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Int Gotta love K-town! On Friday, I was at the beach, and on Saturday, after a quick ‘four seasons in four hours’ episode (humid cloudy morning, followed by hot rain, followed by vibrant sunshine, capped off with a quick nasty dust storm), it was suddenly too cold to sit outside without a sweater or light jacket. I think all of Kuwait’s going to be running around the malls this week, frantically looking for something warm to wear. The good news though, is that it is the perfect weather for taking the top down on your car. Which is what we did when we took the Ferrari Portofino out for a spin around the city.
The bazaar team...
But that wasn’t the only beautiful ride that we enjoyed this month. The Porsche Cayenne S got the grand tourist tour around Kuwait, from city to sea. This is just perfect timing, coinciding with this month’s Charity Drives that Tariq Alsamerraie organizes to raise money for different initiatives. Car enthusiasts donate funds to a cause and join in on the fun. If you’re shaking your head right now wondering how you can ever afford your dream car, just get WISE, Gulf Bank’s latest smart, affordable, transparent and easy investment platform that is accessible for everyone. We even did half the work for you and spoke to Gulf Bank’s Tareq M. Al-Saleh to get you all the details.
Content Manager
But back to our beautiful, but sometime schizophrenic weather. The fall months are for going places and doing things. Start reading all about how we rediscovered Failaka in a one-day vacation. It was a fun sea-faring excursion that includes lunch, fresh air and some horse riding. For those of you who prefer not to test their sea legs, join Shinsawi on any of their fun outdoor games or events. If the weather turns, and we know it will, escape reality and pop on a VR headset at Capsule VEC. If we were hosting an imaginary dinner party, we would invite the people we interviewed this month. The glass-ceiling-breaker Asil Attar, CEO of Alyasra Fashion graces our pages and talks about career women, luxury retail, and turbans. If she sits to your right, we want Jonathan Gilbert, Australia’s Ambassador to Kuwait, sitting on the other side. He told us all about himself, Australia, and its relationship with Kuwait. And we definitely want our Truth or Dare candidate, Zaineb Arndt at our party, she has done everything, tried everything and is always on the move. We already know where we would have said dinner, at Solia of course. Al-Hajery’s new concept restaurant wowed us with their Mediterranean based menu. They have stayed true to culinary traditions without being boring and developed them to create an inspired experience. If the mood for Japanese strikes, then look no further than Edo, always our favorite destination for premium Japanese dining. Wait, don’t flip through yet. If you haven’t guessed from our cover yet, it’s Movember! This is Kuwait after all, so an extra mustache might not surprise you, but we would still like to remind you that it is all about raising awareness of men's health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men's mental health. You might not want to grow facial hair, but you can always do your research, visit your doctor and make a donation to whatever cause is closest to your heart. Happy reading! Ahmed El-Adly
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Boss Ahmed El-Adly
Operations Tim Burns
Business Development Ihab Mokalled Yasmine El Charif
Mixed Media Solutions Jennifer Cádiz
Design Ahmed Al-Ashab
Staff Writer/Online Media Hallah Danbouh Yasmin Gamal
Online Producer/Project Manager Umika Pidaparthy
Communications Hala Y. Sharara
Editor Alia Al Duaij
Contributing Writers Ayman Nassar Deepa Pant George Tarabay Jamie Etheridge Muna M. Al-Gharabally Dr. Susannah-Joy Schuilenberg
Contributing Photographers Caroline Ericson Yousef Al Nasser
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w w w. b p aw w. c o m The views expressed in bazaar magazine are those of the respective contributors and not necessarily shared by the magazine or its staff (but sometimes they are).
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ASIL ATTAR
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FERRARI PORTOFINO
PORSCHE
Not only is Alyasra Fashion’s CEO Asil Attar one of the top 100 Most Influential Women in the Middle East according to Forbes, she’s also a brilliant human being. At the opening of accessories multi-brand concept O, Asil tells us more about her career, her love of all-things vintage and why the launch of O is so important.
This edition of truth or dare brings us the beautiful and multi-talented Zaineb Arndt. Not only was she daring enough to play our favorite game, she also gives us some much needed beauty tips from all the knowledge she has managing the fantastic range of brands at beautique cosmetics intl.
A Ferrari for everyday driving? Bazaar goes cruising this month with the iconic Ferrari Portofino. Since we know it’s the perfect time for driving top-down, we take this beauty out for a spin, and in tribute to what is already an iconic sportscar, we visited landmark locations around Kuwait. Read about our experience!
Imagine both features of power and comfort wrapped up neatly in typical Porsche design DNA. We challenge the sportscar with onroad terrain from city to sea and the Porsche Cayenne S impressively delivers. We didn’t want our beautiful day out exploring Kuwait in this beauty to end—flip over to read our review.
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TAREQ M. AL-SALEH
34 HIND
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SOLIA
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Talking about investments can be a tedious task—not when Gulf Bank’s Tareq M. AlSaleh is involved! We talk Eidiyas to smart investments, and he tells us all about how it’s so easy to invest with Gulf Bank today with WISE.
Up Close and Personal takes a fashionable turn this month as we sit down with pocket rocket power duo Fatma Al Musallam and Tasneem Roowala. The buyers and entrepreneurs behind HIND, the Indian fashions concept that is taking Kuwait by storm, learn all about what makes their partnership work.
For this month’s edition of bazaar goes dining, we head to Solia. Instead of sticking to one country's cuisine, Solia curated their menu from all the classic dishes of the Mediterranean region. And by respecting culinary traditions and techniques, Solia creates an experience that compliments the traditional with the modern.
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With a bilingual audience of both English and Arabic, we cover everything from what’s on, to the bizarre. We print and distribute 10,000 copies of bazaar every month; each copy is read by an average of 3 people, giving us a total readership of over 30,000. bazaar is published every month (with a double issue for July/ August), delivered free of charge to a large subscriber database, and distributed free of charge in all of the following locations: Cafés & Eateries
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Starbucks Outlets: Abdullah Mubarak Adeliya Airport Mall Al Mowasat Hospital Al Shaya Head Office Aliya & Ghalia Complex Andalouse Coop AUK Bairaq Mall Baitak Tower Behbehani Complex Bida’a Complex BMW Showroom Daiya Co-op Dar Al Awadi Divonne, Abu Hassaniya Four Points by Sheraton Hilton Resort Jabriya Kaifan Khalifa Resort
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Scoop-A-Cone - Egaila, Fahaheel The Early Bird - Fahaheel, Jabriya Upper Crust Pizzeria
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Hotels & Health Clubs Al Corniche Club Crowne Plaza, Farwaniya Hilton Kuwait Resort & Spa Holiday Inn, Salmiya Inspire Pure Fitness Jumeirah Messilah Beach Resort Hotel & Spa JW Marriott – Residence Inn, Sharq Millenium Hotel & Conference Center Pilates & More - Salmiya, Mahboula Spaloon The Palms Beach Hotel The Yoga Center
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Arraya Haagen Dazs Galleria Al Hamra Elevation Burger Boulevard Starbucks Costa Coffee The Promenade Caribou Mall 360 Dunkin Donuts Marina Mall Marina Crescent Casper & Gambini Chocolate Bar Johnny Rockets P.Q. Paul Souq Sharq Starbucks Haagen Dazs Symphony Mall Juan Valdez The Avenues Elevation Burger Johnny Rockets Paul Starbucks Airport Mall Starbucks Dar Al Awadi Starbucks Spoons Chocolate Bar Salhiya Complex Starbucks
4 Boutique Alghanim Marine Alghanim Showrooms - Safat Al Rai, Shuweikh, Sharq, Fahaheel beau-tique cosmetics British Embassy US Embassy Brush Salon CAP Gallery Cookie Dough Dar Al Funoon Dar.Nur Gold Class Lounge - Grand Cinemas Al Hamra TONI & GUY- Al Corniche TONI & GUY- Cliffs Kuwait Airport Business Class Lounges Finesse Nail Lounge Media Elephant Pink Moon Boutique Sultan Gallery THE One The Chairman's Club
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Too busy to go pick up bazaar from your local café? Now you can browse through the entire magazine online via issuu.com and on www.bazaar.town. Featuring our in-depth interviews, reviews, stellar photography, and the latest ads showcasing what’s hot in the market right now; you can browse through bazaar freely and securely, whether you're on your PC, laptop, Smartphone, or tablet.
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what's on November 2018
RUNKUWAIT Date: November 10 Location: Kuwait Scientific Center, Arabian Gulf Road Run for a cause! RunKuwait 5K and 10K charity run or walk is the Fawzia Sultan Healthcare Network’s annual fundraising charity event that helps bind our community together through a fun and healthy event to raise money for children with disabilities who do not have access to appropriate healthcare. This year is its 8th anniversary. Read our full feature at www.bazaar.town/runkuwait-8-anniversary. For more information visit @runkuwait on Instagram. You can sign up at www.runkuwait.org.
AWAKEN FESTIVAL Date: November 15-17 Location: Dar al Athar al Islamiyyah – Yarmouk AWAKEN 2018 is Uniting for social innovation. This new community building festival will bring people together from different backgrounds to think creatively about social issues in Kuwait. Using interactive talks, stories, learning, music, theatre, art, food and more, the festival will feature forward-thinking collaborations to explore new ways for people to understand their role in society. Suitable for ages 16+. Tickets are available on eventat: www.eventat.com/en/e/awaken. Follow Awaken on Instagram @awake__n for updates!
GULF BANK 642 MARATHON Date: November 17 Location: Race Village, Souq Sharq What does the ‘642’ stand for? 642 is actually the total number of muscles in a human body! That’s where the “move your 642 muscles” slogan comes from. Gulf Bank 642 Marathon is made for every individual who wants to experience a run while touring through the beautiful landmarks of Kuwait. The marathon is suitable for all levels, from challenging athletes to beginners and even families. Gulf Bank 642 Marathon is the first full road race to take place in Kuwait and three of the race categories have been accredited by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) and the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF Athletics). For more information, visit @gulfbank642 on Instagram.
PLAMO CON Date: November 22-23 Location: Kuwait International Fairground Kuwait’s first pop culture, gaming, and cosplay convention since 2012 is coming back for the 9th time on the 22nd and 23rd of November 2018 and taking place at Kuwait International Fairground (Hall 4A). This convention is organized by the same company that brought you Comic Con Kuwait and offers the opportunity for audiences to meet their favorite celebrity guests including Hollywood stars, TV show actors, and voiceover talents from popular video games and cartoons. Visitors can enjoy multiple activities suitable for both children and adults such as stage performances, dozens of vendors and figures stores, anime and manga shops and artists, Cosplay shows, and video game tournaments. So what are you waiting for!? Get your tickets now and Let’s Be Heroes! For more information visit Instagram @plamoconkuwait.
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H&m 3 8 NOVEMBER AT 8 AM LADIES' & MEN'S COLLECTION AT 1ST AVENUE - THE AVENUES & HM.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT US: 182-12-12
what's trending November 2018
What: @ocho.shop Info: The world’s 1st statement sunglasses chains Editor’s Note: Handcrafted in Kuwait since 2013!
What: @theuntitledbag_kw Info: Reusable tote bags (mostly) telling a story about Kuwait Editor’s Note: They brought out a heavy duty one for winter!
What: @persiancarpets_kuwait Info: Stunning Persian carpets from traditional to modern designs Editor’s Note: Place these on walls, not just floors!
What: @keepusbuzyq8 Info: Fun educational activities for kids on many subjects Editor’s Note: They’re fun for adults too!
www.bazaar.town
What: @hotpackq8 Info: Non-scented, microwavable hot packs in generous sizes Editor’s note: We switched on the hot water, have you?
What: @pompomlane Info: Handcrafted Italian glam jewelry and accessories Editor’s Note: True style comes with these fun accessories!
What: @ama.elle Info: Art by a local artist and all profits go to animal charities in Kuwait Editor’s Note: Grab a coffee and some of this art at @luna_beau!
What: @westgulfrace Info: West Gulf Race, kicking off 2019 with a bang! Editor’s Note: Get your running shoes ready!
As much as we work our hardest to give you one rocking print issue after the other, we’re socially active (or try our best to be, we are bazaar humans after all) and we love it! Find us online: It makes our day when we see your tweets/mentions/likes/comments/shares about your favorite features and more.
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CAPSULE VEC
Out of this world and into the virtual world By bazaar staff
You can be anything you want to be. You can fly a jet fighter, drive a Formula One car, fight zombies, move like a ninja, or wield a light saber. Maybe not in reallife, but right now you can do all of these things in virtual reality at Capsule VEC. We have come a long way from sitting on the couch, clutching our Atari joysticks to donning a headset and walking through three dimensional worlds where we can kick, hit and walk around. It is very Ready Player One. Capsule VEC, which stands for Virtual Experience Center, is designed to mimic the interior of a space ship. It’s dark, with blue backlights and a faux window that shows you planet Earth as if we’re blasting away. Everything is futuristic and shiny. Even the computers running the code have been custom built to be powerful enough to run the software. They use a special water cooling system and radiator mounted fans to keep temperatures down. But they are cased in clear plexiglass to complete the visual effect. They offer two different experiences, simulators and Virtual Reality (VR). Currently, there are eight car racing simulators, a Formula One car and two plane simulators. It’s the full experience with the headsets, stereo sounds and seats that are hydraulically controlled for a true-to-real-life experience that will amaze even the most experienced drivers. You will feel every speed bump and hit, and you will love it! 28
While the experience is meant to be very realistic, it’s also meant to be shared with friends, as up to eight people can race against each other at the same time. The Formula One simulator is reserved for more advanced players. Just like in the real world, the faint of heart need not attempt driving this one. Anas Kanawati, owner and founder of Capsule VEC has been bringing simulation games to Kuwait for almost a decade in the form of License to Drift. But this is his first stand-alone venue that is not shared with anyone else, and he does it all for the love of gaming and simulations. The other experience you can enjoy at Capsule VEC is the virtual reality games. If you’re a horror fan then you’re going to love their special horror game. You’ll be asked to sit in a chair, and wear a headset and a wrist harness that stops you from trying to escape. Yes, it’s that scary. Don’t worry if you’re the kind of person who likes to avoid giving themselves a fear-induced heart attack. You can still enjoy all the other fully immersive VR games. Many of us might have already purchased a VR headset and the nerdier among us have built their Google Cardboard sets. But the gear at Capsule is top-of-the-line. High-definition, clear, crisp imagery make the game worlds so much more believable. The mounted cameras make your motion in the makebelieve worlds match the ones you want to make. The technology works seamlessly and smoothly, all you have to worry about is that zombie trying to kill you.
There are dozens of games to choose from. From the child-friendly Fruit Ninja to the up-beat Beat Saber, there’s bound to be something that you will enjoy. While putting on a headset might seem like a solitary activity, there is a multiplayer mode. So, you can join up to three of your friends in a single game—great for quest and fighter games. In fact, the venue is proving especially popular with corporate events and children’s parties alike. There is enough space to accommodate twenty players at any given time and room left over for snacks and beverages. Children as young as six years old can play, and parents can rest easy since the software can be set to block any content that is not suitable for their child’s age. Yet, most of Capsule VEC’s clientele are adults. Young men and women are showing up after a long workweek to wind down and have some extreme fun. And it can be physically demanding too. Since you control the gameplay by moving your hands while holding the controllers there’s a lot of movement involved in most of the games. It’s like a quick mini workout that gets your heart pumping and your blood flowing. If you’re looking for a fun thing to do over the weekend, or better yet after a long Tuesday, Capsule VEC is your gateway to the virtual world. Capsule VEC is located in Mas Arena, Al-Rai. For more information on Capsule VEC follow them on Instagram @CapsuleVEC.
Ferrari
WE HAVE A FIKRA
Empowering Kuwaiti youth, one Fikra at a time By bazaar staff
The Fikra Program was built to create an innovative and entrepreneurial generation. It aims to equip young people in Kuwait with essential business skills and knowledge required to succeed and develop their own businesses ideas. The Fikra Program was launched in 2015 and harnesses the power of corporate social responsibility by offering the country’s youth an opportunity to receive entrepreneurship training. It’s important to note that the Fikra Program is not limited to university graduates alone, as anyone over the age of 21 with a passion for entrepreneurship is eligible to apply, thus making Fikra an accessible program for aspiring entrepreneurs from all walks of life. You can apply as an individual or as part of a team. The program provides one-on-one mentoring for guidance and support as well as intensive business training through workshops and field trips. They are also afforded media exposure, networking and investment opportunities. And while they focus on Kuwait as a starting point, expansion into the GCC is part of their outlook and philosophy. The Fikra Program sets up opportunities for the entrepreneurs engaged in the program to better understand the GCC market, making the usually daunting process of expanding outside of Kuwait even easier, especially for tech startups. For instance, during the second edition of the Fikra Program the participants visited Dubai SME and learned about the many opportunities that are available to Kuwaiti entrepreneurs in Dubai. During the third edition, the participants visited the Khalifa Fund in Abu Dhabi, and this, in turn, offered the entrepreneurs a great deal of knowledge about pitching their business ideas and understanding the UAE entrepreneurship ecosystem. The good people at Cubical Services Business Incubator noticed a pattern in the obstacles that faced aspiring businesses and upcoming entrepreneurs. Most of them found it challenging to move from an idea to an operational business. From there, Fikra was born out of their sense of a desire to give back to the community. The training is free and focuses on eliminating these obstacles while offering full ongoing support and providing participants with customized business training in a practical manner. “We strongly believe in the great potential of aspiring entrepreneurs with creative and innovative ideas and we are very passionate about empowering entrepreneurs to follow their dreams and start their own businesses.” – says 30
Mariam Hisham Al-Rayes, Fikra Program Manager at Cubical Services. With every edition of Fikra, fifteen business ideas are accepted. Last year more than three hundred and fifty people applied. But with the National Fund for SME Development’s support as a strategic partner, Fikra will be providing training to any of the applicants that are not accepted, yet meet the requirements of the National Fund for SME Development. One of the driving forces for the program's success is the support from everyone involved. Sponsors are not just trying to tick social corporate responsibility off of their to-do list. They are actively involved and invested in seeing entrepreneurs make it. Gulf Bank, for example, has supported Fikra for three consecutive years. “There is a great deal of business potential among the youth of Kuwait, so our collaboration with the Fikra Program is valuable to provide aspiring entrepreneurs with the steps to build their business careers and help turn exciting ideas into realistic business ventures.”- says Ahmed Al Amir, Gulf Bank's Assistant General Manager for External Communication. The program’s graduates are invited back to pass on their knowledge as trainers, mentors
and to share their entrepreneurial journey in an effort to inspire the Fikra participants. Fikra also invites other successful entrepreneurs to share their knowledge such as Sulaiman Al Tarrah from Bleems, Dr. Naif Al Mutawa from The 99, Farah Al Humaidhi from Pieces by Farah, and Co-founders of Pick Jassem Al Duaij and Mr. Bader Al Oqaili . Perhaps most telling of Fikra’s success is their incredible track record. Many of their graduates have gone on to create viable and strong businesses and non-profit startups such as Lawpedia, BirthKuwait, Hibr, FashionOnWheels and SnackBook. These are only a handful of many more! The Fikra Program is kindly supported by their strategic partners, the Ministry of State for Youth Affairs and the National Fund for SME Development, as well as gold sponsor Gulf Bank, amongst many others. Fikra is organized and managed by Cubical Services Business Incubator. Applications for the Fikra Program can be found online on www.fikraprogram.com and will be accepted until November 11. Follow them on Instagram @fikraprogram for more info on the program and participants.
Ferrari 2
NAVIGATING A BOOK FAIR 101
With a good plan from That Al Salasil, you can triumph over the annual literary labyrinth By bazaar staff
Why do people go to book fairs when they can just order books online? Actually, why are they still buying physical copies when they can immediately buy the electronic version? Because book fairs are the best way to discover new books, authors and generally have a great time. In essence, book fairs arrive as part trade-fair and part shopping opportunity with a lot of other fun things thrown in the mix. Publishers and authors promote their new releases and offer the public an opportunity to view their latest works in a single space. It is a book store on steroids. Navigating a book fair can be overwhelming for the newbie, and even seasoned visitors need to have some sort of plan to make the most of their visit. And with the upcoming Kuwait International Book Fair, we are letting you in on some of our favorite hacks and secrets to maximizing your time there. We may have gotten a little help from our friends at That Al Salasil. They began operation in 1972 and are one of Kuwait’s biggest and oldest publishers and distributors. They are veterans of the Kuwait International Book Fair held at the Kuwait International Fairgrounds in Mishref and know their way around it. Every year, they work with a lot of local and international authors. And this year alone, they published sixty books in different genres from novels, non-fiction, poetry to children’s books. Plan ahead Book fairs are a great way to meet your favorite authors. Book signings and talks are often scheduled, so make sure to check the website and calendar so you can meet and greet your literary heros. There are often readings, events and other things you might enjoy doing, so check for those too. Keep an eye on your favorite writers’ and publishers’ social media accounts to find out when and where they will be popping up. Make a list the new way Speaking of planning, a list comes in very handy, so you make sure you grab all the books you want to without forgetting any. You could always go old school and use pen and paper, or you could use GoodReads. The app is very useful for cataloging books you have read and want to read. The smartest option is the barcode scanner. So, you could easily scan the books as you browse and maybe decide later. Our list this year already includes Taleb Al Refai’s collection of short stories, Dark Grey; Reem Al Maei’s A Kuwaiti Woman In New York and lots more from That Al Salasil. Wear the right shoes Your cute stilettos should sit this one out. Fairs are quite large and your step-count will be substantial, make sure that your shoes are comfortable. 32
Bring an open mind We all get stuck in our ways and stick to our preferred genres. But it is always fun and exciting to branch out. If that feels way out of your comfort zone try a genre-bender. If you love reading history, try historical fiction. Bring cash Most vendors and publishers will take cash or a debit card (That Al Salasil accepts both), but it's always preferable to err on the side of caution. And you will definitely need a couple of dinars in change for snacks. PS. There's an ATM machine right outside Hall Six. Ice cream No one ever says that fair food is the best food. Which is true, except for KDD’s soft serve. We love that stuff, it is childhood in a cone and the Kuwait International Fairground is one of the rare places where you can always find it.
Talk to people Reading is a solitary activity. But most readers love discussing what they have enjoyed or gripe about what they didn’t. Don’t be afraid of asking the people around if they have read a book or what they think. Find out what they’re buying and share your list with them. Who knows? You might end up making a friend and adding a book or two to your shopping bag. Go more than once Don’t worry if you can’t get it all done in one day. Go again! Entry is free and all that walking around and buying book is great for your brain and body. Find That Al Salasil's booth at The Kuwait International Book Fair in Hall Six at the Mishref fairgrounds starting from the 14th-24th of November. Follow That Al Salasil on social media @thatalsalasil for their latest updates.
Make It Shine
West Elm
Grand Avenue - The Avenues, Tel: 2228 3072 Al Kout Mall - First Floor, Tel: 2208 1490
up close & personal
HIND Tasneem Roowala and Fatma Al Musallam do business in style By bazaar staff
Opening the front door of bazaar, before me stands two super stylishly elegant women, fresh-faced and swathed in beautifully draped fabrics. Both outfits are a grey color but in totally opposite tones. Tasneem and Fatma are similar, yet utterly different. Immediately the yin and yang of the fashionable duo behind HIND is apparent.
