Jumeirah | May 2017

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E Island spice

The best of Maldivian cuisine

Escape route Making the most of Mallorca

Animal instinct

The Emirati tradition of camel racing

Dev Patel

“I have to act, it's the only place I find peace�

Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, Dubai. Tel: +971 4 3791234 E-mail: burj@precioustimes.ae www.yanush.com

TH E E TE RNAL MOVE ME NT

Ulysse Nardin, from the movement of the sea to the perpetual innovation of Haute Horlogerie. For over 170 years, the powerful movement of the ocean has inspired Ulysse Nardin in its singular quest: to push back the limits of mechanical watchmaking, time and time again.

Marine Tourbillon Self-winding movement Silicium technology Water-resistant 100m ulysse-nardin.com

Ulysse Nardin Boutiques : The Dubai Mall +971 44341421 & Mall of the Emirates +971 43950577 Dubai Duty Free : Concourse A, B and C www.binhendi.com

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may 2017

Jumeirah Magazine Jumeirah Corporate Office, Al Sufouh Rd, PO Box 73137, Dubai, UAE, Tel: +971 4 366 5000, Fax: +971 4 366 5001.

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Editor-in-Chief

Obaid Humaid Al Tayer Managing Partner & Group Editor

lan Fairservice Editorial Director

Gina Johnson Group Editor

Sophia Serin Deputy Editor

Nina Catt Senior Editorial Assiatant

Cecilia D’Souza Designer

Hiral Kapadia Picture Editor

Diana Bell-Heather Contributors

Gareth Rees, Danae Mercer, Claire Hill, Tahira Yaqoob, Nina Catt, Carmel Gill

Contents

General Manager – Production

S Sunil Kumar Production Manager

R Murali Krishnan Production Supervisor

This Month

Venita Pinto Chief Commercial Officer

Anthony Milne Group Sales Manager

15 City watch Discover the most exciting events of the month

Ziad Saleh ziad@motivate.ae For Jumeirah

Charlie Taylor

22 Monitor Essential news and previews

Featured

Head Office: Media One Tower, Dubai Media City, PO Box 2331, Dubai UAE, Tel: +971 4 427 3000, E-mail: motivate@motivate.ae

26 Acting up Dev Patel on becoming a sartorial icon

Dubai Media City: Office 508, 5th Floor, Building 8, Dubai, UAE, Tel: +971 4 390 3550, Fax: +971 4 390 4845

30 The race is on Camel vet Andrew Marty tells all

Abu Dhabi: PO Box 43072, UAE, Tel: +971 2 677 2005, Fax: +971 2 677 0124, E-mail: editor-wo@motivate.ae London: Acre House, 11/15 William Road, London NW1 3ER, UK, E-mail: motivateuk@motivate.ae Printed by Emirates Printing Press, Dubai

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34 Modest muse Demure dressing style by Ascia al Faraj

may 2017

Contents

Lifestyle 40 74

40 After dark Sizzling nights out with Lanvin 48 In the saddle How Hermès has saddles in the bag 52 Timely trends The best of Baselworld 2017

Travel 58 Navigating Nanjing All you need to know about Nanjing 62 Insiders guide to‌Mallorca Life with the locals of Mallorca 70 Beautiful Balearics Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel and Spa celebrates its fifth birthday 74 Island flavours The best of Maldivian cuisine 80 Featured spaces Plaj, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Dubai 82 The high life Kubbeli Saloon Tea Lounge, Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah, Istanbul

City Watch

Key dates for your dairy

Dubai It takes two May 17 to 20 Strap on your dancing shoes as the ninth annual Dubai Tango Festival returns to the city. Marvel at the spectacular shows by international tango professionals, including dancing duo David Palo and Broadway’s Alejandra Gutty, while workshops will give visitors the chance to master the steps. the Meydan Hotel, Meydan, Dubai. tangodubai.org

Step in time May 1 to 25 The supercalifragilistic award-winning musical Mary Poppins is coming to Dubai Opera.

The biggest production the venue has ever seen, this all-singing, all-dancing adaptation of the classic tale about a nanny with superpowers in Edwardian London has a winning team behind it, including theatre royalty Cameron Mackintosh and Oscar-winning screenwriter Julian Fellowes of Downton Abbey fame.

Dubai opera, Dubai opera District, Downtown Dubai. dubaiopera.com

MakINg waves May 13/20 Honouring the UAE’s heritage as a pearl diving trading port, the historic Al Gaffal Dhow Race will see 100 traditional sailing boats streaming across Dubai’s waters, crisp white sails aloft. Finishing at the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, it is weather dependent so will fall on either May 13 or 20.

Dubai International Marine Club, Mina seyahi, al sufouh Road, Dubai. dimc.ae

RetRo aRt Until June 30

compiled by Danae Mercer

Delve into the vintage art scene of the Big Apple

IF MUsIC Be tHe FooD oF Love May 4

with Artist Run New York: The Seventies. The show is dedicated to an era when contemporary artists began experimenting with traditional

Enjoy a luxurious evening of fine food and even finer music within the opulent interior of

art, questioning boundaries and playing with

the Madinat Jumeirah as Russian star Grigory Leps takes to the stage at this gala dinner.

materials. Among those featured are video artist

This is a special one-night performance by the singer-songwriter, known for his strong

Tina Girouard and sculptor Robert Grosvenor.

baritone voice.

Jean-Paul Najar Foundation, 45 alserkal

Madinat Jumeirah, al sufouh Road, Dubai. mpremiere.com

avenue, al Quoz, Dubai. jpnajarfoundation.com

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Abu DhAbi/istAnbul

ME, MYSELF AND TIME

Emirati Culture May 10

Until June 18

Multaqa Zayed National Museum, a series of talks on UAE heritage being held in Manarat Al

The art exhibit Bayn The In-Between explores

Saadiyat prior to the opening of Zayed National Museum, presents The Rituals of Majilis and

identity, boundaries and how they are

Gahwa. During a 90-minute talk UAE heritage specialists Abdullah Khalfan Al Hamour and

impacted by the passage of time. Emirati,

Ali Salam Al Dhanhani explore the origins and ongoing role in Emirati culture of the majilis

Syrian and Jordanian sound, visual and

(gathering) and the serving and drinking of gahwa (Arabic coffee).

multimedia artists have been working with

The Rituals of Majilis and Gahwa, Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi. saadiyatculturaldistrict.ae

established Saudi artist Manal al Dowayan for the third annual showcase of new commissoned works.

Warehouse 421, Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi. warehouse421.ae

Jazz Dads May 5 If you have ever wondered what Scandinavian jazz sounds like, you are in luck. The Norwegian saxophonist and father of Scandinavian jazz Jan Garbarek will be enthralling an audience in Istanbul for one night. He will be joined by Indian composer and percussionist Trilok Gurtu, who has been performing since the 1970s.

Zorlu Performing Arts Centre, Besiktas, Istanbul. zorlupsm.com

En Pointe in Istanbul May 16 and 17 Under the direction of the French choreographer and dancer Jean-Christophe Maillot, Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo is bringing LAC, its reinterpretation of Swan Lake, to the city.

Expect a beautiful and creative twist on a classical ballet, which is rooted firmly in the 1909 Russian original.

Zorlu Performing Arts Centre, Besiktas, Istanbul. zorlupsm.com

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THE DUBAI MALL | +971.800.LEVEL.SD | LEVELSHOES.COM

frankfurt/Shanghai

Through the Lens Until August 13 Discover Germany’s next generation of budding artists in this exhibition by the students of Dusseldorf art academy, chosen for their photographic talent. The collection looks at how photography has developed as an artistic medium and features pieces by Volker Dohne, Andreas Gursky and Candida Hofer.

Staedel Museum, Frankfurt. staedelmuseum.de

SHEDDING LIGHT ON ART Until May 21 Catch the final weeks of the extraordinary exhibition James Turrell: Immersive Light. The result of more than 50 years experimenting with light and art, the famous Californian artist has created a truly sensory experience, built from a series of large, enchanting light projections and installations.

Long Museum West Bund, Longteng Avenue, Shanghai. thelongmuseum.org

A STRAUSS CLASSIC

Something for the Wicked Until May 14

May 6 to 27 The last opera written by Richard Strauss and Hugo von Hofmannsthal, lyrical comedy Arabella tells the story of two impoverished sisters in

Worldwide smash musical Wicked has been a sensation on Broadway and in the West End

19th century Vienna, whose parents try to find

for 14 years and is now showing in the Shanghai Culture Square Theatre. With two Olivier

them rich husbands. More than 80 years after its

awards, three Tonys and a Grammy, the award-winning musical retells The Wizard of Oz

debut in Dresden, director Christof Loy brings the

from the witches’ perspective.

classic opera to life.

