< Previous Your LIFE 110 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture Autumn 2021 The greatest inspiration behind the home’s tranquil aura was Neeshay’s mother. “I drew lots of inspiration from my mother, who has always maintained a well-balanced home with loads of character, blending in colours and textures,” she shares. “I also did not want to bind myself to a certain theme, be it boho-chic, overly contemporary or very traditional. I like to think I have successfully managed to merge all these themes and have that ‘surprise’ element without being too drastic.” A testament to her love for abstract art, large-scale works by Pakistani artists Mashkoor Raza and Farhan Manto hang on the walls, breathing a gallery-like charm into the home. “Raza has a grand technique of juxtaposing symbolism, calligraphy and impressionism,” says Neeshay. “Manto has a slightly more edgy approach, almost unpredictable. I feel like abstract art is best showcased in large sizes and that’s what I have in my home to make an impact.” Bespoke artisanal wood pieces sourced from two Dubai-based furniture stores, namely Wood & Steel Furniture and The Emporium UAE, welcome guests into the casual living areas, coupled with colourful jars, travel souvenirs and a Zaha Hadid tome. Neeshay’s personal favourite space in the home, understandably, is the striking grape-green Birds of Paradise tree. “The sheer height and vibrancy on it is breathtaking,” she expresses. “The little “I D O N ’ T L I K E T O RE S T RI C T O R TI E M Y SE L F DO W N W I T H A CE R T A I N LO O K OR TH E M E ” A corner of the living room featuring artwork by Farhan Manto; Couch from Al Huzaifa; Side table from Marina Home and concrete lamp from Taste Furniture, Sydney Neeshay Nouman sits in her island-inspired living room A JYSK bench by the hallway, hand-painted by Neeshay and decorated with plush cushions sourced from the USA to complement the colour theme HBI_050_106-111_AFL_Niche corner_11673846-7Sept_11789257.indd 11027/09/2021 03:36:46 PM Your LIFE 111 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture Autumn 2021 The corridor includes a rug from West Elm; A customised console table from Wood & Steel Furniture; A bench from Crate and Barrel and a bespoke artwork by Mashkoor Raza grassy area around it allows us to relax as a family and lends a lot of visual appeal to the rooms.” A former corporate communications specialist, the Australia-raised entrepreneur’s passion for interior design was cemented while decorating her ultra-modern home in Sydney back in 2011, leading her to pursue the fi eld professionally. With no shortage of interior design trends in the region, Neeshay’s philosophy is simple: “I don’t like to restrict myself or tie myself down with a certain look or theme. While it is important to show clients exact, or almost exact looks and layouts of their spaces, I always like to allow room for some fl exibility, where certain touches can be added to spaces to incorporate that ‘oomph’ factor wherever possible.” Upon leaving, it’s clear that each visitor carries with them the same sense of joy which lingers endlessly inside. If the designer could use a few words to describe the home? Neeshay smiles, “Contemporary, charming and mildly quirky.” @thenichecornertnc HBI_050_106-111_AFL_Niche corner_11673846-7Sept_11789257.indd 11127/09/2021 03:36:55 PM Your LIFE 112 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture Autumn 2021 Swimwear designer Laura Vilppula opens the door to her sunbathed home in Dubai Hills, where every piece of art and furniture is a trip down memory lane SU N L I T SA N C T U A R Y Words by LAURA CHERRIE BEANEY Photography by AASIYA JAGADEESH For swimwear designer Laura Vilppula, tranquillity means an abundance of light and water. An inveterate sun lover, it’s not surprising that the Finland-born designer made the UAE her home. She has been living in the Emirates for almost four years with her husband Ahti and fi ve-year-old son Otto, after time spent modelling in Athens, Los Angeles and Milan. Later, she settled in the UK for a decade which proved to be transformative. This was where she fell in love with Ahti and established her fi ne and bespoke jewellery brand, Addalit – a concept which embodied her long-standing fascination with gemology and fi ne eye for detail. “Growing up in Finland and negotiating the long, cold winters, I craved the feeling of the sun on my skin and longed for the ocean’s calming effect,” she says. Cultivating a family domain that’s a sun-soaked sanctuary has been her top priority. Floor-to-ceiling windows bathe each room