MEET AHMAD AL HARTHY. OMAN’S F1

POSTER BOY AND UNDOUBTEDLY ONE

OF THE BEST RACING DRIVERS TO COME

OUT FROM THE MIDDLE EAST

Front Runner

inside

PlacesROYAL OPERA HOUSE – A PROUD

TESTAMENT TO OMAN’S ALREADY RICH HERITAGE AND CULTURE...

26

FOCUSIT IS AMONG THE OLDEST PERFUME HOUSES IN THE

WORLD. WE BRING YOU THE GUERLAIN STORY

20

16

Fashion JOURNEY INTO A WOMAN’S INFINITE SOUL WITH GEORGES CHAKRA

58

CARSTHE LOTUS LINE UP:

STUNNING PIECES OF MECHANICAL EXCELLENCE

FOODIT’S ALL ABOUT THE FISH, SAY SHANNON BENNETT

AND JOSH LEWIS

42

32

Up Front

Collectible

Event – OGA

Travel

Food Court

Feature – Porsche Cayenne

Decor

Gaming

Index

The Last Word

58

56

50

34

14

6

62

64

68

70

COVER IMAGEThe VIP Enterance to the Royal Opera House.

Rendering provided by the Project Director, ROH

CONCEPT & CREATIONMAYANK SINGHDEEPA RAJAN

CONTENTGHALIB ABDULLAH AL FORI

FATMA AL ARAIMIMOHAMMED FAHMI RAJAB

SUSHMITA SARKHELEXPERTS

Travel - BRUCE STEWART, ANNE COLBYFashion - NATASHA LUNN, NADIA FOUZIWatches, Pens & Jewellery - BRIAN. TFinance & Investments - K. L PRASAD

Art & Culture - FREDERIQUE. BART

Sr. Art DirectorSANDESH S. RANGNEKAR

Art DirectorMINAAL G. PEDNEKAR

Designer MARYAM AL SARMIPRODUCTION HEADGOVINDRAJ RAMESH

ADVERTISING & MARKETINGBusiness Head - MIMI DEB

Assistant Advt. Manager - FAREEDA S AL BALUSHICORPORATE

Chief Executive - SANDEEP SEHGALExecutive Vice President - ALPANA ROY

Vice President - RAVI RAMAN

DISTRIBUTED WITH OER by

United Media Services LLCSignature is an OER presentation published monthly and released in the first week of every month. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of

the publisher. The publisher does not accept responsibility for any loss occasioned to any person or organisation acting or refraining

as a result of material in this publication. Signature accepts no

responsibility for advertising content.

Correspondence should be addressed to Signature

United Media Services LLC, PO Box 3305, Ruwi, PC 112, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman,

Mobile +968 99849242 Fax +968 24707939

e-mail: signature@umsoman.com/reachsignature@gmail.com

An

PresentationCopyright © 2010 United Press & Publishing LLC

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

17

Considered one of the best racing drivers to come from the Middle East, Ahmad Al Harthy

certainly needs no introduction. Sushmita Sarkhel catches up with him to know more about

the force behind the wheel…Pedal to the Metal

Ahmad Al Harthy’s dalliance with racing began

at the local Go-Karting centre when he was

just about seven or eight years old. He was

introduced to this sport by a brother of his

and back then it was a more of a hobby. He

grew up racing and competing with his friends. In retrospect,

Al Harthy feels that at the time he’d always felt there was

something more to it. Back then satellite television had just

been introduced and Al Harthy would keenly follow the F1 races

on the television, not knowing that he too would one day race on

the very same tracks.

He completed his schooling in Oman and moved to the UK to

pursue his undergraduate studies in finance and accounting. In

FRONT RUNNER

20

21

PLACES

THE SOUND OF MUSICIT IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE GCC. THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE – TAKING SHAPE IN

SAROOJ, SHATTI AL QURUM AREA – PROMISES TO BE A HARMONIOUS COMPOSITION OF

VISUALLY-STUNNING ARCHITECTURE AND ARTISTICALLY- ENRICHED CULTURE.

THE VIP ENTRANCE TO THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE

Thank you for the music, the songs I’m singing

Thanks for all the joy they’re bringing

Who can live without it, I ask in all honesty

What would life be?

Without a song or a dance what are we?

So I say thank you for the music

For giving it to me

Abba

Music is the universal language of mankind. It is the element that binds cultures that are as different

as chalk and cheese. Races blur,diversities merge, and all lines, transparent or visible, come together

to form a symphony that speaks volumes.

It is also a medium that has the power to bring individuals as a single unit on one platform. Take

for instance organisations such as the World Peace One foundation, which is planning the Global

Super Concert 2010. The concert will bring together a host of international music artistes, celebrities

and global dignitaries, and is expected to reach 3.5 billion people in some 200 plus countries. With

multiple live concerts circumnavigating the world via television, the internet, and streaming cellular,

the concert will provide one platform for people of all nations to come together in a worldwide call for

an end to violence everywhere.

Today we are a civilisation that is torn by war, divided by hatred and embittered with the constant

fight for survival. But, at the end of the day, when you and I and everyone else turns on the radio

or puts on his CD player, it’s the begining of a new sensation. The discontent melts as a Rihanna

croons, a Celine Dion sings, or a Beethoven symphony wafts into the senses.

Music soothes the soul. It builds bridges of hope across cultures, nations and people. It speaks the

language of peace and content to everyone of us. Indeed, Thank you for the Music. For, without a

song or a dance what are we?

Keep the music alive in you. See you next issue....

Thank You for the Music

6

For all those water sport enthusiasts looking to experience the thrill of speed, Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) have the perfect answer: Sea-Doo sport boats. The latest state-of-the-art Sea-Doo model additions include the 180 and 210 Challenger SE, as well as the 150 Speedster. All three models,

available at the BRP showrooms in Azaiba and Marina Bandar Al Rowda, provide the required adrenaline fix for those who love water sports activities. Apart from that, they also ensure safety and fun for the whole family!

SPEED MACHINES

Fresh as raindrops and soft as silk, Guerlain’s new Idylle Rituel bath and body line is a caress on the skin. A single fragrance theme is interpreted in four variations for bath and body – shower gel, body lotion, body cream, perfumed deodorant. A complete line in which each and every product replicates with purity and precision the floral chypre notes of Idylle Eau De Parfum. Ora Ïto’s designs for the shower gel and body lotion echo the forms of the Idylle flacon, yet further pare them down, creating the most feminine of droplets, with full hips and a slender neck. The Guerlain range is available at Capital Store outlets.

A FLORAL RITUAL

UPFRONT

THE LATEST AND OUT-OF-THE-ORDINARY…

Available at Capital Store, Qurum 24560973 99811050

RO 25 RO100voucher on*

*

Con

ditio

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pply

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writing instruments , sunglasseshand bags , jewellery , watches

signature style&

A SUPER LAUNCHThe Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing supercar that pays homage to the legendary Mercedes-Benz 300 SL is now available in Oman with Zawawi Trading Company.

The car was launched at an exclusive event, held recently at the Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa. The eveningbegan with fascinating salsa dance routines and a glamourous fashion show. Later, the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG dramatically drove out on to the ramp right into the middle of the ballroom. During dinner a

live band treated the audience with classical jazz music which added a further touch of class to the evening.

8

UPFRONT

GRACEFULLYFEMININE The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust Lady 31 mm collection is an ode to passion and sensuality. It celebrates with brio the marriage of its materials — precious stones, 18K gold and 904L steel — and colours. These gracefully feminine models in yellow, white and Everose Rolesor (featured here) are available with a wide range of dials and decors. The floral motifs on the dark rhodium, and champagne and pink dials are produced using an electroforming technique. The Oyster Perpetual Datejust Lady 31mm is available with either a fluted bezel or domed bezel set with 24 or 46 brilliants. For more details contact Khimji’s Watches.

SMART TALK

As part of its ‘Smart Phone for Smarter Life’ concept, Samsung Electronics has

introduced two new products – the Samsung Wave and Samsung Galaxy S (featured

here) – in partnership with Sarco in Oman. The Wave features the world’s first Super AMOLED display; delivering an unrivalled

screen experience on a smartphone. It is the first smartphone based on Bada platform,

which is rich with mobile applications, new technology and possibilities to Samsung

mobile phone users. The Android™-powered Galaxy S incorporates a 4-inchSuper

AMOLED screen and a 1 GHz application processor that enables vibrant HD videos,

rich augmented reality content through Layar Reality Browser.

ICONIC ELEGANCE

One of the most provocative members of Omega’s redesigned Constellation family is the Constellation Quartz 27 mm watch, whose white mother-of-pearl dial is decorated with a random distribution of the brand’s famous logo. The watch is available in a

choice of five brushed case metal combinations: 18 K red or yellow gold, in bicolour blends of 18K red or yellow gold with stainless steel or in stainless

steel. Its polished bezel is set with 32 full-cut diamonds and the radical dial is enhanced with

twelve diamond hour markers. This playful and at the same time elegant timepiece is powered by the Omega quartz calibre 1376, which has a battery life of 32 months. A 24 mm version of the watch is also available with the same features and 28 diamonds

on the bezel.

