It's About Time!

The Vineyard Boy Who Conquered Three Continents:

The Story of Manuel Rodrigues

It started in dirt and sunlight.

At twelve years old, Manuel Rodrigues stood knee-deep in the chalky soils of Chablis, grapevine stems brushing his arms, soil dark beneath his fingernails. He was not meant for play that Saturday afternoon—he was beside his father in the vines, learning early lessons that no sommelier school could ever teach: patience, rhythm, the quiet language of terroir. Those weekends in the cold French countryside planted a seed that would take root across three continents and two decades of extraordinary journeys.

By sixteen, Manuel had already graduated from weekend laborer to professional apprentice. He stepped into the polished corridors of Hostellerie des Clos, a one Michelin-starred temple of gastronomy tucked away in Chablis. Then came the Loire Valley, where at Le Grand Hotel du Lion D'Or, another star gleamed above him—two of them, this time—and the stakes rose accordingly. Young, hungry, and relentlessly curious, Manuel learned that wine was not just poured; it was performed, choreographed alongside the chef's vision and the diner's expectations.

Then Dubai called.

In 2006, at twenty-something, Manuel boarded a plane toward the desert. The Burj Al Arab—the world's most luxurious hotel, a sail-shaped monument to excess—became his classroom again. Here, the clientele was global royalty, the glassware hand-blown crystal, the pressure immense. But Manuel thrived. Four years later, he found himself at the centre of another launch, helping to birth the wine program at Ossiano, the brainchild of legendary Spanish chef Santi Santamaría, at Atlantis the Palm. He wasn't just serving; he was building from scratch.

From the Arabian Gulf, his path shifted eastward to Singapore. At the St. Regis, he wore two hats: Beverages Director and Assistant F&B Manager. Suddenly, his domain expanded beyond the cellar—he was now orchestrating entire restaurant experiences, mentoring teams, and thinking strategically about margins, logistics, and brand. Then came a spell with the Gavroche Group, where he conceived and launched wine bar concepts, allowing his entrepreneurial instincts to finally breathe.

Japan was the next horizon.

As Hotel Beverage Director at Grand Hyatt Tokyo, Manuel stepped into a culture where hospitality is ritualised, where precision borders on artistry. He navigated this new landscape with grace, managing programs, curating lifestyle events, and bridging European wine wisdom with Japanese aesthetic sensibilities. Later, he answered the call of Paolo Bulgari's Sarment Group, spending four years opening and cultivating their Japan office—connecting luxury trade partners, private collectors, and the rarefied world of off-trade sales.

Today, Manuel stands at Rémy-Cointreau, steering the Japanese launch of TELMONT Champagne. In these post-pandemic days, his work is less about the floor, the cellar, the dinner service—and more about strategy, omnichannel networks, marketing, and vision. Yet the essence remains unchanged: he still chases perfection in every bottle, every glass, every moment shared at table.

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Manuel Rodrigues | Master Sommelier & Luxury Beverage Director in Japan

About Manuel Rodrigues

Manuel Rodrigues is a master sommelier and luxury beverage strategist based in Japan whose career spans over 20 years across three continents. From early vineyard roots in Chablis, France to directing beverage programs for some of the world's most prestigious hotels and spirits brands, Manuel has built a reputation as a visionary leader in fine wine, premium spirits, and luxury food and beverage management.

Early Career: Michelin-Starred Restaurants in France

Manuel's journey in wine and hospitality began at the age of 12, working alongside his father in the vineyards of Chablis. At 16, he entered the professional world at Hostellerie des Clos (1 Michelin star) in Chablis, before advancing to Le Grand Hotel du Lion D'Or (2 Michelin stars) in the Loire Valley—establishing a formidable foundation in French wine, fine dining, and sommelier excellence.

International Expansion: Luxury Hotels in Dubai & Singapore

In 2006, Manuel joined the Burj Al Arab, the world's most luxurious hotel, as sommelier in Dubai. He subsequently served as Assistant Head Sommelier at Ossiano, the acclaimed restaurant by three-Michelin-star chef Santi Santamaría at Atlantis the Palm, as part of the pre-opening team.

After four years in the Middle East, he relocated to Singapore to join St. Regis Hotel as Beverages Director and Assistant F&B Manager, followed by concept development work with the Gavroche Group, expanding his expertise in restaurant development, wine bar concepts, and luxury hospitality management.

Japan: Beverage Leadership & Brand Strategy

As Hotel Beverage Director at Grand Hyatt Tokyo, Manuel managed comprehensive beverage programs and lifestyle events for one of Tokyo's premier hotels. He then spent four years with Sarment Group—owned by Paolo Bulgari—establishing the Japan office and building networks across luxury trade, off-trade partnerships, and private clients.

Currently at Rémy-Cointreau, Manuel leads post-Covid strategy development in Japan, with a focus on launching TELMONT Champagne. His portfolio includes brand strategy, marketing, event curation, and omnichannel sales strategy for the Japanese luxury market.

Expertise & Core Values

• Fine Wine & Spirits Selection — Two decades across Michelin-starred restaurants and luxury hotels
• Beverage Program Development — From boutique wine bars to five-star hotel operations
• Luxury Brand Strategy — Market entry, positioning, and growth for premium spirits and champagne
• Event & Lifestyle Curation — Conceptualizing and executing high-end F&B experiences
• Cross-Cultural Leadership — Deep experience across European, Middle Eastern, Southeast Asian, and Japanese markets

Five guiding principles anchor Manuel's work: passion, client-centricity, exceptional guest experience, long-term vision, and sustained growth.

