ASK magazine November & December issue 2015 by ASK magazine

VOL 8 ISSUE 6 2015

KSA SR 25 KUWAIT KD 2.50 BAHRAIN BD 2.75 QATAR QR 30 UK £ 6.5 JORDAN JD 7.5 LEBANON LL 20,000 MOROCCO DH 75

THE ULTIMATE DESTINATION FOR YOUR DESIGN INSPIRATION

Leaving Yesterday

for the Beginning of a New Tomorrow

CITYSCAPE EGYPT 2015

Suez Canal, New Capital, and the Real Estate Market

GAN Presents Designs by

José Gandía-Blasco, Patricia Urquiola, Mapi Millet and Many More

EGP 20

SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER WITH SPAN

Saint-Gobain Celebrates 350th Anniversary in Egypt

Le Marché XXXVI Creates Big Business

Diana Farid’s Tips & Tricks for Christmas Decorations 1

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

enjoy our

surprise theme & special offers

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NATURAL BAMBOO. 19

Directorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Note

NOW OPEN

Dear Readers, As the winter begins to set in, so does all the warm colors. This is a season bloody reds, mysterious maroons, glamorous greens and golds, as well as shots of champagne beiges.

But beyond just colors, we have plenty of stories to tell for this issue to take you into the warmth of what design has to offer, from stunning resort villas in El Gouna to mansions of architectural mastery. Just for a little a bit of culture, we can warm up our minds and hearts with some art from Al Masar Gallery Zamalek. For us, summer is never over. We can always reminisce over sunshine, sand and the cool fresh feel of the turquoise sea, in either one way or another. So handle this issue with care. The weather might be cold but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s HOT HOT HOT! Best Wishes,

Managing Director

Jessica Yeramian

THE Chairman Enass Mohamed Sleem Alkhair Managing Director Jessica Yeramian

DISTRICT MALL

Editor in Chief Wael Mongy Editorial Department Nader Ramadan Diana Farid International Content Researcher Maha El Masry Art Director Maged Boutros Sales & Marketing Manager Maged Othman Sales Executive Mohamed Hassan Design Contributor Arch. Karim El Hayawan Assistant Managing Director Raghda Moustafa Assistant Dist. Manager Ahmed Abdel Salam Distributors Ahmed Gamal Financial Department Hatem Ghandour Ahmed Galal IT Manager Osman Afifi Printing International Printing House Distribution ASK for Supplies and Services

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Downtown Casper & Gambini (Nile City) - Dar el Shorouk (Talaat Harb Square) – Bon Appetite – AUC Book Store – Café Riche – Cilantro – Dar el Sherouk (Inside Beano’s Café) - Mohamed Al Sahgeer Beauty Salon (Semiramis InterContinental Hotel) - Mohamed Al Sagheer Beauty Salon (Grand Hyatt - Galleria) - Mohamed Al Sagheer Beauty Salon (Four Seasons Nile Plaza) - Bakery Marriott (USA Embassy) - Baraka Optics-motor sport .

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Hotels Semiramis Hotel (Down Town) – Le Riad Hotel De Charm (El Hussien) - Sheraton Cairo Hotel (Dokki) - Renaissance Hotel - KempinskiHotel-TolipHotel El Obour City Le Café (Golf City Club) - Bakery Marriott (Shell Station) - Baraka Optics. Egypt Air Pick up your copy from Business and Economy lounges in Dubai and Paris Lines (Egypt Air)

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CONTENTS

LOCAL • DO IT YOURSELF

Local

Kitchen & Bathroom

Architecture

Lighting & Product

Interior & Furniture

Coverage & Press Release

THE ULTIMATE DESTINATION FOR YOUR DESIGN INSPIRATION

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2015

58 38 36

Christmas Decoration Ideas Around the House

COVER IMAGE CREDIT: Photography by Angel Segura Foto Company Name: GANDÍABLASCO Item Name: LANA. WOOL COLLECTION Cover Design by Maged Boutros Copy Writing by Nader Ramadan, Editorial Manager This image is strictly the property of GANDÍABLASCO under GAN Rugs, given to ASK Magazine for lawful use.

By Diana Farid

EMPTY JARS:

LOCAL 21 DIY: Christmas Decoration Ideas Around the House 30 Mona Hussein Designs A Sensational Summer House 44 Span Marketing for Interior Design Makes Big Plans for the New Year 52 Sami Amin Celebrates the Release of the Sky Collection 60 Al Masar Gallery’s Moments to Remember

INTERIOR & FURNITURE

38 Evolution Designs New Team Bank Headquarters 48 Bonaldo’s Emboldened Furnishings

COVERAGE & PRESS RELEASE

64 Cityscape Egypt 2015 Takes Nation’s Economic Growth to the Next Level 66 Le Marché XXXVI 2015 Finishes Off Profitable This Year 67 Holztec Offers World Class German Manufactured Windows and Doors 68 CAIRO FASHION FESTIVAL Season 5 at The Marquee by Cairo Festival City

LIGHTING & PRODUCT

22 Rugs of Refined Taste 58 The Synthesis of Fantasy: Alessi’s Revamping of Kitchen Accessory Concepts

REINDEER POTS / CONTAINER:

We also love how you can simply turn any jar or plant pot into a reindeer. Get a very simple plain brown plant pot, add those things, then place some red and green ornaments with some Christmas chocolate and you have the most unique handmade container.

THE LITTLE CUTE SNOWMAN:

Just grab an old pair of socks, put inside it any granular texture components from your kitchen like salt granules or coffee or whatever you wish just to make it fluffy and heavy just like the picture. Send us your pictures if you applied any of these ideas so we can post them on our Facebook page!

KITCHEN & BATHROOM

36 Bathroom Luxury As You’ve Never Seen It 54 Cooking Spaces of Many Places

54 24

Starting today just give your jars a good wash, soak it in water and soap overnight so you can use for your Christmas ornaments. One of the ideas is to place Christmas candies inside the jar around a candle. This will look very festive and the colorful candies look amazing in the glass jar with the candle light. You can also put layers of salt or sugar inside the jar, insert a candle and lit it inside the glass jar. For more glamour, simply place a red or green ribbon on top to give it a more Christmas feel.

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66 30 25

PRODUCT • RUGS

mpathy. It’s empathy that defines the product philosophy of GAN’s newest collection of elegant rugs, recently released with its own natural flair and sophisticated appeal. The rugs at GAN prove not only the level commitment demonstrated in the dexterous work of the company’s employees, but also the revolutionary ideas being laid out right before the customer in a simple product such as a rug. “When our designers create their products they think about the hands that will be making them. They put themselves in the place of the artisans, adapting the designs to their skills and conditions. They show concern

for their wellbeing,” as it states in the company’s catalogue. “Our artisans make a big effort to make our designers’ dreams come true. They study their plans and drawings to read between the lines and capture their essence. They adapt and modify, if necessary, the techniques they master.”

