Sur la Terre Arabia Winter 2014

n. 35ARABIA

KEIRA KNIGHTLEY

We drive the Rolls-Royce Ghost II in London

BLITHE SPIRIT

SLT takes a lookat the Guggenheim’sfirst exhibition

From corsets to code-breaking, Sur la Terre International uncovers the evolution of an English Rose by chatting with

LIGHT FANTASTIC

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n. 35ARABIA

KEIRA KNIGHTLEY


BLITHE SPIRIT



LIGHT FANTASTIC

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If we don't change, we don't grow. If we don't grow, we

aren't really living. - Gail Sheehy

The changing of the season brings with it a changing of the guard here at SLT Towers, and as 2014 becomes 2015, it is very much a case of “out with old, in with the new.”

Since our last issue, we have said a fond farewell to deputy editor, Laura Hamilton, to whom we wish all the best in her new job, and now I too must bid you all adieu.

This missive will mark the end of my tenure at the helm of the good ship Sur la Terre, as I hand over the tiller to younger, more feminine, but no less experienced, hands for the next leg of her fantastic voyage.

Under the style-driven stewardship of our newly installed officers of opulence, the winds of change will billow the sails as they set a course for fabulously fashion-filled waters, with a bold new look and an elegant adjustment in direction.

While my role as the heroically-moustachioed Admiral of Firefly’s lifestyle fleet means that I will still drop in on you all from time to time to make sure everything is progressing on an even keel, sitting at the captain’s table from here on in will be Senior Editor, Dina Kabbani, who has already taken command of the wheelhouse with this issue, and Editor-At-Large, Julia Seidl, who we also welcome aboard for the duration of our journey.

Together with our Art Director, Helen Louise Carter, these wonderfully talented women are already drawing up a visually stunning, editorially invigorating treasure map for you to follow come February 2015.

In the meantime, though, we have plenty to keep you warm as the nights draw in and the holiday season approaches. From the tip of my pen, you can indulge yourself in the Maldavian desert island retreat of Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, or get behind the wheel of the new Rolls-Royce Ghost II in London. Sophie Jones-Cooper brings you winter’s best looks, while Dina finds food nirvana at Eatopia and sees the light at the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.

With all your favourite regular features also sprinkled around the following pages like the first frosty flakes of snow, all that’s left for me to do is wish you happy holidays and a prosperous new year.

Farewell for now and, as always, you stay classy Arabia.

James McCarthy

regional managing editor

. sur la terre . editor’s letter . 1

Editorial

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22

the listArt, culture, lifestyle

the scen eWere you seen on the scene?

f or you r ey e s on lyThe things you need to own

r ev u eFood nirvana discovered at Eatopia

gl obe tro t terYour guide to global luxury

u p cl ose & per son a lPassionate and talented people

i n mo tionSpirit of the city: the new Rolls-Royce Ghost II

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. sur la terre . contents .

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st y le con fiden ti a lThe stars of winter

a rt opi aThe Guggenheim Abu Dhabi

tr en ds con fiden ti a lFierce, fabulous fashion

l ook bookThe best of the season's looks for guys & girls

hor i zonsThe Sun Siyam Iru Fushi resort in the Maldives

m a r k e tpl aceProducts available regionally

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. sur la terre . contents .

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“I WonDER IF THE SnoW Lov ES THE TREES A nD FIELDS , TH AT IT kIS SES THEM So GEnTLY? A nD THEn IT Cov ER S THEM U P SnUG, YoU k noW, W ITH A W HITE qUILT; A nD PER H A PS IT SAYS "G o To SLEEP, DA R LInGS , TILL THE SUMMER CoMES AGA In.”- L e w i s Car r o l l

thE liStARTS AnD CULTURE

26 Oct 2014

- 4 Jan 2015

WHEn: 10 - 17 December 2014 WHERE: Dubai, UAEWHAT: Film FestivalBringing together some of the most outstanding films from both emerging and renowned directors from around the world, the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) has earned its spot as one of the top 10 film festivals to visit. This year’s line-up promises an exciting platform to discover the best in Arab cinema, as well as the many original cinematic voices that have been generating buzz around the world throughout the year. From A-list stars casually discussing their films and sharing interesting behind-the-scenes stories to lavish post-screening parties, you’ll want to get in on the action quick, as there’s so much to do and see in those buzzing eight days. www.dubaifilmfest.com �

11th Dubai International Film Festival 2014

10 - 17 Dec 2014

WHEn: 26 october - 4 January 2015WHERE: kuwait City, kuwaitWHAT: Museum openingCurated by Abed Al kadiri The Sacred Paths, a photography exhibition from the Middle East, has all eyes are turning to kuwait’s only non-profit art center for modern & contemporary art, the Contemporary Art Platform (CoP). Focusing on the ideaology that the region is a cradle for religions, the retrospective explores the social and cultural accumulations that have progressed in agreement with such beliefs, through the works of 13 acclaimed photojournalists from the Middle East whose work takes visitors on a journey through various countries in the region. The artists open a brutally honest yet sensitive window to the pressures, illogicalities, happiness and suffering of their world with seventy photos from all over the Arab world, including Lebanon, Palestine, Egypt, Yemen, Syria, Iran and Iraq. www.capkuwait.com

The Sacred Paths

WHEn: 9 november - 15 February 2015WHERE: Doha, qatarWHAT: Art ExhibitionFor her first solo exhibition in the region, Iranian visual artist, Shirin neshat, takes over the ground floor galleries at Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art in Doha, with a vast showcase of existing and newly produced works. This exceptional body of work, which includes a photographic series inspired by The Book of kings (Shahnama) as well as an epic poem written by Persian poet Ferdowsi, offers a glimpse into the complex emotional, social and political realities that have shaped neshat, now one of the best-known Persian artists in the Western world. Exploring the relationships between ancient mythologies and contemporary events, her photographs and films challenge viewers into a conversation around the universal idea about loss, meaning, and memory, thus addressing the paradox of beauty and violence on these collective histories.www.mathaf.org.qa

Shirin Neshat: Afterwards

9 Nov 2014

- 15 Feb 2015

. sur la terre . the list .28

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thE liStEnTERTAInMEnT

1 - 3 Jan

6 Nov 2014

- 28 Mar 2015

6 Dec

WHEn: 1 - 3 January 2015WHERE: Abu Dhabi, UAEWHAT: Sports Event The tennis world’s heavy guns, Wimbledon champion novak Djokovic and world number two Rafael nadal, will descend on the bustling emirate of Abu Dhabi next January for the seventh Mubadala World Tennis Championship. The Zayed Sports City comes to life as six of the world’s top players battle it out for US $250,000 prize. Alongside high-octane court action, the event boasts a bevy of action-filled events to keep the crowds busy for what promises to be an exciting three days. www.mubadalawtc.com�

WHEn: 6 DecemberWHERE: Manama, BahrainWHAT: Triathlon The Challenge Family is the fastest growing global long distance triathlon series with 40 long distance triathlons in 17 countries. For this year’s leg in Bahrain, the 113km journey welcomes both individuals and relay teams to hit the turf on one of the fastest and most diverse courses on the international circuit, amidst the grandeur of high-tech architecture and a background of indigenous wildlife. Starting off in BahrainBay, the swimming competition will take place over a distance of 1.9km, followed by 90kms of cycling from the Gulf of Bahrain ending with the grand finale 21.1km run along the surrounding areas of Bahrain International Circuit. The half-distance race will feature a $500,000 prize purse attracting some of the biggest names in triathlon from Ironman world champions Pete Jacobs to Mirinda Carfrae, making this a race against the best of the best.www.challenge-bahrain.com.bh

WHEn: 6 november 2014 - 28 March 2015 WHERE: Dubai, UAEWHAT: Horseracing The UAE’s legacy with the fine art of horse racing began some thirty years ago, in 1981, when the Camel Track was transformed to accommodate thoroughbred racing. now in its much-anticipated 20th edition, the Dubai World Cup Carnival jumps back on the saddle opening up the Meydan Racecourse to host some of the biggest names in world racing. Taking place on november 6, 2015, the annual fixture will host 11 race meetings over a three-month season with a spectacular ending on March 28, featuring some of the sport’s greatest champions and contenders from countries as far- flung as Great Britain, the United States, Japan, Singapore, Brazil, Australia and Hong kong!www.dubaiworldcup.com

Mubadala Wold Tennis Championship

Challenge BahrainDubai World Cup Carnival 2014


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thE liStLIFESTYLE

3 - 14 Feb 2015

15 - 19 Dec

1 Jan - 1 Feb

2015

WHEn: 15 - 19 DecemberWHERE: Jeddah, Saudi ArabiaWHAT: Auto Show known as an adrenaline junkie’s playground when it comes to matters concerning speed, the Middle East houses some of the planet’s most passionate petrol heads. For whatever it may be that fosters such a high-end hobby, the 36 year-strong Saudi International Motor Show (SIMS) is there to make sure this hunger for automotive affection is satisfied, bringing in an estimated 100,000 fanatics to its annual exhibition. The event, one of the oldest and most celebrated in the region, offers like-minded owners and enthusiasts the chance to see the best of the best on display, with a bevy of attractions as well as a jam-packed programme for all members of the family to enjoy.www.sims-arabia.com

Gourmet Abu DhabiDubai Shopping FestivalSaudi International Motor Show

WHEn: 1 January - 1 February 2015WHERE: Dubai, UAEWHAT: Shopping Extravaganza With shopping fever reaching new heights, and after the big announcement of the Expo 2020 win, the Dubai Shopping festival (DSF) has a promising line-up that will definitely leave one’s wallet a bit lighter at the end of the one-month spending extravaganza. For those avid shoppers out there, picture a scene where over 150 events and activities are spread out across the buzzing city, from Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard to The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residence; in it’s 21st edition, we’re expecting this DSF to be the best yet! The festival, which kicks off the new Year, will be full of bargains, competitions and more reasons to hit the shops, aiming to support the local fashion and lifestyle industry, promoting tourism as well as bringing the international shopping community together.www.mydsf.ae

