For sure... Qantab Beach (along with Qantab village), is a must visit location!

The nation is home to some of the finest resorts and retreats in the Middle East. Heading the list is Barr Al Jissah - a unique luxury destination situated in a secluded bay where the Gulf of Oman meets the dramatic mountainous coastline. The four pillars of Barr Al Jissah are; four luxury residential developments; three luxury hotels are operated by Shangri-La Hospitality Group, the Al Mina Marina & Members-Only Yacht Club, and the Al Mazaar Entertainment Center for kids and family activities.

Stay out of the city longer, and enjoy a different view of the city… take a ferry ride and you’ll be very unlucky if you’re not accompanied by dolphins along the way.

Time to eat like a local? Try shuwa (meat cooked in Omani style) at one of the local restaurants - Bin Ateeq, Ubhar, Kargeen or Bait Al Luban. Or treat your taste buds with a quick must-try snack combo – Rakhaal (or ragaag) – an Omani style crispy crepe with karak chai. It’s a popular to-go item and available at almost all tea shops that dot the city When the time comes head home, don’t forget to buy some Omani halwa to take back as gifts for family and friends.

One thing’s for sure… you’ll soon be back for another bite at Oman!

Oman weather. When to go? Along the coast of the Gulf of Oman, the climate is desert, sunny all year-round, with a few winter rains, more likely in the far north around the Musandam Peninsula, an exclave of Oman in the United Arab Emirates, from December to March. Hot in summer, with highs around 37/38 °C on average, and humidity from the sea that makes the heat oppressive.

When the wind blows from inland, the humidity drops, but the temperature will rise high enough to challenge the mercury in the thermometer. The winter temperature is pleasant: the daily average is around 20 °C in the far north and 21 °C in Muscat, the capital.

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Barr Al Jissah A Place Forever

Located in Muscat, just a short drive away from the city centre, and secluded in a hidden cove, lies Barr Al Jissah, a luxury haven on the shores of the Gulf of Oman.

The visionary blend of architecture inspired by Oman’s rich heritage and natural landscape sets Barr Al Jissah apart as a truly exclusive destination. Carefully crafted homes are situated in perfect harmony with the surrounding cliffs, gazing down onto the marina where sleek yachts ply the same waters where ancient dhows once sailed.

ESSENTIAL OMAN

This luxury development, covering 450,000 square meters of prime

up the waves and white tops roll over endless blue, sparkling along

waterfront land, is the first of its kind in Oman. It is comprised of:

the rocky coastline, it creates a timeless view that captures unique

Luxury Residential Properties; three world-class Shangri-La Hotels,

surprises and delights every day.

the Al Mina Marina and Members Only Yacht Club and the incredible Al Mazaar Entertainment Centre.

Endangered hawksbill and green turtles often migrate across hundreds of miles to their sanctuary at Barr Al Jissah. Secluded coves and

The luxury residential properties include the well-appointed

peaceful waters form the perfect habitat for these graceful creatures

Dawn Townhomes, Dusk Townhomes, the Cliff Top Villas and

and rangers watch over their nesting grounds to ensure their survival.

the Bannenberg & Rowell Limited Edition Villas with their yachtinspired interiors.

With the ancient Al Hajar Mountains as backdrop and surrounded by a myriad of crags and coves on the shores of the Gulf of Oman that

The fading embers of afternoon light create a daily masterpiece as it

flow uninterrupted into the Indian Ocean, Barr Al Jissah stands as a

shimmers across the gentle swell. As the gentle ocean breeze whips

timeless sanctuary for those inside its enclave.

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Al Mina Waterfront Barr Al Jissah’s latest exclusive addition

When we travel, what we want above all is a home away from home... with ease of living and added luxury.

We’ve worked hard to get where we are, and we deserve not merely the finer things in life... but the finest.

That’s where Barr Al Jissah and, in particular, the newly opened Al Mina Waterfront, comes in to their own...

The Club features a one-of-a-kind upscale marinaside boardwalk with boutique retail outlets and alfresco dining... the Al Mina Baordwalk (above and bottom right)

ESSENTIAL OMAN

The ‘Al Mina Residences and Private Yacht Club’ brings a new level of luxury to the destination and is poised to make Oman the next hotspot for the discerning global traveler. Located only a few minutes from the city centre and airport, construction of the new development began in May 2019 on the shores of Muscat’s picturesque Jissah Bay, with completion due in early 2021.

The sleek design of the luxurious marina apartments, penthouses, duplexes and villas takes inspiration from the unrivalled Riviera sea front setting, featuring extensive use of glass, modern clean lines, generous balconies and outdoor areas; whilst remaining true to the destination’s Omani roots. The development delivers an unrivalled sense of peace, making the most of its special location nestled between the Al Hajar Mountains and Arabian Sea; to create a much sought-after destination for relaxation, waterfront dining and luxury living.

The Al Mina Yacht Club, membership of which is exclusive to Barr Al Jissah home and yacht owners, features a fine dining restaurant, new dive and sailing centre, private beach, two saltwater infinity pools and a unique beachfront zone

The sophisticated architectural design of the residences is inspired by the latest international marina styles, with penthouse apartments offering luxury linear living together with a dual level decking that incorporates a luxurious rooftop pool. Meanwhile, the duplex apartments are designed with double height living spaces, creating a sense of space and a seamless connection to the bay and the stunning marina outlook. The unparalleled Al Mina villas offer three expansive floors of open plan living; with the ground floor featuring a smooth transition from living space to a landscaped garden area with an infinity swimming pool and dedicated BBQ area.

A focal point for the one-of-a-kind project will be the membersonly Private Yacht Club. Designed for the exclusive use of residents, yacht owners and their guests. Facilities will include a lounge, a fine-dining restaurant offering unparalleled views, together with a new dive and sailing school. The development will also feature an upscale boardwalk with al-fresco dining.

Al Mina’s private marina features 47 berths for superyachts as well as smaller vessels. It is the cleanest and deepest marina in the country, with the most naturally protected aspect in the region, offering excellent access to the Gulf of Oman, the Arabian Sea and

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The sophisticated architectural design of the residences are inspired by the latest international marina styles, with penthouse apartments offering luxury linear living

beyond. The development of the marina, and the enhanced lifestyle facilities, further cements Barr Al Jissah’s reputation as a world class destination for superyacht owners and global adventurers.

The Al Mina development has full Integrated Tourism Complex Status (ITC) with buyers and their families eligible to apply for Oman resident visas, making travelling into and out of the Sultanate effortless.

Al Mina residents will also benefit from premium lifestyle amenities provided by the three luxury hotels located within the destination which are managed by Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts, as well as being able to take advantage of the activities on offer at Al Mazaar Entertainment Center which include sports facilities, educational workshops, art activities and international events. Barr Al Jissah residents also enjoy exclusive invitations to VIP events.

Each villa, perched on the edge of the cliff, is individually crafted and lovingly detailed with elegant interiors, quality finishings and private swimming pools. Views across the Gulf of Oman go into infinity and bring natural symmetry to life.

ESSENTIAL OMAN

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Sultan Qaboos bin Said November 18, 1940 - January 10, 2020

Oman’s beloved Sultan, Qaboos bin Said, passed away on 10th January 2020, aged 79.

He was the longest-serving ruler in the Middle East, transforming Oman from a medieval backwater to a modern state during more than four decades of supremacy.

In doing so Qaboos won respect far beyond his country for his skill in steering Oman along a middle path through the various minefields of Middle Eastern diplomacy. The Sultan was always careful to avoid extreme positions.

By the mid-1970s Oman’s oil industry was developing fast and Qaboos began investing the revenue in the development of his country. His policy was to develop both the public and private sectors without incurring external debt.

The scope of construction projects was wide, but the modernisation of Oman was carried out under the prudent gaze of the Sultan, and the carefully managed economy was one of his greatest legacies.

Within the Gulf, Oman enjoys a reputation of being the most efficient state and the one where the policy of training nationals to take over the jobs of foreigners is most effective.

This attitude of quietly getting on with what he considered to be best for Oman was reflected in Qaboos’s policies. For example, Oman alone of the Gulf states decided against joining Opec: Sultan Qaboos regarded this cartel as vulnerable to retaliation from those damaged by its decisions.

After the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990, Qaboos was among the Arab leaders who believed that the crisis could be resolved without the use of force. He personally tried to mediate between Iraq and Kuwait.

Inside his various palaces the Sultan had a fine collection of clocks and ornaments, including figures of horses and other animals. He was also an opera lover – everything from Gilbert and Sullivan to Verdi. When in London he made a point of visiting Covent Garden.

Back in Muscat he sponsored the creation of a full symphony orchestra.

OMAN

Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said Oman’s new ruler, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said, has vowed to uphold his predecessor Sultan Qaboos bin Said’s foreign policy approach, which steered the Arab country through choppy waters.

