Equity Magazine June 2017 Issue

JUNE 2017 | ISSUE 01
ROGER
FEDERER
AHEAD OF
WIMBLEDON
TRAVEL
BUDAPEST
BOUND FOR A
CULTURAL ESCAPE
BILLIONAIRE
BUNKERS
INVEST IN A
HOME BENEATH
THE SURFACE

Extraordinary is in the detail.
To explore one of the world’s most detailed landscape photographs go to BentleyMotors.com/Explore.
Please contact us on 800-BENTLEY [800 236 8539]
or visit us at www.uae.bentleymotors.com for more information
2
EQUITY
The name ‘Bentley’ and the ‘B’ in wings device are registered trademarks. © 2017 Bentley Motors Limited.

Be Extraordinary.
1
EQUITY

When Architectural Poetry
wedds Jewellery Design
A Bold Statement Jewellery
Celestial Constellation
By Nohma K.
is Born
2
EQUITY
www.nohmadesign.com

The First State-of-the-Art,
Multi-use, Modular,
Architectural Jewellery
The unparalleled beauty of the innovative Modular Capsule
brings you the most daring, divergent design.
Photography by Issa Al Kindy
The module is versatile & can fit as a ring, a bracelet, a scarf clasp or built up when paired
into an elegant pendant of different shapes allowing you to create your own story
Geneva - London - Los Angeles- Dubai - Tokyo
3
EQUITY

inside
EQUITY
22
mind
12
APOCALYPSE CHIC
Billionaire bunkers – the next big
investment option
32
15
17
20
22
25
27
32
EXOTIC INVESTMENTS
The latest strategies to consider
INVEST IN HIS JOURNEY
Alande Mustafa Safi talks to
EQUITY of his past and future
DATA ATTACKS
Steven Jupp weighs out the
significance of securing an
organisation from cyber attacks
HOW TO BE A BAWSE?
YouTube sensation Lilly Singh
opens up about her book and
sensitive issues
SUPPORT LOCAL
A chat with a startup founder
ROGER FEDERER
A conversation with the star
ahead of Wimbledon
IN EXPERT HANDS
Explore why Riverston may be
a good option for your child
38
40
body
36
TRENDING NOW
The latest in summer fashion
straight from the runway
38
40
42
THE CHECKLIST
Prep yourself for a shopping haul
ahead of summer
SHOP TALK
The stores to add to your list
INDULGE YOURSELF
Make an appointment for the
latest treaments on the market
4
EQUITY

JUNE 2017
64
soul
44
ON OUR RADAR
Statement pieces to
add to your arsenal
64
EID STAYCATIONS
Venture towards the northern
parts of the UAE for a getaway
52
NOTHING TOPS SAFETY
Advise from DC Aviation
68
JETSETTER JOURNEYS
Wellness breaks, new openings
and travel inspiration
56
59
DINING IN DUBAI
Iftars and hotspots to
hotfoot to over the weekend
HOTSPOT ROUND UP
Culinary experiences worth a visit
this month
70
On the cover
ROGER FEDERER
wearing the Rolex Oyster
Perpetual Datejust II
Read page 27
62
HISTORICAL BUDAPEST
A gatronomic tour through a city
brimming with history and culture
69
70
72
AESTHETIC APPEAL
Luxhabitat's lavish offerings
THE WOMAN BEHIND
THE BRAND
A peek into Amanda Navai's life
The publication may not be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any
form or by any means electronic,
photocopying, recording or otherwise,
without the permission of Equity
Media. Where opinion is expressed it
is that of the author and does not
necessarily reflect the editorial
views of the publishers of
EQUITY-Always invest in yourself.
All information in
EQUITY-Always invest in yourself
is checked and verified to the best
of the publisher’s ability, however the
publisher cannot be held responsible
for any mistakes or omissions
enclosed in the publication in
content, advertising or graphics.
5
EQUITY

CAN’T SPOT
THE THREAT?
We can.
SPECIALIST CONSULTING BY CONSILIUM | THE ART AND SCIENCE OF RISK RESOLUTION
As a leading provider of specialist security solutions and risk consulting,
Consilium identifies and acts to remove or resolve vulnerability in
order to permit their clients to mitigate or avoid complex commercial
or personal security challenges throughout the world.
Consilium’s international footprint permits long or short term global
security solutions, sustained due diligence and business intelligence
in active and passive environments. Client confidentiality and
assured discretion is a trademark of Consilium’s delivery.
IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM | TALK TO US.
consiliumworld.com
+971 (0) 2 418 7560 | 24/7: +44 (0) 20 7078 9088 LONDON ABU DHABI LAGOS NEW YORK MANILA
6
EQUITY

From the EDITOR
Summer rolled around quickly this year.
But then again, we pretty much say that
every year. This month we’re anticipating
Roger Federer’s match at Wimbledon, read
all about him on page 27 – will he take home the
trophy? Speaking of celebrities, Lilly Singh rose to
fame via her YouTube channel and resonated
with over millions who tune in to watch the
comedian and now author (page 22). Talk of
bunkers has been prevalent in movies, TV shows and amongst celebrities
and entrepreneurs prepping ahead of doomsday with sophisticated
underground housing, explore why on page 12, That’s not the only
investment entrepreneurs are making though. With the latest global
cyber-attack alarming the masses, organisations need to secure
themselves in every way possible (page 20).
The latest in lifestyle rounds up fashion trends straight off the
runway (page 36-40), statement pieces (page 44-55) and the latest
gastronomic offerings around town (page 56-60) with Iftars and
Suhoors worth visiting. Eid is just around the corner, look to our
pages for gifting inspiration (page 38), and make use of the long
weekend with a quickgetaway to culture-packed Budapest (page 62).
Those staying in the country can head to Ajman or Fujairah to
experience a stay that puts wellbeing and entertainment at the forefront
(page 62-67).
Ramadan Kareem and Eid Mubarak in advance
Nicola
Nicola Monteath
EDITOR'S PICK
I love this elegant New Sienna
blue python bag, the perfect
accompaniment to jeans and a
white shirt.
A sleek men's
watch from
Jaquet Droz, to
give our outfits
an edgy oomph
This
Rihanna ♥ Chopard
necklace exudes
playfulness and
charm
Follow us:
equitymedia.uae equitymedia.uae equitymedia.uae equitymedia.uae
EQUITY - Always invest in yourself
EDITOR NICOLA MONTEATH - nicola@equity.media
DIGITAL EDITOR VARUN GODINHO
CONTENT MANAGER OLIVE SEVILLA
ART DIRECTOR ODILAINE MEJORADA
SALES advertising@equity.media
WWW.EQUITY.MEDIA
PRINTED BY United Printing & Publishing
is a proud member of
I'll be catching up with friends
over Suhoor, with a game on this
Backgammon Set from Berluti
7
EQUITY

CALENDAR
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Jet-setters, don’t forget to add these dates to the diary
2
WHERE: City-wide
WHEN: June 1-30, 2017
MIAMI FILM MONTH
Don’t miss out on movies at
participating art cinemas in a festival
that celebrates movies in Miami this
month. When in town, catch an
indie movie with a couple of friends.
1
WHERE: Hall 7 & 8, Dubai World
Trade Centre, Dubai
WHEN: June 1-10, 2017
3
WHERE: City-wide
4
PSA DUBAI WORLD
SERIES FINALS
WHERE: Dubai Opera, Dubai
WHEN: June 6-10, 2017
Squash ups its glamour
quotient with the finals being
battled out at Dubai Opera.
Watch champions Mohamed
El Shorbagy, Gregory
Gaultier and Camille Serme
go head-to-head to get a hold
of this year’s title.
RAMADAN
NIGHT MARKET 2017
Score a deal and indulge in a bit of
retail therapy ahead of Eid with
amazing discounts, activities and
fun for the little ones. Additionally,
you could walk away with a few
prizes as well.
VIVID SYDNEY
WHEN: May 26 - June 17, 2017
The largest winter festival in the Southern
Hemisphere plays host to lights, music and
ideas events for over 22 days. This year’s light
festivities will stretch from Botanic Gardens
to Darling Harbour, with musicians including
Laura Marling and Nick Murphy performing
at the Opera House and over 200 ideas
battling for your attention at Vivid Ideas.
8
EQUITY

5
NIGHT FACTORY VIEWS EXHIBITION 2017
WHERE: Today’s Gallery Studio, Tokyo
WHEN: June 6-25, 2017
The factory district of Keihin, Tokyo, take centre stage at this
exhibition where the neighbourhood celebrates the play of
lights. A journey through the illuminated factories called the
“Night View Factory Cruises” has inspired professional and
amateur photographers to click away. The exhibition is only
curated in Japanese so make sure you’ve got your pocket
translator ready.
6 7
WHERE: Los Angeles
MACHT FERIEN
WHERE: Museum für Gestaltung, Zurich
WHEN: June 6 - July 9, 2017
As Switzerland Tourism gears up to celebrate its
100th birthday, make your way to the exhibition,
highlighting numerous tourism posters from the
past century, showcasing the country’s striking
hotels, helter-skelter roads and mountain
railways. This will call for a return trip!
CONTEMPORARY SCENT
WHERE: Somerset House, London
WHEN: June 21- September 17, 2017
WHEN: June 8-11, 2017
Celebrates LA’s design culture, diversity and
talent through a series of artworks, art
installations, furniture design, pop-up stalls,
food markets and much more, this is one to
head to with a bevvy of friends. It is Los
Angeles in a nutshell.
8
WHERE: France
9
PERFUME: A SENSORY JOURNEY THROUGH
WHEN: June 21, 2017
An aromatic exhibition which celebrates a sensory journey
through contemporary scent. Watch iconic perfumers and
their perfumes of the last 20 years jostle with new
contemporary perfume provocateurs and a vibrant new
perfume scene.
LOS ANGELES DESIGN FESTIVAL
FÊTE DE LA MUSIQUE 2017
Roughly translated into Festival of Music and a national holiday
since 1982, this huge one-day countrywide event celebrates
France’s beautiful music culture with “music everywhere and
the concert nowhere”. This live music event is free for all.
CALENDAR
10
WHERE: Daegu, South Korea
DAEGU INTERNATIONAL
MUSICAL FESTIVAL
WHEN: June 23 – July 10, 2017
Launched in 2006, this is the only
international music festival in Korea
showcasing international and domestic
productions to audiences around the
world. Musical events and activities are
affordable and diverse, so that every taste
is catered to.
9
EQUITY

www.
EQUITY. media
GET THE LATEST NEWS AND UPDATES ON BUSINESS AND LUXURY
LIFESTYLE ONLY ON WWW.EQUITY.MEDIA. FROM ENTREPRENEURS
AND DEALMAKERS TO PHILANTHROPISTS AND POLICY MAKERS,
HERE’S ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE FINANCE WORLD. ALSO,
CHECK OUT OUR LIFESTYLE SECTION WHERE YOU’LL FIND THE
LATEST ON CARS, YACHTS, PRIVATE JETS AND TRAVEL DESTINATIONS.
ONCE YOU’VE EARNED IT, IT’S TIME YOU SPENT IT.
EQUITYMEDIAUAE
10
EQUITY

mind
The latest investment opportunities are no
longer exotic. Discover what you should be
investing in, along with the need for secure
systems within your home and organisation.
You can also get a glimpse of the life and mind
of Roger Federer and Lilly Singh.
11
EQUITY

FINANCE
APOCALYPSE CHIC
Natural calamities, war and a myriad of scenarios could leave you
homeless. But not if you own one of these underground bunkers
equipped with everything you would need for years to come
It will no longer be the survival of the fittest when
doomsday arrives. More like survival of the astute, if we
are being honest. Survivalism is a topic that’s being
considered as seriously as financial planning, especially
amongst the UHNWIs. Tim Chang, a 44-year-old managing
director at Mayfield Fund, a venture-capital firm, recently
revealed in an interview that he regularly meets with friends in
Silicon Valley for financial-hacking dinners to discuss backup
plans. Sure, cryptocurrencies and an additional citizenship are
part of the plan for some. However, apart from a vacation
home and finances, word around the space is all about an
escape route to a home beneath the surface.
That’s right. You may have heard of underground bunkers
recently on Billions (TV show) or perhaps from ongoing
speculation of Mark Zuckerberg’s latest land acquisitions.
Bunkers are currently everywhere and being constructed in
nooks and corners around the world, with several companies
offering opulent bunkers in countries such as the United
States, Germany, Czech Republic and England, fit to to rival
a five-star resort,.
Real estate mogul Jakub Zamrazil acquired The Oppidum
back in 2013 and has since transformed the underground
complex in the Czech Republic (a 6,700-square foot master
apartment) to seven 1,720 square foot suites. The opulent
subterranean shelter is home to bathrooms complete with
rainfall showers, and a garden that offers simulated natural
light to replicate a bright sunny day. But that’s not all, the
facility also comprises a nightclub, bar, climate-controlled
12
EQUITY

