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Table of Content * Back to the Past- Part II

* Meeting Guy Semon

* Marie Ansel â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Curator of TAG Heuerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 360 museum

* Chocolate-My journey from sin to pleasure

* Review on the most expensive chocolate in the world

* Minerva Chocolate

* Top Ten Trends: Jewellery for 2012

* Art of Makeup

* California Dreaming

* Tourists in Kuwait

Back to the Past

Amer Yahya Al- Ansari Is the managing partner for Trafalgar. Although Trafalgar has been a part of his life since he was born, he has been officially working in Trafalgar for 16 years. He loves olive trees, to travel and collects antique maps. A quote that he lives by, which his father Yahya always used to say is “Best of the Best”

Wael Kamal Shorbaji has been working in Trafalgar for 20 years and is the General Manager of this family company. When he isn’t too busy making Amers’ dream a reality he spends time with his lovely family and manages to fit in a few rounds of basketball or table tennis. One of his favorite quotes is, “Experts are always made, never born”

George Abraham has worked in Trafalgar for 2O years. After so many years as a dedicated Brand Manager for Chopard and De Grisogono of Switzerland, he is pursuing his own dreams. He loves knowing what is going on in the world around him and the motto that he lives by is “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”

”Back to the Past“ Second Part

This interview is the second installation to the trilogy of the whole history of Trafalgar. In the first installation we had brother and sister, Amer and Aida, reflect and remember how their parents, Yahya and Heidi began Trafalgar and what Trafalgar was like in the early days. Part 1 ended with the invasion. Part II is the history of Trafalgar from the invasion to today and the key players during this time have been Amer Al-Ansari, Wael Shorbaji and George Abraham. In the final installation we will have an exclusive and intimate portrayal written by Majd Al-Ansari on how he and Heidi managed to pull Trafalgar out from extinction. Lahazaat: When did you first get involved with Trafalgar ? Amer: My official start with Trafalgar was in October 1996. I had just finished my fourth year of college in the U.S., and also complete a 4-mth course in Lausanne, Switzerland on how to run a watch and jewelry business.

tion or handover. Mrs. Heidi had taken on the role of managing the company. She definitely had to start Trafalgar from scratch. Majd Al-Ansari was the family cousin who stood next to Mrs. Heidi and her kids to support them during this time of trial.

George: It was the first week of December 1991, when I visited the Late Heidi Al-Ansari in Her Al-Bida apartment in Salmiya. The Trafalgar shop was still closed at that point.

George: After giving all the information to Heidi, she decided to open the doors of Trafalgar on December 15, 1991. She had a small parcel of Chopard watches and jewelry with which she had collected from Geneva after liberation. At that time, the walls of the shop were coated with dark black smoke. Mrs. Heidi decided to clean the shop including all the walls. We used the ladder and cloth with soap. After many days of hard work and sweat the shop was finally polished and clean.

Lahazaat: What was the company like when you joined?

Lahazaat: How many shops were there at that time?

Amer: I must admit that working in Trafalgar then was very intimate; I knew everyone very well, knew their family issues, the names of their children, and also all their ups and downs. In hindsight, when I first joined Trafalgar, we were running the company purely on feeling. We had no budgets, marketing plans, and training, or even simple rules regarding what sales staff should or shouldn’t war. But what we all had was motivation.

George: Before and soon after the liberation of Kuwait, Trafalgar had only one shop, which is still stands today, situated in Salmiya on Salem Mubarak Street.

Wael: I got involved on January 2nd, 1992. I was hired as an accountant.

Wael: When I first joined, most key employees were unable to come back after the invasion. So Trafalgar was left without any proper transi-

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Lahazaat: Can you give us a picture of what it was like for Heidi and/ or Trafalgar during the invasion? Amer: I had just landed in Los Angeles, U.S.A., flying from Kuwait on the evening of the 2nd of August 1990 to visit my mother. After arriving from the airport, we soon learned through CNN that Kuwait

Back to the Past

had been invaded. I clearly remember my mother frantically trying to get through by phone to some people in Kuwait, but all the lines were occupied. But I do remember my mother speaking to the Scheufeles (owners of Chopard) a day or two after the start of the invasion about scenarios on what to do with a shipment that was supposed to be sent to Kuwait. My mother was reassuring them that the invasion was likely to be solved in the coming days! Wael: I joined the company after the invasion and came to realize how much they had suffered due to what happened. I was assigned to handle the financial claim of loss to the UN-compensation commission. Majd was there to help support and be witness to all that happened during the invasion, as he did not leave the country during the invasion. Because of her high reputation, Mrs. Heidi was able to find a way restoring most of the strategic suppliers and rescue the company from dying out. George: Mrs. Heidi seemed confused to know where to start and what to focus on first. She needed financial support and she knew that she needed to put the shop in good working condition as well. Majd helped tremendously to put the shop back into working order. He was there in the evenings to make sure that a male Kuwaiti figure was present in order to protect the companies’ interest. Lahazaat: Are there any stories that you can share with us about the times right after the invasion? Amer: At the time of the invasion, I was in my last year of high school in Switzerland. Being from Kuwait and considered a “refugee”, I received a lot of sympathy from my teachers. Looking back, I think that I used this newfound power a little too much. But in late March 1991 (a month after Kuwait was liberated), I was able to visit Kuwait by taking a Kuwait Air Force cargo plane from Jeddah. Those were amazing days. Although Kuwait was completely ransacked, there was an intense feeling amongst all the Kuwaitis I met of a bright future for the country.

My cousin Majd, who had stayed in Kuwait throughout the invasion, was my official tour guide to this newly freed country. The first stop, naturally, was our Trafalgar store. I had only learned that the store was looted of its goods a couple of weeks before my first visit to Kuwait, and I was curious to know how these thieves were able to steal all the goods from our impenetrable safes. We entered the back door of our store and all I remember was seeing piles of paper, empty watch boxes, catalogues, and files that flooded the 3 floors. Upon analyzing the situation a little deeper, we came to the conclusion that the thieves had stayed in the store for a few days, based on evidence of the piles of take-out food boxes lying on the upper floor. Personally, I was somehow more surprised that there were restaurants opened during the last days of the invasion than our store being looted! As I had to see why our so-called German safes did not perform up to my expectations. We saw the safes that the thieves tried unsuccessfully to break into using hammers and chisels, but we also saw a smaller, non German safe turned upside down with a hole made by using a blow torch. With sheer luck, the thieves chose the right safe to break into. For inside this small non-German safe, contained the spare safe keys to all our other German safes! I often wonder how these thieves must have felt when they had the keys to all the safes? George: It seemed like such a desperate time. There was so much work to do, so little money, not enough sales. Heidi was feeling like there was no hope. Mr. Farman from Doha Qatar heard that she might be interested in selling, so he flew over to make a very low offer on the company. Of course Heidi disagreed. It was only a matter of time… Lahazaat: What were some of the successful moves that helped pull Trafalgar out of the rubble? Amer: There were 4 key elements that helped Trafalgar come out of the disaster of both the invasion of Kuwait and the looting of its goods:

