MARCH MARCH 2015 2015 - 15- L.E. 15 L.E. VOLUME VOLUME 10, 10, ISSUE ISSUE 5 5 WWW.IDENTITY-MAG.COM WWW.IDENTITY-MAG.COM
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IDENTITY editor’s note
MARCH 2015 - 15 L.E. VOLUME 10, ISSUE 5 WWW.IDENTITY-MAG.COM
FEEL EMPOWERED THROUGH FASHION
plus SPRING
TRENDS
ARMY, ALL-WHITE, & MANY MORE...
FEMINISM IS NOT ONLY FOR WOMEN The Forgotten Girls Code...
THE FRIENDSHIP POT
Embrace
“What happens when this sacred bond is indefinitely broken?" SEE PAGE 16
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PHOTOGRAPHER ABDALLAH RUSHDI MODEL RACHEL SIMPSON FASHION STYLIST AHMED NABIL MAKEUP ARTIST DIANA HARBY COVER DESIGN MOHAMED MAHER
very March, I get a mental freeze. I don’t know what to discuss or tackle. It’s a challenge I take upon myself to come out with an exceptional issue. I have been preoccupied for some time with heart-breaking personal issues so this issue, I consider, is my comeback to what this magazine is originally about. Women Empowerment is what it is all about. The power within each and every woman to achieve her dream and stand out. We have interviewed nine women from all aspects of life showing a glimpse of their personalities and ambitions. They don’t have to be your role models; they are only women, like you and me, who wanted to find a place in this world. They did something different, each in her unique way, fulfilling their hopes and dreams. We hope they inspire you as much as they inspired us and help you in your life quest. ☺
Rola Kamel
PUBLISHER & MANAGING EDITOR
AUGMENTED REALITY Identity has teamed up with Nazra to get you the latest technology available in the market. Augmented reality takes you on a ride in this printed issue fulfilling your senses with things you would never have dreamt feasible. Enjoy to the max! SCANBO Scanbo is a visual browsing app using image-recognition and augmented reality technologies] to overlay the physical world with digital content via the device’s camera. Users download the Scanbo app to smartphones, tablets and then scan images to unlock interactive digital content. Scanbo images (‘markers’) can be found on
Scanbo partner products, packaging, printed pages, adverts, outdoor marketing and screens Scanbo can launch anything a phone or tablet can do, including mobile games, videos, music, weblinks, PDF downloads, opinion polls and image galleries WHO WE ARE? We are Nazra a company founded in 2013 building interactive and online solutions (website mobile app. …etc……) , using one of the most eyed on technology for the future called augmented reality , developed and designed by a very passionate team , in early 2014 the company made couple of partnerships to scale its interactive solutions segment.
PUBLISHER & MANAGING EDITOR ROLA KAMEL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF NAWAL ISMAIL COPY-EDITOR AMINA EL FAYOUMY JUNIOR EDITORS MIRANA TERA, AHMED HICHAM, FERAS ZAIN INTERN SHADEN KHALIL CONTRIBUTING WRITER MARWA SABAH, AMINA ABDEL-HALIM ON-LINE WRITERS RAGHDA EL-SAYED, HAYA ARAFA, MALAK NAGUIB RELATIONSHIP EXPERT MARWA RAKHA SOCIOLOGY EXPERT MICHAEL RYAN THE FLORAL FEDORA FOUNDER & FASHION EDITOR HEBA MORTADA HEAD GRAPHIC DESIGNER MOHAMED MAHER MARKETING AND ADVERTISING MANAGER RIHAM YEHIA DIGITAL MEDIA SENIOR NOURHAN YEHIA DIGITAL MARKETING SPECIALIST STEVE NABEEL 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
IDENTITY contents
IDENTITY way of life
8 ARE YOU READY TO HAVE A BABY? 10 DEALING WITH HARASSMENT 12 WORKING-LIFE BALANCE 14 SIX THINGS EVERY MUM CANNOT STAND ABOUT HER KIDS
16 DEALING WIITH DIVORCE 18 FEMINISM IS NOT ONLY FOR WOMEN
20 WHAT MAKES WOMEN SUCCESSFUL?
IDENTITY lifestyle
22 MOTHER’S DAY GIFTS
24 THE HOTTEST HAIRSTYLES FOR SPRING 2015
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26 FEEL EMPOWERED THROUGH
44 SARA HEGAZY... MASTERING
FASHION
FASHION ENGINEERING
28
SPRING 2015’S MOST
FASHIONABLE TRENDS
IDENTITY how you got there
46 SAMIRA KHALIL... ROCKING THE POM POMS
48 REEM EL-MORSHEDY... THE WOMAN WHO CAPTURED OUR
34 NEVEEN EL TAHRI... RULING
HEARTS WITH HER ‘KEBDAH’
THE BROKERAGE FIELD
IDENTITY perspective
36 TARA EMAD... BEYOND THE DESIGNER BEHIND ARKAN
50 EMPOWERING WOMEN 52 THE FRIENDSHIP POT 54 ABORTION 56 WHERE TO TAKE YOUR FIRST
COLLECTION
LOVE ON MOTHER’S DAY
RUNWAY
38 RANIA FAHMY... THE INTERIOR 40 MARWA ABOUT LEILA... THE WOMAN BEHIND PHOTOPIA
42 BOSAINA... IN THE HOUSE
IDENTITY bits & pieces
57 SNAPS & LATEST NEWS 64 HOROSCOPES
BBQ BRUNCH THE MOOD FI Z Z ES, THE FOOD SI Z Z LES.
CAIRO MARRIOTT HOTEL & OMAR KHAY YAM CASINO 16 SARAY EL GEZIRA ST., PO BOX 33 ZAMALEK, CAIRO 11211, EGYPT. T: 00. 202.27.28.3000 CAIROMARRIOTTHOTEL.COM ARABIC.MARRIOTT.COM
I T ’ S F U N , I T ’ S F A M I LY, IT’S SHOWTIME … Weekends at the Marriott bring it all together as our chefs man the grills to cook up a storm and rewrite the ‘BBQ’ menu for the best Brunch in town. Try the chipotle and smoky sweet beef ribs, grilled fish in banana leaves or Moroccan baby lamb chops to go with Mexican and Jambalaya rice. There are veggie options too plus the traditional ‘BBQ’ favourites. Join the ‘Brunch Bunch’ on Friday & Saturday at the Garden Promenade Café.
IDENTITY way of life Dear Newly Married,
I salute you for your wisdom and level of maturity! I am positive that you and your husband will make great parents once you decide that you are ready. Here are a few tips on readiness: 1) Your marriage is stable, peaceful, and mostly happy. There will always be differences and arguments but their frequency and their lasting impact on your relationship are key to consider when thinking of having a baby. Do not think that having a baby will solve your problems or fix the marriage itself. 2) You are both ready and willing to take the slow lane in life for at least three years. This means that your careers will slow down or be put on hold, your social life will change dramatically, and your outings will be planned with many considerations for the little bundle of joy. 3) You are both ready to make adjustments to your lifestyle; what you eat, drink, and smoke will impact your baby. What are you willing to give up? 4) Are you both ready to give this baby what it needs the most? Time! Your baby’s main requirement is quality time with his parents! 5) Financially speaking, can you afford to take time off work?
Are you facing some struggles in your relationship? Send us your problem to: sendus@identity-mag.com and our relationship expert, Marwa Rakha, will be happy to help you out!
ARE YOU READY TO HAVE A BABY?! Dear Marwa, I am newly married to a wonderful man! Before marriage, we have agreed to postpone having children for at least one year until we were both ready. Here are my questions: 1) How do we know we are ready to have a baby? 2) What do we need to do to prepare ourselves for such a big change?
As for preparations, there are so many things the two of you need to read about, discuss, and decide upon. For example: 1) Your birth options (where, when, how, and who will attend) 2) Your birth plan (all the things you want or do not want during the birth itself) 3) What kind of parenting are you both adopting? 4) Decisions on breastfeeding, co-sleeping or not, carrying the baby, soothing the baby, etc 5) Decisions on circumcision, and vaccine schedule 6) Decisions on when you are going back to work 7) Decisions on who will take care of the baby when you are at work 8) How involved or uninvolved do you want your mothers to be? 9) What roles will you both have once the baby is born? How involved does your husband want to be? 10) Both of you need to open up about your childhoods and childhood memories and decide what are the experiences that you want to repeat with your baby and what are the things that you want to avoid/change. Emotionally speaking, you need to clearly tell your husband how to support you! Men are clueless when it comes to how a pregnant woman feels and they have no idea what postpartum depression feels like. If you feel tired, ask for help – this is a rule that will last forever!
Marwa Rakha
RELATIONSHIP EXPERT
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IDENTITY way of life
DEALING WITH HARASSMENT
Harassment is an increasingly alarming issue in Egypt; we’re trying to bring everyone’s attention to how bad it has become lately. Women should never feel ashamed or keep quiet if they’re subjected to either verbal or physical harassment; it’s simply unacceptable.
“People would chase me with their car and keep closing in on me to check out what I’m wearing, what is wrong with them?!”
I asked multiple women from different age groups about their experiences with harassment on the street and how they dealt with it. Most answers were almost identical, here’s what they had to say:
I think we should all take a united stand against harassment; here are some tips on how to avoid harassment and how to deal with harassers:
“I always get physically harassed on the bus but I’m too scared to react, so I let my harassers get away with it because I believe more would join if I scream” “The worst are the school kids; they always try to tease each other by comparing who’s COOLER” “Whenever I get verbally harassed, I always turn around, shout at the top of my lungs and make a huge scene” “I almost got raped because I wouldn’t scream or shout, but now I started beating them up if they came anywhere near me”
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It is no laughing matter; we all have to feel safe, if not in our own country then where?
* Always carry pepper spray or a Taser. * Don’t let them come anywhere near you or touch you, show them hell. * Enroll in a self-defense class. * Learn how to avoid getting grabbed or touched by harassers, fight back and teach them a lesson. * Avoid big crowds. It’s always easier to attack in big crowds. * Always make a scene. Most of them are cowards; they get scared if you make a scene.
Feras Zain
JUNIOR EDITOR
IDENTITY way of life
WORK-LIFE BALANCE Nowadays, women are equal to men when it comes to work and career development. Some women hold higher executive positions than their male counterparts. It’s a lot more complicated for women though; they have to juggle work and family life when they have families of their own. The problem is that sometimes they are still expected to keep up with “their duties” even if they are working equally hard and providing for the house just like their hubbies. Ambitious women, however, dream about a work/life balance or the more fashionable and logical ‘work/life Integration’-where work and life intertwine and are not completely separate-. Here are some tips to help achieve that ‘work-life integration’:
BE ORGANIZED: It’s the key to everything really: • Your Time: When you are very busy trying to accomplish endless tasks during the day, time becomes your most precious asset. You need to utilize it smartly by learning to prioritize and say No from time to time. Invest in a proper planner and ALWAYS carry a to-do-list. • Your Home and Working Space: You need to live and work in an organized environment; it would save you time and optimize your efficiency. LEARN TO DELEGATE: Delegation is harder for some people than others. If you’re after a balanced life, you need to start delegating authority. If you’re an entrepreneur, you need to slowly let go and start depending more on your team to get the job done. You are going to have to practice delegation at home too; you don’t have to do everything yourself. If you’re married, you don’t have to be solely responsible for cooking, cleaning and helping the children with their homework. Divide up the work load between you and your husband.
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COMMUNICATE: Communication is a key to success. You never get what you don’t ask for; it’s a golden rule. Communicate with your family; tell them what you expect of them. If you want your kids to tidy up their rooms, ask them; if you want your hubby to help with cooking, let him know; if your work load has become intolerable, communicate it to your boss; they might all surprise you. Stop expecting things to happen on their own; you need to address people around you and ask for the help you need. STAY CONNECTED TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS: Never underestimate the value of relationships or allow your work to takeover these irreplaceable bonds. No matter how infrequent, you need to allocate quality time to those you really care about. Set a monthly date to get together with your siblings and relatives, and another with your friends to maintain the connection. Never underestimate the checking up phone calls or the birthday calls. Similarly, quality time spent with your children shouldn’t be serious all the time; sometimes an hour of chatting, reading, or playing is much more fun than 5 hours wasted in front of the TV. Finally, never forget your priorities and always try to find work that suits your lifestyle. If you found these tips unhelpful or you are totally breaking down, try looking for a more flexible job, start your own business, or work from home. Most importantly, believe in yourself and have faith that you CAN do it!!
