signatur-bahrain-mar-12 by oeronline emagazine

VOLUME-3 MARCH 2012

VIVA LA BAHRAIN CAPITAL OF ARAB CULTURE

DEDICATED TO ART

MARIANNE PASMANS

DRESSING FOR SUCCESS

ABULLA BAHAR

CONTENTS 16

PROFILE ABDULLA BAHAR

CITYSCAPE CAPITAL OF ARAB CULTURE

ACCESSORIES CUIR NOIR

64 ART MARIANNE PASMANS

24 LOOKBOOK SS 2012 37 HEALTH THE JUICE CRAZE 68 WELLNESS PURE SPA 70 BON APPÉTIT ELEVATION BURGER 76

FOCUS VAN CLEEF & ARPELS

PLUS MORE........

VOLUME-3 MARCH 2012

VIVA LA BAHRAIN CAPITAL OF ARAB CULTURE

DEDICATED TO ART

EDIT NOTE

MARIANNE PASMANS

DRESSING FOR SUCCESS

ABULLA BAHAR

COVER IMAGE BOAT (RESIDENTIAL COMMISSION) 2010 ACRYLIC ON CANVAS WITH PALETTE KNIFE MARIANNE PASMANS

EDITORIAL BOARD MAYANK SINGH DEEPA RAJAN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENTS London: KATE MORRIS New York: JEFFREY HERMAN Dubai: MICHELLE WALCH, JOLANTA Sydney: PATRICK RIFIELD Paris: ALAYNA MOREL EDITORS-AT-LARGE FREDERIQUE. B, JED BARRETT, MIRANDA HOWELL, NATASHA LUNN, JILLIAN PALMER, BRUCE STEWART, PAUL VILES, JESSICA VU, REBECCA WOODS EDITORIAL FREELANCERS SAMANTHA HOLLOWAY S N KALA MELISSA VAN MAASDYK Sr. ART DIRECTOR SANDESH S. RANGNEKAR DESIGNERS LISA KAMPS STEPHEN FISHER PHOTOGRAPHY NATIONAL PHOTO SERVICES ZACH HOLZ PRODUCTION MANAGER GOVINDRAJ RAMESH SALES & MARKETING REGIONAL MANAGER - VINOD THANGOOR CORPORATE CHIEF EXECUTIVE - SANDEEP SEHGAL EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT - ALPANA ROY PRINTED BY UNION PRESS WLL (BAHRAIN) DISTRIBUTED BY MAIN DISTRIBUTOR: MEMO EXPRESS RETAIL DISTRIBUTOR: AL HILAL CORPORATION Signature is a United Media Services LLC presentation, published monthly and released in the first week of every month. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. The publisher does not accept responsibility for any loss occasioned to any person or organisation acting or refraining as a result of material in this publication. Signature accepts no responsibility for advertising content.

STYLED TO INSPIRE

As a writer one often has to borrow inspirations from words of wise men and women to get across a point. These wise words from wise people are enough to get you thinking on the Life, Universe and Everything else. Yes, that does include matters of fashion and style. Here are some quotable quotes from some of our favourite people (We quote them often, you see!) “Beauty of style and harmony and grace and good rhythm depend on simplicity.” Plato “One is never over- or underdressed with a little black dress.” Karl Lagerfeld “Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” Coco Chanel “The only rule is don’t be boring and dress cute wherever you go. Life is too short to blend in.” Paris Hilton “The difference between style and fashion is quality.” Giorgio Armani “Don’t be into trends. Don’t make fashion own you, but you decide what you are, what you want to express by the way you dress and the way to live.” Gianni Versace “The most important thing to remember is that you can wear all the greatest clothes and all the greatest shoes, but you’ve got to have a good spirit on the inside. That’s what’s really going to make you look like you’re ready to rock the world.” Alicia Keys “You can never take too much care over the choice of your shoes. Too many women think that they are unimportant, but the real proof of an elegant woman is what is on her feet.” Christian Dior “Anyone can get dressed up and glamorous, but it is how people dress in their days off that are the most intriguing.” Alexander Wang “Style is a simple way of saying complicated things.” Jean Cocteau

Correspondence should be addressed to

Signature United Media Services

FASHION AND STYLE OFTEN REFLECT YOUR INNER SELF. SO, LOVE YOURSELF, IT NEVER GOES OUT OF FASHION

BLOCK YOUR DATES

MARCH 2012 The Cheltenham Festival March 13 -16 Cheltenham, UK

International Salsa & Dance Festival March 1 - 3 Muscat, Oman

Sting Back to Bass Tour

March 2 E-Werk, Cologne, Germany

Australian Grand Prix March 16 - 18 Melbourne, Australia

The Sunday Times Oxford Literary Festival

MAROC CLASSIC 2011 - La Route du Coeur®

March 24 - April 1 Oxford, UK

Rallye du Maroc Classique

March 11 - 18 Casablanca to Marrakech, Morocco

National Cherry Blossom Festival

Baselworld March 8 - 15 Basel, Switzerland

March 20 - April 27 Washington DC, USA

Spring of Culture March 1 – April 16 Bahrain

UPFRONT

THE LATEST AND OUT-OF-THE-ORDINARY… ITALIAN PANACHE

Two of Italy’s most famous automotive brands have made their debut in the Kingdom following a launch held at Behbehani Brothers offices in Sitra. Bahrain’s Fiat and Alfa Romeo dealer, unveiled the Fiat 500, Fiat Linea, Fiat Fiorino at a ceremony held in the presence of Italian Ambassador Enrico Padula. Peter Green, General Manager of Behbehani Brothers, said: “It is our commitment to quality throughout our organisation that has enhanced our reputation and enabled us to acquire new brands to be introduced in the Kingdom. To be selected by Fiat and Alfa Romeo as their preferred partners is both an honour and a reflection of our continuous efforts to exceed our customers’ expectations.” For additional information please visit the www.behbehani.com.bh or contact (+973) 17459971

CALIFORNIA HIGH

The Geneva Motor Show saw the official debut of the new version of the Ferrari California with a reduction of weight of 30 kg and an increase in power output of 30 HP, the new Ferrari is all set to change the rules of engineering. with its new exhaust manifolds and engine mapping The Ferrari California’s GDI V8 delivers 490hp with maximum torque of 505 Nm at 5,000 rpm, All these new features combine to underscore the California’s sporty prowess without affecting its high-performance grand touring vocation – an achievement very much in line with Ferrari’s DNA. Euro Motors are the official dealers of the Ferrari range in the Kingdom

DYNAMIC WHEELS

BMW’s latest offering is the all new BMW 3 series that is bound to enchant its customers with various new features and firsts in car technology. ECO PRO mode, a new feature on the 3 Series, helps drivers maximise fuel economy through their driving style, thus saving on fuel and increasing the distance travelled. The new car is bigger, sportier and more dynamic, and the first model will be available with three different lines: Modern, Sport and Luxury. The all new BMW 3 Series is available for sale at Euro Motors showrooms in Bahrain

SPLASHES OF SUN

Born in Tuapse - a Russian city on the Black Sea coast, surrounded by Caucasus Mountains, Irina Averinos has inspired to inculcate nature into her drawings from a very young age. Colours in her paintings run the full spectrum, and beauty of nature is reflected in her work. Her paintings are warm and sunny. Sun Splashes is Irnia’s first solo exhibition in Bahrain which opened to the public recently at the World Beat Fitness Café and will run till March 28 from 8am to 1pm and from 4pm to 8pm, except on Fridays.

UPFRONT

THE LATEST AND OUT-OF-THE-ORDINARY… SEDUCTIVE WHIFF

GUESS Seductive Homme is designed for the confident, sexy, free-spirited, sophisticated man. Guess fragrances moves its tangent from its line of women's fragrances to launching a new men’s fragrance this year. Its top notes combine scents of spicy Cardamom Mandarin Pulp and exotic Pink Pepper. The fragrance has hints of Vanilla Orchid, crushed Violet Leaves and rich, luxurious Vetiver. Once the scent unfolds, warmer notes linger of smooth Amberwood, creamy Sandalwood, Patchouli, and Skin musk. Thus resulting in an Oriental Woody Fragrance which is intoxicating and pours out masculinity.

ULTIMATE PAMPERING

SPARKLING ROMANCE

Jennifer Lopez’s Love & Light is an extension of its predecessor- Love & Glamour launched earlier. Love & Light is a sparkling floral woody fragrance. The romantic scent opens with iridescent notes of pure Italian mandarin and luscious pomegranate, blooms with a luminous floral heart of rose crystal absolute and jasmine petals. Inspired by the curves of a radiant woman the bottle depicts the femininity of the fragrance. A pearlescent finish, with pale mint and gold accents, showcases its luminosity.

From Molton Brown comes ultimate pampering experience, the ‘Beloved’ gift set – an exotic combination of luxurious oils and ingredients from around the world. It includes Molton Brown’s most loved Warming Eucalyptus Bath & Shower Therapy, Ultrasmooth Coco de Mer Body Lotion and Heavenly Gingerlilly Bath & Shower and Body Lotion duo. Encapsulating the best of Molton Brown; luxury, quality, evocative and fun, the ‘Beloved’ Gift Set is a real treat for any woman and will ensure pure relaxation. Available at Faces, Seef Mall

SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE!

Come March, the Kempinski Grand & Ixir Hotel Bahrain City Centre is all set to offer its esteemed guests with an array of irresistible offers. The hotel’s Friday Family Brunch promises to be a lavish, international Family Brunch Buffet at Saveur prepared with the freshest ingredients by the award-winning Executive Chef Holger Jackisch, winner of the ‘Best Brunch in Dubai’ in 2007, and his culinary team. Additionally, the hotel will also be hosting Taste of Fashion with Kempinski and Bahrain City Centre - a luxury branded fashion morning with a delectable array of refreshments at T-Spoon. For information on the Friday Brunch call on (+973) 17171000 or restaurants.bahrain@kempinski.com; The ‘Taste of Fashion’ is by invitation only! But if you wish to be on the guest list, you can call on (+973) 17171000, or e-mail yasmeen.almahal@kempinski.com

UPFRONT

THE LATEST AND OUT-OF-THE-ORDINARY… WORK OF ART

Parmigiani Fleurier recently unveiled, a new innovative table clock/automaton manufactured in Switzerland. The ‘Falcon’ is a brilliant interpretation of the Middle Eastern tradition of falconry and pays homage to the famous animal sculptor, Edouard-Marcel Sandoz. Being particularly attuned to the artist's sensibilities and aestheticism, Parmigiani has used some of his techniques, including silverwork, in creating this unique work of art. Available with Al Mudaifa Jewellers, Moda Mall

MOM’S THE WORD

DELECTABLE TREATS

Gift your mother a mousse aux framboises An exquisitely decorated raspberry mousse with layers of vanilla sponge, crumble and raspberries, finished off with a thin clear glaze for an outstanding presentation, created especially for all those lovely mothers from Paul’s. Make your Mother’s Day a tad bit more special by personalising the cakes with messages. These delectable cakes are available from March 18 - 22. PAUL is located in Bahrain City Centre, Tel: (+973) 1717 2321 and Seef Mall, Tel: (+973) 1758 0073

