Sharmoofers get loud! by Identity Magazine

NOVEMBER 2015 - 15 L.E., VOLUME 11, ISSUE 2 WWW.IDENTITY-MAG.COM

THE NEW ART SCENE

7 WAYS TO ROCK DUNGAREES HOW TO MASTER THE HAIR MASK HIPSTER FASHION UPDATE

awesome places to

CHILL

NATURAL LOOK MADE EASY

DENIM REPORT: what’s in what’s out

Is social media killing art?

see pg. 50

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IDENTITY masthead

on the cover PHOTOGRAPHER ABDALLAH SABRY BAND SHARMOOFERS STYLIST EGOCOMM COVER DESIGN ALIA ELABD

ovember is our chance to highlight the art scene in Egypt. Sometimes we forget about art. We take it for granted and assume it will always be there, that there will always be people pouring their heart into music, dancing, sculpting, sketching, poetry, photography, painting, acting, and any other type of art that stirs their soul.

But if we constantly set it to the side and don’t appreciate it, not only are we missing out on a wonderful opportunity to be blessed and inspired, we are also not supporting the artists and their passion. So this month we put the spotlight on the art scene around us, to remind us all that we need to take the time to stop and smell the painted roses.

Liza Dunham

SENIOR EDITOR PUBLISHER & MANAGING EDITOR ROLA KAMEL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF NAWAL ISMAIL Senior Editor Liza DUnham COPY-EDITOR AMINA EL FAYOUMY JUNIOR EDITORS MIRANA TERA, RAGHDA EL-SAYED ONLINE WRITERS KHALED NASR, PERY EL ETREBY RELATIONSHIP EXPERT MARWA RAKHA PSYCHOLOGY EXPERT KATE KERPEZ FASHION WRITER NAHED KAZZIHA SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER ALIA ELABD MARKETING AND ADVERTISING MANAGER RIHAM YEHIA DIGITAL DEP. MANAGER STEVE NABIL DIGITAL MARKETING SPECIALIST MONICA NAGY ONLINE ADVERTISING CONSULTANT MARWA KAMEL WEBSITE COMPANY QPIX SOLUTIONS DISTRIBUTION COMPANY AL AHRAM PRINTING HOUSE INTERNATIONAL PRINTING HOUSE (IPH) IDENTITY MAGAZINE DISTRIBUTORS ASHRAF FOUAD & ESSAM IBRAHIM

Identity Magazine was founded in 2005 by Rola Kamel to enhance every aspect of a woman’s life style helping our female readers to discover and improve their own identities. Published by Beezarre Publishing Ltd. Themistokli Dervi, 6 Papyros Building, 4th Floor, Flat/Office D5 – P.c 1066, Nicosia, Cyprus. The Subscription rate to Identity is 180 L.E. for one year (12 issues) by Al Ahram, Tel: 02-27703190 Contact us at: 26A Montazah St., Zamalek, Cairo-Egypt. Tel: 02-27361187 Mobile: 0122-9401071 email: sendus@identity-mag.com www.identity-mag.com

IDENTITYMAGEG

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IDENTITY contents IDENTITY way of life

8 IS SEX EVERYDAY A MUST? 10 WHAT DOES YOUR FAVOURITE ART SAY ABOUT YOU? 12 IDENTITY LOVES 14 WHAT KIND OF HIPSTER ARE YOU? 16 ARTISTIC PLACES YOU HAVE TO TRY 18 MUSIC SCENE FIASCOS 20 FIVE TRICKS TO LOOK NATURALLY FABULOUS

22 HEALTH PICK OF THE MONTH: DETOX WATER

IDENTITY lifestyle

24 FIVE D.I.Y NATURAL HAIR MASKS 26 GET THAT HIPSTER LOOK 27 #BALMAINARMY TAKEOVER H&M 28 STYLE YOUR DUNGAREES THIS WINTER

p28

p22 p54

30 THE EVER-CHANGING JEANS POOL

IDENTITY coverstory

IDENTITY how you got there

50 IS THE INTERNET KILLING THE STARVING

32 MEET THE GANG: SHARMOOFERS 42 CALL US TAKH 44 HANY MUSTAFA: PASSION OVER FAME

ARTISTS

IDENTITY perspective

54 WHEN HIPSTERS BECOME MAINSTREAM, THERE’S A PROBLEM

46 ENSEMBLE IBN ARABI

56 TESTING THE TEST

48 ARTKHANA PAINTING THE FUTURE

IDENTITY bits & pieces

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58 SNAPS & PRESS 64 HOROSCOPES

W O R L D W I D E LO C AT I O N S

AFRICA

ASIA

EUROPE

L AT I N A M E R I C A

MIDDLE EAST

NORTH AMERICA

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IDENTITY way of life Dear Married To A Sex Machine,

First, your situation is unique; I know many women who would literally kill for a man like yours! Second, your situation is hard; I do not know any woman who could have sex daily for eternity! Third, your situation feels wrong; overdoing anything is evidence that there is a serious problem beneath! Daily sex by command is no longer about stamina and libido. What is hurting your husband? It seems that sex is the only way he is able to vent any suppressed anger or frustration, or express excitement, joy, and achievement. Here is my advice regarding the daily sex situation:

1. Say no to daily sex and see his reaction. 2. Negotiate! Aim for four times a week and see his reaction.

is sex everyday a must? Dear Marwa, I am a 32-year old woman who was married for 8 years to a loving caring man that any woman would love to be married to. I have 3 children and my life was somewhat stable, until a couple of years ago. When I met my husband, he was all I dreamt of and more. We got married in a year's time in an arranged marriage. Since we got married, he made it clear that daily intercourse was essential, not in a harsh manner, but in a nonnegotiable one. We had our ups and downs but the one thing that never stopped was his insistence on sleeping with me every night. I couldn't keep up! It turned into a routine act; it lost all of its romance. I stopped having feelings and hated every bit of him and myself. Then I discovered he had affairs. I blew up and got a divorce. Ever since the divorce, he has treated me well. He supports me financially as much as when I was living with him or even more. He cares about me; he takes care of me, and I am sure he loves me. He is nagging me now to re-marry, but still with the promise that I'll have daily intercourse, because my refusal is what led him astray! I do love him and miss our life together; I want the children to be happy too, but I can't commit myself to daily sex. Sincerely, Married To A Sex Machine

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3. Beat him at his own game - Agree! Tell him that

physically speaking, there is nothing to stop you from having sex on a daily basis but you find the sex boring and repetitive, and that is why you cannot commit to the daily deal! Elaborate further and tell him that you need to feel inspired. Tell him that you want to feel loved and to make love. Tell him that you need to feel passion. Tell him clearly that you need to fall in love with him every day to be able to make love to him every night. Tell him that you were turned off by how things became automated and mechanical. Tell him that he has to earn his daily sex by hard work, creativity, and romance! Try to elaborate on why you resented sex-time and how you felt used and void from within. Tell him that you felt disconnected and unloved even when you were in the most intimate moments. Maybe you could tell him how sex is the strongest transmitter for positive and negative feelings and that many times you felt that you were lonely and unheard. Give him high scores on technicalities and be very realistic when grading the prelude and the aftermath. He needs to spend his nights thinking of how to wow you in the morning so that you will be inspired at night! On the other hand, you need to eliminate sources of stress, because a big part of your lack of interest in sex is related to the kids, the daily battles, and the thoughts in your head. If you want this marriage to work this time you have to think of all the things that you are willing to do differently. We all know that doing the same things the same way will only get you the same results.

Marwa Rakha

RELATIONSHIP EXPERT

IDENTITY way of life

What Does Your Favourite Art Say About You?

Art preference has always been a subjective matter. Do you prefer an abstract Picasso or a surrealist Dalí? An impressionistic Monet or a post-impressionism van Gogh? Perhaps unsurprisingly, visual art preferences can be related to personality according to recent psychological studies. Their results suggest that our favourite paintings may have something to say about our state of mind. One way that psychologists measure personality is via the “Big 5” personality test, which rates personality on five dimensions: Extroversion, Neuroticism, Openness to Experience, Agreeableness and Conscientiousness. In one study, these five dimensions were compared to six painting styles: Impressionism, Abstract, Japanese Art, Islamic Art, Northern Renaissance and Cubism. Results showed that extroverts preferred Abstract and Cubist Art, while introverts were drawn towards impressionistic and Japanese art. On another hand, more agreeable people preferred impressionistic and Japanese art, while less agreeable people preferred all other styles. Furthermore, men most often rated Cubist and Renaissance Art as their favourites, while the favourite styles among women were Impressionism and traditional Japanese paintings. Younger people tended to prefer modern Abstract and Cubist Art, while older participants preferred Impressionism and Japanese paintings. The study authors noted some of the results of previous studies of art and personality. In the past, researchers have linked a preference for abstract art to conservative personality traits, a desire for varied and intense experiences, and the tendency to hold strong opinions. People who are open to new experiences tend to enjoy atypical paintings, and tend to dislike realistic paintings.

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Not only do we like art that coincides with our personalities, we also dislike art that we perceive as meaningless. Another study of the psychological perceptions of art found that people with a high preference for structure, order and familiarity in their lives are less likely to enjoy artwork that is chaotic or abstract unless it is accompanied by an explanation or title that reveals some level of meaning. Alternatively, this may not be true for people who prefer spontaneity and mystery. Although studies have linked personality to artistic preference, your personality type may not fit the descriptions in these studies. The connection between art preference and personality type may be real, but it cannot describe every individual. What is truly important is enjoying art for its own sake. Nevertheless, the link between preferred artistic styles and personality characteristics is a fascinating display of the influence of our internal world on our external judgments – something to consider next time you are appreciating a work of art.

Kate Kerpez

PSYCHOLOGY EXPERT

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IDENTITY way of life Mid-Size Fold-Over Flap Tote Bag PullnBear “Complete your look with this mellow yet stylish tote bag.” Liza

Raffy Block Heel Sandals – TopShop “I love the neutral tone to these bold shoes. It makes them go with almost anything!” Liza

Viva Glam 3 Lipstick – MAC “Since dark lipstick is in this season, this Mac lipstick should definitely be an essential.” Mirana

Identity S E V O L

Tailored Knit Dress – Zara “This dress is both chic and simple” Alia

Wool Hat - H&M “Whether you’re cold, having a bad hair day or want to make a fashion statement, hats are the answer! You could look edgy with a fedora, classic with a beret, or casual with an ice cap.” Raghda

Wild Madagascar Vanilla Body Lotion – Bath&Body Works “I always have one in my bag, especially in winter because my skin gets dry. It’s scent is so refreshing and it lasts.” Mirana

BRESILIA WOMEN´S LEATHER BOOT IN BLACK - BALLY “These boots will make a bold statement walking down the chilly streets of Cairo. The combination of the leather texture and the chains is worth the investment.” Alia Warm Glow Sephora+Pantone Universe Cooling Marsala Multi Stick “This cream stick, with caffeine acting as a de-puffer and refresher agent, will add warmth to your cheeks and eyelids in the dreary AW season.” Rola

IDENTITY way of life

What kind of hipster are you

Ever wondered what type of hipster you are, or if you even are one in the first place? Take this quiz to find out. Don't worry, we promise it's not mainstream.

