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An oyster and caviar experience shaped by setting and luxury Along J1 Beach, where the sea sets the pace and afternoons stretch easily into evening, Sirene Beach by GAIA introduces a new seasonal chapter focused on precision, restraint, and the pleasures of the table. The launch of its Oyster and Caviar Experience arrives alongside a refreshed menu that leans into Mediterranean clarity, allowing ingredients, setting, and rhythm to guide the experience. The new Caviar and Rock Experience places caviar and oysters at the centre of the offering, presented with a sense of confidence that does not overstate itself. A curated selection of premium caviar includes Kaluga, Beluga, and Ossetra, offered in serving sizes ranging from 125 grams to 500 grams. The approach is straightforward and deliberate, inviting guests to choose according to appetite and occasion rather than formality. Oysters sourced from Italy, France, and Ireland follow the same philosophy. Each variety brings its own character, from sweet and tender to clean and mineral driven. Accompaniments are kept focused, allowing for variation without distraction. Tomato juice with tabasco and vinegar offers depth, lime with shallots, tabasco, and yuzu brings brightness, and red wine vinegar with shallots remains a classic constant. The experience is designed to unfold slowly, best enjoyed with time and conversation. For those who prefer a composed introduction, two platters offer a clear entry point. The Ola platter presents six oysters alongside caviar cones, while the Ap’ola platter expands the experience with twelve oysters and Kaluga caviar. Caviar Bites, including Bluefin Tuna Caviar and a brioche based caviar toast with mascarpone and Baeri caviar, add texture and contrast without shifting the focus. The refreshed menu continues this sense of balance. Raw starters highlight clean flavours and careful sourcing, from the Trilogia Carpaccio of bonito, tuna, and carabineros to a langoustine tartare layered with pistachio, chilli, and onion. Kagiana Carabineros, served with eggs, tomato, basil, and toasted bread, sits comfortably alongside a savoury chicken pie that feels grounded and familiar. Mains follow with dishes designed for depth rather than drama. Baby Goat Orzo, slow cooked and finished with Graviera cheese, offers warmth and substance, while lighter options suit those moving between table, pool, and shoreline. Baked red prawns scented with rosemary, garlic, paprika, and lemon, an avocado and feta spread, and a sashimi selection of bluefin tuna and yellowtail maintain the menu’s focus on freshness and restraint. A premium seafood platter brings together carabineros, tuna, bonito, scallops, and select additions for sharing. Families are considered with a dedicated children’s menu that favours simplicity and familiarity, including chicken skewers with lemon oil, tomato linguini, and parmesan linguini. Desserts close the experience without excess. An Alphonso mango cheesecake offers a clean, refreshing finish, while the Sirene tiramisu remains a steady favourite. This season at Sirene Beach by GAIA is defined by ease. Long lunches give way to late afternoons, plates arrive without urgency, and the setting does much of the work. With its new Oyster and Caviar Experience and a menu shaped by Mediterranean sensibility, Sirene continues to position itself as a place where dining follows the natural rhythm of the sea rather than the clock. Reservations can be made directly through Sirene Beach by GAIA.

A cultural calendar interpreted through fine watchmaking Vacheron Constantin’s latest Métiers d’Art release turns attention to the Chinese calendar with a pair of limited editions marking the Year of the Horse. The newest additions to the maison’s ongoing zodiac series carry the quiet rigor of fine watchmaking into a territory where tradition and craft converge. Presented in 40 mm cases of 18 k 5N pink gold and 950 platinum, each reference is limited to 25 pieces and reserved for Vacheron Constantin boutiques. The choice of metals and the scale of production reflect a measured approach to exclusivity, emphasising presence over spectacle. The dial follows the lineage of Métiers d’Art timepieces by placing artisanal technique at the centre of design. Grand Feu enamelling, miniature painting, and hand engraving combine to create a three-dimensional motif of the horse in motion. The animal, a longstanding symbol in Chinese culture associated with vitality and good fortune, is rendered with depth and restraint rather than flourish, set against a graduated enamelled background that shifts subtly in tone. Inside each piece sits Vacheron Constantin’s Calibre 2460 G4. The automatic movement uses a disc-based display rather than conventional hands, allowing the dial space to remain free for decoration. Hours and minutes appear at the top, with day and date shown discretely below, a layout that prioritises the métier d’art work without compromising utility. Straps in Mississippiensis alligator leather accompany each version, brown with the pink gold and blue with the platinum, paired with clasps that mirror the case metal. The effect is cohesive rather than decorative, calibrated to the materials and the overall composition of each reference. This new release underscores Vacheron Constantin’s longstanding commitment to the Métiers d’Art series, where decorative arts, cultural reference, and mechanical expertise align. The Year of the Horse watches do not seek to reinvent the collection but to continue a disciplined exploration of craft that has defined the maison’s approach for generations.

