Equity Mag Feb_18 Book Folder

FEBRUARY 2018 | ISSUE 09
THE ROUTE TO
IMMORTALITY
GO BEYOND
THE FOUNTAIN
OF YOUTH
ROMANTIC
ESCAPES
SCENIC COUPLE
RETREATS
OPRAH
WINFREY
MAKING HISTORY

Extraordinary is in the detail.
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Please contact us on 800-BENTLEY [800 236 8539]
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The name ‘Bentley’ and the ‘B’ in wings device are registered trademarks. © 2017 Bentley Motors Limited.

Be Extraordinary.
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CALIBER RM 11-02
LE MANS CLASSIC
OFFICIAL TIMEKEEPER
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From the EDITOR
They say love shouldn’t be celebrated
just one day of the year. Yet
Valentine’s Day is one of those
occasions that makes women dizzy
with excitement, with men rushing to find that
perfect gift. To make this year a stress-free one,
turn to page 42 for gift ideas, and page 56 to
surprise her with a getaway in paradise.
Oprah Winfrey took the entertainment world by storm with her
speech at the Golden Globe Awards last month. In this interview, she
speaks about breaking barriers, the #TimesUp campaign and running
for presidency (page 27). In keeping with the theme of iconic women,
we met with Emirati-native Omaira Farooq Al Olama, to discuss her
journey from criminology to Managing Director of ALF
Administration (Advanced Learning Formulas) – page 19. If you
have been bitten by the cryptocurrency bug, turn to page 14 and
explore how ActivTrades could be of assistance.
EDITOR'S PICKS
My 2018 wardrobe is all about
unique shapes, a mish-mash of
textures, clean lines and timeless
tones. This Wandler bag fits in
seamlessly, making it an everyday
piece for work
The launch of innovative dining concepts and seasonal menus
should find you out more often. Discuss business matters at these
hotspots (page 52) or with a round of golf (page 61). Touching on the
topic of high season, we look at the state of Dubai’s real estate market
- worth a read for investors (page 67).
Happy reading
Nicola
Nicola Monteath
Follow us:
equitymedia.uae equitymedia.uae equitymedia.uae equitymedia.uae
A masculine watch, like this
A. Lange & Söhne Triple Split
timepiece, injects an edge to an
outfit – be it a skirt-suit or pencil
dress. If you, like me, prefer to
wear a larger wrist piece, don’t be
afraid to. Make a statement
EQUITY - Always invest in yourself
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF NICOLA MONTEATH - nicola@equity.media
DIGITAL EDITOR VARUN GODINHO
DEPUTY EDITOR MERYL D'SOUZA
ART DIRECTOR ODILAINE MEJORADA
SALES advertising@equity.media
WWW.EQUITY.MEDIA
PRINTED BY United Printing & Publishing
is a proud member of
This striped pair from Altuzarra
(at Level Shoes) will be a go-to for
effortless glam at coffee meetings
and brunches. Who says work
attire must be drab?
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insideEQUITY
14
mind
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FEBRUARY 2018
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Events to visit this month
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19
23
27
32
THE CRYPTOCURRENCY
TUTOR
Learn how to jump on the
bandwagon
BUILDING BRIDGES
Omaira Farooq Al Olama
dicusses her past, present
and future
(NEVER) REST IN PEACE
Billionaire's invest in immortality
THE ERA OF OPRAH
Oprah Winfrey, the woman of
the moment
#SUPPORT LOCAL
A chat with Jossette Naiken,
Founder of Hire4Baby.com
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34
body
34
&
soul
THE CHECKLIST
What's new in stores? Skincare,
accessory trends and more
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38
SHOP TALK
The brands to covet, with
wardrobe upgrades
WELLNESS TALK
The detox to try this month,
and tips on how to keep fit
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FEBRUARY 2018
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56
40
42
52
56
60
INDULGE YOURSELF
Treatments to try this month
ON OUR RADAR
Gift inspiration for Valentines
WEEKEND DINING
A roundup of dining hotspots
LOVE IS IN THE AIR
A romantic holiday for every
couple type
JETSETTER JOURNEYS
Travel inspiration and lavish
experiences
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64
67
72
HIT THE LINKS
A review of Emirates Golf Club
STAY OF THE MONTH
The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi,
Grand Canal stuns on all grounds
THE STATE OF AFFAIRS
A look at the real estate market
GET TO KNOW...
The Vice President of Aldo,
Nicholas Martire
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On the cover
OPRAH WINFREY
Read her interview on page 27
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.
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mind
This month's icons feature none other
than the lady of the moment, Oprah
Winfrey. Omaira Farooq Al Olama, one
of the country's most inspiring women,
speaks about cultural norms and the
bridges built and burnt, while Georges
Batrouni paves the way for young
finance experts
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CALENDAR
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Jetsetters, don’t forget to add these dates to your diary
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BERLINALE - BERLIN
INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
WHERE? Berlinale Palast at Potsdamer Platz
WHEN? February 15 - 25
Panel discussions, workshops, joint projects,
and encounters for film enthusiasts, make up
the schedule of this two-week programme.
Over 400 films of various genres and formats
are open for public viewing, with a majority
of them being world or European premieres.
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WHERE? The Dallas Fort-Worth Airport
Marriott North (DFWAP) Hotel
WHEN? February 16 - 18
THE BITCOIN, ETHEREUM
AND BLOCKCHAIN SUPER
CONFERENCE
An in-depth look at
cryptocurrencies, with over 15
speakers, touching upon topics
including the transformation of
industries, the currency inflation,
government and society, as well as
the impact on established
businesses, and income inequality.
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WHERE? Centara Grand & Bangkok
Convention Centre at Central World
WHEN? February 5 - 6
SEAMLESS THAILAND
Entrepreneurs gather at this twoday
event where the latest in digital
payments, omni-channel retailing,
financial inclusion, block chain and
e-commerce topics are discussed.
There is plenty more to be
discussed with key experts from
the field, as you gather information
and mingle.
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CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO
SHOW
WHERE? Metro Toronto Convention Centre
WHEN? February 16 - 25
The world’s fastest production car on the
planet, Koenigsegg Agera RS supercar, is
all set for visitors at the Auto Exotica area.
The show will also bring together the
jewels of automotive history from some of
the most iconic brands, an evolution zone
and a Volkswagen PlayCare centre for
little ones.
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CALENDAR
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DUBAI DUTY FREE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS
WHERE? Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium
WHEN? February 19 - March 3
The tennis tournament is back, setting off the
season with some of the world’s best tennis players.
Catch the tension as you watch some of the
biggest names compete against each other to win the
title. The 13-action packed events are one to be a
part of.
SHAOLIN
WHERE? Dubai Opera
WHEN? February 27 - March 3
WARRIORS7 6
MOBILE WORLD CONGRESS
WHERE? Fira Gran Via, Barcelona
WHEN? February 26 - March 1
The Spanish city is home to one of the
largest Mobile events, offering an agenda
featuring safeguarding practices, mobile
advertising and media spend and ways to
embrace the digital transformation.
Over 2,300 exhibitors and 10,000
operator attendees of 208 countries
come together each year. Some of the
keynote speakers at this year’s event
include Gavin Patterson, CEO of the
BT Group. Sunil Bharti Mittal, Founder
and Chairman of Bharti Enterprises/
GSMA, and Cher Wang, Chairwoman of
HTC, to name a few.
The Shaolin Warriors-Kung Fu Masters will
be making their GCC debut this month. The five-day
show, from Shaolin in China – the birthplace
of Kung Fu – will stun adults and children with
stunts, techniques and routines as part of a
choreographed performance. The warriors have
toured across the globe for over sixteen years,
performing sold-out shows in almost every country.
Make sure to get your tickets in advance, to
avoid disappointment.
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THE DUBAI INTERNATIONAL BOAT
SHOW (DIBS)
WHERE? Dubai Canal
WHEN? February 27 - March 3
The Dubai Boat show is back at a bigger,
better venue – the new Dubai Canal. This
location is ideal for luxury yachts, with
over 3.2 kilometres of waterway rubs from
the creek in Old Dubai, through to
Business Bay and into the Arabian Gulf.
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FINANCE
The
CRYPTOCURRENCY
TUTOR
Georges Batrouni, ActivTrades’ Middle East Manager, tells us why
cryptocurrencies are essentially yesteryear’s gold
By Meryl D’souza
When I first heard about Bitcoin a
couple of years ago, I dismissed
it as just another fad like many
others obviously did. Then last
year the cryptocurrency skyrocketed to a point
where no one could ignore it. By the time I was
ready to jump on the Bitcoin bandwagon, it was
already trading at a then-record high of $2,200.
Even at that time, I was even mentally prepared
to sacrifice on a few things to get my virtual
hands on a Bitcoin, but the people around me
told me not to go for the bait.
In December last year, the cryptocurrency left
everyone – even those who had a couple to their
name – with their jaws on the floor as it soared to a
record high of over $11,000. All I could do was point
a finger at the people around me and blame them for
not letting me go through with it. And finally, just a
few days before my interview with Georges Batrouni,
ActivTrades’ Middle East Manager, the
cryptocurrency shot down to $10,000 with experts
reporting it could drop down to $1,000 over the
course of 2018. I wanted that uncertainty to be the
subject to kick start my interview with Batrouni.
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FINANCE
“While I believe in the power and longevity of
cryptocurrency, I believe more in the technology
behind it,” Batrouni says. “Blockchain technology
will be disruptive in finance as well as other spheres.
The technology has transformed Bitcoin into an
asset class that stands on its own feet. So not only
did we see the rise of cryptocurrency, we saw the
birth of a new asset class.”
Batrouni could be on to
something
here.
Cryptocurrencies have been
around since 2008. Bitcoin,
the first-ever cryptocurrency,
gained momentum a little
after Occupy Wall Street
accused big banks of
misusing borrowers’ money,
duping clients, rigging the
system, and charging mindnumbing
fees. Bitcoin
pioneers wanted to put the
seller in charge, eliminate the
middleman, cancel interest
fees, and make transactions transparent, to hack
corruption and cut fees. Thus, creating a
decentralised system. 2017, however, changed the
game for virtual money.
“2017 made cryptocurrency and Bitcoin move
from being just a currency to an asset class that
people buy and hold. Similar to gold,” Batrouni
We’re now seeing
cryptocurrencies become
institutionalized. The rise
in cryptocurrency is just
the stepping stone for the
Blockchain technology
that will be adopted across
different industries
says. “We’re now seeing cryptocurrencies
become institutionalised. The rise in
cryptocurrency is just the stepping stone for the
Blockchain technology that will be adopted
across different industries.”
Despite his belief in cryptocurrency and the
technology behind it, Batrouni is cautious when
freshmen traders ask for
guidance. “Looking at the
volatility of the price of
cryptocurrencies, it’s definitely
not the investment a riskaverse
person should be
making,” Batrouni says.
“When people come to us, our
first advice is not to put
everything they have into that.
Any asset class that jumps up
by 10 per cent or loses its value
by that much in one day is far
from being safe.”
Having said that, the man
who’s earned his Master’s
Degree in Finance from a University in London
put that volatility down to the maturity of the
new asset class. He claims that once Bitcoin,
and cryptocurrencies as a whole, reaches
maturity, its value will stabilize and it will
become a better investment. Of course,
Batrouni’s expertise isn’t simply limited to
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FINANCE
Putting barriers like prices
on education will only
make people want to go
about doing this by
themselves. That’s not
something we want on
our conscience
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FINANCE
cryptocurrencies. He’s just happy to talk about
it because it’s rise has been directly proportionate
to the surge in business at ActivTrades. “The
rise of cryptocurrency has pushed people who
would have never considered trading to go on
platforms and try their hand at it,” he says with
more than a hint of excitement in his voice.
“After reading all the news about Bitcoin, we
have had new traders with absolutely no
experience in trading, come in and say that they
would like to start,” Batrouni says. “We’ve
introduced many products and offered shares
from big companies like Facebook, Apple and
Google, but they weren’t interested. Suddenly,
they are.”
In order to manage these newcomers’
expectations and teach them how to go about
trading in a manner that doesn’t let them go
bankrupt, the UK-based online trading company
ushers them towards its recently-launched online
trading academy that hosts webinars to help
educate potential traders with three levels: a
beginner’s batch, an intermediate batch and an
expert’s batch. Batrouni, and by virtue
ActivTrades, believes those webinars will provide
aspiring cryptocurrency traders with the right tools
to get going. Besides the webinars, ActivTrades
also hosts training seminars at its Dubai
headquarters in DIFC. “The hope is that our
clients can meet the rest of the team while
absorbing as much knowledge as possible when it
comes to trading and cryptocurrency,” he says.
The best training exercise, however, is the
demo account ActivTrades gives its clients.
“These demo accounts contained unlimited
virtual money that clients can use to trade
without the risk of losing their funds,” Batrouni
explains. “This will help them get a feel of what
online trading is like.”
Anyone harbouring hopes of trading online
would do well to give ActivTrades a go. And
don’t worry, all their classes are free. The demo
accounts and the classes are free because we feel
that, as a company, we have a responsibility to
educate society and our investors,” Georges
says. “Putting barriers like prices on education
will only make people want to go about doing
this by themselves. That’s not something we
want on our conscience.”
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“Be Fearful When Others Are Greedy and
Greedy When Others Are Fearful”
Warren Buffett
Financial Planning | Tax Planning | Wealth Management | Corporate Services
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United Arab Emirates | United Kingdom | Australia | Bermuda
www.credence-international.com
+971 4 556 5900 | info@credence-international.com

