A Magazine, Issue 82 by Aïshti

no. 82 Feb/mar/Apr 2016 LL10,000

Wild at heart Seduction unwrapped Fashion Boy meets girl Beauty Lipstick and freckles Art Inside the studio Design Miami's Faena District Travel The most romantic villas in the world

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B E I R U T

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Inside No. 82 Fev/mrs/avr 2016

Cityscape

54 Beirut Jewels, fashion and treats 60 London Boutiques and coffee shops 62 Paris Artful tastes 64 Milan Iconic statements 66 New York Serious eats

Beauty

74 Counter Smells so good 76 Lipstick Hello, boys 78 Face Beautiful spots 82 Health Bring it on

Fashion

90 Resort Cruise collections 96 New age Shine bright 98 Trend Red carpet revolutionaries 100 Genderless It’s a boy-girl thing 102 Debate Banning flats on the red carpet? 110 Hot stuff Accesory must-haves 114 Jewelry The wish list 122 Winter warrior Dressed to drive 152 Joined at the hip Styled for love 162 Naughty by nature Operation seduction 184 Marine’s diary Reptile fashion

Design

204 District Faena takes on Miami 206 Destination Dynamic duo

High Art

214 Exhibition What’s on view 218 Sanctuary Inner sanctum 222 Experience The world’s a stage 226 Moving image Precious violence

Inside Lifestyle

238 Blog A passion for fashion 240 Friendship Bad blood 242 Villas Seven wonders

Last Word

248 Bag Butterfly effect

Cover Her look is by Moschino Photographer Sol Sanchez. Stylist Amelianna Loiacono. Hair Alessandro Rebecchi at ArtList Paris. Makeup Kathy Le Sant at Airport Agency Paris. Model Lea Rostain at WM Models Paris.

FE N D I .CO M

Publisher

Tony Salamé Group TSG SAL

Editorial Director Ramsay Short

Creative

Creative director Mélanie Dagher Senior art and production director Maria Maalouf Junior art director Josée Nakhlé Guest art director Raya Farhat

Assistant Editor Natasha Tabet

Writers

Astella Saw, Grace Elena Banks, Alexandra Marvar, John Ovans, Robert Landon, Pip Usher, Lucille Howe, Felix El Hage, Kate Sutton, Yasmin Harake, Rosa Tessa, Natalie Shooter, Sarah Ward, Millie Walton, Rich Thornton, Rowan Clare

Photographers

Fashion photographers Tony Elieh, Brock Elbank, Alice Rosati, Sol Sanchez, Emilio Tini

Stylists

Joe Arida, Rich Aybar, Amelianna Loiacono

Sol Sanchez Sol Sanchez is a photographer and musician born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Based in Paris now for ten years, she collaborated with prestigious fashion and art magazines world wide.

Lucille Howe Lucille is a London-based writer who has contributed to most major international magazines and newspapers, from London’s Daily Telegraph to Australia’s Cosmopolitan magazine. She is the author of Kindle hit, ‘Bondi Blonde’ and also works as an actress.

Advertising

Melhem Moussallem, Karine Abou Arraj, Stephanie Missirian

Production and printing

Senior photo producer Fadi Maalouf Printing Dots: The Art of Printing

Responsible director Nasser Bitar

140 El Moutrane St., Fourth Floor, Downtown Beirut, Lebanon, tel. 961.1.974.444, a@aishti.com, aishtiblog.com

n end of an era Welcome to issue 82 of A Mag, the first of 2016 and filled with desire. From the sensual (page 162) to the animal (page 184) and the individual (page 78) to the unique (page 242) we explore yearning at its most obsessive… It’s the season of love and romance after all. Plus we bring you news – the first issue of 2016 is also the last issue of A Magazine in it’s current format, as we work on our May relaunch. Big things are coming. Style. Culture. Art. Beirut. You will be surprised. You will be excited. You won’t be disappointed. You heard it here first. Watch this space.

The A Mag Editorial Team

GG4283/S

A cityscape

Just in Beirut

Karoline Lang (below)

Keep your eye on Lebanese fashion designer Karine Tawil, behind the women’s fashion line Karoline Lang. She will be exhibiting her upcoming couture collection at Curator LA, a space in Hollywood, but you can get it first at her Beirut store. 6th Floor, Centre Notre-Dame, Sassine Square, tel. 01.336292, karolinelang.com

Jimmy Choo (above)

A new creative agency illustrates the Jimmy Choo man and woman of today: confident, laid-back, and glamorous. With just one peek at that campaign, those summer cravings come raging back. Available at Aïshti

The principle itself is based upon tranquility and inner piece. The iconic diamond studded bracelet with gold beads makes Shamballa the jewels to wear this season. Available at Sylvie Saliba, Charles Malek Ave., Quantum Tower Bldg., Ashrafieh, tel. 01.330.500, sylviesaliba.com

Midwinter Night’s Dream (above)

The Al Bustan Festival marks 400 years since Shakespeare’s death with a full program of live music from international and local stars in opera, classical and jazz highlighting the great British playwright. On view from February 16 to March 20, tickets available at Hotel Al Bustan, tel. 04.521.684, albustanfestival.com A 54

Sapa (below)

New restaurant and cocktail bar, Sapa, brings the global trend of Peruvian-fusion cuisine to Beirut. Accompany dinner with one of their extravagant cocktails such as “bonjus,” served with kaak and fresh zaatar on the side. Sodeco, tel. 70.676.444 © Al Bustan festival, Karoline Lang, Jimmy Choo, Sapa, Sylvie Saliba

Shamballa Jewels (above)

WATCH THE FILM AT JIMMYCHOO.COM

A cityscape

Just in Beirut

Chloé (below)

The spring-summer 2016 campaign captures Buenos Aires’ bohemian spirit and nostalgia, and embraces the joyous and musical atmosphere of a multicultural city. Chloé turns the city into the “Paris of South America”. Available at Aïshti

Salon Beyrouth (above)

This latest Clemenceau haunt takes its inspiration from jazz-era salons, matching a jazz soundtrack with long-forgotten cocktails and a Franco-American menu. Don’t miss Salon Beyrouth’s all-day brunch, live music and signature whisky-based cocktail, The Sazerac. Mohammed Abdel Baki St., tel. 01.739.317

Béret Love by Tabbah (left)

The “Love Box” is a Valentine’s gift concept from Wonder.full, a new Beirut online company offering experiences-in-a-box to share with that special someone. Choose from a private chocolate-making workshop with champagne to a steamy rooftop jacuzzi. tel. 03.348.112, awonderfullbox.com

Sursock Boutique (above)

Since the Sursock Museum reopened last October its concept store has become a home for Lebanese design where you can find exclusively designed pieces from established and up-and-coming designers including Alya Tanous and Marc Baroud. Greek Orthodox Archbishopic Street, tel. 01.202.001, sursock.museum A 56

Wonder.full (below)

In its own way, the Béret ring by Tabbah seals the deal. What better way to say those three words than to have them engraved on a ring? A best way to a woman’s heart is undeniably through the diamond. House of Tabbah, Allenby St., Downtown, tel. 01.975.777, tabbah.com

etro.com

A cityscape

Just in Beirut

Art People (right)

In a world where food is an art in itself, and combining good art with good food is de rigeur, the new Art People restaurant at the Aïshti Foundation is the perfect place to do just that. Lunch here or dinner, following a day soaking up the gallery’s spectacular collection of contemporary international art, is a must. Enjoy fine drinks and a considered menu by renowned Chef Franck Paulmier while watching the sun set over the Mediterranean in the sleek modernist-designed interior with its soothing beige colours, luxurious Sawaya & Moroni seating and walls hung with pop art. And don’t miss Doug Aitken’s majestic chocolate fountain sculpture as you enter. Aïshti by the sea, Antelias, tel. 04.725 725 Opening hours, from 10h am till 7 pm

Tonight (left)

“Tonight” by Abboudi Abou Jaoude is the perfect coffee table book to turn heads when friends come over. It documents movies filmed in Lebanon from 1929-1950 through his collection of stunning vintage hand-painted film posters that show everything from gunwielding villains to half-naked women. Available at Metropolis Library, Centre Sofil, Ashrafieh, tel. 01.204.080

Gucci steps up with an era-defying, slow motion dance party video. Check out how new creative director Alessandro Michele accentuates romanticism through a colorful and metallic collection. Available at Aïshti

CosmoCity (above)

Entertainment center, CosmoCity, is a neonlit portal into another universe that features the latest gaming technology and unique simulators. Try their “Bar-cade” nights for a truly an alternative Beirut night out. Beirut Souks, Ajami Square, tel. 01.998.801, cosmocity.me A 58

Bonjour Beirut (below)

Head to Metropolis art-house cinema for Bonjour Beyrouth ( from February 7 to 17), a documentary by Georges Salibi that looks at the old heritage houses of Beirut and the struggle to preserve them. Centre Sofil, Ashrafieh, tel. 01.204.080, metropoliscinema.net © Cosmo city, Gucci, Metropolis library, Metropolis cinema, Raya Farhat

Gucci (left)

the sacred windows collection

A cityscape

Just in London

The Ivy Café, Marylebone (right)

Adding to Marylebone’s popularity is The Ivy’s new Art Deco-inspired café. Only a few moments from neighbouring Chiltern Street and Marylebone High Street, it’s the perfect place for refuelling and people watching, and the food is a delight too from elevenses to cream teas and cocktails and dinner. 96 Marylebone Lane, tel. 44.20.3301.0400, theivycafemarylebone.com

Mick’s Garage (right)

Nestled next to the canals of Hackney Wick is Mick’s Garage, a Middle Eastern smoke house named after the previous owner who ran a mechanic shop. Launched by the team who started Hackney’s Berber & Q, Mick’s is full of surprises, including London’s first fermented tea bar. 7 The White Bldg., Queen’s Yard, cratebrewery.com