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Romain Danna is a French-born creative polymath who has spent over a decade building an impressively varied career across the entertainment landscapes of Tokyo and Seoul. A multilingual actor, model, pianist, and creative producer, he embodies a rare breed of foreign talent in East Asia — one whose trajectory transcends the conventional confines of "guest appearance" work to encompass substantive roles in cinema, television, and commercial production.

Born in France, Danna's path to the performing arts was anything but linear. Before setting foot on a film set or in front of a camera, he pursued studies in thermal-energy engineering — a background that lends an unexpected intellectual dimension to a career defined chiefly by visual and performative arts. The pivot came in 2015, when he launched himself as a freelance model based in Tokyo. From those early engagements — television commercials, magazine spreads, and live events — he rapidly expanded into television drama and cinema, leveraging a natural on-camera presence and a fluency in four languages: French, English, Japanese, and Korean.

What distinguishes Danna within Japan's competitive foreign-talent ecosystem is the sheer breadth of his portfolio. On television, he has appeared across nearly every major Japanese network. His work for NHK — Japan's public broadcaster — has been particularly extensive, ranging from dramatic roles in series like Dark Suit and Shoot Down to bilingual reporting on internationally broadcast programs such as Journeys in Japan, J-Trip Plan, and Doctor's Insight. He has also appeared on Fuji TV, TV Asahi, TBS, TV Tokyo, and NTV, moving fluidly between scripted drama, variety programming, and presenter roles. His ability to transition from a dramatic character — Forton in TV Asahi's Second Love, for instance — to the affable persona of a commercial spokesperson speaks to a versatility that casting directors have clearly found invaluable.

His cinematic work, while more selective, carries notable artistic weight. He appeared in Listen to the Universe (2019), a Japanese film revolving around an international piano competition — a fitting vehicle given Danna's own advanced piano training. More recently, he featured in Harbin (2024), a Korean-Japanese co-production centered on the historical figure of Korean independence activist An Jung-geun, and in A Pale View of Hills (2025), a Japan-UK-Poland co-production directed by Kei Ishikawa and adapted from Kazuo Ishiguro's acclaimed novel. The latter, which traces a young Japanese-British writer's investigation of her mother's post-war experiences in Nagasaki, places Danna within an ensemble in a film of genuine literary pedigree. Together, these three projects suggest a discerning eye for material with cultural and historical resonance.

Parallel to his on-screen work, Danna has cultivated a substantial career behind the scenes as a creative producer in the fashion and advertising industries. According to his professional profiles, he spent roughly eight years in this capacity in Tokyo before extending his operations to Seoul, where he has been active for approximately three years. This dual existence — performer and producer, Tokyo and Seoul — grants him a comprehensive understanding of the production pipeline that few in his position possess. His commercial portfolio, too, is considerable: campaigns for brands such as IWC, Sankyo, Kagome, and Kaercher Japan, among many others, testify to sustained demand for his particular blend of European refinement and East Asian cultural fluency.

His agency, EZMPlus, a Tokyo-based outfit specializing in foreign and mixed-race talent, describes him as a multitalented performer who transitions seamlessly from fashion to dramatic acting. Colleagues have repeatedly cited his approachable demeanor and collaborative spirit on set — qualities that, in an industry where reputation and reliability are paramount, have translated into a steady stream of recurring work over more than a decade. Beyond acting and modeling, Danna maintains an active interest in music — his YouTube channel project, LesFrangipans, and his advanced piano proficiency speak to a creative identity that extends well beyond the demands of casting calls. Boxing rounds out his listed special skills, contributing a physical dimension that complements his dramatic range.

Taken as a whole, Romain Danna's career reflects something larger than the sum of its individual credits. He represents a generation of foreign creatives in East Asia who have moved past token appearances to build genuinely multidimensional careers — spanning languages, cities, disciplines, and industries. His trajectory from engineering student to accomplished actor, model, producer, and musician, spanning eleven years in Tokyo and three in Seoul, is a testament to both personal ambition and the increasingly cosmopolitan character of Japanese and Korean media. Whether appearing in an Ishiguro adaptation or producing a commercial campaign, Danna brings to each endeavor a rare confluence of European sensibility, linguistic agility, and deep-rooted familiarity with the cultural rhythms of East Asia.

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Who Is Romain Danna?

Romain Danna is a French-born actor, model, pianist, and creative producer based in Tokyo, Japan, with professional ties to Seoul, South Korea. Fluent in four languages — French, English, Japanese, and Korean — Danna has spent over a decade building a multidimensional career across East Asian media, spanning television drama, cinema, commercial production, and fashion. He is best known for his roles in the films Harbin (2024), A Pale View of Hills (2025), and Listen to the Universe (2019), as well as an extensive body of television work across Japan's major broadcasters.

Standing 182 cm tall and represented by Tokyo-based agencies EZMPlus and Free Wave Agency, Danna occupies a distinctive niche in Japan's foreign-talent ecosystem. His career defies the conventional boundaries of "gaijin performer," encompassing dramatic roles, bilingual reporting, commercial campaigns, and creative production work behind the camera.

Early Life & Background

Romain Danna hails from France and holds French nationality. Before entering the entertainment industry, he pursued studies in thermal-energy engineering — an academic background that lends an unconventional intellectual dimension to a career ultimately defined by visual and performative arts. His transition into modeling and acting was catalyzed by a move to Tokyo, where he began freelance modeling in 2015. From those initial engagements — television commercials, magazine features, and live promotional events — he rapidly expanded into scripted television and cinema, leveraging his multilingual abilities and natural on-camera presence.

Danna's linguistic repertoire — French, English, Japanese, and Korean — has been instrumental in positioning him as a versatile asset for bilingual and multicultural productions across Japan and South Korea.