in the Vilppula’s seven-bedroom Dubai Hills villa, with soft natural light that glows more and more golden as the day unfolds while the glass-panelled centre stairway, a standout feature, extends a sense of openness. Outside, the bleached, wood-decked terrace gives way to panoramas of the sweeping Dubai Hills golf course. With an adjacent palm-fringed pool, the tranquil garden forms a retreat where Laura develops her brand, hosts long, lazy lunches with close friends and raises her son in an environment which she describes as, “In balance with nature. Home is the place where you can just be as you are. There’s no judgement or expectations,” she explains. “It’s where I feel at peace.” Life has taught her to seek the positive in every situation. “When my son was diagnosed with cystic fi brosis at four-weeks old, I thought I’d never feel happiness again but you have to take it day-by-day and be thankful for the moments that you are alive and healthy,” she shares. Having cultivated a climate of serenity amid chaos, her new family residence is a testimony to her spirit of endurance. During the fi rst four months of 2021, she already moved homes with her family and launched her internationally retailed swimwear brand, Always on Holiday Swim. “It was challenging and often overwhelming establishing a brand during the pandemic but when you keep pushing, good things will HBI_050_112-115_AFL_Laura Vilpulla_11667380.indd 11227/09/2021 03:40:54 PM113 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture Summer 2021 Laura in her outdoor, sunbathed pool area. Dress by Else Adelia, shoes by Gianvito Rossi HBI_050_112-115_AFL_Laura Vilpulla_11667380.indd 11327/09/2021 03:41:02 PMCREDIT HERE Your LIFE 114 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture Autumn 2021 An interior view of the master bedroom upstairs, defi ned by creamy tones and statement artworks. Bed, bedside tables and artworks above bed from Chattels & More; Bedside lamps from 2XL Home HBI_050_112-115_AFL_Laura Vilpulla_11667380.indd 11427/09/2021 03:41:15 PM Your LIFE 115 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture Autumn 2021 follow,” she says. “I have friends who are also brand founders and we inspire and motivate one another.” In fact, she is wearing her friend Else’s resort-wear label called ‘Else Adelia’ while we speak. Designed and sourced entirely in Italy, Laura’s label is confi gured to fl atter the female form. Her garments are cut in symphony with natural curves, in a palette of vibrant acidic tones and pastel hues. Beyond aesthetics, Laura endeavoured to cultivate a label that empowers women to be the best version of themselves. “You need to feel good in what you’re wearing and celebrate your body,” she insists. “We have so many problems in the world right now and we need to fi nd ways to bring the happiness back and celebrate the female body.” This ethos spills over into her home environment as well, which houses a collection of works by international artists, united through a focus on impactful portraiture. Their art is an accumulation of the couple’s memories and passions. Laura’s contributions draw from fashion: In the living room there’s a cinematic black and white shot of Marilyn Monroe, the late female fi gure which Laura regards as visionary, and in the hallway hangs one of London-based artist Louis-Nicolas Darbon’s signature Chanel No.5 gold-leaf print editions. Her husband Ahti’s selections recall his frequent travels to Africa for work. His favourite? A lithograph print of a cerulean-blue Bedouin male by French post-war artist, Pierre-Jean Couarraze, who, much like Ahti, traversed Asia and the Levant absorbing the culture he encountered into his art. Fresh fl owers – roses and peonies – and decorative mirrors populate every room refl ecting natural light and enlivening the space. The couple’s design philosophy is one that connects the universal languages of life: nature and art. “Living abroad from a very young age taught me to invest in timeless pieces that last but it also showed me that through travel, we collect the items that spark memories of a certain place or time – that’s priceless,” expresses Laura. The home, furnished entirely during the pandemic, includes a majority of locally sourced design elements that oscillate between modern and contemporary aesthetics by Rattan House, Marina Home and 2XL Home. It’s an environment that whispers rather than yells. In the living room, a minimalistic palette of soft greys and white straddle the balance between calm and impactful, juxtaposed against two elegant, black, curved modernist armchairs