WOMAN LEADER
BUILDING
BRIDGES
Emirati woman leader, Omaira Farooq Al Olama,
discusses her integral role in shaping UAE’s workforce
By Nicola Monteath
ome people naturally fall into their careers. Their
current roles are poles apart from their five-year
plan, with Master's in a field so unrelated, that a
step back almost feels bizarre. “Criminology is a
lot like technology. Medicine is constantly
evolving, and I just don’t have the energy to get
back into it and study all over again. Plus, I have
three daughters below the age of ten,” says
Omaira Farooq Al Olama, Managing Director of
the ALF Administration Training, and Dubai’s
first female Master's graduate in Criminology.
Omaira and I met at LimeTree Café on
Sheikh Zayed Road, a café known to fuel
moms with their daily dose of caffeine,
especially after the morning school run.
Her morning was similar, having just
dropped off the children at school
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WOMAN LEADER
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WOMAN LEADER
in Jumeirah. “Thank God, my kids are at that age
where they understand they need to get dressed
on time, and do things by themselves,” she tells
us. But it hasn’t always been a rosy path for
Omaira, even though the Emirati-native – who
grew up in California – is the poster child. She
went through a divorce when her little ones were
below the age of two, nonetheless, refused to be a
victim of society. “People need to realise divorce
isn’t taboo, and shouldn’t be shunned upon. The
best thing to do is say you failed, and move on.
We always beat ourselves down, thinking we
spoiled our family's name,
and the worst part is that
children see that you are
upset and then they reflect
this and make the wrong
choices too. It’s terrible,”
she says. Instead of living in
despair, Omaira invested all
her savings in a home in
Jumeirah Beach Residence,
choosing an apartment on
the Upper Plaza Level as she
was afraid of heights – she
was that determined to
break society norms and
make it – but ready to pave
her own path. “I didn’t want
to be a burden to my parents
and move back home. I was
blessed to be able to get my
own place,” says Omaira. As
fate would have it, she
found love – her second
husband – in her building
elevator, giving this story
the silver lining it deserves.
It dawned on me, as we
spoke, that Omaira was
responsible for three girls
(twins and a younger baby) below the age of
two, at the time of divorce. That must have been
a mission? I questioned. “You know, I firmly
believe in asking for help when you need it. I
hired night-service nannies, so that I could get
great sleep and in turn, function properly at
work,” she says. “I tell my students this all the
time. It’s okay to ask for help, and to say you
don’t know something and can’t do it anymore,”
says Omaira, referring to her current role.
When Omaira relocated to UAE, in 2001, she
dove straight into the world of criminology.
Pursuing her career for a few years, before
joining the Criminal Frauds section at Dubai
Holding and Nakheel. While at the job, she
We used to work in
the same building
as HH Sheikh
Mohammed, and
I remember him
talking to us about
how UAE nationals
are lucky they are
given jobs because
they are citizens.
It’s true. Nowhere
else in the world
we get this
opportunity, yet we
take it for granted
realised that the UAE nationals were always
bored out of their mind at training sessions.
“We had these amazing tutors from England,
the States, India, and they were extremely
skilled, but somehow the nationals weren’t
interested,” she tells me. Omaira soon found
out that it was due to a lack of a connection, and
that these tutors didn’t understand the nationals
or their character. “My peers said I understood
them better because of my Western upbringing.
The fact that I was used to their culture.”
In 2011, Omaira took matters into her hands,
knowing that UAE
nationals had great
potential and could succeed
in the workplace, with a bit
of guidance. “I went to the
Mohammed bin Rashid
Establishment for Young
Business Leaders with my
idea of opening a training
company. I saw the niche
and what was needed for
UAE nationals to achieve
things and become
confident in their work,”
says Omaira. Currently, she
works with 2,000 students a
year, training them to
understand work ethics,
change their mindset, the
importance of work culture,
responsibility and
accountability – things they
can’t learn in a textbook.
The programs depend on
the capacity of the national,
however banks usually hire
her for a period of time.
United Arab Bank did so
for one year, to train 15
nationals – from junior level positions to
managerial – to grow from Point A to B. She has
also worked with CitiBank, Emirates NBD – to
train 200 nationals – Emirates Islamic Bank, and
DEWA, to name a few organizations. While the
focus is primarily on nationals, Omaira’s team
work with expats too. “They have great work
ethics. However, they sometimes think their job
is on the line and that they can lose it to a
national. We make them understand that if they
are great at what they do and bring value to the
company, they won’t. Likewise, if they offer
guidance to these UAE nationals, they will move
up a tier, while the nationals replace them. It’s a
win-win situation for both,” she says.
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WOMAN LEADER
Like most cases, the problem needs to be fixed at the root
of it all. “We used to work in the same building as HH Sheikh
Mohammed, and I remember him talking to us about how
UAE nationals are lucky they are given jobs because they are
citizens. It’s true. Nowhere else in the world we get this
opportunity, yet we take it for granted.” Omaira tells us the
biggest challenge she faces is altering that mindset, especially
with young graduates. Most of them think they need to step
into a managerial position the minute they graduate. That’s
where her team come in. They make them understand the
importance of working from the ground up. “My first job was
photocopying, and I took it, because how else am I going to
learn?” She believes that graduates need to earn their stripes
and demonstrate how they can handle their responsibilities,
before managing a workforce. “What is being a manager
anyway? It’s all about people skills and building a team. You
can’t do that if you haven’t worked a day in your life. These
things come with practice and time.”
Through her career, Omaira has been inspired by HH
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and his vision
for UAE nationals. When Omaira was asked to speak at
TedxAlWaslWomen, she couldn’t agree more that the topic
was a seamless fit. It was all about “bridges” – about how
you build it, burn it, and interpret it the way you like. “My
life is very different from the typical married woman. I
spoke about my Western upbringing, about how I had to
create my own bridge and join both cultures, because at the
end of the day my heritage was Emirati. It was a bit of a
culture shock at first, but I learnt it, though my annual visits
back home and interaction with the family,” she tells us.
As I think back to my interview, I realise Omaira is a
wholeheartedly giving sort of woman. The type who wants
to help women who are on the path she was, guide her
nation and its people, and assist them in all walks of life.
This is seen in her company’s humanitarian sect as well,
wherein she employs UAE nationals that are divorced and
widowed, understanding that they have mouths to feed at
the end of the day. “We work with 150 women from all
emirates. Most women don’t want to upset their families by
going out into the workplace, so we send them printers and
laptops so that they can work from home, and they are
doing great,” she says.
Currently, Omaira is in discussion with the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, to help UAE Nationals moving abroad
for university or work. “I want them to be able to
understand the culture, become adaptable, accountable,
and realise they can’t take life easy. If they miss their class
or don’t turn up to an internship on time, they will lose
their chance – it isn’t like Dubai. I was them, I never
understood the importance of an internship and starting
from the bottom, but now I do,” she says.
As for her future goals, Omaira sees her business expanding
to other GCC countries and the world, before she retires to
Boston for the cold winter breeze and snow.
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ENTREPRENEUR
(NEVER) Rest in peace
From investing in gene-editing therapies and anti-ageing startups, to
signing up for cryogenics and creating cyberkinetic human beings,
these billionaires are in a race to extend life
By Varun Godinho
It’s logical. Imagine you are a billionaire and you’ve spent
the better part of your life amassing copious amounts of
money. With your twilight years approaching quicker
than an out-of-control freight train, you quickly realise
that you aren’t going to be around that much longer. Your
next move? Invest hundreds of millions into the immortality
business in that left-field chance that they stumble upon that
secret sauce to help you live forever – or at least until you run
through your savings. The anti-ageing industry is already an
$80 billion industry. Here are four billionaires who are
investing a great deal of money into attempting to beat the
biological clock and eventually defy death itself.
SERGEY BRIN AND LARRY PAGE
Google has reportedly pumped in over a billion into Calico
Labs, abbreviated for California Life Company, which it
set up in 2013. Calico’s CEO is Arthur Levinson, the
former CEO of biotech company Genentech. Another
notable hire is Cynthia Kenyon, now Calico’s VP of ageing
research, who nearly 22 years ago demonstrated that by
altering a single DNA of a roundworm in a laboratory it
doubled its lifespan from three weeks to six. Calcio has
also partnered with pharma giant AbbVie and is reportedly
developing a drug that mimics human genes, otherwise
produced naturally, which are responsible for extending
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ENTREPRENEUR
life. Brin’s partner, Nicole Shanahan, is the founder of a
patent-management business and is actively working on
patenting many of the life-enhancing technologies
emerging in Calico’s labs.
Don’t expect Calico’s magic portions to show up in
store shelves anytime soon. It’s set up long-term goals
for itself. In 2016, Calico’s Chief Scientific Officer,
David Botstein, revealed in an interview in the MIT
Technology Review that, in the “best case scenario”
Calico will have something profound to offer the world
in 10 years. Hurry Calico, the clock is ticking.
JEFF BEZOS
Unity Biotechnology, a Bay Area-based startup has
focused its research on slowing down the ageing process.
Two years ago, it secured $116 million in a Series B funding
round led by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos through Bezos
Expeditions. Unity’s research premise is simple: As we
age, the body tends to keep some ageing cells rather than
doing away with them. Too many of these senescent cells
and it causes problems for the body which accelerate
ageing and ailments. Unity’s research is focused on
finding a way to help the body to rid itself of those
senescent cells. Unity might become the first company to
bring to market a drug that could rid the body of those
unwanted cells and effectively reverse ageing. Research
in mice has already indicated that the removal of these
cells results in a 20 per cent increase in lifespan.
Liquid nitrogen cryogenic tank at life sciences laboratory
PETER THIEL
In an interview, Peter Thiel, the billionaire of Paypal, said
that there are three ways people deal with death. “You can
accept it, you can deny it, or you can fight it. I think our
society is dominated by people who are into denial or
acceptance, and I prefer to fight it.” Thiel wants to live
until he’s 120 years old. Why 120? As of now, it has been
proved that the maximum age until which a human being
can live naturally is 115 years. He wants to demonstrate
that he can beat that figure – not live forever. He’s already
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ENTREPRENEUR
signed up with Alcor Life Extension Foundation:
Cryonics – a cryogenics company that will deep freeze
you for a fee of $200,000 – to preserve his body once he
dies. Once the science of regeneration has sufficiently
advanced, these deep-frozen human beings, could – in
theory – be resurrected. Thiel has invested millions into
at least 14 health and biotech startups, the most notable
among them being Stemcentrx, which uses stem-cell
technology to cure cancer and he’s also pumped in $6
million to biomedical company Aubrey de Grey’s Sens
Foundation which is attempting to increase lifespan.
DMITRY ITSKOV
In an interview with the BBC, the Russian media mogul
said, “Within the next 30 years, I am going to make sure
that we can all live forever. I'm 100 per cent confident it
will happen. Otherwise, I wouldn't have started it.”
What Itskov has started is perhaps the most outrageous
plan to extend life among his billionaire peers. He’s
pitched the 2045 Initiative which will involve uploading
the consciousness of humans to an android avatar –
creating cyberkinetic humans – which are capable of
infinite intelligence and an infinite lifespan as well.
Itskov has pumped hundreds of millions into this
You can accept it, you can
deny it, or you can fight it.
I think our society is
dominated by people who
are into denial or
acceptance, and I prefer
to fight it
project says that by 2020, he will be able to demonstrate
the technology that will make all of this happen by
creating “avatars” – robots capable of being controlled
by human brains by way of a brain-computer interface.
By 2035, he claims that this technology will allow
humans to transfer their brain into these avatars, and by
2045 we will have hologram-like avatars. Itskov’s
project no longer makes the Scarlett Johansson film
Lucy seem like a work of fiction.
25
EQUITY

