Feel like home by Identity Magazine

AUGUST 2014 - 15 L.E. VOLUME 9, ISSUE 11

FEEL LIKE HOME ARTSY HOMES DESIGNER FURNITURE COLOUR PALETTE HIGH-TECH GADGETS MORE!

beach style ON A BUDGET

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EDITOR’S NOTE

AUGUST 2014 - 15 L.E. VOLUME 9, ISSUE 11

FEEL LIKE HOME ARTSY HOMES DESIGNER FURNITURE COLOUR PALETTE HIGH-TECH GADGETS MORE!

On The Cover

WWW.IDENTITY-MAG.COM

Exclusive!

beach style ON A BUDGET

NIHAL ZAKI the better living experience

GET OUT OF THE BEDROOM

PHOTOGRAPHER HALAY ALEX COVER DESIGN MOHAMED MAHER

amadan is over…. And yes summer is back, enjoy! This year we took a different approach to the normal summer issues; it’s all about interior design.

More and more couples are tying the knot this season and are looking at new homes, new trends that may suit their tastes. We are simply trying to help these lucky couples in dealing with the day to day hassle of getting their homes ready like dealing with annoying workers, finding an interior designer, why they need an interior designer, as well as some of the best compounds in Egypt. We spotted out new breeds of bathrooms, colour palettes, designers’ furniture, high-tech gadgets for their new home and a lot more in store for them! Plus many more interesting topics; things that will make life easy and will definitely help in their quests of beautiful homes!

Rola Kamel

FOUNDER & CEO FOUNDER & CEO ROLA KAMEL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF NAWAL ISMAIL SENIOR EDITOR SANDRA RIZK ASSOCIATE EDITOR AHMED HASSAN INTERN ROWAN EL GOWEINY RELATIONSHIP EXPERT MARWA RAKHA SOCIOLOGY EXPERT MICHAEL RYAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER NEVINE A. ABAZA THE WELLNESS LOG FITNESS SPECIALIST NORSHEK FAWZY GRAPHIC DESIGNER MOHAMED MAHER DESIGN INTERN LOBNA WASSIM EDITOR OF THE MONTH AMR MAHMOUD MARKETING AND ADVERTISING MANAGER RIHAM YEHIA MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA EXECUTIVE NOURHAN YEHIA WEBSITE COMPANY QPIX SOLUTIONS DISTRIBUTION COMPANIES SKY NET & AL AHRAM 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

IDENTITY MAGAZINE EGYPT

6 IDENTITY AUGUST 2014

CONTENTS

IDENTITY’S LIST

THINGS TO BRIGHTEN UP YOUR HOME

8 WHAT’S ON IDENTITY-MAG.COM HOW TO…

10 HOW TO DEAL WITH ANNOYING 3OMAL (LABOURERS) LOVE ADVICE

12 WORST PHASE EVER HOME TIPS

14 WHEN TO SPLURGE ON HOME

INTIMACY

ART & INTERIOR

21 GET OUT OF THE BEDROOM

34 THE INTERIOR WORLD OF

HEALTH MATTERS

22 TURN YOUR HOME INTO A GYM BEAUTYHOLIC

24 ALLURING SCENTS EDITOR FOR A DAY

26 HOW TO DRAW YOUR OWN

DESIGNER

36 HOW TO MAKE YOUR ROOM ARTSY 38 GIVE SOUL TO YOUR MODERN HOME

40 A NEW BREED OF BATHROOMS 42 CHOOSE THE RIGHT COLOUR PALETTE

FASHION ILLUSTRATION SKETCH

ONE ON ONE

FASHION ON A BUDGET

44 NIHAL ZAKI INTERIORS

27 HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR STYLE AT

EXOTIC HOTEL

THE BEACH

46 THE MOST EXOTIC HOTELS IN THE WORLD

16 HIRE AN INTERIOR DESIGNER

FASHION REPORT

28 BEST OF FALL 2014 COUTURE

REAL ESTATE

DIRECTORY

Interior designers WE ABSOLUTELY LOVE!

TAREK BESHIR www.tarekbeshir.com 11 Shagaret El Dor Street Apartment 4 Zamalek Telephone & Fax: +202 27382309 +202 27357377 E-mail: info@tarekbeshir.com

Mona Hussein www.monahussein.com Sodic Headquarter, Km 38 Cairo-Alex road, 6th of October city (+202) 38540180/1 Tel: (+202) 0122 749 8221 Fax : (+202) 38571240 E-mail: designer@ monahussein.com

TDF Architects www.tdf-architects. com 157, 26th of July st 3rd floor, Zamalek Tel:+202 27367316 E-mail: Info@tdfarchitects.com

IDRAK www.idrak-interiors.com 27 Abdel Aziz Fahmy St. Heliopolis Tel: +2 02 2635 8718 Mobile: +2 0100 5433 512 Fax: +2 02 2635 8718 | Ext: 19 E-mail: info@idrak-interiors.com

C.O.C.A Designs www.cocainteriors.com 13 El shahid abdel meneim hafez st. Heliopolis Tel: +2024179629 Mobile: +20173337868 Fax: +2024179269 E-mail: coca@cocainteriors.com

Ebony and Lvory www.ei-interiors.com 45 Road 6, Maadi, Tel +202 2753 0320 Fax +202 2753 0022 E-mail: info@eiinteriors.com

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INTO THE DEEP The first step to understanding manhood (AND womanhood) is to differentiate between our sex and gender. Your sex is a biological condition determined by your chromosomes or the appearance (or absence) of reproductive genitalia. If you have an XX chromosome configuration, then you are a woman, if you have an XY, then you are a man. Our gender is a social construction determined by how our particular society at that particular historical moment has decided to define what it means to be a real man or a real woman. It is not something fixed in time or place but rather something that is ever-shifting and elastic, constantly changing from place to place, moment to moment, and even person to person. The trick is that there is NO connection between sex and gender. This is why human beings with XX or XY chromosomes do not all have the same ideas about manhood and womanhood. It is unlikely, for example, that you share the same ideas about what it means to be a man or a woman with your mother or your grandmother. There simply is no link between being born with certain chromosomes and enjoying certain things, performing certain duties, or working in certain jobs. Society is equipped with a number of resources for doing gender, social opportunities that allow us to express certain attributes deemed appropriate for our sex. Think about the multitude of things in society that are differentiated for men and women but with no real need to be so. Take deodorant, for example. Chemically, there is very little difference between a man’s deodorant and a woman’s deodorant. And, let’s face it, when was the last time you walked up and smelled someone’s armpit to know what deodorant they were wearing anyway? The difference between them, of course, is to give men and women an opportunity to use some arbitrary social cue to mark their gender. Bathrooms, tennis shoes, colors (pink vs. blue), college majors, colognes, and clothing all represent other everyday examples.