The new ruler, who was Oman’s culture minister, spoke after being named successor to Sultan Qaboos, the Middle East’s longest-ruling monarch, his message to Omanis and the world was clear: Oman would continue down the path laid by Qaboos as a facilitator of peace.

Sultan Haitham is a career diplomat who’d long been tapped as one of the front-runners for succession. His role as minister of national heritage and culture helped project Omani influence. Haitham is a cousin of Qaboos.

The Oxford graduate spent 16 years in various roles with the foreign ministry, starting in 1986. He was the ministry’s undersecretary for political affairs and its secretary general. He has sometimes also chaired Cabinet meetings.

Sultan Haitham’s background in culture and heritage is another sign of continuity with Sultan Qaboos, whose love of culture and music was well known.

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AlAnoud Al Sharekh Social Activist

Kuwait’s AlAnoud Al Sharekh is a researcher and academic of global standing, one with a particular interest in women’s rights. Highly valued for her opinions across a host of societal issues, here she speaks to us both as an activist, and a mother.

THE KUWAIT EDITION

What better base to start from than a consideration of Brand Kuwait?

AlAnoud is sanguine in her view – “We’re in a place we can be proud of in terms of our national brand”, she says. “We’ve had a lot of setbacks and disappointments over the years. The occupation of Kuwait in 1990 delivered a cognitive break in our Arab identity, and we’ve had economic setbacks as well and political setbacks. But, all things considered, we’ve established a national brand that is affiliated with a high level of freedom of speech and a very active civil society movement”.

She sees the nation as still transforming. Although with hundreds of years of history, modern Kuwait remains a relatively young entity – but it is one she sees developing with an increased amount of transparency and opportunityfor political debate. “The signs here are healthy”, she says, “we’re creating an engaged society”.

“As our national brand matures, it is becoming more inclusive. You don’t need to look back too far in our history to find a time when there were no women visible – this in changing”.

Doors are opening – perhaps out of necessity and driven by the contemporary pressures being felt by many of the world’s nations, but to a greater degree here in the Middle East. For some, the pace of change is too fast. “There will always be dissenting voices, but part of becoming a liberal and tolerant society is being able to accommodate a multitude of voices”. This is, indeed, a distinguishing feature of any aspiring modern democracy.

There is a widespread acknowledgement of change within Kuwait. It has been a fundamental part of the process for many years – a process that has seen highs and lows. When AlAnoud looks across her country today, she senses tempered optimism.

“It is part of the human condition to be more anxious about the future than optimistic” she explains. “Playing in to this within Kuwait right now, it serves some in our society to disseminate an idea of disillusion among our youth. In doing this they succeed in creating a sense of distrust and disconnect between our people and their government and institutions. So, perhaps more than a sense of optimism, today I feel a sense of agency amongst our people - they feel empowered to do something, to be part of the change. Opportunities to become involved are no longer tied to your social status, your age, or your gender as it was before. This is something we can all be optimistic about”.

We consider whether there exists in Kuwait a true sense of a nation.

AlAnoud notes that this was far more clearly defined in the 50s, 60s, and 70s. Today, we agree, there are many competing identities.

Tribalism is an enduring challenge in the face of Kuwait becoming a fully equitable and openly free political nation.

maintained a sense of tribalism. The government has not yet mastered the sense of nationalism to the degree it was achieved before. I’m hopeful though.”

In 2016, AlAnoud founded Ibtkar – a political and strategic consultancy focusing on training the youth, in particular young women, on the opportunities of leadership and dialogue in Kuwait and abroad.

“One of the biggest challenges we face today is that it’s not a level playing field,” she says. “We’re not living in a meritocracy”. With so much untapped potential in Kuwait, through Ibtkar, AlAnoud has set about engaging the youth in order to harness this resource. “We must focus on developing soft skills by finding new ways for them to convey their socio-political concerns in a structured manner. Women aren’t part of our diwaniya culture in Kuwait, so we’re developing a platform for women to be heard. They need to be noticed, and to be given a chance.

“In 2018 we trained 15 women on becoming political leaders, and more on how to run political campaigns”. Part of a series of ongoing programmes, she adds, “The women we work with are appreciative of being part of a network of likeminded individuals. They’re from wideranging and different backgrounds, but it is their common values and issues that bind them. This is the way forward for the future.

What of political office herself? For sure, it seems a logical next step and, while AlAnoud doesn’t rule it out complete, she insists that the time is not yet right.

“As well as giving much to the aims of Ibtkar, a current cause of mine is ensuring women are protected from violence”. Her championing of this through the Abolish 153 campaign is well known. “We still don’t have a women’s shelter in Kuwait. And I’m not sure that me being in political office would be as powerful a tool as being myself as an activist, behind the scenes, while I continue to push this through.

Currently, I have access to a multitude of policymakers across the political spectrum. Until the issue of violence against women is fully addressed, I feel can be more useful on the outside”.

Ultimately though, “I stand on the shoulders of giants”, Alanoud insists. “The women who came before me and fought for their right to get educated, and to participate in the labor force and to participate politically, they paved the way for me. I’d like to think that I’m paving the way for today’s young men and women so they can focus on other issues relevant to them today. None of this can be do without men as our allies. Today, Kuwait’s young men are amongst our biggest allies and supporters.

However, through the use of modern technology, everyone can have a voice.

“I’m very hopeful for the future. I know my daughter has grown up in a society that is a lot less hostile to a woman than the one I grew up in. I hope my granddaughter will not have to deal with health guardianship or nationality issues we still face as women of Kuwait”.

“Social media had made it is easier to become a dissenter, but also equally a supporter. Armchair activism has found its day on social media. But, more importantly than this, the political space has

While there remains work to be done, with Kuwait’s social outlook envisioned by patriots such as AlAnoud Al Sharekh, it bodes well for the future of inclusivity, gender equality and, in the end, brand Kuwait.

Follow @ibtkar_consult and @abolish153

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Nasser Abulhasan Architect

A long-time architectural reference for us, Nasser Abulhasan (above, left) is an award-winning Kuwaiti architect with a global view. With offices in Spain and Kuwait, AGi Architects - founded with Joaquin Perez-Goicoechea (above, right) in 2006 – is the only practise from the region engaged by Expo 2020 Dubai. Here, his work will rub shoulders with the like of Foster + Partners, and Grimshaw Architects. Impressed? You should be.

THE KUWAIT EDITION

“Kuwait is once again building projects that are relatable to the environment, that is responsible to climate needs, and to social behaviour. This makes what is happening here very interesting from my point of view.”

Having grown to a team of more than 70, AGi Architects is a global if, until now, a largely low-key architectural office. Nasser and Joaquin prefer to let their projects do the talking for them.

When we look out across the city, the see a largely schizophrenic urban landscape or apparently random styles, with incoherent structure.

Nasser reflects on this, beginning by casting our thoughts back to the early days of an independent Kuwait.

“Kuwait has historically led the region in architecture. Between the 1950s and the 1970s internationally renowned architects were making site-specific and climatically responsible work”, he notes, adding, “but that was 40 years back. Since then, both Kuwait and the region have become detached from what architecture is. Everything since has been created from more of a real-estate development perspective.

Architecture in the region has fallen short over the past 40 years – what we see here, and in our neighboring countries, is often not very well built and not well developed”.

Of course, he’s correct, and he goes on to explain a key reason for this lapse in responsibility. “Architecture is not a single-handed mission.

Along with a good architect it is necessary to have a good client who is educated enough and prepared to challenge the status quo in order to deliver a good product. Add to this the need for a good contractor and the willingness to do the right thing, and it’s easy to see how our Gulf neighbors accelerated ahead with a focus on developing bigger, faster, and cheaper – but not necessarily better. The pressure from these elements doesn’t enable innovation nor, even, responsibility”.

However, he feels change is afoot. Yet, whilst architecture continues to evolve, it has been slow to reveal itself.

“I can see that in Kuwait over the past ten to fifteen years, we are beginning to develop a special type of architecture once again. It is something that is relatable to its environment, that is responsible to climate needs, and to social behaviour. This makes what is happening here very interesting from my point of view.

“There is talent here, and it is growing. Kuwait differs from other Gulf states - it is not as fast to move, nor is it as showy as our regional neighbors. However, a unique talent exists here, and is beginning to show itself”.

While he acknowledges that we are unlikely to witness a wholesale change is our cities in the short term he feels that, given time, huge change is coming.

“We won’t see a significant change in the style of architecture, or in the way architecture is determined to work for the city, within ten years - this is too short a period in the cycle of architecture. But, it will happen over decades. Remember, we are not building for our generation, we are building for generations to come. This is what creating cities is all about”.

There are areas where a visionary change is easier to implement. He cites Kuwait’s F&B sector as a prime example of this. “There are people who are challenging international standards and are trying to produce similar or even better in terms of environment and food. But people can’t expect architects to do the same - in such a short space of time – with the city”.