10

ETERNAL GLOW Platinum – pure, rare, eternal, and one of the world’s most precious metals – gives its inspiration to La Prairie’s Cellular Serum Platinum Rare which helps maintain the skin’s electrical balance in order to preserve your natural beauty and youthful appearance, giving you that eternal glow. Electrical balance and age-defying benefits helps restore the skin’s natural moisture barrier to provide enhanced hydration and protection. In addition, the serum is enriched with a skin brightening complex, firming agents, and potent anti-oxidants to brighten, tighten and transform skin to a remarkably ageless state. The La Prairie range is available at Salam Studio & Store.

UPFRONT

STYLE & FINESSE

The Baccarat Héritage collection —the latest in a long line distinguished by the Abysse,

Zurich, Majestic and Malmaison services, and inspired by the iconic Harcourt set— derives its chic DNA from the flat facets of the bowl.

With this minimalist décor and pure geometric lines, Thomas Bastide rises to new heights

in glassware with a collection of flutes, a carafe and glasses (three different sizes) that combines past and present with finesse and style. With the look of a suave crooner, the

angular silhouette reaches skyward, defying the mists of time. The hexagonal base and telescopic cut-crystal stem resemble the feline, predatory look of the Empire State

Building, designed by William Lamb.

SUMMER BOUQUET L’Occitane has created a bouquet of herbs, including Verbena, which combine their refreshing powers and tonic scents in a secret infusion, perfect for the sunny season. The new summer collection consists of a forest-fresh Eau de Toilette, a jelly-like texture energetic Shower Jelly, invigorating moisturising Body Gel and to add that special touch to the pamper routine, is Verbena Summer Secret candle perfect for creating a warm and sparkling atmosphere for those balmy summer evenings!

THE THIRD DIMENSION Enjoy the ultimate in 3D home viewing with the world’s first Full LED 3D TV, the LX9500, now available from LG electronics. The

LX9500 utilises shutter glasses-type technology to add depth to the image and uses dual IR-emitting sensors to ensure a wider and longer viewing angle, creating a dramatic and visually stunning home theatre experience. It uses illumination from panels of LEDs

directly behind the screen, generating images of exceptional brightness and clarity, along with localised Spot Control for the ultimate in pictures quality. With its slim and sleek Infinia design, the LX9500 not only draws attention with its 22.3mm slim body, but also

boasts a 16mm super-narrow bezel that allows for fuller and more expansive 3D images. Watch television come to life in your living room with the new LX9500.

LEISURE ON A PLATTER Country Club India Ltd, India’s largest leisure and infrastructure company with presence in Dubai, UAE, is now expanding across the region by opening up a new office in Muscat. Country Vacations International LLC – located at Royal Tower, near Centre Point, MBD – has been set up with an aim to offer Country Club Group memberships in Oman. As part of the membership plan, you will be privy to the huge network of 225 clubs, resorts and hotels including 55 owned properties across India, Sri Lanka and the UAE. Three types of membership Kool Life Oman (a life time family membership for the primary member, spouse and two children up to 25 years of age); Kool Global Oman Membership, and Global Platinum Membership are on offer.

TIMELESSLUXURY The Montblanc Meisterstuck, a timeless icon of design and craftsmanship has been taken to new heights of beauty and exclusivity with the launch of the Montblanc Meisterstück Diamond. Hand-crafted in the best European tradition, the black precious resin writing instrument is adorned with platinum plated fittings and a handcrafted 14K gold nib with a rhodium-plated inlay. The distinctive traditional white resin Montblanc star as the Montblanc emblem on the top of the writing instrument now shines as a beautiful diamond.

UPFRONT

14

LEAN & MEANBuilt for extreme and razor sharp performance in the dunes, desert and wide-open spaces alike, the 2010 Ranger RZR 4 is one lean and mean machine

With a name like Robby Gordon

attached to it, the 2010 Ranger RZR 4

is built to win. Designed for Polaris in

partnership with the racing legend, this

‘sand monster’ is created for extreme,

razor sharp performance and agility

in the dunes, desert and wide-open

spaces.

The Robby Gordon Edition, which is

also the world’s first 4-seat sport side-

by-side, boasts of a 800cc Twin Cylinder

High Output EFI Engine among other

features. The engine has a 60-inch

width coupled with the Ranger RZR’s

patented design that places the engine

behind the back seat for the lowest

centre of gravity. This makes the RZR 4

more agile than most competitive two-

seat side-by-sides and at1,255 lbs, it’s

also lighter than many two-passenger

vehicles.

To help with handling, it is fitted with

premium suspension that includes

the new Fox Podium X 2.0 piggyback

reservoir shocks and chromoly front

upper A-arms. This provides a plush

12inches of suspension travel and 12

inches of ground clearance. That’s

not all, to tackle tough terrain, the

suspension is coupled with Polaris’

true all-wheel drive (AWD) system that

automatically engages when the rider

needs more forward traction and reverts

back to 2WD automatically when AWD

is no longer needed. It also features

graphics from Robby Gordon’s TORC

truck he raced at Crandon, as well as

the No. 7 NSCS Toyota Camry he raced

during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

Labor Day Classic 500. The black, blue

and white theme sports the Robby

Gordon Off-Road logo on the front side

panels with race-inspired graphics,

cut-and-sew seats and Maxxis Big Horn

tires with Black Bruiser rims.

Of course, ergonomics is also taken

care of. For the driver, the RZR 4 features

class-leading tilt steering offering 10

inches of range and a heel pocket for

improved throttle response and control.

The front passenger will enjoy Polaris’

familiar adjustable front passenger

handrail. Rear passengers enjoy

ample headroom and an exclusive rear

passenger handrail. Both front and rear

passengers also get a 12-volt plug in

and two cup holders to themselves. All

four bucket seats are interchangeable

and offer 4 inches of front-to-rear

adjustability making it easy to switch

drivers. For safety, the RZR 4 has four

side protective nets.

All in all, the Ranger RZR 4 makes for

one smooth ride when you want to

rough it out in the desert!

COLLECTIBLE

15

Available at Fairtrade Auto LLC, Muscat

16

Considered one of the best racing drivers to come from the Middle East, Ahmad Al Harthy certainly needs no introduction. Sushmita Sarkhel catches up with him to know more about

the force behind the wheel…

Pedal to the Metal

Ahmad Al Harthy’s dalliance with racing began

at the local Go-Karting centre when he was

just about seven or eight years old. He was

introduced to this sport by a brother of his

and back then it was a more of a hobby. He

grew up racing and competing with his friends. In retrospect,

Al Harthy feels that at the time he’d always felt there was

something more to it. Back then satellite television had just

been introduced and Al Harthy would keenly follow the F1 races

on the television, not knowing that he too would one day race on

the very same tracks.

He completed his schooling in Oman and moved to the UK to

pursue his undergraduate studies in finance and accounting. In

FRONT RUNNER

17

18

the UK as well he’d never pass

up the opportunity to enjoy the

sport with his friends. Then

one day, Al Harthy received

a call from a friend asking

him if he’d be interested in

participating in a 24 hour race

in Oman with his team. “Back

then I didn’t think much of

it,” says Al Harthy. “I figured

I’d racked up enough air

miles so I thought I’d might

as well join them,” he adds

light-heartedly. That was his

first ever competition and his

team performed really well.

Al Harthy checked his timings

and found out that they were

certainly competitive.

The following year Al Harthy

again got the opportunity to

compete and this time his

team finished third. Then

in 2005, just before he was

supposed to start working,

Al Harthy got the chance to

go and race in Bahrain. “It

was really a big deal for me.

Participating as a team from

Oman really felt good.” And

as expected, they performed

brilliantly as a team. Their

lap times were incredible

and they proved to be great

competitors. It was in Bahrain

that Al Harthy got spotted.

He then joined the Middle

East Championship in 2006.

It was the first time a formula

championship was being

represented by an Omani and

Al Harthy decided that there

was no turning back. Time

had come to take the next big

leap in racing: it was time to

turn professional.

Al Harthy says that it was

Hamed Al Wahaibi’s guidance

at that stage which was

crucial. He suggested Al

Harthy go to England and

learn the trade there. The

concept of an Omani racing

team thus began taking

shape. Al Harthy moved to

England and that’s when

Formula Renault began for

him. In 2007 he was the first

Arab driver ever, to score

Championship points and

then later on, the first one to

stand on a podium. Al Harthy

was gaining momentum and

showed no signs of slowing

down. With every year he

kept getting better. Finally in

2009 he completed Formula

Renault as Vice Champion.

“It was a great moment for

me and the Championship

gave me the chance to test my

driving against some of the

elite drivers. Formula Renault

is a stepping stone to bigger

racing events and many of

the big names in racing have

started their careers here,

including the likes of Lewis

Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonen.

So it’s a Championship of a

strong pedigree.”

In 2010, Al Harthy is focussing

on the Porche Carrera Cup.

FRONT RUNNER

“The whole idea of the

Carrera Cup was always in

my plans,” says al Harthy

eagerly. “To be an F1 driver

from Oman by itself is

an incredible feat and I

especially chose the Porsche

Carrera Cup because it is

undoubtedly one of the most

prestigious championships.

It was time to push our plans

further.” Al Harthy will be the

first racing driver from the

Middle East to participate in

the Porsche Carrera Cup. But

that’s not where his dream

ends, of course. Al Harthy

wants to participate in the

Super Cup and be a part of F1

events in the future.

