Jumeirah | November 2015

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Explore London Escape into a festive winter wonderland

Harry Lloyd

The Game of Thrones star on finding fame

Beauty trends

What happens when East meets West

Miss Saigon

Two performers give up everything to sing

nicole kidman

“Time does go past so quickly. That’s why I don’t want to miss any of it.”

Available at:

OMEGA Boutiques - Dubai: BurJuman • Deira City Centre • Dubai Mall • Dubai Festival City • Mall of the Emirates • Mina A'Salam • Mirdif City Centre • Jumeirah Beach Hotel • Sahara Centre • Wafi and at select Rivoli Stores.

Abu Dhabi: Marina Mall • Yas Marina • Toll Free: 800-RIVOLI

I N C I N EMAS

JAMES BOND’S CHOICE

Maximo Riera: The Animal Chair Collection Enjoy the splendor of nature with The Animal Chair collection by Mรกximo Riera.

Featuring several new selections created exclusively for Cities, these majestic pieces will soon be available in Dubai courtesy of Cities. Experience the Animal Chair collection at the following events: Mรกximo Riera: A Retrospective Hosted by Cities at Mine Gallery | November 11-15, 2015 Cities at Big Boys Toys | November 18-21, 2015

DUBAI, U.A.E: The Galleria Mall - Jumeirah - Al Wasl Road T: +971 4 34 34 301 - info@citiesdubai.com RIYADH, KSA: Prince Muhammad Bin Abdulaziz Road, Tahlia Street T: +966 11 218 0007 - info@citiesriyadh.com cities-design-and-lifestyle-store www.citiesstore.com

citiesdubai

citiesriyadh

Image: Patrick Demarchelier/ Condé Nast US/Trunk Archive

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november 2015<<

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Editor-in-Chief

Obaid Humaid Al Tayer Managing Partner & Group Editor

lan Fairservice Editorial Director

Gina Johnson Goup Editor

Sophia Serin Art Director

Karen Evans Editor

Danae Mercer danae@motivate.ae Picture Editor

Janelle Salangsang Contributors

Marina Chetner, Rachel Ingram

Contents

Publisher – Luxury & Lifestyle

Negar Ghodstinat negar@motivate.ae General Manager – Production

S Sunil Kumar

Monitor

Production Manager

R. Murali Krishnan Production Supervisor

Venita Pinto Chief Commercial Officer

Anthony Milne Group Sales Director

Craig Wagstaff

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Essential news and previews 23 City Watch Discover exclusive events around the world

Group Sales Manager

Ziad Saleh ziad@motivate.ae

31 Tempting ‘Toys’ A luxury exhibit brings out that inner child

Abu DhAbi OffiCE Publisher

Imane Eddinari for Jumeirah

Piers Schreiber

Featured 34 Timeless Beauty Nicole Kidman joins Jumeirah in Milan to talk about time and challenges

Head Office: Media One Tower, Dubai Media City, PO Box 2331, Dubai UAE, Tel: +971 4 427 3000, E-mail: motivate@motivate.ae Dubai Media City: Office 508, 5th Floor, Building 8, 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: 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

42 Finding Fame The Game of Thrones star on acting and the stage 46 Stars Trek to Dubai The famous cast visit the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah in the UAE

november 2015<<

Contents 50

Lifestyle 50 In Conversation Cartierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s President on the brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest collection 54 Skincare: From East to West Eastern skincare trends are catching on 61 Taking the Stage Two stars give up everything for the famous Miss Saigon

Travel 66 A Tale of Two Cities Explore the beautiful winter wonderland of London 72 Travel Muse Luxury experts reveal destinations that inspire 74 Detox Days Visit Kuwait for a refreshing holiday 78 Secret Spaces Keep the bee population strong at Jumeirah Frankfurt

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82 The High Life Dine on fresh Japanese cuisine at Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel

Dual Time Manufacture Self-winding manufacture movement with Silicium technology.

Patented unique time zone quick setting. 18 ct rose gold case.

Also available in stainless steel.

Limited Edition of 500 pieces.

Ulysse Nardin Boutique-Mall of The Emirates +971 4 3950577 Ulysse Nardin Boutique-The Dubai Mall +971 4 4341421 Dubai Duty Free-Dubai International Airport

U LY S S E - N A R D I N . C O M

W W W. B I N H E N D I . CO M

CITY WATCH

Explore some of the finest events happening this month

DUBAI/ABU DHABI BOOK NOW – DUBAI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 9 to 16 December

Musical adventure 23 to 25 November

Abu Dhabi Classics presents a beautiful depiction of the story of explorer Ibn Battuta’s travels through Africa, Arabia and beyond. The show, created

by Grammy Award-winning conductor, composer and musician Jordi Savall, combines music with words to take guests on an unforgettable journey.

While this event is a while off, tickets go quickly for this international film festival. Cultural connoisseurs and art supporters alike travel to Dubai to experience the ultimate in cinema. You can expect gala evenings, film launches, and numerous celebrity-filled red carpets. Previous guests have included Cate Blanchett, Tom Cruise, Morgan Freeman, George Clooney and Emily Blunt. What’s more, the festival has unveiled several ‘Friends of the Festival’ packages, which provide insider access across a range of exclusive events.

Madinat Jumeirah is the home of DIFF again this year.

Dubai International Film Festival, diff.ae

Ibn Battuta: The Voyager of Islam, abudhabiclassics.ae

ZIYA AT PACHA

Compiled by: Rachel Ingram. Images: Getty

Ongoing

Le Theatre 9 to 24 November

A beautiful Dior exhibition will travel this month to the Dubai Mall. Featuring miniature haute couture dresses (remakes of the originals) created exactly how real haute couture dresses are made, this Dior show is one perfect for fashion lovers. The show is divided into 12 different themes, including Dior Atelier.

Vibrant and powerful, this compelling dinner show features acrobatics, theatrics, singers and more. While acts change regularly, the theme toys with the idea of Ibn Battuta’s travels.

A fantastical and otherworldly twist is highlighted, while performances draw on Turkish, Moroccan, Gulf, Sufi, and Egyptian elements. Once the show finishes, tables are cleared away so guests can dance into the night.

Ziya at Pacha, Pacha.ae

Le Theatre, Dubai Mall

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London

Jazz Festival

13 to 22 November The internationally renowned EFG London Jazz Festival is back with a stellar lineup of big names and up-and-coming stars of the jazz world.

An essential date on any music lover’s diary, the celebration presents 10 days of concerts, club events, workshops and exclusive talks with world-class acts.

EFG London Jazz Festival, efglondonjazzfestival.org.uk

Food Festival 19 to 22 November A host of London’s top restaurants come together to present signature dishes and seasonal specials at the annual Taste of London Winter food festival at the Tobacco Dock. Foodies have the opportunity to sample culinary creations by some of the city’s top chefs and restaurants, watch demonstrations and even take part in cookery masterclasses.

Taste of London Winter, tastefestivals.com

Guy Fawkes NiGht 5 November Remember, remember, the fifth of November by attending one of London’s spectacular fireworks displays on the eve of Bonfire Night. Shows take place across the city to mark the popular British story of Guy Fawkes.

You can also purchase food while strolling through many of the bonfirefilled parks.

Bonfire night, visitlondon.com

Lord Mayor’s Show 14 November

An 800-year-old tradition in London, the Lord Mayor’s Show is an annual procession during which the elected mayor travels from the City of London to Westminster. Stake your spot for the parade and watch marching bands, dancers and performers make their way through the streets, followed by a fireworks display over the Thames.

Lord Mayor’s Show, lordmayorsshow.london

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ShanghaI/IStanBul

HsbC CHampIons 2 to 8 november Many of the greatest names in the golfing world are set to descend on Shanghai for the annual World Golf ChampionshipsHSBC Champions. With a purse of USD8.5 million and a winning share of USD1.4 million, there’s a lot riding on this year’s tournament, so don’t miss out. hSBC Champions, worldgolfchampionships. com/hsbc-champions

Architectural inspiration until 15 november

Istanbul Modern offers a last chance to see works of architectural art created by up-and-coming talents during its Young Architects Program. The students were given the challenge of creating intimate social spaces for city-dwellers and the resulting installations in the All That is Solid exhibition are certainly inspired.

YaP Istanbul Modern: Young architects Program, istanbulmodern.org

Istanbul InternatIonal book FaIr 7 to 15 november Whether you’re an avid reader or a keen writer, the 34th Istanbul International Book Fair is an excellent opportunity to explore the latest works by emerging and established talents from across the Turkey and the world. This year’s theme is ‘Humour: Looking at Life with a Smile’ so expect a few laughs.

Shanghai Art Fair

Istanbul International Book Fair, istanbulbookfair.com

12 to 15 november

A must-visit for art collectors and artists alike, Shanghai Art Fair brings together myriad works by artists and galleries from more than 20 countries. Browse original artworks by some of the biggest names in the industry such as Picasso, Rembrandt, Dali, Renoir and Monet, or take home unique pieces by the greatest up-and-coming stars from China and beyond.

