Six tastemakers of culture and couture reveal where they’re traveling this summer, what they’re packing—and the odyssey they are game to take on.
MAHRA ALMUHAIRI
FASHION AND LIFESTYLE CONTENT CREATOR
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Where are you traveling to this summer? The Maldives.
What’s the one thing you love about exploring new places? The culture and the people. I love experiencing how different places feel, from the energy to the little everyday details.
This is The Odyssey Issue. What’s your dream odyssey? My dream odyssey would be a journey where I can explore multiple destinations that feel completely different from each other. Starting somewhere peaceful like island escapes, then moving into cities rich in culture, history, and hidden gems. I love the idea of slow travel, really living the moment, meeting people, and creating memories that stay with me forever. I absolutely love the Maldives for its calm and beauty, but I’ve always adored Paris! It’s my forever destination.
What will you be packing? Cat-eye sunglasses: Dhs3,150 Chanel; small Andiamo: Dhs18,600 Bottega Veneta Lost Cherry Eau de Parfum: Dhs1,490 Tom Ford
NADIA SULTAN
BEAUTY AND TRAVEL CONTENT CREATOR
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Where are you traveling to this summer? This summer I’ll be traveling to Morocco, Japan, Shanghai, and Kyrgyzstan.
What’s the one thing you love about exploring new places?
My love for travel comes from the little details that make every place feel unique. From the way people dress to the food, architecture, and everyday rituals they observe. I think traveling gives you a completely new perspective and inspires you creatively in ways nothing else can.
This is The Odyssey Issue. What’s your dream odyssey? My dream odyssey would be spending a few months in some of the world’s most beautiful destinations. Starting in Japan during cherry blossom season, making my way through Thailand, Bali, and Vietnam and then escaping to the coastlines of Italy and Greece. I’m drawn to places that feel cinematic and deeply rooted in culture.
What will you be packing? Occhi Print Silk Dress, Dhs6,800, PUCCI; Crystal Saffron, Dhs1,162, Matière Première; PowerShot G7 X Mark II Camera, Dhs3,599, Canon
NILOFER YAQOUBI
FASHION CREATIVE & STYLIST
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Where are you traveling to this summer? I will visit my family in the Netherlands and maybe visit the South of France or Italy.
What’s the one thing you love about exploring new places? I love hidden gems, the places you wouldn’t see on social media. Coming across local shops and boutiques, renting a scooter or car, and just exploring in my own way, discovering beautiful scenery along the way. That’s when you really feel a place and connect with the culture.
This is The Odyssey Issue. What’s your dream odyssey? I would love to visit Antarctica one day. It is not just a trip but a true once-in-a-lifetime experience. The fact that it’s so remote and exclusive makes it feel like visiting another world. For a more accessible trip, I’d also love to do a South America tour.
What will you be packing? Sarouel Trousers With Elastic Waist (DHS) 189 Zara Mirabel Straw Sunhat Dhs2,000 Eugenia Kim: The Flip-Flop Heel Sandals Dhs1,950 Toteme
SEHER KHAN
FASHION STYLIST AND CURATOR
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Where are you traveling to this summer? Bali, Portugal, and Greece.
What’s the one thing you love about exploring new places? The culture! I love experiencing the place like a local. I go to local food joints, shop local designers, and try to mix with local people as much as I can to get an understanding of the pulse of the city. I don’t care much about tourist spots. Lastly, of course, all the content I film serves as a visual archive that lasts me forever.
This is The Odyssey Issue.What’s your dream odyssey? My dream odyssey would be a few weeks exploring a few cities in South America. Shop from stunning local designers in Cartagena, Colombia; dance on the streets during the Carnival of Rio de Janeiro; experience the Brazilian Riviera at Ipanema; forget time exists and get the Brazilian tan at these beaches. I’d also want to live at the Janeiro hotel in Leblon—it’s very quiet luxury, chic with ocean views and a beachfront. I also love Copacabana Palace in Rio—it’s more classic and grand with a vintage Hollywood charm.
What will you be packing? Invisible Leather Wedge Thong Sandals: Dhs6,150 Alaïa; Croc Agenda: Dhs190 Faine; Chloe Sunglasses: Dhs1,193 Tom Ford
NISA TIWANA
ENTREPRENEUR AND FOUNDER OF NISA
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Where are you traveling to this summer? I’ll be traveling to Florence for a wedding, then St. Tropez for a birthday, and London/Paris with my family.
What’s the one thing you love about exploring new places? I love finding hidden spots—the small cafés, the best low-key food places, and the shops you wouldn’t come across on your own. Traveling like a local, with a local, just makes everything feel more real. It’s the energy of a place that sticks with me, not the checklist of sights.
This is The Odyssey Issue. What’s your dream odyssey? Think slow beach days with no rush—just switching off, enjoying the sun, and being present. I like a mix of relaxing and a little bit of partying—not too hectic, but not too quiet either. I’d want to meet new people along the way, try things I wouldn’t normally do at home, and just stay open to whatever comes.
What will you be packing? Printed Self-Tie Cotton Pareo Dhs1,075 PUCCI; Sandals Washed-Out Denim IMAGES: GETTY IMAGES AND SUPPLIED Blue Dhs6,780 Chanel
SHIREEN SHAHANA
FASHION DESIGNER & FOUNDER OF IZAKI
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Where are you traveling to this summer? This summer, I will be traveling to Japan, a journey I have always imagined as a blend of inspiration, culture, and quiet discovery.
What’s the one thing you love about exploring new places? One thing I truly love exploring in every place is its people and culture. I find beauty in understanding how differently people live, dress, celebrate, and express themselves, while still sharing the same human emotions.
This is The Odyssey Issue. What’s your dream odyssey? As a designer and creative person, my dream odyssey is one that would inspire me to collect memories, stories, colors, textures, and human connections from around the world and turn them into art and fashion that carry meaning beyond trends.
What will you be packing? Fluid Midi Shirt Dress Dhs510 COS; Rose Perfecto in Milky Nude Dhs196 Givenchy; Small Toujours Vertical Tote Bag Dhs13,500 Dior
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