NEW KUWAIT 2035 Towards diversity, sustainability, modernity
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
ISSUE NUMBER 92 - FEBRUARY 2018
JUST A THOUGHT Dear February, Yes... you read it right. This was not an oversight, I am addressing February! For 10 years I have been writing my letters to you, my passionate readers. Now, as we enter a new decade of MEN’S PASSION together - believe it or not it has been 10 years already!! - and as everything around us is changing at a rapid pace, I have decided that for 2018 I shall address the one notion that is at the heart of all changes and that can put everything in to perspective...TIME So yes, Dear February 2018, we have dedicated this issue to you and to the changes in Kuwait, the most rapid that I have witnessed since I moved here some... oh well... counting is such an ill mannered habit unworthy of the nobles, no?! :) So let us forget about when I arrived to Kuwait, and let us forget about the passing of time and let us just focus and celebrate on how much we were able to achieve in this time. Let us rejoice at the outcome of all our hard work. Let everything change around us. what is more exciting than that? To feel that you are being pushed to stretch yourself and your imagination... To dream far bigger than before... To work harder than even before, and aim for higher peaks... February 2018 - - - Kuwait 2018 - - I salute you! To more and more changes to come... We are ready. Till next issue‌.
Zeina Mokaddam Managing Director
ON THE COVER: February 2018 Kuwait is keenly aware of the perils of reliance on oil (an exhaustible resource) for sustainability of the country’s economy. In 2017 it launched a long-term policy vision under the banner of ‘Kuwait Vision 2035’.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Nouf Al-Hajri LEGAL CONSULTANT Khaled Al-Kandari Al-Kandari Law Firm PUBLISHED BY
Setting itself a tough - even monumental challenge, its success will transform every aspect of life within the country. We look at the plans and consider their effects.
MANAGING DIRECTOR Zeina Mokaddam GENERAL MANAGER Chimene Ibrahim
NEW KUWAIT 2035
MANAGING EDITOR Simon Balsom
Towards diversity, sustainability, modernity
CONTENTS
THE LIFE REFINED
The 2035 Edition A bright new world; envisaged through Kuwait’s 2035 plan.
DRIVE 28 2018 Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 32 World premiere of the BMW i8 Coupe 33 Bentley reigns supreme 34 Bentley Kuwait’s Year 35 Porsche’s New Cayenne 36 McLaren Sport’s Series 38 Rolls-Royce - A Year of Bespoke 40 Ferrari 812 Superfast
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Towards a New Kuwait A bright new world envisaged through Kuwait’s 2035 plan
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Infrastructure Aim: Develop and modernize the national infrastructure to improve the quality of life for all citizens.
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Human Capital Aim: Reform the education system to better prepare youth to become competitive and productive members of the workforce. Public AdmInistration Aim: Reform administrative and bureaucratic practices to reinforce transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the government. Economy Aim: Develop a prosperous and diversified economy to reduce the country’s dependence on oil export revenues. Healthcare Aim: Improve service quality in the public healthcare system and develop national capabilities at a reasonable cost. Living Environment Aim: Ensure the availability of living accommodation through environmentally sound resources and tactics.
WATCHES 46 1815 - Homage to Walter Lange 48 Vacheron Constantin The new FIFTYSIX® collection 50 SIHH 2018 - First look, first thoughts 54 Celebrate love with Rado 55 A Ripple of Romance 56 MB&F’s Concept Laboratory STYLE 58 Style by Dananeer 62 Gucci Garden 66 Corneliani - Fall / Winter 2018 68 Backstage at Paul Smith 70 Ermengildo Zegna Couture 72 Tumi - perfecting the journey SAIL 74 Clipper Round The World Yacht Race FLY 76 HondaJet CULTURE 78 Salvador Dali - The Memories CONCIERGE 80 The Art of Living 82 Darling Destinations 84 Jump into Ireland ONLINE 86 Trending on passionsarabia.com CALENDAR 88 Events & Listings
EDITOR Rawan Qabazard 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. BPA Audited - 2015
NEW KUWAIT - 2035 VISION
Towards a New Kuwait
A bright new world envisaged through Kuwait’s 2035 plan
A return to the previous pioneering regional role of Kuwait
K
uwait is keenly aware of the perils of reliance on oil (an exhaustible resource) for sustainability of the country’s economy. In 2017 it launched a long-term policy vision under the banner of ‘Kuwait Vision 2035’. Setting itself a tough - even monumental - challenge, its success will transform every aspect of life within the country.
and transforming it into a financial and trade center, attractive to investors, where (as in the pioneering periods of Kuwait’s past) the private sector plays the lead role in economic
activity creating competition and promoting efficiency sits as a cornerstone of the vision for New Kuwait.
With supportive national governmental institutions providing
adequate infrastructure, plus appropriate legislative framework and an inspiring business environment, the private sector will provide the engine for the nation’s dynamic development.
By providing the ideal socio-climatic conditions for balanced human development, whilst safeguarding social values and
national identity and preserving the community’s values and its Arab and Islamic identity set the cultural tone for Kuwait’s brave new future.
The democratic system will be strengthened; there will be
increased respect for the constitution, and we will see a greater promotion of justice, political participation and freedom.
NEW KUWAIT - 2035 VISION
Within this new vision, the 6-pronged strategic aims of development till 2035 are: Increasing the GDP and raising the citizens’ standard of living. Encouraging the private sector to play the lead role in national development, through stimulating mechanisms. Supporting human and social development. Promoting demographic policies, supportive of the development strategy. Enhancing and improving the effectiveness of government administration. Consolidating the Islamic and Arab identity. The Kuwait National Development Plan’s short-to-medium terms objectives include positioning Kuwait as a global hub for the petrochemical industry and increasing direct foreign investment by 300 percent. It also aims to attract more than KD400 million to information technology, services, and renewable energy in the short-term medium term. Kuwait will build on the recent momentum in urban development and housing with the introduction of new master plan developments and cities while introducing social and economic empowerment programs and care targeting youth, women, SMEs, and the elderly. As he announced the launch of the plan, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, the Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, said: “Today we launch a vision reinforced with an achievable and measurable plan for a New Kuwait. “Today we launch initiatives that will transform our economy, create jobs, attract foreign direct investments and facilitate knowledge transfer in the fields of renewable energy, information technology, and the services sector.
Vision 2035 Within a brave new world; a brave new Kuwait
“Today we launch a consolidated and comprehensive strategy that will empower and inspire the country for generations to come.” It is a plan whose scale is without precedent. A plan whose positive effects are being felt throughout the country already as the ripples of increased commerical activity and social positivity spread across the nation. In this special edition, we focus on areas of greatest and most significant change.
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NEW KUWAIT - 2035 VISION
Infrastructure
Aim: Develop and modernize the national infrastructure to improve the quality of life for all citizens.
K
uwait’s plans for revitalising the nation’s infrastructure provide the most overt sign of change. You don’t see the creation of a new airport, the establishment of a metro network or the building of a recordbreaking bridge without realising that something major is afoot.
There are a number of key infrastructure projects scheduled
to be completed well before 2035. These range from lowkey but vitally important projects such as boosting public
warehousing facilities and cross-border points at AlAbdali (which, unless you’re actively in the business of international
road-trade, is easy to underappreciate), and the creation of an integrated cycle electric power generation plant, also at
Al-Abdali, to high-key projects including railway and highway infrastructure.
We can look at the Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad Bridge as being critical to the future development of the nation.
This project is one of the largest in the transport and infrastructure sector in Kuwait and the entire region. It is also one of the longest sea bridges in the world.
NEW KUWAIT - 2035 VISION
The main Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad Bridge is located in Jun al
addition to connecting to roads in al-Doha and the intersection
is around 36 kilometres long. It will cut the distance between
near the Entertainment City, to al-Shuwaikh area, at the
Kuwayt (Kuwait Bay), between Kuwait City and al-Subiya. It Kuwait City and al-Subiya from 104 kilometres (90 minutes)
to just 36 kilometres (less than 30 minutes) in both directions.
It features three traffic lanes, and one emergency lane. The design speed of the bridge is 120 kilometres/hour; something
of al-Shuwaikh Port. The project also connects al-Doha area, beginning of al-Ghazali Bridge and al-Sheikh Jabir Bridge.
The goal is to alleviate traffic congestion and to complete the road system in Kuwait.
that will boost the flow of traffic at that direction.
We’re hugely excited about the creation of Kuwait’s urban
There is a second part too: Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad Bridge,
becoming well used. It will expand further. Every city that
the al-Doha Section. This bridge is 12.4 kilometres long. It
also consists of three traffic lanes, and one emergency lane in each direction.
It is one of the vital projects that will connect al-Shuwaikh
area and al-Doha Peninsula, via Jun al-Sulaibikhat. This is in
metro network. Dubai’s network is well-known, limited, but
dreams to be a global player is investing in public transport, and metros are highly on-trend this century.
The express transportation system – the Kuwait Metro - is
one of the new projects that will provide a fast, integrated
transportation network that will facilitate public transportation
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NEW KUWAIT - 2035 VISION
Every city that dreams to be a global player is investing in public transport, and metros are highly on-trend this century
The expansion of Kuwait International Airport, and the addition of a second terminal, is a massive KD1,413 million project. The project is a major development in infrastructure and air transport and is an important step for converting Kuwait into a financial centre by turning the Kuwait Airport into a hub for attracting passengers around the world. It will accommodate 25 million passengers upon completion.
in the Kuwaiti capital. The Kuwait Metro is expected to be
kilometres. It will run across the entire country, from north
enhance quality, safety and effectiveness and coverage of
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the railway network of the Gulf
executed as per the latest standards in this field so as to public transportation in Kuwait.
to south and from east to west. It will provide a link to the Co-operation Council and Iraq.
The project will be executed as per the public-private
The railway network in Kuwait will consist of a main
116 of 2014. The PPP system provides a modern legislative
long secondary lines to meet Kuwait’s long-term needs.
partnership system(PPP) under the provisions of Law No.
framework for encouraging and facilitating partnership
317-kilometres long line. It will also consist of 257-kilometres
between the public and private sectors in public infrastructure
The railway network project in Kuwait serves the needs of
enhance and support the private sector’s steady participation
Kuwait and neighbouring countries. The feasibility study
projects in Kuwait. This is in line with the state’s strategy to in the development of infrastructure.
Further to this... how about a full railway? Kuwait says yes.
The length of railway network in Kuwait will be around 574
shipping and transport and passenger transportation within has indicated that a part of the GCC railway network, which connects Kuwait to Saudi Arabia, will realise the highest level of movement given the commercial relations between the two countries.
ﻳﻌﻄﻴﻚ اﻟﻌﺎﻓﻴﺔ ﻳﺎ أﺑﻮ اﻟﺠﻤﻴﻊ ﻋﻴﺎﻟﻚ اﻟﺒﺮوﺗﻴﺠﻴﺰ
NEW KUWAIT - 2035 VISION
Human Capital
Aim: Reform the education system to better prepare youth to become competitive and productive members of the workforce.
W
ithout an educated and enlightened population, the Kuwait 2035 Vision means nothing. While buildings can be built, and road and rail networks laid out, unless these are being delivered to a society cognizant of their value, the nation will not move forward. Education, and indeed sports facilities, are a priority for the increasing value of Kuwait’s human capital. The project is also aimed at modernising and utilising the sports hall at fourteen of Kuwait’s sporting clubs will develop sports facilities in the state and modernise them to accommodate for more athletes and sports. The benefit to society? An increase and diversification of sports, cultural and social activities.
The project to reform education consists of several sub-projects that help refine teachers’ skills to boost their competitiveness in teaching, help them acquire self-learning skills, and that realise human development, develop administrative work, boost the efficiency of school and education administration, teaching methodologies, provide the latest technologies and equipment to make education an integrated system; something that would enable the state to compete on the international level. The project for the development of curricula focuses on developing such curricula in light of the needs and requirements of learners and labour market, changes in knowledge, values and skills, and developments in modern technology; something that will help develop the educational system in Kuwait. The project to execute projects for the development of school supplies in public education and all other types of education seeks to improve the school environment in general; enhance technology in education for all subjects, whether at classes or labs; provide school facilities with the latest educational technologies; computerise school libraries; set up centres for the sources of learning; introduce educational games in education.
The project to develop educational and school departments and realise professional development for leaders and workers of public education and all other types of education is aimed
at improving the level of school performance; building an organisational structure; providing new job description for the
school administration; and enhancing the abilities of school administration through their new specialisations.
The project to diversify the routes of secondary education
consistent with international standards is aimed at diversifying the routes of education in the secondary school stage,
whether the arts or science sections, to add the industrial and
commercial branches. This will give more choices learners after the intermediate stage depending on their inclinations in line with the competency curricula which measure learners’ inclinations at this stage.
NEW KUWAIT - 2035 VISION
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NEW KUWAIT - 2035 VISION
Public AdmInistration
Aim: Reform administrative and bureaucratic practices to reinforce transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the government. The goal of the structural plan is to lay down a general and comprehensive framework for future urban development. This is done on many levels, starting with the state as a whole, and then the level of urban area, and finally the city level. The goals of structural plans are usually set for a period of between 20 and 30 years. It is natural that during such a period, deviations off the targeted course will take place as a result of the changes that may take place locally and internationally. Therefore, the structural plan is reviewed every five years to change its course so it may suit these developments and changes.