Passionate about our city and our country, it serves everyone to see it develop its own tempo, rather than for it to become victim to much of the Gulf’s ‘copy / paste’ mentality.

He has good news. “People are once again evolving and localizing designs and ideas in Kuwait. I could use my own company as an example. We are not the same as we were fourteen years ago. We’re still pushing in the same direction, but we’re changing over time.

We’ve developed a message, we’re trying to develop that message further, and we’re trying to develop good architecture. None of this happens on Day One. Kuwait is once again finding its place in the region and in the world. And it’s moving in the right direction by using architecture to reinforce this”.

Follow @agi_architects

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Ziad Alonaizy Multidisciplinary Designer

Kuwait-born, much-travelled, and now a resident of London, England heading his own design studio. So, who better to judge “how they see us” than UK-based designer Ziad Alonaizy.

THE KUWAIT EDITION

ZIAD ON DESIGN: How is ‘good’ design defined for you? Three elements define good design for me: originality, quality of craftsmanship and, most importantly, longevity.

What is the inspiration behind your designs?I wanted to approach the design of my first collection from a new perspective free from the confines of current market trends and the expected. And so, I started thinking about how our creativity is inherently caged. ‘AEGIS’ collection was inspired by the concept of a bird cage being pried open by two fingers, metaphorically representing empowerment and the release of ideas and creativity.

Describe the style of your latest collection in just three words.

Innovative. Sustainable. Eternal.

ZIAD ON KUWAIT: How do you view Kuwait’s design scene from afar? Who do you see as getting things right? Every time I visit Kuwait I am truly impressed by the creative genius of the new generation and their willingness to push boundaries with frequent openings of concept stores and exhibitions. Moreover, I truly admire the recent government-funded projects in Kuwait such as Al Shaheed Park and JAAC; not only for the sympathetic approach to design but also for the inclusion of well thought out cultural experiences and activities in addition to the strong environmental message communicated throughout the design. I feel that there has been a consistent growth and awareness of design on every visit I make to Kuwait.

Do you feel design is fully appreciated and valued in Kuwait?

People in Kuwait have a truly discerning eye for eclectic design and always seek out innovative solutions for their homes. I frequently meet Kuwaitis at exhibitions such as Salone del Mobile in Milan, Maison et Objet in Paris and even out of the way antique markets such as Les Puces de Saint Ouen. So in my opinion, there is a true appreciation and a great knowledge concerning design in Kuwait.

What’s the response you get as a Kuwaiti designer on the global stage? People do find my story intriguing. It is not every day that you meet an orthopaedic surgeon who made the switch to the design world.

Add to that my Kuwaiti origins which is rare and unexpected. However, in my experience, people first and foremost respond to my designs and the media attention surrounding my collection.

The ethos of ‘eternal elegance’ sits at the heart of the design and manufacturing process for every piece of AEGIS furniture – to be loved, treasured and passed on from one generation to the next.

Is it easier to live and work as a product designer in the UK? Could you do what you do if you were based in Kuwait? If not, why not?

Not at all. The market in the UK is saturated and extremely competitive.

However, if you can overcome all the hurdles and establish your design

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studio in London then you are naturally welcomed onto the world stage.

The UK is renowned for its pedigree of design brands that have been established and respected for many years with a focus on quality and heritage. To become a part of that pedigree is a great launching pad for any business. In addition, London is geographically ideal for the design industry with Europe a short flight away. I work very closely with Italian suppliers and manufacturers and frequently make day trips to source marble or check on production. It would be difficult to achieve that if I were living in Kuwait.

Having established my design studio, it quickly became clear that executing good design is only half the battle. Achieving market penetration is far more challenging. Networking and a good marketing strategy are absolutely essential.

What are the key ingredients required to establish a critical mass of designers in a small country such as Kuwait?

What advice would you give to an aspiring Kuwaiti product designer today?

• Ignore the noise and trust your gut feeling.

• If you have seen it before, then don’t do it.

• Get informed • Make a plan: • Who is your target market?

• How will you reach your target market?

• Do your price points take your target market

into consideration?

• Invest in a good website. It is the window to your design.

• Establish a good reliable team around you: Manufacturer, shipping company, social media / marketing team, legal team, accountant, business advisor, etc.

A regulating body. In the UK we have the CSD (Chartered Society of Designers), the BIID (British Institute of Interior Designers) and many more. Through their membership schemes, they help to regulate the industry and promote it as well as scheduling seminars, competitions and networking events. A similar organisation in Kuwait would give the design community more legitimacy and gravitas.

A USP (Unique Selling Proposition). What differentiates design in Kuwait from other countries. Every country has its own USP. Italy is known for its innovation, attention to detail and craftsmanship. The UK for their pedigree and quality. Kuwaiti design needs a marketable commodity to distinguish it from the competition.

A presence. I have had the privilege to witness some exceptional interior and product design by local talent. Unfortunately, very little is showcased in magazines, design websites or blogs globally. I can understand clients’ wishes with regards to privacy. I have the same issues with many of my private commissions which I cannot share. Yet in Europe you are constantly bombarded by images of design in all its forms. We need to advertise our achievements and accomplishments more to the world.

A quality of craftsmanship and labour. The most important ingredients to accomplish good design. I work closely with a family of metal artisans in Italy, who have been perfecting their craft for more than 100 years. Each one of my pieces passes through nine metal artisans, each highly trained in honing one aspect of the manufacturing process. I would never have realised my design without their expertise.

Other smaller (and far less wealthy) nations succeed admirably on the international design and art stage. Lebanon springs to mind as one. Why not Kuwait? Why not another regional Arab country?

What’s your thinking on how the world views Arab design as a whole? Lebanon, in particular, is a very good example. They have been perfecting their craft for many years, in particular, wood working.

Furthermore, due to political unrest and displacement, they have a foot in each: Europe and the Arab world, allowing them more visibility and cultural alignment. But it is their networking and marketing prowess that launches Lebanese designers to the forefront.

In my experience there is much appreciation for Arab design. I have come across many beautiful designs from the Arab world in notable galleries in London, Paris and Milan. More can be done, however, to publicise our creativity and accomplishments.

About Ziad Alonaizy Design Ziad Alonaizy design is a luxury-led and conceptually driven furniture atelier and design studio. The company’s ethos is underpinned by a desire to create timeless and eternally elegant designs that transcend current market inclinations and provoke exceptional visual and emotional impact.

Founded by Ziad Alonaizy in 2018, the studio was established following the acclaimed launch of Ziad’s debut collection of furniture – AEGIS. With a solid grounding in architectural interior design, the company now specialises in bespoke furniture, interior design and private commissions.

Driven by exceptional quality and an unwavering dedication to excellence, Ziad is passionate about a conceptual approach to his work that consistently delivers against client expectations and captures the essence of their vision. “I set myself the challenge to create a timeless and conversational design, born from my architectural background and quest for individuality.

“Environmentally conscious, I work hard to negate the impact of our production process and to positively contribute to the sustainable future of the design industry through our manufacturing processes and the use of sustainable materials. I donate a portion of all sales to the World Land Trust - a conservation charity protecting endangered habitats and wild life and from our sales in the Middle East, to Abolish Article 153 - a prominent human rights organisation”.

Follow Ziad at @ziadalonaizy www.alonaizy.com

THE KUWAIT EDITION

Ziad’s design process always begins with the concept – an idea, image, model or notion that provides the basis for the story or narrative behind the design, driving an emotional connection as well as a visual response.

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Talal Al Rashed Bon Vivant

Globe-trotting bon vivant and food writer Talal Al Rashed takes the lid off the contemporary culinary and dining scene in the country. Who’s serving up a juicy slice?

What is the taste of Kuwait for today’s discerning palates?

THE KUWAIT EDITION

“in Kuwait the emphasis is more on the layout, ambience and location, not to ignore the ‘instagramability’ of the dishes regardless of their taste” For decades the tiny state of Kuwait has punched far above its weight when it comes to the region’s dining and culinary scenes. Back in the 1960s and 70s, Kuwait was one of the first Gulf nations to welcome Western-style fast food chains. Then, a decade later, five-star boîtes began to appear within luxury hotels. More recently, new takes on everything from sushi to hamburgers popped up across bustling Kuwait City fueling the nation’s appetite for increasingly sophisticated and discerning dining experiences.

The Kuwait culinary scene expands and evolves literally every month thanks to its trove of innovative entrepreneurs, government support for small businesses, and cash -rich diners with a taste for the good life. There is an obvious enthusiasm among trendsetters in F&B to position the city as a gastronomic hub, not only regionally but also internationally — which, in my opinion, will take a very long time and needs necessary multifaceted reforms.