What filter do you usually use on Instagram? •Something that looks vintage and nostalgic. +2 •No filter but never uses #nofilter because that is so mainstream. +4 •Don't have an Instagram. +3 •Whichever one looks best with the picture. +0 •An old one because your phone hasn't updated the new filters yet. +1 When a blockbuster movie is released, you... •Are not even aware that it is playing. +3 •Can't afford to go see it on the big screen so you download it illegally with friends. +1 •Go see it while it is still in theatres. +0 •Go watch it but post a picture of you reading Jane Austin with the hashtag #classic. +2 •Don't go and tweet about how anyone who watches it is “selling out.” +4 When someone offers you a plate of kofta and rice, what is your reaction? •Make a big scene that you can't eat it because you are vegetarian, and it probably isn't organic anyway. +4 •Smile graciously and eat it if it's good. +0 •Snap a photo for Instagram with the caption “Going homemade today.” +2 •Quietly switch your kofta for the rice of the person next to you, so the host doesn't feel awkward that you can't eat it. +3 •Eat it without question and compliment the chef. +1 Your last Facebook post was... •About your family vacation to Sahel. +0 •Saying you are going to a cultural film showing, but you know you actually won't go. +2 •Letting your peeps know you will be at the ahwa if they want to hang out. +1 •How you are leaving Facebook because it is ruining society. +4 •More than four months ago. +3 Your personal style can mostly be described as •Simple and basically the same as it was five years ago. +3 •Very similar to what is found in most stores at the mall. +0 •Worn-out and desperately needing to be updated. +1 •Incomplete without a statement piece from ethnic fashion. +4 •A well-picked assortment of stylish vintage items to accent your designer skinny jeans. +2

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Add your results: 0-4 Not a Hipster. You love things mainstream and you completely embrace that. You enjoy going with the flow and appreciating everything that’s popular. That’s not a bad thing, they must be popular for a reason, right? 5-8 Accidental Hipster. You only live what looks like the hipster lifestyle because you are forced to. Whether you just graduated or are in between jobs, you simply cannot afford what is mainstream so focus on getting by in the meantime. Don’t worry, this stage of your life will pass. 9-12 Hipster-On-Purpose-Hipster. You love the hipster image and try to give it off, even if it doesn’t come naturally to you. You follow the trends, but in a cute way. You are probably much more fashionable than actual hipsters. 13-17 Genuine Hipster. You are a hipster but probably never even think about it. You just live your life unconcerned with what the rest of the world is doing. 18-20 Pretentious Hipster. You hate everything mainstream and make sure that everyone knows it. You should cool off and realize that people in the mainstream are individuals too.

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IDENTITY way of life

artistic Places YOU HAVE TO TRY We Egyptians have a lot of artists, writers, philosophers and intellectuals and if you’re one of these then you definitely like to go to cool places where you can be surrounded by other people like you, engage in lovely conversations with others, and get to see artistic and traditional performances. Here are some places that make our list.

1-Sufi Bookstore

5-Darb 1718

2-El Horeya

6-Makan

It's originally a book store, but at the same time it's a coffee shop where artists, intellects, writers and regular people meet. It's located in Zamalek in an old apartment, consisting of rooms and a hallway. They also offer a number of different classes every now and then, recently, they have been having yoga classes too.

El Horeya is a balady café/bar in Downtown, Bab el Louk. It’s usually crowded with artists, writers, poets, intellectuals, and locals. You find them sitting at the café having their drink, either coffee or beer while engaged in a nice conversation with other people.

3-Antique Khana

What could be better than a place that combines food, art, music, and books? Antique Khana is a beautiful place in Zamalek that is owned by a family who appreciates all of these things and we're lucky that they do. They also host different bands.

4-3elbet Alwan

It is an extremely cool cozy place where you can chill and enjoy all kinds of arts. They sell old and new books, and offer all sorts of workshops: acting, writing, scenario writing, and music instruments. They also host events and concerts on the weekends.

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Darb is an art and culture centre that has two art galleries, a theatre, and outdoor cinema to host independent film screenings; it also has gardens and rooftops. Darb 1718 is different than other Art centres because it hosts all kinds of art and it even has a place for international artists to stay in. Darb 1718 also offers a wide variety of workshops like sculpture and poetry.

It’s an old small place in Downtown that constantly hosts Egyptian musicians who sing traditional music. Their aim is to encourage diversity, to present Egyptian oral and traditional art, and to encourage the re-establishment of popular traditions and social festivals. People get to gather and have the opportunity to watch gigs and performances that are so different because they are rarely presented to a wide audience now.

7-Bikya Bookstore

Bikya is a cozy bookstore located in Nasr City owned by five girls. There, you can enjoy reading a book while enjoying a cup of coffee and a snack. They also prepare movie nights every now and then.

Mirana Tera JUNIOR EDITOR

IDENTITY way of life

Music Scene

Fiascos Concerts and other musical events are infamous for drawing all sorts of people. Sometimes the most entertaining part isn’t even the music itself, but are the characters that run and attend the shows. Here are some funny experiences our readers had when trying to enjoy the music scene.

Only in Egypt “I was helping organize an event at a club when we noticed the DJ wasn’t on the stage, but the music was still playing. We couldn’t find him anywhere until the bouncers told us he had snuck out to an ahwa around the corner to grab a quick shisha while he controlled the music from his phone.” A.H., 31 Whatever you do, don’t be a poser “I once saw a guy get denied entry to a metal concert because he was wearing a Nirvana t-shirt. At first I thought the people at the door were joking, but they actually didn’t let him in even though he had a ticket.” R.S., 24 Some people just can’t handle the excitement “Way back when Elissa was still a new singer, I went to one of her concerts. It was super crowded and everyone was standing. During one of her songs the guy next to me started chanting “Elissa! Elisa!” then fainted. An ambulance had to come take him away. I’ve never gone to a concert since.” M.A., 27 And some people can’t handle themselves “There was this one time at a concert some guy asked a friend of mine to tell him when the beat got really good so he could inject himself with God knows what. My friend was like, “sure bro,” and we just went to the other side of the concert.” M.C., 21 There’s only one shade of metal “One time a guy got into a fight with me because I was at a metal concert and I wasn’t wearing black. “This is a metal concert, you have to wear black!” he kept insisting. I was wearing grey.” A.A., 20 We guess she was more flat than sharp “I was singing with a new band for the first time, so I asked the girl singing with me where she would start the song from, meaning which note. She looked at me like I was stupid and answered, “from the beginning to the end!” S.R., 22

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All tied up at the Opera “I went to one of Omar Khayrat’s concerts at the opera with my friend. He had dressed up but forgot his tie at home. They wouldn’t let us in at the door unless he had one on, so he had to rent one from the ticket booth. It was one of the most ugly ties I’ve ever seen. It was super wide with horrible red stripes. He was so mad because it didn’t match and looked really, really bad. So as soon as we were in he took it off, but then the night turned into a game of hide and seek with the security. Every time they came around, he would either turn around and hide or throw it on super fast, only to rip it off as soon as they were gone. It was hilarious!” R.S., 27 A Classic Mistake “I went with my friends to what was supposed to be a rock concert, only to find that the stage had been accidently switched with a classical performance at the same venue. So the older crowd found themselves in front of the rock band, and we found ourselves in front of classical music. It was awkward for everyone.” A.M., 22

Liza Dunham SENIOR EDITOR

IDENTITY way of life

5 Tricks to Look naturally fabulous Some mornings you look at your make-up on the counter and think “I just can’t today.” Maybe it’s because you don’t have time to go through your make-up routine or you just want to authentically rock the natural look. Whatever the reason, here are some quick ways to freshen your face without grabbing the foundation.

tip Brush teeth and lips

Hygiene aside, white clean teeth will immediately brighten your look. That might seem like a no brainer, but did you know you should also gently brush your lips? This will remove dead skin and give them a natural glow before you even get a chance to reach for your lip balm (which you still should do to moisturize them).

tip 2 Wash your skin really well

Firmly washing your face with cold water for at least ten seconds will simultaneously remove unwanted oil and grime, flush your cheeks to give you more colour, and close the pores with the cold temperature. It is the best way to look awake and fresh without adding products.

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tip

Moisturize your face

Whether you use make-up or not, you should always make your skin's health a top priority. Daily moisturizing will help keep it healthy and avoid blotches that you will be tempted to cover up with heavy layers of make-up, which will only lead to more clogging.

tip

Get your eyebrows “on fl eek”

You can make or break your face with the shape of your eyebrows. They should always be kept tidy, but will need a little pick-me-up after your beauty sleep. Use your eyebrow brush to follow the natural line, slightly brushing upwards to give your face more lift. You can use a brow serum to help them hold their shape throughout your busy day.

tip

Curl your eyelashes

You can define your eyes even without a colouredmascara. After curling your eyelashes, simply use a clear mascara or comb some Vaseline through them.

Liza Dunham SENIOR EDITOR

IDENTITY way of life

Health Pick of the Month:

Detox Water

The best way to get your health and target body weight where you want them isn’t by changing the meals you only eat a few times a day, but by changing what you are sipping on all day long. Brew yourself a refreshing glass of water overflowing with natural vitamins, antioxidants, and a plethora of other amazing benefits. Our pick is the Strawberry, Cucumber, Lime, and Mint Mix.

1 CUP SLICED CUCUMBER The expression “cool as a cucumber” really fits the benefits that come from this amazing mixture. Eating cucumbers can make you less stressed. B Vitamins have a reputation for relieving anxiety, and cucumbers have three of them: B1, B5, and B7! Cucumbers are also full of antioxidants and have been suggested to help with bad breath.

2 LIMES, SLICED They are widely used as a tool for weight loss; this is mainly due to how they help with digestion. They also can help prevent kidney stones, balance your pH, and give you a boost of potassium and Vitamin C. There are many reasons to love some lime in your detox water recipe.

1/4 CUP FRESH MINT LEAVES Mint, like lemons, are great for helping digestion. That’s why we love this recipe as it pairs this dynamic duo together to help speed weight loss naturally. Mint is also a refreshing way to fight fatigue and depression, as the essential oils help stimulate your energy.

1 CUP SLICED STRAWBERRIES They are packed with Vitamin C, which boosts your immune system and is a natural antioxidant, and even helps collagen which improves the elasticity of your skin and prevent wrinkles. The potassium in strawberries makes them very good for your heart by regulating blood pressure.

