FLAIR 4-2018 by FLAIR Magazine

Design by sieger design

The name says it all 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.

X-Large

April 2018 FASHION

Fashion Clippings p. 16 Beauty Clippings p. 18 Interview: Sherine Hamdy p. 20 Runway Spring/Summer 2018 Report p. 26

LIFESTYLE

Feature: Healthy Eating in Town p. 36 Feature: Original Experiences p. 40 Feature: 2018 Fitness Trends p. 44 Home p. 48 Easter Festivities p. 52

DESIGN

Feature: Egypt’s Up & Coming Product Designers p. 58 Interview: Nevine Soliman p. 62 Boutique Hotel: Hotel Californian p. 64 Architecture: Spyscape NYC p. 66 Exhibitionist: Middle East Contemporary Art p. 68 Driven: Volvo XC60 p. 70

REGULARS Editor’s Note p. 5 Happenings p. 8 FLAIR Loves p. 12

On the Cover Sherine Hamdy Photography by: Nouran Khalifa Makeup by: Reham Khalifa Styling by: Mostafa Waheed Hair colour by: Alex Mouawad Makeup provided by: Fortune Stores Flowers by: Flower Power Dress by: House of Glamour Location: Uptown Cairo by Emaar

EDITOR’S NOTE

Spring Impressions

he first impressions of spring are here, bringing with them feelings of excitement and an increased appetite for life. And if you love fashion like us here at FLAIR, then it also marks the perfect time to shop for a new wardrobe. For a little help to welcome the new season in style take note of our “Spring/Summer 2018 Runway Report”. Just don’t blame us for your next shopping bill!

We kick off the Spring Issue with our cover star Sherine Hamdy. Passionate and driven, we switched roles with the TV presenter and got up close and personal with her as we asked her about her life and career. An inspiring figure, she talks to us about her busy life, her passion for animal rights, and much more. We also dedicate this issue for a little soul “spring cleaning”. First up, Sarah Guirguis gives us the lowdown on Cairo’s best healthy food eateries and what to order from them during your next visit in “Healthy Eating in Town”. Next, Daniela Bonetto takes us on holistic hideaways in “Original Experiences” to energize and refresh your and start anew this season. Happy Easter Everyone,

Hind El Ramly editor@flair-magazine.com

MY PICKS FOR THE ISSUE

Runway Spring/ Summer 2018 Report p. 26

Easter Festivities p. 52

Up & Coming Product Designers p. 58

Interview with Nevine Soliman p. 62

April EDITOR IN CHIEF

Ahmed I Hassan

MANAGING DIRECTOR

Hind El Ramly

EDITORIAL UK Editor Daniela Bonetto Editorial Consultant Kate Dannies Staff Writer Sarah Guirguis Staff Writer Nour Ibrahim Staff Writer Mohamed Taky Contributor Amy N Pugsley ART DIRECTOR & VIDEO EDITOR

Tony Atia

PR & SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

Bashayer Alridi

ADVERTISING & SALES MANAGER

Omneya El Awamry PHOTOGRAPHER

Hassan Ibrahim

FINANCIAL OPERATIONS MANAGER

Maged Azoz

OFFICE COORDINATOR

Christena Samir

DISTRIBUTION Distribution Officer Farid Sayed Distribution Officer Ahmed Ibrahim PRINTING |

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FLAIR TEAM

DANIELA BONETTO A psychology graduate who probably needed a therapist herself, Daniela decided that her form of expression was writing. Curiosity, tenacity and just enough vanity has brought her to desire ‘all things beautiful’ which she extends to in her lifestyle blog, “theinkedition.com” Excited about the world, her greatest pleasure is traveling and discovering new things.

BASHAYER ALRIDI An advertising and public relations graduate, Bashayer is incredibly passionate about movies. The social media enthusiast also has a knack for photography and is a makeup addict!

TONY ATIA NOUR IBRAHIM Student. Loves Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Comic books. Bakes for unhealthy amount of time.

“Don’t just make an eye catching design; create ideas to change minds.” With a passion for drawing and art, Tony started to design graphics at the age of 15. He loves the guitar ,the violin and the cello as well as reading and playing sports.

KATE DANNIES Kate is a writer an editor with a penchant for luxury, history, and politics, which she has found to surprisingly compatible. An adopted Cairene for six years, Kate currently lives in exile in Washington DC.

OMNEYA SARAH GUIRGUIS EL AWAMRY For as long as she can remember, Sarah has had a passion for creative writing. Being on the lookout for inspiration anywhere she goes, she also has a knack for photography. She lives by the quote, “What is done in love is done well,” and believes that everyone’s potential is endless and worth being explored.

Our new Advertising & Sales Director has worked many years in the field of PR and communications. She believes that hard work and passion will lead you to success.

AMY N PUGSLEY Amy is the latest contributor to join the magazine. She is a Persian-Canadian international development specialist and an educator living in Cairo.

MAGED AZOZ Incredibly dedicated to his work, Maged’s passion is unmeasurable! Flair Magazine truly is his baby.

CHRISTENA SAMIR

Our new office coordinator studied information systems and computer programming. A self proclaimed shopaholic, Christena loves to travel and experience new things.

HAPPENINGS

Samsung & Disney Create Emoji Magic Samsung Electronics and Disney brought beloved Disney characters to life as new AR Emojis for the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+. Starting now, Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ users will be able to access classic Disney characters, such as Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, directly from their phone to create personalized messages and download them from the AR Emoji mode on their camera. Characters from favorite Disney films including The Incredibles, Zootopia, and Frozen will become available throughout the year. “With more than 6 billion emojis sent daily, our goal with developing AR Emoji was to provide a fun, exciting way to communicate and a new way to bring animated images to life. We knew there was no one better to partner with than Disney – creator of some of the most beloved characters in history – to make our AR Emojis the happiest faces on earth and give our users access to the most popular characters to share with friends across platforms,” said Omar Badrawi, Mobiles Marketing Manager for Samsung Electronics Egypt.

AccorHotels Recognizes Valued Partners AccorHotels Middle East and Africa hosted its annual Partners Recognition event at Novotel Cairo Airport with over 200 valued clients and partners from Cairo as well as Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada and the Red Sea. Clients and partners from travel agencies, corporate and leisure accounts were also honored during an awards ceremony. Egyptian singer Nesma Mahgoub provided the night’s entertainment and serenaded the crowd with a whole host of endearing songs. CEO Olivier Granet said, “This evening marks the culmination of years of trust that our valued partners and clients have placed in our hotel, our brands and our people, even through the challenging times in the country.”

Art Exhibition At Le Méridien Cairo Airport Providing a sophisticated fusion between art and music, Le Meridien Cairo Airport hosted an art exhibition in partnership with Zamalek Art Gallery on March 20th 2018, which featured more than 22 distinctive art pieces representing the finest of contemporary Egyptian art. Guests were invited to uncover a new perspective on the contemporary art scene by exploring artists’ talent through an inspiring visual journey and engaging experience as they savored the moment with chic bites and sparkling aperitifs over some captivating tunes.

Indian Food Fiesta At India Along the Nile In collaboration with the Indian Embassy in Cairo, the Semiramis InterContinental Cairo hosted the Indian Food Fiesta for the second consecutive year, celebrating the colourful culture and diverse cuisine at their newest resto-bar & lounge, India Along the Nile. The food festival was inaugurated by Sanjay Bhattacharyya, Ambassador of India to Egypt, Sameh Sobhy, the general manager of Semiramis InterContinental Cairo, Massimo Bernardi, EAM in charge of F&B, Semiramis InterContinental Cairo, Chef Harish Tiwari, Head Indian Chef at India Along the Nile and Guest Chef Vikram Udaygiri, and later followed by an Indian-inspired gala dinner curated by Chef Udaygiri in collaboration with the Semiramis culinary team.

FIFA World Cup Trophy Passes Through Egypt Anticipation and excitement took over the hearts of football fanatics in Egypt as the fourth FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola landed in Cairo on Thursday, March 15, in Egypt for a two-day visit as the 38th stop of its global tour. Following its arrival, the trophy was greeted by Egyptian President Abdelfattah El-Sisi during an exclusive event at Al Manara International Conferences Center. Coca-Cola organized several activities taking place on both days to celebrate the Trophy’s arrival in Egypt including a consumer event held at Cairo Festival City where thousands of fans were given a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the trophy and take photos with it. “This time is special for all Egyptians, whether we love football or not. The year 2018 brings Egyptians a lot of promise. It’s the year of remarkable achievements and reaching milestones. The FIFA World Cup Trophy sparked hope and emotion amongst the population who is now ready to cheer for its national football team,” said the Egyptian Minister of Youth and Sports, Eng. Khaled Abdel Aziz.

Gold Awards For GROHE GROHE, the world’s leading supplier of sanitary fittings, has received a record number of awards at the iF Design Awards 2018, one of the world’s most celebrated and valued design competition, allowing GROHE’s design team to continue their winning streak from the record year of 2017. Two products received the Gold Award, one of the globally most recognised trademark for excellence in design: the GROHE Sense Guard described as “a brilliant solution against water damage” and the GROHE Essence Professional, a kitchen faucet that impressed the jury with its “clever mix of different materials and colors.” Another five iF Design Awards made GROHE’s participation at the prestigious competition this year a great success. The official awards ceremony, with around 2,000 guests, was held at the BMW Welt in Munich.