FINANCE
wine cellar enough for 10-years’ worth of stock, movie
theatre, billiards room and an extensive library.
Entrepreneurs can stay connected at the control and
communications centre built within.
While The Oppidum is a lavish structure in itself, multiple
underground survival complexes are underway. Vivos
founder and CEO Robert Vicino recently announced the
Vivos Europe One, an invitation only, five-star underground
survival complex, similar to a cruise ship. In Germany, the
complex will be home to several families, each acquiring a
private 2,500 square foot area with fixtures and finish similar
to a mega-yacht. Each member can hire their own architect
and contractor to build their customised living quarters. All
underground rooms are serviced by two fully customised
climate and ventilation systems. The self-contained water
and power generation system with three diesel generators,
including redundant back-up systems, assures autonomous
operation of the underground shelter without support from
the outside world. “I had a very compelling and specific
inspiration in 1980, that I needed to build an underground
shelter for 1,000 people to survive what will be coming in our
future. While I didn’t know the exact threat, the message was
clear and explicit. Now three decades later, I have met the
goal and continue to expand the Vivos underground network
to accommodate at least one in every one million people on
Earth within our bunkers,” says Vivos founder and CEO
Robert Vicino.
While these bunkers may seem solely for UHNWIs,
Robert’s aim serves otherwise. “We cater to all people who
can afford to secure this life-assurance solution. They include
every profession, actors, and even a member of royalty. The
buyers we’ve seen are typically conservative, self-sufficient,
well educated, highly intelligent people, acutely aware of the
real dangers we all face,” he tells us.
Naturally, every individual will have their own requests
they would like to integrate into the bunkers. “Many want to
store their precious automotive, wine and art collections;
while others want to have their DNA preserved in a Vivos
DNA Vault. The people with aberrant behaviour are quickly
declined, with our primary qualifier being that everyone must
be tolerant of all others that they may shelter with. Those
who cannot leave their egos at the door, do not like children
and pets, or are prejudiced against another’s race, ethnicity,
colour, religious beliefs, age are flagged and rejected,” says
Robert. When asked if they will be venturing into the GCC,
Robert states that their Europa One shelter is only a short
flight away. “The global interest has been exponentially
expanding as more people are becoming well-aware of the
threats that are now all around us, global economic situations,
increasing Earth changes, a natural or weaponised pandemic,
and the concerns about the approaching Nibiru/Planet X.
Vivos is the life-assurance solution that we hope will never
be needed, but when these cyclical events do unfold, it will be
priceless,” he ends on an assuring note.
13
EQUITY

Wealth has its challenges.
We will help you protect,
grow and pass it on.
Experts in advising the
wealthy located in
Abu Dhabi, Dubai,
London and 10 other
offices around the globe.
Murray North
Partner, Private Client
London
E: murray.north@blplaw.com
T: +44 (0)20 3400 4545
Ibrahim Elsadig
Partner, Head of Corporate (UAE)
Dubai
E: ibrahim.elsadig@blplaw.com
T: +971 (0)4 511 9718
www.blplaw.com
14
EQUITY

FINANCE
Exotic
Investments:
How essential is it to include
these strategies in your portfolio today?
Words by Itsparipassu
15
EQUITY

FINANCE
A
couple of decades ago, alternative investments,
the so-called “exotics”, used to form a minor
portion of an investor’s portfolio. These
traditionally comprised hedge funds, private
equity, real estate, commodities and currencies and were
included for specific reasons, such as diversification, hedging
and return-enhancement. However, the world of investment
has evolved from what it used to be 20 years ago and there is
an urgent need for recognition by investors. UHNWIs need
to shift from conventional investing to this new era, as
investments that were once considered alternative are no
longer an exotic asset class. They have simply moulded in a
clever way by combining traditional techniques with modern
strategies, to offer solutions that are well suited to today’s
market environment. Now, alternative investments are
gradually growing in investors’ portfolios to occupy a major
portion of the asset allocation pie.
Not much clarity is available in the world regarding
market direction, given the over-looming threat of
geopolitics. Notwithstanding that opacity, some prevalent
market conditions are clear to anyone who is investing
today – low interest rates and inflation, accompanied by
lacklustre growth. Consequentially, there has been a
they’re satisfied with. Investors could afford to ignore these
instruments when interest rates were higher and growth
was relatively upbeat. However, these strategies have now
become a necessity for most high net worth investors.
Similarly, a lot of multi-asset mutual funds have emerged to
suit the need for alternative sources of returns for all kinds
of investors – offering fully liquid solutions, the best of
these funds have a remarkable track record of achieving
attractive and sustainable returns, while maintaining
significantly low volatility relative to the market. Other
investing avenues such as private placements and crowd
funding were not accessible to all investors in the past.
Today, all these strategies are offered to individuals at much
lower subscriptions and reduced costs. For managers of
alternative investments, the world of investing today is less
about returns and more about risk management. Investors
need to embrace this philosophy if they are looking for
ways and means to achieve strong and steady growth of
their portfolios.
Many HNWIs go back to their wealth managers/private
bankers, asking them to provide traditional options for
investment. The truth is that excessive investment in these
instruments is more troubling today than ever – it’s a hunt for
Traditional asset classes such as plain bonds and stocks
aren’t lucrative investments anymore
paradigm shift in markets. Traditional asset classes such as
plain bonds and stocks aren’t lucrative investments
anymore and there appears to be more downside risk in
these instruments than upside potential. However, financial
institutions began to adjust to this new era, recently
focusing on bringing further strategies to the table, wherein,
all kinds of investors get access to attractive tools for
diversification, hedging, income and growth.
The definition of the alternative investments space has
widened to include a lot more strategies. For instance,
traditional equity investments tend to be associated with high
risk high returns. The instability of this asset class is so
extreme, that risk-adjusted returns don’t appeal to most
investors. Recognising this, the alternative strategy of
investing in equity-linked structured products has grown to
fit the bill of most investors. If understood well and treated
right, these products serve to return handsome yields to
investors, while minimising volatility. Similarly, structured
products linked to fixed income instruments provide a yield
pick-up over and above traditional bonds and debt securities.
It is a myth that these products are designed to put
investors at a loss and make them compromise on liquidity.
Building a portfolio that balances the inclusion of such
instruments with those that are liquid and simplistic can
ensure that investors achieve the return-to-risk metric that
yield, rather than a justified return for risk. At this juncture,
I must stress the importance of educating investors about the
new age alternative instruments. The right financial advisor
should be able to educate investors about the design of these
strategies, the inherent risks and benefits and the right
treatment of these strategies in the portfolio. Apart from such
strategies, the world of alternative investments is also being
groomed by the rising tide of luxury asset investing. UHNWIs
have always had the option of investing in extravagant assets
such as art, yachts and luxury real estate – most of which
usually took the form of passion investing. However, today,
such investments are forming a part of the growing share of
alternative investments that offer the potential for attractive
returns. Wealth management for UHNWIs has started to
move away from the traditional private banking model and
now includes these facets of investing as well.
Exotics were less accessible and more feared in the past
due to the lack of information regarding these instruments.
As far as information flow goes, there is a massive
improvement now, as compared to before. More qualified
professionals, stringent regulations and increasing
transparency are coming to the forefront in this field. It is
time that investors jump on the bandwagon and usher in
the new age of modern alternative investing.
itsparipassu.wordpress.com
16
EQUITY

FINANCE
INVEST IN HIS
JOURNEY…
Afghanistan-born Australian Alande Mustafa Safi spills on his journey
from a young migrant boy to successful entrepreneur
When Alande Mustafa Safi,
Chairman of Paragon Premier
Investment Fund, migrated to
Australia, he didn’t speak much
English. He did however speak five other
languages that led him to quickly climb the ranks
in the financial world. The Afghanistan-born
Australian citizen moved to Melbourne 23 years
ago with his family and recalls the entire
experience as though it happened yesterday.
The decision to migrate to Australia was
purely for security reasons. “There were a few
things about the policy that stood out for our
family. One was security, because when you’re
17
EQUITY

FINANCE
Being a Mustafa, knowing the region
and having Dubai as a hub for nationals
from Afghanistan, India and
Pakistan, initiated the decision to
set-up here.
in transition in India, Iran or Pakistan, coming
from a war-torn country – like how the Syrians are
currently feeling with the turmoil in their nation –
you know that when you go to a place like Australia
you feel safe and at home. The country accepted a
lot of migrants from any background and religious
ethnicity with open arms”.
Growing up Alande’s ambition was to become
a commercial pilot, however upon graduating
from high school he took to the finance world
as a commission-based mortgage broker. By the
time he was 23, Alande was the highest winning
national seller for the company and by the age
of 26, he was in the top three nationally for that
leading brand in Australia. “In 2008, I aspired to
open my own company called Paragon National
Home Loans. He attributes his successes to
being multi lingual. “One of the things that
assisted my journey was that I speak six
languages including Dari, Pashtu, Urdu, Hindi,
Farsi and English,” Having the ability to speak
these languages gave him the opportunity to
expand his network, and by using his multi
lingual skills to help educate the migrant
markets settling into Melbourne and expanding
their multi-culturalism to give these people a
better understanding of the property market.
Alande went beyond mortgages in 2011 “I
created two products that were approved by the
Federal government of Australia, which was
immigration by investment. I’ve been part of the
program ever since the inception and in November
2012, with these qualified products, we brought in
the China and Middle East market, currently
managing $284 million AUD." In 2012 Paragon
Business Group was then created, completing
deposit lending and now currently manages over
$950 million AUD in residential mortgage
aggregation, domiciled in Australia. Paragon
Business Group, the parent company, went on to
launch Paragon Premier Investment Fund in 2016,
securing an Australian Financial Services License.
Paragon is a development investment fund
programme in Australia. Paragon is dedicated to
building homes, factories, or any development
project that are feasible for the Australian
community, which is much needed due to the
population growth.
Alande noticed a shift within the Australian
market, since the banks have become stringent
with their lending policy and will not lend to these
developers, Paragon is filling the gap that they do
not. Paragon is able to offer lucrative returns
through development. Alande expanded to eleven
markets including the Middle East. “Being a
Mustafa, knowing the region and having Dubai as
a hub for nationals from Afghanistan, India and
Pakistan, initiated the decision to set-up here.”
The way Paragon Premier Investment Fund
operates is by offering people the chance to invest
in government-approved projects in Melbourne’s
South, East and West. “We don’t deal with
volume; however we have close to 20 relationships
within the region that aren’t generated just in
Dubai. We use this city as a hub. Currently from
Dubai we are looking into $7.5 billion worth of
assets under management.” Institutions, Sovereign
Funds and Private funds are his biggest clients in
the region.
Currently, a Fund in India is being launched –
Paragon Investment Fund India, with a presence
in Mumbai and New Delhi. “Due to the current
turmoil in the Indian financial market and
exchange rates, we are looking to provide a service
solution for diversification of funds into Australian
government-approved projects.” When asked if
he has visited Afghanistan ever since he left,
Alande states that he hasn’t, although he does
boast a presence there through his office in Kabul
and ownership of the Paragon Band-e-Amir
Dragons cricket team, which is a part of the Kabul
Premier League, equivalent to the Indian Premier
League (IPL).
What's his key to success? “I never ever talk
business with my clients on the first pitch. I talk
about my journey, where I want to be, and how I
can fit them into my journey.” It's all about
maintaining relationships.
18
EQUITY

Bombardier, Global 6000 and Exceptional by Design are trademarks of
Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries. © 2017 Bombardier Inc. All rights reserved.
We didn’t get here by sheer luck. This was deliberate.
An act of craftsmanship and engineering prowess. Decades in the making.
Meeting at the intersection of art and technology. Defying conventions.
Redefining luxury. So when all is said and done,
we’ll know that we achieved something truly extraordinary.
businessaircraft.bombardier.com
19
EQUITY

