Category: Lifestyle features

FERRETTI GROUP AND OCEAN 360 REDEFINE THE BENCHMARK FOR LUXURY LIFESTYLE AT SEA.

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Ferretti Group, the worldwide leading leisure yacht manufacturer, will take part in the 27th edition of the Dubai International Boat Show from February 26th to March 2nd with a wonderful fleet of 4 yachts, where will be announced its news partnership with Ocean 360, the region’s newest 360-degree leisure yachting enterprise, covering the territories of the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Egypt. The strategic move is destined to strengthen the Italian yachts producer’s position in the Middle East, by extending the customer’s experience of the luxury brand beyond the yachts, through integrated high-end services that cover all needs related to a lifestyle of indulgence at sea. Ocean 360 is the right partner to achieve this, as it is to become the region’s largest 360-degree leisure yachting enterprise and marina management venture at the highest standards of quality. 
 
“Ocean 360 is the ideal partner for us, as it lives up to our vision and our standards that position us firmly at the top of the luxury yachting. Moreover, it is well rooted in the territory, in a market like the Middle East, which is of fundamental importance for our international expansion. We are sure that thanks to Ocean 360 solidity and authority, we will be represented at our best in the UAE, Oman and Egypt countries where an ever-growing array of shipowners and enthusiasts shows interest and enthusiasm for our boats and our ‘Made in Italy’ yachting. Thanks to this agreement, Ferretti Group further strengthens its selected distribution network, made up of over 60 international dealers, which guarantees its customers the highest levels of assistance in over 80 countries” stated Alberto Galassi, CEO of Ferretti Group. “At the Dubai Boat Show, also to celebrate the partnership with Ocean 360, we will showcase some of the most prestigious yachts of our range, including one “Middle East Premiere”, the performance breath-taking Pershing 82, alongside with Ferretti Yachts 550, Riva 100’ Corsaro and Pershing 70”.

The 27th annual Dubai International Boat Show sets sail today [TUESDAY]! Dive deeper into a life at sea by exploring sumptuous superyachts, affordable boats, rip-roaring sea-toys and have-a-go fun for all the family

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The show’s 2019 theme of “Let’s all live a little” encourages all marine enthusiasts and families to enjoy all the sea has to offer –  as doors open on the region’s leading five-day leisure marine event packed with live experiences, thrills and spills

The Dubai International Boat Show is back…and it’s ready to get people taking to the water, by whatever means necessary!

Opening today (TUESDAY, Feb 26th) at Dubai Canal, the hugely popular annual show will welcome more than 800 global brands showcasing every possible route to living your best life by the sea.

Naturally, that includes boats – in excess of 400 – that visitors and buyers alike can size-up, ranging from fishing boats and weekend pleasure-craft, to jaw-dropping 50 metre superyachts, brought to Dubai exclusively by the most prestigious boat-builders from around the world.

It also means the show is a market for everything else you would find either on or alongside a yacht or boat – plus others you wouldn’t even believe existed! From SEABOB’s fastest ever underwater sled; to the Awake Rävik, a 35-mph electric surfboard with a wireless hand-held throttle; or the world’s first active shark deterrent band, the Sharkbanz – it’s safe to say that the 2019 Dubai International Boat Show has every route to your new life in water mapped-out.

The show will be easier than ever to get to. Hop on one of the constant stream of free shuttle buses departing from Dubai Mall directly to the venue, or find your sea-legs early with a cool journey down from Al Habtoor City Station by complimentary water-taxi! The show site on Dubai Canal will have vast car-parking space too, making it a breeze getting in and out of.

Running from today (TUESDAY, Feb 26th) through Saturday March 2nd, the 27th edition of the Boat Show will showcase an incredible Dh1.5 billion worth of yachts and boats. It will host 38 global and regional launches, fitting the needs of all customers, from first time boat buyers to seasoned ocean-adventurers.

As the region’s premium lifestyle event, it will also be home to swathes of unique performances, live entertainment, races and have-a-go fun throughout the week, put together to appeal to all ages, families especially.

