FLAIR 5-2017 by FLAIR Magazine

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Featuring a distinctive & unconventional design, our new phase combines simplicity, beauty, comfort & good living. With a variety of spaces & dimensions, we offer you the choice between studios, studio apartments, one & two-bedroom chalets & standalone villas always with a view; lagoon, garden or a Seaview.

www.lahaciendarassudr.com

• %10 Down-Payment • Up to 6 Years Installment plans • 2.5 Hours from Cairo

Design by Matteo Thun

Based on the rectangular base evolve the washbasin variants, handrinse basin to furniture washbasin, offering a generous storage area and comfortable inner basin depth. Simplicity also rules in the bathroom furniture area. The trick is in the mix between open and closed areas: In this way, everything works airily and transparently. The refined 2/3 division of the wall unit is also continued with the vanity units.

DURASTYLE

May 2017

FEATURES

Person of FLAIR: David Rockwell p. 26 Salone del Mobile p. 30 The Chair Project p. 33 Interview: Amir Dous p. 34

FASHION

Fashion Clippings p. 40 Beauty Clippings p. 42 Interview: Shamekh Bluwi p. 44 Feature: Summer Scents p. 46 Runway p. 48 Wish List p. 50 Photoshoot p. 52 CFF Extravaganza p. 58

LIFESTYLE

Boutique Hotel: The Dwell Hotel p. 64 Hot Address: Laduree Beverly Hills p. 66 Home: Kelly Hoppen p. 68 Book Club: Timeless Treasures p. 78 Wellness: Dr. Zein Obagi p. 80

DESIGN

Architecture: 212 Fifth Avenue p. 84 Driven: Volvo S90 p. 88 Stylish Living p. 90

FOLLOW THE LIGHTS FOR A M AG I CAL R A M A DA N

REGULARS Editor’s Note p. 12 Happenings p. 18 FLAIR Loves p. 22 Flair Foodie p. 102

As dusk falls, Omar’s Café beckons with Cairo’s grandest Iftar buffet. Then see in the early hours with ’street chic’ a la carte Sohour live cooking stations among dazzling fawanees lanterns and evening breeze at Som3a Basha. Celebrating with your favourite people has never been easier... Starting 15 or more guests, hold Iftar and Sohour banquets in our royal ballrooms or host our ‘five star’ outside catering at the comfort of your home or at your preferred venue. Rejoice in a Ramadan like no other.

On the Cover Model: Nataliya Sveshnikova Photographer: Andrew Ivaskiv Stylist: Natalie Pirmann Stylist’s Assistant: Lera Luchenko Make Up & Hair: Tatyana Tarazevich

R A M A DA N I S TH E TI M E TO SH A R E LOV E A N D H A PPI N E SS I N TH E R EGA L SE T TI N G O F TH E PA L AC E .

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

EDITOR’S NOTE

An Ode to

Design

ou might not remember, our dear reader, but FLAIR started out as a magazine for interiors, furniture, and all things related to design. We have always been design aficionados and continue to be-its just ingrained in our DNA. So, this month we revisit our roots and we dedicate the issue to great design. First up, our London editor Daniela Bonetto talks to rockstar designer David Rockwell about designing hotels, restaurants, playgrounds, and his love of theatrical design. Next we take you on a tour of the best new creations at the recently concluded Milan’s Furniture Fair, Salone Del Mobile. Back at home, we feature two of Egypt’s best design brands, “C-Reality” and the new venture “The Chair Project”. Kelly Hoppen is arguably one of the most, if not the most famous name in interior design, envisioning beautiful homes for the world’s VIPs, celebrities, and movers and shakers all around the globe. So imagine what her very own home looks like. Well, hold on to your imagination because we brought her massive and equally enchanting new London abode right here within our pages. Also, don’t miss out on my interview with the biggest name in Arab illustration right now-Shamekh Bluwi. The brilliant illustrator takes us back to his early days when he got in trouble for drawing girls all over his school desks to his recent success and becoming an Internet sensation. Hind El Ramly editor@flair-magazine.com

SEMIRAMIS IS LIT UP THIS R A M A D A N W I T H FAWA N E E S BY NILE TERRACE.

MY PICKS FOR THE ISSUE

With the Nile as your backdrop, the scene is set for the ultimate Ramadan experience at Fawanees by Nile Terrace. Sit back and enjoy open air Sohours and Iftars with authentic flavours, blended drinks, aromatic shisha and live entertainment; all part of a unique dining experience that is truly memorable. Visit intercontinental.com Call +202 2798 8188

CHICAGO WASHINGTON NEW YORK BORDEAUX LONDON PARIS MARSEILLE DAVOS DUBAI KOH SAMUI SINGAPORE

Interview with Shamekh Bluwi p. 44

A pop of yellow for the 2017 season p. 50

Snapshots’ from CFF’s Pink Carpet p. 58

Kelly Hoppen’s “Auction Home” p. 68

Live the InterContinental ® life

Sponsors:

May EDITOR IN CHIEF

Ahmed I Hassan

MANAGING DIRECTOR

Hind El Ramly

EDITORIAL UK Editor Daniela Bonetto Editorial Consultant Kate Dannies Staff Writer Nour Ibrahim Contributor Amy N Pugsley ART DIRECTOR

Tony Atia

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Christena Hanna

ONLINE & SOCIAL MEDIA EXECUTIVE

Sarah Hassan

SALES MANAGER

Rinato Atef

FINANCIAL OPERATIONS MANAGER

Maged Azoz

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.

TONY ATIA “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.

SARAH HASSAN Sarah is an online and social media geek and a fresh multimedia journalism graduate who loves to have long conversations and enjoys documenting everything in life through photos.

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

KATE DANNIES

CHRISTENA HANNA

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.

With an HR Diploma from Cambridge University, our Business Development Manager is definitely the best at what she does. Also a fabulous jewelry designer–working with pearls and crystals–she also enjoys coloring and horror movies.

RINATO ATEF Long before joing the team, Rinato has always been a Flair fan. With a career specializing in sales management, success and hard work are his principles.

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

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

HAPPENINGS

Miss Eco International at Radisson Alex Radisson Blu Hotel, Alexandria recently accommodated around 80 contestants from all around the world during their stay in Alexandria city as a part of their role to promote the Egyptian tourism. Moreover, the hotel hosted in its new convention center Alexandrina the Talent Show prime of the Miss Eco International contest in which each contestant presented her talent.

Cityscape Egypt Conclusions The conclusion of this year’s Cityscape Egypt demonstrated the resilience of the country’s real estate sector. The four-day exhibition, which came to an end on April 3rd, attracted a record-breaking number of visitors in what was the largest event in the show’s history. With a 25% increase in visitor numbers compared to last year, Cityscape Egypt grew close to 10%, selling out all halls at the Cairo International Convention Centre.

Omar Samra & Omar Nour to Defy the Atlantic Egyptian Adventurer Omar Samra and professional Egyptian triathlete Omar Nour will take on one of the world’s toughest adventures - rowing 5,000 nautical kilometers from the Canary Islands to Antigua, unsupported, as part of the Atlantic Challenge. The team will depart from the Canary Islands on 12 December 2017. Commenting on the new challenge, Omar Samra said: “The idea of completing a human-powered ocean-crossing always intrigued me, but I knew that this was one perilous adventure I couldn’t do alone. I immediately started looking for a team mate – it takes a certain kind of person to keep going when faced with 50-foot waves, blisters, salt rash, sharks and sleep deprivation. When an injury side-lined Omar Nour from the Rio 2016 Olympics, I knew I’d found my man.”

GROHE wins five Red Dot Awards The Red Dot Award is known as one of the most coveted awards honoring exceptional design performance. In the 2017 edition, GROHE has received five of the most sought-after design awards for its Blue Home water system, shower toilet Sensia Arena, bathroom faucet Lineare and kitchen faucet lines Concetto Professional and Essence Professional.

Emirates: Travelers’ Choice Emirates has been recognised as the Best Airline in the World in the inaugural TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice® Awards for Airlines. In addition to clinching the grand prize, the airline was the biggest winner with 4 other awards including Best Major Airline - Middle East & Africa, Best Economy Class, Best First Class and World’s Best Airlines - Top 10. This is the first year TripAdvisor has introduced a category for airlines in its signature Travelers’ Choice® Awards. The awards highlight the world’s top carriers based on the quantity and quality of reviews and ratings for airlines worldwide gathered over a 12-month period.

KidZania Fun for All As a part of its social responsibility and out of its belief in the importance of its role towards the children in the community, KidZania welcomed 4,600 students from across 31 public schools between the ages of 4 and 14 during the first quarter of 2017. This comes as part of KidZania’s initiative in collaboration with Gabbour Auto and EFG-Hermes to host 100,000 students free of charge from various Egyptian public schools that are unable to create a brighter future for them or unleash their creative talents in an edutainment setting.

Creative Industry Summit

L’Oréal Empowers Youth

The fourth edition of the two-day Creative Industry Summit concluded recently with the participation of a wide range of experts and specialists across all creative fields, including marketing, communication, and design. It also focuses on the promising gaming industry, which has surpassed the traditional means of entertainment as one of the fastest growing investment and creative fields globally. The Summit explored the creative industry’s developments on a regional and global scale, with a focus on millennial creativity and content, which are rapidly growing and evolving over time.