Mirana Tera JUNIOR EDITOR
IDENTITY way of life
SIX THINGS EVERY MUM CANNOT STAND ABOUT HER KIDS one TUPAC VS MOZART
“Eh el araf el ento betesma3ooh dah!” Most mums were born in a time when music was still music, played with actual instruments, and not just loud, mixed sounds of… whatever. No matter how “dope” that dubstep is, she will make you turn it down.
two AMN EL DAWLA
Every mum wishes she could spy on her kids and know everything that goes on in their lives. Who they have a crush on, who they’re texting all day, what they talk about with their friends… Mothers of the world, trust me, you’re better off that way: what you don’t know can’t hurt you.
three «BAS YA MAMA ANA FASHIONISTA»
Fashion trends change overtime, and each year people wear different styles, different accessories… Yes, the fashion changes but, NO, your mama’s taste doesn’t. If there’s one thing mums hate, it’s teenage fashion. Ripped jeans and piercing will always be trashy, and don’t even think about asking for a tattoo. Oh, and yes, she will insist on going shopping with you and choosing your haircut, because «that hairstyle would make you look stupid».
four LIVING ROOM AKA BOXING RING
“Mama, darabni!”, “Heya ebtadet!”, and “Kadaba!” If you have one or more siblings, you’re probably familiar with 24/7-pointless-arguments-that-lead-absolutely-nowhere. And then, one of you ends up telling your mom. Well, let me tell you something: your mom hates that. When she decided to have children she probably expected you’d all hold hands and tell secrets while braiding each other’s hair. She doesn’t want to know who started it, she doesn’t want to know what’s going on, and she will send each one of you to a different room because there is no such thing as democracy in this house and she is a fierce dictator, DEAL WITH IT!
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five EL BEIT MSH LOCANDA! Going out to the club with your friends, sleeping over at your friend’s house, eating out everyday, coming home only to say ‘hi’ then lock yourself in your room… Surely, we all need a social life, but mums just hate the fact that we go out all the time. “El beit msh locanda!” When you’re home, she expects you to sit with her, not lock yourself up in your room, even if you’re dead tired.
six EL HEBAB EL ENTI MASKAH FIH EIDIK!
Bad grades? El hebab ele fih eidik dah! Break something? Wallahi ana ghaltana eni gebtelek telefone aslan! Even though she bought it for you, your mum hates the amount of time you spend on your phone, and consequently blames absolutely everything on that poor cellphone. Nehayet el 3alam? Tab3an 3ashan el zeft el enti maskah tool el nahar dah.
Your mum may seem like a total pain sometimes, but deep down, you know you love that she cares enough to guide you through life... And you know what? Sometimes she’s right. Kefaya 7ob fel telephone! Go read a book. GOSH.
Amina Abdel-Halim CONTRIBUTING WRITER
“always remember to smile”
Dr. Mohamed Emad
Tel: 01110551777 - 01066777295 Address: 123 Hassan El Ma’mon st., in front of El Ahly Sporting Clup, Nasr City, Cairo
IDENTITY way of life
DEALING WITH DIVORCE Marriage isn’t just about two people who love each other and hastily decide to tie the knot to live happily ever after. It’s a lifetime commitment to share your dreams, responsibilities, identity, family, and your whole life with just one person.... That’s the difference between a relationship and MARRIAGE!! What happens when this sacred bond is indefinitely broken? It leaves you feeling hollow and lost, and you find yourself trying hard to accommodate to your new situation. Of course, that feeling of loss multiplies when you have kids in the equation. Everything changes when you get divorced, even your personal relationships with extended family, relatives, and friends. You start from point zero where you have to re-plan, re-build, and re-adapt. The most important thing is to take it easy on yourself, and have faith that you can move on. It can be hard sometimes; however, there are a few tips that can help make it a bit easier on you:
Talk About It: You should talk about it, accept your mood swings, and never feel ashamed. Talk to a trustworthy friend, relative or find a reputable therapist. However, take care not to speak negatively about your ex-wife/husband to your kids or bad mouth her/him in front of them. You could also try to search for a support group of other divorced friends.
Set a New Fixed Routine for Yourself: It helps you adapt to your new lifestyle and replace your old one with a fresh routine that involves things you love. Explore new interests; that should keep you busy and take your mind off your problems for a while.
Slow Down a Bit: Don’t forget that you’re going through hard times and don’t be ashamed to cut yourself a bit slack. You can decrease your work capacity and accept the fact that your energy levels are running low. But there’s a huge difference between slowing down and throwing your life away; take care not to fall in that trap.
Take Care Of Yourself: Take care of yourself physically and emotionally. Stay away from smoking, alcohol and drugs, because you’ll never find a true comfort in them–at least not permanently.- Take time out daily or weekly to meditate, get a massage, or visit a spa, and do not allow yourself to neglect your health or wellbeing.
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IDENTITY way of life located in Europe. People think that feminism means a woman has to get a job, live single, and dress in trousers at work, but feminism is about giving the woman the right to stay at home if she chooses to do so; to raise her kids. Feminism isn’t man hating; it’s simply calling for equality. In the west, where the feminist movement is huge, there are still people who believe men and women should not have equal pay. As for Egypt, I honestly don’t know what could be done except to educate the masses and create awareness; that’s always the key. You would need to start up movements and develop campaigns all over the country.
FEMINISM IS NOT ONLY FOR WOMEN... IT’S FOR EVERYBODY Many people seem to misunderstand feminism; to me it’s unnegotiable. Feminism is having the freedom to make your own choices and to live your life freely without being constantly judged. Feminism is a collection of movements and ideologies aimed at defining, establishing, and defending equal political, economic, and social rights for women. In a country that has so many restraints tying women down, how do you think it feels? Doesn’t it feel like death? Every time you walk down the street or get asked “who are you seeing?” at any social event, it feels like you’ve been cheated as a woman. You never get used to it and anyone who claims that it’s the norm is a disgrace to womanhood because women should not have to fear for their lives every time they leave their house, and they should not have to endure whistling and name calling because they were born females!
What do we believe needs to be done to change this perception about women? Educate the public, convincing them that women are equal to men is as bizarre to them as saying Egypt is
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Feminism isn’t something that many of us encounter in our daily lives, and some people are still unclear about what it really means, so we asked a feminist who wants to remain anonymous about how she was first introduced to feminism. Was it something she was aware of as she was growing up, or did it come much later? “Hmm... That’s difficult to say because for as long as I can remember, I have always been a feminist. I guess I became aware of the struggle of being a girl around the age of 14. I only started referring to myself as a feminist when I was around 15 because I realized that there’s a reason why I flinch every time guys tell each other “you run like a girl,” or call each other ‘women’ as an insult because it’s shameful to be a woman. That was the reason I became a feminist at heart even if I did not know the exact term for it. I was also introduced to the whole idea when I started reading the news about the increasing rape cases as well as women’s protests rallies.” Awareness on feminism is growing, but we equally have to tackle sexism; we should work on making women believe that they are equals and not just sex objects. We need to have campaigns and organizations that encourage women who have encountered sexism in their workplace or have been abused by their husbands, to speak up and convince them that they have to stand up for their rights. If no one sheds light on what really takes place, we will not see any progress or change.
If I have to label 5 major areas they would be: * Harassment * Name and shame policy * Being told to ‘get back in the kitchen’ or ‘make me a sandwich” * Rape * People telling women to “brush it off” when harassed or get treated in a degrading manner.
Feras Zain
JUNIOR EDITOR
IDENTITY way of life
WHAT MAKES WOMEN SUCCESSFUL? Women have every right to be equal to their male counterparts, always striving to better and improve themselves. The CEOs of IBM and YouTube are both women who prove that male dominant tech industries don’t necessarily have to be run by men. One of the most-watched talk shows worldwide is hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, a female comedian, who took home more Emmy awards than her fellow male hosts (Fallon, Conan, and Kimmel). The following are five traits that smart, beautiful and powerful females have in common: THEY ARE DEEPLY PASSIONATE ABOUT WHAT THEY DO. They love what they do; nothing holds them back them from reaching for the stars, growing further and always staying on top of their game. FAILURE GOES HAND-IN-HAND WITH SUCCESS. They believe that failure is a prerequisite for success; in order to grow and develop you have to learn from mistakes and past experiences.
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THEY ARE ALWAYS RISK TAKERS They are innovative always venturing in new and unexpected endeavours. That’s one of the core reasons why they are successful and thrive at what they do. THEY MAKE SURE TO SCHEDULE ‘ALONE’ TIME Taking time off to unwind and relax is highly crucial; they cherish their ‘me’ time away from work and the kids. They believe it helps them recharge, rejuvenate and come back feeling less stressed, more productive and focused. THEY TAKE CARE OF THEIR PHYSICAL APPEARANCE Taking good care of their career and family does not distract them from looking after themselves; they are willing to spend a fortune to enhance their physical appearance. They are religious about detox programs which cleanse their bodies and follow strict dietary and nutritional routines to stay in shape. They buy the latest skin & beauty products to have a glowing and radiant complexion.
IDENTITY lifestyle
MOTHER’S DAY GIFTS WHAT’S YOUR MOTHER’S PERSONALITY ?
LEADER Gucci: ionic black opulent volume mascara or ipad air 2.
EASY GOING AND ENERGETIC Hilfiger Woman Flower Marigold or Hip hop salon pro nail polish.
EMOTIONAL AND PEOPLE ORIENTED (FRIENDLY) Lanvin: Marry Me! Confettis (limited edition) or LaCoste femme.
WHAT ARE HER HOBBIES?
READING The power of habit: why we do what we do in life and business by Charles Duhigg.
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COOKING Mr.Bar.B.Q 18 Piece Gourmet Stainless Steel Tool Set or Black & Decker waffle maker.
SINGING AND LISTENING TO MUSIC You can take her to Cairo Opera House or Songs of 80s such as: Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean.
HOW FREQUENT DOES YOUR MOTHER GO OUT?
HOME ORIENTED OR SHE DOESN’T WORK A surprise party at home and bringing all what she likes at home. Bring her favorite drink and food, decorate the home, and cupcakes will make the day sweeter and better.
FREQUENTLY GO OUT OR A WORKER Crave in Zamalek and Arkan.
ALWAYS GO OUT OR A HARD WORKER Mandara spa at JW Marriott in Helipolis
www.crocs.com.eg | Facebook.com/crocsegypt
IDENTITY lifestyle
THE HOTTEST HAIRSTYLES FOR SPRING 2015 PONYTAILS: From high and sleek to loose and low, ponytails are going really strong this season giving you a comfortable feel and look.
BRAIDS/ BOHO WAVES: Braids have always been in, you can braid your hair in infinite ways that suits everyone. It’s not about a classic French braid anymore. Now, you can style your boho wavy hair with a couple of braids and it will look even trendier.
FRINGES: A Full, Fat and Flat fringe is in this season. If you want to really rock the look pair it with a shoulderlength haircut.
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IDENTITY lifestyle
FEEL EMPOWERED THROUGH FASHION
Fashion is essential to women’s empowerment. To a lot of women, fashion is a whole lot more than just shopping and staying updated with all the latest trends. In fact, throughout history and nowadays too, women use fashion as a deliberate way to convey who they are as a person and to express power and authority. It’s very important to view fashion as something that gives a woman a unique sense of style and individual identity so dress in ways that make you feel strong and special as a woman. And always remember, you can always dress in ways that make you feel not only strong and sophisticated, but also make you look beautiful at the same time. Here are three simple ways to portray both strength and style in your daily looks: A refined suit is a great way to present professionalism and strength through what you’re wearing. Use fashion as a way to elevate the regular suit by incorporating items such as cigarette trousers and blazers, and trends such as bold prints and pastel colours.
MEET THE PARENTS: Use pastel colours as a way to transform the classic suit into a sweet and feminine look that will allow you to meet the parents for the first time in total confidence.
