1817-2017. 200 YEARS DURAVIT. YOUR FUTURE BATHROOM.
X-Large. Design by Duravit
Offering plenty of extra storage space and extra elegance, the X-Large furniture series is popular with instinctive good taste. And they can now develop this even further with the X-Large series, which Duravit now has completely re-interpreted. Great in terms of function but even more sophisticated in terms of form.
February 2019 FASHION
Fashion Clippings p. 22 Beauty Clippings p. 24 Fashion Shoot: Sachin & Babi Resort 2019 p. 26 Interview: Mayar Badie p. 32 Feature: City Living with N by Natalie p. 34 Feature: Synthetic Diamonds p. 36 Bijoux: Valentine Bijoux for Her & Him p. 38
LIFESTYLE
Valentine Day & Night p. 42 Interview: The Cast of Umbrella Academy p. 46 Jet Set: High Table p. 52 Jet Set: Romancing the Passport p. 56 Home: Casa Alegria p. 58
REGULARS Editor’s Note p. 8 Happenings p. 12 FLAIR Loves p. 18
On the Cover Helena Christensen in Sachin & Babi Resort 2019
A TA BLE FOR T WO ... A M EMORY FORE V ER
T H E ‘ W O R L D I S YO U R OYST E R ’ T H I S V A L E N T I N E ’ S . . . S O T R A N S P O RT YO U R S W E E T H E A RT TO D I V I N E LY ROMANTIC SETTINGS FOR A NIGHT O F I N T E R N AT I O N A L T E M P TAT I O N S .
Saraya Gallery, is stylishly French with the cuisine to match ... ‘Ooh la la!’. Whisper ‘il mio amore’ to your love amid the Italian ambience of Ristorante Tuscany ... take a front row seat for the exotic Japanese teppanyaki show at Torii. Promenade Café awaits in an outdoor setting - just perfect, while The Bakery welcomes you with delectable delights.
16 SARAY EL GEZIRA ST., PO BOX 33 ZAMALEK, CAIRO 11211, EGYPT. T: 00. 202.27.28.3000 CAIROMARRIOTTHOTEL.COM ARABIC.MARRIOTT.COM/CAIEG
For the young at heart ... what’s not to love.
EDITOR’S NOTE
Love Notes
I
n the spirit of love, we bring you FLAIR’s annual Valentine’s Issue. In the year 2019 are diamonds still a girl’s best friend? Make sure to read Kate Dannies’ feature where she tracks the rise of synthetic diamonds and what you need to know about this alternate form of bling. Confused about where to take your better half on Valentine’s Day? Delve within our pages for ideas on where to go.
In an exclusive interview, Nour Ibrahim sits down with three of the stars of Netflix’s upcoming show “Umbrella Academy”. Based on comics, the supernatural drama revolves around a dysfunctional family of superheroes that comes together to solve the mystery of their father’s death, the threat of the apocalypse and more. Read on to know what the stars had to say about their roles in the unconventional drama.
Have a lovely month, Hind El Ramly editor@flair-magazine.com
MY PICKS FOR THE ISSUE
Sachin & Babi Resort 2019 p. 26
N by Natalie p. 34
Valentine Happenings p. 42
Casa Alegria p. 58
ETERNALLY YOURS ... A VALENTINE FOR THE AGES.
G A Z E I N TO E A C H OT H E R ’ S EYES AND SAVOR THIS UNIQUE SETTING FOR AN EVENING O F LO V E , A F F EC T I O N A N D S U B L I M E C U I S I N E C R E AT E D B Y O U R D E V OT E D C H E F S . Choices feature Jazzy vibes at 139 Restaurant ... softer sounds to accompany an Italian romantic setting at Alfredo ... exotic Indian flavours in the Moghul Room ... an exclusive view of the Great Pyramid on ‘The Bridge’ at 139 gardens, with live music، sparkling wine and five-course feast. Ask for our room packages including a couple massage and your choice of venues. Timeless majesty ... for the young at heart.
6. PYRAMIDS ROAD, P.O. BOX 12556, GIZA, CAIRO, EGYPT T: 00. 202.33.77.3222 F: 00. 202.33.76.7777 MARRIOTTMENAHOUSECAIRO.COM ARABIC.MARRIOTT.COM
February EDITOR IN CHIEF
Ahmed I Hassan OWNER
Sherif El Chourbagy MANAGING DIRECTOR
Hind El Ramly
EDITORIAL Europe Editor Daniela Bonetto Editorial Consultant Kate Dannies Staff Writer Sarah Guirguis Staff Writer Nour Ibrahim ART DIRECTOR & VIDEO EDITOR
Tony Atia
PHOTOGRAPHER
Hassan Ibrahim
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Maged Azoz
OFFICE COORDINATOR
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LASTING MEMORIES THIS AT GRAND NILE TOWER Live entertainment, sparkling stars, and breathtaking views ... The ultimate ingredients to a romance filled dining experience at the Revolving Restaurant on the 41st floor or aboard Marquise, Grand Nile Tower’s private yacht. Compliment the magical night with a one night stay in a luxurious room overlooking the spectacular Nile. WE GUARANTEE YOU A VALENTINE’S TO REMEMBER!
Corniche El Nile, Garden City, Cairo, Egypt Telephone: +202 2365 1234 Fax +202 2362 1927 www.grandniletower.com info@grandniletower.com
HAPPENINGS
Emirates Showcases Unique Culinary Experience Bringing the highlights of its network to life, Emirates Airlines, the world’s largest international airline, created an exclusive culinary experience for the Emirates First Class and Business Class lounge at the Cairo International Airport. The event showcased immersive blind-tasting of top dishes from the Emirates menus from Thailand, Malaysia, USA, Australia, India and the UAE. Recently, Emirates also launched its own food channel on its entertainment system to give customers a behind-the-scenes look at how it creates its on-board menus, while featuring some recipes on their website so customers can recreate Emirates’ signature dishes or learn how to make a classic crepe at home.
Juhayna Discusses Responsible Consumption In line with efforts in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and with Egypt’s 2030 strategy, Juhayna organized a panel discussion as a part of its Energy Day annual celebration to tackle the company’s plans in rationalizing the consumption of energy resources. The company has been honoured by the ENCPC and the UNIDO in recognition for working with them on the Green Technology Transfer program, which aims to reduce industrial pollution and strengthen cooperation with various local and international scientific institutions, in order to work on the improvement of the quality and competitiveness of the Egyptian product regionally and internationally.
Kindle Now Available in Egypt Starting now, customers in Egypt can shop for Kindle devices, including Kindle Oasis, the most advanced e-reader via Souq.com. You can enjoy more than one million titles from the Kindle eBook store, including thousands of Arabic books from leading authors like Naguib Mahfouz and Nizar Qabani, and classics like The 1001 Nights and Kalila wa Dimna. Kindle devices are perfect for the avid reader since they hold thousands of books, offer a battery life that is measured in weeks and feature a no-glare display that allows you to read even in bright sunlight. You can also personalize your ideal reading settings with fonts, font sizes, and text alignment options.
Marriott International Introduces New Loyalty Brand Unveiling Marriott Bonvoy, their new loyalty brand, Marriott International replaced the current brands Marriott Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG). Marriott Bonvoy is built on the belief that travel enriches us all and has the power to enrich the world. It launches on February 13 when the logo and branding begin rolling out across all consumer touch-points, including property, marketing and sales channels, digital, mobile and co-brand credit cards, bolstered by a multimillion-dollar global media campaign starting in late February.