Tasneem Roowala and Fatma Al Musallam
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The pair met a few years ago, when one was assigned the other’s desk at work. Despite this unorthodox start they evidently struck up a relatively close relationship because Tasneem, after broaching the subject of starting her own business with her husband, then went on to mull over with Fatma the idea of importing clothes from India. “Tasneem didn’t even propose that I partner with her, I just jumped at the chance.” says Fatma. “Yes, she did!” grins Tasneem, adding, “I didn’t even get to finish the sentence “I have an idea…” and she said, “I‘ll do it [with you]!” Tasneem showed her new partner the brand that she was considering and immediately Fatma was eager to know how they could bring the line to Kuwait. The instant appeal to her aesthetic and the comradery of the two women gave Fatma every confidence in the project and thus HIND was founded. The elegant, modern designs are not immediately what one thinks of when it comes to the luxurious end of Indian clothes. There’s no metallic thread embellishment, nor diaphanous multilayered chiffon here. It’s all silk, linen or cotton. “Old school,” as Tasneem describes it, “but it’s very much what young Indian designers are exploring nowadays." There can hardly be anything worthier than a fashion brand that invests in communities, and being sustainable or fair trade. HIND items sit at the higher end of mid-market but with good reason. Entire families and villages are supported by the income created through the labels presented by HIND. Some fabrics are commissioned and made from scratch working with weavers from around India, and therefore these vegetable-dyed organic textiles are only available to that designer whose collections are then personally selected and imported by the HIND duo. The HIND focus on quality has, almost incidentally, determined that their fashion is conscious. The close attention-to-detail on the superior items is in abundance with garments being hand dyed, buttons and embroidery completed by hand, or hems finished with a deliberately chosen feature color thread, and of course the pieces are limited in number too. There is no mass-production here. Tasneem goes on to mention that the type of client that finds style solutions at HIND is also looking for the use of the clothes in their wardrobes to be broader. They want to be able to wear HIND items during the day and transition them to evening without any fuss. Quality, timeless pieces will naturally lend themselves to this utility. “There was an obvious gap in the market, and the brands we ended up getting are filling that gap,” says Fatma, her sentence being finished by Tasneem who then adds, “It’s affordable prêt [à-porter]!” The timeless quality of these pieces is not only that you can wear them forever, but at any age and across all cultures; they are appropriate for both covered and non-covered women alike. Both Tasneem and Fatma are such completely different characters and yet they have established a brand that perfectly fits both of them and thus a wide spectrum of potential customers. “My mother has the same outfit as me, and so does Tasneem, so we have to check what we’re wearing before we go out,” laughs Fatma. Actually, this isn’t quite necessary because HIND style, differently accessorized, is totally transformed. Particularly by the
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jewelry or footwear pieces that the eagle-eyed buyers have procured. There are wonderous accessories you can shop for at HIND to enhance your look. From hand-cut woven leather that seems like it should be adorning the glistening body of a skjaldmær to silktassel earrings and necklaces that would not be amiss if Scheherazade herself was playing with them whilst telling tales. Even though one imagines the HIND customer to be rather individualistic anyway, the brand has an offer across its collections that exhibits broad appeal with at least something for everyone to aspire to own. You won’t find repeated styles in different collections either, because that wouldn’t be fair to the designers either. Why create competition within your own brand house; this is not only fair, but keenly astute. Hearing the word, “Hind” one may immediately think of the Arabic name but, like their products, this particular brand name is more nuanced than that. Hind is the old Arabic word for India and it is the short version of the ancient name Hindustan. To secure the business moniker they came up with HIND of Kuwait to stand out on the various platforms, success however now meaning that most people affectionately reference the label with the full title “HIND of Kuwait”. The duo is determined to keep the business online for the moment; although not having a retail space doesn’t mean that they haven’t needed somewhere store the imported goods. The home of Fatma’s understanding father, where the talented artist keeps her studio, has been overrun as the HIND warehouse. To be honest the studio is now the warehouse. It is not hard to see how these two women must have charmed him to allow this, their amiable personalities belying a quiet strength that you can’t say “no” to. Nor would you want to as the business practices seem fair, the product choices viable and the way in which HIND operates faultless. As they do not have a store yet, HIND further stands out by retailing through trunk shows, sometimes up to four days in duration. These biannual pop-ups ensure footfall as customers have spent months looking forward to each seasonal show. Following HIND on Instagram keeps fans up-to-date with available items between trunk shows. Changing show locations also means that HIND can support local venues. Combining history, art and culture Dar Al Funoon, a place to share the breathtaking beauty of Islamic Arts, has been a wonderful location to house the collection recently and the structure reminds Tasneem of homes in India with their similar courtyards. “Pop-ups allow you to get to meet the customer” Tasneem says, this being an important part of the process for the two, continuing, “Dar Al Funoon speaks to the HIND brand. The location is great too because there’s so much parking!” proving the business mind that underlines what is essentially an ethical fashion label of discerning high-quality with maintaining good relationships at the heart of everything that they do.
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UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL QUESTIONNAIRE
What is your greatest extravagance? Both: Art supply/ Stationery shops.
What do you most value in your friends? Both: A good laugh, honesty, & acceptance.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse? Fatma: Madri. Tasneem: Ayla.
What is your idea of perfect happiness? Both: Getting a brand that we love to say yes. What is your greatest fear? Both: People not showing up at the show. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? Fatma: Procrastination. Tasneem: Getting carried away in the moment and saying the wrong thing. What is the trait you most deplore in others? Both: Hypocrisy Which living person do you most admire? Both: Our parents.
What is your most treasured possession? Fatma: my watercolor supplies. Tasneem: my pencil case.
What is it that you most dislike? Tasneem: Traffic. Which talent would you most like to have? Fatma: Writing. Tasneem: To be a polyglot. If you could have any job, what would it be? Fatma: Art therapist. Tasneem: Besides being an entrepreneur, hmmm an anthropologist. What would you achievement? Both: Starting HIND.
consider
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What is your most marked characteristic? Fatma: Being a dreamer. Tasneem: My talkativeness. Where would you most like to live? Fatma: On the mountains. Tasneem: Beach side. What are your favorite words to live by? Fatma: Al7amdulillah. Tasneem: Know your worth and dream.
For details on HiND's upcoming trunk show this month follow @hindofkuwait on Instagram. Buying photographs courtesy of HIND. [...Continued]
37
SHINSAWI TODAY?
The social project that changes the way you go out in Kuwait By bazaar staff
It’s Thursday night and you start asking your friends what their plans are. More often than not the answer is that there is nothing to do in Kuwait or that you have done it all before and it’s boring. Maybe you don’t have friends who want to go bowling with you. You love board games and karaoke but your friends think you’re a nerd, and opt-out. Sabikah Alzaabi, Moodhi Alghanim and Abdulrazzak Almojalhem know exactly what you are going through. And after so many failed attempts at deciding what to do or where to go, they decided to start Shinsawi. Shinsawi, Kuwaiti for what are we going to do, is their little social project. They organize events, activities and get-togethers so that everyone can always find something to do. Moodhi Alghanim is the creative genius behind the beautifully designed logo and website. By day she is a graphic designer and runs Studio AIO. Sabikah is an environmental engineer, giving her an edge at planning ahead and organizing. Abdulrazzak Almojalhem works in marketing, which explains why they have been able to hit the ground running regarding their social media, website and dealing with the public. Together they make a great team, as their skills and strengths complement each other. Being an adult can be very isolating. This is even more pronounced for expats who come to a new country and find that it’s complicated and difficult to make friends outside of their workplace. Even locals and people who have been living here for years are usually limited to the people they went to high school with or family members. As a child, we could just find the most interesting kid on the playground and ask them to be our friend. Shinsawi takes away the awkwardness of introducing yourself to random strangers. Basically, they are leveling the adult playground. The project has become so successful and popular that they almost always have to turn people away. Seating is usually limited by the available space for the different gatherings. For their game-night, more than a hundred people signed up, but the space could only accommodate twenty-two people. It was a fantastic hit. They started with Family Feud and ended with karaoke. By the end of the night the shyest people were grabbing the mic, excited about belting out their favorite songs. So far, they have also hosted laser tag, 38
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Go karting with Sabikah From right to left Moodhi, Sabikah, and Abdulrazzaq on Go-Karting day
Game Night event.
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go-karting, bowling, volleyball, dodgeball and an escape room. And they have more exciting ideas. There was also their awesome Anime Ramen night at Tampopo Ramen Shop. They brought in a TV screen to watch Japanese cartoons and slurped tasty noodles. It’s this kind of unexpectedness and diversity that makes people come back for more activities. And they are doing it all for free. Whatever is being paid, is to cover costs. The team are not making any money out of it. Actually, they occasionally end up paying out of their own pockets, to cover for extra snacks or treats. This is where the sense of community spirit is takes over, as people are starting to offer their help, from bringin in extra speakers to trying to support the project however they can. Shinsawi is committed to making sure that all events and gatherings are a safe environment for everyone involved. People who are joining in are mostly in their late twenties and are evenly split between men and women. People show up on their own and leave with newly made friends. All of the events so far have been limited to adults over eighteen because the Shinsawi trio doesn’t believe that they are equipped to handle unaccompanied minors, but also because they think adults need the time off and need space for themselves too. There are a lot of children’s events all over Kuwait all year round. But very rarely can you find something that is just for fun for grown-ups. However, they are joining up with the United Nations in November for a huge beach cleanup initiative. There’s no age limit on this one and the more the merrier! Bring your friends or maybe come make friends while fighting shoreline pollution. It’s just the thing that Shinsawi stands for. The group have a running list of things they would love to do, venues to explore and activities to try. It’s a heartening and wholesome initiative. A group of friends who just wanted to have something interesting to do, and on the way, they fostered a community and invited hundreds of people to go with them.
For more information on upcoming events and activities organized by Shinsawi follow them on Instagram @shinsawi or visit their website www.shinsawi.com. 40
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Moodhi in Go Karting.
Volleyball event
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THE CALL OF THE SEA
On the community of rowing, and exploring Kuwait’s coastline By Muna M. Al Gharabally
As Kuwait grows, daily life has gotten more chaotic. No matter who you are, or what you do, you have to deal with the mayhem of Kuwait’s road traffic and other stresses in your daily life. If, like me, you seek to find new and better ways to exercise and socialize, Pilot Gig Rowing may be what you are looking for. A certain peace can be attained bobbing in the water in a boat rowing with five other rowers under the guidance of a cox. You work as a team, rowing in tandem. No noise from an on-board engine, just the lap of the waves, the sound of the blade of your oar cutting into the water and the gentle knock of the oar between two pins as you row. Personally, I find a serenity washes over me as I allow these sounds to calm my mind while my body is exercised with the effort of rowing. The Kuwait Pilot Gig Crew is a community program. The crew is made up from a diverse group with one common interest; to row in good company. Team effort is encouraged with a healthy dose of training and discipline to help develop the crew’s skills, but at the heart of every training schedule or row is a lot of fun. 42
[Continued...]
At the helm of this community program is Hamid Qabazard. I asked him to elaborate on how this sport came to be. Our Sport, Pilot Gig Racing, evolved from being a functional general work boat that carried pilots (captains) to incoming boats to safely navigate them into coastal waters. As pilots faced stiff competition, speed was a necessary factor to reach the incoming boats to receive the commission. The fastest Pilot Gig Crew powered by six stalwart rowers and cox evolved into the sport now known as Pilot Gig Racing. When did you start this program in Kuwait? The program’s inception was in February 2017. Our pioneering team made history as we were the first Arab crew to take part in The Great River Race London 2017. In just one year our crew doubled in size and we had two boats carrying the Kuwait flag completing the race in 2018. How many boats do you currently have? Currently we have three boats, each named after a founding crew member in recognition of their contributions – but we will be building more as our crews grow.
The social rows are currently taking place on the coastal waters off Shaab, do all your rows originate from here? No, once novice rowers are more comfortable, we introduce them to the coastal waters around Khairan. The confined waters of Khairan make this location an ideal venue for uninterrupted rowing. What about the more advanced rowers? Later in the season, as the crews become more competent, we also have more advanced and longer lasting rows along the northern coastline of Kuwait Bay. These rows are full of surprises, as you may find yourself rowing across green waters or come across migrating birds nesting in any of the shipwrecks along the 70 kilometer course to Failaka. Sandbanks constantly shift in these waters and crews need to adapt their rowing cadence in order to navigate and row through some strong currents at times. This helps us to develop and train the maritime skills in our advanced rowers so that they are more adept at navigation, wind change, currents and shifting terrain. Can anybody take part in a social row? Anybody who is over 18 and in good general health may join after some preliminary training.
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The Professionals in Optics and Hearing Care International Optique
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KuwaitCL.com
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As you begin your third year, what is in store for the future? We have been proud to achieve a number of firsts already; we are the first Arab team to take part in the Great River Race London in 2017 and when we returned in September 2018 we had the first Arab woman, Kuwait’s Mona Al-Rashed, as a cox on one of the two boats we completed the 34 kilometer race on the Thames. Our aim is to continue to grow and get stronger so that we can take part in more adventures both regionally and internationally. We have grown amazingly in our first two years, with a steep learning curve. It is my wish for the program to continue to flourish and grow. We are exploring several ideas that I am very excited about; for example, we would like to offer local companies team building executive programs where we would take six employees on six rows. Over the six rows, our cox will train them to work as a team through a series of rowing exercises. We feel this type of program could be beneficial on a number of fronts such as fulfilling the needs of company’s corporate social responsibility programs whilst building better teams within companies and best of all by introducing a green activity as the power that propels the boat is not a fossil fuel, but the rowers efforts. Muna continues: I was there on the banks of the Thames on the eighth of September of this year, cheering the two boats with Kuwaiti flags fluttering in the breeze. Over 320 boats took part, and although I did none of the hard work of rowing the course, I felt joy for knowing the rowers in those two boats. 44
[...Continued]
The sea is calling me now, pulling me away from the hurly burly of daily life, and I long to be back on the waves with my crew making calming music as our oars cut into the water and propel us onwards.
Currently, the Kuwaiti Pilot Gig Crew are running their training program three times a week (open to cancellation if weather or sea conditions are poor). All schedules and media can be accessed through their Instagram page @kwt_pilot_gig.
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truth or dare
ZAINEB ARNDT
Get to know the woman behind the brands at beautique cosmetics intl. By bazaar staff
Zaineb Arndt redefines what it means to be a Jill of all trades. She’s been a magazine editor, a freelance writer, a pizzaiolo, a visual branding assistant, and a visual merchandiser. And don’t be fooled by the job title, she doesn’t stop at it. She’ll do what needs to be done to make sure things run smoothly. Her education is just as diverse and varied as her career. Zaineb studied Photography, Nutrition, Public Relations, Advertising, Applied Communications, Psychology and Fashion Styling. Today, she’s the International Brands Manager at beautique cosmetics intl. A friend of hers sent in her job application and told her that this was a job with her name on it. Ironically, Zaineb had always considered the fashion and food industries but never beauty. However, her experience in multiple industries and roles cultivated a strong work ethic, attention to detail, an ability to wear different hats and a positive can-do will-do attitude. All of which, made her the perfect person for the job. She has been pleasantly surprised by how much she has fallen in love with the beauty world. She manages a number of different brands and has to work with parent brands as well as her local team to make sure that products are being sold, marketed and used in a way that mirrors the brands’ visions. She also has to make sure that advertising material is aligned with the local clientele’s needs, likes and what they are attracted to. She needs to be culturally sensitive and market smart. It’s a difficult market to break into. Kuwaiti women are exposed and have access to the world. They’re savvy buyers that value and love luxury brands. Hair, beauty and makeup can be extremely powerful tools of self-expression. Consumers use them to create a self-image that communicates who they are to the world and Zaineb loves being part of that world. When I asked Zaineb about emerging beauty trends she told me that hair is going to be bolder and brighter than ever. We’re already seeing undercuts and unicorn hair and it’s definitely not going away. Coconut oil, charcoal and face masks are going to dominate the shelves. Korean brands are proving very popular too. But her favorite brand right now is Leonor Greyl. It’s an French ethical brand that is good for the 46
environment and is trying to repopulate the bees. Our bazaar tip? The curling spray is out of this world, and leaves your natural curls feeling soft and bouncy—no more crunchy curls for our team of natural-haired editors! Our favorite thing about Zaineb is how dynamic she is. But she’ll tell you that you need to be patient at everything you do. She’s constantly on the lookout for self-improvement
and improving the world around her. Her main concern is to see people and things grow and flourish, and she absolutely loves seeing everyone at her company shine in their own light. But if we had to boil down Zaineb’s daily goals and ambitions to one statement, it would have to come down to this: Her modus operandi is to show up, do the work well and stay prepared for whatever comes in the future.
TRUTH OR DARE QUESTIONNAIRE
How would your mother describe you in one word? Whimsical. How would you describe your mother in one word? Radiant. What is the most ridiculous question you’ve ever been asked? I wouldn’t keep it in my memories. What is the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done? Probably moving from London to Australia on impulse. What is your theme song? “Vision” by Gemini. What word in the English or Arabic language do you wish you had invented? Dala3! You can use it in so many ways. Where would you like to live? What is your dream retirement location? I’d like to live in several cities and eventually retire in Hawaii. What is the first famous quote that comes to your mind? “If you stumble, make it part of the dance” Anonymous What animal best describes the kind of partner you’d be interested in? A dolphin. Sweet, social, playful and highly intelligent. What do you miss about your childhood? Having all the time in the world to play videogames with my brothers. If you could change your name, what would you change it to? I love my name! How would you describe your handshake in one word? Contingent. What is the toughest part of your character? My spirituality. Who is your favorite historical figure? Charlie Chaplin. What in the world do you least desire? Malice. What do you think is lacking in the world, which if there was more of would make the world a better place? Empathy. Why do you think most girls/guys like you? My undeniable charm… just kidding! God knows!! Finish this sentence: “Happiness is a thing called…” FOOD!
Want more of the amazing Zaineb? Follow her on Instagram @zainebism. For more information on beautique cosmetics intl.’s brands and latest news visit their website www.beautiquecosmeticsintl.com. 47
HARRY POTTER AND THE CHILLI BEANS Potterheads will love this magical collection By bazaar staff
The Wizarding World a.k.a. the Harry Potter universe is full of instantly recognizable eyewear. Albus Dumbledore wore his famous half-moon spectacles. Minerva McGonagall and Rita Skeeter’s glasses showed up as markings when they were in their animagi state. And if you need to see wrackspurts, you need a pair of Spectrespecs. But, none are as iconic as Harry Potter’s round glasses. When J. K. Rowling introduces readers to Harry for the first time she describes him as having a “… thin face, knobbly knees, black hair and bright green eyes. He wore round glasses held together with a lot of Sellotape”. Which Hermione Granger fixes with the use of an Oculus Reparo spell. Diehard fans have argued incessantly since the books came out about why Harry’s vision was never magically restored. When asked why the protagonist wore glasses, J. K. Rowling said that one of the reasons she wanted to give Harry glasses was because she grew up wearing them and disliked the stereotype of the bespectacledsmarty-pants. Glasses don’t make you smart, as we have seen Harry constantly makes stupid decisions. You could also think of them as lenses through which the story unfolds, the books after all, tell the story from Harry’s perspective. Aesthetically, they are similar to the glasses that Harry’s father wore, and it was a way to create a visible bond between the two. It is irrelevant now, since his glasses will be forever stuck in our collective memory as one of his defining features. The good news is that now, you can buy your very own pair. Brazilian eyewear and watch brand, Chilli Beans is releasing an exclusive and limited collection of six versions of Harry Potter related glasses, sunglasses and watches. The iconic round glasses come in kid and adult sizes. You have an option of six different finishes including 18K and 24K gold plated versions for the über posh witch or wizard. And if you look closely you will notice hidden messages on some of the models on the temple tips. Or perhaps you would prefer a Deathly Hallows, a lightning bolt or a skyline of Hogwarts on the frames. If you don’t need corrective eyewear, you can still show your Hogwarts House pride with a pair of sunglasses. The watches in the collection are a fun addition to any wrist. The aspiring seeker, can go for the Snitch watch, inscribed with the last message left for Harry by Dumbledore. If the darker side is your thing, the black Death Mark is evil in a good way. And finally, the Deathly Hallows watch. You might not have an invisibility cloak but this is definitely the next best thing. But our absolute favorite pair in the entire collection is the Spectrespecs sunglasses, because just like Luna Lovegood, we are unafraid of being ourselves. 48
Check out Chilli Beans at The Avenues, 360 MALL, Marina Mall, Al-Fanar Mall, The Promenade, Saveco and Al-Kout Mall. Like Chilli Beans on Facebook.com/ChillibeansArabia and Instagram @Chillibeans.arabia or Contact them by calling 9993 6046.
KIB
HAPPINESS IS FREE It's also an inside job
By Dr Susannah Joy Schuilenberg
There is no amount of money, power, status, achievements, or success that will guarantee happiness. If you can find five minutes a day to keep a gratitude journal, science has proven that you can increase your overall happiness by as much as ten percent. That increase in well-being is exactly the same as doubling your income. What happens to us psychologically when we keep a gratitude journal is pretty amazing. It puts us in what researchers describe as a positive feedback loop—and starting one is a lot easier than you think.”* Life is difficult, along a continuum, for everyone. There is no strata of society in any culture which does not experience major life problems that make living hard. Clients are the “wild card” in therapy. If you decide before we begin that you are going to endure the emotional discomfort of learning a new way to think about yourself and about your circumstances, you will reclaim your life. If you decide now you're going to live with the (metaphorical) dust and rubble of tearing down your existing internal framework and building a new and more functional one, you'll create an internal landscape that is a place of peace and a source of strength. This is a key component of therapy. We truly don't ask clients to things they don't have the capacity to do. But we do ask clients to turn inwards 50
and self-reflect - something that most of them have done everything they can do to avoid...because it hurts. This effort to avoid acknowledging the depth or breadth of the pain they carry often drives the addiction in their lives - workaholism, volunteerism, drugs, alcoholism, gambling, perfectionism, food, and so much more. We start small...with a gratitude journal. I ask clients to practice gratitude and many find this very difficult. Long-lived habits of focusing on what's going/gone wrong make it difficult to think another way. “Even if your life is a complete shambles, most likely you can begin with: I woke up this morning. I am presently not on fire. I have food to eat.”* True, right? As mental health professionals, we hear some of the most horrific things; Experiences in people’s lives that are traumatizing and truly life altering. Thankfully, the capacity of human beings to recover themselves from the most egregious and painful experiences is truly amazing. We know from research that when life is difficult the most resilient individuals are the ones who find things every day to be grateful for...and as mental health professionals, we see the truth of this nearly every day. Billy Manas, writing for Elephant Journal, highlights the impact of focusing on the things in life that we can be grateful for or about. Does this make the problems of life go away? Of
course not. What it does do is allow the individual purposefully practicing gratitude to draw on the resilience, strength, creativity, and intuition that absolutely every human being possesses. Pain, hardship, trauma...these are also part of the human condition and where we focus our minds determines the resources we have to draw on for problem-solving, stamina, and vitally, emotional health. Our internal landscape then becomes a source of strength and resilience and we can face any problem in life with confidence and hope, even those perpetual problems that may never go away. When we cultivate gratitude as a practice, we find equanimity in the face of hardship. As difficult as that might be to read this right now given your personal circumstances…it is still true. Happiness is an inside job, entirely dependent on the quality of our thinking. Research says the quality of our thinking rises measurably when we choose to be thankful. For your own sake, try cultivating a habit of gratitude. For 30 days find at least 3 reasons every day to be thankful. Write them down. At the end of those 30 days, go back and read all the entries. Rinse and repeat. Dr Susannah is a leading psychologist, registered professional counsellor and Master Practitioner in Clinical Counselling based in Canada. For more information, please follow @DrSusannah on Twitter and Instagram and stay tuned for her latest updates.*Billy Manas, edited by Catharine Monkman; Elephant Journal; www.elephantjournal.com/2018/10.
KIB
SRVME
The app that wants to upend the maintenance service industry
By bazaar staff
Sarah Al Yaqout and Ayat Al Ali
The Air Conditioning has stopped cooling. The sink is clogged. And your main electricity just shorted. You’re probably having a mini panic attack because you know how this is going to go. You will call a repair man or company, they will promise to show up any time between 9 am and 9 pm. And if he does manage to come to your house, he quotes you an arm and a leg and says he will pop out for a spare part. The next day he comes back, fixes it. Two days later, it’s broken again. 52
[Continued...]
We have all been there. Enter Srvme, a service that just launched in August that wants to disrupt the entire maintenance industry. As a user, the process becomes so much simpler. Download the app, book a technician and they should arrive at your door in less than two hours. You are quoted a flat hourly rate which you can easily pay using KNET or credit card, so no more rummaging for cash in your wallet. Cash works too! At face value, it seems like it is just another directory service. However, Srvme is an on-demand services platform. They are the mediator between service providers and the people who need it. An algorithm was built from scratch that finds you the best person for the job, who can get to you the fastest and who has been rated the highest. A repairman who has received low ratings gets automatically blocked from the system. Which is why it is really important that you honestly rate the technician. It helps the software do its job better.