RE-THINKING MEN IN TIGHTS A man walking down the streets of Cairo today in high heels, purple velvet tights, a frilly shirt, and a feathered hat would be seen as someone who was acting like a woman. He would no doubt be called a number of inappropriate names meant to insult his manhood. Were this man Napoleon, however, and walking the same streets just a short century or two ago, he would have been seen as an upper class leader and the definition of manhood. So what, then, is manhood?

Evidence for the arbitrary and ever-changing nature of gender roles can be found in the increasing popularity of unisex phenomenon. Calvin Klein, among others, has recently unveiled a new unisex line of clothing meant for both men and women and has for many years made unisex colognes. Bathrooms in many places are meant for use by both sexes. And we now find more women in politics, more men taking care of the children, and more of both sexes willing to negotiate their needs and desires independently of their genitalia. None of this is to say that there are not differences between the sexes (a whole other discussion entirely), but rather the association of a given sex with a given gender is something which is entirely the product of a particular society in a particular place at a particular moment in time. So the next time you see a man walking down the street in high heels and a feathered cap, think twice before you question his manhood. He might just be Napoleon.

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Dr. Michael Ryan

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF SOCIOLOGY THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY IN CAIRO

INTIMACY

GET OUT OF THE BEDROOM “I am not in the mood…” once you read that phrase you imagine a woman declining a man’s approach for intimacy. This time, imagine a man actually declining the invitation! Pretty shocking isn’t it? It’s like a baby refusing candy, there must be something wrong. Well, there is. He is bored! Most couples get to a phase where their sexual activity can reach minimum levels. That doesn’t always mean that it’s bad, sometimes it means that it’s just stagnant. That is when you need to get out of your comfort zone to change things up!

IT IS NOT ONLY RESTRICTED TO YOUR BED: Why should you limit yourselves to just the bedroom? It becomes dull and numbing. You can still enjoy each other in various places and no, it is not wrong. What difference is it between the sofa or the kitchen counter and the bed? They’re all furniture after all!

EXHILARATING EXPERIENCE: Surprise him in the shower every once in a while, he will feel desired and the whole experience will leave your knees weak.

COMMUNICATE: You may not be the adventurous type of girl or shy, so talk about it with your partner. Find what makes you both comfortable and yet spices things up a little. Once you let go, you will really begin to enjoy each other.

IGNORING IT DOES NOT HELP: Don’t turn to the other side of the bed and pretend like it’s all okay. Sex is an important aspect of every relationship whether for a man or a woman. It’s a basic instinct. Don’t deny yourself the intimacy.

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USE THE ENVIRONMENT: The surroundings can greatly improve your experience. A ticklish rug, a warm shower, a comfortable sofa or even a beautiful view of the sunset.

CREATE YOUR OWN RULES: Don’t stick to ones created by middle-aged prudes in the 60s! This is between you and your partner and it is yours to do whatever you want. There is incredible power in the freedom that intimacy brings. Don’t waste it because your too lazy to get out of bed.

HEALTH MATTERS

TURN YOUR

Home

INTO A GYM

Turn your home into a gym without investing in any equipment, yes you heard this right. There are a lot of exercises you can do with your furniture or simply body weight. For a full body workout, perform 3 sets of 10-15 repetitions of each workout.

26 IDENTITY AUGUST 2014

1 2

PUSH-UPS: 1 Rest feet on chair and position your body in 90 degrees angle, make sure your elbows are tucked in. 2 Hold the chair with your body straight and chest open, make sure your back is straight throughout the exercise.

DIPS: Stand in front of the chair, facing forward with the chair behind you. Rest your body on your palms at the edge of the chair. Go down parallel to the chair with your feet on the ground and back up. Use another chair in-front of you to elevate your feet and perform exact same exercise.

PULLIES: Lay under a chair holding the seat from each side positioning yourself straight, pull your body up until your elbows are 90 degrees and release.

SQUATS: 1 Stand in-front of the chair squat down touch the chair with your buttocks and back up.

2 Stand next to the chair, resting one arm on the back of the chair, with one leg extended in front of you, squat with one leg using the chair for support and balance.

PLANK: 1 Rest your body on your forearms and toes with your core as hard a wooden plank. Stay in position for 30 secs (or as long as you can hold a proper form) rest and repeat. 2 Lift one arm and opposite leg to perform ‘superman’ plank. Stay in position for 30 secs (or as long as you can hold a proper form) rest and repeat.

LUNGES: Stand in front of the chair, with one foot resting on the chair behind you and the other on step forward. Lunge down and up then switch legs.

It’s easy to fit a workout any time, anywhere if you are willing to. After your done with this home workout remember to stretch and drink plenty of water. 27 IDENTITY AUGUST 2014

Norshek Fawzy

FITNESS SPECIALIST. THE WELLNESS LOG

BEAUTYHOLIC

ALLURING SCENTS Women will move mountains to attract the attention of males. However, the process is now turning scientific. Plot twist? Scientists have been working on how to release immune system chemicals designed to help us attract compatible mates. Apparently, scientists want to add these makeshift pheromones to perfumes that will eventually help women attract the right kind of guy. I don’t know about you, but this ruins all the fun. I like to leave my chances of meeting men up to myself, not a perfume. It’s nice to know that you share the same scent as you’re favorite celebrity! Top 5 perfumes, men suggested as a turn on

Chanel N# 5 worn by Marilyn Monroe

Euphoria By Calvin Klein worn by Ashley Olsen

Viva La Juicy By Juicy Couture worn by Taylor Swift

Pink Sugar worn by Aquolina – Vanessa Hudgens

28 IDENTITY AUGUST 2014

Top 5 perfumes, women suggested as a turn on

Miss Dior Chérie by Dior’ worn by Jessica Alba

CreedMillesime Imperial worn by Jay Z

Gendarme worn by Robert Downey Jr (Most used fragrance by Hollywood Celebrities)

Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male worn by Justine Timberlake

Ralph Lauren Polo worn by Prince William

GuerlainVetiver worn by Tom Cruise 29 IDENTITY AUGUST 2014

FASHION EDITOR FOR A DAY

HOW TO DRAW YOUR OWN FASHION ILLUSTRATION SKETCH If you are willing to be a fashion designer and think you have the skills but you don’t know how to start, here is a step-by-step guide on how to draw a fashion illustration sketch. First, you’ll need a pencil, drawing paper, eraser, black sharpie, colors “watercolor pencils are preferred for beginner” and of course an idea on your mind even if it’s not complete yet. 1 DRAWING YOUR MODEL: It’s known that illustration sketches have to be more fashionable than usual, so we tend to exaggerate the proportions of the model a little by making her taller. The easiest way for beginners to do this is “The Nine Heads Rule”. First use your pencil to draw a vertical line then split it into nine spaces “the heads”. The first and second heads are the bust, third head is the waist, fourth is the hip, fifth is thigh, sixth is the knee, seventh is the shin, eighth is the ankle and the ninth and final head is the foot. When you draw your model, try to give her a sexy pose like models on a runway or at a shoot. There’s an easy tip you can use to learn new poses. Get a picture of a real model from the internet, magazines, poster or anything and use a tracing paper “Calque” to define the lines of her body “waist, shoulders, head, knees, ..etc” and then apply it to your model.

