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W Hotels Worldwide Takes Innovative Fashion Next Program Global

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Maldives Promotion HouseW Hotels Worldwide recently kicked off Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center with the announcement of the Spring 2012 season of Fashion Next designers. The six designers, who specialize in a range of concepts from tailored menswear to reversible dresses, were introduced by newly appointed W Hotels Global Fashion Director, Jenné Lombardo, during a breakfast event at W New York.

Lombardo handpicked each of the six designers to join the third season of Fashion Next, the W Hotels fashion initiative that fosters and supports emerging designers. With Lombardo at the helm, Fashion Next, will for the first time in the program’s history, bring emerging fashion talent to a global audience.

As part of the initiative, W Hotels will host these six designers’ official presentations in the Box venue at Lincoln Center, and this season, W will now also support additional local fashion talent at fashion week events in London, Moscow, and Bangkok.  Throughout the remainder of the year, all of the selected Fashion Next designers will have the opportunity to travel to W Hotels around the world and collaborate with the W brand on other W fashion and design projects worldwide.

“As W Hotels continues to expand globally, we have a great opportunity to provide a platform for supporting and showcasing what’s new and next in fashion,” Global Brand Leader for W Hotels Worldwide and Le Méridien, Eva Ziegler said.  “We are taking the W Hotels Fashion Next program global for the first time, which now allows us to share our point of view on fashion with W guests and locals around the world.”

This season’s Fashion Next designers represent a wide variety of styles and influences, from cutting-edge digital prints to feminine pieces made with hand-dyed silks.

Bibhu Mohapatra

Bibhu Mohapatra showed an interest in fashion at an early age. In 1996, he moved to New York City to attend Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). He graduated one year later, having received the prestigious “Critic’s Award for Best Evening Wear Design.”  He has now completed his seventh ready-to-wear collection under his namesake label, which features elegant designs inspired by the vibrant colors and fabrics found in his native country, India.

Nomia

Designer Yara Flinn is entering her third season with Nomia.  The 29 year-old New York-based designer’s downtown style features sleek and slinky dresses, jumpsuits, and blouses made with fabrics such as stretch silk.

Juan Carlos Obando

Juan Carlos Obando taught himself about design when he started deconstructing vintage finds. In 2008, he began showing his work to the public following a private show with Vogue Editor in Chief Anna Wintour.  His initial collection created such buzz that he garnered a CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund nomination.  Based in Los Angeles, Juan Carlos is now a member of the CFDA.

Michael Angel

Since the debut of his collection, New York designer Michael Angel has continued to generate acclaim in the fashion and art worlds alike, garnering industry-wide attention for his pioneering use of digital prints. The blending of textures and colors create uniqueness in his pieces that reflect an undeniable energy.

 

Electric Feathers

Electric Feathers designer Leana Zuniga’s concept is to capture timelessness and versatility in contemporary designs.  Her line features one-of-a-kind pieces that have more than meets the eye; most of her silk hand-dyed dresses and skirts are convertible or reversible.

 

Rochambeau

Rochambeau is comprised of three menswear designers – Michael Venker, Joshua Cooper, and Laurence Chandler.  The line incorporates the designers’ love of design and their shared vision for unique men’s fashion.

For the first time in the W brand’s history, the Fashion Next program will this season be brought to a global level, with designer showcases at fashion weeks from New York City to London, Moscow, and Bangkok.  In both London and Moscow, Global Fashion Director Jenné Lombardo has aligned herself with two internationally celebrated ‘Fashion Insiders’ to choose six up-and-coming designers, three from London and three from Moscow.

A film will also be shot by each Fashion Insider showcasing the W Hotels Fashion Next initiative along with the work of the three designers and interviews with Lombardo. The films will launch at the start of London’s Fashion Week in September and Moscow’s Fashion Week in October.

The Fashion Next initiative will then travel to ELLE Fashion Week in Bangkok, Thailand, one of the most prominent fashion events to take place in Asia today. Lombardo will work with ELLE Magazine Thailand to identify an emerging Thai designer to become part of W Hotels Fashion Next.

