If you’re stuck inside at the moment and wondering how you’re going to get in crucial gym time, wonder no more as TechnoGym have the solution.

The KINESIS Personal is a training and wellness solution and the ultimate in designer gym equipment for the home. This unique design will fit seamlessly into your own space and answer all your training needs with just one piece of equipment.

The KINESIS Personal allows for more than 200 types of workout moves within less than one square metre. It is designed for personal co-ordinated movements that use resistance and promote strength and flexibility, as well as balance and allows you to rediscover and improve strength, coordination, flexibility, posture control and breathing control.

Made in Italy, this unique piece of equipment allows the body to use its own strength to train and uses the international patented three-dimensional Fullgravity technology. This technology activates all the kinetic chains of the body thanks to the innovative system of sliding cables with 360° rotation that offers resistance to movement in any direction.

What’s more, the KINESIS Personal is designed in a way that will fit seamlessly into your home and smoothly lend itself to your home’s interiors. The stylish unit will fit in even the smallest of apartments, sitting against a wall, taking up minimal space but allowing for maximum results. Available in deep wood or a reflective mirror finish it suits every taste.

This unique piece of gym equipment is perfect for those needing some at-home assistance.

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George Azzi and Assaad Osta began their couture house in Beirut after meeting during an internship at the Elie Saab’s design studio. The two were hired by the legendary couturier as assistant designers and their common interest in mid-century inspirations and vintage saw them develop a close bond which led to them setting up their own couture house in 2010.

The two pride themselves on being experts in fabric manipulation to give rise to structured, swirly volumes and contoured silhouettes. They are known for experimenting with non-conventional materials and creating unique and eclectic pieces for the modern women.

In spring 2019 Azzi and Osta launched a ready-to-wear line that reinterprets the codes of the house in a new way. Their newest collection; Villa Valentina will debut this spring. The collection is inspired by the sun-drenched moments experienced during a Mediterranean summer holiday. Daywear features carefree shapes and styles – tailored separates, capri pants, short suits and shirtdresses with geometric cut-out details and guipure lace.

Billowy dresses and wrap front blouses with exaggerated bell sleeves capture the light and give a relaxed feeling. A colour palette of crisp white and soft pastel tones are offset by the vibrant shades of lemon, green purple, blue, coral and pink. Pieces are finished with applique 3D embroidery featuring poppies, lavender, oral bouquets and water droplets.

As the collection launches, A&E talks to George Azzi and Assaad Osta to discuss their move into ready-to-wear, balancing that with their core Haute Couture business and the plans for the future of the house.

What does 2020 have in store for Azzi and Osta?

In 2020 we will celebrate ten years of Azzi & Osta. This is a milestone we are proud of and look forward to translating this into our upcoming collections in the form of celebrations. We are looking to grow our ready-to-wear network further into more cities worldwide and expand our Haute Couture outreach, experimenting into new designs, new fabrics and new techniques.

We are seeing a lot of colour in the Villa Valentina ready-to-wear collection, what can you tell us about your choice of colour palette?

Villa Valentina was inspired by the French and Italian Rivieras in the sixties, so the colour palette was taken from the scenery, the sun rays, the water ripples and the mood of this destination.

You were inspired by a summer getaway – do you think this feeling of escapism is something people want from fashion?

We think escapism is a feeling that comes with imagination and that is something we enjoy the most when we design. People want to feel the story, live the moment and see things through the eyes of the designer. For sure, escapism is one of the ideas that delivers that feeling.

How does designing ready-to-wear differ from your experiences creating couture pieces?

With our ready-to-wear collections, we start with design and delve into market influences. With Haute Couture, we can design in a way that is as abstract as we want and then customise and adapt these pieces according to our clients’ needs. With ready-to-wear, the designs have to be appealing, wearable and catered to each market. They need to make an impression at first glance and I think these are main factors that differentiate Couture from Ready-to-wear for us.

What was your thought process when deciding to create a ready-to-wear collection?

We wanted to translate the Azzi and Osta DNA into a more fluid, softened approach falling right into the woman’s everyday scene, where clients can own more than one Azzi and Osta look per season, wear them often, style them in different ways etc. From daywear, to cocktails to effortless evening wear, we wanted to reach a wider international audience, one that would appreciate the DNA of the brand.

What makes this collection an Azzi and Osta collection?

For the Villa Valentina collection we translated our volumes into ripple ruffles to mimic the water. This can be seen in most of the looks. We created our signature applique embroidery into lavender branches, poppies and flower gardens depicting the flowery south and we used fabric manipulation with lace. We also experimented with volumes with silk faille. From the initial design to the final outcome the collection represents the true codes of the Azzi and Osta DNA.

How do you manage your time designing both collections?

We’d like to think that we manage! We have a dedicated team who share our values and everyone is working in a very hands-on way to make things happen. We are very involved in all aspects and we work with tight schedules and pre-planning.

What do you both love most about what you do?

The end result.

How important do you think it is to love what you do?

Creativity and passion require love as the main ingredient.

What’s the biggest challenge you face with the brand right now?

The fashion world is challenging in general but the most recent challenge is the fast growth that the brand has experienced. This requires a fast reaction to everything. It’s a challenge we enjoy though!

What is something you haven’t yet achieved with the brand that you still want to do?

As short term goals, would say we working towards being part of the Chambre Syndicale de Haute Couture. We would like to have fashion shows on the fashion week calendar and own Azzi & Osta standalone stores.

What is the one thing you love to do in life to escape?

George: Travel.
Assaad: Visiting Museums.

Who or what inspires you the most?

Art and history.

Who is the Azzi & Osta woman today and how do you want her to feel when she is wearing your designs?

She is a woman who is iconic in her essence and someone who has achieved greatly. A role model and a woman that makes humanity proud. It can be in her daily life, in her career or through the people she meets. She is a lover of luxury, a curator, but also a minimalist who enjoys her individuality, values her heritage and embraces her future. She is a woman with a voice, one that illuminates a room with her words as well as her elegance.

You’ve dressed a lot of iconic women recently – Is there anyone you would love to see wearing your designs that you haven’t had the chance to dress yet?

We have been lucky to dress a lot of the icons we imagined to dress. We would love to dress a leading female icon like Amal Clooney.

Talk us through a day in your lives.

We wake up, exercise, then heading to our headquarters. We have meetings with the pattern making team and the atelier team before getting updates on our calendar. We then have one-to-one time together to discuss embroideries, new themes, fabrics and designs and then the day just flows. At night we go out to dinners with friends, or back home to zone out where possible.

What is the professional motto you live by?

Stay true to your DNA.

Where would you like to see yourselves by the end of the year?

In our new headquarters, and in more stores worldwide.

Where would you like to see yourselves by the end of the decade?

We would like to have expanded into more lines and have become a lifestyle brand. We would like to have more collaborations, a new international headquarters and standalone stores.

Azzi and Osta in one word?

Eclectic

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Must Have Bags For Spring

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When times are looking dark add some colour to your wardrobe with the latest bags for spring/summer. We discover the must-have accessories designs for this season – time to get shopping!

Dolce & Gabbana

Christian Dior

Louis Vuitton

Tod’s

Valentino

Miu Miu

Chanel

Bottega Veneta

Prada

Gucci

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Tod’s Spring/Summer Collection Celebrates Timeless Italian Design

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Using high-quality craftsmanship and the finest in materials has always been at the heart of the Tod’s House. This Spring the Italian brand celebrates that with a collection that allows fine leather, crafted in unique ways by the most skilled artisans, to take centre stage.

This collection of shoes and bags sees materials manipulated in ways only the most skilled craftsman can achieve. With a focus on the art of craftsmanship and saddlery, we see some new shapes and styles from the House.

San Crispino stitch accentuates the tapered silhouette of kitten-heel slingbacks and slip-ons which make a welcome addition to the collection. Feminine in their shapes and colours these comfortable heeled shoes are perfect for today’s busy woman.

Loafers come in new colours and prints, the metallic leather being one of the most coveted pieces for the season. The zebra-ponyskin gives the brand’s most recognisable style a contemporary feel.

In bags, the letter “T” becomes the centre point for new styles. Taken from the House’s archives the “T” has long been a key symbol for Tod’s. This elegant motif gives character and elegance to the new accessories.

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Looking after their wellbeing and taking time for themselves is something women find difficult to balance in their hectic lives.

Whether it’s managing a work/life balance, looking after children, or just having time in the day to relax, many women forget to take care of themselves, something that is key to a happy and healthy life. Enter Nadia Sehwell.

Nadia Sehwell

Nadia is the founder and CEO of Abu Dhabi’s first yoga, Pilates, dance and holistic wellness facility; Bodytree Studio which she set up eleven years ago, as a concept that would give women (and men) the chance to focus on themselves and find a balance in their lives.

Nadia strongly believes in mind/body focused movement and she is a Pilates and movement specialist. The mum of three set up Bodytree studio with her own mother and it has quickly evolved to encompass a juice bar, healthy eatery, nutrition programmes, wellness programmes, health education, post-rehabilitation for women, classes for men women and young adults and much more.

Building on her Pilates training, Nadia co-created ‘Bodytree Body’, a unique signature movement method rooted in Pilates, Yoga and functional movement designed by women for women. Nadia believes strongly that holistic healing and paying attention to wellness is the key to a healthy and happy life. We discuss why it’s so important for women, in particular, to focus on themselves from time to time.

How important is wellbeing in women’s lives today?

It should be an integral part of our lives. Everything from being aware of mindfulness to our conscious mind, our body movement, nutrition, hydration and sleep.

Why should we take time for ourselves?

Being physically and mentally strong is important for longevity. If we overwork ourselves and go into overdrive and adrenal fatigue we start breaking down physically and that spills over into many aspects of our lives. Women also tend to be the centre of the family and without a strong core, the family becomes dysfunctional. We are the example setters and our kids learn by example.

Can you tell us about some methods of holistic therapy that you believe truly have results?

I think any holistic therapy you believe in is beneficial. For me, the most effective therapy is Vipassana meditation and it’s important to keep up consistent practice. I also find sound healing and reiki therapy beneficial. I recommend using Infrared saunas when possible as well as lymphatic drainage.

What inspired you to set up Bodytree?

It was inspired by my mother’s journey through sickness to health. Her ability to self-heal and become stronger through yoga, Pilates, meditation, and healing was a real inspiration to begin the Bodytree concept.

Why do you think it is something the UAE needs?

I think the whole world needs healing and needs to be connected to higher consciousness. Overcoming one’s ego via meditation and mindfulness can lead to conflict resolution, more empathy, problem- solving and a more functional society.

When did you first discover your passion for Pilates and yoga?

At the age of 19 while at University, just after my mother was diagnosed with colon cancer. She had been practising yoga, meditation and Pilates and convinced me to try Pilates too. I met my mentor, Daniella Moretti who was a phenomenal person and fell in love with mind/body connectivity and movement. My path to Bodytree was a natural progression from that point on.

Can you tell us a little bit about your journey from when you first discovered these techniques to now?

I started with a focus on a more physical practice and have evolved to include a full-circle approach to wellness. I now consistently work on mediating, eating a mostly plant-based diet which is low in grains, I work out six days a week and try to take time out when I feel overwhelmed or overworked.

What is your advice to women who find it difficult to take time for themselves?

If you don’t prioritise it, your health or ill-health will catch up with you. Focus on prevention rather than treatment. Don’t take your body, mind or health for granted. Find a self-care practice that works for you even if it’s something as basic as a going for walk or taking a bath.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Seeing people evolving into better versions of themselves and seeing their satisfaction and connectivity to the community.

What is the biggest challenge you face?

Being a small business is tough on so many levels. We have very little government support and licensing and sponsorship fees are high. Our industry is also highly unregulated with the responsibility bearing solely on the studio and no regulation of freelancers.

What is your biggest achievement so far?

I can’t pinpoint one particular achievement but I would say that the evolution of Bodytree to a Wellness space is a big achievement. Understanding what works best for the community and what is worth sharing and then educating other people on that. We’ve failed at some things but succeeded at most. We love the community we have built and are so grateful to our clients and friends for believing in our vision, supporting and trusting us.

What is something you would still like to achieve with Bodytree that you haven’t achieved yet?

That’s in the works and soon to come!

Can you tell us three key reasons why women should visit Bodytree?

To learn more about what a holistic lifestyle entails, to develop a connection to other like-minded women and to explore and adopt a fully inclusive holistic lifestyle and peace of mind.

What about children and young adults – why do you think it’s important for them to take part in some of the activities you offer?

The younger someone can adopt mind and movement techniques to help them deal with the stresses of life, the more integral it becomes in their lives going forward.

Can you share with us any particular stories of people that you feel you have helped?

We have seen clients arrive at Bodytree relying heavily on medication or antidepressants and anxiety medication and they have very quickly realised that the medication was having a “band-aid effect” or they were being over medicated. Through some of our offerings such as healing, yoga, meditation and movement, they were able to take control of their life and stop taking the medication. We have seen people turn their lives around and become more positive.

A personal situation I dealt with was a client who had been in a terrible accident and had no sensation from her waist down despite months and months of endless physiotherapy and rehabilitation. After only a few Pilates sessions she was able to start feeling a connection to her pelvic floor and abdominal muscles. It was a very emotional moment when she felt her first sensation. That was incredibly rewarding to see and experience with her.

From a business point of view, what advice would you give to women wanting to set up their own business and follow their dreams?

Do as much market research as you can, have a solid business plan, understand your ability to take risks, get through the stressful times and build a solid team.

How do you deal with failure?

I learn from it, move on and try something else.

What are the professional and personal mottos that you live by?

Never do anything you wouldn’t want anyone else to do to you. That way you’ll be able to sleep at night with a clear conscience.

Who or what is an inspiration to you?

My parents and my husband. They are relentless in the pursuit of their goals but always have strong ethical boundaries.

What is a book you’ve read recently that inspired you?

“The Forty Rules of Love” by Elif Shafaq

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Lebanese Fashion Designer Darin Hachem Discusses Her New Collection and Sustainability

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Darin Hachem’s diverse upbringing has allowed her to channel a world of inspiration through her designs. The designer was born in Lebanon but raised in Gabon, Africa before moving back to Beirut, then London and finally residing in Milan where her fashion house was born.

So it’s fair to say that the designer had a number of influences when she set up her fashion brand. Hachem has a strong awareness of the importance of sustainability, something that she tries to support through her design process and the production of her pieces.

For her spring/summer 2020 collection Hachem was inspired by the work of Lebanese artist Saloua Raouda Choucair. The abstract artist was one of the first creatives in her field in the 1950s. She combined western abstraction with Islamic Aesthetics to create works of wood and clay that have a close connection to the earth. Hachem saw this as a reflection of her own interests and the brand’s DNA and close connection to the earth in terms of the materials and colours used in her designs. The spring/summer 2020 pieces were envisioned in terms of combinations – a piece within a piece, much like the interlocking structure of Choucair’s work that ended up forming a unique whole, but still open to different interpretations.

The collection continues the brand’s fluid and organic mood but features more angular details including big collars and cuffs. The colour palette is earthy and harmonious. To find out more about the collection we talk to the designer on her latest designs and her plans for the future of the house.

What do you love most about what you do?

The best part of my job is actually the research. This is where we get to dig deep and make new discoveries, find new concepts, learn about new trends and get how to get the most out of them. But I also love the creative part when I actually draw the collections. One of the satisfying moments for me is when I look at the moodboards and see how the collection is coming together in terms of fabrics, colours and designs.

What is the biggest challenge you face right now?

The biggest challenge I’m facing today is making the right decisions concerning the distribution and expansion of the brand.

What is coming up for you in 2020?

2020 is the year of getting to know more about the direction in which we want the brand to go and the way we want to communicate our brand going forward and where we want to be present.

What can you tell us about the Spring/Summer 2020 collection – what are you highlight pieces?

Our Spring/Summer 2020 collection is more playful in terms of design but also with the choice of colours, as we introduced pastels for the rst time in contrast to the other earthy matte colours that are constant in our identity. The blue half-blazer with the belt pocket is also another playful piece as it can be worn on the left side, the right side or both together as a “full blazer”. One of the core pieces in the collection was tinted naturally in a small laboratory in Puglia in the south of Italy. The fabrics were tinted with a mix called “Quebracho”. This is a mix of plant-based ingredients that give a unique soft peachy/beige colour.

You were inspired by the work of artist Saloua Raouda Choucair – why did her work in particular interest you?

Saloua Raouda Choucair was actually one of the first abstract artists in the Middle East. I nd her work very inspiring and ahead of its time Her sculptures are a mix of geometric and organic shapes made of wood, divided into different pieces and combined in various ways.

Your style of design is unique – how would you sum it up?

I’d say it is modern and minimalistic with a twist and a focus on the details. It has a masculinity to it, aimed at the working woman with designs that can be worn from morning to evening with the simple addition of accessories.