3 COLOURING: The third and most important step is colouring, because it either makes or breaks your sketch. Some people like to start with colouring the skin, but personally, I prefer to leave it till the end. So pick the colour you want and fill your design with it. Move smoothly and in one direction, filling every space in your design, leaving no white spots. 4 SHADING: After you finish colouring your sketch, it’s time for shading. Shading is so important, because it helps you to tell the type of fabric you’ll be using, what’s flat in your sketch, what’s deep and what’s protruding. There’s one main rule for shading “Where does the light come from?” because shades will be in the opposite side of the light. If you use design markers, you can use a darker colour tone or a 40/50% grey marker. If you use watercolour pencils, pick a darker tone of the same colour. If you don’t have a darker tone, use the same colour but press a little harder and it’ll give you a darker texture.

2 DRAWING THE DESIGN: The second step is to put your design on the model. I’ll go with something so simple and basic, a one-shoulder gown with a slit on the leg. After you finish drawing your design, use the sharpie to define the outline of your design, then use the eraser to erase the pencil line.

5 FINISHING YOUR SKETCH: It’s the final stage in drawing an illustration sketch. Start with colouring the left, apparent skin of your model. Don’t forget to shade it too. As a beginner, you should not really bother yourself drawing a very good face and a stylish haircut. In fact, you can draw no face at all with a very simple haircut. After that, sign your sketch and it’s ready.

Amr Mahmoud

AUGUST FASHION EDITOR

YOU TOO CAN BE OUR FASHION EDITOR PICK NEXT MONTH - SEND YOUR IDEAS TO CONTRIBUTORS@IDNTITY-MAG.COM

30 IDENTITY AUGUST 2014

FASHION ON BUDGET

HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR STYLE AT THE BEACH WHILE ON A BUDGET Summer is around the corner, which only means that it’s time for us to start thinking about our swimwear. We all know how expensive swimming suits have gotten lately, especially if you want to go over the top by adding accessories to your full appeal. Most of us are not on open budgets, however it does not mean that our entire wardrobe will be put on hold. It’s time to get creative and put our sense of style in handy, without breaking our allowance.

SPLURGE WISELY If you can afford to buy a new swimwear separate this season, make sure you choose wisely. Try to look for styles that can be paired with bathing suits that you already own as explained above. Also, double sided swimming suits are the absolute best as they can be worn several times in several different ways.

MIX AND MATCH One of the easiest methods to revive your beach look is to be open to creativity and risks. Learn how to mix and match your old swimming suits. For a solid on solid look, a colored or neon top paired with a different black bottom is usually a safe bet. Or choose two contrasting colors to get on the summer vibe. Black bottoms are essential as they go with either plain or printed tops. For a print on print look, try to follow your guts and combine two different types of prints. Keep in mind that the colors don’t have to match perfectly. Think animal prints paired with floral, stripes paired with polka dots and the list goes on. The bolder you look, the more stylish you will be.

ACCESSORIES: THE CHERRY ON TOP Finally, if it all fails, accessorize! Whether you’re attending a beach/ pool party or putting together an every day overall, accessories can turn everyday ensembles into something refreshing. They tend to turn your look upside down. Take your lightweight scarf from last fall and style it into a boho-chic head wrap. Also, body chains are the best! Use that body chain you wore at the club and turn it into a Rihanna-looking beach look. And last but not least. The most important swimwear accessory there is? Your shades! Try to find your mum’s vintage shades, and pull off the hipster look elegantly. You don’t have to spend tons of money to look fashionable at the beach. So start searching through your swimwear wardrobe and get to stylin’.

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FASHION REPORT

BEST OF FALL 2014 ALEXANDRE VAUTHIER

ARMANI PRIVÉ

ATELIER VERSACE

CHANEL

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COUTURE COLLECTION CHRISTIAN DIOR

ELIE SAAB

ULYANA SERGEENKO

VALENTINO

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FASHION REPORT

ZUHAIR MURAD FALL 2014 COUTURE The show that stood out the most was Zuhair Murad. Murad used graphic tone-ontone embroideries to create peek-a-boo effects on column dresses in his signature sheer fabrics. It seems the designer channeled the Latina Bombshell for his Fall 2014 couture collection. From high hems to high slits, exposed shoulders and jaw dropping colors, the showing was created for a woman unafraid to stand out and sizzle.

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35 IDENTITY AUGUST 2014

TREND ALERT

Fashion

INTERIOR DESIGN The connection between fashion and interior design has always been there, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s becoming more incredible as each year passes. We rounded up some of the 2014 trends in both interior and fashion.

BOLD PRINTS

METALLIC TEXTURES

36 IDENTITY AUGUST 2014

VINTAGE & RETRO

GRAPHIC PATTERNS

THE BEAUTY OF BLUES

THE NEUTRAL SETTING

THE TRIBAL VIBE

ACCENT COLORS 37 IDENTITY AUGUST 2014

ART & INTERIOR

The Interior World Of Designer Enter the glamorous world of designer furniture! Imagine furnishing your home with the same labels you do your closet. Armani, Ralph Lauren and more… The fever of getting designer furniture is mostly restricted to the extremely wealthy. As you can imagine, the price tag is a hefty one. Let’s take a look at some of the pieces made by our favourite designers… ARMANI

RALPH LAUREN

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FENDI

LOUIS VUITTON

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ART & INTERIOR

HOW TO MAKE YOUR ROOM

Artsy?

Marrakech Swing Chair $229

People have been decorating their rooms for decades. Whether you had an arabesque inspired room, contemporary, cozy, modern or antique, you can’t help but fall in love with a hipster looking room. You may not be considered “artsy” but the beauty of art is that it’s abstract. A hipster room allows you to express yourself through your furniture, frames or whatever you have on your wall. The room then becomes a definition of who you are; it no longer is your room but your getaway. Here’s a few must have things to make your room look artsy:

Right Angles Handwoven Rug $24

Galaxy String Lights $28

Record player and records

Photo Clip String Set $14.00

Bianca Green For DENY Dreamer Pillow $44 40 IDENTITY AUGUST 2014

Magical Thinking Woven Wire Chair $279

Tribal clocks $49

iHome Mini Wireless Speaker $40

Showcase your Arizona Bottles collection Dreamcatcher $45

Fujifilm INSTAX Mini Rainbow Film $18.00

Vintage Camera Collectable

Poster of your favorite band. Pink Floyd

Your favorite quote 41 IDENTITY AUGUST 2014

ART & INTERIOR

GIVE SOUL TO YOUR

Modern Home Modern home designs are becoming ever so popular right now. Trends are moving away from bulky furniture to sleek minimalistic alternatives. , modern furniture allows for a much spacious and clean feel. However, as beautiful as modern furniture is, it usually lacks soul and warmth. The only way you can break that is by giving it your own personal touch and soul by following these simple tips…

THROW PILLOWS: The easiest thing to start with are throw pillows. Play around with colours, patterns and make it your own. They give a vibrant and personal touch to each space whether it’s your bedroom or living room. You can even pile them up in a corner on a table or the floor for an extra decorative touch.