A one off Continental GTC Azure that reads the region through tone, texture, and restraint There is a particular quality to Gulf light in the late afternoon. It softens colour, deepens texture, and lingers just long enough to feel intentional. The one off Continental GTC Azure Qatar Edition by Mulliner from Bentley feels designed for that moment. Finished in Desert Sand, the exterior reads understated, a tone that shifts gently with the light rather than competing with it. The details are discreet and deliberate. Gold toned wheels sit comfortably within the palette, while the darker rear elements add definition without breaking the overall restraint. Qatar Edition badging appears on the fenders with a confidence that does not require explanation. Inside, the Azure specification brings Bentley’s focus on comfort into sharp relief. The cabin is quiet, insulated, and designed for long stretches of road where time slows. In this commission, Mulliner introduces subtle plaid accents on the headrests, a small but thoughtful gesture that adds depth without disrupting the interior’s calm rhythm. What makes this car compelling is not its singularity, but its clarity of intent. Mulliner’s recent work increasingly speaks to place through mood, material, and tone. This Qatar Edition feels attuned to its environment, to heat and light, to open roads. It suggests an understanding of how luxury functions here, quietly integrated into daily life rather than staged for attention. The Continental GTC Azure provides a natural canvas for this approach. With its refined performance and measured elegance, it supports interpretation rather than distraction. In this edition, it becomes less an object and more an atmosphere, one shaped by landscape and sensibility, rendered with precision and care by Mulliner.

A global exploration series premieres in Dubai, linking science, story, and responsibility Dubai will open the year with a rare kind of premiere, one that places storytelling, science, and responsibility at the center of the red carpet. On 9 January 2026, Will Smith will attend the Middle East premiere of National Geographic’s original series Pole to Pole with Will Smith  at SEE Institute, the region’s first net zero emissions building, located within The Sustainable City Dubai. The setting is deliberate. Rather than a traditional cinema or hotel ballroom, the premiere unfolds inside an architectural statement dedicated to sustainable living. The evening will begin with a Hollywood style red carpet, followed by a private screening of an episode from the series and a live conversation with Smith alongside the explorers and scientists who shaped the project. It is an intimate format that mirrors the spirit of the series itself, focused less on spectacle and more on meaning. Five years in the making, Pole to Pole with Will Smith  is a seven part cinematic journey across all seven continents. From Antarctica’s ice fields to the Amazon’s dense jungles, from the Himalayas to the African deserts, the Pacific islands, and the Arctic’s frozen waters, the series documents a one hundred day expedition that tests endurance, perspective, and purpose. Smith skis to the South Pole, dives beneath the ice of the North Pole, and ventures into environments that challenge both physical strength and emotional resolve. “This journey was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced,” Smith has said. “There were moments when I was genuinely shook and wondered if I was going to make it home. But it became far more than a physical adventure. It’s an exploration of our planet’s outer edges and of the remarkable people who call those places home.” His reflection captures the tone of the series, which moves fluidly between awe and vulnerability, danger and beauty. Told with the scale and access that National Geographic is known for, the series blends exploration with science and environmental insight. Guided by researchers, local experts, and seasoned explorers, Smith helps uncover scientific discoveries while forming meaningful connections with communities whose knowledge offers lessons about resilience and coexistence. The result is a narrative that feels human first, global second, and urgent without being alarmist. Hosting the premiere at The Sustainable City reinforces those themes. The development has become a global reference point for integrated sustainability, built around renewable energy, biodiversity protection, circular economy principles, and community wellbeing. Faris Saeed, founder and chairman of The Sustainable City, has described the partnership as a shared belief in the power of storytelling to inspire action, noting that sustainability is not a single solution but a way of life embedded into daily systems. That alignment gives the premiere added resonance. The series is not only about remote landscapes and extreme journeys, but about the choices societies make and the futures they shape. Presenting it within a living model of sustainable urban design turns the event into more than a screening. It becomes a conversation between story and place. Pole to Pole with Will Smith  will premiere on National Geographic on January 13 at 8:00pm UAE time, followed by National Geographic Abu Dhabi on January 14 at 9:00pm. The series will also stream exclusively on Disney+ starting January 14. Produced by Westbrook Studios, Nutopia, and Protozoa, with Smith serving as host and executive producer, the project stands as one of the most ambitious exploration series in recent years. In a region increasingly invested in culture, sustainability, and global dialogue, the Middle East premiere feels well placed. It is a reminder that powerful stories do not need to shout to be heard. Sometimes, they arrive quietly, in the right setting, and ask us to look at the world and our role within it with renewed clarity.