L’Oréal Egypt organized the 2017 National competition edition of the global business game “Brandstorm” where talented students from top universities in Egypt compete to win the National title. The event was attended by L’Oréal Egypt executive figures, universities partners, talented students and media. With over 95,000 participants from more than 58 countries in 25 years, Brandstorm has become one of the top business games that globally aims to enable students to go beyond living the experience of a L’Oréal employee and allow them to transform their innovative ideas into reality.

PQ Launches in Egypt

Skills for a Better Future

PQ for mobility services announced the launch of its operations in the Egyptian market. The company aims to rapidly grow in Egypt and raise the quality bar of the sector as a step to achieve its long-term vision of being the first company of its kind to start in Egypt and expand globally. PQ’s focus on offering quality services is a top priority for the company, with comprehensive, ongoing trainings provided to all drivers as well as continuous IT support and enhancement for the application itself. PQ is the first App in the world to provide “One click booking” experience. The App is developed to be the first in the world with two booking buttons to save you the hassle of going back and forth to change the payment method (want to pay by Cash, click on Book Cash, want to pay by your card, click on Card). In addition, PQ cancelled peak time tariff in order to offer fair tariff for customers all day.

Millions of young people across the MENA have limited access to employment opportunities, and they find themselves unable to become economically active in their communities. Starbucks’ ‘Opportunity Café’ initiative has been designed to provide aspiring youth the training they seek, to realize their professional dreams. ‘Opportunity Café’ is part of Starbucks Global Month of service which is carried out worldwide each year during the month of April to support the community where they operate. For the second year in a row, Starbucks forms the largest partnership in the Middle East and North Africa region with Education for Employment (EFE) and bayt.com the Middle East’s #1 Job Site supporting youth in landing their dream job through a professional CV writing workshop in Egypt.

Award Winning Sonesta St. George Sonesta St. George Nile Cruise sales and revenue team has been awarded the best Sales and Revenue Team for the year 2016 among all Sonesta Hotels, Resorts and Ships worldwide. Sonesta St. George Cruise is one of the best Nile Cruise ships in Egypt in terms of quality and standard of service that is always provided to its guests and it is the only cruise ship in Egypt is rated five star N.N. by the Ministry of Tourism. Nahed Samir, Vice President Operations for Sonesta Middle East, received the award while attending the Annual Sonesta International Leadership Conference in Houston, USA.

Kempinski Celebrates 120th Anniversary Kempinski Nile Hotel Cairo ignited the night at its Roof Top as they celebrated Kempinski’s 120th anniversary with the serene view of the magnificent Nile. With 120 years of traveling in style and to celebrate this milestone anniversary, the hotel invited the city’s sparkliest people and beautiful media gurus for a night to remember with amazing cocktails, gastronomic delights and live entertainment. The guests all looked glamorous as they enjoyed a remarkable night where they indulged in culinary arts and danced with the live performances. They all raised a toast to many more years of success and an outstanding future to Kempinski hotels.

FLAIR #LOVES By Daniela Bonetto

FLOWER POWER Spring has sprung now that Galison is on your desk. Must haves this season if you want to embrace the flower power in your are floral notecards, blossoming puzzles and blooming notebooks. Prices starting from around £7.99 for a pencil set)

Scarlet Secrets Some call it ‘punk elegance’ others would just say fabulous, the new collection designed by Nika Zupanc is simply striking. This first collaboration between Scarlet Splendour and Zupanc unveils a range of furniture and rugs entitled 88 Secrets after the 88 constellations known to man. 88 Secrets Bar Blush Rose, prices start from €19,657 (scarletsplendour.com)

{ made in Cali }

[ Gear it up]

designed in California is the new exhibition opening this month at the Design Museum and is the one to watch this month. From skateboards to iPhones and start-up garages, the exhibition explores how “designed in California” expresses a distinctive approach to design and life. Rare exhibits include hand-drawn sketches of the Apple Macintosh’s icons, concept artwork for Blade Runner, and, on display for the first time in the UK, Waymo’s self-driving car (formerly the Google self-driving car project). Adult Tickets, £16 {designmuseum.org}

There is a new kid on the block and his name is Gear S3. He is a Smartwatch and his parents are called Samsung and Arik Levy. Multi-disciplinary artist and designer, Arik Levy’s exciting first collab with Samsung has produced four innovative designs for the Gear S3 smartwatch that bridge artwork and technology. Eclipse (pictured here) was inspired by Levy’s ‘Iris Black Hole’ paintings. Eclipse, €399 (samsung.com)

50 Shades of Green

Summer bells are ringing and it’s time to start the Barbie. But wait, the table needs dressing! Call in Vista Alegre and paint the mesa verde. Pick from the Vegetables, Rocco, Praire or the Olhar o Brasil range and your guests will have lots to talk… and munch on. [vistaalegre.com]

YOUR NEW RESIDENCE

“COME FOR THE BAR, STAY FOR THE BED”! Recognised as one of the world’s best new hotels by none other than Conde’ Nast Traveller, the Beekman celebrates its young life already with an industry award prized amongst the hospitality business. “Our Hot List, is a predictor of what properties will stand the test of time, make history, and let you reimagine how you want to live and travel” says Pilar Guzmán in her editor’s letter. Good enough for CNT, definitely good enough for me! Standard room, $478 (thebeekman.com)

YOUR PERFECT

GETAWAY

Features

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P. 26 David Rockwell/Salone del Mobile/The Chair Project 27

PERSON OF FLAIR

Curtain call

David Rockwell

The architect talks to Daniela Bonetto about designing hotels, restaurants, playgrounds and his love of theatrical design. David Rockwell could have well ended up a Hollywood star rather than an architect. He spent the early part of his childhood living in Deal, New Jersey where his mother ran a community theater there and cast him in a number of productions. “At home, my four brothers and I turned our garage into a fantasy clubhouse. We transformed it over and over again, from a bunny farm for Easter to a haunted house on Halloween. That might have been the first clue that transforming spaces would be a passion of mine”. Then at eleven he left the Jersey Shores, destination, Guadalajara in Mexico. Then Syracuse University and the Architectural Association in London. “In college, I started developing my interest in community-driven space as an architecture student at Syracuse University”

How did your transition from NJ to Mexico affect you and what was to come?

My parents moved our family to Mexico when I was 11. There, I became aware of the potential of life in public spaces – the marketplace, the bull rings, and the mariachi band in the square. The energy and density of the open markets and streets exposed me to a thrill and vibrancy that stays with me to this day. I also had the opportunity to see first-hand the work of Luis Barrigan. His buildings brilliantly capture what I love most about Guadalajara – the folk art, craft, colours, and quality of light.

How do you give magic to your projects?

Theater underpins all of my architectural work. It’s really transformed the ways I think about narrative, pacing, permanence and how people use and perceive space. At Rockwell Group, we spend a lot of time envisioning how people might feel as they move through our environments, how we mark and celebrate an entry, how we choreograph a promenade through spaces, and how we define and enliven transitions.

What does designing an environment mean to you?

For me, design has to be accessible, easily understood or experienced either directly though some form of reasoning or emotionally as something felt. More than anything, we strive in every project to create opportunities for people to connect and share experiences.

Do you have a design focus?

Our studio does not have a signature style, nor do we specialize in a particular project type. We want every project to be a new challenge so our work ranges from designing restaurants and hotels, to work environments, to hospitals, to airports and retail spaces, as well as product, theater, TV and film sets, festivals and interactive exhibits.

What does it mean to create a space that is responsive to its occupants? In many of our projects, we take concepts uniquely rooted in theater and apply it to architecture and interior design. The addition of the theatrical to an architectural space enhances that relationship, greatly increases the communication between the space and those who visit it, and it makes the architecture come alive. Many of our theatrical productions including, She Loves Me, Falsettos, and Kinky Boots, have required set pieces that could morph and change to provide quick and fluid transitions between scenes. So we’ve been focused on creating flexible, transformative spaces in all of our work.

What power does theatre play in your architecture?

The power of live performances has really impacted how I think about my projects. I approach my architectural work in a similar way to my set design work by doing extensive research, and collaborating and experimenting with different concepts. I am constantly looking to my theatre “toolbox” for ideas. For example, it takes a lot of people to make a show work so seamlessly. The collaborative effort that goes into creating a series of moments with fluid transitions challenges us to question every decision to make sure it reinforces the overall effect of a design, and allows us to really understand in a deeper way the magic of creating an extraordinary, astonishing moment. That lesson also applies to architectural projects. Collaboration between the architect and developer and other design consultants is an essential process embedded into the production of architecture given the complexity of building. Better answers erupt when creative forces come from divergent sources that express their strong points of view.

How do you see yourself as a director in your architectural stage?

The theater’s emphasis on arrival, procession, lighting, and the all-encompassing power of a live theatrical experience, has really influenced how I think about my architectural projects. The key thing about theater is its collaborative storytelling. And narrative is also an integral part of any of my architectural work. It is also because of my passion for theater that we really focus on how we mark and celebrate an entry, how we choreograph a promenade through spaces, and how we define and enliven transitions.

How do you envisage the next 10 years in design?

