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SEPTEMBER SE EPTEM PTEMB EM MBE BER 20 BER 2012 012

FERRAGAMO’S ODE TO

Marilyn Monroe FW FASHION THE RUNWAY LOOKBOOK OPULENCE DEFINED BULGARI HOTEL, LONDON LUXURY

STYLE

SPORT

CARS

GADGETS

Embrace an incredible world The only Manufacture to be 100% Poinçon de Genève certified. The most demanding signature in fine watchmaking.

Visit us at rogerdubuis.com

Creative Center RD, Creative Director Alvaro Maggini

Darsait, +968 22004444 - Sabco Commercial Center, +968 22005095

CONTENTS RETROSPECTIVE 22-25 FOOD COURT 26 - 29 ACCESSORIES 32 - 33 PLACES 34 - 38 STYLE TALK 70 - 71 PLUS MORE...

RACE THE WORLD.*

INNOVATIVE AUTOMATIC CHRONOGRAPH WITH SECOND TIMEZONE (GMT) AND BIG DATE AT 12.

OVERSIZE GMT BIG DATE BRG * CHRONOFIGHTER HAND-CRAFTED IN SWITZERLAND www.graham-london.com

Ref. 2OVGS.B12A.K10B

Bareeq al Shatti - Al Bustan Hotel - Qurum City Centre - Showcases at Grand Hyatt Muscat - Opera Mall (Opening Soon)

EDIT NOTE VOL3 - ISSUE 1 Marilyn poses in front of Niagara Falls. Sunset Boulevard (Archive, Corbis) Courtesy: Museo Salvatore Ferragamo

EDITOR IN CHIEF FATMA AL ARAIMI GROUP EDITOR MAYANK SINGH DEPUTY EDITOR DEEPA RAJAN SENIOR JOURNALIST MYSSAA AL HINAIAH EXPERTS Travel - BRUCE STEWART, ANNE COLBY Fashion - NATASHA LUNN, NADIA FOUZI Finance & Investments - K. L PRASAD ART Senior Art Director SANDESH S. RANGNEKAR Senior Photographer RAJESH RAJAN Photographer BASIM AL MAHARBI PRODUCTION Production Head

DIVA & BEYOND There are women and then there are women like Marilyn Monroe. She’s the woman’s woman. She is the man’s woman. She is the ultimate Diva, yet, she is beyond all these nomenclatures. An actress, model, and singer, who became a major icon, she remained as much a myth in death as when she was alive.

From her relationships to her films, everything about her has been deconstructed by the world. Odes have been paid to her in every possible way and the fashion house Salvatore Ferragamo joins the long list of people who continue to be awed by this magnificent enigma. Museo Salvatore Ferragamo in Florence pays its tribute with an exhibition fifty years after Marilyn's death (August 5, 1962). Under the curation of Stefania Ricci and Sergio Risaliti, the exhibition and catalogue (Skira) are the fruit of meticulous preparation and research, involving the study of documents, photographs, films, writings and the actress’s life, so as to understand the countless facets of this woman and star. The exhibition will be on till Janaury 28, 2013.

We won’t dwell too much on who Marilyn was. There has been enough said and perhaps, we may endeavour to find out even more in future. But, for us at Team Signature, she has been an inspiration not because she was a glamorous doll or a siren. Marilyn was beyond that. She was an intelligent woman who knew what she wanted and sometimes did not, yet she revelled in it. She was and will be just an exceptional person to us, someone whose light shone from within.

GOVINDRAJ RAMESH ADVERTISING & MARKETING Business Head CHANDNI MANIAR

Marilyn puts it best when she says: “Beneath the makeup and behind the smile I am just a girl who wishes for the world.”

Senior Business Support Executive RADHA KUMAR CORPORATE Chief Executive - SANDEEP SEHGAL Executive Vice President - ALPANA ROY UNITED MEDIA SERVICES LLC Signature is published monthly and released in the first week of every month. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. The publisher does not accept responsibility for any loss occasioned to any person or organisation acting or refraining as a result of material in this publication. Signature accepts no responsibility for advertising content.

Correspondence should be addressed to SIGNATURE UNITED MEDIA SERVICES LLC, PO Box 3305, Ruwi, PC 112, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, Editorial enquiries: 968 99849242; Advertising Enquiries: 968 93204670; Fax +968 24707939

e-mail: signature@umsoman.com/ reachsignature@gmail.com/ www.umsoman.com

Team Signature

Mezzanine floor, Muscat Grand Mall, Bausher, Sultanate of Oman Tel: 24399920, Fax: 24399923 Email: awadiest@omantel.net.om

BLOCK YOUR DATES SEPTEMBER 2012 Avante Festival

Venice Country Show

Sept. 7 - 9 Estremadura, Portugal

Sept. 10 - 12 Venice, Italy

La Muixeranga Sept. 8 AlgemesĂ­, Valencia

Great British Cheese Festival Sept 22 - 23 Cardiff, Wales

Pardeeville Watermelon Festival Sept. 8 Wisconsin, US

World Stone Skimming Championships

Ingenuity Fest Sept. 14 - 16 Ohio, US

Sept. 23 Easdale Island, Inner Hebrides

Almabtrieb Sept. 22 Tirol, Austria

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UP

FRONT

Time Travel Travelling around the globe in style and always keeping track of time, that is the promise made by A. Lange & Söhne’s Saxonia Dual Time, which can be conveniently set by means of two push pieces: when changing from one time zone to another the golden hour hand for the local time can be switched forward or backward in onehour increments. The progression of the minute hand is not affected by this operation. A second hour hand in blued steel permanently keeps track of the time at home.

The elegant white gold case has a diameter of 40mm.

Fully wound the watch has a power reserve of 72 hours.

Carvery Feast You can now feast on a sumptuous new carvery buffet menu featuring the ‘Sunday favourite’ of a full roast with all the trimmings will be launched at the Almouj Golf Academy restaurant, adding to the wide range of offers at the oasis on the course. Available every Friday from 12 noon to 4pm, the new menu adds the perfect taste to the weekend for both golfers looking to fuel up with a hearty meal after a round and non-golfers spending time within the relaxing surroundings of the Almouj Golf course.

For details visit Le Carat showroom, Sabco Commerical Centre, Qurum

For more information on membership packages and options, please call on 22005990 or visit www.almoujgolf.com

Middle Eastern flare Get ready for another MINI exclusive. Created especially for and inspired by the Middle East, the MINI Cooper S Avenue Edition is stylish, daring and on sale now in Oman.

From exclusive body colours to Arabesque designed exterior and interior features, this special edition of the three-door MINI is the ultimate embodiment of beauty and style – oozing Middle Eastern flare and standing out in every detail. The most striking features of the exterior design are the body finish in a choice of two exclusive colours – Highclass Grey and Laguna Green metallic – and special twin blade 17-inch light alloy wheels sporting a multi-spoke design. The MINI Avenues edition is available as MINI Cooper S variant only and is powered by a l.6-litre 135 kW/184 bhp four-cylinder engine.

Get more details at Al Jenaibi International Automobiles’ showroom in Al-Qurum.

Offers Ahoy!

The Wave, Muscat’s award-winning Almouj Marina is now welcoming boats and is offering complimentary berthing ahead of its Autumn grand opening. With the first 120 berths now complete, Almouj Marina is being developed with state-of-the-art facilities by The Wave, Muscat. The marina can accommodate yachts between 10 – 65m in length, and has 120 modern floating berths completed for the 2012/13 yachting season. The fully marinascaped destination includes signature traits shared by other Mourjan Marina IGY-managed facilities, including five-star concierge, chandlery and yacht management services. Almouj Marina also offers boat cleaning and maintenance packages, including deck wash for all yachts.

To take advantage of the complimentary berthing offer and know more contact marina@thewavemuscat.com 8

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Heritage & Elegance Riding on the success that EBEL 100 model achieved in 2011, while celebrating the 100th anniversary of the brand, the brand has now introduced two new EBEL 100 models. Inspired by the history of EBEL watches – a history of combining expertise, timeless style and refinement to create iconic timepieces, these new models express everlasting elegance: The EBEL 100 Black & Brown Edition. It recalls the most compelling design elements of the vintage age of fashion and combines them with the best mechanical automatic watch movements. The 40mm alternated brushed and polished case watch is available in brown and black semi-mat alligator strap and stainless steel buckle.

For more details visit any of the Al Qurum Jewellery outlets in the city

Pure Colours Introducing a new multi-dimensional, limited edition trend collection for 2012, Estée Lauder Pure Color Violet Underground. Inspired by multiple cultures, styles and textures, this collection is the ultimate fusion of high style and street chic. Estée Lauder translates the drama of underground style fused with the luxury of couture onto eyes and lips saturated in a jeweltoned palette. Complement vibrant-chrome eyes and deep plush lips with new Pure Color Nail Lacquer in Black Iris.

The Estée Lauder range is available at Muscat Pharmacy’s Perfumes and cosmetics, Jawaharat al Shatti and Al Sahwa towers

Perfect Defence Perfect and protect your skin with Clinique’s new Age Defense BB Cream SPF 30. This multitasking BB Cream helps prevent the premature signs of aging with UVA/UVB and environmental protection while immediately concealing imperfections. Fine lines and wrinkles are visibly reduced using a unique complex of optics, and skin is soothed and hydrated for a more youthful look. Additionally, this perfecting cream helps balance skin and provides oil and shine control to extend the life of foundation all day long.

The Clinique range is available at Muscat Pharmacy’s Perfumes and cosmetics, Jawaharat al Shatti and Al Sahwa towers

Feature Power LG has recently released the QuickMemo™ feature for its smartphones. The new feature allows for instant screen capture of any type of content such as web pages, graphical images, photos and videos. Users can write, draw, or jot a memo directly on the captured screen with their finger. QuickMemo™ notes can then be shared with others via text, chat, or email. LG QuickMemo™ is surprisingly simple to use.

When users need to urgently write down a phone number or address while talking over the phone, LG QuickMemo™ can be instantly activated by simply pressing the dedicated hotkey button (located at the upper side of LG smartphone) or by holding down the volume buttons at the same time.

LG range available at the following outlets: EMAX (Seeb, Sohar, Salalah), KM Trading, Carrefour (Seeb, Qurum), Zahra Stores, Lulu (Bousher/Darsait/Barka/Burj) Zahrat Al Hana, Al Araimi complex, Khimji’s Mega Store, Salalah.

