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N OV E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2015

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HOW TO BUILD A NEW MEDIA EMPIRE

RAG HEB ALAMA THREE DECADES OF SUPERSTARDOM AND STILL NUMBER ONE

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015 VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 6

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PUBLISHING PUBLISHER

Adel Habib PUBLISHER

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EDITORIAL Bassem Terkawi Maan Hamzi ART DIRECTOR Vivek S ASSISTANT EDITOR Helen Ramsey FASHION EDITOR Ahmad Daabas AUTOMOTIVE EDITOR Liam Nelson ARABIC EDITOR Ibrahim Terkawi COPY EDITOR Jyoti Dhawale GRAPHIC DESIGNER Hani Saeed CREATIVE ARTIST Juanito Tuazon EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

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A WORD FROM OUR EDITOR-IN-CHIEF LOOK BETTER, FEEL BETTER, KNOW MORE We welcome you to a new edition of Sharp Middle East, as we proudly celebrate our first anniversary. Over the past 12 months, we have brought you a fresh perspective on various topics concerning men – from the latest high-end fashion developments inspiring our lives to compelling articles that move and shake our world.

We live in a very interesting age that is so enthusing to our curiosities. In spite of the challenges that grip our societies and the unrest surrounding the world today, particularly in the Middle East, this region continues to give birth to highly ambitious and multi-talented individuals while playing host to sensational world-class events.

I recently attended Dubai Design Days, a spectacular event exhibiting highly desirable works of modern designs and contemporary creations from regional and international artists. Coming close-and-personal with some exclusive selections of rare and much desirable designs merely demonstrates how the region has grown to become a platform for art and artists. This November, the UAE capital will host its Abu Dhabi Art event with exciting cultural performances, design presentations and art installations from around the world.

All this goes to show how our societies are teeming with new ideas and expanding their cultural understating through art, music, lifestyle, social media and exciting innovations; where art has no boundaries and is proving to be a key player in bringing people of the world together.

Enjoy the issue.

Bassem Terkawi EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

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Sharp Middle East is published six times per year by Oryx Live, Fujairah, UAE, and by permission of Contempo Media Inc, Toronto, Canada.

No part of this publication may be copied or reprinted without the written consent of the publisher. The views expressed by the contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher, editor or staff. Sharp does not take any responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or photography.

12 SHARP MIDDLE EAST NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

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MIDDLE EAST

CONTENTS

FEATURES 110

RAGHEB ALAMA

Thirty years of super-stardom and counting. And he’s still on top of his game.

118

THE PERFECT REGIME

Shaughnessy Bishop-Stall learns about self-restraint by taking a full-on vow of abstinence — from food.

120

NOBODY PUTS BRYAN CRANSTON IN A BOX

The star of Trumbo just wants to get down to work. And these days, there’s lots for him to do.

14 SHARP MIDDLE EAST NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015 | VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 6

124 BOLLYWOOD CALLING

Priyanka Chopra is the most famous woman on the Indian subcontinent. Now she’s got her sights set on North America. It’s about time.

Sans titre-1 1

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MIDDLE EAST

CONTENTS NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015 | VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 6

FASHION 130

HOCKEY LEGENDS

The game’s best players in an exclusive fashion shoot.

140

INTO THE DEEP

We take this fall’s best blue suits where no suit has gone before: underwater.

16 SHARP MIDDLE EAST NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

MIDDLE EAST

CONTENTS NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015 | VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 6

GUIDE 36

WOMEN

Fear the Walking Dead’s Mercedes Mason likes to play pranks. You should let her.

38

MUSIC

The strange story of Eagles of Death Metal’s Jesse Hughes.

40

TECH

Ambient tech is all around us.

That can’t be good, right?

152

42

THE SHARP LIST

HEALTH

Fighter pilots have to withstand body-melting G-forces — so they know something about working out.

A collection of gifts you want to treat yourself to this festive season. Enjoy.

44

BOOKS

New novels from John Irving and Ian Rankin, two of the all-time greats.

46

HOW TO BUILD AN EMPIRE

Inside the ever-growing world of new media conglomerates.