26
EQUITY

COVER STORY
The ERA
of
OPRAH
She’s the star of the moment, the
icon every woman is idealising,
and the woman leader we all
hope will one day become ‘The Next
President’ of the United States.
Fabián W. Waintal discusses
that powerful Golden Globes
speech with Oprah Winfrey
IMAGES BY SUPPLIED; SHUTTERSTOCK
27
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COVER STORY
When something as big as what
started to happen in October with
Harvey Weinstein (sexual harassment
accusations), start to unfold, I thought,
whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa,
and with every day’s revelation,
I thought here is an opportunity for
a powerful growth. How do we use
this moment to elevate what is
happening instead of continually
victimising ourselves
Over 15 years ago, Oprah penned away in her journal that she would one day
create a television network. “I always felt my show was just the beginning of
what the future could hold. For me, the launch of OWN is the evolution of the
work I've been doing on television all these years and a natural extension of
my show,” says Oprah Winfrey. OWN is best described as the network of
self-discovery, one that connects people with each other, entertains,
transforms and inspires, through real-life stories and present moments. It
first debuted in 2011, at over 77 milion homes on what was formerly
known as the Discovery Health Channel, targeting women between
25-54. It comes as no surprise then that when this powerful entrepreneur
gave her speech at the Golden Globes ceremony, she received a
standing ovation by stars including Steven Spielberg, Barbra Streisand,
Denzel Washington, Tom Hanks and Nicole Kidman, history was
made. Reese Witherspoon even took to Twitter stating, “I will now
officially divide time like this: Everything that happened before
Oprah’s speech: Everything that will happen after.” Last year at
the Golden Globes ceremony, Meryl Streep started a Twitter
war with Donald Trump when she received the Cecil B.
DeMille Award.
This time, along a red carpet full of black dresses with the
campaign #TimesUp against gender and sex
discrimination, Oprah Winfrey started her campaign
#Oprah2020, ‘The Next President’ after receiving
the same award. The world is still speaking about
Oprah Winfrey, standing by her side. Now, it’s
time for Oprah to talk about herself, too.
28
EQUITY

COVER STORY
Last year Meryl Streep won the same Cecil
B. DeMille Award and it felt like a
completely different time, as it was all about
Donald Trump becoming the President.
This time there were all the sexual
harassment allegations and everyone wore
black at the ceremony. After your emotional
speech, do you feel the country, together as
a whole, is moving in a better direction than
last year?
I always think, and know, having watched it over
the years through thousands and thousands of
interviews and watching people in their
dysfunction, that when something negative is
brewing, that there is the direct opposite reaction
that is also possible. For every action, there is an
equal and opposite reaction. When something as
big as what started to happen in October with
Harvey Weinstein (sexual harassment accusations),
started to unfold, I thought, whoa, whoa, whoa,
and with every day’s revelation, here is an
opportunity for powerful growth. How do we use
this moment to elevate what is happening instead
of continually victimizing ourselves?
What did you think about the idea of
wearing black and a ‘#TimesUp’ button on
the red carpet?
I think that wearing black in solidarity is one step.
What Time’s Up is doing with the legal defense
fund is a major step. It was very important to all
of us involved, to state that it’s not just about the
women of Hollywood, because we are already a
privileged group, but to extend to the women of
the world. Because as I said in my speech, there
isn’t a culture, a race, a religion, a politic, or a
workplace that hasn’t been affected by it. And it’s
been happening for a very long time. People
didn’t feel that they could speak up, and there are
so many women who have endured so much and
remained silent and kept going because there was
no other recourse, and now that we’ve all joined
as one voice, it is empowerment to those women
who never had it.
You are on top of the world and everybody
talks about your speech at the Golden Globes.
What humbles you right now?
The Cecil B. DeMille award humbles me. When
they first called my name and said they wanted me
to accept it, I said, “I shouldn’t be the person to get
the Cecil B. DeMille award.” I was working with
Reese Witherspoon this past spring and winter, and
I happened to just say in the makeup room one
morning, “Oh, how many movies have you done?”
and she said “I don’t know. It’s been so many.” And
then I thought, “I hope they don’t ask me because I
think it’s been five.” And so, I didn’t understand it,
but then they explained that it’s about overall
entertainment. What I was able to do with the Oprah
show and the cultural statement we were able to
make throughout the world, I feel extremely proud
of that, but I think that when it comes to films, I am
really the new kid on the block. I always feel like
when I’m acting, that I am out of my box. It’s the
most intimidated I ever feel.
What would you say is the greatest lesson
you’ve learned throughout your life and career?
It’s a lesson from Maya Angelou, when I first
met her. And after I’d known her for a while,
she said, “Baby, you need to know that when
people show you who they are, you believe them
the first time. And the problem is it takes you 29
times.” This is the same lesson coming in a
different skirt, wearing a different pair of pants.
I think that has been one of my greatest wisdom
teachings, to assess from people’s behavior,
their actions, not just towards me, but towards
other people – who they are and how they
behave. Because if people talk about other
people, they’ll talk about you. I think in business
and personal relationships, that’s always been
my greatest lesson. Also, staying grounded, has
been great for me.
When you look over your life, what advice would
you give to a seven-year-old Oprah Winfrey
about surviving as a woman in this world?
At seven, I was so sad. All my real love came
from my teachers. You have no idea the power
of noticing another human being and what it
feels like when somebody knows that they have
been seen, truly seen by you. It is the greatest
offering you can give, and all those years of the
Oprah Show, the greatest lesson I learned was
that after every show, someone would say,
invariably, in one way or another, how was that?
I did an interview with a father who killed
his twin daughters, followed by an interview
29
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COVER STORY
30
EQUITY

COVER STORY
The key to fulfillment, success,
happiness, contentment in life is
when you align your personality
with what your soul actually came
to do. I believe everybody has a soul
and has their own personal
spiritual energy... when you are
doing stuff that you think might
make money, you think it may be a
hit, or you think it may bring you
some level of attention or success,
that isn’t what does it... all of the
great, wonderful experiences of my
life that have brought me to this
moment have come from working
from the interior of myself, and so
that’s why I feel so authentic,
because it actually is
The way you make movies is to do stuff you love. For 25
years, I worked on the Oprah Show, and I will tell you there
were nights when I came home and it was hard to even
take off my clothes because I knew I was going to be
getting up four hours later. I felt exhausted, but I never
felt depleted. Do the work that comes straight from the
soul of you, from your background, from stories that
you’ve grown up with, from stories that bring you passion,
from stories that you are not just drawn to tell it, but if you
don’t tell them, they don’t get told.
with politician George Bush, Beyoncé, and so on. They all
say the same thing. How was that? I started to see this
common thread in humanity where everybody wants to
know. Did I do okay? Did you hear me? And did what I
say something mean to you? I would have to say that
recognising that in other people has helped me to become
a person of compassion, a person of understanding, a
person who can interview anybody about anything,
because I know that at the core of you is the same as the
core of me. You just want to be heard.
What wisdom could you pass on to the future generation
of Hollywood that want to make films?
What would you say is the real key to success
in Hollywood?
The key to fulfillment, success, happiness, and contentment
in life, is when you align your personality with what your
soul came here to do. I believe everybody has a soul and
their own personal spiritual energy. When you can use your
personality to serve whatever that thing is, you can’t help
but be successful. Films that come from the interior of
your soul, art that comes from the interior of you, you
cannot miss. It’s only when you are doing stuff that you
think might make money, you think it may be a hit, or you
think it may bring you some level of attention or success,
that isn’t what does it. I would have to say that all the
great, wonderful experiences of my life that have brought
me to this moment, have come from working from the
interior of myself, and that’s why I feel so authentic,
because it is. And when you do that, you’ll win.
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LOCAL STAR
#SUPPORTLOCAL
Jossette Naiken, Australian-citizen
and Founder of Hire4Baby.com
(a one-stop rental shop for parents)
discusses her career swap from the
corporate world to startup life
The big move
I was raised in Melbourne and Perth and early on in my career,
relocated to London to work for Goldman Sachs and Morgan
Stanley. Eventually the lure of Dubai became too strong, and I
moved here, in 2007, to work for Credit Suisse, followed by
Bank of America Merrill Lynch. I am now married and a
mother of two running my own business, Hire4Baby.com.
Tell us about your company?
Hire4Baby.com supports the UAE’s thriving tourism industry
with a full-service ‘one-stop-shop’ baby and toddler equipment
rental service, offering highest quality products to the travelling
parent. We ease the burden of travelling with children by
providing parents with expertly-researched items from trusted
premium brands, which are delivered and collected straight to
them at the home, hotel or even airport terminal of their
choice. The service is extremely efficient and convenient, and
means families can travel with far less luggage, lightening their
load and leaving time and energy to enjoy their trip. Our clients
can arrive in the UAE with total peace-of-mind that all the
equipment they need will be at their chosen destination,
sanitised and sparkling clean, even before they reach it.
How long has it been operational?
Hire4Baby.com has been active since 2015 and we have spent
our time organically growing the business, with an extremely
precise and specific strategy. We have recently relocated to a
larger warehouse and established an office close to Mall of
the Emirates. The next year will be spent intensifying our
marketing efforts to ramp-up brand awareness. Eventually,
we will seek to enter strategic partnerships to escalate our
offering and scale the business.
Any interesting launches rolling out this year?
Hire4Baby.com has constantly been in a state of evolution since
its inception. Essentially, we want to be the first name that
comes to mind when people think about renting baby and
toddler equipment in this region. In order to become the onestop-shop
in our field, we have collaborated with Malaak to offer
baby-sitting services, and offer hospital-grade breast pumps and
wheelchairs. We are continuously working to manage Hire4Baby.
com’s quick growth, and will be seeking strategic partnerships in
2018 to scale our business even further.
Where do you see the brand in the next five years?
There is tremendous scope for growth for Hire4Baby.com.
We see the business more closely aligned with the region’s
most established airlines and hotel groups, and are taking
steps to form those partnerships. The main pillar of this will
always remain the same, however, and that is to offer
convenience to all parents visiting the UAE, while supporting
the tourism industry. Visit Hire4Baby.com for more information.
What field were you in prior to this?
I began my career as a personal assistant and managed to work
my way up the ladder to become an equities trader at some of the
most prominent international bulge bracket financial institutions
in the world today. The opportunity to work in a corporate
environment permitted me to immerse myself in the culture of a
large corporation, and understand the benefits that guidelines
and organisational structure can bring in business. I feel that the
incorporation of my experience into Hire4Baby.com, since
inception, has been invaluable so far, and will be even more vital
as we scale the business.
How did you realise a niche in
the market?
The actual reason is that, as a parent,
I use this kind of this service all
around the world. You can rent baby
and toddler gear in most major cities.
I’ve done it from Bali to London, and
considering that the UAE is one of the
main contenders as a global tourist hub, it
was only a matter of time before this kind
of service was required here.
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EQUITY