The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain Hotel & Spa has some spectacular offers to help you plan the perfect Mother’s Day on March 21. Enjoy your Mother's Day with family and friends in the chic ambience of La Med - Fresh Like a See Breeze - offering Arabic and Mediterranean specialties, a live Sushi counter and a dessert corner that delights guests of all ages. Mothers will receive a special surprise gift on that evening. The Buffet is BD 22++ per person. The Nirvana Mother's Day Menu is a dedicated set menu created in honour of Mother's Day by the hotel’s Indian Chef Mahipal Singh – something very special with an exciting twist of the spices of India. The four-course menu comes at BD 22++ per person. For more information and reservations, please contact (+973) 1758 6499

GALA TIMES

Fun times are on at Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain. The hotel’s Flamingo lounge overlooking the pool side terrace is back with the Sunday B-B-Q night which is priced at BD18.200++ per person. You can also relax and forget the world for a moment as you rnjoy the lush gardens and the view over the infinity pool and sprawling lagoon while enjoying the smoke of a flavoured sheesha at the Lounge. Also, on two extraordinary nights this spring, enjoy some of the world’s greatest opera at the ‫ﹺ‬hotel. April 8 and 9 are dedicated to a Grand Opera Gala. The evening includes selections from La Triviata, Lucrezia Borgia, and other masterpieces that have triumphed time and time again and now resolve into an exquisite harmony. Prices start at BD15 per person. For more details, please contact (+973) 17460000

UPFRONT

THE LATEST AND OUT-OF-THE-ORDINARY…

LIFE-SIZE VIEW

From LG Electronics comes the new 72-inch Cinema 3D Smart TV, the first of its kind. At 59 inches wide and 40 inches tall, the 72-inch Cinema 3D Smart TV will let viewers see life-sized 3D action on a beautifully crisp picture with all the benefits of having a Smart TV. This state-of-the-art TV is also fitted with LG’s latest smart technologies. The 72-inch Cinema 3D Smart TV is enabled with UGC (User Generated Contents), SNS (Social Networking Service), Photo Sharing Service, Weather forecasts and other useful applications from LG. The LG range is available with AJM Kooheji Group

RACING SUCCESS

Here’s a piece of good news! Casio Computer Co has renewed its contract with Red Bull Racing to continue serving as a Red Bull Racing Team Partner for the 2012 and 2013 seasons of Formula One. While supporting the Red Bull Racing team even more fervently than it did last year, Casio will make the most of this relationship to strengthen the brand image of its Edifice full-metal watches for men, which evokes a sense of velocity and motor-sports energy. The Casio logo will continue to appear on racing suits worn by Vettel and Webber, as well as on the team wear. The logo will also stay on the nose sections of the team’s race cars. The Casio range is available at Ashrafs Bahrain

FEMININE CHARMS

DIANE is a new perfume exclusively available at Sephora that captures the essence of femininity of one woman and reflects all the facets of its creator. Created around two exquisite and among favourite flowers of designer Diane von Furstenberg it contains Violet and Frangipani, brightened by Patchouli, Myrrh and Musk. Close to the skin, fluid, and enveloping, Diane's fragrance is built up like one of her dresses: it wraps up a woman's body and stays with her all day long. Be the woman you want to be. Sephora is located in Bahrain City Centre and Seef Mall

MAGNIFIQUE INDEED!

Wait till you see what Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa has to offer this month! Where do we begin? The So Brunch every Friday promises to be a ‘Magnifique Experience for all Family’. Enjoy sumptuous fare at the Saraya, All Day Dining Restaurant, which serves exquisite buffets with flavours from across the world’. At Tapas, the March menu has been created to enhance the senses and offer guests the most luxurious dining experience. From Cuban Band & Spanish Tapas Night, Mussels & Fries, Paella Party, Oyster Night, to oleee!! Viva Fiesta Latina, there’s something for everyone, every day! This is not all! Every eatery at Sofitel has something special on offer! Check it out! For more details contact (+973) 17636410

Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre

17-19 April 2012

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Showcasing Bahrain’s Food and Hospitality sectors and hosting exhibitors from all over the GCC.

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For further details please contact Amal Abdulla, Senior Sales Ofﬁcer on Tel: 17558898. Mobile: 33879969, or email: amal@beca.bh Anas A. AlAmer, Senior Sales Ofﬁcer, Bahrain Exhibitions & Convention Authority (BECA), E-mail: anas@beca.bh, Direct line +973 17558854Ȇ Direct Fax: +973 17555513

www.foodexpbh.com

PROFILE

POLO POSITION

MELISSA VAN MAASDYK TALKS TO ABDULLA BAHAR ON DESIGNING POLO SHIRTS, CREATING SOMETHING QUINTESSENTIALLY MIDDLE EASTERN AND MUCH MORE… ho wants to be a millionaire? Abdulla Bahar does, and he doesn’t want to waste any time getting there. At the age of 19, the young Bahraini already has his own successful clothing business, which he juggles with his studies as a first-year business student at AMA University. And, as if that wasn’t enough, he has brand extensions in the pipeline, as well as plans for expansion into other areas of the GCC, and beyond. Born and raised in Bahrain, Abdulla was interested in the machinations of moneymaking from a young age and always asking questions about how merchants operated. At school, rather than focusing on his studies, his mind was generally elsewhere, thinking up ideas about how he was going to make it in the world, and in his final year (2011), while his classmates considered higher education, he started casting around for business ideas, finally hitting on a line of polo-shirts. “I had a few ideas,” he says, “but I decided to start with something that I understood, and that I know people my age like. It also had to be something that didn’t need a huge investment, and polo shirts just made sense.”

PROFILE

Apart from creating something that would sell, Abdulla had another key aim: to launch a brand that was quintessentially Middle Eastern. “At the moment in Bahrain, we import a lot of our clothes from the US and Europe, and we know all about their cultures, but they don’t know a lot about ours,” he says. “So I wanted to create an Arabic brand that reflected our rich heritage in a contemporary way, to show the West that we have our own style too.” With this in mind, he embroidered on the idea of the polo shirt quite literally. Having brainstormed a name for the brand with his brother, arriving at Al-Araqah (meaning elegance in Arabic), he sat down with an accomplished calligrapher to come up with a logo and emblem for the shirts that encapsulated the modern Middle Eastern ethos he was after. What they came up with was a camel placed in the spot where Ralph Lauren has its classic polo player on horse, and Lacoste, a crocodile. But we’re not talking about your common and garden variety of camel; the Al-Araqah camel is constructed of Arabic calligraphy, spelling out the brand’s name, embroidered in gold-dipped pure silver

thread. Complementing this, the Arabic letter qaf is embroidered on the sleeve of every shirt, which represents the first letter of Qaswa, which is the name of a camel ridden by the Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) at an important time, and to finish things off, every shirt has 24-carat-gold-plated buttons. Finally, not to let these accoutrements down, the shirts are made from Egyptian cotton, dyed in a special way to create a glossy finish, and produced in a factory in Turkey that also makes shirts for the likes of Burberry. And the finance for all this? Since Abdulla’s age counted against his qualifying for a bank loan, he asked his father, the well known Shariah banker Dr Shaikh Osama Bahar, to lend him BD10,000 to cover the costs of production as well as setting up an office and small show room in Sanad. This apparently didn’t take too much convincing as Abdulla has dem onstrated from a young age that when he sets his mind to something, he generally achieves it, believing that nothing is impossible. Today, his father can only be happy that he gave his son the vote of confidence because Abdulla has not only sold almost every last shirt, but he’s already

broken even. The brand was launched in December 2011, and, soon after, made its debut at Bahrain’s annual jewellery fair Jewellery Arabia, where it was the first and only T-shirt to make the grade thanks to its incorporation of precious metals. It was here that things started taking off, helped along in no small way by the fact that the shirts caught the eye of the Crown Prince, His Royal Highness Sheikh Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who commended Abdulla on their style and quality, while His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa bought a shirt at the fair, which he wore to a horseracing event the very next day. Photographs appeared in the press, people started asking questions, and soon Abdulla himself was in the papers and on Bahrain Television being interviewed about his unique brand. An increase in sales followed and today, the shirts have numerous fans, ranging from royalty to kings of the road, in the form of Bahrain’s Harley Davidson riders, who all snapped them up for a particular rally. The shirts have also got the attention of Saks Fifth Avenue, and, at the time of writing, talks are under way regarding their stocking Abdulla’s second collection. This includes a few additions to the initial range of colours

(red, blue and black) in the form of purple and racing green, as well as a limited-edition black one embroidered with silver rather than gold thread, with a serial number on each shirt – another first. Before this is even out, Abdulla’s already thinking of the third collection, which he says will take things to a new level of luxe, incorporating diamonds, amethysts and natural Bahraini pearls: “Everyone who’s read the Arabian Nights knows that we have always had a love of luxurious things in the Middle East, where gems and gold have been sewn onto clothes and even used on weapons in the past, so I thought I’d include a special edition that has a diamond for the camel’s eye and pearls for buttons.” Other plans for the future include a range of sunglasses, as well as exports to the US and Europe, and who knows what else? “People ask me why I’m studying business rather than fashion design,” says the young entrepreneur, “and I tell them that I don’t want to limit myself; my aim is to be successful in business and that might involve eventually branching out into hospitality and even industry.” On the basis of our small glimpse into his master plan, we have to say we’re quietly confident that he’s on track to achieve his goal to be the youngest ever self-made millionaire in Bahrain

Al-Araqah shirts are available for men and women at a retail price of BD38. For more information visit www.al-araqah.com

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PREVIEW

UNIF1ED!

Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), alongside national carriers Gulf Air, proudly announced an exciting programme of events for the upcoming 2012 Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix. A report The countdown has begun! The 2012 Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix is scheduled to take place between April 20 and 22 as the fourth round of a record-breaking 20-race calendar that makes up this year’s FIA Formula One World Championship.

THE EVENT The details of the Formula One event were revealed at a press conference, held at BIC’s Paddock Club Lounge Six recently. In attendance were Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, Chief Executive at BIC, and Samer Majali, Chief Executive at Gulf Air. Together they revealed this year’s slogan for the race: ‘UNIF1ED – ONE NATION IN CELEBRATION’. This mantra reflects the unifying spirit of true Formula One fans, who share a passion for the sport and who long to see the very best of motor racing take place in the Kingdom. A generous 15 per cent discount on all tickets to the race weekend is being offered over the next two weeks. The Grand Prix also boast a line-up of three of the very best international support series that will complement all the Formula One action. These supporting categories are headlined by the GP2 Series and Porsche Mobil1 Supercup. Also set to feature is the most popular circuit racing category to come out of the region, the WGA Supercars Championship Middle East.