It will feature a number of out-at-sea sailing experiences, plus sea-toy taster sessions in its debut WaterSports Village. Always a favourite, the show’s Super Car Promenade will present the most exclusive cars to ever hit the tarmac, as will two brand new hyper-car parades.

Come the weekend, the dial will be turned to ten with a thrilling live fly-board competition, starting at 6pm. Then throughout the day on Saturday, the show’s adjacent beach will be the place to be to watch the rip-roaring International Aquabike Competition, which will welcome more than 70 world-class athletes and past champions from across the world, all coming face-to-face with genuine world titles up for grabs.

Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, Exhibition and Events Management of Dubai World Trade Centre, said: “The Middle East and the UAE in particular has grown into a must-visit destination for seafarers and is entering a new golden era of recreational boating and watersports.

“As Dubai grows as an international boating destination, the Dubai International Boat Show is thrilled to be the hub of everything that makes up the ocean lifestyle. We are seeing more and more newcomers to this vibrant community, and we welcome first-time buyers, dreamers and adventurers alike to experience all that the Dubai International Boat Show has to offer.”

The show is backed by key sponsors, including Dubai Harbour by Meraas, Feadship, Yalıkavak Marina, SS Marine, Gargash and Mercedes, and hosts exhibitors from 41 different nations.

The 27th Dubai International Boat Show takes place at the Dubai Canal Jumeirah, and is open to trade visitors and the general public from 3pm – 9pm daily from February 26th to March 2, 2019. Tickets will be available at the gates for AED 60 each or visitors can pre-register online to save 15%.

Buckle Up with Burberry

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Introducing The Buckle Eyewear Collection – the new collection of Burberry sunglasses and optical frames, detailed with a distinctive gold- tone buckle, inspired by design elements from our signature trench coat.

Featuring a distinctive gold-tone buckle, The Buckle Eyewear Collection is available in a colour palette that references the many shades and textures of The Patchwork by juxtaposing solid colours with different coloured tortoiseshells. The Collection features sunglasses in square, cat-eye and round shapes, with opticals in square and round, both with the distinct buckle as the focal point of design.

DIESEL FALL/WINTER 2017 MAIN COLLECTION

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The raw energy of 90s alternative rock heads upstate this season for a camping trip with a difference.

“Fall Winter is about the energy of grunge in the forest at night time,” explains Diesel Artistic Director Nicola Formichetti. “The spirit of rock ’n’ roll is nocturnal and being surrounded by nature after dark can be a strange experience. A lot of crazy things can happen.”

Styled in a mismatched way, plastic raincoats are worn with silky dresses, whilst stripes and checks are clashed with polka dots and flower prints. The shiny and new is paired with the well-loved – and perfectly ‘destroyed’ denim.

Blue is the key colour for jeans. There are six new washes for men and eleven for women, from the premium Slow Indigo, crafted using artisan techniques to super soft JoggJeans.

Iconic striped grunge knits are transformed by incorporating lace, an element of the precious, whilst characteristic rock leathers, signature zips and knit beanies appear throughout the collection.

The feel of American vintage is present through trucker style, from shearling trimmed jackets to classic red-and-black plaid, alongside elements of uniform and utility.

Patches on classic military bombers, parkas and capes are taken from the Diesel archive, reworking codes of the past and paying tribute to Diesel heritage.

Slip-on style S-KBY footwear is lightweight, flexible and breathable, with a camo-knit upper in both men’s and women’s variations.

Iconic Lisa Corti

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Lisa Corti designs things that she experiences and feels during her many trips around the world: the connection with India, which has been with her forever, her memories of Africa, but also her eastern fascination with China and Japan and her love for Milan and Italian Renaissance art, a passion she has always worn on her sleeve.

Her home collection Spring Summer 2017 is a nod to China, a vintage feel and timeless classicism in perfect Lisa Corti style. Floral and geometric designs create worlds built on stories of lands that are far away but instantly recognisable.

