bazaar April 2024

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Hello wonderful people of Kuwait, locals and expats alike! It’s a great day to write an intro, since the weather is perfect, its still Ramadan meaning the days are slower, the kids start school later, we all go to bed later, and in general, the pace is more tranquil than usual. Much more importantly, it’s a blessing to be living in a country that remains so resolute in its undying support of Palestine, loudly and openly, and clearly on a daily basis. Billboards, signs and posters all over the streets, so many people raising money for amazing causes in Gaza, kuffiyehs everywhere you go, Palestinian music, ads that support Palestine, new Palestinian restaurants and cafés, and so much more. Free Palestine!

It’s been a busy few weeks, and one of the things that always calms us is art. The American International School recently hosting MAGNIF(I), an art exhibit that explored different facets of the students’ identities through the medium of art. Each artwork presented a unique perspective, inviting viewers to express and engage in deep reflection on the themes and issues central to the artists’ experiences.

From high-schoolers to Graphic design students at the American University of Kuwait who showcased their work in an exhibition titled “History of Arab Design: Student Exhibition Two.” They explored the works of over 200 Arab designers, including detailed timelines on the establishment and evolution of Arab art and design colleges, editorial design, poster design, cinema, typewriter, language learning, and printing press. We love nothing more than seeing young people celebrating and honoring our rich heritage like this.

It seems that there’s a lot of artsy things happening in Kuwait right now. Jumeirah Beach Hotel and Spa is merging fine dining with art right now at their special event called Dinemation. A seven-course meal is paired with an awe-inspiring display of seven iconic paintings from around the globe. It’s an exceptional interactive, innovative and delicious journey.

Fashion is just another form of art in our opinion. This month, we play a little game of Truth or Dare with Haidar Abul Hassan, Kuwait’s hottest streetwear designer right now. We explore the origins of The Open Season in Kuwait and how his love for music, pop culture, and the international rap scene inspired the label.

April is Autism Awareness Month, and is vital for creating an inclusive society where individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are accepted and supported. By raising awareness, we combat stigma, promote early detection for timely interventions, empower families with resources, and drive policy changes to increase access to essential services. We interviewed autism expert and specialist, Dr. Dahlia Soliman, to learn more.

Happy reading!

Ahmed El-adly

The bazaar team...

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INDEX APRIL 2024

38

STAGED IN KUWAIT PRESENTS: LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS

Step right up, folks, and prepare to be delighted and horrified in equal measure! Staged in Kuwait, leading the country’s theater scene, is presenting its latest Eid production: the cult classic sci-fi musical, “Little Shop of Horrors,” hitting the stage on April 10th, 2024. And we can already tell you that we are all in for a special treat!

56

PROMENADE CULTURE CENTRE: WHERE ART MEETS COMMUNITY

Over the last few years, the Promenade Culture Centre has become a haven for budding artists, a place where creativity flows freely and connections are forged. There’s a new theme for the second Visionary Lab residency, with artists working in studios on site. Meet the artists, Adel Ashkanani and Razan AlSarraf as they tell us about their residencies.

130

PATROL SUPER SAFARI: EXCLUSIVE 2024 ‘AL OSTOURA’ EDITION

A special and limited edition of the 2024 Patrol Super Safari to commemorate the legacy of this famous versatile sports car has just landed. This exclusive model, directed at the GCC countries, titled “The Legend,” pays tribute to the rich heritage of the Patrol Super Safari and celebrates its deep historical connection with its customers in the region.

134

PEACE OF MIND WITH XCITE

In today’s fast-paced world, convenience is key, and Xcite understands this better than anyone. Learn how Xcite goes above and beyond to ensure that customers have access to a seamless shopping experience and peace of mind both online and in-store. With a diverse array of services from 24/7 stores, 47 stores across Kuwait and buy now pay later easy credit service. Tailored to meet the needs of modern consumers, Xcite is revolutionizing the way people shop for electronics.

42

THINKING, LEARNING AND EXISTING DIFFERENTLY WITH DAHLIA SOLIMAN

In a region that leans towards homogeneity and shies away from diversity and embracing change or differences, accepting neurodiversity was a serious challenge. Dr Dahlia Soliman, autism, ADHD and Dyslexia expert helps us understand more about the conditions.

86

EXPERIENCE ELEGANCE AT WALDORF ASTORIA KUWAIT

Waldorf Astoria is known for its luxury and elegance, but did you know that the hotel is the first and only double Forbes Travel Guide Five Star Hotel in Kuwait in its inaugural year of operation. As one of bazaar team’s favorite five-star hotels, we were so excited to hear the news. We explore what the hotel offers.

48

THE OPEN SEASON WITH HAIDAR ABUL HASAN

The road to fashion design is never a linear journey filled with definitive timelines. In this issue we explore Haidar Abul Hassan’s journey with his streetwear label, The Open Season. We explore his fashion inspirations, muses, love for music, pop culture, and the international rap scene.

126

THE EXQUISITE POTTERY BARN X DEEPIKA PADUKONE COLLECTION

If you are a Bollywood fan like us, then you are in for a treat. One of our favorite brands, Pottery Barn, and one of our favorite Bollywood celebrities, Deepika Padukone, have come together to create an exquisite collection together that tells a story of sophistication and warmth. The key pieces that make up this glorious collection are bedding, tabletop and home accessories.

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Editor’s Note: We love indulging in the sweet flavors we know and love.

STAGED IN KUWAIT PRESENTS: LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS

A Sci-Fi musical extravaganza for the whole family!

By bazaar Staff

Step right up, folks, and prepare to be delighted and horrified in equal measure! Staged in Kuwait, leading the country’s theater scene, is presenting its latest Eid production: the cult classic sci-fi musical, “Little Shop of Horrors,” hitting the stage on April 10th, 2024. And we can already tell you that we are all in for a special treat!

The story features the whimsically twisted world of Seymour Krelborn, a mild-mannered floral assistant who stumbles upon a peculiar plant he names “Audrey II” after his sweetheart coworker. Little does Seymour know, this seemingly innocent plant has a voracious appetite – not for sunlight and water, but for something much darker. As Audrey II grows and demands to be fed, Seymour finds himself entangled in a Faustian bargain with consequences that are out of this world!

Featuring a stellar lineup of local talent, including Yousef Abdelrehim as the lovable Seymour, Sophie Bray as the enchanting Audrey, Abdulwahab Alqarooni as the quirky Mr. Mushnik, and Khalid Almulla lending his voice to the insatiable Audrey II, this production promises to captivate audiences aged 7 and up.

The roots of this iconic musical sprouted from the minds of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, the visionary duo behind Disney classics like “The Little Mermaid” and “Beauty and the Beast.” From its offBroadway origins to its blockbuster film adaptation, “Little Shop of Horrors” has left an indelible mark on pop culture, inspiring countless parodies and tributes along the way.

So, go ahead, gather your friends and family, and prepare for an evening of laughter, thrills, and killer tunes at Staged in Kuwait’s production of “Little Shop of Horrors.” You won’t want to miss this horticultural horror show that’s sure to leave you clamoring for an encore!

If you are as excited as we are, don’t miss your chance to witness the spectacle! Secure your tickets now through www.SiKtkts.com for performances running from April 10th to April 13th, 2024, at The Performing Arts Centre, AUS, Sabah Al Salem. And of course, follow @stagedinKuwait for other upcoming performances.

JUMEIRAH APPOINTS NEW GENERAL MANAGER OF JUMEIRAH MESSILAH BEACH HOTEL & SPA

Promoted from within, Nader Neishabouri has been appointed General Manager, bringing a wealth of experience and a track record of excellence at Jumeirah Group

By bazaar Staff

Jumeirah Group officially announced the appointment of Nader Neishabouri as General Manager of the Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa, Kuwait. Following an impressive three-month tenure as Hotel Manager, Neishabouri’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment as he continues to build on the success of the property while continuing to deliver exceptional experiences to guests in Kuwait.

With over 13 years of experience in luxury hospitality and hotel operations across key global markets, Neishabouri is well-equipped to drive operational excellence and innovative service at the Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa. His career spans flagship properties in London, where he excelled in both rooms and F&B operations before assuming the position of Director of Operations in 2017. Since joining Jumeirah Group in August 2022 as Hotel Manager at Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel, Nader has made a significant impact on the F&B services, revenue, and operations.

Thomas Meier, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Jumeirah Group, spoke of the new appointment: “Nader’s promotion to General Manager at Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa is testament to our commitment to promoting talent from within the organization. His extensive experience in luxury hospitality, combined with a proven track record of enhancing guest satisfaction and operational success, aligns with our Mission 2030 goals of elevating the luxury experience in key markets across the region. Nader’s role will be instrumental in driving the growth and reputation of Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa and we are confident in his ability to lead the team towards achieving these ambitions as we welcome him in this new chapter.”

In response to his appointment, Nader Neishabouri said: “I am honored to step into the role of General Manager at Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa. This appointment represents an incredible opportunity to contribute to the legacy of one of Kuwait’s remarkable luxury resorts. As the Jumeirah brand continues to evolve, I am committed to leveraging my experience to further our mission of delivering exceptional experiences to our guests.”

Neishabouri’s leadership has already led to significant achievements at Jumeirah’s Kuwait property, including the introduction of innovative concepts such as ‘Dineamation’ at Pepper restaurant, enhancing the dining experience with culinary art and technology. Under Nader’s leadership, Talise Spa at Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa was also honored with the Forbes Travel Guide Five Star Rating for 2024, placing the spa among the world’s best.

For more information, please visit jumeirah.com follow @JumeirahGroup on social media channels.

ESCAPE TO A NATURAL HAVEN OF TRANQUILITY AT TALISE SPA

Let yourself experience a beautiful balance of relaxation and replenishment at Talise Spa. Choose from different spa packages that cater to your every need.

THINKING, LEARNING AND EXISTING DIFFERENTLY WITH DAHLIA SOLIMAN

The Autism, ADHD and Dyslexia expert is visiting Kuwait

By bazaar Staff

In a region that leans towards homogeneity and shies away from diversity and embracing change or differences, accepting neurodiversity was a serious challenge. Fortunately, we’ve been seeing a strong shift towards acceptance. Caused partly by more representation in media, better science messaging and more young people taking to social media and raising awareness, but most of the work is done behind the scenes by people like Dr Dahlia Soliman.

Dr Dahlia Soliman is visiting Kuwait this month and will be offering consultations for parents of children with special needs and psychoeducational assessments for Autism, ADHD and Dyslexia.

Dahlia Soliman is the Founder and president of The Egyptian Autistic society, Founder and President of Impact vocational training center, Founder and managing partner of Launch Egypt specialized center as well as the co-founder of Kodorat National for Special Needs. Dahlia graduated from The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia with a bachelor’s in psychology and sociology. She then returned to Egypt and founded The Egyptian Autistic Society in 1999. Dahlia completed the Hornsby Dyslexia Diploma at the Hornsby International Institute in the UK followed by a master’s in education with a focus on Autism at the University of Birmingham. She then received certification in TEACCH, SonRise and Verbal Behavior. She is currently a certified international behavior analyst and on the advisory board of The International Behavior Analysis Organization. Dahlia was even commissioned by the President of Egypt to design six complete care centers for special needs in Egypt. She is in the Inclusion committee at the ministry of education Egypt and the Autism Committee at the Mnistry of Health.

Dahlia’s impressive and extensive list of qualifications, experience and decades of work in the field has honed her expertise teaching academic skills and inclusive education. Dahlia’s passion lies main-steaming children with special need and has been running a successful program for over 15 years. She is now also mainstreaming in universities and jobs. Dahlia was able to advocate , change policy and  receive military exemption for children with autism

Dahlia has developed and published the first progressive Skill Development Curriculum for Autism in Egypt, in collaboration with The Mental Health Secretariat. In 2023 Dahlia opened “Impact” the first vocational center for autism in Egypt. It provides workshops for adolescents on the spectrum in video editing, graphics, programming, leather, pottery, resin, digital printing as well as cooking, baking and even sushi making.  Dahlia established intern training programs for students on the spectrum with McDonald’s, Crave and Mori Sushi and Watch It. After completing the training, some of the students were hired in these companies.

Soliman recently worked with Tarek El Ganiny and  Watch it as a consultant on a series called  ةصاخ ةلاح (translation: Special Case), starring Taha El Deskouky, which follows a young man with autism applying for a job as a lawyer. The series was a huge success and increased awareness about autism in the Arab region.

Neurodiversity stands as a crucial facet of human variation. Among the array of neurological differences, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and dyslexia stand out as widely recognized conditions, each presenting its unique set of challenges and strengths. Despite their distinct characteristics, these neurodevelopmental disorders often intertwine, sharing commonalities and complexities that warrant a closer examination.

Autism, characterized by difficulties in social interaction and communication, alongside restricted and repetitive behaviors, has garnered increasing attention in recent years. ADHD, marked

by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, affects individuals’ ability to focus and regulate their behaviors. Dyslexia, a specific learning disability, poses challenges in reading, writing, and spelling, often leading to academic struggles despite average or above-average intelligence.

While these conditions may present obstacles in various aspects of life, they also offer unique perspectives and abilities. Understanding the intricacies of autism, ADHD, and dyslexia is essential not only for individuals directly affected but also for educators, employers, healthcare professionals, and society as a whole. By fostering an inclusive and supportive environment, we can harness the strengths of neurodiverse individuals and unlock their full potential.

Dr Dahlia Soliman will be seeing clients in Kuwait for the first time For more information email autismegypt@yahoo.com.

AUK EXHIBITION: FIRST OF ITS KIND ARAB DESIGN COURSE

A unique exhibition by the students of the course by bazaar Staff

Graphic design students at the American University of Kuwait (AUK) showcased their work in an exhibition organized by assistant professor of graphic design, Dr. Fahad Dhawi, for his Special Topics course, “History of Arab Design: Student Exhibition Two.” This is the first course in Kuwait that explores the works of over 200 Arab designers, including detailed timelines on the establishment and evolution of Arab art and design colleges, editorial design, poster design, cinema, typewriter, language learning, and printing press.

The students’ work reflected the style of existing Arabic graphic designers or artists whose work was featured in the course’s textbook. The exhibition included a selection of art & design student projects that feature Arabic calligraphy, typography and lettering, sculpture, mix media, painting, illustration, manuscript, mashrabiya/ rug design, poster design, product design, and furniture design.

Commenting on the significance of this exhibition and its distinctiveness, Dr. Dhawi stated, “This exhibition has given our students the opportunity to celebrate creativity, strength of communication design, power of voice and artistic expression as well as the power of art, culture and most importantly the power of collaboration. It is important to know that our students are now learning the History of Arab design for the first time as well as how earlier Arab designers and artists struggled; either from the lack of art materials, or political resistances that were met during the execution of their projects back in time.”

AUK prioritizes exposing its students to various Arab cultures and heritages. Through these courses, students gain invaluable insights and foster a deeper understanding of cultural diversity.

For more information on the American University of Kuwait please visit auk.edu.kw and follow their latest on Instagram and social media @AUK_Official.

ME BEFORE WE

Consumers are putting themselves first, according to new research

By Stephanie Mehta

The socially conscious individual has given way to a “me over we” consumer who favors brands that deliver personal value over societal value, according to new research from the Weber Shandwick Collective (TWSC).

The report, “What We Value: The Primacy of Personal,” used quantitative and qualitative research to understand what people around the world want from brands, products, and companies. Three out of four respondents say what they value most has changed in the past five years, with the shock and aftereffects of the COVID-19 pandemic being the No. 1 reason for the shift. After practical considerations, such as utility and value for their money, consumers ranked “personal emotional value” as two times more important to them than societal or social value.

The research, which TWSC shared exclusively with Modern CEO, suggests a retreat from the conscious consumerism movement, in which social, ethical, and environmental considerations guide buying decisions. It also reflects an undercurrent of “me-centricity” that’s playing out in elections and attitudes around the world, says Gail Heimann, CEO of TWSC. “What we’re seeing in the data is mirrored in society to some degree,” she says. “We’re at the beginning of [seeing] something that is a very large force in our world.”

Joy Farber Kolo, global chief brand officer for TWSC, is quick to point out that the research doesn’t absolve companies from making social commitments or being good stewards of the planet. Brands need to “understand the lens of your audiences,” she says. “At the end of the day, when people make choices, what motivates them?”

Here are five highlights from the report (the boldface language reflects the headings TWSC assigned to each):

Me Over We: More than four in 10 respondents say “personal emotional value” is the most important contribution a brand or company can make–and GenZ and millennial respondents found emotional connection even more important than the monetary value of a product or service.

Inside Out: The primary drivers of emotional value are tied to personal safety, security, health, and happiness. Respondents rank entertainment, excitement, and empowerment as less important.

Societal Tilts Selfward: Consumers say they want to support companies that “treat people well,” but TWSC’s qualitative research shows that respondents are actually seeking brands that “treat me well.”

Social Descending: Respondents say they are more interested in brands that provide them with experiences and opportunities for self-expression; only 7% say “increasing my social status” is a brand’s most important attribute.

Taking Action is a Tightrope: “You can no longer just say something, you actually have to do something or contribute some value in order to earn value,” Heimann says, but as Modern CEO has noted before, such moves can be tricky. TWSC’s report says nine in 10 people say they will take positive action when a brand acts in a way that validates their values, but 83% will take negative action when brand behavior runs contrary to their views.

I asked Farber Kolo for an example of a company that has embraced the primacy of the personal, and she credited consumer packaged goods giant Kellanova (formerly Kellogg Company) with “seeking to truly understand micro-communities,” producing activations such

as a collaboration between Pringles and The Caviar Co. and the Cheez-It Stop Tour, which speak to personal emotional value and experiences, which consumers say they value more than status. For Farber Kolo, the lesson to executives is clear. “Business leaders and brand builders need a deep and more nuanced understanding of an often complex tapestry of audiences,” she says.

“If you want people to buy from you, invest in you, vote for you, work for you, believe in you, you have to know how to contribute value to them and their communities.”

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash.

Grand Avenues | The Gate Mall

THE OPEN SEASON

Haidar Abul Hassan is defying local fashion norms

By Yasmin Mostafa

The road to fashion design is never a linear journey filled with definitive timelines. Which is precisely how Haidar Abul Hassan’s talent culminated in opening his streetwear label, The Open Season in Kuwait. Haidar’s pervasive artistic talent and interest for fashion has always been an innate version of him, spawned by his love for music, pop culture, and the international rap scene.

Back in his impressionable study years in San Francisco, California, Haidar’s exposure to fashion started from the top. American rappers, the likes of G-Eazy and Naph de Pharo would ask him to scout rare finds or style them for music videos or concerts. While producing and appearing in his own music videos as a hobby in his studio back in San Francisco, a dual passion that satisfied his appetite for music and the American rap scene, Haidar turned away from donning mainstream luxury brands, and displayed a strong affinity towards rarer unique fashion forward pieces. Because he dressed himself in rarer exclusive items it made a strong statement about his unique sense of style and caught the attention of other music rappers and artists. His love for fashion started out as a consumer dressed in niche luxury Japanese labels, the likes of The Soloist by Takahiro Mayashita, Needles, Evisu and Venmont. “Music videos goes hand in hand with fashion,” He explains. “If you want to get out and style a music video you need to put fashionable items on people, including myself”.

While this early experience of dabbing in fashion in the States, primarily styling in the realm of Music videos, gave him the right yield to propel him into the fashion game. Haidar didn’t have a clear goal in mind when to launch his own brand and start making his own clothes, and it was not until he earned his Bachelor’s and moved back to his hometown, Kuwait, did he feel manufacturing in Italy a part of the vision for his future brand, an idea that emerged out of his obsession with Virgil Abloh’s own footsteps in fashion design, Creative Director’s OFF-WHITE, Milan-

based fashion house. With time on his hands back in Kuwait, after his last job at Disney, family members nudged him to begin his design career locally after seeing him illustrate and sketch at a mad pace at home. Thinking he was compromising on his ultimate dream of making clothes in Italy, Haidar dropped his stringent plans with manufacturing in Europe for the moment and experimented with a simple start. He tested a few of his initial illustrations for Ramadan kaftans and daraas to be made locally. When his kaftans sold out in one day, this simple experiment

prompted him to think that his dream of fashion design “and his vision for a new audacious brand” can be realized in Kuwait too. Fast forward to the birth of his new daring brand, The Open Season. What’s the story behind the name “The Open Season”, one might ask. Haidar’s music and lifestyle continually eschews conformity as a daring artist and prompts us to go beyond the safe confines of our mentally rigid paradigms in life. In the same way, when restrictions are taken off hunters during the open hunting season, Haidar defies restrictions and

Photo by @7mdphotography

refuses to be defined by the four seasons of the year, and in a close metaphorical resemblance to a hunter’s instinct, his first gut instinct and his original vision guides his journey and his next creations. “I can “drop” any fashion piece like a puff jacket in summer and still sell it” he says with confidence. He’s not bound by the four seasons of the year, which is why you will note a lot of versatility in his pieces like detachable sleeves, or a detachable tail to a long puff jacket, or a detachable hoodie, unlike other jackets on the market. He can release a puff jacket in the middle of winter and take its dual functional aesthetic through to autumn or to spring.