48

DESIGN

58

66

94

More than just U2 and cobblestone streets, Dublin has been reborn as a traveller’s escape.

These collaborations between fashion and sports brands are nothing short of a home run.

A whole bunch of looks you’ll want to reach out and feel for yourself.

TRAVEL

STYLE 60

SPORTING LIFE

68

SPORTSWEAR

Le Coq Sportive’s history of football triumphs and recent comeback .

What we talk about when we talk about mid-century modern and crossover art.

PATCH POCKETS

50

61

Our food columnist, Model Milk’s Justin Leboe, on why everything old is new again. Including pickles.

It’s the right time of year for it, just a couple of rules to keep in mind first.

What you should go for this winter – from cutting-edge bombers to high-top sneakers. You name it.

51

62

SHOES

76

The right way to take care of your footwear

63

In praise of luxury timepieces and the effortless style of brown dial watches.

The freshest scents of the season

82

FOOD

RATTLE THE CAGE

Emirati film Zinzana debuts on world stage

52

THE NAME’S STILL BOND

We take an in-depth look at Bond as you don’t know him: the unauthorised versions, the behindthe-scenes style, the theme songs that never were.

Why you should find a blazer that has some.

LEATHER

FRAGRANCES

64

JUSTICE BE DONE

Carolina Herrera and Mario Testino team up to put “scents” into a story

18 SHARP MIDDLE EAST NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

70

STYLE ESSENTIALS

WATCHES

THE 2015 ENCYCLOPEDIA OF GROOMING

An A to Z guide of taking care of your body, hair and face that every man should follow.

TOUCH AND GO

CARS 102

THE SEDAN ISSUE

Featuring the Audi A4, BMW 7 series, Jaguar XF S and the new Lexus GS450h. Happy days!

STANDARDS 20

ONLINE

22

PRE-RAMBLE

24

MAN ABOUT TOWN

161

BRAND DIRECTORY

162

RANK & FILE

Exclusively at SHARPMAGAZINE.COM SHARPMAGAZINE.COM is now better than ever. It’ll still be the best place for you to satisfy all your Sharp cravings between issues: the latest in style, cars, gear and culture. More streamlined, with more stories, interviews and amazing photography, more often. Here are some new features you can look forward to.

HOW TO SLAY IN THE KITCHEN Be a literal tastemaker with these delicious, seasonally appropriate food trends.

YOUR WINTER SUNGLASSES Sunnies: they’re not just for summer. Fight snow blindness with these cool sunglasses that fit seamlessly into your fall/ winter wardrobe.

HERE’S WHAT’S AWESOME ON NETFLIX RIGHT NOW

THE BEST COMFORT FOOD It’s time to calorie-load before hibernation. Here, we celebrate those restaurants that keep us fat and happy.

We binge the best of Netflix so you don’t have to. (Though if you’re like us, you probably will anyway.)

THE WOMEN OF BONDINSPIRED MOVIES We know you’re getting plenty of Vitamin Bond these days, so to give you a break, we’re celebrating our favourite femme fatales in all the Bondinspired films.

Groovy, baby!

20 SHARP MIDDLE EAST NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

CHANGE. YOU CAN.

Available in stores at : DUBAI : Dubai Mall, Deira City Centre, Mirdif City Centre, Ibn Batuta Mall SHARJAH : Sahara Centre AJMAN : Ajman City Centre ABU DHABI : Al Wahda Mall BAHRAIN : Bahrain City Centre, All AL HAWAJ outlets JEDDAH : Haifa Mall, Mall of Arabia, Tahliya Mall

RIYADH : Kingdom Centre MECCA : Mecca Mall KHOBAR : Rashed Mall, Dhahran Mall DOHA : Marzooq Al Shamlan & Sons W.L.L (All Crono, Crono Fashion and Watch corner Outlets) KUWAIT : All VISITOR Outlets IRAN : All ZAMAN & ZEEVAR outlets JORDAN : ABU SHAKRA TRADING

www.ice-watch.com 2015-09-21-Ice-Watch-ICE-heritage-SHARP-ME-B-203X273.indd 1

21/09/2015 13:55:18

PRE STOCKS IN BONDS

THE MORAL

MOUSTACHE

James Bond (pg. 52) has a way of defining an actor’s career. Sometimes it’s a boost, sometimes not so much. Here, we rank each Bond’s net worth before and after taking the role.