New Executive Chef at Grand Nile Tower After enjoying a long culinary career across Europe, Middle East and Asia, Chef Ernst joined the Grand Nile Tower team as the new executive chef. Chef Ernst brings to his new post more than 30 years of knowledge and experience in the culinary field. In his capacity, Chef Ernst will be responsible for planning culinary activities at the hotel, revamping and renewing menus to meet the hotel’s quality standards in addition to supervising the kitchen’s staff to ensure compliance with food safety standards and regulations. Before his current post, he was the corporate development chef at Ichibuns, London, a company responsible for improving F&B operations at hotels. Throughout his long career, he held senior culinary positions across leading hotel chains that include: Kempinski, Rotana, Starwood and Conrad.

Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa “Sponsors Women for Success” As part of its vision to empower women and contribute to the welfare of the community, Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa recently sponsored the fourth round of the annual Women for Success International Forum, hosted by Business Women of Egypt Association. The conference was recently held in the historical city of Luxor, gathering around 140 leading business women from different countries around the world. As part of their sponsorship, Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa invited the participating women to spend an afternoon at the hotel, where they were offered a chance to experience the hotel’s delectable F&B offerings, its world-class services and breathtaking ambience.

IKEA Celebrates Women’s International Day Every year, IKEA celebrates International Women’s Day to acknowledge the role and impact of women on businesses and societies everywhere. IKEA’s understanding of the significance of women in the workplace stems from the belief that every individual is unique and has something valuable to offer regardless of gender. To celebrate the accomplishments of the women workforce at IKEA, from entry-level positions to sensitive management roles, the company developed an inspiring video for all the women working at IKEA, honoring their presence and roles. IKEA also provides training for women across all departments, actively working to reach the goal of a gender equal and inclusive work environment. With this approach, IKEA aims to further achieve social development through the economic empowerment of women.

Jaz Collection Invites You Over For Spring For those who are seeking indulgence in an exciting holiday, where one would enjoy dynamic service, fine dining and true extravaganza in booming holiday destinations, look no further, Jaz Collection hotels and resorts got it all. This spring, stretch out in the shade on a private beach with helpful staff standing by and a cocktail within arms reach, or shuffle your feet to a holiday beat, and finish it off with diving, dancing and discovering Egypt’s exciting culture - all done the “Jaz” way! Jaz Collection offers classic holiday experiences in a fresh and vibrant key with sunny resorts, a snazzy lifestyle, and a fabulous destination at your feet.

Mohamed Salah named Pepsi® Brand Ambassador Throughout history, Pepsi® has brought joy to each generation while connecting fans with the world’s most popular sport, football. Pepsi just announced signing a new agreement with Egypt’s most prominent football super star Mohamed Salah. For the third year in a row, he will act as the Pepsi brand ambassador in the Middle East and North Africa in 2018. From share worthy content with the game’s famed players to unexpected football moments and experiences, there will be more to love and live from Pepsi throughout the year. “Mohamed Salah is an Egyptian icon and role model. We are extremely proud of his continuous success and even prouder of the partnership that has been running for the past three years. We aim to keep providing our star and national treasure with our full ongoing support,” stated Omar Farid, PepsiCo President, Middle East and North Africa.

SODIC Wins 2018 Cityscape Award SODIC was announced as winner of “Best Low to Medium Rise Built Residential Project Category” for its project Forty West. Launched in 2009 and fully delivered with almost all homeowners moved in, Forty West has raised the bar in Egypt for finished apartments designed by internationally acclaimed Boston-based Machado and Silvetti Architects, with interiors by award-winning interior designer Eklego. Located in the heart of SODIC West, Forty West is recognized for its outstanding design set on a vibrant 2,500 square meter piazza, making it a truly unique destination. “It is always an honor to have our work recognized,” said Magued Sherif, Managing Director of SODIC. “SODIC is committed developing and delivering world class developments and this award comes as yet another testament to that”.

Les Clefs d’or at Sonesta Cairo Sonesta Hotel, Tower & Casino Cairo is certainly proud to announce having two highly recognized, experienced and very professional members of the Paris-based Les Clefs d’Or. Mahmoud Mahmoud Ahmed, Chief Concierge and Shabaan Abdallah Abdel Baei, Assistant Chief Concierge. You can recognize Concierge Clefs d’Or by the keys they display on the collar of their uniforms. These crossed gold keys are more than just the symbol of the organization. They are the symbol of guaranteed, quality service, deeming their members as trustworthy resources to business travelers and vacationers alike, always keeping guests’ safety, enjoyment, and satisfaction in mind.

Three Egyptian Winners At 2018 UK Alumni Awards The British Council awarded three Egyptian winners the 2018 UK Alumni Awards, for their impact in their field of work in Egypt, yesterday, Monday 26 February 2018, in an awards ceremony held at the British Ambassador’s residence in Cairo. The awards are intended to recognise outstanding success by people who have studied at UK higher education institutions within the last 15 years. This is the second year the British Council presents the award in Egypt, after a successful start of the award ceremony in Egypt last year. Naguib Sawiris, Chairman of Orascom Telecom Media and Technology Holding S.A.E., presented the Entrepreneurship Award to Prof Mahmoud Hafez for his work in medicine. In parallel, Rehab El-Maghraby was the winner of the Professional Achievement Award for her work in science and education and the Social Impact Award was given to Usama Fatthalla Abdelrady Mohammed.

L’Oreal Participates In “She Can 2018” L’Oréal Egypt participated in She Can 2018 summit that was held on the Greek campus, with the startling presence of more than 2000 female entrepreneurs specializing in different work sectors, lucratively affirming the company’s support to the exceptional researchers & scientists women who received L’Oréal UNESCO For Women In Science Fellowship. L’Oréal’s presence deliberately created a strong open communication channel between associates from L’Oréal -UNESCO for Women in the Science program and the summit attendees on the lookout for inspiration and support from their counterparts. “We aspire that researchers become role models for all those who have dreams to outshine in the fields of science and innovation. Perhaps our presence today in this event encourages other females to achieve their ambitious dreams,” stated Nahla Mokhtar, Communication Manager L’Oréal Egypt.

Sheraton Montazah Turns Lights Off for the Planet In support of the annual global initiative to protect the environment and mitigate climate change and considering environmental protection as one of Sheraton Montazah top priorities, the hotel participated in the Earth Hour – 24 March 2018 for the eighth consecutive year and joined millions in the globe celebrating this largest environmental movement. On this particular occasion, the Hotel dimmed and switched off the unnecessary lights in hotel’s lobby and public areas and offered candlelit dinner to its guests at La Mamma Restaurant, Café Coquillage, Café Rendez-Vous and Caesar Bar where its participation in this exceptional ecological event has led to saving around 805 KWH of electric power consumption. In-house guests and visitors were invited to green cocktails and snacks that don’t need energy to cook to celebrate this special occasion.

FLAIR #LOVES By Daniela Bonetto

MUJI Life When MUJI tells us that they are launching something new we are always listening. The über cool MUJI’s concept has always been about emphasizing the intrinsic appeal of an object through rationalization and meticulous elimination of excess. This is closely connected to the traditionally Japanese aesthetic of “su” –– meaning plain or unadorned –– and the idea that simplicity is not merely modest or frugal, but could possibly be more appealing than luxury (foldable table £295, muji.com)

[ LA VIE EN ROSE ] As the flowers start blossoming and are finally making their appearance so is pink furniture. Having its moment, the hue is everywhere and anywhere. We are particularly loving the Grace Wood Sofa By Bellavista Collection. [starting from £6,105, bellavistacollection.com]

UN VOYAGE VOYAGE

Introducing a new collection of fabrics, wallpapers and home accessories. When speaking of the new Jean Paul Gaultier by Lelievre collab one really takes a voyage into the cherry blossoms in Kyoto, a boat trip down the Mekong, a siesta in Indonesia or a stroll under the glass roof of the Grand Palais, (lelievreparis.com)

{ DADA STATE OF MIND } This month we are totally feeling the Western home with Far Eastern identity vibe. Besides being an elegant, simple, cultural, fresh and comfortable product, the Ming Table is a conversation piece and a cultural bridge to interact with. { Paris Ming table designed by Arik Levy for Maison Dada. Price from â&#x201A;Ź4,000, maisondada.com }

MIRROR MIRROR ON THE WALL We are all guilty of trying to make our homes look bigger by giving it some extra depth with tactfully placing mirrors in strategic angles. New York based studio Bower, has gone one step further in bringing us Arch Mirrors. Genius! [Arch floor, â&#x201A;Ź4380, triodedesign.com]

SPRING IS BLOSSOMING Awaken the sense with a whole lotta poetry thanks to JOY DE ROHAN CHABOT and her skilful hands. The artist reveals her talent with the use of wood, iron and glass and brings the blossoming spring indoors. (Prices upon request, joyderohanchabot.com)

Fashion

P. 20 Sherine Hamdy/ Spring Summer 2018 Runway Report 15

FASHION CLIPPINGS By Nour Ibrahim

Undercover Favor Men’s Fashion Women have been the front-runners of the fashion industry for almost all of eternity. That’s why this bold choice by Undercover is making news. Instead of going with the usual or at least mixed fashion show at Paris in June for Spring/ Summer 2019, the brand Undercover will go all male. Going off the rails, this brand is looking to make major moves in attracting the male consumers they were missing out on.

Coach x Selena Clothing Line Selena Gomez is by far one of the most popular celebrities out there at the moment, and Coach is using their partnership with her to the fullest. Starting with makeup and now moving on to clothes, Selena and Coach have created a line of ready-to-wear collections including apparel, outwear, handbags, accessories and leather goods. This 10 million-dollar deal has increased Coach’s social media following by 50%, and 81% in comments and likes on Instagram. A clearly successful, fashionable, and fruitful move for the brand.