ody
&
soul
In need of inspiration for
Valentine's Day? Take a peak
at our roundup and book a
getaway. Your gift shopping is
covered with our lust-worthy
list too. Turn over for
statement pieces, weekend
ideas and plenty more
33
EQUITY

TRENDS
The
CHECKLIST
Chic picks to keep you vogueish this winter
TIMELESS TAILORING
In the fashion universe, it’s common
knowledge that if you need a
bespoke fine-tailored suit, you go to
the Italians. The craftsmen have a way
of constructing a piece that’s almost
second skin, with techniques and
tricks that have been passed down to
them for generations. Corneliani is
one such brand, a one-stop shop for
the everyday man. This Fall-Winter,
the pieces possess traditional
patterns with functional elements in
everything from leather and elegant
leisurewear, to seamless business
attire and outerwear. Men, it’s time
for a wardrobe update.
Corneliani stores are located in Mall
of the Emirates and Dubai Mall
34
EQUITY

TRENDS
MIDDLE EASTERN APPEAL
AIGNER has stood the test of time by focusing
on handmade worksmanship, intricate details and
elegant designs. Their latest collaboration and the
first in the Middle East, is a tie-up with American-
Kuwaiti influencer Ascia Al Farj. The limitededition
piece, the Ascia bag, is based on the
Genoveva - a classic that works from day to night.
With a marble print effect on the smooth grain
leather, metal handle with the signature bolts and
extra pendant with bolts and cabochons, this bag
will without a doubt steal the limelight.
The bag is available for Dhs3,425 at Aigner stores
across the UAE
BEAUTY IN A BOTTLE
This time of year, the weather conditions take a serious toll on our
skin. While we’d love to pop in for a facial every two weeks, it just
isn’t possible. Luckily, serums and moisturizers are aplenty on the
market. BIOEFFECT, a scientific skin care line from Iceland, is one
that ticks all boxes. Their newly launched BIOEFFECT EGF + 2A
Daily treatment bottles combat fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation
and pollution, due to barley-grown EGF boasting strong antioxidants
such as ferulic and azelaic acid. The two-part treatment features an
intense anti-aging concentrate with hyaluronic acid, to amplify skin
volume and density, while offering a youthful glow and reducing sun
damage. Step two is an energising urban pollution fighter that protects
against free radical damage caused by environmental pollutants,
helping combat rosacea and dark spots. We tried it and love how
smoothly foundation glides on after allowing the serum to sink into
the skin – about two minutes – to work its magic.
Available exclusively in the Middle East at
Harklinikken in Dubai
SHOW YOUR STRIPES
Altuzarra’s Pre-Spring Summer 2018
collection exemplifies that French je
ne sais quoi. A trend that will be seen
on the runway, and pop up on streetstyle
photos amongst models and
celebrities. The Izy flat mule is one to
grace by the poolside, while the Izy
mules add oomph to your silhouette,
with its striped one-piece vamp. For a
more daring statement piece, set your eyes
on the classic point-toe mules stiletto heel.
Available at Level Shoes
35
EQUITY

S
RIGHT
IN STYLE
HOP
talk
The stores to visit for
your next shopping haul
FIT
Bombay Shirt Company,
the renowned Indian label
for custom shirts has
launched at Central Park
Towers, DIFC. Men can
choose from over 1,000
fabrics ranging from
premium Egyptian cotton to
luxurious linens, denim and
flannels sourced from Italy,
India, Japan, Portugal and
Turkey. Visit bombayshirts.com
ARAB INSPIRED
Kuwaiti brand K7L, read and
pronounced ‘KHL” – the Arabic
word for traditional eyeliner – has
come onto the beauty scene with
a bang. With lipsticks that last for
24 hours, anti-ageing foundation
packed with anti-oxidants, and
100 per cent vegan and toxin-free
nail polishes, the brand is set to be
one amongst most make-up
aficionados vanity sets. Available at
TRYANO-BeautyNation, Abu Dhabi
and k7l.com
MODERN TOUCH
Top handles and cross-body bags
are stealing the spotlight, perhaps
for its versatility? WANDLER’s first
collection of the season features
designs to suit the everyday
women’s closet – from workwear
ensembles to dinner dates. The
bags combine functionality with
premium-quality Italian leather, in
soft hues and contemporary styles.
Each piece is named after loved
ones who have inspired the
designer. We love the quirky
U-shape that instantly transforms
an outfit. At Boutique 1
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EQUITY

3 DAYS AUTOMATIC
ACCIAIO - 45m m
(REF. 674)
PANERAI BOUTIQUES
DUBAI • ABU DHABI • BEIRUT • KUWAIT • MANAMA • MUSCAT • RIYADH • JEDDAH • AL KHOBAR
PANERAI.COM
37
EQUITY

WELLBEING
WELLNESS
talk
Keep fit with the latest in wellbeing
trends in the city
Meet Amir Siddiqui, founder of
Symmetry Gym, one of Dubai’s
most exclusive facilities for
personal training. Here, the fitness
expert answers topical questions
to suit our busy lifestyles
Q
A
What are the defining factors of a workout for
those on a busy schedule?
Everyone is different, but also, same in a way. This
is something the fitness and weight loss industry
simply don't understand, and cannot appreciate. They
are driven purely by profit, while I am, by curiosity. So, I
would first attempt to understand the person from the
physical and psychical perspective, to see if obesity or
any other weaknesses are a problem driven mostly by
these issues. Both feed into each other and affect one
another. An incredibly busy person with lots of travel,
and challenges at work needs a plan that is simple,
clear, and stable for long periods. Diet plays an
important role too and is dictated almost purely, again,
by psychology. Food, on the other hand, is all about
mood. So, it is a rather complex process of search that
needs to produce an answer simple enough that the
client can pull it off. I have my own training
methodology, Fission Fusion, which is my perceptual
lens into client assessment and fitness problem-solving.
The programme is based on over 15 years of research
and experience, and includes a nutrition plan to suit
individual needs.
NOURISHING DETOX
Bone broth is the latest trend touted to be one of the most
healing foods out there. It usually comprises of grass-fed
organic bones (chicken or beef) simmered with celery,
carrots, ginger, fresh turmeric, thyme, rosemary, apple cider
vinegar, Himalayan pink salt and whole peppercorns, in
mineral water. The superfood is packed with essential
vitamins, minerals and amino acids, with healing compounds
including collagen – to heal your gut lining and reduce
intestinal inflammation – glutamine and glycine (an amino
acid closely associated with the central nervous-and
digestive-system). We put the three-day bone broth detox
from Clean Living to the test, in the hope that we will get rid
of the post festive-season bloat and sluggish metabolism.
Here’s our review:
Day 1: Three packs of chicken broth were delivered, as a
fresh batch of beef broth was being cooked up for dispatch
the following day. It tasted similar to chicken stock, yet a
cleaner, tastier version with robust flavours. By the end of
the day I was slightly hungry, and tucked into an orange for
the closest thing to solid food, and to amp up on Vitamin C
to beat a cold.
Day 2: A full day of flavoursome beef bone broth – prefer this
over chicken. Each 500ml pack is sectioned into two portions
(250ml each). I did visit the lavatory quite a bit. But hey, that’s
good, right? I also noticed doses of energy bursts. The broth was
coupled with herbal tea and water, for hydration.
Day 3: Woke up feeling incredibly lighter with my midsection
less bloated. Got straight into work and submitted a
feature without any distraction or breaks – complete focus.
No hunger pangs kicked in and it felt great to keep the snacks
at bay. I did need a cup of coffee to power through the
afternoon, but was glad to be cleansed from the inside by
the end of it - my body needed it, after months, maybe even
years of overindulging.
The verdict: Overall I felt less bloated with increased energy
levels and focus. The fact that it heals the gut and makes way
for weight-loss (with a proper diet and exercise routine) and
increased metabolism, makes it a superfood far better than
the rest, in my opinion. While I may attempt the three-day
detox once every few months – the 21-day challenge is a bit
too extreme for me – I’ll definitely carry on with the individual
packs as a daily supplement to meals, for overall well-being.
Besides, it’s perfect for the weather, wholesome and nurturing.
Place your order: The three-day detox is available for Dhs399,
inclusive of nine pouches. Visit cleanlivingcompany.ae
38
EQUITY

DUBAI’S REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS FOR
2017 VALUED AT DHS285 BILLION
Brokers earned Dhs1.77 billion while women
accounted for transactions worth over Dhs27 billion
GUCCI GARDEN OPENS IN FLORENCE
Alessandro Michele latest project is set inside a
14th-century structure
WANT TO TRADE IN BITCOIN?
HERE’S WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
If you’ve seen the Bitcoin boom and wondered
how you can get a piece of that action, here’s all
the help you need
THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
ABOUT TENCENT
This enigmatic Chinese company is worth over
$500 billion
GOLDMAN SACHS TO INVEST $250 MILLION INTO
THIS REAL-ESTATE TECH STARTUP
Cadre wants to be the Amazon of real estate,
but only for the very wealthy
Follow us on social media
EQUITYMEDIAUAE
39
EQUITY

TREATMENTS
INDULGE YOURSELF
Tried-and-tested experiences of the month
40
EQUITY
The venue: JAZZ LOUNGE SPA
The service: Royal Moroccan Bath
The verdict: As a man who doesn’t like being touched,
opting for a Royal Moroccan Bath was a brave, if not the
reckless option, but that’s what happens when you’re not
in the right frame of mind. Considering my spa horror
stems from a trip to Thailand – at a well-known hotel’s spa,
no less – I decided to give these pampering treatments one
more chance. My mistake. Mainly because I thought I would
be pampered like the Royals from Netflix’s The Crown.
Jazz Lounge Spa’s Royal Moroccan Bath is not for the
fainthearted, it’s a 90-minute onslaught. You start off easy
and completely relaxed in a mosaic blue-tiled room where
the eucalyptus scent accentuates every one of your senses.
After being soaped with a black baldi soap, I was asked to lie
down on a marble slab and was covered like a body in the
morgue for 15 minutes. That’s where the niceties stopped.
With the honeymoon phase of the treatment now done, my
therapist – whom could have just as easily been my
tormentor – got the scrubbing mitt out and I could have
sworn he was out to skin me alive. All those feelings of hate
for my therapist went away as quickly as they came once I
saw the grease that peeled off my body.
Need to know:
The Royal
Moroccan Bath
is Dhs420 for
90 mins; contact:
+971 4 345 0036
You’d be forgiven to think that the ordeal comes to an
end, but it didn't. In fact, this is where the pampering begins.
Following an elderflower mask and another packaged fiveminute
steam came another scrub, this time far gentler and
finally, another mask of amber and argan. Needless to say,
the treatment leaves you feeling, quite literally since you’ve
shed your old self, like a new person.