WHEn: 3 - 14 February 2015WHERE: Abu Dhabi, UAEWHAT: Culinary Festival Food lovers, who have been avidly anticipating the titanic tournament of the toothsome - Gourmet Abu Dhabi – can finally prepare to wet their salivating palettes with, what promises to be, a spectacular show for the senses. Marrying together culture and cuisine into one robust, flavourful dish, the epicurean extravaganza delights and excites with a mouth watering series of events that’ll have the crowds munching late into the night, engorging those hungry bellies with scrumptious concoctions from around the globe! With culinary competitions, gala dinners and moreish master classes going on, expect to see some of the world’s most famed chefs take to the cutting board for an exclusively crafted gourmet experience like none other, making Gourmet Abu Dhabi the event for those food fanatics out there who have a rather more refined taste for life.www.gourmetabudhabi.ae


Call +971 4 308 6204 or email [email protected]

A D I S C O V E R Y O F O P P O R T U N I T I E S & E V E R L A S T I N G R E L A T I O N S H I P S

s a i l i n gb o a t i n g w a t e r s p o r t s f i s h i n gd i v i n g

ORGANISED BY VENUE SUPPORTING MARITIME

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J O I N U S : twitter.com/dubaiboatfacebook.com/DubaiBoatShow linkd.in/1ahjZyM instagram.com/dibshow youtube.com/user/DubaiBoatShow

W W W . B O A T S H O W D U B A I . C O MD u b a i I n t e r n a t i o n a l M a r i n e C l u b

M i n a S e y a h i

d u b a i i n t e r n a t i o n a l

b o a t s h ow3 - 7 m a r c h 2 0 1 5

DIBS SUR LA TERRE SUPERYACHT 240x335.indd 1 11/11/14 3:37 PM

Abu Dhabi Film Festival Opening NightSWISS WATCH BRAnD JAEGER LECoULTRE HoSTED A DAZZLInG oPEnInG nIGHT

PARTY FoR THE LonG RUnnInG FILM FESTIvAL.

Directors, actors, dignitaries and socialites walked the red carpet of the Abu Dhabi Film Festival’s opening night party, which was hosted by event sponsor, Jaeger LeCoultre. one of the guests was Carmen Chaplin, a friend of the brand and granddaughter of the cinematic legend, Charlie Chaplin. See our interview with her on page 60. �

t h e s c e n et h e s c e n e

. sur la terre . the scene .34

MILLY BOUTIQUE VILLAGGIO MALL +974 44507084, DOHA, QATARARRAYA CENTER SHARQ +965 22997739, KUWAITDUBAI MALL +971 43308859, CITY CENTER +971 42840577, DUBAI, UAE

Milly artwork SLT.indd 1 11/16/14 3:56 PM

Dubai Vougue Fashion Experience 2014A-LISTERS AnD FASHIon RoYALTY TURnED oUT In THEIR DRovES FoR THE LAUnCH oF THE 2nD DUBAI voGUE FASHIon ExERIEnCE.


Roberto Cavalli, Lily Cole, Soko and many more joined the editor of vogue Italia, Franca Sozzani, at the gala launch event in the shadow of the Burj khalifa in Dubai. Workshops, galleries and fashion shows followed, highlighting the talents of up-and-coming designers from both the GCC and internationally. �


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Qatar Airways Launches Its A380 qATAR’S nATIonAL CARRIER TAkES DELIvERY oF ITS FIRST AIRBUS A380 AIRCRAFT To

HUGE FAnFARE.

qatar Airways put on a spectacular show for dignitaries and media to celebrate the long-awaited arrival of its fleet of Airbus A380 super-liners. The plane’s opulent first and business class cabins are now among the most luxurious in the sky, after the airline started its A380 service on the popular Doha to London Heathrow route in october. �



Al Boraq Unveils New Porsche CayenneTHE LATEST LInE-UP oF THE STUTTGART-BASED SPoRTS CAR MAkER’S SUvS WERE

LAUnCHED AT A LAvISH EvEnT In THE qATAR ExHIBITIon CEnTRE


The Porsche Cayenne has become a common sight on the roads of the GCC, and now a new breed of the popular SUv is emerging. Al Boraq Automobiles welcomed customers and vIPs to a spectacular unveiling of the marque’s latest models.


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Patrice Alexendre Opens At The GatevIPS CELEBRATED THE LAUnCH oF PATRICE ALExAnDRE, qATAR'S FIRST PREMIUM

GRooMInG SALon AnD SPA FoR MEn.

For nearly 30 years, Patrice Salon has served the grooming needs of men in Doha, from the man on the street to high-ranking qatari dignitaries, diplomats and socialites. now, the French scissor smith has changed the peninsular’s male grooming game for good with the opening of the country’s first luxury grooming salon and spa for men. Located at the Gate Mall in Doha’s fashionable West Bay area, Patrice Alexendre officially opened its doors in october with a reception for vIPs and loyal customers.



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WElCoMEto a World WhErE MoNEy iS No objECt aNd Cool CoMES at a priCE. FyEo iS a MillioNairE’S ShoppiNg liSt that givES you aN iNSidE traCk to thE thiNgS you NEEd to oWN.

An absolute must for both swarthy millionaires and eccentric super villains (both groups of whom arguably come from the same stock), the U-Boat Worx Super Yacht Sub 3 is the ideal vehicular conveyance to explore the vivid depths surrounding your luxury yacht and/or secret subaquatic lair. Touted as “the most compact three-person submersible ever built,” this U-Boat was designed to fit within the confines of your spacious yacht, while also housing sufficient power to explore neptune’s briny kingdom with luxurious abandon. Armed with powerful thrusters on the outside and further outfitted with leather seating and a fully air-conditioned environment on the inside

you-boat >>>(which can be manicured to taste), you will feel both stylish and secure as you traverse even the most bumpy and harrowing corners of Davy Jones’ Locker. When you finally decide to come up for perhaps fresher air, the innovative, patent-pending Freeboard Extender system will make sure that the entrance/exit hatch can always be safely opened, and that you can continue your wet and wild fun with water sports elsewhere. Built with safety, precision, craftsmanship and durability, there is simply no cooler way to stock your seafaring style. And it can be all yours for about USD $1.3 million! What a steal!www.uboatworx.com u

For yo u r eyes o

nly

44 . sur la terre . for your eyes only .

As is evidenced by a more aquatic bit of ownable artistry within our For Your Eyes only section this time, never let it be said that, though our very name implies an exploration of things “on the earth,” we don’t love the things below ... or indeed above it. Built with the aerial maverick completist in mind, the F-4 Phantom II Ejection Seat will take your personal collection of aeronautical arcana up, up and away from all the rest. Rendered as a loving homage to the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II (one of the most versatile and iconic supersonic jets ever devised) by British manufacturer Martin-Baker Aircraft Co. Ltd. (lauded as a world leader in ejection seats ... because

that’s a thing), this special ejection apparatus includes a seatbelt, grip handle and release button, an empty oxygen tank and both a Boeing Custom Hangar plaque and Certificate of Authenticity, thereby proving your part in rocket-assisted history. Refurbished to exacting standards and made all the more resolute in a natural, weathered finish, this is a chair that will blast your status into the stratosphere! Although, if you have a friend nicknamed Goose, you may want to offer him somewhere else to sit. Historically, that combination never ends well. www.boeingstore.com

daNgEr throNE >>>

As ol’ Blue Eyes famously crooned of his beloved Big Apple, “If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere,” and if you absolutely, positively want to make it in new York City, it’s got to be at 432 Park Avenue. Standing tall at 1,396 feet, the building itself commands an historic stature, being that it is the tallest residential building in the West. However, it’s when you shuck and devour its insides that its gems are truly unleashed. While it hosts a bevy of different apartments at different price points (all outfitted with the very best amenities money can buy), it is the penthouse selection at its top that will make you drool. Cresting atop floors 91 to 96 of the building, each penthouse hosts 8,255 square feet of space, in which exists (amongst the usual domicile delights) six bedrooms, seven bathrooms, a wood-burning fireplace, a library and even a private elevator landing. of course, living at 1,255 feet, you will play audience to perhaps the most impressive amenity the penthouse boasts: an unfettered, 360 degree view of the City That never Sleeps. Currently available at a pricing point of USD $82.5 million, it may cost you a pretty penny, but that’s just the cost of living the new York dream.www.432parkavenue.com u

EMpirE StatEly MaNor >>>

For yo u r eyes o

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Finally. After 25 years of waiting upon bated breath for technology to catch up with our collective imaginations, right-minded boffins have put their big brains together and created the ultimate cinematic exemplar of the future: The Hoverboard. First made famous in the classic film, Back to the Future Part II, this bit of technology has been on the wish-list of children and adults alike for a period now spanning generations. Created by Greg Henderson and his fellow science whizzes at the California-based Arx Pax, the so-dubbed Hendo Hoverboard allows a 15 minute flight of fancy for folks 140kg or less.

Allowing you to spin and slide on a 3cm cushion of pure magnetic force provided by four disc-like engines, you may be relegated to turning tricks on floors made of non-ferrous metals (i.e., aluminium, lead, nickel, copper, etc.), but that is more than enough to make your late-1980s dreams truly McFly! Preorders of the Hendo are currently priced at USD $10,000, which is a small price to pay, really, to cast yourself headlong into the future you always wanted to ride.www.arxpax.com

tiME to MCFly >>>

If, like us, you are incredibly worldly and are global jet-setters, then you have probably experienced some of the globe’s finest hotel rooms. It is a fair assumption that at some point on your travels, though you may not realise it, you have enjoyed the craftsmanship and comfort of Jetclass furniture. The Portuguese company specialises in creating aesthetically superior and elegantly functional furniture, using the most modern design and manufacturing techniques, like the new Diamond collection pictured here. A significant part of its business is supplying special signature-series and art-brand sets to luxuriously appointed boutique and destination hotels and, fortunately for us, it is looking to grow its business right here in the GCC. Jetclass recently exhibited at the Hotel Show in Dubai’s World Trade Centre and garnered a great deal of interest from the region’s hoteliers. With all of the new hotels springing up from the desert sands across the region, especially in Dubai and qatar prior to the Dubai Expo 2020 and 2022 FIFA World Cup, the chances are, if you haven’t already, you will find yourself lounging louche on a Jetclass chaise longue or sprawling in the comfort of one of its beds sooner than you think. www.jetclass.pt

FirSt ClaSS FurNiturE >>>

For yo u r eyes o

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r e v u er e s tau r a n t

on oURPLATESur la Terre finds food heaven at Eatopia, Doha’s newest gourmet deli

. sur la terre . revue .50

the deli is also a bri l l iant place to pick up some buttery French brie, a rustic black olive baguette made from the in-house bakery, or some prime australian beef to take home and throw on the gri l l .

in light of Doha’s current, expanding multi-cultural dining scene, not a day passes without news of an exciting new restaurant opening, a devastating closing, or a must-try dish. It’s easy to remember that for years, to get great food meant legging it to one of the higher-end restaurants ensconced in one of the city’s luxury hotels. But now,

having been bitten by the culinary bug, the capital has fast become a breeding ground for foodies, critics and those wishing to capitalise on this ever-lucrative trend.

