Patina Maldives, Fari Islands: Cosmopolitan Ocean festival celebrates ocean as a catalyst for human connection
Patina Maldives, Fari Islands, recently hosted the four-day Cosmopolitan Ocean festival, an immersive event that redefined the ocean as a cross-cultural nexus for human connection. The festival featured a notable collaboration between West Coast fashion label STAMPD and Patina Maldives, resulting in a limited capsule collection showcasing prints from Chris Stamp’s photographs captured during his November 2022 visit to the island. The collection, themed “Water Radio,” is now available at an on-island pop-up store until the end of November and online on STAMPD’s website.
The launch event witnessed the presence of influential figures including artist Daniel Arsham, jeweller Greg Yuna, pro BMX athlete Nigel Sylvester, former NFL player Victor Cruz, sound engineer Devon Turnbull, and Australian surfboard designer Hayden Cox. Additionally, the release of a limited print photobook titled “Island Camo”, inspired by Patina Maldives, will contribute its profits to support local community projects on Gafaaru island.
A standout moment of the festival was the introduction of Thallasophile Parfum - the exclusive Cosmopolitan Ocean scent designed to replicate the power and effect of the ocean, housed in a recyclable glass vessel, crafted by renowned Margate-based natural skincare and wild fragrance specialists, Haeckels.
The festival commenced with an intersensory opening ritual featuring a soundscape by Welsh electronic musician Kelly Lee Owens, celebrating this bespoke creation.
Pamela Longobardi, an ocean art activist, unveiled a remarkable large-scale ocean plastics art installation titled “Ocean Archaeology of Our Time.” This captivating artwork has now become a part of Patina Maldives’ esteemed permanent collection.
“It has been a great honour to be part of the New Life Habits / Cosmopolitan Ocean project that Patina Maldives has launched. My contribution, the large-scale ocean plastic wall piece “Ocean Archeology of Our Time” was created by the collaborative cleaning efforts of many of Patina’s fine staff and expert woodworkers. It is dedicated to all beings of the world. It is a monument to this moment of transformation in human history where we are taking a new path, making global changes to correct the environmental problems of plastic pollution. Patina Maldives' commitment to a new level of sustainability is a model for using creativity and innovation to achieve new ways of being in the world.” - Pamela Longobardi
Avery Whitmore, a healing arts practitioner and a veteran of the resort's recent Experience as Healing event, led a series of sound healing, breathwork, and meditation sessions that resonated with participants. These sessions encompassed both large communal activities and customised private sessions, fostering personal growth and transformation.
An exciting afternoon yacht race took place on Day 3 of the festival, with results of the competition announced on Patina’s Stargazing pier with cocktails, concluded by a communal dinner that showcased the best of Maldivian cuisine.
Guests dived into “Ocean Inspirations” on Day 4 of Cosmopolitan Ocean - a thought-provoking panel that featured programme luminaries Chris Stamp, Pamela Longobardi, Avery Whitmore, and Kelly Lee Owens. These cultural influencers engaged in a dialogue that delved into the intersection of art, nature, and human expression.
As a poignant culmination to the discussion, Avery Whitmore led a beachfront commitment ceremony, where attendees pledged their dedication to embracing New Life Habits and forging a deeper connection with the ocean.
Cosmopolitan Ocean is the second large instalment of the Pathways series, a distinguished event series at Patina Maldives designed to stimulate enduring personal transformations, introduce new lifestyle practices, and infuse guests’ lives with deeper meaning and intention. The series made its debut in June with the Experience as Healing event, bringing together wellness, ancient spiritual practices, and the frontier of biohacking to inspire guests.
Patina Maldives, Fari Islands, as part of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) DISCOVERY loyalty programme, is committed to enhancing the experience for PATINA DISCOVERY members at all levels. The resort offers VIP recognition, exclusive rewards, and access to members-only experiences. For further information and updates on Patina Maldives, Fari Islands, and upcoming events, please visit www.patinahotels.com/maldives