TREATMENTS
The venue: LUBAN SPA
The service: Rhythm of Love (Roses and Love Caress body
scrub and Luban Herbal Harmony massage).
The verdict: The scent of Frankincense takes me right
back to my childhood home, where my mother burnt it in
an incense pot every Friday to bless the space. Stepping
into Luban gave me instant nostalgia, with the airy, all-white
spa opening all senses. The Spa focuses on treatments using
frankincense from Oman, where it is sourced from, helping
your body and skin heal from within.
The tranquil treatment rooms are located upstairs, taking
you through a stairway lit with candles and flowers, creating
that relaxed-back vibe from the start. The treatment I
chose was a Valentine’s special, one women would love to
receive as a gift – take note, men – or pamper themselves
with before a big night out. Warm sandalwood essential oil
was massaged onto my skin, prepping it for the salt and
dried-rose powder sprinkled on soon after. Skin is
exfoliated vigorously for 60 minutes, sloughing off dried
skin cells on literally every body part – you can avoid any
areas you wish too. This body scrub isn’t for the frail, you
have been warned. But, it’s a great kind of exfoliation. The
type that’s tricky to do by yourself at home, without making
a mess. And one you absolutely need before you hit the
beach or pool to tan, and more importantly, because it’s
winter and if your skin is anything like mine, it’s parched,
patchy and hidden behind pantyhose. A quick
rinse at the in-room shower, and back to the bed
it is, for the hour-long massage.
V
Need to know:
The two-hour
pacakage is
available for
Dhs600. Contact:
+971 4 346 0000
A blend of traditional healing herbs are wrapped in a
heated linen pouch, tapped and rolled onto the skin
gently to remove tight knots on the back, neck and
shoulder area, while relieving stress with long and short
strokes. The aroma once again revitalises, after which
you go into a light snooze as your body is massaged all
over. I was asked to let the oils soak in for a few hours,
and felt my body was incredibly soft, clean – my skin
appeared a shade lighter – and moisturised. All aching
muscles felt light and flexible enough for me to head to
an acrobats’ class straight after. I drove home and
crawled right into bed. As you would, right?
41
EQUITY

COLLECTOR'S ITEM
ON OUR RADAR
Striking statement pieces
VALENTINE’S GIFT
Cindy Chao – The Art Jewel
Maple Earrings, Four Seasons Collection
FOR HER
When an item is auctioned by Christie’s, the brand unquestionably becomes one whose reputation
precedes itself. Cindy Chao, was founded in 2004 by the Taiwanese artist, and within this short span
of time, has become a sought-after label for its contemporary one-of-a-kind jewellery. An amalgam
of art and design, the brand showcases intricate pieces such as these Maple Earrings from the White
Label Collection. The 18k white gold earrings are paved with 1,130 diamonds (25.16 carats) and 314
yellow diamonds (1.23 carats), revealing the tough quality of the stones with soft gestural movements.
PRICE UPON REQUEST. CINDYCHAO.COM
42
EQUITY

COLLECTOR'S ITEM
VALENTINE’S GIFT
Interiors
Giorgio Collection Golf Bag
FOR HIM
If your partner is a golf-enthusiast, this Giorgio Collection Golf Bag is a no-brainer as an elegant,
functional gift. An interior furniture store may be an odd spot to purchase one, but we all know
how tricky it is to find a stylish, refined bag on the occasion it isn’t stowed away. The bag doubles
as a statement décor piece – give it a corner and its own table, and let it work its magic. You can
choose from beige and black in printed Iguana leather, Nubuck leather, Moresco leather and
stamped crocodile leather styles.
DHS10,500 AT INTERIORS
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COLLECTOR'S ITEM
TIMEPIECE
A. Lange & Söhne
Triple Split
FOR HIM
This is the world’s first triple rattrapante chronograph. What’s a rattrapante chronograph, you ask? It’s a mechanism of
measuring and comparing the time of two events occurring simultaneously. Its function is one that requires such high
technical know-how that it falls under the purview of a grand complication. A rattrapante mechanism is in the league of
a perpetual calendar or a sonnerie complication. The triple rattrapante calculates the hours, minutes and seconds of
the two events being timed. Lange is the vanguard of German fine watchmaking. A Richemont heavyweight, it can
stand its ground when it comes to sizing up Swiss watchmaking goliaths. Walter Lange can be credited for giving the
brand its core values ever since it was brought back into production in 1994. But it is the new guard under its current
CEO Wilhelm Schmid which is taking the brand in an exciting direction. Just when we thought that the mechanical
watch world was one without any more scope for innovation, Lange has proved us wrong with this Triple Split.
$147,000 (DHS540,000) AT A-LANGE-SOEHNE.COM
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COLLECTOR'S ITEM
TIMEPIECE
Parmigiani Fleurier
Kalparisma Nova Galaxy
FOR HER
Parmigiani Fleurier is a young brand. But don’t equate its youth with inexperience. Michel Parmigiani, its founder, was an expert
watch repairer who specialised in the restoration of clocks and went on to create an eponymous brand in 1996 in Fleurier,
Switzerland. Parmigiani Fleurier quickly earned a reputation as a watch manufacturer which made intricate movements and were
all hand assembled in-house. A decade later it debuted the Bugatti watch, and the first one was presented to Ralph Lauren who
is known for his impressive and expensive car collection (his Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic is valued at a cool $40 million). But in
the testosterone-filled world of horology, women’s watches aren’t always top priority. It wasn’t until 2008 that Parmigiani
launched its first mechanical watch collection for women called the Kalparisma. At this year’s SIHH, the brand debuted this
new limited-edition Kalparisma Nova Galaxy timepiece. The case of the rose-gold tonneau-shaped is set with 46 Top
Wesselton diamonds totalling 0.84 carats. It features the excellent PF332 automatic-winding movement which was the first
self-winding movement that Parmigiani manufactured. There are just 50 pieces of this Nova Galaxy, so move fast.
PRICE ON REQUEST. VISIT PARMIGIANI.COM
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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
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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

