Emirates Man - THE WINTER ESCAPE ISSUE

LOOK SMART, LIVE SMARTER

Dr Michael Apa – Founder Apa Aesthetic THE WINTER ESCAPE ISSUE

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Obaid Humaid Al Tayer MANAGING PARTNER AND GROUP EDITOR Ian Fairservice EDITOR/ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Amy Sessions amy.sessions@motivate.ae SENIOR ART DIRECTOR Olga Petroff DIGITAL EDITOR Ruman Baig FASHION EDITOR Camille Macawili DIGITAL STYLE EDITOR Sarah Joseph JUNIOR DESIGNER Charissa Canlas EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Londresa Flores GENERAL MANAGER PRODUCTION Sunil Kumar PRODUCTION MANAGER Binu Purandaran PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR Venita Pinto CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER Anthony Milne GROUP SALES MANAGER Chaitali Khimji chaitali.khimji@motivate.ae SENIOR SALES MANAGER Lara Djuricanin lara.djuricanin@motivate.ae GROUP MARKETING MANAGER Joelle Albeaino WEB DEVELOPER Firoz Kaladi CONTRIBUTORS Ahmed Abd El-Wahab, Mark Mathew, Sanoor Rasheed, Varun Godinho, Guido Duken

HEAD OFFICE Media One Tower, Dubai Media City, PO Box 2331, Dubai, UAE, Tel: (+971) 4 4273000, Fax: (+971) 4 4282261, E-mail: motivate@motivate.ae DUBAI MEDIA CITY SD 2-94, 2nd Floor, Building 2, Dubai, UAE, Tel: (+971) 4 390 3550, Fax: (+971) 4 390 4845 ABU DHABI PO Box 43072, UAE, Tel: (+971) 2 677 2005, Fax: (+971) 2 677 0124, E-mail: motivate-adh@motivate.ae SAUDI ARABIA Regus Offices No. 455 - 456, 4th Floor, Hamad Tower, King Fahad Road, Al Olaya, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Tel: (+966) 11 834 3595 / (+966) 11 834 3596, E-mail: motivate@motivate.ae LONDON Acre House, 11/15 William Road, London NW1 3ER, UK, E-mail: motivateuk@motivate.ae

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Editor’s Letter Welcome to Emirates Man – The Winter We have exclusive interviews with those Escape Issue. delivering excellence beyond expectation at This is your guide to being in the know. every level. Edoardo Zegna, Chief Marketing From grooming to tech, we will ensure you’re Digital and Sustainability Officer ZEGNA, ahead of the curve when it comes to the latest discusses quality, heritage and innovation gadgets. If you’re into watches, our resident in Quality Over Quantity on page 42, Yann watch geeks will deliver all the Moujawaz Martini, Co-founder of detail you need to make the right Juana Skin, shares what it takes investment, we interview the guys to build a brand from scratch, LOOK making moves on a global and believe in your dream and push SMART, local scale and we’ll tell you where the boundaries of convention in LIVE the coolest places are to hangout. the beauty industry in A Fearless Welcome to the club.

SMARTER. Approach on page 72 and founders For the cover we are honoured of Suited & Booted, Ryan Smith to have Dr Michael Apa, founder and Calvin Smith, show us how to of Apa Aesthetic. We discuss work ethic, look sharp for the festive season. The coolest scaling, and the drive it takes to perpetually kit you can buy is curated in The Boys Toys innovate in The Rule Breaker on page 20. on page 14, the essentials for a modern man’s Watch obsessives will enjoy the latest beauty regime in Well Groomed on page 18 and installment from The Watch Addict on page we have you covered when it comes to style, 16 while in The Art of Time on page 32 Jeanwherever you’re travelling in The Warm Escape Christophe Babin, CEO of Bulgari, discusses on page 36 and The Cold Escape on page 38. the concrete steps the brand is taking to Style and substance are intrinsically diversify its offering, thereby ensuring the linked, Emirates Man delivers both. company stays ahead in the horology game.

Look smart, live smarter.

Amy Sessions EDITOR / ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

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27/10/2023 8:58 AM

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CONTENTS THE WINTER ESCAPE ISSUE

The Monitor

p.12 Monitor News

p.16 The Watch Addict

p.14 The Boys Toys

p.18 Well Groomed

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Fashion & Watches

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p.24 The Ultimate Crown – Rolex p.32 The Art of Time – An interview with JeanChristophe Babin, CEO of Bulgari p.36 The Warm Escape – The essentials you need for warmer climes this FW23 p.38 The Cold Escape – The essentials you need for cooler climes this FW23

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p.20 The Rule Breaker – Cover Interview with Dr Michael Apa

p.40 The Edit – Coats to keep out the cold, so you can stay chill p.42 Quality Over Quantity – Edoardo Zegna, Chief Marketing Digital and Sustainability Officer of ZEGNA discusses quality, heritage and innovation p.48 Sleek Contrasts – COS

p.54 The Rebel – Tom Ford p.60 Gentlemanly Attire – Founders of Suited & Booted, Ryan Smith and Calvin Smith, on looking sharp for the festive season p.62 Craftsmanship & Cool – Jimmy Choo p.66 Defining Quality – Tod’s

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Fitness & Grooming

p.70 Deep Notes – A heady mix of powerful scents for FW23 p.72 A Fearless Approach – Yann Moujawaz Martini, Co-founder of Juana Skin, shares what it takes to build a brand from scratch, believe in your dream and push the boundaries of convention in the beauty industry p.74 Festive Fitness – Co-founder James Miller of Embody Fitness share their top tips on how to stay lean over the festive season

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Lifestyle

p.76 The Great Escape – Assouline allows you to travel to iconic destinations without leaving your home with their latest titles p.80 Another Level – An exclusive interview with Dr Maha Ema, Director of Transcendental Meditation, UAE

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p.82 The Maestro – Musician Ryan Gibb on his career milestones and crafting an ambience through music p.84 The Cool Hangout – Co-founders Amirah and Wafa Tajdin share their inspiration for launching Lulu & The Beanstalk p.86 Personal Space – Inside the office with Wafa and Amirah Tajdin, Founders

of Lulu & The Beanstalk at ICD Brookfield Place p.92 The Minimalist’s Dream – AMAN Tokyo delivers clean lines, precise detailing, and next level views of the city skyline p.96 The Sanctuary – AMAN Emu is the peace you’ve been looking for

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T H E H E R O B U YS

Fall Heroes

The latest launches, new openings and hero buys C O M P I L E D BY: CA M I L L E M ACAW I L I

Gio leather Duffel Bag Dhs14,842 The Row available at MYTHERESA

Suede Chore Jacket Dhs2,805 Mr P available at MR PORTER

URBAN ELEGANCE

Tod’s FW23 collection delivers the icons and classics of menswear that evoke modernity and refinement.

Cashmere Sweater Dhs2,393 Frame available at MR PORTER

Excalibur MB Titanium POA Roger Dubuis

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Aviator Metal Sunglasses Dhs1,249 Bottega Veneta

Sage & Zinc Facial Hydrating Lotion SPF15, 50ml Dhs153 Aesop

Gerald Leather Boots Dhs5,840 Ferragamo

IMAGES: SUPPLIED

T H R E E TO OW N

THE MONITOR – NEWS

27/10/2023 11:36 AM

Calling all podcasters and content creators!

Whether you are looking to record, edit or manage your podcast, our fully equipped podcast and video recording studio has it all.

BOOK YOUR STUDIO +971 4 427 3000 | podcast@motivate.ae

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IPHONE 15 PRO

Tech giant Apple has released its covetable iPhone 15 Pro with new innovations that pack a punch, allowing travellers a speedy and immersive UX than ever before. The upgrade features

include a lightweight and built-tolast titanium design with sleek contoured edges, a customizable Action button, powerful camera upgrades, and the A17 Pro chip for a next-level performance. Dhs4,299 Apple

B A N G & O L U F S E N FO R F E R R A R I B E O P L AY E X

Audiophiles and fans of the Prancing Horse are in for a pulse-racing auditory experience with Bang & Olufsen’s – The Ferrari Collection. The look and feel champions Bang & Olufsen and Ferrari’s low-key luxe aesthetic with powerful tech that delivers more best-in-class sound than ever before. The Beoplay EX wireless earphones is housed in a sleek charging case in an iconic shade of Ferarri red for up to 20 hours of on-the-go listening and includes impressive features such as active noise cancellation. Dhs2,905 Bang & Olufsen

THE BOYS TOYS

The latest gadgets to gear you up on your travels WORDS: CAMILLE MACAWILI

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THE MONITOR

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OSMO MOBILE 6

A compact and intelligent mobile stabilizer that moves with you and allows you to capture shots at a moment’s notice. Packed with creative shooting modes and dynamic features including flawless stabilization and cinematic focus that results in artistic angles and ultra-smooth results for onthe-go moments. Dhs599 DJI

M E TA S M A RT S U N G L AS S ES

This wearable tech seamlessly integrates revolutionary functions within Ray-Ban’s classic Wayfarer frame. The second-generation style unlocks a range of improved listening, call, capture and a hands-free

livestream functions, an advanced conversational assistant and an all-new Qualcomm Snapdragon AR1 Gen1 Platform for a faster and high-quality processing.

Dhs1,208 Ray-Ban | Meta available for preorder on meta.com

R I M OWA X T I F FA N Y & C O.

A one-of-a-kind travel companion, the RIMOWA x Tiffany & Co. features thoughtful travel tools for the discerning traveller such as a cabin suitcase, jewellery case, and the signature polycarbonate luggage. It is embellished with a “Rock Cut” artwork and the iconic Tiffany Blue® hue interior and exterior accents. POA RIMOWA x Tiffany & Co.

DYS O N ZO N E ™ ABSOLUTE+ HEADPHONES

Dyson’s latest release is a hardworking piece of technology perfect for urban dwellers.

These noise-cancelling headphones showcase active noise cancellation and passive

attenuation which reduces distortion – ensuring realistic, detailed audio within noisy environments. It also boasts next generation activated carbon filters which capture viruses, refines airflow and reduce outdoor odours while on the move. Dhs3,229 Dyson

THE MONITOR

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T H E WATC H A D D I CT

HERE COMES THE SUN

A fascination with fine watchmaking eventually led to the acquisition of a stunning Cartier Tank Must SolarBeat WORDS: SANOOR RASHEED

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or as long as I can remember – and, as I later learnt, even before that – wearing a watch was essential to completing any look that I was trying to pull off. Going through the family albums, I was pleasantly surprised at the fact that even my one-yearold self was seen wearing a watch in his very first birthday photograph. Irrespective of the occasion, my wrist always had to be adorned.