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

Dr. No

Cannonball Run

Live and Let Die

Casino Royale

CODE

Skyfall

Hot Fuzz

GoldenEye

World’s End

Diamonds Are Forever On Her Majesty’s Secret Service

Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore

The Living Daylights

Eagles of Death Metal’s Jesse Hughes (pg. 38) has ahandlebar ‘stache that’s as dastardly as his record of sins. Coincidence? We think not. Because it’s Movember, we rank the moral integrity ofdifferent moustache styles.

The Hadfield

Mamma Mia The Beautician and the Beast 1960

1970

1980

1990

League of Extrodinary Gentlemen

2000

2010

The Cronkite

WATCH OUT! If you think our timepieces (pg. 76) are extra special, check out this Hublot MP-05 LaFerrari super-watch – with 637 components and 50-day power reserve – selling for AED 1.1 million. That’s the cost of the 2016 Ferrari California with enough change left over for a downpayment on a freehold Dubai villa.

The Trebek

The Borat

The Hughes

The Hogan

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE Can you tell what’s been changed in these two pictures of our featured Hollywood celebrity Bryan Cranston (pg. 120)? Hint: there are five.

22 SHARP MIDDLE EAST NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

The Abu El-Abed

MAN ABOUT TOWN

TIMELY SPIRIT

D

ubai was in the limelight as experts, artists and professionals from the global art of watchmaking gathered to raise awareness and exchange ideas on the industry sector. Organised by regional luxury watch and jewellery retailer Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons and the Swiss foundation Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, Dubai Watch Week comprised a series of master classes conducted by some of the industry’s most reputable watch manufacturers, alongside educational initiatives, panel discussions and exhibitions of the world’s most renowned luxury brands, including Audemars Piguet, Bulgari and Piaget – only to name a few.

The event also focused on promoting local talent and inspiring Emirati artists and designers through various watch components. The auction house Christie’s held an auction for 160 luxury watches. Two highly prized timepieces presented by Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons from Hublot’s limited edition, raised around AED 400,000 which was donated to the philanthropic organisation Dubai Cares.

24 SHARP MIDDLE EAST NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

MAN ABOUT TOWN

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015 SHARP MIDDLE EAST 25

MAN ABOUT TOWN

26 SHARP MIDDLE EAST NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

MAN ABOUT TOWN

WATCH OUT AND CONNECT

K

ite Beach in Dubai was recently the heart of the action as one watchmaker aimed to inject some hardcore energy into their brand. Guests were invited to celebrate the unveiling of the Guess Connect smartwatch – Dubai being the first destination for this vibrant roadshow – which was hosted by the watch retailer ‘1915 by Seddiqi’.

A double decker bus converted into a mobile demo station was set up in an outdoors setting, where guests checked out the wearable tech timepiece. While a team of dynamic acrobats entertained the crowd in a spectacular parkour demonstration, guests also had the chance to marvel at remarkable features of this latest timepiece. Designed for both men and women, Guess Connect is powered by Martian technology making it updateable and replaceable.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015 SHARP MIDDLE EAST 27

MAN ABOUT TOWN

GORDON RAMSAY WITH HIS FAMILY

BREAKING BREAD

W

orld-known Michelin-star chef Gordon Ramsay celebrated the opening of his new restaurant at Atlantis, The Palm. Ramsay flew into town with his wife and daughters to attend the launch event as guests sampled sumptuous signature dishes and canapés. The Hells Kitchen’s celebrity chef is promising an extra-ordinary culinary experience “combining great food in an equally incredible atmosphere” at his latest Dubai venture. The Bread Street Kitchen & Bar offers an informal, accessible modern European cuisine with a menu that draws inspiration from classic British traditions; alongside creative beverages and live entertainment.