INTRUCTIONS: In a half-gallon jar, or a 2 quart pitcher, layer the strawberries, cucumbers, lime slices, and mint leaves with the ice cubes. Fill jar or pitcher with water. Let chill for 10 minutes, and then enjoy!

Important Tip: For maximum health benefits, you should be sure to use organic produce in all detox water recipes. This is to avoid drinking concentrated amounts of chemicals and other toxins used in commercial farming.

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IDENTITY lifestyle

D.I.Y Natural Hair Masks You Have to Try

We put too much pressure on our hair by styling it and dyeing it constantly; from highlighting to lowlighting, dip dyeing, even straightening or curling is hard on it. This constant torture burdens our hair and leaves it dry, fragile, and weak. These effects are even worse in the summer. There’s nothing better than using natural ingredients to fix that, and once you start making natural hair masks at home you’ll get addicted to the glowing look you never knew your hair was capable of.

Our favourite

Banana Mask Bananas are some of the best things you could use

on your hair because they have potassium, which will make your hair stronger. Bananas also have oils that help moisturize your hair and can be used in different combinations. The tricky thing is that it’s a bit hard to wash it out of your hair because of the sticky chunks of the bananas, so make sure to mix the ingredients in a blender. The best combination for a banana mask is adding half a ripe banana to 2 egg yolks and 2 big spoons of olive oil. Blend the mixture for a minute and make sure there are no chunks. Leave it in your hair for 30 minutes then rinse and wash it out like you normally do. TIP: You can also use banana baby food instead of actual bananas, it makes it easier to wash out.

Honey Mask

Honey is good for everything in your body, inside and out. It could be used in so many ways for your skin and your hair. This mixture is particularly helpful for moisturizing your luxurious locks. Mix a half cup of yogurt with 2 tbsp. of honey and 2 tsp. of olive oil. Leave the mixture on your hair for 20 minutes. Then rinse it off and shampoo your hair like you normally do.

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Mayonnaise Mask Mayonnaise is full of nutrients: eggs, oil, and vinegar and they’re all very good for your hair, not just your sandwiches. Massage it into the dry parts of your hair, all the way to the scalp. Leave it for 20 minutes and then rinse it off. Wash your hair as normal. You can add an essential oil like lavender when you wash it, so it leaves a nice fragrance.

Coconut Oil or Argan Oil

Pure coconut oil always comes in a solid state, which could be warmed up by rubbing it between your palms for a couple of seconds until it reaches its liquidized form. Argan oil, however, is already in the liquid form, but you still need to warm it like coconut oil. Cover your hair strands with it and then massage your scalp with the oil. Cover your hair with a shower cap or a towel and leave it on overnight. Wash it as normal and you’ll have smoother and shinier hair than your shampoo and conditioner could ever give you.

Olive Oil and Egg Yolk: for dry hair

This mask is amazing, because the olive oil moisturizes your hair and the eggs provide protein that allows a healthier growth to your hair. Mix two egg yolks with 3 tbsp. of olive oil. Cover your hair with the mixture, put on a shower cap and allow it to stay for 20 minutes before rinsing it. Make sure you don’t rinse your hair with hot or warm water so that the eggs won’t thicken while still in your hair. TIP: Not recommended for oily hair.

general mask tips -Always use hair masks on a clean, washed wet hair unless stated otherwise. -Apply hair masks by brushing your hair first and parting it into sections so you guarantee that you distribute the mask in your hair evenly. -Try to avoid blow dryers and heat so you won’t neutralize the mask’s effect. -Try to apply hair masks at least once a week for the healthiest hair.

EXTRA FIXES

Apple Cider Vinegar and Lemon, for dandruffy and oily hair Apple cider contains acetic acid, which is known to remove the excess buildup from styling and shampooing from your scalp. It leaves your hair shiny and dandruff-free. Combine a quarter of a cup of apple cider with a grated peel of a whole lemon. Leave it on your hair for 15 minutes to absorb all the oils then wash it away.

Lemon Juice and/or Chamomile Tea, for highlighting If you want to have lighter hair but you don’t want a major change, just splash lemon juice diluted with water in your hair right before heading out in the sun. Lemon juice has a strong lightning effect, while chamomile tea has less lightning effect. Both should be left to cool before adding to your hair. Leave on for 15 minutes then wash it with your normal shampoo and conditioner.

Cornstarch, for greasy hair

If you have a bad, greasy hair day, you can get rid of that grease by sprinkling one tbsp. of cornstarch on your dry hair and brushing your hair out. It will immediately look fresh. No washing required.

Mirana Tera JUNIOR EDITOR

identity-mag.com

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IDENTITY lifestyle

get that

Hipster look

by Nahed Kazziha

Born out of millennial rebellion and taking on ever-changing enclaves from Williamsburg to Shoreditch, the hipster is the embodiment of Generation Y. A testament to distressed denim and biker boots, we put together a nod to evolving hipster style and are giving you a step by step guide on how to get it. Zara - EGP329

Keep your tresses shielded and in place with some on point accessories. Embody the explorer and top off your mane with a wide brimmed hat.

Fendi at Netaporter.com - EGP4,151

Wayfarers and large round frames are sure to be your best accessories to help maintain that air of mystery.

H&M - EGP 150

Cocoon yourself in the drapey and soft layers of a knit scarf. You can go for natural fibres in earthy hues or play it up in vintage inspired patterns and paisleys.

La Carrie at Coterique EGP1,990 Zara - EGP 300

Grab a pair of worn-in denim pants or shorts with a livedin look. Try medium to light textured washes, no solid indigos, please!

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Pile your essential clutter into one backpack and keep your hands free for those moments of inspiration.

Chunky boots are a must. Feel free to skip on the motorcycle, but no need to skip on the style. Dr Martens at Asos.com - EGP1,320

#BalmainArmy Takeover H&M

“This collection is for the future generation. For those who’ve always dreamed of wearing Balmain.” –Olivier Rousteing, Creative Director of Balmain Paris

It’s all over social media and is possibly one of the most anticipated high street and designer collaborations of the year: HMxBALMAIN is out in November. Swedish retailer H&M is spoiling us for choice year after year. Since 2004, H&M have steadily teamed up with luxury talent to give us all a glimpse of the good life and glamour, offering us heaps more than your run-of-the-mill basics. Heavyweights of the fashion industry, like Lagerfeld, Versace and Isabel Marant have all gifted precious capsule collections to H&M- and now, Balmain is next in line, thanks to creative director, Olivier Rousteing.

It is no wonder that his sexy Balmain Army hosts the likes of super models and runway BFFs Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid, all the while garnering heavy attention from critics all over the world.

IDENTITY LOVES

Balmain creations come at a very heavy price tag, even the dynamic Olivier Rousteing admits that not all of his 1.3 million Instagram followers can get their hands on these coveted garments patrolling down the runway each season. The solution? Bring it to the people! Thanks to fast fashion giant, H&M, Balmain is making the unattainable attainable through its latest collaborative works debuting November 5th at select H&M stores #HMBALMAINation.

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IDENTITY lifestyle Tip Wearing a huge neck scarf on a dungaree won’t only look cosy and stylish but will also keep you warm.

Tip You can switch the dungaree fabric from denim and cotton to LEATHER!

Tip Using a cross-body bag is a great way to style your look to emphasizes your waist.

Style Your

Dungarees this Winter Dungarees are still ‘in’. With just the right fit and colour, your body will just look perfect. So here comes the challenge on how to convert your precious dungarees to be worn in the winter. There are luckily multiple options for you! 32 NOV identity-mag.com

Tip Just throwing a leather jacket over them will give you the badass vibe.

Tip If you want to look a little more dressed up, you can put on a coat. A long thick coat! Tip Spice up your look and show off the little child inside you by wearing a beanie.

Tip Layering them with a thick jacket or cardigan will dramatize your look. Wearing a white fur jacket is the right thing to do this season.

Tip Dress your feet in chunky boots that will take the whole look to a whole new level of edginess. Tip Throwing a sweater underneath gives you the laid back look perfect for a casual outing. A turtleneck is a plus.

Mirana Tera

JUNIOR EDITOR

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IDENTITY lifestyle

The Ever-Changing

JeanS Pool As we find ourselves deeply enthralled in the throes of an Indian Summer season, we are forced to bid those fluttering summer dresses farewell, take a deep breath and embrace the beckoning of autumn. After indulging in summer treats, the time has come to squeeze back into those jeans that you will be living in for months to come. If you have spent the last few years racking up an impressive selection of skinnies, you may need to come to terms with the sun setting on this particular chapter of your fashion life (for now). That means understanding that your favourite skinny jeans are only part of your basic wardrobe and not particularly trendy. It also means freeing yourself from skin-tight moto-inspired styles and, for the love of all that is holy, putting your wretched jeggings aside. No, really, step away from the jeggings. So what jeans will you be spending your time in come Autumn/Winter? There is actually a plethora of choices you can consider to select your new go-to pair.

The Relaxed

In some respects, this is the close cousin of the widely adopted boyfriend jean. The cut is cropped and less tapered. The distressed light washes and additions, such as patchwork or paint splatter, accentuate the relaxed and casual fit of this pair of jeans.

The Crop

Now here is a pair of jeans that will flaunt your gorgeous shoes. Cut decidedly above the ankle, it is best paired with strappy chunky heels or even intricate ankle boots. The added flare cut will also make your calves look slim and help you avoid the dreaded â&#x20AC;&#x153;cankleâ&#x20AC;? syndrome.

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The Wide Leg

This is 70s inspired style that conjures up images of a jean-clad team of Charlie’s Angels with Farrah Fawcett hair. Certainly an iconic denim style of the past, but it is being reintroduced to complement boho-inspired casual wear. Complete the look with chunky clogs and you are good to go!

The Culotte

No, not the undergarment- Is it a skirt? Is it a pair of pants? Who cares! Culottes used to be part of the European upper-class wardrobe, but have since made a comeback in everyday fashion. The wide-legged, below the knee, calf-baring cut should be making its way into your closet, if you dare.

The High-Waist Flare

If you are yearning for a more silhouette hugging denim model in the absence of your beloved skinny jeans, then you should definitely opt for this season’s flares. Good news for you curvy ladies out there: this cut is far more forgiving and flattering than yesteryear’s skin-tight designs.