I think you will continue to see spaces and products designed for flexibility and transformation, not conformity. Design needs to reflect how people live today, and comfort and flexibility are key factors. People want to live in an environment that is fluid, seamless and efficient to support their busy lifestyle. There is a growing need for flexible, multifunctional buildings that can transform and accommodate rapidly changing needs.

What is number 1 on your top bucket list?

Performing at Carnegie Hall! Playing the piano has been a lifelong passion of mine and it remains an important and treasured part of my life. As a child, I wanted to become a concert pianist but after my first public recital, I decided to pursue my passion for design.

The one thing you would tell architecture graduates nowadays

The best advice is to not be afraid of taking risks. The most exciting projects are those where you have no idea of the solution at the outset. We’re always seeking to take on unfamiliar project types and in the process we discover new techniques, materials and collaborations. This, of course, always involves risk. But it also allows us to constantly evolve, change, and push the boundaries of our design practice.

What is the last show you went to?

The Broadway revival of Hello, Dolly! starring the fabulous, Bette Midler.

Which show has had a long lasting impact on you and why?

When I was 10, my family took me and my brothers to New York City to see the original Broadway production of Fiddler on the Roof. I was completely mesmerized by the combination of the music, choreography, and Boris Aronson’s brilliant set pieces. The experience opened my eyes to the power of design to create compelling narratives and ultimately emotional connections between people and their environment.

Is there one aspect which echoes constantly throughout your work?

Our studio is driven by a relentless curiosity about how we can deliver design with new thinking and fresh ideas. This allows us to take risks, experiment and explore new ideas and different project types.

How does the creative process start? What are the key stages?

For each project, we focus on the particular history and context of the client and location. Our first step is a series of brainstorming sessions with the client, the project team and often with other collaborators to develop a narrative. This is followed by site analysis, drafting plans, renderings, models, and continually revisiting the client’s interests and concerns. Along with the studio leader and project team, I review the projects along each phase up to execution. Throughout the entire process, we are obsessed with materiality and constantly trying to challenge ourselves with new and unique materials inherent to a client’s backstory. A great example of this is our longstanding collaboration with Chef Nobu Matsuhisa. Each location, from the first Nobu to the new Nobu Downtown in New York City, is an exploration of Japanese craft influenced by Nobu’s personal history and his inventive, non-traditional cuisine. While each location is different, simple, honest, and where possible, hand-crafted materials ultimately elevate the level of Nobu’s food. rockwellgroup.com

FEATURE

Salone del Mobile All Eyes on Creativity By Daniela Bonetto

Bellhop Collection for Flos, Barber & Osgerby The Bellhop family began when Barber & Osgerby designed a table lamp for the new London Design Museum. The table top Bellhop gives the user ultimate flexibility as a portable lamp. B&O worked with Flos and adapted the simple archetype into a series of lamps including, wall, pendant and an outdoor. Bellhop casts an atmospheric pool of light and the portable version is like a modern-day candle.

Pallucco, Rainy Day, design Kazuhiro Yamanaka, 2003. The wheel becomes a lamp. A cosy lamp, a nomadic lamp. It can be put on the floor, on the wall, on a table. You can create a column of lights by simply stacking them one on top of the other.

All eyes of the design world were firmly focused on Milan during the 56th edition of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest and most important event on the design calendar. From furniture and product launches in the overflowing Rho fairground, to alluring exhibitions and installations, thrilling pop-ups and parties, Salone del Mobile 2017, once again transformed Milan into the most creative city reconfirming its status as the global capital of design once again. For a week, the city dedicated entire districts to showcase excellence and quality in the sector bringing visitors unmissable highlights from the yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most compelling design showcase. The best way to see il Salone is in pictures. So here is a roundup of what was particularly inspiring this year

BeoSound Shape, Bang & Olufsen Bang & Olufsen introduces a wireless speaker system that combines superb sound with customizable design and soothing indoor acoustics. BeoSound Shape is a unique wireless speaker system that contributes to the improvement of the indoor acoustic even when switched off.

FEATURE

Strapp coffee tables by Bellavista Collection

The Chair Project By Nour Ibrahim

The Strapp coffee tables also made their debut at Milan Design Week 2017. Displayed in two different sizes, they featured moka oak and grey sucupira wood finishes, inset within antique bronze and polished copper bases.

Wieden+ Kennedy Shanghai Office Wieden+Kennedy Shanghai, a creativity driven advertising agency, advocates design and innovation and delivers cutting edge works for their clientele. Thomas Dariel was entrusted with redesigning the entire space, and succeeded in creating an ideal working environment for the W+K team by combining existing features of the space itself with the required functionalities. In choosing “tree” as the central theme of the working space, Thomas Dariel drew parallels with the core corporate culture: fast growing and never-ending creativity. Designers carefully preserved the beauty and features of the space by playing with the existing open staircase to connect all the spaces across different floors. Inspired by the scenography of branches growing out of a tree trunk, the horizontal and vertical split joint boards connect, cross, and naturally extend to different floors, composing the key visual of the office building. It also indicates the divergent creativity and imagination.

Tumblr, Pinterest and Instagram. These three sites have changed the definition of interior design. So much so, that “this looks so tumblr” is an actual common phrase used today. The modern-day world, the Internet, takes expectations of interior design to a whole other level. The Chair Project? It’s designed to reach that level.

The project is meant to revolutionize the general ideal of a traditional Egyptian home and entice young families to go beyond the common ideal of a beautiful home. And where better to start with what every house has: Chairs. And hence the companies got to work. Mixing original ideas with online inspirations, the companies produced a spectacular line of chairs meant to inspire.

So, what exactly is this Chair Project? Well, The Chair Project is the product of collaboration between two companies Chair & Co. and Nassej Fabrics. The modern design company and high quality fabrics brand decided to join forces in order to create this project to help newer generations experiment with the more modern age of interior design.

The styles range from beautifully modern to uniquely classic and completely embrace the ideal of a novel age of design where you can go beyond the traditional ideal of a typical Egyptian Salon and explore into the vast and unique styles of Instagram and Tumblr. chairsandcompany.com

INTERVIEW

Design Dreams Amir Dous

Operating in Cairo since 2003, C.Reality is an established design firm with an impressive portfolio of residential and commercial projects alike. Its more renowned commercial work includes Ted’s, Palm Hills Sales Center, Keji, and Marakez Sales Office among others. The firm prides itself on its Egyptian made designs and products made with international standards and taste. Their new showroom in Zamalek is a design dream offering a true sense of space with its gallery-like atmosphere for viewing collections and the work of featured designers and artists. We caught up with the man behind C.Reality, Amir Dous to talk design, future plans and their new elegant showroom.

How would you describe the design philosophy of C.Reality? One’s style is apparent in our way of living and how that reflects our surrounding. I personally believe in designing for the present and the future, while being mindful of history. Life moves fast and you always try ease your burden and keep moving forward and that’s what we try to deliver in C.Reality- modern style, stressing on simplicity, patterned fabrics, and geometrical lines that goes in parallel with fashion. It’s capturing timeless beauty in spare precision.

What differs your showroom in Zamalek from others in Egypt?

Our space is better defined as a gallery, where from the moment you step in you feel a sense of simplicity yet luxurious atmosphere. What makes it special is its open space with products featuring different materials and colors blending together to deliver a symphony of art. Our strength comes from promoting a true shopping experience with collaborations with other Egyptian artists and designers including fabric, lighting, linens, and carpet brands etc.

What inspires you?

What really inspires me is diversity. Diversity in materials, successful designers, successful manufacturers, and most of all younger generations of designers. Young designers are enthusiastic and fresh. They push the limits in terms of shapes and forms and that’s where our role of keeping the right balance between design and function comes into play. We embrace innovation within our C.Reality interiors.

What are design rules that you abide by?

I believe in minimalism-less is better. However, this requires great attention to the proportions and materials used. This essentially fulfills the design aspect I’m after.

What are the biggest challenges that face you in completing a project?

One is bringing differing thoughts into a product or space. Your client has a certain way of living, which essentially makes them a brand on its own. The challenge is in bringing together both these “brands” together in one space or product.

What is your future plans for C.Reality and what do you hope to accomplish in the future?

We’d like to create a one-stop-shop shopping experience for our customers based on diverse product range from upholstery to woodwork, rugs, fabrics, lighting units, kitchens etc. We would also love to start exporting our work abroad. I’d also love to see greater support from the government supporting our design community.

FLAIR REVIEW

Summer Picks From IKEA

SPRIDD Cushion Cover

Fashion

IKEA PS Vase

STRANDMON Wing Chair

With the first hints of spring we often race to shop and inject colour into our clothes, while disregarding giving the same seasonal upgrade to our own homes. You may think it is difficult, but achieving a summer-ready home is easier than ever with the ingenious products that IKEA have to offer. Here are FLAIR’s fresh picks for the summer from IKEA…

P. 44 POÄNG Rocking Chair

Shamekh Bluwi/Summer Scents/CFF Extravaganza IKEA PS Storage Table

FASHION CLIPPINGS By Nour Ibrahim

H&M’s Arket

Adidas Originals for the Hoops

H&M’s taking it back to its roots with their new line: Arket. Arket, meaning sheet of paper in Swedish, is a line designed to be a modern day market to supply men, women, and children with a variety of sustainable, high quality clothing. Said to open first in London, the line is putting a unique spin to its usual shopping experience by adding a café that will be serving traditional New Nordic Kitchen cuisine meant to celebrate the origins of the amazing brand. The line will also be available online by the fall of this year and be available to shop at within 18 European countries.