Contrary to what it may seem,

Al Harthy’s journey hasn’t

been a cakewalk. He had

to make some very crucial

decisions and being the first

ones from the Sultanate to

enter a sport like this, Al

Harthy knew it was going to

be hard and was prepared

to face the challenges. And

the more challenges he

faced, the more motivated he

became. “One of the hardest

decisions I had to make was

when I decided to leave my

job as an external auditor

with a prestigious audit firm

in Oman. But I wanted to

pursue my passion for racing

whole-heartedly and I didn’t

want to go down the line and

think ‘What if…?’ It was a

calculated risk and so far, it’s

been paying off.”

Al Harthy’s humility is

refreshing. He is quick to

admit that he couldn’t have

done all this without the

tremendous support from

his parents, his family and

“It’s always important to enjoy what you’re doing. The moment you stop enjoying it,

you know it’s time to either get a fresh

perspective or you’ve come to the end of

the line.”

19

the country. Although his

parents aren’t from a sporting

background, they have been

extremely supportive of his

career and all his decisions.

“It feels great when you get

appreciated for what you’re

trying to do so and when

people believe in you, you

automatically get motivated

to give it your best.”

One of the main messages

Al Harthy has been trying

to get across is that there

are a lot of safety measures

that are taken while racing.

“The whole environment is

controlled. We wear protective

gear and have six seatbelts

strapping us down. It’s not

the same on the streets and

it’s never safe to speed. I’m

focussing on spreading

road safety awareness. It is

important to remain calm and

relaxed on the road. There’s

no need to seek out the thrill

that speed brings, leave that

for the tracks.”

Al Harthy is a die-hard sports

fan and when he’s not racing

or watching football matches

he can be found playing with

his PlayStation (racing, of

course!). He hopes to open up

the path for aspiring drivers

who want to make a mark

in the sport and strongly

believes that one should

believe in what one does.

“It’s always important to

enjoy what you’re doing. The

moment you stop enjoying it,

you know it’s time to either get

a fresh perspective or you’ve

come to the end of the line.”

Well, we certainly hope to see

more of Ahmad Al Harthy, and

hope that he enjoys racing for

a long, long time to come!

“It feels great when you get appreciated for what you’re

trying to do so and when people believe in you, you

automatically get motivated to give it your best.”

20

PLACES

THE SOUND OF MUSIC

IT IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE GCC. THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE – TAKING SHAPE IN SAROOJ, SHATTI AL QURUM AREA – PROMISES TO BE A HARMONIOUS COMPOSITION OF

VISUALLY-STUNNING ARCHITECTURE AND ARTISTICALLY- ENRICHED CULTURE.

21

THE VIP ENTRANCE TO THE ROYAL OPERA

HOUSE

22

Johann Sebastian Bach once said that the aim and final end of all music should

be none other than the refreshment of the soul. And nowhere does the legendary

German composer’s statement ring truer than in the case of Sultanate of Oman.

Under the wise leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said, Oman has

always been one of the most dedicated patrons of art and music.

It is no wonder then that, as per His Majesty’s directive, a grandiose and opulent

tribute to music and theatre is taking shape on an 80,000sqm plot in Sarooj,

Shatti Al Qurum area. Yes, we are talking about the Royal Opera House (ROH)

that promises to be a national monument, which will add to Oman’s already rich

heritage and culture.

The project, which is being supervised by the Royal Court Affairs, was launched

in April 2007 and is slated for completion towards early 2011. Engr. Hamid

Abdulla Al Ghazali – Project Director of the ROH – says, “The project is HM’s gift

to the nation and will be used for various high profile activities, be they operatic,

plays or musical performances; the intention is to have an active centre.”

Al Ghazali, who is very passionate towards the completion of HM’s vision, feels

PLACES

23

the project will be a milestone

in Omani cultural history.

“HM has been following the

progress of the project closely.

He has appointed a high

profile steering committee

to overlook the project. We

report regularly to them. They

conduct site inspections and

provide intense follow ups in

order to achieve the objective

under strict standards.”

In fact, every single detail has

been looked into intricately. So

much so, that even the design

concept was selected through

an international competition

with entries from world

renowned consultants and

specialists in the field. The

contest was tough one and

naturally the winning concept

design, by International

design firm Wimberly Allison

Tong & Goo (WATG), was a

class apart.

The architecture of the

Opera House is a stunning

fusion of contemporary and

traditional Omani designs.

It uses traditional forms of

colonnades, terraces and

sculptural tower forms, and is

finished in Omani

desert rose stone and

complementary stucco.

One of the most distinctive

features of the project is

that the concert hall’s shell

is a mobile structure that

can be detached to allow an

adjustable proscenium to

drop into place to create a

traditional theatre format. The

building design has evolved

with these large moving

structures to create a unique

adaptable volume, which

gives the venue unparalleled

natural acoustic potential.

First of its kind in the GGC

region, the Opera theatre

will have a total seating

capacity of 1,100 with a 32m

high fly tower, which will use

state-of-the-art technology to

usher in dramatic theatrical

background effects to create

a magical vision for the

audience. Other prominent

features include a Royal Box,

VIP seating and three balcony

levels on both sides.

The main entrance to this

imposing structure is from

the south with the eastern

entry reserved for VIPs who

will be able to drive right up

to the gates. For the general

public, the entrance is through

a designated car park, which

can accommodate 550 cars.

The Front elevation of the Royal Opera House

An ariel view of the Royal Opera House

The Auditorium in Theatre Mode

24

Surrounded by a lush

landscaped garden, which

will make up 50 per cent of

the plot area, the project also

includes The Opera Mall

under construction, which will

consist of a commercial centre

divided into three sections; a

high quality retail centre, five

star quality restaurants and

an Arts exhibition gallery.

That’s not all. Even the

surrounding Shatti Al Qurum

area has been developed to

receive the first three-lane

boulevard in the country

between the Ministry of

Foreign Affairs roundabout

and the Intercontinental

Hotel traffic intersection.

Additionally on the southern

side of the Opera House, a belt

road has been constructed

enabling direct excess to the

new parking facility and to the

Sultan Qaboos Highway.

According to Al Ghazali,

“The Royal Opera house is

something that will make the

GCC countries proud and

will be a route for cultural

exchange with the world;

I hope it is going to add a

positive print on to the

world map.”

Indeed, as the Opera House

shall reverberate with the

compositions of Mozart and

Bach and play host to visual

extravagances of well-known

ballets and performances,

the sound of music that shall

emanate from this towering

edifice of national heritage

will be heard and marvelled

at across the world. And, we

can’t wait to be there when

that happens

The Garden View

The auditorium in Concert Mode

PLACES

All images have been provided courtesy the Project Director of the ROH and are

illustrations of what the project will look like when completed.

26

FOCUS

The DNA of

SuccessSIGNATURE FOLLOWS THE GUERLAIN TRAIL OF FRAGRANCE THAT HAS BEEN MESMERISING THE WORLD SINCE 1828...

28

Among the oldest perfume

houses in the world,

Guerlain’s creative audacity

has been such that it has time

and again opened the doors to

a world of fantasy that allows

us to travel through space and

time. Beauty – as defined by

Guerlain – has always been in

the promise of sensuality and

that has, perhaps, been the

secret of this perfume house’s

rise to phenomenal brand

status.

But, when did it all begin?

It all began with Pierre-

François-Pascal Guerlain’s

birth in 1798. His father was a

‘spice merchant and pewter

potter’ and it was growing

up with these scents all

around him that initiated and

perfected Pierre-François-

Pascal’s ‘nose’. He left home at

19 to become a perfume and

cosmetics representative for

the great firms of the period

– Dissey, Jean-Marie Farina

and Briard and later studied

medicine and chemistry in

England.

With his sights set on

establishing his own firm,

Pierre-François-Pascal opened

his first shop on the ground

floor of the Hôtel Meurice,

42 Rue de Rivoli in 1828. At

the same time, he set up

his factory, the ‘Fabrique

de l’Etoile’, near the Arc de

Triomphe, to develop and

make his own products. In

the 1830s, the fashion was for

light, fresh, floral scents and

Pierre-François-Pascal started

to add personal touches to

his compositions. He would

design a perfume for a special

occasion, eaux de toilette and

scents for prominent figures

in society, like Bouquet du

Comte d’Orsay and Bouquet

de la Duchesse de Richmond.

Balzac even asked him to

compose an eau de toilette

before writing his novel,

César Birotteau.

In 1839, he opened a second

shop at 11 Rue de la Paix

(changed to number 15 in

1840). Even though the street

was still poorly cobbled, he

had the foresight to realise

that it would very soon

become one of the finest

streets in Paris. Guerlain

kept this address for 74 years.

By 1842, Guerlain was the

purveyor of perfumes to all

the courts of Europe. Queen

Victoria, the Queen of Hungary

and even the Tsar of all Russia

awarded him their patronage.

In 1853, Pierre-François-

Pascal was appointed Official

Supplier to the Empress

Eugenie, for the brilliant Eau

de Cologne Impériale, which

he designed exclusively

for her. Pierre-François-

Pascal commissioned his

glassmakers, Pochet &

Du Courval, to design the

emblematic bee bottle for the

occasion.