Nahed Kazziha FASHION WRITER

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IDENTITY how you got there

MEET the

GANG:

SHARMOOFERS

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Photography BY ABDALLAH SABRY ORGANIZED & STYLED BY EGOCOMM INTERVIEWED BY RAGHDA EL SAYED

After a few wrong turns and mild panic attacks of feeling lost in the winding streets of Maadi, I reached the studio for the photo shoot with the one and only Sharmoofers. I was greeted by Ahmed Bahaa in a cow onesie, which basically set the tone for the whole meeting. It was full of crazy moments and fun conversations, and it was most definitely not just another interview. It was quite obvious that the band members Bahaa and Moe were exhausted. Who could blame them? They had been extremely busy since the release of their new album, Paranoia. But I was impressed with how positive they were and the energy they put into the shoot. They really let their fun, goofball personalities shine. They jumped and laughed and kept the atmosphere alive. While we were still in the middle of the photo shoot, Moe brought up what he wanted to discuss during the interview: pizza and Ninja Turtles. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I want pizza. Does anyone like Ninja turtles? My childhood hero is Michelangelo. He inspires me as a person.â&#x20AC;?

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IDENTITY how you got there

I’d never be caught dead without my beanie. You know when kids have their favourite blankets and can’t sleep without them? It’s the same for me with the beanie. Moe

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”

fter the shoot, I sat down to have a little chat with Bahaa and Moe. As soon as we sat down, Bahaa said “let me show you guys something” in a very serious tone. He then did a magic trick with a coin, and never lost the serious look on his face. I have done my fair share of interviews, but this was the best way to start one yet. Sharmoofers crashed into the music scene in Egypt, making a name for themselves in an impressively short amount of time. Just two years after they released their hit single Khamsa Santy, which is approaching 3 million hits online, they received the Best Band in 2014 in the Middle East Music Awards (MEMA). The band is obviously loved by many, since this award is given based on fans’ votes, and it is obvious why. Sharmoofers are famous for their great music, fun and relate-able lyrics and an overall positive attitude through both their music and personalities. Ahmed Bahaa, lead vocalist, composer and song writer, and Moe El-Arkan, the bassist, started the band and are the main members. With the growth of the band, they had extra members join in their recording and live concerts, including Mohamed Labib (Saxophonist), Islam Ali (Trumpeter), Ahmed Ali (Percussionist), Mostafa Kerdany (Drummer), and Adel Mohamed (Percussionist). As a listener and a fan of the band, their music sounds like a beautiful mess. How do they come up with this? I tried to get into the guys' heads and see where the inspiration comes from. “The song drives us, not the other way around” said Moe. “We might start with a certain melody line, then build on it the whole song. We might want to make some changes, and maybe break a beat. So we go back to making changes, we might even go back to the first step.” Bahaa added, “sometimes I write lyrics, then make the music for it, and sometimes it’s the other way around. We don’t have a certain rule. Also, the fact that we have many genres fused together in one song makes us wait for the lyrics and the story behind it. Let’s say we mention a girl in a song, the part where we’re talking about her, the music will turn a bit romantic. Then the rest of the sound could turn groovy.” As a band that claims their motto is to spread happiness, they want to be happy and content with everything they work on and who they work with. When asked about picking the other band members, Bahaa couldn't emphasize enough how important it is to do it right; “Being in a band is like marriage,” he said. “You’re all on the same ship, and we have to go with the flow. If someone doesn’t share the same dream and goals as the rest, the ship might not sink, but it’ll be hard to sail. The chemistry is the most important thing, then the music. Egypt is full of good musicians, so it all depends on the personality to make you unique.” In Identity's 2014 interview with the band, we asked them what the band’s biggest challenge was. They said they were lucky enough to have found each other and that they weren’t facing any big challenges. When I asked the same question again this time, they had a different answer. “We passed this challenge, and are now facing more challenges with the outside world. We changed since last year, and we’re now getting bigger, and we’re having a lot of concerts and deals with outsiders. It’s becoming a challenge. We know each other, and how to deal with each other, but not the outsiders. The album’s production was also a challenge. Our last album was recorded in our homes, and it was all independent production. Our new album was recorded in a studio, and it was physically and mentally hard to produce. We just wanted to have a great album with good quality, so we had to push ourselves,” answered Bahaa.

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IDENTITY how you got there

Moe added, “We’re also having a challenge with expanding our audience and reaching out to more people. Not just in Egypt, but worldwide. It’s hard to take our music to the international audience and to translate our energy to them. We’re fairly positive that if our music reached the international audience, they’ll love it. We have a unique sound and it gives good vibes, even if you don’t understand the lyrics. The same as listening to a Spanish song, for example, and not understanding what’s being said, but you’re still enjoying the music.” Any Sharmoofer fan would know that the band took a while before making any public appearances and they were only known by the Mr. Sharmoofer artwork. As soon as I mentioned Mr. Sharmoofer, they pointed at their photographer Abdallah Sabry, and said he made it! Abdallah said the character wasn’t planned. It happened spontaneously when they were hanging out in Moe’s house when he decided to draw it. The name and character stuck with them. Moe talked about how they feel about concerts and how much of a change it was for them. “We used to have jamming session in studios or even at home with a small group. It was fun, and we had no rules or restrictions. Now with concerts, you have people coming for you expecting something specifically. You can’t do any changes. They’re special though, because we feed off people’s energy, and sometimes Bahaa improvises on stage with the crowd and it’s always fun.” Bahaa added, “The best thing is performing in a big concert, with hundreds and thousands of people in front of you all chanting your name before you even come on stage. It gives us a major confidence boost, so we get on stage confident. It turns into a big jamming session, exactly like the ones at home, but only with more people.” I decided to bluntly ask them how fame and the big concerts changed them. They both said they didn’t understand the question. When I asked them if they ever felt famous, they both said “No, we’re only famous when we win a Grammy!” Bahaa explained, “We’ll never be surprised with anything that might happen in Egypt for us as a band. It’s very unlikely that we have any extra success in Egypt, and this is sad for us as musicians. We don’t have major production companies, no good organizers, no operators, no backup dancers, and no concert art directors. There are some, but they’re extremely weak. We’re not even close to how the international music scene was 20 or even 30 years ago. The gap is huge. We can’t change the scene in Egypt, unless we go outside.” Moe also agreed with Bahaa, and added his opinion on the current organizers in Egypt. “Look at Michael Jackson’s 1992 world tour, and look at us. Very high productions, and organizers. We’ll never have something close to this anytime soon. We’ve had a few music festivals done in Egypt. Some started well, with good bands and fair organizers, then when they got bigger and the number of attendees got bigger, the organizing failed miserably. Worse, a festival lead to a man’s death because of their lack of organizing. The organizers are a bunch of kids with no knowledge or organizing skills, just some money to spend and good marketing skills.”

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IDENTITY how you got there

Bahaa jumped back in saying, “It’s not the organizers’ fault as much as it’s the performers' fault for agreeing to perform there. Whether you’re a big artist, still starting, underground, or mainstream, as long as you have any fan follower, you should have respect for them and not let them go to a concert with amateur organizers. You can’t get your fans in a place with no management, where people are pushing each other, and maybe even security dogs are used to control the crowd.” Just when I started to lose hope in the music scene, Bahaa assured me that with hard enough work from the current bands, things could change in the future. “If all the upcoming bands start working hard enough, we’ll reach something good in the next ten years. We might find a 20-year old singing on stage with a huge crowd, a big band, and about something other than love and romance. It could be the norm. If we work hard enough, the next generation will benefit. It's just like how Hamid ElShaery started in the nineties when he brought a new type of music to the Middle East and changed the whole scene. Most of our fans and supporters are from the younger generation, and by the time they’re old, they will have new ideas and a better overall view for the music scene. Hopefully.” Talking with these guys made me realize that they’re living their dream, and they risked everything to follow it. As an Egyptian girl with a traditional family, I knew how difficult it can be to get parents to support an unconventional career. I became curious about their families' support. What did their parents say, and what do they have to say to other parents?

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Moe started talking about his early life and how he started. “I wanted to play the drums when I was six years old, and my dad supported me. He took me out for concerts, and kept looking for a good teacher for me. Then by the age of 16, right before I could apply to a university, I decided to not enroll in a university and live the dream of being a rockstar! I was still a teenager and not scared of anything. I was very optimistic, up until I got older. I realized that I had to get serious and not take money from my family for forever. But my parents were still very supportive through it all, and still are.” I had to ask the question everyone wants to ask, is it worth it? Moe jumped at the answer and said “It’s definitely worth it! I technically don’t have a job, because I’m making a living out of something I love.” Bahaa added, “You have to have passion as well, in any career, not just a music career. Maybe money wise we’re not making money as much as ‘celebrities’ but it’s only because we’re an independent band and we pay for our music. But the feeling of making money out of something you love is great. Before I started I had a regular job for eight years, and did music on the side. Then when I started making enough money from music, I decided to quit my regular job, with no turning back.”

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”

Whether you’re a big artist, still starting, underground, or mainstream, as long as you have any fan following, you should have respect for them and not let them go to a concert with amateur organizers.

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Ahmed Bahaa

Chatting with the guys was wildly inspiring. The way they talk about their music, their new album, and basically anything, even pizza, had so much passion. They’re living the dream, but still want to do more. “We want to expand!” Bahaa exclaimed. “This will be the first time people can have a physical copy of the album, which is great. We’re also working on the music video, and we’re hoping it reaches more and more audience, in Egypt and internationally.” More of Sharmoofers is definitely something to look forward to. Not only is their music and energy amazing, they have a genuine appreciation and respect for their fans. Right before I left, they wanted me to add something to the interview. “We apologize to our fans because of the delay on the album and the video. We just wanted to produce something great for our audience.” identity-mag.com NOV 45

IDENTITY how you got there

CALL US

takh!

t was a Saturday morning in Photopia when we met with Ezz, Gamal, and Yousra, the faces of the extremely unique band Takh. Everything about this band is unique, from its name, to the music, to the lyrics, even to the music videos. They are best known for their catchy hit “Call Me Ziko,” who doesn’t know it? It’s even on True Caller! We started chit chatting over our coffee instantly, as they’re incredibly sociable and funny. We got the full insight into the band since the beginning, and even got them to sing for us! You can watch the video on www.identity-mag.com. To introduce who does what in the band, Gamal drums and composes music along with Ezz, who happens to be the guitar and bass player. Yousra comes up with the lyrics and the story behind each song. Can you tell us more about your backgrounds before you started the band? Ezz: I am an I.T major in which has nothing related to my music passion. I have played and am still playing with many bands.

What’s different about this band than other musical groups and projects you have worked on before? Perhaps it’s the combination of us three and how simple we are as characters and in the way we make music.

Yousra: I studied marketing and innovation, and previously worked in the corporate world and sang ads and jingles for radio and TV on the side. I always wrote and composed songs as a hobby on my guitar.

What’s the story behind how the band started? Ezz: It was my idea and it started very spontaneously. Yousra and I were kind of friends, so I suggested that we start working on Yousra’s songs, but we wanted a music producer. That’s when Gamal popped into our minds. The first song was already written and composed by Yousra earlier with three to four guitar chords. Gamal and I heard it and in no time turned its music and production around.