Haidar Abul Hassan looked up to four prominent design icons in the realm of global fashion throughout his formative years that have influenced the whole aesthetic and pervasive design style at The Open Season. His dominant inspiration was Virgil Abloh, Creative director and founder of the Milan-based fashion brand/house OFF-WHITE, whose design aesthetic is a mash-up of luxury and streetwear and influenced the whole aesthetic and style behind his brand, The Open Season. A look at one of The Open Seasons’s staple pieces of the label, the Pink Varsity Bomber Jacket, was inspired by the LV Varsity jacket, a Collab between LV and Virgil Abloh during his tenure and creative director role of menswear at LMVH.

The essence of The Class of Infinity Varsity bomber jacket which comes in one color pink, for men and women, a unisex item of clothing, is that it speaks to you” Let’s belong”. It daringly sets the tone for the brand which meets you with the ultimate controversial flair. “Let’s be bold and daring, let’s be part of a like-minded cult, an exclusive Open Season club.”

While The Open Season label owner understands the human psyche, that controversy might take time

to sink in with local fashion savvy people, particularly a pink jacket for men, he didn’t quite expect for his daring and cult aesthetic to be absorbed as quickly as the Varsity was in demand in Kuwait and abroad. Which prompted him to revisit his planned production of the Varsity Jacket in much bigger quantities than that intended for the launch.

One of the earliest pieces of The Open Season Label, is the detachable long brown puff jacket inspired by another idol of his, Alexander McQueen. Other than his impeccable craftsmanship, and silhouettes and cuts, Haidar loves McQueen’s unique interpretation of Beauty, his attention to the not so obvious beauty details in life that he swiftly transforms into globally resonating fashion motifs. Fueled by daring designers and designs and not going safe, he re-created a piece in Alexander McQueen’s fashion book, The Savage Beauty, the McQueen Coat Dante one piece Military Matador Coat AW ‘96. It inspired the silhouette of the down jacket at Open Season which was influenced by his love for Mc Queen’s silhouettes and dramatic cuts. Haidar’s pieces always acts as a medium of expression from designer to consumer, in the search for human stories to shed light on. The Wounds heal Capsule is part of a human story. A deconstructed fashion piece, this artful Jacket is a beautifully expressive patchwork of stitches, bandages, mixed media, and faux fur furnished from a vintage Valentino jacket to imitate real skin. The physical form of a human body is resilient and puts up with physical and emotional wounds for life and has the powerful capacity to always heal. So, in essence through his Wounds heal deconstructed Jacket, Haidar is continually reminding us of the power of the Human Body to heal. Pain can be translated to art, and it is in his DNA to always make good out of the troublesome situations in his life.

Whether rapping about his life challenges or raw deconstructed designs making their way into his sketches, Music and Fashion remain his two best forms of expression.

One of his bestseller shirts and number one selling item at B Hype Store in Dubai, a celebrity concept store in luxury streetwear, frequented by global celebrities is his “Al Onsor” shirt, a grey vintage T shirt translating to “element” in Arabic and representing his musical alter ego or his twin musical domain. Also, SZN “Season” black T shirt also translated to Arabic and serving as a culture reminder to our heritage and roots by printing a picture of a Bedouin inspired woman donning a face veil on the back.

In the brand’s appeal is the cult aesthetic which is repeated once again in another ready to wear, the “SZN Heritage Hoodie” which transcends the cult side of the brand to empower the wearer, a ready to wear reddish brown hoodie and paired with a voluminous skirt on the model to infuse the overall tone and aesthetic needed for the brand which is mashing up luxury and streetwear together.

Haidar’s extensive knowledge on fabrics is owed to Prof. Gale Baugh at San Francisco State University, a single fashion class he took casually to add extra points to his university credits score. Famous for co-founding and her contributions to The Wear Movement, and author of the Book, The Textile Directory Kit, Haidar was taken under Prof. Gale Baugh’s wing and served as a fashion illustrator in her classes, in a satirical twist of life, after initially failing her class. This wakeup call fed into his debut as a fashion designer about sourcing and textiles from someone who was “big game” in the fashion industry, and affiliated with New York, Paris and Miami Fashion Weeks.

Haidar’s latest addition is his Freedom for Palestine Capsule, one in black and white which almost sold out. All 100% of the profits go to The Red Cross Association.

Don’t be tempted to expect similar styles for future items as Haidar’s process of creation does not stem from popularity of his music videos or his previous pieces but his internal chaos of emotions and moving from one new inspiration to another. He tries to maintain a balance between satisfying people’s love for certain aesthetics and his internal chaos machine churning one daring and veracious idea after another. “I love to design for people with similar mentalities in mind, people who listen to the same music or wear similar types of designs or who’ve lived between different cultures,” he says. Moving from one era of the business to the next, Haidar was adamant at first to see his baby brand thriving and focused more on dropping Capsules, or single pieces/collectibles. After the success of many pieces of The Open Season Label, Haidar hints to us about building a cohesive collection for the brand in the seasons to come. Stay Tuned for more releases and exciting future plans by The Open Season Label.

Photo by @alex_flint_ph

Photo by @coded.campaigns

TRUTH OR DARE QUESTIONNAIRE

How would your mother describe you in one word?

Ambitious

How would you describe your mother in one word?

Everything to me

What is the most ridiculous question you’ve been asked?

In the states, I was once asked if Kuwait is in north or South California?

What is the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done?

Several actually. A Deconstructed denim piece was spontaneously designed and I free styled it. I have a lot of unplanned design approaches to whole outfits without initial illustrations.

Last Bunka event I was put on the spot and spontaneously MC’d cause of my rapping background or music background.

What is your theme song?

“My eyes” by Travis Scott” Or “Carnival” by Kanye West.

What word in the English or Arabic language do you wish you had invented?

“Al Onsor” meaning element which is my musical alter ego.

Where would you like to live?

I’m comfortable in Kuwait, but If I had a choice I would like to live in Japan because I’m in love with their culture which is infused with their arts. Its very clean and I love Japanese anime, fashion, traditions, Japanese food.

What is your dream retirement location?

Turks and Caicos Islands. It’s a beautiful island. The water there is crystal clear and it’s in the middle of nowhere. Zanzibar would be my second option. Either or.

What is the first famous quote that comes to your mind?

“Stand for something, or fall for anything”

Which animal best describes your perfect partner, be it in business, or in life?

A Wolf. A Wolf never folds under pressure. Move as a pact and are defined by a unity. They all think in the same way.

Do you miss anything from your childhood and if so, what is it?

The cartoons I used to watch on Cartoon Network. Made me who I am today. Dexter, power puff girls. It’s all about the imagination, the color palettes and the unreal sketches it’s not about real life.

If you could change your name, to what would you change it?

I would stick to my name because it really stands for who I am. The power behind my name means a “lion” in Arabic. Ruthless on the war field.

How would you describe your handshake, in one word?

Sealed. (The Deal). Also, Respectful.

What is the toughest part of your character? Impulsive. I’m the kind that shoots first, asks questions later.

Who is your favorite historical figure? Machiavelli. He was brought up in a struggling life in prison. I don’t believe in things coming easily in life.

What in the World do you least desire the most? Dishonesty with anything. What do you think is lacking in the World, which if there were more of, would make the World a better place?

Unity. No racism, no labelling, no supremacy over another race. More equality.

Why do you think most people who do, like you? I’m Creative, relatable, easy to talk to and fun loving.

Finish this Sentence:

Happiness is….Achievements, I’m a workaholic and love to reach my own milestones in life, towards my ultimate goal, whether that be from small daily tasks or to my bigger life ambitions.

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Photo by @nasjxx

Good things for a bon voyage

Shop travel products & comfy wear in stores and online

GHOSTING IS RUTHLESS

So why are we all doing it?

By Kailyn Brown

The professional dancer-turned-entrepreneur took time to heal from her breakup with her ex-boyfriend of nearly four years. She also wanted to focus on building her business, the Move by Lexfish app, where she teaches virtual Pilates, dance and other fitness classes. Then, in May, she was accepted on Raya, an exclusive, membership-based app that initially focused on dating but has expanded into a digital spot to build friendships and business relationships.

Fischer started messaging two men and eventually went on multiple dates with each of them. She kept in touch with them via text and FaceTime, and things were seemingly going well, until all of a sudden: crickets.

“I’ve been ghosted twice in the past month,” a teary-eyed Fischer said in a video on TikTok, where she has more than 28,000 followers.

In dating, ghosting is when someone ends all communication without giving the other person any warning or explanation. In the video, Fischer went on to talk about how the experience bruised her ego and left her feeling rejected. Dozens of people commented, saying that they had had similar experiences.

“It was just absurd to me,” said Fischer, 30, of the South Bay, told The Times. “You start to question yourself, like ‘Did I say something? Did I do something?’ And you read back all your texts and just kind of go crazy.”

It wasn’t as if she thought either of these men were “the love of her life,” she said, but she would have preferred for them to let her know that they didn’t want to date her anymore rather than disappearing and causing “emotional turmoil” for her.

“We need to all collectively be better,” she said in a follow-up TikTok video. “We don’t need to ghost. We are better than that. Send a clear text, a voice note, call them … Just be clear.”

With the rise of online dating and social media, ghosting has become a common experience for many people. A 2023 Forbes survey, which polled 5,000 U.S. residents who’d actively been on dates within the last five years, found that 60% of respondents said they had been ghosted before.

Meanwhile, 45% said they have ghosted another person. Findings also show that men and women are equally to blame: Forty-four percent of men and 47% of women said they’d ghosted someone before. (This study didn’t appear to be inclusive of all gender identities.)

Ebony Utley, a professor of communication studies at Cal State Long Beach, said ghosting has likely been around forever. However, because there are now so many ways to reach someone whether it’s via phone, email or lurking on their social media, ghosting has become more intentional.

L.A.-based marriage and family therapist Ali Cortes said the COVID-19 pandemic has played

a role in people communicating less with others.

“It’s a trend that is acceptable,” Cortes said, adding that no one likes to be on the receiving end of it.

Many experts agree that ghosting is generally frowned upon with the exception being if you feel unsafe around someone or if any red flags such as lying or abusive behavior pops up.

Letting someone know that you’re no longer interested in them can feel nerve-wracking. (We all get it.) But getting ghosted feels way worse. Here’s what experts say you should do instead.

What actually happens when people ghost others?

There are several reasons why people ghost. Some do it because they’re afraid of confrontation. Others think they are sparing the other person’s feelings, while some simply don’t think they owe the other person an explanation.

“People lie for two reasons,” said Utley, author of the 2019 book “He Cheated, She Cheated, We

Cheated: Women Speak About Infidelity.” “They lie to protect themselves, and they lie to protect other people. So ghosting lets people do both at the same time.”

A ghoster may think, “’I protect myself from being a bad person,’” Utley said, “’and I protect you from hating me by not explaining the real reason why I don’t want to know you anymore.’”

No matter which way you slice it, suddenly disappearing without letting the other person know can cause more harm than good. Although research hasn’t fully explained the psychological effects of ghosting, a 2020 study published by the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health related its effects to “ostracism,” which could cause feelings of “loneliness, depressed mood, frustration, anxiety and helplessness.”

“It is disrespectful,” said Cortes, who’s also the founder of Bienestar Counseling, Coaching and Consulting. “Because there’s no feedback, it leaves the person out in the cold.”

Utley said that when people are ghosted, they often revert to their “little kid state” where they think that everything is their fault. Questions including “Is it something that I did? Did I make them mad? Was I not good enough?” might circle their minds.

“It usually interferes with our self-esteem in some way,” she said. “And if that happens to you recurringly in patterns, then you really start to think, ‘Oh, snap. It’s me. People just don’t want to be in communication with me.’ And it might just be you’ve run into a bunch of a—holes.”

But if the person doing the ghosting were candid, then you’d know whether the issue is you (for example, they said you came on too strong), and as a result, you could decide whether you want to work on those personality traits.

What should you do instead?

Ghosting is easy — that’s why people do it. But if you’re willing to do the alternative, here are a couple options for what you could say.

If you’ve lost interest in the person you are dating and no longer want to communicate with them, Cortes recommends using the sandwich method, in which you deliver negative or constructive feedback between two slices of positive comments.

You can start by thanking the person for sharing their time with you and let them know that you’ve enjoyed getting to know them, Cortes said. Then insert your reason. Some examples are “I’ve realized that I’m not ready for a relationship right now,” “Our values don’t align” or “We don’t want the same thing.” Wrap up by saying something such as this: “I want to respectfully let you know so that you can move on, and I can move on as well,” and then tell them to take care.

Another option, says Mike Chang, a marriage and family therapist based in Glendale, is “making it more about you” and less about the other person. It’s fine to keep your explanation for ending the relationship brief.

“I think people have preferences when it comes to what kind of person they want to be in a relationship with, which is totally fine,” Chang said. “But nobody wants to be told that they don’t have something or a trait that [you’re] looking for.” A key reminder: If your comment isn’t constructive, keep it to yourself.

Let’s be friends

It may be tempting to end this tough conversation by saying “We can be friends” as a way to cushion the blow. But experts warn that you shouldn’t say this or agree to it unless that’s what you actually want. Doing so can sometimes make the other person think they still have a chance with you romantically. It can also leave the door open for them to cross your boundaries.

Instead, Utley recommends saying something like this: “I’ve enjoyed getting to know you, but I don’t want us to be in communication anymore.”

“Yes, it is a very difficult thing to say,” Utley said. “And, yes, it’s a very difficult thing to hear. But if you don’t want to be in communication anymore, you’re going to get that. That person is not going to keep reaching out to you, and if they do, you might have to get the police involved. But at least you’ve been clear.”

Should you have this conversation in person? When asked whether you should have this conversation in person, via text or over the phone, Utley advised picking whichever one makes you feel most comfortable.

Any of these options is “better than nothing,” she said, “because sometimes those in-person conversations end up being conversations when you really just want to end a relationship.”

If you think an in-person conversation might go sideways or put you in a dangerous situation, then a phone call or text might be best, Utley said.

Ultimately, no matter what’s said, there’s still a chance that the conversation may not be well received.

“I think how the other person responds is a variable that we can’t control,” said Chang, who’s also the program director for Lighthouse Counseling Solutions. They might be mature about it or they might have a complete meltdown. However, it’s not your responsibility to make the other person “feel better about the breakup because they are going to interpret it however they want to interpret it,” he said.

Your only job — and the only thing you can control — is being transparent, clear and respectful about your desire to end communication.

The long-term benefit

There could be another positive outcome from having this conversation. Utley said learning how to communicate effectively can help you become a better friend, parent, sibling, neighbor, employer,

colleague and employee. “This kind of practice is going to help you if you ever have to deliver bad news to anyone, anywhere, at any time,” she said. “Practicing these things now will help you do that and make all those forthcoming situations in your life a little bit easier.”

Cortes likes to think of this skill as an act of kindness toward yourself and the other person.

“If I do this one hard thing of rejecting [someone], I’m actually helping both of us have a healthier dynamic with other people,” she said. By saying no to this person, you are ultimately saying yes to yourself and freeing the other person to do the same.

A new dating standard

A few months after Fischer’s back-to-back ghosting experiences, she started messaging another guy she had met on Instagram. They FaceTimed several times, but she eventually realized that they were on different paths in their lives and ultimately weren’t compatible. So she decided to break it off with him.

He responded with “a nice, long message,” she said, acknowledging that he couldn’t give her what she was looking for at the time and that he respected her decision. Then they went their separate ways.

“I was a little sick to my stomach about it, and then once we had the conversation, I was like, ‘Oh, my gosh. I feel so light. I feel clear,’” she said.

“Let’s have that conversation always.”

The experience has given Fischer a new perspective and confidence about dating. It’s also taught her that being ghosted is “not a reflection of me at all because I know I’m a catch,” she said.

“I know what I have to offer.”

Photos by Tandem X Visuals on Unsplash.

PROMENADE CULTURE CENTRE: WHERE ART MEETS COMMUNITY

Supporting emerging artists, with the theme of “connection”

By bazaar staff

Over the last few years, the Promenade Culture Centre has become a haven for budding artists, a place where creativity flows freely and connections are forged. The PCC is an eclectic space dedicated to nurturing artistic talent and celebrating the power of human connections, which happens to be the theme for the second Visionary Lab residency, with artists working in studios on site. The PCC has also had three mural residencies so far.

This year, the first of the two artists selected for the residency, Adel Ashkanani, a multimedia artist with a penchant for photography and music, explores the theme of connection through nostalgia. By preserving childhood memories in stone objects, Adel seeks to capture the fleeting nature of time and emotion. The second artist selected, Razan AlSarraf, a visual artist, curator, and educator, delves into the interactions between people and landscape, offering a nuanced perspective on the theme of connection.

The culmination of PCC’s residencies is often a vibrant exhibition, where artists have the opportunity to showcase their work to the public. The latest exhibition, titled “Memoryscapes,” features the works of Razan AlSarraf and Adel Ashkanani, two local artists whose interpretations of connectivon are as diverse as they are captivating. From nostalgic reflections to explorations of landscape and identity, the exhibition invites viewers to contemplate the myriad ways in which we connect with the world around us.

Why the theme of connection, you may ask? Well, according to the folks at PCC, it’s all about exploring the intricate web of relationships that shape our world. From the bonds we share with our community to the connections we form with ourselves, the theme of connection permeates every aspect of life. By delving into this theme, PCC aims to not only showcase the artwork of emerging artists but also to foster a sense of connection among its patrons.

We wanted to catch up with the artists and hear a little bit about their journeys. del Ashkanani tells us that “My journey with art initially started when I was much younger. After being enrolled in piano class, I found it to be a form of communication, expressing thoughts without words being used. This has influenced the way I perceive and create things to this day. Over the years, my practice has evolved by exploring different mediums, subjects and ideas, from painting and film, to photography and sculpting.”

“Art does not happen in a vacuum. We are all vital and important components of our own collective liberation, and everything one makes/ creates/ produces is inherently political. It is extremely important to acknowledge the times we’re in right now, where a genocide is happening live before our eyes in Palestine – our brothers and sisters need our attention and advocacy, and we cannot stay silent. In my lifetime, I hope to see an end to the occupation and a free Palestine,” explains Razan AlSarraf about art.

But how does PCC go about choosing its artists and guiding them through the creative process? Well, it starts with a vision. Curator Shahad Bishara, along with the team at Visual Therapy, works closely with artists to develop a brief that aligns with PCC’s mission and goals. Through ongoing feedback and support, artists are encouraged to explore the theme of connection in their own unique way, resulting in a diverse range of artistic expressions.

“Our partner is Visual Therapy @visualtherapy, whose founder and curator Shahad Bishara beautifully understands our mission and goals when it comes to providing safe spaces for artists to create. Over these past residencies, Shahad has helped us shape the programme and select the artists, she has a rich knowledge of Kuwait’s artistic scene. We have decided to have an open call for the current residency which resulted in more than 70 applications, which is a great sign that we are positioning our Centre as open and welcoming to artists. The Visionary Lab residency is a funded opportunity for two locally based artists,” Ksenia Graovac, the PCC manager, shares.

What we love is that as the PCC continues to evolve, exciting projects lie on the horizon. From mural residencies to children’s and youth programs, PCC remains committed to its mission of supporting and promoting the arts in Kuwait. With plans to open a small library and explore the world of podcasting, PCC aims to expand its reach and engage with audiences in new and innovative ways.

As we navigate the complexities of modern life, let us embrace the power of artistic expression to bridge divides, foster understanding, and celebrate the rich tapestry of human experience. Whether you’re an aspiring artist or an art enthusiast, PCC invites you to join the conversation and explore the myriad ways in which we connect with the world around us.

If you are as interested as we are, the artists will be showcasing their work at the PCC. The exhibition named Memoryscapes will open 24 April in the Main Hall of PCC, at 6pm. Continue to stay up to date with how the Promenade Culture Centre is transforming the culture scene in Kuwait, and see their latest mural unveiled, follow @pcckuwait. You can also follow the journey of the artists on Instagram, Razan AlSarraf @razanalsarraf, and Adel Ashkanani @sikraabi.