Wearing a watch was a part of my dad’s essential guide to getting dressed, and that’s from where I picked up this trait.

My father used to proudly own a Rado watch. It did not appeal to me as much as it did to him, but even then I always wondered what made a Rado so special. Somewhere along the way, I had the time and means to look it up and that’s how I began to induct myself into the world of Swiss-made watches.

My fascination for them quickly grew, which meant that I started exploring the universe of fine watchmaking and expanded my horizons to the Germans and the Japanese too. When I started exploring the history of watches from the days of the pocketwatch and its subsequent evolution into wristwatches, that’s where the story and evolution of Cartier came to the forefront. I knew back then that I wanted to own a Cartier one day.

My watch collection commenced with the likes of the Oris Aquis Source of Life (my first Swiss watch), Tudor Pelagos, Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch, IWC Big Pilot, Cartier Tank, Tudor Black Bay Bronze and Rolex Explorer 36. Due to budget constraints, some of these timepieces were sacrificed along the way (not always happily) to make room for

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others so that I could have a more rounded experience as a budding collector and experience the different brands that occupy this fascinating orbit of high-end watchmaking.

But my collection seemed to be missing something important until I got my hands on a Cartier. I have to say that it did take some time to make up my mind as to which Cartier I wanted. Although there was already another piece from their collection that spoke to me, I wasn’t 100 per cent certain and so held fire.

And then in 2021, Cartier released the Tank Must SolarBeat. It appealed to me in an instant, even before I finished reading the first article on it. To me, it was an absolute winner, a truly iconic model from the house of Cartier at a size that would quite handsomely adorn my (cursed) petite wrists.

Add to that a ground-breaking movement technology and a comparatively reasonable price point for the piece, and there was little holding me back from it. A bonus was that aesthetically it was hard to tell apart from its more expensive automatic counterparts.

This was one of those pieces that truly made me restless. For months, I would incessantly call the Cartier boutique in Dubai for updates on its arrival. My brother happened to be in Moscow at the time and while I was on a video chat with him, I noticed a Cartier boutique in the background. I asked him to go into the boutique and enquire about the piece – and as sheer luck would have it, they had received one Tank Must SolarBeat. The rest, as they say, is history.

Finally, when the piece did arrive in Dubai, it was time for that magical unboxing experience. Little surprise then that I fell

absolutely in love with it – it was everything that I had hoped for, and then some. The design of the watch was beautiful, chic, elegant and pure – I could think of a dozen more adjectives without trying too hard.

The timekeeping of it was precise, as you would expect from a quartz movement, and it charges when exposed to any light and not just sunlight. In a testament to its durability, the movement should run for 16 years before it needs a battery change. It had a short version of the strap which wore as though it was made especially for my wrist. There was also a quick change strap link which made it easy to change it on the go without the requirement of any tools. The only thing I felt missing was a deployant clasp, but at this stage I felt I was starting to ask for too much. The design of the watch, in my view, is truly unisex which makes it easy to share with your counterpart and that may save you (or at least it did me!) from being scrutinised for spending yet more money to buy another watch.

And on that note, the next Cartier I have in mind is the Santos De Cartier, medium model. Nothing fancy, but one that also oozes class in my view. The smart link adjustment system and all the strap variations are what further appeal to me.

If there is a grail Cartier for me, it must be the Cartier Crash. There are several iterations of this watch, of which the mechanical Crash Skeleton in 18k rose gold tops my list.

Bearing in mind that it costs a few hundred thousand dirhams, it’s a watch I only ever dream of. For now, I’m mighty content with my Tank Must SolarBeat. It is a piece that in my view punches way above its weight.

THE MONITOR

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THE MONITOR

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WORDS & STYLING: AMY SESSIONS

WELL GROOMED The best grooming essentials to hydrate at altitude

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THE MONITOR

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Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Hydrator, 60ml Dhs207 Aesop; B3 Adaptive SuperFoods Stress SOS Eye Cream, 15ml Dhs269 Dr Dennis Gross Skincare; The Concentrate, 50ml Dhs1,803 La Mer; Anti Blemish Bio Cellulose Facial Mask 5 x 25ml Dhs372 111Skin; Leather-Trimmed Nylon Wash Bag Dhs2,860 Tom Ford; Super Anti-Aging Hand Cream, 50ml Dhs197 Dr. Barbara Sturm; Protective Lip Balm SPF30, 5.5g Dhs54 Aesop; Sub-Zero De-Puffing Eye Mask x 8 Dhs269 111Skin; Sage & Zinc Facial Hydrating Lotion SPF15, 50ml Dhs153 Aesop

THE MONITOR

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The Rule Breaker Dr Apa does things differently.

We discuss work ethic, scaling and the drive it takes to perpetually innovate

WO R D S & C R E AT I V E D I R E CT I O N : AMY SESSIONS P H OTO G R A P H Y: A H M E D ABDELWAHAB C OV E R STA R : D R M I C H A E L A PA

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“DETERMINATION DEFINES ME. I AM RELENTLESSLY COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE, AND I CONSTANTLY CHASE TRUE MEANING IN MY WORK. CREATING SOMETHING THAT LEAVES A LEGACY AND BETTERS THE NEXT GENERATION IS MORE IMPORTANT TO ME THAN MY OWN INDIVIDUAL HAPPINESS.”

What do the first 30 mins of your day look like, your morning routine? It’s all about setting routines. Whether I’m in NY, LA or Dubai, my mornings look the same – email, coffee, gym. That consistency is important because it gives me the mental space to think critically about other things. My alarm goes off at 4:45am, and I joke that I wake up in a rush. Time is my most valuable resource. I hit the gym and follow a programme my trainer put together for me.

After the gym, I grab a coffee (iced quad with oat milk and three Splenda), and head back to my room to get ready for work. I get picked-up at 8am with a fresh coffee (same order) and go straight to the office.

Have you always thought outside the box from a young age and when did your inner strength first show? I would say that from a young age, I thought differently. I never accepted “no” for an answer, or a reason why something was impossible. From kindergarten on, the teachers who knew me generally described me the same way – confident and strong spoken. I ignored limitations and was frustrated by the idea of settling.

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In college, I started to hit my stride, but I didn’t have the discipline that I have now.

I was young and the stakes were much lower, so I could be more of a wild man, without the concern of real responsibility, routine or sleep. That was the time to experiment and it’s a blessing that I was able to see and live and learn. That time shaped me into what I am now and helped me get focused.

When else have you had to be fearless in life and how did this materialise? Being fearless for me has always been a risk/reward ratio that I can map out in my head very quickly.

The risk, or my worst-case scenario, with my dental degree was always having to go back home to upstate New York and practice there. It’s a risk I’m willing to accept and that allows me to take chances without fear. Whether it was buying Larry’s practice or opening an office in another country, I’ve always been able to move forward with confidence, because what’s the worst that can happen? I go back home.

People keep putting dentistry in a box and I refuse to settle for that. Doubt is one of those things that really lights a fire under me. As soon as people doubt me, I become relentless in going after what I want and know to be possible. Apa Aesthetic is changing how the general public experiences dentistry.

What is your biggest strength to date both personally and in business? I never settle for good enough. When I achieve a goal, I push on to the next goal. I am constantly reinventing who I am and what it is that I am doing.

I’m also able to compartmentalize and get things done. I don’t let problems turn into a pile on. I tackle issues one at a time, so that I don’t lose focus on the big picture.

How do you approach living life fearlessly and where have you had to break the rules of traditional dentistry? When I’m doing dentistry, there’s no fear. I know how to design teeth and make them look right in someone’s mouth. I’m never sitting in the chair stressed. I can get stressed about other things, but not smile design. It’s my creative outlet and when I’m most at ease. For

me, that confidence translates into fearlessness and allows me to drown out the noise.

I break the rules of traditional dentistry every day. Apa Aesthetic is the anti-DSO model. Big business is killing dentistry and doing patients a disservice. I am offering something different, something special – and not just within the walls of Apa Aesthetic. I am so proud of my partnerships with CUNY SPH and NYUCD that are changing the game not only for dentistry but the larger oral care space. Real change must happen at the education level. While I do what I do best in the chair, I am using my resources to pave the way for the next generation of providers with thoughtful programming and partnerships that tackle major education gaps.

What you do is an art form – how do you balance creativity and commerce? The key for me is being able to compartmentalize. I can shuffle through many different things in my head very quickly and that helps me navigate the demands of being both a dentist and a business owner. It’s essential to have good people in place – people that are energized by the mission, inspired by their individual work and not afraid to push past comfortable. They need to believe they can make a difference and they need access to me – my time and my energy. I have great people and great systems in place, on both the clinical side and the business side.

The company’s growth has been steady and gradual, so I’ve had time to adjust and recalibrate along the way. I wasn’t running three offices, with a fourth on the way, overnight. As we continue to grow, I’m constantly reestablishing that balance and making sure it all gets done.

What has been the biggest challenge to date and how did you overcome it? There have been many challenges along the way, but nothing great comes easy. In September 2021, my New York office had a lab fire that absolutely devastated the space. At the time, I was boarding a plane from Dubai to New York. The news was shocking, and the pictures and videos were a bad combination

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of depressing and anxiety-producing. This fire was a curveball that changed me, and it wasn’t all bad. It brought a renewed feeling of strength and the deepest appreciation for my team, the dental community, and our patients. Just two days later, we were up and running at a temporary location, where we remained for 6 months. I don’t know if I will ever fully wrap my head around the sequence of events. The timing was especially crazy; we were about to begin construction on a newly acquired floor in our New York Flagship. I was so excited about the expansion and the opportunity to deliver something one-of-a-kind to patients. We still got it done, but the timeline took a hit.

What values are most important to you? Determination defines me. I am relentlessly committed to excellence, and I constantly chase true meaning in my work. Creating something that leaves a legacy and betters the next generation is more important to me than my own individual happiness.

What level of drive and resilience does it take to maintain such a fast pace for so long, while also consistently innovating and what lifestyle/mindset hacks support you to do this? I am constantly pushing. I never let off the gas because I can see what it looks like to be excellent in this industry. Habits help. Routine is important. The more you can automate certain pieces, the more you can free up time and space for innovation.