Putting a fresh, contemporary face on cuisine is Eatopia, a gourmet crossbreed between upmarket deli and neighbourhood eatery. opening in the heart of the bustling business hub of West Bay, the trendy, deli-front restaurant is definitely making noise as the new kid on the block, offering a cosmopolitan food journey and unique shopping experience through its cafe menu and international range of artisanal products. For one thing, the place is anything but dead, with a buzz of activity left and right thanks to the live cooking stations that seem to fill every possible nook and cranny.

The interior, a cool combination of modern and cozy, takes on a contemporary twist between quirky market stalls and a gourmet food court with all the epicure trimmings. Encouraging diners to discover a mashup of favourite kitchen staples and unique tastes from around the �

Words: Dina KabbaniPictures: herbert villadelrey

. sur la terre . revue . 51

52 . sur la terre . revue .

world, dinning here is as simple as it gets; grab a card, hop around from one counter to the other, pick and choose, then swipe your card and grab a chair while your food gets delivered straight to your seat.

So what’s on offer you ask? Eatopia works around the clock, turning out food all day, from a Florentine Benedict at breakfast to dinnertime treats including gorgonzola gnocchi, lobster Caesar salad and a buzzed-about veal ravioli with butter sage. We suggest that the very basic salad bar could do with a revamp of ingredient choice and recommend heading straight to the Italian and Western kitchen; with a wood-fired pizza oven and a proper Italian chef manning the docks, this should warrant as your first pit-stop.

Their Caprese Salad with rich burrata mozzarella comes slathered with a vibrant, earthy basil pesto and juicy plump tomatoes, making it an excellent starter. The foie gras terrine, on the other hand, did not quite live up to its promise, let down with a bland roll of spicy bread and the overly sweet fruit chutney. With a bit of tweaking this could mimic the quintessentially French dish, just not on this occasion. Fortunately, there is nothing more mouth-watering than a huge bowl of steaming homemade pasta to get a meal back on track, and that’s exactly what Eatopia’s astice fettucine managed to do, with its rich meaty lobster chunks and creamy bisque sauce worthy of an Italian mama no less.

off to the Arabian kitchen and the sweet Rotisseries rotating with fat plump chickens and tantalising shawrema stands are as super inviting as they are mesmerising. Being sticklers for traditional Levantine mezzeh though, a trial of assorted Arabic fare took place. It was quite basic and turned out to be something of a mixed bag. While relatively enjoyable, the ma’anek and sujuk were missing a few essential notes and spices associated with the famous dishes. The sushi bar erected at the back of the place is quaint, offering a chance to perch up on stools and watch the chef dish out roll after roll of brilliant Maki and fresh Sashimi. For those who’ve jumped on the health bandwagon, the juice bar is definitely worth hitting up for some cold pressed mean green mixes like the Blushing Beetroot or Farm Fresh elixir.

The deli is also a brilliant place to pick up some buttery French brie, a rustic black olive baguette made from the in-house bakery, or some prime Australian beef to take home and throw on the grill.

Eatopia even offers the service of actually cooking the produce you pick for you and can also dish it out on the spot, where you can either enjoy in the bustling dining area inside or al fresco on the outside terrace with sweeping views of the city below. Their gourmet market is a one-stop haven for foodies who’ll appreciate the selection of infused dipping oils to the pretty bottles of preserves. All in all the potential’s there, just a few minor details that, once sorted out, will have this place packed from breakfast service into the night.

The interior, a cool combination

of modern and cozy, takes on a contemporary twist between quirky market stalls and a

gourmet food court with all

the epicure trimmings.

now that the weather is more condusive to al fresco dining, patrons can enjoy the lovely rooftop views offered by eatopia's unique open-air terrace.

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G l o b e t r o t t e r

Global Gatherings is your at-a-glance

map of magnificence, directing you to all

of the culturally essential, entertaining

and luxurious events and happenings that

will be taking place across the world (or

perhaps, we should say, “sur la terre”)

over the coming months.

Where: los angeles, United

states of america

What: la art show

When: 14th to 18th JanUary 2015Considered the most comprehensive art experience on the West Coast, the 2015 edition is set to bring more than 140 galleries under one roof. With specially curated exhibits and captivating lectures, this is one show not to miss whether you’re a serious collector or just the run-of-the-mill art buff.www.laartshow.com

Where: rio de Janeiro, Brazil

What: rio carnival

When: 13th to 18th feBrUary 2015Mix a melange of tribal beats, larger-than-life costumes, overly decorated floats and several million people in the sexiest city on the planet and you get the year’s hottest party of the year without a doubt.www.rio-carnival.netglobal

gathEriNgS

. sur la terre . globetrotter .54

Where: melBoUrne, aUstralia

What: aUstralian grand Prix 2015

When: 12th to 15th march 2015The journey to the 2015 Formula 1 World Championship commences once again with Melbourne hosting Round 1 of the season.www.grandprix.com.au

Where: Berlin, germany

What: Berlinale international film festival

When: 5th to 15th feBrUary 2015An important event marked on serious film enthusiasts’ calendar, the Berlinale covers a wide range of cinema mixing the independent and art house with the avante garde and classic in ten jam-packed dayswww.berlinale.de

Where: dUBai, United araB emirates

What: dUBai international Boat show

When: 3rd to 7th march 2015Considered the “ultimate rendez-vous” of the sea in the Middle East, DIBS brings glamour and luxury to would-be sailors with the finest collection of super yachts and leisure crafts from across the globe.www.boatshowdubai.com

Where: Paris, france

What: haUte coUtUre week

When: 25th to 30th JanUary 2015All eyes turn to Paris as the fashion crowd flock to the capital, hitting up lavish runway shows and even more extravagant after-parties, eager to be the first to see what couturiers have prepped for their most loyal, and moneyed, fans. www.modeaparis.com

Where: hong kong

What: art Basel

When: 15th - 17th march 2015Dubbed the olympics of the art world, the famous fair returns to the cosmopolitan city with a showcase exploring twelve decades of art history covering six different sectors.www.artbasel.com/en/hong-kong

Where: riyadh, kingdom of saUdi araBia

What: american exPress world lUxUry exPo

When: 11th to 13th march 2015Luxury address, Ritz-Carlton Riyadh, will play host to an invitation-only three day exhibition, showcasing some of the world’s leading luxury brands to highly discerning guests.www.worldluxuryexpo-riyadh.com

. sur la terre . globetrotter . 55

G l o b e t r o t t e r

Amidst an unfashionably dull stretch of Rue St.-Maur in the 11th Arrondissement, lays a quaint cave in the hole bar run by Camille Fourmont, veteran employee of the epically famous Chateaubriand and Le Dauphin. Call her sommelier, cook, waiter or dishwasher, she runs the place as a one-woman show. now for those of you who’ve ever wondered what opening a

In the year and a half since it’s opening, the Rue Perée store has fast become a mecca for fashion’s creative types, who descend on the Marais store when they’re done hanging at Colette or Merci. And who can blame them? With a highly curated selection of emerging and established labels, the boutique has found itself a niche of followers who not only appreciate the vision of founders, Guillaume Steinmetz, Anaïs Lafarge, and Romain Joste, but see the concept store as a social spot to gather in and catch up. Brands like Raf Simons and Stwald Helgason hang impeccably flanked by bright white walls and untreated wood shelves where issues of System magazine and cult art books sit neatly stacked. Adjacent to the space, through a glass and wood door, is a bright and bustling café which fills up with the trendy Marais crowd come lunchtime. www.the-broken-arm.com

thE brokEN arMWhere: Paris, france

la buvEttE dE CaMillEWhere: Paris, france

W H E R E I n T H E W o R L D . . .SLT endeavours to bring you the hidden gems from around the world. This time, we dug a little deeper and went off-the-beaten-path to uncover the secrets that make Paris so utterly irresistible!

little bistro in one’s living room would look like, this is it. Think creamy white tiles, vintage glass fixtures, simple wooden tables and chairs, and an inviting zinc-capped bar; a place clearly put together by a cool girl for the cool young crowd that hole up there in the early evenings. The bar, which is disguised as a wine shop for leasing issues, offers a charming spot where one can come in, sip on superb wine bought off eccentric vintners, which Fourment hand selects herself, alongside simple and honest charcuterie plates. www.facebook.com/pages/La-Buvette

surleterre_arabia

3h

. sur la terre . globetrotter .56

Wonder where all the Parisian hipsters go to catch a bite? Well it seems that the fashion and art crowd have literally gone off to market, flocking to the remote suburb of Saint-ouen to dine at Ma Cocotte, Philipe Starck’s 250-seat cafeteria-style restaurant. With an eclectic interior filled with finds from the surrounding Serpette and Paul Bert antique markets, the place boasts an industrial aesthetic spread out over two floors. And with traditional bistro fare on offer, such as artichokes en vinaigrette and shepherds pie, the food is even more reason to leg it over to the enchanting flea market. www.macocotte-lespuces.com

Deep in the heart of what is left now of the historic Montmartre scrubland is an impressive white townhouse; a stunning jewel at the top of a secret stairway, formerly owned by the Hermès family. offering a sensible amount of luxury as well as a surprising degree of quiet, the stunning maison, perfectly nestled between the famous Avenue Junot and Rue Lepic, boasts five gorgeously quirky designed suites each steeped deeply in art. Striped "grandfather" drapes, napoleon III lighting fixtures and lush cashmere upholstery make for a sensational visual surprise. Take in high tea or an alfresco brunch at one of the little wrought-iron tables strewn amongst the serene garden with its shady alcoves and leafy space, designed by landscaper Louis Bénech (who also created the Jardin des Tuileries). or head for a nightcap at the very hush-hush private bar, Très particulier, where reservations are absolutely mandatory.www.hotel-particulier-montmartre.com

gEraldiNEWhere: Paris, france

hotEl partiCuliEr MoNtMartEWhere: Paris, france

. sur la terre . globetrotter . 57

“W InTER IS CoMInG.”- G e or g e R .R . Mar t i n , A Ga m e o f Thr on e s

a timeless legacy:Carmen Chaplin

as a director and actress, what do you think is significant about the Abu Dhabi Film Festival?Well, it’s the first time I’ve come here and I’ve only been to the opening night so, unfortunately, I won’t be staying for all the films, but last night’s film was a first. That’s very

special and you hope that cinema will be more prolific and I think it’s always special people put spotlight on specific cinema from a region because it allows for there to be an enthusiasm to make more films.