Detroit by Mapi Millet

Bandas Collection by Patricia Urquiola

Hand Tufted Collection-Dauvine. Damaris & Marc

RUGS OF REFINED TASTE EMPATHY BECOMES KEY ELEMENT IN GAN's REVOLUTIONARY RUG DESIGNS

Lana Wood Collection-Knotwork. GAN

By Nader Ramadan Photography by: ángelsegurafoto< Jordi Adrià Peris & Co. Pinhole Estudios Mimus XLG Studio Chencho Duato Concha Prada

Hand Tufted Collection-Pack. José Gandía-Blasco

Yet, it isn’t just the empathy that forms the central core concept of this courageous concoction of colors and flavors. Rugs have become more flexible to the user; and for this reason, the most innovative aspect of the company’s new collections is modularity, especially with regards to GAN’s BANDAS collection, bound to be a mood and booster in any interior setting it is placed in. With its heavy philosophy and its well thought out design and education, the BANDAS collection is said to have the ability to add volumes to your life without you knowing it. “Modularity taken to the limit. All the pieces in the BANDAS collection, designed by Patricia Urquiola, can be interchanged. An ingenious system, designed by this extraordinary designer, allows the collection to be adapted to any space, any personality and any mood. Life is change and BANDAS will change with you,” as asserted in the company’s statement.

Hand Knotted Collection-Bereberes. GAN

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

Especially striking in this regard is the company extensive use of color and texture to recreate a natural feel; simplistic in a sense yet very much at the same time sophisticated, it goes back the beauty of humanity’s primordial nature. Urquiola has also been quite active this season, additionally designing the Mangas collection for GAN, which adds a little more warm then than you would expect to interior with its use for energetically bright colors, pink and yellows. “The Mangas collection revealing her many facets. The same textures, the same comfort, now in a

set of modules and rugs that create different spaces that are always warm and perfect,” as said in a statement from GAN. Ethnic as it is chic, the Goyescas collection by Sandra Figuerola injects an overwhelming sense of spirit within the interior, flushing out the negative

Kilim Collection-Seal. Enblanc.

Leisure is a reality in the making...

Lana Wood Collection-Lama. GAN.

Lana Wood Collection-Zig Zag. José Gandía-Blasco

Kilim Collection-Hexa. Enblanc.

Kilim Collection-Lima. Odosdesign

energy and rejuvenating it with a refreshing taste of identity. Summer is over, but it’s never over in the way people approach their interior design. For them, it’s all about sunshine and salvation translated into a complete design scheme as demonstrated in these rugs. “The tribe is growing, as always happens at GAN. And the new Goyescas pieces are one of the family: ironic, ethnic and fun, they will bring a touch of joy to their chosen corner.” GAN has gone beyond design with its ideas, making a more artful meaning to the way products are creatively thought of. “We are in constant search of viable techniques and ideas to develop our products. To offer each one of our designers the possibilities that better adapt to their creativity. Making it possible for our artisans to evolve, revaluing their work and keeping it alive,” the statement added. Remember that rugs will there with your family to create long-lasting memories. It’s part of you as much as you are part of it. Together, you make the home one wholesome entity. Two microcosms going to together to make a macrocosm.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

Additionally, what designers can take out of this is not really just the design itself, even with the fact it is evergreen and fit for all seasons, but it’s also the connection that is built between those thinking of the design and those executing it. Designers and craftsmen have always had this artificial separation between mind and matter, theory and practice, as well as ideas and execution. Empathy in essence is the aspect that combines these two elements together, bridging a gap which has for too long been left open and hallow, just as we would see with a deep dark icy crevice in the middle of the Arctic.

Lana Wool Collection-Varese. GAN

Lana Wood Collection-3D. GAN

It all starts with empathy. Designers put themselves in the minds of their craftsmen to come up with something extraordinary!

As inspirational as the design might be, the story behind GAN’s beginnings can be an additional source of hope for many who want to break free and make their own brands. GAN is the indoors brand of the worldfamed GANDÍABLASCO, owned by designer and idea seeker José GandíaBlasco. GAN as a brand emerged as a collaborative initiative in 2004, when Jose started working with Mapi Millet.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

Sharing very much the same vision in terms of tastes and design standards, GAN took off with the ideas of both men with the help of businessman Sergio Pastor.

ADVERTORIAL

SAINT-GOBAIN CELEBRATES ITS 350TH ANNIVERSARY IN EGYPT W

ith elaborate festivities and much jubilance, Paris-based global company Saint- Gobain marks its 350th year in service as one of the world leaders in glass, gypsum, and building material solutions. The venue of the anniversary celebration for this 350 year-old company was no other than Egypt’s historic Citadel, where a myriad of different products from the company were showcased for the visitors’ viewing pleasure. Among the main figures attending this joyous moment was the company’s Managing Director (SaintGobain Glass) in Egypt Mr. Ahmed Wafik, Managing Director (Saint-Gobain Gyproc) Mr. Damien Peyrelongue, the company’s General Delegate for Italy, Egypt, Greece, Libya and Turkey Mr. Gianni Scotti. The event also had a prestigious attendees’ list of many wellknown figures on the Egyptian scene. In a press conference which took place earlier on the same day as the celebration on November 11th, General Delegate Gianni Scotti emphasized that the key behind the company’s long period of

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

survival was its drive for innovation. “To cross three and a half centuries, you have to be willing to change because if you don’t change you won’t be able to survive.” With the French company’s inception in 1665, it has been operating in Egypt for well over a century, playing a significant role in enhancing Egypt’s industrial complex, including today running one of the most productive factories of the Group which now accounts for up to 30% of Africa’s glass needs. With the Egypt’s push to conserve energy, SaintGobain has also been a key player by being a major provider of glass, gypsum and other building materials that reduce electricity usage in buildings and houses. Saint-Gobain has also launched a major campaign starting in 2013 encouraging Egyptians to cut down on electricity and thereby pay a lower electric bill by using Saint-Gobain’s products. Additionally, two buildings in Egypt, including that of L’Oreal and Credit Agricole, have been awarded the prestigious LEEDs green building certification, being built completely

with glass provided exclusively by SaintGobain. Apart from its active role in energy conservation, the company also enjoys close cooperation with Egypt’s Housing & Building Research Council (HBRC), which functions under the Egyptian Ministry of Housing and Development. On the educational front, as part of its extensive Corporate Social Responsibility program, Managing Director Mr. Wafik emphasized Saint-Gobain’s role in training and human development, preparing university graduates for employment and offering those who demonstrate exceptional performance job opportunities at Saint-Gobain. “We have trained undergraduates in our factories in different departments every year. And

of course, they will have the priority to join us [for employment] if there’s an opportunity,” said Mr. Wafik. Further elaborating on the human development program from Gyproc’s side, Mr. Damien Peyrelongue, Managing Director of Gyproc, emphasized that innovation is not only about products but also on new methods of construction. He explained that “Gyproc has trained close to 2000 plasterers about applying its gypsum products to get from them best performances and also high productivity.” Saint-Gobain has also signed a landmark MOU contract with Alexandria University, who has done extensive scientific research to show that Saint-Gobain’s products have in fact increased energy efficiency for Egyptian buildings. Results have indeed been found, according to studies, that gypsum plastering from Gyproc can save up to 40% of electricity in Egyptian buildings on a national level by providing them with thermal insulation. With Gyproc having the largest market share of gypsum building plasters in Egypt, accounting for 400 kT in sales volume per year, it is bound to have a massive impact in improving the Egyptian construction industry and enhancing green building methods. Gyproc also prides itself on its extensive and diverse portfolio of gypsum plastering, ranging from traditional construction gypsum to innovative levelling, replacing traditional sand and cement plastering systems. They also offer smoothing and plasterboards, replacing brick walls and ceiling tiles. Both industrial and raw gypsum are also fundamental components of Gyproc’s portfolio. Last but not least, the 350th anniversary celebration was an opportunity to share with the community and decision-makers the values and history of Saint-Gobain as well as the advantages of using its products.

