< Previous50 HarpersBazaarArabia.com November 2020 The NEWS Zoe Haldane is a woman in demand. Which is no surprise, as she might just have landed the most sought-after job in the Middle East: Brand Director at The Arts Club Dubai. But this prestigious position is no walk in the park. If she’s not navigating meetings with important CEOs or discussing the club’s upcoming cultural programmes, she’s tweaking membership criteria, dress codes, food menus and interiors options. And of course, there’s the small matter of a new found popularity – with would-be members vying to be her new best friend. After all, she has the keys to Dubai’s coolest new venue. The Arts Club is the ultimate heritage brand, steeped in a rich history that dates back to 1863, when the original London venue opened its doors to notable members including Charles Dickens, Wilkie Collins and Franz Liszt. Artists including Frederic Leighton, Walter Sickert and Auguste Rodin would frequent the lounge bars of the private members’ club, while Etel Adnan, Shara Hughes and Frank Bowling have adorned the walls. Fast forward to 2011, and The Arts Club London relaunched after a stunning renovation, and just three years later, work began on its fi rst sister club, here in Dubai. And now in 2020, the much-anticipated opening of The Arts Club Dubai is fi nally here. With much hype around the new offering, and rumours that membership demand has already exceeded supply, we sat down with Zoe, who moved to the UAE two years ago to join The Arts Club team, to fi nd out exactly what we can expect from the space in terms of style, cuisine and culture, and of course, some tips on how to get on that exclusive membership list. What will be the main differences at The Arts Club Dubai compared with the original London venue? We have a much bigger space to work with, covering 65,000 square feet. The Arts Club Dubai opens its doors this month with nearly all the particulars still a well-guarded secret. Brand Director Zoe Haldane exclusively reveals what you need to know… WORDS: DEVINDER BAINS. POR TRAIT : FRITZ ASURO The Arts Club Dubai is more than twice the size of our London club and we will have more members’ lounges and more spaces for members to enjoy, no matter what ambience or vibe they’re looking for. Tell us about your role at The Arts Club Dubai I am responsible for ensuring the brand’s overriding philosophy and heritage comes through in everything we do, while also identifying and reinterpreting aspects of it. Dubai is a very different landscape to London and this needs to be taken into account. What does a typical day look like? I catch up with my teams daily, covering membership, programming and marketing – checking in to see that everyone is happy and getting the support that they need. I also need to know what is happening in each department as they all interlink and play a crucial role in the life of the Club. Half of my team has been working out of a warehouse in Alserkal Avenue in the run up to opening, which has been a great opportunity as it has immersed us within the arts and cultural hub of Dubai – it reminds us daily how forward-thinking and progressive the arts scene is here. Alongside this, our kitchen teams have been testing out their menus, so there has also been a lot of eating, which calls for a nice long run or swim at the end of the day. What are you most excited about? Seeing the interiors come to life. The level of detail and thought that has gone into this project, between the owners and the designers, is nothing I’ve seen before. I also can’t wait to get the music and events programme up and running at full speed, and seeing the members, from all generations, fi nding their favourite spots within the club to enjoy: from the beautiful terraces to the late-night lounges and restaurants. MEMBER S ONLY T H E O P E N I N G “ W E W A N T R E A L L Y LO V E L Y , F U N, I N T E R E S T E D A N D IN T E R E S T IN G P E O P L E . W E W A N T ME MB ER S W H O W I L L C O N T R I BU TE T O TH E L I F E O F T H E C L U B ” Zo e H a l d a n e The NEWS HBA_151_050to051_NewsArtsClub_11415809.indd 5003/11/2020 12:12:11 PM51 HarpersBazaarArabia.com November 2020 What have been some of the challenges? Putting the pandemic aside, working across continents and time zones. One of our owners, Jai Waney, is based in Hong Kong, while the other, Gary Landesberg, is in London. It has, on occasion, also been a challenge explaining the process of membership and election. Dubai is a fast-paced city and sometimes people don’t have time to wait, but ensuring our membership is right for the Club takes time and is essential. The election committee