Home Integrator

Emirati’s Women’s Month: Empowering the Next Generation of Girls Through Sport

Published

2 months ago

September 22, 2026

An interview with the founder of GMNSM on empowering young girls through sport in the UAE – his athletic background, how disciplines like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and judo build confidence and resilience, and GMNSM’s expansion into Riyadh and Monaco.

As the founder of GMNSM, what have you observed about the role sport can play in shaping confidence, discipline and resilience among young girls, particularly as they grow up in the UAE?

I have seen that sports gives girls a safe environment to test themselves, make mistakes, overcome challenges, and take pride in their own progress. These experiences all have an impact far beyond the academy.

For young girls, especially, learning that they can be physically strong and have the capabilities to compete, lose, and try again can build a very practical kind of confidence. It comes from experiencing your own ability to deal with challenges, and that teaches them to become more independent.

Because the UAE is a very international landscape, children grow up surrounded by different cultures, ambitions and opportunities. Sports gives them a strong sense of identity and community while teaching qualities such as discipline, resilience, respect and teamwork.

At GMNSM, we see this as part of our broader responsibility. Our goal is not simply to develop young athletes or prepare children for competitions – we want to give them tools that they can carry into school, future careers and relationships.

I think this is especially important for girls: they should grow up knowing that strength can take many forms – physical, emotional and intellectual – and that they have the skills to develop all three.

The UAE has created an environment where women and girls are increasingly encouraged to participate in sport and pursue leadership opportunities. From your experience at GMNSM, how do you see this changing the way the next generation approaches confidence and ambition?
I think we are seeing a generation of girls growing up with a much broader sense of what is possible for them. At GMNSM, we see this in the way young girls approach sport – they are more comfortable competing, taking on challenges and setting ambitious goals for themselves.

Sport plays an important role because it gives confidence a practical foundation. When a girl learns to push through difficulty, compete, lose, improve and try again, she develops resilience that can translate into other areas of her life.

The UAE’s growing emphasis on women’s participation and leadership reinforces this mindset. Our role at GMNSM is to give girls the environment and tools to develop that confidence from an early age. They need to view ambition as something they can pursue with discipline and purpose instead of something they need to limit.

You came from a professional sporting background before becoming an entrepreneur. How has your experience as an athlete shaped the way you think about empowering young girls through sport?

My experience as an athlete taught me that sport is not only about performance or winning. It teaches you how to set goals, deal with setbacks, stay disciplined and keep going when progress is not immediate.

That experience strongly shaped how I think about working with young girls. I also see it very personally as a father. My 5 years old daughter is growing up here in the UAE, and I made sure sports were part of her life from the early age of two years old. Watching her develop through sport gives me a very different perspective. I see first-hand how physical activity can build confidence, independence and resilience.

What are some of the qualities you see developing in girls through disciplines such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and judo that extend beyond the training space and into school, relationships and eventually their professional lives?

One of the most important things I see is resilience. In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and judo, you are constantly put in situations where things don’t go according to plan. You learn to stay calm, think, adapt and try again. That mindset is incredibly valuable outside the training space.

Girls also develop a strong sense of self-confidence, but in a very grounded way. They learn what they are physically capable of, how to set boundaries, work with others and respect both themselves and their opponents.

Over time, these qualities naturally translate into other areas of life, whether it is approaching a difficult task at school, navigating relationships or, later, taking on challenges and responsibility in their professional lives.

I also want to mention that girls at GMNSM receive their own journals, where they set goals and track their progress. Our program also draws on the journeys of successful women as examples, and we explore episodes of girls’ films – Mulan, for instance – together with the kids as part of our emotional intelligence classes.

As GMNSM expands from its Dubai roots into markets such as Riyadh and Monaco, what role do you see the UAE continuing to play in shaping conversations around women, girls and sport on a broader international stage?

The UAE’s multicultural fabric makes it the ideal place to champion girls’ and women’s sport. Children here grow up surrounded by different cultures, which makes giving girls the confidence and skills to participate, compete and lead even more important – and the UAE pushes that.

At GMNSM, we see sport as a powerful tool for building this confidence. It teaches girls discipline, resilience, teamwork and leadership – qualities that carry into every part of their lives. That’s part of why we saw Dubai, with its diverse communities, as the natural home for GMNSM.

As part of our program, this journal also uses a system built around six key qualities that we help children develop. Regardless of age, we always aim for the 6 Developmental Powers as part of our programs: Resilience, Leadership & Responsibility, Social Intelligence, Thinking, Confidence, and Self-mastery.

As we expand from our Dubai roots into markets such as Riyadh and Monaco, the UAE will remain an important part of our identity. I believe its experience can contribute to a broader international conversation about how sport can support the development and empowerment of the next generation. It’s exciting to see this shift playing out across the region too – Monaco has long championed women’s participation in public life, and Saudi Arabia is moving in a similar direction, from women now driving to holding senior political positions. It all points the same way: girl power.