WOMAN FINANCELEADER
DATA ATTACKS,
RANSOMWARE
AND THE FINANCIAL
SECTOR - ATTACKS AND
DISCLOSURE OF DATA
Steven Jupp touches upon the need for cyber security
improvement amongst the finance world
20
EQUITY

FINANCE
Words by Steven Jupp, CEO at Avem Capital
Having spent most of my life working
with technology companies, firstly as
a hobby, then as a career and finally as
an owner, I have seen many changes
in businesses perception of security. Coupled with
these changes there have been a variety of advances
in the methods used to hack, crack, phish and infect
technology based systems. In today’s world it has
unfortunately become commonplace that we are
facing an ever-growing threat from an increasing
scope of technologically focused criminals. As we
are seeing in the physical criminal world, the world
of cybercrime is increasing rapidly in line with the
opportunities it creates. It is evident that these
prospects are not only for those using technology to
enrich their daily lives, but also for criminals
exploiting its use. In a world where businesses can
be brought to their knees within minutes or held
ransom to large financial demands, one would
expect a financial firm to adopt the highest degree
of logical security to match the physical building’s
security. I myself have witnessed horrific networks,
bolted together by inexperienced IT engineers or
even admin staff. Attaching just about everything
possible to a so-called, secure infrastructure. I
started writing this article a few weeks prior to the
WannaCry ransomware propagation of the internet
of everything. Poorly patched and out of date
operating systems were the cause of a global
outbreak, of which many in the logical security
sector would deem ludicrous.
On several occasions, I have come across
previous ransom operations, whether directly
attacking a corporation, or worm type attacks as
seen with WannaCry. Aside from the ones reported
in the press, there is also a perturbing trend on the
number of hidden attacks, not disclosed to public
by corporations. This was reported by numerous
security officials, including myself, as far back as
2008 and then through the Securities and Exchange
Commission of the US requesting disclosure in
October 2011. Some now argue that companies
keeping these attacks secret may lead to quicker
fixes, but I would consider them to be protecting
their entities from reputational harm. In some
guises, there is obviously a need for the
consideration of secrecy, but I would argue that in
the world of finance, where regulation is increasing,
the disclosure of such attacks is paramount to the
client’s financial integrity. Previously, most
disclosures have been based on identity theft,
account details and even the recent 191 million US
voter registration records loss. However, with a
new world of financial gains being made through
ransom, we now enter a potentially catastrophic
situation whereby a hedge fund or financial
institution is held to ransom by organised crime. If
the company is made to report the attack
immediately, they could complicate/elongate the
process of strengthening their cyber defence
systems. Leaving the attack undisclosed however,
could lead to a further attack of other firms.
There is currently an unhealthy wave of patchy
laws and regulation globally. This has led to mainly
voluntary sharing of threat information. The
governments of the world need to act at a quicker
pace or the financial sector risks being a “cherry to
pick”. The finance industry is fast becoming a rich
flavour for the organised and even less organised
crime syndicates around the globe, and our
collective efforts are required to detract anyone
who thinks they can benefit from this.
21
EQUITY

WOMAN LEADER
YouTube sensation Lilly Sing speaks to EQUITY on
stardom and her latest book, How to be a Bawse
When Lilly Singh – better known by her
YouTube pseudonym Superwoman –
began vlogging, little did she know the
channel would one day boast 11 million
subscribers. The 28-year old Canadian is one of the
world’s highest paid YouTube stars, recently starred in her
first feature film titled A Trip to Unicorn Island and now
ticks the author box with the launch of her first book, How
to be a Bawse: A Guide to Conquering Life.
WHERE DID THE INSPIRATION FOR HOW TO
BE A BAWSE STEM FROM?
I have been so grateful for the good, bad and truly
unbelievable experiences I've had over the past years and
felt a book was the perfect format to share those lessons
with others. I've learned so much from smart people who
I admire along the way and wanted to share those stories
with my audience. I hope it will inspire others to see
beyond the mentality of “dreaming for their dreams.” I
22
EQUITY

WOMAN LEADER
want readers to work for their dreams, conquer life and
fight for their happiness.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE
ABOUT WRITING YOUR BOOK?
As simple as it sounds, finding the time to write. Turns out
that writing a book takes a lot of time. I had an idealistic
image in my head about the writing process: I was going to
take three months off, sit by a fireplace and then the book
would be done. That was quite the fantasy given my schedule
and commitments. I have learned that to write a book you
have to find the time to do it and it isn’t going to play out the
way you envisioned, but that is okay.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR PROUDEST
ACHIEVEMENT SO FAR?
It is difficult to share, but I have three moments that are
particularly special to me. First is my world tour and
documentary, “A Trip to Unicorn Island.” Being able to travel
the world, meet my fans and spreading positivity was an
unforgettable experience. Second is my Girl Love Rafiki
Bracelet. When I saw my design come to life, I was
overwhelmed. The bracelets not only represent being
passionate about Girl Love, but doing something about it.
Last is “How To Be A Bawse", of course! Writing my book has
been a surreal journey.
WHAT’S THE BEST BIT OF ADVICE YOU’VE
BEEN GIVEN?
It’s not a piece of direct advice, but during Dwayne Johnson’s
acceptance speech at the People Choice Awards he said, “It
is nice to be important but it is more important to be nice.”
This resonated with me because as I’ve grown in the
entertainment industry, I have seen what happens when fame
is thrust upon you. People can easily forget how important it
is to be a nice person, so it was refreshing and grounding to
hear this from someone of such prominence in the industry.
WHAT’S YOUR TOP BIT OF ADVICE FOR
SOMEONE STARTING OUT IN THEIR CAREER?
When you start your career, you’re often starting at the bottom.
There is this idea that constant growth is necessary and we are
tempted to “use escalators” to get to the top as quick as
possible. My advice is to put in the work and take the stairs or
climb the ladder. This way you can make every day count
instead of spending that energy scheming a way to escalate to
the top which will make the end result even sweeter.
WHO INSPIRES YOU?
My fans #TeamSuper. I started my YouTube channel
because I felt alone and their love and support has completely
changed my life for the better. When I get to meet them in
person, hear their stories and see how my videos have
encouraged them to work harder or love themselves more.
That’s true inspiration.
WERE THE ‘OUT OF THE BLUE’ CHAPTERS
DIFFICULT TO WRITE?
They were very difficult to write, but I felt they were necessary
to include. I want my readers to know that I’ve been through
difficult times just like them and this is what I did to get out of
it. Even now I choke up when I read these chapters since they
remind me of when I was a totally different person. Overall, it
was humbling but difficult to relive those experiences.
HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH NEGATIVITY
ONLINE?
I have a sticky note on my computer that reminds me every
day to focus on what deserves my attention. I know that
negativity exists, but I choose to not engage with it and spend
time on things that I want more of.
CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR
#GIRLLOVE CAMPAIGN?
#GirlLove is a social initiative I commenced to end the
cycle of girl-on-girl hate. The sad reality is that hate is
everywhere: at school, work and online. I wanted to create
a community that encourages positivity amongst us
because as women, we know how amazing other women
can be. I want young girls and ladies to see that
encouraging one another to achieve is a global win – we’re
all in this together.
WHAT’S YOUR NEXT PROJECT?
Right now, I'm most excited about How To Be A Bawse and
can't wait to meet fans on my tour this year to support it. I
care so much about those who take time to come and see
me on tour and want it to be a special experience for each
and every one of them. I'm also focusing a lot on Girl Love.
It feels more important than ever for young girls and
women around the world to lift each other up. I would also
love to pursue more acting opportunities and possibly
maybe make my own film or pilot. Lately, I have been
learning a lot about screenwriting, directing and producing.
There are so many opportunities here which is exciting.
23
EQUITY

A World of Sophisticated Beauty
Armani Hotel Dubai brings to life the “Stay with Armani” philosophy
delivering a genuine home approach and a unique lifestyle experience
where every need and desire is fulfilled for each guest individually.
www.armanihoteldubai.com
24
EQUITY

LOCAL STAR
#SUPPORTLOCAL
Discover this startup's journey
German-born Astrid Ellis shifted to Dubai 13
years ago to take on a position in the Oil & Gas
industry. Little did she know, her affinity for the
city would grow so much that she would one day
honour the stunning landscape, she now calls
home, with the launch of a business. The Shower
Tower, Dubai’s first ever Soapenir was created, as
a result, offering travelers and residents a gorgeous
aromatic keepsake of the iconic Burj Khalifa. Here
she takes us through her journey:
How was The Shower Tower conceptualised?
The idea was to create a luxury Soapenir, paying
tribute to Dubai’s most iconic structure, the Burj
Khalifa. Astrid partnered with one of the oldest
soap-making factories in Austria to create an allnatural
and organic product made with shea butter.
The memento was launched early this year, offering
a shower experience that leaves your skin as smooth
as velvet, with perfume oil that lingers on.
Major challenges until date?
In a challenging market such as here in the UAE,
it can be quite hard to stay motivated all the time.
Personally, I enjoy meeting and bouncing ideas
off like-minded female entrepreneurs as well. It’s
quite stimulating.
Where do you see your brand in five years?
We will have more iconic shapes and different scents.
I see this brand creating wonderful soaps rebuilding
famous landscapes. Additionally, we will also be
creating corporate soaps that reflect the true passion
and calibre of the business of our customers.
It’s imperative for a startup founder to have a
mentor. Do you have one?
Yes! Dawn Metcalfe, Founder and Managing
Director of PDSi, a company based in Dubai that
helps individuals and organisations with mentoring,
training and coaching. Her latest product is called
‘Hard Talk’ and she is brilliant at what she does.
From running a successful service company based in
the Oil and Gas Industry to becoming the creator of
Dubai’s first Soapenir has been a successful journey
thanks to her.
Where is the product stocked?
O-Concept Store, Jumeirah, Alserkal Cultural
Foundation, Arabian Souvenirs in Jumeirah Beach
Residence and Hotel Westin Mina Seyahi.
To find our more about the product and order your
soapeneir, visit theshowertower.com.
25
EQUITY

Your secured investment
in Australia through
development.
Minimum Return of 8%
*Conditions apply
Speak with us today.
+ 61 3 9759 9037
alandesafi@paragonpif.com
paragonpif.com
TM
OFFICE 1, LEVEL 2, 1091 STUD ROAD, ROWVILLE, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA 3178
26
EQUITY
AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL SERVICES LICENSEE 483118 | ABN 27 608 511 593

ROGER
FEDERER:
18 GRAND SLAMS,
302 WEEKS AT NO.1,
1,099 CAREER WINS.
HE’S NOT DONE YET
CELEBRITY
IMAGES BY SHUTTERSTOCK | WORDS BY SIMON BRIGGS | TELEGRAPH MAGAZINE | THE INTERVIEW PEOPLE
Many thought Roger
Federer’s career was
on the slide, but a
smashing start to the
2017 season shows
that, 20 years after he
became a pro, the Swiss
tennis legend can still
ace it. And might he
win Wimbledon again?
27
EQUITY