reviews each application in detail to make sure the candidate is right for the Club, and that the Club is right for the candidate. What are the Election Committee looking for in members? A whole range of attributes, but above all, we want really lovely, fun, interested and interesting people. We want members who will contribute to the life of the Club, taking part in its programming as much as dining in its restaurants. We want them to be proud that they are part of the formation of an exciting new community of like-minded individuals. What is a ‘no no’ for the Election Committee? We are primarily a social club and we do tend to swerve away from those wishing to join the Club solely to conduct business. We want members to enjoy the Club, above all. What professional backgrounds are actively encouraged to join? We welcome applications from candidates with all sorts of professional backgrounds. However, in terms of their interests, they span art and design, tech, fi lm, literature, music, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and of course fi nance – being in the fi nancial hub of the region. Is there a dress code? The Club has an elegant dress code and members and their guests are encouraged to dress up for the occasion. There are a number of items which are not permitted! What is your favourite area within the Club? I love an outdoor terrace or rooftop and we’ve got an abundance of those – perfect for the cooler months here in the UAE. I also love the members’ lounges, some are lined with beautiful fabrics on the walls, they are quite special and make you feel like you are sitting inside a jewel box. We’re excited about the roof terrace, what can we expect? Superb 360-degree views, including the Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai. Expect a relaxed vibe, with the energy fl owing from the rooftop terrace bar to the cabanas, culminating in the late-night lounge. It will be the perfect spot for sundowners, set to a sublime soundtrack emanating from the DJ booth. What can we expect in terms of food and beverage? We have three restaurant concepts, the fi rst is our beloved brasserie from London, which will feature some old favourites. Then we have two brand-new concepts, a very cool Nikkei restaurant, inspired by the fantastic fl avour combination of Latin America and Japan, and an elegant Italian restaurant that draws on the very best dishes from all over Italy, gregariously served by an impeccable team. Tell us about the artwork… There will be a permanent collection which will be grown slowly, featuring international artists, and importantly, supporting regional and emerging artists. We will have many spaces for rotating exhibitions too, carefully curating these with our expert team that includes Art Director, Aurore Ogden who is based in London, our Head of Programming, Sybel Vazquez, who is based in Dubai, and our curator, Amelie von Wedel, of WedelArt. What can members expect in terms of the cultural programme? Although heavily rooted in the arts, the Club’s cultural programme has been designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests; from talks, current debates and panel discussions, to studio visits, trips, workshops, screenings and performances. The Club’s Music Director is curating each space to have its own distinct soundscape, adapted to the time of day, week or year. The events will engage, enlighten and entertain, offering something entirely unique to each member’s experience of the Club. We have also launched the Artists Commission, which is an important part of the Club’s approach to working with the creative community in the region, it will include open calls across the arts, which will in turn, become part of our contemporary art collection, as well as exhibitions and events celebrating art in the region. ■ The Arts Club Dubai opens in late November 2020 in ICD Brookfi eld Place in DIFC. For more information and membership enquiries, visit theartsclub.ae The Arts Club Dubai’s rooftop terrace is perfect for the November opening The original: Kyubi Japanese restaurant at The Arts Club in London HBA_151_050to051_NewsArtsClub_11415809.indd 5102/11/2020 12:57:35 PM The STYLE PHOTOGRAPH: COUR TSEY OF THE AUTHOR. CARLA WEARS RALPH & RUSSO A VERY MODERN ROLE MODEL Entrepreneur and celebrity style insider CARLA DIBELLO shares her powerful, personal journey of the empowerment that comes with freezing your eggs reedom can mean many things. To me, it means not having to sacrifi ce one kind of joy for another, or shaping my trajectory according to anyone’s expectations but my own. As a career woman, I’ve made a conscious choice to put off