and the clean geometric forms found in the villa’s original arabesque details. Harmonious material and tactile surface combinations see touches of marble, metal and glass balanced with sumptuous, thick-pile cream rugs. Retro-inspired, stainless-steel Lagonda cabinets by Eichholtz enclose Laura’s family photographs, with Otto’s new-born shoot taking centre stage. As a mother and entrepreneur, Laura quickly realised the importance of having a dedicated workspace. The blush-hued master bedroom is her most treasured room which often doubles as her offi ce. “I start each day with fresh celery juice and once my son is at school, I swim for 45 minutes and enjoy a breakfast of organic coffee and fruit,” she smiles. “Then, I often fi nd myself working out of this bedroom. It’s my happy place fi lled with feminine energy. If I’m not there, I’m lucky enough to be tending to business by the pool.” ■ @alwaysonholidayswim The outdoor swimming pool area features sunbeds from Crate & Barrel; Sofa and chairs from Rattan House. In the background are swimwear pieces from Always On Holiday Swim The walk-in closet ‘for her’ features an open-plan unit with ample shelving space A red, life-size art sculpture stands at the entrance Artist Louis-Nicolas Darbon’s signature Chanel No.5 gold-leaf print edition is framed over a console table from Marina Home MAKE-UP BY MARIA DOYLE HBI_050_112-115_AFL_Laura Vilpulla_11667380.indd 11527/09/2021 03:41:28 PM116 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture Autumn 2021 THE LIFESTYLE D I S T IN C T I V E & IN S T IN C T I V E : A T A S T E A P A R T Chef Steve Nguyen dishes out French-Vietnamese cuisine at Dubai’s Indochine with panache. He shares his insights with Odelia Mathews on success in an unchartered territory and following ambition with passion Mouthwatering spicy squid salad prepared by Chef Steve at Indochine Dubai HBI_050_116-117_LIFESTYLE_Chef Steven_11667061.indd 11627/09/2021 03:44:49 PM117 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture Autumn 2021 If there were three words that could best summarise Steve Nguyen’s cooking philosophy, which has seen him rise through the ranks and create his own standing, they are: time, creativity and balance. As the head chef of Indochine Dubai in DIFC, Steve has been instrumental in continuing the legacy of the 35-year-old French-Vietnamese restaurant which fi rst opened in 1984 in New York’s SoHo district, frequented by celebrities and A-listers including the likes of Calvin Klein, Andy Warhol, Bianca Jagger, Donatella Versace and many others. “Opening Indochine started for me in the summer of 2019, having spent seven days in New York,” he recalls as he shares the beginning of the journey with proprietor Jean-Marc Houmard, who invited him to stay in a hip studio apartment just above the restaurant. Having tried everything on the menu and touring the various other restaurants that Jean-Marc was involved with, chef Steve began the work of formulating the Dubai menu, ensuring that it retained its quintessential and fl avoursome charm and yet, carved a new palatable niche. This being the fi rst and only outpost of the legendary restaurant in the world, he took the reins in his highly creative hands, with no prior experience in fi ne dining and armed only with a fearless passion to lead the way forward. Of the many questions he sought to address, the most signifi cant was this: “What type of story do we want to tell that’s not only a spiritual continuation of the original but also a unique direction of our own?” he says, adding, “After a year and a half now into our operations, I feel like we’re fi nally coming into our stride and we’re pushing forward with something new.” As a fi rst-generation Canadian and child of Vietnamese immigrants, Steve is not a man who is unfamiliar with the study and practice of Asian food traditions and cultural infl uences to create what he terms as ‘hybrid’ new dishes. “From my experience in art school, I was taught to throw every idea on the board however crazy or ridiculous it was,” he recalls. “At my initial ideation stage, I aim to answer one question: what will the guest enjoy? And what we enjoy as humans lies somewhere between the novel and the familiar. To create a hit item, I try to strike a balance between something that is comforting and familiar but with an interesting twist.” And balance, is the one thing that he credits his success to. The other being time for creativity. “At the heart of it, I am trying to take my family heritage and fi lter it through my own experience to create something wholly unique but an