Times Square also celebrated the third annual Fashion’s Night Out with a photography exhibit titled, “Between Us, A Model’s Life,” an exclusive collection of photographs from Annemarieke van Drimmelen, the Dutch model turned fashion photographer.  Hosted by W Hotels Global Fashion Director Jenné Lombardo along with Ivan Shaw, Vogue Photography Director and curator of the exhibition, jewelry designer Zani Gugelmann and van Drimmelen, the event will also include a pop-up bazaar, featuring products for sale from designer George Esquivel and Fashion Next designer Juan Carlos Obando. French duo sensation Miaou Mix will perform their world-renowned live DJ set.

Moreover, in celebration of this season’s Fashion Next designers, W Hotels is presenting an exclusive set from British singer/songwriter Katy B, taking place the night before her celebrated album, “On A Mission,” makes its US debut.  The live performance will take place on Monday, September 12 in the Box venue at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center from 8pm to 10pm.

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Dusit Thani Maldives offers direct access to Baa Atoll’s living reef

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At Dusit Thani Maldives, the experience of the ocean begins directly at the doorstep. Situated within the UNESCO-protected Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve, the resort is surrounded by one of the most vibrant house reefs in the country, offering guests the opportunity to explore a thriving underwater world just steps from their villa.

What distinguishes the resort is its 360-degree house reef. Each villa, whether set above the lagoon or along the beach, opens directly onto the water. Guests can enter the ocean within moments of leaving their deck, where coral gardens, schools of tropical fish, and turtles can often be seen. The seamless access allows families, beginners, and experienced snorkellers to engage with the reef naturally, without the need to plan or schedule an excursion.

The location within the Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve makes every swim a part of a wider story of conservation and discovery. Recognised globally for its corals and tropical marine life, the reserve becomes a key gathering site for manta rays and whale sharks during the season. Around the reef, visitors can observe parrotfish, angelfish, eagle rays, and reef sharks, making it a living example of biodiversity and preservation.

Life at the resort is centred on this connection with the sea. Guests may begin their day with a morning swim, take part in a guided snorkelling safari with marine experts, and conclude by observing the coral gardens as they take on new colours in the evening light. The ocean becomes not simply a backdrop but an integral part of daily life.

The PADI-certified Dive and Watersports Centre further enhances this relationship with the ocean, offering night snorkels, freediving, drift dives, and marine education programmes designed for families. Guests are supported to safely explore the biodiversity of the atoll at their own level, whether through a gentle introduction or more advanced diving experiences.

Jean-Louis Ripoche, Area General Manager, Dusit Maldives, noted that snorkelling at the resort is not treated as an activity but as part of the rhythm of island life. He explained that the reef begins where the villa deck ends, allowing guests the freedom to explore the ocean at their own pace and making the location distinctive in its accessibility and natural beauty.

At Dusit Thani Maldives, the distinction between villa and ocean fades away. From sighting turtles at sunrise to drifting beside reef sharks at dusk, every moment reinforces the natural character of the Maldives and the unique setting of the resort.

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From reef to horizon: Immersive island experiences at Angsana Velavaru

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Angsana Velavaru invites travelers to immerse themselves in a rhythm shaped by tides, coral gardens, and island breezes. This oceanfront retreat is located in one of the Maldives’ most vibrant marine environments. It is known as “Turtle Island” and is a 40-minute seaplane ride from Male’. The resort curates experiences for those who are drawn to discovery, depth, and the beauty of nature’s untouched corners. Angsana Velavaru offers a getaway to extraordinary diving, barefoot island adventures, and sea-bound journey.

Into the Blue: Dive Sites and Snorkelling Discoveries

Angsana Velavaru is at the center of a marine wonderland with more than 30 dive sites just minutes away. The resort’s PADI 5-Star Gold Dive Centre leads guests to explore dramatic drop-offs, gentle coral slopes, and manta ray cleaning stations. The resort offers tailored expeditions and daily two-tank dives for both experienced and beginner divers.

For those who prefer to snorkel, the house reef offers an introduction to coral life. Guided safaris, led by marine experts, provide a deeper appreciation for reef ecosystems10. The calm waters surrounding the island make it easy for even first-time snorkelers to experience the ocean.