Chopard gave my mother 1-year credit terms for goods taken at the end of 1991, and early 1992. Our family at the time was not cash-rich. Without such incredible generosity by the Scheufle family, I believe we could not have bought enough goods to open our store. Our first application for a bank loan was also turned down. For one year after the invasion, there were absolutely no import taxes on goods brought in for resale. Trafalgar owned one apartment building. Most apartments could be rented out, which brought in much-needed cash to restart the store. And most importantly were my cousin Majd’s selfless actions in helping my mother restarting Trafalgar. He was able to get the store cleaned up and ready for opening, negotiate with suppliers, and giving my family the much-needed hope that things will turn out all right. Without Majd,Trafalgar’s history would have ended on August 2, 1990 Lahazaat: How long after the invasion did you first begin to see the “light” of day? Amer: It was the time that we crossed a landmark sale for the month. It was June of 1994 and Trafalgar had crossed for the first time sales of K.D. 100,00. I was 22 yrs. Old at the time, still in college and visiting my mother in her house in France. What I remember clearly was George Abraham, calling my mother every few days “We now reached 96,000” “Now we are at 99,00” then on the final day of the month, he called and said: “ We are at 100,000”! We couldn’t believe it! That was the time when I knew Trafalgar was a serious business, and would remain close to me from then on.

Lahazaat: Describe Amer when he first took over? Amer: The first days in Trafalgar were definitely a blur. What I remember was that I went to my new desk, and immediately didn’t feel comfortable have the biggest office. What did I know about running a company? I was just freshly out of college, and had to learn my way around the company. Probably on of my first moves was to switch my office with Wael (now GM of Trafalgar). Wael: I had a first positive impression of Amer upon the first meeting. Being half German, his personal ethics were built on a solid base and he was also professionally tough enough to understand the business rules. He took responsibility of managing the company in 2000, after his mother had passed away. He was very young, with not much experience. His first priority was to keep the family business and create strong foundations. Lahazaat: Explain some highs and lows over the years with Trafalgar? Please be as specific as you can with scenarios and dates. Amer: We probably enjoyed more highs than lows. Some of our highs were. The day we opened Chopard boutique in Salhia in 1997. The marriage to my wife Christiane in 1998. She was able to bring in immediate changes to the showroom floor. I really believe that Trafalgar took a step closer to becoming a serious company when Christiane joined Trafalgar. Becoming distributors for TAG Heuer in late 2001.

Wael: I believe it was around 1994, when we were able to open a second Trafalgar shop in Salhiya complex. Lahazaat: How many brands did we carry right after the invasion and how many employees were there? George: Trafalgar had Chopard-watches and jewelry, GMT watches, and Delanue from Switzerland. We also carried other brands of Jewelry. As for employees we had no more than 5 employees all together.

Chopard boutique being awarded as “The best Boutique in 2005” Opening Versace boutique in 2006 as this was Trafalgar’s first venture into fashion. Getting a call in December 2009, telling us that Trafalgar would be the official distributors of Patek Phillip. Opening of a flagship boutique in Avenues 2011.

Back to the Past

Which never cease to amaze me with their dedication. Some of the lows that we experienced were; The death of my mother in December 2000 Saddam Hussein’s constant threats on Kuwait during the 90’s and up to 2003. In one threat, I remember ordering gas masks for all our employees in Trafalgar. Thank goodness that these masks were never used! The financial crisis that started in late 2008, and continued through 2009. Those were personally the darkest days that I have faced in Trafalgar.

Wael: I love that we are a multi cultural business but that we still have a family environment with all our employers. This is something very special. Lahazaat: At this point in time, how many stores do we have and how many employees. Wael: Our modern retail chain now includes 14 stores and over 170 employees. Lahazaat: Are there any interesting stories that you can add?

The death of my very dear friend and colleague, Mr. Faisal Faisali in May 2009. He was a true GEM. Wael: It was a real challenge to expand the company from a small business to a strong medium sized business. It took a lot of time and effort to develop the companies’ infrastructure from two stores and few brands to what we have now of 14 stores and over ten brands. For this growth to happen all within a ten year period was quite remarkable as well as strenuous. Lahazaat: Was there ever a clear plan to where Trafalgar was going, or did it just evolve? Amer: The only clear plan that I had been to grow Trafalgar into a multi-location multi-brand company. So we took a lot of big risks to make this happen. Since I was the dreamer, Wael Shorbaji had the difficult task of finding ways of making my dreams a reality! Things developed quickly and thankfully on the right track. Lahazaat: What do you personally love most about Trafalgar? Amer:The clients. Through Trafalgar I have been able to meet incredibly hospitable, kind, diverse and amazingly bright people. Also the staff. We have some highly passionate and devoted staff

George: Soon after liberation, we had one watch stolen from the display. It was a group of ladies and their children who did the job. The key was left on the counter and the key was facing on the outside. The ladies kept a bag on the top of the table while the kids did the crime. One of the ladies was asking some question just to divert my attention. They all disappeared in minutes. I went after them to find them but there were no trace of them. We made a police complaint but it was in vain. Many months later, one of the watches came back for repairs. We held this watch and made an official complaint to the police. This incident haunts me till this day. As a side note, I would like to say the Amer has done a very good job. His father started with one location and today there are so many. I am sure, late Yahya’s grandchildren will continue their progress in all direction and make it still better.

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6/14/12 6:07 PM

Meeting with Guy Semon

Maps of the movement mechanism design time in the TAG Heuer player

‫* غي سيمون‬

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The universe has a strange way of very often steering one in the right direction by sometimes creating a bit of a muddle of well laid out plans. This happened to me the day I was to visit Tag Heuer in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, the watch making capital of the world. I was meant to be there at 9:00 a.m. I arrived precisely at 10:30 a.m. One and a half hours late to a meeting in Tag Heuer. Tag Heuer…the company that is known to bring precision to a new level in the watch-making world. This is a sanctum where exactness is equal to the air we breathe. Without it, Tag Heuer would not exist. It is Tag Heuer that is known to constantly overcome new boundaries and make time around us be just that more accurate. For all this, I was, very late indeed It is commonly known that the watchmakers in Le Chaux-de-Fond like to start work, as early as six and by 11:30 they pause their work for lunch. Due to my tardiness and their precise earliness, I had only one hour left to tour Tag Heuer. Stress was on my side during the tour and I mentally and sadly deleted the article I was researching to write, “watches from A to Z.” It was not until after lunch that I met with Guy Semon, the brains behind some of Tag Heuers’ latest and most innovative watches. I silently made a plea that his brains would not be too much for me. Since the morning's event left me slightly shaken. At the point of meeting, my being was perspiring inwardly as well as outwardly. It is hard going into a meeting being a step behind only to meet with someone who is two steps ahead of everyone. This simple mathematical equation should describe precisely where I was at. Walking into his wizards’ den, I saw, to my dismay, a wall with fantastical numbers, graphs and equations that looked seemingly incomprehensible to my naked eye. I could not even pretend to know. I shook his hand with fear in my eyes. Upon that shake however I relaxed. I liked him; he seemed to be able to wear the human cape under all his super human feats. I blurted out my weakness; that I really did not know much about watches. He smiled gently, offered me an espresso and with a twinkle in his eyes told me that it all really is not so complicated. So the master of complications slowly lead me though the