Basketball shoes are one of those bulky yet stylish sneakers that have fans that can become near obsessive. So, it comes as no surprise that Adidas would want to be on this trend. However, they decided they wanted to put a twist on it. Collaborating with Alexander Wang, they created a shoe that embraced the style of the classic basketball sneaker, while taking away the unnecessary elements that were not needed beyond the court. Coming out with two amazing designs, these Adidas Originals come were just released in April and are available on both brands’ e-commerce sites as well as 140 retail locations worldwide.

Unlikely Pairings: Coach & Rodarte

Jeff Koon’s LV Masterpieces

When you think of Coach, you think of leather. When you think of Rodarte, you think of florals. One day, someone thought it was a good idea to place them in the same room together and see what would happen. Let’s just say that person was right, it was a good idea. And now we are blessed with this shinning capsule collection of 16 amazing pieces of a mixture of sweet floral infused with rock and roll. Coming out with 23 matching purses, this line is sugar, spice and is oh so nice. Who knew that mixing two vastly different styles could turn into such an amazing product.

Wouldn’t it be cool to have a bag with the Mona Lisa on it? Jeff Koon thought so too. That’s why he collaborated with Louis Vuitton on a new line of designer handbags that are meant to embody art. And when I say embody art, I mean literally have an iconic artistic image on the bag. Combining the beauty of both fashion and art history, Jeff Koon is taking handbag designs to a whole new level. A luxury must-have for any art lover.

Ronaldo’s Designer Denim Victoria Beckham’s Target Target isn’t the place you’d usually go for high end fashion, but when Victoria Beckham says otherwise, we notice. Wanting to give everyday women a chance to be their best selves and express their style, Beckham has released a brand-new Target collection that includes over 200 items for ladies and kids and ranges from $6 to $70. The former pop sensation has also provided a wide range of sizes for both children and women, going from XS to 3XL for women and to XL for babies, toddlers, and girls. She even added her own select choices from the line to her website so that the women could benefit from it on an international level. Talk about easy access high end fashion.

Let’s face it; international player Cristiano Ronaldo is a man who knows how to rock a pair of football shorts. When he’s not playing the field however, the man looks good in denim- and he knows it. That’s why it’s comes as no surprise that the young and handsome footballer (and entrepreneur) is releasing with his very own line of denim under his CR& brand. The men’s line is set to cost from $69 to $179 dollars and is scheduled to launch in June.

BEAUTY CLIPPINGS By Nour Ibrahim

Nail Sculpture

Foam Foundation

If you think the extreme nails wave is coming to an end then you are mistaken. “Nail sculpture” is the latest nail trend that we are starting to wrap our heads around. The biggest name in nails is Sarah Nguyen. Many women can’t manage a decent manicure on their own, but Nguyen? She’s making monuments right on her hands. Starting out with simple DIY, Nguyen’s talents escalated to the point where it was hard to differentiate between her nails and a piece of art. For her it doesn’t stop at colour, her nail isn’t a canvas- it’s a base to a sculpture. 3D nail art is the new masterpiece of the Internet, and it’s hard to imagine it going any further than what Nguyen has blessed upon us.

Well, foundation just got a whole lot more fun. Now manufactured in the form of soft foam, foam foundation is the latest in beauty trends that we are starting to fully embrace. With its smooth coverage and satisfying texture, as well as its matte finish, it’s hard not to go crazy over these new products. Make up brands have been hurrying to send them out to the market. These include luxury brands such as Elizabeth Arden and more affordable ones such as Maybelline New York. Easy to apply and light on the face, this new revolutionary product is one that’s here to stay. Even if you don’t like foundation, this one’s fluffy texture is one that’ll make you change your mind.

Lancôme Floral Highlighter Imagine having a magical rose that you could take the colour from and apply it to your cheeks. Lancôme did just that with their latest product new Lancôme La Rose a Poudrer. Not only does the flower look completely realistic, it also gives off an amazing highlight colour straight from the rose and into your brush. The colour is lovely, the look is beautiful, and the movement of the petals when you brush against them is beyond surreal. If you want to live a childhood fantasy of applying the colour of roses to your cheeks, this is definitely the closest you will ever get.

KKW x Kylie It happened, the beauty collision we have all been waiting for. The two makeup leaders of the century (and sibling sisters) Kylie Jenner and Kim Kardashian have just released a new crème lipstick line for all to see. Coming in only nude shades, these gals have been all over Instagram promoting their new products, showing us just how beautiful nude lips can be. Kimmy, Kiki, Kimberly, and Kim are all new shades of the KKW x Kylie line and we can’t wait till they release to try them out for ourselves.

D&G Beauties Game of Thrones has just taken over Dolce and Gabbana- or well, the cast has. The two most famous actors of the franchise Kit Harrington and Emilia Clarke have both just signed on to be the new face of Dolce and Gabbana’s The One fragrance. Both undeniably gorgeous creatures, their images for the perfume are nothing short of aesthetically beautiful. While Kit was announced earlier this month, the cherry on the top of the whole campaign was hiring his equally as admired female counterpart, basically making the whole ordeal satisfyingly complete. Especially with the new season of the show coming up, these faces are a prize to the company. I mean, beautiful and beloved, there isn’t a fan of both the show and the brand that won’t stare at these images in awe.

Paco Rabanne x Monopoly Yup, you read that right. Board game meets fashion in this highly unanticipated yet unique ordeal that has us wondering, why? Why did a classic board game and a high-end fashion brand come together? Well, as far as we know, it’s because they can. And why not? It is pretty genius to combine the ideas of using perfume as board pieces, or turning your perfume bottles into characters. The board game tells of the adventure of 1 Million and Lady Million trying to work their way to the top of the game. Alongside the fun and beautiful aesthetics, the fragrances also embody the idea of Monopoly and the scent of one million dollars. So, while the collaboration wasn’t expected, it was definitely well accepted.

INTERVIEW

Illustrative Brilliance

How did your journey with drawing and illustration begin?

How do you pick your clients and the projects you work on?

As a kid I have always been into illustration. I loved comic books where I was fascinated by super heroes and their super powers. As a young boy I would trace the comics. Later my sister and I produced our very own handmade comic books. At school I would sketch girls all the time all over the desks (Thus often got me in trouble in my all-boys school where my teachers would complain to my parents). Later I studied architecture in university in Jordan.

What is good for me now is that I have reached a point where I can pick my clients and the projects that I want to do and collaborate on. So I pick projects that interest me or ones that would add value to me or further my skills.

Shamekh Bluwi

You are known for your fashion illustrator, but do you produce other types of artwork? I paint and I do acrylic work, where you can see the influence of comic books on my work. My acrylic paintings are much darker and definitely different than my fashion illustrations. I often like to show these pieces in group exhibitions. What I like about group exhibitions is that they often have a theme that you need to abide by.

What are your latest projects?

My latest project is “Rukn Designs”, a home décor and interior design project. We are designing furniture in it, however it is still very new, so we don’t have a store or office yet but hopefully we will soon and I’m aiming that in the future we can offer full architectural services. The project is in collaboration with a female partner, Areej. And it has been very interesting to get a female perspective on design. She’s also a mother so she also designs with practicality in mind. This is very important for me because that is an aspect that was never my strong suit. For example I once designed a dress, only to discover that the model couldn’t get into it because I didn’t design a zipper into the dress!

How did you transform into being a fashion illustrator? In my second year in college, I started posting my illustrations online, mainly on Facebook at the beginning. I noticed that people were really liking my work. It was during that time that my hobby turned into an occupation. I didn’t feel the transformation because drawing is my favorite thing to do, I’m always drawing. So, even if I don’t make money out of drawing and illustration, I would continue to draw regardless.

How has your social media success played a part in your career?

An architect, fashion illustrator, and more recently a furniture designer Shamekh Bluwi quickly became an online sensation with his mesmerizing paper cut outs of women. His fashion illustrations of slender girls wearing the latest in fashion have gained the attention of international fashion houses who often share his work. I caught up with the illustrator based in Amman, Jordan as he was taking part of Mall of Arabia’s Fashion Mania- adding his illustrative touch to the shopping festival. By Hind El Ramly

Online and social media helped me a lot. My friends and family were supportive of course of my work, but it was the critique from strangers online who don’t know you. Which helped the most. At the end of the day I call my online followers “supporters”, and you have to respect them and respect why do they follow you. I would post every day in order to practice and improve my skills. For example in sketching, the hands are one of the hardest parts in the human body to draw so I would continually work on improving the hands in my sketches and people online would critique. I would listen to their feedback and learn from it.

FEATURE

Summer Scents

With spring in full swing-and summer just around the corner, what better time to embrace the new season than with a fresh new scent. A whiff of summertime in a bottle? Yes please! Here are FLAIR’s favourite picks to smelling great this season. By Amy N Pugsley

SWEET Terre de Lumiere By L’OCCITANE In French, terre de lumiere means land of light and L’OCCITANE’s new perfume is uniquely inspired by the time of day known as the “golden hour.” As magical as it sounds, this is a short moment at dusk when the sky fills with golden and purple light. This perfume is light and magical with a combination of almond and honey and is golden light incarnate.

