​What a woman, what an energy she possesses, what a fantastic, beautiful human: Prof. Olga Mroz, famous artist, bestselling author, ambassador for global education and women empowerment and the list goes on.
I had the pleasure to meet Prof. Olga Mroz during the Who is Who International Academy & Awards, which celebrated its 5th annual Charity Gala as part of the Who is Who International Awards under the theme "Greece, the Whole World! Social Impact for a Better Society!" The award ceremony and gala dinner took place in Athens, Greece, on September 18th.
I was not surprised when I learned that Prof. Mroz acts also as an Ambassador for the Who is Who International Awards and handed over the awards to distinguished personalities such as his Excellency Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, former Minister of the UAE, and current Chairman of the Sharjah Consultative Council.


She told me that she devotes considerable attention to issues that concern her particularly education and women's empowerment. It strives her to bring art, culture, and knowledge to the younger generation because she believes that learning should never stop.
Education is fundamental to success and plays a critical role in every person's life.


This was the warm beginning of our conversation with Professor Olga Mroz, who has indeed an impressive vita. She is an Honorary Doctor of Arts. She is a speaker, author, art collector, and artist whose paintings are held in private collections worldwide. She developed the project “Art and Positive Emotions – Key Success,” aimed at improving teamwork in various companies. Additionally, she is the co-author of the international project—the book ’Tough Roads Create Tough People’—and the co-author of the #1 international bestseller ’Cracking the Rich Code,’ alongside some of the world’s top success strategists: Jim Britt, Kevin Harrington, and Tony Robbins.


Professor Mroz has received numerous awards for her significant contributions to the development of global art, the education of youth, the promotion of creative projects, and her active civic engagement. She has also been recognized for her outstanding vision, exceptional leadership, and analytical skills, and for her excellent collaboration with and support for the Global Family and the Royal Office in the United Arab Emirates.


Professor Mroz is also active in the business world and holds prestigious positions on board level at the Al Khalifa Business School in the UK, founded by Professor Sir Manuel Freire-Garabal y Núñez. At the board of Directors at British IKAR Holdings, and recently joined IKONIC Educational Holding as partner and member of the board.

You have recommended several individuals for the Who is Who International Awards. What does this award mean to you?
Professor Olga Mroz Sincere, heartfelt praise and honest gratitude inspire and motivate us,
encouraging pride in what we do every day. Whether it's a simple certificate or a
prestigious trophy, awards serve as tangible symbols of achievement and can have a
powerful impact on a person's motivation and recognition. I would like to take this
opportunity to once again express my respect and appreciation to the creators of the Who is Who International Award, Vicky Papageorgopoulou and Dimitris Goris (center image opposite page), for supporting and recognizing outstanding individuals who make a positive difference in improving our society.


While honoring outstanding individuals from around the world, Mario Diel was recognized and awarded the prestigious title of World Eminent Man in Sustainable Development, Education, and Positive Change in the World. You nominated him for this award. Could you tell us about his accomplishments?


Professor Mroz: Mario Diel deserves tremendous respect and recognition. I admire his relentless energy, visionary mindset, and positive attitude toward life. He is a true global leader. Mario is the founder and chairman of the British multinational conglomerate IKAR Holdings, where he invited me recently to join his Board of Directors as an independent member.



Mario Diel created IKAR as the world's first HUMICORN in business, which seriously excited me, as he believes that the human capital should be the biggest asset of each business organization.


Today his group has a portfolio of more than 40 companies, operating across diverse sectors and regions, and most importantly for me he has a strong focus on the education industry.


In our conversation, we keep returning to the topic of education. You spoke with particular excitement about IKONIC Educational Holding. What excites you
most about it?


Professor Mroz: I believe that learning should never stop. As Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful tool for changing the world.” I am fortunate to be surrounded by people and close friends from whom I constantly learn and expand my knowledge.


But at the same time, I want to share my knowledge and experience which I have accumulated for the last decades with the young generation. 
During my time in Athens, I had the pleasure of meeting with His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi (image below), Madam Mariam Alshamsi, and Mario Diel. As you might have guessed, the discussion was centered around education. I was fascinated about their visions of how to improve not only the quality of education but also how to establish a global ecosystem of education. I was very pleased when Mario invited me to join IKONIC Educational Holding, as an equity partner and member of the board. I believe he has set up the right structure for a globally operating education provider and I am honoured to contribute as much as I can for the betterment of education.


During your meeting in Athens, you presented Mr. Diel with a painting you created, titled ’Bitcoin’s World.’ What inspired you to pair your art to Bitcoin?


Professor Mroz: Modern technologies and artificial intelligence have drastically transformed our lives. The development of business in the world of Bitcoin is becoming increasingly relevant as we witness the digitalization of the economy 
and the growing popularity of cryptocurrencies.


And you know what happens when two visionary minds are meeting: the sky's the limit! So, I joined as well as Vice President for Eastern Europe, the newly established Global Crypto Investors Club (GCIC), another baby, created by Mario’s IKAR Holdings, and also joined the Bitcoin Hotels, another project of the group.


