CULT GAIA RESORT 26: ARCHITECTURAL AND ARTISTIC LAYERING

For Resort 2026, Cult Gaia continues to blur the line between fashion and art, presenting a collection rooted in sculptural design and thoughtful construction. Architectural silhouettes take center stage, defined by clean lines, intentional draping, and three-dimensional detailing that elevates resort dressing beyond the expected.

Softness is introduced through fluid fabrics, dimensional florals, and layered textures, creating a refined balance between structure and movement. Each piece feels carefully composed, combining strength with femininity and offering effortless elegance through considered design.

This collection reflects Cult Gaia’s signature wearable art philosophy, expressive, timeless, and visually striking. Resort 2026 becomes a celebration of craftsmanship and modern elegance, delivering statement pieces designed to resonate both on the runway and in editorial storytelling

Cult Gaia is available to purchase at cultgaia.com and leading departmental stores. 

#CULTGAIA

Al Abdulghani Motors Announces the Arrival of the Motorsports-Inspired GR Yaris to Qatar with New Aero Performance Package

G16E-GTS 1.6L Turbo Produces 296 HP and 400 Nm of torque

Al Abdulghani Motors announced the launch of the GR Yaris in Qatar during a dedicated event at the Toyota Showroom in Lusail. Born from the challenges and triumphs of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), Super Taikyu Series and Japanese Rally Championship, this model introduces the new Aero Performance Package, developed to elevate aerodynamic efficiency, cooling performance, and driving stability.

Originally launched in Japan in 2020, the GR Yaris was the first Toyota model developed with a motorsport-first approach. Drawing on the expertise of the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team (TGR-WRT), which recently helped secure Toyota’s fifth consecutive FIA WRC manufacturers’ championship win, the model has been engineered to respond precisely to input across all road conditions, ensuring confidence and control in every drive.

Beyond its competition heritage, the GR Yaris also embodies the spirit of Toyota craftsmanship. Each vehicle is carefully assembled at the GR FACTORY, a dedicated production line within Toyota’s renowned Motomachi Plant. There, a team of takumi (master craftspeople) uphold the brand’s highest standards of precision and performance, bringing motorsport-derived technology to life through meticulous craftsmanship.

As part of the launch at the Lusail showroom, Al Abdulghani Motors showcased 10 GR Yaris Cup vehicles, which will compete in the second edition of the Toyota GR Yaris Cup Qatar, scheduled to take place on 30 January 2026. The display offered media and motorsport enthusiasts a closer look at the vehicles that will feature in the upcoming championship, reinforcing the strong connection between the GR Yaris and Toyota’s growing local motorsport ecosystem.

On this occasion, Mr. Abdo Sweidan, Chief Operating Officer of Al Abdulghani Motors, said: “The launch of the new GR Yaris reflects Toyota’s motorsports philosophy translated into a road-ready performance car. At Al Abdulghani Motors, we are pleased to introduce a vehicle that combines racing-inspired engineering with everyday usability, offering customers in Qatar a driving experience defined by precision, control, and reliability.”

Mr. Nobuyuki Takemura, Chief Representative of the Middle East Regional Office, Toyota Motor Corporation: “The GR Yaris was developed directly from motorsport, guided by a clear philosophy of creating ever-better motorsport-bred cars. To support this philosophy, a wide range of special technologies and continuous improvement (Kaizen) have been incorporated into the vehicle. The GR Yaris delivers the pure enjoyment of a motorsport-bred machine, allowing a wide range of drivers to experience sporty driving and even participate in motorsports to the fullest. It is not a car that stops evolving; its driving performance and related technologies continue to be strengthened through constant feedback from racing.”

Developed through extensive driver feedback and refined through competitions across the world, the new GR Yaris combines motorsport-proven engineering with precision-tuned aerodynamics. Power comes from a 1.6-liter inline three-cylinder direct-injection turbo engine (G16E-GTS) producing 296 HP and 400 Nm of torque. This compact, high-output unit is paired with either a newly developed 8-speed Automatic Transmission model (AT), or a six-speed intelligent manual transmission (iMT) that provides quick, accurate shifts and a direct, connected driving feel. The GR-FOUR full-time 4WD system, featuring an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch and three selectable modes, continuously balances torque between the front and rear wheels to maximize traction and cornering stability on diverse road surfaces.

Complementing this drivetrain, the Aero Performance Package enhances downforce, cooling, and high-speed balance through six precision-engineered components. These include a ducted aluminum hood modeled after the GRMN Yaris that improves cooling performance, a front lip spoiler to reduce lift, fender ducts that release trapped air from the wheelhouses to improve steering response, a fuel-tank undercover that smooths underbody airflow, a variable rear wing that enhances high-speed stability, and rear bumper ducts that counter the “parachute effect” under heavy aerodynamic loads.

Lightweight materials reinforce this dynamic foundation: aluminum hood, doors, and rear hatch, together with a carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) roof, lower the center of gravity and improve rigidity. The front MacPherson strut and rear double-wishbone suspension deliver responsive, composed handling, while front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials, forged aluminum wheels, and Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires ensure exceptional grip and steering precision.

As with any Toyota vehicle, safety is a top priority for the new GR Yaris. Drivers can enjoy complete peace of mind thanks to Toyota Safety Sense, a comprehensive suite of safety and driver-assistance technologies designed to support confident driving in all conditions. The system includes six SRS airbags, a Pre-Collision System (PCS), Emergency Steering Assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control System (DRCC), Lane Departure Alert (LDA) with Emergency Steering Assist (daytime), Lane Trace Assist (LTA), and an Adaptive High-beam System (AHS) for enhanced visibility at night.

