STYLE GUIDE Your essential hot list of essential ... - Thenumber4

worDs By shweta pariDa.
Burlesque
boutique in Dubai
stocks fabulously
unique homewares
and furniture
style guide
Your essential hot list of essential
people, places and new designs
Harper’s BAZAAR interiors |37

design
space gets
surreal at
Burlesque
red velvet
in modern
mode, below
AATI
a room set-up
by Fendi Casa
prestige at aati
Since it opened in 1982 Dubai’s original
luxury-brand furniture store has always been
miles ahead of the game when it comes to
designer homeware and accessories – from
European heavyweights such as Ligne Roset,
Armani/Casa and Fendi Casa to American
icons like Barbara Barry and Ralph Lauren.
It’s evident from the selection that Aati’s
buyers trawl the international design fairs
with gusto to spot the best names at their
game – yet their choice of collections shows
a deep understanding of what really works
in a UAE context. +971 (0)4 337 7825
inga sempé’s ruché sofa for
Ligne roset Dhs25,700, above
b
a distinctive
re-worked vintage
chair by BoKJa
CCHAKIB RICHANI
When couturier to Hollywood stars Elie Saab
wanted a designer to dress up his home, he
chose the acclaimed Lebanese interior architect
Chakib Richani for the job. Venezuela-born
Richani, recently named as one of the 100 best
international designers by Architectural Digest,
lends his pared-down aesthetic to create spaces
that have majestic proportions and rich textures
while keeping the overall look subtle and
elegant. Richani is also an architect of choice
among royal family members in the UAE. +961
(0)5 808 140; www.richani.com.
BOKJA
the interior
of elie saab’s
home in Beirut
Design duo Hoda Baroudi and Maria Hibri are much
sought after in international design circles by buyers,
critics, curators and galleries alike. Based in Beirut, the
super-talented designers blur the boundaries between
art, craft and design with their innovative and
contemporary use of gorgeous vintage textiles and
tapesteries from the Levant region and the Silk Road
countries of central Asia to create one-of-a-kind
furniture. Having exhibited at major design fairs such
as Salone del Mobile in Milan and Design Miami,
BOKJA has also caught the fancy of none other than
master craftsman Christian Louboutin, who regularly
commissions the Lebanese designers’ work for his
stores around the world. Hollywood celebrities
such as Julia Roberts, Sandra Bullock, Kate
Hudson and songstress Norah Jones are also
fans. +961 1 975 576; www.bokjadesign.com
plus B also stands for Burlesque
Founded by emirati, laith Abdul Hadi,
Burlesque is a madcap, surrealist-inspired store
that both shocks and enthralls. Whatever your
reaction, it’ll be a strong one. With one-off pieces that
make a strong statement, the store prides itself on the
drama and unique experience it provides to its
connoisseurs. spend time at Burlesque and you’re
bound to come out with plenty of quirky ideas and
some fabulous furniture. +971 (0)4 346 1616
Darren Lyon’s
Mashrabi Night
console Dhs11,00
LIVING
deETCETERA
DARREN LYON
The Dubai-based South African designer’s
LOVE coffee table (Dhs5000), inspired by the
aesthetic beauty of Arabic calligraphy and the
power of positive words, has acquired something
of a cult status. The self-proclaimed
environmentalist believes that love and nature
are what we all need to survive and it reflects in
his work– including an off-the-grid, selfsustaining
eco estate in the South African
wilderness, that he’s currently designing. Lyon is
also busy at his studio near Cape Town, 1010
Creative, designing and making even more
interesting products to follow the LOVE table.
+27 44 5348060; www.1010creative.com
plus D also stands for DAMAsCus, the bestkept
secret of the Middle east design world.
Just starting to emerge from the shadow of its
hipper neighbour, Beirut, the syrian capital is
coming into its own with cool boutique hotels,
trendy one-off stores and a new generation of
contemporary artists and designers. We love
Beit Al Mamlouka, an 8-bedroom gem of a
hotel set in a beautifully restored mansion. A
stay here will provide all the design inspiration
you need for hitting the souks and stores.