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UP

FRONT Colour Twist For autumn 2012, Peter Philips, Creative Director of CHANEL Makeup, gives a twist to the iconic house codes with new intensity for the face and a variety of looks for the eyes. The star of the Les Essentiels De Chanel collection is Ombre Essentielle, the monochrome eyeshadow, with its intensity and strength of colour. The line also includes a twocolored eye pencil, Stylo Yeux Waterproof, Universal Satin Blush Lumiere D’Artifices, Rouge Coco and Rouge Coco Shine lipstick, Le Crayon Levres lip pencil, Allure Extrait De Gloss and Lebres Scintillantes lip glosses, and Le Vernis nail polish shades Available at Khimji’s Luxury & Lifestyle Stores, Ruwi and Qurum.

For more details contact on 24796161 (Ruwi) and 24560419

Accessorise!

Santiago Gonzalez at www.mrporter.com

MRPORTER.COM, the online retail destination for men’s style, is pleased to offer luxury crocodile-skin accessories by new designer, Santiago Gonzalez. Using only the finest skins, Santiago creates luxurious bags and accessories, characterised by incredible craftsmanship. The collection is based on items that Gonzalez himself has travelled with for over a decade, meaning the designs have been refined and perfected over the years.

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Bold&Beautiful The star product in the Diorskin Nude range, the Nude Fluid is the essential item on every backstage makeup artist’s table, and is their secret for creating the enhanced nude look envied by all. In 2012, this light fluid acquires a new subtle velvet finish that blends into the skin, to deliver just the right amount of coverage without masking the skin’s texture. The other star product is the Nude Compact. It is the first versatile compact powder to provide coverage that can be adjusted with utmost precision while maintaining the skin’s natural satin sheen, to guarantee a true nude result.

Dior range is available with Capital Store, Qurum

moments

Rafi Subhan, General Manager, Zouk

NEW LOOK ZOUK Two years ago, Elite Hospitality introduced a new standard of excellence with Zouk nightclub and lounge at Crowne Plaza hotel. The premium party hotspot has added a new dimension to Muscat’s nightlife and has provided exceptional service to all its patrons.

“Over the last month, we have been hard at work creating a new look for Zouk and the nightclub now boasts an all new design for the interior and a stylish revamped VIP section,” says Rafi Subhan, General Manager, Zouk – Elite Hospitality and adds, “Zouk continues to strive to provide an unparalleled nightlife experience and excellent customer service.

As a service to its corporate clients, Zouk will now operate as a Lounge Bar from Monday to Friday 7pm to 11pm whereby the corporate world can enjoy Zouk hospitality over soft Lounge music, free Wi Fi and cozy ambience.

Come enjoy a relaxing night at our ambient lounge, with deliciously naughty cocktails and a five-star cuisine straight from the expert chefs of the Crowne Plaza’s kitchens! Special discounts will be offered for large groups and corporate guests.

So come down to Zouk, and have a good time!

Zouk:’Cause life is calling!

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Chanel Coco Noir, a great nocturnal Baroque, is yet another journey in the wake of Gabrielle Chanel, who fully embraced the dazzle of black and Venice, incorporating them not only into her creations but into her life. Coco Noir is the magnificent evocation of that woman in that city and all those women today who choose intensity over the bland norm; the detours of seduction over perfunctory exhibitionism, and true luxury over vulgarity.

Coco Noir is the fruit of the implacable mystery that makes great fragrances and the ties that give them meaning. It has all the freshness and power of new creations, the furious taste of freedom and yet it has something of a continuity. That is the way Jacques Polge wanted it; he believes that a fragrance, as individual as it may be, “can only exist because of those that came before it. For Polge, the spirit of this fragrance is concentrated in its woody base and musky notes.

Available at Khimji’s Luxury & Lifestyle Stores, Ruwi and Qurum. For more details contact on 24796161 (Ruwi) and 24560419

Image credit: CHANEL - Julien Claessens et Thomas Deschamps

A Magnificent Evocation

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FRONT

CREED Aventus Aventus is a new fragrance for men (and adored by women) celebrating strength, power, vision and success. CREED Aventus is inspired by the dramatic life of an historic emperor who waged war, peace and romance on terms he set, riding on horseback to victory. Classified as a fruity fresh concoction, it begins with top notes of finest blackcurrant, Italian bergamot, French apples and a burst of royal pineapple, has the middle notes of exquisite roses with a complement of dry birch, Moroccan jasmine plus a hint of patchouli and finishes with the base notes of Musk with a touch of oak moss for depth, then ambergris and a dab of vanilla. The Aventus bottle is sleek black leather around a CREED bottle in the classic CREED “flask” design.

The silver emblem of horse and rider evokes unbounded adventure and spirit.

Korloff Gold Gold has been the centuries-old precious metal of choice and the symbol of wealth, power and elegance. With its extensive use of gold in its jewellery collections, Korloff pays tribute to this noble material with a new perfume, Korloff Gold. The 18K gold, flower-shaped back-to-back ‘K’ evokes the sparkle of this precious metal. The fragrance opens with sunny notes of coconut flower supported by a rich gardenia and delicious strawberries. In heart, the sweetness of jasmine sublimed by tiare flowers is associated with the voluptuousness of the frangipani. The ambery wake mixes harmoniously with the effluvia of cedar wood, vanilla and musk.

Both fragrances are available with Al Awadi Gifts & Perfumes, Mezzanine Floor, Muscat Grand Mall, Bousher or Al Wadi Commercial Centre, Qurum.

For more details you can call on 24399921 or 24564797

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Lalique Edition Speciale Celebrating its 20th birthday, Lalique offers special edition Eau de perfume/Eau de Toilette adorned in a new decoration of Jasmine flowers ready to blossom. Both come with a gift, a pendant and it’s golden chain to wear as a necklace. Most of the pendants will be galvanically gold plated but a lucky one in 20 bottles will be adorned with the same charm, but made in ambercoloured Lalique crystal. The fragrance is timelessly floral with top notes of rose essence, iris, clove flower and jasmine; heart notes of blackcurrant leaves, pear and blackberry and base notes of Mysore sandalwood, vanilla and white musk.

Available exclusively with Al Awadi Gifts & Perfumes, Mezzanine Floor, Muscat Grand Mall, Boushar or Al Wadi Commercial Centre.

For more details you can call on 24399921 or 24564797

EVENT

PRO-ACTION TIME! MUSCAT HILLS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB, OMAN, AND BANKDHOFAR ALL SET TO HOST THE 1ST PRO-AM GOLF TOURNAMENT IN THE SULTANATE AND SIGNATURE IS EXCITED TO BE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE EVENT AS ITS LUXURY MEDIA PARTNER

Tony Mahoney, CEO BankDhofar, and Muscat Hills Director of Golf Ray Stopforth showing the official tournament flag

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uscat Hills Golf & Country Club is proud to announce the launch of the Inaugural BankDhofar Pro-Am Tournament. The ProAm event will be held on Oman’s first grass championship golf course on November 7 and 8, 2012. This will be the first golf event featuring professional golfers to be staged in Oman. The event is expected to assist in the ongoing development of the game of golf domestically as well as increasing Oman’s growing reputation in the GCC Region as a first class golfing destination.

The event hosts and organisers are anticipating this event as a stepping stone to a larger professional golf events in the future for Oman.

“Organising and hosting such a high profiled event is part of our ongoing strategy to grow the game of golf in Oman and raise the profile of Oman as a great golf destination commented Ray Stopforth, Muscat Hills Director of Golf.

BankDhofar Pro-Am Tournament will be played over 18 holes on 8th November in a Team alliance format, with the Professionals also competing for individual honours. November 7 is dedicated for competitors practice and to enjoy a fun filled auction dinner in the evening. The field will be made up of 25 teams featuring a regionally based professional along with 3 amateur players in a team. The BankDhofar Pro-Am prize fund is over OMR 1,000 and will be competed for by the professional players, while the amateurs will compete for team prizes.

The launch of this high profiled event would not have been made possible without the sponsorship of BankDhofar, a leading bank in Oman. They have recognized the business values and social ethics in the game of golf and saw a great opportunity to communicate its services in front of the local golf business and community. Tony Mahoney, CEO BankDhofar commented, “We are delighted to participate in the 1st Pro-Am golf Tournament in the Sultanate of Oman. One of our strategic goals is to get more involved in the development of

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Omani youth. I believe by BankDhofar participating in this event we can spread the growth of the sport and hope that one day we will have an Omani on the professional tour circuit."

Audi Oman is the other big sponsor who will support the 1st Pro-Am in Oman as a Gold sponsor and an Official Carrier. Wattayah Motors, official dealer of Audi in Oman, has already proven itself as a company supporting sporting events in Oman. After the successful Audi Quattro Cup in March 2012, the luxury car make continues to promote the elite sport of golf. The company aims at supporting people who are pursuing their vision, in areas that provide fresh impetus.

Additional sponsors of the event are Radisson Blu Hotel, Muscat – Hospitality Partner and Signature magazine as the luxury media partner and OER as the media partner.

Everyone is looking forward to a successful and fun filled event. Join us - contact Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club on: +96898292580.

PREVIEW

CELEBRATING SUCCESS GET READY FOR A WHOLESOME DOSE OF WOMAN POWER WITH THE AL MAR’A EXCELLENCE AWARDS SET TO ROLL ITS RED CARPET ON OCT. 7

The Al Mar’a Excellence Awards – a true platform to honour, felicitate and commend Omani women from different walks of life got off to a glittering start last year. Exemplifying what the No. 1 women’s magazine in the Sultanate stands for – different shades of a woman – the Awards were successful in bringing to the limelight the efforts of Omani women and recognising them for their achievements.

The Al Mar’a Excellence Awards 2012 will continue in the same style, though in a wider and bigger format. It’s once again time for us to celebrate the women who have not only dared to dream but gone that extra mile to prove their commitment towards serving and enriching their communities and the nation at large.

The Awards once again celebrates the ‘different shades’ and ranges across 12 categories, namely: Corporate Leadership, Fashion Design, Performing Arts, Fine Arts, Educational Services, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Health Services, Science and Industry, Technology, Sports, Petroleum Services and Social Responsibility. Apart from these, two women will also be the recipients of the prestigious Woman of the Year and Most Promising Woman of the Year Awards.

The Awards will judge women on the basis of criteria like innovation and creativity, the impact their contributions have had in society, their leadership abilities, the goals achieved and the final ranking process

with be appraised by our official auditing partners, Ernst & Young.

If you wish to nominate yourself or someone who you think are powerful examples of change in society, please fill up the nomination forms available online at www.almaraonline.com Winners will be announced at a red-carpet event scheduled for Sunday, October 7 at Crowne Plaza Muscat Gardens.

“The first edition of the Al Mar’a Excellence Awards was the first-ofits-kind and a huge success. With more and more Omani women blazing trails in the fields of their choice, the second edition, we are sure, will bring to the forefront new names that need to be recognised, honoured and awarded. We are looking at some intense competition in all the categories and may the best women win,” said Alpana Roy, Executive Vice-President, United Media Services – Publishers of Al Mar’a magazine.