FLOWERS AND PLANTS: Bringing is something alive to your home will definitely add life to it. Fresh flowers and plants add the best element to your home; nature. Nothing brings a space more to life than beautifully coloured flowers and greenery. If you’re not up to the care then go for realistic faux flowers, specially the fragrant ones. 42 IDENTITY AUGUST 2014

OLD WITH NEW: Those souvenirs, antiques, books and old pictures give history to your new home. It really is like moving your entire life with you. Just know how to properly integrate your old things with the new designs and you can get something that is very original. Old looking books in a modern library are a great way to add a time dimension to your furniture.

COLOUR PALETTE: Even though minimalistic approach tends to take home owners towards a contrasting monochrome palette or bright pastel hues, understanding the effect of colours is essential to giving your home soul. Mixing the right colours starting with the walls all the way to the furniture fabrics will enhance the overall look and feel of the room. Go for warmer shades on solid bright fabrics.

CANDLES: Not only will they light up your home in case the lights go out, they will add warmth and a distinguished scent to your home. They are great for gatherings, dinner parties or just as a decorative element on shelves and end tables. 43 IDENTITY AUGUST 2014

ART & INTERIOR

A New Breed Of Bathrooms! Bathroom designs are seeing big changes in 2014, looking more towards minimalistic, sleek designs for an uncluttered home as well as mind. Achieving this is a matter of keeping up with the latest and greatest design elements. Planning a bathroom makeover? Check out our guide to the hottest new bathroom trends for 2014! SPA LIKE ESCAPES

RICH TONED WOOD FLOORING

LIVING WALLS

CUSTOM BUILT OPEN WALK IN SHOWERS

NATURAL MATERIALS

44 IDENTITY AUGUST 2014

FLOATING VANITIES

Establishment

Originality - Nobility - History

COASTAL STYLE 1912

Art of Ceramic

CURBLESS SHOWERS m

MOSAIC PATTERNS FROM EL SALLAB

CURVES

SPANISH BRAND

elsallab.indd 10

6/25/14 3:29 PM

SLABS OF MARBLE & ONYX

SIMPLE MONOCHROME THEMES FROM EL SALLAB 45 IDENTITY AUGUST 2014

ART & INTERIOR

Choose

THE RIGHT COLOUR PALETTE! One of the hardest decisions to make when decorating a home is choosing a colour palette. We often find ourselves overwhelmed with the large variety and get confused as to which colour palettes should we go for and which ones will work best. These tips will help you figure out how to make the right choice... Why is the colour palette important? * Summons and enhances feelings of health and wellbeing * It can change the perceived temperature of the room to warmer or cooler * It transforms space by creating the illusion that is bigger or smaller * It can light up dark areas * Can help in creating romance or a certain ambience in dull areas *Energizes areas where the energy feels static

IMPORTANT TIPS: Aim for your comfort level and favourite colours. You can choose clean and bright or soft and subtle. Choose one dark colour, one light colour and one bright colour to prevent from making your palette chaotic.

Lighting is an important element to consider as colour is a reflection of light and has a significant impact on colour scheme.

If you prefer neutral backgrounds, add colour with fabrics such as rugs and pillow or window treatments or artwork which also brings personality.

Small rooms can seem larger with light colours and large rooms will shrink with darker shades. Same goes to ceilings, they are raised with a light colour and lowered with a dark one.

ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS BEFORE CHOOSING A COLOUR PALETTE:

Where is the room?

How many windows are there and which direction do they face?

Is there landscaping outside that will have an effect on the colours in the room?

Who will use the room, and what will they do there? Is it private or community space?

Will it be a sociable and active place, or a peaceful place? How do I want it to feel?

46 IDENTITY AUGUST 2014

TANGERINE

BRIGHT YELLOW CORAL

SKY BLUE

ROBIN’S EGG

PINK SKY SUNSET ORANGE

SHADES OF SAND

SAGE GREEN 47 IDENTITY AUGUST 2014

PEACH

ONE ON ONE

NIHAL ZAKI INTERIORS

The better living experience!

For years now, Nihal Zaki has been one of the best (if not THE best) interior designers in town. Her decorating advice is practical and her approach to a room is with an equal eye for function, comfort, and beauty. Her passion for what she does for a living is what makes her the successful woman she is today. She believes that there’s no point in having a job if there’s no fun to it. In this exclusive interview, the talented Nihal Zaki gives insight into her theory of design, her awards, details, inspiration, and her upcoming projects!

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME AN INTERIOR DESIGNER AND HOW DID IT ALL START? My mother was my inspiration, she was a dedicated antiques collector and travelled everywhere in pursuit of her passion, and needless to say I tagged along and was exposed at a very young age to all types of furniture and styles. I remember going to fairs in the Italian countryside or outside a barn in French province and feeling overwhelmed with all the beauty and elegance. I gained a lot of experience but never thought this would be my career (I am an AUC graduate with an Economics major and a business minor. Helping the economy was actually what I wanted to do!) However, I got offered a Job at the renowned ‘Mit Rehan’ furniture gallery back in 1999 and that’s when it all started. I took my passion to another level and travelled to London where I studied at ‘Inchbald School of Design’ and returned to Egypt to establish ‘Nihal Zaki Interiors’ at the age of 21. WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR WHEN YOU SELECT A PROJECT? It has to turn me on. My emotions drive me; my work is who I am and how I feel... If the project does not move me emotionally I cannot deliver.

THAT’S TRUE! DO YOU HAVE ANY RULES OR BIG NONO’S WHEN DECORATING A HOME? I hate sophisticated cornices and curtains. And I am not a big fan of chandeliers.