Shanghai Square Theatre, Shanghai. shculturesquare.com

Alte Oper Frankfurt, Frankfurt. oper-frankfurt.de

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london

Blooming Lovely May 23 to 27 The stunning RHS Chelsea Flower Show is back in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea for another year. Attracting crowds of green-fingered fans, including members of the British royal family, the world’s most prestigious floral show is a showcase of vibrant displays and innovative gardening techniques from the finest designers and florists. royal Hospital Chelsea, Chelsea, London. rhs.org.uk

FrOM EAST TO WEST May 19 to 29 Soak up southeast Asian culture in the UK capital. Alchemy – the largest festival inspired by south Asian culture outside the subcontinent – celebrates the region’s influences in London and is packed with contemporary dance, music, art and theatre performances. One highlight includes Ravi Shankar’s Sukanya, the opera by the late musician and composer.

Southbank Centre, Southbank, London. southbankcentre.co.uk

Night at the Museum May 17 to 20 Museums At Night lets you explore London’s best cultural hubs, from museums and galleries to heritage sites, after dark. The special four-day festival also brings with it some one-off activities, including a Renaissance Late event at the National

MIDAS TOUCH

Gallery, an evening of interactive workshops, live

From May 24

performances and cocktails.

Various venues, London. museumsatnight.org.uk

The latest exhibition in the British capital’s Design Museum lifts the lid on The Golden State’s rich design scene. From political posters and vintage computers to quirky gadgets, explore California’s transformation from a 1960s counterculture to the techsavvy Silicon Valley era, right through to modern times.

The Design Museum, High Street Kensington, London. designmuseum.org

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MahallatiJewellery

MahallatiJewellery

Mrs.Mahallati

BIEBER FEVER Justin Bieber has had a busy decade. Signed to Island Records in 2008 after talent scout Scooter Braun and his business partner Usher took him under their wing, the singer has grown from a YouTube star beloved of teenyboppers into one of the most popular performers on the planet. He has even garnered critical acclaim for his most recent album, Purpose, completing his transformation from teen heartthrob to serious artist.

This month, Dubai will become the 106th stop on Bieber’s Purpose World Tour – his largest to date – which kicked off in Seattle in the US in March last year. Bieber will perform in Dubai’s Autism Rocks Arena on May 6.

“He put in serious work — getting blasted out of the stage on pressurised platforms, dancing in a hail of sparks and through sheets of water, performing a thoroughly professional 90-minute arena spectacle,” Rolling Stone’s Andrew Matson wrote in his review of the opening show of the tour.

Fans will be hoping for more of the same from what could be their final chance to see Bieber perform hits in the Middle East such as Where Are Ü Now, What Do You Mean?, Sorry, Love Yourself and Company for some time, with reports suggesting the 23-year-old star plans to take an extended break from music following the end of the tour on September 6.

Words: Gareth Rees / Images: Getty

Justin Bieber performs on May 6 in Autism Rocks Arena, Dubai.

See 117live.com for more details

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monitor

SOUND AND VISION The Arts Centre in NYU Abu Dhabi, currently in the midst of its second season, has already garnered a reputation as one of the most exciting venues for performance art in the UAE. Inviting its audiences to “step into the unknown”, executive artistic director Bill Bragin and his team have put together a programme of performances and educational events unlike anything else you will find in the UAE. Your next chance to step into the unknown is on May 12, when Canadian DJ, musician and graphic novelist Kid Koala (AKA Eric San) performs Nufonia Must Fall in NYU Abu Dhabi’s Red Theatre. The show, which the New York Times’ Jon Pareles described as “modern primitive multimedia”, is a multi-disciplinary rendering of San’s 2003 graphic novel about a music-loving robot, T4, who falls in love with a roboticist called Malorie.

The performance, directed by production designer KK Barrett – Oscar-nominated for Spike Jonze's 2013 film Her – combines real-time filming, puppet theatre and music from Kid Koala and the Afiara Quartet.

Kid Koala performs Nufonia Must Fall on May 12 in Red Theatre, Arts Centre, NYU Abu Dhabi. See nyuad.nyu.edu for more details

FRENCH FIRST Abu Dhabi’s cultural offering was given a significant boost with the launch of Abu Dhabi Classics, the festival responsible for bringing some of the world’s best Arabic and Western classical performers to the UAE. The lynchpin of Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority’s annual music programme includes the Emirati music series, the Bait Al Oud concert series and the Umsiyat series.

This month the Toulouse Symphony Orchestra will perform in the UAE for the first time with a stirring concert in the Emirates Palace hotel on May 2 before a second performance in Al Ain’s UAE University the following day.

The orchestra, conducted by its music director Tugan Sokhiev and featuring star French cellist Edgar Moreau, will perform music inspired by One Thousand and One Nights, including the Russian composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s 1888 symphonic suite Scheherazade.

Toulouse Symphony Orchestra with Tugan Sokhiev and Edgar Moreau performs on May 2 in Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi and on May 3 in UAE University, Al Ain. See abudhabimusic.ae for more details

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Featured 26 Acting up

Hollywood star Dev Patel on becoming a sartorial icon

30 The race is on

Vet Andrew Marty reveals the secret life of camels

34 Modest muse

Image: Getty

The key to modest dressing, courtesy of Ascia al Faraj

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Words: Danae Mercer / Images: Getty

featured: Dev PAtel

Acting UP

from awkward teen to sartorial sensation: Danae Mercer speaks to breakout success story dev Patel on style and breaking into Hollywood

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travel

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featured: Dev PAtel

We’re sat outside in Dubai and actor Dev Patel is asking me about my necklace.

“Is that an infinity sign you’ve got around your neck?” It is.

saver here,” he grins. “It’s overwhelming.” He’s just been to Singapore and Goa on a press junket. Eventually he’ll head back to his recently purchased ‘shoebox of an apartment’ in LA. “I’m going to sleep when I get back. Sleep, and do a lot of laundry.”

He grins. “Check you out! Wicked, wicked,” says the Golden Globe and Oscar-nominated star. Later he’ll tell me that he thought the necklace was a subtle reference to one of his recent films, The Man who Knew Infinity (It wasn’t). But for the moment, I’m willing to bask in the compliment. It’s not every day that a handsome celebrity notices my style choices.

Yet being one of the rising icons of men’s fashion isn’t always the easiest role Patel has performed. “People recognise me now when I walk down the street, ever since Slumdog. Things changed completely and it made my career in a big way. Strangers react to me with a certain fondness because of that film, and I’m very grateful.”

Increasingly, 26-year-old Patel is getting noticed for his. The once gawky star of Slumdog Millionaire has begun creating a name for himself as suave, slick, and certainly stylish. At the recent tech-meets-hipster SXSW event, Patel rolled up in a rose-coloured double-breasted blazer, paired with dove grey trousers and knit top. It was a statement at once confident and luxurious. To award shows and red carpets, Patel has started dressing his long, lean frame in slim-cut suits tailored exceptionally well.

The lack of privacy, Patel admits, can be a bit draining. “People want to expose part of you you’re keeping for yourself. But there are so many perks, like getting to travel, getting to experience everything, wearing a beautiful watch, talking to you, looking at that [Dubai].”

When asked about his style evolution in a recent interview, Patel points to director Garth Davis and Lion. “When I auditioned, I was really skinny.

So Garth came and said, ‘We’ve got to grow you up a bit. Grow your hair.

Don’t shave. Hit the gym. And we’ll go from there.’ It was great. I kind of shed and grew into this other skin.”

“I feel like I’m very underwhelming as a human being, so when people are interested in me, it’s baffling. Yet the main thing is I just have to act.

I have to. It’s the place I find peace, and when everything is firing it consumes you. I’ve always wanted to be an actor, and now that I’m doing it, I’m aware that I’m so lucky.”

Patel pauses and glances at the sun-drenched Dubai view. Then he turns back to me with a smile.

Patel is drawn to British brands in particular. Burberry is a favourite.

“They’re always there for me. Burberry suits my body type — the nice, skinny tailoring and mix between looking cool and not caring too much,” he told InStyle.

Then there’s his involvement with IWC. It’s why we’re speaking: Patel has come to Dubai around the Dubai International Film Festival, invited by luxury watch brand IWC. “I’m just humbled to be involved,” he tells me, glancing at his wrist. “The little boy in me is very excited to be wearing a watch like this.”