CELEBRITY
ROGER FEDERER IN DUBAI
When Roger Federer is winning, the world is a
better place. He is the clean-cut sheriff of
tennis, John Wayne in a bandana. And his
version of sport feels like something primal:
the pursuit of an ideal, rather than a cheque or trophy. It
triggers something equally primal in us: the joy of being alive.
Take the moment in Miami six weeks ago when Federer
confounded Tomas Berdych – a muscle-bound 6ft 5in Czech
– with a viciously sliced drop shot that dipped like a
doodlebug. The fans gasped, and then erupted into childlike
laughter – the same sort of involuntary reaction that Usain
Bolt evokes when he destroys his rivals on the track.
After that match – which Federer won, maintaining his
best start to a season since 2006 – he changed into a black
velour tracksuit and we strode together through the maze of
tunnels underneath the stadium court. He was still grinning
about the drop shot.
It was like one I hit against Simone Bolelli a couple of years
ago,’ Federer told me. Only this was even higher – I thought
for a moment it was going to bounce and spin back over the
net. Playing creative is gold: players are stuck in their ways,
their patterns, and sometimes you just have to break it." We
turned left and into a long, low-roofed lounge filled with
scatter cushions. Federer threw himself full-length on to a sofa
and arched his back luxuriously, a black panther in his lair 'I
was in this room just before with Ivan [Ljubiči] and Severin
[Lüthi, his two coaches]. We talked about how it’s quarter-final
day: I am supposed to win but, actually, I would have been
happy just to be here in the quarters a year ago. So just chill out,
relax, play free. After winning in Australia, this season is pure
joy.’ He raises an eyebrow. 'It wasn’t always like this.’
Of course it wasn’t. But then Federer’s career contains
epochs. It separates into a minimum of four distinct phases:
the petulant teenager (1997-2001), the super-smooth
champion (2002-2007), the senior, fading, pro (2008-2016)
and the impossible rebirth (right now).
As Federer resumes his former dominance, it’s worth
re-emphasising one basic statistic: he is 35 years old. Yes, 35.
This summer represents the 20th anniversary of his departure
from school, in favour of a professional sporting
career. In other words, he came in with Tony
Blair and New Labour. For a sport weary of Pete
Sampras’s perpetually creased forehead, things
could only get better.
Back in the Miami recreation room, I asked
Federer what he remembered of those first
skirmishes with adult opponents. 'I was very
convinced school was slowing me down,’ he said,
'though I promised my dad I would go back if tennis
didn’t work out. I won my first rankings point
against a Russian guy; Igor Tchelychev was his
name. And my friend got me so good. He had all
these people calling me, pretending to be
interviewers, wanting to know how I feel. They all
had my number and they were so excited. I said,
“Oh my God, so many guys are calling me,” and he
said, “You’re not believing what’s happening, right?”
The unformed Federer was a tempestuous teen, who
once earned himself a week of toilet-cleaning by ripping
the courtside curtain in Biel – home of Switzerland’s
national tennis centre – with a thrown racket. Yet he had
charm too. His first real interview was with René Stauffer,
a reporter from the Swiss newspaper Tages-Anzeiger,
who wrote that Federer was anything but the 'reserved
and taciturn’ character he had expected. 'He spoke
flowingly and confidently with a mischievous smile.’
Others remember Federer’s unfeigned fascination for
the world around him, his love of heavy rock band AC/
DC and his extraordinarily speedy texting on his entrylevel
Nokia. There was even a girlfriend at this stage,
though he is understandably coy now about revisiting the
subject (he was soon to fall in love with a Swiss tennis pro,
Mirka Vavrinec, whom he met in 2000; they married in
2009). 'I was so young, at that time. It was way before
everything happened.’
Federer possessed such prodigious gifts – he had already
'mastered every stroke’, in Stauffer’s words, when they met
in 1996 – that he was bound to climb quickly. But no one
knew how quickly until he dethroned Sampras at
Wimbledon in five sets in 2001. Federer didn’t lift the title
– that didn’t come until 2003 – but he admitted recently that
the whole occasion gave him a huge rush. 'All of a sudden it
started to make sense. Why you’re doing weights. Why
you’re running. Why you try to sleep well at night.’
The essential parts of the puzzle were beginning to mesh.
Peter Lundgren had taken over as coach, with Pierre
Paganini as fitness trainer. And Vavrinec had been on the
scene since an exploratory kiss at the Sydney Olympics. The
daughter of Slovakian émigrés, she had grown up on the
shores of Lake Constance, where she preferred ballet to ball
games – until a chance meeting with Martina Navratilova
shifted her sights. With a peak ranking of number 76, she
might have made a substantial player in her own right, but
for the foot injury that forced her retirement at the age of
24. So she directed her energies into Federer’s career
instead. 'He gave my tennis life back to me,’ she has said.
'When he wins, it’s as if I win as well.’
28
EQUITY

CELEBRITY
And there was a whole lot of winning going on.
Between 2003 and 2005, Federer maintained a 100
per cent record in finals: 24 trophies from 24
attempts. 'It was like being on a speed train,’ he
recalled. 'I was learning so much: how to deal with
TV shows, red carpets, pressure, press, travel. This
is where my fitness coach, Pierre, and Mirka, my
wife, have been unbelievable. They were the rocks
behind the whole organisation.’
Admittedly, the train began to decelerate
towards the end of the decade, thanks partly to
the emergence of Rafael Nadal, and partly to
glandular fever. ('It made a big dent in my
career; in 2008 I felt a step slower.’) But Federer
was about to enter a new phase of his life.
'The beautiful times came in 2009,’ he said,
'where I finally won the French, Mirka got
pregnant, we had the kids, I won Wimbledon
and broke the record [Sampras’s 14 grand
slam titles]. That was the dream summer
with everything. We were trying to keep it
under wraps that she was pregnant. That was
fun in itself because we didn’t want people to
find out because we wanted this to be private,
and we achieved that, which was great.’
Is it possible fatherhood might have
lengthened his career, rather than shortened it
as so many pundits had predicted? "Yeah,’ he
answered. 'Even though, when we found out it
was twins in Australia in 2009, Mirka was very
worried that the logistics weren’t going to work.
That she would have to be at home and I would
be playing and we would be separated, and it
made her very sad, in that moment. And I told
her, “Not for a second do you have to worry;
we will make it work somehow.” Actually the
first year when they are that small it’s quite
easy, the travel. It gets tough between oneand-a-half
and four, when they want to
walk a marathon on the plane. That’s why,
for me, 2010 and 2011 are a blur. My
memories are much more with the kids
than they are with tennis.’
By now Federer had a second home
in Dubai, and a jet set of
internationally famous friends that
included rock star Gavin Rossdale
and Vogue editor Anna Wintour.
('I am finally going to the Met Ball
with Anna this year,’ he said,
'because she has invited me for
years.’) But he still keeps up
with the old gang from his
embryonic years in
Switzerland: fellow Biel
trainees Yves Allegro,
Michael Lammer and
Marco Chiudinelli, plus
Actually the first year
when they are that small
it’s quite easy, the travel. It
gets tough between one and
a half and four, when they
want to walk a marathon
on the plane. That’s why, for
me, 2010 and 2011 are a blur.
My memories are much
more with the kids than
they are with tennis.
29
EQUITY

CELEBRITY
Swiss professional
tennis player Roger
Federer during
his visit in Prague,
Czech republic,
February 20, 2017.
30
EQUITY

CELEBRITY
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 3 :ROGER FEDERER, VICTORIA AZARENKA, RADEK
STEPANEK AND GARBINE MUGURUZA AT THE 2016 BRISBANE INTERNATIONAL KIDS DAY
Vincent Christinet, the room-mate who became like a
brother when Federer lodged with the Christinet family in his
late teens. These two old allies meet for coffee whenever
Federer is in Geneva, and Vincent 'writes me after every
match basically’.
For Federer’s most ardent fans – who tend to resent Nadal
and his other rivals – this blend of domesticity and moviestar
glamour only adds to his appeal. When at his main home,
in the small Swiss town of Valbella, he eats fondue at the
local restaurant and practises at the public sports centre.
'You have to book the court.’ He smiled. 'Let’s say you
book from 4pm to 6pm, you have to go and wait in front of
the door until 3.59. You shyly open the door, you see
they’re packing up their stuff, you come in. 'Oh! Can I take
a picture?’ No problem. They walk off and then you play
until the next guys walk on. I like it like this. It keeps me
grounded; it keeps me in a normal state. I even pay for the
court there, and that’s cool.’
Court time was not a priority for Federer last season. He
enjoyed his six-month lay-off as an opportunity to dine with
friends, but described it as 'brutal’ in tennis terms. The
starting point was the knee injury he suffered in the most
bizarre fashion in January, while running a bath for his sevenyear-old
twin daughters (he also has twin sons, aged three). A
torn meniscus sent him to the operating table for the first
time in his life – an extraordinary statistic for a man with
1,355 tour-level matches under his belt.
Federer’s personal time warp peaked four months ago, at
the Australian Open. The tournament was a festival for the
over-30s, reported as 'the flashback slam’. Nadal sweated
his way to finals weekend, along with both Williams sisters.
But it was Federer, impassive under his white headband,
who commanded the stage. For a fortnight in January – the
same fortnight, incidentally, during which Donald Trump
was sworn into office – his drive to an 18th major title felt
like the sunniest storyline in human existence.
'This win, it came from so far left field,’ he said. 'I am 100
per cent truthful when I say
that not for a second did I
really believe I was going to
win. Severin hinted to me in
Dubai in December: “I tell
you, if you play like this you
could win this thing,” and I
said, “Yeah I guess so,” but
you never take that too
serious. But I was winning
so many sets in practice and
I was playing so well that he
just thought, “Jeez you
never know.”
Having received his
replica of the Norman
Brookes Challenge Cup –
his fifth, in all – Federer
was photographed
embracing it in his luxurious
Swiss chalet. He giggled
when I mentioned the picture. 'Yeah, that’s what I do at
home. I sit there every day with my trophy on my fur rug
for 15 minutes like a weirdo.’ For all Federer’s surprise
and delight, though, he declined to class his Melbourne
miracle as a fluke. He sees it as something closer to a
scientific breakthrough, earned through three years of
tireless experimentation in the lab.
'2014 is when I feel like a new career started, because of the
racket,’ he said. 'I know you might think it’s a marketing thing
but it’s not; for me it’s so special. I just thought I have to
move along with the times, so I designed the RF97 [so called
because the surface area is 97sq in, seven more than the old
model] by myself, I tested it, I did all that stuff.
'I had to figure out myself what works better and what
doesn’t with the new racket, and then as I always said, I just
need hours and hours of practice. At 5-5, 30-30 in the third
set, do you trust yourself to go for the backhand down the
line, on the line? That’s essentially when you know you can
trust your racket. Winning now in Australia, you can imagine
what it meant to me. And I am having fun playing this way.’
And so to the question that no Roger Federer interview
can ignore. How many more aces does he have up his sleeve?
How much fire still burns behind that suave exterior? In
February, he signed a contract extension for his home
tournament in Basel that will take him up to 2019. But no
one, including Federer himself, really knows how his Indian
summer will end.
'You have to be hungry,’ he said. 'If I’m losing second
round every week, yes it makes me happy that I’m healthy
and I can play, but it’s not going to make me particularly
happy as a tennis player. I’ve had too much success for a
second round to keep me entertained.
'At the same time, it doesn’t mean that I have to finish as
world number one or achieve certain things. Some people
would always feel that it needs to be this fairy-tale ending, but
I feel like the time will be the time. I just hope I can do it on
my own terms.’
31
EQUITY

EDUCATION
IN EXPERT HANDS
Give your child the care they need at Riverston Children’s Centre
Words by Olive Sevilla
If your child has special needs, chances
are, you are hard pressed to find a
school that ticks all the right boxes,
especially here in the UAE. Luckily, a
few have popped up to cater the demand for
schools that provide a high level of education.
The Riverston Children’s Centre for
Special Needs and Education recently
opened in Dubai to cater to these children in
a nurturing and guiding way. The joint
venture between Tarbia (part of Daud
Investments and the Belhasa Group) and
Riverston caters to the need of families who
need diagnosis and treatment for family
members with special needs. According to
the Centre, special needs falls into a broad
spectrum of categories ranging from autism
and dyslexia to issues such as the inability to
focus. The centre provides speech and
language therapy assessment and sessions,
screenings and consultations, while providing
its wards with a safe and encouraging
environment. Prospective students go
through centre-issued standardised tests that
determine the type of specialist best for the
child. Parents and children are prepared for
therapy and lessons, as it is recommended to
32
EQUITY

EDUCATION
spot any learning difficulties in a child, before
they hit pre-school, at 24 months. For
example, if a child has down’s syndrome, it
helps educate parents on difficulties their
child might face in the future. In short,
parents are an equally significant fragment of
the learning process.
A typical day involves children coming in
for an hour-long session on their own, or to
be part of a group where they have support
for communication, speech sound
articulation, motor skills and a range of
various activities they may have trouble
coping with. Other services at the centre
include occupational therapy and training for
teachers. The centre even provides accredited
and non-accredited training to parents as
well. Another interesting aspect of the centre
is that it’s not only for kids as adults have
been discovered with learning and cognitive
problems too. Kids up to the age of 18 are
catered to widely by the centre and adults are
enrolled if they wish to continue in the
environment. With fees similar to the rest of
the special needs education providers in
Dubai, the centre is set tobe a benchmark in
special needs education. Over the summer,
students can learn to build on their social,
motor, communication and friendship skills
with playtime, yoga and intensive therapy
sessions at camp. People with special needs
and dyslexia have been discovered to be quite
entrepreneurial, so the need to spot and
nurture these traits is immense for the centre
and parents.The utmost importance is to
catch any difficulty or special needs
requirements as early as possible and have
the full support of parents in the learning
sessions at home and at school. The
Riverston Children’s Centre for Special
Needs and Education aims to build an
environment where they aren’t frowned
upon as being “different”. riverstonecc.ae
33
EQUITY