Her Ginsberg is God jumpers have been a cult trend for a while, but this is Bella Freud’s first ever London boutique. She’s styled it to look like her quintessentially British home, so expect Penguin Classic books and eccentric clutter. 49 Chiltern St., tel. 44.20.7935.0777, bellafreud.com

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Welcome Home Captain Fox at The Donmar Warehouse (below)

Head to The Donmar Warehouse for a first look at Anthony Weigh’s new production of Jean Anouilh’s Le Voyageur Sans Bagage, a comedy about discovering self and identity over a summer during the Cold War in 1959. 41 Earlham St., tel. 44.84.4871.7624, donmarwarehouse.com

Gunpowder (below)

With dishes inspired by home cooking, Nirmal Save’s Gunpowder stands out in London’s glitzy restaurant scene. Styled to feel like a cosy Indian dinning room, dishes like sigree grilled mustard broccoli and kashmiri lamb chops are worth the visit alone. 11 White’s Row, tel. 44.20.7426.0542, gunpowderlondon.com

Bella Freud Boutique (above)

WATCH THE FILM AT JIMMYCHOO.COM LEBANON Beirut Souks +961 1 991 111 ext 595

A cityscape

Just in Paris

Le Spa des Jardins du Marais (below)

Le Spa is the place to seek calm when in the buzzy Haut Marais neighborhood. This tranquil spa and sauna offers face and body treatments by French beauty brand Payot, including a supremely soothing session using the brand’s signature green tea essential oil. 74 Rue Amelot, tel. 33.1.40.21.20.00, lesjardinsdumarais.com

Hôtel Les Bulles de Paris (above)

Champagne is the very welcome drink of choice at Saint-Germain-des-Prés’s hippest hotel, designed to put a sparkle in guests’ stay. Facilities include an in-house champagne bar and a champagne tasting salon in the atmospheric vaulted cellar – we’ll drink to that. 32 Rue des Écoles, tel. 33.1.46.34.12.90, lesbullesdeparis.com

Kinugawa Matignon (above)

Sister restaurant to the popular Kinugawa near the super fashionable rue Saint-Honoré, this stylish spot serves elegant bento lunches alongside a refined and varied menu of contemporary Japanese dishes that are proving much in demand with those who know. And now you know too. 1 bis Rue Jean Mermoz, tel. 33.1.42.25.04.23, kinugawa.fr A 62

The Paris in-crowd are heading to indesigner Sakina M’sa’s boutique for smart eco-friendly, responsibly produced menswear, womenswear and accessories from independent local and international brands, putting this concept store at the frontline of conscious fashion. 42 Rue Volta, tel. 33.9.80.63.16.33, frontdemode.com

L’Alcazar (left)

A heady destination, this landmark restaurant is freshly emerged from its winter metamorphosis. Lush, plush and lavishly decorated, and with a new, modern menu including tasty sharing plates, it’s all the better for luxuriating in – cocktail in hand. 62 Rue Mazarine, tel. 33.1.53.10.19.99, alcazar.fr

Front de Mode (below)

A誰shti, Downtown Beirut, T.01.991 111 A誰shti BY THE SEA, ANTELIAS, T. 04 717 716 EXT. 243

albertaferretti.com

A cityscape

Just in Milan

Terrazza 12 (below)

It’s got one of the best views in Milan coupled with some of the tastiest and beautifully prepared cocktails and drinks in town. Terrazza 12 sits on the tenth floor of the Brian & Barry building – a shopping experience to die for – and boasts a relaxed 1950s vibe and an exceptionally smart crowd. Via Durini 28, tel. 39.02.9285.3651, terrazza12.it

This hip flower/music concept store and bistro in the trendy student neighbourhood of Bocconi is making waves among the locals and other Milanese for its eclectic mix of style all in the best taste. Owner Rosalba Piccini is at once a florist, cook and exceptional jazz singer and wows customers with impromptu concerts as well as some of the most beautiful bouquets and exceptionally prepared cuisine in town. Via Salasco 17, tel. 39.02.9132.1602, potafiori.com

Tiramisù Delishoes (below)

Björk Swedish Brasserie & Side Store (above)

No this latest Milan brasserie is not named after the pixie-like Icelandic singer but the Swedish word for birch, one of Scandinavia’s most naturally elegant trees. Located in Porta Venezia one of the most effervescent neighbourhoods in Milan and born from shared passion of Giuliana Rosset and Nicola Quadri for all things Scandinavian including the fluid design, the brasserie offers up delicious gourmet meals and drinks to take home or eat in as well as a side store selling an exclusive range of contemporary Scandinavian design items for the home and kitchen. Via Panfilo Castaldi 20, tel. 39.02.4945.7424, Bjork.it A 64

Continuing Milan’s current craze for mixed concepts Tiramisù Delishoes is a brand new shop in the heart of the historic Brera quarter of the city that is a high end shoe boutique combined with a stunning dessert restaurant. And it might just be the first of its kind. Who knew? Via Formentini, tel. 39.02.9132.1602, tiramisu-delishoes.com

Antica Barbieria Colla (above)

With men’s barbering and wet shaves all the rage today, one spot in Milan is currently seeing a resurgence in popularity. If you’re in town Francesco Bombieri’s antica barbieria (old school barbershop), hidden in a back alley in Milan’s centre, is the place to visit for a clean up. Opened by one Dino Colla in 1904, Bombieri’s is known for the full treatment, cuts, shaves and hot towels and has its own line in products – our faves are the famous bitter almond brandy shaving soap and the almond-apricot moisturizing aftershave. Via Gerolamo Morone 3, tel. 39.02.874.312, anticabarbieriacollashop.com

Potafiori (above)

A誰shti by the Sea, Antelias T. 04 71 77 16 ext. 251 alexandermcqueen.com

A cityscape

Just in New York

The Met Bruer (below)

Due this March and a nod to Bauhaus starchitect Marcel Bruer, the Metropolitan Museum of Art will open its brand new Met Bruer in the Whitney Museum’s former space for to house modern art, installations, and performances. 945 Madison Ave., tel. 212.731.1675, metmuseum.org/visit/the-met-breuer

Le Turtle (above)

The proprietors of Freeman’s and The Smile - two of the Lower East Side’s staples of chic- join forces to debut a stunning new space with a healthful, fresh “French new wave” focus. 177 Chrystie St., tel. 648.919.7189

Lowlife (below)

Quality Eats (West Village) (above) If you like your steak (and we know you do) head to new meat joint Quality Eats. The 35-year-old heir to the Smith & Wollensky steakhouse empire, Michael Stillman has opened this young, hip Greenwich Village reprise of his Uptown ventures to showcase lesser-known cuts, from bavette to sirloin culotte. 19 Greenwich Ave., tel. 212.337.9988, qualityeats.com

Le Pif (right)

Latest news for NYC’s vino lovers sees uptown wine bar Le Pif open a Chelsea outpost where sommelier Arnaud Lecamus (un bon pif himself) has curated an aspiring oenophile’s dream of a list meant to make French wine “accessible.” 2058 Broadway, tel. 212.799.2253, lepifnyc.com A 66

Receiving rave reviews and located beneath the Williamsburg Bridge, Lowlife serves Japanese, Italian, and Eastern European takes on seasonal dishes from borscht and herring to squab escabeche conceived by Noma-alum Chef Alex Leonard (Michelinstarred Blanca). Eat here now. 178 Stanton St., tel. 212.257.05099, lowlifenyc.com

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A beauty _ counter

Smells so good By Pip Usher

The superstar guide to scents Pretty in pink Dakota Johnson may have bared her derrière in 50 Shades of Grey, but the Hollywood star is more conservative about her clothing once the cameras stop rolling. Favoring skinny jeans and sweet summer dresses, the 26 year old’s off-duty style blends youthful, trend-driven pieces with a flair for ageless staples. We’d advise the all-American beauty to try out fellow fashionista Tory Burch’s first perfume – the fresh blend of floral and citrus notes smells like it was designed with her in mind. Tory Burch eau de parfum spray

Shape-shifter A rather recent addition to the red carpet role call, Zoe Kravitz’s eclectic wardrobe – an effortless medley of styles that range from ’90s-inspired grunge to rockstar vibes with a penchant for oversized hats – has skyrocketed her to the top of many a best-dressed list. The only scent to suit such a fashion chameleon is Tom Ford’s latest: a unisex edition with woody notes of black pepper that spice up its rough, floral aroma. It’s as intoxicating as Kravitz herself. Tom Ford Venetian Bergamot eau de parfum A 74

Modern woman Fashion darling and social media sensation Kendall Jenner is having a moment. She’s the new breed of businesswoman, one that makes time for fashion jobs around the globe and down time with her squad of fellow supermodels while capturing it all on Instagram. Determined to inject some of her glamour into your own life? Turn to Estée Lauder’s sparkling scent, the aptly titled Modern Muse, which is currently being fronted by – you guessed it – Jenner. We may never look like her, but we can all start somewhere. Estée Lauder Modern Muse Le Rouge eau de parfum

A beauty _ lipstick

Hello, boys

By Yasmin Harake

May we introduce you to the gentlemen guaranteed to stick around

Already boasting 25 favourites, the designer has added a further 25 shades, all named after the men he most admires. The line-up is bold and luxurious, and each lipstick is defined by a glamorous metallic A 76

finish for added drama and a high-impact hello. Perfect for any purse and encased in miniature versions of the iconic Tom Ford lipstick cases, these guys are always there when you need them. With 50 shades to choose from, all that’s left for you to decide is which boy is for you. Visit tomford.com

Ladies, meet Henry. He’s confident, dark and daring but there’s a catch – he’s a lipstick. Along with Flynn, Richard and Beau, Henry is one of many colourful new additions to Tom Ford’s Lips & Boys collection for 2016.