Shanghai art Fair, sartfair.com

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FRankFuRt/Rome

Roma Jazz Festival 14 to 30 November

WiNe festival 7 to 8 November This November you can sample refined wines as the Frankfurt Airport hosts its annual Destination Wine festival. Sip from over 100 varieties, meet with merchants from the Rhine-Main Region and learn more about the art of the grape.

Romeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Auditorium Parco Della Musica plays host to the Roma Jazz Festival, an annual celebration of jazz music, featuring concerts and performances by some of the most revered Italian artists and international musicians. With such an eclectic mix of styles on offer, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s something for everyone.

Roma Jazz Festival, romajazzfestival.it

Destination Wine, frankfurt-airport.ae

storm WomeN all month A powerful exhibition of over 120 works paying tribute to the female artists of the Avant-Garde in Berlin from 1910 to 1931, Storm Women at the Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt represents a number of artistic movements including futurism, expressionism, constructivism and Dadaism.

Storm Women, schirn.de

RomaEuropa Festival 3 to 28 November

RomaEuropa Festival enters its third month with a packed programme of modern dance performances and contemporary music, theatre and film showcases across the city. An exciting time for Romeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s performing arts scene, there are shows to pick from almost every evening throughout November.

Romaeuropa Festival, romaeuropa.net

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FRI DEC 18 2015

EARLY BIRD TICKETS AED 200 | AED 250 door Doors Open at 8pm | RESERVATIONS & table bookings: +971 4 5670000 or email reservations@pacha.ae

>>monitor<<

TempTing ‘Toys’ Featuring hundreds of luxury products, including numerous world-record holding items, million-dollar global launches, smart gadgets, super cars, super yachts, and more, Big Boys Toys 2015 brings buyable temptations to Dubai.

What can you expect to see? Here are three of our favourites: Le Vault UFO Chair: This rocking/swinging chair is manufactured so that no matter where you sit on it, you will balance. It also can rotate 360 degrees. How? It’s made from a single piece of carbon fibre and leather, and it’s filled with automotive technologies and memory foam.

De Macrosse Epique GT1: Developed by a South Korean entrepreneur, this supercar might look old school (a homage to some of the great European Le Mans race cars of yesteryear) but its technology is all modern.

It features 845 horsepower and 725 lb-ft of torque. In total, only around 20 to 30 cars will be made.

Bienville Legacy Motorcycle: There are only 12 bespoke editions of this work of art. Handcrafted, this 300bhp super machine mixes leather, mahogany, and titanium.

You will also find zipperless travel bags with built in GPS, bespoke champagne coolers, super yachts, and pretty much anything the luxury gadget-lover might want to buy.

For those who prefer their gadgets with a dish of exclusivity, Club Royale tickets are available. These offer complimentary daily entry, vouchers for every feature at the show, several bespoke VIP experiences including test driving three supercars, and entry to the exclusive ‘Club Royale’ corporate hospitality chalet.

BigBoysToysUAE.com

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BOULEVARD JUMEIRAH EMIRATES TOWERS SOUK MADINAT JUMEIRAH MALL OF THE EMIRATES DUBAI MALL

Featured Nicole Kidman Actress Importance of time P 34 Harry Lloyd Actor Finding fame P 42

Image: Getty

Star Trek Stars in Dubai Burj Al Arab Jumeirah P 46

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>>featured: nicole kidman<<

timeless beauty actress Nicole Kidman meets Jumeirah in milan to talk about the importance of time, the women who motivate her, and why challenges aren’t so bad after all

International star and Academy Award-winning actress Nicole Kidman has her arm around my shoulders. Tall and slender, her strawberry-blonde hair swept off her face in 1940s-inspired curls, she is the epitome of elegance.

“Nice shoes,” I say. They are Louboutins, strappy and black.

“Thank you.” The UNICEF Ambassador for Australia and UN ‘Citizen of the World’ smiles down at me. Kidman’s been busy lately, working long hours on London’s West End in her first theatre performance in 17 years, but she looks refreshed rather than tired. “They’re like stilts, aren’t they?” And she laughs as the camera clicks.

The night before, Kidman had stepped on stage at the Palazzo del Ghiaccio to celebrate luxury watch manufacturer Omega’s commitment to ladies. “Time is precious,” she said again and again. Her Harry Winston jewels glinted against the black Mugler dress. “There are so many things you can buy in life, but you can’t buy time. People say it goes fast, and it truly does.”

As we stand in an airy room the following day, this is something Kidman draws the conversation back to repeatedly. She’s worked in the industry for three decades, winning herself numerous accolades for subtly complex characters. Alongside work and her charity involvements, she’s also a mother and wife. Balancing all these roles, she notes, can be nuanced.

“I just wish there was more [time]. I love being in the world. At some point, that isn’t going to be, and it’s devastating to think of that. I just want to be there for my children for as long as I can be there.” Her solution? “Choose love, which sounds corny, but I think the basis of it is very true and beautiful. We always say to each other: ‘choose love.’”

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The interview Who are your role models?

We had a very strong female-centric family. My mother has always been a huge influence in my life. But I have many aunts as well, and both my grandmothers were very involved in my upbringing and I hold them very, very close in my memory. So I suppose the women in my family, who are all survivors, and strong women.

My mother was a strong feminist, so she raised both my sister and me to feel like we were equal and that we could do anything. That’s the simplest way of putting it. She sent me to an all-girls school, and my sister to an all-girls school, so we would have the opportunity to grow without any distractions.

I think that was terrific.

What kind of role model Would you like to be for your children?

For my girls, the way in which I raise them, I already see them mimic me.

But neither of them right now wants to be an actress. They both stated that very clearly. ‘Too much work’, they say, which is actually quite good that they don’t want to right now. But they role-play, and they stand on the side of the stage and they watch it all. But they’re both far more interested in cooking, and one of them wants to be a party planner.

But I’m so glad I did it because it pushed me so far out of my comfort zone and made me terrified yet made me find that place where there’s no way to go but forward. I have to go forward. if you could say something to the young nicole, What Would it be?

I’ve always said to choose love. Always be happy. My grandmother lived to 90. Her last words to me were: ‘Be happy Nicky.’ And it’s the simplest thing.

It can seem so far away and so difficult at times. Whenever I think of her little voice saying that to me, I go ‘that’s right,’ because ultimately, none of it matters. All the things that seem so difficult and so terrifying, or that I’m never going to come out of this dark hole, it does. It moves on. If I could have learned that much earlier, I think I would have saved myself a lot of tears.

Where do get the courage for the roles you play?

after so long?

I choose my roles on instinct. I’m at a time when I still have incredible curiosity about the world, and about people, and working with different directors and writers. It really is a blessing to have a chance to work with great minds and to stretch my own intellect and my own view of the world, and in times, change my philosophies and change my ideas. I love being able to do that even in this particular stage of my life.

It worked a whole set of skills and muscles that I forgot about. I did a play 17 years ago, and prior to that I’d done theatre in Sydney when I was an acting student, but I hadn’t done a play in 17 years. I knew I wanted to push myself out of my complacency I suppose.

Life has always twists and turns, and as we all know, the journey is extremely unpredictable. There are huge highs and huge lows, that’s the nature of existing in the world.

Once again, this was my mother, because I thought ‘oh, I can just stay home in Nashville,’ and she’s like, ‘do the play Nicole.’ I said, ‘really? It’s going to be such hard work,’ and she said, ‘do the play.’ At one point I called her and said, ‘are you crazy? This is so hard. I’m so terrified. I so wish I hadn’t done this.’ I was so frightened, and learning all those lines, I mean, there’s 100 pages of dialogue.

I’m incredibly fortunate to have a found a partner whom I have enormous synergy with, and love with, and we’re raising our girls together with the boundaries, and the same ideas, and the same morals. I was raised by a father and a mother who had a very strong moral code and I try and live by that and pass it onto my girls. I really do believe that finding some sort of way in which you can say what’s right and what’s wrong, how to behave, and to be com-

What does it mean to you to be going back to the theatre

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As an actor, you think, ‘yes, I’ll be able to do that,’ but when you actually sit down and spend your whole summer vacation… My sister has six children and one of them is my 17-year-old niece. We were on a beach holiday, and I’d be like, ‘Lucia, you’ve got to come learn lines with me.’ So she’d sit there and learn lines with me.

>>featured: nicole kidman<<

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passionate, and contribute, and finding what you want to contribute is particularly important. And trying to help my children find their way, because they are here to take care of others.

WHAT CAN WOMEN DO TO HELP EACH OTHER, AND WHAT ARE THEIR OBSTACLES?

I’m in a place where I work for UN Women and I can visit places, I can fundraise, I can help be involved in trying to change laws, giving women who don’t have a voice a voice, so that they have a platform to be heard, so they’re not scared. We do a lot of work in terms of violence against women and there’s a team of women who I work with at the UN who are incredibly dedicated, and they’re sort of the silent heroes really, doing the grassroots campaign work.

I’m in a position to be able to tell female stories. I’m in a position to be able to employ women and give them flexi-hours because I feel they’re incredible to have work for you, because women are brilliant multi-taskers. We all travel, some of them have children, some of them don’t. But families and time are a huge part of it. If you can have flexi-hours you get your work done, but not necessarily sitting in an office 9 to 5. That’s a fabulous thing to be offered to do. So I really try to offer that.