The Al Mar’a Excellence Awards… it’s all about honouring the women who continue to make a difference…

The Al Mar’a Excellence Awards is an Al Mar’a Initiative. Official Auditing Partners: Ernst & Young. Strategic Partner: Audi. Support Partner: Jotun Paints. Media Partners: Times of Oman & Al Shabiba.

COLLECTIBLE

FLASH THESE! WANT TO IMPRESS THAT EVER ELUSIVE CLIENT? WHY NOT TRY GETTING YOURSELF ONE OF THESE DIAMOND-ENCRUSTED BUSINESS CARDS FROM BLACK ASTRUM…

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n the world of boardrooms, if there is anything that can add to your prestige then this is it! What are we talking about? Ladies and Gentlemen, say hello to the world most expensive business cards ever. The Black Astrum Signature Card, features a sleek, Swiss metal construction dotted with more than 30K of diamonds. Said to be originally produced as a one-off commission for a wealthy Middle Eastern family, the card elegantly encapsulates the pre-eminence of the individual.

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The Signature card is bespoke and so costs vary client to client, however the average selling price is around £500 per card. (Although they do produce cards as high as £1000).

The cards are made from a precision-cast acrylic fabricated in Switzerland and specially coated to be scratch and chemical resistant. This helps to maintain their glossy finish. The cards can also be produced in a variety of colours and Black Astrum offers clients a colour-matching service (of course for an additional fee). Targeting ultra high-net worth individuals across Europe, the Middle East and Asia; Black Astrum (established in 2010), specialises in diamond based product design . Based in London and Berkshire the company’s small team of designers and craftsmen provide a full design service, working closely with its clients to produce a product tailored to their specification. Black Astrum also creates VIP event invitations. But then, nothing beats the ultimate business card, carefully crafted to be the flashiest status symbol ever!

For further information see www.blackastrum.com

RETROSPECTIVE

Something About

Marilyn MUSEO SALVATORE FERRAGAMO IN FLORENCE PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE LEGENDARY GIRL’S GIRL, MARILYN MONROE IN AN EXHAUSTIVE EXHIBITION THAT IS ON TILL JANUARY 28, 2013. A SIGNATURE REPORT.

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“The size of your feet, too, tells me about your character. I have divided the women who have come to me into three categories: the Cinderella, the Venus and the Aristocrat. [...] Venus is usually of great beauty, glamour, and sophistication, yet under her glittering exterior she is often essentially a home body loving the simple things of life. Because these two characteristics are mutually contradictory the Venus is often misunderstood. People accuse her of too much luxury loving and frivolity.”

This is how Salvatore Ferragamo described the women who wore a size 6 shoe in his autobiography, but he could very well have been describing Marilyn Monroe, the most famous actress of all time, the most photographed woman in the world, a pop icon with a complex, much talked about personality, the loyal customer who made his 4-inchheel pumps famous – but whom he never met, because she bought her shoes at the Park Avenue store in New York City or she ordered to buy them for her in Italy.

THE EXHIBITION Museo Salvatore Ferragamo in Florence decided to pay tribute to this timeless myth with an important exhibition fifty years after her death (she died on August 5,1962). Under the curation of Stefania Ricci and Sergio Risaliti, the exhibition and catalogue are the fruit of meticulous preparation and research, involving the study of documents, photographs, films, writings and the actress’s life, so as to understand the countless facets of this woman and star. Like other Hollywood divas (i.e. Audrey Hepburn and Greta Garbo), Marilyn adored wearing Salvatore Ferragamo shoes – she owned dozens of pairs, each with a simple design and not one without a stiletto heel.

The exhibition includes 30 pairs of shoes and over 50 outfits from the actress’s wardrobe, worn on the set of her most important movies, in her personal life and in public; clothing and accessories that over time – as with anything she touched – have become cult objects sought after by collectors around the world and sold at auctions for astronomical prices.

In the rooms of Palazzo Spini Feroni, the prestigious location of Museo Ferragamo, the actress comes to life, in a fusion of contrasting elements immortalised by Andy Warhol in Four Marilyns in black, an extraordinary work of art on loan from The Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh. A large room is dedicated to the costumes she wore in her most famous scenes in celebrated films like Niagara, The SevenYear Itch, Bus Stop, Some Like It Hot, or The Misfits. In addition to her clothing, significant film clips and original documents are be shown to make visitors privy to the other Marilyn – not the sexy and adorable blond bombshell we saw on the surface – but a modern woman “bursting with energy” as Cristina Comencini writes in the catalogue, “talent, confidence alongside brusque moments of desperation, fragility, loss of self-esteem and fears … a perfect being aware of herself, her power, and yet, at the same time, a little girl who was wronged so many years ago”; a woman, the exhibition curators add, who nevertheless showed determination and savvy in creating and managing her success.

RETROSPECTIVE A FITTING TRIBUTE

“Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world.”

Marilyn Monroe The original shoes created by Salvatore Ferragamo for Marilyn Monroe, with a new and contemporary reinterpretation, have been brought back in the latest capsule collection from Ferragamo’s Creations, the exclusive shoe line that recreates Salvatore Ferragamo’s most historic, well-known shoes and offers them at select Ferragamo boutique around the world.

Although they never met, Marilyn made the ‘Shoemaker of the Stars’ pumps famous, and her legend lives on in the collection dedicated to her, fifty years later. The exclusive re-issue of certain iconic Ferragamo shoes brings back, with a modern spin, a selection of the styles designed by Salvatore Ferragamo for the actress in the second half of the Fifties, which she wore in her most wellknown films.

THE CATALOGUE

The catalogue includes images of all the clothing and documents in the exhibition, the Ferragamo shoes, a vast group of photographs shown and the extraordinary works of art from prestigious collections, such as the Horvitz Collection in Cambridge (Massachussetts), Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Museo e Gipsoteca Antonio Canova and The Andy Warhol Museum, as well as other private collections in Italy and abroad. In addition, it includes essays devoted to the many facets of Marilyn’s personality and the main sections of the exhibition, exploring the theme of Marilyn and women (Cristina Comencini), her life and major public and private events (Lois Banner), tenets of classical and modern beauty (Cristina Acidini Luchinat), tragic heroines from Dido and Cleopatra to Callas and Marilyn (Mina Gregori, Luca Scarlini, Sergio Risaliti), the great actress (Claudio Masenza), the star’s tragic end and the myth of Astraea according to Pier Paolo Pasolini (Sandro Bernardi) and the pop icon (Vincenzo Trione). A text by Stefania Ricci and Sergio Risaliti, curators of the exhibition, completes the catalogue.

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The shoes Marilyn is known to have loved the understated elegance of a simple pump with a pointed toe and four-inch stiletto heel, which accentuated her innate and explosive femininity, and which Ferragamo created in a variety of materials and colours to suit her signature style. Today, the museum in Florence conserves over 20 pairs of shoes worn by the actress from the mid-Fifties to her death, each with a contemporary, timeless look. Many of these shoes were purchased in New York in 1999 at a Christie’s auction of the actress’s belongings and some of the most modern and sophisticated styles of the very shoes purchased at the auction are now offered as part of the Marilyn Monroe limited edition.

The styles range from the bon ton charm of Romantica, a suede pump with scalloped edges, and the evening look of Honey, a pump with a satin upper, white rhinestone decoration and satinlined stiletto heel, to the modern feel of Norma (1958-1959), with its suede upper with decorative slits and kidskin lining and Red, a pointed-toe pump entirely covered in Swarovski crystals. Iconic of her sex appeal, this shoe was designed for Marilyn to wear in the 1960 film Let’s Make Love, directed by George Cukor.

The jewellery The Marilyn Monroe Collection includes two pendants, perfect miniatures of the legendary shoes she wore, made exclusively for this collection: Red, a replica of the shoe with the same name, in 18K yellow gold with black diamonds, and Honey, in 18K yellow gold and black enamel with a diamonds brooch. The charms are exquisitely crafted down the smallest detail and bear, inside the shoe, the label created by Futurist painter Lucio Venna for Ferragamo. The name of the shoe model and the date of its creation are inscribed on the sole.

FOOD COURT

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A touch of class Mumtaz Mahal restaurant reinvents itself by blending rich interiors and classical motifs with enhanced culinary choices.Mayank Singh reports

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ver the last three decades Mumtaz Mahal -- the fine dining restaurant in the vicinity of Qurm amphitheatre has hosted the likes of the late Michael Jackson, blue blooded royalty, the rich and the famous. Connoisseurs and aficionados craved for the eatery to open up extensions in London, Dubai and New York. While most would have been content with such adulation, Asha Enterprises, the owners of the place have been driven by a different vision.

Says Ajit Singh, Group General Manager – Retail, Asha Enterprises, “Mumtaz Mahal has consistently offered a great product over the years, not just meeting guest expectations but surpassing them. On the flip side, it had acquired a tired look over the years which needed to be refreshed.” The restaurant was shut down for renovation on June 1, 2012 and opened after a two and half month refurbishment during the Eid holidays. “While the place retains its essence almost everything that meets ones eye has undergone a change,” adds Singh.

FOOD COURT

The colour scheme of the restaurant has been changed from pure white to ethnic colours. Spotlights and subdued lighting have been installed to give a serene look and feel.

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DOWN MEMORY LANE Coincidentally, this year also marks the 30th anniversary of the restaurant, and it is probably befitting that the facelift comes at a landmark juncture in Mumtaz Mahal’s life cycle. Set up in 1982, the restaurant was nestled in Qurum (where the present day Capital Store outlet stands), before shifting to its current premises in 1997. A vantage location on the hill top, gives the restaurant enviable visibility. On the other hand, being in a high traffic area due to its proximity to the amphitheatre and the ongoing road works have lead to certain challenges. The management is confident that the post-renovation flair, panache and elegance would help in attracting its loyal clientele and a new set of guests.

The exterior and the interiors of the restaurant have undergone a sea change. A number of modern elements and distinct lighting have been added to the exterior. The erstwhile lounge style seating along with the canopy gives way to table top seating, accommodating more guests and giving a quality of permanence to the outdoors.

Structural changes to the interiors opens up more space giving a sense of expanse to the layout.

The glass based waterfall in the centre of the restaurant has been done away, while the stage becomes compact and has been pushed back.

The bar behind the lattice work makes way for two private dining rooms. Each one of these can seat around eight people. Targeted towards a high end clientele, the rooms offer seclusion and privacy. Keeping in mind the sensibilities of the targeted dinners, these have been furnished with rich decor and vintage artworks offering a classy ambience. Says Gautam Moudgill, General Manager, Mumtaz Mahal Restaurant, “The signature elements like the open glass facade has been retained, but a lot of elements of art and culture like Indian paintings and classical motifs have been added.”