WHY CREATIVE DATA IS THE ANSWER IN THE AI ERA

Efficiency doesn’t always equal effectiveness

By Frederick Stallings

By feeding creative content into AI-based ad generators, it’s become easy to automate the production of thousands of ads all aimed at increasing views and sales associated with a campaign. It has created an endless war for consumers’ attention among today’s leading companies like Amazon, Google, and TikTok.

But efficiency doesn’t always equal effectiveness. And chasing short-term success is not a recipe for creating meaningful, lasting, emotional connections with consumers.

In fact, the rapid integration of generative-AI tools into ad campaigns appears to have caused many advertisers to overlook the importance of creative storytelling and brand salience. This is, at least in part, because the most popular ad optimization platforms today seem more concerned with monetizing clicks and making fast sales than helping a brand build the kind of impressions that differentiate it from its competitors and develop consumer loyalty.

Unpacking brand salience

There is a sense that the Information Age has turned the idea of brand success on its head. Metrics associated with immediate platform performance have come to overshadow what any intelligent, creative marketer knows about creating a successful campaign. That is, it should be effective in communicating a brand’s story to the consumer and in a way that creates an undeniable sense of distinctiveness and differentiation, ideally tapping into the audience’s emotions and providing a meaningful value in the customer’s lives. This, in essence, is what brand salience is all about.

AI and the short-term mirage

The problem is not the use of AI, but rather the misuse of AI based on the application of the wrong data and key performance indicators (KPIs). For example, Google’s generative-AI tools can be used to create “novel” advertisements optimized for immediate performance, but this requires that a brand’s creative content be altered to maximize platform-specific performance and interactions at the potential expense of coherent storytelling and long-term brand building, and in many cases, overall brand value.

Put simply, views and interactions imply very little about the actual effectiveness of the content in creating an emotional resonance among consumers. And the proliferation of retail-enabled platforms means maintaining overall brand quality across dozens of channels has made it increasingly difficult for marketers to determine the overall quality of one of the most important parts of an advertising campaign: creativity.

Prioritizing Brand Salience in Creative fields

While the allure of quick wins is nothing new in the age of digital advertising, it has considerably grown over the past year with the emergence of generative AI. However, the data being utilized by generative-AI systems in advertising is not designed for creative storytelling or to inform creative decision-making in the context of a brand and its relevant category. The ultimate cost of rapidly deploying GenAI-based creative content is a race to the middle and the loss of what makes a brand unique. However, prioritizing long-term growth over short-term gains in a splintered media world continues to be a challenge every CMO is facing.

Brand salience is the linchpin of sustainable growth and essential long-term brand building, but without integrating creative data, it’s virtually impossible to trust current AI models in advertising without sacrificing your ability to tell your brand’s story and differentiate your identity from the competition.

This absence of creative data in the advertising industry is something we noticed even before the rapid rise of generative AI. And understanding both the critical importance of brand salience and the potential of rapid advancements in AI and machine learning, we spent years building StoryData to help brands disrupt the cycle of short-lived strategies in favor of long-term, data-driven brand building powered by never-before-seen creative insights.

Charting a New Course

Importantly, delivering brand salience in the Information Age requires the desire and willingness to go against the grain of current conventional wisdom. It requires having unshakable confidence in both the capabilities of your creative teams and

the utilization of emergent forms of data alongside increasingly powerful technologies.

To gain such confidence, however, it helps to first understand what it means to measure and monitor brand salience in a metrics-driven world.

Whereas most agencies focus on datasets highlighting how consumers react to certain communications, our creative intelligence platform applies AI and machine learning to deconstruct and understand communications in the unique context of their category, in addition to measuring the impact of different storytelling elements within a given campaign. Born exclusively from the stimulus of audio and pixels within brand communications, the resulting creative dataset allows advertisers to quantify key variables associated with brand salience, such as emotion, meaningfulness, and differentiation, gaining insights into the stimulus, not the response, that is creating consumer behavior.

To be sure, this approach represents a radical deviation from the existing status quo, but it is a deviation born of an understanding that current uses of data and AI in advertising are actively replacing the pursuit of brand excellence with a fruitless infatuation with short-term engagement. More importantly, without charting this bold new course to revive brand salience, there is a risk that more shallow uses of generative AI will lead to a significant, and potentially permanent, devaluation of creative storytelling, which is not only essential for successful long-term brand building but has always been and should continue to be the very lifeblood of the advertising field.

Photo by Steve Johnson on Unsplash.

CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF IKEA® IN KUWAIT

A journey full of building shared moments

By bazaar Staff

A trip to IKEA is more than a thrilling excursion into a world of endless possibilities, it’s an addition to our memory banks, fun for the whole family, and the fastest route to making your space your own, and your life easier. This year marks four decades of IKEA’s presence in Kuwait, and 40 years of changing the way we look at utilizing and decorating our homes.

It is a story of generations; children who often frequented IKEA’s first store in Kuwait in 1984 with their parents now find themselves often shopping for solutions for their children. It all began in April of that year in the industrial hub of Shuwaikh, marking the start of a beautiful and long-standing relationship between the brand and the people of Kuwait. The store became an instant hit and even survived the invasion. In this endearing trip down memory lane, we spoke to IKEA employees and customers and everyone had a beautiful story to tell about their IKEA memories.

“I have been working with Al Homaizi Group since the beginning. I had the honor to work with the founders before the invasion and after liberation. I took part of protecting the IKEA Store

“Now we are closer to people. With 6 different customer meeting points and the IKEA website, our customers can choose to meet us wherever they want, whenever they want and however they want to shop.” Marino Maganto, CEO of IKEA Kuwait, Jordan and Morocco.

during the invasion, by building a wall of steel bars to save the stock. One of my best moments was when IKEA was the first store to open and resume operations after the liberation. We were able to resume our work and operate the store, help others, and recruit employees too,” Board member of Al Homaizi Limited, Adel Al Shamali, tells us. Twenty-two years later, to the month, IKEA Avenues opened its doors to welcome a new generation of IKEA customers. New customer meeting points followed with 360 MALL in February 2020, Assima Mall in November 2021, Al Khiran in April 2023, and The Warehouse in August 2023, in addition to IKEA omni-channel e-commerce customer meeting points. Emile Shaar, Project Leader - Business Development and Expansion

The first IKEA store in Shuwaikh

The world’s first IKEA navigation tower

at IKEA, tells us more about IKEA’s growth over the years. “I joined IKEA in March 1993. It is fascinating to see IKEA growing from one small store in Shuwaikh back then to multiple physical retail units today, in addition to our online channel, every milestone has been both remarkable on its own and an opportunity to admire this beautiful retail concept that makes everyone’s everyday life better.”

“This is not just selling furniture, it is a way of doing things, it is about values and it is about people. People are always first. Coworkers and customers.”

Mohamad Ali (Government Relation - IKEA)

As customers, we never see all the work that goes on behind the scenes and all the hard work that takes place for everything to happen.

Throughout all the years, IKEA has been a part of many homes and lives, offering inspiration, and

solutions and helping people to live a better, every day. IKEA’s vision has always been to be by the side of the people, provide them with affordable solutions that suit their needs, all while crafting the best customer experience ever. A promise that IKEA has kept over the years.

Regardless of the store you head to, once you step inside, you’re enveloped in an atmosphere of excitement and anticipation. You can drop your kids off at Småland first so you can focus on your shopping. The little ones are usually more excited than us about the prospects of some fun time in the ball pit and playing with the toys.

As you step forward, the vibrant displays beckon you to explore, with the showroom offering a tantalizing glimpse into stylish living spaces. As you meander through the maze of aisles, you can’t help but marvel at the clever designs and ingenious solutions for every room in the house. Testing out the furniture becomes an adventure in itself, as you recline on plush sofas, bounce on cozy beds, and twirl in sleek office chairs, imagining how they would fit into your own home, and stay with us throughout the years. Aziz, an avid IKEA customer, shares, “We have a set of beech wood Billy bookcases that make up our son’s library. They’re actually mine from when I was a kid and they’ve just been moving with me from home to home.”

“There’s an IKEA couch and a pair of armchairs from the 80s that my mum got as a wedding gift. She and my dad sat in the same armchairs for the wedding. They’ve been reupholstered many times, but are still in her studio at home. It’s not her house without them,” Omar (Customer)

Along the way, you stumble upon hidden gems, from quirky kitchen gadgets to chic home decor, sparking inspiration at every turn. “I love their kids’ range and random toys, and I buy them all online,” Maha H, IKEA Customer, tells us.

We’re probably guilty of getting lost in the kitchen section the most, choosing new mugs and dishcloths while we daydream about all the fun meals we are going to cook in our new wok. There are always hidden gems that average shoppers don’t make use of; like the fabulous fabric section (we’ve turned them into bespoke curtains and skirts) and some of the best-value charging cables and batteries in the market.

What sets IKEA apart, is more than the products that line the shelves, it has always been

Mr. Yaqoub Al Homaizi and Mr. Saleh Al Homaizi (left) and Mr. Adel Al Shamaili (right) at the opening of IKEA Avenues.

The IKEA team at the opening of IKEA at The Assima Mall

Mrs. Fadwa Al Homaiz, Mr. Marino Maganto, Mr. Farid Karrat and Mr. Ahmad Al Humaidhi at the opening of IKEA 360.

“I can’t count the number of times we were dropped off at Småland while our parents would go shopping at IKEA. Then getting a delicious hotdog on our way out from the Bistro. Now, as we furnish our new home, it’s become a ritual for our son as well.”

Abdullah (Customer)

the people. If you’ve ever needed assistance, you’ll know that they will go above and beyond to help you figure things out, and do it with a smile. “What a journey. I have been with IKEA for more than 30 years. I learned a lot and got to meet many people through my work and have many good memories. My special memory was when I was recognized as the company’s best employee in 2007. The most beautiful thing I gained from working with IKEA is the people,” says Mohamad Ali (Government Relations - IKEA).

A pit stop at the IKEA restaurant is a must, where you indulge in their famous meatballs and

“As a child, we’d have our family lunches at the IKEA restaurant on Fridays. It was a time that we would look forward to! I also remember my dad always stopping for a treat like the hotdogs or soft serve ice cream on our way out.”

Alia (Customer)

lingonberry sauce, refueling you for for the rest of your adventure. Or perhaps it is the famous IKEA hotdog at the Bistro, “Yes, the hotdog! It’s always the hotdog. I’ve never been to IKEA and left without one,” shared Amira, an IKEA Customer. But there’s so much more than snacks now. From the delightful Kuwaiti Brunch to the special occasion meals like Iftar during Ramadan, the IKEA restaurant, Cafe and Bistro mark the perfect destination for everyone from larger families to busy shoppers.

Armed with a shopping cart, you navigate the aisles in the IKEA Market Hall stocked with household essentials and decorative accents, eagerly snapping up bargains and treasures. As

“I also loved their children’s wall lamps, toy storage, and bunk beds with space under for a hiding place. I still do. I remember wanting their bed with a slide too. My best memory is going for steak lunch often, exploring the exhibits, and enjoying the play area,” Maha O (Customer)

you make your way to the checkout counter, your cart brimming with newfound treasures, you can’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Especially if you’ve stopped for an ice cream cone. Loading up your car, you reflect on the day’s adventures, grateful for the fun-filled journey through IKEA’s world of affordable style and endless inspiration.

The IKEA Kuwait story is far from over, it’s only getting started. “Our plan is to be even closer to people of Kuwait. We are committed to offer them better omnichannel shopping experience. Over the years, we developed inspirational stores, optimized existing services and continued with reducing our prices to make IKEA even more affordable to the

many people. We have big plans for the upcoming 40 years and we hope to continue inspiring and being inspired by the people of Kuwait. As Ingvar Kamprad, IKEA founder said: “Most things still remain to be done. A glorious future!” said Marino Maganto, CEO of IKEA Kuwait, Jordan and Morocco.

Celebrate 40 amazing years of IKEA by revisiting IKEA the Avenues, IKEA the Warehouse (Sabahiya), IKEA 360, IKEA Assima, IKEA Khiran or shopping online at www.IKEA.com.kw. For more information, please call 184 0408 or follow @IKEAKuwait on Instagram.

IKEA Kitchen Pop-Up at Homz Mall

MASSA DUE BY AIGNER

Sparkling elegance at Trafalgar

By bazaar Staff

In a world where time is both a precious commodity and a symbol of status, the acquisition of an investment watch transcends mere functionality to become a statement of taste, sophistication, and financial prudence.

AIGNER introduces the MASSA DUE, a watch that captures the essence of feminine sophistication with a touch of sporty flair. Drawing on the distinguished Horseshoe logo, the MASSA DUE brings a new dimension with its beautifully detailed fluted dial, offering both depth and elegance. Encased in a 33x36mm stainless steel body, the dial is graced with 11 sparkling indices beneath a durable mineral glass.

Beyond their utilitarian purpose of telling time, investment watches hold intrinsic value that appreciates over time, making them not just accessories but also assets. These timepieces are not only crafted with precision engineering and exquisite design but also represent a tangible store of wealth that can be passed down through generations. Investing in a high-quality watch not only adds a touch of elegance to one’s attire but also offers a pathway to preserving and growing one’s wealth in an ever-changing economic landscape. Therefore, the decision to purchase an investment watch is not merely about owning a timekeeping device but also about making a wise investment in both style and finances.

The watch is powered by a Swiss quartz movement, selected for its precision, embodying AIGNER’s dedication to merging style with meticulous craftsmanship. Water-resistant to 3 ATM, the MASSA DUE is perfect for the everyday elegance or occasional festive wear.

Available in a range of finishes from full gold to bicolor, and rose-gold plating, it provides options for every preference. The design is completed with a sleek 5-link stainless-steel bracelet, ensuring both a comfortable fit and a versatile look that adapts beautifully to any wrist. The AIGNER MASSA DUE celebrates the art of time, serving not just as a timekeeper but as a piece of wearable elegance, designed to complement the grace of its wearer.

Find your new favorite watch at Aigner Boutiques in Avenues, 360 & Gate mall. Shop online : aignerme.com

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PORSCHE CENTRE SHUWAIKH

Raising the bar of the luxury automotive experience

By bazaar Staff

Behbehani Motors Company, Porsche Centre Kuwait, the leading automotive brand unveiled its latest automotive masterpiece - Porsche Centre Shuwaikh. This prestigious facility, spanning over six floors with a total area of more than 35,450 square meters, represents a new pinnacle in luxury and sophistication. Redefining the automotive retail experience, Porsche Centre Shuwaikh underscores Porsche’s unwavering commitment to innovation, sustainability, and customer excellence.

Located in the heart of Shuwaikh, Porsche Centre Shuwaikh is more than just a showroom; it is a statement of Porsche’s dedication to delivering unparalleled automotive experiences. From the moment customers enter, they are greeted by an environment that embodies sophistication and precision, reflecting the essence of the Porsche brand.

Designed and equipped with the latest technological advancements to meet the needs of the Behbehani Motors Company customer base, Porsche Centre Shuwaikh has an impressive showroom covering 2,800 square meters. It serves as the centerpiece that stages Porsche’s diverse lineup of vehicles, from E-mobility to Pre-owned Vehicles, SUVs, and Sports Cars. The facility also includes a spacious service reception area, spanning 3,600 square meters, to ensure a seamless and welcoming experience for customers.

The extensive workshop, covering 5,900 square meters, is equipped with cutting-edge technology and features 34 Standard Work Bays, including 12 brand-new dialogue bays in the inspection station, which further increases the accuracy levels of vehicle diagnostics. It incorporates specific bays dedicated to each type of metalwork required, whether aluminum or steel-based, in addition to 6 Direct Dialogue Bays and 9 Quick Service Bays, where Porsche’s skilled technicians provide meticulous care to maintain and service every Porsche to the highest standards.

Porsche Centre Shuwaikh is also home to the Classic Porsche Cars Collection. This 850-square-meter exhibition space showcases the private collection of special Porsche vehicles built by Porsche’s Kuwaiti importer, the Behbehani family, over the last 60 years. This remarkable exhibition combines rare and special Porsche vehicles with digital technology to immerse visitors in the brand’s rich history.

Hany Marie, General Manager of Porsche Centre Kuwait, highlighted his pride in inaugurating this new facility by saying: “At Porsche Centre Shuwaikh, we are dedicated to providing our customers with an automotive experience like no other. Our team is driven by a commitment to excellence, innovation,

and customer satisfaction. This state-of-the-art facility sets new standards in luxury automotive retail and service. The new Porsche Centre Shuwaikh underpins Behbehani Motors Company’s commitment to the local growing market by investing in facilities and sites that increase customer satisfaction by elevating the overall customer journey.”

He then added: “The development of this new facility has been in the pipeline for years, and we pride ourselves in being the pioneers in bringing technological advancements, especially on an environmentally friendly basis, to the facility. We look forward to welcoming our customers to Porsche Centre Shuwaikh, where the Porsche spirit comes to life in every aspect of our operation.”

Since Behbehani Motors Company has always regarded Porsche as a brand that defies time and strives to provide the utmost care for all classic Porsche vehicles, a dedicated and new Porsche Heritage Service Centre has been introduced in the complex to provide unparalleled service for Porsche vehicles. Every Porsche vehicle goes through a thorough cleaning and inspection process prior to being transitioned into the service or repair stage, to receive the utmost care and attention.

Porsche Centre Shuwaikh stands as a testament to sustainability and green technology. This is reflected in the facility’s usage of specialised water

recycling panels and solar panels to generate renewable energy. Electric vehicle chargers are also installed throughout the facility to reiterate the company’s commitment to paving its way toward a sustainable future for the automotive industry.

On the Mezzanine floor of the facility, Porsche enthusiasts can explore a dedicated section featuring a wide range of Porsche Lifestyle items. These items, designed to enhance the Porsche driving experience with style and accessibility, align seamlessly with Porsche’s luxury and sophistication. The Porsche Lifestyle Corner offers customers the opportunity to immerse themselves in the Porsche way of life, with a curated selection of merchandise and accessories available for purchase and pre-order.

Porsche Centre Shuwaikh is not just a dealership; it is a destination where innovation, performance, and passion converge to redefine luxury automotive experiences. We invite our cherished customers and enthusiasts to embark on an extraordinary journey with us, where the Porsche spirit comes to life like never before.

To find out how you can experience automotive excellence at a new level, follow @Porschecentrekuwait.

MY TEETH HURT and Another Thing

by Craig Loomis

“My teeth hurt, ache. These days chewing peanuts is out of the question. Taking a bite out of an apple would, undoubtedly, leave me toothless. Then there’s this big back tooth here. See it? See? It’s wiggly. Not right at all.”

I confess all of this to my dentist of ten years, Dr. Hussain, who does his best not to laugh but does any way, saying, “Welcome to old age.”

Although I smile, this is not the response I was hoping for.

I am in the chair, the bright yellow light craning down to look at me, and he is behind me, peering into my file, no doubt, and now in front of me, and so I say, “But there’s more: I fall off sidewalks. One minute I am minding my own sidewalk-strolling business, smooth slabs of cement running off into the distance, and the next thing I know, my feet have taken me into the tall grass. How is that possible?”

Dr. Hussain Hussain is the kind of friend I don’t see often; actually, friend is not the right word, more like a necessary acquaintance. But when I do make an appointment, see him, I say the kinds of no-nothing things like, “How have you been” or “It’s been a while”, etc. And of course when a dentist says, “It’s been a while,” I can’t help but feel a tinge of guilt because I know a reprimand when I hear one.

Dr. Hussain says, “Open wide” and I do and then he—40ish with a small brown moustache— asks me something about flossing, but of course I can’t answer because he has one of those thin silver tools stuck in my mouth, holding my tongue back and I am not sure how to answer ‘sometimes’ with my hands. Once he removes the tool, I continue with, “Not only that but I’m biting my lips more these days, and things that once could have waited to be done, no hurry, now cannot wait.” And again, as if one sentence fits all, Dr. Hussain says, “Welcome to old age”.

Then he says, “Just a moment,” as he turns to look at my chart again, holding it up to the blaring light: x-rays of my teeth, the stuff of skeleton.

His assistant is a new young woman who I don’t remember seeing before. Her nametag says BEKIE, and I can only imagine it’s a typo. And of course when she smiles her teeth are like an advertisement: straight, white, a healthy sparkle. And she says good morning even though it is well after lunch time. Now that she has shown me her teeth, she slips on her mask. Come to think of it, she may not be new at all since I have been away for so long. When she steps out of the room, I want to ask him a question about her but when no particular question comes to mind I return to squinting up into the too-bright light.

“But, you know what?”

“What’s that?” BEKIE, who has returned, chirps.