1. 2. 3. 4.
1. 2. 3. 4.
Projected Goals Harmonizing the structural plan with the strategic vision and goals of the state Realizing balance between the elements of urban development Absorbing the expected population growth and distributing it consistently both inside and outside the urban area Directing the future urban development opportunities outside the urban area Projected Impacts Increasing the private sector’s contribution to the GDP Providing land for building industrial projects and small and medium-sized enterprises Absorbing the expected population growth and distributing it consistently both inside and outside the urban area. Directing the future urban development opportunities outside the urban area.
The Ministry of Social Affairs has its own targets and exciting agenda. Once implemented, it’ll improve the quality and efficiency of everyone’s life. How? By reducing the documentary cycle; accelerating and simplifying procedures in the provision of services; enhancing the competency of the state’s executive body; expanding e-government applications, and civil information system applications to develop public services and the business sector services. Finally, by improving Kuwait’s relative ranking on the ICT use index from 67% to 64% by the end of development plan.
The Ministry of Social Affairs has its own targets and exciting agenda. Once implemented, it’ll improve the quality and efficiency of everyone’s life.
NEW KUWAIT - 2035 VISION
Economy
Aim: Develop a prosperous and diversified economy to reduce the country’s dependence on oil export revenues. Be clear that this extends beyond banking, beyond investments, beyond the usual suspects of financial accountability that typically spring to mind when the word ‘economy’ is used. The aim here is to generate income and wealth from a broad spectrum of businesses. In line with the Kuwait government’s move to encourage the partnership programme between the public and private sectors, the Authority for Partnership Projects between the Public and Private Sectors, in co-operation with the Kuwaiti Municipality, is about to launch a project - Al-Aqilah Recreational Service Centre - for building a recreational, commercial centre to improve the standard of living by providing distinguished commercial and recreational services that suit all categories of society, and that stimulate development and encourage the private sector in taking part in development projects. Of course, the finance sector is earmarked for improvement too. A key element is the Electronic Disclosure System. The project is one of the most important strategic projects which will enable the nation to realise its goals and play its control role in a comprehensive manner that would establish an infrastructure for capital markets in Kuwait. In addition, this step represents a continuation of Kuwait’s efforts to improve transactions and enhance disclosure and transparency levels in capital markets; which would realise justice, transparency and fairness and prevent conflict of interest and the exploitation of insider information.
The project is aimed at enhancing the principle of transparency and disclosure levels at capital markets by providing an electronic system for disclosing financial and non-financial information
The project is aimed at enhancing the principle of transparency and disclosure levels at capital markets by providing an electronic system for disclosing financial and non-financial information and data from the listed companies and authorised persons. This is done by unifying the concepts of disclosure, and the forms of financial and non-financial reports; something that would facilitate dealing with them by all dealers, and ensure the accuracy of the published information and data, and make it available in a timely manner to all stakeholders and the biggest possible segment of those concerned. There’s also a worker’s city planned for South Jahra. Through the workers cities project, the state aims to build integrated, highly-organised cities featuring all basic services which ensure dignified life for residents, while reducing the presence of workers in areas where families live.
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NEW KUWAIT - 2035 VISION
Healthcare
Aim: Improve service quality in the public healthcare system and develop national capabilities at a reasonable cost. The 2035 Vision includes multiple layers for higher quality healthcare. We’ll list but a few...
Projected impacts: Shortening wait times at hospitals. Raising the level of specialised health care services. Decreasing overseas referrals.
Sabah Hospital - Expanding the bed capacity of al-Sabah Hospital by adding 771 beds, including 617 beds for inpatients, a 120% of the current bed capacity. Raising the level of specialised health care services. Providing health services to cover the steady growth of population. Infectious Diseases Hospital - Demolishing and rebuilding the Infectious Diseases Hospital to provide 224 beds. Amiri Hospital - Expanding the bed capacity of Amiri Hospital by adding 446 beds, including 415 beds for in-patients (99% of the current bedding capacity), including 381 beds for in-patients, 18 beds for renal dialysis patients, 16 beds for the daily treatment units. This is in addition to nine operating theatres at the existing building. Development of Health Services for Students - Improving, on a continual basis, the school health services through a national strategy, and establishing and modernising health and nursing care standards and policies to confront the risk factors of chronic, non-infectious diseases. A healthy nation is a happy and productive nation. Right?
NEW KUWAIT - 2035 VISION
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NEW KUWAIT - 2035 VISION
Living Environment
Aim: Ensure the availability of living accommodation through environmentally sound resources and tactics. We’re going to need somewhere to live. And Kuwait’s 2035 Vision is approaching the concept of living in modern and exciting forms. At Jaber Al_Ahmad City there are plans to use the vertical expansion pattern, which would rationalise the use of land available for housing welfare under the apartment system in 5-floor buildings, over vouchers of 1,000 square metres each. Each voucher is a building consisting of 5 floors, and each floor features an apartment of 385 square metres. Each flat has 4 parking spaces. This trend is part of the Authority’s policy to provide multiple products. 70 apartments were handed over in the 2015/2016 fiscal year to applicants of housing who were covered in the allocation. The phase of re-launching 640 apartments, together with the main public buildings which provide services to the housing units, is underway. Similarly, at West Abdullah Al-Mubarak, the plan is changing the housing care philosophy in light of a comprehensive, strategic vision for urban development The total land area of the project is 902 hectares. The project features 5,201 vouchers of 400 square metres each, distributed into two suburbs. Each suburb features public buildings (schools of different stages, mosques, police stations, shops, health centres and clinics, a suburb centre and a central markets, fire centres). This is in addition to the main power converter stations, sub-stations, all infrastructure components (main and secondary road networks, sanitation network, rainwater network, fresh water network). Also for South Mutlaa: the project here is directly linked to the development plan index (the average period for getting housing). It includes 28,315 housing welfare units of 400 square metres each. This will be positively reflected on the urban development plan of the state and will stimulate activities in the area surrounding the project in view of the commercial, investment, industrial and craft spaces and other key urban uses. There are also plans for improving air quality and to increase the availability of renewable energy sources. All good news.
There are also plans for improving air quality and to increase the availability of renewable energy sources. All good news.
THE LIFE REFINED Our carefully curated guide to the finest from the spheres of horology, automobiles, style, travel, design and much more. In The Life Refined we look at the best, and meet the people that are making it happen.
THE LIFE REFINED
2018 Porsche 718 Cayman GTS A seriously fast addition to the Porsche 718 family
O
ver the years, Porsche have developed the knack of taking what was already outstanding and making it better. They’re not alone in the automotive world in adopting this desirable habit, but they’re certainly the most proficient. And they have to be when starting from a base of such competently engineered and inspiring motor cars. We visited Spain as the guests of Porsche Centre Kuwait for the launch of the 2018 718 Cayman GTS and Boxster GTS.
DRIVE
Visit passionsarabia.com/life-refined to see the 2018 Porsche 718 Cayman GTS on-track
So, what’s new? With improved performance, an even more sporty sound and a distinctly sharper design, the two new Porsche mid-engine sports cars now offer even greater performance and efficiency. At the heart of both models is the 2.5-litre, four-cylinder turbo flat engine with a now redeveloped intake duct and optimised turbocharger. Compared to the current GTS with naturally aspirated engine, up to 26 kW (35 hp) and up to 70 Nm more torque is available. Translate this to real world performance and, with the Sport Chrono Package as standard and the optional PDK, the 718 Boxster GTS and 718 Cayman GTS sprint from zero to 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds. The top speed is 290 km/h. Seriously fast.
Both GTS models are available with a manual six-speed transmission or optional Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK), and the Sport Chrono Package, including dynamic gearbox mounts, is included in the standard equipment. The standard chassis with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) lowers the body of the GTS models by ten millimetres compared to the S model.
For more on the superb 2018 718 Cayman and 718 Boxster, visit Porsche Centre Kuwait
The first visual cue that we’re dealing with something rather special here is given thanks to the new Sport Design front apron. And, as is typical for GTS models, the front light modules and the Bi-Xenon headlights are black-tinted. At the rear of the vehicle, the tinted tail lights, black logos, black rear apron and centrally positioned black sports tailpipes of the standard sports exhaust system give the GTS its unique
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THE LIFE REFINED
Every inch the sporty racer – with creature-comforts
appearance. Black GTS logos on the doors and 20-inch wheels painted in black complete the side view. Everything comes to life with a turn of the key. We love boxers, and here Porsche have paired theirs with as an optimised turbocharger with variable turbine geometry (VTG) and increased boost pressure. Instead of a maximum boost pressure of 1.1 bar as seen in the 718 S, the optimised single turbocharger with VTG and a larger compressor pushes the air into the combustion chambers with a pressure of up to 1.3 bar. This means that the high torque plateau begins even at a low engine speed of 1,900 rpm and remains at the maximum value all the way to 5,000 or 5,500 rpm. Maintaining maximum torque through a rev-range so wide is basically the automobile equivalent of the holy grail. What does this mean on the road? To find out, we first took it to a track – the Circuit Ascari just outside Malaga in southern Spain to be precise. With its hillside location and combination of flowing curves, tight corners and long straights, it presented the ideal way to discover the limits of 2018’s 718 GTS - and they’re further extended than ever before. Much of the 2018 model’s improvements go unseen, yet are clearly felt from behind the wheel. The Sport Chrono Package is included as standard and includes dynamic gearbox mounts. The PADM system (Porsche Active Drivetrain Mounts) minimises engine vibrations and reduces movements that can influence driving dynamics due to the overall weight of the drivetrain. It combines the advantages of hard and soft gearbox mounting: Handling is noticeably more precise and stable under load changes and around fast corners without having to compromise on driving comfort on uneven road surfaces. What Porsche have delivered here is a car that lives most happily when placed on the edge of grip and control – and through its implantation of the world’s finest stability-control system it’s somewhere you can take a 718 all day and every day. When looking for improvements to make, power and longitudinal acceleration were Porsche’s list of criteria. So, too,
DRIVE
It’ll make a hero of you, this 718 Cayman
were high cornering speeds and maximum driving precision. In the 718 Boxster GTS and 718 Cayman GTS, the focus is on an even sportier tuning of the chassis components. The Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) system integrated as standard provides even better traction and thus enhanced driving performance, while maintaining comfort. The PASM sports chassis, which is lowered by 20 mm, is also available as an option. It is ten millimetres lower than the GTS standard chassis. Porsche Stability Management (PSM), which provides automatic stabilisation control of the vehicle at the limits of its driving dynamics, permanently monitors the direction of travel, speed, yaw velocity and lateral acceleration. PSM Sport mode is included in the standard Sport Chrono Package. This mode enables ambitious drivers to take the vehicle even closer to its limits on the racetrack or during winter training, without compromising on safety. Compared to “PSM On”, the function enables a significantly larger side slip angle and more slip on the drive wheels. This allows for far sportier driving while the PSM remains active in the background. It’s every inch the sporty racer – yet comes fully equipped with all the creature-comforts and tech-wizardry we’ve come to expect… and more. The GTS models feature Sports seats Plus with Alcantara seat centres. The steering wheel rim, shift lever and armrest are also covered with Alcantara, as is the roof lining in the 718 Cayman GTS. The headrests feature embroidered GTS logos. The Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system with touchscreen is operated as easily as a smartphone and, this is fun, the standard Porsche Track Precision app allows automatic recording and detailed display and analysis of driving data on a smartphone. You really can monitor your improvements on your daily commute. Do we want one? For sure we do. So would you if you’d driven one. Take a look at the short film of our track time with the 2018 Porsche 718 Cayman GTS and tell us you too wouldn’t be tempted.