Isabel Lagbo

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ÂŠ Brock Elbank

A beauty _ face

Beautiful spots By Felix El Hage

George Hard

For Brit photographer Brock Elbank thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nothing so beautiful as the freckled of face

Leah Sheehan

79 A

A beauty _ face

In March 2015 Brock Elbank’s Beard exhibition – the photographer’s acclaimed series of portraits of people sporting impressive facial hair – made waves at London’s Somerset House. This year his passion is freckles, for an upcoming series called FRECKLES, highlighting the inherent beauty of those with speckled features. With people travelling to the UK capital from all over the world to be shot in his studio – word spread via his 52.2k Instagram followers – what exactly is it about freckles that so fascinates Brock. “I’ve always loved freckles and what I find interesting about the individual characters I meet and have been fortunate to photograph is that generally they’ve

struggled with their freckles in childhood, often hating them, sometimes just growing to live with them, and then eventually actually liking them in adulthood. Many of my subjects so far are such incredible looking human beings – which is what I really love to photograph – who just happen also to be freckled. “I’ve discovered that many of them were teased at school and lots even covered their freckles up with make-up. One subject I shot spent four hours with me post-portrait talking about how they felt as a kid, bullied, rejected at school for their appearance and that really shocked me because I found this person so beautiful and amazing looking. “The great thing for me about this series is that all walks of life are getting to be documented, many different ethnic mixes and backgrounds, it’s incredible. I photographed one woman who has a very unique concentrated cluster of freckles across her right shoulder, arm and right cheek. They’re incredible and she’s hidden these from the public eye all her life, it took real guts to apply to be photographed but now she’s receiving great feedback on Instagram, which is having such a positive effect on her self-esteem.” Brock Elbank is represented by Michael Reid’s gallery in Sydney and Berlin, www.michaelreid.com/au who will exhibit an edited series of FRECKLES in 2017. In the meantime, follow Brock’s progress on Instagram @ mrelbank and at www.mrelbank.com

Alex Berry

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Holly Oluwo

A beauty _ health

Bring it on

By Pip Usher

Become your own health cheerleader

Move more. You may live a long-haul flight away from one of Anderson’s studios, but that’s no excuse to slack. “Do you need to train two hours a day? Probably not,” admits Anderson. Instead, look for simple ways to introduce regular movement into each day. Ride a bicycle to work, take a run at lunchtime or suggest a weekend hike with friends. Even small amounts of exercise A 82

increases relaxation, encourages better sleep and keeps your body at a healthy weight. Love what you’ve got. Handle your skin with the same care that you’d give to a Hermès handbag. First, it’s essential to gently wash off the day’s accumulation of dirt, oil and pollutants each night before bed. Resist the urge to scrub aggressively – it will dry out your skin – and apply generous dollops of moisturizer afterwards. Our top tip? Incorporate La Mer’s Renewal Oil into your beauty regime. Since the luxury skincare line launched their latest magic potion last season, the nourishing blend of sea-sourced ingredients, which can be applied to the face, cuticles or even split ends, has skyrocketed to the top of every beauty list. Eat smart. “I hate diets and I love eating,” claims Anderson, whose taut abs belie her self-confessed sweet tooth. Still, she has a point – dieting is dreadful. This year, replace that fast food on your desk with nutritional snacks that promise just as much flavor. Bananas offer a great energy boost, nuts are

packed with protein, and air-popped popcorn feels like a treat (but without the calories). Keep things varied at dinnertime with healthy, seasonal recipes that make use of fresh produce from your local farmer’s market. Exercise is not a choice. Best pal and business partner Paltrow was gritting her teeth through a grueling workout when Anderson transformed the way she approached it with one comment. “It’s not an option. It’s like brushing your teeth,” Paltrow recalls her saying – and ever since, the Hollywood superstar has treated exercise as an opportunity for empowerment rather than a dreaded item on the to-do list. Treat fitness as sacred time for self-care, then make time for it the same way you would wake up early to wash your hair. Compliment yourself. Does your inner voice feel like your worst enemy? Rewire it into your biggest cheerleader by taking the time to identify something you like about yourself each day. You rock, and it’s about time that inner voice knew it.

She may be diminutive in stature, but personal trainer Tracy Anderson has some big opinions when it comes to taking care of yourself. “You just need to learn to speak straight to yourself and be your own health cheerleader,” said the pixieish blonde responsible for the much-admired physiques of Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Lopez and Kim Kardashian, in a recent interview with The Cut. With such an impressive roster of celebrity clients, not to mention a net worth estimated at $110 million, it’s clear this fitness dynamo’s opinions carry weight – or rather, keep the weight off. Over at A, we’ve decided to channel her no-nonsense attitude into a few beauty goals for the year ahead.

A film by Sean Baker kenzo.com/snowbird

A誰shti by the Sea, Antelias

LEBANON 225 Foch St., Downtown Beirut Te l . + 9 6 1 1 9 9 1 1 1 1 E x t . 4 8 0 A誰shti By the Sea, Antelias Te l . + 9 6 1 4 4 1 7 7 1 6 E x t . 2 3 4

A fashion _ resort

Last resort By Pip Usher

Trends to see you through to summer

Marc Jacobs

More is more Resort 2016 is making us rethink the notion that simplicity equals stylishness. Instead, we’re embracing maximalism that pays homage to excess: excessive color, excessive texture and a flair for accessorizing that seeks attention without embarrassment.

If embellishment isn’t your thing, look towards bold swathes of color. Julie Libran, creative director at Sonia Rykiel, rolled out the house’s signature rainbow strikes in an optimistic, ‘70s-inspired collection. Party girls were treated to shimmering sequined dresses striped with color and paired with satin platform sandals; for those dipping their toe into maximalism for the first time, we advise you start with Rykiel’s rainbow-hued cardigan jacket and pair it with jeans. It’s guaranteed to lift your mood far more than black ever did. A 90

Sonia Rykiel

At Marc Jacobs, embroidery was scattered across every conceivable surface in adornments that ranged from oversized clusters of crystals to cut-out patterns on ballgowns and kitsch sequin flowers. It was an exuberant collection that delighted in its intricacies, the boldness of each outfit commanding immediate attention – and then begging to be inspected at closer range.

play cool

A 誰 s h t i D o w n t o w n B e i r u t TE L . 0 1 . 9 9 1 1 1 1 A 誰 s h t i B Y THE SE A , A NTE L I A S TE L . 0 4 . 7 1 7 7 1 6 E X T . 2 9 9 A 誰 s h t i V e r d u n TE L . 0 1 . 7 9 3 7 7 7

DVF.COM

A fashion _ resort

Gucci

Valentino

Bohemian Rhapsody The free-spirited style pioneered by Sienna Miller in 2004 and subsequently copied by every girl with festival tickets to her name has been give the haute-over. Don’t ditch your feather earrings, tribal embroidering and flowing silhouettes just yet, simply rework them into a more luxe look.

Gucci

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Over at Gucci, Alessandro Michele interpreted the spirit of unconventionality that defines boho style differently. Paisley prints, pleats and corsages pinned to the collar in one ensemble evoked the ‘70s while a sheer, floor-length dress, paired with a flower headband and disheveled locks, recalled the heady days of Woodstock. Coachella girls, take note.

Valentino’s array of gowns were straight from the pages of a Brothers Grimm fairytale, the carefree folksiness of vibrant floral prints and delicate, flower-topped crowns sitting at odds with the exquisite craftsmanship behind each piece. His gowns sought to redefine boho, taking it away from its current state of tatty commercialization towards something laden with soul. Damsels in distress, be warned- the Chuck Taylor-style sneakers and sensible black boots that accompanied the gowns suggest they were designed with modern-day heroines in mind.

nancygonzalez.com

A誰shti, Downtown Beirut 01.99 11 11

A誰shti by the Sea, Antelias 04. 71 77 16

A fashion _ resort

Altuzarra

Smart fashion Overwhelmed by fashion’s hyperactive approach to trends? Take the time to curate a wardrobe filled with luxurious staples. Seasons come and go, but clothes can last a lifetime.

Stella McCartney, a stalwart of the British fashion scene – took a similar approach to her own collection, showcasing creations without a sell-by date. There were moments of eccentricity – her tailored shirtmeets-sarong being one of them – but for the most part, the clothes were ones designed to be worn again and again. Floral-dotted dresses, wide-legged, pastel-pink ensembles and a billowing, creamy cover-up all deserve a place in your wardrobe’s hall of fame. A 94

Stella McCartney

A genius at creating elegant ensembles, Altuzarra’s Resort 2016 offering was filled with pieces immune to the ravages of time. A scarlet pantsuit, teamed with a chic striped top, looked to the summery climes of the Basque Country for inspiration; an elegant maxi dress, pinched slightly at the waist and embellished only with two stripes of color at the neckline, was a timeless summer piece. We love it, our mothers love it – hell, we’d be hardpressed to find anyone who didn’t.