Naturally, I was delighted to present the painting to Mario Diel in honour of the Bitcoin Hotel, which will be one of the first hotels in the world which allows its customers to pay in cryptocurrency.


Given all your multiple activities, you should be very busy. How do you organise yourself, in order not to lose focus?


Professor Mroz: The most important is to have discipline and to focus on the important subjects. I will continue my own works in the field of arts, will focus on the empowerment of the humans in need and will spend a significant amount of my time in my new role as partner in the education industry.

The Dolder Grand, an icon in Zurich is celebrating its 125th anniversary as the hotel commits to extraordinary hospitality for extraordinary artists and guests since 150 years. The illustrious, five-star City Resort nestled in the hills above Zurich has reinvented itself many times over the years. Today, it sits at the pinnacle of the hospitality industry, bringing its rich heritage to life through a contemporary and inspiring vision.


When the Dolder Grand opened its doors on 10 May 1899, it initially served as a luxurious health spa that offered city residents access to relaxation and wellness in an idyllic setting. Over the years, it transformed from Spa House to City Resort, and built quite a reputation.


Royals, Rock Stars, Oscar Winners, Fashion Moguls and Global Leaders have called the Dolder Grand “home”, from Diane Kruger, Leonardo DiCaprio, Rebel Wilson, to King Charles, the Shah of Persia and Nelson Mandela, the Rolling Stones, Karl Lagerfeld and Jimmy Choo.


The hotel proposes the Perfect Stay–having hosted this July for the ninth time the international culinary elite at gourmet festival THE EPICURE.  To mark its 125th anniversary, the property has also invited renowned international artists to interpret their stay in their very own artistic language. The result is a kaleidoscope of individual works that capture the essence of the Dolder Grand and take guests on a special journey to get to know the hotel. The Perfect Stay continues the Dolder Grand’s focus on and interest in art – as reflected in the art collection, which includes over 100 works from different eras presented in suites and public areas.


The suites are named after some of the many illustrious guests who have made the Dolder Grand their home-from-home at various points in the hotel’s 125-year history. Each is an expression of distinctive style and character, with a different ambience and extravagant comfort.
 
For the ultimate in privacy, the Residence Terrazza Suite combines the space and ambience of a villa with all the benefits of Zurich’s landmark hotel, including on-call butler service 24 hours a day. It has a private entrance directly from outside and another from within the hotel. Arranged over two floors, the suite has one master bedroom and the option of three additional bedrooms, taking the total space to 390 square metres. The expansive open-plan living area is designed in a classic contemporary style and decorated in warm harmonious tones. Floor-to-ceiling windows open onto the sunny, south-facing terrace, which has a magnificent view over Lake Zurich. Adjacent to the elegant dining area is a fully equipped private kitchen. The master bedroom also opens onto the terrace and has its own small sitting area in a quiet corner. A walk-through wardrobe leads to the luxurious master bathroom, featuring a steam shower, a large whirlpool tub, and walls decorated with iridescent mother-of-pearl mosaic in a warm shade of brown. According to guests’ wishes and the size of the family, one, two or three adjoining bedrooms may be incorporated into the suite.
 
Set in the tower of the Dolder Grand’s Main Building, the Maestro Suite pays tribute to Maestro Herbert von Karajan, one of the greatest orchestral conductors of the 20th century. The two-bedroom suite extends over two floors and 400 square metres of space. On the suite’s lower floor, the library is ideal for reading or working in peace and quiet. The dining room, classical in style and circular in shape with a wraparound balcony, is located in the tower section of this level and can be served from the suite’s private kitchen. Also on this level, each of the two bedrooms has its own luxurious bathroom, one in light Bianco Oro marble and the other in dark Portoro marble. In addition to a whirlpool and steam shower, one of the bathrooms features a sauna. On the suite’s upper floor, the tower room offers a relaxing ambience, with leather armchairs and velvet sofas, as well as a fireplace and private bar. The tower room’s spacious covered terrace – the highest vantage point at the Dolder Grand – provides breath taking views of the city of Zurich, the lake and the Alps.
 
Designed in homage to Alberto Giacometti, the Swiss artist and sculptor, the 230-square-metre, two-bedroom Carezza Suite is located on the top floor of the Spa Wing. The epitome of elegant modernity, its sleek, organically shaped fittings and furnishings are suggestive of Giacometti’s works of art. In the spacious, open-plan living area, curving leather sofas and a modern fireplace combine with a high ceiling and floor-to-ceiling windows to create an expansive sense of space. The dining area can be served from the private, ensuite kitchen and there is a separate TV lounge. The terrace, which wraps around the entire suite, offers a fabulous panoramic view of the city, the lake and the Alps. Each of the suite’s two bedrooms has its own luxurious bathroom decorated in white Bianco Lasa Vena Oro marble, one of which features a sauna.
 
With a touch of 1950s movie glamour of 1950s, the Masina Suite has a distinctive Italian-style interior, inspired by Giulietta Masina, the actress and wife of Federico Fellini. A large, cream-coloured de Sede sofa is the focal point of the spacious living room, where entertainment can be provided by the large flat-screen TV and a pool table. The dining area can be served from the private kitchen. Each of the two bedrooms has its own bathroom, clad in dark green Verde Guatemala marble – one of the which also features a sauna and a steam shower. Spanning 170 square metres, it is located on the top floor of the Spa Wing, where floor-to-ceiling windows create a great sense of space, which is extended by the view from the terrace over the treetops to the lake below.
 