Not to be missed dishes include the stone bass carpaccio with avocado puree, horseradish and ginger dressing, and the traditional fish and hips with minted pea puree and chip shop sauce. And for those with a sweet tooth, the bread and butter flavoured ice cream with do-it-yourself toppings is a mouth-watering treat.

28 SHARP MIDDLE EAST NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

MAN ABOUT TOWN

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015 SHARP MIDDLE EAST 29

MAN ABOUT TOWN

IN THE MIX

H

&M is popular for producing mid-range trendy attire.

But over the years they’ve become more recognised for teaming up with celebrities like Madonna and David Beckham to promote their collaborations with top European fashion houses like Versace, Jimmy Choo and Maison Martin Margiela. And they’ve never failed to impress.

The popular Swedish fashion brand’s latest collaboration with the Parisian house of Balmain – which has grown into a global pop-culture phenomenon under Olivier Rousteing’s creative directorship – has created a storm in parts of the region.

Recently, a preview event revealing the first pieces of its exciting new collection was held for clients and special guests at the Grosvenor House Dubai. Guests browsed through the beautiful collection on display and were also invited to try on samples of the pieces.

REBECCA AND FRANCESCA

30 SHARP MIDDLE EAST NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

MUSIC, MODELS AND MACHINES

S

wiss watchmaker Piaget recently celebrated the worldwide launch of its Haute Joaillerie and Haute Horlogerie collections at a glittering gala dinner in Dubai’s One&Only Royal Mirage hotel. Clients and guests invited from the region and around the world included Paris Opera Ballet’s ballerina Dorothée Gilbert, Egyptian actress Mona Zaki, Lebanese model Zoya Sakr, US producer Carla DiBello, and Moroccan businessman Richard Attias and his wife, Cécilia, as well as Piaget CEO Philippe Leopold Metzger.

One of the evening’s highlights was a spectacular performance by award-winning British-Lebanese singer Mika, who entertained the audience to his popular hit tunes. Guests were treated to an exquisite dinner by Michelin-star Chef Yannick Alleno and a fashion show of glamorous creations from internationally renowned designer Elie Saab.

MAN ABOUT TOWN

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015 SHARP MIDDLE EAST 31

MAN ABOUT TOWN

QUALITY TIME

A

recently launched exquisite collection of watches titled ’Roberto Cavalli by Franck Muller’ was on display for special guests in a catwalk show at the eponymous Cavalli Club, one of Dubai’s hippest venues.

Hosted by regional luxury retailer Paris Gallery, the event showcased the exquisite collection which merges Cavalli’s modern Italian touch with Franck Muller’s Swiss watchmaking technical expertise.

The collection features some of Roberto Cavalli’s most iconic and representative elements such as the snake pattern and animal prints, as well as Franck Muller’s passion for diamonds in timepieces.

32 SHARP MIDDLE EAST NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

MAN ABOUT TOWN

BLING BLING!

T

iffany & Co hosted celebrated the launch of its latest jewellery collection in Dubai, featuring the iconic designs by its design director Francesca Amfitheatrof. Three signature collections â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Tiffany Victoria, Tiffany Bow and Tiffany Infinity â&#x20AC;&#x201C; boast new designs for the fall season while still retaining their elegance through finely sculpted metals designed in harmonious colours and subtly adorned with diamonds.

Guests mused over the new collection while sisters Reem and Natalya Kanj entertained with their eclectic disc jockey mixes.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015 SHARP MIDDLE EAST 33

GUIDE

LOOK BETTER FEEL BETTER KNOW MORE

THIS PEN IS E MIGHTIER

VEN IN THIS AGE of touchscreens and tablets, and its associated barrage of notetaking or Dictaphone apps, a man will always have cause to write things down.

And because it is increasingly rare, that act should be sacred — savoured with the use of a very good pen. For example: the OMAS 360 Vintage Limited Edition. It’s uniquely designed with a triangular body, thereby maximising comfort. It’s also light, made of high-quality marble-patterned celluloid that makes whisking cursive letters across the page (strewn, no less, from an 18K gold ruthenium tip) an absolute joy.

Which, we bet, is more than you can say about even the newest iPad.

