The best knows no alternative The All-New C-Class
A Daimler Brand
Masterful in appearance and unique in detail, the new C-Class impresses not only because of its dynamic and sporty design, but thanks to countless innovative assistance systems – such as the reversing camera, and the all new touchpad. Cutting edge technology comes together with a modern, luxurious design to offer four breathtaking packages setting a new benchmark in their class. Visit the nearest authorized dealer or www.mercedes-benz.com.eg
Mercedes-Benz Egypt S.A.E Sales Network Cairo National Automotive: 1025, Corniche El Nile, Fom El Khalig. Tel: 01220090030 Ring Road, 3rd District, New Cairo. Tel.: 01220090040 Giza National Automotive: 1, Tahrir St., Dokki. Tel: 01200007711 134, El Nile St., Agouza.Tel: 37492567 Pyramids Heights, Km 22, Cairo – Alex Desert Road, Pyramids Heights complex, Tel: 35362700/1
Alexandria National Automotive: Cairo – Alexandria Agricultural Rd., Semouha.Tel: (03) 4248745 91, 26 July St., El Raml Area. Tel: (03) 4833333 Hurghada National Automotive El Nagda Square, Inner ring road, Hurghada, Red Sea Tel: +201270913333/+201270912222
After Sales Network Cairo National Automotive: 1025, Corniche El Nile, Fom El Khalig. Tel: 23640180 Ring Road, 3rd District, New Cairo. Tel.: 01276401000 Giza National Automotive: 1, Tahrir St., Dokki. Tel: 33368208 Pyramids Heights, Km 22, Cairo – Alex Desert Road, Pyramids Heights complex. Tel: 35362700/1
Alexandria National Automotive: Cairo – Alexandria Agricultural Rd., Semouha. Tel: (03) 4288820 German Auto Service: Km 18, Cairo-Ismaillia Road. Tel: 26982286 Engineering Car Co. Pyramids (ECCP): Smart Village Road, Abou Rawash, off Cairo-Alex Desert Road Tel: 35390925 Hurghada National Automotive El Nagda Square, Inner ring road, Hurghada, Red Sea Tel: +201270913333/+201270912222
PERFORMANCE? THE BMW 3 SERIES. WE LEAD. OTHERS FOLLOW.
On board the BMW 3 Series you can rest assured you’ll always be in the lead. The rest will follow behind. The new BMW 320i is by far the most powerful in its class with a 2.0L TwinPower Turbo, 184 hp engine and 8-speed automatic transmission. If that’s not pure driving performance, what is? Visit your nearest authorized BMW Bavarian Auto showroom to find out more and ask about the rest of the 3 Series range, including the BMW 316i, 328i, and 335i.
BMW 320i Sport and Luxury lines: Interior and Exterior Sport or Luxury line design package, Max. Output 184hp, Acceleration 0-100 7.3 seconds, Fuel Consumption 5.9 - 6.0L/100Km.
Customer Service: 19269 www.facebook.com/BMWegypt
BMW 320i
www.bmw-eg.com
Sheer Driving Pleasure
Editor’s Note As much as we enjoyed our spring, we can’t be any more exited that summer is finally here! So get ready dear readers, for we promise you an issue that is as bright as summer’s blue sky, and as hot as its sunny days. Our issue this month is totally dedicated to the dazzling, sparkling summer nights. We will show you how to get ready for your big night out, and where to go in the sizzling nights of Cairo. Even if you plan to stay in, you deserve the perfect night in and we have it all planed, just step aside dudes, and we promise to tell you the things women do when they are alone. If you think that the blackout will be our summer crises, think again and let us show you how to make a night of it! For the second month in a row, we continue to prioritize our beautiful brides, to ensure they have the night of their dreams! Dear brides, prepare yourselves, for we will show you how to get ready for your big day. If you are still up a gum tree and can’t choose your wedding dress, make sure you check our top wedding designers, who will bring your sultry dream to reality. You need no diet or exercise to lose weight, feel lighter and get your beach body ready; only check what you put on your grocery list. Follow our simple steps for an instant relief to your constant backache, and always remember to love your heart. Who says you can work in a job you hate, when you can nail your dream job! If you are feeling out of the blues and have no tolerance for work pressure, try our productive time wasters and you will be back on track! We didn’t forget the latest style and fashion trends! Check our secret tricks to get longer legs, and learn some beauty hacks to do with your toothbrush. We also selected for you the hot summer hair colours, and the trendiest sunglasses of all time. In celebration of summer nights, we interviewed two of the biggest names in the clubbing business, Mr Ahmed Wahdan, owner of Tabla and Sky Bar, and Mr Adly Mestekawy owner of Pacha. Since a summer night is not complete without music, we also interviewed the best DJs in Egypt, Gawdat Brothers, Adham Mestekawy, Hisham Zahran and Mustafa Sheta (Misty). In addition to Sherry Elkilany, one of the hustler minds behind Scoop Empire and Ninteen84. We are not done yet, on our cover is the multitalented diva, Nancy Afiouni, speaking about her career, personal life and a lot more. Hope you enjoy our sun-kissed issue and wish you a beautiful & bright summer!
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Published Monthly By Insight Publishing House Limited, UK P.O. Box 362 Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Tel: +4475-0745-3222 Egypt’s Representative Office: 7 Ahmed Hosny St.,Behind Raba’a ElAdaweya, Nasr City, Cairo - Egypt. Tel: (+202) 240-14241 / 240-16358 010-6587-1115 / 010-6587-1116 010-6007-3537 Website: www.insight-egypt.com E-mail: mag@insight-egypt.com InsightMagazineEgypt #InsightFans The Editor Nina G Yowakim nina.insight@gmail.com 010-0102-3105 Managing Director Nancy G Yowakim ngyowakim@gmail.com Editor-in-chief Maged Atteya mag.insight@gmail.com Editorial Department magz.insight@gmail.com 010-6587-1116 Editors / Sub Editors Staff Writers / Contributors Rania Ihab Roulla Soussou Ahmad Nabih Art & Design Designers Emy Emile Marian Karam Fashion Photographers Hussein Salman Sharbel Bou Mansour Khaled Fadda Event Photographers Atef Naguib, Khaled El Hawary Advertising Department adverts.insight@gmail.com 0110/6007/3537 Admin & Distribution Dept. 010/6587/1115 Admin. Executive Nermeen Moharam
General Distribution: Al Ahram and on sale at newsstands, bookshops, major supermarkets nationwide & On the Run outlets. Annual subscription fee UK£140, US$220. Single copies are £1.40, US$3, EGP15. Group subscription rates available on request. Insight Magazine was founded in 1997 and is published monthly by Insight Publishing House Ltd, UK. Advertising and events deadline is the 10th of the month before publication. The publisher must be notified in writing of any reservations, cancellations or changes, 30 days before publication date. Insight Magazine does not assume responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, illustrations or advertising material. ©2014. All rights reserved. Insight Magazine is a registered trademark. Copyright here and abroad of all editorial content is held by the publishers: Insight Publishing House Limited, UK. Reproduction in whole or part is forbidden save with the permission in writing of the publishers.
JUNE
2014
E N T T N S O C
30
THE MUST TRY HAIR COLORS FOR SUMMER Summertime Madness
10 GET BEACH READY 12 HEY… IT’S OK
Pats on your back
16 FAKE TAN 18 SHALL WE DANCE 20 ACCESSORIES 26 10 LIFESTYLE TIPS EVERY BUSY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW Learn how to keep your life together
32 GET READY FOR YOUR BIG NIGHT OUT
Checklist to get prepped for your date
34 HANG YOUR HANGOVER Hangover Fixer Tips
10 CELEBRITY WEDDINGS WE WANT TO SEE IN 2014 Come on already!
28
6 17 LOOKS THAT MAKE US WANT TO WEAR MORE COLOR More colors to shine on you
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14 THE MOST ICONIC GLASSES OF ALL-TIME Sunglasses that re-wrote history
36 HOW TO NAIL YOUR DREAM JOB?
Go get’em, champ!
38 FEEL LIGHTER BY THE END OF TODAY 50 PLACES TO HIT IN THE SIZZLING NIGHTS OF CAIRO
Here’s where to be tonight
INTERVIEWS 52 Adly El Mestekawy 54 Ahmed Wahdan 56 Adham El Mestekawy 58 Hisham Zahran 60 Mostafa Sheta 62 Gawdat 64 Sherry Elkilany 74 PRODUCTIVE TIME WASTERS
42
PHOTOGRAPHER: HUSSEIN SALMAN STYLIST: RIDA ABDO HAIR STYLIST: PACE E LUCI MAKEUP: RANIA KAIS
NANCY
With a simple activity, comes great productivity
76 THE CURE FOR YOUR BACKACHE I got your back, back
86 7 NATURAL WAYS TO MANAGE PERIOD PAIN 90 HOROSCOPES The month of Gemini
92 THE BOOKS, THE MOVIES & THE MUSIC Treats for your heart and mind
94 STROKES OF GENIUS VAN GOGH 96 CALENDAR June’s hottest events
24 FASHION TIPS/ TRICKS TO FAKE LONGER LEGS
Cheating your way to longer legs
8 STYLE YOUR GETAWAY
Add a romantic puff to the Getaway you waited for
17 1 D
o you always gravitate toward dark or neutral clothes? We can relate, which is exactly why we’re challenging you to change that habit by incorporating more color in to your outfits. Here are looks that will inspire you to swap out your blacks and whites for vibrant colors this season, we promise.
Now we have to try a pair of bright trousers!
LOOKS THAT MAKE US WANT TO WEAR MORE
Color Fashion math: floral pants + vibrant tank + killer sunglasses = a great look
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3
You can’t go wrong with a fitted red dress.
4 Need another romper? Yes.
For a daytime look, style your solid pants with sleek stripes top and minimal jewelry.
2
Add a charming printed skirt to your spring wardrobe!
6
Style a striking yellow skirt with festive bracelets and your go-to tote for the perfect Saturday look.
Embrace your softer side with baby blue hues.
5 Navy and pink might be our new favorite color combo.
DITCH THE DARKER SIDE OF YOUR WARDROBE THIS SUMMER!
Go all out by mixing two vibrant colors in your next outfit.
7 Pair a solid knit sweater with a floral mini skirt this weekend!
We can’t decide which part of this perfectly colorful outfit is our favorite, but as of today, the super power skirt is in the lead.
H&M NECKLACE
H&M DRESS
PUNT ROMA BEACH BAG
H&M JUMPSUIT
CONSIDER these pieces in your
ROMANTIC GETAWAY!
H&M LIPSTICK
SUITBLANCO SUNGLASSES
SUITBLANCO HIGH-HEELS 8 insight
PUNT ROMA BAG
H&M SKIRT
CUTESY BOW PLEAT WALKER
KATY JEWELLED MONTANA NECKLACE
LA VIE EN ROSE SWIMWEAR
H&M CUFF
LA VIE EN ROSE SWIMWEAR
H&M MINI SKIRT OYSHO LINGERIE LA VIE EN ROSE SLIPPERS H&M SUNGLASSES
Style your GETAWAY
LA VIE EN ROSE STRAW HAT
H&M DRESS
H&M DENIM SHIRT
Your honeymoon is one of the unforgettable memories in your life! To help you make it a memory to remember, we selected for you some of the best pieces that you should consider in your romantic getaway!
H&M SHOES
LA VIE EN ROSE BEACH BAG
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GET BEACH
ready
BENETINT LIP CHEEK STAIN
LÉAL DOUBLE EXTEND WATERPROOF MASCARA
BAREMINERALS BARESKIN FOUNDATION & VINCENT LONGO LIQUID SHADOW
AVEDA CONTROL PASTE
SMASHBOX JET SET WATERPROOF EYELINER BLINC HEATED EYELASH CURLER & MARK EDGE LIQUID EYE LINER
H
itting the beach can be problematic when it comes to your makeup. All the things that are great about the seashore — the sand, the surf, the soft, salty, humid breeze — cause regular beauty products to run, melt, and just plain fail. And that’s where these products come in. They’re designed to be sweat-proof and waterproof and to keep you pretty. For some brilliant beachready finds, just keep reading.
HEY
IT’S
OK ... To want ice cream everyday, it is summer after all. To wish that just once you would wake up to a phone call telling you the office is closed today, for no reason other then the fact that it is nice outside and someone is feeling generous! To buy two iced coffees in one day (oops!). To be proud of yourself after a workout. To think to yourself, “I could make that”, when browsing on Pinterest or Etsy. To wonder what exactly goes through Lady Gaga’s head, or Nicki Minaj for that matter. To wish it was summer break like when you were in school or college — no plans, limited responsibility, hang with your friends whenever you want. Not too much to ask! To shave your legs in the bathroom sink more than you do in the tub.
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THE MOST
ICONIC
SUNGLASSES OF ALL TIME If you’re going to invest in a new pair of sunnies this spring, make it one of these. Amidst the wacky eyewear trends we’ve seen in the last decade (think: Kanye West’s shutter shades, Lady Gaga’s Mickey Mouse frames, and so on), it’s no surprise we’ve concocted this list of tried and true sunglasses we can always count on to be in style.
A.J. MORGAN Rotunda Sunglasses.
ROUND ACNE Pascal Light Yellow Sunglasses.
Seen on style icons like John Lennon, Twiggy, Mary-Kate Olsen and more, we’re pretty sure anyone who rocks round sunglasses is destined for coolness.
WILD FOX Round Sunglasses.
CAT-EYE Perhaps the iconic sunglasses shape with the most personality, these flirty frames are a great way to give your outfit an instant upgrade. OPENING CEREMONY Cat-Eye Sunglasses.
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IVORY + MASON BOND Tokyo Tortoise Sunglasses.
DIOR EXQUISE Sunglasses.
There is a rena issance aT r isTor anTe Tuscany.
Cairo Marriott Hotel & oMar KHayyaM Casino 16 Saray El GEzira St., PO BOx 33 zamalEk, CairO 11211, EGyPt. t: 00. 202.27.28.3000 CairOmarriOtthOtEl.COm araBiC.marriOtt.COm
ristorante tusCany is revitalized. elegant ‘belle epoque’ and a welCoMing rustiC warMtH … botH Capture tHe essenCe of tHis italian region wHere siMple, wHolesoMe food is part of tHe Heritage. Allow the aromas, tastes and textures of our antipasti l e a d yo u to o u r a u t h e n t i c d i s h e s … h o m e - m a d e speciality Marriott Pasta Fresca, the Pollo alla Griglia or maybe Scaloppine al Limone. The genius of Tuscan cuisine is its simplicity. Ristorante Tuscany … simply exquisite.
PERFECT YOUR
I
t’s no secret that being tan helps you look your best (and makes you more attractive to others). And by now you know that too much time in the sun or tanning bed causes wrinkles, aging and worse. So that leaves self tanning lotions, sprays and creams as your best option for getting a beautiful, healthy tan that everyone will envy! But, out of the hundreds of products currently available, which one is right for you and your skin? Well, that’s where we come in…
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Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel
Neutrogena Sun Fresh Sunless Foam
Victoria’s Secret Beauty Bare Bronze Gleaming Self-Tan Body Tint
L’Occitane Sunshine Lotion
Guerlain Terracotta Sunless Self-Tanning Balm
Jergens Natural Glow Express
Aveeno Continuous Radiance Moisturizing Lotion
Inspired From Oprah.com
SHALLWE
Dance is one of the most beautiful forms of art that has grown in leaps and bounds. Dance is no longer just a hobby; it is also one of the most lucrative professions. Also, dance therapy is very much in vogue these days simply because dancing helps a person to heal from within. Dance is a form of expression that helps a person bring forth who they are, and what they’re passionate about. It builds confidence and adds to self esteem.
DANCE?! that requires fluidity and delicate movement. When danced by the International Standard norms, this dance is performed more closely towards each other as compared to the American Style. Foxtrot Foxtrot, as a dance style, gives a dancer flexibility to combine slow and fast dance steps together. This social dance was named after the actor Harry Fox.
Ballroom Dance Ballroom dancing is one of the most entertaining and elite styles of dancing. In the earlier days, ballroom dance was only for the privileged class of people, the socialites if you must. This style of dancing with a partner, originated in Germany, but is now a popular act followed in varied dance styles. Today, the popularity of ballroom dance is evident, given the innumerable shows and competitions worldwide that revere dance, in all its form. This dance includes many other styles sub-categorized under this. There are many dance techniques that have been developed especially in America. The International Standard recognizes around 10 styles that belong to the category of ballroom dancing, whereas the American style has few forms that are different from those included under the International Standard. Tango It definitely does take two to tango and this dance also belongs to the American Style category. Like all ballroom dancers, the male has to lead the female partner. The choreography of this dance is what sets it apart from other styles, varying between the International Standard, and that which is American. Waltz The waltz is danced to melodic, slow music and is an equally beautiful dance form. The waltz is a graceful form of dance 18 insight
Viennese Waltz This style of ballroom dance is based on the original form of the waltz. There are many versions of this style of dance. It originated in the latter period of the 18th century. Quickstep This style belongs to the International Style of Ballroom dancing which originated in the 1920s. This dance includes many steps with quick momentum. As seen in the move ‘Dance With Me’, the Foxtrot is both fun, and a dance that requires synchronicity. Cha-Cha-Cha The cha-cha-cha simply called the cha-cha is a type of Latin-American dance, which is very rhythmic in its appeal. This dance is energetic with slow movements as well.
SHALL Therapy SHALL
Rumba This sensual dance is based on slow hip movement. Rumba belongs to the International Standard as well as the American style. This dance is known for the beauty of the steps that are coordinated on a slow rhythm.
DANCE
IS VERY IN VOGUE
Dancing TANGO THESE DAYS SIMPLY
BECAUSE
HELPS A PERSON TO HEAL FROM WITHIN.