On his death in 1864, his

eldest son Aimé, then 31 took

over as the firm’s perfumer

while his brother Gabriel

took charge of the business

side. Aimé’s first creations

were in the same spirit as his

father’s, above all reflecting

the fashion for perfumes that

capture the spirit of a flower

or bouquet. Along these lines,

he composed Bouquet de

l’Exposition for the Universal

Exhibition of 1867; a few years

later Pao Rosa, Fleurs de

Lavande and Toutes Fleurs.

In 1889 came a fragrance that

broke completely with the

conventions of perfumery,

earning its creator a place

in the history books: Jicky.

Initially shunned by women,

it was adopted by men. Jicky

marked a vital step in the

history of perfume-making

because, for the first time, it

included synthetic materials

like coumarin, vanillin and

linalol.

A year after Jicky’s launch,

16-year-old Jacques Guerlain

created his first perfume:

Ambre. The perfumes he

created in his youth were

inspired by the works of his

uncle who had been training

him for several years: Le

Jardin de mon Curé (1895), Dix

pétales de rose (1897), Tsao

Ko in 1898 and Voilà pourquoi

j’aimais Rosine in 1900.

Jacques, curious and intuitive

like all the Guerlains, was

interested in the new synthetic

molecules that appeared in

the 1920s. In 1925, Shalimar

paved the way for the great

orientals, thanks to the

inclusion of ethyl-vanillin

which intensified the natural

FOCUS

Jacques Guerlain Aimé Guerlain Pierre-François-Pascal Jean-Paul Guerlain

29

vanilla scent. Throughout

his long career, he composed

more than 400 fragrances. He

later took his grandson, Jean-

Paul, under his wing in 1955

and made of him a worthy

successor. In the winter of

1955, less than a year after

beginning his apprenticeship,

Jean-Paul managed to bluff

his grandfather by recreating

the exact scent of a daffodil;

a feat that earned him his

passport to a career as a

perfumer.

The first fragrance Jean-Paul

alone created, in 1959, was

also an ode to a raw material:

the simply-named Vetiver,

the first men’s fragrance

Guerlain had launched since

Mouchoir de Monsieur. An

adventurer seeking the finest

olfactory treasures, Jean-Paul

travelled all over the world,

as far as Tibet when perfumes

still contained Tonkin musk

(raw materials from animal

sources are now banned).

He went to India to select

the finest sandalwood, to

Haiti for the best vetiver and

to the Comoros – where he

has his own plantation – for

ylang-ylang and vanilla.

In 2007, Jean-Paul’s quest

for the perfect vanilla was

encapsulated in the exquisite

Spiritueuse Double Vanille.

Jean-Paul shares his

grandfather’s love of nature

and wide-open spaces,

art and tributes to women.

Jacques confided to his pupil

the precious secret that one

always creates a perfume for

the woman in one’s life. Jean-

Paul has made it a precept

and decided to extend it to

include women he admires.

As a tribute to all women, he

also created Chamade in 1969

and Jardins de Bagatelle in

1983. With Samsara (1989), he

won the heart of the love of

his life. He had met her at an

equestrian event, for horse

riding is another of Jean-Paul’s

passions. An outstanding

rider, he was inspired by the

equestrian world to create

Habit Rouge, in 1965. In 2002,

Jean-Paul Guerlain decided

to devote himself more to

his interests and his family.

Today, he acts as consultant

to the Chairman, oversees

the quality of the natural

ingredients and continues to

create fragrances. For, as a

true artist, he always has the

dream of a perfume in mind.

The legacy, however, is

carried on by Thierry Wasser

who has been the perfumer

at Maison Guerlain since

June 2008. His appointment

upholds Guerlain’s philosophy

of entrusting its olfactory

creations to an inhouse ‘nose’,

a tradition that has lasted

almost 180 years. A leading

figure in the contemporary

perfume industry, Wasser

created Iris Ganache and

Quand vient la pluie for the

perfume house in 2007 (before

his appointment). He now

works in close collaboration

with Jean-Paul and has

created perfumes such as

Idylle (2009), of course for the

woman!

It’s not just the fragrances

that make Guerlain what it

is. Under the creative genius

of Olivier Echaudemaison,

who was appointed Artistic

Make-up Director in 2000 and

is now Creative Director,

2929292929292929999999299999999999929999999929999999999999

30

the company’s make-up and skin-care

ranges have abounded in innovations,

notching up success after success. The

most noticeable among them being the

Orchidée Impériale skin-care range

that owes its existence to seven years

of research spent tracking the orchid’s

longevity. Although there are 30,000

known species, only 4 were selected for

the exceptional molecules contained

in their roots and used in the Imperial

Orchid Molecular Extract, which is found

in all the products in the range.

Since its inception in 1828, every Guerlain

creation has stood for three things:

Sensuality, Fantasy and Magic and

that is why Guerlain has journeyed into

everyone’s heart and has perfected the

sublime art of creating a success story

year after year. Quite simply put, success

has always been and will continue to be

in this legendary perfume house’s DNA.

FOCUS

Guerlain range of products are available at Capital Store

32

FOOD

The Perfect Catch Shannon Bennett on why Josh Lewis’ love for fishing makes him the ideal fit for Vue & Oman...

Once I had decided to open

my first restaurant outside

of Australia, everything else

really fell into place. The

country was idyllic and Vue

by Shannon Bennett could not

have found a more appropriate

address than the Al Bustan

Palace InterContinental

Muscat. Then came the

decision to choose a head chef.

It was actually a pretty easy

decision. Josh had worked

for me for many years in

Melbourne and I had seen

him develop from a young

apprentice to a very fine chef.

Whilst this was important, the

thing that really set Josh apart

was his love of diving and

fishing. When I first visited

Oman I knew it was the perfect

place for Josh to spread his

wings and that even if things

got tough in the kitchen he

would relish the opportunity

to go diving or fishing – the

perfect antidote to the stress of

the kitchen .

As an extension of this, Josh

really handles fish well in the

kitchen and has great respect

for the effort in catching fish

and seafood. As I wandered

the Muttrah fish markets for the

first time I was sure that Josh

would be right at home. Now

that Josh has lived in Muscat

for nearly two years it is with

huge pride that I accompany

him to the market and watch

him negotiating with the

vendors – the respect that they

have for him and Josh’s ability

to assimilate has surprised

even me!

Buying fish and vegetables

from the local market has

always been a part of my

vision for the restaurant. I was

determined from the start to

use the freshest local produce

possible and to avoid where

possible flying in ingredients

from all around the world (a

trap which many restaurants

in the area seem to fall in to).

Josh has developed some great

dishes around the different

varieties of fish and seafood

that he finds at the market

The author is an internationally

acclaimed chef and owner of

‘Vue De Monde’, Australia. In

Oman, the Al Bustan Palace

Intercontinental Muscat houses

‘Vue by Shannon Bennett’.

33

Scenes from a market place The Muttrah fish market is a vital source of inspiration for my menus, says Josh Lewis

The Muttrah fish market is a

15 minute drive from the Al

Bustan Palace InterContinental

Muscat and is a vital source of

inspiration for the composition

of my menu here at Vue by

Shannon Bennett.

I travel to the market daily

to select the fish as well as

locally grown vegetables to be

used in the restaurant. Going

to the market each day gives

me a great sense of what is in

season and where it’s coming

from. It also builds a good

relationship with the fishermen

and the vendors to help get

the best produce that we

can in a difficult climate and

environment.

Locals come from near and

far to shop here at the fish

market and sometimes buy in

very large quantities to take

back to the inland or mountain

villages where fresh fish and

vegetables are scarce. Salting

is a very common technique

here in Oman and mostly done

with the long tail tuna, which is

known here as Sahwa.

They may buy 100-200 fish

at a time, gut them and then

cover them in salt. They then

get stored in large bins and

are consumed throughout the

year. This is known here as

Malah. You can see smaller

scale versions of this made

daily at the market, but this is

something that I would really

like to see being done in the

villages.

As well as being an integral

part of sourcing produce, the

fish market lends itself as a

great marketing tool. We have

a strong relationship here

with the various groups such

as ANZO (Australian and New

Zealanders in Oman) and the

AWG (American Women’s

Guild), which I take cooking

classes for in our kitchen here.

We start by a tour of the fish

market and then select the

fish for them to prepare at the

restaurant. They learn how to

clean the fish and then prepare

the dish that I have selected for

the day and then sit down to

eat it in the restaurant.

With the ocean a stone’s throw

from the kitchen, it’s a crime

to not to use the freshest fish

available. The fishing industry

here is the life of some villages

and I think it’s in that respect

that we share a common bond

with the local community

The author is the head chef, Vue

by Shannon Bennett.

34

The first national environment awards ceremony – Oman Green Awards (OGA) – was held at the Barr al Jissah Resort & Spa on June 12, 2010. The work of companies, institutions and individuals who have shown remarkable environment vision were showcased at the function. The Guest of Honour, HE Sayyid Hamood Bin Faisal Al Busaidi –Minister of Environment and Climate Affairs and HH Sayyid Tarik Bin Shabib Al Said, Editor-in-Chief – Oman Economic Review, handed over the awards to the winners. Sandeep Sehgal, Chief Executive – UMS and Lamees Daar, Executive Director – Environment Society of Oman (ESO), set the tone for the evening by focussing on the imminent threat to the environment and solutions in their respective speeches. An audio visual presentation captured the enormity of the issue. The decor, menu and ambience were in line with the green theme, enhancing the evening’s experience. The complete work of the OGA winners can be seen on omangreenawards.com.