Modeling Career in Japan

Danna launched his freelance modeling career in Tokyo in 2015. His early work encompassed television commercials (TVCM), magazine editorials, runway events, and television appearances. He is represented by EZMPlus (イズムプラス), a Tokyo casting agency specializing in foreign and mixed-race talent for drama, film, commercials, radio, and events. He has also been associated with Free Wave Agency, another prominent Tokyo-based agency for foreign talent.

His commercial portfolio includes campaigns for major brands across luxury, lifestyle, and consumer goods sectors:

• Kaercher Japan (2026)
• Kagome Yasai Seikatsu 100 (2025)
• IWC ENGINEERED (2025)
• Sankyo Frontier TVCM (2023)
• TV Asahi — "Catch the Wave / Kodawari Navi" (2020–2021)
• SHOP LIST TVCM (2016)

His physical profile, per agency composite cards, lists measurements of B104/W92/H101 and shoe size 28.5 cm — attributes that have made him a sought-after figure in both fashion and commercial contexts.

Television Career in Japan

Danna's television work in Japan spans virtually every major network, encompassing dramatic roles, variety programming, and bilingual reporting. His ability to move fluidly between scripted performance and presenter duties has made him one of the most recognizable foreign faces on Japanese television.

NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation)

Danna's relationship with NHK — Japan's prestigious public broadcaster — has been particularly extensive:

• Dramatic roles: Dark Suit (as Baker), Shoot Down (as Robert Applegate), Danna-sama is FBI
• NHK WORLD (international broadcasts): Journeys in Japan, Trails to Tsukiji, BENTO EXPO (2019), J-Trip Plan — bilingual reporter (2019), At One with Nature: National Parks of Japan (2021), Doctor's Insight — reporter (2021), SONGS OF TOKYO (2022)
• NHK BS Premium: Premium Cafe (2022), Dark Side Mystery — drama recreation (2022), The Profiler (2022)

Other Networks

• TV Asahi: Ikemen Tsuhan Kishi (2018), Second Love (as Forton), Morning Sho

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Hello all and welcome to "It's About Time"

Today I have the great pleasure to sit down and talk with the amazing Maria Yandulova.

From the quiet industrial city of Lisakovsk in Kazakhstan, where she was born in 1986, Maria Yandulova traces an uncommon arc that carries her from Soviet-era classrooms to the glass towers of Dubai's waterfront. Her creative impulse, she recalls, manifested early — a child tracing contours on paper before she could properly spell — and crystallized during nine formative years at a Fine Art School where she excelled across classical techniques that would later inform both her canvases and her built work.

Architecture called next. In Chelyabinsk, Russia, she enrolled in the Faculty of Architecture at South Ural State University, graduating with distinction in 2009. Yet even as she mastered structural systems and spatial planning, she continued drawing nightly — portraits, landscapes, fragments of life rendered in charcoal and ink. That duality would become her signature: the architect who paints, the painter who designs with architectural rigour.

Her professional journey began at RMJM, the global design firm, where she cut her teeth on Middle Eastern development projects. But Dubai, then and now, demanded more. She joined Meraas, the Dubai Holding Group company responsible for reimagining the emirate's urban fabric, first as Creative Manager and Design Architect, then rising through increasing responsibility. At City Walk, she helped shape the Central Park development — a green lung amid retail and residential density. At Bulgari Ocean Villas, she contributed to what would become a benchmark for luxury waterfront living, reimagining how architecture might sit upon the coast rather than simply dominate it.

Today, as Senior Manager — Design at Dubai Holding, Maria oversees the architectural direction of some of the region's most prominent hospitality and landmark portfolios. She describes her mandate as stewarding "design vision" across teams of consultants and contractors — a complex choreography of aesthetics, logistics, and brand identity. Her work sits at the intersection of ambition and pragmatism: the bold gesture must meet climate reality, economic viability, and human experience.

That third consideration has grown urgent. At COP28 UAE, Maria took the stage to discuss climate-responsive real estate strategies, articulating how Dubai's property market is adapting to environmental challenges through smart building technologies and adaptive master-planning. She spoke not merely as a developer but as someone whose artistic practice has long trained her to see light, shadow, texture — the sensory qualities that make spaces livable.

And that artistic practice continues, vigorously. Working in oils with a palette knife, Maria builds thick, impasto layers of strong contrast and vivid colour — portraits caught mid-thought, cityscapes that pulse with the energy of Dubai's skyline, surrealist-inflected landscapes that blur interior and exterior worlds. Her paintings hang in private collections across Italy, Russia, Kazakhstan, Cyprus, and the UAE. She is represented by Monda Gallery in Dubai and maintains a presence at @yandmar.art, where she shares new work and commissioned pieces with growing frequency.

Two milestones in 2019 marked a turning point: Milan Design Week, Fuorisalone, where she mounted a solo show at GynGarby Experience, and earlier that year, the First Prize in Graphic Painting at "Ural Art Week" in Chelyabinsk, followed by the Russian Art Week photography competition in Moscow. These accolades, added to her earlier 1995 art exhibition win in Lisakovsk, chart a parallel trajectory to her architectural rise — not secondary to it, but intertwined.

What Maria brings to Dubai's design ecosystem is rare: the disciplined thinking of a trained architect married to the intuitive freedom of a working painter. In her hands, a hotel lobby becomes a composition of light and shadow worthy of the brush. On canvas, a skyscraper becomes more than steel and glass — it becomes atmosphere, memory, place. She has lived and worked across eight countries before settling with her family in the UAE, where both vocations now flourish in tandem.

The story continues unfolding. There are new commissions, new projects in the pipeline, new canvases waiting. What remains constant, however, is the core of her practice: an insistence that beauty and function are not opposing forces, but necessary collaborators in the making of meaningful environments. From Lisakovsk to Chelyabinsk to Dubai, from architectural drafting table to studio easel, Maria Yandulova works in both directions at once — building outward into the world, reaching inward into imagination.