1900S In the early 1900s, it was considered gauche for a woman to look at her watch. Omega began producing ‘secret jewellery watches’, pieces hiding a watch inside a jewellery casing.

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Professionally, I can also produce stories that I believe in, and primarily a lot of those are female-based stories. In something like the play I’m doing now, it’s written by a young female playwright who’s not had anything produced on the West End before. So to be able to get behind her and do this for her is a huge joy for me.

It was terrifying because we were all like, ‘oh my gosh, if it’s not received well, we all go down in flames.’ But also, telling of someone like a scientist such as Rosalind Franklin who existed in the 50s and really contributed to finding DNA in a big way, to have that story told is a wonderful thing for me to be able to do at this stage, because she’s not around to tell it. So I’m glad that I was given the opportunity to do that.

IS IT DIFFERENT TO BE IN THE SPOTLIGHT AS A WOMAN, AND TO GROW OLD AS A WOMAN, THAN IT IS AS A MAN?

Obviously it’s a whole changing world right now, in the sense of what age is and what time is. There’s a whole different landscape, so I think as long as we support each other, and that’s a constant thing I keep saying, the sense of support from each other, the warmth, the compassion, and trying to move away from strong judgments, I think we can create a better world.

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OMEGA LADIES WRISTWATCH 1906

OMEGA LÉPINE PENDANT ART NOUVEAU 1910

>>FEATURED: NICOLE KIDMAN<<

A LOOK THROUGH TIME Are you a 1960s free spirit, a 1920s flapper, or simply someone who enjoys classic timepieces? Then time travel with these vintage Omega adverts and watches

1920S – ART DECO

1940S AND 50S

1960S AND 70S

During the Roaring Twenties, short

Even as Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn

In a time when experimentation,

skirts and bobbed hair were all the rage.

Monroe starred on the big screen,

colour, and creativity was gripping

The Art Deco movement swept across

Omega began creating pieces focused

the world, Omega collaborated

the social scene – and across Omega’s

on elegance and personality. One

with recognised designers to create

production line. In the 1930s, Omega

1951 commercial wrote: ‘In all facets

‘secret’ jewellery watches. In one,

designed a wristwatch with a central

of life, a woman is just as active,

Gilbert Albert’s ‘Moldavita’ watch, a

seconds hand for hardworking nurses.

sporty, and as busy as a man.’

piece of real meteorite was used.

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OMEGA ART DÉCO JEWELLERY WRISTWATCH 1940

ILLEANA MAKRI ART DECO EARRINGS FROM NET-A-PORTER.COM

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OMEGA LADYMATIC 1955

OMEGA JEWELLERY WRISTWATCH FOR FRENCH MARKET 1946

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OMEGA DE VILLE JEUX D'OR 1972

LOUBOUTIN TRESBEA SHEER LIPSTICK

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>>featured: nicole kidman<<

‘‘

I gave a speech recently about women in film. I was a 14-year-old girl starting out in the industry riddled with insecurities and all of the things that I thought were wrong with me. I happened to have some champions and some people who were behind me, particularly older females and older males, because my father was very much an influence.

liest people to work with and they’re very supportive of UN Women, which I’m goodwill ambassador for. So they’re very involved in women’s rights.

This campaign, and the exhibit we just saw, so much of it is about showing that, even in the early 20th century when sometimes women weren’t encouraged to wear watches, they were still looking at females as an equal market, which I thought was really fascinating. It says a lot about their company.

A lot of times, watches are for men, but OMEGA is very, very engaged in their female watch buyers. They want women to wear watches, not just because it’s elegant and functional, but because it’s in support of our lifestyle and wanting us to manage our time. That’s the basis of it. And knowing we have just as much desire for the technology and mechanics, just as much as males. I’m absolutely astounded, especially by some of the little tiny watches, and they said it’s so hard to make those tiny watches and to make them so technically proficient. They’re a wonderful, wonderful brand.

‘‘

Whether it’s age, or making people feel safe. Whether it’s young girls and the choices they’re making so that they’re making choices based on what they really want and not because of what other people think or because of what other people desire. The word ‘empowerment’ I think is bandied around.

It’s about teaching them to trust their instincts and their power, and embracing their confidence.

I think one of the greatest things is, no matter how bad it is, you can always brush yourself off and get back up

I think one of the greatest things is, no matter how bad it is, you can always brush yourself off and get back up. And how do you view a mountain as a molehill? Raising young girls, I’m always going, ‘how do I teach them not to give up. That this is just a feeling, or this is just a sensation, or this is just a time, and it too will pass.’ It’s the easiest thing to say, but the hardest thing to do.

But I suppose so much of it is just about putting warmth and compassion into the world regularly and teaching others. As we say in our family, ‘choose love”, which sounds corny, but I think the basis of it is very true and beautiful. We always say to each other: ‘choose love.’

What time to you like to look back on, and Which one do you prefer to forget?

Oh my gosh. I try not to say ‘I want to forget something’, because I always want to think, ‘OK, with that comes contrast. With the pain comes the joy.

Only because of the contrast. The only way you know this is because you’ve experienced the flipside. So it’s not so much about forgetting, as walking through it.

Time itself, I just wish there was more of it. I just love being in the world. At some point, that isn’t going to be, and its devastating to think of that. The true basis of that is that I just want to be there for my children for as long as I can be there. Healthy and able to be a support to them. If not fully take care of them, be there so that they can call up can go ‘Mum help’, which I do to my own mother. hoW do you spend your most precious time?

With my family. They’re the most important thing and time with them is the most important thing, I know it’s a cliché, but it does go past so quickly, which is so devastating. That’s why I don’t want to miss any of it. you seem to have a real affinity With omega. can you tell us about that?

Omega feel like family to me. I’ve known them now for a decade and the company is very tight, they have an enormous amount of integrity, they’re the love-

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What are your personal preferences for Watches?

I love it when it can be worn as jewellery. Then I love sports watches, because I’m athletic. I like a watch that can give me a lot of data. I love a seconds hand so I can tell how much time I’ve spent on certain things. I also love to meditate, so I use my watch for that. So I have many, many different reasons to have a watch. But I don’t think I have a favourite. I have said in the past, often I like wearing a very glamorous watch, but then I also love wearing a man’s watch. I love a leather band and a big face. I’ve always thought that’s very cool, especially with a T-shirt. So I have a wide taste.

What is your relationship With time?

It’s precious. I said it last night and I think as you get older you really realise how fleeting this life is. Slowing down and trying to enjoy life, and not cramming everything in, that is always the balance of life. There are so many things I’m curious about. There are so many things I want to do, so many adventures I want to take, languages I want to learn, books I want to read.

And yet, at the same time, I love daydreaming. And I love lying around. And if that balance of life can take care of your children, husband, and be able to spend time together, yet also be able to pursue your own intellectual and creative desires. I’m still learning.

I don’t think you ever get to a place where you go ’yeah, maybe I’ll now do this,’ it’s about getting through, and when it becomes unbalanced, pulling it back in line. But I’m lucky that we have such a strong family unit. I have an incredible husband who is so willing to get on planes and fly places, even if it’s for a night. I had an opening of the play, three nights ago, he’s in the middle of a tour in the States, and I said ‘ it’s too much for you to have to fly all the way back, don’t worry’, and he said ‘I am flying.’ And he flew 10 hours to come and be with me for the night and then he flew back and did a gig.

That for me is love in action. That’s extraordinary. But I would do the same for him and that’s what we’ve committed to as a couple. Omegawatches.com

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Image: Arved Colvin-Smith

>>featured: harry lloyd

finding fa m e

From Game of Thrones to Dostoevsky’s Notes from Underground, actor Harry Lloyd has had a varied career. danae mercer speaks with the celebrity about the challenges of social media and the changes that come with fame These days, when you read about actor Harry Lloyd, the phrase ‘Viserys Targaryen, Game of Thrones’ is never too far away. It’s something he acknowledges during our interview, laughing across the phone line from New Mexico.

“I’m very pleased that the thing that often appears in brackets after my name is a show I’m immensely proud of. I’m thrilled,” he says.

did you think you’d become an actor?

Acting was the thing I was best at in school, and I always secretly thought I might do it as a job, but I was probably aware that I’d have to go get one of those real jobs. It was a childlike interest. has that changed?

Lloyd is in New Mexico to film Manhattan, a drama set around the development of nuclear weapons. It’s his latest role, one added to an ever-growing list that has seen him playing everything from the dapper best friend (The Theory of Everything) to the shy outlaw (Robin Hood). One of the “scariest roles” of his career, as Lloyd terms it, is the one that also initiates our call: Supreme Tweeter, a web series starring Lloyd that looks at the interaction between social media, political figures, and celebrities.

The project is one of two that Lloyd has helped create. The other? A recreation of Dostoevsky’s existential, intense Notes from Underground, which Lloyd adapted into a play and performed around Europe. The result was an “unnerving 70 minutes, full of smouldering angst, that suggests Lloyd is wellequipped to play the tormented antiheroes of world drama,” wrote Michael Billington in The Guardian.