The opening up of additional space helps in

GAUTAM MOUDGIL AND AJIT SINGH (Right) increasing the capacity of the restaurant from 132 to 145 guests. Add to that another 40 that can be seated on the terrace and the number goes up to 185. The kitchen has been extended to handle the enhanced capacity and to add to the convenience of the staff. The reception area has been redone to give a welcome feel to guests the moment they step in.

The colour scheme of the restaurant has been changed from pure white to ethnic colours.

Spotlights and subdued lighting have been installed to give a serene look and feel. Says Singh, “The lighting of a restaurant plays an important part, contributing 20-25 per cent in enhancing the mood of a place.”

CULINARY DELIGHT The quality of food has been a perennial draw at the restaurant and the chefs have worked

on enhancing this proposition. A number of speciality dishes from various regions of India have been added to the main menu. A chef’s menu recommending select dishes is also being introduced. “These will have seven to eight dishes that tourists can pick from,” says Moudgill. And finally, a TDH (table d'hôte) or a set menu for a business lunch/dinner is on offer.

Overall the restaurant continues its positioning as a avant garde restaurant for north Indian food.

The banqueting facility in the basement sees the old partition system giving way to a new sound proof divider. It also gets new chairs, cutlery and refurbished toilets. The branding has been retained, but this would be embellished with a new lighting. As Mumtaz Mahal rolls out the red carpet for its guests, one can confidently bet on the restaurant continuing its winning ways for decades to come

CAR

PERFECTION IS THY NAME THE ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM SERIES II HAS IT ALL – PEERLESS DRIVING PLEASURE, CUTTING EDGE TECHNOLOGY AND ENVIABLE REFINEMENT. WHAT ELSE CAN YOU ASK FOR.

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Al Jenaibi International Automobiles, the authorised dealer for Rolls-Royce motor cars in the Sultanate has launched the new Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II in Oman. The famous words of Sir Henry Royce - “Strive for perfection in everything you do”- have once more echoed through the hallways of the home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, with the production of the Phantom Series II family, which projects a more informal presence with a greater emphasis on driving. The new car has been thoughtfully updated by introducing cutting-edge technologies and enhancements to an already peerless drive train. As a result, the new Rolls-Royce Phantom family Series II is a modern interpretation of the classic timeless Phantom design. The cars take the core values of Rolls-Royce and create a contemporary effortless luxury, achieving a new dynamism while remaining true to the brand heritage.

21st-century Rolls-Royce. More than 100 years of engineering and design excellence expressed in a modern enhanced style. The Phantom Series II design broadens the appeal of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, attracting individuals who appreciate its fusion of ultimate refinement and cutting-edge technology.”

Geoff Briscoe, Regional Director, Middle East, Africa and Latin America, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars says, “The Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II embodies the

New LED lighting The Phantom’s striking new front-end, with re-styled bumpers and rectangular light apertures, perhaps

Divyendu Kumar, Managing Director of Al Jenaibi International Automobiles, said: “We are delighted and honoured to premiere the highly anticipated Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II in Oman. This pinnacle of automotive excellence is attracting great interest and will without a doubt contribute to the continued success of Rolls-Royce in the Sultanate.”

While the Rolls Royce name spells all round quality, here is a look at some of the highlights of the Phantom II series

best encapsulates the essence of the significant changes that lie beneath.

centre display and a front, rear and top-view camera system that further augment ease of manoeuvring.

per cent on the combined cycle and CO2 emissions fall from 388 to 347 g/km as a consequence.

Rolls-Royce is the first to include full LED headlamps as standard on a production car. As well as delivering a characteristic whiter light, augmenting safety and preventing driver tiredness, these allow for the introduction of new technologies that control lighting better.

Waftability and sublime ride The word waftability has long been part of the RollsRoyce lexicon, with models past and present being renowned for their magnificent ride experience.

Phantom Series II reinforces the company’s reputation for both.

The Phantom Series II is a modern execution of timeless Rolls-Royce elegance, which widens its appeal beyond the purely traditional but retains the core values that make the Rolls-Royce marque unique.

Effortless as standard The Phantom Series II features new driver assistance technologies and a modern user interface with a redesigned multi-media controller, an 8.8 inch control

The new 8-speed automatic gearbox and rear differential enhance the already exemplary driving dynamics perfectly complementing the V12 direct injection engine. Fuel consumption improves by 10

Al Jenaibi International Automobiles is the exclusive importer for BMW, MINI and authorised dealers for Rolls-Royce in Oman. The distributor has achieved huge success since becoming the exclusive importer for the BMW Group in 2004.

ACCESSORIES

A FRAGRANT PAUSE AMOUAGE’S CHRISTOPHER CHONG ON HIS NEWEST CREATION THAT DRAWS UPON THE ESSENCE OF AN INTERLUDE

In the House of Amouage’s latest introspective creations for man and woman, ‘Interlude’ evokes an air of disorder while maintaining a sense of balance and tranquillity through the inventive use of Frankincense and Myrrh. An orchestrated blend of technical skill and creative integrity, the fragrances take one moment in time for self-reflection and personal discovery to compose internal harmony from external chaos. Signature spoke with Christopher Chong, Creative Director of Amouage on this fragrant interval….

The Concept “Ever since I began working with Amouage, I have revelled in the concept of storytelling. Every perfume

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I have created is a story, a different act. Having come from a music background, to me the five perfumes created so far signify five acts. Now, it is the moment of Interlude. An interlude is that short period in time where there is a dance performance or something that is different to give the others time to rest.

“I interpret what I see and feel into scents. All the social and natural chaos and disorder surrounding us today can be translated to a much more intimate level. The interlude moment is a reflection of all the trials and tribulations one overcomes to attain personal satisfaction and achievement.”

This perfume is a reflection of the chaos outside and the peace within. If you see the box design, it’s a

conceptual design, representing disorder. And then inside you get peace, which is yours to be enjoyed, midnight blue bottle with the signature gold-plated caps, 22K gold and the Swarovski crystal on top.”

The Story “Stories are how I prefer to convey my message. I find it’s easier to explain a concept in the form of a story to the audience and the customers. It is not always easy to articulate or describe the sense of smell sometimes, so we use a visual image. To show chaos, I used the city of Paris as our backdrop, as the chaos in the city life. The three dancers are on the roof top, to represent an interlude, a break from the chaos of the city life. They are having their private

moment, away from disorder. This video, played at our stores, is our little inspirational story.”

The Fragrance “Amouage has established an enviable reputation for re-inventing accustomed scents. Frankincense and Myrrh traditionally smell spiritual and religious but in Interlude, they have been reconstructed to feel contemporary yet sophisticated.

“In the women’s fragrance, I wanted to create tension and anxiety, with the bitterness of bergamot and the sweetness of the grape fruit. It ends with the combination of myrrh and frankincense. After last year’s bedlam, this is hope. Contrasting is the

combination of wood rose and jasmine, and there is a discord, to maintain the tension, there’s also coffee and kiwi. What makes it signature is a base of amber and vanilla. It creates a certain discord, but in the middle of all that lurks the burning frankincense, which symbolises hope.”

“The men’s perfume is the smell of the aftermath; the aftermath of a fire, of a global destruction. You can smell the earthiness and the tar. Again in the opening, I have a contrast of oregano and bergamot with the base of myrrh and frankincense and then it goes on to the smoke, putting a lot of sandalwood and patchouli for that sense of aftermath of the destruction. This is the first time; we have gone above

the 20 per cent concentrate mark. For the women’s composition, its 22.5 per cent concentrate and it is 25 per cent for the men’s.”

Brand Identity “When creating a line that follows the perfume, we maintain the essence and use the same formula and make sure they complement each other.

Amouage is niche in itself and the fragrances speak for themselves. It doesn’t need a face or a celebrity to sell. When we link it to a person, it becomes that person’s brand and that follows it.

For us, it’s all about the development of artistry and that is what gives us the required edge across the world.”

PLACES

Opulence Personified!

Such is the look and feel of Bulgari Hotel & Residences, London that you will want to soak in its extravagance forever

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Photo credit Leo Torri

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hen Bulgari Hotel & Residences opened in the heart of central London’s most prestigious area, Knightsbridge, as the first brand new luxury hotel build in the city for 40 years, it drew a lot of celebrities, awe-inspiring looks, praises and of course, the usual brickbats of how the show of opulence inside the hotel borders on the ‘excessive’. Now, anyone who knows of the brand is aware that wearing/sporting a Bulgari means being smothered by extravagance, and ever so wilfully and the brand succeeds in infusing the same sinful indulgence into its hotels and residences as well.

INSPIRED ELEGANCE With its imprint already on Milan and Bali, the brand opened up shop in one of London’s plushest neighbourhood and pays tribute to Bulgari’s silversmith origins and Britain’s noble manufacturing traditions with an understated, elegant design concept with silver forming the underlying theme of the design. The sleek architecture and refined interiors are designed by Antonio Citterio, Patricia Viel and Partners, with Squire and Partners as the local architect, coupling the Bulgari glamour and heritage with sustainable design features and state of the art technology.

Photo credit : Massimo Listri

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silk fabrics are custom-designed and produced in Italy.

The silver theme continues right through the hotel into the restaurant and bar with hand crafted Italian detailing such as two stunning solid silver Bulgari chandeliers in the Ballroom, creating a dramatic centrepiece. The Solid Silver Bulgari Chandeliers are one of the most dramatic features of the hotel. Manufactured by Padgham and Putland silversmiths, the chandeliers are destined to become the most impressive pair of silverware pieces made this century. Inspired by a “Dance sequence”, the chandeliers are conceived to create a sinuous sense of movement when lit.

GASTRONOMY AND OTHER INDULGENCES IL RISTORANTE Designed by Antonio Citterio, Patricia Viel and Partners, Il Ristorante is accessed from the bar area of the hotel down a show-stopping grand staircase made of polished steel. The walls of the stairwell are covered in metalised fabric and illuminated by custom made lighting, which illustrates the historic collection of Bulgari jewellery sketches from the 1920s and 30s.

The lavishly and elegantly appointed restaurant seats 80 diners and has a combination of banquette style seating in dark brown leather and booths upholstered in fabric and leather. The restaurant has three Private Dining Rooms with beautiful silk covered walls for more intimate social occasions, seating 8, 10, and 12 guests with the option to connect two rooms for larger groups of 18 people. Il Ristorante serves contemporary Italian cuisine, catering to the modern palate whilst drawing on classic Italian gastronomic traditions and regional delicacies. Robbie Pepin, Head Chef of Il Ristorante is an accomplished chef and ambassador of Italian cuisine and with his team is committed to creating colourful dishes that are prepared and finished using the highest quality seasonal ingredients.

