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THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED

WHETHER IT IS A DRIVE THROUGH FOREST TR AILS, MOUNTAINOUS TERR AINS OR SHALLOW WATERS, OFF-ROAD DRIVES ARE AN ADVENTURE LIKE NO OTHER

EMBODYING ELEGANCE

ADORNING SOME CLASSIC DE GRISSOGONO PIECES, ELEONOR A SEBASTIANI PORTR AYS THE ATTRIBUTES OF AN ‘ELEGANT WOMAN’

THE DRIVE WITHIN

UNVEILED AT THE SIHH 2016, DRIVE DE CARTIER IS A COLLECTION FOR A MAN WHOSE TRUE TALENT IS AN APTITUDE FOR ST YLE AND FREEDOM

MONUMENTAL MOON MISSIONS

Embark on a journey with Signé as we discover some of NASA’s milestone exploration moments celebrated by Omega

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Sprezzatura 032 WINTERS IN PINK Thomas Pink brings the colors of romance and refuge to life with its Autumn/Winter Collection

040 ESSENTIALS To keep yourselves fragrant through the season, Signé recommends Davidoff Agar Blend and Widian perfume

Scholars

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012 LA LIVING LEGEND The French actor, who ruled the silver screen during the 60s, speaks much more through his style

Savoir faire

Discover the world of footwear, with patinated leather adding a smooth touch, through the eyes of Berluti

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THE DRIVE WITHIN

SHADES OF CORTHAY

FORGET HIM NOT Having taken Lanvin to heights, Alber Elbaz is an icon fashion industry cannot forget

Excelling the art of shoemaking, Corthay gives its signature touch to bespoke footwear

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018 A renowned architect, David Lessard, our Signé Man explores a distinct approach to life

WALKING THE EXTRA MILE

Reintroducing the Neapolitan tradition of tailoring, Sartoria Guiliva presents its take on style

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We explore certain watches that go much beyond their primary function, indicating time

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Drive De Cartier, meant for those who enjoy the finer things in life, is a watch collection where one witnesses a new aesthetic in each model

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SARTORIA GUILIVA

LESS > MORE

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THE FEEL OF LEATHER

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For Her 054 SITTING PRETTY Ayah Al Bitar, through her namesake brand, revives the much forgotten concept of floor seating

056 STYLE BY SARA Fashion designer Sara Al Madani gives the traditional abaya a contemporary look

Obsession 074

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THE TIME KEEPER

EMBODYING ELEGANCE Through an exclusive photo-shoot, Eleonora Sebastiani effortlessly portrays the definition of an Elegant Woman

068 OF NATURE AND NURTURE Launching a range of skincare products that protect and nourish the skin, Chlorys brings the evergreen Swiss heritage to town

070 A STITCH THROUGH TIME Looking back in time, Signé discovers the glorious history of the Burberry Trench Coat

Watch collector Jason Saundalkar reveals the secret behind his ever growing passion for exclusive timepieces

Heritage

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MONUMENTAL MOON MISSIONS

THE ALLURING LENS In an exclusive chat with Signé, photographer Mario Testino talks about his CH Men Privé campaign

A timeline presenting NASA’s milestone accomplishments across decades

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SOUND DESIGN

ON THE FAST TRACK

A closer look into the exceptional BeoSound system designed by Bang & Olufsen especially for Aston Martin cars

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Signé discovers the life and unforgettable achievments of Louis Chiron, Bugatti’s most well known racing driver, in time

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Haute Société La dolce vita 106 THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED From mountains to shallow waters to forest trails, off-road driving brings a sense of pleasure that words cannot express

126 DESTINATION INSPIRATION Lexus brings its flagship lounge Intersect to Dubai, giving leisure a new appeal

128 PALATIAL PLEASURES Italian fashion house Versace’s boutique hotel called Palazzo Versace Dubai redefines luxury

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TOURING THE THAI-WAY

PASSION, PLATED

Signé embarks on a journey to discover the Land of Smiles and Spices – Thailand

Indian Food with a contemporary feel is what Junoon at the Shangri-La is all about

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DAY WITHOUT BOUNDARIES

NEW IN TOWN

Moving freely between the formal and informal dressing,Brunello Cucinelli’s wardrobe presents attires for one who prefers an unconventional style

This season discover the latest from Bally, Carl F Bucherer and Roger Dubuis. To give it a good ending, a pampering session at the Saray Spa is a must

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LA LIVING LEGEND

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LA LIVING LEGEND

Alain Delon starred in some of the world’s biggest and best cult films of the 1960s. Not only did the rakish French actor turn heads with his good looks and charismatic personality, he also created a sartorial impact on the world with his effortlessly stylish dress sense

Long before mainstream celebrity culture became a fickle fascination for the world at large, there were a few good men who had the power to impact with their innate sense of style and talent. French actor Alain Delon, who starred in a little over 80 films between 1957 and 2012, is one such example. At the peak of his career, Delon appeared in Purple Noon, a film adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s The Talented Mr Ripley, in 1960. Then came Luchino Visconti’s Rocco and His Brothers, another film that remains a classic. Propelling the French actor to international stardom, both films won Delon acclaim in an age that didn’t look to the Internet as a means of creating a sensation. By the age of 23, he was already being hailed as one of the best actors of his time, and among his well-known movies were some directed by stalwarts of classic cinema like Jean-Luc Godard and Michelangelo Antonioni.

Born in a suburb outside Paris in 1935, Delon was not intent on becoming an actor. In fact, he spent his early days working odd jobs as a waiter, porter, secretary and sales assistant in France, after he enlisted in the French Navy and served in the First Indochina War. It was only during a chance trip to the Cannes Film Festival with actress Brigitte Auber that Delon would eventually be scouted on behalf of American film producer David O. Selznick.

Although the actor rejected Selznick’s offer and sacrificed his first break in Hollywood, Delon’s fame would go on to penetrate the furthest reaches of the world – from Japan to Italy – with quintessentially good looks, a cool

Blessed with an arrestingly chiselled face and impeccable sense of style, Delon certainly stood out – and continues to stand out – in a crowd. Even today, at the age of 80, he remains a picture of charisma.

Those who know the actor well enough have often maintained that touches of Delon’s multifaceted and complex personality can be spotted in each of the characters he has played. Whether it was the seducer, the man who rights all wrongs, a shady stockbroker or the honest cop, there has always been an undeniable enigma surrounding Delon’s characters, overtly visible.

In his debut movie Quand La Femme S’en Mêle released in 1957, Delon was asked to let his own personality shine through. In the 1958 French-Italian film Faibles Femmes, Delon had not only women in France swooning over him, but also become a favourite in America where the movie was also launched. By the arrival of the 1960s, Delon was already a star shining bright in the New Wave of French cinema. Hollywood studios were also taking notice of the actor. Furthermore, in Visconti’s Rocco and His Brothers, Delon was one of the Italian film’s few French stars and gained traction for his role as the good-natured Rocco. In The Leopard (1963), another masterpiece by the Italian director, Delon became that much more famous on a global scale thanks to his portrayal of a young and handsome army officer.

Delon had a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’ when it came to dressing. This relaxed and effortless look – often referred to as ‘sprezzatura’ and

certainly unique to the actor during the 1950s and 1960s. He had a knack of reinventing classics to make them his own. Whether donning a blazer, a pair of front-pleat trousers or even a flannel shirt, Delon chose to wear them differently, so much so that he impacted the way men in France dressed.

He was known to wear his trousers slightly higher, the shirt collar left unbuttoned, and his shoes always polished. His was a look that was classic but edgy, refined yet relaxed.

At the height of his career during the 1960s, Delon often expressed his interest in becoming a producer. He would go on to produce his first film entitled L’insoumis with the launch of Delbeau Productions, a production company that he cofounded and one that produced several successful hits over the years. Not satisfied with just acting and producing during the 1970s, Delon invested a part of his income into diverse businesses ranging from aviation, boxing and horse racing to the manufacturing of his own lines of watches, sunglasses, clothing and fragrances. He wore the hat of a businessman with the greatest of ease, even while accepting roles for new movies.

Today, Delon continues to manage many of these businesses in Chêne-Bougeries near Geneva, where he has lived since the late 1990s. He is also closely associated with causes that are close to his heart, including creating awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and animal rights. While he no longer appears in films, and makes only the occasional public appearance, he remains forever reputed as

composure and the ability to make the bad guy look good on the silver screen.

now synonymous with sun-soaked jaunts on the French Riviera – was new for its time, and

one of France’s most loved actors and symbols of style.

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FORGET HIM NOT Alber Elbaz, fashion’s most loved designer, is best known for his iconic dresses.

He not only turned around the fate of the exemplary Parisian fashion house Lanvin, but also dipped his fingers into every design aspect of the label before his recent departure after 14 years at the creative helm

Alber Elbaz believes that clothes must move with a woman. “Movement is essential for me. It is life itself,” muses the Moroccan-born designer and former creative director of Lanvin. This statement – a pillar of his design philosophy – is fittingly apt for the moment, albeit in another context. Elbaz, who was appointed as Lanvin’s artistic director in 2001, was recently ousted from the French fashion house, much to the shock and chagrin of the fashion world. After all, he had successfully transformed Lanvin into one of the most covetable labels. In doing so, he brought about a revival of the oldest surviving French fashion house.

Women across the world have always been floored by the aesthetics and intuition that went into Elbaz’s creations for Lanvin. During his 14-year-long creative reign, the designer was revered for his striking cuts with flowing movement. The thing about Elbaz is that he didn’t just go about setting new trends at Lanvin – he also worked towards bringing back classic styles with a fresh appeal. Timeless appeal was infused into his women’s collections – whether they incorporated embellished tweeds, tiered ruffled dresses in pale colours, rich jewelled-toned dresses, sheer shirts or sleek cigarette pants. His refreshingly light and feminine dresses have been donned on the red carpet by some of the world’s best-known actresses like Natalie Portman, Charlize Theron and Kate Hudson.

A look back into his early days offers an insight into the evolution of Elbaz’s beautiful and highly creative mind. Born in Casablanca in 1961, Elbaz moved to Tel Aviv at the age of 10. His mother was a painter, while his father worked as a hair colourist. When he moved to New York in 1985, the young Elbaz worked at a dressmaker’s shop, after which he honed his talent as an assistant couturier to Geoffrey Beene for the next

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FORGET HIM NOT

“Everybody’s talking about the new democratic world and whether high fashion is relevant. But without high there is no low.

I don’t like to intellectualize. I’ve always said fashion is like roast chicken: You don’t have to think about it to know it’s delicious.”

ALBER ELBAZ

seven years – a period that majorly shaped Elbaz’s aesthetic sense. At Guy Laroche in 1997, he enhanced the label’s image, while the following year saw him design ready-to-wear women’s clothing for Yves Saint Laurent. By the time he was hired by Lanvin, Elbaz was already a force to reckon with in the fashion world. Over the years, he received many honours and awards, including the International Award by the Council of Fashion Designers of America in 2005, the Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur in 2007, and an honorary doctorate by the Royal College of Art in 2014, among others.

Elbaz likens his creative process to that of creating stories with unpredictable twists and perfect endings. “When I design a collection, I always start by dreaming up a story,” says the designer, adding that he approaches each collection with a clean slate. “Holidays and I don’t get along,” he adds, starting his workdays as early as 5am. He admits to being something of a control freak, and this – according to Elbaz – ensures that his work is set off to perfection. Be it in Lanvin’s collections, accessories, boutiques, window displays or perfumes, Elbaz insisted on overseeing it all, continually making suggestions and dreaming up new ideas. For instance, Elbaz cast non-models between the ages of 18 to 82 in an ingenious campaign for Lanvin’s Autumn/Winter 2012/13 collection.

“I want to see beautiful women, not beautiful clothes,” he explained.

Within the realm of Lanvin’s accessories, Elbaz was the one who managed to make nameplate necklaces look chic, and bejewelled accessories appear refined and tasteful. As if designing fashionforward yet timeless attire for women wasn’t enough to keep him busy,

some of the most intriguing and unexpected collaborations, too. When he collaborated with high street brand H&M in 2010, the capsule collection that included tulle dresses flew off the shelves. Another collaboration saw him make his foray into cosmetics in 2013 with the launch of a limited edition make-up collection for Lancôme, the packaging of which was wonderfully whimsical – much like the designer himself.

Elbaz also kept alive and often revived several of Lanvin’s trademark touches. Back in 2006, he introduced all-new packaging, incorporating the iconic quattrocento blue once favoured by Jeanne Lanvin, the creator of the fashion house. His classic dresses have often been compared to Lanvin’s designs of the 1920s, which is most likely the reason why fashion critic Suzy Menkes once referred to him as “every woman’s darling”. According to Elbaz, beauty and comfort go hand in hand. “A lady’s beauty shines out when she is comfortable. For me, dresses symbolise ease rather than femininity,” Elbaz once stated.

