MARCH 2019 www.signatureoman.com THE WANDERLUST EDITION Travel Tales FERRARI PORTOFINO Maranello's Finest JUJU Luxury meets Craftsmanship signatureoman signatureoman Sohar +968 266 42583 | Nizwa +968 254 26435 | Al Khuwair +968 244 72203 | Salalah +968 23362996 Barka +968 26796967 | Mabellah +968 24263738 % INTEREST EASY INSTALLMENT PLAN WITH FOLLOWING BANKS CONTENTS BULLETIN 12 THE SUITE LIFE NEWS YOU CAN USE EMIRATES 10 TO MOM, WITH LOVE 16 THE MOUNTAIN TOP HAVEN MALABAR GOLD & DIAMONDS ANANTARA AL JABAL AL AKHDAR 18 FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD COCO BODU HITHI 26 TAKING ON TOUGH TERRAINS FERRARI PORTOFINO 36 GAME CHANGER BMW SERIES 40 NEED FOR SPEED BENTLEY BENTAYGA SPORT 44 WELCOMING A NEW ERA NBO 46 SWISS PRIDE KHIMJI'S WATCHES 48 A JOURNEY OF PASSION ROHM 50 GAUCHO DINING ASADO STEAKHOUSE 52 A CULINARY TRIP TO TURKEY TURKUAZ 54 A FINE MELANGE OF FLAVOURS SOI SOI 58 CONSCIOUS LUXURY JUJU GAUCHO THURSDAYS FEEL THE FLAME OF THE ASADO WITH OUR LIVELY GAUCHO NIGHTS ENJOY RODIZIO-STYLE SERVICE, TABLE-SIDE SHOWMANSHIP AND THE ORIGINAL SMOKES OF CHURRASCO, SERVED IN GENEROUS STYLE BY OUR BUDDING ‘GAUCHOS’ WHILST ENJOYING LIVE LATINO MUSIC EVERY THURSDAY, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM OMR 23 NET INCLUDING SOFT BEVERAGES OR OMR 33 NET INCLUDING HOUSE BEVERAGES ASADO SOUTH AMERICAN STEAKHOUSE | SHERATON OMAN HOTEL +968 2237 7777 | INFO.OMAN@SHERATON.COM | ASADOMUSCAT.COM MARCH 2019 www.signatureoman.com THE WANDERLUST EDITION Travel Tales Explore & experience Wanderlust: n a strong desire for or impulse to wander or travel and explore the world A desire that most individuals have and that many succeed in accomplishing too After all, is life even experienced in full without travelling? The joy of travelling is an irreplaceable feeling Over the years, travelling has become less of a luxury and more of an essential part of people’s lives FERRARI PORTOFINO Maranello's Finest JUJU Luxury meets Craftsmanship signatureoman signatureoman VOL - ISSUE 11 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AISHA SAID AL BADI GROUP EDITOR MAYANK SINGH EDITOR ANNE KURIAN ART Creative Director SANDESH S RANGNEKAR PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHER RAJESH RAJAN PRODUCTION Senior Production Manager – Print & Digital RAMESH GOVINDRAJ Weather-beaten tracks, less-travelled journeys…we love them all In this edition where we give wing to our wanderlust, we explore various elements of travel We take a look at the exclusive and luxurious First Class Private Suites onboard Emirates Boeing 777 fleet Crafted for connoisseurs of luxury and travel, these suites are a class apart We also head to Maldives – one of our favourite archipelagos for a mindful travel experience at the Coco Bodhu Hithi resort Closer home, Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar is the ideal getaway From adventure activities to the soothing therapies at the spa, this resort is ideal to get your batteries recharged We bring together a bevy of auto beauties in this edition We take the Ferrari Portofino to terrains less travelled for an exclusive photo shoot BMW’s popular range, the new Series was launched in Oman last month We bring you all details of the trims We also take a closer look at the drop-dead gorgeous Bentayga Speed from Bentley JUJU, a luxury vegan footwear brand from India, has caught our sartorial attention Handcrafted and oozing of elegance, we love the brand already Read all about this unique brand in the pages ahead ADVERTISING & MARKETING Advertising Manager NAVNEET MATHARU Have a fabulous month ahead! Media Consultant KRUPALI SAMPAT ASSISTANT MANAGER – BUSINESS SUPPORT RADHA KUMAR Anne Kurian CORPORATE Chief Executive Officer ATULYA SHARMA Executive Vice President ALPANA ROY Distribution UNITED MEDIA SERVICES LLC Published by UNITED PRESS & PUBLISHING LLC PO Box 3305, Ruwi, Postal Code - 112, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman Tel: (968) 24700896, Fax: (968) 24707939 Website: www.umsoman.com All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher The publisher does not accept responsibility for any loss occasioned to any person or organisation acting or refraining as a result of material in this publication SIGNATURE accepts no responsibility for advertising content Copyright © 2019 United Press & Publishing LLC Printed by Oman Printers & Stationers Ltd Co LLC Correspondence should be sent to: SIGNATURE UNITED MEDIA SERVICES PO Box 3305, PC 112, Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman Fax: (968) 24707939 e-mail: signature@umsoman.com, www.theluxesignature.com For editorial enquiries: 71517210 For advertising enquiries: 93204670 2019 To receive weekly WhatsApp business updates