Nile Ritz-Carlton Receives Luxury Awards For best performing hotel in 2017 and 2018, The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo has received four major awards from Marriott International. Leading the hospitality industry in Cairo, Joe Ghayad was awarded General Manager of the Year for Middle East and Africa at the Marriott International Luxury Hotel Awards held on the 14th of January in Cairo. The three other major luxury awards were best performing hotel in financial excellence, operational excellence and food and beverage excellence on all criteria related to service, quality and financial achievements.
Sheraton Cairo Introduces Café Fontaine Café Fontaine, a vibrant new coffee shop and bakery has now opened its doors at the Sheraton Cairo Hotel and Casino. It is accessible through the Nile entrance, and opens early to serve morning commuters offering freshly brewed coffee, sandwiches, salads and a diverse bakery. Wedding and customized cakes are also offered, allowing guests to celebrate and personalize any special occasion with unlimited imagination. You can be assured that all baked goods are made with local fresh ingredients and are handcrafted in-house.
Emirates NBD Awarded Best Bank After receiving four awards for innovation, retail banking, Internet services and their digital platform, Emirates NBD Egypt has been awarded The Best Bank in Egypt for 2018 by The Banker Africa for the second year in a row. It was also awarded The Best Mobile Banking App - Egypt 2018 by the renowned International Finance magazine, which specializes in monitoring and following the most important economic and banking institutions around the world. Having just launched an electronic signature service to sign and send documents using Digi-Sign technology, the bank is considered the first to launch digital signature services to provide the highest standards of safety for business accounts.
Marriott Mena House Revives Moghul Room Marriot Mena House’s most celebrated Indian restaurant is back in a contemporary setting overlooking the Pyramids and the hotel’s beautiful landscaped gardens. You can savor their new menu which has been updated by the newly-appointed Indian Chef, who offers the authentic taste of India. The exceptional menu includes mouthwatering appetizers, an exquisite bread selection, the famous biryani and exotic desserts. If you are looking for the best Indian food in the city, don’t miss Marriott Mena House’s legendary Moghul Room.
3 El Tayaran St. Nasr City - Cairo, Egypt
T: +202.2264.1111
reservations@sonestacairo.com
Sofitel Cairo El Gezirah Wins Best Luxury Hotel The International Hotel & Property Awards, the most acclaimed industry award throughout the region, awarded Sofitel Cairo El Gezirah Hotel the Best Luxury Hotel in Egypt in 2018. This marked the second time for the hotel to reach an excellence award for hospitality. The awards were presented on December 3rd at the The Savoy Hotel, London, and were judged by an independent panel of 80 industry experts, also chaired by Lord Thurso, a member of the House of Lords in the UK Parliament. The judging criteria focused on design, quality, service, innovation, originality, and commitment to sustainability.
Soha El Torgoman Makes Hospitality Power List Hotelier Middle East recently ranked Soha El Torgoman, cluster general manager of Ramses Hilton and Hilton Cairo World Trade Center Residences, in the 2019 Power List of 25 Women in Hospitality across the Middle East & North Africa region. It is based on the influence, involvement and achievements the listed leaders have had on the industry over the preceding 12 months, and their planned enhancements for the months ahead. She was the only hospitality veteran to make this list from Egypt, and one of four Hilton Female Leaders to receive this recognition. Hilton’s strong presence in the list is a testament to the company’s continuous support of female talent to seize enriching career opportunities.
First Solar Power Station at JW Marriott Now launched on the rooftop of JW Marriott Cairo is its first advanced solar-powered photovoltaic (PV) modeling software, the Helioscope and PVSyst. This would be the first project in Egypt to use a grant by the United Nations Development program and support from the Industrial Modernization Center and the Ministry of Trade & Investment. The implementation of this plant comes in the context of the hotel’s support of the efforts to diversify energy sources, expand the use of clean renewable energy technologies in the hotel sector in Egypt in accordance with the concepts of green hotels and reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that cause changes in climatic conditions.
Marriott Hotels Introduce First TED Fellow Salon In partnership with TED, Marriott Hotels hosted its first ever TED Fellows Salon in Egypt, sparking meaningful conversations on Egypt’s cultural past and present at the Marriott Mena House, Cairo. TED fellows including educational entrepreneur, Karim Abouelnaga, and East African singer and songwriter, Meklit Hadero, led the innovative and thought-provoking discussion providing guests the opportunity to engage and be inspired. Following the speeches about culture, education and music, a cocktail event was held at the hotel’s gardens right at the foot of the Pyramids of Giza where the mesmerizing views portrayed a live demonstration of Egypt’s great history and culture.
Enjoy
Special offer For All Flair Readers
20% on Online Rate 25% on Food & Beverage 30% on Spa Treatments Booking Code: Flair 2019
FLAIR #LOVES By Daniela Bonetto
LIGHT BULB MOMENT
There definitely is news in the world of light bulb pioneer Plumen. Ta-Dah!! It’s the gorgeous new 001 LED light bulb. The 001 unites form, function and innovation; the perfect recipe for beautiful lighting. { from €49; plumen.com }
DECK IT ALL The holidays are definitely long gone but we aren’t done decking the walls, halls and anything else that may come under our itchy fingers. The print prize this month goes to Maison Images d’Epinal, one of the oldest and most famous tailor-made printed imagery manufacturers in the world. Since 1796, the brand prints its historical and contemporary creations on multiple mediums, including textiles, wallpapers, cushions, furniture and stationary. (cushion is from €240, wallpaper POA; imagesdepinal.com)
A DELIGHTFUL STORY
“The concept of the collection, The Road to Heaven is Paved with Excess, is that you never know what is enough until you know what is more than enough.” Says Artemest co-founder, Ippolita Rostagno. These decadent plates are the new collection in partnership with Richard Ginori where each plate depicts a word from which a story may begin. [ from €96; artemest.com ]
SUPER HANGER Leblon Delienne has given free rein to French designer Constance Guisset to create a new collection based around imaginary superhero universes. Constance Guisset decided to focus the collection on the most iconic element of any superhero: the cape. Suggested as a coat hanger but also perfect as a decorative object when coupled together, these wall capes, with their sleek design, will catch the eye of people of all ages. Animated and multifunctional, these coat hangers bring life to any interior. (from €65; leblon-delienne.com)
POSTMODERNIST ACCENTS Patricia Urquiola has worked with Spanish outdoor furniture brand, Kettal on her Roll collection. It’s a series of tables with interchangeable colourful tops and bases. The design of these new side tables could be considered postmodernist, given its basic yet unexpected forms. The tables are built following a graphic pattern which appears in all of the collection’s pieces, a pattern in which various materials - metals, concrete and wood - are joined together in unique and unusual ways.
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FLAIR REVIEW
Wedding Elegance At Nile Ritz-Carlton Be the wedding grandiose, intimate, themed or traditional, each one has a unique story. At the Nile Ritz-Carlton, weddings are fairytales brought to life and the ideal chance for bespoke moments to be created and showcase the story of each couple. The Nile Ritz-Carlton will guarantee that on your day, perfection is the norm - from the reception to ballroom decorations to welcome drinks to lighting.
With three spectacular venues ideal for pre-wedding and wedding celebrations, the location overlooking the Nile and the rich history of the hotel, whatever options you pick you will enjoy sophisticated elegance on the big day. For old-school elegance and opulence, the hotel’s sweeping ballroom Alf Leila Wa Leila is without par. This popular ballroom has been the venue of hundreds of high-profile weddings over the past 50 years. Picture it! Exquisite chandeliers and sumptuously upholstered walls adding a touch of class and luxury that is simply timeless... Spanning 924 square meters, the ballroom can accommodate up to 600 guests. For smaller, more intimate affairs or pre-wedding functions, the ballroom can be divided into three smaller venues. For weddings epic in scale and style, the lavishly proportioned Al Qahira ballroom sets the scene beautifully. With a dramatic fountain leading guests to its spacious foyer as well as exquisite chandeliers, upholstered walls and dreamy lighting creating a magnificent ambience in the main ballroom, the space welcomes guests with grace and refinement. For couples looking to add an extra touch of romance to their summer weddings, the lavish Garden City offers awe-inspiring views of the Egyptian Museum as a stately backdrop. With a capacity for over 1000 guests, the verdant gardens create the ultimate wedding scene for the summer season. Starting April 2019, the hotel is offering very appealing wedding packages during the summer month that you need to check out. Services offered range from intricate floral arrangements to breathtaking wedding cakes to professional photography and videography.