PICTURE PERFECT The BIC has also lined up a series of nationwide public events to help raise awareness for the race weekend and to get people buzzing with Formula One fever. Among them are special competitions in which people of all ages and nationalities can take part in. One is the ‘I Love Bahrain’ Picture and Video Contest, which will require participants to send in their favourite photographs or videos taken during past editions of the Bahrain Grand Prix. The best will then be selected and their entries will be put on display all over Bahrain in malls or even at the circuit itself during the race weekend.

BUILD AN F1 CAR Among other community events lined up are a ‘Build an F1 Car’ activity for schools and universities, the creation of different F1 related sculptures all across Bahrain, an art exhibition, and many others.

THE FORMULA ONE VILLAGE The Formula One Village behind the Main Grandstand will contribute to the lively and engaging family friendly atmosphere at Bahrain International Circuit. Also adding to the jovial mood will be stilt walkers, street performers, buskers, balloon modellers, magicians and caricaturists who will be interacting with the large crowds; while a special Extreme Area will be set up for those wishing to test their limits and experience an extreme ride.

THE MCLAREN MUSEUM For the first time at the Bahrain Grand Prix, there will be three special fully air-conditioned tents devoted to children’s entertainment. These will undoubtedly be among the top attractions especially for the event’s younger audience. Further, there will be a spectacular exhibition of some of McLaren’s greatest Formula One cars. This collection will feature some of the team’s most successful challengers, some of which date back to the late 1960s while others coming from the modern era. This first-of-its-kind McLaren Museum, which will feature around 20 cars, will give race buffs a unique look down memory lane with one of the most successful teams to compete in the sport. All this and plenty of other surprises as Formula One takes centrestage in the region for this year’s Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix!

TICKETS

Tickets to the Bahrain Grand Prix include seats along the Main Grandstand, from where a view of the start grid, finish line, Formula One pit lane and podium can be enjoyed as well as tickets for the Turn One Grandstand, Batelco Grandstand, University Grandstands and Victory Grandstand. Tickets can be purchased at Bahrain International Circuit’s stand at Bahrain City Centre, online at www.bahraingp.com, or by calling the circuit’s hotline on +973-17-450000. All three-day ticket holders will have plenty of additional incentives that can be enjoyed throughout the Grand Prix weekend.

FOCUS

An enchanted world Welcome to the world of Van Cleef & Arpels, a bounteous ethereal universe...

Alfred and Estelle Van Cleef

Kahlil Gibran once said, “Perhaps time's definition of coal is the diamond.” We would go a step further and say that Van Cleef & Arpels (VCA) are time’s definition of true jewellery art. VCA was created in 1906 thanks to the love story between Alfred Van Cleef, the son of a diamond cutter, and Esther - or Estelle- Arpels, the daughter of a dealer in gemstones. Together, their two names have written some of the most beautiful chapters in the history of jewellery for more than 100 years, and their achievement is constantly furthered and enriched by the expertise of our superb craftsmen, the ‘Golden Hands’. For VCA, jewellery is an art: their highly demanding gemmologists select only the purest, most exceptional stones. The astonishing Mystery Setting technique inspires their designs. The virtuosity of their jewellers brings to life the Maison's ingeniously transformable jewellery sets. Finally, the asymmetry which is one of the iconic signatures of their style brings a unique, natural energy to these pieces. Their creations reveal a world of femininity and grace, arising from a fascinating universe of nature, a garden of Eden, teeming with fairies, butterflies and lucky charms. This bounteous universe of beauty, dreams and precious perfection, offers an invitation to see the Maison's poetic vision of an enchanted world. THE FAIRY-TALE BEGINS In 1896, Estelle Arpels, daughter of a dealer in precious stones, married Alfred Van Cleef, who came from a long line of Dutch craftsmen

Boutique VCA (1906)

specialised in cutting precious stones. He was 24, she was 19, and both have been part of the world of fine jewellery since childhood. Youthful enthusiasm, a passion for jewellry, a taste for taking on a challenge, and constant family support: all combine to promote the partnership of Alfred Van Cleef and Charles Arpels, who are soon joined by Julien Arpels. Their new company “serves as an enterprise to create and sell jewellery”. In 1906, the name “VCA” was registered and the shop was set up on the Place Vendôme. Their intuition was right on the mark: the new political and economic elite and the businesses they ran, the popularity of world’s fairs held in Paris, and the growth of cultural tourism that attracted many to the City of Light, all contributed to the continuing prosperity of this Right Bank neighborhood. Companies serving a wealthy, cosmopolitan clientele established operations around the square – and later in resorts their clients frequented -- and over time the Place Vendôme came to symbolise a special kind of elegance, simplicity and classicism that was supremely French – the “French touch”. PLACE VENDÔME Louis XIV, aiming to create a square that would serve as a prestigious focal point for the rapidly expanding Rue Saint Honoré neighborhood, asked the celebrated architect Mansart to design the Place Vendôme. This square became a famous financial centre in the 18th century, when John Law, who invented paper money, bought more than half of the octagonal square, bringing in his wake a

number of other entrepreneurs. Later, bankers took the place of financiers and set up their offices and homes on the square, while others who foresaw a bright future for this stunning example of harmonious architecture daringly decided to open new businesses there as well. This was the case for Charles Ritz, who in 1898 built a hotel in his name on the square, and in 1906 VCA opened their doors at number 22, Place Vendôme, in Hôtel de Ségur. Today, VCA is still located at 22, Place Vendôme. The former private salons have been replaced by a boutique which underwent a stunning redesign to celebrate its centennial year in 2006. And, if VCA is now ranked one of the pioneers on the Place Vendôme, it is because the House has always trusted its intuition. It is also because the House has perpetuated that special sense of fraternity born of the union of two families who were committed to devoting their best efforts to a project that would surpass even their own dreams. This is the unique spirit of VCA. THE PHILOSOPHY The Van Cleefs and the Arpels shared with their customers a certain philosophy of life dominated by respect for the past – the two families would

never forget that their ancestors had suffered displacement and exile – as well as a love of beauty, a passion for travel and a quest for harmony. These are fundamental, timeless values, and they continue to link VCA with those who wear the House’s creations. The VCA style is also characterised by sophistication and an effortless natural elegance with nothing obvious about it. “True art is that which does not look like art at all. And one must do everything in one’s power to conceal it,” wrote the Italian Balthazar Castiglione in the 16th century concerning his concept of sprezzatura. Sprezzatura is a combination of ease, elegance, a touch of casualness, a bit of arrogance, unselfconsciousness, a hint of haughtiness and quiet confidence. In the world of VCA, this results in creations that demand inordinate amounts of patience as well as true technological innovations, like the Mystery Setting, yet give the impression that they have been made without great effort, almost without thought. Times change, the spirit remains. The spirit of a marvelous world where the years pass but loyalty to the House’s essential values never falters, where new collections and creations are born but where traditional craftsmanship is carried on from generation to

FOCUS

generation, being enriched, perfected, driven by a unique creative vitality, inspired by that perception of time which distinguishes VCA: time as renewal. INNOVATION IS THE KEY To seek, explore, invent. This spirit leads the house to perpetuate its matchless artistry while also questioning its craft and inventing new procedures and techniques. It also takes the House well beyond the Place Vendôme to travel throughout the world. It is from the desire to innovate technologically, came the Serpent chain, Zip necklace and Between-the-fingers rings. For the Frivole line (2003), VCA developed a new pyramid setting to allow more light around stones to increase their brilliance. In this setting, a group of stones is handled like a single gem. Since the art of fine jewelry means never calling attention to one’s techniques, Van Cleef & Arpels developed a unique new setting, the Mystery Setting. Another technical achievement of a very different type was the Minaudière, which involves a variety of refined details. SPREADING ITS WINGS VCA began to expand throughout the world, encouraged by the many awards the House had received in international shows. Travel, in fact, is a significant part of the Van Cleef & Arpels tradition, since employing the finest precious stones means going to where they can be found. At the beginning of the 20th century, Van Cleef & Arpels opened new stores in beach resorts and spa centers frequented by a well travelled cosmopolitan elite. The first boutique in Dinard, France opened in 1908, and stores in

Nice, Deauville and Vichy were opened before World War I. After peace was declared, the House opened boutiques in Cannes, Touquet and Monte Carlo. In 1929, the very day of the stock market crash, Van Cleef & Arpels opened a small outlet in New York City. It was not until 1942, when members of the Arpels and Van Cleef families immigrated to New York, that the House opened its first boutique within the elegant Bergdorf Goodman department store. Today, the Van Cleef & Arpels boutique in New York City is at 744 Fifth Avenue. Another example of the House’s desire to stand apart from the rest can be seen in its determination to expand on an East-West route rather than the more common North-South one, which led it to open its first store in Japan in 1974. This was also because the Van Cleef & Arpels spirit and its key sources of inspiration found an echo in Asian culture. THE MUSES Van Cleef & Arpels have always loved their women. The House believes that women are beautiful because they love them, listen to them and understand them. Because they offer them pieces of jewelry that will not only enhance their beauty but will also celebrate that special something that makes each woman desirable and unique. Glamour, in other words! The House has been admired by many remarkable women, all different from each other but all with a strong personality. Among the most famous include Marlene Dietrich, Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, Jacqueline Kennedy, Grace Kelly, Queen Noor of Jordan, Uma Thurman, Julia Roberts and Scarlett Johanssen to name a few. The House’s creations have attracted the world’s

attention at many momentous occasions, for example the marriages of the Shah of Iran and of Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly and later of their daughter Caroline, Lanvin and JeanPaul Gaultier fashion shows, the Cannes Film Festival, the Academy Awards ceremonies. But the House continues to protect the privacy of each of its customers, even perpetuating the custom of using pseudonyms on special orders for celebrities. Perhaps, the reason why VCA is today revered as one of the most venerable jewellery houses in the world. For it not only guards the privacy of its customers, it also guards the hallowed traditions of jewellery making turning the trade into to more than just an art form

The Mystery Setting The secret of the Mystery Setting? An extremely delicate web of gold on which precious stones are set one by one. Rubies, sapphires and, more recently, diamonds (whose hardness allows for a specific kind of cut) are set using the Mystery Setting. The quality of a Mystery Setting piece depends on the colour, clarity and homogeneity of the stones. The lapidary chooses the stones according to very strict criteria and carefully positions each one depending on its size. Since the setting involves much less metal than traditional settings, it allows for much more light to reach the stones, thus enhancing their brilliance and showing them at their very best. Gemstones are combined in complex shapes full of motion – particularly ones inspired by the natural world dear to the House – to form as if by magic pieces of jewelry that are both precious and timeless.

FOCUS Stanislas de Quercize joined the Richemont group in 1990, and has since held a number of senior positions across a range of luxury brands. He has served as General Manager of Alfred Dunhill and Montblanc in France (1990 to 1994), President and CEO of Montblanc North America (1994 to 1997), and International Marketing Director for Alfred Dunhill in London (1997 to 1999). In 1999, de Quercize was named General Manager of Cartier France, and assumed his current position with Van Cleef & Arpels in September 2005. A licensed lawyer, de Quercize is a graduate of the Ecole Supérieure de Commerce, a leading French business school in Rouen. He is also a board member of the Jewelry Information Center, American Watch Association, Jewelers of America, and Luxury Marketing Council.

