This episode 56 Lux & Friends.

Speaking of Lux, today's episode delves into the ultimate luxury—one that transcends wealth, age, culture, personality, and dreams: the luxury of lasting health, specifically coronary health.

We are honored to have Dr. Shady Habboush with us today.

Dr. Habboush is a German-certified interventional cardiology consultant and heart rhythm specialist.

Born and raised in Dubai, he returned to the UAE after 15 years of dedicated service in German hospitals.

Dr. Habboush is committed to advancing cardiovascular health in his home country and holds one of the first certifications in AI medical heart solutions from the Gulf Interventional Society in collaboration with the American Cardiac Society.

His work, published in international journals, reflects his ongoing efforts to improve patient care and outcomes.

With Dr. Habboush, I aim to understand how technology, science, medicine, and a bit of wisdom can help us live meaningful lives while taking care of our hearts—an organ that is not just the subject of beautiful metaphors but the physical engine that keeps us going.

Today, we have an extraordinary guest whose journey through the luxury and retail industry is nothing short of inspirational. Shireen El Khatib, a name synonymous with pioneering luxury retail in the Middle East, joins us. From managing the first Bulgari store in Dubai in 1993 to leading the charge at Al Tayer Insignia and Majid Al Futtaim Shopping Malls, Shireen has been a key architect in transforming Dubai into a global luxury destination.

With over 30 years of experience, she has not only modernized retail in the region but also shattered glass ceilings in a male-dominated industry. Her story is one of vision, resilience, and unparalleled leadership. In this episode, we delve into the evolution of luxury retail in the Middle East, the challenges of leading in a male-dominated culture, and her visionary approach to leadership. We’ll also explore her personal journey, values, and what the future holds for this trailblazer.

So, whether you're passionate about luxury retail, leadership, or simply love a great success story, stay tuned. You won't want to miss a moment of this insightful conversation with Shireen El Khatib..

In the new episode of Lux & Friends (#54), I had the pleasure of interviewing Andrea Fornari, General Manager GCC and Export of Essilor Luxottica, the undisputed leader of the global optical sector. I have always been fascinated by this industry, which encompasses lifestyle, health, and technology.

For someone like me, equally passionate about luxury and innovation, this was a great opportunity to learn more about the company that, due to its size, dominant market position in both frames and lenses, and innovative prowess in changing the sector, impacts the lives of billions of people worldwide.

With Andrea, we discussed:

• The size of the global optical market and its potential
• The increasing importance of the GCC market spearheaded by Dubai and Saudi Arabia
• The latest technological innovations to improve people's lives, new markets and frontiers
• The challenges of operating at high levels from Dubai
• How a giant company can lead the innovation game

.....and much more.

As always, I made an effort to get to know the person behind the professional facade, and in this case, I found a young, passionate leader with a thirst for knowledge.