Fashion
Azza Fahmy Jewellery
P. 38
Sachin & Babi / N By Natalie / Synthetic Diamonds 21
FASHION CLIPPINGS By Nour Ibrahim
Your Fashion “Kit” To satisfy your inner minimalist, Kit Keenan, 19-year-old daughter of American Fashion Designer Cynthia Rowley, has started her own affordable fashion line filled with high quality basics. The young entrepreneur got the idea during her freshman year of college and used savings from her modeling gigs to start the line. The line called KIT includes staples such as hoodies, t-shirts, and little black dresses, all must haves for any fashionable wardrobe.
Timeless Adaptive Clothing Line There are many people in the world with physical disabilities, yet they are rarely acknowledged in the fashion industry. It is usually very difficult to find clothing that can adapt to their needs. This is why Heather Hill designed the Australian line Timelessclothing meant to be easy to wear for those who find it difficult to dress independently. The line enables the use of special textiles to provide material for those sensitive to it as well as easy to close velcro and magnets to replace the usual struggle of a button or zipper. These items are both helpful and stylish and a much needed addition to the world of fashion.
Protests Delay Paris Fashion Shows The ongoing “yellow vest” protests in Paris have disrupted many scheduled fashion shows set to take place during Paris Fashion Week. Protests had already been targeting large French luxury brands such as Dior and Chanel. The riots have caused an estimated one million euros worth of damage, costing the brands dearly. Designers had to move their shows around to compensate for the riots.
Payless Palessi Trick If Palessi sounds like a made-up word, you would be correct. It happens to be a total fabrication of the shoe store Payless that made up the brand and used it to trick a group of Fashion influencers. Said influencers were invited to come to a fake boutique in a Los Angeles mall. There they bought shoes for over $600, describing the designs as “Elegant” and “Sophisticated”. They later found out the shoes were actually from Payless and actually cost only $20! The influencers were refunded their money of course, but also learned a valuable lesson in the field of psychological pricing. Their reactions were truly priceless.
Breitling’s Navitimer 1 Breitling played an important role in the golden era of aviation, helping crews track the full range of calculations related to navigation. The brand has now created a capsule collection of Navitimer 1 Airline Editions that commemorate the most emblematic airlines of that time. The collection is being launched, appropriately, with the Navitimer 1 B01 Chronograph 43 Swissair Edition, which will be followed by timepieces celebrating other important airlines of a very special era. The Navitimer 1 Airline Editions pay an affectionate tribute to the pioneers of civil aviation and celebrate the most emblematic airlines of the era, starting with Swissair.
Micheal B Jordan Face of Coach Men American actor Micheal B. Jordan has become the first ever male face of the luxury brand Coach. The 31-year-old Black Panther star is highly recognizable for both his charisma and amazing good looks, making it no surprise that he would also turn to modeling. Embodying the lines theme of “cool optimism” Jordan proves he can put as much character into photos as he can on screen.
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BEAUTY CLIPPINGS By Nour Ibrahim
Seed Phytonutrients With a new year comes a new need to feel like you’ve got your life together. And what better way to say you have your life together than by indulging in some self-care. One brand that understands this is Seed Phytonutrients. Launching in 2018, Seed Phytonutrients is a brand focused more on earth care than on commercialization. Ensuring their ingredients come from independent American organic farmers, they harness the power of the local seed into products that will make you both look and feel good. Their sustainable initiative doesn’t only promote self-care, but also environmental-care for the sake of our future generations.
FlowerBomb by Victor & Rolf With Valentine’s day right around the corner, many are scrambling to find the perfect gift for their loved one. And while many make the investment to get a luxury perfume, they forget the true value of the gift: personalization. When it comes from the heart, it means more, and Victor & Rolf know it. Allowing you to customize your perfume bottle with an accessory and an 8-character engraving that screams “just for you”, V&R’s FlowerBomb is a truly perfect and romantic gift that checks of every element of a good Valentine’s day present.
Dove’s Aluminum Free Line Deodorant is a necessary staple in most daily routines, and it’s anti-perspirant affect is truly a lifesaver. However, the ingredient used to stop us from sweating, aluminum, has been rumored to be harmful. Taking this concern into account, Dove has released a new line of all-natural deodorants. Included in fan favorite scents such as Green Tea Cucumber, the deodorant replaces the anti-perspirant perk with a more refreshing and safer take. Both aluminum and alcohol free, you can be sure that this deodorant will provide you with the natural care you need.
Makeup-Ready Skin Collection Skin care is important, especially in the winter when dryness and flakiness are taking over. Understanding this, MAC has come out with an on-the-go skin care line that prepares your cold-damaged skin into a makeup-ready canvas. Including eight MAC skin care essentials, you can prep, prime, strobe, and moisturize your face, eyelids and lips-all in a public bathroom. After this, the application of any makeup is bound to be silky smooth. As long as you have this kit, you will always be Makeup-Ready.
Hung Vanngo From Refugee to Oscars Hung Vanngo is was a refugee from Vietnam. Travelling from there after the end of the Vietnam War, his single mother took him and his two siblings on a refugee boat. They were later placed in a Thai refugee camp after their boat faced a shipwreck. This is when Canadian hotel maid Phung Tai Dang came and volunteered to take the family in after seeing a picture of them at the camp while volunteering in a disaster relief organization. From there, Vanngo got an education and job, but could never quite grasp English. He did, however, love art and painting, and was talented at it as well. Eventually he would go to beauty school and from then on find work with stars such as Selena Gomez. He finally made his way to the Oscars, doing makeup for the A-List star Jennifer Lawrence, catching everyone’s attention. Recently winning the InStyle Award as Makeup Artist of the Year, Vanngo continues to impress and inspire.
#YogaSkin Nothing beats the radiant glow of a post-yoga work out. With your skin slightly tinted and dewy, you feel as if you should always go make up free. However, if you are like the majority who don’t want to do an hours’ worth of workout to get that glow, then look no further than Sara Hill. A UK based makeup artist, Sara Hill has created a tutorial on how to get Yoga Face. Including a mix of products such as foundation and face oil, the tutorial shows you how to obtain the yoga glow without doing the yoga. Now that’s relaxation.
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FASHION SHOOT
Cardinal red crepe strapless gown, hand embroidered with glass faceted tonal seed beads. Styled with cardinal red silk faille bolero with over sized sleeves
Helena Christensen X Sachin & Babi
Resort 2019 27
‘Stardust’ sequined strapless column gown with a high slit and black crepe romper.
As inspiration for their Resort 2019 collection, New York based design house Sachin & Babi took a deeper look at their clientele-women living their best multifaceted lives. This inspired the designers to work with Helena Christensen a mother, photographer and iconic supermodel. “We wanted to create a collection that keeps every aspect of our woman’s life in mind, through extraordinary construction and signature embroidery details, we aim to strike the right note between fancy and fun.” says Sachin & Babi.
Each silhouette in the collection was designed with intention for women of all ages and body types. A celebration of deep saturated tones, marigolds, and cardinal red with fuchsia layer the collection. Highlights include tiny faceted glass seed beads, which cover the entire body of a column gown to effortless sequin jumpsuits, styled with floor length Mikado coats.