Within the GCC, and because of social media, around the Middle East, Kuwait is highly associated with food and restaurants. Some non-Kuwaiti businesspeople turn to Kuwaiti entrepreneurs to help create F&B concepts in their hometowns, as those concepts proved successful in Kuwait. This is one applaudable practice Kuwaitis could achieve in the F&B scene, so much that they are going overseas with it, but it is an attribution to Kuwaiti business people and not to the dining scene here.

I tend to differentiate between the success of a restaurant operations and the value it adds to the dining scene. With few exceptions, restaurants in Kuwait are watering an excessive thirst for a place to socialize rather than to offer a state-of-the-art gastronomic experience; the astounding performance of coffee places here is an evidence that the city is still at the stage of cultivating socializing places, and needs to go through some steps before prematurely claiming the title: a world gastronomic hub.

While around the globe entrepreneurs and chefs in cities Kuwait aspires to be comparable with are focusing more on farm-to-table, mouth bursting and visually clear ingredients with minimal attention to interior-design, in Kuwait the emphasis is more on the layout, ambience and location, not to ignore the “instagramability” of the dishes regardless of their taste, and the quality and source of its ingredients.

Kuwaiti entrepreneurs and business tycoons figured out what is lacking in societies and have indeed become trendsetters in creating

concepts. It’s fair to say that the Alshaya company is the most soughtafter franchisee in the region, filling as a tenant less popular malls with Starbucks and Shake Shacks and immediately boosting their footfall; and Basel Alsalem, known for Burger Boutique and Slider Station, has become a regional power in creating original concepts and make them work.

But are we trendsetters when it comes to the food itself? Most of the successful franchises and concepts offer an upgraded version of what most Kuwaitis grew up having access to in fast food chains, supermarkets and Indian restaurants: burgers, sausages, sandwiches, pizzas, instant noodles, packaged pastas, fried chicken, spicy food, gravies, fried pastries, packaged cheeses, chip bags, candies, cakes and other processed goodies.

The palate and the eye are ready for such flavors to be reinvented and reintroduced in a restaurant setting and, given the young audience, a little innovation and colorfulness in presentation is highly praised; most business people, again solely for business feasibility, are catering to the nostalgia people have for what they grew up eating as treats, but it is not feeding the Kuwait dining scene to become a competing gastronomic hub.

Even when compared to the region, Kuwait does not come first in offering world class dining experiences. UAE, with its tourism and open economy policies, became home to almost every single world cuisine, fine dining and casual restaurants with many of them using locally sourced ingredients, just as in London and NYC; Oman is boasting about the super-fresh seafood in its restaurants; and Saudi, in one year only, could turn everyone’s head to its ultra dazzling pop-ups of Annabel’s Mayfair, Sass Cafe and Cipiraini in the middle of the desert and rocks of Al Ula. What are Kuwaitis boon-gifting the country and the region, and catching up with the world through? Creating healthy concepts.

Flexitarian, vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Kuwait are truly offering something to the table, and because of the persistent health problems and high obesity rate, this trend is gaining more ground, demanding higher quality ingredients to meet the standards and coloring Kuwait’s dining scene with international appeal. Also Kuwaiti pro-travelers could convince some foreign chefs to make Kuwait home to their ethnic cuisines; we have Greek, Bhutanese and Japanese restaurants with chefs from those countries, thanks to passionate foodies insisting to diversity the dining scene, making it more describable as a world gastronomic hub.

Follow Talal at @talal.alrashed and @thecontourage

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Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival – Kuwait is Coming!

Three young artists to represent the nation

The eighth edition of the Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival returns on January 30. Running through to the end of March, it takes the motif of ‘Connected Communities’ as its theme for 2020.

Within the Festival’s curated series of shows and exhibitions, three young Kuwaiti artists will be waving the flag for the nation and see their works presented – Sara Soud, Shoug Bahzad, and Ahmad Al Hussaini. We met with the latter two – an artist and a sculptor respectively – to discuss their work and their hopes for their participation in the Festival.

THE KUWAIT EDITION

Where better to start than with you telling us a little about your work for the Festival?

Ahmad Al Hussaini: My work is in the form of a wood sculpture.

Entitled ‘Embracement’, its dimensions are 110 by 30cm, it represents the embrace of a child by his or her parents.

Shoug Bahzad: An oil on cotton canvas painting – ‘The Beauty of a Young Girl’. It’s about a beautiful young girl who is trying to look strong, but her pain and sadness show in her eyes.

What does it mean to you to be present at the Festival?

AAH: It means a great deal to me. In doing this, I’m representing my country and, of course, it is a unique opportunity for any artist to be at the Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival.

SB: It’s the first time I’ll show my art outside of Kuwait so, for this and other reasons, it’s a totally new experience for me and naturally I’m excited.

How do you view the role of the Festival in promoting the arts within our region, and throughout the world?

AAH: The festival in itself is a great occasion within a wonderful venue. It is a unique event that brings together artists from around the world.

SB: For sure, the Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festivals has, over the years, played a huge role in changing people minds with regard to their approach to, and understanding of, art.

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What is the role of the artist in today’s world?

AAH: Art is a way of expressing one’s mind, taste, beauty, and creativity. Artists share for these elements of their soul for the world to enjoy. Through this, art speaks and reaches people’s souls.

SB: It all depends on the artist’s mentality - some want to send a message through their art, some simply to show the beauty of the artwork. Their intention defines the role.

As a Kuwaiti artist, how do you view the opportunities for you to exhibit your work within the country and the region? What’s lacking? Where are the arts in Kuwait heading?

AAH: The opportunity to participate in Kuwait or across the region is a great way for a wide audience to see the artsit’s work and to share the stories behind them. This would be strengthened by the creation of greater awareness of each event – too much happens with too few people knowing about it! However, the future looks good for Kuwait – our nation’s neighbors are eager to connect with us here due to the richness and variety of arts practiced within our country.

SB: Too few people appreciate the real value of art - too many view art as pointless. For example, if I want to sell my painting for KD100 some will think it is too much to pay… but the same person will happily pay the same amount for a fashionable scarf!

What do you hope will be your take-away from the Festival, and how will the experience help you grow? What elements of yourself do you hope to use to enrich others?

AAH: I’m hoping to reach many people with my art, and will enjoy the opportunity to get to know artists from many nation’s and social backgrounds while I’m there.

SB: I would like to see it deliver a change in the mentality of the people of this region when they learn the differences in the art we’ll share, and I hope it will create a deeper belief in the importance of the artist.

The three artists were brought together and supported throughout their preparation by long-term Kuwait resident, media maven and art-lover Tara Sillery. “It is a huge passion of mine to ensure that the right Kuwaiti talent gets a platform within and outside of the country. We have a boundless amount of talent in Kuwait, and it is always so difficult to “choose” as honestly my mind gets blown away with the art that I see.

“It has been an honour as well as enlightening to work alongside Suqrat Bin Bisher, Director of the Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival, and the entire Al Qasimi team in ensuring Kuwait is represented in this festival”, she said.

The Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival begins with a series of opening events from 30th January. The full opening is 1st February, and the Festival runs through to the end of March. You can learn more at alqasimifoundation.com

THE KUWAIT EDITION

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Dar Shaikha Days out in Kuwait just took a turn for the better!

Opening for the first time at the end of January, Dar Shaikha provides the ideal escape from the city in the creation of a pastoral idyll... with a natural health kick too!

Kuwait Insight

CONCIERGE

Located just about as far south in Kuwait as you can go - right down in the boonies of Wafra - Dar Shaikha is a new farmer’s market / lakeside retreat...

Set on grounds around a man-made lake, the venture sets out deliver a day’s fun (or a day’s chilling), as well as a venue for some one of the finest curations of epicurean delights in the country. Essential provisions for your store cupboard... including local produce (they have their own glasshouses - so you know everything is farm fresh!) and a bakery.

Recognizing two things, a) the best place to buy produce is fresh from the farm and, b) Wafra is a bit of a lengthy drive from Kuwait City and most other urban centers, Dar Shaikha makes itself doubly worth the journey...

Having stocked up on their tasteful delights, you can choose to spend the day lolling around in one of their private (and bookable, it’s essential!) cabanas... and with added enticement of sitting at the water’s edge (in the middle of the desert).

Time outdoors is always well-spent at Dar Shaikha. Pick the cooler months of the year (right now is the perfect time), and anything from a gentle stroll to a vigorous power-walk will be your heartrate (and appetite!) up... but nothing raises it quite as much as tackling the ascent of the unique ‘Mount Aziz’ - a manmade hillock... perfect for scrambling up in order to secure the best view for miles around.

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Picnics and barbecues are very much the order of the day, every day. Or at least on the days Dar Shaikha opens to the publics - currently that’s 9am to 9pm Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

If you have an interest in the source of your food - and we all should, right? - then Dar Shaikha is the place to go. Farm-to-table is overused marketing-speak in 2020, but in Dar Shaikha’s case it’s the perfect description... their food market uses products harvested almost a la minute! You really can’t get fresher... and where else are you going to get the opportunity to have watched your lunch grow? Great coffee too!