A beauty-led experience that turns afternoon tea into a statement Tom Ford Beauty and The St. Regis Riyadh come together in a collaboration that feels natural. Set at VIA Riyadh, the Tom Ford Beauty Afternoon Tea takes a familiar ritual and gives it a sharper point of view, one where food, setting, and beauty sit comfortably in the same conversation. What makes the partnership work is a shared understanding of precision. Tom Ford Beauty has always been rooted in control, polish, and a certain visual authority. The St. Regis brings with it a long-standing relationship with ritual and service, where afternoon tea is treated with care. Together, they offer an experience that feels considered and complete. The setting plays an important role. Within the St. Regis, rich colours, clean lines, and composed presentation set the mood. The menu follows suit. Savoury bites are artistic. Pastries and desserts are detailed but not overworked. Everything feels balanced, designed to be enjoyed without distraction. What stands out is how beauty is introduced into the experience. There is no heavy-handed branding, no interruption to the flow of the afternoon. Instead, Tom Ford Beauty appears in moments that invite conversation. It feels less like a promotion and more like an extension of the setting, allowing guests to engage with the brand in a way that feels relaxed and social and very sensory. For The St. Regis Riyadh, the collaboration adds a contemporary layer to one of its most recognisable rituals. Afternoon tea remains familiar, but this version speaks directly to the city’s current pace and sensibility. It reflects how Riyadh continues to adopt global luxury experiences while shaping them to fit its own lifestyle. For Tom Ford Beauty, the partnership offers something different from a retail or campaign setting. Here, the brand exists within time and atmosphere. It is experienced slowly, across a table, among friends, and through shared moments. The Tom Ford Beauty Afternoon Tea is available for a limited time at The St. Regis Riyadh in VIA Riyadh. Reservations are recommended. It is an experience best approached without hurry, designed for those who appreciate detail, good service, and the pleasure of staying a little longer than planned. For bookings, call 055 032 5736 The Tom Ford x St Regis Afternoon Tea is available daily from 4:00pm in the Drawing Room

An unprecedented partnership bringing one of the world’s biggest restaurants to the world’s most spectacular race day The Dubai World Cup has always been about scale. The world’s richest race day. A global audience. A city that understands how to turn sport into spectacle. For its thirtieth running, the event is making a decisive shift toward something more layered, where racing, dining, and cultural status intersect in a way that feels distinctly Dubai. This season, the Dubai World Cup enters a new chapter through a landmark collaboration with Zuma, one of the most influential restaurant brands in the world. Together with Dubai Racing Club, the partnership introduces the Royal Enclosure Majlis by Zuma, a hospitality experience that sets a new standard for what a race day can be. Hosted at Meydan Racecourse, the Royal Enclosure Majlis by Zuma is not an add on or a themed lounge. It is a fully realised concept that brings Zuma’s signature dining philosophy into the heart of the Dubai World Cup. For the first time, one of the world’s most recognisable restaurant brands is not simply catering an event, but shaping its most exclusive space. The experience is designed to feel seamless from arrival to final furlong. Guests enter through a private bridge into the Royal Enclosure, welcomed into majlis style lounges furnished with plush leather seating and elevated views of the track. From there, the day unfolds with unrestricted access to the Parade Ring and Saddling Garden, placing guests alongside owners, trainers, and jockeys during the most charged moments of the race. At the centre of it all is Zuma’s culinary direction. The menu has been developed exclusively for the Dubai World Cup, drawing on the brand’s globally celebrated approach to contemporary Japanese cuisine while responding to the scale and pace of race day. Dining is not treated as a pause between races, but as part of the main event, unfolding throughout the day alongside the action. Premium beverages flow freely, reinforcing the sense that this is a complete experience rather than a sequence of moments. Zuma’s presence at the World Cup feels both natural and strategic. Since opening its first restaurant in London in 2002, the brand has shaped modern dining culture across cities such as London, New York, Hong Kong, and Dubai. Its influence extends beyond food into lifestyle, design, and social ritual. Bringing that sensibility into the Royal Enclosure signals a shift in how racing hospitality is imagined, not just in Dubai, but globally. Ali Al Ali, CEO and Board Member of Dubai Racing Club, describes the