“The hair on my head is slowly but surely disappearing; I see it, feel it happening daily, a slow but steady process. And by the way, where’s all this whispering and mumbling coming from? I laugh at jokes I cannot hear. I say yes to things I am not sure about, yet, saying yes is easier than saying What?’”

When Dr. Hussain returns to lean into my mouth, I am given a good long look at the neatlyclipped brown hairs of his moustache through his window-like mask, the sugary smell of his cologne. But before he can begin his probing again, I say, “Listen to this. Ready?”

“Surely,” he says unenthusiastically. “Ok, from my front door to the corner mailbox is 43 footsteps. Right? Forty-three. Always has been, always will be. But get this, coming back from the mailbox to my front door is 41 steps. Now you tell me, how is that possible?” Fortythree going, forty-one returning. Beyond the laws of physics, I’d say.”

To this he says nothing and when BEKIE whispers something to him, he nods. None of this I like. But now that I have him out of my mouth, I cannot help myself but continue.

“Not only that but one eye is better than the other, so getting good looks these days means turning sideways. Truth be told, same with the hearing, one ear is less broken than the other.”

With one last unfriendly probe that leaves me wide-eyed, he unleans from my mouth, saying, “Ok, you’ll need a crown on that upper molar. A crown should do the trick.” His declaration finished, he steps to the sink to wash his hands, even though in a dentist’s office it is probably not called a sink but something more clinical, anything but sink.

I make another appointment for next Tuesday, and as I leave, groaning as I pull myself out of his chair, the light taking up at spot on the chair, BEKIE, mask off now, says, “Bye-bye.” On the other hand, he says nothing because being a busy dentist he doesn’t have time to say good-bye.

To review: teeth hurt, falling off sidewalks, having to lean to the right to see, to hear, etc. and all the while I have a dentist whose wisdom stops at ‘Welcome to old age’. There you have it. I leave checking my watch, and from the moment I walked in until the moment I walked out, it took exactly fifteen, . . . no sixteen minutes. And for some reason, sixteen minutes feels just about right.

Photo by Atikah Akhtar on Unsplash.

AN IMMERSIVE DINING EXPERIENCE AT JUMEIRAH MESSILAH BEACH HOTEL & SPA

‘Dineamation’, a fusion of impeccable dining, the world’s greatest paintings and an interactive experience at Pepper Restaurant

By bazaar Staff

Get ready for an exhilarating dining experience like no other! Brace yourself as Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa unveils its ground-breaking ‘Dineamation’ concept - a culinary extravaganza that will leave you spellbound! Prepare to be transported into a world where delectable cuisine meets mesmerizing artistry. Picture this: a seven-course culinary journey paired with an awe-inspiring display of seven iconic paintings from around the globe. It’s not just dinner, it’s a feast for all your senses! At the forefront of innovation, this is the first of its kind in Kuwait, setting the bar high for culinary excellence and artistic ingenuity. Step into a realm where dining becomes an immersive adventure, where every bite is accompanied by captivating visuals, enthralling storytelling, and theatrical flair. ‘Dineamation’ isn’t just a meal, it’s a cutting-edge fusion of fine dining and entertainment, designed to leave you breathless with excitement.

Get ready to indulge in culinary delights while being surrounded by breathtaking art, all in one unforgettable evening. Don’t miss out on this avant-garde experience that promises to redefine the way you dine! The unique concept promises an extraordinary dining adventure that goes beyond just serving delicious meals. Creating an unforgettable ambiance that blends emotional storytelling with meticulously crafted gastronomic delights, the concept elevates the hotel’s dining to a whole new level. ‘Dineamation’ has been designed to make the imaginary world come alive, unlocking the artistic creativity in each diner and introducing a new dimension to Kuwait’s vibrant fine dining scene. It is guaranteed to unfold unimaginable opportunities before the diners by inviting them to dine with the Mona Lisa on Da Vinci’s table, indulge in a taste of Picasso, paint a salad in Pollock style, or savor Warhol’s soup can.

Director of Food & Beverage at Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa, Gregorio Corrias explains: “‘Dineamation’ is the latest in our efforts to offer unrivalled services and experiences in Kuwait. Beyond enhancing the overall atmosphere with a thoughtfully curated show menu, it encourages diners to tap into their creativity through an engaging and interactive affair.”

Diners will embark on a multi-sensory journey through the realm of art, enriched by an interactive dining adventure and an exquisite range of gastronomic choices tailored to individual preferences. The elegant seven-course Dineamation menu promises a memorable and delightful culinary adventure, starting with the King Crab and Yubari Melon Wonton Cup, a fusion of Alaskan king crab, king melon, green apple, and beluga caviar, elegantly topped with Yuzu dressing. The experience continues with the Beetroot and Goat Cheese Carpaccio, where roasted beetroots, walnuts, and a drizzle of Balsamic Glaze create a delightful composition. The Seafood Salad follows, artfully combining lobster, octopus, and calamari with blood orange, confit tomato, avocado, apple, caperberry, and kumquat dressing.

The vegetarian course introduces a stunning display of three vegetable puree dressings, creating a visually appealing combination. The Grade A-5 Wagyu Tenderloin course, featuring leafy broccolini, parsnip puree, potato pave, and confit leeks, creates a hearty experience. The culinary journey concludes with the White Chocolate Potato Souffle and the Chocolate Bar.

Emanuele Saracino, Executive Chef at Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa, comments on the hotel’s latest culinary innovation: “At Jumeirah Messilah, we consistently aim to elevate the standards of our culinary creations by surpassing guests’ expectations. I am confident that our esteemed diners will find ‘Dineamation’ an enjoyable and satisfying experience.”

‘Dineamation’ is available at Pepper Restaurant in Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa every Thursday and Friday, with two shows running from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM and 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM.

To make a reservation or for more information, call +965 22269666 or email jumeirahrestaurant@jumeirah.com. Follow @jumeirahmessilahbeach on Instagram to stay up to date with their news.

HOW EXPERTS ARE HELPING WORKERS ADJUST TO A HECTIC WORKING WORLD

Executive functioning coaching isn’t just for kids

By Nicole Gull McElroy

In 2005, licensed clinical psychologist Anna Levy-Warren launched Organizational Tutors, a New York City-based business focused on helping children develop and strengthen executive functioning skills. It wasn’t long before the parents hiring her to guide their children in time management, organization, focus, and self-regulation were asking how she could help them, too. It was immediately clear to Levy-Warren that something bigger was at play.

These clients were not hapless, lost adults without careers or direction. These people were lawyers, CEOs, and executives. And still, below the very polished veneer of achievement, they were struggling to manage the constant barrage of calendar invites, text messages, and mounting to-dos in their very demanding professional and personal lives.

What’s more, Levy-Warren says, buried under the weight of demands for attention and focus, these parents were riddled with mounting anxiety. In 2017, Levy-Warren partnered with her colleague Chelsea Saunders, whose doctoral

work focused on transformational change and flourishing, to co-found a new kind of tutoring service—one focused on adults. While the pair started with about 30 clients their first year, Levy-Warren says, by 2018 they’d outgrown their ability to meet demand and began adding other clinicians to their practice.

With Steel Advising, Levy-Warren and Saunders and their team at any given time help roughly 75 to 100 adults sharpen their executive function skills and build successful strategies in a wide range of roles, from first-year law firm associates to C-suite executives. “So many

adults are being asked to perform and process information at a faster speed,” says Levy-Warren. “They have to manage more stimulus and keep more focus, but without the skills. We weren’t taught this in school.”

Executive function is the brain’s air traffic control center, where we manage our time, plan and execute projects, juggle multiple, simultaneous tasks, and regulate the emotions tied to duties requiring motivation and grit. As our world has become ever-more complicated regarding how we receive, process, and organize information, our attention spans have shrunk. Experts in the

space like Levy-Warren contend that as a society we need to build a new framework to help adults develop executive function.

Adam Zamora is senior director at the Child Mind Institute’s ADHD and Behavior Disorders Center and has separately run a private educational consultancy for 18 years focused on exactly this skill set. When explaining the challenges he sees in his work with executive function, Zamora points to an episode of the popular children’s show Bluey.

In it, one character gets lost on the way to pick his son up from school, after his phone dies, cutting off the navigation app mid-route. Immediately, panic sets in and the dad starts to question aloud how he’ll make it to school. When the child in the back seat asks his dad why he doesn’t know the way, the dad responds, “I just put on satnav and zone out.” The episode follows along as this father is nearly unable to figure out how to find the school, completely flustered by the technical glitch.

“That is really representative of what’s going on,” says Zamora, noting how the episode illustrates how technology has become an increasingly integral part of how we live, work, and relate to one another. It’s also part of the reason that as a society, our executive functioning skills are challenged.

For some, gaps in executive function come up as we’ve gained greater familiarity with neurodivergence and have more regular diagnoses of anxiety, learning disorders, or ADHD, says Zamora. In many other cases, he says, it’s just a matter of being out of practice. We’re all on autopilot, following along with what our phones tell us to do, he says. “It’s about knowing how to visualize the steps that it takes to get from A to B,” says Zamora. While the Bluey reference may seem a silly—and maybe basic—analogy to tech’s hold on the most mundane aspects of daily life, it’s also so relatable, timely, and troubling, says Zamora.

In her book Attention Span: A Groundbreaking Way to Restore Happiness, Balance, and Productivity, Gloria Mark states that, overall, our attention span is decreasing, as we log more time on screens and are required more regularly to switch between opposing tasks and their related mental modes. Mark’s research at the University of California Irvine shows that an average attention span of 75 seconds in 2012, dropped in 2016 to an average of 47 seconds.

In Levy-Warren’s work, meeting the needs left in the wake of these technological and cultural shifts comes in the form of $300-per-hour, one-to-one coaching, as well as company-wide trainings to help organizations massage a skillet often overlooked in the interview and training process. A private session with Levy-Warren, Saunders, or one of their colleagues focuses

heavily on individual needs, whether that’s time management, organization, or strategies for focus, as well as uniquely tailored action plans to build skills and overall effectiveness. “We have so many different ways of communicating,” says Levy-Warren. “Calendar invites, text messaging. ‘Shifting sets’ is what we say in cognitive language. We don’t have a way of helping people approach and process material differently. It used to be a legal pad. Now, it’s so many steps and so much orientation around how to organize your mind.”

Filling the gap in these skills isn’t as simple as building a color-coded calendar, creating an organizational system, or a motivating morning routine. The solution is far more nuanced and brain-based, says Levy-Warren. “It’s the intersection of executive function and psychiatric wellness,” she says. “It has a lot to do with how you feel about yourself. Help me do the things I need to do, and hold in mind that when you tell me to use a calendar, I’m flooded with anxiety. It’s about holding space for all of those complex intersections. . . . It’s a real misunderstanding of how brains work.”

The way this plays out for clients at Steel begins with a level of curiosity about their behaviors. That, says Levy-Warren, is where the “growth edge” is. Once she and Saunders have a feel for that edge, they can push it, while understanding whatever cognitive delays that may be blocking progress. For instance, says LevyWarren, a 30-year-old could be 40 in the way she writes, but more like a 13-year-old in the way she manages her project deadlines at work.

All of these factors play into how that individual feels about herself, and how she comes across to her bosses and colleagues at work. Addressing the big picture—everything from sleep, nutrition,

mental wellness, and emotional health—is about building actionable strategies to keep people accountable, as well as the organizations they work for continuously tuned in to their employees’ related cognitive and emotional loads.

Behavioral scientist Jeffery Sanchez-Burks is a professor at the University of Michigan’s Stephen M. Ross School of Business and says the COVID19 pandemic exacerbated what was already brewing below the surface. Now, with remote work and hybrid schedules, the subject is incredibly pressing for organizations hiring and developing the next cohort of leaders. “There is a really serious need to ramp up empathy and emotional intelligence across organizations,” says SanchezBurks. “We need it big time. . . . I think there’s an illusion that there used to be neuro-homogeneity, and now there’s divergence. We were just able to ignore it and now we can’t.” Instead, he says, organizations need to help people acknowledge the different ways our brains work and find ways to incorporate those varied approaches into daily life and the way we work.

It’s no surprise then, that businesses like Steel are receiving more requests than ever before, fielding referrals from therapists whose patients need additional support, as well as businesses hoping to meet employees where they are, setting them up for success within an organization. “There is only so much money you can throw at this problem,” says Levy-Warren. “If you look at neurodiversity, you should strengthen everyone’s scaffolding. There are all different kinds of entry points, but how we do this is by really understanding that this is something everyone needs when they enter a new workplace.”

Photos by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash.

RE-DEFINING TEST DRIVES WITH AI

Nissan Al-Babtain Unveils a first-of-its-kind

By bazaar Staff

AI experience in Kuwait

In a bold leap into the future of showroom experiences, Abdulmohsen Abdulaziz Al-Babtain revolutionizes the traditional carbuying journey with a touch of technologically enhanced magic. Harnessing the wizardry of artificial intelligence, customers are transported into a realm where they catch a tantalizing glimpse of their future life behind the wheel of the latest Nissan models. Through short pre-filmed videos, patrons find themselves seamlessly integrated into the driver’s seat, courtesy of face-swapping technology that brings their visage to life on the showroom screen. As they watch themselves navigate the streets in style, their data is deftly processed to craft a personalized full-length video, ready to be enjoyed at their fingertips on their mobile phones. It’s not just car shopping; it’s a journey into the realms of imagination, where the line between reality and fantasy blurs in the most delightful of ways.

The heart of this transformative experience lies in a sophisticated blend of artificial intelligence and machine learning. The facial scanning technology employed is not just a superficial process; it goes beyond, detecting the smallest details on the face features with incredible precision. This cutting-edge technology automatically identifies the customer’s gender, laying the foundation for a personalized journey through a meticulously designed application where customers are guided utilizing AI and machine learning algorithms to facilitate the selection of their preferred Nissan vehicle and outfit. The system seamlessly integrates these choices, culminating in a uniquely tailored video featuring the customer driving their chosen Nissan model while adorned in their selected attire. This level of customization elevates the entire experience and enhances the customer journey with the brand.

The immersive experience is not merely a superficial visual transformation, but a strategic effort to redefine the customer journey in the showroom. By providing an imaginative test drive where customers witness themselves navigating through various scenarios with a Nissan vehicle, the campaign aims to foster a deeper emotional connection to the brand and ease the decisionmaking process associated with a significant life purchase.

The benefits of the “Re-Defining Test Drives” campaign are multifold. Customers are treated to a personalized and tailored experience, allowing them to envision their daily routines, adventures, and milestones seamlessly intertwined with

their Nissan vehicle. This heightened level of engagement not only transforms the showroom into a dynamic space but also positions Nissan Al-Babtain as an industry pioneer, showcasing its commitment to innovation.

This is only the beginning, and building more complicated scenarios and including more vehicles is the next step towards bigger achievements in the automotive industry. To not only break the records and make a difference in the customers’

interception in Kuwait. But in the Middle East and the whole world.

This ground-breaking experience is available now at Nissan Al-Babtain Showroom in Al-Rai, where customers can explore more about it and they can benefit from Ramadan offers as well on their favorite models. For more information customers can contact the customer service at 1804888.

SAY CHEESE

Why Gen Z is obsessed with point-and-shoot digital cameras

By Tanya Chen

Courtney June no longer reaches for her phone when she’s in need of a camera. These days the 24-year-old uses a point-andshoot digital camera to capture life mementoes and nights out with friends. June, who’s based in Pennsylvania, is among the growing hoard of Gen Zers whose obsession with 2000s culture has in turn breathed new life into physical cameras and minimalist smartphones, both of which were emblems of the era. “Everyone’s photos kind of look the same on social media and have for many years, even with quality improving with every iPhone,” June says. With a point-and-shoot, though, June finds she’s able to more easily manipulate image settings like exposure and optical zoom to produce “that certain vibe” of the early aughts.

Gen Zers are often billed as the “digital generation,” the first to have grown up in a smartphone-dominated with an everpresent internet connection. But that might also explain why they’re yearning for more simplicity and disconnect. Plus, influencers continue to showcase older cameras on TikTok and Instagram, fuelling the demand cycle. After Kendall Jenner featured a Canon PowerShot ELPH 350 in an Instagram post, the discontinued camera quickly sold out on secondary marketplaces. It now goes for $399. Other popular point-and-shoot cameras, like the Canon G7x and the Contax G2, have been sold out and backordered for months (much to older photographers’ confusion).

“The resale market for digital cameras has gone up because it’s just a limited supply,” Tiffany Zhong, a 27-year-old entrepreneur and photographer based in San Francisco, tells Fast Company. “A lot of influencers are using a specific camera, like the Canon 7Gx, or Contax G2, which is around $1,000 or more — and a lot of them are sold out.” (Resale listings for the Contax G2 have seen as high of a markup as $1,750.)

Zhong noted that it can take a month to receive a camera that’s in high demand.

TikTok influencer Nathasya Abiniel, 24, has also noticed rising costs and competition for 2000s cameras. “Even the older version of digital cameras now can cost the same as newer and more modern digital cameras just because they’re discontinued and rare to find,” said Abiniel, who’s acquired four digital cameras in the last year.

Abiniel and others think the craze for “nostalgia” in photography is because iPhone photos are almost too sharp that it almost looks too close to reality, and every photo sheen ends up looking the same.

“A camera from 2007 gives off a certain vibe that something like an iPhone can’t produce,” says June; Abiniel described that “vibe” as warm-hued “vintage-looking photos that makes us feel like we’re living back in the 2000s.”

Zhong thinks toting a separate device for picture-taking allows Gen Zers to live more in

the moment. “It requires more intention than taking 100 photos on your phone [because] you have to sift through them to choose which ones you transfer,” she says.

And it’s not just cameras: So-called “dumb phones” have also become en vogue. Swiss company Punkt markets its phones and accessories as “tools for sophisticated simplicity” and “their low-key elegance also contributes to that lack of intrusiveness.” Auckland-based BoringPhone bills itself as “the minimalist smartphone” for people “who want to spend less time on their phone.”

Their “touch grass” philosophies also come at a premium price. Punkt phones retail for $749 and BoringPhones go for a little over $300 USD. In contrast, flip phones used to cost millennials about $150-200 in the early 2000s and phones unveiled years later with similar

smart capabilities cost no more than $400 at the time. Of course, inflation can account for these padded prices, but experts say savvy branding and advanced functions are also important factors.

Amruth Laxman, a founding partner of the telecom company 4Voice, says the phones, much like point-and-shoot cameras, carry a certain status. “We all know that a generic cereal costs less than the branded one,” he says. “Gen Z people are geared toward trends, designer labels, and such.”

Zhong admits that paying more to have less tech is at the very least “ironic,” but she doesn’t imagine the trend will be going away anytime soon. “Nostalgia is back,” she says.

Photo by Nijwam Swargiary on Unsplash.

*Packed

EXPERIENCE ELEGANCE: DISCOVER WALDORF ASTORIA KUWAIT

The Hotel received the first and only double Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Hotel in Kuwait within Its first year of operations

By bazaar Staff

Waldorf Astoria is known for its luxury and elegance, but did you know that the hotel is the first and only double Forbes Travel Guide Five Star Hotel in Kuwait in its inaugural year of operation. As one of bazaar team’s favorite fivestar hotels, we were so excited to hear the news. The remarkable accolade speaks volumes about the unmatched lavishness and exceptional service awaiting guests at Waldorf Astoria Kuwait.

A Luxurious Gateway for Every Guest

From the moment guests step through the doors of Waldorf Astoria Kuwait, they are transported into a world of unparalleled comfort and elegance. Each of the 200 rooms and suites provide the perfect escape for couples seeking romance or families in search of relaxation. We think that this would be perfect for a staycation for the break in town!

Delightful Dining: A Culinary Journey to Remember

While at the Waldorf Astoria, perhaps enjoying your weekend getaway, or just passing by for a lovely meal, you can delight your senses with a culinary journey like no other at one of the award-winning dining venues. Whether savoring the Mediterraneaninspired creations at Ava or indulging in Parisianinfluenced delights at Peacock Alley, every meal is a celebration of flavor and sophistication. Peacock Alley is also serving high-tea, we think this is a must-try.

Discover the Ultimate Five-Star Forbes Spa Retreat Experience at the Waldorf Astoria Spa

There is so much to do at the Waldorf Astoria, and if you need a little relaxation then you should definitely experience true bliss at Waldorf Astoria Spa, recipient of the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Spa Award. With a range of luxurious treatments and state-of-the-art facilities, guests are invited to embark on a journey of relaxation and rejuvenation.

You can also treat your loved ones to the gift of relaxation with a Waldorf Astoria Spa Voucher. This thoughtful gesture invites recipients to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and indulge in moments of deep serenity. We are definitely giving hints to our nearest and dearest on this one!