What is something you would still like to achieve with the brand that you haven’t had the chance to do yet?

I just started so there is still a very long way to go; but we are aiming to have pop-up stores and events so that people can get to know the brand in the Middle East.

Who or what is your biggest inspiration?

I love the aesthetics of the brand “The Row”. I find their style so elegant while being modern and peaceful at the same time.

You had a diverse upbringing, how do you think this has inspired you in what you do?

My upbringing definitely trained your brain to incorporate new things into my life and expand my thinking and creative processes. It helped me to be able to adapt and re-interpret things in my own way.

You have lived in many countries – where is the place that you call “home”?

Lebanon makes me feel at home. I don’t know if it has to do with what my country is going through at the moment, but as soon as I am on the plane to Beirut I feel a certain peace inside. It feels right.

How do you think Middle Eastern designers are having an impact on a global scale?

Middle Eastern designers have always been famous for their couture designs, their attention to details, and the focus on femininity. There is a wave of new designers who are doing really well and I am so proud to see designers experimenting with ready-to-wear pieces that are inclusive of art and focusing on modern-day problems such as sustainability. There is a feeling of being aware of the times we are living in.

Who is the woman you would most love to see wearing your designs?

Before I started the brand always wanted to see my mother wearing my out ts. Now she wears them and it feels special every time I see her.

Who is the woman that you design for?

I design for active women who see dressing up as a ritual that allows them to switch from casual to chic.

What is the one item every woman should have in her wardrobe?

If I had to pick one I would say a blazer. It is something that’s really empowering.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in life since starting your own brand?

I had to train my mind into thinking that every problem has a solution, even if it seems like there is no answer. That was a lesson I learnt and it was a hard one!

What advice would you give to others that want to set up their own brand?

I’d suggest they start small and take it step by step. Surround themselves with people that believe in them no matter what, because they will need them more than they ever think.

What is the professional motto you live by?

“Step by step.” In Italy, we always say “Piano piano”.

How do you deal with knock backs or keep motivated when things fail?

I’ll be very honest. I cry my heart out, get my things together and move on. There is no other choice. Luckily I am not alone. I have full support from my family and a team to hold on to. Trust me it is not easy, but I guess it is the same way for everyone starting from scratch.

What is one thing you would like to achieve in 2020?

I am usually very cautious and take things one step at a time. I also honestly don’t speak a lot of future plans and wishes as I like to work on them silently; but like any other business, the ultimate goal is to keep on making it work, expanding and growing while still being able to do what I love. I would love the explore more the artistic creative process of the brand.

What does the next decade have in store for you?

Maybe more artistic collaboration, with lots of positive surprises, I hope!

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Meet Priya Jelly, Founder of The-Private-Label.com

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Grab your girlfriends and head to boutique polo resort, Melia Desert Palm Dubai for a selection of newly launched Wellness Retreats. Various packages have been put together by the resort to offer guests the ultimate escape from the city. Choose from one, three and five day packages that will allow you to relax, recharge and restore the body, mind and soul.

The purposely curated packages combine fitness, nutrition, personal training, spa, meditation and other rejuvenating experiences to offer guests a holistic getaway. Guests can choose from three packages which offer a multitude of wellbeing experiences.

The One Day Recharge package is a full twelve-hour day experience for those looking for a short escape to recharge their batteries. The day begins with a healthy breakfast and lunch at Epicure and 30-minute mini facial at the resort’s Samana Spa. You can unwind in the pool before an exciting horse-riding hack or personal training session at the Stables Fitness Centre.

As part of this package, you can also participate in a private session of yoga or Pilates on the lawn. This is followed by a reinvigorating 90-minute full-body spa treatment comprising of body scrub and massage. Once you’re done relaxing, finish a delicious dinner at the resort’s in-house restaurant RARE.

The second package; Reset & Recharge is perfect for women who want to adapt to a new fitness regime. This retreat includes a minimum three-night stay at the hotel with a choice of room options. Over the three-day period guests will take part in daily activities including 60 and 90-minute body spa treatments, a 60-minute collagenising treatment and a pampering 30-minute detox bath at Samana Spa. Guests will also have the opportunity to participate in yoga, Pilates and tennis classes, along with making the most of the private horse-riding hack. Melia Desert Palm Dubai’s culinary team have designed healthy portion-controlled menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner that will be served to guests booking the Reset & Recharge package.

The third and final option; The Weight Loss Package is ideal for those who want to focus on shedding some pounds, minus the distractions of a stressful routine. This retreat includes a minimum five-night stay which will begin with a full-body composition analysis.

A customised plan will be devised as per the individual’s BMI and daily activities will include personal training sessions, a Les Mills group class, 90-minute full-body spa treatment, tennis classes, horse riding hack and Normatec Recovery. The resort’s chef will design special calorie-controlled set menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner each day. All guests can access the resort’s wellness facilities including steam and sauna room, infinity pool, lockers, heated chaise lounges and fitness centre among others.

Melia Desert Palm is located on the outskirts of Dubai and offers a lush green escape setting from the hustle and bustle of the city. We guarantee you’ll feel a million miles away.

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Young entrepreneur Priya Jelly, has always had her roots placed deeply in fashion. The founder of new e-commerce site The-Private-Label.com had the vision to bring to life her passion for fashion through a carefully curated online shopping destination based in the Middle East.

Priya grew up in India and Singapore and was inspired by both countries for her fashion choices. Combining a mix of streetwear and evening wear Priya’s unique personal style was the inspiration behind The-Private-Label.com. The site stocks only independently owned brands, many of which are arriving in the region for the first time. To find out a little more about what to expect we chatted to Founder Priya Jelly.

What can you tell us about The-Private-Label.com and why was it so important to you to launch this at this time?

It’s actually the best time to launch right now because the e-commerce market is only going to grow. We live in an “Amazon world” and you can pretty much find everything online now so that’s why I decided to go into this industry.

Secondly, there is nothing like The-Private-Label.com out there at the moment. There is no site curating for eveningwear and streetwear in the region as we are. I researched for a year and a half and I realised I wanted to start something completely different that has my personal touch and also stocks what I would personally want to wear. So it has that combination of streetwear and eveningwear. In terms of brands, we wanted to have something completely different and that is the story behind the name “The-Private-Label.com” because all of the brands on the site are privately owned so it’s also offering a platform for the brands.

Do you think there was a gap in the market for it?

Yes for sure. We are not only catering to the Middle Eastern woman but to international women. The UAE is completely international and I am focusing on all kinds of women.

How is The-Private-Label.com different from other e-commerce sites out there?

The first thing we offer that other sites don’t is that most of the brands we stock are exclusively at with us in the UAE. We are trying to bring brands to the region for the first time. That’s the main difference between us and other sites. We also wanted to have easy delivery systems especially within the UAE where we have same-day delivery. We have easy returns and we are constantly looking for new ways in order to make things better and easier for our customer.

What is the biggest challenge you face?

Every day is a challenge! One of our biggest challenges is time. The industry is still growing and everyone wants to shop online but the technologies still need to adapt to the consumers and what they want. I’m trying to learn every day what the customers require and we are trying to offer that.

What are the criteria by which you choose brands for the site?

First, a brand has to have designs that I fall in love with and secondly, good quality is very important. The story of the brand is also something I really look into.

How do you go about finding them?

It’s very easy – Instagram! I do all the research myself and it’s something that I love doing personally. I stalk celebrities, celebrity stylists etc. and see which brands they are using or wearing and the if I like them and the story behind them I approach the brand. You can find so many amazing brands online and it allows us to have access to brands from all over the world.

Can you share with us a few brands that you are particularly excited about?

I love Giuseppe di Morabito. It’s an Italian designer and the pieces are amazing. I also love Walk of Shame which is a Russian brand of which I have been a fan since 2013. It’s a contemporary evening and streetwear. We also have many new brands coming on the site soon.

Who is the woman that you believe will come and shop at The-Private-Label.com?

Someone who is intellectual, fashionable and wants to be dressed in a completely different way. We are offering more contemporary and different labels so our customer is someone who really wants to explore fashion.

The world of e-commerce is growing quickly in the region – why do you think customers in the Middle East love to shop online?

We live in a very busy world and everyone is occupied with so many things that they don’t have time to shop. So e-commerce is much easier for women who want to shop on the go.  Delivery systems are becoming much faster too so that is changing everything. We also try to put looks together for our customers so it makes things easier for them.

How do you go about keeping a personal touch when the shopper isn’t physically coming to the store?

We have a personal stylist and we use Whatsapp as a personal styling service for our customers. We will ask them what they are looking for, what colours and shapes they like and we can assist them with their shopping. The site is very well categorized to make things easier for the customer.

What is your first memory of fashion?

I used to look through fashion magazines and movies as a kid and take images of clothes to the tailor to get things stitched like what the stars in movies would wear. Back then it was much more difficult to find out where the clothes celebrities were wearing were from so we would take the design to the tailor and ask them to make something similar.

What advice would you give to women wanting to chase their dreams and start their own business?

The first thing is that you need to study the market very closely and never be afraid to fail. Never give up and work hard. If the plan doesn’t work, change the plan but never change the goal. And listen to your customers and change and adapt according to them. Get honest feedback from people that you trust and adapt according to that.

How do you deal with failure or setbacks?

We all make mistakes but we need to be ready to face them, learn from them and move on.

What is something you still want to achieve that you haven’t had the chance to do yet?

I’ve only just started and there is so much to achieve. Until I reach my goal I’m not going to stop and there is still so much to do.

Who is the person that inspires you the most?

Everyone inspires me. I don’t have an idol – sometimes I inspire myself. I can be inspired by anyone.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt so far?

Never be afraid to fail and never be afraid to take risks.

What do you do when you want to switch off?

My phone never gets switched off! There won’t be a complete switch off but I do try to balance my life otherwise I know I will burn out. If I’m in Dubai, I Iove to just be at home watching TV. Being at home to me is peaceful.

Where do you go on holiday?

I used to have a place in the South of France so I go there to switch off. It’s like a second home to me.

What is a book you’ve read that inspired you?

The most recent book that I read was Radical Panda by Kim Scott. It’s about how to be a good boss and also how to run a successful team.

Where would you like to be this time next year?

I want Private Label to be well known in the market and the site where women want to go to find only emerging labels.

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Wes Gordon Creative director at Carolina Herrera Talks Legacy, Happiness and the Future

Valentino’s Le Blanc Collection Comes to Dubai With an Exclusive Made-To-Measure Service

A&E Editorials: Discover the Fendi Spring/Summer 2020 Collection

When he took on the role of Creative Director at Carolina Herrera in 2018, Wes Gordon became the first designer to assume such position other than Carolina herself. So there’s no doubt the pressure must have been immense.

But the transition of the brand into Gordon’s hands seems to have been a seamless one. One that has seen the fashion house go from strength to strength in the last two years. Gordan has made the job look easy with his focus on creating colourful, joyful pieces for fun-loving, confident women, he has continued to express the codes of the House while giving his own interpretation to the designs.

American-born Wes Gordan spent years interning with Oscar de la Renta and Tom Ford before launching his fashion label in 2009. His contemporary designs saw him become a regular choice for celebrities including Gwyneth Paltrow Michelle Obama and Katy Perry.

Carolina Herrera SS20

In 2017 Gordon decided to close his label and he took on a consulting role at Carolina Herrera. When Herrera herself decided to take a step back from the House in 2018 there was no better choice than Gordon to perfectly carry on the legacy of the brand. Here, he discusses the future of the House and how he will continue to uphold the legacy of the brand.

What do you love most about what you do?

I genuinely love and relish my work every day and feel so lucky to be working at a House that celebrates beauty and such a high level of craftsmanship. I am excited to go into work on Monday mornings and sad to leave at the end of the week!

What are the challenges you face with a brand that has such a rich legacy and how do you ensure that you respect Carolina’s vision but put your own twist on it?

I am fortunate in that I find my taste and what I see to be beautiful is very close to what Carolina likes and is drawn to. I do not find myself compromised by what is right for the brand. For example, I adore the fact that Carolina loved playing with polka dots and dramatic sleeves in her collections and those are codes that I continue to adhere to and explore in our collections today.

Carolina Herrera SS20

What is the vision for Carolina Herrera in 2020?

Herrera stands as an everlasting expression of beauty and joy and a reminder that no matter how grey the day may appear, life is wonderful. I’m constantly in a sense of optimism and fearlessness.

Who or what has been your biggest inspiration when it comes to design?

I love travelling and meeting our customers on the road. I get to see my designs come to life when they are wearing them and I love to hear first-hand what their everyday life needs are from fashion.

What are the biggest differences you find working on your own brand compared with working for a brand?

When you are at the helm of your own company you are building the structure as you go; every decision is made for the first time, whereas at an established house there’s an existing framework within which to operate. Rather than being limiting, it’s quite exhilarating to creatively work within an existing foundation.

Carolina Herrera SS20

What is the secret for a fashion house to get it right in today’s market?

I think it’s about focus. Focusing on what the brand is and staying true to that and focusing on the customers and what they want.

What is your biggest achievement so far?

Every time a woman falls in love with and wears a piece from Carolina Herrera I consider it a success.

What is something that you would love to achieve but haven’t had the chance yet?

There are so many places I’d love to travel to and explore – our audience is global and I love meeting clients all over the world.

Carolina Herrera SS20

What has been your favourite red carpet moment throughout your career?

We’re blessed to have created so many memorable red carpet moments over the years but one of my favourites was when Sarah Paulson wore one of the first designs I created when I was consulting for the House in 2017. Having said that, there is nothing I love more than seeing a woman on the street in the “wild” wearing Herrera pieces she chose to add to her wardrobe.

Is there anyone that you would like to dress that you haven’t had the chance yet?

As exciting as working on red carpet looks is, the real “goosebump” moments happen when I see a stranger wearing one of my designs. It’s such a humbling honour.

How do you deal with failure?

I believe in always moving forward. There will be failures and successes but as long as you are moving forward that’s what matters.

What advice do you give to aspiring fashion designers?

I think a very important factor is to focus.

Carolina Herrera SS20

What do you think is the importance of the runway show today?

Runway shows provide an opportunity to make a fantasy a reality even if just for a few minutes. They allow the audience to appreciate the hard work of the artisans who have worked so hard on the collection. It’s a celebration of different interpretations of beauty and creativity.

How would you describe your personal style?

My personal style signifiers are black jeans, a great knitted jumper, and colourful socks. My jeans are by Tom Ford, and the socks are often from Uniqlo. This is my comfortable day-to-day uniform for both work and weekends.

What does luxury mean to you?

The way I interpret luxury is the luxury of time and the luxury of space. Being able to spend time with loved ones and animals.

Carolina Herrera SS20

You work a lot with colour, what do you think is the importance of wearing the right colours when it comes to your mood or personality?

I love happy and joyful colours. The House of Herrera has no place for sad colours, which is why I’m always drawn to bright highly pigmented rich tones that immediately brighten your mood. I like to imagine that you’ll find a Herrera woman on an overcast day wearing a shocking pink coat in a sea of black.

What is your first memory of fashion?

From an early age, I was very fixated on what I wore. I wouldn’t go to preschool without my red suspenders and my navy suede shoes.

Who is the Carolina Herrera woman today?

The Herrera woman is someone who laughs with her head thrown back, she dances on tables and she is full of confidence. The boldness and vivaciousness of Herrera is not necessarily associated with any demographic but rather more about attitude.

READ MORE: 

Valentino’s Le Blanc Collection Comes to Dubai With an Exclusive Made-To-Measure Service

Jane Fonda, Laura Dern And Cate Blanchett Celebrate Women with Pomellato

A&E Editorials: Discover the Fendi Spring/Summer 2020 Collection

Valentino’s Le Blanc concept has landed in Dubai. Presented at The Dubai Mall boutique the concept offers customers the chance to experience a made-to-order service and immerse themselves into the Le Blanc world through an exclusive installation.

The Le Blanc collection, which was designed by Valentino Creative Director Pierpaolo Picciolo was first presented at the Spring/Summer 2020 show and is the House’s translation of its Haute Couture values into prêt-à-porter.

The collection comes from the idea of translating the concept of couture for today’s modern world and the idea of sharing the care and details that the concept of Haute Couture possesses with a wider group of people.

The Le Blanc collection itself is created completely in white, symbolising opportunity. The collection features the essential pieces of a woman’s wardrobe including the white shirt, the shirtdress, dress, pencil skirt and Bermuda shorts, all of which have been reinterpreted with the richness of couture in cotton poplin, demonstrating how the ordinary can become extraordinary.

Two looks from the collection will be available as a made-to-order service in selected Valentino boutiques worldwide, including Dubai. The two white shirts will be available with six different ts and various embellishments, offering each customer a personal experience. The Valentino Garavani SuperVee bag will also play an important role as part of the collection and will be presented in a new pure white colour in Dubai as well as in Beijing and Singapore.