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Tropical beach house north coast AND WHAT MAKES A HOME LOOK HAPPY? Its energy! HOW HAS THE ECONOMY AFFECTED YOUR WORK? It hasn’t, I simply worked harder. After the revolution I had a long meeting with my architects, my workers and suppliers and made it very clear that unlike most offices I WOULD NOT let go of anyone irrespective of the economic conditions in the country. Giving them that sense of security was the biggest motivational push ever, they excelled and worked harder to improve the quality and services provided by Nihal Zaki Interiors, the outcome was astonishing and we ended up with very happy clients. GREAT! HOW ABOUT BEING A WORKING WOMAN IN EGYPT… DID THAT AFFECT YOU? There is this misconception in our country and the Middle East that a man can always ‘do the job better’. I believe I have broken that rule. It is ten times harder for a woman in our field especially when it comes to contracting and finishing work to have workers and suppliers respect her or follow her orders. I have learnt to ‘speak their language’ and managed successfully to run my business. YOU HAVE WON MANY AWARDS THROUGH THE YEARS. CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THEM? My work has been published three times (2007, 2010 & 2013) in the prestigious Andrew Martin International Interior Design Review in the UK. This is a yearly catalogue that picks and features the best 50 international designers. Basically it’s a yearly interior design competition with over a thousand entry submitted to a very sophisticated judge panel, to name a few: The duchess of York, Gordon Ramsay, and Louise Kennedy. WOW! GOOD FOR YOU… RUMOR HAS IT THAT YOU’RE LAUNCHING YOUR FIRST SHOWROOM SOON. TELL US MORE ABOUT THAT... YES! I have been slowly working on that, a showroom dedicated to interiors and not just furniture, a place I would personally love to visit to get inspired… It will be a classic/eccentric/fun/cool/ you name it mix of home solutions, furniture, antiques, accessories, lighting... Basically anything and everything interior for all sorts of residences. People will be able to have a corner, a wall

Moorish beach house north coast

Family residence, ‘Gardenia’ compound 6th of October or a room designed and tailored to their style; a very new service we will be providing in the design field in Egypt. And that’s just half of it! We will also have a section for events setups. We have worked over the years in events and exclusive weddings styling and decoration, our showroom will offer all sorts of creative out of the box ideas for events design and decoration.

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‘Nostalgia TURQUAZ’ at Marassi, North coast

WELL, GOOD LUCK WITH THAT AND WE PERSONALLY CAN’T WAIT FOR THE OPENING. YOUR STYLE HAS BEEN DESCRIBED AS FUN AND PLAYFUL. DO YOU SEE IT THAT WAY? Yes! Everyday is a fun day at the office, for me it’s not a job it’s simply who I am and what I represent. No point in doing this really if there’s no fun to it. You can only excel at a career if you are driven every day to wake up and go to work and FUN drives me. WHAT ARE THIS SEASON’S TRENDS FOR INTERIORS? TRENDS? What trends? I don’t believe in trends! Interiors should be timeless.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE PROJECT AND WHY? So many favourite projects! I love the tropical beach residence I did at the North coast and I am very proud of the Ultra Modern fashion boutique ‘Helene’ at First Mall or the round plexy ‘shisha bar’ I designed for Y lounge rooftop. But mostly ‘Nostalgia’ series of parties; the concept we designed and styled for Tamarai club is the closest to my heart.

“Believe in your vision no matter how ridiculous it might seem. There is only one ‘YOU’ in this universe and that’s creative enough!”

OUR READERS WOULD LOVE THAT ANSWER! BUT ARE THERE ANY ESSENTIAL PIECES THAT MAKE A PLACE LOOK GOOD? Nice candlesticks, Statues, a modern lighting piece, an interesting wooden cabinet, a bold painted wall or one colourful fabric… For me anything Italian or Venetian designed furniture or even a mirror makes me happy.

WHICH OTHER DESIGNERS, ARTISTS, OR CREATIVE PEOPLE DO YOU ADMIRE? Marcel Wanders has always been my biggest inspiration. I don’t believe anyone will replace Alexander McQueen and I am very fond of Daphne Guinness.

WE LOVED THE NOSTALGIA NIGHTS’ CONCEPTS AS WELL! DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE TO YOUNG ASPIRING DESIGNERS? Believe in your vision no matter how ridiculous it might seem. There is only one ‘YOU’ in this universe and that’s creative enough!

WHAT IS YOUR VISION AND PLANS FOR THE FUTURE? My upcoming showroom is the start of my dream of a long lines of products all branded Nihal Zaki. I want to create everything beautiful and I don’t want to limit myself to just Interiors.

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‘Helene’ Boutique First Mall Giza

Ylounge Shisha bar

Showroom

CONTACT INFORMATION: Showroom: 3, Ahmed Orabi st. Mohandessin nsinteriors@yahoo.com Facebook: Nihal Zaki Interiors www.Nihalzaki.com 51 IDENTITY AUGUST 2014

EXOTIC HOTELS

8 OF THE MOST EXOTIC HOTELS IN THE WORLD Those of you who seek solitude will find the epitome of relaxation when indulging in marine-focused spa treatments, meditation under the gaze of only the moon and stars and being in direct contact with nature. Whether traveling alone, as a pair, or in a group, you will find what you seek. You do not need to jump out of a plane or bungee jump to satisfy your adventurous nature. With this list of exotic hotels, you will explore a whole new side of yourself, whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for something crazy, calming or relaxing.

KAKSLAUTTANEN IGLOO VILLAGE, FINLAND Winter: 1415 euros / night Summer: 114 euros / night Imagine lying down beside your partner, gazing at the stars and admiring the beautiful nature from inside a glass igloo. The Kakslauttanen Igloo Village allows you to share an unforgettable night with your loved one in the comforting warmth of room temperature that separates you from the icecold weather.

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HOTEL COSTA VERDE 727 FUSELAGE, COSTA RICA HIGH SEASON: $125/NIGHT Planes are not always meant to fly. Some are meant to crash and get converted into hotels! Discover the Costa Verde Hotel that may appear as a normal hotel yet offers a unique bar and suite bedrooms in the middle of a vintage airplane. 52 IDENTITY AUGUST 2013

ADRERE AMELLAL ECOLODGE, EGYPT $450/NIGHT Set deep within the breathtaking dunes of Siwa. A place of reflection, retreat and remembrance of a time and culture profoundly cherished by its people. Adrere Amellal Ecolodge calls out to those with a strong sense of intrigue, discovery and adventure. Inspired in every sense by Bedouin nobility, inquisitive minds feed off every feature of this enchanting desert resort. Guests simply relax and naturally open themselves to the silent power of the desert.

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THE MIRRORCUBE TREEHOUSE HOTEL, SWEDEN $3300/ NIGHT You no longer have to go through the struggle of finding a place to escape to. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, a place to clear your thoughts or just pure relaxation, the mirrorcube is the place to be. It’s an exciting hide-out among the trees, camouflaged by mirrored walls that reflect their surroundings.

HOTEL ENDEMICO, MEXICO $350/NIGHT Staggered on a secluded hill in the wine region of Valle de Guadalupe, these luxury cabins bring guests into direct contact with nature.

JUVET LANDSCAPE HOTEL, NORWAY $475/ NIGHT This is an adventurer’s paradise for people who love outdoor activity. You can do almost everything there in all 4 seasons. They have mountains, glaciers, summits; there’s the coastline and the fjords.

JULES UNDERSEA LODGE, FLORIDA USA $800/NIGHT Jules undersea Lodge is a hotel like no other. The name is no marketing gimmick, one must actually scuba dive 21 feet beneath the surface of the sea to enter the lodge. Entering through an opening in the bottom of the habitat is much like discovering a secret underwater.