+963 11 543 0445; www.almamlouka.com
f 4 (FOUR)
If you haven’t already heard of
Lesley Zaal and Marie-Inez Botha,
the duo behind the interior design
practice ETCETERA LIVING,
take note because you will be
hearing about them a whole lot
more. With their work on
Al Barari and the high-profile
Nurai Island in Abu Dhabi, the
designers have already scored
highly among clients who want a
chic and comfortable home. With
their design philosophy of keeping
the clutter at bay and maintaining
simplicity, the designers believe that less is more. However,
it’s the little objects and details that they feel gives a space the
much-needed personal touch. So sourcing unique items from
the markets of Fez to ‘antique street’ in Saigon, is all in a day’s
job for the pair. Ask them who would be their choice if they
could design one high-profile home and the reply is pretty
much reflective of their sensibilities: Barack and Michelle
Obama – the world’s most powerful couple, known for their
sense of style. +971 (0)4 344 8868; www.etceteraliving.com
There’s a lot more to Kuwait than endless oil fields
and amazingly stylish women who wear the most
recent designer wear under their elegant abayas.
4, for instance, is a must-visit lifestyle store located
in Kuwait’s Shuwaikh industrial area that takes its
cues from the über-cool Meatpacking District in
New York. As well as stocking some of the edgiest
fashion labels, such as Ann Demeulemeester,
Damir Doma and Haider Ackermann, the
destination store also retails exclusive and limitededition
furniture and accessories by the legendary
Fornasetti, Established & Sons and the Dutch
design powerhouse, Droog. The avant-garde store
also features special collaborative pieces from Jaime
Hayón as well as antique chairs with a
contemporary makeover by Jimmy Martin, and
the British designer Lee Broom’s quirky creations.
There’s also a hip art gallery that hosts exhibitions
by Kuwaiti and international artists and a cafe to
unwind and digest all of that style.
+965 249 25444; www.thenumber4.com
38|Harper’s BAZAAR interiors Harper’s BAZAAR interiors |39
a courtyard
sitting area at
Beit al Mamlouka
a Fornasetti
wallpaper by
Cole & sons
creates a
dramatic focal
point at 4
➤
Lesley Zaal and
Marie-inez Botha
a huge ‘dripping
paint’ number 4
announces the
store’s presence

Lea Badro
of Greenline
interiors
GREENLINE
INTERIORS
i
ISLA MODA
From humble beginnings almost 35 years
ago, in a Sharjah office comprising 10
people, Greenline Interiors is now sought
after by the international design
community, having custom-built the
interiors for such prestigious projects as the
Presidential Library of George Bush Sr in
Texas, the Grand Hôtel du Cap Ferrat in
the South of France, Burj Al Arab hotel
and the First and Business Class lounges of
Emirates Airline at Dubai International
Airport, among others. Founded by the
architect Samir Badro, Greenline has
diversified into yacht interiors – a venture
under the direction of the stunning and
entrepreneurial Lea Badro, who holds a
postgraduate degree from Central Saint
Martins College of Art and Design in
London. Greenline Yachts has worked on
major projects designed by the likes of
Philippe Starck, François Zuretti, Terence
Disdale and Donald Starkey. +971 (0)4
886 2220; www.greenline-interiors.com
A fashion-centric island project with
80 limited-edition homes designed
by the fashion kaiser Karl Lagerfeld.