CRAFTING SUCCESS

Stanislas de Quercize, President and Chief Executive Officer Van Cleef & Arpels International, answers Deepa Rajan’s questions on the Van Cleef & Arpels legacy…

What would you say was the Van Cleef & Arpels vision at the time of the brand’s inception? And how is the brand adapting to the new consumer trends and preferences? “In 1906, Alfred Van Cleef and Estelle Arpels registered the name “Van Cleef & Arpels” and opened their first boutique on Place Vendôme. Our role since then has been to find inspiration in beauty and culture and interpret it with our creativity, select what we call the best Pierres de Caractère, and craft unique pieces of Jewellery thanks to our Mains d’Or. This is precisely the combination that makes our Maison a real signature of style, evident in our various collections.” What would you say is the customer profile of Van Cleef & Arpels? “A Van Cleef & Arpels customer is an aesthete, a connoisseur, sensitive to the timeless beauty of our creations.” How bespoke is Van Cleef & Arpels? Any favourites among the specific pieces that were created “Every day, somewhere in the world, there is a special order placed with Van Cleef & Arpels. That is why we created a specific service called 'Design to your Dreams': we offer our clients the possibility to make any dreams of jewels come true. “I have in mind the Pont des Amoureux watch that has been customised for a couple who asked us to tell their own love story that began in the Grand Canyon and that is what we did.” There’s a story behind every Van Cleef & Arpels’ high jewellery timepiece. Was it a conscious decision to do so or did it begin as a happenstance? “Van Cleef & Arpels has unveiled a new dimension of time: poetry. Since 2006, Poetic Complications® watches have captured the ephemeral and enhanced the moments born of emotion, happiness and memories. Each Poetic Complication® timepiece is an alliance of the discreet precision of watchmakers and the creative brilliance of great master craftsmen:

jewellers, lacquerers, inlayers, engravers, setters and enamellers. Also, do not forget that our Maison’s story starts like a fairy tale, with the love story and wedding in 1895 of Estelle Arpels and Alfred Van Cleef!” Given the current economic situation, how has SIHH 2012 been for Van Cleef & Arpels, especially in the context of the Middle East? “With more than 13,000 worldwide attendees and 1,200 journalists, the SIHH has been a real success. We presented three stories: 1) The story of a man, Pierre Arpels with the Pierre Arpels watch; 2) The story of Bals de Légende with Poetic Complication watches coming along with our last High Jewellery collection; 3) The story of a wish with two revolutionary complication watches, the two Poetic Wish watches. “Our clients in the Middle-East have a sharp eye for quality and are becoming more and more connoisseurs of our Maison. Van Cleef &Arpels has a strong presence in the Middle-East and a promising future.” Higher the price, more the exclusivity… Do you agree/disagree? Why? “Emotion is not a matter of price, transmission of the beauty of our Savoir-Faire neither! That is why the Maison decided to create its school of Jewellery: L’ECOLE Van Cleef & Arpels, for all those who love beauty, be it the connoisseurs or professionals. It opened its doors on February, 14. Open to an international public, its mission is to cast a light on the very secretive world of Jewellery and to share its most precious asset: its savoir-faire. In keeping with this transmission’s idea, we are organising two major exhibitions: one in the Moca Shanghai in May and one in the Musée des Arts Déco in September.” What is your vision for VCA in the next five years? “Jacques Arpels used to say “We only want to offer the best to our clients”. Our role is to keep this motto of the Maison alive.”

QUICK TAKES Luxury means… “Pierre Arpels used to say: “Beauty is what remains when the superfluous has been stripped away”. Your most favourite VCA memory… It is a very recent memory; seeing Jean-Marc Wiederrecht and Olivier Vaucher’s faces when they discovered the assembled Poetic Wish watches, combining the technical prowess of the master watchmakers and the virtuosity of the artistic craftsmanship. As Olivier Vaucher once said “each year, we seek to surpass ourselves in each of our interwoven crafts”. One thing that the world does not know about VCA… “VCA stands for Very Creative Artists”

Between Two Seas A Celebration of Modern Bahrain

A spectacular new book by celebrated photographer Andrew Weaver, containing over 250 amazing images. The images demonstrate how the natural elements infuence daily life, and how 'Man' has harnessed the earth's resources to create a new era of prosperity and an enviable place to live. The book has been published in three sizes, and will be sold in all major book stores. For further information contact: Andrew on (+973) 39445102; email: andrew@picturearabia.com

CITYSCAPE

CELEBRATING BAHRAIN! S N Kala on why the ‘Capital of Arab Cultur Culture’ re’ is the place e tto o be in 2 2012 012 f art, poetry, song and dance are what you seek, then Bahrain is the place to be all of this year, as a matter of fact, as the 'Land of the Two Seas' is the Capital of Arab Culture for 2012.

The initiative by the Arab League in conjunction with UNESCO gives an opportunity every year to a different Arab capital to showcase its version of Arab culture, engage in a dialogue with local and regional audiences, and just have fun! Bahrain is leaving no stone unturned to dazzle the world with its cultural splendour and the events calender is packed with variety and razzmatazz. Each month has a different cultural theme. Art was the flavour of the month in January. February's focus was on architecture and March is set to highlight design and

culture ture with wiith Spring of Culture. Culturre. Heritage Heri erita tage ew will ill b be the e theme for April and the Kingdom Kingd dom wi will ill h host ost os st the e World Heritage Convention. Conventiion. May Ma ay will wiill see se ee the e action shift to museums followed followed wed by y poetry po oetry et y in June, with wiith Bahrain's many y poets poet etss g getting ett ttiing ing se set et to recite their th heir creations. Literature Literraturre will will be be th the e buzzword zzword in July while in Augustt the t fo focus ocus cus wi will ll shift ft to translation tra anslation of important importa ant li liter literature. t atu ure. September ptember will highlight Arabic Ara abicc sing ssinging i ing ga and d music usic with h the 21st Bahrain International Interrna nation nal Music usic Festival Fes stival and October will will g go o green gree en with with the e environment; enviro onment; Hawar islands will will be e the centre ntre of the th he action, with a fo forum orum o on n traditional trad aditi it ona onall knowledge owledge e for the management managem ment o off nature natu ure e reserves erves and and heritage sites. November Nove emb mber will will draw aw Bahrain Bahrrain into the world of theatre a and nd a play ay detailing detaiiling the history of Bahrain Bahrain will also o be staged.. The e festivities festiviities will conclude with wiith events focussing ussing on the 'homeland' in n December, Dece De cembe ce er, to

CITYSCAPE

A Tribute to Umm Kulthum

Dan Zanes and Friends coincide with the National Day celebrations. The finale will also see the unveiling of 12 publications on the themes featured during the year. The extravaganza kicked off with a series of three art exhibitions. A spokesperson in Bahrain's Ministry of Culture noted that Manama deserves to celebrate its culture, people and history and that the honour allows Bahrain to carry all aspects of its culture to the world. The first events of the year featured paintings, media and sculptural works from Arab artists, including generations of Jordanian pieces and an exhibition of art from the Arab World Institute. The series continued with the 5th Bahrain International Sculpture Symposium, an

Julio Iglesias open-air workshop where viewers could see natural marble sculptures from 16 Arab artists. February opened with the official launch of the 'Manama, Capital of Arab Culture 2012' celebrations at Bahrain National Museum. A multi-disciplinary programme, it has been designed to ensure cultural engagement and dialogue and features elements of Bahraini, Arab and international cultures and understandings. The event included a performance entitled ‘Path of Pearls’. Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of Bahrain Defence Force Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa attended the show and expressed his pride indicating that it is an honour for the Kingdom

which reflects its cultural, historical and modern outlook of the people of Bahrain over the centuries. He also expressed thanks and appreciation to Culture Minister Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa and all ministry employees for their efforts in celebrating ‘Manama as the Capital of Arab Culture’ this year. He also appreciated the outstanding artistic performance that projected the Bahraini heritage and the spirit of clinging on to hope in making Bahrain the Pearl of the Gulf. Renowned Egyptian maestro Salim Sahab's orchestra, the Bulgarian National Radio Orchestra and popular Bahraini singer Hind, whose lyrics have been written by celebrated poet Hassan Kamal, mesmerised the audience.

OH! SOULFUL SPRING

The magic of poetry, music, theatre, encounters and more; this is how culture will embrace the Kingdom’s spring. For the first time in the Gulf, Julio Iglesias will bring romance to Arad Fort in two unforgettable evenings; Opera legend Andrea Bocelli’s first visit to Bahrain is not to be missed at Bahrain National Museum; on the same stage Umm Kulthum will be remembered through the enchanting voice of Riham Abdul Hakim; Angelique Kidjo will once again bring Arad Fort audiences to their feet with African songstress Asa; and for the first time, the Bahraini band Osiris will perform to its fans at Arad Fort.

The Taiko Legend The audience was also treated to an exclusive performance by the Galali Popular Arts Group and the Ballard School of Performing Arts, with music composed by Julene Siddique. February also saw the declaration of results of a competition for ideas on how to develop the country’s most popular souq, Bab Al Bahrain. Swiss architect Lukas Lenherr's work, Pearl Dive, was judged the best, winning him $15,000 (BD5,655) in the competition. Budoor Abduljalil, a Bahrain-based artist and sculptor, said the Culture Ministry with Shaikha Mai at the helm has shown great alacrity and sophistication in the planning of the festivities. Major projects throughout the year include opening a national theatre

Ibrahim Jaber and establishing a regional centre of world heritage, a museum of sound and a Tree of Life guest centre. There are also plans to restore Souq Al-qaysareya, Alkhaleefeya library, and Al-Khamees Mosque guest centre and stage museum shows at venues around the island including the country’s historic forts which will highlight Bahrain’s rich cultural heritage to residents and visitors. Sheikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s Minister of Culture, affirmed the importance of the event in reflecting the modern reality Bahrain enjoys and embedding with it the spirit of love and peace through culture and art, considered to be a joint language among all.

Families have the largest share this year with events for toddlers and teenagers. Tap Dogs will rock Arad Fort and turn it into a construction site and Tom Tom Crew from Australia is sure to have the hearts of teens pumping with their high energy Hip Hop moves. The Kennedy Center’s Knuffle Bunny will bring laughter and fun to the little ones while Dan Zanes and Friends will turn Arad into a family party. In addition, Walls and Bridges puppetry will be a thrill to the young audiences and Play_Please! will give kids an ultimate multi-media experience. Check out the calendar for more family events. Theatre and performing arts were carefully selected this year presenting Princess Bari from Korea which brings brilliant visual imagination and wit, The Greatest Street from Egypt, Shaolin Temple from China and Jody Sperling in a mesmerising dance. The female voice will have strong presence at the festival with Ghada Ghanem, Imane Homsy, Susana Baca and Souad Massi. The literary and political world will be the focus of Shaikh Ebrahim Center through intense evenings with Samih Al Qassim, Mustafa AlFiqi, Mohammad Ali Farahat and Ibrahim Jaber. And art lovers should not miss the special exhibitions such as 'I Am the Other' at Bohemia and Diversity from the Arab World at Al Bareh. For more information log on to www. springofculture.org

FEATURE

A journey of Discovery ‘Discover Bahrain’ is the latest project of the Good Word Society, a non-political organisation established in 2002 for initiating innovative social and charity programmes

Visit to the traditional houses in Muharraq

hmed Buhazza the Project Director of Discover Bahrain says, “We wanted people from around the world to know more about Bahrain through its grand history, well-knit community, unity in diversity, warmth of its people, advanced education system, powerful economy, advanced health care facilities, unique architecture and culture”. A seven point programme focusing on the above aspects was formulated where people would get to visit Bahrain and experience it firsthand.