Riccardo Tisci Named New Burberry Designer There is a new designer for the British brand Burberry and he’s… Italian? The traditional regal and posh brand has a history of maintaining this very regal demeanor. However, Riccardo Tisci, taking over from Christopher Baily, is an Italian risk taker who made shark teeth and nose ring motifs at Givenchy, the label which he designed for 12 years until January 2017. Dark, sexual and rebellious, Tisci seems like the last choice for this brand. We are interested to see how the brand develops with such a vastly new leader.

Balenciaga’s Big Coat The Internet is a wonderful and scary place. Any video or image that can be accessed online has the ability to be turned into and endless supply of memes. So, it’s no surprise that when the release of the Balenciaga fashion show came out, all internet trolls could focus on was the big coats- the really, really, really big coats. Comparing them mostly to F.R.I.E.N.D.S character Joey, who wore all of his roommate’s clothes to get back at him, the high fashion brand has had to deal with a lot of comedic jabs at there expense. At least they’re gaining free press out of it.

Givenchy Dies at 91 Hubert de Givenchy has sadly died at the grand age of 91. Nine years short of a century, this man accomplished much in his lifetime. Starting by working on a tight budget, he became famous for floor-length skirts and country chic blouses in raw white cotton materials that were normally reserved for fittings. He then moved on into becoming one of the pioneers in the mix and match movement that Paris in that day and age were not familiar with. Top and bottoms could be sold separately, and his brand boomed from there. Founding his house in 1952 the brand has become a staple for luxury clothing and individual designs, including the iconic Audrey Hepburn dress from the film “Breakfast at Tiffaney’s”. A true legend to be missed.

Levi’s Baggy Jeans Trend Nostalgia has been running wild the past few years, and this time its taking us back to the 90s. Levi’s is celebrating the return of the “fresh prince” age with the amazing trend known as baggy jeans. Comfortable, durable and refreshing, this style is one that should have never gone out of it. Prices ranging from $69.50 to $98, these jeans are the must have of the spring season of 2018.

BEAUTY CLIPPINGS By Nour Ibrahim

Serena Williams Make-Up Line Tennis all-star Serena Williams is releasing a beauty line. Calling the line Aneres (Serena spelled backwards) has new line fills 18 categories that have everything short of eyebrow products. Showing that female athletes are not stereotypically unladylike, this line is a recipe for good makeup and inspiration.

Proenza Schouler’s Debut Scent Ever smell something that made you feel as if you went back in time? That relieving wave of nostalgia is definitely something we crave, so it’s no surprise someone has tried to turn it into a sellable product. The new Arizona scent by Proenza Schouler was inspired by the founder’s road trips to Arizona’s desert. The bottle fuses scents of our childhood like the average perfume. Scents range from incense in the living room to crayons. Baby powder and puppies are also in the mix. A truly strange yet refreshing gap to fill in the market.

Bobbi Brown Bars Bobbi Brown is well known for her influence in the makeup world, but now she’s taken on a whole new form of beauty- inner beauty. Promoting healthy living and teaming up with Health Warriors and Girl Inc to create a nutrition bar complete with all the superfoods including chai seeds and dragon fruit. The looks, smells and makes you feel beautiful and has the added bonus of having 100% of its profits go to charity.

Hair Foundation Did you hear about hair foundation? No, it’s not a nude base for your hair, just a base. This Mr. Smith product is meant to be applied to your hair as a base for all other beauty products. Allowing the other products to have a better grip on the strands, it also doubles as a heat protector and gives added shine, making any style last longer.

Beckham Beauty Lines Nothing looks more fabulous than the Beckham’s, except maybe their beauty lines. Yes, both halves of the super couple have both announced that they are releasing their own individual beauty lines. Teaming up with L’Oreal, David Beckham is releasing a line called House 99, while his female counterpart Victoria is releasing a personal skincare line. It includes eye balm and daily shampoo. Talk about promotion tactics as both parties announced their lines around the same time!

3-in-1 DIY Enzyme Blender Mask If your skin is feeling dull or you’re simply looking for a fun, easy, and accessible self-care activity, this fruit- and yogurt-based fresh enzyme face mask will do the trick. This recipe is based on an excerpt from Plant-Powered Beauty- a new book by natural beauty experts Amy Galper and Christina Daigneault. You will need lavender essential oil, dried prunes, strawberries, or kidney beans soy or regular yogurt. Next you will need a standard (40-ounce) blender and a small glass or stainless-steel bowl as well as a glass or wooden stirrer. Then all you have to add is 2/3 cup of chosen ingredient and 1 drop of lavender oil. Finally blend, apply for 10 min, pat skin dry.

INTERVIEW

Show Stopping

Sherine Hamdy

Who is Sherine Hamdy?

I was born and raised in Alexandria, Egypt. I even lived there for a few years after my marriage and before moving to Cairo. Since I was six or seven, I have always wanted to be on television! I used to fight with my mother weekly over why I can’t be part of an old children’s program. She told me that one day I could move to Cairo and pursue my dreams there. I always had that dream of being on television and I’ve always loved fashion. Somehow, I became very lucky to be able to combine all my passions in one job – a lifestyle presenter. I don’t have the patience to become a designer, to be honest, but my love for fashion and desire to be on television were both fulfilled in my work as a TV presenter specializing in lifestyle.

he asked me to join his team. He said, “I think fashion would really suit you but let’s not corner you in just that. How about we widen the scope and get you working on lifestyle?” This is how it started! A couple of weeks later, he called me and told me that he was serious about his offer. We sat in a few meetings where we came up with the title and the online plan, and Ana Wi Heya was the first step to many other projects that transpired in my career. Almost as soon as we launched the very first episode, Cairo Festival City reached out to us and offered to be our exclusive sponsor for a year, so that was such good news. Because of Ana Wi Heya and social media, I was later noticed by Ten TV and that started another chapter in my career.

Ever since she entered the spotlight with her lifestyle show Ana Wi Heya in 2014, Sherine Hamdy has risen to become an eminent TV personality and social media darling with 73.8k followers on Instagram alone. Having fulfilled her childhood dreams when it comes to both media and fashion, we speak to her about how she balances her successful career What are your biggest motivations? I am actually a very self-motivated person. with her personal life, what moti- What were the first steps you took I like to stay positive in everything I do and vates her, and much more. Here’s towards your career? my personality is just very hyper and acan inside look at the show stopping Honestly, I still feel like I’m living in a dream tive. I’m used to the concept of either dowith what I’ve achieved so far and how ing something right or not do it at all. I put Sherine Hamdy… happy I am. It was all actually instigated By Sarah Guirguis

by luck. I was in Sahel three or four summers ago and I took my son to a birthday party. I was catching up with the parents and among them was Mohamed El Bassiouny, the founder of Di Salata, currently known as Tayarah. I was telling him everything I liked about his shows. I wasn’t thinking about getting anything in return but

all my heart, my time and my dedication in my work but also with a balance that ensures no compromise in my friendships and my family. At the end of the day, if I decided to work on something, I will give it my very best. My end goal is to have the most successful lifestyle show in Egypt.

Photography by: Nouran Khalifa Makeup by: Reham Khalifa Styling by: Mostafa Waheed Hair colour by: Alex mouawad Makeup provided by: Fortune Stores Flowers by: Flower Power Location: Uptown Cairo by Emaar

How do you manage your time between being a mother and a wife and being a successful working lady? I believe that if you manage your time properly, you can do anything and everything you set your mind to. I truly believe in that. I literally write down my schedule with pen and paper. I’m old fashioned like that and I write all the details of everything down to what to wear and where to go everyday. My life is divided into time slots. On a daily basis, I copy everything I have planned for the day on a small piece of paper that I carry in my bag. I check it before I go to sleep to make sure I’ve done everything on the list. I think if everyone makes a habit of doing that, we would all be able to do anything. If you miss something during the day, you find a spot to fit it in tomorrow’s plans. Sometimes, it gets hectic, I admit, but I’m determined to keep everything balanced in my life so I stick to this routine.

How do you unwind in your free time?

An advantage of living in Uptown Cairo is that I get the luxury of going for a walk everyday after I’m done with everything and made sure my son is done with his school work and ready for bed. It keeps me sane to be able to unwind and get some fresh air in such a charming environment.

What is the best and worst thing about having a busy career?

The best thing is the self-satisfaction that comes with always having things to do. I don’t like to be passive. If I stay in at home for a full day having done nothing, I feel it’s a day wasted of my life for no good reason. God has given me the grace to be alive and healthy, so I should do something with that. Even if I do small productive things throughout the day, I know that it counts for something and will eventually add up to later achievement. The worst thing is that sometimes my schedule gets so crowded that I have so much to do in so little time. It’s worse when personal and work events overlap.

What are the pros and cons of being an icon on social media? Thank you so much for calling me an icon! The pros are much more than the cons. On a daily basis, you have thousands of people looking up to you and anticipating your advice and tips, whether tips on fashion, or lifestyle or being a mom or housewife or TV presenter. It’s an honor to have this many people trusting me. It’s my favorite thing about social media. As for cons, I can’t really think of something significant. It’s normal to have some haters, I think. It comes with the job and I barely come across their comments anyway. Some people would express concern for my privacy, as well, but I have nothing to complain about because I pick what to put and what not to put on social media. It was also my choice to be on social media and I’m happy with it. I wouldn’t have done it if it had a negative impact on me.