Have you had any mentors in life and if so, what knowledge did they impart? I’ve looked up to different people at different points in my life and career. Certainly, one of my most important mentors was Larry. I was probably 16, when my local dentist told me about Larry Rosenthal – the guy doing cosmetic dentistry in NYC. I knew I had to go to NYU College of Dentistry, so that I could meet him, learn from him, and convince him to hire me. He was my introduction into what’s possible and has been by my side for some major moments.

What is a kindness you’ve received or a lesson you’ve learned that you’d like to pay forward? You know what’s funny; I received

kindness in the dental chair as a patient, and, recently, it became clear to me that that’s largely why I became a dentist.

While people around me complained about going to the dentist, I loved it! I never had braces, never had a cavity. I was told how wonderful my teeth are. I thought my dentist had the best job! I am trying to give that experience and that feeling to other people.

I am trying to pay that forward.

What piece of advice would you give to your younger self? We just announced a big partnership with my alma mater NYUCD and leading up to the announcement, I looked back at my yearbook from 2002, where I gave my younger self some advice.

I wrote “make the most out of what you’ve worked so hard to obtain”. A lot of things can change in 20 years, but my principles have stayed the same. I think it goes without saying that if I went back in time, I would tell myself the very same thing.

What does being fearless mean to you and what would you advise someone wanting to make the leap themselves? Don’t place limits on your own potential. Enjoy the now and embrace the journey. There’s never going to be one great time; there are going to be cycles of ups and downs. Learn from your wins as much as you do your losses.

“DON’T PLACE LIMITS ON YOUR OWN POTENTIAL. ENJOY THE NOW AND EMBRACE THE JOURNEY. THERE’S NEVER GOING TO BE ONE GREAT TIME; THERE ARE GOING TO BE CYCLES OF UPS AND DOWNS. LEARN FROM YOUR WINS AS MUCH AS YOU DO YOUR LOSSES.”

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T H E U LT I M AT E CROWN

Rolex has long been regarded as one of the most sought-after brands for watch enthusiasts.

Here are some recent stunning new releases that reiterate why it holds a coveted position within the world of high watchmaking WORDS: VAR UN GODINHO

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WATC H E S

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WATC H E S

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ROLEX SKY-DWELLER REF 336934

The stunning mint green dial is bound to tie you up in a hypnotic fix the moment you lay your eyes on it. Beneath it is the automatic calibre 9002 that powers one of Rolex’s most complicated watches that features a dual time-zone and Saros annual calendar functions. The 42mm piece uses a proprietary white Rolesor material – a combination of white gold and Oystersteel.

Aesthetically and mechanically, there’s little to fault it.

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WATC H E S

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ROLEX GMT-MASTER II REF 126718GRNR

If you want a statement piece on your wrist that unequivocally declares you’ve arrived at a certain station in life, this is the piece to possess. The ideal watch for globe-trotters, it features a 24-hour bidirectional rotatable bezel that sits handsomely on the timepiece which features a five-piece link Jubilee bracelet too. It will always be in its element on the red carpet.

WATC H E S

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ROLEX EXPLORER 40 REF 224270

An adventure watch through and through, the Explorer has over the decades been refined with the advice and guidance of real-world explorers who traverse and conquer some of the planet’s most unforgiving terrains. This year’s iteration introduces a 40mm version of the timepiece – its biggest ever.

The stainless-steel case frames the 3-6-9 dial and houses the time-only automatic caliber 3230 movement that can keep up with explorers always seeking to push their limits.

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WATC H E S

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ROLEX YACHT-MASTER 42 REF 226627

RLX titanium, the material used in the construction of this watch, is grade 5 titanium.

That makes it a lightweight and tough timepiece, that also happens to be waterproof to 100 metres – a crucial detail when you consider the nautical positioning of the watch. Add to the mix, a robust self-winding calibre 3235 movement with a 70-hour power reserve, and what you have on your wrist is a watch that can weather storms just as effortlessly as it can clear blue skies when you have one strapped on your wrist in the middle of the ocean.

WATC H E S

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ROLEX COSMOGRAPH DAYTONA REF 126529LN

The 24 Hours of Le Mans is believed to be one of the ultimate tests of endurance and celebrated its 100th anniversary this year. To commemorate the iconic French race, Rolex released this special edition timepiece with a caliber 4132 movement that has a 24-hour chronograph measure and 72 hours of power reserve. With a reverse-panda dial, this 40mm 18k white gold model will always land at the very top of the winner’s podium.

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WATC H E S

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ROLEX PERPETUAL 1908 REF 52508

Understated elegance at its finest, this watch references the year that the Rolex trademark was registered in Switzerland.

The 39mm yellow gold watch paired with a leather strap is part of the all-new Perpetual collection released earlier this year. The Rolex manufacture 7140 movement features a Syloxi hairspring, Paraflex shock absorber and a Chronergy escapement – all in, your watch will have a precision of -2 to +2 seconds per day.

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THE ART OF TIME

Jean-Christophe Babin, the CEO of Bulgari, is taking concrete steps to ensure that not only are the brand’s offerings diversified, but that it also remains one of the world’s leading jewellers and watchmakers

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WORDS: VAR UN GODINHO

A

t the mention of the Bulgari brand, your thoughts are likely to shoot in different directions.

These might range from images of Elizabeth Taylor and Sophia Loren in vintage pieces of iconic Bulgari jewellery, to stellar watches such as the Serpenti and Octo Finissimo, to a perfume from the brand that you may have picked up at Duty Free on your last visit to an airport or even a Bulgari resort that you checked in to recently. Bulgari’s brand recognition is as global, as it is diversified. “We will be 140 years old next year and are therefore a well-established luxury brand. We are 100 per cent Italian, although our watches are made in Switzerland in order for them to be officially classified as Swiss-made. The watches are made in Switzerland, but they are developed and designed in Italy. Jewellery, however, is our core business and will always remain our core business. We also have the fashion accessories, hospitality, and fragrance divisions. Essentially, we’re five companies in one,” says Jean-Christophe Babin, the CEO of Bulgari.

Bulgari employs 6,000 people across its watches, jewellery, perfumes and fashion accessories divisions, and another 2,500 people in its hotels taking the total count to around 8,500 employees worldwide.

The brand is on the cusp of celebrating its 140th anniversary next year, and it is jewellery that has been its enduring legacy. “The major division for Bulgari is its jewellery – that division is much bigger than the others,” says Babin. “We are now recognised as a high jeweller which also makes jewellery pieces. When I came to the brand we were probably known as a jeweller making some high jewellery pieces. We’ve now reversed that perception. That has in turn allowed us to achieve a brand image that has helped to overall pull up not only the price of our jewellery, but also everything else as well.”

Its expertise in jewellery was also the starting point for what has since become a major focus for Bulgari – its watches. “For over a century now, we’ve been a watchmaker. Logically, we began with jewellery watches back in 1919. Our first watch was born out of jewellery and until today our watches are shaped by jewellery. The Serpenti is the best example. Our watches are growing double digits – we’re increasing our market share among the watches exported by Switzerland, and this is primarily thanks to Serpenti which is gaining a critical mass and entering into the top ten

“OUR FIRST WATCH WAS BORN OUT OF JEWELLERY AND UNTIL TODAY OUR WATCHES ARE SHAPED

BY JEWELLERY. THE SERPENTI IS THE BEST EXAMPLE.” WATC H E S

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ladies’ watches in the world, if not the top five,” says Babin of the Serpenti which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.

The Serpenti has over several decades evolved with many iterations that have always reflected the zeitgeist. At the Geneva Watch Days 2023 event, Bulgari released a stunning Serpenti Misteriosi in white gold that is set with more than 33 carats of diamonds, and also the Serpenti Misteriosi in rose gold with navette-cut diamonds and black lacquer. These high jewellery Serpentis are aesthetically spectacular pieces

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to behold, but they’re made all the more impressive when you consider that they are fitted with the Piccolissimo BVL 100 mechanical movement. Piccolissimo, translated from Italian as ‘extra small’, is a movement that debuted last year and shows just how mature Bulgari is as a watchmaker. At 12.3mm wide and 2.5mm thick, it holds the title for being the tiniest movement created in the 21st century (Jaeger-LeCoultre’s 101 Calibre launched in 1929 remains the world’s smallest mechanical calibre though).

Bulgari’s penchant for pushing hard against the pre-defined limits of watchmaking is also evident in the Octo Finissimo collection that has smashed through several world records over the last decade.

The Octo Finissimo Tourbillon from 2014 featured the thinnest movement with a flying tourbillon, the Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater was the world’s thinnest minute repeater in production when it broke cover in 2016, while the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Ultra-Thin Automatique from 2017 held the record for the world’s thinnest automatic movement with its BVL 138 calibre.

bongold Perpetual Calendar – both of which feature 40mm carbon cases, with a rose gold crown, hands and indices. The Carbongold Perpetual Calendar features the BVL 305 that we saw in the record-breaking perpetual calendar watch from Bulgari in 2021.

BULGARI AT THE FOREFRONT Beyond its core of jewellery and watches, Bulgari has smartly diversified into the hospitality industry. It currently has nine operational properties around the world in locations including London, Rome, Shanghai and Dubai, with three more in the pipeline including Miami Beach and Ranfushi, both of which will open in 2025, and Los Angeles which will open the following year. As Babin sees it, the hospitality division could be a feeder to grow the other divisions of the Bulgari empire. “Our hospitality division brings to our brand wealthy clients who pay anywhere between €3,000-€50,000 per night for a suite, and these are the same people who are also perhaps interested in buying high jewellery pieces and watches.

“FOR BULGARI, THE DREAM IS TO ACQUIRE CREATIVE EXPRESSIONS OF EACH DECADE WHEN IT COMES TO OUR JEWELLERY. ONE HUNDRED PER CENT OF WHAT WE BUY AT AUCTIONS IS NOT FOR RESALE. IT’S FOR EXHIBITING SO THAT CLIENTS CAN SEE THE PIECES OF THE PAST AND BETTER UNDERSTAND THE EVOLUTION OF THE BRAND AND WHERE WE ARE TODAY.” The Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Automatic from 2018 secured three world records including the thinnest automatic watch, the thinnest automatic tourbillon, and the thinnest tourbillon thanks to its BVL 288 calibre. By 2019, Bulgari showcased the Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT Automatic which became the thinnest automatic chronograph ever. The pandemic didn’t slow down Bulgari’s watchmaking dominance as it unveiled the Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Chronograph Skeleton Automatic which Bulgari said at the time was the flattest tourbillon chronograph wristwatch ever produced. The Octo Finissimo Perpetual Calendar from 2021 was crowned as the world’s thinnest perpetual calendar at 5.80mm thick, and last year the Octo Finissimo Ultra went on to become the world’s thinnest watch at just 1.80mm.

