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W Hotels Worldwide Appoints Jenné Lombardo As New Global Fashion Director
Maldives Promotion House – W Hotels Worldwide has announced the appointment of Jenné Lombardo, entrepreneur and style maven, as its new Global Fashion Director. For more than 12 years, W Hotels has had a continuous commitment to fashion, and in 2010 appointed the first-ever Global Fashion Director for a hospitality brand – Amanda Ross. As the W brand continues to expand its international footprint and opens in fashion capitals around the world, Lombardo, a global trendsetter with a knack for identifying what’s new and next in fashion, will be instrumental in developing strategic initiatives and partnerships that showcase W’s innovative point of view on fashion.
“W Hotels has established itself as a brand that is constantly searching for ‘what’s new and next’ across music, design, and fashion,” Global Brand Leader of W Hotels Worldwide and Le Méridien, Eva Ziegler said. “Jenné Lombardo’s international outlook and connection to emerging talent makes her a perfect fit as both the W brand and the role of Fashion Director continues to grow.”
Jenné Lombardo’s intuitive approach to bringing like-minded brands together led her to the creation of M.A.C. & Milk, connecting the renowned beauty brand with a raw space to create a unique platform for emerging designers during New York Fashion Week. M.A.C. & Milk now serves as one of the premiere Fashion Week programs, providing space and other services to more than 40 designers per season.
Several high-profile designers have been showcased at these events, including Alexander Wang, Band of Outsiders, Lulu Frost, Matthew Ames, Proenza Schouler, Suno, and Vena Cava. Prior to working with M.A.C & Milk, Lombardo served as the Executive Director of Global Fashion, Talent, and Special Events at M.A.C., where she launched projects with celebrities and artists, including the Viva Glam campaign with Lady Gaga, on a global level.
“Throughout my career I have always looked at the unique ways in which artists, designers, and other innovators can work together,” Lombardo said. “With W Hotels, the possibilities are infinite. I am extremely excited and honored to be working with such a dynamic and global brand.”
In late 2010, Lombardo launched The Terminal Presents, a New York-based consultancy focusing on giving brands unparalleled access to unique talent across fashion, music, the arts, and pop culture. The company’s aim is to identify opportunities in the marketplace to allow brands to create, innovate, collaborate, and articulate an original customized vision. Past events have included after-parties for Alexander Wang and Gwen Stefani, a Gareth Pugh screening and dinner, and performances by Patti Smith, The National, Iggy Pop, Crystal Castles, MIA, and Santigold.
In anticipation of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City, Lombardo has begun to identify the next group of designers for this season’s W Hotels Fashion Next program, which is an industry-first initiative that fosters and supports emerging designers. In her new role, Lombardo will seek to firmly establish the Fashion Next program on a global level.
The selected Fashion Next designers will make their debut at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in September, where they will show their collections at the Box space in Lincoln Center. She is also collaborating with fashion trendsetters in London and Moscow to indentify new and next designers to showcase their latest collections during those cities’ Fashion Weeks. Lombardo and the designers will then travel to fashion-forward cities around the globe as W Hotels provides a platform for support and brings its point of view on fashion to an international audience.
In early 2010, W Hotels first introduced the role of Global Fashion Director to the hospitality industry with the appointment of Amanda Ross, international stylist and fashion authority. During her time as Global Fashion Director, Ross steered W Hotels from backstage to “center stage” at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York, as the W VIP Backstage Lounge evolved into a full fashion presentation, showcasing the W Hotels Global Glam collection, a seasonal line inspired by the unique personalities of W Hotels and Retreats. Ross also identified emerging designers to support through the W Hotels Fashion Next program and served as the W spokesperson at international fashion weeks in cities such as New York, Bangkok, and Mexico City.
Throughout its 12 years, W Hotels has been engaged with the world of fashion, from its Backstage VIP Lounge at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week to its various collaborations with fashion fixtures, including Simon Doonan, Michael Kors, and Diane von Furstenberg. W has also redefined traditional hotel retailing with the creation of W Hotels The Store, trendsetting boutique stores that sell designer apparel such as the aforementioned Global Glam collection as well as jewelry, accessories, home and design items in W Hotels around the world, online, and through the W Hotels iPhone application.