A GLOBAL INVITATION The initial work started on this project started six months ago and its aim was

to allow people to experience the beauty and essence of Bahrain by themselves. The Discover Bahrain programme itself was made as diverse, entertaining and informative as possible. Top executives from different fields like industries, academics, health sector were accordingly consulted. People from outside Bahrain were also asked for their opinion on how they could contribute to carry their Bahrain experience forward and promote Bahrain – which was the main aim of this programme. Obviously, those who were chosen for the programme, were people who could make the biggest impact. People of all ages and from different walks of life were invited. These included CEOs, businessmen, media experts, academicians, professors with large social networks in their respective fields from countries like USA, UK, China, Egypt, Estonia and Morocco.

A GRAND WELCOME The programmeme began with a dinner at the ‘House Boat Restaurant in the Laguna, Amwaj Islands. The Head of Media, Marwa Mohammed welcomed the guests and this was followed by an inaugural address by the Project Director Ahmed Buhazza. The attendees were later given a chance to know each other better through a set of ‘Ice Breaker’ activities. The subsequent days’ visits were planned so as to discover different aspects of Bahrain like, culture and heritage, education, religious, social, political and economics. THE CULTURAL WINDOW On day one, the participants got a glimpse of Bahrain’s rich history, with a tour of the Bahrain fort, International museum, Sheikh Ibrahim house, The Coffee House, Bin Matter house; they were accompanied by a guide who briefed them

about the country’s rich history. The day ended with dinner at the GWS, where the invitees wore traditional costumes such as Thobe and Eqal. EDUCATION IS KEY The next aspect of this programmeme focussed on the nation’s education system. Visits were planned to the Quality Assurance Authority for Education and Training (QAAET), the national organisation that ensures quality in the field of education and training and thus contributing in shaping Bahrain’s Future. Tours were also made of Bahrain University campus, Arabian Gulf University and their advanced facilities. They also visited Bapco, where they attended a talk on the ‘Quality Control in Bahrain’s Education’, one of the secrets to Bahrain being a pioneer in this field. Up next were visits to the Sheikh Salman Industrial City, Sheikh Khalifa port and the Economic Development Board. They also had a meeting with businesswomen in the Chamber of Commerce. SOCIAL & RELIGIOUS PORTALS This day began with a tour of the child support centre, where the people got to know how the government supports the divorced and unsupported women; they also got to know about the adoption and fostering methods employed in Bahrain. Up next was a visit to the Supreme Council for women where the delegates learnt about its work and upcoming programmes. It also covered religious places like Al Fateh mosque and Bait Al Quran, where the Sheikh gave them an introduction about Islam. The Evangelical church in Manama was next. Ahmed Buhazza recalls, “As I was addressing the gathering at this church, I could see people of different religions sitting among the audience as if they belonged to one family. It was an emotional moment; this is how Bahrain has always been and this is how we as brothers can move ahead into the future by forgetting our differences”. THE POLITICS & ECONOMICS OF IT The delegates also had the opportunity to visit the Parliament Council where they were briefed about its history. They were also taken on a tour of its various departments and had the opportunity to witness one of its sessions live. They were surprised at the huge representation of women in the parliament and freedom of speech enjoyed by its members. They were also taken on a visit to Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Port and the adjoining industrial area, the National Institute for Industries And Training at the Salman Industrial Park as well as the Bahrain Business

BEHIND THE SCENES

A visit to Salman Industrial City

The Discover Bahrain team consisted of more than 50 volunteers. Mohammed Abdeen, the General Coordinator of the event says, “The success of this project was a result of our team whose coordinated efforts contributed to successful organisation of the event.” The team of volunteers consisted of people from different nationalities apart from Bahrain like UK, Finland, Canada and Egypt. There were also a total of 47 government, non-government and private organisations (including Bahrain Business Incubator Centre, Bahrain Development Bank, Economic Development Board, Supreme Council for Women) which were part of the seven day programme.

BAHRAIN FOR ALL

Meeting at the Evangelical Church

Incubator Centre. A tour of the Bahrain World Trade Center and Sakhir oil wells and the Tree of life were also on the itinerary. HEALTH IS WEALTH A day of the programme was dedicated towards showcasing Bahrain’s advancement in the health sector. The group visited American Mission Hospital, where the CEO took them on a tour of its facilities. The next stop was the Arabian Gulf University and college of Medicine and Medical Sciences. The institution is a pioneer in terms of providing specialists in the field of medicine to meet their growing demand in Bahrain and the GCC countries.

Ahmed Buhazza says “This event made everyone realise that Bahrain is for everybody, not just for the locals. Even tourists and expats love this country for the sheer warmth, love and hospitality that they get here; they consider Bahrain as their first home. The programme was an eye opener, not just for the tourists but the Bahrainis themselves. It was the first time that they saw Bahrain through the eyes of its guests and in a way re-discovered the beauty of Bahrain their motherland. We wish to thank the delegates for the same”. A word of thanks goes out from the organisers of Discover Bahrain to all the delegates, the 47 governmental, non- governmental and private organisations, volunteers, designers – ‘Picasso house’ and ‘Moon Dance Event Management’ for their invaluable support. You can also catch up with ‘Discover Bahrain’ on FaceBook, Twitter and their official website (coming soon).

EVENT

Bring out the leader in you! Robin Sharma, world-renowned leadership expert, was in town recently. A Signature Report obin Sharma needs no introductions. The leadership expert has worked with over five million employees in 62 countries and is the author of the bestselling book The Monk who sold his Ferrari, He was in town recently to play host to a half day seminar for 800 of the Kingdom’s most engaged and proactive leaders at the Gulf convention Centre, Gulf hotel recently. The seminar, which was organised by Bahrain Institute of Hospitality and Retail, leading training institute in self-development and leadership, was inaugurated by Mahmood Kooheji, Chairman of Tamkeen.

Sharma's Bahrain seminar was based on his newest work: “Lead Without A Title™ - Winning Leadership Lessons to Build a Great Organization”, which focuses on helping leaders to achieve their highest potential in the challenging business environment faced at this time. Seminar included: The 7 Best Practices of Leaders Without Titles; 8 Peak Performance tactics to do world-class work in busy times; The specific tactics that the best companies do to get even better; The 4 keys to a high performance team and winning culture; Personal leadership lessons to stay strong amid turbulence and focused in the face of uncertainty. Speaking earlier on the event, Robin Sharma, said, "I am delighted to be part of the ‘Lead Without a Title’ workshop in Bahrain. In these uncertain economic times, exceptional leadership is more important than ever; actually it's your No. 1 competitive advantage. Companies the world over need strong leaders to guide them through times of turmoil. I love to visit the Middle East, with its dynamic, fast evolving and multi-cultural business environment, it's a fascinating part of the world and I am very much looking forward to meeting with business leaders from across the region.”

was media partner of the event

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THE STYLE FILES

SPRING FEST ROSEMIN MANJI GIVES US THE REPORT ON WHAT’S BURNING UP THE RAMPS THIS SEASON… Rosemin Manji is the founder of RR & Co. Bespoke Luxury Management that specialises in styling, media relations among other luxury services. Manji is also a regular on Studio One, Dubai TV as their fashion correspondent. She has contributed in Harpers Bazaar, Grazia and Esquire and has covered Atlantis Palm Dubai opening Red Carpet interviewing top International celebrities for MTV. Manji has been on Best Dressed list for Harpers Bazaar, Grazia, Pashion, Mondanite, Ahlan Masala. Her contribution to the fashion industry has been recognised by Arab News as Top 20 Business women in the Gulf and Ahlan Hot 100 List 2010 and 2011.

It’s that time of year again, where you start putting away those heavy coats and chunky sweaters. The leather goes to the back of your closet and your wardrobe becomes a riot of colours in soft fabrics and texture. Signature magazine takes a look a trends that you need to know about for this Spring/Summer. The Peplum Effect One of the common trends we saw on the runways was the “peplum” this is where the hips are accentuated and they can be worn with a simple tailored trouser or straight skirt. Some designers had softer versions which are more flattering like Celine and Armani and more bold styles were scene at rising star Jason Wu’s show and YSL. For a great high street deal, we found some great blouses at H&M and Topshop. Flower Power Fresh prints always dictate the season, last year Erdem and Stella McCartney owned the season with iconic prints that trickled down to the high street in

minutes. This season we see a common thread of Florals from Christopher Kane, Mary Katrantzou, and Rodarte. The paisley print was interpreted in a modern way in the collections of Stella McCartney and Jill Sander. Romancing the Lace On the romantic front, there was nothing more beautiful than the Louis Vuitton’s show ‘Le Carousel’ theme at Louvre’s Cour Carree that made everyone fall in love with fashion again. The delicate lace trend was spotted on the catwalks of Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Valentino and Elie Saab to name a few. The lace came in all textures from delicate chantilly to brodarie anglise. The Sorbet Blend Finally, pastels tied all the romance and femininity together. Sorbet colours softened the runway and brought lightness to this season’s colour palette. From Chanel to Gabbana there was nothing more refreshing then the soft colours that welcome the spring season.

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PULL UP YOUR SOCKS

YOUR GUIDE TO…

The other day as I was walking across the street, I saw a few boys stood near the pavement, almost rolling with laughter! Inquisitive enough, I went up to them and inquired what the joke was. Caught unawares, none of them spoke for a while and then I heard a faint voice from the back saying, “They are laughing at my socks.” Here was this short lad with high pants and the most bizarre little pair of socks on his feet! I could not resist a smile too, even as this ‘fashion-wise’ boy very confidently quipped: “It’s in fashion, Sir!” YSL said “Fashions fade but style is eternal.” Indeed, how true! Something as basic as a pair of socks can make a huge difference to the way you are perceived. So for all those who have been many a time confused on what colour of socks to wear on which attire, here are a few basic tips… THE RIGHT MATERIAL Socks are available in a variety of materials these days including natural cotton, synthetic wool blends, wool, polyester and blends of two or more of these materials. Choose a material that suits your personal tastes and is sensitive to your skin needs. Light, natural fiber socks are the best option if you reside in a warm and temperate climate. Try and go for materials that absorb sweat and that allow your feet to breathe like a blend of Merino wool and cotton. THICK & THIN OF IT The thickness of the fabric also matters. While, thin and natural fibre socks are recommended for warm climates, thicker socks made form synthetic fibres work best in cooler climes. Experiment with the thickness to arrive at your own personal preferences.