Samba This beautiful and energetic dance also has many forms. The steps may differ in Samba that is danced as per the ballroom style and the traditional style samba choreography. Jive This is yet another lively form of ballroom dances. This dance is also amongst the five dances that belong to the Latin American dance styles. Seen as a dance style that had taken the 30s and 40s (dancers moved mostly to jazz music) to perfect and pass on years later, still keeping it just as upbeat like it were back in the day. Paso Doble This lively dance is also an International Latin dance style with less emphasis on hip movement. The basic structure of this Latin dance is based on the sounds and the movements used in Spanish bullfights.
www.marksandspencer.com/eg
www.marksandspencer.com/eg
Facebook.com/MarksandSpencerArabia
Autograph worn by Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
Cairo: Cairo Festival City Mall, Tel: +202 26168051, Dandy Mall, Al Jizah Tel: 02 3539 4120, Citystars Heliopolis, Tel: 02 2480 1960, Alexandria: Alexandria City Centre, Alex/Cairo Desert Road, Tel: 03 3970 309
R D E L V O L I G S R E V L
PERSONALIZED ROSE GOLD PINKY RING GOLD DIAMOND PENDANT NECKLACE
H D EA AN ND NT ER BA PA LV G N SI N O G RI YR IN LD M ERL O ST K G 14
R
R VE SIL S N O OE PT SH M KE OLD G
O S
S E
C C ELONGATED CHECKERED J-HOOP EARRINGS
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SILVER ROSE GOLD ENGRAVED RING
SHIMMERY WEDDING SHOES GOLD AND SILVER
TOMMY HILFIGER WOMEN›S ANALOG DISPLAY QUARTZ TWO TONE WATCH
S E I
S Renaissance caiRo MiRage city Hotel, youR Venue foR tHe PeRfect Wedding looking for a place to hold your wedding ceremony? find that special something at Renaissance cairo Mirage city Hotel. enjoy your big day knowing that our team will stop at nothing to make it as perfect as it could possibly be. With ballrooms accommodating up to 600 guests, the Renaissance cairo Mirage city Hotel is just the place to hold your wedding night.
Renaissance caiRo MiRage city Hotel Ring Road, Mirage city P.o BoX 250, 11757, Heliopolis, cairo, egypt t: +202 24 06 33 33 f: +202 24 48 44 44 renaissancecairo.com
GUCCI Green Aviator.
LOU REED Aviator.
AVIATOR Popularized by Tom Cruise in Top Gun, these pilotinspired sunglasses are not only flattering on most face shapes, but they also pair with a model-off-duty look quite nicely.
SQUARE These geometric sunglasses give your look an art-inspired appeal. Try them with a turtleneck and trench coat, Ă la Francoise Hardy.
OLIVER Peoples Aviator.
HOUSE OF HARLOW Anais Sunglasses. TOM FORD CANDICE Sunglasses.
VICTORIA BECKHAM Square-Frame Acetate Sunglasses.
TOPSHOP LILO OVERSIZED Square Sunglasses.
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BOTTEGA VENETA Square-Frame Acetate and Intrecciato Leather Sunglasses.
10
FASHION TIPS/ TRICKS TO FAKE
TRICK 1
TRY ONE COLOR FROM HEAD TO TOE.
The monochromatic look creates an uninterrupted visual line. Just make sure your ankle and tops of your feet are covered.
TRICK 2
WEAR A NUDE SHOE. Shoes that match your skin tone will visually extend the leg.
LONGER LEGS W
hether you were genetically blessed in the gams department or not, most of us wouldn’t mind creating the illusion of even longer legs. Check out our tips to fake some serious stems, just in time for the height of legbaring season.
TRICK 3
BRING YOUR WAISTLINE UP. High-waisted skirts, pants, or shorts will create the illusion that your legs start at a higher point.
TRICK 4
DITCH THE ANKLE STRAP. Ankle straps visually bisect the legs. Opt for standard or low-cut pumps instead.
TRICK 5
OPT FOR PANTS WITH VERTICAL LINES. Vertical lines orient the eye to look up and down, which has a lengthening effect.
TRICK 6
LONGER HEMS ARE YOUR FRIEND. Especially when worn with heels, a floor-grazing hem makes your legs look incredibly long.
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LONGER LEGS
TRICK 7:
POINTED SHOES ARE BEST. Round-toe shoes can have a shortening effect, while pointed pumps elongate the leg. Extra points for choosing a style with a low vamp so even more foot is exposed.
TRICK 8:
SHORTER IS BETTER. If you’re comfortable showing off your legs, a higher hemline (within reason!) will make your gams look longer.
TRICK 8:
GO FOR SLIGHTLY CROPPED JACKETS. Similar to wearing high-waisted pants, a cropped jacket will also make it look as if your torso is shorter, making your legs look longer in proportion.
TRICK 10:
ASYMMETRICAL HEMS WORK IN YOUR FAVOR. Your legs will look as long as the shortest point on an asymmetrical top or dress.
TRY ONE COLOR FROM HEAD TO TOE
1LIF0ESTYLE TIPS ELVDEKRNYOBWUSY U O H S N WOMA
ANGES SMALL CH ALL THE CAN MAKE E. HERE DIFFERENC FIND IS HOW TO NCE IN A A YOUR BAL HEDULE. HECTIC SC
scientific ’s actually a ng sends good. There t says smili a th n o ti a n expla n chocolate rain that eve b r u o to s blis h. cannot matc AY
D RM MEAL A EAT ONE WAsh, it’s easier to grab
akfast, When you ru ghurt for bre wyo d n a d la fruit sa n a thro nch and eve eating at lu r fo d la a sa r, but d for dinne per it-all-in sala oked meal o c d n a rm a w e a n least o urtured nd ant to feel n rt o p im is y da nourished.
GUILTY DON’T FEEL a draining emotion. If
h Guilt is suc n’t sweat. If e sugar, do m so u can go you ate t, workou yo a d e . If p ip sk you ss right now og/yoga cla y, a d to s n e for a walk/j re at enough g you didn’t e rrow. Live in o m to m e t th at you can ea d accept th moment an t n se re . p n e a th hum lse, you are above all e GROOMING lude this on your exc Don’t ever th/shower, . Take a ba se a le p , e n routi yourself ke-up, make a m r u yo o d an be more . Nothing c presentable n a poor rushing tha confident-c xterior. e l d an awfu hygiene an U CAN,
. wonderful”
LF FIRST PUT YOURSEthink of others before
e nd So often w ly healthy a nd to be tru a ell s w e n lv w e o rs r u u o to fill up o ve a h e w happy, ll – of selfour well is fu ng, ‘me’ first. When ati e y ise, health love, exerc we are more n e th – lf care r . Make you time and se rs lly to othe fu n e a e iv g m n to able care ca priority. Self a rre ve a r c u lfse ybe yo u want; ma g anything yo arly mornin e n a is re a c lf. h se c f n sion o until lu or a sleep in , ss in la c g a in g yo morn u’ll spend a Perhaps yo ing reading rn o m a r e, o the sunshin a midday ’s it . Maybe h c u o or an c e th on nder bath, a long lave nd a s e n zi meditation, a iny mag sh h it w n o o st cho se afterno the grass. Ju ing that n o d la sa fruit someth you love – You something at it, often. e p re d n a – p u fills you ng. can’t go wro MANTRA. SAY A LITTLEave and go on with your le utter Before you mirror and front of the in ch t e su g lf y, e a rs d u mantra to yo p e e “k , an inspiring r” e will be bett will be as “today, I r “this day o ” n o y rr a c d n a lm a c
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G THE MORNIN EXERCISE IN thing in the morning will
first rove your Exercising ectively imp ff e d nd n a ly rapid ce stress a mood, redu d nce n a la a y b rg e to n e even help y a m d n si a these de anxiety Of course, s. e n o rm o h your ppen if you rcise will ha xe e f o ts how often c e eff rnoon, but e ft a e th in exercise f that 4pm urself out o yo lk ur ta u do yo to move yo Make time ? give ss d la n c a g in sp h mornin c a e g py, in th aving a hap body first st shot of h e b e th lf e yours day. productive healthy and F LF A DAY OF GIVE YOURSEtime off from the ‘everylf , being Give yourse ering emails sw n a f o e n ans. Come day’ routi ng skinny je ri a e w d n a online mpler life, ythm of a si rh e le th to k bac d with peop in nature an g in zz u b e spend time ff from th o h c it sw , a e phon nd you love f your smart o g nd in p e e b and d balance a intuitively fin of the smartlf e rs u yo t le one entred. It’s feel more c for yourself. o d n a c u est things yo ry powerful SMILE act yet a ve le p m feel si a e Quit ur brain to joy. It tells o f o s lu u im st
AS YO EAT AS WELL YOU CAN AS OFTEN ASeating a priority and
hy Make healt couple of to include a r an e b m e m re ek. These c ts each we (like ts a e tr yummy trea f o hier variety f be the healt breakfast o te, or a big la o c o rh u c so rk d a d o an gs, avocad l poached eg you just fee e yb a m r o ) st a to d n h a doug cadent ing a bit de olike someth ites of choc b w hy (a fe n; a m u h e B not so healt anyone?). , ke a c d u y late m rself. B cult on you don’t be diffi lf to enjoy everything urse allowing yo ying a little on and enjo ti s, ra e d in mo green juice een all the tw e b s n in e t re a tre ed g s and steam green salad the train to n o e b ’ll t, you you can ea happiness, g and findin n w to y h lt hea g the way. alance alon b d n a se a e PRAY u’re trying ow much yo y slice of No matter h e even a tin d si a t se , titude and to rush ffer your gra proteco to e m ti r you e and for guidanc to ask Him st way to e ti h ig the m tion. This is thing else r day. Every u yo rm o sf tran if you leave ill be useless w t lis is th in . out praying
Un éclair de dessert Make up your own box with our new flavours
Lemon Yuzu • Coconut • Strawberry Pistachio Pecan Nut • Paris-Brest
Citystars - Downtown Mall, Kattameya - Mall of Arabia - Jazeerat Al Arab - Korba Now open in Cairo Festival City
10 celebrity
weddings we want to see in
2014
TAKE A FRONT-ROW SEAT AT THE A-LIST NUPTIALS WE’D LOVE TO SEE THIS YEAR! 01 JENNIFER ANISTON AND JUSTIN THEROUX It feels as if we’ve been waiting for Jen and Justin to tie the knot for a lifetime. The couple have kept us on our toes with their on-again off-again wedding plans - but could 2014 be the year they finally tie the knot? Our wedding prediction: somewhere beachy and sundrenched - perfect for this watersports-loving couple.
02 KIM KARDASHIAN AND KANYE WEST Wedding of the season: Kimye’s celebration is seriously OTT and lavish. Did not receive an invite? The happy couple travelled all the way to France along with their families and closest friends to celebrate their bachelor/ette’s parties and rehearsal dinner. And may we add an extravagant brunch at Valentino’s private mansion!! And when we were all relaxed about finally discovering the sacred destination, they travelled all the way to Florence to tie the knot in Givenchy couture!
03 LAUREN CONRAD AND WILLIAM TELL William proposed to Lauren in October 2013 and since then, the
couple have taken a laidback approach to planning their dream celebration, with Lauren keen to ‘take her time’. Our wedding prediction: a seriously stylish celebration, with lots of adorable (but oh-so chic) handmade details craft-loving Lauren has spotted on Pinterest.
04 KELLY ROWLAND AND TIM WITHERSPOON Gorgeous Kelly confirmed her engagement to her manager in November 2013, and revealed he popped the question over Skype. Modern romance, eh? Our wedding prediction: Kelly’s Destiny’s Child bandmates Beyoncé and Michelle will step up as bridesmaids and Kelly’s pal David Guetta will DJ at the reception. 28 insight
05 FEARNE COTTON AND JESSE WOOD Cool couple Fearne and Jesse announced their engagement in December 2013. Fearne’s engagement ring? A gorgeous sparkly diamond. Our wedding prediction: Jesse’s rockstar dad Ronnie will perform at the reception. How amazing would that be?
06 PERRIE EDWARDS AND ZAYN MALIK The popstar duo broke hearts across the world when they announced their engagement in August 2013. Since then, rumors have abounded about the couple’s plans - although Perrie has hinted they are giving strong consideration to a tropical beach wedding. Our wedding prediction: Little Mix and One Direction will be bridesmaids and ushers. Surely this has to happen?
07 SCARLETT JOHANSSON AND ROMAIN DURIAC Scarlett and French journalist Romain Duriac had been dating for around nine months when they announced their engagement. The couple were said to be ‘very happy’; Scarlett recently hinted they weren’t going to rush their wedding planning. Our wedding prediction: a very cool, very chic Parisian wedding.
08 PIPPA MIDDLETON AND NICO JACKSON While Pippa and Nico’s engagement hasn’t been officially confirmed yet, we’re still allowed to daydream, right? Our wedding prediction: the Duchess of Cambridge’s little sister will make a stunning bride - and maybe Kate will be Maid of Honour!
10 BRAD PITT AND ANGELINA JOLIE We’ve heard it all when it comes to Brangelina’s wedding plans - one moment they’re planning to tie the knot at their French vineyard, the next, they’re considering saying ‘I do’ on a boat. So hopefully 2014 will be the year we can stop guessing and finally find out Hollywood’s golden couple plan to exchange their vows! Our wedding prediction: something intimate - but with their six children involved, of course!
09 OLIVIA WILDE AND JASON SUDEIKIS Olivia and Jason announced their engagement in March 2013 and shortly afterwards Olivia told Marie Claire: “I don’t know when we’re getting married but it doesn’t matter as we’ll be together forever.” Aw! Our wedding prediction: our money’s on the gorgeous couple tying the knot after Olivia gives birth to their first child in spring 2014.
D
ESPITE THE BITTER CHILL STILL LINGERING IN THE AIR, IT IS OFFICIALLY SUMMER. FROM REORGANIZING OUR HOMES TO REJUVENATING OUR DRY WINTER SKIN TO REVAMPING OUR WARDROBES, IT’S TIME FOR A FRESH START IN ALL ASPECTS OF LIFE. AND WHAT BETTER WAY TO KICK IT OFF THAN WITH A NEW HAIR COLOR? HERE, WE ENLIST SOME TOP MUST-HAVE SHADES FOR SUMMER. (YES, THAT BLUE IS REALLY ONE OF THEM.)
THE MUST-TRY HAIR COLORS FOR SUMMER
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BRIGHT BLONDES
One of most sought after shades of the season will be a monochromatic blonde like Cate Blanchett’s. Good news for those nervous about bleaching: This ultra-light color is created by a high-lift, single process that will not damage your hair. What is great with these high-lift blondes, is you are not compromising the integrity of the hair because you’re lightening the base colors without pulling too much warmth.
HONEY BLONDES WITH ROOTY DIMENSION
Those with dark blonde or light brown hair looking to keep more of their natural color should go for a honey hue, like Cara Delevingne, with a soft scattering of highlights to create depth at the roots. Balayage, a French hair coloring technique developed in the ‘70s, is a great way to achieve this soft graduation of color. The key is having depth at the roots that fades into lighter tips with a soft haze between the shades. We like to think of it as ‘Glamorous Roots.’ The end result is much more youthful and flattering than a heavy bleach job.
BOLD REDS
This season’s take on ginger is anything but subtle. It’s all about a bright hue that will make your eyes pop à la Christina Hendricks. When going red, you can choose a shade with either copper or blue undertones the latter is much more vibrant. So choose a blue-based color, with minimal highlights, so the base can take center stage.
BUTTERY BRUNETTES
For brown-haired women this season, it’s all about rich monochromatic shades with light contrasts like Kate Middleton. If you have “dark chocolate” hair, we suggest highlights. If you have milk chocolate hair, go for soft honey highlights. Ombré is still in (albeit a much more subtle version), so you should avoid highlighting your roots. This will keep your hair looking soft, pretty, and sophisticated. Too much contrast at the roots with light highlights will give you a harsh zebra effect.
SUMMER PASTELS
First it was Kelly Osbourne, then Nicole Richie, and Ireland Baldwin (who’s already gone from lavender to light blue) dying their hair all the colors of the little kid rainbow. When celebrities start taking the plunge into color, women become more experimental as well. What better time to be adventurous than summer, and what more summer-appropriate color than the sea colour?
I
t’s so hot and edgy right now. We love how Nicole Richie is pairing the purple hair with ultra glamorous outfits. It’s a perfect example of how a bold color can give an edge, but still look pretty. It’s something everyone should do at least once.
H
e called you, asked you out and you’re going out for your first date! In preparation for this important date, remember how crucial it is to put your best foot forward and make an effort to make a good impression. Different types of people view dating differently and regardless of whether you take your dates lightly or more seriously, prepare both mentally and physically for your date. tart by drawing a warm bath, light a candle, put some lounge music and slip into the bath with some body oil. The really nice thing about the body oil is that it makes your skin silky, soft and sweet smelling… part of the perfect combination of aphrodisiac to make him melt! ost bath, pay attention to your skin and teeth. Brush, floss, and rinse afterwards. Pre make-up, put some nice moisturizer on your face, underneath your eyes, and use a lip balm on your lips. Chapped lips are simply the most distracting thing ever (in fact, throw some lip balm in your purse to make sure those lips are deliciously soft all night). or make-up, put an emphasis on accentuating best features. Use a light foundation that creates a nice dewy glow. Shimmer is typically only applied on the cheekbone; underneath the eyebrow, and sometimes a light hint of it inside the inner part of the eye. This “pops” the eye and look fabulous especially for the evening. fterwards, put some flirty blush on, some beige colored eye shadow in the crease of your eyelid. Line your lashes with a chocolate and charcoal pencil and smudge into the upper lash for a sexy, more dramatic look. Grab your eyelash curler and lightly heat it with a hairdryer for ten seconds. The heat activates your lashes and will make them very curly and sultry for hours into your date. Curl (without burning your eyelid… make sure it is not too hot) and then put on a great mascara. fter your make-up is done and your hair styled, put a hint of perfume on your neck and behind your ears. Men respond positively to hints of sweet scents like vanilla and cherry. idn’t have time to buy a new outfit? Don’t sweat it. Sift through your wardrobe and figure out what will accentuate your best feature. If you have a great chest, carpe diem girl, work it. If you have amazing long legs, show them off. If you show off one asset, then be conservative elsewhere. n your purse, put only the essentials such as: mobile, cash, an ID, credit card for emergency, lip gloss, chap stick, breath mints, and your keys. There is no reason to put everything into a massive bag. fter an hour of primping, you are finally dressed, looking pretty and excited. He just called and said he is a few minutes away. At this point, your phone should go on vibrate – there is no reason to be talking to friends during your date, and accepting calls during the date is just bad form. ake a deep breath and know that even the hottest guys, just like the sexiest and most confident girls, get nervous. Just relax and enjoy your big night.