On the phone, Lloyd is anything but filled with angst. He speaks rapidly and laughs occasionally. There’s intelligence in his words (Lloyd is a self-proclaimed ‘bookish’ type and attended Oxford University) as well as a drive.

Lloyd might be best known for his role in Game of Thrones, but it’s clear the actor has no plans to sit back and rest on that laurel. He has a craft to perfect.

Why do you act?

Acting was always my thing, quite frankly. I remember being eight years old and getting my first part in a school play because I knew which word to emphasise in a sentence. I read a lot, my parents both work in books. I was a bookish kid, and I think that’s when it started. I like to play. Ultimately, it was less about a passion for a character. It was about playing with words, really.

It’s carried on today. I’m still… part of me, I’m aware I’m doing that childish thing. It’s amazing. I feel very blessed and lucky I make a living out of it.

Was there a moment When you thought: ‘yes, i am an actor’?

Not really. I was always really expecting a moment, but it was more of a gradual process. At university, I studied English Literature at Oxford and did a lot of plays. Afterwards, I was going to take a year or so out, then go to drama school. But I actually got Robin Hood. That was a contract for one year, then another year. Then I thought: ‘Crikey. I’m not going to drama school. I’m untrained. I have no idea what I’m doing.’

When did you gain confidence in your acting?

That wasn’t until 2008. I got a part where I thought, ‘ok, I’ve got some rights, and I can do this part.’ I had the part of Rudolpho (in the 2009 stage hit A View from the Bridge). He was a blonde flamboyant Sicilian immigrant who sings. These are all things that I’m quite the opposite. do you remember getting your part on Game of Thrones?

Yeah! I do, actually. It’s the one time reserved old me, I shouted down the phone. They kept us waiting, and I had to let this other job go, so it was a big deal. I think it was the night of Obama’s inauguration. Strangely, I remember having people around to watch TV, so that was a bit of a seminal moment for it. hoW Was it being in The Theory of everyThinG?

I had a very jolly time. Brian is a bit of a ray of sunshine in obviously a quite tricky film. He was also liberated by the fact he’s the only person who isn’t a historical figure. He was an amalgamation of a lot of Stephen’s friends. I

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think my job was basically to help out Eddy. I knew him a bit because before, we were at school together, so I think he appreciated having a friend around.

What Was the inspiration behind Supreme TweeTer?

It was an idea that Jayne Hong had. We were really interested in something that spoke to this new social media age, and the way people were watching short-form content. hoW has social media changed acting?

There are benefits in some way of being your own PR machine. People use those mediums to interact, but it’s also something that’s exploited commercially for people trying to sell projects. There was an interesting article about how producers are looking at the amount of Twitter followers you have before you get cast. I used to think you need to be successful, then you get famous.

Now it’s the other way around – or it can be.

then What happened?

The director and I met up in Paris. We re-read the book again, and we talked about a vague structure. We started rehearsing in January in his flat in Paris. We moved in with the set designer, and we stayed up all night piecing it together.

It was so brazen, so ridiculous, and we ended up putting it on in three venues. tell me about your current project, maNhaTTaN

I play a British scientist who worked on the implosion model, a guy called Paul Crosley. It’s a wonderful assembly of actors. the shoW is about the atomic bomb. did you knoW much about it before?

To be honest, when I read the pilot last year, I had no idea how the first atomic bomb was made in this secret city in the dessert. The more you read about it, the more mind blowing.

so hoW do you handle social media?

on a different note, Where is home for you?

To be honest, I was always very wary of it. I was interested and a little scared by it. I think the character in [Supreme Tweeter] is an extreme version of my brand in a way, but it’s really useful to see social media through someone who has no idea about it. I got on [Twitter] in just a quiet way. I thought it would be disingenuous to make this film about Twitter and never experience it myself. It’s one of those things you can understand how it could completely take over, but ultimately it’s about a balance.

London. I love the city. I love wandering. I love the old parts. I like the marriage between old and new.

What’s your favourite part of your job?

I adore the travel. More things are filmed all over the place, and I love travelling, going places. I like when I’m going somewhere.

What might surprise people to knoW about you?

hoW did your adaptation of dostoevsky’s NoTeS from

My great-great-great-granddad is Charles Dickens.

uNdergrouNd occur?

It was simply the scariest thing I could have done with myself, until Supreme Tweeter, which is also pretty scary. I emailed this French director whom I had done a workshop with a few years before, and always thought he was brilliant. Normally, you wait to be called as an actor, and it was me trying to reverse that process. We had a conversation over Skype, and we thought ‘yeah, let’s do something!’.

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did that inspire the love of books?

Yes. (laughs) No, not really, to be honest. My mum was a book publisher and there were a lot of books around. But who knows how DNA is embedded?

What’s next for you?

What appealed to you?

Good question. Part of me is looking forward to being a 60-year-old British actor. I quite like that… I’m not entirely sure how to get there without going mad. (laughs)

Notes from Underground is about a guy who locked himself away from society and retreated into his brain. It’s fascinating, dangerous, and very honest about the dark places we all go.

Find out more about Supreme Tweeter at supremetweeter.com. View Game of Thrones in Dubai on OSN

Image: Greg Williams / August

>>featured: harry lloyd

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Zachary quinto notes: ‘dubai doesn’t quit’

Zachary quinto snaps the burj al arab jumeirah

>>travel<<

stars trek to dubai

We join the cast of Star Trek Beyond in the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah to hear their thoughts on filming in the UAE Who: Jeffrey Chernov What: Producer

also known for: Star Trek, Star Trek: Into Darkness, Mission: Impossible: Ghost Protocol, 10 Things I Hate About You Quote: “We came searching for the future, and we found it in Dubai.

We did a lot of searching around the world, and I said I know the best place to make this movie, and it’s in Dubai. We wanted to find a very vertical city. A lot of our exterior work is going to be done here. This city is going to represent the future of what the frontier would be like in our movie. We’ve been given a wonderful opportunity and we just hope we don’t disappoint. We want to make great movies that people will go to.”

Who: Chris Pine What: Actor also known for: Star Trek, Star Trek: Into Darkness, Rise of the Guardians, Unstoppable Quote: “I always love discovering new places, and this is such a stunning city. I woke up this morning, opened my blinds and looked out, and it looks like whatever tomorrow would be. It’s future land, and I’m happy to be here. Art is the wonderful mirror of humanity. Whether you’re looking at a painting or a concert, or a darkened movie theatre, what we see in front of us is humanity.”

Who: Anton Yelchin What: Actor also known for: Star Trek, Fright Night, Star Trek: Into Darkness, Terminator Salvation Quote: “I’m fascinated by this city. This is going to sound so pretentious, but as a student of architecture, I’m fascinated by this town. It’s magical to me in a way.”

Who: Idris Elba What: Actor, DJ also known for: The Wire, Luther, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom Quote: “I’m super excited to be here. I’ve worked all over the world, and I love to see how different countries approach filmmaking. It’s been a really good ride.”

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LIFESTYLE Cartier Latest collection Beautiful jewels P 50 Beauty trends Global fusion Luxury skincare P 54

Image: Getty

Miss Saigon Sacrifices Famous musical P 61

in COnvErSAtiOn As Cartier unveils its new Étourdissant collection, Jumeirah speaks to President and CEO Stanislas de Quercize about life and motivations

wHat motivates you in your job?

The difference between a maison and a brand is a very important one. Maisons are about craftsmanship and being an expert, brands about marketing and being diversified. A maison is about timelessness and is interested in its roots.

We have books and exhibitions in 33 museums around the world, so there’s a deep history.

To assist each team member in expressing their talents. I help people to grow and help our clients to express love and friendship.

do you Have a favourite piece in tHe new Étourdissant

How do you define luxury?

For me, luxury is what is universal and eternal. It’s something that touches the humanity in all of us.

collection, wHicH draws on tHe colours of tHe riviera? wHat is tHe biggest cHallenge, as a family man, to Have your

text by rachel ingram. interview by negar Ghodstinat

position as an international president and ceo?

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I think it’s to be present at what you’re doing 100 percent. When I’m with you I’m present 100 percent, when I’m with my family I’m present 100 percent and when I’m travelling I’m present to the clients or the business. That’s what we have to be: present or not present. do you Have any advice for someone wHo aspires to be

I love the collection. The Romanov, because the historical provenance of the stone, is a piece that I found staggering. It’s extraordinary. wHat about art and cartier?

Art is universal, it talks to everybody around the world and it’s timeless. It’s the best of mankind. And that’s what we’re doing: we’re taking the best of mankind, which is the design abilities and the craftsmanship, and we are able to have the best of nature with the best tools. The two together create pieces of art.

like you?

Be yourself and if you fall six times, rise seven.

wHo is your favourite artist?

wHat otHer ideas drive you?

If I had to choose one it would be Picasso. He was extremely creative during his time and you can recognise a Picasso from 20 metres away.

You need to have fun with what you’re doing, enjoy what you’re doing and choose a path that makes the world a better place. I believe the beauty of what we’re creating [at Cartier] helps to contribute to making this world a better place. speaking of cartier… you’ve worked to distinguisH cartier as a ‘maison’ ratHer tHan a brand. wHy?

you’re an international traveller, like many of our readers. you’re from france and you’ve lived in london, new york and now geneva. wHere is your favourite place in tHe world?