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CASUAL GATHERING: Casual events are the perfect time to go bold with your fashion choices. So why not stand out as stylish and sophisticated with a printed suit?
FORMAL EVENT: Incorporate a bold colour to spice up a formal suit. Doing so will portray confidence, a great fashion sense, and professionalism at the same time.
A form fitting dress with long sleeves is feminine, trendy and shows class. You can style a long sleeve dress in different ways depending on the occasion.
SOCIAL GATHERING: Throwing on a statement necklace is a simple way to elevate a solid dress for a social event.
LADIES NIGHT: Transform a dress to a more fun look by adding colour through a sleek printed silk scarf.
DAY AT THE OFFICE: Add a formal, but feminine accessory to add style to a basic dress for a day at work.
The midi skirt is a really hot trend nowadays. You can pair it with different tops to create many different looks that will all not only prove that you are up to date with the latest trends, but you also know how to look classy and sophisticated. PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATION: Achieve a professional look by styling a midi skirt with a basic chiffon or silk blouse.
DATE NIGHT: Pair a midi skirt with a fashionable crochet top. This is a sweet pairing perfect for a date night.
PARTY TIME: Step it up for a party look by going for a daring leather top and tucking into your favourite midi skirt.
Heba Mortada
FOUNDER & FASHION EDITOR (WWW.THEFLORALFEDORA.COM)
identity-mag.com
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SPRING 2015’S MOST
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BRING OUT YOUR INNER SOLDIER Anything that has to do with military, is in this season. The bold accessories; chunky shoes and bags, Khaki shade, and army pattern were seen on S/S 2015 runways. Chanel matched classically Khaki pants with an Olive green conservative jacket, while Marc Jacobs chose a cooler way with a backpack that looked like the model was wearing suspenders.
ZARA
TOPSHOP
TOPSHOP
H&M
AMERICAN EAGLE
AMERICAN EAGLE
how to rock the trend
GAP
CHANEL
MARC JACOBS
IDENTITY lifestyle
VICTOR AND ROLF
CÉLINE
FASHIONABLE TRENDS
ERDEM
KIKI DE MONTPARNASSE
how to rock the trend
GIVENCHY BOLD AND CHEERFUL IN FLORAL Floral has been in for some time now, however, this season floral patterns aren’t tiny and cute like it used to be. This spring it’s all about bold floral patterns with striking colors shown in Céline S/S 2015 collection and with a more toned down appearance in Victor and Rolf S/S 2015 collection.
FOREVER 21
ZARA
H&M
identity-mag.com
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CHLOÉ
FENDI
IDENTITY lifestyle
YSL
how to rock the trend
GUCCI
M.I.H.
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MIU MIU
FOREVER 21 LEVI’S
ZARA
DENIM.. DENIM.. EVERYWHERE The most casual fabrics of all–Denim–was shown this spring on most of the fashion runways. Denim isn’t about trousers and jackets anymore; jumpsuits, rompers and dresses can be normally made out of denim now. This trend is bold and daring, tone it up or down with a pair of sandals and a cross-bag.
PIERRE BALMAIN
ISABEL MARANT HERMES
how to rock the trend TOP SHOP
FENDI
PIERRE HARDY
MANGO TROUSERS
ZARA
TAMARA MELLON
BOHEMIAN WHITE White has always been intriguing and elegant. It was never out of fashion. This season, wearing white from head-to-toe is one of the biggest trends. It was seen everywhere on S/S 2015 runways; with a casual twist in Isabel Marant, while Hermès twisted it with a more dreamy bohemian essence.
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN
Mirana Tera JUNIOR EDITOR identity-mag.com
* MAR 35
IDENTITY how you got there
Embrace Your POWER
PHOTOGRAPHY: Abdallah Rushdi FASHION STYLIST: Ahmed Nabil MODEL: Rachel Simpson MUA: Diana Harby SPECIAL THANKS TO: Sarah Samaha
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Egyptian women are starting to break the stereotypes, like models are attention seekers, producers and “Sogo2” stands are men’s work, women are starting to have jobs that aren’t only for women, it’s for everybody. And people who think women normally have to work harder than men, especially in the countries of Africa, Asia, and Latin America, these women prove that this stereotype is no longer in our lives, and here they are. Egyptian women are slowly but surely thrashing the stereotypical norms and traditions of our society; what used to be male dominant fields are now being more and more penetrated by female colleagues. Women have ventured in diverse debateable careers; they are now music producers, street vendors, investment bankers, interior and fashion designers. In many parts of the world, women work equally hard and provide financially for the household just like their male counterparts. It’s particularly challenging for them when they have to find the ‘right’ balance between work and family life.
“Where there is no struggle, there is no strength.” ~ Oprah Winfrey identity-mag.com
* MAR 37
IDENTITY how you got there
NEVEEN EL TAHRI... RULING THE BROKERAGE FIELD Neveen El Tahri is one of the women who proved that nothing is impossible. After graduating in 1980 from Cairo University Faculty of Economics & Political Science, and working in private sector for twelve years, Neveen decided to start her own company. She is also successful at her personal life; she is a wife, a mother and a grandmother too!
WAS IT RISKY TO START ONE OF THE FIRST BROKERAGE COMPANIES IN EGYPT IN A MALE DOMINANT FIELD? I worked with Egypt’s top private sector bank, Chase National Bank (now CIB), for 12 years before reaching what we call the glass ceiling and no longer enjoying the job. In May 1992, I took the toughest decision to resign giving up a secure salary to God knows what next; I took on a number of free consultancy jobs, as well as teaching. In 1993, the Capital Market law was under discussion and talk of bringing back our 40 year dormant stock exchange revival with brokerage licenses seemed interesting. When the executive regulations of Law 95 finally came out in 1994, it had me eligible, given my financial background, so I felt at par with everybody else in a new market. I started my first company and haven’t stopped since then. WHAT KIND OF STRUGGLES DID YOU FACE STARTING YOUR OWN COMPANY? 1) Obtaining the brokerage license was definitely the toughest. I had to take what is normally a couple of
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minutes oral exam in two hours because I was a woman in a man’s world. I was later told by a panel member “if we do give you the brokerage license, it is because of your good reputation as a banker but it will be at my own personal risk.” 2) On the exchange, the deals would be done between the boys and men together; we were 15 companies sitting around the Courbet and I was the only single woman being left out. Back then, it was us, the founders of the companies, who had to carry out the execution. 3) When employees were eventually allowed to do the execution, the founders had to gather information to analyze the company. It was almost as tough as handling a matter of national security. 4) On many occasions, the deals were negotiated during evening dinners or over drinks and as a woman with a husband and kids at home, I was not part. It took double if not triple the effort to become an accepted player.
5) My first loan was a tough struggle. Although finally granted by one of the reputable banks run by someone who knew me personally, they still requested signed blank checks and asked for my father to be a grantor…All the things I ask people never to accept nowadays was the only way forward back then. WE KNOW THAT YOU’RE BLESSED WITH A BEAUTIFUL FAMILY, HOW DID YOU MANAGE TO BALANCE YOUR CAREER AND PERSONAL LIFE? It would have never been possible without the family’s support; thanks to my understanding husband who wanted me to succeed and my mother in law who babysat my kids daily from 8-4 until I returned from work. I think any woman should clearly have her family as a priority; the time needed for the family is the most precious and important one. Everything else can always come later but not that time. Time management is the key to balance career and personal life, all usually at your personal account of sleeping or looking after yourself. I would take my kids to swim practice at 6AM then drive them to school before heading to the office, pick them up from my mother inlaw’s, go to football practice, arrive home to spend quality time with them and listen attentively to all their stories. After they go to bed, I would pull out the work that needed to be finished after working hours to achieve equal output to my colleagues at the credit department. However, you look back in time and you feel happy that you managed to balance your career and family. Today I am a grandma and the proud mother of Dina, who holds a PhD from Harvard Law School and teaches at Sciences Po in Paris. My son Tino has an MA from UCL and an MBA from INSEAD; he worked for Mckinsey before finally coming back to Egypt and launching UBER. God bless them. WHY HAVE YOU FOUNDED A FAMILY HOLDING COMPANY “DELTA FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS”? TO EXPAND? My first family holding company was named Delta Holding, which later became Delta Financial Investments. By 2007 we already had 3 companies, (ABN AMRO Delta Asset Management, Delta Securities Egypt and Delta Financial Investments), all with different partnerships. The aim was to have the holding company that would have all our family ownerships under one umbrella to facilitate future setting of good corporate governance. TELL US MORE ABOUT ‘DELTA SHIELD FOR INVESTMENT’. Delta Shield was established in 2008 with the aim of focusing on small and medium enterprises and acting as an incubator for start-ups and early stage start-ups. The focus was more on the small enterprises acting like an angel investor with hands on and providing full business development services to our chosen partners. Over a few years of trial and error investments, we ended up creating a nice unique model for the incubator with coworking space and business development support, and a
more advanced model for the accelerator and growth of companies aiming to grow and maybe list on one of the exchanges. Today these 2 businesses (incubator & accelerator) have been spun off to a management company “Delta Inspire”; Delta Shield has become an advisor for family businesses or medium-sized companies working on corporate governance. The aim is to transition these businesses to the next level in terms of succession, whilst preparing them to be more investable and bankable. ‘DELTA INSPIRE’ IS THE NEWEST COMPANY AND IT FUNDS NEW START-UPS. TAKE US THROUGH IT, IF ANY ENTREPRENEUR IS INTERESTED TO BE FUNDED. Delta Inspire is the management company described above, and is managing the “138 Pyramids” Fund (although in the form of an investment company). The name “138 Pyramids” comes from the fact that Egypt has 138 Pyramids; we chose the name to imply that the history of progressive Ancient Egypt was in the building of Pyramids and today we shall use the shaping of Egypt’s future also with Pyramids, in the form of Egyptian companies built by Egyptians. • What are the criteria of the entrepreneur? Preferably with a couple of years’ experience and not coming with an idea from scratch but an idea that has shown a keen demand already. The business has to have the ability to scale, locally and even beyond. More importantly the business can employ more people as it grows, both directly and indirectly. • How can they apply? They can log on to our website www.138pyramids.com and check out the criteria, Q&A and application. We arrange to meet them and access if they can become one of our upcoming 138 Pyramids. • How will you help them? We not only have seed money; we act like a one stop shop for entrepreneurs. From establishment, to strategically work on the future plans, make sure they have the legal partnership documents in place, have office space, an audit firm to pursue their financials along with the accountant to keep record, and investment bankers once partnerships or raising either debt or equity is needed. We also allocate an industry mentor to guide them from day one as well as having them on their boards. WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU GIVE YOUNG WOMEN IN THE FIELD AND WOMEN IN GENERAL? HOW CAN THEY FEEL EMPOWERED AND PURSUE THEIR CAREER? Women are much more entrepreneurial than they think; they have less pressure than men do as the expectations by virtue of our culture are less demanding. They can afford trial and error with more ease; let them go out and build or help build companies and be part of entrepreneurial businesses. Women are achievers; they focus more on self-fulfillment rather than material success. Let them seek the role they feel inspired to do and reach out for the support they want and they will get it; I bet they will succeed.
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IDENTITY how you got there
TARA EMAD... BEYOND THE RUNWAY Tara Emad is a 21-year-old Model and Actress, founder of the ‘Help From Your Heart’ charity foundation, multi-talented and winner of Miss teen Egypt, Africa and runner up to Miss teen universe. Photographed by: Herve Moutou
WHY DID YOU BECOME A MODEL? I’ve wanted to be a model ever since I was a child, I looked at magazines and fashion shows and told my mother that one day I’ll be on the runway. HOW DID YOU GET THE COURAGE TO JOIN IN MISS TEEN EGYPT, AFRICA AND THE UNIVERSE? It was one of my dreams to become Miss Egypt in one of the pageants. When I had the opportunity I went for it, went to Brazil competed in Miss Global Teen there and also got the title miss teen Africa in 2010. HOW DID YOU FEEL WHEN YOU GOT THOSE AWARDS? It felt really good actually, because I was representing my beloved country. It felt nice to show the world that Egypt has a lot of potential; beautiful and intellectual women, women who strive to show the world what Egypt beholds. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT GIRLS WHO PAY FOR THEIR PHOTO-SHOOT AND CALL THEMSELVES “MODELS”? I honestly think that it shows when they go to a real photo-shoot. I wish that these girls study and work on themselves to improve because we definitely need more models in Egypt. In Dubai, there are so many models so that when a designer comes from abroad he can choose whomever he wants. I, myself, took many courses with Shirley Shalaby. It’s a rising industry. Now, you can find a lot of MUA, photographers and designers. So, why not more models? Just prove that you are good.