LOCAL • RESIDENTIAL

MONA HUSSEIN DESIGNS A SENSATIONAL

SUMMER HOUSE By Nader Ramadan Images courtesy of Mona Hussein Design House

an Gogh once said “If you truly love nature, you will find nature everywhere.” Such was a reflection that is often read too much, yet hardly understood attributed to the now widely admired artist Van Gogh. In an age where spending time on social media web surfing or doing reports in an office has become the central part of everyone’s schedule, it has become crucial to reestablish man’s primordial relationship with nature. Such a feat is easier said than done, but with Mona Hussein’s efforts it is easier than you’d think! Being a long time enthusiast of design, Mona Hussein has seen many challenges with many thinking that there are limits to luxury lifestyle but this time, Mona and her creative team of young designers proved this wrong, managing to interior design and furnish a residence that by far goes beyond the standards of luxury living seen by many of Egypt’s high end homeowners. Raising the bar on all her projects, this residence has many spectacular qualities for a client living an active lifestyle, trying to escape the hustle and bustle of city life; in order to escape to a more meaningful way of living, enjoying the tranquility of Rea Sea resort such as Al Gouna nested on the and seeking refuge in a sanctuary that cocoons them from the turmoil that many urban dwellers have to put up with.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

SUNSHINE AND SCENIC VIEWS ADD TO ELEGANT SOPHISTICATION The residence is advantageous in its setting by itself, boasting its close proximity to the Red Sea with scenic views of the golden beaches and turquoise sparkling sea water. Though being designed by MHDH is an

advantage all by itself, one could not deny that the settings add volumes to already pleasant scene. Think about it this way! What could be even better is the A stunning Red Sea resort with an awe-inspiring design, far away from the noise and air polluted atmosphere? What more could one ask for? Moving around the residence and through it, it’s not only obviously that the house takes full advantage of the scenery, rather one could say that it even creates a zone for which the viewer can enjoy the environment within his/her own comfort zone. The house demonstrates the effective use of windows to allow enough sunlight into the interior and at the same time, designers have also managed to strike the balance of privacy for those inside the house. What’s even more ingenious how each spaced within the residence has its own individual identity, with bedroom having calm sophisticated grey colors mixed with shots of whites, mild greys, and blacks. Such is no doubt a cocoon of modern sophistication.

THIS ATRIUM BECOMES NATURAL LIGHT SOURCE... As a designer, Mona Hussein started with a small lighting business in 1993 which eventually expanded in to a full service design studio, which offers the housing market in Egypt some of the finest design services (including architecture, landscape, furniture design and branding), garauteeing professionalism, prompt delivery, and strict adherence to deadlines. Mona is no doubt the creative catalyst behind Mona Hussein Design House, but also works to educate the next generation of designers to carry torch of enlightenment for the years to come. In recognition of the fact that there’s an overwhelming demand in the housing market to create aesthetically appealing, unique spaces which inspire home and property owners, Mona’s approach is characteristically innovative in the way she tackles every single project, giving each client the individual attention that he/she needs. As she once said, "It is understanding a client's vision for their project and then translating that into a functional design that makes this job

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so gratifying." Additionally, her efforts over the years has helped in building a prestigious portfolio featuring a diverse array of different projects including residential or commercial, interior design or landscaping. Due to her role a mover and shaker on the Egyptian design scene, Mona Hussein has also been a pivotal figure in Designopolis, being a hub for all high end furnishing and home solutions brands on the Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road in the 6th of October City. She’s also known for the design of Cilantro, many projects in El Gouna, Makadi Bay residences, SODIC’s Sales Centers, and Allegria’s mock up villas among many other accomplishments. Mona Hussein does her best to be an active participant as a leader of team not only in the field but also in the office, sharing with her young employees and designers the latest trends in design as the developments keep coming in. It is her interactive approach and open mind that has ultimately brought success to her brand both as design studio as well as a business.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

BATHROOM • MODERN

By Nader Ramadan Images courtesy of Maison Valentina

lapiaz bathtub

lapiaz freestand

BATHROOM LUXURY AS YOU’VE NEVER SEEN IT W

e’ve heard about bathrooms being the ultimate grooming space, where you spend every morning before work turning yourself from the not-so-good-looking dreamer into the ultimate worker ready for the business day. Yet, many forget to address the fact the bathroom experience is also about leisure and luxury, where you have the chance to bask and bathe in water so that you can anoint yourself with the sense of style. Maison Valentina releases a collection for products, washbasins and tubs, so that you can ultimately treasure this experience.

Now, after a hard day’s work, there’s not a single word that can be used describe what it feels like to have a bath in luxurious bathtub, suited for only a person of the crème de la crème just like yourself. The KOI Bathtub fully encompasses such a vision. “Few things are more pleasurable or soothing than a long and hot soak, especially during winter’s chilly months. An inviting tub can transform any bathroom into a private sanctuary. But always keep in mind which style, shape and materials will work best in your home. KOI BATHTUB is the perfect choice for the modern flair,” said a press statement from the firm.

Washbasins have also become an integral part of the bathroom experience, designed and molded into a tasteful visual experience. It is the sights, sounds and stylish visions that culminate in the making of an ideal bathroom dream. The new double washbasin symphony makes more than just the cut in this regard. “Have you ever thought that washbasins actually come in a variety of looks that can really entice us? Yes, they do. In fact, we will be showcasing a series of designs for you to take a look at and see which one you would want to get for your dreamy bathroom,” the statement explains. “The new double washbasin Symphony exudes a feeling of luxury. An exclusive feature, it promotes wellbeing for body and soul. With plenty of space it helps turn any morning bathing routine into a real pleasure.”

The climatic moment that everyone gets in the bathroom experience is the most important part of this narrative. It’s the part when you look at yourself in the Venice mirror, an item of refined taste, so that you can say to yourself, “Now who’s that good looking guy there?” Don’t forget to crack that Colgate smile!

koi bathtub

Newton bathtubs maison valentina koi freestand

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Diamond washbasin

“Finding the perfect mirror for your living room or bedroom it's easy, but when it comes to your bathroom, the choice is not that easy. Our Venice Mirror is the perfect option to combine with every single ambience and different bathwares,” the statement added. And now dear friends it is time for illumination! The way light interacts with the colors and shapes effects your mood and ultimately the way the bathroom plays with your emotions in the morning. This is why the Brubeck wall lamp does more than just the job in this regard. Maison Valentina is the epitome when it comes to high end bathroom solutions in Italy, becoming exemplary of what it means to have an Italianquality design in a bathroom which is crying out for a pure sanitary, yet stylish experience.

INTERIOR • OFFICE

EVOLUTION DESIGNS

NEW TEAM BANK HEADQUARTERS By Nader Ramadan Photography: Peter Wurmli, Thomas Beyerlein, Christian Beutler, TeamBank AG / easyCredit

Street View Day

Second Floor Meet & Create Informal Area Individual Working.