Ocean Adventures: Cruising, Fishing and Sunset Moments

Guests can step aboard traditional dhonis to experience the ocean from a new perspective. Unforgettable views are available whether you are on a dolphin cruise or a sunset sail. Traditional handline fishing trips, guided by a local crew, are also available for a hands-on experience. Other highlights include sandbank escapes and private boat charters, which are designed to slow down time and deepen one’s connection to the sea.

Land Experiences and Island Explorations

Angsana Velavaru offers morning nature walks and visits to local islands for a glimpse into Maldivian island life. At the resort’s Marine Lab, guests can take part in coral planting or learn about marine conservation from resident marine biologists. For families, the Ranger’s Club provides meaningful moments for young explorers with treasure hunts, marine workshops, and outdoor games. Solo travelers or couples can enjoy quiet moments under the stars, yoga by the beach, or walking around the island.

Angsana Velavaru offers immersion and the chance to become part of a living seascape. Every moment resonates with nature’s quiet power.

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Sierra Kerr joins surfing lineup for 2025 Four Seasons Maldives Champions Trophy

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Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa has announced Australian surfing prodigy Sierra Kerr as the third confirmed competitor for the 2025 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy. Running from September 4 to 11, 2025, the 13th edition of this one-of-a-kind event will see the 18-year-old natural footer become the youngest ever competitor in the tournament’s history, with her sights set on becoming the first female champion.

For Kerr, the invitation marks a full-circle moment. At just 12 years old, she watched her father, Josh Kerr, take home the trophy in both 2018 and 2019 from the channel at Sultans. “I’ve got so many great memories of the Maldives,” says Kerr, who grew up between Australia’s Gold Coast and California. “I had so much fun enjoying the waves and all the activities with my family. Seeing Dad win the Surfing Champions Trophy was amazing, and I remember saying that I hoped one day I’d surf well enough to be invited myself!”

Now a 2023 World Junior Champion and celebrated multi-sport athlete, Kerr is more than ready to tackle the event’s unique format, which challenges surfers across three board disciplines: single fin, twin fin and thruster. “I’m super excited by the format,” she shares. “I’ve competed on a twin-fin before, but never on a single fin. JS Industries make my thrusters but my Dad’s new brand, Draft, will be making my twin fin and single fins, and I can’t wait to ride the best of both worlds!”

Adaptability is one of Kerr’s strengths. In addition to her achievements in surfing and skateboarding, she maintains an impressive golf handicap of 8. Her sights, however, are firmly set on carving her name into the Surfing Champions Trophy record books. “Dad taking the event out was so inspiring,” she continues. “No female has ever won the Surfing Champions Trophy before, so it would be so awesome to be the first!”

While the surf is centre stage, the return to Kuda Huraa is just as meaningful for Kerr. “Four Seasons is the best of the best,” she adds. “It’s beautiful, has so many fun activities, and the staff are so kind and helpful. I’m pretty sure they know what you want long before you do!”

Kerr joins fellow Australians Craig Anderson and Jesse Mendes on the 2025 roster, with the final three surfers — including a Maldivian wildcard — to be revealed in the coming weeks.

The Surfing Champions Trophy will run from September 4 to 11, 2025, at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa. Guests staying during the week-long event will enjoy front-row access to the action, with the chance to spectate the daily heats from the resort’s luxury boats. Each day’s heat winners are announced back on the island during informal beachfront gatherings, where guests are warmly welcomed to mingle with the competitors both in and out of the water.

For those inspired to experience the waves firsthand, the resort’s Surf’s Up package offers an unforgettable way to surf like the pros. The experience includes round-trip speedboat transfers between Velana International Airport and the resort, welcome refreshments and gifts on arrival, and daily breakfast at Café Huraa. Guests enjoy four days of ability-based surf coaching, complete with guided boat transfers to nearby breaks, complimentary use of surfboards and stand-up paddleboards, and daily group yoga sessions to support body and balance. To help ease wave-weary muscles, the package also includes a 60-minute Islander or Surfer massage for two. Surf experiences are tailored to both beginners and seasoned surfers, from lagoon-based introductory sessions to advanced coaching clinics that chase the perfect ride.

To reserve a Surf’s Up stay, click here or contact the Central Reservations department at +960 66 00 888 or email reservations.mal@fourseasons.com.

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