Onyx sequined v-neck jumpsuit worn with oversized floor length mikado swing coat.
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‘Stardust’ sequined blouse paired with a matching pair of wide legged sequined pants.
Black tulle high-low gown with hand embroidered floral shaped sequins and extended train layered with tulle and horsehair. Styled with black silk wide leg pants and black mikado belt.
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INTERVIEW
Decoding your Style with
Mayar Badie By Hind El Ramly
An electronics engineer graduate and an MBA holder, Mayar Badie decided to give her true passion for fashion a shot after years of working in the engineering field as she went on to study personal styling at the University of Arts in London. Despite being based in the UK, Mayar has an avid Egyptian fan base that follows her through her “Style Memoir by Mayar” social media accounts. The personal stylist and style consultant paid a visit to Cairo this month where she held two personal styling workshops. During the workshops Mayar thoroughly explained how understanding your body, shape, and style while applying rules of geometry, proportion and color can completely transfer the way you look and view yourself. We caught up with Mayar during her recent visit…
How did you discover your love for styling/fashion? I’ve always had a thing for fashion, ever since I was a little girl collecting scraps of fabric, cutting and gluing them together to make dresses for my Barbie dolls. I’ve also always helped my friends pick what to wear for special events. I explored all areas of fashion; from design to fashion blogging, fashion history, fashion marketing, studied fashion styling until I realized that as much I love all things fashion, personal styling is what I’m passionate about the most. It’s the fact that using simple tricks you can completely change how a woman sees and feels about herself.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to be a stylist? That even if you think you have the talent, styling is a skill you can learn. Research and read a lot. Try to get an internship. Network and build good relationships. An important aspect of personal styling is the trust and credibility you establish with your clients. Be genuine-in anything you do.
What are the main observations you had regarding your styling workshops in Cairo? Of course the biggest challenge was trying to put it all together from a different country. Apart from that, I think the ladies may have been a bit apprehensive to what to expect from a 6 hour workshop on personal styling, specially that it’s the first time a workshop like this is tailored for normal women who want to know how to dress their body shapes, pick the right color, cut, fit, style...etc. rather than for stylists/aspiring stylists. I have to say we were both very pleasantly surprised from the energy and level of engagement throughout the 6 hours. Overall I really enjoyed the workshops myself, and very happy with the incredible support and feedback following both workshops. I put a lot of hard work and passion into preparing the workshop material myself, so hearing the ladies say it changed how they view their way of dressing, their body and wardrobe and that they know understand the universal phenomena of ‘I have nothing to wear’ makes me extremely happy :)
Top items that every woman should own regardless of her size and style... A crisp white button-down shirt A well-tailored blazer A pair of nude heels
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FEATURE
City Living with
N By Natalie Photographer: Cherine Shiha Model: Reem El Bakri MUA: Dana Khedr Jewellery: Taqat Jewellery
Ever since the brand’s launch, N by Natalie has mastered the art of understated elegance. For the latest collection by the readyto-wear brand the lead’s designer Natalie took inspiration from city life. The new collection presents different looks that portray the brand’s signature effortless elegance look, while being in tune with the city’s fast paced lifestyle as well. As women have no time to change outfits several times a day from a day look at work, to lunch with friends, to a last-minute business dinner, or a night outing, N By Natalie presents the perfect solution with pieces that will give women the simple elegant day wear, but with an edgy design to continue the night. Saving them from the hassle of changing outfits and shopping for every occasion, Living the City statement pieces are an essential part of every urban woman’s wardrobe as they can be styled differently.
Specialized in shirts and blouses, the brand’s new collection features a variety of pieces made out of top-quality material in Egypt, varying from silk, lace, and even denim, providing simple looks like the classic white shirt, but with a contemporary twist, giving it the glamorous touch it needed. In addition, the collection features a limited edition of RTW couture evening tops for special night out. The tops are made in very limited quantities leaving its wearer feeling unique and special. The brand has also created pieces that are exclusively available on www.mitcha.com
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FEATURE
Diamonds in the Rough
7
Are diamonds still a girl’s best friend? A rise in consumer demand for cost-effective, ethically sourced products has threatened the traditional diamond market, and made way for a more practical approach to wearing bling. Here’s all you need to know about the new synthetic diamond trend. By Kate Dannies
Things to Know about Synthetic Diamonds
1- Synthetic diamonds have been around for decades The first synthetic diamond was created at the General Electric research lab in New York City in 1954. Since then, synthetic diamonds have almost exclusively been used for industrial applications, including the cutting and polishing of hard substances.
2- Real diamonds are not as valuable as you may think Diamond conglomerate De Beers is largely responsible for the over inflated price of diamonds today. After securing a monopoly on the world diamond trade in the 1930’s, De Beers embarked on a wildly successful ad campaign that convinced consumers to spend large amounts of money on diamond engagement rings. Indeed, diamonds are not even considered rare; De Beers and other diamond companies simply control the supply levels of the raw material.
3- Synthetic diamonds can be made multiple ways There are two main processes that can produce synthetic diamonds: high pressure, high temperature (HPHT), and chemical vapour disposition (CVD). Grow in highly-controlled laboratory conditions that mimic the Earth’s natural growing environment, HPHT diamonds have the same chemical composition and crystal structure as real diamonds. The CVD method
Diamond Foundry
involves layering pieces of carbon on a diamond seed in a vacuum chamber. The result is a diamond with the same properties as the original but different and distinguishable crystal patterns.
4- The market for synthetic diamonds is large and growing Sales of synthetic diamonds hit US$ 1.7 bn in 2017 and are forecast to grow 22% annually, reaching US$ 5.2 bn in 2023 and US$ 14.9 bn by 2035. The bulk of demand has been spurred by millenials. In a survey, an average of 53% of people age 18-35 reported they would happily accept a lab-grown diamond engagement ring. In Japan, 63% responded positively, while 56% of American responders support synthetic alternatives.
5- The cost to produce synthetic diamonds is dropping As more companies get on board the synthetic diamond trend, the price to produce them has continued to plummet. The cost to produce a synthetic carat has dropped from US$ 4,000 in 2008 to around US$ 400 in 2017 using the CVD method. While HTHP processed diamonds cost slightly more to produce due to their identical chemical structure, synthetic diamonds still cost 40%-80% less than traditional diamonds.
6- De Beers is getting into the synthetic diamond industry In 2018, De Beers announced it would start selling synthetic diamonds for the first time in it’s 130-year history, after long-resisting moving into the synthetic market. The company claims that it now believes that technology is efficient enough to produce large quantities of synthetics at quality standards that align with real gemstones.
7- There are lots of established players in the game As demand continues to rise, a number of synthetic retailers have stood out, providing high quality cultured stones in a plethora of eye-catching styles. Retailers include Gordon Max, a company with a decade of synthetic diamond experience that offers synthetic equivalents to flawless-grade diamonds, and Innocent Stone, an online retailer focused on providing conflict-free, eco-friendly jewelry.
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BIJOUX
Valentine’s Bijoux For Her & Him
Azza Fahmy Jewellery’s Poetic Collection To celebrate the romantic occasion of Valentine, you can never go wrong with unique Azza Fahmy Jewellery’s intricate pieces. The luxury house continues to celebrate the art of calligraphy that is synonymous with the brand with the launch of a delightful poetic representation of love. Through a stylish ‘His and Hers’ collection of eight dainty pieces in 18ct gold and sterling silver for Valentine’s Day adorned with poetry to capture the mood. The collection sees a favourite sentiment of Azza Fahmy herself - Gibran Khalil Gibran’s famous classic quote; “Love Has Joined Us. Who Could Part Us,” is etched on an Earrings and ring set. While matching ‘his and her’ bands adorned with Sapphires are engraved with “We Are One”, and matching men’s Sterling Silver band with semi-precious stones are also offered.The famous t-lock necklace makes a return; this time with a square shaped pendant adorned with a quote from the famous Egyptian poet Ahmed Shawky “You may be out of my sight, but you’re all I see.” The quote also features on the Sterling Silver bracelet for him and coordinating wraparound bracelet for her.