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A fashion _ new age

This and opposite page Dolce & Gabbana’s decadent haute couture show in Capri 2014

By Pip Usher

The new age of the fashion show

One can only imagine the sniffs of horror across Manhattan as fashion editors pried open their invitations to Dior’s 2015 cruise show. Two years after the hallowed house appointed Raf Simons to the role of creative director, the Belgian-born designer threw the industry into a tailspin with his decision to show Dior’s cruise collection at Brooklyn’s Navy Yard. Free ferries, emblazoned with Dior’s logo, shuttled fashionistas across the river, and alluring male models, clad in sailor uniforms and armed with flutes of champagne, greeted guests as they disembarked in a borough that had only become fashionable what seemed like yesterday. Simons, with that unexpected venue choice and the bells and whistles that went with it, took care to craft an occasion grander than merely the clothes he sent down the catwalk and the celebrities he summoned to watch it. And, as is wont to happen, a new direction for one fashion house left the others scrambling to catch up. Shows used to be formulaic. Find a spot, send invites, job done. But in the 120 years since they established themselves as part of fashion’s natural rhythm, a case of serious one-upmanship has seized the industry. These days, a breathtaking collection isn’t enough; sky-high budgets and a SWAT team of event planners are deemed essential

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Shine bright

“Uh, Brooklyn?”

ammunition if a brand wants to outshine all others on the fashion week schedule. “Fashion houses have big egos and prefer to be lead singers rather than playing in a band, so to speak,” says Oscar Arrsjö, Sweden’s prominent style expert and founder of frontmen.com. “Showing during fashion weeks means that you have to share the attention.” Rather than risk getting overlooked, fashion houses have transformed the sparsity of the catwalk – originally seen simply as a stage to showcase the creations paraded upon it – with elaborate concepts and ornate designs. With each year that passes, expectations grow higher. Take Dolce & Gabbana’s decadent haute couture show in 2014, set upon the magical island of Capri. A carefully selected assortment of heiresses, supermodels and Vogue editors gathered on deck chairs to watch models parade handmade creations that cost upwards of €30,000. The show used Capri’s scenic beauty to better showcase the fantastical ballgowns that were debuted, and to help imagine the charmed life that went with them. While the balmy sea breeze and striped parasols may have evoked a

scene straight from an F. Scott Fitzgerald novel, beneath the elegant nonchalance lurked a formidable desire to reimagine what a fashion show could be. “As well as being about the clothes,” explained Domenico Dolce, one half of the design duo, prior to the event, “in Alta Moda we try and communicate a total feeling, a complete emotion in the show.” And, really, what better emotion to convey than that which accompanies sunset in Capri? Louis Vuitton’s resort 2016 collection took a similar approach. Held at Bob Hope’s home in Palm Springs, a Space-Age creation with a cornucopia of concrete, guests sat under the brilliant desert sun as they watched models sashay past in sequins, patent leather and a stunning selection of prints. Like Simons, creative director Nicolas Ghesquière’s choice of location mirrored the Technicolored exuberance of his collection. Music blasted from sky-high Plexiglass speakers dotted around the grounds; Kanye West sat stony-faced on the front row while models, resplendent in burst of color, sucked popsicles on a balcony overlooking the grounds. It was one of those fashion moments, fleeting yet immeasurably significant for future shows. The stakes had been raised yet again – the race was on to see who could dazzle brightest next season.

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A fashion _ trend

Red Carpet Revolutionaries By Lucille Howe

Jennifer Lawrence stuns in a Dior gown at the 73rd Golden Globe Awards

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ÂŠ Getty Images

As the stars put their best heel forward for award season we look at the most lustworthy labels for the 2016 circuit

February is the heavyweight month for award season. This year, the British Academy of Film and Television Awards falls on the 14th with the Oscars on the 28th, setting the red carpet standard for film events throughout the year, from Berlin to Cannes. When an estimated one billion viewers, worldwide, will watch the Oscars, award season is the chance for fashion brands, and the stylists and stars who support them, to secure priceless exposure. In January, Hollywood A-listers and British talent gathered at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills for vintage crockery-chinking at the BAFTA Los Angeles Tea party. Cate Blanchett, who leads the field for anticipated trophies, was in attendance wearing a buttoned-up shirt and a striking hot pink, silk Camilla and Marc skirt, embroidered with folk-style florals. A longtime supporter of Australian designers, Cate would do well to continue the trend, particularly when this brother-sister duo have just celebrated 20 years of Australian fashion week and perfect the clean lines and edgy silhouettes that Blanchett wears so well. We hope she does not repeat the pink-fringed Givenchy mistake from the Golden Globes that earned her more than a few critical digs. One-woman creative powerhouse, Shona Joy, is one to watch too. What began as a Bondi Boutique near Blanchett’s Sydney home in the CBD, now boasts cocktail dresses, created and made Down Under, with playful cut-outs and the funnel necks and handkerchief hems that suggest the kind of period drama Blanchett is famed for.

Co-star Rooney Mara rocked a monochrome dress with bow detail and dropped sleeves at the BAFTA event, nodding to this year’s big trend; the shoulder reveal. Fashion has a new erogenous zone and British Vogue have been all over this one. Red carpet glamour is more about creating shapes than exposing flesh but a well placed flash of elongated spine or statuesque shoulder is as guaranteed to make headlines. Mara borrowed her custom-made look from designer, Proenza Schouler, and repeated an off-the-shoulder stunt at the Golden Globes in Alexander McQueen. Slip dresses were all over the Spring/Summer 2016 collections from Balenciaga and Alexander Wang to Saint Laurent and Haider Ackermann. Think vintage-inspired, barelythere, floor-length slips with spaghetti straps and lace trims. Throw on some faux fur and any A-lister will be seriously on-trend. Claire Godfrey, Fashion Designer for London’s House of Fraser predicts that Marchesa will hit the red carpet hard this year. Sienna Miller famously turned heads in the designer, at the Golden Globes, in a medieval-inspired white and metallic gown. The label has also dressed Elle Fanning, Sandra Bullock and Hilary Swank. “Marchesa is just so feminine, and the craftmanship is exceptional,” explains Godfrey. Clever celebs will pilfer from their latest, pre-fall 2016 collection, which was inspired by their original muse; the rather eccentric female dandy, Marchesa Luisa Casati who was famed for prowling the grounds of her Venetian property in nothing but a fur coat. The collection previewed

sumptuous column gowns with jeweled bodices and swathes of tulle. Fashionforward with the label’s newly launched, laser-cut stiletto boots. There were precisely 12 ‘twinning’ moments at New York Fashion week, with models like Caroline Vreeland and Shea Marie at Stella McCartney dressed the same... which is good news for Jennifer Lawrence and BFF, Amy Schumer. Lawrence has vowed to wear the same as Schumer at the Oscars, saying, “I’m just going to have Dior make two of whatever they’re making for me.” The fashion house politely declined, and thankfully Lawrence wore Dior to stunning effect at the Golden Globes – solo. Keep your eyes peeled for creations by Brandon Maxwell, stylist turned new designer. Maxwell created the wardrobe for Lady Gaga’s Cheek to Cheek wardrobe so he has a talent for the theatrical. We’d also welcome a newcomer in Self Portrait; a British label, perfect for ingenues like Alicia Vikander and Rooney Mara, and firm favourites of Kristen Stewart and Reese Witherspoon, off the red carpet. They showed at their first ever NYFW in 2015, sold out in London’s Selfridges in just three hours and on Net-a-Porter’s site in one day. The label’s Creative Director is Central St Martin’s graduate, Han Chong, who masters the bird cage skirt, broderie anglaise finish and tiered structure. For just a fraction of the cost of your usual designer frock, you can buy yourself an award-worthy number too. 99 A

A fashion _ genderless

Boy, girl, boy, girl

By John Ovans

Gender neutral fashion is hailed as the next big thing

Below Marc Jacobs wears a short skirt after a guest appearance at the Late Show with Jimmy Fallon! Left David Bowie

Call it the Caitlyn Jenner effect, but in 2016, Jacobs’ style statement is no longer so outlandish. 2015 was the year in which trans visibility rose to public consciousness, and alongside it a more widespread discourse about gender identity. You can even hand some credit to the muchridiculed Rachel Dolezal, who further enabled discussion about a person’s right to claim their ‘inner truth’ beyond what their physical appearance might indicate. But Jenner, who announced herself to the world by way of an A 100

At his fall/winter fashion shows of 2008, Marc Jacobs – a man who has forged a career by his ability to be ahead of the curve – took his bow on two consecutive nights in two consecutive skirts (or ‘skorts’ as they transpired to be). Judging by the confused reaction, the world wasn’t ready for it. Luckily, according to Jacobs, it was a solely personal choice, and that skirts (or skorts) weren’t going to crop up in the Marc Jacobs menswear line any time soon.

ultra-feminine, pin-up-inspired bustier, demonstrated how fashion plays a key role in the construction of gender – which now, is increasingly seen as something fluid, rather than fixed. Perfectly timed, ‘gender neutral’ fashion has emerged as one of this year’s hottest trends, with a record number of mixed sex runway in the tents for spring/summer 2016 – women in men’s clothes, men in women’s clothes, all bets are off. ‘The line between women’s and men’s fashion has been blurring over the past few seasons,’ says trend researcher Laura Coppen. ‘We’re seeing an interesting shift where men are dressing more feminine and women are shopping in men’s stores.’ However, while womenswear has long incorporated masculine elements, for menswear, this is new territory. And really, it’s no surprise that the face of men’s fashion is changing. The past five years has welcomed a commercial boom in the male beauty and clothing industries and with it, a refinement of taste: boorish but longstanding lifestyle titles such as FHM and Loaded have closed, while online style journals from the likes of Mr Porter have welcomed a vastly increased readership. By embracing more traditionally feminine habits, it seems men have reached the point where they will more readily embrace feminine styles. ‘A man with a sequin-adorned sweatshirt or sparkly trousers on the streets of a major fashion city,’ states Coppen. ‘It seems men are no longer afraid of being different and having a wider wardrobe.’ Consider, though, how long it took before the man-bag was accepted by the everyday consumer. Menswear is a market which in previous years has been fearful of experimentation, and new trends have to be coaxed in slowly. Unlike the man-bag, however, which was a oneoff, gender bending was a directional theme that infused entire collections for spring/summer 2016. The brand which garnered the most attention for twisting sartorial norms was one of the biggest – Gucci, thanks to the debut collection from the recently named creative director Alessandro Michele. Looking to the ‘70s, a decade where gender experimentation was all the rage thanks to the late lamented legend David Bowie, the collection was a paean to flamboyance, with male models clad in silk

scarves and pussy-bow ties, lace shirts and floral print suits. Jacobs also took inspiration from the era, with his kimono-style evening jackets, high-waisted trousers in pastel colours, and floral tops. Colour and fabrication were in fact key in creating what industry rag Women’s Wear Daily have dubbed ‘neo-dandyism’. Etro’s collection, in an overwhelmingly feminine palette of dusky pinks and electric blues, was inspired by the egg which the designer called a symbol of ‘the union of man and woman’; Prada sent out a selection of soft silk shirts unbuttoned down to the waist, while Burberry made theirs in lace – all traditionally feminine fabrics, given new life in menswear. Commercially speaking, a genderless world would seem like good news for fashion brands – after all, one line is much cheaper to produce than two. However, the most common counter-argument that can be raised to this has to do with fit. Differences in height, breadth, chests and bums mean that men and women are different whether we like it or not. That, of course, never stopped the women who began wearing trousers back in the 1920s. Almost a century later, isn’t it time that men claimed the skirt? Or skort… 101 A

A fashion _ debate

Yes or no

Karlie kloss at the 67th annual Cannes Film Festival

Should flats be banned on the red carpet?