Need we say more? Interestingly,
there is more to the project, for
Lagerfeld is only one of top five
couturiers invited by Dubai Infinity
Holdings to design haute couture
homes for the UAE’s fashion-savvy
jet-set. The limited-edition villas and
‘villettes’ (compact villas) will be
right by the beach, with a milliondollar
view to match the price tag,
and will be surrounded by
exquisitely designed landscapes,
including swimming pools. The project also includes a hotel called
The Hotel Moda, with 250 rooms and serviced apartments, as well as
boutiques representing some super-high-end labels, many of them
exclusively. The island on The World will not be just for retail therapy
aficionados: there will be design studios and facilities to host highprofile,
international fashion events. Moreover, Isla Moda will offer
personal concierges for guests and residents, including a style
concierge for clothing, perfumery and personal style makeovers, and a
design concierge to create one-of-a-kind homes with bespoke
furnishings, art, and technology. +971 (0)4 807 8888
Karl Lagerfeld at
the launch of isla
Moda in 2008
spanish architect
Jaime hayón
JJAMES CLAR
hHAYÓN,
JAIME
Dubai-based American artist and lighting
designer James Clar dabbles in new media
installations, fusing technology, pop culture
and visual arts. As an artist-in-residence at
Traffic, Clar has been going from strength to
strength with amazing lighting installations at
landmark buildings in Dubai, as well as
international art events. Recently the shy and
down-to-earth designer was invited by the très
exclusive Rolex Tower on Sheikh Zayed Road
to create a futuristic lighting installation that
reflects the energy of its high-octane
surroundings. Clar’s conceptual and eyecatching
works have been exhibited at leading
museums around the world – among them the
Chanel Mobile Art exhibition in Tokyo, The
New Museum of Contemporary Arts, New
York and Somerset House in London.
+971 (0)4 341 8494; www.jamesclar.com
plus J also stands for JAKe AND GIGI.
Michelle Roberts, the Canadian founder of Jake
and Gigi attributes the popularity of her Dubaibased
label (named after her two children) to
having fun with fashion and not taking it
seriously. It obviously works, as is evident from the
demand for her vintage-inspired accessories.
Having grown up in Dubai, Roberts admires the
style sensibilities of Arab women who, she feels, are
extremely in tune with what works for them. Each
accessory is named after a pop icon, screen siren or
powerful personality: the latest piece is called Miss
Hornby after the 60s model Twiggy (real name
Lesley Hornby). www.jakeandgigi.com
Jaime Hayón’s muchanticipated
Villa Moda project
may have failed to take off in
Dubai, but the Spanish
designer provides some
gorgeous eye-candy at the
Octium jewellery store in
Kuwait. Designed in Hayón’s
signature Digital Baroque
style, the store – at Kuwait’s
360º Mall – has become a
must-see for contemporary
design seekers. See, also, his
work for Baccarat and Lladró
at Tanagra stores in the UAE.
+965 2530 9888; www.
octiumjewelry.com;
www.hayonstudio.com
James
Clar’s
soundwave
sculpture
in Dubai’s
rolex tower
Greiling’s
hat-hat,
designed
for the
Wallpaper*
exhibition
in Milan
Katrin
Greiling
k
K ATRIN
GREILING
This exuberant and super-talented German-
Swedish designer who called Dubai home for
the past five years is generating waves not
only locally but also in the international
design community. Greiling, who now
shuttles between Dubai, Germany and
Sweden, has designed furniture for the UAE
Pavilion at the 53rd Venice Biennale as well
as a specially-commissioned object by
Wallpaper* magazine at this year’s Salone
del Mobile in Milan– a noteworthy
accomplishment indeed. Titled the HAT-
HAT, the daybed-stool is a contemporary
interpretation of the camel saddle that was
also used traditionally in Middle Eastern
majlises. The international press showered
Greiling with accolades for her simple yet
innovative concepts and use of materials.
Multi-faceted Greiling also experiments with
other forms of creative work, including
photography, and is now regularly
commissioned by Wallpaper* to do shoots of
such influential subjects as Dieter Rams and
Maarten Baas. +971 (0)50 871 03 26;
www.katringreiling.com
humour to the fore
with Jake and Gigi’s
accessories from
Dhs1,500 for No
Bling to speak to
the hand
an Mp3 player with
its own custommade
trunk
Missoni brings
its vibrant colour
palette to its
branded hotels
LOUIS
VUITTON
While there are few decorative
accents quite as chic as a stack
of vintage Vuitton trunks,
they’re not always easy to
come by. But current pieces
can have just as much impact
– and some incorporate bang
up-to-date functions too.
This one-off piece was
exhibited recently in Dubai.
