https://www.scmp.com/rss/502111/feed Nagmani is an Indian journalist and a former contributor. He no longer represents the SCMP as a writer. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Historically, royals – from Britain, the Middle East and elsewhere – have done their fair share of time in the military. They’ve taken pride in being able to do this commendable thing as part of their lifetime of service to their countries. Here we take a look at five royals who all served in the forces: Sheikha Aisha bint Rashid Al Khalifa Sheikha Aisha was the first female from the Bahraini royal family to fly a military plane – setting a massive precedent for women in the country and the... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3092513/prince-harry-prince-william-king-abdullah-ii-jordan-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3092513/prince-harry-prince-william-king-abdullah-ii-jordan-and?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Jul 2020 09:40:41 +0000 Designing avant-garde shoes is very much a work of greater ingenuity than one thinks. After all, these pairs of shoes stand out from the rest for their odd craftsmanship and details in every aspect. Needless to say, one feels curious enough to design such footwear to bring out their eccentric beauty as to how they can be turned into breathtaking works of art just by pushing the limits. In fact, the wearability factor is also a major part of this artwork. Fully well-versed at this artistic work... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3090488/how-avant-garde-shoe-designers-masaya-kushino-and-kobi-levi?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3090488/how-avant-garde-shoe-designers-masaya-kushino-and-kobi-levi?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Jun 2020 08:00:12 +0000 For both African and Muslim women around the world, the news of Somalia-born, London-based Ramla Ali winning a British boxing title – and becoming the first Muslim woman to do so – was likely to be a source of deep pride and inspiration. And that was just the beginning. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ramla Ali (@ramlaali) on Jan 23, 2019 at 12:14am PST Here is what you need to know about Ramla Ali, the former refugee who became a star... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3087765/why-meghan-markle-fan-ramla-ali-somali-refugee-who?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3087765/why-meghan-markle-fan-ramla-ali-somali-refugee-who?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 07 Jun 2020 03:05:15 +0000 WWE has a new female superstar and she’s literally adding some colour to an already larger-than-life sport. Kanako Urai, better known as Asuka, has just been named the new WWE Raw Women’s Champion and the winner of the 2020 Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match. View this post on Instagram A post shared by WWEAsuka (@wwe_asuka) on Jan 30, 2018 at 12:04am PST How she got her start The fighter, who dreamed of becoming a figure skater when she was young, took... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3086542/how-japanese-wrestler-asuka-aka-kanako-urai-became-wwe?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3086542/how-japanese-wrestler-asuka-aka-kanako-urai-became-wwe?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 29 May 2020 06:00:13 +0000 Celebrated as the world’s first hijab-wearing wrestling champion, Nor Diana began making global headlines last year when she floored four male competitors to become the first female to win the Malaysia Pro Wrestling (MyPW) Wrestlecon title. Today, the 20-year-old fighter known as Phoenix continues to inspire athletes around the world. Here are five things to know about the pint-sized athlete, who may measure just 5 feet 1 inches (1.55 metres) tall – but still packs a mighty punch. Why did WWE... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3086336/nor-diana-malaysias-hijab-wearing-wrestling-champion-her?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3086336/nor-diana-malaysias-hijab-wearing-wrestling-champion-her?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 27 May 2020 18:00:10 +0000 For women across Saudi Arabia today, there is nothing more important than to come together and fight for their rights. And there are quite a few of them who have already paved the way for others across the entire region to follow their dreams. One such influential woman to have made it big in this race is Aseel Al-Hamad who is the first Saudi female Formula One driver. Here are three things you need to know about Aseel Al-Hamad: She was educated in the Kingdom of Saudi... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3081776/3-things-know-about-aseel-al-hamad-saudi-arabias-first?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3081776/3-things-know-about-aseel-al-hamad-saudi-arabias-first?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Apr 2020 01:00:07 +0000 Filipinos are known for their creativity. But for a country that doesn’t have a car manufacturing base, it may come as a surprise that two designers have made their mark at Porsche and Mercedes-Benz. The first is the renowned Filipino car designer Benjamin Dimson, who is currently the chief designer at Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Studio in California. He is also a senior design consultant for Story Dimson Design in Orange County. Dimson studied industrial engineering at Adamson University in... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/tech-design/article/3080696/2-filipino-car-designers-who-helped-shape-mercedes-benz?