Even as he’s increasingly praised for a suave style, Patel notes it’s not all roses: “Because of the way I look, there’s a challenge, constantly.” Born in London to parents of Indian descent, Patel adds that there haven’t been many people who look like him on the screen. “It’s new ground, so it’s scary and exciting.”

Yet he wouldn’t want to do anything else. “I have to act. It’s the only place I find peace. I feel the most alive when everything is firing, and it kind of consumes you. I’ve always wanted to be an actor, and I’m aware that I’m so lucky.”

Filming Lion, Patel felt like he was constantly ‘riffing’. “You know, riffing,” he says when I question the term. “I was so in the body of this other person that he was an extension of me. It’s a real rush, when sometimes it all just works.”

The ‘riffing’ paid off. Patel was nominated for best supporting actor for his work in Lion. He might not have won (that went to Mahershala Ali for Moonlight), but his style did. An ensemble of a white jacket, white shirt and black bowtie received praise, offering welcome reprieve from the safe choice of black on black on black made by many of his counterparts.

Sat in Dubai, with the sun shining and the birds out in full force, I ask Patel about his experience of the UAE. “I feel like I’m looking at screen-

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The race is on

Words: Danae Mercer / Image: Getty

Andrew Marty is a camel vet working with the Abu Dhabi royal family. He puts camels through their paces — and through their daily check-ups. Here Marty tells Jumeirah what it’s like making sure these massive mammals stay fit, healthy and ready to carry on a vital Emirati tradition

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featured: andrew marty

Rolex

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Andrew Marty

T

here’s one thing camel vet Andrew Marty wants people

to know.

“Camels don’t spit as much as people think they do,” says the soon-to-be dad of two in a strong Australian accent. “It only happens when you really annoy them so [it is] not that often at all.”

Besides, adds Marty, it is not even spit. “They actually regurgitate a little when they do that.”

As a camel vet for the royal family of Abu Dhabi, Marty has one of the more unusual jobs out there. It was not exactly part of his grand plan. “You don’t go to vet school training for a specific animal,” he says. Despite working across Australia with horses, cows, cats and dogs, the charismatic 36-yearold vet had never touched a camel before coming to the UAE. “It is not so different from other species,” he says. “But they are probably one of the most unique animals I have come across.” They have adapted to brutal desert climates and proved themselves capable of not only surviving but actually thriving in an environment without much water. Their humps fill up with fat, enabling camels to store extra energy for a time when food is scarce. “I have a lot of respect for them,” says Marty.

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featured: andreW marty

Looking after a large number of camels owned by the royal family means Marty’s days are often busy. “Camels get sick. They get infections or cuts so there is always something. The trainers keep them fit. I am here to keep them healthy.”

Spotting when a camel is sick is not always an easy task. For insight, Marty looks at the feed. “If the camels are not eating as much as they normally would, that is usually an indication something might be wrong. From there, we do blood tests, check their temperature, listen to their tummy or listen to their heart rate. We watch it all quite closely.”

Sometimes dealing with camels — even those belonging to the royal family — can be a tricky business. “Cats and dogs scratch. Camels kick or bite.

But it is just about not doing things that annoy them.” For the most part, Marty says, camels are calm creatures.

They tend to try to conserve energy, meaning they are not as jumpy or flighty as horses. “Some of them are extremely gentle. Sometimes they just get down on the ground and put their heads in your lap. They are laidback and very nice, for the most part.”

Marty even has a favourite. “She has been with us quite a long time, this very friendly, lovely camel who literally would not hurt a fly.” The vet pauses and laughs. “I am not one to judge the aesthetics of camels but I think she is a good-looking creature.” The end game is producing camels that are fit, healthy and ready to shine in various camel races and competitions across the UAE. “Both Abu Dhabi and Dubai have these large camel racing festivals around this time of year,” says Marty. On most days, members of the public can go and watch, experiencing a fascinating glimpse into Arabic culture.

“There are also [what are] essentially beauty pageants for camels, where the camels will be dressed up in traditional attire, paraded and judged. It is very similar to a horse show and definitely something tourists could go to.”

For those with aspirations to become a camel vet, Marty advises starting with the basics: go to vet school. “There is now a vet school in the UAE that is really good and generally speaking, you need to have a vet degree. If you have got a specific interest in camels, then the Middle East is probably the place for you. There are not many requests for camel vets elsewhere.”

Off tO the races

Where tO stay

Experience camel racing in the UAE at Al Marmoum racetrack. This

Whether you are travelling to the UAE to enjoy the camel races or to

year’s Al Marmoum Heritage Festival ran from mid-March to mid-

simply lap up a bit of sun in the desert while enjoying a gentle camel

April, and will probably be held at a similar time next year.

ride, there is no better place to rest than at Jumeirah hotels and resorts.

The tournament is all about professional camel racing, featuring

In Dubai, book into the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah for a stay in one of

everything from hybrids to thoroughbreds. A hyper-modern

the most iconic properties in the region or stay in the Jumeirah

grandstand presents the opportunity to watch dozens of camels

Beach Hotel for a family-friendly resort with complimentary access

sprinting down the race track. As the best seats tend to be reserved

to Wild Wadi Waterpark. Jumeirah Creekside Hotel offers a prime

for (often royal) VIPs, it is worth bringing a pair of binoculars or

location near Dubai’s historic creek while Jumeirah Emirates Towers

speaking to a concierge in the know.

is ideal for doing business in downtown Dubai. Madinat Jumeirah resort offers not just one but three hotel options, including the newly

Prizes are massive and the tournament is a big deal but for those

opened, contemporary Jumeirah Al Naseem. And for spa-goers,

after something a bit more serene, the festival also features

there is no place better than Jumeirah Zabeel Saray.

traditional activities around the camel races.

In Abu Dhabi, Jumeirah at Etihad Towers offers opulence alongside Other camel racing events occur throughout the year but dates change

stunning views of the Arabian Gulf. After a day at the races under

regularly. If you are staying in a Jumeirah property, speak to the concierge

the UAE’s sun, there are few things nicer than a dip in the luxurious,

about arranging a tour. If you’re not, email mail@dcrc.ae to find out more.

ocean-facing pool. jumeirah.com

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Interview by: Carmel Gill

Featured: Fashion

MOdeSt MuSe

the key to demure dressing? ascia al Faraj, the Middle east's first brand ambassador for Net-a-Porter, tells all

m

eet Kuwaiti blogger and style maven Ascia al Faraj, Net-a-Porter’s brand ambassador for its first Middle Eastern campaign. Since starting her blog The Hybrids in 2012, Ascia has taken the social media world by storm with her modest approach to street-style dressing and in the meantime amassed a huge following of two million on Instagram.

In this personal interview Ascia lets us in on her top styling tips and tricks for demure dressing, her must-have items for the summer and how she feels about being picked by the online fashion giant to represent the fashionable women of the Middle East.

Which designers are inspiring you on the runWay this season?

I am very into the street-style brands. It’s my everyday go-to. Off-White, Vetements and all of their micro-collaborations are really inspiring to me.

Who are your Favourite middle eastern designers?

I have so many but House of Nomad is one of my favourites. It has got a very clean aesthetic and a strong viewpoint. For leather goods, Sofia al Asfoor. There is absolutely no one who compares to her in the market right now and not just in our region.

Who is your style inspiration?

What styling tips and tricks can you give us For dressing modestly but remaining on trend?

Light layering in various patterns is one of my favorite tricks for modest dressing. I pick key patterns of the moment, find a common colour between them and mix them up.

Miroslava Duma (Russian digital entrepreneur and street-style star) is one of my all-time favourites but I always prefer looking at random street-style shots for inspiration. hoW do you Feel about being asked to be the Face oF net-aporter’s middle eastern campaign?

What key pieces are you looking to invest in For summer?

I try to invest in one trendy piece and one classic piece each season because it gives me longevity with my closet. I tend to do a trending shoe and a classic bag, which is perfect for the versatility that comes with a summer wardrobe.

Still in a state of perpetual shock and simultaneous happiness. It is a site that as a young blogger, I would peruse for hours on end, unable to really buy anything huge but adding and adding to my wish list. Now, five years on, I am honoured to be the face of its campaign.

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Featured: fashIon

"We are more than just fashionable women, we are fiercely opinionated and strong-willed but are portrayed to be so weak in global media sometimes"

It Is an excItIng tIme In fashIon for the mIddle east and mIddle eastern women In general. how does It feel to

cifically for the region or to adapt your wardrobe. It is also super coollooking with a great pair of boyfriend jeans.

represent these fashIonable women on a global scale?