Meeting with Guy Semon

wonders of the watch-making world with simplicity and humor before I knew it, the meeting was over. But I felt I had just begun! I had been given an elixir of inspiration. Time no longer was a practical aspect in my heads vocabulary. Time became filled with wonders, the path to the right time was just as important as time itself. This was a lesson in life! Since 2007, Guy Semon has been hired by Tag Heuer to be the maestro conductor and pool together some of the best minds in the field of automotive, aerospace, energy and the watch industry in what is called the latest and newest RND (Research and development division) of Tag Heuer. This is where Tag Heuer shines and becomes the leader in the field of innovation in the watch industry. Guy Semon stated that the four goals of Tag Heuer when producing a watch is always focused on absolute accuracy, reliability, readability and design. For all this, Guy Semon is not a watchmaker but an engineer. His past endeavors includes being in the French Navy, training as a jet pilot and receiving a doctorate in physics, engineering science, and publishing several papers. He worked on interesting projects such as the high-speed TGV train, hybrid armored vehicles, Lockheed Martin, flight-simulating programs and also spent time as an independent consultant in the aeronautical and aerospace industry. He also owned his own small aircraft company in which he owned three planes. It was during this time, around 2004; that by happenstance, one of his pilots called in sick. Being a pilot, Guy Semon jumped in and flew the designer of the V-4 for TAG, (Mr. Rechonaid) to his required destination. He overheard a conversation between Mr. Rechonaid and Jean Christophe Babin (the president and CEO of Tag Heuer), of the impossible difficulty of putting a belt system in the V-4 watch. After the conversation was over, Guy Semon mused that it should not be too difficult to put a belt system in a watch! The rest as they say is history and Tag Heuer had its belts in ten days. This was Guy Semons first contact with the watch making industry! Now Guy Semon, at Tag Heuer with his circle of inventive minds, keeps pushing the concept of WATCH to new levels, constantly pioneering and breaking the boundaries of WATCHDOM. It truly stands to say that Time flies when Guy is having fun.

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Marie Ansel – Curator of TAG Heuer’ 360 museum

Marie Ansel is the curator of the 360 museum of Tag Heuer. Born

between

Luxemburg

Masters’ degree in communication. October of 2011.

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and She

France, joined

she

has

TAG Heuer in

She believes that to run a museum well on has to be passionate about vintage timepieces, to be curious and always research the accuracy of the pieces and to be a good communicator as well as listener when showing the pieces in the museum.

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Chopard and deGRISIGONO brighten up in Cannes

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6/14/2012 3:39:10 PM

Chocolate My journey from sin to pleasure Hello my name is Aida Al-Ansari and I am a chocolate addict. This in not something I question but know through every fiber of my being. My family has painfully learned over the years that when chocolate is left out and alone, unattended, an abduction of sorts takes place.

Writer:

Aida Al Ansari

Chocolate-My journey from sin to pleasure

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Chocolate My journey from sin to pleasure

No questions asked to who the culprit of this crime may be. I have always considered this addiction a minor sin, blight to my personality. It was at the tender age of seven when I first realized that my reaction to chocolate was not the norm. I was having a sleep over at my best friends house. After lunch, her mother gifted us each with a large, 4 rung Kit-Kat bar. Without a thought I had downed mine in less then 2 minutes. Yummy and gone. By the time I threw the red wrapping into the bin and returned, my friend had just barely taken her second bite. Standing, I watched her as she lay on the sofa, flipping through a comic book and unconsciously munching on her Kit-Kat, sometimes even forgetting to chew! I slowly sat in the armchair next to her, my back straight, my eyes willing her to finish the chocolate bar whilst my mind was asking her to ask me if I would want to share it. My heart then debating whether to be stoic and reply, “No thank you, I think I have had enough” or jump and accept whatever offering she would make. I could not decide which way to go and luckily I didn’t have to, as she never offered. She just wrapped up the ¾ of Kit-Kat that was still uneaten and laid it on the table. No hesitation…. her eyes and mind seemed fully focused on the comic book. Distractedly she spoke to me and to some of the air that hovered around me, “ I don’t like chocolate when it’s cold. It tastes so much better warmed up.” 29

Chocolate-My journey from sin to pleasure

This I hadn’t noticed. We continued to play for most of the afternoon. The

I was tired and said goodnight but my thoughts were always a few feet away

dolls, the make believe and the swimming in the sunshine. By now the choco-

from me, hovering around the table that cradled the last Kit-Kat bar. Scheming,

late bar that lay on the table wrapped and unfinished, was totally forgotten on

I wanted for her to fall asleep, and wondered if she would notice if her choco-

my part, until I heard the crinkle of the foil and I saw her lifting the wrapping

late was simply not there in the morning. I wrestled with these deep demons

against the weight of gravity. She broke off the second branch, put it in her

of desire as I was trying to will myself to sleep.

mouth and seemed to savor every bite.

Whilst chocolates affect seduced it’s way into my history, little did I realize

“I love the crunch of the biscuit with the warm chocolate around it. “ She said

that chocolate had a history all of its own, starting over three thousand years

this knowingly and with utmost certainty.

ago in the warm frothy tropics of south central Mexico. There an ancient tribe

I smiled faintly, pretending to understand and not care, but my skin was glued to her every action, her every word. I noticed to my utter dismay that she again wrapped it up and laid it by her bedside table. This time I did not forget that last strand of lonely chocolate. It whirled in my mind for the rest of the evening. As I curled up in the guest bed I pretended 30

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called the Olmec’s, watched monkeys crack open fruit pods and eat the sweet mucus like pulp on the inside, whilst spitting out the bitter, soft pale seeds. It is unknown how the Olmec’s came to include the seed as part of their diet, but this bean, which they called Kakawa, became a daily staple. Chocolate slowly migrated and seemed to hypnotize every culture it came

Fun facts on chocolate

• Every Russian and American space voyage has included chocolate bars.

• Chocolate contains over 300 mineral proper ties that are good for your health

• White chocolate is made from the fat of the cacao butter.

• Chocolate has the same chemical elements that boost your mood and produce the euphoric feeling of falling in love.

• Cacao beans were used as a currency by the Mayan and Aztec culture.

1 bean =

1 large tomato

10 beans =

1 rabbit

100 beans =

1 slave

• One Cacao pod will contain 42 beans and its takes 270 cacao beans to make one pound of chocolate.

to contact with. The Mayans fell under its spell and used the bitter seeds as a

biography. Normally chocolate had always been sold in small loose chunks. But

drink that seemed to help with almost every ailment. The Aztecs then took up

in the cool English weather, the first chocolate bar was created. This allowed

this bitter brew and realized that it made them feel awake, alert and strong. It

for easy sale, transportation and storage of chocolate.

was considered a medicinal marvel and only the priests, soldiers and the very wealthy had the benefit of this Kakawa drink.