Want to take a little bit more of Dar Shaikha home with you? They’ve got a glasshouse brimming full of beautiful plants and flowers ready for you to load up in the back of your car. Take a tour, and be inspired!

Dar Shaikha is located in Wafra, around 110km from Kuwait City. But you’ll feel a million miles away once you get there. Follow them at @darshaikha to learn more.

CONCIERGE

If you like your food fresh, natural, wholesome and clean, then Dar Shaikha is your go-to when it comes to filling your store cupboard... or simply for taking a day out and escaping the city....

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LIFE REFINED Our carefully curated guide to the finest from the spheres of horology, automobiles, style, travel, design and much more. In Life Refined we look at the best, and meet the people that are making things happen.

St yle: Cor nelian i p 48; - R a lph L auren P ur ple L abel p58 - Dolce & Gabba na p62; - Gucci p6 4; - Gucci Spr i ng Su m mer 2020 p70; Automot ive: Bentley’s new F ly ing Spur p72;

- McL a ren Speedt a i l’s

Ma x-Speed Runs at Ken nedy Space Center p76; - Porsche Cent re Kuwa it com mences 2020 p80 Watches: R icha rd Mi l le p82 - Jaeger-LeCou lt re p8 4; Breitling’s Nav it imer BO3e p86 T he L ife Ref ined: Trending on passions a rabia .com p88; T EDx KuwaitCit y at Kuwait Towers p90; - R ichard Mille - new bout ique p91; - Kuwait Motor Show p92 46 47

Life’s a Beach! with Corneliani and Paul & Shark SS20

A 70’s spirit, free from any nostalgic and vintage vibe, inspires the Corneliani Spring/Summer 2020 collection.

Looking to their archives, the brand rediscovers a hyper sophisticated allure, which is projected into the contemporary world through fabrics and high-tech technologies. Everything revolves around an impeccable, masculine, refined yet spontaneous and comfortable style.

Sharp lines and rich earthy tones come together for a sophisticated selection of pleated trousers, relaxed suit jackets, and ribbed polos.

Designer Stefano Gaudioso:“In the Seventies, the mavericks were coming out with a new energy, influencing people in a positive way, breaking the rules in a positive way, just like today. We have new values coming up, like sustainability.”

Geared to modern lifestyles, a “techno blazer” features creasefree navy blazers and white shirts made from high-performance materials like ripstock, as well as Sensitive polyester, the same material used for running garments.

Paul & Shark steals the tech-scene with Typhoon 20000.

Engineered and patented by Paul & Shark, Typhoon 20000 ensures waterproof and windproof protection for the toughest conditions. With an ultra-soft outer membrane, Typhoon tech prevents water droplets from penetrating the fabric but still allows for maximum breathability and comfort. Typhoon 20000 is ultra-thin and ultra-light, yet highly protective… whatever conditions you decide to live your life in.

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Available at Dananeer Arraya Center - Ground Floor Corneliani: 22997662 Paul & Shark: 22997680 Insta: dananeer1962

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Ralph Lauren Purple Label Fall 2020 Collection

In celebration of the 25th Anniversary of Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Ralph Lauren looks to its most iconic references and collections for Purple Label, reimagining each for Fall 2020 as a new expression of the pinnacle of style – impeccably crafted from exclusive Italian fabrics with a dedication to the finest details that have been the hallmark of the brand since its founding.

Style preview

STYLE

The 25th Anniversary collection is headlined by a reissued capsule of tailored looks from the 90’s inspired by Mr. Lauren’s personal suitings and his love of sartorial English tailoring. These pieces feature Ralph’s signature suit silhouette: strong, broad shouldered with wide lapels balanced by a contoured waist, shorter length, and lower button stance. The new Ralph Suits are recreated in the original English fabrics and patterns, hand-picked and styled by Mr. Lauren exactly the way he would wear them, in pattern-onpattern combinations of classic chalk-stripes, houndstooths, and glen plaids and a range of sophisticated heathers and solid blacks.

“I’ve always believed in the art of fine tailoring. Before I started my own company I had my suits custom- made. I wanted the fit and construction to have the integrity of old-world craftsmanship yet remain soft and supple, natural and comfortable. For Purple Label’s 25th anniversary, I wanted to recreate that tailored style I’ve always believed in – from the cut of the suit and the original fabrics, to the mix of patterns in the shirt, the tie and other accessories. Purple Label to me is more than just beautiful clothing, it reflects the personal style of the wearer and a way of living inspired by timeless quality,” said Mr. Lauren.

The collection’s eveningwear offering transforms the tuxedo into an array of silhouettes from the Ralph Lauren archive: a new take on

the white-tie tailcoat of the 1920s and `30s, engineered to elongate the line of the leg; a military officer-inspired coat featuring regal embroidery; a double-breasted peak-lapel jacket cut in the plushest black velvet; and classic single-breasted tuxedos that form the pillar of formal luxury attire.

Sportswear for fall seamlessly blends with tailoring in a rich palette of charcoal, brown, navy, and olive, each rendered in supple suedes, velvets, and exotic leathers to mix with varying weights of Italian wool and super-soft cashmere. Drawing inspiration from Mr. Lauren’s personal car and motorcycle collection, the bespoke looks are layered in coordinating combinations of rich texture and tone, featuring a mix of plaids, windowpanes, and herringbone patterns, embracing the monochromatic elegance signature to the brand. Relaxed silhouettes are detailed with sharp suiting elements, such as flapped chest pockets, pleats, belted backs, and throat latches. Novelty details, including printed velvet and bullion embroidery, nod to some of Ralph Lauren’s most enduring influences, from the power of military and automotive design to the elegance of equestrian style. Accessories round out the season with softly constructed, burnished leather goods in saddle-inspired color combinations of black and brown, adding the final touch to the considered refinement of a gentleman’s wardrobe. Really.

What’s not to love?

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Dolce & Gabbana SS20 Campaign

Milan and Sicily, colours and black and white, modernity and tradition: opposites meet in the Men’s Spring Summer 2020 Advertising Campaign set in key Dolce&Gabbana locations that, with their diversified atmospheres and sceneries, are the background of the pictures.

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The main source of inspiration for Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana is presented alongside the city where everything began.

Seen through the monochrome lens, the history and traditions of Sicily contrast with the brightness and colours of the pictures realized in Milan.

Through the photographers’ camera, the campaign images reflect the differences and, at the same time, the common aspects of the two places. Shot in black and white by Salvo Alibrio, the ADV Campaign set in Palazzolo Acreide, Sicily, it recalls the island’s atmosphere, symbols and traditions. Enhanced by the depth of its frames and saturation of the two-tone, Dolce&Gabbana’s DNA emerges from the ADV pictures infused with all the history and values that they recalls. Everyday life scenarios are associated with traditional moments of the town’s conviviality, becoming the suggestive background to the collection.

Milan, the place where dreams became true. Shot in the streets of the city’s center by Branislav Simoncik, the ADV Campaign features a joyful and festive atmosphere. The capital of Italian fashion is the background to pictures characterized by an atmosphere of inclusivity and complicity: common people interact with models in the worldwide renowned streets and squares of Milan. The bright and brilliant colours of the collection emphasize the smiles on the models faces, whose joy and lightheartedness become contagious to passersby.

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Gucci Fall-Winter 2020 Masculine, Plural – Learning to unlearn

Gucci’s Alessandro Michelle continues the brand’s men’s collection genderbending journey beyond fantasy and into reality with his Fall-Winter 2020 offering. Unveiled in the context of Milan’s mid-January icy frigidity, our favorite and most fearless Roman creative director loves nothing more than challenging the accepted norms of society and, in a stroke, making his fashion a contemporary global mouthpiece for social change. Each season, one wonders how much further he can push the limits. Each season, he massages the boundaries to suit his manifesto. Each season, he highlights the difference between super-creativity and his own brand of hyper-creativity. Bravo Alessandro!

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MEN’S PASSION

In a patriarchal society, masculine gender identity is often moulded by violently toxic stereotypes. A dominant, winning, oppressive masculinity model is imposed on babies at birth. Attitudes, languages and actions end up progressively conforming to a macho virility ideal that removes vulnerability and dependence. Any possible reference to femininity is aggressively banned, as it is considered a threat against the complete affirmation of a masculine prototype that allows no divergencies.

There is nothing natural in this drift. The model is socially and culturally built to reject anything that doesn’t comply with it. And this has very serious implications. Toxic masculinity, in fact, nourishes abuse, violence and sexism. And not only that. It condemns men themselves to conform to an imposed phallocratic virility in order to be socially accepted. In other words, toxic masculinity produces oppressors and victims at the same time.