It is an incomparable feeling. It is what I began this journey for: the voice, the recognition of our region. We are more than just fashionable women, we are fiercely opinionated and strong-willed but are portrayed to be so weak in global media sometimes.

any up-and-comIng desIgners on net-a-porter that we should keep on our radar?

Tome, Boyy and Attico. what do you love about the way mIddle eastern women

This has shed some light on our region but also our cultural and religious preferences being a choice, an easy, everyday aspect and not a constraint or a burden. I am so proud. what Is your must-have Item avaIlable on net-a-porter

dress and Interpret the seasonal trends?

It’s so ingenious watching how women adapt every trend to somehow fit the modest dresser. Seeing them layer or figure them out, seeing it in action, is so much fun. It gets your brain working and you start pretty much solving a puzzle without realising it.

that you won’t be takIng off thIs summer?

Nicholas Kirkwood Beya slippers.

how do you defIne modest dressIng?

My favourite way to put it is: covering what makes you comfortable. what’s the secret to layerIng wIthout lookIng bulky?

Faux turtlenecks that are essentially crop tops, tank tops and lightweight button-up shirts are the best layering pieces and don’t create bulk.

house suItes In london. how do you feel thIs hotel reflects the fashIonable woman?

and lookIng to adopt modest dressIng?

The overall vibe of the Grosvenor House Suites is about understated and accessible luxury and I think any fashionable woman is aiming to portray just that when they get dressed each day.

Wear button-ups as jackets over tee shirts because you can utilise pieces you already have in your closet without having to go buy things spe-

To make a booking at the Grosvenor House Suites go to jumeirah.com

what advIce would you gIve to expats lIvIng In the regIon

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you shot the net-a-porter campaIgn at the grosvenor

Featured: Fashion

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available exclusively at harvey nichols - dubai, mall of the emirates

lifestyle 40 After dark

Behind the scenes at Lanvin

48 In the saddle

The history of the Hermès saddle

52 Timely trends

Image: Hermès

The best from Baselworld 2017

LifestyLe: Style

AFter

dark Feathered collars, embellished bodies and sharp tailoring make for a wardrobe fit for any vacation dancefloor

Compiled by: Sophia Serin

All clothing and accessories by Lanvin.

Lanvin boutiques are located in Dubai in The Dubai Mall, +971 4 330 8008 and in Abu Dhabi in The Galleria, +971 2 677 1180. Lanvin.com

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LifestyLe: Style

All white on the night

A white dress for dinner is a summer must. Make yours a memorable one

Clutch embroidered with black and gold sequins

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LifestyLe: Style

All Tied up An updated look on a manly tie. Wear yours with or without a collar

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LifestyLe: Style

mix don't match Done well, clashing fabrics like leather, lace and feathers wins every time

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make an entrance Stick to three colours when packing for a trip. Black, white and gold suit any destination

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LifestyLe: Style

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LifestyLe: Style

bag it Hotel key - check.

Phone - check. The perfect pouch for vacation nights

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All clothing and accessories by Lanvin.

The Lanvin boutiques are located in Dubai, The Dubai Mall +971 4 330 8008 and in Abu Dhabi, The Galleria +971 2 677 1180. Lanvin.com

LifestyLe: Style

Shoulder on

A stand-out accessory can make a simple little black dress a knock-out

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In the Saddle Forget Birkin bags or beautiful scarves. When it comes to Hermès, history is all about horses

“For 100 years,” says Marion Larochette, the Hermès equestrian metier director, “the horse was Hermès’ only client.”

This is crucial to understand, adds Larochette.

“As a client, the horse can’t talk or complain. You have to pay close attention.”

Since the brand was born in 1837, Hermès has certainly diversified. Now the French brand is more often associated with perfume bottles, silk scarves and covetable handbags than with saddles. Yet back before the Birkin, Hermès focused on a much horsier trade: that of a harness maker, then a saddler.

Words: Danae Mercer

Today, at an invite-only workshop on the upper floors of Hermès’ Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore Paris store, saddle experts are still crafting away. There are wooden tools, needles and pins, scissors and prototypes, all enveloped in the sounds of light hammering, of hands massaging leather, of plinking and clicking and stitching. There, in an airy workshop, the saddle is formed.

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Yet the story of the Hermès saddle doesn’t start there. It starts in the barn. An expert visits the horse, taking some 100 measurements of the horse’s back and balance. These numbers go back to Hermès’ headquarters, where the horse’s back is recreated and eventually the saddle is made.

Depending on the type of saddle ordered, the process can take between 25 hours for sport and leisure saddles to 200 hours for a bespoke order. “It is very precise and complex work with

LifestyLe: Hermès

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an infinity of different tasks,” says Larochette of the process. “I do not know how [else] to describe it. You need to see them work.”

Back in 2013, Laurent Goblet, a Hermès artisan, explained the process: “I have done this for 35 years and it is practice, practice. I put the rider in the saddle and position the legs and back. This is the first part of the design.

“After the prototype, I follow the form and movement of the rider and integrate the technical functions a saddle needs to have. I listen to the rider and the vets and then incorporate the necessary qualities into something aesthetic. Designing a saddle is an evolution.”

It is not just the saddle designing that is a process of constant adjustment. The technology that goes into saddles is forever changing, says Larochette. “Horse riding is constantly evolving as a sport and we have to keep up.” That is when new materials, like foam created by medical technology, come into play.

Such precise saddles warrant highly precise riders. In 1952, Pierre Jongueres d’Oriola used one of the firm's saddles when he won a medal at the Helsinki Olympics. More recently, Hermès took part in the 2016 Olympics as the official saddler for the Brazilian showjumping team.

The move served it well. Astier Nicolas netted gold and silver astride an Hermès saddle.

Then there’s the Saut Hermès. This showjumping competition, organised by Hermès, brings the world’s best pro-riders to Paris. Jumping happens in the Grand Palais, a building originally designed to host horses.

Its basements were once barns. “The Saut Hermès gives back this monument to its historical guests - the horses,” says Larochette.

“I had this sensation that I could smell manure in Le Grand Palais and I laughed,” said Pierre-Alexis Dumas, a sixth-generation Hermès family member and artistic director of the company. “It was born out of a dream because we managed to bring it back to our roots. We have to know where we come from.”

Larochette describes Saut Hermès in simpler fashion: “Seeing horses on the Champs-Elysees and jumping in the Grand Palais is very special.

The emotion is magic for everyone, [from] Parisians who have never seen a horse show to pro-riders who have been competing every weekend around the world.”

For equestrian shoppers, there is more to buy than just Hermès saddles, which cost about $7,000. There are soft-body brushes made with natural bristles and a goatskin handle at $135, a weather-resistant jockey jacket with breathable quilting in the brand’s signature orange for $1,650, an oakwood bucket with cowhide handle and steel ring for grooming at $810, and a braided crop in electric blue for $495.

“The most beautiful moment is when a rider calls us after receiving a new saddle and tells us the horse feels better and that its performance has improved.”

Hermès saddles can be purchased in stores around the world. In addition to the main Paris boutique, there are shops in London, Kuwait, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Shanghai and Nanjing.

Photography: Armelle Kergall

The end result is ideally a saddle as bespoke and luxurious as possible.

But for Larochette, the process isn’t so much about style. For her, there is a far more results-driven focus.

Marion Larochette

LifestyLe: Hermès

“the most beautiful moment is when a rider calls us after receiving a new saddle and tells us the horse feels better and that its performance has improved”

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lifestyle

Timely Trends

Attracting about 120,000 people from across the globe, the massive Baselworld watch fair reveals what’s what in the world of watches and jewellery

Chopard

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lifestyle

DeGrisogono Bulgari

Messika

Here are tHe key takeaways for 2017

Rolex

With bling, bigger is always better Messika has been doing creative things with diamonds for a while now and this year was no different. The brand’s multi-diamond choker came with an understated metal design, creating the illusion of stones floating loose on the neck. Gems were also prominent with rubies glittering as the standout show star. Faidee’s sizeable ruby necklace rang in at a casual $35 million while Picchiotti offered a rare ring to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

DeGrisogono revealed a new range of designs with contrasting gemstones, including an impressive amethyst and pink sapphire, fan-shaped bracelet.

Ethics are everything Chopard’s Green Carpet collection is nothing new but it is worth giving praise where it is due. This year the luxury brand released a beautiful set of emerald earrings designed in a delicate circle shape. The high-jewellery set was created using emeralds from Gemfields, the world’s leading supplier of sustainably sourced, coloured gemstones.