Green Campaign of the YearWinner: Haya Water (Oman Wastewater Services Co)Special Commendation: Muscat Asian Beach Games Organising Committee

Green Guardian AwardWinner: Six Senses Hideaway Zighy BaySpecial Commendation: BankMuscat

Green Landscape AwardWinner: Al Nahda Resort & SpaSpecial Commendation: Gardening World Oman

Green Habitat AwardWinner: Muriya TourismSpecial Commendation: National Pharmaceutical Industries Company

Panasonic Public Choice AwardWinner: Bahwan Engineering CompanySpecial Commendation: Cartridge World Oman

Green Education AwardWinner: Indian School NizwaSpecial Commendation: ABA – An IB World School

Green Champion AwardWinner: Pravin AmudanSpecial Commendation: Ojas Bhatia

The Green Innovation AwardWinner: Crowne Plaza SoharSpecial Commendation: GoPoint Ta’meer

The Green Research AwardWinner: Sultan Qaboos UniversitySpecial Commendation: Mitsubishi Corporation

Green Footprint AwardWinner: AES Barka Power & Desalination PlantSpecial Commendation: V-KOOL

Special Jury AwardsPort of SalalahPetroleum Development Oman

LIST OF WINNERS

EVENT

A Green Initiative

SEIKO SHOWROOM: E-Mart, Al Raid House, Ground Floor, Qurum Shopping Area, Muscat. Tel.: 24571376

36

CARS

FEATHER-LIGHT PERFORMANCE

LOTUS IS FINALLY BACK IN OMAN AND IT HAS BROUGHT WITH IT THREE STUNNING MODELS THAT ARE HOMOLOGATED FOR ROAD USE IN THE SULTANATE. HERE IS A QUICK LOOK AT THESE STUNNING PIECES OF MECHANICAL EXCELLENCE...

The Lotus car

company

was the

brainchild

of the

legendary

Colin Chapman, a graduate

of University College, London.

He formed the company in

1952 under the banner of

Lotus Engineering Ltd. The

first factory was behind the

Railway Hotel in Hornsey,

North London. Five years after

the split-off of Team Lotus,

a team that was active and

competitive in Formula One

racing from 1958 to 1994, the

Lotus Group of Companies

was formed, in 1959. This

group was made up of Lotus

Cars Limited and Lotus

Components Limited which

focused on road cars and

customer competition car

production respectively. Lotus

Components Limited became

Lotus Racing Limited in 1971

but the newly renamed entity

ceased operation in the same

year.

The company moved to

a purpose built factory

at Cheshunt in 1959 and

since 1966 the company has

occupied a modern factory

and road test facility at

Hethel, near Wymondham.

This site is the former RAF

Hethel base and the test track

even uses sections of the old

runway.

Chapman died of a heart

attack in 1982 at the age of

54, having begun life as an

innkeeper’s son and at the

end of it a multi-millionaire

industrialist in post-war

Britain. The car maker

built tens of thousands of

successful racing and road

cars and won the Formula

One World Championship

seven times.

In 1986, the company was

bought by General Motors.

On 27 August 1993, GM

sold the company, for £30

million, to A.C.B.N. Holdings

S.A. of Luxembourg, a

company controlled by

37

38

Italian businessman Romano

Artioli, who also owned

Bugatti Automobili SpA. A

few years later, in 1996, a

majority share in Lotus was

sold to Perusahaan Otomobil

Nasional Bhd (Proton), a

Malaysian car company listed

on the Kuala Lumpur Stock

Exchange.

Currently, the company

also acts as an engineering

consultancy, providing

engineering development

particularly of suspension,

for other car manufacturers.

The lesser known Powertrain

department is responsible for

the design and development

of the 4-cylinder Ecotec

engine found in many of

GM’s vehicles. Regardless

of how much the company

has grown the core values

that govern the development

of all lotus models has

remained unchanged since

the era of Colin Chapman –

‘performance through light

weight’. And considering the

current conditions worldwide

in regards to emission

restriction and an increased

need for efficiency, these core

values may just be the future

for all performance vehicles.

THE ELISEThe Lotus Elise revolutionised

the sports car market 15

years ago when the small

lightweight agile 2-seat

mid engine sport scar was

introduced. By ensuring that

the Elise stuck rigidly to Lotus’

core values of performance

through light weight, the Elise

was able to produce supercar

performance with city car

economy. The 2011 model

year Lotus Elise introduces

a number of changes and

improvements to maintain its

class leading position. The

new Elise body has a fresh

sculptured front, including a

new bumper, front clam and

access panel that combine

to give the Elise a wider look

with more road presence

while new headlamp units

with distinctively sculptured

LED lighting guides give a

contemporary twist to this

classic design. At the rear of

the car the new engine has

been encased by a distinctive

“twinspine” engine cover

whilst lower down a more

aggressive diffuser is tightly

wrapped by an elegant new

bumper design that now

includes the rear licence plate.

The new 2011 model year Elise

has a number of additional

changes and improvements,

with the installation of a new

advanced 1.6 litre Valvematic

engine meeting EURO 5

regulations. This new engine

is 200cc smaller than the

outgoing Elise S model and

produces similar power of 134

hp at 6800 rpm and maximum

torque of 160 Nm at 4400

rpm, but offers a significant

improvement to fuel economy

of over 20 per cent, to 6.28

litres / 100km (45.0 mpg) and

a reduction in CO2 emission

by more than 16 per cent.

This provides the new Lotus

CARS

39

Elise with the lowest CO2 per

performance for any gasoline

high performance sports car

in the world. Also, new cast

wheels have been designed

specifically for the Elise

and the new optional forged

wheels weigh just 29.26 kg per

set, 2.14 kg lighter than the set

of lightweight cast versions.

For those of you concerned

about safety, the Elise has

high performance AP Racing

callipers at the front and

Brembo callipers at the rear

linked to 282 mm vented and

cross-drilled cast iron discs

to give excellent stopping

power. The Elise also comes

standard with a track tuned

ABS system that is designed to

be unobtrusive under normal

driving conditions.

This system is designed to be

used on track and has a high

threshold, only intervening in

emergencies. The impressive

braking coupled with

excellent handling gives

good primary safety and

the composite front crash

structure and rear crash

protection offers efficient

secondary safety. Furthermore,

driver and passenger airbags

and pre-tensioning seatbelt

are standard on all

Elise models.

The legendary Lotus ride and

handling gives a superb high

performance, sporty drive,

combined with a compliant

ride and progressive on limit

handling, it makes the Elise

a car that demands to be

driven. The entry level Lotus

Elise weighs 876 kg, making

it one of the lightest fully

homologated sports cars in

the world. This low weight

translates into efficient

performance with minimal

environmental impact in

terms of emissions and fuel

consumption. Few cars can

match the delicacy and

accuracy of the steering,

throttle and brakes of the

Elise and all of these factors

contribute to the excellent

driving experience of

the Elise.

THE EVORAThe first all-new Lotus since

the iconic Elise roadster made

its debut in 1995; the Evora

enters the sports car market

as the world’s only production

mid-engine 2+2. The Evora

provides a tremendously

rewarding driving experience:

the mid-engine layout gives

exceptional agility and the

Lotus engineered suspension

ensures incredible ride and

handling.

Powered by a Lotus-tuned

3.5-litre V6 engine producing

280hp, and weighing just

1350 kg, the Evora delivers

40

an exhilarating experience

true to the Lotus DNA

characteristics. With the zero

to 100 km/h sprint taking

place in just over 5 seconds,

a top speed of over 260 km/h

and an Official European

Combined Cycle fuel economy

just 8.7 litres / 100 km the

Evora stays true to the ethos

of performance through light

weight.

Because one of the roles of

the Evora is to attract new

lifestyle customers, as well

as performance aficionados

to the Lotus brand, the

Evora offers a more refined

ownership experience than

Lotus’ existing smaller four

cylinder models. Its elegantly

styled cabin is beautifully

trimmed and its equipment

list includes contemporary

features such as an advanced

touch screen multi-media

system and electric power-fold

door mirrors. Careful attention

has also been paid to its ease

of use with wider, taller door

apertures, narrower sills and

higher seat position making

getting in and out of the cabin

a less athletic undertaking

than it is in Lotus’ smaller

sports cars.

The ‘convenience factor’

of the Evora extends to all

areas of the car. For instance,

beneath the skin the entire

front-end structure is a high

tech aluminium “sacrificial”

modular unit, with bolt on

attachment to the main

extruded aluminium tub.

This modular unit is not

only designed to deform for

maximum safety, and to make

the production assembly

process more efficient, but

also to reduce repair costs in

the event of a frontal impact.

The Evora has been designed

with global automotive

regulations in mind, and

future derivatives are

planned, these including

amongst others, a convertible

at a later stage of the six year

lifecycle span. The Evora is

hand crafted and built on

a dedicated new assembly

line within Lotus’ advanced

manufacturing facility at

Hethel in the East of England;

capacity limitations restrict

production to less than 2000

cars a year, thus ensuring

this dynamic new sports car’s

rarity and exclusivity.