starting a family in order to pursue other ambitions. Some might argue that we have a natural timeline that includes having children at a certain age, but I would offer that we have natural progression as individuals. Independent women choose their own paths. So it makes little sense to me that we should force a pace that is not in rhythm with who we are as people. I’ve long believed that as long as what I’m doing is organic for me, the universe works the rest out. And freezing my eggs is my insurance that I’m able to continue to move to my own speed and not someone else’s. Today, the average age for marriage is shifting back – not just in the West, but in the Middle East too; a large part of that due to women continuing education for longer, as well as pursuing careers. While this opens signifi cant opportunities for women, it has also forced us to rethink how we become mothers. According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, fertility starts to decline in a woman’s 30s, but especially after 35. While a 30-year-old might have a 20 per cent chance of getting pregnant, that percentage drastically declines to 5 per cent by 40. Not to mention that the quality and number of eggs declines as one ages, potentially resulting in a higher chance of miscarriage or infertility in general. After years of debating it, last month, I fi nally took the plunge and had my eggs frozen. From start to fi nish, the process took 14 days and was pretty straightforward, painless, and easy. I chose Dr. Shahin Ghadir at the Southern California Reproductive Center and he did an incredible job of explaining everything and made sure any anxiety I had about the process was eased. Because I went in for my consultation during my cycle, I could have an ultrasound and start injections right away, skipping the normal process of 10 days of birth control prior. The support I had through the entire process was incredible and made all the difference. I was given a tutorial on how to give myself the injections, I had a nurse available 24-hours a day to guide me through anything I was confused or nervous about, and I went into the offi ce every two days for additional bloodwork and ultrasound so they could monitor how I was reacting to the hormones with precision. Two days before my egg retrieval, I was very ready to have my eggs removed and found myself looking forward to the operation, which was more painless than I expected. By the next evening, I was at a friend’s house for dinner, feeling great. But the best part is that after my eggs were retrieved and frozen, I felt an enormous weight lifted off my shoulders. I no longer have the burden of feeling as though I have to choose between career and family. It has been empowering in a way I’ve never experienced before. I feel as though I’m more able to focus on my passions and truly listen to my gut, and not just the white noise of societal norms that surrounds every single woman in at least some way. Becoming a mother when I want to and not when I have to also allows me the opportunity to develop myself so that I can be a better person for my future child – and to be more present when I actually do decide to have children. By sidestepping forced timing, I’m also allowing myself to avoid settling for the wrong partner just for the sake of having a family. I’m allowed to trust my intuition in love, life, and career. I’m no longer tethered by external expectations of what a woman should be or the limitations of age. I’m in full control of my destiny. This is a new form of self- expression. This is the new empowered woman. Insider Tips: Understand where you are fertility-wise. Age is a great marker, however getting your unique stats is crucial. Start with your gynecologist and get your bloodwork done. Knowing how healthy your eggs are is the fi rst step. How and where your eggs are frozen makes a difference. This was another thing that made me feel confi dent in going with Dr. Ghadir, as their clinic is excellent and uses cryo-vitrifi cation (fl ash- freezing), which allows delicate eggs to be frozen fast without any damage. Look into payment plans. One of the reasons a lot of women shy away from having their eggs frozen is due to cost. However many places will have fi nancing options and resources that can accommodate nearly any budget. ■ 52 HarpersBazaarArabia.com November 2020 FR E E ZI N G MY E G G S M E A N S … I ’ M NO L O NG E R TE TH ER ED B Y EXTER N A L EX P E C T A T I O N S ” Car la Di Be llo F HBA_151_052_CARLAcolumn_11409497.indd 5202/11/2020 12:58:44 PM The LOOK HOUSE OF CARDS THE LOOK Sweater, Dhs5,990, Dolce & Gabbana Monochromatic dressing is at its most