YES Last year, at Cannes, a previous festival planner called Vicci Ho was turned away from a 7pm screening because she was wearing flats. It turned out she was suffering with an ankle injury but, in any other circumstances, I would have shooed her off the red stuff too. No heels, no hot ticket. Before you feel too sorry for the in-crowd, remember these thoroughbreds will not be lining up for the paparazzi in any discounted, high street knock-offs, but handcrafted leather lovelies from the likes of Jimmy Choo and Louboutin. For my last birthday, I splashed on some four” studded, coral Valentino ‘Rock Studs’, in excess of £600. To some, they might look like a murder weapon, the definition of ‘killer heels’, but in all honesty, for the first hour of wearing them, they feel as comfortable as slippers. They should; they cost enough. Besides, I totally refute any feminist argument that heels are the equivalent of the medieval stocks. I feel liberated and empowered in my Valentino’s, not restricted. Besides, think of the poor fellas, trussed up in claustrophobic suits and suffocating dickie bows. Film is all artifice and glamour, smoke and mirrors. We want to see our leading ladies and industry power players reflect that, in shoes that elongate their limbs and lift them high above mere mortals. I don’t want to see flats, bunions, cankles or toe cleavage. “If it wasn’t because of my high heels, I would still be in Coatzacoalcos with ten children,” said Salma Hayek, famously. No. Heels must stay. If that sounds like hell, go for a kitten heel and a cushioned insert. You’ll stop noticing the pinch after a few glasses of bubbles and the Palme D’Or. By Lucille Howe, Actress and Author

NO I’m with Emily Blunt who said, “I think everyone should wear flats. We shouldn’t wear high heels anymore. That’s just my point of view. I prefer to wear Converse sneakers. That’s very disappointing.” Disappointing is right. This archaic rule is so 1950s!

Salma Hayek at the 68th annual Cannes Film Festival

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I have some beautiful ballerina pumps, embellished with jewels, and they’re the perfect shoes to glam up a little black dress. Invite me to Cannes and I’ll show you how red carpet ready they are. By Sarah Ward, Feminist Blogger

Star quality and professional polish don’t come from the height of your footwear, it’s about the attitude and creativity with which you put together a look and carry it off. These people are artists, not models, they’re supposed to be eccentric, not cardboard cut-outs. The bottom line is, it’s about choice. I have plenty of heels in my closet and as a five-foot-three” woman, I really appreciate the extra height, particularly on dates with tall men and in important work meetings where I might be the only woman. But, what I don’t like, is being told when I have to wear them. If I’ve worked my way up to a job as a Hollywood film director, or leading lady, I don’t expect to be told what to wear by some faceless committee. I also don’t think you should have to justify the choice to wear flats if you have some kind of health issue that you’d rather keep private.

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A 110 Dolce & Gabbana

Céline

Marni

Balenciaga

Chloé

Alexander Wang

Pucci

Chain Gang Christian Dior

Burberry

Alexander McQueen

Alexander Wang

Valentino

A fashion _ hotstuff

Dolce & Gabbana

Fendi

Gucci

Miu Miu

Stella McCartney

Dolce & Gabbana

Gucci

Marc Jacobs

Print-athon

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Gucci

Stella McCartney

Gucci

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Burberry

Stella McCartney

Dolce & Gabbana

Loewe

Stella McCartney

High Shine Marc Jacobs

Etro

Burberry

Stella McCartney

Gucci

A fashion _ hotstuff

Céline

Balenciaga

Céline

Loewe

Chloé

Stella McCartney

Proenza Schouler

Loewe

Alexander McQueen

Blanche

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Balenciaga

Maison Margiela

Chloé

A fashion _ jewelry

The wish list Photographer Tony Elieh

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All by Cartier

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All by Tabbah

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A fashion _ jewelry

Bracelet and earrings by Repossi, rings by Pristine. Available at Sylvie Saliba

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All by Buccellati

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A fashion _ jewelry

All by George Hakim

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All by Bulgari

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Winter warrior Photographer Tony Elieh

Stylist Joe Arida

Location Sannine, Lebanon

Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wearing a Self Portrait dress

Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wearing a Cushnie Et Ochs dress. Her cardigan is by Vince

Fendi sunglasses

Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wearing a Dion Lee dress and her sweater is by Helmet Lang

Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wearing a dress and shoes by Saint Laurent. Her cardigan is by Equipment

Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wearing a Vince sweater and a Loewe bag

Loewe scarf, Saint Laurent shoes

Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wearing an Altuzarra dress. Her vest and bag are by Dior

This page Alexandre Birman heels Opposite page Dior bag

Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wearing a Dion Lee dress and Helmet Lang sweater. Her bag is by Prada

Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wearing a Dion Lee top and skirt and her sweater is by Helmet Lang. Her bag is by Nancy Gonzalez

Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wearing a Cushnie et Ochs dress and a Vince sweater. Her bag is by Prada

Prada bag

She is wearing a Moschino dress and a Fendi jacket. Her bags and charm are by Fendi

This page Saint Laurent shoes Opposite page Prada bag

Saint Laurent bag

Her dress is by Self Portrait

Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wearing a top and skirt by Dion Lee and a Helmet Lang sweater

She’s wearing an Altuzarra dress. Her vest and bag are by Dior. Hair Ï Day Spa Makeup Mirelle Zein and Ï Day Spa Model Anu-Maaritkoski at MP management

Joined at the hip Photographer Emilio Tini Stylist Amelianna Loiacono

Their looks are by Dolce & Gabbana

Their looks are by Etro

Her jeans and her shorts are by 7 For All Mankind

Their looks are by Valentino

Their looks are by Dsquared2. She is wearing a Maison Margiela necklace

Their looks are by Marni

Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wearing a Moschino swimsuit. He is in a Maison Margiela look

Their looks are by Dsquared2

Their looks are by Michael Kors. Hair Andrew M. Guida at Close Up Milano Makeup Hugo Villard at Atomo Management

Naughty by nature Photographer Sol Sanchez Stylist Amelianna Loiacono Location H么tel Ermitage, Paris

Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in a Dolce & Gabbana look

She is wearing a Tory Burch vest

She is wearing a ChloĂŠ dress

Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wearing a Valentino dress

She is wearing a ChloĂŠ dress

Her look is by Moschino

Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in a Dolce & Gabbana look

She is wearing a Tory Burch vest

Her dress is by Sonia Rykiel

She is in a Tory Burch romper

Her jumpsuit is by Pucci. Her belt and bag are vintage Her dress is by Sonia Rykiel

Her outfit is by Dior and her shoes are by Etro

Her dress is by Sonia Rykiel

Her dress is by ChloĂŠ

Her look is by Etro

She is wearing a ChloĂŠ dress

Her dress is by Sonia Rykiel. Hair Alessandro Rebecchi at ArtList Paris Makeup Kathy Le Sant at Airport Agency Paris Model Lea Rostain at WM Models Paris

Photographer Alice Rosati

Stylist Rich Aybar

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She is in a Prada look

Opposite page She is wearing a CĂŠline dress. Her socks and boots are by Miu Miu

This page Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wearing a dress by Adam Lippes and a jacket by Saint Laurent. Her earrings are Sarina Suriano Opposite page Her top is by Cushnie et Ochs, her skirt is by Dolce & Gabbana, and her shoes are by MSGM

Her top is by Prada

Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wearing a Sacai shirt and Sonia Rykiel pants

She is wearing a Prada coat

This page She is wearing a CĂŠline dress and Balenciaga earring Opposite page Prada bag

This page Her jacket is by Saint Laurent, her top is by Cushnie et Ochs, and her earrings are by Sarina Suriano Opposite page Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wearing a mesh top by Saint Laurent, a leather top by Fendi, a skirt by Prada and CĂŠline sneakers

Her dress is by Balenciaga and her shoes are by Prada

This page She is wearing a Sacai jacket and Dior shorts The opposite page Her earrings are by Prada

Her look is by Dior. All vintage gear and wading boots were sourced locally. Hair Martin-Christopher Harper Makeup Tracy Alfajora at Jed Root L.A Her topAntonia is by Marni Model Wilson at Select Model Management

Her dress is by Moschino and her jacket is by Fendi. Her bags and charms are by Fendi. Stylist assistant Tosca Rundholz Herand jumpsuit is Siddhartha by Pucci. Her belt Representation and bag are vintage Hair makeup at NCL Model Djaja Baecke at MP Management

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A design _ district

Faena takes on Miami By Robert Landon

For generations, cultural capital in the Americas has tended to flow from North to South. Now, Buenos Aires’ designer and impresario Alan Faena is doing his part to reverse the tide. His Faena District Miami Beach, a massively ambitious cluster of arts venues, luxury hotels and condominiums, is creating a new center of cultural gravity along Miami’s fabled seafront.

America’s richest hedge-fund managers are already snapping up apartments in Foster’s Faena House, with its glossy curves and mammoth private terraces that break down barriers between interior and exterior spaces. The eight-bedroom penthouse went for more than $60 million – shattering previous records to become Miami’s most expensive home.

Faena and team come to Miami after their remarkable makeover of Puerto Madero, Buenos Aires’ abandoned docklands: They managed to turn that no-man’s land into not only the city’s most vibrant center for the arts but also Argentina’s most expensive neighborhood per square meter. To export his arts-cum-luxury concept to Miami Beach, Faena has enlisted the most rarefied names in modern design, from Pritzker Prize-winning architects Lord Norman Foster and Rem Koolhaas to film director and designer Baz Luhrmann.