So sit back and relax because "It's About Time" to get started!

If you want to know more about Maria you can follow hem on linkedin and Instagram:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/yandmar/

@yandmar.art

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Maria Yandulova — SEO-Optimized Professional Bio

Maria Yandulova | Architect, Senior Design Manager & Fine Artist in Dubai, UAE

Maria Yandulova is an Italo-Russian architect, fine artist, and Senior Design Manager at Dubai Holding, based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. With over 16 years of international architecture and design experience across eight countries, Maria brings a rare dual perspective to the built environment — combining the technical discipline of a trained architect with the expressive sensibility of a working painter.

About Maria Yandulova

Born in Lisakovsk, Kazakhstan, in 1986, Maria Yandulova developed her artistic foundation over nine years at a Fine Art School before graduating with distinction in Architecture from South Ural State University (SUSU) in Chelyabinsk, Russia, in 2009. She supplemented her architectural education with studies at Czech Technical University in Prague and executive education at Cornell University in 2023.

Maria's career spans senior design and architecture roles at leading firms including RMJM, Meraas, and Dubai Holding — three of the most influential names in Middle Eastern real estate development and master-planning. Her portfolio encompasses luxury waterfront residences, mixed-use urban developments, and large-scale hospitality projects across Dubai.

Architecture & Design Career in Dubai

As Senior Manager — Design at Dubai Holding, Maria oversees the architectural direction of the group's hospitality and landmark portfolio. Her responsibilities span the full design lifecycle — from concept development through consultant coordination to delivery — ensuring that each project meets the highest standards of design excellence, sustainability, and brand alignment.

During her tenure at Meraas, Maria contributed to some of Dubai's most recognizable developments, including:

• Jumeirah Residences Asora Bay — A luxury waterfront residential development setting new benchmarks for coastal architecture in Dubai
• Central Park, City Walk — A mixed-use residential development integrating green infrastructure into a dense urban context

Earlier in her career, as an architect at RMJM, Maria gained foundational experience in large-scale Middle Eastern architecture and design, developing expertise in project delivery within the Gulf market.

Climate-Responsive Design & COP28 Presentation

Maria is an advocate for sustainable, climate-responsive architecture in the UAE. At COP28 UAE, she presented on climate-responsive real estate strategies, addressing how Dubai's property sector is adopting smart building technologies, environmentally adaptive master-planning, and sustainable construction practices to meet regional environmental challenges.

Fine Art Practice & Exhibitions

Beyond her architectural work, Maria maintains an active fine art practice as a painter specializing in oil portraits, surrealist landscapes, and cityscapes. Working primarily with palette knife techniques, she creates layered compositions featuring strong contrasts and vivid colours inspired by Dubai's skyline and Middle Eastern aesthetics.

Her artworks are held in private collections across Italy, Russia, Kazakhstan, Cyprus, and the UAE. Maria is represented by Monda Gallery in Dubai and shares her creative work through her Instagram platform (@yandmar.art).

Selected Awards & Exhibitions:

YearAward/ExhibitionLocation2019 | Solo Exhibition — Milan Design Week, Fuorisalone | Milan, Italy
2009 | 1st Prize — International Architecture Graduation Projects Competition | Saratov, Russia
2009 | 1st Prize — Graphic Painting, Ural Art Week | Chelyabinsk, Russia
2009 | 1st Prize — Photography, Russian Art Week | Moscow, Russia
1995 | 1st Prize — Art Exhibition | Lisakovsk, Kazakhstan

Why Work With Maria Yandulova

Maria Yandulova combines professional architectural credentials with artistic versatility — making her uniquely qualified for projects requiring both technical precision and creative vision. Whether consulting on luxury residential developments, hospitality architecture, or climate-adaptive design strategies, she delivers solutions that balance function, sustainability, and aesthetic excellence.

Her interdisciplinary background enables seamless collaboration across design, construction, and creative teams — a valuable asset for complex developments in the UAE and wider MENA region.

Keywords: Maria Yandulova arc

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Today I want to introduce to this amazing gentleman: Ilkham Shakirov!

Some guests arrive at your door through thirty years of quiet persistence. Others crash through it — like the wall of 56-degree heat that greeted Ilham at Dubai Airport's Terminal 3 in July 2016, after a rerouted journey that began with a flight cancellation on the very morning tanks rolled into Istanbul.

Ilham's story starts earlier, though — in Tashkent, 1984, the year of his birth and the era of perestroika, when the Soviet Union was beginning to open itself to the world. His childhood held the textures of a vanished country: summers spent hauling watermelons off trucks at the neighborhood fruit market for pocket change, the vague sorrow of a boy who missed becoming a Young Pioneer because the whole system dissolved around him before he turned seven. It was a childhood without drama, he insists — parents who kept their jobs, a land so generous that, as Uzbeks say, if you plant a stick, it becomes a tree.

By 2002, while still a university student, he had built one of Tashkent's first popular web chat platforms — over 2,000 active users strong, an empire measured in servers and dial-up connections. When two businessmen approached him asking, half-joking, half-serious, if he could build an adult website, he took the money and never looked back. He never finished his degree either. Instead, he walked straight into the machinery of a nation modernizing itself: Uzinfocom, the government IT company at the frontline of Uzbekistan's digital awakening. There, Ilham helped repatriate the country's top-level domain (.uz) from private hands in Germany back to national control — a piece of technical diplomacy that coincided with registered domains leaping from 8,000 to over 100,000. Later, as technical project manager, he tore open more than 120 junctions of one of Central Asia's oldest cities to install the traffic cameras and management systems that would define Tashkent's streets for a generation.