Fit For Royalty HUWA’s ‘Kings & Crowns’ HUWA, Egyptian fine accessories brand by designer Hisham Wali, launched its latest collection entitled ‘Kings and Crowns’. The royalty inspired collection’s pieces make for a perfect Valentine gift. The collection is a manifestation of the historic elegance related to the majestic era of grand power. It features a series of the brand’s signature lapel pins and cufflinks among other accessories such as bracelets and cigar holders, each inspired by a different era of royalty. Each creation is made of sterling silver and brass, either plated in gold or platinum and embellished with precious and semi-precious stones. Set to shed a light on the royal spirit in each one of its wearers, the collections pieces include majestic elements of all kinds from crowns to weaponry and iconic mythical symbols. The idea of this collection came to designer Hisham Wali after paying a visit to the state-of-art galleries hosed by the V&A museum of London. He likes to consider this collection your moment of nobility. Every piece in the collection will add sophistication elevate your outfit from regular to royal.
HAPPENINGS
A Dreamy Valentine’s at the Nile Ritz-Carlton
With Valentine’s being just around the corner, the Nile Ritz-Carlton is here for you and prepared to be your ultimate wingman. If you’re worried about what to plan for that special day, make sure to opt for the exceptional offers and ideal packages at the Nile Ritz to help you create fairytales and the memories you can only capture with your loved one.
Experience an evening to remember at Nox, the glamorous rooftop restaurant and bar that offers some of Cairo’s most beautiful views. On the most romantic night of the year, Nox will be transformed into a Valentine’s wonderland. Resident DJs will be playing your favorite love songs throughout the evening, along with a surprise live appearance. While you’re there, you should expect romantic bites and cocktails will also be offered. Overlooking the most romantic view of the Nile River and Cairo skyline, an exclusive rooftop dinner is another option you
should definitely consider. The private dining rooftop venue will be transformed into a breathtaking romantic wonderland. Not to mention, early bird couples can treat themselves to exclusive access to the terrace space that can host only ten couples who will get the chance to experience Valentine’s like nobody else. Beginning their evening with a bottle of Moet & Chandon Champagne, along with a sophisticated five-course candlelit dinner, they will also be provided with a professional photographer on-hand to capture the highlights of their experience.
The best way to follow a night like this is to hit the Rolls-Royce of luxury spas in Egypt. Get pampered with the recommended rose body scrub or an indulgent 90-minute massage with rose body butter. For more information, please call +202 25778899 Ext: 2002, or email rc.cairz.reservations@ritzcarlton. com.
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FLAIR REVIEW
What Dreams Are Made Of Marriott Mena House Weddings
For most couples, the dreams and expectations you have for your wedding day run very high. From the minor decisions like picking the type of flowers for every table to the big decisions like picking the actual venue, the pressure is on. Let’s make it easy for you, shall we? At the Marriott Mena House, Cairo, you are promised a beautiful oasis of serenity with an iconic view of the Pyramids no matter which venue you pick. Needless to say, the spaces are customizable for your special day and are offered with professional wedding planning services, impeccable catering options and elegant accommodations.
For lovers of nature, you should opt for an outdoor wedding at the 139 Gardens. Set on an area of 2746 square meters of landscaped gardens, it also encompasses pools and fountains, framed with the picture perfect view of the Pyramids and the historic charm of the hotel.
If you aim for a more intimate event, Churchill Garden is definitely the place for you! It is a beautiful landscape that can host up to 200 guests. Rumor has it… this venue was always a favorite for kings, queens, presidents and worldwide celebrities for over a century.
As for those who prefer a regal-vibe wedding, Al Khalifa ballroom is the ideal place for you to live your royal dreams on the most special day of your life. Imagine a spacious 1000 square meters, gigantic crystal chandeliers and gold leaf teak wall paneling. What more could you wish for?
For a more extravagant reception, you should pick Alfredo Garden, which is strategically located in the middle of charming landscaped scenery. Taking up to 400 guests and set on 3650 square meters, it directly overlooks the famous Kefren Pyramid and is the perfect location for a super-size, fairytale wedding. What you can expect from Marriott Mena House service is ultimate dedication to offer top-notch quality that allows you to actually relax and enjoy your own wedding with friends and family – instead of having to worry about all the little details. Menus are tailor-made with a variety of cuisines that showcase infinite tastes of savory, sweet or spicy creations, featuring main courses, a carving station, Chinese, Indian, Italian dishes and exclusive selections from the Levant. You will get nothing less or short of what you imagined and hoped for. You can take our word for it.
Lifestyle
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VALENTINE DAY & NIGHT
Love With A View at the Grand Nile Tower Want to surprise your Valentine? Make it a night to remember at the spectacular Grand Nile Tower Revolving Restaurant. With remarkable views from atop the city, enjoy a romantic candlelit dinner, enchanting atmosphere and melodies on this special night. If you and your sweetheart prefer an alternative experience, the Marquise yacht offers a delectable dinner in an intimate setting and live entertainment while cruising the Nile. El Sakya Souk Terrace would also be a perfect spot to dine this Valentine’s Day, where you can enjoy a selection of international cuisines and the warm breeze by the Nile.
Cairo Marriott’s Valentine Specials Let love bloom in the heart of the city and celebrate Valentine’s Day at the Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino. At Saraya Gallery, you can spend your evening with a Parisian vibe brought by the candlelight and the finest selection for a set menu. Choose between a Pan-Seared Duck Breast platter or Backed Salmon dish cooked to perfection, in addition to a selection of the best appetizers your heart desires. Otherwise, pamper your date with a candle-lit dinner that takes them all the way to the romantic streets of Tuscany, with the variety of Italian specials served at Ristorante Tuscany such as the Baked Fillet of Red Snapper, and much more.
Perfect Getaway at Semiramis InterContinental Love is definitely in the air at Semiramis InterContinental Cairo this Valentine. Whether you would prefer a quiet romantic setting at The Grill or a fun-filled Dine‘n’Dance Valentine’s edition at Pane Vino with Cairo’s favorite singer, Ahmed Harfoush, this is definitely the ideal venue for you. Soft Power productions team in cooperation with Semiramis is delighted to present a Valentine’s Celebration Gala Dinner on Thursday, February 14th in Teeba ballroom. Egyptian rising stars, Dalia Farid and Lily Farid, will lead the performance with the Cairo Jazz Orchestra featuring original songs and popular selections in five languages. A night of glamour and music!
Valentine Romance at Marriott Mena House Spoil your special one through the romantic offers created exclusively for this occasion at Marriott Mena House, Cairo. Enjoy the view of the Great Pyramids on The Bridge at 139 restaurant gardens, with live music, sparkling wine and fivecourse feast. If you and your loved one prefer a more exotic experience, the famous Moghul Room is back with enchanting Indian menu. For a more romantic ambiance, Alfredo Restaurant is the perfect Italian setting with soft music and Italian delicacies. A dazzling night also awaits you at 139 Restaurant featuring jazzy vibes and a sublime cuisine created by esteemed chefs.