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THE LIFE REFINED
World premiere of the BMW i8 Coupe Three-cylinder petrol engine and electric drive system team up to generate output of 374 hp
B
MW celebrated the world premiere of their i8 Coupe at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit on 14 – 28 January 2018. The updated BMW i8 Coupe (fuel consumption combined: 1.9 l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 42 g/km; electric power consumption combined: 14.0 kWh/100 km)
World premiere of the updated BMW i8 Coupe: The three-cylinder petrol engine and electric drive system team up to generate system output of 275 kW/374 hp. The BMW eDrive technology on hand also includes a high-voltage lithium-ion battery with cell capacity of 34 Ah and gross energy capacity of 11.6 kWh. The battery delivers the energy for the 105 kW/143 hp electric motor to power the car from rest all the way to a maximum 105 km/h (65 mph) on a wave of innovative sports car feeling. Pushing the eDrive button raises the top speed on electric power alone to 120 km/h (75 mph). The BMW i8 Roadster First Edition is limited to a production run of 200 units. The special-edition models will be among the first examples of the open-top plug-in hybrid sports car built and delivered to customers around the world. All of the body paint finishes and interior designs offered for the new BMW i8 Coupe and new BMW i8 Roadster are also available for the special edition. These include the newly introduced exterior colours E-Copper metallic and Donington Grey metallic. The Carpo interior design package (included as standard) comprises full leather trim, which is available for the new BMW i8 Roadster exclusively in the colour combination Ivory White/Black. The new BMW i8 Coupe accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph)
in 4.4 seconds, while the new BMW i8 Roadster completes the same sprint in 4.6 seconds. Both models have an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (156 mph). Combined petrol consumption is 1.9 litres per 100 kilometres (148.7 mpg imp) 1 for the Coupe and 2.1 litres per 100 kilometres (134.5 mpg imp) 1 for the Roadster, and combined electric power consumption is 14.0 kWh / 14.5 kWh per 100 kilometres1. CO2 emissions from the petrol engine are 42 grams per kilometre1 for the new BMW i8 Coupe and 46 grams per kilometre1 for the new BMW i8 Roadster. The electric driving range of the BMW i8 Coupe in the NEDC test cycle is 55 kilometres (34 miles)1 and the BMW i8 Roadster claims 53 kilometres (33 miles). New E-Copper metallic and Donington Grey metallic exterior colour shades are available for the BMW i8 Coupe and BMW i8 Roadster, as is the new optional Accaro interior trim in Amido/ECopper. The Navigation system Professional, BMW Display Key, Driving Assistant incl. Surround View, and a mode 2 charging cable are all part of standard specification. ConnectedDrive Services also come as standard and include new digital services such as intelligent route planning (complete with refuelling stops at a charging station or filling station), sharing of the current trip status and highly personalised in-car displays.
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Bentley reigns supreme 2017 was another stellar year for Bentley
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n another successful year for Bentley, the luxury British brand has received more than 20 awards around the world in 2017. The accolades came from a wide variety of leading publications and industry bodies, ranging from the company’s home market of the UK, to the Middle East, Europe, the USA and China. A Winning Start for New Continental GT Since its public unveiling in September at the IAA Frankfurt, the new Bentley Continental GT (top, right) has already received four global awards, including ‘GT of the Year’, ‘Best Luxury Auto’ and ‘Best Gran Turismo Sports Car.’ The new Continental GT was praised for its depth of engineering by BBC’s Top Gear Magazine who named it ‘GT of the Year’, describing it as “simply one of the most complete GT cars on the planet”. Particular recognition was given to the car’s composure on the road, making it “easier than ever to thread through the tricky bits”. Interior Design Magazine found the new Continental’s styling similarly worthy of praise, awarding it the category of ‘Automotive Overall Design’ in its prestigious ‘Best of the Year’ awards. Other publications awarding the new Continental GT include Robb Report Germany (‘Best Gran Turismo Sports Car’) and China’s Target (‘Best Luxury Auto’). Bentayga Continues Successful Streak Two years after its market introduction, the Bentley Bentayga (below, right) continues to collect industry accolades. In fact, with seven awards this year alone the Bentayga is Bentley’s most awarded model in 2017. In the Middle East, Bentayga was named ‘Luxury SUV of the Year’ by Wheels Middle East; and ‘Best Large Premium SUV’ in the Middle East Car of the Year awards.
Award-Winning Mulsanne; and a Great Place to Work Bentley’s flagship, the Mulsanne, claimed four global awards in 2017, including GQ’s ‘Best Autonomous Car’, with judges saying of the Extended Wheelbase model: “The stretched rear cabin of the already vast Mulsanne is the single best way to travel in a car without driving – one of the few cars with the largesse and scale to truly call itself a flagship.”
The world’s first luxury SUV was also named ‘SUV of the Year’ by Robb Report. Editor, Robert Ross, commented: “If the best way to fly is ‘private,’ Bentayga is general aviation’s four-wheeled equivalent. There is no getting around the fact that Bentley’s Bentayga was the run-away winner.”
Walpole announced Bentley as ‘Luxury Maker of the Year’, while the Crewe-based company won the ‘Top Employer’ award from the Top Employers’ Institute. Bentley’s apprenticeship programme also won four accolades, including three at the School Leavers’ Awards.
Be sure to stay up to date with motoring news online at passionsarabia.com
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Bentley Kuwait’s Year
Steve Brown, Automotive Director at Al Zayani, Kuwait’s exclusive Bentley dearlership, reports on the marque’s global successes being mirrored in Kuwait
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entley Kuwait’s success against the backdrop of a declining market has many ingredients, starting with a determination and passion from Steve and the whole team to be the best retailers in the region. Here, Automotive Director Steve Brown takes us through some of the key reasons for sustained strength. “Despite the market dropping by over 10% last year, on top of a 25% drop in 2016, we are delighted to report our 5th consecutive year of sales growth. We enjoyed success across the whole business with notable achievements including a 50% growth in used cars, a record year for our TATA Division and 5% growth in new luxury car sales where our competitors are experiencing sales declines of up to 40%.
Read the full interview online at passionsarabia.com
“Whilst always cognizant of the market conditions”, Steve begins, “we can only see opportunity and we set our stall out accordingly to deliver exceptional value and choice for the ever more discerning consumer. Our marketing team has also done an exceptional job to generate a 50% increase in sales enquiries through some innovative activities and exceptional offers. Their efforts culminating in the launch of our new website.” Take a look below at some of the initiatives that Steve notes have helped them become the best: Industry Leading Technology: Last year Bentley Kuwait launched the very best sales technology in conjunction with market leaders CDK. This new system provides the sales teams with a fully automated process to manage the customer journey. The full team are enabled with Apple iPads with all the latest manufacturer configurations plus full stock records and special offers. These link with large screens in Zayani’s 17 new and luxuriously appointed customer consultation lounges. A New Customer Service Centre: At the heart of the whole operation is our new Customer Service Centre. Steve has doubled the size of the team to 8 Customer Service Advisors and now has two dedicated teams looking after sales performance and quality.
All New Facilities: When many of their competitors scaled back, Zayani decided the time was right to invest even more in their facilities to ensure they offered the very best for their customers. Training & Development: When the going gets tough then it’s time to sharpen up your team and ensure you are offering the best service to differentiate from your competition. In 2017 Zayani did just that, making their largest ever investment in training in development with the sales teams travelling the world to experience the best training in product knowledge and customer experience.
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Porsche’s New Cayenne
The third generation Cayenne set to continue success story
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loser to its racetrack roots, the new Cayenne offers greater versatility and more performance than ever before. Powerful turbocharged engines, enhanced chassis systems, a range of off-road modes and a sharper design underpin the model’s credentials as a true sports car in its segment. Additional enhancements also include intelligent assistance systems and even more connectivity features.
A bold new design stays true to the unmistakable identity of the Cayenne but delivers a more streamlined, athletic impression to complement an increased length and lower height. The pronounced bonnet, redesigned headlight contour and trademark large air intakes underline the Cayenne’s improved driving dynamics from the front. Narrower side windows, a redesigned rear wing, wide rear end with integrated light strip and wider alloy wheels further enhance and emphasise its sports car genes. The new Cayenne offers a spacious cabin, with several comfort and convenience features throughout. The luggage compartment has been increased by 100 litres, meanwhile the Porsche Advanced Cockpit concept brings the vehicle and the occupants closer through increased connectivity and intuitive controls. The centre console with Direct Touch Control and a new 12.3-inch touch display for the Porsche Communication Management act as the driver’s interface to all vehicle functions. PCM can be configured for up to six individual profiles to store a large number of interior settings, as well as specifications for lights, driving programmes and assistance systems. A true all-rounder, five pre-programmed drive and chassis modes can be activated in accordance to the terrain via the PCM. As well as the default Onroad programme, drivers can choose between Mud, Gravel, Sand and Rocks settings to adapt
to the relevant conditions. Depending on the selection made, the control unit optimally conditions the engine and chassis systems including the new Tiptronic S, the Porsche Traction Management (PTM) all-wheel system and the PSM stabilisation programme. The air suspension, PASM damper system, PDCC rolling-motion compensation and the rear axle steering are also activated if the options are fitted.
We put the new Porsche Cayenne through its paces during an extended drive in Fujairah. Read our review online at passionsarabia.com
The new lightweight chassis of the Cayenne has been completely redesigned from scratch to deliver the optimum balance between sporty performance and comfort, and contributes to an overall weight saving of up to 65 kilograms despite an extended range of standard equipment. The 4D Chassis Control connects all the systems to add to the enhanced driving dynamics of the range. The Porsche Surface Coated Brakes, which come as standard in the Turbo, make a global debut and offer improved responsiveness as well as an up to 30% longer service life. The third generation model range combines powerful and efficient engines with a new, responsive eight-speed Tiptronic S gearbox which enhances capabilities thanks to shorter response times and sportier ratios in the lower gears. The six-cylinder turbo engine of the Cayenne delivers 450 Nm of torque and 340 hp, a 40 hp increase on its predecessor. It reaches 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds, or just 5.9 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono Package, and has a top speed of 245 km/h.
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McLaren Sports Series New Sport Pack and Design Editions for 570GT Accelerating, braking,
shifting, steering. The vital components of
performance driving are
all perfectly blended and
balanced into one seamless confidence-inspiring
experience that once
tasted needs to be
experienced again and again.
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cLaren Sports Series models will benefit from greater choice of specification and an upgraded range of options as McLaren introduces new features and enhances its Coupé and GT models to align with the 570S Spider launched last year.
The 570GT enjoys the most changes, with carbon-ceramic brake discs now standard-fit and a Sport Pack also introduced, allowing customers to specify a 570GT with the same dynamic settings as the 570S Coupé and Spider. As the most luxurious and refined Sports Series model, the 570GT offers a more relaxed drive than the 570S Coupé; suspension spring rate stiffness is lower and there is a 2 per cent reduction in steering ratio for improved stability at higher speeds. McLaren owners wanting a car tailored towards a GT driving experience have welcomed this blend of attractions, but there have also been requests for the sharper, more precise dynamic behaviour of the 570S Coupé to be available with the GT bodystyle. The 570GT Sport Pack offers a combination of component and calibration changes: the steering rack, damper actuators and uprights are the same as those fitted to the Coupé and Spider, and the adaptive damping, steering and Electronic Stability Control are the same ‘S’ tune.
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Customers wanting to further personalise their car will enjoy a wider choice of Sports Series options developed by McLaren Special Operations, including for 570GT an electrochromic roof with driver-controlled variable tint (shown, bottom three pictures below). Using an electric current to trigger a change in the opacity of the glass through a range of settings, the electrochromic roof will be particularly beneficial in very hot, sunny conditions.
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Rolls-Royce - A Year of Bespoke
For the Goodwood, England-based marque, 2017 was truly ‘The Year of Bespoke’
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he Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Bespoke department is an extraordinary collective of designers, engineers and craftspeople, who bring the marque’s discerning and influential patrons’ most ambitious and personal visions to reality. A Rolls-Royce is more than a motor car. It is a work of art, hand-made to order exclusively for you, by their team of highly skilled craftspeople and designers.
Today, almost every motor car that leaves the Home of RollsRoyce in Goodwood, England, is Bespoke. 2017 was the year that Rolls-Royce elevated Bespoke to unprecedented new levels, resulting in one of the most significant years for Bespoke in the 114-year history of the brand. What follows is a snapshot of some of the finest examples of Bespoke design and craftsmanship to be completed by the luxury house over the past 12 months. ‘Sweptail’ Rolls-Royce ‘Sweptail’ (above), is the realisation of one customer’s coachbuilt dream. Premiered in 2017, ‘Sweptail’ is a compelling representation of true luxury, taking Bespoke coachbuildpersonalisation to new heights. The result of a collaboration between patron and artisan, ‘Sweptail’s’ bold design embraces the marque’s heritage as the world’s leading coachbuilder whilst reaffirming its pinnacle position in Bespoke personalisation. This automotive equivalent of Haute Couture draws on the lineage of 1920s and 1930s Rolls-Royce motor
cars. The client’s vision was for a coachbuilt two seater coupé featuring a large panoramic glass roof. The result is a contemporary masterpiece. The grille, milled from solid aluminium, presents a distinct formality. The side profile of ‘Sweptail’ defines its stately character, whilst the rear taper of the motor car pays homage to the world of racing yachts, shaping a completely new perception of a dramatic Rolls-Royce coupé. The elegant and characterising rear culminates in the registration number 08, milled from ingots of aluminium and hand polished to a mirror finish. ‘Sweptail’ is a personal, Bespoke, motor car like no other. Homage to a special Silver Dawn Prominently displayed at the Home of Rolls-Royce is a remarkably rare 1952 Silver Dawn (opposite page, top), one of very few ever made. It was sold new to a customer in Canada, and in 2017 a commission for a new Dawn from the same
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Whatever you imagine your ideal motor car to be, you can bring your unique vision to life with Rolls-Royce Bespoke
country led to a beautiful homage to this particular car in its 65th anniversary year. Finished in two-tone Midnight Sapphire and Jubilee Silver, the new Dawn closely emulates the original finishes of the 1952 motor car, with a Bespoke painted coachline, broken for the first time on a Rolls-Royce. Inside, Selby Grey and Navy leather are combined with Crossbanded Walnut Burr veneer, closely matched to the original. The finishing touches include a Bespoke clock with ‘1952’ lettering and a Spirit of Ecstasy veneer inlay. ‘Dawn in Fuxia’ In 2017, US collector Michael Fux was presented with his tenth Bespoke model (left) from Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Following a visit to Pebble Beach in 2016, where he collected a cluster of eye-catching fuchsia petals, he challenged the Bespoke team at Goodwood with a commission to bring a striking new colour to Dawn. Subsequently unveiled during The Quail automotive gathering in California, the vibrant ‘Dawn in Fuxia’ represents the addition of another unique hue to the Rolls-Royce Colour Collection, and is reserved exclusively for Mr. Fux to use. His most recent commission is his second Dawn, having collected the first – in one-off ‘Fux Blue’ – in 2016. Reminiscent of that car, the interior of ‘Dawn in Fuxia’ is trimmed in stunning Arctic White leather. ‘Elegance’ Commissioned for an individual collector, the Ghost ‘Elegance’ (left) raised the bar of Bespoke by becoming the first motor car to be finished in a paint infused with diamonds. Named ‘Diamond Stardust’, the unique paint incorporates 1,000 diamonds crushed to form a very fine powder, giving the finished panels unmatched lustre and sparkle. The flanks of the motor car are highlighted with Mugello Red and Black twin coachlines, reflected inside with black leather seats and accents in Mugello Red, carried through stitching on the doors and piping on the seats. The detailed fascia of smooth open-pore Tudor Oak veneer is also complemented with a Mugello Red single stitch along the top of the dashboard, and finished with a Bespoke clock.