Second Floor Meet & Create Games Lounge Fair Play

Ground Floor Meet & Create Barista Bar Cafe Central

mployees at Team Bank got a surprise they’ll never forget when the German bank moved to its new headquarters located in Nuremberg, Germany. Up for taking on the challenge of coming with a creative non-traditional interior design scheme for the office was no other than the Swiss architectural and interior design firm Evolution Design. The new design fully incorporates easyCredit’s main values, transparency, openness, and communication and serves of the purpose of creative a conducive environment for

Second Floor Meet & Create Games Lounge Fair Play

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Evolution Design Directors

the company’s employees to work, hold dialogue, and share new ideas for the benefit of their performance as a brand.

AN OFFICE DESIGN THAT BANKERS ARE SURE THAT THEY'LL NEVER FORGET!

Taking up the task of interior designing the new office is Swiss architectural and interior design firm Evolution Design, who came up with a fully comprehensive plan to design the space based on different departments and their functions. “The new easyCredit HQ is an excellent example of successfully bringing together a new workplace concept while strongly expressing the company’s identity and culture throughout the building. Thus allowing easyCredit to clearly demonstrate its vision for innovation and setting trends in the banking sector of Germany,” asserts a press release from Evolution Design.

Designers are always up for a challenge and yet designing offices is ultimately the challenge that has left many scratching their heads, no doubt. The request from Team Bank was simple: to execute a design that reflects easyCredit’s core values while at the same time revives a sense a productivity, stimulating employees to give the day their best go.

First & Second Floor Homebase Informal Area High Backs Typology

In essence the whole building itself is based on the conception of a city with an intriguing creative flair, and the center of it lies the restaurant and barista are designed based on the market place visual mix with Homezones forming smaller neighborhoods. “The internal functional organization of the building utilises the idea of a city: a main staff restaurant and a Barista Bar with a vibrant ‚marketplace’ feeling, the ‚Homezone’, consisting of several ‚Homebases’ creating individual local neighbourhoods for the employees to work in, and the inner ring of the building as the ‘Meet & Create Zone’. All these public areas are part of the city concept with ‚parks’ and‚ street scenes’ to encourage a higher frequency of informal and accidental meetings.”

First & Second Floor Homebase Neighbourhood with Meeting Room and High Backs Typology-2

The first and most impressive aspect of the interior design is how the structure itself was divided in to zones based on their activity, including Homezones and Meet & Create Zones. Meet & Create Zones were made to particularly more spacious and more accommodating to creativity and tasks as well as communicating with others to exchange ideas.

First Floor Meet & Create Coffee Point Aqua Bar

First Floor Meet & Create Informal Area Green Lounge

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First & Second Floor Homebase Work Area Touch Down Typology

Ground Floor Homebase Office for Parents with Children

“A share rate of 75% was introduced, based on extensive occupancy and work typology research. As a consequence, extra space was gained for the ‚Meet & Create Zone’. This area is the driver for creativity and innovation and consists of a large number of diverse informal areas and specially designed spaces for creativity and focus,” the press statement stated.

First & Second Floor Homebase Informal Area Dining Table Typology

First Floor Meet & Create Informal Area Reading Room

Ground Floor Homebase Work Area External Standard Typology

BOTANY AND BANKING BECOME ONE...

First & Second Floor Homebase Work Area Garden Typology

Among other things, branding was at the center of the entire scheme with its prioritization of the company’s identity and core values being a key in the success of fully portraying the company’s message to its employees. “The result is a building in which easyCredit and its employees can find an inspiring home which reflects their extraordinary company spirit and enables them to identify strongly with their new workplace and HQ, and in which they can share their values of fairness, teamwork, transparency and communication everyday,” said the press statement. Adding to already outstanding accomplishments of the Evolution Design taking on this ambitious new project, it’s worthy of noting that easyCredit’s office design reflects on how architects and interior designers can manipulate the emotional side

of different zones within the office, in order to have a direct effect on making it a conducive atmosphere for employees working at easyCredit. The new head office building for easyCredit was designed by Austrian architecture firm Baumschlager Eberle and the design was executed

by GP Wirth Architekten also based in Nuremberg. The design was the winning outcome of a competition which kept in mind the organization’s core values. In total area, the office building feature a simple space concept, modest and conducive for what the interior design has to offer.

Third Floor Homebase Meeting Room Standard Typology.

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LOCAL • FABRICS & INTERIOR

SPAN MARKETING FOR

INTERIOR DESIGN

Makes Big Plans for the New Year By Nader Ramadan Images courtesy of Span Marketing for Interior Design

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

‘

Tis the season for celebration! The Span team is going all out this year at their Heliopolis showroom. Yes, we are talking about a month full of festivities, hosting your yet-to-be-favorite Christmas gift bazar! Bringing you a whole lot of options for Christmas gifts from home accessories, jewelry, decorative items, to even clothes from upcoming designers, all while you enjoy treats and giveaways in a full Christmas spirit. But that’s not all! It goes without saying that this winter, the company is warming up the season with its new winter collection. On the occasion of its preview, Span has put together a Christmas brunch full of surprises to spread the holiday cheer! Visitors will get to view in advance the newest collections of fabrics and wallpapers from around the world. But as they say, “It’s not a party without music, food, and pleasantly surprising gifts”. As a gesture of appreciation for the support that its loyal customers have given them, they will be offering you the cherry on top: a one of a kind tombola, with more than just one winner. Now, take a sneak peek at their world class winter collections! 2016 is going to be a decisively significant year that Span Marketing for Interior Design is taking the most advantage of, as it inches ever so close to even more market dominance than it has enjoyed in the past few years. With a mindset willing to open itself up to the design community as a platform for exchanging ideas, Span focuses on providing the designers, in the current and coming years, with all the help required, from creative ideas to actual products, to help at what they do best. In addition, with a workshop already in operation and the furniture factory that will soon begin production of its own designs, Span Marketing for Interior Design is well on its way to becoming a major player in the design scene. In addition to its homey showroom in Heliopolis, Span soon plans to open several showrooms once the production of furniture collections is in full swing

Apart from its plan to introduce new world class furniture into the market, Span is determined to continue on, creating top notch customized furniture, whilst providing its clients with enhanced interior design services. Their motto of passion “we love what we do and do what we love” has led to their successful cultivation of close, long term relationships with their esteemed clients. Their interior design process involves a series of meetings where the Span team gets to know their clients and their lifestyles to give them a personalized interior design scheme that is suitable to their daily life, thus offering an ideal home. It would be especially important to highlight that the success that the business is enjoying today would not have been possible without the

major creative contributions of Span’s Founder & Creative Head May El Refai as well as the professional management of the Founder and Managing Director Magdy Al Mustasib. Supported by a team of young professional designers, under the direction of Reya Al Muhtasib, Span is a family business and proudly so. As we spoke to them, one could read through their passion and dedication that they have managed to master the interior design field, creating a blessed homelike business whilst achieving complete customer satisfaction. We encourage you to pop up at their store and attend their events, as they promise one surely festive December! For updates follow them on:

Span Marketing Egypt Span_interiordesign

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

FURNITURE • MODERN

BONALDO’S EMBOLDENED FURNISHINGS

Avarit Sofa by Giuseppe Viganò\

By Nader Ramadan Images courtesy of Bonaldo

A CREATIVE REMEDY IS BONALDO's CONTRIBUTION TO ITS CUSTOMERS All-One Sofa by Sergio Bicego

Arvo by Mario Mazzer

Medley Table by Giuseppe Viganò

esign is not the art of cowardice yet the science of courage. Conformity is a major sin, the ultimate crime, a heinous act punished only by expulsion from the designosphere! In an age where conformity has become too common, the same old song has become worthless, yet there is hope. Emboldened by a fine sense that there is a dire need for innovation, Bonaldo presents several furniture collections made by many of Europe’s top artisans and designers. First, take a dive into this sofa, that being the Avarit sofa designed by Giuseppe Viganò. The advantage for

this inventive piece is its customization as well as its comfortably stable backrest. The piece also represents flexibility at its finest, giving customers the option of choosing from a range of different fabrics or leather that they do desire. As Viganò simply put it, "Avarit is not just a sofa, but a genuine way to enjoy space.”

