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CONTENTSPEOPLE

52 TailleurExtraordinaire

59 The TalentBrokers

89 Climb EveryMountain

95 The Power inthe Palace

128 Walking on Air

134 Checking in withAlbert Herrera

138 Filming forFreedom

CONTENTS ME5:feb09 18/03/2009 09:14 Page 13

CONTENTSFASHION & LUXE

26 Flying High

38 Business Essentials

70 High Partnership

83 Light up the Night

107 The Best of All Worlds

124 What to Watch


MIGInvest.indd 1 16/3/09 10:33:55

FEATURES

50 Not To Miss

56 Private Islands for Purchase

87 Top Ten: The Faces of Time

100 Speeding Ahead

CONTENTS


Chanel.indd 1 16/3/09 10:27:38

CLIVE CHRISTIAN MIDDLE EASTCLIVE CHRISTIAN DUBAI, NABOUDA BUILDING, OUD METHA, DUBAIUAE TEL : +971 4335 5771 FACSIMILE +971 4335 6778 CLIVE.COM

CliveChristian.indd 1 16/3/09 10:28:25

73 What DreamsMay Come

114 Jordan Spas

120 Nile RiverCruising

CONTENTSTRAVEL


Sometimes it is necessary to stop, look and

listen. Now is one of those times. It’s true

that there is turmoil around the world – fi-

nancial crisis, bleeding from every part of

the global body. This is just the top-coat however.

The most noticeable part of the landscape visible to

everyone. But for those with a discerning eye, and

selective hearing, there are still wonderful things

happening. That is what you will see and hear when

pausing for a moment.

One of the things that makes the Middle East

special is its resilience. This is a part of the world

that has seen every single extreme, on multiple oc-

casions, and still produced more than its share of

magnificence in the form of people, places, perform-

ance, art, and culture. It is a place to which people

from all over the world have flocked over the last

decade and a half, seeking and appreciating the

fruits of the natives.

True, at this moment, there seems to be a back-

lash, and there is a bit of a halt in the development

of new real estate, hotels, and the like. That doesn’t

mean the magnificence has disappeared. Rather than

worry about the current troubles, here at 100Thou-

sand Club, we choose to focus on the things that will

bring people back when all the dust has settled.

In this issue we take a look at Tony Ward, “Tailleur Extraordinaire,”

a Lebanese fashion designer whose influence on the industry and plans

for the future are as inspiring as the couture he designs.

We also meet Padma and Richard Coram, who founded Dubai’s

first booking agency, and have been responsible for almost every major

act and performance to play in the great city for the last couple

decades. Elton John, Chuck Berry, Pavarotti – you name it, they’ve

been responsible for it. Their recognition and respect is unparalleled

in the region.

For someone who makes the region special now, we drop in on Hans

Olbertz, the General Manager of the Kempinski Emirates Palace in Abu

Dhabi, who has reached what many call the pinnacle of a hospitality ca-

reer. Manning the helm of a world -enowned property is interesting busi-

ness, and there is nothing in the world Hans would rather do.

We also guide you down the River Nile on a luxurious cruise, and

show you the best places to pamper your body and soul in Jordan.

Quite simply, there is something for everyone. And contrary to recent

media blitzes of negativity, it will not be long before our region proves it-

self once again.

I hope you enjoy the issue.

Salutations,

Harlan Davis

Editor-in-Chief

T H E E D I T O R ’ S N O T E

ED NOTE ME5:feb09 16/03/2009 09:31 Page 20

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Norimichi InoguchiNorimichi is a skilled photographer who focuses on images using move-

ment and water. He is intrigued by the interaction of water and fashion,

and incorporates his eye for movement into unique still-lifes. He holds

a BFA in photography and was first in his class at the International Cen-

ter of Photography.

Kate WinickA lifelong interest in travel, fashion, and luxury goods, combined with

a passion for writing and interviewing, brought Kate to the 100 Thou-

sand Club to cover the best of the best for all three editions of the mag-

azine. She has also written for Trump Magazine, Popular Mechanics,

and other lifestyle publications.

Natalie BrandweinerThough Natalie began her career as a business writer, interviewing ex-

ecutives from a variety of industries, and still contributes to several busi-

ness magazines, her understanding of the needs and desires of

high-profile people give her unique insight into creating maps, lists, and

feature stories that will grab her reader’s attention.

Matthew ButtellMatthew Buttell’s first work for 100 Thousand Club has been terrific.

His interests in the jet set lifestyle and shopping melding perfectly

with his first two pieces on Aviation City and his look at Dubai

shopping. Matt’s extensive and varied journalistic experience are a

welcome addition.

Josh Sailor After working in production for the better part of his professional ca-

reer, Josh eventually caved into his passion for photography, and hasn’t

looked back since. Based in New York, his portfolio is as diverse as his

experiences, and he creates fabulous shots of people, installations, and

beautiful places around the world.

C O N T R I B U T O R S

CONTRIBUTORS ME5:feb09 16/03/2009 09:29 Page 22

T H O U S A N D C L U B

T H O U S A N D C L U B

www.100thousandclub.com

Chairman/Publisher SPENCER GREENCEO JAMES CRAVEN

Editorial Director ADAM BURNS

Editor-in-Chief HARLAN DAVISCreative Director ANDREW HOBSON

Associate Editor KATE WINICKAssistant Editor NATALIE BRANDWEINER

Online Editor JANA GRUNE

Contributing WritersROBYN BAITCHER, MATTHEW BUTTELL, REBBECCA GOOZEE

___________________________

Design Director JAMES WESTSenior Designers ZÖE BRAZIL, SARAH WILMOTT

DesignersELISE GILBERT, MICHAEL HALL, CRYSTAL MATHER, CLIFF NEWMAN

Contributing PhotographersJP GREENWOOD, NORIMICHI INOGUCHI, JOSH SAILOR

___________________________

Advertising, Marketing, and Client ServicesT: +44 117 921 4000

Executive Director: ANNA ASHBY

Account ExecutivesGEMMA FOX, ANDREW KING, ALEX WHITE

Finance Director: JAMIE CANTILLONProduction Manager: HANNAH DRIVER

Production Coordinator: HANNAH DUFFIE, JULIA FENTONDirector of Operations: JASON GREEN

Subscription EnquiriesT: +1 212.920.8181www.100thousandclub.com

General [email protected]

Letters to the [email protected]

100 Thousand Club(Vol. 2, Issue 2, Q2 2009) is published four times a year by GDS Publishing.

All rights reserved. GDS Publishing, Inc. 33 Whitehall Street, 14th Floor,New York, NY 10004, USA.

Legal InformationThe advertising and articles appearing within this publication reflect the

opinions and attitudes of their respective authors and not necessarily those ofthe publisher or editors. We are not to be held accountable for unsolicited man-uscripts, transparencies or photographs. All material within this magazine is ©

2009 100Thousand Club.

Head OfficeGDS International

Queen Square House, 18-21 Queen Square, Bristol, BS1 4NH, UK.T: +44 117 921 4000. F: +44 117 926 7444. E: [email protected]

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CREDITS ME5:mar09 16/03/2009 09:30 Page 24

19 Savile Row, London W1S 3PP

T: 020 7734 0824

E: [email protected]

www.savilerowtailor.com

MAURICE SEDWELL. The discipline

of bespoke tailoring at the highest

level has been a living tradition

since Maurice Sedwell began as a

tailor in 1938. Our style comes from

many years of experienced cutting,

perfect fi tting and skilful handcraft

tailoring. With attention to the fi nest

detail, classic tailoring remains vital

since it responds to each customer’s

individual requirements; not just

their fi gure but also lifestyle and

character. This ensures that every

suit is unique. Bespoke tailoring

continues to be relevant since its

values remain modern. By injecting

unique fashion touches, a Maurice

Sedwell suit expresses the wearer’s

individuality while maintaining an

element tradition and elegance.

Maurice Sedwell AD.indd 25 16/3/09 10:03:50

100 Thousand Club26

As your plane circles over the city of Dubai, skyscrapers shoot up to meet you and islands

spread like sculpture across the sea below. For those in the know, white sandy beaches,

first-class shopping, luxurious hotels and to-die-for cuisine, all set in an almost dream-like

wonderment, lie below. With access to some of the best and brightest minds from around

the world, Dubai is certainly moving in the right circles, tapping into real creativity and

laying the necessary foundations to sustain competitiveness. In many ways, there is an in-

toxication surrounding Dubai that continues to attract both the world’s richest, trendiest,

and innovative people. Not only does Dubai see investments that are truly breathtaking,

with numerous free trade zones and tax-free earnings for corporations and individuals

alike, it is now renowned as the capital of the modern world, a city that achieved a total

GDP of US$37 billion in 2005, up from US$30.1 billion back in 2004. Currently, Dubai

is experiencing an annual GDP growth of over 10 percent.

Known to be the least reliant on oil revenues among the GCC countries, experts say

over 20 percent of the world’s construction cranes are currently at work in Dubai’s proj-

ects – projects that are worth more than US$125 billion. In addition to this, Dubai con-

tinues to offer year-round attractions both for residents and visitors, and the city

welcomes more than six million tourists each year. And that figure is growing: with air

traffic’s staggering annual growth of 16 percent, more than 15 million visitors are an-

ticipated to visit Dubai by year 2010.

And this is a title now even more accurate thanks to the city’s biggest ever develop-

ment. Dubai World Central (DWC) is a massive, multi-phase expansion centred around the

world’s largest airport. The self-sustaining project already made urban history when its

master plan was initially unveiled – at 140-square kilometres it is almost twice the size of

Hong Kong Island – and it is set to transform the region into one of the most powerful

global centres for logistics, tourism and commerce.

Located at Jebel Ali, some 40 kilometres south of Dubai city centre, DWC will es-

sentially be a new city-within-a-city, encompassing all of the features that we have come

to see as tantamount to modern Dubai living. Eventually the new city will provide homes

and jobs to some 750,000 people – a population larger than that of present day Frankfurt.

But perhaps most importantly is the fact that Dubai World Central is the most strategically

important infrastructure development yet to be launched by the Emirate, with designs to

support Dubai's aviation, tourism, commercial and logistics requirements up until 2050.

DWC AIR:10jan 16/3/09 09:08 Page 26

DWC AIR:10jan 17/3/09 15:22 Page 27

A closer looks reveals how DWC will in-

clude a cluster of specialised zones, including

the aforementioned world largest airport, Al

Maktoum International, that once completed will

be 10 times the size of the current Dubai Inter-

national Airport and Dubai Cargo Village com-

bined. Other sectors include, Dubai Logistics

City, a unique, truly integrated and multi-modal

logistics proposition spanning 25 square kilo-

metres; the Residential City, which is to be de-

veloped in several phases so that up to 250,000

people can eventually set up permanent resi-

dence there; the Commercial City, which is de-

signed as the business and finance hub of DWC;

and a Golf Resort, which is to be offered on the

open market to a private developer.

Lastly, but by no means any less impor-

tant, is Aviation City, an integral part of Dubai

World Central that is geographically and func-

tionally designed to form the centre of the

world we see today. Aviation City is a unique

concept, built to establish a complete aviation

cluster in one area that will cater to the region’s

aviation growth, providing clients access to

100 Thousand Club28

Why Aviation City• Dubai, the leading regional trading

hub, serves over 2 billion consumers

• More than US$17 billion in domestic

imports annually, gateway to a mar-

ket of US$150 billion per annum

• More than 170 shipping lines and

100 airlines and an open market with

no exchange controls, quotas or

trade barriers

• Al Maktoum International Airport,

the biggest in the world with 6 par-

allel runways, is to accommodate

over 120 million travellers and over

12 million tonnes of cargo per year

emerging markets as well as the fast growing

market of the Middle East. In other words Avi-

ation City will bring together the best compa-

nies, professionals and skill sets from around

DWC AIR:10jan 16/3/09 09:04 Page 28

the world. It is a hugely ambitious project, set

against the backdrop of the groundbreaking

DWC. Yet it seems the distinctly visionary as-

pects of Aviation City are paying off, with some

of the region’s (and the world’s) most prolific

aviation companies already investing in the

site. Palm Aviation, for example, a leading

provider of on-demand aviation support, is al-

ready set to develop a fixed-base ground-han-

dling facility there. The move is part of the

company’s expansion strategy, which is set to

grow Palm Aviation by an annual 35 percent

over the next five years.

It’s a huge investment as, as an internation-

ally certified supplier, Palm Aviation currently

holds 30 percent of the UAE market share for

flight support services and it is hoped that the

new FBO (fixed base operator) facility at DWC

Aviation City will allow the company to grow their

market share by a further five percent by 2011.

Meanwhile, Istithmar World Aviation

(IWA) also announced that it will invest in ex-

panding its executive jet operation by setting

up an aircraft servicing facility at Aviation

City. The company, which currently employs

just 60 people (including flight crews), proj-

ects a significant increase of staffing in antici-

pation of the opening of the facility. IWA began

just over 18 months ago as Nakheel Aviation,

before subsequently rebranding itself as Is-

tithmar World Aviation after it came under the

Istithmar World Aviation Holdings umbrella –

a consolidation of Dubai World's aviation in-

vestments, with companies including SpiceJet,

SR Technics and Dubai Aerospace Enterprise.

IWA looks at its investment in DWC Aviation

City as a huge step in its growth.

In fact, the two firms provide Aviation City

with an interesting duality of investment: with

Palm Aviation already an established leader in

the region’s market, and IWA, a small com-

pany, now looking to grow.

Aviation City is also set to host end-to-end

manufacturing, maintenance, research and train-

ing and development facilities, leading the region

in aviation services, quality infrastructure and hi-

tech research. The facility is spread over 6.7

square kilometres and is being designed as a

one-stop centre for all aviation-related opera-

tions. In fact, construction on Aviation City is al-

ready well underway, with start of operations

planned for later this year.

“We have to make history and approach the

future with steady steps,” said Dubai ruler

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum

about DWC. “We cannot wait for the future to

come to us,” he added. And Sheikh Ahmed bin

Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai

City of Aviation Corporation has also said that,

“With Dubai World Central we are taking the

future into our own hands,” – while the real

impact of DWC and Dubai’s future is still to

be determined this is a truth than can be uni-

versally acknowledged. Before long, when

thinking of Dubai, those white sandy beaches

and that to-die-for cuisine will always be met

with images of architectural marvel – and

thanks to its innovation, size and exclusivity,

that marvel will be called DWC. �

100 Thousand Club 29

“With Dubai World Central we are taking the futureinto our own hands,” – while the real impact of DWCand Dubai’s future is still to be determined this is atruth than can be universally acknowledged”

DWC AIR:10jan 16/3/09 09:04 Page 29

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THeFAirmount.indd 1 16/3/09 10:46:29

NatureNATURE

Nature is one of Van Cleef & Arpels most emblematic themes.A number of jewels are inspired by the world of fauna and fl ora and embody the idea of “Movement and Transformation”. The fl oral theme, and all of its constantly evolving versions, has inspired many cre-ations- peonies, poppies, camellias, roses, natural bouquets- as the animal (existing and imagined) theme. This inspiration en-dures today in all the collections.

Ring between the fi ngers Lucky Alhambra, 2008

Earrings Fleurs de Pommier, Les Jardins Collection, 2008

Marguerite, 1964

Bird clip, 1963

COUTURE

France is known all over the world as the fashion capital. The world of Haute Couture, with its colours, fi ne materi-als and the elegant muses of the Belle Époque or 50’s eras has greatly inspired the art of Van Cleef & Arpels.The creations themselves are symbols of technical prow-ess such as the stunning jewelled “trompe-l’œils” repre-senting ribbons, lace, Claudine collars, bows, buttons or gold mesh. The most exceptional piece is the recreation of a zipper as a dazzling necklace that also transforms into a bracelet.

lace clip, 1945

Zip necklace

Bow clip, 1955

Fan clip, 1937

Années Folles ring

CoutureCOUTURECoutureCOUTURE CELEBRITIES

The story of Van Cleef & Arpels is also that of the many unique women, be they famous or not, who have worn its creations. The House has often been associated with historic events such as coronations or famous love stories such as engagements or weddings. The most famous actresses of the stage or screen, the most adored divas have all coveted Van Cleef & Arpels. Thanks to their beauty and talent; they are all “ambassadors” of the House. A true source of inspiration, these muses have sparked the creation of exceptional pieces. Van Cleef & Arpels remains the jeweller whose signature is linked to beauty and elegance, continuing to enchant the most beautiful and exceptional women.

Tiara wore by Princess Grace Kelly at her daughter, Princess Caroline’s wedding in 1978

Princess Grace de Monaco

Jackie Kennedy, 1934 Julia Roberts at the Oscars, 2001 Eva Mendes at the Golden Globes 2009

CelebritiesCELEBRITIESCelebritiesCELEBRITIES Eclectism

Egyptian, Chinese, Japanese or Af-rican decorative details fascinated the French all through the 20th century. A curiosity and passion for all “exotic” things that also applied to the art of jewellery, specially during the Art Deco and 70’s pe-riods. The exhibition displays the many jewels, fashion accessories and “objets d’art” that are a tes-timony of the extraordinary infl u-ence of the Orient and Asia on the creativity of Van Cleef & Arpels.

Egyptian bracelet, 1924

Indian clip, 1924 Art Déco Basket brooch lapel watch, 1937

Buddha clip, 1927

ECLECTISM

VanCleef8pages.indd 2 16/3/09 10:52:14

Through its dedication to art, Van Cleef & Arpels has come together with Art Dubai 2009 in an effort to bring to the region a collection of masterpieces. Van Cleef & Arpels supports Art Dubai 2009 and host its own patrimony exhibition titled “The Art of Magical Jewels.”

Van Cleef & Arpels’ retrospective exhibition is the fi rst of its kind in the region, leading Art Dubai visitors on a time-travelling journey of the House’s enticing craftsmanship and history.