Therefore, it seems necessary to suggest a desertion, away from patriarchal plans and uniforms. Deconstructing the idea of masculinity as it has been historically established. Opening a

cage. Throwing a chant. It’s time to celebrate a man who is free to practice self-determination, without social constraints, without authoritarian sanctions, without suffocating stereotypes. A man who is able to reconnect with his core of fragility, with his trembling and his tenderness. A man on his knees in front of surrender, who honors fear and its thorns. A man full of kindness and care. A man who leans on others, who burns up the myth of self-sufficiency. A man who is also sister, mother, bride. A man swollen with disorder, who names blood’s ignition and nostalgia’s dismay. A man who complicates the weaving of his own affectivities, opening himself to non-hierarchical relations. A baby man, able to do bold and playful somersaults, who wonders in amazement when the world becomes new. A man pregnant with broken chains.

It’s not about suggesting a new normative model, rather to release what was constrained. Breaking a symbolic order, which is nowadays useless. Nourishing a space of possibility where masculine can shake its toxicity off, to freely regain what was taken away. And, in doing this, turning back time, learning to unlearn.

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Never underestimate the power of a triplet Gucci Spring Summer 2020

Omnia tria divina sunt says the old adage. Even more so if the trio includes a horse. Is the longhaired, tailed equine a pet? A family member? A therapy aid? A nod to the enduring equestrian lineage in the Gucci DNA? Maybe all of the above, maybe none.

Style preview

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One way or another, a horse features as the co-protagonist of the new Gucci advertising campaign. On the beach, in the kitchen, at the car wash, in the traffic jam, the horse is always there: getting a snack, swimming in the pool, washing shoes at the car wash, bringing the other two to destination and generally sharing moments with his or her‌ owners? There’s no owning in a relationship. The campaign is an exercise in warm-hearted ambiguity, an act of everyday surrealism, a celebration of the paradoxical.

Creative Director Alessandro Michele likes to push boundaries, and this season entrusted quixotical director Yorgos Lanthimos to do so, visually. The narrative plot is ultimately left to the viewers to outline.

Each eye, a path.

Then again, horses are a symbol of freedom, and the Spring Summer 2020 Gucci show was all about the power of fashion to break the cage of rules with the self-determination of personal style. Their presence in the picture might just act as a reminder of that.

However one looks at the campaign as a whole, there is no way to get to the point, and that is exactly the point, which makes for a libertarian message: truth and style are in the eye and in the ways of the beholder.

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Bentley’s new Flying Spur On-the-road in Kuwait

The launch of any new Bentley is a special event, but when it’s a new Flying Spur, our Zeina Mokaddam likes to take things personally.

Above all… it’s a Bentley.

AUTOMOTIVE

For drivers, the new Flying Spur offers breath-taking performance For passengers, it provides the ultimate in luxurious transportation

Guaranteed to turns head wherever it’s seen, the new Bentley Flying Spur is both a luxury cruiser and a thrilling drive. It is luxury and performance in perfect harmony – a car for both the driver and the driven.

Pushing the boundaries of both craftsmanship and technology, it delivers segment-defining levels of refinement and power.

Exquisite design details, sculpted surfaces and precise feature lines have created a car with an increased presence and assertive nature.

Its thorough-bred W12 engine – shared with the Continental GT – delivers 635 PS of power and 900 Nm of torque. More than enough to take it – and you – effortlessly from A to B and beyond.

The new Flying Spur’s dynamic exterior is further elevated by the beautiful front LED matrix headlamps. Enhanced by a new chrome sleeve behind the cut-glass elements, the lights sparkle like jewels – even when not lit. The rear lamps feature the Bentley ‘B’ graphic and the unique diamond knurling pattern, setting them apart for this model.

The exquisite cabin introduces an automotive world-first: three-dimensional, diamond leather upholstery. The new option, developed by the team of exceptional craftsmen and women based in Crewe, is just one of many new, advanced features and technologies included in the new Flying Spur.

Authentic materials and artisan craft create a refined and unique interior, while elements, such as the twin flute seats, result in the utmost comfort for all occupants.

Above all… it’s a Bentley.

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The Bentley Flying Spur all you need to know....

The all-new Bentley Flying Spur is the ultimate luxury Grand Touring sedan, offering the perfect fusion of performanceorientated agility and exclusive four-door, limousine-style comfort.

With a bold and exciting road presence that is unmistakably Bentley, plus a luxurious cabin offering unrivalled levels of comfort and refinement, the new Flying Spur has been uniquely designed to satisfy both driver and passengers alike in a manner that no other car can do. New from the ground up, the four-door seamlessly integrates the very best in British craftmanship with cutting-edge, innovative features.

The third generation Flying Spur is a showcase for Bentley’s contemporary sculptural design language, while bearing the hallmarks of the Crewe-based company’s unique DNA. Built on an entirely new platform, its athletic stance benefits from the front axle being moved forward to extend the wheelbase.

The elegant, muscular proportions, especially at the rear, are highlighted through the marque’s latest generation cut-crystal effect LED matrix headlamps and new wrap-around rear lamps incorporating ‘B’ motifs. Stylish new 21 and 22-inch wheel designs further enhance the Flying Spur’s personality and prowess.

For the first time on a modern-day Flying Spur, the retractable Bentley ‘Flying B’ mascot is proudly displayed on the nose of the new model. Electronically operated, it rises from beneath a beautifully modern Bentley badge.

Inside the sumptuous cabin, the design lines flow from the new wing-themed fascia to connect the front and rear passenger areas and create a completely integrated style. The interior is unmistakably Bentley, incorporating natural and authentic materials while also embracing a host of new technologies.

The unique Bentley Rotating Display is the central feature of an exquisitely crafted dashboard. The HD instrument panel has the choice of 12.3-inch digital touchscreen, beautiful analogue dials, or a digital-detox wood veneer finish.

A detachable Touch Screen Remote Control is the centrepiece of the rear seat experience. This state-of-the-art unit can operate all the major functions, including the blinds, climate control and rear

seat massage functions. It can also control the Flying Spur’s multiconfiguration mood lighting system.

Peerless comfort and refinement in the spacious cabin are enhanced by an extensive list of Single and Dual Veneer wood options. In both front and rear Bentley has introduced completely new-design fluted leather seats, which feature diamond quilting for the Mulliner Driving Specification. Three-dimensional diamond quilted leather doors inserts are a world first.

An optional panoramic glass sunroof stretches the full length of the roof, flooding the interior with light and bringing occupants closer to their Grand Touring experience. Three superlative audio systems, including a 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen system and a unique, 2,200W Naim system, are also available.

The all-new Flying Spur leads the way in the luxury car segment for state-of-the-art technology. Driver assistance systems include a Night Vision infra-red camera, Traffic Assist, Blind Sport Warning and a Head-Up Display. A raft of Advanced Connectivity features, including an integrated Wi-Fi hotspot, help keep the driver in touch with a range of real-time functions and services.

Thanks to a totally new and advanced aluminium and composite chassis, the Flying Spur is a technological tour-de-force. Electronic All-Wheel Steering is used for the first time in a Bentley, combining with Active All-Wheel Drive and Bentley Dynamic Ride – the world’s first 48V electric anti-roll system - to deliver phenomenal handling and ride.

Another major advance comes in the form of new, three-chamber air springs, which offer a much greater range of suspension adjustment between limousine-style ride comfort and sporting levels of body control. It allows the Flying Spur a breadth of capability not seen in the luxury segment before.

At the heart of the Flying Spur is an enhanced version of Bentley’s 6.0-litre, twin-turbocharged W12, mated to an advanced dualclutch eight-speed transmission for faster, smoother gear changes.

The new TSI engine delivers 0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 333 km/h).

Customer deliveries has begun.

AUTOMOTIVE

Bentley’s new Flying Spur – It’s all in the details The Story of Diamond Knurling

With the new Flying Spur, Bentley has reset the boundaries of what was perceived to be possible to deliver the ultimate luxury four-door Grand Tourer. Nowhere is the British brand’s remarkable attention to detail more evident than in the unique Diamond Knurling Specification, which sees traditional craftsmanship brought into the digital era through the application of state-of-the-art technology.

Bentley’s design and engineering teams overcame a series of unprecedented challenges to create the unique look and feel of the ‘facet knurling’ that adorns the surfaces of the front console vents which incorporate some 5,331 individual diamond shapes alone - as well as the B-pillar and rear console vents.

For the first time, cutting-edge parametric design software, more usually utilised in the architectural world, was used to create a series of computergenerated algorithms that allowed the designers to apply the incredible detail of the diamonds to surfaces that were constantly changing in dimension and curvature.