Blues XO and XOXO by Pocci e Dondoli

Next, it’s time to approach the table, and not just any table but that of the various table collections produced for the brand Bonaldo. Take a look at the TL Table also designed by Viganò, an ingenious creation which is the epitome of sophisticated industrial excellence in addition to its sleek and simple design. To add to that, Doppler coffee table was also among Viganò’s creations as well. With the table top forming two letter T and L, the table is made out of a range of high quality materials, including its painted metal base and the tabletop made out of lacquered wood, with combinations Canaletto walnut-wood, brushed oak-wood, solid American walnut-wood, solid knotted oak-wood and in glass.

Among the next of the company’s ingenious creations is the Medley table by young designer Alessandro Busana. And for it being the first time for young Busana to design for Bonaldo, Medley is notably successful, being inventive for in its own particular way as a table. What’s also quite interesting in this piece as well is its acting as a stylistic merger, using a geometrical sense of variety and a rich combination of materials, while at the same time maintaining a high sense of aesthetics.

Greeny Table by Gino Carollo and Sheryl padded chairs by Giuseppe Viganò

TL Table by Alessandro Busana (left) Poly XO and Poly XOXO chair by Karim Rashid (right) Doppler Coffee Tables by Giuseppe Viganò

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Cuff Bed by Maura Lipparini

Secret Pouf by Maura Lipparini

Gino Carollo turns the tables quite literally with his enlightening masterpiece the Greeny table, uniquely made from all-natural materials including solid wood, for its elliptical base, as well as well a marble table top (from which the customer may select if he/she wants Calacatta, Carrara, Marquinia, Emperador). Turning to chairs, Bonaldo surprises us with even more treats, such as the Blues collection with both the XO and XOXO versions by designer Pocci e Dondoli. And if you haven’t enough of that then Karim Rashid also had to add a bit of his psychedelic input into the mix with his Poly chairs, including XO and XOXO versions.

Coming to the beds, innovation has taken another direction with Mauro Lipparini’s basket air bed made for the comfort of the customer. “The name Basket refers to the enveloping niche created by the padded headboard, which is rounded on the sides and, in the Basket Plus version, embellished with pleats, while the term ‘air’ mirrors the feeling of light weight suggested by the presence of the metal feet,” asserted a press statement from Bonaldo. Lipparini is also responsible for the design of the Cuff bed and Secret pouf set, among many other of his ingenious creations. Design has always has its ups and downs, yet Bonaldo been consistently contributing to the design market in more ways than one. Working together with a refreshingly diverse variety of different designers, Bonald has never fell short of surprising all styleconscious furniture buyers!

Air Basket Bed by Maura Lipparini

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LOCAL • ACCESSORIES

Sami Amin Celebrates the Release

A modern product with ancient inspirations....

of the Sky Collection By Nader Ramadan Images courtesy of Sami Amin Designs

Sami Amin

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hrowing a rather elaborate celebration at the Sami Amin Designs showroom in Maadi, designers and visitors alike got to see the new elegant Sky Collection, designed by yours truly Sami Amin, for the pleasure of an ever-evolving market of style conscious buyers. Taking pride in the past, Amin took the inspiration for his new collection from the pharaonic sky goddess “Nut”, a deity of the ancient Egyptians which personifies the sky and heavens. This element taken from Egypt’s rich ancient culture formed an ingenious theme, through which Nut was made a central character. He wanted to design a collection having all the different sky elements but since he has always been mesmerized by Goddess Nut, he chose to use her as one of the main elements of beauty along with other sky components. “I am totally saturated by our culture and in love with our rich pharaonic heritage. Reflecting the Egyptian spirit is the most important thing in my work. Our heritage is significant to the world so we need to be the first ones to care about it and showcase its beauty in our work,” said Amin. With Nut’s artistic shape, Amin adopted the bent shape of the goddess’ body to fully encompass her beauty in many of the sky collection’s pieces.

More importantly, through this narrative, Sami Amin also wanted to relate the sun’s journey across Nut’s body with our lives, in that just as the sun passes through different phases of light and darkness, so do we as human beings in the way we live life, with the good times and bad times. In some of his pieces, Amin also puts the sun and moon side to side, symbolizing dual nature of human beings, where all of us will have to pass through the dusk (being the darker stage of life; times of hardship) before being reborn and shining again at dawn (the lighter stage of life; times of prosperity). It is this contradiction that shapes the full realistic picture of our physical lives here on earth. Graduating in 1988 from the Faculty of Fine Arts with a bachelor’s degree in architecture, Sami Amin chose to pursue an inspirational

artistic journey, developing a love for handcrafts and drawing. It was from this passion that bloomed a brand that would soon become the elegant signature of all Sami Amin bags, jewelry, and accessories. Now, Sami Amin is widely respected both locally for his culturally inspired designs and unique ideas.

Yet, the story gets more interesting when you hear about the legend which revolves around how the sun moves across her body. As the tale goes, she would swallow the sun by night and it will pass right through her body and then will be reborn by dawn, as if the sun is a new born baby at the beginning of every day.

KITCHEN • MODERN

By Nader Ramadan Images courtesy of Composit Kitchens

COOKING SPACES OF MANY FACES e’ve all seen the movie “Face W Off” starring John Travolta and Nicolas Cage, where the hero and villain exchange faces so that the bad guy becomes the good guy and vice versa. A face can tell you a great many things, at times even the nature of certain person. Kitchens producers follow very much the same philosophy, where the way a kitchen looks always tells you the quality of the kitchen you’re buying. With Composit Kitchens, external appearances are always an extension of what their products’ inner nature is. Good quality both inside and out. In the coming series of kitchens, you’ll find more than just innovative kitchens sets, but keys to producing more

Working under its main banner “kitchens of life”, Composit Kitchens sought to use its innovative philosophy of product development as well as its extensive experience in research to launch several of its kitchen sets which in essence really represent the “life” within every home. The first of these ingenious creations is the Free Model by Piergiorgio Cazzaniga, which offers a number of innovative solutions such as entirely suspended base units and columns. Part of what is established in the kitchen is a symbolic relationship “fire and water” through the use of various visual elements at place in the scenery, subsequently being reinforced by the contrasting empty (void) and solid spaces. Designers as well also studied with precision the effect of light the relationship it creates in the context of the space.