Alfred and his Brother in law Charles founded Van Cleef & Arpels and move into the prestigious parisian boutique at the 22, place Vendôme in 1906. Julien joined them in 1908 and Louis in 1913.

Estelle Arpels & Alfred Van Cleefwedding, 1896

Claude, Pierre & Jacques Arpels, 1880 22, place Vendôme in 1906

The House of Van Cleef & Arpels is born of a love story at the dawn of the 20th century, be-tween Estelle Arpels and Alfred Van Cleef. For Van Cleef & Arpels, the art of jewellery consists in never revealing its mastery over precious materials and techniques. This results in cre-ations whose completion requires unfailing pa-tience and genuine technical innovation. In this enchanted and enchanting world, droplets fl ow into rivers of diamonds or transform into daz-zling snow crystals, the wind caresses the deli-cate wings of a fairy, the sun shines on gem’s refl ections and fl owers open mysteriously…

VAN CLEEF & ARPELS

Savoir-Faire, Mystery Setting and DesignSavoir-Faire, Mystery Setting and DesignSavoir-Faire,

Van Cleef & Arpels is the only jewellery House on the Place Vendôme to have kept its original workshop. It is in this workshop or “atelier” that Van Cleef & Arpels completes all of its jewellery creations, including the mythical Mystery Setting jewels. This exhibition will unveil some of the workshop’s best kept secrets of creativity thanks to the exceptional presence of a jeweller and a designer, along with a serie of mock-ups, archive, photos, illustrations and fi lms.

SAVOIR-FAIRE, MYSTERY SETTING AND DESIGN

The famous Mystery Set Peony clip, 1937

Ballet PrecieuxBALLET PRECIEUX

Van Cleef & Arpels has made Dance one of its major sources of inspiration. From as early as the 1940’s, the House created graceful and poetic ballerina clips. In 1967, after meeting Claude Arpels, the choreographer George Balanchine created the Jewels ballet inspired by the three precious gems; emerald, ruby and diamond. Pursuing this “pas de deux”, Van Cleef & Arpels pays vibrant homage to the Art of dance with its High Jewellery « Ballet Précieux » collection, offering spectacular and unique pieces that embody endless grace, harmony and poetry.

clip Gloria, 2008Dragoonfl y brooch, 1944

clip Pavline, 2008

Camargo Necklace, 2008

VanCleef8pages.indd 1 16/3/09 10:51:06

SukhothaiBangkok.indd 1 16/3/09 10:46:55

Business Essentials

PRODUCTS ME5:feb09 16/03/2009 09:32 Page 38

CARRYING ON For a new twist on an old

favorite, Samsonite collaborated with de-

signer Alexander McQueen to revamp their

perenially popular luggage staples with an

edgy twist. While the textures, colors, and

shapes are all-new, the indestructible qual-

ity that Samsonite owners depend on re-

mains the same, making this a smart bet for

stylish luggage for years to come.


Business Essentials


BULLISH BAUBLES Jac Zagoory’s hand-

crafted designs make a personal statement

like no other desk accessory. We like the Bull

stapler and remover, but the range of pen

rests, card holders, and other functional

items express a wide range of personality.


Business Essentials


SUIT YOURSELF The first

weapon in a man’s style ar-

senal is his shirt—shouldn’t

something you wear every

day make you look as good

as possible? That is the goal

of Turnbull and Asser, who

for more than 100 years has

sworn by personal service

and custom tailoring as the

hallmarks of every shirt they

produce, from readymade

to bespoke.


Business Essentials


TRAVEL LIGHT Busy travelers don’t want to sacrifice style for

efficiency, and Smythson of Bond Street’s travel wallet is the

perfect way to keep your travel documents organized. Available

in their full range of beautifully colored and finished leathers,

there is sure to be one unique enough for every traveler.


LAP OF LUXURY Roomy and stylish, Tumi’s laptop

bag transforms basic transportation into an art form.

Known for the durability and quality of their products,

Tumi luggage is always a worthwhile investment.

Business Essentials



Business Essentials


KEEPING TIME Luxury goods company

Asprey have upheld their dedication to

classic British style for more than 200

years, and they have always had a hand-

some collection of business gifts, and

these desk clocks are perfect to give or re-

ceive for your own taste of executive style.


Formula One: Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix,April 2009Bahrain International Racing Circuit, Sakhir, BahrainThe Bahrain International Racing Circuit hosts the third race of the2008 Formula One season. The 2004 Grand Prix of Bahrain markedthe first-ever round of the FIA Formula One World Championship tobe held in the Middle East, and the Kingdom of Bahrain plans tocontinue hosting the event.

Amman International Theatre Festival, April 2009Amman, JordanThis annual festival is the only one in the Middle East and NorthAfrica to be organised by an independent theatre company.Performances are mainly in Arabic and English, from Egypt, Syria,Lebanon, Swiss, Italy, Palestine, Jordan, Sweden, and Turkey. Thefestival was first held in 1994, initiated by members of Amman's AlFawanees theatre company to provide a venue for artistic exchangeamong independent and experimental Arab troupes.

Emir GCC Camels Race Final, April 2009Alshahaniya Race Track, Doha, QatarThe final of the long-established Emir GCC Camels Race is held atAlshahaniya Race Track in Doha, attracting a select crowd of wealthycamel owners to compete against each other every year. The sport ofkings for centuries, this is one of the most entertaining shows around

100 Thousand Club50

Not To MissThe Gulf Film Festival, April 9-13 2009Dubai Media City, Dubai UAEThe Gulf Film Festival is an annual non-profit cultural event that aimsto celebrate the highest standards of Gulf cinema. The Festival willhost two competitions, in separate film and script categories, aspart of its mission to encourage creativity and excellence amongfilmmakers from the region. The Festival will also present a selectionof international films in order to develop the film culture in the Gulfand creating opportunities for the region’s filmmakers to build onfuture film projects.

The Bride Show, April 2009Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre,Dubai, United Arab EmiratesThe annual show for the bride who needs anything comes to theDubai International Exhibition Centre. More than 300 companiesfrom 16 countries offer everything from wedding gowns and venuesto honeymoon planning.

Bahrain International Boat Show, April 21-25 2009Amwaj Marina, Amwaj Islands, BahrainThe first ever Bahrain International Boat Show will showcase Bahrainas an up-and –coming player in the marine market, with theaddition of Formula 1 raching attracting a young, wealthy, excitingcontingent. The show it is replacing, in Kuwait, attracts around 70specialised companies exhibiting all type of sailing equipment, fromyachts and boats to engines and other marine accessories, as wellas more than 16,000 visitors from the region each year, so we canexpect similar success from Bahrain.

Events List 2:10jan 16/3/09 09:10 Page 50


Aspendos Festival, Jun – Jul 2009Aspendos Amphitheatre, Antalya, TurkeyEvery summer, operas and ballets are performed in the 20,000-capacity Aspendos Antique Theatre in Antalya. Overlooking theMediterranean Sea, the 2000 year-old amphitheatre resounds withnine classical performances during the summer months, which thisyear include Verdi's Aida and Nabucco and Puccini's Turandot,performed by the state opera and ballet.

Syrian Motor Show, July 1 2009Damascus International Fairground, Damascus, SyriaThe 9th annual Syrian Motor Show is an opportunity for vendors tomeet new clients and to showcase their latest products and servicesin the automobile industry. Open to the public after the first twodays of exhibiting, the show has separate pavilions for parts andaccessories as well as the main show, and is the mostcomprehensive show of its kind in the region for decision-makers inthe automotive world.

Pearl Diving Festival, August 2009KuwaitPrior to the extraction and commercialization of oil, the pearlindustry formed the basis of Kuwait's wealth. Every year in June, thecountry pays tribute to the old ways of pearl diving with a month-long festival. Young divers are trained to use traditional neckbaskets and toe anchors to dive and search for pearls, and at theend of the festival their efforts are celebrated with song and dancethroughout the country.

Joaillerie Saudi Arabia, 3 May 2009Riyadh Exhibition Centre, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaJoaillerie Saudi Arabia offers a unique opportunity to see, touch,and buy everything that pertains to the Gem and Jewelry World,from rough to polished, from findings to finished, The exhibitionis the only one stop location to find the most rare, exceptional,and sought after product from all over the world-all this underone roof.

Formula One: Turkish Grand Prix, May 2009Istanbul Park, Istanbul, TurkeyThe Istanbul Park circuit hosts the Petrol Ofisi Turkish Grand Prix,the fifth race of seventeen in the 2009 Formula One season. Athrilling spectacle here as it is everywhere, the racing fans willgather to cheer on their favorite drivers as they race towards thegrand prize.

Chocolate Show, June 3-6 2009Hilton Convention & Exhibition Centre, Istanbul,TurkeyIstanbul Hilton Convention & Exhibition Centre hosts ChocolateShow, Turkey's chocolate, confectionery and biscuit fair. The leadingretailers (and consumers!) in the sweets industry will gather togetherto share their new products, as well as activities for the public like achocolate-making working, a photographic contest and exhibition,'sweet literature', for sale, consisting of chocolate-inspirednarratives, and the show of course opens with the ever-popularchocolate fashion show.

Events List 2:10jan 16/3/09 09:10 Page 51

Tony Ward 4 PAGES text:10jan 16/3/09 09:37 Page 52

100TC. Can you tell me about your background in fashion?

Tony Ward. I was born in naturalies de couture, into a family that did

fashion, but I never worked with my family. They never wantedme to do this

business; they wanted me to do the doctor thing or something else. So I had

to go to Paris and I used to draw a lot, and there I met some people who were

interested in my designs: the Lanvin group, and this was who I started with.

The designer was Claude Montana, and this was the beginning of my story.

100TC. What was it that first made you interested in fashion

and made you want to go to Paris?

Tony Ward. I was going there on vacation, not at all to look for a job

or something, and I ended up there for eight years. So I really don’t know

what pushed me to go there but I know that I felt that I had to go there.

It was war in Lebanon. It was a very bad period, and I needed some

change, so it was two months of vacation that I was prepared for. I actu-

ally started work a month after I arrived in Paris. I’m a French-educated

person, I studied the language since I was very young, and I knew the

country because I traveled a lot there before.

100TC. How did you come to work alongside the likes of Karl

Lagerfeld and Claude Montana?

Tony Ward. It was a great experience. It was very fun, very informa-

tive and it helped me a lot to build my personality and my style, and to

know how to work on myself and on my education. It was very interesting.

Montana was the best school, because he changed a lot of the trends of

fashion. He bought the prêt-à-porter into couture. He did the big changes.

100TC. What affect did he have on your own designs?

Tony Ward. I think I’m one of the rare Oriental designers that appre-

ciate the suits, the cut, the daywear. I work a lot on this point, and this

is something I took from Montana. Montana is a master in his jackets:

the jackets and the dresses, and not only the very tailored nightwear

but even for the daywear – for every single moment that a lady can use.

So this is something I did, this is something I learned in these years

spent with Montana.

100TC. How long did you work with him when you were

there?

Tony Ward. I spent three and a half years at Montana's, at Lanvin,

and then I moved to Dior, and then I moved again to Chloé with Karl

Lagerfeld. I did some time with Guy Laroche in 1993; I didn't like it

at all so I left for Italy, and I did some experience there in the prêt-à-

porter line, and then I went back home.

100TC. How did you find it going back to a family of fashion?

Tony Ward. I went back there because a lot of my clients that I used

to take care of at Dior's, all the royal family that I used to work with at

Dior's and at Lanvin, were interested to continue to do clothing with me

directly, and not only the couture. So it was a push for me because I

had a great amount of clients, and I had to business-wise it into some-

thing very interesting. At the same time, I always, as any designer, al-

ways was trying to start my own line. So I went back, started my own

line, and here I am.


Interview by Natalie Brandweiner

Tailleur Extraordinaire


100TC. What sort of women do you sell to in the Middle East,

and really how are they different?

Tony Ward. You know, tell you truth, I’m Lebanese and Italian. I have

two passports, and my wife is Italian; I have four Italian children. I have

my house not far from Milan. I spent more than half of my life in Europe,

so most often see myself kind of a mixed melting pot of Oriental and Oc-

cidental guy who lives in both countries, with one foot in the Middle

East and one foot in Europe, and my designs look a lot like me. I work

for the same type of clients that I work for in Europe, in Russia and the

United States – they look like the clients I work with in Dubai or in

Qatar or in Riyadh. They all order almost the same things. My collec-

tions are a lot like me; it's a reflection of my personality. And these

clients, the Oriental ones are looking for the Occidental touch cuts, and

the Occidental clients are looking for the rich, for the richness of the

Oriental designs.

I do the tailler, the things that they never do. 45 percent of my pro-

duction is for daywear and suits and very elegant outfit suite. I try to work

a lot on my style. It doesn’t work all the time, but it is a must for me to try

to do something different, not just something that looks like me.

100TC. Do you prefer designing the ready-to-wear or couture?

Tony Ward. I like the evening gowns a lot, but I also like the daywear.

I cannot say I prefer one thing or another, but I find a lot myself fasci-

nated by the evening gowns and

I cannot explain how things come, how we work on it; we work a lot on

the designs, and I try to innovate on these things. I try to go inside the small

details a lot, and this is what makes the difference between my collections

and others – for instance, if you look on the latest collection, I had jackets

with more than 3,000 cuts; I had dresses with more than 20,000 cuts in the

dress. It’s a hell of a lot of work to do this, but when people look at it, they


would see this is a new trend; this is a new design; this is something that

we’ve never seen. It’s important.

100TC. Where do you find your inspiration for your designs?

Tony Ward. I work a lot on themes. I try to work on a story, and I’ll try

to tell a story, and this is very important in fashion. I travel a lot, and I

try to work my personality on my designs; I find a lot of ideas everywhere

I go, and from every single person I meet.

100TC. What type of woman do you envision your clothing

to be on?

Tony Ward. She must be very sure of herself. Very often I will tell my

clients, “This dress must be a plus. It’s not something that should come

and hide your personality; it must bring out the best in you.” I’m not

dressing them to do Halloween, to do someone else, do be someone else.

I’m dressing them to bring out the best in them, and this is very impor-

tant for me.

100TC. How would you describe your spring/summer collection ?

Tony Ward. My spring/summer collection – the one I presented two

weeks ago in Rome and which I have with me here in the US – is a col-

lection for the summer and there’s a lot of color in the collection. There

is the blue, yellow, lilac, and there is the black and white.

100TC. Who are your favorite designers and what collections

are you wearing at the moment?

Tony Ward. I like leather, and I like jeans. Most of the time I’m in jeans

or in my leather pants. And I’m a very casual person – I like a lot of well-

cut chemise. When wearing suits, I like to choose Armani and also Lanvin.

But, I think of the clients most of the time, I don’t think a lot of myself. �


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Private Island 100TCME:10jan 16/3/09 09:29 Page 56

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Private Island 100TCME:10jan 16/3/09 09:29 Page 57

AlexAlexa.indd 1 16/3/09 10:15:42

The Talent Brokers

Coram ED 2:10jan 16/3/09 08:57 Page 59

Dubai is not the kind of place you forget easily. Its

glittering oceanfront, vibrant social life, and hum-

ming streets give this UAE city a deeply interna-

tional feel, and the draw only seems to be

increasing with each day’s fresh new hotel and

restaurant. It is a place of unlimited potential, of the best refine-

ments in culture from every nation on earth collected and compiled

into something entirely defining of a city that is marked by its

modernity.

And Dubai is all of these things. But the city’s ascension to a sym-

bol of Middle Eastern success would have been impossible without the

direction of some of the people who saw the city for what it was before it

all started – people who envisioned the promise of this UAE gem 30

years ago and then made it reality. Richard and Padma Coram, founders

of Dubai’s ultimate talent agency The Talent Brokers, are undoubtedly

two of those people.

“It’s still a very exciting, emerging market,” said Richard over an

early morning breakfast at New York City’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel with

Padma last month. “We think we’re ideally placed for the Middle and Far

East Markets.”

As the conversation begins, Padma reaches into her bag and pulls out

a bound notebook chronicling the history of the couple’s enterprise through-

out the past thirty years. In some ways, it is the story of their lives. Glossy

pictures of famous rock stars sit next to heartrending images of aid work all

over the world. The couple is pictured at every age – Richard standing on

a stage in his twenties, Padma just a few years ago surrounded by smiling

children in India. The Talent Brokers is the Coram’s life, work, and passion.

It is also their greatest asset to help others worldwide, and after three

decades Richard and Padma show no signs of slowing down.

The story of the Coram’s success begins when Richard came to

Dubai 31 years ago to be part of the government set up of terrestrial Eng-

lish-language radio and television stations. “It was obviously a huge hit

because there was really no competition,” he says. “It was the only

player in town, so you either watched it, or not. And so we had a captive

market, for want of a better expression. Of course advertizing was healthy

because it gave the local business community a chance to communicate

with the people who were living there and advertize their goods and

wares, and so it was a success for us from day one.” The prominence of

the television and radio stations quickly propelled Richard to notoriety

in the at the time fledgling city of Dubai.

100 Thousand Club60

Coram ED 2:10jan 16/3/09 08:41 Page 60

“I think like anywhere in the world when you work on radio and tel-

evision, and certainly if you’re a presenter, then people know who you

are,” Richard says. “And it opens a lot of doors, and I was getting ap-

proached to do all sorts of things.”

One of those things was a first-year anniversary party for a friend’s

expatriate leisure club. Richard agreed to help find an entertainer for

the event, and he set his sights on a Beatles tribute band called the Boot-

leg Beatles when he saw them performing on an English TV show. “Bea-

tles music was loved by everybody weather they were Indian or British

or American, so I felt this would be a perfect thing for a first anniversary

party. So by making a few phone calls to the TV channel and the pro-

duction company that made the show I got in touch with the Bootleg Bea-

tles, and introduced myself. I said, ‘Would you like to come and play

three shows in Dubai?’ And they didn’t even know where Dubai was.”