from OER - Oman's No Business magazine send us a WhatsApp message with the word "OER" followed by your name on 91242930 The Art of Contemporary Living The Residences at Kempinski Hotel Muscat feature 77 beachfront apartments and villas, luxuriously designed for comfortable upscale living Ranging from a cosy Studio to the expansive One-to Three-Bedroom Residences, as well as the luxurious Two- and Three-Bedroom Villas, the Residences are crafted to signify contemporary living in the new heart of Muscat For more information please call: M +968 9361 5437 kempinski.com/muscat BULLETIN Novel launch from Danube Home O ne of the fastest growing home interior and décor brands in the Middle East, Danube Home recently launched the TBK catalogue collection for its Milano brand Milano is renowned for its topquality international standards The catalogue launch was preceded by the launch of world’s biggest man-made tile at the brand’s showroom in Al Khuwair Measuring 1.6m x 3.2m, the large-format tile comes in different finishes, including marble, granite and wood The catalogue is designed keeping the current minimalist design trend in mind, while showcasing an exceptional range of Tiles, Bathroom and Kitchen products Additionally, it will advise and share the latest trends and technologies for the consumers and will surely be a guide for all of them, while decorating a new building, revamping a living space or just trying to inject a new life into a room, bathroom or kitchen The collection will offer the best combination of products on a pocket friendly price Whether clients are looking to create a royal Arabian look, a stylish urban décor, a chic contemporary modern styling or a retro classic look, there are varied themes showcasing the trendiest collection which will help to make a bold and unmistakable statement like never before Moreover, it covers the super stylish and trendy collections of showers, mixer, door, electrical, hardware, travel shattaf, water purifier, water heater, outdoor wall and modern kitchen unit etc Commenting on the new launch, Adel Sajan, Director of Danube Group, said,” We are pleased to unveil our new T.B.K catalog and glad to introduce the market with world’s biggest man-made tile - which will be a practical solution for both commercial and residential projects “ He further added: “With each new catalogue we aim to raise the bar and include even more innovative products that are unbeatable in style and quality This year as well we have incorporated detailed product descriptions while keeping the minimalist trend intact We pride ourselves on being the only total resource for complete home solution brand in the region Each of our catalogues is a result of lot of hard work and passion to deliver the best We simply want to give you the best shopping experience under one roof.” Adel Sajan Director of Danube Group Welco m e to t he E XC E P TI O N AL A R ADISSON COLLECTION HOTEL radissoncollection.com/hormuz-grand-hotel BULLETIN Travel Treats from Amouage Innovation together with luxury and creativity are qualities that have made Amouage one of the finest premium perfume and lifestyle brands in the world The luxury brand has now added to their exquisite range the Amouage’s Travel Collection – a special edition for discerning patrons on the move The collection comprises of travel sprays, miniatures and a solid perfume compact The perfect accessory, the travel sprays are presented in an elegant leather holder with a beautifully crafted cap and three 10ml refillable vials in Amouage’s most popular fragrances The Men’s Travel Sprays refill is available in Honour, Interlude, Memoir, Epic, Lyric, Jubilation 25, Reflection, Dia and Gold The Women’s Travel Sprays refill is available in Honour, Interlude, Fate and Journey Travellers can also choose elegant 10 2019 frosted holders with a beautifully crafted gold cap and four 10ml refillable vials in Amouage’s most popular fragrances; Memoir, Epic, Lyric, Jubilation 25, Reflection, Dia and Gold The captivatingly designed refillable solid perfume compact in gold etched with the Amouage shield is complemented with a protective case Presented with refillable fragrance discs available in Memoir, Epic, Jubilation 25, Reflection, Dia and Gold, the solid perfume can be applied to the pulse points for a fragrantly soft sensation that will linger all day Amouage’s miniatures are presented in a box set of six 7ml bottles for man and woman The men’s miniature collection comprises of Lyric, Epic, Memoir, Honour, Interlude and Fate or Gold, Dia, Silver, Reflection, Jubilation 25 and Beloved The women’s comprises of Lyric, Epic, Memoir, Honour, Interlude and Fate and/ or Gold, Dia, Ciel, Reflection, Jubilation 25 and Beloved