What are some of your passions?

I’m very passionate about animal rights. I work closely with animal rights organizations. I try to build awareness through my social media presence or in any way I can to encourage people to adopt and not to shop for dogs and cats, for example like Baladi dogs. I want to point out to people that they are just as smart as any other breed of dogs. I spend a lot of my time and efforts dedicated to these voiceless souls. That’s because all these voiceless souls deserve an equal chance at life.

What’s the criteria for choosing the team you worked with on this shoot? Nouran Khalifa is definitely one of the top female photographers in Egypt. I’ve always admired her and wanted to work with her so this was the perfect opportunity. I also love the chance to empower a female friend in the process. Reham, Nouran’s sister, is also a top celebrity makeup artist. It’s amazing to work with the Khalifas because they make a perfect duet. Having known Mostafa (the shoot’s stylist) for so long without having the privilege to work with him before, I recently discovered his talent and was amazed by his work. I’m very happy with the styling results. The whole shoot took 48 hours but everyone was hardworking and I love the output we got.

LET US COLOR YOUR E ASTER

Embrace Spring’s arrival as warm fragrant breezes bring the wonder of Easter and Sham el Nessim to the heart of Cairo. The ‘easy going’ vibes at Roy’s features buffet dinners for Easter Sundays on 1st and 8th of April. Celebrate Sham el Nessim at Omar’s Café for the legendary breakfast featuring all traditional classics. Later, stroll among the flowers, parasols, egg hunts, laughter and chatter at the Garden Promenade Café where sizzling grills, crisp salads and Easter treats complete a holiday to remember. A tip ... the chocolate bunnies are hiding among the cakes and colored eggs at The Bakery!

16 SARAY EL GEZIRA ST., PO BOX 33 ZAMALEK, CAIRO 11211, EGYPT. T: 00. 202.27.28.3000 CAIROMARRIOTTHOTEL.COM ARABIC.MARRIOTT.COM

RUNWAY SPRING/SUMMER 2018 REPORT

Kenzo

Marc Jacobs

Tom Ford

Tommy Hilfiger Tom Ford

Bold Colours

Paco Rabanne Victoria Beckham

Stella McCartney

Salvatore Ferragamo

Balenciaga

Marc Jacobs

Hermes

Checks

Hermes

Balenciaga

Fendi Marni

Chanel Miu Miu

Coach

Alexander McQueen

Ninna Ricci

Denim on Denim Oscar de la Renta

Max Mara

Tom Ford Tommy Hilfiger

Versace

Marni Dolce & Gabbana

Kenzo

Funky Florals

Marni

Dolce & Gabbana

Marni Michael Kors Collection

Dolce & Gabbana Valentino

Loewe Versace

Louis Vuitton Kenzo

Logo Mania

Fendi

Balmain Tommy Hilfiger

Fendi

Gucci Tommy Hilfiger

Chanel

Celine

Versace Versace

Pastel Party

Victoria Beckham

Michael Kors Collection

Michael Kors Collection Nina Ricci

Michael Kors Collection

Bottega Veneta

Balmain Celine

Calvin Klein

Frills

Loewe

Nina Ricci Calvin Klein

Paco Rabanne

Celine Max Mara

Restaurant & CafĂŠ

Lifestyle

P. 40

Healthy Eating/ Original Experiences/ Easter Festivities 35

FEATURE

Healthy Eating in Town Healthy eating is proving to be more important than ever. Yet until recently in Cairo, you couldn’t easily find places dedicated to serving healthy foods. The options offered were usually at two extreme ends of the spectrum: bland diet food or fattening and heavily processed options (not to mention the hundred varieties of cupcakes and the likes of it). Nutritious and healthy unprocessed food just didn’t make it to the menus. Thankfully things have slowly started to change with more options for healthy eating in town. By Sarah Guirguis

Hale Kitchen After getting tired of having to order grilled chicken every time they went out due to the lack of variety of healthy food options in most Egyptian restaurants, the partners of Hale decided to launch their very own food establishment. They met with nutritionists, Shwekar and Yasmine El Gharably, who helped them put their Mediterranean-themed menu together. All their ingredients are locally sourced. “If you ask me where to get them, you will be able to buy them yourself from any local store,” Rana Nouman, one of the owners, explained. “Our goal is to increase awareness that healthy living is not some sort of punishment. It’s about looking after your body and your energy levels. Whatever your body type and even if you’re already very skinny, this still applies to you.” “When you start pursuing a healthy lifestyle, at the beginning it will take some getting used to but then it will eventually start fitting like pieces in a puzzle and you can smoothly pass it on to your friends and your children.”

Launched just one month ago, Hale became an instant hit with healthy eaters. With ample natural light and extreme attention to aesthetic, Hale’s food isn’t just delicious, but it is space is Instagram worthy as well.

What to order:

Nouman highly recommends their chicken spinach roll, Shakshouka, customizable Greek yogurt with dry fruits and their famous oatmeal cookie pot. Address: Club 7, Katameya Hills, Fifth Settlement.

Sea Salt Bakery After falling ill in 2013 with an autoimmune disease that left her very weak and unable to live a “normal” energetic life, Passand Al Hammami found out she had a wheat and dairy allergy, and decided to take control of her health. “It didn’t start out as a business decision at all! Sea Salt Bakery started out as an extension of my own life really,” she told us. Her goal is to help people to find a gluten-free substitute to basic foods in their daily lives such as bread and pastries. She spent a lot of time doing online research of gluten-free baking and discovering recipes that really do work, as well as, joining global communities via online seminars run by doctors of natural medicine and holistic healing, and then getting taught by experts at the Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners. “I want people to know there are healthy substitutes to all our favorite comfort foods that actually taste great. Who would have thought they could have a gluten free and dairy free Chocolate Eclair? It’s possible. We make it.” Open since August of last year Sea Salt Bakery & Café boasts a charming European feel. Its welcoming setting makes it the perfect place to hangout at whether night or day in the heart of Zamalek.

What to order:

Go for Lulu’s Chocolate Pancakes and French Toast, if you want a healthy delicious breakfast. “Warning: the smell of this dish before it’s served fills up the cafe and creates hangry symptoms!” Address: 6 El-Mansour Mohammed, Abu Al Feda, Zamalek

Lychee Lychee prides itself in making healthy and clean eating more accessible for everyone without compromising taste. Their objective is to offer customers a variety of products that make a healthy lifestyle easily attainable. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our healthy dessert line falls under the same goal, we wanted to offer customers a guiltfree product that indulges their sweet tooth,â&#x20AC;? Mohamed Assy, the founder, told us. Lychee only started out with serving smoothies but their menu has been expanding ever since. After recently reaching their five-year anniversary, they now have a menu that offers a wide variety of freshly-made products from cold pressed juices, smoothies, protein shakes, nut butters, Greek yogurt, snacks, Almond Milk, and their EAT line of sandwiches and salads to their newly launched line of healthy desserts. It definitely has that casual, hipster ambience we enjoy at any Starbucks, except that it serves smoothies instead of coffee and healthy snacks instead of pastries.

What to order:

The Signature Smoothies are a regular customer favorite. Addresses: 5 Brazil St. Zamalek, Gezira Club, Zamalek, City Stars Mall, Road 9, Maadi, Cairo Festival City Mall, Marassi, El Gouna, and Diplo, North Coast.

FEATURE

Original Experiences Holistic Hideaways Feeling stressed and need a break to take your mind off of things? Take this opportunity to re-energize yourself by escaping on one of our holistic hideaways where you can focus on re-balancing your body, mind and soul. From Thailand to South Korea, choose a healthy holiday destination to start afresh this spring. By Daniela Bonetto In collaboration with Design Hotelsâ&#x201E;˘

Nest Hotel Incheon, South Korea

Built as the ultimate retreat, Nest Hotel is overflowing with services designed to connect guests with nature, including glamping and bike trails through the surrounding reed fields. The rooms and suites have been designed to take full advantage of Incheon island’s outstanding natural setting. Oversized, tilted windows allow for maximum sunlight and spectacular views, while pocket gardens on the balconies create zen-like spaces.

Gloria Manor Kenting National Park, Taiwan

Housed inside a former presidential guesthouse, Gloria Manor is both a picture of modernist design and a progressively eco-friendly escape. Amid the verdant landscape of Kenting national Park, Gloria Manor’s stunning outdoor pool and therapeutic yoga program allows guests to fully embrace Taiwan’s natural beauty.

The Surin Phuket Phuket, Thailand

The Surin is the home-away-fromhome experience you have always dreamed of, set in a truly remarkable location – the ultimate in Southeast Asian seaside serenity. Amidst coconut palms and gently rolling slopes, The Surin Phuket elegantly punctuates the tropical landscape along the white sand beach at Pansea Bay. Paris-based architect and designer Ed Tuttle rejuvenated 103 cottages and suites set within a beachfront coconut grove. Jungle walkways link the lobby-level Superior Cottages, which offer guests unobstructed views of the ocean, as well as the idyllic Beach Deluxe Suites and Studios, which offer direct walk-on access to the beach.

The Library Koh Samui, Thailand

Lose yourself in a good book at a lush, minimalist resort dedicated to the power and beauty of the written word. Against the seductive backdrop of Koh Samui’s Chaweng Beach, The Library reads like an elegant monograph. Owned by Samui native Kasemtham Sornsong and created with designer Tirawan Songsawat, the beachfront hotel—an elegant minimalist structure—is a refreshing and subtle play on the notion of the book. The expansive grounds provide ample space for guests to flourish, each area representing a blank page on which to write their story.