POSEIDON UNDERSEA WATER, FIJI $15,000/ PACKAGE Ever wondered how it felt like to live among the fishes? Well there’s plenty of fish in the sea for sure! Poseidon Undersea Water Hotel is a one of a kind hotel that allows you to experiment life underwater. It needs a hell lot of courage to spend a night knowing a shark is watching you sleep. For you adventurous people, Poseidon should be the on the top of your bucket list!

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REAL ESTATE

Compounds

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING IN CAIRO

For the past 5 years, all we hear about is a new compound opening soon. However, this time itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s different. Compounds are no longer composed of boring, identical houses. Architects in Egypt have outdone themselves and took their job to a whole new level of creativity. We started seeing a variety of genres, from modern to old school, each house has got itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own vibe. The amenities play a big role as well; compounds now have malls, schools and professional spas instead of just regular gyms and pools. Here are some good-looking compounds we look forward to seeing in Cairo

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MOUNTAIN VIEW Mountain view provides a lifestyle for those who have high standards. Being part of the largest and most successful Egyptian real estate enterprises, (Dar Al Mimar Group), Mountain view provides their services with professionalism and creativity.

PALM HILLS KATAMEYA EXTENSION Palm hills is one of the most prestigious residential communities in New Cairo. It is beautifully designed and offers twin and town houses, villas and stand-alone. The projectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s purpose isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t to build as many houses as possible, but also provide its habitants with beautiful gardens and lots of green spaces. Residents of Palm Hills will be able to have access to all the facilities of sister developments, Palm hills Katameya and Village Gardens Katameya.

HYDE PARK Located in New Cairo, Hyde Park becomes the most desirable and exclusive location as it is only 5km away from the American University in Cairo. It contains the Largest Park in Egypt (141 Acres), international club over 72 Acres, international schools and nurseries, Medical center, club house, five stars hotel and more.

UPTOWN CAIRO No need to go all the way to California to live the life of a celebrity. Uptown Cairo brings you Beverly hills to your doors. With its Mediterranean, Spanish, Tuscan and Arabian inspired designs, it is billed to evolve into the true hub of the city.

MIVIDA Located at the fifth district, which is quickly becoming a new urban hot-spot, Mivida illustrates the vibrancy of urban living with the peace and comfort of nature and suburban living. Mivida allows residents to access every convenience conceivable. This includes playgrounds, community centres, a business park, thriving hotels and more With all these elements combined; Mivida is the place where dreams come true.

PARK VIEW Located in the New Cairo district of Katameya, Park view is customized to meet the needs of active, successful individuals who are looking for a modern, exclusive and efficient lifestyle. Homes are designed with modern architecture and interiors. They come complete with hightech infrastructure to support the integration of smart technology.

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NEWS & TECHNOLOGY Hovering Shoe Cabinet by Bartels

HIGH GADGETS FOR YOUR SMART HOME We rounded up 12 home gadgets that will become the norm in homes of the near future.

Style magic mirror that would tell you anything from what the weather is like outside to how a particular tie would suit you. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not all. It is sound as well as gesture driven (thanks, Kinect) and allows you to surf the web, send emails, or even flip through your wardrobe.

Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat from Honeywell with Voice Control. Tell your thermostat what temperature you want with this latest incarnation of the Smart Thermostat that now operates on voice command. LEDoor Handle - Find your way in the dark & take the handle out as a torch for emergencies!

iDoorCam is a simple device with a camera and a button that pretty much takes the place of your doorbell. Only works with iPhone and iPad. 56 IDENTITY AUGUST 2014

Sonance Architectural Z8F In-wall Speakers.

Fuseprojectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Yves Behar built the app so that when your phone is near the door, it will unlock. Forgot your key? Use your Smart Phone.

Lutron Controller iPhone app at One-Touch Automation of your entire home.

Phillips has begun selling a three pack of LED bulbs and a controller exclusively through Apple stores. This LED bold starter pack allows you to control your lighting remotely using a smart phone. I guess you could say that lighting he room has never been so much fun.

Digital nutrition scale. Place a food item on the scale, input its corresponding food number, and get a breakdown of all the nutritional data.

The iRobot Scooba washes hardwood and tile floors with a multi-step process that eliminates 97% of bacteria.

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Voice-activated grocery list! Say what you need while itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on your mind and a week later when you actually go shopping it will print you a list!

REVIEW

FUN IN THE SUN AT MÖVENPICK HOTEL & CASINO CAIRO-MEDIA CITY What is more fun than being by the pool while enjoying the warm sun rays on your skin? A fun aqua park! The latest addition to Movenpick hotel & Casino Cairo-Media City promises the ultimate fun with various slides and activities for all the family to enjoy.

TELL US MORE ABOUT THE AQUA PARK? A new summer experience that will add an atmosphere of excitement and amusement to our guest’s stay at Mövenpick Hotel & Casino Cairo-Media City, and will gather the whole family in one of the coolest adventures accompanied with many extra special touches that will make it an unforgettable stay.

WHAT MADE THE HOTEL THINK OF SUCH AN IDEA? Kids are the prime reason behind the aqua park project... since we believe in the kids’ role as the engine that stirs and controls the whole family’s choice of destinations, we thought of this important kids and family project. Also with the tourism current slight

WHAT ARE THE PACKAGES AND WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE? The aqua park usage will be free of charge for in-house guests. IS IT JUST FOR THE HOTEL GUESTS TO USE OR ARE THERE ANY PACKAGES FOR OUTSIDE GUESTS WHO JUST WANT TO HAVE A FUN DAY? It will also be available for outside guests at a charge.

HOW MANY SLIDES AND GAMES ARE THERE? The new Aqua Park comprises 5 water sliders; the “Body Slide”, the “Free Fall”, the “Water House”, the “Frog Slide” and the “Butterfly” in addition to a lot of exciting activities. WHAT MAKES IT UNIQUE THAN THE OTHER WATER PARKS IN THE REGION? The hotel’s Aqua Park is the first aqua park in a 5-star hotel in Cairo.. That is what makes it different than the other aqua parks.

WHOSE IDEA WAS IT? It was the idea of the Chairman of the Owning Company, General Mohamed Ashraf.

WHEN WILL MÖVENPICK MEDIA CITY LAUNCH THE AQUA PARK? First day of Eid Al-Fetr.

absence especially in Cairo, we have tried to focus on another channels and to attract more markets such as the local tourism. 58 IDENTITY AUGUST 2014

Mövenpick Hotel & Casino Cairo-Media City 6th of October, Giza- Egypt Phone: +20 23 855 50 01 www.moevenpick-cairo-mediacity.com

OUT & ABOUT

IN A VERY SPECIAL RAMADAN AMBIANCE, SONESTA HOTEL, TOWER & CASINO – CAIRO hosted its annual Ramadan Sohour around the pool where all the invitees had enjoyed an exquisite night filled with mouthwatering treats, special shisha flavors and stunning summer breeze.