Chocolate migrated to the land of mountains, green pastures and cows. In 1879, the Swiss were the first to marry chocolate and milk and in that same

The chocolate fever slowly trickled though Europe in the early 1500’s when a

year Rudolph Lindt, invented

Spanish explorer by the name of Herman Cortes returned to Spain and intro-

accolades by refining its texture.. Going from a bitter, coarse and gritty bar, to

duced a trunk load of cacao beans.

a smooth, sweet and creamy fondant. it enslaved any tongue that it touched.

It was the epicurean taste buds of the Italians that slowly transformed chocolate from a drink to an added ingredient in food preparation. They stretched

new ways to further bring out chocolates

Chocolate business around the world quickly exploded as more and more people gained a warm and wonderful affinity to this bean from South America.

chocolates’ horizons. They fried liver that had first been dipped in chocolate,

As chocolate had its own history to carry out with the world, I continued my

created chocolate soups and melded chocolate with their desserts.

personal story with it. My chocolate addiction became life threatening when I

The 1830’s brought a practical Englishman by the name of Joseph Fry into its

was 14 years of age.

Chocolate-My journey from sin to pleasure

• Eating chocolate before a meal takes the appetite away. • 2 oz. of milk chocolate can poison a 10 1b. puppy.

• The U.S. code of federal regulation per mits in chocolate- ( more reason to buy artisanal high quality chocolate!) insect filth – 60 or more insect fragments per 100 gr.

• Rodent filth – 1 or more rodent hairs per 100 gr. • Debauve & Gallais’s in Dubai sells Middle East most expensive box of chocolate priced $105 per pound

• Dubai’s Al Nassma chocolatier is selling the worlds first chocolate with camel milk.

• Annual chocolate sales in the Middle East exceed $4.2 billion.

I was in the kitchen cooking a simple meal when the frying pan burst into

It is only now, in my newfound wisdom, that I have finally solved this puzzle that

flames. Why, I don’t know. But the point is not the fire. The point is that the

had been silently plaguing me for decades.

one single thought that went through mind at that instant was. “I need some chocolate” In a hurried daze, I left the fire to grow and mature whilst I ran through the house opening and closing closets. Deep in my being I knew that the only way I could deal with this crisis, this fire, was to find some chocolate, any chocolate. I finally did find a hidden box of “After Eight” in the guest room. Once I ate the After Eight, only then did I miraculously snap back to reality and moved quickly enough to put out the fire that by now had doubled in size. What was wrong with me? Who in their right mind would leave a fire unattended to frantically search for chocolate? 32

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Chocolate, (I discovered, thanks to the research needed for this article), is actually a true wonder food! The Olmec’s, Mayans, Aztecs some others and I knew there was something more to chocolate than pure deliciousness. Chocolate has more magnesium than any other source of food. Magnesium’s importance as a mineral cannot be overstated. Without magnesium we would not be able to function and severe lack of magnesium could lead to death. To go along with these findings the worlds population is seriously depleted in Magnesium. I believe I was and still am one of the depleted many. Very simply magnesium supports the heart, increases brainpower, causes strong peristalsis (bowel movement) relaxes muscles, which increases flexibility. It also helps build strong bones. It increases ones body alkalinity (our modern bodies

are mostly too acidic thus creating fertile, ripe soil for illnesses to thrive in) The

Knowledge and understanding are a powerful team and when welcomed into

final crowning on the cake is that chocolate has high anti-oxidant properties.

ones life as good friends, the path to transformation is inevitable. Understand-

The Mayans, when they named the chocolate “Heart Blood” must, in their ancient wisdom, have known how important chocolate is to the heart. It has been recently discovered that most people who have heart issues, are also low in Magnesium. Magnesium increases the vigor of the heart muscle; helps decrease blood coagulation and lowers blood pressure. It is now known that magnesium deficiency leads to muscle tension, spasms, twitches and restlessness. When magnesium is in abundance in the body, ones brains works with clarity and focus (finally an answer to my strange behavior with the fire). it has also been found that a majority of people who have been diagnosed with ADD (attention deficit disorder) are in actual fact lacking in magnesium.

ing that good quality chocolate is truly health giving, blasts the beams of light on all poor quality, imitation chocolates around the world. Sources of raw cacao or chocolate that contains at least 70% chocolate elevate the status of chocolate from sin to healthful pleasure. My hidden secret is now a joy. Since truly understanding the wonders of cacao, my pantry is always stocked with only the best quality chocolate that I enjoy almost daily. Instead of golfing down the soft earthen delight I now enjoy it slowly and happily amongst family and friends. And finally after decades, I am able to gently wrap up an unfinished bar of chocolate knowing that this cherished gift will be waiting for me. “ I would give up chocolate but I am not a quitter!” quote unknown

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Review on the most expensive chocolate in the world

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Review on the most expensive chocolate in the world Fritz Knipschildt is the founder of Knipschildt Chocolatier in Connecticut U.S.A. Danish by origin and culinary training , his chocolates have won rave reviews and are handmade with the highest and freshest of ingredients. There are no additives or preservatives in his products. The Madeleine (it being the most expensive chocolate in the world) must be ordered in advance. For it is hand whipped in a specially temperature cooled room. It is a creamy truffle ganache made with French Valrhona Chocolate and blended with only the freshest cream that is infused with vanilla pods and truffle oil. This is then rolled around a French Perigold truffle and finally dusted with only the finest cacao powder. All of this for only a mere $250.00 U. S. dollars per one roll of truffle, the weight being precisely 1.6 oz. Included in this package is the signature of Fritz Knipschildt. As you can imagine next, I had to try it and ordered one single roll of Madeleine truffle. Excited, I readied myself for the culinary experience of a lifetime. When the chocolate finally arrived, I made sure that my palette was cleansed and the air cleared of any possible aromas that might compete with the singular truffle. ( I wanted everything perfect so as not to interfere and ruin my moment). Tentatively I opened the box and took a whiff. Maybe I was expecting too much for the first whiff smelled to me like a newly opened box of Quality Street Chocolate. Thinking that smells could be deceptive, I did not give up and cut the Madeline in half. The ganache was incredibly smooth and creamy. Wonderful hope. I took a bite of the chocolate and center truffle. Sorry, the center truffle I had to spit out. Forget about the truffle, I took another bite of just the pure, creamy chocolate. I did it professionally. I let the chocolate rest on the roof of my mouth, waiting for it to melt. Waiting for it to speak to me. I wanted to love it. But alas, my taste buds did not sing or dance, they just rolled over and went grumpily back to a disturbed sleep. I did not want to wake them up again and sat there disappointed. Maybe my taste buds are not ready for such existential truth and I could only think of all the wonderful chocolates I could have bought for 250.00 U.S. Dollars!