Home Integrator

Laura Hammett Expands to the Middle East with New Studio in Dubai

Published

1 day ago

November 7, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

Internationally acclaimed interior design studio Laura Hammett- recently named Designer of the Year 2025- has announced the expansion of their multi award-winning practice with the launch of a new studio in Dubai this November, extending their presence across the United Arab Emirates. Alongside this launch, the studio also unveils a new brand identity: Laura Hammett Studio. This evolution reflects the practice’s growth into a truly global design house, while continuing to embody the timeless elegance, craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail that have become its hallmarks.

Laura Hammett has established a reputation as one of the UK’s leading luxury interior designers, renowned for a refined, timeless approach that balances elegance with liveability. With a portfolio spanning London, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Beverly Hills, New York, China, Switzerland, Singapore, the Bahamas and beyond, the new Dubai studio marks a significant step in the practice’s international growth.

The move responds to a growing demand for bespoke, design-led interiors in the region and builds upon a number of prestigious residential projects already underway in the Middle East. Working alongside trusted local partners, the Dubai studio will allow Laura Hammett to bring its distinctive design language, attention to detail and exceptional service to clients across the UAE, with a dedicated team on the ground.

“The UAE has always been a region we’ve felt a deep connection to, with its dynamic energy, cultural richness and global outlook,” says Laura Hammett. “We have numerous local partners and trusted suppliers in the region, so expanding a team and physical presence here feels like a natural evolution of the studio. We’re excited to continue building long-term relationships with clients and collaborators in Dubai and beyond, and to create homes and spaces that truly resonate with the way people live today.”

This announcement follows a period of significant growth and recognition for the practice, including the launch of luxury homeware brand Laura Hammett Living, which recently gained award-winning status at the SBID product design awards. Laura Hammett Living ships to the Middle East and is stocked at luxury design boutique- Dgallerie- in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to enable their fast-growing customer-base in the Middle East to experience the collections in person.

The launch of Laura Hammett Studio Dubai reinforces the practice’s position as a leading voice in global luxury design, bringing its signature combination of heritage, craftsmanship and contemporary elegance to the Middle East, alongside an exceptional and highly personal client experience.

Home Integrator

YLA Takes Its Sculptural Metal Furniture Collection AUDACE Outdoors

Published

2 days ago

November 6, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

YLA introduces the Audace Outdoor Edition, an evolution of its signature Audace collection developed for exterior spaces.

Rather than creating a separate outdoor collection, YLA has retained the proportions, geometry and visual identity of Audace, adapting the elements that needed to perform differently outside. Outdoor-rated fabrics, revised powder-coated finishes and removable cushions allow the collection to move from interior settings to terraces, gardens, courtyards and poolside environments without changing its underlying design language.

The edition also opens Audace to a broader range of fabric and metal colour combinations, introducing greater flexibility for architects, designers and private clients working across residential and hospitality projects.

“We kept hearing the same question: could Audace live outside? The Outdoor Edition is our answer. It takes the same design language and extends it to terraces, gardens and outdoor spaces without changing what made Audace recognisable in the first place.” — Benoît Rondard, Founder & Managing Director, YLA

From Interior to Exterior

The starting point for the Outdoor Edition was not a new form, but a new context. Audace was originally conceived around the contrast between metal and softer upholstered elements, with open geometries, precise proportions and colour playing an important role in the collection’s identity. As the collection developed, YLA began receiving a recurring question from architects and designers: could the same pieces be used outdoors?

The answer required less of a visual redesign than a technical reconsideration.

The proportions and lines remain unchanged. Instead, YLA focused on the elements affected by exterior conditions: upholstery, surface treatment and the practical relationship between the furniture and its environment.

“We didn’t need to reinvent Audace to take it outside. We kept the geometry and lines exactly as they were. What changed were the elements that needed to perform differently: the fabric is outdoor-rated, and the powder coating has been adapted for exposure to sun and rain. The design remains Audace; the performance around it has evolved.” — Rémi Damilleville, Designer, YLA

Adapted for Outdoor Use

The shift outdoors led YLA to reconsider the material specifications of the collection while maintaining its existing visual character. The upholstery has been selected for exterior environments, with fabrics developed to respond to sunlight, moisture and everyday use. Water-repellent, stain-resistant and mould-resistant properties support use in open-air settings, while colour retention under prolonged sun exposure was an important consideration in the selection process.

The metal finishes have also been adapted for outdoor exposure, with the powder coating reconsidered for conditions including sun, rain and humidity.