PHOTO: LIAM MOGAN

OMAS 360 VINTAGE LIMITED EDITION PEN (AED 5,000); 1150 CASE (AED 200) BY PELICAN

34 SHARP MIDDLE EAST NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

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124 SHARP MIDDLE EAST NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

BOLLYWOOD

ENDING PRIYANKA CHOPRA IS INDIA’S SWEETHEART. NOW, SHE’S HOPING TO BECOME YOURS, TOO.

BY PETER SALTSMAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN YPPERCIEL STYLING BY FLORENCE O. DURAND Shot on location at Épik Hotel Montreal.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015 SHARP MIDDLE EAST 125

126 SHARP MIDDLE EAST NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

WOOL-CASHMERE BLEND SWEATER BY HELMUT LANG; 18K WHITE GOLD DIAMOND NECKLACE BY MAISON BIRKS.

LACE BODY-WEAR BY ERES.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015 SHARP MIDDLE EAST 127

128 SHARP MIDDLE EAST NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

SILK BLEND WRAP BY THE ROW; TULLE BRA BY AGENT PROVOCATEUR; STERLING SILVER EARRINGS BY MAISON BIRKS.

YOU SHOULD PROBABLY KNOW WHO PRIYANKA CHOPRA IS.

HAIR

Julie St-Laurent

MAKE-UP

Stephanie Brooke Barnes

PHOTO ASSISTANT Nicolas Blais

Not because you’ve seen her face on billboards across whatever city you’re living in, promoting her new show Quantico. And not because that face is a mesmerising amalgam of seductively oversized features (lips, eyes, dimples, etc.), which is to say totally unforgettable.

No, you should know who Priyanka Chopra is because she’s famous.

Remarkably, almost ridiculously famous. After winning the Miss World pageant in 2000 – itself a pretty impressive claim to fame – Chopra turned to acting (and, later, singing) and launched a double-threat career that’s been more-or-less unparalleled outside of a small cadre of global pop superstars: think J.Lo, Madonna or Beyoncé. Seriously.

Chopra is one of the most popular Bollywood actresses of this or any time.

She’s one of the highest paid in the history of Indian film. She has roughly 11 million Twitter followers. She is, arguably, the most famous person known to a full 1/7th of the world’s population.

To think that she’s only just breaking out to a mainstream North American audience is, frankly, a full-on travesty.

“I’m a discovery,” she says. “In India, audiences discovered me over time.

I hope the rest of the world finds me interesting enough to discover, too.”

Being interesting isn’t a problem for Chopra. Forget her looks, if you can, for just a second, and let’s start with what she’d be doing if she wasn’t acting and singing, straddling a superstar’s career across two very different continents: she’s pretty sure she’d be an aeronautical engineer. “When I was in high school, it seemed so fascinating to be able to build a bird,” she says. “Now I’m always on planes.

They’re my second home. So in some strange way I still feel connected to them.”

Thing is, it’s not such a far-fetched idea. She even did a couple of years of math and engineering at university before being discovered as a beauty queen. “I hope to go back to school at some point,” she says. “I’m a geek at heart – it’s my Indian genes.” Those genes she’s talking about, well, they’re impressive. Her parents are both doctors (“overachievers,” she calls them, one a physician and the other a gynecologist), who encouraged her to pursue whatever interested her, whether that was building airplanes or building one of the most successful careers in the history of Indian pop culture.

And, if all goes according to plan, she’ll be busy building one of the most successful careers in worldwide pop culture, full stop. Who has time to go back to school when world domination seems inevitable?

With Quantico, Chopra is poised to take on North America at its jugular: the enviable spotlight of the network television drama. In the show, which is filmed in Montreal, Chopra plays Alex Parrish, an FBI recruit who also happens to be suspected of masterminding a massive 9/11-style attack on New York City. In its press material, the show is described as “Grey’s Anatomy meets Homeland” — a suitably unsubtle bid for every conceivable eyeball in front of every conceivable North American TV set. That is to say, it’s a show that, much like its star, will be impossible to ignore.