Sulaiman Al Khubaizi, Sarah Al Yaqout and Ayat Al Ali have been working on it for the last two years. Sulaiman and Ayat focus on growth and business development while Sarah handles all of the marketing and PR. And that’s just their primary job titles. The trio juggle logistics and day-to-day management of everything else. And if you think they employ a huge team, they don’t. They only employ three more people to help with all the tasks at Srvme. They have been planning every little detail and thought of everything, so you don’t have to. They have already rocked the boat by being the first people to introduce a flat hourly rate to repairs. The flat-rate makes it more affordable for homeowners and renters but means that the maintenance companies might be losing some profit. Service Providers were resistant to join in the beginning and were unsure if it would be profitable for them. But the way the algorithm works
KIB
Secure your service
means that if they can deliver consistent, reliable service they get more work done in less time and make more money in the long run. Everybody wins. Resistance comes from individuals too. Many of us prefer sticking to the devil we know than the one we don’t. But the app is so easy and simple to use, even technophobes can find their way around it quickly. And knowing that you don’t have to wait or guess at how much your bill will be is good for your blood pressure. You can easily track your repairman’s location while he is on the way to your place using the app’s built in GPS. It is an added layer of safety too, instead of letting random people into your home, you know that there is a company that knows exactly who has been assigned to your job and how long they stayed. Everyone who works for Srvme is vetted. Their security checks are comprehensive and a safeguard for you. The service is available 24/7 but is subject to the availability of the availability of the repairmen but it does mean you can find a plumber or electrician on the weekend when you would normally have had to wait. Alternatively, you can book in advance at your convenience. They are so confident in their service that they offer a warranty on each job. If something breaks down 54
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Manage your home-maintenance bookings
after they’ve sent someone to fix it. You use the app to claim warranty and someone is sent to make sure it is repaired right away. It is so much easier than begging your plumber to come back and fix your faucet after he botched the installation. Their confidence is not unfounded either. A large portion of their business is B2B (business to business). NEJOUD, the restaurant management company, uses the service for their maintenance needs. Companies don’t need to pay for expensive maintenance contracts anymore. Srvme is an on-demand service, cheaper and faster than the older way of doing business. As of now the app’s interface is available in Arabic and English for both iOS and Android devices. Service providers get their own app, too. And there is a specialized dashboard that they use at the Srvme HQ to monitor everything. Because their initial planning was extremely diligent and detailed, they have added so many functionalities, and these will need time to be implemented into their workflow. The team makes sure that every customer is happy. They routinely call their users and handle complaints directly and quickly. They are responsive on their social media accounts and want to make sure that everyone is satisfied after a job is done. The number of users
signing up with jobs completed is already in the thousands. And even though they are a startup, they have managed to secure all of their own funding without the aid of an incubator or an angel investor which is impressive in this day and age. The Srvme founders have even bigger goals. They are adding carpentry and painting to the types of jobs that they offer. They want to add more languages to the apps to make them easier and accessible for everyone. And they have set their eyes beyond Kuwait’s borders. They believe in their new model of the maintenance industry. They want to bring fairer transparent pricing to everyone. They want to help organize and restructure the way service providers do their work so they become more efficient and effective But most of all, their biggest and one true goal is that you, the end customer is happy and satisfied.
Download the Srvme app from your Apple or Google Play Store today. For more information visit their website www.srvme.com or follow them on Instagram for the latest updates @Srvme.kuwait.
KIB
SIX APPS TO HELP YOU DE-STRESS
These expert-recommended apps will help you keep your cool in every situation
By Lindsay Tigar
Even if you love your job and mostly look forward to heading into the office each morning, it’s impossible to avoid all work stress. Whether it’s a demanding quarter, an overbearing boss, or your social life ripping at the seams, maintaining your cool is among one of the most underrated soft skills. While your go-to spin class might serve as your therapist, studies have proven that technology can offer a multitude of calming and grounding benefits. Among the most recommended are wellness-training apps that do more than capitalize on your zen, but also help you identify triggers and patterns. As psychologist Antonia Hall explains, “Most wellness apps offer exercises and skills for stress and anxiety reduction, such as deep breathing exercise and mindfulness techniques. The better apps are designed using scientifically proven psychologybased practices and have a support network users can tap into.” Here are six expert-recommended apps to open up when you feel like you might lose it. REATH2RELAX For an app that doesn’t feature many bells and whistles but is rated well by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, Hall recommends the appropriately named Breath2Relax. Here, you can use tried-and-true stress-relieving practices like deep belly breathing to reduce stress hormones like cortisol, stabilizing your mood and making you better prepared for your next client meeting. HEADSPACE You have your work priority list, your “someday” list and the list of things you know you should be doing that you’re not doing. Is”learn to meditate” on the last one? If so, life coach Sarah Stewart recommends Headspace as the best choice for beginners, since it provides a step-by-step path toward bliss. “This daily guide takes 10 minutes, calms and centers you, and will help you learn a skill and build a habit,” she explains. Within the interface you can set timers, reminders, choose programs and practice your weak points. CALM If both your desk and your calendar are colorcoordinated, you might enjoy a customizable app experience. Chief engagement and brand officer at EHE Joy Altimare recommends Calm for a more personalized approach to decreasing your anxiety levels. Altimare explains when you first log in, you have the option to choose your background noise and soothing imagery—from waterfalls to the ocean— before selecting a program. “It really lives up to its 56
name: people instantly feel calm when they use the app, and it offers a large variety of meditations to choose from—such as body scan, walking, guided or unguided meditations,” she adds. PACIFICA Everyone has that pit in their gut: the one that tells them when something is off and you need to address it. Many professionals might feel it intensify during a heated discussion with a colleague or with a specific client, but they can’t nail the root cause of the discomfort. For long-lasting benefits, Hall recommends Pacifica, which uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques to teach users about their personal pressure points. When you understand where your sense of feeling overwhelmed is coming from, you’ll become better equipped to manage it effectively. 10% HAPPIER Once one issue rears its complicated head, do
you find yourself spiraling toward shuttered-door doomsday? Hypercompetitive workplaces can cause you to go into a fit of panic. To tame these naysaying demons, Altimare recommends 10% Happier, developed by Dan Harris, which aims to help develop mental soothing methods. In addition to a variety of programs, themes, and instructors, you can also track your progress, set goals, and more. ERRANDS TO DO LIST While meditation has obvious perks, Stewart explains that organizational apps present similar benefits, since they help you collect your thoughts. When you aren’t worried about your scattered schedule and email, you will spend less time obsessing over the details. For her, the best on the market is Errands To Do List. “If you have a lot of details to handle and have the anxiety of forgetting something, this will be your new best friend.” Photo by Aarón Blanco Tejedor on Unsplash.
Jumeirah
SIMPLY PUT, IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO BE WISE We’re talking Eidiyas to WISE investments with Gulf Bank’s AGM- Investments— Consumer Banking Tareq M. Al- Saleh By bazaar staff
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aneuvering the bazaar wheels through the traffic packed city streets to the iconic Gulf Bank Headquarters is as difficult as we imagine the next interview topic is going to be. Finances, investment portfolios, trade funds, this isn’t our forte and quite frankly it’s doubtful we will ever have the money to play in these confusing areas either, right? Wrong! Gulf Bank’s AGM- Investments—Consumer Banking Tareq M. Al- Saleh gives bazaar the low-down on the easiest way to invest with Gulf Bank’s WISE, the latest and simplest financial service. Greeting us with a broad and friendly smile we’ve decided to conduct the interview with Tareq in a lovely corner office on the fourth floor; all dark wood features and large windows. You can clearly see through the inner glass wall of the Jean-Robert Dello designed building to the free-standing concrete elements which make this building, finished in 1974, so iconic. Similarly, this is what WISE represents. Gulf Bank takes you through a completely transparent way of investing with your own personal assigned advisor to guide you through the WISE investment process. It is a product that Tareq is rightly proud of and opens up investing to a completely new audience with WISE’s ten thousand-dollars (approximately KD 3,000) minimum investment, and no hidden penalties nor additional fees vision. Growing up, did either of your parents or anyone else in your family advise you on finances? My family did, especially during the Eid holidays which for me is a vivid memory of joy and celebration. With the Eidiya, you would get a lot of money, and, yes, enjoy some when you would buy your toys. But, my parents would urge us to save as well putting the rest away in a savings account, old school, with a book you would write down your deposits in. The bad side about growing up is that now, you have to give out Eidiya! What was their best piece of advice? You have to have something today in order to service you in the future. You never know what circumstances you can come across, what’s going to
happen. This was part of our thinking when it came to designing the WISE platform; after the [1990] invasion, that experience affected a lot of people, and now many people are aware of the benefits of having investments in the international markets. Your background from the very beginning of your university career in 1990 was in economics, what was it about that subject that interested you at such a young age? I was always fascinated with finances and with how countries overall operate, writing and blogging about it. Even after graduating, I joined the Kuwait Economics Society, eventually becoming the chairman of the society. What was your inspiration behind creating the WISE investment product? As a lot of people don’t have access to international markets, we thought ‘How can Gulf Bank give them this access?’ Instead of going to a diwaniya and losing my money in the latest or hottest stock, which, if it’s being talked about, is probably at its peak, it was clear to us at Gulf Bank that people need to invest in international markets in the proper way. That’s how the story started, we had to find an innovative way to address this need and we created this platform using the latest technology so that Gulf Bank customers can invest in an educated, diversified, long-term manner. In summary; it started with the customer’s need to invest in the international market, to do it in the right way, to give them that access with a relatively low amount of money [ten thousand dollars], in a very reasonable, easy and cost-efficient way. Why ten thousand dollars as the minimum investment amount? We wanted to hand-hold customers. So, it’s a reasonable amount to get started, and at the same time we can manage this with the [advisors] resources that we have. We want to make sure, especially initially, that we have the time to give customers advice and not just leave them alone with the platform. The amount needed to be the right balance between an amount that is reasonable for a large section of society and to allow them enough to have a meaningful dialogue with an investment manager. Having an investment portfolio or a certain amount of savings, which would you advise someone in their 30s to focus on? If you invest your money in the right way, you’re not
going to lose it. You have to invest in a diversified way and you have to invest for the long-term. Why not stick your money under a mattress or in a couch? In reality, you end up losing that way. You need to generate growth with your money and achieve a return or you will lose out because of inflation. What is the single most important thing about WISE that makes it different to other personal investment financial products? There’s a social aspect to what we are trying to promote; it’s of great benefit to society. WISE is simple, transparent and cost efficient. One low management fee with no hidden costs, no exit penalties, no minimum time, just very simple and straightforward. At the end of the day; it’s a philosophy and we very much want to make sure that we are very much aligned with our clients. It’s easy; in less than ten minutes you can have a wellbalanced diversified investment in the international market that suits your requirement. WISE is transparent; you know exactly what you’re investing in, you can track it anytime and anywhere on your mobile device or online, and it is cost efficient. It’s nice that it’s a business that is well-aligned with Gulf Bank clients, and at the same time promotes a social message that is so important. How do you combat hyper-consumerism by investing for the future? Build that safety net, build that habit to save, and invest in the right way, it doesn’t contradict you taking risks but it’s always beneficial to have that safety net because you never know. If you have the right investments portfolio set aside that is growing, you can take more risks. I think it’s powerful. It gives you freedom. In life, is it ever too late to start investing? [Tareq smiles] Simply put, it's never too late to be WISE.
For more information about WISE, please visit the website www.gulfbankwise.com. Photography by Tareq AlAskar @UrbanQ8films for bazaar Studios.
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bazaar tries
A ONE DAY VACAY
A modern adventure on Failaka Island
By bazaar staff
Ask most people if they fancy a journey to Failaka and typically the reply can be a bit dismissive or uncomprehending, “Why go? There’s nothing to do there”, “It’s derelict after the invasion!” But there is something deeply compelling about Failaka, only 20 KM from Kuwait’s coastline. This island has resonated throughout thousands of years of human existence. Sumerian-Akkadian cuneiform carvings have been found, the remains of Hellenistic forts and temples exist; Byzantine era Nestorian Christian churches have been excavated, and 9th Century AD pottery has been uncovered. People have lived, breathed and worked this land from before the third millennium BC to the Twentieth Century with the 21st Century offering the scent of a renaissance to this giant of an outpost. 60
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Armed with adventure in mind I marched down to Marina Crescent and the sizeable office which is airconditioned, boasts a large glass front, and displays a model dhow in the window. The sales person was very helpful, detailing the buffet lunch and activities included in the ticket price, and that the heritage village sits within a resort. “The boat leaves at 12 noon so please be here at 11.30 am” the salesperson emphatically asked us. Friday morning rolled around and my British friend was waiting by 10.58 am. Being excited, I rocked up at 11 am. At noon they gathered us up and put us onto a water taxi where we waited until 12.15 pm when four generations of two Kuwaiti families ambled along the pier and onto the boat. It turns out one of the families was from Failaka and still owns three houses on the island. Less than half an hour later the waters turned an arresting aquamarine in the sunlight and became sparklingly clear. Failaka was upon us, its beaches sandy white set against a sky so blue it felt like we were journeying into a completely different place, a holiday destination.
After bouncing up the blue, air-filled plastic buoy jetty, which is a joy in itself, we took a bus to the Heritage Village Resort reception where we were shown a map to the resort so we could plan our day. We decided to build up our energy for the next 8 hours by chowing down at the buffet first, secretly hoping we’d walk off our indulgences while exploring. Apart from the family on the boat it turned out we were only sharing the island with a boys’ soccer group. November is the ideal time to visit Failaka, with it getting steadily busier as the season goes on. We headed across the vast courtyard to the Palace Museum guided by the sight of cannons set at either side. We opened shut doors to find displays of island life, 20th century photographs of excavations, a diwaniya with an antique gramophone in the corner, a guns and ammo collection alongside the prerequisite taxidermy, a family room, and a bedroom fit for Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Mubarak Al Sabah. Meandering through the resort was a delight, with overgrown green grass and lush bushes lining the walkways, birds singing and the occasional cat sunning itself or being fed by the security guards.
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We found pottery and art shops, an AstroTurf soccer pitch, a large pool with flume slides [be they short], a Caribbean style hotel with a stunning courtyard and spiral iron wrought staircase feature. The walk took us up to a straight road that runs along the top of the resort and we crossed over to view the zoo directly across from us. It was one single, large fenced off area filled with deer, goats, chickens, geese and a mother cat taking a break from her four boisterous kittens. We came packing carrots and green apples, and gave the greedy goats most of the carrots and the single baboon in its small, muchrepaired cage, devoured the apples but discarded the skin. Beggars can be choosers, it turns out! Having spied and taken note of the location of the stables, we rushed back to reception in time to catch the island bus tour at 4 pm. It was on this tour that the true devastation on the island could be seen, with derelict buildings, bullet strafed walls ridden with holes, collapsed mortared homes and chalets, where once families would play by the beaches, completely torn apart. But here there were signs of activity; wildlife had made these ruins their homes and chattering birds busied themselves surviving well in the rubble, protected by what had been destroyed by people. It reminded me of Chernobyl, but only in the way that similarly there the flora and fauna have reclaimed the area as their own after human arrogance ravaged it so badly. Subdued, we drove on to the camels. A blonde herd of dromedary tall ships being fed by their caretakers, themselves sun wizened. The beasts are wonderfully majestic and all thoughts of 1991 are put to the back of our minds as we all pile out of the bus to get closer to these incredible creatures. We returned to the stables to jump on the backs of the horses which have been saddled up, ready for tourists. We fed them the rest of the fresh fruit and veg we have with us and the stable hands happily showed us Jennie, their donkey, grazing out the back separate from the horses. Around the corner is a painted wooden cart and it looks like this may be used for tourists in late winter. They also tell us that there’s sometimes a camel for rides back in the center of the resort, but it’s not there every day. It certainly was not there on this day. Dusk was falling and we walked down to the beach resort, spotting large tables and benches to rest on. Set in the sand are tiled shower stalls and running water to clean up with after you’ve been swimming and kayaking in, or jet-skiing and paddle boarding on, the waters. An evening swim is exactly what was in order and the pier wrapped in twinkling fairy-lights is beautiful to behold as you float in the sea. It’s been a long day with a few more hours to go but it’s too dark now to head up to the lake where there are paddle boats to use. We chose the 12 noon-10 pm day trip but may try the 10 am-5 pm day trip the next time as it will be cooler weather and we can do more of the outdoorsy sporty stuff, of which there really is plenty. For more information follow @ikarusmarine on Instagram, or pop along to the ticket offices of IKARUS United Marine Services near the Starbucks at the end of Marina Crescent, Salmiya. Read more about our Failaka exploits on www.bazaar.town. 62
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Crocs
ASIL ATTAR AND O’S INFINITE CIRCLE Alyasra Fashion launches O, the ultimate multi-brand destination for glamorous accessories By bazaar staff
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The Alyasra Fashion team and guests all smiles at the O launch event
Asil Attar artfully arranges a selection of accessories fit to make a typical, little black dress come to life, intent on showcasing a specific curve of a pair of earrings, or the sheen of a precious gem stone adorning a necklace. While the vibes at O are abuzz with excitement, hurried voices making last minute adjustments right before alyasra Fashion’s latest accessories lifestyle multi-brand boutique launch, there’s a calm air about Asil. She admiringly glances at every piece in the shop, moving slowly to ensure that everything is ready for the launch ahead. This is Asil’s discerning eye for detail, ever present in every detail at O.
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What began as a journey into interior design for Asil organically evolved into an impressive career in fashion. She explains that, as a creative, a career that harnessed her passion for creativity was a natural stepping stone for her. “In the 1990s, everything turned into lifestyle, hence my start with Armani Casa. Interior design became intrinsically linked with lifestyle, and fashion naturally fell in that area. This triggered my passion for the field, and I later joined Harrods for my first foray into fashion.” Decades later, Asil has earned accolades for her visible imprint on the luxury fashion industry, and is ranked amongst the top 100 on Forbes’ Middle East Most Influential Women in 2018. Today, her current position as CEO of Alyasra Fashion is one that is filled with opportunity, inspiring vision and a transformational approach that we can clearly witness at O. As a Middle Eastern woman in the luxury retail industry, one would assume that this comes with its own set of challenges, but Asil’s disruptive perspective begs to differ. “I never thought of it like that. My career has always been an ambition, and everything I earned is through merit and hard work. People do not judge women for being women. I work hard and I earn my career. It’s about following your dream and not about your gender.” For like-minded individuals looking to follow in her footsteps, Asil believes that “you should always work hard, nothing comes easy. Be confident, and fill your mind with knowledge because knowledge is power. Go for your dream, because there’s no such thing as the sky is the limit as it goes beyond that.” She further emulates this perspective at O, as the store is abundant with possibilities in its selections. Asil tells us more about O, “O is born in Kuwait and arrives as an accessories multi-brand lifestyle concept. The letter O represents a full circle, one that is all inclusive, never ending, and presenting an infinite world of opportunity. O is an infinite gesture in terms of the collections and products that we are curating. [The products are] always new, and never repeat themselves.” Being in the fashion industry herself, Asil says that O is born out of a requirement for their customers, as accessories are essential to complete any given look. “As a women-only concept, O is built around women and their needs.” The collections at O are beyond stunning, and are curated by Asil and the talented buyers at Alyasra Fashion. Normally, any new retail concept that opens in Kuwait naturally addresses a specific kind of woman to speak to her sense of style. She’s either super trendy, or modern, or completely classic. But this attitude is not embraced at O. If anything, Asil reiterates that “O is all inclusive. Exclusive in its collections but inclusive in who we cater to. The O woman is empowered, confident and eclectic. She’s not influenced by trends alone, but by beauty, style, and uniqueness.” Perhaps this is why we absolutely love O, as we see this attitude not only reflected in Asil, but in the curated collection at O. It is timeless. While O boasts a unique mix of international designers, Asil tells us that O also stands as a platform for emerging local and regional designers, and cites Moni & J as well as Lya Lya as leading examples of regional talent that are featured at O. Also present at the launch of O was Lya Lya founder Layla Shugri, “My concept was created five years ago, and my brand is something that I worked on for a very long time. I always had the passion 66
and determination to create something for myself and Asil saw this in me.” Our conversation with Asil on local and regional talent could have lasted for hours, and she excitedly states that she would love to feature them all at O. We ask Asil if she had a favorite designer at O, “I can’t pick a favorite, we carefully curated everything at O and I honestly would love to own all the pieces!” Perhaps most telling of Asil’s passion for helping local and regional creatives is her upbringing, “I come from a family of creatives and we’ve always been supportive of the arts. We’re quite involved in this field and we appreciate beautiful things. I understand, as an individual in the creative world, how hard it is to push through the limitations, and fashion is a tough field to break in to. It can be hard for a creative to understand the world of business and commerciality, and I wanted to nurture this side as well as the creative side.” This is why Asil has devoted her time throughout her career to also mentor and coach young emerging designers, and we can see this in the curated selection at O. Asil’s philosophy for success is constantly focused around engaging her teams at Alyasra Fashion, and even the designers at O, to drive performance through respect, ethics and values. She points to the eclectic range of green-glamour handbags by Francis hearts Francis, and adds that “You could never tell that they’re completely fashioned out of recycled cardboard, the shape of these bags is amazing.” An advocate of social responsibility, Asil believes that ethical and social responsibility should be at the forefront of any business and that for a human being to have self-respect and dignity they must endeavor to make a difference to people lives. Hence her passion for exciting yet conscious brands to also be present at O, and her determination to help other designers succeed in their field. From must-have turbans (according to Asil, they’re so in!), gorgeous clutches, handbags, desirable jewelry and even an exquisitely embellished demi-couture collection, an O accessory makes for the perfect addition to every woman’s wardrobe. Better yet, it’s the perfect destination for some much needed retail therapy, Asil’s preferred way of decompressing after a stressful day. With a shop this dazzling, we wondered if Asil is looking to expand the offerings at O, and while she did tell us that O is always on the lookout for the next best thing with plans to feature more regional and local designers and open up new locations for the boutique, she also looks to establish a vintage corner at O as an ode to the 50s, her favorite fashion decade. “I’ve been a vintage collector for thirty years now. It’s a decade defined by glamour and beautiful customjewelry. It also most reminds me of my mother, who was a huge influence in my life. She was absolutely stunning, had the grace of Grace Kelly and the looks of Sophia Loren. She was very intelligent; [I remember as a child that] we read books on Marilyn Monroe and Rita Hayworth and watched their movies—so glamour is a big deal for me.” You can feel the essence of glamour at O, and Asil whole-heartedly agrees. “Consider O your treasure chest of beautiful things—one that would appeal to all women.” Shop the latest from O at Grand Avenue-The Avenues and follow @o.thebrand on Instagram. Photography by Caroline Ericson, @PixbyCaroline on Instagram. [...Continued]
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THE ART OF ARCHITECTURE Interview with Ricardas Blazukas
By Deepa Pant
Ricardas Blazukas, curator of the exhibition '50 Years Of Architecture In Kuwait' for local architectural firm Pace tells bazaar what he hopes visitors would have learned from visiting. He also interprets the idea of orientalism in architecture, his favorite architectural spots in Kuwait, more. What was the main idea behind the exhibition ‘50 Years of Architecture in Kuwait?' Four months ago, Tarek Shuaib - CEO of Kuwaitbased architecture firm Pace, invited me to design and curate an architecture exhibition to celebrate the company’s 50th anniversary. I used to work for Pace as a design architect before I moved onto working independently at the beginning of this year. Pace had fantastic content available for this exhibition. Throughout the year they commissioned numerous artists to create illustrations of some of the most interesting architectural spaces in Kuwait. I was also introduced to an upcoming architectural publication Pan Arab Modernism, which Pace is sponsoring, and used small bits of it in the exhibition. Finally, their physical and digital archives are simply phenomenal; I was very excited to have had the opportunity to spend weeks going through all of it and selecting archived content for the show. Why was the exhibition held in Al Shaheed Park? Pace wanted to hold the exhibition in Al Shaheed Park, as it was a well-connected space in the city and had a beautiful large-scale venue located in the second phase. I enjoyed the potential of this grand multipurpose hall and wanted to explore the ways of presenting architectural elements as large sculptural objects within the space. How did you approach the concept of this exhibition? My aim was to curate an exhibition, which would be simple, yet engaging - so that not only architects, but also people from non-architectural backgrounds could understand and enjoy the presented architecture of Kuwait. Conceptually, I played with materiality and color to create juxtaposition between the past and the present. Beige panels representing the sandy tones of concrete which were commonly used in Kuwait’s architecture of the Pan Arab Modernism era, contrasting with blues representing a colorful today. The displays rising out of sand is an important detail, which really sets the focus on Kuwait’s heritage and takes us back in time to understand how far Kuwait has come. The center piece of the exhibition is the iconic Kuwait Fund building re-introduced as a ‘By People, For People’ pavilion to host interviews with architects who have played a huge role in shaping the skyline of Modern Kuwait.