The miniatures are the perfect way to enjoy a wide selection of Amouage most notable perfumes and ideal collector items In addition, Amouage has extended The Secret Garden Collection to include wonderful hair mists Presented in Lilac Love and Blossom Love, the new products offer lovers of floral scents an opportunity to condition their hair with romantic aromas The perfect travel companion, the new hair mist comes in a 50ml frosted glass bottle and is infused with Cashmilan™, a partially hydrolysed keratin from cashmere wool which is also a hairidentical protein hydrolysate It is proven to improve definition, strength, conditioning and substantivity of hair CULTURE A JOURNEY OF PASSION Opera took root in Italy over four centuries ago Opera, 400 Years of Passion, a fascinating exhibition traces the travel of this mesmerising art and musical form from Italy to Muscat, which is being showcased at the Royal Opera: House of Musical Arts 50 2019 O pera has mesmerised music lovers for centuries The journey of opera began 400 years ago in Italy and is today one of the most revered music and art forms in the world In a fascinating exhibition at the Royal Opera: House of Musical Arts, titled Opera, 400 Years of Passion, this journey is depicted vividly and captivatingly Organised by the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) in London, the touring exhibition is at its first destination outside London and is also the maiden exhibition to be held at House of Musical Arts The exhibition tells the story of opera's journey to Oman Four hundred years ago in the early seventeenth century, opera was taking root in Venice, Italy By the end of the century, it had spread to Italy's finest cities; and in the eighteenth century, opera became Western Europe's most widespread and popular musical art and would soon migrate to the Americas Opera came to Oman in 2011 when His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said established the Royal Opera House Muscat, honouring the distinguished history of world opera while building upon age-old traditions in the music of Oman The musical journey through history takes visitors from carnival Venice, to vibrant London, to enlightened Vienna, to sophisticated Milan and glamorous Paris, ending their virtual travels in a resplendent Muscat today Over 160 exhibits have come to Oman from across Europe to celebrate the story of opera Some of the pieces are travelling out of Europe for the first time in hundreds of year The exhibits include a comprehensive array of beautiful works: oil paintings, marble busts, costumes, textiles, glass and chinaware The exhibition is open from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm Sunday to Saturday, and 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Fridays; tickets can be purchased at the Opera Galleria reception desk in the main atrium FOCUS FEATURE GAUCHO DINING Thursdays are not going to be same anymore thanks to Asado The South American Steakhouse has introduced ‘Gaucho Thursdays’ a unique dining concept that brings together good food and lilting entertainment A sado has long been one of our favourite spots in Muscat’s culinary scene The South American seakhouse has some of the best prime cuts and steaks in the city on the menu So, when we heard about Gaucho Thursdays, it was music to our ears Sheraton’s signature steakhouse has launched a ‘Gaucho’ night every Thursday where prime cuts and succulent meats are served with gusto The dining concept which celebrates fine meat also includes a variety of starters like fresh salads, soup, flatbreads, chicken skewers, roasted vegetables and more 52 2019 The uniqueness of the ‘Gaucho Thursday’ concept is that the mains are all served to your table Asado offers the true essence of Brazilian-style dining, where a variety of flavorful meats are artfully carved fresh-off-the-skewer and onto the plate, offering a banquet of an all-you-can-eat grilled goodness Cooked on open flame, succulent pieces of meat are carved and served at the table And the food never stops coming! Everything is done on a seriously big scale Playful service, high-energy music and incredibly moreish dishes served plate after plate; it definitely is the perfect way to start the weekend To compliment the evening, a talented Brazilian guitarist and saxophonist entertain the guests, playing funky South-American beats to rev up the tempo, reminiscent of a night out on the streets of São Paulo Gaucho Thursdays is a perfect, family-friendly outing that’s set to transport your senses to South America, where fire-kissed meats are served with passion and a pulsing energy The staff are hand to tend to every requirement and they ensure that your plate is never empty A