The trend toward hyper-slim watch shapes, something we first noticed at SIHH, was very much present at Baselworld. The stand-out stealer of this show was Bulgari’s Octo Finissimo Automatic. At a mere 5.15mm thick (or one-twentieth of an inch), the slender shape was emphasised by the brand’s use of grey titanium for the faceted case.

Old but still ticking Everyone loves a good dose of vintage — particularly in the timeless world of watches. At Baselworld, Omega rolled out a 60th anniversary Omega Railmaster alongside a Speedmaster and Seamaster. This trilogy of watches looked back to pieces originally launched in 1957. Seiko and TAG Heuer also released timepieces influenced heavily by the past. The Longines Heritage 1945, an understated time-only watch with a clean face and elegant design, was particularly striking. The piece’s inspiration came from the personal watch

of Benjamin Clymer, Hodinkee founder. Patek Philippe’s Aquanaut Travel Time Ref 5650, a modern version of the classic Aquanaut, gave a nod to 20 years in production. The timepiece comes with a Spiormax balance spring, a new terminal curve and a clever mechanism made from horological steel to set the second timezone, all wrapped in a white-gold case. Would-be buyers, take note: there will only be 500 released worldwide.

Black and red While some experts were noting that at this year’s Baselworld, brown was the new black (and indeed, the colour did pop up far more than usual), the trend we are keen to embrace is the powerful combination of black and red.

No one did this better than Rolex. The Rolex Sea-Dweller 50th anniversary version, created specially to mark the event, features bold dashes of colour.

A black watch face is accented with strips of white and deep red accents. In a welcome update, this particular model includes a cyclops lens on the crystal at three o’clock, a 43mm case and a new calibre 3235.

Words: Danae Mercer

Slim and shapely, round two

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Luxurious but affordable

Glashutte

Times are tough and watch prices are reflecting this. That brands were dropping their price points was something we first noticed at SIHH. The trend continued at Basel. The Grand Seiko SBGW253 in steel, which offers an in-house calibre 9S64 movement inside an understated, number-free face, costs a relatively low $5,700. Glashutte featured the Club Campus this year. The dial has Arabic and Roman numerals alongside bold dashes of colour. Available in either a 36mm or 38mm size, the timepiece costs $1,500.

It’s stylish to be smart Smartwatches are here to stay and that should not come as a surprise to anyone. Slowly but surely, this modern piece of technology is taking a prominent place in the world of watches. Fashion-focused Fossil has an ambitious smartwatch strategy with plans to launch 300 connected timepieces across 14 brands by the end of 2017. At Baselworld, it released a new pair of slender Android Wear Fossil smartwatches. Michael Kors joined in the high-tech game with the Access Sofie and the Access Grayson. The former features a more feminine shape and slender link strap, while the latter is larger, bulkier and aimed at men. Both come with metal bezels and Android Wear 2.0 technology in a round Amoled screen. Yet our favourite smartwatch of the show would be Movado’s super slick, ultra-minimalist Movado Connect. Announced just before Basel, the brand used the show to highlight Movado Connect’s five different styles and range of 100 different watch faces. Featuring Android Wear 2.0, the watch is delightfully understated with Movado’s classic dot design.

A return to nature Beautiful and delicate, it’s impossible not to love Jaquet Droz’s newly launched Loving Butterfly Automation timepiece. This exquisite model

Movado

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Longines

Fossil

lifestyle

features a fluttering butterfly on the Petite Heure Minute dial. What’s more, the butterfly is pulling a cherub in an animated chariot with wheels, all framed by delicate golden trees. The timepiece required three years to develop and is available in red or white gold. Only 28 models will be available to buy.

Breitling

Power player At the other end of the spectrum to Jaquet Droz’s delicate butterfly model is Hublot’s MP-09 Tourbillon Bi-Axis. The new release comes with a five-day power reserve, a biaxial tourbillon (featuring a full rotation per minute for the first axis, then a rotation every 30 seconds for the second).

Visually, the piece is big, bold and punchy. A titanium model (limited to 50 pieces) is particularly striking, featuring gunmetal grey dotted through by streaks of black, white and red. The sizeable watch is also available in gold (limited to 20 pieces).

Fun is fresh Chanel had a private chuckle with the launch of Mademoiselle J12. This ceramic and steel watch was released with a playful black-and-white cartoon of Coco Chanel herself. Her rotating arms shift to indicate the time. Perhaps not surprisingly, this quirky number was a favourite on social sites like Instagram.

Accessing adventure Breitling is no shrinking violet in the world of watches and Basel was no different. This year the adventure-loving brand released six new models.

Particularly striking was the Navitimer Rattrapante, a large and deliberately complex model with new split-seconds calibre B03 chronograph movement (designed, like a cherry on the cake, completely in-house).

Only 250 models of the exclusive Navitimer will be released, available in red gold with a bronze-coloured dial.

Omega

Michael Kors

Chanel

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travel 58 Navigating Nanjing

Make the most out of your stay in Nanjing

70 Beautiful Balearics

Celebrating the fifth anniversary of Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel and Spa

82 Island flavours

Image: Getty

Maldivian food at its finest

Words: Danae Mercer / Image: Getty

Look up view of the Nanking Yuejiang tower

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Travel: culture

NavigaTiNg NaNjiNg Nanjing is a fascinating city with a stunning wealth of nature and plenty of delicious street food. Here’s how to make the most out of any stay

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Nanjing Xuanwu lake park

Closeup of pink cherry blossoms

In the cultured Chinese city of Nanjing, the past echoes from every corner.

This historic spot was once the nation’s capital, first during the Ming dynasty, then as the capital of the Republic of China.

Nanjing might not be as well known as bustling Beijing or Shanghai. Yet framed by the Yangtze river and encircled by a striking city wall, the elegant university town has a lot to offer. Expect museums, cafes, large boulevards framed by leafy trees and an overall atmosphere of educated refinement.

So what does a traveller to Nanjing need to know?

Choose the right season Inner Qinhuai river docked boats

During spring, Nanjing’s wide boulevards blossom into life with trees in bloom. The month-long Nanjing International Plum Blossom Festival celebrates these vivid purple, pink, orange, green and magenta blossoms. It is worth heading to the plum blossom garden at the base of Mount Zijin where more than 15,000 trees are a riot of vivid shades. Stroll to the heart of the city in March and April to wander beneath blossoming cherry trees. Nanjing University, Jiming monastery and the Ying island of Xuanwu Lake park are particularly good spots to enjoy the blooms.

Summertime brings with it the thrill of China’s traditional dragon boat racing. Nearly every weekend, locals head to Mochou Lake to compete in these narrow decorative boats. The surrounding park provides some great viewing spots. By July and August, the same park is filled with charming lotus flowers and water lilies. Over in Xuanwu Lake park, you can admire a 12-metretall lotus fairy statue.

Trees feature yet again in autumn only this time, instead of being covered with subtle blossoms, they light up Nanjing in vivid reds and oranges with striking autumn foliage. Make a day of exploring Qixia mountain, where vibrant maple trees surround a serene Buddhist monastery, or stay closer to town and visit the Ming Dynasty Xiaoling tomb, its stone warriors surrounded by flaming red leaves. Foodies should try seasonal crab dishes near Gucheng lake.

In winter, during Nanjing’s colder months, it is the best time to take advantage of the city’s amazing hot springs. Visitors will find dozens of thermal springs and accompanying resorts along Soup mountain. Book into an opu-

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Travel: culture lent private hot spring for a true taste of luxury. For a chance to really experience the essence of Chinese culture, arrange a stay over Chinese New Year.

Nanjing’s Confucius temple hosts a three-week lantern festival during this time.

City wall of the ming Dynasty in nanjing

See the wall It is nearly impossible to miss the Ming Great Wall of Nanjing — and that’s just one of the great things about it. This 600-year-old wonder was created

by Ming dynasty emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, who ordered it to be built to keep the city safe from outsiders. It was finished in 1386, having taken 21 years to complete and 200,000 labourers.

There are a few things worth noting when visiting the wall. It is curved rather than straight, winding between natural fortifications like Xuanwu lake and Qinhua river. Most walls built at the time were straight, making it an architectural feat. Today only 25 kilometres of the original 35 survive; of that, only certain sections are open to the public. The bricks are inscribed with calligraphy, some with as few as one character, some with 70. Varied in style, these bricks provide a living illustration of how Chinese characters developed over time.

Dive into the food The food of Nanjing is rich, meaty and often features tofu. Try Gansi (finely shredded tofu boiled in chicken stock with everything from shrimp to bamboo shoots) or tofu jelly (silky bean curd served hot, topped with pickles, sauces or even chicken slices). Hairy crab, a seasonal autumn favourite from local Gucheng lake, is a great dish of steamed crab with meat dipped in vinegar.