COLLECTOR'S ITEM
GADGETS
Vanderhall Motor Works
EDISON2
This pocket-rocket might have one wheel less than it requires to qualify as a
proper sportscar, but it more than makes up for it in sheer performance. The
electric engine generates 180hp(e) equivalent of power which is sent to the
front wheels resulting in the vehicle bolting from 0-60mph in four seconds.
The 30kilowatt lithium battery has a range of 200 miles, though we’re sure
that driving this at the limit will not get you anywhere near that maximum
range. The three-wheeled wonder debuted at the recent CES electronics
show in Las Vegas and bookings are already open, with deliveries expected to
commence in the second quarter of this year.
$34,950 (DHS128,300) AT VANDERHALLUSA.COM
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COLLECTOR'S ITEM
Hassleblad
H6D-400C MS CAMERA
When Hasselblad debuted a spectacular 200megapixel
camera a few years ago, we were sure it had peaked. But
we’re happy to report that the Gothenburgheadquartered
company which been in the business for
nearly 180 years proved us wrong. This new H6D is a
whopping 400megapixel camera. The MS you see in its
name refers to its Multi-Shot technology. What it does is
takes four 100-megapixel images, shifting the sensor by
one pixel for each shot, and two more images that shift
the sensor by half a pixel. It then stitches together these
images to deliver a 400megapixel (23200 x 17400 pixel)
TIFF file that weighs a titanic 2.4GB.
$48,000 (176,000) AT HASSELBLAD.COM
Sennheiser
HD 820
The predecessor to these pair of cans, the Sennheiser
800S, was anti-social because the open-back headphones
would mean that the person next to you could hear a
great deal of what you were hearing. The HD 820 seeks
to remedy that with the German audio specialist now
covering the outer surface with a Gorilla concave glass
case. Beyond vanity, the glass case also means lesser
resonance and reduced ambient noise feeding into your
cranium. Also, the new ear pads are made of a mix of
leather and synthetic fibre and are entirely handcrafted.
$2,400 (DHS8,800) AT EN-AE.SENNHEISER.COM
Sony
4K ULTRA SHORT THROW PROJECTOR LSPX-A1
You can place this marble-topped projector just 9.6
inches from the wall. Owing to that wooden shelf, it could
very well pass off as a wall unit. In a neat party trick
though, once you’re ready to entertain your guests, switch
it on and the laser will project a 4K image across 120
inches on the wall right next to it with a peak brightness
of 2,500 lumens. The dealmaker though for this projector
is the in-built Glass Sound Speaker that generates
360-degree of audio. There are three midrange speakers,
a subwoofer and glass tweeters built into the front legs.
Entertain, and be entertained.
$30,000 (DHS110,000) AT SONY.COM
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COLLECTOR'S PIECES
AUTOMOBILE
GOING FOR THE
JUGULAR
The Dubai-headquartered W Motors means business with its new Fenyr SuperSport hypercar
By Varun Godinho
The new Fenyr SuperSport has the smell of blood in its
nostrils. In the ruthlessly savage world of supercar
manufacturing where fledgelings make for a tasty dinner,
there’s just one rule to survive: Hunt or be hunted. W
Motors is a hunter.
Ralph Debbas, W Motor’s dynamic CEO and Chairman,
was in his 20s when he started up the brand six years ago.
He cut his supercar teeth at the Coventry University
School of Art and Design where he studied automotive
design. W Motors became the first Arabian manufacturer
of high-performance luxury sports cars when it debuted at
a glitzy ceremony in Beirut in 2012.
The Lykan HyperSport was its first supercar and it
broke cover the following year. It was a proof of
concept, a statement piece if you will, that showed off
the brand’s capacity to build high-end supercars. There
were just seven of them built and, as you would expect,
they were extravagant. The $3.4 million hypercar had
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220 diamonds encrusted on the headlamps. By 2013, W
Motors also made the strategic decision to move its
headquarters from Beirut to Dubai. To weave a compelling
story around the brand, W Motors adopted some neat
millennial marketing ploys. Debbas knew only too well the
visual and cultural impact of breaking into Hollywood (we all
know what Steve McQueen’s 1968 thriller Bullitt did for the
Mustang). In the high-octane Furious 7, part of the megapopular
Fast and Furious franchise, the Lykan got a lead role
and could be seen jumping between skyscrapers. That was
enough to pit the W Motors as a global cultural icon.
Reportedly, ten prototypes were built for the movie, nine of
which were wrecked by the time the director James Wan
was done shooting.
To sustain the marque’s momentum, W Motors required
another car which wasn’t as niche as the Lykan and could carry
forward the narrative it had begun. It teamed up with a few
industry veterans like Magna Steyr from Austria and RUF
Automobile GmbH from Germany. In 2013, they debuted the
concept Fenyr Supersport.
Fast-forward to December 2017, and the breathing sheet
of metal Fenyr SuperSport with rear-opening suicide-style
doors was now ready in its production guise. It features a
3.8-litre flat six-cylinder engine developed along with RUF
that pumps out 800hp of power and 980Nm of torque at
4,000rpm. For a car this powerful, it would be a disservice to
note its 0-100kph speed. Instead, we’ll do one better and let
you know that it can go from 0-200kph in 9.4 seconds. There
are a standard composite-body model and a pricier allcarbon
fibre body. In the latter configuration, you’re looking
at a total weight of just 1,350kgs.
For a car this light and powerful, it takes some nifty engineering
to create enough downforce to allow it to grip the tarmac and
hold a straight line. That innovation came by way of an in-house
developed Triptych Active Spoiler which is deployed at 75mph
and uses an electromechanical system to trigger the spoiler built
across three independent surfaces. The Fenyr SuperSport has a
top speed of 395kph, which makes it a lethal weapon when
shown an open stretch of highway. There are special forged
aluminium wheels designed specifically for W Motors that have
been fitted onto this car. The ceramic discs will do a good job of
shaving off speed just as quickly as the engine generates it.
The interiors are lined with carbon fibre and Alacantra. This
isn’t a supercar that’s stripped away creature comfort to achieve
target weight. In the Fenyr SuperSport you get temperature
control, sat nav, an infotainment system with a separate display
in front of the passenger side, a sound system (though we’re
guessing you’d want to keep the windows down and let in the
soundtrack from the engine itself) and parking sensors with
reverse cameras, among other bits and pieces. The car can be
configured as a left-hand as well as a right-hand drive, good
news if you live in Australia or the United Kingdom.
W Motors also opened their first-ever showroom in the tony
Dubai district of Citywalk in December. The showroom will
rotate artwork from the Swiss Galerie Frank Page and W
Motors also open up a café on the pavement just outside. Given
that Debbas is friends with former head chef at elBulli, Ferran
Adrià – who also attended the launch of the of the showroom
– expect there to be some fine-dining bites on offer.
The medium- to long-term plans for W Motors is to shift
the car’s manufacturing and production facilities from Europe
to the UAE. That will only enhance the brand’s positioning as
the first homegrown supercar manufactured in Arabia.
With a small team hand building this machine, the company
is expected to deliver only 25 units a year. It’ll set you back
$1.4 million for the standard composite body model and
$1.8 million for the full carbon-fibre body. The Lykan
HyperSport was W Motor’s opening salvo. With the Fenyr
SuperSport, it’s going in for the kill.
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WEEKEND DINING
An experience, brunch and nocturnal hotspots you can’t miss this month
Seafood Delight
1
CATCH DUBAI
FAIRMONT DUBAI
I visited this restaurant ages ago, and the one dish that I could
recall firmly ever since, that stood out in terms of flavour, was
the extremely succulent lobster rolls in a dense home-made
potato roll. We devoured these this time around too. Along
with crispy shrimp in a spicy mayonnaise, from the updated
menu, we tucked into miso seabass with shitake mushrooms
that was soft with the fish falling apart beautifully in a lettuce
cup. The hellfire rolls with spicy tuna kimchee, avocado and
spicy mayo was excellent too.
The hotspot, a favourite amongst celebrities in New York
and Los Angeles, has undergone a minor facelift in terms of the
communal dining space and bar area. It’s the sort of dinner spot
you could head to for nibbles coupled with great old-school
tunes and an energetic vibe, before heading out to a party.
That cosy, comfortable ambience flows through the venue
seamlessly, with art work and graffiti speaking volumes.
For mains, a spicy king crab pasta was presented in a large
crab shell. Squid ink pasta isn’t one of my favourites, but this
wasn’t very overpowering and quite balanced out with the
roasted tomato uni cream and shredded meaty crab for
texture. It was paired beautifully with the Miso Sea Bass (a
Josper-roasted Patagonia toothfish on a bed of Cantonese
fried rice and black garlic puree). If we could choose one main ,
it would be this for the marriage of flavours, aroma and
textures. Besides, it’s a substantial option, and the fish was
sublime. We left a gap before desserts to test a few cocktails - I
loved the Miguelito (a sweet, pungent mix with jalapenos).
While a sticky toffee pudding isn’t the light dessert ending we
should’ve opted for, it was unbelievably delectable, and apt for
the low outdoor temperatures we were about to experience.
Need to know: Contact +971 4 357 1555
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margherita – and Sassy Lassy (a lassi-Pina Colada hybrid with
cardamom and toasted coconut). If you love a great old
fashioned, you will enjoy this modernszed cocktail, with
jaggery palm and chai bitters instilling sweet and smoky notes.
After all those beverages, it was time to rate the sharingstyle
food menu. First up was the black seabass ceviche in
lime and jalapeno marinade, which tasted great, however
wasn't impressive as it was cubed too small, to the point
where it crumbled easily – we did notify the chef. The cassava
chaat that followed was a hit. Crunchy pieces of the root
were mixed with spices, sweet and sour chutney and crisp
dried tomato lace. The slow-cooked octopus with cauliflower
cream and pimento beet sauce was one of our favourites, as
it was tender and juicy and didn’t even smell like fish. The
sweet chilli glazed lamb chops came in highly commended,
and again, was succulent with a flavour-packed coating that
complemented the purple carrot mash. The most creative
dishes were hands-down the saag paneer lasagna
(compressed cheese in a finger-licking good coconut lime
sauce), and the BC pizza – yes, that stands for butter chicken.
We were quite surprised by the latter, as each slice was crisp
and toasted, topped with creamy goodness in the form of
burrata, and traditional Indian flavours from the butter
chicken. For dessert, we suggest the chocolate delice with
popping candy, chocolate soil and strawberry gel – incredibly
decadent but a perfect halt to a great meal.
Creative Concoctions
2 MASTI COCKTAILS & CUISINE
LA MER
The name translates to ‘mischievous fun’ and it’s evident the
staff were, when creating their cocktail menu. My dining partner
and I dined at the venue – upstairs it’s licensed while the ground
floor it isn’t – and were amazed by the stunning emerald tones,
gold elements and lighting fixtures. The concept, international
food with Indian flavours, best described by them as “an
interpretation of Indian cuisine” was made apparent instantly,
so as for us to not expect fare native to the country.
Let’s begin with the intriguing cocktail menu. Categories
such as No-Bull for stronger mixes, Holy Cow – for lighter
and slightly fruity potions – and Monkey Business for unique
blends, caught our eye. The Mahrani cocktail (mango puree,
hibiscus with edible glass and sparkling wine) was my first, a
sweet bubbly mix that mango-lovers will enjoy. This was
followed by Turmeric Tommies (with turmeric syrup, grilled
lime and lava salt) – similar to a smooth, sweetened tangy
Need to know: Contact 800 62784
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GASTRONOMY
3
SCALINI
RESTAURANT VILLAGE,
FOUR SEASONS JUMEIRAH RESORT
London’s much-loved Italian eatery has opened its doors at
the Restaurant Village near Four Seasons Jumeirah Resort
and on the night we arrived, it was absolutely packed.
Evidently, those who dined at the London outpost couldn’t
contain their excitement, hotfooting to the Italian restaurant
and bar for their signature dishes and all-time favourites.
Scalini is guaranteed to see an influx of diners over the next
few months or years, and rightly so. The neutral hue décor
coupled with shades of blue, plush couches, and verdant lemon
trees make up the space. Staff are attentive, the menu is
elaborate, and the General Manager – here for the opening from
the London outpost – is charming, revealing stories of the late
founder’s past. We began the dinner with freshly baked bread an
assortment of condiments (olives, tomatoes and a divine olive
oil). For appetizers, cherry tomatoes and a creamy burrata was a
clear winner, with a generous portion – almost the size of an
average lady’s palm – for each. Vitello tonnato, cold slices of veal
smothered in a mayonnaise-like smooth tuna sauce accompanied
the gooey stracciatella and cream, complementing it beautifully.