THE B&W ESSENTIALS The colour black is universal! You can wear black socks with black or dark grey trousers. Having a couple of variety of black socks in your wardrobe is never too much as it fits most occasions. White is for the sporty occasions! Always remember, the white sock is more of a casual wear and a complete no on formals! If you are hitting the gym, white is the way to go! THE MATCH CODE Choose the colour of your socks according to the trousers and not according to your shoes. If you are wearing brown trousers then brown socks it is and grey socks for grey trousers. Unless, you have a pair of beige trousers, then you can easily pull it off with a brown pair of socks to match your brown shoes. PRINTS ARE COOL Designer labels have been coming out with printed socks not only for women, but also for men. Trendy as it may be, there is still the match code to be followed. The more prominent colour in the sock pattern should match the trousers. So, if your pair of socks are brown with grey stripes then they will go well with brown trousers, but not grey! We know you are thinking, “does it really matter”! But then, remember the right pair of socks can brighten up your attire for the day! Fashion is not just about wearing things in vogue, it is also about choosing the style that suits you best. If you can invest in the right watch, shades, suit and tie, then why not walk that extra mile and make sure you pick up the right pair of socks as well!

SHAWN STEPHENS ON HOW TO COVER YOUR FEET AND COVER THEM WELL…

Shawn Stephens is a PR professional and has worked on the teams that handled accounts like Dubai Film Festival, Christies, Art Dubai, Qatar Airways, The Hilton group, Adidas and Dior. He is seen quite often on the red carpet making show-stopping entrances at some of the most chic events and parties in Dubai and around the Middle East. He is currently Account Director with Z7 communications in Dubai, United Arab Emirates that handles Versace, TOD’s, TAG Heuer, Salvatore Ferragamo, Bonhams, JAMM art advisory, MRPORTER.COM, Net-a-Porter, THEOUTNET.COM and Hoss Intropia.

ACCESSORIES

Leather it up! Cuir Noir is the fourth in the series of Mille et une Nuits collection from Armani Prive. Signature speaks to its perfumer on the magic whiff… Perhaps it was this passion of hers that led her to discover and unravel the olfactory side of something as raw as leather in Armani Prive’s latest fragrance aptly called Cuir Noir (black leather). Part of ‘La Collection des Mille et une Nuits’, created to reveal the infinite splendours of the East, Cuir Noir is a new oriental adventure, an invitation into a world in which rarity and luxury are channelled into haute couture fragrances and pay homage to traditions. In this interview Nathalie talks about Cuir Noir and the curious use of leather in a fragrance…

“I try to blend fragrances with the brand values –it is a way of being, of creating with my soul and with my mind, as well as my nose,” says Nathalie Lorson. Nathalie grew up in Grasse where her father was a chemist at Roure. No wonder then, she developed a nose for different smells at an early age. After passing the bacca aureate, she chose to enter the perfumery school at Roure “to learn the real profession of fragrance creation and to gain an in-depth knowledge of the raw materials”. She recalls,“In1980, very few women entered the perfumery field.” Upon completion of her training, she joined the IFF. It was here that she signed off her first creation, Bulgari Pour Femme. The rest is history. Yet another turning point came for her when, at the age of 40 (year 2000) she joined Firmenich. Nathalie says she has always been guided by an open-mind and a search for harmony. She prefers, without hesitation, the pleasure of sharing and teamwork to achieving individual satisfaction. She is thrilled at the idea of ‘touching another’ with her creations. Nathalie’s olfactive style can be best described as harmonious and generous. Molecules, accords, new olfactive territories…She dreams of everything that has not yet been discovered.

How would you describe Cuir Noir? “Cuir Noir is a leathery fragrance with woody and spicy accent. It celebrates the refinement and signature of some beautiful precious ingredients and takes us into a mysterious world of multiple textures and scents. After Mille et une Nuits collection of three successful perfumes, Cuir Noir is the fourth of the series. “Just like Oud Royal, Rose d’Arabie and Ambre Orient, Cuir Noir also depicts the perfumes and enchanted atmospheres of the extraordinary Mille et Une Nuits Tale. The fragrances are four cyprious and blooming dreams inspired by blue desert nights and by whispers seeping through ornate arabesque grilles. Cuir Noir is a journey into the heart of an Arabian night.” Could you tell us what are the essences and symbolic materials of this fragrance? “Leather, slightly honeyed by some Bulgarian Rose touches, is blended to the strength of some woody notes combining the creamy of the sandalwood from Australia to the darkness and smoky tonalities of the Oud and Gaiac woods. Irresistible spicy vibrations of coriander and nutmeg enhance this sensual woody dry down and add this addictive character and make of Cuir Noir a mesmerising fragrance. The dry down composed by vanilla pod absolute from Tahiti enhance the strength of benzoin Siam.” How do the ingredients make this perfume more precious?

“The exact choice of ingredients and their perfect balance give to the fragrances of the “Mille et une Nuits” Collection a unique identity. An accurate work happened to tame the exotic nature of noble and rebel ingredients, to ease the rudeness of gold and spices and to make fluid the smokes and resins. How did you manage to make use of leather in the olfactory sense? “Creation of Cuir Noir was a real moment of pleasure to me. I really loved the challenge of being able to bring into light the different facets of leather, to express its sensuality, its elegance and its mystery. I worked the note by using an innovative technique to capture the smell of leather: the headspace.” “We tried to recreate a fascinating atmosphere that allies in the tanneries the wild smell of tallow in the burned and tarry aromas of the black birch. Leather is a sensual material, most precious woods made it possible for me to interpret such a material into an olfactory way. The lightness of some skins and the matte beige flexibility of velvet leather make me think about a dense liquid, as beige as Baileys. Giorgio Armani, through Cuir Noir, symbolises a tactile, flexible and soft sensation of leather in which sensuality is profoundly anchored.”

HOW TO USE IT “I PARTICULARLY LIKE VAPOURISING IT INSIDE THE ELBOW AND ON THE INSIDE OF THE WRIST AND ON THE NECK.”

What essence does a material like leather evoke for you? “I think that leather a warm and protective material. Even if leather is often thought to be a masculine character, I think that it suits very well a feminine personality. It’s noble and sensual material that allies strength and character. I gladly associate it to luxury and artisanal art work. I love leather for its wild side. It’s a material we can’t easily tame. We need certain know-how and a long experience to work a leather piece and make out of it all its qualitative aspects. It’s also a living material that evolves with time and whose colour gets

stronger. Leather evokes sensuality, intensity and timelessness.” Finally, knowing Armani/Privé, what does the Mille et une Nuits range of fragrances mean to you? “A thought of beautiful perfume work, with a parti pris! Armani/Privé always proposes beautiful raw materials and a beautiful story that transport you. I’ve been following this collection since it ever started and I am always pleased to discover new creations. Fragrances from this collection propose a journey into rich universes that make us dream.”

HOW TO PRESERVE IT “ESSENCES OF THIS SCENT PRESERVE THEIR INTENSITY IF YOU KEEP IN A COOL PLACE AWAY FROM LIGHT.” THE FRAGRANCE Cuir Noir opens with a prelude of creamy Australian Sandalwood and the accents of Rose essence. A hint of coriander and nutmeg sets off this combination. The heart of the fragrance is more textured, alternating tinges of leather and smoky notes of Oud and Guaiac. In the base, traces of Tahitian Vanilla absolute punctuate the deep glimmer of Benzoin balm. Cuir Noir is available at Harvey Nichols, Bloomingdales, Paris Gallery in Dubai and Saks Fifth Avenue in Bahrain

THE COLLECTION ‘La Collection des Mille et une Nuits’ is the first to celebrate legendary perfumery ingredients; ‘Les Eaux’ revive the scents of far-off places; Les 1001 Nuits is a journey inspired by Eastern legends. These Armani Privé fragrances have reinvented the identity of Haute Parfumerie. Oud Royal, Rose d’Arabie and Ambre Orient and Cuir Noir are four dreams inspired by blue desert nights and by whispers seeping through ornate arabesque grilles.

ART

KALEIDOSCOPE OF COLOURS

Local artist Marianne Pasmans has been creating evocative and striking contemporary art for the last six years. With her second eagerly anticipated Bahrain exhibition opening at the esteemed Capital Club in April, Samantha Holloway meets Marianne to discover her passion for colours

arianne Pasmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life story is as colourful and inspiring as her artwork. Originally from the Netherlands, Marianne was artistically creative from a young age. On leaving school she was chosen to attend the prestigious Academy of Fine Arts in Maastricht where she excelled in fabric and textile design. From these auspicious beginnings, her career in design and passion for creating flourished. And then, after travelling extensively in Europe, Marianne seized the opportunity to move to Bahrain in 1994 to broaden her horizons and experience of life. A brief stint in the Ministry of Information followed, before Marianne moved into the lucrative world of investment banking where she enjoyed a successful 13 year career, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I moved away from art and became creative with numbers insteadâ&#x20AC;? jokes Marianne. During this period of her life, Marianne stepped away from art and design completely, although she readily admits that she was still tantalised by visual images she saw all around her. Perhaps to satisfy her dormant talents, Marianne turned to photography to document her travels and capture the beauty she saw around her. In 2006, Marianne made the courageous

ART

decision to relinquish her life of finance to return to her life-long passion for art and design, “I decided it was time to pick up the brush and teach,” she says. Marianne initially intended to concentrate on design but after the success of ‘Blue’, her first exhibition, she realised that people were genuinely interested in her paintings. It is easy to see why. On entering Marianne’s home you are immediately struck by a kaleidoscope of breathtaking colours. Extraordinary abstract artwork adorns every wall and the effect is simply striking. Marianne is inspired by Bahrain and explains how “the absence of visual stimulation in the form of rich colour is actually good, as it means that I really have to go into my head to see what I can produce and that can be a really positive experience”. Marianne’s compositions are mainly intricately created evocative abstracts layered with vibrant acrylic paints, each one is “a journey that I allow to happen” she says. Marianne’s creative process starts when an idea begins to form in her mind, from there she says “I don’t know if a composition will work when I start, but I let it flow. I’m not rigid about an idea at all, and I go with what the canvas presents me with”. Her favoured medium is acrylic as it pushes her to make decisions quickly and work fast while the paint is wet. In Marianne’s portfolio you can see series of paintings depicting a particular subject matter which she has developed and changed over the years. One of the most captivating of these series concentrates of Marianne’s interpretations of Bahrain Fort. She often likes to continue a concept over several years as she believes that an artist has a duty to develop and further study a concept so to enable some reflection over the years to see how ones style has evolved. Marianne’s commissions are popular with both commercial and private buyers. Her work can be seen in prestigious settings such as the Royal Golf Club in Riffa and the Capital Club in Manama and are also held in private collections in Los Angeles, Ireland, Switzerland and France. Marianne is very free when it comes to creating

commissions – she’ll meet her client and get a feel for their life before she creates a unique work of art reflecting their individual desires. Marianne is also an experienced and dedicated teacher of art. In 2007, she started sharing her art and design skills with adult enthusiasts who came with no prior experience but armed with a passion to learn. Her courses include instruction on concept, composition, balance and development which furnishes the students with a firm foundation upon which to build their own styles. Marianne is overjoyed with her student’s progress and is so confident about the real talent they have displayed that she plans to stage exhibitions of their paintings. Other future plans are also in the pipeline. She would love to work with other artists to

create an exhibition encompassing a spectrum of multi-media art, including sculpture and paintings and feels her own paintings would compliment such an event. Most exciting perhaps, are Marianne’s plans for a five city exhibition of her art in conjunction with a well established Belgian jewellery designer whose creations would reflect the luxurious colours of her work. For the immediate future, Marianne has amassed an astonishing collection of paintings for her upcoming exhibition at the Capital Club in April, her first exhibition since 2009. The exhibition has come together at the perfect time for Marianne and she promises it will be dynamic, energetic and expressive. Her amazing ability to capture light, texture, form, and colour on canvas will no doubt ensure its success.