Minerva Chocolate

Minerva Chocolate Many of Trafalgars' loyal customers have come to know and love the chocolate that is served in their many stores around Kuwait. The sweet hazelnut center that is covered by the most exquisite Felchlin milk chocolate is a taste that is not easily forgotten. This chocolate is produced in a quaint artisanal shop, Minerva, in La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland. The Henauer family has run this company since 1952. With only 12 employees, they still manage to make most of the chocolate by hand. Not only do they sell many varieties of chocolate delicacies in their Minerva store front, but they also produce chocolate for such known companies as Chopard, Longine,Vacheron Corum and many more such reputable brands. If you are ever visiting the watch making center of the world, I would heartily recommend you visit Minerva. Take some time, have a seat in their tea room that has been kept unchanged since 1921. Enjoy a coffee or tea with the many varieties of chocolates that they have on offer.

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‫تحقيـــق ‪ I‬مجوهرات ‪2012‬‬

‫‪62‬‬

‫لحظــات‬

Top Ten Trends: Jewellery for 2012

Jewellery designs are, in general, as individual and particular as are their creators, but general trends arise when designers are influenced and inspired by cultural, economic, and social factors. Most trends are gradual and happen over time, while some occur relatively rapidly.

By Cynthia Unninayar Journalist expert in jewelry and luxury goods

Top Ten Trends: Jewellery for 2012

The directions for 2012 in terms of designer jewellery can be divided into ten general trends, none of which are dramatically new, but which do offer revisited styling and innovative interpretations. Not included in this article, but which are important nonetheless in the jewellery industry, are the more traditional types of diamond jewellery such as stud earrings and small pendants, the bread and butter of many retail stores, and bridal, the mainstay of many jewellers. Pearls are also an important category but are not specifically covered here since they are often used as integral parts of other designs. The vast amount of inexpensive freshwater pearls reaching global markets, with nearly all coming from China, has resulted in a surge of pearl jewellery, while at the other end of the pearl price spectrum, the golden South Sea pearl is enjoying rising popularity. And, although the Red Carpet is ablaze with large dazzling necklaces and sumptuous shoulder dusters, these types of pieces are more for special occasions rather than major trends. For this year, the ten primary directions for European designer jewellery are colour, nature-inspired pieces, openwork, alternative materials, hoop earrings, cuffs in all widths, rough/organic/eco-jewellery, edgy, tassels, and personalized pieces. 1. Colour As in fashion, the most obvious trend in jewellery design is the use of colour. The colour spectrum can be divided into warm and cool colours. Warm tones include red, orange, and yellow, while the cooler end of the spectrum is represented by blue, green, and purple. The study of colour is vast and includes such topics as colour psychology and colour behaviour. Chromotherapy has been used since ancient times by the Egyptians and Chinese to heal various ailments, and certain coloured gemstones are considered by many to have protective or healing powers. Colour is one of the most important elements in jewellery design. 40

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Jewelry â&#x20AC;&#x153;Imperialâ&#x20AC;? from Chopard House

It is primarily showcased with gemstones, but colour can also come from enamel, various metal treatments, and ceramics, among others. The hottest colour for 2012 in both fashion and jewellery is orange, specifically the Tangerine Tango shade forecast by the Pantone Color InstituteÂŽ. In jewellery, this vivid orange tone is achieved with a variety of gemstones such as citrine, garnet, fire opal, beryl, amber, sapphire, imperial topaz, and carnelian. The second hottest colour this season is an intense rosy-red colour interpreted by sapphire, ruby, rhodolite, rubellite, watermelon tourmaline, Imperial topaz, spinel, rhodochrosite, and garnet, among others. Continuing their popularity, on the cooler end of the colour wheel, are the tealturquoise colours, reflected with turquoise, aquamarine, and beryl, as well as the ever-present lime-green tones, which involve peridot, tourmaline, and jade. For 2012, colour will take on many forms in all types of jewellery, from vivid single colours with large centre-stone rings, to pastel and tone-on-tone creations, to lively multi-coloured pieces using medium-sized gems or pavĂŠ-set. 2. Nature Inspired Since antiquity, jewellery has been created to evoke the natural world. The first jewellery was made from easily obtainable materials such as shells, carved wood, stones, and animal teeth. Originally used as spiritual symbols, for example, the scarab in ancient Egypt, or for more functional purposes such as fastening clothing together, early jewellery was later adapted for purely ornamental purposes. During the Victorian period in Britain, romantic views of the natural world created a flourish of nature-inspired jewellery and art. Popular at the time were pieces depicting flowers and animals, especially snakes. It is said that Queen Victoria herself appreciated snake jewellery, believing the serpent to be a symbol of love and fidelity. Even today, many celebrities can be seen sporting slithery snakes on their necks, arms, wrists, and fingers.

Top Ten Trends: Jewellery for 2012

Earrings and ring set “Horse Beit” Gucci.

The most popular natural designs for 2012 evoke flowers, butterflies, fish and frogs, snakes, and jungle themes, notably tigers. Other motifs include scorpions, leaves, birds, spiders, and a variety of insects, especially ladybugs and dragonflies. In realistic or highly fanciful and stylized designs, jewellery inspired by nature comes in all forms and in a variety of metals, gemstones, ceramic, and other materials. It is a must-have for any jewellery wardrobe. 3. Open and Lacy One of the most important trends reflecting economic influences is that of the open and airy design. As prices of gold and platinum climb higher and higher, jewellery designers innovate more and more with various techniques in order to offer a more luxurious look for less. Today’s laser technology and electroforming techniques combine with traditional methods, including filigree and scrolling, to provide inventive and original solutions to the high metals prices. Openwork jewellery comes in all types of metals, with or without gemstones, and offers a creative counterpoint to the economic times of the day. 4. The Alternatives Partly in response to high metals prices, and partly as design elements on their own merit, are the many alternatives to traditional gold and platinum jewellery. The most prominent and most rapidly rising example is silver. It is not new, and was, in fact, once valued more highly than gold before being relegated to the near ranks of costume jewellery. Today, silver has again become a noble metal, and most of the major designer brands are now incorporating a line of designer silver jewellery in their collections. Other alternative white metals, used primarily in bridal, are cobalt and palladium. The versatility of titanium, steel, enamel, bronze, ceramic, and even wood—notably ebony—also makes these materials 42

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Collection Fall-Winter 2013 of Versus.