Celebrate your special moments in style

If you have an exciting celebration coming up, then let Waldorf Astoria Kuwait be the backdrop for your most cherished memories. With stunning event spaces, including the spectacular Grand Ballroom, and a team of experts dedicated to crafting bespoke experiences, every event at Waldorf Astoria Kuwait is nothing short of magical.

Dine Under The Stars at Oxio Pool Lounge & Bar

As the weather warms up, it is the perfect time to experience pure bliss at Oxio Poolside Oasis, where lush greenery sets the scene for moments of serenity and enjoyment. Indulge in cocktails and Levantine delights as you bask in the beauty of the tranquil oasis.

As the sun sets and the evening comes alive, you can indulge in the rhythms of live music performances available every Friday, adding an extra layer of magic to your dining experience. Whether you’re seeking romance, family fun, or simply a lively night out with friends, the Oxio Poolside Oasis is the perfect place to be.

It is so exciting that Waldorf Astoria Kuwait has so much on offer for visitors. The genuine hospitality and impeccable service is what keeps us going back for more! If you haven’t experienced it yet, we recommend you definitely go ahead and visit.

For more information and reservations, please call +965 2477 4444, email: reservations.kuwait@waldorfastoria.com, or visit kuwait.waldorfastoria.com. Follow the hotel @WaldorfAstoriaKuwait on Instagram for the latest updates.

HOW TO GET YOUR BOSS TO TAKE WORK OFF YOUR PLATE

Lightening the load

By Stephanie Vozza

It’s probably not unusual for your boss to add something to your already full plate. A study from Gallup found that 58% of employees have been asked to take on additional responsibilities in response to the current labor market.

But what if you could get your boss to do the opposite? What if they removed things from your to-do list? And what if subtracting work from your plate actually boosted your productivity and the company’s bottom line?

“The biggest problem in organizations is time poverty,” says Huggy Rao, coauthor of The Friction Project: How Smart Leaders Make the Right Things Easier and the Wrong Things Harder. “People just don’t have enough time. Bosses need to have a mindset where they feel they’re the trustees of other people’s time. Once they see themselves as a trustee, it means naturally they value [it] and don’t want to waste it away.”

Start by Removing ‘Stupid Stuff‘

Companies are made up of processes, systems, and rules. Often, these practices have been in place for years, and their relevance has gone unchecked. Start the subtraction conversation by identifying obstacles baked into the organization that get in your way. By identifying cogs in the wheel, or what Rao calls “stupid stuff,” you can help your boss better understand what and where to simplify.

“The boss’s responsibility is to mow the lawn of obstacles that create bad friction,” says Rao. “But they need the help of employees to do that. You’ve got to make mowing the lawn a big part of the organization. The problem is mowing the lawn is an orphan. It’s nobody’s responsibility. Instead, it should be what everybody does.”

While employees can start the conversation, leaders should regularly ask, “What are the rules that frustrate you or slow down your efficiency”?

For example, Rao says an administrator at a healthcare network in Hawaii asked its workers to nominate anything poorly designed, unnecessary, or just plain stupid in the electronic patient records system. The request generated 188 targets for subtraction.

Define Your Best Day

Another way to identify things to remove from your plate is to describe what a productive day looks like. Most of us say it’s one that is interruption-free. However, it’s essential to define “interruption.”

Meetings, for example, often interrupt our day, and usually, they have a low return on our time investment. Employees can start a conversation by suggesting less time-consuming methods for transferring information, such as an asynchronous review of content, or even a simple email.

To sell the subtraction to their bosses,

employees need to understand the most important thing from the customer’s perspective. Anything else is negotiable.

“For any low-level employee, your biggest ally is the customer,” he says. “Great leaders are very aware of what’s the psychological magnitude of an obstacle and also the economic magnitude of an obstacle.”

Address the Addition Bias

Perhaps the biggest challenge to subtracting work is innate. Rao says humans suffer from addition bias. “We love to add things, and we rarely like to subtract,” he says.

A simple fix is to subtract something whenever anything is added. “Everything becomes a replacement,” says Rao.

Another way to address the addition bias is to introduce good friction that makes addition harder. Rao gives the example of a venture capital company that created a rule that slows down their teams.

“They have an investment committee of five people, and they have a ruling that if all five people agree on a venture capital pitch, they would never invest in it,” he says. “If all five agree, it means somebody else is doing it and they just don’t know about. Their view is if there is disagreement, there is better due diligence. They also believe that innovative ideas are controversial.”

Rao says that when you add good friction,

you’re preventing your employees from choosing an overconfident and myopic version of themselves.

Why Subtraction is Powerful

Rao says choosing subtraction over addition can deliver benefits to an organization and to employees. For example, meaningful work is often difficult and time-consuming.

“Subtraction clears our minds and gives us time to focus on what ought to be hard, inefficient, complex, and frustrating,” he says.

Subtracting unnecessary distractions and burdens also creates time employees need to develop the deep relationships with their peers, which is essential for doing great work.

Subtraction can also foster creativity. “When you remove things that enrage, infuriate, and overwhelm people, your employees are able to recruit a more curious and generous version of themselves,” says Rao. “Because if you’re overwhelmed, there’s no way you’re going to be curious. If you’re slammed, you’re not interested in asking questions.”

Subtraction can add so much value if you change how you view it.

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash.

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TOYOTA WINNING DAKAR RALLY

Team Land Cruiser Auto Body Secures One-Two Finish in the Production Car category at 2024 Dakar Rally

By bazaar Staff

Team Land Cruiser Auto Body (TLC) has secured their 11th consecutive Production Car category victory at the 2024 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia. These unprecedented results are thanks to the performance of Akira Miura and co-driver Mayeul Barbet, who took first place in their No. 500 Land Cruiser 300 GR Sport, with Ronald Basso and Jean-Michel Polato taking second in the No. 501 Land Cruiser 300 GR Sport.

The Dakar Rally, unfolding over Saudi Arabia for the fifth time, covered 7,891km from AlUla to Yanbu along the Red Sea Coast. The route included 4,727km of timed specials, guiding 778 competitors through the diverse landscapes of Saudi Arabia. The 2024 edition introduced a new stage, the “48H CHRONO STAGE,” pushing participants’ endurance to the limit across two consecutive days of driving to finish the stage.

The rally’s final stage was held on a challenging 174 km loop course in Yanbu, marking the conclusion of the 15-day event. The stage, characterized by sandy terrain and hidden obstacles, demanded careful driving.

Akio Toyoda, TGR Chairman, also known as Morizo, commented: “To everyone at Team Land Cruiser Auto Body, congratulations on winning the Production Car category for the 11th consecutive year! I think car No. 500 achieved victory thanks to three people: driver Akira Miura alongside two navigators, Mayuel Barbe and the late Laurent Lichtleuchter, who was always watching over them. I’m really happy that car No. 500 was able to cross the finish line with the best result. Thank you for your continued support in “making-ever better Land Cruisers”!”

The Land Cruiser 300, which marked its debut participation in Dakar Rally in last year’s edition with high driving performance and a one-two finish, managed to overcome previous speed-related challenges this time around with improvements in the engine air intake system, rear suspension, and enhanced tires. This allowed TLC to reaffirm its dominance in the Production Car category and add another chapter to its illustrious legacy.

This edition of the Dakar Rally also saw Toyota take part in the Dakar Future Program’s Mission 1000. This initiative encourages automakers to develop hydrogen engines, electric or biofuel hybrids, and other cutting-edge carbon-neutral powertrain technologies. 10 vehicles were selected to traverse a 1000 km section that allowed participants to pinpoint areas for further technical development. It also provided a unique opportunity for Toyota to put its hydrogen engine-powered HySE-X1 to the test.

The vehicle was developed by the Hydrogen Small mobility & Engine technology (HySE) research association, a collaborative effort between Toyota and four other Japanese automotive and motorcycle manufacturers. It is based on a chassis by Belgian partner Overdrive Racing, with a modified layout to

accommodate a hydrogen fuel tank and fuel supply system. Its participation in Dakar Rally furthers Toyota’s carbon-neutrality efforts and promotes global awareness around the potential of compact hydrogen mobility.

Over the years, Toyota has been participating in many different forms of motorsports, including Formula One, the World Endurance Championship (WEC), and the Nürburgring 24 Hours endurance race. Toyota’s participation in these events was overseen by separate entities within the company until April 2015, when Toyota established TGR, to consolidate all of its motorsports activities under one in-house brand. Representing Toyota’s belief that ‘the roads build the people, and the people build the cars,’ TGR highlights the role of motorsports as a fundamental pillar of Toyota’s commitment to making ‘ever-better’ cars. Harnessing years of experience gained under the extreme conditions of various motorsports events, TGR aims to forge new technologies and solutions that bring the freedom, adventure, and joy of driving to everyone.

For more information on the latest Land Cruiser models, visit toyota.com.kw, call 1803803, or follow @toyotakw on Instagram.

THE BOW IS HAVING A FASHION MOMENT

Did it ever really go away?

By Elissaveta M. Brandon

If you have spent any time on the internet lately, you may have noticed the world is currently awash in bows. TikTokers are tying bows to everything from ponytails to… ice cubes. Bows starred at Prada’s 2024 Fashion Week Show and Couture Fashion Week SS24. They made several appearances at the 2024 Golden Globes. And last but not least, Sarah Jessica Parker launched a collection of vintage bows inspired by her NYC Ballet Gala look. (Most of them have already sold out.)

The bow is having a moment, but then again, was it ever not having a moment?

Judging from a new exhibition at Manhattan’s Fashion Institute of Technology, the bow has been a mainstay in fashion for as long as it has existed—namely for centuries. The exhibition is titled Untying the Bow and was curated by graduate students in FIT’s MA Fashion and Textile Studies program. It explores the history and symbolism of the bow as it has transcended time, style, and gender. Because even though the bow remains closely associated with girlhood and female empowerment today (think Kamala Harris wearing a pussybow blouse at her victory speech) it has always played a crucial role across the gender spectrum.

The history of the bow

The bow has existed for as long as humans have secured things. Before it entered fashion, it was a utilitarian knot valued for its ability to be untied easily. All you had to do is pull on either ends to loosen it. This meant that you could take a piece of fabric and use it to tie garments, bonnets, or collars and adjust for various sizes. “Clothing wasn’t always tailored, so a lot of things had to be tied,” says Claire Zimmeth, one of the graduate students who curated the exhibition.

What’s interesting about the bow, however, is that even though it is functional by definition, it often reads as decorative because of the way it looks. As fabric creation techniques improved, the bow mostly lost its utility and became purely aesthetic: think decorative bows on women’s pumps, or pre-tied bow ties on men’s collars. (The exhibition includes an ad from a 1930s Saturday Evening Post advertising pre-tied bowties that were “tied by feminine fingers.”)

Throughout history, both men and women wore bows. Greco-Roman women styled their hair into bow shapes. Roman senators tied their sandals using specific bows that were limited to men of a certain class. Marie Antoinette—“queen of excess”—will forever be remembered for her eccentric dresses replete with ribbons and bows. But decorative bows were equally present in men’s fashion, most notably shoes.

Somewhere along the way, however— perhaps in the early 19th century as men’s

clothing became more tailored and colors took a backseat—the bow largely disappeared from men’s fashion. But there was one exception: the bow tie.

The bow tie originated among 17th-century Croat mercenaries, who tied scarves around their necks to hold their shirts. The style, then known as a cravat, was soon adopted by the French upper class before flourishing in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Since then, the bow tie has cemented its place as a symbol of status. This might be why, in the 1930s, as women in the U.S. entered the workforce in significant numbers, they started to wear bows to reclaim it from men and emphasize their femininity in a male-dominated environment.

During her time as Britain’s PM in the 1980s, Margaret Thatcher became famous for her power dressing suits and pussybow blouses. At Obama’s first inauguration in 2009, Aretha Franklin donned a showstopping hat with an oversized bow encrusted with Swarovski crystals. Even Rosie the Riveter tied her iconic polka-dot headband into a bow. “Part of status is being a

man, so this is them trying to get that status,” says Zimmeth.

Now, the pendulum has swung once again and the bow is inextricably linked with feminine TikTok aesthetics like cottagecore, Coquette, Barbicore, or balletcore. “There’s a big girlhood thing happening right now, which I think is bringing the bow back out too,” says Elyse Sedoremallin, another student who was involved in the exhibition. “I think it is so associated with femininity.”

But maybe not for long. In 2020, queer designers Tanner Richie and Fletcher Kasell founded the genderless fashion brand Tanner & Fletcher. Since then, the brand has become synonymous with chunky knits, ruffles— and bows. Lots of bows. Zimmeth says that the association with femininity has been so strong that brands like Tanner & Fletcher, and consequently men who are trying to blur the gender binary, are consciously adopting the bow as a fashion statement: “I think it’s interesting,” she says, “because we’re trying to show that [the bow] has always existed outside of the binary.”

Photo by Gvantsa Javakhishvili on Unsplash.

SUPPORTING INTROVERTS

5 ways to make sure extroverts don’t dominate brainstorming sessions

By Stephanie Vozza

One of the downsides of traditional brainstorming sessions is that they favor extroverts. To participate, you need to interject ideas with lots of energy and enthusiasm. Nothing squashes introverts’ creativity quicker than being drowned out by the louder voices in the room. Traditional brainstorming also sets the stage for one or two people control the narrative, resulting in group think.

If you’re leading an idea session or if you’re an introvert in attendance, you don’t have to just shrug your shoulders and declare “it is what it is.” It’s possible for all voices to have equal weight.

Here are five ways to make sure the extroverts don’t run over their colleagues during a brainstorm:

1. Assign an Observant Moderate

Instead of letting a brainstorm become a freefor-all, Elizabeth DeMaso, president at the New York City-based ad agency Triptent, suggests choosing a moderator who knows the players and their strengths.

“Someone who comes prepared to get each participant to voice their opinions,” she says. “Knowing how to get each team member comfortable in expressing themselves is as important as knowing the issue that the session is solving for.”

To cultivate an inclusive environment and balances dynamics, the moderator should review meeting norms to establish psychological safety, says Jenny Woo, Ph.D., author of 52 Essential Relationship Skills.

“This is especially important when brainstorming difficult topics such as turnovers, project slippage, and product defects,” she says.

The moderator should also be able to read the room, says DeMaso. “You will notice shifts in body language or facial expressions that will allow you to probe what that person is thinking about what was shared by another team member,” she says. “This is especially helpful when you have someone more introverted or junior in the room. Pull them into the conversation in a safe way. Let them know it would be great to hear a different perspective on what was just shared.”

2. Break Into Groups

Instead of having one big group, speaking coach Jenn Whitmer recommends breaking the team into smaller groups.

“Extroverts are famous for out-loud processing—both for good and for ill,” she says. “Introverts often need more quiet space to create. However, engaging personality differences in brainstorming goes beyond even those tendencies.”

Provide breakout rooms for different styles, such as putting all the extroverts together in

one space and introverts together in another. Or combine styles and set specific times to trade, says Whitmer.

3. Switch to ‘Brainwriting‘

Brainstorming is usually a verbal exercise, where people talk through a challenge, throwing out ideas as they come. Instead, create a fair playing field by switching to “brainwriting,” suggests Sondre Kvam, cofounder and CEO of Naer, a mixed-reality workplace app for focused brainstorming.

“When you do brainwriting, you get your creative juices flowing before they’re influenced by everyone else,” he explains.

To effectively use group time, Kvam suggests providing the problem to solve ahead of time and allowing participants to conduct their writing asynchronously. Then introduce structure to the process, such as setting a timer for 10 minutes or requesting a set number of ideas. Kvam recommends a method called “Crazy Eight.”

“Everyone writes down eight ideas and presents the three best,” says Kvam. “Then, the other people generate another eight ideas based on what has been shared. The final idea becomes collective instead of being voiced by whoever had the best storytelling abilities.”

Woo recommends brainwriting, too, and says it’s also a good tool for virtual meetings. “When I’m facilitating a brainstorming session online, I ask all participants to type out their ideas in chat,” she says. “Then, everyone presses ‘send’ simultaneously.”

4. Try Affinity Diagramming

If you’re in a big group, Kvam recommends affinity diagramming. Participants write ideas on a sticky notes that are attached to a wall. Then the group moves the notes around, linking similar themes.

“If the project is how to improve a bicycle, for example, you can have one section for the wheels, one about the frame, one about the material,” he explains. “The sticky notes that are thematically linked end up being together.”

Next, vote on where the group should focus its efforts. “Repeat the process of voting, until you get to something that is not a compromise, but a shared solution built by the entire team,” says Kvam. “Voting ensures that whoever speaks the loudest isn’t the winner of the of the conversation.”

Once ideas are on the board, allowing for a second iteration where new ideas are built on top of the proposed ideas. “Often this sparks interesting conversations that allow you to add more context and information to the discussion,” says Kvam.

5. Do One Thing at a Time

People have natural tendencies to step into roles, such as being critical or being positive. While it’s great for some parts of brainstorming, it can also derail idea generation, says Kvam. “A very important part of facilitation is being able to time the behavior to the right times, otherwise it can be very destructive,” he says.

For example, separate processes where a certain amount of time is only for idea-sharing, another is for supporting and building upon ideas, and another is reserved for deconstructing and finding the weak spots.

While critical feedback can be helpful, DeMaso says it’s important to stay encouraging. “Be supportive of everything that is shared,” she says. “Brainstorming is just that—a storm of ideas coming together to be considered, examined, and celebrated. People need to know their contributions are being heard and validated and that their time was valued.”

Photo by Tingey Injury Law Firm on Unsplash.

TRAVEL BETTER

Travel agents can help you map out trip, stay organized, handle a crisis

By Lynn O’Rourke Hayes

Using a travel professional to decode your family vacation options can pay valuable dividends. Here are five ideas to consider:

1. Invest in proper planning

Planning a family vacation takes time, knowledge, patience and perseverance. Making sense of busy schedules, eye-popping prices, the effects of global conflicts, and changing health requirements can be mind-boggling. This is where a travel agent can become a valuable member of your family’s travel planning team. The pros are up to date on the latest documentation requirements and other safety-related recommendations. They understand different kinds of travel insurance and can make knowledge and experience-based advice. A good agent will get to know your family’s needs, discuss budgets and bucket lists and propose trips that fit your current comfort levels. Then, they’ll use their experience and skills to make even the most complicated itinerary your vacation reality.

2. How it works

Agents are compensated for their planning and execution in various ways. Some receive commissions paid by travel suppliers. Others charge consulting fees, sometimes determined by the number of people traveling and the complexity of the trip. Still, others rely on a combination of both. Families also benefit from top agents’ access to upgrades, value-added options and other perks they can pass on to their clients. For many busy parents and grandparents, handing off the complicated job of trip planning to a professional is key to avoiding procrastination and getting a long-awaited vacation on the calendar. And, should your trip take an unwelcome turn, a good agent will have your back to help with canceled or delayed flights and their domino effects.

3. Choose a specialist

Are you eager to visit a Disney resort or to understand the evolving nature of the cruise world? Are you determined to find the right African safari for a multigenerational trip of a lifetime?

Are you perplexed about which ski resort is just right for your youngsters or how best to explore a specific city, country or region? If this rings a bell for you, then using an agent with specialty experience can pay big dividends. Those pros can sort through the long list of cruise lines for the brand that best matches your travel expectations. They’ll know how to book the best cabins, sort through meal and activity options and provide insight into how each member of the family might make the most of the sailing. Adventure pros may not be able to predict snow pack, but they can provide insight into which ski towns best fit

your family preferences. Theme park pros know the optimal weeks to visit (or not), have tips for avoiding long lines and which lodging options will work well for your crew. Eager to explore a worldclass city? Find an agent who can steer you toward family-friendly accommodations, kid-friendly guides and an itinerary that will appeal to every age group.

4. Learn in the location of your choice

A good agent can help incorporate travel into your family’s educational plan. With more families learning and working remotely, a travel pro can help zero in on destinations and lodging options that can maximize your current lifestyle options. Are you interested in boosting the year’s planned curriculum by adding language skills, or literary and historical sites to your travel itineraries? Do you want more art, music and theater in the

mix? A good agent can help create a weeklong, monthlong, summer or multiyear plan that marries your family’s educational goals with your evolving lifestyle and love of travel.

5. Time well-spent

Family travel time is precious. Whether you’re traveling with the kids or the extended family for a milestone birthday or anniversary celebration, you no doubt hope to return with treasured memories rather than tales of a trip gone wrong. A travel agent’s professional guidance, grounded in research, relationships, experience and insider knowledge, can provide the edge you need to avoid potential snags and to experience a long-awaited and rewarding holiday.