Where we can meet friends. The locations are super but nothing replaces human beings with whom you have love and friendship. I think when you’re with good friends then it gives the right colours to the place where you are.

>>fashion<<

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>>fashion<<

Girl with necklace: Julia Noni ©Cartier

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Also I’m very curious so I enjoy discovering all the cities you mentioned. I’m always after what’s new, what’s different.

ple enjoy stability, and jewellery and watches offer this stability – something you can wear, something that in case of trouble you can travel with.

How important is tHe middle east for Cartier?

You’ve been witH tHe riCHmont Group for 26 Years, workinG

The Middle East is a region where you celebrate weddings, love and friendship. It’s a very important region where relationships are key. The region also has a good eye for craftsmanship, design, and the quality of stones, so that’s a very demanding clientele which we love to work for. We believe it’s a region where the 21st century is being built. It’s also a region where peo-

previouslY witH montblanC, alfred dunHill and van Cleef & arpels. wHat appeals to You about Cartier speCifiCallY?

The eternity of the signature style. The style that you can recognise from far away. I find that this style is ever changing but everlasting and universal. cartier.com

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CloCkwise from top: instintut esthederm â&#x20AC;&#x201C; white system; institut esthederm â&#x20AC;&#x201C; intensif Vitamine C. photography by farooq salik

>>beauty<<

SKINCARE: FROM EAST TO WEST Eastern skincare trends are catching on in the West and inspiring beauty brands to expand their offerings. Journalist Marina Chetner argues this means it’s time to say hello to beautiful skin Standing in front of Rembrandt’s portrait of Juno at the Hammer Museum, Los Angeles, the docent asks for our first impressions. A young girl speaks up.

She notes the soft features of the Ruben-esque woman: how her curly brown mane brings out the paleness of her skin. Nodding, the docent explains that porcelain skin was a sign of affluence in the Renaissance. The lighter your skin, the healthier and more beautiful you were perceived; having a tan meant you worked in the fields. Sunbathing was not a pastime of the upper classes.

Our vision of beauty has come full circle with recent trends inspired by the East. The relentless pursuit for youthful-looking skin has largely been influenced by South Korea, where a gleaming and blemish-free complexion has been prized for centuries. The most influential writings on traditional Korean medicine were documented in the Donguibogam, or “The Principles and Practices of Eastern Medicine” in 1613. Written by the royal physician Heo Jun during the Joseon Dynasty of Korea, the text, rooted in medicinal science and the Eastern philosophy of Yin and Yang, explains the role of herbs and plants on skin health.

Fast forward to present day, and Korea’s penchant for innovation and ‘fun’ marketing, paired with ancient wisdom, has flooded the market with skincare products that buyers can’t get enough of: sheet masks, ginseng eye creams, serums, hydrating essences, all vying for a place in the multi-layered facial ritual of the skin-obsessed Korean.

“The Korean skincare philosophy is about personalising skincare regimens and really customising to each person’s skin type and skin needs,” explains Alicia Yoon of Peach and Lily, an e-commerce site specializing in Asian beauty products. “There is a great deal of empowerment in taking care of one’s skin through education and research, and experimenting with products to find that custom-fit solution. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all in skincare and that’s what in part makes the Korean skincare philosophy so rich.”

This demand for new and exciting Korean-made products is high, though unless purchased via portals like Yoon’s or during a shopping stopover in Seoul, they’re not easy to access. Luckily, global brands, inspired by the trends, are creating their own formulations and offering them to a larger audience. Yet what remains distinctly Korean is the country’s swiftness to market with the latest anti-aging products at affordable prices, wrapped in cute messaging and package design.

IT STARTED WITH THE BB CREAM The global skincare market is estimated to be worth about USD 121 billion in 2016, with Asia Pacific holding the largest share of the skincare market followed by Europe and North America. The consensus among skincare experts is that Korea is more than a decade ahead of the rest of the world in terms of technological innovation. Case in point: the lauded BB cream.

Developed in the 1960s by German dermatologist Dr. Christine Schrammek, the BB cream – short for “beblesh balm” – helped soothe redness after surgery and peels. The Korean industry caught wind of the concept, refined it, and launched their version in the 1980s: a finely pigmented, lightweight lotion packed with antioxidants, oils, and SPF that proved to be a fitting final step in an already elaborate daytime skincare regimen. The phenomenon kicked off throughout Asia and gained traction in the West in 2011, when beauty counters from Bobbi Brown to Smashbox started offering their versions. Budapest-based Omorovicza infuses its Beauty Balm Anti-Aging Skin Perfector SPF 20 with mineral-rich Hungarian active thermal water, and Estée Lauder touts its Daywear BB Antioxidant Beauty Benefit Crème Broad Spectrum SPF35 as a skin ‘superfood’.

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Beautiful creams Laura Mercier Flawless Skin

Infused with rose, this whipped nourishing cream consists of shea and mango seed butters to moisturise and condition, while cranberry and vitamins combat signs of aging.

Clarins

BB Skin Perfecting Cream Acting as both a makeup and a skincare cream, this product features SPF 25 alongside the potential for flawless coverage.

Illamasqua Hydra Veil

Part hydrator, part primer, Hydra Veil is designed to provide both rehydration and to act as a makeup base.

Natura BissĂŠ

Focused on providing brightness and firmness, this generously textured cream delivers elasticity and vitality with Vitamin C and sunscreen.

This cream can be found at SoH Art + Beauty, a creative artistic salon in Dubai, as well as at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray.

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MASCARA: LE VOLUME DE CHANEL

C+C Vitamin Body Cream

>>beauty<<

A look at lashes Five tips for gorgeous lashes from lash expert Huda Beauty 1) Using a good lash serum (like Neulash or RevitaLash) will help your lashes become thicker and longer, creating the same effect as false lashes 2) It is always important to understand what type of false lashes suit the shape of your eye, the shape of your face and the makeup that you have applied. If you wear something that doesn’t suit your eye shape, you could look very sleepy.

3) Different lashes will create different results. If you want to really show your lashes off, it is important to stay away from darker palettes and not go too heavy with eye shadows because then you will take away from the intensity of the lashes.

4) To create a heavier look, use the smoky-eye technique. If you are a beginner. use an eye shadow instead of a liquid liner. You can create the same line as with a liquid liner but the smoky effect comes with the shadow instead. Then go over it on top and at the very base using a pencil liner that smudges well. I personally love the Urban Decay Perversion Liner. Huda Beauty lashes can be found at Sephora ME and HudaBeauty.com

Tried and tested

Lash extensions by Genevieve Robertson False lashes have become a luxury industry in their own right, one that stretches from velour to finely crafted mink. Yet for those looking for a longer lasting solution, it’s to semi-permanent lash extensions that they turn. The longer-lasting cousin to falsies, lash extensions involve the attachment of individual false lashes to each real lash with strong adhesive. The lash remains, in theory, until your own lash falls off as part of the regular six-week hair-shedding cycle.

So do they work? To test out the success of lash extensions, I visited Tips and Toes, a Dubai-based chain of salons that offers a lash specialist. After a brief consultation to discuss what size of lashes I wanted (slightly longer than natural but not over the top), I was nestled into a reclining chair and told to close my eyes. Over the next three hours, lash by painstaking lash was applied. The sensation occasionally tickled and was overall soothing. I even nodded off once or twice. The result was some of the thickest, fullest lashes I’ve ever had. They felt and looked natural, if natural involved having the fluttering capabilities of a wide-eyed doe. I received numerous compliments over the next few weeks. When the lashes began to fall out, they did so evenly. My only concern was that some of my own lashes felt a bit thinner than before the extensions.

To remedy this, I purchased a lash serum (see Huda’s column) for additional conditioning. I would definitely purchase lashes again. Tipsandtoes.com

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THE KOREAN SKINCARE REGIMEN We need only look at the ever-youthful looking Korean population to understand they’ve tapped into the fountain of youth, thanks in large part to an elaborate ritual passed through the generations of layering and massaging the skin with lotions. “The Korean skincare philosophy centers on preventative skincare; the rituals are about preventing damage rather than repairing damage,” says Yoon. “The skin is treated with respect and beauty is deeply tied to having healthy skin.”

Dermatologist Dr Craig Kraffert, president of Amarte, a Korean-based international brand born out of the success of the country’s burgeoning skincare market, describes the multistep regimen as a privileged activity of indulgence, enjoyment, and self respect. “While there are very few people even in Korea utilising a 17-step regimen, the steps can, and do, add up,” he says.

Incorporating a Korean-inspired skincare regimen isn’t as hard as it seems. It just takes extra time – about 45 minutes – to go beyond the standard cleansetone-moisturise (and SPF, if we remember) routine. The market is flooded with serums, masks, and lotions. The differences between Korean products and the rest of the world comes down to packaging, technological innovation, and ways of processing plant extracts, like ginseng, the king of Korean herbs. The result is a win-win situation for the consumer, who benefits from better product formulations as brands compete for market share.

While South Korea dictates global trends, statistics show that it still looks to the West for skincare brands. According to Korea Customs Service, skincare, hair care, and makeup products captured 81.3 percent of its total imports in 2014, with skincare as the largest import category.