Make sure to try the speciality yanshuiya. This dish of duck soaked in brine is a Nanjing staple, one that requires the duck to be hung out for more than three days.

For comforting carbs, order a delicious tangbao. These steamed dumplings tend to be stuffed with meat and broth and are best served dipped in vinegar.

Finish with the sweet version in a sugared red bean soup.

As for where to begin, the Confucius temple area and Shiziqiao food street are both good starting points. They will both allow you to eat in Nanjing like a local and to taste just a bit of the flavour this charming city has to offer.

Spicy tofu hot pot with bok choi and shiitake mushrooms

Jumeirah in nanJing in China, Jumeirah has agreed to manage properties in haikou, Wuhan and nanjing.

The Jumeirah haikhou resort will be set in an exclusive golf community on the private island of hainan. The Jumeirah Wuhan hotel will have a prime city centre location near hankou while the Jumeirah nanjing property will be in the hexi new business district.

Jumeirah nanjing’s opening is on the horizon. Located approximately 40 minutes’ drive from the airport and a one-hour train ride from Shanghai, this elegant venue will be perfect for business and leisure alike. it will be close to key business areas, including office buildings and a conference centre.

The late architect Dame Zaha hadid was the creative genius behind the hotel’s design. When complete, it will have 250 rooms, 32 suites, an all-day dining and Chinese speciality restaurant, cafe, lobby lounge, fitness centre, spa, indoor swimming pool and more.

To find out more visit jumeirah.com

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The InsIders’ GuIde To…

MALLORCA

Interviews by Gareth rees. Images: Getty.

Inside the lives of Mallorca's most talented tastemakers

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travel Anna Nicholas

Ivan Ferrero

AnnA nicholAs

ivAn Ferrero

Writer

Fashion designer

My family and I moved to Mallorca at the start of the new millennium. We live between the town and port of Soller, just 20 minutes on foot from both the town square and in the opposite direction, the turquoise Mediterranean.

I love living in the Soller valley because it is a lively, cultural hub that is open all year, unlike some holiday resorts that shut down over the winter months.

We have wonderfully vibrant fiestas and events each month and the town is home to Mallorca’s botanical gardens, Jardi Botanic de Soller, the Balearic natural history museum, Museu Balear de Ciencies Naturals and Can Prunera modern art museum. We go to many restaurants and cafes in the area but one of my favourites for morning coffee has always been Cafe Paris in the town square. My husband and I often pop up to Fornalutx village to the popular Es Turo restaurant for freshly cooked seasonal Mallorcan fare. We also love Pizzeria del Puerto, Agapanto and Kingfisher in the port. I am a great fan of simple, freshly prepared dishes such as arroz brut (dirty rice), a rich meat soup; paella and pa amb oli - Mallorcan brown bread with virgin olive oil, tomato and garlic puree - and local cheeses and olives. There are many lovely shops to visit such as Colmado sa Lluna deli but there is nothing to beat the local Saturday market, which sells everything from local honey and olives to handmade artisan crafts.

I was born in Palma and have lived here since I was a child. It has changed a lot since then – new buildings, new streets, new shops – but it has retained its essence. Why have I stayed in the same neighbourhood? Simple: I find inspiration in every single corner and it allows me to return to a time of innocence. Everybody knows each other and we care for each other.

Mallorca is the best place in the world to be an author because it is truly inspirational. I sit at my desk overlooking an orchard of lemons and oranges with a backdrop of the Serra de Tramuntana and often have to pinch myself to believe that I really am living the dream. When I first moved to Mallorca, I had an idea to write A Lizard in My Luggage, my first book, which was set between London and Mallorca. This was swiftly followed by five more books in the series. My aim has always been to introduce readers to the history and fascinating cultural heritage of the island through my own living experience here. Recently I was honoured to receive the prestigious Silver Siurell award, which is presented to three Balearic residents who promote and uphold the islands’ culture and traditional values. Some of my favourite books about Mallorca are Jogging Round Majorca by Gordon West, A Cottage in Majorca

by Lady Sheppard and Majorca Observed by Robert Graves.

I always have coffee in the mornings in Bar Cristal in Placa Espanya, then I work out in Olimpic gym, which has been open for 57 years. At the weekend I visit my favourite restaurants, Dues Terres bar and Bri restaurant.

Dues Terres Bar is a bakery where as a child I used to buy traditional bunuelos (fried dough balls).

I am privileged to live on Mallorca. We have sun almost all year round, the Mediterranean sea, the most beautiful beaches in the world and a wonderful healthy lifestyle. I have my own brand, El Hombre del Saco. I mainly design handbags, combining ethnic styles with traditional fabrics. You can find my designs in Draps next to Fundacion La Caixa Gran Hotel in Palma.

Mallorca is a constant source of inspiration. My favourite book about Mallorca is A Winter in Mallorca by George Sand, an autobiographical travel novel that relates the details of her trip and stay with Chopin on the island of Mallorca.

My favourite film about Mallorca is Bearn by Jaime Chavarri. It is set in Serra de Tramuntana, one of my favourite places on the island and a Unesco world heritage site. My favourite local artist is Miquel Barcelo.

I love his work - he is amazing. If a visitor had only 24 hours to discover Mallorca, I would recommend they get lost in Palma’s Old Town. It is a magical labyrinth of old streets and buildings. I go to Playa del Delta in Llucmajor to disconnect, sunbathe and swim in clean emerald water. The biggest misconception about Mallorca is that the vice in Magaluf and Punta Ballena, which is often depicted in the media, is symbolic of life on the island. It is just a small percentage of tourists behaving badly. It is said that it is difficult to make friends in Mallorca but that once you have made one, you will have him or her forever.

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travel Eva Shakouri Torreadrado

Plaza de la reina, palma

Kathedrale la seu, palma

Eva Shakouri TorrEadrado

art patron and art consultant

I was born in Tehran, Iran. I moved to Europe in 1984 and since the early 1980s I have lived with one foot in Mallorca and the other in London.

As teenagers, my friends and I used to nip around on our scooters from a secluded calas (tiny beach) to one of the buzzing cafeterias in the Paseo del Borne. The island is small enough that you feel at home everywhere and you can pick and choose your neighbourhood to match the mood you are in. I live in the capital Palma, the largest and best preserved historic city in the Mediterranean, where you can still feel the presence of all the civilisations that have inhabited it - Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Christian Knights Templar and aristocrats from the Austro-Hungarian empire. As well as being stunning, it combines all the sybarite requisites of contemporary life with the magic of the island’s past. The whole city is buzzing with history and secrets. Popular foods are llonguet, sandwiches made with a Mallorquin white bread that looks like a cherub’s face with chubby cheeks and pa amb oli, a Mallorquin brown bread served with any topping under the sun. My favourite places for a midday snack are La Bella Juanita on Carrer dels Paraires or La Molienda on Carrer del Bisbe Campins. If you want local food inspired by traditional Mallorquin cuisine, visit Gaudeix on Carrer de Can Sales, Ca Na Toneta on Carrer de s’Horitzo or best of all, Dins Santi Taura on Carrer Joan Carles I. You will have to reserve a table well in advance of your visit.

Wherever you may go, make sure you ask for sal de coco, a special type of sea salt that has dried and crystallised naturally between the rocks after a storm. Each flake tastes like the sea. Another tip: the pickled seaweed that comes with the local broken olives might seem like mere decoration to the newly arrived visitor but is a true delicacy. Mallorca is home to some

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amazing designers but the best ateliers and boutiques are not easy to find.

Visit Carmina shoemaker on Carrer de la Unio, Sybilla on Carrer de Sant Feliu, Cortana on Carrer de Can Asprer and Hispanopersa on Carrer de la Pau. I’d also recommend booking visits to the ateliers of Alberto Tous and Miguel Adrover, on Carrer de Jovellanos and the village of Caimari respectively. Also make sure you stock up on cosmetics from Massumeh, an independent brand run by mother-daughter team Nasrine and Massie, located on Calle del General Arrando.

The arts circuit has amazing variety and dynamism. It is not strange to find international names like Christian Boltanski, Pedro Cabrita Reis or Rebecca Horn having a coffee in the little side streets of central Palma, discussing one of their commissions with a collector. Nor should you be surprised if you stop for a snack in a village bar and find a sketch by Miguel Barcelo dedicated to its owner or a framed handwritten text by Cela squiggled onto a napkin, hanging framed on the wall. The creative scene here is very much alive and permeates every strata of society. Kitab Tarih Mayurqa is an amazing read.