Earlier this year you directed and produced The Innovators to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Little Tramp. Like Little Tramp, The Innovators examines one of the most difficult and alarming issues of our time, the environment, using interesting characters and humour. Why do you think humour is such an effective cross-cultural and intergenerational tool for reaching people? I didn’t want to be preachy about something and I think when you use humour it’s easier for people to listen to you. I guess it’s always �

charlie chaPlin’s leGacy to cinema is Well-DocumenteD, but the Film-maKinG

Gene runs in the Family. at the recent abu Dhabi Film Festival, sur la terre met With the GranDDauGhter oF the silver screen leGenD, carmen chaPlin, to talK

about her short Films, her actinG career anD her Famous GranDFather’s JaeGer

lecoultre Watch, Which insPireD one oF her movies.

u P c lo s e a n D P e r s o n a l

Words: angela simaanPictures: Jaeger lecoultre

. sur la terre . up close and personal .60

I love comedy because I love laughing. I watch

the stupidest comedies and I laugh.

. sur la terre . up close and personal . 61

62 . sur la terre . up close and personal .

better to give a message through a story because I think you feel closer to it.I love comedy because I love laughing. I watch the stupidest comedies and I laugh. If it makes me laugh, I’ll enjoy it. But I also really love romantic films and thrillers. The only genre I don’t watch is horror.

What was the experience of making The Innovators?It was a very tough film to make, but every short film is a really good learning experience. You’re lucky when you’re doing a short film because it’s just a few days of filming. It was nice because my daughter acted in it, my sister and my cousin, as well as two other actresses that have become friends.

Why do you love working with women?Initially I think it started because I wanted to write myself some good female parts and eventually I realised that I didn’t want to be on both sides of the camera. I just wanted to be a director, so I had to give the part I wrote for myself to my sister. Then I thought it was so nice to work with an actress and, because I’m an actress, I write parts that I would like to play.

Your short film “A Time for Everything” tells the story of how a Jaeger LeCoultre watch, gifted by the Swiss government to Charlie Chaplin, has become a family heirloom and symbol of the passage of time. How does it feel to have such a significant and meaning ful piece within the family? The watch is a very nice man’s watch, but what I find is that something with a story that comes from your grandmother or great-grandfather is always more precious to you. The watch has a particular story, so I like it. I think I know about the narrative (of the watch) because my grandfather was very famous, but I’m sure there are stories behind everyone’s grandparent’s jewellery. The watch will not pass to me; I don’t think I can lay claim to a man’s watch when I have five brothers.

Does someone still wear the watch daily or is it more of an heirloom?My mother used to wear it daily, but then she was doing the dishes and dropped it in the dishwater by accident. JLC repaired it, but it put her off wearing it daily. She’s a painter and a keen gardener, very active with her hands, so I think she is worried that it could get permanently damaged.

As a friend of the JLC brand, what can you say about JLC’s support for cultural innovators and creatives, filmmakers like those here at ADFF, artists, etc?I find that it’s very exciting. I think it’s really nice that a luxury brand, with a very luxurious clientele, can focus on the arts; helping young talent and on awarding people who have had extraordinary careers. Rather than just focusing on the red carpet, they have a real impact on the film festival and on supporting creativity. It’s very inspiring.

As a creative yourself, where and how do you find inspiration for new projects?Creativity isn’t something you can push. You can’t just decide I’m going to write film and do it. You have to have moments where you do nothing where you’re just kind of dreamy and don’t have any distractions so that the ideas come to you. And I used to think, “but is that lazy?” Then I found out that my grandfather used to take baths for three hours where he would just daydream. Sometimes the ideas just trickle in your head and they take a long time to gestate. You have an idea and then you have to write; I’ll just write notes and notes and notes and then slowly it becomes a story.

creaTiviTy iSn’T SomeThinG

you can PuSh. you can’T JuST

DeciDe i’m GoinG To wriTe

Film anD Do iT. you have To

have momenTS where you Do

noThinG where you’re JuST

kinD oF Dreamy anD Don’T

have any DiSTracTionS So

ThaT The iDeaS come To you.

Standard Angelina FP issue35.pdf 1 11/20/14 9:21 AM

Keira KniGhtley talKs to SUR LA TERRE INTERNATIONAL about beinG baFFleD by the maths oF her neW Film THE

IMITATION GAME, her home liFe anD hoW she escaPeD beinG tyPecast by PerioD Dramas.

u P c lo s e a n D P e r s o n a l

the evolUtion of keira

KEIRA KNIGHTLEY

. sur la terre . up close and personal .64

to the casual observer, keira knightley seems to be emerging from a thoroughly hectic 18 months. quite apart from getting married to klaxons musician James Righton in France last year and making the most of her English

Rose elegance as the face of Chanel, knightley appears in four movies released over the next 12 months, all of which have received excellent reviews. It is the latter of those, The Imitation Game, which knightley was promoting at the Toronto Film Festival, earlier this year. Charming and spirited, and wearing a striking multi-coloured dress, she shows no signs of fatigue. Perhaps she hasn’t been as busy as we thought… “I actually haven’t this year, apart from filming for Everest, which I was only on for about six days,” she explains. “And that’s because I had four films coming out this year,” knightley laughs.

The Imitation Game is a historical thriller about pioneering computer scientist Alan Turing, a key figure in cracking the nazi’s Enigma Code and securing the end of the Second World War. knightley plays Joan Clarke, who worked as a code-breaker at Bletchley Park (the headquarters of the British Government’s code-breaking operations). Her character is a lone female searching for acceptance in a male dominated environment, alongside Benedict Cumberbatch as Turing, as well as Matthew Goode and Downton Abbey’s Allen Leach. “They were great: I loved them,” knightley says of her co-stars. “I knew Benedict because we worked together on Atonement, but I had no idea of the level of brilliance of Matthew Goode, and I didn’t know Allen either. I loved being part of their gang.”

With scampish honesty, knightley says that the world of cryptanalysis and information systems was one that she had only the feeblest grasp of. “But I can always pretend that I know what’s going on! I normally don’t and I can only pretend.” Her understanding of maths is not her forte, it transpires. “It’s non-existent. Well, I got a B at school, so I couldn’t have been that bad, and for two seconds on set we all thought, ‘let’s bring crosswords, they will help us with the code stuff.’ I think it took two days to do half of one quick crossword!”

If the maths left her cold, it was an on emotional, rather than intellectual, level that knightley connected with the movie’s story; a tale set in wartime Britain. “My parents weren’t alive during the war but my grandparents were. So I guess there was always the story of my nan falling down stairs with my uncle - she was in his arms because a bomb hit just right next to the house. And I even remember in some friends’ houses there were still bomb shelters in the gardens that hadn’t been taken down, and we used to play in them. Being a Londoner, you walk around London and even as a kid you start thinking ‘why is this building old and that new?’ but of course it’s because it was bombed.

Words: eva steenPictures: rights reserved

So you can’t really be a Londoner, and not walk around with the scars of it a little bit.”

knightley was born on 26th March 1985 in South-West London. Her mother, Sharmon Macdonald, was a playwright and Will knightley, her father, made his living as an actor, though she denies that her parents steered her towards the big screen. “They weren’t pushy at all. They just said if I wanted to act that I needed to do good at school and get good grades.” Still, by the age of six knightley had an agent - “everyone else in my family seemed to have one so I wanted one as well” - and after some minor roles on British television, including long-running police drama The Bill, at 16 her big break arrived. Bend it Like Beckham, the women’s football film, turned her overnight into one of England’s most saleable acting exports: the 2008 Forbes list calculated she was the second highest-earning female actor in Hollywood.

knightley’s willingness to embrace the period drama market, something she adeptly managed via stellar turns in Pride and Prejudice, Atonement, and The Duchess, was in no small part responsible for her popularity. Corsets and crinolines became as synonymous with knightley as her tabloid notoriety, with high-profile relationships with Del Synnott, Jamie Dornan and Rupert Friend played out amidst press intrusion. A fear of typecasting, both personally and professionally, forced knightley into revaluation. “A few years ago I realised that I needed to change my approach. For a long time I felt that I needed to prove myself but now I think I should just go out there and move forward. The balance between life and work is tricky, and I’m much happier finding projects where I don’t have to die in the end.” �

. sur la terre . up close and personal . 65

66 . sur la terre . up close and personal .

Refusing to differentiate between period pieces and contemporary film - “I don’t think of them as two different genres” - knightley has successfully moved away from the victorian image that nearly came to define her. “I would really only look for a story or for character and it doesn’t really matter when something is set. The bonus of not doing a period piece is that you get more sleep. But apart from that it really only is in the character, it’s not really the setting.” However, don’t mistake this change in attitude for knightley regretting what made her famous. “I enjoy period pieces because I like doing the research, and they require more imagination. You have to imagine the world, the difference in culture and you have to create the entire world, as opposed to today where we know exactly what it is and we know how we behave. That’s kind of easy, and I enjoy the kind of extra work that is required from a period piece. The language is different but saying that, I really love the other movie I have at the film festival, Laggies, and the film I had out in the summer Begin Again. I loved that because it was completely different; not stylised dialogue and a lot more improvisation, and that was fun as well.”

It isn’t just her approach to work that has altered. knightley, perhaps stung by her treatment at the hands of the press, is guarded, without being obstinate. When she speaks about her marriage, while not a topic deemed off-limits, it is done with a degree of caution. “Marriage feels very good and I hope it stays that way,” she says. Righton may be a musician, but knightley doesn’t mind confessing that “I’m not really into music too much, actually.” She starts to laugh. “obviously my husband is in a band and my brother has been in bands too, and my whole family is obsessed with music. But I am not wired that way, I don’t get it. When I did Begin Again, I had to learn how to play the guitar. I couldn’t sing and play at the same time, so I was happy to put the guitar down in the end. My hands would bleed!”