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In the last few years, there has been uncontrolled growth in construction of contemporary buildings in Kuwait. Do you think the regional identity and traditional language of architecture is being diluted? To be honest it is a very difficult question to answer, as the discourse on the regional identity and traditional architectural language can be endless. It is a fact, however, that a lot of new architecture is not sustainable. I understand that globalization and social media plays an important role in today’s world as the trends in general become global. A small part of me feels, however, that architects who try to bring architecture and design fashion to Kuwait still manage to miss some things in translation and make that architecture at least stylistically a bit more unique to its context. The idea of orientalism in architecture is also something that I find very interesting. I am currently working with architect Jassim Alnashmi and product designer Kawther Alsaffar on the Kuwait City Pavilion for Dubai Design Week where our narrative questions orientalism through a series of metal cast sculptures. Can you share whether there have been any particular influences in your career? I enjoy approaching architecture from a creative side. I always find inspiration within art, design and fashion. I find that these fields best represent today’s people and their culture and believe are the best ‘ingredients’ to consider when approaching new creative briefs. In general, I enjoy post-modern architecture and the influences can be seen in any type of my work, whether it is art or architecture If you were to describe your architectural style in just three words, what would they be? People. Geometry. Color. If you were to meet any one architect living either today or at any time in history, who would that be and why? I enjoy works of artists such as Ken Price, Ettore Sottsass or Steven Turrell; it fascinates me how they manage to bridge art, design and architecture. I feel that their artistic work is an endless source for architectural inspiration. If you were not an architect, you would be… I am currently trying to span between architecture, art and design as I enjoy all things creative… but if I had to choose one – then I’d choose to lock myself in a studio making paintings and sculptures every day. Name any two landmark buildings one must visit in Kuwait. Arab Organizations building is a must to visit, especially since they organize tours for the public. Also, both Kuwait Fund HQ buildings are great examples of architectural permanence in Kuwait. For more information on Ricardas Blazukas, you can follow www.ricardasblazukas.me. Photos courtesy of Ricardas Blazukas. 70
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Loccitane
THE MAGNUM PI REBOOT Could the reboot ever beat the original?
By Rick Bentley
The game plan for CBS of embracing the idea that everything old is new again continues with the launch of an updated version of Magnum P.I. If you are keeping score the one-hour detective drama set in Hawaii joins new versions of MacGyver, Hawaii 5-0 and S.W.A.T. already on the network lineup. (It's not a revamped version but Murphy Brown also returns to the network after a two decade hiatus.) The version of Magnum P.I. with Selleck that original aired on CBS from 1980-1988 continues to play in reruns around the globe. The star of the new "Magnum," Jay Hernandez, was 2 when the original series launched and he was able to see the show through the years it has been playing in syndication. The team behind the new version isn't trying to make people forget the original. Executive producer Peter M. Lenkov says: "What we're trying to do is we're trying to introduce the show to a new audience. I look at my kids. They're all over the board in terms of age range. I have four children. They don't know anything about the original 'Magnum.' When I showed them this new version, they thought it was really cool. "They actually were interested in the fact that this was based on an original 'Magnum.' So it's going to open it up hopefully, for anybody that's new that doesn't know about the original, they'll go and they check out the original. Hopefully, they could coexist, these two. The spirit of the show still exists. There's a lot of similarities, but we're just updating this thing." In the updated version, Thomas Magnum (Hernandez) is a decorated former Navy SEAL who uses the skills that helped him survive in Afghanistan to become a private investigator. He's a diehard Detroit Tigers fan who must deal with the ever watchful Higgins, Juliet Higgins (Perdita Weeks) that is. TC (Stephen Hill) and Rick (Zachary Knighton) are fellow POW survivors who are willing to lend a hand when Magnum needs them. Hernandez takes on the role after rolling up a long list of TV and film credits including Six Degrees, Last Resort, Bad Moms, Nashville, Suicide Squad, The Expanse and Scandal. He has not heard directly from Selleck but heard the former Thomas Magnum has given his blessing to the new version. Fans of the original Magnum P.I. will see some nods to the original series in the new version, from the Dobermans that make Magnum's life miserable to the Ferarri 308 that was the vehicle of choice for the detective. Hernandez laughs when he talks about how there will even be an homage 72
to the mustache that Selleck wore so brilliantly. The biggest change is having a woman play Higgins after John Hillerman starred in the role in the original. The decision was made by the producers to make that change because the original series felt like a boys' club to them. Lenkov says: "If you're going to do it in 2018, it needed a strong female voice. I think I just I loved that conflict in the original show between Higgins and Magnum. But I always saw it as there was a real respect at the core of it. And on the surface, the relationship was that they would butt heads. "I just thought playing that a little differently, playing sort of the essence of it, but playing it differently with a female character, that just felt very fresh. And I liked the idea of those two really being combative, but in a fun way. And ultimately, we'll see where it goes. As relationships grow, I'm hoping that the audience sees them as a great team." Weeks, who was born in Wales five years after the original "Magum P.I." launched, wasn't overly familiar with the original series. She recalls
watching the series at some point in her life because that was how she became familiar with Hawaii as a place for brightly colored shirts and fancy cars. Her credits range from the feature film Spice World to playing Mary Boleyn in The Tudors. Weeks sees taking on the role of Higgins as a way of bringing a new dynamic to the updated version. "They butt heads, like in the original. They still have their own agendas and they're very different in the way they do things. Possibly, Juliet is a little misunderstood by the other people. There's a reason she's there, and we'll find out more about that," Weeks says. "She has a similar background to the original Higgins in that she's ex-Services herself. "She's a little snooty. She finds the kind of lackadaisical way that Magnum does everything and his kind of roguish, just sort of 'flying by the seat of his pants' kind of way he lives life totally anathema to the way that she likes to do things. But in that way, there's a lot of interest and drama out of that."
Rocket World
bazaar goes cruising
FERRARI
PORTOFINO Exploring Kuwait with the newly launched and always iconic convertible By bazaar staff
Rosso Portofino is a lipstick-red, reminiscent of a 1950s Hollywood starlet, and the stunningly attractive form of the Ferrari Portofino, upon first sight, lives up to the promise of such a deeply alluring color.
There’s something thrilling about walking towards a Ferrari, imagining the ride that is about to come. The Portofino Grand Tourer is aesthetically so indescribably sophisticated, you can tell that under the hood the significantly improved matt-black twin-turbo V8 engine will deliver a satisfyingly feline roar. You’ll receive an exhilarating rush of endorphins too from handling this sportscar with a power unit that has been the overall winner in 2016 and 2017 of the prestigious and highly respected International Engine of the Year Award, and bazaar expects this version to win again. Settling in, and burying myself in the embrace of the plush leather magnesium frame with ultracompact seatback profile seats, arms at length, watching the carbon-fibre steering wheel lower itself into position feels like a rocket-launch countdown. The ignition is pushed into play and the engine bursts into life. Ferrari purports the Portofino to represent the perfect combination of design, performance and technology, ideal for any occasion and to drive every day. With careful remodeling, the cabin is more spacious with additional room in the luggage compartment for those last-minute weekend getaways. You can also quickly take advantage of changes in the weather while you’re cruising along as the California T replacement converts effortlessly from a berlinetta coupé to a drop-top convertible with the perfected Retractable Hard Top (RHT), now taking only 14 seconds to fully deploy up to 40 KM. The supercar also boasts additional power, so we planned to put the comfort and performance to the test with an extensive road trip across Kuwait to some of the most iconic locations to be found. Just like the new Ferrari, The Scientific Center of Kuwait is an example of classic design and the latest technology experienced side-by-side. Nestled in the center's harbor is a dhow which we pull up to the side of, tightly
maneuvering the Portofino around columns and steel wires that support the Scientific Center's sail-like structure, the convertible expertly handling the challenge, despite its 1938mm width. Exiting onto the Arabian Gulf Road, we head up to the Kuwait Towers. The twin turbo engine is specifically designed to not feel any turbo lag, and although driving through traffic lights and jams, low speeds and sometimes bumpy roads the lighter car is immediately responsive when the foot is put to the gas. Sport mode responds faster than comfort mode, as it should, but the Portofino is impressive no matter what. Slowing down by the Parliament building, designed by the same architect responsible for the Sydney Opera House, Jørn Utzon, we decide the best roads to check the handling are on the way up to JACC and along and around the underpass in Kuwait City. With a series of u-turns and lanes the 7 speed car easily shifts gear, firing up quickly on the stretches we speed up on, and the carbonceramic brakes requiring only the lightest of touches to control. Wanting to explore the handling on longer stretches we cruise over to the furthest point on our journey which is the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, the modern multiuse stadium which is home to the Kuwait National Football Team. The sportscar proved its aerodynamism, notably keeping the fuel consumption low and the emissions down. Ferrari’s engineers improved heat dissipation without increasing the radiator dimensions achieving a drag improvement of 6% over the previous model. It’s easy to see now that the curve and flow of the Portofino not only lends a sensuous form to the body but is where the aerodynamic efficiency come from. The longer drive gives us time to fully appreciate the interior design, and the passenger side is particularly noteworthy. So that the passenger can feel a part of the experience of almost being behind the wheel, the horizontal cockpit design features two
shells in the dashboard architecture with the passenger being gifted their own dedicated capacitive display. Directly linked to the main screen, it provides all information relating to car speed, rpm and the gear engaged. The infotainment system functions are controlled via to 10.25” touchscreen located at the centre of the dash, within easy reach of both driver and passenger. One signature characteristic of any Ferrari car is the meticulous care lavished on the selection of the materials, trims and assembly procedures. The Ferrari Portofino’s sporty yet elegant character highlights these aspects of the creative and design processes demanded to hone every single last detail, marrying hightech elements and materials with manual assembly and handcrafted finishes. The next journey along the sixth-ring, taking in stunning gang of looming water towers, allows us to enjoy the exceptionally comfortable and relaxing 18-way adjustable electric seats. Aside from longitudinal seat and backrest adjustment, the seat height and angle can also be adjusted, as can the side cushions and the central and lumbar regions of the backrest. The new Comfort button on the side of the front seats brings up on the infotainment display the controls for the adjustable-length seat cushion (which provides under-thigh support for even taller drivers), seat and backrest side and back support air cushions and heated seat, which we didn’t test our as Autumn temperatures in Kuwait tend not to fall below 40 degrees! Completing a circle, we drive up towards the Radisson and the Al Boom restaurant in Al Bida'a, another location featuring a dhow but this time it is imposingly set up off the water and onto land. With dusk fast approaching we decide to quickly nip back up along the coastal road to capture the sunset at Marina waves. The gorgeous headlights blink at us as we’ve exited the car looking back over at the aggressively styled Portofino, appreciating the day’s adventure in this incredible Ferrari.
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The Ferrari Portofino is available at the official Ferrari Showroom in Kuwait- Kuwait Automobile & Trading Co located in Al-Rai, on the 4th Ring Road. Please visit www.safat.ferraridealers.com and follow them on Instagram @ferrarialzayanikuwait for the latest updates. Photography by Yousef Al Nasser, @Yousefcam on Instagram.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH STEVE MCQUEEN
The incredible director tells us more about Widows, in theaters this month! by bazaar staff
Steve McQueen was already a Turner Prize-winning artist when he made his acclaimed first film, Hunger, and he has only gone from strength to strength since then with Shame and 12 Years A Slave, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture. But after taking the Oscar, the London-born, Amsterdambased director proved he still had the capacity to shock. The film world was stunned when he announced that his follow-up would be Widows, adapted from a hit 1983 TV series by Lynda LaPlante (Prime Suspect). The story concerns a group of Chicago women who are left in dire straits after their career criminal husbands are killed in the course of a job gone wrong. The quartet needs a large amount of cash, and quickly, so their leader Veronica (Viola Davis, Fences) decides that they should carry out her husband’s next planned job to get the money they need. Small business owner and mother-of-two Linda (Michelle Rodriguez, Avatar) and the much-abused Alice (Elizabeth Debicki, The Great Gatsby) agree, recruiting babysitter Belle (Tony winner Cynthia Erivo) as the group’s final member. But in a town filled with corrupt politicians and formidable men, these women will have to struggle to survive the attempt, never mind to carry off the heist. The film also stars Liam Neeson, Colin Farrell, Robert Duvall, Daniel Kaluuya and Jon Bernthal. That Chicago crime story might seem like a world away from the concerns of McQueen, but in fact, this is an intensely personal film for the director, who was swept up in the original show and has not forgotten it in the 35 years since. He explains why Widows was the film he had to make next. How long did it take you, after 12 Years A Slave and the Oscar excitement that followed it, to settle on Widows as your next film? I knew that was going to be the next feature film, for sure, even during the prepping of 12 Years. I was 13-years-old when I saw Widows for the first time on TV, and it just made such a huge impression on me. I identified with these women who were perceived to be not capable, and all they were judged on was their appearance. I identified with that, in a way. These underdogs were looked upon as nothing more than people who took up space rather people than who had anything to say or anything to contribute. And as a 13-year-old black child in London at that time, I resonated with them. These underdogs who eventually achieved something were inspiring characters, these four women. So how did you actively begin work? Was the first step bringing in Gillian Flynn, who co-wrote the script? 80
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I was already developing things when Gillian came into the creation, and she was just amazing. She's a great colleague and collaborator and partner. We're each as tough as the other, so that was great, having a person to throw things at and for things to be thrown at me. We were grappling and coming up with ideas. It wasn't a case of what this person could provide and what the other person would provide; it was actually, have we got some kind of synergy? And we did. Did you talk to Lynda LaPlante, who created the original series, as well? I did, I did. The funny thing about Lynda LaPlante is that I met her at Buckingham Palace – as you do! There was an event for the Queen, and then some of us were taken for a sort of private audience with the Queen, and she was in the line-up. I asked her, "What happened to that project called Widows?" That was in 2014. So it took another three years from that point before you were shooting in Chicago. Yes. I knew I wanted it. The idea popped into my head in 2011, after Shame, because I was in Hollywood and it was a situation with all these actors I knew, who were around but weren't working. I thought, wow. OK, you've
been carrying this for 35 years, this TV program, but you had no idea you were going to be a filmmaker. You had no idea this would be a film you wanted to make. But then it obviously was a big idea and I thought, OK, this could be a possibility, and that was in 2011. So I started going to Chicago, talking to people like the FBI, former members of the criminal world, politicians, pastors. What was interesting about transporting the story from London in 1983 to Chicago in the present day, was that Chicago is a heightened city of now. Politically, racially, in all kinds of aspects. That was, for me, the place to stick it. This story is highly fictional, but I wanted to steep this fiction in reality. Did you look to any other heist movies or crime novels for inspiration? No. Chicago. Chicago was my inspiration. Given the importance of Chicago, what was shooting there like? You've avoided all the usual touristy establishing shots but still made use of the city's incredible architecture. In the movie, you have the landmarks of the every day, how people actually live. You have a situation where you're dealing with where Belle [Cynthia Erivo] lives,
Carriage
and that project [housing estate], which is a notorious project in Chicago. When I was working there, they were erecting these 10' fences around the project, and it was heart-breaking. When we went for the first time it wasn't there, and when we went back to do another recce they were erecting these 10' fences around the projects because they wanted to almost keep people in; these kids were screaming and running around, making all these wonderful kid noises on a summer's day, and it felt they were being penned in. It felt like the obvious in some ways, it felt like a familiar story. So it was heavy. Then, going from there to Mies Van Der Rohe's home in the last building he designed [which played Veronica’s apartment], that's within 15 minutes’ drive. You go from the poorest of the poor to that. We also saw a very notorious project that was knocked down and people were rehoused in hotels. These spaces are not meant for people to spend a long term in, but people have never been relocated elsewhere. You saw the poverty and the wealth within minutes. So it's a different side, the real Chicago. In some ways, that tourist aspect of Chicago is like an amnesia. It's almost like the carpet, things have been swept underneath it. There are two worlds. One, with gun crime in Chicago and whatnot, and the notorious policing. But if you want Disneyland, it's there in abundance.
Let's talk about the Widows themselves. You've located them all in different socio-economic layers. How long did it take to get them all situated in their respective worlds? Yeah, it was long. It was long because again, the characters have to be believable. I think Belle was the first one, that was Cynthia Erivo. As far as Veronica was concerned, I didn't know what race she would be – if she'd be Latino, black, white, I didn't know. I had to figure that one out. And then Viola was the person. So again, she for me fits the Katharine Hepburn, Bette Davis, Joan Crawford mould. Greta Garbo! She has this gravitas, like those movies that were made in the '30s, '40s, '50s and were the norm, but now apparently it's weird that these people can carry major, epic pictures. I thought, that's great, OK, Viola. With Elizabeth, that again was a journey in how this Polish-American girl had been abused by her mother and her husband in some ways and not been deemed clever, just been used, and that was how that developed. With Michelle Rodriguez, she – interestingly enough – thought of her mother, got her involved into it. It's interesting because Michelle said no to me at first. So then I had to audition other women, over 100 of them, and I couldn't find anyone. I had to go back to her and say, please, can I please meet you? She said yes, OK, and we got on like a house on fire. I should ask about the men in the cast as well. Even for fairly small roles, you cast great actors like Liam Neeson or Jon Bernthal; is that to give your stars something weighty to react to? It's all about the women. All about the women! When in doubt, go back to the women. So if we're stuck making the film, maybe in the cutting room, go back to the 82
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women. So yes, we gotta give them [the men] depth and purpose. Even if it's a small role, they've got to be like icebergs. Even if it's a small role you have to sense this huge mass below. I think we've done that, I hope we've achieved that. The cast obviously bonded on set; did you expect that? A: I think I have to give a shout-out to Michelle. I think Michelle Rodriguez was a big part of that. She was the glue. She's social, so eclectic. It was wonderful, one of those things where she's the life of the party so she made that clique. Michelle was DJ'ing between scenes. I remember them shouting, 'She didn't say that!'; 'She did...'. It was wonderful, couldn't have been better. Was it a happy set overall? It was. When everyone on the set is treated with respect, it's so wonderful because everyone knows it's their movie. It's our movie. I think actors are very sensitive to their environment, and that when they feel
they are in a safe environment they go the extra mile. They feel safe to play and make mistakes. What was the biggest surprise in the course of making the movie? The thing that made me happy was that people were great, as a team. I think that's what it was. I think what this film is, it's about a situation where there are so many people these days talking about [living in] a bubble. This bubble, that bubble. And it's when people break those bubbles...
Photography by John Russo. This interview is exclusive to bazaar publishing in Kuwait and is courtesy of 20th Century Fox Middle East, @20CenturyFoxMe on Instagram.
Toni & guy
MOSCHINO [tv] H&M
Choose your fave looks for the upcoming launch, mark your calendars for Nov 8!
Just as the temperature starts cooling down in Kuwait, H&M heats things up with a high-energy collaboration with none other than MOSCHINO. Complete with logos, humor, pop culture and glamor, MOSCHINO’s creative director Jeremy Scott presents us with a collection that’s all about having fun. Every piece reveals the designer’s love for MOSCHINO’s heritage, as well as the fierce pop energy he’s brought to the brand since he started as creative director in 2013. The collection is exclusive to H&M, and will be launched in selected stores worldwide, as well as online, on November 8! By bazaar staff
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Here’s the low-down on the women’s collection: Fashion twisted Moschino’s mission is to play with fashion. For MOSCHINO [tv] H&M, silhouettes are slashed, shapes are subverted, and pieces are punctured with humor and vivacity. The classic black leather biker is cropped to an extreme high, as is a cropped stonewashed denim jacket and a cropped red padded jacket. A stonewashed denim bustier is cut as if from the waist of a pair of jeans, while MOSCHINO subverts the classic fake fur coat by puncturing a fuchsia faux pelt with gold chains, giving the coat punk energy. Logo Mania MOSCHINO’s logo is a true fashion icon. With MOSCHINO [tv] H&M, it’s now available for all, and as always with an unexpected twist. The back of a cropped black fake fur chubby is covered with a black leather patch with the MOSCHINO logo in white. Meanwhile, gold MOSCHINO letters dangling like charms from hand-embroidered trompe l’oeil chunky gold chains on a on a black hoodie dress. A collaboration with MTV plays with pop culture with a fresh logo mash up in true MOSCHINO style subverting the iconic MTV logo to bud up with the rest of the Italian brands logo on hoodies and sweatshirts. Disney Couture Jeremy Scott loves cartoons just as much as the brand’s founder, Franco Moschino. Especially for MOSCHINO [tv] H&M, Disney’s favorite characters join the party. Patched onto a hoodie dress, Mickey hangs out with Donald Duck, Goofy and Pluto. Minnie Mouse is knitted into a fuchsia intarsia sweater dress, while a merino wool mesh knit dress has oversize patches of Donald Duck and Daisy Duck. An oversized baseball sweater mesh dress has Mickey in a baseball cap, while an oversized baseball jersey shirt features Horace and Clarabelle all sporting fun fashions in keeping with the flare of the brand. Party 24/7 For Jeremy Scott, fashion is about fun. MOSCHINO[tv] H&M is a collection full of pure pleasure, just in time for the holiday season. For Moschino’s fans, every day is a party. A short black leather dress is a total party starter: buckles as straps and a chunky gold zip running all the way down the front. Jeremy believes in the “haute hoodie”, and here he’s created a parka dress that’s entirely covered in silver sequins and shine on with a gold leather motorbike jacket punctured with gold chains.
Don’t forget about those accessories! MOSCHINO believes that more is more. For MOSCHINO[tv]H&M, Jeremy Scott has created the ultimate accessories collection, filled with MOSCHINO’s legendary humor. [Continued...]
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Fret not, guys! The Men’s collection from this special collaboration is equally exciting! Here’s your very own style guide to plan your picks from the collection: Fierce fashion Live life loud with the MOSCHINO [tv] H&M collaboration – a collection full of statement pieces that subvert ideas of cut and scale. The black leather biker jacket is punctured with braided gold chains, and the black leather biker pants are fashioned with hidden knee pockets. Meanwhile, the hybrid jacket mixes blazer and hoodie. It has zip-off lapels, a faux leopard hood, multicolor front panels, and a back covered in silver sequins. MOSCHINO believes in sequins for daywear, like in the below-the-waist down jacket, which is covered in gold sequins, or the silver sequin slim-fit pants that are perfect for partying. Maximum street It’s all about attitude, with Jeremy Scott’s playful signature take on streetwear pieces that have 86
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become today’s essentials. The padded bomber jacket is printed with CDs, and its hood is a peak cap that reads MOSCHINO. The hooded anorak has a leopard clash print and the word MOSCHINO, while the black hoodie is embroidered with multiple chunky gold chains. For hitting the street, the oversize stonewash jeans have an extreme high waist and long fly that plays with codes and makes a statement. Logo mania The iconic MOSCHINO logo runs through the MOSCHINO [tv] H&M collaboration, and, as always, there’s the extra twist. Exclusive to the collaboration, a brand new logo brings MTV and MOSCHINO together. The M[tv]OSCHINO captures a pop culture movement, and is embroidered on organic cotton hoodies and T-shirts. Meanwhile, the playful new logo, H&MOSCHINO, appears on items such as the organic cotton T-shirts or the waistband of the boxer briefs in the classic leopard and chain print.
Disney Couture Jeremy Scott is a cartoon super fan. Exclusively for MOSCHINO [tv] H&M, he gives hip-hop energy to some of Disney’s most iconic characters. Oversize patches with Mickey and his crew are embroidered onto the white organic cotton hoodie, while Mickey chills next to speakers on the black organic cotton MOSCHINO logo sweatshirt. Donald Duck is DJing on the football jersey, his top highlighted with sequins, while the purple fine knit sweater shows Goofy, with his face at the front and feet at the back of the jumper.
Shop the MOSCHINO [tv] H&M collection at H&M 1st Avenue – The Avenues from the 8th of November. For the latest details check out the hashtag #HMOSCHINO, twitter and Instagram @HM @moschino, Facebook @H&M and @MOSCHINO – the official page.