34
EQUITY

ody
Everything you need to prep
for Eid, your summer solstice
and to revamp your wardrobe.
Don't forget to treat yourself
to the finest in celebrity
indulgences with our tried and
tested selection of treatments.
35
EQUITY

FASHION
TRENDING NOW:
Step aside formal suits, the stylish men’s ensemble
is all about a punch of colour, neat cut and
structured lines. From Burberry to Gucci’s capsule
collection with MR PORTER, men can be seen with
rich textures and fabrications in a vibrant colour
palette of zesty oranges and yellows, hues of purple
azure, light blues and bordeaux reds.
MR PORTER X
GUCCI
EXCLUSIVE
CAPSULE
From
BILLIONAIRE
CORNELIANI's
Spring Summer
Collection 2017
36
EQUITY

TRENDING NOW:
FASHION
Hailed as one of this season’s hottest trends
and apt for sunnier climes on tropical islands
or here in the UAE, the all-over print is one
to channel for effortless summer style with a
statement. Mix contrasting colours, graphics,
prints, stripes, floral patterns and textures to
achieve the look. It’s a case of more is more,
when it meets the eye, but it’s all possible
with one striking piece.
Dhs 5,125,
Preen by
Thornton
Bregazzi at
NET-A-PORTER
Red gold abaya,
Dhs2,200 at
lebelik.com
AMATO
Luxe
& Other
Stories
High
Summer
17
Dhs1,795,
Zayan the
Label at
S*uce
Shorts,
Dhs1,199
by Malene
Birger at
LE 66
37
EQUITY

TRENDS
The
CHECKLIST
Chic picks to keep you vogueish this summer
Bag it
This season’s bags are smaller than
the totes we lug around, boasting fun
elements, while showcasing attention
to detail in every piece.
Dhs2,033,
WAIWAI at
Shopbop.com
NEW SIENNA
MIDNIGHT BLUE
PYTHON, Dhs6,000
at belquis.com
Drew mini
suede-trimmed
water snake
shoulder bag,
Dhs2,195,
CHLOE at
net-a-porter.com
LEONARD,
Dhs4,950 at
Nathalie Trad
A DESTINATION FOR ALL
Who doesn’t love a bit of online shopping? Admiring the
latest collections, adding new wardrobe pieces to the cart
and the excitement of waiting for your shopping haul to
arrive. We know, we do! NET-A-PORTER have unveiled a
Ramadan collection, their vacation shop JET-A-PORTER,
and an exclusive capsule collection with CHLOÉ, making it
the ultimate e-commerce catering to our summer and travel
needs. Click away at net-a-porter.com
38
EQUITY

TRENDS
THE PERFECT GIFTS
With Eid and Father’s Day looming, you will need plenty of options to
make sure you’re well prepped this time around. That is, if you can
part ways with these gorgeous goodies.
Who doesn’t love a coffee table game? This
BACKGAMMON SET is a great conversation
starter and statement centrepiece.
Dhs16,400 at Berluti
STEAL HIS STYLE
A good pair of shoes
instantaneously elevates
an outfit. Channel Brad
Pitt on the red carpet with
this summer ensemble paired
with classic PLAIN-TOE OXFORD SHOES
FROM THE TRAMEZZA COLLECTION.
Dhs4,000 at Salvatore Ferragamo
THE NIGHT CALL FROM EX
NIHILO comprises notes of
toasted sesame fused with
beeswax, gingerbread,
patchouli, benzoin and
tonka. Apt for those with
eclectic taste. Dhs3,100
exclusively at
Bloomingdales Dubai at
The Dubai Mall
SET IN STONE
A timeless piece that injects
a dose of sophistication and
colour is just what we need to bring
our summer outfits to life. Nakhla’s
eye-catching pieces with raw stones
utilise the process of jewellery
casting, where liquid gold is poured
into a mold, making each piece a
handmade work of art.
Dhs32,397 at
nakhlajewelry.com
One for the mantle, this
1940'S CHRISTOFLE
VASE BY LUC LANEL,
doubles as an
investment, so why not
get it as a gift, or
perhaps treat your
home to a stunning
piece? Dh8,815,
Mantiques Modern at
modaoperandi.com
39
EQUITY

SHOP
talk
IN STYLE
The stores to visit for
your next shopping haul
ALL IN ONE
Dubai Festival City is brimming with
new outlets for everything from fashion
to beauty. Here are two to visit:
● Expand your fragrance wardrobe
with a visit to Beautique, a homegrown
concept offering the latest in niche
perfumes, including the likes of Maison
Francis Kurkdjian, By Kilian, Laurent
Mazzone, Moresque, and Sospiro.
INDIAN TOUCH
Renowned international fashion designer
Manish Arora has collaborated with RIVA
Fashion to launch a line reminiscent of his
Indian heritage and the iconic Taj Mahal.
Rich vibrant colours, parkas fused with the
designer’s signature pink, and demure
dresses with a kaleidoscope effect of
yellows, blues, violets and golds, bring the
collection to life. Available at SIVVI.COM
and RIVA Fashion stores.
CLASSIC PAIRS
For timeless sole wear
that’s bang on trend,
head to Stuart Weitzman.
The celebrity-approved Mulearky slides in dusty pink and black have
been spotted on Gigi Hadid and Karlie Kloss, to drop a few names. Our
favourites? the Supersonic (pointed-toe flat with ankle-wrap detail).
Those who love a bit of heel can opt for the Partisan (platform sandal
with metallic block heel and satin straps), and Wallawalla (a suede stacked
heeled desert boot with oversized stitch details and tasselled laces).
stuartweitzman.com
● In the world of
fashion, French
women are always looked up to for their
understated elegance and that certain je
ne sais quoi. Lucky for us, with the launch
of La Fee Maraboute at Robinsons Dubai,
a French-inspired wardrobe doesn’t have
to be a flight away. Expect florals, prints,
flowy dresses, and ultra-feminine pieces
that are topical yet glamorous.
Give back with flowers
The days of stopping by a florist to get a
flower bouquet are long gone. Women
much prefer receiving roses presented in
a gorgeous hat box nowadays, which
makes for a great Instagram post too. To
commemorate the Year of Giving,
Maison Des Fleurs have teamed up
with Dubai-based artist eL Seed to
unveil a flower box designed with
his signature calligraphy style. 50%
of all proceeds will be donated to
the Dubai-based globally
renowned initiative Al Jalila Foundation,
treating children with life-threatening
illnesses and towards local research into
better treatment options to improve
children’s lives. From Dhs749, visit
maisondesfleurs.com
40
EQUITY

41
EQUITY

WELLNESS
INDULGE
YOURSELF
Tried and tested experiences of the month
THE ELIXIR CLINIC
When we heard of a treatment where you get pricked to amp up antioxidants,
vitamin-intake and plenty more goodness, we couldn’t pass. Fatigue and climatic
conditions have been taking a toll on our health. Forgetting to take our
supplements saw us reaching for caffeine every few hours. Thus, the reason this
treatment was a no-brainer. Upon checking into the Elixir clinic we filled up a
form and sat down for a consultation with the doctor soon after to weigh out
stress, energy levels, and daily habits. Up next, it was time to get the VIP Elixir
VitaDrip, a concoction of vitamins and minerals aimed at boosting the immune
system, easing fatigue and slowing down the ageing process. Since we haven’t
been to the gym for a while, we were glad to find out that L-Carnitine (an amino
acid that also serves as an appetite suppressant) was part of the drips, however
the doctor mentioned it’s mainly to assist weight loss and rid toxins, so we
wouldn’t be dropping pounds instantly. 13 drips are available to choose from, all
tailored towards a specific cause for your body and long-term wellbeing. We
must warn you, once the drops are inoculated into the system (takes
approximately 30-45 minutes), an injection for your hair, nails and skin follows
suit. We found ourselves drinking plenty of water, which works wonders for the
system and flushes out toxins. Compliments of glowing skin were well received
and could only be attributed to the treatment since nothing really changed in
terms of our diet and activity levels, which overall made us feel amazing.
Need to know: Prices start from around Dh1,200, visit theelixirclinic.com
ROSSANO FERRETTI
World-renowned hairdresser Rossano Ferretti
has had the pleasure of working with Angelina
Jolie, Jennifer Lawrence and Salma Hayek.
When we heard news of his latest outpost in
Jumeirah, the first in the Middle East, we had to
visit the space. Minimalist décor and
comfortable lounges coupled with plenty of
natural sunlight flood the space. Naturally, it
was all booked for hair appointments when he
was in town, so we plonked ourselves on the
leather chairs and opted for a manicure/
pedicure instead. Once my nails were cleaned,
buffed and filed, a scented scrub that instantly
revitalised was applied to slough away dead
skin cells. Our hands and feet were then placed
into a cool serum-soaked collage mask to keep
wrinkles at bay and skin moisturised. A wide
selection of nail polishes are available to choose
from, with a two-week long polish for those
who don’t want to commit to gel counterparts.
A coat of quick dry and we were ready to get
on with our day.
Need to know: Dhs140, call 04-330 0073
42
EQUITY

soul
Take a trip to Budapest for a
quick getaway or opt for a
staycation in the country to
unwind. Feed your soul by
spending quality time with
family and friends at the latest
spots in town, Iftars and your
next big investment, be it arm
candy or a new home.
43
EQUITY

COLLECTOR'S PIECES
ON OUR RADAR
Striking statement pieces
JEWELLERY
Rihanna ♥ Chopard
NECKLACE
Singer, actor and superstar Rihanna has teamed
up with Chopard to create the RIHANNA ♥
CHOPARD Haute Joaillerie collection.
Capturing her boldness, style and spirit, the
collection showcases bright bold and striking
pieces, that pay homage to Rihanna’s island
roots; the verdant gardens of Barbados and the
thrill and energy of Carnival.
PRICE UPON REQUEST AT CHOPARD
44
EQUITY

COLLECTOR'S PIECES
FURNITURE
Molocaho
AMORETTE
Tanzanian furniture brand, MOLOCAHO by Amorette, recently debuted the
M-Luxury Chair – the world’s only encrusted hardwood chair from the
country – at INDEX Design Series 2017. The creation, designed by Jacqueline
Mengi, is a work of art, showcasing the best in craftsmanship through its
unique design, century old techniques and premium quality hardwood:
Pterocarpus angolensis and Mninga. Jacqueline’s inspiration for the plush
majestic creation stemmed from the ancient throne of tribal kings. Only 20
pieces were created of the limited edition chair adorned with rare gemstones
native to Tanzania. How’s that for a statement chair?
US$ 98,000 (APPROXIMATELY DHS359,963) AT MOLOCAHO.COM
45
EQUITY

COLLECTOR'S PIECES
WATCH
Jaquet Droz
Grande Seconde Moon Ivory Enamel
FOR HIM
Jaquet Droz is the undisputed king of automatons. But beyond those charming animated dial side
creations (a cherub on a carriage drawn by a butterfly, birds feeding their hatchlings, et al), there’s
another feature that’s become synonymous with the brand – flawless, expansive enamel dials.
If you’re looking for understated elegance, this Grande Seconde Moon Ivory Enamel is the only
dress watch you need right now. At Baselworld 2017, the Marc Hayek-led brand dropped three
novelties in the Grande Seconde collection: stainless steel with Onyx dial, stainless steel with
opaline dial, and this 18k red gold version with a grande feu enamel dial.
Within the oversized figure eight (considered lucky among several Asian countries) on the
multi-layered dial, the hours and minutes are indicated in the smaller aperture on top, while the
lower aperture contains the running seconds, date and a detail-rich moonphase display.
The 43mm case houses an automatic-winding movement that packs in a power reserve of 68
hours. There is a moonphase corrector located on the side of the case at 8 o’clock which can be
operated with a stylus that comes bundled with the watch.
Interestingly, the moonphase on this doesn’t need to be adjusted for the next 122 years and 46
days. Let your grandson who’ll inherit this heirloom piece worry about that.
DHS110,000 ($29,800)
46
EQUITY