THE EXIGEThe Lotus Exige is a renowned

high performance coupe that

has a well earned reputation

of choice for drivers who

demand uncompromised

performance, both on the road

and on the track.

Lotus has always pursued

efficiency and fuel economy

and for the 2010 Model

CARS

41

Year Lotus Exige S, Lotus

has reduced the emissions

to only 199 g/km CO2 and

increased the fuel economy

to an impressive 8.5 litres/100

km on the Official European

Combined Cycle and a frugal

6.5 litres/100 km on the Official

European Extra Urban Cycle.

The 2010 Model Year also

sees the introduction of a few

key changes to the Exige to

enhance the look and improve

aerodynamic performance.

A restyled front end and new

larger, rear wing not only

reduces drag, but also gives

a more muscular stance

enhancing the lightweight

shrink-wrapped look of the

whole car.

The composite rear wing is

based on the design from

the Exige GT3 road car

concept shown at the Geneva

Motorshow in 2007. Compared

to the 2009 Model Year Exige

tailgate mounted wing it is

181 mm wider and mounted

46 mm higher and 61 mm

further back. It is attached

to the rear body shell clam

via rear end plates which not

only increases the stiffness of

the whole structure but also

ensures that as much of the

airflow as possible passes

over the rear wing. This

careful airflow management

increases stability, reduces

drag and, most importantly,

maintains the impressive

downforce figures of 42 kg at

160 km/h.

The restyled front end

includes a larger, more

angular air intake mouth to

help funnel more air through

the radiator, to improve

the efficiency of the engine

system. Ahead of the front

wheels on either side of the

main aperture, two larger air

intakes increase the airflow to

the twin oil coolers. Horizontal

vanes bisect these oil cooler

air-intakes to stabilise the

airflow to further increase

the cooling efficiency. Since

the Exige S2 was launched in

2004, the power has increased

from 190 hp through 220 hp to

240 hp in standard road form

– more for the track centric

Exige Cup 260 - and the new

larger air intakes improve

engine cooling for these

current higher powered Exige

variants.

Mounted below the three

new air intakes is a new

aerodynamic splitter for the

2010 Model Year Exige. Made

from a lightweight composite,

the splitter is now extended

to wrap around the whole of

the front end and chiselled

side lips are raised to deflect

air around the tyres to reduce

drag.

Over the years, the Exige has

developed a hardcore fan

base around the world and

its popularity has placed it as

one of the legendary sports

cars of the 21st century. So far,

over 5000 Exiges have been

hand-built at lotus’ high-tech

manufacturing facility making

it a significant contributor

to its global production. The

Exige also has one of the

highest specific power outputs

of any globally emissions

certified car and 133 hp per

litre is a perfect demonstration

of Colin Chapman’s

philosophy of performance

through light weight and of

Lotus’ relentless pursuit of

efficiency.

The same technology that

makes a lightweight car a

high performer also makes it

efficient – how many cars do

you know have performance

figures of 0 – 100 km/h in

4.77secs but produces only

199 g/km CO2 and consumes

fuel at a rate of just 8.5

litres/100 km

Shanfari Automotive are the

exclusive distributors of Lotus

cars in Oman.

LOTUS ELISEEngine - 1.6 litre inline-4Power – 136 hp0 – 100 km/h - 6.5 seconds0 – 160 km/h - 18.6 secondsMaximum speed - 204 km/h

LOTUS ELISE REngine - 1.8 litre inline-4Power – 192 hp0 – 100 km/h - 5.4 seconds0 – 160 km/h - 13.4 secondsMaximum speed - 222 km/h

LOTUS ELISE SCEngine - 1.8 litre inline-4 SuperchargedPower – 220 hp0 – 100 km/h - 4.6 seconds0 – 160 km/h - 10.8 secondsMaximum speed - 233 km/h

EVORAEngine - 3.5-litre V6Power – 280 hp0 – 100 km/h - >5 secondsMaximum speed - 233 km/h

EXIGE SEngine - 1.8 litre inline-4 SuperchargedPower – 240 hp0 – 100 km/h - 4.77 seconds0 – 160 km/h - 11.97 secondsMaximum speed - 233 km/h

42

FASHION

PristineElegance

Inspired by Argentinean painter and sculptor Lucio

Fontana, who is known for his lacerated canvases,

well known Lebanese designer Georges Chakra’s third

‘Edition by Georges Chakra’ Fall-Winter 2010 Ready-to-

Wear Collection is predominantly black, punctuated with

beige, red and navy blue. Chakra’s pristinely elegant

woman wears his creations with the signature plunging

back with sharp, asymmetrically cut necklines and thin

panels of netting. “The expression of Fontana’s slashed

canvas symbolises the breakthrough to a woman’s

infinite soul. This is the foundation and the spirit of my

collection,” says Chakra.

43

Silver Lattice Tufted Brocade off shoulder gown with red hemline

FASHION

44

Black Crepe Back Satin Gown with Lace Details and Beaded Bust and Sleeves

45

Wedgewood Blue Short Sleeve Cocktail Dress with Black Collar Details

46

Wedgewood Blue Double Face Mohair off-shoulder top with lame trousers

47

Beige Double Face Mohair top with Lame Trousers

48

FASHION

Red Chiffon Gown with beaded cummerbund and beaded tulle bodice

49

The P

erf

ect

ionis

tBorn and raised in Lebanon, Georges Chakra developed an early passion for fashion design. After two years of studies in interior design, he returned to his initial passion - to draw and create. Georges Chakra left for Canada where he earned a degree as fashion designer from the Canadian Fashion Acandemy. In February 2009, he introduced his ready-to-wear line ‘Edition by Georges Chakra’. His first collection debuted at the New York Fashion Week. Known for taking risks and pushing the sartorial envelope, Georges Chakra has dressed the likes of Queen Latifah, Carrie Underwood, Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Marcia Cross and Helen Mirren to name a few. His Haute Couture collection also featured in the movie The Devil wears Prada.

Fascinated by the genius of YSL, Georges’ designs are dedicated to the modern and self confident woman. “I design and create in order to expose a woman’s contradictory personality. She seduces with her discreet allure while at the same time through her innate sensuality shows us her ability to rule through silent presence. The woman should be at the same time angelic and feel absolutely seductive.”

A perfectionist, the designer pays personal attention to the finest details. After all, luxury is in details!

50

BEYOND FOOTBALL...

Unspoiled wilderness, breath-taking drives, sun-drenched beaches; you can experience all this and more in the Rainbow

Nation of South Africa, says Marie-Claire

TRAVEL

51

52

TRAVEL

The eyes of the world

maybe sharply focused

on the southernmost tip

of the African continent ,

with the FIFA World Cup

2010 in full swing, but

South Africa has much

more to offer. Nestled

between the warm Indian

Ocean to the East and

the Atlantic Ocean on

the west you’ll find the

wonderful and unique

Rainbow Nation of South

Africa.

Football or not, it is

53

difficult to ignore the sheer

beauty and fascinating

diversity that can be found

in this African wonderland.

Whether your tastes run to

unspoiled wilderness, breath-

taking drives, sun-drenched

beaches or exploring the

sights, Cape Town and The

Western Cape are the ideal

locations.

Widely recognised as one of

the most beautiful places on

earth, the Western Cape boasts

warm languid summers and

mild moist winters. With six

internationally recognised blue

flag beaches as well as a large

variety of diverse activities,

you’re guaranteed to find this

the perfect holiday experience

whatever your tastes might

run to.

Towering 1,085 metres above

the city of Cape Town is South

Africa’s most famous landmark,

Table Mountain, which is often

covered with clouds, giving

it the impression of being

covered by a table cloth. With

its spectacular views of the city,

coastline and Robben Island,

where Nelson Mandela and

many other political prisoners

spent decades behind bars,

Table Mountain offers the

opportunity to do some rock

climbing, hike and enjoy over

1,400 plant species on its 600

million year old plateau. And if

you’re feeling really brave you

can even abseil your way down

to the bottom again.

Lions, leopards, elephants,

buffalos and rhinos comprise

the Big 5 and watching these

magnificent animals in their

5454

TRAVEL

natural habitat is a thrilling

experience not to be missed.

Whether on horseback or in a

4by4, setting off on expeditions

in the early hours of the

morning offers the perfect

opportunity to spot the animals

as they start their day, while at

the same time getting to enjoy

a breath-taking sunrise.

For marine lovers, the summer

is also an ideal time to enjoy a

unique opportunity for whale-

watching. Drive through the

fishing community of Hawston

to Hermanus, the world’s best

land-based whale-watching

site, where as many as 37

species, including the Southern

Right whale and the Bryde

whale, often come as close to

20-30 metres from the shore.

For the more daring among

you, The Western Coast also

offers the chance to get up

close and personal with the

Great White and Spotted

Ragged-tooth sharks. Take a 45

minute boat ride to Gansbaai

and test your courage diving in

55

a shark cage while the deadly

predators circle you as you

watch them swim.

For the ultimate thrill why

not try the world’s highest

commercial bungee jump of

the Bloukrans Bridge? Take

the Flying Fox, a 200 cable

slide, out onto the archway and

plunge 216 metres leap for the

thrill of a lifetime.