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SINCE YOU’RE ONE OF THE TOP MODELS IN EGYPT AND THE MIDDLE EAST RIGHT NOW, DON’T YOU THINK IT’S TIME TO SIGN WITH AN INTERNATIONAL AGENCY AND STOP BEING YOUR MAMMA’S GIRL? I do have an international representation in Dubai. My agent there is Billie Mobayed “Life Model Management” and in Egypt I have a representation with Youssef Spahi. And I also have an international representation in Paris, Brazil and every country I went through my career. And about my mom, she’s one of the best. In the beginning, I was too embarrassed that mom is joining me during the shoot, but later on, I found out it’s the best benefit I can ever have because my mom knows me the best and she knows what’s best for me. Believe me it’s a blessing. NO, I would never change my mom being my manager. She handles all the technical things during any shoot.
WHAT WERE YOU THINKING WHEN YOU DID SPARKLE AD? AHHHHH Sparkle, I knew you were going to ask this one! Well, I was 15 or 16 when I did it. At that time they showed it for some time on TV and then stopped until the time of ‘Saheb EL Saada’, when they started showing it again. I won’t deny, they are smart BUT on my account and it’s sad that here in Egypt we don’t have any contract that fixes a limited duration for the advertisements. I WANT FREE SHAMPOO AT LEAST! WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PHOTO-SHOOT? My all time favourite was with Khaled Fadda and Maysa Azzab. “I’m Egyptian, what’s your super power?” And the 4 covers of ELLE of course. WHY HAVEN’T YOU EVER POSED FOR LINGERIE OR A BIKINI SHOOT? I don’t feel comfortable with it. I don’t do anything if I’m not 100% convinced and comfortable.
thought that maybe it’s time to make use of me being recognised as a person therefore I can help put a spotlight on specific issues to raise awareness -“Come help me to help those people”. Then in 2012, I thought of why not make my own charity foundation? I’ve used my connections with the charity foundations I worked with to help them also. When I was thinking of the name, I wanted it to mean something. So I called it “Help From Your Heart Foundation” Cause if you don’t do it from your heart it’s meaningless. ‘Help From Your Heart’ is a foundation that aims to raise awareness and help orphans and street children and anyone in need of education funds, basic needs, food, clothes, books, etc., Without the classification of gender or religion.
“IT FELT REALLY GOOD ACTUALLY, BECAUSE I WAS REPRESENTING MY BELOVED COUNTRY. IT FELT NICE TO SHOW THE WORLD THAT EGYPT HAS A LOT OF POTENTIAL; BEAUTIFUL AND INTELLECTUAL WOMEN, WOMEN WHO STRIVE TO SHOW THE WORLD WHAT EGYPT BEHOLDS.” IS THAT THE ONLY REASON OR THE ARABIC’S TRADITION IS A FACTOR AS WELL? Definitely, there is a side of this. But that’s not the main reason, I just don’t feel comfortable plus “The Egyptian tradition!” WOULD YOU EVER THINK ABOUT DITCHING MODELLING FOR ACTING? No, I would never ditch one for another. If I’m working on TV projects, I’ll put all my effort in it and try to fit in the schedule the photo-shooting if it comes up at the same time. Imagine this; you have to keep up with acting, modelling, friends, family etc… It’s hectic. But let’s state an important fact, I LOVE MODELLING. It got me where I am now. I would never say no to a photo-shoot unless it’s, literally, impossible to do. WE HEARD YOU HAVE A BROTHER CALLED AMR EMAD. HE’S A WELL KNOWN DJ. KNOWN AS DISCO MISR. IS THAT TRUE? No actually Amr Emad is my best friend but the confusion comes from our surnames. TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR CHARITY FOUNDATION “HELP FROM YOUR HEART” Well, that’s what I was raised on and it’s what I love most in my life. I always participated in charity events and I
HOW CAN PEOPLE VOLUNTEER? People can help by donating old clothes or you can buy our T-shirt which is for 50 LE and it goes to the families and children that we support. Also you can stay updated through our page with our events if we go and distribute anything if you want to join. WHO RECOMMENDED YOU FOR THE “SAHIB EL SAADA” SHOW? I was actually in Paris, I decided to focus on my modelling, and I even landed a big contract, it was a big thing for me, the day before I went to sign the contract my mother was in Egypt, she called me and said Tara, Mohamed Imam called, he and Adel want you in their TV series, so there was this long 20 second pause of really! When, where, how and why! It was a huge shock for me, because acting in front of Adel Imam is a huge step, it’s like bouncing 10 steps with your career. I didn’t hesitate I left the contract and Paris and went back the next day to meet Ramy Imam; we sat to talk about the details and the character. We started the next day; I didn’t have the time to pause and think about it, it was so fast! It was so thrilling working with everyone on the set.
IDENTITY how you got there Rania Fahmy...
RANIA FAHMY... THE INTERIOR DESIGNER BEHIND ARKAN COLLECTION
Rania Fahmy is an Economics graduate who has always been passionate about interior designing. She’s a single mom who managed to be a successful entrepreneur and owner of Arkan Collection at Zamalek.
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RANIA, TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF. I’m an Economics graduate from the American University in Cairo. I’ve wanted to be an interior designer since I was 14 years old. My dad was an architect and I used to watch him work and wanted to be involved in interior designing. I was once asked at school what I wanted to be when I grow up and my immediate answer was an “interior designer”. When I had to choose a university, I couldn’t enroll in the engineering department because I didn’t have a physics background; my parents refused to let me study abroad because I was only fifteen!! I had to settle for Economics before eventually taking up interior design abroad. Upon my graduation from AUC, I started work immediately at CLOZEL, with Mohamed Hafez of Dimensions. Later, I decided to study a one year interior design diploma at a well renowned professional design school in London. When I returned from the UK, I was very lucky to work with Nada Allam, one of the most famous Egyptian Interior designers, for almost three years before I started my own interior design office, “R of Interiors”, in 1999. I got married and relocated to Lebanon, but moved back again to Cairo after my divorce. I resumed my business for while then decided to start selling furniture; Arkan collection was officially opened in 2009.
I remind myself that I don’t have another option and that I have to work to be able to provide for my home. I look around and notice that there are lots of kids who are raised up in functional homes with stay at home mums who are completely neglecting them, so being a single working mum might actually be a positive thing. Of course, I have breakdowns sometimes but I believe that satisfaction and positivity brings you right back on track!! DO YOU STILL DESIGN INTERIORS OR ARE YOU ONLY FOCUSING ON ARKAN? Yes, I still do but not as frequent as I used to because I don’t have enough time. However, you cannot do one without the other. I can’t commit to a lot of interior design projects because I believe that the client deserves the designer’s attention to every little detail. DO YOU DESIGN YOUR FURNITURE? No, I don’t, although I know how to and I’d love to but I just don’t have the time. I only design furniture if it’s part of my design project. Besides, it’s not my passion; I have an eye for furniture and I know how to select nice pieces but I can never display any piece of furniture that I don’t like at Arkan Collection.
“I BELIEVE THAT GOD CREATED WOMEN AND MEN THE WAY THEY ARE; WOMEN ARE MEANT TO BE MORE FRAGILE THAN MEN.” WHAT KIND OF STRUGGLES DID YOU FACE? AND HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THEM? Arkan was doing very well up until 2011-the 25th of Jan revolution-the rent was very high and revenues were low. I didn’t want to give up on the place because its interior cost me a fortune. To cover my expenses, I started hosting art and photography classes, summer courses for kids, and furniture events at what I called ‘Rokn at Arkan’. I kept struggling for four years and when I was just about to move my business to Dubai, circumstances started to improve when President Sisi came to power in 2014. HATS OFF BECAUSE NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE THAT PERSISTENT AND DETERMINED!! WHAT MADE YOU CARRY ON DURING THE HARDEST TIMES? I strongly believe that when you are truly passionate about something, you’ll succeed at the end! I always tell my son not to compare himself to others; just focus on your own goals and believe in yourself and do it your way! Never give up.
WHAT’S YOUR NEXT STEP? I want to expand Arkan to be able to display more furniture. I need to find the right staff in order to be able to delegate authority, expand and take some work load off my shoulders. I’d love to spend more time with my son, and be more socially active. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUNG WOMEN? To believe they can do it, allow nothing to break them, try different ways to reach their goals and keep on fighting and struggling until they finally do. They have to be active and eager to learn the hard way. Pursuing your career goals is crucial; however it shouldn’t take over your life unless you really don’t have another option.
HOW OLD IS YOUR SON? AND HOW CAN YOU HANDLE BEING A SINGLE MOM AND MANAGE YOUR BUSINESS? My son is 11. It is very difficult but I never felt sorry for myself, on the contrary, I’ve always tried to focus on the bright side. I always think that maybe it’s the reason my son is who he is! He appreciates everything and somehow he learned to be a bit independent. Sometimes I feel sorry that I can’t spend a lot of time with him but again
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Photographed by: Mohamed Rafeek
IDENTITY how you got there
MARWA ABOU LEILA... THE WOMAN BEHIND PHOTOPIA Marwa Abou Leila is a 1999 finance graduate from Ain Shams University, who’s worked in the Corporate banking field for 15 years. She’s a wife and a mother of two boys; Ali and Adam. She has always been fond of photography and she managed to follow her passion. TALK TO US ABOUT YOURSELF. I have always been fond of photography realizing how powerful an “honest” image can be and how it can
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affect our lives. I started with simple family portraits passing through food photography, advertising, fashion, industrial, and fine art, ending with most extreme war photographs. I am not just an art enthusiast, I am also passionate about artists especially photographers. I believe in the Egyptian photographers so much; all they need is to bridge with role models and success stories in order to get inspired and they will make miracles. Photopia was founded on that exact foundation: to help photographers be better photographers.
AFTER 15 YEARS OF CORPORATE LIFE, WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START YOUR OWN BUSINESS? The 25 January revolution did! The notion of quitting my job has been there long before 2011 but what really triggered me to make the decision is our glorious nation-wide change. This strong wave of change has hit me personally and made me turn my work life upside down. The number of photographers has been on the rise since the sudden boom of the DSLR cameras in Egypt back in 2010; this has definitely affected my decision to change my career path and start catering for photographers in Egypt. BEING AN ENTREPRENEUR, DO YOU REGRET LEAVING THE CORPORATE LIFE? No, not at all. Despite the great risk involved and giving up a great deal of my steady income, I still think quitting my corporate career is the best decision I have ever made. Such shift has unleashed my potentials and exposed me to a whole new world I never knew existed. Having Photopia’s name as one of the best photography schools and hubs in Egypt washes away all the rough times I had to go through to finally make it come to light.
recommend photographers for jobs. Any photographer can come over just to chill out on our beanbags and enjoy free Internet in our cafe. We enjoy linking established artists with young rising stars. WHAT SERVICES DO YOU OFFER APART FROM PHOTOGRAPHY COURSES? Photopia is a photography school, a store and gift shop for photographers, a gallery space, a photography studio, and finally a photographers’ cafe. DO YOU INTEND TO EXPAND YOUR SCOPE OF WORK? IF SO, HOW? Oh yes! We are planning to reach out to the corporate community, university and school students offering courses/workshops/talks at their own venues. We will launch another school inside SODIC in October City and we are intending to offer franchise options in the future. WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU GIVE YOUNG WOMEN TO PURSUE AN INNOVATIVE CAREER; A CAREER THAT DOESN’T FIT WITHIN THE ‘NORMS OF SOCIETY’? It is a rough road but it pays back more than you can imagine. Being a pioneer and creating a change is very fulfilling for you and for the community you serve. Stay tuned and focused; surround yourself by creative minds.