After some explanation, Richard convinced the group to play three

nights of sets for the leisure club. The result was an unexpected suc-

cess. “By the time you got to the third night there was such a demand for

tickets that they had to move it outside onto the tennis court. They had

thousands of people there,” says Richard, commenting with a smile that

his friend made a “fortune” and he made nothing. “So then I thought,

‘Well, there’s obviously a market here for entertainment and people want

to go out and be entertained, they want to see live entertainment.’”

Richard decided to try to bring a few other entertainers to Dubai, and his

first choice was a well-known British comedian. “People came, and they

laughed and they had a good night. And that’s really the nucleus of where

the whole business sort of started from.”

Richard’s small enterprise was an overnight success, but that

success has continued to grow in size and scope. “We’ve since gone

on to do everyone from the Rolling Stones, to the Rod Stewarts, and

Elton Johns, and sort of that level now. So it grew from that little acorn

into what it was today.”

Today, the presence of The Talent Brokers is completed and defined

by Richard’s dynamic and beautiful wife and business partner Padma.

She is by nature a people person, with a tremendous personality that

simply makes a room feel lit up and comfortable. She came to Dubai in

1985 to join the Emirates airline. Richard was busy with the terrestrial

television station, but things changed in 1991 with the Gulf War. Padma

says the influx of CNN coverage quickly reversed Richard’s mind about

the future of Dubai’s television. “Within two months he went and spoke


Lionel Richie, Rod Stewert, Chuck Berry and Elton John

Coram ED 2:10jan 16/3/09 08:41 Page 61

PearlQatar.indd 2 16/3/09 10:43:22

PearlQatar.indd 1 16/3/09 10:43:27

to MTV, which is Hong Kong based from there, and he started handling

the programming for MTV for Asia.”

At the time, Padma was flying around the world doing spot checks

for the airline. She describes how she was “obviously young, interested

in music.” She started to meet up with Richard to help with his events.

“I was dating him at that stage, so I could fly wherever I wanted to.”

Padma soon got recruited to do marketing for MTV in the Middle East

and Pakistan. At MTV, she made a name for herself discovering Pak-

istani musical talent and signing the musicians with Virgin Records.

“I used to work directly for MTV, Channel V as we call it, and Richard

was doing the programming. So it was quite funny. He was somebody

I used to watch out and see if he’s doing his job right and be, not the

spy, but to inform them, ‘Okay he’s done this, he’s done this,’ and

Richard had to watch out to see if I was doing my job doing market-

ing and PR. It was very funny, but it was a lot of fun. So then we re-

alized there was a lot of synergy in what we did.” After MTV became

pay-to-watch, Padma decided to join Richard in his work. “But join-

ing him, it’s not like a husband and wife thing, though by then I was

married to him,” she says. “I said, ‘The only way I will work with you

is if we are really partners in the company.’”

The pair invested fifty-fifty, and The Talent Brokers was born. Padma

drew deeply on her previous work in international companies to build up

the business. “I came from a big corporate background, and my back-

ground was marketing, PR, and people, handling celebrities, etcetera.

That’s what I used to do with MTV.”

“So that was my role, and continued to be my role, was to be han-

dling as we call the ‘front-of-house.’ And working with people – front-of-

house, press, PR. And Richard was the technical, so-called

‘back-of-house.’”

Padma recalls encountering resistance at first from big names when

she and Richard would solicit an event opportunity in Dubai. “They

wouldn’t want to come. Or if they did, they would throw silly figures, be-

cause they didn’t want to come. And I don’t blame them – ‘Where are

Elton John backstage with Richard, Padma, and their son

Coram ED 2:10jan 16/3/09 08:41 Page 64

Cigaran.indd 73 16/3/09 10:27:59

you?’ ‘Oh, Dubai’ ‘Oh is that near Iraq?’ That’s the first question. Or, ‘Is

that near Saudi Arabia? Forget it we’re not coming.’ If they were earn-

ing in those days, in ’94, one hundred thousand, two hundred thousand

dollars, they’d say, ‘We want six hundred thousand dollars to come.’ Sim-

ply because it was too much effort.”

The Corams explain that in those days they had to truly build their

business from the ground up. “I remember at one stage, when we did in ’97

or ’98, we did international shows. We used to work on the back of a nap-

kin. Because Dubai still wasn’t as big then. It wasn’t as established. And

then we’d have to spend like a million or a million and a half dollars on a

show, which is make or break.” The couple remembers risking everything

on a few big events while The Talent Brokers was getting established.

“But it’s funny, now it’s the other way around,” Padma says. “They’re

calling us to say they want to come. It’s a huge change. The shift is amaz-

ing.” The current The Talent Brokers’ resume includes work with most

large Western names, royal weddings, and Eastern stars like Aishwarya

Rai and Ragheb Alameh. Richard and Padma have had a hand in most

of the best concerts and events that have passed through Dubai for the

past 30 years.

Today, Richard and Padma say the entertainment market in Dubai

is filling up with competition. Luckily, they have about a 23-year lead on

the second-oldest international events company in the area. “Until three

years ago everybody was rushing in. Let’s start a magazine, let’s start,

let’s start, let’s start. But it’s fantastic,” says Padma. “Because that’s when

you get new ideas, new energy, new people. I think it’s brilliant. Healthy

competition is the best thing for any business, any country. Completely.

Otherwise you get jaded, you get cocky.”

The Talent Brokers’ secret to success is the Coram’s personalized

approach to their work. Their connection to celebrities came easily dur-

ing the early years of The Talent Brokers’ work in Dubai, and the rela-

tionships the pair established during the ‘80’s and ‘90’s paved the way

for their fantastic success. “We’ve already established a rapport with

people. We’ve kind of worked with them, and done things that nobody

else was willing to do in those days,” says Padma. The couple recalls

getting more than one, “So what are you doing for dinner?” from A-lis-

ters when they would come to Dubai in the 1990’s. “If he’s doing a show

in New York, he’ll come in, do the show and then he’ll leave straight

after,” says Richard. “Whereas, when he’s over with us, he’s hanging

100 Thousand Club66

Coram ED 2:10jan 16/3/09 08:41 Page 66

around. He has nowhere to go, and he doesn’t know anybody. So you ac-

tually end up spending a lot of time with these people.”

Padma agrees that the quality of The Talent Brokers experience for

entertainers is based on the personal relationship the Corams have with

performers. “The nice thing is in any business at the top there’s very few

people. So tomorrow, whoever comes from here, they’ll call the same agent,

the same manager,” she explains. “So it becomes a different relationship.

And that is kind of earned because we put our hearts, blood, sweat, and

tears in the early ‘90’s or mid-‘90’s into what was then an emerging market,

and kind of established before. Like the promoters, when you speak to them

today with their five or six years, they still don’t get it. They still don’t get

to meet the artist as much, or it’s a different relationship. And they keep ask-

ing, ‘How did you talk to them? How can they talk to you? How did you sit

in the same car with them?’” And I’m like, ‘I don’t know.’”

Richard explains that the ability to meet most of the artists that The

Talent Brokers represents is one of the highlights of his career. “There

are people that I’ve found very fascinating. It’s not necessarily been the

biggest thing we’ve done, but it’s been very interesting.” A favorite for

Richard was Chuck Berry. “He was just a very fascinating man to sit and

have a dinner with because he knew Elvis, and he was there right at the

start of it all. And if you talk to the Rolling Stones, who’s one of their

biggest influences – Keith Richards would say it’s Chuck Berry. So, peo-

ple like that, and having the chance to sit and meet and spend time.”

Today, The Talent Brokers is the foremost name in Dubai events.

Over the years, Richard and Padma have built up an impressive net-

work of celebrities, government personalities, and entertainment corpo-

rations. No matter how big a name may be, Richard and Padma probably

have it in their phonebook. Just ask Hillary Clinton, who was passing

notes with Padma at a presidential brunch in Washington D.C. the day

before we spoke in New York.

Padma says she always knew the business would be successful.

“Richard just loves this. He would jump out of bed every morning – even

today – because he loves what he does…And I ask this question to him

very often… ‘If you were a pauper, what would you do? And if you’re a

multi, multi billionaire – trillionaire – what would you do?’ This is ex-

actly what he would do. So money was never his motivation. Never. So

he doesn’t even look it as ‘taking-off.’”

“He has never told me, ‘Oh, when I make my first million,’ or, ‘when

I make my first ten.’ It has never been about that,” Padma says. “I always

knew with that kind of passion, and when you’re willing to work 20 hours

and 22 hours in a day, because you don’t feel it. You don’t look at it as

number of hours. You’re just doing what comes to you naturally. That’s

when I realized we will take off, and we would make it. There was no

question he wouldn’t make it or we wouldn’t make it because he was just

doing what he loves. And I love people. I don’t care what I do – enter-

tainment, or events, or sitting in a missionary chair – I don’t care, or in

the airline, I just love human beings. So for me, this was great.”

The Talent Brokers’ prosperity has allowed Padma to follow what

she sees as her greatest passion: bringing people together. The Talent Bro-

kers’ sleek notebook holds descriptions of the many efforts the Corams have

put forth to help people around the world. Richard and Padma are deeply

involved in philanthropy like the United Nations Foundation’s work to erad-

icate malaria (the pair auctioned a Roger Waters guitar at a concert for the

organization). “I’m looking at the moment as to how can I best utilize my ex-

perience, what we do – which is celebrity-based or well-known-based –

and help people in regions or bring awareness to regions,” says Padma. “I

really want to help, through music, or through whatever, I don’t care, to

realize that there has to be integration.”

Padma says she is proud that the face of The Talent Brokers em-

bodies that idea. Their staffing is highly diversified, reflecting Dubai’s

drawing power for ambitious expatriates, but the full-time office staff is

extremely small. Since each event requires a great deal of on-site short-

term work, Padma saw an opportunity to empower: her event staff is all

women, from the construction crew on up, giving local women who do not


A production of Chicago and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

Coram ED 2:10jan 16/3/09 08:50 Page 67

have full-time work the chance to earn extra income for their families.

The Corams use their unique position to make good things happen, and

believe in allowing people to do for themselves. They dislike words like

“charity” and “less fortunate,” explaining that they don’t see people that

way, and are eminently practical in outlining their goals for change.

In the future, Padma hopes to integrate even more philanthropy into

The Talent Brokers’ work. And Richard sees the company’s business

side as only looking toward a bright future. “I think we’re on a bit of

a level plane at the moment, but long term, we’ll still go up,” he says,

explaining that the success of the Coram’s enterprise is grounded in

the success of Dubai. “I think the infrastructure’s going to be better.

Tourism is really going to be the big focus of Dubai, not just from the

region but the world. And certainly drawing on the Southeast Asian

markets, which are potentially huge. India, which is a very affluent

country, is now really coming up as a super power in the region. So

you’ve got all these things on the doorstep. And I think it will only

make things bigger, better, and stronger.”

Top: Sir Richard Branson with Padma and RichardMiddle: Luciano Pavarotti with Padma and Emirati Defence Ministerand Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashed al-Maktum, before performing in Dubai, as part of his 2005 farewell tourBottom: Chuck Berry with Padma and Richard

The cosmopolitan couple travels often, and they keep residences in

the United Kingdom, India, and Dubai, which they consider their home.

They love to get away and vacation – one of Padma’s favorites is New

York City – and wish they could bring their son along more often on their

trips. “My theory in life is travel is the best education,” says Padma.

“I’m a hippie. If you don’t travel, you don’t learn.”

Over the years, Richard and Padma have weathered the storms of

wars, economies, and the changing face of the UAE, all with grace and

a clean confidence that helps them keep working despite any current

challenge. They embody the effortless cool of their industry, and as the

conversation turns to what’s exciting and what’s passé in New York right

now it’s easy to see the way Richard and Padma seem to be able adapt

to every lifestyle. The Talent Brokers embodies that idea—the Corams

believe that the differences between regions can be their biggest asset—

and the success of their business is all about cultural integration. They

are equally drawn to the underground and alternative, the mainstream,

and everything appealing about global society. Their work with The Tal-

ent Brokers brings these passions together – just add a dash of Michael

Jackson – and they do it all under their own direction in the ancient yet

youthful, inclusive yet distinguished, beautiful city of Dubai. �

Coram ED 2:10jan 16/3/09 08:42 Page 68

Curvelle.indd 1 16/3/09 10:28:44

Frank Nuovo is holding court in Vertu’s bouti�

que in New York City’s renowned Plaza Hotel,

which after a redesign is now home to a select

number of luxury shops. The look of the store is

sleek without being overly futuristic, and show�

cases the phones like jewels. The lead designer

of Vertu phones, he has worked for the company

since 1998; prior to that he was the lead desig�

ner at Nokia for much of the ‘90s, influencing

mobile phone style and functionality forever

more. He is here to introduce the latest from the

ultra�high�end company, a hot new collaboration

with Ferrari that puts the power and style of the

Italian icon into the palm of your hand.

FHigh Partnership

FRANK NUOVO new:10dec 16/3/09 09:25 Page 70


How did the idea for the Ferrari collabora�

tion come about?

At Vertu, the original Ascent line was inspi�

red by fast European sports cars (there’s a

spot for a Ferrari waiting in my garage, next to

a beautifully restored ’52 Bentley) and this

phone in particular is tied to my roots and

dreams of Italy, where my family is from. It’s

not just sexy and beautiful cars; it’s a legacy

of performance.

What was the design process like?

I took time to sit down with Ferrato Coco, lead

designer of Ferrari, to get to know the heart and

soul of Ferrari. It’s a racecar, it’s a performance

car, it’s not for polishing little bits of chrome. I

actually carved the cavalito myself, out of one

solid piece – it’s actually coming out through

the case, it’s not glued on.

How much of the focus is on design and how

much of it is on functionality?

In general, design is driven by the needs of the

phone. With Vertu, we’ve been very specific – this

is a phone – but that will evolve over time. We want

to apply more proven technologies that are easy to

use. I’ve been in the unique position of having

been able to handhold the evolution of mobile

communications throughout the years.

How do you see your role as a designer evol�

ving? Are you involved in designing the re�

tail stores or do you focus on other aspects?

What we did for the stores was left to an agency,

which I communicated with at all stages of the

process. I will be very involved in the renewal

of the stores, but the continuity in design has

always been there.

The logo was my first project. With the de�

sign of the Vertu, the V logo happened first.

The look was based on outstretched arms, it

didn’t stand for anything. Then we found the

name, which we wanted to be something short,

and easy to remember. When we found out what

it meant [“vertu” is French for “quality”] it was

just serendipity.

How did this project fit into your vision of

Vertu as a company?

Although I came from a mass�market brand, I

dreamed of a project that was so unique, a brand

like Ferrari would want to work with us, and this

was exactly the kind of project I envisioned. I

feel that I brought ease of use and pop culture

to the phone – I brought fashion to tech.

Do you see more partnerships like this in the

future?

The Boucheron alignment is a very good one,

but its very ‘them’ in the sense that the pho�

nes are bejeweled in their style and they use

the phone as a canvas for their expression.

We’re very much a part of the watch industry,

really – we’re sold in watch and jewelry sto�

res.

Alignments such as Ferrari are rare; it has

to be done carefully so it benefits both of us.

There are some nicer premium fashion phones

but they’re not really luxury, there is nothing

like these. �

100 Thousand Club72


South Africa 100TCME5:10jan 16/3/09 09:33 Page 73

Working in perfect synergy, a pride of lions

slowly meanders across the dirt road. Glowing

gold and red in the late afternoon sun, the leader

of the pack surveys his family and begins his

slow amble into the bush. He casually observes

the group of females and cubs who travel in his

wake, and yawns as he surveys the bush. The

kings of the jungle are thrillingly present here,

almost too perfect in their grace and power to be

real, and yet there they are, napping in the

shade, pouncing on their elders, coolly surveying

their surroundings. And then, at the approach of

a jeep, the lion roars. It echoes, reverberating on

a deep, primal frequency that triggers something

ancient in everyone who hears it – that abiding

awe of nature.

Working in perfect synergy the staff at

Molori, one of the most luxurious resorts in South

Africa’s Madikwe Game Reserve, create a world

for their guests that is truly magical. As your

plane lands on the runway, the only sign of

human life interrupting the landscape is the

open-sided Range Rover waiting to take you to

the property. The leaders of this pride, Greg and

Rianna Lederle, who supervise a staff whose

presence manages to be warm and friendly while

their work remains invisible – and pride is an

apt word in more ways than one. Several staff

members tell the story of accompanying Kirk to

meet with the village chief to get his recommen-

dations as to whom he should hire for his staff.

The stack of resumes produced by the chief

yielded a group of hospitality novices that were

trained impeccably, with deference to their

needs and that of their community. Since the

property first broke ground 2 and a half years ago,

not a single staff member has left, and their devo-

tion to the place shows in every imaginable di-

mension. The entire staff greets you upon your

arrival with a welcome song and a round of cold

drinks, but it is the pair who rises every morning

to greet your return from a predawn game drive

with fresh juice and hot towels who reinforce the

feeling of care and attention.While themeal serv-

ice is impeccable, the room maintenance is truly

uncanny. It was almost comical to leave the villa

for the main pool at the central lodge, turn back

for more sunscreen five minutes later, and find

your discarded clothes folded on an armchair and

the neatly rolled towel you had plucked off a fluffy

stack replaced, and no staff member in sight.

You hear him before you see him. A rustle in

the grass, the tips wave softly and suddenly the

large, dark shape is visible. The sun is setting,

glasses are clinking, but all conversation falls

silent, studying the spaces in between the trees.

Too small for an elephant, too far from water for

a hippo – could it be? Your guide waits for a lit-

tle more of the animal to emerge, and once the

face is clearly visible, with two horns, a square

lip, he points – there it is! The most rare of all

wonderful things in SouthAfrica: the black rhino.