Rings and necklace Gucci “Dyadmantisama”

attractive alternatives to gold and silver. Their designs range from the simple to the sumptuous, either on their own or set with scintillating diamonds and colourful gemstones. 5. Edgy, Urban Punk In terms of design, jewellery has a dark side, represented by a wide variety of edgy creations, ranging from bullets to barbed wire, from bones to razorblades, from dragons to daggers, from skulls to skeletons, and from guns to ghostly figures.The single most popular motif on the edge is the omniscient skull that is incorporated into rings, pendants, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, brooches, and even into writing instruments. From prestigious pieces set with precious gems and diamonds to simpler silver creations, skulls and other edgy motifs are musthave jewellery and fashion items for many consumers today. 6. Organic Elegance Beginning a few years ago with small artisanal designers, the organic look has definitely become mainstream. Examples include highly textured pieces with freeform shapes and dimensions, in metals or in combinations of materials. Offshoots of this particular look are creations made with rough and uncut gemstones and diamonds, unique pieces that incorporate unusual gemstones in their “natural” state such as crystals or geodes, or in thinly cut slices.The “sliced” diamond trend that hit a few years has evolved to include sapphires, emeralds, and other fine gems in designs enhanced with brilliants or pavé-set diamonds and gems. Another aspect of the “organic” trend is eco-jewellery, which can come in a variety of styles, including more traditional creations, but which all Fashion Versus for Fall and Winter 2013

have the common denominator of using metals and gemstones that have been ethically mined and produced.

43 43

Top Ten Trends: Jewellery for 2012

7. Hoop Earrings A perennial favourite, hoops have certainly evolved. No longer simply round, thin, or in simple metal, hoops have taken on a life of their own. Coming in a multitude of styles and shapes, hoops are now clothed in diamonds, gemstones, and pearls. From simple round forms, they have developed into squares, ovals, oblongs, and even inter-connected geometric forms in a variety of metals and materials. While the once popular chandelier and shoulder-dusting stiletto earrings have come and gone (smaller versions are, however, making a modest comeback, and larger pieces are still seen on the Red Carpet), the hoop earring has outlasted all other forms. A designer’s dream to create, the hoop earring occupies an important place in every jewellery wardrobe. Having said that, hoops are thought differently in some European countries. In France for example, the hoop or “créole” is worn mostly by young girls, and takes on a provocative or edgy look. 8. Wide Wristwear, Cuffs A staple on the Red Carpet and fashion runways for the 2012 season, cuffs continue their prominent upward trend. Evolving from simple metal bands to highly sophisticated styles smothered in diamonds, gemstones, and pearls, cuffs can be massive or lacy, geometric or textured, thick or thin. Materials include silver, gold, ceramic, wood, titanium, and enamel in all sizes and shapes. 9. Tassels The newest trend for 2012 is the tassel. Although it has been around for quite awhile, especially in Indian jewellery, the tassel is now being used by designers around the world as an integral part of their collections. Tassels are dazzling as small gemstone beads, with the most popular types being onyx, ruby, spinel, rough diamonds, and diverse types of coloured quartz. But, tassels are also delightful in seed pearls and a multitude of metallic chains. Tassels are generally used in earrings but are also seen in pendants and even rings. 10. Personalized Pieces The “bead” phenomenon that took the jewellery world by storm a few years ago shows no signs of abating as more and more brands are jumping onto the bead bandwagon. But, beads are only one part of the “personalized” story. The penchant for jewellery that reflects lifestyle, family, travel, emotions, activities, and beliefs or that commemorates a special occasion continues into 2012. There is also a growing demand for interchangeable jewellery since colours and design elements can be changed to match an outfit or a mood. Personalized pieces come in all sorts of materials to fit every taste and budget.

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Lebanese director Nadine Labaki festooned with Chopard jewelery through its participation in the Cannes Film Festival; has chosen earrings large ring of pink gold studded with diamond stones and yellow structure, and put the around her wrist hour of pink gold studded with diamonds stones and yellow structure

Art of Makeup When I was a little girl, I used to stand on my tiptoes in front of the bathroom mirror clumsily applying my mothersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; most expensive beauty products. It was more fun than drawing on paper,because I could erase and change myself.

Writen Art work Photography by

Ayla El-Moussa

Art of Makeup

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I would stand for hours applying lipsticks, mascara and eye shadows. Of course I would never color “inside the lines” so when I would walk out, chest proudly puffed, displaying my masterpiece to the world, I looked nothing better than a clown from the circus. However to me, I thought I was the most beautiful little princess in the room

come to be accepted. We are now all considered individuals in this ever-expanding world. Sharing a planet with 7 billion other individuals, one can very often feel lost, alone and unrecognized. Very often the act of putting on make up and what we do with it creatively, we begin to break free from the anonymity and assert our identity, thus allowing us full creative power over our lives.

In a civilization that is surrounded by magazines, billboards, television, and impossible beauty standards, some of us who are not blessed with that utter natural beauty will turn to the ancient alternative of make up. There is also the known fact that a little bit of makeup can accentuate a beautiful feature like any painting, depending on the theme, the art is to know when to stop and when to continue.

Imagine a world without make up? It is almost like a world without art. Picture the incomparable Cirque du Soleil mounting their acrobatic productions without makeup. Imagine them with simple bare faces- the drama and flare of make up is not an addition but an indivisible factor in the power of performance.

There is nothing more exciting then getting one’s self ready. It is a ritual to many, the procedure of transforming from plane façade into a beautifully, uniquely designed painting, you are the artist in your own right who has control over every single brush stroke. 2012 can be dubbed the modern age, where everything and everyone has

Shakespeare once said “ All the world is a stage and the men and women merely players.” Thus the drama from the stage can be translated into our own everyday script. There is always a costume change; there is no time in our lifes’ clock for intermission. So as one bustles to work with a certain look displayed to the public, we must transform ourselves in the evening for different act. And what better way to refashion oneself into a beautiful evening goddess than changing the colors on your personal canvas.

Art of Makeup

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Thankfully, although Shakespeare’s words still ring true, cosmetics have come a long way since the days of lead white face paint and dusty wigs. So how has the cosmetic world evolved? Where and why did it begin? And how does it now allow individuals to express themselves The earliest record of makeup comes from the 1st Dynasty of Egypt (c.31002907 BC). Both men and woman would adorn and decorate their eyes with black Kohl, which is created by mixing soot and antimony. Although the Kohl was originally used to protect the eyes from the heat of the sun and the buzzing of flies it soon became a trend, the look of elongated black lines that epitomizes classic makeup, loved by everyone from Brigitte Bardot to Elizabeth Taylor has become so known and loved in today’s modern cosmetic world. Soon the use of make up meandered up to the great city of Rome, however it was now used to enhance the appearance of beauty in women (exclusively); Kohl to darken the lashes and lids, and rouge made up of crushed cranberries and beats used to enrich the natural red in the cheeks and lips thus giving the appearance of a healthy natural glow. Plato, although quite the dramatic, quoted

in 254-184 BC, that “a woman without paint is like food without salt” thus the popularity of using make up increased. Make up sifted down through the centuries, each era having a notably altered style. By the Middle Ages European cultures added to the popularity of pale skin. Pale skin became known as a sign of wealth and stature in society. The tanned darkened skin would reveal direct sunlight pertaining (synonymous with) to hard labor and work. Women went to great lengths to achieve white skin, even resorting to bleeding themselves (to achieve that attractively anemic pallor). In the Victorian era the use of make up was related to prostitutes and actresses. It was viewed that tampering with ones biological coloring was cheap. Face makeup continued to evolve, as did time. The rich and reputable women would use home made masks to cleanse their skin, the regime was thin eyebrows, buffed nails, lightly dusted noses and beet juice to add a healthy after glow to the skin and the lips. However a full face of make up was still considered sinful and wrong. The thought at that time was that make up was a mask used to cover up evil or conceal something vile. As a young fresh faced teenager I remember coming inside after a long ride on 49

Art of Makeup

my beautiful little pony, my cheeks rosy red from the biting cold, I would try to rid myself of the rouge coloring-but my attempts were in vain and the color would shine through- I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t realize how lucky I was to have naturally blushed cheeks until I started discovering the colorful pallet of make up. My sanctuary at home is the space a created to house my precious powders, creams and brushes. Here is where every shadow, lipstick and mascara has a place. Where I have my favorite brushes meticulously cleaned and organized. This is my studio, where I come to paint a new picture everyday. Where daily I am faced with a new canvas of endless possibilities.