While not breaking any records, though as much attention-grabbing as any of the pieces from the previous years, Bulgari recently introduced two new stunning Octo Finissimo pieces this year – the Octo Finissimo Carbongold Automatic and Octo Finissimo Car-

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It’s not easy for a luxury brand to find new clients every year. People don’t go and buy a watch or a piece of jewellery as often as they would a handbag. Fashion accessories, by definition, adhere to a trend and people love to follow current trends so it’s not unusual for a lady to buy four handbags in a year.

But with watches and jewellery, the demand for them is less because it’s more of a timeless object that never goes out of fashion.”

Bulgari’s association with key countries in the GCC, specifically the UAE, runs deep.

In 2017, a Bulgari resort opened on a manmade island in Dubai. Two of its restaurants are currently Michelin-starred entities – Il Ristorante-Niko Romito has two Stars and has one Star. In the UAE, Bulgari has its own boutiques in Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates in Dubai as well as in The Galleria in Abu Dhabi. “Just before the start of the pandemic, we collaborated with Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan from Abu Dhabi for the Jannah jewellery collection which is a testimony to the respect we have for the Arab world and the Arab culture. We’ve also

collaborated with local artists for Art Dubai.

During the Expo 2020 in Dubai, we were one of the main partners of the Italian pavilion and also took part in the catering of that pavilion [with Il Ristorante – Niko Romito of Bulgari Resort Dubai],” notes Babin.

Another long-standing collaboration has been between Bulgari and Emirates. In August, the airline revealed its updated Bulgari amenity kits for first and business class passengers. A total of eight collectable bags were introduced in the new collection, with colours ranging from a silver with lilac vegan leather pouch to a tan and black fabric toiletry bag. “It’s been around 15 years since we’ve been partnering with Emirates in the UAE. We are the only luxury amenities supplier of Emirates which is a great honour for us. You can imagine other brands would love to have such a chance, but against all odds, we’ve managed to deserve the ability to remain with Emirates and find creative solutions for their amenity kits. It’s a collaboration that we’re very proud of,” says Babin.

Babin adds that beyond the UAE, Bulgari also has subsidiaries in all the GCC markets. The youngest one, he says, is in Saudi Arabia where Bulgari started a direct subsidiary two years ago. “We have two stores in Saudi right now and a third will open soon. By 2024, we will have five stores in Saudi Arabia which I think is the right number for it. As projects such as NEOM and The Red Sea develop, that number will go up.” He adds that Bulgari’s subsidiary in Qatar meanwhile is much older and was started ten years ago. “In Qatar, we are one of the leading jewellery brands in that market. We are at Place Vendome, which is the talk of the town there. The proportion of consumption among tourists in Qatar is less than that of the UAE. Qatar is more of a domestic market,” observes Babin.

As Bulgari capitalises on its centuriesold legacy, Babin says that the brand will be active at auctions and secure pieces that allow it to better explain its history. “For Bulgari, the dream is to acquire creative expressions of each decade when it comes to our jewellery. One hundred per cent of what we buy at auctions is not for resale.

It’s for exhibiting so that clients can see the pieces of the past and better understand the evolution of the brand and where we are today. We closely cooperate with the likes of Christie’s, Sotheby’s, Bacs and Russo, etc.

Before proposing [our] masterpieces at an auction, they often want Bulgari to certify it. We’ve digitalised all our archives so that we can quickly retrieve information about a specific piece,” says Babin.

The 21st-century brand ‘Bulgari’ is in many ways as coveted as the 19th-century version of it – and the same can only be said for a handful of global luxury brands.

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Below: Koola Shell Bucket Hat Dhs229 Arket; Logo-Appliquéd Terry Polo Shirt Dhs520 Fear of God Essentials; StraightLeg Linen Drawstring Bermuda Shorts Dhs2,646 Loro Piana; Full-Grain Leather Sandals Dhs2,129 Brunello Cucinelli

THE WARM ESCAPE

The essentials you need for warmer climes this FW23

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IMAGES: COURTESY OF AMAN.COM AND SUPPLIED

WORDS & STYLING: AMY SESSIONS

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Left from top: Trancoso Wooden Beach Bat and Ball Set Dhs1,006 Frescobol Carioca; Steven Cotton-Jersey T-Shirt Dhs2,457 The Row; Seagull Straight-Leg Shell Drawstring Trousers Dhs842 WTAPS®

Right from top: Aviator-Style Gold-Tone Sunglasses Dhs1,621 CELINE HOMME; Slim-Fit Mid-Length Logo-Print Swim Shorts Dhs1,843 Rhude

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Below: Ribbed Knit Hat Dhs99 Zara; Logo-Print Colour-Block Padded Hooded Down Ski Jacket Dhs7,047 Bogner; Logo-Appliquéd Leather-Trimmed Ski Gloves Dhs2,806 Moncler Grenoble

THE COLD ESCAPE

The essentials you need for cooler climes this FW23

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IMAGES: COURTESY OF AMAN.COM AND SUPPLIED

WORDS & STYLING: AMY SESSIONS

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Left from top: Shearling-Lined Nappa Leather Trucker Jacket Dhs4,212 Mr P.; Fair Isle Cashmere Rollneck Sweater Dhs14,551 Brunello Cucinelli; + 007 Nori Straight-Leg Belted LogoPrint Ski Pants Dhs3,305 Bogner

Right from top: Aviator-Style Tortoiseshell Acetate Sunglasses Dhs1,143 Tom Ford Eyewear; Fair Isle Wool Sweater Dhs3,867 CELINE HOMME; Roccia Vet Full-Grain Leather Hiking Boots Dhs1,453 Diemme

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THE EDIT

Katla Belted DoubleBreasted Wool and Cashmere-Blend Coat Dhs2,447 A Kind of Guise

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Shearling Jacket Dhs18,674 Burberry

Virgin Wool and CashmereBlend Coat Dhs4,491 MR P exclusively available at MR PORTER

Wool Blend Coat Dhs699 Zara

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Coats to keep out the cold, so you can stay chill

THIS PAGE: KITON, MR P.; OPPOSITE: A KIND OF GUISE, BURBERRY

WORDS & STYLING: AMY SESSIONS

Shearling-Lined Nappa Leather Trucker Jacket Dhs4,266 MR P exclusively available at MR PORTER

Double-Breasted Cashmere Coat Dhs33,314 Brioni

Shearling Bomber Jacket Dhs51,198 Kiton

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Textured Double-Breasted Coat Dhs949 Zara

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QUALITY WORDS: AMY SESSIONS

OVER

QUANTITY We discuss quality, heritage and innovation with Edoardo Zegna, Chief Marketing Digital and Sustainability Officer of ZEGNA

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ZEGNA FW23 TRIPLE STITCH™ COLLECTION

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When did you decide to join the family business and how have you adapted your skillset to the business? I belong to the fourth generation of the Zegna family. I entered the family business in 2014 as Head of Omnichannel and today I hold the role of Chief Marketing Digital and Sustainability Officer. With my cousins, we are the lucky beneficiaries of what the generations before left us, and our goal is to be able to respect the legacy created and carry it to the next generation. Every generation has one ambition, to increase brand value.

Can you expand on how Zegna carefully combines the heritage of the brand with innovation? Our made to measure service is probably the best example of how our heritage has

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blended with innovation. Our entire collection, from tailoring to leisurewear, to shoes and accessories can be made to measure.

We are able to deliver a suit in less than four weeks worldwide, a shoe in six weeks. Made to measure to date represents 10% of our revenue and is the pride of our service, blending the craft and heritage with the speed and innovation of a manufacturing platform that enables us to run such a machine.

ZEGNA X configurator is the next step, a tool powered by technology to bridge the gap between physical stores and digital channels ensuring that any customer can build on a screen a made to measure look.

With ZEGNA X configurator, we are able to create 49 billion potential combinations of

clothes and styles that can be custom made and delivered worldwide in less than four weeks. Currently we offer only the luxury leisurewear collection, but in mid 2024 we will release the full collection including tailoring allowing endless combinations.

How does the brand speak to both its loyal clients and the next generation? In the past couple of years, the brand’s customer base has grown broader, collections have been readapted and the progression of tailoring into luxury leisurewear has reflected the current times and the needs of the modern man. Our iconic Triple Stitch luxury shoe is part of this new style narrative and it’s the centerpiece of our luxury leisurewear wardrobe. This luxury shoe is regularly seen on the next generation of leaders, and it has become a global success for us, it’s a best-selling product and it has really allowed us to attract a wider and younger clientele. One to one relationships and exclusive experiences are essential to create a trusted conversation.

What is the key to client retention in the luxury market? The secret is to focus our attention on being in and understating our customer’s life. In the first quarter of 2023, the one-toone outreach accounted for more than 45% of ZEGNA global revenues. This service has and will continue to empower our style advisors to serve our customers on a one-on-one basis. We are not interested in transactions, we are interested in interactions. We are not interested in events, we are interested in experiences. To succeed with the luxury customers we target, we need to offer them the most customized experience possible; anticipate their needs and provide them with the best made-to-measure solutions.

How do you harness technology as a brand to elevate the customer journey? Technology will never replace the human touch.

Technology is a luxury if it makes your life easier. You need a combination of science and art; and as ZEGNA we are master of the art. We are constantly providing and nurturing that human aspect indispensable in the relationship with clients. And this is the case of ZEGNA X. With the power of Microsoft AI technology, we will be able to lead to groundbreaking innovations in luxury service. Using predictive AI to help the style associates to be able to create one to one personalized recommendation to our customers based on their purchase history and travel patterns. The collaboration with Microsoft will continue into a joint steering committee to combine the related expertise to shape the current and future technological innovation and to deliver new solutions and services that aim to become new future industry standards. Through this technology we are entering a new digital era, rewriting the luxury customer experience.