Claris Hotel and Spa Barcelona, Spain

Part of Barcelona’s renaissance as a centre for commerce and the arts, the hotel is a treasure trove with over 400 objets d’art. A façade dating back to 1892 envelops a modern luxury hotel. Containing one of the largest private collections of Egyptian art in Spain, as well as hundreds of strategically placed objects d’art, the 124 rooms of Claris Hotel and Spa are nonetheless cool and contemporary in copper, cement, and glass. The rooftop pool combines traditional tiling with a modern deck, providing a perfect view of Barcelona’s most refined neighbourhood, Eixample. It’s all a feast for the eyes as well as food for the soul at one of the best addresses in this Catalan city.

designhotels.com

FEATURE

The Warm Up 2018 Fitness Trends By Daniela Bonetto

When you ask your neighbour about their New Year resolutions, chances are fitness will top their list. Come January everyone wants to exercise more. And while a gym membership is the first to come onboard along with good intentions, it is also the first to fall to the wayside as exercise begins to feel like a chore. But this year we’re going to get smarter about working out. Instead of mindlessly smashing HIIT sessions in the gym, we’re going to up the pace from a marathon and cycling challenge in Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe (2018’s hot new destination), to an eco-friendly marathon in the Seychelles, to a 100km Ultra Trail in Mauritius. Hey, if we have to suffer why not ditch the cold and swap it for something more exotic instead (and a bit warmer too!) Challenge: Run the Victoria Falls Marathon or take part in the Zambezi Cycle Challenge, Zimbabwe When: Victoria Falls Marathon - 1st July 2018 Zambezi Cycle Challenge - 7th - 9th July 2018 Stay at: Africa Albida Tourism’s Victoria Falls Safari Club as part of The Ultimate Sporting Package 2018 Tipped as being 2018’s hottest destination, regular pavement pounders will love Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls Marathon taking place on 1st July 2018 - not only a fitness challenge, but a once in a lifetime opportunity to complete an awe-inspiring achievement surrounded by some of the most magical sights in the world. This mammoth event includes a full marathon (42.2Km), a half marathon (21.1km) and a fun run (7.5km) and gives runners the rare opportunity to glimpse one of the Seven Wonders of the World and spot wildlife as the route wends through the Zambezi National Park. For Bradley Wiggins wannabes, the Zambezi Cycle Challenge is a three-day event, to be held on 7th, 8th, 9th July 2018, set against the backdrop of the world-famous Victoria Falls and through Zambezi National Park, covering between 50 and 80kms a day through magnificent scenery, an endurance test not for the fainthearted! For more information please visit www.africalbidatourism.com.

Challenge: Beachcomber’s Ultra Trail Raidlight, Mauritius When: 28th and 29th July 2018 Stay at: Shandrani Beachcomber Resort & Spa, Mauritius Entries are now open for the fifth edition of Beachcomber’s Ultra Trail Raidlight, where participants are treated to Beachcomber’s traditional five-star service throughout this muchloved set of races. Guests can choose from a 10km, 25km, 47km or the ultimate challenge, a 100km course, discovering the most breathtaking parts of Mauritius along the way. Guests will run through it all, from fields and forests, to clifftops and pristine beaches, with some tracks even going through natural sites which are usually private property. The 100km run path is new for 2018 and will see world class athletes take part. The races begin at the exclusive Shandrani Beachcomber Resort & Spa, making it the perfect base for runners, and with five-star facilities, luxurious rooms and an idyllic spa with a sauna and hammam, Shandrani is the ideal place to relax pre and post Raidlight. Guests visiting Beachcomber Mauritius in 2018 can also join in with the island’s celebrations as they commemorate their 50th anniversary of independence. For more information visit www.beachcombertours.uk

A few more trends that will make 2018 hot and sweaty according to Class Pass Bossaball Spain Imagine a giant blow-up volleyball court stationed on a local beach. Sounds pretty cool — and totally unlikely, right? Not if you’re from Spain, where Bossaball has become a country-wide fitness staple for the last decade. While it’s similar to volleyball, it also includes elements of football, gymnastics and a Brazilian martial art called Capoeira. On an inflatable court with trampolines on either side of the net (yes, this is real!), players can bounce high enough to spike the ball across the net. While it’s mostly played on beaches, it’s becoming more popular to play indoors and has spread to over 25 neighbouring countries, including Germany, France, Switzerland and Portugal. Parkour France Developed from military obstacle course training, Parkour literally means, “the way through,” or “the path,” and is essentially the art of running up walls, leaping across rooftops, balancing on rails…you get the picture. Those who practice Parkour focus mainly on balance, sprinting and running, landing high jumps, vaulting when an object is too high to jump over, and swinging to pass between gaps in the obstacle course. Many ClassPass-affiliated studios offer martial arts classes that are a great starting point for this workout, so the next time you’re looking to switch up your routine, give one a try!

Bikram Yoga India When most people thought of being in a room heated to 40°C, they imagined a relaxing sauna where they’d spend 15 minutes or so before exiting with a giant breath of cold air in mind. That is, until the Indian branch of yoga created by Bikram Choudhury started gaining popularity. Also known as “hot yoga,” Bikram yoga is a 90-minute class that enhances a person’s flexibility, strength and breath in a more intensified way than traditional vinyasa or restorative yoga. The added element of heat makes breathing absolutely essential, therefore enhancing the focus directed towards it. It also increases your heart rate and can burn up to 1,000 calories a class! And while dripping sweat may not be the most comfortable — especially considering the various positions you’ll find yourself in mid-class — it helps detoxify your muscles, organs and glands. Perfect after a night on the town – just make sure you hydrate properly! Classpass.com

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A NEW STAR IS BORN By Daniela Bonetto Photos by Roberto Ruiz Art direction by CaSA

Architects Andrea Serboli and Matteo Colombo for Colombo and Serboli Architecture transformed a dull pad into a light, airy and fun apartment. Located in the oldest part of Barcelona in an ancient building that dates back to the 13th century, in the neighbourhood known as Born.

The brief was to completely transform the old property into a new vibrant flat, home of a young Italian woman, a fashion professional. The highly compartmented layout originally included three bedrooms, two occupying the street side and a third one in the entrance space and was placing living and kitchen in the dark interior of the plot. The new arrangement overturns completely the original layout. The scheme is thought to fully bring back and enhance the great proportions of the ancient spaces, with 4m high-vaulted ceilings, big windows and thick walls. All of the previous partitions have been demolished, leaving only one thick structural wall, around the new bedroom. The key piece of the project and the only added partition is a thick, bespoke storage unit that divides the entrance from the living area, converting the hall into a disguised walk-in-wardrobe. This madeto-measure, built-in storage is thought to highlight the monumental proportions of the recovered spaces. The deep blue, boiserie-like, floor to ceiling cabinetry was designed to meet the clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s request to provide storage for clothing, accessories and sports equipment, as well as other home items. Its lacquered panelsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; rhythm conceals a direct access to the bedroom from the main entrance through a double door, like a secret entry that keeps the room private and independent.

A cut out, light pink, grand doorway of over 2.5m of height connects the living area to the entrance while hiding closet doors on both sides. In the entryway, light is provided by a minimalistic glass globe, built-in within the unit, and through another niche that peeks into the living room. This opening matches the opposite living room window that was previously boarded up, now re-opened above the dotted bespoke radiator cover. The airy living and kitchen space benefits of the light of two substantial balcony windows, whose original woodwork has been restored, preserving the detailed wooden shutters motifs. False ceilings were removed to expose the Catalan vaults and beams, all painted in white to increase brightness. The wall that now divides living from bedroom and entrance has been covered with a tactile rough treatment, to enhance its thick presence. As part of this wall, right over the niche, a curl structure detail emerged during constructions and has been incorporated within the boiserie panels. The open kitchen features a rounded peninsula doubles as an informal eating

area overhung by three globe pendants with brass details and burgundy cords that chromatically match the hood tube. The kitchen cabinets are finished in a warm grey and fitted with vintage brass concave handles. Both sides of the kitchen lean against a main feature: an arcshaped, coral-coloured volume that hides a powder room.

ings, it enhances and preserves the full room heightâ&#x20AC;?, the designers explain.

The brief was to have a guest bathroom, independent from the master bedroom so the architects opted for a standalone highlight of the apartment: â&#x20AC;&#x153;A full-height volume would have reduced the feeling of space in the big living room, while using a half-height volume would have transformed its top in a dusty, dark corner. So, we opted for an arc shape, that while almost touching the wooden beamed ceil-

Between the two big windows, the golden disc of a Fold Lamp is presiding the dining area. Designed by CaSA expressly for this project, the light is produced by Barcelona brand Metalware. Below it, a wide table lacquered in pink, sided by Ypperlig chairs by HAY for IKEA.

The arc motif appears again in the corner of the dashboard, sided by a wall mounted globe lamp, and in the curved edged kitchen island. Both surfaces are made in a pink terrazzo-like quartz surface, as well as the kitchen countertop.

colomboserboli.com

HAPPENINGS

Easter Festivities

The Cairo Marriott Hotel The Cairo Marriott Hotel welcomes Easter with open arms! This year, let’s take a moment to be grateful for even the simplest of things and replenish our hope for a new beginning. Bask in the beauty of Easter and surround yourself with family and friends for a much needed day out in the sun. Dine at Roy’s on the 8th of April for an exclusive Easter Sunday dinner buffet, or begin Sham El Nessim on the 9th of April by unwinding as you get pampered with delicious meals and fun surprises! A breakfast buffet will be served at Omar’s Café from 6 till 11 a.m. including the classic Easter favourites. If you are not an early riser, Omar’s Café and Promenade Café will both offer a brunch buffet for Sham El Nessim from 1 till 5 p.m. Promenade Café will feature a Jazz Band for a little extra fun! The Bakery will have special Easter treats of chocolate bunnies, cakes and many more Easter-inspired desserts because no Easter is complete without some chocolate bunnies.