The legendary designer orchestrated an exhibition during the fall at Maison Européenne de la Photographie in Paris. As viewers were immersed in the intimacy of fittings, the excitement of Lanvin shows and the beauty of the label’s designs, the show – housed in five rooms – portrayed Elbaz’s work through the years. Designed to be experienced as a continuous dialogue between fashion and photography, it can be counted as a first in the history of Lanvin. In a twist of fate, the introspective exhibition kicked off just over a month before Elbaz parted ways with the fashion house. Privy to his immense contributions

Elbaz furthered the brand to launch menswear collections, fragrances, a bridal line, a children’s line, and even sneakers. He conceptualised

to its legacy, visitors were gently reminded that one of the greatest eras in fashion had come to an end.

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MAN

LESS > MORE The idea of doing more with less has a profoundness that continues to inspire our Signé Man - David Lessard, Director of Architecture at Perkins+Will. Here, he reveals his passion for living, art, architecture and more

Diksha Vohra Having had a hand in designing dozens of renowned properties across the country and abroad, David Lessard is a man of simple, classic taste. Born and raised in New York, the architect is passionate about art and travel. He sees the world through a different lens, driving him to develop and innovate better than before.

You describe yourself as a self-proclaimed minimalist. Why? Mies van der Rohe famously adopted the phrase “less is more” as a precept of modern design.

Minimalism as a stylistic movement in art and design picks up where modernism left off. It is founded on the notion that ideas can be communicated through simple and clear heterogeneous gestures, resisting the ostentatious and focusing on the essential. This minimal attitude also applies to my fashion sense, form of language and consumer behaviour. Although I do not necessarily dress like Raf Simons, I am, in my own interpretation, a proponent of understated style. I believe that if something can be communicated in five words, you should not use ten, and when faced with the prospect of an acquisition, one should diligently question the real necessity for objects. For me, the concept of minimalism is not simply an aesthetic, it is a set of principles. The world is full of visual noise, unmediated content and excess. There is something quite calming yet sophisticated about doing less and appreciating the value of the same.

Growing up in New York City, what inspired you to pursue architecture as a career? Were you always passionate about designing? Whether on a conscious or unconscious level, design forms a part of our everyday lives. Each one of us takes a decision related to design every day and there are some places in the world that inspire an awareness of this fact more so than others. Arguably the epicentre of art, design and fashion, New York is an inspiring environment that is very accessible.

I would, of course, say I have always been passionate about design. My inspiration to pursue architecture was actually more of an acquired taste and not specifically linked to the environment in which I was raised. At a very young age, I demonstrated exceptional abilities in fine art but more interestingly, I demonstrated an obsession for precision. It seems natural that I pursued architecture as a balance of art and engineering. Architecture is not a vocation, it is a lifestyle that never switches off.

Our work is quite meaningful and contributes to the advancement of civilisation on multiple levels beyond simply buildings.

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Which was the first property you designed? How did you come across the project, and how did you feel once you completed it? To take design credit on any one project would be disingenuous, but I can say that I have a deep emotional and intellectual connection to each project I work on. When casting my mind back over a decade to

define the era in which we live on par with art, design and architecture.

I have a deeper appreciation of fashion than most, and this is largely thanks to my wife Michela Simone. As for my personal taste, I do not labour too much over questions of style and by no means consider myself a follower of trends. I tend to gravitate more towards timeless

recall my first project, I can’t help but be in awe of what, in retrospect, was quite an achievement. As an 18-year-old intern working under the tutelage of Peter Eisenman in New York, I had a hand in designing the City of Culture of Galicia in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. The project consists of six buildings in Eisenman’s signature deconstructivist style and is spread across over a million square feet of development.

Considering I was still in university at the time construction photos were being published, it was a surreal feeling to see the results of my work and to be quite frank, an ego boost. To have such an impact so

pieces of clothing and am a firm believer in dressing for the occasion.

Style can manifest itself in many ways and in various permutations of expression. I lean more towards the effortless, understated tailored look that communicate a certain level of knowledge about fashion and conveys a sense of sophistication. Sometimes disappearing in a crowd is as powerful of a style statement as standing out in a crowd.

early on in my career was really inspiring. It also helps to frame the context that we as architects work within in terms of effects on society and the built environment.

Tell us about one of your most challenging yet successful projects. Without challenges, we would not have innovation, and arguably every great invention is inspired by solving a great problem.

Under this context, one project that comes to mind specifically is the Yas Viceroy Hotel in Abu Dhabi. The goal was to design, deliver and construct an iconic 500-key hotel in just under 20 months. The challenge with that project is rather self-explanatory and as designers, we were forced to innovate on every aspect of the design and construction, exploiting and sometimes inventing new technologies and methods that are now precedent-setting for similar project types. An extraordinary commitment from the client, architects and contractor led to the successful delivery of the project just in time for cameras to start rolling at the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in November 2009.

“I see fashion as something integral to our society… something that helps to visually define the era in which we live on par with art, design and architecture.”

D AV I D L E S S A R D

What does fashion mean to you? Do you cautiously communicate a certain image through your dressing sense?

Although quite cliché, I do believe that dressing well is a form of respect. One’s appearance should be well considered but not to the point of obsession. Fashion sometimes has a negative connotation in representing something ephemeral or indulgent, but I see fashion as

How important is the brand value of any product you purchase? As a purveyor of design with a particular sense of style, I do not fall back on default positions rooted in any particular brand.

I seek out quality in all products ranging from cars to clothes and watches. Quality and brand are not always synonymous, and one has to be critical of this fact if you are to seek out the finest products available.

I am extremely compulsive when it comes to purchases and I like to understand a particular brand’s heritage, manufacturing and creative process in the effort to make an informed decision. For clothing, I look for quality tailoring and fine fabrics. This can sometimes be found on the rack of a boutique, but if you want a certain level of assurance in what you are purchasing, you need to establish a relationship with your tailor instead of being dedicated to a brand. Obviously these rules do not apply to cars and watches, but I remain adamant that quality takes

something integral to our society… something that helps to visually

precedence over labels.

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“ I am, in my own interpretation, a proponent of understated style. I believe that if something can be communicated in five words, you should not use ten...”

D AV I D L E S S A R D

How did your passion for collecting art come about and what works have you collected so far? Rooted in our heritage, both my wife Michela and I share a passion for art. It’s been somewhat of a natural progression as most collectors will likely tell you – starting with visiting museums to building up a library of art books and ultimately culminating in acquisitions of art ranging from the unknown to the famous fine artists. I appreciate art on a very emotional level and look for what I perceive as beauty in every piece. I’ve recently acquired two pieces by Japanese contemporary artist Takashi Murakami. The works are quite abstract and multi-layered in their reading, thereby bringing energy to the room. I’d like to continue expanding on this collection and have my eye on some of the earlier works by Emirati artist Hassan Sharif. His work is very architectural and I suspect in 50 years, I will look back on them very fondly as a reflection of the time I’ve spent in the UAE.

a few. The nature and wildlife in these countries is stunning and somehow balances your place in the world. Now that countries such as Myanmar are opening up to tourism, I’ll add that to my agenda, as well as Uganda. I’m a proponent of conservation and between the historical temples and wildlife, I suspect both countries can offer me a great experience as well as affording me the opportunity to give something back.

Considering you travel a lot, is there any particular city you wish to visit? When it comes to leisure, I have a travel philosophy that looks south towards Africa and east towards Asia. I do spend a fair amount of time between New York and Rome each year, but my passion is actually to connect with nature, away from some of the more developed cities of the world. During the last few years, I’ve

If you were to be someone else today, who would that be and why? It is important to be humble and appreciate what you have.

For me to consider trading places with someone else, the criteria for such an exchange would need to be based on an alternative path to the one I am currently on… so not an artist, architect or designer. If I were asked about a historical figure, I would say Nikola Tesla. His unrewarded contributions to the field of electricity has changed the world forever, and not in the interest of fame or wealth but simply due to a passionate drive to experiment, innovate and be the best in his field of study. He was a genius, bordering on madness, but that madness was an academic passion that I wouldn’t mind experiencing.

I suppose a current example of this character, minus the madness component, is Elon Musk. His impact on society is not yet complete, but if I am a betting man, I’d suspect that the future of energy and

visited dozens of countries including Cambodia, Tanzania, Thailand, Indonesia, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, India and Maldives, just to name

travel will be changed – or at a minimum inspired – by his work for years to come.

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S AV O I R FA I R E

S H A D E S O F C O R T H AY

SHADES OF CORTHAY Situated at the intersection of craft and elegance, Parisian shoe brand Corthay is one that exemplifies quality with a contemporary twist. Mastering the art of both ready-to-wear and bespoke, it sets new standards of excellence with each design

Established by Pierre Corthay in France, Corthay is a successful fusion between traditional shoemaking savoir-faire and a more creative, avant-garde outlook on design embodied in different leather combinations and colour palettes. Having started his know-how at Les Compagnons Du Devoir – a French organisation of craftsmen that dates back to the Middle Ages – Pierre is the only men’s shoemaker to have been awarded the Maitre d’Art (Master of Art) title by the French Ministry of Culture.

Carrying its unique notion of luxury forward, be it through the Parisian workshop on Rue Volney or manufacture situated in the Mauges region, the brand’s expertise is quintessentially French. With experimentation at the heart of the maison, Corthay diversifies its products by playing with different hues and pigments. Whether Lie de Vin, Vieux Bois or Aubergine, each patina is unique because of the craftsmen’s brush strokes. The process of glazing, meanwhile, reveals a glossy shine and gives a graceful finish to the footwear.

In addition to paying particular attention to the colour and style, the shoemakers carefully source and select their leather. Corthay’s products feature camel leather from Abu Dhabi, traditional Japanese denim, and linen sourced from the north of France. Traditional French tanneries in the Limousin area supply all other leathers used by the brand. The most luxurious Corthay’s shoes are often handcrafted with exotic and rare leathers of crocodile, alligator, snakes and lizards.

Corthay shoes are distinguishable by their dramatic silhouette and sleek lines. Some of the finest experts are the brains behind their innovative made-to-measure services. Promising a shot of individuality, the bespoke shoes are entirely handmade in a small workshop located in the heart of Paris. Each shoe requires over 50 hours of craftsmanship, with remarkable results, durability and comfort guaranteed. Clients can customise every aspect of the shoe, starting from the kind of leather used to the type of finish, and much more.

Besides bespoke, Corthay offers a range of more than 30 ready-to-wear models in calf, suede, patent calf and camel leather. Post-purchase, one can personalise the shoes in terms of choosing their desired piping colour, as well as the leather and patina type. An array of leather products such as wallets and belts are also available to choose from. With each item representing the finest of craftsmanship heritage, it’s unsurprising that Corthay remains unfazed by contemporary competition and has expanded its presence into London, Dubai, Moscow, Hong Kong and beyond.

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S H A D E S O F C O R T H AY

“Corthay shoes are distinguishable by their dramatic silhouette and sleek lines.

Some of the finest experts are the brains behind their innovative made-to-measure services”

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NEAPOLITAN FLAIR Sartoria Giuliva, a bespoke menswear store in Rome, crafts suits with keen attention to detail and a good deal of Giulivismo — a light-hearted approach to life reminiscent of the flamboyance of the Amalfi Coast in the 1950s and 1960s

Via Margutta, a narrow street in the heart of Rome is home to a bespoke menswear showroom called Sartoria Giuliva along with art galleries, workshops and fashionable restaurants. Those in the know visit Sartoria Giuliva for their sartorial fix of classic Italian menswear that’s handmade by skilled tailors in keeping with the famed Neapolitan tradition. They also visit to soak in a ‘modus vivendi’, or the light-hearted way of life, that envelope this atelier. Vittorio d’Agostino and Gerardo Cavaliere, the young Neapolitan founders of Sartoria Giuliva, call this sense of light-heartedness and camaraderie Giulivismo, and trace its origins to the Amalfi Coast of the 1940s and 1950s. Specifically, they say, this approach to life knows a theme that Sartoria Giuliva explores to the fullest through its garments and, naturally, the space where they are made.

Although Cavaliere, a lawyer by education, and d’Agostino, an entrepreneur, come from different backgrounds — they both grew up in Salerno, where their paths crossed more than 15 years ago. It was evident that the two shared more than just a hometown, for time spent at their community tailor revealed that they both shared a passion and respect for Italian tailoring. “On every suit that we ordered, there was our personal mark. It was at that moment that we decided to found a tailoring company that would reflect our way of life in the creation of the suit,” say the animated founders of Sartoria Giulivia. Fittingly, the decision to set up a tailoring shop named Sartoria Giuliva was finalised while the two were sailing off the Amalfi Coast in 2012.