“I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN FOND OF PHOTOGRAPHY REALIZING HOW POWERFUL AN “HONEST” IMAGE CAN BE AND HOW IT CAN AFFECT OUR LIVES.” BEING A FEMALE ENTREPRENEUR, DID YOU FACE ANY STRUGGLES IN PURSUING YOUR DREAM GOAL OF STARTING PHOTOPIA? Not exactly, struggles maybe challenges that both female and male entrepreneurs equally face during the bumpy road of starting their own business in Egypt. HOW DO YOU MANAGE TO BALANCE YOUR TIME BETWEEN WORK AND FAMILY? I work from home sometimes but I still need to be at Photopia for important events. I work with a strong team which takes care of the little details and that only leaves me with the broader issues. Family support from my husband and mother is priceless and definitely helps keep me going. WHAT MAKES PHOTOPIA STAND OUT IN THE FIELD OF PHOTOGRAPHY? Photopia is not associated with a specific photographer in the industry: we serve all and we host all. We are a full-fledged photography school offering the best instructors in each field of photography; each one is unique at their own specialty. We have hosted talks by many great photographers on the scene such as Toufic Araman, Ayman Abbas, Ahmed Hayman, Sherif Tamim, Yehia El Alaily, Alaa Abdel Naby, Dany Eid and many more. We also offer photography-related workshops such food styling by Egypt’s best Hoda El Sherif & fashion styling by Kegham Djeghalian. We constantly offer technical support on a friendly basis and
WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU GIVE TO EMPOWER WOMEN IN GENERAL? Listen to your dreams and do what makes you happy. Giving to the people in your life does not mean you should give up on your own life.
IDENTITY how you got there
BOSAINA... IN THE HOUSE
Bosaina is a singer/songwriter/producer whose works primarily stem from the desire to showcase her multi-layered musical identities within one spellbinding narrative. A certified Art Director, former Actress and conceptual Artist. HOW AND WHEN DID YOUR JOURNEY WITH MUSIC BEGIN? By the age of 12, I was already competing in semiprofessional choirs. I was in a division of the choir called the chamber maids, where we were all female singers. It was in those groups that I developed an early understanding of how to layer my harmonies and use multiple voices and how they all blend together. I went to college in London (Istituto Marangoni) for Fashion Styling and Art Direction where there was a huge focus on composition and art history. I later joined a band because I was writing pop melodies and hooks I needed a second opinion on. WHAT DID YOU CALL THE BAND? We never really had a name for almost 2 years and a half. I guess that’s some kind of sign that it wasn’t meant
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to be. We kept brainstorming but we never agreed. When I moved back to Cairo, they moved back with me for a couple of months. We did a show at “Sakiet el Sawy” because some A&R’s were coming down from London to see us perform, but I was kicked off stage during our set. WHY? I was pretty young and was interested in the places where the pop and fashion worlds met because that was my lifestyle at the time. Sakia thought my attire was really extreme because it was see-through. I later got a job in film production, then I was casted for a Disney Film in Jordan but the band didn’t want to wait for me to wrap those projects so we broke up and they moved back to the UK to replace me and I stayed here in Cairo.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE GENRE OF MUSIC BACK THEN? I was really into pop music until I was 21, like commercial music and top 40s etc. I loved Rihanna; I was always finding feisty female artists to relate to. Anyway, I was looking to make a pop record so my friend hooked me up with Hussein El Sherbini who introduced me to Ismail Hosny; we eventually became the Wetrobots <3 Bosaina. The three of us started writing my demo as a pop artist and then it became a group project which kept maturing. We met ZULI, Asem and Nader through local shows and we shared a common vision for the progression of a legitimate underground scene in Egypt. We formed the Kairo Is Koming (KIK) collective together on our first European tour and became interested in each other’s music and experimenting together. We all sounded different at the beginning and now we sort of cross over into each other’s sounds.
WHO ARE YOUR FAVOURITE MUSICIANS IN EGYPT AND ABROAD? “Kairo is Koming” which includes: Hussein Sherbini, ISMAEL, ZULI, $$$TAG$$$, and N/A\A, 1127 “VENT’s Resident DJ” who’s also a phenomenal producer. Smash Beats has his own hip-hop thing going on and his sister J!N who’s more experimental. They influence me and I really love their music. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUNG GIRLS WHO WANT TO BE LIKE YOU? I don’t know if anyone would want to be like me. I never forgive myself enough for being an artist because it comes with a lot of emotionally-draining consequences, at least for the people who care about me.
“I WAS PRETTY YOUNG AND WAS INTERESTED IN THE PLACES WHERE THE POP AND FASHION WORLDS MET BECAUSE THAT WAS MY LIFESTYLE AT THE TIME.” DID YOUR PARENTS ENCOURAGE YOU FOR WHAT YOU’RE DOING? Yes, they’ve always been encouraging; my parents trust me because I keep getting awesome opportunities and because I work hard. My mom’s always trying to encourage me to include cultural elements in my music, like that’s a formula for some kind of regional success but that’s an old fashioned perspective she shares with a lot of people. It’s the same with local fashion; they want you to start mixing with your culture when your culture may very well be an introspective personal thing. YOU STARTED AS A POP SINGER IN A BAND. WHY DID YOU BECOME A PRODUCER? I wanted to understand what was going on behind the production of my vocals. I tried really hard to explain myself and what I wanted done to my vocals to the guys and that’s the most frustrating thing as an artist, to be ignorant and also never really know if what you’re asking for makes sense. You leave yourself in the hands of whoever is producing for you and I’m too controlling to have let my producers be in full control of something so personal to me.
YOU NEVER THOUGHT OF GETTING MARRIED? Yes, all the time. Honestly, I’d love to be a housewife. DO YOU HAVE ENOUGH TIME? I do 90% of my work in my studio at home. So, yes I do have time. I’m currently married to my mother! We hang out, catch up over food in the kitchen and then she nags me while I’m working. YOU’RE THE FIRST EGYPTIAN TO BE INVITED TO THE REDBULL MUSIC ACADEMY. WHY DID THEY SELECT YOU AND HOW DID IT FEEL? The music I presented to RBMA on my application was about twelve minutes of really complex compositions with a lot of classical and jazz influences. The application itself contained 18 pages; the sections were very long and I just answered the questions honestly. When I got in, the first reaction I had was relief. I’d been waiting for 5 months and at that point, RBMA was all I ever wanted to be part of. RBMA for me was an amazing opportunity to represent my ideas, and my scene and those guys I really respect who have influenced and nurtured me; I’m definitely hopeful for the future.
THERE ARE A COUPLE OF RUMOURS GOING AROUND: ONE OF THEM IS THAT YOU WERE KICKED OUT OF EGYPT AND THE SECOND IS THAT YOU PERFORMED TOPLESS AT A PARTY? Actually, that was referential to “Sakiet El Sawy” gig and I wasn’t topless; I was wearing a see through dress with really cool sequined booty shorts and a matching crop underneath. I didn’t get kicked out of Egypt; I was asked to leave London because I was unknowingly over-staying my visa.
identity-mag.com
* MAR 47
IDENTITY how you got there
SARA HEGAZY... MASTERING FASHION ENGINEERING
Sara Hegazy, originally a communication engineer. She’s currently a Dubai-based fashion designer since 2010. She’s also a London College of Fashion graduate, nominee for MENA’s next top Designer & Egyptian Fashion Entrepreneur, TEDx speaker and the creative director behind the international brand, SARA HEGAZY.
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TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF After I graduated, I Specialized in one-piece custom fitted couture; hand designed, engineered and embroidered. “As you never think like everyone else, you shouldn’t dress like everyone else” “Wear your mind; wear a masterpiece.” “Fashion is wearable inspiration; couture is sewn imagination.” “Fashion engineering is the art of materials.” These are all personal quotes which reflect the beliefs and principles of Sara Hegazy. WHAT MADE YOU SHIFT YOUR CAREER FROM COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING TO FASHION DESIGNING? I decided to shift my career from engineering to fashion designing and branding because I was missing the creativity aspect since I was in college. I had been drawing, practicing stitching and executing my own designs since high school. It all started in 2009 when I was shortlisted amongst the top 5 finalists in a Maybelline cosmetics competition; it was like the first gate to the fashion industry. I started to be on lane when I also got selected by Sheila and Abaya competition to show my designs in Dubai Mall; it was a great chance to expose my brand to the audience and based on the great feedback I started doing my annual and seasonal collections. WHERE DID YOU STUDY FASHION? I studied intensive fashion branding courses for two years at the London College of Fashion in Dubai. WHAT STRUGGLES DID YOU FACE STARTING YOUR CAREER? Quitting my engineering career, being away from family due to frequent travel and missing out on precious moments with my child were my main challenges. HOW DO YOU MANAGE TO BALANCE BETWEEN YOUR PERSONAL LIFE AND YOUR CAREER, ESPECIALLY THAT YOU’RE EXPECTING A SECOND BABY? It’s quite hard especially when you have to personally pay attention to every little managerial, manufacturing
and marketing detail in your brand. I’m lucky to have the support of my loving husband, my son Adam, my parents and my brother who are all proud of me and give me much needed support. WHICH FASHION WEEKS HAVE YOU PARTICIPATED IN? My designs have been showcased in UAE DFW Sep. 2011, London Fashion Week Feb. 2013, and Hong Kong Sep. 2013. I recently also participated in Moda 360, an artistic designers exhibition in New York in June 2014, before taking part in Paris Fashion Week in Sep 2014.
“FASHION IS WEARABLE INSPIRATION; COUTURE IS SEWN IMAGINATION.” WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE COLLECTION? I love them all; every piece holds memories and unforgettable days of hard work. But, if I had to choose a dress to sum up the last 5 years of hard work, it would unmistakably be the Queen Cleopatra Dress; royal dress with special gold designs, crystal and layered skirt with pleated tulle with a full 3m Horus train crystallized by Gold Asfour Crystals. WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU GIVE TO YOUNG WOMEN IN THE FIELD? My advice is to apply the five key elements for starting and running a successful business: persistence, strategy planning, passion, global mindset and challenge. Particularly for the fashion industry: good knowledge, forecasting skills, and managing the brand locally and internationally to maintain its reputation is a first priority.
WHO ARE YOUR FAVOURITE DESIGNERS? Chanel has always been a good reference for learning about fashion through the decades. Zuhair Murad, a designer and a friend, who supports new designers by giving them priceless advice. I was lucky to learn from him directly. For me, Stephan Roland is the engineer designer; I adore his lines. WHERE DO YOU SEE THE FASHION INDUSTRY HEADING IN EGYPT? Unfortunately most of the Egyptian stylists, designers and fashionistas became global market followers; we have to have our own unique style. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE MATERIALS AND WHY? I usually use lace, muslin, silk and also tulle. Fabric must be regenerated at SARA HEGAZY; I always add my piece of couture hand-made intricate work to every masterpiece based on my client’s personality, interests and sometimes horoscope sign. Every Sara Hegazy masterpiece must be unique. Always love my quote; “Fashion is wearable inspiration; couture is sewn imagination.” WHEN ARE YOU LAUNCHING YOUR NEXT COLLECTION? Hopefully after having the new baby and adapting to a new stage in life. I will have my new collection showcasing in Paris again and will participate in New York couture week as well. I hope to launch my next collection in the upcoming spring summer season in September 2015.
WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU GIVE TO WORKING WOMEN IN GENERAL, AND HOW CAN THEY PURSUE THEIR CAREER? Do not be limited by your education and skills, challenge all the taken rules and focus on personal branding and being different and always be an inspiration. Your reputation is your most important asset; take good care of it.
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IDENTITY perspective
SAMIRA KHALIL... ROCKING THE POM POMS She takes the field by storm as she stands sternly and seriously before her small team. She doesn’t budge for complaints and won’t succumb to pressure. She’s known to be the girl with an iron fist, encouraging both men as well as women to hit the field with her unique mix of exercises and workout routines. If you train with her, you are definitely taken seriously amongst the greater crowd of athletes. Samira Khalil stands out on her own as a certified Cheerobics Master Trainer—only one in Egypt and the Middle East, Crossfit L1 trainer, Jumping Fitness instructor, and a certified group fitness instructor. Being a fitness nutrition specialist as well, she also makes sure you stay healthy while you work out. Samira knows her clients well, befriends them, personalizes their workout routines and makes sure that they don’t get injured. This is precisely why she can only train a small group of people; to offer them her undivided attention.