COLLECTOR'S PIECES
WATCH
Chanel
Premíère Camélia Skeleton Full Set
FOR HER
Chanel lifted the bar a few notches last year when it debuted its first in-house movement in the
incredibly handsome Monsieur de Chanel men’s watch. It signalled to the watchmaking world that
it’s gone far beyond merely a fashion house that also makes timepieces on the side, to now firmly
into the realm of a maison that specialises in haute horlogerie. This timepiece that broke cover at
Baselworld 2017 reinforces that narrative. It has introduced its second in-house movement, this
time for women, in the Premíère Camélia Skeleton timepiece.
This watch is a 30th anniversary tribute to the very first timepiece that Chanel made back in 1978,
the Premíère. The case shape, a nod to the rectangular bottle shape of the iconic Chanel No. 5
perfume, is like the original, but that’s where the similarities end. There are three versions of this new
timepiece, one with a total diamond weight of 5.54carat, and another with a weight of 7.85carat.
This Camélia Skeleton Full Set however, limited to just 12 pieces, has a diamond weight of a jaw-slacking
22.7carat. That includes 105 baguette-cut and 63 brilliant-cut diamonds. With a skeletonized movement
that defines the negative spaces, you won’t have to take our word for it – go ahead and count.
DHS1.9MILLION ($515,000)
47
EQUITY

COLLECTOR'S PIECES
PERFUME
Eau de Memo
MEMO PARIS
French fragrance house Memo Paris commemorates their 10th anniversary with a bespoke music box
for Eau de Memo. Cloaked in embossed beige leather, the bottle stands in all its glory alongside singing
automated birds, making you reminisce age-old jewellery boxes with the dancing ballerina. The limitededition
piece is a creation from Reuge, Swiss watchmaking specialist, who beautifully transforms the
music box to a treasure trove. The boxes are made to order, with a three-month delivery window –
you may want to get yours ahead of Christmas and wedding season.
PRICE UPON REQUEST AT MEMO PARIS
48
EQUITY

49
EQUITY

AUTOMOBILE
KING OF THE ROAD
The $13million Rolls-Royce Sweptail is an
exercise in proper bespoke coachbuilding
Words by Varun Godinho
Think of a Rolls-Royce as you would a land
yacht. It’s expansive, stately and a statement
piece that signals you’ve entered a rarefied
orbit. Those who inhabit this space can tell
the difference between a Basquiat and Bacon,
appreciate the aesthetic value of a threequarter
plate on an A. Lange & Söhne
movement, and always score the chef’s table
at Osteria Francescana.
At this level, money is no bar – fine taste is.
The customers of a Rolls-Royce are industry
captains, oligarchs and celebrities who aren’t
sold – or swayed – over a $13million price
tag. One such customer, that remains
unnamed, contacted RR back in 2013 and
asked the carmaker to build a bespoke car for
him. Four years later, the curvaceous Rolls-
Royce Sweptail was born and was awarded
its first public showing at the Villa d’Este
Concorso d’Eleganza last month.
The event held on the banks of Lake Como
in Italy is Europe’s annual vintage and classic
car exhibition where some of the finest
automotive jewels are paraded before
adoring fans. These cars mostly belong to
what’s referred to as the golden age of
motoring, that Pre-World War 2 era where
straight-off-the-assembly-line was considered
blasé, and coachwork houses around Europe
and North America handbuilt bespoke shells
for discerning clientele.
That’s the nostalgic era of motoring that
Rolls-Royce turned to for inspiration on this
build. The new Sweptail has the rounded
doors look from a 1925 Phantom I, borrows a
silhouette from the 1934 Phantom II
Streamline Saloon, and its most striking feature
– the swept tail – from the 1934 Gurney
Nutting phantom II Two Door Night Saloon.
The single-piece glass panoramic roof, was
one of the largest and most complex ones
ever installed on a car. The number plate
carved into the lower pedestal, and the one at
the rear is milled from solid aluminium blocks.
The well-appointed interiors have plenty of
buttery leather and veneered wood (Macassar
Ebony and Paldao wood, if we’re being
pedantic). The lengths to which bespoke can
50
EQUITY

COLLECTOR'S PIECES
reach today means that at a touch of a
button, the centre console brings up
two champagne flutes and a bottle of
champagne, both of which are tilted to
the precise angle that makes it the
easiest for the owner to lift it.
Rolls-Royce design director, Giles
Taylor, guided the one-off build that saw
this car start life as a standard two-door
Phantom Coupé before it underwent
this dramatic transformation.
It wasn’t built for speed, and frankly
attempting to drive a Rolls-Royce like a
sportscar would be an unseemly sight.
But with a 6.6-litre V12 that’s good for
453hp, there’s plenty of power to
prove a point should you feel the need
to. And if you do, you’re probably not
ready to own one yet.
$13MILLION (DHS47MILLION)
51
EQUITY

AVIATION
NOTHING
TOPS
SAFETY
Holger Ostheimer Managing Director at DC
Aviation Al-Futtaim advises on aircraft ownership
DC Aviation Al-Futtaim, a joint venture
between DC Aviation Group based in Germany
and Al-Futtaim, has been operational in the UAE
since 2007, offering charter flights in complete
privacy, right from the minute the client steps out
of the car, to the aircraft and destination of choice.
Holger came on board as a consultant in 2012,
graduating as a teacher. “I grew up close to
Frankfurt Airport in Germany and having done all
my work around there from passenger aircraft to
operations, I ended up getting a commercial pilot
license,” he tells us. Unfortunately, the timing
wasn’t right for pilots in 2001, with the market
looking dire and the space being under shock
from the September 11 attack. As a result, Holger
had to make do in the fact that his future lay in
management. Grabbing the opportunity, he then
stepped into the field with flight support, following
on as Operations Director at Daimlerchrysler,
before heading to the Middle East.
Speaking further about operations and
maintenance, Holger tells us that at DC Aviation
nothing tops safety. “As a quality operator like
ourselves we make sure our company guidelines
and handbooks reflect what the regulator expects
from us,” he says. A sophisticated organisation is
behind the management of the aircraft, to provide
warranty claims – if the aircraft is young – and act
on behalf of the client to recuperate recurring
costs of purchasing parts and man power.
52
EQUITY

AVIATION
Aircraft purchasers need
to be careful with the type
of aircraft they are about to
invest in. DC Aviation
provides a credible service
wherein the operator
negotiates a justified price
based on the condition of
the aircraft, and the specific
documentation required,
while ensuring the aircraft is
in its best possible state for
the client’s benefit.
Whether cabins are
bespoke and built from
scratch or re-sold and
configured at a previous
point in time, the
commercial and technical
department is on hand to monitor each and every
aspect. “Anything missed out in the process will
cost the operator and owner very dearly. If the
documentation wasn’t done well, and you have
the aircraft purchased and the regulatory
authorities come up and ask for documents, you
can suddenly be confronted with a huge bill
because a certain part hasn’t been installed. We
send people on site, to the plant, every two to six
weeks to check up on the process – the sheet
metals being welded together or anything that’s
missed out. Once the floor boards and cabins are
on you won’t be able to tell,” he says. When
someone buys an aircraft and management issues
occur, the blame falls on the operator, which is
why it’s important to reach out to credible
organisations in the first place, advises Holger.
With the second hangar, currently on board for
year-end completion, the 6,800 square metre
space will enable DCAF to add two single-aisle
aircraft maintenance bays and provide enough
space for an additional workshop and equipment
storage. It will also significantly increase the
number and size of aircraft that can be
accommodated at the facility. The second hangar
will also be able to accommodate aircrafts up to
the Boeing 767 and provide B1 (airframe) and B2
(avionics) maintenance services for the Falcon 7X,
alongside line maintenance support for customers
operating the Bombardier Global Express,
Challenger 604/605, Airbus 320 family, and the
Global 6000 and Global 5000 Vision Flight Deck
aircraft types.
Currently, DCAF has a total of five aircrafts on
its managed fleet including the Dassault Falcon
7X, two Bombardier Challenger 604, a Global
XRS, and a Global 5000, with popular destinations
being business hubs including Paris, Hong Kong,
London, Pakistan, Delhi, Mumbai, Saudi Arabia
and GCC countries.
53
EQUITY

54
EQUITY

55
EQUITY

GASTRONOMY
DESERT DINING
1
BAB AL SHAMS
An Arabian-nights themed fairytale
setting with souq stalls, large Persian rugs
and aromas of incense greet you as you
walk along the path to the buffet and
seating area. That’s what you can expect
at the Al Hadheerah tent tucked away
amongst tranquil sandy surroundings.
Hummus, baba ghanoush and a selection
of dips are placed on each table to tuck
into with freshly baked bread, the minute
you arrive. At the buffet, help yourself at
the ten live cooking stations featuring
everything from Omani, Emirati, Iranian
and Syrian cuisine to Lebanese and
Moroccan, to name a few that are
available. Follow the traditional way of
Iftar beginning with lentil soup, followed
by freshly prepared fatayer, hot cheese
rolls and kibbeh (meat croquettes), a
selection of salads, cheese and meat
manakeesh and shawarma. For mains,
we highly recommend diving into the big
pot of crab – you can’t miss the large
steel dish – succulent kebabs and lamb
chops, with a side of lamb ouzi, couscous,
tagines, biryani, and koshari (an Egyptian
dish with macaroni, rice, tomato sauce
and meat) – it’s best to taste a little of
everything, right? Sate sweet tooth
cravings with homemade cakes,
pastries or the irresistible Turkish ice
cream, served by a Turkish man with a
barrel of laughs. Oud players, a
traditional Tanoura and a camel and
horse heritage caravan live show offer
entertainment for a mystical evening in
the desert. Call 04 809 6100
Dining in Dubai
The city’s finest gastronomic outlets to see and be seen at
56
EQUITY

GASTRONOMY
MEXICAN VIBES
2
PEYOTE
Let’s begin by mentioning they serve
cactus salad. That’s right, the modern
Mexican restaurant named after a small
cactus native to the Chihuahuan
Desert, is a concept straight out of
Mayfair that brings with itself the spirit
and culture of the country, complete
with everything from a cactus salad –
with a texture slightly similar to aloe
vera – to usual suspects including
guacamole and crisp calamari. Four
salsas ranging from mild to peanut
butter and spicy, accompany all meals.
Must-have starters showcase sharingstyle
dishes of roasted chicken adobo in
a soft taco (made in-house) with
pineapple pico de gallo lime and
cilantro, alongside silky pieces of halibut
in a tangy lime-cilantro dressing. The
24-hour braised lamb shoulder stands
out, especially for carnivores, and it
sure does impress. Cooked in a banana
leaf and served with a side of salsa
tatemada, the barbacoa is shredded
tableside, after which you make your
own taco filled with salsa, sides such as
the highly recommended sweet corn
with homemade mayonnaise and
creamy queso fresco, and patatas
bravas (baby potatoes with salsa).
Leave room for desserts, as you can’t
leave a Mexican restaurant without
feasting on their churros dipped in
chocolate and cajeta (thick goat’s milk
caramel sauce). Don’t stop there
though, two of our favourites feature a
contemporary take on tres leches (a
soaked vanilla sponge cake) with layers
of red berry jam, and the Oaxaca
chocolate, a chocolate sphere that
hides within a warm chocolate and
chipotle mousse with a hint of spice,
toned down by the complementing
raspberry sorbet. Call 04 521 6300
ARABIAN AMBIENCE
3
JUMEIRAH AL QASR
The gorgeous waterway eatery may
have contemporary exteriors with
white fixtures, however indoors, a
traditional Arabian affair awaits diners.
For a Lebanese-inspired Iftar, break
your fast with fresh juices followed by
fattoush, cheese sambusek and freshly
baked bread to scoop nutritious
options including muhamarra and
baba ganoush. Leave space for fall-offthe-bone
lamb chops that arrive every
few minutes fresh from the grill, and a
selection of seafood specialities. Lamb
ouzi and fish machboos are some of
the other dishes you can tuck into
with roasted vegetables, shish tawook
and plenty of savoury dishes. For
desserts, you can’t leave without
trying the sticky toffee date pudding,
cakes or fresh fruit, with a side of
Moroccan tea, prepared on the spot.
Call 04 432 3232
57
EQUITY