It is the diary of a nobleman who lived in Mallorca in the 13th century and chronicles events leading up to the end of the Arab reign of the island. It is beautifully written and provides an insight into the peculiarities of the local culture, which is a mish-mash of Jewish, Christian and Muslim traditions.

Without a doubt, my favourite local artist is the sculptor Kira Ball. Her studio is in the village Binissalem. One of the most important unspoken rules in Mallorca is the importance of being understated. Ostentation is not only frowned upon but also considered a sign of vulgarity. When speaking to a Mallorquin, you have to look for meaning in the silences between what is spoken. If you earn their trust and show courtesy, they will eventually help you peer into their subtle world of metaphors and knowing looks.

travel Sandra Seeling Lipski

Sandra Seeling lipSki

actress, filmmaker and founder of the evolution Mallorca international Film Festival

I was born in Berlin, Germany. We visited Mallorca regularly from the time I was born and when I was 10 years old my family decided to make it their permanent home. I grew up in Santa Ponsa, a small town overlooking the Malgrat islands. To this day the area is surrounded by endless ocean access on one side and a beautiful pine tree forest on the other – a dream come true for a child. Now I split my life between Los Angeles and Mallorca. Since I founded the Evolution Mallorca International Film (EMIFF) in 2012, I have spent September to December on the island.

To start with, I stay in Santa Ponsa to be close to my family and then for one week before and during the festival I stay in Hotel Tres, Hotel Cort or Hotel Sant Francesc to be close to action. When I am in Santa Ponsa, my family and I love to spend weekend mornings in Port Adriano.

We enjoy a delicious brunch in Sansibar and then a nice walk around the shops and galleries. Palma is buzzing with new restaurants and shops.

My perfect day starts with coffee in Rialto Living store, followed by a jog along the Parc del Mar by the cathedral. I have lunch at Bi Bap. After lunch I explore the old town, where you will find eclectic shops like Pasatiempos for trainers, jewellery shop Bossa Palma and clothing shop Rock Beach. While finishing school, I started acting in a German

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Cala Fornells Beach

TV series that was shot in Mallorca. Straight after that I moved to New York to study drama and theatre, then I moved to Los Angeles, where I started working in film and television. In 2010 I went back to film school to study producing and directing. I started making my own films, which I presented in film festivals all over the world. That was when it struck me that Mallorca did not have its own film festival.

I saw an opportunity, made a business plan, got the local film community on board and launched the first EMIFF in October 2012.

The weather, the location, the infrastructure and a thriving creative community make Mallorca the perfect destination for a film festival.

International filmmakers love to come and network while they enjoy a few days in the sun and see great movies – it’s the perfect workplay combination.

The local film scene is absolutely buzzing. Since EMIFF started, local filmmakers have had the chance to meet international filmmakers, attend Q&As with award-winning directors, network with like-minded people and create new projects. I could never pick one favourite film, it would be like picking a favourite child – but you should watch Andreas Ewels’ Adventure Mallorca, which shows the island from an unusual perspective. The entire documentary is shot from a Zeppelin. You should also see Borja Sausen’s short documentary about a young farmer, Som Pastor.

THE WORLD CAN WAIT

To reconnect with what’s important, you need to disconnect first - get caught up in a special moment and not in the worries of the world. At Jumeirah Zabeel Saray moments like these are abundant. That’s because we take care of every detail of your holiday.

Some call it a luxury, we call it quality time.

Time to let go. For more information, visit jumeirah.com or call +971 4 453 0000

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Perfect Perfect for those Perfect for those who for those like whotolike who explore tolike explore and to explore for and whom for and whom Dubai for whom Dubai might Dubai might be a might new be aexperience. new be aexperience. new experience.

Book Book your next Book your holiday next your holiday next andholiday enjoy and enjoy complimentary and enjoy complimentary complimentary breakfast breakfast with breakfast awith choice awith choice ofalunch choice of lunch orofdinner lunch or dinner inorover dinner in 60 overin participating 60 overparticipating 60 participating restaurants restaurants restaurants and host and ofhost and ofhost of complimentary complimentary complimentary addedadded value. added value.value.

For reservations For reservations For reservations please please visit please visit jumeirah.com/flavours visit jumeirah.com/flavours jumeirah.com/flavours

Beautiful Balearics

Jet off to the Balearics and discover one of Mallorca’s most luxurious hotels, Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel and Spa, which celebrates its fifth anniversary this year

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Island life Built on a cliff overlooking the picturesque fishing village of Port Soller, the hotel is just a 35-minute car transfer from Palma international airport. The stunning property occupies one of the most idyllic sites on the island in the heart of the Soller valley, renowned for its orange, lemon and olive orchards. Step into the lobby and you will be greeted by a refreshing citrus aroma reminiscent of the nearby groves. The lobby’s scent was exclusively formulated by a maitre parfumeur in the ancient town of Grasse in France, which has been the capital of the perfume world since the 17th century. The fragrance is subtly diffused through the air conditioning systems and makes for a refreshing welcome.

Hotel entrance

Explore

View of Tramuntana montains

Spend a morning in the charming fishing village Port de Soller and discover the island’s local treasures. Stroll around the bustling marketplace and browse the traditional Mallorcan handicrafts in the art and craft shops. Enjoy a spot of lunch in one of the many bars and restaurants or venture into Palma, the island’s historical capital. Take the picturesque Orange Express tram ride and enjoy dramatic views and endless photo opportunities. This vintage tram set out on its maiden trip in 1913 and has been serving the town of Soller and Port de Soller village ever since. Visitors can relive this historic journey as it heads through the orange groves.

Once at the Soller train station, keep an eye out for original works of art by the likes of Joan Miro and Picasso.

View from a junior suite Orange Express tram ride

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travel Cap Roig restaurant

Sumptuous dinner in Cap Roig Named after a delicious local fish known for its bright red colour and intense flavour, Cap Roig is Jumeirah’s exclusive Mediterranean restaurant and enjoys a clifffront location offering dramatic sea views over the Mediterranean. During the day, it offers a selection of Mediterranean-inspired dishes in a comfortable and family-friendly al fresco atmosphere. Paella and traditional local rice dishes are served too, which makes Cap Roig the perfect venue for those seeking out local delicacies.

Hammam

Sunset Sushi Lounge Step out onto the covered outdoor terrace and enjoy dramatic, 180-degree views of the Mediterranean sea, historic Port de Soller and the world heritage Tramuntana mountain range while you soak up the last of the sun’s rays. Enjoy our barmen’s cocktail creations and discover the everchanging views of breathtaking sunsets that can be experienced from this magnificent vantage point.

Lounge at sunset

Sushi

Rest and relax Treat yourself to a treatment in the tranquil Talise Spa. With its abundant sun, sea, nature and culture, Mallorca is an ideal place to escape to for a rejuvenating break. And as a guest of Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel and Spa, you can discover an even deeper relaxation. This luxurious clifftop retreat offers a new generation of spa treatments with natural ingredients such as citrus, almonds and olive oil that will transport you to a serene state of mind and body.

The Five Years of Luxury experience is priced from about $590 per person and available to book by calling +34 971 637 888 or via jumeirah.com/mallorca

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Words: Danae Mercer

Jumeirah Vittaveli, MU Beach Bar

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Island Flavours When people think of the Maldives, they don't think cuisine. Yet the region has a range of fascinating, flavourful dishes, often fuelled by tuna, coconut and spice

Maldivian food isn’t about elaborate plates with delicate squiggles of foam and cubed bits of jelly. It’s not topped with truffles or drizzled in flakes of gold. It typically doesn’t have bells or whistles and it certainly doesn’t have an ostentatious amount of razzle-dazzle.

That is exactly what makes it special.

“Maldivian cuisine is basically all about simple food, cooked in a very basic way, drawing in Arabic, Indian and Sri Lankan influences, all with a local touch. It is a real fusion,” says Aldo Cadau, executive chef at Jumeirah Dhevanafushi.

“We are in the middle of the Indian Ocean. This is great for vegetables, fruit and of course fish.”

When it comes to fish, there is one stand-out star: tuna. “Tuna is very important – fresh tuna, big tuna, small,” says Cadau. With local dish mas-huni, tuna appears on the breakfast table, served smoked and thinly chopped, in a dish mixed with lime, onion and chilli.

“It is a delicious way to start the day,” says Francis Cornelious, executive sous-chef at Jumeirah Vittaveli. Traditionally mas-huni comes served with roshi, a very thin bread made with wheat flour — rather like a local take on an Indian chapatti.