Italian tailoring has continually been all the rage when it comes to suits, but Sartoria Giuliva certainly stands apart from others in the market. Keen attention to detail and the use of rich fabrics coupled with the combined offering of Neapolitan flair with the tradition of handmade men’s tailoring make each Sartoria Giuliva suit a unique piece in itself. Each garment is handmade in its entirety and is cut and sewn by skilled artisanal hands well accustomed to the ritual of slow and repeated gestures.

Ideas to customise each suit flow freely at the tailor shop, resulting in the perfect bespoke suit. In many ways, each suit crafted in true Giulivismo style is a tribute to those expert gestures of the tailors who are able to cut a cloth and sew a perfectly fitting suit.

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“Wearing a Giuliva suit not only means that you are wearing a hand-sewn suit, but also embodying our way of living and understanding life.”

VIT TORIO AND GERARDO

“Wearing a Giuliva suit not only means that you are wearing a hand-sewn suit, but also embodying our way of living and understanding life. We made the passion for tailoring a way of life, and only after we did, it become our work,” explain d’Agostino and Cavaliere. It is an idea that can be best understood if one first grasps

comes with no frills. The shoulder is empty with no support, while the lapel is at least 10 cm wide and needs to cover the breast cover by at least a quarter. The collar is high, the armholes are narrow and the high cran and front pence reach the bottom so that the jacket can twiddle when open. Trousers in true Neapolitan style have a slim fit, but carry

exactly what the Amalfi coast was like during the mid-20th century and what it means to be a man from the south of Italy. “It’s much easier to live the Giulivismo and its approach to life than to explain it, but the first and most important value with regards to it is respect — respect for people, traditions and beautiful things. In day-to-day life, this concept translates into being an extremely polite gentleman with all types of people, one who respects women and who is interested in what others have to say. He is never a prevaricator. On the contrary, he is someone who stimulates an intelligent and educated conversation,” they go on to go explain.

For Cavaliere and d’Agostino, Giulivismo also refers to the search for beauty on both the aesthetic and fundamental level. They both share a deep passion for the Italian traditional of craftsmanship, whether it concerns fashion, furniture, cars, boats, bicycles, food or wine. With designs that communicate personality traits including elegance, and a savoir faire of the old times that’s yet rooted in society and aware of fast city life, we have no doubts that every man longs to have a Sartoria Giuliva suit in their wardrobe. When asked about the kind of man who would wear one of their suits, they say, “Our kind of man is a brilliant one. He is a man who feels at ease in every situation for his remarkable intelligence. He travels a lot and is curious to know more about other traditions. He knows how to integrate with other cultures while remaining firmly rooted to his.”

At Sartoria Giuliva, Neapolitan flair — the immediate recognition of lines, shapes and proportions — rules the roost. “It’s very much

a trademark Sartoria Giuliva touch in the form of a double pleat that starts 2 cm below the waistline. They are also unlined with internal buttoning much like a throwback to the good old days.

The creation of a bespoke Sartoria Giuliva suit, from the measurement stage to the final delivery, takes a month’s time. It begins with the choice of fabric depending on the occasion that the suit will be worn. Next, measurements are taken and the style of the jacket and trousers is decided upon. Once finalised, the client’s measurements will be drawn on to the fabric with chalk, and then cut and assembled as a single piece. Even at this stage, a very light canvas supports the jacket. After the first fitting, the suit goes back into the tailor’s hands for required changes before it comes back for a final fitting. Lastly, embroiderers hand sew each buttonhole and the eyelet.

The ‘Tre buttoni strappato a due’, where the first of the three buttons is always undone, remains a favourite design conceptualised by Sartoria Giulivia’s stylish Italian founders. Although the suit reflected a typical style of the Neapolitan tradition of tailoring, it was reimagined with a wider lapel and higher cran, while the forequarters were more rounded. “This year, we have given particular attention to tweeds and have created many pieces for hunting and mountain lovers,” say d’Agostini and Cavaliere. As for future plans, they agree that 2016 is a very important year for the company. “We are planning several trunk shows around Europe and are working on a lot of communication to raise awareness about our sartorial reality and the concepts that revolve around it. Sartoria Giuliva wants to become a benchmark for a

about taking care of every single detail, but it’s also about the softness of the jacket which is structureless.” In fact, the Neapolitan jacket

new generation that is getting back to the world of the handmade and the bespoke.”

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WINTERS IN PINK

WINTERS IN PINK Taking its inspiration from the romance and refuge of the British Coast and countryside, Thomas Pink’s Autumn/Winter 16 collection is all about exploring natural elements that have been cultivated on the lands of Britain. Interestingly, the collection highlights the five key hues of the season with colors such as cranberry, navy blue, forest green, mustard and turquoise

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ESSENTIALS

A NEW TURN WIDIAN PERFUME The pioneering house of luxury perfumes in Abu Dhabi – AJ Arabia, has given their scent a new face, a new appeal and a new touch. Introducing Widian, with a logo, the rebranding signifies the growth of the brand’s vision towards a successful future. Widian meaning valleys in Arabic, has been chosen in reference to the desert valleys of Liwa and the green valleys of Al Ain. The logo too is inspired by the golden sands of the desert, showing how the brand believes in carrying their heritage beyond borders. Setting their foot in the country in 2014, AJ Arabia is known for their particular fragrances formed by blending the oriental scents of Arabia with flowers and fruity aromas from the rest of the world. It continues to portray contemporary and modern Arabian spirit, with a strong link to their glorious tradition.

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WHERE EAST MEETS WEST DAVIDOFF AGAR BLEND Inspired by the life and values of the ZinoDavidoff - the brand’s founder, Davidoff’s blend line which is also its first collection, pays tribute to this visionary gentleman. It is a known fact that Davidoff’s fragrances are carefully designed around a specific note, sublimated by a careful selection of refined, classic and qualitative ingredients. Combining the brand’s savior-faire and the oud wood from the east is the Davidoff Leather Blend, the new Davidoff Agar Blend. The fragrance was considered as a bridge between the Eastern and the Western cultures. Alienor Massenet, designer of the scent, envisaged an opulent and an addictive oriental woody fragrance. In the top notes of the fragrance, sophisticated cinnamon leaves create a slightly spicy prelude with light clove undertones to which black pepper adds a drier, fresher and more vibrant dimension. Designed for the connoisseurs, the Davidoff Agar blend’s flacon exudes a timeless and a deeply masculine elegance. Its meant for those who fully appreciate the importance and rarity of true distinction.

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T H E F E E L O F L E AT H E R

THE FEEL OF LEATHER 2

During the 80s, when black, brown and bordeaux were the ruling colors in men’s shoe-racks, Berluti opted for color and developed the fine art of patinated leather. Discreet or extravagant, sober or flamboyant, their expertise in patina makes every Berluti product unique, in the image of the man who owns them

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BERLUTI 1. Belt : Scenario 2. Wallet : Makore Slim 3. Card Holder : Bambou Tetris 4. Loafers : Gaspard 5. Bag : Jour-Off MM 6. Shoes : Alessandro

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THE DRIVE WITHIN

THE DRIVE WITHIN

A man who is driven by desires, by the willingness to achieve goals and one who knows how to live, is how we describe a ‘Drive Man’. Discovering the drive within, he seems natural in the first impression but is more sophisticated than what he initially appears as. The Drive De Cartier collection is meant for such a man, whose thoughts know no limitations.

Changing its aesthetic emphasis with each model, the Drive De Cartier has a strong character, a charisma that cannot be left unnoticed. Its case in pink gold or steel, is fitted with a black grey or white guilloché dial marked by Roman numerals punctuated with sword shaped hands.

pa et qui blacil inus aut laut pro optatem r

Drive de Cartier watch 18-carat pink gold, self-winding Manufacture mechanical movement 1904-PS MC

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pa et qui blacil inus aut laut pro optatem r

Molton Brown has got men covered this season with the launch of the Tobacco Absolute Collection, comprised of an eau du toilette, a bath and shower gel, and deodorant. The collection’s hero ingredient, tobacco, is sourced from South America and lends the collection a nuanced, earthy and profound scent. “Tobacco Absolute is a complex, warm combination of woods, Paraguayan tobacco, balsam and musks lifted by a hint of citrus,” explains the scent’s creator Elsa Chabert of Fragrances Essentielles. “The mature authenticity of Tobacco Absolute balances the sensual depth of Peru balsam as it intermingles

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THE DRIVE WITHIN

Drive de Cartier flying tourbillon watch, 18-carat pink gold, manual winding Manufacture mechanical movement 9452 MC

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WA L K I N G T H E E X T R A M I L E

WALKING THE EXTRA MILE Imagine climbing the tallest mountain, or diving deep into the sea or riding a plane for an important mission, where you need a watch that can not only sustain the resistance but also perform multiple functions. Signé presents a range of carefully selected timepieces that can be worn in different altitudes and varying circumstances, living moments with you, which would be cherished forever

BREITLING EXOSPACE B55 CONNECTED Standing out from the rest in the market, the Exospace B55 features a light and a sturdy titanium case. The timepiece is equipped with a rotating bezel and rider tabs used as reference points to mark a departure time or deadline that one wishes to remember. The exlusive TwinPro strap is available in three different versions - blue on black, anthracite on black and grey on black, giving an ultimate sporty look. Entirely developed, assembled, finished and tested in Switzerland, the Exospace B55 Connected also has a smartphone application developed specially for it to enhance the user’s experience.

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OFFICINE PANERAI LUMINOR SUBMERSIBLE 1950 CARBOTECH 3 DAYS AUTOMATIC The case of this timepiece case is made of carbotech, a composite material based on carbon fibre, been used for the first time in the world of watchmaking. The use of carbotech in the watch makes it much lighter and resistant to external solicitations. Moreover, the bezel rotates only anticlockwise and enables the time of immersion to be calculated which is a very useful function for a professional underwater instrument. This exclusive piece is fitted with a black rubber strap, personalized for the first time by the OP logo, in Panerai blue.

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WALKING THE EXTRA MILE

BIG PILOT’S HERITAGE WATCH 55 Following the footsteps of the Big Pilot’s Watch 1940, this timepiece also has a case diameter of 55mm. From the color of the luminescent numerals to the shape of the propeller-like hands, cone-shaped crown and historic leather straps, it feels like the timepiece was taking us on a journey back in time to the pioneering days of aviation. With the new Timezoner Chronograph, a simple twist is all it takes to change the timezone, making it the perfect world time watch for frequent travellers.

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For her ..

FOR HER

SITTING PRETTY

SITTING PRETTY With each of her pieces conveying a message of togetherness while communicating a unique story, Ayah Al Bitar sets the precedence for home-grown designers in the region. Her namesake brand is an expression of her love for storytelling and art

Born in Saudi Arabia and educated in New York, Ayah Al Bitar is a designer who has boldly entered a relatively unexplored territory in the world of furniture – traditional floor seating. Amidst many contemporary designers who are working on enhancing popular furniture items, Ayah

Since you design furniture for others, do you prefer to convey a certain message or look through your designs at your own home and workplace? It’s always about creating a story that is relevant.

Each piece is created with a form that goes hand-in-hand with its functionality, while

What would be your choice of clothing and jewellery for the following situations: A corporate event?

A See By Chloé jumpsuit, shoes by Common Projects, and the Celine Belt tote.

A friend’s wedding?

strives to revive the traditional culture of Arabia through her brand, a goal evident in each of her products. Signé discovers the other side of the entrepreneur – an art lover, an ambitious leader and, above all, a storyteller.

carrying a message that triggers thought.

It is about interacting with furniture and discussing it, rather than simply using it without paying any attention… essentially, it becomes art.

A Marchesa gown, Nathalie Trad clutch, Jimmy Choo heels, and a diamond necklace.

A family picnic?

A Kenzo denim dress, Common Projects footwear, and a Dannijo necklace.

What inspired you to start a brand that focuses on reviving the traditional Arabian culture? I’ve always loved

Which brands do you favour for clothes, shoes and handbags? Celine and Chloé are two of my favourites – they are edgy with

If you get an opportunity to go back in time and live in a particular era, which would that be and why? I would

furniture, and the idea behind product design has always intrigued me. For as long as I can remember, I have been interested in the ways in which people interact with furniture and thought about how I could redesign certain things to solve certain issues.

a touch of simplicity. They create a statement through their design and craftsmanship as opposed to unnecessary embellishment, which is very much my style.

go back to the 1900s, when women were very prominent and classic. The world was much more stable back then, and one witnessed a consistency in fashion, too.

Since the overall environment was relaxed, it enabled people to focus on the finer things in life.

How challenging was it to enter a furniture line that has not really been exposed to the limelight? It was quite challenging knowing that the furniture industry is quite large, saturated and wellestablished. However, Ayah Al Bitar Design has a very unique selling point and targets a niche market that no one has tackled properly and consistently yet – floor seating.