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/tech-design/article/3080696/2-filipino-car-designers-who-helped-shape-mercedes-benz?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Apr 2020 07:57:29 +0000 Saudi Arabia’s first female filmmaker, Haifaa al-Mansour – who is often referred to as one of the kingdom’s boldest and most controversial film directors – has shed a light on the way people live in the closed-off country. She challenges the status quo when it comes to raising the curtain on the prejudices against women in her conservative country. And she has done so despite there being no cinemas in operation in Saudi Arabia from 1983 to 2018. Who are the 15 richest women in the US? Here is... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3080427/meet-haifaa-al-mansour-saudi-arabias-first-female?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3080427/meet-haifaa-al-mansour-saudi-arabias-first-female?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Apr 2020 10:00:09 +0000 Meet Tatyana Bakalchuk, the richest woman in Russia today with a net worth of US$1.4 billion, thanks to her online retail business. Here are four things you need to know about the 44-year-old entrepreneur, proudly of Korean heritage. Remote islands to vitamin shots – how the super-rich survive coronavirus She was educated in Russia Bakalchuk graduated specialising in English and German from Moscow State Regional Social and Humanitarian Institute. That’s how she went on to become an English... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3079148/how-wildberries-founder-tatyana-bakalchuk-became?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3079148/how-wildberries-founder-tatyana-bakalchuk-became?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Apr 2020 04:53:55 +0000 When it comes to adventure sports, you might be surprised to hear women from the Arab world are making waves. The next generation of thrill-seekers might take inspiration from Raha Moharrak, both the first Saudi woman and the youngest Arab woman to climb the world’s highest mountain, Mount Everest. Here’s what you need to know about the 34-year-old trailblazer. She was educated in the UAE View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mag Arabia (@magarabia) on... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3077772/meet-raha-moharrak-youngest-arab-woman-climb-mount-everest?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3077772/meet-raha-moharrak-youngest-arab-woman-climb-mount-everest?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Apr 2020 01:00:15 +0000 Few Middle Eastern royals are as internationally recognised as Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the deputy prime minister of the UAE, who sparked headlines across the globe when he bought the UK’s Manchester City Football Club in 2008. His subsequent investments in the club – of more than US$1.6 million over the first decade alone – projected a novel form of soft power on the world stage, but only made minor dents in his fortune, estimated at more than US$30 billion. But what else do you know... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3052198/manchester-city-owner-sheikh-mansour-4-things-know?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3052198/manchester-city-owner-sheikh-mansour-4-things-know?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 25 Feb 2020 06:00:11 +0000 One of the most pervading misconceptions about parts of the Middle East is that women are prohibited or discouraged from driving. While Saudi Arabia made international headlines after finally permitting females to get behind the wheel in 2018, women in the UAE have long enjoyed this basic right – and do so with relish. Exhibit A: Dubai’s Arabian Gazelles, a club exclusively for women with supercars. The group was founded in 2016 by Algerian-born Hanan Mazouzi Sobati, an avid luxury car... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3052086/middle-easts-first-all-female-supercar-club-luxury?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3052086/middle-easts-first-all-female-supercar-club-luxury?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 24 Feb 2020 18:00:12 +0000 Filipino artists are making an increasing impact on the world stage. One name to have found considerable recognition abroad is Dubai-based Ely Caluag, whose novel renderings of both the UAE’s cityscapes and its beloved leaders – in both traditional and digital forms – have made him a hero in the country. 4 things to know about Dubai’s crown prince Sheikh Hamdan In an exclusive interview with STYLE, we caught up with the artist to find out what motivated him to start painting in the first place,... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3051801/how-painting-portraits-uae-founder-sheikh-zayed-bin?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3051801/how-painting-portraits-uae-founder-sheikh-zayed-bin?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 23 Feb 2020 18:00:11 +0000 Morocco is often described as North Africa’s most beautiful country with a rich culture and history, and architectural buildings that dazzle visitors. It is also home to a royal family with global appeal. King Mohammed VI and his wife, princess Lalla Salma, have two children: the crown prince Moulay Hassan, 16, and princess Lalla Khadija, 12. Moulay, who will succeed his father as king one day, is making a big impression on people who meet him – and not just because his family net worth is... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3051411/6-things-know-about-moroccos-prince-moulay-hassan-aged?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3051411/6-things-know-about-moroccos-prince-moulay-hassan-aged?