fantastic experience for true meat lovers! Gaucho Thursdays are on from 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM at Asado South American Steakhouse For more information or to make a booking, contact: +968 7111 9006 GOURMET A CULINARY TRIP TO TURKEY Turkuaz, a new pop-up restaurant at Al Bustan Palace, A Ritz-Carlton Hotel, brings to Oman the different and rich flavours of Turkey Signature heads to the restaurant to experience the flavours of the vibrant country 54 2019 T urkey is a country of many facets Steeped in history and considered the cradle of civilisation, Turkey is a beautiful amalgamation of modernity and traditionalism Among its many endearing factors is the cuisine Heart-warming, rich and diverse, the culinary treats of this country are a class apart Al Bustan Palace, A Ritz-Carlton Hotel recently celebrated the cuisine of Turkey with the introduction of Turkuaz, a pop-up restaurant Serving a rich section of Turkish delicacies, Turkuaz is helmed by Chef Okan Demir, the hotel’s Chef de Cuisine, along with visiting chefs Ali Ozkan and Alper Kizilbayir from The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul The pop-up restaurant which opened on Febraury 27 will serve patrons till June 4, 2019 At a media tasting session, we were treated to a variety of dishes from Turkey Among these were Manti, often referred to as Turkish Ravioli, which features hot dumplings stuffed with meat and served with yoghurt and garlic A hearty and delicious dish, Manti turned out to be the star of the evening for us The other absolutely delectable dish was the Icli Kofti, which is more popularly known as kibbeh Rich, juicy and perfectly cooked, the Icli Kofti was an absolute treat Mezzes are an important part of Turkish meals served along with piping hot breads Turkuaz has a fine selection of mezzes – mostly cold variety Also, part of the impressive menu are Adana Kebab, hand-minced meat kebabs grilled on charcoal, ‘Firin Sutlac’, rice pudding and a variety of bakhlavas The food at Turkuaz is appetising and hearty – just like one would have at a home in Istanbul or Anatolia Visiting Chef Alper Kizilbayir sums up the reason quite beautifully: “What you eat at Turkuaz is what you would have if you come to my home It’s what my mother would cook; this is how I would serve at home When you eat at Turkuaz, it’s like eating at my home.” The chefs have brought ingredients like pepper paste, chilli flakes, and mint powder to add to the complete Turkish experience And no Turkish dining experience is complete without Turkish coffee and/or tea At Turkuaz, both are served and to your heart’s content Turkuaz brings the wonderful world of Turkish cuisine to Oman in the most authentic style; dining here is an experience that will be cherished by good food lovers Serving a rich section of Turkish delicacies, Turkuaz is helmed by Chef Okan Demir, the hotel’s Chef de Cuisine, along with visiting chefs Ali Ozkan and Alper Kizilbayir from The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul GOURMET A FINE MELANGE OF FLAVOURS Intro: Soi Soi at Kempinski Muscat Hotel endeavours to take diners on an appetising journey that packs in the zest and tastes of Thailand Signature heads to the Thai restaurant to experience the culinary treats brought to the city Chef Suphannee Thumma 56 A 2019 rich blend of flavours and fragrances, Thai cuisine has a certain je ne sais quoi that appeals to just about every epicurean The heady scent of herbs together with the kick of the spices bring a certain warmth to Thai dishes that leaves you wanting more Walking through the streets of Thailand is a treat by itself – you are spoiled for choices In fact, one of the popular tourist activities in Thailand is to go on a walking food tour If Thailand is not on your travel list anytime soon, then Soi Soi is the place to head to for a culinary journey to enjoy the flavours of the land Soi Soi at Kempinski Muscat Hotel features a variety of dishes from different regions of Thailand Soi means street in Thai and the restaurant strives to bring street food flavours within a sophisticated ambience Helmed by Chef Suphannee Thumma, Soi Soi blends both traditional and modern tastes of Thailand While you will find age-old classics and favourites like raw papaya salad, fish cakes in red curry paste, Thai green curry and sticky mango pudding, the menu also includes dishes that are not quite commonly available in other Thai restaurants in the city like red curry duck with pineapple and basil, pineapple fried rice with prawns and steamed seafood custard, to name a few Our Thai gourmet journey began with a sumptuous Mixed Platter and piping hot Tom Yum Goong The Mixed Platter came with an array of Thai specialities