Gamal: I majored in mass communication, then got my higher diploma in music from London University. I work in audio production and play drums with many bands.

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”

We finished the song in two days... That was “Mofta7 El Beit”! We simply put it on Youtube and it only got 5000 views because we didn’t have any network yet. Wow, that’s not a low number, it’s actually a great start considering you were just starting. Can you tell us about your biggest hit, “Call Me Ziko”? We didn’t think it was a hit until someone told us that everyone had been talking about it. Apparently what happened was that someone posted it on his page and it got a million shares or something like that. Then someone shared it on Sound Cloud and then it was everywhere. Why do you think it took off the way it did? “Call Me Ziko” has really funky music and creative lyrics. People enjoyed the mind game of how the girl Siham was giving Ziko her number. Most people had to listen to the verses and especially the chorus several times to understand that all these sentences had her disguised number. Moreover, the characters in this song are so relatable. We’re curious about the stories behind the characters and their names in your songs. How did you come up with Ziko, Seham, and Bakinam? Yousra: These characters are everywhere in our society, but of course with different names. For example, Ziko was based off the typical rich guy in a club.

YOUR VIDEOS ARE VERY UNIQUE AS WELL, HOW DO YOU COME UP WITH THEM? Ezz: A lot of people helped. Mohamed Fayez helped us with all of the visuals since the very beginning. In Bakinam, the styling was done by Omneya Ali, Hamed Yehia was the DOP and graphics, Mohamed Fayez was the creative director, Rasha Najdy was the producer, and a lot of other people contributed to the video. It’s really great that you have been so well received so far, what are your future plans? We haven’t done any concerts yet but we’re definitely planning to. We have a single coming up very soon. We don’t like the idea of making albums because we like to make music for people to enjoy, we don’t really care about selling albums. That’s interesting, you said that you don’t like albums because you would rather focus on making music for people to enjoy. Do you think that modern-day artists tend to get distracted with the production of their music, rather than the art of it? We don’t prefer to talk about others - as everybody has a different and perhaps a more suitable plan for themselves. Yet for us, we are present in our current moment and giving each step of the ladder all of our thoughts, effort, and love.

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We don’t like the idea of making albums because we like to make music for people to enjoy, we don’t really care about selling albums.

We HAVEN’T DONE ANY CONCERTS YET, BUT WE’RE DEFINITELY PLANNING TO. WE HAVE A SINGLE COMING UP VERY SOON.

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How did you come up with the name of the band, “Takh”? Gamal: We kept searching for a name for too long until the name just ‘takh keda.’ Yousra: We wanted the band’s name to be “Takhbeat;” however, it was already taken, so we ended up settling for “Takh” as in BAAAMMM!! Ezz: It’s really expressive because everything relating to the band came together so quickly.

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IDENTITY how you got there

HANY MUSTAFA

PASSION OVER FAME

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You might think he’s a man with multiple personalities. By day he works a 10 to 5 day job to balance his artistic side, and by night he’s a crazy rock star. Hany Mustafa seems to be doing it all. The singer and song writer started his musical career at a very young age, and has made a name for himself in the underground scene. Throughout our interview, we got to know more about the boy genius and how he turned from the singer at his school plays, to who he is now. You play with 3 bands: Egoz, Glass Onion, and your solo project Hany Must. How does playing with them differ for you as a singer? And do you have a favourite? It would be unfair to say I have a favourite because the three are completely different things. The Hany Must band is me speaking for me. I’m the one who puts down every note and every instrument. I get a little help from the rest of the band, but I make sure I never change the formula of anything I do. It’s basically just me as a singer and a song writer. Egoz is a band of four people, and the four of us do everything. I mainly do the song writing, singing, and try to keep the balance of the band. As for Glass Onion, I’m a delivery guy kind of deal. I deliver The Beatles music and sing my heart out, because it’s music I’ve been influenced by. We have to ask, what’s your favourite Beatles song? That’s a really hard question. I love all of their music and know it by heart. But if I really had to pick, I’d pick the song I really wished I wrote, and it’s Michelle, mainly because the musical structure just baffles me. So do you enjoy covering songs more, or singing your original ones? Definitely originals! I’ve always had this dream of being a singer and people singing to my music. As a kid, I used to watch all these concerts at Wembley stadium and I was blown away by the amount of people there. It would be great to have your words sang by these people so loud, that you have to shut up and hear them sing. This is my ultimate dream, and if I achieve that I could die the moment right after it. Now for the important question, what song do you really want to perform, but shy away from? Ugh, I’m not sure. Let me think. Actually, I’ve always wanted to sing “2 become 1” by the Spice Girls. I’ve been wanting to sing it ever since it was released in like 1996 or 1997. You mostly sing in English, and many have been criticising the use of English in arts and media. What are your thoughts on that? When I first started singing, I used to sing in Arabic. I love singing and believe in both. Many think I only sing in

English, which is not true. I just needed to find my voice in Arabic before I put it out. Even though I have a cover band, I still didn’t want to just cover Arabic songs, I want to make my own music. So it took a lot of artistic maturity for me to achieve that, because the flow of the words is much harder in Arabic than English. I sing what I feel like singing, I won’t come out with my Arabic songs until I’m secure enough with them, and I’ll never do anything to get somewhere. I do it for me. Do you feel like that’s not a common path that most musicians take anymore? It’s true, because a lot of people want to make money, and others want to get the easy way to fame, which I can understand. I don’t personally do this, or otherwise I would’ve been somewhere else with my life right now. 10 or 15 years ago, I was singing my own originals in English on a music channel and the producers there wanted to turn the songs into Arabic, because they sounded great. They could’ve made a mega hit, but I said no. I’ve had almost the same offer four or five times in my life, and still said no. I will never sell out. So is that the reason why you’re more known in the underground scene more than the mainstream? I’ve had my moments of fame, and it was awesome. It’s great to see people getting touched by your music, even if it lasted just for two days. But do I want to be really famous and have everyone know me in the streets? I don’t know, but I would love it if a couple of people knew who I was. Maybe it’s my type of music too. Like I said, I sing what I want, not what will make me famous. I don’t follow trends, and I don’t want to stick to a certain trend. Does that mean you’ll never seek fame? No, I’ll keep doing what I was even if it means I’ll never get ‘famous’ till the end of time, UNLESS I’m with a band. With the band you have three or four people other than you. You have an opinion, but they do too. What about new music? Should we expect any soon? My problem is I’m very slow. I was supposed to release an album early this year, but I decided I’m not releasing the album. I’ll release a few tracks from it, but I’m not really keen on releasing a hardcopy of the album. I believe in selling because it’s something you put your money, heart and soul into, but I care more about releasing good songs. Other than new tracks from Hany Must, I’m working on Egoz’s first Arabic song, and it will be huge with a video and all. I’m excited about this for us as a band, mainly because it’s less responsibility when it’s four of us, not just me, making the decisions and all the work. We’re all stepping into the fire together, which has a certain beauty to it, and less hyperventilation of course, which is always a good thing. I also had a concert last month, which was very exciting.

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Ensemble Ibn Arabi

Spreading the true Sufi message through music Named after the Andalusian Sufi mystic poet and philosopher (d. 1240, Damascus), the Ibn Arabi ensemble, originally from Morocco, is perhaps the best known Arab-Andalusian music band today. Speakers of the language of the soul â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Sufi music - their style encompasses a Moroccan musical tradition in which the melodies, rhythms and the tones of the chants evoke the deep spirituality of the Sufi sect. There are six members in the ensemble: Ahmed Al-Khalee', who plays the zither; Osama Al-Khalee', who plays the Andalusian violin; Haroon Tebool, who plans the Oud and Tanboor; Adrian Espinoz, who plays the flute; and Kayvan Chemirani, who plays the tambourines and is also one of the most famous musicians in the world that plays the Zarb. What makes you different from other Sufi ensembles? Our form of music is the form that looks to surpass outward looking rituals. This type of Sufi expression is often presented in a much reduced form on stage and

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is interpreted as a branch of folklore, becoming a mere superficial practice with no depth in meaning. On the other hand, the Sufi music practice of Ensemble Ibn Arabi that emphasizes the poems, lyrics and music is less well known because of its less spectacular nature due to its surpassing of stage acts, but in fact is the true expression of orthodox Sufi belief, this is what makes us different than other Sufi ensembles. When did you first begin performing together? What is the story of how the ensemble started? The band got together in 1988, we started off by giving most of our attention to Sufi music, but we later diverted it to fuse between spirituality through poetry and musical keys to produce what we perform today. Can you tell us more about your main objective as a spiritual ensemble? Our objective is to spread the fundamentals of Sufism, love and forgiveness. The main objective was to spread divine love among people, and to bring back the lyrics and melodies of the great Sufi philosophers and spread their

”

we have recently seen huge demands from the youth for an art that has been more approached by elder people, which we take as a good sign of awareness that took place among the young Arab people.

”

messages of love and forgiveness through performing. The objective of the ensemble is clearly spreading love and forgiveness advocated generally by Islam and Sufism The desirability of the Arab and Western audiences alike for our work is tremendous; and we have recently seen huge demands from the youth for an art that has been more approached by elder people, which we take as a good sign of awareness that took place among the young Arab people.

I believe that our audience would prefer listening to us live, otherwise, we would not see such a large turnout at our concerts.

Some of your chants are ancient love poems, how is that related to Sufism? Mystic speech reaches for the senses and the spirit. The well-respected Sufi philosophers wrote songs for the love of God; however, they felt that they needed to address people with their message in a way they would comprehend, and so metaphorically spoke of their love of God through love poems. They do not contradict each other, and the link between them will remain as they both address feelings.

You are visiting us here in Egypt, where else do you travel to? We have thankfully earned international reputation. We took part in major Sufi festivals, the most prominent of them were the FES festival in Morocco, New Delhi’s Sufi Festival in India, Garsh Sufi Festival in Jordan. We have also been to the Arab World Institute and the City Theatre in Paris, the Serfintino festical in Mexico and other festivals in Syria and the United States, Spain, Belgium, etc.

What would you say is the true message of Sufism? It is a message of love, peace, and tranquillity.

Is there anything about Egypt that you like in comparison to other places, especially when it comes to performing? The success of any artist starts from Egypt, because it’s is the source of art. We are happy that we have been able to build a bridge between us and a tasteful audience and we feel that more and more after every concert we have here. So, thank you for the love and support.

Why did you choose the name Ensemble Ibn Arabi, what does his figure represent to you as an ensemble? Sufism cannot be mentioned without the mention of the mystic poet and spiritual philosopher Mohi El-Din Ibn Arabi. It was only typical for us to choose his name, not only because he is a prominent figure to us, but also to any individual who stands before the door of Sufism. It was only natural to choose the name of the most wellrespected and well-known figure of Sufism. Have people referred to you as religious scholars? Jurisprudence, Colloquy, and mysticism are all perplexing subjects that are studied by different probers and experts. The people of mysticism like us, should have high knowledge of these topics.