collaboration as transformative, positioning it as a new international benchmark for race day hospitality. Zuma’s Managing Director for the Middle East and Turkey, David Smyczek, frames the partnership as an honour, bringing the brand’s experience to one of the city’s most defining cultural moments. Together, the statements reflect a shared understanding that the Dubai World Cup is not only a sporting event, but a stage where the city presents itself to the world. Priced at AED 22,000, the Royal Enclosure Majlis by Zuma is aimed at a guest who values access, atmosphere, and curation in equal measure. It is an experience designed for those who see race day not as a single afternoon, but as a social and cultural occasion that deserves the same attention as any major international event. As the Dubai World Cup celebrates its thirtieth edition on Saturday, 28 March 2026, this collaboration feels less like a one off and more like a signal. Racing, dining, and luxury are no longer running on parallel tracks. In Dubai, they are converging, creating experiences that are ambitious, confident, and unmistakably of the city. The Royal Enclosure Majlis by Zuma does not just elevate race day. It redefines it completely.

Travelers continue seeking destinations that offer quiet luxury, natural beauty, and the freedom to slow down For years, global travel has been defined by urgency. Packed itineraries, endless checklists, and the quiet pressure to experience everything at once shaped the way people moved through the world. Now, that rhythm is changing. A growing number of travelers are stepping away from overstimulation and toward something more deliberate. Fewer stops. Longer stays. More silence. More nature. More meaning. This shift, often described as the move from FOMO to SLOMO, is redefining what luxury travel looks like today. Along Saudi Arabia’s north western Red Sea coast, AMAALA is emerging as one of the clearest expressions of that change. Set where the Hijaz Mountains meet the sea, AMAALA stretches across three naturally formed bays defined by untouched landscapes and crystalline waters. Rather than competing for attention, the destination is designed to create space. Space to breathe, to restore, and to reconnect with the natural world. It is a coastal lifestyle shaped around wellness, regeneration, and a slower, more conscious way of living. At AMAALA, time is treated as a luxury in itself. Days are not built around rigid schedules but around rhythm. Mornings unfold quietly by the sea. Afternoons invite restoration rather than activity for activity’s sake. Evenings are shaped by light, landscape, and stillness. The destination responds directly to a global desire for travel that feels restorative rather than exhausting, replacing constant motion with presence and ease. As the first phase of AMAALA prepares to open, the destination will introduce five luxury resorts, each offering a distinct interpretation of the SLOMO ethos. Together, they create a landscape where wellness, nature, and refined hospitality coexist without urgency. A yacht club, state of the art marina, and a marine life institute further anchor the destination, while the Wellness Route, a five kilometer linear park, connects coastal experiences through preserved natural terrain. Each resort contributes its own perspective on slowing down. Equinox Resort and Residences focuses on regeneration and recovery, integrating open air magnesium vitality pools, subterranean spa spaces, hyperbaric chambers, and sleep optimized environments designed to support physical restoration. Four Seasons Resort and Residences AMAALA at Triple Bay emphasizes flow and calm, with cascading water features and outdoor spaces that naturally soften the pace of the day. Nammos Resort and Residences balances social energy with personal wellbeing, offering coastal dining experiences, an island restaurant, and sunset facing spaces that encourage both connection and solitude. Rosewood AMAALA introduces a refined, nature led approach across dedicated zones designed for families, couples, and spa focused stays. Its Asaya Spa draws on tradition inspired treatments and immersive activities that prioritize balance and inner restoration. Six Senses AMAALA builds on its reputation for personalized wellness journeys, offering programmes centered on sleep, yoga, longevity, and advanced wellbeing practices tailored to each guest. Marine discovery plays a central role in shaping AMAALA’s identity. The Red Sea’s biodiversity is among the richest in the world, and the destination treats this environment with care and intention. Corallium, a three level marine life institute designed by Foster + Partners, invites guests to engage with the region’s coral reefs and rare marine species through immersive storytelling and expert led experiences. These encounters allow visitors to learn, observe, and connect without disrupting the delicate ecosystems that surround them. Regeneration is not a supporting