Then Abu Dhabi called. A semi-governmental company headhunted him to design data centers and geo-fencing intelligence for oil fields — radar systems, perimeter security, the invisible architecture protecting some of the most valuable real estate on earth. Four years of that, and a move to Dubai in 2018 for love — for Katya, the artist who would marry him a year later on a boat, at a party witnesses still speak of.

What followed could have ended the story. July 2020: pandemic lockdown, a job gone, a bank loan outstanding, a baby on the way. Fifteen hundred CVs sent into the void. And then Katya — who, as Ilham tells it, saw in him a man he could not yet see in himself — refused to let him fall. So instead of seeking a boss, he became one. IT handyman first: fixing cameras, sorting Wi-Fi. Then smart homes: lighting, climate, security sensors, glass-break detectors, even electronic anti-drone systems. And finally, inspired by a stranger on YouTube, the craft that fused his technical mastery with his artistic soul — home cinema design and sound engineering, culminating recently in a Dolby Atmos installation aboard a private yacht. That project sits under an NDA. Naturally.

Today Ilham runs his own company, fielding inquiries from Sharjah to Saudi Arabia, dreaming of twenty-five-seat cinema rooms and full building-management systems for hotels. He is, in equal measure, a serious cook of Uzbek classics — the plov, the borscht, the kazy his friends still request — a photographer taught composition by a painter's eye, and a man whose philosophy fits in a single breath: enjoying the life, enjoying the technology, sharing the knowledge.

Come and join me as we unravel his amazing story!

It's About Time!

If you want to talk to Ilkham you can reach him on his socials:

Instagram: @ilkham.sh

Home Integrated Improvement Solutions (https://hiis.site)

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Welcome once again to "It's About Time"

Today I have the great pleasure of introducing you to my dear friend Fabio.

Fabio Grilli is a Real Estate Development & Design Advisor whose career spans large-scale real estate development, masterplanning and architectural design across the Middle East and Europe. Combining a strong design background with extensive experience on the developer side, his work focuses on shaping the vision, development strategy and design direction of complex urban and architectural projects.

Born and raised in Italy, Grilli developed an early sensitivity to architecture, landscape and the quality of urban space—an influence that has remained central throughout his career. His professional path has taken him across Italy, The Netherlands and the Middle East, working with international architecture practices, consultants and leading real estate developers before establishing himself in Dubai.

Over the past decade, he held senior leadership roles at EMAAR Properties, one of the world’s leading real estate developers, where he was responsible for the design and development of major residential, mixed-use and masterplanned projects. His work contributed to some of Dubai’s most prominent destinations, including Dubai Creek Harbour, Dubai Hills Estate, Emaar Beachfront and Port Rashid.

At EMAAR, Grilli operated at the intersection of real estate development, design and execution, overseeing projects from their earliest strategic and conceptual stages through design development and delivery. His role involved defining development visions, guiding international consultant teams and ensuring that architectural ambition remained aligned with commercial, functional and long-term urban objectives.

Among the projects that have most shaped his professional experience, Dubai Creek Harbour holds particular significance. Conceived as a major new urban district for Dubai, the development brings together residential neighbourhoods, hospitality, commercial uses, parks, waterfront spaces and cultural destinations at metropolitan scale. Grilli has been closely involved in its evolution over many years, gaining the unusual perspective of seeing masterplanning and architectural decisions move rapidly from concept to construction and, ultimately, into the everyday life of the city.

Today, as Founder of DOMOS, Grilli advises real estate developers, investors and project stakeholders across the Middle East and Europe. Working alongside a network of senior specialists and international design practices, DOMOS provides strategic advice on the vision, development strategy, positioning and design direction of large-scale developments, masterplans and architectural projects.

His approach places design within the wider framework of real estate development. Rather than treating architecture as an isolated discipline, Grilli focuses on the relationship between urban vision, market positioning, product definition, commercial objectives, user experience and long-term value creation. This perspective allows him to bridge the often separate worlds of development strategy and architectural design.

Alongside his professional practice, Grilli is actively involved in academia and the international debate around cities and real estate development. He has lectured and contributed to academic programmes, conferences and professional forums on topics including real estate development, urban transformation, masterplanning, architecture and the future of cities.

His academic engagements include Harvard University, Sciences Po Paris and LUISS Business School. He also holds an academic position at IUAV University of Venice, where he lectures within the Advanced Master “Fare Masterplan”, contributing his experience in large-scale development and contemporary city-making.
Through IUAV, Grilli also serves as Special Advisor to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on initiatives related to the reconstruction of territories affected by crisis, with a focus on post-crisis urban regeneration, infrastructure planning and resilient development.

His ideas and professional experience have been featured in publications, books, podcasts and international industry platforms, addressing subjects ranging from masterplanning and mixed-use development to architectural quality, urban culture and the relationship between beauty and commercial development.
Central to Grilli’s philosophy is the belief that successful real estate development must reconcile economic viability, functional performance and architectural quality. His Italian cultural background continues to inform his conviction that beauty, proportion, landscape and public space are not secondary considerations, but fundamental components of places capable of generating lasting social and economic value.

Now dividing his time between Italy and Dubai, he continues to work across the UAE, the wider MENA region and Europe.

If you want to know more about Fabio you can follow him on linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/grillifabio/

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Meta Description

Fabio Grilli is Head of Design & Development at Emaar Properties in Dubai, UAE. Overseeing landmark projects like Dubai Creek Harbour, Emaar Beachfront & more. 25+ years experience.