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A
Get READY
for Your Big
NIGHT OUT 32 insight
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• Treatment involves rehydrating the body so it can deal with the painful symptoms (though the best time to rehydrate is before going to sleep). • H2O is a must. As you likely know alcohol is a diuretic and can cause dehydration. Next time order a glass of water with every beer. • Over-the-counter painkillers can help with headaches and muscle cramps. Paracetamol-based remedies are usually preferable, as aspirin may further irritate the stomach and increase nausea and sickness. • Sugary foods may help you feel less trembled. In some cases, an antacid may be needed to settle your stomach first. • Bouillon soup, a thin vegetable-based broth, is a good source of vitamins and minerals, which can top-up depleted resources. Its main advantage is that it’s easy for a fragile stomach to digest. • You can replace lost fluids by drinking bland liquids that are easy on the digestive system, such as water, soda water and isotonic drinks (available in most shops). • Drinking more alcohol does not help. Drinking in the morning is a risky habit, and you may simply be delaying the appearance of symptoms until the alcohol wears off again. • If you’ve had a heavy drinking session, hangover or not, doctors advise that you wait 48 hours before drinking any more alcohol, in order to give your body tissues time to recover. Sometimes, of course, a hangover makes that advice easier to follow.
NEXT TIME TRY TO FOLLOW THESE TIPS TO KEEP HANGOVERS AWAY: • Don’t drink on an empty stomach. Before you go out, have a meal that includes carbohydrates (such as pasta or rice) or fats. The food will help slow down the body’s absorption of alcohol. • Don’t drink dark-coloured drinks if you’ve found that you’re sensitive to them. They contain natural chemicals called congeners (impurities), which irritate blood vessels and tissue in the brain and can make a hangover worse. • Drink water or non-fizzy soft drinks in between each alcoholic drink. Carbonated (fizzy) drinks speed up the absorption of alcohol into your system. • Drink a pint or so of water before you go to sleep. Keep a glass of water by the bed to sip if you wake up during the night.
Hang your
HANGOVER You know better than to buy anything labeled “hangover cure” for the mornings after a wild night, but there has to be something out there to ease the headache, nausea, and overall sense of feeling terrible!
34 insight
How to nail Your Dream Job?
36 insight
Knowing what you want to be when you grow up is one thing; making it happen is quite another. Thanks to the dodgy economy, now’s not necessarily the best of times to be kicking off your career - or looking for a change. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t channel your inner Peggy Olson - Mad Men’s top go-getting girl - and take steps to work towards finding work that, well, works for you. Here are our top ten tips for kicking up your career a notch.
Prioritise
In an ideal world, every job would be spiritually and emotionally fulfilling, fun, and well paid. We wish. In the real world, it’s helpful to have a good think about what your professional priorities are before you go out on the hunt. Is your pay packet highest on your list? Are you more concerned about being creative? Would you sacrifice pay in order to have more flexible hours or better working conditions? Try brainstorming all of the factors that will be part of your ideal job and rank them – it will help you when it’s decision-making time.
Talk To The Experts
That is, the people who are already doing the job that you want to do. Now, it’s important to do this delicately – if you approach people by saying, ‘Hi! I want to be you!’ they may feel threatened. But if you approach the issue by saying that you’re interested in getting into their field and you wonder if they might meet you for a coffee, or even answer a few questions over email – well, even very busy people will often be able to take a few minutes to chat to a bright young thing.
Cast Your Net Wide
Achieving your dream job should simply be a matter of progression from the bottom of the industry to the top. Right? In fact, you may find that you’ll get there faster through an unconventional route (and no, we DON’T mean having an affair with the boss). If you’re applying for entry-level gigs in a competitive industry, consider broadening the range of roles you’re pursuing – you may well be surprised how much developing experience in a slightly different job may lead you to where you were aiming in the first place. Or you might just find that you love doing something that’s a little bit different from your one-time dream job.
Get Work Experience Work experience can be pretty undignified – yes, pretty much everyone is overqualified to sort the post and make the boss coffee. But work experience isn’t generally about demonstrating that you have the skills to do the boss’ job - it’s about meeting people, impressing them with your great personality and can-do attitude. It’s also about getting to know what it’s actually like to be in the environment of the field you’re interested in. You may be surprised. If you can’t afford to work for free – we don’t blame you – look into volunteer opportunities that will help you build relevant skills, or even consider taking some holiday time from your current job to get work experience. It’s a lot less fun than a week in the South of France, but the dividends for that sacrificed beach time can be significant.
Network, Network, Network
Did we mention the important of networking? Happily, these days you can do it from the comfort of your own home: find the people who are working in the industry you’re interested in and start following them on Twitter – same goes for industry organisations and publications. It will give you insight into the industry as well as the people who work in it - and more often than not you may hear about job opportunities that aren’t available elsewhere. This can also be another opportunity to ask industry experts questions, but bombarding them is a definite DON’T (especially when it comes to outright asking them for a job...save that for an email).
Prepare For Rejection The sobering fact is this: in the current economy, there are an unprecedented number of applicants for every job out there. The fact of the matter, then, is that sometimes you will apply for a job for which you feel you have the perfect qualifications and you’ll get a big, fat, no. It’s a horrible feeling, but it’s essential to remember that in many cases, it really is out of your hands. Make the best of it: ask your contact if it’s possible to get any feedback on your application, thank them for their time (leaving a good impression can pay off next time a vacancy comes up), and focus on what’s next on your application to-do list.
Do What You Love Even if you can’t find a job! Remember, you don’t have to get your entire raison d’etre from work - that’s why they call it a job, not a hobby. Make time for doing things outside your job that make you feel productive, creative and happy, and you may just find you develop skills and ideas that will help you find a job down the road that is more reflective of your interests.
Learn More We’re not saying that you have to go back and do another degree (although we’re not stopping you!) But there are lots of ways to enhance your CV through taking short courses, qualifying for certificates and so on. Identify what’s most useful in your field and look into whether you can get your current employer to sponsor it - usually this will mean you have to commit staying in your present role a bit longer, but the extra training may be worth that extra six months.
Make The Most
If options for moving to a new role look slim, make the most of the one that you’re in now: look for opportunities to develop new skills and competencies within the role that will help you to beef up your CV and make your working life a bit more interesting. Even re-organising the filing system can translate as an example of great initiative when it comes the time for you to go on the interview circuit.
Stay Balanced
Feeling frustrated with the direction your career is taking can feel VERY frustrating, especially in a weak economy. But at the end of the day (even a very long work day), it’s important to remember that you are not your job. Even if you have to schedule it in next to your meetings, make an effort to remind yourself every day that you work to live, not live to work. Striving to maintain a work-life
FEEL
LIGHTER
BY THE END OF TODAY 38 insight
S
limming down takes time and dedication, but a few quick tricks can help you feel a little bit lighter in just one day. Read on to feel less bloated and puffy—and get a flatter belly—by the end of today!
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It’s a secret of de-bloating brides— stop the gum chewing to feel less puffy. And it’s not only because chewing gum causes you to swallow more air; many gums contain sugar alcohol, which also can make you feel bloated.
MORNING: DRINK HOT WATER AND LEMON A mug of hot lemon water in the morning wakes up your digestive system and helps get things moving. You can drink green tea with lemon, if you don’t like the taste of warm lemon water on its own.
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Many people feel belly discomfort after eating dairy. If that’s you, leave out the cream and yogurt from your morning breakfast.
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MORNING: DETOX WITH YOGA
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Yoga twists help rid your body of toxins by aiding your digestion. This yoga detox sequence includes plenty of twists and stretches to help you wake up and feel your best.
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MID-MORNING: HAVE A TROPICAL SNACK Both pineapple and papaya contain enzymes — bromelain and papain, respectively — that help banish bloat by breaking down protein and easing digestion. Snack on a bowl of cut-up fruit, or make this papaya, pineapple and coconut water smoothie for a midmorning snack.
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ALL DAY: SLOW DOWN Eating too quickly can cause air to be trapped in your system, so chew slowly to minimize bloating caused from getting too much air trapped in your system.
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The reason you’re feeling full and bloated could be your portion sizes.
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Many women don’t get enough fiber, which is the key to feeling full, energized and bloat-free. You should aim to get 25 to 30 grams of fiber a day; reach that goal by snacking on fiber-rich
EVENING: DRINK A DE-BLOATING TEA Spices like cinnamon and ginger help clear out your system, so have a mug of de-bloating tea — like ginger lemongrass tea before you go to bed. Mint tea can also help soothe your stomach, so opt for that if you need a refreshing end to your dinner.
ALL DAY: CHECK PORTIONS
AFTERNOON: HAVE A FIBER-RICH SNACK
EVENING: SKIP THE DESSERT Fatty, sugary foods can cause bloating, as can foods high in artificial sweeteners. Skip the carb-heavy, sugary desserts and go for fresh fruit, which is high in fiber and water, to help you de-bloat.
AFTERNOON: EAT QUINOA Quinoa’s many nutrients include fiber and potassium, both of which are important if you’d like to feel less bloated. This super food salad combines kale, quinoa and blueberries for a delicious and filling lunch.
DINNER: GO FOR ASPARAGUS Asparagus encourages digestive health by stimulating the growth of good bacteria in your body. Eat a dinner that’s heavy on the veggies and add a lean protein like chicken or fish for further de-bloating properties. Healthy asparagus recipes, like asparagus detox salad, would go perfectly with your bellyslimming dinner.
ALL DAY: DRINK MORE WATER Good old H2O helps flush out toxins and extra salt (which can be responsible for that puffy feeling) from your system, so remind yourself to drink more water throughout the day. Keeping a water bottle with you at all times is a great way to ensure you’re always filling up .
MORNING: GO DAIRY FREE
foods like avocado, raspberries, chia seeds and pears. Learn more about which foods are high in fiber (remember to skip ones like beans and cruciferous vegetables, which may cause stomach discomfort).
ALL DAY: DON’T CHEW GUM
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NIGHT: GET TO SLEEP ON TIME Sleep helps regulate your metabolism, so lack of sleep can make you feel sluggish in more ways than one. Keep your body working at its best by ensuring you get seven to nine hours of sleep at night.
42 insight
PHOTOGRAPHER: Hussein Salman / STYLIST: Reda Abdou / HAIR STYLIST: Pace e Luce / MAKEUP : Rania Kais
‘I
Nancy When I was at
MISS
LEBANON, REFUSED TO WEAR A
SWIMSUIT BECAUSE I WAS VERY SHY AND IT IS ONE OF THE REASONS I DIDN’T WIN THE TITLE
E H T 44 insight
R O F T U O H WATC
S E E L R E PE
“
Hostingwith
“
MOHAMED was one of
NOUR the funniest EXPERIENCES IN MY LIFE
What’s the worst thing that you’ve worn? If I asked you to rank the parts of your life that you feel most satisfied with love, family, music, TV hosting. What would be at the top? Love, family, TV hosting, music.
How did fame change your life, positively or negatively? And how does your husband deal with your fans and admirers?
Positive and Positive. It’s nice when people you don’t know love you! Their love makes me feel happy. My husband likes me the way I am, we are a strong couple who appreciate one another and he loves them too.
You’re often pictured in fashion magazines. Is it a pressure when people scrutinize what you’re wearing? I try to find the best outfit for every occasion, I don’t want to look boring or similar, I like fashion and I like to be stylish. People who like me will like it, people who don’t like me will never like me and I don’t care.
What outfits did you have to be brave to wear?
Swimsuits :). When I was at Miss Lebanon, I refused to wear a swimsuit because I was very shy and it is one of the reasons I didn’t win the title. Last year I knew that at Splash (TV show) it is the only place I have to be wearing a swimsuit, because I had to dive in the pool.
Nothing.
What’s your dream for TV?
My dream is to host and produce a TV show based on the reunification of families. It is great to see families together again and happy. It is a kind of a social and humanist program.
What’s the most difficult decision you’ve made in the last two years and how did you come to that decision?
When I decided to leave the States and come and live again in Lebanon. It was a very difficult decision, I was living in Los Angeles working on my first album, and studying acting at Margie Haber for acting. I was building my career in the States and I was doing very well, but I met my husband and decided to go back to Lebanon and get married. It was my happiest decision and the most difficult at the same time, because I have been dreaming for so long to succeed in the States.
There’s so much that you’re doing, what’s your long-term plan? Or are you just going with the ride?
Oh I have a lot of plans. Sometimes I feel like I need more hours per day. One of my plans is to be a jewelry designer, to have a clothing brand and a charity organization under my name.
What Do You Think OF?
Sex on a first date: Sex could be on the first month, not the first date. Plastic Surgeries: I am with plastic surgery if needed. Marriage: Marriage and love are the best combination.
NANCY All You Need To Know About
46 insight
AFIOUNI
Whatever she does, Nancy Afiouni gives the impression that there’s nothing on Earth she’d rather be doing; she’s enthusiasm personified. That rare quality is perfectly suited to her current gig as Co-host of the successful CBC show ‘Ahla El Awkat’. So we asked her to step off her pedestals for a few minutes, and tell us what makes her tick. Having worked on everything from being crowned Miss Continental 2007, model, Singer and TV presenter. Talented, self-assured and driven, she knows exactly where she’s headed. We caught up with her to find out just how she makes it all work.
How do you balance work and personal life?
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I am a person who likes to enjoy my personal life and work at the same time. I try to spend time with my family and husband; I work out twice a week with my coach. Work needs you to concentrate more and work from your heart, and this is what I do. Since my work only requires me to work three days a week, I give it all my concentration in these three days, besides I don’t take more projects when I am busy with one. I travel each time I am done with a project, it makes me feel ready to hit the floor again and sign a new contract.
You’re so positive and upbeat about everything, it seems like your positive vibe is always “on.” Do you ever just want to turn it off?
I need to be positively energetic all the time, I don’t need any negative vibes, or to be surrounded by negative people. You should always be surrounded by positive people, you have to think positively, you have to react positively and I don’t need to turn this vibe off. When I am stressed I take a nap and relax, even in the bad situations, it is important to think positively!
How do you let off steam and relax?
I used to listen to music, play video games, sometimes I scream when my stress is too hard to handle. Now, I just lay outside in the sun and watch the clouds, away from TV, computer, work stress and just relax and cherish the beauty all around me.
How do you overcome setbacks?
Setbacks happen to a lot of us. You may think it’s the end of the world, but it is not. I try not to be emotional about what has happened. The best is to think about what has happened and to start to think how I am going to adapt to this situation, I deal with it better when I take a moment to think and reflect. I try to stay positive and confident and learn from each experience, and I keep reminding myself that failure is not my final step.
What personality trait do you value most in yourself? Honestly, the way I see beauty in everything.
What personality trait do you wish you could change?
Naturally I am very inpatient, if I want something I will drive everyone (myself, my husband, my family) crazy to get it.
Who is the person you need most in your life and why?
I need my mum and my husband; they mean love, care, safety and everything to me. I feel I am the strongest girl, a super-hero woman because of them, I feel like I own the world because of their love.
Before ‘Ahla El Awkat’, you were a model. Did you bring any skills from that over to television hosting?
Before “Ahla Alawat” I was hosting 2 shows in Istanbul; with TRT, Turkish TV. I was the first Lebanese presenter to host a show in Turkey in Arabic. I built myself through the experiences I lived; I live them all with every new experience.
Tell us about funny/crazy/bad tales from behind the scenes with MohamedNour?
Hosting with Mohamed Nour was one of the funniest experiences in my life, we enjoyed shooting every episode and sometimes we used to laugh non-stop.
Any new records in the works? I’m working on a new Egyptian song and a TV show for after Ramadan.
47 insight
I FEEL I AM THE STRONGEST GIRL, A SUPER-HERO WOMAN BECAUSE OF MY MUM AND MY HUSBAND
THREE COOL THINGS WE LEARNED ABOUT NANCY:
1 2 3 48 insight
MY favorite hairstylist is Steave Salon, Hair Avenue.
To keep her smile stageworthy she stays positive for an endless smile. To keep her body looking, well, damn near awless, she drinks a lot of water, exercises and eats healthy.
She’s
PLACES TO HIT IN THE Sizzling Nights OF CAIRO
50 insight
I
f you are a tourist or you want to feel like a tourist and re-discover the dazzling Cairo. Make sure you check one of these places for a night to remember.
Bars and Night Clubs ELHORRYA BAR This popular pub is one of the best haunts in the city for sampling Cairo’s baladi drinking culture. Evoking old English tearooms, with high ceilings and peeling yellow paint, it’s packed every night with an eclectic crowd of young Egyptians and older intellectualtypes.
deck of the Imperial Boat. Did I mention that you’ll be dancing parallel to the surface of the Nile.
ABSOLUTE BAR This spacious Nile-side club has an in-house DJ at the decks almost every evening, and the discs he spins are techno with an Arabic twist.
NAGUIB MAHFOUZ CAFÉ AND RESTAURANT Located in the dazzling street of AlHussien. You can rest after your shopping spree in Khan Elkhalili and enjoy some delicious food and beverages while listening to some music.
Music, Dance and Culture
OTIUM CLUB
CAIRO JAZZ CLUB
Otium is a fresh, funky and floating open-air lounge, restaurant and club. Otium is actually an old club with a new name and different themed nights.