The food and beverage service was quite quick, and our mains
arrived minutes after. My main course – the lobster spaghetti –
was a signature dish spotted on almost every table. The al dente
spaghetti is served with a ripe crushed tomato sauce, packed
with a punch of flavour from the garlic and herbs. Chunky tender
pieces of lobster topped the pasta, bringing the dish together,
with every morsel being incredibly lip-smacking. My partner’s
Veal Milanese, on the other hand, showcased tender thick pieces
of meat in a moreish lemon-butter sauce. The venue is licensed,
and the staff are quite knowledgeable, recommending great
pairings for each course. To end the meal, I sipped espresso
alongside soft, cloud-like profiteroles doused in chocolate and
filled with cream, while my partner went down the authentic
Italian route, tucking into a light yet decadent tiramisu with
creamed layers between coffee-soaked biscuit.
Nocturnal hotspot
4
AL BAHOU
MÖVENPICK HOTEL IBN BATTUTA GATE
DUBAI, JEBEL ALI VILLAGE
The family-style Friday brunch at Al Bahou is nestled in the
hotel alley, known as the grand hall, and while it isn’t your
typical brunch layout, it’s gorgeous. Quench thirst with a
welcome beverage and be stunned by the 88 atmospheric
lanterns suspended from the high ceiling. This expansive
brunch spot is one maneuver through each station to fill
your plates. There’s something to suit every palate here,
with offerings from cuisines including Arabic, Asian, Indian
and Italian.
My first visit was to the seafood section for the massive
buckets of freshly shucked oysters with a hint of sherry
vinegar, lobster tail, and tender tiger prawns. We love
sushi and the maki rolls with salmon, tuna and crab were
mouthwatering. The roast section offered everything from
chicken to meat with a selection of condiments – the
succulent lamb chops was our favourite, with a side of
gravy and roasted potatoes. Chor Bazaar’s aromatic Indian
selection feature tantalizing curries, so tuck into them with
biryani and spiced tikkas. Arabic dishes are always a staple,
and here the offerings showcase mezze (hummous, baba
gannoush, fattoush and Arabic salads - the usual suspects).
For Asian food, another one of our favourite cuisines, the
station offers seafood dim sum and crisp Peking duck
pancakes from Shanghai Chic, the hotel’s Asian eatery.
Sicilia offers traditional Italian trattoria-style pasta take your
pick from the sauces and protein – and thin-crust
margherita pizzas. There’s always space for dessert, so we
grabbed a plate for crème bruleè, and espresso and walnut
ice cream to complete our meal. Certain elements
complete a brunch experience and live music is one of
those significant factors. Here, the duo are quite
impressive. When a brunch is within walking distance of a
mall, Ibn Batuta in this scenario, there’s no better way to
walk up the calories than with a shopping trip.
Family friendly
Need to know: Contact +9714 349 0068
Need to know: Fridays from 12.30-4pm. Dhs325
per person with soft beverages, and from Dhs425
per person for unlimited house beverages.
Contact +971 4 444 5613
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T he e s s e n c e o f A r a b i a
Bab Al Qasr Hotel
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ANANTARA KIHAVAH MALDIVES VILLAS
Ideal for: Sun, sand- and beach-lovers
Love is
in the air
Whisk your partner away to these luxury resorts and
make this year’s Valentine’s Day even more special
By Nicola Monteath
Maldives is undeniably romantic. The sound of the
waves, strolls on the shore and days of sunbathing
coupled with trips to the spa, does it get better than
that? Actually, it does. Anantara Kihavah Maldives
Villas has the ultimate retreat sorted, with the
Couples Castaway in Paradise available for just one
lucky couple. Guests are transported to an idyllic
haven – a ‘Sandback’ in the middle of the Indian
Ocean – and treated to a romantic BBQ dinner with
acoustic tunes, under the stars. The couple can toast
with a bottle of Cristal rose champagne 2006, and
you don’t even have to bring the flowers – the lady
will receive a special bouquet of roses.
If you can’t make up your mind just yet, and miss
the chance to book this, impress your partner with
an underwater dining experience at Sea. This eatery
boasts the world’s first underwater wine cellar,
serving up a divine four-course menu with wine
pairings, as you gaze at the tropical marine life.
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To book:
The Couples Castaway in
Paradise package is available
for Dhs44,870 per couple, while
the dinner at Sea is available
for Dhs3,635 per couple.
anantarakihavahmaldives.com
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THE ST. REGIS SAADIYAT ISLAND RESORT, ABU DHABI
Ideal for: Staycation in the city
If a holiday isn’t an option due to
workload, take a trip to this lush
island in Abu Dhabi. The sea-facing
Spa Suite or Ocean Suite gets a
stunning enhancement with rose
petals, a bottle of French bubbles,
caviar, and chocolate-dipped
strawberries. Dinner features a
three-course gourmet meal
accompanied by a bottle of wine,
served in the privacy of your own suite.
Next morning, wake up to breakfast
in-room, before heading off to tan at a
private poolside cabana. What’s a
staycation without a spa treatment?
Couples can enjoy one-hour of bliss in
the private couples’ treatment room,
followed by a dip in the Jacuzzi.
To book:
The Spa Suite is available at Dhs15,730, while the Ocean Suite is Dhs9,980. The additional
package (spa, dinner and bottle of bubbly with chocolates) is Dhs3,000. stregissaadiyatisland.com
LES GRANDES ALPES PRIVATE
HOTEL, COURCHEVEL 1850
Ideal for: Ski enthusiasts
By now you should understand our
love for Courchevel 1850 is unlikely to
wilt. Couples can get their very own
Valentine’s Valet this month, at an
intimate alpine getaway with a chaletinspired
suite. The package includes a
bottle of champagne coupled with
hand-crafted chocolates upon arrival, a
romantic 30-minute horse drawn
carriage ride, and two-hours with a
personal shopper – it is a haven for
luxury boutiques after all.
Back at the suite, your Valentine’s
Valet will draw you a warm bubble
bath to soak into after hours of
shopping and skiing – the resort offers
ski-in, ski-out access. The hunger pangs
are sure to kick in by now, so head over
to the Bellini Bar for an aperitif,
followed by a contemporary Japanese
five-course tasting menu at Le Bizan.
To book:
The Valentine’s Valet package is
available from €6,355 (Dhs28,755)
for a four-night stay in a one
bedroom suite for two.
grandesalpes.com
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CONRAD DUBLIN
Ideal for: A lavish engagement
Dublin may not be on top-of-your-list
for a romantic getaway, since it’s all
about that laid-back charm with fun and
frolic. That said, Conrad Dublin have
recently undergone a major
refurbishment inspired and influenced
by the city’s rich literary culture and local
heritage. For an Over-The-Top Valentine’s
Experience, couples are treated to a VIP
pickup service from Dublin airport for a
three-night stay at the Presidential Suite,
inclusive of breakfast and access to the
hotel’s personal concierge for leisure
activities and excursions. Additionally,
the couple can relish an in-suite dinner
hosted by Executive Chef Marcin
Kolnierzak, finishing off with a decadent
array of desserts. The couple can choose
a night to kick-back with a complimentary
bottle of champagne in Waterford flutes
they can take home, serving as a
memento from this trip. For the finale,
the icing on the cake is a scenic
helicopter city tour, after which you can
get down on one knee or propose the
way you like – book the hotel’s
professional photographer to capture
the moment. A special poem, from the
hotel’s in-house poet, awaits you as you
depart – an warm-hearted keepsake
from your 2018 Valentine's.
To book: Dhs23,000 per couple. conraddublin.com
To book:
The Be my Parisian Valentine by
Christian Louboutin is priced from
EUR 1,245 (Dhs5,635) per night,
while the Treat for Two is EUR 600
(Dhs2,715). mandarinoriental.com
MANDARIN ORIENTAL, PARIS
Ideal for: Christian Louboutin fans
Women love the allure of those
signature red soles, so a weekend away
for a romantic package in collaboration
with the iconic designer himself, is what
she deserves. Treat your lady to the Be
my Parisian Valentine package inclusive
of daily breakfast for two in-room or at
Camelia restaurant, a one-hour Christian
Louboutin manicure experience, lip and
eye application at Christian Louboutin
Paris Beauté on 8 Galerie Véro-Dodat, a
bottle of Louis Roederer champagne
with a box of chocolates, and three
beauty products including their signature
Rouge Louboutin nail colour. Men can
set off on a shopping spree while the
ladies get spoilt. The pampering session
isn’t just for ladies though. Couples can
enjoy the Treat for Two at The Spa
where they can unwind at their private
suite adorned with candles and flowers,
choose between an 80-minute body or
facial, and enjoy bubbly and dessert
with a hand massage, after a dip in the
vitality pool bath.
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JETSETTER JOURNEYS
The latest in experiences, tours and wellbeing breaks
DOWN BY THE RIVERSIDE
Minor Hotels have launched a selection of river
cruises offering a contemporary colonial
experience with bespoke itineraries to suit.
Enjoy first-class services, gourmet meals, and
plush cabins as part of the journey. The cruise
floats along the Mekong River from Thailand’s
Golden Triangle to the ancient Laos capital and
now UNESCO World Heritage city of Luang
Prabang. Guided jungle treks, a visit to the Pak
Ou caves, Pak Beng, Ban Baw to meet with
traditional weavers, and mountain biking in
rural Laos are some of the exciting adventures
you can embark on. Other activities include
sunrise yoga, jewellery-making classes, cooking
demonstrations, Buddhist meditation, and giant
catfish fishing. Various cruise options are
available including the private cruise, Gypsy,
with just two-cabins and up to four passengers,
Nomad for a couple’s getaway, and Play – a
floating lounge for private events and
adventures. mekongkingdoms.com
DIGITAL DETOX
Will you be undergoing a technology detox this year? If you can’t commit
to one at home, escape to Chalet Merlo, The Peak or La Marquise with
Première Neige to make the journey a smooth one. Each of the luxury ski
chalets offer curated experiences, from husky riding to paragliding
through the valleys, and ice diving. The chalet offers books, journals,
board games and plenty more to keep you occupied. If that isn’t enough,
Chalet Merlo boasts a fully-equipped gym, private massage suite, hot tub
and sauna. It’s apt for multi-resort skiing and heli-skiing sessions too.
Chalet Merlo sleeps 12, and is available from £10,000 per week.
premiere-neige.com
SEEING STARS IN PORTUGAL
A Michelin star raises a restaurant’s credibility almost
instantaneously. Take for instance the street-stall (Hawker Chan)
in Singapore who scored one last year. If Algarve is on your list
this year, head to Gusto by Heinz Beck at Conrad Algarve, which
recently received its first Michelin star. Heinz Beck is no stranger
to the culinary scene, owning two eateries in Dubai as well, and
offers a menu featuring the best of local and international
ingredients with a Mediterranean influence, at Gusto. I guess it’s
time to “do it with Gusto.” conradhotels.com/algarve
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GOLF COURSE
HIT the LINKS
Night clubbing under the stars in Dubai. This month,
we review the Faldo course at The Emirates Golf Club
Clubbing with your driver, wedges and putter is
the ideal way to kick off an evening in Dubai. A
night spent out on the links is a disruption of
life's natural order, like eating ice cream for
breakfast. Ideally, we all understand that golf is a game
designed to be played in the sun and the wind and even
the rain, at times. In the dark, however, it is tricky. This
proved to be the ultimate test for a golfer.
The Emirates Golf Club boasts two stunning golf
courses, the Majlis course and the Faldo course which
allows you to tee it up post sunset. The course comes to
life at night when the floodlights are switched on, with
play being extended until midnight. Players are able to tee
off as late as 8pm for 18 holes and 10pm for nine holes.
Although the course has been in operation for just over
21 years, night golfing here started in 2010 and has proved
to be more than successful. Teeing off with the backdrop
of Dubai Marina and the beauty of the Dubai Skyline is
truly majestic. Its central location means that you play
with a scenery of lit-up skyscrapers on some holes, then
enjoy the solitude of a quiet night on others. The 10th
sees you teeing off parallel to the Sheikh Zayed Road and
the metro, while the 15th is a serene amble in near
silence. The quality and attention to detail, in the design of
the course, can be seen as soon as you step onto the first
tee. A par four that presents a tricky start to the round.
We suggest favouring the right-hand side of the fairway to
give a clear view of the raised green.
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GOLF COURSE
As with many of the courses in
Dubai, the most impressive hole must
be the finishing hole. A tough par
four that requires a long but
extremely accurate tee shot to avoid
the “wadi” that cuts in on the right. A
fairway wood is the most likely choice
for your second, which you need to
guide carefully between the cluster of
bunkers on the left and the water to
the right. You may think that by
reaching the green that your work is
done, but beware the green has some
very tricky undulations that make par
a truly great finish to a wonderfully designed
and remodeled golf course. Once your round is
complete and you drop your cart and clubs off