From ostrich racing to

swimming with African

Penguins and diving with Nile

Crocodiles, exploring the 20

million-year-old Cango Caves

or visiting Langa, Nyanga

and Gugulethu on a cultural

tour of the oldest townships in

Cape Town, there is so much

to do and see on South Africa’s

Western Cape that it’s hard to

imagine a more spectacular

location to spend a holiday

5656

SushiChicJapanese dining comes with a side serving of chic at Zuma,

Dubai, says Jola Chudy

FOOD COURT

If you’re

looking for

that special,

‘ticks all the

boxes’ dining

experience

in Dubai,

chances

are if you

ask someone what the best

restaurants are, a Japanese

eatery may feature in their

answer. Nobu at Atlantis

and Okku at The Monarch

are two über-stylish and

upmarket places to pick up

your chopsticks, while older

stalwarts such as Miyako at

Hyatt Regency and Kiku at

the Meridien Village continue

to do a brisk trade among

those in the know. However,

for true Japanese-drenched

chic, Zuma is the queen bee

of the contemporary oriental

dining scene.

Located in Dubai’s financial

district, the buzz of the ‘city’

permeates each backlit

wall panel and the soaring,

double-height space of the

main dining area. Suited

businessmen loosen their

ties over lemongrass martinis

at the chic glass bar, while

couples bow heads over

exquisitely delicate miso soups

and the eaterie’s signature

dishes, designed to be shared

and savoured together. When

Zuma opened its doors in

September 2008, it was actually

a German chef, Rainer Becker,

who was behind the Dubai

opening of the restaurant that

57

has sister outfits in London’s

upmarket Mayfair, Hong Kong

and even Istanbul. “We see the

Dubai restaurant as evolving

just like the city, adapting to

changes in the business and

social scene,” explains Becker.

The restaurant is divided

into separate sections; a

stylish bar that opens onto

the outdoors, different dining

areas and a sleek reception

area. A glass elevator and

dramatic staircase connect

these, while glass walls allow

diners to peer into the bustle of

neighbouring sections. There

are two open kitchens, a sushi

and a Robata grill inspired by

the age-old cooking style of

northern Japanese fishermen.

The food, meanwhile, takes

its lead from the informal

Japanese dining style of

Iakaya. This means diners

are encouraged to linger over

dishes that are brought to the

table steadily and continuously

throughout the meal, rather

than the traditional European

approach of having a starter

followed by a main course and

dessert. You can order more

midway during your meal, and

with portion sizes erring on the

delicate side, the temptation

to try a little bit of everything

looms large. The menu’s

signature dishes include

tsubu-miso gake hinadori

no obun yaki – baby chicken

marinated in barley miso and

oven roasted on cedar wood, to

you and me. Signature dishes

from the Robata Grill include

spicy beef tenderloin with

sesame, red chili and sweet

soy, while the southern rock

lobster, crab, monkfish liver

and tuna belly from the sushi

counter will appeal to lovers

of raw seafood. The black cod

is the ultimate must-try dish,

a chunk of fish gloriously

marinated in a sweet miso

sauce. The glutinous flaking of

the cod as you break it apart

with your chopsticks is a taste

that stays in your memory and

you’ll finally understand what

all the fuss about this cult dish

is all about.

The ‘Taste of Zuma’ menu,

available from 7pm to 8pm, is

perfect for sampling an array of

Zuma classics. At AED195 per

person for three courses, ‘Taste

of Zuma’ features an array of

signature dishes. It includes

a miso soup and edemame

appetizer, with choices of two

starters and a main course.

These are as diverse as

steamed spinach and sesame

sauce, rock shrimp tempura,

crispy chili fried squid, grilled

duck breast and spicy beef

tenderloin.

The Miso-marinated black

cod is of course, included, as

is a glass of your favourite

beverage to complement

your meal

58

THE PER-FECT ONE

The new Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid is a testimony to the

FEATURE

59

Porsche engineer’s seemingly insane quest to better an already fabulous car

SUVs are supposed to be brutes. Brutes that pride themselves on being men

among the pretty boys; for single digit fuel economy and the ability to

climb over anything and everything. The New Porsche Cayenne does

climb over anything and everything – but that’s about the only gene it inherits from old school SUVs.

The new Cayenne S Hybrid has curves that would give a roadster the blushes and a fuel economy

that will not leave you guilty about the weekend’s dune bashing.

The guys in Stuttgart have done what those guys in Stuttgart do the best – make a perfect car, only to

then obsessively go back to their computers tinkering to figure out how they can make it better. The

Cayenne Hybrid is a testimony to the Porsche engineer’s seemingly insane quest to better an already

fabulous car.

60

Since they need only do little

in terms of comfort and design,

though subtle changes give

the new Cayenne a fresher

and more contoured look, they

busied themselves under the

marquee clad bonnet, bunged

out the 3.6l 6-cylinder engine

that beats under the heart of

the Cayenne and replaced

it with a 3l V6 supercharged

engine assisted by an electric

motor. Thanks to its special

combination of materials for

optimum weight as well as

changes in the overall concept

of the vehicle such as the

Cayenne’s new active and

extra light all-wheel drive,

weight is down considerably,

for example on the Cayenne S

by 180kilos. The lighter body

weight did not prevent further

improvements in product

substance and an even higher

standard of safety.

The engine itself delivers

333 hp and the electric motor

adds a further 47 hp giving the

hybrid a good 80 hp more bite

than the standard Cayenne.

They’ve even managed to

shave off a second off the 7.5

seconds that the standard

Cayenne takes to jump to

100kmph, and the speedometer

will no longer bottom out at

230kmph, but keeps going

till 242kmph for when you’re

not climbing over and into

ditches and dunes and where

permitted. With this the

Porsche engineers have solved

the one misconceptions we

all harboured – bigger engine

blocks don’t necessarily mean

more power and bite; a smaller

tuned engine can do just the

same and do it well.

The true surprise, of the

Cayenne Hybrid though is its

emissions and fuel economy.

While the acceleration is

comparable to a V8 unit, the

new engine cuts down C02

emissions by as much as 22 per

cent. The Cayenne S Hybrid

can return a fuel economy of

8.2l for every 100 kms.

For those who don’t believe in

tossing the keys to a chauffer

(because that would be a

monumental shame in this

case) and like to get to know

their engines inside out, an

explanation is in order. So

here goes. On the parallel

full hybrid system, an electric

machine and a de-coupler are

integrated directly into the

FEATURE

61

THE LINE-UPCayenneThe range starts with the 3.6-litre V6 Cayenne, which is now lighter by up to 165 kg, depending on the specification, and also more dynamic, more comfortable, closer to the road than ever before and with an increased engine power to 300 bhp. With its eight-speed Tiptronic S transmission fuel consumption is down from the former model by no less than 20 per cent to 9.9l/100 km.

Cayenne DieselThe Cayenne Diesel with its 240bhp three-litre V6 likewise reduces fuel consumption by 20 per cent, down from 9.3 to 7.4 ltr/100 km. It is ideal for longer journeys – offering high levels of torque, while fuel consumption remains low

Cayenne SFuel efficiency is also up significantly on the high-torque Cayenne S with its 4.8-litre V8 power unit, in this case by 23 per cent to 10.5 litres/100 kilometres. At the same time the new engine delivers 400 bhp maximum output instead of the former 385 bhp.

Cayenne TurboThe most powerful member of the family is still the Cayenne Turbo which, with its 500 bhp 4.8-litre V8 biturbo, now consumes just 11.5 l/100 km representing also a reduction in fuel consumption of 23 per cent. The new Cayenne Turbo offers both lower fuel consumption and faster acceleration while its supreme engineering that speaks for itself. In short, everything you’d expect from a Turbo.

For more details contact Sata LLC, Porsche Centre Oman.

drive train between the engine

and an all new eight speed

Tiptronic S.

Under moderate acceleration,

the electric machine alone

can power the vehicle on

its own to drive silently

through residential areas.

The generator charges the

battery during breaking. In

addition of course the electric

motor provides an extra boost

in power, should you ever

need it. But it doesn’t end

there the new Cayenne can

do something few machines

can do while being on solid

tarmac – it can sail, when

no further power is required,

the combustion engine may

be fully disengaged from the

drivetrain at speeds of up to 156

km/h. In this so called sailing

mode the drag forces exerted

by the combustion engine

and their braking effect are

eliminated in the interest of

lower drive resistance and fuel

consumption.

But it isn’t just the heart, the

new Cayenne S Hybrid also

boasts of extra room – thanks

to a wheelbase which is now

40 mm longer. The cockpit like

interior pays an allegiance to

the big boy of Porsche stable –

the Panamera. The rear is more

comfortable and there’s an uber

cool central console between

the two front seats, and a

contoured rear spoiler that

pays a tribute to the Carerra

GT. The only thing that reminds

you that you’re not taking off

is the scenery you’re leaving

behind in a blur

62

DECOR

63

ALL THINGS ITALIAN

When it comes to giving your home the contemporary edge, it’s not the price, but quality that matters discovers Sushmita Sarkhel as

she meets Gerhard Kolflaath, founder of Vabene Kitchen and Bath

Gerhard Kolflaath founded

Vabene Kitchen and Bath with

his wife, Mette Kolflaath in

2001. Working with interiors

and kitchens had always

been a dream and today

they have managed to work

towards their goal. After

successfully opening up stores

in different parts of Europe and

Scandinavia, Vabene brings

the timeless designs of Italian

kitchens to homes in Oman in

partnership with Panorama

Investments.