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Her life literally revolves around her work. Samira’s busy day is split up between training different groups for 5/6 hours a day, office work for 3 hours, and one hour of her own workout routine where she self-tests new combinations and moves before introducing them to her groups. Because of her continuous growth and increasing interest in learning new techniques and further developing her workout routines, Identity sought to interview Samira for the second time to catch up with her latest news. WHEN DID YOUR JOURNEY TO BE FIT AND HEALTHY BEGIN? My own life journey to be fit and healthy began when I was overweight and unhappy during college. I always believed that my genes and family history played the major role in how I look. However I came to realize that my eating habits, lifestyle and nutrition played the biggest part. I knew back then that it’s not easy to change my life, but I look at myself right now–it didn’t
LAST TIME WE INTERVIEWED YOU, YOU TALKED ABOUT CHEEROBICS. THIS TIME, WE LEARNED THAT YOU PRACTICE A ROUTINE CALLED BODY SHRED, CAN YOU BRIEF US ABOUT THAT? Body shred is a small group private training. It is high intensity interval training within a circuit format. It incorporates dynamic, functional everyday movements to maximize every human potential to live a healthy, active life. HOW DO YOU MARKET YOURSELF? HOW DO PEOPLE LEARN ABOUT YOU? I plan, develop and teach my workout programs very well. Success stories and positive word of mouth are the best advertising I can ever get. I don’t have time for real marketing and advertising.
“MY OWN LIFE JOURNEY TO BE FIT AND HEALTHY BEGAN WHEN I WAS OVERWEIGHT AND UNHAPPY DURING COLLEGE..” torture me either but on the contrary I have gained control and power in a way I have never anticipated. WHAT DID YOU STUDY AND HOW DID YOU START YOUR CAREER? I graduated from the faculty of Economics and Political Science in 2009 and worked for several companies including petroleum services, football merchandising and software development. I was never satisfied with what I was doing; I have always loved sports and knew that working out was my passion. Eventually, I decided to take the risk and quit the corporate world for good to follow my passion in fitness, health and wellness. WHAT’S YOUR GOAL? My goal is to help and teach every one around me how to be fit & healthy; my goal is to make people happy with their own lives. I want them to “focus” on their physical capabilities. Physical training is not only about weight loss and body shape, it promotes commitment, hard work, perseverance and integrity. My job is not a traditional one; it’s my passion. My clients are my main focus and I strive to make their life better everyday.
EVEN THOUGH THIS IS SLOWLY CHANGING, TRAINING IS STILL PERCEIVED IN THIS SOCIETY AS A MALE DOMINANT OCCUPATION. DID YOU FACE ANY CHALLENGES OR SET BACKS WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED? I struggled in the beginning as a female personal trainer to make a statement that women can actually train men and achieve great results. In our male dominant society, I saw people looking at me thinking “Why is she doing this” adding to it “You shifted your career to become a fitness trainer, isn’t it too risky?” Or even worse “So all you do is make people run and jump.” Sadly enough these statements came from the closest people. On the up side of it all, those statements gave me a greater push to work harder and prove that there are female trainers who also happen to be beautiful strong successful women (Not manly or bulky). WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS? Having my own wellness hub offering top quality fitness classes coupled with nutrition programs. Through this wellness hub I am hoping to help my clients become “well-rounded athletes.”
CAN YOU TELL ME WHY YOU CHOOSE TO TRAIN SMALL GROUPS AND THE REASON BEHIND THE WAY YOU ORGANIZE YOUR WORKOUT ROUTINES? As a trainer, it’s my responsibility to give the best possible care to my clients during my workout session and that’s mostly why I prefer small groups instead of larger numbers. I also use myself, not my clients, as a test pilot to develop a sense of the limits of human performance.
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IDENTITY how you got there
REEM EL-MORSHEDY... THE WOMAN WHO CAPTURED OUR HEARTS WITH HER ‘KEBDAH’ Reem El-Morshedy, a woman with a dream to change the way Egyptians view cooking, loved to cook and went against all odds to show us that food on the street can be both healthy and delicious! TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF My name is Reem Kamel El-Morshedy, born to an Algerian mother and an Egyptian father. I’m a graduate of the faculty of French literature; I have 2 kids, Omar 14 and Ziyad 12. I lived in Egypt all my life and have been cooking since I was 11. WHY DID YOU START THIS PROJECT? I always wanted to cook ever since I was a little girl, so when my kids grew up I decided to study for a culinary degree. The quality of my food is always superb; my customers always come back.
WHAT MAKES YOU SO DIFFERENT FROM OTHERS? I’m a female vendor selling food on the street and that’s quite uncommon. My hygiene specs are very high so clients are always happy to come back. WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THE LEFTOVERS? I have no leftovers because I only make small portions; when people want more I start making more. WHY DID YOU DISREGARD YOUR FIELD OF STUDY AND EVENTUALLY CHOOSE COOKING AS A CAREER? My colleagues either wanted to become translators or secretaries, etc. I don’t like to follow the herd; I always
“I HAVE NO LEFTOVERS BECAUSE I ONLY MAKE SMALL PORTIONS; WHEN PEOPLE WANT MORE I START MAKING MORE.” WHAT ARE SOME OF THE PROBLEMS FACING YOU? I don’t have any competition because my food is different; I use all the right ingredients. DID IT CHANGE YOUR LIFE? Yes, positively. When I like something I do it passionately, I always go home tired but very happy. WILL YOU LAUNCH ANOTHER PROJECT ANY TIME SOON? People always ask me about this, so I’m seriously considering it.
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like to be different. I wanted to start my project ever since I was still in college but my father refused. He believed no man would want to marry a woman selling sausage on the street. So, when I got married, I started as soon as I got the chance; people were kind of shocked at first. I never felt bad about it because cooking is my passion. I studied at the CTC; the course was amazing. I’m very happy to follow my dream.
h W aT’S ON
IDENTITY-MAG.COM
* EL INTERVIEW WEL EMAW WITH HESHAM MANSOUR
* 5 THINGS THAT NEED TO DISAPPEAR FROM THE EGYPTIAN FASHION SCENE
* 23 THINGS ONLY A BROTHER CAN DO FOR YOU
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IDENTITY perspective
EMPOWERING WOMEN 54
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The physical, mental, and emotional characteristics of women are often brought into question at best, and devalued at worst, by the social and cultural norms of many societies. Their social contributions are often overlooked or undervalued. Their capacities and potentials are often stunted, not by inherent differences, but by limitations imposed by society. But is this oft-categorized position as second class citizens warranted? Are women naturally designed to be the inferior sex? Or is it a series of socially imposed inequalities that render their representation as such? The physical capacities of women are often the first ones called into question. We consider certain professions to be “men’s work” and others to be “women’s work”. But does this categorization make sense? The answer? No. There are no doubt biological differences between men and women, but these differences do not imply that women are physically inferior. Yes, it is true that women are not capable of reaching some of the physical extremities of men (extreme muscle mass, for example), but most men are also not capable of reaching these extremes either. And there are other physical extremes (pregnancy and childbirth, for example) that men are unable to reach. The physical differences between men and women are not a matter of better and worse but rather a matter of socially rewarded or not. The economic contributions of women are another area that is often undervalued. It is true the average income of women in most countries is far lower than that of men but this is more the result of artificially imposed limitations rather than inherent inferiority. The concept of the “glass ceiling”, for example, is the idea that women’s professional achievement is limited not by their capabilities, but rather by the fact that they are
devalued as women. It might also interest readers to know that women are, in fact, the leading breadwinner in a majority of households in Egypt! In other words, a majority of the households in Egypt are financially supported by the female, rather than the male, in the household.
however, knows that men also cry, throw tantrums, and express emotion. More to the point, it is not discouraged for men to show certain types of emotion. Anger, for example, is also an emotion, and arguably a highly “unstable” one, for which men are too often rewarded for expressing.
Another indication of women’s contribution to the economic livelihood of society is through their unpaid labor in the household. Known to sociologists as “the second shift”, many women, employed outside the home or not, do the majority of work around the household. They clean the house, wash the dishes, iron the laundry, take care of the children, and do countless other laborious chores to maintain the household, and the family, for which they are not paid. If we were to pay women for this labor the same way we pay men for the labor they perform in offices and factories, then women would no doubt be the economic powerhouses in every society.
So if all of these ideas about women are, in fact, untrue, then where do they come from? Sociologists and many feminists speak of the symbolic annihilation of women. This concept implies that the social and media representations of women are often distorted, presenting them in stereotypical ways that are misaligned with the average lives of “real” women. This distortion, in turn, leads to the devaluation of feminine roles and to untrue social and cultural myths about the potentials of real life women.
The intellectual capabilities of women are also often called into question. Many societies perpetuate the myth that women are not as capable of rational thinking and decision making as men. Empirical evidence, however, indicates otherwise. Women outperform men on standardized academic tests around the world. They are also starting to not only attend, and graduate, college in greater numbers than men in many countries but they are also outperforming men on their graded academic performance in most fields. In fact, the educational achievements of women have reached such a level that sociologists of education are now beginning to speak of a “boy crisis” in schooling. Emotional stability is yet another area where women are often misrepresented and devalued. Many societies view women as emotionally unstable and discourage men from showing emotions. Anyone who has spent time with a man in private,
So if women are, in fact, equal and the myriad of stereotypes we have about them false, then what can women do to empower themselves? The answer, or at least the beginning of the answer, is easier than it might seem – knowledge. Women and men alike should reconsider the ideas they have about the role of women in society by educating themselves on the realities of women’s capacities, potentials, and contributions.
A quick look at the historical contributions of women or an examination of the treatment and roles of women in other societies, both better and worse, will help anyone understand the reality of socially imposed sex differences. Women are equal. Women matter. Women should be empowered!
Dr. Michael Ryan
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF SOCIOLOGY (THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY IN CAIRO)
IDENTITY perspective
THE FRIENDSHIP POT What has happened to friendship? An awfully repeated question, almost a normalized one, nowadays. I don’t want to go on a rant about the ideals of friendship and how it used to be in the golden old days compared to our current moment, but I do have to admit that it is a question that I find myself pondering about at least once a week. Have we romanticized the idea of friendship through watching movies and reading novels or have we created an almost ideal social imaginary of what it entails so we can hold on to something in a world where everything is in a constant state of move and change? I have no idea. What I do know and could perhaps reflect upon is how fast paced, competitive, need-driven our world has become, hence leaving little or no space to those idealistic romanticized imaginations of bonds and the so called flowery term of “friendship.”
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First of all, let me clarify what I mean by referring to friendship. Obviously we all have different definitions, expectations, and imaginations of friendship; ones that are based on what we hold upon ourselves and hope others would hold upon us. For the sake of this semi rant, here’s what I would define as the friendship meal by outlining its basic ingredients: It is the act of sharing, caring, an attempt to exchange unconditional love, understanding, investment of time and effort and one that does not have space for jealousy and contains a larger than life container of tolerance and acceptance. Who am I kidding? Maybe my standards are too high! Let’s look closely at the first two components: sharing and caring. My best friend and I live on opposite ends of Cairo, with at least a two hour drive between us. She wakes up at 6 a.m. and ends her day of work and domestic responsibilities at around 10 p.m. on a good day! My day starts at 5:30 a.m. and between my studies, work, and exercise; I end my day at around 10 p.m. as well on a very good day. We end up texting one another once or twice throughout the day, a simple good morning to at least make sure that we are alive and a simple good night at the end of the day to make sure that we have survived the day. At the end of every week, we try to exchange via texts our detailed schedules on hopes that we would be able to meet for a drink or a bite. Our friendship has been reduced to communication behind a screen with goofy emoticons expressing whatever sharing and caring notions we have for one another. It is indeed a fast paced world.
“...WE ALL HAVE DIFFERENT DEFINITIONS, EXPECTATIONS, AND IMAGINATIONS OF FRIENDSHIP...”