Mood

Along with that, Cazzaniga being the master of the Touch Model as well, also designed Maxima which quite literally lives up its name taking an innovation to places where it has never gone before. In essence, Maxima seeks to challenge traditional schemes of distributing space with both aesthetic and functional elements, in addition inventing new meanings to what kitchen design is all about. "'Maxima project' is constantly fed by innovative proposals, which offer the chances to distribuite the spaces with rigour and functional character, seeking a sophisticated aesthetics: horizontal groove handle, which contrasts the verticalgroove, for smooth and continous fronts without protrusions; semicircular elements, which are drawn up each other, create

islands and peninsulas with a big aesthetical impact; the vintage taste of curved end and corner elements, symbol of domestic tradition during the seventies, is revised in contemporary way; the raised breakfast table creates something more.”

Maxima

Free

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NOISETTE

The press statement from the company also says “Concepts without time, which after being introduced, have led maxima to be distinguished not only as a space where cooking but also as a place, in which it’s pleasant passing time.” If you’re in the mood for a little spice yet not too much aggression for your kitchen design, Leone+Mazzari adds that edge to the field their ultimate formula, the Melogranic Classic Model. “A cultivated and not aggressive kitchen that recovers the concepts of identity and functionality, where form austerity is left to create rooms representing the consistent emanation of its inhabitants and not just trophies to be shown. It’s the revenge of personalization, decoration and combination of bold materials,” explains the press statement.

Emotions is what Delta Studio is mostly concerned with in their designing of the Mood Model which to say the least is an impeccably youthful combination of functional visual elements.

Touch

KITCHENS HAVE BECOME THE ULTIMATE MEDIUM THROUGH WHICH DESIGNERS CAN EXPERIMENT WITH TECHNIQUES IN BALANCING AESTHETICS AND FUNCTIONALITY. Touch

NOISETTE

THE NOISETTE KITCHEN SET TAKEN AT DIFFERENT ANGLES.

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“Mood is a kitchen thought for young people, with a very good quality/price relationship, that uses in a surprising way the expressive potentials of contrasting materials. It proposes a new door with one inclined edge, which allows the door opening by means of a recessed handle profile; a thin thickness for the countertops; an innovating colour palette with woodlook heat-treated l.p.laminate; some project novelties for the columns,” explains the press statement. Equally impressive yet was the Noisette Model by Roberto Lazzeroni. As a company of its stature, Composit has two main objectives in all of its products which is to design and develop everything that it produces based on the needs and preferences of its target market, in addition to reassuring the customer of its safety standards through strict quality assurance policies.

PRODUCT • KITCHEN ACCESSORIES

THE SYNTHESIS OF FANTASY

ALESSI’S REVAMPING

Opus

OF KITCHEN ACCESSORY CONCEPTS By Nader Ramadan Images courtesy of Alessi Provided by Di Palma Associati

Duomo di Milano by Alessandro M.

Dressed in wood by Marcel Wanders. (Breakfast board in beech-wood with relief decoration.)

Design has often been confined within the limits of perceiving objects that we experience in our surroundings, creating the natural shapes and inspirations that form the minds of designers today. Yet, there has been a move towards trying to go beyond imagination, to realize entities within our mind that cannot only inspire the user but become ultimately functional as well, especially in kitchen environments. Alessi has in this year of color and chaos, demonstrated its inventiveness in releasing its 2015 collection. Cheese please

Dressed by Marcel Wanders ( Egg cup in thermoplastic resin and spoon with soft boiled egg opener).

Buckle

015 was an eventful year for many multinational heavyweights in the market, especially for the longstanding leader in design Alessi, having not only expanded its empire of creativity throughout the Middle East and in Europe, but also rediscovering the new mantra to make masterpieces out of design. The 2015 collection has a mix of fantasy and fiction, with products that dig deeper into the imagination than many other of its kind. So without further ado, let us embark on this journey of inspiration to rediscover the new realities of kitchens in the future.

“It’s true that, in individual projects here and there throughout Alessi’s [product collections], we’ve touched on the subject of breakfast. But until now, it had never been treated in an integral fashion as a single, unified set of objects. It seemed to us that “Dressed”, with its strong visual identity, presented the right opportunity to do so. The results are: a Creamer, a Sugar bowl, a Butter dish, a triple Jam tray, a small Breakfast board, and an Egg Cup with accompanying spoon (we would like to call your attention firstly to the bowl of the spoon, designed in its ideal form following instructions by our culinary expert Alberto Gozzi who also happens to be a big fan of soft-boiled eggs, and secondly, to the hammer

on its tip, used to gently crack open the shell). These will be followed by a series of jars, including a short, widemouth version for biscuits, complete with an alarm bell to keep thieves at bay,” says Alberto Alessi in his most recent statement. An extension of this highly aesthetic collection is ‘Dressed in Wood’ also taken on by Wanders, encompassing a wide range of beech wood products, such as serving boards, trays, and cheese boards as well. It was built on very much the same ambitions as TWERGI’s adventure that Alessi started in 1989, but was then incorporated into Alessi’s general catalogue only to be enhanced with the assistance and continuous cooperation of Wanders.

For many years, Alessi has masterminded the schemes that have been put in place in order to dominate the kitchen market with its functionally efficient and aesthetically attractive designs. Altogether, in this collection, the company has also embarked on a creative journey to extrapolate an alternative reality, a new way to feel kitchens as they should be.

Fior d’olio by Marta Sansoni

Personified and molded into human form is the Duomo di Milano piece, designed by legendary Alessandro Mendini. Being part of a limited edition collection that was released this year, this masterpiece is hand-decorated and made out of chrome-plated zamak. Marcel Wanders also added a bit of his own magic into the mix with the Dressed collection, adding value to any kitchen user’s environment with the collection’s special features and at times almost comical designs. We can almost think of and reminisce on the famous Italian folkloric story of Pinocchio.

Glass jars with hermetic lid part “dressed collection”

Colombina fish

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

LOCAL • ART Hamdi Attia Just in Blue - 120 x 200 cm Oil on panel - 2010

Georges Bahgory Singing from Heaven II - Oil on Canvas 100 x 120 cm - 2011

Hany Rashed Contemporary Women - Diptych - Mixed Media on Canvas - 60 x 100 cm - 2007

n celebration of Egyptian artistic ingenuity, “Gallery Collection” was a collective exhibition featuring the works many late, modern, and contemporary Egyptian artists shown here on this page. The exhibition also included the work of Egyptian artistic legend Taha Hussein as well as Essam Marouf, Ibrahim El Dessouki, Omar El Nagdy, Adel El Siwi, Kareem Al Qurity, Leila Ezzat, and Mahmoud Abdullah.

By Nader Ramadan Images courtesy of Al Masar Gallery

AL MASAR GALLERY’S MOMENTS TO REMEMBER ASK Magazine has selected a number of paintings previously showcased at Al Masar Gallary in Zamalek for our readers to view and reflect upon from the exhibition “Gallery Collection” from May 2012 as well as “Impulsive Impressionism II” from March 2013. It is sometimes really when we look at blasts from the past that we discover something new, possibly something that we didn’t see in the first place even when you saw the same painting before.