About Fabio Grilli — Leading UAE Architect & Design Director

Fabio Grilli is a renowned senior architect and design executive based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. With over 25 years of luxury architecture and landmark concept design experience, he currently serves as Head of Design & Development at Emaar Properties, one of the world's most prestigious real estate developers.

Current Role: Head of Design & Development at Emaar Properties

As Design Director at Emaar Properties Dubai, Fabio Grilli manages the complete design process from initial concept through consultant supervision to detailed project execution. His responsibilities encompass the development of large-scale masterplans across the UAE, MENA region, and Europe.

Key projects under his leadership include:

ProjectLocationScaleDubai Creek Harbour | Dubai, UAE | 7.3 million sqm
Emaar Beachfront | Dubai, UAE | Mixed-use waterfront
Dubai Hills Estate | Dubai, UAE | Residential & commercial

Professional Background & Education

Architectural Education

• Master's Degree in Architecture and Urban Planning — University of Ferrara, Italy
• Professional training across international firms in The Netherlands, Italy, and UAE

Years of Experience

• 25+ years in architectural design and real estate development
• Extensive expertise across Middle East and European markets

Key Projects & Achievements

Dubai Creek Harbour — Signature Masterplan

Fabio Grilli identifies Dubai Creek Harbour as his proudest achievement — a transformative district featuring:

• 700,000 sqm dedicated to parks and public spaces
• 60,000 sqm for cultural activities
• 900,000 sqm for commercial uses
• 5,800 residential units
• 24 hotels and mixed-use amenities

This development represents a new urban centre reshaping Dubai's skyline and waterfront landscape.

Thought Leadership & Speaking Engagements

Grilli is a sought-after speaker at industry conferences and universities, addressing topics including:

• Sustainable design principles
• Mixed-use development strategies
• Vertical city concepts
• Large-scale masterplanning impact

Publications & Media Appearances

PublicationDateFocusSecrets of The Construction Industry | April 2024 | Industry insights
Constructing You Podcast | February 2023 | Design leadership
Dubai Italia Experiences | November 2022 | Cultural architecture
Compasses Magazine | July 2022 | Urban regeneration

Awards & Recognition

• Arabian Business Achievement Honoree (2Y)
• Recognized among industry titans for design innovation and project leadership excellence

Fabio Grilli's Design Philosophy

"The real added value is having been raised surrounded by the beauty of our urban, landscape and cultural spaces."

Grilli attributes his design sensibility to his Italian heritage, emphasizing that culture and architecture in Dubai are deeply interconnected. His approach prioritizes:

1. Creating beauty and harmony in contemporary developments
2. Ensuring functional excellence alongside aesthetic ambition
3. Delivering long-term impact through thoughtful masterplanning

Contact & Professional Presence

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
LinkedIn: Fabio Grilli (500+ connections, 5,500+ followers)
Affiliation: Emaar Properties

Related Search Terms

architect Dubai, Emaar Properties design director, Dubai Creek Harbour architect, luxury architecture UAE, masterplanning Dubai, Italian architect UAE, senior architect Middle East, real estate development Dubai, sustainable design expe

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@itsabouttimeiat

Welcome to "It's About Time"!

Join me today as I introduce you to Maestro Michele Gelemini!

Michele Gelmini is an Italian composer, entrepreneur, and chief executive based in Dubai.

He honed his craft studying Harmony and Counterpoint at the Conservatorio Luca Marenzio in Darfo Boario Terme, Italy, and went on to build an international career composing for broadcast media and film soundtracks across Europe, the United States, the Middle East, and Asia.

His accolades include the award for Best Original Score at the Feel the Reel International Film Festival (2018) for The Windsor Paradox. His portfolio spans the theme for MTV's MTV Up, the FashionTV track "Trillionaire"—which climbed to the Top 20 on the iTunes Italian Dance chart— years of compositions for the Mediaset music library, and, most recently, an original score for Abu Dhabi's Al Sadeem Observatory documentary Cosmic Odyssey, in which orchestral and electronic textures are woven together against vivid astronomical imagery.

In 2014, Gelmini founded MM Entertainment (Musica Maestro), a Dubai-based music consultancy providing piano and composition instruction, live entertainment for private and corporate events, and bespoke composition services. To date, the firm has delivered upwards of 70,000 sessions to some 1,800 clients throughout the United Arab Emirates.

Needless to say Michele has achieved a great deal since he venture forth from Italy so come join us because "It's About Time" to get started!

If you want to know more about Michele you can follow him on linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/musicamaestro/

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Michele Gelmini — Composer, Entrepreneur & CEO in Dubai

Michele Gelmini is an acclaimed Italian composer, entrepreneur, and CEO based in Dubai, specialising in original music for film, broadcast media, and corporate events. With a career spanning Europe, the United States, the Middle East, and Asia, he is the founder of MM Entertainment (Musica Maestro), one of the UAE's leading music consultancies.

Musical Education & Background

Gelmini studied Harmony and Counterpoint at the Conservatorio Luca Marenzio in Darfo Boario Terme, Italy. His formal training laid the groundwork for a versatile composing career encompassing orchestral scoring, electronic music production, and commercial sound design for television, film, and branded media.

Film Scoring & Award-Winning Work

Gelmini received the Best Original Score award at the Feel the Reel International Film Festival in 2018 for The Windsor Paradox. More recently, he composed the original score for Abu Dhabi's Al Sadeem Observatory documentary Cosmic Odyssey, a project that blends orchestral and electronic music with immersive space imagery.

Television & Broadcast Compositions

His extensive portfolio includes the theme for MTV's MTV Up, the track "Trillionaire" for FashionTV — which reached the Top 20 on the iTunes Italian Dance chart — and years of original compositions for the Mediaset music library, one of Italy's largest broadcasting networks.