Celebrate Your Love at Sonesta Spend a memorable night with your valentine at La Gondola with a charming candle-lit dinner, and experience an unforgettable Valentine occasion, while enjoying a selection of gourmet Italian choices. If you want it Lebanese style, consider yourself invited to Baalbak for an authentic experience. For a full-on pampering gift, spoil your better half at Sonesta Cairo by booking the Valentine’s Day package that includes one night accommodation in a double room with breakfast, a relaxing massage treatment and a delightful romantic dinner at La Gondola all for EGP 2900.
Season of Love At Le Meridien Cairo Airport Pamper your significant other with a candle-lit dinner on Valentine’s Day at Mezzeh, where you will get a specially crafted four-course set menu for couples at 850++ EGP with a romantic live music show to make your celebration even more special. If you’re single and you want to escape all the romance this Valentine’s, Live Sports Bar will be hosting an unconventional Anti-Valentine’s Day party! No hearts, hugs, flowers or red colors everywhere you go. Bring your single friends and party in a fun Valentine-free environment.
INTERVIEW
Talking with the Cast of
Net f l ix ’s
Umbrella Academy The new upcoming Netflix series “Umbrella Academy” staring Ellen Page, Tom Hopper, David Castaneda, and Robert Sheehan (Klaus Hargreeves) is set to be a dark, fun superhero series with a twist. Focusing on the aftermath and lives of former child superhero group The Umbrella Academy, we see the band of orphans gather together after the death of their adoptive father. While trying to surpass the threats of a pair of time travelling assassins, they must navigate through unresolved rivalries and feelings within their family unit. We dive further into the world of the “Umbrella Academy” and its characters in an interview with actors Tom Hopper (Luther Hargreeves), David Castaneda (Diego Hargreeves), and Robert Sheehan (Klaus Hargreeves). By Nour Ibrahim
David Castaneda (Diego Hargreeves) What’s it like working on a show that’s to be aired on a platform as big as Netflix? It’s great, they’re pulling up some really good stuff. They always have a standard for putting out good quality, so it’s a very exciting time.
Did you read or know about the comics before the show? No, I got to read the comic books when I was given the chance to play the character of Diego Hargreeves and I took a lot of it just trying to figure out the physicality of Diego, and also just by how he talks to his family in the comic books- really, really kind of being a bit distanced, knowing your always different- that right there is not much different than the comic books, it really transitions.
How do you feel about the alternate reality that Umbrella Academy is set in? It really is a weird world that we worked on for the show. I think, in my opinion, it does serve the comic book, at least for the theme, like it had to be something that is very dark and just the composition of each frame, that you will see, is quite specific to the feel of the comic book.
How do you feel about Diego’s relationship to his father in comparison to all the other siblings? I think Diego was probably the only one of his entire family that didn’t accept his role and that lead to him having confrontations with his dad. He didn’t want to be number two, he wanted to be number 1. And his dad realized this and put him as number two and that push leads Hargreeves to be better. And also, the fact that he was a kid, Diego wanted to be loved and he wanted to be cared for and the only thing that cared for him was a robot mother.
The show starts in the middle of the comic book series after the kid’s adoptive father died. Why do you think they throw the beginning narrative right into the adulthood of the siblings? Here’s the thing, you’re going to be able to see how we grew up. The world hops between the present and when were all together as child superheroes. So, you will get a feel for that. It won’t just start with us as adults, you actually get to see how we were raised in the show, which will be an interesting thing, because it will kind of latch the audience on between our history and the reason why we are coming together.
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Tom Hopper (Luther Hargreeves) How was it working with Netflix? Netflix is amazing. One of the great things about working for Netflix is you know that they have the best interest of the show at heart, because they’re very good creators and they want to make the best version of every show they do. So, to have them behind this is great. The show really reflects the passion they put into it.
Does the show make use of the binge-able factor of the Netflix platform? Yes absolutely, the one thing that Steve Blackman, the head creative, said from the start is that it’s got to be a 10-hour movie. Highly unlikely you are going to want to stop watching halfway. Each episode is certainly one that needs you to want to just power through and get through it because each one is so entertaining on its own, each episode is done so well. But at the end of each one the underlining true-line of the show is driving you through it. So, I mean we behind the camera, even just reading the scripts- each time we got a new script, we were so desperate to get the next one because we wanted to know what was gonna happen. So, yes, it’s perfect for Netflix, it’s a perfect binge-watching show.
Did you know about the comics before the show or gain any inspiration from them when performing your character? Yes. So I came across the comic a few years before when I was at a comic-con event and I met this fan who had this graphic novel and I spoke to her about it and then when it came to me, right down here to this new show, I obviously googled him and I was like “Oh my god, this is that comic I talked to that fan about years ago” and then I started doing more research into it and I saw Luther and I started learning about Luther and read the comic and in my head I was like, I’ve got to play this role- if I don’t go and get this then I might as well give up because I feel like Luther is so right for me. And I feel related to him so much in the way of his manner and in how he’s a sort of a big guy with a softer side. To take that part of what Luther is, I related to that a lot. So, I tried to sort of keep all those things that the comic started off and broadened it, you know, made it a much deeper, richer version of what’s in the comic.
When being surrounded by DC and Marvel series, how does this new super hero universe stand out? It’s trickier than that because in a lot of ways, even though it is a superhero show, I don’t compare it to those shows, because I feel that it’s far more grounding, in a lot of ways, than that. The super element isnt as defined in umbrella academy- I feel like the character driven element is the thing that defines it and its one of
“
it’s a perfect binge-watching show. Tom Hopper
”
the things that clearly makes the project different from other superhero shows. The thing that drives the whole thing, the thing that wants to make you keep watching is the character element and the dysfunctional family element and the relationship between these people. And then on top of that it’s complimented with all the superhero stuff, so in that way it’s very different from all the Marvel stuff. You know, it obviously has that action element, that superhero action element, but it really is just a compliment on top of the stuff that really is the richness of the show.
In the comics, your character has a Gorilla Martian body. Is that played out somehow in the series? I can’t say too much about it, but yes there is certainly a nod to that from the comics. What I will say is that, yes, what Luther’s body is, you obviously see in footage and what you see in the photos, what you will see is his body isnt normal, so I will say that much. And he’s very much aware
of that being his body now and it’s a form of body dysmorphia effectively and he’s very conscious of it, and self-aware and sensitive about it actually and not necessarily the body that he was born in anymore. That is a key element in how Luther is dealing with life right now, he’s going through a lot of problems because of it.
The show starts in the middle of the comic book series after the kid’s adoptive father died. Why do you think they throw the beginning narrative right into the adulthood of the siblings?
How do you feel about the alternate reality that Umbrella Academy is set in?
That’s a good question. I mean, there is a flashback element to the show as well, so that there’s lots of things to the season that you get to see with them living as children and what kind of created the issue that they are now dealing with as sort of 30 year old, and I think the reason why is because it’s a lot more interesting because it keeps the audience guessing on why they are all the way they are. But you will see a huge amount of flashback elements and that flesh out these characters and as you learn about these 30-year old’s, you’ll start to fill out the blanks on why he’s like that and why she’s like that, and why do those two do that together and those blanks get filled in as the season goes on.
There is this element of the comics and then there’s also bits of it added and creators have added in as well so, it is effectively set in what you would call present day. I mean I call it like an alternate present day because, they’re no cellphones in this world. It’s almost like it set in the early 90s or something, before a lot of technology existed, like the internet and stuff and so its kind of like a more basic world, a more basic present day, without technology.
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Robert Sheehan (Klaus Hargreeves) Klaus is quite an eccentric character, was it challenging to play him? Yes, because he is representing certain things like drug addiction, and you want to portray these things with as much honesty as possible and also make it sort of unique and interesting as possible as well. I spent a lot of time trying to figure him out and come up with him and make him feel different to possibly everything I’ve done before, perhaps possibly everything that’s ever been before. I think the more work you do the more fruits you see, so I just took that approach while going in. Didn’t leave any stone unturned.
