Latest news with #Mediterranean-inspired
Business of Fashion
a day ago
- Business
- Business of Fashion
Dolce & Gabbana Gets Fresh Cash to Fund Bet on Beauty Products
Dolce & Gabbana Srl has obtained additional debt from its creditors to fund its expansion in the beauty and property sectors. The Italian fashion house, known for its Mediterranean-inspired designs, has agreed with banks on new financing of €150 million ($170 million), a representative confirmed by email. The new debt is partially guaranteed by state-backed credit insurer SACE SpA. Dolce & Gabbana has also agreed to refinance its existing loans, which originally totalled €400 million but had been partially repaid, said the representative. Discussions with bank lenders had been ongoing for months, as the company looks to pivot its strategy and broaden its revenue streams. Dolce & Gabbana's management is betting that its beauty business will be key if it is to remain an independent company in the rapidly shifting luxury industry. Revenue from beauty products is expected to rise more than 20 percent for the 12 months through the end of March 2025, said chief executive Alfonso Dolce in an interview with Bloomberg News earlier this year. The fashion house, like its peers, is navigating a period of uncertainty amid slowing demand for luxury goods. Some have opted for consolidation: Hong-Kong listed Prada SpA in April agreed to buy Gianni Versace Srl. By Antonio Vanuzzo and Giulia Morpurgo Learn more: Dolce & Gabbana Looks to Beauty to Safeguard Independence The company is targeting €1 billion in annual beauty sales by the end of its 2027 financial year, following a shift from licensing to direct management of the production and distribution of its fragrances, makeup and skincare, said CEO Alfonso Dolce.
Time Out Abu Dhabi
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out Abu Dhabi
Ilios is *the* place to be in Abu Dhabi this summer
Looking for a stylish way to beat the summer heat? We've found just the spot. Set inside Surf Abu Dhabi on Hudayriyat Island, high-end restaurant and beach club Ilios offers a chic, Mediterranean-inspired escape that will remind you of Greece. Whether you're out on a date or playing catch-up with your besties, the elegant indoor setting lets you stay cool, especially with those dreamy pool views. If the vibes haven't impressed you yet, the Greek Mediterranean flavours definitely will. Here's everything happening in June… Night swim magic Now there's even more reason to swing by as Ilios is turning up the charm with a new Friday experience that's too tempting to miss. Every Friday from 4pm to 7pm, Ilios hosts its new 'Because It's Her' ladies' day. Sip on free-flowing drinks for Dhs145, or go for the soft package at Dhs125, your call. Feeling peckish? Food's à la carte from the bar, so you can order whatever you're craving. This experience includes access to the restaurant's temperature-controlled pool and unlimited selected drinks for three hours. There's no reason to not head here and switch off, sip on something chilled and enjoy the curated beats floating through the air while soaking up the sunset. And as the stars blanket the sky, you can cool down at the beautiful dining experience indoors. Have a relaxed dinner by the water and enjoy a range of delicious à la carte bites that will fuel you into the night. Tuck into the catch of the day, a tender striploin or a simple Greek salad that's drizzled with olive oil (the really good stuff, obvi). Whether you're in it for the golden-hour lounging, the poolside drinks, or a proper catch-up over food once the stars come out, Ilios makes the transition from day to night feel completely seamless. You can reserve online or via 02 419 8508, or by DMing on @ Aegean Brunch Ilios is putting its name on the map with its Aegean Brunch, where you get to sample the best of Greek cuisine at Ilios Beach Club with a four-course brunch, served sharing-style. Dhs325 (soft package); Dhs450 (house package). Sundays 1pm-4pm. Book via After-brunch chill When the brunch fun is over, head to the pool and stay longer to enjoy classic R&B tunes and two hours of free-flowing drinks. Dhs99 (ladies, free flow drinks for two hours), Dhs 200 (gents, unlimited select drinks for two hours). Sundays 4pm-8pm. Book via WhatsApp. Business lunch A midweek treat with stunning views? Sign us up. Ilios serves up a great business lunch, where you pay Dhs145 for one starter and one main course; or Dhs180 for two starters and one main course or one starter, one main course and one dessert. From Dhs145. Mon-Fri 12pm-4pm. Book via Pool days Ilios is a great spot if you're just trying to chill poolside for the day. Views of surfers doing their thing, great food and stylish sunbeds – what's not to love? And as if that's not enough, the Dhs200 you pay for your sunbed is fully redeemable. Dhs200 (fully redeemable). Daily 12pm-sunset. See you there? Open daily, noon-midnight. Ladies day: Every Friday 4pm to 7pm. Surf Abu Dhabi, Al Hudayriat Island. @ (02 419 8508).