Photo by Patricia Prudente on Unsplash.

CELEBRATING IDENTITY: A REFLECTION ON MAGNIF(I)

Art Exhibition at American International School Kuwait

By bazaar Staff

The Visual Arts students at American International School Kuwait recently marked the culmination of their two-year journey in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IB DP) with a captivating exhibition titled MAGNIF(I). This exhibition defined a culmination of the students’ dedication and artistic exploration and showcased a diverse collection of works, each intricately woven with elements of personal identity.

MAGNIF(I) explored different facets of their identities through the medium of art. Each artwork presented a unique perspective, inviting viewers to express and engage in deep reflection on the themes and issues central to the artists’ experiences.

Art plays a pivotal role in high school education, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and selfexpression. It offers students a unique avenue to

explore their emotions, perspectives, and cultural identities. Through visual arts, music, theater, and literature, students develop skills that transcend academic boundaries, nurturing empathy and understanding. Moreover, art education enhances cognitive abilities, problem-solving skills, and communication proficiency. It encourages collaboration and teamwork, essential for success in diverse fields. Beyond academic achievements,

art empowers students to communicate complex ideas and engage with the world creatively. In high school, art is not just an elective; it’s a vital component in shaping well-rounded individuals prepared for life’s challenges.

“MAGNIF(I) was more than just an exhibition; it was a celebration of diversity, resilience, and the power of art to provoke meaningful conversations and reflections. The students of American

International School Kuwait have indeed left an indelible mark with their thought-provoking artworks, reminding us of the importance of embracing and celebrating our individual identities,” Mrs Angie Hani, IB/DP/MYP Visual Arts Teacher/Consultant.

The success of the exhibition was evident in the vibrant conversations it sparked within the local and school community. Visitors were drawn into discussions that delved into the complexities of identity, offering a space for introspection and dialogue on current social issues and personal issues.

Central to the IB DP Visual Arts Program is the rigorous process of idea development that spans over two years. This process entails meticulous research, preliminary sketches, planning, media exploration, and experimentation. Students delve into the works of influential artists, conducting in-depth studies to understand their artistic concepts and processes.

Through MAGNIF(I), the students demonstrated their commitment and dedication to this process, showcasing artworks that are not only visually striking but also rich in conceptual depth. Each piece was a testament to the students’ growth as artists, reflecting their ability to navigate complex themes and translate them into compelling visual narratives.

As we celebrate the students on their achievements, we commend their resilience and creativity in navigating the challenges posed by the IB DP Visual Arts Program. MAGNIF(I) not only celebrated the culmination of their journey but also served as a testament to the transformative power of art in exploring and affirming one’s identity through art.

For more information on the American International School visit their website ais-kuwait.org.

FIND YOUR OFFICE VOICE

How to learn to speak up at work more effectively

By Stephanie Vozza

Silence may be golden, but sometimes it comes at a cost. When you stay quiet, you can’t effect change. Holding your tongue means internalizing your feelings. Silence also keeps you from building meaningful relationships. From physical, emotional, and productivity standpoints, silence can undercut your ability to do things and do them well, says Elaine Lin Hering, author of Unlearning Silence: How to Speak Your Mind, Unleash Talent, and Live More Fully.

“It’s ‘suffering in silence,’” she says. “The feeling of not being able to say something keeps our nervous systems on chronic high alert, which our bodies were not meant to do. You get compromised immune systems or some tangible health impacts.”

Staying silent also keeps you isolated. You internalize the message that you’re the problem. “If we’re staying silent, there is no opportunity for connection,” says Hering. “There is no opportunity for course correction. There is no opportunity for good intentions to translate into positive impact. Until we solve for silence, we’re not actually going to reap the benefits of all that other work and investments around our skills.”

Why Stay Silent?

So, why many of us tend to keep quiet? Silence is a control technique, says Hering.

“We learned it far too early,” she says. “From the time you were sitting at the dinner table, and someone shot you a look that said, ‘That’s not appropriate’ or, ‘We don’t do that around to here.’ Some of that is warranted, and other times it teaches you to edit out parts of yourself because they’re not welcome in the context that we’re doing.”

In adulthood, silence can be taught in the workplace, often subconsciously. For example, you may learn to keep your ideas to yourself if you offer them during a meeting and they go unacknowledged. Another way silence is valued at work is if your boss or your boss’s boss never

pushes back on the CEO.

“It’s what organizational psychologists call ‘organizational silence,’” says Hering.

Unlearning Silence

The first step is to understand that silence is a learned behavior. Then you can start to challenge your assumptions and figure out which are operating as norms, says Hering. Ask yourself, “What assumptions do I hold about when it’s okay to use my voice or whether I even have a voice?” Also ask, “What behavior around speaking up is allowed or valued here?”

Once you call attention to the assumptions that have been driving your actions, ask yourself, “How well do these assumptions suit the person I want to be? The leader I want to be? And the workplace team I want to create?”

“What am I perpetuating?” asks Hering. “In what ways am I actually silencing myself that I might not have realized? What requests might I make of the people around me to build more of a culture of voice rather than silence? Then, make intentional choices going forward from there.”

Learning to Speak Up

Speaking up involves courage, but courage alone is not sufficient. “Traditional speak-up advice says, ‘Be more courageous. Be more confident,’” says Hering. “I’d argue it is also a matter of calculation. Does it make sense for me to speak up? Is it worth it? To me, that is the power of unlearning silence.”

Hering says you can determine if it’s worth it by asking yourself three questions: What are the costs of choosing voice? What are the benefits of staying silent? What makes sense for me?

“As we look at the cost of choosing voice, we often overprioritize the immediate shortterm discomfort,” she says. “We think, ‘I don’t like the feeling of that awkwardness or that potential discomfort, therefore, I’m not going to have the conversation.’ What we fail to realize in that calculation is, what are the costs if I don’t have the conversation now? Because usually problems don’t go away by themselves, and things get worse over time.”

Instead of just weighing short-term costs, Hering suggests looking at long-term costs, too. There are times when silence makes sense, such as preserving your own peace, energy, selfcare, and survival.

“All of that is legitimate,” she says. “Each of us gets to have agency to make our own choices, because only we know all that we’re carrying.”

Whether you choose to speak up or make a calculated decision to stay quiet, understanding and challenging the silence you’ve been taught is an ongoing process. But it’s a worthy one. By learning your unconscious patterns, you can make a intentional decision about how you want to show up at work and at home.

Photo by Campaign Creators on Unsplash.

IT’S GETTING SICK SEASON

How to stay healthy in changing weather conditions

By Deb Balzer

The weather can be unpredictable, especially in late winter. One day it might be sunny and warm, the next day it might be freezing and snowy. How does this changing weather affect your health and well-being? And what can you do to protect yourself from getting sick?

Dr. Tejal Shelat, a Mayo Clinic family medicine resident, says fluctuations in temperature can cause the body temperature to vary as well.

Changes in body temperature and exposure to seasonal viruses make you more susceptible to catching illnesses such as the common cold and flu.

Symptoms of respiratory infections

Dr. Shelat says that these viruses can cause upper respiratory infections, which are characterized by several symptoms:

• Runny nose

• Postnasal drip

• Fevers greater than 100.4 F

• Shortness of breath

• Persistent productive cough

Chest pain when taking in a deep breath may indicate a more serious infection, such as pneumonia. To prevent or treat these infections, Dr. Shelat recommends boosting your immune system with some simple strategies. The first is to consume enough vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant that can help fight off infections.

Strategies to stay healthy in changing weather

• Consume enough vitamin C from fruits or supplements to boost your immune system.

• Exercise regularly, at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week, to improve your blood circulation and cellular function.

• Seek medical attention if you have a fever above 100.4 F or any severe or persistent symptoms.

“Fruits that are rich in vitamin C, like lemons and oranges, just having one a day or squeezing a few slices of lemon into your water bottle, that might go a long way in protecting your immune system,” Dr. Shelat says. She adds that some people may prefer to take vitamin C and zinc tablets, but a healthy diet that includes fruits and vegetables is more than adequate.

Another strategy is to exercise regularly, which can improve your blood circulation, oxygen delivery and cellular function. Dr. Shelat says that exercise does not have to be strenuous or time-consuming.

“It could be just a 30-minute walk most days of the week. That gets you to 150 minutes (about 2.5 hours) a week. And that is a good amount of exercise,” she says. She also encourages those who enjoy more intense workouts to continue doing them if they are safe and comfortable. If you experience any severe or persistent symptoms, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Photo by Alexandr Podvalny on Unsplash.

THE TOP TRENDS INSPIRING TRAVEL IN 2024

This is shaping up to be another monumental year for travel, and already some significant trends are emerging.

By Patrick Clarke

American Express Travel recently released its 2024 Global Travel Trends Report, revealing that 84% of respondents are planning to spend more or the same amount of money on travel in 2024 compared to last year.

What’s more, 77% care more about having the right travel experience than about the cost of the trip.

As far as what’s driving the continued surge in travel demand, American Express Travel identified four notable trends.

Traveling for sporting events

Travelers are excited to see their favorite sports in person this year. According to American Express Travel, 67% of millennial and Gen-Z respondents are interested in traveling for sporting events in 2024, compared to 58% of all respondents.

Three-quarters of respondents who plan to travel to a sporting event in 2024 will spend at least three hours getting there and most (58%) will be traveling for soccer, basketball or Formula 1 racing.

The top cities for sports travel this summer are New York (30%), Miami (27%), London (26%), Las Vegas (25%) and Paris (25%).

Making travel a priority

More than seven out of 10 respondents (72%) said they would rather save money for a major trip than spend it on going out with friends, and 65% are more interested in taking a major trip in 2024 compared to previous years.

Perhaps surprisingly, younger travelers are more interested in working with a travel adviser to plan and book their trip, with 58% of millennial and Gen-Z respondents seeking a trusted travel professional compared to 52% of all respondents.

Traveling solo

More than two-thirds of travelers (69%) are planning on taking a solo trip in 2024, including 76% of millennials and Gen-Zers. American Express Travel also found that 66% of respondents planning on traveling solo are planning a trip centered around self-love and treating themselves and 60% of respondents planning on traveling solo this year intend to take two or more solo trips.

Traveling on a whim

Nearly eight out of 10 travelers (78%) indicated that spontaneous trips appeal to them and a sizable 68% of respondents agree that they like to leave unplanned time in their trip to experience local culture and activities.

The study found that millennials and Gen-Z travelers are more likely to book a last-minute trip, with 77% having done so before compared to 65% of Gen-X and 52% of baby boomers.

“People are traveling to make memories in 2024. While everyone’s motivation for booking a trip is unique —whether it’s taking a solo getaway to recharge or embarking on an expedition cruise or safari — the trips that are trending are sure to be transformative, and our American Express Travel Consultants are here to build dream itineraries and help every step of the way,” said American Express Travel President Audrey Hendley.

Photo by James Wheeler on Unsplash.

RED FRAKTION ARRIVES AT DEBENHAMS

Iconic and ridiculously sustainable socks

By bazaar Staff

Red Fraktion, a vibrant and sustainable sock brand, infuses joy into every step while championing environmental responsibility. Crafted with eco-friendly materials like organic cotton and recycled fibers, their socks boast both style and sustainability. Each pair reflects the brand’s commitment to minimizing their carbon footprint, from production to packaging. Red Fraktion’s designs burst with playful patterns and bold colors, ensuring wearers express their personality with every wear. Beyond fashion, they actively contribute to social causes, promoting fair labor practices and community engagement. With Red Fraktion, wearing socks becomes more than just a daily necessity; it’s a statement of fun and conscious living.

In 2023 co-founders Mica and Olga created Red Fraktion after realizing the potential in the current accessories market. Red Fraktion has been created to be market leaders in the sock and accessories space by designing, building, and selling the best products, with the best service and experience.

They are dedicated to sustainability, and their goal is to create a longlasting change in the industry through eco-innovation, eco-activation, and by expanding our efforts to eliminate plastic waste and employ sustainable fabrics.

You heard it here first at Red Fraktion were ridiculously sustainable! But how you may ask? Since sustainability is our top brand value and the foundation of our business, we make sure that all materials that are found in our socks are completely sustainable, even down to the packaging!

Their environmentally conscious attitudes are upending the conventional sock production process and are prioritizing comfort and environmental responsibility. Good things are what they’re all about; bamboo, organic cotton, and recycled materials aren’t simply components; they’re the key to making fashionable, environmentally friendly socks that are also incredibly durable and give Mother Earth a little respite.

The brand always chooses organic fabrics The future of fashion depends on the usage of organic materials since they protect the environment and maintain clean air and water. Furthermore, because organic materials don’t release any toxic pollutants that harm the environment, they are more environmentally friendly than conventional fabrics.

Red Fraktion creates socks that convey a story of responsibility, comfort, and pure elegance. Wearing one of the bamboo-infused creations is therefore more than just a style statement; it’s a decision that matters for the environment and for you personally. Bamboo yarns play an importance in the socks, the brand and all of our futures.

Step into an iconic pair of Red Fraktion socks by visiting the website at www.debenhams.com.kw or Debenhams stores. Follow @debenhamsmiddleeast on Instagram and Facebook for all the latest updates. Call Customer Service: 182 1212.

BEING SEEN

What do I do if I feel undervalued at work?

By Kathleen Davis

Q: What do I do if I feel undervalued at work?

A: This is an unfortunately common position to find yourself in at work. There are a lot of reasons this could be happening that have nothing to do with you or your performance. Maybe your manager is overextended and, since you aren’t messing anything up, your career development has fallen on their list of priorities. Or maybe your boss never learned that giving praise and feedback is an essential part of management. Or maybe it’s just not a part of your company’s culture.

Whatever the reason you’ve ended up feeling undervalued at work, it’s absolutely worth addressing. If you can change the situation, you’ll be happier at work, and if you can’t, you’ll have a pretty clear sign that it’s time to move on. Either way, it’s better than the silent resentment you’re likely stewing in right now.So here’s how to address it: Communicate, communicate, communicate.If your boss has no idea what you’re doing all day, how can they know to acknowledge it? Make sure you’re communicating and that your boss knows what you’re working on and where the challenges are. Set up regular check-ins if you don’t already have them and spend a little time highlighting problems you’ve solved, or ideas and innovations you’ve come up with. Yes, it can feel a bit icky and self-promotional, but I always think of the phrase “It’s not bragging if it’s true.”

If you have an absentee manager who doesn’t meet with you regularly, send a weekly/biweekly/ monthly status update email. This is especially helpful if you’re a “keep your head down and work hard” type or if you’re succeeding on projects that have low visibility.Same goes for getting on the path to promotion: Your manager can’t know what the potential of your talents and skills are, or what’s in your five-year career plan unless you tell them.

It’s totally understandable to be upset when you are overlooked for an opportunity, but you can’t fix what’s already happened. Instead, speak to your manager and express that, when similar opportunities arise in the future, you’d like to be considered for them. A good manager wants to see you thrive and will make you feel appreciated and valued, but if they are falling short and you want to stay at your job, you have to take control of your career success.

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash.

MOVING ON FROM ERROR

4 ways owning up to your mistakes helps you—and everyone else

By Julia Herbst

Harvard Business School professor Amy Edmondson’s groundbreaking work about the importance of psychological safety in the workplace shed new light on building teams that are not afraid to innovate and take risks. But those risks don’t always end up the way we want them to—and it appears that many companies may not be fostering that sense of safety that is so important for workers to take risks and make mistakes.

According to recent research from business publishing company Wiley, only 53% of individual contributors said they feel safe taking risks at their organizations, compared to 64% of managers and 76% of executives. Across the board, contributors (ranging from middle managers to individual contributors) feel unable to raise problems and tough issues at work, the research found.

That’s a problem—and could be holding people back in a variety of ways, says performance expert Eduardo Briceño, author of The Performance Paradox: Turning the Power of Mindset into Action. When we fail to admit our mistakes, we risk escalating problems that could do damage to the organization and our reputations.

Builds trust and credibility

When you know that someone is going to be truthful and straightforward with you, it’s easier to trust them, Briceño says. “They understand that if we are making a mistake, we’re talking about it. We’re not hiding things from them,” he says. “People feel like they really believe that we’re being open and honest with them.”

If you’re generally competent in your job, owning up to missteps is likely going to reinforce the feeling that you’re a straight shooter. And even in cases where an individual is still learning or lack elements of competence or knowledge in our jobs, when we’re committed to correcting or improving ourselves, admitting mistakes and asking for input to correct them helps us get better and build greater competence, Briceño says.

Encourages collaboration

When you admit mistakes and are open to feedback and guidance to correct the situation, you create an environment where people can collaborate on a solution, Briceño says. Start with your own thinking about solutions to show that you’ve thought through the situation, he adds. “Just being honest and saying, ‘I was doing my best here, and here was my thinking. Here’s where I went wrong,’” he suggests. Then, share your thoughts on a solution and invite others to share their insights about the best action to take and how to avoid a similar situation in the future.

As far as whom to ask, that depends on your organizational culture, he says. You may want to get feedback from your boss or a mentor first if

the situation isn’t urgent and won’t escalate in the time it takes to get that feedback.

Creates teaching moments

Briceño points to organizations like Netflix and Skratch Labs that use mistakes and failures as learning experiences. He says that Netflix encourages team members to share mistakes through an online form or in meetings to help others learn. Skratch Labs shares great successes and failures in company meetings. “They have a process where they bring everyone back to the decision point. They think about what information the team had; and what their thinking was. They raise what the team did well that follows the company values,” he says. With that kind of objective analysis after the fact, the situation can yield key lessons for others in similar situations and what to take forward in future decision-making.

Changes thinking about mistakes

Briceño says that the more team members admit mistakes within an organization, the more they

are seen as normal. “This helps us get more comfortable with mistakes,” he says and “be able to better think about them and talk about them. Our mental models about mistakes change, and that also reduces our stress and anxiety because we have realistic expectations about humans.”

Together, these benefits help build a culture of collaboration for learning, performance, collaboration and transparency, Briceño says. And while he admits that, sometimes, people may work in environments where their mistakes can be used against them. Admitting mistakes in such environments can be risky, but doing so may also reveal when a work environment is toxic and it’s time to leave.

“If we are in a toxic environment, where other people might use that information against us unfairly, for example, I think we still always want to admit the mistake to ourselves,” he says. “And if we’re in a toxic situation, ideally we want to get out of it—either by changing the culture or by going to a different place.”

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash.

ROKH H&M

Emerging designer Rokh is H&M’s latest collaborator

By bazaar Staff

In the latest episode of its much-loved designer collaboration series, H&M just dropped the news of a link-up with emerging brand Rokh. Admired for its experimental spins on wardrobe staples under the exacting eye of Korean designer Rok Hwang, Rokh is sought after for its cleverly customizable designs infused with off-beat elegance.

The Rokh H&M collection heroes Rokh’s adaptable signatures, from double-layer trench coats to detachable-hem dresses, alongside flattering corset-style pieces and playful office-inspired bags and statement jewelry.

“Rokh is at the forefront of a new wave of Korean designers whose conceptual-yet-wearable clothes are captivating fashion right now. We’re proud to present a curated edit of designer Rok Hwang’s adaptable wardrobe classics, and we can’t wait to see how our customers wear them,” says Ann-Sofie Johansson, creative advisor and head of design womenswear at H&M.

“Rokh designs have a classic appearance with a radical construction for a timeless approach to design. I’m very excited to share our vision with more customers around the world thanks to this milestone collection with H&M,” says Rok Hwang, creative director at Rokh.

The collection will launch in The Avenues, Phase 1, Kuwait with prices starting from KWD 15.99 and online on 18 of April 2024.

OVERDUE CREDIT

Women have contributed to the future of AI for decades

By Jennifer Risi

Imagine a field where groundbreaking contributions go consistently unrecognized, where talented individuals are systematically excluded from the narrative, and where the very technology they helped build threatens their livelihoods. Despite their undeniable presence and impact, this is the reality for women in AI.

This year, as the world marks International Women’s Day at South By Southwest (SXSW)— one of the leading technology events of the year—the glaring underrepresentation of women in AI is becoming more and more apparent. Their contributions, spanning research, development, and leadership, are undeniable, yet many women continue to fight to be heard, seen, and recognized.

The New York Times‘s recent “Who’s Who” list of the Modern AI Movement profiled notable leaders who contributed to the development of the technology. While I’m not discrediting or discounting the involvement of these 12 men, it’s appalling that a publication known for excellent reporting couldn’t produce or include a single woman.