Did you read the comics? If yes, did you gain any inspiration from them for the show? I did read the comics. One of the things that struck me about Klaus in the comic book is that he is this strange entity who drifts between sort of our plane of existence and others. He’s almost not fully solid, he gives you that sense in the comic books. Probably because he’s always behind dark sunglasses and like levitating- he has this sort of very French air, you might say. So, I wanted to instill that, I wanted the audience to feel the ghosts that had rubbed off on Klaus over the years.
Klaus has the power of Telekinesis, considered among most superhero universes as the strongest power. Is it used in the show or has Klaus, like many from the Hargreeves, decided to stop using his powers? He has this very complicated relationship with his power and I think that’s the key to what makes him interesting, because Klaus is a rampant drug addict who will eventually take anything to subdue the voices in his head/dead people that insist on following him around. So, he has this big drug addiction because he was traumatized as a child. This reclusive, eccentric that adopted our dear heroes as children, he put them through very traumatic and rigorous training and Klaus was no exception. So, he had a very troubled relationship with his ability to talk to the dead. Essentially he tries to avoid them like the plague. And what’s interesting is that, as an audience member, as Klaus goes on, sometime you’re not sure whether he’s just talking to himself or whether he’s actually talking to dead people. There’s always an ambiguity with him where you don’t fully know what’s real and what isn’t, which I love.
The universe of the show is set in an alternate reality. How does it differ from today’s world? I think one of the big ways is technology. Our show has its own very interesting brand of technology. So, if you ever see any of the characters interacting with any technology, it has a real sort of retro-futuristic vibe to it, which I really love, because what it does is that it doesn’t pin the show down to any specific time. Time in history, kind of has a vague twentieth century feel, which I really like very much. Its, one of the big things that gives it that other-worldly vibe.
How does Klaus feel about the apocalypse? I don’t think he gives the slightest bit of importance. That’s what makes him very interesting, is that, the big, grave apocalyptic
events, that worry most people, just don’t really matter to Klaus. Because if you can already speak to the dead- if you have a very solid impression of where you’re going after you die, then I suppose worrying about things happening in the future, would just become less of an issue. I think it’s his knowledge and foresight that free him from being too concerned about trivial things like an apocalypse.
What is his relationship with his siblings? I think because the nature of his life, probably because of his drug addiction, he keeps himself very much on the outside. But underneath, he was raised with these people. They shared a very odd childhood together which bound them together forever. They had this very traumatic experience, which was like a childhood they had to recover from, as opposed to a childhood that kind of is helping you and gets you ready for the world. These guys are still in recovery from such a traumatic childhood. But you know as they say, “Adversity bonds us stronger than contentment,” It’s very true, and so, these handful of people went through this thing. To their knowledge, they’re the only people ever in history to have gone through such a unique experience. So, you know, he still loves them for that, I think he still acknowledges that he’s tied to these people and that they’re a big part of him. But his priorities are different from when we meet him in the beginning of the show. But I think he has real love for them underneath.
JET SET
High Table By Daniela Bonetto in collaboration with Design Hotels™
Slim Aaron had it all figured out. He managed to capture the pinnacle of dinning up high in the sixties. Historically ski resorts were about skiing and the even better après ski. But in 2019 its time to watch this space as the most exciting gastronomy will be happening at altitude.
NIRA ALPINA, SILVAPLANA, SWITZERLAND THE HOTEL One of the joys of staying at Nira Alpina, a glass-and-timber mountain sanctuary in the village of Silvaplana near the popular resort town of St. Moritz, is being able to ski right up to the entrance. A glassedin covered walkway connects the hotel to a cable car station leading to some of Switzerland’s highest mountains. The hotel appeals to summer and winter adventurers: 120 kilometres of ski runs rush down the slopes towards Silvaplana Lake, offering exceptional terrain for hiking, biking, windsurfing, sailing, and canoeing. Inside,
NiraAlpina
locally sourced materials like wood and granite intermix with elegant swathes of glass, allowing unobstructed views of the mountains beyond. THE FOOD Rolf Fliegauf, executive chef at the twoMichelin-starred Ecco Ascona and Ecco St Moritz believes the best grub on the power is to be found at Igniv with its sharing concept – like the way you eat at home but better. For lunch he would recommend CheCha, run by Reto Mathis ad El Paradiso which has the most beautiful terrace in town.
nira alpina st moritz
HUUS GSTAAD, GSTAAD, SWITZERLAND Set some 1,111 meters above sea level in a spectacular Swiss Alp setting, Huus Gstaad serves as a perfect basecamp for communal adventure amid supreme natural wonders. Situated near Gstaad in the Bernese Oberland, the former Steigenberger Hotel has been reshaped by architect and designer Erik Nissen Johansen, a Norwegian visionary and artist with a passion for engaging experiences and visual storytelling. A reinterpretation of a classic Swiss chalet, Huus Gstaad features
Huus
outstanding restaurants, a stunning spa complex, a lounge “living room” with unparalleled views and an accompanying fireplace and library of 500 books. Outside, guests enjoy 250 kilometres of slopes and trails and a full immersion into nature through river rafting, family canyoning, rappelling, rope park adventures, bike tours, and much more.
Huus
THE FOOD At Le Chesery in Gstaad, chef Robert Speth takes more of an updated traditional approach to mountain cooking. Here, guests enjoy a particularly wide choice of fish dishes such as turbot filet with artichokes, whole line bass in salt crust, and seafood pot de feu.
HÔTEL DES 3 VALLÉES, COURCHEVEL, FRANCE The first post-war Hotel on Courchevel, Hôtel des 3 Vallées (meaning three valleys Hotel) is situated at the foot of the resort’s world-class ski slopes. At the time of its construction in the 1950s, post-war modernists contemplated a new way of mountain living—this landmark Hotel came to epitomize just that. With its recent renovation, this spirit of Hôtel des 3 Vallées has been
Courchevel
carefully preserved, including most of the Hotel’s original furniture by the likes of Charlotte Perriand, Jean Prouvé, and Pierre Paulin. These iconic designs greet guests at a lobby that opens out to the bar and dining room that serves traditional cuisine. The spa, with sauna, Turkish bath, and a large Jacuzzi, is awash in natural materials and is a great showcase of modernist mountain design.
DesTroisValees
THE FOOD Angela Hartnett, chef patron at Cucina Angelina at the Portetta Hotel believes that cooking the in the winter is all about preparation. In fact, it’s during the summer that they start preparing, like making compotes and cured meats. Bread is of course a huge part of French cuisine so a visit to all, or at least most, boulangeries in town is a must. Trattorias also abound so the choice is yours. As you move up the mountain to 1850 you get fancier restaurants. As for a drink or two all youngsters go to Funky Fox.
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BERGLAND DESIGN AND WELLNESS HOTEL, SÖLDEN, AUSTRIA Two big things happened here. First, infamous James Bond movie, Spectre, was filmed here. Second, local deep-snow and synchronized skiing hero Sigi Grüner turned hotelier, he ordered the complete demolition of Sölden’s old Bergland Hotel. The result of his bold action was the rebirth of a new Bergland, a self-contained playground for active travellers and adrenalin-seekers who come to carve down some of Austria’s highest peaks on skis and bikes. Crafted by local tradespeople, the now 86-room resort has subtle hints of old Austria, such as rocking chairs and oiled oak floors, but it’s the glorious womb-like woodwork bath areas that make for a spa-like retreat in one’s own room. No wonder the Bergland Design and Wellness Hotel has become a must-visit destination for health-conscious and luxury-minded travellers.