Sami Aboul Azm Waiting - Oil on Canvas - 113 x 140 cm - 2012

Here we won’t tell you what to think, rather we will let you feel the essence of the art. Picture this as your own little museum within the magazine, a temporary hiatus from the world of glitz and glam. Artists of these paintings that are shown here include Georges Bahgory, Hamdi Attia, Sami Aboulazm, Omar El Nagdy, and Hani Rashed, yet the above two exhibitions also showcased the work of many among Egypt’s finest artists, who are also held in high regard by our publication, the art community, and many others in the field.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

Omar El Nagdy A Women's World - Mixed Media on Linen 150 x 150 cm - 2013

Omar El Nagdy Doll Show II - Mixed Media on Canvas 60 x 90 cm - 2010

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Impulsive Impressionism IIâ&#x20AC;? was a solo exhibition showcasing the work of Omar El Nagdy, expressing his impulsive reactions to themes garnered within his subconscious mind, which induced and stimulated emotions that have led to the expressive masterpieces that played a central role in this exhibition. El Nagdy depicts within his paintings Egyptian traditional social scenes and festivities. Omar El Nagdy Beit El Omda - Mixed Media on Linen 200 x 200 cm - 2012

Omar El Nagdy The Harem - Mixed Media on Canvas 200 x 400 cm - 2012

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

COVERAGE • REAL ESTATE

For years, the duo, along with its team of young creative architects and interior designs, have been offering elegant sophistication exclusively to high end homeowners both in Cairo and Dubai. At Cityscape Egypt 2015, the booth design was more than appealing, to the say the least, representing well the accomplishments of DAR Designs as a firm, with a TV to give potential clients a brief presentation of all of its projects, showing them how they can transform their homes into luxury dreams. The booth mimicked a small office, inviting homeowners looking

Cityscape Egypt 2015

Takes Nation’s Economic Growth to the Next Level By Nader Ramadan Photography by Nader Ramadan

ominating the scene in terms of organization and management, Cityscape Egypt 2015 this year was the star of the show when it comes to fairs taking place during the season at the Cairo International Conference Centre. The Middle East’s top real estate and property fair attracted many from including major stakeholders in the regional housing market willing to invest in Egypt as a potentially lucrative destination. Starting with a three-day brief real estate summit, taking place from the 14th to the 16th of September at the Four Seasons Nile Plaza, Cityscape invited the key speakers tackling some of the major issues that will shape

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Egypt’s economy tomorrow, including national megaprojects, such as the Suez Canal expansion project, the new capital city, new real estate market needs (500,000 residential units are needed by 2020), among many others. At the fair itself, taking place at the CICC, some of the major real estate giants showcased how they plan to change landscape of housing for market in Egypt for the future, include Misr Italia Group, Wadi Degla, Palm Hills Development, and many others. Equally impressive as the sheer scale of the projects were the displays themselves providing visitors with massive facilities and visual aids to understand the projects that are currently taking place. Some of the most ambitious projects was no doubt Il Monte Galala, the plan taken up by developer Tatweer Misr to build a lovely residential resorts on the hills of Ain El Sokhna, designed by the Italian architectural studio 5+1AA Architectures. Additionally, mong the displays at the fair that really captured the eyes of many visitors was that of architectural and interior design firm DAR Designs, a company owned by business partners Arch. Mohamed El Abagy and Arch. Ibrahim Gomaa.

to live a more elegant lifestyle to actually find it, in consultation with the company’s friendly staff of welltrained design professionals. Distinguishing from other fairs that take place in Egypt and internationally, Cityscape for DAR is the platform that they need to present their high quality work to major stakeholders directly involved in the property and housing market. For years, DAR has chosen Cityscape not only because it is better organized, but also because of its caliber and credibility on a regional level. Yet, DAR Designs’ accomplishments go even beyond Cityscape Egypt, being the only architectural and interior design to have been allowed into Cityscape Global which takes place in Dubai. Adding to that this year, they are the only Egyptian design firm to have won the International Property Awards in Architecture (http:// propertyawards.net), attending a ceremony to celebrate achievement this November. Above all, Cityscape Egypt 2015 was a testament that the nation is on its way to a recovery that will reshape the country and drive it forward to a more progressive future.

ONE EVENT ATTRACTING MAJOR STAKEHOLDERS

COVERAGE

Holztec Offers

World Class German Manufactured Windows and Doors

Le Marché XXXVI 2015 Finishes Off Profitable This Year By Nader Ramadan

Le Marché XXXVI, being among the Middle East’s top design hubs, has closed its doors profitable this year, attracting many visitors and exhibitors alike who work in all ends of the furnishing and home solutions business.

his year, just as with all the previous ones, visitors wanted go beyond the often overrated industrial materials used in furnishing solutions and really provide any added value to furniture pieces. Walking through the fair, visitors often look for businesses that placed emphasis

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on the use of natural materials in its products, demonstrating adequate dexterity and attention to fine details to their production schemes. Such was clearly the case when upon presenting its fabulous collections for the viewing pleasure of Le Marche visitors, Meubles Bamboo Anto stood out among the main bamboo furniture producers at the fair, showcasing a myriad of indoor and outdoor furniture, with its high quality materials and skillfully diligent craftsmanship. Moving inside, Amr Helmy also had his interesting kitchen solutions on display along with budget-friendly products showcased under the banner of his recently created brand Designy. Williams also standing out also changed his display slightly. Unique to this season is always the change in its colors so that homeowners can really feel the visual warmth during the winter weather with certain colors that can give that secure homey feeling that you get when you are under the blankets in your bed at home, which is where fabrics and upholstery play an essentially vital role Fabrics are always something that

Speaking of colors! You can’t ignore the pleasure of paints, especially when it comes to the products of a multinational brand such as JOTUN. This year, JOTUN was as always creative as ever with an interestingly interactive booth, laying out for visitors all types of shades and colors that can be used if you want to completely repaint your whole place. Last but certainly not least is Holztec’s signature collection of German manufactured windows and doors being showcased at the fair. In compliance with international standards of product quality as well as the German DIN Standards 68 121// IV68, Holztec’s windows and doors are temperature and sound proof, enabling homeowners to live a more peaceful life at home, away from the air and noise pollution typical of Cairo’s hectic urban environment.

Diversity was the key in the fair’s success this year. It is product diversity which is ultimately the key to satisfying the various demands of each segment with a quick and frequently changing market. As for what’s in-store for next year, we’ll just have to wait and see…

Taking pride in serving the Egyptian and GCC market, Holztec manufactures German handcrafted windows and doors. The unmatched quality of Holztec’s products is high in sealing, sound insulation and protection against the environment. Using state-of-the-art machinery to manufacture quality products, Holztec is in compliance with the German DIN Standards 68 121//IV68, which meets with the European quality standards for temperature and sound proofing. Holztec offers three types of windows and doors including tilt-turn, tilt-slide and folding doors for the pleasure of all its fellow customers. Tilt and turn windows and doors have the perfect and elaborate combination of natural material and latest technology that guarantees unique quality. Holztec tilt and turn windows and doors are not only a distinctive piece of wood, but a perfectly constructed piece of technology that is beautifully crafted. The Holztec tilt and slide door is the most innovative doors on the market today; designed using state-of-the-art technology. Not only does it have the tilt option, but it is also designed with the strict insulation guidelines in mind and has the German sliding mechanism. When it comes to folding doors, Holztec offers its customers the most advanced European folding door in the market today. It can function as a French door when only the two centre sashes are used. It is without a doubt that Holztec is the undebated leader when it comes to high quality German manufactured windows and doors, which are totally compliant with international standards of production and product quality. It this combination of successful traits that has been key to the company’s success in the Egyptian market.

all designers fancy, especially when they want to upholster their furniture with a material that they really feel fits the modern trends that permeate the market today. As always, SEDA being one of the biggest giants in fabrics industry presented their new collections with a whole new style in concurrence with the winter season.