If you can’t afford digs in Foster’s building, you can at least enjoy the same views at the adjacent Faena Hotel Miami Beach, where rooms start at around $700 per night. To reimagine the old Saxony Hotel – one of the first luxury hotels on Miami Beach, and frequented by the likes of Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe – Faena turned to none other than Baz Luhrmann. Renowned for the over-the-top aesthetics of films like Moulin Rouge and The Great Gatsby, Luhrmann worked with wife and creative partner Catherine Martin to makes guests feel they been transported to some alternate reality – in this case a typically Luhrmann-style mash-up combining tropical fertility, Art Deco curves, Baroque finery, and old-style Hollywood glamour. Fifty years after old Hollywood abandoned the Saxony for greener pastures, you can certainly bet 21st century star sightings will be fast and furious.

Sitting about 15 blocks north of Miami Beach’s busy Lincoln Road, the new district consists of six major elements: mega-luxe condos by Norman Foster (Faena House); a completely redesigned and updated version of the classic Saxony Hotel (Faena Hotel); a new marina; and three new constructions by Rem Koolhaas – the multipurpose Faena Arts Center, a high-end mall called Faena Bazaar, and a state-of-theart parking lot. A 204

Luxury hotels and high-rises like these are nothing new along Miami’s waterfront. Italian design house Fendi has

The power of the arts creates big changes

This page A stylishly furnished beach suit at Faena Hotel Miami Opposite page The perfect beach view

created Fendi Chateau Residences. Armani Casa features Giorgio’s designs and a museum-quality collection of art. And the Porsche Design tower has an elevator that whisks residents’ cars right up to their apartments – all the way up to the 60th floor, if need be. But Faena goes one step further by implanting a thriving artistic core at the heart of his little piece of the Florida coast.

as a traditional gallery space, then indoor sculpture garden, then a performance space – or all three at the same time. Slated for completion in 2016, the venue is certain both to augment and challenge Miami’s growing arts scene. It will also help anchor a neighborhood that, if it succeeds, will be less a vertical suburb – like so much of Miami Beach – and more like a hive of urbanity.

The star of the show is Rem Koolhaas’s Faena Arts Center, which is inspired as much by Rome’s ancient Pantheon as the sleek, ultra-engineered sheathings of Norman Foster. Formed by a series of interlocking cylinders and cubes, the center can be endlessly configured and reconfigured with an almost Protean flexibility. On one day it can serve

“I believe in the power of the arts to make big changes in cities and in the world,” Faena recently told a press luncheon in New York. Miami, already nicknamed The Capital of Latin America, is the logical site for Faena to make his US debut. “It’s the city where South meets North,” says Faena, “so it could not be a better fit.” 205 A

A design _ destination

Dynamic Duo

Sahag Khajadourian incredibly fine and detailed jewelry work is much in demand.

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ÂŠ Sahag Khajadourian, Hawini

By Natalie Shooter

This and next page Hawini’s spacious studio and showroom in Sin El Fil, pieces from the Hawini’s Boo collection

Design collective Hawini and jewelry designer Sahag Khajadourian show A magazine what they’re made of It’s 2016 and from the ateliers of Ashrafieh and the boutiques of Mar Mikhael to creative spaces in the suburbs of the city, Lebanon’s art and design scene is getting noticed. What began as a small, close-knit group of like-minded souls creating work they wanted to see is now finding its way above ground, helped along by individual initiatives that help promote the emerging designers, along with boutiques and design fairs that are keen to showcase their work. As the buzz about Lebanese design grows internationally, new designers continue to emerge that are pushing the country’s vibrant design scene forward, while building on the craftsmanship of the past. One such, art and design collective Hawini was founded in 2011 by three friends: architect Wissam Moubarak, social worker Nisrine Nasr and designer Haytham Hreiz. Despite coming from diverse backgrounds they share the same vision: to create an open creative platform and produce art and design with a social responsibility. Currently employing around seven artisans on a dayto-day basis, they aim to continue local craft traditions and work with displaced groups. Relocating to a new space in an industrial building in Sin el Fil a few months back, Hawini today house their artisan workshops, exhibitions and projects all on site.

“Our slogan is art, people and coffee,” says Hala Moubarak, a designer who recently joined the collective. “Art because it’s what we do. People because we have a social background to our work – we are close to losing craftsmanship, so we wanted to do something to counter that; and coffee because Hawini is a space for everyone – people can drop by to have a coffee, see the space and what we do.” Working across a variety of mediums from pop art made using nails, to handmade leather bags, Hawini approaches art and design without the boundaries of form. “Sometimes we create chairs, sometimes mirrors or paintings. We are really an open platform.” The Boo Collection is their most recent offering – a limited edition handmade range of leather bags created by Wissam for Hawini, that are currently displayed at the boutique of renowned Lebanese fashion designer Rabih Kayrouz. “The idea was to reconnect with the inner child. Wissam created these minimalistic bags and one of our young artists hand painted small monsters on them,” Hala says. Hawini is a collective with a long-term vision, to create an active art and design hub that goes beyond the individual designers who

are part of it. With their installation due to be exhibited at Design Days in Dubai this coming March, Hawini have already begun to penetrate the regional design market and their upcoming online platform looks set to expand their reach further. Another new addition to Beirut’s design dynamism is Sahag Khajadourian. After over a decade working in jewelry manufacturing, the jewelry designer launched Sahag Jewelry in 2013 from his Saifi Village workshop. His pieces have a focus on delicate detail, craftsmanship and high quality raw materials; creating items that aim to be a wardrobe staple. With a background as a painter, Khajadourian’s jewelry is inspired by fine art. “I [find inspiration] walking into galleries and discovering new paintings; observing the different use of color palettes and the positioning of patterns and objects in each painting,” he says. The “imperfection of oil painting on canvas” is something he carries through into his jewelry designs. Like Hawini, Khajadourian is interested in maintaining the country’s artisan tradition and works with a small highly skilled team. “I am very committed to sourcing from the most reputable vendors and my skilled team of master jewelers share this commitment 207 A

A design _ destination

Pieces from Hawini’s Boo collection

to craftsmanship and an attention to detail,” he says. “I focus on the intersection of traditional craftsmanship and modern design.”

Reflecting on the creativity and individualism of jewelry design in Lebanon, Khajadourian is hopeful for its future. “Jewelry design in Lebanon is particularly interesting due to the variety of styles and brands available. Each brand holds its sole identity making room for more creativity and innovation,” he says. “Multiple jewelry designers

Hawini’s spacious studio and showroom in Sin el Fil

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have established their names internationally and have a global following, so it is developing.” Hawini’s Hala too, feels design is evolving in the country: “People are starting to get interested in design and they are willing to try new things in new spaces. It’s going to be a long road, but we will get there as we have really talented designers.” Hawini, Kassatly Bldg., Sin el Fil, tel. 01.493.541, hawini.xyz Sahag Jewelry, 164 Debbas Bldg., Saifi Village, tel. 01.987.947, khajadouriansahag.com

Working across a variety of materials such as gold, silver, wood, diamonds and colored stones, Khajadourian is interested in the interplay between them. His latest collection takes mostly organic forms with the themes Seeds, Nest, Empress, and his most popular to date, Bones. Launched in December, rings and earrings are created from geometric triangular forms that mimic the irregular bone forms of the vertebra, cast in gold and decorated with diamonds.

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A high art _ exhibitions

Avedon Warhol “My camera and I, together we have the power to confer or take away,” claimed Richard Avedon. Now, Gagosian Gallery has united two of postwar America’s great portraitists – photographer Avedon and pop artist Andy A 214

Warhol – in an exhibition that explores the fleeting power of celebrity, and the inevitability of death. On view from February 9 to April 23 at Gagosian Gallery, 6-24 Britannia St., London, tel. 44.207.841.9960, gagosian.com

On view

Choreograph Postmodern American artist James Welling has challenged the limits of photography for decades, from his experimentations with Polaroids to abstract, geometric work. The debut of a new series of digital photographs – saturated, dreamy works – reflects his enduring fascination with dance. On view from February 20 to March 26 at Regen Projects, 6750 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, tel. 310.276.7430, regenprojects. com

Living Digital Space and Future Parks Japanese art collective teamLab dazzle again with a largescale installation that pushes the relationship between art and technology a step further. Described as a “digital playground,” the 20 works on show – while bold in their desire to experiment – remain rooted in the traditions of Japanese art, from ancient techniques to anime. On view until June 01 at Pace Gallery, 300 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, California, tel. 650.462.1368, pacegallery.com

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Erró Brash and chaotic, Erró’s raucous use of colour brings the party to each of his paintings. Renowned for his cartoon characters and collages, the icelandic artist addresses pressing political issues with an irrepressible sense of fun. “I paint because painting is a private Utopia,” he once said – but from March, you can sneak a peek at his paradise. On view from March 01 to April 16 at Galerie Perrotin, 909 Madison Ave., 73rd St., New York, tel. 212.812.2902, perrotin.com Half-Naked Truth Berlin-based Daniel Richter has been shaping the art scene in Germany one oil painting at a time since the ‘90s. In his latest solo exhibition, psychedelic splashes of pastel-colored paint belie the menacing atmosphere as faceless figures violently grapple with one another. On view until March 12 at Galerie Thaddeus Ropac, 2 Mirabellplatz, Salzburg, tel. 43.662.881.3930, ropac.net

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A high art _ exhibitions

Since its creation 140 years ago, the house of George Hakim has been continuously growing to become a respected and esteemed name that has stood the test of time. Today, their expansion is crowned by a new boutique opening in Aïshti by the Sea complex in Jal El Dib, which comes as a reaffirmation of George Hakim as a luxury jeweler that caters to the most sophisticated clientele. In 2015, George Hakim celebrated 140 precious years of design and craftsmanship. They are the oldest jewelers who quickly established themselves as one of the region’s most preeminent jewelers, offering the most elegant and refined pieces the region has to offer to connoisseurs and collectors alike. George Hakim, the unmatched expert in diamonds and precious stones, is a family business with a strong heritage of craftsmanship and attention to detail, passed down from generation to generation much like the fascinating and artistic pieces they create. Under the steady guidance of George Hakim the grandson and the current fourth generation, the House of George Hakim launched one of their most exquisite and iconic pieces to date – the beautiful diamond laden and Swiss-made “Alain Philippe” series of precious time-pieces, which have become a household name in the world of luxury wrist watches. Discover more at George Hakim’s exquisite boutique at Aïshti By the Sea complex, Ground Floor.