For the upholstered pieces, the cushions remain integrated into the visual composition of Audace but can be removed when required for cleaning or storage. The intervention is intentionally discreet: the objective was to adapt the collection technically without giving it the heavier or more visibly functional language often associated with outdoor furniture.

A Broader Palette

Colour has been central to Audace from the beginning, used not as decoration but as part of the relationship between metal, form and surrounding space.

With the Outdoor Edition, that approach becomes more flexible.

A broader selection of outdoor fabrics and powder-coated metal finishes allows combinations to be developed according to the architecture and character of each project. Rather than introducing a single predetermined outdoor palette, YLA has approached colour as an adaptable layer within the collection.

The result allows the same Audace geometry to take on different expressions across a private terrace, a garden, a restaurant courtyard or a hospitality setting, while remaining immediately recognisable as part of the same collection.

Designed and Made in Dubai

The Audace Outdoor Edition is designed and manufactured in Dubai through YLA’s integrated production process, bringing design development, engineering, metal fabrication, powder coating, assembly and quality control into close proximity.

That local context has particular relevance for a collection designed for outdoor use.

In the UAE, exterior furniture is exposed to intense sunlight, high temperatures and humidity for extended periods of the year. These conditions informed the development of the edition and the decisions made around materials and finishes.

“We work with metal, and we live in the UAE — a place where summer tests every material to its limit. When it came time to develop the Outdoor Edition, we didn’t have to imagine what heat, sun and humidity would mean for the furniture. That experience shaped the choices we made.” — Benoît Rondard

Local manufacturing also enables YLA to retain direct oversight of the transition from design to production, while working closely with architects, interior designers and hospitality partners across the region.

One Collection, Different Contexts

The Audace Outdoor Edition does not introduce a new visual language for YLA. Instead, it expands the context in which an existing one can exist.

The same structure, proportions and design principles move between interior and exterior settings, creating continuity across spaces that are increasingly conceived as connected rather than separate.

For YLA, the Outdoor Edition represents an extension of Audace rather than a departure from it: the same collection, reconsidered around the material and environmental demands of life outside.

Home Integrator

ALMAL REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT AND SUMOSAN RESTAURANT GROUP MARK STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH OFFICIAL SIGNING CEREMONY AT THE UNEXPECTED AL MARJAN ISLAND HOTEL & RESIDENCES

Published

3 days ago

November 6, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

ALMAL Real Estate Development and Sumosan Restaurant Group celebrated their partnership with an official signing ceremony at The Unexpected Al Marjan Island Hotel & Residences, marking a significant milestone in the development’s premium dining and hospitality offering.

Held on 3 November 2026 at the project site on Al Marjan Island, the ceremony was attended by senior leadership from both organisations. The official signing was led by Dmitriy Starovoitov, Founder of ALMAL Real Estate Development, and Janina Wolkow, Founder of Sumosan Restaurant Group, in the presence of Sylvain Eid, Partner at ALMAL; Vladimir Vysotski, CEO of ALMAL Real Estate Development; Hugo Goncalves, COO of Sumosan Restaurant Group; and Manuel Garcia, General Manager of The Unexpected Al Marjan Island Hotel & Residences.

Following the ceremonial signing, the delegation toured the development, including the restaurant areas and mock-up room, reviewing construction progress and the future hospitality experience.

Internationally recognised for its contemporary Japanese cuisine, Sumosan brings more than two decades of culinary expertise and a presence across leading destinations in Europe and the Middle East. Its signature approach combines traditional Japanese techniques with contemporary creativity and refined hospitality.

Dmitriy Starovoitov, Founder of ALMAL Real Estate Development, commented:

“Our vision for The Unexpected Al Marjan Island extends beyond traditional luxury hospitality. Bringing Sumosan to Al Marjan Island is another important step in creating a destination that combines world-class dining, entertainment and exceptional guest experiences.”

Janina Wolkow, Founder of Sumosan Restaurant Group, added:

“We are delighted to bring Sumosan to The Unexpected Al Marjan Island. This collaboration represents an exciting opportunity to introduce our distinctive Japanese dining experience to a new audience in one of the UAE’s emerging hospitality destinations.”

Sylvain Eid, Partner at ALMAL, commented:

“Sumosan is a natural fit for The Unexpected’s entertainment-led concept and aligns with the ambition to create a destination where exceptional dining, lifestyle and entertainment come together, offering guests experiences that go beyond traditional hospitality.”

Developed by ALMAL Real Estate Development and operated by Palladium Hotel Group under The Unexpected Hotels & Residences brand, the five-star property comprises 319 hotel rooms and 103 residential apartments. The Ibiza-inspired destination will feature a combination of hospitality, dining, entertainment, beach club and rooftop experiences.

The ceremony follows the recent completion of the development’s superstructure, with façade, MEP installations and interior fit-out works now progressing across the property.