that included vegetable spring rolls, fish cakes, chicken satay, prawn rolls and papaya salad A dish that can be easily shared between 2-3 people is a mustorder if you want to taste a variety of Thai offerings The fish cakes especially are excellent The Tom Yum Goong was better than expected – spicy and full of flavour from fresh kaffir leaves and lemongrass For the mains, we chose Gaeng Phed Ped – duck in red curry with cherry tomatoes, pineapple, lychee, chili, and basil; Steamed Sea Bass in Fish Sauce and one of our alltime Thai favourites - Phad Thai Hor Khai The Gaeng Phed Ped is an exotic blend of flavours – the mild spice of the curry is masked by the sweet-sour flavours of pineapple and lychee Combined with the duck, it made for an appetising dish that is best had with steamed rice The steamed sea bass in fish sauce, a dish that can be easily found on street food carts in Thailand, was done perfectly and is ideal if have a palate for fish sauce The chef incorporated herbs into the sauce which lifts the flavour of the dish It’s rare to find a Pad Thai dish that one would not like and at Soi Soi, it was pretty much similar to what you would find on the streets of Thailand Tangy, spicy and with the right amount of crunch, Chef Suphannee’s version was so appetising that not going for a second helping was just too difficult We rounded off the meal with the humble yet delicious Mango Sticky Rice and Banana Spring Rolls with Ice Cream A staple of Thai cuisine, Mango Sticky Rice can be found everywhere from fine-dining restaurants to street food carts It is even sold at the Departures in Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport Chef Suphannee’s rendition was not overtly sweet with the right amount of coconut cream mixed into the sticky rice As cliched as it may sound, fresh mango slices and sticky rice is a match made in heaven! The hot Banana Spring Rolls combined with the ice cream was yet another lovely sweet treat we enjoyed Bringing two contrasting elements on a plate added to the fusion of flavours and textures Soi Soi, open for lunch and dinner, also has a special Thai Express lunch menu that includes a starter, main and dessert The portions are just perfect – satisfying and not heavy The three-course meal, served all together on a plate, is a wonderful choice when a quick lunch is what one is looking for SHOWCASE CONSCIOUS LUXURY 58 2019 HANDCRAFTED, VEGAN AND LUXURIOUS, THE STYLISH FOOTWEAR BRAND JUJU IS THE BRAINCHILD OF JYOTI SARDAR, AN ENTREPRENEUR WHO BELIEVES IN EXPERIENCING LIFE TO THE FULLEST IN THIS EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW, THE FOUNDER TALKS ABOUT HER ETHICAL BRAND AND THE JOURNEY SO FAR… What is the inspiration behind JUJU? How did the idea come about? I have always been an animal lover, and a supporter of animal rights for as long as I can remember I even wanted to be a veterinarian when I was younger, but since physics trumped biology as far as being my favourite subject goes, I never really went in that direction Nevertheless, the desire to help better the lives of animals in some way has always stayed with me It has also been a few years since I started to pay more attention to what I was consuming, and what kind of carbon footprint I was leaving as an individual Because, you know, the times we live in, and the kind of impact our planet is feeling right now due to our consumption habits, I felt it was only right to be more aware of the choices I was making So, I decided a few years ago that sustainable living and consuming was the way forward for me And it wasn’t a very difficult change to make But the footwear industry was where I had the hardest time making a complete switch I felt slightly helpless because I couldn’t find shoes anywhere in the world that appealed to my taste & fashion sensibilities, whilst also helping me stay true to my mission of consuming consciously Moreover, I have always been in love with the rich, vibrant, colourful hand-embroidered fashion from my motherland (India), and I was sure that with the advancements in science, technology and production of recycled materials, it was possible to create the kind of shoes that I was visualizing in my mind With this thought, the idea of JUJU was born So, I set off for India with the aim of putting together a team that would feel as dedicated to the cause of creating these handcrafted, vegan, works of art as I did It took over a year to find the right people, but today I feel happy that despite the difficulties that were faced, JUJU is finally here We work laboriously every day to put together this line of shoes that stands for - luxury, comfort, durability, hand-crafted uniqueness, and ethical, sustainable fashion that supports