What is one thing that you must have during the day? My journal! It’s my virtual sanctuary.

Where would you like to travel for a holiday? I generally like to visit warm places near the sea –the Italian coast is my favourite.

As winter is here, what are some home styling tips you would like to share with our readers? Winter is always a nice time to warm up your home with little things. I love throws or soothing scented candles that create a cosy atmosphere in any room.

From a client’s perspective, what distinguishes your brand from the rest in the market, besides floor seating?

The designs are unique because of the story that runs behind them, thereby making each item a piece of art, as well as functional furniture.

Each combines the concepts of form and function alongside the element of storytelling.

The designs focus on provoking thoughts and problem-solving in an indirect manner.

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What does 2016 look like for Ayah Al Bitar Design? I feel 2016 would be a year full of surprises for everyone. There is so much coming up for the brand, from different events with different themes and concepts, Ayah Al Bitar

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STYLE BY SARA

STYLE

BY SARA

Fashion designer and entrepreneur Sara Al Madani blends the traditional with the modern through her abaya designs, all of which speak volumes about the wearer.

Bold and unconventional, the young designer’s aesthetic is not unlike her strong personality and inspiring life experiences

Sara Al Madani has workers and barely any women, she felt pulled off the roles of fashion designer and that anywhere she could start was a start entrepreneur with ease. As the founder of for her. “My parents always supported me the Sharjah-based fashion label Rouge mentally and emotionally, but I refused Couture, the Emirati pioneered the financial help because I wanted to make concept of interpreting the abaya in a my own money so that I could appreciate modern way. The recipient of several it” she explains. awards relating to business and fashion, Today, the 29-year-old designer furthers Al Madani is also the youngest board her mission to inspire the world of member and one of two female members fashion by meshing the modern with the at the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce traditional. One look at her collection and Industry. Often asked which role of abayas is enough to understand what she identifies with the most, she says: “I she means by using clothes as a form of am a businesswoman and not a fashion expression. “We have always had classy designer because I worked so hard to and elegant designs, but we’ve never had become a businesswoman, and it’s not anything that was bold… something that very easy to be one in this world. When I speaks about your personality rather than was assigned to become a board member, hide it,” she muses. They are indeed a I found a new part of me that’s dedicated reflection of her stylish, strong, bold and to the city and its development.” daring personality. Each of the abayas has Ironically, Al Madani was never really a story behind it, most often inspired by Sara Al Madani interested in fashion as a young girl, life around her. considering she’s one is of the biggest trendsetters today. “I was a bit of a Given that she opened up a whole new world of fashion for women in the tomboy,” she confesses. She attributes her fascination for the abaya to the Middle East and beyond, it is surprising to know that Al Madani herself cultural message the garment holds, adding that she has always believed wears just two styles. “My abayas look like suits for the office because a woman has the right to look fashionable in a traditional garment. The I’m always running around for meetings or at a government office,” she young designer didn’t study fashion, but did several courses in film and explains. When asked about her thoughts on luxury versus fashion, Al business in Dubai. She did, however, get a head start in the real world Madani resolutely responds: “Luxury is what I am, and fashion is what I when she opened her first store at the age of 15. One might rightfully wear. I don’t believe in mixing both. I’m not one to wear a bunch of gold equate Al Madani’s affinity for designing with passion and talent, but chains to depict a sense of luxury because luxury is the person inside hard work has also played a large role in her life. Although her store was located in Ajman’s industrial area that is frequented by construction

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what you wear. It’s your soul and your personality, while fashion is what you cover your luxury with.”

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FLOWERS The idea behind this floral abaya came about after Al Madani returned from a meeting. She was seated with all the board members of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry in front of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, who was meeting the board for the first time. He had been talking about how much he loved flowers and felt that Sharjah needed more gardens, parks and flowers. The designer explains that the Ruler of Sharjah also took notice of the flowers that were placed in the meeting room that day.

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STAR WARS Al Madani was chosen to design a piece for one of the Star Wars cast members for the red carpet in 2014.

The result was a free-flowing abaya that was given a body-shaping effect near the waist using brown leather, while the shoulders were accentuated with the same material. The designer went on to create more such styles inspired by the futuristic element of the franchise.

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CROW A bird, specifically a crow, inspired the idea behind this striking abaya.

Al Madani was eating a grapefruit one day, when a black crow swooped down and started eating the fruit. The bird and its dark feathers were all over the pale grapefruit that was left out in the sun for a while. This incident inspired the designer to create a pale pink abaya with a black collar that resembles the feathers of a crow

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EMBODYING ELEGANCE Often confused with a way of dressing, elegance is an art that is not learnt but possessed. It is a message that is conveyed through every minute detail, every piece adorned and every product carried. Where elegance is concerned, de GRISOGONO is one brand that instantly comes to mind. Having transformed the outlook towards fashion jewelry in contemporary times, de GRISOGONO has redefined elegance and sophistication for the modern woman. Portraying different aspects of elegance, Signé, in collaboration with de GRISOGONO and style influencer – Eleonora Sebastiani, presents how fine jewelry and graceful timepieces compliment, enhance and define an ‘Elegant Woman’ P H O T O G R A P H E R : V I S H A K VA R D H A N MODEL : ELEONORA SEBASTIANI T O TA L L O O K : M A R A R O L O C AT I O N C O U R T E S Y : M A N Z I L D O W N T O W N , D U B A I

Timeliness

de GRISOGONO – New Retro Encased in a pink gold set, 303 white diamonds enhance the brilliance of the New Retro watch, enabling one to keep up with time and its changing trends.

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Versatile

de GRISOGONO – Boule Sautoir With beautiful diamonds and rock crystal beads stung to a pink gold chain, the Boule Sautoir is for one who lives different roles in a day, yet ensuring to be herself throughout.

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Classic

de GRISOGONO The Allegra earrings and ring perfectly compliment a classic look. Meant for those who are intellectual, the pieces give the conventional dressing, a modern touch.

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Colorful

de GRISOGONO Playful, subtly unconventional and strong, the Melody of Colors ring is for one who has different shades to her personality and brings them out in the most appealing, stunning and exciting manners.

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OF NATURE AND NURTURE

Swiss cosmetic brand Chlorys has left no stone unturned in its quest to develop skincare products that prevent ageing while protecting and nourishing the skin. Harnessing the essence of a rare flower known as the Alpenrose and other alpine plants, its formulas are the result of extensive and cutting-edge Swiss innovation

Beverly Pereira An evergreen shrub bearing pink, bell-shaped flowers grows just above the treeline in the Swiss Alps. When combined with specific plant extracts, this high-altitude flower – the Alpenrose – has been proven to act on some of the most significant causes of skin ageing. Legend has it that women residing in the valley of the Swiss Alps originally discovered the healing properties of the Alpenrose. They were known to walk for hours to reach gardens where they would pick each flower by hand to extract a rare essence in their quest for purity. Chlorys, a Genevabased beauty brand launched in October 2015, has been harnessing the goodness of this precious flower and other alpine plants and fruits in its skincare products.

Nature has been one of the main sources of inspiration for Chlorys, but it was also the power of a legend that inspired the company to start offering effective skincare solutions for women of all ages. Besides Alpenrose, Chlorys also turns to active ingredients from alpine flowers, fruit extracts, plant extracts and roots, and seaweed. Cutting-edge Swiss technology is used to ensure an optimum concentration and present an essence that acts as a natural source of vitality and the most comprehensive response to visible signs of ageing. Some Chlorys skincare products also incorporate precious diamond powder and gold particles. “The Alpenrose, the main key ingredient, is present in all Chlorys products,” says Fabrice Vazquez, Global Sales and Marketing Director of Chlorys.

“Chlorys products are 100 percent manufactured in Switzerland in one of its

techniques such as plant stem cells, biotechnological enzymes, peptide complexes and vitamin derivatives.”

Chlorys offers diverse lines that have their own specific objectives and answer different skin ageing and protection needs of women of all skin types and age groups. The Chlorys Edeleis skincare line, for instance, utilises the moisturising energy of water-rich fruits like lemon and apple, and the best of Alpine plants including the Orpin rose for optimum skin protection. Like Alpenrose, the Orpin rose grows at a high altitude in cold areas and is well known for its anti-oxidative and antiageing properties. This line for normal to dry skin comprises a day and night cream, an eye contour gel and youth-revealing serum.

The main ingredient of the Rosylife skincare line, Alpenrose, offers intense and targeted anti-wrinkle action. Its highperformance day and night creams, eye contour cream and serum work well for all skin types. One of this line’s active ingredients, a protein-based peptide that imitates snake venom, acts on expression wrinkles. The smoothing and brightening properties of gold work in tandem with natural agents like Alpenrose and the isoflavone-rich Iris in the Lifteor skincare line that continuously replenishes, nourishes and enhances the skin.

Perfect for mature skin, this line includes an illuminating radiance cream, serum and eye contour cream.

Equally exalting is the Rosée de Diamant that offers the radiance of diamonds combined with the purity of plants for skin that is firm and bright. Along with Alpenrose,

smooth, even-toned complexion. Yet another active ingredient in this line for all skin types is Japanese apricot, which regulates sebum production while tightening pores.

The Puralys skincare line is ideal for busy women who want their complexion free of blemishes and excessive shine through the day. Alpine Willowherb and wild pansy play an important role along with Alpenrose in offering an exceptional formula that purifies the skin, curbs sebum production and restores its radiance for a matte effect. Moreover, the Puralys line leaves behind the delicate scent of white freesia and lemon blossom.

Although Chlorys is a new addition to premium beauty shelves and gradually moving into the Middle East, the brand is already being received well. “In such a competitive environment, Chlorys aims to answer a growing trend in the industry, to offer women a beautiful skincare experience through nicely designed and highly efficient products mainly made of natural ingredients and available at a reasonable price. Arab women are very involved in skincare products.

We want to be pioneers who will encourage them to adopt new skincare routines in the future,” says Vazquez.

He believes the brand’s popularity is due to the fact that Chlorys presents an easy-to-understand range with the best instore advice, supported by skin diagnostic electronic devices. The luxurious scents and textures of its creams as well as high-end packaging only add to its appeal. Another huge draw, undeniably, is the pricing of the skincare lines – in the world where beauty

most recognised laboratories using the latest and most advanced Swiss biotechnology

diamond powder works as an exfoliator to eliminate dead cells and reflect light for a

comes with an exorbitant price tag, Chlorys firmly stands in a league of its very own.

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A STITCH THROUGH TIME

A STITCH THROUGH TIME

Thanks to a history of more than 100 years, the Burberry trench coat has grown to become one of the biggest sartorial icons of our time. Signé takes a walk down the evolutionary path of this classic coat that started off as a military staple and remains a veritable cornerstone of fall fashion

In a world where styles and trends change with the

the area additional protection at the height of action. A storm shield

turn of every season, there are a handful of items of clothing that have remained classically stylish and even ragingly popular. The trench coat - named after the trenches where military personnel were stationed - the designs and origins of which date back over 100 years, is one such piece that has sustained through time. It’s hard to look past the quintessentially British luxury house Burberry when one thinks of this iconic and inherently British coat. Originally created to protect officers from wind and rain, the trench coat created by Burberry’s founder, Thomas Burberry, remains one of the most loved items in the world of fashion today.

Burberry itself has a longstanding history that dates back to 1856, when its founder set up shop in Hampshire, England. After Thomas Burberry – a former draper’s apprentice – established Burberry, the business grew by leaps and bounds by 1870, focusing on the development of outdoor attire.

In 1879, he introduced the gabardine, a fabric that accompanied explorers on the first expeditions to the poles – and would go on to set a benchmark for rainwear. The trench coat began as the Burberry Tielocken, a design patented by Thomas himself. Its design would evolve into that what is well recognised today and worn across the world in a range of distinctive fits for men and women in heritage colours. Crafted from the breathable and weatherproof gabardine fabric, its innovative design featured a belted closure without buttons.

Given that the Burberry trench coat was initially intended for military use, several unmistakeable details of the coat were introduced

covering the upper back ensured that water ran easily off the coat. It was also belted at the waist for further protection against natural elements, while metal D-rings served as a place to attach military tools. The backpleat was constructed to expand when running or on horseback.

During the film noir era of the 1940s, it wasn’t rare to see the trench coat worn by famous people from the world of film, fashion and beyond. It would become a fixture both on and off the silver screen for years to come.

The Prince of Wales, who was often seen wearing the fashion house’s iconic creation, granted a second Royal Warrant to Burberry in 1989.

Later, when Christopher Bailey took over as Burberry’s creative director, he gave the historic trench coat a new look, while retaining the elements of Burberry’s rich heritage. The new Burberry trench coat had a streamlined silhouette, while decorative fabrics like lace and leather took the coat to a new level of cool. Even today, the ever-evolving trench coat can be spotted on the likes of global influencers like Kate Moss and Cara Delevingne.