The boutique will feature all-white installations made of giant 3D flowers and hanging elements, unique imagery. The special set up will evoke the mood of the Valentino SS20 collection.

The Le Blanc project will be offered at The Dubai Mall from March 8th to 11th and at Mall of the Emirates from March 12th to 14th. A pop-up store at Level Shoes will complement the prêt-à-porter with a new accessories range.

READ MORE: 

Jane Fonda, Laura Dern And Cate Blanchett Celebrate Women with Pomellato

A&E Editorials: Discover the Fendi Spring/Summer 2020 Collection

Milan Fashion Week: Fendi, Versace and Bottega Veneta

Pomellato and an impressive cast of Hollywood actresses, fashion leaders, and opinion makers have collaborated to create the third ‘Pomellato For Women’ video. A project that promotes inclusivity, environmentalism, equality, and our need to act now.

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEOS…

Actress Jane Fonda returns to the project for the third year in a row, as well as award-winning actress and humanitarian Cate Blanchett. The video also stars 2020’s Academy Awards-winning and outspoken actress Laura Dern, comedic actress and philanthropist Tiffany Haddish, lauded French actress Isabelle Huppert, as well as social media sensation Max Emerson, French founder of the Maison des Femmes Dr. Ghada Hatem, Irish writer, broadcaster and Sinéad Burke, acclaimed Canadian filmmaker David Cronenberg, Chinese actress Huang Xiang Yi, Italian actress Alba Rohrwacher, Canadian model Krow Kian, and Pomellato Group CEO Sabina Belli.

Each of the women announces themselves hopeful and united in the belief that we can effect change. Speaking in a choral message on their hope for equality and inclusivity, they prompt us to ask ourselves, ‘Who is not in the room?’ Understanding the power of luxury brand visibility, Pomellato uses the Pomellato For Women platform to ignite and promote change, underscoring the Maison’s values of empowerment, environmentalism and inclusivity, as it projects a message of hope.

The Pomellato For Women initiative was first developed in 2017 to highlight the importance of female leadership and a more authentic idea of natural beauty. Founded by a cross-section of women from various disciplines, ages and arts, these ambassadors act as the bearers of Pomellato values.

A true woman’s affair, most of Pomellato’s clients are women buying jewels for themselves, thus Pomellato’s CEO Sabina Belli explains, “In today’s tumultuous social climate, we have a responsibility to do what we can. As head of a luxury brand company designed for women, of course, Pomellato will use its forum to call for change and promote inclusivity. We stand in defiance to equal opportunities and gender equality. We raise our voices loud and our spirits high. We are hopeful for a healthier, more unified, more inclusive future. Pomellato For Women, in the spirit of International Women’s Day, celebrates the achievements of womenkind in its proud pursuit for a better tomorrow.”

READ MORE: 

Dr Fanny Douvere, Coordinator of UNESCO’s World Heritage Marine Programme Discusses the Growing Impact of Climate Change on the Oceans

Hanan Mazouzi Sobati Founder of Arabian Gazelles Discusses Being a Strong Woman in a Man’s world

Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi on Running Her Late Brother’s Fashion Label and Sharjah’s Art Scene

Nestled in the heart of Sharjah The Chedi Al Bait Hotel is a truly unique property.

Built through the restoration and preservation of a traditional Emirati home. In one of the region’s most ambitious preservation projects, the hotel was born through a coming together of Islamic Heritage and contemporary design.

Al Bait meaning “the home” is welcoming from the get-go. The homely environment feels relaxed and meandering alleyways and hidden corners offer mystery combined with comfort. Part of the traditional Emirati home has been converted into a library and museum, while the hotel’s rooms and restaurants are incorporated into heritage buildings that are almost a century old. Walking around the resort you can feel the history that is still deeply cemented into the property.

The gastronomy on offer at the hotel is one of a kind and something that you would not expect to find in Sharjah. A combination of international and traditional cuisine the hotel’s chefs have tailor-made menus at the hotel’s restaurants that are truly unique. The first-class dining on offer is created using fresh local (where possible) ingredients and the chefs are incredibly creative in their presentation and combination of textures and flavours.

The Restaurant Pina Colada Dessert

Bold colours, unusual designs and attention to detail mean the dishes on offer at this hotel are truly one of a kind. Creative mocktails including the lavender-inspired glittering drink are the perfect finishing touch.

Mini Chocolate Garden Dessert

There are a number of dining options to choose from including Emirati gourmet favourites served family-style at The Arabic Restaurant and international fare from morning to evening in The Restaurant.

Both restaurants boast a choice of indoor and outdoor seating, giving diners the chance to appreciate the surroundings while enjoying their meal. The Café offers pastry delights for those with a sweet tooth.

If you’re looking for the true Sharjah experience step out the hotel’s gates and you’ll find dozens of traditional souks selling everything from Emirati trinkets to internationally found antiques.

READ MORE: 

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Escape To The Langham, New York, Fifth Avenue For The Holidays

Fendi’s Spring/Summer 2020 collection will get you in the holiday mood with bold prints candy colours and statement accessories, perfect for a summer getaway. Discover more below.

Vishy Sequin Dress
Promenye Sunglasses
FENDI monogram initial sunglass chain
All FENDI

DUO Baguette
Vishy Mesh Top
Pico Baguette
Quilted oversized jacket Quilted skirt
FF Mono Earring
All FENDI

DUO Baguette
Vishy Mesh Top
Pico Baguette
Quilted oversized jacket Quilted skirt
FF Mono Earring
All FENDI

Cropped jacket with pointed collar with matching paperbag waist pant
Fendi Fab Bag
Pico Baguette
All FENDI

Cropped jacket with pointed collar with matching paperbag waist pant
Fendi Fab Bag
Pico Baguette
All FENDI

FF Mono Earring Pequin Stripe Cardigan Vishy Mesh Shirt
All FENDI

FF Mono Earring Pequin Stripe Cardigan Vishy Mesh Shirt
Vishy Print Short
FF platform slide Peekaboo Shopper
All FENDI

Blooming Flowers Dress Acid Green Peekaboo large
Acid Green Baguette
All FENDI

Oversized silk shirt dress Sunshine shopper Baguette slingback
All FENDI

Vishy Sequin Dress
Promenye Sunglasses
FENDI monogram initial sunglass chain
All FENDI

Dr Fanny Douvere is a woman with a huge challenge. In her role as Coordinator of the Marine Programme at UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre in Paris, she is responsible for overseeing the mission to conserve and sustainably manage UNESCO’s Marine World Heritage sites.

With over one thousand Heritage sites in the world including fifty marine sites, these exceptional areas are prone to destruction and damage as a result of the growing effects of climate change and pollution, as unsustainable fisheries, plastic and a general lack of care for the ocean from humans. Many of these sites are crucial to the sustainability of the planet and the protection of endangered species and marine life.

Douvere’s day to day work includes field missions at the sites to evaluate the state of conservation and training to the local people across areas spanning 37 countries of the world. Here we discuss with Douvere the crucial importance of the work UNESCO is doing, as well as challenges she faces and how the future goals will be achieved in the coming years.

Fanny Douvere UNESCO/DANIEL CORREIA

How did you develop your interest and care for the environment and marine life?

I was born in Belgium in a city called Ostend which is bordered by the sea, so from a very early age, I was exposed to the ocean and fishing. I then went to university and studied law and politics before working at the Maritime Institute and that’s where I developed my interest in the subject. I loved the ocean and spent a lot of time being very close to it. Of course, Belgium is a small country and we have only around 65km of coast so I decided to look internationally to build my career and that’s how I got to where I am today.

What does 2020 have in store for the World Heritage Marine Programme?

I have recently taken on new tasks to build on some of the successes we’ve had in the Marine Project and use them to help other natural world heritage sites. Part of the reason for this is that climate change is becoming an increasingly large problem, but more importantly, this year is what we call the “super year” for biodiversity. There were a whole range of international targets that were set ten years ago and the deadline for them was 2020. So this year we will re-evaluate the work and look at what has been achieved at a global level. This will include a United Nations conference on the oceans in June and an international conference in China later in the year which will set the targets for biodiversity up until 2030. So really for us and for everyone working in the environment industry, 2020 is a very important year.

Strengthening marine World Heritage in Sudan through South-South cooperation

Do you think you have succeeded in a lot of the tasks that were set ten years ago?

I think on a global scale, some things have been achieved yes, but of course, there are many aspects that have not been achieved yet. What has happened over the last ten years is that we have seen a tremendous surge in scientific understanding of climate change and how it is affecting biodiversity. So it’s a very mixed story. On one hand, we have had huge success, in 2018, for example, we were able to take the Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest coral reef in the world, out of the World Heritage List of Sites in Danger and that was thanks to the government there who set up a ban on oil and put in many new regulations to protect the site. So there are huge successes but on the other hand, of course, there has been a huge acceleration in the loss of biodiversity, even in the flagship protected areas.

What is the outlook for coral reefs in the face of climate change?

Two years ago we launched the first global scientific assessment on the impact of climate change on coral reefs. We have twenty-nine sites that are all very different and also very representative across the globe. We worked with scientists to look at three different climate emission scenarios and the conclusion was that we could lose all of these coral reefs if things continue as they are and this could happen as soon as the turn of the century. Now, at the same time, we are really stepping up our work. So it’s a very difficult situation in which we need to rapidly develop strategies to make these areas more resilient.

Marine World Heritage Workshop, November 2019, Komodo National Park

From your experiences can you give us some insights into how climate change is affecting the world’s marine sites and oceans?

There are actually two sides to this. On the one hand, the effects are on nature but on the other hand, it is people. When it comes to the people component, we don’t necessarily understand exactly what the impact is yet. Of course, when it comes to nature there are very concrete examples including areas that used to be freshwater that are now saltwater, there are areas where we have a huge loss of corals, we also see movements across the oceans especially with species that used to breed in one area who are now moving elsewhere because the water is warmer or colder. But I think the most important thing is simply the sheer speed at which we are losing species. If you lose one species it can change a whole food chain and this is happening incredibly quickly throughout the world. I think it’s important to stress that it’s not just the impact on nature, it’s also the impact on people. People eat a lot of fish – especially in poorer countries and islands that really rely on it. We are getting more and more people in the world so food is becoming more and more important so it’s really crucial that we preserve these species at the sites.

What do you think can be done to further raise the awareness of these projects?

I think there are a number of things can be done both on a global scale and an individual level. One of the most important things is that the temperature of the earth needs to go down. One thing that can be done is for people to no longer invest in disruptive practices that will affect the oceans. That could be done at a multiple range of levels.

We have at world heritage what we call the “No-Go Commitment” in which huge enterprises in industries such as oil and gas, mining, fishing etc. agree to simply stop unsustainable practices and invest in more sustainable options.

Our World Heritage Sites are sacred and they belong to all of us in the world so unsustainable practices like building mines in the oceans, for example, are having a negative effect on the whole planet. So that’s a huge thing that big corporations can do. It also comes down to where investments are going. There is still too little focus on real returns and I think it’s also still very vague on where investments are made. But for example, at an institutional level, big pension firms could make choices to invest in companies that no longer do unsustainable practices in the waters. Even on an individual level, we can simply no longer consume products that come from unsustainable methods and companies. We can change our consumption patterns and no longer consume certain species and this will also help.

There is a global challenge when it comes to C02 emissions, it’s an institutional and corporate challenge with regards to the choices that can be made, and on an individual level, there are things that can be done as well so things need to become clearer and more focused and I think if this happens we can build a huge movement that ultimately will save these sites and oceans as a whole.

Staying with the individual level that you mentioned – there is a certain amount of education that needs to be done so that people have awareness – what can UNESCO do to support this?

Education is at the very heart of what we do at UNESCO. It is important that people are made aware of these topics from a young age, but it’s also incredibly important to educate parents, big corporations and other people on what we stand to lose if changes aren’t made and what we can really do to make these changes happen. One of the critical things is the lack of resources at nature organisations like UNESCO so we need to look at our heritage and what can be done. It’s improving as there is more and more investment coming to us but what we need and what we are working on is to create closer partnerships that can both provide financial support but can also help us to reach out to the kind of people that we need to educate. Education is ultimately at the very heart of making changes and UNESCO is in a unique position to be able to move forward with education so that is something we are focusing on.

Strengthening marine World Heritage in Sudan through South-South cooperation

The challenges on these sites are growing more and more so how do you keep up with what is happening globally and continue to find solutions?

The World Heritage Convention was found in 1972 and we had our budgets and goals laid out when the convention was first signed, but of course, the issues today are totally different than what they were in 1972. This is a critical issue that we are dealing with, especially when it comes to climate change. We’re trying extremely hard to bring the right partners on board, both financially and partners that can assist us in our work. At the same time, however, the World Heritage cannot just be protected by UNESCO. UNESCO is the guardian over these sites and setting the standards but each country needs to adhere to these standards in order to respect the sites. We cannot save these problems alone, it takes everybody. We are collectively responsible for the protection of our common ocean heritage and there needs to be a global collaboration, especially with the right partners in the right places.

Are there any regions in the world that you feel need particular focus at the moment?

We have 1,121 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List and the large majority of those sites are cultural sites. There are only 252 sites that are natural today and of that only 50 are in the oceans. Now when you consider that seventy per cent of the planet is ocean, there is clearly quite a critical gap. There are gaps in certain regions that definitely have exceptional marine ecosystems but there is not yet much research done in some of these regions so we’re not necessarily aware of what is there. This is really sad because at the same time a lot of these ecosystems are already damaged. We also have a major initiative in what we call the “High Seas”. Fifty per cent of the planet is beyond national jurisdiction meaning that there is no specific nation that’s responsible for it. So we are finalising presenting the results and studies to our committee members that looks at exceptional areas in the deepest parts of the ocean.

Beyond that, the Arctic region is also an area that is very rapidly changing due to climate change. There are areas that are opening up due to more industrialisation and it is critically important to look at these areas as well. We launched a publication with the principality of Monaco to look at marine sites in the Arctic that really should have protection, so this is one development.

Marine World Heritage Workshop, November 2019, Komodo National Park

Can you tell us anything about the work you are doing in The Middle East?

We’re actually working quite closely to get more visibility for our work in the Arabic region. We have now a Marine World Heritage Site in Sudan. Port Sudan is a marine site near the coral reefs in the Red Sea. There is a very interesting point about coral reefs in the Red Sea that they are perceived to be much more resistant to climate change and warming waters than other coral reefs around the world. So it’s a very interesting place for us to really invest and focus on protecting that site. It could be one of the few coral reef systems around the world that could potentially resist to warming temperatures.

What would you still like to achieve with your position that you haven’t done yet?

There are three main things that I would like to achieve. One is to see unsustainable fishing no longer happening in any world heritage sites. I think it makes no sense anymore today. Secondly, I would really like to find a way that we can finance the protection of these sites. The problem is that we are working on a project by project basis so have different projects to solve different problems, but the issue is that we are really missing a lot of the problems. I think one of the things I would like to see happening is some kind of environment fund or more sustainable financing at a global scale that can give us the means to protect these places. Thirdly I think it’s about education. We can put as much money as we want into this but unless people change their behaviour it won’t make much difference in the long term. I would like to help people realise there are really simple things they can do but they really need to be done and people do need to change their habits in order to work towards solving these issues.

Strengthening marine World Heritage in Sudan through South-South cooperation

What difficulties do you and have you faced as a woman working in this industry?

The reality is that I generally feel treated correctly and by nature, I am a person who would quite quickly indicate if there was anything out of place. I feel con dent that I would step up and say something if there were any issue related to this. Unfortunately, the reality is that it is happening, that there are certain circumstances in which being a woman does make things different. There have definitely been instances in the past where because I am a woman I wasn’t necessarily taken seriously and you cannot deny that it happens. On the other hand, UNESCO is an organisation that actually has put in place clear regulations on all of these issues and it is an organisation that is promoting women in more senior positions. Our Director-General right now is a woman herself. Clear regulations have been put in place for things like harassment and I think that really changes the dynamics. I feel that I am actually working in an organisation that takes these issues seriously and are serious about promoting women in higher positions so I think I’m maybe in more of a privileged place that others in other industries.

How do you stay motivated when you are dealing with such huge challenges in this sector?

In my position, I am travelling to some of the world’s most beautiful places and we do see a lot of destruction and it can be very disheartening. But on the other hand, I do have a lot of hope. In our day to day work, we have a lot of successes like in Belize, for example, we are having huge developments. In the Philippines a few years ago we were actually able to move a shipping lane via the International Maritime Organisation so that ships that travel from Singapore were no longer passing near to the World Heritage area. There are a whole range of achievements I can list and we do see people really changing the way they are doing business and I think that’s what gives me hope. On a broader scale when you look at investments there is a whole movement going on when it comes to governments and corporations considering where their investments go and the environment is becoming a key part of this. World Heritage can really be a part of this movement and it could really make a difference. This is what gives me hope. What it comes down to is how can we use our resources to support this? That comes back to some of the events that have happened over the last couple of years and we are definitely building momentum to support the world heritage sites.