This popular club, packed at weekends, offers a sophisticated mix of live jazz, blues, a DJ, drinks plus vegetarian food, in a dimly lit, smoke-filled environment.
ALCHEMY
EL SAWY CULTURE WHEEL Cultural center with nightly live performances of classical Arabic, contemporary Egyptian bands, festivals and dramas, housing five separate stages. A real Cairo gem.
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Alchemy is a must visit, dazzling unique venue. Whether you’re looking for a delicious bite to eat, exciting drinks and cocktails with friends, or somewhere to kick back and socialize in style, Alchemy is the place to be!
A down-to-earth bar also serving hearty food and meze, this smoky and cozy place has a good mix of locals and foreigners of all ages.
Restaurants and Coffeehouses
Sufi dancing, more commonly known in the West can be seen on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday evenings at the Ghouri Caravansary.
SABAYA
RAWABET THEATRE
Sabaya may be rooted in Lebanese tradition, but Chef Nasser Makhoul is willing to branch out with contemporary flair. In accordance with Lebanese custom, you’ll be brought to the lounge for after-dinner tea, sweets and conversation.
A range of engaging contemporary performances from domestic and international groups make Rawabet Theatre one of Cairo’s hottest venues.
L’ABURGINE BAR Tucked away down a quiet side street, this split-level bar offers an informal, mainly vegetarian, ground-floor restaurant, combined with a first floor, lively bar with a DJ.
AFRICANA CLUB Africana is a friendly, unpretentious club that expects you to take it as you find it. It’s excellent for reggae as well as for those items of modern Saharan music that have actually been committed to disc. If you want to dance in Cairo, this is the place to go.
AFTER EIGHT CLUB This nightspot has been on the scene for many years and gone through many reincarnations, but it still pulls in the crowds. There’s a resident DJ as well as a program of live bands.
MOROCCO CLUB Morocco has a resident DJ who flips between 1980s disco and contemporary dance, trance, and techno. For this reason it attracts cosmopolitan crowds that span the age range from teens to 40s.
BLISS CLUB If techno and house are your thing Bliss is for you. DJ RoRo, the in-house maestro, throws excellent dance parties on the lower
BRIDGE CAGE Everything about the Birdcage is pure Thailand, from the exotic water feature at the door to the authentic etiquette displayed throughout your meal. What will really transport you across the continent; however, are the sizzling sounds and enticing aromas from the open kitchen, where Chef Narong creates Thai specialties such as Garlic Pepper Shrimp, Cashew Chicken and Crispy Rice with Peanut Sauce.
FISHAWY’S COFFEEHOUSE The original shisha place in khan elkhalili. You feel the history in every corner, the vintage mirrors, seats and pictures. Enjoy your drinks and shisha in the heart of AlHussain.
EL GHOURI ARTS CENTRE
DARB 1718 Darb 1718 Contemporary Art and Culture Centre include a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces that host different art mediums and cultural events. Darb 1718 houses two art exhibition spaces, dance and concert stages, gardens, rooftops and outdoor cinema for independent film screenings. The centre also organizes art exhibitions, concerts, festivals and events in public spaces throughout Egypt.
CAIRO OPERA HOUSE The city’s main venue for drama, dance, film and music is located in the National Cultural Centre on Gezira Island. Boasting some of the best acoustics and facilities in the Middle East, it has a year-round program of opera, classical concerts, ballet and dance from national troupes. Aida, Verdi’s classic opera, was specially written for this venue. For concerts in the main hall, men must wear a jacket and tie.
By Roulla Soussou
IT WAS
AMAZING TO SEE
MY DREAM
BECOME A REALITY 52 insight
ADLYELMESTEKAWY
A
DLY EL MESTEKAWY IS A BIG NAME IN SHARM EL SHEIKH AND IN EGYPT’S CLUBS HISTORY… HE IS THE ONE WHO BROUGHT THE MOST DOMINANT CLUBBING BRAND IN THE WORLD. FAMOUS FOR THOSE ICONIC RED CHERRIES AND VIP CLUBBING, THIS YEAR PACHA SHARM CELEBRATES ITS 10TH ANNIVERSARY SO WE CAUGHT UP WITH THE OWNER, MR. ADLY TO GET THE LATEST ON THE NEW DEVELOPMENTS AND PLANS FOR THE FUTURE.
PACHA IS ONE OF THE MOST RECOGNIZABLE NAMES IN THE NIGHTLIFE INDUSTRY, WHAT WAS YOUR VISION FOR PACHA SHARM APART FROM ITS EUROPEAN RECOGNITION?
Sharm El Sheikh is predominantly a tourist beach resort, I believe that beach resorts need the young spirit of parties to keep the place and people fresh and alive to keep rejuvenating, so that people return and make it their holiday destination. Pacha Sharm is a major contributor to this young, energetic vibe and it puts Sharm el Sheikh on the clubbing map.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE NIGHTLIFE SCENE IN SHARM EL SHEIKH COMPARED TO THE REST OF THE WORLD? WHAT MAKES SHARM DIFFERENT?
A vibrant clubbing scene is a true gift to a destination and is not a guarantee – that is what I believe and therefore continue to aim to keep the club scene in Sharm on trend. Throughout the world, different places are associated with clubbing; Ibiza in Spain, Aiya-Napa in Cyprus, Mykonos in Greece and Sharm in Egypt. Sharm has the advantage of having over 120,000-hotel rooms capacity in an annual sunshine season and an island of history, peace and meditation. On top of the great Red Sea natural aquarium, which attracts global visitors, making it a truly multi-cultural hub and this gives it a wonderful feeling for tribal gatherings under the stars of Sinai sky. Free and open feel just perfect for clubbing.
YOU ARE ONE OF THE MOST DOMINANT CLUBBING BRANDS IN THE WORLD, WHAT IS THE KEY TO THE SUCCESS?
Ibiza Island is deeply at the beginning of modern time clubbing, since 1967 and the Pacha Cherries are in the heart of it all, the time of youth, peace and flower power spirit.
TEN YEARS STRONG IN THE NIGHTCLUB INDUSTRY IS INCREDIBLE, HOW DO YOU PLAN ON KEEPING PACHA SHARM ONE OF THE BEST CONTENDERS IN THE NIGHTLIFE SCENE?
The key to success is creating a complete concept where all pieces work together at their optimums; the music, the décor, the visuals and the show. This is achievable by having a team of staff who feel they are part of the club, who are proud, secure and well paid – together we create something amazing. Sharm has historically been associated with parties, from the early 1990’s we had the lively ‘Bus Stop’ club, then the first house music open air party in Egypt ‘House Nation’ and then of course Pacha Sharm. We are innovators and constantly create new and exciting club concepts. We reach
this by being open to new talents, traveling and experiencing different clubbing hubs, which refresh and bring new ideas. To continue to succeed, we keep creating, dreaming, moving, taking risks and continually evolving. My team ‘Pacha Sharm’ consists of pioneers of clubbing in Egypt and we will continue to be so.
WHEN IT COMES TO HOSTING ALL THE TOP NAMES IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY, WHAT ARE THE THINGS YOU KEEP IN CONSIDERATION? WHAT MAKES THESE EVENTS SO SUCCESSFUL?
Pacha Sharm has always been about the whole concept, not just focusing on the headliner. For a night to be a success, the party people need to have a good time. Pacha should always be a happy positive, special and glamorous place to party. The club was created from the original Sanafir Hotel, the very first Egyptian hotel in Sharm; it started as a club within a hotel and became a hotel serving the needs of a club. This allowed us to creatively re-adjust the existing structure of the hotel architecture, which had many levels and different terraces. The individual levels allowed us to understand that people wanted to have a more intimate clubbing experience but still within a large club scene. People can party within their group of friends but equally do not miss out on the main action. Equally every corner and level of the club has some entertainment apart from the main DJ; fire show performers, aerial acrobats, trapeze, podium theatrics and visuals. Pacha Sharm also has a strict entry policy which maintains the best party balance of different cultures, ages and gender, so that no-one dominates the scene.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR GREATEST MEMORIES SINCE OPENING PACHA SHARM? My most memorable moment of Pacha Sharm is of course the opening night in 2004. It was a bold choice to bring the
concept of global clubbing to Sharm – I was a pioneer and the energy and happiness of people that night is unforgettable. All eyes were on Pacha Sharm, the opening night attracted celebrities from Egypt – people were eager to have this new experience – it was amazing to see my dream become a reality.
DO YOU SEE YOURSELF POSSIBLY OPENING UP OTHER PACHA LOCATIONS IN EGYPT? IF SO, HAVE YOU CONSIDERED OPENING PACHA CAIRO?
Hurghada yes, It has some similarities to Sharm in the fact that it is a holiday beach resort. Cairo is more difficult, as it is a big city with different equations than the holiday destinations and needs different concept and different approach.
WHAT’S ON YOUR PLAYLIST RIGHT NOW?
Uplifting music from deep house to rock remixes.
SOME BIG CLUBS CLOSED DOWN RECENTLY. BUT, DO YOU THINK THERE IS A BIT OF A ‘CLUB REVOLUTION’ GOING ON UNDER THE SURFACE AT THE MOMENT, WITH MORE AND MORE PEOPLE GETTING INTO DANCE MUSIC?
If you are talking nationally, I feel there is a change in Cairo and Alexandria. I feel a greater communication with the rest of the world that makes clubbing more of the new generations common language. In the past, I felt people didn’t know how to let go and enjoy themselves, people almost felt embarrassed to be seen dancing and partying which pushed the club scene underground.
FINALLY, WHAT ARE YOUR TOP 3 TIPS FOR A PERFECT NIGHT AT PACHA? Good communication between the DJ, VJ and the show with the guests, who will become the main show that will bring this positive vibe to the world.
MY TEAM ‘PACHA SHARM’ CONSISTS OF PIONEERS OF CLUBBING IN EGYPT AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE SO.
It started by complete coincidence back in 2007, when Emaar launched Marassi, they asked me to start a night venue, which I never did before. At the beginning, I refused, then they pushed. Then I did it and it was a big hit. In 2009, I was approached by Palm Hills and that’s when I came up with the idea of “Sky Bar”. We did the first venue on the beach, then the next year we decided to make it bigger and we built the venue in the back. In 2011, I decided not to work in summer, but I was pushed by a friend of mine, Dr. Nassif Kouzman to do something with Emaar again. The team of Emaar at that time was fabulous, they made everything so easy for me and it was only a 10-day operation and we introduced “Tabla” to Sahel for the first time. The normal trend and concept of “Tabla” is “Be yourself”! We don’t want stuck up people, we don’t want people to show off; we just want people that are coming to enjoy. People were very supportive, and it was a hit in my opinion. We did few changes in the venue last year and again it was a big hit. It was all about introducing talents that will mingle with people. We brought several artists that are very famous and well known. This year we built our own venue, which is a surprise I have been working on for the last few years discreetly. I built a 54 insight
YOU KEPT SAYING, “I WAS PUSHED TO DO”, WHY?
You know, you can call me a chicken, when I start something it takes me a long time to decide if I want to do it. It’s not a nice life when you’re running a night venue, It’s 24 hour work, because I get involved in every single detail in the venue, from the reservation, to the seating, the door, security, music, the lights, the performers, etc… I don’t even tell my staff what performers do we have, I do this myself and never announce it.
WHY?
Because, first of all I don’t charge people extra for the shows I bring. Second, the whole thing about “Tabla” is we go to “Tabla” because we like to be in “Tabla”. There is no schedule in “Tabla”, never was, never will be. Dubai is a bit different you have to pre-announce. In Egypt we have our own clients, we are very loyal to them, they are very loyal to us, and we do whatever we can to make them go home happy.
HOW CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR JOURNEY?
Luck! I work hard, but it’s God’s gratification, luck and the proper treatment for people. You can have the best place in the world and people will go to it, but if you are not treating people right and you are not
AHMEDWAHDAN HE IS PAYING AND WHAT HE IS GETTING.
THEN, HOW DID YOUR JOURNEY IN THE BUSINESS BEGIN?
VERY SIMPLE,
I am a very humble person, I am not a businessperson like it comes in the book, not at all, I follow my instinct and that’s it.
venue exactly according to how I think a venue should be like, which is very similar to the “Sky Bar” venue. The most important thing in the club is that everybody can see everybody, and this comes with the levelling. We built a new place which is like an Arena, we will be the first club in Egypt with 360 degrees screens all around; it is something you should see.
A CLUBBER OR A GUEST IS
WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF?
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF
By Rania Ihab
IT IS ALL ABOUT HOW MUCH
T
O MY SURPRISE, HE IS A VERY SIMPLE, HUMBLE, DOWN TO EARTH MAN WITH A LOT OF POTENTIAL FOR THE FUTURE. AHMED WAHDAN, THE MASTER CREATOR OF “TABLA” AND ‘SKY BAR” OPENED TO US ABOUT HIS JOURNEY, FUTURE PLANS AND A LOT MORE.
nice to them, they will never forget anything bad you did to them. They may still come to your place, but one day a better place with better treatment will open and they will go to it. It is a scale that you need to perfect, you shouldn’t upset people, you should be very apologetic when you need to be, if they don’t have a place, you have to accommodate them in another way, call them to keep the relationship, that’s how you need to do it.
WELL, THAT BRINGS ME TO MY NEXT QUESTION; ACTUALLY I HEAR NOTHING BUT THE BEST ABOUT YOU FROM ALL YOUR TEAM, WHAT’S YOUR SECRET?
We are one family we don’t have titles. Anyone who comes to be hired at one of the companies, the first question they ask, “What’s my title?” And the first answer I give them, “You want to write chairman please do.” They find me working with my own hands, checking the toilets how they are, the receiving how it is, tasting the food, cooking with the cook, etc… So no one thinks about the title, we are all one big family. I am not the manager who stays at home and you have to do the rest, I am not like that. I hate the line “I work for you”, two people were fired here because they used that line, we all work together, I can’t work without them and they can’t work without me. Anything that happens to my team, to their families I am always there for them, I am not talking about finances, that is not the issue, but, it’s not like taking the good/happy part of their lives and when they have an issue you ignore them.
IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT SEPARATES “SKY EGYPT” AND “TABLA” FROM THEIR COMPETITION?
The psychology of a clubber or a guest is very simple, it is all about how much he is paying and what he is getting. It is a basic equation that everybody especially men on the table think of. If you can make the guests think, “How do these people make money?” then you have a bingo. They are getting shows, entertainment, performers, fire works, food, a place, an ambiance, and security. They have all the services with an average check that is minimal to other places; if you can get your client out with this perception, “That I took what’s worth my money and more.” That’s one thing. The other thing is all about service and that is something we lack in Egypt, we are not service cultured. It is all about building a relationship with the team. A lot of people call me and tell me, “Can we have this waiter serving us?” Of course I don’t do this, when they ask me for this I change the waiter, but they were that good that they built this relationship. I don’t have to worry about this table, even if this waiter doesn’t serve them well, they will accept it, if there is any deficiency, they will let me away with it. Also, it is all about the type of music, when do you play what track? What type of entertainment are you giving? The setup of
the venue? People need to feel impressed and relaxed, that is the key for “Sky Bar” and “Tabla”.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START “DAN-ADVERTS”?
I used to work with “Tarek Nour Advertising”; I was the head of outdoors that was my last position there. When I left, I wanted to do something on my own. I have a talent in this area; I have an eye for different location so I started “Dan-Adverts”. There are a lot of several companies that have bigger locations than us, but when you look at the portfolio, you know that we only have the prime locations.
YOUR DOOR SELECTION IS ONE OF THE STRICTEST SELECTIONS IN EGYPT, WHY?
One of the objectives I want to deliver is to let your husband, your boyfriend, your father and your brother send you to “Tabla” with no worries. This is very hard to achieve and I interfere personally in every issue and I am around all night looking at people. If I see somebody trying, I look at your reaction, if you accept, it is not my problem, if you turn your face somewhere else, I go to the person and talk to him either you straighten up or kindly leave. There must be an appropriate mix in the place, people who I know their behaviours in the club. With experience, with a lot of clients… We established a database, and we know if these people are Ok to be in or not. A nightclub is a place where people can drink, so there could be a 1% of misbehaviour, and I don’t want to give the tools or possibilities. The attitude at the door is a very important thing; their behaviour inside depends on how they react at the door. If they are aggressive, it means they have the tendency to be aggressive during the night, so you just want to cut back. One of the stories about the rules and regulations is that my cousin has not been talking to me for the past three years because I closed the door; I went in, he came late, and I didn’t let him in. Every one who comes to “Tabla” I know very well, they are my friends. There is a certain capacity and I don’t want to upset anybody, so if the place is full I go in, and if I am in the door is closed.
YOU ESTABLISHED “TABLA” SOKHNA, “TABLA” SAHEL, WHY DID YOU CHOOSE DUBAI TO BE YOUR NEXT STEP?
Dubai is very cosmopolitan, very systematic and has easy operation. People did not get the concept of “Tabla” in Dubai as I want. People are confused with the name, is it an Arabic club or an English club? So we are changing the name after Ramdan, because it is causing a lot of confusion in Dubai. A lot of Egyptians are there, but they don’t support “Tabla” at all by the way….
SERIOUSLY, WHY?
I learned two lessons in my life. All the people that pushed me to open “Tabla” Sokhna through out four years in Sokhna, I saw them maximum three times in “Tabla”. Don’t depend on the people that encourage
you and push you, these people are not your clients, they will never come. Your clients are the people you don’t know. In Dubai, when a Lebanese club opens all the Lebanese back it up big time, they don’t go to any other place! I am the first Egyptian that opened a club in Dubai and so far the only one. I can mention two Egyptians out of 360 thousand living in Dubai that are supportive of “Tabla”. One of them is called Mohamed Nour, this guy is so supportive of “Tabla”, every single night he leaves nice parties and come to “Tabla”, he belongs to Tabla and I will never forget this for him. Other Egyptians are not supporting “Tabla” what so ever and some of them are bad mouthing “Tabla”. You know when you hear how Egyptians treat each other when they are in a foreign country, that’s exactly what you get in Dubai. Surprisingly, they are very regular clients in “Tabla” Egypt, but I categorize them now and I know who is loyal and who is not, which is fine, we built another client base there.