Royale
TEACHING MY CHILDREN TO ‘TINK’ When moving backwards is actually a good thing
By Jamie Etheridge
It’s called tinking, the word ‘knit’ spelled backwards and it means the unknitting of a sweater or hat after you’ve made a mistake. Slowly, stitch by stitch you work your way backwards, undoing the rows of live stitches by reawakening the row beneath. For new and experienced knitters, tinking is an essential skill that can take years and countless screw ups to acquire. Without it, you will forever be at the mercy of your last mistake, unable to fix it without ripping out the entire project or stuck with it and failing to learn anything. Tinking is a great metaphor for life. When we are young, just starting out, we don’t realize that mistakes are part of the process, that they are not only common but necessary aspects of learning and becoming ‘experienced.’ I would argue that mistakes are what make us ‘experienced’ and without them we cannot develop and change. But like a new knitter facing the first dropped stitch or miscounted row, going backwards seems like so much failure, like wasted time doubled – the time spent making the original row and now the time spent unknitting it. This can be especially frustrating when you are working on a project with a deadline or when you have only limited time to spend on your favorite hobby due to work, family or life commitments. Reframing the experience can help with the frustration, can balm the sting of failure. It can also encourage you to try again. Carol Dweck has popularized this notion of reframing through her scholarship on growth vs fixed mindsets. In Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, she writes: “In the fixed mindset, everything is about the outcome. If you fail – or if you’re not the best – it’s all been wasted. The growth mindset allows people to value what they are doing regardless of the outcome. They’re tackling problems, charting new courses, working on important issues. Maybe they haven’t found the cure for cancer, the search was deeply meaningful.” Failure, in other words, is actually valuable. It’s a necessary and even a desired outcome. It tells us what we don’t want, what went wrong, what won’t work and helps to narrow the field and improve our efficiency in achieving success. I’m teaching my girls to ‘tink’. I think teaching children to recognize and utilize the lessons of failure needs to be an integral part of the education process. Utilizing techniques from nontraditional education like hands on learning, or child-led project-based learning, I give them every opportunity I can to fail. Some folks might think I’m crazy and maybe I’m going about it all wrong. But it seems that giving 88
kids a chance to learn in a non-graded environment where exploration and experimentation are part of the process is a necessary antidote to fear of failure. Babies, for instance, have no fear of failure. Everything they do is exploration and experimentation. When they fail at something (for instance, this whine won’t bring mom running, let’s take it up a notch to a siren wail and see what she does), they just try a different way. They fail and fail and fail again and that’s how they learn to roll over, crawl, cruise, walk, eat with their hands and so on. But somewhere in early childhood, we adults begin to discourage children from failing. We instill the idea that success is what matters, that achievement is the only goal and that failure is something to be ashamed of. Not all of us do this or even do it on purpose. Rather than focusing on their effort or the process, we clap or say ‘good job’ when they achieve. I still do this. Proudly yelling out ‘Good job’ when one of my girls lands a cartwheel after weeks
of her trying or when the other bakes cookies that turn out edible. And it's important and valuable to acknowledge achievement. I can see how happy and rewarded they feel when they nail something they’ve worked hard to achieve. But I also routinely remind myself about tinking. It took me two years to teach myself to knit and I still regularly drop stitches or forget which row I’m on. Mastery and confidence, however, don’t come from being too scared to fail. So, I show the girls when I make a mistake and they laugh and tease me about ‘tinking too much’... Now that’s success as far as I’m concerned.
Jamie Etheridge is a writer and mom of two living in Kuwait. She is the founder and editor of the Kuwait Moms Guide. You can follow her on Instagram at @kuwaitmomsguide or you can visit the website www.kuwaitmomsguide.com.
Bio Oil
YOU HEARD…BUT DID YOU LISTEN?
Recommended track to really set the mood: Jon Hopkins – “Immunity”
By George Tarabay
I was torn if I should, and for just one more time, write on mental health. But seeing how little progress the region has done towards this issue, I feel obligated to cater to that inner tear and tip the scale towards speaking up, not to try and tell a story, but rather present a perspective: an unhealthy mind’s perspective. [Editor's Note: Trigger warning! This is a tough read concerning mental health. Always seek help from qualified professionals.] For whatever reason, years ago, I fell into a deep depression. One that I considered terminal. Now read carefully: TERMINAL. In short, I was willing to take my own life because I felt trapped. Trapped beyond a point that I can process. I try to remember school, 9th grade or whatever, that very last class of the day. It’s pouring rain outside, it’s a bit cold, so cold you can feel it through the two jackets your mother so lovingly forced you to wear. You look at the big old white clock hanging above the door. 17 minutes until I am dismissed by the school bell. You drift again into your thoughts, your plans when you get home. You’ll eat, hug your parents, study a bit then call your friend to invite him over. You’ve drifted so long, you get excited. You look at that clock again. 15 minutes to go. You’re shredded, sad. You feel trapped. The clock entertains you, your brain makes it seem as 90
if the hands on that clock are trapping you. They move so slowly if you look. If you don’t look, they seem not to move at all. It starts to physically hurt you. It leaves a bad taste in your mouth. Someone is controlling something and no matter how much you try, you cannot change it nor can you influence the course of its action. Now let’s come back to today. You’re an adult. Your life is a shambles for whatever reason, be it big or small to you or others, there is no real scale that says what is huge and what is not. The scale is our own, and it’s so custom-built that it differs even for identical twins. Your brain, for chemical reasons, and reasons stemming from your path in life, cannot acknowledge that after dawn there is always sunshine. Your entire life feels like those 17 minutes. Every second of your day feels like those 17 minutes, but scaled up to real issues you’re facing. You’re trapped. You’re trapped. You’re trapped. You have no say. Your brain tricks you into believing you have no control. Your inner voice tells you time never passes. You’re being eaten alive by your own brain. Your mind is cannibalizing itself. It’s trying to shut off reasoning, it’s trying to keep the trapped version locked firmly inside. It doesn’t want you to be free. You muster up whatever energy you have left to outshine the darkness within, something happens: doubt, fear and insecurity rush back.
Louder, stronger flavored with pain. You’re trapped. Life seems to be dragging you down. Your brain can no longer acknowledge anything but what’s inside it. You shut off all external stimulus. At this point, you’re a Stockholm Syndrome victim. You love that trap. It’s very truthful. It does not disappoint. It’s true. It favors Murphy’s law: Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. You’re gone. Present in the course of time, yet internally, you’re in the past and you do not want a future. For once you decide to speak up, but you hear the words that trap you again: Get over it… you’re not praying… go to the gym. Those words externalize what you already feel: I cannot do anything about it. Your self-produced sentence switches from imprisonment for life to execution. The worst part: You’re your own jury, your own judge, your own prison warden, your own executioner. The next time someone tells you that they are feeling depressed: Listen. Believe me, that simple act of listening can, at times, and for someone in depression, become a verdict of innocence. To the woman who always listened: Thank you for pulling me back to a life I love. I love you. George Tarabay is a marketing expert/ Filmmaker/ comedian/Podcaster. Follow him on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, YouTube, SoundCloud @GeorgeTarabay. Photo by Oliver Cole on Unsplash.
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THE BEATLES TRIBUTE
The Beatles' 50th anniversary White Album remix and expanded box set is out this month!
By Randy Lewis
Another year, another Beatles 50th anniversary remix box set. This time, it's the Fab Four's sprawling 1968 double album The Beatles, aka the White Album, that's getting a sonic freshening up, to be accompanied in the seven-disc "super deluxe" box set by dozens of demo recordings and alternate takes of songs (more than 100 tracks in all) from what is the bestselling title of all the fabled quartet's original studio releases. It follows last year's half-century anniversary edition of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, which was greeted by near universal acclaim for the updated stereo mix and accompanying surround sound version archival recordings that hadn't seen the light of day. The forthcoming 50th anniversary White Album, out this month, brings out even more alternate takes and unreleased material because the Beatles spent even more time working up the 30 songs that made the final cut for the groundbreaking album released on Nov. 22, 1968. In fact, they piled up more than 100 takes of some songs, although not all were complete takes—sometimes they were false starts or quickly aborted attempts. The overall goal of the new mix, according to producer Giles Martin and others associated with the project, is to give listeners something closer to what the Beatles heard in the studio than what was available 50 years ago. "It's a tricky thing to do," Martin told The Times in his office at London's celebrated Abbey Road Studio. "There's one side of a fence (which is actually more the Beatles' side) that says, 'Why should we be playing outtakes? They're outtakes,'" said Martin, son of the Beatles' original producer George Martin, who once again is overseeing the anniversary reissue with veteran Abbey Road Studio mix engineer Sam Okell. "And there's the other side (of fans and Beatles collectors) that says, 'We want everything, and we want it now.'" Martin said. "I think my job, in a way, is to curate that, to balance that so that it's all valid." Along with the new stereo and multi-channel mixes of the album, the box set will include a full disc of 27 "Esher Demos," acoustic recordings of the White Album songs made at guitarist-songwriter George Harrison's house in Esher, England, before the group formally started work on the album at Abbey Road Studio in London. Many of those songs were written, or at least started, while the group had traveled to Rishikesh, India, to study Transcendental Meditation with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi early in 1968. 92
It was a typically fertile period for the Beatles— indeed, the result was the first double album of the band's music. But it also was a time in which internal tensions were building following the death in 1967 of their manager, Brian Epstein, and for producer George Martin as the band members continued to exert greater control in the studio that had once been his exclusive domain. Recording sessions often ran late in the night and the wee hours of the morning as the Beatles followed the 24/7 call of their muse rather than the regimented 9-to-5 schedule Martin and other Abbey Road personnel had long been accustomed to. It was during recording of the White Album that drummer Ringo Starr quit the band for two weeks - although the news didn't go public at the time - and then re-joined them. Three more CDs contain 50 more recordings from the White Album sessions of such songs as "Back in the U.S.S.R.," "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," "Glass Onion," "Birthday," "Helter Skelter" and "Revolution." In addition, those discs touch on other songs the group worked on at the same time that were not part of that album, among them "Hey Jude," "Let It Be," "Lady Madonna," "The Inner Light" and "Not Guilty," the latter two being songs written by Harrison. The box set includes a 164-page hardbound book that gathers reproductions of the color portraits of John Lennon, Paul McCartney,
George Harrison and Ringo Starr, and the original album's large fold-out poster with a photo collage on one side and the songs' lyrics on the other. Dozens of other archival photos will be accompanied by new introductions written by McCartney and Giles Martin and chapters detailing the recording sessions, with notes illuminating each song. The box brings to light the group's latter-day versions of songs they played during their early years covering their favorite American rock, R&B and country songs such as Elvis Presley's "You're So Square (Baby I Don't Care)," "Blue Moon" and W.C. Handy's "St. Louis Blues." The seventh disc is an audio-only Blu-ray disc with high-resolution files of the stereo and mono mix (the mono being a direct transfer of the original mono mix of the album) and DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby True HD 5.1 surround sound mixes. The White Album remix will be offered in other configurations, including a three-CD set that includes the new stereo mix and the Esher demos, also available in a four-LP vinyl edition. A two-LP vinyl edition will contain the new stereo mix. Referring to the deep trove of materials from which he and the Abbey Road team culled the selections for the 50th anniversary box set, Martin said, "It's the gift that doesn't stop giving."
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FROM CITY TO SEA The Kuwait on-road terrain challenge with the third generation Porsche Cayenne S By bazaar staff
The Porsche Cayenne S combines even more of the typical Porsche performance with excellent everyday practicality. Its powerful turbo engines, eight-speed Tiptronic S gearbox, chassis systems and innovative display and control concept with total connectivity takes both sport and comfort to the next level. Equipped with the optional Sport Chrono Package, the Cayenne S accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in under five seconds.
The Cayenne is based heavily on the iconic 911 sports car: The third edition of the SUV, which has also been enhanced visually, now has mixed tires and rear-axle steering for the first time. In addition to these typical sports car features, the on-road capabilities are further improved by active all-wheel drive as standard, Porsche 4D Chassis Control, three-chamber air suspension and the Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) electronic roll stabilization system. The appearance of the Cayenne has been enhanced using typical Porsche Design DNA. The enlarged front air intakes are clear indicators of the increased performance. The horizontal light edges mean that the SUV now appears wider and more athletic. With an exterior length increase, and a roof height reduction the elegant, streamlined impression of the Cayenne has been noticeably enhanced. The luggage compartment volume is increased by 100 litres. The wheels are one inch larger in diameter, with wider tires on the rear axle for the first time, emphasizing the enhanced driving dynamics. The distinctive, three-dimensional Porsche logo spans the redesigned rear lights with three-dimensional light design and end-to-end narrow strip of LEDs.
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The Cayenne S is driven by a 2.9-litre V6 engine with twin turbocharging. This engine, which has also been recently developed, delivers 324 kW (440 hp), achieving a torque of 550 Nm – 15 kW (20 hp) more than its predecessor. Accordingly, the vehicle accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in just 5.2 seconds (with Sport Chrono Package: 4.9 seconds). The maximum speed is 265 km/h. The Cayenne’s expanded performance range, improving both sportiness and comfort, is due in no small part to the eight-speed Tiptronic S gearbox. Shorter response times and sportier ratios in the lower gears enhance both on-road performance and off-road capability. At the other end of the expanded spread between comfort and sportiness, the longtransmission eighth gear ensures low torques, optimized fuel consumption and relaxed driving. Even on rough terrain, the Cayenne S provides straightforward driving pleasure. For power distribution, Porsche utilizes the active all-wheel drive in all Cayenne models. The Cayenne S combines three chassis concepts in one design: sports car, off-roader and touring car. A typical sports car feature is the mixed tires, which are now on wheels of at least 19 inches. The mixed tires improve stability and driving dynamics on bends.
Electric rear-axle steering, tried and tested both in the 911 and the Panamera, improves agility on bends and stability when changing lanes at high speeds. The reduced turning circle also makes everyday handling of the SUV easier. The optional adaptive air suspension with three-chamber technology significantly increases the spread between a sporty, firm connection and the driving comfort expected of a touring car. Just as before, the system enables adjustments to the ground clearance on rough terrain. With the optional Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) roll stabilization, sporty drivers benefit by changing from a hydraulic to an electric system. This switch is made possible by a powerful 48volt vehicle electrical system. Shorter response times enable even more precision in the driving dynamics – and even more comfort on moderate drives. With the innovative Porsche Surface Coated Brake (PSCB), the sports car manufacturer is once again assuming a pioneering role in the development of high-performance brakes. This world first is available as an option for all Cayenne models and consists of a cast-iron disc with a tungsten-carbide coating.
The Cayenne S offers even more potential when it comes to sporty performance. Porsche has redeveloped the Sport Chrono Package based on the model of the sports car. The Mode button on the steering wheel is one clear indicator of this approach. As well as the Normal, Sport and Sport Plus driving modes, the driver can select an individually configurable mode. Pressing the Sport Response button in the center activates the engine and transmission maps, which are calibrated for maximum performance. The Sport Chrono Package also includes a separate PSM Sport mode, in which the driver can utilize the Cayenne’s full driving dynamics. Sports cars need a lightweight construction. Following the 911 and the Panamera, the body of the Cayenne also uses an intelligent combination of alloy and steel. The exterior is made entirely of aluminum. The floorpan assembly, front section and virtually all the chassis components are also manufactured from alloy. One particular technical highlight is the innovative lithium-ion polymer starter battery, which alone accounts for a weight saving of 10 kg over the predecessor model. In total, the weight of the Cayenne when empty has been reduced from 2,040 to 1,985 kilograms
– even in spite of the significantly extended standard equipment, which now includes LED main headlights, larger wheels, ParkAssist (front and rear), an LTE telephone module including a WiFi hotspot, Porsche Connect services and anticipatory pedestrian protection. The Porsche Advanced Cockpit is fully integrated into the sporty, luxurious atmosphere. At the heart of the display and control concept from Porsche is the 12.3-inch full-HD touchscreen. A range of digital functions can be operated intuitively – including by voice control. The standard Porsche Connect Plus allows access to online services and the Internet. This includes the standard online navigation with real-time traffic information. The analogue controls on the center console are focused on the main functions of the vehicle. Other buttons are harmoniously integrated into the smartphonelike, glass-look touch surface, giving acoustic and haptic feedback when operated. In typical Porsche style, the driver has a central analogue tachometer to view. This is flanked by two 7-inch full-HD displays, which display all other relevant driving data plus additional information selected using the multi-function steering wheel. Night
Vision Assist with a thermal imaging camera is one of the most important assistance systems, along with Lane Change Assist, Lane Keeping Assist including traffic sign recognition, traffic jam assist, ParkAssist including Surround View and Porsche InnoDrive including adaptive cruise control.
For more on Porsche Centre Kuwait, Behbehani Motors Company, call 1870 870 or visit www.porschekuwait.com. For the latest updates on social media, follow Porsche Centre Kuwait on Instagram @PorscheCentreKuwait and Facebook: PorscheCentreKuwait. Photography by Yousef Al Nasser, @Yousefcam on Instagram.
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THE ART OF DJING PART 2: Get Started!
By bazaar staff
Last month we had a very brief look at the roots of DJing, the difference between how it used to be vs now, the ideal scenario in which to begin DJing and the all important first step to master in order to be on the road to success behind the decks. This month is all about getting set up and ready to mix, scratch and blend away. We need a few things to do this, and that’s where your first big decision comes. Do you want to kick it old school and get some vinyl turntables? Keep it digital and use a controller? Or meet in the middle and get some CDJs? We’ll take a look at all the options. Most would agree that it’s beneficial to be able to learn and use all formats and equipment if you can, especially if you eventually get to DJ out and may be playing at a venue that has its own gear. It never hurts to be versatile! I myself learnt with vinyl (as it was the only option when I started but I wouldn’t have it any other way), I skipped the CDJ craze and went onto using controllers so I currently have my two turntables and a digital controller with laptop. This works for me because I have the comfort and familiarity of vinyl mixing, and the convenience and speed of digital. So let’s start with the first (and in my opinion, best!) format: Vinyl. You want to try and find direct drive decks, rather than belt drive; direct drives have a stronger motor allowing you to manipulate the record better. Belt drives can slow the plater down when you touch it, and over time the belt can become worn and snap. There is an easy choice if you want to DJ with turntables; look no further than Technics, as any DJ worth their salt will tell you. Technics have been the professional DJ’s choice since they were introduced in the 1970s and for good reason-they’re built like tanks. Very strong, reliable, and if looked after they rarely break. Look for Technics 1200 or 1210, from any year (of course the more recent the better), they will probably be used so it’s essential to do your research before buying and test them where possible. Be warned that here in Kuwait, it’s extremely hard to find them though. You’re most likely going to have to import them, which won’t be cheap due to their weight. As well as that, you’re going to have a very hard time getting vinyl, unless again you import it which can also be costly. However, you can use timecoded vinyl which makes matters much easier. A timecoded vinyl is a normal looking record, that when combined with certain software and a DVS compatible device will let you play any digital track via the record. There’s plenty of information and tutorials online so go investigate, it’s a brave new world! Remember, you’ll also need a mixer to connect your turntables to, more on that below. Oh and you’ll need 100
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some slipmatts-these are felt material matts that sit on the platter and allows it to move while you cue the vinyl, hold it in place, scratch etc. There are thousands online to choose from, or you can have custom ones made to add the ultimate personalization to your set up. Next are CDJs. Again, which to buy is an easy choice as the industry standard are the Pioneer CDJs. Of course, the newer the model, the more expensive, so depending on your budget depends on which ones you would want to get. They are all consistently reliable and sturdy, though I would say to try and get the newest you can afford, just to ensure they are well future proofed (try to avoid the very first ones, for example, as they don’t have USB stick support and miss a lot of features that the newer ones have). Once again, with this option, you’ll need a mixer to hook everything up. Then you have digital controllers. These are the things you’ll see most DJs using nowadays, especially here in Kuwait. There are many different brands and models out there, ranging in price from extremely cheap to extremely expensive. While most go for Pioneer controllers, my own personal one is the Denon MCX8000. It’s a top end controller with all the pro features you could need, at a fraction of the cost of the (in my opinion) overpriced Pioneers and I can’t recommend it enough. Back to the subject of budgets, you can find decent controllers with more than the basic features for little cost, and if you look for a used one you can save even more money. The
beauty of controllers is that they are literally an all in one package-you have your controls and platters on the left and right, and the mixer in the middle. I mentioned the word mixer a few times, and it’s probably the most important piece of equipment when DJing. This is the box with all the buttons and faders that sits between your hardware, and lets you cross from one tune to the next, add effects or samples, alter volume on each track as well as EQ levels (bass, treble and mid-range) and much more. For that reason, it’s essential that you research and do your homework before buying your mixer. There are hundreds to choose from, with Pioneer again being the industry standard but so many other brands that do the same, or a better job. Think about what you want to do, apart from mixing one song into another; do you want to use samples? Effects? How much tweaking would you like to do with your set? Do you need more than the basic 2 channels? Want to learn to scratch? If you’re planning to use the above mentioned timecode vinyl, you need a mixer that supports DVS, so look out for this. As a side note, whatever equipment you chose, you can always add to your set up later on, so don’t think you’re tied into whatever you begin with forever. Also, as long as your budget allows, I would recommend to jump straight in and buy the best equipment you can from the start. If you have a tight budget then go ahead and get what you can, after checking reviews to make sure it’s reliable first, but if you can afford to go all out then do it. It doesn’t hurt to learn on the best!
Soap Box
My unpopular opinion: It doesn’t make any sense to use CDJs nowadays. During the time they really dominated, the mid 2000s was the time I had a break from DJing. Had I been active these years, no doubt I’d have got some CDJs. Most DJs that do use them use USB sticks on them, rather than CDs, and if you’re going to do that-you might as well just have a digital controller that either supports USB sticks or just use it with software (more below). Good controllers have all the features of CDJs, but are often cheaper and their ‘all in one’ nature makes transporting much easier. So, you’ve chosen your format(s). You went with vinyl (high five, friend!) or CDJs. You just need some speakers and headphones…and some records/ CDs, of course. You’re good to go! If you chose a digital controller, either alone or with vinyl/CDJs, you need to think about which software to use with it, which of course means you need a computer or laptop to run it. You can use any computer you like, provided it a) meets the software makers requirements (which you can find on their website) and b) you have space for your music. I would recommend that you try and have a computer solely for DJ/music activity; it’s better to not have too much clutter and bloatware when you’re trying to run music software, and the last thing you want is the computer shutting down or breaking in the middle of a gig! When choosing your software, I’d say the best thing to do is utilize the developers free trial options. The main programs are Serato, Traktor and Rekordbox and at time of writing, all either have a free lite version, or offer a free trial. Serato is the industry standard and works with most controllers, Traktor is a great piece of software when used with Traktor controllers, BUT can be troublesome when you want to connect a controller that isn’t Traktor branded (you can get it to work but it takes forever and a lot of tinkering, and you may find a lot of features don’t work), and Rekordbox is Pioneers in house software, mainly designed for their hardware and ecosystem. I use Serato and I’ve never been let down, so that would be the software I advise but as mentioned, it’s easy to try all options for free and work out what you like best. You can even try them without a controller, just download and have a look at the various settings and options and see what feels right for you. From here-you’re good to go! Next month we’ll look at learning the basics of mixing, blending and fading, but for now, if you’re at this stage, gather some music & just go crazy. Play around, experiment, see what every button and knob does and enjoy your time.
If you have any questions, or want advice when it comes to anything in this series of articles, mixing, equipment or anything else to do with DJing, you can hit me up on Instagram @timmybdj. 102
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That Alasalasil
HASAN MINHAJ WALKS THE LINE
How The Daily Show veteran and Netflix star keeps his comedy cutting, but not cruel By Joe Berkowitz
The unofficial theme of Hasan Minhaj's breakthrough 2017 Netflix special, Homecoming King, is Log kya kahenge, a Hindi phrase that translates to "What will people think?" The first-generation Indian American refers to the line in anecdotes that explore racism and cultural tradition— including a heartbreaking story about a hate crime committed against his family on September 12, 2001. Although he prods his audience to let go of the "Log kya kahenge" outlook, Minhaj's talent for influencing what people think has been a hallmark of his career. It's a skill he honed as a former correspondent for The Daily Show and as the host of the White House Correspondents' Dinner in April of last year. After his remarks garnered praise from both sides of the political spectrum, Minhaj teamed up with Netflix to create a weekly, half-hour talk show, Patriot Act, which earned an unprecedented 32-episode order. Here's how he uses messagedriven comedy to shift perspectives. Be cutting, but not cruel There have been two White House Correspondents' Dinners since the Trump era began, and the entertainers took decidedly different approaches. This year, comedian Michelle Wolf opted for a profanity-laced set that took President Trump and team to task. Unsurprisingly, milder jabs at Democrats didn't win her any accolades from the right. When Minhaj and his co-writer Prashanth Venkataramanujam were preparing his speech for the 2017 event, their plan was to win the audience with what Minhaj calls "angry optimism." He took light digs at members of the Trump administration and at President Trump's speculation about President Obama's faith, but he also roasted Hillary Clinton, Nate Silver, and the mainstream media. He chided [MSNBC] for constantly focusing on how the Russians hacked the 2016 election. He ended the bit by saying: "Meanwhile, everybody in Latin America and the Middle East is like, 'Ah, a foreign government tampered with your election? What is that like? Do tell, MSNBC.'" By poking fun at the network, he was able to raise a serious issue for people at home and abroad. Break out of your constraints When Jon Stewart left The Daily Show in 2015, he
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challenged Minhaj and the other correspondents to push the program's limits. Minhaj soon realized that The Daily Show and other late-night shows sat hosts behind desks with graphics positioned over their shoulders. It inspired him to try a new execution: In Homecoming King, he stood in front of a backdrop like one you'd see on a concert stage, with wall-towall LED screens showing infographics and changing colors to reflect the mood of the set. In Patriot Act, he applies the same immersive environment to a weekly news show. "Every episode, every headline piece has an infinite amount of variability [that can be extended to the set]," he says. "It doesn't have to be just a fake city skyline." Put a face on it Minhaj has learned that getting personal elicits empathy from audiences. In Homecoming King, he recalled the day, in September 2001, that he came home to discover his family's car had been vandalized. He realized that because he was born in the U.S., he had "the audacity of equality," but his father, who calmly swept up the glass, saw the crime as just "the price we pay for being here." His commitment to illuminating issues for an audience is one reason he still prefers not to craft arguments
around the 24-hour news cycle--it's often too hard for people to see the humanity at the center. Instead, in Patriot Act, he uses breaking news as a jumping-off point to explore who is affected by current events. The goal is to show viewers how hot-button issues might affect them personally, even if they feel detached from the headlines. Narrow your audience While Minhaj wants to show viewers why they should care about an issue, he also doesn't waste any time trying to reel in people whose political opinions won't budge. "I don't think anyone can bear that burden," he says. With Patriot Act, he tailors his arguments to speak to the politically agnostic--a group he thought might be elusive, until he learned that several of his (college-educated, prosperous) friends didn't bother to vote in the last election. And although the show never shies away from the country's thorniest issues, Minhaj always maintains a light touch. As he learned on his high school debate team, arguments get better scores if you can make the judges laugh. "My job is to be as funny as possible, and to tell the truth," he says. "If I can do those two things, hopefully I can reach people"--and spur them into action.