TRENDING PRODUCTS What does this multi-step Korean skincare regimen entail? Typically, it starts with a double cleansing method using an oil-based cleanser followed by a water-based cleanser to rinse remaining residue. Charlotte Cho, co-founder of Korean beauty e-tailer Soko Glam, and author of the new book, The Little Book of Skincare: Beauty Secrets from Seoul (November 2015; William Morrow) writes, “Cleansing twice is not only practiced by Koreans, it’s actually recommended by many aestheticians and dermatologists because it helps to thoroughly remove any impurities that can cause breakouts.” US-based

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Mascara: chanel – le VoluMe de chanel. lotion: natura Bissé – c+c VitaMin creaM. seruM as powder: institut esthederM – intensif VitaMine c seruM poudre. lotion as droplets: estée lauder – Micro essence

With BB creams accounting for 13 percent of the Korean beauty market (skincare makes up 50 percent of the total) it didn’t take long for Korea to come up with the next-generation concept: a cushion compact that releases BB cream with the press of a facial sponge. Korean brand Amorepacific launched a Colour Control Cushion Compact years ago, and only recently have western brands like Lancôme caught on.

>>beauty<<

Bobbi Brown makes a Soothing Cleansing Oil using jojoba and sunflower seed oils, the brand’s number-two seller in Asia. Incidentally, Bobbi Brown’s skincare line does 60 percent of its business in Asia.

A trend just taking shape in the US and Europe is the application of essences (water-like lotions infused with anti-aging ingredients that act as a thirstquencher for the skin). Considered the heart of Asian skincare, not only do they plump the dermis but they’re loaded with high concentrations of anti-aging ingredients. Estée Lauder recently released its Micro Essence Skin Activating Treatment Lotion filled with peptides and ferments to smooth wrinkles; the glycerin and hyaluronic acid in Chanel Hydra Beauty Essence Mist combats dryness. Japanese brand SK-II has taken it a step further and released MidDay Essence, a handbag spray version of their Facial Treatment Essence containing the yeast extract, pitera, as a portable way to refresh tired-looking skin.

Perhaps the most buzzed about trend that’s intrigued hundreds of beauty bloggers and Instagrammers has been the layering of sheet masks. When applied to the face, they look like something out of a Halloween movie, yet once removed, the benefits are immediate. Korea’s obsession with skin brightening products made a must-have item out of Sulwhasoo’s Snowise EX Brightening Mask, doused in fermented white ginseng and plant extracts including oldenlandia diffusa, or snake-needle grass. Skin brightening is quickly catching on in Europe and North America, though anti-ageing products continue to reign supreme. Try Skyn Iceland’s Hydro Cool Firming Face Gels to relax “angry” forehead and smile lines with peptide-infused masks cut to fit.

NEXT STEPS Facing East, what can we expect to see more of in this booming skincare market? Dr Kraffert zeros in on sleeping masks as impending must-haves. “Cutting edge manufacturers are trying to take this trend one step further in terms of offering lifting and tightening benefits in addition to deep hydration in various ways, including the addition of silk,” he says. “‘Night therapy’ may be a better conceptual name for these products because these products don’t go on like a mask and don’t feel like a mask. Instead, the mask is layered over serums and creams to also assist with their absorption.” Adds Yoon, “Sheet masks will be a more developed category for the instant visible results that they produce, as well as the ability to hyper-target skincare regimens by day.”

Today skincare leans towards time-precious cleansing rituals using products made with plant and herbal ingredients. In the Renaissance, a skincarefirst mentality was eschewed in favour of on-the-spot perfection. Faces were spackled with a white paste of toxic lead powders and dried vermillon, while blue lines were painted to resemble veins to pass off as translucent skin. Yet although our zeal for a luminous glow has evolved over the ages, one thing hasn’t changed: that eternal hunt for perfect skin, a search that transcends time and place.

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>>culture<<

taking the stage One star started in a convent. The other left high school. Both play leads in the famous West End musical Miss Saigon.

Danae Mercer meets them in London to glimpse life behind the curtain

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When he was just nine years old, Jon Jon Briones left home, joined a convent, and gave up everything he knew to sing.

Years later, he would repeat the process, departing the Philippines with only a month left in his college degree.

Halfway around the world, Spanish-Filipino American Eva Noblezada moved from California to North Carolina in pursuit of a similar goal. Later, at only 17, she quit high school and flew to London.

Both now star in the popular, profitable West End musical, Miss Saigon. Every night, the two stars get on stage and sing for their suppers.

They wouldn’t have it any other way. ❖

❖

Producer Mackintosh wasn’t a bit nervous: “Eva [Noblezada] is going to be our new Lea,” he said. ❖

❖

❖

It was when Briones’ mother left him at a church that his career truly began.

❖

Years ago, after paying USD300 to attend a special ‘Broadway experience’ workshop, Noblezada was told she shouldn’t ever try a role like Kim, the lead of Miss Saigon. It was too big for her. Too powerful.

“They said: ‘Focus on an ensemble role.

Don’t try anything higher than that,” recalls the 19-year-old actress. Petite and pretty, Noblezada sits curled on a couch in a basement room of the Prince Edward Theatre. Her dark hair is covered with a beanie, her outfit a red fleece onesie. She speaks with coiled energy.

“As soon as he said it, I was more motivated. I have been ready to do this since I was born.”

By the time she was six, Noblezada was singing. Later she went to a special high school for the arts. She was only 17 when she was scouted for the role of Kim in Cameron Mackintosh’s West End revival show, discovered by an agent when performing at the 2013 Jimmy Awards in New York City.

The role of Kim is a difficult one, requiring a wide vocal range and expressive emo-

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tions. It also comes with big shoes to fill: the previous Miss Saigon lead, Lea Salonga, won the Olivier, Tony, Theatre World, and other awards for her performance. She became the first Asian actress to play Éponine and Fantine in Les Miserables. She even sang the voice of two Disney Princesses.

“I’m from a poor family,” he explains, sat with his elbows on his knees and a mug cupped in his hands. “My mom, to give me a good education, she brought me to a church. They owned an exclusive school with a choir.” On the afternoon, Briones sang for a priest. “He said: ‘Ok, Mrs. Briones, you can leave him now.’ And my mom turned to me. I didn’t realise she had packed a bag. She said, ‘We have to do this.

This is good for you’. She was crying. I was crying.” Briones was only nine.

In 1988, Briones was approached by a producer for the opening of Mackintosh’s Miss Saigon. “I asked my friend: ‘What’s [Mackintosh] done?’

And he goes: ‘Cats. Phantom of the Opera. Les Miserables.’ I said: ‘I have never heard of those.’

But then I was listening to the music, thinking how great it was. I auditioned.” A strong singer, Briones got a chorus role. “I had to tell my dad that I had to quit college. I had one semester left in electrical engineering.”

Suddenly he was in London. “I had never before spoken English and there I was, living in my own apartment and earning money, and appearing on the West End. I remember there were 15 of us who were brought over from the

Philippines to be in the show. It was a big transition in many ways.”

Today, the Olivier-nominated Briones is one of the stars of Miss Saigon. He plays the complex character of ‘The Engineer’ – a man aspiring towards greatness by being a scoundrel. His scores are the most cinematic: flashing lights, a car dropping from the ceiling, girls pouring out of the wings; and his character arguably the most nuanced, capturing avarice and manipulation all inside of a dream. His darkness contrasts Kim’s innocence.

“With The Engineer, you can’t get more colourful than that. You know what they say about the flawed characters: They’re the best to play.” ❖

❖

❖

In February 2016, Miss Saigon will close in the West End. Mackintosh has alluded to plans of opening in Germany, Australia, and New York’s Broadway. Already, he notes, “this recordbreaking and award-winning production is repeating its success in Japan and Korea.”

By the time the show wraps, Noblezada will have been in London for roughly two years, Briones considerably longer, both stepping on stage night after night to recreate the same story. It’s certainly a unique existence, they acknowledge, but to quote Briones, “It feeds my soul. If I don’t act – it sounds corny – but my soul feels like it’s dying.”

Sat beside him on the couch, Noblezada nods.

“I can’t give you a single word to describe that moment when I hear someone crying, or see someone in the front row not breathing. It’s powerful, and that’s the beauty of the show.

It’s a special thing, for people to come into this building and to be changed, or altered in some way. It’s special that I get to do it… It’s amazing.” Miss-Saigon.com

>>culture<<

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crystallinedubai

TRAVEL London Expert insight A winder wonderland P 66 Travel Muse Luxury aficionados Destinations that inspire P 72 Kuwait Detox days Regional highlights P 74 Jumeirah Frankfurt Healthy bees Fresh honey P 78

Image: Getty

The High Life Japanese food A Chinese location P 82

a taLe oF

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images: Getty

From festive events to stylish classics, two experts reveal why London makes for the perfect winter destination

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>>travel<<

The luxury insider dan McCaskie, a Member of les Clefs d’Or Great Britain, and head Concierge at Grosvenor house Apartments by Jumeirah living, is an expert in everything to do with london. here he reveals his top recommendations for the winter season.