I would also like to take the opportunity to thank our Sawt Music that brought us closer to our audience in the Middle East on a broad scale and Egypt specifically through our tours in Egypt. So thank you to you all and particularly Sawt Music’s managing director, Mr. Mahmoud Youssef.

What are your plans for the future? What more are you hoping to present in your music? With the help of God, we will be collaborating with several foreign Sufi artists. We believe this will assist us in spreading our music over to cultures that we have not been able to reach yet.

How important do you feel the internet is in how your music is spread? Do you think most of your following prefers to see you perform live or do many of your followers listen to you on platforms such as YouTube? Frankly, we owe it to social media for broadening the reach of our art in the Middle East, and especially Egypt, particularly to the youth, which is essential for the success of any artist.

identity-mag.com

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IDENTITY how you got there

Artkhana painting the future

When you think of teenagers, you might think that they’re just a group of aimless kids trying to be adults by doing everything wrong. The only change they want to achieve in their lives is their parents postponing their curfew a bit. If you go to the Artkhana headquarters, however, you’ll find a whole different type of teenagers. Teenagers who have solid life goals and want to change their surroundings. Artkhana is a youth oriented NGO, founded by a young artist called Sara Gaafar, which aims to empower the artists through giving them the platform and the space to create and showcase art. It also does charity through art awareness and teaching art to the less fortunate. The organization is run by committed volunteers and is funded by exhibition, selling products they create, and the exploration trips they hold. We sat down with Nour ElDean, Vice President and Art Director, to know more about the project. Who are your members and how can someone join? Anyone can join. We’re not limited to art teams only, we have technical teams who are responsible for all of the office hunting, venues, marketing, public relations, finances and organizing. It definitely doesn’t stop at just

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arts. After our annual recruitment, we officially have about 200 members. They can join by keeping up with our Facebook or Instagram page. We’re always posting when we have any events for people to attend or whenever we need volunteers or recruits. What’s the average age of the members? I’d say from 15 to 20, the average would be mostly 17s. Being that most of you are young, do you think you might be a bit too optimistic, and did you ever think that when you’re older you might think it was a waste of time? Definitely not, we have members who are around 22 who are excited as heck when it comes to events and participating. We also have members who are 14 but are going to wow you with how much they know, I’d say we’re all growing up in amazing ways. How did people react to the concept? Were they accepting or not? They weren’t not accepting but they were kind of worried about us being disappointed and realizing that the change might be too big for us. Some parents were definitely against the idea because some people are still against studying and practicing art, even though we’re in the 21st century.

Many view art AS only for the privileged, what do you think about that and how can this change? That is so very untrue, because art has always been and will always be a method of expressing yourself. It cleanses your soul and gives you much more of a chance than society ever did a chance to become yourself. I’m aware it sounds very poetic and all but it was never about social classes (privilege wise) or talent, it has always been about the purpose and how much you believe it is capable of making a huge impact on your life. I know those words won’t change many people’s perspectives but if they see the art colleges and see the huge gap between the social classes, they’d understand how a lot of people do believe in the true powers of art. Art has definitely managed to unite us. Do you think you will really make a difference on how Egyptians view art and its importance? I think we’re already changing perspectives. Take my parents for example. They used to think it was a hobby and that I’d eventually grow out of it. Now I happen to go to a good art school and I’m doing the things I’m passionate about. They allowed that. They believe in what I do when I tell them it brings me peace and joy. It’s definitely a long road because the number of people who aren’t educated about what art really does is much more than those who know, but at the rate we’re going I have hopes people are bound to be educated about it some day. And it is truly a blessing to witness so much change, I’d only hope that growing up means more passion because with this team, there’s literally nothing such as a waste of time.

Many might criticize you and say you could have educated the children real knowledge instead of art. What do you have to say about that? Art education is as important as any kind of education, except art might be slightly more important. We witness art in everything: in science, in numbers and in languages. We consider a lot of things art, if not everything. I’d say it gives you a true definition of who you are as a person and what you’re interested in doing or what kind of lifestyle you’d like to lead. It gives you the chance to be a better person, to make mistakes and to learn, to have morals and to understand the true meaning of craziness. What are your plans for the future? We’re hoping to host street exhibitions and give people a glimpse of what we can make of ourselves. We can make ourselves much more peaceful and happy by practicing what we love. We hope to educate more children about how they’re capable of making art, and how it’s going to affect their personalities for life, and definitely hoping to paint more local and unknown areas in order to give them a little bit of hope through the colours and psychological aspect of painting. Long term plans remain too dreamy and too broad, so I’d just say let’s leave it as a bit of a secret until it starts happening.

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IDENTITY coverstory

Is the internet killing the starving artists? The starving artist syndrome is the soul crushing reality that has plagued artists for centuries. After selling their heart and soul to the artistic devils, they barely scrape by day by day to support their passion. Starving artists live and die unknown. They live for their art, but there’s a high chance no one will get to see it. Even if they are the best artists around, without an opportunity to showcase their work, they’re nobody. Even Vincent van Gogh was a starving artist. His 2,000 pieces of artwork weren’t discovered until after his death, and now are sold for tens of millions of dollars. It has been this way through all of history, unless there is a big name behind the art piece, it doesn’t stand a chance - no one will ever see it. But then came the internet.

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The internet has completely changed the way art is shared with the public. The number of artists is increasing, or at least the visibility of artists is more widespread. Modern technology is playing a big role in introducing the public to new artists, and even artists to other artists’ work. The internet became a free international gallery for everyone to see. Art enthusiasts can see anyone’s work, get inspiration from them, learn from them, and even print their pieces and put it on their walls for free. Now that exposure isn’t an obstacle any more, is the starving artist a relic of the past? And is all of this easy exposure even good for artists and their art in the first place? There's a debate about the effects of the internet on the art world. On the one hand, there are those who say that the internet is making things easier for all artists, and the starving artist concept should be laid to rest. Artists have multiple options to share their art with their potential audience. Outside of just personal and business pages on Facebook, Instagram, and other social networks, there are specific pages and communities built just for artists. For one example, DeviantArt is an online community that was launched in 2000 that connects all types of artists together. The website provides galleries for the artists and the option of their work getting sold through the website. More importantly, there is the social media aspect, where artists can make friends, comment, rate, and share other's artwork. In a nutshell, DeviantArt is the artists' Facebook and is seen by many as a great tool for artists to get exposure.

So which was it? I decided to go around and ask some artists what they think of the internet getting involved in showcasing art, and if artists really do starve at some point to make it or not. I thought it would make sense to start with a major artist. I went to a painter who owns one of the biggest galleries in Zamalek, and has a name that rings in the art scene. I went to the gallery, and the artist, who looks like the perfect example of an artist cliché, was already sitting there and happy to be interviewed on the spot. He was really excited, and he jokingly asked “Will you put a picture of me on the cover? I’m a beautiful man, people

Then it was time for the question I wanted to ask all along: What do you think of the internet being used to showcase art? As soon as I said the word internet his face turned dark, and his tone changed. He went from being friendly to grumpy in the blink of an eye. He responded adamantly, The internet is killing art! People have no respect for art, and they see it with a click of a button. The websites they use take credit for the art, and the so-called artists don’t even care because they’re gaining fame. Why do artists feel the need to become famous? Who cares if your uncreative, heavily-edited picture of a cloud gets 100+ likes? You have no respect for the art if you’re only doing this over a phone for a few idiots who won’t get it! I tried to reason with him, but it only upset him more. It upset him so much that he asked me to leave and not feature his name. When I asked why, he said “You’re an internet supporter, and I have no respect for that. I don’t want to be associated with anything related to the internet, please feel free to leave.” For me, that was a depressing start to my quest of understanding the effect of the internet on art. Is the internet really that offensive to artists? The main conflict was that this unnamed artist thought people are using the internet to sell out, while I personally know many artists who use the internet to share their work without expecting anything in return. So either this painter doesn't know what the internet really is, or everyone else is doing it wrong. I decided I needed to talk with an artist of a younger generation and see their opinion. I went to speak with one of my good friends, Sarah Zaki. She is a twentyfour year old Italian/ Egyptian aspiring artist who’s currently studying at Accademia di Belle Arti di Carrara, a public arts academy in Italy. I began with asking her about the ideology of the starving artist and if it still applies to the younger generation.

SARAH ZAKI

The other side of the debate argues that art should not be shared on the internet, because it cheapens their work. They say that the effort put into building followers and a social media presence distracts them from their actual creations, or might tempt them to make low quality work just to keep their followers. This side argues that artists shouldn't look for quick fame and should make the effort of showcasing their work in actual galleries. There is this negative idea surrounding online artists that they use it for personal fame, validation, and money grabbing.

will buy it!” It was a pleasant conversation starter, and I was sure that he would help me with my article. I started by asking him about his background and his history, and it was extremely impressive. He took me around to explain his art to me, which was absolutely inspiring.

IDENTITY coverstory

Exposure can get you connected with the right people who can help with money, but I personally haven’t reached there yet. FOUAD "I have very contradicting opinions regarding the starving artist stereotype. First, we should consider when is one to be labelled as such? Nowadays, your average aspiring artist will upload their work all over social media and thus get exposure. Of course, it doesn’t necessarily mean that by doing so they will get lucky and start exhibiting all over the world, but there’s definitely a much higher chance of exposure than the one artists had once. All of the big masters had no alternative but sit and wait until someone came along and told them that their work was worth something. Until then, there was really nothing else for them to do other than work on commission and\or try to sell at least a few of their works just to be able to get themselves food on their table. Thus, the whole starving artist stereotype. “Today the art world has COMPLETELY changed. Most artists have some sort of side job that helps them get through while also leaving them enough time to work on their art. They might be categorized as starving for most people, considering that they might not have enough money for all the objects that today are considered a necessity like a tablet for instance. The internet has incredibly revolutionized the way things are in the art field. It’s become somehow accessible to everybody through different types of social media. Sometimes you’ll find people whose work is very poor in technique and ideas

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having a solo exhibit in an art gallery. It’s probably just because they were able to advertise their work the right way. Artists also seem to have become more preoccupied with creating a persona than they are about the quality of their work. So I might come off as a crazy person (or not so much) if I tell you that I believe some people LIKE to put up the whole starving artist act just to come off as a deeper, more competent and interesting person.” Sarah's insight was very interesting to me, especially this idea that some people create a starving artist persona even if it is not true. She continued, “To sum it all up, I believe that you can be an excellent artist and manage not to starve. I believe there are hard workers who fight until they get where they want to be, even in a tough field like art. Of course, luck also plays a huge role in all of this. In the end, if you don’t want to starve and you’re aiming at success, you have to work your ass off, just as it is in any other job.” After talking with Sarah, I went on with my day. While checking Instagram, I stumbled upon a picture by an amateur landscape and fine arts photographer named Fouad El-Batrawi. Fouad is a social media fanatic, and is always on all types of social media, for personal and artistic reasons. I knew his opinion would help me with reaching a conclusion.