Beyond the brand initiatives, W Hotels around the globe have also been engaged in fashion over the past years, whether from the W Lounge at ELLE Fashion Week in Bangkok to the launch of the exclusive James Small-designed Insider belt for W London – Leicester Square, to Fashion Next designer trunk shows in Atlanta, Chicago and New York and the debut of Global Glam from Mexico City, Miami, Barcelona, and Los Angeles, among other destinations. The role of W Hotels in the fashion industry will only continue to grow as the brand expands worldwide, with a presence at fashion weeks across the globe, from New York to London, Paris, Milan, Moscow, and beyond.
Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort has announced the return of former England striker and Ballon d’Or winner Michael Owen for a third Kids’ Football Camp, scheduled from 14 to 17 October 2026.
The four-day programme will be open to children aged five to 13 of all skill levels, with sessions combining football coaching, skills drills and games alongside beach activities and island experiences. The camp will conclude with a Grand Finale on 17 October, when participating children will receive medals and certificates.
Participation in the camp will be complimentary for guests staying at Avani+ Fares Maldives during the event period.
The October programme will mark Owen’s third football camp at the Baa Atoll resort and his second visit to the property this year, following an Easter edition held in late March and early April. The resort first introduced the programme in October 2025.
The inaugural camp ran from 20 to 23 October 2025, followed by a Grand Finale on 24 October. Owen led coaching sessions on the resort’s football pitch, with the programme designed to give young guests opportunities to learn from the former England international while focusing on football skills, teamwork and participation. The first edition was complimentary for eligible children staying at the resort.
Following the response to the first camp, Avani+ Fares brought Owen back for its Easter programme in 2026. More than 30 children and teenagers participated in the second edition, taking part in daily sessions led by Owen and assistant coaches. Training covered areas including dribbling, passing, positioning and teamwork, with sessions adapted for different ages and ability levels.
The second camp also formed part of a wider programme for families, incorporating activities for children and teenagers beyond the football pitch. Participants concluded the programme with certificates and medals, while opportunities were also provided for meet-and-greet sessions, autograph signings and photographs with Owen.
Owen won the Ballon d’Or in 2001 and represented England during an international career that included appearances at three FIFA World Cups. At club level, he played for Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle United, Manchester United and Stoke City. His involvement in the Avani+ Fares programme has been centred on introducing younger players to football through training and activities within a resort holiday setting.
The third edition will retain the programme’s focus on children aged five to 13, combining coaching with recreational activities during the October school holiday period. According to the resort’s announcement, the camp will include expert coaching, drills for different skill levels, beach games and island adventures before the final session and awards ceremony on 17 October.
Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort is located on Fares Island in Baa Atoll, within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and close to Hanifaru Bay. The property offers 176 rooms, pavilions, beach and overwater villas and residences, together with seven dining and bar venues. Its family facilities include AvaniKids, a Teens Club and Petit Bistro, a restaurant dedicated to younger guests.
The resort also provides access to snorkelling and diving on its house reef, alongside water sports, tennis, fitness and spa facilities. Avani+ Fares was named Best Beach Resort at the Travel Trade Maldives Awards 2025, following its Best Dive Resort recognition in 2024.
The return of Owen for a third camp continues Avani+ Fares Maldives’ use of sports-led programmes as part of its family offering, bringing the former England striker back to Fares Island less than seven months after his previous camp.
Following the success of her 2025 freediving retreat at Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort, eleven-time freediving world-record holder and ocean conservationist Hanli Prinsloo will return to Baa Atoll this September with an expanded programme across two Minor Hotels resorts.
Hanli will begin with a Family Freediving Retreat at Avani+ Fares Maldives from 7 to 10 September before continuing to NH Collection Maldives Reethi for Into the Blue, a four-night retreat running from 14 to 18 September. Together, the two experiences offer different ways to explore the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, from a playful introduction for families to a more immersive programme for beginners and experienced freedivers aged 16 and above.
At Avani+ Fares, Hanli will introduce parents and children to freediving through breathwork, floating, snorkelling, gentle duck dives and underwater games. The focus is not on depth or competition, but on helping families build confidence in the water, understand their breathing and experience the ocean together at a comfortable pace.