At the same time, a new production process was introduced that delivered a level of fine detail and finishing unlike anything previously seen, effectively producing a form of jewellery from a tool. Such was the complexity of the work required, with no compromise in terms of the quality and finish of the metal knurling, that more than 20 of the world’s leading component suppliers asserted it to be impossible.

Brett Boydell, Head of Interior Design for the Flying Spur, comments: “We were looking to break new ground with the new Flying Spur through a progressive, no-compromise approach to every aspect of the project. We have embraced the use of the latest technology to ensure that not only the Flying Spur, but all future Bentleys, are at the cutting edge of what is possible.”

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McLaren Speedtail’s Max-Speed Runs at Kennedy Space Center Dynamic Development Programme

The final high-speed tests in the ground-breaking hypercar’s extensive engineering validation process saw Speedtail prototype ‘XP2’ reach its maximum speed more than 30 times on the space shuttle landing runway at the Johnny Bohmer Proving Grounds. The exercise concluded a programme of high-speed running carried out at multiple test facilities worldwide, including Idiada in Spain and Papenburg in Germany.

AUTOMOTIVE

Culmination of extensive dynamic development process for the fastest McLaren ever, carried out at multiple test venues worldwide

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First customer-order Speedtails now being built at McLaren Production Centre in Woking, UK

Build of the first of 106 Speedtails that will be hand-assembled to customer order has now commenced at the McLaren Production Centre in Woking, UK, with deliveries scheduled from February 2020.

“It’s fitting that the Speedtail’s high-speed test programme concluded with multiple maximum-speed runs at a location strongly associated with pushing the boundaries of extreme performance and engineering excellence,” commented McLaren Automotive CEO, Mike Flewitt. “The Speedtail is a truly extraordinary car that epitomises McLaren’s pioneering spirit and perfectly illustrates our determination to continue to set new benchmarks for supercar and hypercar performance.”

Blending sleek and seamless beauty with pioneering technologies and truly remarkable performance, the Speedtail sits at the pinnacle of the McLaren Ultimate Series. At almost 5.2 metres long, the carbon-fibre-bodied three-seat Hyper GT

is the most aerodynamically drag efficient McLaren ever and a showcase for the brand’s expertise in lightweight engineering.

The Speedtail’s petrol-electric hybrid powertrain delivers the greatest power and torque of any McLaren road car, with a combined 1,070PS (1,055bhp) and 1,150Nm (848lb ft). The straight-line acceleration and maximum speed of the car set new benchmarks for McLaren, with 0-300km/h (0-186mph) achieved in less than 13 seconds and the Speedtail able to reach 403km/h (250mph).

The McLaren-developed battery pack has a power density of 5.2kW/kg, which is the best power-to-weight ratio of any automotive high voltage battery system. The batteries constantly self-charge when the Speedtail is driven – there is no ‘plug-in’ element – however, a wireless charging pad that trickle-charges and maintains the battery’s status when the vehicle is not in use is also included as standard.

AUTOMOTIVE

The dynamic development programme for the fastest and most technically advanced McLaren ever has concluded in fitting fashion with McLaren chief test driver, Kenny Brack, taking the new Speedtail up to its maximum speed of 403 km/h (250mph) at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA.

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Porsche Centre Kuwait commences 2020 at the Kuwait Motor Show Cayenne Coupé and 911 Carrera 4 take centre stage

Porsche Centre Kuwait opened the year with displays of its latest sports cars at the Kuwait Motor Show 2020 – the country’s annual automotive exhibition. As part of Porsche’s participation in the exhibition, individualisation was brought to life with the showcase of a 911 Carrera 4, which has been customised by Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur, the brand’s in-house workshop. The display model highlighted examples of personalisation options and the craftsmanship involved in making a Porsche as unique as its owner.

AUTOMOTIVE

Hany Marie, Brand Manager of Porsche Centre Kuwait, said: “We are delighted to once again participate in the Kuwait Motor Show. This event continues to grow from strength-to-strength and gives us a great opportunity to showcase additions to our model range. We start 2020 in a strong position, following a successful 2019 where we achieved a five per cent increase in the number of cars delivered to customers. With a variety of new sports cars on display, we encourage all enthusiasts and members of the public to attend this year’s exhibition.”

The 911 Carrera 4 on display was equipped with a 385 hp, three-litre twin-turbo flatsix engine. Fitted with the 8-speed PDK (Porsche Doppelkupplung) transmission, the model accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds, reaching a top speed of 291 km/h. When equipped with the optional Sport Chrono Package, this time drops to 4.0 seconds. A striking two-tone Black and Bordeaux red leather interior and 20/21-inch Carrera S wheels in Satin Aurum emphasize the vehicle’s sporty credentials.

Also taking centre stage was the Cayenne Coupé, the latest addition to Porsche’s highly successful SUV model. The Coupé introduces a range of new attributes, including sharper contours, a unique rear end design, an adaptive spoiler, and two roof concepts: panoramic fixed glass (fitted as standard) or an optional carbon roof. The S Coupé

variant features a 2.9-litre V6 engine with twin-turbochargers and develops 440 hp.

Meanwhile, the Cayenne Turbo Coupé has a four-litre V8 engine that generates 550 hp, and a maximum torque of 770 Nm. Porsche enthusiasts were delighted to see a 911 Speedster forming part of the showcase at the 2020 motor show. The limited-edition model accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 4.0 seconds, reaching a top speed of 310 km/h. A bespoke black twotone leather interior with decorative stitching and embroidery in contrasting colour, 20-inch Speedster wheels in satin black and a 6-speed GT sports manual transmission showcases the Speedster’s authentic nature.

Completing the lineup at the 2020 Kuwait Motor Show was the brand’s highperformance luxury saloon, the Panamera and a member of Porsche’s highly successful compact SUV range, the Macan S. With its three-litre V6 turbocharged engine, the Macan S derivative accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.1 seconds, when equipped with the optional Sport Chrono Package. The model has a top speed of 254 km/h and features all the product innovations of the latest generation Macan model range, including the LED light bar at the rear and a Porsche Communication Management system with a 10.9-inch touchscreen.

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Richard Mille RM 61-01 Yohan Blake Ultimate Edition

Unveiled in 2014, the RM 61-01 is a younger sibling of the tourbillon RM 59-01 worn by Jamaican sprinter Yohan Blake, a member of the Richard Mille family since 2012. This ‘Ultimate Edition’ heralds the last issue of this model and its singular lines, this time in Carbon TPT® and Quartz TPT®.

WATCHES

For the RM 61-01 Ultimate Edition, TZP ceramic yields to Quartz TPT® and Carbon TPT® for the bezel and caseback, with the latter material also featured on the caseband.

The many layers of silica-based Quartz TPT®, no more than 45 microns thick, are interlaced with layers of Carbon TPT® as they are stacked by an automatic compiling system that changes the orientation of the fibres by 45° between each layer. Heated to 120° at a pressure of 6 bars in an autoclave, the 600-layer composites are ready for machining at the brand’s factory. Milling and turning reveal random patterns in the Quartz TPT® and Carbon TPT®, making each piece absolutely unique.

Boasting a highly skeletonised calibre crafted of PVD-treated grade 5 titanium, traversing balance bridges in black-galvanised and hand-painted grade 5 titanium and a balance wheel with variable inertia oscillating at a frequency of 4 Hz, the RM 61-01 ensures superlative performance thanks to a 55-hour power reserve and impact resistance tested for impacts of over 5,000 g’s.

In addition to elongations between 2 and 5 o’clock which eliminate all possible rubbing against the sprinter’s wrist, the case sports a crown protector in Carbon TPT® that ensures the crown is safe during sporting activities.

This limited edition of 150 pieces ends this model’s 6-year career.

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Jaeger-LeCoultre Celebrating Valentine’s Day with Reverso

Jaeger-Le Coultre celebrates this Valentine’s day with the iconic Reverso line of watches. Since its creation, the Reverso has remained unscathed by the passing time and fashions, maintaining its characteristic Art Deco features: its simple, refined lines; the iconic, rectangular case; the typical gadroons; and the reversible system.

WATCHES

and is presenting a new expression of the Atmos Art Deco-styled perfection Inside its crystal-clear cabinet made of anti-reflective glass, the Atmos Transparente clock displays a strikingly sober new face.

From every angle – front, side or back – the vision is captivating and the equilibrium is perfect. The dial is embellished by an Art Deco-style.

Hour-markers and hands follow a minimalist aesthetic. The base is satin brushed and rhodium plated. Thanks to a very simple mechanism invented by engineer Jean-Léon Reutter in 1928 and brought to market by Jaeger-LeCoultre in the 1930s, the Atmos clock lives on air. Always as constant, always as accurate.

Virtually perpetual movement A secret that is hidden in plain sight: just a single degree of variation in the room temperature, and the Atmos clock captures enough power to run for two entire days. A clear glass allows the components of its movement, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 563, to be admired from every angle. Each face of its transparent cabinet has been treated with a new anti-reflective coating. Now lovers of beautiful objects can enjoy every detail of this fascinating display of clockmaking at their own leisure.