Mon Guerlain by Guerlain Across Europe, actress and humanitarian Angelina Jolie’s ads for Guerlain decorate metro stops, billboards, and subway stations. This much-anticipated new perfume by Guerlain is warm and sugary with notes of lavender, jasmine, sandalwood, and vanilla. From Barcelona to Beirut this perfume is good for day or night.

Clémentine California Cologne by Atelier Cologne If you can’t make it to California this spring the new fragrance by Atelier Cologne will have you running through clementine orchards with a single spritz. With notes of juniper berries, mandarin, and sandalwood this cologne is fruity and sweet but balanced and natural. What is the most unique and fun about this cologne is that it is concentrated at fifteen percent pure perfume and will outlast its competition. The best part about it? It is suitable for both men and women.

Walk on Air by Kate Spade New York Well known for bright coloured handbags and chic sunglasses this perfume by Kate Spade New York is another home run for the company. A lightweight refreshing fragrance created to invoke a warm summer day in New York transports you with its fresh notes of juicy clementine. Blended with background notes of white peach and vetiver this is a youthful perfume that is great for a picnic or a summer night out.

ORIENTAL SPICE

VANILLA BLEND Blanche by Alaïa Paris French fashion designer Alaia brought together sweet accords of almond and vanilla to create a scent that was inspired by the colour white. This light powdery scent evokes memories of the designers visit to the Alhambra in Southern Spain. A powdery scent with a musky finish this fragrance is one to pick up when traveling this spring.

FRESH & FRUITY

Mejica by A Perfume Organic Mejica is one of the newest fragrances from the American perfumery, A Perfume Organic. This unique blend of three vanillas, rare resins and spices is a tribute to a vanilla orchid. Created by designer and perfumer Amanda Walker this fragrance offers customers something different and is vegan, cruelty free, and USDA certified organic. From start to finish you can feel good about supporting this amazing company.

Good Girl by Carolina Herrera With perfume, it is usually the smell that counts but this newest fragrance by Carolina Herrera challenges those notions. Featured in a dazzling bottle shaped like a woman’s leg wearing a black pump this perfume smells as good as it looks. A blend of jasmine, cocoa and tonka-bean make this a spicy spring perfume that is perfect for those who want to veer away from spring and summers floral scents. Café Rose by Tom Ford The dark bottle and purple label don’t invoke spring and summer vibes but this new Tom Ford private blend had to be featured for its Middle Eastern inspiration. The darkest of Tom Ford’s Jardin Noir series, Café Noir is rich and deep with notes of coffee, Turkish rose, and saffron. The base notes are incense, amber, sandalwood and patchouli. After all, spring and summer in the Middle East are just as amazing as in California.

RUNWAY

Crop It!

Sheer B&W

The 90s are having a moment in fashion right now. Channeling the 90s, the open midriff silhouette has recently made its comeback on the runways. Crop tops, short off the shoulder shirts makes for a fun and laid-back outfit.

Black & white dressing always makes for a great colour combination. The new twist for the season? The classic colour pairing has been spotted on the runway in a multitude of sheer fabrics. Dare to bare all in this chic and fashion forward trend.

Chanel

Alberta Ferretti Tory Burch

Alexander Wang

Louis Vuitton

Alexander Wang

Tommy Hilfiger Christian Dior

Alberta Ferretti Louis Vuitton

Victoria Beckham

Christopher Kane

Dolce & Gabbana

Blumarine Chanel

Blumarine Christian Dior

Louis Vuitton

Blumarine Tory Burch

Lanvin

WISH LIST

Ray Ban

Military Woman

Yellow Season

It seems that the military trend isn’t going away-not even for the summer. Designers sent models with clothes embellished with shiny heavy hardware and a palette consisting of shades of military khaki and green. Go for a bold camouflage outfit or add a touch of khaki in your accessories for a toned-down interpretation of the trend. Complete the look with combat boots.

Considered the “it” colour of the season, shades of yellow have been seen everywhere on the latest collections of clothes as well as accessories. A mellow yellow, bright canary or mustard yellow, there is a shade that looks good for everyone.

Saint Laurent

Balmain

Red Valentino Bottega Veneta

Diane Von Furstenberg

J Brand

Marc Jacobs

Balenciaga Gucci Chloe

Burberry

Proenza Schouler

Balenciaga

Gianvito Rossi Giuseppe Zanotti

Balenciaga

Dolce & Gabbana

PHOTO SHOOT

Spring Awakening Model: Nataliya Sveshnikova Photographer: Andrew Ivaskiv Stylist: Natalie Pirmann Stylistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Assistant: Lera Luchenko Make Up & Hair: Tatyana Tarazevich Shot on location in Antibes, France

FLAIR REVIEW

CAIRO FASHION FESTIVAL EXTRAVAGANZA At the end of April, Cairo Fashion Festival in collaboration with Cairo Festival City Mall brought to you by ‘’Selfie expert Oppo Camera phone’’ hosted the capital’s largest fashion event for the 8th time, since its first show in 2012.Talents from all over the world ranging from designers, influencers to celebrities came together at The Grand amphitheater to give Cairo an exquisite night full of trends, culture, glamour, and entertainment. The Egyptian fashion scene blossomed from the studios and workshops of designers, with golden hands and sheer unmatchable talents to the stages. Fashion guru Wadih El Najjar, the talented actor and singer Hany Adel and the beautiful actress Hana shiha made a graceful appearance this season.

Throughout the day, guests enjoyed CFF8’s Fashion Shows at The Grand Amphitheatre with over 2000 seats. Designers had the opportunity to display on a much more intimate setting their latest collections through the creative Fashion Presentation that was taken over by the fabulous stylist Gehad Abdallah ; allowing for guests to admire the designs up-close and personal. The designers featured in the fashion presentation included Amira El Gohary ,Pacinthe Badran ,FDC,Esraa Shahin and DHL. No fashion festival can happen without a runway show lined with gorgeous models decked in signature pieces; this year the runway was incredible. The top-notch designers were Bardess, Satin Roses Collection by Amanda Kamhawy, Sara Gabr, Eva Habashi Couture “La Liberté”, the outstanding Norine Farah, and Hama Hinawy dresser of Royalty.

This year Cairo Fashion Festival collaborated with the London College of Fashion for the second time in a row to grant a fully covered short course to one of CFF designers in 2017 sponsored by Cairo Festival City Mall. The judging panel chose the super talented “Pacinthe Badran “ to be the lucky winner as she presented a very creative, breathtaking collection in the fashion presentation. Claudine Rosseau ; London College of Fashion , Heba Fayed CFCM Marketing manager and Marwa Mokhtar CFCM Marketing &promotions manager Congratulated Pacinthe while expressing their happiness with this fruitful cooperation.

FLAIR REVIEW

Lifestyle

Albatros Aqua Park Resort Opening Soon For the second consecutive year another grand opening for Pickalbatros Hotels will take place in Sharm El Sheikh mid-May. The much-awaited hotel ‘’ Albatros Aqua Park Sharm “ is opening at a critical time in the Egyptian tourism industry out of Mr. Kamel Abou-Aly’s (Pickalbatros Hotels’ Chairman) vision and strong belief that despite recent setbacks, support for the tourism sector needs to continue and flourish… Albatros Aqua Park Sharm is set to be a unique and luxurious 5-star resort; located in the Hadaba Umm El Seed area and comprises of 260 rooms, suites, 19 outdoor pools and contains the largest water theme park within the region. Pickalbatros Hotels Group mainly specializes in the development and management of a wide variety of hotel properties and tourist attractions. For more than 20 years, Pickalbatros steadily grew with its developments in the world’s famous resort countries Egypt & Morocco (Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh and Marrakech). The group’s first hotel, Beach Albatros Hurghada was opened in 1992, followed by Alf Leila Wa Leila Hurghada, Beach Albatros Sharm, Albatros Aqua Park Hurghada, Royal Albatros Moderna Sharm, Dana Beach Resort, Sea World Resort Hurghada, Aqua Blu Sharm, Aqua Vista Resort & Spa, Albatros Palace Resort Hurghada, Jungle Park Resort Hurghada, and most recently Albatros White Beach.

P. 68 The Dwell Hotel/Kelly Hoppen/ Dr. Zein Obagi

www.pickalbatros.com

BOUTIQUE HOTEL

As the first luxury boutique hotel in Chattanooga, The Dwell Hotel certainly lives up to its name. Featuring a mix of Old Hollywood and New South Beach, the eclectic yet luxurious interiors combined with the effusive hospitality of the owner makes one want to kick back and relax in the homey abode. Indeed, owner and firsttime hotelier Seija Ojanpera has dreamed of opening the Dwell since she was a young girl, and she aims to make every guest experience truly unforgettable. Built in 1909, the Dwell Hotel building has housed a number of hotels. Carefully restored, the three-storey brick and limestone building still holds its historic charm. Architects Trey Wheeler and Aaron Cole of Chattanooga-based Cogent Studios were enlisted to help re-imagine the space, expanding the restaurant and creating a number of lounge areas, including the completely renovated Terra Máe restaurant and newly opened Matilda Midnight bar, that act as a gathering space for guests and locals alike.