Suite 100 makes a bold statement, with an extravagant black and pink interior giving off vibes from the sixties. It was inspired by the Rolling Stones and named after London’s legendary 100 Club, where many of the world’s most famous bands began their careers – and the Rolling Stones gave a private concert in 1982. The living room features mid-century style furniture and accessories, and the dining area can be served from the ensuite kitchen. The floor-to-ceiling windows create a feeling of expansive space and the terrace, which runs the entire length of the suite, offers a view of the historic Main Building, the lake and the Alps. Set on the top floor of the Spa Wing, the 170 square metre Suite has one bedroom with a spacious bathroom complete with dazzling disco ball ceiling and equipped with a whirlpool, sauna and steam shower.
 
The prices of the Dolder Grand’s Presidential Suites range from CHF 4,500.00 to CHF 14,500.00 per night.

​Yachting's flagship event puts a S into sustainability—this year, luxury not being the solo key word—as the industry adapts to more sustainable initiatives and requirements from clients and stakeholders.

Organisers invited stakeholders to exclusive events on sustainability in yachting, right from the Monaco Yacht Show Opening Conference on Wednesday, September 25th. Focusing on pioneering sustainability in yachting, with concrete actions being taken to meet environmental challenges within the industry, Gaëlle Tallarida, Managing Director of the Monaco Yacht Show, opened the conference with superyacht expert and journalist Justin Ratcliffe.
presented an engaging program and distinguished speakers highlighted the importance of reducing the carbon footprint of older generation yachts (Jean-Marc Bolinger, CEO of MB92 Group); enhancing sustainability through eco-responsible onboard practices (Robert van Tol, Executive Director, Water Revolution Foundation); and how superyacht innovations benefit other markets (Giedo Loeff, Head of Research & Development, Feadship). The discussion moved on to the question of good practices on board to ensure a sustainable future for the industry.

The Honours Awards 2024, organised by The Superyacht Life Foundation and the Monaco Yacht Show jointly, is another important step towards attaining credible sustainability.
Frederic Jousset Mike Horn - Project X and Nick Entwisle - Yachting Gives Back received Bowsprit award, for inspiring change in the industry and beyond.

Yacht Club de Monaco

Under the aegis of the collective ‘Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting’ approach, Yacht Club de Monaco—an institution in the Principality—true to its tradition, the Club organised an Owners Lunch on the opening day of the Monaco Yacht Show, an event that has become a'must-show’ and on Wednesday saw 60 owners of YCM flagged yachts gathering for lunch.

A prestigious event, the atmosphere is always friendly and exclusive, never mind the impressive statistic that accompanies it. The total linear meters of yachts reached 2,616m for 2024, underlining the Club’s predominant place in the world of international luxury yachting. They all kicked off the festivities in the sun-soaked Monaco marina.


Visitors are invited as always to experience the epitome of luxury at the Monaco Yacht Show, that offers many educative events and enables visitors to immerse in a world of unmatched grandeur and elegance. The opportunity to discover 120 extraordinary vessels, is unparalled including exclusive premieres, meticulously crafted by renowned superyacht builders.


Refined, immersive and breathtaking


I was captivated by the impeccable craftsmanship and breathtaking design showcased at the MYS that invite guests to indulge in refined amenities that redefine onboard comfort.
Beyond a showcase of yachts, the Monaco Yacht Show offers an immersive experience, this year namely to witness advancements in sustainable yachting practices and engage with industry experts and leading names in the industry to help visitors gain insights into the captivating world of yachting, now embracing sustainability, clearly eco-conscious solutions pair well with elegance and sophistication in yachting. “Let your yachting dreams set sail responsibly” is the new MYS motto.


Monaco presents the best in yachting and eco-solutions


The boldness of the Show has been repeatedly demonstrated. The festival has progressively expanded in scope and stature, returning annually to the picturesque surroundings of Port Hercule. These days, it serves as an international exhibition of the best in yachting, and this year's new releases include a 122-meter Lürssen superyacht called Kismet, which can be rented for up to €3 million a week, as well as many hybrid vessels, one of which is powered by methanol.


The Monaco Yacht Show always has an incredible lineup; this year, environmentally conscious Rossinavi unveiled the Seawolf X (image above), their first hybrid-electric catamaran, while Nautor Swan unveiled DreamCatcher, their first hybrid sailing maxi yacht. Almax, Sanlorenzo's first 50-meter vessel equipped with hydrogen fuel cells, is being launched with Siemens Energy.
Siemens is also sponsoring the show’s Sustainability Hub, which has become a breeding ground for eco-friendly concepts and new ideas to promote a greener superyacht sector.


British singer Craig David came on stage at the Omniyat party at the Yacht Club to celebrate the Dubai property developer’s latest project with the Dorchester Collection, The Alba, the rain had stopped, replaced by a seemingly endless flow of Möet & Chandon.