You hear him before you see him. It starts

as a whisper, then a whir, and then suddenly the

helicopter appears overhead, headed for the

landing pad just inside the gate. The black four-

100 Thousand Club74


seater is just one of a fleet of aircraft that owner

Kirk Lazarus uses to travel between his homes

and properties in Russia, South Africa, and Aus-

tralia, making sure that everything is on track for

all of his friends, employees, and visitors. Kirk’s

property portfolio did not stem from a desire to

be in the hospitality industry. Rather, his prop-

erties are a collection of private homes: specifi-

cally, his homes. His attention to detail is

superb, honed over years of appreciating natural

and man-made beauty all over the world, and of

experiencing the best and worst of high-end re-

sorts from the other side. “Some properties out

here will have black water coming out of the taps

or things like that, and their excuse is well, it’s

the bush. I don’t think that’s any excuse,” he

says over a cigar on the hardwood deck over-

looking the landscape, casually understating his

dogged perseverance and high standards that

make the property everything it is.

“Molori means ‘my dream’ because when I

was a little boy, my teachers always used to write

on my report card that I was a dreamer. I’m

thinking of buying a yacht called ‘I Told You

So’,” says the native South African, half-joking.

His roots in the country gave him an innate un-

derstanding of how to do business in the bush.

From the very first stage, when he bought the

land from a local chief and worked with local

builders and artisans to create the look of Molori,

he demonstrated that his property would be of

the community, not apart from him, and he has

naturally developed a new community within the

staff village that is just over the hill from Molori.

He talks excitedly of plans to build a school

within the village, as more of his staff get married

and have children, and of staff days and pranks

that makes Molori feel like a home with a fam-

ily rather than a resort. “I want people to walk

into this place as if they were walking into their

own home. There’s nothing they can’t touch,

everything makes sense, and everything they

could ever think to want, we’ve already thought

of it for them.” From the signature Molori hang-

over cure in the bathroom drawer (which actually

works – we tested it on several occasions) and

the preprogrammed iPods waiting in Bose sound

systems to spill sound all the way out to your pri-

vate pool, to the fully stocked wine cellar and

humidor, his plan has succeeded on a grand

scale; your every need and want is given equal

care and attention.

Kirk’s business interests are deep and broad

around the world, but include many investments

in the Russian oil industry. He is a fluent Russ-

ian speaker and has done business there for

many years, also putting down roots in his com-

munity in St. Petersburg, where he is currently

building a synagogue and a kindergarten in his

neighborhood. Having lived among Russians

and traveled with them for many years, it is no

surprise that word of Molori has traveled fast

through his social circle, and many of his gusts

since opening have been Russian. “Russians

like the resort because I really understand what

they want in terms of service,” he says, explain-



ing that discerning and wealthy consumers

the world over have been impressed with

Molori, but that Russians tend to be partic-

ularly discerning about their treatment and

are great communicators of their experi-

ences – if their standards slacken, their core

of Russian customers won’t be shy about let-

ting him know, he says.

He is currently developing a property on the

beach in Capetown, the first of its kind in scale,

as well as properties in Port Douglas, Australia,

and New Zealand. To keep his edge sharp, he

often visits and stays at other resorts in the area,

and has taken the best idea from all of them, as

well as applying his own intuition, for his prop-

erty. These are all his houses, and they are full

of the objects, furniture, and décor that he has

picked up in his travels, contributing to the feel

that you are merely in a friend’s incredibly chic

home, instead of a hotel. Many guests prefer to

rent the entire property at a time, allowing them

total privacy to enjoy the comforts of their

adopted residence.

The vivid, graphic stripes and rounded

shape of the zebra, rolling in herds down the hill

towards the watering hole, is as whimsical and

comical a sight as exists in the harsh landscape

of the bush. Unexpectedly stocky and sturdy

close up, they move silently through trees and

brush, until they are close enough that you can

see the brown shadow that traces their black

stripes down over their rounded bellies. Their

big dark eyes and open faces study you quietly,

ears flicking, until the scent of water becomes

too much to resist, and their little hooves stir up

a cloud of dust as they canter towards refresh-

ment. Huddled together, their stripes blend into

a single mass of stripes and curves, running into

each other in their collective reflection.

The vivid, graphic stripes and rounded

shape of the zebra-hide desk chair is the perfect

example of the perfection of Molori’s décor. A

simple, classic shape is transformed by the con-

trasting stripes and the unexpected, humorous

inclusion of the zebra’s own mane, projecting

perkily from the seat back. Innovative without

being precious, the design scheme is the bass

line to the visual symphony of Molori, always re-

inforcing the harmony of the larger idea. There

is not a corner of any room that has not been

touched, decorated, and designed to please the

eye, and yet there is never a feeling that any old

thing had been brought in just to fill up a corner.

The design is deliberate, and effective.

When the interiors were first being de-

signed, Kirk expressed a desire for a new kind of

hunting lodge. The traditional image conjured

by those words is one of dark wood and leather

and mounted heads, a masculine but not neces-

sarily inviting space. Molori takes the best as-

pects of this look and combines them with a

lighter touch, mixing in elements of the classic

Caribbean resort style: walls and French doors

that open out onto the view, spacious bathrooms

unique to every suite, outdoor showers and

white-upholstered daybeds turning the hard-

wood decks into outdoors rooms. Every surface,

every piece, is finished, but not necessarily

smooth and sterilized: rather than going to full-

100 Thousand Club76


on modern, the walls are roughly textured and

the concrete floor is inlaid with patterned rocks,

in a light neutral palette that mixes easily with a

white leather Fendi lounge and clear Lucite

lamps from Kartell. Their aesthetic has proved

so popular with guests that it is now possible to

order, through the property, any of the pieces

seen in the rooms or common spaces.

There are two presidential suites, Metsi and

Molelo, two superior suites, Ngwedi and Lesedi,

and one superior family suite, Sephiri, all in sep-

arate villas ranged side by side that share a

panoramic view of the game reserve, and exterior

colors and hand-thatched roofs to blend them

seamlessly into the hills beyond. The presiden-

tial suites, both around 600 square meters, are

genuinely impressive, bringing a level of taste

and sophistication rarely seen outside of design

magazines to every corner of the space, from a

formal living and dining room to the bathroom to

the office, sleek Mac laptop already included.

More cutting edge in its décor, crystal chande-

liers and velvet-upholstered armchairs sit com-

fortably side-by-side with a metal-framed

outdoors bed and a bright red airy circular chair

made of knotted high-tension elastics.

Aside from the suites themselves, there are

numerous common areas that are secluded yet

functional.While many guests choose to rent the

entire property for the duration of their stay, as

Molori will only accommodate up to 10 guests at

a time, those who find themselves sharing the

property have ample opportunities to enjoy

carefully engineered solitude, something the

staff easily facilitates. The main lodge is, of

course, accessible to all, and the spacious fa-

cility encompasses an open living room and

bar, two formal dining rooms, an elevated cov-

ered deck just a short flight up, on a level with

the main office and the library, housing the

property’s only television, an expansive collec-

tion of National Geographic back issues, and a

well stocked humidor. The airy white daybeds

that appear in each suite also make many ap-

pearances elsewhere around the property, in-

cluding next to the main lodge’s two pools and a

hot tub, and on several secluded sky decks far-

ther up the hill above the villas. Speaking of the

sky—one of the gems of the property is the plan-

etarium, a stone outbuilding with a retractable

roof, housing four of the largest beanbag chairs

imaginable and one of the largest privately

owned telescopes in the country. Greg is as fa-

miliar with the stars as he is with the land, and

on a clear night before dinner, it is a pleasure to

get up close and personal with a glass of wine

and Mars, Venus and the man in the moon.


No matter how lovely, how charming, how

perfectly formed the smaller creatures of the bush

are, the fact is inescapable: nothing is too beauti-

ful to eat. The little springboks stand poised, nib-

bling on small shoots of grass, traveling in a

vigilant pair up to an invisible territorial line,

where an identical pair eyes them carefully. They

traverse the boundary, marking as they go, until

they catch on the wind the scent of something

dangerous. Off they go, in leaps and bounds, mus-

cles bunching and nostrils flared, the natural state

for South Africa’s national animal – who can still

be, at the end of the day, just someone’s dinner.

No matter how lovely, how charming, how

perfectly formed the presentation on your plate,

the fact is inescapable: when it tastes this good,

nothing is too beautiful to eat. Chef Willie Mal-

herbe is one of the many hidden treasures at

Molori. His versatile, French-trained style makes

incredible use of local ingredients and flavors,

including the best renditions of colonial-era

dishes (often unpalatable to foreigners who lack

the seasoning of nostalgia) that one could ever

hope for. In the early days of the resort, when it

became apparent that fresh produce would be

hard to come by without involving multiple air-

planes and vehicles, Molori’s dedicated manage-

ment set out and discovered an elderly couple in

the area who had turned their slice of desert into

an Edenic paradise—and after the application of

a small amount of charm, the couple agreed to

show them how it was done. Now fruits and veg-

etables are a central part of the healthy yet luxu-

rious cuisine here, creating five-star fare that is

resort-worthy without being cripplingly rich.

The freshness of all the ingredients is a tes-

tament to the chef’s stringent standards—prawn

curries and spiced grilled squid are as delicious

here as they are on the coast, and a talented use

of light sauces and seasonings keep the dishes

from being overwhelming. Selection is key—a

filet of organic Chalmar beef is a superlative

piece of meat, as were the salmon and tuna

steaks. As ever, at Molori, ambiance and cus-

tomization is key in creating a memorable ex-


FairmontMayakoba.indd 1 16/3/09 10:30:48

perience; the resort often engineers it so guests

never dine in the same space twice, and Willie

checks in with his guests at breakfast to see what

theymight be in themood for at dinner.Make sure

to go beyond the formal sit-downmeals – the staff

barbecue meal became such an underground hit

with guests that they now offer their taste of

springbok loin and slow-roasted chicken on an el-

egant, white-cloth setting in the barbecue pit, and

the feast of barbecue served in the boma, a tradi-

tional gathering space, is a triumph of local in-

gredients and cuisine, including more and better

sausage than is necessary or healthy, and an ox-

tail stew that will make you wonder why you ever

bothered with oxtail before this one.

The food is of course complemented by bev-

erage, provided with a smile and an infectious

laugh by Isaac, the bartender who had never

tasted a beer before assuming his position at

Molori, but is now a talented and original mixol-

ogist, creating his own cocktails as well as all the

old standards. Chef Willie is also experienced

with selecting wine pairings, and the cellar from

which he draws is both deep and broad, repre-

senting the absolute best of South African wines

as well as some of the finest vintages from around

the world – we enjoyed a particularly wonderful

2002Chateau d’YquemSauternes with his home-

made orange and Campari berry sorbet.

What a baby elephant lacks in size, it makes

up for in charm and serious personality. These

ghosts of the bush appear suddenly, silently, and

then surround you, stripping bushes from the

ground, nonchalantly chewing a tree branch, and

trumpeting and blowing at each other in a casual

whirl of activity, until the reason for all the noise

peeks his soft trunk out from behind his mother’s

leg. Still the size of a St. Bernard, still ears the

size of dinner plates, but still a baby, to be pam-

pered. Long trunks shoo him out of the road,

under a shady tree and then finally, under his

mother’s belly, where he relaxes, leaning against

her leg, at perfect ease.

What the spa at Molori lacks in size, it

makes up for in charm and serious expertise.


“Visiting Molori allows you to experiencethe world at its most natural without

sacrificing any creature comforts”

and birdsong for a truly absorbing experience.

All products are Dermalogica, and the name of

the game here is service – personalized treat-

ments, performed with dedication and great en-

ergy. While you can book one of the specific

treatments on the menu, a better bet is to simply

show up and let the technician guide you, as they

specialize in blending products and tailoring

treatments to suit each individual. The land-

scape suffuses the entire spa with a sense of

peace and timelessness – so much so that you

shouldn’t be surprised if your masseuse adds an

extra half-hour just to make she she’s worked out

every last knot.

To experience Molori in the Madikwe Game

Reserve is to immerse yourself in a culture that

still values many of the things modern civiliza-

tion has chosen to disregard: patience, quiet ob-

servation, and the meditative stillness of simply

existing in themorning sun. The game drives are

an exercise in appreciation – visitors may expect

to be disappointed if they don’t spot their Big

Five, but in the bush, there is no such thing as

nothing. The small birds, the trees, the soil, the

mountains, are all there waiting to be explored

and appreciated. The wise traveler will simply let

the experience wash over him, appreciating the

talent of the trackers and guides leading the way

and the sheer thrilling amount of life everywhere.

Visiting the bush is the experience of feeling to-

tally vulnerable and yet completely safe – as vis-

iting Molori allows you to experience the world

at its most natural without sacrificing any crea-

ture comforts. �

The small but fantastic facility is a full-scale rep-

resentation of Molori’s focus on customization,

privacy, and luxury. A workout area, filled with

all the necessary equipment, adjoins the hard-

wood deck that hosts an outdoor area for private

yoga and pilates sessions and a white-cotton-

swathed daybed. Before or after your scheduled

treatments, or anytime during your stay, the

steam room and plunge pool are available, cali-

brated to the owner’s specifications – and as this

is a man who does much of his business with

Russians, rest assured that you will receive the

effect you are looking for. Treatments are avail-

able in one of two treatment rooms, your room or

on your private deck, but we suggest the outdoor

massage table, draped in flowers and mosquito

netting and surrounded by miles of grassland


Imagine a place where you can

hike through large broadleaf

jungle exploring unknown rivers

with unseen waterfalls, or explore

an amazing ancient civilization

which rivals that of the pharaohs

of Egypt, or spend your day flat

fishing, deep sea fishing, scuba

diving, or just laying in your

hammock rocked by gentle sea

breezes on a deserted beach. This

is Belize; a unique and beautiful

country located just south of

Mexico on the Caribbean Sea.

This is the country of choice for

ERA Ceiba Realty Ltd. Belize Real Estate & Services, 76 Western Highway,Santa Elena Town, Cayo District, Belize.Telephone: 011-501-824-4050, mobile: 501-610-4458, fax: 1-831-854-5983,e-mail: [email protected], [email protected],website: www.ceibarealtybelize.com, www.4belizerealestate.com, www.erabelize.com

investors and expatriates alike.

Located in the west of the country

in the charming Cayo District, ERA

Ceiba Realty provides real estate

services throughout the country.

From small private farms, luxurious

homes and condos to large

commercial oceanfront properties

and private cayes. With over 10

years of experience in building

and leading the industry ERA

Ceiba Realty can guide you

through this important transaction

with the professionalism and

protection you deserve.

We have the property tosuit each and everyindividual need and workhard to get it for you atthe best possible price...

ERA Ceiba Realty

CEIBA RETAIL AD:10jan 16/3/09 10:27 Page 82

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Up the Night

Fashion Spread:10jan 16/3/09 09:19 Page 83


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Ralph Lauren gown, earrings are DeGrisogono. Rings on right hand and leftmiddle finger are De Grisogono. Leftring finger and bracelet are Tiffany.

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Patek Phillipe

Vacheron Constantin

Omega

An 18K gold, enameland diamond-sethunter case ‘tact’watch by Breguet forJosephine Bonaparte,Empress of Francecirca 1800.

OmegaThe companion to every James Bond mission is

an Omega timepiece with ‘Quantum of Solace’

boasting the limited and prestigious Seamaster

Planet Ocean 600m. Founded in 1848 by Louis

Brandt, Omega now manufacturers under the

Swatch group, retaining the same individual

craftsmanship used in the 19th century.

RolexBy far the largest luxury watch making brand,

since its creation in 1905 Rolex has successfully

expanded to produce around 2,000 watches per

day. Most historically significant is the Rolex

Oyster of Jacques Piccard and boasting most

prestigious is the modern day Cellini line.

LonginesRenowned for its claim ‘elegance is an atti-

tude’, the luxury timepieces of Longines are

synonymous with sophistication found in the

sporting world. To mark its 175th anniversary,

Longines has formed a partnership with tennis

great Andre Agassi and shall be creating spe-

cial limited edition timepieces for auction.

BreguetCurrently part of the Swatch group since its

foundation in Paris in 1775, these luxury

pieces are now manufactured in the Vallee de

Joux in Switzerland. Most recognizable for

their coin-edge cases, guilloche dials and blue

pomme hands, Bruguet pieces have been

showcased on the likes of Tsar Alexander I,

George Washington and Marie-Antoinette.

Audemars PiguetDescribed as the ‘Rolls Royce of Watches’, this

brand of watches is revered for its commitment

to grandeur and exclusivity. Its most famous

collection is the La Grande Complications of

which only 100 were made between 1915 and

1989, along with its prestigious Perpetuelle

Calendar Watch and its Grande Sonnerie

model.

BlancpainBlancpain is most famous for its 1735 model

and for the fifty platinum pieces created in

2004 and named The Equation of Time. Lo-

cated in the town of Le Brassus, the small

workshop consists of twenty meticulous

craftsmen producing the beautiful Blancpain

timepieces.

The Faces of TimeSwiss Watchmakers Top 10

FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images

TOP 10 WATCHES:mar09 16/03/2009 09:41 Page 87

Raymond Weil

Longines

Movado

Patek PhillipeA much larger company, Patek Phillipe pro-

duces around 30, 000 luxury timepieces each

year. Its quantity does not compromise with its

quality however as its subtle luxuries are dis-

played within its modestly named pieces, most

notably Reference 5959.

Vacheron ConstantinA brand of the Richemont Group, Vacheron

Constantin is a brand established in almost

80 countries and a name tantamount to ele-

gance. Founded in Geneva in 1755, it is the

oldest watch manufactuer in the world and in

2007 introduced its beautiful ‘Les Masques’

collection.

Raymond WeilRaymond Weil established his independent

luxury watch manufacturing services in 1976

in Geneva, following prior work for other man-

ufacturers. Weil’s vision combines luxury and

innovative design, most notably displayed in

his Shine collection for women and Nabucco

Cuore Caldo collection for men.