Writen Art work Photography by Ayla El-Moussa

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California Dreaming America has been referred to as the land of opportunity, promising the “American Dream” to anyone who is lucky enough to reach out and grab it. Since that dream has lost its luster in recent years stumbling across a place like Southern California feels more like a mirage than ever. In this dream “State” the weather is perfect almost every day of the year. You can grow fruit and vegetables all year round and you can participate in any activity your heart desires (except snow sports). You can dress any way you like, still fit in whilst meeting people from around the world.

Writing and Photography:

Ghassan Al-Mousa

California Dreaming

Sounds too good to be true, but yes this place really does exist outside the imagination, in fact, it is located just outside the city limits of LA. Ladies and

The journey we are about to embark on covers part of this remarkable road

gentlemen may I introduce to you Southern California, also known as So Cal.

starting in San Diego and ending in Santa Monica.

There are many roads that lead to southern California but the one that offers

Where we begin is in a particularly beautiful region of San Diego known as

the most spectacular scenery and excursions is the coast highway. A road that

La Jolla. Here, one can lounge enjoying fine dining at a place called Georges

has been famously dubbed “highway 1”. This pacific highway meanders its way

overlooking the pacific ocean observing the people, pelicans, seals, and seagulls.

up from near the Mexican border crawling towards its northern California

A little tip would be to bring a pair of binoculars, and one may be lucky enough

destination, continuing on to disappear beyond into the colder and wetter

to catch sight of migrating whales on their journey north or south. We could be

regions of the north.

observing all this reality “Discovery Channel” whilst munching on the famous

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La Jolla Beach

dish of the area called Fish Tacos. This is a seafood ensemble, with a sassy Mexi-

Continuing your journey up North, the road is bound to become tiresome.

can Californian twist.

Perched atop the ocean is the perfect pit stop: Torrey Pines Lodge known for

When one has paid the bill, it is custom to meander around La Jolla village,

its quality as well as its famed golf course and most of all the million-dollar

which is delicately lined with shops, and boutiques that can wet the appetite

views. The stylish interior is designed similar to Greene and Greene with fine

of all types of shoppers. If a family event is desired then the less busy beach at

woodwork. From here one may enjoy an excursions to the Torrey pines re-

La Jolla shores is true to please. Activities such as walking, swimming, surfing,

serve for hikes amidst rare trees, or if one is drawn to water, the long beach

kayaking, or snorkeling are common along one of the finest beaches around.

holds promise of a romantic walks where the sunset is as beautiful as than the

Picnic dinners are also a fine choice at the provided fire pits (remember to

sunrise. If discovering the wonders of land and sea become too monotonous,

bring your own wood).

then paragliding off the Torrey pines cliffs is a must.

California Dreaming

Track â&#x20AC;&#x153;Del Marâ&#x20AC;? horse race

If you are a person that enjoys horses, risk and pleasure, then Del Mar is a destination that is sure to please. The Del Mar race track is a place where

Twinned with Del Mar is the small town of Solana Beach. Cedros avenue is

horses, jockeys, and viewers are adorned in their finest. Spectators enjoy the

the street of choice. Unique clothing boutiques, antique shops art galleries and

high risk of wagering on the horses of the day. (So splurge on an outfit, hat

furniture stores are interwoven with delicious restaurants and cafes. However

and dig deep into your pockets). Here one can put their binoculars to good

my personal favorite is the famed Saturday Farmers Market with an unlimited

use, for Hollywood stars roam free in this natural habitat embellished in large

selection of excellence. You can choose from fresh colored food, to a fresh

brimmed sun hats either enjoying their horse race or watching their money

selection of desserts and coffees. This is the perfect destination to pick up a gift

circulate around the financial track. This is a place where the energy levels rise

as the locals are selling their arts and crafts. It is just too good to pass up and

exponentially once the horses reach their final stretch. The noise levels almost

always brings out the festive side inside me.

rival the oceans surf almost a mile away.

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Coronado Hotel

Driving north from here, the coast highway merges with the famous interstate

and homes are juxtaposed with bicycles and surfboards. The Fashion Island

5 for a short while to separate again at Capistrano, a small quaint town where

mall however is a place where I get lost. This mall is structured outdoors and

swallows migrate and find a place to rest amongst old ruins and ringing bells.

is home to many stores both common and unique which makes the shopping

The contrast between the simplicity of the life of yester year to todaysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is

experience so much more rewarding and pleasant.

spectacular.

If you prefer the surf, then Huntington Beach is your stop of excitement. Birthplace of the Beach Boys , thousands of visitors from our small globe arrive here

From Capistrano, one ambles on to Dana point and continues on to Laguna

to soak the sun and sand and salty water. This stretch of beach continues north

Beach. Here art and music intertwine amidst salty sea air and tall palm trees.

for miles, metamorphosing into beaches such as Long beach, Venice beach and

Lots of shops, restaurants, galleries, and sandy beaches are available to entice

muscle beach. For true human entertainment this is the epi-center. People

all. Neighboring Laguna is Newport Beach. This is where million dollar yachts

roller-skating, bodybuilders working out, street performers performing, artists,

California Dreaming

musicians, and people from around the globe are all enjoying watching each other’s uniqueness. Finally we arrive at our last stop of the trip, Santa Monica. The famous Santa Monica pier stretching far over the water is known as the end of the famous route 66. (or beginning if you are Californian. Santa Monica to Chicago Illinois) A larger city, Santa Monica has the famous colorful Ferris wheel on the pier and has its famous, foot traffic only, 3rd street promenade where shops and restaurants are plenty. This is a great place to walk only a few blocks up from the water if you don’t want any more sand in your shoes. It’s also a great place

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Scene of the city of St. Jago

to buy new shoes too (if perhaps you have just a little too much sand in your old shoes.) From San Diego to Santa Monica is one large beautiful playground for the young and old. Boredom cannot exist here. For me, however, I prefer the company of the pelicans, the sand, the palm trees and every now and then a trip with my beloved motorcycle. Driving up this coastal road of many names â&#x20AC;&#x153;Highway 1, 101, Coastal Hwy. or Pacific Hwy.â&#x20AC;? For your future, I welcome you to Southern California (So Cal). It is a place where dreams may really come true.

