< Previous110 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture/Interiors Autumn 2020 Serene water views from Zuri Zanzibar HBI_047_110-111_ESCAPE_Zanzibar_11378797.indd 11004/10/2020 06:52:31 PM111 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture/Interiors Autumn 2020 IMAGES COUR TESY OF ZURI ZANZIBAR AND THE AUTHOR The ESCAPE Stone Town, the birthplace of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, gives off some wonderfully eccentric vibes. A dash of Havana here and a sprinkle of Marrakech there, all glazed with a distinctive African twist. But it is along Zanzibar’s Northern Coast where a real Bohemian rhapsody rings true… BOH E M I A N RH A P S ODY frangipani trees, which were planted two years before the start of construction and now thrive in full tropical splendour. Throughout the rooms and common areas, natural materials such as wood and wicker are paired with furniture and décor elements made by local artisans. The rooms spill out effortlessly onto spacious wooden terraces with seating areas and hammocks surrounded by lush greenery. And while there’s no shortage of style around, Zuri Zanzibar is the fi rst hotel in the world to have been awarded EarthCheck’s Prestigious Sustainable Design Gold Certifi cation. With sustainability at its core, this refi ned eco-chic resort features uncomplicated luxury, celebrating both contemporary design and traditional African craftsmanship. Getting there: fl ydubai operates direct fl ights from Dubai to Zanzibar from Dhs1,600. fl ydubai.com, zurizanzibar.com Exterior views of Zuri Zanzibar Thanks to the power of social media, the once sleepy island of Zanzibar has risen to the upper echelons of alluring destinations. Captivated by the clear waters, powdery sand beaches and palm trees gently swaying to the rhythms and light breezes of the island, a new breed of more discerning tourists has come forward and with it, a more elevated and sustainable hotel infrastructure to match the demands of Insta-savvy guests. ‘Zuri’, named after the Swahili word for beautiful, is the island’s latest addition for Boho-chic crowds and design-conscious globetrotters in search of a swanky holiday experience. The 56 thatched villas and bungalows infl uenced by traditional local architecture are arranged like an African village, immersed in metre-high banana trees, hibiscus and Words by STEFAN HOTTINGER-BEHMER HBI_047_110-111_ESCAPE_Zanzibar_11378797.indd 11104/10/2020 06:52:41 PMITALIAN FINESSE What happens when fashion, design and luxury hospitality come together? We stepped into the grand Palazzo Versace Dubai to fi nd out… 112 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture/Interiors Autumn 2020 HBI_047_112-113_ESCAPE_Versace suite_11371531.indd 11204/10/2020 06:53:55 PMW ORD S B Y A YESHA SHEHMIR, IMA GES C OUR TES Y OF P ALAZ Z O VERS A C E ffering uninterrupted views of the Dubai Creek and nestled in Jaddaf Waterfront, Palazzo Versace Dubai recalls Italy’s Lake Como through its Neoclassical- inspired architecture and designs which are reminiscent of a traditional Italian 16th century building. Boasting high ceilings, Italian furnishings and lush green landscaped gardens with water features, the hotel is famed for its luxury-based approach combined with warm hospitality. The lavish space is home to 215 guest suites and rooms, inspired by the essence and values of the Versace brand. Comprising parquet fl ooring, a canvas of elaborate white-cream boiseries and a pastel palette of silk furnishings, the suites are adorned with pieces from the Versace Home Collection and complemented with vibrant shades of turquoise, blue, beige, gold and salmon. With handcrafted mosaic and Carrara marble tiling, the bathrooms, with a sense-enhancing, walk-in rainforest shower, strike a perfect balance between detail and simplicity. There are plenty of culinary experiences to try on-site, but the Persian-Peruvian themed Prusiana brunch takes centrestage. A reinterpretation of classic Persian and South- American fl avours, the menu is headed by Michelin-starred chef Mansour Memarian, who is particularly renowned for exquisite presentation. For more casual evenings, Mosaico Lounge, situated in the hotel lobby, is ideal for high tea. Most recently, Palazzo Versace has launched an e-gift platform, where guests can gift an experience, from a luxury stay to spa and dining experiences, handpicked and personalised for the receiver. A beautiful melange of fashion, design