theme at AMAALA. It is foundational. The destination is powered entirely by renewable energy and has been designed to deliver a net conservation benefit to local ecosystems by 2040. Visitation is intentionally limited to preserve the integrity of the landscape, ensuring that the sense of calm and exclusivity is maintained. This approach reflects a broader global movement toward nature positive travel, where responsibility and luxury exist side by side. The sea itself is honored as both environment and heritage. The AMAALA Yacht Club is set to become one of the world’s leading yachting destinations, celebrating maritime culture while supporting sustainable exploration of the Red Sea. In 2027, AMAALA will host the Grand Finale of The Ocean Race, reinforcing its role as a global destination where sport, nature, and stewardship intersect. As travelers increasingly seek places that offer quiet luxury, depth, and authenticity, AMAALA stands apart. It is not designed to impress through excess, but through restraint. Not to accelerate experience, but to slow it down. In a world ready to trade constant movement for meaningful moments, AMAALA represents the future of luxury travel. A place where presence replaces pressure, and where the journey is no longer about doing more, but about being more.

Reinventing the icon of luck, the Alhambra Since its debut in 1968, Alhambra has stood as one of the most enduring symbols in fine jewelry. Instantly recognizable and quietly powerful, the four leaf clover motif has come to embody Van Cleef & Arpels’ poetic vision of luck, elegance, and timeless design. Over decades, the collection has evolved through materials, proportions, and interpretations, always remaining faithful to the Maison’s core values. Today, Alhambra enters a new chapter, one defined by movement, adaptability, and the art of transformation. With the introduction of transformable creations, Van Cleef & Arpels reimagines its most iconic collection for a modern way of wearing jewelry. These new pieces extend the Maison’s long standing tradition of versatility, where beauty lies not only in form but in function. Jewelry becomes fluid, personal, and responsive to the rhythm of everyday life. At the heart of this evolution is the Magic Alhambra aesthetic, first introduced in 2006. Known for its asymmetrical arrangement of motifs in varying sizes, Magic Alhambra offers a more expressive interpretation of the collection’s signature clover. This year, the Maison introduces new long necklaces that embrace transformation as a defining feature. For the first time, these creations can be worn in multiple ways, shifting from a long necklace to a shorter necklace or even a bracelet through a detachable element. The result is a single piece that adapts effortlessly, offering different expressions of the same design. Color plays a central role in these new creations. Carefully composed combinations of materials draw the eye while maintaining the collection’s refined balance. Each variation feels deliberate and harmonious, reinforcing Alhambra’s ability to evolve without losing its identity. The Maison also expands its exploration of duality through two new Vintage Alhambra reversible rings. Designed with a beaded double contour, each ring offers two distinct faces. One creation pairs gray mother of pearl with rose gold guilloché. When reversed, the soft iridescence of the pearl gives way to the brilliance of a diamond, its light enhanced by the finely engraved gold surface. The second ring brings together white gold and chalcedony, revealing a diamond on its alternate side, again framed by guilloché lines that add depth and texture. These reversible designs invite the wearer to engage with the jewel, choosing how it is seen and experienced. Time itself also finds a new expression within the collection. Faithful to its tradition of jewels that tell time, Van Cleef & Arpels introduces a Sweet Alhambra watch that completes the line with a sense of quiet refinement. Alternating motifs combine precious and ornamental stones with guilloché white gold, marking a first within this particular collection. The watch reflects the Maison’s belief that timekeeping can be as poetic as it is precise. Reflecting on the evolution of Alhambra, Catherine Renier, President and CEO of Van Cleef & Arpels, notes that the collection continues to balance renewal with continuity. She emphasizes that these new transformable pieces offer greater freedom of wear, reinforcing versatility as a core value that has defined Alhambra since its inception. More than five decades after its creation, Alhambra remains a living icon. Its ability to adapt to contemporary lifestyles while preserving its symbolic strength speaks to the Maison’s mastery of heritage and innovation. Through transformable designs, reversible surfaces, and thoughtful material choices, Van Cleef & Arpels once again demonstrates that true elegance is not static. It moves, evolves, and endures.