GASTRONOMY
CONTEMPORARY
TOUCH
4
ZAHIRA
Australian-Lebanese celebrity chef
Greg Malouf is back with his latest
outpost at The H, giving diners a
taste of modern Middle Eastern
cuisine served in a sharing style
manner. A relaxed lounge fitted
with leather chairs, couches and
high bar stools make up the area
where cocktails such as the Kiss of
Oud (a whiskey-based concoction),
Beqaa Sour (avocado infusion) and
the Amaya – served with a spritz of
perfume – are prepared. Appetisers
such as the creamy burrata atop
warm foul medammes are apt for
those who love the Arabic starter,
while crisp hazelnut falafels with
yoghurt tahini and pickled turnips
break apart beautifully as you bite
into it. The signature duck bisteeya
with sweet spices and almonds,
showcase stringy tender duck under
pastry adorned with the hand of
Fatima. The dish is best eaten on its
own with the slaw it’s laid upon. If
you do want to pair it with
something substantial, we highly
recommend the spatchcock fatteh;
clay pot cooked French chicken with
chickpeas, laban and wafer bread.
You will be bursting at the seams by
this point, but you can’t leave without
nibbling on the warm and comforting
kunafeh doused in rose water or
peach pavlova, a messy meringue
delight. Call 04 501 8606.
58
EQUITY

HOTSPOTS
ON THE
Culinary offerings, Iftars and flavours to try in the country
MENU
GUESS WHO’S BACK?
Katsuya by Starck is out of Dubai
Mall, and in new grounds, now at
Jumeirah Al Naseem Hotel,
Madinat Jumeirah. The gorgeous
eatery is one to flock to for a taste
of modern Japenese cuisine. On
the menu, wagyu filet with foie
gras, seared tuna with Japanese
salsa, signature sushi rolls, ceviche,
terriyaki, and local-favourite
edamame hummuous are some of
the specialties to tuck into. Finish
off with the double chocolate lava
cake or decadent mochi.
Open daily, call 04 419 0676
TURKISH DELIGHT
Just when you think Dubai’s Iftar scene
has become saturated, Günaydin
introduces its own. This outpost of
the famous Turkish steakhouse
located in Souk Al Bahar boasts
breathtaking views of the Dubai
Fountain. Guests can choose from an
elaborate spread of mezze, meats and
desserts with dishes like Orgu Peyniri
(braided cheese), and Fistikli Kebap
(lamb kebab with pistachio) being
cooked in an open kitchen among
many delectable offerings.
Dhs220 per person for Iftar,
call 04 561 0732.
59
EQUITY

HOTSPOTS
PRIVATE GATHERING
Al Manzil at Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights is apt
for a company Iftar or a large-scale event, where you can
cater for over 200 people. Complete with a private
entrance, the venue showcases an Iftar with widespread
offerings ranging from a widespread salad bar and mezze
to vegetarian options, fish, curries, freshly prepared
manakeesh, whole lamb ouzi and grills including meats,
tender shrimp and shish tawook.
Call 04 553 1219
ETHIOPIA ON A PLATE
It doesn’t get as authentic as Gursha for Ethiopian food in
Dubai. The Palm Jumeirah's latest culinary offering features a
selection of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes including
spicy red lentil stew, beef and chicken curries with Injera
(gluten free sourdough thin bread), Telba (flaxseed flour
stew) and a kale variation on the kitfo (beef tartar with
Ethiopian spice and herbed butter). A wide variety of their
offerings are available at the Iftar buffet.
Dhs175 per person, call 04 554 2665
NEW ADDITION
Add The Galleria Dining Collection to your weekend plans, especially if you’re undecided on a place for a meal. Joining
the list are Nusr-ET, Loca and COYA, so take your pick and indulge in everything from meat and burgers to Peruvian
specialities. Visit thegalleria.ae
IFTARS IN THE CAPITAL Treat family, friends or your colleagues to an extensive spread. Here are two to try:
The iconic Emirates Palace offers a sneak peek to their
seaside venue with the launch of the Ramadan Pavilion.
Authentic Emirati and Arabic dishes featuring everything
from salads to lamb ouzi (carved at the cooking station),
chicken harees, baked fish with vegetables, and camel meat
with baby marrow, are served at the buffet. The dessert
station is where you can satisfy sweet tooth cravings with
chocolate fondue and traditional desserts such as Umm Ali
and kunafeh. Dhs265 per person, call 02-690 7999
The St. Regis Abu Dhabi has pulled out all the stops
with an Iftar at the world’s highest suspended suite.
The Iftar in the Clouds seats up to 50 guests and offers
panoramic views of the city, with a private VIP entrance
to access the venue. Offerings include Arabian delicacies,
including a dessert room with kunafeh, atayef and a
selection of Ramadan beverages.
Available on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, Dhs250 per
person, call 02 694 4553
60
EQUITY

Office 804-806, Arenco Tower, Dubai Media City | T: 04 432 79 72
Dubai’s only high-end real estate and interior design company,
setting extraordinary records in the marketing, designing
and selling of the most important residential properties.
WWW.LUXHABITAT.AE
61
EQUITY

TRAVEL
GO SIGHTSEEING
The city is split in two, segregated by the Danube River and
connected by the striking Chain Bridge, with Buda on the
western bank of the Danube and Pest opposite. Begin your
tour with a river cruise to discover the history and landmarks.
In Buda, head over to Castle District, the highlight of the old
town, and take in the views of the palace, Matyas Church,
museums and picturesque squares clad with souvenir shops.
The palace complex, can be reached by the Siklo – a 19th
century funicular that runs from Clark Adam ter by the
Chain Bridge. In Pest, visit St.
Stephen’s Basilica, which
took over 50 years to build.
The spot is known for its’
panoramic views over Pest
and artwork including
mosaics by Károly Lotz.
THE BEAUTIFUL CHAIN BRIDGE WITH THE
HUNGARIAN PARLIAMENT IN THE BACKGROUND
Historical
Budapest
DANUBE RIVER RUNNING THROUGH THE BUILDINGS OF BUDAPEST
ST. STEPHEN’S BASILLICA
REST HERE…
The palatial Corinthia Hotel
Budapest served as inspiration for The Grand
Budapest Hotel movie, and is the city’s most
opulent spot to get a restful sleep. Don’t be
surprised if you bump into a celebrity here, the
hotel has been home to plenty and you can find
the broad list on placards in the lobby. Bock
Bisztró is located within the hotel premises, so
you don’t have to head far for a sumptuous
dinner. Jaded jet-setters can head to the Royal
Spa for everything from massages to facials, yoga
and ESPA body treatments. Visit corinthia.com.
Explore Hungary’s DINING HOTSPOTS
capital and the
The discerning traveller
country’s cultural heart
with a palate has plenty of
culinary offerings to pick
with our nifty guide
from. Onyx (+36 30 508
0622, onyxrestaurant.hu)
focuses on contemporary Hungarian produce with
tasting menus, while Costes (+3612190696, costes.
hu) emphasises on an international menu with
Hungarian influences. This restaurant is the first to
receive a Michelin star in Budapest and serves pigeon
cooked two ways, with beetroot and coffee, slow
cooked trout, and plenty of other options. Bock
Bisztró’s (+3613210340, bockbisztropest.hu) wellpresented
menu featuring foie gras sushi, fillet of pike
and veal neck stew with dumplings can be paired with
their extensive and varied wine list.
62
EQUITY

TRAVEL
A TIPPLE AND MORE
Abandoned spaces have been
transformed into ruin-bars and make
for a great cultural and architectural
sight. Two local-favourites are the
Corvinteto (+36 20 474 0831,
corvinteto.hu) and Szimpla Kest (+36
20 261 8669, szimpla.hu).
For a sophisticated affair coupled
with jazz tunes, a great selection of
grape beverages, cheese and meat
platters, for perfect pairings, look no
further than Doblo (+36 20 398
8863). When a spot gets an accolade
from World’s Best Bars, you can’t skip
it. Boutiq (+36 30 554 2323) knows
a thing or two about cocktails, pouring
concoctions with ingredients such as
African vanilla and Mexican chilli.
SHOPPING HAUL
Food items, souvenirs and goodies native to
Budapest can be found at the Great Market
Hall (+36 1 366 3300). Voted as one of the
most beautiful markets in Europe, the market
is a treasure trove for literally anything you
want under one roof. Here are a few things
to shop for:
✽ Rubik’s cube, a Hungarian invention
✽ Paprika, grown locally
✽ Porcelain, the hand-crafted tradition harks
back to hundreds of years
✽ The secret box (for children). Similar to a
jewellery box in shape, this one is hard to
open, until the shop keeper
shows you how to slide open
the secret panel to unveil the
key and hidden locks.
Top 5 eats
Langos: the flat bread is apt
for a snack in between
meals and is usually eaten
topped with mashed
potatoes, sour cream,
grated cheese and sausage.
Try it at the Central Market
Hall and near the Funicular.
Fisherman’s
soup: a hot, river
fish soup with a
spicy paprika base.
Beef Goulash:
a beef stew/soup
cooked with
onions, paprika
and meat.
Chimney cake:
originally baked
by Hungarian settlers
in Transylvania. The
hot, freshly baked
pastry is made and sold
by street vendors.
Try it with flavourings such as
chocolate and cinnamon.
CAFFEINE AND CAKES
One of the most traditional coffee houses
you can come across is Café Gerbeaud
(gerbeaud.hu). The wooden interior café
dates back to the 19th century, and known
best for their namesake cake with ground
walnut and layers of jam between soft
sponge cake, all doused in chocolate. The
New York Café (+36 1-8866-167,
newyorkcafe.hu) is another, steeped in
history and previously known as a meeting
point for literary and artistic personalities.
The ceiling frescoes, glided stucco work and
Venetian chandeliers are striking features to
gaze at while enjoying breakfast, afternoon
tea or the Hungarian cake selection.
Chicken paprikash:
the mouthwatering chicken
dish uses local ingredients
such as paprika combined
with a tender stewed
chicken leg.
63
EQUITY

HOTEL REVIEW
EID STAYCATIONS
Escape to these emirates for a long-weekend away from the
humdrum of the city
DESTINATION:
FAIRMONT
FUJAIRAH
BEACH RESORT
IDEAL FOR:
A FAMILY GETAWAY
Meander through the winding path of the Al
Hajjar Mountains before your eyes meet the
coast and this five-star resort tucked in between.
We must admit, the exterior dampened our first
impression, but indoors the décor stuns with
splashes of colour from lanterns, statement
furnishings such as a briefcase cloaked front desk
and a monochrome scheme in the lobby, quickly
redeeming itself from the peachy outdoors
which we learnt later mimic the landscape in
Marrakech. The art-inspired resort boasts a
Moroccan vibe throughout, with all guest rooms
facing the ocean or marina. It’s the type of spot
you can leave the children to be, hit the beach
for a dip or water sport activities – they offer
everything from kayaking to jetpacks – and while
away with a book on your terrace.
room for children to play around. Natural
sunlight floods the master bedroom, offering
unrivalled views of the coast. The bathroom
steals the limelight here, with a bathtub that
looks out to the room and coast, once the
wooden dividers open.
CHECK IN: The Royal suite, sprawls across
360 square metres, offering a living room, three
bedrooms, kitchen, dining space and ample of
64
EQUITY

HOTEL REVIEW
HOTEL REVIEW
RELAX AND REJUVENATE: A staycation is
incomplete without a revitalising treatment. We
highly suggest the five-element aroma massage
which begins with a personality survey to depict
your element. Once the results are in, you’re
asked to inhale a concoction of oils to help
balance your body and mind and bring you back
to healthy being. Make sure to mark the areas that
require extra attention, we focused on the back,
neck and shoulders – a common with desk
workers – and had every muscle eased with a few
cracks and skilled therapeutic techniques. Finish
the treatment with a trip to the sauna, tropical
showers accompanied by sounds from the forest
or storms, and a quick snooze on the heated
lounge beds.
Need to know:
The Royal Suite rates
start from Dhs7,200 per
night. Visit fairmont.
com/Fujairah
DINE AT: For lunch, you can’t go wrong with the
Kale salad, freshly prepared baguette and seafood
risotto at the European bistro-style Café Pronto.
Try not to fill up on fresh fruit served in-room,
and build up an appetite for dinner at Copper
Lobster, the resort’s gastro bar restaurant. Begin
with impressive red pepper and rose-infused
cocktails at the bar – the mixologist Alex
Khvastunov once served Vladimir Putin – before
you take a seat and enjoy the jazz singer go across
ivory keys. The menu comprises comfort food
commencing with lobster mac and cheese (a
thermidor and pasta shell hybrid) and fresh
burrata and artichoke salad, followed by a harra
lobster with gravy, cooked in a French clay
sourced by the chef from the market. Sticky toffee
pudding is one of our favourite desserts, and we
couldn’t have chosen anything better to end a
lovely meal. Breakfast takes place at Canvas every
morning, offering a wide selection of pastries, and
cuisines ranging from Middle Eastern to Indian.
The pool bar serves a wide selection of snacks
and bites including a fresh and crisp fish and chips,
to indulge in while basking in the sun.
65
EQUITY