Ötztal Valley
FOOD Patrick Schnedl, head chef at IceQ, notes that lamb is one of the best products in the Ötztal Valley. Thanks to the vast pastures in the summer the lambs feed on grass and fresh herbs and in turn this is savoured in every bite. Venison is also a signature dish. For some local favourites are Ötztaler Stube restaurant at Das Central for Alpine food and the Wirtshaus am Giggijoch at more than 6,500 feet for Austrian haute-cuisine. Bon Appetit on the Snow! Bookings through designhotels.com
Bergland Kopie
JET SET
Romancing the Passport
Annecy, France
They say a picture can tell a thousand words, so why not pick the best one of the lot (down below) and invite your loved one to romance in one of our top picks of non- cliché destinations this Valentine’s day? And should you see a rose on the way, make sure to pick it and profess your devotion – some things are just mandatory on lover’s day.
Known as the Venice of the French Alps, Annecy is an alpine town where Lake Annecy feeds into the Thiou River. Best known for its Vieille Ville (old town), with cobbled streets, winding canals and pastel-coloured houses. Photo: Sebastian Danon
So, if you are ignoring the call of Paris or Venice here is a list that is sure to have your hearts racing. By Daniela Bonetto
Plitvice Lakes, Croatia On 8 April 1949, it was proclaimed Croatia’s first national park. It’s an area of exceptional natural beauty and has always attracted nature lovers Photo: Ronald Schuster
Kraków, Poland Welcome to Kraków welcome and its magnificent architecture. According to popular belief, Kraków was founded on the defeat of a dragon so it’s no wonder that its attractive streets and squares permeate a mythical atmosphere. Photo: Michael Mingucci
Lapland, Finland Lapland is hypnotic. There’s something lonely and intangible here that fills it with Arctic magic. The midnight sun, the Sámi peoples, the aurora borealis (Northern Lights) and Santa’s ‘official’ reindeers. Plus, at Nuorgam you can claim to have visited the northernmost point, beyond Iceland and nearly all of Canada and Alaska! Photo: Pasi Pitkanen
Tallinn, Estonia Tallinn is a proud European capital with a grand allure. It’s lively yet peaceful, absurdly photogenic and bursting with wonderful sights. Add in delightful food and vibrant modern culture and it’s no wonder Tallinn seems in danger of being loved to death. Photo: Lord St John
The Cliffs of Moher, Ireland Scenic cliffs stretching 700 feet over the rugged Atlantic coast. Named a UNESCO Global Geopark, the towering cliffs are located at the southwestern edge of the Burren region in County Clare. Photo: Jamie Peabody
Edinburgh, Scotland For such a small city, Edinburgh attract a vast number of visitors. The art scene in the capital is a varied beast. From the heavyweight collections stashed at the National Portrait Gallery to the nascent, artist-run spaces frothing with DIY invention there is no shortage of eye-candy. Photo: Stephen ONeill
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HOME
HAPP INESS D E F I N I N G
Casa Alegria
By Daniela Bonetto
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Casa Alegria, literally happy home, is a space created with all the TLC that homeowners could possibly dedicate to four walls. Violante & Rochford Interiors were given a specific colour palate; brown, cream, tan and toast. This would ensure that “the colour ebbs and flows” with small pops of colours as accents and they state, “we used similar rugs in all the rooms to make the décor in the house cohesive”. The project took circa eighteen months to complete and was a complete gut renovation. The existing structure of the house was changed in order to encompass two new guest houses significantly amplifying the overall square footage.
Casa Alegria includes the main house, the guest house, and the casita (a smaller guest house), which faces the pool. The whole property is about seven acres with sinuous landscaping throughout. The brief also made sure that the homeowners would have plenty of entertainment space and enough space for the owners’ extended family and friends. The house is traditional throughout but what makes it stand out with a touch of contemporary chic is the choice of furniture. In fact, the furnishings are actually a mix of several of the owners’ previous houses, one in Barbados, another in London, and yet another on the East Coast and, “colour was used to unify the diverse pieces. Also, simpler lines, the geometric and bold Navajo pieces, and straighter lines for the furniture brought it all together as well”.
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The living room space is particularly rare for an adobe house, because it is so big, so airy and features a fireplace along with a charming gallery wall. The room is fitted out with wooden English chairs which give it an air of sophistication. All the upholstery throughout was custom. Also, worth noting are the two offices. In one the chandelier came from Paris and the rug on the floor is Persian. In the second office the sofas are George Smith, with A Rudin upholstery and the room features a lot of English antiques from the couple’s London home.
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INTERVIEW
DFA Raising the Architectural Bar By Sarah Guirguis
Following a humble start where a client’s basement doubled as their office, Design Firm Associates (DFA) is definitely headed for the win. Delivering services ranging from urban, structural, landscape and environmental designs, DFA is now one of the most unique and innovative architectural firms in Egypt. We talked to the founder and CEO, Mohamed Hamada, 28, to learn more about the challenges his firm faced as a startup and what they’re aspiring to next. How was it starting in a basement office with no windows or doors? It was not easy. We were freezing. We started in January 2016 in New Cairo so you could imagine having to endure the winter weather in a space without any windows installed. As a startup business at the time, we needed to save money in order to grow our firm so we asked our client to allow us to work in the basement till we finish construction of a residential building, and he accepted. We started working on our projects while supervising the construction at the same time. More project opportunities started coming our way, and we realized the need for more than just three partners. That’s when we decided to build another room attached to ours and to start hiring architects who share our passion for architecture. Then, our team grew from three members to twenty.
What are the types of challenges you still face today? First, there is the clients’ grasp of aesthetics. In the era we are living in now, the community’s sense of beauty is not always up to standard, and we make it our responsibility to project high quality aesthetic. We don’t tell them what is good or bad about their vision but we show them ours and then they decide for themselves. Another challenge is raising the bar in the architect’s field in Egypt, so we make sure that our team gets what they need. At some point, we had to increase salaries each year by 40% and 50% to give our team what they really deserve, and of course, it affected our expenses.
How was it representing Egypt in an architectural competition in Portugal? It was the first time for me to experience the honor of representing my country in an international competition. I felt responsible, like an ambassador for the Egyptian architects in the presence of all the international figures.
What are your greatest design inspirations? I have a lot of them but mainly I watch the art by the greatest designer of the universe - God. I watch his creation and designs in trees, seas, rivers, animals, mountain lines, cloud masses getting reformed, and the harmony of the various colors blending together in the sky pallet during sunset. I also watch people and get inspired from their attitude, how the kids run and play with playground structures, how patients deal inside their rooms on hospitals, how adults sit in cafes and enjoy their time, how athletes perform and find their needs met in the built environment, how people in mosques and churches pray. All human action inspires me and makes me think of
how to accommodate people’s needs and develop the way we facilitate them.
Why did you choose your slogan “Architecture for Humanity”? Architecture is made for humans, and is inspired from humans… from their history, culture, habits, religions, economy, geography and climate. Architecture should reflect all those details to be successful, but for the last four decades in Egypt, architects didn’t live up to that. It’s our business to bring back ‘architecture for humanity’.
With the variety of projects you take on, what is the criteria with which you pick your clients? Believe it or not, the only criteria we look at is our relationship with the client and how good friends we can become, because based on that, we are able to know what they really want and how to apply it in our designs.
What have been your favorite projects so far? Why? The projects that are built on research and studies, such as West Village Compound, for example. This one was planned to be the first sustainable community in Egypt so we had to study up-to-date agriculture techniques, including microenvironment for open fields, smart green houses, poly domes, and the latest techniques in energy generating.
What are your plans and goals for the future of the company? Our goal is to push Egyptian architecture to the caliber it deserves worldwide. Especially since we are the descendants of the world’s greatest builders in history - the ancient Egyptians.
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