DO YOU HAVE AN EXPLANATION FOR THIS?
They like to relate to something they are not.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HAVING A CLUB IN DUBAI AND A CLUB IN EGYPT?
I enjoy Egypt much more as an operation, there is nothing like a regular loyal customer in Dubai, there are hundreds of clubs in Dubai. People go where they find a good offer. It is all about social media and that we don’t have here. Here is much more fulfilling as an operation.
IN YOUR OPINION WHAT IS THE REASON BEHIND THE EXPANSION OF CLUBBING IN THE RECENT YEARS IN EGYPT?
There is no expansion. Egypt is so underrated in this field, we can handle another ten clubs minimum, but no one is taking the step to do it. Even as investors, you can get people to manage it but a lot of people are not investing in this field, there are a lot of potentials there, but we need to open up for a different category of people. There are very good, nice people that we don’t know and they are ready to come, but no body took the initiative to do something for them.
THEN, WHAT DO WE MISS?
Guts and people with their brains on their shoulders, but again everybody is targeting the same crowd. We need to get out of the box and target different crowd.
WHERE IS YOUR COMFORT ZONE? My boat in Sokhna.
WHAT’S NEW THIS SUMMER?
The venue is fabulous. It is the first venue with 360 degrees screens. The entertainment is breath taking. We are introducing something called “Hot Wednesdays” in “Tabla”, international DJs from all over. We are introducing a type of music that was not done in Egypt properly. We are doing underground music, Hip Hop and R&B for four weeks in “Tabla” Sahel. We are opening “Tabla” Cairo in Zamalek, on the 18th of September. We are also opening “Sky Bar” in Cairo.
SHARM HAS
AMAZING WEATHER
FROM WINTER TO SUMMER, SO I LIVE AND WORK IN MY PERFECT
PARADISE
56 insight
ADHAM EL MESTEKAWY AKA DJ OUZO.
By Roulla Sousou
AN INTERVIEW WITH ONE OF THE MEN BEHIND PACHA,
P
ACHA SHARM’S ADHAM EL MESTEKAWY HAS BEEN WITH THE CLUB SINCE ITS OPENING IN 2004. HE’S SEEN TRENDS COME AND GO, THE STEADY RISE IN POPULARITY OF SHARM EL SHEIKH, AND AS SOMEONE WHO WORKS WITH BOTH THE INDUSTRY AND GUESTS, HIS DAILY ROUTINE INCLUDES CONTROLLING MORE CHAOS WITH DJS, EQUIPMENT AND VIPS THAN ALMOST ANYONE ELSE IN THE REGION.
CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT DO YOU DO FOR PACHA?
Since the opening of Pacha Sharm in 2004, my primary role is being one of the Resident DJs. This is my job and I love it, so I tend to concentrate on the music, searching for new material and generally DJ-ing. However, occasionally I help with some of the DJ bookings.
YOU ARE STRONGLY ASSOCIATED WITH PACHA - WHAT DOES THAT MEANT TO YOU?
Pacha has a strong global image in the dance scene, so as a DJ it is a good association to be a resident in one of their franchises. Also since the opening, Pacha Sharm has had a close connection with Pacha Ibiza, probably because of the similarities of the clubs and the tourist beach town locations. I have played in Pacha Ibiza; have also had bookings in Dubai, and of course within Egypt. Pacha gives each DJ the freedom to create an individual style; there are no rules on how and what to play. Each DJ’s success is down to his own efforts and skills, otherwise he would not play in Pacha.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BEST GIG AT PACHA AND WHY? Pacha holds so many great memories for me. I have had the opportunity to meet and work with numerous talented artists, it’s difficult to name just one. Every big gig is always exciting for many reasons. The crowd is an integral part of any night and different crowds are drawn to different genres of house music and DJs – so the ambiance changes but is always charged. I would say my most memorable Pacha nights were Eric Morillo and Axwell.
HOW DO YOU CHOOSE MUSIC FOR GIGS AT PACHA? DO YOU PICK WHAT YOU KNOW WILL GO DOWN WELL? OR DO YOU TRY TO INTRODUCE NEW SOUNDS?
I play Deep House (a mix of funky and disco beats on a house base), NU Disco and Tech House music, from my vast archives and from the net. My sections during the night are chosen by the mood of the mob on the dance floor and I am changing styles all the time. I play some commercials but also add unknown underground tracks to the mix, which brings fresh beats to the clubbing scene, introducing the clubbers to new trends without them knowing it.
HOW DO YOU STAY ENTHUSED AFTER YEARS AS RESIDENT?
-I don’t do the promotion as I’m the DJ, but the promotion team works with Sharm’s character and use different innovative ways to promote the club. As an example, the team and performers go out on the Pacha boat and the speedboat cruising the coastline, having a good time. People notice and want to go. They also go to the airport arrivals, use more conventional methods of large billboards and have press releases in international and national press of people having a great party time – what better way to attract the party people!
PACHA WILL CELEBRATE ITS 10TH SUCCESSFUL YEAR IN SHARM THIS YEAR, WHAT DO YOU THINK HAS MADE IT SUCH A SUCCESS?
WHAT’S THE CRAZIEST THING YOU’VE SEEN WORKING FOR PACHA SHARM?
It’s simple; I love what I’m doing, I love music and I love Sharm. I never get bored as Sharm is always evolving. Take the crowd for example; they are always changing like seasons. We have a transient and multi-national audience, mainly tourists from many diverse cultures and different countries. One night you may be playing for a predominantly Russian crowd the next Italians – it’s a fresh challenge every night and I love it.
Pacha Sharm is established as a party place, it’s in people’s hearts and has a lot of history associated with good times. Before Pacha it was Sanafir ‘House Nation’, one of the first ever house music parties in Egypt, before that it was Bus Stop. So everyone knows it is the place to be. Apart from this history, Pacha continues to develop and keeps up with the latest party trends from the music to the amazing show, which has transformed over the years. When people walk through the door they are immersed into another world – this special vibe is why Pacha Sharm is a success; it brings people back time after time.
HOW HAVE YOU SEEN PACHA CHANGE OVER THE YEARS?
Wow, when I look back Pacha Sharm has changed a lot since the opening in 2004. It’s true to say it is constantly evolving and keeping up with the latest worldwide club trends. We have an amazing aerial acrobatic show, which I think is one of its kind, incredible preforming artists and one of the best sound systems in Egypt. The venue was always known for its multiple levels but over the years we have added more, creating the club concept of a more intimate party scene within a large open-air club. We also have seven party nights with different genres of house; House Nation, Jam (RnB & Funky), Connected (Electro House), Swagga (RnB & Urban), Melt (Russian vibes), Cherry Drops (Juicy House), Hits Mania (Greatest hits & Remixes) and Bus Stop’s Khaliji (Tribal Desert).
HOW DOES PROMOTION IN SHARM DIFFER FROM PROMOTION IN OTHER PLACES, SAY LONDON OR IBIZA?
The house music party scene attracts a lot of amazing creative people, so over the years Pacha has experienced many weird and wonderful acts. Aphrodite from Ibiza opened Pacha Sharm and that interaction with the crowd was something Egypt had not seen before. It continued from there, with our silk rope performers hovering upside down just meters from the main crowd. The costumes of the performers are out of this world and are part of creating a theme; it’s clubbing theatre. It sounds crazy and I guess it is, but in a very good way.
WHEN IT ALL GETS A BIT MUCH, WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO GET AWAY FROM IT ALL AND CHILL OUT?
As I’ve said before, I love Sharm and the nature that surrounds it, so the best place for me to relax is on a beach in the national park, in Dahab or Nuweiba – it is peaceful and incredibly beautiful.
DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT DAY IN SHARM EL SHEIKH.
A hot sunny day – which means I am lucky enough to have my perfect day almost every day throughout the year. Sharm has amazing weather from winter to summer, so I live and work in my perfect paradise.
WHERE CAN WE SEE YOU PLAY IN THE COMING MONTHS?
I will play of course in Pacha Sharm, but also which is very exciting, DJ Medoz, the other resident, and myself plan to go to Russia to promote Pacha Sharm. It’s a great opportunity to play in the southern clubs during their season to promote Pacha Sharm as the perfect clubbing location for winter or all year around.
HISHAM ZAHRAN…
By Roulla Sousou
EGYPTIAN CLUBBERS
ARE COMPLEX AND UNPREDICTABLE, SO I
REALLY DON’T KNOW HOW UNDERGROUND MUSIC WILL HOLD UP
IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS
58 insight
THE ALEXANDRIAN STAR DJ AND PRODUCER TALKS ABOUT THE RISE OF THE UNDERGROUND MUSIC SCENE IN EGYPT
I
N A CAREER SPANNING WELL OVER A DECADE, ZAHRAN HAS EXPERIENCE WITH ALMOST EVERY STYLE OF ELECTRONIC DANCE MUSIC. HIS OUTSTANDING MIXING SKILLS IMPRESS EVEN THE MOST DEMANDING AUDIENCE, WHO HAS SEEN HIM PLAY AS FAR AND WIDE AS BRAZIL, MEXICO TO TURKEY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC, AS WELL AS SERBIA AND THE UAE – ALONGSIDE THE LIKES OF KING UNIQUE, DUSKY, MATTHIAS MEYER, BLONDISH, DJ T, TOM BUDDEN, NOIR AND JODY WISTERNOFF. WE CAUGHT UP WITH HIM TO GET HIS THOUGHTS ON THE CURRENT STATE OF THE SCENE, PRODUCTION, DJING AND WHAT HE’S GOT LINED UP FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR.
FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT ALREADY FAMILIAR WITH HISHAM ZAHRAN, CAN YOU BRIEFLY INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND THE STYLE OF MUSIC YOU ARE BEST KNOWN FOR? Well I really don’t think I belong to a certain style of music, my taste spans across the board pretty much I’ll play anything I like regardless of what genre it is, but if I have to stop running away from the question, I would say I tend to lean more towards the more melodic and deeper side of house music.
YOU ARE FROM ALEXANDRIA. WAS IT HARD FOR YOU TO BREAK INTO CAIRO’S NIGHTLIFE? When I first moved here, I didn’t have any solid connections, just a few people that I had previously gotten in touch with when I was still living in Alexandria (mainly Tito). So I went to one of his parties and we talked and he asked me to come play at one of his Nacelle nights that were taking place at Opuim, at the time and the rest is pretty much history. I’ve been a Nacelle resident ever since and I think I’ve made a seamless transition from Alexandria to Cairo.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST EXPOSURE TO ELECTRONIC MUSIC AND WHAT INITIALLY INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A DJ AND PRODUCER? Steve Lawler’s “Lights Out Compilation” and Satoshi Tomiie’s “Nubreed 006” are the very reason I got hooked on house music in the first place. House music is very addictive and one tends to obsess about it a lot when you really get into it, so eventually I started doing my own thing.
WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON MUSIC PIRACY AND FILE SHARING IN EGYPT AND HOW CAN IT BE CONTROLLED? Well I’m not sure that my opinion applies solely on Egypt, I mean maybe it’s a bit tougher for us because of the bad exchange rate, but if you’re making money playing music then there is no excuse for pirating. As for regular music listeners who download music for free, that’s a tough pill to swallow for any producer, seeing your hard work being posted on blogs and traded around like something with no value, but at the end of the day I don’t think the problem is from a financial
stand point. I think what bothers most producers is that buying music should be a matter of principle. I don’t think I got back a single penny from any of the music Adham and myself have released, but it’s fine no one gets rich by selling tracks anyway.
WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON THE CURRENT STATE OF UNDERGROUND MUSIC AND HOW DO YOU SEE THE GENRE PROGRESSING IN EGYPT? The scene here in Egypt is still very young, Sometimes I think it’s getting bigger because of all the right reasons, other times it seems like it’s getting bigger for all the wrong reasons. Egyptian clubbers are complex and unpredictable, so I really don’t know how underground music will hold up in the next few years. It took everyone by storm and could disappear just as easy.
WHAT DO YOU THINK THE CLUBS, PROMOTERS, DJS SHOULD DO TO ENHANCE THE CLUBBING AND MUSIC SCENE IN EGYPT? I would like to see more promoters stick to their roots and to get off the underground bandwagon for a bit. Purely based on the fact that I think a lot of people are getting bored of this so called “underground scene” just because it’s being thrown in their faces every weekend. Underground music should be a choice not “the only option” of going out. I would like to see more of a balance between what the clubbing scene used to be like and what it is now. Not that I used to like what it was like, I think it was total BS, but without this balance, I think the scene as we know it right now will blow up in everyone’s face.
DOES DJING AFFECT YOUR PRODUCTION FLOW? I really don’t think it does, I’ve always been DJ oriented and my brother Adham is the main engineer behind all the projects we make together. I take the final opinion and I handle the business side of things.
WHICH DJ ARTISTS CURRENTLY INSPIRE YOU? I usually don’t get influenced very easily, but Dixon manages to turn me back into a fan boy every time I listen to anything with his name on it. It’s always a reality check of how much room, growth and improvement there really is. He’s just in a differnt level.
WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE COUNTRY TO DJ? Brazil is very special.
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT A PARTICULAR CRAZY / OR EMBARRASSING MOMENT BEHIND THE DECKS? One time a Sheikh sent what seemed to be his right hand man up to me with 200 pounds as a tip. I didn’t accept the money, but looking at the situation in hindsight I think I should have taken it.
HOW DO YOU LIKE TO RELAX WHEN YOU ARE NOT MAKING MUSIC OR DJING? ANY FAVORITE HOBBIES OR INTERESTS? Well oddly enough, music is my way to relax, I have a day job so I only get to spend time doing everything music related after a day at the office.
ARE THERE OTHER STYLES OF MUSIC THAT YOU ENJOY LISTENING TO THAT WOULD TOTALLY SHOCK PEOPLE? No I’m pretty straight forward with what I listen to, sometimes I think I’m being narrow minded by not exploring other genres, but I really cant help it, I’m always on the hunt for new music I can play.
PLAYING AT NACELLE AND THE STUDENT DJ. ANY UP AND COMING / RISING TALENTS WE SHOULD KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR? Yeah our talent pool here in Egypt has been getting a lot better on a yearly basis, compared to how it used to be like a few years ago. And I’m going to sound a bit biased here, but I think my brother Adham is someone to watch our for, he’s already on a lot of good labels and has had some international DJ experience in his own right as well.
WHAT LABELS / PROJECTS ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON? We have a new EP coming on Barcelona based label Galaktika records, which will be seeing the light of day in June, as well as two Vinyl releases forthcoming on Cromarti LTD and Vice & Virtue Recordings.
TELL ME ABOUT YOUR CURRENT MUSIC LABEL AND WHAT’S UP FOR 2014? Well, my highlight for the year as of now is getting to play at the Mobilee Off Sonar pool party in Barcelona next month. Really looking forward to that one.
ARTIST MUST HAVE A
UNIQUE FACTOR
TO SURVIVE IN
THE BUSINESS
60 insight By Roulla Sousou
THE RISING EGYPTIAN DJ / PRODUCER TALKS PRODUCTION, DJING, REMIXING +
MOUSTAFASHETAAKAMISTY
EVERY
INTRODUCE YOURSELF IN 5 WORDS OR LESS. Music producer and geek born in 1991
WHY DID YOU START DJING IN THE FIRST PLACE? My cousin had randomly bought a DJ mixer to mix music at some house parties and I saw it one day and thought that it was a really cool idea, as I was already really into music. A week later I went down and bought my first set.
WHAT GENRE DO YOU USUALLY STICK WITH? House music.
IF YOU HAD THE CHANCE TO PRODUCE A TRACK WITH ANYBODY, WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE? For the past two years, I’ve been really into this band called Little Dragon, so I choose them.
HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INTO PRODUCTION? The idea of composing and producing my own music was always in the back of my head. Eventually I wanted to take my project to a different level and decided that production will be the only way forward. So I started watching studio tutorials and reading musical theory and composition books, this was my first step to building my studio and getting my music signed to record labels.
AMONG YOUR MUSIC, WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE BEATS? There’s a song that I released last December with a London based record label called 1980 Recordings. The song is called ‘It’s a Groove’ and it features vocals of a famous singer from back in the 80’s called Zhane! It is one of the most melodic, timeless tracks that anyone can enjoy.
WHAT DO YOU THINK SETS YOU APART FROM OTHER DJS? Every artist must have a unique factor to survive in the business. I think mine would be the fact that I don’t like to stick to one genre of house music, but
instead branch out and incorporate anything that sounds good to me into my sets, making it more of a musical journey.
WHICH 3 MUSICIANS, DEAD OR ALIVE, DO YOU RESPECT THE MOST AND WHY?
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE MUSIC INDUSTRY IN EGYPT?
Daft Punk, Depeche Mode and The Police. I grew up listening to their music and I owe all my musical background to these three bands.
The electronic music industry in Egypt has grown heavily in the last 3 years. People have become more open to new music and DJ’s are starting to have their own sound, and not all the DJs are playing the same style of music. In my opinion this looks promising and I think the industry in Egypt is going to prosper in the next few years.
WHAT DO YOU THINK THE CLUBS, PROMOTERS, DJS SHOULD DO TO ENHANCE CLUBBING AND MUSIC SCENE IN EGYPT? I think right now all the bars want to be clubs and promoters want to follow a trend rather than build their own concept and I think this is wrong. Egypt needs its mainstream clubs to remain mainstream, its underground parties to remain underground and its bars to remain bars. Lately bars are trying to be clubs and lounges are trying to become underground music venues, solely because they want to follow a certain trend and I think this is ruining the nightlife experience for a lot of people.