Where Saudi heritage meets light, movement, and modern design by Abdulrahman Abed This festive season, The Red Sea EDITION introduces a cultural moment that feels both grounded and quietly transformative. Unveiled in the heart of the resort’s main lobby, a newly commissioned installation by Saudi designer Abdulrahman Al-Abed of Qormuz brings contemporary Saudi creativity into direct conversation with EDITION’s refined architectural language. Titled Pulse of the Duff , the installation reimagines one of the region’s most enduring symbols through light, form, and movement. Rising three meters high, the sculptural work is composed of layered duffs that respond to human presence. As guests move through the space, tones shift and light pulses gently, translating rhythm into something visible and felt. What was once purely sonic becomes spatial, turning the act of gathering into an immersive experience. The duff, long associated with celebration, ritual, and collective memory, is not treated here as an instrument but as a contemporary cultural presence. Light and motion replace sound, inviting guests to engage intuitively rather than observe from a distance. The installation recalls the earliest forms of communal gathering, where warmth, rhythm, and proximity shaped shared experience, while presenting them through a modern, design led lens. Al Abed’s creative language is deeply rooted in Najdi architecture, traditional craft, and modern Saudi identity. Those influences are evident in the installation’s geometric foundation and disciplined structure, which feel both architectural and human. The play of light across its surface mirrors the rhythm of movement within the space, echoing the balance and quiet sophistication that define The Red Sea EDITION itself. Placed within the resort’s main lobby, Pulse of the Duff  becomes part of the daily journey rather than a standalone moment. Guests encounter it naturally, whether arriving, passing through, or lingering. Its presence adds depth to the resort’s modern aesthetic, offering an encounter with Saudi creativity that feels integrated rather than staged. Unveiled as part of the resort’s festive programming, the installation will remain a permanent feature at The Red Sea EDITION. Its lasting presence reflects the brand’s belief that art should be an essential part of the guest experience, not an accessory to it. Here, contemporary design, local heritage, and hospitality converge in a way that feels considered and sincere. Set against the resort’s serene beachfront setting, Pulse of the Duff  offers a moment of cultural connection that complements EDITION’s intuitive service and understated atmosphere. It stands as a reminder that modern luxury in Saudi Arabia is increasingly defined not only by place, but by story, identity, and thoughtful creative expression. For more information, visit editionhotels.com or contact Reservations.Redsea@editionhotels.com

A new chapter in experiential dining at Al Maryah Island Long before the first reservation is confirmed or the dining room comes to life, Hanbok announces itself as a feeling. A sense of grace carried through fabric, light, and memory. Opening soon at The Galleria Al Maryah Island, this contemporary Korean dining destination arrives in Abu Dhabi with a quiet confidence, offering not just a restaurant, but a cultural experience shaped by centuries of tradition and refined for the present moment. Named after Korea’s iconic traditional attire, Hanbok draws from a rich visual and emotional language. The hanbok itself is a study in movement and restraint, softness and structure, femininity and form. At Hanbok Abu Dhabi, this symbolism becomes the foundation of the entire experience. Not as reference alone, but as philosophy. Every detail, from architecture to cuisine, reflects a reverence for heritage translated through a modern lens. Designed by DBM Studio, the interiors feel sculptural yet weightless. Vertical layers of fabric float through the space, gently echoing the sway of a hanbok skirt in motion. Light moves across these suspended forms with intention, creating a room that feels alive, almost breathing. The effect is immersive and cinematic, closer to walking through a couture installation than entering a traditional dining room. The vision comes from Yoann Grillet, Founder and CEO of Fuse Holding, who imagined Hanbok as a place where past and present exist in harmony. “Hanbok was imagined as a sanctuary where the past and present meet in quiet conversation,” he shares. “A place where heritage doesn’t merely decorate the room but breathes through every detail. We want guests to feel embraced, to experience Korean culture in a way that is poetic, sincere, and