STARWOOD EGYPT HONOURS THE MEDIA FIGURES Le Meridien Cairo Airport has recently organized an elegant Iftar event to honour the media figures. The event was held at the terrace of “Evoo” restaurant around the swimming pool where all the guests were very impressed with the stunning view and expressed their admiration for the elegant atmosphere and the entertainment program that included oriental “Takht”, in addition to the delicious Iftar and excellent services provided in tranquil setting and relaxing ambience. 59 IDENTITY AUGUST 2014

OUT & ABOUT

FOUR SEASONS HOTELS & RESORTS EGYPT MEDIA GATHERING Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts Egypt hosted its annual media gathering for a delightful Iftar at Bella restaurant, the little Italy in the heart of Cairo at Four Seasons Nile Plaza. Cairo’s media moguls mingled in a welcoming atmosphere, where everyone’s heart melted at the delicious, luscious menu. The management team and invitees spent the evening in a warm friendly spirit and magnificent venue with views of the majestic Nile.

ADIDAS SOHOUR AT GOURMET CAFE adidas, official sponsor of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, hosted a semi-final sohour in Cairo on July 9 at Café Gourmet where media enjoyed the match between Argentina and the Netherlands. Argentina and Germany, both sponsored by adidas, were featured in the finals, making adidas proud! Lucky drawing winners took home limited edition World Cup brazuca final rio balls and Argentina team gear! 60 IDENTITY AUGUST 2014

CONRAD CAIRO ANNUAL IFTAR Conrad Cairo held its annual iftar at Oak Grill restaurant attended by the top media & press figures. The attendees enjoyed the Ramadan Charming atmosphere, the delicious iftar and the shisha flavors served overlooking the Nile at Jayda open air restaurant. They expressed their admiration for the place and considered it as the best place to spend an elegant Ramadan evening. The attendees were welcomed by Mr. Jean-Pierre Mainardi the General Manager of Conrad Cairo and Nehal Fahim the assistant Public relations Manager.

THE LARGEST IFTAR BANQUET IN EGYPTIAN HISTORY Unilever Mashreq, represented by Knorr and Lipton, have cooperated with the Egyptian Food Bank and the Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade to hold Egypt’s largest Iftar banquet in Egyptian history as part of its new initiative known as “Kamel Karamak”. The initiative aims at increasing awareness of how much food Egyptians waste and how we can use leftovers to create healthy, whole means. 61 IDENTITY AUGUST 2014

OUT & ABOUT

KHAYRAZAD IFTAR PARTY AT FAIRMONT HELIOPOLIS & TOWERS For the 3rd consecutive year, Fairmont Heliopolis & Towers and Khayrazad held a remarkable event full of excitement, inviting 150 girls from the orphanage of “Mebart El Mara’a El Gadida” for a special Iftar. After a delicious buffet, the guests hit the dance floor and an exclusive entertainment was organized for the girls. Celebrity guests including Sherry Adel, Hesham Maged and Amir Shahin were present and helped make this party a memorable one.

SI OMAR AT FAIRMONT HELIOPOLIS & TOWERS For the second consecutive year Fairmont Heliopolis & Towers joined forces with each of Events Plus, Event House and Promovision to launch the grand opening of the vibrant “Si Omar” pool lounge, bringing back one of the best festive destinations in Cairo. Guests watched the Netherlands go head to head with Spain for one of the most anticipated World cup draws on massive screens and lived the FIFA World Cup experience as they enjoyed an exquisite night, filled with mouth-watering treats, live band, amazing shisha and an incredible atmosphere by Fairmont’s stunning pool. 62 IDENTITY AUGUST 2014

RAMADAN NIGHTS AT THE PATIO OF THE CAIRO MARRIOTT HOTEL The Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar El Khayyam Casino held its annual media sohour this year at the “Patio”. The Patio is set in the middle of the khedivial gardens of the palace with magnificent marble floors and fountains that date back since the “Gezirah Palace” was built. The whole patio was set up to reflect a Ramadan Flair with authentic food and beverage stations all around that serve traditional Ramadan items such as grilled sweet potatoes, grilled corn cobs, and many more Ramadan delights.

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OUT & ABOUT

THE CHARMS “STYLE ME TO SPARKLE” EVENT AT THE JW MARRIOTT CAIRO! JW Marriott Cairo hosted a spectacular fashion event for the Charms JW Ladies Society members where the guest speaker Rania D’Angelo explicitly describes the different shapes and styles of women and which colors and cuts fit them most.

CELEBRATING RAMADAN WITH TOP CLIENTS AT RADISSON BLU HOTEL CAIRO HELIOPOLIS Radisson Blu Hotel Cairo Heliopolis has celebrated the holy month of Ramadan with its media partners and key accounts to a Sehour dinner. The event took place at the rooftop pool located at the 9th floor with a panoramic view, the event started with a DUO live show entertained the distinguished guests which completed the setting for a memorable evening. 64 IDENTITY AUGUST 2014

MAJID AL FUTTAIM SOHOUR Media meets with Majid Al Futtaim Team for Sohour, highlighting latest City Centre Maadi and City Centre Alexandria developments and its signature Mall of Egypt located in Giza scheduled to open in 2016.

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OUT & ABOUT

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own dies.

SAILS LOUNGE A NEW TRENDY ASIAN FOOD EXPERIENCE AT FOUR SEASONS RESORT SHARM EL SHEIKH Boasting the best Asian fusion cuisine in Sharm El Sheikh, Sails lounge offers a daily inspired cuisine presenting guests with a tantalizing a la carte menu showcasing fresh local meat, fish and seafood and is served throughout the week on a rotating basis. CHEF MARCO ALBAN, NEW EXECUTIVE CHEF AT FOUR SEASONS HOTEL CAIRO AT NILE PLAZA It is with great pleasure to announce Chef Marco Alban, one of the finest Chefs worldwide, as the new Executive Chef at Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza. Chef Marco believes that experimenting and improving is the key to his success.

HURGHADA RESORT SUPPORTS LOCAL ECONOMY THROUGH JOB CREATION Hilton Hurghada Long Beach Resort is supporting the local economy by providing job opportunities for residents of surrounding communities following the staging of two recent job fairs in the area. MR. JOHN KERRY AT LE MERIDIEN CAIRO AIRPORT Le Meridien Cairo Airport recently hosted Mr. John Kerry, US Secretary of State, at a press conference with Mr. Sameh Shoukri , Egyptian Foreign Minister, during Mr. Kerry’s latest visit to Egypt.

EMAAR CELEBRATES RAMADAN WITH THOUSANDS OF EGYPTIAN FAMILIES Emaar Misr, joined the people of Mokattam, Mansheyet Nasser, Deweka, Sidi Abd El Raham, Luxor and Sinai in celebrating the holy month of Ramadan and distributed over 6000 Ramadan bags containing food supplies sufficient for a family of 5 for the whole month.