DOES DJING AFFECT YOUR FLOW OF PRODUCTION? Not really, I think they actually complement each other, because without DJing, a producer wouldn’t know what works at the clubs and without producing, a DJ won’t be able to express himself.
WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE VENUE TO PLAY AT AND WHY? I don’t necessarily have a favorite venue till now, but somewhere open air and on the beach will definitely be at the top of my list.
ARE THERE OTHER STYLES OF MUSIC THAT YOU ENJOY LISTENING TO THAT WOULD TOTALLY SHOCK PEOPLE? Surprisingly, I don’t actually listen to house music when I’m on my own. All of my car music ranges from Little Dragon to Nate Dogg to Dido. I listen to all types of music, except for anything that sounds like Lil Wayne or Nicki Minaj. That kind of music makes people dumb.
WHAT’S THE SEXIEST CITY? HOTEL? CLUB? MUSIC FESTIVAL? SONG? City – Marbella. Hotel – Kempinski. Club – Mansion in Miami. Music Festival – Burning Man in Nevada. Song – Michael Wycoff ‘Looking up to you’.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR MISTY? For the past few months I’ve been in the studio working on new music, I’ve signed with one of the top record labels. That’s all I can say for the moment.
SURPRISINGLY
,
I DON’T ACTUALLY LISTEN TO
HOUSE MUSIC
WHEN I’M ON MY OWN.
GAWDAT IS YOUR MAMA’S FAVORITE RISING DJ!
T
HEY MAYBE THE YOUNGEST IN THE MUSIC SCENE IN EGYPT, BUT THE GAWDAT BROTHERS ARE PULSATING KILLER BEATS STRAIGHT INTO THE HEARTS OF CAIRO NIGHTLIFE LOVERS. ORIGINATING FROM MIXED-CDS, WITH NO NAMES OR LABELS, GAWDAT FOCUS THEIR MUSIC ON THE PURE SERENITY OF THEIR BEATS AND THE RHYTHM OF HOW THE MUSIC ULTIMATELY MAKES YOUR BODY WANT TO MOVE. By Roulla Sousou
BEING A DJ IS ABOUT THE VIBE YOU GIVE PEOPLE. IT MAKES THEM
LOVE YOUR MUSIC, EVEN IF THEY DON’T LIKE THE TYPE OF MUSIC
YOU’RE PLAYING
62 insight
INTRODUCE YOURSELVES IN 5 WORDS OR LESS.
Smart, powerful, sociable, invincible, Gawdat!
WHY DID YOU START DJ-ING IN THE FIRST PLACE? Abdulrahman: It started in 2006 when Ali got into music. He started downloading his favorite tracks and collecting music as a hobby; he kept playing for himself and his friends until he took the decision to become a DJ. I spent 4 years watching Ali before I got inspired. Since then we started rising and decided to become the unbreakable bond.
WHAT DO YOU THINK SETS YOU APART FROM OTHER DJS?
We think that every DJ has his own style of music and performance. We think a DJ isn’t just a guy who plays music to keep the night entertaining; he’s a lot more than that. It is about the vibe you give to the people that makes them love your music even if they don’t like the type of music you’re playing. We think we have our own style of music we like to entertain people with and we really do believe in what we do.
WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE STUDENTS DJ COMPETITION?
To be honest, at the beginning we were going to pass on the meeting, because we didn’t know how good it was or it will be, so we were about to pass. Then we decided why not give it a shot and if it doesn’t work we won’t lose anything! When things got real, we took it more seriously and worked really hard until we’ve reached the second place and since then we’ve been doing everything we can to be the number one DJ in the world, who knows maybe things will flip! We don’t dream small, we dream truly big.
WEREN’T YOU AFRAID THAT IF YOU LOST THIS COMPETITION, YOUR CAREER MAY BE RUINED? Maybe we were afraid deep inside, but since the competition started, we were always joking around saying that we’re going to win this competition. Even before it started when they gathered all of us for introduction, we were joking around saying we’ll nail it either ways!
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE MUSIC INDUSTRY IN EGYPT?
The music industry has been evolving both remarkably and badly. To be honest, it’s great that now we have different types of DJs who play different genres of music, more than before. A lot of new clubs are getting into the scene by creating a diversity of musical choices. On the other side, a lot of people have been doing drugs badly in parties and it become really obvious. In addition the door selection in a lot of places has been bad lately. Teens now party so hard and they are everywhere, which is a bit annoying.
WHAT DO YOU THINK THE CLUBS, PROMOTERS, DJS SHOULD DO TO ENHANCE THE CLUBBING AND MUSIC SCENE IN EGYPT?
I think everyone should do what they’ve been doing lately, work hard and professionally and always try to stay in touch and nicely with their customers. Concerning the clubbing part, clubs should focus more on their image and the crowed they get more than how much money they make. Today you can make a party and win a lot of money, but also get a bad reputation that can make your club stop working.
WHICH 3 MUSICIANS, DEAD OR ALIVE, DO YOU RESPECT THE MOST AND WHY?
Ali: The one who I don’t put someone in competition with is the king Michael Jackson. This guy has made an innovation in the music industry and I respect him, despite the rumors about his social life. I believe this man has done a lot for this world to be a better place. Daft punk comes next with Deadmau5. These are our most loved and respected DJs/producers.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE VENUE TO WORK AT AND WHY? Tamarai & Cairo Jazz are the main venues we like to play in, because we believe that their crowd understands and communicate better with us than other venues.
ARE THERE OTHER STYLES OF MUSIC THAT YOU ENJOY LISTENING TO THAT WOULD TOTALLY SHOCK PEOPLE?
Yes, actually we love some electro and progressive house tracks for specific DJs like Deadmau5, Wolfgang Gartner and Madeon.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR GAWDAT?
We’ve been focusing mainly on our DJ career. Starting next season we’re getting hard into production, which is our big plan on the international scale.
INSIGHT’SQS WHAT’S THE SEXIEST CITY?
Miami
HOTEL?
Four Seasons MUSIC FESTIVAL?
Ultra Music Festival
SONG?
The Final Speech (Original Mix) - Thomas Jack ft. Adrian Symes.
By Rania Ihab
THERE IS
SUCH GREAT
SATISFACTION IN YOUR WORK SPEAKING FOR ITSELF
64 insight
SHERRYELKILANY
S
HE CAN CONVINCE YOU THAT SHE IS ONLY 16 AND YOU’D TOTALLY BELIEVE IT! FOR SHE IS SUCH A BUBBLY, OUTGOING, SIMPLE CHARACTER, WHO KNOWS HOW TO CREATE HER OWN FUN. LET ME INTRODUCE TO YOU, ONE OF THE HUSTLER MINDS BEHIND SCOOP EMPIRE AND NINTEEN84 YOUNG AT HEART, SHERRY ELKILANY!
WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF?
I don’t know where to even begin! If I were to introduce myself; I’m a managing Partner at both Nineteen84 Management & Scoop Empire. Grew up in the U.S. and moved to Egypt when I was approximately 13. Some call me a workaholic; I tend to define myself as a hustler. Spanning over ten years in the event and marketing industry, I began my career in Egypt’s burgeoning sports marketing industry, to quickly be recruited by the Middle East’s largest film studio Rotana Studios, to spearhead and manage their Marketing Department, before starting my own company Nineteen84 Luxury and Entertainment Management. Along the way, I built some of Egypt’s most successful websites such as Cairozoom.com, leading up until Scoop Empire, a compilation of me and my two partners: Sabrina Khalil & Kareem El Nagdy’s brain child!
HOW WAS YOUR BEGINNING IN THE EVENTS AND MARKETING BUSINESS? I started when I was 16 by literally throwing myself into the industry. My best friend Ashibah and myself started DJ-ing our school dances in Cairo American College. After finding myself in the music industry, I decided to throw events rather than be a part of them. I partnered with a friend, who at the time brought Sonique for the first to Egypt as well as Trevor Nelson. The rest is now history. As for my entrance into the marketing world, it sort of came hand in hand with events. In order to have successful events they had to be marketed properly. So it just became a natural art of my business life.
TELL ME ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AT ROTANA STUDIOS. WHAT DID YOU LEARN THERE?
Prior to working at Rotana, I was working at a sports marketing company called Stryx, we were responsible for the launch of Hacienda Bay in Sahel, the Masters Cup in Palm Hills, Barcelona Football team friendly match and many more. Although I was definitely growing and learning at the time in Stryx, I was head hunted by Rotana studios to fill the position of marketing manager. At the time Waleed Bin Talal was putting a team together of seasoned professionals in the field, to turn Rotana into the region’s biggest films studio. He brought on the ex-president of Studio Canal France; that for me was my cue, to be able to work and learn from someone that has handled one of the biggest studios in the world.
WHEN DID YOU DECIDE TO START YOUR OWN BUSINESS?
I’ve always done things on the side regardless where I was working, so events, gigs, projects were always part of my routine. While working for Rotana, I had created Cairo Zoom and turned it into one of the most successful sites in Egypt at the time. As the revolution approached and film industry died, I decided that now would be a better time than any to take the risk and pursue my own career path.
WHAT’S THE PHILOSOPHY BEHIND SCOOP EMPIRE AND NINETEEN84?
My partners and myself see each company as a project that we’re always looking to better and expand on. The one thing with us when it comes to Nineteen84, with it’s events and social media clients, as well as Scoop Empire is that we take risks, we’re willing to do what everyone else is afraid of doing. Sometimes it’s hard to convince clients or sponsors that our vision is worth following, but at the end of it all when it pays off there is such great satisfaction in your work speaking for itself.
WHY “NINTEEN84”?
Long story short, when I was developing the company I wanted to name it after something I’d never regret, same philosophy I have with my tattoos, so I thought that if I play around with my birthdate I’d come up with something that stands out. I’m going to have to change the story as I get older ;)
WHAT’S THE COOLEST THING ABOUT YOUR JOB?
That it’s ever changing, from the people you work with and meet, to the ideas and concepts you have to come up with for clients. There is never really a boring or dull moment. I’d die if I had a regular 9 to 5 job.
HOW CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR 10 YEARS IN THE BUSINESS?
It’s been a roller coaster ride and one hell of a learning experience. Through taking risks and venturing to areas of business people were too scared to touch, we’ve been able to develop our line of business without having to worry too much about how cut throat the industry is. As Nineteen84 and Scoop Empire we just do us and through it we jump from success and even any failure and see them all as learning opportunities.
WHAT’S YOUR SECRET RECIPE TO SUCCESS? Never be cocky, till today every project that I take on or event I throw the little girl inside me is worried as if it’s the first time. We work on each project and client as if it’s the first time. It’s when you’re cocky that you start seeing through people’s cracks. One piece of advice, always stay humble.
WHAT ARE YOUR UPCOMING PROJECTS?
We’re moving onto bigger events and live artists. After the success of Tinie Tempah in Gouna, we have some interesting things up our sleeves that you’ll most likely see by the summer inshallah.
INSIGHT’SQS
FAVORITE DESTINATION…
Anywhere where there is a beach, that is when I’m most Zen and at ease. I guess it’s the Cancerian in me.
ON A TYPICAL FRIDAY NIGHT…
THE CRAZIEST THING I HAVE EVER DONE…
I am in bed watching Netflix ;) Everyone thinks because we throw events and work with so many high profile clients that my Friday nights are insane, most of them are just low key recuperating from the rest of the week.
I’ll keep those memories to myself, but I can say that involved a crazy night out in Cannes with Kanye West, Pharrell, Jamie Foxx and Leonardo Di Caprio.
MY SECRET TALENT IS… Hmmm I’m a very quick learner give me anything and I’ll focus on it, till I perfect it.
MESO Jameson Dart Tournament
Jameson Irish Whiskey hosted its first Dart Tournament in Egypt. The contest was held at Deals Mohandiseen with matches taking place every Wednesday during which players and audiences enjoyed Jameson Irish Whiskey either neat or in proprietary cocktails. The audience did not only enjoy spectacular matches, but also won various Jameson giveaways in raffle draws. Contest winners were awarded beautiful trophies as well as bottles of Jameson Irish Whiskey.
N O S E JAM E FUN HAV
66 insight
DART TOURNAMENT
CONGRATULATIONS
ARE IN ORDER In a lavish celebration overlooking the amazing Nile view at the Nile Maxim Boat in Zamalek, Fady Elias, son of RaďŹ k Elias - GM of Credit Agricole Bank - got engagement to Nadine Mosli, daughter of Eng. Kamel Mosli among friends and family.
68 insight
Eat as much as you can
Every day only for
195 L.E. ++
Indulge your senses with exquisitely handcrafted Sushi specialties, created by our famous Chef Sherwin, while enjoying a whole range of Japanese delights and Sushi platters with the ‘All You Can Eat’ offer at our Izumi Sushi Bar. Daily from 1:00 pm-11:00 pm. Terms and Conditions Above mentioned price is excluding taxes and service charges. Above mentioned price is per person. Not subject to Delivery or Take Out services. Excluded from any other promotions or discounts or sushi combos.
N EW LO U N G E
CONRAD CAIRO
EL MOJITO
IS
BACK!
El Mojito lounge has been re-launched at Conrad Cairo Hotel with a dazzling launch event, animated by pyrotechnics. The launch event was attended by the Who’s Who in Egypt in cooperation with Absolut Vodka. Attendees were introduced to a new mixology. The cocktails, formerly related to Rum was developed with Absolut Vodka as the main ingredient.
HOTTEST BAR 70 insight
LUXURY & GLAMOUR Le Meridien CAIRO AIRPORT
THE GATE WAY TO EGYPT DISCOVERY Starwood Hotels & Resorts celebrated the opening of its most recent Le Meridien Hotel Inside Cairo International Airport with a unique setup, art performances and an open house party concept organized by Orient productions.
SPRING
K A E R RB
EASTE FLING SPRING
SPRING F L I N G
It was an Easter break covered with four days of non-stop insane party shenanigans on the beach, thanks to Event Republic! Things were shaken up in Sahl Hasheesh with a big Spring Fling. Unlike the high school dance, guests experienced some delicious debauchery by the sea! With a different musical magician hitting the decks every day, DJs Shawky, Ramy, Mohasseb, and the Gawdat Brothers took over the turntables, twisting out some explosive House beats, and heating up the stunning white sand beach more than the sun’s striking rays.
72 insight
SAHL HASHEESH
Time
PRODUCTIVE
WASTERS Pointless Activities Encourage Productivity
74 insight
W
hen your to-do list is a mile long, your inbox is overflowing, and your head is spinning, stepping away from your desk for a little while seems unreasonable at best, impossible at worst. But research shows that many activities typically deemed pointless can actually encourage productivity.
1- Leave the Building Siting down your desk, facing your computer from 9 to 5 doesn’t seem like a natural thing to do! You need to get up and move around so often to get the blood flowing back to your brain so you can concentrate. Movement also relaxes tense muscles and reduces anxiety, so a brisk walk around the block or in your backyard can improve your mood by the time you get back to your desk. Another bonus? Taking a walk doesn’t mean forgetting about the work at hand! You will find that many of the biggest moments in your life, occur while you’re doing something else, not just sitting at the desk and concentrating on the problem.
2- Reply in Person
on alertness networks and boosting motivation. If you’re feeling blah, play a song you really love that exhilarates you, then follow it up with a few more that give you a similar upbeat feeling.
4- Surf the Web If you’re feeling bogged down, spend a few minutes mindlessly clicking through your favourite websites—even social media—for a beneficial break. Surfing the web isn’t necessarily a mind-numbing activity. In fact, you’ll never browse online without learning something new, so it can truly be a productive break from work. Studies also show that allowing employees to access social media sites during the day can boost efficiency by up to 10%. Especially if you’re an extroverted person, viewing people’s status updates and Tweets can provide a boost of energy, similar to an in-person social interaction. Just be sure to limit yourself to about 10 minutes of browsing to avoid falling down the Internet rabbit hole.
5- Write Down a Gratitude List
While walking over to a coworker’s desk may take longer than simply hitting “send,” there are real benefits to speaking to a colleague in person. When you interact in person, you can see each other’s facial expressions. This makes it easier to communicate and collaborate, which in turn may help you solve the problem more quickly. If it’s kosher in your office environment, try walking over and talking to a coworker face-to-face the next time you have a question. You may find you’ll get the answer you need much faster.
Listing three or five things you appreciate in your life right now is an effective exercise for boosting motivation. Energy follows thought, so whatever you’re thinking about, your emotions should follow your thinking. So when you think about positive or inspirational things, your energy levels will rise accordingly. Making this list will also help you feel better overall. This is one of the most important things we can do to create a positive mindset and improve our motivation. Even when things seem really bad, you can usually find something to appreciate, whether it’s finding a good parking spot or simply enjoying the sunshine.
3- Listen to Music
6- It’s Nap Time
Music affects each of us differently, but there is a correlation in how it can be utilized to drive a particular energy goal you have in mind. Up-tempo music in particular can activate our nervous system, turning
A brief snooze may help boost energy and improve your focus even better than an afternoon trip to Starbucks. Twenty or 25 minutes is the best time to give someone enough sleep to feel better without going into deep sleep,
which can make people groggy. Not comfortable closing your eyes at work? Head outside to catch some rays instead. Sunshine stimulates a region of the brain that stops the production of melatonin, so brief exposure to bright light can prevent you from feeling tired.
7- De-clutter and Organize Getting organized is a proven way to get back on track when you’re feeling unproductive. An organized workspace can help renew your focus, so taking 10 or 15 minutes to clean off your desk is more than worth it. If you’re at home, you can do any similar relatively mindless task, like vacuuming, doing dishes, or watering your plants. Plus, since these are things you’re going to do anyway, you’re really not wasting time at all.
8- Let your Thoughts Free Taking five minutes to simply jot down what’s on your mind at the end of the day offers two primary benefits: First, even your mind has a maximum storage capacity so it’s important to empty your thoughts (especially the things you want to remember) onto paper now and again. Second, by clearing your mind of worries before going to sleep, you will likely fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly. This in turn will give you more energy and more focus to tackle the tasks you’ve written down the next day.