local artisans, and helps keep their craftsmanship alive In our own small way, we want to contribute to a more conscious, animal-friendly world, and we are trying to exactly that Tell us about the process in creating these unique footwears Our shoes are designed in Delhi (India) where I work directly with the artisans o The design and colour are finalized by me after discussions with the head artisan o Our current collection is made of art silk fabric (which is an artificially made silk, so it does not harm silkworm and is vegan) We use white art silk, which is hand-dyed in the base colours that we have selected for each design o The dyed fabric is then ‘fused’ with a strengthening material so as to make it strong enough to make shoes with o The hand-embroidery then begins on the fused fabric o Every single pair of JUJUs takes anywhere between 7-12 hours to be completed by hand, depending entirely on the intricacy of the design and the kind of thread used o The embroidered upper then reaches the shoe manufacturing facility where it is first made even stronger with vegan materials fused to its base These are high quality, vegan materials that form the inner lining of the shoes (We have done extensive research to make sure these are materials that are softest to the touch, and most comfortable for your feet, no matter how long you keep your shoes on for, as comfort was our top-most priority for JUJUs) o Now ready to be ‘cast’, the shoe starts taking shape on the last Meanwhile, the inner and outer sole are stamped with our logo and monogram o The upper part of the shoe and the inner sole are then brought together, and finally, the outer sole is then fixed on to the shoe This entire process is done by hand SHOWCASE One of the brand’s highlights has been the principle of merging age-old traditions with a modern, conscious, sustainable approach to fashion How have you been able to achieve this? The ethos of JUJU includes: Marry the rich culture, tradition, heritage and art of India with the cruelty-free, conscious living philosophy of the modern world Create a unique one-of-its-kind work of art with every pair of shoes This is why every piece is handcrafted, and nothing is machinemade or mass-produced Owning a pair of JUJUs would allow one to feel the good juju (or energy) enter their lives, simply in the knowledge of knowing that their purchase has contributed to the livelihood of the skilled artisans of India, has helped sustain an animal’s life, and has contributed to a more conscious world We feel we have been able to achieve all of the above simply by remaining committed to our vision at every step of the creation process Despite being advised to reduce our costs by using machine-embroidery, we have decided to continue working with the artisans and have only hand-embroidery on our shoes (which is costlier and more time-consuming) Also, we were advised to use different, lower priced materials for our lining and soles, but that We work laboriously every day to put together this line of shoes that stands for - luxury, comfort, durability, handcrafted uniqueness, and ethical, sustainable fashion that supports local artisans, and helps keep their craftsmanship alive would have meant compromising on comfort so we decided against it We have tried to avoid wastage as far as packaging goes as well Because, in my personal experience, I have seen brands go all out in packaging materials, and at the end of the delivery, it just goes into the bin So, we have stuck to using recycled boxes for our shoes, organic muslin shoe bags that keep the shoes safe, and even our care instructions cards are printed on recycled paper These are a few examples we can give you The effort at every step, like I said, has been to be a conscious and responsible fashion brand The end product that one wears on their feet is the result of this very well thought out, conscious decision-making process As creators we know this and hope our clients know it as well – that JUJU is a high-quality, luxury, one-ofits-kind unique product that you will not find on a shelf in a store It’s a product that was created keeping our promise to be an ethical fashion brand in mind, and the fact that we have not compromised with that promise at any step is what has helped us achieve what we set out to with JUJU There’s still a lot more to do, and we’re only getting started Can you share a bit of history or story on the Indian juttis? Juttis are a type of footwear from the Northern region of India, and are traditionally made with leather They have extensive embroidery on them, in gold, silver, coloured threads, and were inspired by the royals back in the days I have always been an ardent admirer of juttis and would not be