In the wake of this story, Séphora Bemba, an engineer in data and AI product development, created her own list of 12 inspiring women in AI, including bestselling author, founder of the Algorithmic Justice League and creative science communicator Dr. Joy Buolamwini and computer scientist and Stanford professor Fei-Fei Li.

As a female entrepreneur, who will also be taking the stage at SXSW discussing AI and the future of truth, I’m here to do two things: continue to challenge the status quo and support women in tech. Currently, women make up only 22% of AI professionals globally according to a 2022 World Economic Forum (WEF) report. It’s ironic how so many women attend and lead conversations at Davos every year—myself included—and yet year after year, we see reports that highlight the “small” percentage of women involved in AI at every level.

Here’s another ironic and unacceptable truth: women are regularly using AI at work and home but are more likely than men to lose their jobs to AI. Last July, McKinsey Global Institute released a report that found 12 million people would need to change jobs thanks to AI and automation and women would be 1.5 times more likely to have to find new roles. So, in the past two years, the numbers and narratives have suggested there are apparently no women in AI, and despite their numerous contributions to AI over the years, women now have to worry about changing their jobs because of the technology.

None of these reports surprise me unfortunately nor does it surprise me that women—even those

who use AI regularly at work and home—remain skeptical about the equity-shifting potential and power that AI yields. As it turns out, more than half (59%) disagree with this statement: AI will be better than humans at addressing inequities in our society. This is according to The Female Quotient’s latest report “The State of Women in AI.” The report also found that 63% of women don’t believe that AI can be fully ethical in the next three years. And why would they when Google Gemini had to take the tool offline due to historical inaccuracies or Elon Musk is saying that DEI must die and Google and Meta are eliminating dedicated DEI programs.

Some might also argue that the lack of women in AI reflects a talent gap or that there aren’t enough women graduating with STEM degrees. It’s simply not true. We need to not only be more vocal when male-dominated lists are published but also dispel all myths that AI is a men’s game. There are tons of female trailblazers in AI but there needs to be more. Let’s use our voices and use AI for good and all be advocates for more women in AI.

Here are four key areas to help women lead and engage with AI at every level:

More female voices: No one will hear us if we don’t stand up and use our collective voice to showcase and shout about women-led research, insights and POVs.

More mentorship and sponsorship: Fostering relationships between established leaders and aspiring minds can provide crucial guidance and support. Women advocating for women and female participation in mentorship programs are key.

More female developers: This starts with education and STEM courses but continues with companies hiring from a more diverse and inclusive talent pool.

More gender-equal pay incentives: Men still earn more than women and the only way we change that is by eliminating pay gaps in AI roles—present and future.

Here’s to all the women around the world who are changing history and paving the way for tomorrow’s AI advancements and innovations. Let’s get to work.

Photo by ThisisEngineering RAEng on Unsplash.

CHOCOLATE MILK FOR LUNCH

Protein shake does not meat expectations

By Lori Borgman

Always interested in maintaining good health with the least amount of actual exertion possible, I began drinking protein shakes a few months ago.

One of our sons-in-law, a combat veteran who works out on a rowing machine and treadmill, lifts weights, runs five miles in scorching heat and freezing cold for fun, often grabs a protein shake to tie him over until dinner since he works from home and rarely has time for lunch.

Because we have so much in common -- the part about working from home -- I decided to try protein shakes as well. Sure, I could scrape together some leftovers for lunch, but our leftovers have spawned so many aging leftovers, they could chart themselves on ancestry.com.

When I turn to the ‘fridge for lunch, I usually come away with salad. Lettuce, carrots and cucumbers do not have protein.

I need protein. I know this because I hear this and see this all the time in pop-up ads, commercials and messages from extremely fit and well-paid health experts. You know what has protein? Things that moo, oink and cluck have protein. My taste for meat has developed an inverse correlation to age. The older I get, the less it appeals to me.

So I bought some of those little chocolate protein shakes, the brand with a picture of a wide-eyed cow on the label. One protein shake has 60 grams of protein. I am basically drinking two chicken breasts for lunch. Chocolate chicken. Yum.

Over the course of a week, I probably consume all the protein you would get from an entire side of beef. Consequently, I feel taller, stronger, younger and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.

I am sailing along, feeling good about life and protein, when some of the grands drop by and swing open the door to the ‘fridge to see what we have to eat.

A voice says, “Grandma, when did you start buying chocolate milk?”

“That’s not chocolate milk, girls. That’s my protein shake,” I say, exuding an air of confidence that says I am in the know and on top of things.

Silence.

“It’s not a protein shake, Grandma. It’s chocolate milk.”

They hand me the bottle with the wide-eyed cow on the label and point to type at the bottom that says, “Chocolate Reduced-Fat Ultra-Filtered Milk” and drop to the floor laughing. I have been drinking chocolate milk for lunch.

I have since switched to the real protein shake, which fortunately gives me strength to endure the ribbing that keeps coming my way.

I wonder if the kid in me knew I was drinking chocolate milk all along.

The grands went home, but they are still rolling on the floor laughing.

Photo by Louis Hansel on Unsplash.

DREAMS UNLEASHED

& Other Stories unveils Susan

Fang co-lab

By bazaar Staff

Immerse yourself in dreamwoven creations, where each piece is full of stories this April. & Other Stories is collaborating with Susan Fang, the renowned fashion designer known for her nature-inspired, fantastical creations and innovative techniques. From striking organza dresses to 3D-flower accessories, the collection is a testament to the power of imagination – and having your mother as a muse.

Since the launch of her eponymous label in 2017, each collection created by Susan Fang weaves together innovative textiles, vibrant colors, and distinctive silhouettes, resulting in garments and accessories of true artistic originality. Born in China and raised across multiple countries, Susan Fang’s designs reflect a unique blend of cultural influences and a deep connection to nature. With a passion for fantastical dresses from a young age, Susan Fang’s journey has taken her from imaginative childhood drawings to establishing herself as a visionary in the fashion industry. Susan Fang’s co-lab with & Other Stories unveils a collection that invites wearers into a dreamy, surreal world.

“The primary inspiration for this co-lab was nature and the idea of creating dreamy statement pieces that also could be worn in your daily wardrobe. It’s a collection that ties nature, dreams and surrealism together through fashion. We added floral elements in all the pieces, where some flowers are in the broderie anglaise, some are in the embroidery, and some are made with beads. And we combined floral prints with transparent fabric so they appear to be floating, giving the wearer a feeling of freedom”, says Susan Fang.

“We are thrilled and proud to announce our co-lab collection with Susan Fang. We have great admiration for her designs that seamlessly blend the delicate and the bold. Drawing inspiration from nature and science, she creates dream-like pieces that are both innovative and inspiring. We can’t wait to unveil the collection to the world, and we believe that these unique pieces will not only captivate hearts but endure as cherished and beloved treasures for years to come,” says Frida Billegren, Concept design & Other Stories.

The co-lab is characterized by distinctive Susan Fang signatures: laser-cut flower petals, unique prints, crochet pieces, and delicate broderie anglaise. It also introduces new dimensions to Susan Fang’s design, with finishing touches like beaded “water drops” adding an extra layer of surreal sophistication.

Standout pieces include the “Treasure Dress,” inspired by the enchanting play of sunlight through leaves. This exquisite dress combines laser-cut flower petals, creating a floating effect, on a floral print based on flower drawings by Susan’s mother, blending traditional artistry with contemporary fashion.

The 11-piece co-lab includes a laser-cut dress and skirt, beaded crochet pieces, a broderie anglaise blouse and skirt, floral short-shorts, and a flower-printed feminine shirt dress. All nine ready-to-wear garments are made from organic cotton or recycled materials, and the prints are derived from unique flower drawings and marble paintings made by Susan Fang’s mother. Additionally, the collection features silver diamanté sandals made from chrome-free leather and a wearable version of Susan Fang’s iconic 3D-printed flower necklace, born from Susan’s dream of a transparent flower blossoming –melding fantasy with reality.

The Susan Fang & Other Stories co-lab collection will launch globally in selected & Other Stories stores and on stories.com on April 18, 2024. Prices range from KWD 27 to KWD 149 and sizes range from 34 (EU) to 44 (EU).

WORDS TO MY DAUGHTER

Wisdom for women

By Leslie Gillin

In 1991, I graduated from the University of Delaware and accepted my first role in the banking industry. Now, over 30 years later, my daughter Riley is finishing her last semester at our shared alma mater, as a marketing major and captain of the women’s lacrosse team, and preparing to enter the workforce full time.

In some ways, the workplace she’s stepping into looks nothing like the one I encountered in 1991. Major barriers have been broken, like Ursula Burns becoming the first Black woman to run a Fortune 500 company in 2009, Ginni Rometty stepping in as IBM’s first female CEO in 2011, or Jane Fraser becoming the first female CEO of a large, global bank in March 2021.

On the other hand, at major players like Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, and Microsoft, women make up just 34.4% of the workforce. And according to McKinsey, only 52 women receive promotions in the tech industry for every 100 men. For women of color, the disparity is even more pronounced, as they represent 6% of all C-suite level positions.

Clearly, there is still work to be done. So, for this Women’s History Month, I’m reflecting on what wisdom I can impart as Riley, and so many others, prepare to begin their own exciting and meaningful careers.

Always be open to unexpected opportunities  I majored in international relations and Spanish, so I did not think I was headed for a banking career. But that’s the offer I received, I said yes, and here I am.

The truth is, I really would not change a thing as each experience has helped me become who I am today. And even though I’ve always worked in finance and technology, my international relations background came in handy when I completed three expat assignments. Now I work at Pagaya, a global technology company founded in Israel, where my passion for people and culture continues to serve me well.

When we’re young, it’s important to stay flexible. Don’t put so much pressure on yourself thinking you should know what your career will look like!

Mentors: If they’re not finding you, find them

Every career comes with its moments of disappointment. Early in mine, after being passed over for a promotion as the only female manager (my results were much stronger than those of my male peers who were promoted, by the way), I had a former male manager and mentor who told me, “Never allow one person to determine your experience at a company. If you dislike how you are treated, do something about it.” This is one of the

biggest mantras I like to pass on to young, aspiring workers, especially women: Never be a victim, but instead be part of the solution.

Today, there are so many more allies out there who are invested in supporting equal opportunities for women. Seek out the people who can help you navigate the tough moments.

Get rid of the imposter syndrome

The further you progress into leadership, the stronger your imposter syndrome may become. A 2023 KPMG study concluded that 75% of women executives have experienced imposter syndrome at some point in their career.

You have to remember that you’re in the room for a reason, and as the numbers show, most of us feel this way at one point or another. I was the chief marketing officer of two of the top three largest banks in the world, and yet there were times when I still questioned whether I was good enough. Even Michael Jordan, one of the greatest athletes of all time, threw up before his games because of nerves.

It’s okay to get nervous; that means you care! Take those nerves and harness them into action. Just deliver the work and the rest will come.

Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness

Asking for help is the mature thing to do. It’s about having the courage to say, “I don’t understand this,” and get the information you need. Always be intellectually curious. If you have an authentic desire to learn, leaders will remember you. I love when young people reach out and ask for advice, and I’m all the more likely to think of them when new opportunities come up.

Lastly, to Riley and the next generation of leaders

The corporate world isn’t the perfect place for women, but things are improving, and it’s up to us to keep that momentum going. So to my daughter, and to all those entering the workforce beside her, I say: Do the work, make the strides, and be a great team player.  Most importantly, support your fellow women colleagues, present and future, and make sure you leave every role and opportunity better than you found it.

Photo by Jon Flobrant on Unsplash.

GET THOSE KIDS MOVING

How to raise a healthy active child?

By Natalie D. Muth

Parents and caregivers influence a child’s home environment and daily routines around mealtimes, sleep, active and screen use. But if the surrounding environment does not support these healthy routines, even the best-intentioned parent, caregiver, or motivated child or adolescent faces an uphill battle.

For example, it’s much easier to raise a healthy, active child when neighborhoods offer plenty of safe places for children to play and walk to school and where families can find nutritious food they can afford near home. Ideally, school cafeteria standards support healthy nutrition, and media and screen use is in healthy balance and monitored by adults. In a more perfect world, later school start times would support better sleep. And children, adolescents, and their families would not experience racism, toxic stress, housing or food insecurity, safety risks or other social determinants of health that harm health and well-being

Most of us don’t live in ideal places like this and need support from schools, health care systems and the wider community to create healthier lives for our kids.

The American Academy of Pediatrics offers tools and resources to help optimize health regardless of a child’s weight. The guidance is based on the best science on strategies that can also help prevent obesity at every stage, from infancy through adolescence. It turns out, it is about much more than nutrition and physical activity, though they are key factors that govern a child’s health and weight.

Here are some practical tips for parents to tackle issues that are within your control:

Learning about good nutrition can be a family affair. Start with the easy-to-use tools at MyPlate. gov, a great way to get kids involved in choosing foods they enjoy that are good for them. The ideas and suggestions on this website take into account a family’s culture and traditions too, giving examples of healthy meals that include familiar foods. Pair this knowledge with a team approach to choosing, planning and making food to give kids a more active role in what they eat.

Make water your drink of choice. The healthiest beverage is plain water. Limit access to sweet drinks including 100% fruit juice, sodas, sports drinks, and fruit drinks as much as possible. Ideally, aim for 1 drink or fewer per week (and not at all for infants and toddlers).

Bonus: Drinking plenty of water cleanses your child’s teeth and gums, preventing cavities now while setting the stage for lifelong dental health.

Limit ultra-processed foods. It may not be realistic to avoid them altogether. But try to limit their access when possible and help children and adolescents learn the benefits of eating

whole foods like fruits and vegetables. You can also talk with them about the health risks of too much “junk food,” which generally are loaded in sugar and salt, do not increase feelings of fullness, and prompt overeating.

Adopt a family media plan. Children and adults will benefit from sensible screen time limits that make room for other healthy activities. You can engage your kids in creating a plan for the whole family to follow.

Build movement into your daily life. In an age when we spend far too much time sitting, it can be challenging to get up and move more. But when parents make it a priority to work movement into family routines, kids will benefit. Organized sports aren’t the only option, though they’re an excellent way to build health and fitness. Families can also enjoy walking, biking, swimming, physical chores and active vacations

that include hiking, water sports and more. Indoors, you can try active gaming or online fitness classes to strengthen muscles, build coordination and release tension.

Make stress management a family priority. Just like exercise, kids will follow the example that parents set for them. If your work, school and social schedules are jammed with so many commitments that there’s no room for healthy downtime, consider what you can let go. Rest and relaxation rebuild the body’s systems after the challenges of a tough day or week, so reserve time for them (and encourage children to do the same).

Talk with your pediatrician about ways to support an active, healthy lifestyle that helps children thrive.

Photo by Leo Rivas on Unsplash.

no added sugar100% rda of 8 essential vitamins

THE EXQUISITE POTTERY BARN X DEEPIKA PADUKONE COLLECTION

Indian heritage inspired home décor and tableware

By bazaar Staff

If you love Bollywood as much as we do, then you are in for a treat. One of our favorite brands, Pottery Barn, and one of our favorite Bollywood celebrities, Deepika Padukone, have come together to create an exquisite collection together that tells a story of sophistication and warmth. The key pieces that make up this glorious collection are bedding, tabletop and home accessories.

Celebrated as one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People, Deepika Padukone brings her signature blend of global charm and timeless elegance to this exclusive collection at Pottery Barn to elevate homes, just in time for an Eid uplift to your dinner table, bedroom, and home accessories. You can now delight your guests with dinnerware and serveware adorned with floral motifs and textured details, perfect for creating unforgettable moments with loved ones.

Inspired by her rich Indian heritage and her love for vintage treasures, Deepika’s designs for Pottery Barn exude an air of refined luxury. From the softest bedding to intricately embroidered pillows, each piece invites you to immerse yourself in a world of comfort and style.

“My home has always been an extension of my personal style and aesthetic. An opportunity to ideate, create and express. With Pottery Barn we’ve created a collection that encapsulates this very emotion through soft textures, a neutral palette, and intricate details,”said design enthusiast and acclaimed actor, Deepika Padukone.

We love Deepika Padukone’s elegant aesthetic merged with Pottery Barn’s timeless style and we know you will too. This is the perfect opportunity to transform your home into a haven of elegance and comfort, where every piece tells a story and every moment is a chance to create memories that last a lifetime.

If you are as excited as us, you can view the collection at the Pottery Barn store, located at 1st Avenue, The Avenues. You can follow @potterybarnmena on Instagram to get style inspiration, and shop online at potterybarn.com.kw.

Fujifilm Instax Mini 99

The Instax Mini 99 is the most high-end analog instant film camera in Fujifilm’s “Mini” line. It features a wide (35mm equivalent) lens, exposure and shutter controls, various modes (for shooting action, low light and long exposures) and a number of creative filters.

LG CineBeam Q

The LG CineBeam Q is a retro-looking portable 4K projector that’s capable of creating a 120inch picture. It’s integrated with LG’s webOS for streaming apps (no separate device required). It also has a unique carrying handle that doubles as a stand for better positioning the screen. It lacks a built-in battery, however, and thus needs to be connected to power to use.

Shure MoveMic

The MoveMic is Shure’s first compact microphone system, and it’s mainly designed for content creators. There are two different configurations, the single-channel MoveMic One and the dualchannel MoveMic Two. Maybe the neatest thing about them is that, though you can purchase a receiver (sold separately), you can also wirelessly connect the mics directly to your smartphone.

Skullcandy EcoBuds

The Skullcandy EcoBuds are the company’s most eco-friendly wireless earbuds to date. They’re made mostly out of recycled plastics, but they also lack a case with a lithium-ion battery. To charge them, you connect the case’s built-in USB-C cable to your smartphone, laptop or wall adapter.

Backbone One (2nd Gen)

The second-generation Backbone One is a handheld gaming controller for your smartphone (this Lightning model is specifically for the iPhone 14 or older). It looks identical to its predecessor, but it now comes with magnetic adapters (instead of rubber inserts) for its controller grips, allowing it to fit better on any-sized smartphone and over more cases.

Hidizs S8 Pro Robin

The Hidizs S8 Pro Robin is an affordable portable DAC/amp for iPhone or Android smartphones. It features dual CS43131 DACs, has 3.5mm and balanced 4.4mm headphone jacks, and supports lossless audio up to 32-bit/384kHz.

PATROL SUPER SAFARI: EXCLUSIVE 2024 ‘AL OSTOURA’ EDITION

Special edition with distinctive design elements marks a milestone chapter in the journey of the legendary Patrol in the region.

By bazaar Staff

Abdulmohsen Abdulaziz Al Babtain Company, the exclusive dealer of Nissan vehicles in Kuwait, announced the launch of a special and limited edition of the 2024 Patrol Super Safari to commemorate the legacy of this famous versatile sports car and its esteemed position within the Nissan Patrol line-up in the region. This exclusive model, directed at the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, titled “The Legend,” pays tribute to the rich heritage of the Patrol Super Safari and celebrates its deep historical connection with its customers in the region.

The Patrol Super Safari, affectionately referred to as the “VTC”, is based on the fifth-generation Nissan Patrol, which was originally produced from 1997 to 2010. Its formidable all-terrain capabilities and class-leading power made it a popular SUV for off-road enthusiasts and thrill-seekers in the Gulf region. The enduring customer demand for this model in the GCC led to its revival in 2016 as the Patrol Super Safari – and it has been in production ever since.

The 2024 Al Ostoura edition marks the culmination of the legacy of the fifth-generation Patrol and features various exterior and interior design enhancements inspired by the region’s desert landscape. Marking its distinction are special badges on the SUV’s rear pillar and engine, featuring ‘Al Ostoura since 1951’ engraved in Arabic calligraphy, alongside the SUV’s iconic silhouette.

The distinctive Arabian desert dunes also inspire a recurring design motif in the Al Ostoura edition – proudly displayed on the spare tire cover and fender garnish, as well as interior elements such as the center console badge and floor mats. The rich color palette, featuring two exterior color schemes, is complemented by 17-inch alloy wheels, distinctive body stickers and contrasting exterior inserts on the roof, bumpers and wheel arches.

A rugged and reliable off-road vehicle, the 2024 Patrol Super Safari Al Ostoura is powered by a 4.8-liter in-line sixcylinder engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 451 Nm of torque. Featuring Valve Timing Control (VTC) and Nissan Induction Control System (NICS), it offers exceptional off-road performance and impressive top speed on the highway. The power is seamlessly directed through a 5-speed automatic or manual transmission.

Beyond its powerful performance, the “Al Ostoura” is equipped with an electronically controlled power steering for effortless control at low speeds and firm handling at high speeds. This is complemented by cruise control, a tire pressure monitoring system, ABS, dual-front SRS airbags, and Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) to ensure a safer and more connected driving experience, both on and off the road.