Conrad Cairo This Easter, Conrad Cairo offers a selection of activities and packages for the whole family to celebrate the holidays with. Take a well-deserved break and enjoy a stay in one of the hotel’s luxurious rooms overlooking the majestic Nile for LE 1200 per person. Delight in a double room, including a breakfast buffet at Solana Restaurant, 50% off car parking, 20% off dinner at OAK Grill and Kamala, and late checkout until 6:00pm. On Monday 9th April, celebrate Easter with friends and family at Jayda restaurant overlooking the Nile whilst enjoying a lavish open buffet brunch. The brunch will also feature special Easter delights, with a DJ, belly dancer and live kids entertainment. Children under five can enjoy a chocolate egg hunt and eat for free, whilst children aged 6-12 can enjoy 50% off.

InterContinental, Holiday Inn & Staybridge Suites Cairo Citystars Spring is in the air … when the traditions and treats of Sham El Nessim dating back to ancient times are brought to life in the restaurants, cafés, bistros and lounges of InterContinental, Holiday Inn and Staybridge Suites Cairo Citystars on Monday April 09. From noon until 5pm, Al Khal, Pool Bar and The Lounge feature live music and belly dancer, a special Sham El Nessim buffet with traditional delicacies, plus a children’s buffet. Fayruz will be a children’s venue from noon till 5pm, where they can enjoy their exclusive kids’ buffet, followed by an afternoon of fun and games, including face painting. At Holiday Inn Cairo Citystars, the celebrations continue with authentic treats spicing up the sumptuous buffet spread at Windows from 12:30pm until 11pm. In addition, the Pool Garden is the hot spot to aim for when you are bringing the ‘young ones’ to make a special fuss of them for a fun-filled day. From noon until 6pm there is a BBQ buffet with a DJ and kids’ games. Staybridge Suites Cairo Citystars sees plenty of fun for kids on Sham El Nessim. The fun will start after breakfast and include painting, play dough and drawing with an Easter theme among other activities.

The Nile Ritz-Carlton Cairo From a lavish Easter brunch at Culina restaurant to an exciting Easter Kids Festival at The Garden City or a special family day at the pool, it’s all here at The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo. On Monday 9th of April, Culina’s special enhanced buffet features extensive carving and seafood stations together with Easter inspired dishes as well as delicious desserts. For some family fun, you can indulge in an exclusive pool cabana with lunch for a family of four (2 adults and 2 children). During the pool day, The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo will treat your children to exciting Easter fun poolside activities including Easter egg hunt, Easter piñata, Easter bunny surprise visit with Easter basket giveaways and arts and crafts at the Kids Cabana, with egg painting, coloring sessions, Easter games, egg basket decorating while watching cartoons all day long. For those who wish to celebrate Easter in style, Nox will be hosting a luxurious rooftop party so you can dance the night away with the finest entertainment in town.

Semiramis InterContinental Cairo This Sham El Nessim, relax, unwind and indulge in scrumptious food at the Semiramis InterContinental Cairo. Enjoy the fresh air and live entertainment at the Palm Garden and Night & Day, if you prefer staying indoors, located on the lobby level of the property. Starting at 12 pm, enjoy the special Sham El Nessim brunch and sing along to Onsy & Natalie’s epic tunes while your children enjoy an array of activities including a puppet show, a magic show, egg colouring and everything in between. Why not relax the day before and start your day with a healthy breakfast before brunch? Enjoy the Sham El Nessim package starting from EGP 2000 inclusive of a delicious breakfast followed by a mouth-watering brunch.

Sofitel Cairo El Gezirah Enjoy Easter celebrations at Sofitel Cairo Nile El Gezirah, spend a vibrant Easter by the Nile and enjoy the spring festival with selective dining options, highlighting the marvelous Easter mood. Don’t miss the exclusive room package and spend an unforgettable night in one of their luxurious rooms and enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the scenery of Cairo. For an exceptional dining experience, Sofitel Cairo Nile El Gezirah offers the finest culinary delights with special Easter mouthwatering specialties at La Palmeraie on the Nile. For Oriental cuisine lovers, Kebabgy’s traditional BBQ set menu and the special baked a la minute bread is a must try. For more family fun, indulge in a gourmet Easter buffet and enjoy a bountiful Monday brunch at Casa Mia restaurant, featuring Easter specialties with multi colors seasonal decoration and live entertainment. Let the kids enjoy the fun corner including coloring eggs corner, coloring books, toys, clown, face painting and more surprises!

Renaissance Cairo Mirage City Hotel Renaissance Cairo Mirage City Hotel is an ideal getaway to unwind during Easter and Sham El Nessim. There will be a special Easter-themed international Sunday lunch buffet at Citron offering various selections of mouthwatering dishes. Guests will enjoy the live-band, spring vibes complemented by creative activities for younger guests at Sol Pool Bar. Celebrate the holiday with colorful and delicious Easter treats from En Passant. Alternatively, take home one of En Passant’s beautifully crafted Easter cakes, created by our very own talented cake artist and perfect for family gatherings. If you are looking for a vibrant nightlife experience, head to Vintage Bar & Lounge and enjoy a fabulous party with a belly dancer and live entertainment.

Sonesta Hotel, Tower & Casino Cairo This year staying in Cairo during Easter is different with Sonesta Hotel. Get together with your family, friends and the little ones for an exciting Sham el Nessim day around the pool. Enjoy the fresh air, sunlight, lunch buffets with live entertainment and lots of activities for only LE 495 per person and LE 265 per child all-inclusive. Little guests will enjoy their own playing area with exciting activities including cupcake decorations, face painting, free popcorn & ice cream, a magician show, a clown show, a puppet show and Sonesta’s yummy giveaways. For a splendid Easter Getaway, book the Family Easter Package for only LE 945 per person in a double room including special Easter buffet breakfast and Easter Lunch by the pool with live entertainment, special kids’ activities and late check-out till 6:00 pm.

Le Méridien Cairo Airport Experience a joyful Easter break filled with fun activities, and relaxing atmosphere at Le Méridien Cairo Airport. Book 2 rooms and get 50% off the 3rd room, starting from 900 EGP per person, including Easter buffet breakfast, early check-in and late check-out, live Due performance, DJ and Special kid’s activities to keep your little ones entertained. For a heart-warming Easter dining experience, go for lunch at EVOO and savor the moment with family and friends for only 425 EGP. Whether you are out for a drink or seeking an exceptional Easter celebration, you will want to hit the Live Sports Bar! Party the night away with friends and enjoy a live singer’s performance with a DJ along with a wide range of cocktails and savory treats for only 250LE.

Steigenberger Hotel EL Tahrir April in Cairo is a time of beauty and what better place to experience that other than the very heart of Cairo. Set amongst one of the most sought-after and exciting locations in Cairo, Steigenberger Hotel El Tahrir offers the perfect opportunity to celebrate Easter with the whole family and book the exclusive package of only EGP 1500 for a double room including a rich Easter breakfast buffet. Your little ones up to 10 years of age will enjoy a complimentary acommodation! For guests looking to enjoy an indulgent gourmet getaway, you should head to the spring breakfast buffet at the Downtown restaurant. Start off your day with a one-of-a-kind culinary experience and enjoy the extended breakfast buffet with all the decadent Easter goodies and the latest confectionery creations until 2pm. Steigenberger Hotel el Tahrir is also located right across the Egyptian Museum, giving guests the ideal chance to be inspired by the majestic buildings where ancient and modern architecture interwine as one.

WEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;RE AT POINT 90!

Design

P. 64 Young Product Designers/ Nevine Soliman/ Spyscape NYC 57

FEATURE

Egypt’s Up & Coming Product Designers

With a market flooded with the same type of product designs, often-unimaginative imported products, many of us are on the lookout for something that stands out from the obvious selections. We took it upon ourselves to provide you with a small variety of up and coming Egyptian designers who have something quite unique and fresh to offer to the table (quite literally!) By Sarah Guirguis

Nahla Kordy Out of her personal love for food presentation, Kordy came up with the idea to launch her exquisite boards line at her new home as she was wondering what to serve her food on. Not only that, but she also makes paintings, fluid art canvases, and various home furniture pieces that you definitely want to contemplate. Art had always been in her life, although she’d never actually studied it. When she was getting married and it was time for her to think about her own house design, she realized she wanted to do everything herself. “I wanted my home to carry a vibe that represented both my husband and I, so I started exploring the market to see what was available and come up with original ideas of what to do.”

The philosophy behind her art, as she describes it, is to avoid anything that looks imposed or manipulated to look a certain way. Instead, she aims for her designs to look as natural as possible or “imperfectly perfect”. Even with the marble look she usually goes for, she explained the art process, where she simply throws the colors in and lets them freely run their own course and in that sense, their own natural design. You can find her designs at ABn’G store in Zamalek & Downtown, Mounaya Gallery (boards and trays) in Zamalek, AFKARNA gallery (furniture pieces) in Sheikh Zayed, Room With A View in Zamalek, Amadeus in New Cairo, and, Jay Store in Alexandria.