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Ferrari 812 Superfast The most powerful GT to come out of Maranello
Wardrobe: Dananeer
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Whichever way you look at it, the Ferrari 812 Superfast is a superlative-laden automobile
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Kuwait Automobile & Trading Co. Official Ferrari Dealer Kuwait Tel: +965 22255438 www.dealer.ferrari.com/al-zayani
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The newly developed movement has a special calibre designation: L1924. It refers to Walter Lange’s birth year. Additionally, the first three digits of the reference number, 297, recall his date of birth, 29 July.
1815 - Homage to Walter Lange
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Historically inspired: jumping seconds from A. Lange & Söhne
n honour of company founder Walter Lange (above), who passed away in January 2017, A. Lange & Söhne is enriching the 1815 model family with an extraordinary complication: The 1815 “Homage to Walter Lange” has a stoppable jumping seconds hand that dates back to a 150-year-old invention conceived by Ferdinand Adolph Lange. In general, mechanical timepieces can be recognised by their “creeping seconds” hand. Depending on the balance frequency, the hand advances from second to second in five to ten steps. In short-time measurements, however, where seconds count in the literal sense, constant progression sometimes makes it difficult to pinpoint the beginning and the end of an event. Conversely, there is a horological complication that allows the exact measurement of the smallest unit of time: the “jumping seconds”. The 1815 “Homage to Walter Lange” masters both chronometric disciplines. The small seconds hand in the subsidiary dial at 6 o’clock maps the frequency of 21,600 semi-oscillations per hour by performing six small steps as it advances from marker to marker. However, the blued sweep seconds hand performs precise jumps from second to second. It can be allowed to run
continuously or immobilised if needed. A pusher at 2 o’clock starts and stops it. This is useful for heart rate measurements, for instance. The jumping sweep seconds hand with the start/stop function was especially significant for Walter Lange. This is because it dates back to an 1867 invention of his great-grandfather, Ferdinand Adolph Lange. It was first implemented in a masterpiece crafted by his grandfather, Emil Lange. One of Germany’s first patents was granted to A. Lange & Söhne in 1877 for the enhanced design of a mechanism mounted on the three-quarter plate, and was referred to as a “one-second movement with a jumping hand”. In the 1815 “Homage to Walter Lange”, the seconds jump is controlled according to the flirt-and-star principle, as was
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An 1815 with jumping seconds likely corresponds to what Walter Lange would have deemed the perfect watch. It is totally reduced to the essence while impressing the enthusiast with a puristic yet technically exciting complication. originally the case in the historic mechanism. After each full second, one of the six tips of the star liberates the tensioned lever arm, which watchmakers refer to as the “flirt”. It then swiftly rotates by 360 degrees before it is stopped by the next tip. This motion sequence causes the seconds hand to advance by one marker. The ratchet wheel located above the three-quarter plate has a dual function: It stores the power needed for the seconds jump, and at the same time causes the sweep seconds hand to stop. An 1815 with jumping seconds likely corresponds to what Walter Lange would have deemed the perfect watch. It is totally reduced to the essence while impressing the enthusiast with a puristic yet technically exciting complication. The blued steel hands contrast well against the argenté-coloured dial with the classic railway-track minute scale. The newly developed
movement has a special calibre designation: L1924. It refers to Walter Lange’s birth year. Additionally, the first three digits of the reference number, 297, recall his date of birth, 29 July. With a case diameter of 40.5 millimetres, the 1815 “Homage to Walter Lange” comes in three editions: 145 watches in white gold, 90 in pink gold and 27 in yellow gold. These uncommon numbers are derived from important milestones of the Lange family’s history. From 7 December 1845, when Ferdinand Adolph Lange originally established the company, exactly 145 years elapsed until 7 December 1990, the date on which Walter Lange registered Lange Uhren GmbH. Precisely 27 years will have passed between this date and 7 December 2017, the day on which the new model that pays tribute to Walter Lange was being unveiled.
Dresden watchmaker Ferdinand Adolph Lange laid the cornerstone of Saxony’s precision watchmaking industry when he established his manufactory in 1845. His precious pocket watches remain highly coveted among collectors all over the world.
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Vacheron Constantin
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The new FIFTYSIX® collection
ffering the keys to modern elegance and relaxed refinement. Imagining a collection with a cosmopolitan style that is both contemporary and historically inspired. Such is the personality of the FIFTYSIX® collection unveiled at the SIHH 2018. Geneva’s oldest watch Manufacture still in operation, 263 years after its creation in 1755, Vacheron Constantin holds a special place in the heart of initiates and collectors. The Maison is heralding a new chapter in its history with its FIFTYSIX® collection. It represents an important new step as this original line, inspired by a historical Vacheron Constantin watch dating from 1956, instils a modern momentum capable of opening up the world of Fine Watchmaking to every enthusiasts.
FIFTYSIX®. A name and a date evoking an iconic model presented in 1956: the reference 6073. Its design expresses the particularly abundant creativity displayed by Vacheron Constantin during the 1950s. This timepiece is distinguished by its shape – and notably its lugs, each representing a branch of the Maltese cross which has become an emblem of the Manufacture. The originality of reference 6073, as indeed of all 1950s Vacheron Constantin models, also stems from the contrast between the classicism of its dial and the bold design of its case. A watch that already wove ties between respect for tradition and a taste for innovation. The golden age of round timepieces, the 1950s represented the pinnacle of aesthetic refinement and remain an incomparable territory begging to be explored. The lasting impact that reference 6073 was to have on Vacheron Constantin’s history also stemmed from its stature as one of the first watches from the Manufacture to be equipped with a self-winding movement. Calibre 1019/1 was distinguished by its precision and reliability, at a time when most other models were driven by manual-winding mechanisms. Lastly, this model has a special place within the Vacheron Constantin heritage: the case of the 6073 boasted a waterresistant construction (with a multi-sided caseback). A strong identity There is a definite sense of kinship – in spirit as well as in substance – between the 6073 model presented in 1956 and the FIFTYSIX® collection introduced in 2018. A number of 1950s characteristics are incorporated into this contemporary heir. Maltese cross: The most striking example of this filiation is undoubtedly the aesthetic nods to the Maltese cross, inspired
by the shape of a component formerly found in mechanical movements. A small wheel connected to the barrel of the cover which made it possible to use the most constant section of the spring by regulating its degree of winding and unwinding, in order to enhance the precision of the watch. More than 260 years of perpetually renewed efforts entirely directed towards attaining the highest standards of quality make this emblem the very symbol of horological excellence. It is echoed by the design of the FIFTYSIX® watches, since the lugs of their cases are inspired by the branches of the Maltese cross. This exclusive shape is bound to exercise a particular attraction on devotees and discerning enthusiasts. Box-type crystal: Another bridge between the past and the present can be seen in the distinctive shape of the boxtype crystal rising well above the bezel. Historically made from Plexiglas or mineral glass, it is now in sapphire, a far more scratch-resistant material, while preserving the retrocontemporary look of the FIFTYSIX® collection. Self-winding movements: Naturally, both in tribute to the self-winding movement of the 6073 and for the wearer’s convenience, all the versions of the FIFTYSIX® collection, including those with complications, are powered by a selfwinding movement, with a new calibre for the three-hand variation. A transparent caseback provides a chance to admire the movement finishing – Côtes de Genève, circular graining and snailing – as well as the new oscillating weight designed by Vacheron Constantin for this collection. This polished and satin-brushed 22 carats openworked rotor, bearing a Maltese Cross applique and a frosted-snailed finish, represents a signature feature of all FIFTYSIX® models. Gold and steel: For the first time in its history, the Maison has decided to offer a classic collection both in gold and in steel, while treating the latter material with the same high aesthetic standards as the precious metal.
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The day-date FIFTYSIX® with its 40 mm-diameter case in steel or 18 carats 5N pink gold provides additional functions driven by its selfwinding movement, Calibre 2475 SC/2. Equipped with a stop-seconds device, the latter powers the day of the week indication appearing at 9 o’clock, the date at 3 o’clock and the powerreserve display at 6 o’clock. The 22 carats gold openworked oscillating weight visible through the sapphire crystal caseback is fitted with a ceramic ball bearing rotation system requiring no lubrication.
A collection expressed through three models, each with its own variations: The FIFTYSIX® collection presented at the SIHH 2018 comprises three 40 mm diameter models available in various steel or gold versions: • Date • Day of the week, date, power-reserve indicator • Complete calendar with precision moon phase
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SIHH 2018 First look, first thoughts
SIHH 2018 - it’s complicated The watch world’s most important annual show was held in Geneva during January. We were there. Here’s a taste of what’s new.
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hat’s new at this year’s Salon Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie? Welcome to a sneak peak, an appetizer, an hors d’oeuvres. Something to keep you going as we prepare to publish our special annual Men’s Passion Watch Edition later in the spring. Here are nine highlights from 2018’s SIHH.
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A. Lange & Söhne Triple Split
Audemars Piguet Millenary
IWC Schaffhausen Tribute to Pallweber Edition
A new dimension in timekeeping
What do women want?
Mechanical, with digital display
The Triple Split is the first mechanical split-seconds chronograph in the world that allows multi-hour comparative time measurements.
Women’s watches shouldn’t be limited to “shrinking, pinking and adding a few diamonds”.
Additional rattrapante hands on the minute and hour totalisers make it possible to stop lap and reference times of events that last as long as twelve hours.
Millenary: Audemars Piguet launches three new models featuring new details, materials and finishing techniques, each a distinct expression of the watch’s personality.
IWC unveiled three limited-edition “IWC Tribute to Pallweber” wristwatches with jumping numerals as part of the Jubilee collection, to celebrate the company’s 150th anniversary.
The only split-seconds chronograph in the world that can measure additive and comparative times for as long as twelve hours is in a league of its own.
Two new Millenary models come in white gold and pink gold with mother-of-pearl dials and diamond-set bezel and lugs. The innovative feature: matching, Polish woven gold bracelets.
The company is incorporating a digital hours and minutes display in a wristwatch for the very first time. IWC started using this form of time display in pocket watches back in 1884. The display was a revolutionary development for its time. A total of 25 watches will be made in platinum, 250 in red gold and 500 in stainless steel.
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Greubel Forsey GMT Earth
Panerai L’Astronomo
Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Collection
The art of invention
Innovation in high quality watchmaking
For today’s man of action
Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey took up a significant challenge with the GMT Earth: how to offer a comprehensive, threedimensional view of the terrestrial globe, from the North to the South Poles.
Innovation and high quality watchmaking are combined in the new L’Astronomo Luminor 1950 Tourbillon Moon Phases Equation of Time GMT, the latest creation dedicated to Galileo Galilei.
Inspired by the iconic Memovox Polaris watch from 1968, Jaeger-LeCoultre has developed a new collection to join the brand’s existing pillars.
They approached the architecture of this timepiece from a different angle to give the movement and the case a more prominent role.
A Luminor 1950 case, whose iconic design is part of the fascinating history of Officine Panerai, encloses a concentration of technical solutions which demonstrate the ability of the Florentine brand to interpret traditional complications in ways which are always distinctive, bringing innovation into the world of high quality sports watchmaking.
The GMT Earth enables a clear view of three time zones simultaneously to within a quarter of an hour.
Not just a single homage to a historical reference, the new Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris collection takes the spirit of Memovox Polaris and applies it to today’s man of action with a full range of timepieces: a three-hand automatic a chronograph and a chronograph world time, as well as two models with a stronger vintage feel.
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Van Cleef & Arpels Lady Arpels™ Planétarium Poetic Complications
Roger Dubuis Excalibur Aventador S
Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Concept
Poetry of time
Time has an engine
A triumph of innovation
The Maison has drawn on new sources of wonder between Heaven and Earth to reflect its distinctive Poetry of Time®. Just as in childhood memories, everyone can lie down in the long grass and gaze up at the vast vault of the sky.