Modelling for Chanel is one of the actress’ favourite pastimes. “I’m not going to sit here saying I don’t enjoy getting glammed up sometimes; who doesn’t?” she smiles. Time off, however, means just that. “I just switch off totally, I don’t have a problem with doing that. The problem is bringing the work back on again.”

Downtime, she says, is essential to making the right career choices. “The way that I know I do my best work, it is a very immersive experience. I really don’t like coming out of it so it becomes very difficult to suddenly do lots of press things or something else at the same time. So because of that I can read scripts and I know that unless I am really going to get into a film, it’s just not going to work.”

These are the words of a woman, who at 29, is in control of her own life, happily married and with a clear sense of direction. knightley believes that her best work is yet to come. “It’s taken me time to overcome my doubts and insecurities,” she says. “It’s been my nature not to believe my own success, and that I deserved that success. But it’s something I’ve fought to overcome, and it’s only after films like Atonement and Edge of Love that I think I’ve lived up to my own expectations. You do question what you’ve put into the world, and I do that more than ever now. Hopefully I can continue to make the best choices for me.”

"a few years ago i realised that i needed to change my approach.

For a long time i felt that i needed to prove myself but now i think i should just go out there

and move forward."

Standard SOUQWAQIF FP issue34.pdf 1 11/20/14 11:57 AM

Standard SOUQWAQIF FP issue34.pdf 1 11/20/14 11:57 AM

SPIRIT oF THE CITY

. sur la terre . in motion .68

manaGinG eDitor, James mccarthy, travels to lonDon anD Finally Falls in love With

the rolls-royce Ghost.

. sur la terre . in motion . 69

i n m ot i o n

beauty is not just skin deep. Trust me, I know from my experiences in front of the bathroom mirror each morning. Equally, this statement can be applied to the spectacular Rolls-Royce Ghost series II: the long-awaited sequel to the marque’s “Baby Roller,” which launched in 2010.

For the naysayers who will undoubtedly dismiss this new iteration as just cosmetic facelift, I can equivocally say it’s foolish to judge this book by its cover. While it may look like a sedate, slow-paced tome, what you actually get, when you flip past the all new front cover, is a rip-roaring, roller coaster of erudite brilliance and superlative composition. In fact, it’s bit of a love story.

You know the sort: boy from the wrong side of the tracks meets car, boy doesn’t really hit it off with car, car goes away and finds itself, boy bumps into car years later in sprawling metropolis, boy falls in love with car and they drive off into the sunset. It’s an age old tale, and it starts among the clouds, on an unseasonably warm September day in London...

The morning fog hangs wearily over the British capital’s financial district. on the 68th floor of The Shard, the ever-vivacious Richard Carter, Global Marketing Director for Rolls-Royce, holds court at the head of a long table, around which sits the finest scribes that the Middle East, Africa and South America can muster. And me. All of us sit in rapt attention as he announces in his clipped South African timbre, “Today, ladies and gentlemen, you will experience power like no other: that of the Ghost series II.”

outside, only the tips of London’s tallest spires can be seen poking through the ethereal mist that swirls around the building’s observation deck, adding an eerie sense of theatre to the whole occasion. “Your route,” he proclaims, “will take you to the beautiful kent countryside, where you will stop for lunch before returning, through central London, to The Shard. Enjoy the day.”

I look at the venerable Richard Whitehead, my driving partner for the day, who, like me, is slightly worse for wear after a night enjoying the libatious hospitality of the world’s premiere automotive brand. Without a moment’s hesitation, I nominate him as the designated driver for the first leg at the helm of Rolls-Royce’s latest luxo-barge.

At the foot of Europe’s tallest building, we inspect our steed. The aesthetic enhancements are subtle; a new front headlight design gives the Ghost II a more purposeful expression, the “waft line” sits slightly further forward to offer a visually more dynamic stance along with the re-sculpted bumpers, while a recessed “jet stream” in the aluminium bonnet forms a wake behind the ever-fleeting Spirit of Ecstasy. “Yes,” I think to myself, “it’s imposing and beautiful in a ‘that’s a nice mountain’ kind of way, but there has to be more to it than just that.”

We are to be chauffeured for the first section of the route and we climb through the infinitely cool coach doors, finding ourselves inside the familiar, cosseted surroundings of a Rolls-Royce. The cabin smells of �

Words: James mccarthyPictures: Jamie lipman

fine leather and wood. It is, I imagine, what a Holland & Holland rifle feels like all the time; resting snugly in the perfectly fitted recess of an exquisitely crafted gun case, though, I don’t think they have two-inch deep lambswool carpeting or picnic tables. As we cruise over Tower Bridge, I remain set in my belief that this is the purpose of a Rolls-Royce “saloon” - to be driven in glorious comfort past the grubby 99-percent. An oasis of calm in a busy metropolis. So why, then, would you choose a Ghost II over a Phantom? Price? I doubt it. no decision to purchase any Flying Lady is an economic one. Size? Then why the Extended Wheel Base edition Ghost?

I continue to ruminate on this, long after Mr. Whitehead has taken the wheel and I am ensconced in the newly-designed front seats as he propels us towards “The Garden of England.” While the ride is, as one would expect from a Roller, “wafty,” I can still feel the car, however imperceptibly, moving at speed. That doesn’t happen in a Phantom, and my interest is piqued. Richard notes, in between extolling the merits of the oft-maligned Safari Suit, that being on 21-inch wheels wearing run-flat tyres is likely to have some effect on the usually impeccable ride quality but, having had my encounter with the Wraith, I sense its presence in the new Ghost.

I’m not wrong, either. After some sleuthing during lunch, I am told that underneath the Ghost II are re-engineered front and rear suspension struts and adjusted dampers that increase the driving performance, especially when fitted in tandem with an all-new “Dynamic Package.” If I had been sitting in the back, I would have experienced the same rear-seat ride quality as before, if not better, thanks to new hydraulic rear axle bearings. Mr. Whitehead would know, as he assumes the role of a retired 1970s rock star, opting for the rear of the cabin while I take control. I wouldn’t mind so much if he didn’t insist on calling me “peasant” every time a pedestrian comes within earshot of the lowered window.

The immediately obvious evolution on the driver’s side of the car is the absence of the yacht-like steering wheel. In its place I find a thicker, more “racier” effort similar, again, to that of the Wraith, along with the same touch-pad rotary controller for the infotainment system and 10.2-inch HD screen. That’s not the only clever tech that has found its way into the Ghost II, either. This latest model benefits from the inevitable addition of Rolls-Royce’s fantastically omnipotent Satellite-Aided Transmission system, which effortlessly manages the seamless eight-speed automatic gearbox.

Coupled with the epic - and immediate - power delivery of the vast v12 engine, throwing the Ghost II around the A-roads in the heart of the sunny English countryside, I am suddenly transported back to vienna, the Wraith, and the thrill of finally driving a Rolls-Royce that wanted to be driven. Unlike its predecessor, you don’t feel completely detached from the road in the Ghost II, you get a hint of that two-and-half ton weight every time you lean into a corner;

70 . sur la terre . in motion .

it’s still not as tactile as its fastback brother, but it is a much more engaging driving experience than its forebear. There are still un-nerving moments with the sheer scale of the car, though. I often find myself a little too far to the left, fearing that one of the several horse boxes or rural buses that come careering around the corners towards me, are going to leave their livery down the right flank of the £380k car I'm piloting in the opposite direction.

In fact (and this where my reticence begins to disolve), it is when we finally find ourselves back in the big city that I feel the Ghost II really come into its element. I finally get it. This 18-foot by six-and-a-half foot behemoth, which I had struggled to fully reconcile on narrow country roads, suddenly seems to shrink around me.

Driving in London is not always an easy task in a Mini Cooper, so the idea of entering the snaking, congested streets of Britain’s Capital in a car with the proportions akin to that of a Royal navy frigate was daunting to say the least, but negotiating my way to The Shard, at rush-hour, proves to be surprisingly easy. There is, of course, the Rolls-Royce factor; most of the road-going proletariat will, either in deference or out of respect, give way to you. Except for bus drivers. They remain a hateful, soulless bunch. The Ghost II offers its driver a certain amount of hierarchical immunity as it serenely pushes its way through the throng with a contented ease. I don’t know if I would have had such an effortless experience behind the wheel of a Phantom, but the Ghost II is as much at home on a crowded city street as it is swanning through the new-money suburbs at speed. By the time I pull into the hotel, I have warmed to the baby Rolls. I find myself reluctant to alight from the driver’s seat, partly because Whitehead is insisting that I open his door for him, but mostly because it has made me feel like a Rolls-Royce is supposed to make one feel. Like a million dollars. It has completely won me over and answered my earlier question of “why?”

I was always a little unconvinced by the original Rolls-Royce Ghost. It wasn’t a Phantom - a car more opulently appointed than a rapper’s private jet - and since the launch of the Wraith, not as much of a driver’s car as it could have been. It is often the case with most great works that a sequel will rarely capture the imagination of its intended audience in the same way as its predecessor, but the Ghost II is an exception. It actually eclipses the original. I understand this second instalment much better and, as a result, the Ghost’s place in the Rolls-Royce canon.

The Phantom is to be driven in, while the Wraith just wants to be driven. The Ghost is, finally, with the series II, the perfect compromise between them both. So, like any good love story, this rewrite of the Ghost script ensures that anyone who parts with the money for one of these bespoke cars, is sure to drive happily ever after.

. sur la terre . in motion . 71

THE STARS OF WINTER

thE roCk StarS

uPDaTe your STyle wiTh ThiS SeaSon’S leaDerS oF luxe, From STaTemenT necklaceS To quirky hanDbaGS anD DeSiGner caPSule collecTionS To coFFee

Table chic

styleconFiDential

Statement necklaces have been doing the rounds for several seasons now, and this winter are even bigger and better than ever. Bring some panache to a classic LBD, increase the sparkle factor to after dark metallics or inject some colour and character into off duty shirts and blouses with these glittering goodies. Flowers, fringing and anything jewel heavy will steal the show and don’t be afraid to wear with colour, prints or pattern, day or night.

All accessories available at Net-A-Porter.com

Bedeck your neck in the glitterati of bold jewels this party season

Dolce & Gabbana

shourouk

oscar de la renta

J.crew

alexander mcQueen

marni

marni ek thongprasert

lanvin

isabel marant

. sur la terre . style confidential .72

For Her...

thE Wrap StarS If you are jet setting to cooler climes this holiday season, a winter coat is not only a necessity but also your style duty. As well as wearing it every day, it is often the only part of your ensemble people will get to see; so picking the perfect winter coat (or coats) is imperative. From lightweight capes to chunky furs and classic tweeds to king-size over coats, this winter it is easy to wrap up in style.Here are SLT’s three of the best coats for the ladies and gents…

For him...