deeply human.” That sense of sincerity carries into the menu. Korean cuisine, known for its boldness and emotional depth, is approached with refinement and precision. Flavours are layered, thoughtful, and expressive, balancing intensity with softness. Each dish reflects a dialogue between memory and innovation, where traditional techniques meet contemporary execution. It is a culinary language that respects its roots while speaking fluently to a global audience. The spatial journey through Hanbok unfolds with intention. Guests move from a sculpted bar into a softly lit corridor, then toward an open kitchen where craft becomes choreography. The dining room itself is crowned by a dramatic floral chandelier and cascading textile installations, blurring the line between art, fashion, and hospitality. It is a space designed not to overwhelm, but to resonate. Hanbok joins Fuse Holding’s growing portfolio of experiential dining concepts, which includes Kiyoshi in Dubai and the forthcoming Isabel Mayfair Abu Dhabi. Yet this project feels particularly personal. A tribute to Korean culture, an exploration of elegance, and an invitation to slow down and engage with beauty in its most considered form. As Abu Dhabi continues to define itself as a global capital for culture and creativity, Hanbok arrives as a natural addition to that narrative. Refined, atmospheric, and deeply rooted in story, it stands poised to become a new landmark within the city’s dining landscape. Hanbok will open its doors soon. Its story, however, has already begun. Written in silk and light, flavour and form, it is an experience shaped by heritage and designed for the present. For updates, follow @hanbokabudhabi or visit hanbokrestaurants.com .

Breitling introduces its first Middle East kitchen in Riyadh Breitling has long understood that time is best experienced, not just measured. With the opening of Breitling Kitchen in Riyadh, the Swiss watchmaker introduces a new chapter in how the brand connects with its community, bringing together horology, hospitality, and everyday social ritual under one roof. Located within the expanded Breitling Boutique at Panorama Mall, the new Breitling Kitchen marks the first of its kind in the Middle East and one of only three globally. It sits alongside sister spaces in Geneva and Seoul, positioning Riyadh firmly within a select international circle where retail evolves into lifestyle. The space itself feels immediately familiar to anyone who knows Breitling’s industrial loft aesthetic. Exposed brick walls, open sightlines, and relaxed banquette seating create an atmosphere that is welcoming rather than formal. A coffee bar anchors the room, setting the tone for a place designed to be lived in rather than passed through. It is not a restaurant attached to a boutique, but a continuation of the brand’s philosophy of casual luxury and approachability. For Breitling, this opening is part of a broader shift in how the brand engages its audience globally. As Aed Adwan, Managing Director of Breitling Middle East, shared at the opening, the concept reflects a deliberate move toward creating spaces that feel inclusive and social. He noted that Breitling has been redefining the boutique experience worldwide by turning retail locations into lifestyle destinations, and expressed pride in bringing this concept to Saudi Arabia for the first time. At the heart of Breitling Kitchen Riyadh is the culinary direction of Chef Khaled Alhussaini. Drawing from his Saudi roots, the menu balances international comfort with subtle local influence. Guests can move seamlessly from breakfast meetings to long lunches or relaxed dinners, all within the rhythm of the boutique’s opening hours. The result is a space that feels flexible and relevant to daily life, whether visitors arrive as watch collectors, coffee regulars, or curious first timers. The partnership behind the project carries equal significance. Sheikh Mohammed Al Hussaini, CEO of Al Hussaini Trading Co., emphasized that the Kitchen represents more than a dining concept. As Breitling’s long standing retail partner in Saudi Arabia, he described the opening as a reflection of shared values around innovation, lifestyle, and exceptional customer experience. The space is designed to bring people together, reinforcing Breitling’s role not only as a watchmaker, but as a cultural presence within the city. Riyadh is a natural home for this concept. As the city’s retail and social landscapes continue to evolve, brands are increasingly expected to offer more than products. Experiences matter, and places where people can gather without agenda are becoming central to modern luxury. Breitling Kitchen answers that need with