dramatic in red and black – two of this autumn’s winning shades Compiled by NOUR BOU EZZ Photography by JODY ROGAC 53 HarpersBazaarArabia.com November 2020 HBA_151_053to056_TheLOOK_ok_11411890.indd 5303/11/2020 12:12:47 PM The LOOK AND TO FINISH... Retro flourishes add whimsy and flair GET TH E LO O K 54 HarpersBazaarArabia.com November 2020 4 The TWO PIECE Prim and proper gets a 2020 update in tweed-with-a-twist and touches of polished hardwear 3 1 Brooch, Dhs1,438, LoeweSunglasses, Dhs1,080, GucciBracelet, Dhs2,390, Aurum Jewellery Shoes, Dhs3,145, Roger Vivier Bag, Dhs11,300, Louis Vuitton 2 (Main image) Jacket, Dhs20,710; Skirt, Dhs12,100; Shorts, Dhs6,850; Bag, Dhs16,800, all Chanel. Shoes, Dhs2,617, Celine by Hedi Slimane 1. Alexander McQueen Earrings, Dhs1,485 2. Petar Petrov Bodysuit, Dhs2,620 3. Giambattista Valli Jacket, Dhs7,842 4. Giambattista Valli Skirt, Dhs4,330 HBA_151_053to056_TheLOOK_ok_11411890.indd 5402/11/2020 01:20:51 PM(Main image) Coat, Dhs10,420, Junya Watanabe. Shoes, Dhs640, Clarks Originals 1. Dezso Earrings, Dhs10,500 2. Junya Watanabe Coat, Dhs10,420 3. Junya Watanabe Dress, Dhs5,320 4. Valentino Gloves, Dhs1,700 AND TO FINISH... The LOOK Add interest with bold motifs and flashes of gold 55 HarpersBazaarArabia.com November 2020 4 A one-step solution to statement dressing comes in the form of a traffi c-stopping coat this season 1 Necklace, Dhs22,505, Bottega Veneta Sunglasses, Dhs1,145, Bottega Veneta Ring, Dhs520, Whilhelmina Garcia Boots, Dhs3,660, Gucci Bag, Dhs13,300, Valentino GET THE LO O K The CRIMSON COVER-UP 2 3 HBA_151_053to056_TheLOOK_ok_11411890.indd 5502/11/2020 01:21:03 PMAND TO FINISH... Texture, print and statement sunnies breathe life into tailoring GET THE LOO K (Main image) Vest, Dhs2,800; Trousers, Dhs3,400, both Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello. Earrings, Dhs1,310, Jennifer Fisher. Shoes, Dhs640, Clarks Originals 1. Balenciaga Earrings, Dhs2,135 2. Victoria Beckham Shirt, Dhs2,315 3. Gabriela Hearst Trousers, Dhs3,345 4. Gabriela Hearst Vest, Dhs2,580 STYLING: SAMIRA NASR. MODEL: MA YOW A NICHOLAS. HAIR: T ASHANA MILES A T THE CHAIR BEAUTY LOFT FOR THE CHAIR BEAUTY . MAKE-UP: FRANK B. MANICURE: GINA EDW ARDS FOR DIOR. SET DESIGN: TWO HA WKS YOUNG The LOOK 56 HarpersBazaarArabia.com November 2020 1 The NEW SUITING Show them who’s boss in a fresh take on the tailored suit – boardroom optional 4 Scarf, Dhs1,960, Louis VuittonSunglasses, Dhs1,340, OkhteinTop, Dhs2,275, Dodo Bar Or at Matches Fashion Shoes, Dhs2,835, Proenza Schouler Bag, Dhs17,500, Dior 3 2 HBA_151_053to056_TheLOOK_ok_11411890.indd 5602/11/2020 01:21:14 PM57 HarpersBazaarArabia.com November 2020 AT WORK Watch, Dhs30,800, Omega TAKE THE HELM Steer a steady course in bold stripes and brilliant whites Necklace, Dhs12,570; Ring, Dhs13,650, both De Beers Le Vernis Longwear in Sailor, Dhs105, Chanel Cipresso di Toscana Eau de Toilette, Dhs360 Acqua di Parma Brooch, Dhs815, Miu Miu Bag, Dhs2,000, Max Mara Dish, Dhs600 for four Aerin Wallet, Dhs11,600, Hermès Bangle, Dhs22,640, De Beers Sunglasses, Dhs1,270, Alexander McQueen PHOTOGRAPHY : P AUL ZAK. STYLING: ROSIE ARKELL-P ALMER. PRICES APPROXIMA TE HBA_151_057_Flatlay_11393507.indd 5702/11/2020 01:22:13 PM58 HarpersBazaarArabia.com November 2020 - REPORT- A: Having a good sense of humour is an asset to any company and results in more creative problem-solving – so go ahead and crack a joke in the offi ce Q: CAN YOU BE FUNNY AT WORK? It’s 9am on a Sunday – surely the most humourless time of the week – and I have just posted what I hope to be a perfectly crafted workplace witticism on the Harper’s Bazaar team Slack channel. Cue an excruciating two minutes of stony cyber-silence until, fi nally, a couple of generous-spirited colleagues take pity on me and respond with a smattering of obliging smiley-face emojis. It’s not quite the virtual guffaw I’d anticipated, but it’ll do. My foray into offi ce comedy is not, fortunately, the result of any misplaced aspirations towards a career in stand-up; rather, I’m interested in testing out the hypothesis that the most productive workplaces have a ‘culture of levity’ at their heart. Such is the argument of Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bag donas, two Stanford University academics whose new book, Humour, Seriously, makes the case for using wit as a device for boosting creativity, motivation and resilience at work. According to Words by FRANCES HEDGES HBA_151_058to059_AtWork_11394289.indd 5802/11/2020 01:23:54 PMMAIN IMAGE: JAN LEHNER At WORK surveys conducted by Hodge-Cronin & Associates and Robert Half International, 98 per cent of executive leaders