Chopra is about to become famous all over again. No doubt she can handle it.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015 SHARP MIDDLE EAST 129

THE SHARP LIST ‘TIS THE SEASON It’s gifts-giving season and last minute shopping will not only restrict your choices but also exert pressure on your mind and body when what you should be doing is gearing up for a nice holiday trip. So why not start by treating yourself to a pair of leather sneakers, a hi-tech turntable or exotic wooden cabinet for that long hard-earned working year. There’s something that you’ll definitely want from this list.

BY MAAN HAMZI 152 SHARP MIDDLE EAST NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

01 BERLUTI PLAYTIME SNEAKERS

www.berluti.com The French shoemaker Berluti has debuted their Playtime sneakers with low pair cuts formed from a single piece of Venezia leather.

The collection sports various colours from classic tanned hues to indigo denim and vermilion, and a removable fringed lace cover – this one is in white leather.

AED 1,190

02 LANVIN JACKET

www.lanvin.com From Lanvin’s seasonal collection comes this suede jacket with shearling collar, uniquely studded with metal clips and spirals that match its zippers.

Price available upon request

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015 SHARP MIDDLE EAST 153

WOODEN ELEPHANT

www.davidweeksstudio.com The Wooden Elephant “Hattie”, named after a famous elephant that once lived in New York’s Central Park Zoo, is part of the collection of “Wooden Animals” designed

by David Weeks for French design store Pop Corn. With her elastic-band muscles and durable wood limbs, Hattie is an enduring classic that will withstand years of play. The collection also includes a rhinoceros, bear and gorilla.

AED 1,000

03 05 ‘ROYAL BLUE’ MOCCAMASTER

www.moccamaster.com Moccamaster’s automated filter brewer, handmade in Holland, brews a full pot of coffee of 10 cups in six minutes at a precise 92-96 degrees. It consists of an auto shut-off feature, automatic drip stop, scale indicator and dual heating elements to allow optimal temperature for both brewing and for the hotplate.

AED 1,200

D&G GENTLEMAN SUNGLASSES

www.dolcegabbana.com These pilot-shaped sunglasses are characterised by the iconic sartorial cut silhouette at 45 degrees on the side edge. The metal frames are enhanced by rims with a ridged border and constitute the perfect accessory for the Dolce & Gabbana gentleman, especially in this version coated with 18-carat gold.

AED 3,015

04

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06

ROBERTO CAVALLI

BY FRANCK MULLER WATCH

www.franckmuller.com Roberto Cavalli and Swiss watchmaker Franck Muller join hands to produce their ’Signature’ timepieces incorporating some of the Italian fashion house’s most iconic and representative elements such as animal prints.

This model range is developed in steel and comes with a gorgeous leather strap.

AED 4,600

THE SHARP LIST NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015 SHARP MIDDLE EAST 155

07 MMAMLUK SECRETAIRE CABINET

w www.etqaan.boutique T The renowned luxury design house Etqaan has launched its ho exquisite Heritage collection ex of hand-crafted pieces such as this Mamluk Secretaire cabinet. Each furniture ca product involves integrating pr various materials such as va mother of pearl, brass, camel m bones and natural leather bo inlayed into genuine walnut in wood. Carving the wood into w striking floral patterns alone st can take up to 350 hours. ca AED 49,700 AE

THE SHARP LIST

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08

CARAVANE TAKE RAW STEEL COFFEE TABLE

www.caravane.fr If the industrial look is just your thing, this coffee table by the Paris-based design house Caravane should satisfy your living room appeal. At least you don’t have to worry about it being damaged from coffee spills.

AED 1,600

10 BROOKSTONE POCKET PROJECTOR PRO

www.brookstone.com This projector is perfect for hauling around to meetings or streaming your videos directly from your smartphone. With mega-bright 200-lumen projection, the 1280 x 720 output resolution gives you clear images up to 100”.

It features a rechargeable two-hour internal battery, 20,000-hour LED lamp and dual built-in speakers and focus control. Best of all, it dynamically adjusts brightness range for each individual pixel based on image content and the ambient room light level.

AED 470

09

RIMOWA LIMBO SUITCASE The Rimowa Limbo collection, made of the high-tech material polycarbonate, makes this luggage conveniently light; while its multi-wheel feature, just as easy to carry along. Handmade with the latest technologies in mind, the range exudes craftsmanship that is evident in the smart design of its case shells’ groove structure.