The caPea cape, poncho or something in between known as a ‘blancoat’ is essential for every woman’s wardrobe this winter. Go for a subtle shade such as camel, grey or brown for the ult imate in luxe wearabil ity or a folky print and fringing for a more bohemian finish.

The manniSh overcoaTif you are going to invest in one main winter coat make it mannish and oversized. ideal for wearing over everything from office-wear to off duty casuals , a long length straight cut coat is both stylish and practical in one manly package.

The Faux FurFor something fabulous , fun and furry, a fake fur coat wil l keep you snug as a bug in a very styl ish rug. and don’t hold back – cosy up in wild and wooly textures , shapes and colours .

The GileTless cumbersome than a coat , yet warmer than a sweater, the gilet is the ideal l ightweight cover up be it woolen, quilted or down-fi l led . this truly versati le winter staple looks great layered over sweaters , shir t s or chunky knit s .

The TweeDoriginally a countryman’s staple, tweed has now made the journey into the city and is enjoying an urban reboot . sharpen up jeans with a tweed blazer or wear a tweed jacket over chinos for a suave and dapper finish.

The kinG-SiZe overcoaTa wool over coat is the ultimate sophisticated cover up over a formal suit but is also a great off duty option. Go for big and baggy for a louche laidback appeal. �

the row

lanvin

isabel marant

Faconnable

incotex

acne studios

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74 . sur la terre . style confidential .

thE StylE StarS The DeSiGnerS anD collaboraTionS To look ouT For ThiS winTer…

Mary Katrantzou for AdidasBringing her bold and colourful prints to sportswear, British designer of the moment Mary katrantzou has designed a sport ready, style heavy capsule collection for Adidas originals. Give your feet a fashion forward treat and take to the treadmill in Mary’s colour popping trainers or inject a burst of athletic-luxe into your every day wardrobe with her eye catching print bomber jacket or vibrant neoprene dress. The Mary Katrantzou x Adidas Originals collection is available in stores and on their respective websites

Simone Rocha for J BrandWho would have thought someone who doesn’t wear jeans could create such a stunning collection of denim delights. But British designer, and jeans novice, Simone Rocha has done just that, bringing her fresh feminine approach to denim to US giants J Brand. Her beautifully crafted 20-piece denim collection features ruffle pocketed jeans and frilly jackets in red, black and pink denim. The Simone Rocha x J Brand collection is available at Dover Street Market, London, Selfridges and on Net-a-Porter.com

Tom Ford for kidsFirst there were bikers, then biker babes and now biker kids thanks to American designer Tom Ford who has created a limited collection of biker jackets for the little ones. And if it’s good enough for Tom’s son, it’s good enough for us. “I designed the black leather motorcycle jacket for my son

Jack” explains Tom, “and then I started producing them as gifts just for friends,” he adds. Tom then went on to design a full collection for his namesake brand, which includes mini bikers in leather and suede and not only black, but also brown, pale blue and powder pink. The collection is available in stores and online at TomFord.com

Beyoncé and TopshopWe couldn’t think of anyone better to team up with high street giants Topshop to create a range of ‘Ath-Leisurewear’ than style star Beyoncé. With her love of street meets sports wear, experience in the fashion industry (remember her label House of Deréon) and a super toned work out bod, Beyoncé is the ideal pairing for Topshop and vice versa. “I could not think of a better partner as I continue to grow the Parkwood business,” explains Beyoncé. “I have always loved Topshop for their fashion credentials and forward thinking.” The range, launched next Autumn, will include clothing, footwear and accessories for fitness and dance and be sold in Topshop stores and online. “Creating a partnership with Beyoncé, one of the most hardworking and talented people in the world, who spends many hours of her life dancing, rehearsing and training is a unique opportunity to develop this category,” adds Topshop owner Sir Philip Green. Could Beyoncé be planning to knock former Spice Girl victoria Beckham off her fashion pedestal in search of her very own ‘most successful entrepreneur’ title? We can’t wait to see.

75. sur la terre . style confidential .

The beltsIf you are going to belt it this winter, make sure it is cinched and tied or better still, sporting a delicate bow. Maison Martin Margiela cinched their dresses and dangled a delicate bow, while Louis vuitton knotted their black leather belts and Tod’s entwined theirs and placed a discreet bow on the hip.

thE aCCESSory StarS - bagS, bEltS & bookS...

The booksour fantasy frocks might not always make their way into our wardrobes but with these three new fashion books, they will always take pride of place on our coffee tables as the ultimate stylish home accessory. Lanvin: I Love You, vogue: The Gown and Louis vuitton Fashion Photography celebrate some of history’s finest fashion. From Lanvin’s window displays and Louis vuitton’s iconic advertising campaigns to some of the most revered gowns ever featured in vogue, these books capture the pinnacle of fashion, photographed by some of the world’s leading photographers including Patrick Demarchelier, Mario Testino and Annie Leibovitz.

All coats, bags and belts available at

Net-A-Porter.com and MrPorter.com

The bagsInspired by Chanel’s supermarket sweep catwalk show, keep your new season ensemble light hearted and fun with winter’s ultimate arm candy - a quirky foodie bag. Anya Hindmarch’s crisp packet chain bag retains a chic appeal for after dark, while Moschino’s fast food fashion number is the ultimate drive-thru order any day of the week and Charlotte olympia’s intricately detailed Chinese takeaway bag, the best delivery for a Saturday night.

charlotte olympia

moschino

anya hindmarch

alexander mcQueen

maison martin margiela

alaia

tod's . .

Forget about being famous for oil, flash forward to 2014 and the UAE’s ruling emirate has suddenly spurted overnight, quickly catching up with its rapidly rising neighbouring twin, Dubai. With such growth taking place, it’s no surprise that the growing influx of souls flooding into the capital has created a landscape

worthy of a Lee krasner painting, a melting pot for a melee of cultural nuances. In keeping with the mushrooming expansion, the rich metropolis has dug deep into its pockets, investing heavily in the arts with a slew of some of the world’s most iconic institutions dotting its cultural landscape.

The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, one of three museums being built on the windswept Saadiyat Island, has decided to give the city a taste of the collection its curators have painstakingly been putting together over the past five years with a temporary exhibition gallery. SLT Arabia caught up

LET THERE BE LIGHT

As The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi comes to life with its

inaugural exhibition, Senior Editor Dina

kabbani sees the light.

with the museum’s Progammes Manager, Maisa al-qassimi, to find out what it takes to pull off an inaugural exhibition like Seeing Through Light.

What’s the idea behind the title of “Seeing Through Light” and how did the idea for it come about?Light is a strong, primary component in life that is associated with a number of significantly rudimentary ideas. The theme’s richness and flexibility was a fitting theme to serve as a steppingstone to the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi’s overall transcultural theme as it has particular relevance across cultures and time periods, and will be presented as a primary aesthetic principle in the art world and history.

The pre-opening exhibition is set to introduce the future museum’s curatorial vision, how so? �

robert Irwin - untitled

a rto P i a

77. sur la terre . artopia .

Seeing Through Light is the first major exhibition for the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, presenting 18 artworks by international artists. It moves on to the future museum’s curatorial passage, where each gallery is meant to address a certain aesthetic principle in the world and history of contemporary art, rather than focusing on a specific era in time, or a location. The exhibition is based on the theme of light, as it shows light from different perspectives and in various forms, introducing a complete presentation for its value and meaning as an artistic principle in modern art. The exhibition is a stepping stone for what the future museum will come to be in 2017, where the art presented will be structured under the same transcultural perspective, manner and philosophy.

Can you describe the process of curating this exhibition and how you selected the artists as well as the works to be displayed?The 18 artworks that are presented in Seeing Through Light exhibition were carefully selected to work altogether fitting into the exhibition’s featured theme. Each and every artwork serves a specific intellectual purpose and occupies a vital

“The exhibiTion iS a STePPinG STone For

whaT The FuTure muSeum will come

To be in 2017.” Maisa Al Qassimi

aspect in the collection, and by that, achieving a holistic experience for the theme of light.

Tell us about the venue, Manarat Al Saadiyat, and why it was chosen for the premiere exhibition?Manarat Al Saadiyat or “the place of Enlightenment” is a 15,400 square metre arts and culture centre, designed to bring the vision of the island to life through The Saadiyat Story. The venue serves as a platform for art and culture in the emirate of Abu Dhabi since it was first opened in 2010. Manarat Al Saadiyat has hosted numerous exhibitions under the name of the prospected museums, art galleries and art fairs throughout the past few years. It works as the home of origin for the three upcoming museums, and the Saadiyat Cultural District, prior to their launch and inauguration.

The display of artwork is essential to the set up of exhibitions and how the public experiences the work. How did you decide what pieces went where? And what is each piece’s relationship to the ones around it?The exhibition unfolds through five sections

Doug Wheeler - untitled

Maisa al Qassimi, Programmes Manager for Guggenheim abu Dhabi at abu Dhabi tourism & Culture authority

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rachid Koraichi - Path of roses

rachid Koraichi - Path of roses


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angela Bulloch - 6 Chains: Permutation B


that examine light in various iterations: Activated, Celestial, Perceptual, Reflected, and Transcendent. While the exhibition begins chronologically in the 1960s (which aligns with the start date for the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi collection), it quickly blends time and mixes established and mid-career artists of multiple nationalities. From immersive environments that visitors can move around in and even through to video, painting and sculpture, one will experience light in all of its spatial, sensory and perceptual phenomena. Each piece acquired for this exhibition is to serve a significant part in creating the definition of light and its meaning in contemporary art; and altogether they complete the overarching image of light.

How has the support been from the museum’s partner institution, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York? Have they had any input throughout the process of putting the exhibition together? The two entities work in collaboration to bring a dedicated transcultural museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art in the Middle East, along with key exhibitions that will foster the modern art sense and history and communicate it to the public. While the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi team expands, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation works with the team on the ground for Guggenheim Abu Dhabi’s overall mission and direction, museological issues, general museum operating policies and procedures, and the collection and exhibition program. The Museum entity, once it is formed, will be responsible for the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi’s day-to-day administration and operations, finances and budgets. over time, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will come to generate exhibition programming that will be shown in Abu Dhabi and will travel to other network affiliate museums.

