Editor’s Letter March Issue 2026: Renaissance Man

Emirates Man

In putting together this issue, I was thinking about what it takes to be a modern Renaissance man. Someone whose talents, instead of being laser-focused on one area of expertise, span many fields of knowledge and interests. Men who have crafted careers defined by a limitless mindset and, yes, have a certain level of self-confidence to dare to try new things, pivot and persevere.

I think our cover star, Mustafa Abbas, is the perfect embodiment of this idea. As the group managing partner of the Dubai-based conglomerate Legend Group, he spearheads a company that operates in a number of different arenas, from real estate (Property Portfolios International) and consumer products (Bang & Olufsen) to lifestyle (Chivalry: Gentlemen’s Salon) and design (35 Burgundy). In his cover profile, Building Beyond Legacy, Abbas talks about his love of the art of craftsmanship, creativity and innovation. Three things that are also at the heart of another passion of his – filmmaking. All of which is to say, Abbas personifies the dynamic can-do attitude that the region is known for.
But he is not the only man in this issue who has multiple arrows in his quiver. In A Monochrome Master, Bastiaan Woudt might be renowned as a photographer, but he is also an accomplished DJ, artist, and book publisher who is fearless about following his passions. The Emmy-winning Indian comedian Vir Das also has that sort of mindset. He opens up in This Must Be the Place about becoming an author, as well as finding success as an actor and musician.

This is an issue rich with profiles of men who are thriving across disciplines and showing the world that they are not going to let their lives be defined by one thing. They contain multitudes and are more than willing to explore them all.

Enjoy the issue.

The Hero Guide

– For more on how to look smart and live smarter, follow Emirates Man on Facebook and Instagram

Images: Supplied