What is the professional motto that you live by?

Dream big, work hard, never give up.

Where do you travel when you’re not working?

I travel so much for work so I actually don’t travel that much for holidays but I do try to go to places where I can take a good book and calmly read. Working internationally we have sites all over the globe so my job is twenty-four hours so I think when I go on holiday I like to go somewhere where I can just read a good book. But I don’t travel much for personal time.

Marine World Heritage Workshop, November 2019, Komodo National Park

What is a book that you’ve read that has inspired you?

A book by Dominique Loreau entitled “L’art de la simplicité – How to live more with less.”

What can people do to get involved or to help support the causes?

You can visit our website at whc.unesco.org/en/activities/13/

Supercar fan Hanan Mazouzi Sobati has loved fast cars from a young age. Growing up watching Formula One and being inspired by some of the world’s most famous drivers, the female petrolhead had a dream of creating a women’s only supercar club that would allow ladies to have unique driving experiences and come together to share a common passion of driving.

At first, it seemed like this was just a dream, to create something that would be so unusual in a world that was traditionally dominated by men, but Hanan fulfilled her passion and successfully launched Arabian Gazelles in 2016.

The UAE’s first and only women’s only supercar club has attracted hundreds of ladies from over twenty nationalities. This growing community regularly comes together for experiences and drives that allow women to express their love of supercars. Hanan Mazouzi Sobati has defied the odds to create this group which goes against the rules of a sector that has predominately been led by men. Here, we discuss with Hanan what inspired her to take the leap to launch her own company and the challenges she faces as a woman in a man’s world.

What first attracted you to the world of supercars?

Ever since I was young I have had a passion for fast cars, I always enjoyed watching Formula One and I was inspired by driving legends such as Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher.

What inspired you to set up your business “Arabian Gazelles”?

One of the main reasons was my growing frustration with the automotive industry and the way in which women were overlooked in this male-dominated sector. It seemed that people just accepted it but no one did anything about it. So I decided to start the platform and discover if there were other women with the same passion as me who wanted to join me in building this community. We have now grown to over 125 members from more than 20 nationalities.

Why did you decide to keep it as women only?

Because the whole world is a man’s club! So for me, it was natural to create a space for women to enjoy our passion, network and empower each other. Having said that, I’m not trying to create a sexist, anti-man movement, we do invite our member’s husbands and partners to join our experiences from time to time.

Who is the woman that Arabian Gazelles appeals to?

Someone who is passionate, confident and adventurous.

Can you tell us about some of the activities that are organised for the women?

We have a lot of awareness rallies for charities, luxury driving experiences, track days, drag races, exclusive drive-and-stay weekends, high-octane luxury events and challenges days where we include the Arabian Gazelle’s male partners too!

Traditionally, supercars have been seen as something that appeals to men – how do you think they also appeal to women in today’s society?

It’s no longer the case and we are here to prove it. We love driving high-performance cars, we love their engineering, their agility and handling, their style, torque, and engine power. We don’t want to sit in passenger seats cheerleading men, we want to be leading women’s rallies and convoys and enjoying sharing our passion with like-minded women.

What are the challenges you have faced in the sense of being a woman in an industry that has traditionally been ruled by men?

Challenges were inevitable as it is an industry that has traditionally been dominated by men. We were met with objections and derogatorily comments by a few but these same people soon realised that we share the same genuine pleasure for driving our cars. They also realised that some of us bought our cars with our own money and some were lucky enough to afford this luxury and are grateful for it.

What would you say is your biggest achievement so far with Arabian Gazelles?

There are too many to mention! We have been nominated for many awards in the visionary categories and as a business and these are the moments that are the biggest achievements for me.

What’s the most surprising reaction you’ve ever had to your company?

There was an event organized by the Abu Dhabi tourism board and international VIPs had requested a drive with the Arabian Gazelles during their stay. They have never come across a club like this before, let alone in this part of the world, so we were really glad to have this opportunity to change the mindset of these people and show the world what a progressive and empowering county we live in.

How would you describe the experience you are trying to create for the women that are part of your community?

I’m creating unique experiences that money can’t buy. I want them to be engaging, thrilling and fulfilling for the ladies.

What is something that you would still like to achieve that you haven’t had the chance to do yet?

I want to have a racing licence. This is what I plan to achieve this year.

What does the coming year have in store for you?

Potentially a TV documentary or series about Arabian Gazelles, which will highlight the profiles of some of the fabulous empowered women that making up our group.

What can you tell us about your business in Saudi Arabia since, especially since the driving ban for women was lifted?

This is still in progress but it is something we are working on for sure.

Who or what is your inspiration?

I am inspired by my passion.

What advice would you give to women who want to set up a business that is perhaps a little out of the box but are afraid to take the leap?

Take the leap and you will figure out along the way. Life is too short and far too precious to waste time going through the motions and choosing the safe options. These are distractions from what will really bring us joy.

How do you deal with failures or setbacks?

Failures and setbacks are progress in disguise. I acknowledge them, embrace and learn from them.

What is your favourite car to drive?

All supercars are incredibly tempting to own! I don’t have a particular favourite, It’s impossible for me to choose just one.

Which car do you drive to when you want to relax?

A Morgan Aero SuperSport.

What are the professional and personal mottos that you live by?

Always be yourself, except if you can be a Gazelle… then always be a Gazelle! A second one would stay humble, original and real.

Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi, daughter of the ruler of Sharjah Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi, is a woman of many roles. Her day job as President and Director of Sharjah Art Foundation (SAF) requires her to oversee the positioning of art in Sharjah through exhibitions, presentations, the promotion of young artists and much more.

She has been working to bring life back to Sharjah’s art scene and put it on the map by establishing the Sharjah Art Foundation as well as overseeing the Sharjah Biennial. But she took on an even bigger challenge last year after the shocking death of her twin brother Sheikh Khalid bin Sultan Al Qasimi.

Sheikh Khalid bin Sultan Al Qasimi founded his men’s fashion house “Qasimi” in London in with a vision to combine influences from the East and West, particularly his home country of the UAE and the place he learnt to call home; London. He was known for his outspoken approach, regularly addressing political issues through his designs and taking risks. Al Qasimi died suddenly in London last year at the age of 39.

After his death, twin sister Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi was named Creative Director of the brand. Hoor is now responsible for all of the creative and business activities of the company which she is overseeing with the support of the existing design team. This marks the first time she has been directly involved in the fashion world so will come as a huge change. Soon after presenting the final collection designed by her brother at London Fashion Week Men’s, Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi talks to A&E to discuss the future of the fashion brand and how she is taking to this new challenge.

You have taken over the running of your late brother’s fashion label Qasimi – what can you tell us about your plans for the brand?

We just recently showed Khalid’s last collection during London Men’s Fashion Week in January, which was a very special moment for me and his entire team, seeing it to completion. I’m very lucky to be supported by those who worked so closely with him and we will strive to uphold his legacy. We are working on some exciting plans which will be revealed soon, and already well on our way into creating the next collection, which will be my first.

What’s the biggest challenge you face?

Fashion is new to me. So one of the biggest challenges will be to learn and absorb as much about the industry as I possibly can. Luckily, Khalid and I always played as a sounding board for each other in our separate endeavours, him for me with art, and myself for him in fashion – so I feel well connected to it.

Sheikh Khalid bin Sultan Al Qasimi

Where do you start when you take on a responsibility like this?

I start with the belief that it has to be done and then I work alongside the existing team and collaborators to make sure my brother’s vision is well represented.

What is it about London that you think makes it a good fit for the brand?

The brand’s connection with both the West and East epitomises Khalid’s (and my own) identity. We grew up between the two worlds and so London was home to my brother and therefore a big part of Qasimi’s identity. London is also very special in that it is a city of so many cultures.

What is the thing that inspired you about your brother the most?

My brother was a perfectionist; he would not compromise on quality and would keep working to reach his goal. I would see him in his pottery studio sitting at the wheel, the radio on in the background as he made pots. His shelf would be stacked with endless samples he had worked on and if he didn’t like something he made, it would go back to be recycled. My father loved to see that, I remember a time when he asked him if he would make him a bowl.

How do you think your background and upbringing inspired both you and your brother?

Both my parents encouraged us to use our creativity and enrolled us in art and music classes from a young age. It was a major part of our life. They took us to visit museums every time we travelled. My mother’s interest and love of fashion was also something Khalid shared and she was very proud of his accomplishments.

What do you remember from growing up in the UAE?

One thing I always remember was watching the sunset over the sea from the window as I practised the piano after school.

What can you tell us about your other role as the President and Director of Sharjah Art Foundation?

As President and Director of Sharjah Art Foundation, I look after a large programme of activities, including a film platform, performance programme, year-round exhibitions, education programmes, an art book fair, and occasionally curating exhibitions. I also serve on boards and advisory committees for various international institutions.

How do you think the art scene in Sharjah is growing and what would you like to see happen?

I think the scene in Sharjah has been growing organically and it’s great to see the number of artists and audiences who have grown up with Sharjah Biennial and how it has introduced them to various art practices from around the world.

Can you tell us about a hidden gem in Sharjah that we may not already know about?

There are many hidden gems in Sharjah, and we try to encourage people to visit them. Some are old buildings which are being renovated into cultural spaces and others are places to eat. There is a little Afghani bakery near our office in Sharjah for example which serves freshly made bread with or without a filling. You often find long queues outside in the morning. Another is a little tea house by a roundabout behind our SAF Art Spaces, there you find cars blocking the street and causing traffic jams just to get a cup of their special Chai Karak!

What is the professional motto that you live by?

You have to work hard and be prepared to get your hands dirty.

Who is the person that inspires you the most?

No question that would be my father, he works so hard and is a wealth of knowledge. I am very lucky to have a role model like that in my life.

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice what would it be?

Don’t be so hard on yourself. I was a very quiet and insecure child. That was until I saw Okwui’s Documenta 11 that my life changed and made me realise that I had a purpose and a responsibility

As Hermès unveils its new store at The Avenues in Kuwait we talk to Vice President (Sales & Distribution), Florian Craen on the outlook of the retail market for the brand.

The House of Hermès prides itself on offering unrivalled experiences to its customers. A brand that has never followed the trends but has continued to stay true to itself and its heritage for many decades, Hermès is in a league of its own in the luxury market. Its leather goods are perhaps the most recognisable in the world and its ready-to-wear creations reflect the craftsmanship and quality that is at the heart of the brand. So it is no surprise then, that when it comes to the store experience Hermès strives to be the best. The recent unveiling of the Hermès store in Kuwait marked a new chapter of retail for the brand in the region. Located in the prestigious The Avenues in Kuwait City, the new store presents a full transformation of Hermès’ presence in Kuwait.

The two-storey store façade is composed of black marble granite and golden frames. It features huge windows displaying creative pieces and the latest Hermès objects. The store is a staggering 513 metres squared which is double the size of the previous store in Kuwait, meaning it is even more accessible to customers and their experience is an even more memorable one. It showcases the full offering of Hermès’ product range to give clients a broader and more dynamic array of the Parisian house’s collections.

At the entrance on the ground floor, clients are welcomed by the iconic Hermès Faubourg-Saint-Honoré mosaic. Visitors first discover the famous silk collections, perfumes and leather goods. An area for the men’s section carries ready-to-wear, shoes and accessories, and a made-to-measure salon which allows clients to order bespoke clothing. You’ll also find a jewellery and watches room on the ground floor. Upstairs, clients are introduced to the women’s universe, including ready-to-wear collections, a shoe salon and the new Hermès Beauty. For the first time in Kuwait, the new store also introduces Hermès’ furniture among its collections for the home, together with a complete range of the house’s extensive tableware, fabric and wallpaper.

Heading up the opening of this store and responsible for the global expansion of Hermès is Vice President, Sales & Distribution Florian Craen. Craen has been with the Parisian House since 1997 and has grown with the brand, taking on his current position in 2013. Craen first joined Hermès as Regional Manager and subsequently as Managing Director of the Travel Retail division in 2001. In 2006 he became Managing Director of the Hermès branch in the United Kingdom and in 2009 of the North Asia area (China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and Korea). Here we discuss with Craen the store opening in Kuwait as well as the outlook for the future of retail at the house and the secrets to preserving success in today’s everchanging market.

To what extent do you think it’s important to bring the flagship experience to localised markets?

Hermès has a limited number of stores – just over 300 – which is the same number that we had seven or eight years ago. We made the choice not to open more stores but of course, this means that we have to make sure the ones we do have are exceptional. As the collections grow, it requires us to have bigger stores. We want clients to find a local touch in their city, so in Kuwait, for example, I want customers to go to the store and nd an outstanding environment, a great product offering and the best service that is relevant to them. We need to bring a local experience to them. We are very proud to be partnering in the GCC with Al Mana Retail and we always aim for our teams to be as local as they can. We wish to bring the best of Hermès to each of the local markets.

To what extent do you think having this modular is crucial today for a brand to keep its footfall to the boutique consistent?

We are very aware that probably the biggest entry to a brand today is through digital. This means that we need to make sure that the store experience is completely outstanding. Because if people are visiting the stores for nothing more than to learn about the brand, they will go online. I believe our stores offer an experience – places where customers are offered an experience, given advice, the chance to discover activations or have their pieces tailored – it’s not just about getting access to the products anymore because you can do that online, it’s about everything around it. Funnily enough, the digital era is changing the whole dynamics of retail and our lives, but it is also taking us back to basic retail, which is ultimately spending more time in the stores.

You are one of the few houses that did not ride the wave of social media influencers – what can you tell us about that?

For us, it was merely a natural move not to get into this. If you look at the history of the House we have never been involved with celebrities, you never see famous models embodying our brand – no one is embodying Hermès. When it comes to social media influencers it would be too different for us to talk to our audience in this way, we naturally stepped aside from this.

What are the challenges a House like Hermès faces today?

There are many, but I would say the true challenge is to remain ourselves while growing. In many ways, we talk about the company in the same way as when I joined over twenty years ago. Two decades later we are still using the same words: quality, craftsmanship, long- lasting, Parisian style and elegance. The words remain the same but the size of the House has changed. So of course, there is a challenge around guiding and leading our developments while remaining true to who we are. When you talk about craftsmanship you talk about long-lasting products and it takes a lot of time and effort for this, so the size of what we’re talking about is completely different from twenty years ago, but the job we’re doing is the same. If you went to visit our atelier today, it is the same as it was fifty years ago, but we have to pay close attention to what we do because it doesn’t take too much to divert from the track. If you look at the digitalization of the world we could have said ten years ago that what we had been doing for 100 years won’t work the same way. anymore so we need to change. But we decided to adapt our DNA to the changing times. It’s not that we don’t change, we constantly change, but it’s an evolution rather than a revolution.

People in the Middle East have a huge affinity with the Hermès brand – what can you tell us about what’s coming in terms of growth in the region?

The ambition for us is to do better in the locations that we are already present. The goal is not necessary to open more stores. We have no immediate projects although we have a store in Beirut that we are very proud of even though it is dif cult there at the moment. We have seven stores in the Middle East – six in the GCC plus Lebanon, and our commitment is to allow each of them to shine. With Dubai, we will continue to grow and other destinations in the region will be a natural step for us one day, but at the moment we are committed to growing our seven stores. What we’re witnessing today in Kuwait is what we are committed to doing and that is to transform each of our stores into a place of local experience where local clients will feel emotionally connected.

What can you tell us about the launch of Hermès Beauty – how did it come to life?

As often at Hermès, it was based on a vision. There was a collaborative under the ages of Pierre-Alexis Dumas, Artistic Director of Hermès, a community of creatives came up with a very interesting proposal that also echoes the brand. The decision to enter this market took us years, but I would say it happened thanks to a group of creative minds who made a great proposal. A creative team builds the objects and then we, as the sales and retail teams, create an internal market where all of the store managers from around the world come together and tell us if they would buy each particular product for their stores. This is how we decide on whether to launch something or not. In Dubai, for example, we have two stores so two teams come and they don’t necessarily buy the same thing, so when our clients visit the two stores they don’t necessarily see the same products. So there is real creativity in our process.

What is one thing that you haven’t achieved yet that you would still like to do?

In my job you can never be satisfied with what you’ve achieved. It’s about emotions and customer experience, so every time I do something I wish I could have done it better. It’s an endless quest because customer expectations change and our expectations change. The store in Kuwait is a store that we wouldn’t have had ten years ago. It’s unique in that you won’t find the same concept anywhere else in the world and that’s something that has always been our signature. So to answer your question, there are a lot of things that

I think we should be continuing to improve. Customer expectations change, people are very well informed and they have access to anything at any given moment. Our client base has changed. So it’s a very challenging environment compared to what it was before.