Offering yet another stunning example of highly complicated watchmaking inspired bythe automotive world, the Roger Dubuis/ Lamborghini Squadra Corse partnership roars to life in 2018 with the 45 mm Excalibur Aventador S Blue and the Excalibur Adventador S Pink Gold vying for pole position.
Demonstrating vitality in its quest for infinite slenderness, Piaget is establishing two world records setting the crowning touch to the 60th anniversary celebrations of its Altiplano collection.
Poetic Astronomy™ offers an invitation to plunge into the cosmos and observe the dance of the planets, presented in a precious setting. The gaze is drawn to the twelve constellations of the Zodiac, which light up thanks to a virtuoso mechanism.
These high-octane launches also herald the firing of the gun in February for the Super Trofeo Championship 2018: the legendary Lamborghini one-make series of which Roger Dubuis is a main sponsor.
The first with the Altiplano Ultimate Automatic, the world’s thinnest self-winding watch at just 4.30mm thick. The second with the Altiplano Ultimate Concept, developed by the Piaget “Research and Innovation” division: the world’s thinnest mechanical hand-wound watch at just 2mm thick, the same size as the historical movement – Calibre 9P – to which it pays eloquent tribute.
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MB&F’s Concept Laboratory
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Remarkable, at every step
ne of the highlights for us at this year’s SIHH was a visit to Maximilian Büsser (below) and friends. Over the years, one way or another, Büsser has found a way to disrupt the conventions of watch and clock making. It’s a good time to look back on where MB&F have come from, and to consider where they’re going. In July 2005, at the age of 38, Büsser created the world’s first horological concept brand: MB&F (Maximilian Büsser & Friends), in which he is now partnered with Serge Kriknoff. Büsser’s dream with MB&F is to have his own brand dedicated to developing radical horological concepts by working in small, hyper-creative groups composed of people he enjoys working with.
In 2015, MB&F celebrated its 10th anniversary – and what a decade it was for the world’s first ever horological concept laboratory: 10 years of hyper-creativity; 11 remarkable calibres forming the base of the critically acclaimed Horological Machines and Legacy Machines for which MB&F has become renowned.
music box specialist Reuge; and with L’Epée 1839, unusual clocks in the form of a space station (Starfleet Machine), a rocket (Destination Moon), a spider (Arachnophobia), an octopus (Octopod) and three robot clocks (Melchior, Sherman, and Balthazar). In 2016, MB&F and Caran d’Ache created a mechanical rocket-pen called Astrograph.
After 15 years managing prestigious watch brands, Maximilian Büsser resigned from his Managing Director position at Harry Winston in 2005 to create MB&F – Maximilian Büsser & Friends. MB&F is an artistic and micro-engineering laboratory dedicated to designing and crafting small series of radical concept watches by bringing together talented horological professionals that Büsser both respects and enjoys working with.
And there have been distinguished accolades reminding us of the innovative nature of MB&F’s journey so far. To name a few, there have been no less than 4 Grand Prix awards from the famous Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève: in 2016, LM Perpetual won the Grand Prix for Best Calendar Watch; in 2012, Legacy Machine No.1 was awarded the Public Prize (voted for by horology fans) and the Best Men’s Watch Prize (voted for by the professional jury). In 2010, MB&F won Best Concept and Design Watch for the HM4 Thunderbolt. In 2015 MB&F received a Red Dot: Best of the Best award – the top prize at the international Red Dot Awards – for the HM6 Space Pirate.
In 2007, MB&F unveiled its first Horological Machine, HM1. HM1’s sculptured, three-dimensional case and beautifully finished engine (movement) set the standard for the idiosyncratic Horological Machines that have followed: HM2, HM3, HM4, HM5, HM6, HM7, HM8 and HMX – all Machines that tell the time, rather than Machines to tell the time. In 2011, MB&F launched its round-cased Legacy Machine collection. These more classical pieces – classical for MB&F, that is – pay tribute to nineteenth-century watchmaking excellence by reinterpreting complications from the great horological innovators of yesteryear to create contemporary objets d’art. LM1 and LM2 were followed by LM101, the first MB&F Machine to feature a movement developed entirely in-house. The year 2015 saw the launch of Legacy Machine Perpetual featuring a fully integrated perpetual calendar. LM SE was launched in 2017. MB&F generally alternates between launching contemporary, resolutely unconventional Horological Machines and historically inspired Legacy Machines. As well as Horological and Legacy Machines, MB&F has created space-age MusicMachines (1, 2 and 3) in collaboration with
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Maximilian Büsser’s love for high-end horology was nurtured by his first employer, Jaeger-LeCoultre. During his seven years in the senior management team during the 1990s, JLC strongly increased its profile and multiplied its turnover tenfold. Büsser’s responsibilities at Jaeger-LeCoultre ranged from Product Management & Development to Sales & Marketing for Europe.
Entrepreneurship is Maximilian Büsser’s forte. In 1998, when only 31, he was appointed Managing Director of Harry Winston Rare Timepieces in Geneva. During his seven years there Büsser developed the company into a fully-fledged and well-respected haute horlogerie brand by developing the strategy, products, marketing and worldwide distribution, whilst integrating design, R&D and manufacturing in house. The results were a 900% increase in turnover and the positioning of Harry Winston as one of the leaders in this very competitive segment.
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Celebrate love with Rado
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Swiss watchmaker features his and hers timepieces for Valentine’s Day
wiss watchmaker Rado is presenting a beautiful duo of timepieces from its DiaMaster collection just in time for Valentine’s Day.
Crafted from scratch resistant high-tech ceramic, these two wristwatches make stylish accessories to accompany your loved one throughout their life. Featuring the same basic look – a wide open dial, high-tech ceramic case, and sumptuous leather strap – but each with a distinctly masculine or feminine design, these “his and hers” DiaMasters are ideal watches for couples who celebrate their individuality as well as the common foundation that joins them together. A watch for life for him and her With an unusual yet feminine design, the ladies’ DiaMaster features 49 shimmering diamonds that form a gleaming off-center ring on the mother-ofpearl dial. An embossed beige calf leather strap fastens the petite 33 mm case to the wrist. For him, the masculine and eyecatching DiaMaster Power Reserve
is on offer. A classic gentleman’s accessory with an earthtone twist, the watch shines with its polished brown high-tech ceramic case, white sunray detailing, and power reserve indicator situated at 9 o’ clock. The cases of this DiaMaster duo put one of Rado’s signature materials – hightech ceramic – in the spotlight once again. High-tech ceramic is favoured in high-end watchmaking because of its incredible marriage of lightness and scratch resistance. The result is a beautiful material of astonishing longevity – a fitting way to honour relationships that will last a lifetime. Ever since its beginnings in Lengnau, Switzerland, Rado has had a pioneering spirit, with the brand philosophy “if we can imagine it, we can make it” still holding true today.
WATCHES
A Ripple of Romance
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Tissot T-Wave
elebrate your love this Valentine’s Day with the gift of time. The Tissot T-Wave is the perfect way to declare your affection, with its sensual fluidity and gently undulating silhouette making for an elegant love note. Your beau will appreciate the careful, curved detailing on the case and lugs, while romantic features such as the refined hands which resemble skeletonised leaves and a mother-of-pearl teardrop index add an extra exciting frisson. A beautiful piece of jewellery in its own right, the Tissot T-Wave will look just as good at a cosy cinema date as at a gourmet feast pour deux. A plethora of choice With many different versions available, there really is a model to suit everyone. Fans of classic design will be drawn to the simplicity of a pure dial with a satin or aventurine effect, while those who favour tasteful embellishment will fall for the ribbon unravelling its iridescent and satin reflections on a motherof-pearl face. For an extra-special touch for an extra-special partner, the models glimmering with top wesselton diamonds will make for an unforgettable Valentine’s. Features •
Swiss made
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Quartz movement with battery end-of-life (EOL) indicator
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316L stainless steel case
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Domed scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
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Top Wesselton Diamond options
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Leather strap with standard buckle
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316L solid stainless steel bracelet with butterfly clasp with push-buttons
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All rose-gold execution is PVD coating
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Diameter: 30mm
Note: All diamonds used are Top Wesselton quality. They have been purchased from legitimate sources not involved in funding conflict and are in compliance with the United Nations resolutions. Tissot hereby guarantees that these diamonds are conflict-free, based on personal knowledge and/or written guarantees provided by the supplier.
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Dananeer’s Modern Philosophy Presenting a modern philosophy with a twist to classic evening wear. The dark tones versus light grey’s create of mood of subtle elegance. A collection curated by Dananeer, is offering a new updated take on nights out.
Above: Corneliani merino wool longsleeved two-tone polo in grey/black paired with Brioni trousers Right: Corneliani black velvet evening jacket, with Corneliani merino wool grey turtleneck and Corneliani grey jeans
Visit Dananeer for a personal shopping experience in Arraya Centre
THE LIFE REFINED
Elevating everyday denims and sweaters through color combinations. The soft knitwear wools brought by Corneliani and Brioni, have been made for comfort without compromising style. This applies to their denim and pants collection, using fabrics that stretch allowing for a perfect fit. The jacket is the most important part of the look, with choices of fabrics from Satin, Leather, and Wool to fit the occasion.
Corneliani ID unlined wool and cashmere jacket, Corneliani merino wool long-sleeved two-tone polo in grey/black, paired with Brioni trousers
STYLE
Corneliani black leather jacket, paired with Brioni trousers
Corneliani merino wool black turtleneck, paired with Brioni trousers Sunglasses and leather belt by Brioni
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An homage to the city of Florence, throughout, the Gucci Garden expresses a love of hand-work and craftsmanship that echoes the palazzo’s mercantile origins and the House’s history of artisan workmanship. Half of the 8-euro ticket price for the Gucci Garden Galleria will be donated to support restoration projects in the city of Florence.
Gucci Garden
An exploration of the House’s imagination and creativity
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n 9th January, Gucci signaled the opening of the new Gucci Garden by illuminating a giant neon eye artwork on the façade of the elegant, ancient Palazzo della Mercanzia in Florence. Designed by Gucci Creative Director Alessandro Michele, the Gucci Garden is dedicated to an exploration of the eclectic creativity that lies at the very heart of the House. Through curating a wide range of pieces from collections dating back to the House’s Florentine origins in 1921 and marrying these with recent work, memorabilia, ephemera and contemporary art, Gucci Garden is not only a celebration of a rich archive, but a lively, interactive experience. The name Gucci Garden has been chosen not simply because the House aesthetic imaginatively incorporates references to the natural world of plants, flowers and animals, but also because of its metaphorical meaning. Alessandro Michele says, ‘The garden is real, but it belongs above all to the mind,
populated with plants and animals: like the snake, which slips in everywhere, and in a sense, symbolises a perpetual beginning and a perpetual return.’ In 2011, the Gucci Museo opened in this historic Florentine palazzo, which dates back to 1337 and sits between the famous Piazza della Signoria, home of the Uffizi Gallery, and Piazza di San Firenze. Now Gucci has taken the concept of the conventional museum and reimagined it as a living, collaborative and creative space in which to express the evolving aesthetic and philosophy of the House.
STYLE
Therefore, instead of simply displaying a permanent collection of historic pieces, the Gucci Garden tells the story of the House by colliding past with present. Clothing, accessories, video installations, artworks, documents and artefacts are displayed over the two floors of the Gucci Garden Galleria, organised by themes. Contemporary items are juxtaposed in a dialogue with vintage pieces; friends of the House like artists Jayde Fish, Trevor Andrew (AKA GucciGhost) and Coco Capitán have been invited to decorate walls, and their works sit alongside Gucci fabric patterned wallpaper and a giant nineteenth-century equestrian oil portrait, Fantino con bambina, by Domenico Induno. Alessandro Michele charged curator and critic Maria Luisa Frisa, head of the BA degree course in Fashion Design and Multimedia Arts at Iuav University in Venice, to work with him to organise the Gucci Garden Galleria, which occupy the first and second floors of the palazzo. She explains that there is purposefully no chronology to the displays, which imaginatively mix objects and video content throughout. ‘We decided to make the space a laboratory where you have all the elements with which to creatively experiment,’ she says. ‘In the rooms entitled De Rerum Natura, for example, we see Gucci’s passion for flora and fauna expressed through vintage and current garments, silver animal statuettes made by the firm in the Fifties and original artwork by Vittorio Accornero, who was commissioned to create the Gucci Flora print in 1966.’ All Gucci designers, she explains, not just Alessandro Michele, are represented here. ‘The past is very much part of the present at Gucci, which is perfectly in keeping with Alessandro’s idea of the brand, and indeed his attitude to Florence, Gucci’s home, which he sees as a city where history is still vibrantly alive.’ In keeping with the spirit of creative collaboration that Gucci Garden embraces, chef Massimo Bottura has been invited to open an intimate restaurant on the ground floor, the Gucci Osteria. Bottura is internationally famed for his three-Michelinstar Osteria Francescana, which sits just over the TuscanEmilian Apennines, in the heart of Modena. For Gucci Garden, he has created an entirely new menu that takes influences from his travels and applies these to Italian cuisine. ‘Travelling the world, our kitchen interacts with everything we see, hear and taste,’ says Bottura. ‘With eyes wide open, we look for the unexpected and next éclat.’ The menu will include iconic Italian dishes as well as conceptual twists on classics for an all-day dining experience. ‘The restaurant is a reminder that Florence has always been a centre of cultural exchange, particularly during the Renaissance,’ says Bottura. To reinforce this idea, lines of a 15th-century carnival song (canto carnascialesco) by Lorenzo de’ Medici – Canzona of the seven planets, or Canzona de’ sette pianeti – are written in gold letters around the tops of the walls of the Gucci Osteria.