Set in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains along the Tennessee River, Chattanooga is a virtual playground of scenic and cultural delights. Flying way below the radar as a tourist destination, Chattanooga offers a plethora of activities for every interest and skill level. From exploring the wonders of the Ruby waterfall and sweeping sandstone formations of Rock City to enjoying the city’s public golf courses and developing art scene, Chattanooga is truly a diamond in the rough landscape of Appalachia. Capitalising on the city’s amazing offerings and low profile, The Dwell Hotel offers elegant yet homey accommodations in a boutique setting. By Kate Dannies Owner Seija Ojanpera and design partner Laurel Creager designed the hotel interiors, creating a refined look consistent with the mid-century modern aesthetics of the structure. Rooms and common spaces feature rustic hardwood and exposed brick, beautifully contrasted by bright and lively textiles. Playful touches, such as framed lush green plants acting as wall, makes the Dwell more like a home than a hotel. Featuring 16 funky rooms ranging from 300 to 600 square feet, all rooms at the Dwell Hotel feature a rain shower and soaking tub, while the luxurious King and Executive Suites boast gas fireplaces, sitting areas and some feature a private balcony. Personal touches, such as colourful pastries prepared in-house and delivered to the rooms daily, set The Dwell apart from the traditional hotel experience. A wonderful expression of a childhood dream, The Dwell Hotel is undoubtedly the finest in boutique hotel experiences. With fun and funky interiors, effusive hospitality and an unbeatable location, The Dwell Hotel has made our list of must-see experiences. www.thedwellhotel.com

HOT ADDRESS In business for over 150 years, Ladurée’s gained prominence as one of the first French outfits to combine the style of a Parisian café with the delicacies of the French patisserie. Over time Ladurée has expanded significantly, featuring over 65 storefronts throughout the globe along with separate lines producing candles and home fragrances and chocolate confections. Ladurée claim to fame is its double-decker macaroon, with over 15,000 sold daily worldwide. Ladurée’s Beverly Hills location will be its second in Los Angeles. The brands first LA storefront, opened in the hip and modern area of The Grove, opened in 2016 to wild success. The 2,000 square foot space features vintage French accents, such as a 200 year-old restored crystal chandelier and outdoor seating on the garden terrace. The Grove location is also a favourite within the LA fashion scene, with several designers, including Lavin and Emilio Pucci collaborating with Ladurée on limited edition macaron boxes.

Chic Confections Ladurée Beverly Hills When it comes to luxury sweets, France has the market cornered. From in-demand chocolatier La Masion du Chocolate to luxury candymaker Sugarfina, sweet lovers across the globe are enamored with French-style chocolates, candies and pastries. Enter Ladurée; world-renowned for their delectable confections, Ladurée is one of the most recognisable names when it comes to French luxury sweets. The Ladurée brand has gained cultural significance in recent decades, appearing in movies and shows such as Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette and the hit teen series Gossip Girl. Most recently, Ladurée is tapping into the ultra high-end market of Beverly Hills, and we can’t wait to see what it has in store.

Opened in January 2017, the flagship Beverly Hills location features classic marble black-and-white checkered floors, pale green walls and elaborate white and gold accents evoking a sense of 1970’s whimsy. Trellis walls with mirrored daisy patterns line the walls, giving the experience of an indoor garden party. Ample seating gives diners the ultimate respite place after a long day of shopping. In terms of dining, the experience is not complete without the signature LA Macaron, featuring pastel orange colouring with a tangy passionfruit centre. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, Ladurée Beverly Hills offers much more than pastries. Savory menu offerings include omelets featuring truffles and organic chicken, sea scallops with caramalised endives and beef tartare with crispy potatoes. For those looking for lighter fare, their extensive salad list includes an artfully prepared chicken Cesar, in addition to a Salad Concorde featuring baby spinach, artichokes and pumpkin seeds. When it comes to Ladurée Beverly Hills, you can’t go wrong. Offering a delectable array of sweet treats and savory dishes, Ladurée Beverly Hills is one hot address we will be returning to time and time again.

By Kate Dannies

HOME

Private Address

Kelly Hoppen Photography by Mel Yates

Kelly Hoppen MBEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest 9000 square foot home in London is a homage to her talent as one of the most celebrated interior designers of our time. This stunning property, which used to be a Bonhamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Auction House, boasts very rare extremist architecture as well as six bedrooms, bathrooms and walk- in- wardrobes, a study, a gym, a laundry and flower room, a large open-plan high ceiling living/dining/kitchen space, along with a breakfast area and underground parking.

Having taken one year and three months to complete, Kelly Hoppen designed her new home in her signature style using her neutral, calm colour palette of taupe, whites, beiges and greys, complimented by beautiful pops of green, dusty pink, peacock blue, orange, bronze, nickel and rose gold. The designerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s love for texture is also obvious, enriching and adding a new dimension to the space. As you enter into each room of the stunning property, you are captivated by its elegance, softness, extraordinary art collection and fantastic views. Each area is as inviting and intriguing as the next, imbued with luxury whilst remaining true to Kellyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s laid back lifestyle.

Iconic and vintage furniture can be seen throughout The Auction House as well as bespoke pieces designed by Kelly Hoppen herself. Indeed, this ambitious project is a true picture of the British designerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s famously sought after style, which is to create timeless and understated elegance whilst fusing the eastern principles of simplicity and the western taste for sumptuous textures and luxurious finishes.

Situated in a residential area in Central London, the property was a dream of Kellyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, which finally became a reality. The property was an empty shell, one massive space with no walls and one floor, a complete blank canvas for the designer whose starting points were the impressive columns that are the core of the structure, linking the vast panels and staircase in the main space. Kelly Hoppen elegantly plays with texture and material, mixing different shades of wood and metals, something which is very characteristic of her world renowned style and the basis of the entire project.

Kelly says â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;my new home is very representative of me and where I am at this stage of my life. I was looking for something big and light and luxurious and this space encompasses all of those things. It is unique in every way. The space was totally derelict and looked like a worn-down warehouse when I first walked in. It was literally rubble but I knew it was something very special. The volume of light and the sheer amount of space is very difficult to find, especially in London. I love it and knew immediately that it was for me. It has become a very unique destination propertyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

BOOK CLUB

FLAIR REVIEW

Timeless Treasures Two designers came out with their first-ever books in which we see they complete each other. These books will inspire you to bring elegance and luxury to your home.

Orange Egypt and “Maadi Training Youth Center” Celebrate Graduates of “Training and Employment for 100K Egyptians” Initiative

By Sarah Hassan

New York designer Marshall Watson brings out his first ever book “The Art of Elegance: Classic Interiors” in which he reveals his European-inspired style through traditional interiors that are rich in texture, detail, and simple luxuries. His projects visualize timeless style that range from Los Cabos and Sweden to Palm Beach and Hamptons. Watson worked with soft colors and classical contemporary elements, helping and inspiring you to create a coherent home that will focus on your lifestyle and aspirations.

Beneficiaries receiving the graduation certificates of the project in a ceremony attended by Orange Egypt and Maadi Youth Training Center officials

Meanwhile, on the other hand, interior designer Meg Braff introduces her first book which is basically a great place you’d want to go to for her personal advice on how to create attractive rooms. In seven chapters, Braff educates us with the essential elements of stylish bedrooms where she brings back those chic dressing tables, explains the basic principles of appealing baths and breakfast rooms, and also various recommendations on how to create chic outdoor spaces. The interior designer will reveal to you the elements of her look, color and pattern, and how to apply them so you can get the best out of her timeless vintage treasures.

In the light of Orange Egypt’s social responsibility towards supporting youth in maintaining better living conditions through developing their abilities and improving their skills, Orange Egypt partnered with ‘Maadi Youth Training Center’ (MYTC) to provide training for 600 beneficiaries and offering job opportunities to 80% of them. Graduation Certificates were awarded to the beneficiaries of the project during a ceremony attended by Orange and MYTC officers. During the ceremony, Dr. Mona Ramzy, MYTC CEO, presented a brief on the project and the training topics provided by MYTC to enhance and develop youth personal skills such as self-confidence, anger management and creative thinking. Other training topics included work etiquette, communication, team work, and time management. The technical training focused on fields such as porcelain figure making, air conditioning maintenance, and mobile phone maintenance.

proud of the achievements recorded by ‘Training and Employment for 100 Thousand Egyptians’ initiative. This reflects the importance of training and empowering youth to compete in the labor market.” He added: “Orange Egypt was able to train 52 thousand beneficiaries since the start of the initiative. In this context, more initiatives were provided to support youth in different fields such as Orange Challenge for Start-ups and supporting “Startup Cup” website to encourage youth to submit their innovative ideas in various development fields and digital learning.” It is worth mentioning that the “Maadi Youth Training Center” (MYTC) was established in 1997 with the purpose of enhancing the scientific and personal skills of youth in addition to finding suitable job opportunities for them. MYTC also provides employment services through trained and skillful youth to businessmen and companies in the region.

On this occasion, Ashraf Halim, Orange Egypt’s Chief Commercial Officer, said: “Orange Egypt is extremely

WELLNESS

What drove your passion to dermatology?