“Starving artists of course still exist, and it’s not just the artists who starve, it’s basically any non-corporate or freelancing career as well. Yeah, the internet helped with exposure and putting your name out there, but they’ll come see your work, like it and maybe even share it, but that’s pretty much it. They now know my work, but it doesn’t translate into any actual value.” Photography in Egypt is always a struggle if you’re not working in the commercial photography field, like fashion, weddings and ads. Fine arts barely get financial recognition, not just for Fouad, but for most artists, even though they put much more effort, and it takes more skills. Fouad added “Exposure can get you connected with the right people who can help with money, but I personally haven’t reached there yet.” Just my luck, at that moment I happened to stumble into an old painter friend. Yehia Osama is a dentist who also happens to be a great self-taught surrealist painter. If you look at his art, you’ll think he has been in this field for ages, and makes a full living out of it. The reality is, he doesn’t. While we were sitting and having a drink together, I talked with him about my mission to find out if the internet is helping or hurting artists. The first thing that came out of his mouth was a curse word against Instagram and what it’s done to art, even though he posts his art on it. He did make sense, however, because he kept saying how artists need to have marketing and PR skills to gain exposure, which takes from the actual art making’s time. Not to mention, most artists are introverts and have trouble with the marketing part, even behind the scenes.

This was a plot twist for me. Yes, most artists are introverts, and the internet needs some social skills, even when you’re behind the scenes. Yehia is far from being an introvert, so he’s doing alright with social media, but just like other artists, he’s not getting any monetary value from the exposure. He also said that he has to post art regularly to keep his followers, which doesn’t make sense to him. Unlike photography, painting takes much more time and can’t be rushed. So what’s the answer to the main question? Is the internet really killing the starving artist? My personal thoughts, after seeing all of these different perspectives, is that the internet isn’t the reason why starving artists are dying. The obsession with people trying to seem interesting, and using art as an attention grabber, like Sarah suggest they do, is the reason. These people are giving the bad name and reputation for artists who are internet based, and force true artists to waste time competing and marketing when they should just be able to benefit from the exposure the internet offers. I do agree with the first artist I talked to. Artist really don’t care about copyrights issue, which could really hurt them. Technically, if one posts anything on Instagram, they have the full right to do whatever they want with your picture. Take the so-called artist named ‘Richard Prince’ who printed other people’s Instagram pictures and sold them for $90,000 each.

YEHIA O.

The internet and social media offer a lot to artists, as long as artists use it wisely. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram may not be the wisest, not just because of copyright but because of the pressure to please your followers that takes away from the real art. But the other social media platforms that are completely dedicated to artists, like DeviantArt, can prove to be extremely useful. There is also Behance, a place where artists can post collections of their work, or even find freelance jobs. And for photographers there is 500px, a full community for photographers that even plans gatherings and events to go on photography trips all over the world. The internet is not killing the starving artist, that is nothing but an excuse. Sure, maybe physical galleries are not as popular anymore, but artists need to think responsibly about how digital galleries will impact their work and why they are motivated in the first place. At the end of the day, the internet is here to stay, and I know myself and other art enthusiasts really enjoy being able to see art from around the world at the click of a button. We just want it to stay good art, not ‘popular’ art.

Follow the featured artists on Instagram: Fouad El-Batrawi: @fouadelbatrawi Yehia Osama: @Ohsart

Raghda El-Sayed JUNIOR EDITOR

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IDENTITY perspective

When

hipsters

become mainstream, there’s a problem

It seems like everywhere you look, you’ll find someone who has facial hair, wears oversized glasses, idolizes Bob Dylan while simultaneously hating his music, and wears their grandpa’s clothes. If you interact with them, they’ll start judging your “mainstream mentality” and how you’re selling yourself to society’s beliefs. They call themselves “hipsters.” We emphasize on “call themselves.” Let’s start with a little history lesson. The hipster movement has been going on since the 40s. Its origins are debatable, but the most common theory is that it came from the “hip” jazz lovers, who at the time were considered rule breakers and were some of the first subcultures diverting from the media’s mainstream culture. The subculture was started by African Americans, then after WW2 became adapted by white people, who wanted to be a part of the black culture. Yes, the hipster movement that’s now full of privileged white people actually started with black individuals trying to express themselves. White people just jumped on the “trend.” One of the first real acknowledgments of the hipster trend was by American writer Norman Mailer’s 9000 word essay “The White Negro: Superficial Reflections on the Hipster.” The essay was about the young white men who were adopting the black culture as their own. One of the main things that the original hipsters wanted to be involved in is art and politics. Why you ask? Because that’s how they could be heard. With the whites jumping on the trend, they got involved in their arts and politics too, and that’s the only thing that has remained constant until now. Now jumping to the modern Hipster movement. The black culture is long forgotten, and the jazz music isn’t even credited to the hipsters. So what are the modern hipsters? It went from a subculture to a basic trend, and even a few sub-trends with it, like the indie and scenester trends. From hipster fashion, to the hipster life style, and even hipster mentality, they’re all trends.

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The fashion transition went from old cheap clothes, because the original hipsters couldn't afford the new and modern clothes, to expensive vintage clothes. Their lifestyle went from them being outside the mainstream, because they weren’t even represented in the main media, to people doing the effort to be different. They went from being unique, to wanting to be unique. They went from actual minority, to majority wanting to be a minority for the sake of attention. So far the modern hipster movement might sound like a terrible thing, but it actually isn’t. Here’s the irony, the actual hipsters, and the ones who keep the original hipster culture alive and respect it don’t want to be called hipsters. It’s all because in the late 90s and early 2000s, the mainstream media reintroduced the term to what it’s being described with now. The overly used term became a marketing scheme from the fashion scene to resell new vintage inspired clothing items. The mentality of being “cooler” than the mainstream, and better than everyone else is also a marketing scheme that happened from the indie culture. The indie culture is mostly people who are into independent art work, from movies and music and all types of arts. The independent art is usually self-paid from the makers and throughout the years, artists have lost money from their art. The only way they could sell without losing their touch and style was to make it seem like it’s better than the mainstream art. While it usually is, they still used the idea of uniqueness as a marketing tool, making the rest of the marketing schemes seem natural.

Now if you come to think about it, modern hipsters are following the herd more than the regular folks in the mainstream they judge so much. People think by dressing in a certain way, listening to certain music, and acting in a certain way will make them unique, which makes no sense in any way! Yes, many people actually do enjoy indie music, want to dress in a vintage way, want to be politically correct, and do everything that’s hipster but just because they actually want to. An actual “hipster” won’t call themselves hipster, or even believe in the term. The fact that people are wanting to be hipsters is the irony of our time!

made us follow a trend that’s about not following trends. They managed to manipulate history and remove a whole culture to make the white privileged people feel unique. Let’s go back to the actual hipster movement, where we could be proud of who we are, enjoy what we actually like, look the way we want, and be our actual selves. That’s what really makes everyone unique.

Raghda El-Sayed JUNIOR EDITOR

We’re getting controlled by the media and the market to the point of them making us believe that claiming we don’t want to be controlled by them is a good thing. They

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IDENTITY perspective

Testing the Test

After Stephen Colbert spotlighted the Myer-Briggs Personality test on the Late Show, there was some buzz surrounding what has been traditionally seen as the most comprehensive personality test available. Understandably, many people are skeptical that answering a few questions can narrow down who they are on a personal level. We decided to try it for ourselves in the Identity office and see if we agreed or not with the results (or if we could get some interesting insight into our colleagues). You can take a free version of the test at: http://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test Code: I=Introversion, E=Extroversion, N=Intuition, S=Sensing, F=Feeling, J=Judging, P=Perceiving. Rola, Managing Editor ISFP - The Adventurer ISFPs enjoy upsetting traditional expectations with experiments in beauty and behaviour – chances are, they’ve expressed more than once the phrase “Don’t box me in!” Spontaneous, charming, and genuinely fun people to be around, ISFPs just want a chance to express those natural qualities, and to know that their efforts are appreciated. In the workplace, the position that feels most unnatural to ISFPs is management. They are not a domineering personality type, and take no joy in exerting control over others, planning long-term goals, or disciplining unsatisfactory behaviour. But just because it feels a little strange, doesn’t mean ISFP personalities aren’t good at it. “Rola is not an introvert KHALES, but the rest of it makes sense.” Raghda “Rola’s result fits perfectly, especially the fun to be around part.” Alia

Liza, Senior Editor ESFJ - The Consul “At their hearts, ESFJ personalities are social creatures. ESFJs are more concerned with fashion and their appearance, their social status and the standings of other people. Practical matters and gossip are their bread and butter, but ESFJs do their best to use their powers for good. Teamwork is a concept that ESFJs have no trouble putting into practice. ” “Liza concerned about fashion, appearance and gossip? Definitely not.” Rola “Being the one who initially started Teamwork Tuesday in the office, it makes sense after reading the result. IT JUST MAKES SENSE” Alia

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Alia, Senior Graphic Designer INFJ - The Advocate “INFJs indeed share a very unique combination of traits: though soft-spoken, they have very strong opinions and will fight tirelessly for an idea they believe in. They are decisive and strong-willed, but will rarely use that energy for personal gain – INFJs will act with creativity, imagination, conviction and sensitivity not to create advantage, but to create balance. People with the INFJ personality type value diplomacy and sensitivity “Alia is the opposite of soft-spoken!” Rola “Definitely not, she’s kind of an instigator!” Riham “Alia is far from being soft-spoken” Raghda

Riham, Marketing and Advertising Manager ESFJ - The Consul “ESFJs love to be of service, enjoying any role that allows them to participate in a meaningful way. This is especially apparent at home, and ESFJs make loyal and devoted partners and parents. People with the ESFJ personality type thrive on social order and harmony, and use their warmth and social intelligence to make sure that each person knows their responsibilities and is able to get done what needs to get done. “I strongly agree with Riham’s results because she always has my back.” Steve “Warm is the perfect way to describe Riham’s sweet personality.” Mirana

Steve, Digital department manager INTP - “The Logician” “When INTPs find an environment where their creative genius and potential can be expressed, there is no limit to the time and energy INTPs will expend in developing an insightful and unbiased solution. INTPs love discussing theories, and are almost always available as impromptu consultants.” “I refuse to agree Steve and I are the same type. We are so diferent” Raghda “I think Steve’s fits. I’m always asking him for advice & he always has answers.” Liza