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How important are nurturing 1:1 relationships with clients and where do you most feel this value as a brand? There is a huge difference between retail and clienteling. Retail is about transacting, clienteling has the goal of focusing on how we can make our customers feel. While retail is more related to sales, clienteling focuses on the client journey, on how to make him feel special. At the highest level of luxury, customers are looking for more than just a product to purchase, they want to be part of a lifestyle. One to one relationship with our customers are crucial for us, that’s why we developed the ZEGNA X, used not only to stay in contact with our clients, sharing new products and personalized styling recommendations, but also to be informed on their special occasions, strengthening the physical relationship with every client. With the launch of the ZEGNA X we have added even more quality, this is the highest level of one to one service.

Integrity is key in building lasting relation-

ships, which other pillars does the brand consider its DNA? Zegna was born in Oasi Zegna, the home of our values, a natural territory of 100km2 surrounding the ZEGNA Wool Mill, in the Italian Alps, that my great grandfather started in the 1900s.

For Zegna sustainability is not a trend, it is part of who we are. The founder realized that the quality he sought in his products couldn’t be separated from a positive relationship with nature and people. For him the beauty of the natural environment and people’s well-being were indispensable for a company aspiring to long-term success. Yet his vision went beyond

industry, dedicating himself to the local environment and landscape and daring to launch an extensive reforestation project called Oasi Zegna. This project is still today one of our great commitments that we carry on with passion and sense of immense responsibility.

This is our legacy.

Do you have to adapt different approaches globally to relationship building and what have you found is key for the Middle Eastern client specifically? As I said before modern marketing is about being able to be in customer’s lives. Adapting different approaches to relationship building is crucial when working with clients globally. Each region has its own unique business, culture, tradition, and communication styles.

One prefers more private rooms settings and wants to spend three hours in the store, the other is a global world traveller and lives in Dubai but shops in London and has five min to spare and we need to be able to adapt to the customer’s need.

ZEGNA FW23 OASI CASHMERE COLLECTION

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“WE ARE NOT INTERESTED IN TRANSACTIONS; WE ARE INTERESTED IN INTERACTIONS.” – EDOARDO ZEGNA

BOTH PAGES: ZEGNA FW23 OASI CASHMERE COLLECTION

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Sleek Contrasts

Considered and crafted, the COS Atelier FW23 collection delivers a balance of cool contrasts with a shot of modernity – for every hour of the day

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WORDS: CAMILLE MACAWILI

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FAS H I O N

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ALL AVAILABLE AT COS EM_1123_P48-53_Lookbook COS.indd 52

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THE REBEL

Tom Ford delivers style that breaks the rules for FW23

WORDS: AMY SESSIONS

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ALL AVAILABLE AT TOM FORD

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We discuss looking sharp for the festive season with founders of Suited&Booted Ryan Smith and Calvin Smith

WORDS: AMY SESSIONS

“TO COMPLETE THE LOOK, CAREFULLY CHOSEN TUXEDO ACCESSORIES PLAY A VITAL ROLE — INCLUDING THE BOW-TIE, POCKET SQUARE, CUFFLINKS AND SHOES.” 60 emiratesman.ae

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What are the details we should be looking at when creating a bespoke suit? CS: There are many important details to consider when creating bespoke pieces. These include the fabric choice – choosing a high quality cloth greatly impacts the final look and finish of your suit. Additionally, styling details and a well executed cut are critical elements which define a suit’s overall appearance.

Which fabrics would you advise for festive season? RS: Dark fabrics are a classic choice for black tie dress codes. A luxurious fabric such as velvet also lends perfectly to formal occasions and evening events.

For those seeking to make a bolder statement, colours such as a deep burgundy or rich emerald green for a tuxedo jacket offer a unique twist on tradition.

What details can make a bespoke piece really stand out? RS: When creating bespoke pieces, we like to pay attention to custom details such as monogramming, lining choice, button options, and hand-stitched finishings – all of which add a unique flair to your suit. To complete the look, carefully chosen tuxedo accessories play a vital role – including the bow-tie, pocket square, cufflinks and shoes.

For a lifetime investment classic black tie attire – what lapel options would you suggest?

CS: The wider peak lapel is our personal favourite option for tuxedos, providing a bold and sharp aesthetic. Equally classic, a shawl collar gives a softer finish.

When it comes to shoes are there any rules on what to combine with a suit/black tie? RS: We would always advise pairing a tuxedo with a high shine, patent leather shoe – the polished texture compliments the formal character of a tuxedo and introduces a refined element to the overall look.

How long is the leadtime on a bespoke suit?

CS: At Suited & Booted, we proudly produce all bespoke garments in-house here in Dubai, which allows us to provide a 2-3 week turnaround time.

How should suits be kept when they are not being worn to ensure they last? RS: Proper aftercare is crucial to increase longevity and protect the condition of bespoke pieces. We recommend hanging suits on quality hangers, and storing in protective suit bags – this will protect the investment you’ve made in your bespoke suit, ensuring it remains in an impeccable condition and ready to be worn for any special occasion. @suitedbooteddubai

IMAGES: SUPPLIED

Gentlemanly Attire

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WORDS: AMY SESSIONS

CRAFTSMANSHIP & COOL

JIMMY CHOO COMBINES LEGACY, TRADITION AND MODERNITY FOR THEIR LONG AWAITED MEN’S COLLECTION FOR FW23

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DEFINING

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WORDS: AMY SESSIONS

QUALITY Functional details and high-quality materials define FW23 at Tod’s

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ALL AVAILABLE AT TOD’S

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01. Miraceti Eau de Parfum, 50ml Dhs750 Aesop; 02. Myrrhe Mystère Eau de Parfum, 50ml Dhs1,429 Tom Ford available at Bloomingdale’s; 03.

Smoking Hot Eau de Parfum, 50ml Dhs1,020 Kilian Paris; 04. Myself Eau de Parfum, 60ml Dhs375 YSL Beauty available at Ounass;

C O M P I L E D BY: CA M I L L E M ACAW I L I

02 04

06

01

03 07

05

DEEP NOTES

05. Rouge Chaotique Eau de Parfum, 50ml Dhs1,344 Byredo; 06.

Velvet Exotic Leather Eau de Parfum, 100ml Dhs1,195 Dolce & Gabbana Beauty available at Ounass; 07. Althaïr Eau de Parfum, 125ml Dhs1,300 Parfums de Marly

A heady mix of powerful scents for FW23

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GROOMING

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GROOMING

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A Fearless Approach

Advisory Board which has propelled and accelerated all our development and growth plans.

What is CBD (cannabidiol)? Tell us more about what it does, its benefits, and potential side effects. CBD or Cannabidiol is one of the 110+ phytocannabinoids found in the cannabis strain – more precisely the hemp plant. Cannabidiol is not psychoactive, i.e., will not give you a high. More importantly, CBD has very strong medical and therapeutic properties that are increasingly recognized, endorsed, and adopted by the medical world. For example, as a topical application, Cannabidiol has proven to have very strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potency. Think skin inflammation, eczema, acne, redness, breakouts, and signs of ageing. At Juana, we have been amongst the first globally to conduct clinical studies in Germany and France with the world’s best dermatological and clinical research institutes to demonstrate its antiinflammatory power. For example, we were able to show a 7090% reduction in inflammation related to Atopic Dermatitis – on par with prescribed medications with stronger/harsher side effects – yet, using clean and natural formulations.

How challenging has it been to launch a product like this and how big is the education piece around products such as this?

It has definitely been very challenging. Ensuring the development of a potent and clinically effective formulation, navigating the regulatory landscape, managing a global supply chain and the consumers’ education were all key challenges.The education piece is vital. It is a new wellness and medical innovation. Education starts at ground zero here often. Having said that, I have observed significant enthusiasm and curiosity around it. As a matter of fact, CBD is amongst one of the fastest-rising search queries globally.

People are increasingly looking for wellness alternatives that are clinically effective, proven and clean/natural – this is our value proposition. Juana is a pioneer in this space.

As such, beyond our brand and company build-up, we also fully assume our responsibility to educate and disseminate knowledge around it. For example, we closely work with specialized doctors and clinics to create educational content. We have had strong media and social media support to amplify our communications. To support the education efforts, we have strived to make it as easy as possible for consumers to learn about our range and quality. For three years, we have been working relentlessly to certify and back all our claims through world-class verification programmes: clinical claims through clinical studies in Germany and France, ultra-clean verification through the US-based EWG programme, and the Shari’ah compliance certification.

Where is your production based and how challenging was it to ethically source the finest materials and achieve the right formulation that meets the local regulatory requirements? All our production and sourcing are made through verified and registered suppliers and growers in the European Union.

Juana Skin is the first skincare brand in the region to bring CBD into the market. Co-founder Yann Moujawaz Martini shares what it takes to build a brand from scratch, believe in your dream and push the boundaries of convention in the beauty industry

WORDS: CAMILLE MACAWILI

What do the first 30 minutes of your day look like, your morning routine? I typically wake up to pray the morning prayer.

After I pray, it is still very quiet and peaceful so conducive for quality deep thinking and reflection. How you condition your thinking and mind in the very first minutes of the day often determines how the rest of your day will be. It is very important to start off the day right with high energy and positivity.

After that, it is always the same ritual: Double espresso.

After my recent stay at Lanserhof in Sylt, Germany, I am increasingly fond of the revisited version of bulletproof coffee in the morning: coffee, almond powder, and MCT oil for five hours of pure and clean energy. Then 2-3 dates, a great source of energy and alkaline-rich followed by my curated set of vitamins and probiotics. After that, I typically scan quickly through emails, WhatsApps, etc. If there is anything urgent, I attend to it straight away. Otherwise, I prefer to dedicate morning time to deep work like analytical assessment, performance review, pitch preparation, investors update, creative and branding work. This is the time when I am most focused and productive so best to dedicate it to deep work rather than being scattered and distracted on other tasks.

Tell us about how Juana Skin has developed since its launch?

It has been absolutely fantastic and fascinating to see Juana developing and growing fast here in the Middle East and globally. Adoption and endorsement from the very best health, wellness and aesthetics clinics and doctors globally such as Lanserhof in Germany and UK is an achievement I am very proud of as it reflects the strong clinical foundations and world-class standards we had set for ourselves.

We are on double-digit growth month-on-month with very strong growth and expansion plans ahead of us.