What do you think the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will have to offer that sets it apart from other museums in the region?Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is a transcultural museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art and culture. The prospected museum will provide the region with world-class contemporary art from the 1960s to our present day. Presented in a theme-based transcultural arrangement, each gallery room in the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will explore a certain intellectual concept through showcasing modern art. Also, given its location in the Middle East - as a central axis between Europe, Asia, and north Africa - Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is uniquely positioned to present art history from different vantages, encompassing multiple modernisms and various points of origin and trajectories of contemporary art and culture. Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is the first museum of its kind to be established in the Middle Eastern region, and I am very excited to be part of this monumental occasion.

� Yayoi Kussama - Infinity Mirrored room Filled with the Brilliance of Life� Y.Z. Kami - endless Prayers XIII

“ TH A nk G ooDnES S FoR THE FIR ST SnoW, IT WA S A REMInDER- -no M AT TER HoW oLD YoU

BEC A ME A nD HoW MUCH YoU'D SEEn, THInGS CoULD STILL BE nEW IF YoU W ERE W ILLInG

To BELIEv E THEY STILL M AT TERED.”- Ca n d a c e Bu sh n e l l

Fashion

t r e n D s conFiDential

. sur la terre . trends confidential .84

Fiercefabulous

salvatore Ferragamo

lanvin

Leather has gone soft, animal print tamed and fur, faux and frivolous. Sophie Jones-Cooper discovers winter’s wildest trends

and how to wear them.

autumn is well under way and my new season wardrobe is certainly taking shape. And I am surprising myself with some additions I would not expect. Admittedly I

am quite a safe dresser, so when I find myself drawn to the more intrepid of styles, fabrics and details, I realise this must be a season of wild, but wearable trends. I have never been a purveyor of animal print, a fan of faux fur or clad myself in leather, but for autumn I am feeling the pull of their appeal.

This winter, once shunned styles are now saluted and once obeyed rules, being broken. This is the season to clash colours and prints, drown yourself in faux fabrics and team leopard spots with tiger stripes. It might take a bit of style gusto to take these styles out of the wild, off the catwalk and into your wardrobe, but they are look changers that will instantly give your winter attire a fresh contemporary feel.

Fake fur seems to be transitioning from the catwalk to the street with ease. What has often been given a bit of a hard time and seen as naff or nouveau is this season reigning supreme as a chic, luxe and ultra-glam addition to any wardrobe. Perhaps it is a strike against normcore and our realisation that we can be warm and comfortable at the same time as looking stylish and elegant. From cosy furry coats to sleek fur trims you can’t put a foot wrong in faux fur. For a subtle finish a black, grey or brown fur stole

or scarf is the epitome of grown up elegance as seen at Lanvin and Michael kors, while pastel shades offer a super feminine and dreamy appeal. Gucci’s power blue chubby fur, shaggy baby pink mohair and sugary mint green fur coats are the ultimate inspiration and great alternatives to a classic black or camel winter coat. For something more vicarious, don’t be afraid of electric brights and patchwork and patterns. versace’s red and cobalt blue furs ooze statement style, and Marni’s fabulous patchwork fur coat, is simply fabulous.

Along with all shades of fur, shearling and sheepskin are also enjoying a sartorial revival. And while there is a distinct 70s feel to this season’s sheepish numbers, it is far from its once Del Boy dealer feel. The classic sheepskin or aviator jacket is best the Burberry and Pucci way, worn with delicate dresses and arty and folk inspired prints to keep it contemporary.

For me, animal print has always fallen under the same ethos as fake fur, tarnished with a bad reputation reserved for brassy Bet Lynch types. But once again, animal print has overcome its old reputation and is now seen as the go to print for elegant and refined day and evening wear. You just have to look at Gucci’s catwalk to see how sophisticated animal print’s true colours really are.

quality and quantity is key though. Think less is more, taming your animal print to just one item per ensemble, unless you are going for the all �

michael Kors

salvatore Ferragamo

Dior

Guc

ci

Guc

ci

ver

sace

Dsquared

85. sur la terre . trends confidential .

victoria beckham

out clashing print look. A statement dress, paw print blouse, skinny snow leopard trousers or tiger striped midi skirt are all more than ample. Combine with black, camel, red or even pops of flouro for a fresh twist. Choose good quality fabrics and tailoring and go with subtle, inky and muted tones and shades if you want to keep your look refined and sophisticated, as seen beautifully at Salvatore Ferragamo.

It is this refined and sophisticated approach to the wilder of winter styles that makes them so wearable this season. Leather too is no longer reserved solely for the bikers and rockers, but is the epitome of elegance. Soft supple leathers, retro leather A-line skirts, slouchy leather joggers, tough luxe bikers and slick glossy dresses for after dark are all new ways of bringing leather up to date. And it needn’t be black. Gucci’s soft brown, khaki and pastel leather skirts and dresses, Tod’s burgundy and somber shaded leather tops and jackets and Sportmax’s animal print leather are all inspiring examples of contemporary alternatives to black.

And have you ever considered a leather skirt? If you want to get seriously ahead, a narrow below the knee or A-line leather skirt is a must and will take you from day to night. Simply swap your daytime ankle boots for strappy heels after dark.

A pair of skinny leather trousers or leggings should be in every woman’s wardrobe this winter, instantly updating your look with an edgy elegance. Channel that kate Moss cool or olivia Palermo effortless chic, teaming your leather pants with new or existing separates such as a billowing blouse, off-duty sweatshirt or a mannish blazer. Add a pair of leather ankle boots and some fierce accessories and transport your style into winter.

As with these wild trends, androgynous dressing is another that has been around for several seasons. And if you haven’t before, this winter there is an effortless way to hone this style, and that is with an oversized mannish coat. Every woman deserves at least one new winter coat and if you are in any doubt, forget military, waist cinching or high necked and go for a nonchalant long masculine coat. There is something about this laidback style that screams alternative elegance. Do not fear; you won’t look like a drowned rat. If skinny catwalk models can get away with it, so can we. Part of the mannish coat’s appeal is its size. You can wear it over everything and it is also comfortable and style driven at the same time.

Admittedly these large shapeless coats can be a tad on the monotonous side of style, so inject some life into your coat with a vibrant colour. Look to Dior whose acid bright over coats are the epitome of winter wonder. or if print is more your bag, how about Stella McCartney’s checked coat, or for something a little more

subdued yet colourful, a pretty pale pastel Chloé number.

There are also some wild but wearable accessories making their way into our wardrobes this season. Firstly, over the knee boots are back. Yes knee high boots are big news too, but a somewhat easier length to pull off. When it comes to over the knee, to keep your look less Puss In Boots and Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, and more Miranda kerr and olivia Palermo at fashion week (i.e. refined and tasteful) go for good quality matte leather or suede (patent is a no, no), wear over skinny jeans and with a simple shift or an A-line skirt. Slim fit and a chunky heel or slim fit flats are both very this season (don’t go for a stiletto heel), and while black leather is very versatile, grey suede makes a cool alternative.

Stella McCartney-esque flatforms (think Teddy Boy blue suede shoes but for women) are also on this season’s style agenda. Reminiscent of the 90s platform trainers and Buffalo boots as worn by the Spice Girls, I am afraid to say, I cannot see their appeal, even if the very stylish Stella McCartney has made them cool. They aren’t easy to walk in, they look clumsy and yes they offer some height but have zero leg lengthening effect. These along with trainers are two shoe styles I won’t be stepping out in. karl Lagerfeld may have made trainers worn with day and evening-wear,

tod's sportmax versace

Dior

even Haute Couture, mainstream following the Chanel couture show last season, and call me old fashioned, but if I am sporting a midi skirt I will always choose an ankle boot over a sporty trainer. And while I might push to a pair of Stan Smiths with my wide legged trousers or cropped skinny jeans, my sporty trainers are staying firmly on the treadmill only. Give me a pair of boots any day. Ankle, knee or yes, even thigh high. I am feeling wild this winter.

stella mccartney

86 . sur la terre . trends confidential .

Standard H.BELLUNI FP issue35.pdf 1 11/25/14 8:04 AM

DRESS Miu Miu at net-A-Porter.com, DRESS MICHAEL Michael kors at net-A-Porter.com, TRoUSERS Gucci at net-A-Porter.com, SHIRT Linea at House of Fraser, JACkET Desa, JACkET Helmut Lang at net-A-Porter.com, TRoUSERS Adam Lippes at net-A-Porter.com, DRESS karl Lagerfeld at net-A-Porter.com, DRESS Erdem at net-A-Porter.com, ToP very.co.uk, SkIRT Marks & Spencer, GLovES Dune, CLUTCH Charlotte olympia at net-A-Porter.com, CLUTCH Stella McCartney, BooTS Desa, BooTS Salvatore Ferragamo

blaCk MagiC

lo o K b o o K

Adopt a tough luxe approach to day and eveningwear with high shine luxe leather.

CATWALk MoMEnT: Lanvin’s femme fatale black leather dress oozes after dark glamour while Salvatore Ferragamo’s leather coat is the epitome of daytime sophistication.

ToP TIP: A beaming bright red accessory is the perfect antidote to an all black ensemble.

shutterstock

88 . sur la terre . look book .

Herald a rich and fruity approach to colour this winter, leading the way with all shades of burgundy. SHIRT Dolce & Gabbana at MrPorter.com, CoAT J.Linbergh at House of Fraser, SWEATER valentino at MrPorter.com, JACkET Topman, BoMBER JACkET Gucci at MrPorter.com, BLAZER Boglioli at MrPorter.com, JACkET Topman, CoRDS Richard James at MrPorter.com, TRoUSERS Alfred Dunhill at MrPorter.com, JACkET Marc by Marc Jacobs at MrPorter.com, BAG Ted Baker, BoW TIE Lanvin at MrPorter.com, BRACELET Balenciaga at MrPorter.com

MErry bErry

ToP TIP: Burgundy can be worn head to toe, just make sure you break up your ensemble using differing tones and textures.

shutterstock

89. sur la terre . look book .

Fantasy Island

h o r i zo n s

Managing Editor, James mccarthy, finds pEacE at

sun siyaM iru fushi

90 . sur la terre . horizons .