The architectural style of the project reflects the rigour of the Bulgari Hotel in Milan: its classic, solid, contemporary style will consolidate the urban landscape in an area of London that is undergoing a profound transformation. In this sense, the use of Portland stone and bronze, which are typical materials of the architectural style of public buildings in London, and the meticulous façade design reveal a rigorous, modern approach to the theme. The hotel features Bulgari contemporary silver pieces in the showcases at the reception, and the design of the bar reproduces the silver hammered technique. The 85 rooms and suites feature exquisite detailing throughout, such as custom made silk curtains with patterns inspired by some of the classic Bulgari jewellery designs. In the bedrooms, the bed side table lamps is inspired by Bulgari’s silver candlesticks. The custom made silk curtains with patterns derived from a 1800’s silver brooch by Sotirio Bulgari. The chatelaine in an elaborate floral and foliate pattern was produced between 1892 and 1898. Its pattern has inspired the design of the rich and refined textiles outfitting the bedrooms of the Bulgari Hotel & Residences, London. The precious

BULGARI AFTERNOON TEA Located just off the lobby area of the hotel, the lounge is the perfect place to indulge in a Bulgari Afternoon Tea, with its Italian-made chairs and sofas covered in custom made fabrics making it the most comfortable environment in which to watch the bustle of hotel life go by. The honed black granite floor, curtains in dark silver fabric and a fireplace in black granite cortain steel creates an elegant and stylish setting to sample some of the bespoke tea blends from the Grand Bulgari Tea List.

THE SPA The Bulgari Spa forms part of the Bulgari Hotel & Residences and is one of the largest and most exclusive spas in central London. The spacious 2000m² Bulgari Spa reflects a contemporary Italian design ethos, influenced by the rich heritage of Bulgari. Arranged over two levels, the spa boasts a 25m swimming pool lined with shimmering green and gold mosaic tiles and vitality pool tiled entirely by gold leaf mosaic. The Vicenza stone and refined colour combinations of cognac-like golden tones and shades of green used throughout the spa, inspires complete relaxation, calm and escapism from the busy world of Knightsbridge. The Bulgari Spa offers unrivalled levels of service, luxury and state of the art facilities to hotel guests and private spa members. The reception area makes a stunning first impression with a signature back-lit reception desk made of beautiful green onyx and glass with walls lined with Vicenza stone; a fitting entrance to the facilities beyond.

GREEN LIVING

The Hotel employs pioneering methods of sustainable luxury and has been developed according to best practices in sustainable design set by BREEAM, the leading environmental assessment method for buildings. To meet the strict BREEAM criteria the hotel and residences feature such initiatives as an ecologically designed green roof with bird and bat boxes, the sponsoring of electric car charging points within the vicinity of the hotel and residences, and energy conserving intelligent lighting.

Geothermal Energy, a cost effective, reliable, sustainable and environmentally friendly form of energy generation, has been integrated into the hotel building and is the first of its kind in the UK. CINEMA-SCOPE

The Hotel also celebrates silver screen heritage with a luxurious 47-seat screening room, offering state of the art cinema-quality sound and vision and an exclusively-curated library of more than 200 new and classic films available to guests of the hotel. The screening room is also capable of hosting press events, advance screening film premieres and is available to hire for private screenings.

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On Trend EMMANUELLE GEOFFREY, DIOR’S PRO MAKEUP TEAM ARTIST, ON HOW TO GET THE ‘HEAD-TURNER’ LOOK FOR FALL-WINTER!

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The dominating trends of the season “The trends for Fall are very bold, colourful and graphic, while keeping the skin soft and nude. The new Fall collection by Dior is definitely on trend with its new Golden Jungle collection. With wild, sensuous and sophisticated colours for both lips and eyes, every woman can be an irresistible Dior woman.”

FOR LIPS “Bold lips in deep scarlet or vermillion shades are hot this season. Try this look on its own so as not to overpower the face. Also very popular are more matt lip effects, sometimes used without a liner to keep the look softer.”

FOR EYES “Deep camels, wild tawnys and savannah greens with a touch of gold sublimate the eyes while full groomed eyebrows accentuate the look. Also very on trend is the graphic, bold liner, but with a twist to the classical flick at the end. Try disconnected lines or a very bold thick line. Also still very trendy is the smoky eyes, but this time using different colour combinations instead of just one shade of grey or black.”

FOR NAILS “Golden Jungle Crocodile leather effect is super fashionable and creates quite an eye-catching look on your fingertips.”

FOR HAIR “Hair is soft and not fussy, flowing and free or tied back very simply, always shiny. The key is simplicity and beauty, not over-done. Side parted ponytails, soft braids are very pretty also or centre-parted and twisted around the head.”

bold graphic liners seen on the runways, combined with fresh skin. Gone are the looks that are too ‘costumey’, now is the time for women to look and feel beautiful without looking overdone.”

According to you, which city/cities in world can be called make-up capital/s “To me any city that has a huge cosmopolitan population is bound to be called a makeup capital due to the fact that trends are often started in these cities. But throughout my travels in the Middle East I have noticed that many women here are trend setters themselves. Let’s not forget that the smoky eye and the liquid liner used in bold graphic makeup looks have roots in this part of the world. Women here have been accenting their eyes with bold liner for ages.

As a result, these trends have followed suit in the rest of the world. Dubai, London, Paris, Tokyo, New York, Los Angeles, are all some of the cities that have specific trends in makeup.”

Things one must always keep in mind while using beauty products “The most important piece of information to remember is how long you have had a particular product in your makeup bag. Expiration dates are very important to remember. I like to put a little sticker on each product with the date that I have opened the product for the first time. It is also important to go through your products and sort out what is out of trend and what is on trend at the moment. This way your makeup kit will be refreshed regularly and you never know, that scarlett lipstick that was out of season last year, could very well be on trend for Fall.”

Make-up and skin care essentials for the season “As the season is changing, it is the perfect time to revamp your skincare routine and your cosmetics.

Tips to get your favourite celebrity’s look “Firstly, it is important to find the celebrity and to study her look. She will probably be on trend or will be creating new trends so it is a good idea to keep track of her style via magazines, Internet, etc. Now, pick a particular feature that inspires you, it could be Kim Kardashian’s smoky eyes or Beyonce’s nude lips. Now you must adapt the look to your features.

If that garnet lip is too dark for you, then choose a lighter version of the colour, you will still be on trend, but it will be adapted to suit you. Remember, celebrities can inspire you, but ultimately you want the look to be your own.”

Get rid of old products, putting aside old trendy products for the new ones, and adjusting your skincare routine for the drier season coming up is a must at the beginning of every season.”

One make-up tip that will never let you down…

“If there is one thing to remember it is that if you want to try a certain trend, pick one at a time. Don’t

FOR SKIN “A natural glowing skin is a must have for the Fall season, gone are the days of flat foundation effect, now is the time for a more glowy, fresh and radiantfrom-within skin. The new Diorskin Nude foundation is the perfect foundation to recreate a modern nude skin.”

Your favourite beauty looks from the AW runway…

“I am especially fond of the deep vermillion lips or the

Dior range is available with Capital Store, Qurum

overwhelm your features by piling on all the different trends at the same time.”

Emmanuelle Geoffrey opened her eyes to the world with fascination as she grew inspired by glamorous women on the small and big screens.

She dreamt of entering the world of beauty and luxury and being responsible of embellishing their faces and styles. While pursuing a degree in Liberal Arts, Emmanuelle remained connected to the everexciting world of beauty. From directing the makeup and styling of photo shoots and fashion shows, her knowledge and expertise flourished throughout the past two decades, spending her time between the United States, Europe and the Middle East. She is a strong believer that every woman is beautiful in her own way. She stands by Mr Dior’s words “Women must have instinctively understood that I dreamt of making them not only more beautiful but also happier. And they rewarded me with their patronage.” Emanuelle’s is also a connoisseur of Middle Eastern women’s tastes and trends.

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COLOUR CODING

LOOK THE STYLE FILES

SHAWN STEPHENS DOES A COLOUR AND PATTERN FORECAST FOR THE SEASON...

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tarting with the key colour palette forecast for Fall / winter 2012-13 for men, there are four key themesClassic Luxe, a soft yet polished palette; cool contrast, centred around icy blue hues, a big chill, which takes in brighter pops of mustard and brick tones and finally street-wise, a palette of earthy browns, camels and greys.

Smoky grey and silver shades of ostentatious and opulent give subtle detail a polished appeal while tan and brown tones indicate elegance within layers of fine heather mixed wool. Steel blue and icy grey tones of conceivable differences and irrevocable gestures resonate on sleek wool. Shades of turquoise and black intermingle brilliantly on a canvas of pique cotton.Brick and muted mustard tones prudently accentuate cotton twill. Khaki shades and charcoal tints add perfect finish to the twists of mohair. Grey and faded olive tones give flashy accents to subdued lines and multifaceted textures.

Blue and camel combinations of urban shapes and cross mode exude ultra-fashionable flair.

For women, this fall winter, one can see slate gray and mauve shades of dwelling and edifice coalesce with an astute graciousness while accentuating tailored lines. Muted blue and icy green hues of virtuosity and allure connote an element of seriousness on a backdrop of woolen suiting. Also the colours taking centrestage this season will be deep plum and sky blue tones of purely nostalgic and undeniably evocative giving precedence to delicate layers and gracious silhouettes. Metallic accents resonate with brilliance on a backdrop of silken elements. Lastly, one will also see pale orange and deep reddish- brown tones of unadulterated and ethereal intensify wisps of silken charmeuse.

Chocolate brown and maroon hues of bitter chill and glacial ingenuity imply notions of warmth on a canvas of mohair and wool.Some women will also be seen flaunting dramatic blue and deep brown tones of eloquence and fluent persuasion reveal intricate weaves of fine spun silk. Vivid tones of turquoise mingle with bright tints to convey harmonious simultaneity With trends for FW 2012, for women in the face of minimalism and restraint, a contingent of designers went the opposite path for this season. Drawing on the complexity we commonly associate with the Baroque movement, they showered the runways with

lavish detail, heavy ornamentation and impressively wrought detail. Whether it’s embroidery, tapestry or gold leaf, this trend takes its cues from all things ornate. Going beyond the clichés and channeling a number of different eras, the concept of drama gets reinvented for fall 2012. There’s innocence, there’s tough rebelliousness, and there’s the all-important truth that the two are compatible. Another hit this season will be dark fairytales and noir fiction inspired new romance with all things Gothic for fall / winter 2012, heralding in ways to revive all-black outfits.

Who said black had to be boring?