able to resist buying multiple pairs for myself every time I came across a store, but I would always feel guilty because they were made of leather And the ones that weren’t made of leather, were not of very good quality This is what I found in my travels, and experiences And this is when the idea of JUJU came to me To have this kind of beautiful hand-embroidered work on non-leather shoes, and showcase both the craftsmanship as well as the comfort & durability of such a shoe to the rest of the world Are the designs exclusive/limited? Some of the designs in our current collection are limited editions, such as San, Mira, Valentina, Alani and Reina These designs use special elements that are difficult to work with on a regular basis, and we lose a lot of embroidered pieces in the making process Once our current stocks run out, we will only take special orders for these What varieties does JUJU have and what can we expect in the future? In our launch collection, we have two styles of shoes The closed loafers, and the open mules Both are flat styles; a big reason we did only flats for our launch was because I have seen a lot of women wear heels all day and to important meetings and events as they believe it gives them more confidence I don’t necessarily agree with that I feel that it doesn’t matter what height you are, if you’re wearing beautiful shoes that you are comfortable in, your confidence will soar even higher! :) However, I have nothing against heels, and occasionally wear them myself Which is why they will be a part of our next collection We also have a different style of loafers in the next collection, along with boots for women And the most exciting thing for me right now in the upcoming months is our menswear collection I have been getting a lot of messages from men asking when are JUJUs going to cater to the male audience, and I can only say – soon, very soon, inshallah! Keep following us on Instagram @thejujustudio, for all the updates on these upcoming designs Please tell us about yourself My parents moved to Muscat in the 70s, where I grew up After graduating from Indian School Muscat, I moved to Madrid and then Florida to pursue and complete my degree in Aerospace Engineering After graduation, I decided to pursue my love for music and joined the radio industry I’ve spent the past decade and a half working in radio, both off-air and on-air During this time, I also had the good fortune of being able to dabble in all my other interests such as travel (I worked with Emirates during my sabbatical year and travelled extensively during this time), painting (mostly acrylic on canvas), dance (salsa), and I’ve also been a Femina Miss India finalist I’ve been asked many times why I so many different things, and of course I get asked why I’m not working in science anymore (having graduated as a rocket scientist), and my only answer to that is – why be just one thing when you can be so much more in your lifetime?! I like to learn, I like to grow, I like to evolve… new challenges excite me, and being able to excel at something I knew nothing about gives me immense joy The idea for JUJU came to me when I was at home in Muscat for a few months after I moved back That is what took me to Delhi, and that is when the journey to turn JUJU into a reality began And to anyone who wants to be an entrepreneur, let me tell you, it is literally the toughest job in the world But it is also the most rewarding, if you have the patience, tenacity and perseverance to survive every single day #ComeDiscover A Velvet Touch Sofas to dining chairs, ottomans to armchairs and more Starting at OMR 29 WESLEY SEATER SOFA RICH VELVET FABRIC WITH TUFTING FOR EXTRA COMFORT OMR 369 DOMINO DINING CHAIR OMR 59 TIVOLI SEATER SOFA OMR 240 RETINA OTTOMAN OMR 29 City Centre Muscat: 24558063, Al Khuwair: Oasis Mall: 22060170, Suhar: Oasis Mall: 22507960, Salalah: Gardens Mall: 22009362, Nizwa: Nizwa Grand Mall: 25433356 UAE | Saudi Arabia | Kuwait | Bahrain | Qatar | Oman | Egypt | Lebanon | Iraq | India | www.homecentre.com | FOLLOW US ON Up to years on furniture & year on home accessories* *Terms and conditions apply ... life around Coco Body Hithi, it was with a child’s curiosity and excitement that we explored the water Every activity on the island is fun, engaging and relaxed We set out with a group of guests... level, it provides an opportunity to detoxify in pure mountain air with high altitude health benefits, and is fast proving to be a magnet for wellness travellers The spa offers a rare opportunity... luxury these days Signature sets out to Coco Bodhu Hithi in the Maldives where mindful luxury is the key theme of the experience 20 2019 TRAVEL 22 2019 I s it truly possible to switch off in the