In the last year, Juana has also received the backing and endorsement of world class advisors and experts within our

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“BEING FEARLESS IS TO HAVE THE COURAGE TO FIRST ACKNOWLEDGE CERTAIN FEARS YOU MIGHT HAVE AND THEN HAVE EVEN MORE COURAGE AND BELIEF TO CONVERT THEM INTO AN ACTION AND GROWTH DEVELOPMENT PLAN.” GROOMING

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IMAGE: SUPPLIED

What were the biggest learnings that came with building the brand and what did this teach you? Overnight success is underpinned by a lifetime of work. When building a brand, you really need to have patience and strong belief. Brand awareness and education do take time and one has to be willing to be patient and continue investing throughout. Really boils down to how strongly you believe in what you are doing. Be clear and firm on the goal, be flexible on the path you take to get there. Having a vision and a plan is key. Yet, be flexible and have the ability to quickly adapt to changing conditions, opportunities and circumstances. Surround yourself and work with the absolute best minds and talent in each category. Invest in these relationships and partnerships.

The wrong mindset is to look at the dollar cost amount, the right mindset is to look at the dollar value amount. Have the vision to factor in the whole value when you make investment decisions. As CEO, my role has been focused on sourcing and providing access to the best talent, advisors, experts, and knowledge for my team in order to stick to the highest standards in everything we do.

CBD products are often marketed with unproven claims and quality. What is Juana Skin’s strategy to counter this? Beyond investing heavily in the quality of our formulations and supply chain, Juana’s strategy has been focused on backing all our claims and quality standards through research and thorough standards verification programmes. Specifically: • The efficacy of our formulations (e.g., anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potency) is backed by third-party independent dermatological clinical institutes in Germany and France. We established the clinical foundations of our range through scientific and clinical proof.

• Juana is the first European cannabidiol brand and the first personal care in the Middle East ever to be EWG-verified globally. EWG is a gold standard when it comes to true clean beauty. The EWG committee is composed of doctors, chemists, and toxicologists who thoroughly dissect and analyse all your products – from the ingredients sourcing to your manufacturing processes. The EWG stamp today stands for the highest level of products’ cleanliness and safety.

The stamp helps consumers to easily distinguish true clean products from the crowd and has been getting increasing support from the world’s top influencers and KOLs such as the Kardashians, Miranda Kerr, Michelle Pfeiffer, Gwyneth Paltrow, and the likes. Lastly, our laser-focused alignment and endorsement with the medical and clinical world is very important. Working in partnerships with the world’s most renowned doctors and clinics (e.g., Lanserhof) is a clear statement of the quality and claims we have.

Which products drive sales consistently? The face oil, the face creams and the body butter definitely. They are our star products for our end clients and doctors’ community. For our clients, they are used as an at-home skincare regimen to enhance and optimise the health of your skin. Clinics and doctors have experienced incredible results by integrating them into derma-aesthetics treatments (e.g., laser therapies, peelings, micro-needling, etc). The anti-inflammatory property helps reduce inflammation and swelling of such treatments and as a result, reduces downtime for patients.

Another product that is also very popular with the sports and active community is the cooling gel which reduces pain and stiffness. It is also popular with plastic surgeons for bruising post-operative procedures.

How do you scale without compromising on quality? Through thorough and diligent work when establishing your supply

chain. Also, by making sure you stay focused on your core goals.

This means sometimes being able to decline opportunities coming your way because they could spread you thin or scatter your resources and focus and could ultimately impact your quality and brand value. For example, Juana has received various distribution opportunities globally, some of them significantly sizeable. Yet, if these do not align with our end goal fully and could disrupt our focus, we would not prioritise them as of now in order to never compromise on quality and brand value.

The brand is client-centric – how important is the brand’s relationship with clients and do you believe in customer loyalty in this industry? Obviously, this is key. Ultimately a brand or product needs to solve a real challenge and problem for people, else this will not work. For us, the demand we are focused on is the need to have wellness-driven solutions that are clinically proven and efficacious and yet clean, safe, and free of side-effects you can have in using medications.

Building loyalty is very important. Juana has seen 70-80%+ repeat customers overall. We nurture these relationships.

Do you listen to feedback from your clients in terms of what they would like as products? All the time. From our end users and doctors/clinics community alike. We spend considerable time collecting feedback and integrating it into our development plans to constantly provide superior standards products.

What is next for the brand? A lot is in the pipeline. We have expanded in Europe and in the region and we will be focused on accelerating that. Our rate of adoption especially in clinics is growing fast. We also have really cool development on the branding and PR side. It has also been one of the major works we have been focused on and super excited to reveal it soon.

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Festive Fitness

Co-founder James Miller of Embody Fitness shares his top tips on how to stay lean over the festive seasons What are your top tips on staying fit and healthy over the festive season? Firstly, Balance is Key, it’s important to enjoy the festive treats but in moderation. Incorporate small portions and avoid going for seconds. A little indulgence is absolutely fine when you are mindful about your choices.

Secondly, stay active to ensure you engage in some form of physical activity every day,

even if it’s just a 20-minute walk. Considering my love for cycling and triathlons, even a casual bike ride or a brisk walk could do wonders. Thirdly, hydrate amidst the festivities, remember to stay hydrated. Drinking water can not only keep you refreshed but also aids in digestion and can prevent overeating. Fourthly, plan ahead if you’re heading to a party, try to have a small healthy

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meal beforehand, so you’re not tempted to overindulge due to hunger and lastly, rest well amidst all the celebrations, don’t forget the importance of a good night’s sleep to recover and rejuvenate your body and mind.

What key exercises can be practised remotely when travelling? Holidays should be rejuvenating but maintaining a fitness routine is pivotal. My personal go-to during vacations is a full-body strength workout, given it’s the most efficient. Bodyweight at-home circuit, for instance, includes a split squat which is great for the quads and glutes, single leg hip thrusts to target the hamstrings and glutes, push-ups which is a classic for chest and triceps, pull-ups and inverted rows (using a TRX if available) that works both the back and biceps and planks which is excellent for core stability.

Intensity training can be crucial in maintaining fitness levels — can you expand on why this is important? Intensity training, such as High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), is paramount for maintaining and elevating fitness levels, particularly when time is constrained. It involves short bursts of intense exercise followed by brief rest periods. Not only does it improve cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and endurance, but it also enhances metabolic rate, encouraging calorie burn even post-workout. For our clients undergoing transformation journeys, this method can significantly amplify their progress by efficiently utilising both aerobic and anaerobic energy systems, catering to both their fat loss and muscle gain objectives.

How important is the right nutrition plan in achieving fitness goals? Nutrition is the bedrock of any fitness journey. One analogy I like is to think of your body as a high-performance vehicle; it needs the right fuel to function optimally. A comprehensive nutrition plan provides the necessary macronutrients and micronutrients to fuel workouts, recover post-exercise, and nourish the body to build muscle and burn fat effectively.

Especially for our body transformation clients, a meticulously curated nutrition plan, adhering to their individualised needs and goals, forms a pivotal component in shaping their success stories.

What are some of those most common fitness mistakes made during festive season?

During the festive season, common fitness pitfalls often stem from a juxtaposition of overindulgence and inconsistent exercise regimens. One prevalent mistake is surrendering to an all-or-nothing mindset, where the festive cheer becomes a carte blanche for unchecked indulgence, promising a return to discipline ‘come New Year’. This can be counteracted by fostering a mindset of balance and moderation. Indulge in the seasonal delicacies, but practise por-

IMAGES: SUPPLIED

WORDS: SARAH JOSEPH

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tion control and ensure your plate also has ample nutritional value. Another common error is sidelining physical activity entirely, viewing it as an incongruent element within the festive script. To navigate this, weave activity into the holiday narrative by making it a communal, fun, and celebratory activity – perhaps a family walk, a playful game of football, or a dance session to your favourite festive tunes. A third mistake pertains to neglecting rest and recovery amidst the festivities. Ensure you’re gifting yourself the gift of restful sleep and moments of tranquility amidst the bustle, thus safeguarding both physical and mental wellbeing during the season.

Embody Fitness has a Recovery Suite – how does recovery optimise the results of training? The incorporation of recovery protocols, such as those offered by Embody Fitness’s healing suite, plays a pivotal role in holistic fitness maintenance and progression. Ice baths, known for their efficacy in reducing muscle soreness and accelerating recovery, enable individuals to mitigate the impacts of intensive training sessions and thereby maintain consistency in their fitness regimen. The cold exposure helps to

constrict blood vessels and decrease metabolic activity, which reduces swelling and tissue breakdown. Conversely, infrared saunas enhance recovery through a different mechanism, utilising infrared light waves to penetrate the skin and elevate body temperature. This not only aids in relaxing muscles and alleviating joint pain but also promotes an increase in blood circulation, which can expedite the healing of injuries and amplify the body’s detoxification process. Furthermore, these modalities can also serve as an avenue for mental relaxation and stress reduction, thereby fostering a comprehensive approach to wellbeing and fitness.

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What is the best way to burn additional calorie intake if you have indulged? Overindulgence happens, and it’s essential to approach it without guilt and get back on track promptly. Engage in activities that you enjoy – for someone like me who is an enthusiast of triathlons and cycling, an extended bike ride or an energising swim could be a fabulous way to burn those extra calories while indulging in the activities you adore. Additionally, incorporating a few high-intensity workouts can elevate your metabolic rate, assisting in burning those additional calories more effectively.

A blend of enjoyable and high-intensity activities can craft the perfect strategy to navigate through the repercussions of festive indulgences. The key is to enjoy the festive season, stay active, and hop back onto the wellness wagon without dwelling on the indulgences. Balance, after all, is at the heart of a sustainable healthy lifestyle!

This is The Winter Escape Issue – where are you travelling to this season? We will most likely spend time in the Swiss Alps this winter and enjoy some skiiing and walking with the family. I love the Alps and how naturally beautiful and healthy the environment is.

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WORDS:CAMILLE MACAWILI

THE GREAT ESCAPE Assouline allows you to travel to iconic destinations without leaving your home with its latest titles

The southern half of Manhattan unfolds like a set of building blocks when viewed from the top of One Vanderbilt. Photography by Oliver Pilcher

Below: (left) Building facade in New York City.