Tourist in Kuwait

We can say that the journey of discovering the galleries of Kuwait is like an exciting adventure for locals as well as tourists. When you arrive at different destinations you will find the different types of

art

available in Kuwait. These galleries embrace art works ranging from contemporary, to historical furniture as well as fashion. Enjoy the discovery!

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Locations

Trafalgar Location Boutique Locations:

Aigner Boutique - Souq Sharq

Trafalgar Marina Mall

Chopard Boutique - Salhiya Complex

Unit No R12

Marina Mall

Ground Floor

Tel: 2246 1511

Salmiya, Shop No.R1-68

Tel: 2240 5753 / 2245 1988

Fax: 2246 1510

Tel: 25713646, 22244999

Fax: 2242 1878

E-mail: aigner.sharq@trafalgar.com.kw

Fax: 2571 3645

E-mail: chopard.boutique@trafalgar.com.kw

E-mail: trafalgar.marina@trafalgar.com.kw Aigner Boutique - Al Fanar

Chopard Boutique - Prestige -The Avenues

Unit No G48

Trafalgar Souk Sharq

Unit No. E.036-E.136

Tel: 2573 9965

Sharq Market

Tel: 2220 0772/3/4

Fax: 2573 9763

Shop No.R-13 / 14

Fax: 2220 0775

E-mail: aigner.fanar@trafalgar.com.kw

Tel: 2246 4545

E-mail: Chopard.Avenues@trafalgar.com.kw

Fax: 2246 4546 Aigner Boutique â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Salhia Complex

E-mail: trafalgar.sharq@trafalgar.com.kw

de GRISOGONO Boutique

Unit No GF 50/51

Salhiya Complex

Tel: 2241 6996

Trafalgar Al Kout

Ground Floo, Shop No. 2B4

Fax: 22416994

Al Kout, Mezzanine Floor

Tel: 22432222

E-mail: aigner.fanar@trafalgar.com.kw

Shop No.M-4

Fax: 2243 2233 E-mail: degrisogono.boutique@trafalgar.com.kw

Tel: 2393 0393 Multi Brand Showrooms Locations

Fax: 2393 0392

Trafalgar Salmiya

E-mail: trafalgar.alkout@trafalgarco.com

TAG Heuer Boutique

Salem Al-Mubarak street-North Salmiya Bldg

Avenues Mall Phase II

Shop No.49

Trafalgar 360 Mall

Unit GL-98

Tel: 2571 8891, 2571 3407

360 Kuwait Mall

Tel: 2259 7606

Fax: 2572 1606

Unit No. G007

Fax: 2259 7605

E-mail: trafalgar.salmiya@trafalgar.com.kw

Tel: 2530 9610

E-mail: tagheuer.boutique@trafalgar.com.kw

Fax: 2530 9611 Trafalgar Avenues Mall

Versace Boutique

Phase II

Prestige -The Avenues

Unit No. GL 94/95

Ground Floor, Shop No.113

Tel: 2259 7609

Tel: 2299 6444

Fax: 2259 7610

Fax: 2246 4699

E-mail: Trafalgar.Avenue@trafalgar.com.kw

E-mail: versace.Boutique@trafalgar.com.kw Trafalgar Al-Fanar Aigner Boutique - 2nd Avenue

Al-Fanar Complex

Unit No GL-01

Salmiya, Shop No.G88-89

Tel: 2259 7607

Tel: 2574 3344

Fax: 2259 7608

Fax: 2574 7105

E-mail: aigner.avenues@trafalgar.com.kw

E-mail: trafalgar.alfanar@trafalgar.com.kw

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E-mail: trafalgar.360mall@trafalgar.com.kw

AN ATTEMPT TO PENETRATE TIMES ELUSIVENESS Aida Al Ansari The Mayans, a culture that is over 7 millennia old, created a calendar whose time is coming to an end this year. Friday December 21st of 2012 to be precise. What that means, no one really knows. As with everything and anything in this world, many theories abound. Or it could have been simply that the man who was working on the calendar died, or the tribe was attacked. Simple. Perhaps on a more existential note, the Mayans, in their ancient wisdom, decided that by 2012 the human race should have penetrated Time. That the crutch of calendars would no longer be a necessity. If so, the Mayans might have been a bit too optimistic. At this stage of human evolution, we have barely scratched the surface of what time is about. When one truly ponders it… well.. one can hardly even do that without getting a serious headache. Truly, trying to understand time just overwhelms and confuses the mind. As my daughter said “ I know real men who are not scared of death, but are scared of Time” Time has no beginning or end, no up or down. Unlike the starry heavens, one can’t gaze at it and take beautiful pictures of it. It is a linear biography of past, present and future. It is also a three dimensional puzzle where the past, present and future don’t exist. It is everything summed up into nothing and then beyond. So, being the simple creatures we are, we have created elaborate facades and mirrors to help give us structure to that intimate unknown. To make sense of something we know nothing about, we have ingenuously created calendars and clocks and then very carefully wrapped them around our perception of time, creating a universal set to allow our human story to live. But those sets and mirrors are cold, hard and dusty. There very presence, although a comfort, might have inhibited us from getting in touch with time. I want to break through and reach into those mirrors and devour time. I want to sit down with time and ask it questions about where it lives and how it moves with such elusiveness. I want time to teach me how it contracts and expands simultaneously. Is it too much for me to gently ask it why some minutes feel like a lifetime and decades snapshot into seconds? The marriage of Time and human nature has created offspring whose beliefs are as varied as the geographies they live in. In some cultures, the past is always part of the present and the future is a fog of all that is unknown. Whilst in others, the present is a sharp clear shot into the future and the past becomes merely a weight on the arrow hindering it from its destination. Some cultures, like Switzerland, if one is more than 10 minutes late it is not only considered rude but a serious character flaw. While in Brazil being an hour late is part of the beat of life. So what happens when Brazil and Switzerland marry..? Time wars or transcendence? Time’s elusiveness is our very breath, our playing field. It is it’s very own mirage of life and laughter that in all seriousness leads us to somewhere we know not. Watches and calendars are in the end simply posts that we have created to hold onto. They give us a much-needed anchor and security. Maybe the Mayans thought that by 2012, it was time for us to remove those anchors and to really know ourselves beyond our human constraints, like a trapeze artist on the fly. For us to penetrate that instant where past, present and future don’t exist and everything that we think is so important to us and hold so dearly, simply vanish. For us to be in the wonder that beats all around us, every moment and every breath. Maybe… But for now, I know that I need some of those anchors, facades and mirrors. As of yet, Time is too big for me and I view the calendars and ticking clocks with a sigh of relief. At least for today I have my guideposts on hand and with those securely on I will try to connect to and penetrate that nothingness that makes up everything that we are.

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