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The retail space has been carefully designed to respect and celebrate the original architecture of the palazzo. The room dedicated to ready-to-wear, accessories and dĂŠcor features a colour scheme that combines a burnt yellow for the plaster walls with tongue red to pick out the architectural forms of arched doorways and windows. The floor is of hand-aged marble tiles.
STYLE
The spirit of the boutique echoes that of the many old shops of Florence where display furniture has been assembled over time in an organic and personal way. The furniture at the Gucci Garden store comprises antique-shop finds that have been repaired, painted in a range of Florentine colours, and often further decorated.
Admission: Seven days a week, year-round, with closures planned for 25th December, 1st January and 15th August.
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Corneliani
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Fall / Winter 2018
he essence of tailoring lays in the will to put the client first, building things around individual wishes, demands, needs and desires, evolving the craft as times evolve. Tailoring is an experience for the wearer stemming out of the experience of the makers. Both ways, it is a process. A muted palette of painterly, dense tones reaffirms the Corneliani roots, strongly linked to Mantua. Built around an idea of subtle effortlessness, the collection does not rely on the bold, yet quickly forgettable, fashion statement. Instead, it initiates a dialogue with the wearer, inviting to discover details and characteristics through use, day by day. As such, it owns a timelessness that comes from the will to catch the spirit of the time, keeping authenticity at the core.
Find Corneliani in Kuwait at: Arraya Center, Ground Floor, Al-Shuhada Street.
The essence of Corneliani is tailoring. A unique Italian knowledge, nurtured along decades of experiences, is the tool that allows the shaping of style as an experiential journey. Working with the client in mind means working on the single item, making it an expression of the moment that molds on the person. The wearer is the only protagonist. Themes are fickle. Items remain, morphing in infinite ways through use. It’s style that takes life through experience and experiences that suggest new ways to style, mixing and morphing worlds and solutions, effortlessly. F/W 18/19 is the first installment of this ongoing process. The collection builds an open repertoire of possibilities. The elements are given. A thoughtful take on familiar tropes ensues: impeccably functional outerwear, effortless businesswear, refined leisurewear. Evolution results from a subtle balance of weights, patterns, shapes and occasions of use. The quest for harmony translates into an everevolving idea of classic beauty. A delve into history defines the essence of the moment. Traditional patterns are enhanced in outerwear and tailoring, while technical pieces gain unexpected aplomb. Color and functional details are hidden on the inside, pleasing the wearer, not the public. Shapes are essential and streamlined, drawing a soft silhouette. The dynamism of skiing adds Êlan, precious leathers and furs provide the pleasure of texture.
STYLE
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Backstage at Paul Smith Behind the scenes with Paul Smith in Paris
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n air of positivity and optimism breezed through Paul Smith’s bright spring/summer ‘18 collection for men and women. Hawaiian graphics are a reference to Paul’s early visits to New York in the Seventies, when he’d return to England with trunks of Hawaiian shirts sourced from SoHo.The billowing shapes and vivid prints on the shirts were popular with customers picking up pieces for Northern Soul nights at Wigan Casino or Sheffield’s King Mojo. This kitsch thrift later gave way to Paul’s own unique floral print shirts, which fast became a design signature. Floral and aquatic motifs are embroidered onto the satin lapels of tuxedos, hand-painted on leather and appliquéd onto tote bags. The ocean print also makes an appearance on technical outerwear developed in collaboration with factories specializing in performance-wear, bringing modernity and functionality to the collection. A midnight beach scene on landscape jacquard from Italy’s Limonta mill appears on a bomber jacket for men and blazer for women. The irreverence of Paul Smith is injected in Japanese fish tin graphics on cross-body box bags, belts, shirt pockets and more.The palette of the collection graduates
STYLE
Meanwhile, on stage a relaxed, surf spirit continues across deck chair striped beach bags, printed espadrilles and colourful sandals. Post-punk and pop dominates the soundtrack with the inclusion of tracks by The Cure and David Essex whilst The Beatles’ Octopus’s Garden echoes the aquatic theme.
from soft pastels of cornflower blue and dusty pink through to midnight-tones and French navy, climaxing with striking yellow and hot turquoise. Tailoring shapes for both men and women nod to Eighties pieces from the Paul Smith archive, in particular the notched lapels, low break points and squared shoulders. Patch-worked floral print dresses play with louche summer shirt collar shapes and Japanese carp dive across silk georgette slips. Patterned linings take on new life on a brushed cotton two-piece suit for women, where tropical flowers are reverse printed, appearing sun-bleached on the outside but in full colour on the inside.
Keep updated with the finest fashions and styles at passionsarabia.com
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Ermengildo Zegna Couture
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Sketches from a Hidden Garden
or his debut Summer collection, Artistic Director Alessandro Sartori is clashing innocence and sensual masculinity in an exploration of conscious and sub-conscious fantasies. The linear backdrop of one of the historic courtyards of Milan’s Università Statale is the framework for a futuristic garden with tangerine lawns in a labyrinth of aesthetic compositions. Outdoor life unexpectedly meets the indoor throughout a fresh summery breeze which pervades the fluidity of fabrics and delicate silhouettes enlightened by a blaze of colors. Couture constructions fly and inflate, moving with a carefree attitude. The interplay of proportions privileges uncommon freedom and ease replacing classic shirts with deconstructed tops in various volumes, doubled tank tops and scoop neck sweaters play with active yet tailored trousers and joggers. The studied assembly of sport-inspired clothing is enriched by oversized handmade pockets, hoods and iconic Triple Stitch logos, synonymous with Couture. Fluid washed silks, Century Cashmere and pure mohair confer concrete weightlessness to the collection, while giro inglese and mesh jacquards, together with perforated and intarsia leather give hints of ethereal substance. The delicate color palette favors natural shades of walnut, signature Vicuna, geranium, freesia, lotus, cypress and bleached aqua, while optical whites meet unexpected color flashes. Even the accessories indulge in the laid-back pace of the season: technical Triple-stitch sandals, elasticated leather boots and iconic maxi-logo TIZIANO sneakers for footwear immediately available for purchase; and the supersoft evolution of PELLE TESSUTA™ in new, colorful knitted effects for bags, baseball hats and visors. “To design a forward-looking men’s fashion wardrobe built around fluidity, freshness and color but enriched by the possibility of adding your own hint of personality and style, I couldn’t imagine a better place than this courtyard, where I often spent time in my youth reading, writing and sketching,” said Artistic Director Alessandro Sartori.
STYLE
The day after the show, twelve of the Couture looks seen on the catwalk were available to order Made-toMeasure in selected worldwide boutiques, with delivery scheduled within eight-weeks as per the rigorous atelier process. Yet it’s the degree of one-of-a-kind personalization, in which every single garment and accessory from the show is customizable with handmade knotting, painting and embroidery uniquely crafted by Zegna artisans, that reveals the true depth of Ermenegildo Zegna’s commitment to Bespoke. It is here, indeed, that the genuine Zegna values can be seen within every hand-made stitch.
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Tumi perfecting the journey
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with Ali F. Mostafa
or its Spring/Summer 2018 assortment, TUMI captures the imagination of intrepid individuals who seek both style and functionality for their lives on the move. By working with a global influencers – here with ilmmaker, Ali F. Mostafa – TUMI has engaged its latest generation of inspiring individuals.
The introduction of the new seasonal campaign coincides with the unveiling of the newly updated iconic Alpha Bravo collection. The refined Alpha Bravo collection features new styles and colors for a sleek, modern look, heightening the experience of global citizens on their personal journeys. From the UAE, filmmaker & producer Ali F. Mostafa has long been recognized throughout his career for invaluable contributions to Emirati cinema. As one of the pioneers of the Emirati film industry, Ali F. Mostafa gained recognition for his directorial talent with UAE box office hit, City of Life. Named ‘Best Emirati Filmmaker’ at the 2009 Dubai International Film Festival and ‘2010 Young Filmmaker of the Year’ by Digital Studio magazine. Ali F. Mostafa’s latest feature, The Worthy premiered at the BFA London Film Festival and received a gala premiere at the Dubai Film Festival in 2016, opening to widespread critical acclaim. “I am really pleased to be joining TUMI on this journey. Being able to represent a brand you already love and have traveled with for years is an amazing experience and I look forward to the adventure ahead.” - Ali F. Mostafa
West Coast Dreaming: Alpha Bravo for Spring/Summer 2018 In continuously redefining the meaning of luxury and innovation, TUMI pairs design excellence with outstanding functionality. This season, TUMI takes inspiration from the dynamic lifestyle of the modern traveler as well as the laid-back culture and breathtaking landscapes of California. The result is a collection that excels in engineering and innovative design, with fresh, new colors and patterns, and a clean, contemporary aesthetic. For men, the iconic Alpha Bravo collection relaunches with exceptional refinements while maintaining the defining militaryinspired edge and key functionality the range is known for. Designed with both function and attitude in mind, Alpha Bravo is reintroduced outfitted in black leather with stand-out gunmetal zipper highlights and major design updates including an integrated logo plaque, leather detail on the front face of the bags, and new black zippers and pulls. Available in TUMI’s durable Ballistic Nylon, Anthracite and Leather, seasonal color pops of Green Camo and Grey/Citron span the collection and add excitement to the existing core color range.
STYLE
Since 1975, TUMI has been creating world-class business and travel essentials, designed to upgrade, uncomplicate, and beautify all aspects of life on the move. Blending flawless functionality with a spirit of ingenuity, we’re committed to empowering journeys as a lifelong partner to movers and makers in pursuit of their passions. In Kuwait at The Avenues Mall
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Clipper Round The World Yacht Race Marine excellence
“You will never conquer or master the ocean, but you can endure it” Race organiser, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston
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he Clipper Race is one of the biggest challenges of the natural world and an endurance test like no other. With no previous sailing experience necessary, it’s a record breaking 40,000 nautical mile race around the world on a 70-foot ocean racing yacht. The brainchild of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo non-stop around the world, the event is now on its eleventh edition.
SAIL
Divided into eight legs and 13 to 16 individual races, you can choose to complete the full circumnavigation or select individual legs. It is the only race in the world where the organisers supply a fleet of twelve identical racing yachts, each with a fully qualified skipper to safely guide the crew. Normally the domain of seasoned pros, this supreme challenge is taken on by ordinary, everyday people. Having completed a rigorous training course, participants are suited and booted in the latest extreme protection gear to commence the race of their lives - an unparalleled challenge where taxi drivers rub shoulders with chief executives, vicars mix with housewives, students work alongside bankers, and engineers team up with rugby players. The sea does not distinguish between Olympians or novices. There is nowhere to hide - if Mother Nature throws down the gauntlet, you must be ready to face the same challenges as the pro racer. Navigate the Doldrums en route to South America, endure epic Southern Ocean storms, experience South African sunsets, face the mountainous seas of the North Pacific and bond with an international crew creating lifelong memories before returning victorious.
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HondaJet
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The next honda in your life?
he Power of Dreams is both the force and the philosophy that guides Honda. It is the spirit behind their driving passion to design and create products that move and power our life. Discover the ultimate balance of innovation and inspiration.