Let’s move on to the second set of ingredients: time and effort. Well, as I have displayed above we obviously have no time to meet or talk. But come on, we can always make time, no? Well, on my way home from work, I do pass by for an hour to have a chat with a friend I had just met months ago. I need to see people and relax! I need to unwind after a long day, I owe it to myself! My best friend, on the other hand, has finished work and decided she does not feel like going to bed early so she invites some colleagues and neighbours over for a few drinks and nibbles. Again, this is
not a daily routine but she is tired and feels like sharing good company! It’s only fair! We don’t necessarily share those moments in our morning messages. But we do share a lot of “I miss you”, “what’s your latest news?” or “give me headlines till we meet.” Do we both invest time and effort, hmmmm that’s debatable! Now on to our third ingredient: no space for jealousy. Luckily my best friend and I don’t have any space for jealousy. It is just the nature of our relationship! I don’t get bothered at all when I see pictures of her dining out with other friends and colleagues while I have been waiting for weeks to see her. She does not get upset when she finds out I went shopping with other people who live close by when we always used to go shopping together. None of that at all! Hmmmmm. Well, at least we don’t play the ‘over protective of our men’ card which apparently seeps into friendship nowadays. Finally, to the last ingredients: tolerance and acceptance. I can’t personalize that one to make a point; I will instead resort to general complaints I have been hearing a lot. I often hear of how friends get bored of listening to one another complain about their lives, of how they choose not to go out with them because they don’t like how they conduct themselves publicly anymore, and most of all how they find their friends not as fun and enjoyable as company to hang around with. Those are all very valid reasons and people often have different ways of handling interactions. However, coming to think of it, if our major communication channels are reduced to screens and text messages, how much meaning can come out of such interactions? How could tolerance and acceptance be even part of the friendship pot if the basics to any human and humane interaction such as compassion and love which are often manifested through body language and eye contact no longer exist? Are people to blame or is it the world we now inhabit, one that is premised on a very fast paced competitively driven machine that turns us into robots lacking the spices which breathe life into any encounter? And I ponder….
Marwa Sabah
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
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IDENTITY perspective
ABORTION
L
iving in a neighbourhood that is comprised of half built cement walls with hardly any boundaries between one living space and another; she’s considered to be a squatter. She shares that 5x5 space with her father, mother, and five siblings. In the morning, she wakes up to a long queue waiting for her turn to a hole in the ground and a tap (bathroom) before taking off to the hopes of finding something to sell, clean, or offer for a few pounds to help support her family. To her, marriage is a mean to food and shelter and perhaps a romanticized imaginary feeling of security. Having a child is a step in a future plan that is inescapable but not one she desires as it’s additional mouth to feed. On a wedding night in her neighbourhood, booze and drugs were being distributed openly and vehemently. Loud sha’aby music was filling the air while men flamboyantly showed off their macho skills as they flashed their knives while dancing. She celebrates and dreams of a hopeful future but soon gets tired after a long day of work and wanders off to her home. On her way back, she stumbles upon a group of drunken frustrated wedding guests, drugged and hungry mobs of desperate souls. It was just a moment, one that lasted for only ten minutes, but has changed her life forever leaving her with a difficult decision that the world still struggles to agree upon, one that is punishable by law in her country. Sahar got raped. Sahar got pregnant. Sahar is ashamed. Sahar is alone. Sahar is poor. And Sahar chose not to keep the baby.
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Wafaa, is 21 years old. She lives with her mother and four siblings. Her father left them when she was 15 and her mother has been the sole provider for the household ever since. Wafaa works as a nurse and like any girl dreamt of getting married and having her own family. She fell in love with her neighbour, Hossam, who works as an assistant in a car repair shop. After much negotiation, saving up, and buying their furniture on installments, Wafaa and Hossam eventually got married. As a nurse, Wafaa was aware of contraceptives but in her upbringing and neighbourhood there was much discussion regarding whether their use is haram or halal. She and Hossam agreed that they couldn’t afford having a child now but Hossam still insisted that they don’t use contraceptives and opted to just being ‘careful’. One day, Hossam took off with a client’s car for a trial drive and on his way back a microbus slammed straight into him. The car was damaged and Hossam was held accountable for it. He was forced to sign checks for his employer to cover the cost of the car repair. Months later, with piling debts, the couple failed to pay and Hossam was sent to prison. Heart broken and helpless, Wafaa worked very hard to help her husband with his payments until one day she discovered that she’s pregnant. Luckily she was in her very first stages of pregnancy. Both Hossam and Wafaa couldn’t afford having a child. She had sold almost every piece of furniture and borrowed from friends and family to be able to pay back the mounting debts. Wafaa chose not to keep the child. Maya is 22 years old. She just has completed her BA from a reputable university where she met her husband Ahmed. Their perfect love story was the talk of the crowd. Ahmed, a few years Maya’s senior, held a good position in a multinational company. They had one of the fanciest weddings of all times. The only problem with that couple is that they got to know one another, engaged, and married in less than a year. Everyone was excited about this couple as they were the perfect match on paper. Six months into the marriage, Maya and Ahmed’s problems overwhelmed their lives. Regardless of what the issues were, they varied from consolable to inconsolable ones. They decided to get a divorce. However, right before they signed the papers, Maya found out she was pregnant. Nearly 23 and with a whole life ahead of her and a chance to live a different life and have a functional family, Maya—with Ahmed’s approval—decided that keeping the child would only make another life miserable. Maya decided not to keep the child. The question of abortion has been debated globally for years. It still remains one of the most problematic and morally questionable issues in our present day. Regardless of what each of us thinks, we can all debate its pros and cons for hours; it is definitely not a question that could be dealt with in general terms. Each of the cases above has its own set of conditions, ones that play a major role in a decision to save a life. The act of abortion could be that of saving a life or not taking one; the greater question to be asked regardless of circumstances is that of the right to body. Who has the right to dictate what is to be performed or not on a body? And if we open the doors to freedom of the right to the body, are we then allowing people to misuse such a right? I am not here to make a judgment call on abortion or to offer a single perspective, I am just merely throwing a question out there.
Marwa Sabah
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
IDENTITY perspective
WHERE TO TAKE YOUR FIRST TRUE LOVE ON MOTHER’S DAY? MEZZEH - LE MERIDIEN, CAIRO AIRPORT. GROUND FLOOR The Mezzeh Lebanese restaurant boasts the unique Arabic cuisine from the Levant (Al Sham) with infusions of the local cuisine. The ambience is informal yet elegant with contemporary décor and natural finishes. The restaurant is modern and stylish with clean finishes using wood, glass and stone. RESERVATIONS: (20)(2) 22659600
ZITOUNI – FOUR SEASONS NILE PLAZA Take a seat in the main dining area and enjoy a stunning view of the Nile, or settle into one of the contemporary wood alcoves for a more intimate option. An extensive buffet display situated near the open kitchen offers breakfast, lunch ( salad, soup and dessert) and dinner in addition to an impressive brunch. RESERVATIONS: 20 (2) 2791-7000
ABOU EL SID – ZAMALEK Authentic Egyptian cuisine is served in a luxurious classy surrounding. Abou El Sid is a lovely outlet often frequented as a night spot and a fine place to dine. The “mezzah” is a success and their “molokheya” served with chicken or”hamam” is incredibly delicious. RESERVATIONS: 01001008500 – 0227359640
KAHWET LEILA – PLATFORM “MAADI” Kahwet Leila is a cafe-restaurant with a twist, serving a variety of Lebanese mezzah, with innovations in the traditional Lebanese dishes from shawerma to falafel and kaak as well as a wide variety of fruit cocktail beverages to cater to the taste of the youth. It’s a lounge that serves food and mood to a wide range of clientele. RESERVATIONS: 01027178882
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bits & pieces IDENTITY
THE EUROPEAN UNION DELEGATION TO EGYPT ANNOUNCES THE AWARD CEREMONY OF ITS 7TH ANNUAL PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION ENTITLED: “CHILDREN OF EGYPT” The European Union Delegation to Egypt held the award ceremony of its 7th annual Photography Competition for amateur photographers on Wednesday 28 January 2015 at the Conrad Hotel. This year’s theme is “Children of Egypt” where more than 200 photos were submitted by 70 contestants; three were selected as the first three winners. The ceremony featured the exhibition of the first 30 photos.
SPARKLING WEDDING… UNDER THE SPARKLING STARS Radisson Blu Hotel, Alexandria brings you the touch of marvelous love celebration in the most luxurious manner. Delivering superlative services, wide array of menus and vivid views. The hotel enjoys unique location at the tip of the Northern Coast road in the heart of the new elegant compound Alex West which reflects more privacy and flair on the property. The Hotel features two impressive venues for your memorable day. Fanar Garden overlooking the natural lake “King Mariout” that can accommodate up to 800 guests and the swimming pool venue for up to 1700 guests.
VALENTINE’S COOKING CLASS AT RAMSES HILTON On the occasion of Valentine’s Day, Chef Dimitrios, Executive Chef of Ramses Hilton held recently a culinary demonstration session which took place at Windows on the World Roof-top Restaurant. Chef Dimitrios was happy to share his passion with a selected group of ladies who were shown during the session how to prepare and cook a complete Valentine set menu starting with certified sustainable sea scallops as a starter then milk fed veal medallion as a main course ended by a white chocolate and raspberry parfait as a dessert.
GB GHABBOUR AUTO & GB ACADEMY IS SPONSORING TWO TEAMS FROM CAIRO UNIVERSITY, FACULTY OF ENGINEERING “FORMULA STUDENT AND BAJA SAE” The collaboration Protocol Signing took place on 21st of February 2015 at Cairo University premises with the attendance of Development Programs Manager, Samar Mohey El Din & the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering along with the Undersecretary of Student Affairs. The two teams participating showcased the idea and design of each project expressing their willingness to win this year. In light of believing of youth importance in nation-building and renaissance, GB Ghabbour Auto & GB Academy contribution was with a total of EGP 375,000 for the participating teams who represents Egypt so they can invest their capabilities and energies with passion towards competing with other teams from all around the world.
THE WAIT IS OVER! UPPER DECK LOUNGE JOINS CAIRO’S SKYLINE AT FOUR SEASONS CAIRO AT NILE PLAZA High up on the upper edge of Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza’s ravishing rooftop Pool with views of the inland oasis surrounding the pool area, the brand new lounge is dedicated to becoming your home away from home with sets of incredibly cushy, inviting, home like lounges each exhibiting select paintings that are complimented with hand crafted sculptures providing a refined taste of art work that enriches the overall lounge setting and creating a gallery like experience.
BEST HOTEL PERFORMANCE AMONG DUSIT WORLDWIDE On the occasion of Dusit International Annual appraisal forum which took place in Bangkok, Thailand, Dusit Thani Lake View Cairo has been honored with the accolade of BEST Hotel performance in 2014 among Dusit hotels internationally; due to its outstanding performance, excellent service and impeccable hospitality. “We are keen to offer our guests an extraordinary experience. This prestigious award is just an indication of our hard work and perseverance in the pursuit of delivering best service to our valued guests.” Ahmed El Hady, General Manager of Dusit Thani Lakeview Cairo stated.
WHAT AN AMAZING DAY TO PAMPER MUM THIS MOTHER’S DAY AT RADISSON BLU HOTEL, CAIRO HELIOPOLIS This Mother’s day, celebrate with Mum through an unforgettable experience at Radisson Blu Hotel Cairo Heliopolis with an unusual dinner at Filini, and a Spa specials at Spa on 9, it’s never been easier to show Mom how much you care. Suggesting the Filini Italian Restaurant as the authentic, outshine ambiance for a unique overwhelming dinner with your family.
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IDENTITY bits & pieces
PALM HILLS DEVELOPMENTS’ GENERAL ASSEMBLY UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES INCREASING THE COMPANY’S ISSUED CAPITAL BY EGP 1.648 BILLION PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION NOTICE TO BE PUBLISHED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE POST FINALIZING OFFICIAL PROCEDURES PALM HILLS: SUCH INCREASE TO BE WELL-USED TO FINANCE EXPANSION PLANS IN BOTH HOUSING, COMMERCIAL SECTORS Palm Hills Development’s extraordinary general assembly approved increasing the company’s issued capital from Two billion & Six hundred & Ninety Six million & Six hundred & Forty thousand Egyptian Pounds, to Four billion & Three hundred & Forty Four million & Six hundred & Forty thousand Egyptian Pounds, with a total increase of One billions & Six hundred & Forty Eight million Egyptian Pounds, through issuing 824 million shares, and inviting original shareholders to subscribe to a rights issue at the nominal value of the share amounting to EGP 2, in addition to the issuance expenses of (3.5 piasters).