AED 3,649 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015 SHARP MIDDLE EAST 157

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PEBBLE LOW TABLE BY NADA DEBS

www.nadadebs.com Lebanese designer Nada Debs grew up in Japan, studied in the US and launched her career in furniture design in the UK. She’s transformed her East-meets-West cultural influences into unique modern designs, such as this Pebble Low Table from her Contemporary collection.

Price available upon request

12 POLAROID SOCIALMATIC INSTANT DIGITAL CAMERA

www.polaroid.com This camera combines the nostalgic appeal of vintage Polaroid instant print cameras with the ability to share using built-in WiFi, Bluetooth and Android interface. It houses two cameras – a 14MP frontal and 2MP in the rear – as well as 4GB internal storage, touchscreen and GPS. And, it prints 2”x3” photos instantly on ink-free paper.

AED 1,000

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14 CESTA LIGHT BY MIGUEL MILÁ

www.miguelmila.com This magical hand-made lantern, created by the legendary Spanish industrial designer Miguel Milá, comprises a cherry wood structure that holds a light globe. Its oval volume and handle make it an object-lamp to be placed both on table tops and floors.

AED 1,800

158 SHARP MIDDLE EAST NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

BERGMANN MAGNE TURNTABLE

www.bergmannaudio.com This Danish brand’s high-end entry-level system, Magne, is a fully air-bearing turntable and line-air tracking tone-arm. In layman’s terms, the air-supported bearing – being frictionless – reduces noise to a minimum and maintains exceptional speed stability. The platter, centred by a spindle, floats on an air film, while the air-supply is equipped with dust filters to obtain dry, clean and smooth airflow. All this makes listening to rock n’ roll music ever so divine.

AED 48,000

THE SHARP LIST

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CEILING LIGHT BY KAFKA GOES PINK

www.kafkagoespink.com This ceiling lights, designed by Lebanese artist Fady Sailba of Kafka Goes Pink, is handmade in treated metal. Part of the artist’s ‘Noor’ collection, this model boasts distinctive patterns and is available in copper or nickel.

AED 1,700

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JESSICA JONES ON NETFLIX

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Apparently based on a beloved comic that we haven’t read, we’re just happy to have Krysten Ritter back on our screens. That she’s a hot private investigator is even better.

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WALE WATCHING It’s finally time to give the chinos a break and bust out the textile of the season: corduroy.

Welcome back, friend. We can’t wait to hear you sing as we walk around.

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BRUSSELS SPROUTS Call them the cauliflower of 2015. The surprisingly versatile tiny cabbages are in season starting now. Learn how to use them wisely.

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BIEBER’S BACK The rehabilitation tour of one the planet’s biggest pop stars culminates in the release of his new album. Here’s hoping the kid can pull a Timberlake. (He won’t.)

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Our highly scientific ranking of things that do and do not deserve your attention 5.

NOVEMBER RAIN It’s time you get re-acquainted with the best song named after this liminal month (is it fall? Is it winter? It’s both!). Seriously, those last two minutes? It’s a real good song.

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A NEW ROCKY FLICK. KIND OF. Much to the chagrin of dad rockers everywhere, the film Creed will not be a biopic of Scott Stapp. Instead, we’re looking forward to Michael B. Jordan’s turn as Apollo Creed’s son, learning the family trade. Can’t be worse than Rocky V, or Jordan’s last feature for that matter.

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KEEPING IT SNAPPY We thought it would die an ignominious death like so many online trends before it (RIP MySpace), but turns out Snapchat has some staying power (ironic, since the videos you make with it don’t). And incidentally: follow us on Snapchat!

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YA LM3ALLEM! We just can’t get Saad Lamjarred’s insanely addictive tune out of her heads. Last we checked, Lm3allem had 182 million views on YouTube – 182,734,666 to be exact.

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HOW TO BUILD A NEW MEDIA EMPIRE

RAG HEB ALAMA THREE DECADES OF SUPERSTARDOM AND STILL NUMBER ONE

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