Price on application
www.louisvuitton.com
mMISSONI HOTELS
We’ve long been fans of the vividly striped clobber
from Italian fashion house Missoni – and now there’s
reason to rejoice further as Rosita Missoni brings her
branded hotels to Kuwait. Taking inspiration from the
Gulf nation’s sea, sun and sand, Missoni infuses the
label’s bold signature patterns and colours with strong
accents of turquoise, green and gold. An ardent
admirer of classic mid-century designs such as the
Wishbone chair by Hans J. Wegner, Missoni lends her
tasteful yet striking touch to the group of hotels that
opened its first property in Edinburgh, Scotland.
The Kuwait property, with a luxurious Six Senses
Spa following suit, will feature state-of-the-art gadgets
by Apple and Bang & Olufsen. The next eagerlyawaited
opening on the slate is a Missoni hotel in
Oman. +965 9999 1357; www.hotelmissoni.com
40|Harper’s BAZAAR interiors Harper’s BAZAAR interiors |41
➤

NURAI,
ABU DHABI
A very special desert island residential
project, NURAI has been conceptualised
and designed by the progressive New
York-based industrial designer and
architect Dror Benshetrit, whose clients
include the likes of Boffi, Rosenthal and
Swarovski. With water villas, beachfront
estates and a boutique hotel, the island
has been designed to resemble a rug, its
edges ‘lifted’ to reveal the villas. Dror was
given carte blanche and, as a result,
Nurai’s emphasis on architecture and
sustainability makes it entirely different
from other island developments in the
Gulf. Seventy per cent of the villas were
sold within two days of launching, to
buyers for whom getting what they want
means much more than the money paid.
+971 (0)4 349 0337; www.nuraiisland.ae
O’ DE ROSE
In a city obsessed with big brands and bigger
shopping malls, O’ de Rose located in a villa,
off Jumeirah Beach Road provides a welcome
relief to those looking for an alternative
shopping experience. One of Dubai’s handful
of original stores O’ de Rose is the brainchild
of Lebanese-born fashion designers Mimi
Shakhashir and Dania Atallah . This treasure
trove of a place stocks artisan-inspired objects
that clearly portray their Middle Eastern
influence in all their glory. From Egyptian
legend Umm Khaltoum-inspired home
accessories to hand-made contemporary
objects, Shakhashir takes great pride in
showcasing the cultural icons of the Middle
East in their modern avatar. +971 (0)4 348
7990; www.o-derose.com
Mimi shakhashir’s
villa has the o de
rose touch
QQATAR
To say that Qatar’s design and architectural
evolution is inspiring is a huge understatement.
The tiny Gulf country has eschewed fast-track
results for a more organic growth that continues
to climb uphill. A roll call of star-architcets such
as Jean Nouvel, I.M.Pei and Arata Isozaki who
have infused the city with a raft of cultural
centres has made the world sit up and talk about
Qatar as the next Dubai. Last year’s unveiling of
the ethereally beautiful Museum of Islamic Arts
by the Pritzker Prize-winning Pei set the capital,
Doha, in a design-forward position. The city’s
arts and design intelligentsia descend on the
quaint Souq Waqif cultural centre for their fill
r
of contemporary art, as well as getting design
fixes at the original Zari Boutique, which uses
the i.M.
pei-designed Arabic cultural references in its collections. The
Museum of complex also houses the Arabic architecture-
islamic arts inspired Souq Waqif hotel, which has been
in Doha
given an updated spin.
RAMI FAROOK
Dror’s concept
The most dynamic and visionary poster boy of the
drawing of a
water villa on
UAE’s design world, Farook has the world’s best-known
Nurai island
art and design personalities on speed dial. And yet the
entrepreneur (in his late 20s, he holds a management
degree from the US) remains impressively unpretentious
– wearing his A Bathing Ape sneakers and kandoora
a sitting room
Marco piva
with effortless ease and talking affectionately about his
in Dania psitting on the
Mow chair by two children, who already show an interest in design.
atallah’s
Miss_You chair
Fadi sarieddine
Dubai villa
that he designed
for LoCaL The young Emirati’s passion led him to open the region’s
for pedrali
first high-design gallery, Traffic, three
years ago. It quickly became a meeting
point and a platform to showcase the
region’s emerging talent, in the process
gaining an international
reputation. This year Farook
launched his homegrown label
LOCAL during the Salone del
Mobile in Milan and was
named Entrepreneur of the
Year award at the London rami Farook
with a painting
Design Festival.