When I was about 16 years old, my sister got third degree burns on her back from boiled water. And at that time she stayed in the hospital for about four months; lying in a box on her tummy. Her back was absolutely a disaster and I saw the frustration on the faces of the dermatologists. So I said to myself I wish I were a doctor to help her. My mother also had an influence on me that she wanted me to be a doctor. So I finished medical school in Syria then I went to America. That was almost around 43 years ago.

How did you specialize in dermatology?

Skin Deep

Dr. Zein Obagi By Sarah Hassan

There I did a rotation on all the medical services and I didn’t like any of them. So I thought I was in the wrong profession. Then it was a turning point in my life where I decided to study pathology - the study of disease. When I finished pathology, I joined the United States’ Navy as a medical officer. In the navy, I was exposed to all the burns, deformity, skin cancer, and so on. My objective at the beginning was to really help people with burns, scars and skin cancer and that’s what I did my research on. Through the research, I found that I need to be a dermatologist so I became a dermatologist in the navy. I got out after six years, opened my clinic and research center.

What did you achieve in your clinic and research center? I created the skin health definition which was a breakthrough because now we created a definition how to evaluate and teach every doctor how to evaluate skin properly based on the definition. So naturally the definition of a healthy skin is to be naturally smooth even in color, strong, hydrated, and free of disease. Knowing the function elevated the standard we are now able to treat almost anybody. So I wrote my first book and created the products and that was 30 years ago the biggest hit in the United States and all over the world.

Tell us more about your ZO Skin Care centers?

Glowing and soft skin is all what we want when it comes to having healthy skin. Correct us if we’re wrong, but most women could become obsessive about the appearance of their skin, trying to reach that elusive celebrity-like complexion. In a one on one interview, we discuss all things skin and beauty with one of the most famous names in the world of skin care- the board-certified practicing dermatologist Dr. Zein Obagi who is an award-winning inventor, educator, author of several bestselling books, and founder of the renowned ZO Skin Centers.

ZO is named after my full name Zein Obagi. Before I had created a program only for medical condition but now we expanded the program as we know more about DNA repair, sensitivity elimination, and how to treat the public. And now I am happy to creating a well-known advanced program that is available here in the Middle East. I want for every person, man or woman to focus on having healthy skin in the ZO Skin Care centers. Healthy skin is the baby skin. Based on the cellular function, we can bring back the baby skin. So I created the protocol that every person should know their skin type. That’s why you have to see a doctor to know your skin type. This is the future of everything. We can prevent disease by following a proper skin care. So that’s the combination of the ZO circle. The doctor who treats you will be your doctor forever. You don’t have to see him every week. Once every year, skin needs change with age and aging starts around the age 30. And now we added to the program anti-aging so we can prevent aging.

What is your stance on chemical products for the skin?

All what we use in our centers are absolutely natural. Vitamin A, Vitamin A active, antioxidants, Vitamin C - we don’t have any chemicals except its pharmaceutical component which doesn’t cause any systemic involvement or cancer or anything like that.

This product is designed to work in a way that nothing goes into your body. And it actually prevents skin cancer because the skin becomes stronger and immune to the sun.

Which is better to use, natural or chemical products?

The word natural products is a term used by certain cosmetic companies to brainwash women. Poison is a natural product, the nuclear bomb is a natural product as well. Does this make them good products for your skin? You could have a perfume that smells like jasmine; what gives the strong smell of the jasmine is its oil essence and chemicals. So that’s why I want the public to be aware. You need a good product that does not change your skin texture, color, or anything that could damage it in any way. We use natural products; however, there are chemicals we include that we know how much to put from it and when to stop.

Do you see a difference between women and men when it comes to skin health? Skin is skin; however, men may be less vain than women. I don’t think men are interested in for example products that will make then look younger. But I think they are interested in products that will make them look healthy, fresh and not tired. Women are more into looking younger. And our skin care center is offered for each gender and all ages.

What are the main bad habits that many tend to do that harm their skin?

The worst thing a woman can do is put moisturiser on her face. Look at the baby skin from the moment it is born till age 7 or 8; you’ll find it perfect. Your skin is like a tree. The tree gets the water from the roots to the trunk to the branches to the leafs. Our body naturally delivers water through the skin. The moment you put the moisturizer the communication goes from the surface to the deeper layer you have moisturized; the body then stops delivering water and nutrients. Then you become addicted to the moisturizer and without it you think your skin looks better when applying it. If I ask a group of women how many of you have dry sensitive skin, I would find many would raise their hand, but if I ask men the same question they won’t raise their hands. This shows you the bad habits of using moisturizer. Second, moisturizers are made of water, lipid and protein. If you analyze your skin, you’ll find out that your skin has water, lipid, and protein. So when you moisturize, all the cells that take water, lipid, and protein stop working. So moisturizer creates sensitivity, addiction, and weakens skin. I’m not saying moisturizing is bad; it weakens the skin function. So you stimulate your skin first to renew itself; wash, scrub the dead cells away, clean the pores, and apply something to make your skin stronger. If you still feel dry, then you put the moisturizer.

What advice do you have for young women and men?

Learn the concept of taking care of your skin at an early age. When you’re a child, you need clean skin and some protection, nothing else. By age 10-11, start to wash and scrub. My advice is read, go to the internet and follow the science, before you spend your hard earned money. And also learn about your skin type and how to take care of it; you need to follow a good skin care program. Also, each age has its own products you should use.

Design

P.84 212 Fifth Avenue/Driven: Volvo S90 85

ARCHITECTURE

Trophy Home 212 Fifth Avenue Undoubtedly one of the most recognised streets in the world, Fifth Avenue caters to the New York City elite with its plethora of high end shopping establishments and cultural landmarks. Indeed, along with housing iconic sites such as Rockefeller Centre, the Empire State Building, and Saks Fifth Avenue, Fifth Avenue has emerged as the ultimate address when it comes to luxury residential developments. Enter 212 Fifth Avenue, a building rich with cultural and architectural history that is currently being renovated into modern luxury residences. By Kate Dannies

Recognized by New York City’s Landmark Commission, 212 Fifth Avenue was one of the first skyscrapers built in the city at the onset of the 20th century. In a partnership led by renowned real estate developer Madison Equities, the building is being artfully restored by Helpern Architects, a Maryland-based firm specialising in historic preservation and residential design. Standing 24 storey’s tall, the original steel frame acts as the bones of the building, while the elegant limestone façade has been preserved and restored to its original luster. Acting as the crowning glory of the building is the crenellated parapet, an unmistakable beacon displaying an awe-inspiring combination of architectural features. Sweeping views of the New York City landscape include the landmark Croisic Building, the Empire State Building, the Flatiron Building and the Clock Tower.

Home to some of the priciest real estate in the city, 212 Fifth Avenue is currently in transition from its industrial roots to luxury residences. Madison Equities recently unveiled two model residences, with prices starting at $4.8 million for a 2-bedroom layout and going up to $17.1 million four-bedroom space totaling over 4,100 square feet. The 10,079 interior square foot, 5,730 exterior square foot luxury penthouse has yet to come on the market. With a design team headed by New Yorkbased Pembrooke & Ives, the interiors of 212 Fifth Avenue combine quintessential old New York luxury with modern, forward thinking efficiency. While the foyer acts as the focal point of the space, the adjoining kitchen, dining room and living spaces are arranged in an open, loft-like floor plan. Luxury furnishings complete the look, with calacatta marble countertops, milled wood kitchen cabinets; radiant heated Thassos stone floors and coffered ceilings. A pleasing blend of old New York City charm and modern design innovation, the careful restoration of the building and artful design of the residences makes it the ultimate in luxury residences. Housed amongst the most iconic of New York City landmarks, 212 Fifth Avenue exemplifies the brightest and the best when it comes to upscale New York City real estate. The residences at 212 Fifth Avenue are offered exclusively by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. For more information, please visit 212FifthAvenue.com or contact the sales team on +1 212 935 1212 or info@212FifthAvenue.com

DRIVEN

Rolling in Style

The origin of the S90 comes from the old 960 model that was sold in the early 90s which marked the manufactures foray into creating a luxury sedan.

Volvo S90

While Volvo is not a traditional luxury car company, the S90 bucks this notion and redefines what a luxury sedan is capable of. Featuring a sleek and svelte design and a prominent grill, the S90 could be mistaken for an Audi S8 in terms of body style. The car features Pilot Assist, steering the car up to 128 kph. The Swedish car manufacturer was founded in 1927 Volvo is Latin for ‘I roll’ Sales over half a million units annually The new Volvo S90 is an executive sedan manufactured since 2016

Pushing the S90 T6 from 0 to 210 kph top speed will take the driver 26.2 seconds, impressive for a 4-cylinder. While the S90 is not the fastest in its class, this is countered by a silky eight-speed automatic resulting in a quite and well-controlled ride. When it come to fuel economy, the two fewer cylinders in the S90 squeeze out more kpg than most others in a class dominated by 6 and even 8 cylinders engines.

The S90 offers two choices of 2.0 litre four cylinder engines: •A 250 horsepower turbo (T5) •A316 horsepower turbocharged •A supercharged T6 for those looking for some extra oomph.