Words: James mccarthyPictures: sun siyam iru Fushi

the life of a luxury lifestyle writer is, as the title infers, one with a reasonable amount of privilege. It is easy to become prosaic when faced with the constant pampering of airlines, sports car manufacturers and five-star hotels, to a degree where you think you’ve seen it, driven it and

experienced it all.

Then one day you get invited to one of the Maldives’ premier resorts: the Sun Siyam Iru Fushi. You dutifully pack your bag and climb aboard the red-eye to Male, wondering how you are going to write up another beach destination piece that’s any different from the last.

Then you get there. To be honest, Male itself is nothing to write home about. The airport is one of the quaint open-air efforts that you find scattered around southeast Asia’s island getaways, and the surrounding area looks a little frayed around the edges. However, even at 10am, after five hours cramped next to a square-headed oaf who kept elbowing you in the solar plexus every half an hour, the unyielding friendliness of every local you encounter eventually starts to break down your world-weariness.

You even find yourself giving the bus driver, who thinks he’s Lewis Hamilton and seems to enjoy hanging his bus’ backside over the ragged edge of safety on the short trip to the seaplane terminal, considerably more leeway than those at home, simply because of his unrelentingly jocular manner. �

91. sur la terre . horizons .

A more convivial bunch of folk, you’ll rarely meet. And that’s just the airport staff.

It’s even more hospitable when, a mere ten minutes later, you check-in to the resort’s luxurious private lounge at the seaplane terminal, to be greeted with the cathartic neck-and-shoulder-massaging indulgence that kneads away the necrosis of overnight travel in an economy class seat, before simply lounging limply on one of the fabulously comfortable day beds until your flight is called.

Ah yes. The flight. now this is where the luxury bit takes a short, 50-minute break. Trans Maldavian Airlines is - quite noticeably - a government run concern. There are no airs or graces here. Each seaplane, a DeHavilland DHC-6 Twin otter, has 14 pews that could loosely be described as seats, no semblance of soundproofing or air cooling, or anything that could be described as a single creature comfort.

And it was brilliant!

Sitting behind the pilots not only offered an amazing view of the take-off and water landing through the cockpit window, but also an education on the dexterity and skill required to fly these unique aircrafts.

now for those faint of heart when it comes to flying, I have it on good authority from one of the bare-footed local pilots that it is “nearly


93. sur la terre . horizons .

The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi is located on an atoll in the southern part of the Maldives, sharing the horizon with only a few, lightly inhabited, “local islands.” These are populated solely by Maldavians, most of whom man the resort, which apart from fishing, is pretty much the only source of income. Like the real world, the islands seem very far away, and you only see a human touch at night as the lights flicker in the distance. A sense of comfortable isolation washes over you, especially when you realise that few areas of the island, outside the rooms and villas are subject to the invasive influence of technology, phone service and WiFi. It’s a place to switch off; to disconnect from the pace of modern life.

This is never more apparent than when you arrive at your abode, which in my case was a beautifully-appointed private pool villa with direct access to the untouched beach beyond. The main room played host to one of the largest and comfiest beds upon which my weary bones have ever lain prostrate. Facing out towards the pool, and beyond that, the beach, it makes waking up in the morning a joy - a sentence I never thought I would utter, being one of life’s great sloths. If you find yourself unmoved by the bedroom, the outdoor bathroom with its rainfall shower, massive spa bath and day bed is guaranteed to provoke a squeak of delight. As I can now attest, there are fewer places more enjoyable to be during a tropical monsoon, than on a Maldavian island, in a warm bubble-jet spa bath with a perfectly chilled bottle of veuve Clicquot.

The amazing thing is, this is not the island’s most princely accommodation by any stretch. There are larger villas available, some even with the pool inside the bathroom area for those who wish to be more discreet, while the glass-bottomed water villas, populating the snaking jetties, come in several sizes and configurations. none is grander, though, than the spectacular two-bedroom Aqua Retreat villa, which is bigger than my apartment, costs a significant chunk of my monthly salary to stay in per night and where A-list celebrities such as nicole kidman come to wind down. For the kardashian-types and those that like to roll with an entourage, there is the ultra-private, two-storey Celebrity Retreat, which �

impossible to break one of these birds.” He assured me that, even in the event of both turbo-prop engines failing mid-flight, the span of the wings and sturdiness of the twin pontoons underneath, would ensure a smooth glide down to, and an even smoother landing on, the water. “They are one of the safest commercial aircraft in the world,” he boasted, beaming at me with a reassuring mixture of pride and the unwavering geniality of the Maldavian people.

While I could go on, ad nauseam, about the thrill of achieving the bucket-list tick of travelling by seaplane, it’s what you see out of the window that will finally clear the crust of indifference from the eyes of even the most jaded world-traveller.

You can look at all the aerial pictures online, in magazines or on the Tv that you want, but nothing, and I mean nothing, prepares you for the sheer beauty of seeing the Maldives with your own eyes. The clarity of the cobalt water contrasts, almost painfully, with the satin white sand, forming ringed barriers to create massive lagoons, which from our avian vantage point 2,000 feet up, looked like giant cerulean tunnels reaching to the very core of the planet. Islands, green and verdant, looked for all the world like emeralds, set in silvery halos and resting on a bed of sapphires glinting in the late morning sun.

It is truly breathtaking. So much so, I nearly broke Instagram trying to capture, though to no avail, the natural vibrancy and grandeur to which I was bearing witness. A few strategically hashtagged superlatives snared the “likes,” and the images, while pretty enough to inspire envy in my peers, fell considerably short of the natural splendour of their subjects.

Arrival at the resort is equally spectacular. As the plane banks right over the lush, green island, strings of villas curl out towards the ocean, like the tentacles of an octopus, before we splash down in the crystalline natural lagoon. As the welcoming party helps you from the plane, its propellers now still, the assault on the senses is jarring. As the brochure happily boasts, you are “conveniently located miles from anywhere.” The silence is deafening, broken only by the susurrus of the waves lapping against the shore or “pat-pat-pat” of water lapping against the hull of a nearby boat. It’s truly, instantly calming.

The clarity of the cobalt water

contrasts, almost painfully, with the satin white sand, forming ringed

barriers to create massive lagoons, which

from 2,000 feet up, looked like giant cerulean tunnels

reaching to the verycore of the planet


is the very best the island has to offer. It sleeps up to ten guests, boasts two swimming pools and is nestled amongst the trees and completely hidden from the the rest of the resort.

The island is a perfectly self-contained paradise, perfect for a relaxing break or, of course, a honeymoon. However, there is plenty to occupy the time if you are travelling alone or in a group. You can spend the day relaxing by your private pool, or frolicking in the sea by the beautiful beach. Snorkels, fins and other water toys are available for free from the dive centre, which also offers PADI-approved SCUBA diving courses for those wanting to delve deeper into the teeming ocean. Just wallowing in the gently lapping water, you will encounter some beautiful sea-life, and at night, attracted by the light from the jetties, the water will be alive with barracuda, nurse sharks and other reef fish. There are also jet skis, kayaks, paddle-boards and even a JetLev to play with.

The resort also organises a daily roster of activities that can be enjoyed by all ages, such as Maldavian cooking classes, big-game fishing trips and dolphin-spotting evening cruises, before you head back to one of the five fantastic restaurants. Personally, the best meal I enjoyed was at the Islander’s Grill: the perfect place to enjoy food as close to the local cuisine as possible. The fried calamari was melt-in-the-mouth spectacular, while the grilled reef fish main course was a mouthwatering feast of flavour. Equally, the Australian Black Angus tenderloin, which while not very Maldavian, was sublimely prepared.

For those looking to mingle with other islanders there are two picturesque public pools, one with a more family-oriented vibe and the other catering more to adults. The latter is a long infinity pool offering fabulous vistas of the ocean beyond, as well as a very generous happy hour at the attached poolside bar. For those with a taste for the nightlife, there is a late-opening bar and club, with resident bands and DJs spinning dance music into the wee hours, while in the Games Room, as well as the pool table, foosball and PlayStation3, there is a fully kitted-out karaoke Room.

The pièce de résistance of the entire resort, however, is the sprawling spa, which makes up the heart of Sun Siyam Iru Fushi. Set in the centre of the island, the spa is a secret garden - nay, a secret village - of calm and solitude. Treatment huts sit at the end of koi pond lined pathways that spread like the tendrils of tree roots through the softly scented foliage. There are specialist spaces for Chinese homeopathy, Reflexology, as well as Balinese, Thai and traditional Maldavian treatments, coupled

with hot and cold plunge pools, steam rooms, saunas and everything you would expect to find in a world-class Asian spa. I was left feeling as limp as a string of wet spaghetti following a very exorcising back and shoulder massage, which certainly helped to work out the stresses and knots caused by endless hours slouched over a keyboard and, after a rejuvenating fresh fruit juice, I poured myself into one of the many golf carts that hum around the island, to be transported back to my day bed for a nap.

While these buggies, each one piloted by drivers with the same, indefatigable local cheerfulness, regularly zip silently around the resort, all of the facilities can be reached within a ten-minute stroll along the snaking, sandy pathways that lay across the island like a spider’s web. Walking will allow you to tune in to the seemingly unspoiled nature of the place. At dawn, the chirruping of geckos follow your footsteps, at lunchtime, the song of birds and the buzzing of dragonflies are your companion, while at dusk, the fruit bats swoop and wheel across the twilight sky as if to offer a personal display of their aerobatic prowess. Savour each and every one of these momentary experiences. because Sun Siyam Iru Fushi is truly a magical place and, unfortunately, as with most enchanted islands, they are the stuff of dreams.

Barely an hour after leaving the island and alighting from the seaplane back to Male International, the memories of my four days at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi were already starting to fade; disappearing into that strange ether where your night time dreams burn brightly for only a minute after you wake. Images and emotions that were once so vivid, you now struggle to hold onto.

Sun Siyam Iru Fushi is a place you should visit at least once in your life, and I encourage you to do so, but with the warning that once you’ve been, you will never truly leave. Your time there will haunt you forever, pulling at the synapses of your mind to rekindle that euphoric feeling of the shimmering sands between your toes and the sparkling azure waters lapping against your ankles.

As I said before, for a luxury lifestyle writer, it is easy to become prosaic when faced with the constant pampering of airlines, sports car manufacturers and five-star hotels, to a degree where you think you’ve seen it, driven it and experienced it all...

Then you visit Sun Siyam Iru Fushi and everything changes.

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Sur la Terre Arabia Winter 2014