by ramin
+971 (0)4 347 0209;
haerazideh,
www.viatraffic.org
from his own
collection
S
a sanctuary Falls
show villa by hirsch
SANCTUARY
Bedner associates
FALLS
The real estate business in Dubai might
have taken a hit in the global recession
but some luxurious developments have
remained untouched. Among them is
Sanctuary Falls – a resort-style
PIVA, MARCO
residential development within the
prestigious Jumeirah Golf Estates, whose
Marco Piva, the hyper-talented Italian
clients include corporate bigwigs and
architect and designer who has amassed
well-known Bollywood stars. The
fans with his Milanese good looks and
celebrated design firm Hirsch Bedner
equally admirable creative streak, is a name
Associates (credits include Ritz Carlton
to reckon with not only in Europe but also
worldwide, Mandarin Oriental in New
the Middle East. Here, he has been
York and St. Regis Shanghai) is the
working on several high-profile hospitality
name behind the interiors of the
and residential projects including hotels on
Sanctuary Falls villas. With spectacular
The Palm Jumeirah and in Ras Al
landscaping and state-of-the-art kitchens
Khaimah. Piva’s product design repertoire
by the Italian company Scavolini and
features work for prominent brands such
Germany-based Miele, the project seems
as Arflex, Moroso, Pedrali, Unopiu and
to tick all the right boxes to attract
Rapsel among a host of many others.
buyers even in a decidedly slow market.
www.studiomarcopiva.com
www.sanctuaryfalls.com ➤
42|Harper’s BAZAAR interiors Harper’s BAZAAR interiors |43

tTHOMAS LUNDGREN
an artist’s
rendition of the
palazzo Versace
thomas
Lundgren
of the one
44|Harper’s BAZAAR interiors
He is the charismatic founder of THE One stores in
the Middle East who took it upon himself to save the
world from flatpack, one room at a time. Lundgren is
so dedicated to his vision that he would rather call his
stores “theatres” where he can stage a performance
through his carefully selected wares, for his customers
to enjoy and buy. To realise his dream of a big, cool
space that he could fill with everything that he’s
passionate about at reasonable prices, Lundgren
embarked on a journey that has seen THE One stores
open in the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan and Bahrain.
In contrast to the flamboyance of THE One, he has
also brought chic and minimalist Scandinavian style to
Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the form of BoConcept.
Lundgren self-effacingly describes himself as a
“frustrated artist” who satisfies his creative urge by
designing much of THE One’s furniture himself, along
with two colleagues. The entrepreneur, with several
CSR awards under his belt, promises to keep
showcasing cool new furniture and accessories while
making a significant contribution to charity.
+971 (0)4 345 6687; www.theoneplanet.com
V
patrick robinson
with models
in Gap a/w09
u a
UNDER ONE ROOF
Timing its arrival perfectly to catch the wave of
newly-minted homeowners wanting to upgrade and
personalise their pride and joy, UNDER ONE ROOF
has changed the UAE home-improvement game.
Rather than being forced to cope with ‘carpenters’ and
‘plumbers’ of dubious skill, homeowners can walk
into the company’s Al Quoz showroom and find
endless inspiration for transforming their kitchens,
bathrooms and more. Among its brands are Metris
and Second Nature kitchens, Roman bathrooms and
Permaglaze – an ingenious way of restoring tiles and
enamel. The team at UOR has vast experience of
home renovation in the UK, enabling them to design
custom-made schemes – always working closely with
clients and seeking cost-effective solutions that will
add value to a property. Once a design is agreed, a
team of skilled British fitters flies in, to ensure that
work is done to international standards.
+971 (0)4 323 2722; www.underoneroof.ae
VERSACE
PALAZZO
curvilinear
kitchen from the
award-winning
Metris range
The competition among luxury labels to
cater to the rich and fabulous in Dubai is
intense. From Armani and Cavalli to
Christian Lacroix and Elie Saab, designers
are clamouring to provide all-encompassing
designer lifestyles. To the credit of Versace,
its project remains one of the most talkedabout
and original. Developed in partnership
with Emirates Sunland Group, helmed by
the jovial former architect Soheil Abedian,
Palazzo Versace at Dubai Creek is both hotel
and apartments. In a world first, the
developer announced plans to build a
temperature-controlled beach adjacent to the
hotel. With furniture and accessories from
Versace Home, the project will exude the
hedonistic style expected of the brand.