A high art _ sanctuary

Inner sanctum By Millie Walton

Adeline de Monseignat Dutch-Monegasque, visual artist Adeline de Monseignat describes her south London studio in Old Paradise Yard as “homely – it carries its name beautifully.” Cozy is the byword here, more so since she reveals that she looks forward to her time there, not just to create, but to read, write, research. Come nighttime her bed beckons; darkness and silence are cherished in equal measure. Visit adelinedemonseignat.com

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A peek inside the studios of four artists and their studios

Rebecca Ward So, what is it about her studio that ticks the top box for Texasborn artist Rebecca Ward, currently based in Brooklyn? “The enormous amount of natural light that penetrates the space all day long,” which, she says, adapts according to the nature of her work. “One week it might feel more like a wood shop; another week I’m using my sewing machines and taking threads out of fabrics.” Visit rebeccaward.net John Wood and Paul Harrison This artistic duo is based at Spike Island in England’s Bristol, sharing the space with over 70 creatives. They describe their space as “a huge temple of contemplation” or “a big garden shed.” The studio, though, is “knick-knackless” but – and it’s a big but – with a few exceptions: “Seven identical train sets, a blue emergency poncho, 102 toy sheep; a pair of black glassless glasses.” Visit harrisonandwood.com

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A high art _ sanctuary

Moffat Takadiwa Originally a community space for local projects, the studio in Mbare, a suburb of Harare, harks back to pre-independent Zimbabwe. Now inhabited by the artist, famed for his sculptures constructed from garbage, the space is bursting with “giant boxes with tons of computer keys, spray tops, bottle caps, thousands of perfume bottles.” Other worldly Takadiwa likes to surround himself with objects, smells and Afrocentric music, which he finds “very spiritual.” Visit tyburngallery.com

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A high art _ experience

The worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a stage

ÂŠ Birgit & Ralf

By Rich Thornton

The rise of immersive theater

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This and opposite page Dramatic scenes from Punchdrunk’s The Drowned Man: A Hollywood Fable

Imagine going to see a show where there are no seats, no stage, and you, as the audience member, have to search out the story for yourself. Radical theater makers across the globe are crafting a whole new type of live performance that encourages the audience to become part of the action they’ve come to watch. Instead of traditional etiquette – sit down, stay quiet, eyes on the stage – immersive theater asks spectators to follow actors from room to room, pick up and inspect stage props and even choose which parts of the story they want to see. By challenging audiences to act alongside the actors, immersive and interactive theater shows are helping to break down the pompous, elitist image of theater that has often deterred younger crowds in the past. Punchdrunk is a U.K. company with 15 years of audience experimentation under their belts. Their grandest performance to date, The Drowned Man: A Hollywood Fable, involved over 40 actors and took place across four floors of a gigantic warehouse in London. The first 20 minutes of the three-hour performance had no theatrical action whatsoever; groups of audience members were simply ejected into random rooms and left to investigate the set. Then, as multiple stories began to play out in different rooms, it was up to the audience members to choose 223 A

A high art _ experience

Immersive theater’s growing popularity exposes a new crowd to theatrical performance

Another UK theater company, You Me Bum Bum Train, specializes in audience-of-one performances, where each “passenger” has a totally private 45-minute experience as they “ride the train” through a series of interactive rooms. In these plays, amateur volunteer actors make up most of the cast. As founder Morgan Lloyd told Vice magazine, “It’s a volunteer program. [The cast] are often ex-passengers – they go on it, love it and want to be a part of it for the sake of blowing someone else away. We had one guy who was a passenger years ago – he’s postponed his wedding and moved from Canada for seven weeks to work on the next production.” In 2013, Beirut joined the world of immersive theater via Ashkal Alwan’s X Apartments project. Ashkal Alwan’s resident artists searched both the Bourj Hammoud and Khandaq Al-Ghamiq districts for local characters with intriguing stories. The artists then asked the locals to A 224

help them create a ten-minute theater piece about their life that was to be performed within the locals’ own homes. On show day, audience members were split into pairs, given a map of the area and tasked with discovering each site-specific performance one after the other. In some performances, the audience met face-to-face with the locals and asked them direct questions about their lives; in others, the audience was offered food or asked to search the apartment for old family photos. Events like X Apartments and The Drowned Man: A Hollywood Fable have caused some to suggest that immersive theater shows are more like live video games than pieces of theater. Even Punchdrunk founder Felix Barrett told the UK newspaper The Guardian, “[Our shows are] similar to how in Skyrim you can follow a character and go on a mission, or you can explore the landscape, find moments of other stories and achieve a sense of an overarching environment.” For audiences who have little room to explore make-believe in their adult lives, this thrill is precisely what appeals. Visit bumbumtrain.com and punchdrunk.com

which actors to follow, and which to desert. According to Punchdrunk founder Felix Barrett, the idea behind his production was to “empower the audience to make them feel like they’re the most important person in the space.”

A high art _ moving image

Precious Violence: Jumana Manna

ÂŠ Jumana Manna

By Kate Sutton

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This and Opposite page A magical substance flows into me, 2015

How is power articulated through relationships? The Berlin and Jerusalembased artist Jumana Manna’s moving image work returns to this question time and again. In her 2010 film Blessed Blessed Oblivion, the inner lives and outer bravado within a subculture of East Jerusalem that the artist politely describes as “young men who have a special affinity for lustrous surfaces,” or, more succinctly, “thugs,” are her focus. With an exuberant soundtrack of Nasri Shamseddine, Sama El Masry and Shaabulla, she puts a shaabi spin on Kenneth Anger’s 1964 classic, “Scorpio Rising”, to explore their expressions of masculinity. To shoot the film, Manna trespassed into the inner sanctums of this working class subculture – the barbershop, the gym, an auto body shop and a car wash – where she observed her subjects performing ritual acts of machismo, from lifting weights to hotwiring a car. As the film progresses, it becomes clear how these outward signs of hypermasculinity are meant to mask the 227 A

A high art _ moving image

deeply emasculating circumstances of life in occupied Jerusalem. For Manna, bodybuilding has never just been about biceps. Born in Jerusalem in 1987, schooled in Jerusalem, Oslo and Los Angeles, the artist creates films, objects and installations that question the relationship of the body to larger national or cultural narratives. Sumptous and highly stylized, her films adapt their format to fit the content. In Blessed Blessed Oblivion she borrows Anger’s rapid-fire montage techniques to blur distinctions between the men’s grooming of their own bodies and their care for their cars, so that a close-up of lather being dabbed across the stubble of a man’s chin visually collides A 228

with an image of sudsy pink foam, smeared along the side of an automobile at the car wash. Umpire Whispers (2010) applied an even less conventional device: the fifteen-minute video upended the power dynamics in a reunion between the artist and her former swim coach, by having Manna give her coach the kind of intimate massage he used to give her after practices. Meanwhile, A Sketch of Manners (Alfred Roch’s Last Masquerade), (2013) offers a near-elegaic ode to Palestine’s cosmopolitan past, based on a found photograph of an elaborate costume party at the home of a politician in Jaffa in 1924. The film culminates in a restaging of the tableaux by the artist’s friends and family members, their faces blank under their Pierrot makeup.

Xylophone from Robert Lachmann’s Archive, 2014

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A high art _ moving image

Manna’s cinematographic savvy and eye for composition reflect in her sculptural objects, which, even if technically non-representational, are immensely evocative. Last summer, Manna showed a suite of sculptures at the Beirut Art Center as part of “Aftercinema,” an exhibition looking at artists who use film as raw material. This series, Walk Like a Vase, combined Manna’s meditations on the male body in Blessed Blessed Oblivion, with selected observations from “Menace of Origins,” a solo project the artist produced for New York’s Sculpture Center in 2014. “In Silwan, the same neighborhood where I shot Blessed Blessed Oblivion, you have this Israeli archaeological museum, full of objects with polished surfaces, confined to specific visitors,” Manna recalls. “This project started as an amalgamation of these two worlds, with these more consumer materials, the pumped-up bodies and cars, alongside the precious violence of the archaeology.” Made from plaster and shaped like oversized elbows, arms and lungs, Manna’s objects might risk being mistaken for archaeological finds, but for their

exaggerated scale and unusual supports (instead of being mounted on grand pedestals or protective vitrines, the objects balance on plastic chairs, a makeshift shelf or a rolling waste bin.) This fall, Manna developed an installation of these objects at London’s Chisenhale Gallery in her first UK show, and premiered her latest film A Magical Substance Flows Into Me (2015). The feature-length film explores the different musical traditions of myriad communities living in and around Jerusalem, paying homage to the radio broadcasts of Robert Lachmann, a German-Jewish ethnomusicologist who journeyed to Jerusalem in the 1930s to study “oriental music,” a distinction that took a holistic view of the region’s musical traditions, rather than splintering them by ethnic group or religion. “I was fascinated by the framework of his study, its blind-spots and its idealisms,” Manna explains. The artist decided to revive Lachmann’s experiment, to test the ways in which culture can transcend geopolitics.