CELEBRITIES & BLOGGERS SHARE THEIR CANS AND COMPETE FOR LIKES! What has been the latest highlight of social media is people taking pictures of soda cans with their names on it; or at least creating a digital copy of a can that bears their name. Celebrities are also sharing pictures of their customized cans and it seems that their fans are reacting to these posts in a crazy fashion. Drama series superstar, Mostafa Shaaban, was able to get 34 thousand likes over his pictures on Instagram in a span of 2 hours!

AWARD-WINNING MARRIOTT REWARDS TO LAUNCH FLASHPERKS LAUNCHING FEMTO-LAZER, AN EVOLUTION LED Marriott Rewards – Marriott 11/19/12 11:58 AM BY MAGRABI International’s awardIn a country that chose to rise up, develop and winning loyalty program– modernize in all aspects, the health sector is on the recently announced top list of Egypt’s revival. With this strategy in mind, FlashPerks, a new way for Magrabi Hospitals and Centers are leading their next generation travelers to on-going growth in fighting cataract in Egypt and the enjoy immediate awards and Middle East. instant gratification. Marriott SPARKLING WEDDING… UNDER THE Rewards members can take SPARKLING STARS advantage of time sensitive Radisson Blu Hotel, Alexandria brings you offers from Marriott’s global the touch of marvelous love celebration portfolio of brands and its in the most luxurious manner. Delivering partners. Members will be superlative services, wide array of menus able to choose from a variety and vivid views.The hotel enjoys unique of experiences during stays, location at the tip of the Northern Coast or whenever they travel via road in the heart of the new elegant “push” messaging to their compound Alex West which reflects more mobile devices or through privacy and flair on the property. the FlashPerks site. 66 IDENTITY AUGUST 2014

SHERATON MIRAMAR CELEBRATED 15 YEARS OF SUCCESS WITH SPG Sheraton Miramar Resort El Gouna organized a series of training sessions amongst hotel associates to raise their awareness about the program and its benefits.

BARCLAYS BANK EGYPT CELEBRATES THE LAUNCH OF PRESTIGE BANKING DURING ANNUAL MEDIA SOHOUR Prestige Banking is an innovative service launched out of the bank’s keenness to become The Go To Bank by making banking as convenient and easy for customers as possible. Prestige Banking resulted from vigorous research into customer needs, which have shown that customers want professional guidance in taking their financial and banking decisions, debit card with greater limits and enhanced benefits, unlimited ATM withdrawals and 24/7 customer service through the Barclays call centre.

EID FESTIVITIES AT KEMPINSKI NILE HOTEL & KEMPINSKI HOTEL SOMA BAY Enjoy one of the following exclusive Eid packages from July 28th to August 2nd 2014. Enjoy Madina Junior Suite at Kempinski Nile Hotel package which includes breakfast for 2 guests, Set menu for lunch or dinner for 2 guests, Complimentary parking for one car per room, 10% discount at F&B outlets, Madina Deluxe Room upgrade to Nile Deluxe Room, all for EGP 1,699. For Kempinski Hotel Soma Bay EGP 1400 per double lagoon room per night on half board basis. Rates include taxes and service charges

SAMSUNG RENEWS COMMITMENT TO DONATE DURING RAMADAN Samsung Electronics Egypt, has announced its plans to kick off its fourth Ramadan 5-a side football tournament running from the 3rd of July till the 22nd of July at Mall of Arabia. The tournament will witness 30 teams from Egyptian companies compete to raise fund that’ll be donated to Magdy Yacoub’s heart foundation

ADVENTURE MEETS FUN AT PORTO MARINA Get set for a great summer ahead at Porto Marina and Golf Porto Marina. After a long month of fasting in the hustle and bustle of the city, Amer Group kicks off its seasonal summer bounce on the shores of the Mediterranean. Gather your family and friends; dine in a refreshing setting of ambient surroundings with the latest culinary additions to Porto Marina. Let your little ones join the fun with Papa Porto as he brings you the Smurfs and Gino the magician and don’t miss the different bazars this summer. And you can also enjoy the experience of Ifly, fly board, bungee jump and Music Hall Concert at Porto Marina. Get ready for an overwhelming experience as Golf Porto Marina sets the stage for super star Enrique Iglesias on his second visit to Egypt for the first time in the North Coast. Share the summer spirit with your family at Porto Marina and Golf Porto Marina with many surprises in store for you. 67 IDENTITY AUGUST 2014

BBQ FESTIVAL AT HILTON ZAMALEK Come along with your loved one and enjoy our BBQ festival every night on the pool deck at the Terrace by the Nile, Fridays and Saturdays from 2:00pm until midnight, feel the Nile breeze and smoke your favorite Shisha in front of the best scene of the magnificent Nile from Zamalek Island. Special menus and arrangements for birthdays and special events For reservation please call: 01001604031

JABRA SPORT WIRELESS+ The Sport Wireless + headset give you maximum sound with minimal stress. With no wires to hold you back, working-out to your favourite tracks is a breeze and includes a three month free subscription to Edomondo Premium. Tested to the extreme, these headphones are durable, slip-proof and shock resistance. Jabra has finally landed in Egypt and is changing the way we listen to music!

FASHION HOROSCOPE

PISCES You are feeling joyful this summer. Some people may be jealous of your happiness but just ignore them and brush them off or better yet tease them with your CHANEL watch.

ARIES It is important to keep your balance and your health. Monitor your eating habits and have a strict exercise schedule. Keep track of your exercise times with this MICHAEL KORS watch.

TAURUS It’s time dear Taurus to enjoy yourself! This is a time for you to relax and unwind. So spoil and treat yourself to some real luxuries like a spa visit or this gorgeous white gold ROLEX.

GEMINI There’s a lot of energy coursing through your body and you are ready to meet new people and do new things! Explore the world in style wearing MARC BY MARC JACOBS.

CANCER Be careful a demanding person trying to make serious changes to your lifestyle. Be clear that you are your own person and show off your pride with this CHRISTIAN KOBAN black watch.

LEO You’ve been losing control of your life lately. It’s time for a little down time. Spend some time reflecting on your thoughts and gain control of your life in VIVIENNE WESTWOOD.

VIRGO Take extra care of your health this summer, enjoy the sunshine and build up some energy. You’re going to be busy at work. Keep track of your schedule with this gold CARTIER.

LIBRA You are not in the mood to spend all that money you saved up on extravagant things or even a vacation. Keep it simple and go for ASOS.

SCORPIO It looks like it will be all about work this summer! The good news is the money will keep rolling in. Find an affordable watch to match your style like BOUCHERON.

CAPRICORN You will meet new people which might lead you to change your circle of friends and bring a much needed change. Impress your new friends with this KATE SPADE glitter watch.

AQUARIUS Fill your summer up with activities. You have some time to give back and help people with charities and causes close to your heart. Wear TAG HEUER to aid your scheduling..

SAGITTARIUS You are full of energy and feeling good! You are feeling impatient and that could strain you. You’ve got all the time you need with this LA MER watch.

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