Since its introduction, the Burberry trench coat has been presented in three colours – honey, stone and black – and three fits taken from the Burberry Heritage Archive. Last September, Burberry introduced two new colours – Navy and Parade Red – to its iconic British-made Heritage Trench Coat collection for the first time.

In fact, at the very heart of the Burberry trench coat is this tightly woven cloth that did away with previously used heavy, stiff and uncomfortable fabrics that were waxed or rubberised to repel water.

Gabardine is still woven at the Burberry mill in England using many of

to serve a purpose. For instance, epaulettes were added to display the rank of officers, while the gun flap that was buttoned at the chest lent

the traditional techniques – along with some modern ones – that once placed this fabric in a class of its own.

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“The Burberry trench coat was initially intended for military use, several unmistakeable details of the coat were introduced to serve a purpose”

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A STITCH THROUGH TIME

Every Burberry trench coat is made in Castleford, a town in the north of England. Going through hundreds of skilled processes, each coat still takes approximately three weeks to be completed to the highest quality.

One of the most intricate processes that the Burberry trench coat undergoes is the stitching of the collar. In fact, it takes up to a year to learn how to stitch the collar alone using a time-honoured method that is part of Burberry’s design heritage. By hand-placing 11.5 tiny stitches per inch along the length of the collar to create a fluid curve, the craftsman ensures that it sits perfectly on the neck of the wearer.

The keen attention of Burberry’s expert craftsmen is focused not only on the outside, but also the inside of the trench coat. Each is lined with the iconic Burberry check, made up of a signature combination of camel, ivory, red and black. Furthermore, each lining is meticulously cut and placed to ensure that the check design remains symmetrical and unbroken. The under collar lining features a bias positioning, with the lines of the check meeting at an angle of exactly 45 degrees.

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OBSESSION

THE TIME KEEPER

Location courtesy The H Hotel, Dubai

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THE TIME KEEPER

A witness to one’s achievements and a keeper of treasured memories – a timepiece is truly priceless for more reasons than one. Collecting timepieces over a period of time, watch aficionado Jason Saundalkar manages time with his fascinating Speedmaster collection

Adorning a watch and collecting watches for the love of it are two different sides of the coin. Creating a collection requires one to love the brand as their own, to identify intrinsic features that cannot be found anywhere else and, above all, to maintain it through the years. Jason Saundalkar, a collector of some of the most interesting chronographs launched over time

by Omega, gets candid with Signé to discuss his passion for watches and what makes his collection unique.

a fraction of the cost. When I finally walked into the boutique, I had convinced myself that this would be my first and last nice watch. That thought went right out the door on the first day out with my Speedmaster. I fell in love with the weight of the watch on my wrist, and adored the crisp feel of engaging the chronograph pusher. Four months later, I saw another beautiful Speedmaster, and had to have it on the spot.

Which was the first watch that inspired you to start collecting? It would have to be my Omega Speedmaster Date reference 3210.50. It was my first non-Casio purchase, my first Omega purchase, and my first ‘nice’ watch. I first saw this watch in the window of a boutique in 2008, and it took me nearly one

In terms of your brand preferences, which brands did you admire initially and how has that evolved over time?

With the acquisition of my second Speedmaster, I was eager to learn more about the brand, and that inevitably led me to watch-focused websites and bulletin boards. I was also eager to experience what other brands had to offer. Realising that my must-have list was swelling to unmanageable proportions, I decided the best way to get into these other brands was to buy iconic pieces and then move on. This approach first lead me to Breitling and its Navitimer, but when I visited a boutique to try the watch on, its 46mm case looked slightly comical on my average-sized wrist. I’m now quite attracted to Longines and its Heritage watches. My next port of call was Patek Philippe. I had convinced myself that I needed a dress watch, and the manuallywound Calatrava with small seconds was the watch I wanted.

Before I visited the boutique, I decided to put up a thread asking bulletin board readers what they thought of my choice; it was here that I was led to A. Lange & Söhne. I visited both boutiques back-to-back and decided my first high-end watch has to be a Datograph. The Lange 1 is more of an iconic piece as it was the watch that re-launched the brand, but the Datograph, to me, is

year to prepare myself because I wanted to understand what I was getting into and everything I had purchased before this was

iconic in its own way as it was the first high-end timepiece to feature an in-house chronograph movement back in 1999.

When and how did you develop your passion for watches? Until very recently, you’d be able to see a distinctive difference in skin-tone where the watch sat on my left wrist, compared to the rest of my arm – I have been wearing watches since I was in school. My parents used to gift me a new Casio for each school year, and they continued this tradition until I graduated. Most were game watches, and I have fond memories of spending hours glued to the tiny screen, playing the game whenever I got the chance. I found watches empowering – we didn’t have mobile phones and tablets back in those days, and I always found it a great help getting through the day knowing the time and having access to functions such as a stopwatch for when we had hotdog-eating competitions within my circle of friends.

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“When I finally walked into the boutique, I had convinced myself that this would be my first and last nice watch. That thought went right out the door on the first day out with my Speedmaster.”

JAS O N S AU N DA L K A R

What influences your purchasing decisions? Is it a long-term investment, a specific end goal or something beyond? The only way to maintain your sanity is to have some sort of a plan, and my goal

Snoopy, known as the Speedmaster Apollo 13 Silver Snoopy Award. It has one of the best looking Speedy dials ever, has superb lume as well as a stunning blue enamel caseback, which has silver powder sprinkled

is to build a collection consisting of iconic pieces, as long as I identify with the brand and the timepiece. While the market value of some of my watches has increased, I never purchased them or any others from an investment standpoint. They were bought because both the watch and the brand speak to me. Being able to stare into my watch boxes every morning fills me with a tremendous sense of accomplishment, and the journey makes it a fantastic experience.

on by hand. I’m also looking for a Speedmaster Gemini IV, a limited edition piece that was released in 2005 and is – as far as I know – the only limited edition Speedy to feature a metallic blue sunburst dial.

Take us through some of your Speedmaster Moonwatch models, and your favourite pieces. At some point it occurred to me that while I already have a couple of Speedmasters, I didn’t have any Speedmaster Moonwatches. The Speedmaster Moonwatch is an iconic watch, reliably enduring space travel, and is about as bulletproof as watches get. Omega has released a number of limited edition Moonwatches and while they all share the same case size, the variations spoke to me on multiple levels. The Speedmaster Apollo-Soyuz boasts a dial cut from a four billion year old asteroid, while the Apollo 11 35th Anniversary – my first Moonwatch – is the best looking ‘panda’ dial watch ever. The Apollo 13 25th anniversary watch commemorates the Apollo 13 mission – a mission where the astronauts actually used their Speedmaster to time critical engine burns in the absence of on-board computers. My favourite Speedy, however, is the Snoopy 3578.51 that was released in 2003. As a space nut, I love the fact that the Speedmaster has played such an important role in space travel.

What’s next in terms of future acquisitions – anything particular in mind? Omega has just released a new edition of the

How has being a watch collector changed or inspired other areas of your life? At one point, I had a fairly one-track mind and was prone to making snap decisions at the drop of a dime. I feel that I’ve evolved and now have a more open mind. I used to be the type of person that quickly became brand-biased in that I wouldn’t hear a word against the brand I bought into, regardless of whether it was constructive or not. That isn’t me anymore.

Describe yourself in your own words – who is Jason? Has being a watch collector changed the way you perceive yourself? I’m a mild-mannered PR and content creation specialist first, and a watch-obsessed mentalist second. I have definitely changed as a result of my journey into mechanical watch collecting. It has been a very positive experience that continues to teach me me the value of hard work, and has introduced me to so many new people that I now aspire to become like. It has been a tremendous journey, and the watches almost play second fiddle in that story.

Other than watches, do you collect anything else? Presently, I’m most focused on watches but I also have several Montblanc fountain pens, Märklin model railroad sets and, last but not least, LEGO Technic sets. When I wasn’t playing with my game watches, out with friends or studying, I’d be building LEGO, and that has stayed with me till today.

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THE ALLURING LENS Appealing and refined with an easy modern and seductive elegance – that’s how Mario Testino captures the world for many across the globe. He recently shot the CH Men Privé campaign along with the CH Carolina Herrera Campaign 2015. Mario reveals what the campaign means to him in an exclusive interview with Signé

Regarded as one of the most influential fashion and portrait photographers of contemporary times, Mario Testino is an icon in the fashion industry. Appointed

that knows how to live well and places a lot of importance, and passion, on his family.

the official photographer of the House of Herrera across all lifestyle, fragrances and fashion, he has worked on the CH Men Privé and the CH Carolina Herrera campaign. The campaign featured Justice Joslin along with Lily Aldridge. In the Art of Seduction concept, he has captured an innate story of seduction where both the masculine and the feminine roles and their attraction is captivatingly evident. He takes us through the ideology behind the campaign and how he portrayed it.

moment? Do you have an anecdote which describes that situation?

Seduction is defined in many different ways, anything that is alluring and tempting and desirable is seductive. It could be in a person, or it could be in an outfit, a word, an attitude or a sound…in anywhere really. I think anything that I do is related to seduction.

Through my photography I have to capture the desire and emotion in people to want to engage with the brand.

There is a fragrance campaign and a fashion campaign, from your point of view, what is the link between fashion and fragrances? I think through fashion we establish the world of a company and fragrance is what this world breathes. It is the perfume of this world.

In your opinion, what are the characteristics of the perfect seducer?

To me, seduction comes with a certain kindness, because you have to give to seduce and giving is already an effort to please somebody or be nice to somebody, so that is how I would describe seduction.

How would you describe the CH Men Privé man? How is his personality like, his passions, his attitude? I think the Carolina Herrera man is an elegant man with strong values much like the CH Woman

How did you manage to reflect so impeccably the attraction between man and woman in the campaign and what is your source of inspiration?

Inspiration can come from anything or

campaign everybody is either married or a family member, like a brother, sister, cousin, nephew… they have arrived in the same place, at the same time and look impeccable.

There is an intimacy here, and that intimacy is also what we see just between the man and woman in the fragrance campaign. It’s a thread and a story we have to tell in everything we communicate.

For the perfumes we dissect this family so each offspring has its own fragrance related to their status both in the family and in society.

They can be the column of the family through Carolina the mother, or the daughter that is married with children, or the one that is playing a role in society in New York. This way each represents a different fragrance, be it Carolina Herrera New York for the mother, CH for the daughter and 212 for the younger members of the family.

I work closely with Carolina Herrera and Carolina Herrera de Baez to interpret their inspiration and their codes. Together with my team, MARIOTESTINO+, we translate that across the whole campaign – the art

– he has a respect for tradition, is kind, sold in his values and gentlemanly. He is someone

anywhere. For this campaign there is so much inspiration to take from the DNA of the

direction, the film, the behind-the-scenes the communication.

What

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seductive

Carolina Herrera brand and how we tell that story is what is really exciting.

I have really brought this campaign through the sense of family. In the fashion

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“ Through my photography I have to capture the desire and emotion in people to want to engage with the brand.”

MARIO TESTINO

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SOUND DESIGN

SOUND DESIGN With a proud tradition in technology and design, Bang & Olufsen has long been a trustworthy sound specialist for Aston Martin. The exceptionally crafted BeoSound System is designed in tandem with the luxury carmaker to complement the car’s interiors and reflect its exteriors to a tee

The shared vision of two strong, storied brands with an immense international presence can only result in a product that exudes effortless luxury and incomparable quality. One of the best examples reflecting these dynamics to the fullest is the union between British luxury sports car manufacturer Aston Martin and Danish highend audio solutions specialist Bang & Olufsen. The blueprint for every

design and emotional appeal, its products seeping the company’s sound expertise into the environs of a car. The two luxury brands first partnered in 2007 and have since worked in partnership to outfit Aston Martin’s cars with bespoke Bang & Olufsen BeoSound sound systems.

Furthermore, each BeoSound System is developed exclusively to suit each Aston Martin, while being acoustically and physically matched to

Aston Martin has remained constant in that each sports car continues to be built to the highest standards while maintaining a seamless blend of pure performance, cutting-edge design and utmost luxury. Bang & Olufsen, too, is the epitome of incredible innovation, sensational

every car under the Aston Martin portfolio. Bang & Olufsen’s distinctive aluminium elements are a perfect fit for the dynamic lines and curves of Aston Martin – even the sound performance is designed to the exact dimensions of each car’s interior for an outstanding ambience.

