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Monthly Archives: July 2013

Hugh Jackman with the Audi R8

21 Sunday Jul 2013

Posted by Shereen Shabnam in Uncategorized

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20th Century Fox, Audi A5 Coupe, Audi A8 L, Ducati Diavel, Famke Janssen, Hugh Jackman, James Mangold, Rila Fukushima, Tao Okamoto, The Wolverine, Will Yun Lee, X-Men universe

Hugh Jackman im Audi R8 bei Filmpremiere von ?The Wolverine?

I am currently driving a red-hot Audi A5 Coupe and I must say the last 4 days hold awesome memories of cruising down Sheikh Zayed Road listening to music on one of the coolest sound systems I have come across from Audi. I received the A5 because the R8 is only coming to me in a few weeks time post Eid Holidays so in the interim I am getting a low down on Audi and its numerous models.

While in waiting for the R8, in true diva style I am busy checking out the latest on the car and it seems that Hugh Jackman and the stars of The Wolverine, distributed by 20th Century Fox, were joined by a very special guest – the Audi R8 – at the premiere of the film in London’s Leicester Square.

The smart occasion was attended by numerous big names including Will Yun Lee, Rila Fukushima, Tao Okamoto, Famke Janssen and director James Mangold – all of whom were chauffeured to the top of the red carpet by a fleet of Audi A8s.

The Movie, due for UK general release on July 25th, is based on the celebrated comic book arc. Lucky for me I will be in London when it gets released … smiling heaps about that.

Back to the movie – This epic action adventure takes Wolverine, the most iconic if character of the X-Men universe to modern-day Japan. Out of his depth in an unknown world he will face a host of unexpected and deadly opponents in a life-or death battle that will leave him forever changed.

Vulnerable for the first time and pushed to his physical and emotional limits, he confronts not only lethal samurai steel but also his inner struggle against his own immortality.

In the film, the character Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) is driven by Yukio (Rila Fukushima) in an Audi R8 Spyder – similar to the one which was put on display on a specially erected plinth on the red carpet. Additional vehicles featured in the film include the Audi A8 L and the Ducati Diavel.

I guess I must start getting my wardrobe ready with diva like looks for a fling with the R8. Lets hope London and Spain provide some inspiration.

Al Nabooda Automobiles reports record Volkswagen growth

21 Sunday Jul 2013

Posted by Shereen Shabnam in Uncategorized

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Al Nabooda Automobiles, Passat, Thierry Seys, VW Jetta, VW Polo

VW Shereen Shabnam

A few days ago we had iftar with the awesome Volkswagen team from Al Nabooda Automobiles at the Royal Mirage and in between bonding with little diva, a group of us caught up and talked about cars and our experiences with Volkswagen models.

You may recall I went through a Volkswagen craze last year and tried a few models, which I absolutely loved. My first car was a funky looking VW Polo and I have warm memories of zipping around Dubai in that years ago. One great news from Volkswagen in Dubai and the Northern Emirates is that they have new growth record of vehicles sold during the first two quarters of 2013, representing a year-on-year increase of 37 per cent.

The success of the largest Volkswagen dealer in the Middle East was strongly supported by the increase in demand for the Passat model between January and June 2013. I was mentioning to VW team how popular the Passat was amongst some of my high profile car enthusiast friends.

The results reinforce the Volkswagen strategy supporting the Passat, which indicates the need and preference of customers in Dubai for a sedan vehicle with high standards of safety and design at a competitive price.

The Jetta also proved to be a strong performer in the first half of the year, resulting in 14 per cent rise in sales…. I have not tested the Jetta yet but after seeing its popularity, it has gone on my list of cars to have a fling with.

Thierry Seys, Volkswagen General Manager at Al Nabooda Automobiles is one of the most down to earth leaders I know and he naturally credits the success to his sales team who he says works exceptionally hard to deliver an outstanding service to loyal customers. He reckons that a 34 per cent increase on deliveries to customers is a real testament to their hard work and passion.

Well done Volkswagen!

The new Azimut 80

16 Tuesday Jul 2013

Posted by Shereen Shabnam in Life on Water, Middle East VIPs, Retail Therapy, Uncategorized

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Achille Salvagni Architetti, Stefano Righini, The new Azimut 80

Azimut 80 Salon Shereen Shabnam

Cannes Boat Show is the venue of the worldwide premiere for the new 24-metre Azimut Yachts. It interprets contemporary lifestyle by offering exceptional comfort: four cabins, five bathrooms and a 42-square-metre flybridge. The innovative solutions introduced for the furnishings and the precise lighting design do the rest.

Below you will find the blurbs that the awesome people at Azimut have sent me and this gives you an insight into the new Azimut 80:

The new Azimut 80 is the first yacht over than 72 feet designed entirely at Azimut’s headquarters in Avigliana, Italy. Developed on the experience of the recent, larger vessels, the Azimut 80 has developed in the exterior design by Stefano Righini while Achille Salvagni Architetti handled the design of interiors.

Azimut 80 Fijianchick

The layout comprises 4 cabins, all with bathroom, including the owner’s cabin extending over the full beam. It can accommodate 8 guests and includes an enormous flybridge, designed for maximum versatility of use.

The interior design, developed by Achille Salvagni Architetti, can be proposed on four different styles: from the more classic Dolcevita and Firenze, to the more contemporary Portofino and Riviera, the main differences laying in the chromatic solutions and in the furniture arrangement. The choice of the four different location is a clear tribute to a refined lifestyle and a typical Italian taste and inspires nothing but the maximum relax.