MM Entertainment — Dubai Music Consultancy

Founded in 2014, MM Entertainment (Musica Maestro) is a Dubai-based music consultancy offering:

• Piano and composition tuition
• Live entertainment for private and corporate events
• Bespoke composition services for media and brands

To date, the firm has delivered over 70,000 sessions to 1,800 clients across the UAE, establishing itself as a trusted name in the region's music and entertainment industry.

Got Questions? Want to know more? Get in Touch!

Follow the podcast on Instagram: 

@itsabouttimeiat

Welcome to "It's About Time"!

Join me today as I introduce you to Cynthia Khabsa.

Cynthia Khabsa, a 33-year-old Lebanese multidisciplinary artist whose creative journey began before she could even read. Painting since childhood, Cynthia was profoundly inspired by her mother, Mona Khabsa—a distinguished visual artist who holds a Master's degree in Visual Arts from ALBA University in Lebanon. Growing up surrounded by brushes, canvases, and her mother's artistic spirit, Cynthia developed an early and unwavering passion for the arts that has only deepened with time.

Her academic path reflects this lifelong dedication. Cynthia holds a Master's degree in Interior Architecture from USEK in Lebanon, a qualification that sharpened her eye for space, composition, and the dialogue between art and environment. With over 20 years of teaching experience, she currently shares her wealth of knowledge as an art teacher at the Antonine Sisters school, shaping young minds and nurturing the next generation of creative thinkers.

Cynthia's visual artwork—where she describes her process as translating rhythm into color and color into emotion—has been showcased in both solo and collective exhibitions across Lebanon and Dubai. Her exhibitions have drawn media attention from outlets such as OTV and Dubai TV, cementing her reputation as a distinctive voice in the regional art scene.

But painting is only part of Cynthia's story. She is also a classically trained violinist whose bow brings melodies to life with breathtaking skill and emotional depth. Her operatic voice is equally compelling—she has studied opera repertoire, including Handel's "Non lo dirò col labbro," under the guidance of Marie-Therese Hobeika at the Lebanese Conservatory. As an entertainer, Cynthia brings all of these disciplines together, moving fluidly between the concert stage, the gallery wall, and the classroom with an ease that speaks to her extraordinary versatility.

Splitting her time between Dubai and Lebanon, Cynthia maintains an active online presence where thousands follow her creative journey across social media, sharing in her violin performances, vocal showcases, painting sessions, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of her artistic life.

Cynthia represents something truly rare: a seamless convergence of disciplines where violin, opera, painting, architecture, and teaching don't merely coexist but enrich one another—each feeding into a singular, deeply personal creative vision.

So sit back and relax because "It's About Time" to get started!

If you want to know more about Cynthia you can follow her on:

@cynthiakhabsa.artist

Got Questions? Want to know more? Get in Touch!

Follow the podcast on Instagram: 

@itsabouttimeiat

Welcome to "It's About Time"!

Today we will do something different: I want to have a chat on the ideologies of luxury and the many faces it may have. 

The english language defines luxury as:

luxury /lŭg′zhə-rē, lŭk′shə-/

noun

1. Sumptuous or extremely comfortable living or surroundings.
   "lives in luxury."
2. Something that is desirable but expensive or hard to obtain or do.
   "did not have the luxury of working in an up-to-date laboratory."
3. A free indulgence in costly food, dress, furniture, or anything expensive which gratifies the appetites or tastes.
4. Anything which pleases the senses, is not necessary for life, and is also costly, or difficult to obtain; an expensive rarity; Contrasted to necessity.
   "silks, jewels, and rare fruits are luxuries; in some countries ice is a great luxury."

"From the Merriam Webster Dictionary"

I like the definition, I find it quite extensive... yet I feel it lacks more depth. As we explored this topic while recording this episode, I have come to the realization that Luxury, a concept commonly understood, tends to be quite boundless into what it can include into each single individual's understanding.

To emphasize on this, I decided to query Gemini AI and asked it what luxury was and the answer was quite interesting:

Luxury is defined as a condition of abundance or great ease and comfort. It often involves indulgence in items or experiences that provide pleasure or satisfaction, though they are not essential for survival.

Historical Context

• Origins: The term "luxury" comes from the Latin word luxuria, meaning excess or extravagance. Historically, luxury was associated with the wealthy and powerful, characterized by tangible goods like precious metals, gemstones, and fine fabrics.
• Traditional Luxury: Before the Industrial Revolution, luxury was primarily a status symbol, linked to handcrafted and rare items that distinguished the elite from the general populace.

Evolution of Luxury

• Industrial Revolution Impact: The advent of mass production made luxury goods more accessible, prompting brands to adapt their strategies to attract a broader audience while maintaining an air of exclusivity.
• Modern Interpretations: Today, luxury encompasses not just material possessions but also experiences. There is a growing emphasis on experiential luxury, where unique and memorable experiences are valued over physical items.

Current Trends

• Sustainability and Ethics: Modern luxury increasingly focuses on sustainability, ethical sourcing, and personalization. Consumers are looking for brands that reflect their values and offer unique, high-quality products.
• Experiential Luxury: This includes personalized services, bespoke travel, and wellness experiences, highlighting a shift in consumer priorities towards memorable moments rather than mere ownership of goods.

Luxury continues to evolve, reflecting changes in societal values and consumer preferences.

Again, an interesting answer... but it lacks more depth. it did touch on some interesting concepts such as sustainability and ethics, but as mentioned previously it seems too general.

Not being satisfy by this, I wanted to have a deeper conversation on the topic with two people whom I believe work with luxury as part of their entrepreneurial carriers. 

Dr. Omar Fabbro, an expert in cosmetic dentistry, runs his own practices on Jumeriah Road, one of the most VIP areas in the Dubai, UAE. His perception of esthetics as well as his knowledge of the medical field, makes him a unique speaker with some incredible insights on the topic.