This season fashion is also looking East, drawing inspiration from the Orient and weaving it in with Western fashion in new and unique ways. Texture and print are the keys to oriental-inspired clothing in fall / winter 2012, with oriental motifs and rich brocades taking their places alongside kimono cuts and mandarin colours.

Menswear’s insatiable love of print continues this Fall Winter and it looks like designers aren’t holding back. Prints in all shapes and sizes barrelled down the runway proving rather effective at breaking through the many traditional tailored pieces that usually dominate. Prints are a way of saying you have a bit of attitude; they create contrasts and allow your personality to shine through. Whether worn in blocks, layered, or introduced in moderation by way of accessories, prints for men are stronger than ever come fall. Prints are an easy way to inject some personality and life into an outfit and create a wonderful contrast to tailored silhouettes.

On the fall runways, Dries Van Noten offered his own psychedelic interpretation while Raf Simons playfully injected Liberty florals into his usual minimal aesthetic. Unsurprisingly, both Etro and Missoni played to their strengths within their own eclectic styles and gave us some great paisleys and natureinspired prints. Paul Smith took his nautical theme quite literally and offered trousers and shirts adorned with octopi and shark’s teeth.

Take a geometric printed shirt and pull over a merino v-neck sweater. Pair a floral shirt with an earthy corduroy jacket for a delightful combination.

When mixed with different textures, such as knits, leather, flannel and even velvet, print adds a complex richness and vibrancy to a look. Modern abstract prints prefer stark contrasts, such as sharply tailored suits and cropped trousers.while it’s relatively easy to incorporate print in shirting, printed pants and trousers offer a markedly more visible route. With seemingly nowhere to hide, it’s a way to make a

bold statement. Dries styled the look smartly, by balancing the loud bottom half with crisp plain shirting or soft knits. HenrikVibskov did the same by utilising the layering properties of the cardigan.

Canali paired his with rich and heavy turtlenecks. It’s all about balance and finding the right look; colour, proportion, texture and detail all have to be taken into account.

If you’re not willing to take the plunge into the deep end, accessories are an easy entry point and this season designers are making a point of instilling the most of the trend. Patterned scarves are by far the most popular and accessible way of introducing print. When paired with a suit or an overcoat, like in the Kenzo show, silk scarves are an elegant touch of eccentricity. There are other ways utilising the scarf; throw it around an overcoat for a debonair look or tie a neckerchief for something a little more mischievous.

Shawn Stephens is a PR professional and has worked on the teams that handled accounts like Dubai Film Festival, Christies, Art Dubai, Qatar Airways, The Hilton group, Adidas and Dior. He is seen quite often on the red carpet making show-stopping entrances at some of the most chic events and parties in Dubai and around the Middle East. He is currently Account Director with Z7 communications in Dubai, United Arab Emirates that handles Versace, TOD’s, TAG Heuer, Salvatore Ferragamo, Bonhams, JAMM art advisory, MRPORTER.COM, Net-a-Porter, THEOUTNET.COM and Hoss Intropia.

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PLAYER!

ALEX DAY, HEAD PGA PROFESSIONAL AT MUSCAT HILLS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB, ON HOW TO WORK THE GOLF COURSE IN STYLE…

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uch of golf’s fashion is still dictated by tradition. The styles sported by those that play for a living are often fairly smart, formal and business like. However, as discussed in last month’s article, the role of improving technology has certainly had an influence on the way golf clothing has evolved to enhance performance. Also, unlike in many sports where styles are limited or uniform, golf attire allows individuals to be imaginative (very often these days with indifferent tastes!).

You should always remember though that golf etiquette is an important part of the game and what you wear forms part of this etiquette. Nowadays the game of golf allows many different styles and variations in clothing which has contributed to it becoming part of the fashion industry. International brands such as Hugo Boss, Stella McCartney, Ralph Lauren, and Calvin Klein are now big players. In addition many professional golfers have started designing clothes with their individual style and names, e.g. John Daly, Ian Poulter, and Annika Sorenstam.

Centuries ago most golfers would have been donning a lot of tweed with a collar and tie whilst the more distinguished gentlemen would sport a pair of plus fours. Golfers still like to distinguish themselves from their counterparts but more so nowadays with very colourful vibrant outfits. Watching the Open Championship in July the more flamboyant professionals certainly dazzled in their loud chequered trousers. What’s worth considering though when you wear such snappy clothes is that you’ve the game to match the look and they’re not just worn to distract your opponent.

In recent years with technical innovations and more celebrities playing, golf has definitely become cooler than it used to be.

Designer labels are producing apparel with funky features that stretch and breathe allowing the more athletic golfers to flex their muscles and be more dynamic. Footwear has made huge advances too. The older two toned saddle styled shoes with metal spikes have been replaced by more of a trainer looking shoe with plastic/rubber molded soles.

Golf shops are the right place to buy your new set of golf clothes. However you are not restricted to golf specific brands so feel free to get creative with your look.

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Ian Poulter is known with his eccentric clothes and fashion line

Golf Clothing John Daly is well known for his odd clothes and eccentric clothes line

Adam Scott in fashionable golf clothes

STYLE THIS POLO SHIRT - Preferably moisture wicking for the summer months SHORTS - To be no shorter than just above the KNEE AND TAILORED - No board or gym shorts.

TROUSERS - To have belt loops but no denim GOLF SHOES – the only item that must be golf specific -not running shoes or sandals HATS & SUNGLASSES – Whatever style you wish so long as it keeps the sun off your face SWEATER OR TANK TOP – For playing in cooler climates

The legendary golfer Ben Hogan

Golfers: Michelle Wie and Paula Creamer, aka “the Pink Panther, because of her pink outfits and equipment

Alex Day’s passion for the game started at the age of 12 in his home town of Lichfield in the UK where he later went on to represent his county at all levels. In 2001 Alex joined the Professional team at The Belfry, and in 2005 successfully completed his PGA diploma achieving distinction grades in golf coaching and swing theory. Alex firmly believes in offering a holistic approach to his coaching. He has worked successfully with both tour professionals to complete novices through building specific programmes to suit ability and ambition. He joined Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club in 2010 and since then he has been running successfully the whole golf tuition at the club and the OGC Junior Programme.

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BEAUTIFUL IS YOU WITHIN YOU AND ONLY WITHIN YOU, CALMLY AWAITS YOUR PERFECTLY BALANCED, BEAUTIFUL SELF, SAYS PAT HARVEY

Numerous studies demonstrate links between chronic stress and poor health, including risk factors for cardiovascular disease and poorer immune function. People who are stressed over long periods tend to look haggard, and it is commonly thought that psychological stress leads to premature aging and the earlier onset of diseases of aging.

During times of stress, there is an increase in circulating stress hormones, such as cortisol, throughout the body. Interestingly, the skin is also capable of generating these same stress hormones in response to stress. These hormones

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may weaken the skin’s natural protective barrier, leaving the skin more susceptible to infection or inflammation, and can also aggravate an already existing skin condition. Oil production increases. Histamines trigger itchiness and inflammation. Water, oxygen and nutrients are drawn away from the skin, which becomes irritable, dull, clogged, prematurely wrinkled, prone to breakouts, itchy and flaky. Plus, skin's natural immune function is impaired, so it's less able to heal itself.

There are many stress management techniques you can incorporate into your daily routine that

may improve your ability to cope with stress, thereby lessening the damaging effect that stress has on your skin, one of which is yoga.

YOGA FOR BETTER SKIN If you are looking for a natural solution and want to have beautiful, radiant, youthful looking skin, then yoga is the answer. By practicing yoga for 20-30 minutes a day, you will improve circulation which helps smooth your skin and you will feel and look amazing. Yoga poses activate and stimulate the marmas, energy centers in the body, which in turn stimulates the endocrine system.

The endocrine system is responsible for the

body’s overall functioning and aging process.

Practice these five yoga poses daily to bring back your youthful glow.

INVERSIONS Being upside down in Headstand reverses the effects of gravity. Yoga headstands are called the king of asanas for a reason. Headstands are the best way to enhance facial radiance and plump the skin. This pose (asana) affects your cardiovascular, digestive, endocrine and lymph systems. The whole brain is energized, washed clean and flooded with rich nutrients.

It eliminates toxins causing substances and nourishes cells in the face, muscles and skin, therefore making you look younger.

CHILD’S POSE The Child’s Pose is a relaxation pose used to normalize the circulation after a headstand. This is a great posture for erasing wrinkles from the face. In child’s pose, your head is lower than your heart therefore you receive more circulation to the face. Being in Child’s Pose for 15 minutes is equal to sleeping for 1hr. It keeps your skin soft, and boosts immunity. In this pose, you stretch the low back, massage and tone the abdominal organs and stimulate digestion and elimination.

FISH POSE This pose has many benefits. It tones the muscles

in your face and throat, thereby giving your face and throat a great stretch. It normalizes the function of the thyroid, pituitary, pineal and adrenal glands. This helps control the hormone function in your body; therefore leading to improved skin conditions. Performing fish pose also expands the rib cage fully, increasing your lung capacity and aids in deep breathing.

WARRIOR 1 Although this pose is easy enough for beginners, it offers many benefits. Your balance is challenged while lengthening the upper body, neck, shoulders and chest and frees up the heart, kidneys and lungs allowing increased circulation to the face. When your heart receives more circulation, more oxygen goes to the blood cells, and, in turn it gets your skin glowing.

SEATED TWIST Unwinding with a seated twist is a great way to relive stress, mild depression, anxiety and detoxify your body. This pose helps in slowing down the aging process. It is a great stretch for the neck, shoulders and eyes and is very rejuvenating for the face. Twists are stimulating and cleansing. A twist must be rooted and stable in order to obtain the full benefits it offers. Let your eyes twist along your spine. When focusing and stretching your eyes, it clears away toxins, tones the area around the eyes and prevents wrinkles.

Pat Harvey is the Beauty Therapist and Yoga Instructor at Six Senses Spa Zighy Bay. Pat blends the science of skin care with indulgence to create tailored treatments that are highly beneficial to the body and soothing to the soul. As trends come and go, Pat’s philosophy is to maintain a balance of traditional, proven treatments with innovative technology that is safe and effective. Drawing from her broad training and deep personal experience, Pat works with each guest to establish their skin type and understand their unique circumstances such as stress level and diet, as well as environmental conditions including sun exposure, and air and water quality to develop a beneficial regime.

Canadian born, Pat is also a certified Yoga Instructor and has taught both nationally and internationally. Her enthusiasm for yoga has lead to her attending many workshops on different yoga teaching styles and enjoying a yogic lifestyle.

She has studied with several world-renowned yoga teachers such as Rodney Yee, David Life, Shannon Gannon, Cyndi Lee, Erich Schiffman, and Donna Farhi.