Preparation for the exhibition has been an exciting experience for Marianne and she relished the challenge of seeing how she could develop the concept. “I didn’t want to hold back this time” she says “I’m now more confident to allow myself to work with colours and take more risk and enjoy them more”. A visit to Marianne’s exhibition at the Capital Club next month is strongly recommended and won’t disappoint. The main problem enthusiasts may encounter is deciding which painting to take home!

The Capital Club exhibition runs from April 1-30. Please call 17100100 for exhibition opening hours and to arrange a visit.

HEALTH

JUICE COUTURE Want to juice up your health life? Signature shows you how…. How do you know if the juice is worth the squeeze? Well, according to the recent underground ‘juicing’ phenomenon that’s hit Bahrain, it is! Juice has been pouring into the hearts and stomachs of hundreds of people on the small island, courtesy of a-word-of-mouth craze inspired by the film Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead , which some people are calling life changing. It has shot across the world from star studded LA and transcended from celebrity preOscar fad diet to the everyman, healthy lifestyle choice in the Kingdom. We spoke to one fan, Cris Caminiti from UBEAUTI Salon in Hamalah and she explained to Signature Magazine why it was that she was championing the juicing process to everyone who would listen and what it has meant to her, “After years of high protein diets, I was looking for a more healthy alternative to weight loss and my overall well being. With consistent sleeping problems, digestive issues and of course weight gain, I wanted more than anything to feel good about myself again. Recommended by a friend, I watched this movie and it explained how juicing could solve all my issues and I just thought, it’s now or never! I got myself a whole lot of willpower, purchased a juicer and I went straight into it within a day. “I feel like a new woman, the headaches have gone, I sleep through the night, my digestive problems have miraculously disappeared and I’ve lost 11kg in one month! People keep commenting on how great my skin looks and how my body has just shrunk. I just tell them the truth; it’s all a plant based juice diet. It’s certainly the healthiest and most effective diet I have ever been on. It’s my way of life now.”

Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead is an inspiring film that chronicles Joe Cross personal mission to regain his health.

So what’s it all about? Well, we all know that fruit and veg are good for us and that we should probably eat more than we do,

The Five Step Plan Step 1 Buy a juicer Step 2 Find a good source of fresh fruit and vegetables that is accessible every couple of days. Step 3 Commit, Set a goal and stick to it, perhaps seven to ten days if you are doing it for health reasons as a reboot. Maybe 30 days if you are doing it as a reboot and for weight loss but whatever time frame you manage is an achievement. Step 4 Resist Temptation. Try to remove yourself from situations which are going to tempt you when you start, parties, restaurants etc and Step 5 Stay calm. Make your peace with the fact that for the first three days you may not feel very good as the toxins will be coming out of your body so some people might experience tiredness, headaches and nausea. It will pass and your energy levels will soar and your skin will glow.

The ‘Mean Green’ Juice five-a-day and all that, but the real buzz word where juicing is concerned is ‘micro nutrients’. Micro nutrients are basically found in fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds and beans and they nourish your cells and help them fight diseases. Generally speaking the types of food most of us eat day to day are not in their natural state and therefore contain only a small percentage of their original nutritional value. This happens because we live in a world where food is mass produced and therefore processed, preserved and precooked. Even ‘pure juice’ can have been sitting in storage units for months before it arrives on your supermarket shelf and chances are it has some preservative and sweetener added to it. Why do you think orange juice from a carton tastes so different to straight from the fruit? ‘Juicing’ is not a new phenomenon. A juice detox can be seen in hundreds of different forms in the US. Gwyneth Paltrow, the Queen of Clean, follows one such raw, organic avenue called LOVE: Live, Organic, Vegan, Experience. Other enthusiasts of juice dieting and detoxing include Beyonce, Salma Hayek and Madonna. So why juice? Why not just consume the fruit and vegetables? There are three reasons, firstly if you look at three plates piled with the food as a solid you would be hard-pressed to finish it all in one sitting, but by juicing it you get these vast quantities of vitamins and minerals reduced into a much more manageable size. Secondly, the micro

nutrients are absorbed by the body much easier when they are in liquid form as you don’t have to go through the digestion process, and thirdly, (which is just my opinion, but I am sure some of you will agree), you feel a lot less like a rabbit than you would if you had to plough through a mountain of salad and veg every meal time, you can just drink it quickly. The juice drunk in Fat, sick and nearly dead is called the ‘Mean Green’ has been documented to help with: migraines, bloating, fatigue, depression, wind, acne, obesity, weight loss, energy levels, mental well being and sleep problems to name a few. Not to mention the other benefits which come with weight loss if you are over weight, such as lowering cholesterol and blood pressure. It has also helped to reverse or cure numerous other, more serious illnesses that people have taken prescribed medication for, for several years and have now been able to reduce or even stop. As the movie asks, “If the body can heal itself on the outside, why can’t it heal itself on the inside?” Of course, we know what you are thinking! You have heard of every ‘fad diet’ in the market and this is just another. You would be wrong. This isn’t about dieting. The weight loss is just a side effect. This is about rebooting your entire body and immune system, something most of us never properly do in a lifetime, yet we expect our body to continue year after year without a break. Even those of you who are skinny or those of you sitting there thinking ‘I eat fairly healthily’, you too can benefit from this just as a cleanse!

Ingredients A large bag of spinach 3-4 few small cucumbers A few sticks of Celery 2 Green apples (or more to taste) Ginger to taste Mint to taste

You can throw in anything else ‘green’ you want to in there that has a high water content, but keep the fruit percentage to a minimum as it contains a lot of sugar. Pour over ice and begin, drink as much as you want and about half the amount again of water and that’s it, no food, you are getting all you need from the juice. There’s a misconception that you will not get enough protein but actually the vegetables have a high protein content so it is fine. The juice should be kept in the fridge and drunk within 12 hours. For more information visit: www.fatsickandnearlydead.com; http://jointhereboot. com/; Consulting a doctor is always recommended when starting any new diet.

Bahrain may have a long way to go before catching up to somewhere like LA or New York in terms of the use of raw food and juice bars which have the very famous ‘Organic Avenue’, ‘The Juice Generation’ and ‘The Juice Press’ with almost cult like following from celebrities and clients alike. However the Kingdom is definitely on its way with options such as Café Lilou in Adliya which serves excellent fresh, pure juices and e-food.com, which will deliver fresh fruit and vegetables straight to your door. Maybe it’s time to open your eyes before your body opens them for you? Try it, juice up your health life!

WELLNESS

PURE R&R

Samantha Holloway gets a sneak peak into Kempinski Grand & Ixir Hotel Bahrain City Centre’s new Pure spa and comes back rejuvenated… Since opening in September last year, the Kempinski Grand & Ixir Hotel in Bahrain City Centre has proven to be a popular destination for visitors seeking five-star luxury. The highly anticipated grand opening of the hotel’s Pure Spa this month promises to further enhance the services offered by the hotel. Signature went to discover what Pure Spa has to offer. From the moment you enter the spa reception the clean lines and bright lighting mixed with its subtle marble surroundings provide a soothing ambience that subconsciously relaxes you. I was warmly welcomed by Spa Manager Pennapa Pimhin, who presented me with a comprehensive spa brochure offering treatments ranging from facials to full body massages, scrubs and wraps to grooming services. Everything you could possibly need for a perfect pampering session! Pure Spa uses two luxury product ranges in its indulgent signature treatments, Elemental Herbology and Green Bar. Elemental Herbology’s simple philosophy is to restore equilibrium and vitality and to do so it combines potent bioactive ingredients with sophisticated technology to respond to the body’s changing needs. Exclusively available at the Pure Spa, Green Bar treatments utilise the natural power and amazing benefits of indigenous plants and oils to nourish, beautify and enhance spiritual and physical well being. Entering the Spa, the changing rooms were sleek and thoughtfully equipped with individual dressing cubicles for those requiring privacy. Once robed, my therapist Jaa led me to a stylish, warm and tranquil treatment room scented with fresh lavender and state of the art, temperature controlled treatment beds. Now time for the Pure Spa experience! I opted for the 60 minute Bio-Harmonising Aroma Massage using Elemental Herbology. Whilst my feet were having a languishing soaking in warm water, Jaa prescribed an Earth infusion balance based on the information I gave her during my

earlier consultation. Had my answers led Jaa to a different conclusion, I may have enjoyed a wood infusion for rejuvenation, fire infusion for zest, metal infusion for detoxification or a water infusion to soothe. The massage began with three deep breaths taking in the aroma of frankincense to relax my body and mind, followed by 60 minutes of the most intense full body massage that began with my back and shoulders. My therapist spent a particularly long time on these areas concentrating on nerve ends, pressure points and the lower back area to release the negative energy one can carry here from everyday pressures and movements. At the onset, I was offered a choice of a soft, medium or hard pressure massage and my choice of the medium option proved to be absolutely perfect! It was nonetheless wonderfully enjoyable and I certainly felt a loosening of my tight shoulder muscles as the treatment progressed. Moving onto my legs and arms, the massage became more relaxing as my therapist used smooth, flowing movements to ease my tension. I was stirred from this state of relaxation by the scent of rosemary, traditionally used to wake the body. Reminding me that I was actually expected to move after the treatment was complete, Jaa led me to a chair in a small relaxation area and finished my treatment with fresh fruit and flavoured water. Ideally, I would have liked the relaxation area to be enclosed, possibly with loungers rather than chairs but, had that been the case, I doubt I would ever have left! Lest we forget our men folk, Pure Spa features ten treatment rooms with designated male and female zones. The majority of the treatments available can be provided to men plus they have the opportunity to take advantage of their very own Gentleman’s Rescue treatment. Tailored to the specific needs of male skin, this stimulating and refreshing treatment will deep cleanse, remove dead skin cells, steam, extract and

nourish the skin leaving it clean, clear and vital. Of course, the Pure Spa also offers all the facilities you would expect to enjoy from a spa of this calibre including a sauna, steam room, plunge pool and Turkish hamman. And for residents, the hotel offers the perfect way to end your pampering session - a visit to the beautiful roof top pool area, reclining in a cabana, imbibing in mocktails whilst enjoying a well deserved lunch!