9- Plan your Steps Ahead You may be in a rush to get out of the office at 5p.m., but don’t leave without writing down a to-do list for the next day. Research suggests that 15 minutes of planning ahead can give you up to an hour back the next day. You’re already in work mode at the end of the day, so by making a list of what you need to accomplish the next day, you won’t have to re-think anything in the morning. It’s a simple way to give yourself a head start on your to-do list. This is especially helpful on Mondays, after you’ve been away for a couple of days, and will definitely boost your productivity in the long run.
THE CURE
FOR
YOUR
BACK
ACHE
76 insight
B
ack pain is a common complaint, most people experience back pain at least once during their lives. You can take measures to prevent or lessen unbearable backaches, with simple home treatment and proper body mechanics.
WHAT CAUSE BACK PAIN?
LIFE STYLE TRIGGERS AND HOW TO AVOID THEM TOO MUCH SITTING -A lot of time sitting means the spine is curving forward, which puts a strain on the vertebrae and discs. Try: Investing in an ergonomically designed chair that encourages your spine into and S shape rather than a C shape, which is a less stressful position for it.
BEING OVERWEIGHT Excess weight puts too much pressure on all the joints, including those in the spine. A pot belly is particularly bad for your back, as it encourages the pelvis to tilt too far forward, arching the back and pushing facet joints too close together, leading to stiffness and pain. Try: Changing your eating habits to help you lose that spare tyre and doing exercise to strengthen back and stomach muscles.
Your spine is made up of 30 bones stacked on top of one another called vertebrae. Between each vertebrae are round, spongy pads of cartilage, known as discs, that allow the lower back to be flexible. Each vertebrae is also linked to the next by facet joints, which work just like any other joint in the body to allow movement in the spine. The vast majority of lower back pain is caused by a problem with either the discs or facet joints.
LAPTOPS, TABLETS AND SMARTPHONES
DISC PROBLEMS
HIGH HEELS
PAINKILLERS
There’s sustainable research to suggest that wearing high heels everyday can contribute to back problems in the long term. Try: Alternating your heels high between flat and mid-high heels on a day-to-day basis: this can help avoid lower back pain. Keep very high heels for occasional nights out.
These should only be taken as a short-term approach to acute pain as the long-term side effects can be worrying. Plus, they’re only masking the problem, not solving the reason for it in the long run.
This is probably the most common cause of chronic back pain. The type of deep nagging pain that flares up and then goes away, often to return again in the future. You might also experience some shooting pains in the legs if spinal nerves become compressed or trapped by a disc. There are many types of disc problems from a slipped disc to a disc bulge to disc degeneration, but they tend to have the same triggers- the main one, by far, being repetitive bending.
FACE JOINT PROBLEMS Most other back pain involves stiffness or seizing up of the fact that joints that run up the spine. Facet joints problems tend to be behind those sudden, agonizing attack of pains- the sort where you cannot get out of bed and walk. And they’re usually caused by not being active enough so the joints lose mobility. However, at the other extreme, they can also affect people who are especially flexible, such as gymnasts, or those with the joint condition hypermobility.
-Your neck and spine are bending forward the whole time you’re using these gadgets. Try: Limiting your continuous use to halfhour breaks to get up, stretch and have a walk around.
LACK OF EXERCISE Modern life has made most of us too sedentary. The increase in car use especially means we no longer walk everywhere, so our spines aren’t as strong and flexible today. Try: Making it a habit to leave the car at home for short trips and walking instead.
CARRYING HEAVY THINGS We typically carry heavy bags on one side, which throws the body out of balance, tilting the spine and causing scoliosis- a curvature of the spine. Try: Using a rucksack or bag that crosses.
TREATING BACK PROBLEMS The approach to treating both disc and facet joint problems is pretty much the same, with the key being to reduce inflammation and pain and gets joints moving again.
THERAPIES Massage may feel soothing and as it’s helping while you’re having it, but it won’t get to the root of the pain. For this, the joints need to be mobilized- either through a series of exercise with a physiotherapist, or with an osteopath who uses a hands-on approach to increase flexibility.
EXERCISE This is very important- gone are the days when we recommended a period of bed rest for a back. The key to both easing exiting pain and helping prevent recurrences is to strengthen the spine and keep it flexible. There is a good variety of exercise and activities you can get involved in to this, including swimming, brisk walking, cycling and classes such as Pilates that work on the core muscles, which help to support and strengthen the back.
BEEFEATER LONDON: THE HOME OF GIN THE CAPITAL’S FIRST DEDICATED GIN DISTILLERY VISITORS CENTRE TO OPEN
MITSUBISHI
THE MITSUBISHI ATTRAGE, DRIVE TOMORROW’S CAR TODAY
The New Mitsubishi Attrage is everything you seek in a compact sedan. It has an attractive body design, performs outstandingly well for its fuel consumption and it has a roomy interior which provides many degrees of comfort to the driver and passengers. It’s also easy to maneuver through narrow city streets and crowded parking lots due to its extremely tight turning radius. Attrage’s deisgn puts safety first, through a side Airbag to ensure the driver’s safety. In addition to the anti-lock braking system (ABS & EBD), which provides extra safety in emergency cases or slippery roads. Attrage is also secured by an immobilizer, which makes it impossible to run the car without its original keys, which are coded and programmed for each vehicle. It will exceed your expectations, it’s the ideal car for the city.
One of London’s best-kept secrets will open its doors for the very first time to visitors. Beefeater London: The Home of Gin, the Capital’s first dedicated gin distillery visitor centre, lifts the lid on the extraordinary stories and events behind one of the world’s favorite spirits. Beefeater gin is the only historic dry gin still distilled in the capital city and is uniquely qualified to tell the remarkable story of the history and production of gin in London.
MERCEDES TROPHY EGYPT 2014 CONCLUDES AT SOMA BAY
The Mercedes Trophy Egypt 2014 has come to an end with the National Final concluding at the Cascades Golf Club in Soma Bay, Hurghada. The National Final was held following a series of qualifying events, taking place at Egypt’s finest golfing clubs. Sponsored by Lufthansa as the official carrier and Kempinski Nile hotel, The Mercedes Trophy is one of the most important and esteemed golfing events in Egypt offering participants the chance to compete and converse with fellow golfers in style and in line with the brands active and sophisticated image.
SAMSUNG’S CURVED 4K UHD TV: THE ULTIMATE VIEWING EXPERIENCE
The dawn of a new TV era is upon us, as Samsung hails the launch of its flagship TV; the curved UHD, featuring the most advanced technology and design that brings a truly immersive and cinematic experience with panoramic effects. The 65 inch set with its concave curved design offers a more focused viewing experience from any angle or position. Samsung included UHD Dimming technology, which accurately adjusts color, contrast and detail for every image, which includes deeper blacks and purer whites being produced that help create the ultimate picture clarity.
78 insight
The Best Knows No Alternative The All New C-Class Masterful in appearance, unique in detail. The all-new C-Class impresses on every front, with an emotional yet clear design which is continued in the high-quality, luxuriously designed modern interior. The new C-Class feels like an "upgrade to a higher class of vehicle". The new C-Class heralds a new chapter in the Mercedes-Benz success story and sets new standards in the premium medium-size category, a host of new assistance systems offers safety of the highest standard, exemplary ride and driving comfort, as well as, nimble and agile handling. Not to mention the countless other innovations that underscore the car’s energizing comfort and refined sportiness.
Sheer attraction in its purist forms: Exterior design Its striking, dynamic design exudes sensuous clarity and arouses emotions. The clearly defined surfaces and precise lines deliberately display a degree of tension, lending the C-Class a muscular character. The side view is dominated by a long hood, a passenger compartment set well back and large wheels emphasizing the rear and communicate a stylishly sporty character. There is a choice of two different faces, a sporty face with a centrally positioned star or the classic sedan radiator grille featuring the Mercedes-Benz star on the hood. The C-Class is bigger than its predecessor allowing additional space in the interior and boot capacity.
Inspiring clarity complimented with modern luxury: Interior design
Driving pleasure redefined
The interior also embodies a new design idiom which perfectly combines clarity with dynamic sportiness which contributes to the quality feel of the interior and the feel good atmosphere. A centrally positioned free-standing central display is the main eye-catching feature across the centre console, followed by the innovative touchpad in the hand rest providing very simple and intuitive operation using finger gestures. All switches have a high-quality, three-dimensional design befitting a luxury vehicle. The new C-Class is also equipped with a unique Front bass system endowing the C-Class with an acoustic experience almost on a par with a concert hall.
The new C-Class is powered by an efficient 1.6 litre engine pumping out 156 hp and 250Nm of torque, this impressive unit is coupled with an innovative 7G-TRONIC Plus transmission blessing the car with an exceptionally smooth and fast gear change, the C-Class accelerates from 0 to100 km/h in just 8.5 seconds all the way up to a top speed of 223 km/h. Thanks to an intelligent lightweight design concept boasting weight savings of up to 100 kg, class leading aerodynamics and an economical engine, the new C-Class has an impressive fuel consumption figure of 5.5 litres/100 km. The all new suspension on the new C-Class makes driving a great pleasure on any road while also offering the highest standards of ride comfort in the segment.
The intelligent car: Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive The new C-Class is fitted as standard with numerous innovative safety and assistance systems enhancing both comfort and safety including ATTENTION ASSIST, which can warn the driver of inattentiveness and drowsiness, Adaptive Brake Assist, which offers protection from collisions from speeds as low as 7 km/h, COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS, which enables the car to carry out autonomous braking at speeds of up to 105 km/h and a reversing camera.
4 different lines The new C-class comes in 4 different lines including the C180 AMG, C180 EXCLUSIVE, C180 AVANTGARDE and C180. Generously equipped in standard guise, the new C-Class comes with an Audio 20 sound system with a Touchpad interface, KEYLESS GO starting function, ECO start/stop function, reversing camera, and an AGILITY SELECT switch to choose between the various driving modes of the car from "Comfort", "ECO", "Sport”, "Sport+” to the additional "Individual" option. Unique to the EXCLUSIVE line is the AIR-BALANCE package with active fragrancing, air ionization and more efficient filtration, an AIRPANEL which acts as an engine shutter to improve aerodynamics, in addition to a centrally positioned elegant analogue clock. The AMG line is offered with an exceptionally distinctive cranberry red leather interior.
DUSIT TRIUMPHS AT MENA TRAVEL AWARDS IN DUBAI
Dusit Thani Lake View Cairo scooped the ‘Triumph of Service Leaders’ Award in recognition of the hotel’s outstanding achievements during the tenth annual Middle East & North Africa (MENA) Travel Awards held in Dubai, UAE. The awards highlights the skills, creativity, ingenuity and success of MENA’s growing travel industry and its leaders. The awards also recognize the leading talents in each specific industry category and honors the best in each section.
GILLETTE IS BRINGING BRAZIL TO YOU
In celebration of the strong passion for the cup this year and with the launch of its Inner Steel, campaign, Gillette has just launched in Egypt a new line of Special Limited Edition razors painted in Brazil national colors. Made from incomparable steel, that gives the most comfortable shave, these special edition razors from Gillette display Brazil’s team color on the outside, but it’s always about the inner steel within.
JOTUN EGYPT LAUNCHES THE BRANDNEW JOTASHIELD COLLECTION IN THE EGYPTIAN MARKET THE NEW COLLECTION FEATURES PREMIUM QUALITY EXTERIOR PAINTINGS FOR THE HOUSE OF YOUR DREAMS Jotun Egypt has celebrated the launch of its all-new Jotashield Collection, which comprises Jotashield ColourLast, and Jotashield ColourXtreme, the most innovative external paintings for 2014/2015. The gala party took place at Al Saraya Ballroom, Intercontinental City Stars and was attended by top consultants, contractors, painting businessmen, representatives of renowned consultancy houses, media representatives, and public figures.
JW MARRIOTT IS CONGRATULATING YASMIN SHERIEF FOR WINNING THE COURAGE UNDER FIRE AWARD!
Yasmine Sherif, Multi-Property Director of Yasmine Sherif, Multi-Property Director of Marketing Communications for JW Marriott Hotel Cairo and Renaissance Cairo Mirage City Hotel, won the ‘Courage Under Fire Award’. This award is handed in recognition and appreciation of extraordinary accomplishments for working under the most challenging environment, especially for the launching of Renaissance Cairo Mirage City Hotel.
LA ROCHE-POSAY LAUNCHES PIGMENTCLAR A REVOLUTIONARY MANAGEMENT FOR DARK SPOTS
Bringing the latest and the best for the Egyptian dermatologist’s community, LA ROCHE-POSAY covered all the needs of the sensitive skin, going from the sun protection till the deep problems of imperfections of the skin. LA ROCHE-POSAY is launching PIGMENTCLAR at the Conrad Cairo with the most eminent dermatologists of Egypt to complete its range. PIGMENTCLAR is the most innovative formula and clinically proven results worldwide to fight against dark spots.
KEMPINSKI’S SUMMER PROMOTION OFFERS OPTIONS FROM SEA TO SKY TO SUIT EVERY TASTE.
‘Tune in to summer’ offers accommodation at Kempinski hotels around the world with up to 30% off regular rates and gives the option of designing a summer vacation according to specific traveller profiles. Kempinski has unique experience to offer from ‘glamping’ in Olare Mara to (re) discovering the rich Muscovite culture during the long summer nights. For the urban explorer, vibrant Shanghai and sparkling Berlin present equally appealing options.
CHIVAS REGAL 25 AT CANNES FILM FESTIVAL
Chivas Regal 25 partnered with the Filmmakers Dinner at Prestigious Hotel Du Cap Eden Roc last night during the 67th Cannes Film Festival. The guest of honor, renowned actor and philanthropist Edward Norton presented a donation of $100,000 on Chivas’s behalf to charity partner FilmAid and made a Chivas Regal 25 toast in celebration of the charity and the donation. A star studded affair with guests including Naomi Watts, Rosario Dawson, Gemma Arerton and Harvey Weinstein among others joined the toast and enjoyed the evening.
PAUL “UN ÉCLAIR DE DESSERT”
From the traditional chocolate, vanilla and coffee, PAUL’s new collection comes in a variety of flavours and colours: fruity, colourful and slightly acidic. Taste them during your coffee breaks, be it at the office, at home or at a PAUL shop itself. Taste them… You will fall head over heels in love with them.
LEGO MIDDLE EAST TAGS RELAUNCHES LEGO IN EGYPT LEGO may not strike as an obvious educational toy, but children who play with the LEGO ranges can benefit from cognitive, linguistic, physical and social/emotional boosts, which can actually help them develop faster and learn while they are having fun. Middle East Tags company target for LEGO to reach as much as possible kids of all ages and ranges in Egypt, not only the ones who will be able to afford but also the ones who can’t have it, by managing a number of events that will cover many cities in Egypt.
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SHELL HELIX ULTRA TECHNOLOGY IN FORMULA ONE
2014 sees the introduction of new technical regulations to the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) Formula One World ChampionshipTM. Perhaps the greatest challenge stems from an engine re-design. Formula One engines have changed from a capacity of 2.4 litres to smaller 1.6-litre engines. The new V6 engine is also turbo-charged and forms part of a power unit including the Energy Recovery Systems (ERS). This year each driver is limited to just five power units for the 19 races, down from eight last year for the same number of races. Any engine used in addition to this allowance would see severe grid penalties imposed on the driver.
ABSOLUT VODKA ABSOLUT WINS THE 2014 ULTIMATE SPIRITS CHALLENGE
ABSOLUT VODKA achieved a rating of 95 points with mention “Extraordinary”, “Ultimate Recommendation” in the unflavored Vodka category and was awarded the Chairman’s Trophies, representing the best of the best in this category. The Ultimate Beverage Challenge’s creates and establishes a new and higher standard of evaluation for spirits that provides accurate and useful results in recognizing and promoting the quality of alcohol products. It accomplishes this by the integrity of its people and approach, its innovative and exacting methodology, and through the credibility of its results.
FAIRMONT HELIOPOLIS AND TOWERS PROMOTION ANNOUNCEMENT
Mr. Sami Zoghbi, Vice President & Managing Director of Fairmont Heliopolis & Towers is pleased to announce the promotion of the following dedicated Sales team members - headed by Mrs. Hala Sabry, Director of Sales & Marketing - in recognition for their efforts & competence. Shadi Alaa Shousha to the position of Director of Sales, Neamat Salah: Director of Sales – Corporate, Rania Ahmed: Assistant Director of Sales – Corporate, Mariette Magdy: Assistant Director of Sales in charge of MICE segment, Amr Assem: Assistant Director of Sales – Government and Ahmed Sameh: Assistant Director of Sales – Travel segment.
PORSCHE CENTRE EGYPT - SMG ENGINEERING AUTOMOTIVE COMPANY LAUNCHES THE NEW PORSCHE MACAN IN EGYPT SMG Engineering Automotive Company, one of the leading importers/ distributors of cars, spare parts, tools, trucks, buses and motorcycles in the Egyptian market and the sole agent for more than 100 international brands, announced the launch of the new compact SUV Porsche Macan in Egypt. Despite the political turmoil in Egypt, which has hit the private sector hard, President and CEO Ibrahim Ghattas stated that SMG has continued to make gains and even strengthened its position in the Egyptian market.
OYSHO YOGA RETREAT
84 insight
Our favorite brand, Oysho, recently hosted an ultra-Zen yoga retreat for media and fashion bloggers. The exclusive event was held at Matarma Bay in Ras Sidr. Attendees enjoyed the sunny, breezy weather by the sea, practiced yoga with a trained instructor, and enjoyed relaxing meditation as they basked in the golden glow of the spectacular sunset. The yoga retreat reflected the performance-chic theme of Oysho’s SS14 collection which focuses on yoga, wellness, fitness and a healthy lifestyle. Don’t forget to check out Oysho’s range of stylish beach wear which is a must-have for everyone this summer!