A lot of my clients who come here don’t want to do the main touristy things. They often will have been in London for a few months, and they want help arranging really unique experiences. So we sit down and do a consultation to start with. I know what’s happening in London on a weekby-week basis. I even have a 55-page document on ‘kids things to do in London’.

During the Festive Season, I always recommend some key highlights. There’s Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park and Carol Singing at St. Paul’s. Families can watch lights being switched on throughout London while eating warm chestnuts. Then there are things like horse riding through Hyde Park, enjoying the winter weather. And catching the lighting of the tree in Trafalgar Square… These things can really be a wonderful experience.

We also always look for what’s on and different. Last year, there was a museum sleepover, where parents and children would go with sleeping bags.

That having been said, it’s not only about the children. London has so much for parents during December, like shopping. Sloane Street is the obvious one, as well as Mayfair for boutiques. We can arrange private viewing of shops. I also recommend an afternoon tea, then strolling over to Fortnum & Mason for a real English experience. And of course there are the ballets, the shows, the amazing theatre.

As for what we do in GHA for the festive period, there really isn’t a limit. We can set up trees and decorations in rooms when guests ask. We have a ‘Rent an Elf’ package where two elves take children around London for the day.

We can help source gifts. We also have special menus with minced pies, all things to really capture the atmosphere of London.

For more information, visit jumeirah.com

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The fashion insider stylish andraya farrag, the founder and designer of Uae-based fashion brand Bedouin, jets between London and dubai often. here she reveals inspiration hidden throughout the rainy city Morning rituals are so important and I love to keep mine no matter where in the world I am. First up is coffee and checking emails, so I can clear my mind for the day ahead. I grab coffee at the Loafing Coffee Shop before walking through Victoria Park. In the heart of Hackney, this quaint village is filled with some of the best pubs in London, organic stores and boutique restaurants. It’s an ideal spot for creatives.

I head to Old Street to meet a friend for breakfast at (my all time favourite) Lantana Cafe. They have the most creative and delicious brunch menu. Then

it’s a 20 minute walk to Columbia Road where the Sunday flower market is in full swing. Surprisingly, the winter months are my favourite time of year to visit. There’s something romantic about it. If the sight of a thousand varieties of exquisite flowers doesn’t excite you, then the chorus of a dozen different east London and Essex accents calling out ‘Three for a tenner!’ will.

To escape the crowds, I love to pick up a hot chocolate from a stall in the corner of Ezra Street Yard Market, which is apparently run by an award-winning barista. The Yard is surrounded with independent boutiques and vintage furniture.

Now for another walk… I head towards Regents Canal via Hackney City Farm, a tiny farm amongst the city. I didn’t have time to pop in today, but it’s a great place to go with kids. I reach the beginning of Broadway Market, one of my favourite streets in London. As a fashion designer, being around independent businesses that rely on creativity to attract attention is so motivating. The stores take pride in their interiors and the pedestrians all have such individual, carefree style, making the experience really inspiring.

I begin the long walk along Regents Canal towards Angel. In my opinion, the canal is one of the most urban yet bohemian settings in the whole of London. Many people ride bikes along the narrow footpath, cycling dangerously close to the water. I pass by picturesque long boats, converted warehouses and organic cafes stretched along the tiny walkway.

Eventually we end up in Angel and I head straight to Camden Passage for vintage browsing. Vintage clothing is usually far more detailed than contemporary clothing, and although Bedouin is a ‘less is more’ brand, I love to pick up inspiration from tradition. This little street is filled with vintage stores, great cafes and a great vintage market. I then head to The Coffee Works to grab a latte for the road. I love to sit here during the week with my laptop and sketchpads.

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Jumeirah Carlton Tower

>>travel<< Grosvenor House Apartments by Jumeirah Living

FIvE WoRTH A vISIT What: Hyde Park – Winter Wonderland Where: Hyde Park When: 20 November to 3 January (except Christmas Day) Details: This outdoor Winter Wonderland features a festive atmosphere with food stalls, shopping, ice skating, a magical ice kingdom, Zippos Christmas Circus, Cirque Berserk, a giant Ferris wheel, and much more. It is perfect for children.

Website: hydeparkwinterwonderland.com What: Meet Father Christmas at Hamleys Where: Hamleys When: 21 November to 24 December Details: Join Father Christmas and his lovable elves at this famous toyshop. Children can spend up to one hour with Father Christmas, enjoying seasonal activities, delicious snacks, and special gifts.

Website: hamleys.com What: Matthew Bourne – Sleeping Beauty Where: Sadler’s Wells When: 1 December to 24 January Details: Since it’s premier in 2012, this famous show has repeatedly smashed box-office records. It’s a gothic romance where the traditional tale of good versus evil is turned upside down, creating a love story that even time cannot stop. Fairies and vampires, time travel, and Tchaikovsky’s score all weave in and out.

Website: sadlerswells.com What: The English National Ballet – The Nutcracker Where: London Coliseum When: 16 December to 10 January Details: Perhaps one of the best-known festive performances, this beloved dance features 100 performers and musicians. The story follows the tale of Clara and her enchanted Nutcracker doll discovering a magical world, all set to Tchaikovsky’s glorious score.

Website: ballet.org.uk What: Christmas Carols Where: The Royal Albert Hall When: Throughout December Details: With offerings ranging from ‘Carols by Candlelight’ to ‘Christmas Carol Singalong’, the Royal Albert Hall has something for everyone this festive season. You can even watch Disney’s Alice in Wonderland accompanied by a live orchestra and choir. Father Christmas will also be present throughout the month for a truly festive experience.

Website: royalalberthall.com/tickets/series/Christmas-festival/

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A SPOTLIGHT ON THE ROyAL ALBERT HALL Walking into the Royal Albert Hall (RAH) feels like stepping back into time. With shows running regularly throughout the year, guided behind-the-scenes tours, a delicious Italian restaurant, and intimate private boxes, the venue makes the perfect addition to any London trip.

See: While there are numerous shows running throughout November and December, The Nutcracker on Ice is particularly captivating. International dance sensation ‘The Imperial Ice Stars’ return for a third time to skate and sweep across 4,000 square feet of ice. Expect colourful projections, opulent costumes, magic tricks and special effects.

Sit: Inside an exclusive private box. These intimate boxes feature exceptional views alongside private menus. As for sizes, you can book a four, eight, or 12 seat box.

Eat: At Verdi Italian Kitchen restaurant inside the RAH. This Italian venue features a delightful range of food and wine. A sharing dish of mixed olives alongside garlic bread with hints of rosemary creates the perfect beginning, while mixed fish, smoked in-house, offers a savoury element. Mains span a range of meats, and pizzas with unique toppings (including chicken, salami, goats cheese and more) also tempt. The atmosphere is relaxed but refined, with guests dressed for an evening at the theatre.

Explore: With a public themed tour or a private one-on-one tour. The public offerings include: a ‘Secret History Tour’ focusing on ghost hunters and gangsters; an ‘Afternoon

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Tea’ tour that ends with tea; an ‘Inside Out’ tour looking at architecture; a ‘Behind the Scenes’ tour peeking behind the curtain; a ‘Story of the Proms’ tour; a ‘Victorian Interactive’ tour; and a general tour of the hall.

Sip: Coffee at the Café Bar. Open to the public, this bustling venue has cakes, light bites, and a range of caffeine.

Upgrade: With an entirely bespoke ‘Behind the Scenes’ experience. This must be booked through the hospitality team, and can involve interacting with the cast of certain shows.

Book now: For Cirque du Soleil – Amaluna. Running through January and February, this show, never before seen in the UK, is a tribute to the work and voice of women. Tickets sell out quickly.

Stay: At the five-star Jumeirah Carlton Tower. Located just off Sloane Street in the heart of Knightsbridge, this luxurious property is ideally located within walking distance of the Hall.

Guests will be able to access exclusive tickets and events at RAH. Visit: royalalberthall.com, jumeirah.com

T r aV e l m u s e

Venice, Italy

Tokyo, Japan

Roberto Coin, President of Roberto Coin Brand

Emma Clarke, Press and Marketing Director for Mikimoto

Images: Getty

If I’m honest, I think there is nothing better than Venice, especially in May, early June, and late September. Then it is less crowded and reveals its soul. Venice is the only open museum of the world, where people have the chance to breathe its long history. In my opinion, Venice is the only place where people can fall in love again.

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Walking through Venice you can be surprised daily by the culture it reveals, the artisans shops that still manage to survive in this world of globalisation. Then there’s the fish market where it is possible to meet the real Venetian people. Every corner of Venice tells a magic story. I am a Leo as a Zodiac sign, and Leo is the symbol of Venice too. It has surely played a strong role in inspiring me when I created the Lion Special Limited Edition Collection.

I think everyone should visit Japan and in particular Tokyo’s Ginza shopping district. Tokyo is an assault on the senses, filled with flashing digital colours, music and announcements. Ginza is home to cool modern architecture that houses luxury brands and innovative Japanese stores.

All this is set against a culture so very traditional and yet so very contemporary. Embracing modern technology seems to sit well with Japanese aesthetics. Our World of Creativity, Morning Star collection reflects all these qualities, with pearls, 18k white gold, and diamonds. The craft is traditional yet the design is contemporary – the essence of Japanese culture.