In terms of communication, Hermès is very tactical, ensuring it is in the right places at the right time – do you think that over visibility kills desire?

There is a contradiction between visibility and success. The more you are desired the more you have success, but the more you’re successful the less desirable you become because you’re everywhere. So it’s a fine line to balance that and that’s why we made the choice, that although we are growing a lot as a company, we don’t want to over-expose the brand. That’s why we haven’t expanded the number of stores. They are bigger and different of course, but we don’t need more stores. I believe that a certain degree of selectivity and scarcity is appropriate.

You oversee the global market – how would you asses the market in the Middle East in recent times?

It’s an interesting market because it is probably the most global-local market. We have a truly genuine local client base that’s very loyal to their store and our store managers can even name some of the clients, we have a very personal relationship. At the same time, they are the most global clients because they either have second homes or they travel all the time, so we see them all over the world. I always refer to this part of the world as being very local and loyal and yet, very international and global at the same time. But there is a very strong local attachment to the store for sure.

Speaking of loyalty, are you noticing that the younger clientele of today has no loyalty anymore for a specific brand, and what is your strategy to make sure that you keep the existing clients?

I always try not to generalise but the truth is it’s true that behaviour in different generations can be quite different. But I always try not to generalise between different clients. We certainly have in some countries people who want to build relations, even at a young age and they are very proud of being known to the brand. I’m quite impressed that even young clients try to connect with us and this is the way we build a relationship with them. I don’t think it’s that young clients are less loyal to a certain brand, I would say people are more interested today in having a diversity of brands. So they have their loyalty but it’s a different type of loyalty than what we have seen in the past. But there is still a very strong appetite for connections and bonds and I see this even with young clients.

In your opinion, what is the first thing that any brand that wants to succeed today should avoid?

We all make mistakes but the only thing I would say is to stick to what you do well and don’t do anything that could harm this. For Hermès, what I think we do well is the products and ultimately this is the only thing that matters. It has to be a well-manufactured beautifully crafted long-lasting object and for us, we must resist the temptation of doing it differently. Either marketing it differently or leading the production process differently or changing the raw materials. Stick to what you do best and protect it. For us, if there is one thing we need to protect it’s the genuine craftsmanship which is at the heart of the House.

Do you feel a big responsibility carrying the legacy of the brand?

I honestly don’t feel like there is a big responsibility because I have always experienced and lived internally through the house so it’s not a matter of steering it. I’ve never thought I was carrying the responsibility or burden of the distribution or sales of the house alone. It’s a collective work with people whom I have grown with within the House and the way that we manage it is very collective. It’s not a one-man show at any level. Everyone respects one another and their roles.

What are the common codes between you as a person and Hermès as a brand?

In the end, I think the house creates personalities and personalities create the house. I’m very touched by the expression of the house and the fact that it’s not about the logo or a person or a designer – it’s about a collective of creatives, artists and salespeople and if you take these three there is a common link that we all have which is to hide behind the signature of the house. For me, I was always touched by this and I always felt comfortable in this environment.

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Alissar Nasr Soubra, Chief Academic Officer at AMSI Has Inspired Thousands of UAE Students to Achieve Their Dreams

Chief Academic Officer at AMSI, Al Mawakeb Schools and ISAS, Alissar Nasr Soubra has inspired thousands of young students in the UAE to achieve their dreams. We discover her recipe to success.

Academia Management Solutions International (AMSI), and its schools, are responsible for transforming the lives of students in the UAE for over 30 years with over 20,0000 students enrolling at one time or another. Students from all nationalities including many UAE nationals have gone on to achieve huge success. Many of the most successful and recognisable names in the UAE were graduates of AMSI. Someone who has been at the heart of the AMSI corporation for over 25 years is Chief Academic Officer Mrs Alissar Nasr Soubra. An AMSI graduate herself in 1984, Nasr Soubra has dedicated her career and in many ways, her life to the students and has mentored thousands of successful graduates.

Alissar Nasr Soubra

As Chief Academic Officer at AMSI, Al Mawakeb Schools and ISAS, Alissar Nasr Soubra is responsible for coordinating all aspects of curriculum development, delivery and assessment, as well as student support programs and services for all AMSI-managed schools. In collaboration with a dedicated academic team, she leads the ongoing process of reviewing, updating and developing the schools’ academic and support programs to ensure that they remain comprehensive, dynamic and improved. She is also involved in various consultancy projects that help existing schools in assessing, restructuring, and enhancing their academic systems and programs

But it is her infectious personality and positivity that has helped to inspire thousands of students throughout her career. Alissar has seen some of the most influential men and women in the UAE sit in her classrooms and she does remember every single one of them. Ask her to name any student from a photograph and she can do it! She is still in touch with many of her students and has become friends with and regularly meets with many of her alumni. Alissar’s personal touch and likeability are perhaps what has made her so successful at helping to raise successful students in her role. Alissar has been in the UAE for over 40 years and has seen it change and develop in ways that many have not. She has also seen the young people change and develop, in particular the young women who she strives to empower and motivate to achieve goals they never thought possible. And it has worked which is something we discovered as she talks us through many of her hugely successful students. Alissar is about more than just giving children a good education. She makes sure to go that extra mile to offer students a personal touch and make appreciate and understand the opportunities of the world today.

So what is the secret to empowering women at a young age? That was the first question on our lips when we met with Alissar in Dubai last month. Here, she shares her not-so-secret remedy and while there are many guidelines and policies that can be followed, what we believe is truly inspiring to these women to achieve their dreams is Alissar herself…

How important is it in today’s society to be empowering ladies at a young age?

The ‘young age’ factor is very important because it initially builds a mindset for the girls which is key. Working with girls that know from a young age that certain things are the norm, not an exception, makes it easier for them to assume their power as they get older. I believe in starting at an early age and that’s why I’m very happy to be in an environment where I can put that into action. It’s important in the same way you build manners or etiquette in young people. I don’t seek equality, I seek equity for girls. We need to teach them that they must get an equal share and equal opportunities. So it plants seeds and those seeds might not show right away, but sooner or later you will reap what you sowed.

What are some of the biggest challenges you see young girls facing today? 

Who are we fooling? The struggle is still there and it’s still very much alive. Maybe one of our greatest challenges is still men and how they perceive this subject. So while I think we’ve made huge strides and there are a lot of men adopting a new approach, there are still issues. Don’t get me wrong, almost every time I speak to a woman who has felt empowered, she has had the support of at least one or two males figures in her life. In my case, my father and my brothers played a huge role. I never felt that I wasn’t empowered, it was normal for me. I always had the same opportunities my brothers had. We need more mothers educating their sons to grow up to do this because if the men don’t get on board faster the problem will not go away. In the UAE this has taken effect but we know it’s not the case all over the world. There are a lot of countries that are still way behind. So a big challenge is how do we get boys to understand this. For me, it’s a duty that I have with my son and it is something that I intentionally work on within my parenting technique. I want to be sure that my boys understand the value of the women in their lives and the importance of their contribution to society. This is something that every mum, sister, aunt needs to do as I don’t think enough of us are.

Another very important thing is that often it is women standing in the way of other women. This is why a huge aspect of what I work for is how to get these girls to understand that their biggest support is other girls and they should not stand in the way of each other. This is something that is happening, even at a young age through gossiping and talking behind each other’s backs. Most of the time when you see bullies, it is girls bullying girls, not boys bullying girls. This is the beginning of women not supporting each other in the future and it’s something that I’m consciously talking about with the girls.

Alissar with the AMSI Voices Steering Committee

What are some of the results that you have seen from this?

The women and their positivity are the results. That is what I focus on. Instead of talking only about our struggles let’s talk about our successes. Let’s talk about the fact that there are now women ruling the world and if there were more women in these positions I think the world would be in a better place. I think that the future belongs to women and that’s because of what women did in the past that got us to this point. I am how I am because of what my mum went through and I think it is changing in each generation. Women are finding their voices and that is having an impact. Another positive is that women are realising that yes, family is important if you can make it happen, but it is not a minus in your life if you don’t have it. This is a big challenge for Arab women specifically and is another stereotype that I am intentionally breaking because I know so many women who do not have families but are amazing and giving back to their communities in other ways.

What are the strategies you adopt as an educational body when it comes to empowering women?

Communication is key as well as leading by example. I don’t always do everything in a formal way. I might walk with the girls in the hallway or sit down on the floor with them and talk. The teachers in my team do the same because and this is because in a formal setting the message doesn’t always sink in. I approach my students from the angle of “whatever you want to say, say it.”

We also created AMSI Voices. I started this group five years ago with some of my alumni, a lot of them UAE nationals from different walks of life, and they came together and decided that we have to give back. So we go into the AMSI schools and educate the children on the successes and experiences of the alumni. To date, we have delivered six conferences and we have also created opportunities on campus for alumni to come in and talk to the children. So far over 250 alumni have been back and talk to the students, running panels and sessions to teach specific skills. It’s been very empowering for boys and girls. The first conference; “Girls are Makers of Change”. saw twenty-four alumni present, all UAE Nationals and in all different positions from artists, to doctors to lawyers, to entrepreneurs. We had a full day and the keynote speaker was Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimi who is also one of our Alumni. We also have something called Monday 101 where alumni come and give workshops to the students and they rotate and learn different skills. This is another pro-active action that we took to get involved and make sure that the girls are getting their fair share of exposure to options.

What do you think schools can improve on with regards to this subject? 

I’m going to continue to do what I do and maybe grow this network even more. My dream is to someday maybe take what we do with AMSI voices further than just within our schools. Why aren’t more schools doing this? So that’s something that needs to be looked at. The second thing is policies – how do we become more effective in enforcing policy changes? We also need to invite more women to become vocal about their struggles but also their successes.

What is the biggest challenge you face in what you do to?

Aside from how we get these messages through to the girls and boys, a big challenge that we face is policies and what the governments are doing to accomplish the equity that we are looking for. Some laws are outdated in many countries and we need a pro-active executive policy to take quick action. We are blessed to be in a country where laws can change very fast, but that’s not the case everywhere in the world. Again if we have more people taking part in this then the results will be achieved quicker.

What would be your biggest achievement so far?

I measure my achievements by the achievements of people around me, not by my own. So when my students succeed I see it as a success for myself and that is a high beyond all highs.

What is the feeling that you get when you see your past students achieve success?

It is the best feeling on the planet. It is a feeling of tremendous pride and hope. I am a true believer in the young generation and I don’t like it when conversations about the teens of today take a negative turn. They are way ahead of my generation when we were their age and I think the world is in good hands. I think the kids of this generation will be agents of change. I consider it a privilege to be amongst these them and I am very grateful.

What advice would you give to young people who are afraid to take a step to achieve their dreams? 

I would say it’s Ok to be scared. You would be mistaken if you think that I don’t still get scared sometimes. Fear is not a bad thing if you turn it into something that drives you forward and doesn’t hold you back. The second thing I would say is to silence the negative voices in your lives and find the strength in other people in your life. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and turn that negativity into a positive. Please stop using or finding excuses for not moving forward. I have seen students come out of very distressing situations and turn them into strong, positive experiences. It is doable to turn every negative into a learning opportunity.

Can you tell us about one success story that has touched your heart?

Yes, and I want to talk about unique achievements. Reem Al Hashmi is very special to me and also Hind Seddiqi is very dear to my heart. Another is Elham Al Qasimi. who was the first Emirati woman to trek to the North Pole. What stuns me about her is that when she did what she did it was incredible – she did it at a time when a UAE woman would never do this. She also carried the Olympic torch in London in 2012. These are the little things that you have to appreciate.

Nouf Omar, one of our alumni is a pilot for Emirates. She came to our first conference dressed in her usual clothes but she brought with her pilot’s hat. At the time she was around eighteen and she said: “my dream is to wear this hat.” Then three years later she came back and she was dressed in a full pilots uniform and she had made it. This inspired a lot of the girls who may have been told they couldn’t be pilots. The students need to hear strong voices and they need to realise that it isn’t easy.

There are so many women who became doctors when no other Emirati women were and some of these women are in the privileged position of being leaders in their field. There is a UAE archery made up of six girls and three were our students. There are so many and so many boys as well, the list is so long. I am very proud of each and every one of them – from the doctors to stay at home mothers.

Alissar with her mother

How do you think students in the UAE are open to opportunities that perhaps they wouldn’t be in other parts of the world?

There are absolutely more opportunities available in the UAE compared with other countries. One of my goals is that I want students to understand and appreciate how lucky they are to be in a country that offers them so many opportunities. And I want them, especially the UAE nationals, to understand that they have a responsibility to give back to their community, their country, their society and their families.

What are the personal and professional mottos that you live by?

Bring it on.

What is a book that you would recommend reading? 

“Outliars” by Malcolm Gladwell. It’s a fantastic book and the message that I take away is to stop thinking that people are born innately talented. There are a lot of people who made it in the world because they had luck and they sought support. I like books that have a message of hope but also have practicality and fact.

Who is the person that inspires you the most?

This is something my students ask me a lot. In truth, I don’t have one answer. Of course, my parents inspire me, but I truly get inspired by so many people in my life. It could be from anyone from an Uber driver to a waiter to one of my students.

What is your morning routine?

When I get to school I love walking around talking to the kids or anyone I run into. Anyone from the kids to the janitor to the principal. I love communicating with people on all levels.

What would be your alternative career? 

I love what I do but initially, I wanted to study marine biology because I have this unexplainable love for whales and dolphins. Aside from that, I love science and physics and maths so maybe I would be an engineer. But right now if you ask me, I wouldn’t want to do anything else.

What is the goal that you would like to achieve in 2020? 

I don’t like to have resolutions as such as I feel they limit you. I’m more about reinventing yourself every day. So I ask myself ‘what can I do tomorrow that is a little bit better than yesterday?’ I also hope to read more. I’m always looking for a book that makes me feel good. I want to travel more. Do less day to day routine work and more on the groundwork. Spend more time with my parents and family.

By Lindsay Judge

After exhibiting handcrafted works of art that reflect the Emirati heritage in London, the works of the “Heritage” exhibition moved to Sharjah to be displayed at the Al Bait Hotel. At the opening ceremony, Her Excellency Reem bin Karam, Director of the Nama Foundation for the Advancement of Women, stated her deep belief in a heritage council that inspires women to revive the UAE’s cultural heritage, preserving it and transferring it to future generations as part of sustainable development projects.

The project was part of a clear vision and continuous support from Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, President of the Nama Foundation and Honorary President of the Heritage Council.

Irthi – Bidwa artisans

Reem bin Karam, Director of the Nama Foundation for the Advancement of Women plays an important role in the project. Here she shares more on her vision and her aspirations for the future of Emirati crafts in the coming years.

What can you tell us about the Heritage Exhibition and its launch in the UAE?

The products in the exhibition consist of 78 pieces that combine modern techniques with Emirati traditions. Each piece translates the Council’s vision of providing global platforms for cultural and artistic exchange with a view to empowering women professionally and socially, as well as reflecting the highly professional skills of Emirati women. The products include jewellery, furniture, bags, incense burners, ornaments and other creative and artistic crafts. Around forty women and trainees from the Council’s Bidwa Social Development Program participated in the implementation of the products, in cooperation with professional designers and women from the UAE, Palestine, Pakistan, Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Spain, and Italy.

Irthi – Bidwa artisan

What is the role of the Nama Women Advancement Establishment in supporting such initiatives and programs of the Council?

Nama Women Advancement Establishment was created as part of a development vision for Emirati women, formed by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. The establishment is chaired by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, the wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah. Nama seeks to promote equal opportunities for men and women and the achievement of comprehensive economic and social integration.

Nama works through its three institutions; the Sharjah Business Women Council, the Heritage Council for Contemporary Crafts, and the Badri Knowledge and Capacity Building Academy to adopt

and activate supportive and stimulating programs and initiatives for women in various fields, according to an integrated approach that guarantees them and the society the activation of all their capabilities. In this sense, the Heritage Council of Contemporary Crafts works to achieve the professional and social empowerment of women through crafts.

The products were previously launched at the London Design Gallery, what are the global and local echoes towards this participation, and how did the visitors in London react to the exhibition?

We launched the Majlis product range for the first time at the London Design Exhibition in September 2019, as the amalgamation of cultures, artistic techniques and innovative craftsmanship was the reason for the selection of the Majlis ‘Guest of Honor’ exhibition for 2019, representing the UAE. Locally, the council launched the products for the first time at the Al-Bayt Hotel, Sharjah. We have participated with pride and we are con dent that Emirati women are able to provide world-class business. While we were at the London Design Gallery, we saw positive reactions, especially in regards to the ways of combining crafts and arts between Emirati and international cultures. Attendees were surprised that all the designs are handmade, as the quality of the work is very high.