+971 (0)4 501 6800; www.palazzoversace.ae
wWANDERS, MARCEL
The Dutch design superstar needs to do
little to impress people wherever he goes.
A larger-than-life persona, zany sense of
design and penchant for narrating
anecdotes and composing romantic poetry
to describe his work, define Wanders, who
was chosen by one of the
xVA
most stylish men in the
world – Sheikh Majed Al
Sabah – to design the Villa
Moda store in Bahrain.
Slated to work on several
projects in the UAE that
have been stalled by the
downturn, the designer
remains highly sought after
throughout the world.
Recent successes for
Wanders, who co-founded
the avant-garde furniture
and accessories brand,
Moooi, include outdoor
furniture for Kettal, crystal
for Baccarat and silverware
for Christofle. Never seen
without his signature pearl
and bead necklaces,
Wanders is a die-hard
romantic who remains
unapologetic about his softnatured
approach to work.
+973 175 30330;www.
villa-moda.com;
www.marcelwanders.com
an accessories
display case in Villa
Moda, Bahrain
To think of XVA as
only a gallery is like
thinking of crême
brulée as only custard:
it’s no exaggeration to
call its founder,
American-born Mona
Hauser, the originator
of Dubai’s
contemporary art
scene and, while XVA
hosts a never-ending
stream of intriguing
exhibitions by regional
artists, it has also
become a spiritual
home for culture
lovers and a haven for
those who yearn for
peace and a sense of
old Dubai. Set in one
of the beautifully
the courtyard at
XVa Gallery in
Bastakiya
restored Persian merchants’ houses of Bastakiya, by Dubai
Creek, XVA has an award-winning vegetarian cafe (serving
the best lemon-and-mint ever), a mini-branch of fashion
store S*uce, a tiny boutique selling some of Hauser’s favourite
design items and, perhaps best of all, six exquisite hotel
rooms. It’s deeply reassuring, in this ever-changing city, to
have an evergreen escape like this. +971 (0)4 353 5383;
www.xvagallery.com ➤
design
the main salon in
Villa Moda, Bahrain
Harper’s BAZAAR interiors |45

design
y z
YOOISTANBUL
yoo, a brainchild of French design
maestro Philippe Starck and John
Hitchcox, recently launched its first
Turkish project yooinstanbul, with
local real estate developer Say Yapı.
One of the world’s most romantic
cities, Istanbul is seeing a major surge
in design-led activities. The project
“yoo inspired by Starck” will offer
100 apartments in the prime location
of Ulus overlooking the Bosphorus
and bearing Starck’s whimsical yet
refined design signature. + 90 212
291 23 11; www.yooistanbul.com
46|Harper’s BAZAAR interiors
philippe starck
adds his
unmistakable
design signature
to yooistanbul
Zaha hadid
won the
2004 pritzker
prize for
architecture
ZAHA HADID
Possibly the busiest architect in the world, with projects ranging
from Europe to Asia and everywhere in between, Iraq-born and
London-based Hadid inspires and intimidates at the same time.
Her phenomenal success can be attributed not just to her being
the most famous woman architect of modern times, but also to
her fluid and sculptural structures that are nothing if not aweinspiring.
The Pritzker Prize-winner is behind several highprofile
projects in the UAE, including Abu Dhabi’s newly
opened Sheikh Zayed Bridge and the Performing Arts Centre
planned for Saadiyat Island, Dubai Opera House and the
Dancing Towers in Dubai – not to mention countless other
important projects throughout the Middle East. Hadid’s design
credits also include furniture for B&B Italia and Established &
Sons, and a futuristic kitchen for DuPont.
www.zaha-hadid.com ■
a rendering of
Zaha hadid’s
design for
abu Dhabi’s
performing
arts Centre