Savana
CHARITY DRIVES The act of driving and giving back
By bazaar staff
Tariq Alsamerraie
Tariq Alsamerraie is an automotive enthusiast who combined his passion for cars and charitable causes in the form of the initiative Charity Drives. Over the last year alone, Tariq has successfully organized three charity drives around Kuwait. The first, of many others on the way, was the “GT Charity Drive” which took place in November of 2017 to support the Rohingya refugees’ crisis in Myanmar. The second drive in January of this year raised funds to fight famine in Somalia. Last month, Tariq also organized a third charity drive in response to the devastating tsunami that recently hit Indonesia. He explained that “The charity drives are nonprofit, and so all the raised funds go to the cause through an official local charitable organization, Sheikh Abdullah Nouri Charity, which creates a web link for participants to donate funds safely online.” Attendees and participants were able to share their love for cars and the ability to give back. As well as having a platform to socialize and interact 106
with several automotive enthusiasts in Kuwait, while raising funds for essential causes around the world. Participants vary from 15 to 25 cars, donations can also be made without attending the actual drive. “In my opinion, the most fun part of the charity drives is seeing all the different cars and the “gearhead” conversations that go on around them. The combination of being charitable and enjoying a hobby is a win-win situation,” said Tariq. The procedure is simple, once participants have placed their donations online with a screenshot of their confirmed receipts, they will receive information of the detailed program from Tariq with outlines of timing, meeting point, the drive route, and finally the ending point. “The charity drives take place early in the morning on weekends, usually lasts a couple of hours, and include a complimentary professional photographer that takes photos and videos throughout the event,” said Tariq. The drives, so far, have taken place early Friday mornings to avoid any kind of Kuwait’s typical traffic jams. The meeting point is usually set in a
spacious parking spot in places like Murooj or Al Bida’a, henceforth the driving route starts from the main highways around Kuwait City with a few detours from the Gulf road towards Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre (JACC), or circling back to the initial meeting point. Charity Drives naturally emphasize on the importance of safety guides in their program, including following the lead car, which is driven by Tariq himself. Along with instructions of keeping seat belts fastened at all times, sticking to the route speed limits and rules. Finally, as Tariq stated earlier, there are professional photographers who will be covering and capturing the entirety of the drive, so best to avoid taking photos or videos while driving and instead, enjoy the experience as a whole! Tariq combines both his passion for automotives and charity, it is a drive that will surely keep moving forward with those who are willing to give back too. “I strongly believe that charitable work can never be enough and has no limits. Therefore, I intend to grow my quest to combine charitable work and automotive passion by organizing more charity drives for various initiatives, locally and internationally,” said Tariq.
For more information about Charity Drives, follow Tariq on Instagram @Porschekwt. Photography by Fawaz Al-Ostath. 107
geeks and gamers
RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2 PREVIEW Skip this to avoid any pre-game spoilers! By bazaar staff
By the time this issue of bazaar is on shelves, this particular writer will be suffering from a week-long, gameinduced hangover. Tiredness will be a certainty. Every limb will be screaming for exercise and movement. My digestive system will refuse one more chip or another drop of sugary drink. My TV will be begging for a break. A game 7 years in the making is now a week away from release, and not just any game; it’s the sequel to 2010’s monster hit Red Dead Redemption, from the studio that makes (arguably) the biggest game series in the world-Grand Theft Auto. I absolutely loved the first game. I remember it coming out when I was leaving the UK for the first time, and having read nothing about it but seeing the famous ‘Rockstar’ logo on the box, I thought I’d give it a go. I brought a copy, packed up my Xbox and when I arrived at the hotel in my new country, set everything up on the TV and played for days (when I should have been apartment hunting but no regrets!). I was hooked from the beginning. Set in America of 1911, you play as John Marston, a former gang member. When the government kidnaps his wife and child in exchange for services to bring down his former 108
gang, John sets out to do just that. The setting is the Wild West. Imagine any old western movie and that’s what you’re playing in. It’s an open world sandbox where, apart from the main missions you’re tasked with, you have plenty of side missions and activities to get involved with along the way. I used to say it was ‘GTA but with horses instead of cars’, if that helps you picture it! Shortly after the main game came out, they released Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare, which added onto the single player experience with a zombie-themed story (in the same setting). I never got to play this much, but I do plan on getting to it sometime next year. Feedback from the community on this expansion was extremely positive. As the release of Red Dead Redemption 2 has drawn closer, Rockstar (the developer) have announced more and more features and shown gameplay, as well as letting certain game journalists go and play the game demo. I’ve gone out of my way to avoid all of this as I do with all games that I’m eagerly anticipating, games that I believe I don’t need to wait on a review for as I already know they will be amazing. For these, I don’t like to see any kind of details, no matter how big or small; I want to discover it all for myself. Naturally, with everyone on the internet usually being ‘look at me, I know something and I have to get it out there before anyone else’, some details have slipped past my spoiler shield but thankfully nothing too big, I think. I’ll mention what I do know, so if you’re like me and don’t want to know anything, skip the next paragraph!
RDR2 will be a prequel to the first game, meaning that it will be set before the events of the first game. That leaves scope for John Marston to show up, and even be a playable character. The map is somehow linked to Mafia 3, a game released a couple of years ago, but made by the same company; eagle eyed gamers on the internet noticed that Mafia 3’s New Bordeaux location shows up on the RDR2 map, although the two titles are set in different time periods so characters from Mafia 3 won’t be showing up. The game is expected to take around 60 hours to complete, although I’m sure if you’re going for 100% it will take much longer. The dead eye mechanic is back, which is a meter that builds up allowing you to slow down time, and when aiming at your target, lets you pinpoint multiple locations for the bullets to hit. You’ll be making basecamps too in RDR2. Ok, you can open your eyes now, spoiler brigade. That’s pretty much all I know and at time of writing, I just have one more week to steer clear of the internet before I can get hands on myself. I also hope they do another story based add on, like Undead Nightmare, somewhere down the line. But until then, my phone will be off. My family have been briefed; to consider me out of the world for at least the first 48 hours after the game is released. I’ll no longer be in Kuwait; I’ll be in the Wild West. Hopefully I’ll be finished in time to tell you all about it in the December issue!
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FINDING TALABAT’S GEMS They’re not as hidden as you might think! By bazaar staff
An abundance of choice is not always a good thing, especially when you’re hungry. How often do you find yourself scrolling through Talabat, trying to decide what to order? Maybe you’re looking for something new to inspire you or it is nearing the end of the month and you are scouting for a great deal on something delicious. We know exactly how you feel. But, we’re letting you in on a top tip that can help you save time, money and more importantly, your sanity, from overthinking your lunch. You need a Talabat GEM. GEM offers pop up as soon as you search in your area on Talabat. But, there is a catch. They are time limited offers and are only available for 15 minutes from the time you see them. Once a GEM appears, you’ll see 110
a selection of restaurants in your area offering great deals. You can get up to 35% off your order with GEM offers. Not bad, right? Once you see the offers, a countdown appears letting you know that you have fifteen minutes left to order if you want to get the discount. Make sure you grab your GEM before the timer runs out! We love the way it works! We suddenly only have a limited amount of time to pick our favorite restaurant from a handful of already great choices. Instead of endlessly comparing between the different GEMs we just go with our gut feeling. And it has always resulted in a great meal. Talabat’s GEM offers are also perfect for us here at bazaar, as groupoffice-lunch-Thursdays are always more fun when a great meal comes from an even greater deal. We like to take turns choosing every week (we’re cool like that), but rest assured that we’re always satisfied. Talabat doesn’t just throw a random collection of restaurant offers at you. There is an intelligent algorithm
working behind the scenes. It intelligently lists a combination of restaurants that you’ve already enjoyed in the past, as well as new restaurants that it thinks you might like. It is like having a friend with great taste and who knows you well enough to suggest where you should eat from. Sorcery exists, after all! Great savings aside, grabbing a GEM is a great way of discovering new restaurants that you might not have thought of trying before. Check out these GEMS we found when we searched through Talabat in Hawally!
With Talabat, you don’t have to dig deep to find a GEM of a deal. Just head over to Talabat on the Talabat website www.talabat.com or on the app and search in your area to grab a GEM. For the latest updates you can also follow them @talabatkwt on social media.
E fashion
AUSSIE RULES
Australian Ambassador Jonathan Gilbert and the New Kuwait Vision 2035
By bazaar staff
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ho knew that the flatwhite is an Australian invention? The ambassador, sans entourage, divulges this tidbit and it is representative of many surprising things we don’t know about the nation that contributed to the coalition during the liberation of Kuwait in 1991. Chatting in Australian concept Gesha, home of the rainbow latte, we delve into the past and future of both Kuwait and Jonathan Gilbert. What has been the single most significant benefit from 45 years of diplomacy between Kuwait and Australia? I think the growth in the value and scope of trade and investment between our two countries is something that should be celebrated by both sides, the relationship has blossomed, especially in regards to people-people links, and it continues to grow. Education is a good example. We have had postgraduate and undergraduate Kuwaiti students reading medicine, pharmacy, engineering, environmental science or business, benefitting from Australia's high-quality universities and warm friendly atmosphere. I am always pleased to meet Kuwaitis in both the private sector and the government, who have studied In Australia. It provides the bilateral relationship with real substance and warmth. Where do you see this developing in the future? Going forward I see significant potential to further grow the education and commercial relationship between Kuwait and Australia in the areas of science, technology and innovation. As the country moves forward with its New Kuwait Vision 2035, I actively encourage Kuwait to partner with and take advantage of Australia’s world leading expertise on key areas such as food security, renewable energy, water management, health, agriculture and the environment. There seems to be an innate sense of entrepreneurialism in Kuwait, how has that helped Australian business expansion into Kuwait? Australians are traders like Kuwaitis. We share with Kuwait the spirit of entrepreneurship and free trade. Like Kuwait, our businesses look beyond national borders and trade with the world. Australian business have a long history of trading with Kuwait, particularly in the area of agribusiness. For decades
we have been providing meat, vegetables, fruits, wheat and grains to Kuwait. In many ways, we are Kuwait's food partner of choice, and I am pleased to see that in recent years, Australian food and beverage franchises - which have a large footprint in the Asia Pacific - are starting to open in Kuwait. Plus, as the world's political and economic focus increasingly moves to the Asia Pacific region, Australia is uniquely placed to serve as a hub for Kuwait in this fast growing and dynamic region. Are the numbers of Kuwaitis traveling to Australia for education increasing and does this lead to more business partnerships in the long term? Aside from the high quality and diverse range of university courses, Kuwaiti students love Australia's optimism, friendliness, multiculturalism and natural beauty. The first words of many Kuwaiti students when they step off the plane is "I didn’t know [this about Australia]…". Many are surprised at the dynamism and cultural diversity of cities such as Sydney and Melbourne, especially with the links to the Asia Pacific region. Australia has recently overtaken the UK as the second largest destination for international students in the world, and overseas study is perfect for creating future business partnerships - we see this time and time again with Kuwait alumni after they return from their studies. As the world's political and economic focus increasingly moves to the Asia Pacific, Australia is uniquely placed to serve as a hub for Kuwait in this fast growing and dynamic region. Briefly describe your route to diplomacy and what inspired you to enter this arena. From an early age, I was fascinated by travel and other cultures and I always knew I wanted to be either a diplomat or a foreign correspondent. Being a diplomat won out in the end. My grandfather was a British diplomat and spent most of his life in Malaysia and Brunei. Listening to his stories. And from that moment I knew what I wanted to do when I was older. Who was the most surprised at your becoming a diplomat, you or your parents? I think both myself and my parents were pleased when I joined the Australian Foreign Service. It was something that I worked towards for a number of years after university.
great schools here in Kuwait and the diversity of the community and experiences you can have. My 6-year-old loves going to the fish market and seeing the fresh catch. My wife enjoys exploring Souq Mubarakiya. Kuwait is a great place to be and our sense is that the county is moving forward with positive change. You’re often seen supporting the arts, can you explain more about why is this important to you? I think arts are the great connector between people and cultures. Especially when I am abroad, I find it fascinating to see how different people from different backgrounds choose to express themselves whether it be through music, art, film or poetry. It's been great to experience the vibrant arts scene here In Kuwait; there’s loads going on with very interesting people involved. I look forward to being more engaged in the arts scene in Kuwait going forward. What does an ideal day in the life of Jonathan Gilbert look like? Every day is different In Kuwait. And the first nine or so months I have been here have been very busy as I have got to know Kuwaitis. However, so far, an ideal day for me In Kuwait is exploring the Friday market in the morning, lunch at Souq Mubarakiya with my wife, an afternoon swim with my six-year-old son, and a BBQ with friends for dinner. What do you hope your legacy as HE Ambassador to Kuwait to be? There are two areas that I would like to put in place during my tenure In Kuwait: The first is building a closer partnership between Australia and Kuwait in regard to the Implementation of the Kuwait Vision 2035 plan. I think there are a number of niche areas that Australia is well placed to assist Kuwait with going forward. These include renewable energy, smart grids and cities, health, food security, water management and environmental science. Kuwait and Australian needs in these are very compatible. And I think we have a lot of experience and expertise to share with the Kuwaitis on this. The second is to build on Australia's reputation as one of Kuwait's closest friends and partners In the Asia Pacific.
Do you have a sibling and if you do who is the more diplomatic? A sister, who lives In London, and apologies to her if she is reading this, but it definitely is me. What is the best thing about bringing up a family in Kuwait? The safe, friendly and open atmosphere. Also the
Follow the Australian Embassy on Instagram @ausembkuwait and follow the hashtag #gdaykuwait to see the Ambassador’s exploits out and about town.
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MEET THE LADY STANGERS OF KUWAIT Changing the stigma on female drivers, one Mustang at a time
By Ayman Nassar
2018 shall go down as a special year for the women of Saudi Arabia, where the driving ban was finally lifted and over 120,000 women applying for licenses for the very first time. In Kuwait, however, not only have women been driving since shortly after the arrival of the first automobile on Kuwaiti soil back in 1912, they have also been trailblazing a new path. They break the archetypal stereotype, invoking the power of muscle cars. 114
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Muscle cars are traditionally defined as “any of a group of American-Made, 2-Door sports cars with powerful engines designed for high-performance driving." The Lady Stangers of Kuwait are the equivalent of a super-heroine group in the Gulf. They are a diversely eclectic group of individuals from different countries and walks of life that harbor a strong passion for everything this world has to offer. More importantly, they have taken it upon their shoulders to redefine societal perceptions regarding how women should drive in public, specifically to remove any such limitation that may exist in people’s minds about the type of car that women are “allowed to drive”. We sat down with the lovely ladies for a candid discussion about their talents, hobbies and dreams. Maali (Red Mustang) is a multi-disciplined talent defining brains, beauty and brawn. She's currently the only female Aviation Engineer at Kuwait Airways,
as well as a martial arts instructor with experience in Kajukenbo, Shotokan karate, Russian Sambo and MMA. Her message to the world is to empower women to speak up for what they love, as well as show the guys a girl can do what they can do, and still be a girly girl who’s proud of her femininity. Dunia (Red Mustang) is a girl with a big heart who can do it all. She’s an animal rescuer, and has been involved in the rescue and re-homing of hundreds of animals in the past few years. But don’t let that fool you, she’s also a martial artist! Timmi (Blue Mustang); is a Makeup Artist and blogger. A self-professed girly girl – though most of the people who know her agree this is true – and lover of all things beautiful, feminine. Zoii (California Special) is a busy woman, balancing college, family as well as having a full blown athletic life too!
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Tima (White Mustang) is a thrill-seeking biker and Mustang lover. During the week she’s suit and tie, but on the weekends her true personality comes outspeed freak! When did your fascination with muscle cars start? Maali: When I started studying aviation engineering. It’s more about the love and appreciation of physics and how it’s been implemented on to the Ford Mustang. Dunia: When I was young, my father would always get me model cars as gifts. Whereas other girls were content with Barbie and Bratz, I was happier picking new cars, especially sports cars. My dad also used to let me pretend-drive on his lap. That was truly the beginning of my fascination with cars over Barbies. Timmi: In my high school years I used to sketch muscle cars in my books. Since then, I’ve always believed that one day I would have one just for me. Zoii: Since childhood I was different than other girls, as I would play with cars more than dolls. Tima: It started from a very early age. I adored sports cars and speed in general but felt that it was not allowed for women to drive such vehicles. It was not until I grew up that I realized that such limitations exist only in our minds, which made me determined to own my own sports car. Have you faced any obstacles in getting the car you desired? Maali: Being a Kuwaiti girl in a culture-driven society like ours can be difficult when you go against the norm. My family were skeptical at first but soon grew to understand just how big a part of my life cars are. Dunia: No, my parents were OK with it from day one. My relatives were against it, but it was my decision and I did not care as long as my parents agreed. Timmi: It is a blessing to not face any obstacles getting the car of my dreams. Zoii: The main obstacle was the question of would the community accept a girl driving such cars when we were raised believing that only men could do such things. Tima: Yes. I faced it on the road when guys see women driving muscle cars, it is terrible what they do. What is your most memorable moment behind the wheel? Maali: My most memorable moment behind the wheel of both my Mustangs was the first drive. You couldn’t wipe the smile of elation of my face! Dunia: The day I bought my car. When I drove it out of the dealership I had a surreal moment where I started crying and thinking really, finally? Is it mine? Zoii: The first time I drove my first Mustang and the times people pass by and smile or wave like I am a hero, a new amazing thing is being implied to the community. Timmi: The first time I got to ride my beautiful Mustang is unforgettable. What is your ultimate driving dream? Maali: To become a professional drift car driver one day. Dunia: To have the opportunity to race officially in the 116
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Formula One, or having an official race where two to three cars do stunts and donuts in the street with helmets on inside the cars, then we get out, remove our helmets, showing the world that we are women and that it is OK for women to drive cars like this in this way. I firmly believe it is extremely important to educate people in general that girls who own sports cars are allowed to and should not be looked at differently or have any assumptions made about them. We are young, educated ladies who often also hold high positions and should not be looked at in a different way. We live by our own rules, these are
our dreams and decisions and people should be supportive of that. Zoii: To gain some driving skills like drifting. Timmi: To continue being a part of the Lady Stangers community. The Lady Stangers are also currently embroiled in a serious task of putting together a Mustang… from scratch! You can find out more about this awesome endeavor by following them on Instagram @ladystangers. For more on Ayman Nasser, check out @LordAymz on Instagram.
Jumeirah 2
SHARIF MAGHRABY
One man’s journey changing himself and wanting to change the world By bazaar staff
Self-help, improvement or development is not a new invention. In fact, humans have always tried to become better at whatever it is they were doing. Advice from philosophers, psychologists, teachers, community leaders, parents and sadly even charlatans has always been handed down from one person to the next. We’re all innately curious to some degree about finding ways and hacks to make life happier and easier for ourselves. But Sharif Maghraby didn’t start his coaching and training career by going from point A to B. He took the very long way around. Like most of us, his father wanted him to become a doctor or an engineer, or perhaps a biomedical engineer, the best of both worlds. But as fate would have it, Sharif switched majors so many times until he 118
finally graduated with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in communication and minoring in psychology. After graduating, Sharif landed a marketing job in the fast-food industry in Kuwait and spent three years there. He was being prepped for a leadership role when he realized that it was not aligned with his values or authentic self. Bravely, he took a loan from a family friend, moved to Canada and pursued a degree in new media. He got into film-making, music and graphics. Armed with a Canadian education, a lot of drive and more ideas he moved to Egypt and opened a boutique advertising and media agency. He did a lot of story boarding, commercials and documentaries but still, was not happy in the environment. When a client moving to the UAE offered him a job in TV, he packed up his life and was on a plane in three days. He spent the next fifteen years at the TV channel working really hard and advancing in his career. But life happens, and a severe car accident,
a tough divorce, a near drowning experience, and the death of his father and grandmother in the span of 48 hours – all helped shape his character and define him. And every time Sharif overcame one of these obstacles, he would think about how everyone else must be fighting their own battles, and he wanted to support them on their journeys too. That was when it all clicked for him. Sharif had already taken a lot of work-related courses and his trainers and facilitators would regularly comment that he was a ‘natural’ with the right combination of energy, personality and aptitude to be a trainer or coach himself. And when a friend asked him to stand-in for another trainer in a foreign country, he jumped at the opportunity. Even though his audience were not English speakers and a translator was needed to relay every word, their feedback was very positive. That was when he decided he wanted to write a book. The 7 Gates of Progressive Human Integration is about Sharif’s journey of self-development. He
wanted to summarize all of the self-development knowledge he had learned into a practical and accessible volume that was clearly divided into an easy-to-use modular format, with all of the chapters following a similar template and each having a personal story at the start. He even made the book available as an e-book and an audiobook to make sure it would reach as many people as possible. He was still working at his full-time media job but was suddenly made redundant. And even though he got a couple of attractive job offers, he knew it was time to do something different. Writing the book had forced him to rise up and become a better version of himself, because he wanted to live up to the persona he had created. He was disenchanted with the current state of television and wanted out. But before that he was giving a keynote speech in Jordan when he found himself attending a social entrepreneurship workshop. He had found his calling, and being the kind of man who doesn't
do things in half-measures, he spent the next two years getting officially certified as a coach by the ICF (International Coach Federation), studying design thinking, innovation and positive psychology. Now, that he was no longer chained to a desk he decided it was time to take his knowledge and expertise to a much wider audience. Sharif created a course on Udemy. The platform is already established, and the courses are very affordably priced. It can be accessed on devices via an app or directly on a computer, making it even easier for people to find and use. And perhaps the platform's best feature is your ability to try before you buy. You can sample the modules for free before you commit. All of this has been done before in English, but Sharif offers a science-based and evidencebacked course in Arabic. He wanted to offer Arabic speakers a more culturally-sensitive take on self-development. It is easy to just translate the literature into English, but that doesn’t make
it an effective tool. It took Sharif a year to design the course content and test every little detail. His dialect, clothing, background and production were all carefully chosen to make sure it was authentic, congruent and relevant to Arabic-speakers. He even purchased the web address www.ijabi.me (which translates to 'positive' in Arabic) to create a brand that people can remember and access easily. The course titled “Activating Positive Energy For Health & Happiness� teaches people how to control their negative self-talk, manage toxic emotions, build better relationships, among many other things. All of this has been a labor of love for Sharif, and has moved him one step closer to his goal of empowering creative and positive change in the world.
For more info on Sharif Maghraby and his online courses visit www.ijabi.me. 119
bazaar movie night
The latest from the big screen playing in cinemas across Kuwait in Novemeber
SUMMER OF 84
ZOO
THE NUTCRACKER AND THE FOUR REALMS
THE GRINCH
OVERLORD
CREED 2
Release Date: Nov 1st Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Drama, Horror, Mystery Cast: Graham Verchere, Judah Lewis, Caleb Emery Synopsis: In the summer of 1984, Cape May, Oregon is plagued by the fear and horror from the "Cape May Slayer", a frightening serial killer responsible for the disappearances of thirteen teenage boys in the county over the decade prior. Summer of 84 follows the life of fifteen-year-old Davey Armstrong, the son of a journalist who breaks the story, suspects that his neighbour Wayne Mackey, a popular police officer in their hometown of Ipswich, is the Cape May Slayer.
Release Date: Nov 8th Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Animation , Comedy , Family Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Rashida Jones, Angela Lansbury Synopsis: The Grinch and his loyal dog Max live a solitary existence inside a cave on Mount Crumpet. His main source of aggravation comes during Christmastime when his neighbours in Whoville celebrate the holidays with a bang. When the Whos decide to make Christmas bigger and brighter, the disgruntled Grinch realizes there is one way to gain peace and quiet. With help from Max, the green grump hatches a scheme to pose as Santa Claus, steal Christmas and silence the Whos' holiday cheer once and for all.
