Few brands in the world are still going strong after 100 years. Such companies are wrapped in rich heritage, entwined in years of storytelling and, more often than not, dedicated to putting traditional craftsmanship at the heart of their story.
One of those is Poltrona Frau, an Italian furniture company that has created fine homeware since 1912. Founded in Turin by Renzo Frau, the brand aims to use only the finest fabrics, including its own copyrighted leather, Pelle Frau. Its products are brought to life by skilled artisans at its factory in Italy.
While the company has existed for more than a century, its story in the UAE only began this year thanks to a partnership with Majid Al Futtaim. Since arriving in the Emirates, Poltrona Frau has opened a showroom in Jumeirah, Dubai, which will soon be followed by a store in the city’s Mall of the Emirates. As the brand finds its feet in the UAE market, it has revealed a collaboration with British fashion designer Ozwald Boateng.
Boateng, who made his name creating bespoke suits on London’s Savile Row, has four decades of experience in the fashion industry. The designer has built his name on a commitment to putting traditional craftsmanship at the forefront of his brand. The mirroring values of the two creative forces meant this was a match made in heaven. “It came to life through a friend, who’s an amazing interior designer,” Boateng tells Luxury.
“I flew to Italy and met Nicola [Coropulis], the chief executive [of Poltrona Frau], and we got on really well. The next day, I went to the factory to see how they worked. One of the things that blew my mind was the attention to craft and quality. When I saw this, it became very easy.”
The quality of execution is paramount
Ozwald Boateng,
fashion designer
The collection began with one key item – a Chesterfield armchair, known simply as the Chester. It is based on a design that has been part of the house since the beginning, when Renzo Frau was first inspired by Edwardian versions.
“I’ve always had a love for the Chesterfield,” explains Boateng. “It’s very traditional; it fits into my language, and when I started in the early days of my career, every time I had my picture taken, I would be sitting on a Chester. So, it made absolute sense for this to be my first piece. Also, because it’s iconic and traditional, there is a link to my roots on Savile Row.”
The collection also features a range of soft furnishings, accessories and textiles adorned with distinctive patterns inspired by Boateng’s own culture and heritage. “I think it’s merged well,” he says of the two brands coming together. “When you look at the pieces, you can see the quality of Poltrona, but you can definitely see my language. If you know my approach to fabrication and my work, you can see it in the furniture.”
While this is Boateng’s first time expanding into interiors, it seems to have been an easy transition.
“In terms of me as a designer, my strength is textiles. I have an archive in the thousands, so it’s just about how I implement that in different areas. How do you interpret it on to wallpaper, into velvet, into different quality fabrications that you can apply to furniture? The quality of execution is paramount; as long as I’ve got that as a secure position, then suddenly the opportunity creatively is endless.”
The collection was first unveiled at London Design Week in September before going on display at Dubai Design Week last month.
“I’ve actually got some of the pieces in my space, and I think when it comes to design, you have to put it in situ,” says Boateng. “It should work in any environment because they’re traditional pieces, so it’s just a question of your taste. Do you want something a bit stronger in colour? And then it’s about how you mix it. Are they white walls, or are you doing part of the wall in wallpaper? Are you painting?
“It’s like creating a language, and I feel that this language I’ve started with Poltrona is unique, and I think there’s a space for a new language in that world.”
England's Ashes squad
Joe Root (captain), Moeen Ali, Jimmy Anderson, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes.
Tips on buying property during a pandemic
Islay Robinson, group chief executive of mortgage broker Enness Global, offers his advice on buying property in today's market.
While many have been quick to call a market collapse, this simply isn’t what we’re seeing on the ground. Many pockets of the global property market, including London and the UAE, continue to be compelling locations to invest in real estate.
While an air of uncertainty remains, the outlook is far better than anyone could have predicted. However, it is still important to consider the wider threat posed by Covid-19 when buying bricks and mortar.
Anything with outside space, gardens and private entrances is a must and these property features will see your investment keep its value should the pandemic drag on. In contrast, flats and particularly high-rise developments are falling in popularity and investors should avoid them at all costs.