Different shades of white and cream have been chosen for the interiors’ palette, creating a well-balanced harmony in which wooden details and decors are inserted, the colors ranging from the softer shades of oak wood, to the darker walnut.

The sense of space in the owner’s cabin and in the splendid bathroom are certainly among the strong points of the yacht, together with the innovative windows offering extraordinary luminosity and an unmatched panoramic view. The five vertical windows effectively transform the bulkheads into a single window for a ‘dive into the ocean’ effect. The owner’s bathroom, covering the entire beam of the yacht and with a double entrance located aft of the cabin, is almost a spa, with a central crystal shower box offering maximum visibility on either side of the bathroom. The opening portholes present in all the cabins offer a high level of natural ventilation.

In the first model available, dove-coloured leather panels with a barely hinted padded decoration that becomes lighter and lighter in the various cabins, adorn the bed heads of each cabin. The interior decoration of the new Azimut 80 is extremely refined and at the same contemporary, thanks to the combination of fine materials and modern touches: marble for the bathrooms, grey bleached oak alternating with dark wood and painted detailing in the skylights and windows all define a sober, sophisticated atmosphere.

The starboard cabin has two single beds and the possibility of a third fold-down bed, plenty of stowage and a bathroom with separate shower, while the guests’ cabin on the port side has a double bed. There is no lack of large windows and opening portholes. In the VIP cabin located further forward, there is one panoramic window on either side; the bed is set centrally with the head towards the bow.

A carefully planned lighting design based on LED technology makes possible a sophisticated modulation of the light in each interior space. Moreover, the play of mirrors and the height of the interiors – well over two metres high – ensure a truly exceptional sense of space.

The crew’s cabins are located aft, with direct access from the deck; at the moment, two beds are planned, but the possibility of adding a third is currently being studied.

The cockpit with teak flooring is extremely spacious and dedicated to socialising, with a large sofa aft and dining table seating eight. The design of two sky-ground windows (1.6 m by 2 m of glass) located in the dining area is very impressive, as it offers a fantastic natural light and breathtaking view.

The galley, fitted with Miele appliances, is available in two versions: enclosed or open-space. In both cases, there is a double access, towards the interior and towards the exterior, to assure maximum independence between guests and crew. The main deck is also equipped with a function day toilet.

The swimming platform is incredibly large – almost 9 square metres – and provides plenty of room for the launch and retrieval of tenders exceeding 4 metres in length or of jet skis.

Further forward, the space is divided into a large sun deck that can comfortably accommodate four people, and an area with a ‘C’-shaped sofa just aft of the windscreen, with further storage.

The fly: 42 square metres of versatile space lending itself to a variety of uses. The seating is a combination of ‘L’-shaped sofas that can be configured as desired. Alongside the helm, there are two sofas positioned in a ‘C’ facing the large table seating eight

The fly is an ideal place from morning to evening; a convenient and well-equipped bar unit has a barbecue, refrigerator and sink, but also houses a retractable 42-inch TV and constitutes the base for an elegant Plexiglas bar counter. Further aft, the second area offers maximum flexibility in terms of fittings: it can be left unencumbered, furnished with sofas, set aside for the tender or as a sun deck, or fitted with a hydromassage. The Azimut 80 can also be constructed with an opening hard top and rolling awning towards the stern.

A sophisticated style is assured for the outdoor soft furnishings, lined in technological materials offering a ‘fabric’ effect. It is a must have for anyone who is looking for a yacht that can be their ultimate playground.

MINI brand campaign

13 Saturday Jul 2013

Posted by Shereen Shabnam in Uncategorized

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“A FRIEND FOR LIFE” TV spot, “I Believe In A Thing Called Love” by The Darkness, “NOT NORMAL”, bulldog Tillman, http://youtu.be/hTz718Ucrwg, http://youtu.be/yn8fsVoNnw, MINI brand campaign

Shereen Shabnam

I love brands who do brand campaigns that are not conventional. And I love high energy brand campaigns that make laid back Fijians like me jump up the chair, get excited and get moving. So hearing that the new MINI brand campaign has got underway with an established “NOT NORMAL” claim, my ears perked up.

Apparently, the global campaign conveys the brand’s individual, high-energy attitude to life and highlights the strong emotional and personal connection between driver and MINI. “NOT NORMAL” focuses on MINI’s strong, independent character. The campaign, which integrates the full range of MINI products, will be rolled out worldwide through all communication channels.

At the heart of the MINI brand campaign are two new TV spots. The emotionally-powerful “A FRIEND FOR LIFE” spot shows in a humorous way how MINI is a lifelong companion for young and old alike in all situations of life. In typical MINI style, the spot shows people in various stages of their lives who all share one thing in common: their passion for MINI. The spots have different endings: One shows former rally driver Rauno Aaltonen as an enthusiastic MINI fan. The spot can be viewed online at: http://youtu.be/yn8fsVoNnw

The second TV spot, “BAND OF MINI”, shows four MINI drivers in different MINI models who meet at a crossroads all listening in synch to the song “I Believe In A Thing Called Love” by The Darkness. The four come together to form a MINI band with a difference. The drivers share a love of MINI, the same individual attitude to life and similar interests – in this case, the same taste in music. The final scene shows bulldog Tillman, the famous skating English bulldog, riding his skateboard.  The spot can be viewed online at: http://youtu.be/hTz718Ucrwg

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