Metro
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Interior Design Masters fans fume after favourite loses to 'ugly' house in final
Interior Design Masters just cranked up the heat tonight in a shock final, as underdog John Cooper won over Rita Millat, leaving some fans fuming. The popular series sees comedian Alan Carr and interiors guru Michelle Ogundehin pit a group of designers against one another in various challenges over seven weeks. Tasked with transforming two holiday cottages in the village of Portmeirion in Wales for tonight's final, DT teacher John, 46, went for a Mediterranean-inspired finish, while visual merchandiser Rita, 42, opted for a cosy pastel-coloured vibe. For background: while Rita won the first challenge in the series, John was left in the bottom cohort on the sofa on four occasions. Some viewers weren't happy, as they felt Rita had been more consistent throughout the competition and it was sheer luck John pulled it out the bag at the last minute. 'Feel like I've just watched a terrible episode of changing rooms! That was awful – Rita had an amazing eye for design and this program ruined it. Rita if you're listening don't change who you are, you're amazing!' commented @cookiesam50 on X. 'I think that John was very lucky to be in the final but I preferred his house tonight. Rita's kitchen was underwhelming and that stairway was horrendous,' reasoned @BurghillGirl. However, @alemonsqueeze raged: 'My goodness, Rita was robbed! John has been at the bottom 4 times, his transformation was ugly and tasteless.' @Claret40 said: 'Gutted Rita didn't win Interior Design Masters. She was consistently head & shoulders above everyone else week after week. I wish her well in the future.' Others were very much team John though, as @TheSilverZebra said: 'Congratulations to John, the colours & design were spot on. That pop of blue throughout really brought it together, another great series.' @Alligatoruk1975 said: 'Yay John!!! Well deserved win on #InteriorDesignMasters. His confidence and style has grown throughout the series. His final room was very stylish and classy.' At one point throughout the series, Rita slightly lost her confidence, but brought it back when she injected her personality into her designs again. Meanwhile, John has been praised for his attention to detail, with time management an issue throughout the contest. In the seven weeks, contestants have transformed everything from hostel bunkrooms to hospitality boxes in the hope of going home with a major homeware range contract with John Lewis, which (the aptly named) John bagged tonight. Last year, host Alan Carr admitted on The Rest is Entertainment podcast that sometimes clients aren't happy with the show's design makeovers. 'Sometimes the people who own the shop or hairdressers or the hotel room really hate what they've done,' Alan said. 'What we do is we go back and paint it back to how it originally was so no one is offended.' View More » Interior Design Masters is streaming on BBC iPlayer. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: New BBC drama smashes records despite viewers 'switching off' after 5 minutes MORE: Here's why fans think Arabella Stanton as new Hermione is 'perfect casting' MORE: Doctor Who boss promises finale will address 'controversial' Time Lord change
San Francisco Chronicle
3 days ago
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
Beloved Bay Area Italian restaurant opens first Wine Country location
When Shelley Lindgren, owner of the Bay Area's beloved Southern Italian restaurant A16, signed a lease for a new outpost in Napa late last year, the plan was to spruce the place up a little and open it quickly. But she quickly changed her mind, undertaking a major renovation that pushed the opening back three months. 'We wanted to be here for a long time,' said Lindgren, who grew up in the North Bay and opened the first A16 in San Francisco's Marina District 20 years ago. 'It started off as, 'Let's see how it goes,' but it feels like the community is very pro-business in Napa. There's a welcoming spirit.' A16 Napa finally opens on Thursday, offering its signature Neapolitan-style pizzas alongside a bevy of new dishes — like pancetta-wrapped pork rolls and octopus cooked in a hearth — inspired by Italy's Puglia region, located in the heel of the country's geographical boot. The new restaurant joins another A16 location in Rockridge and a spinoff location in San Francisco's Ferry Building. It's the first restaurant to occupy the 4,000-square-foot downtown Napa space at 821 Coombs St. since Miminashi, a high-end Japanese izakay a, closed in 2020. Lindgren removed Miminashi's hand-carved wooden door and soft serve window, and tore out the wooden drop ceiling which once gave Miminashi the intimate vibe of an Izakaya. Without it, the Mediterranean-inspired A16 feels lighter, bigger and airy. The centerpiece of the fresh look, from designers John Hurley, Justin Haffen and A16 partner Kitty Oestlien, is a custom white overhang floating above the bar, decorated with dried herbs and chilies. Large chandeliers made in Morocco hover over tables; a long parklet filled with two dozen olive trees and benches seats an extra 30 people outside. (The restaurant can fit about 100 people total.) There are a few remnants from Miminashi: the massive, three-sided bar, now covered in bright, white tiling, and the hearth next to the kitchen where dishes will be grilled within view of diners. The current hearth — or focolare, in Italian — section of the menu features dishes like