to the obliging and efficient staff for club
cleaning, you can make your way to the club
house which houses all the amenities of Pro
Shop, eateries, bars, locker rooms, gymnasium
and everything else you would expect at a true
Championship clubhouse.
IN THE VICINITY…
Jones the Grocer located on the groundfloor
of the club house brings with it a flair for simple
fare. The newly launched licensed outlet serves
breakfast, light lunches, and a wide selection of
substantial offerings for dinner. The layout is
inviting, comprising leather chairs, solid wood
inlays and that homely, relaxing vibe that’s
come to become synonymous with the brand.
We tucked into a feta, roasted pumpkin and
sun dried tomato salad – fresh, balanced
flavours and absolutely tasty. For mains, the
Wagu burger on brioche bun with skin on fries,
was cooked just the way I wanted it – grilled to
medium rare. The succulent burger patty with
beef bacon, cheese and a Spanish onion was
juicy and a great choice for burger-lovers. We
ended with the earl-grey tea infused truffle
dusted with cocoa, was an absolute delight.
Each morsel was relished, with traces of the tea
and gooey chocolate merging to form an almost
guilt-free dessert. Since the outlet is located
near some of Dubai’s most sought after
communities, it’s worth a trip merely for the
food, breathtaking views, and a shopping trip.
Visit dubaigolf.com/emirates-golf-club
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IF YOU’RE A WOMAN, YOU’RE A LEADER
W I L E F
WOMEN INSPIRING LEADERSHIP AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP FORUM
2018
WILEF, a two-day forum dedicated specifically to women, introduces the elements
of entrepreneurship, and leadership in the workforce. At this year’s forum, our
trusty keynote speakers will deliver the latest in business trends, ways to empower
women by identifying entrepreneurship traits, and tips on breaking into an industry
of your choice. Attendees can also network with business owners, entrepreneurs and
corporate officers. Those looking to get hands-on training from the experts can stay
back for Day 2 (limited seats available) to learn the tricks of the trade.
HANNA YLIJUKURI
ZOË COUSENS
SAHAR MADANI
H.E. SARA AL MADANI
SALEHA OSMANI
LOCATION
Bab Al Qasr Hotel,
Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi
DATE AND TIME
Wed, Mar 21, 2018, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (GST)
Thu, Mar 22, 2018, 8:30 AM - 12:45 PM (GST)
Please visit eventbrite.com/d/united-arab-emirates--dubai/wilef/
PROMO CODE to use for discount on Eventbrite: EQM2018
PRESENTED BY
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HOTEL REVIEW
STAY
OF THE
MONTH
The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal
is in a league of its own, with views of the
city’s canal on one end, and the Sheikh Zayed
Grand Mosque on the other By Nicola Monteath
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HOTEL REVIEW
Growing up in Abu Dhabi, there
wasn’t much outside the main city,
so we hardly ever wandered down
there. The vicinity in which the
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, and The Ritz-
Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal are now
located in, was miles away back then and
seemed like a 30-minute drive. Of course, with
the addition of highways, cluster of hotels, and
landmarks located nearby, this area near Al
Maqta bridge has become quite the spot for a
staycation, spa day, and a memorable dinner.
As we arrived, we learnt that this spacious hotel
– boasting architecture from the Italian
Renaissance – is in fact a resort. A private beach
flanks the grounds, with access right near the
1,600 sq. m. outdoor pool. If you have visited a
Ritz property around the world, you will know
that the grand staircase is one of their main
features. Here, it leads to lush gardens, trickling
fountains, a Venetian Village boasting a plethora
of standalone restaurants and bars, and an
exceptional spa.
THE SUITE
The hotel offers an array of guest rooms, suites,
villas and residences, with views of either
the beach, pool or garden. The Club Room
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HOTEL REVIEW
features an expansive living room with natural light
flooding the space, and balconies that look out to most of
the hotel’s backyard. Guests that are particular about
their pillow can choose a type – from ultra-cushy to hard
– as they sink into plush beds with 400 thread count
Egyptian cotton linen. Those touring the city will love a
soak in the tub, with Asprey bath salts, at the end of a
long day.
Access to the Club Lounge was perhaps one of the best
inclusions to the suite. All Club Level guests are offered
access, making it a great spot for a quick bite and tipple,
afternoon tea, and a space to work from, while enjoying
stunning views of the premises – it’s worth a visit at night
when the pool is all lit up.
TREAT YOURSELF
Tucked away at the Venetian Village, the 21,500 sq. ft. ESPA
showcases a Bedouin-setting with neutral hues that mimic
the desert, flowing seamlessly throughout the 16 treatment
rooms. Separate relaxation areas are available for ladies and
gentlemen, with a sauna, steam room, ice fountain, private
beach and plunge pools to use before or after.
The Inner Calm massage is one to opt for, if you’re
looking for a deeply relaxing and soothing treatment. Oils
are massaged into the skin with short and long palm-and
hand-techniques, after which a warm neck and eye pillow
is placed on, while the aromatherapy massage continues.
It ends with an amazing deep scalp mask and massage that
lets you snooze for a few minutes, before rose quartz
crystals are rubbed through your scalp and forehead, for
an instant calming feeling that lingers.
CULINARY OFFERINGS
Plenty of options are available to choose from, to suit any
craving you may have. For a light casual lunch before a
laze-around by the pool, we headed to Al Fresco. The
breezy nautical-style pool and beach restaurant serves an
incredible international menu with a Mexican-twist. Try
the shrimp tacos, sustaining beef burritos, and a bowl with
heaps of nachos, chilli and guacamole, accompanied by a
pink lemonade.
Li Jiang, the hotel’s in-house Southeast Asian eatery, is
where you will want to relish an incredible meal. Begin
with crispy fried garlic prawns and chicken dumplings, and
crunchy tempura soft shell crab with lemon mayonnaise
and spicy green mango salad. For mains, the chef is happy
to customise your fried rice. We had a Singaporean-style
creation to soak up the juices from the tender chilli
prawns and mouthwatering Rendang Wagyu short rib.
The portions are generous, so order as you go along. We
were recommended the fried ice cream – a decadent
crisp tempura coating that encloses a large scoop of
vanilla ice cream, with warm chocolate sauce as the base
- to polish off the meal. This is best enjoyed on the
terrace, where you can take in the views of the Grand
Mosque and listen to tunes by the DJ.
Need
to know:
The one-bedroom Club
Room starts from Dhs1,435 per
night. The hotel’s finest option for
a family, or those looking f
or privacy, is the plunge pool
two-bedroom villa for
Dhs4,835 per night.
Visit ritzcarlton.com
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REAL ESTATE
THE STATE
OF AFFAIRS
A look into how the real estate market fared last year and what to expect this year
By Meryl D’souza
2017 proved to be a pretty good year for Dubai’s real estate
market. The sector picked up at a time when average prices
across the emirate – and the world – continued to decline.
According to the 2017 Annual Transactions report released
by the Dubai Land Department (DLD), Dubai’s real estate
market saw 69,000 transactions completed during 2017 with
overall transactions valued at a whopping Dhs285 billion
($78 billion).
The figures reported in the DLD report were up by 14 per
cent in number, and six per cent in value compared to Dhs269
billion for 2016. According to the report, Dubai’s real estate
market attracted investors from around the world, including
Gulf nationals, Arabs and foreigners, with a total of 39,480
investors making nearly 53,000 transactions worth more than
Dhs107 billion. UAE nationals made up the single biggest buyer
demographic with investments that amounted to Dhs25.30
billion. Indian investors took second place with investments
worth Dhs15.6 billion. Saudis made with investments in excess
of Dhs7 billion, followed by British and Pakistanis whose
investments amounted to Dhs6 and Dhs5 billion, respectively.
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REAL ESTATE
The year was also a breakout one for women investing
in real estate. In 2017, a total of 11,773 women entered
the market. Meanwhile, women accounted for 14,316
transactions worth over Dhs27 billion.
Those investments meant brokers in Dubai had a pretty
good year overall. In its first-quarter report last year, the
DLD noted that the brokers in Dubai made about Dhs820
million in the first six months of 2017. Per the 2017 yearend
report, the DLD claims those same brokers were
paid Dhs1.77 billion for their role in completing sales of
land, buildings and residential units, which included
Dhs840 million from land sales, Dhs133 million from sales
of buildings and commissions amounting to Dhs794
million from sales of units. It’s no wonder then that the
number of active brokers in Dubai went from 5,866 after
the end of the first half of the year to 6,195 as the year
came to a close.
Despite the constant push for reaching (literally) greater
heights, UAE is only ranked fourth in terms of skyscrapers
globally. According to research conducted by the Council
on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), Dubai is
home to 95 towers reaching 200 metres or taller by the
end of 2017, with the tallest tower to be completed last
year being the 101-storey hotel and residential
development, Marina 101. Incidentally, the Marina tower
is the second tallest building in Dubai, the third tallest in
the Middle East and the 18th tallest building globally.
Those figures will only continue to go on their way up as
Dubai works towards the grand unveiling of a building
that will be about 100 metres taller than the Burj Khalifa:
the Dubai Creek Tower in 2020.
Of course, that’s not all Dubai has up its proverbial
sleeve. We were at this year’s 2018 Real Estate
Promotional Plan press conference hosted by the DLD
and it’s safe to say that while the real estate market seems
to be slowing down, the powers that be are already
finding workarounds. Mario Volpi, Chief Sales Officer of
Kensington Properties, claims that in 2018, since finding a
value for money remains a priority for buyers, developers
will be tempted to reduce the size of apartments to make
their price tag more affordable. So, brace yourself for
smaller apartments when you’re looking to move. Haider
Ali Khan, CEO of Bayut, believes that the buyers and
renters’ market situation from last year will continue
wherein rental rates will continue to decline and that
could possibly encourage tenants to shift towards
ownership. Save up on those millions. That home in the
Palm is not a pipedream anymore.
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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.
Office 804-806, Arenco Tower, Dubai Media City | 04 432 79 72 | www.luxhabitat.ae
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ENTREPRENEUR
GLOBAL HOTSPOTS
Besides Cecconi’s in London,
the best is Joe Beef in Montreal.
It’s actually in my home city
which offers incredible food
and an experience. Also on my
list are Hotel Costes in Paris,
Milos in NYC and the original
branch in Montreal.
ALL-TIME
FAVOURITE DISH
It sounds silly, but I love oatmeal
and Canadian maple syrup
(homemade on the family farm
– of course!)
RECENT SPLURGE
A new suit, and a backpack
from Topo Designs - for all of
the travel I have been doing.
FAMILY TIME
We have a farm in the Eastern
Townships south of Montreal.
We go there almost every
weekend to relax, hike and ski
in the winter.
GET TO KNOW…
NICHOLAS
MARTIRE
Vice President
of ALDO
MORNING ROUTINE
I wake up at 6am, usually starting the day
with a 20km bike ride or a run, and then
feed our two dachshunds Mossy & Breeches.
I’ll be home in time for breakfast with
my wife and daughters, before they leave
for school at 8.15am, and in the office
by 8.45am.
TYPICAL DAY
I ensure I try to find a balance between
meetings and work-time as much as
possible. Leading global brands requires a
lot of teamwork and it’s easy to get locked
into back-to-back meetings. I enjoy lunch
with colleagues and leave the office by 6pm.
However, when I’m travelling to meet global
partners and visit stores – it is non-stop.
AFTER GRADUATION…
I’ve always worked within the fashion and
footwear industry. My first job out of
university was a brief stint at Nike.
MY MANTRA
In business, don’t let fear
prevent you from achieving
your full potential. As humans,
it’s natural for us to be fearful,
and it can cause us to remain
static. Take calculated risks and
go for it. You stand more to
gain, than to lose. And in life, I
have a code that is “Get Smart,
get strong, and help others”. If
you approach everything you
do and apply these three things,
you will be a good global citizen
and achieve your utmost.
There is no such thing
as balance today with the
pace of life. Is the
smartphone a blessing or
a curse? To me, investing
in yourself means putting
the phone aside on the
weekend, being in the
moment with family and
making time for fitness, to
stay healthy and balance
out the stress
ONE THING ABOUT ME
PEOPLE DON’T KNOW
I biked across North America
twice. Once when I was 18, and
again last year.
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THE HOME OF PRIVATE AVIATION
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