MovadoFamous for its range of luxury ‘Museum’

watches, Movado is a name synonymous with

sophistication. Meaning ‘Esperanto’, Movado

was founded in 1881 in La Chaux-de-Fonds

and created the first wristwatch to be displayed

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TOP 10 WATCHES:mar09 16/03/2009 09:41 Page 88

Meeting Rory Stewart, one immediately finds them

in awe, standing before one man who can claim to

have achieved so much. He wears several hats in

different areas of his life and work – author, histo-

rian and restorer of national identity – and is beloved by the Afgha-

nis who he works with for his devotion to championing their cause.

Three years ago, Stewart embarked upon a project that was set

to dramatically change the way in which indigenous Afghani peo-

ple and their beautifully designed creations were to be viewed

across the globe. Stewart created Turquoise Mountain, a project

displaying contemporary art from Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan,

completely from scratch. When the project was still only in its early

stages it was already brimming with ambition and optimism. Stew-

art recalls the days when “the organization consisted only of me

sitting in the front room of a tailoring shop in Kabul, and it’s now

grown to 350 people.” He has always played an intimate part in its

life, both in the foundational ideas and the hiring of 90 percent of

the staff. Turquoise Mountain is a love that he will never be able to

give up. Stewart’s philosophy is all about taking things back to ba-

sics, starting from scratch, and the project took only three years to

propel its fine jewelry and beautiful hand crafted furniture onto the

stages of Sotheby’s auction houses.

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RORY STEWART:mar09 16/03/2009 09:37 Page 89

So how did an eloquent spoken Scots-

man such as Rory find himself at the fore-

front of Afghani affairs, and where did his

passion for indigenous restoration come

from? He’s an avid historian and a well-re-

spected professor at Harvard University,

continuously highlighting the need for the

regeneration of Afghanistan’s historical cul-

ture through his series of human rights lec-

tures. But, his passion for Afghanistan runs

far deeper than the embedded letters that fill

the pages of his books. Stewart’s passion is

real, and he’s certainly not ashamed to admit

that hiding behind much of his historical

reasoning lays a well of personal experience

and emotional instinct.

While working closely with the British

government in Iraq, Stewart found himself

overwhelmed by the surrounding culture, or

rather the lack of it following the desolation of

the war. But rather than immersing himself

further into governmental projects and strate-

gic political surroundings, he found himself

with the desire to return back to basics, and

really understand the country which has been

spoken of so frequently, and often so wrongly.

Embarking upon a 21-month walk across Asia

is no mean feat, certainly not for a man ac-

customed to the fireplaces of Harvard and gov-

ernmental meeting rooms. His experience

walking across Afghanistan demonstrated his

unfaltering commitment to his belief of the

restoration of a diminishing culture of beauty,

deepening further the intensity of his passion.

As he explains it, “The Afghan walk made

me fascinated by Afghan culture and very,

very keen to try to see if I could work at grass-

roots level there. My experience in Iraq was

an experience of disillusionment of huge gov-

ernment projects where it seemed to be a lot of

money was wasted and we failed to capture the

imagination of Iraqis.”

Stewart wanted to create a project with a

difference, one that wasn’t laden with all the

signatures of a western development, but one

100 Thousand Club90

A sampling of the beautiful Afghaniart which Rory Stewart championsfor the world’s enjoyment


that showed the rest of the world the breath-

taking aesthetics of Arab society.

His experience during that grueling 21

months led him not only to start the beginnings

of the Turquoise Mountain project, a project in-

tended to foster the self-expression of the Af-

gahni people, but to spend time recording his

own personal reaction. And what better platform

for Stewart to do this than record his experience

through a novel: “I was very lucky because I

walked across Afghanistan just after the Taliban

had fallen. It was mid-winter and it gave me the

opportunity to see things directly. I felt very

privileged to be able to walk through those

areas,” he says in reminiscent tones.

It is those individual experiences Stewart

describes that really make you understand that

little bit more the extent of his passion; his love

of the people and the culture deepen with

every darkened moment he met upon that 21-

month trail. He tells of the “astonishing gen-

erosity” of the Islamic world in general, but

becomes moved when he speaks of the “ex-

treme generosity and hospitality” he found in

Afghanistan. “One day I’d been beaten up by

some militia men and I was sitting pretty

grumpy. A man came out of his house, invited

me in, sat me down, made a fire for me, cooked

me some food, laid out my bed, brought me tea,

and only after I’d been to his house for an hour

and a half did he ask me who I was and where

I was going.” This experience wasn’t the only

one of its kind. The generosity of the village

extended even further, as he was accompanied

to the next, without any expectation or any

kind of reward. “I think I’m absolutely en-

chanted by a culture where people’s sense of

pride and their generosity and courage is so

striking,” he pauses, “So, I’m very struck by

Afghan culture.”

Stewart’s love for the people he had come

to know grew as he saw of their astonishing

warmth to him, and it is this that led to the for-

mation of Turquoise Mountain. His disillu-

sionment with government projects meant he



HiltonMauritius.indd 136 16/3/09 10:31:37

knew he had to do something different. He recalls the only project he had

worked on previously to have ever accomplished what he desired, which

was to catch the imagination of the Iraqis, and that was a children’s car-

pentry school set up by the suggestion of Prince Charles. As he explains,

“He wrote to me and said, ‘Why don’t you set up a carpentry school for

street children? And I did that with some skepticism, but it turned out

to be very successful,” he says with great enthusiasm. “Suddenly we had

the local police chief and the local mayor coming to give speeches in

the school.” He proudly tells me of the outcomes: “Two hundred kids

getting jobs, learning new skills. Somehow we really seemed to catch,

somehow, a spirit in Iraqi society, which I never expected to do.”

Sadly, Stewart’s vision of further developments to be made in Iraq died

out. During his return trip to Kabul at the end of 2005 he found that in-

stead of regeneration of the beautiful culture that had already suffered so

many attacks, it had been disintegrated further from the war, just like the

walls of the city itself. Stewart’s dream was to

simultaneously bring about a revival of Afghani

culture whilst rebuilding the old city that had

been so complacently demolished, and this was

his vision behind Turquoise Mountain.

As he explains, civil war is responsible for

tearing at people’s sense of national identity,

and only through returning to the roots, the tra-

ditions that lay dormant within that identity can

a sense of restoration really be brought back. A

people will never regain its sense of self, with-

out the medium of expression. It’s astonishing in

itself that for a man so surrounded by words and

formative theories, it is the aesthetics of a soci-

ety that he really believes to be the answer to

this crisis of identity. “So one of the things that

one’s having to do here is to say that Afghan art

and Afghan architecture is a valid, unified, ex-

citing entity, which can find markets all over the

world, which can shoulder-to-shoulder with al-

most any artistic tradition in the world, that

Afghan calligraphy can find markets in Bahrain

and Afghan woodwork can be sold to the great-

est hotels in London, and Afghan ceramics in

Japan,” he says, with pride.

He speaks fondly of the traditional crafts-

men whom he met during his early days when

he was in the first stages of setting up the

Turquoise Mountain project. “When I arrived I

found some of the great woodwork masters in

Afghanistan, who had no students to pass on his

skills to. So now we’ve put two classes through

the school of people who are learning these

skills. In the latest applications, we had over

1,000 applications for 33 places in the school.

So we’re beginning to get, I hope, a critical mass

of class people trained, so that even if I was

knocked over by a bus, I hope that there would

be something there, which has been saved from

what I think otherwise would’ve been certain

disappearance,” he says.

Stewart’s dream is to see in the future,

thirty years from now, a restoration of what was

once a desecrated city into not only a place of

magnificent beauty, but also a country of pros-



perity. “Returning to the city, you would see an

area bursting and vibrant with jobs and in-

comes, attracting multiples of visitors, but we

would’ve also trained up a new generation of

traditional Afghani people. Currently, the sig-

nificance of art in Afghanistan is growing. The

country has just run its first contemporary art

prize, won by an outstandingly talented female

video artist from just outside Kabul, Saba

Shams, and in addition to the beautifully hand-

crafted pieces made by the traditional crafts-

people at Turquoise Mountain, the project is

also working with contemporary designers to

respond to traditional techniques.

Shams is a 19-year old mixed medium

artist, and for someone such as her, the win-

ning of the prize was really the first time she

had been given such an opportunity to display

her work, especially on an international stage.

The various ranges of emerging art at this time

in Kabul has seen development of art galleries,

patiently waited for by both the traditional and

the contemporary craftsmen.

Stewart talks of the project’s new jewelry

range and the role of modern art within this.

“Ken Ovram worked with our jewelers to de-

sign a contemporary jewelry range, and that’s

now been sold in San Francisco and London,”

he boasts. His client base for the craft cre-

ations is very high end, due to the sophisti-

cation and prestigious backing of Prince

Charles. The craftsmen recently conducted a

large exhibition in Bahrain, selling its most

distinguished calligraphy and showcased its

finely designed products at the Dubai Mil-

lionaire Fair.

As founder of the project, there is nothing

else to expect from Stewart’s own taste than ab-

solute distinction, and when asked of his own

particular favorites he emphasis the likes of

Istad Nasta, “an astonishing carver who I think

really could rank with anybody in the world”,

as well as Usted Tamin, “who is a very, very

delicate miniature painter and does wonderful

culminations of calligraphy and painting.”

The success of establishing his cultural program – success is cer-

tainly the word to describe Turquoise Mountain – has meant Stewart has

achieved what he set out to do in the way of Afghanistan culture. Not

only has he provided a platform with which aesthetics has flourished in

various forms, but also in doing so, he has restored the identity of the

Afghani people. But not only has he restored the confidence of Afghani’s

within themselves as a people, but he has shown the rest of the world the

undiscovered beauty and sophistication of a region teeming with tradi-

tion and rich in offering of structural aesthetics.

So what’s his next goal, his next mission? He tells me of his involve-

ment in matters of foreign policy and his vision for Afghanistan as a cen-

tre of culture to be brought about in a very different way to the methods

of troops and arms that were used with Iraq. There is only so much Stew-

art can do to massage the relationship between Islam and the Western

World, now all he can do is “wait for the rest of the world to develop a

much more patient, tolerant, gentle and enduring relationship.” n

100 Thousand Club94


95100 Thousand Club

What kind of person can look back on

life and know that they played host

to royalty, curated a Picasso exhibi-

tion, rubbed shoulders with political

dignitaries and celebrities, and traveled the world…

and of course, found plenty of time to play golf along

the way? Hans Olbertz, the General Manager of Abu

Dhabi’s Emirates Palace Hotel is just that kind of man.

Running a $3 billion dollar, 7-star hotel is simply

all in a day’s work for this hotelier who has worked in

hospitality for over 30 years. “To have the opportunity to

join the Emirates Palace was the highlight of my career,”

Olbertz says, and though he has worked and studied all

over the globe, running the Emirates Palace is a grand

undertaking even for such an established fi gure in the

world of elite tourism.

“Everyday is a different day at Emirates Palace. We

are a unique hotel with a wide variety of clients, guests,

and the largest most fl exible conference, banquet, and

The Power in the Palace

event facilities. We are the venue for exciting exhibi-

tions and concerts, such as the Emirati Expressions

currently and the two concerts with Boccelli and Cold-

play due later this month. Daily we receive VIP guests

and delegations, global media, and, as we have unique

resort facilities with a private beach and Anantara spa,

we welcome leisure guests year round.”

The Emirates Palace is the most expensive hotel

ever built. It is marked by its opulence –5 kg of pure

edible gold is used there every year, the hotel’s marble

alone represents 13 countries, and guests can purchase

a one million dollar suite holiday. Olbertz came to his

position as GM with a great deal of experience, but it’s

hard to truly prepare anyone for the striking attention to

detail that defi nes a landmark conceptualized around

the idea of blurring the line between palace and hotel.

When you’re in the Emirates Palace, it’s sometimes

hard to decide which is which. And it can be especially

hard to remember you’re not royalty in the hotel’s Palace

Hans Olbertz.indd 95 16/3/09 09:58:56

96 100 Thousand Club


97100 Thousand Club

Suite – it’s Swarovski Crystal chandeliers light up a

living space complete with Daum sculptures and a full

living and dining room.

“Emirates Palace is probably the most famous hotel

in the world and attracts visitors across every segment

and from every corner of the globe. The vibrancy and

positive nature of Abu Dhabi is formidable and the

capitol’s developments, whilst always exciting and in-

novative, are also planned with care to ensure a smooth

transition and ease of access for everyone, whether a

visitor or resident. It is the most welcoming part of the

world and stylishly combines the culture and history of

UAE with modern sophisticated luxury living.”

For any guest staying at Emirates Palace, Olbertz

says it’s the perfect place to “chill out and relax.” He

cites the “extensive sports facilities with four tennis

courts, a Padal Court, and special facilities to occupy

children. The Emirates Palace is located on a 1.3 km

stretch of private white sandy beach, so whether you are

looking for solitude or family fun, you can find both.”

For food lovers seeking a memorable meal, Olbertz

oversees the Emirates Palace’s “amazing culinary expe-

rience.” “It is not only that you enjoy the fantastic food

– the ambience, the setting, and the service in all our

Restaurants creates for a perfect dining experience,”

he says. And this is no small feat to manage: there are

eleven bars and restaurants on the property, compiling

a fantastic list of cuisines: French, Persian, Lebanese,

Mediterranean, seafood, a caviar bar, and even barbe-

cue, as well as a dedicated cigar bar and the option of

personalized in-room dining.

It’s easy to sense how much Olbertz loves his work.

He lives on the hotel property, so Emirates Palace is

home for him as well. While some managers focus only

on creating positive press when they talk about their

properties, Olbertz fondness for the hotel is evident and

utterly natural as he proliferates about the food, fun, and

“fairy-tale atmosphere” at Emirates Palace.

That passion spills over for the city of Abu Dhabi as

well. Olbertz thinks Emirates Palace is a reflection of

the future of Abu Dhabi, a globally recognized hotel in a

city also well known for its iconic projects like Saadiyat

Island and Masdar City. He says he loves the mix of

expatriate and local ideas that the city represents, and

has been very happy to return to the place where he

spent two years in the late 1980’s working as Resident

Manager for Hotel InterContinental Abu Dhabi. “Abu

Dhabi is the capitol of UAE, and Emirates Palace the

iconic landmark to showcase Abu Dhabi to the world as

the cultural center of the Middle East and the venue for

world class events.”

“With the diary of events over the year and the grow-

ing number of events such as Formula One in November

this year, Abu Dhabi has already established itself as

the capitol of culture and the place to host major events

– whether in the sports, arts, music, fashion, film, dance

or theatre arenas, as well as the venue for international

conferences such as the World Energy Forum.”

In his short time as GM of Emirates Palace, Olbertz

has furthered the reputation of both the hotel and of its

home city Abu Dhabi. He has received a laundry list of

distinguished figures including celebrities, sports stars,

and political leaders. “The Hotel hosts many official

delegations, royal dignitaries, world celebrities such as

Former US President George Bush, French President

Nicolas Sarkozy, Former Prime Minister Tony Blair,

His Majesty King Juan Carlos of Spain, Catherine

Deneuve, Elton John, Bon Jovi, Kimi Räikkönen and

many others.”

Throughout his time at Emirates Palace Olbertz has

remained committed to making sure guests experience

hotel as the standard of luxury in the Middle East and

in the world. Since becoming GM, he has overseen the

addition of the new Palace Lounge that offers guests pri-

vate check-in and check-out and an exclusive concierge

service, among other indulgences.

Still, Olbertz thinks that the highlight of his experi-

ence at Emirates Palace is the people he has met along

the way. “To have the pleasure of hosting and welcoming

“Abu Dhabi has already established itself as the capitol of culture and the place to host major events”

At the Anantara

Spa treatment

room, top left

and table setting

in the ballroom,

bottom right



these guests is an honour, and there is nowhere else in

the world where I could experience this on an every-

day basis.” He also enjoys having a hand in the kind of

incredible experiences the Emirates Palace commands.

Olbertz says he is proud of the hotel’s prominence in

hosting “amazing cultural events, for instance, the larg-

est Picasso Exhibtion ever held outside of a museum,

Art Paris exhibition, Art of Islam, and the Saadiyat

exhibition, where the 6 most important development

projects involving the construction of Guggenheim, Le

Louvre, Maritime museum, etcetera, are introduced in

Abu Dhabi.”

And at the end of the day, there’s nothing better for

Olbertz when he wants to relax than a round of golf. “In

Abu Dhabi, I managed to link it with business when I

had the chance to sponsor one of UAE’s most famous

sports events, The Abu Dhabi Golf Championship in

January 2009 here at the Emirates Palace, featur-

ing 120 World Golfers known from various countries

around the globe. The event was seen by millions of

people through live coverage and was great success.”

Olbertz spent the early part of January planning heav-

ily for the Emirates Palace golf event that featured 120

golfers from 29 countries. He then quickly changed

gears from sportswear to business suits and spent part

of February welcoming Lebanese President Michel

Suleiman to the hotel.

Like his guests, Olbertz has an international back-

ground and lifestyle, and his favorite getaway is back

home in Europe, as with many expats. “I have a town

home in Vienna and a country home in Majorca. I am

fortunate to be able to enjoy the dynamism of Abu

Dhabi, peace and serenity of Majorca and of course as

a European, Vienna offers me a great European city

experience of an historical capitol city.”

And though he’s running one of the best hotels in

the world, Olbertz is quite sure that things can get even

better. He wants to see the Emirates Palace become

established as the indisputable top resort in the field

of hospitality. He sees “Emirates Palace being the cul-

tural centre of UAE and the Middle East, and one of the

worlds most luxurious resorts and world class venues for

meetings and conferences.”

