From Miami to St Tropez and more, there’s no doubt that Dubai joins the ranks of the top best cities in the world. As a matter of fact, it came in fifth place on a recent report by Resonance Consultancy, so we guess there’s scientific evidence to support our theory. Assouline, the gorgeous coffee table book that’s become the staple of becoming an ‘it girl,’ even seems to agree – as they’ve just launched a book dedicated to the city some of us are lucky to call home – Dubai.
We sat with the masterminds behind Dubai Wonder, Alex Assouline and Myrna Ayad, and they shared all the exclusive details behind the making of the book.
We’re often told that we shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover, and yet Alex Assouline explains that “what you see on the exterior is just as visually inspiring and intricately made as what you find inside. From the carefully chosen materials implemented on our books’ covers, to the thoughtfully curated selection of images in their contents – our titles are the ultimate luxury objects made to be presented and valued for years to come.” The book has grown exponentially in popularity and has editions featuring several cities, but what’s most interesting of all is why certain cities are chosen to be featured. “We typically choose to cover cities for which we have an emotional connection towards, as it is natural for us to understand and appreciate them,” says Mr. Assouline.
While it’s safe to say that Dubai is one of the world’s top attractions, we were still interested to know why the city was chosen to have a book dedicated to it. “Dubai, being at the center of the world, is a key city for our series of travel books. It is an essential destination, and moreover, we are so happy to be launching Dubai Wonder during such a highly anticipated time surrounding the World Expo this year. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate this quintessential city, than with a title that perfectly presents its unique beauty and innovation.”
Myrna Ayad is a Dubai-based editor and art consultant that is known for her work with several publications. When asked about what distinguishes Dubai’s art scene in comparison to others, she explained, “Generally, in Beirut, one would see Lebanese art; in Cairo, one would see Egyptian art; in Tehran, one would see Iranian art and so on and so forth. In Dubai, one sees art from all over the world. True to its geographic location as a port of trade and link between East and West, the world passes through Dubai.
Ayad gave us an exclusive insight of what to expect in the highly-anticipated book; with inputs from some of our favourite stars like David Beckham and Huda Kattan. When asked about what Alex Assouline finds most beautiful about the city, he responded, “I’m drawn by Dubai’s mix of cultures, as well as how dynamic and modern the city is. It is a unique place that appreciates and promotes a great balance work/life balance – considering it offers everything one could wish for: culture, beaches, restaurants, art, fashion and so much more. It never ceases to impress us all through its endless innovations and attractions.”
The book is now available to purchase from numerous retailers as well as their website.
