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MULTI-MILLIONAIRE interior designer and businesswoman Ivana Trump has fallen head over heels in love with Bahrain and cannot wait to see her latest project blossom in the kingdom.
GulfWeekly met up with her during her flying visit to the island at the Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel & Spa with her new business partners.
She revealed details of an exciting twin tower commercial and residential 'Le Diamond' project set to be constructed by the Darvesh Group on Bahrain Bay in Manama with mirror-images of the development rising in other cities around the world, including neighbouring Dubai and the Indian capital, New Delhi.
"The two towers will be universal. It will be a trademark for Ivana and for Darvesh," she said. "The Darvesh Group is promoting the project and I am the face of the project in terms of signature designs.
"Plus, we have the same vision to really give people the best that life can offer. The towers will offer splendor, comfort, elegance and sophistication.
"We will be using the latest in technology and the towers will also be convenient in lay-out and design. When I was in Trump Tower I used to stay on the 68th floor and would take the elevator to the 29th which is the commercial floor. I just loved it because it was convenient and we are implementing convenience in our concept."
One of the towers will be for commercial use and the other will provide luxurious accommodation which will appeal to executives wishing to live within striking distance of work and desperate to avoid the manic rush hour drive to and from the office.
The twin towers will be connected by a unique diamond shape passage.
Ivana, 59, who was once responsible for overseeing the restoration of the landmark Plaza Hotel in New York, said: "I feel the partnership is a good fit. They have the right business expertise, experience and plan to make this project a great success. Their reputation and long-standing credibility, combined with it being a family business is what drew me into the partnership.
"I am a huge believer in family businesses. They reminded me of the Trump family business so that really made me want to work with them. They are bright, sharp and aggressive individuals. They know what they want and I know what they like."
The former model travelled to the kingdom with the Darvesh Group's executive director Talib and his brother, Ahsan, also a director.
They believe they will create a "niche" in the highly-competitive real estate sector and have Ivana as their 'trump' card. Ahsan said: "Oh, she is a woman of substance. Forbes, which is the leading business magazine in the world, said that the best thing to ever happen to her ex-husband Donald in his business was Ivana.
"So I can say the same thing.
"We are targeting VIP clientele. We are going to be offering them all the luxury facilities that they associate with Ms Ivana Trump in such projects as the Plaza Hotel and the Grand Hayat Hotel.
"Her experience in the real estate industry and her name is by far the most superior in the market today and I think that adds a lot of value. At the end of the day, customers want value and that is what we are going to give them.
"We are contemplating Bahrain Bay for our location here. We want to be the largest planned developers in the world. That is our vision and we are going to go after it."
Under the partnership, Darvesh Group will construct premium residential and commercial twin towers designed by Ivana. The first two Le Diamond Ivana Trump projects in Bahrain and Dubai will see building work commence early next year.
The company, set up in 1909, is headquartered in India and has offices across the Middle East. The group's operations in this region go back 28 years.
The 'Le Diamond' project is part of Darvesh Group's $6 billion strategy to create 10 branded development-themed projects through partnerships with well-known personalities from the business, fashion and movie industry. Ivana added: "We believe there is a market now for high-end residential apartments and we are targeting that."
Born in Czechoslovakia, Ivana married Donald in a lavish society wedding in 1977 and they became leading figures in US society and business. They had three children.
She said: "You know there is no such thing as a celebrity mama. There is a mother and that is it - a mother with a responsibility to make sure her children are brought up right.
"I think it is necessary to have a good upbringing and I brought my kids up with great values and a fantastic education. I believe education is the most important thing that a parent can give to their kids.
"We also have to make sure that we teach them proper working values, not to cheat, lie and steal and not to take drugs or drink a lot of alcohol. But I think in today's society, if you can do that then you have succeeded.
"I think bringing up your children right is the biggest achievement and I believe I had done it. All my children have graduated from university with master degrees. Ivanka and Donald Junior both studied Business Finance in Philidelphia. My bambino, Eric, studied in Washington in Georgetown University."
Ivana is also regarded as a champion of women's rights, particularly after playing a cameo in the Hollywood film The First Wives Club with the memorable line: "Remember girls, don't get mad, get everything".
It is rumoured that she received millions of dollars in her divorce settlement with Donald, who was caught having an affair with a former beauty queen he later married and divorced.
Ivana said: "This quote does empower women. As you know it was for a comedy, but at the end of the day I am a great fan of women. I believe that women really contribute to their husband's success. And even if they don't work with them, they should get what they are entitled to - a woman works so hard by her husband's side being a mother to his children, and so on.
"I am not necessarily saying take your husbands wallet, but try your best anyway!" she laughed.
She is marrying Rossano Rubicondi, a 35-year-old Italian actor and model, on April 12.