At some point, whether or not you’ve owned a Honda product, it is almost certain that your life has been touched by one. Honda is the world’s leading producer of mobility machines. Since 1948, Honda have built more than 90 million automobiles and over 300 million motorcycles. Around the globe, Honda is the gold standard for reliability in human mobility. Now, Honda proudly brings you to the pinnacle of engineering performance — the HondaJet. The HondaJet is the world’s most advanced light business jet. As the fastest, highest-flying, quietest, most fuel-efficient and most spacious light jet in its class, the HondaJet could be your dream come true. When it comes to making a jet investment, Honda hope that you will carefully consider not just the aircraft, but also the manufacturer that stands behind the machine. You deserve to feel confident that your decision is backed by a company with the legacy and experience to weather any storm of adversity. Cabin Space It’s called cabin space, and the HondaJet provides more of it than any other jet in its class. But to you and your fellow passengers, it’s much more than a cabin. It’s a workspace, thinking space,
quiet space and a relaxing space. These are the true inspirations behind the HondaJet’s interior and why Honda designers meticulously considered every detail — from the completely adjustable executive seating to the fully private lavatory and a host of other modern amenities. Lightweight Structure, Heavyweight Performance The elegance of the HondaJet begins with the structure of the fuselage. Unlike many other jets that use aluminum, the HondaJet employs a lighter, composite fuselage made from a cutting-edge combination of co-cured stiffened panel structure and honeycomb panel structure. This results in the optimum fuselage layout, better performance and higher fuel efficiency. Over-The-Wing Engine Mount Over-The-Wing Engine Mount (OTWEM) is a breakthrough in aeronautics engineered by Honda and the culmination of more than 20 years of technological innovations and aviation design. Its unique configuration dramatically improves performance and fuel efficiency by reducing aerodynamic drag. Additionally, baggage capacity is larger than any light jet in its class, cabin room is increased and cabin noise is reduced. This is the world’s most advanced light jet. By employing this unique technology,
FLY
the HondaJet offers the best performance and comfort in its class. Performance Advancements in aerodynamics and natural laminar flow (NLF) technology were applied to the design of the main wing airfoil and fuselage nose shape of the HondaJet to reduce aerodynamic drag. This cutting-edge engineering innovation contributes to: • High cruising speed • Increased fuel efficiency NLF technology is further proof of Honda’s unyielding approach to research, thoughtful design and pioneering engineering. A Greater Appreciation of the Earth Honda Aircraft Company is committed to protecting our environment. Crafting and constructing a jet that can use much less fuel is not merely a byproduct of design; it is core to it. Beyond fuel efficiency, they reduced noise emission. Honda’s environmental responsibility is also evident in their LEED GOLDcertified headquarters building. A commitment to the environment and the future of tomorrow’s generations continues with the Blue Skies for Our Children
initiative. Blue Skies for Our Children represents Honda’s environmental vision of a society in which future generations can experience the joy and freedom of mobility while living within a sustainable society. A New Standard in Aviation An investment in a private jet is a substantial one; so is investing in the people, operations and facilities to design, build and service that jet.
A pilot? Recapture the reason you logged those hours in the first place: the pure joy of flying. The HondaJet cockpit is built for optimum safety based on thoughtful ergonomic design and state-of-theart situational awareness.
Honda Aircraft Company, headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina, USA is a state-of-the-art R&D center and production facility building the fastest, most fuel-efficient jets in their class. Honda Aircraft Company associates have assembled here from more than 40 countries around the world to produce one of the most distinctive and advanced aircraft ever to take to the sky. The Progression of Human Mobility For more than 60 years, Honda has helped the human race move with more speed, economy, grace and joy. The HondaJet is the epitome of continually improving human mobility. The commitment to flight by Honda — a globally recognized and respected company — is as steadfast as its dedication to more landbound endeavors.
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Salvador Dali - The Memories A special showcase of Dalí’s works, for the first time in the Middle East
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orks by one of the most iconic figures in art history, Salvador Dali, will take center stage at the Conference Hall in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), United Arab Emirates from 11th February until 22nd April 2018. Salvador Dali. The Memories exhibition will be hosted at the Conference Hall, Dubai International Financial Centre 11th February thru’ 22nd April Public viewing: Sunday to Thursday 13.00-22.00 hours Weekends Friday & Saturday 10.00-22.00 hours
The exhibition reveals the spontaneity and creative consciousness of Dalí, from which he established masterpieces. “My philosophy is that of a man who works and plays at the same time, a man who thinks and acts, whose whole life is only the elaboration of his thoughts and who’s main thought is constantly expressed by the game.” said Salvador Dalí about his masterpieces. One of many star pieces of the exhibition will be “Shower of Jasmine”, an exclusive oil on canvas painting that was first unveiled to the world in 1954 in New York City at Carstairs Gallery. After such, the piece has only been seen in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil at Museu Nacional de Belas Artes. Since, the painting has been kept in a private collection and in Dubai, it will be visible to the public for only its 3rd time ever. Besides some of Dalí’s greatest paintings, photographs of the Spanish artist, taken by close friend and specialist of the master, Robert Descharnes (1926-‐2014), will also be revealed at the exhibition. The photographs, which were selected by Nicolas Descharnes, Robert’s son, also an expert on the life and works of Dalí and a guest curator of the exhibition, show the Spanish icon, painter and visionary intimately working with his tools in the process of making what is now some of the most acknowledged art in the world. The pictures were taken throughout various workshops in Europe and the U.S. and show the creative mood and environment in which Dalí used to work. Also seen in many of the pictures is Dalí’s long term spouse, Gala Dalí.
CULTURE
Ms. Dilyara Kamenova, Director of Alpha Soul says, “We are excited to
the ‘Memories of Surrealism’ collection for the audience to experience Dali’s
showcase for the first time such a powerful variety of the finest works of
surrealist makeover of the original artwork. For the print art aficionados,
Salvador Dali to art aficionados in the Middle East.”
extremely rare lithographs will also be on display.
Also, being exhibited over the two months is Dali’s ‘50 years after
“Salvador Dali. The Memories” exhibition is yet another endeavor of Alpha
surrealism’ and the famous ‘Memories of Surrealism’ collection from 1971.
Soul to enrich the spirit of Dubai by promoting art, classical music and world-‐
The ‘Memories of Surrealism’ is the master’s interpretation of Spanish
class speakers and partnerships with leading academics, private collectors
printmaker Francisco Goya’s “Los Caprichos”, which will be placed next to
and art professionals from around the world.” added Ms. Kamenova.
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The Art of Living
Aston Martin reveals new Art of Living experiences for 2018
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ston Martin has revealed the initial offering of ‘Art of Living by Aston Martin’ experiences for 2018. These exclusive experiences will offer unparalleled access to guests who would like to live life the Aston Martin way. A highlight in the new Aston Martin’s Art of Living season is ‘Hokkaido On Ice’, an opportunity to experience a range of Aston Martin models against the spectacular backdrop of Japan’s northernmost island. Under the tutelage of expert drivers, guests will learn how to control a car in the slippery conditions, pushing themselves and the cars to the limit. Further driving focused events are scheduled for 2018, including the wilds of Norway, starting with the breathtaking views from the famous Atlantic Ocean Road. A drive through the Scottish Highlands will take guests through rugged mountain ranges, stunning lochs and historic castles and for those looking for the warmth of the sun, a trip to South Africa to cruise along the coastline close to Cape Town awaits. For racing enthusiasts, imagine heading out to Barcelona ahead of the 2018 Formula One
CONCIERGE
season to watch the new cars being put through their paces before the teams fly off to Melbourne, Australia for the first race of the year. Art of Living by Aston Martin guests will have exclusive access to the Aston Martin Red Bull Racing garage and the chance to meet the F1TM drivers and team members as they prepare for the new season. For guests looking for some racing action there is plenty on offer. Formula One fans can attend the most glamorous F1TM race of them all: the Monaco Grand Prix, where they will enjoy the highest levels of passion, drama and performance like never before. Or they can choose to collect an Aston Martin at the Red Bull Racing HQ in the UK and driving to the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium before kicking back and watching the Belgian Grand Prix. In 2017 Aston Martin took a glorious win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In 2018 Art of Living guests are invited to join the team as it defends its title against the best cars and drivers in the world. Staying at the stunning Chateau de Jalesnes, guests will beat the queues by taking helicopter transfers to and from the circuit as they cheer on the Aston Martin Racing team. Goodwood is again a firm fixture in the Aston Martin Art of Living season. Whether it is the fast and furious Festival of Speed or a step back in time to the glorious Revival, guests will have unprecedented access to the heart of the action at the Duke of Richmond’s beautiful estate. The Nürburgring Driving Academy experience will provide guests with one-on-one tuition on the world-famous Nürburgring Nordschleife so they can learn how to drive an Aston Martin sports car on one of the world’s most brutal race tracks. Closer to home, the Art of Living now offers behind-the-scenes at Aston Martin’s global headquarters, unique access to the marques heritage centre, Aston Martin Works, and an exhilarating performance driving experience at Millbrook Proving Ground. The 2018 Art of Living by Aston Martin portfolio truly offers something for everyone and all of the experiences are booking now at: www. astonmartinartofliving.com
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Valentine’s day is just around the corner, but lovers need not fret! Here are three magical hotels to spend the most perfect Valentine’s day with your other half.
Le Royal Monceau-Raffles Paris Located right on the prestigious Avenue Hoche and just a few steps away from the Champs Elysees and Arc de Triomphe, the prestigious Le Royal Monceau -Raffles Paris takes romance to the next level.
At Le Royal Monceau - Raffles Paris, couples can experience
the ultimate in luxury with unique features such as a Spa My Blend by Clarins, an in-house gallery, a contemporary bookstore and a 99-seat private movie theatre. As a special Valentine’s day offer, the luxurious hotel is offering a five-course menu for AED1,503 at their Italian restaurant, Il Carpaccio, complete
with a glass of Champagne and a Pierre Hermé dessert. One
lucky couple will be presented with a winning rose and be gifted with an exclusive weekend stay at Le Royal Monceau
and two emblematic pieces from French Jeweler, Mauboussin.
Darling Destinations
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Let there be love
ebruary is, whether you like it or not, the month of love. For this reason we’re huge fans of February for giving us the excuse to take a romantic getaway - not the we feel we really ever need a reason. Anyway, here’s some inspiration.
CONCIERGE
Founded in 1956 in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, Meliá Hotels International is one of the largest hotel companies in the world and the largest hotel chain in Spain in both resort and city hotels. The company currently operates more than 370 hotels in 43 countries and 4 continents under its brands: Meliá, Gran Meliá, ME by Meliá, Paradisus, Innside by Meliá, TRYP by Wyndham, Sol Hotels and Club Meliá.
Gran Meliá Rome
Meliá Zanzibar
Located on the rest of the historic Villa Agrippina – once home to the famous Roman Empress and mother of Emperor Nero – Gran Meliá Rome plays a part in the rich history of the city.
Meliá Zanzibar sits on a 40-acre estate with a beautiful beach of pearlescent white sand lapped by warm ocean waters. The resort is ringed by a natural coral reef, making bathing a relaxing and safe experience.
The 116-room-and-suite hotel is a stone’s throw from the Vatican and St Peter’s Basilica, yet represents a beautiful urban city oasis complete with extensive landscaped gardens and spacious swimming pools situated on the banks of the River Tiber. The hotel is within close proximity of Piazza Navona, Campo de’ Fiori, Castel Sant’Angelo, the Pantheon and the famous Trastevere district, making it so easy for couples to sightsee!
Located on top of the hotel’s cliff directly in the Indian Ocean, Meliá Zanzibar’s Romance Ocean Front Pavilions are perfect for couples. The adults-only accommodation offers stunning views of the Indian Ocean and seclusion that will make you feel you’re the only two left on earth!
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THE LIFE REFINED
Tourism Ireland is the organisation responsible for promoting the island of Ireland overseas as a leading holiday destination. Tourism is the island of Ireland’s largest indigenous industry; responsible for in excess of 4% of GNP in the Republic of Ireland and employing approximately 281,000 people across the island.
Jump into Ireland
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Set to be a top travel destination for 2018
e are well into 2018 with a new opportunity to make memories that last a lifetime. It’s time to plan your holidays and trips now that we are into the first month. And with so many places to choose from and numerous activities on the bucket list, how about an all-embracing destination that offers something for everyone. Jump into Ireland! The scenery is enchanting, the culture is
Lights, Camera, Action
warm your heart. The island of Ireland has a unique appeal, with
There is a good reason that Ireland is a star of the screen – from
Here are some to get you started.
island has a cinematic sense of style. Step into the stunning
captivating, and the people will give you a welcome that will incredible escapes and exuberant activities just waiting for you.
Embark on an Epic Adventure A rugged coastline shaped by time and pounding waves, the
romantic castles to the mysterious beauty of the landscape, the Atlantic island of Skellig Michael off the coast of County Kerry, which featured as Luke Skywalker’s hide-out in Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
Wild Atlantic Way is Ireland’s epic 1,500 mile/2,500km coastal
Featuring more Seven Kingdoms locations than anywhere else
this is where you’ll find the real Ireland. Wave-riding thrill-seekers
Thrones fans. Showcasing bewitched forests, mysterious caves,
touring route. Stretching from County Donegal to County Cork,
and sensitive souls alike lose their hearts to the Surf Coast, where pounding waves and poetic silence exist side-by-side.
in the world, Northern Ireland is a dream come true for Game of and otherworldly backdrops, a visit to these filming locations is sure to blow your mind.
CONCIERGE
History Rewind
Foodie’s Paradise
Sporting Fiesta - From Tracks to the Fairways
When it comes to food on the island of Ireland, start at the very
A golfer’s delight, Ireland is blessed with world-class
include artisanal cheese, fresh seafood, and exceptional beef
the world. From epic links to phenomenal championship
beginning. Savour Irish flavour with simple natural produce that and lamb.