If Emirates Palace wasn’t that already, our bets are

on Olbertz to make it so. n


EzardHouse.indd 1 16/3/09 10:30:26

100 Thousand Club100

BERRO:feb09 16/03/2009 09:26 Page 100


SpeedingLEGENDARY DRIVERS, HIGH-PROFILE TRACKS, MILLIONS OFSCREAMING FANS, AND HIGH-SPEED CARS RACING TOWARDS THEULTIMATE IN PRIZE MONEY—in the Middle East this year the excitement isn’t aboutNascar, and it’s not about Formula One. Since January of 2008, it’s all about Speedcar. After a

smashing success of a first season, Speedcar has come back with more races, better drivers, and

faster cars than ever before. The race is a stock car series, meaning that the custom-built cars

are all custom-built for the series, with identical engines, chassis, fuel, and tires to ensure there

are no mechanical advantages. The 200 kilometer races are a two-day event, providing fans

with more than 6 hours of racing excitement. As the winter season is nearing its end in mid-April,

we spoke with the Operations Director for the series, Claudio Berro, about his first year man-

aging the series and his plans for the future.

Hired in advance of the December season start, Berro arrived right in the thick of things. “I

was invited by the Union Properties board to stay a week in Dubai during a round of testing be-

fore the second season began. By the end of the week I was convinced and I wanted to be part

of the project.” He arrived on the scene with over a quarter of a century’s work experience in

the world of motor sport including having served as Sporting Director of Peugeot-Italy, Team

Manager and Press Officer of Ferrari F1 and then General Manager of Maserati and Fiat-Abarth

respectively. Well-respected in the international car and racing community, Berro had a uniquely

perfect background necessary to take over an organization of this kind.

AHEAD

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CArlton.indd 1 16/3/09 10:19:42

He was intrigued by the way the series was positioned to grow in the

Middle East region, which has seen its racing fans expand in both num-

ber and passion in recent years “The Speedcar Series was conceptual-

ized in 2007 to create an important racing series in the Middle East and

Asia regions to cater to the growing interest in motor sport.” Berro saw

is as an interesting counterpoint to more established race series in the

region, with its youthful energy and focus on speed. “Formula One is

the pinnacle of motor sport and there is no comparison between the two.

Speedcar is a stockcar racing series and our V8 custom designed and

built cars as well as some of the most famous F1 drivers has a fan fol-

lowing of its own.”

Berro compares his role in the organization to that of an orchestra

conductor: “. I’m here to oversee and coordinate the various working

parts of Speedcar Series and the staff that makes it happen.” A large

part of their efforts this season involved expanding recognition of the se-

ries into nearby markets, an exciting new development for them. “To

promote Speedcar Series in the GCC it is important for us to race on new

circuits which we are doing this weekend in fact by running our first ever

night race on the Losail International Circuit in Qatar which we will also

be racing on for the first time.” There are no plans for the series to

change its focus, however, as they feel it is perfectly situated where it is.

“The Speedcar Series was conceptualized and born in Dubai. Dubai is

a new and exciting city. Logistically, its geographical location is perfect

for us to operate from and target the Middle East and Asia,” says Berro.

The 2009-2010 Speedcar season will continue to try and build on

those changes in every direction. The winter racing series is currently in

its second season, running from December ’08 to April ’09, and the third

season will be between ’09 and ’10. “We’d like to improve the next season

by adding new circuits to our race calendar like Abu Dhabi for example.

We also plan to make the Series a lot stronger in the Middle East region,”

says Berro, adding that “we do not plan to expand the Series to other coun-

tries other than the ones we race in at the moment.” Other changes may

be afoot in the cars, if not in the choice of tracks, as Berro emphasizes

that, “we’re always open to new drivers and drivers from other continents

like America and Australia would be very welcome.” The series has had

a great deal of success attracting some real racing stars to this very young

series, including crowd-pleasing drivers like Jean Alesi, Johnny Herbert,

Heinz Harald Frentzen, and other Formula One alumni, and this has been

an integral part of its growth. “I think the appeal to the drivers is that they

have to tame a Speedcar which is a new kind of vehicle for most of them

Clockwise from top left: Johnny Herbert (GBR) exits his pit for the start of a race;Claudio Berro presents Heinz-Harald Frentzen (GER) with a cheque for pole position;Programme autographed by drivers; Hasher Al Maktoum (UAE) on the grid.

BERRO:feb09 16/03/2009 09:26 Page 103

to be racing in. Also, every Speedcar is exactly the same in every way with

no aerodynamics or electronic aids. Ultimately, it comes down to each dri-

ver’s pure driving talent and instinct. Apart from being a great car to drive,

the Series also provides a lot of overtaking opportunities and makes for an

exciting race for the audience.”

Taming those cars should be no simple task, especially since the re-

design after the first season. “The testing of the new cars went very well

and we recorded a better performance when compared to the cars we ran

in the first season. The new cars are composite-paneled – it’s stronger

and makes for a “stronger race”. The new engines are 620 bhp with re-

cently introduced fuel injected,” and a number of other technical ad-

justments have been made to give the cars the individuality they need

to stand out in the crowd of racing series. “All in all, the changes we

have made to the car have been a good step in the evolution of the Se-

ries. The drivers are also pleased with the modifications,” adds Berro.

The cars are by no means foolproof, though, and provide a full comple-

ment of racing drama. In a recent bout at Losail in Qatar, Jean Alesi was

forced to drop out due to a power steering failure, and a mechanical fail-

ure in Marco Melandri’s car was the only thing keeping him from a

shocking upset over Vitantonio Liuzzi, the eventual winner. This is par

for the course in any race, however, and the drivers genuinely seem to

enjoy battling it out for the finish in their racing machines.

While racing has always been popular in the region, the world of high-

speed car racing has often been associated with the thriving economy. The

Speedcar Series seeks to overcome that stigma, and thus far has been suc-

cessful. “The Speedcar Series is growing in popularity and we are a Series

for the people,” says Berro with pride. “We encourage an open door pol-

icy with the fans where they have the opportunity to meet the drivers and

see the car up close in the pits – actually touch, smell and experience

motor racing up close rather than from a grandstand. At the last race in

Dubai in December we had 1,200 spectators, and that doesn’t even hap-

pen at football matches.” Fortifying this popularity is the presence of some

up-and-coming local talent, making the ability of the fans to feel close to

the drivers even more personal. “Sheikh Hasher Al Maktoum, who is one

of our youngest drivers, currently stands 6th in the points scale and all

the drivers ahead of him are F1 drivers. We have a lot of talent in the driver

line-up and it is a very good experience for our younger drivers to be pit-

ted against the more experienced F1 drivers.” While Berro refuses to pick

a favorite for this season or the next, of the young Sheikh he will say that,

“He is managing to hold his own in the big boys club and the young Sheikh

is definitely one to watch this season.” n

From top: Vitantonio Liuzzi (ITA) on the grid with Saeed Khalfan (UAE) Chairman of Dubai Autodrome;Speedcar Series grid girls capture the crowd’s attention; UP Team mid-race; Race winner VitantonioLiuzzi (ITA) UP Team celebrates on the podium, third round, Losail International Circuit, Qatar.

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RAFFLES AD:6NOV07 16/3/09 10:44 Page 10114

107100 Thousand Club

With superb, landmark hotels that look like ships

in full sail, sky-scrapers that tear through the sand

to reach up to a cloudless-blue, and swarms of lim-

ousines that line its sun-kissed streets, there are

few places in the world that can match the scale of

growth that Dubai has witnessed in recent years.

Today, a trip to Dubai is synonymous with

luxury and beauty, and to go shopping in Dubai

is like experiencing the touch, taste, and vision of

that beauty. In just a few short years, it has become

a shopping destination for the international jetset,

attracted to the unique blend of Western designers

and Eastern fl air. Take the Dubai Mall, for instance,

which opened in November last year with about 600

retailers, marking it as the world’s largest-ever mall

opening in retail history. Sprawling over 12 million

square feet, the Dubai Mall has between 10 and

15 distinct, so-called, ‘malls-within-a-mall’, and

includes the world’s largest Gold Souk; the 850,000

square foot Fashion Catwalk atrium; Fashion Island

Avenue, with 70 fl agship stores dedicated to haute

couture; the Middle East’s fi rst Galeries Lafayette

department store; the region’s fi rst SEGA indoor

theme park; KidZania, a 80,000 square foot chil-

dren’s ‘edu-tainment’ centre; a 22-screen Cineplex,

the largest in Dubai; and The Grove, an indoor/

outdoor streetscape with a fully retractable roof.

The Mall itself is situated at the foot, and is an in-

tegral part, of the Burj Dubai, which takes the title

of being the tallest man-made structure ever-built,

despite being incomplete.

WTHE BEST OF ALL WORLDS

SHOPPING_DUBAI_100TC.indd 107 16/3/09 08:52:34


already earmarked for tourist development,

with the construction of a museum, cultural

centre and an art gallery showcasing local

talent, the area’s archaic beauty becomes

even more exceptional.

Further aspects of Dubai’s old culture

can be found by visiting places around the

Creek, which splits Dubai into two halves,

Bur Dubai and Deira. The buildings lining

the Bur Dubai side of the Creek provide the

main flavor of the old city, with the Heritage

Village offering a simulacrum of old Dubai.

The adjoining Diving Village offers exhibits

on pearl diving and fishing, while forming

being purchased, especially when paying by

cash. A pleasant atmosphere also provides

an ideal escape from the overcrowded streets

located nearby. The street is home to many

premier resort hotels, making the scene an

exciting mix of tourists and locals.

A trip to the bustling market and cultural

area of Bastakiya is also a must. This area is

known as the original, old city of Dubai and

represents just one percent of the modern city

to which we are now accustomed. Bastakiya

is filled with traditional courtyard houses and

classic wind towers, which offer a look at how

Dubai looked in yesteryear – and with the area

But while the millions of square feet of

shopping space is as impressive as it is expan-

sive, the somewhat futuristic-sounding list

of features is surely not for everyone tastes.

Thankfully, smaller boutiques are still pres-

ent – offering an equal sustenance in luxury

and opulence as any of Dubai’s uber-malls. On

the Jumeirah Beach Road, for example, fash-

ionable designer wear and stylish brand-name

clothing is in abundance, arranged in a series

of small shopping plazas. The area is also well

known to those shoppers who are hunting for

a bargain, as it is customary to negotiate with

store employees for the best price on items



part of an ambitious plan to turn the entire

Shindagha area into a cultural city, recreating

life in Dubai as it was in days gone by. While

this doesn’t have the same pull for tourists as

the perfunctory shopping paradise, it is well

worth a look for boutiques and stores that may

offer unique and authentic items.

Nonetheless, for all the beauty that ‘old’

Dubai has to offer, it is the imagination and

creativity of Dubai’s newest shopping centres

that are city’s calling card. Similar to the

Dubai Mall, BurJuman – located in the heart

of Dubai – compromises 800,000 square feet

of retail space and has more than 300 presti-

gious stores including designer brands such

as Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, Cartier Rodeo

Drive, Stuart Weitzman, Ralph Lauren,

Escada, Christian Lacriox, Louis Vuitton,

Aigner and MaxMara. It’s an impressive list,

something of a Fashion Week’s dream list all

located under one roof, and, as is the case

with all of Dubai, remains unchallenged by

any other place on our planet.

Other hotspot malls include the Ibn Bat-

tuta Mall, the Mall of the Emirates and the

Wafi Shopping Centre: The Ibn Buttata Mall,

for example, is widely recognized as the most

unique and captivating mall in Dubai, having

been separated into six different themes to

represent some the countries that Ibn Bat-

tuta – an explorer and traveler from the

12th Century – traveled to. These countries

include China, India, Persia, Egypt, Tunisia

and the Andalusia and there is a truly varied

assortment of shops as well as a golf-cart

shuttle to help shoppers get around with ease

and comfort. Here, it is most recommended to

visit Mumbai Se, which offers a collection of

Indian accessories, jeweled mandarin tunics

and hand-crafted bags. The shopping centre

also has a permanent exhibition of Islamic

science, invention and astronomy.



During this cultural highlight shops offer

huge discounts, daily car raffles are drawn,

and an extravagant firework display illumi-

nates Dubai’s night sky. The image is truly

majestic. Tourists from all around the world

are lured not only for Dubai’s tax free shop-

ping, but also for all of the events that take

place during the festival, and as a counterpart

to the January event is the Dubai Summer

Surprises, where, for 10 weeks, special events

in many of Dubai’s biggest malls take place,

with themes changing weekly. This program

has a distinctly family emphasis, focusing on

both fun and education.

It is unsurprising that with all this on

offer, Dubai has been called the “shopping

capital of the Middle East”, and it’s an ac-

knowledgement that is wholly deserved. With

so many shopping malls and markets, there is

no better place to find products at unbeatable

prices. Dubai’s numerous shopping centres

cater for every consumer’s need: cars, cloth-

ing, jewelry, electronics, furnishing, sporting

equipment and any other goods will all be

likely to be under the same roof. In many

ways, Dubai is bigger than just the shopping

capital of the Middle East, and more a shop-

ping capital for the world. While it may be

true that other cities instantly come to mind

when you think of shopping – Paris, Milan,

New York – Dubai is hot on their heels, carv-

ing a name for its itself in elegant design,

breathtaking architecture and, best of all,

faultless fashions. n

Best Restaurant, Best New Hotel, Best Spa

and Best Independent Boutique ¬– is located

on Al-Qataiyat Road and focuses on luxury

brands, jewelry and boutiques such as Chanel

and Givenchy. The Egyptian-themed archi-

tecture in the new wing includes exquisite

stained-glass pyramids that shoot enchanting

bursts of colored-light across the floor, and the

award-winning Spa and licensed bars that are

connected to the mall add a new dynamic to the

unabated sumptuousness of Dubai shopping.

If all this richness was not enough, the

Dubai Shopping Festival is held every Janu-

ary, with 2009 marking its thirteenth outing.

Meanwhile, near the fourth interchange

on the Sheikh Zayed Road is the Mall of

the Emirares, which houses more than 200

stores, including international high street

chains, luxury brand shops, boutiques such

as Charles & Keith, and craft shops such as

the ever-popular Al-Jaber Gallery. The Mall

of the Emirates also includes many restau-

rants and cafes, where shoppers can take

some time out of the luxurious surroundings

and unwind before experiencing a ski-slope

and the multiplex, all under one roof.

And the Wafi Shopping Centre – which

last year won awards for Best Shopping Mall,

A girl walks through the aquarium tunnel in Dubai Mall, which covers

the area of 50 soccer pitches


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Allamnda.indd 1 16/3/09 10:15:57


The spa getaway is as iconoclastic as the idea of vacation itself.

To experience a gratifying spa week or weekend is like no other

time away from the world – there’s just something perfect about

a day characterized by the classic white bathrobe and the es-

sential indulgence of massages, facials, and fresh catered meals.

The spa holiday is something that you can get in almost every

corner of the world, but trying out one on the Dead Sea in Jordan

is the experience we’re raving about right now. The relatively new delicious havens of

relaxation in the region are making this natural landscape into a place as deeply soaked

in history as it is quickly becoming the place to get an amazing milk bath soak. Spend

a few days at one of the spas now sitting elegantly along the Jordanian side of this time-

honored restorative corner of the world and you’ll feel so good you’ll swear you could walk

on water – or hey, at least we can promise you’ll float pretty spectacularly.

The Dead Sea has been an iconic healing destination since ancient times. Some

previous notables who have visited its shores include Cleopatra and Herod the Great. It’s

one of the saltiest bodies of water on earth, so no fish live there. Instead, people flock to

the Dead Sea shores to bob in the water as if sitting in scores of floating armchairs and

to revel in the restorative properties this area offers. The water and mud here are mineral Spa

S in

Jo

rd

an

Jordan Spa.indd 114 16/3/09 10:02:53

ParkHotel.indd 1 16/3/09 10:34:34


rich and said to improve skin and overall health. And, because of a mix of low pollution

and a high barometric pressure, just breathing in this area is thought to be therapeutic.

These conditions make the Dead Sea an easy choice for a spa location. If you’re going to

get slathered in mud anyway, why not go for the most famous mud in the world?

Most of the spas on the Jordanian side of the Dead Sea have arrived within the

last five years, so this area is a good choice for spa-goers who are not particularly keen

on roughing it. Since the spas are also usually attached to a hotel, pick up a suite for

the night after your body wrap, or choose a multi-day treatment set that most of these

upscale establishments offer and make your sojourn a little longer. Visitors to this region

sometimes say they like to “spa-hop” from one hotel to another trying out the different

options, though most spas in the area offer similar menus. Of course expect treatments

inspired by the Dead Sea and it’s traditional healing qualities. The spas offer mineral

scrubs (many of the minerals in the Dead Sea can not be found anywhere else on Earth)

and mud wraps (Dead Sea mud is thought to improve skin) often inspired by or using

the highest-quality ingredients available in this lowest point on the planet. When you’re

done indulging, most of the hotel complexes also offer several gourmet restaurant op-

tions serving everything from takes on local Jordanian fare to exotic cuisine options that

spin off of dishes from around the region and around the

globe—we like to start with happy hour overlooking the

Dead Sea at The Fishing Club Beach Bar at the Jordan

Valley Marriott.

For travelers who want to jump right in to the ulti-

mate Dead Sea spa sabbatical, the Kempinski Hotel

Ishtar Dead Sea is an inclusive resort option whose spa

will put your senses in a state of pure Arabian bliss. The

Kempinski is arranged in a series of gardens, lagoons,

and lush walkways stretching alongside the Dead Sea

and includes a total of only 345 guest rooms. However, if

you’re going to the Kempinski for its Anantara Spa, you’re

going to want to book in one of the 28 Spa Suites. They

all face the Dead Sea and most have an outdoor terrace

for watching the sun go down in the evenings. Invest in

the Butler service – it’s available for all the rooms and

suites at the Kempinski – so you can make sure your time

Outdoor massage at the Six Senses Spa

Jordan Spa.indd 116 16/3/09 10:02:59


at Anantara is as unforgettable as the first moment you

look out over the teal water that characterizes this place

that’s all about unwinding. The Anantara Spa opened last

November and is one of the largest spas in the Middle

East, so you will probably find the experience you are

looking for while you’re here. Pick out a two, three, or

five-day “Journey” from the Anantara’s menu and sample

meditation, yoga classes, massages, scrubs, and wraps.