bombetta Pugliese ($16), pork neck wrapped in pancetta; spot prawns ($16); King Trumpet mushroom topped with caper salsa verde ($12); lamb skewers ($18); and octopus ($26). Yet Lindgren said her team is in the early stages of experimentation with the hearth; a week ahead of opening day, a chef was prepping lobster tails for it. The restaurant will serve plenty of A16 staples including eight types of pizza ($22-27), burrata ($20), pork meatballs ($16), cannellini beans ($8) and fave e cicoria ($16), a Puglian speciality consisting of fava bean puree topped with dandelion greens, garlic and Calabrian chili. Steamed mussels ($22), whole fish with a tarragon salsa ($52) and cavatelli with white ragu sauce and porcini mushrooms ($32) are among a handful of dishes that are, like the grilled section, exclusive to the Napa location. For dessert, in addition to A16's popular chocolate budino ($15) and tiramisu ($14), the new spot will serve a lemon verbena panna cotta ($15) and olive oil cake with poached cherries ($15) using olive oil from Napa's Hudson Ranch winery. Soon, several flavors of gelato will be added to the mix, including honeycomb and stracciatella. While the wine list is Italian-heavy, it will also showcase many California producers making Italian-inspired wines, including Lindgren and Oestlien's brand Tansy. 'One natural link between Puglia and Napa is through Zinfandel, which shares genetic roots with Primitivo,' said Lindgren, who pointed to an old vine Zinfandel from Napa's Matthiasson made from vines planted in the 1880s. Several of the Napa offerings are ones patrons would be hard-pressed to find elsewhere, like a Staglin Sangiovese that's typically reserved for wine club members, and Continuum's Sentium, a premium Sauvignon Blanc crafted by Robert Mondavi's grandchildren. Lindgren's husband, Greg Lindgren, who owns the San Francisco bar Rye, has created the cocktail menu featuring aperitifs, like a grappa spritz and amaro old fashioned, and frozen specialties. In a few weeks, A16 Napa will add lunch service.
Web Release
4 days ago
- Web Release
Make the Most of Summer with an All-Inclusive Family Stay at Rixos The Palm Dubai Hotel & Suites
Make the Most of Summer with an All-Inclusive Family Stay at Rixos The Palm Dubai Hotel & Suites Nestled on the sun-kissed shores of Palm Jumeirah, Rixos The Palm Dubai Hotel & Suites is preparing for another unmissable summer season. Home to a world of diverse culinary experiences, entertainment, and activities to delight all ages, this stunning property offers an idyllic summer escape without leaving Dubai. Presenting the ultimate opportunity to plan your next family getaway, all guests who book a Two Bedroom Family Suite from June 1st to September 30th will automatically be upgraded to an All-Inclusive package, giving you unlimited access to signature restaurants and bars, fitness classes, Rixy Kids Club's jam-packed daily schedule, and so much more. Designed to offer unparalleled comfort for a family of four, the Two Bedroom Family Suite is the perfect place to retreat after a day of adventure or simply savour a slower start to the day during the school holidays. Boasting floor-to-ceiling windows with stunning views of the Dubai skyline, this stylish suite is bathed in natural light and offers plenty of space for everyone to unwind. Complete with a large living area, plush furnishings, and bathrooms featuring a tub, glass-enclosed shower, and vanity, it has everything you need to feel at home. Once you have settled into your elegant suite, savour the full All-Inclusive experience by starting each morning with a hearty breakfast buffet at A LA Turca. After a fun-filled morning, tuck into a buffet-style lunch at Turquoise Restaurant, bursting with global delights to keep the whole family happy, or head to Patisserie Istanbul for a perfectly brewed coffee and a light bite. As evening falls, bond over a memorable meal at L'Olivo Ristorante, serving delicious Mediterranean-inspired plates, before enjoying an evening tipple at the lively Bar1 or the beachfront Bodrum Lounge. By day, there are endless ways to keep the whole family entertained. Younger guests can play to their heart's content and make new friends at Rixy Kids Club, offering an exciting daily schedule of games and activities. Promising something to spark every child's interest, kids can get creative with arts and crafts, enjoy some friendly competition with sports like swimming and football, or show of their best moves at the daily mini disco. Meanwhile, adults can sweat it out with daily expert-led fitness classes or enjoy your regular workout at the picturesque outdoor Jungle Gym, a sustainable space crafted entirely from wood. Alternatively, savour slow days by the ocean or cool off with a dip in the main pool and a refreshing cocktail from the swim-up bar. Swap airport queues for Arabian Gulf views and make this summer one to remember at Rixos The Palm Dubai Hotel & Suites. With unmatched comfort, endless family fun, and sun-soaked days paired with the flexibility of All-Inclusive, this exclusive summer package lets you enjoy your stay entirely at your own pace. Don't miss out – book your summer escape today and make unforgettable memories with the ones who matter most. When: From June 1st to September 30th Offer: Book a Two Bedroom Family Suite and enjoy All-Inclusive for up to four guests with access to Rixy Kids Club's daily activities Price: Starting from AED 6,000++ For bookings and more information, please contact +971 (4) 457 5555 or [email protected]