Attractive investment property can be hard to find amid strong demand and heightened buyer activity. When you do find one, be prepared to move hard and fast to secure it. If you have your finances in order, this shouldn’t be an issue.
Lenders continue to lend and rates remain at an all-time low, so utilise this. There is no point in tying up cash when you can keep this liquidity to maximise other opportunities.
Keep your head and, as always when investing, take the long-term view. External factors such as coronavirus or Brexit will present challenges in the short-term, but the long-term outlook remains strong.
Finally, keep an eye on your currency. Whenever currency fluctuations favour foreign buyers, you can bet that demand will increase, as they act to secure what is essentially a discounted property.
Points classification after Stage 4
1. Arnaud Demare (France / FDJ) 124
2. Marcel Kittel (Germany / Quick-Step) 81
3. Michael Matthews (Australia / Sunweb) 66
4. Andre Greipel (Germany / Lotto) 63
5. Alexander Kristoff (Norway / Katusha) 43
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Croatia v Hungary, Thursday, 10.45pm, UAE
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
The years Ramadan fell in May
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged V8
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
Power: 630bhp
Torque: 900Nm
Price: Dh810,000
WORLD CUP SEMI-FINALS
England v New Zealand
(Saturday, 12pm UAE)
Wales v South Africa
(Sunday, 12pm, UAE)
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The National selections
Al Ain
5pm: Bolereau
5.30pm: Rich And Famous
6pm: Duc De Faust
6.30pm: Al Thoura
7pm: AF Arrab
7.30pm: Al Jazi
8pm: Futoon
Jebel Ali
1.45pm: AF Kal Noor
2.15pm: Galaxy Road
2.45pm: Dark Thunder
3.15pm: Inverleigh
3.45pm: Bawaasil
4.15pm: Initial
4.45pm: Tafaakhor
MATCH INFO
Qalandars 112-4 (10 ovs)
Banton 53 no
Northern Warriors 46 all out (9 ovs)
Kumara 3-10, Garton 3-10, Jordan 2-2, Prasanna 2-7
Qalandars win by six wickets
Results
International 4, United States 1
Justin Thomas and Tiger Woods (US) beat Marc Leishman and Joaquin Niemann (International) 4 and 3.
Adam Hadwin and Sungjae Im (International) beat Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay (US) 2 up.
Adam Scott and Byeong Hun An (International) beat Bryson DeChambeau and Tony Finau (US) 2 and 1.
Hideki Matsuyama and C.T. Pan (International) beat Webb Simpson and Patrick Reed (US) 1 up.
Abraham Ancer and Louis Oosthuizen (International) beat Dustin Johnson and Gary Woodland (US) 4 and 3.
THE BIG MATCH
Arsenal v Manchester City,
Sunday, Emirates Stadium, 6.30pm
more from Janine di Giovanni
Results
2.15pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 1,700m; Winner: AF Arrab, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer).
2.45pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 1,700m; Winner: AF Mahaleel, Antonio Fresu, Ernst Oertel.
3.15pm: Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum handicap (TB) Dh200,000 2,000m; Winner: Dolmen, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
3.45pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 1,200m; Winner: Amang Alawda, Sandro Paiva, Bakhit Al Ketbi.
4.15pm: The Crown Prince of Sharjah Cup Prestige (PA) Dh200,000 1,200m; Winner: AF Alwajel, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel.
4.45pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 2,000m; Winner: Al Jazi, Jesus Rosales, Eric Lemartinel.
The Saudi Cup race card
1 The Jockey Club Local Handicap (TB) 1,800m (Dirt) $500,000
2 The Riyadh Dirt Sprint (TB) 1,200m (D) $1.500,000
3 The 1351 Turf Sprint 1,351m (Turf) $1,000,000
4 The Saudi Derby (TB) 1600m (D) $800,000
5 The Neom Turf Cup (TB) 2,100m (T) $1,000,000
6 The Obaiya Arabian Classic (PB) 2,000m (D) $1,900,000
7 The Red Sea Turf Handicap (TB) 3,000m (T) $2,500,000
8 The Saudi Cup (TB) 1,800m (D) $20,000,000
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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SPECS
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RoboCop%3A%20Rogue%20City
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