The Family Freediving Retreat will open the resort’s annual Ocean Aware Month, a September programme dedicated to marine discovery and conservation. Activities will include coral conservation and planting workshops, underwater photography and videography sessions, beach clean-ups and PADI speciality courses.
On 17 September, Avani+ Fares will celebrate World Manta Day with marine-inspired art workshops for all ages and snorkelling excursions to Hanifaru Bay, known for its seasonal gatherings of manta rays.
“Baa Atoll keeps calling us back,” said Hanli Prinsloo. “Following last year’s retreat at Avani+ Fares, I am excited to return with a full family programme and to continue the journey at NH Collection Maldives Reethi. At Avani+ Fares, we will make freediving playful and approachable for parents and children. At Reethi, guests will have more time to develop their skills through breathwork, training and exploration. Both retreats are about building confidence in the ocean and understanding why this remarkable environment deserves our care.”
In addition, Hanli will host the four-night Into the Blue retreat at NH Collection Maldives Reethi. Open to guests aged 16 and above who are comfortable swimming, the programme combines yoga, meditation and guided breathing with house reef snorkelling, rope freediving and drift dives. Beginners and experienced freedivers can train together while progressing at their own pace.
The retreat will also include an excursion to Hanifaru Bay, approximately 15 minutes from the resort. At Reethi, guests can continue exploring from the island’s house reef, which supports marine life including angelfish, clownfish, reef sharks and sea turtles.
The three-night Family Freediving Retreat at Avani+ Fares Maldives starts from USD 3,160 per person, based on single occupancy. The package includes accommodation, full board, return seaplane transfers and all retreat sessions. Ocean Aware Month activities are complimentary for resort guests, subject to availability.
The four-night Into the Blue retreat at NH Collection Maldives Reethi starts from USD 4,333 net per adult, inclusive of accommodation on full board, return seaplane transfers and the full retreat programme.
For details and reservations, visit world.nh-hotels.com/en/nh-collection-maldives-reethi, email reservations.nree@nhcollection.com or call +960 660 2626.
JOALI Maldives has announced two exclusive tennis residencies with Grand Slam champions Elena Rybakina and Ana Ivanović, bringing world-class tennis to the island across November and the festive season.
Designed for both adults and younger players, the residencies offer guests the rare opportunity to step onto the court with two of the sport’s most accomplished athletes through intimate clinics and camps that combine technique, confidence, discipline and the joy of the game.
Set within JOALI Maldives’ philosophy of Creative Living, the programme brings a dynamic sporting dimension to island life, creating meaningful opportunities for guests to learn directly from champions while enjoying a highly personalised experience in the Maldives.
Game. Set. Inspire. with Elena Rybakina | 17–23 November 2026
Wimbledon Champion and Australian Open Champion 2026 Elena Rybakina invites guests to experience the game through the eyes of a Grand Slam champion.
Known for her powerful serve, precision and calm determination, Elena made history as Kazakhstan’s first Grand Slam singles champion when she claimed the Wimbledon title in 2022, before adding the 2026 Australian Open title to her achievements. She also reached a career-high ranking of World No. 2 in women’s singles.
Through two exclusive workshops for adults and younger players, guests will have the rare opportunity to train alongside one of the world’s leading athletes while discovering the discipline, focus and joy behind championship-level tennis.
Play Like a Champion with Ana Ivanović | 22–27 December 2026
Former World No. 1 Ana Ivanović brings her passion for tennis and Grand Slam-winning legacy to JOALI Maldives for an exclusive festive-season residency. Celebrated for her powerful forehand, competitive spirit and elegant style of play, Ana captured the 2008 French Open title before becoming World No. 1 in women’s singles and earning global acclaim as a modern tennis icon.
Guests will be invited to share the court with Ana across two exclusive workshops. The 60-minute Tennis Clinic for adults, ages 16 and above, focuses on the techniques, strategy and discipline that shaped her career. The 60-minute Tennis Camp for children ages 4 to 15 offers a lively introduction to tennis, helping young players develop skills, build confidence and find their rhythm on court.
From November through the festive season, the two residencies bring together championship-level sport and JOALI Maldives’ distinctive approach to meaningful guest experiences. With programming created for adults and families alike, guests can discover tennis in an intimate island setting while learning directly from two Grand Slam champions.
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