Photography by Oliver Pilcher; (right) The Lotus Esprit returned, along with Moore, in For Your Eyes Only – this time equipped to carry skis to the winter resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, historically popular with Europe’s aristocracy. Photography by Keith Hamshere; FOR YOUR EYES ONLY © 1981 Danjaq, LLC and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. All Rights Reserved

JAMES BOND DESTINATIONS

BY DANIEL PEMBREY In James Bond Destinations, journalist Daniel Pembrey takes readers to over a hundred real-life locations of the globetrotting secret agent 007. From London to Jamaica and beyond, re-discover the thrill and explore the iconic places and unforgettable scenes like Daniel Craig’s high-speed car chase in Rome and Roger Moore’s showdown on a Sugarloaf cable car in Rio. Dhs480 Assouline

NEW YORK CHIC

BY OLIVER PILCHER This 300-page coffee table delivers a more illustrious and intimate view of New York City seen through the lens of photographer Oliver Pilcher. New York Chic features icons, emerging creatives and spaces that are uniquely New York. Dhs420 Assouline

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Above: La Datcha yacht is equipped with a three-person Triton submersible. Photography by La Datcha; Below: Preparing the intimate dining terrace above the sea at Taormina’s Grand Hotel San Pietro.

Photography by Stefano Scata

OCEAN WANDERLUST

BY KEVIN KOENIG Dive into the world of submarines, mythology, exotic marine species, and oceaninspired fashion with Ocean Wanderlust.

In this underwater exploration, witness an abstract interpretation and scientific aspects of the deep blue, harnessed through the eyes of legendary creatives such as writer Jules Verne and visionary filmmaker James Cameron. Dhs420 Assouline

DOLCE VITA

BY CESARE CUNACCIA

and charm inspired by Federico Fellini’s iconic 1960 film captured by renowned photographers Ferdinando Scianna and Bruno Barbey. Dhs420 Assouline

JAMAICA VIBES BY LISA LOVATT-SMITH In Jamaica Vibes, a new addition to Assouline’s famed Travel Series, travellers can get a feel of its mesmerising power as you take on a visual tour of the vibrant culture and iconic landmarks that have shaped and influenced the globe. Dhs420 Assouline

The Dolce Vita takes you on a journey through Italy via a curated collection of images. Immerse yourself in an authentic Italian lifestyle – a blend of beauty, style,

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Another Level

We discuss Transcendental Meditation and its ability to elevate mind, body and spirit with Dr Maha Ema, Director of Transcendental Meditation, UAE outcomes. They can simply relax into it and enjoy it! The second indicator comes in the spontaneous growth of benefits across a wide spectrum of markers in cognitive development, mental health and in physical and emotional wellness.

Will you feel sleepy afterwards? TM wakes up the mind and body, giving much greater energy and momentum. By providing deep rejuvenating rest, TM recharges depleted reserves, resulting in greater mental and physical resources at our disposal so that we can achieve our goals with less effort.

How does this differ from other meditation practises? There are so many meditation practises out there and as a result, many people who come to learn TM have already tried another form of meditation. A very common remark of new TM-meditators is just how much simpler and fulfilling TM is to practise compared to other practised techniques. The reasons generally given are the absence of focus, concentration, and outcome-emphasis in TM. Why is it important to be guided by a certified Transcendental Meditation teacher and how long is the course of instruction?

When someone learns TM, they are learning a valuable lifeskill. Everyone owes it to themselves to learn from a properly qualified, accredited teacher, as this guarantees you’ll benefit from correct training from an expert and the advantage of a lifetime’s worth of support across more than 100 countries worldwide. The instruction course in TM requires four consecutive days of attendance of roughly 90 minutes per session.

You’re given your own sound for life to use during this practice. What happens if someone forgets this? Any aspect of the training course can be refreshed at the meditator’s request. This is part of our follow-up programme and serves as our professional commitment to everyone we teach.

What changes have you personally felt since including this practice into your daily habits? The greatest changes have been the feeling that anything is achievable. TM has been pivotal in resourcing my mind and body to go after the things I really want in life and know that they are always within my reach.

What should we do if we break our routine? It is a very simple restart at your convenience. If you need help with this, we will support you fully to reinstate your practise and check its efficacy so that you are sure that you are practising TM correctly and getting results.

Is there a certain time of day we should or should not be practising? TM is very flexible in that you can practise your twice-daily sessions at any time of the day. Ideally though, the first session is best done in the early morning before starting activities to create maximum boost and momentum, and the second session is best done towards the end of the day’s activities ­– late afternoon or early evening – to dissolve any accumulated fatigue and stress from the day’s activities and help you sleep better.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to try this?

Start now and make sure you’re working with an accredited TM teacher wherever you are globally. www.tm.org

IMAGE: GETTY IMAGES

WORDS: AMY SESSIONS

What does the first 30 minutes of your day look like, your morning routine? After your first TM session of the day, you’ll feel enthused and energised and actively looking forward to a super-productive day. There is a real joy that comes from being relaxed, happy, focused, and productive first thing in the morning and TM is key to achieving this.

What is Transcendental Meditation? Transcendental Meditation (TM) is the simplest and most effortless form of meditation. It uses only the natural tendency of the mind to move effortlessly in the direction of more and more contentment. This means that no control, effort, or concentration is required. When you learn TM, you are learning the timeless technique of effortless transcending – of how to allow the mind access to the ocean of consciousness beyond the busy waves of surface-level mental activity.

TM is taught by fully trained experts who will teach you how to dive deep within yourself to experience and harness the fabulous breadth and depth of our creative minds.

How often should it be practised? The great advantage of TM is that we only need to practise it twice a day, morning, and evening, and for only 20 minutes a session, but the benefits will be long-lasting and be felt for the rest of the day, and then with regular practise, the benefits continue to compound and develop over your lifetime.

What are the key benefits both in terms of mind and body? People who practise TM find that they have greater mental clarity and broadened comprehension. Focus and concentration levels are higher and there is a greater ability to draw on deeper reserves of intelligence and creativity, making problem-solving and innovative thinking much stronger. TM produces unique levels of metabolic rest, allowing residual fatigue and deep-rooted stresses to be dissolved naturally, resulting in greater calm and inner serenity. The result is that we achieve more, more successfully with less negative consequences like burnout and anxiety. All TM’s benefits have been scientifically validated in over 390 peer-reviewed studies.

Are there any indications of when you are successfully activating this practice — what can signify this? There are two main indicators. Firstly, the performance itself is easy, relaxed, and enjoyable. Those who practise TM look forward to their sessions because there are no preset demands to achieve

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“REMEMBER EVERYONE WHO HAS HELPED YOU ON THE WAY UP THE LADDER AS YOU NEVER KNOW WHO YOU WILL MEET AND NEED HELP FROM AGAIN ON THE WAY DOWN.”

The Maestro Musician Ryan Gibb is an exceptional talent. We discuss career milestones and crafting an ambience through music

WORDS: AMY SESSIONS

What do the first 30 minutes of your day look like, your morning routine? I’m usually woken up by my son who is eagerly awaiting to play so we have some quality time together before he goes to nursery, but I also try and incorporate some breathing exercises and stretching whilst trying to get outside as early as possible to set me up for the day ahead.

What is your biggest strength to date both personally and in business? Being affable. I love meeting new people and I find it extremely easy and always have.

Being personable has always come so naturally to me and striking up conversations and public speaking has never been difficult. I feel this helps hugely in both my personal and professional life.

How long have you been playing and what do you prefer to play? I’ve been playing the piano and singing from such a young age. I started piano lessons when I was around eight years old, and I was always singing way before that. I also studied music at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) where Sir Paul McCartney actually gave me my degree. Upon graduation, I have been performing professionally ever since. I have an extensive repertoire and really enjoy all music so

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it’s hard to say what I actually prefer to play as it changes every week.

You’ve just supported Robbie Williams. Were you always so great in front of a large audience of people or did it take practice? Yes, it was an incredible experience opening the show for Robbie at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. He is one of the biggest solo artists of all time so to be a part of his show here in the UAE was a dream come true. It was the best feeling I’ve had on stage to date – hearing a packed arena sing along with me, performing some of my original songs which was quite daunting, but the response was amazing. It hasn’t always been easy to perform in front of large audiences. I used to get very nervous, and it was taking a few songs to feel settled but over time and with practise and experience, it becomes so much easier.

How important is music selection in crafting the ambience for an event? It is paramount. Song selection is so important when it comes to any event I perform for. It has to mesh with the theme of the event, and it can be so easy to get wrong. Again, with my experience I can read the room very well to be able to deliver the correct material so the event is a success.

What other milestones have been career highlights for you to date? I trod the boards on London’s West End in several musicals earlier in my career and worked with TV channel ITV in the UK on shows like The Voice UK and Tonight at the London Palladium as a musician. I’ve also performed for numerous amazing VIP clients all over the world.

What has been the biggest challenge to date and how did you overcome it? The pandemic without a doubt. As a musician, we have to physically be present to perform, so being forced to lock down in the UK was incredibly difficult financially and emotionally, as it was for so many people all over the world.

I equally wouldn’t change it as I bounced back as soon as it was over, and it set off a serious of events that lead to me moving here to Dubai last year.

What values are most important to you and how do these show up in your work? Professionalism. I believe if you are providing a quality service, professionalism is key. Be on time, deliver exceptionally and have good manners. It’s crucial for people to remember you, so how you handle yourself off stage is just as important as how you handle yourself on stage.

What level of drive and resilience does it take to maintain such a fast pace for so long, while also consistently innovating and what lifestyle/mindset hacks support you to do this? It requires a serious level of drive, resilience and also commitment to maintain the pace. The phrase go hard or go home seems very apt. If you want to maintain your po-

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sition at the top as being the best it requires serious dedication to constantly deliver. The music business is widely known to be very difficult and it’s very hard to switch off as you constantly need to promote yourself and let people know what you are doing. It requires a great deal of self-belief. The routine is also very sporadic and each week things change so you have to be quite flexible. With all this in mind, it is extremely important to be healthy and stay well which is why I value fitness greatly. I work out in the gym five times a week and also train in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at Roger Gracie Academy Dubai which really helps both physically and mentally.

Have you had any mentors in life and if so, what knowledge did they impart? I’ve had several mentors over the years. My father was my earliest mentor, due to him being a musician himself and I learned a lot from him. At university, I had several tutors who were instrumental to teaching me about the industry and then later as my career started to progress, I have several friends and fellow musicians who continue to guide me unknowingly with their constant support and advice.

What is a kindness you’ve received or a lesson you’ve learned that you’d like to pay forward? Give people a chance and remember everyone. I have been given many amazing opportunities over my career which I am very grateful for. It is important to help people that have been in the same position as you ­– everyone needs a little help sometimes to get to the next level. Also, remember everyone who has helped you on the way up the ladder as you never know who you will meet and need help from again on the way down.