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 19 Feb 2020 09:42:01 +0000 The United Arab Emirates boasts a number of royals whose growing influence on world events is indisputable, and whose vision for their country has earned them admiration. With a personal net worth around US$30 billion and family wealth estimated to be in excess of $150 billion, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is considered the de facto ruler of the United Arab Emirates. Here are six things you need to know... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3050915/6-things-know-about-sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3050915/6-things-know-about-sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Feb 2020 06:00:05 +0000 Women in Saudi Arabia waited a long time for the ban on them driving to be lifted. When it did happen, in June 2018, there was much jubilation in the country and across the region. Making the most of that historic event is today’s new generation of Saudi women, notably Reema Juffali, the country’s first professional female racing driver, who is steadily making progress at an international level. Here are four things you need to know about Reema Juffali: The early years View... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3050488/meet-reema-juffali-saudi-arabias-first-female-racing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3050488/meet-reema-juffali-saudi-arabias-first-female-racing?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 14 Feb 2020 06:00:06 +0000 The Middle East is home to a growing number of women who, despite coming from privileged backgrounds, are making waves with their entrepreneurial skills. Some have gone to do amazing things with their inherited wealth, while others, despite having a royal background, dared to step out and make their own way, building up a strong empire of their own with sheer hard work and dedication. One such famous figure is Qatar’s Sheikha Hanadi Bint Nasser Al Thani, whose estimated net worth is more than... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3050284/who-qatars-sheikha-hanadi-and-why-do-so-many-women?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3050284/who-qatars-sheikha-hanadi-and-why-do-so-many-women?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 13 Feb 2020 07:00:20 +0000 Editor's note, November 25, 2024: Court records made public this month included details of the Jane Seymour diamond ring, which was the centrepiece of the below US$2 million luxury dining event Style reported on in 2020. The documents noted that the stone was in fact not a rare natural gem, but synthetic and bought by Tilani for US$19,136. They further note he had asserted the ring was worth around S$13.8 million (US$10.3 million) and that he had made false claims about its value to defraud an... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3050203/meet-multimillionaire-singaporean-couple-who-paid-us2?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3050203/meet-multimillionaire-singaporean-couple-who-paid-us2?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 12 Feb 2020 10:00:17 +0000 Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal is probably the most familiar Saudi Arabian mogul in the West. With a reputed net worth of more than US$18.7 billion, the founder and CEO of Kingdom Holding Company, is understood to be the richest man in Saudi Arabia. Al-Waleed, described by Time as the “Arabian Warren Buffett”, and listed by Forbes as the 45th richest man in the world in November 2017, enjoys an extravagant life. 15 people who became billionaires in 2019 – and 14 who lost their spot However, he was... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3046176/4-things-know-about-saudi-arabias-prince-al-waleed-bin?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3046176/4-things-know-about-saudi-arabias-prince-al-waleed-bin?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Jan 2020 07:00:18 +0000 First the world had Jimmy Choo; now, Malaysia has produced another renowned shoe couturier – Lewré Lew. While the former has dominated the footwear world for decades and made a name for himself in other accessories too, the latter has been successful in making his presence felt in more than 40 countries worldwide. What makes Lew’s journey more fascinating is that he wasn’t always in high fashion. The designer was once a rubber tapper in his youth. In an exclusive interview with STYLE, we find... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3045531/kate-middleton-admirer-princess-diana-inspired-his-latest?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3045531/kate-middleton-admirer-princess-diana-inspired-his-latest?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Jan 2020 18:00:11 +0000 Gone are the days when the lives of royal families in the Middle East were not made public under the excuse of strict protocol. In today’s digital age, where information is just a click away, things have changed for the better. Royals no longer live a remote existence away from the masses they rule – instead embracing progressive attitudes and sharing their once-cloistered lives with the world through social media. Enter Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Rashid Al Maktoum, the crown prince of Dubai... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3043382/sheikh-hamdan-crown-prince-dubai-4-things-know-about?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3043382/sheikh-hamdan-crown-prince-dubai-4-things-know-about?