EHEM With a former life as an art director in advertising, Dina Naguib, the EHEM designer, looks at each item she designs as her artwork and makes it her business to handcraft and paint each piece with precision and a delicate attention to detail. “I wanted to launch something that reaches out to customers who will know that when buying EHEM they will have a product that had its time-in-the-making, a product truly only theirs with someone out there having a strong bond with it. It’s not mass. It’s personal,” she told us. When asked about her brand name, she said, “It started off as a joke but quickly stuck around. I wanted a name not limited to a specific genre of design. Something that says: Expect Anything!” The EHEM concept occupies the unconventional space between finding new meaning and appreciation for humble-found objects, and creating experimental conceptual functional art. “As a

designer I try not to limit myself. It’s sometimes a challenge to find the next obsession but I try to take risks and work with new things.” A selection of EHEM designs is displayed in a number of stores across Cairo but you can find the designs at their workspace in Zamalek. Custom-made projects are available for home and corporates. To glance at their latest collections, visit their Instagram and Facebook pages.

Dina Hafez Having started mainly designing bags and laptops covers, Dina Hafez’s brand is now more focused on home accessories and furniture, including design textiles, cushions, coasters, trays, placemats, poufs and side tables. “I think it makes all the difference when the designer uses their hands to create their own designs. It gives a different feeling to the final product when you know that it’s been in the hands of this particular designer/maker before your hands. That’s the best antidote to the anonymity of mass production,” Hafez told us. Describing aspects of her style as a designer, she mentioned her tendency to work with different material and even mix digital design with handmade elements like embroidery or weaving. “I hate symmetry, so you’ll find a lot of chaos, splashes, and a lot of move-

ment in my work.” When asked about the prevailing theme of bright colors in her designs, she explained, “It’s part of who I am. It’s very apparent in how I dress, and if you see my apartment, you’ll find it full of color. I love looking at different color combinations, experimenting with different hues and trying weird bold mixes.” You can find her designs at Dokan Boutique, ABn’G, Kaf Fatma, Razzmatazz, and Pop Up. In Dubai, you can find them at O’de Rose and in Jeddah at Sinwan. They will also be available online soon at Hanagoeslocal.com

Asheya Inspired by studying Product Design in Milan, Italy, Aisha El Waqad knew she had to start designing something she could completely call her own, rather than merely implement someone else’s vision as she did regularly in her career in architecture. “Living and studying in Milan was a great inspiration because you can feel the art in everything, whether it’s in the buildings, the food, the fashion, or even their day-to-day items. I wanted to make something Egyptian, and hopefully something that was liked by the art-loving community.” Out of several material options, she chose pottery because she wanted her work to be handcrafted and have each item become a unique piece of art. “Perfect form is a symbol of machines and mass production. Handcrafted products are much more personal and individual. Other materials such as porcelain are harder to

shape asymmetrically and wouldn’t have given them the richness that I am looking for. I wanted my work to be a reflection of our unpredictable yet rich lives,” she explained. “In the near future, I plan to open a store that has all the glitz and glam for your dinner table.” You can find her collections in either Eklego in Heliopolis and Zamalek or Mona Hussein Design House in Waterway, and of course, on Asheya’s Instagram and Facebook pages.

INTERVIEW

Contemporary Classic by Nevine Soliman

With a discerning taste for both contemporary and classic styles as an interior designer, Nevine Soliman has managed to offer a brilliant variety of options for home décor to her clients. In addition to her style consulting services, she has a showroom in Zamalek, where she regularly exhibits unique items and furniture available for customization or direct sale. We sat down with her to talk about her relationship with her clients and found out her top tips for great interior design.

What are your biggest style inspirations?

There is beauty all around us. I can be inspired by something as simple as a flower or a door knob at a museum, even travel. When it comes to things, the website 1st Dibs, and home décor publications- in particular the book by Carlos Mota, A Touch of Style.

How would you describe your style?

We simply help our clients live in beautiful surroundings, whether it’s an eclectic style, contemporary, traditional or minimalistic. It just needs to be personal, timeless, airy and functional.

How did you first start your business?

After working many years as an executive for top business corporations in the US and Egypt, I finally pursued my passion for interior design and studied at the New York Institute of Art & Design, then moved back to Egypt to start the business in 2016.

Tell us more about your showroom…

The place has a beautiful positive vibe that is furnished like a home with a mix of vintage, reproduction pieces and beautiful art on the walls. Our showroom is like our second home (We even bring our dogs!) and is a platform for Egyptian contemporary artists, designers with made in Egypt furniture pieces and home décor items.

How do you select pieces for your showroom?

Each piece has a story behind it. This includes the vintage pieces that we search for and find in interesting places, those by artists with unique talent, and the new furniture that we design ourselves.

Which design project are you most proud of?

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really all about the client. Most of the projects we worked on are very special to me, starting from the contemporary look we gave to one of our very dear clientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; traditional home to the renovation of a long-time closed apartment and it transformation into a livable, expressive space to another beach house interior design project and another home styling project in Washington DC.

For clients with high expectations and picky personalities, how do you best suit their needs?

The starting point is to recognize that the relationship between an interior designer and his/her client is a very human one, where we help them express their most fervent dreams, hopes and goals. Always remember that the home is an expression of the image one wants to project to the world. Therefore, we listen to our clients carefully, get to learn about their lifestyle, help them define their own likes and dislikes, and then try our best to have a clear approach both visually and financially, while contemplating with them what could be done. Thank God, this works for us most of the time!

What do you think makes you stand out from other interior designers?

There are so many good designers, but I think our clients like how we blend old and new to bring personality to a space, and in doing that, create a happy home.

What is the greatest challenge about what you do?

Trying to steer the client in the right direction and the quality control efforts we have to encounter to receive the deliverables by the standards we want.

Nevine Solimanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Great Design Tips Just like a great outfit, every room needs a finishing touch, and in interiors, that touch is lighting. It pulls all the other special elements together. Invest in the good stuff. Flowers are like the icing on the cake when styling a room and makes the home feel more inviting. Find your focal point. Find that one item that will be your natural eye focus because it will instantly bring the room together.

BOUTIQUE HOTEL

California Dreaminâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Hotel Californian

Santa Barbara’s iconic Hotel Californian made its debut in 1925 before being destroyed by an earthquake. It has now been rebuilt and reintroduced as three unique buildings where Martyn Lawrence Bullard-designed digs meet Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. With this revival leaving the building’s original facade intact, Hotel Californian integrates the best of local architecture with contemporary comforts, all steps from the Pacific Ocean. It is hard to imagine a more pleasing oceanside retreat. By Kate Dannies

The Hotel Californian is the epitome of bespoke. Virtually everything in it was custom-designed and custom-made somewhere in the world, especially the million-plus pieces of hand-painted tile that are a recurring motif, from the elaborate wainscoting in 121 bedrooms and suites, to the Moroccan spa. Six- or eight-point stars are another recurring element, spotted throughout the property in interesting places. The hotel is built in a style known as “Santa Barbara Architecture,” which includes threads of Andalusian, Mediterranean, and Mexican Churrigueresque, adapted with the Native American materials of stucco and tile. Each of the guest rooms has unique features, including studded headboards designed by Bullard himself and out of this world bathrooms. Every room boasts ocean, mountain, or courtyard views from your private balcony. cobras are another constant. The rooms also incorporate a cobra theme; Bullard chose them in part because they were a symbol of power and protection in ancient Egypt, as well as an amulet of great wisdom. Bullard’s luxe, plush touch isn’t just felt in guest rooms and the 1,700-square-foot presidential suite — he designed the entire property to feel opulent but easy-going. There are courtyards with fountains and gardens, an expansive rooftop deck with panoramic 360-degree views, an ocean-view rooftop pool, glamorous ballroom, well-curated Isla boutique, and signature 70-seat Mediterranean-meets-contemporary American restaurant, Blackbird, along with a street-facing gourmet cafe and market dubbed Goat Tree. Guests can also relax in an expansive Turkish-style spa to be pampered in style. Hotel Californian is poised to not only lure out-of-towners but locals and nearby residents — which include industry heavyweights Oprah Winfrey and Gwyneth Paltrow — for drinking, dining and pampering in style, with no pretense. Just what Hollywood--and the rest of us-needs.