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Aston Martin DB9 Coupé Besides offering a full-throttle drive with added power from an updated AM11 V12 engine, the Aston Martin DB9 two-door coupé asserts a powerful design that has a more flexible, fluid silhouette. Its taut lines, chiselled look and subtle muscular form only points to the pronounced power that lies under the hood of this Grand Tourer. Its front grille, featuring five horizontal vanes chamfered to create an aerofoil profile, was inspired by the design of the bestselling Aston Martin One-77 hypercar. Its plush interior is impeccably crafted from fine materials, matching the exterior’s exceedingly high benchmarks. For one, there’s the jewel-like glass switchgear and – as is the case with every Aston Martin – an exclusively designed sound system by Bang & Olufsen. The BeoSound DB9 System yet again displays the craftsmanship, innovation and authenticity that Aston Martin and Bang & Olufsen are known to offer. With a total of 13 fully active speakers, the sound system features unique aluminium speaker grilles that are crafted and drilled to precision, and laser-engraved with the Bang & Olufsen logo.

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Aston Martin Rapide S

Fulfilling the Aston Martin promise of offering more power and more beauty, the four-door Rapide S took on its predecessor – the Rapide – thanks to a series of extensive engineering and design improvements, while retaining an Aston Martin’s trademark features. Boasting an imposing front end design and a striking rear deck profile with a more pronounced boot lid flip, the sports car features the powerful AM29 V12 engine for unmatched efficiency. The acoustic experience of the Bang & Olufsen BeoSound Rapide S System complements this effortless blend of power, style, luxury and agility with 15 fully active loudspeakers including moving acoustic lenses in its two front tweeters. The automatic real-time adjustment of equalisation and volume compensates for changing noise levels on the road, while its amplifier boasts a total system power of 1000W, a 15-channel BeoCore amplifier with ICEpower Amplifier Technology.

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Aston Martin Vanquish Coupé

The pinnacle of Aston Martin’s design and engineering capabilities, the Vanquish Coupé features a significantly upgraded 6.0-litre V12 engine. The two-door super Grand Tourer expresses the luxury carmaker’s iconic visual language through engineering feats of form and function, like the new aero duct on the rear boot lid and LED rear light blades. The 1000W Bang & Olufsen BeoSound Vanquish sound system features 13 fully active loudspeakers – two front and two rear tweeters, one centre midrange and one centre tweeter, two front midranges, two front woofers, two rear midranges, and rear subwoofers, all mounted in closed cabinets for optimal sound performance.

The bespoke sound design is further amped up thanks to unique aluminium speaker grilles in a choice of Black Basalt or Iridium colours. Besides Automatic Volume Control, the Sound Mode offers three different options to choose from – Auto, Driver or Front Surround Level.

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MONUMENTAL MOON MISSIONS A timeline of NASA’s milestone moments that concern the exploration of the moon, ranging from some of the greatest extra-terrestrial adventures to others that laid the foundation for successful lunar missions

Beverly Pereira

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The moon has always been a source of mystery and wonder for all of mankind.

Many of NASA’s astronauts have reportedly experienced a moment of awe when they orbited, flew by or landed on the moon. For the rest of us, a mere peak into a telescope proves to be just as awe-inspiring.

The desire to get a good enough glimpse of the moon began with the invention of the telescope as early as 1609. Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, attempts to decode its mysteries ranged from drawing telescopic representations and maps of the moon, naming craters, and conducting studies based solely on observation. Lunar exploration has since advanced by leaps and bounds, thanks to aeronautical advancements and scientific missions. New information about the Earth’s closest celestial object continues to be revealed ever since the first manned programme was proposed by the US in 1961. Thereafter, several attempts to land on the moon eventually culminated in what can only be described as the most historic moment for humanity – NASA’s Apollo 11 moon landing mission of 1969.

Needless to say, precision and timing are of utmost importance when it comes to space travel.

Each of these bold manned missions in space wouldn’t have been possible had it not been for the vigorously tested scientific equipment, watches and other reliable instruments that accompanied astronauts on board these spacecraft. NASA’s instrument of choice has always been the Omega Speedmaster Professional Chronograph, which was the first watch worn on the moon as well as five lunar landings.

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1962

NASA’s Project Mercury was the first human spaceflight programme by the United States. Each of the six manned orbital and sub-orbital missions that ran through 1961 and 1963 proved to be successful, but it was inarguably the fifth – the Mercury-Atlas 8 mission – piloted by astronaut Walter Schirra in 1962 that was a technical success. Not only did Schirra orbit the Earth six times in a long nine-hour flight that confirmed the durability and performance of the Mercury spacecraft, it also accomplished the objective of evaluating the effect of prolonged microgravity on the pilot. This flight would set the groundwork for NASA’s future space programmes.

Schirra discussing the flight plan with flight director Chris Kraft.

Schirra discussing the flight plan with flight director Chris Kraft

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OMEGA SPEEDMASTER PROFESSIONAL APOLLO XI 35TH ANNIVERSARY Over the years, Omega has released several limited edition Speedmasters to commemorate the 1969 moon landing, however the Speedmaster Professional Apollo XI 35th Anniversary is cited by collectors as one of the best. This timepiece has a silver white dial with an applied Omega logo, silver colored hands and contrasting black sub-dials. Known affectionately as the ‘panda’, this watch also has the date of the Apollo 11 moon landing printed on the dial in red.

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OMEGA SPEEDMASTER MOONWATCH PROFESSIONAL This distinctive Speedmaster has already been discontinued, and is rumored to have originally been conceived to be a limited edition piece of sorts. The watch features the same manual-winding calibre 1861 found in other Speedmaster Professionals, as well as a predominately black dial. However, this watch also features an attractive red and white circular pattern on the circumference of its dial, which associates it with a limited edition ‘Racing’ Speedmaster released only for the Japanese market in 2004.

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1964

Two years and dozens of experimental missions later, NASA’s Ranger 7 lunar lander proved to be a huge success in the quest to explore the moon. The Ranger 7, built to take high-resolution photographs of the moon before impacting the lunar surface, approached the moon on July 31 and transmitted over 4,000 images back to Earth. Ushering in a new era of exploration, the images showed the lunar surface true to its detail and further set the pace for exploration of the moon.

Ranger 7 space probe

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OMEGA SPEEDMASTER ALASKA PROJECT In 1970 Omega produced an upgraded Speedmaster known as the Alaska Project for NASA. It was designed to withstand extreme temperatures, like those found on the dark side of the moon, and came with an external casing made of red-anodised aluminium. NASA however opted not to use the upgraded Speedmaster as it found the standard Speedmaster more than up to the task. The watch you see here was released in 2008 and pays tribute to the original Alaska Project watch, which now sits in Omega’s museum in Bienne.

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1965

Gemini 3 was the first mission in NASA’s Project Gemini and the second American manned space programme. Astronauts Virgil “Gus” Grissom and John Young flew three low Earth orbits on March 23. Many firsts were achieved on this mission. For one, the objective of this mission was to test the new, manoeuvrable Gemini spacecraft, which the crew accomplished by firing thrusters to change the shape of their orbit or to drop to a lower altitude.

Grissom is seen through the spacecraft window prior to launch of Gemini-Titan 3 mission

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1965

A few months later, in June, the Gemini IV space flight circled the Earth 66 times in four days, but the true highlight was America’s first extravehicular spacewalk conducted by astronaut Edward H. White.

Furthermore, it happened to be the first American flight to perform scientific experiments in space, including the use of a sextant to explore the navigation technique’s feasibility for lunar flights in the Apollo programme that would follow.

Edward H. White, the first American to perform extravehicular activity, outside of Gemini IV

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OMEGA SPEEDMASTER “DARK SIDE OF THE MOON” The Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon was Omega’s first full ceramic watch. It was developed to pay tribute to the astronauts of Apollo 8, who were the first people to see the dark side of the moon with their own eyes. This watch features an Omega automatic Co-Axial movement, and also pays homage to the legendary Speedmaster Professional chronograph, which was worn by every astronaut that flew in NASA’s Apollo missions.

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Aldrin’s lunar footprint in a photo taken by him on July 21, 1969

OMEGA SPEEDMASTER PROFESSIONAL APOLLO XI 45TH ANNIVERSARY Honoring the 45th anniversary of the first lunar landing, the Speedmaster Professional Apollo XI 45th anniversary is a heavily modified version of the original Speedmaster Professional. This watch features a titanium case, PVD dial and a Sedna gold bezel with a matte black ceramic tachymeter ring. It is also one of the few Speedmasters to be presented on a NATO strap.

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1969

The landing of Apollo 11, the fifth manned mission in NASA’s Apollo programme, on July 20, 1969, remains a historic moment in time.

Commander Neil Armstrong was the first human to set foot on the moon, while Lunar Module Pilot Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin joined him some 15 minutes later. The two astronauts stayed for a total of two and half hours on the lunar surface before they returned to Earth.

Aldrin’s lunar footprint in a photo taken by him on July 21, 1969

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1970

The following year, Apollo 13 – the seventh manned mission in NASA’s Apollo programme – was intended to once again land on the moon.

However, the moon-bound mission was not meant to be. One of two oxygen tanks on the spacecraft’s service module exploded, causing the second tank to fail. Although it turned out to be an ill-fated attempt, it did make a spaceflight record that marked the farthest humans have ever travelled from Earth.

Apollo 13 Service Module

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OMEGA SPEEDMASTER PROFESSIONAL APOLLO XIII 1995 marked the 25th anniversary of the Apollo XIII mission. For this occasion, Omega presented a unique Speedmaster Professional, which was limited to just 999 pieces. This Speedmaster featured tritium hour markers , which were used by Omega until 1998 and, to the delight of Apollo mission buffs, also featured the Apollo XIII mission patch in the second’s sub-dial.

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OMEGA SPEEDMASTER PROFESSIONAL SNOOPY On October 5, 1970, NASA presented the Speedmaster Professional with the Snoopy Award, in recognition of the crucial role that the Speedmaster played in getting the Apollo XIII astronauts back to Earth safely. In commemoration of this, Omega released the limited edition Speedmaster Snoopy back in 2003. Despite the fact that this watch has a high limitation number of 5441 pieces, today, this Speedmaster commands a pre-owned price that is more than double of its original, retail price.

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1972

Less than three and a half years after the historic first step on the moon, the Apollo 17 would take a three-man crew back for the last steps on the moon. The mission was the first night-time launch of a US human spaceflight and included three days on the lunar surface. Astronauts Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt completed three lunar walks and obtained lunar samples. After a successful 12-day mission, the crew returned to Earth on December 19.

Eugene Cernan on the lunar surface, December 13, 1972

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1975

A joint US-Soviet space flight took place in July 1975 and provided useful engineering experience, further setting the pace for future joint space flights, including the International Space Station. Officially the last flight of the Apollo programme, this landmark mission proved to be historic as the American Apollo spacecraft docked with the Soviet Union’s Soyuz in space.

A 1973 artist’s conception of an Apollo-type spacecraft (on left) about to dock with a Soviet Soyuz-type spacecraft

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A artist’s conception of an Apollo-type spacecraft (on left) about to dock with a Soviet Soyuz-type spacecraft.

OMEGA SPEEDMASTER PROFESSIONAL APOLLO SOYUZ This limited edition Speedmaster commemorates the 35th anniversary of the Apollo Soyuz mission, the first joint US-Soviet space flight. The mission marked the end of the Space Race, and was also the last flight of an Apollo spacecraft. The watch is limited to 1975 pieces (the year of the mission) and features a dial made out of meteorite, which is reported to be over 4-billion years old.

WAT C H E S : P R I VAT E C O L L E C T I O N O F J A S O N S A U N D A L K A R

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O N T H E FA S T T R A C K

Louis Chiron-1931,Monaco Grand Prix

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ON THE FAST TRACK Louis Chiron, Bugatti’s most successful racing driver, is synonymous with the French super sports car brand. On the heels of its newest launch – the Bugatti Chiron – we look back at the life of the legendary driver

To revisit the history of race car driving would be incomplete without a mention of the legendary racing driver Louis Chiron, who won practically all the major grands prix for Bugatti during the 1920s and 1930s. Born in Monte Carlo in 1899, the sportsman was a loyal patron of the French high-performance automobile manufacturer.

He learned to drive at the early age of 15, was employed as a chauffeur during WWI, and later worked as a car dealer with his own garage and showroom in Nice. It was, however, his interactions with former racing driver and Bugatti dealer Ernest Friderich that really propelled Chiron into the world of motorsports.

Chiron’s first tryst with fast cars occurred when he started to drive Bugattis from the factory in Molsheim to the Côte d’Azur on behalf of Friderich. It was during these trips that he honed his driving skills, and also became acquainted with Bugatti founder Ettore Bugatti. Soon enough, Chiron’s passion earned him accolades. He began winning hill climbs in the south of France in a Brescia Bugatti, and in 1925, emerged victorious at the Automobile Club de Nice in a Bugatti Type 30 as a private entrant.