Vabene Kitchen and Bath have

partnered with some of the

best Italian companies and

one of the most important of

them is Vitali Cucine. Vitali

Cucine was established

in 1970 and provides both

contemporary and traditional

kitchen ensembles. Roberto

Pala, Export Manager of Vitali

Cucine has worked alongside

Kolflaath since 2000 and is

currently one of the major

suppliers of kitchen furniture

for Vabene.

Vabene kitchens provide

clients with a seamless

balance between functionality

and aesthetics.

The kitchen units have been

especially designed to suit the

needs of clients in Oman. The

products have a long life and

the characteristics to endure

the weather here. Perhaps

one of the most valuable

characteristic of the kitchen

units provided by Vitali Cucine

is that the units are water

repellent.

Made from one of the best

combinations of water-

resistant wood, the kitchens

suit the humid environment

particularly prevalent in this

region. Says Kolflaath, “The

main reason we decided to

enter the market in this region

was because we believe we

have a good product. Our

partners in Italy are flexible

and can adapt to the local

market to suit our clients’

need, be it private or corporate

clients. We know our products

well and are not blindly

entering the market.”

Kolflaath recognises that the

market for kitchen units is

extremely diverse and difficult

to breakthrough. Hence, Vabene

works towards providing

clients with something unique.

And Vabene’s success speaks

for itself. Not only are the

kitchens aesthetically pleasing

but are also technically

extremely superior. From the

material used to build the units

right down to the bolts and

hinges, all technical aspects

are taken into account.

Apart for all this, Vabene sells

kitchen units that have already

been completely assembled

in Italy making the transition

into your homes completely

hassle-free. The result: the

kitchen of your dreams with

optimal performance lasting

a lifetime! Quality, is this

case doesn’t necessarily come

with an exorbitant price-tag.

Kolflaath promises to delivery

high quality products at

medium-level prices. “I know

that whether one’s buying a

suit or an entire kitchen, he will

always be happy when he gets

value for money.”

Kolflaath goes on to explain

that their main goal is to

provide a product that is

consistent and reliable and not

one that is the cheapest in the

market, despite working in a

post-recession market, where

consumers are becoming

increasingly wary of spending.

“With the financial crisis

behind us, we have noticed the

propensity of organisations to

provide cheaper products and

make things less expensive.

But we aren’t looking in that

direction at all. It is not our goal

to have an expensive product

per se, but to have a product of

high quality which will last for

many years. When we install

a kitchen, we expect it to last

for at least 20 to 30 years. Our

products have a long life and

when it comes to kitchens,

people really cannot afford to

buy cheap.”

64

GAMING

RETURN OF THEPRINCETHE PRINCE OF PERSIA FRANCHISE

HAS COME A LONG WAY SINCE ITS

HUMBLE 2D DEBUT IN 1989 AND HAS

SPAWNED A NUMBER OF IMPRESSIVE

SEQUELS AND EVEN A RECENT MOVIE.

THE LATEST GAME IN THE SERIES IS

FINALLY HERE AND WE COULDN’T

WAIT TO CHECK IT OUT

65

The last game in the

series was a wonderful

and unique diversion

from what the series

was normally known

for. Its open-ended

world, artistic visuals,

stunningly cinematic combat and intricate

level design breathed new life into the series,

which at the time was in great need of a reboot.

Unfortunately you will find almost none of that

here. The new game, ‘The Forgotten Sands’,

is a throwback to the original ‘Sands of Time’,

released in 2003, and the story is actually

chronologically set somewhere in between

the first and second games of the same series.

Ubisoft took a bold step in taking the game

back to its roots, thankfully though it seems to

have paid off but the transition has not been

without its share of flaws.

The story, as we mentioned before, makes

a return to the ‘Sands of Time’ universe and

takes place between the first two games in

the franchise. Visiting his brother’s kingdom

following his adventure in Azad, the Prince

finds the royal palace under siege from a

mighty army bent on its destruction. When

the decision is made to use the ancient power

of the Sand in a desperate gamble to save

the kingdom from total annihilation, as is the

case with such stories, things don’t exactly go

66

as planned. The newly risen

sand army attacks both sides

indiscriminately and it is up

to our princely hero to save

the day. The story is just as

clichéd and predictable as it

sounds but the way in which

it is presented and the decent

voice work does its part in

keeping you intrigued enough

to pull you through to the end

of the rather short campaign.

On the same note the artsy

style of the last game in the

series has been dropped

for a more traditional look

of the series. In fact the

beginning sequence looks

almost identical to that of the

original ‘Sands of Time’ right

down to the puzzle sequences,

albeit with a significant

texture upgrade. Thankfully

this soon changes as you

progress through the story

and the game soon introduces

you to a unique world of its

own. All things considered,

the graphics, while not

groundbreaking in any way,

do a decent job of pulling you

into the prince’s world.

The open-world design of

the last game has also been

dropped in favour of a story

driven world. The result

makes the game completely

linear, which in this case is

not such a bad thing. The

linearity has allowed the

developers to perfectly pace

the game’s world and tailor

the environments and levels

to match the abilities the

price has at his disposal at

the moment. As you progress

through the game you pass

through what seem like

increasingly difficult and

elaborate obstacle courses.

These start out simple

enough but will have you

juggling through a number

of your abilities with pin

point precision by the end

of the game, also adding to

the sense of accomplishment

at the completion of a level.

Never once did we find these

courses or the puzzles in any

way frustrating, which is

quite an achievement. This,

combined with the spot-on

controls, makes for some fun

and challenging platforming

and puzzle-solving gameplay.

Unfortunately the same

cannot be said for the combat,

which in this case feels more

like an afterthought. While the

price may have a number of

moves at his disposal, some

of which can actually be quite

cool, you barely feel the need

to use any of them. The reason

for this being that the enemies

are complete pushovers and

most, including bosses, will

go down without offering

much resistance. In the end it

all just amounts to mindless

button mashing or spamming

attacks. Thankfully these

sequences are infrequent

and don’t hamper the

gameplay much. Once the

main campaign is completed

there are challenge modes to

complete but because they are

based on the dull combat you

can safely ignore them.

Overall, the game can be

quite satisfying, despite the

shallow combat, thanks to

the decent presentation and

excellent platforming and

level design. This is especially

true for fans of the series. So,

while the game may not be

the best in the series it is still

worthy of at least a single

playthrough

GAMING

68

BOOKS YOU MUST READ, MUSIC YOU MUST TUNE IN TO AND

MOVIES YOU MUST SEE…

BOOKS• The Search – Nora Roberts• The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner – Stephenie Meyer• The Island – Elin Hilderbrand• Fly Away Home – Jennifer Weiner• Live to Tell – Lisa Gardner• America by Heart – Sarah Palin• The Wisdom of Wooden – John Wooden• Diary of a Wimpy Kid 5 – Jeff Kinney• The Rembrandt Affair – Daniel Silva• The Confession – John Grisham

MOVIES• The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo [DVD]• Naruto Shippuden 11 [DVD]• Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief [DVD]• Remember Me [DVD]• When In Rome [DVD]• Chloe [Blu-ray]• The Bounty Hunter [Blu-ray]• In Bruges [Blu-ray]• Assault on Precinct 13 [Blu-ray]• Our Family Wedding [Blu-ray]

MUSIC• Sweet and Wild – Jewel [Special Edition – CD]• California Hitchhike – Iggy Pop [CD]• Can’t Be Tamed – Miley Cyrus [CD]• The Imagine Project – Herbie Hancock [B&N Exclusive Version – CD]• Memphis Blues – Cyndi Lauper [CD]• Happy Hour: South River Road Sessions – Uncle Kracker [CD]• Exile on Main St –The Rolling Stones [Vinyl LP]• Stadium Arcadium – Red Hot Chili Peppers [Vinyl LP]• Legend – Bob Marley & the Wailers [Special Edition – Vinyl LP]• Love Over Gold – Dire Straits [Vinyl LP]

INDEX

70

I don’t consider myself as the best player in the world. I’m not obsessed with individual titles. I’m much more interested in being part of a team which wins trophies. Ronaldo

I think football would become an even better game if someone could invent a ball that kicks back.

Eric Morecambe

THE LAST WORD

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Football is, after all, a wonderful way to get rid of your aggressions without going to jail for it. Heywood Hale Broun

If a man watches three football games in a row, he should be declared legally dead. Erma Bombeck

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71

I have seen women walk right past a TV set with a football game on and - this always

amazes me - not stop to watch, even if the TV is showing replays of what we call a

‘good hit’, which is a tackle that causes at least one major internal organ to actually

fly out of a player’s body.Dave Barry

There are several differences between a football game and a revolution. For one thing, a football game usually lasts longer and the participants wear uniforms. Also, there are usually more casualties in a football game. The object of the game is to move a ball past the other team’s goal line. This counts as six points. No points are given for lacerations, contusions, or abrasions, but then no points are deducted, either. Kicking is very important in football. In fact, some of the more enthusiastic players even kick the ball, occasionally. Alfred Hitchcock

Pro football is like nuclear warfare. There are no winners, only survivours.

Frank Gifford

It is not just a simple game, it is a weapon of the revolution.Zapatista Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara

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