ARCHITECURE

Spy Style SPYSCAPE NYC

For something a little different next time you are in New York City, consider SPYSCAPE, the newly-opened museum experience that introduces visitors to the ins and outs of espionage--and allows them to road test their own spy skills with interactive experiences and games throughout the museum. To top it all off, this museum itself is a work of art. Designed by museum darling David Adjaye, the architecture and interiors do not disappoint. By Kate Dannies Images by: Scott Frances for SPYSCAPE

SPYSCAPE was designed as a world class multi-sensory environment. The architecture was created by Adjaye Associates, whose other designs include the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Nobel Peace Center and the Moscow School of Management. In designing the building, Adjaye’s firm consulted former members of renowned hacking collectives, station chiefs and directors of intelligence agencies. Inside, weathering steel drums are installed to house themed exhibition focused on surveillance, hacking, deception and intelligence operations. A mix of smoked glass, bespoke fibre cement, grey acoustic paneling, mirror-polished steel and dim lighting were chosen for surrounding spaces to create a dark and mysterious atmosphere. The audio design was done by composer and sound designer Nick Ryan, whose recent projects include works for Dolby, Tate, Rolls-Royce, and the Imperial War Museum. Lighting design was helmed by Lighting Workshop, whose other projects range from Adidas and Belstaff to Kith and W Hotels. The museum has been brought to life by a diverse team of curators, de-

signers, educators, programmers, and storytellers, with expert advice from former members of renowned hacking collectives, award winning investigative journalists, and former Station Chiefs and Directors of international intelligence agencies. SPYSCAPE explores amazing Spy Stories and characters — from code-breakers and spy pilots, to the spycatcher who brought down the FBI’s most damaging traitor, and the teenager who hacked the CIA’s website. The experience features interactive experiential Spy Challenges, in which visitors can test their own spy skills, including lie detection in interrogation booths, observation in a 360-degree live surveillance mission, and agility in special ops laser tunnels.Throughout the galleries (Encryption, Deception, Surveillance, Hacking, Cyber-Warfare, Special Ops, and Intelligence), visitors will encounter Question Stations testing their spy attributes such as risk-tolerance, brainpower, and personality. As visitors proceed through the galleries, their interactions in the Spy Challenges and Question Stations contribute to their overall Spy Profile. Upon entry, visitors will receive a unique

Identity Band, which uses RFID technology to personalize their experience. They then enter the Briefing, a high-tech theater which rises up through the building as it introduces the world of secret intelligence via an immersive film developed with the studio that creates VFX for films such as Avengers, Ex-Machina and Blade Runner 2049. Their Spy Profiles are then analyzed in Debrief, where they discover which of the 10 archetypal Spy Roles they are best suited to. This authentic profiling system was developed with a former Head of Training at British Intelligence and top industrial psychologists. The Spy Roles are: Agent Handler, Cryptologist, Hacker, Intelligence Analyst, Intelligence Operative, Special Ops Officer, Spycatcher, Spymaster, Surveillance Officer, Technical Ops Officer. After getting your spy on, you can explore the cafe, a book shop with over 1,000 rare and first-edition spy books, and a gift shop filled with spy gadgets and smart technology for some momentos from your turn as a spy. We will definitely be putting this on the agenda the next time we are in the Big Apple.

EXHIBITIONIST

Middle East Meets Milan

Contemporary Middle Eastern Art at Galleria d’Arte Moderna By Kate Dannies

The Middle East comes to Milan in a new exhibition by the Guggenheim that is not to be missed. Featuring the best of contemporary art from the region curated by superstar Sara Raza and exhibited in the stunning galleries of the Galleria d’Arte Moderna Milano, this is an exhibition not to be missed while in Milan this spring.

Galleria d’Arte Moderna Milano (GAM) will present But a Storm Is Blowing from Paradise: Contemporary Art of the Middle East and North Africa from April 11 through June 17, 2018, in Milan. The exhibition marks the final installation of the Guggenheim UBS MAP Global Art Initiative, a distinctive, multiyear program that supports contemporary art and education through a total of eight international exhibitions, more than 125 acquisitions, curatorial scholarship from three global regions, and extensive public programming. The Galleria d’Arte Moderna Milano is a civic museum dedicated to the nineteenth-century collections of the city of Milan. Founded in 1903 in the Castello Sforzesco, the museum moved to the Villa Reale in 1921, which was built for Ludovico Barbiano di Belgiojoso by Leopold Pollack between 1790 and 1796. GAM’s permanent collection contains approximately four thousand objects, beginning with Neoclassical works, continuing through several nineteenth-century movements–– including examples of Romanticism, Scapigliatura, and Realism––and ending with Divisionist and the Symbolist paintings from the first years of the twentieth century.

Kader Attia Untitled (Ghardaïa), 2009 Couscous, two inkjet prints, and five photocopy prints © Kader Attia Photo: David Heald

Organized by Sara Raza, Guggenheim UBS MAP Curator, Middle East and North Africa, in collaboration with Zatti and Omar Cucciniello, Curator, Galleria d’Arte Moderna, But a Storm Is Blowing from Paradise features a diverse range of artistic voices and critical concerns from a rapidly evolving region and its international diaspora. Works by thirteen artists explore the intersecting themes of migration, displacement, architecture, geometry, and history through mediums including works on paper, installation, photography, sculpture, and video. The presentation at GAM will include public events and educational programs for visitors, students, and families. The exhibition features the works of the following artists: Lida Abdul, Abbas Akhavan, Kader Attia, Ergin Çavuşoğlu, Ali Cherri, Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil

Joreige, Rokni Haerizadeh, Susan Hefuna, Iman Issa, Gülsün Karamustafa, Hassan Khan, and Ahmed Mater. According to Raza, “But a Storm Is Blowing from Paradise offers a cross-circulation of ideas rooted in science, mathematics, and philosophy. Many of the artworks featured in this exhibition use geometry as a metaphor to measure both physical and conceptual space, and create a dialogue between shape and form, symbol and abstraction, and past and present. The exhibition also considers architecture as a tool for evoking both colonial history and the implications of globalization and gentrification. This new installation at Galleria d’Arte Moderna Milano converses with the building’s own architectural heritage and raises urgent issues of migration

and displacement in areas around the world, including Italy.” It is always exciting to see talent from the region being featured on the international stage; and this high-profile exhibition promises to bring the unique visions of this group of talented artists into the public space, adding new voices to the political, social, and cultural debates surrounding contemporay events at the crossroads of east and west.

But a Storm Is Blowing from Paradise: Contemporary Art of the Middle East and North Africa from April 11 until June 17, 2018 Galleria d’Arte Moderna Milano (GAM)

DRIVEN

Welcome to Egypt Volvo XC60

Volvo’s compact luxury XC60 SUV has gotten a top-to-bottom redesign for 2018, and the upgrades add something decadent and satisfying. Recently released in Egypt, the 2018 Volvo XC60 is the perfect solution for navigating Egypt’s traffic safely and in style. By Kate Dannies

Volvo has launched the first of its mid-size 60-series models: the XC60. Like its still-to-come sedan and wagon brethren, the XC60 is built on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform that underpins the well-received 90-series. In fact, the XC60 could be easily mistaken for the bigger SUV from the front, with its similar grille, headlight positioning, and carriage presentatiom. From the back, it is clear this is the it’s clear that the X60 is a smaller-scale version. However, smaller doesn’t mean less spacious: the X60 features more expansive rear-seat space, a weak point of the outgoing model. The improvement is clear: passengers sit on a cushion that’s comfortably up off the floor with generous rear legroom and headroom.

The XC60 introduces a few new active-safety features. Oncoming-lane mitigation is a variation on lane-keeping assist: If a driver crosses the center line and the system detects an oncoming vehicle, it sounds an alarm and helps the driver steer the car back into its lane. Volvo’s City Safety automated emergency braking system can now help a driver steer around objects rather than just braking to avoid them. The new blind-spot assist system similarly can help steer the car back into its lane if the driver pulls out to pass when there’s a vehicle in the car’s blind spot or approaching quickly in the adjoining lane. It and rear cross-traffic alert are optional, while City Safety and oncoming-lane mitigation are standard. These features should be helpful in safely maneuvering in the driving landscape of Cairo.

The $3000 Luxury Seat package, includes ultrasoft leather, heating for the front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and ventilated front seats along with power cushion extensions, power-adjustable side bolsters, and a massage function for the front seats--perfect for relieving stress while waiting in traffic. Volvo’s Sensus Connect 9.0-inch touchscreen has been slightly tweaked with a larger map for the navigation system, new fonts, and revised menu logic; it looks au courant, and the system is fairly easy to use after a little familiarization.

The overhauled XC60 raises the bar when it comes to luxury, offering a plush cabin and a deep list of amenities. While the 2018 XC60 brings new levels of opulence and innovation, some things, thankfully, haven’t changed. Like all Volvo products, the model remains steadfastly committed to providing its driver with one of the safest vehicles on the road. With the XC60, you get a compelling blend of European panache and smart practicality.

FLAIR REVIEW

Launches its New Flagship Project

Orientals for Urban Development (OUD) has marked a strong comeback as a leading real estate developer in the Egyptian market by announcing the launch of its new flagship project, Azadir, in the new heart of New Cairo. Azadir, whose name derives from the enchanting Neem tree that is also known as Azadirachta Indica, will be home to vast green spaces and more than 100 Neem trees. This year-round blooming, magical green tree has a strong positive impact on the environment and is claimed to cure a myriad of human diseases. Spanning a total area of 69,550 sqm, Azadir is conveniently located near the Middle Ring Road and South 90 Street, only a few minutes from the American University in Cairo, Point 90, and New Cairo’s greatest attractions and hot spots. More than

81% of the development is dedicated to vast green spaces and colorful flora, with lovely trails and walkways swaying in between. Moreover, the spacious landscape is mostly roadless, making it a safe and secure community for kids to play. Commenting on this new launch, Mohamed M. Farid Khamis, Managing Director of OUD said: “We are delighted to be adding this new project to our huge portfolio of real estate developments and excited to be introducing new living experiences that revolve around green and healthy living.” Azadir is set to be a pollution- and noisefree neighborhood. Commenting on this new green living concept, Khamis added: “We’re self-conscious about our impact on the environment, that’s why at Azadir

we’ve created an environmentally-friendly community with global sustainability standards. With today’s stressful and noxious environs, everyone is looking for an escape in a safe and stress-free environment. We understand the importance of well-being and have introduced Azadir’s Green Promise to offer everything one might need to live a hale and hearty lifestyle.” The launching of Azadir comes right after the We Are OUD campaign that took the city by storm last month, announcing the Company’s comeback after a promotional hiatus that lasted several years. During this period the Company had focused on developing its rich portfolio of living and working communities in, both, Cairo and Marsa Alam.

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