Month: February 2013
Get graphic with Marchon
Get ‘graphic’ this season with the hottest selection of sunglasses from S/S 13 collections of Marchon Eyewear, Inc. ,one of the world’s largest manufacturers and distributors of quality eyewear and sunglasses.
The company markets its products under prestigious brand names including: Calvin Klein, CK, Diane Von Furstenberg, Disney/XGames, Emilio Pucci, Fendi, FERRAGAMO, Flexon, Jil Sander, Karl Lagerfeld, Lacoste, Marchon, Michael Kors, Nautica, Nike and Sean John, VALENTINO and CHLOE’.
My favourite as always is Emilio Pucci.
My love affair with Damas every Mother’s Day
My nearest and dearest already know my love affair with Damas, the Middle East’s leading jewellery and watch retailer whose staff make me feel oh so good whenever there is an occasion to celebrate. Whether it’s a birthday or a special event.
So Mother’s day is here and little diva always has something nice for me as I have made her aware that the 8 hours of labour I went through was horrendous and that I deserved a medal for surviving that but a small trinket every tear would suffice. The great news is that Damas has unveiled its 2013 Mother’s Day Collection, featuring four limited-edition pendants designed to show appreciation for the most important women in our lives: our mothers and in particular, moi, the best in the world….well at least I think I’m a cool mum. All the pieces feature the word “Ummi”, endearingly meaning ‘my mother’ in Arabic calligraphy, highlighted by a variety of designs.
The ‘Center of My World’ pendant displays a circular motif, crafted in loops of 18k yellow gold, offset by rings studded with round brilliant diamonds. The ‘Ummi’ lettering is positioned in the centre of the piece, representing the mother’s place at the heart of the family. Show your mother you care with this stunning piece, priced at AED 1,790.
The ‘Heart of Gold’ pendant is comprised of a pear shaped design with the ‘Ummi’ lettering surrounded by a halo of hearts, representing the love surrounding the mother, who is the lifeline of emotion. The design is then encircled by exquisite colored gem stones. This gorgeous piece is priced at AED 2,990.
The ‘Love’s Rainbow’ pendant has a tear drop design, accented by round brilliant diamonds, semi precious stones, and fresh water pearls. The ‘Ummi’ calligraphy is followed by vividly colored, semi-precious stones, and delicate pearls representing the combination of excitement and grace that mothers embody. This piece is priced at AED 2,490.
Finally, the ‘Heart’s Delight’ pendant features the ‘Ummi’ calligraphy with larger lettering, in a mix of white and yellow gold, accented by semi-precious stones, diamonds and fresh water pearls. This heartwarming piece is designed to symbolize the mother as the center of attention, and is priced at AED 1,390.
I wonder which one I am getting …HINT!
Wraith …. From Rolls Royce
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has just published the third official image of its new Wraith, which will be launched at the Geneva Motor Show on 5 March 2013….of course Diva gets a preview of it as the images unveil and I didn’t wanna be mean and not share it with the world. That’s just how giving I am…even if it is a door it should get RR enthusiasts excited I reckon.
The graceful silhouette gives expression to a bold and thoroughly contemporary luxury motor car. Flowing lines hint at the extraordinary power and dynamic promise of the most powerful Rolls-Royce in history, yet also highlight design cues that can be traced through the model generations.
Rolls-Royce Wraith evokes the pioneering spirit and lust for adventure that drove company forefather the Honourable Charles Rolls – the consummate gentleman racer. But like Rolls, Wraith will also be steeped in the trappings of luxury and opulence. When Wraith is present, for that fleeting moment, the world will stand still.
The newest model in the pinnacle car maker’s range features a luxurious, contemporary interior to complement the dynamic poise of its exterior styling. Luxury and hand-craftsmanship work in harmony, thanks to the inclusion of softest ‘Phantom-grade’ leathers and expanses of open pore wood named Canadel Panelling.
This contemporary finish presents an interior space that hints at the interior of an ultra-luxury yacht. The horseshoe sweep of Wraith’s cabin also echoes the cove at Le Canadel in the South of France where Sir Henry Royce and his design team spent their winters.