The elegant and luxurious interior coupled with an exterior showcasing understated classic beauty, the S90 is a shining example of timeless Scandinavian engineering and design. Modern interior controls and features make the time spent in the S90 rich and comfortable for driver and passenger alike. When the wheels are moving, the S90 does not disappoint. Great breaking and roadholding performance compliment the above class average acceleration you can expect from and turbocharged 4-cylinder. Small complaints of slightly higher road noise at speed and ever-so sluggish chassis feel, are easily overshadowed by this Volvos ability to perform in any condition, while maintaining a level of driver comfort that usually seen in a class above the $53-65k range of the S90 T5 and T6. By Kate Dannies

According to S90 dynamics engineer Stefan Karlsson, the rear axle design ensures all the energy from wheel motions is directed into the rear shocks, reducing impact harshness for a smooth ride. Built on Volvo’s highly innovative Scalable Product Architecture (SPA), the S90 front suspension. The car was awarded best Premium Midsize Sedan at the Middle East Car of the Year Awards (METOCY)

Once inside drivers are immediately attuned to the luxury of the S90. With some of the best in class front and rear seating space and highly adjustable front seats, the clean interior lines pair beautifully with the S90’s overall understated styling and tasteful exterior. Extras include metallic paint, wood-trimmed steering wheel, and the Vision package, which adds a 360-degree camera view, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and power-retractable side mirrors.

STYLISH LIVING

George Bahgouryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Verissage and Book Signing at Semiramis InterContinental Cairo As part of the hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to promoting the arts as well as Egyptian culture and heritage, the Semiramis InterContinental Cairo in collaboration with Picasso East art gallery, hosted a vernissage and book signing event for renowned Egyptian fine artist, George Bahgoury. The exhibition, was inaugurated by Sameh Sobhy, General Manager Semiramis InterContinental Cairo, Reda Ibrahim, owner of Picasso East gallery as well as the George Bahgoury himself.

STYLISH LIVING

Afternoon Tea At Fairmont Heliopolis Fairmont Heliopolis & Towers had the pleasure of inviting the city’s key media figures to a fabulous afternoon tea experience at Le Marche including “drink me” tea with 6 unique different infused tea flavors for everyone and a delectable selection of delicate pastries and delicious cakes and scones magically created by the hotel’s highly skilled pastry chefs.

Mother’s Day Brunch At Fairmont Heliopolis With spring vibes in the air, Fairmont Heliopolis & Towers celebrated Mother’s day as the hotel invited top social influencers and key media figures to a spectacular hassle- free Mother’s day brunch where chef Jean-Claude created some of his delectable signature dishes in addition to a delightful selection of salads, appetizers, fasting items & desserts.

STYLISH LIVING

Women Empowerment at The Nile Ritz-Carlton The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo collaborated with Hana El Awadi to drive a women empowerment initiative and encourage Egyptian female entrepreneurs to be part of the first empowerment forum of its kind. The event hosted 25 Egyptian female entrepreneurs with successful local businesses for an inspiring and fabulous conversation over a lavish Italian brunch by the Italian restaurant Vivo.

JWâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Charm Ladies JW Marriott Cairo Mirage City Hotel recently hosted an exclusive Charms JW ladies Society event tackling an interesting topic triggering all womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s minds featuring effective beauty tips and cosmetic surgery advices. Amid the opulent elegance of Cheops ballroom, the renowned Plastic Surgeon Dr. George Zaher gave an exciting lecture about What Women Want to know about cosmetic expectations for natural look and precaution instructions for breast cancer; he also presented a Botox refilling session with the actress Reem El Baroudy.

STYLISH LIVING

La Madeleine Reopens Sofitel Cairo El Gezirah has recently celebrated the reopening of La Madeleine CafĂŠ with its new menu, through holding a top-notch cocktail reception for its guests, media and team members. This event is considered as an opportunity for highlighting the new menu after adding new French pastry items.

Ryan Giggs Visits Egypt Ryan Giggsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; visit to Egypt has been grabbing international attention. The football star spent two days in Egypt where he visited the Egyptian Museum, and he was amused by the Egyptian history & culture. Giggs then attended a Heineken event by the grand Pyramids at night, revealing the UEFA trophy and taking pictures with his fans in Egypt. Later he met the Egyptian media in a huge press conference being covered by the local as well as international media.

STYLISH LIVING

IKEA Celebrates Earth Day Ikea celebrated Earth day by holding a workshop for kids to teach them about sustainability; the importance of water, how to plant a seed, etc. The kids also participated in competitions and worked with recycled items.

Toi Beauty Salon Celebrates Expansion Toi Beauty Salon recently celebrated its expanded services with a nightclub vibe party at the Zamalek branch, hosted by founder and head stylist Kimi Safadi. Guests arrived dressed in their best and pumped for an evening of dancing, drinking, and mingling. In attendance was Toiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s loyal clientele base, as well as socialites, fashion and lifestyle bloggers, fashion designers, fashion stylists, female entrepreneurs, models, makeup artists, among many other special guests.

101

STYLISH LIVING

Fiat Tipo Gathers the Family After the success of the Tipo 4Door launch in Europe, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Egypt has decided to offer two categories of the Fiat Tipo to the Egyptian market. Presenting the new vehicle coincided with the announcement of the appointment of Mr. Francesco Monaco as the new CEO of the company in Egypt. The presentation of the new Fiat Tipo in Egypt and the introduction of the new CEO of the company came in a beautiful family atmosphere, in line with the concept of the new car, which is designed to be the ideal family sedan car.

FLAIR FOODIE

Crave by the Sea Crave has finally made its way to Casino Al Shatby, Alexandria; marking the opening of their first branch in Alexandria. With its open, panoramic setting and minimal, yet modern design concept, the new branch allows guests to enjoy a breathtaking view of the Mediterranean while digging into their favourite dishes. For the grand opening of the chainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s coastal location, singer Okasha Aly entertained guests as they dined to a backdrop of the sea. All of the signature dishes were served to guests at the grand opening in order to give Alexandrians a true taste of what the new coastal restaurant has to offer.

Ramadan Celebrations at Fairmont Heliopolis Experience the true spirit of Ramadan at the vibrant Si Omar; your Ramadan Pool Lounge located at Fairmont Heliopolis Pool. Set against the backdrop of contemporary design, and overlooking the gardens, this modern lounge features extensive al fresco terrace and a full range of delectable offerings. Delight yourself with a variety of traditional specialties and an array of shisha flavours; all in a magical atmosphere complemented by oriental entertainment during Sohour. Break your fast with an extensive selection of authentic cuisines offering oriental buffet at Aqua e Luce and My Kind of Place restaurants. For an exquisite Lebanese Iftar set menu, savor mouthwatering dishes at Al DabkĂŠ.

Cooking at Dusit Thani Dusit Thani LakeView Cairo recently hosted famous Egyptian Actress, Dalia El Behery at one of its all-new authentic series of cooking classes giving the chance for cooking enthusiasts to learn from their chefs some of the authentic dishes of their hometown. Chef Sherwin, Head Chef of the Japanese kitchen, personally lead the class and has high hopes for Dalia. Looks like she is on the journey to becoming a Japanese master chef!

FLAIR FOODIE

Lava Cakes Chocolate

By Kareem Abdelrahman

Single-serving chocolate lava cakes are perfect for dinner parties, or if you need a quick elegant dessert that can be whipped up in just under an hour. The secret to getting that perfect oozy chocolate effect is by adding a scoop of frozen chocolate ganache in the batter, which melts while the cake bakes. This is just as good as the lava cakes you get in all restaurants, if not better.

Ingredients:

Molten Cake Batter: 170g high quality semi-sweet or dark chocolate 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter 1/4 cup (31g) all-purpose flour (spoon & leveled) 1/2 cup (60g) powdered sugar 1/8 teaspoon salt 2 large eggs 2 large egg yolks Chocolate ganache middle: 100g dark chocolate, chopped 200g heavy whipping cream For serving: Vanilla ice cream Fresh berries

Method:

1.Start by making the chocolate ganache. Bring the heavy cream to a boil and add to bowl of chopped chocolate, leave for 5 minutes and then mix until smooth and creamy. Set aside in the freezer till it solidifies. 2.Spray 4 ramekins with nonstick cooking spray and dust with cocoa powder. Preheat oven to 200c. 3.For the cake batter, coarsely chop the chocolate. Place butter into a medium heat-proof bowl, then add chopped chocolate on top. Microwave on high in 10 second increments, stirring after each until completely smooth. Set aside. 4.Whisk the flour, confectionersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; sugar, and salt together in a small bowl. Whisk the eggs and egg yolks together until

combined in another small bowl. Pour the flour mixture and eggs into the bowl of chocolate. Slowly stir everything together using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon. The batter will be slightly thick. 5.Spoon chocolate batter evenly into each prepared ramekin until it reaches the half mark. Add a spoonful of the frozen chocolate ganache, and then add rest of the cake batter till it reaches Âž of the ramekin. 6.Place ramekins onto a baking sheet and bake for 12-14 minutes until the sides appear solid and firm-the tops will still look soft. 7.Allow to cool for 1 minute, then cover each with an inverted plate and turn over. Add toppings. Serve immediately.