HOTEL REVIEW
DESTINATION:
THE OBEROI
BEACH RESORT
AL ZORAH,
AJMAN
IDEAL FOR:
COUPLE'S GETAWAY
Road trips to Ajman were only ever considered
for seafood eateries that flank Corniche, serving
up fresh crustacean and fish. However, much has
changed over the last year with the development
of the Zorah neighbourhood. The Oberoi Al
Zorah, sited near the Al Zorah Golf Club, is
reminiscent of an island with blank concrete
canvases, serving as accomodation, placed all
over the resort. Away from the residential area,
the secluded resort boasts a yoga and fitness
studio tucked away in a corner, infinity water
bodies that look out to the ocean and lush
greenery in every nook and corner.
CHECK IN: The private villa is the ultimate retreat
here. Black-out drapes, a bath tub with views of the
palms outside, and a backyard swimming pool with
a large terrace accessible from the bedroom and
living room are some of the features that took our
breath away. A kitchenette with ice machine is on
hand for summer drinks, with a walk-in closet to
stow away luggage.
66
EQUITY

HOTEL REVIEW
Need to know:
The Eid Al Fitr promotion
includes breakfast and
yoga classes, with a
minimum stay of two
nights. The offer is
available at Dhs2,900++
per night, valid
between June 26-30.
oberoihotels.com
RELAX AND REJUVENATE: The spa doors
are again a concrete wall, similar to the villas.
Once you enter, relax in the lobby before you
head through a pebbled path outdoors to your
treatment room. Jump into the bed for 90
minutes of bliss. I rarely fall asleep on the bed,
but the techniques, with a combination of the
oils and right pressure put me in a state of lull.
DINE AT: The gourmet offerings at this resort
are outstanding, a statement we don’t throw
around at EQUITY. Each dish, whether the crab
salad followed by freshly prepared red snapper
with miso sauce for lunch at Aquario, or the
nocturnal set menu at Vinesse were fresh,
delectable and impeccable. Dinner included a
starter of pistachio falafel, providing the right
amount of nuttiness paired with pickled raddish,
followed by a medium Wagyu ribeye doused in
a moreish sauce. Breakfast takes place at the
same venue during Ramadan, with the openlayout
kitchen offering cold cuts, cheese, fresh
juices and pastries. Hot dishes like Indian
breakfast specialities such as upma along with
Arabic and international offerings such as eggs
benedict are served, as per your preference.
67
EQUITY

TRAVEL TALES
JETSETTER JOURNEYS
Explore the latest in experiences, tours and wellness breaks
HEAD TO…
Conrad Guangzhou, the seventh property from the hotel chain
that recently debuted in Greater China is the place to stay at when
in the city. Popular landmarks such as the Guangdong Museum,
Guangzhou Opera House and Canton Tower are minutes away,
making it a destination to explore from on your next business trip.
Visit conradhotels.com
A MANSION BY THE SEA
Sri Lanka is home to numerous gorgeous
resorts, but if you’re looking for an intimate
gathering with close family and friends, make
the trip worthwhile with Eden Villas. The
luxury villa management company have
launched a seven-bedroom home, that
sleeps 14 adults and six children, on the
south coast of the island. The Meda Gedara
villa boasts a private access to the beach,
cinema room, 21 metre water slide and
yoga shala with views of the coast.
Visit envisl.com
TIME TO DISCONNECT
SHA Wellness Clinic is the place to head too if you want to hit the
restart button on your health, body and mind. To eliminate toxins, purify
the body and detox to improve vitality, physical and mental well-being,
opt for The Detox package. You can also unwind, restore energy and
maintain a sense of calmness with the Anti-Stress Programme. A
minimum of seven nights is required, with Eid promotions on from June
1st to July 20th. Visit shawellnessclinic.com
68
EQUITY

TRAVEL TALES
HEAD SOUTH
Visiting the coast of Portugal for a round of golf?
Stay at the newly opened Anantara Vilamoura
Algarve Resort, that offers guest rooms and
suites that look out to the Arnold Palmer
designed Oceânico Golf course. The twobedroom
Anantara Suite which includes a
terrace with private dining area, jacuzzi and
sundeck is the one to check into. The resident
wine guru António Lopes won the accolade of
2014 Best Sommellier of Portugal and hosts
tasting sessions and a private visit to a local
vineyard. vilamoura.anantara.com.
THAT’S AMORE
Lake Como beckons this summer. Imagine strolling the streets with
gelato in hand, boat trips and authentic Italian food. To explore the city
in the best way possible, book the Lake Como Grand Tour package
with Grand Hotel Tremezzo – celebrating its 107th anniversary this
year – offering tours on the hotel’s water limo and a traditional boat to
tour the lake. Other features include a two-way ticket for two on the
traditional boat to Bellagio, entry for two at Villa Carlotta and its
botanical gardens, and a guided tour at Villa Balbianello. Minimum of
three-night stay is required, starting from Dhs3,840 per night,
visit grandhoteltremezzo.com.
TRENDING NOW: #BABYMOON
Couples are jumping on the bandwagon by
planning Babymoon Packages, where they can
relax and pamper themselves before the
arrival of their bundle of joy. Take advantage
of the packages from Constance Hotels and
Resorts which feature 60 minutes
complimentary couples massages, a daily 45
minutes foot or shoulder massage for mumsto-be,
a complimentary manicure and
pedicure, fishing trips for the men, a traditional
sunset fishing trip, and a free green fee for
three 18-hole golf courses (for Constance
Prince Maurice and Constance Lemuria).
Offerings and prices vary for resorts, visit
constancehotels.com.
69
EQUITY

REAL ESTATE
AESTHETIC APPEAL
Elegant refurbished homes from Luxhabitat
EXCEPTIONAL SIGNATURE VILLA
AT PALM JUMEIRAH
Make this man-made island – one of the most coveted
addresses in the city – home with this renovated villa.
Residents can take a dip in the central private pool, which
can be seen from the living room floor, or gaze at the
sunset and ocean from the terrace. The villa boasts 7
bedrooms and 8 baths, a built-up area of 8,600 sq. feet
and a massive plot size of 15,683 sq. feet. That’s not all,
the beach entertainment area competes for attention
from the interiors adorned with prized artworks and
striking furnishings.
THE PRICE TAG
Upon application.
TO SCHEDULE A VIEWING
Call 04-432 7972
www.luxhabitat.com
70
EQUITY

REAL ESTATE
STUNNING PENTHOUSE IN
DUBAI MARINA
Located in the Marinascape Avant Tower by
Trident this triplex penthouse is reminiscent of
Gwyneth Paltrow’s $14.25 Million Tribeca
residence. The 3-bedroom and 5-bathroom
property sprawls over 9,365 sq. feet of customised
living space, boasting unrivalled views with stateof-the-art
features including temperature control
private pools, an open plan kitchen, three terraces,
two balconies, and an in-house spa. To top it off,
the upper floor leads to a mini guesthouse with an
en-suite bedroom and the largest balcony within
the property.
THE PRICE TAG
AED 22,500,000
TO SCHEDULE A VIEWING
Call 04-432 7972
www.luxhabitat.com
71
EQUITY

ENTREPRENEUR
WOMAN BEHIND
the BRAND
Handbag designer Amanda Navai
gives us a peek into her life
Shoes or
handbags?
One would think
I'm going to say
handbags, which
I would if you
asked me
seven years
ago, but now
I would say
shoes.
A TYPICAL DAY
When I'm in Dubai it’s jam packed with
meetings with buyers, influencers, marketing
and PR executives from various retailers. I visit
all the retail stores that carry my designs to make
sure everything looks great and speak with the
sales associates to understand what's going on at
the shop floor to get their feedback.
When I'm in Beirut, I go to my factory,
depending on the work load, and during the
rest of day, I juggle between thinking of next
season’s collection, commercially
strategising and responding to emails.
BEFORE LAUNCHING…
I worked in a company called Sogedimo and
Chalhoub Group wherein I was involved in
launching niche brands in the region.
YOUR LATEST COLLECTION
I'm always inspired by people or symbols of
strength. My latest collection is inspired by
lions - I've always been mesmerised by them.
They are powerful in life, in mythology
and even just as a statue. Most of my
handbags in the latest collection have
two lion heads - each looking towards
a different direction - one representing
the past and the other one to the future,
lessons and hope.
ON YOUR BOOKSHELF
48 laws of power by Robert Greene.
My favourite book, however, is What
I once loved by Siri Hustvedt. It really touched
me as it's about how an incident changed a
happy family’s life. Makes you realise how often
we tend to take moments for granted. It’s one
of those books you can't stop reading and made
me very emotional.
A PLACE YOU WOULD TRAVEL TO
FOR A MEAL? I’d probably go to Sweden to
a cosy dining spot, Smaka. I love their meatballs
and mashed potato. I used to go there once a
week, it’s a meal that's very comforting and
reminds me of happy times.
RECENT
PURCHASE
I just bought myself
a Serpenti Bulgari
necklace for my
seven years’ brand
anniversary.
PERFUME OF CHOICE
That is almost like asking who's your
favourite child. If I had one choice it would probably be the
original Dolce& Gabanna perfume.
If a movie was created about your
life, which celebrity would play your
role? Sienna Miller
This summer
I’m travelling to…
London, Gothenburg, Tehran
and hopefully New York.
My hotspots
Currently, I’m obsessed with this new homegrown
restaurant called 3 fils, in the fishing village. They get fresh fish
from Japan every Friday, the food is amazing and of very high
quality. I also love La Petite Maison, the food and atmosphere
is always great. Peyote which recently opened in Dubai is great
too, and I’m a big fan of Mexican food.
YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE
To be honest I never wear foundation or concealer. I usually
put on my face moisturiser, topped with a tinted one from
Laura Mercier, blusher and eye shadow (only in the evening). I
do however have one eye shadow palette by Tom Ford that I
absolutely love, a four-shade palette. The one thing I usually
wear, no matter what time of the day, is red lipstick. My
favourites are Ruby Woo and Lady Danger both from Mac.
72
EQUITY

THE HOME OF PRIVATE AVIATION
AT THE SPEED OF BUSINESS
Passion for excellence is our trademark. In everything we do, our goal
is to meet and surpass your expectations. Our highly trained staff are
always on hand to ensure your complete satisfaction, both on the ground
and in the air. Our unrivalled facilities located at Dubai World Central
guarantee your utmost discretion, comfort and convenience
every time you fly.
T: +971 (0)4 870 1800 | www.dc-aviation.ae | An Al-Futtaim Joint Venture
Al Maktoum International Airport | DWC | Aviation District | Dubai, UAE
73
EQUITY

THE ETERNAL MOVEMENT
Ulysse Nardin, from the movement of the sea to the perpetual
innovation of Haute Horlogerie. For over 170 years, the
powerful movement of the ocean has inspired Ulysse Nardin
in its singular quest: to push back the limits of mechanical
watchmaking, time and time again.
Marine Regatta
Chronograph
Countdown timer
Silicium technology
ulysse-nardin.com
74
EQUITY
ULYSSE NARDIN BOUTIQUES: The Dubai Mall +971 44341421, Mall of the Emirates +971 43950577, Beirut Souks +961 1992092
Abu Dhabi: Al Manara International Jewellery Amman: Time Center Bahrain: Asia Jewellers Cairo: BTC Exclusive Doha: Ali Bin Ali
Jeddah: First Jewelry Kuwait: Morad Yousuf Behbehani Muscat: Le Carat Riyadh: First Jewelry