Irthi – product collection – Misbah x Talli

What is the vision behind the collaboration between Emirati craftsmen and international designers?

These creative collaborations are part of the social empowerment that we want to offer to Emirati women to support their development in all professional, social and personal fields. We also seek to expand the horizon of craftsmen and work to develop skills in communicating with other creators from different countries around the world.

How are traditional Emirati crafts such as “tali” and “Safifah” mixed with contemporary techniques?

Some of the works employ traditional crafts in their original form and others are inspired by them and use new contemporary ways to interpret them. The work is also affected by developments in the craft, such as the introduction of new materials and the use of seasonal colours.

Why did you choose the Al Bait Hotel in Sharjah to display artwork and products in it?

We chose Al Bait Hotel because it was built on a restored 19th- century archaeological site and the design combines heritage and modern architecture. The Library is dominated by the home character, which gives visitors an idea of how to display products at home if they were to buy them.

What is the message that the Heritage Board of Contemporary Crafts wants to portray through the exhibition?

Our main message is to achieve the effective social and economic empowerment of Emirati women through crafts and work to develop new generations of craftsmen. In every design, the impression of Emirati women is visible. The proceeds from the Bidwa Center are used to support vocational and social training programs for Emirati women.

Can you tell us about the “Bidwa” program? What is its meaning and what is the goal?

The Council launched the Bidwa Social Development Program with the aim of preserving the rich cultural heritage of Emirati traditional crafts, reviving them and ensuring their continuity over the coming generations, through updating and merging them with contemporary designs and costumes, and presenting them to a wider audience at the local and international levels. The “Bidwa Center” was established in the city of Dibba Al-Hisn in the Emirate of Sharjah to be the base for the program. It functions as a training and production center, and we intend to open other centres that serve the various regions of the UAE.

Irthi – product collection – Oud x Palestinian Glass Blowing

What kinds of women does the program attract?

We welcome women of all ages whether they are beginners or professionals. We seek to attract new generations of young women, whom we invite to think seriously about the practice of traditional crafts and pursue them as a passion and lifestyle. Year after year, the centre is becoming more popular and today it employs more than 60 women ranging in age from 22 to 65, who are learning new types of crafts and working in cooperation with the Majlis team to develop their craft and personal skills and learn new patterns and technologies in the crafts.

What are the challenges you faced when you started this development project to empower women?

As with any major project or initiative, we faced challenges, but we overcame them. At the beginning of the Bidwa program,

we got acquainted with many of the women who created these crafts at home and were interested in joining the program. There were some members of the families who were hesitant about the women joining the program. We overcame this challenge by communicating with the families themselves, and we explained to them that women’s accession to the program is not an ordinary job and that the goal is to develop their craft, personal and communication skills, maintain the continuity of trades, and enhance their experiences through exchange with other artisans and create a community of craftsmen who work with each other and support each other.

Tell us more about the “Design Labs” and “Crafts Dialogue” projects, what are their goals and have the results been so far?

The “Design Labs” project, launched and supervised by the Heritage Council, brings together international designers, craftsmen and trainees from the Bidwa Center for Social Development, to provide opportunities to exchange experiences and knowledge in the eld of crafts and design. The creators introduce “Bedouin” women to new technical techniques and crafts. In turn, the centre provides spaces for training and work, and the professional hands produced from the centre’s affiliates, to enhance cooperation and joint production prospects. The project produced eight groups through these partnerships, and each group covered different technologies, trades and themes.

As for the “Dialogue of Crafts”, it focuses on mixing traditional Emirati and international crafts with modern design. The project succeeded in providing an opportunity for an exchange of ideas between eight designers from the UAE and Europe; They collaborated to produce four exclusive groups that combine light arts and pottery from the UAE, Murano glass from Italy, and leather from Spain. The project comes in cooperation with the Creative Diogo Foundation in Barcelona. The aim of the two projects is to create a literal, artistic cultural exchange, which brings together our craftsmen and trainees with local and international designers. The result is the products in the exhibition which represent different parts of the Emirati heritage.

Irthi – product collection – Safeefah chairs

What are the next steps after the success of this exhibition?

Firstly continuing to empower women by working to launch other groups and new projects through which we bring together artists and designers from all countries of the world with Emirati craftsmen in creative partnerships.

We seek to focus more on attracting younger generations of craftsmen and designers, to ensure the continuity and empowerment of crafts through them, in addition to working to strengthen the links between the council’s projects and programs themselves, so that the success of one project leads to the success of the other.

Where would you like to see the women five years from now?

We aspire to see Emirati artisan women with an international resonance for their accomplishments, and for projects that highlight the true value of Emirati artisan women, and to see them representing the Council and the UAE in global forums, introducing the world to efforts to preserve and develop the crafts.

What is your advice to Emirati women who want to start their own business?

I advise Emirati women to continue to improve, progress and develop, whatever their goal. They are the only ones who can transform the impossible into reality. I want to assure them that support exists, initiatives are in place, and entrepreneurial support projects are available, thanks to our programmes.

Irthi – product collection – Safeefah x Sandcasting

What is your positive motivation?

My family is one of the most important sources of positive motivation, then my passion for work. Of course community service, I have learned this value since I was young and yet it is my motivational source every day. In addition to my volunteer work in many community-based initiatives, such as the Pink Caravan, the Quarter- Century Foundation for Leaders and Innovators, and the Emirates Girl Guides Association.

What wisdom do you follow in your career?

For me, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, the wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, President of the Nama Foundation for the Advancement of Women, is one of the most important people to me. Her Highness taught me that there is nothing more important than human relations, and also taught me to employ my position and my capabilities in serving the community.

What is your favourite book?

I do not have one favourite book, I love reading to learn and to gain new information, nourish my mind and enhance my knowledge and because I love to move to another world of fiction, and because reading sometimes gives me answers to the questions that concern me.

Words by Ruba Nesly

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The latest collections from Milan Fashion Week autumn/winter 2020-21 collections

Fendi

Fendi

Fendi’s fall/winter 2020 collection was a feminine and quirky affair. Candy colours, oversized sleeves, feminine cuts and pieces made for a playful and elegant collection.

Fendi

Materials were luxurious and rich, soft leathers, silky blouses, chunky knitwear and the softest furs brought together a collection that oozed sophistication.

Fendi

Of course, accessories were a talking point as always with Fendi from mini bags to oversized shoppers.

Versace

Versace

Donatella Versace presented men’s and women’s collections together this season for the first time. “Who is the man and who is the woman of today? The reason I wanted to show my men’s and women’s collections together today is because men and women are equally powerful.” She explained in a statement. “It doesn’t have anything to do with gender, it’s that their power comes from a different type of confidence, both from their sensual exuberance and their minds.”

Versace

This collection represented freedom, self-confidence and expression through pieces that could be worn by both men and women as well as key looks that completely embodied the Versace DNA.

Versace

Jewellery-style rings are engraved with Versace’s iconic Greek Key pattern. Structured or bonded fabrics give a strong shape to dresses, skirts and jackets to give a sense of power and confidence. Graphic lines, accented shoulders and metal mesh drape over the body creating sculptural dresses.

Versace

In menswear, shoulders were broad and masculine while there were sports references, head to toe tracksuits and nylon separates. A new sneaker, the Trigreca grounds the looks with a utilitarian edge.

Bottega Veneta

Bottega Veneta

Daniel Lee’s reign at Bottega Veneta just keeps getting more successful and his latest collection was received fantastically once again.

This collection represents a new movement and evolution immersed in a dream world. There’s no denying Lee is creating what could be considered as the new generation of fashion.

Bottega Veneta

The deep colour palette was accented by bold and bright flashes of strong hues. Elongated silhouettes stretch and cling to the body with luxurious warmth and comfort.

Bottega Veneta

Accessories were quirky – finished with tassels or other modern elements.

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The Autumn/Winter 2020-21 edition of Milan Fashion Week got off to a glamorous start as fashion goers made their way to the Italian city.

Gucci

Gucci

First up was Gucci who invited the audience to get closer to the show than ever with a glimpse into the backstage through a glass wall behind the runway. Attendees were reportedly invited to the show via a What’s App voice note from Creative Director Alessandro Michele.

Gucci

The collection “An Unrepeatable Ritual” presented Michele’s interpretation of fashion as a magic event, bursting with enchantment. Michele took inspiration from the pinafores and school uniforms worn by girls as well as nurses uniforms and cutesy pieces. Ruffled hems, oversized bows, Peter Pan collars, silk blouses and layers of tulle came together in harmonious chaos.

Gucci

Max Mara

Max Mara

Max Mara brought some elegance to the runway with an understated neutral colour palette and clean feminine pieces. The collection was inspired by the oceans – from the waves to the silky movement of the seas to the fantasies that come with the oceans.

Max Mara

A colour palette of grey, camel, white and navy was inspired by the seas. Ruffles and textures are added to coat shapes including capes were finished with tassels, toggles, duffels and elegant rope ties.

Max Mara

Pinstripe jackets, checks and bold stripes complete these chic looks.

Prada

Prada

Miuccia Prada’s fall/winter 2020 collection “Surreal Glamour” considers the strength of women and their femininity.

Prada

Layered fringes, deconstructed pleats and a nod to sportswear mark a shift in the notion of glamour. Bold colours geometric lines and the use of flowers highlight a coming together of strong and the soft.

Prada

The lines of femininity are blurred and as we see lingerie juxtaposed against more masculine pieces. A strong colour palette of bold hues brings some life to the autumn season. Volume creates hourglass echoes of the eternal feminine, cinched at the waist.

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Bvlgari’s latest high jewellery collection “Jannah” has been unveiled in Abu Dhabi. The exclusive collection was born through a partnership between the Roman jewellery and Her Highness  Sheikha Fatima Bint Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a member of the United Arab Emirates Royal family.

The collection celebrates the two beautiful cities of Abu Dhabi and Rome through a series of spectacular jewellery creations. The Jannah Collection is the story of two powerful families coming together in a celebration of shared values and reverence for heritage.

The high jewellery collection revolves around the five-petal flowers that adorn the marble ceilings of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and features exceptional pieces. An exhibition displaying the pieces was unveiled in Abu Dhabi and saw members of the royal family, international celebrities and VIPs in attendance. Nine exclusive pieces belonging to Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan were also presented, as well as 26 other jewellery pieces and two watches.

Jannah was two years in the making and brings together passion, love and devotion to heritage, something that is present in both the jeweller’s history and the heritage of the UAE.

Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the granddaughter of Sheikh Zayed bint Sultan Al Nahyan. Throughout her life, the young Princess found inspiration, guidance and beauty in her grandparents’ stories and this is what has inspired her vision for the future. There is a nod to the Princess’s values through this collaboration with Bvlgari which is inspired by a five-petal flower, representing the bond between two special cities.

The collection came together when Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with Bvlgari’s Creative Director Lucia Silvestri. The two spent many hours sharing stories and their experiences of two different worlds, but they bonded through their love for beauty and family and an unmistakable zest for life.

One of the recurring themes shared between these two new confidants was the Princess’s admiration for her grandparents and their tireless pursuit for tolerance and peace in the region. The Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, commissioned by Sheikh Zayed, is the most prominent embodiment of such values.

Lucia Silvestri, Bvlgari’s Creative Director

Keen on preserving UAE heritage and infusing it with UAE’s future outlook, this partnership echoes the richness of the UAE and the integration of its elements in the global scene. When visiting the mosque, Lucia was inspired by the delicate five petals flowers that adorn the Carrara marble ceilings and architecture: this was the starting point of the Jannah Collection and of its Five Petal Flower.

The collection features spectacular jewellery creations using some of the rarest stones. The pieces display the expert craftsmanship and savoir-faire that Bvlgari Is known for and combine this excellence with the spirit and passion of the UAE. One of the highlights of the collection is a necklace featuring a remarkable single cushion-cut 13.38-carat emerald set inside a five-point petal. As a final, secret homage, the Princess had her beloved grandfather’s name, “Zayed”, engraved in Arabic on the back of the pendant.

The “Jannah” inspiration motif at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

The pieces are on display at Louvre Abu Dhabi and open to the public. The exhibition includes several necklaces including the new Bvlgari “poncho” designer as well as a tiara, bracelets, earrings and rings.

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Varun Khemaney and Khalil Dahmash; Co-Owners of VKD Hospitality Group the Group responsible for bringing French-Vietnamese restaurant Indochine to Dubai give an insight on what to expect from DIFC’s latest eatery.

Varun Khemaney and Khalil Dahmash

What are you expecting to achieve with Indochine now it is here in Dubai?

Just as Indochine has left its mark in New York for over 35 years, we hope to create our own history here in Dubai. Our aim is to build a restaurant that is a timeless classic, serving an enticing array of dishes inspired by French and Vietnamese cuisines.

Why did you want to bring the restaurant in particular to the region?

We fell in love with the brand, its history, and its aesthetic. Also, French Vietnamese cuisine hasn’t really been introduced properly in Dubai before, we figured that this would be the perfect opportunity to fill this niche.

You’ve had huge success with Miss Lily’s – what’s the secret?

Hard work, being present and keeping our finger on the pulse.

What do you look for when scouting our potential brands to bring to the region?

We don’t have a set method or criteria when looking for brands – we try and understand what is missing in the market and then figure out how to fill that niche.

Whenever we travel abroad, we are constantly trying new places and getting inspired.

What is the biggest challenge you face?

Staffing – finding the right people and building an eclectic group of individuals who can share and execute our vision is extremely difficult. Even when identifying top tier talent, it is often hard to bring them out to the UAE as they are already doing great things in other established cosmopolitan cities around the world.

How do you decide on the locations for the venues?

We look for areas that have a high amount of footfall and are easily accessible. It’s also good to have other neighbouring restaurants around you as it creates synergy and becomes a destination for all types of people. This is one of the main reasons why we chose to be in the DIFC.

What are your thoughts on the restaurant industry in Dubai and how it has evolved?

Both of us have been brought up in Dubai and it is remarkable to see how much the F&B scene has evolved over the last 20 years. Many of the best brands from across the world have opened up their doors here – people are really spoilt for choice. It’s also nice to see people taking initiative and creating homegrown concepts over the last several years and have become super successful. Dubai is definitely the strongest F&B hub in the Middle East.

With so much competition how do you stand out?

We always try to make sure that we stand out by providing an amazing atmosphere, great food and drinks, personable staff and good vibes. We try and provide the guest with an overall unique experience that isn’t found elsewhere in the city.

What is the secret to longevity in the restaurant business?

Stick to your core competencies, understanding your clientele and making sure that you always deliver a consistent product and experience.

Is there anything else coming in the pipeline that you can share with us?

We have several really cool ideas and concepts that we are planning to execute in the near future – we cannot disclose more information at the moment. You will just have to wait and see!

What is your favourite cuisine?

VK – Chinese and Italian

KD – Japanese and Italian

What is your guilty pleasure when it comes to food?

KD – Ice Cream

VK – Anything with Chocolate!

What would you still like to achieve with VKD Hospitality?

We would like to be a dominant player in the hospitality industry, not only in the UAE but internationally as well.

What is the professional motto that you live by?

Work Hard, play harder.

Who is the person that inspires you?

Our business partner and designer – Serge Becker.

Favourite food to eat?

KD – Spaghetti Bolognaise

VK – Veal Milanese

Favourite dish to cook?

KD – Loves a good old BBQ

VK – Makes a mean cheese sandwich

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As Valentine’s Day approaches we look into the different types of love. Her Highness Sayyida Basma Al Said, Psychotherapist and Clinical Hypnotherapist and founder of Whispers of Serenity discusses the true meaning of love in the 21st century.

What is true love? Is it red flowers? Or a romantic dinner with candles?

We often hear love songs that make us yearn to be with the one we adore, we watch romantic movies and wish we were the characters. We hear about teenagers in love and get excited about those who are getting married. As people, we are always searching for love. Searching for the person who will love us and care for us. It is our human nature to want to find love and have a loving family – it is the innate ultimate dream of all humans. We are on the lookout for true love and we want to find the one that will truly love us, cherish us and look after us all of our life. It is one of those dreams that we all have as teenagers and even as we grow up.

But what is true love? When I was asked to write an article about love I thought it would be easy. But when I really started to think about it I asked myself “what would someone like me write about love when so many scientists and philosophers have already written about it?” So I decided to write about a different kind of love. One that is inspired by mutual respect. A love-filled with sacrifices and concessions.

So what is true love? Is love only between a husband and wife? Or is it between a mother and daughter? Between a father and his son? Between friends?

“True love” is the kind of love that accepts differences and disadvantages. It is giving the other party the freedom to express their feelings without boundaries. Because everything each party expresses will be from the heart.