The colours are intense and remain vivid in the memory. They speak of Lisa Corti, but also capture the essence of contemporary style in her Home collection for spring summer 2017.

The new collection offers four new designs, in line with her best tradition, in a myriad of multi-coloured, ultra-fine textile solutions for the home, all hand-printed.

The Damask design has been a must in many collections: Lisa Corti has presented a new take on its faraway origins that date back to ancient China and reach as far as Italy in the sixteenth century, giving it a light feel by adding stylised flowers and endowing it with a chromatic contrast created between the lines and the background.

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For the new collection it goes back to its roots and in the design Chinese Spring, in the two versions Geranio and Mustard, it creates a trait d’union between East and West, between damask fabrics and velvety, multi-coloured silks.

The Camelia design is inspired by a water lily, decorated with spiral shapes that bring movement to the composition. Another flower, with a strong Oriental taste and a sacred symbol for Hinduism and Buddhism, is presented in Ninphea.

Geometric, a vintage print, kept in the brand’s archives up until now gets a new lease of life. The ethereal aquatic flower is set alongside a series of rhombuses that define the fields of colour.

Instead, the Acanto Escher design combines two drawings of the garment collection into one, causing fragile acanthus and geometric patterns inspired by contemporary graphics to interact in perfect harmony – in the best Lisa Corti tradition.

The best-selling pieces by the Milanese designer, including her mezzeri, mandalas, quilts, curtains and canvases, are joined by a new limited edition summer gudri, made of organza, which is lighter and cooler, a fine, shiny fabric ideal for the summer season. An even more prestigious double-faced version juxtaposes a plain edge with the floral print in the centre.

The new ideas for spring summer 2017 also include an accessory for the table. The Camelia design is back, printed on an American mat in masonite enhanced by a gold leaf applied by hand. The new Lisa Corti Spring Summer Home collection represents tradition and also a new style – one that is always timeless and iconic, as only Lisa Corti can be.

British Polo Day celebrates its 9th event in Dubai at the Al Habtoor Polo Club & Resort

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Friday 24th March 2017: British Polo Day, presented by RJI Capital, returned to Dubai for its 9th event. The British Polo Day 2017 Series was launched in style with Bear Grylls throwing the first ball of 2017, but British Polo Day began in Dubai in 2009, in partnership with Habtoor Polo. This was the first time that the event was held at the fabulous new St. Regis Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club. Some 450 guests and VIPs including Khalaf Al Habtoor, Mohammed Habtoor, Mr Ghazi Al Madani Paddy Meade, 8th Earl of Clanwilliam , and Randle Siddeley, 4th Baron Kenilworth came together to celebrate the best of UAE and British traditions.

The UK/UAE Year of Creative Collaboration was launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and HRH The Prince of Wales in October 2016, with the aims of increasing the visibility of the UK in the UAE and vice versa in order to give greater focus, depth and contemporary relevance to the long-standing relationship between the two nations. The unique cultural programme has been initiated to strengthen existing relationships and broker new ones between people, institutions and businesses.

The British Polo Days in the UAE provide such a platform, with the best of British and the UAE on display, with Harrods, Bentley, Royal Salute and Hackett all supporting. There was also a chance to introduce the new British Polo Day global partner, Chelsea Barracks, the exceptional new neighborhood development incorporating 5 new garden squares in Belgravia, London, to the guests. Other new partners included VistaJet and YPI Luxury Yachts, further cementing the British Polo Day community.

The event kicked off with a Cavalry v Guards Camel Polo display, a sport that has its biggest annual showcase at British Polo Day. Next followed a bicycle polo demonstration, a sport played in the Olympics over 100 years ago, with players from the regiments of Cavalry and Guards competing in Bentley and St. Regis Dubai Polo Resort and Club Teams respectively for The Thesiger Trophy.