The 2024 Nissan Patrol Super Safari Al Ostoura is now available through Nissan’s partner network across the Gulf region. This exclusive model joins the wider model line-up, which includes the Patrol and the raceinspired Patrol NISMO models.

For more information, visit any of Nissan Al-Babtain showrooms in Al-Rai, Al-Jahra or Al-Ahmadi, or  contact the customer service at 180 4888.

THE BRICKLAYER

Genre: Action, Thriller

Cast: Nina Dobrev, Aaron Eckhart

Synopsis: An Ex-CIA Agent Is Reactivated When An Extortionist Targets The Agency.

LAND OF BAD

Genre: Action, Thriller

Cast: Milo Ventimiglia, Liam Hemsworth, Russell Crowe

Synopsis: Starring Russell Crowe and Liam Hemsworth, a covert special forces operation in the south Philippines spirals into a brutal 48-hour battle for survival.

IMAGINARY

Genre: Horror, Thriller

Cast:  DeWanda Wise, Tom Payne

Synopsis: When Jessica returns to her childhood home with her family, she finds her old stuffed bear, Chauncey, and sees that her youngest stepdaughter Alice has grown attached to it. Very soon, Jessica starts realizing that Chauncey is much more than the stuffed bear she believed him to be for all those years.

THE MINISTRY OF UNGENTLEMANLY WARFARE

Genre: Action, Comedy

Cast: Henry Cavill, Eiza González

Synopsis: Based on true events, the Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare tells the story of the first-ever special forces organization formed during WWII by UK prime minister Winston Churchill and a small group of military officials including author Ian Fleming (007).

KUNG FU PANDA 4

Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure

Cast: Awkwafina, Ke Huay Quan

Synopsis: After Po is tapped to become the spiritual leader of the Valley of Peace, he needs to find and train a new dragon warrior, while a wicked sorceress plans to re-summon all the master villains whom Po has vanquished to the spirit realm.

GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE

Genre: Action, Adventure

Cast: Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry

Synopsis: The epic battle continues! Legendary Pictures’ Cinematic monsterverse follows up the explosive showdown of “Godzilla vs. Kong” with an all-new adventure that pits the almighty Kong and the fearsome Godzilla against a colossal undiscovered threat hidden within our world, challenging their very existence—and our own.

Source: cinescape.com.kw

PEACE OF MIND WITH XCITE

Choosing Your Delivery and After Sales Experience

By bazaar Staff

In today’s fast-paced world, convenience is key, and Xcite understands this better than anyone. As a leading provider of tech products and services, Xcite goes above and beyond to ensure that customers have access to a seamless shopping experience and peace of mind both online and in-store. With a diverse array of services from 24/7 stores, 47 stores across Kuwait and buy now pay later easy credit service. Tailored to meet the needs of modern consumers, Xcite is revolutionizing the way people shop for electronics.

Choosing Your Delivery Experience

At Xcite, flexibility reigns supreme when it comes to delivery options. Whether you prefer the convenience of shopping from the comfort of your own home on xcite.com or enjoy the hands-on experience of visiting one of Xcite stores, they’ve got you covered. Customers have the freedom to select their preferred delivery date and time, making it easier than ever to fit their purchases into their busy schedules.

Click and Collect: Convenience at Your Fingertips

Are you in a rush? Do you want to get your order now? You can pick it up at your convenience. With Xcite’s click and collect service, customers can shop online and choose to collect their purchases from any Xcite store. Whether you’re on the go or prefer the ease of in-store pickup, Xcite makes it easy to get what you need, when you need it.

X-care Warranty: Protection You Can Count On

Xcite, understands that accidents happen, which is why they offer a range of X-care warranty packages to provide customers with peace of mind. From extended coverage to comprehensive protection plans, our warranty options are designed to suit every need and budget. Xcite offers 3 packages: X-care Basic X-care plus & X-care Platinum. With these packages you can extend your manufacturing warranty for up to 5 years, free repair charges under extended warranty, Accidental warranty for 1 year, spills protection, fire protection and a free Techforce service coupon. You can shop with confidence knowing that your investment is safeguarded against the unexpected.

Express Delivery: Speedy Solutions

For those who simply can’t wait to get their hands on the latest gadgets, Xcite offers an unparalleled express delivery service. Available exclusively on our website, customers can opt for one-hour delivery and have their orders arrive at their doorstep in no time. Say goodbye to lengthy wait times and hello to instant gratification with Xcite’s express delivery option.

Lowest Price Guarantee: Unbeatable Value

At Xcite, they are committed to offering customers the best value possible. That’s why they stand behind their lowest price guarantee policy. If you find a product at a lower price elsewhere, simply show it to one of their knowledgeable sales associates, and they’ll match the price, ensuring that you always get the best deal when you shop with Xcite.

As technology continues to advance and consumer expectations evolve, the need for convenience has never been greater. At Xcite, they’re proud to lead the charge in redefining what it means to shop for electronics in the digital age. With a commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction, they remain committed in their mission to deliver unparalleled convenience and exceptional value to shoppers.

Stay updated on the latest events, monthly promotions and offers by subscribing to the monthly newsletter on xcite.com, follow X-cite’s social media channels on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and Snapchat, @xcitealghanim or Facebook at XcitebyAlghanim and win prizes with contests, or visit the online store at www.xcite.com.

888 LOVE AND THE DIVINE BURDEN OF NUMBERS: A NOVEL

by Abraham Chang, Fiction

Young Wang has received plenty of wisdom from his beloved uncle: don’t take life too seriously, get out on the road when you can, and everyone gets just seven great loves in their life—so don’t blow it. This last one sticks with Young as he is an obsessive cataloger of his life: movies watched, favorite albums . . . all filtered through Chinese numerology and superstition. He finds meaning in almost everything, for which his two best friends endlessly tease him. But then, at the end of 1995, when Young is at New York University, he meets Erena. She’s brilliant, charismatic, quick-witted, and crassly funny. They fall in love and, for Young, it feels so real that he’s thrilled and terrified. As Young and Erena’s relationship blossoms, we get flashbacks to Young’s first five loves. That means Erena is “number six.” Was his uncle wrong—is she the one and only? Or are they fated for failure to make room for Young’s final, seventh love?

SHAKESPEARE: THE MAN WHO PAYS THE RENT

by Judi Dench, Biography

For the very first time, Judi opens up about every Shakespearean role she has played throughout her seven-decade career, from Lady Macbeth and Titania to Ophelia and Cleopatra. In a series of intimate conversations with actor & director Brendan O’Hea, she guides us through Shakespeare’s plays with incisive clarity, revealing the secrets of her rehearsal process and inviting us to share in her triumphs, disasters, and backstage shenanigans. Interspersed with vignettes on audiences, critics, company spirit and rehearsal room etiquette, she serves up priceless revelations on everything from the craft of speaking in verse to her personal interpretations of some of Shakespeare’s most famous scenes, all brightened by her mischievous sense of humour, striking level of honesty and a peppering of hilarious anecdotes, many of which have remained under lock and key until now.

BUTTER: A NOVEL OF FOOD AND MURDER

by Asako Yuzuki, Fiction

Gourmet cook Manako Kajii sits in the Tokyo Detention House convicted of the serial murders of lonely businessmen, whom she is said to have seduced with her delicious home cooking. The case has captured the nation’s imagination, but Kajii refuses to speak with the press, entertaining no visitors. That is until journalist Rika Machida writes a letter asking for her recipe for beef stew, and Kajii can’t resist writing back. Rika, the only woman in her news office, works late each night, rarely cooking more than ramen. As the visits unfold between her and the steely Kajii, they are closer to a master class in food than journalistic research. Rika hopes this gastronomic exchange will help her soften Kajii, but it seems that Rika might be the one changing. With each meal she eats, something is awakening in her body. Do she and Kajii have more in common than she once thought?

WHEN YOU SEE MY MOTHER, ASK HER TO DANCE: POEMS

By Joan Baez, Poetry

Joan Baez shares poems for or about her contemporaries (such as Bob Dylan, Judy Collins, and Jimi Hendrix), reflections from her childhood, personal thoughts, and cherished memories of her family, including pieces about her younger sister, singer-songwriter Mimi Fariña. Speaking to the people, places, and moments that have had the greatest impact on her art, this collection is an inspiring personal diary in the form of poetry. While Baez has been writing poetry for decades, she’s never shared it publicly. Poems about her life, her family, about her passions for nature and art, have piled up in notebooks and on scraps of paper. Now, for the first time ever, her life is shared revealing pivotal life experiences that shaped an icon, offering a never-before-seen look into the reminiscences and musings of a great artist.

THE AGE OF MAGICAL OVERTHINKING: NOTES ON MODERN IRRATIONALITY

by Amanda Montell, Non Fiction

In a series of razor sharp, deeply funny chapters, Montell delves into a cornucopia of the cognitive biases that run rampant in our brains, from how the “Halo effect” cultivates worship (and hatred) of larger than life celebrities, to how the “Sunk Cost Fallacy” can keep us in detrimental relationships long after we’ve realized they’re not serving us. As she illuminates these concepts with her signature brilliance and wit, Montell’s prevailing message is one of hope, empathy, and ultimately forgiveness for our anxiety-addled human selves. If you have all but lost faith in our ability to reason, Montell aims to make some sense of the senseless. To crack open a window in our minds, and let a warm breeze in. To help quiet the cacophony for a while, or even hear a melody in it.

SILK: A WORLD HISTORY

by Aarathi Prasad, Non Fiction

Source: Goodreads.com

Silk—prized for its lightness, luminosity, and beauty—is also one of the strongest biological materials ever known. More than a century ago, it was used to make the first bulletproof vest, and yet science has barely even begun to tap its potential. As the technologies it has inspired— from sutures to pharmaceuticals, replacement body parts to holograms—continue to be developed in laboratories around the world, they are now also beginning to offer a desperately needed, sustainable alternative to the plastics choking our planet. Aarathi Prasad’s Silk is a cultural and biological history from the origins and ancient routes of silk to the biologists who learned the secrets of silk-producing animals, manipulating the habitats and physiologies of moths, spiders, and mollusks. Because there is more than one silk, there is more than one story of silk. More than one road, more than one people who discovered it, and wove its threads.

JOTUN TRANSFORMS HOMES WITH FENOMASTIC WONDERWALL LUX

An elegant and highly washable matt finish paint with absolutely no smell or harmful emissions

By bazaar Staff

Choosing the right paint for your walls is a crucial decision that goes beyond mere aesthetics. The paint color sets the tone for the entire space, influencing mood, ambiance, and even functionality. Beyond color, selecting the appropriate type of paint is essential for durability, maintenance, and indoor air quality. The right paint can enhance lighting, making rooms appear larger or cozier, depending on the desired effect. Investing time in selecting quality paint ensures longevity, ease of upkeep, and ultimately transforms your living space into a haven of comfort and style. And thanks to Jotun, it just got much easier.

The region’s leading paint brand, expands their interior paints portfolio with the launch of Fenomastic Wonderwall Lux. It is a unique matt paint with an elegant smooth finish and a new advanced easy-clean technology. Thanks to its unique technology, Fenomastic Wonderwall Lux gives you long lasting beautiful walls effortlessly, which means you can maintain real beauty in your home everyday just as the day it was first painted.

Fenomastic Wonderwall Lux raises new standards in interior elegance and trends, combining a beautiful and smooth matt finish without the need to compromise on its maintenance. This innovative product has obtained the Greenguard Gold certification by using a technology that improves the air quality in your home and at the same time it has no smell, so that your life won’t be interrupted during the paint process.

With its advanced easy clean technology, Fenomastic Wonderwall Lux allows you to easily remove even the worse stains without affecting its beauty and colors. Fenomastic Wonderwall Life also has antibacterial and antifungal properties, ensuring extra protection to your walls.

Commenting on the new interior paint innovation, Mariam Marchane, Regional Brand Manager, Interior Paints at Jotun Middle East, India and Africa said “Every individual yearns for a beautiful home without the need to compromise between something beautiful and something easy to maintain, with Fenomastic Wonderwall Lux we can proudly have beautiful homes that last. We at Jotun are always dedicated to delivering the very highest quality, with our unique interpretation of global trends and constantly working on innovating to bring new products that continue to exceed the industry standards.” Concluded Marchane.

Fenomastic Wonderwall Lux is a true breakthrough innovation. Through a dedication to enhanced beauty and durability, Fenomastic Wonderwall Lux delivers a pristine trendy matt finish and enhanced smoothness to deliver a striking ambience, and beauty, throughout your home.

Fenomastic Wonderwall Lux is available in all Jotun shops across the region. Follow Jotun on Instagram to find out more @jotunpaintsarabia.

BRING ORDER TO CHAOS

Our home inventory app helps you to keep track of all your belongings in one convenient place with stunning features, and it works wherever you are – as a mobile and web app.

iOS and Android

NFIT CLUB

nFIT Club is the world’s first digital fitness app with a next-gen rewards program that rewards you for exercising. Users are able to exercise with the app and earn in-app digital currency and exchange it for goods and services in the nFIT rewards marketplace.

iOS and Android

UNPLUQ

Get back 1 hour and 20 minutes of your time each day to work out, cook, read, and see people you love. Unpluq helps you to take control of your time with a physical gesture to control access to your phone. Improve your mood, sleep, and productivity.

iOS and Android

SOLCIAL

Solcial is a web3 permissionless social network allowing users to be rewarded fairly for their work, and promoting freedom of speech by allowing users to interact without fearing ban or censorship.

iOS and Android

SONA

sona’s mission is to be the first FDA-approved music-based digital therapeutic app for anxiety. The music is created by Grammy-winning producers and curated artists using a composition process backed by leading neuroscientists.

iOS and Android

BREEZZ

Breezz - iOS app for guided breathing exercises, relaxation and mindfulness. Reduce stress, improve focus, and promote a sense of calm and wellbeing.

Apple only

SAY HELLO TO DECAF FOR TEA LOVERS

New Decaffeinated Teas from Ahmad Tea offer all the taste of a full- bodied brew

By bazaar Staff

Who said a cup of decaf tea doesn’t taste as good as the regular version? With decaf teas set to soar in the wake of the wellness boom, Ahmad Tea has created an exquisite new Decaffeinated Collection for tea lovers, offering all the full-bodied flavor of a signature Ahmad Tea brew, with a fraction of the caffeine.

Featuring four full flavored varieties –Decaffeinated Pure Black Tea, Decaffeinated Pure Green Tea, Decaffeinated Earl Grey and Decaffeinated Indulgent Selection (Cinnamon, Vanilla, Caramel, Chocolate & Hazelnut) – the collection has been carefully curated so tea lovers can enjoy a great tasting brew at any time of the day.

Dominic Marriott, Master Tea Taster at Ahmad Tea explains what makes the Decaffeinated collection special, “With health and wellness

booming, decaffeinated tea is set to surge in popularity as people look for the comfort of a good brew to refresh and recharge. However, when it comes to taste, all too often, decaf teas don’t stand up to scrutiny. Our new Decaffeinated Tea Collection is exciting as we’re offering tea lovers a depth of flavor that really does deliver – from our bold Black Tea to our Indulgent Dessert-Inspired Selection, the new collection offers the same signature flavors that people expect from a cup of Ahmad Tea, with a fraction of the caffeine. At

Ahmad Tea, we have some of the world’s best Tea Tasters on our team who sample up to 500 cups each day to ensure the blends are perfectly balanced and the taste is consistent. Our new Decaffeinated Collection is testament to this; from the light and delicate Green Tea to the elegant Earl Grey, decaf tea is elevated to a new level.”

The new Decaffeinated Tea Collection from Ahmad Tea is available in four delectable options: Decaffeinated Pure Black Tea: The finest leaves from Kenya combine for a well-rounded

flavor and a rich red color, resulting in a comforting, characterful brew that can be enjoyed any time of the day.

Decaffeinated Pure Green Tea: Light and delicate, this blend has all the true flavor of high quality traditional Chinese tea leaves. An aromatic, peaceful blend that is perfect for relaxing after a busy day.

Decaffeinated Earl Grey: A subtle blend of the finest decaffeinated teas, scented with the elegant fragrance of bergamot. A sophisticated tea that can be served on its own, or with a slice of lemon.

Decaffeinated Indulgent Selection: The divinely rich flavors of sweet Cinnamon, warming Vanilla, smooth Caramel, and creamy Chocolate & Hazelnut combine with the finest decaffeinated blends to create a selection of four mouth-watering indulgent dessert inspired teas. Five of each blend per box make the perfect after dinner treat, without the guilt!

The new Decaffeinated Tea Collection from Ahmad Tea is available at roomserviceq8.com and at major supermarkets and co-ops.

ARIES

MAR 20 – APR 19

Reassess your relationships, especially toxic ones. You’re known for wearing your heart on your sleeve, but now it’s about finding the sweet spot between giving your all to others and honouring your own needs. Finally, Mars enters your sign on April 30, bringing a surge in energy and drive. Keep a lid on any angry outbursts to constructively channel this newfound enthusiasm.

TAURUS APR 20 – MAY 20

It’s a powerful time to rethink your goals and set fresh intentions. Then, on April 21, Jupiter and Uranus align in your sign, lifting a heavy burden off your shoulders. You’ll feel a sense of relief and freedom, and best of all this rare cosmic event hints at a stroke of unexpected luck.

GEMINI MAY 21 – JUN 21

It’s not the time for off-the-cuff remarks. Mercury’s backspin from April 2–25 could tangle your words. Genuine heart-to-heart exchanges are on the cards, but take a moment to craft those conversations in your head before speaking. This approach requires patience, but it’s the bridge to true understanding. From the 19th, the sun motivates you through a vivid dream, offering clues on how to shine in just the right way.

CANCER JUN 22 – JUL 22

Start planning if you’re contemplating a career sea change, but proceed only after Mercury changes gears on the 25th. Single? If your date seems flaky, walk away; look for someone who has their act together. Around the 24th, couples can expect a memorable evening of connection and loads of laughs.

LEO JUL 23 – AUG 22

Jupiter and Uranus’ rare alignment on April 21 opens a doorway to change, possibly by letting go of a dream that no longer resonates with your evolving self. If you’re married, beware of potential in-law tensions. A misunderstanding could spark unnecessary conflict. Hold off on clearing the air until after April 25, when communication is clearer and cooler heads prevail.

VIRGO AUG 23 – SEP 22

When Mercury slows down on April 2, you might feel like hitting the snooze button more often. So instead of rushing through the month, slow your pace. Mercury’s retrograde through your intimacy zone might foster a meaningful connection. Ask yourself: could being more transparent enrich this relationship?

LIBRA SEP 23 – OCT 22

Venus awakens a deep craving for affection and connection. Single? Don’t settle for anything less than feeling cherished. In a relationship? It’s time to remember why you’re together – those little acts of love matter. Not feeling appreciated? Sometimes, giving love is the best way to receive it.

SCORPIO OCT 23 – NOV 22

Mid-month, the sun boosts your confidence through a work collaboration that skyrockets your reputation or from your partner’s unwavering support when you need it most. The full moon in your sign encourages you to embrace vulnerability. In expressing your feelings, the fog will lift on a personal dilemma – expect a lightbulb moment by week’s end.

SAGITTARIUS NOV 23 - DEC 21

Unleash your inner artist and let your intuition guide you without overthinking. By April 21, Jupiter and Uranus resolve a niggling health issue, easing your journey to a more vibrant you. As the month closes, La Luna calls for downtime. Sagittarius, it’s not laziness; it’s about recharging your batteries to prevent burnout. Relax, rejuve and repeat.

CAPRICORN DEC 22 – JAN 19

Around April 11, thanks to Mars and Saturn, you’ll find the courage to speak your mind. Sure, it’s nerve-racking to lay your thoughts bare, but the relief afterwards is priceless. During Mercury’s retrograde, you may wrestle with your mother’s expectations about your career or relationship choices.

AQUARIUS JAN 20 – FEB 18

Allow events to unfold and trust in fate. House-hunting Aquarians find their perfect pad, which doesn’t tick the usual boxes but feels just right. Or if you’re selling your property, Jupiter and Uranus will be your allies for a successful sale. Come month’s end, the full moon highlights a fantastic job opening. It’s your call to seize it or stay put.

PISCES FEB 19 – MAR 19

It’s time to get real about finances. If you’re spending more than you’re earning, the solar eclipse signals a budget overhaul. Think outside the box to generate income – maybe a quirky side hustle, like selling handmade crafts online or offering virtual yoga classes. This month, thanks to Jupiter and Uranus, you’ll master the art of saying no.

Re-Defining Test Drives