The Journey treatment packages will give you a few

good hours of spa time every day but still leave you with

flexibility so you can explore the Kempinski property in

the evening. For a one-day option, try an Anantara Spa

Signature Package, which come under catchy names like

“Solar Radiance” and “The Heat of the Matter” and will

keep you busy for as little as an hour or as long as an

entire afternoon. Anantara also offers yoga classes and an

indoor tennis facility so you can keep active in between

drinking your Warm Ginger Tea and getting a Traditional Thai Massage. Or head inside

and spend some time in the spa’s Watsu pool – a massage bath whose name comes from

putting together the words water and a massage type called Shiatsu. If you like the idea of

swimming in something other than the Dead Sea, Anantara’s lap pool is set dramatically

under a pretty star-themed fiber optic lighting system. Take a few turns, then put on your

terry-cloth slippers again and head back over to the pampering.

For another intensely indulgent option, the ZARA Spa at the Mövenpick Resort &

Spa Dead Sea embodies the natural, quaint village feel of this 5-star resort that comes

complete with meandering stone walkways, a man-made river, and a pretend village

square with restaurants. The spa has received several awards in the past decade – in-

cluding recognition from Vogue and selection as the “Best Spa 2005” by the MENA

Travel Awards. At the ZARA Spa, start off with the minty scented air in the Tropical

Rain Showers. Be sure to take advantage of the Dead Sea inspirations at ZARA, and

soak up the spa’s bath salts and mud wraps made from Dead Sea ingredients. The aro-

matherapy massage is also said to be fabulous. If you’re going to stay for a few days, think

about booking one of the ZARA’s Royal Therapy Suites – with their exclusive entrances

and private reception, they are really the way to go if you want to discover complete spa

Hydro Pool at the Anantara Spa

Jordan Spa.indd 117 16/3/09 10:03:01


decadence in private or as a couple. What sets the ZARA apart, however, is its fantastic

set of supporting facilities. We like to get a treatment at the at the Mövenpick complex’s

spa worth over JD 100 per day so that we can enjoy the complimentary “Zara Spa Experi-

ence” – unlimited use of the spa’s pools, showers, and lounges. The Spa Infinity Pool

Terrace and the Spa Lounge are Zara locations that are often dotted with guests in their

white robes enjoying the warm Jordan sun during the day. After you’re finished, go flash

your new manicure in the Zara’s Hydro-pool, where the view of the sunset over the Dead

Sea is supposed to be unparalleled.

If your idea of relaxation is about a complete escape, a few days at the Six Senses

Spa at the Evanson Ma’In Hot Springs & Six Senses Spa– a resort set few minutes

inland from the Dead Sea along the Ma’In Hot Springs – could be your ideal getaway.

The springs feed the Dead Sea and three waterfalls define the slightly isolated Evanson

Ma’In Hot Springs resort. It’s an eco-friendly place that feels like stepping into an oasis

complete with mossy cliffs, pebbled footpaths, and the constant noise of the waterfalls

in the background. Be sure to eat at the cliff top restaurant where you can sip your

chardonnay overlooking the lights of Jerusalem, and the

more adventurous can try out a meal with the Evanson’s

“Zarb” experience, where you can eat in a traditional

Bedouin Tent in the Evanson’s Olive Grove. When you’re

not eating, the Six Senses Spa at the Evanson will keep

you busy. It’s designed around a “SLOW” philosophy,

and the spa is committed to using local, chemical-free,

and natural ingredients – don’t expect polish with your

pedicure. We love the Six Senses’ sexy steam cave

and getting massages outside next to the waterfall. If

you want to pick out a two or four-day package you can

completely focus on spa cuisine, meditation, and mud

wraps, or pick treatments à la carte and in the meantime

take day trips to the Dead Sea or try Arabic tapas at the

Evanson’s Wine Bar.

For those not ready to make the leap to the more

exotic Evanson Ma’In, the simply titled “The Spa” at

the Jordan Valley Marriott® Resort & Spa appeals to

international tourists with its familiar name and classic

Dead Sea-inspired menu. From fun twists like the Arabic

Coffee Scrub to traditional treatments like the Purify-

ing Dead Sea Mud Facial, The Spa at the Marriott® is

going to be popular with guests who are more interested

in specific services and less ready to invest in multi-day

packages. Director of Spa John Hopp has been at The

Spa since 2007 and has perfected his expertise in mixing

of local and exotic spa options through work in spas all

over the Middle East, in Mexico, and in the U.S. At The

Spa, the sunny fresh water pool with its plush striped

lounge chairs is a good place to relax inside. You can tell

The Spa menu is intended to appeal to both vacationers

and business travelers, with a mix of longer options like

the “Reconnection Couple Massage” (130 minutes) and

quickies like the “Express Facial” (25 minutes). After

you’re finished indulging, book a private afternoon at the

Sunrise and Sunset Terraces so you can have appetizers

brought by a Spa Attendant post-sauna and spend a few

hours overlooking the Dead Sea. n

Jordan Spa.indd 118 16/3/09 10:03:04

MajorcalEstate.indd 1 16/3/09 10:32:10


Nile River Cruising

Nile cruise new:10jan 16/3/09 09:30 Page 120

W


With so many options to choose from, picking out the perfect Nile River cruise ship can feel a lit-

tle like trying to read hieroglyphics. To start, it’s important to note that on the Nile it’s not about

which company you book with, it’s about what ship you end up on. They run the gamut from sat-

isfactory to outrageously sumptuous and come in different categories ranging from star levels to

potentially deceptive descriptors like “Deluxe,” “1st Class,” and “Luxury.” Stressed? Don’t worry.

To make things a little easier for you, we’ve straightened out some of the finer points of the avail-

able Egyptian Nile River Cruise ships here. If you’re searching for the right boat, plan on splurg-

ing so you can be aboard one of the best options on the market – these ships’ amenities,

privatization, food, and activities will one-up most available cruises, and your better experience

will be well worth the money.

A cruise in Egypt is the perfect solution if you are falling into the predicament of buying too

much Chanel cruise collection off-white lambskin at the October fashion weeks (we know you

are). Most cruises sail between Luxor and Aswan and can take between three and seven nights

depending on how often and where your boat stops. Longer cruises may begin and end upriver in

Cairo. If you choose the traditional Luxor-Aswan route, expect to see the Valley of the Kings and

important archaeological sites like the Temple of Luxor. In the days, most boats provide at least

some sort of guided tours that range from very free form to under the guidance of a private Egyp-

tologist. In the evenings, you’ll be onboard making friends. If you have a specific idea about your

trip it is a good idea to call the cruise company ahead of time so you can get an idea of the dy-

namic on the ship you’re thinking about. It’s best to navigate the Nile River vacation search based

on finding the right ship. We put our four favorites below to start you out:

The Ships:The Oberoi Zahra, Luxury Nile Cruiser – owned by Oberoi Hotels and Resorts, the Oberoi

Zaraha, Luxury Nile Cruiser is often cited as the best ship on the market for Nile River cruises.

With a total at 27 cabins, the Oberoi Zahra will give you a floating boutique hotel experience. It’s

the same size as many other five-star ships on the Nile but has half the number of rooms. The

Oberoi Zahra’s two Luxury Suites may possibly be the best accommodations on the Nile, and both

have an attached terrace with a Jacuzzi. The Oberoi Zahra is also the only boat on the Nile with

four massage suites and one of the few that offers a full-service spa. For food, acclaimed Chef

Siddhartha Chowdhry runs the restaurant on board, and the menu changes daily. Regulars on the

Oberoi Zahra say he’s happy to customize dishes, especially during dinner. As other luxury cruis-

ers do, the Oberoi Zahra offers Egyptologists to guide guests on day excursions. The Cigar Lounge

on the ship is a nice place to unwind. The Oberoi Zahra does a leisurely seven-day trip from Luxor

to Aswan and back again.

Sun Boats – Operated primarily through noted travel conglomerate Abercrombie & Kent, the two

Nile River Sunboats, the Sun Boat III and the Sun Boat IV, are both quite luxurious. The smaller,

18-room Sun Boat III is our personal favorite. Book in to one of the Royal Suites with a private bal-

cony, but make sure to find time to mingle with your fellow Nile travelers on one of the Sun Boat

III’s charming dark brown sundecks. Booking on to one of the Sun Boats will get you private dock-

ing at Luxor and Aswan, so you really feel like you’re getting the personalization you will pay for.

A&K also operates the Nile Adventurer, another luxury vessel that is a good option if you are going

to plan a completely personalized, longer trip down the Nile. Depending on what trip you book, the

Sun Boats can take anywhere from 3 nights to 7 to do the trip between Luxor and Aswan.


Pimai.indd 1 16/3/09 10:44:11

Sonesta St. George I – The St. George follows

in the tradition of many great Nile River cruise

ships - it sails from Luxor to Aswan, includes a

spa, and offers nightly activities and guided

sightseeing. However, what sets the St. George I

apart is its incredibly beautiful French design.

The lobby’s chandelier throws pieces of scattered

light on panoramic French windows, and pretty

guests in big sunglasses watch the Nile float by

from the shaded sun deck. You’ll definitely feel

something like royalty on the Sonesta St. George

I. Cruise experts say the main drawback to the

St. George is its size – with 57 total rooms, it’s

one of the larger luxury ships on the Nile River

market. However, the rooms themselves are fairly

glamorous, and the all the guest bathrooms get

high marks because of their Jacuzzis. Sonesta

also offers luxury cruises aboard one of the other

four ships it operates. If you can’t get on the Son-

esta St. George I, we like the Sonesta Star God-

dess as well. The St. George I can take 3, 4, or 7

nights to make the Luxor-Aswan cruise.

MS Triton – We like the MS Triton because of

its famed “Bridge Suite,” a single accommoda-

tion that runs the top of the navigation bridge on

the ship and in our opinion is this boat’s defining

feature. The Bridge Suite’s private “Promenade

Deck” gives you complete views of the Nile River

and your own outdoor space, so staying in this

suite on theMSTriton will feel more like being on

a private yacht and less like being on a larger

vessel. The other rooms onboard are also cheer-

fully decorated and very comfortable. On theMS

Triton, all alcohol outside of imported wine and

Champagne is complimentary. It’s a rare occur-

rence on Nile River cruises, so the MS Triton is

definitely your boat if you like to party the night

away. The ship’s à la carte dinners stand out as

well, though for complete à la carte luxury you’d

definitely want the Oberoi Zaraha. Kerr &Downy

is the main agent that books on to the MS Triton,

but you can also get on board though a few other

operators. It runs four and seven night itineraries

between Luxor and Aswan. �



Although galleries certainly have their place in the Middle Eastern art scene, the

region has attracted consistent interest from major international auction houses, in-

terested in both selling Islamic and Eastern art and artifacts, and also catering to the

fine tastes of those living well in the region, with antique watches, fine wines, and the

best of the world’s art collections. Since technology has made bidding in person a mere

matter of preference and distance is no barrier to purchase, these are our picks for the

auctions to watch in 2009:

Bonhams:The London auction house, founded in 1793, is one of

the fastest-growing houses in the world, conducting

over 700 sales a year worldwide. They are active in

over 70 categories and opened their office in Dubai in

November of 2007 in partnership with His Excellency

Mohammed Mahdi Al Tajir, known as a prominent fine

art collector in the Arab world.

Bonhams Dubai, Villa No.23, Beach Road, Jumeirah 1,

Dubai U.A.E.

T: +971 (0) 4 344 9945 | F:+971 (0) 4 344 9961

Arts of the Islamic World, 11 May 2009, Dubai

The sale will include an impressive selection of

paintings, sculpture, ceramics, decorative arts, and

antiques. The market for these works is thriving and

Bonhams has had success here in the past, with their

$12 million record-breaker last year.

Fine Watches and Wristwatches, 10 June 2009, New

Bond Street, London

The specialist department in London holds two of

these auctions every year and already has some

unique pieces lined up, including a rare stainless steel

Rolex Milgauss circa 1958.

Modern & Contemporary Arab, Iranian, Indian, and

Pakistani Art, Autumn 2009, Dubai

Currently still in the stage of evaluating works, past

works in this category have included pieces from art-

ists like Farhad Moshiri and Aydin Aghdashloo of Iran,

and Francis Newton Souza of India.

A sampling of the regions treasures

Rudolph Swoboda (II), Cairo.85, The Carpet Seller. Estimate$500,000-700,000

Auction Preview2.indd 124 16/3/09 10:09:38


The Rothschild Bucket, mamluk gilded and enamelled glass finger-bowl, mid-14th century. Estimate: £600,000 - £800,000

Sothebys: Founded in 1744, making it the oldest house on our list, Sotheby’s is also the largest

auction house in the world with over 100 regional offices and annual sales of just

under $2 billion. Though their Sothebys.com experiment has closed, they are open

to internet bidding, which continues to increase their visibility and presence on the

world auction house stage.

Level 15, Commercialbank Plaza, P.O. Box 27111, Al-Markhiya Street # 60, Doha, Qatar

T: +974 452 8333 | F: +974 452 8334

Arts of the Islamic World, 1 April 2009, London

Presenting a diverse collection of traditional and modern artworks from painters

and sculptors around the region, Sotheby’s has included traditional crafts in their

lots as well, so bidders can expect a number of highly-valued rugs and textiles as

well as fine artworks.

Magnificent Jewels & Jadeite, 7 April 2009, Hong Kong

A companion auction to the Important Watches sale, held in the same venue in

Hong Kong, this is another biannual favorite. Large stones, antique and estate

pieces, large natural pearls, and colored diamonds appear from private collections

all over the world to be showcased to the international community.

Finest and Rarest Wines, 18 April 2009, New York

One of Sotheby’s best-cultivated departments, fine wine auctions draw internation-

al competition like no other department. Past sales in this category include some

of the highest prices ever drawn for bottles of Chateau Petrus, Chateau Lafite, and

large bottles from several major houses.

Philips de Pury:

Founded in London in 1796, the company has evolved

from a family business to an LVMH-backed giant,

where art dealer Simon de Pury was brought on board

to form its current incarnation. De Pury brought his

company’s focus to contemporary art and design,

jewelry, and photography, and their specialists have

seen a growing success in all these departments. The

Russian luxury retail company Mercury Group ac-

quired a majority in the company in October of 2008,

further positioning the company to expand into new,

growing markets.

Lulu Al-Sabah, Dubai

T: +965 962 1116 | E: [email protected]

Under The Influence, 9 March 2009 New York

Held just after the closing of The Armory Show in New

York, this highly anticipated sale of contemporary art-

works will include a range of young and established

artists, from Terence Koh and Kelley Walker to Damien

Hirst and Ed Ruscha.

Magnificent Jewels, 12 May 2009 Geneva

This auction lives up to its name every time, and has

been a raging success for Philips in the past, selling

extremely significant stones of unmatched beauty,

history, and carat weight.

Kelly Walker, 2002, I see Teddy Roosevelt-Shaped Thing. Estimate $80,000-120,000



Christies:Riding high off the unbelievable success of the auction

of the Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Berge estate at

the Grand Palais, which set a world record for the most

valuable private collection and highest total sale for any

European auction, Christie’s reminded us all why they

are the world leader in the art business, a role they have

sought and maintained since 1766. With the introduc-

tion of Christies LIVE, an online real-time bidding ser-

vice, Christie’s is poised to lead the way into the future

of the auction business, as well as maintaining their core

business by holding over 600 sales a year and opening

new offices all over Asia and the Middle East.

Michael Jeha, Managing Director, Middle East, Level

4, Precinct Building 5, Office 406, Dubai International

Financial Centre, PO Box 506685, Dubai, UAE

T: +971 (0)4 425 5647 | F: +971 (0)4 425 5639

Fine Chinese Art from the Arthur M. Sackler Collections, 18 March 2009, New York

One of the most anticipated sales of the year, items from this exceptional private

collection offers a range of Chinese arts and antiques including a well-known collec-

tion of Chinese classical paintings, jades, bronze vessels, Tang and Song ceramics,

and Buddhist sculpture, to Ming frescoes and classical furniture.

20th Century Decorative Art & Design, 26 March 2009, New York

Christie’s New York is offering 105 lots of premier Art Deco and French midcentury

furniture and decorative pieces, featuring utilitarian master Jean Prouve and wooden

furniture from craftsmen like Sam Maloof and George Nakashima. A group of Art

Deco glassware pieces from Rene Lalique and Daum will round out the show.

International Modern and Contemporary Art, 29 April 2009, Dubai

This sale of Arab, Iranian, Turkish, and Western art includes several works from

private collections coming up for sale for the first time in the region, from some

iconic regional talent including Syrian artist Fateh Moudarres and seminal Egyptian

sculptor Mahmoud Mokhtar. n

A rare small bronze ritual food vessel, Gui late Shang Dynasty, 12th Century BC. Estimate: $30,000 - 50,000


MAtches.indd 1 16/3/09 10:32:28

GEOX ED 100ME5:10jan 16/3/09 09:26 Page 128

The story of Geox’s invention is an en-

trepreneurial story that is almost too

good to be true. In the early 1990s,

Mario Moretti Polegato was working

in the family business, making

wines, when he went to Reno, Ne-

vada for a conference. Between meetings, he went out

walking in the desert, in an old pair of sneakers, the

brand of which he assiduously declines to name. He

felt overheated in the harsh sun, and stopped to use a

pocketknife to cut holes in the soles of his shoes. The

improvement struck him as so good that he brought the

sneakers home and set about developing the membrane

that would be the foundation of his company.