anchor to my cultural roots,” says the fearless and passionate chef. For someone who looks at food as a narrative, a possible story on a plate and one that can involve all elements of human sensation: sight, sound, smell, touch and taste, there’s very little left to chance or opportunity, because it all boils down to creative energies, hard work and the ability to learn and push through to the next level. “To be stagnant and infl exible is to die; to evolve is to survive and thrive,” he expresses. “There is a deep-rooted desire to produce or create something uninhibited by others as a true expression of me. What will it be? I don’t know. I just hope it makes me independently wealthy and saves the world at the same time. From each opportunity, I didn’t have any previous experience to prepare me but it was through my dedication to hard work and ability to learn that I was able to push through to the next level.” Unbothered by new challenges and unfamiliar territory – evident from his fi rst venture in Dubai – such raw passion and ambition are the only two ingredients required for success and if the soaring popularity of Indochine Dubai is anything to go by, this is one chef to follow not just for the taste of his dishes, but for the novel experience that merges fi ne dining with cultural highlights. ■ indochinedxb.com “ I W A S TA UG H T T O TH R O W EV E R Y ID E A O N T H E BO A R D H O W E V E R C R A Z Y I T W A S ” WORDS BY ODELIA MA THEWS; PHOTOGRAPHY BY AASIY A JAGADEESH; IMAGES COUR TESY OF INDOCHINE Wholesome seafood dishes merge fl avours of the East and West Chef Steve at Indochine, Dubai Indochine’s rustic outdoor décor transports one to the tropical lands of Asia HBI_050_116-117_LIFESTYLE_Chef Steven_11667061.indd 11727/09/2021 03:44:00 PMBELLA RESTAURANT & LOUNGE Overlooking the glittering panoramic skyline of Downtown Dubai, Bella Restaurant & Lounge, housed within the Grand Millennium Hotel, offers a delectable Italian fare. The rooftop area features a beautiful velvet seating arrangement paired with gold detailing and lush greenery draped around the ceiling. The expansive menu is curated by award-winning chef Alessandro Miceli, featuring highlights such as the Beetroot Marinated Salmon, Saffron Risotto and Chargrilled Alaskan King Crab. +971 4 873 3377, belladxb.com 118 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture Autumn 2021 LIFESTYLE The AKA RESTAURANT & LOUNGE Nestled on the west side of The Pointe, Palm Jumeriah, the recently launched Pan-Asian lounge and restaurant AKA is a perfect place for some weekday downtime. Some of the signature dishes span Ceviche Seabass, Miso Black Cod, a Sashimi Platter with salmon and Yuzu Daikon. The romantic, red colour palette boasts bold, velvet seating paired with black oak furniture panels and fl ower foliage, evoking an intimate experience. With both indoor and al fresco dining options available, the Cyberpunk-inspired space also hosts scenes of theatre with immersive live performances. +971 4 578 0555, akarestaurant.com EL SUR Located in The Westin Dubai, contemporary Spanish dining restaurant El Sur offers an experience not to be missed. The airy outdoor terrace overlooks idyllic waterside views of the Marina, featuring elegant décor which absorbs neutral colour tones with touches of gold and red. Large, fl oor-to-ceiling mirrors are complemented with contemporary artworks, adding character and depth. The award-winning Spanish restaurant boasts a selection of culinary masterpieces from its new menu including Seabass Ceviche, Cheese Croquettes and an exquisite Seafood Paella. +971 4 511 7373, elsurdubai.com HBI_050_118-119_LIFESTYLE_Top tables_11668436.indd 11827/09/2021 03:45:56 PM119 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture Autumn 2021 Four handpicked restaurants around Dubai that have mastered the art of dining through alluring décor and distinctive cuisine... PAI THAI Situated in the regal Jumeirah Al Qasr and overlooking mesmerising water views of Madinat Jumeriah, Pai Thai creates an atmosphere reminiscent of a starry night in Thailand. The interiors are complete with modern yet rustic touches, traditional walls and dim lighting, exuding a cosy and lively ambience. The culinary journey begins with fresh preparations of aromatic and refreshing dishes, bursting with authentic fl avours of the Asian country. Don’t miss the Gaeng Panang Goong and Gai Phad Med Ma Muang. +971 4 366 6740, jumeriah.com TOP TABLES WORDS BY VIBHA MEHTA IMAGES COURTESY OF RESPECTIVE RESTAURANTS HBI_050_118-119_LIFESTYLE_Top tables_11668436.indd 11927/09/2021 03:46:04 PMNext >