Raghda, Junior Editor INTP - The Logician “INTPs pride themselves on their inventiveness and creativity, their unique perspective and vigorous intellect. They may appear to drift about in an unending daydream, but INTPs’ thought process is unceasing, and their minds buzz with ideas from the moment they wake up. Mingling, chitchat, drinks after work – these make INTPs want to work alone, not get up in the morning. Despite this distance, people with the INTP personality type are unusually good at developing insightful and unbiased interpretations of others’ motivations, though sometimes they overthink it, becoming unnecessarily suspicious of others’ goals.” “Raghda’s comment about Steve proves her results are accurate because she’s insisting on being unique.” Liza “We could have known this without her even taking the quiz, just from all the creative colour in her hair.” Mirana

Mirana, Junior Editor ENTP - The Debater “No one loves the process of mental sparring more than ENTPs, as it gives them a chance to exercise their effortlessly quick wit, broad accumulated knowledge base, and capacity for connecting disparate ideas to prove their points. ENTPs back this unorthodox behaviour with their keen minds and curiosity, and are as capable of adopting new methods as they are of suggesting others do so. If something can be done better, it’s as simple as that, and ENTP personalities gladly take criticism, so long as it’s logical and performance-oriented.” “I agree with Mirana’s results because she is so feisty and cute.” Riham “I think only the last part about Mirana is true; the rest doesn’t make sense. She’s more like me x100. Hahaha.” Alia

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Sizzle Your Taste Buds with Roy’s Fajitas

And other great specials at Cairo Marriott The fajita special at Roy’s Restaurant in Cairo Marriott blew our taste buds away! Every serving comes to the table in a cast iron dish, still sizzling in its seasoning that rocked our world. We tried both the chicken fajita and beef fajita. After trying both, we found it impossible to decide which one was better. The fajitas are covered in perfectly grilled onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, and tomatoes, and they are served with dishes of salsa, sour cream, and guacamole. No wonder they had to make it an all-you-can-eat special on Tuesdays, we couldn’t get enough of them! Walking into Roy’s is like walking into a classic country café straight out of Midwest America. Smiling waiters in plaid button up shirts and blue jeans were waiting to greet and seat us under the wooden beams crisscrossing the ceiling. Rock classics spilled from the radio, making the cosy, red-patterned booths and chairs straight out of a grandma’s country kitchen even cosier. The attention Roy’s gave to the small details paid off in the authentic environment. The polished wood table tops were set with cloth napkins adorned with clothespins and a basket filled with ketchup, mustard, and A1 Steak Sauce. Old vintage signs covered the walls with brands and phrases such as Carnation Fresh Milk, Ice Cream Pies and Shakes, and State Rd. The All-You-Can-Eat Fajita Special on Tuesdays for 130++ EGP isn’t the only all-you-can-eat-special Roy’s has. It also has an All-You-Can-Eat Slider Burger Special on Sundays for 100++ EGP. Both specials run from 7-9 pm. But better hurry! The offer only lasts through December! If you are craving a different cuisine, Cairo Marriott has a culinary tour available from Japanese to Italian. Find all-you-can-eat sushi every Monday and Friday, for only 180++ EGP per person at Torii. Or if you feel like Italian, head to Ristorante Tuscany’s ‘Ladies Night’ every Thursday and Friday, for a three-course dinner. Just need a drink? At Harry’s Pub on Saturdays and Sundays, you can get your fifth Heineken beer on the house, and every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 6-11 is Ladies Night! You can get your second round of drinks for free until the end of November!

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IDENTITY bits & pieces

ZAGH Showcases Inspirational Collections that Creatively Simulate Cultural Themes Designer Riham Zaghloul, Founder and Managing Partner of ZAGH, recently showcased her creative collections Geoclassic, Giaietto, Curves, Orb, Organics, Minimalist and Nimbus, in an elegant media gathering. Launched in 2014, ZAGH offers jewellery collections that are assertive in character and comfortable in wear. Meticulously crafted to reflect different moods and emotions, ZAGH designs capture the eye with their refined style that may look simple, but speak volumes.

Layali ballroom at Hilton Alexandria Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ranch The newly opened hotel Hilton Alexandria kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ranch celebrated recently the first wedding at its elegant ballroom Layali and shared with the beautiful couple Nada & Ahmed their happiness during the elite event. The whole ceremony was a masterpiece from the unique venue to the luxury decoration and all the attendees were impressed by the extravaganza wedding ceremony. It worth mentioning that the new masterpiece hotel located in King Mariout in Alexandria has highly furnished 199 rooms and suites, 6 meeting rooms, 6 outlets and spacious pool with unique spa.

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Lemongrass Restaurant at JW Marriott Cairo An Asiatic Connection... Enjoy a fine dining experience and let your taste buds explore a panorama of diverse Asian flavors within the sophisticated surrounds of Lemongrass restaurant at JW Marriott Cairo. Lemongrass offers exceptional service and mouthwatering dishes from popular destinations such as Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore and mainland China. It is a chic spot to ‘meet, greet and eat’. Lemongrass restaurant is guaranteed to enhance any social occasion, from casual to corporate. Upon entering the restaurant, its impeccable interior design concept immediately sets the scene for a superb experience. Ambient lighting, tactile woven cane furniture, vibrant pops of bright lime in the soft furnishings, twisting bamboo plants, and discreet touches of gold weave create an atmospheric, Asian-inspired environment that is excellent for business lunches, casual gatherings, or lively dinners. Aesthetics aside, it’s actually the delectable Asian flavors conjured up in the Lemongrass kitchen that have made this restaurant a highlight on Cairo’s culinary map. In addition to traditional style offerings such as Szechuan Chicken and its signature Peking duck, the Lemongrass menu also features more adventurous, fusion-style offerings such as Hanoi Glass Noodle Salad and Hainan Lobster. To conclude your perfect Lemongrass dining experience, you must simply try one of the unique desserts on offer. The signature ‘Thailand Spring roll’, with mango-caramel sauce and chocolate ice-cream, is highly recommended. The ‘Hong Kong Tart’ with Green Tea ice-cream is also popular with regular Lemongrass guests. Lemongrass restaurant is the perfect choice to create a lasting impression with the business lunch crowd, ladies’ gatherings, for a long, lavish catch-up session, a casual dinner with family and friends, or an intimate, high quality dining experience with a treasured loved one.

IDENTITY bits & pieces

NISSAN LAUNCHES NEW ‘MADE IN EGYPT’ SENTRA Egypt’s first Honorary Doctorate from Cape Breton University

Granted to Dr. Niazy Sallam The Canadian Cape Breton University (CBU) granted Dr Niazy Sallam, one of Egypt’s most prominent businessmen known for his significant community work that changed and affected the lives of millions.

On the occasion of World Tourism Day, an annual performance conference was held under the auspices of the Minister of Tourism H.E. Mr. Hesham Zazou granting Dusit Thani LakeView Cairo the award of Excellence.

“OPPO” unveils its masterpieces Mirror 5 and R7 Lite

Mermaid world premiere at the Sheraton Somabay:

First global Miss Mermaid contest unites all 5 continents in Egypt – ‘Splish-Splash’ at the Sheraton Somabay! These days, the whole world looked at Egypt, where in Somabay at the Red Sea, the first international mermaid contest made underwater history! 25 beautiful mermaids from all over the world, aged 18 to 33, rose from the turquoise depth of the sea in front of the Sheraton Somabay.

DUSIT THANI LAKEVIEW CAIRO AWARDED FOR EXCELLENCE

NOV

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Amin Al Huneidi Multi Property Director of Sales and Marketing at JW Marriott and Renaissance Cairo Mirage City Hotels

Mr. Magdy Naguib, the General Manager of JW Marriott and Renaissance Cairo Mirage City Hotels has recently appointed Amin Al Huneidi to Multi-Property Director of Sales and Marketing for JW Marriott and Renaissance Cairo Mirage City Hotels.

OPPO Egypt announces the reveal of its new pieces of art Mirror 5 & R7 Lite, introducing strong presence in the mid-range segment with two elegant new models aiming to expand in the Egyptian market. OPPO is targeting a wide range of age and social fragments. The new phones are designed in which combines the power of performance and design splendor highly crafted to suit all age groups. The attractive design of Mirror 5 supported with its unique back exterior; designed with individual cut-glass sections and different reflective tendencies that fit the fashion lovers.

Mr. Zeyad Hossam, Mr. Hossam Hassan, Ms. Habiba Hossam, Mr. Osama Rafiek

Dr. Fathy El Sayad and guest

Mr&Mrs Hany Ramzy

Omar Khairat

The Waterway guests

The WaTerWay Compound CelebraTing WiTh omar khairaT

Mr. Nabil Osama, Mr. Fady El Asiouty, The Waterway guest

Mr. Reda el fransawy, Mr. & Mrs. Bahaa Sabry

The Waterway Compound in New Cairo held its first event on site on October 28th. With celebrities, social influencers and VIPs from the business and political community; along with the exclusive performance by the legendary Omar Khairat, The Waterway launched a New Residential Phase as well as its coming soon projects in New Cairo. The Waterway combines Residential & Commercial areas with multiple restaurants, banks and service venues due to open in December

Mr. & Mrs. Ihab Shenouda

Ms. Hend Reda, Mr&Mrs. Emad Salem

The Waterway guests

IDENTITY horoscopes

SCORPIO 23 OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 21

Loyal Passionate Resourceful Observant Dynamic

Weaknesses Jealous Obsessive Suspicious Manipulative Unyielding

Best matches Pisces, Cancer, Capricorn and Virgo

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Strengths

Scorpios are extremely loyal, they will never give up on someone they love, never. Scorpio is the eighth sign of the Zodiac, and ruled by the planet Pluto. Scorpios are best understood by first realizing that they are complicated. They have many dimensions. Like Pluto is from the sun, Scorpios can be distant and elusive. They can be quiet and content being alone for long periods of time. But like the colour red, they can also be passionate and very powerful. They are very in tune to what makes life flow, and very observant about what is happening around them. The insight about work relations and group dynamics can be very valuable if they trust you enough to confide what they notice. Scorpios are extremely loyal, they will never give up on someone they love, never. They may feel the need to put their lover through different tests to make sure they are also faithful, but once they trust someone they will stand by them unquestionably and come to their defence whenever it is necessary.

Scorpios can maintain an outward appearance of being cool, calm and collected, especially during a crisis. They are amazing supporters to have when you are facing different problems in your life. That being said, it is important to stay on a Scorpios good side and not make them suspect you of any bad intentions. Scorpios have an excellent memory, that being combined with an inability to let things go means they can hold a grudge against someone who did them harm forever. In fact, a Scorpio rarely forgives and forgets. The best advice is to be honest with a Scorpio friend and in return, you will gain an incredible friend who will always be loyal and never make false promises.