Latest news with #sustainableluxury
Hospitality Net
7 hours ago
- Business
- Hospitality Net
Florian Leven has been appointed Director of Operations at Gili Lankanfushi
Gili Lankanfushi, the pioneer of sustainable, barefoot luxury in the Maldives, is delighted to announce the appointment of Florian Leven as Director of Operations. In this role, Leven will oversee the day-to-day operations of Gili Lankanfushi, drawing on over 25 years of international hospitality experience across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North America. Leven joins Gili Lankanfushi from Vietnam, where he held the position of Director of Operations at the five-star Mia Luxury Collection based in Ho Chi Minh City. Prior to this, he spent over a decade as General Manager of various luxury hotels and resorts, including The Capra, a luxury boutique hotel in Saas-Fee, Switzerland, The Legian Sire in Lombok, Indonesia and The Chedi Al Bait, UAE. Leven joins the Gili Lankanfushi Maldives team at an exciting time for the resort, which was recently awarded Gold Certification by EarthCheck, the world's leading scientific benchmarking, certification and advisory group for sustainable travel and tourism, in recognition of its sustainability practices. Gili Lankanfushi enjoys an unspoilt island location in the Maldives' North Malé Atoll, just 20 minutes by speedboat from Malé airport. Perfectly suited for couples, families, solo travellers and groups alike, the resort combines rustic eco-design, unparalleled service and stunning natural scenery with a laid-back-luxury, 'no news, no shoes' philosophy.
Entrepreneur
6 days ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
True Diamond Bags INR 26 Cr from India Quotient, Titan Capital, and Huddle Ventures
The fresh capital will be deployed to accelerate the Mumbai-based brand's omnichannel growth, particularly focusing on expanding offline retail presence. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Lab-grown diamond jewelry brand True Diamond has successfully raised INR 26 crore in its pre-series A funding round, led by India Quotient with continued support from existing investors Titan Capital Winners Fund and Huddle Ventures. The fresh capital will be deployed to accelerate the brand's omnichannel growth, particularly focusing on expanding offline retail presence. With retail stores already launched in Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Noida, the brand plans to establish more outlets across India's metro cities, aiming to deliver immersive brand experiences blending design, storytelling, and exceptional service. True Diamond was co-founded in January 2024 by Parin Shah and Darayus Mehta, and is headquartered in Mumbai. The company was founded with a mission to modernise India's jewelry experience through sustainable luxury, cutting-edge design, and material innovation. True Diamond offers a diverse range of certified lab-grown diamond jewelry, including rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, pendants, tennis bracelets, mangalsutras, and customised pieces, including a men's collection. "We never wanted to be just another jewelry brand," said Parin Shah, Co-founder of True Diamond. "We're building a next-gen brand experience through high-quality lab-grown diamonds, cutting-edge content, and a retail journey that breaks away from the conventional. This round gives us the ability to scale this vision faster." Since its inception, True Diamond claims to have built an impressive catalog of over 5,000 unique designs and achieved a 1.7x customer repeat rate, showcasing growing customer loyalty. Their standout innovations include offerings like 160+ facet Portuguese diamonds and black diamonds, appealing to India's new-age, conscious, and design-savvy consumers. Sahil Makkar of India Quotient noted, "We see immense potential in the lab-grown diamond and gold combination... True Diamond is evolving into an aspirational omnichannel retailer." Shiv Kapoor, VP at Titan Capital, added, "True Diamond has the chance to be the go-to brand for customers who want accessible luxury without compromising on design or experience."