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DESIGUAL

BOOK

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BOOK THE STYLE FILES - HER

Wardrobe Essentials Eve Thomas, Senior Fashion Editor, THE OUTNET.COM, on the must-haves this season…

The Trophy Jacket

Print has moved from pants and skirts, to tops and jackets this season, and adds instant attitude to your look. Throw on over dresses, denim or leather and you’re good to go.

The Military Coat

Military coats are back! Opt for doublebreasted styles with brass buttons and epaulettes. Spend as much as you can, as this is a key investment. Not only will it last from season to season, but the cost-perwear component can›t be beaten!

The ‘It’ Knit

Arran, colorful and printed knits prevailed on the fall/winter runways. Style your oversized, crew neck knit with a ladylike skirt.

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The Contrast Collar

The Peplum

Ensure your shirt collars (detachable or not) stand out this season. Interesting details – such as beading, print or a color contrast – see that the shirt is updated this fall.

Always style a peplum piece with clean lines to create proportion and a flattering silhouette.

Team a peplum top with cigarette pants or a pencil skirt, or style a peplum skirt with a fine knit sweater.

The Ladylike Skirt

Look to full, pleated or pencil st yles – whichever suits your body shape. Ensure the skirt exudes femininity and wear with a leather top or ‘it’ knit.

Opulence

This trend includes an oriental element for fall.

Channel opulence into your wardrobe by mixing touches of brocade, velvet and embellishment with simple, light-weight items such as lace or sheer pieces.

Coloured Leather

Berry, bottle green, pastels and muted grey leather adorned fall’s runways. Wear leather in silhouettes you are used to wearing. Don’t feel you have to choose biker styles – leather can be sophisticated.

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THE ‘IT’ LIST

TOBY BATEMAN, BUYING DIRECTOR OF MRPORTER.COM, PICKS THE ESSENTIALS FOR THE AW SEASON…

Mackintosh black mac A brilliant purveyor of outerwear Mackintosh is one of the few brands that have successfully managed to keep the function of their clothes at the heart of the collection whilst updating the product every season. I am delighted to have them on MR PORTER and shall be buying this great fitted mac.

Burberry Velvet Trousers It would be disingenuous to call velvet a trend as it was more than that – as a fabric it seemed that many designers have re-evaluated its appeal meaning velvet was all over the catwalks. These Burberry Prorsum trousers sum up the appeal and the dark moss colour is vibrant without being over-the-top.

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Richard James Prince of Wales check suit A Richard James suit is always a great investment purchase. This Prince of Wales three piece is perfect for the city and has timeless appeal.

Boglioli Double Breasted Blazer This is our second season with Boglioli whose mastery of tailoring has proved popular with our customers. This double breasted blazer is a great and the claret colour provides a great pop of colour.

Alexander McQueen Embroidered Slipper Slipper style footwear has been an interesting trend in men’s eveningwear and trust Alexander McQueen to take it even further. This embroidered style almost seems like a work of art and when you look at them closely you can really see the craftsmanship involved in their construction.

TOBY BATEMAN

STYLE TALK

HAPPY FEET

ROSEMIN MANJI MEETS THE FABULOUS DESIGNER DUO OF BIONDA CASTANA…

My Dearest Signature Readers, When I meet someone, my eyes first fall on the shoes he/she is wearing and then work their way up. I believe shoes are the foundation and say so much about your personality, mood and the message you are trying to convey.

Also, it is no secret that I love shoe designers. In my previous columns, I have professed my love for shoe designers right from Louboutin to Zanotti. Well, now you can now add Bionda Castana to the list.

British shoe brand Bionda Castana is made for a confident woman looking for a shoe with directional style, on trend and comfortable. I can confidently add the word ‘comfortable’ as the dream team behind this brand are two beautiful and talented designers, Jennifer Portman and Natalia Barbieri. They founded the company in 2007, these glamorous girls have had their designs being worn by celebrities and not to mention pages of well known magazines.

I must admit I was flattered when when Bionda Castana named the spring summer gladiator shoe after me. I’m truly a lucky girl!

Amid the Olympics frenzy, I sat down with Jennifer and Natalia over coffee to chat about the start of their partnership, fashion and future of the brand.

How did your brand start? And how did you both decide to come together?

"When Jennifer and I resigned from our previous roles to set up Bionda Castana, we had no experience nor the qualifications in design or manufacture of shoes neither did we have a network of contacts in the fashion industry or any press contacts. We really set ourselves a tough challenge! We set up this business with nothing other than passion which is what we are

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most proud of. The business was born in 2007 with a very small amount of capital. For our first season we showed a very small capsule collection for Spring Summer 2008 at the WSA show in Las Vegas. We are now stocked in some of the most influential stores in the world namely Browns, Harvey Nichols, Dover Street Market, Saks, Nordstrom, Symphony Style Dubai, 10 Corso Como Korea and Tea Rose Milan.

"Our hard work and determination has most certainly paid off. We had a vision and followed through on this despite the hardships along the way. Jennifer and I share a compulsive obsession with shoes, and in particular high heels. Partly because my friends were always taller than me and also because I loved the way that the elegance of the high heel always made me feel at my most confident and lifted any outfit I was wearing.

We see shoes as works of art and our travels to Italy every year as young girls contributed to our passion for meticulously crafted 'Made in Italy' shoes."

Where did the name come from?

“Bionda Castana means Blonde Brunette in Italian. It represents the two of us; the ying and yang of us both, our dark and light side.”

What makes you different from other shoe brands?

“We combine progressive British designs with Italian craftsmanship to create unique luxury footwear for freethinking women who place footwear at the heart of their wardrobes. Our designs are very wearable, unique in design and above all, comfortable. The element of the shoes being handmade is very important to us and our brand. The comfort factor is second to none.

And when designing high heels, this is of utmost importance.”

Secrets on juggling home and work life...

“Patience, making time for exercise (Pilates), making sure you leave time for enough sleep and make time for friends. It really is the only way to keep sane and stay focused.”

Where do you take inspiration from each season?

“Once a season has come to a close, we literally start again on a blank canvas. We are inspired by day to day, our friends, films, our travels, cultures - anything and everything. But it is predominantly our gut feeling.

In each collection there is a style for everyone be it more conservative or more eccentric.”

Share your style...Top picks for this FW season every girl needs in her closet (clothing to shoes)?

“I am relatively classic in my dress and ultimately I have to be comfortable. I know what suits me even without trying something on. I invest in garments which I can bring out of the closet for seasons to come. Similar to the concept behind our shoe designs.

“Our black leather MARGO biker boot and red suede VALERIA pointed flat shoe with zip chain detail are my ultimate investment for FW alongside our AMANI mustard and garnet nappa combination oversized clutch. This paired with Joseph cigarette trousers and a Jonathan Saunders knit is what I will be coveting most.”

Favourite spots in Dubai...

“Le Petit Maison without a doubt. Never a bad meal nor a dull moment.”

Favourite spots in London...

“Bocca di Lupo, Soho for the most perfect Italian meal (feels just like you are eating in Tuscany); Cambio de Tercio, South Kensington for delicious tapas; The Arts Club, Mayfair to watch the beautiful people dance the night away and without a doubt shopping at Browns, Sloane Square (new store opening) to find the most unique mix of RTW and accessories.”

Bionda Castana available at Symphony, Dubai Mall.

For details log on to www.biondacastana.com

Rosemin Manji is the founder of RR & Co. Bespoke Luxury Management that specialises in styling, media relations among other luxury services around the fashion industry. Manji is an authority on fashion in the region. Her weekly fashion segment on Dubai One TV’s Studio One has fashion followers throughout the region tuning in as she shares her tips. She has brought international designers to the region from Tom Ford, Alice Temperley to Christian Louboutin to the Middle East.

She has contributed in Harpers Bazaar, Grazia and Esquire and has covered Atlantis Palm Dubai opening Red Carpet interviewing top International celebrities for MTV. Manji’s style has been celebrated in Best Dressed lists for Harpers Bazaar, Grazia, Pashion, Mondanite, Ahlan Masala.

Her contribution to the fashion industry has been recognised by Arab News as Top 20 Business women in the Gulf, Gr8 Women of the Year Middle East and Ahlan Hot 100 List 2010 and 2011 as Style Icon and Contribution to the Media Industry.

DESIGN

ART-WISE

AndrÊ C. Meyerhans delves on uses of art as decoration, as collectibles and as investment One of my clients pulled me to the side after a meeting and asked me to advise him on art purchases for his residencies in various parts of the world. He wished to find artworks that could be used as decorative pieces for his homes and could become a base for a collection and an investment at the same time. What started off as a quick chat on the corridor ended in a longer evening and has led into a continuous involvement ‌ As he especially liked Middle Eastern art, he already knew that he wanted to focus his cultural engagement limited to this geographical area. In order to familiarise himself more with the art of the MENA region, we agreed to visit museums that showcase the masters and to discover established and emerging artists at exhibitions and auction held all over the GCC. Visiting such events not only provides a good overview over the art scene, but also gives an idea of the price range of artworks as well as it unveils the popularity of an artist and hence his or her future potential. In the course of this exercise, we might also be able to narrow down the Middle Eastern focus to a more defined theme or niche.

Why is it so important to focus one’s efforts when collecting or investing in art? In contrast to art that serves purely decorative purposes, an art collections and art investments focus on the value of the work. In collections, one likes to see the artwork in an ideological context, wants to see and understand how different people approached similar topics in different ways, how time has affected the understanding of a subject or how technology has influenced working in various media. It is this context that adds value to the individual work and the deeper and more complex a collection is developed, the more insightful and worth it is. With art investments it is a little bit different: investments in art are not very liquid. Thematically focussed investments increase the reputation of an investor in the circle of potential channels required to sell the art and, hence, eases the process. Furthermore, auction houses and galleries often prefer to receive a themed lot on commission.

We also establish an annual budget and identify the approximate amount of works to be acquired. In order to mitigate the risk, we plan to diversify the collection: one part, we invest in masterpieces of artists who are dead for ten and more years. These works have proven to keep

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their value beyond a temporary hype, and the risk of devaluation due to flooding the market with new works from or negative publicity on the artist is little. Obviously, prices for these works are much higher than for art from living, established artists and emerging artists – which shall be the focus of another part of the budget.

Emerging artists might be a high-risk investment and any financial advisor might highlight the enormous gain in case the artist successfully establishes him- or herself. I trust such work shall also be valued due to its immediacy to the current time, the time we are also part of.

I have once been advised by a well-known art advisor to always invest the highest possible amount I can afford into an artwork and rather buy one piece than two for that amount of money.

I understand his point of view as precious artworks have a higher demand in the market.