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T HE SA ND BE T WEEN YOUR TOE S IS A

Suite Sensation

CITY HOTELS: JUMEIRAH CREEKSIDE HOTEL | JUMEIRAH EMIRATES TOWERS RESORTS: BURJ AL ARAB JUMEIRAH | JUMEIRAH BEACH HOTEL | MADINAT JUMEIRAH | JUMEIRAH ZABEEL SARAY

Rediscover the luxuries of life, the ones that really matter, at Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts’ suites and villas.

Enhance your stay with our Suite Sensation offer, with incredible benefits and complimentary inclusions*.

Book two nights at a suite within one of the city hotels and stay a second night with our compliments Book four nights at a suite or villa at one of the resorts and stay the fifth night with our compliments Complimentary breakfast, limousine transfers, access to the Club Lounges and Wild Wadi Waterpark™ Jumeirah Sirius members receive double points when they take advantage of this offer

For more information, please visit jumeirah.com/suitesensation. * Offer subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply.

travel Jumeirah Vittaveli, Fenesse

Lobster tail

Cadau recommends eating the tuna with steamed rice cooked in cumin seeds.

“Then there are eggs, fresh papaya and fresh coconut water. This is basically our Maldivian breakfast. It is very healthy, very nutritious.”

Tuna is not just for breakfast. It appears at lunch and dinner as well. “It is traditionally [cooked] as a curry or a soup,” says Cadau. The soup, called garudhiya, consists of fresh tuna chunks, chilli, lime and garlic. Eaten with rice or roshi, the soup comes with several side dishes including theluli rihaakuru, a thick fish paste and thelulifai, a green-leafed condiment.

The local curry, kandu kukulhu, consist mainly of tuna cooked in spices and coconut milk.

“We also do tuna as a barbecue,” says Cadau. One of the property’s most popular dishes is a modern take on the multi-purpose fish. “We take a very fresh tuna fillet and banana leaves, cook it on the barbecue, then top it with mango sauce, fresh coconut, green onion and tomatoes. It has such a great flavour.”

Crusted rack of lamb

Spices appear in almost everything. Maldivian chilli is widely used, as is coriander. And coconut, in its various forms, pops up throughout. “It is first used as a welcome drink for guests. Then we have grated coconut for salads and coconut milk for curries,” says Cadau. In a sweet dessert of fried bananas, coconut milk soaks the accompanying jasmine rice and is topped with cinnamon.

Coconut cream, when mixed with diced breadfruit, sugar and water, forms a popular sticky dessert. Dried and grated coconut, combined with flour and sugar, creates the creamy hakuru folhi. Yet the simplest form of Maldivian dessert exists without any mixing, stirring or grating at all – fresh fruit.

Ripe papayas, mangoes, watermelons and bananas are all popular end-of-

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travel Jumeirah Vittaveli, Fenesse, slow-cooked barramundi

Freshly caught whole reef fish fillet

the-meal treats. Although located on fairly isolated islands without even a hint of a corner grocery store, Cadau says it is not difficult obtaining cooking ingredients. “We order the food here. The fish and many fresh ingredients, like the tomatoes, cucumbers, papaya, watermelon, honeydew, all come from nearby islands.”

Other ingredients are sourced from Thailand, Sri Lanka and surrounding areas. For Cadau, an Italian native, mealtime in the Maldives has a particular charm. “Here everyone still cooks at home. It is a big part of their culture. People really know how to cook. At our resort, we have so many Maldivian chefs. They are very good and they know all these recipes they make in their own kitchens.”

A helping of hedhikAA When fresh fish and fruit won’t quite fulfil that craving for something a little more decadent, try hedhikaa, a local delicacy of tapas-style

Cornelious enjoys the access to just-caught ingredients. “It is a great pleasure as a chef when you work with fresh yellow tuna, wahoo or mahi mahi. It is all fish and seafood caught in the morning by local fishermen.” Coconuts are also harvested from the island. Such ingredients make the dishes exceptional.

snacks. These guilty pleasures are often deep fried and fish-based, featuring rich flavours wrapped in crispy golden exteriors. Here is what to order: gulha - decadent pastry balls stuffed with smoked fish and coconut

On Fridays, guests at Jumeirah Dhevanafushi and Jumeirah Vittaveli can enjoy a Maldivian buffet with local dishes, salads, appetisers, soups and main courses. At Dhevanafushi, this is presented alongside live entertainment of traditional dancing with drums and performers brought in from the nearby island.

Mas roshi - a flattened version of a gulha egg cutlets - a mix of eggs, tuna, potatoes and curry leaves kulhi borkibaa - a spicy fish cake

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“Guests sometimes get up and dance with them so it is very interactive.

There is a great atmosphere,” says Cadau. “Guests just love it.”

Theluli mas - fried fish mixed with garlic and chilli

To book your foodie tour of the Maldives visit jumeirah.com

keemia - delicious deep-fried fish rolls

featured SpaceS Plaj restaurant, jumeirah Zabeel saray Whether you are staying at the hotel or just want to catch up with friends and family for a beachside lunch or sundowners, book your sunny spot at Plaj in the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray.

With the water gently lapping the nearby shore, this seaside brasserie offers a Mediterranean menu with Italian flavours. Located on the Palm Jumeirah, the hotel is a great escape from the bustling heart of Dubai. Take some time out to relax with a Saray fruit punch or bellini as you watch the world go by.

After you have worked up an appetite strolling the beach or swimming, tuck into a Plaj salad, which features a delicious mix of confit tuna, soft boiled eggs and homemade thousand island dressing. If you are a fan of seafood, the ceviche is a must, as is the deep-fried calamari.

Words: Sophia Serin

Next on your order should be one (or two) of Plaj’s signature dishes, the pizzas. Deliciously homemade, hand-rolled and stonebaked to order, the margarita is on top of our list, closely followed by the Tuscany pizza. If you have any room left, the lobster with baby potatoes gets a huge thumbs-up or if you feel like something a little more lavish, the lamb chops with chips are hard to beat. With daily blackboard specials, you can dine at Plaj every day and try something different each time. If you plan on visiting Plaj after the sun goes down, the La Plaj lounge opens at 5pm from Thursday to Saturday.

With an in-house DJ and special offers on beverages, it is the best way to make a weekday feel like the weekend. The restaurant also offers barbecue nights in its exclusive beachside bar. A three-course meal is US$77 and well worth every bite. With an amazing setting, cool soundtrack and relaxed beach atmosphere, Plaj is a must for every beach lover's little black book.

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Lunch is served daily from midday to 5pm and dinner from 6.30pm to 11pm.

If you fancy a cocktail or two, head to Plaj's happy hour with lounge bites from 5pm to 7pm.

To book, call +971 4 453 0444 or email jzsrestaurants@jumeirah.com

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The high life:

Words: Nina Catt

Kubbeli Saloon Tea lounge, Pera Palace hotel Jumeirah, istanbul

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The lowdown: From the moment you step into the iconic Kubbeli

For something a little more decadent, order afternoon tea in the first

Saloon Tea Lounge, you find yourself surrounded by glamour. High

hotel in Turkey (it first opened in 1892 and is a magnet for Turkish high

domed ceilings, corner windows and parquet flooring provide the time-

society) to adopt the long-standing British tradition. Enjoy refined service

less sense of luxury typical of the Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah in Istanbul,

in the wonderful historical setting while indulging in a medley of bespoke

which is currently celebrating its 125th anniversary. Relax and soak up

sandwiches, seasonal fruit tarts, macarons and, of course, scones with

the grandeur of the surroundings while you savour a cup of hot tea or

clotted cream and preserves, to name just a few of the tasty treats on

chilled glass of bubbles as an aperitif before an indulgent selection of

offer. Take your pick from the extensive tea menu for a tailor-made dining

treats from the menu.

experience that will leave you wanting to visit time and again.

The aTmosphere: The gentle sounds flowing from the house pianist

InsIder’s TIp: For a real treat, go for the La Bohème French Afternoon

add an elegant feel to the experience, creating an ambiance perfect for

Tea, which is served with a delightful glass of Moët & Chandon Rosé.

celebrations and intimate special occasions.

Just perfect.

The food: Diners can choose from a selection of gourmet bites such as

BookIng deTaIls: Kubbeli Saloon Tea Lounge is open daily from 7am until

the salmon Lakerda on zucchini flower beignets, steak tartare sandwich

11pm. Afternoon tea is served from 3pm to 6pm. Call +90 212 377 4000 or

with mixed pickles or the popular croissant with truffle brie cream.

email jppinfo@jumeirah.com