What piece of advice would you give to your younger self? Trust the process and believe in yourself whole heartedly. It is a sprint for a lot of people, especially these days, but for most it is a marathon and there will highs and lows but if you believe in your ability and work hard, everything will work out. To quote famous golfer Gary Player, “the more I practise, the luckier I get”.

What would you advise someone wanting to make the leap to build their own profile? Content is key, or should I say, good content is key. With social media being an integral part of an artist’s career now it is so important to have a presence and continually keeping things up to date. I am actually guilty of not being good at this until recently, but I am very aware of its importance and am focusing on really making it a priority. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help. My success has only been possible due to the numerous people who have helped me over the years. @ryangibboffical

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The Cool Hangout

Co-founders Amirah and Wafa Tajdin share their inspiration for launching Lulu & The Beanstalk 84 emiratesman.ae

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What inspired you to open Lulu & The Beanstalk? WT: We wanted a space outside of our film work but that served as an extension of it that showed what stories can look like, so we created our very own love letter to our grandma Lulu and the city of Dubai. Our motto is community through food, drink and music.

AT: The city also needed a casual but chic bar/hang out space and that was something we didn’t have for ourselves, so like the saying goes, if there’s a book you want to read and it hasn’t been written yet, you must be the one to write it.

IMAGE: SUPPLIED

WORDS: SARAH JOSEPH

“WE WANT PEOPLE TO COME IN AND FEEL LIKE THEY CAN HAVE A GOOD TIME, BUT NOT IN AN ADRENALINE BUSTING WAY.”

Tell us about your background. WT: We are Swahili (Black, Indian and Omani ethnicity) and our family has had a presence and base in the UAE since 2001. So, this is home and we spent some of our most formative experiences both in our personal and professional spheres here, Dubai in particular.

You both have a deep love for storytelling – how has this been reflected in the restaurant? WT: We are filmmakers, Amirah is a director and I’m a producer, and hence storytelling forms the core of our passion in life, and this was extended into Lulu and The Beanstalk from a design perspective,

into the food and drinks we serve and the books we sell – everything tells a story.

AT: As an artist and director, world building is an integral part of how I create a piece of film, a scene or even just a painting. So, when it came to the space, it started with the name (shout out to Jack and the Beanstalk) and then how creating our grandmother’s story was going to become a cosy escape for anyone who was going to come through our doors and experience a sensory few hours – lighting, colours and down to the textures of some of our plates. It’s a feeling. Storytelling is a feeling.

The space is a whimsical explosion of colour – how does it all come together in harmony?

AT: Mood boards. Lots of mood boards between us and the designer. And again, creating for what the public will experience and taking that into consideration while still bringing one’s own taste into it. It’s a delicate balance.

WT: We got a really brilliant designer with great vision and taste who respected and fully grasped our brief, but she was also very spiritually attuned to us and who we are, because she is special like that. This translated into working in colours in a contrasting but very harmonious way. We were very lucky to be able to work with her.

The floor-to-ceiling bookcase features over 1,000 rare books – was this a part of the design process? WT: Books were part and parcel of all the processes from day one and the design approach was informed by this too, and we were able to create a showcase bookcase because this was very much ingrained into all of us from when the project came into fruition for all stakeholders and suppliers.

AT: Essentially, storytelling was the anchor of the brand and tying that into how our grandmother Lulu (who couldn’t read or write) was an incredible storyteller which was key to how we briefed the designer.

My initial mood board to her always had a bookcase and the Verner cloverleaf sofa, because getting lost in a magical piece of an often times hard world was what Mama

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Lulu nurtured in us, so bringing a touch of maximalism to the space with an anchoring bookcase was essential.

There are a host of nostalgic elements in the space from the palm trees to rammed-earth detailing – how have you seamlessly incorporated it in the design? WT: The design was rooted in the nostalgia for our grandmother and her home and her kitchen but also to the earth we played in and created in, which was her garden basically, so these stories and how they shaped us were part of our designer’s brief, and she was able to encapsulate this into the design but also harken back to Middle Eastern processes of build and design, case in point the rammed earth wall.

AT: And she was the original island girl, so the palm trees were an added touch to the story.

The concept is located in one of the most sought-after spaces in Dubai, ICD Brookfield – how has this contributed to the success? WT: We are blessed to be able to have a space at ICD Brookfield Place, which is centrally located and has a great profile, not just in Dubai or the UAE but globally, this has garnered us a lot of attention, access and we are grateful for their support and understanding of our vision.

Elevated comfort food anchors the menu – what are the key dishes offered? WT: We have comfort food that ranges from amazing samosas, but these are complemented by a high-grade red snapper dish or a lovely striploin steak and lovely creamy desserts that are delicious, familiar and easy to eat but also very aesthete pleasing. And then to round off the ease and comfort we have a fully stocked and easy to eat deli menu offering grab and go sandwiches.

This come-as-you-are spot takes inspiration from your grandmother – Mama Lulu – tell us more? AT: She was a woman of the world, she was born in Lamu, Kenya and died in Nottingham, UK. She was a Black woman who fought against so many odds to raise her kids and the hope of so many people who considered her a dear friend. She was our friend to be honest. Weekends at her house (which were tradition) were the times in our lives where we learnt about what it is to be women, to have fun, to get lost in imagination and to cook. And all that as Black, Muslim women too. She made us understand that our heritage wasn’t a limitation and that we were wild women like her. She planted so many ‘dream seeds’ in us that have become our reality. I guess above all she taught us that joy is resistance.

The space emulates a playful ambience — was this the plan from the outset? WT: Yes, it always has been, we want people to come in and feel like they can have a good time, but not in an adrenaline busting way.

AT: It’s an escape, a safe space and a fun energy.

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WORDS & C R E AT I V E D I R E CT I O N : CAMILLE MACAWILI P H OTO G R A P H Y: M A R K M AT H E W

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PERSONAL SPACE

In the office with Wafa and Amirah Tajdin, Founders of Lulu & The Beanstalk at ICD Brookfield Place

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LIFESTYLE

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How long have you been in this space? We’ve been open since September 2022, so just over a year.

Have you custom-built any bespoke pieces?

Most of the space was a labour of love from our designer whose signature style is upcycling and re-inventing classic and iconic design pieces.

She upcycled six of the Artek dining chairs, complemented by a beautiful Kooij table, and above that sits a one-off lamp designed for use

by New York-based Japanese artist Yuko Nishikawa. Our most iconic custom décor is our centerpiece chandelier which was crafted by the whimsical team of Willow Lamp in South Africa. The bar front was a terrazzo design commissioned locally.

How do you think the interior reflects you? Mama Lulu was a woman who loved colours, and her world was filled with them. That was important for us to recreate through the lens of our designer and a big reason why we went with a female designer as well as she has an authentic understanding of curves, colours and texture. It was also important to evoke our island heritage (we have roots in Lamu and Mombasa in Kenya) and to capture the feeling of warmth and community that our grandmother’s home symbolised not just for us growing up, but our family and community as a whole in Nairobi and now through her spirit, Dubai.

Describe your taste in three words.Warm, welcoming and delicately tasteful.

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WORDS: AMY SESSIONS

THE MINIMALIST’S DREAM

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AMAN Tokyo delivers clean lines, precise detailing, and next level views of the city skyline

THE STAY From the heights of the Otemachi Tower, Aman Tokyo tempers urban dynamism with a profound atmosphere of serenity.

Inspired by Japanese design tradition, with ikebana displays, washi paper doors and engawa platforms, the vast lobby, ryokanstyle rooms and Aman Spa are all among the city’s largest.

THE DINING Centred on a Hinoki cypress-wood counter that seats eight, Musashi by Aman invites guests to experience the authentic Japanese omakase dining tradition. In front of diners, Master Chef Musashi prepares an exquisite selection of sushi based on the finest and freshest ingredients available that day.

Meaning ‘I will leave it to you’, Omakase is the Japanese tradition of entrusting your order to the chef, giving them full creative freedom over your meal. Successful omakase experiences depend on a skilled chef with a breadth of ingredients and wide-ranging knowledge. Master Chef Musashi travels to the Tokyo fish market early each morning, to select the freshest seasonal fish and seafood, pairing it with his self-grown ‘shari’ (sushi rice) to craft his omakase menus – an unmissable experience.

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THE WELLNESS Drawing on the Japanese understanding of nature and balance, the Aman Spa makes use of natural ingredients in its journeys and therapies. The Spa itself features onsen-style hot baths and steam rooms, a 30-metre pool with panoramic city views, fitness centre with cardiovascular and weight-training machinery, and dedicated yoga and Pilates studios.

Book a full body massage ­— the perfect wind down post Omakase experience.

LIFESTYLE

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THE SANCTUARY AMAN Emu is the peace you’ve been looking for

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THE STAY Beside Ago Bay, amid the forested hills of Ise-Shima, the ryokan-inspired onsen resort of Amanemu invites guests into a sanctuary of restorative peace. Bask in mineral-rich hot springs, walk ancient pilgrim trails and explore a sublime coastline.

Nestled within the landscape with scenic views out to the bay or gardens, Amanemu’s Villas and Suites offer elegant simplicity designed to embrace the outdoors. Each features a private onsen where guests can experience the healing power of nature, while generous terraces provide maximum enjoyment of the natural surroundings in all seasons.

THE DINING The Ise Shima region was renowned as the breadbasket of Japan’s ancient imperial court, and Amanemu celebrates the bounty and diversity of ingredients naturally available nearby.

With mesmerising views across the surrounding forest to the bay below, Amanemu’s Restaurant celebrates Japan’s culinary heritage, all with an emphasis on the fresh, local flavours of the season. Japanese Cuisine Chef Katsutoshi Kitahara sources exceptional produce from Ise-Shima, including Matsusaka Wagyu beef and prized seafood such as spiny lobster and abalone from Ago Bay – not to be missed.

THE WELLNESS

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Amanemu’s bespoke Immersions incorporates private movement and specialist therapy sessions, spa treatments and nutritional support.

Lasting three nights or more, each is developed to achieve defined personal goals, to promote an enduring sense of inner peace, and to encourage profound, meaningful change in lifestyle and outlook. If you’re booking for a reset in the new year, this is the place to come.

LIFESTYLE

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1774 III Tokio Sandals Dhs1,949 Birkenstock

CREATURE COMFORT Birkenstock x Tekla collaboration delivers low-key luxe essentials for moments of comfort

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MOST WANTED

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