However, I do not think one should apply this rule blindly. Sometimes artworks increase their value and become more interesting if put into a dialogue with another one.

The inventory is another topic we touched during our meeting that evening. The register provides a good overview of the collection and

lists not only the name of the artist but also other characteristics of each work obtained: year created, dimensions, media (material). I advise to include also the year in which it has been bought, the price, any previous history and owners of the artwork as well as the contact details of the selling gallery or auction house.

Very interesting for later reviews are also personal comments on reasons why a particular work has been bought and what potential has been seen in the art at the point of acquisition.

These notes will show how perception and the intellectual value changes over time and how well one’s judgement is in terms of assessing the potential of an artwork.

We have not yet touched the topic of art as decoration. Well, once it has been decided to start a collection and to invest in art, these pieces are the ones that should be hanging or standing in the house. One can rotate them, increase and decrease density of the exhibited work or change the pairing artwork that evokes comparison.

I also do not believe that any artwork is too valuable to be displayed. Art is meant to be seen as only then it can fulfil its purpose: to inspire.

So, let’s decorate our home with the art we collect and invest in and enjoy it!

André C. Meyerhans is a Swiss architect who lives and works in Dubai, UAE. His creations range from 250’000m²-urban plans and onebillion-US-dollar mixed use developments to furniture-like objects, art and jewellery. André has also written for various trade magazines and held lectures in numerous institutions on architecture and design. He is also a regular guest critique at the Architectural Department of the American University in Sharjah. For more details you can visit www.acmeyerhans.com

TECHNOLOGY SKETCHBOOK PRO ANDROID: USD 2, APPLE: USD 2 This is one for all you art lovers out there. You can now unleash your creativity with SketchBook Mobile for both Android and Apple products. The Autodesk SketchBook Mobile is a professional-grade paint and drawing application offering a full set of sketching tools and a streamlined and intuitive user interface. It allows you to draw and paint on, with virtual tools and brush styles that can be really used to create art. You can even save up to six layers per file and export files to photoshop for further working.

APP IT UP!

SIGNATURE’S TECHNOLOGY GEEKS SCROUNGE THROUGH THE INTERNET TO FIND YOU THE BEST AVAILABLE APPS, FOR BOTH ANDROID AND APPLE USERS

ANGRY BIRDS CUT THE ROPE IOS: 1USD, ANDROID: FREE (FROM GETJAR) Cut the Rope is an award-winning mobile game from ZeptoLab, was an instant phenomenon in the iOS App Store reaching the #1 spot globally, and continues to gain popularity even to this day. It is cute and clever with very well thought out puzzles and an insane amount of levels at your disposal. It was a great game on iOS but is even better on Android because it is available for free, albeit with ad support and you have to get it from Getjar, but you don’t have to pay a dime so we have no complaints there.

IOS: 1USD, ANDROID: FREE This was a no-brainer. It's the world's most popular smartphone game and has since spawned three more iterations of the franchise – Rio, Seasons and Space. But it was the original that started it all. There's something supremely addictive about launching these different sorts of aviary ammunition into the precarious pig pens that just never gets old. The consistent updates and new levels just make it even better. And again it’s the Android devices that have it easier; because you don’t have to part with even a penny to have this avian gem on your device.

GMOTE 2.0 ANDROID: FREE Using your phone as a remote control for your computer is something that almost all smartphones should be able to do, and the Gmote is the best Android remote there is. It can be used to browse your pre-assigned folders or for playing and controlling movies and music on your computer. It can also be used flatout as a replacement touchpad alternative to your mouse. It is indispensable if, like us, you use your PC or Laptop as a media centre in the hall.

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CHROME

KORG IMS-20

IOS: FREE, ANDROID: FREE

IOS: USD33

At long last, Google has finally made Chrome available for iOS. The browser includes many of the same features you enjoy on the desktop, such as password sync, tab sharing, and incognito mode. It is obviously available on Android devices as well and makes for a great alternative browser to what comes standard on your device.

The Korg iMS-20 is an analog synth studio and is actually a complete digital recreation of the Korg MS-20 synth, an analog sequencer, a drum machine, and even Korg's Kaoss Pad technology. Plus, you can share your songs online via the SoundCloud! It works like a complete music production app for iPad and is a testament to just how powerful the tablet can be as a music production machine. But it comes at a price, and a rather hefty one at that.

INFINITY BLADE APPLE: USD6 While Angry Birds and Cut the Rope may be fun and cartoony, it won’t feed your thirst for cutting edge visuals. That crown is for one game and one alone – Infinity Blade. It you want to know just what kind of visuals your shiny new apple device is capable off, this is the game for you. Yes, it really does look that good.

SWIFTKEY 3 KEYBOARD ANDROID: USD4.64 Meet the world’s smartest touchscreen keyboard for Android. SwiftKey 3 understands how words work together, giving much more accurate corrections and predictions than other keyboards. Very sloppy typing will magically make sense, even if you miss spaces, and SwiftKey 3 also predicts your next words. Better still, it literally learns the way you type. Swiftkey will scan your SMS messages to see what words you're most likely to use. You'll feel like it can read your mind. And as an added bonus, it looks better than the stock Android keyboard.

SOCIAL NETWORK SOFTWARE IOS: GENERALLY FREE, ANDROID: GENERALLY FREE Social Networking and smart phones are a match made in heaven. And with both, the iOS and Android, there are apps specifically made to meet your requirements, be it Twitter, Facebook, Google+ or any other social network that you can possible think of.

YOUR GUIDE TO…

OVER DRIVE

We have given you the best cars to drive. Now we give you the Greatest driving roads in the world…Vroom!

Jebel Hafeet United Arab Emirates The Middle east has its share of impressive mountain roads, but without a shadow of a doubt, it is the Jebel Hafeet Mountain Road that is the cream of the crop. It is 7.3 miles of glass-smooth pavement leading to a hotel and a royal palace atop the mountain. With 21 corners and two lanes climbing the mountain, this 7.3 mile road is considered by some to be the best driving road in the world.

Deals Gap, aka "Tail of The Dragon" Tennessee, USA Deals Gap is a portion of U.S. Route 129 in Blount County, Tennessee. This 11-mile stretch, in mostly forested areas, contains over 318 curves (some resemble a dragon's tail, which is how the road got its name) and some of the Dragon's sharpest curves have names like Copperhead Corner, Hog Pen Bend, Wheelie Hell, Shade Tree Corner, Mud Corner, Sunset Corner, Gravity Cavity, Beginner's End, and Brake or Bust Bend.. Better still, it sits in an undeveloped area - making it safer to drive "enthusiastically"

Col de Turini France Col de Turini is a high mountain pass in the Alps in the department of AlpesMaritimes in France. It lies near Sospel, between the communes of Moulinet and La Bollène-Vésubie in the Arrondissement of Nice. It is famous as a stage of the Monte Carlo Rally, giving it some heritage and some credence as a great driver’s road. It is also held on the tight road with its many hairpin turns and some great scenery; the three things that every enthusiast looks for in a good road.

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Pikes Peak Highway Colorado Another road with some great racing credentials is this, the Pikes Peak Highway. It is a 19-mile (31km) toll road that runs from Cascade, Colorado to the summit of Pikes Peak in El Paso County, Colorado, at an altitude of 14,115 feet (4,302 m). It is full of harrowing drop-offs, tight hairpins and stunning views of the surrounding landscape and has also been home to the annual Pikes Peak International Hillclimb since 1916. If it’s good enough for them then it’s definitely good enough for us.

Great Ocean Road Australia The Great Ocean Road is an Australian National Heritage listed 243-kilometre stretch of road along the south-eastern coast of Australia between the Victorian cities of Torquay and Warrnambool. The road was built by returned soldiers between 1919 and 1932, and is the world's largest war memorial; dedicated to casualties of World War I. It is an important tourist attraction in the region, which winds through varying terrain alongside the coast. This coupled with its pristine tarmac also make it one of the greatest driving roads in the world.

Conor Pass Ireland Situated in the Dingle Peninsula, Conor Pass offers drivers the breathtaking, cliff hanging experience of navigating through Ireland's highest mountain pass. It runs from the southern end of the Dingle Peninsula toward Brandon Bay. This narrow road snakes through verdant vistas, and its view of the lakes below is the stuff of fairy tales. The quiet countryside surrounded by corrie lakes makes it a beautiful drive worth experiencing by everyone.

Trollstigen, aka "Troll Ladder" Norway It took eight years to construct and was first opened on July 31, 1936, by King Haakon VII. The Trollstigen, or Troll's Footpath in English, is a serpentine mountain road in Rauma, Norway, part of Norwegian National Road 63 connecting Åndalsnes in Rauma and Valldal in Norddal. It has become popular as a great driver’s road due to its steep incline of 9% and eleven hairpin bends up a steep mountain side. At the top there is large parking place which allows visitors to leave their cars and walk for about ten minutes to a viewing balcony which overlooks the road with its bends and the stunning Stigfossen waterfall.

Nurburgring Nordschleife Germany Arguably the most notorious racetrack in the world, this 12.93-mile loop of tarmac also happens to be a toll road that anyone with 24 euros and a need for speed can drive on non-race days. It was the famous racer Jackie Stewart that gave it the name "the green hell," and with good reason. It’s series of 154 turns features treacherous landmarks, including the Caracciola Karussell (the Carousel) and Flugplatz (also known as "the Airport," for its tendency to launch vehicles airborne). But despite this, the Ring is technically a one-way toll road, and many of Germany’s traffic laws are in effect. Besides, how many other roads that are open to the public let you follow in the wheeltracks of legends like Nuvolari, Fangio and Clark.

Transfagarasan Highway Romania Built by Nicolae Ceausescu in the 1970s, this dynamite-forged highway defies the mountains that surround it, linking Transylvania and Walachia through a series of tunnels, bridges and viaducts. It was created as a strategic military transport route in anticipation of an invasion that never came. That earned the road the nickname “Ceaucescu’s Folly,” but there is only one way a motoring enthusiast would describe it – ‘pure driver's heaven’. The road climbs to 2,034 metres altitude and is a winding road, dotted with steep hairpin turns, long S-curves, sharp descents and stunning views. Keep in mind though that this road is closed between the months of October and June due to snow, just in case you were planning on making a trip.

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Stelvio Pass Italy Nestled 9000 feet up in the Italian Alps, the Stelvio Pass is the highest paved mountain pass in the Eastern Alps and the second highest in the Alps, just under the Col de l'Iseran at 9,088 feet. It packs a staggering 48 switchbacks (numbered by stone markers) into just 15 miles.

Its daunting turns will offer you plenty of chances to perfect your cornering techniques. So famous is this pass among motorists that Italian motorcycle manufacture Moto Guzzi named a bike after the famed pass in 2008.