Arabian Business
28-05-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Dubai real estate: MAG Group and CITIC Limited sign $6bn deal
MAG Group and CITIC Limited have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development of Keturah Ardh, an AED 22 billion ($6 billion) project in Dubai's Al Rowaiyah First District. The development will span 18.47 million square feet and represents CITIC Limited's first entry into Dubai's real estate sector. MAG Group Holding maintains a portfolio valued at $3 billion, with ongoing sales worth $5 billion and developments estimated at $17 billion. CITIC Limited manages total assets exceeding $1.67 trillion. Dubai's new luxury district Moafaq A. Al Gaddah, Founder and Chairman of MAG Group Holding, said: 'Keturah Ardh exemplifies what the future of living in Dubai should look like. Our aim is to create a place where people feel deeply connected to their surroundings, with nature and community embedded into daily life. This partnership with CITIC Limited represents a powerful alliance that will deliver exceptional value while setting new benchmarks for sustainable luxury developments in the UAE and beyond.' The project aligns with Dubai's 2040 Urban Master Plan and will complete infrastructure works and achieve full site mobilisation by Q2 and Q3 2025. The first phase will launch under the Keturah Ardh Couture Art brand in Q4 2025, followed by the second phase in Q1 2026. Subsequent phases will roll out through to 2027, with the project expected to be completed within a two- to seven-year timeframe. Plot sizes will range from 50,000 to 200,000 square feet. The site will feature more than 100,000 trees aged between 20 and 2,200 years through a 'Life-Scaping' approach that integrates nature into the built environment to enhance air quality and emotional well-being. Yang Jianqiang, Chairman of CITIC Limited, added: 'Our partnership with MAG Group Holding is built on a strategy of long-term value and genuine collaboration. By leveraging CITIC Limited's wealth of expertise in advanced manufacturing, innovative materials, sustainable infrastructure, and real estate, we want to shape a destination that welcomes all generations and sets new benchmarks for sustainability in the region. This inaugural project in Dubai reflects our commitment to providing preliminary services to clients as a precursor to securing EPC contracts, using EPC contracts to drive related industry development.' CITIC Limited operates as one of the world's largest EPC contractors with operations in over 160 countries. The company brings expertise in infrastructure development and construction to the project. The development will blend art, wellness, and sustainability into its community design. MAG Group Holding aims to create living environments that nurture physical and emotional well-being. Keturah Ardh has secured government no-objection certificates from the Dubai Development Authority (DDA), Dubai Municipality, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), and Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The project invites collaboration with architects, designers, fashion brands, and artists whose creative vision aligns with the development's ethos.
Associated Press
23-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
KSL Capital Partners Has Taken a Majority Stake in Soneva
DENVER, May 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- KSL Capital Partners, LLC ('KSL'), a leading alternative investment firm, today announced that an affiliate has taken a majority interest in the Soneva Group ('Soneva'), a pioneer in sustainable luxury hospitality since 1995 with award-winning resorts in the Maldives, following the exercise of its right to convert certain securities. The transaction builds on the firm's initial minority investment in November 2019 and underscores KSL's continued conviction in Soneva's long-term strategy and differentiated approach to ultra-luxury experiential travel. To help lead the next phase for Soneva, Neil Gallagher has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Soneva. A seasoned international hospitality leader, Mr. Gallagher brings more than two decades of experience across Europe, the Middle East, the U.S. and the Caribbean. He previously served as CEO and CFO of Clermont Hotel Group (formerly glh Hotels Management) and held leadership roles at IHG Hotels & Resorts, including CFO, Europe. Earlier in his career, Mr. Gallagher held leadership positions at Marriott Vacation Club International. About Soneva Founded in 1995, Soneva is a pioneering, award-winning luxury resorts operator. At Soneva Fushi, Soneva Jani, Soneva Secret and the Soneva in Aqua yacht in the Maldives, true 'luxury' is defined by peace, time and space. Guests discover the SLOW LIFE, reconnecting with themselves and the natural world through rare, unforgettable experiences. Soneva is a pioneer for responsible tourism, combining sustainability with exquisite hospitality and intuitive, personalized service. About KSL Capital Partners KSL