Mohammed Al Habtoor, Chairman of the Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club said: “It is wonderful to see British Polo Day here at our Polo resort and Club. I was very happy to take part in the forming of this event back in 2009 with my Habtoor Polo organization. I am always glad to see the British Polo Day team come back to Dubai and now I am especially honored to welcome them to our brand new and excellent facilities.

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At 3.15 pm, Stuart Wrigley captained the Oxbridge team, sponsored by Chelsea Barracks, against the Gulf team, sponsored by Vista Jet. RJI Gulf beat Chelsea Barracks with 8 ½ goals to 6.

British Polo Day Dubai’s official prize giving ceremony saw the winning teams collecting the bespoke-commissioned British Silverware British Polo Day trophies presented by Richard Oakes from Chelsea Barracks, James Houghton of British Silverware, and Mr Ghazi Al Madani. The agile Don Juan, ridden by Guillermo Cuitino, was named Jaeger-LeCoultre’s ‘Best Playing Pony’ by Marc de Panafieu, Brand Director for Middle East.

This completed the British Polo Day UAE events, and everyone is eagerly awaiting the 10th British Polo Day Dubai in 2018.

*British Polo Day Abu Dhabi took place on

Saturday 18th March at Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club

The event is presented by RJI Capital, and partnered with Royal Salute, Harrods, Bentley, Chelsea Barracks, VistaJet, YPI Yachts, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Hackett London, Justerini & Brooks, Charles Russell Speechlys, Nyetimber, British Silverware, True Luxury Travel, InterContinental Abu Dhabi, Clinova, Taylor Morris Eyewear, DR Harris, Floris, Cassabo and Brompton.

 

Picturesque landscapes – New Zealand

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New Zealand has to be one of my top five destinations not because it is on the way home for me when I travel back to Fiji Islands but the terrain truly is breathtaking. From spectacular glaciers, rugged mountains, vast plains, rolling hillsides, subtropical forests, volcanic plateaus to miles of coastline with beautiful sandy beaches.

New Zealand has two main islands, the North Island and the South Island and many smaller islands lie offshore. The country enjoys varied landscape and dramatic geographical features and is a popular location for tourists as well as the production of TV programmes and films, including The Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit trilogy.

Maori Culture is an integral part of New Zealand society. Perhaps the most well known piece of Maori culture is the Haka, a Maori war dance that is performed at many important events, including before each All Blacks game of rugby. It is captivating and one of the things we look forward to during the Dubai Rugby 7s.

Like Fiji, Maori culture has roots in the Polynesian islands but Maori natives have their own particular style developed over centuries. Maori people still consider family and community to be paramount and aspects of this can be found in their art, music, dance and dress. Maori men and women are known to tattoo their faces and bodies with beautiful intricate patterns throughout history.

Nature has blessed New Zealand with some spectacular geothermal areas and relaxing hot springs, as well as providing electricity and heating in some areas. Rotorua is the centre of geothermal tourist activity, with plenty of mud pools, geysers, and hot springs in its active thermal areas–not to mention its trademark ‘Sulphur City’ smell.

First settled by Maori who used the hot springs for cooking and bathing, Rotorua soon attracted European residents. The reputed health benefits of its hot pools quickly earned the area the name of ‘Cureland’.

In addition to Rotorua, you can enjoy hot springs and other thermal activity in most regions of the North Island north of Turangi, as well as in Hanmer Springs and the West Coast in the South Island. The sandy beaches on the coast are perfect for swimming, surfing and sunbathing.

If you love nature, visit the Abel Tasman National Park to explore the most beautiful beaches, bays and lush forests NZ has to offer.  The Abel Tasman is quite like paradise and New Zealand’s only coastal national park. Enjoy long stretches of deserted golden beaches, turquoise clear waters with a fantastic variety of adventure activities.

For extreme adventure, adrenaline attractions are plenty in New Zealand. You can leap from an airplane for a sky diving experience, get dropped off by a helicopter on unique and rugged terrain and ski the slopes at a dizzying altitude, jump off a bridge or suspension pod attached only by a bungy cord to your ankles, or ride the Nelson Fly by Wire reaching speeds of up to 100 kilometres per hour.