COVERAGE

CAIRO FASHION FESTIVAL Season 5 at The

Marquee by Cairo Festival City Images courtesy of EGO COMM

his November Cairo Fashion Festival hosted the capital’s largest fashion event of the season for the fifth time since its first show in 2012. Talents from all over the world ranging from designers, brands to performers came together at The Marquee by Cairo Festival City to give Cairo an exquisite night full of Fall/ Winter trends, culture, glamour, and entertainment.

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Platinum Sponsors included: globally renowned outdoor attire brand Timberland, pioneering jeans brand Levis, world's leader in surf and beach outerwear Quiksilver/ Roxy, the ultimate hip footwear label Vans, leading brown footwear brand Rockport, and of course premier Italian footwear brand GEOX. Regionally prominent retail brands and this season’s Gold sponsors Max Fashions and Splash Fashions. Joined as Silver sponsors this season, world's largest crystal manufacturer Asfour Crystal, launched the campaign #AsfourGoneFashion with five dazzling crystal studded dresses by five prominent local fashion designers Norine Farah, Alia El Nahhas, Iman Saab, Yasmine El Said and Ahmed Azzam. Canada's #1 Lingerie brand Coquette and world's biggest multimedia store, Virgin Megastore. Organizer Ultimate Fashion Wear joined forces with Fashion Republic, Al Agabany, Slickr, Event House and The Hub Production to yet again deliver a fabulous event filled with and hair were also beautifully styled by Kriss Beauty Salons. The Official partner is Al Futtaim.

Meanwhile, on the fashion haven field, a variety of exhibitors showcased their products and services from jewelry and fashion designers, to official media sponsors sharing their latest releases. Media sponsors included: Ladybird, Cairo Scene, Insight, Daily News Egypt, ASK, and Cairo East. Additionally, designer's sponsor EGO Department Store were in attendance, offering an exclusive retail space for CFF fresh designers; in order to complere Cairo Fashion Festival's mission, buyers at EGO Department store select every season some of Cairo's most promising designers and help them showcase their latest collections to their customers after the show. Official carrier of CFF5 Swiss International Airlines, brought world's biggest Tobleron chocolate bar 4.5kg to CFF Season5 and gave it to a lucky winner via tombola draw. Additionally organizers, guests and designers enjoyed exclusive rates and services from Cairo Fashion Festival’s official hotel sponsor Dusit Thani Lake View Cairo. CFF5 hosts, TV/Radio host Sherif Nour Eldin who was dressed by RAMSEY, and stunning fashion icon, actress Tara Emad dressed in Esmeralda Radwan introduced the show with wit and charm, before each runway show, keeping the audiences engaged.

The shows began with minishows displaying Vans and Rockport latest designs, followed by World's denim pioneer LEVI'S models wore their renowned jeans on stage. First designer to show was Ghada Hashash, followed by Esmeralda Radwan Presented some of her latest designs using Kilim patterns in most of her new F/W'16 collection , with Timberland’s groundbreaking show and its wooden set-up, percussion show and new collection of outdoor looks for the season ranging from Oxfords to Chukkas. Quiksilver/ Roxy put on a risqué show with the models carrying handbags and travel bags to highlight winter collection of world's renowned surfing brand. The largest value fashion brand in the Middle East, MAX Fashions, Designer Sherine Hussein with exceptional collection influenced by the spirit of Sufism. Threads Boutique offered the crowd a mesmerising show filled with seasonal Pret-a-porter designs for all ages. Splash Fashions "In Love with Fashion", Samy Designs had his very first one themed Haute Couture collection at CFF runways this season. In one combined show, Top Shop, Top Man, Miss Selfridge, Evans, Wallis, Dorothy Perkins were last brands to show in the schedule.

Throughout the day, guests enjoyed CFF5’s Fashion Shows at The Marquee new enclosed theatre with over 1,600 seats. The Fashion Presentation, in this new and creative space, designers had the opportunity to display on a much more intimate setting their latest Fall/Winter collections; allowing for guests to admire the designs up-close and personal. The designers featured in the fashion presentation included: Debenhams, MAX, Splash, The Indian Elephant, Banjaraline, Nermeen Safwat and Ultimate Fashion Wear.

One last time, late designer Aya Afifi was the closing runway show for this season. This girl that stopped our hearts at her loss, the girl who dreamed big, and reached for the stars. CFF accolade her last collection this season.

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Additionally, Sherine Hamdy took to the stage with Laila Youssef (Stylist) & Nermine Ammar (Designer) to a live fashion battle inspiring thousands of the audiences with two different perspectives of changing the look. The fashion battle is a part of Ana w Hiya's next episode produced by Tayarah. CFF5 Honored designer Norine Farah who is back from NY Fashion Week after her first runway show at CFF3 The founder of CFF Omar Madkour handover the trophy to Norine on stage. From celebrities to high-profile personalities, VIP guests were given an exclusive fashion indulgence this season. Starting at the red carpet, with paparazzi snapping away, followed by an entertaining Fashion Presentation, leading to an on-stage seating experience for the main shows which founder Omar Madkour claims to have "allowed for buyers, VIP's and celebrities to get a much closer look at each design". The organizing team is already setting up for season 6, with some incredible regional surprises in the making...

PRESS RELEASE

Kitch Restaurant Hosts Pop-up Art Exhibition

Sameh Sobhy, General Manager with the Bird Cage Team celebrating success.

Semiramis InterContinental Cairo won New Award

A select group of Egypt’s brightest talents including actors, photographers, visual artists and interior designers as well as art lovers and collectors gathered at Kitch Restaurant and bar in early November to view a special group art exhibition by 14 Egyptian artists from different generations of the Egyptian Art Movement.

Continuing on its winning streak, the Semiramis InterContinental Cairo has a reason to celebrate yet again. Birdcage Thai restaurant won Cairo's Local Favorite 2015 Award from The Culture Trip. "Being the Highest Rewarded Hotel globally, I am honored of this great achievement, I want to thank all Birdcage associates for their hard work, great efforts during last year. This award recognizes restaurants around the World that exemplify the highest level of operational and strategic excellence in hospitality and service quality." Said Sameh Sobhy, General Manager, Semiramis InterContinental Cairo.

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“Barzakh” Exhibits at Safar Khan Gallery Safar Khan introduces the young Egyptian talent Mohamed Monaiseer in his second solo exhibition “Barzakh” which opened on October 26th and ran through November 14th. Monaiseer expresses his unique exhibition concept “Barzakh” through abstract calligraphy and relevant symbols over large treated, sometimes distressed natural fabrics using mixed medias of inks and chemicals only known to the artists as much as his writings.

Group photo of Dusit Thani LakeView Cairo team with the accolade

DUSIT THANI LAKEVIEW CAIRO AWARDED FOR EXCELLENCE

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Cairo October 4th, 2015 - On the occasion of World Tourism Day, an annual performance conference was held under the auspices of the Minister of Tourism H.E. Mr. Hesham Zazou granting Dusit Thani LakeView Cairo the award of Excellence for its outstanding performance in promoting tourism in Egypt. “We strive to offer our customers a memorable experience and this accolade is evidence for the remarkable efforts exerted by our team”, said Ahmed El Hady, General Manager at Dusit Thani LakeView Cairo.

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