Release Date: Nov 1st Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Family, History, War Cast: Toby Jones, Amy Huberman, Art Parkinson Synopsis: In 1941 marksmen from the Royal Ulster Constabulary, following a Directive from The Ministry of Public Security, shot dead 23 animals at the Belfast Zoo. They destroyed one hyena, six wolves, one puma, one tiger, one black bear, one Barbary lion, two polar bears, one lynx and giant rat named Hugo. During these times, a woman secretly walked a young elephant from the zoo each evening to the backyard of her terraced home. This is a true story... and the setting for Zoo.
Release Date: Nov 8th Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Action , Horror , Mystery Cast: Wyatt Russell, John Magaro, Pilou AsbĂŚk Synopsis: With only hours until D-Day, a team of American paratroopers drop into Nazi-occupied France to carry out a mission that's crucial to the invasion's success. Tasked with destroying a radio transmitter atop a fortified church, the desperate soldiers join forces with a young French villager to penetrate the walls and take down the tower. But, in a mysterious Nazi lab beneath the church, the outnumbered G.I.s come face-to-face with enemies unlike any the world has ever seen. From producer J.J. Abrams, Overlord is a thrilling, pulse-pounding action adventure with a twist.
Release Date: Nov 1st Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Adventure , Family , Fantasy Cast: Keira Knightley, Mackenzie Foy, Morgan Freeman Synopsis: Young Clara needs a magical, one-of-a-kind key to unlock a box that contains a priceless gift. A golden thread leads her to the coveted key, but it soon disappears into a strange and mysterious parallel world. In that world, she meets a soldier named Phillip, a group of mice and the regents who preside over three realms. Clara and Phillip must now enter a fourth realm to retrieve the key and restore harmony to the unstable land.
Release Date: Nov 29th Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Drama, Sport Cast: Tessa Thompson, Sylvester Stallone, Michael B. Jordan Synopsis: Continuing the legendary Rocky saga comes Creed 2. In 1985 Russian boxer Ivan Drago killed former U.S. champion Apollo Creed in a tragic match that stunned the world. Against the wishes of trainer Rocky Balboa, Apollo's son and current champ Adonis Creed accepts a challenge from Drago's son. Under guidance from Rocky, Adonis trains for the showdown of his life, a date with destiny that soon becomes his obsession. Creed and Balboa must confront their shared legacy as the past comes back to haunt them.
For more details on movie timings and the cinema nearest you, visit Cinescape at www.cinescape.com.kw. *Above programs are subject to change without prior notice. 120
Sutis
bazaar apps
FILMLAB
1LYRICS
NIAGARA LAUNCHER
SPOILERS BLOCKER
BOUNCER
TOR BROWSER
Taking the place of a traditional film scanner, FilmLab adds to the list of photography tools replaced by your phone. Simply lay your slides or negatives on a light table or other backlight and open the app: it lets you check out negatives and proof sheets, with a live preview of what they'll look like as positives. Custom algorithms combine multiple photos to get the maximum detail from each shot, and built-in tools let you crop, rotate, flip, and adjust exposure and color balance before saving the digitally preserved shot out to your camera roll.
Looking for a fresh new skin for your Android phone? The Niagara launcher is worth considering. It’s sleek and stylish, scaled back, and adds a few features that you might find useful. For example, you can quickly and easily change the size of app icons, and rename apps. You can also toggle on a “pure black” mode — which is essentially a dark theme mode, and more. The launcher is currently in development, but you can download an early version of it from the Google Play Store.
Privacy is of growing concern in today’s modern society, and as such you might want to gain a little more control over your app permissions. Bouncer helps you do that. Through the app, you can temporarily grant an app permissions — meaning you could allow Twitter to access your camera, but only for a few seconds when you open the camera in the Twitter app. In other words, with Bouncer you don’t need to worry about what apps are doing in the background.
1lyrics aims to be the only lyric-related app you ever need. The app works in conjunction with the likes of Spotify, Google Play Music, and Amazon Music to show you the lyrics to the song you’re listening to, when you’re listening to it. Through 1lyrics, you can download lyrics to view offline, change the theme of the app to suit your style, and more.
Are you constantly worried you’ll run into online spoilers regarding your favorite movies or TV shows? Spoilers Blocker is for you. The in-development app, as you might assume, allows you to enter movies and TV shows that you don’t want spoilers about, after which the app will block certain text that might contain keywords related to spoilers. It won’t be as effective as avoiding related content altogether but it may help in case you unwillingly stumble across something.
Tor Browser is largely hailed as the most secure internet browser out there, and now there is a version of the browser for Android. It is still under development, and you do have to install Orbot because of that, which is a proxy app that the browser uses to connect to the Tor network, but if security is of concern to you then it may be well worth the hassle and potential bugs. The browser blocks trackers, prevents surveillance, and so on.
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Blaze
‘TIS THE SEASON FOR PEPPERMINT GOODNESS! The famous Peppermint Bark selections are back at Williams Sonoma By bazaar staff
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rivia: we’re getting closer and closer to everyone’s favorite time of the year, but which item is almost always sold out at Williams Sonoma during the holiday season? That’s right, it is their wildly popular Peppermint Bark! It’s usually so rare to find one specific item that perfectly captures the spirit of the holiday season, and this is why we love flavors such as the Peppermint Bark to kickstart the holiday we all long for during the entirety of the year. The Peppermint Bark holiday special edition is back for the fourth year in Kuwait, and a thriving 20th anniversary at Williams Sonoma. While we all start to prepare for the season of heavy coats, hot cocoa and outdoor cozy gatherings, all that will be missing is a bite of festive happiness to share in the upcoming cold tranquility, and give us a head start for that holiday cheer we all need. Cue the famous, original Peppermint Bark! It is here to serve us nostalgically handcrafted ingredients, starting with a simple but delicious custom blend of Guittard chocolate, and triple distilled oil of peppermint. Poured over a sleek marble table is a mixture of layered melted dark chocolate, expert candy makers then top this off with another layer of creamy white chocolate for that perfect sweet and bitter balance. If this isn’t a flavor of holiday perfection at its finest, then we really don’t know what is. Williams Sonoma also expanded their Peppermint Bark collection to two flavorful varieties, Salted and Dark chocolate. The Salted Bark highlights one key ingredient, which is Jacobsen’s purely flaked sea salt for that added savory but delicate crunch. While the Dark chocolate Bark features intensified Guittard chocolate flavors by adding extra layers of both their semisweet and bittersweet chocolate. The ingredient that brings this wonderful and wintery, snowy bark to life is crushed pieces of peppermint candy. The Peppermint Bark original results in endless bites of balanced out textures and harmonious flavors. Williams Sonoma made sure that every taken bite would not turn into an overwhelming explosion of chocolatey and minty flavors, but rather focused on equally proportioned amount of ingredients for their famous Bark. Essentially, making it highly popular to regular and new customers who
are seeking such seasonal flavors. We personally crave this flavor all year, and we don’t care if you judge us for doing so. The original Peppermint Bark first debuted in 1998. Williams Sonoma continue to pour their heart and soul into the process of perfecting it, by trying out more than 20 rounds till they settled on that one famous recipe, which everyone’s obsessed with. Essentially spending 12 weeks every year, and more than 24 hours to make a batch of the Bark, the effort shows with every single flavorful bite! They will also be launching special Middle Eastern flavors, and we simply cannot wait to try them out. Finally, it is all wrapped up in its special colorful packaging of red, white and silver
tins and is beautifully placed all around the holidays section at Williams Sonoma for our eyes to snatch before it is sold out, or worse, out of season. The packaging itself is designed to attribute various kinds of occasions, be it for gatherings, gifts with celebratory ribbons, or to sneak in your bag and pockets for a quick snack with hot drinks during the cold weather. So make sure you grab your Peppermint Bark once it is released to savor every bite before the holiday season ends. Williams Sonoma is located at Grand Avenue–The Avenues. For more information and for the latest updates, please follow them on Instagram @williamssonomamena.
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bazaar music
NO TOURISTS
PHOENIX
YANDHI
By The Prodigy
By Rita Ora
By Kanye West
The Prodigy releases their seventh album No Tourists on their own label Take Me To The Hospital, and it follows their last album, 2016's The Day Is My Enemy. This record focuses mostly on the band's core trio—Liam Howlett, Maxim and Keith Flint—without much in the way of outside collaborators. "This album is equally aggressive as the last records, but in a different way," says Howlett. "Don't be a tourist—there is always more danger and excitement to be found if you stray from the set path."
It's been six years since the release of her first and only studio album yet Rita Ora has remained a fixture in pop music. But now, Ora is ready for her big reintroduction: The star took to social media to announce that her long-awaited sophomore album is finally coming. Titled Phoenix, the new album is described as a “mid-tempo pop-anthem”, and the track titled "Let Me Love You" from the album examines Ora’s feelings of uncertainty when entering a new relationship and is promised to be “one of Rita’s most intimate tracks to date.”
Kanye West is releasing Yandhi. The Chicago artist posted a photo of a clear-cased MiniDisc with a light purple tag on Twitter and as expected, fans went crazy. The photo was immediately recognizable as an update to the packaging of 2013’s Yeezus (which featured a similarly presented CD with a red tag), which led many to believe West was announcing a follow-up to the divisive classic. In a 2013 interview with The Daily Beast, Rick Rubin first hinted that there “might be” a Yeezus sequel.
THIS IS MY DINNER
POST-APOCALYPTO
THE CAPITOL STUDIOS SESSIONS
Sun Kil Moon have shared details of their new album, This Is My Dinner. Among its 10 tracks are a chapter from a John Connolly novel set to music, a cover of the Partridge Family theme song “Come on Get Happy,” and a new rendition of AC/ DC’s “Rock ‘N’ Roll Singer”. The most recent Sun Kil Moon album, Common as Light and Love Are Red Valleys of Blood, arrived in 2017. Since then, Kozelek has released collaborative LPs with Jesu, Parquet Courts’ Sean Yeaton, and Ben Boye and Jim White. Earlier this year, he released a self-titled solo LP.
Tenacious D will release a new album and animated series later this year, the band have confirmed. The comedy-music duo comprised of Jack Black and Kyle Gass last released a record in 2012 with Rize Of The Fenix. In a review, NME called it “an epic fail” and said: “It’s ‘hilarious’, if you’re the kind of person who still likes air drumming to ‘Eye Of The Tiger’.” The band have now announced their return with album Post-Apocalypto, which was produced by John Spiker and features Foo Fighters‘ Dave Grohl on drums. The 21-song album will be available digitally and on CD and translucent green vinyl.
We love Jeff Goldblum for his iconic roles in things like Jurassic Park and Thor: Ragnarok, but there’s more to the man than halting line delivery and quirky characters. An accomplished pianist, he’s been performing at jazz clubs around Los Angeles and New York City with his band, The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra, since the ’90s. Now, he’s finally ready to share his debut album, The Capitol Studios Sessions this month. Joining in for this unique recording experience were singers like Irish superstar Imelda May (“Straighten Up & Fly Right)” and Haley Reinhart (“My Baby Just Cares for Me”).
By Sun Kil Moon
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By Tenacious D
By Jeff Goldblum
Source: www.amazon.co.uk
ج د ي ـ ـ دw Ne
Signature Dishes
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big boys toys
PORSCHE LE MANS 919 HYBRID MODEL SAND-X MILITARY ATV Swedish company Sand-X makes a variety of militaryCAR
RED X FACEBOOK MANIFOLD 3D VR CAMERA
Accurate to one-tenth of a millimeter, the Porsche Le Mans 919 Hybrid Model Car is no toy. Built to 1:8 scale, it's astonishingly detailed, with opening doors and a removable rear engine cover that allow you to admire the hand-polished details. Made using technology developed to make prototype automotive designs, each one takes over 3,000 hours of work to complete. Limited to just 100 examples, all but four versions of which have been sold.
grade armored vehicles, from actual troop transports to bulletproof road cars. The ATV is something a little different from their normal lineup, a small vehicle that's designed to go anywhere, from sand dunes to snowy mountain terrain. It can hit 60 MPH in less than three seconds, and has a top speed of 114 MPH, along with B6-grade ballistic armor. Capable of operating in temperatures of -58 to 140 degrees, it has a level of engineering that allows it to operate in climates most vehicles wouldn't even think about.
Built specifically with the goal of creating VR-ready footage, the Red x Facebook Manifold Camera aims to provide total immersion. It does so with a set of 16 Red Helium 8K sensors placed to capture full, 360-degree six-degrees-of-freedom footage. The optics are provided by custom Schneider 8mm fisheye lenses, and the system can record RAW footage from all 16 cameras in 8K, at 60 fps, simultaneously. While the companies are still making strides towards commercial availability, rest assured that it will have an eye-popping price tag when finally released.
MB&F HM9 FLOW WATCH
SOLARIMPACT ELECTRIC YACHT
VERTICAL AEROSPACE EVTOL AIRCRAFT
Inspired by the streamlined bodies of mid-century automobiles and planes, the MB&F HM9 Flow Watch is a retrofuturistic timepiece. Its manually wound movement, developed in-house, consists of twin balance wheels on each flank, joined by a planetary differential that averages their output to provide an accurate reading on the vertical dial display. Its case is made of titanium, with five sapphire crystal windows providing views onto the dial and key movement components. Two launch editions will be available.
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Powered entirely by a bevy of roof-mounted solar panels and a bank of batteries, the SolarImpact Electric Yacht lets you explore the seas unencumbered by the need for fossil fuel. It uses a twin-hull design to cut the swaying of the boat by up to 90 percent, and dual 500 kW engines, powered by an 800kWh battery pack and two 65 kW range extenders, let it hit speeds of up to 22 knots. As a result of its threelevel design, it offers over 3,600 square feet of living space, on a frame that's just under 80 feet long and over 32 feet at its widest point.
Bristol, UK-based Vertical Aerospace is hardly the only company developing a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. They're just more realistic about it. Founded by a former F1 team owner and loaded with talent from Airbus, Boeing, RollsRoyce, Martin Jet Pack, and General Electric, the company has already completed an unmanned test flight of a full-scale vehicle. The company is currently working towards a piloted intercity air taxi service, which it aims to have up and running by 2022.
Source: www.uncrate.com
Talabat
bazaar goes dining
SOLIA
Notes from a Mediterranean escapade in the heart of Kuwait
By bazaar staff
High ceilings, prominent yet minimal light fixtures, neutral woven whicker platters artfully hung on the wall, beige and gold accents and a real live olive tree in the middle of the restaurant. All of the things you notice when you’re entering Solia suggest a Mediterranean villa on the coast, or a cozy village plaza. You can also see an enormous open kitchen, the work-space for more than twenty chefs from all over the world, designed to be visible but unobtrusive without overwhelming your senses. Once you’re seated, you will be presented with the choice of two menus. A beautiful three-page card stock menu in muted green and a classic gray, adorned with hand-illustrations and held together with a wooden clothespin. The other option is an iPad menu, perfect for people who prefer visual choices over written descriptions. This is a dilemma for some, the suggestive pictures are so enticing that making a choice is a challenge for even the most disciplined. Solia’s menu sets the bar very high, because you will not accept a dish that is any less beautiful than the one in your imagination. We started with drinks, which gave us an opportunity to hydrate while we went through the menu. The Sangria with its zesty and citrusy fruits transported us to a summer vacation on the Spanish beach. It comes in a pitcher and served in glass tumbler with a slice of candied orange pinned to it. We knew what was happening, Solia was wooing us with their drinks. The locally inspired Black Sensation drink, fashioned out of activated charcoal, apple spritzer, vanilla syrup, blackberries, cranberry and grape juice tingled our taste buds and prepared us for what was to come. Having decided on our soup and salads we sat enjoying the atmosphere. There is an air of quiet confidence to Solia. The staff are well informed about the dishes, offering friendly advice on what to order. They come from more than a dozen different countries which mirrors the multicultural cuisine of the restaurant. Solia is a Mediterranean restaurant, drawing from French, Spanish, Turkish, Italian, Levantine and North African influences. Instead of focusing on a single culinary tradition, they have instead chosen to assimilate all of them without fusing any of them into a franken-cuisine. The menu selections flow perfectly together, showcasing a part of our history where culinary traditions are constantly shared amongst the Mediterranean region and never isolated. The Lyon Onion soup arrived. Covered in puff pastry, the crust is golden, flaky, buttery and absolutely delicious. The little lion head on the porcelain soup bowl was a sweet pun we appreciated. Our host 130
informed us that there were two ways of going about it. Some people preferred preserving it, completely removing it before tucking into the soup. However, she suggested it should sink into the soup which is what we did. The sweetness of the soup, the crunchy pastry and the creamy Gruyere come together perfectly. Moving on to our salads we loved the tabbouleh. Sweet chewy sun-dried tomatoes are the perfect addition to the traditional Levantine staple. The Greek Village Salad is topped with an amazing creamed herbed feta that elevates it to a new level. The Pil Pil Prawns arrived in a sizzling skillet and packed a spicy punch. And the Bresaola was a good way to reset our palates for the main course. It’s already one of our charcuterie favorites, sliced so thin they are almost see-through, Solia’s was divine. Mama Isabella’s Seafood Linguini was created for seafood lovers who appreciate the wholesome goodness of carbs. Shrimp bisque, tomato sauce, fresh shrimps, calamari, cherry tomatoes and herbs dance together in this tantalizing and comforting Italian dish, cooked al dente, of course. We noticed that each dish came in a matching but different colored plate. Ever curious we enquired and were told that this was an intentional decision to make sure that the colors of the cooked plated dish were either complimented or contrasted with the color of the flatware. An attention to detail that is worthy of
respect and admiration and is representative of the work ethic at Solia. Our epicurean journey was not even half way done and we were already at destination happiness. The main courses are a visual feast. The pictures did not lie, and every dish was exactly what was promised. The Lamb Shank practically fell off the bone from how tender it was. This wasn’t surprising when we found it had been marinated for an entire day then slowly braised for six hours. Laid on a bed of tzatziki sauce which adds to the texture and taste of the dish. Not to be outdone, the Solia Steak was crosscharred on the outside and tender in the middle and covered in a smooth herbed garlic sauce. The roughcut steak fries on the side will probably be stolen by your dinner companions. The pièce de résistance was the Sea Bass. The skin-on fillet was pan fried to a perfect crisp, on the inside it was just perfect. The verge sauce with capers is the perfect companion for the mild fish and is served on a pillow of fluffy crushed potatoes, snow peas and cherry tomatoes that pushed it into a world where fine-dining and comfort food coexist. Already stuffed and extremely satisfied our desserts arrived at the table. A classic Tarte Tatin, with layers of caramelized Granny Smith Apples and puff pastry was an explosion of subtle flavors of cinnamon and vanilla. But we fell unabashedly in love with the Pavlova Meringue. A good meringue has a
crispy glossy shell, is light, airy with a marshmallow center. Only this one was also filled with a lemon curd and floated in a sea of intense Chocolate Créme. You are supposed to pour the sauce and then crack the meringue with a spoon. It is a sensory delight with flavors, colors, textures and sounds. It was an impossibly high note to end on and despite being absolutely stuffed we had no regrets. Overall, Solia was an immensely satisfying experience. They have respected the tradition and heritage of all of the dishes they have brought together under their roof. And perfected the technical aspects of cooking all of the dishes and have stayed true to their authenticity. Yet, they have managed to infuse their own flavor and aesthetic to it all. It is an Audrey Hepburn in a world of Kim Kardashians. The girl next door who is also a princess and knows it. She does not need to flaunt it and instead carries herself with understated grace and elegance. Solia is in the Avenues Phase VI, close enough to everything but removed from the hustle and bustle of high foot-traffic. It is intimate and cozy and would be perfect for a group of friends or a romantic dinner. And the good news is you can enjoy all of this, alfresco in their new Murooj branch opening soon. Solia is located in the Avenues Phase VI, for more information follow them on Instagram @soliakw. 131
bazaar books
DAUGHTERS OF THE LAKE
WHOSE BOAT IS THIS BOAT?
A SPARK OF LIGHT
THE INFINITE PIECES OF US
THE BIRTHDAY
The ghosts of the past come calling in a spellbinding heartstopper from the “Queen of the Northern Gothic.” After the end of her marriage, Kate Granger has retreated to her parents’ home on Lake Superior to pull herself together—only to discover the body of a murdered woman washed into the shallows. Tucked in the folds of the woman’s curiously vintage gown is an infant, as cold and at peace as its mother. No one can identify the woman. Except for Kate. She’s seen her before. In her dreams…One hundred years ago, a love story ended in tragedy, its mysteries left unsolved. It’s time for the lake to give up its secrets. As each mystery unravels, it pulls Kate deeper into the eddy of a haunting folktale that has been handed down in whispers over generations. Now, it’s Kate’s turn to listen. As the drowned woman reaches out from the grave, Kate reaches back. They must come together, if only in dreams, to right the sinister wrongs of the past.
Whose Boat Is This Boat? Comments That Don’t Help in the Aftermath of a Hurricane is a picture book made entirely of quotations from President Donald Trump in the wake of Hurricane Florence. It is the first children’s book that demonstrates what not to say after a natural disaster. Last September, Donald Trump paid a visit to New Bern, North Carolina, one of the towns ravaged by Hurricane Florence. It was there he showed deep concern for a boat that washed ashore. “At least you got a nice boat out of the deal,” said President Trump to hurricane victims. “Have a good time!” he told them. The only way his comments would be appropriate is in the context of a children’s book—and now you can experience them that way, thanks to the staff of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Whose Boat Is This Boat? is an excellent teaching tool for readers of all ages who enjoy learning about empathy by process of elimination.
The warm fall day starts like any other at the Center—a women’s reproductive health services clinic—its staff offering care to anyone who passes through its doors. Then, in late morning, a desperate and distraught gunman bursts in and opens fire, taking all inside hostage. After rushing to the scene, Hugh McElroy, a police hostage negotiator, sets up a perimeter and begins making a plan to communicate with the gunman. As his phone vibrates with incoming messages he glances at it and, to his horror, finds out that his fifteen-yearold daughter, Wren, is inside the clinic. But Wren is not alone. She will share the next and tensest few hours of her young life with a cast of unforgettable characters: A nurse who calms her own panic in order to save the life of a wounded woman. A doctor who does his work not in spite of his faith but who will find that faith tested as never before and a pro-life protester, disguised as a patient, who now stands in the crosshairs of the same rage she herself has felt.
From the author of The Odds of Loving Grover Cleveland comes a hilarious and heartbreaking novel about coming apart, getting it together—and moving on. It’s just a twohour drive…Pondering math problems is Esther Ainsworth’s obsession. If only life’s puzzles required logic. Her stepfather’s solution? Avoidance. He’s exiled the family to Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, to erase a big secret from Esther’s past. So much for the truth. Now for the consequences: an empty swimming pool, a water-sucking cactus outside her window, a goldfish rescued from a church festival, and Esther’s thirst for something real. Step one: forget about her first love. Step two: make allies. Esther finds them in Jesús from the local coffee bar; a girl named Color who finds beauty in an abandoned video store; Beth, the church choir outcast; and Moss, a boy with alluring possibilities. Step three: confess her secret to those she hopes she can trust.
One hot summer’s afternoon, five-year-old Ava Sawyer went to a party. She never came home…Two years later, Ava’s body is found and another little girl, Audrey Briggs, goes missing. Audrey also attended that party. Leading the investigation is Detective Natalie Ward. A mother of two teenagers, this case chills her to the bone, and is a disturbing reminder of the last job she worked on. One that still keeps her awake at night. Natalie soon discovers that Ava’s mother has some worrying gaps in her alibi and as she digs deeper, she’s sure Ava’s father is not telling the full story. And what did the owner of the garden centre Elsa see that day? Something that she’s not telling Natalie. Just as Natalie is facing up to the grim possibility that Ava and Audrey were killed by someone close to home, another little girl from the party doesn’t come home from her ballet lesson. Can Natalie find a way to stop this killer before more innocent lives are taken?
by Wendy Webb
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by The Staff of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
by Jodi Picoult
by Rebekah Crane
by Carol Wyer
Source: www.amazon.co.uk
Shake shack
bazaar techno
NOMAD BASE STATION HUB
TOYLANDER 1 KID'S ELECTRIC CAR
LIGHT L16 CAMERA
TAP WEARABLE KEYBOARD & MOUSE
COMAU MATE EXOSKELETON
CAAVO UNIVERSAL REMOTE
Apple promised a wireless charging pad, AirPower, over a year ago. It still hasn't shipped. Keep your phones charged up via the Nomad Base Station Hub instead. This sleek aluminum platform has a padded leather surface that keeps your devices scratch-free while housing three high-power charging coils capable of charging two phones simultaneously. For non-wireless-charging gadgets, there's also USB-A and USB-C ports hidden around back, perfect for keeping your watch, headphones, or even a laptop juiced up. Wireless Charging: 3 coils, 10W output per coil / USB-A Output: 7.5W/ USB-C PD Output: 18W.