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Dec 2019 18:00:14 +0000 Several Middle Eastern queens have made their marks on the global stage, and one such world-renowned figure is Sheikha Moza bint Nasser of Qatar. Her net worth is estimated to be more than US$15 billion and everywhere she goes, people are charmed by her jet-setting lifestyle. Here are four things you need to know about Sheikha Moza bint Nasser: The Thai king’s ex-wife in exile: Sujarinee Vivacharawongse’s life and legacy She was educated in Qatar and has degrees from foreign... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3042745/4-things-you-need-know-about-qatar-billionaire-sheikha?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3042745/4-things-you-need-know-about-qatar-billionaire-sheikha?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Dec 2019 05:02:57 +0000 Filipino designers are putting their stamp on the global fashion industry in no uncertain terms. When talking about the splash they are making, many high-profile names spring to mind. However, it surely all starts with US-based Filipino designer Monique Lhuillier, whose eponymous brand is a gigantic name in today’s fashion world. Lhuillier’s inspirational journey towards fashion began in the 90s when she and her husband Tom Bugbee launched the brand, best known for its top-notch luxury,... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3039764/give-way-monique-lhuillier-rajo-laurel-and-rosenthal-tee?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3039764/give-way-monique-lhuillier-rajo-laurel-and-rosenthal-tee?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Dec 2019 18:00:05 +0000 Dubai is often called one of the world’s most happening cities, evidenced by the millions of tourists it attracts every year. It’s also known for record-breaking, man-made wonders that often appear to have little business in the mundane realities of physics. As such, this boggling city is always generating hype and headlines. This time, the latest buzz is zooming in on the emirate’s super-rich kids, whose lavish lifestyles are capturing admiring and envious eyeballs. The most famous of them... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3038327/5-things-know-about-money-kicks-dubai-rich-kid-million?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3038327/5-things-know-about-money-kicks-dubai-rich-kid-million?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 Nov 2019 06:00:12 +0000 What do you know about Udaipur? India’s “City of Lakes” is renowned for the calming artificial water bodies which characterise the historic city. Sitting at the south of the modern day state of Rajasthan, the city has been at the heartland of the Mewar dynasty from the start, making it one of the grandest regions in a country famous for big imperial palaces. This is where Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar hails from, and the prince is a staunch advocate of repurposing the city’s sublime palaces as supreme... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3037315/lakshyaraj-singh-mewar-udaipur-5-things-know-about-indian?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3037315/lakshyaraj-singh-mewar-udaipur-5-things-know-about-indian?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 Nov 2019 05:00:13 +0000 India’s royal family hails from all over the country but Jaipur has a special monarch. The city is beautiful, teeming with imperial palaces that have been built in absolute glory. True to its image, Maharaja Padmanabh Singh, one of its royal residents, represents the family’s wealth and influence. He is just 20, but the young king controls a fortune of between US$697 million and US$2.8 billion, according to Business Insider. The world’s 21 richest royals revealed Here are five things you need to... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3036725/5-things-know-about-indias-youngest-billionaire-king?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3036725/5-things-know-about-indias-youngest-billionaire-king?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 Nov 2019 08:00:11 +0000 Kermit Tesoro, a talented and handsome young fashion designer from the Philippines, is garnering a lot of international attention for his mind-blowing, avant-garde shoe features. Each shoe has its own origin and story to tell. View this post on Instagram Yup, I made it! I was able to attend at the closing of our exhibition! I can't believe that the product of both my depression and enthusiasm can switch everything and make things better for me. I made my Polypodis... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3031211/lady-gaga-loves-them-filipino-designer-kermit-tesoros-shoes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3031211/lady-gaga-loves-them-filipino-designer-kermit-tesoros-shoes?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 02 Oct 2019 07:00:16 +0000 Who would think a big name, luxury brand would break with all conventional industry norms and perceived business sense, and sell just one – albeit, a very expensive one – item of clothing? I plan to expand on menswear to explore other luxury materials in combination with crocodile, and in so doing offer a broad spectrum of colours Founder and creator of MJZ, Michael Chang At a time when most high-end brands seem to be keeping in mind the modern consumer’s propensity to spend less (but perhaps... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3029714/luxury-brand-mjz-makes-just-one-item-and-its-black-leather?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3029714/luxury-brand-mjz-makes-just-one-item-and-its-black-leather?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Sep 2019 08:00:09 +0000