I think true love is respect and that to me is one of the main pillars of love. To me, love is knowing when the other person is happy or sad; it is when you know the other person needs support and you are there to give it. True love is eternal.

There is trust between partners that is built over time. Even if arguments and misunderstandings happen, as we all face sadness and challenges in life. But when you love someone you help them through their challenges. True love is about having a certain level of understanding. Even when you are apart you still hold respect and grateful wishes for the other party.

“I love you” isn’t as easy to say as many people think. When you say it you really have to mean it. It’s not just words. A lot of people use this word flippantly, at the end of a phone call for example.

Love doesn’t have to be an expensive gift or empty promises. Love is a sweet and honest world. True love is one that lasts and it has to be managed correctly.

I once read a story by an English writer where a husband tells a love story to his wife about a young woman who falls in love with a man. But when you go deeper into the story, you find that the husband actually is the young man in the story and he is telling his wife who has Alzheimer’s Disease. Every time she forgets, he reminds her and for me, this is true love.

Couples often come to me for advice, asking what the secrets are to a successful relationship. I tell them to listen carefully to each other and dedicate one day to doing something special together. Remind each other of their importance. Note down any feelings or thoughts you may have in regards to the relationship and discuss them openly. There is a lot of advice I could give however what any steps require is trust – without this, my advice will be worthless.

Time is very important in any relationship and talking is very easy but with time and practice, you will feel different. There should be no special day for love. The more you invest in a relationship, the stronger it gets, but your feelings have to be genuine and true.

As we grow up, we notice that our understanding of love changes at every age. When you are a child you have a certain kind of love and when you are a teenager it grows into something else. It keeps changing as you pass through different stages of life.

Recently, I enjoyed a new kind of love. Maybe I have seen it before, but I didn’t realise it. It was when I had my daughter. Every time she looked at me as an infant I felt love through her eyes. Even though she couldn’t talk, I could see love through my child’s eyes. I can see it in my husband’s eyes at times… It’s not the same kind of love I felt when I was a teenager. It is more mature, more rational and calmer – and I hope it will be infinite.

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One of the most iconic items in fashion, the Dior Bar Jacket celebrates its 73^rd anniversary today.

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO…

First imagined in 1947 by Christian Dior this elegance piece embodies everything the Haute Couture house stands for.

Its understated elegance and clean lines have been reinterpreted in numerous colours and patterns throughout the last seven decades but the the Bar jacket remains a timeless classic and has been the staple piece in millions of women’s wardrobes for generations.

Recognisable for its clinched waist, soft shoulders, hip-accentuating basque and open neckline the Bar Jacket embodies the House’s finest savoir-faire. Over the years Dior’s Creative Directors have reimagined the shape in their own style and have ensured that its elegance and instantly recognisable image are still a crucial part of the collections.

In honour of this celebration Dior’s Creative Director Maria Grazia Chiuri has created a one-of-a-kind creation that required hours of work to create an architectural work of art. The many steps of pattern-making, cutting and assembly needed to create this special piece can be seen in the video below.

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Zuhair Murad presents his latest Haute Couture collection and discusses his passion for what he does and what love means to him

Lebanese couturier Zuhair Murad spent his whole life dreaming of fashion. From the age of ten, he began sketching designs of dresses and he and everyone around him knew from a very young age that he was destined to be a designer.

After studying fashion in Paris, Murad moved back to his home country, Lebanon, where he opened his Beirut atelier in 1997. Two years later in 1999, he took things global as he made his first catwalk appearance in Rome. The designer has spent the last two decades carefully building his brand and carving out a niche for his highly feminine, glamorous and detailed Haute Couture designs.

Today he has two boutiques, one in Beirut and one in Paris and he has gained international recognition for his Haute Couture collections which are presented in Paris twice a year as part of Haute Couture week. He has developed a huge celebrity following from the likes of Jennifer Lopez to Halle Berry to Blake Lively and many more iconic women who have been seen wearing his designs on the red carpet.

Last month Murad presented his Spring/Summer 2020 Haute Couture collection “Féminines Sacrées”. Inspired by ancient Egypt and the queens who left their mark in history, Murad sent models down the runway taking on the form of goddesses adorned with capes, golden thread, crystals and iridescent fabrics. Evening gowns and cocktail dresses were adorned with brocard, silk tulle, silk muslin, lurex, and Duchess satin,  creating a  sense of elegance. The colour palette of turquoise, vermilion, opaline, cyan and eglantine pink created a luminous sense of luxury. 

In one of his first interviews after the show, Zuhair Murad talks to A&E about his latest Haute Couture collection and the inspirations behind his passion for design.

What do you love most about being a designer?

To me, being a designer is a lifestyle and not a job or hobby. It’s what drives me to wake up in the morning, and what I look forward to the most during my day.

What does love mean to you?

Love to me means faithfulness, passion, and loyalty. It’s the acceptance of a person as they are, with all their faults and their flaws, no matter what.

What can you tell us about you Spring 2020 Haute Couture collection?

The collection was mainly inspired by Egyptian Goddesses and Queens. From Nefertiti, a symbol of beauty to Berenice, the bearer of victory, to Isis, a representation of life and magic and even Iset, holder of the throne, and many more. These Goddesses were a perfect inspiration because they resonate with the Zuhair Murad woman: a strong yet soft, beautiful woman, full of life, magic and triumph.

Are there any particular techniques you worked with this season that you can tell us about?

Yes, since the collection was inspired by Egyptian Queens and Goddesses, a lot of the techniques aroused from Egyptian methods. For instance, the draping was notably inspired by the Egyptian “Shenti” . The collars were made in “Wesekh” style. We used nets in dresses to create fishnet effects. Straps were made wide and crossed at the bust. Similarly, sunray pleats were used as a reference to the Sun God.

How important is it to you to preserve traditional crafts and techniques when it comes to garment design and production?

It is very important for me to respect and preserve traditional crafts and techniques, especially in the world of Haute Couture. Couture is all about having meticulous know-how, about the delicate petite mains, and the savoir fair so maintaining and using traditional techniques is essential to the design of the garments.

What do you think women are looking for in Haute Couture today? Do you think it’s changed?

I believe that when couture first began, pieces were made to be extravagant, and what women wanted from couture was mainly the fairytale aspect it was associated with. This dream-like feature made the women feel beautiful and it made them stand out. Haute Couture was a world of its own. Nowadays, we are noticing a younger crowd gradually moving their interest to couture, and so less of that “extravagance” is looked-for. Women, indeed, still want to stand out and feel beautiful, but they don’t necessarily want that extravagant aspect of a fairytale, they actually want to feel young. And they want that combined with the skilful “know-how” and the uniqueness and exclusivity of couture.

What is the biggest challenge you face as a designer today?

I believe the biggest challenge today is to stand out, in a saturated industry while still maintaining your brand’s DNA. There are so many designers out there creating beautiful pieces but it’s very important for any designer to not lose their personal touch while trying to be unique.

What are your thoughts on how Arab designers are becoming more and more visible in the fashion world?

I’m very happy to see Arab designers beginning to become global successes. And of course, it’s a proud moment for the Arab world to gain increased visibility in the fashion industry, and have designers raise awareness of the region. I’m all for upcoming designers achieving their dreams, whether they from the Arab world or not, everyone deserves a chance at making their aspiration come true. 

What would you say is your biggest achievement so far?

The fact that I was able to achieve my life long dream of founding a successful business as a fashion designer. To be able to wake up every day and be reminded that hard work really does pay off.

What would you still like to achieve that you haven’t had the chance to do yet?

I have many dreams I still aspire to achieve and the fashion industry is very broad in this sense. There are no limits to it and so there is much more I would like to do!

Is there anyone you would like to dress that you haven’t dressed yet?

There will definitely always be more women I would like to dress because every woman is beautiful in her own way and has her own personality. There are so many beautiful women out there, and I would like to reach as many as I can, but I don’t particularly have one specific person in mind.

How does your heritage and upbringing influence what you do today?

I come from Lebanon, and for me, the country’s people, culture, traditions, and various other factors have affected my vision and my designs. Lebanon’s nature and landscape and its different shades and colours throughout the diverse seasons and different times of year have been a big cradle of inspiration to me. The cities are so lively, animated and vibrant – yet the rural areas are so calm, peaceful, and graceful. This juxtaposition has really served as a backbone within the inspirations of my designs. Strong yet romantic, calm yet powerful, modern yet cosmopolitan.

What does luxury mean to you?

Unique design, high quality, defined know-how, enhanced value and extraordinary experience. You cannot compromise on any of these. 

What can you tell us about your approach to design – do you have any specific methods or processes that are unique to you?

I definitely prefer working with a team to working alone. Teamwork is actually a very important aspect for me. I also feel like I achieve more when I am under pressure.

We have heard rumours of plans to expand to beauty products and fragrance – can you tell us anything about that?

As I’ve mentioned, the fashion industry is a limitless field. There is so much more I would like to explore within it and fragrance is certainly one of the many aspects I would potentially like to develop.

What is the professional motto you live by?

To always be organised. To me, organisation is key.

Who is the Zuhair Murad woman in three words?

She is contemporary, sexy, and sophisticated.

What’s your new year’s resolution for 2020?

I’d like to work under less stress. It’s something that I’m really focusing on because nothing is more important than your wellbeing.

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We hear so much about honeymoon destinations, romantic getaways, and couples retreats. And yes, a romantic getaway once in a while has its positives, but what about when we want to get away and fall in love with ourselves, simply enjoy our own company and embrace the place we are in?

Life can be stressful and the beauty of travelling alone and taking the time to gather your thoughts and learn to love yourself again is more rewarding than you can ever imagine. That’s why instead of offering you the latest honeymoon destinations or Valentine’s getaways we present destinations to fall in love with yourself. If it was good enough for Julia Roberts in Eat, Pray, Love, it’s good enough for us!

Unwind at The Residence by Cenizaro Hotels, Maldives

The Maldives may not be the first place on your list when you think of holiday-ing by yourself, but what better than a stunning and peaceful resort to relax with your own thoughts and improve your all-round wellness? The Residence by Cenizaro Hotels has two destinations that will allow you to unwind and enhance your wellbeing. Joined by an interconnecting bridge, the two resorts at Dhigurah and Falhumaafushi offer unique experiences.

Dhigurah is a lush green oasis of nature surrounded by turquoise lagoons and calming blue oceans. This newly opened resort features 173 beach, lagoon and over-water villas each with their own private pool. But the real gem is Dhigurah’s Spa by Clarins. With a range of signature treatments and experiences, try the Essence of Dhigurah offering a coconut scrub to soften and exfoliate followed by herbal body and scalp massage using locally grown herbs and plants. If you’re looking for more than just a spa treatment The Spa by Clarins also offers tailor-made holistic wellness treatments. Try the Rise & Shine to boost your mood and lift your spirits whilst the Beauty Sleep ensures you are well rested during your trip. There are also a series of treatments for a complete physical, mental and spiritual renewal including the Sun Lovers (a 120-minute polish, massage and foot ritual) and the Digital Detox.

Over at The Residence Maldives at Falhumaafushi book onto a three-day detox retreat that will leave you feeling positive inside and out. With three days of treatments, the package includes body sculpturing, contouring and polishing in the resort’s spa. Once you’re done with treatments relax on your private terrace with a good book and listen to the ocean’s waves.

Find Tranquillity at Bvlgari Resort Bali

Bulgari Hotel Bali

There’s no better place to reconnect with your mind, body and soul than Bali. With its abundance of yoga courses, beautiful temples, picturesque walks and stunning beaches, Bali is a place to reflect, relax and fall in love with yourself again. If you’re staying in the south of the island there is no better place to stay than Bvlgari’s luxury clifftop resort in Uluwatu. As the island’s first luxury resort Bvlgari Resort Bali opened its doors in 2006 in this quiet surfing town. With 59 private pool villas, the resort is large but intimate and offers guests the ultimate in luxury and personal space so you won’t even see another soul all trip unless you want to!

Bvlgari Resort Bali is situated 150 metres above the sea on top of a steep cliff. From the top, you can take in the breath-taking views and enjoy both sunrise and sunset thanks to the careful positioning of the resort. 150 metres down in an inclined elevator you’ll find a 1.5 kilometre long stretch of natural beach looking out across the Indian Ocean. This is perhaps one of the vastest and incredible stretches of sea on the island and it really does feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere.

Bulgari Hotel Bali

Designed by architects Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel and Partners, the resort’s interiors are typically Bvlgari with a Bali twist. The modern interiors incorporate natural elements and use materials sourced locally on the island. The hotel was built using hand-cut volcanic stones, rich exotic woods and refined fabrics. Each piece of furniture was custom-made by local craftsmen.

No visit to the resort is complete without a visit to the spa. The unique spa is based on traditional Asian Traditions overlooking the picturesque ocean and offers holistic wellness treatments for the mind, body and soul. Surrounded by pools and water fountains the spa has a feeling of tranquillity. The must-try treatments comprise of a collection of Bvlgari Signature Experiences. The ultimate indulgence is the Unforgettable Double Bulgari Royal Lulur. This consists of a royal ritual experience. Two therapists will attend to each guest and work in synchronised harmony to deliver a unique therapy that includes a body massage rich in exotic oils and herbs and will leave you feeling refreshed and energised.

Another aspect that you will fall in love with at this resort is the food. There are two stunning restaurants to choose from. The Indonesian Sangkar Restaurant offers a modern twist on traditional dishes as you dine on the edge of a cliff, taking in the stunning views. Il Ristorante is the Bvlgari signature Italian restaurant where you’ll find classic Italian dishes that will give you a sense of home.

Discover South Africa’s Art Trail with Arambrook Boutique Hotel in Cape Town

Cape Town’s rich history in art has long attracted many visitors to the city. The recent opening of two international art museums has reignited the city’s close connection to the creative world which offers the perfect opportunity to visit and discover the artsy side of the South African city.

If you’re looking for art then there is no better place to stay than the Arambrook Boutique Hotel. This quaint and uniquely designed property was brought to life by architect Jacklyn Cattell and interior designer Sara Bind. Situated alongside the Liesbeck river the hotel is close to the Norval Art Foundation where you can find 20th and 21st-century art pieces from international artists. Combining design and the appreciation of the surrounding countryside provides the perfect escape to and the possibility to disconnect and relax during your stay.

Another recommended stop on the art trail is The Kalk Bay Modern. With arguably the best view of Kalk Bay Harbour and False Bay, Kalk Bay Modern is dedicated to supporting an eclectic mix of emerging young South African talent, as well as established and well-known names. The gallery also holds one of the largest collections of contemporary San art from South Africa, Namibia and Botswana. Alternatively, the Montebello Design Centre, located in Newlands, is one of Cape Town’s best kept secrets with twenty-five arts and craft studios and workshops, for you to explore.

After a long day of experiencing all the artistic sights and experiences which the city has to offer, guests can sample dishes curated by Arambrook’s executive chef Stacey Lee Chan. Chef Stacey’s approach to customised gourmet cuisine incorporates a range of flavours using locally sourced, sustainably reared natural produce, in line with the property’s green ethos.

Detox your body and mind at Samujana, Koh Samui

The Samujana resort on Thailand’s picturesque island Koh Samui gives visitors the opportunity to detox and distance themselves from the stress and anxieties of life. The architecture at this property is something to marvel over. Each of the 30 private villas has its own unique design with luxurious layouts that allow inside and outside to become one.

There are a number of relaxation, nutrition and detox programmes that will allow you to adopt a healthier way of life that you will fall in love with. The destination detox package is perhaps the most intense, for those who really want to cleanse and get their body and mind into a happy place. This includes guidance by the island’s “Juice Queen” who will recommend a tailormade juice diet to detox the body using organic, cold-pressed and medicinal juice to keep your metabolism going, your organs supported and your brain active. The package also includes a Yoga session with The Yogarden, a 60-minute massage, healthy BBQ dinner with a private chef, hike with a private guide, meditation and meditation session.

After three days of intense detox take time to relax and enjoy the views and relaxing atmosphere, you’re guaranteed to leave feeling completely at peace with yourself.

Embrace Culture at d’Angleterre Hotel, Copenhagen

 

If you really want to immerse yourself in culture, fashion and design, the Scandinavian city of Copenhagen is your must-visit destination. Copenhagen is one of the most welcoming city’s in Europe and it has so much to offer especially for solo travellers. Get lost in the meandering streets lined with vintage shops and local cafes, or find yourself at a flea market bargaining on uniquely designed Nordic furniture. If you want to live like a local rent a bike and take a tour of the city. Discover art museums, famed gastronomy and jazz music.

As one of the oldest hotels in Denmark Hotel d’Angleterre first opened in 1755 in the heart of Copenhagen. It became an institution famous for its elegance, luxury and style. In 2013 the hotel reopened after an extensive renovation and the new design brings the classic elegance of the property into the 21st century.