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Natural Ways Manage PERIOD PAIN
What if women could manage period symptoms naturally and avoid moodiness, irritability, puffiness, bloating and stomach cramps? Period pain is symptomatic of hormonal and nutritional imbalances in the body. Women shouldn’t have to suffer from painful periods, before you go reaching for favoured shortterm fixes such as paracetamol and a hot water bottle, start thinking long term, by making just a few small changes you can permanently manage the symptoms in as little as three cycles. Are you a sugar or caffeine addict? Processed sugar can create a yeast overgrowth in the stomach, causing bloating and stomach cramps. Limit the sugar intake to natural sugar, and have no more than two pieces of fruit a day. Caffeine contains a compound called xanthine which aggravates in flammation in the body, causing the muscles to spasm which is what happens when we experience stomach cramps. Avoiding caffeine altogether will reduce menstrual pain but if you can’t go without caffeine, have 1-2 cups of green tea a day instead.
herbs can help! Ginger and turmeric both contain antiinflammatory properties and can work as natural painkillers. Another important herb when dealing with period pain is chaste berry, also known as vitex agnuscastus. This works well with balancing out the hormones, especially estrogen and progesterone.
essential fatty acids Period pain is a sign that the body is inflamed, and fish oil is high in Omega 3 that is an essential fatty acid, which is also an excellent anti-inflammatory. 86 insight
Other foods high in essential fatty acids are primrose oil, nuts, seeds and chai. Our bodies do not produce essential fatty acids internally, which makes it quite important that we eat foods that contain them, if we are trying to reduce the inflammation in the body.
don’t go overboard on the salt Salt will draw fluids, causing you to retain water and bloat. Water retention in the body is also often the cause of sore breasts, which a lot of women experience in connection with their period. The limit for women is three-five grams of salt a day.
feeling stressed? Stress is very much linked with period pain. When stressed, our body produces increased levels of the stress hormone cortisol and lower- than-healthy levels of progesterone. This causes a hormonal imbalance between our estrogen
and progesterone levels. A good solution is to work on decreasing stress; a great reliever of stress is exercise, which releases the feel-good hormone endorphins in the body.
don’t neglect those greens Vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and brussel sprouts are high in indole, which makes them excellent for maintaining a hormonal balance. Ideally, women should have six-seven cups of veggies a day.
get a check-up No woman should put up with extraordinary pain during her period. If these tips do not relieve your pain or if the pain keeps increasing, there could be underlying issues such as endometriosis or fibroids, go see your doctor or a health specialist.
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WORLDCUPNEWS HEROES READY FOR BATTLE WITH ADIDAS’ FIFA WORLD CUP™ BOOT COLLECTION “ADIDAS BATTLE PACK” In celebration of the FIFA World Cup, Adidas launched Battle Pack, the official footwear collection for the tournament. Adidas Battle Pack features a new boot from each of the five adidas boot ranges adizero™ f50, predator®, nitrocharge™, 11pro and adizero™ f50 Messi. Adidas Battle Pack will be worn on field during the FIFA World Cup by the full roster of Adidas players including Leo Messi, Oscar, Dani Alves, Luis Suarez and local heroes such as Bougherra and Bentaleb.
WORLD CUP FEVER AT FOUR SEASONS HOTEL CAIRO AT NILE PLAZA Live, feel and breath the football vibe and start planning your trip to the World Cup Lounge! Four Seasons Hotel will bring to life all of the excitement and energy of the football courts in Brazil to the avid football fans at Nile Plaza’s World Cup Lounge. Start to embark upon a football match journey; the surroundings are atmospheric; the menu is stimulating; the overall ambiance feels creatively cheering with 85’’ giant screens. 88 insight
CHEER YOUR NATIONAL TEAM AND ENJOY THE THRILL OF WORLD CUP MATCHES AT THE CAIRO MARRIOTT HOTEL
The Cairo Marriott Hotel is offering two outstanding venues for guests to enjoy the world cup matches this summer. The first is Almaz on the roof top of the palace and overlooking the Nile, where you can relax and watch the match on the giant screens while engaging in lots of fun sporty activities. The second is at the Egyptians nights in the middle of the Khedivial gardens of the palace where LCD screens are distributed along the place to view the matches while enjoying the gentle summer breeze. Both venues offer scrumptious menus with an oriental touch and shisha.
LIVE AT KEMPINSKI NILE HOTEL Kempinski Nile Hotel invites guests to follow the broadcast of the 2014 FIFA World Cup matches in the Jazz Bar with flat-screens and surround-sound stereos in the comfort of the exclusive venue offering Latin American food and cocktails. Set to be the city’s most exclusive hot-spot, this chic venue features the hotel’s Jazz Bar and a terrace with breath-taking views of the Nile, projecting an aura of sophisticated simplicity. With comfortable seating, guests can enjoy specially crafted, quality food and cocktails. Minimum spending : EGP 200
oroscopes Horoscopes RULING PLANET: Mercury SYMBOL: Twins ELEMENT: Air LUCKY STONE: Amber, Citrine and Aquamarine. FAMOUS GEMINI: Adriana Lima, Angelina Jolie, Bob Dylan, Dean Martin, Johnny Depp, Liam Neeson. GEMINI (MAY 22ND - JUNE 21ST)
If you will be honest and sincere, then those who are precious to you will be more open, and your opportunities will increase tenfold! Be prepared for new acquaintances, some of them will be with you for a very long time, so you should resolve all conflicting moments now. However, still be careful with your wishes. If you decide to further disregard the opinions of those who are close to you, then soon fate will retaliate; so don’t get surprised when things get really bad.
GEMINI
(MARCH 21ST – APRIL 19TH)
Many of your projects, that are either long forgotten by you, or classified as absolutely without potential, will suddenly show themselves as bright and potentially profitable ones. Undoubtedly, you should not immediately reach out to all of them, since perhaps, your luck can pass on to someone else.
PISCES
TAURUS
(FEBRUARY 20THMARCH 20TH)
The confidence in yourself and the wish to work – those are the components of your success. You will have luck coming out of your ears, colleagues, management will fully support any of your initiatives, and the overall atmosphere of this period will be extremely positive. 90 insight
TAURUS (APRIL 21STMAY 21ST)
ARIES
This is a great period for such a beginning. One way or another, June will be good to you. It is just that entrepreneurs will receive bonuses that are more substantial. Nevertheless, those that work for someone else’s benefit are threatened by luck to have your management always take your side in conflicts.
LEO
(JUNE 22ND – JULY 22ND)
There are many possibilities, while the stars predict only two possible outcomes. In the first one, you miss something important and nothing changes. In the second outcome, you understand that you are at the right place at the right time and quickly get how to turn the situation to your advantage.
Venus will do everything so that complications would not bother you or disrupt your happiness. It does not matter if you have a lover or if you are single, in either way you will have a positive mood, and all of your wishes will be coming true.
(JULY 23RD – AUGUST 22ND)
You will most likely get lucky in something. During the current period of time, this will allow conserving your work speed, and in the future may be a significant influence during a choice of a candidate for a new position. Those that work for themselves are recommended to keep their current positions.
VIRGO
(DECEMBER 22ND – JANUARY 20TH) The planets of the Solar System will be fully on your side, no matter the problems on the work front, the family hearth will be burning well and positively. It is likely that your relationship with your current lover will be strengthened by your joint activities.
CAPRICORN
CANCER
(AUGUST 23RD – SEPTEMBER 22ND)
SCORPIO
(OCTOBER 24TH – NOVEMBER 22ND)
(SEPTEMBER 23RD – OCTOBER 23RD) The situation on the “love front” will not be anything extraordinary either. The amount of conflicted situations will not be high, and the reasons for conflicts will not be so serious as to warrant a large amount of energy towards their resolution.
(NOVEMBER 23RD – DECEMBER 21ST) No matter how big the problem is, leave your doubts behind you – you have enough strength to resolve it. Take your willpower and just make the decision. You may have known the answer for a long time; perhaps you just do not want to confide this in yourself.
SAGITTARIUS
(JANUARY 21ST – FEBRUARY 19TH)
The stars do not scare you, but warn you and knowledge of impeding trouble is an advantage in itself. So focus and be ready that conflicted situations with your lover and relatives are waiting for you throughout the entire month.
AQUARIUS
LIBRA
You have everything that is needed to reach your coveted goal. Do not doubt yourself. Better to doubt others, and do not delegate the most important tasks to others. It is much easier, better and calmer to do them all yourself. This should be your main rule during this period.
Insight’s Picks
THE BOOKS THE MOVIES AND THE MUSIC
WE BRING YOU THE BEST AND NOTHING BUT THE BEST! FROM MOVIES THAT WE’VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR TO THE BEST BOOKS IN THE MARKET, ALL THE WAY TO THE MUSIC THAT WILL ROCK YOUR SPEAKERS, WE HAVE IT ALL!
THE HUNTING PARTY BY LINKIN PARK WALK OF SHAME
A reporter (Elizabeth Banks)’s dream of becoming a news anchor is compromised after a one-night stand leaves her stranded in downtown L.A. without a phone, car, ID or money – and only 8 hours to make it to the most important job interview of her life. Director: Rawson Marshall Thurber Cast: Elizabeth Banks, James Marsden
The Hunting Party is the upcoming sixth studio album by the American rock band Linkin Park. The album is the first by the band not to be recorded at the NRG Recording Studios and is the first album since Minutes to Midnight not to be produced with Rick Rubin, after producing the band’s previous three studio albums.
X (MULTIPLY) BY ED SHERAN THE DOUBLE
When Simon (Jesse Eisenberg) gets to work he finds that this double has usurped his tenuous position in the company. Routinely humiliated by his boss (Wallace Shawn), the neurotic Simon now has to deal with a doppelganger that is everything he isn’t: confident, charming, successful, superficial. Director: Richard Ayoade Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Mia Wasikowska
X (pronounced “multiply”) is the second studio album by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. Having written “hundreds” of songs, Sheeran entered the studio with Rick Rubin and they cut that down to the 15 new songs that feature.
ANIMAL AMBITION BY 50 CENT
BLENDED
After a bad blind date, a man (Adam Sandler) and woman (Drew Barrymore) find themselves stuck together at a resort for families, where their attraction grows as their respective kids benefit from the burgeoning relationship. Director: Frank Coraci Cast: Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore
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Animal Ambition is the upcoming fifth studio album by American rapper 50 Cent. It was supported by the singles “Don’t Worry ‘Bout It” featuring Yo Gotti, “Hold On”, “Pilot”, “Smoke”, “Hustler”, “Chase the Paper”, “Everytime I Come Around” and “Irregular Heartbeat”. The album features guest appearances from Yo Gotti, Trey Songz, Kidd Kidd, Jadakiss, Mr. Probz, Guordan Banks, Prodigy, Schoolboy Q and Styles P.
WHERE’D YOU GO BERNADETTE? BY MARIE SEMPLE
BOOKS
Bernadette Fox is notorious. To her Microsoft-guru husband, she’s a fearlessly opinionated partner; to fellow private-school mothers in Seattle, she’s a disgrace; to design mavens, she’s a revolutionary architect, and to 15-year-old Bee, she is a best friend and, simply, Mom. Then Bernadette disappears. It began when Bee aced her report card and claimed her promised reward: a family trip to Antarctica. But Bernadette’s intensifying allergy to Seattle—and people in general—has made her so agoraphobic that a virtual assistant in India now runs her most basic errands. A trip to the end of the earth is problematic. To find her mother, Bee compiles email messages, official documents, secret correspondence—creating a compulsively readable and touching novel about misplaced genius and a mother and daughter’s role in an absurd world.
PIONEER GIRL BY BICH MINH NGUYEN
Jobless with a PhD, Lee Lien returns home to her Chicago suburb from grad school, only to find herself contending with issues she’s evaded since college. But when her brother disappears, he leaves behind an object from their mother’s Vietnam past that stirs up a forgotten childhood dream: a gold-leaf brooch, abandoned by an American reporter in Saigon back in 1965, that might be an heirloom belonging to Laura Ingalls Wilder. As Lee explores the tenuous facts of this connection, she unearths more than expected—a trail of clues and enticements that lead her from the dusty stacks of library archives to hilarious prairie life reenactments and ultimately to San Francisco, where her findings will transform strangers’ lives as well as her own.
PRADA AND PREJUDICE BY KATIE OLIVER
It is a truth universally acknowledged that Natalie Dashwood loves to shop. After all, as the heiress to the renowned London department store Dashwood & Jones she’s been wearing designer shoes since she could walk! But a socialite’s life isn’t as perfect as you might imagine… Natalie’s spending is spiraling slightly out of control, her rock star boyfriend is engaged to someone else, and it seems the family business is in financial crisis. New high-flying business exec Rhys Gordon has been brought in to save the company from ruin, but what are his motives? And infuriatingly even a shoe-shopping spree can’t take her mind off his distracting and oh-so-charming smile…
STROKES OF GENIUS
Van Gogh
Only a few artists have succeeded in leaving their marks, Van Gogh is one of those. He was one of the most mysterious, most talented and most productive artists of all time. Here’s a full detailed profile about his life, his works and some of his many interesting facts:
Life
Work Vincent van Gogh was born in GrootZundert in the south of Holland in 1853. He was an art dealer, teacher and preacher before he decided to become a painter in 1880. His first works were very dark, while most great artists of that time used bright colors. When he moved to Paris in 1868 he learned to paint portraits and use color. He made at least twenty selfportraits during this period. Vincent didn’t like the city life and moved to Arles in the Provence in 1888. In these last years of his life he would create many works and most of his masterpieces. However, it was also during this period that he suffered from many inner conflicts and had himself hospitalized. On July 27, 1890, he shot himself in the chest. He died two days later. His brother Theo, who maintained him, inherited his collection. Van Gogh sold only one painting during his lifetime.
Greatest Works • Van Gogh’s self-portraits • Sunflowers • The Potato-eaters • The Bedroom in Arles • The Starry Night • Irises
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Van Gogh became famous for his use of light and color. He spread his paint thickly onto the canvas with heavy brushstrokes or a palette knife. His post-impressionist work influenced most of the major art movements of the 20th century. During his lifetime, he only sold one painting. Today his work is immensely popular and sells for fortunes. The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam has 200 canvases, 500 drawings and 750 written documents on display and attracts 1.5 million visitors a year. If you want to learn more about the work, the life and influences of Vincent van Gogh, you should visit the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. It houses an enormous collection of paintings and drawings by Van Gogh and his contemporaries. Another great place is the KröllerMüller Museum in the Hoge Veluwe National Park, which also owns a stunning collection of works by Van Gogh.
Interesting Facts -He had several siblings – a brother named Theodorus nicknamed Theo, another named Cor, and three sisters whose names were Elisabeth, Anna and Willemina. -As a child, Vincent was serious, silent and thoughtful. -Vincent van Gogh suffered from temporal lobe epilepsy, hallucinations and mental illness. -Van Gogh was close friends with Paul Gauguin, another famous artist. -Vincent van Gogh’s earliest career aspiration was to be a pastor in the Dutch Reformed Church like his father. He was a missionary temporarily, but eventually gave in to pressure from his parents and gave up on the idea. -Astonishingly, Vincent wrote over 800 letters in his lifetime with the majority of them written to his brother and closest friend, Theo. -When Van Gogh first began painting, he used peasants as models and later would paint flowers, landscapes and himself, mostly because he was too poor to pay the models.
-Van Gogh never found romantic love in his life after a couple failed relationships. -It is simply amazing that Vincent created more than 2000 pieces of art which included 900+ paintings and 1100+ sketches/pencil drawings. -Van Gogh was financially supported most of his life by his brother, Theo. -Vincent van Gogh was a self-taught artist with little formal training. However, he attended an art school for a few months in Antwerp. That was in 1885, four years before his death. -In a short period of ten years, Van Gogh created approximately 900 paintings. If you think about it, in just ten years, he created 900 paintings that are now known to be some of the greatest works of art ever created. -Van Gogh is considered to be a Dutch Post-Impressionist. -Unfortunately, Vincent van Gogh only sold one painting during his lifetime and it was called The Red Vineyard.
cert Sayed Darwish Music Con ’s Legac y Arabic
Date: Tuesday, June 3rd 2014 Time: 8:00 PM Location: Sakyet El
Sawy,Wisdom Hall, Zamalek, Cairo
Omar Khairat
C a l e n d e r
JUNE
2014
Date: Wednesday, June 11th 2014 Time: 12:00 AM Location: MUST Opera House
6 of Octobe, Giza
erground Festival Cairo Und
Date: Saturday, June 21st 2014 Time: 11:00 AM -7:00 PM Location: El Korba, Heliopolis,
Cairo
etreat with Max, Sharm ga Yoga R El Sheikh Ashtan
Date: Thursday, June 19th 2014 Time: 1:00 AM - 1:00 PM Location: Shanti Yoga Cairo
(SYC) 22 Obour Buildings, Salah Salem Road
ured Trash Project: Luzi nterruptu 718’s Treas Darb 1 s
Date: Monday, June 16th 2014 Time: 2:00 PM - 10:00 PM Location: Darb 1718 Kasr El Shamaa
St. Misr El Kadima, Cairo, Egypt
Talents Development Center Concert
Date: Sunday, June 29th 2014 Time: 8:00 pM Location: Cairo Opera
House, Small Hall, Cairo
El Ahlam Ensemble
Date: Tuesday, June 24th 2014 Time: 8:00 PM Location: El Gomhoureya
Theatre, Cairo
96 insight
The Jazz bar
Why settle for a single pleasure?
A visit to the Jazz Bar proves that this is not just a lounge – it is a lifestyle and presents guests with a welcome option to escape city life and truly cherish high style, good taste and superior elegance with the best Nile view. Open daily from 17:00 to 02:00 Live entertainment: Every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday from 21:30 to 00:30 +20 2 2798 0000 | reservations.cairo@kempinski.com | www.kempinski-cairo.com