and culture, the hotel has achieved the quintessential Dubai experience every luxury traveller seeks, with Italian fl air. palazzoversace.ae An interior view of an Executive Suite at Palazzo Versace Dubai The grand dining area of a four-bedroom residence A view of the staircase at Palazzo Versace 113 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture/Interiors Autumn 2020 ESCAPE The HBI_047_112-113_ESCAPE_Versace suite_11371531.indd 11304/10/2020 06:54:03 PMIMAGES COUR TESY OF BOUCHERON I am constantly inspired by nature and its beauty. I can honestly say I appreciate nature even more now. I had the chance to spend a few months in my home in Portugal surrounded by the forest and the sea. I can’t live without it anymore. At this point in my life I have the hindsight to understand what is important for me when it comes to jewellery creation. What seems important to me today is to be able to have the biggest dreams and to give all your energy to try to make your dreams come true. I am most proud of My daughter, for several reasons. First, she is a remarkable person: funny, sincere, emphatic, kind; she has real human qualities. And even more, I fi nd it interesting, now that she’s older, to be able to look at her with a professional look and I’m quite amazed and proud of her creativity. Although she doesn’t work in the jewellery industry, I love her creative approach. I’m proud of her as much from a human point of view as from a professional one. My home is My house in Portugal is located in a small village called Muda next to Comporta. It’s an hour and 15 minutes South of Lisbon in the Alentejo. The house is in the middle of a pine forest a few kilometres from the ocean and has large bay windows which really gives us the impression of being and living in the middle of nature. I love to travel The world! If I was not a Creative Director, I would like to be an explorer. Design is an important part of my life because I love seeing my dreams coming to life. There is no doubt that happiness comes from creation. DNA MYMY DDEESSIIGGNN Creative Director of luxury jewellery house Boucheron Claire Choisne reveals her longing for nature, who she is most proud of and why design is etched into her life Design DNA 4 2 3 1 CLAIRE’S TOP INSPIRATIONS 1. PixCell series by artist Kohei Nawa. The work that particularly touched me is the PixCell-Deer where a naturalised deer was covered with 40,000 glass spheres of all sizes. It makes the animals dreamlike, I love his approach. 2. James Turrell’s ‘Open Sky’ artwork. I had the chance to go there with my team when working on our new high jewellery collection called Contemplation. I loved it so much that we created a unique piece as a homage. The necklace is called Fenêtre sur Ciel, which means window into the sky. 3. The work of Shigeru Ban. I had the chance to meet him during a Kering dinner. He has a very emotional approach while being very committed to sustainable development, which inspired me. 4. Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance and Mathieu Lehanneur’s work. I am in a phase with their themes and the way they approach creations. Both are fans of nature and use technique and innovation as a tool for poetic results, the exact same creative process as mine. I love Duchaufour-Lawrance’s green Borghese sofa and I love Lehanneur’s Ocean Table series. We have one piece from each designer in our private apartment 26V on Place Vendôme, which makes me very happy. I would love to have their pieces in my home! 114 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture/Interiors Autumn 2020 HBI_047_114_DESIGN DNA_11372545.indd 11404/10/2020 06:55:06 PMFrom exclusive interviews with prolifi c industry leaders, to pioneering names that are prompting us to see the world around us in new ways through a design that bridges culture and art, Harper’s Bazaar Interiors is your ultimate guide to luxury living. Follow @HarpersBazaarInteriors on Instagram to keep up to date on the design- led stories from the region and beyond. Social NE T WOR K From exclusive interviews with prolifi c industry leaders, to pioneering names that are prompting us to see the world around us in new ways through a design that bridges culture and art, Harper’s Bazaar Interiors is your ultimate guide to luxury living. Follow @HarpersBazaarInteriors on Instagram to keep up to date on the design-led stories from the region and beyond. 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