Aesthetic and chromatic harmony The Atmos Transparente clock features a new glass dial that sets off its twelve hour-markers particularly well. Fine, perfectly straight, and of a deep black, they stand out sharply within this beautifully pared- back design. At the centre, two great, circling hands of the same colour mark off the passing hours and minutes. Strict, almost minimalist in their lines, these quintessential attributes form a harmonious contrast to the rounded fullness of the dial. These straight lines are housed within a circle, which itself sits inside a rectangle. Yet again, Jaeger-LeCoultre demonstrates its unique know-how, constantly striving to combine mechanical expertise with aesthetic precision – finding ways for opposing geometrical shapes to cohabit the same piece, complementing each other to perfection.

In this Atmos Transparente, the virtually perpetual movement enjoys another occasion to reveal the mechanical genius and exceptional accuracy that characterise it. The environmental credentials of this iconic Jaeger-LeCoultre clock positioned it well ahead of its times, and the Atmos remains a must-have for lovers of fine things who delight in timeless objects of resolutely contemporary design.

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Breitling’s Navitimer BO3 Chronograph Rattrapante

It has been more than 85 years since Breitling introduced the first modern chronograph, whose influence on watch design has been incalculable.

With its new Navitimer B03 Chronograph Rattrapante 45, featuring its interpretation of one of watchmaking’s grandest complications, the brand has shown that it remains at innovation’s cutting edge.

WATCHES

The Navitimer B03 Chronograph Rattrapante 45 has an 18 k red gold case and is equipped with Breitling’s Manufacture Caliber B03, a unique split-second movement protected by two patents. Its innovative construction ensures maximum precision, sturdiness, and reliability.

The rattrapante is one of the most sophisticated complications in all of watchmaking. Put simply, with two superimposed central chronograph hands, it can measure two elapsed times simultaneously. The rattrapante feature in the new Breitling Navitimer B03 Chronograph Rattrapante 45 is very special indeed, and there are some additional details that define this watch as an instant classic.

The Navitimer B03 Chronograph Rattrapante 45 is as aesthetically impressive as it is technically sophisticated.

Housed in a big, bold 45 mm 18 k red gold case, it is distinguished by a Stratos Gray dial. Its hour markers and hour and minute hands are coated with Super-LumiNova®, which guarantees legibility in all lighting conditions. The watch has a bidirectional rotating bezel with the circular slide rule that has long been associated with Breitling’s Navitimers.

The Navitimer B03 Chronograph Rattrapante 45 offers another exquisite detail. Normally, a Breitling Navitimer features a stylized “B” logo with an anchor symbol adorning the base of the chronograph hands. But here there is a subtle refinement, with the logo divided between two hands. The B is on the red chronograph hand, while the anchor sits on the split-second hand. As a result, the two elements of the logo are separated when the split-second hand is stopped and reform when the hands realign with each other.

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Trending on passionsarabia.com

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What’s trending at the home of Men’s Passion online

look at the hottest stories from the past month on Men’s Passion’s online home at passionsarabia.com. Follow us on Instagram @passions.arabia for a regular dose of the styles, the trends, the brands, the maisons and the marques... with stories of the passionate people who are making it happen.

Our Zeina Mokaddam drives the new Flying Spur The launch of any new Bentley is a special event, but when it’s a new Flying Spur, our Zeina Mokaddam likes to take things personally. And here, you can see just how personally… passionsarabia.com/zeina-mokaddam-drives-the-new-flying-spur

Najat Alkandari’s fun and fearless footwear!

NJ Symphony is a luxury Kuwaiti footwear brand with a cheeky artistic flair.

Each new collection offers customers a curated selection of handcrafted and fun and fearless shoes that are designed to inject personality into every woman’s wardrobe. We met the founder and designer behind the collections, Najat Alkandari. passionsarabia.com/nj-symphony-najat-alkandari

Richard Mille – new Kuwait boutique Richard Mille – the Swiss watchmaking brand that combines the best in technical innovation, in architecture and in fine watchmaking heritage – opens a new boutique in Kuwait’s Salhiya Complex in the presence of the nation’s most knowledgeable watch aficionados. passionsarabia.com/richard-mille-new-kuwait-boutique

PASSIONS ARABIA

Gucci Fall-Winter 2020: Masculine, Plural – Learning to unlearn Gucci’s Alessandro Michele continues the brand’s men’s collection on a gender-bending journey beyond fantasy and into reality with his Fall-Winter 2020 offering. Unveiled in the context of Milan’s mid-January icy frigidity, our favorite and most fearless Roman creative director loves nothing more than challenging the accepted norms of society and, in a stroke, making his fashion a contemporary global mouthpiece for social change. passionsarabia.com/gucci-fall-winter-2020

Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival – Kuwait is Coming!

The eighth edition of the Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival returns on January 30. Running through to the end of March, it takes the motif of ‘Connected Communities’ as its theme for 2020. Three young artists will represent Kuwait.

Within the Festival’s curated series of shows and exhibitions, three young Kuwaiti artists have been brought together and will be waving the flag for the nation as they see their works presented – Sara Soud, Shoug Bahzad, and Ahmad Al Hussaini. passionsarabia.com/ras-al-khaimah-fine-arts-festival-kuwait-is-coming

Jaeger-LeCoultre presents a new expression of the Atmos Inside its crystal clear cabinet made of anti-reflective glass, the Atmos Transparente clock displays a strikingly sober new face. From every angle – front, side or back – the vision is captivating and the equilibrium is perfect. The dial is embellished by an Art Deco-style. passionsarabia.com/jaeger-lecoultre-atmos

Torsten Müller-Ötvös – Up close and personal A career BMW-er from 1989 until 2010 when he was appointed CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, Torsten Müller-Ötvös’s life is cars and luxury. Our Zeina Mokaddam received unprecedented access to this visionary thinker, and learned more about how he views his role within Rolls-Royce and what makes him tick. passionsarabia.com/torsten-muller-otvos-up-close-and-personal

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TEDxKuwaitCity at Kuwait Towers The iconic Kuwait Towers formed the venue for the latest edition of TEDxKuwaitCity. A fullday conference held on December 21, 2019 with 10 live speakers, the event also included a collection of curated experiences, including local innovators in technology, entertainment and design. Curated from thought leaders – including our own Zeina Mokaddam - and innovators from Kuwait and abroad, as well as community speakers sharing their success stories and projects, 2019’s final TEDxKuwaitCity of the year combined local artists and grassroots thought leaders in an engaging day of talk and deliberation. Speakers included Abdulaziz Alateeqi, Abdullah Al-Mikhyal, Bader Al-Jadei, Bashayer Al Majed, Faried Omarah, Mariam AlShammari, Nasser Al-Azmi, Samer Haddadin, and Zeina Mokaddam.

EVENTS

Richard Mille - new boutique Richard Mille – the Swiss watchmaking brand that combines the best in technical innovation, in architecture and in fine watchmaking heritage – opens a new boutique in Kuwait’s Salhiya Complex in the presence of the nation’s most knowledgeable watch aficionados.

Of course, we were there to enjoy our time with this special brand… founded, as it was, on technical innovation, artistry and a culture of fine watchmaking.

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Kuwait Motor Show This year’s Kuwait Motor Show witnessed the unveiling of a group of the latest car models for the year 2020, some of which were shown for the first time in Kuwait and exclusively at the exhibition. The ninth annual edition of the Kuwait Motor Show 2020 opened on January 16 at 360 Mall and continued through to the 25th. The largest annual auto event in the country and also the most important auto exhibition in Kuwait, each year KMS welcomes the participation of the most famous brands in the global automotive world who, through locally accredited dealers, display new car models and unveil some of the most significant cars of the year for the first time in the Kuwaiti market.

EVENTS

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LISTINGS February is Kuwait’s biggest month of celebration and commemoration. For that reason, once again we’re setting up camp at the country’s Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Cultural Centre as the nation celebrates. We picked our highlights...

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The Febrayer Festival is now one of the largest Festivals in the Middle East, managed and organized by Rotana Audio Visual Co. in partnership with Abdullah Al-Ruwaished Center. This years concerts aim to attract audiences from across communities.

6 February Mohammed Abdu 7 February Majed Al-Muhandis and Asala 13 February Hussain Al-Jassmi and Balqees 14 February Nawal and Mutrif Al-Mutrif 20 February Abdullah Al-Ruwaished and Angham 21 February Rashid Al-Majed and Nabeel Shuail Visit jacc-kw.com to learn more

AZIMUT YACHTS KUWAIT Al Ameeri Group Building Al Rai, Street 20, Kuwait.

Tel.+965 1822288 www.seadesert.com www.alameeri.com

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