New Zealand’s Southern Alps have a number of glaciers, the largest being Tasman glacier, which you can view by taking a short walk from Mount Cook village. New Zealand’s most famous glaciers are the Franz Josef and Fox on the South Island’s west coast.

Health resorts and spas are ideal for spiritual retreats, rejuvenation, beauty treatments or as a getaway to improve your health and well being and New Zealand has plenty of these on both main islands.

If you are in Auckland, drive or take the ferry from Auckland City to historic Devonport, explore the naval caves at North Head, and admire the city view. Spend some time at Cheltenham or Devonport Beach. Browse through the boutique shops and cafes and visit the Torpedo Bay Navy Museum, the official museum of the Royal New Zealand Navy.

If you have kids, they may enjoy the Kelly Tarltons SEALIFE Aquarium. An all-weather visitor attraction, you can see the world’s largest penguin colony, over 30 exhibits and more than 80 different marine species.

For a self-guided tour of Auckland City, visit the Aotea Square, which is used for a myriad of activities including festivals, parades and community events. Auckland’s newest waterfront neighbourhood Wynyard Quarter provides free activities for families in the weekends and school holidays as well.

Weather in New Zealand can change unexpectedly. As New Zealand observes daylight saving, during summer months daylight can last up until 9.30pm. Which can be a good thing, as you do need more hours in the day to explore the many attractions New Zealand has to offer.

 

EXTREME OFFSHORE POWERBOAT CATAMARAN TAKES THRILL SEEKERS ON RIDE OF THEIR LIFE AT DUBAI INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW

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Two adventure thrill seekers had a once in a lifetime experience at the Dubai International Boat Show, riding along on board an extreme offshore powerboat catamaran which is capable of reaching speeds of up to 120mph.

Two more lucky winners will make wakes on Friday, with a hashtag-powered competition hosted by Dubai International Boat Show.

Karen Mclean, also known as the blogger Secret Squirrel, and Alex Jimenez took to the cockpit of the catamaran with Brett Luhrmann and Pål Virik Nelson, two of Team Australia’s top pilots.

Jimenez, known on Instagram as The Yacht Guy: “Of all the extreme things that I have done, this was one of the most exciting experiences of my life! It’s a two man operation, so I even got to drive a bit with the help of the pilot. We took the boat out on the water and got up to 114 mph!”

On Friday 3 March, two more winners of the Dubai International Boat Show’s Instagram competition will take a ride-along in the Team Australia Boat.

Winners landed their seat in the extreme boat by hashtagging their way using #dubaiboatshow and #extremeadventure on Instagram.

For more information on the competition please visit: http://www.boatshowdubai.com/x-cat

The 25th Dubai International Boat Show at Dubai International Marine Club – Mina Seyahi is open to trade visitors and the general public from 3pm – 9.30pm daily from Feb 28 to March 4, 2017. Tickets are available at the gates for AED 60.

 

MODA OPERANDI LAUNCHES DUBAI FAVORITE CLUTCH BRAND L’AFSHAR SS17 TRUNKSHOW

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Clutch and accessories label, L’Afshar, launches their spring summer 2017 collection, exclusively on luxury pretailer Moda Operandi. Inspired by her travels and experiences, designer Lilian Afshar creates stunningly sophisticated box clutches with unexpected marble patterns and captivating textures cleverly crafted.

Since her brand’s inception in 2014, Designer, Lilian Afshar’s handmade clutches have been spotted everywhere from Fashion Week to Kendall Jenner’s recent metallic B-day look. With such versatile colours and unique materials and designs, it is easy to see why L’AFSHAR is this season’s must have accessory.

This season it’s about acrylic clutches (and now lady bags) with geometric detailing and an art deco influence, accompany the marble bags, which garnered the brand its high-fashion following.

The piece to buy – the red and white cube print marble clutch.