LET YOUR MOM FEEL SPECIAL AT CONRAD CAIRO This Mother’s Day, celebrate Mom’s special gift with an unforgettable experience at Conrad Cairo and enjoy 15% discount for the double room rate. Treat your mom to a delicious Brunch at Solana restaurant overlooking the Nile only at LE250. Let her experience a luxury Dinner at OAK Grill restaurant with a unique menu created by our head chef. You want to make her feel special; take her to Kamala restaurant with special set menu dinner.
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SOFITEL LEGEND OLD CATARACT ASWAN: AWARDS HOTEL Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan has recently won 3 prestigious awards from TripAdvisor. Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan was honored for its overall performance in the hospitality industry as one of the 2015 Top 25 hotels in the Middle East and Egypt for Luxury, Romance and Top Hotels.
ADIDAS ULTRA BOOST™ DELIVERS YOUR GREATEST RUN EVER Introducing Ultra BOOST, the ultimate expression of adidas’ revolutionary BOOST™ technology with the industry’s highest Energy Return. Ultra BOOST combines a cohesive system of the most innovative and fully adaptive technologies to deliver your greatest run ever. Through years of research and testing used by the world’s top engineering institutions, adidas has developed a collection of innovations built to harness the awesome power of BOOST to reach new heights of its Energy Return potential. Ultra BOOST answers every runners needs by offering the very best in Energy Return, support, stability, comfort and style.
DURING HIS FIRST VISIT TO EGYPT PAST PRESIDENT OF AMERICAN ACADEMY OF OPHTHALMOLOGY PRAISES SERVICE QUALITY AT MAGRABI HOSPITALS DR. RICHARD ABBOTT REVIEWS METHODS OF CORNEA TREATMENT, UTILIZATION OF LASER BEFORE EGYPTIAN PHYSICIANS International eye expert Richard Abbott, Past President of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Professor of Ophthalmology at university of California, San Francisco praised the level of medical service offered at Magrabi eye hospital, and the method of dealing with patients. He also expressed his admiration that the hospital was awarded JCI accreditation for the second time.
JUMIA CHIC ASFOUR AWARDS ANNOUNCE 2015 WINNERS JUMIA Chic, the fashion blog created by Jumia Egypt, today revealed the long-awaited Jumia Chic Asfour Awards 2015 winners – Egypt’s first annual fashion awards, celebrating this fast-growing industry of young Egyptian talents. The eventwitnessed a total of 11 awards presented to the Egyptiantalents in fashion, to recognizetheir creative work across all areas of the industry.
B.TECH, BEST DISTRIBUTOR OF MIELE IN THE ARAB REGION B.TECH for Trade and Distribution has been awarded by 3 Miele Awards (Biathlon, Product Initiative & Change) in the Arab Region for their outstanding performance in 2014. Dr. Mahmoud Khattab (CEO of B.TECH) received the awards from Mr. Atman LeKhalifi (Miele Expert Manager – MENA) in a formal ceremony held in B.TECH’s Headquarter in Cairo on 28-1-2015. In 2009, Miele announced B.TECH to be its exclusive provider in Egypt. B.TECH is an Egyptian corporate specialized in retail and distribution of consumer electronics & home appliance since 1997 and the brand name got created in 2003. Currently B.TECH is working with 60 stores, more than 350 retail dealers & 50 after sales centers around Egypt.
KCAL HEALTHY FAST FOOD PRESS RELEASE Kcal Healthy Fast food, the number one healthy fast food chain in Dubai has finally made it’s way to Egypt with it’s Grand Opening on Saturday the 21st of February. The biggest health and fitness fanatics of Cairo gathered for a special food tasting of Kcal’s extensive menu featuring nutritious and delicious dishes all under 300 healthy calories and to meet the CoFounder of Kcal, Andreas L Borgmann, to learn more about the innovative food and lifestyle company that aims to change the fast food industry as we know it.
CELEBRATE MOM WITH AN UNFORGETTABLE MOTHER’S DAY GETAWAY This Mother’s Day, celebrate Mom’s special place in your life with an unforgettable getaway to Dusit Thani Lakeview Hotel. With a lavish Mother’s Day Buffet and indulgent Spa specials, it’s never been easier to show Mom how much you care. On Saturday, March 21st treat Mom to a spectacular, hassle-free Mother’s day buffet filled with delightful selection of breads, soups, salads, entrees, desserts and more. Mom will enjoy a complimentary meal when dining with four paying guests. For the ultimate Mother’s day gift, indulge mum with one of the special Mother’s day offerings at the Spa. Don’t miss Dusit Gourmet’s sweets that are sure to please mom’s sweet tooth.
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IDENTITY bits & pieces
CAIRO BLAZING THE TRAIL FOR SUSTAINABLE CITIES “THE GATE”, A ONE OF A KIND SMART ECO-FRIENDLY COMPLEX IN EGYPT AND THE MIDDLE EAST “CAIRO OUTPACE THE FRENCH CAPITAL IN DEVELOPING HIGH-TECH GREEN RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY”, SAYS INTERNATIONAL DESIGN ARCHITECT VINCENT CALLEBAUT In a move that signals a revolutionary shift in the global real estate development industry, the world-renowned Design Architect Vincent Callebaut has unveiled the one- of- its- kind futuristic landmark named “The Gate” to be developed in Cairo ahead of its Parisian counterpart entitled the” Smart City”, Callebaut’s vision for Paris as an eco-friendly city in 2050.
HOLIDAY INN CAIRO MAADI SIGNS A COLLABORATION PROTOCOL WITH MISR EL KHEIR FOUNDATION Holiday Inn Cairo Maadi, the riverside property that has joined recently InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), has signed on cooperation protocol with Misr El Kheir Foundation in development and training 20 students to give them the opportunity to develop skills and improve their employment prospects.
BCFE LAUNCHES THE “PINK PATH” MOVIE AT THE CAIRO MARRIOTT As part of the continuous partnership between the Cairo Marriott Hotel and the Breast Cancer Foundation of Egypt, the BCFE chose the Aida Ballroom of the Cairo Marriott Hotel for the launching of the “Pink Path” movie. The event started with an opening speech by Dr. Mohamed Shaalan, Chairman of the Breast Cancer Foundation of Egypt in which he shared with the attendees the success and growth of the foundation over the past 10 years.
MALL OF EGYPT SETS NEW STANDARDS FOR SUSTAINABLE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT IN EGYPT It has been a remarkable year of achievements at the site of Mall of Egypt, the most recent project of Majid Al Futtaim in the local market. With the construction plan well underway, Mall of Egypt is projected to open to the public in 2016. The development plan of the EGP4.9 billion.
JUHAYNA TAKES ON THE RENOVATIONS OF OUTPATIENT CLINICS AT AIN SHAMS SPECIALIZED HOSPITAL In accordance with the company’s social responsibility strategy which aims to support the health and wellbeing of society, Juhayna has taken on the renovations project of the outpatient clinics at Ain Shams Specialized Hospital, affiliated with Ain Shams University. The outpatient clinics have been fully refurbished and developed to fit the needs of both the patients and the public. The inauguration of this project coincided with the 30th anniversary of the hospital.
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IKEA LAUNCHES IKEA FAMILY PROGRAM. UNIQUE CUSTOMER LOYALTY PROGRAM INTRODUCED IN EGYPT Global furnishing retailer Ikea has launched its Ikea Family customer loyalty program in Cairo. It is accompanied by the launch of the Ikea Family range-offering over 80 exciting new products in the areas of travel , safety & relation.
DRIVING FORWARD ON ITS WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT JOURNEY PEPSICO PARTICIPATES IN “WOMEN FOR SUCCESSGLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FOR WOMEN SME’S” CONFERENCE ORGANIZED BY “BUSINESS WOMEN OF EGYPT 21” ASSOCIATION PepsiCo continues to pursue its mission of developing and empowering the role of women in business and in life. To reaffirm its commitment to support the advancement of women’s leadership, PepsiCo will participate in the “Women For Success-Global Partnership for Women SME’s” Conference organized by the “Business Women of Egypt 21” Association held from Feb.7-Feb.11 in Cairo, Luxor and Aswan.
HAMLEYS FIRST STORE IN EGYPT OPENS IN CAIRO FESTIVAL CITY MALL The renowned british toy shop, Hamleys, has opened its doors for the first time in Cairo on Thursday January 22nd in Cairo Festival City Mall in the presence of British Ambassdor, John Casson, members of the media and guests. The toy shop which is comprised of 700 squares metres is detailed with playful iconic fixtures and displays over 3000 different type of toys and games, setting the tone for a magical experience for everyone who walks through the doors. KEMPINSKI HOTEL SOMABAY HOSTS AN ELEGANT RECEPTION FOR ITS LOYAL PARTNERS Each year, Kempinski Hotel Soma Bay celebrates its success with their travel partners by hosting a cocktail reception. Kempinski Hotel Soma Bay General Manager George Ganchev was there to welcome the guests personally. “This reception is our dedicated time to show our gratitude and acknowledge our worldwide travel partners for their invaluable support,” he said. “We would like to thank each and every one of you in person and share the latest news about our beautiful property.”
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IDENTITY bits & pieces
MISS GERMANY CAMP HELDATKEMPINSKI HOTEL SOMA BAY Kempinski HotelSoma Bay has been home for 24 Miss Germany contestants this February. They all came to be part of the Miss Germany Camp from 9-19 February 2015. The Miss Germany Camp is an essential part in their competition for the final Miss Germany title, which will beannounced in Germany on 28 February 2015. Kempinski Hotel Soma Bay was chosen as the ideal retreat for the contestants to receive their VIP training and participate in photo shoots in a breathtakingly idyllic setting. With its sandy beach, luxurious roomsand five-star restaurants, Kempinski Soma Bay was the preferred destination for this event.
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A GLITTERY VALENTINE CELEBRATION WITH CAIRO MARRIOTT AND IRAM JEWELRY The Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino collaborated with IRAM Jewelry to treat their clients to one of a kind Valentine Celebration this year. Guests were invited to a cocktail reception at the grandeur of Salon Royal and Eugenie Salon followed by a jewelry show featuring the â&#x20AC;&#x153;AURA collectionâ&#x20AC;? inspired from the lotus Pharaonic flower. The collection included a wide array of limited edition, stunningly designed jewelry pieces with extravagant diamond creations. Sending a message to the whole world that Egypt is back on the tourism scene and to add a spectacular flair to the event, an outstanding performance by the legendary Lebanese pianist, Guy Manoukian was the highlight of the event.
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IDENTITY bits & pieces
PISCES (February 19 - March 20)
Symbol: The Fish Element: Water Lucky Gem: Moon Stone Period: Feb 19 - Mar 20 Best compatible with: Virgo, Cancer, Scorpio Worst compatible with: Aries, Leo, Gemini
Pisces Strength Keywords: - Compassionate - Adaptable - Accepting - Devoted - Imaginative
Pisces Weakness Keywords: - Oversensitive - Indecisive - Self-pitying - Lazy - Escapist
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Pisces seek salvation within themselves, striving for total self sufficiency and self - reliance. Initially they may be appear very materialistic, but that is only because they don’t want to have to worry about material wants on their way to self - knowledge and fulfilment. They wish deeply to do the right thing and may become confused about
They must learn how to use power wisely, they have vitality, have an urge to rule. They are easygoing, affectionate, submissive and offer no threat or challenge to stronger and more exuberant characters.
“They are secretive, hard to know, and hardly know themselves.” their true aims and get bewildered and lost in a materialistic jungle. At their truest, they are crystal clear, unselfish, devoted, demanding little, always sacrificing themselves for others. The Key Phrase for Pisces is “I believe”. They are emotional and sensitive and can easily be influenced by good and bad, practicality and realism often escapes them.
They are emotional rather than rational, instinctive more than intellectual, and have limited willpower. They tend to withdraw into their own dream world as a retreat from the harsh reality of day-to-day living and the inability to cope with real life.
CRISPY BLEU CHEESE FILLET
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