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hen Bazaar Interiors first set foot in thisparticular penthouse at the start of summer, onthe occasion of a glamorous Gatsby-themedparty, we followed the trail of partygoers

exploring the long corridors and exclusivespaces of what is most certainly one of Dubais

most unique residences. Our interest thoroughly piqued, we set off insearch of the owner, 43-year-old Philip Charles Gamett, a self-madeentrepreneur from the UK. Dressed in a sharp tuxedo, he cut a figuredashing enough to invite comparisons with the literary figure himself.

Philip started his business at just 23 years old, designing andmanufacturing fashion apparel for women. He came to Dubai four yearsago, to separate himself from the day to day management of his businessin London. I felt that I had achieved a great deal in my twenty-yearcareer so I stepped down as managing director and now attend just a fewboard meetings each year. I chose Dubai because its a luxury lifestyledestination, and being midway between Asia and Europe its a greatstarting point for travelling the world.

So began the search for the perfect pad, and it appeared his timing

couldnt have been better. I had hired an agent to be on the lookout forexceptional properties, and when the two penthouses came onto themarket following the property crash I was the first person given access to

W

A FASHIONABLE LIFE

WORDSB

YCORINNEDELPHY

90|Harpers BAZAAR INTERIORS

A double penthouse on the shores of the Palm Jumeirah hasbeen transformed into a luxury retreat that combines cleancontemporary style with exceptionally intelligent detailing

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FREEDOM

view them. I bought them immediately.The two penthouses comprise the entire top floor of the building, at

almost 11,000sqft, and have been transformed into a single apartment.I felt that having the privacy of an entire floor justified the additional

expense, he says. I was attracted to the exclusive sea-front location ofthe penthouse, a 2,500sqft terrace with panoramic views of the skylineand the marina below.

Buying the property shell and core, meant that the raw concretestructure was simply waiting to be moulded. It was important that theapartment was not fitted out by the buildings developer. I started witha completely blank canvas.

Undaunted by the task at hand, Philip spent a month deciding howhe wanted to use the space and which styles he intended to develop. Theresult was a floorplan and storyboard for each of the 24 spaces that

would exist in the apartment. With architects and consultants hired, sixmonths later the design was complete and ready to be realised.

I didnt set out to design an apartment, I set out to design a lifestyle,Philip tells us. My brief was to create a holiday home where I wouldentertain my guests from around the world, and which for the duration

of their visit would replace normal everyday life with a world of luxuryand glamour associated with the city of Dubai. I envisaged a chicresidence that would be a modern day interpretation of the glamour

Philip stands at

the end of a long

corridor lined with

wallpaper from

Elitis by Rubelli

Sahco

Styling by TORY WALLERPhotographs by ISIDORA BOJOVIC