ease. It invites guests to slow down, sit longer, and engage with the brand in a way that feels organic rather than transactional. The opening also reflects Breitling’s broader heritage. Founded in 1884, the Swiss watchmaker built its reputation on precision instruments for air, land, and sea, pioneering the modern chronograph and navigational tool watches. Today, the brand balances that technical legacy with a contemporary sensibility, operating more than 270 industrial loft inspired retail locations worldwide. Each space reinforces Breitling’s commitment to inclusive luxury, sustainability, and craftsmanship, values that now extend naturally into hospitality. Breitling Kitchen Riyadh stands as a clear expression of where luxury retail is heading. It is about connection, comfort, and community, without losing sight of craftsmanship or identity. In bringing this concept to Saudi Arabia, Breitling acknowledges the sophistication of its local audience and the city’s growing role in shaping global luxury culture. In a city defined by momentum, the Breitling Kitchen offers something quietly rare. A place to pause, gather, and enjoy time well spent.

A living celebration of the Gulf’s maritime heritage Photos courtesy of the Abu Dhabi Media Center Along the Abu Dhabi Corniche, where the city opens gently toward the sea, the Alyasat Festival unfolds as one of the UAE’s most meaningful cultural gatherings. It is not a spectacle built for speed or novelty, but a celebration rooted in memory, craftsmanship, and the enduring relationship between the Emirates and the water that shaped its earliest communities. Alyasat is dedicated to traditional sailing vessels, the wooden dhows that once carried pearl divers, fishermen, and traders across the Gulf. For generations, these boats were not symbols. They were lifelines. They carried livelihoods, sustained families, and connected coastal towns long before modern infrastructure transformed the region. The festival honors that history with reverence, inviting both locals and visitors to witness the elegance and discipline of maritime heritage up close. At the heart of the festival are the sailing competitions, where heritage vessels glide across the water with quiet power. Crews work in practiced harmony, guided by techniques passed down through generations. Watching these boats move is a reminder that tradition here is not static. It is active, physical, and deeply respected. The races are less about victory and more about continuity, preserving knowledge that might otherwise fade in a world increasingly defined by technology. On land, the festival opens into a broader cultural experience. Boat-building demonstrations highlight the artistry behind each vessel, from the selection of wood to the precise shaping of the hull. Craftsmen speak of balance, patience, and intuition, values that mirror the wider Emirati approach to heritage preservation. Nearby, exhibitions and cultural displays explore maritime life through storytelling, photography, and archival material, offering context to the traditions being celebrated on the water. Family plays a central role at Alyasat. Children gather along the shoreline, learning the names of boats and sails, asking questions, and absorbing stories that anchor them to their past. Elders watch with pride, recognizing fragments of their own youth in the movement of the vessels and the rituals surrounding them. This intergenerational exchange is what gives the festival its emotional weight. It is not about reenactment. It is about living memory. The setting itself adds to the atmosphere. Abu Dhabi’s skyline rises in the distance, modern and assured, while the traditional boats cut across the sea in the foreground. The contrast is striking but harmonious. It reflects the broader narrative of the Emirates, a nation that has embraced global ambition without severing its connection to its origins. Alyasat Festival also speaks to the UAE’s commitment to safeguarding intangible heritage. By elevating maritime traditions to a national stage, the festival ensures they remain visible, valued, and relevant. It reminds audiences that progress does not require forgetting, and that cultural identity is strongest when it is actively practiced rather than archived. As the sun sets and the boats return to shore, there is a sense of calm that settles over the festival. It feels earned. Alyasat does not rush its message. It allows history to speak through motion, craft, and collective presence. In a region often defined by rapid transformation, Alyasat Festival stands as a quiet anchor. It honors the sea, the people who depended on it, and the traditions that continue to shape Emirati identity today.