Every possible interior detail has been carefully considered – and beautifully executed…watch this space for more images. 🙂
Indulging in colours with OMEGA Ladymatic
Image from OMEGA Ladymatic
I’m back to obsessing over watches…. after justifying that wearing a Salvadore Dali or Roberto Cavalli once every few months is totally acceptable for diva extraordinaire, I reckon now I can safely look further hunting for my next timeless treasure! The fashion-forward design of the Ladymatic collection, paired with the innovative OMEGA Co-Axial calibre 8520 within each of its timepieces, has become even more impossibly exquisite with the newest models featuring bold, attractive dials…the best bit is it comes in colours I normally would not look at but somehow, these caught my eye: There is the:
- Seductive purple.
- Unique pink mother-of-pearl.
- Striking blue mother-of-pearl.
- Enchanting shaded grey.
Known for its captivating look, the Ladymatic has been a prestigious example of the brand’s style and invention since its launch in 2010. These striking OMEGA Ladymatic timepieces have a 34 mm polished stainless steel case with white, black or rose ceramic between the decorative wave and inner casebody. Each is presented on either a matching satin-brushed leather strap or a polished stainless steel bracelet.
The dials, with their enchanting Supernova pattern, are made even more brilliant with 11 diamond-set indexes in facetted 18K white gold diamond-shaped holders, and there is a date window at the 3 o’clock position. The polished alpha-shaped minute, hour and seconds hands are crafted from 18K white gold and the minute and hour hands are coated with white Super-LumiNova. A domed, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides protects the evocative dials.
The “Brilliant Omega Cut” diamond found on the screw-in crown is complemented by the wearer’s choice of a dazzling bezel with diamonds arranged in a snow-set pattern, or the pure and elegant polished stainless steel bezel. The officially certified chronometers are so reliable, these babies come with a full four-year warranty….are you sold yet?
Stunning new McLaren P1 supercar images at BIC
Somehow, nothing exciting ever happens when I am in Bahrain which has now become a weekly visit at times and yet, the moment I leave, all the fun begins and exciting events and shows happen….naturally it was just my luck that I leave Bahrain on Monday and then get then on reaching Dubai, get the Middle East debut pictures in Bahrain of the stunning new McLaren P1TM, the next generation ultimate supercar from McLaren Automotive in my inbox….tragic ain’t it!
Designed with one aim in mind, to simply be the best driver’s car in the world, on road and track, the McLaren P1TM is one of the decade’s most highly anticipated cars….i remember meeting the cool dudes from Mclaren at Royal Mirage last year for drinks and all they could talk about was the P1TM.
Inspired by Formula 1 engineering, it will offer exceptional aerodynamics, amazing performance and bespoke design for every owner.
The new images of the striking design study were taken at the Bahrain International Circuit – the home of motorsport in the Middle East. Bahrain is the Middle East base for McLaren, and is also home of its majority shareholder, Mumtalakat…. At least we will get to see this car in UAE soon as McLaren Automotive and Al Habtoor Motors’ executives will welcome VIP guests to its UAE unveil at the Habtoor Grand Beach Resort and Spa….soon!
Opera Recital – Arias and songs
It’s the season for Opera….after a tryst I had with little diva a couple of weeks ago at IMAX Meydan (which Tash enjoyed heaps), now Art Sawa is, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility program, hosting another live Opera recital performed by Clare and David Lesser.
The programme includes highlights from some of the most beautiful music of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, including ravishing French songs by Duparc and Fauré, the heart-rending Verismo operatic style of Puccini and Cilea and spectacular vocal fireworks in Meyerbeer¹s Ombra Leggera.
Clare Lesser studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London, Birmingham University and Birmingham Conservatoire. Then, at the University of Sussex, she completed groundbreaking research on the music of B.A. Zimmermann. She specializes in the performance of 20th and 21st century music, and has collaborated with many composers on new works, giving over fifty premieres.
She has recorded Lieder by Wolfgang Rihm, chamber music by Richard Emsley, the works for solo soprano and soprano with instrumental trio by Michael Finnissy, and many other contemporary classics. She has performed throughout Europe, including at the Edinburgh and Avignon International Festivals. She was nominated for the Royal Philharmonic Society Singing Award in 2003.
David Lesser studied the piano at the Royal College of Music in London and then the music composition at the University of Huddersfield. He was Senior Teaching Fellow in Music and Open Studies Certificate coordinator at the University of Warwick (1993-2007). His music has been widely performed in Britain and Europe by Ensemble Aleph, Accroche Note, Linda Hirst, Ian Pace and others. As a performer he specializes in the music of the Twentieth century, vocal repertoire, and has given a number of world and British premieres. He is active as a composer, performer, lecturer and teacher.