The hotel features 92 rooms including 55 suites all complete with a contemporary design with a Scandinavian twist. For 2020 The hotel is dedicated to improving its environmental profile by installing a new cooling system and converting all food wastes to decrease the hotel’s CO2 emissions. All light bulbs are being replaced with LED bulbs and sensors in the hallways to automatically turn the lights off when no movement is detected

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Dr. Hayat Shamsuddin – Vice President, Arts and Culture Expo 2020 Dubai explains why she wants the world to know more about the love and culture in the Arab world. 

With Expo 2020 kicking off in Dubai this October there is so much to look forward to. Celebrating the past, present and most importantly the future of the UAE and the world, the event expects to attract over 25 million visitors from 192 different countries over a six month period. One of the key segments of Expo 2020 is the Arts and Culture programme, which will support creativity, innovation and culture, promoting the rich history and traditions of the UAE and the Arab world to visitors from all across the globe.

Headed up by Dr. Hayat Shamsuddin – Vice President, Arts and Culture Expo 2020 Dubai, the Arts and Culture programme has three initiatives: the Visual Arts Programme, the Design & Crafts Programme and the commissioning of the first Emirati opera, Al Wasl. These contemporary creations will bring together some of the best artists, designers and musicians from around the world to inspire millions of visitors to engage with and explore new ideas and stories. Ahead of the start of Expo 2020 later this year we speak to Dr. Hayat Shamsuddin to discover more about what her sector of the project has to offer and why it’s so important to share the traditions of Emirati culture with the world.

What does it mean to you to be part of Expo 2020?

It is an incredible honour and privilege to be here and be able to showcase the UAE’s rich culture and generous sense of hospitality on a global platform. It is also, simultaneously, a very humbling experience to be contributing to such a momentous World Expo.

What is the most challenging part of your role?

The most challenging aspect of my role is ensuring we do justice to the full depth and diversity of the UAE’s culture when showcasing it to the world in a truly authentic way.

How do you plan to attract an international audience into understanding more about arts and culture in Emirati culture?

We are very excited that Expo 2020 will be presenting curated Visual Arts and bespoke Design and Crafts Programmes as well as commissioning Al Wasl, the first Emirati Opera. This will offer an Emirati perspective and embody the contemporary arts scene of the UAE. Through these initiatives, Expo 2020 offers a global platform for millions of international visitors to discover more about arts and culture in the UAE. By bringing together talent from around the world, these programmes reflect the cosmopolitan cities of the UAE that welcome more than 200 nationalities with diverse cultural backgrounds and languages. Our programmes are also designed to highlight the UAE as a global centre of the creative and knowledge economy in the region.

Why do you think it’s important to share the traditions of the Arab culture and in particular the Emirati culture with the rest of the world?

With 192 participating countries, Expo 2020 will be the largest ever event staged in the Arab world. While each country is invited to showcase their own culture, millions of visitors from around the world will experience warm Emirati hospitality at its finest, as well as the UAE’s values of inclusion, tolerance, generosity and cooperation. Expo 2020 provides the ideal platform for every participating country to share their traditions to a global audience. As the host country, it is particularly important to highlight the UAE’s capacity to bring the world together, promoting collaboration and cross-pollination of thoughts, cultures and ideas.

What are your thoughts on the young Emiratis within the arts and culture industries and what can you tell us about their interest in these sectors?

The UAE boasts a young population, with an average age of just 33.5 years and it is a very young, dynamic nation. Therefore, youth is at the heart of our World Expo. With established and up-and-coming museums, the staging of art and design biennales and fairs, universities and various performing arts centres cementing a vibrant artistic scene, the UAE is fast becoming a global hub for arts, culture and knowledge production. The exciting range of Expo 2020-led and community-centred programmes, being launched in the run-up to The World’s Greatest Show, reinforce the UAE’s position and reflect the openness and cosmopolitan nature of the citizens of the UAE.

 We also have a range of initiatives designed specifically to include locally-based UAE schoolchildren and students. Excerpts from Al Wasl, for example, will be performed by choirs from UAE schools on the largest stage on our Expo site. There will also be certified courses and workshops, so that students can engage with the performing arts.

What is the one thing you would love the world to know about the culture that you don’t think is really out there yet?

The UAE’s rich heritage, sense of universality and forward-thinking approach proves that you can have one foot in tradition and one foot in the future – and, together, they create a very inspirational nation.

On a personal level, what impresses you the most about Emirati culture?

Emirati culture is special because it fosters unity and a can-do spirit. In the UAE, we embrace challenges and achieve the impossible while maintaining our values.

Al Wasl Opera is an exciting project – what can you tell us about what we can expect to see there?

Al Wasl is the historical name for Dubai. It means ‘connection’ in Arabic and aptly reflects Dubai’s geographical location, which has made it a natural trading hub. For the opera, we have taken inspiration from Dubai being a connector of civilisations. Al Wasl tells the story of the UAE, focusing on human connections as well as the importance of respecting the earth.

A very unique production commissioned by Expo 2020, Al Wasl brings together some of the best talents from around the world. It will include music by award-winning composer Mohammed Fairouz, dialogue penned by best-selling author Maha Gargash and will be produced in collaboration with Welsh National Opera. More than 100 Emirati and global artists and musicians will be involved, along with a production team of 70 professionals. The two-hour opera will be performed in both Arabic and English, and audiences can expect to see thousands of years of culture and history brought to life, showcasing the UAE’s unique civilisation from its Bedouin roots to its status as a progressive, modern multicultural hub.

How do you think students will benefit from the opera project?

Ahead of the premiere of Al Wasl, Expo 2020 has launched a series of initiatives designed to provide a unique opportunity for locally-based UAE schoolchildren and students to participate in certified courses, workshops, perform on stage and experience immersive opera at Expo 2020 Dubai.

The first educational programme, launched in October 2019, is designed in collaboration with Welsh National Opera and includes a series of interactive workshops where students and teachers have the opportunity to meet experts in music education, drama, storytelling and theatre production. Our next student workshops will be held in February 2020 and registration is now open. 

The second initiative, ‘Nasheed Al Wasl’, will give school students 

a valuable opportunity to participate in 30-minute musical performances in a choir accompanied by a professional orchestra at Expo 2020 Dubai. Each show will feature a group of 250 students from multiple schools, and each group will have a dedicated choir director assigned by Expo 2020 Dubai, who will ensure the artistic integrity and quality of the performances.

What can you tell us about Atelier 2020?

Running alongside Al Wasl is the Atelier 2020 project, which will help establish world-class make-up and costumes training courses – the first of their kind to be brought to the region. Expo 2020 has signed agreements with the London College of Makeup and the Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation (DIDI) to create specialised courses for students in the UAE.

Creating opportunities for the UAE’s youth to embark on behind-the-scenes careers in the theatre and movie industry, the programme includes three Atelier 2020 make-up courses, run by the Dubai-based London College of Make-up, which will focus on special effects, theatre and stage, and fashion and media make-up. The eight-week courses start in 2020 and prospective students can find out more at www.londoncollegeofmakeup.com.

DIDI’s costume design for theatre courses will form part of the DIDI Bachelor of Design and will teach students visual literacy and the required technological skills, based on a collaboration and sustainable approach.

What is your department doing to support sustainability?

The arts and culture initiatives address issues of sustainability, both through exploring the values of preserving our planet in the Al Wasl opera and through the technology used in our courses that support sustainability, where a worthwhile and renewable approach is embedded in all our programmes.

What would you still love to achieve during your role?

I would love to see the fruition of the legacy of the arts and culture initiatives. These include the curated Visual Arts Programme, which will bring together leading artists from the UAE and around the world, and for the first time in the UAE, integrate permanent landmarks of contemporary art installations into the fabric of a new neighbourhood, District 2020. I look forward to seeing residents of this city of the future engage with public art. The Design and Crafts Programme, meanwhile, will see the proceeds from collections created for Expo 2020 go to the UAE Designer Fund, established by Expo 2020 to support local designers and small and medium-sized design businesses. I would like to see the fund mature and work towards ensuring local talents strengthen their presence in the UAE and reach a global audience. I also look forward to the success of the first Emirati opera, as Al Wasl tours the world after its run at Dubai Opera from 21-24 October 2020.

What is your vision for the arts and culture of the UAE after 2020 and going forward into 2021?

Expo 2020 Dubai aspires to create a meaningful legacy that will benefit generations to come, both locally and globally, spanning everything from architecture and technology to connections and business opportunities. This, of course, includes arts and culture. Expo 2020 will provide a catalyst for arts and cultural innovation by bringing together local, regional and international expertise to deliver a once-in-a-lifetime event, with the aim of showcasing the great potential of the region, promoting its rich contemporary artistic creativity and providing an inspiring future for residents, visitors and future generations to carry forward.

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Every time we meet with Zenith CEO Julien Tornare there is something new to discuss. Last year it was the 50th-anniversary celebration of El Primero which happened all over the world for a period of twelve months. So when we met this time it was to look forward to the coming year and the future plans for the watchmaker.

Tornare was in Dubai as a part of the LVMH Watch Week where. Zenith was participating. This was the first time such an event has taken place outside of Geneva so it was particularly exciting for the brand and for the region. Zenith presented a number of new novelties at the Watch Week including the eagerly anticipated Midnight DEFY range – the first women’s collection to be introduced under Tonare’s reign. Here we discuss the launch of Midnight DEFY as well as the other novelties that will be introduced throughout the coming year.

What can you tell us about your experience of LVMH Watch Week in Dubai?

It’s been fantastic. We have seen tremendous attendance from people from all around the world and we’ve had some amazing events at night. I have to say that I didn’t expect it to be of this level so it’s great – I’m super happy. It’s been nice because we have done things in a totally different way and the press and retailers have really had time to appreciate the watches. It’s been very relaxed.

What can you tell us about the coming year for Zenith?

In 2020 we have quite a few things happening. First of all, we have two shows – this one in Dubai and Baselworld later in the year. We will be introducing new products during both of these. When we launched DEFY two years ago it became our core growth engine so we are going to further expand this line but we also have new launches within the Elite and Chronomaster lines.

ZENITH Elite 36mm

What can you tell us about the new Elite Watches?

I had issues with the previous design of the Elite line. It was too round, too bulky, it didn’t have the elegance that I was looking for. If you want to have a classic product line, the main thing you need to focus on its elegance. This is what people need from this type of watch. Designing a classic watch is the most difficult thing to do. There isn’t that much that you can play with so it can be difficult. But we are launching a new Elite watch here in Dubai and it’s had great feedback so far.

You mentioned Chronomaster – what have you been working on for this?

The Chronomaster has historically been designed in so many shapes and sizes and we realised last year that what people really want is elegance. They want the watch to be as refined as it was in the sixties and seventies. So with Chronomaster, we are going to be launching two new directions in 2020 which we will be presenting at Baselworld later this year.

ZENITH Defy Midnight

Can you tell us a little more about the DEFY Midnight collection?

Since day one people have asked me why we weren’t making any watches for women. Zenith has previously made watches for women but since I joined we haven’t really been focusing on this. I wanted to do something strong, targeting 21st-century women. It logically made sense to me to launch women’s watches as part of the DEFY line, and I wanted to focus on two things – the first was to have a story and emotion, something that will touch hearts. So for that, we looked to our logo of the star and the brand’s motto; “time to reach your star”. We all have a star we are reaching for and this is what Zenith has always been about – pushing the limits to reach your star. So we produced what we call the ‘starry sky’ on the dial to bring this dream and emotion to the watch. The second part is that we wanted to offer something that is designed for today’s woman. This is why we introduced interchangeable straps. We didn’t invent this idea but what we have done differently is that when the customer buys the watch it will come with a metal strap and they will also get three different straps. So immediately they can play with it and have four watches in one. I believe this is a great tool for 21st-century women who are multitasking and have to be dressed suitably for every occasion. I believe we have created something that’s elegant and functional but also contemporary because it’s part of the DEFY line.

We had a debate internally about the concept of making only mechanical watches for men and quartz for women. This is something that I have always hated. Firstly I don’t believe it’s necessary and secondly, I hate the segmentation between women and men. It’s so old fashioned. So in DEFY Midnight, I kept the same mechanical manufacture within this watch so it has a real watchmaking movement. We have had so many great comments so far and I think it’s the right way for us to resume our presence in the world of women’s watches.

ZENITH Ladder Strap

You have reintroduced the Ladder Strap – what can you tell us about that?

As much as we worked on the other concepts – the first time I started to look at the A384 was when we created the DEFY 21 because we actually got inspiration from this design. Then last year within the El Primero 50th celebration we launched this watch as a revival piece but with a leather strap. It was a huge success, beyond our expectations. During the year we had a lot of requests for the original ladder strap. So, purely because so many people were asking for it, we decided to bring it back. We want to make our clients happy and that’s what it’s all about. This bracelet is very similar to the original one and people love it so far.

ZENITH Ladder Strap

Is this something that you might do more of?

Sure. We have such a huge treasure in our archive, it’s a museum and there are other pieces we should revive or use as an inspiration for new watches. That’s how Zenith is different from other brands.

What do you think makes Zenith stand out from other brands?

In the watch business, there is a clear segmentation. There are the brands who have a long history who think that to respect who they are they need to repeat the past and they don’t dare to bring new things to the market. And then on the other side, you have brands that have no or short history. They are free to be creative and they are doing a good job. But what I don’t understand is that you can easily have both and that is what I’m doing with Zenith. Don’t forget that Zenith has a long history. One hundred per cent of our watches are made in house and have a Zenithmovement and this makes us authentic. But we want to be contemporary as well. This is why our events are fun, our communication is contemporary and we are producing watches in today’s world. Let’s not forget that when the El Primero was made in the sixties the men who were working on the watches were super innovative and creative. So the minimum that I should assume is to continue to create in this way.

You’ve spoken previously of your desire to create “start-up spirit” within the company – do you think this is something you have managed to do?

Yes definitely. The mindset and mentality of people have totally changed. We have made so many changes. I’m not saying that we reinvented the wheel but we made small changes. For example, we created a room for people to enjoy themselves, each week we have personal trainers coming for training sessions, we have a masseur, I organise monthly breakfasts. I ask my staff to tell me everything that is going right or going wrong. I want them to know that I am here to help. So we created a different spirit and now people are more open and the happiness in the company is much better. I really believe that if you have happy employees you will make your customers happy, you will make great products and as a result, the company will shine.

ZENITH Defy 21 Carl Cox

What can you tell us about your collaboration with Carl Cox and how do you choose the people that you decide to align the brand with?

I got to meet Carl Cox through a mutual friend and he shared with me his story about how he had always dreamed to work in music. He failed quite a few times before he started to become successful. As he described this to me he said that he realised that he went from his childhood dream to reach his star. And this is very close to the way we think here at Zenith. So going forward if I have any friends of the brand or ambassadors, they will have to be a perfect fit with our brand philosophy. I don’t just want them to wear a watch but I want them to explain why they are with us because as a brand we are connecting with people who are chasing their stars. I want our brand ambassadors to express that it is a fit between the philosophy of the brand and the philosophy of their own life. And that’s what we had with Carl Cox in a very obvious way. We have been partnering with the music industry for a while, it has been a great success so far and he will allow us to tactically reach certain markets.

Are you going to be partnering with any women for the DEFY Midnight collection?

To support the launch we are working on a concept that will be introduced later in the year but to give you a little hint it will be called “Dream Hers”. It will be a platform where we will have successful women who have found their star and achieved their dreams. This is a great way to communicate and get support from different women all over the world.

ZENITH PILOT TYPE 20 RESCUE

You have some new Pilot watches launching what can you tell us about them?

We cannot do everything at the same time so for Pilot we will be having only minor launches but we are working on something more for 2021. So for this year, we have the Pilot watch in regular steel which has a more modern and contemporary look and it’s been very well received so far.

What do you like to do when you visit Dubai?

I like to take the opportunity to go outside and do sports. I enjoy Middle Eastern food and you have great restaurants here. And of course, I spend time in the malls because I need to go and see what is going on in the market.

What’s your professional motto?

Never have a fixed mindset. Continue and force yourself to embrace growth and don’t put limits on yourself.

What’s a book that you’ve read recently that’s inspired you?

I actually just read one called Growth Mindset! It’s all about this concept and it’s very interesting. I also recently read Jean Claude Biver’s book for the second time. I like to read it every few years because it gives you so many insights and it’s really interesting and really refreshes your mind.

What watch are you wearing today?

I’m wearing a big complication as we aren’t launching anything like this at the moment so I thought it was nice to show our expertise and what we have done over the last year while I was in Dubai. So this watch is a carbon bi-layer limited edition double-tourbillion with 100th of a second. It is the fastest chronograph in the world combines a double tourbillion and it’s lightweight. It’s a limited edition of only forty pieces.

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