General Dealer, 2015

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A high art _ moving image

Blessed Blessed Oblivion, 2010 Blue Elbow, 2015

Rather than invite musicians to a studio, as Lachmann had, Manna tracked down musicians from wide-ranging backgrounds – Kurdish, Samaritan, Moroccan Jews and Bedouins – and had them play for her in their own homes. After all she admits, “The home is the heart of any colonial struggle.” A Magical Substance Flows Into Me featured in Manna’s solo show at Malmö Konsthall in January and will be at the Berlinale before traveling to the 20th Sydney Biennale in March. A selection of new sculptures by Manna will also be seen this February at the 6th Marrakech Biennale, curated by Reem Fadda.

Visit jumanamanna.com

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A lifestyle _ blog

A passion for fashion By Rowan Clare

Nour Arida brings her sparkle to Beirut

Like any dutiful daughter, Arida places due credit at her mother’s door. “I grew up with a mom who appreciates fashion a lot,” she explains. As a teenager, “religiously reading” every Vogue she could get her hands on eventually led to employment within Aïshti’s commercial department – from there, she worked her way up to buyer and brand director of labels that included Rag & Bone, Theory and Vince. It was invaluable training for a would-be trendsetter, introducing the technical aspects of the industry and connecting her A 238

with fellow fashion addicts that “taught [her] a great deal of things.”

is exactly the same as the one standing in front of me right now.”

Now, Arida is less concerned with buying for the Lebanese market and more fixated on building her own brand. She closely follows engagement across her Facebook and Instagram accounts, seeking to relay her story to her followers in a relatable manner. And it’s paying off: during a recent meeting with an executive from an advertising agency, they remarked, “It’s one of the rare times that the person I saw on Instagram…

Looking to the future, Arida hopes to crack the international market. She’s confident in her style and eager to promote some of her “sparkle.” Most of all, she’s effusive about the industry she’s in. “The good thing about blogging is that the sky is the limit,” she quips. We look forward to watching her soar. Visit nfornour.com

Nour Arida wants you to know that blogging is a full-time job. “Contrary to what a lot of people think, being a blogger is not just about posting beautiful pictures,” insists the self-described fashion enthusiast, Vogue collector and creator of the hugely popular nfornour.com blog. Instead, the glossy brunette spends her days researching new content, attending events and scheduling meetings with potential collaborators. Of course, it’s not all grunt work; the glamorous photoshoots – style snaps from the streets of Beirut mixed with intimate glimpses into her life as a wife and mother – form a large part of the aspirational fashion and lifestyle empire that she hopes to build. And with over 38,000 followers on Instagram it looks like she’s succeeding.

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A lifestyle _ friendship

Bad blood

By Pip Usher

Right Good friends Taylor Swift and Lily Aldridge at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show Below Emma Stone, Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift at the 2015 VMAs

The rise and fall of the female entourage A 240

Taylor Swift is the latest young lady to capture the world’s attention with her girl squad of winsome supermodels (Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid, Cara Delevingne), fellow songstresses (Selena Gomez, Lorde), Hollywood actresses (Emma Stone) and the token intellectual oddball (Lena Dunham) thrown in for good measure. Yet things quickly got rocky in Swift’s utopia of female camaraderie when Katy Perry didn’t toe the party line. First snapped together at the VMAs in 2008, the popstars’ mutual admiration was batted back and forth through a series of public tweets which culminated in Perry joining Swift onstage in 2010. The lovefest seemed like a match made in tabloid heaven until Perry poached backing dancers from Swift mid-tour and all hell broke loose. Normal girls bitch behind their frenemy’s back – Swift penned a number one hit single. In a move straight from Mean Girls, the

“Girls will be girls,” say those who have never been in the midst of a brawl between two of them. At its best, the sisterhood is a lifeline of support; at worst, a viper’s pit of snide comments and sneak attacks. And while those in the gilded world of celebrity may appear immune to such indignities, some of the world’s most famous women have proven susceptible to the side-handed swipes and blinding blows that are an unfortunate accoutrement to the other trappings of female friendship. United, these fabulously successful power players are unstoppable. But what happens when trouble hits paradise?

Top The girls gather at the 2015 VMAs Bottom Emma Stone and Taylor Swift on the red carpet

25-year old quietly calculated how to inflict maximum damage in a publicity-friendly maneuver; finally, she released her rage into the star-studded music video for Bad Blood this year, complete with a brunette villain that bore a passing resemblance to Perry. It was a ferocious takedown: not only did Swift soar to the top of the charts, but the video’s celebrity cast, from Cindy Crawford to Jessica Alba, stepped into black bodysuits to avenge her. Let that be a warning to you, Lena – Swift showed the whole world what happens when a friend falls out of favor. If she ever questions how things got so mean, Swift can look to the brutal fallout between ex-BFFs Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan as proof that it could be even nastier. The Hollywood actress – who actually was the star of Mean Girls – enjoyed a few years of clubhopping with Hilton before relations soured faster than you can say “you can’t sit with us.” First there was the “firecrotch” incident, in which oil heir Brandon Davis was filmed making scathing remarks about Lohan’s nether regions while Hilton sniggered; after that, Lohan reportedly seduced her former friend’s ex-boyfriend. A landslide of catty insults were exchanged and Lohan even accused Hilton of assault by alcoholic beverage. Sporadic public appearances together and the occasional declaration of undying love kept the spats even juicier as the two paparazzi-fiends wavered between malevolence and benevolence on a daily basis. And before one assumes that it’s only millennial queen bees who have trouble keeping order in their hives, look to former bosom pals Gwyneth Paltrow and Madonna. The two blonde American A-listers once enjoyed grueling personal training sessions, macrobiotic diets and front seats at fashion shows together. But the bitter feud that erupted after Paltrow allegedly refused to fire personal trainer Tracy Anderson at Madonna’s request proves that those who exercise together don’t stay together. Both were discreet enough to resist taking outright swipes at one another in the media, although Paltrow wrote a pointed piece in Goop about an “insufferable” friend who left her feeling “drained, empty and belittled.” Any guesses to whom she was referring? 241 A

A lifestyle _ travel

Seven Wonders

A luxury Val d’Isère chalet with inflatable igloo, a luxury remote clifftop lodge in New Zealand and a $10,000 per night exclusive private island villa in Santorini... A Mag discovers seven of the most romantic villas in the world A 242

Samujana 11A Koh Samui, Thailand Sleeps 8 From $15,000 per week Samujana on Koh Samui is Thailand’s most luxurious boutique villa estate, offering total discretion and uncompromised privacy. Villa 11A is Samujana’s most romantic. Combining traditional Thai architecture with modern décor located on a stunning hilltop with a private beach and your very own over-sized infinity edge swimming pool this has days and nights of love written all over it. Did we mention the private gourmet chef on call to cook anything your heart desires? Visit samujana.com

By Ramsay Short

Chalet Himalaya Val d’Isère, France Sleeps 8 From $20,000 per week Once a 17th century monastery, this majestic and intimate chalet located right on the piste at La Dalle in Val d’Isère is all carved, painted wood and dark marble cleverly fused with state of the art modern facilities. There’s an inflatable igloo in which to cuddle up when the desire takes you and look out for the invisible swimming pool that pops up between the dining area and cigar room for a dip after a day’s skiing and boarding. In a word... Love. Visit ultimateluxurychalets.com

Santorini Hideaway Santorini, Greece Sleeps 8 From $10,000 per night This is simply the most romantic villa in Greece, a private paradise and one of the most exclusive in the world. Situated on a small island opposite Santorini it’s accessible only by private launch, features stunning and glamorous cave-hewn rooms, a beautiful private spa and Jacuzzi. Every corner of this hideaway is a treat. Lovers beware – you won’t ever want to leave. Visit fivestargreece.com 243 A

A lifestyle _ travel

Ocean Reef House Amilla Fushi, Baa Atoll, Maldives Sleeps 2 From $2,500 per night You can’t get more romantic than the Maldives, and Amilla Fushi’s Ocean Reef House on Baa Atoll is as cosy and romantic as can be. Overlooking the magical clear waters of the lagoon with a miniinfinity pool all it’s own, you can dive straight into the coral reefs and swim over to the sugar-white beach before dining out on the food of critically acclaimed chef Luke Mangan in the exclusive restaurant. Visit amilla.mv

Casa Mono Loco Herradura, Costa Rica Sleeps 10 From $8,925 per week Tucked away amidst verdant scenery – the open layout of this Ronald Zurcher-designed villa brings the monkeys, toucans and scarlet macaws from the surrounding rainforest (not literally) into your bedroom – Casa Mono Loco is a romantic’s dream. The detached master suite affords maximum privacy, the stunning colors and textures of the property breathe love, and with access to the beautiful Los Suenos resort and Marina, any stay here will want for absolutely nothing. Visit meadbrown.com

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A lifestyle _ travel

Villa Delana Vatuvara Private Islands, Fiji Sleeps 2 From $68,544 per week The ultimate private villa (and one of the most expensive) in the ultimate location, this 600 sqm property sleeps just two and comes with a luxury indoor spa and Jacuzzi, Sonos wifi audio system and ample chilled champagne for the complete romantic package. The modern property has a traditional Fijian thatch roof atop magnificent stone columns, an infinity-edged bionised heated pool and is just a short walk to its own private beach. You can guarantee no one will disturb you here. Visit vatuvara.com With thanks to Ultravilla (ultravilla.com), the world’s leading luxury villa rental company A 246

Seascape Whitehead Bay, Annandale, New Zealand Sleeps 2 From $11,758 per week Reach this incredible ultramodern retreat hidden on a picturesque private bay in the Banks Peninsula, by helicopter or 4WD vehicle, across cliff-top farm tracks for an awe-inspiring experience. The setting is spectacular, and the villa unique. With a turf roof, stone walls and a glass façade onto the ocean with magnificent views of the bay’s azure waters, Seascape is simply timeless. From within its contemporary interior you feel as if you’re floating upon the open sea, and you’ll enjoy waking up on the raised, king-size bed making the panoramic view the very first thing you see in the morning. Visit majordomo.co.nz

A last _ word

Butterfly Effect

Valentino bag

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ÂŠ Tony Elieh

Live the dream in this fairytale adorned B-Rockstud bag.