Capital Partners, LLC is a private equity firm specializing in travel and leisure enterprises in five primary sectors: hospitality, recreation, clubs, real estate and travel services. KSL has offices in Denver, Colorado; Stamford, Connecticut; New York, New York; and London, England. KSL invests across three primary strategies through its equity, credit and tactical opportunities funds. KSL's current portfolio includes some of the premier properties in travel and leisure. KSL has spent more than three decades investing in luxury and experiential travel, building a leading global portfolio of high-end resorts, destination experiences and hospitality brands. With deep sector expertise and an expansive international footprint, the firm brings significant scale and experience to the global Travel & leisure sector, along with differentiated insight into the ultra-luxury hospitality market. For more information, please visit Media Contact Kate Thompson / Erik Carlson Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher [email protected] (212) 355-4449 View original content: SOURCE KSL Capital Partners
Trade Arabia
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- Trade Arabia
Cadillac launches OPTIQ - brand's first all-electric SUV
Cadillac Middle East has announced the arrival of the 2025 Cadillac OPTIQ, the brand's first all-electric SUV in the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait. It will expand to additional markets later in the product lifecycle. Representing a bold entry into Cadillac's future, the OPTIQ reimagines what it means to drive luxury, offering expressive design, spirited performance, and intelligent technology built to stand out, the company said. The OPTIQ marks the beginning of Cadillac's electric journey in the region, leading a visionary portfolio that includes LYRIQ, VISTIQ, CELESTIQ, ESCALADE IQ, and ESCALADE IQL. Design A fastback inspired profile, bold stance, and vertical lighting choreography capture attention from every angle. At the front, the signature V shape Black Crystal Shield grille not only pays tribute to Cadillac's design legacy but also symbolises the speed and performance of the vehicle, reflecting OPTIQ's sporty and youthful silhouette. Distinctive elements like Mondrian patterned rear quarter glass and vibrant exterior finishes, including Radiant Red Tintcoat and Coastal Blue Metallic, further reinforce its bold and progressive character. Inside, OPTIQ leads its class in rear cargo volume, infotainment screen size and second-row legroom, and offers a fresh take on sustainable luxury. The interior features Cadillac Collection fabric made from 100% recycled material. The instrument panel features wrapped with fabric as single piece – a first for Cadillac design execution. A sweeping 33-inch diagonal advanced LED display with 9K resolution, anchors a cabin defined by seamless technology integration and modern craftsmanship. Performance OPTIQ delivers a thrilling yet agile drive, powered by a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system that produces 300 hp and 451 Nm of near-instant torque. Built on the revolutionary GM EV Battery Platform, it offers a lower center of gravity and lean proportions that support a spirited drive experience. To achieve its impressive range of 492 sq km, Cadillac engineers pushed aerodynamic benchmarks like that of many sedans – integrating sculptural elements like a vented rear spoiler and rear diffusers without compromising OPTIQ's striking design. Technology OPTIQ is equipped with Cadillac's most advanced technology suite to date, including: * 33" diagonal curved LED display with 9K resolution, offering intuitive control and a premium visual experience. * Google Built-In infotainment, providing real-time range predictions, destination optimization, and access to Google Assistant, Maps, and more. * 19-speaker AKG Studio Audio System with Dolby Atmos, featuring custom-tuned speakers and amplifier content for a nuanced, undistorted sound. * Variable Regen on Demand, including a pressure-sensitive paddle for customizable braking, and One-Pedal Driving⁵ for smoother, more efficient control. * Auto Guide Lighting, which illuminates elements of the cabin, such as door map pockets or the console bin, as the driver interacts with them, adding a dynamic, intuitive touch * Standard Advanced radar, camera, and ultrasonic sensor technologies, integrated throughout OPTIQ to enhance visibility, awareness, and overall safety * Standard safety and driver assistance technologies, including Driver Attention System, Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Zone Steering Assist, Forward Collision Alert, and Enhanced Automatic Parking 2025 Cadillac OPTIQ Charging made easy With support for DC Fast Charging, OPTIQ can gain up to 163 km of range in just 15 minutes⁷. Home charging is equally seamless, with a 7kW wall box included as standard, along with installation support through Cadillac dealer partners, aligning with Cadillac's commitment to transforming customer convenience.