This is the innovation that sets Geox apart, as envi-

sioned by their founder and perfected by their engineers:

“The secret is the membrane insole—many small chan-

nels that let vapor out. These channels are 700 times

smaller than a drop of water, so moisture can get out but

it cannot come back in.” The insole is patented in 100

countries, but the company remains based in Venice,

where it started 14 years ago. It’s now the leading shoe

company in Italy, and regularly in second-place world-

wide, based on their business plan comprising technol-

ogy, fashion, and price, which is in the high mid-range,

making in achievable yet uncompromising luxury. “It was

a revolution to have this kind of success. On the one hand,

it’s the technology, and on the other, it’s Geox’s style—

Italian style. Everyone knows Italian quality and style.”



As we sit in Geox’s newest Miami boutique, in

the upscale shopping area on Lincoln Road in

South Beach, any questions about whether

there is a market for this kind of technology

quickly fade. Not only is the humid South

Florida weather a good reminder that people

need to look stylish in all sorts of conditions,

Mario points to Florida as an important mar-

ket because “it’s an international center. Most

of the shoppers here already know Geox be-

cause it’s very popular in Italy, France, all over

Europe.” And while this week may have been

more diverse than others, with the interna-

tional art world descending upon Miami for Art

Basel, looking out the open front doors onto

Lincoln Road, the jetset is always out in force

in Miami, and both the Lincoln Road and

Aventura Mall stores have been very success-

ful. Mr. Polegato himself is the best advertise-

ment for his products, a trim man staying cool

in the Miami heat, his classic Italian good

looks complemented by a custom-tailored suit

incorporating his own technology. Though not

in production yet, Mr. Polegato simply smiles

when asked if that is the next step for their

newest technological find.

The idea of breathable technology has ex-

tended to apparel, and it appears all over the

store – a subtle, stylized swoop of tone-on-tone

fabric around the neck and shoulders that

hides a system as ingenious as the one in the

soles of their shoes. Anyone familiar with

modern athletic gear is familiar with mois-

ture-wicking fabric, which lines the interior

of the jacket, and channels vapors to tiny

holes in the back of the jacket, but Italian

style applies here too – it must be beautiful

as well as practical, and what is actually a

ventilation point appears to be nothing more

than a styling accent.

Geox makes that style accessible to all

people, for all occasions. More than any other

single-brand store, Geox carries a truly full

range of shoes – from dress to casual, for men,

women, and children. Geox began its retail life

as a source for children’s shoes and clothing, a

market that had not at that point been touched

by adult quality designs. The company proved

its reliability to parents, providing a built in

and trusting audience when adult shoes started

rolling into the store. The design of the stores

are free-flowing, yet clearly sectioned, so a

man browsing for dress shoes is partitioned off

from noisier young shoppers without ever hav-

ing to walk past something that is unappeal-

ingly childlike. If anything, the children’s

section is merely the minimalist adult displays

in Technicolor, a convention which has been

adopted by so many imitators, it is subtly

thrilling to encounter the original.

The company has been extremely success-

ful in positioning their products all over the

world – Mr. Polegato estimates that “1 in 10 peo-

ple in Europe own Geox shoes, and we produced

23 million pairs in the last year alone.” The flag-

ship store in the Americas is in New York City,

a sleek, modern bi-level on Madison Avenue,

but Geox maintains a presence in all major cities

in the US – anywhere business is conducted,

anywhere that draws a sophisticated crowd.

“Technology is needed for everyone,” says Mr.

Polegato. “Geox has a real message – everybody

needs quality leather and quality style.” Geox’s

designers follow international fashion and we

make sure that their designs are comparable.

In these troubling economic times, Geox is

thinking strategically about maintaining and

growing their business. “The economic situation

is bad for retail, but particularly fashion, how-

ever, our price can be maintained.” His business


AGEOX ED 100ME5:10jan 16/3/09 09:27 Page 130


Geox’s designers follow internationalfashion and we make sure that their designsare comparable



sense is certainly something to be admired, and

he has always shown a keen instinct for innova-

tion, grounded in an unshakable faith in his prod-

uct. “When I first got the patent, I searched for a

partner tomake the shoes, but no one wantedme.

I started it myself in Italy with five young people

from my village. We now have 30,000 employ-

ees.” He tells this story with a practiced but

proud demeanor, and indeed several business

schools and universities have hosted him as a

lecturer to present his case history.

Lecturing is just one of the things that

takes up his time these days. “Every day I

move, visit my team, visit the store, and talk

with customers,” and then he’s off to another

city, every few days for much of the year. “In

Italy, I receive guests of the company, I’m ded-

icated 100% to my business. In the beginning,

I was the inventor – I started it all. Now it’s dif-

ferent. We’re very efficient in research. There

are 15 engineers specializing in human heat

movement working in research and develop-

ment, and we have many new patents to protect

our position.” In addition to developing new

technology, they’re also conscious to make sure

that their signature style is appropriate for all of

their very diverse audiences. “There are differ-

ent tastes country by country in terms of style—

we have different lasts, and there are special

collections for Russia and Canada that never

appear in Florida or even NewYork. Our special

projects managers are devoted to visiting coun-

tries all over the world to understand local fash-

ion.” They are currently in 68 countries, and the

goal is to be in the leading position country by

country before further expansion. For instance,

Geox has 65 stores in Russia, and are all over

the UAE/Middle East, with multiple stores in

every major city. “There we sell mostly sandals.

They like to breathe. We have 10 stores in

Dubai alone, including one in the mall with the

ski slope, which I like very much.”

The expansion has been continually trend-

ing upwards since the company was founded,

and their success has been as good for Mr. Pole-

gato as for his well-shoed customer. In Decemer

of 2004, Geox listed 29% of their shares in an

IPO on the Milan stock exchange. Mr. Polegato

retains a 71% ownership stake, and the com-

pany’s share price has increased by 30% since

the listing. All this expansion has been good for

the company, and good for Mr. Polegato – he was

named to the Forbes Billionaires list in 2007.

However new he was to the shoe business, Mr.

Polegato had been developing his business

sense long before he struck out on his own.

When telling the story of his inspiration for

Geox, Mr. Polegato noted emphatically that he

still considers himself “a winemaker, not an

engineer or a stylist,” and his first passion was

for his first job, at Villa Sandi wines, his family’s

vineyard, which is partnered with wine giant

Robert Mondavi in the US, and is run by his

younger brother Giancarlo. Villa Sandi is also the

name of the family home, a stunning example of

Palladian architecture that was built in 1622, and

housesmuch of the family on its grounds. He still

retains many interests and passions outside his

all-consuming focus on Geox, and is well known

throughout Italy for the symbols of his success.

He collects vintage Moto Guzzi motorcycles and

a variety of high-end Italian sportscars, including

two Lamborghinis and a Ferrai 260Modena Spi-

der. He’s also quite invested in horsepower of an-

other kind – his five Arabian racehorses,

including one named Geox, making regular ap-

pearances at tracks around the world, and every

year he organizes fox hunting at his home.

He spends so much time traveling that being

at the villa is a treat in and of itself, with such a

fast-paced lifestyle. “My travel is mostly busi-

ness travel, and my vacations are in the Med – I

don’t like to use the plane for long distances

when I don’t have to. The Med has very wonder-

ful places and I always have many friends

there.” But vacations are far from top priority for

this busy executive, who this very evening, after

a quick cocktail hour spin on a friend’s yacht is

off to Mexico City to visit yet another store. “My

dream is to become one of the biggest shoemak-

ers, and it’s a possibility to realize this dream.

It’s a great opportunity.We’re investing in our fu-

ture and our customers.” �


NYprivateReality.indd 1 16/3/09 10:34:11

Iam a self�diagnosed luxury hotel junkie.

There's nothing quite like the high that

results from an unexpected "wow"

that's been personally tailored and de�

livered in a beyond bustling metropolis or an

especially far�f lung corner of the world. While

my standards may be exceptionally high be�

cause of the number of hotels with stunning

design and amenities I visit each year, I think

most consumers would agree that true luxury

always comes down to one thing: service.

The concept of luxury travel and the hotel

experience that aff luent consumers seek has

certainly evolved over the years and continues

to redefine itself, but what remains constant

among standout properties is their spirited en�

thusiasm and singular passion for delivering an

unparalleled experience with an unwavering

commitment to service. To put this commit�

By Albert M. Herrera, Vice President, Hotels & Resorts, Virtuoso

ment to the test, one needs look no further

than the little desk often quietly tucked into

the lobby where miracles seem to be made on

a daily basis behind a small plaque that reads

Concierge.

But who are these genies whose sharp in�

tuition, vast networks of contacts and meticu�

lous attention to detail make them seem like

the Wizard(s) of Oz on any given day? They

are indeed all human and they all thrive on

providing truly astounding service of all types.

The concierge names that are perhaps most

noteworthy from my experience are Colin

Short, Frank Laino, Fred Bigler and Aldo

Bullo. Those who are lucky enough to know

them personally are guaranteed to take their

experience witin these respective cities to the

next level. Here are a few reasons why you

might want to join them.

CHECKING INWITH ALBER T HERRERA

VIRTUOSO/GUEST EDIT:10dec 16/3/09 09:39 Page 134

Colin Short, The Lanesborough(London, England)

Colin is known has often been referred to as "the

concierge who can." He embodies the indispensable

link that the role of concierge provides to the local

destination and is committed to upholding the hig�

hest standards of the profession. As The Lanesboro�

ugh's head concierge, Colin has an enviable black

book and his catch phrase says it all: "Leave it to

me." Short started at The Lanesborough in 1984.

Since then he's filled innumerable and far�reaching

requests. As one guest once put it, "If you ask for a

giraffe he'll deliver one for you the next day … but

that somehow isn't the bit that makes him special. He

simply has the contacts that other concierges do not

have." Indeed, when it comes to being at the beck

and call of discriminating guests, it's all about con�

nections, connections, connections. And, after ne�

arly 25 years of building relationships and

committing guest needs to memory, you just don't

get any better connected than Colin, which is undo�

ubtedly why he won the 'Concierge of the Year'

award for 2008.

Frank Laino, The Stafford(London, England)

He's connected, he's efficient, and, Lord knows,

he can certainly deliver. After 25 years as a conci�

erge, Frank Laino is known for delivering tickets to

sold�out West End shows with a personal review and

a smile and has repeatedly topped "best of" lists in

the industry.

"A lot of concierge work is common sense and

local knowledge, but becoming a really good one

takes years of handling different situations, odd re�

quests, and wild goose chases," he says.

Some of the most outrageous requests Frank has

received – and of course fulfilled – include arranging

to have a red London bus shipped to the United Sta�

tes, having a tailor on Savile Row make a coat for a

dog, and finding the one place in England that offers

Tai Chi lessons on horseback. He can also arrange

private tours to Stonehenge and various London mu�

seums and on more than one occasion (through his

contacts at Dunhill) has created customized male

emergency kits including toiletries, wardrobe items

and immediate alterations.

The

Sta

fford

The

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Frederick Bigler, The Ritz�Carlton NewYork, Central ParkIn a city where connections are most vital, Fred

is king. When it comes to organizing anything from

a balloon ride over Central Park on short notice or

a back of the house tour of the Met, Fred excels and

takes great pleasure in blowing guests' minds to the

max. He has been Chef Concierge at The Ritz�Carl�

ton New York, Central Park, since it opened in

2002, and some of his most unusual requests have

included finding armored vehicles for the wives of

the Sultan of Brunei to go shopping along Fifth Ave�

nue; get well cards, carob treats and bone�shaped

pillows for four�legged guests; and creating a week

of "Charlie's Angels" for three women celebrating

their 40th birthdays – complete with slipping a cas�

sette each morning under their doors at the hotel

with whispered instructions about the day's upco�

ming adventures.

Aldo Bullo, Hotel Londra Palace(Venice, Italy)Aldo has been working for 50 years at the Londra Pa�

lace and is still going! Having started at the hotel as a por�

ter when he was 15 years old and moved up to Concierge

in 1975, no one knows Venice like Aldo, who is without a

doubt the holder of 'golden keys' for making dreams come

true, especially during the city'smostmagical events where

it pays to be linked to an 'insider', such as the annual star�

studded film festival in August and the legendary Masque�

rade Ball for Carnival.

AlbertMHerrera joinedVirtuoso in July 2004 asManaging

Director of the company's Hotel & Resort Program. A 20

year career with working for some of the world's leading

hotel groups across several continents, Albert has innate un�

derstanding of the luxury market, passion for travel and en�

viable network of industry contacts built over the years.

Hot

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WestinDubai.indd 113 16/3/09 11:08:28

Filming forFreedom

BAHMAN GHOBADI:mar09 16/03/2009 09:24 Page 138

WHEN BAHMAN GHOBADI SPEAKS, ONE THING ISCLEAR: THIS IS A MAN ON THE MOVE. HIS STORY,famous to those in the filmmaking and human rights communities,

began in 1969 in Baneh, a city near the Iran-Iraq border in the

province of Iranian Kurdistan. “We were born with the sound of

bombs. I remember. When I first knew myself I was on my mother’s

back going from town to town. There was never any peace,” he said,

his early years a constant struggle for survival as war raged around

him. When he was twelve, the family immigrated to the provincial

capital of Sanandaj. Ghobadi studied filmmaking at the Iranian

Broadcasting College in Tehran, and he honed his filmmaking skills

shooting short documentaries as he traveled among the Kurdish peo-

ple. “I was watching movies for fun from the time I was very young

but I started watching them seriously when I started working in this

field,” he has said. His first big break into serious filmmaking came

when Ghobadi got wind of a new movie being shot by Abbas

Kiarostami; he became an assistant on the film “The Wind” and

brought the famed director to Kurdistan to shoot there, a formative

experience that would shape the rest of his career. He accomplished

a similar feat with Mohsen Makhmalbaf, serving as a technical ad-

viser and an actor in his film “The Black Board.” With Kurdistan

now officially on the filmmaking map, the time was ripe for Ghobadi

to make his debut.

Ghobadi's short films, particularly his “Life in Fog” had begun

to receive recognition in Iran and abroad, and his first feature film, “A

Time for Drunken Horses” is considered the first Kurdish feature film

in the history of Iranian cinema, and brought Ghobadi recognition as

the country's foremost Kurdish director. This was also the debut

movie of his company Mij Film, founded in 2000 to give a voice to

Kurdish filmmakers, which produces several feature length and short

films every year on various ethnic themes. His second movie, “The

Songs of My Mother’s Land,” follows a father and his sons on a quest

for the father’s first wife through war-torn Kurdistan, allowing his

characters (who were amateur actors but professional musicians) to

amplify the story through their lyrics and music; “Half Moon” has a

similarly music-focused narrative, this time a father gathering his

sons to play a concert in Iraq to celebrate the fall of Saddam Hussein,

a compelling tale of persistence through lost hope. The swelling music

is just one Ghobadi signature, echoing the constant, pervasive sense

of movement and hurry from place to place. Traveling and crossing

borders is a constant theme, the urgency and anxiety of his charac-

ters and plots made all the more dire by the ravages of war that sur-

round them. These films are difficult to watch, but important, as they

bear witness to some of our modern world’s saddest atrocities, and

the artistic community has responded with accolades in respect to

his talent (“Half Moon” won the top prize at the San Sebastian Film

Festival that year) taking him around the independent film circuit as

often as he thrusts himself back into the turmoil of his homeland. He

is active in the world of film festivals in other ways as well, partici-

pating on juries at an astonishing list of independent films festivals,

including Cannes, Rotterdam, and Sao Paolo (where he has also won

awards of his own) as well as winning recognition from human rights

organizations focusing on ethic crimes, censorship, and other issues.

Ghobadi's dramatic and documentary films explore the re-

silience and culture of the Kurdish people who live in the border

areas of Iran and Iraq. In his latest, 2005’s “Turtles Can Fly,” he

takes us into the world of a refugee camp on the Turkish border,

where orphaned and refugee children have created their own soci-

ety to ensure their survival, sweeping their area for mines to protect

themselves and trade in unexploded mines for money. “This film, its

directing, actors, production is all from Iraq. Everything was from

Iraq except my cinematographer and sound engineer and their

equipment. Everything else was from Iraq. When I visited Iraq two

weeks after the fall of Saddam, I had a small camera with me and

could shoot some scenes. When I got back and looked at the film I

saw that a number of children, full of energy, were in that film. Those

children inspired me to go back with a professional camera, a 35

mm camera and a small group. We went illegally because they

wouldn’t let us in.” The children he saw there reminded him in many

ways of his own childhood in Kurdistan: “ I believe that, although

perhaps with its dialogue, my film is about children, these are only

physically children. In Kurdistan the children are only physically

children. Mentally they are adults,” he said. One of the most unique

aspects of his style is that while his films deal with current events,

the names that populate the international headlines are kept in the

background, in favor of the common people who are most often rel-

egated to faces in a mob in a photo off the newswire. “I think it is bet-

ter to separate art from politics, because whenever they mix, the art

suffers,” Ghobadi says; while George Bush and Saddam Hussein

provide the backdrop, the personal is, as they say, political, and

Ghobadi’s tales are more compelling for it.

Currently, Ghobadi is in talks to direct a movie for DreamWorks,

a Hollywood heavyweight of a company, about a pair of siblings

searching for their father, through the history of his three wives and

several countries. The film would take Ghobadi through Iraq, Turkey,

Iran, and Armenia, an epic of the sort that is so well-suited to his tal-

ents, and a project that would likely bring his vision to a significantly

larger audience. The contrast of beautiful landscapes with extreme

and harsh circumstances tell the stories of people facing life and

hardship with in a way that is both honest and poetic, and Bahman

Ghobadi’s passion for his work ensures that their voices will con-

tinue to be heard. n


BAHMAN GHOBADI:mar09 16/03/2009 09:24 Page 139

Just as we highlighted the magnificent acts and

shows that Richard and Padma Coram have

brought to the region in our wonderful feature,

there was one image we felt necessary to save

for a more prominent place in the book. This is

a picture of the Swan Lake production. I think

the image speaks for itself. It’s almost as

breathtaking as the region itself – almost.

We hope you enjoyed this issue. Please

feel free to email us all your comments, con-

cerns, questions and praises at

[email protected].

Final Image:10jan 16/3/09 09:23 Page 140

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