prefer employees with a sense of humour and 84 per cent believe those individuals do better work. Yet many of us – women in particular – still mistakenly equate gravitas with gravity, convinced that a straight face is essential to establishing our authority. The idea that women should not, or even cannot, be funny comes from complex social biases that can be traced all the way back to our early education. “At school, boys are much more likely to be celebrated for being the class clown, whereas little girls are rewarded for keeping the peace,” notes Bagdonas. This stigma follows us into the world of work, where we assume that once we reach a certain level of seniority, we must repress our natural joviality to com mand respect. “Women overestimate the risks of using humour because they believe they have to be serious in order to be taken seriously,” explains Aaker. “But studies indicate that those using humour enjoy increased perceptions of both confi dence and status.” This is particularly true if that humour is subtle and intelligent vs slapstick: take the former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, who famously conveyed her mood through her choice of brooch. “After the Kremlin had been caught tapping her department’s phones, she wore this giant bug pin during talks with her Russian counterpart. It was a strategy for getting a really challenging and serious issue on the table.” Indeed, a little mirth can go a long way in a fraught transaction or tricky sales pitch, by enabling both parties to reveal and acknowledge their shared humanity. “When you’re hoping to convince someone to do business with you, showing a little personality can create a connection that tips the deal over the edge,” says Aaker. She cites the example of the billionaire Spanx founder Sara Blakely, who, faced with a barrage of rejections from retailers she had approached to stock her products, decided to try a new tactic. Targeting her preferred stockists, she posted out a handful of boxes containing a single high-heeled shoe, along with her phone number and the message ‘Just trying to get my foot in the door’. The buyer at Neiman Marcus took the bait and called; soon, Spanx was on the shelves at their department store, and the rest is history. Of course, a joke can always misfire, but, says Bagdonas, if managers work hard to create an environment embracing professional playfulness, it’s more likely their employees will come up with imaginative ideas. At the top-secret Silicon Valley research facility, formerly known as Google X, inventors and entrepreneurs host ‘bad- idea brainstorms’, where teams are challenged to come up with absurd solutions to intractable social problems. “It’s effective for two reasons: first, it generates a lot of laughter, but second, it opens people up to taking risks,” explains Bagdonas. “Starting from a place of fun eliminates our fear of getting things wrong, and that gives us the freedom to move from ‘terrible’ ideas to innovative ones.” Never has creative thinking been more important than in the current climate, where companies navigating the complexities of the Covid-stricken landscape may be struggling to transform their business models. How, then, can managers foster a culture of open discussion at a time when many employees, fearful for their jobs, are reluctant to step out of line? “People don’t want a leader who’s mysteriously brilliant, they want one who’s authentic and relatable, who embodies humanity and vulnerability,” argues Aaker. So, while cracking endless jokes may be neither appropriate nor desirable, leaders do have a responsibility to present themselves as approachable, friendly and, crucially, connected with their team. This is no mean feat in our era of remote working: light-heartedness can be harder to convey in writing than in a face-to-face interaction, and a video call is no substitute for a morning tea round. Nonetheless, says Aaker, “fi nding those small moments of joy, or even just recalling them over email, can defuse tension and create a sense of psychological safety.” I doubt my Monday-morning quip will be remembered for its ingenuity, but if it gave anyone permission to smile, perhaps it was worth it. ■ ‘Humour, Seriously’ by Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas (Portfolio Penguin) is out now. LIGHT RELIEF Diffuser, Dhs475, Anya Hindmarch Card Case, Dhs1,075, Anya Hindmarch Pencil set, Dhs35, Ban.Do Journal, Dhs75, Designworks Ink Key Ring, Dhs185, Aspinal of London Planner, Dhs295, Kikki.K Diary, Dhs50, Rifl e Paper Co 59 HarpersBazaarArabia.com November 2020 HBA_151_058to059_AtWork_11394289.indd 5902/11/2020 01:24:01 PMNext >