Ksenia Dolgova, a talented Jewelry and fashion designer, runs her practices all over the globe, working for a niche set of customers, creating bespoke pieces of both jewelry and accessories. She has travel the world and attends some of the most exclusive conventions for both Jewelry and Design, this has allowed her to nurture a deep understanding of what luxury means.

Thanks to them, we will try to understand and go deep into what the meaning of Luxury is in todays world as well as what does it mean and represent for each of us.

So sit back and relax because "It's About Time" to get started!

If you want to know more about Dr. Omar Fabbro and Ksenia Dolgova you can follow them on:

@doctorfabbro

@axiniafashion

Got Questions? Want to know more? Get in Touch!

Follow the podcast on Instagram: 

@itsabouttimeiat

Welcome to "It's About Time"!

Today we will do something different: I want to have a chat on the ideologies of luxury and the many faces it may have. 

The english language defines luxury as:

luxury /lŭg′zhə-rē, lŭk′shə-/

noun

1. Sumptuous or extremely comfortable living or surroundings.
   "lives in luxury."
2. Something that is desirable but expensive or hard to obtain or do.
   "did not have the luxury of working in an up-to-date laboratory."
3. A free indulgence in costly food, dress, furniture, or anything expensive which gratifies the appetites or tastes.
4. Anything which pleases the senses, is not necessary for life, and is also costly, or difficult to obtain; an expensive rarity; Contrasted to necessity.
   "silks, jewels, and rare fruits are luxuries; in some countries ice is a great luxury."

"From the Merriam Webster Dictionary"

I like the definition, I find it quite extensive... yet I feel it lacks more depth. As we explored this topic while recording this episode, I have come to the realization that Luxury, a concept commonly understood, tends to be quite boundless into what it can include into each single individual's understanding.

To emphasize on this, I decided to query Gemini AI and asked it what luxury was and the answer was quite interesting:

Luxury is defined as a condition of abundance or great ease and comfort. It often involves indulgence in items or experiences that provide pleasure or satisfaction, though they are not essential for survival.

Historical Context

• Origins: The term "luxury" comes from the Latin word luxuria, meaning excess or extravagance. Historically, luxury was associated with the wealthy and powerful, characterized by tangible goods like precious metals, gemstones, and fine fabrics.
• Traditional Luxury: Before the Industrial Revolution, luxury was primarily a status symbol, linked to handcrafted and rare items that distinguished the elite from the general populace.

Evolution of Luxury

• Industrial Revolution Impact: The advent of mass production made luxury goods more accessible, prompting brands to adapt their strategies to attract a broader audience while maintaining an air of exclusivity.
• Modern Interpretations: Today, luxury encompasses not just material possessions but also experiences. There is a growing emphasis on experiential luxury, where unique and memorable experiences are valued over physical items.

Current Trends

• Sustainability and Ethics: Modern luxury increasingly focuses on sustainability, ethical sourcing, and personalization. Consumers are looking for brands that reflect their values and offer unique, high-quality products.
• Experiential Luxury: This includes personalized services, bespoke travel, and wellness experiences, highlighting a shift in consumer priorities towards memorable moments rather than mere ownership of goods.

Luxury continues to evolve, reflecting changes in societal values and consumer preferences.

Again, an interesting answer... but it lacks more depth. it did touch on some interesting concepts such as sustainability and ethics, but as mentioned previously it seems too general.

Not being satisfy by this, I wanted to have a deeper conversation on the topic with two people whom I believe work with luxury as part of their entrepreneurial carriers. 

Dr. Omar Fabbro, an expert in cosmetic dentistry, runs his own practices on Jumeriah Road, one of the most VIP areas in the Dubai, UAE. His perception of esthetics as well as his knowledge of the medical field, makes him a unique speaker with some incredible insights on the topic.

Ksenia Dolgova, a talented Jewelry and fashion designer, runs her practices all over the globe, working for a niche set of customers, creating bespoke pieces of both jewelry and accessories. She has travel the world and attends some of the most exclusive conventions for both Jewelry and Design, this has allowed her to nurture a deep understanding of what luxury means.

Thanks to them, we will try to understand and go deep into what the meaning of Luxury is in todays world as well as what does it mean and represent for each of us.

So sit back and relax because "It's About Time" to get started!

If you want to know more about Dr. Omar Fabbro and Ksenia Dolgova you can follow them on:

@doctorfabbro

@axiniafashion

Got Questions? Want to know more? Get in Touch!

Got Questions? Want to know more? Get in Touch!

Follow the podcast on Instagram: 

@itsabouttimeiat

Welcome to "It's About Time"!

Join me today as I introduce you to Dr. Philip Koshy Panicker.

Dr. Panicker holds a PhD in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington.

From a young age, he was fascinated by flight, a passion that took him across the globe in pursuit of higher education. Thanks to this journey, he discovered not only his passion for what lies beyond the stars but also his deep love of teaching.

Dr. Panicker began teaching while in America, which eventually led him back to the UAE, where he taught at New York University Abu Dhabi. His research and expertise span supersonic engines, rockets, waste-to-energy systems, and the circular economy.

A man who was born in India, raised in the UAE, completed his higher education in the USA, lived in Brazil, and taught at one of the most prestigious universities in the UAE… Dr. Panicker truly has an amazing story!

So sit back and relax because "It's About Time" to get started!

If you want to get in touch with Dr. Philip Panicker you can follow him on:

linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipkpanicker/
e-mail: [email protected]

Got Questions? Want to know more? Get in Touch!

Follow the podcast on Instagram: 

@itsabouttimeiat