Giving "touch typing" a whole new meaning, the Tap Wearable Keyboard & Mouse is a novel new input device. It consists of a series of rings worn over the thumb and fingers that register your hand movements, letting you type and control a cursor on nearly any surface, including your opposite arm. It connects via Bluetooth and is compatible with nearly every major operating system, and while you can use it for a variety of applications, its form factor and design make it extremely well-suited to VR. We would imagine it requires some practice, however.
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Beginning as Real Life Toys in 1987, Toylander has been making faithful, scaled-down electric recreations of classic trucks and cars. Toylander's Toylander 1 is an incredibly detailed kids-sized electric car based on the iconic Land Rover Series 1. The ready-made version comes ready to go with two batteries and two electric motors, good for a top speed of 5 MPH. The attention to detail doesn't stop with the exterior — you also get foot and handbrakes, a horn, opening hood and tailgate, real air-filled tires, and a folding windshield. For the more DIY inclined, Toylander sells the manual with all the plans to build your own.
A few years ago, exoskeletons (or exosuits) seemed like something that would only be seen in a video game, or a high budget sci-fi movie, but now you can own one for yourself. Developed in collaboration with factory workers, the Comau Mate Exoskeleton is designed to make their jobs easier. The Mate, short for Muscle Aiding Tech Exoskeleton, uses a passive spring-based system to replicate the dynamic movements of the shoulder, reducing fatigue while also improving posture. As a result, there are no batteries to charge or motors to break.
Fitted with 16 camera modules, the Light L16 Camera can replace that bulky DSLR. The compact camera uses multiple lenses and sensors with varying focal lengths to capture high-resolution images. Although relatively small, it weighs less than a pound and is pocket-sized, it's still equipped with a zoom range of 28-150mm. By capturing multiple perspectives at different exposure values, you can adjust the focus or enlarge your photo once the shot is taken. It's finished off with a five-inch HD touchscreen that features on-camera adjustments allowing users to edit their pictures and transfer them to their desktops while still on location.
The original Caavo was an ambitious attempt to let you control all your various devices from a single interface. The Caavo Control Center Universal Remote aims to do the same, for a quarter of the price. The new box has four HDMI inputs for connecting streaming boxes, DVRs, game consoles, and more, and lets you switch seamlessly between them using the Caavo remote. Search for a show and it looks through all the available services, switching directly to the right app on your preferred device.
Source: blessthisstuff.com Source: uncrate.com
Hatay
EDO REVISITED
Why we always find ourselves back at Edo whenever the craving for Japanese strikes By bazaar staff
Sometimes, a figurative slap on the palate is required to remember what proper Japanese food should taste like. But before we go on, we’d like to confirm that this review was completed without any sort of violence involved—except for maybe this bazaar team fighting over who gets to enjoy the very last morsel of the delectable, meltin-your-mouth, marinated and aged Maguru (Tuna) at Edo. For those of you who do know and love Edo, you may feel the urge to skip reading this entire review, but we advise you not to. Simply because, you get to relive with us every single pleasing sensation of the dining experience. You know, it’s all about the feeling you get when you sink your teeth into a perfectly plump prawn dumpling, or perhaps your taste-buds would remember a hearty dish from Edo’s Korean specialties. You see, the recurring pattern here is one of consistence in always-fresh quality flavors, excellent service and the friendliest staff, incredibly Zen vibes, and spectacular views that make the drive to Sahara Golf Club worth it every single time. And that’s exactly what we felt when we revisited Edo. Now, for those of your who don’t know Edo, and you’re constantly searching for a superb Japanese dining experience in Kuwait, then you’re in for a real treat. Located in the Sahara Golf Club, expect an expansive space that is flooded with light throughout the day for an uplifting ambience, and the views of the pristine golf course ahead perfect the serene setting. Make sure you don’t miss out on Edo's daily specials sign right at the entrance of the restaurant, as they run a promotion for a specific dish on the menu, or perhaps on one of Edo’s Chef specials. Whether you’re a sashimi or tempura lover—you’ll always find a Japanese favorite on offer at Edo. Before we dive into our food experience, we took a moment to admire Edo's stunning interiors. Resplendent with sleek slate floors and pristine white walls artfully adorned by the magnificent artworks by Polish artist Dominik Jasinksi and Bahraini artist Jamal Abdel Rahim, let the vibrant colors of the amazing art capture your culinary imagination. Complete with Edo’s iconic black, red and white décor colors, you can choose to dine in the semi-private area (which can seat up to 12 people if the tables are combined), by the chef counter where incredible seafood is on display and you can watch the Japanese cuisine gurus at work, or in any of the dining seats spread out across the restaurant. 136
We started off our meal with some healthful dishes that tempted the palate. It’s important to note that the food at Edo is always prepared with your health in mind. You only get the best cuts of fish that are prepared utilizing the best methods in the industry, dishes are cooked with alkaline water, almost little or no oil is employed in the kitchen, and the food is always fresh. You see that dark bit of meat on a gorgeous piece of pink salmon? Don’t ever discard it, as it’s the part that carries the highest level of heart-happy Omega 3s—that’s just the kind of expertise one expects from the true purveyors and lovers of authentic Japanese cuisine at Edo. First up was the refreshing Sunomono Mori salad, with cucumber, seaweed, soft scallop, octopus and crabstick. No unnecessary additions, no pointless sauces—just freshness on a plate where the flavors of the protein and produce truly shine through. This was accompanied by the delicate Shrimp and Vegetable roll, prepared in what we thought was almost a see-through layer of rice paper. Expect a zesty crunch with every bite, and if you like a bit of spice, you’ll love the garlic, soy and lemongrass dipping sauce. We also loved the Okra salad as well the Agedashi Tofu— both complemented our seafood palate teasers perfectly. Then came the delicate and artful steamed Prawn Dumplings presented in an authentic bamboo pot. Wrapped in the thinnest layer of dough, which allows the flavor of the fresh prawns to permeate through. Once again, we appreciated the uncomplicated ingredients that are usurped by freshness, and the accompanying spicy, mustard and soy-based sauce tops off the flavor with every bite. But because we were superbly hungry, our appetites wanted more. This is why we dove right into the next selection of dishes that included a lot of sizzling and slurping sounds. From the Korean specialties menu at Edo we chose the Bibimbap that’s cooked in a beautiful stone rice bowl (hence the enticing sizzle when it’s all mixed together) and is served with beef, eggs, super spicy Kimchi for that added kick and a clear, vegetable Wakame Soup. This was also followed by Japchae, soft potato starch noodles with vegetables. As we are at this fine Japanese establishment, it was only natural for us to indulge our inner gluttons. We also ordered the Tempura Soba as well as the Beef Curry Udon. The heart-warming broth in the Curry Udon is an enough reason alone to keep coming back to Edo, as the plump Japanese noodles perfectly absorb the flavors of curry, mushrooms and leek. As for the Tempura Soba, how they keep that prawn tempura always so crunchy will be a question we will be asking ourselves for years to come, and the buckwheat noodles also amazingly absorb the extraordinary flavors of the soup. So, slurp away we did, and we continued to do so to our hearts' content. Bazaar tip? Don’t ever leave Edo without sampling the Salmon Fins. This specialty can
be ordered directly from the team, as not many people might consider salmon fin to be quite so palatable. And this is where we were more than happy to prove them wrong. Expect, buttery soft, melting pieces of salmon that are simply glazed to perfection. Add a pinch of salt, and you’ve got yourself a memorable dish. That’s just the magic at Edo, you find it in its simple dishes that are always fresh and truly unforgettable. Don’t forget,
Jazz night is on every Tuesday, and the Friday Buffets are always on-point. Edo is located in the Sahara Golf Club, near Murouj. For more information, follow Edo on Instagram @Edo_restaurant. Please call 6600 7341 for inquiries and reservations, and for delivery call 2220 3464. You can also order Edo via Talabat. Photography by Yousef Al Nasser, @Yousefcam on Instagram. 137
bazaar around town
INVISIBOBBLE BASIC - THE WEIGHTLESS HAIR RING FOR EVERY DAY With this new season comes a new look, as invisibobble gets a minimalist update with the invisibobble BASIC. Unlike the unique, spiral traceless hair ring, the invisibobble BASIC features a chic, flat design. The thinnest invisibobble yet, the BASIC seamlessly blends into hair for an almost invisible look. From a chic ponytail to a sleek up-do, the invisibobble BASIC is perfect for creating any style imaginable. Despite its small size the invisibobble BASIC maintains the strong grip invisibobble is known for and does not leave kinks in hair. Made from the same artificial resin as the original invisibobble, the invisibobble BASIC wears comfortably and doesn’t pull on hair. Available in four shades, True Black, Crystal Clear, Jelly Twist (a red-pink ombre), and Mocha and Cream (a rich brown paired with nude), there’s a BASIC to fit every mood and style. Invisibobble is distributed by beautique cosmetics intl. For more information please visit www.beautiquecosmeticsintl. com call 2225 1285. TISSOT SEASTAR 1000 GENT AUTOMATIC DIVE INTO DESIGN Seamlessly marrying style and performance, the Tissot Seastar 1000 Gent Automatic is an elegant watch for watersport lovers. Its sporty look is subtle enough to make this the ultimate choice for both day and night, with superb accuracy assured thanks to the Powermatic 80 movement which offers 80 hours of power reserve. In the water, the performance doesn’t falter - reassuringly robust, it can handle pressure up to 30 bar (1000ft), a feat reflected in the name of the watch itself. Underwater explorers take note: the Tissot Seastar 1000 Professional has all the features you may need to discover another world. Easy readability is a must, and luminescent hands, which even have a luminescent dot on the seconds’ hand, make telling the time quickly effortless. A scale typical for divers, with every minute until 20 marked, and then every five minutes indicated, is a useful safety feature, while a screwed down case and crown will prevent the watch itself being damaged. The water theme continues in the watch’s appearance, with one model even showcasing a gradient dark blue dial, seemingly as deep as the ocean itself. Practical sportsmen will appreciate pairing this sea-faring piece with a rubber strap, while those planning on wearing it both in and out the ocean will enjoy a steel bracelet with stylish butterfly clasp. For more information on Tissot, follow @MoradBehbehani_Group on Instagram. THE PORSCHE 911 SPEEDSTER TO GO INTO PRODUCTION IN EARLY 2019 The concept study, presented during the 70th birthday of the sports car manufacturer, will be produced as a limited special edition: Porsche has decided to start producing the purist Porsche 911 Speedster in the first half of 2019. Exactly 1,948 units of the open-top two-seater will be built. The number reminisces the Porsche 356 “Number 1” that received its operating license on June, 8 back in 1948. In Paris, Porsche presented this year’s second Speedster Concept study. Its Guards Red paintwork is a reference to the 1988 911 Speedster of the G-Model generation. The new cross-spoke 21-inch wheels in cross spoke and the black leather interior create a tasteful and sporty appearance. Dream becomes reality: The driveable 911 Speedster Concept, initially presented on June 8 in 2018 in Zuffenhausen as a “Heritage” version, will go into production in 2019. The car was developed at Porsche Motorsport in Weissach in cooperation with Style Porsche and Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur. The future 911 Speedster, based on the 991 range, will be the first car to be offered with the new Heritage Design Packages. This exclusive accessory line by Porsche Exclusive allows for an even higher degree of personalization for the 911. In addition to the eye-catching paintwork, 21-inch center lock wheels are another visual highlight of this latest concept study presented in Paris. Their cross-spoke wheel design is similar to that of Porsche racing cars such as the 911 RSR and the GT3 R. The tinted daytime running lights were also inspired by racing. Matching the study’s paintwork, they are kept in red. The two “Talbot”shaped exterior mirrors as well as the fuel tank cap – centrally positioned on the bonnet – shine in black-chrome and platinum. In contrast to the previously shown “Heritage” version, the interior is using partly perforated black leather upgraded with red highlights. All body components as well as the entire technology of both the 911 Speedster Concept cars are identical. This includes the shortened window frames with their lowered cowl top panels and the smaller side windows as well as the carbon-fibre rear bonnet with the double-bubble cover behind the seats. Both cars come with a lightweight Tonneau cover, fitted by Tenax buttons, instead of a convertible soft top. For more information, visit Porsche Centre Kuwait on Facebook and Instagram. To learn more about the currently available models and new vehicle launches, please visit www.porschekuwait.com or call 1870 870. THE PROMENADE UNVEILS SOAPBOX In a move supporting entrepreneurial development in Kuwait, The Promenade unveiled Soapbox to the public recently at the official launch event. The unique concept supports young entrepreneurs while creating a unique retail experience for visitors. Soapbox offers ten turnkey shops for entrepreneurs, a café, a restaurant, kiosks, and a fully-equipped event space. Over 500 people attended the Soapbox opening, including key people from governmental institutions related to small businesses, CEOs of companies, young entrepreneurs and business owners, as well as partners and supporters of The Promenade and Soapbox. The Promenade Management Team commented: “We would like to thank everyone that attended the event and joined us to celebrate the official opening of Soapbox.” Visit Mezzanine 1 of The Promenade to be inspired by Soapbox’s entrepreneurs, our ambassadors for success, or for more information on Soapbox, please visit www.applyforabox.com or visit @SoapboxKW on Instagram.
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RAZOR CRAZY CART SHIFT Introducing the biggest and newest novelty in the Crazy Cart family; Crazy Cart Shift. This vehicle defies all classifications - it drives quickly, sharply and without restrictions. The driving style depends only on the driver's skills. This is the most compact version of the Crazy Cart so far. There is now a motor with power core technology which gives all the power instantly on the wheel. This replaces the lever found on larger models but ensures no less of a crazy experience. Just tighten the steering wheel, add gas and you’re ready to drift away! Those who love to spend time on the karting track can now create their own race way in and around the house. Crazy Cart does not have to drive on a perfectly flat surface and it can drive exceptionally on small bumps, paving stones and low curbs. Thanks to super-steerable wheels, you can even drive it in a local car park without fear of denting or scratching the neighbor’s cars, and evoke the envy of everybody standing by. With the redesigned drift system, you and your friends can drift and spin at safe speeds (up to 8 MPH) for up to 40 minutes of fun. You can find the Crazy Cart Shift at Fantasy World. For more information visit www.fantasyworldtoys.com. Customers can voice their concerns and comments at Fantasy World's social media platforms on Facebook: fantasyworldtoyskuwait, Instagram @fantasyworldtoys and Youtube: fantasyworld Kuwait. BALDAN GROUP NOW IN KUWAIT AND THE MIDDLE EAST At an extravagant event which took place in The Regency hotel last month, Joint Medical Company, provider of health care services in Kuwait and the exclusive Middle-East distributor for the renowned beauty brand-Baldan Group, unveiled the Italian brand’s very unique six machines and the brand’s new innovative approaches in the cosmeceutical field. The event was hosted by the Italian Beauty expert, Cinzia, who came all the way from Italy to provide live demonstrations of the six new machines as well as answer all the inquiries of the attending dermatologist and beauticians. Commenting on the success of the event, Noha Talaat, Marketing Manager of Joint Medical Company, said “The launch of Baldan Group in Kuwait and the Middle East, will provide the region's markets with revolutionary technologies in the world of beauty treatments. Among these technologies is the T-Shape, which combines three technologies of radiofrequency (RF), infrared and vacuum; the RF aims to treat cellulite, boost collagen and assist with body sculpting; the infrared components target fat cells and the vacuum aims to lift and tighten the skin, while also stimulating circulation and lymphatic drainage.” She added: “The company will also be distributing the HIFU Lab, designed for reshaping the face and body using high intensity focused ultrasound, and Play Skin, for body contouring and fat reduction.” Besides the new technologies, Baldan Group created a range of cosmetics with an authentic composition of active ingredients that promises to treat, restore and recover the skin! Released after numerous hours of research, the skin care collection, offers different solutions for different skin problems, developing a full range of products, focusing various lines as facial, body, and even special treatments for whitening, and antiaging. Nevertheless, the make-up range invents a new way for women to achieve an elegant natural look, it enhances facial features while protecting and even treating the skin. A point worthy of mention is that all Baldan Group products are stamped 'made in Italy', proof of remarkable quality. Not to mention that the products are all free of nickel, paraffin and gluten and are also dermatology tested in the prominent university of Ferera, Italy. For more information visit www.alroudhangroup.org/joint-medical-company or call 2482 8626/8636. NO ANIMAL TESTING FOR ULTA3! ULTA 3 is an Australian owned cosmetic brand in Faces that’s all about color and fun, to give you the confidence to experiment with your look and be yourself. ULTA3 believe in bringing the latest on-trend, high-quality products at a super affordable price so that you can complete your look without breaking the bank! 100% cruelty free, they also have a large variety of vegan products available and their mission is to release only vegan products in the future. Faces was born in Kuwait in 1987. Today, Faces has stores in Avenues, 360, 89 mall, Ajial mall and Awtad mall. ASHISH DESIGNS FOR WAREHOUSE This month, Warehouse launches a new collection designed by Ashish - the Delhi-born, London-based designer, adored for his trademark shimmering palettes and tongue-in-cheek slogans. The glittering 14-piece range features key silhouettes – from wardrobe staples such as polo tops, T-shirts, leggings, dresses and miniskirts for the festive season. The collection's standout pieces are a statement catsuit, a floor-length gown and an oversized trench coat in suitably sequined signature Ashish style. Look out for this stunning collection which will be available at Warehouse inside Debenhams in Grand Avenue– The Avenues.
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MEET THE WET DETANGLER! The Wet Detangler, distributed by beautique cosmetics intl., is the newest hair brush in the market that understands how to treat wet and fragile hair with expertise. With 325 unique teeth that flex over tangles and knots with every single stroke, hair is quickly detangled confidently whilst helping to reduce breakage. There’s no slipping out of your hand and chasing around in the shower! It’s also great on dry hair for delivering smoothness and shine. Unlike other brushes, Tangle Teezer’s Wet Detangler detangles with no pulling, tugging or snagging. Available in four new colors, Liquorice Black, Millennnial Pink, Popping Pink & Serenity Blue. For more information, please visit www.beautiquecosmeticsintl.com call 2225 1285 for more info.
WALLIS – AUTUMN/WINTER 2018 COLLECTION This autumn, turn heads in the biggest trends of the season with Wallis. From powerful animal prints to warm color palettes of rich toffees, rusts and neutral caramel hues, these exclusive prints have been designed to offer effortless style & versatility. Our faux-fur coat has become the most wanted trend on the runway. Invest in this statement coat and it'll be your go-to piece season after season. Keep the palette neutral or be bold with animal print and let the coat be the focus. Make a faux-fur coat your everyday layer: style over a t-shirt and denim for an on-trend day look or exude glamour paired with a LBD. The collection is available at Wallis at The Avenues, and inside Debenhams at Souq Sharq, Gate Mall and The Avenues – Grand Avenues. For news and inspiration, check out Wallis on Instagram @wallismiddleeast.
EXQUISITE TURNTABLES FROM AROUND THE WORLD, NOW AT ROCKET WORLD Discover the difference with Rocket World, a new concept store that specializes in unique, quirky and fun gift ideas. Now you can also browse through different types of turntables that will rock your world. Rocket World offers a variety of different brands of turntables, ensuring you a wide variety to choose from. Rocket World has stores in Kuwait at Shuwaikh’s Plot 40, behind City Centre & The Promenade Mall offering a variety of gift ideas for anyone who is young at heart and loves cute items that have equal amounts of function and quirkiness. Rocket World’s products are brought exclusively to Kuwait with the sole objective of providing customers with unique gift options from selective brands that are currently unavailable in the market, including Pylones, a French gift shop chain that is famous for its functional and fun items that are made for everyday use. Rocket World’s unconventional gifts also include a wide variety of items you can present to your food loving friends such as hotdog-shaped staplers, burger-shaped lip balms, watermelon and orange-shaped juice containers and even a bicycle-shaped pizza cutter. Rocket World is located in Shuwaikh, Al Sager Complex (across from Mayar Complex) & at The Promenade. For more information, please call 2225 2596.
EVANS – DISCOVER THE TREND We're in love with Evans' nod to the sports luxe trend, delivered with a feminine twist. Vibrant red drives this palette complimenting perfectly a creamy camel, all grounded with black. Animal prints are modern and wearable, and Evans' signature check print is super feminine. Color block knitwear, shirt dresses, luxury padded coats and side tipped trousers deliver smart but comfort dressing at its very best. Taking its inspiration from the western trend, one of the biggest catwalk trends around. A casual pack which works fantastically with black and grey denim for weekend play. Statement paisley prints, fun easy stars and subtle fringe detailing all in this seasons key berry/red hues. Rich tones of amber and ochre layer back perfectly with forest green in this botanical pack. Hand painted florals and Evans hero scarf print set the pace for this fun stylish pack. This is contemporary dressing at its best with wrap and tie details in mixture of prints. Statement coats layer perfectly over cosy knits making this perfect autumnal dressing with colour and impact. Available in sizes 14-30. For news and inspiration, check out Evans on Instagram @evansmiddleeast.
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LIBRA OCT 23 – NOV 22 Restriction and discipline might not be your forte, but realize that this may be exactly the type of thing that you need the most. Try not to expend your energy in too many directions. Focus and channel your efforts into the things you consider the most important. Make sure that most of your time is spent tending to these things. Have you hugged your loved ones lately?
SAGITTARIUS NOV 23 – DEC 21 Love and personal relationships are likely to take on a much dreamier and more romantic tone now. Your eyes are apt to sparkle as you speak or even think of the person you care about the most. The unmistakable glow that surrounds you is likely to attract others to your side even if you aren't in the market for a romantic relationship right now.
CAPRICORN DEC 22 – JAN 19 You may find that your love is incredibly magnetic now. All you need to do is be yourself and suddenly people flock your way. There are terrific opportunities for you to strengthen the bonds you have with the people you care about the most. Solidify your relationship with soft romantic words and actions. There is an extra sensuality to your mood and actions now.
AQUARIUS JAN 20 – FEB 18 Consider taking a more conservative approach to your actions, as well as to the way you dress. Others may be rather put off by something that comes across as too flashy. Fashion is apt to be a significant concern for you now, which is fine. Don't underestimate the power of personal appearance.
PISCES FEB 19 – MAR 19 While you normally like all of your romantic relationships to be extremely nurturing and comforting, you may find that this isn't always possible. There's a disconnect between you and a close partner right now that could be hard to rectify. Time is really the only thing that's likely to resolve this sort of problem. Remember that all of your relationships can't always go exactly according to plan.
associated with the delicious love interest of the day. Don't dismiss those who don't seem practical or levelheaded enough for you.
GEMINI MAY 21 – JUN 21 Take your loved one out for a romantic dinner. Escort them on a magic-carpet ride to fantastic places that encourage a playful mood and carefree attitude. Consider have a nice time at a playground. Decorate your house with candles and burn some incense. Create a mood that will calm the nerves and soothe the soul.
CANCER JUN 22 – JUL 22 It's critical that you not try to gain the love and appreciation of another by controlling their decisions. It's time to let the people around you set their own rules and boundaries. Give that special person space to decide what's best, then you can take action accordingly. It may be that you discover things about this person that you probably would never have known if you called all the shots.
LEO JUL 23 – AUG 22 You might need to put on the brakes when it comes to love and romance. Don't think that this means you have to break off any sort relationship that's in the works, but realize that you may need to take a more realistic approach to how you handle it. The problem is that you may be getting so caught up in the fantasy of things that you aren't tending to practicalities.
SCORPIO OCT 23 – NOV 22 Appreciate the good things you have. Don't let another day go by without really paying homage to the people who've helped you grow along the way. Take a walk. Climb a tree or help a child build a tree house. Connect with your spiritual side that finds satisfaction in where you are now instead of always feeling a need to search for something bigger and better.
VIRGO AUG 23 – SEP 22 You may be confused when it comes to matters of the heart. Perhaps you feel cheated when the object of your desire doesn't give you complete attention at all times. The fundamental security of your being is your responsibility, not someone else's. Find a way to incorporate your dreams into the dreams of others instead of always working toward goals at opposite sides of the spectrum.
ARIES MAR 20 – APR 19
A creative project that you've been working on may be coming to a climactic peak now. Discuss your progress with others and feel free to hold an informal critique in order to get honest feedback on your work. A piece of art should stir some sort of reaction inside another person. Consider ways in which you can challenge the people around you with your talent.
TAURUS APR 20 – MAY 20 Be aware that love is likely to wear some sort of disguise. There's something fanciful about the way in which this new romance will manifest, so get ready. Don't think that love always has to be planned and calculated. There is a strong sense of spontaneity
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