>>travel<<

Four luxury experts reveal the destinations inspiring them to create and to dream

London, UK

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Sara Prentice, Creative Director for Garrard

Eduardo Brüner, Marketing and Creative Director, Brumani

Albemarle Street, London, is the new destination for luxury within the heart of Mayfair. This road has a feeling of being quintessentially British, and it has been my work home for nearly 15 years. The Royal Institute has a lovely little tearoom, but I prefer to stroll elsewhere for afternoon tea. For a sweet treat the Royal Arcade hosts the exquisite Charbonnel et Walker. The chocolates are a must!

In 2014, Garrard launched ‘The Albemarle Collection,’ named after our flagship boutique (which is on Albemarle Street). This features a diamond and dot motif that was inspired by the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara, created by Garrard for Queen Mary.

The destination that definitely inspires me is the wonderful city of Rio de Janeiro. World renowned for its natural beauty, the city of Rio de Janeiro is the perfect place for sightseeing by a helicopter. It is memorable! By helicopter, you can observe the coexistence of a cosmopolitan city with the resort atmosphere of the beach.

You can also spot the famous Corcovado and Sugar Loaf Mountain. As for something to eat? Definitely enjoy a Brazilian steakhouse. It is a delicious experience!

The Baobab ring, created with a combination of cabochon and faceted gemstones with fresh colours, reminds me of Rio. damasjewellery.com

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detox days

With beautiful weather and sparkling waters, Kuwait makes the perfect spot for a November health retreat.

Argentina Llopis Olivert, a Fitness Professional, assistant Nurse, and Precision Nutrition Coach at Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & spa in Kuwait, talks through what you need to know to get that fitness glow

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>>travel<<

Kuwait highlights the grand mosque

Spotlight on detoxing

fat, carbs, gluten, It seems there’s alWays a

Why should We detox?

Try to eat a balanced diet and reduce food types that can cause toxins to accumulate in the body, like dairy, gluten, coffee, flour, red meat, and/or sugar.

A detox neutralises toxic wastes. These can enter the body by breathing air full of pollutants, by eating and drinking unhealthy things, by smoking, and by using hazardous products. When done right, it can help you eliminate toxic waste, clean the digestive system, and assist weight loss. hoW can I judge my toxIc levels?

In general, there are certain indicators: bloating, recurring fatigue, digestive problems, allergies, or eczema. Toxins in our body also can also lead to hormonal imbalances, immune system failures, nutritional deficiencies and an inefficient metabolism. hoW do I fIx thIs?

I tend to recommend a three-day detox, which can help the body eliminate toxic waste.

neW buzzWord. What should I knoW?

In general, What steps can I take to be much healthIer?

There are several, so I’m just going to list them in order: • Avoid soft drinks, which can cause obesity and bloating • Exercise at least 30 minutes a day • Reduce unhealthy fat in foods, as this can accumulate • Drink two litres of water a day • See your doctor every six months for a health check • Exercise • And, as they always say, eat healthy. This means avoiding sugars and fats, eating more fruits, vegetables, white meat, and organic food. do you have a feW top fItness tIps?

What Would a detox schedule look lIke?

Every guest is different. I work with a guest to understand goals, then determine how to achieve them, and to measure them. That having been said, I generally recommend participants consume around two litres or more of water, and include moderate physical activity. I don’t recommend high performance exercise, since this can cause dizziness. Over the three days, we will look at topics like how food affects the body and mind, and how the right food can improve your health.

What about When I’m done?

The end of a detox is just the beginning of the process. I recommend guests start a new diet and new habits after completing the programme, one that’s low in fat and toxins.

Filled with islamic art, and open to the public, this mosque is perfect for prayer or to bask in unique history.

Kill your excuses, schedule time to workout and stick to it. Pick a date of completion, and work backward to challenge yourself.

Why should I detox In kuWaIt?

I’m understandably a bit biased, but I do believe that for a restful getaway, Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel and Spa is the ideal destination. It’s great to rejuvenate the body and soul. Nestled in the residential area of Messilah, the resort has two majestic swimming pools, a private beach, and the refined Talise Spa. After the summer temperatures have cooled down (which as we go into November, they have!), it is one of the best choices in my mind for a detox programme.

For more information on a detox retreat at Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa, visit jumeirah.com

the kuwait towers A group of three towers in central Kuwait City, located right on the persian gulf. At certain points, you can visit an observatory at the top of the towers.

the dickson house A historical house of a British doctor, complete with photos and explanations. this captures the feel of what it used to be like when living in Kuwait.

360 mall While Kuwait has many shopping malls, this one is particularly notable for its unique décor and large children’s zone.

souk al-mubarakiya Bustling and lively, filled with numerous local vendors, this souk is the perfect spot for a simple street-side lunch and a lazy stroll.

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STAYSTAY IN LUXURY IN LUXURY AND AND DELIGHT DELIGHT IN FLAVOURS IN FLAVOURS

Spend a memorable Spend a memorable holiday withholiday Jumeirah withHotels Jumeirah andHotels Resortsand in Dubai Resortsand in Dubai enjoy aand wide enjoy range a wide of incredible range of privileges incredibleincluding privilegesdaily including daily complimentary complimentary breakfast and breakfast a unique anddine a unique arounddine experience around experience with a choice withofalunch choice or of dinner lunchator50dinner participating at 50 participating restaurantsrestaurants including including Burj Al ArabBurj Jumeirah*.

Al Arab Relish Jumeirah*. in a host Relish of inunique a hostbenefits of unique and benefits a largeand selection a largeofselection indoor and of indoor outdoor and activities, outdoortoactivities, make your to make holidayyour trulyholiday truly remarkableremarkable and luxurious. and luxurious.

YourFlavours Jumeirah Flavours experience Your Jumeirah experience includes*: includes*: Complimentary Complimentary breakfast and breakfast a choice andofalunch choiceorofdinner lunchator50 dinner participating at 50 participating restaurantsrestaurants Complimentary Complimentary access to Wild access Wadi to Wild Waterpark™, Wadi Waterpark™, Sinbad’s Kids Sinbad’s Club Kids and exclusive Club andbeaches exclusive beaches Complimentary Complimentary Wi-Fi access Wi-Fi andaccess shuttleand service shuttle to malls service to malls For more information, For more information, please visitplease jumeirah.com/flavours visit jumeirah.com/flavours or call +971or4call 364+971 7555.4 364 7555. *Offer subject*Offer to availability. subject toTerms availability. and conditions Terms andapply. conditions apply.

Secret SpaceS

Help keep the bee population strong with Jumeirah Frankfurt What: Nestled high above the city, on the rooftop of the centrally located Jumeirah Frankfurt, more than 40,000 bees make their home. These bees fly in and out of the botanical garden Palmengarten, along the Main River embankment, and through nearby parks, all within their three-kilometre flight radius.

Why: Environmental activists have been pushing for ‘urban beekeeping’ to help maintain bee populations. Studies suggest that there are more than 560 species of bees in Germany and some 20,000 types worldwide, yet the number of bee colonies is constantly decreasing. Structures like those Jumeirah Frankfurt host on its rooftop help keep the bee population strong.

Interesting fact: You need not worry about urban contaminants in the city bees’ honey. Plants in the city tend to be less treated with chemical fertilisers, and bees work as a sort of filter to automatically eliminate possibly polluted residue.

In the hotel: You can taste this freshly made honey at Jumeirah Frankfurt’s Max on One restaurant, scooping it straight from the honeycomb during breakfast. Or you can indulge in a unique Skyline Honey Treatment at Talise Spa. Featuring a soothing fruity body scrub, this treatment uses honey to refresh and moisturise the skin. After a bit of relaxation, you can purchase a honey cocktail at Ember Bar & Lounge.

To take home: If you feel like bringing some of Frankfurt back with you, the Skyline Honey, as well as a plush mascot ‘Jumbee’, are both available for purchase.

To learn more about Jumeirah Frankfurt or its bee programme, visit jumeirah.com, jfinfo@jumeirah.com, +49 (0) 69297 2370

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>>lifestyle<<

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THE WORLD CAN WAIT

To reconnect with whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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

>>Your guide to living the jet-set lifestYle with jumeirah<<

The high life:

J-Mix, Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel, Shanghai, China

What: An award-winning restaurant that captures the nuances of

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss: The hand-grated wasabi, which creates a sharp but deli-

Japanese cuisine.

ciously fresh flavour.

The atmosphere: Minimalist interiors with light woods create an airy

Special offer: Ask the team about the all-you-can-eat Japanese meal,

feel. A long bar lines one side, perfect for that pre-dinner sake, while

which allows you to feast on fresh food until fully satisfied, while main-

intimate tables fill the room.

taining high levels of quality

The food: Featuring a teppanyaki corner, a sushi bar, and a mix of sea-

Dress code: Smart casual.

food, fish is definitely emphasised in J-Mix. Chefs will prepare gourmet

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sushi right before your eyes. For those who like a bit of variety, delicious

Contact: +86 21 3858 0888 or +86 21 3858 0728,

meats and healthy vegetables are also available.

JHSRestaurants@jumeirah.com, jumeirah.com