In addition, the GR Yaris features a Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) with auto brake to help prevent collisions when reversing, as well as an Emergency Call (eCall) system that is available in some markets, which automatically alerts emergency services in the event of a serious accident. Other safety technologies include Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), Vehicle Stability Control (S-VSC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Brake Assist (BA), and a Tire Pressure Warning System (TPWS).

The new GR Yaris gives drivers the opportunity to express their style with a choice of five distinctive exterior colors: Platinum White Pearl Mica, Super White II, Precious Black, Precious Metal, and Emotional Red. Inside the cabin, the performance-focused atmosphere is emphasized through two sporty interior themes: Black x Red, which highlights the GR racing identity with contrast accents, and a full Black option for a more minimalist look.

With these refinements and features, the GR Yaris continues to embody Toyota’s motorsport DNA in a package built for everyday driving excitement.

For more information, visit: www.aamotors.com/en-qa  

#AlAbdulghaniMotors #GRYaris

SIX & SIX PRIVATE ISLANDS to Open Six Distinct Resorts in the Maldives Over Six Years

A new lifestyle hospitality brand blends cultural depth, design integrity, and intuitive service launching first in 2026

SIX & SIX PRIVATE ISLANDS introduces a new philosophy of island hospitality. Co-founder and CEO Laith Pharaon, a seasoned hotelier and investor, launched the company in 2024 with a bold, lifestyle-led vision. Over the next six years, the brand will unveil six individually designed private island resorts each a distinct destination shaped by a shared ethos: presence, authenticity, and meaningful connection. The journey begins in 2026 with RAH GILI MALDIVES and DON MAAGA MALDIVES, both located in the South Malé Atoll, just a short speedboat ride from Velana International Airport.

Rather than follow the tropes of luxury hospitality, SIX & SIX recentres the guest experience around presence — removing noise to make space for something deeper. Guests are given the freedom to design their own journey, supported by wellness specialists, creative thinkers, and cultural experiences tailored to how they wish to feel — not just what they wish to do.

“SIX & SIX is about giving guests the most meaningful luxuries: time, space, and the freedom to just be,” says Laith Pharaon. “We’re not interested in replicating what already exists. This is about reimagining what luxury in the Maldives can feel like — intuitive, intentional, and personal.”

A Culture Rooted in the People of the Islands

At the heart of the brand’s culture is a philosophy drawn from the Maldives itself known as Rayyithun, meaning People of the Islands in Dhivehi. This is more than a concept. It is a living rhythm that shapes how each island is built, led, and experienced. From the fishermen who bring the day’s catch, to the builders who carve each space by hand, to the drummers who carry the island’s pulse — the Rayyithun are the quiet architects of island life.

Their presence flows through every SIX & SIX resort in its design language, cultural programme, and approach to care. This is most clearly embodied in the Edhurun programme, a reimagining of the traditional butler. Edhurun, meaning mentor, reflects a form of service that is intuitive, respectful, and grounded in care. But more than that, the Edhurun are storytellers — guardians of island knowledge who bring depth and meaning to the guest journey through quiet narrative, ritual, and presence.

Introducing the First Two Islands

RAH GILI MALDIVES — opening February 2026 — is located beside a protected dolphin sanctuary. With 74 villas, including 37 overwater, the resort blends bold design with whimsical details and vibrant social spaces. It is the first island to fully express the Rayyithun philosophy — a story-led destination where stillness, culture, and connection converge.

DON MAAGA MALDIVES, launching in late 2026, is the brand’s ultra-luxury flagship. Featuring the signature TERRA∞ beach villas and AETHR∞ overwater villas — some exceeding 1,500 sqm — it offers unapologetic scale paired with architectural restraint. Select villas feature both saltwater and freshwater pools, alongside open courtyards, semi-precious inlays, and serene private zones crafted for deep restoration. The island also introduces HIRIGAA, an invitation-only private island for full-island takeovers.

“Each island stands on its own — with its own energy, its own soul,” says Marc Gussing, SIX & SIX PRIVATE ISLANDS Director of Operations. “What unites them is not uniformity, but intention. Our role is to protect that individuality while shaping a guest experience that feels grounded, generous, and quietly unforgettable.”

SIX & SIX PRIVATE RESIDENCES

SIX & SIX PRIVATE RESIDENCES are a natural extension of the brand’s philosophy — offering a way to return not just for a season, but for a lifetime. Available across every island, beginning with RAH GILI and DON MAAGA, these residences invite individuals and families to become part of the island’s rhythm — not as guests, but as stewards of place. With access to all resort experiences, services, and cultural programming, each residence is shaped for those who seek continuity, presence, and a deeper sense of belonging within the SIX & SIX constellation.

Designed for Conscious Living

Every SIX & SIX resort is conceived with purpose — from design and storytelling to sustainability and social impact. The brand is pursuing EarthCheck certification for each island, integrating solar power, zero single-use plastics, desalination with in-house bottling, and regenerative marine conservation. A strong focus is placed on community partnerships, local materials, and guest education — all embedded into the operating rhythm from day one.

For Media Inquiries

Please email sixandsix@z7communications.com

Website: www.sixandsix.com

Instagram: @sixandsixmaldives

Facebook: @sixandsixmaldives

#SIXandSIX #Maldives