The Irish food scene is currently exploding with innovative
restaurant concepts led by boundary pushing chefs. Dublin’s culinary sensation Heron & Grey is one such Michelin-starred restaurant that creates one of the most innovative menus in the
country and is updated seasonally. Book weeks in advance to
experience the incredible flavours at this exceptional foodie’s paradise.
courses in some of the most spectacular locations in courses, Ireland’s golfing credentials are sky-high. Follow in
Step into the past at the newest luxury hotel, Titanic Hotel Belfast. Situated at the heart of Titanic Quarter, the former Harland & Wolff headquarters and Drawing Offices, it is the now world’s most authentic Titanic hotel. Visit the ‘Titanic Belfast’ - a state-of-the-art interactive exhibition that uncovers the true story of the Titanic, from her conception in Belfast in the early 1900s, through her construction and launch, to her famous maiden voyage and subsequent place in history.
champion golfer Rory McIlroy’s footsteps at Royal Portrush
in Antrim that is slated to host The Open in 2019. Attend the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown Racecourse which
features nearly AED 7.5m worth of prize money and will set the pulse racing with top quality races over two days.
Not just a racing meet, the event will combine the best of
Dublin’s culture, music, fashion, food and jump racing for a jubilant celebration of Dublin.
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THE LIFE REFINED
Trending on passionsarabia.com
A
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 maikng it happen. Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie 2018 - Overview
It’s the first fair of the year, setting the scene and previewing the trends for the twelve months to come. It’s also a fabulous showcase with no equivalent anywhere in the world, as much for its prestigious exhibitors as the quality of its infrastructure. We visited, and here deliver our first thoughts.
passionsarabia.com/sihh-2018-preview
The Gucci Garden On 9th January, Gucci signalled the opening of the new Gucci Garden by illuminating a giant neon eye artwork on the façade of the elegant, ancient Palazzo della Mercanzia in Florence. Designed by Gucci Creative Director Alessandro Michele, the Gucci Garden is dedicated to an exploration of the eclectic creativity that lies at the very heart of the House. passionsarabia.com/the-gucci-garden
Noura Al Tuwaijri – Her journey through Interior and Fashion Design With a vivid exposure to a world of design and fashion from a very young age, Noura Al Tuwaijri tells Rawan Qabazard that she decided to pursue her education in Interior Design early on. She is 22 and a recent interior design graduate from Regents University, London.
passionsarabia.com/noura-al-tuwaijri-journey-interior-fashion-design
PASSIONS ARABIA
2018 Porsche 718 Cayman GTS Over the years, Porsche have developed the knack of taking what was already outstanding and making it better. They’re not alone in the automotive world in adopting this desirable habit, but they’re certainly the most proficient. And they have to be when starting from a base of such competently engineered and inspiring motor cars. passionsarabia.com/2018-porsche-718-cayman-gts
Destination Dubai Dubai is a city where the impossible is possible, where you cannot help but be impressed, awe-struck and mesmerised. Dubai is one of the world’s most exhilarating destinations, a glittering city home to golden beaches, recordbreaking landmarks and world-class shopping, dining and nightlife. passionsarabia.com/destination-dubai
Photoshoot: Vacheron Constantin Overseas Middle East Exclusive Edition We ventured out to Kuwait’s Mutlaa Ridge with Moath Alkandari – constant traveler, style guru and man-about-town – to capture the sense of adventure within Vacheron Constantin Overseas Middle East Edition’s, the ideal travel companion through all of life’s journeys. passionsarabia.com/vacheron-constantin-overseas-middle-east-exclusive-edition
Hugo by Hugo Boss Hugo Boss recently opened proceedings at Pitti with a show for the Hugo line. Showing a co-ed men’s and women’s collection that took Jean-Michel Basquiat prints and a 90s baggy silhouette based on the first Hugo collection from 1993 as inspiration.
passionsarabia.com/hugo-hugo-boss
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Vacheron Constantin A Journey through the Middle East
Vacheron Constantin invited guests to experience the richness and enchantment of the Middle East by presenting Overseas timepieces dedicated to the region at its boutique store in Kuwait’s Salhiya Mall. The collection celebrates the spirit of travel in all its diversity. It calls for an openness to the world, a generosity of character and a desire to live new experiences. The exclusive Overseas Middle East Edition is declined in small and chronograph models, featuring complex hues of brown and pink gold as a tribute to the desert sands, wadis and burnished sunlight Through its Invitation to Travel Initiative, Vacheron Constantin partnered with regional personalities to narrate their stories and involvements. Emirati Saleh Al Braik, Kuwaiti Ahmad Buloushi, Emirati Zahra Layla and Saudi Hala Al Harithy share their experiences, philosophy and ideas on the Middle East region. Through beautiful vignettes, they are saluting the essence of the Middle East, and the values they share with Vacheron Constantin.
EVENTS
Van Cleef & Arpels Their enchanting event: Diamond Breeze
Kuwait’s Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel was the latest destination for Van Cleef & Arpels enchanted winter garden, and we were there. Van Cleef & Arpels is celebrating the holiday season with an enchanting event: Diamond Breeze™. From mid-November 2017 to mid-January 2018, this year’s edition showcases pieces adorned only with diamonds – among them new Lotus creations and the sparkling flowers of the Frivole™ collection. Evoking the beauty of a snow-covered nature, openwork pendants, earrings and Between the Finger™ Rings glisten in a gentle wintry atmosphere.
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THE LIFE REFINED
Porsche Centre Kuwait welcomes new Cayenne The latest generation of Porsche’s successful SUV model line is now available in Kuwait
The arrival of the brand’s flagship SUV was celebrated at a special event held by Porsche Centre Kuwait, Behbehani Motors Company at Crowne Plaza Hotel, where the Cayenne and Cayenne S, were showcased to attending guests. A completely new development brings the Cayenne closer to its racetrack roots and offers greater versatility and more performance than ever before. Powerful turbocharged engines, enhanced chassis systems, a range of off-road modes and a sharper design underpin the model’s credentials as a true sports car in its segment. Additional enhancements to the latest generation also include intelligent assistance systems and more connectivity features aimed at offering improved driver and passenger comfort. Peter Green, Group General Manager of Behbehani Motors Company, said: “Since its initial launch, the Cayenne has been one of the most popular models in Kuwait, and I have no doubt that the third generation, which offers even more sports car performance and practicality, will continue this success story. For me, the new Cayenne’s versatility is truly unique. It is at home on any road, but it is equally ready to explore new terrain. It enjoys a short sprint as much as a long road trip, and the commute to work as much as a lap on the track. It is capable of producing a superb drive experience virtually anywhere, and that is really what sets the Cayenne apart from any other SUV. We’re very excited to be welcoming it to Kuwait today.” We’ll be delivering our first views of the new Cayenne in the March issue of Men’s Passion.
EVENTS
Hermès – idiosyncratick and enigmatick! Time - revealed during special show in Kuwait
Discovering time like a vast playground is a veritable experience. Measuring the hour, of course, but so as to have more fun with it. Style, yes, but so as to be more liberated from it. This is Hermès time as it was revealed on 10 December 2017 in Kuwait City, with an all-new show devised by the Londonbased company Gandini Juggling.
For Hermès, time is an object born of uncompromising expertise. Its inherent tension is translated by the house into a singular characteristic. Rather than measuring, ordering, and seeking to control it, Hermès dares to explore another time, designed to arouse emotions, open up interludes and create spaces for spontaneity.
The show was followed by a scenography circuit open to the public from the 11 to 18 December.
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THE LIFE REFINED
Ferrari at 70 Seven decades of the Prancing Horse
7 decades of Ferrari was marked by a series of special events in Kuwait during December 2017. From an extraordinary parade of Maranello’s finest to a superb invite-only dinner. 70 years gave the perfect reason for a celebration of V12 proportions.
EVENTS
PostCraft Creative Dialogue presents PostCraft Exhibition and Talks in Kuwait
A design initiative at Kuwait’s Contemporary Art Platform. One that merges design, heritage and innovation to present contemporary and high-quality design inspired by the local culture and artisan skills bringing together designers, artists and galleries alongside renowned design brands. Creative Dialogue presented PostCraft Exhibition and Talks in Kuwait, a panel discussion and a design exhibition with limited edition special works of 5 designers from the GCC under the concept of the Post-Oil creative era.
works by Jaime Hayon, Salvador Dali and Antoni Gaudi. PostCraft was supported by art and design establishments from Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. GCC Designers included Loulwa Al Radwan, Shaikha Hind Al Qasimi, Gazzaz Brothers, Aisha Al Sowaidi and Maysam Al Nasser.
Curated by Samer Yamani and produced by leading Spanish design brand BD Barcelona Design, this exhibition also included
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MIU MIU The night MIU MIU brought their extraordinary Miu Lady installation to town
An enchanting Monday night saw us at The Avenues for cocktails and the exclusive preview of Miu Miu’s special Miu Lady installation.
EVENTS
Porsche Club 70th anniversary of Ferdinand Porsche
We joined the Porsche Club Kuwait as they celebrated the anniversary of the birth of Ferdinand Alexander Porsche at the Porsche Design boutique in Kuwait.
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Kuwait Construction Week Under the patronage of H. H. the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah
Kuwait Construction Week 2018 was inaugurated by Eng. Ali Mohammed Al Hobail, Deputy Director General for the Implementation Affairs Sector, Public Authority of Housing Welfare, Kuwait.
EVENTS
Tarek Al-Ghoussein The K-Files at Contemporary Art Platform
The opening of Tarek Al-Ghoussein’s ‘The K Files’ at Kuwait’s Contemporary Art Platorm. The exhibition continued at CAP Kuwait until 5th January 2018.
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SnapChat Sinan Hussein at The Hub
December saw the opening of Sinan Hussein’s acclaimed art exhibition ‘Snap Chat’ at Kuwait’s The Hub Gallery.
EVENTS
Reza Doust ‘Retrospection’, at Dar al Funoon
Reza Doust is known for his distinctive style; his paintings and large-scale installations have been exhibited internationally, in the Middle East, Europe and North america. The month of December saw Reza return to Kuwait’s Dar al Funoon. “This painting collection is another glance into my perpetual return to the past. Like all memories, some are mystically sweet and some nightmarish. They are localized gazes at my Persian-imbued memories”, Doust says.
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LISTINGS
Listings
Our essential guide. What not to miss in Febuary Aida What: Opera Where: Dubai Opera House When: 14 - 17 February 2018 A tragic tale of forbidden love, Aïda follows the struggle of the Nubian princess, Aïda, and the young Egyptian warrior, Radamès, to decide between love or loyalty to their countries. The Egyptians have captured and enslaved Aïda. An Egyptian military commander, Radamès, struggles to choose between his love for her and his loyalty to the Pharaoh as Ramadès has been betrothed to the powerful and extremely jealous Princess Amneris, the Pharaoh’s daughter. dubaiopera.com
Top Pick
Dar al Athar al Islamiyyah What: Cultural season Where: Various venues across Kuwait When: thru’ May 2018 Now well in to its 23rd annual cultural season, DAI has always presented a veritable selection of activities to inspire individuals from all walks of life and every interest imaginable, these activities include: lectures, concerts, educational opportunities, workshops, cultural excursions, film screenings, theatrical productions, and special events. darmuseum.org.kw
Culture Fair: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow What: Exhibition by Aseel AlYaqoub Where: The Sultan Gallery, Kuwait When: Opens 13 February 2018 One of our favourite artists and disruptors, Aseel Al-Yaqoub, opens at Kuwait’s Sultan Gallery with her latest artistic intervention in to the city. We know little about what to expect, but it’s a show we wouldn’t miss for the world. And neither should you. sultangallery.com
The K-Files What: Exhibition by Tarek Al-Ghoussein Where: CAP Kuwait When: thru’ 28 February 2018 Exhibition extended! Tarek Al-Ghoussein’s first solo exhibition in Kuwait will be on view until the 28th of February. capkuwait.com
The Febrayer Festival What: Music Where: JACC, Kuwait When: 1 - 9 February 2018 After the continuous and successful achievements throughout the years, JACC are proud to announce Febrayer Kuwait 2018 Festival that will be taking place this year in Kuwait. The Febrayer Festival, known to be one of the largest Festivals that occur in the Middle East, managed and organized by Rotana Audio Visual Co. in partnership with Abdullah Al-Ruwaished Center, will be presenting 5 marvelous concerts that will attract audiences from all communities. This year the festival will be bringing you the following great stars from the Arab world: Hussain Al-Jassmi & Mutrif Al-Mutrif Nawal Al-Kuwaitiya & Sherine Abdulwahab (above) Abdullah AlRuwaished & Assala Nasri Majid Al Mohandis & Nabeel Shuail Mohammad Abdo & Angham jacc-kw.com
HUGO BOSS AG Phone +49 7123 940 hugoboss.com The Art of Tailoring Kuwait Boss Store 360 Mall T: 22288030 Kuwait Boss Store Prestige The Avenues T: 22288020 Kuwait Boss Store Mariam Complex Salmiya T: 22288021 Kuwait Boss Sportswear Store 2nd Avenue The Avenues T: 22288010 Kuwait Boss Sportswear Store Marina Mall Salmiya T: 22288023
RECORDING O LYM P I C D R E A M S
Since 1932, OMEGA has known that the Olympic Games is a stage for dedicated athletes to reach their dreams. That’s why we love our role as Official Timekeeper and why we’re so passionate about providing trusted precision in every single event.
Available at OMEGA Boutiques: Avenues • 22597721/6 and 360° Mall • 225309629/30 and at select Behbehani Stores • 60039999