However, it would only be until Alfred Hoffmann – heir to the Hoffman-La Roche pharmaceutical company – gifted Chiron with a Bugatti Type 35 that his racing career

Louis Chiron

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officially took off. He won the Comminges Grand Prix and several hill climbs during the 1926 season. He took on the following year in the more powerful Bugatti Type 35 B and won the Grand Prix of the French Automobile Club. By 1928, the 29-year-old Chiron had become Bugatti’s number one driver, and for the next four years, was considered to be the best in the world.

It’s no wonder then that Bugatti decided to name its 2016 model after Chiron himself.

His is a name more closely connected with the history of the brand than any other racing driver. Slated to make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, the Bugatti Chiron isn’t just an extraordinarily powerful and fast sports car. It also carries exclusive touches, including an abstracted form of Chiron’s signature as stitching on the headrest. Deemed to be the most exclusive production sports car, it has already received an outstanding response and over 100 preorders. “The Chiron will set new standards in every respect,” says Wolfgang Dürheimer, President of Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. There isn’t, perhaps, quite anyone quite as fitting as Lydie Barre-Chiron, descendant and biographer of Chiron, who can establish the true connection between the new Bugatti model and the legendary racer. “The Chiron is a modern super sports car that is instantly recognisable as a Bugatti,” she says. “It looks fantastic, just magnificent. The design already indicates that this car will be very powerful and very fast. If Louis Chiron were alive today, I’m sure he would be proud that such an extraordinary sports car is to bear his name and is to represent the brand with which he achieved his greatest successes.”

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THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED

It is said that once you embark on your first off-road drive, you’ll always come back for more. Off-road drivers, both of the professional and leisure variety, know this too well. Signé explores the art of off-road driving in a bid to navigate this exhilarating and adventurous experience

There is a certain allure attached to off-road driving. The absolute control of an all-terrain vehicle, coupled with the unpredictability of the twists and turns that lie ahead, set the pace for an adventurous experience where every drive differs from the next. Off-road driving enthusiasts find pleasure in exploring the unknown as much as they enjoy the certainty of thrills and adrenaline rushes that such drives offer. From icy roads, forest trails and uphill and downhill drives, to dune bashing, rock crawling, river crossing and cross-country drives, off-roading presents no limit to exploring the beauty of the great wide outdoors and the unabashed exhilaration that it brings with it. It is also worth a mention that the ability to reach untouched places, quite possibly not seen by most, is what keeps off-road drivers hooked to this invigorating activity.

Many consider off-road driving an extreme sport. However, seasoned offroaders have a better explanation for this. It is actually not so much about the extreme as it is about the desire and thrill to explore. An off-road driver, whether he might be a professional or leisure driver, then, is naturally an explorer at heart. Needless to say, driving on anything but paved roads requires an in-depth technical knowledge of the ins and outs of one’s vehicle — a trait that can also be translated as having a deep passion for everything to do with cars. He is also a risk taker and a quick thinker, as much as he is a problem solver and an adventure and nature lover.

No matter how skilled, seasoned or confident an off-road driving enthusiast might be, the all-terrain vehicle — rigged with the best features that offer a high-performance, luxurious and comfortable drive — plays an immense role in elevating the off-road driving experience. It is essential that the four-wheel drive in question be equipped to take on all sorts of terrain, from slippery riverbeds to boulder-strewn paths and everything in between.

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MERCEDES G-CLASS 4X4 Inspired by the superior all-wheel-drive, the G 500 4X4 understands the need for extreme off-road driving with no boundaries and at the same time, preserves the legendary Mercedes Benz comfort and style.

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Mountainous terrain

When you set out to take on the rugged terrain of off-road driving, you will need to leave your road skills behind. Mountainside driving almost always involves driving over rocks and boulders as well as attempting steep ascents and descents. This type of an off-road drive requires a good deal of planning, precision, awareness and knowledge about your four-wheel drive. It is recommended that you maintain a slow speed when rock crawling, or driving over rocks, to avoid getting your vehicle damaged or stuck. It also helps to have a companion as a guide when manoeuvring across this type of terrain. One needs to remain cautious of the fact that rocks are often jagged, which, in turn, might puncture a vehicle’s tires. Many professional off-road drivers are known to utilise the power of their imagination — think building ramps or utilising other rocks — to overcome such obstacles. While Grand Junction in Colorado is popular among rock crawlers, Canada’s Rocky Mountains is the go-to location for off-road purists.

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MERCEDES-AMG GLE COUPÉ Following the “One man, one engine” tradition of hand-built excellence, the GLE Coupé comes with a powerful hand built AMG 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine. The sporty car combines the sportiness of a coupe with the strength and performance of an SUV

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MERCEDES-BENZ GLC Combining the ultimate in driving comfort and a sporty touch, the new GLC provides excellent driving stability and sporty agility with optimum comfort and outstanding off-road capabilities.

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Shallow water

When you take a trip off the beaten path, you are bound to come face to face with pools of water and shallow stream and rivers. Much like one of the toughest posts to cross on an obstacle course, shallowwater crossing, or fording, requires skill, attention and patience. It’s best to be sure of equipping your all-terrain vehicle with high-quality all-terrain, or, better yet, mud-terrain tyres to overcome the risk of your tires getting stuck in loose mud. Before you attempt to cross a river, walk along the bank to estimate the depth of the water, the presence of underwater obstacles like rocks, and the looseness of the mud. Avoid shifting gears when you cross a river in your vehicle and be sure to turn off the lights before entering the water. The paradisiacal Shushica Valley in the south of Albania is one of Europe’s last-remaining rugged landscapes that offers the best of both worlds — rocky mountain trails, complete with ancient Roman cobblestones, and the Shushica’s white stone-laden riverbed.

Yet another summer drive that’s a favourite with off-road enthusiasts who are looking to go fording is Jump Creek in Idaho. Resplendent in waterfalls, creeks and deep rocking canyons, this area is also home to herds of wild mustangs.

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MERCEDES-BENZ GLS The GLS is the only full fledged seven-seater in the European premium SUV segment. It boasts ample spaciousness and combines luxury with impressive levels of comfort, agile dynamics and also beat-on-class safety.

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Forest trails

Off-roading adventures on a forest trail are the simplest and safest way to experience the thrill of getting some mud on your tyres. Given that these areas are protected zones, it’s important to stay on the marked trail and to avoid driving over foliage. It is on these narrow forest trails that you will most likely come across groups of other vehicles, which is why it’s important to pay heed to signs given off by other drivers on the trail. While a raised fist signals that the driver is the last vehicle in the group, a show of two, three or more fingers signifies how many rigs are in the driver’s group. Most national parks across the world offer designated trails, but the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest in northern and central Georgia, USA, is a must-visit for those who have a passion for off-road driving. Here, one can choose from over 50 different designated trails, each of which presents breath-taking landscapes. One of the easier trails, the Houston Valley trail, is set in a scenic forest, while the more challenging Beasley Knob trail system is made up of dirt trails, rock hill climbs and gravel roads that wind through the Chattahoochee National Forest.

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TOURING THE THAI-WAY Nicknamed the Land Of Smiles, Thailand is known for its fascinating culture, a rich sense of hospitality and mouth-watering delicacies to please every palate.

Discovering all this and more, Signé embarks on a journey to experience the finest of what this Asian jewel has to offer

Unlike a number of its neighbours, Thailand has never been colonised by the West, thus developing a distinct – and unique – culture of its very own. To say it is a land of contrasts would be an understatement. Buddhist influences can be heavily observed throughout the country, but it has modernised to meet the needs of its surging tourist and expat populations – and yet, the locals remain seemingly tied to their roots. To discover the untold stories of the land, I hopped on a flight to Bangkok with the definitive authority on all things Thai – the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

Hosting me between Dubai International and Suvarnabhumi Airport was Thai Airways, the comfortable journey being a promising indication of what was to follow. Upon my arrival, I was greeted by the team of Absolutely Fantastic Holidays, a local tourism agency and my guide for the next three days in Bangkok. Kick-starting my stint in the capital was the award-winning Oasis Spa that is tucked away in a more secluded area of the city and surrounded by lush greenery. A heavy dose of much-needed relaxation came in the form of its signature two-hour King of Oasis massage, which combines aromatherapy with traditional Thai massage techniques. The therapist worked closely on the areas that I had specified by using a combination of herbs and oils on certain pressure points.

Leaving completely rejuvenated from the highly therapeutic session, I was invited to dine at EAT, which stands for Eat All Thai. The restaurant is reputed for its contemporary Thai cuisine, and I could see why patrons rave about its ambience. Rustic and laidback, it provides the perfect avenue for communal dining in Bangkok. Rounding off lunch with a classic – and always enticing – dessert of coconut ice cream with mango and sticky rice, I headed ‘home’ to the Oriental

life, it’s the little extras that I remember most – the white-on-white colour palette, a two-page pillow menu, and the orchid awaiting me in the kitchen all come to mind.

Thailand’s capital is virtually synonymous with shopping, and Asiatique was where I chose to start. Part-mall, part-night bazaar, it houses over 1,500 boutiques and 40 restaurants under a huge replica warehouse complex on the riverfront, making it a lively spot to enjoy a casual evening. Also on the menu are nightly entertainment shows, courtesy of the Joe Louis Theatre (traditional puppet performances) and the famous Calypso Bangkok (cabaret with a local twist). Culture was the order of the following day, starting with Thailand’s most sacred spectacle – the Emerald Buddha. This highly revered Buddha figure is meticulously carved – rather ironically – from a single block of jade. Dating from the 15th century AD, it is only 66cm tall and raised high on a series of platforms within a spectacularly gilded shrine that displays influences as diverse as Chinese and Vietnamese. Noteworthy is the fact that the Emerald Buddha is ceremoniously draped in robes that are changed three times a year by the king to correspond to the summer, winter, and rainy season. Several different sculptures surround the temple, such as the halfman, half-animal species that are thought to protect the grounds from any external calamities, further adding to its celestial appeal.

Walking just a few steps ahead, I reached the Grand Palace, once the official residence of Thai royalty from 1782 until 1925. Today, it is only used on ceremonial occasions, and well worth a visit for the impressive architecture and intricate details of the four buildings that remain. Travelling as the locals do, I then rode a sputtering tuk-tuk (a type of three-wheeled taxi) across the street to see the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. Another architectural marvel, the colossal Reclining

Residence, a luxurious property situated in the heart of the city. My two-bedroom suite was stylish and spacious, but like anything else in

Buddha was measures 46 metres in length and is covered in gold leaf – a true visual treat for tourists and Buddhists alike.

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Choosing a highlight of the first leg of my trip is challenging, but the foodie in me votes for Dine In The Dark at the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit. A concept that originated in Switzerland, this is an extraordinary experience not to be missed. Within its pitch-dark ambiance, I was led by the restaurant’s guide – who was visually impaired – to my table. As I sat down, he briefed me on how the courses would be divided. Dining in total darkness – and not knowing what was placed on the plate in front of me – was a first. What I did know, however, was that every course tasted sublime, each morsel spurring my mind to determine what exactly I was feasting on. After dinner, I was shown my menu through visuals that amusingly enough, were not even close to my guesses. The next day’s brunch at the Oriental Residence’s Café Claire wasn’t as shrouded in mystery, but more than satiated my dining companions with its signature Seafood Tower, marking an end to my Bangkok escapades.

Boarding a flight to the province of Sukothai was next on the agenda, from where I made my way to the city of Tak to witness the mystical Loi Krathong, or Festival of Lights. The subsequent drive to Chiang Mai was a picturesque one, with lush forested hills dominating the landscape. Arriving at Siripanna Villa Resort & Spa, I was instantly transported into an oasis of calmness and tranquillity. The resort’s paddy fields, impeccably landscaped grounds and works by Lanna artists scream rural-luxe, as do the fragrant Frangipani trees planted within the pool itself. The combination built up quite the appetite, which led to an evening spent sampling northern Thai cuisine at Khum Khantoke. Following the custom of traditional floor seating, I was served a multitude of dishes that stole the show – no pun intended – from the classical dances performed during dinner.

The following day, an early start and an easy drive was all it took to reach Doi Inthanon, the highest point in Thailand. At an elevation of 2,565 meters, it is the main draw of the National Park that shares its name and offers breathtaking views. A visit to the extensive Chiang Mai Night Safari kept the nature-driven theme of the day going – from live shows and musical fountains to feeding animals from the back of an open-sided tram, the Night Safari felt like a fresh perspective on a zoo visit and is especially recommended to those travelling with families.

No trip to this multifaceted Kingdom would be complete without dabbling first-hand in its cuisine, and the folks over at Smart Cook are always happy to oblige an eager amateur or two. Thai cooking is led by ingredients like ginger, lemongrass, chilies and coconut milk, all lending that distinctive sweet-spicy flavour we all know and love. I chose to learn how to cook the quintessential Thai favourites, rolling up my sleeves for a feast of Pad Thai, spring rolls, green curry and Tom Yum soup. I’m happy to report that the results of my little culinary adventure far exceeded my expectations, and if professionally cooked versions of the above – alongside all the warmth and wonder I experienced – won’t bring me back to Thailand, I don’t know what will.