Art Sawa is provides a rare opportunity to enjoy these two exceptionally talented musicians performing arias and songs by Mozart, Puccini, Gretry, Duparc, Faure, Mahler, Meyerbeer, Cilea and Benjamin Britten .
Porsche 918 Spyder prototype completes UAE visit
Heard the squealing voice of a fellow Porsche fan last week about the world’s first hybrid super race car, capable of travelling from zero to 100 km/h in less than three seconds. She was calling to check if I was saying yes to an invitation to go view the said car with her as it made its final UAE stop in Dubai last weekend as part of an exclusive Middle East tour.
The new generation Porsche 918 Spyder prototype, dubbed as the super sports car of tomorrow was presented to a VIP audience at the Porsche Centre Dubai Showroom, as part of a regional tour that includes Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain.
Designed as a high-performance hybrid with plug-in electric module, the model is limited to a worldwide production of just 918 individually numbered supercars with start of production in autumn this year.
Rajaram…who was the first car personality I met via the Millionaire Group was quoted …”With a top speed of over 325 km/h, and a purely electric top speed of over 150 km/h, the 918 Spyder pushes the boundaries in developing new technologies for future vehicle concepts.”
The 918 Spyder features a newly-designed 4.6-litre V8 engine producing over 580 hp, and is accompanied by two permanently energized electric motors on both front and rear axles, producing a combined power output of over 180 kW.
The total power output of the V8 engine and electric motors is over 795 hp, and is coupled to the seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK), enabling extremely fast gear changes for high performance, comfort and efficiency.
Sharing the same genes as the Porsche 917 Le Mans, the lightweight, high quality materials of the 918 Spyder keep the focus on what’s important: the driver. Intelligent ergonomics keep him comfortable and safe, with height-adjustable bucket seats, a dynamically rising centre console with touchscreen and a central instrument cluster with three separate dials.
The 918 Spyder continues the super sports car line in Porsche history; as technology demonstrators, the driving force behind emotion and evolution alike and the ultimate sports cars of their decade: the Carrera GTS, the first Porsche Turbo, the 959, the 911 GT1, the Carrera GT.
The new Porsche 918 Spyder is available for order now, with a basic retail price in the United Arab Emirates of AED 3,294,000.
Black Truffles return to Pregos
Yummy Truffle dish at Pregos
A few weeks ago I spent a decent hour reading about one man’s journey on cultivating truffles and how much of a cavorted commodity it has become amongst the world’s foodies who scramble to get the premium and crème of the crop…usually from Italy. Then I get news from Anita that the Black Truffle season is returned to Prego’s, coming all the way from Italy…Pregos (at Media Rotana) is of course my dining house of choice when I have skipped lunch and have a chance to eat on the way home post my workout….its one of few nice places that open at 6.00pm.
Divas…and others of course others.. can celebrate the legendary Black Truffle Festival of Norcia closer to home, as the Italian chefs prepare a limited edition Norcia Truffle menu, featuring a variety of signature truffle creations from fresh goodness of homemade ravioli to a juicy portion of lamb rack, choose from an exclusive pick of Italian truffle delicacies made from the secret recipes of Umbria.
For those not in the know, Black Truffle is a unique type of mushroom, available only for a short period in the month of February and is considered a highly appetizing and luxurious treat….if you have never tried it, my suggestion is that you try it at Pregos first.
The 2013 King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament -Thailand
Monk Blessing…image by TAT
Mark these dates in your diary! Thailand’s largest charity event – The King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament. Anantara Hotels, Resorts and Spas has announced the dates of the highly popular King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament for 2013. According to my friends in the know, this year’s event will be held in the Thai royal seaside town of Hua Hin from August 28th – 1st September and promises to have more nail-biting action both on and off the field.
Last year’s tournament featured 12 teams encompassing over 40 players, including German royals, Prince Carl-Eugen Oettingen-Wallerstein, his wife Princess Anna, the New Zealand All-Blacks rugby team and Thailand’s famous transgender cabaret team Miss Tiffany’s.
To date the tournament has raised over $US600,000 which has been donated to various projects to better the lives of elephants and their mahouts throughout Thailand.
Globalista Extraordinaire 