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DAY WITHOUT BOUNDARIES Brunello Cucinelli outlines the subtle art of pairing, letting us move freely between the necessary formality of a day at the office, the careless casualness of the countryside in the afternoon and the requisite charm of the city in the evening – through a single wardrobe

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Refined shades of Grey, Brown and Blue provide a valuable harmonic base, to which touches of colour introduce medium dark nuances of Red and Purple, intense hues that intertwine leitmotifs throughout the mixture of styles.

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More formal jackets go with sporting ripped denims and British-inspired footwear, while tailored trousers define taste together with t-shirts, cashmere sweaters and sneakers.

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Accessories complement the look through the addition of refined, precious handcrafted elements; fine leatherwork interacts with soft wool flannels in the bags.

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DESTINATION INSPIRATION

Intersect by Lexus is a hub of creativity and innovation in Dubai. From events and live performances to awe-inspiring installations and delectable organic cuisine, it’s easy to immerse yourself in this imaginative world of all things visionary

Lexus is reputed for its SUVs and hybrid vehicles, but the Japanese carmaker undoubtedly knows so much more about offering experiences that have the power to inspire. Since its debut in 1989, Lexus has ranked high as a leader among luxury brands.

The evolution of the marque can be seen in the progressive designs of its vehicles, but Lexus has also been decidedly creative in engaging its loyalists to take a sip from the fountain of creativity. Intersect by Lexus is the brand’s innovative concept that has found form in a unique space in the heart of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), allowing its guests an escape into the vibrancy of their imaginations through cultural, lifestyle and artistic offerings.

First launched in Tokyo in 2013, Intersect by Lexus is neither a dealership nor a traditional retail space. However, guests at this café-boutique space will still be able to immerse themselves in an

space filled with Lexus concept cars and other installations all come together, making it an easy lifestyle destination between work and home. Naturally, networking opportunities are aplenty and luxury lifestyle seekers with a keen interest in art, design, fashion, culture, music and technology will find it both useful and intriguing. As the name itself suggests, Intersect by Lexus is an effortless intersection, a crossing of paths, and a hybrid between these sublime expressions of life. Heading its dynamic team of gastronomy experts as well as hospitality, operations and customer service professionals is Benjamin Nicholas, who brings to the table over a decade of experience in the hospitality industry in the UK and UAE. The design of the space particularly facilitates this heightened sense of creativity, and is a subtle reminder of Lexus’ philosophy of perfecting innovation and luxury. Developed by renowned interior designer

exceptionally creative atmosphere without actually getting behind the steering wheel of a Lexus. Here, a lounge, eatery, library and garage

Masamichi Katayama of Wonderwall Inc., Intersect by Lexus flawlessly illustrates what fine attention to detail looks like – the bamboo wall is

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an aesthetic representation of the signature Lexus Spindle Grille, while the banquette area is adorned in the same leather used in the Lexus LFA supercar.

To talk about the Dubai outpost without delving into its culinary offerings would be incomplete. That’s because the fare at Intersect by Lexus – much like its patrons, interiors and overall ambience – is a dynamic mix of youth and creative energy. There’s a story behind each menu item created by the kitchen team that is headed by Chef Tomas Reger, the celebrated culinary director behind some of the region’s most successful kitchens and gastronomic concepts.

For one, this “Culinology” experience at the eatery starts by sourcing only the freshest and finest ingredients. The menu itself is composed of artisanal dishes that highlight both raw and organic foods of the highest quality. Fruits, vegetables, seafood and grains all find

tomatoes and herbs served with Lebanese-style pasta pearls cooked in a seafood stock – is sure to please. The Australian Lamb or even the New Zealand Wagyu Beef are spot-on in flavour and perfectly sized to share. This focus on the handcrafted, the authentic and the pure also extends to beverages. Guests may choose to sample some of the best new- and old-world wines by the glass or by taste.

Once well-satiated, guests almost effortlessly find their way to the inspiring garage and event space. It’s hard to miss the wall crafted entirely out of Lexus vehicles, after all. It’s also the miniature versions of Lexus cars as well as the Lexus LF-FC concept car that call out to visitors. Further on in the well-curated library, guests can enjoy books in Arabic, English and Japanese on a range of subjects like design, art, literature and architecture.

Finally, the Crafted for Lexus retail space is home to products that add both finesse and function to one’s lifestyle. In 2016, they will

their true place in small and large plates. Among the small plates, the Prawns and Clams Moghrabieh – a delightful mix of clams, prawns,

be sourcing local artist to support and will be selling their objects in the boutique.

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PALATIAL PLEASURES A symbol of Italian excellence, the recently opened Palazzo Versace Dubai presents the neo-classical era with a fashion-forward edge. With the opulence of Versace exuding out of every space, the grand hotel redefines luxury hospitality in every aspect

Diksha Vohra Versace’s reign in the fashion industry is known to all.

From glamorous dresses to cutting-edge accessories, the Italian fashion house knows virtually no competition. Bringing the same exquisite uniqueness to the world of hospitality, Versace opened its first landmark boutique hotel on the Gold Coast, Australia in 2000. After 15 years of success and appreciation, the brand expanded into the Middle East, making Dubai its home with the recent opening of Palazzo Versace Dubai.

Signé experienced a night at the five-star fashion hotel to experience and relish the epitome of Italian luxury.

Situated in the heart of the Culture Village, the Palazzo Versace Dubai is located on a prime waterfront plot with unrestricted views of the Dubai Creek. The hotel opens to a Medusa head, Versace’s iconic motif, engraved on the floor looking up at the signature golden chandelier that is designed to depict Versace heritage. Boasting dramatic neo-classical architecture that gives it the look of a sprawling palace, the hotel is reminiscent of Versace across all décor elements, small and large – from the finest bespoke textiles and 1,000-square-metre marble mosaic floor in the lobby to the intricately hand-detailed gold ceilings, the interiors imagine the Versace lifestyle through the always contemporary eye of Artistic Director Donatella Versace.

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As I walked through the hotel’s corridors, original sketches of Versace dress designs greeted me. The property houses 215 rooms and suites; I was the occupant of a deluxe room with a view of the Dubai Creek. Somewhere between the luxe linens, regal marble bathroom and plush accompanying lounge, I immediately found myself blissfully relaxed – and deeply immersed within the coveted Versace lifestyle.

The spacious room had a plethora of technological features to keep me intrigued, including touchscreen tablets on both sides of the bed for curtain, sound and lighting control.

Dinner was served at Vanitas, the Palazzo’s signature Italian restaurant, where I chose to dine outside to make the most of the favourably cool weather. From the Burrata Pugliese to the perfectly

morning’s breakfast was hosted by the all-day dining Giardino restaurant, where exotic mosaic patterns adorning the walls and pillars make the décor truly lively – and particularly memorable.

The breakfast buffet was elaborate to say the least, with live-cooking stations and wide selections from various cuisines. Every palate was tended to with options like grilled chicken, Indian stuffed breads and vanilla pancakes. The favourites around the table were undoubtedly the bakery items, especially the flaky almond croissants and waffles drizzled with the impossible-to-outgrow Nutella.

Bringing the decadent universe of Versace to life within a single space, the hotel goes far beyond the expected levels of sophistication and hospitality. Our prediction? The Palazzo Versace Dubai may be new

cooked risotto and always classic tiramisu, the food at Vanitas is worthy of rave reviews for both its taste and presentation. The next

on the map but in no time, it’s bound to attract steady patronage from more than just the Versace addicts amongst us – and rightfully so.

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PASSION, PLATED

Created to introduce the world to Indian food with a contemporary feel, Junoon opened its doors to Dubai in 2015. Signé dines at the acclaimed restaurant to sample a fine-dining twist on a beloved cuisine

Diksha Vohra In the exciting Flatiron District of New York City, a Michelin-star concept came to life in 2010, giving traditional Indian cuisine a stylish new look. Junoon, meaning ‘passion’ in Hindi, is bold and innovative. Located on the second floor of the Shangri-La Hotel in Dubai, the world’s second Junoon outpost welcomes those who enjoy taking culinary adventures with gourmet flair.

Upon stepping into the restaurant, the Signé team witnessed a fusion of cultures in the ambiance, the décor and the service. Moving away from the conventional aesthetics expected of an Indian restaurant, Junoon has an earthy feel to it, complete with wooden floors and a brown-bronze palette. As we sat, we were presented with the Business Lunch menu, from which we opted for a three-course meal. Our lunch commenced with two of Junoon’s celebrated mocktails, starting with the Frozen Piña. This refreshing blend of pineapple juice, vanilla syrup and passion fruit was made memorable by its creative ‘packaging’ – a hollowed-out pineapple flanked by cups of liquid smoke. The Virgin Mule, meanwhile, packed a punch with its combination of blueberry, red currant and lemonade. While the aroma of freshly ground spices built both our anticipation and our appetites, we were served starters – Eggplant Chaat, Paneer Kasturi and Murgh Tikka Mirza Hasnu.

Crunchy in texture, the Eggplant Chaat was topped with yoghurt and tamarind chutney, and a real crowd–pleaser.

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Interestingly, the restaurant specialises in the five most celebrated cooking techniques practiced in India – handi (pot cooking), sigri (open fire pit), pathar (stone), tawa (griddle) and tandoor (clay oven). Showcasing innovation on a platter were the enticing mains that followed the appetisers. Coating lentils with black pepper in rich tomato gravy was the Sepu Wadi, which was reminiscent of the primitive forms of baking. Complementing the vegetarian dish was the delectable fenugreek-seasoned Murgh Lababdar. Junoon boasts an impressive selection of breads – the regionally-inspired Cheese Zaatar Paratha comes highly recommended. As all Indian meals feel incomplete without a biryani, we were introduced to yet another delicacy – Black Channa Biryani.

The mouth-watering main courses paved the way for the best to come – the Kulfi Tasting and Mango Sago. Junoon added its signature touch to the kulfi – a traditional Indian ice cream – with flavours like peanut, pink guava and cardamom. The Mango Sago was a tantalising tapioca pudding covered in fresh mango sauce, and further enhanced with pistachio meringue and pomegranate seeds.

From the brilliant food to the welcoming and knowledge service staff, everything about the restaurant speaks volumes about the passion with which it is serving diners looking for something new – a setting of true junoon, indeed.

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THE LUXURY OF TIME BOUTIQUE The new Carl F. Bucherer boutique at The Dubai Mall marks the Swiss watch brand’s exclusive presence in the city. CEO Sascha Moeri was joined by the CEO of Rivoli Group - Ramesh Prabhakar, and COO of Rivoli Group - Watch Division - Abraham Koshy at the inauguration of the luxe space in the presence of selected guests. The boutique itself highlights the keen attention to detail that the Lucerne-based watch house is known for, while showcasing the passion that it stands for. Aesthetically, it represents the classic marriage of luxury and warmth through bronze-nuance marble against refined silver pearl wall cladding fabrics, champagne pure metal surfaces and Douglass-stained wood. The winding course of its architectural design takes clients through the variety of watches on display with ease. Reflecting the rich tradition and genuine luxury that Carl F. Bucherer epitomises, the boutique is complemented by the premium customer service associated with the Rivoli Group name.

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BEST FACE FORWARD S PA Steeped in the old-world tradition of the caravanserai – an inn built around a large courtyard for accommodating caravans along trade routes in central and western Asia – is Saray Spa at the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai, which offers a range of restorative treatments and rejuvenating rituals. For an enriching experience, Signé recommends the holistic Exclusively Yours treatment.

Initiating the 200 minutes of pure indulgence is a sea salt body scrub that removes dirt and dead skin for brighter, fresher skin.

Next on the agenda is the application of a freshly prepared banana and pineapple body mask, followed by a nourishing cocoon in the form of a wrap for better absorption. The treatment then continues with a full body massage and personalised facial, its therapeutic effects harmoniously uniting the mind, body and soul.

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SPACE AND TIME BOUTIQUE Roger Dubuis has opened the doors to a boutique in The Dubai Mall, bringing its exquisite timepieces of extraordinary complications to yet another space in the UAE. The Swiss luxury watch house represents a world where exuberance, audacity and creativity reign supreme. The new boutique is much like a convivial meeting place that unites luxury watchmaking and craftsmanship with the brand’s definitive sense of originality. Distinguished clientele can appreciate the finer qualities of iconic Roger Dubuis collections at a plush VIP lounge, where they will also experience the brand’s unique quality of service extended by specially trained boutique ambassadors. Here, the very best is on display including signature timepieces from the Excalibur, Velvet and Hommage lines.

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