Tel: 00973 17171122 to book an appointment 70

REVIEW When it comes to Porsche, it appears that the designers don’t have much to do. It seems to be a case of, “If it is not broken, don’t fix it”. Why mess with success? Their cars may look ‘timeless’, but the designers at Porsche factory have a difficult task; they have to retain their loyalty to the Porsche’s popular looks while giving the car a modern touch and that is not easy. The new 2012 Carrera 911 obviously inherits some ‘genetic features’ as it moves into the new generation. However there are a few changes – the roofline has been reduced by 10mm in the favour of a more aggressive ‘hairstyle’. The wide arches at the sides give us the impression of extra width; our tester comes fitted with 20” wheels adding to the looks. The overall weight is reduced by 45kgs thanks to the all new body with light weight components; its wheel base is 100mm longer. The exterior has also received remodelled side mirrors and they are now located on the upper edge of the doors. We simply love the rear with its new mean looking tail lamps and the rear spoiler.

INNER ZONE The interior resembles that of a luxury car; it is pretty well stacked with all the necessary goodies you need, after all it has to ward off competition from the likes of Audi, BMW and Mercedes Benz. The center console is shifted towards the dash; all the controls are concentrated towards the steering wheel, as you may expect in an all-out sports car. The information gauges have a ‘matter-of-fact’ classic look; the other main components are the multi function information screen and the ignition which is located on the left side of the steering wheel – like it has to be with Porsche! The leather seats are set low; this seating position seduces us to get into a ‘sporty mood’ even before the engine starts. The seats are a perfect fit, they hug you in tight embrace in preparation for the journey ahead; and yes, they are comfortable! POWER HORSE Before storming onto the road, we are tempted to observe what lies underneath. Our drive, the

The Time Machine Is the new Porsche Carrera 911, just a re-make of the previous generation? Does it have the goods to deliver? We find out

Carrera S is powered by a 3.8 Litre V6 engine producing 400 horsepower and mated to a 7 speed dual clutch PDK transmission. It takes an estimated 4.1 secs to achieve the 0-60 mph milestone. SAFE ZONE Safety is an important aspect, especially when you are driving a sports car on city roads. Porsche hasn’t overlooked that either it provides a whole list of safety features like airbags, stability & traction control and antilock brakes. FUEL ECONOMY This car also features the start/stop technology, for fuel economy, all it does is to shut down the power train at the traffic lights; while the name Porsche is not synonymous with fuel economy this feature (along with the coasting function in the 7-speed manual) helps you save a mile or two per gallon – and that’s cool! THE RIDE We start our ride with a blast, actually we

check out the ‘launch control’ straight away! We turn the knob and the car comes to life; next we press the brakes and the accelerator - the launch control gets activated! We release the brakes, and the car surges ahead in a blast. We feel that we have just been fired off a huge cannon – the only difference being that we can steer our way through! We are lucky to have a deserted road behind our office to begin with and wouldn’t dare try ‘launch control’ on the crowded city roads for obvious reasons. We reach the highway, lose track of time and find ourselves lost in a world of speed and aggression! This is also due to the fact that this car is very comfortable. The ride is smooth, the bumps and potholes are taken care of. However Porsche knows where it has to draw the line; while we don’t feel the major bumps, we are still not kept totally deprived of the road feel which is commendable! This model also features the PDCC (Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control) and the PTV (Porsche Torque Vectoring). The PDCC is actually an anti roll system that makes sure that the relevant wheels are kept firmly grounded especially while cornering in order to avoid a roll over. The

PTV helps in controlling the speed of the rear inside wheel for a smooth cornering. As the ride continues, we are tempted to try out the ‘Sport Plus’ mode. We think aloud “Hey! Is this button similar to those on other sports cars - giving out a loud ‘trumpet’ roar and doing nothing else”? We reach the traffic signal, luckily we are in front of everyone else, the light goes green and we press the pedal and Sport Plus.

minds that the new Porsche 911 Carrera S would not disappoint, but an entirely different thing to experience it first hand. The 7th generation of Porsche 911 stands testimony to the fact that some cars really are timeless in terms of the joy which they bestow upon the lucky ones who drive them. You don’t really need a time machine to have the time of your life! VERDICT Do we really need to say it? Go for it.

TIME MACHINE... What happens next? Well, we are in a different world; rest of the traffic seems like years behind. If there existed a time machine on wheels, I love to think that it would run on similar lines – especially when it wants to leave the world behind. Sounds like a scene from Back to the Future doesn’t it? Well, driving is believing! We now approach a curve, the Porsche 911 seems to sense it, and minimal effort is needed to guide it through. Suddenly we realise that we are running out of our ‘belly fuel’. We stop for some refreshments. Actually we have trouble digesting. No, it’s not the refreshments, but the drive experience. We knew in the back of our

SPECS Type: Sports Car Transmission: 7 Speed PDK Engine : 3.8L six-cylinder Power: 400 hp @ 7400 rpm Torque: 325lb.-ft @ 5600 rpm 0-60 mph: 4.1 secs

SIGNATURE PROMOTION

THE EXPO EXPERTS The development and expansion of the Gulfâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exhibition and conference industry is big business. The Bahrain Exhibitions and Convention Authority (BECA) is at the forefront of this exciting industry 74

“Challenge your spirit of adventure. Challenge your preconceptions. Welcome to the Kingdom of Bahrain.” A grand statement indeed! One proudly made by the Bahrain Exhibitions and Convention Authority (BECA). BECA has a solid grounding from which to make such a statement. Bahrain is an attractive and vibrant business destination and well placed as a gateway to the Gulf region. So much so, the World Economic Forum recently announced the Government of Bahrain as the seventh most financially efficient on the planet. If this was not enough evidence of Bahrain’s appeal, the World Bank proclaimed Bahrain to be the second best country in the Middle East and North Africa to do business in. What better place to establish an arena for international exhibitions, conferences and meetings? BECA was founded in 2006 to do just that. BECA falls under the auspices of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and is governed by a board of directors with extensive business experience. No less a personage than His Excellency Dr Hassan Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, sits as Chairman of the board. BECA’s mandate is to market the Kingdom of Bahrain as a unique and preferred all year round business destination. It cultivates global partnerships with key industry stakeholders to promote and showcase Bahrain, encourage investment and attract international exhibitions and conferences. BECA operates the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre (BIECC), a versatile 16,000sm exhibition and meeting facility and has ambitious plans to open a state of the art Expo City in Sakkir by 2013. These exemplary facilities combined with excellent infrastructure, a multi-cultural and tolerant lifestyle and a free economy all benefit BECA in its quest to become a venue of choice for world class exhibitions and conferences. At present, BECA organises two major exhibitions each year – the Food & Hospitality Expo and the Health & Wellness Expo. Both have doubled in size since their inception and initiatives are in place for other major expos in the near future. This year they will both take place from the April 17-19, 2012. With influential partners such as Tamkeen and Gulf Air and media sponsors including Signature magazine on board to enhance publicity and maximise potential business opportunities, BECA is well positioned to establish Bahrain at the forefront of the region’s exhibition and conference industry. After all, as BECA states on its website “Bahrain is big on hospitality, big on efficiency and big on accessibility.”

Call BECA on 17558800 for further information.

BON APPÉTIT

BURGERS IN VOGUE! Paul Mercer pays a visit to Elevation Burger to find out who is winning Bahrain’s Battle of the Burgers

With the arrival of a number of new themed burger bars the humble burger is back in vogue in Bahrain and the big question diners are debating is which is the best? The debate is fierce with different burger joints commanding strong support from their clientele. In an effort to find out which is the best burger in Bahrain I visited Elevation Burger and interviewed the owners of the franchise in Bahrain, Nader Fouad and Nael Mustafa. The location of our interview is, as you would expect, Elevation Burger’s outlet, situated on the first floor of the new section of the Seef Mall. The location is pleasant, accessible, open and purposeful. The dining area is split in two separated by a walkway. This isn’t as awkward as it sounds and allows diners to watch the world pass by as they eat.

INGREDIENTS MATTER

’ Nader and Nael come across as confident so I immediately ask them why they think that their burger is the best in Bahrain? Aren’t all burgers the same? Nael smiled before answering and explained that the key to Elevation Burger are the ingredients hence the slogan 'Ingredients Matter'. Nael elaborated that the philosophy at Elevation Burger is to offer quality food products which are good for the customer and good for the environment. An example of this is that they only use 100 per cent-certified organic, grass-fed and free range beef. The benefit of being organic is that it is free of antibiotics thus reducing your risk of being antibiotic resistant and the advantage of free range and grass fed is that cows are treated humanely and live as nature intended rather than being cooped up in feed lots and fed corn. Nael is quick to point out that whilst healthy food can mean a bad taste this isn’t the case for Elevation Burger. As for taste Nael remarked that this is just one aspect to assess Elevation Burger and suggested that they also be judged as to how you feel after eating. Nader added that whilst all beef comes from the US all vegetables are sourced locally and are prepared fresh daily.

SERVICE Nader explained that several of the staff went to the US for training and they in turn trained the remaining staff. In terms of service I quickly recognised the trademark service of a US company and was impressed with the helpfulness and friendliness of the staff. Each staff member is able to explain the menu and the philosophy of the company.

FOOD The menu offers four different types of burger, the double meat Elevation Burger, a cheese burger (with real cheddar cheese), a hamburger (one patty) and the Vertigo Burger (from 3 to 10 patties) each with 'original toppings' of Elevation sauce, pickles, lettuce and tomatoes or your own choice from the “original toppings”, raw onions, carmelised onions, ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, balsamic mustard, hot pepper relish and blue cheese. There is also a vegetable burger comprising a blend of vegetables and cheese and you can order one meat patty with a veggie patty (referred to as the Half The Guilt Burger). For sides dishes you can choose from fresh fries (cooked in olive oil), fancy fries (fries with Elevation sauce, cheddar cheese and carmelized onions) and a salad

and for drinks there is a soda fountain, bottled water, juices, teas and sodas or freshly made milkshakes. For desserts there are small or large freshly baked cookies. I tried the Elevation Burger with “original toppings”, the vegetable burger with blue cheese dressing and a mango and banana vanilla milkshake. The Elevation Burger was good, very good. Generous meat patties, succulent and well cooked. I didn’t feel that the burger was “processed” and it did taste and feel fresh. The fancy fries were great, crisp carmelized onions with rich cheddar cheese, good for sharing. I also enjoyed the vegetable burger and the thick milkshake.

Paul Mercer is a long time Bahrain resident, international lawyer and food critic. Paul has travelled the Globe and has sampled some of the World's best cuisines. Paul will be combining his two great passions, writing and food, to provide us with his view on Bahrain's best restaurants.

VALUE An Elevation Burger, with fresh fries and a drink from the soda fountain costs BD4.65. When I asked Nader and Nael what the value proposition was they said when considering value we should compare like with like and it was more appropriate to compare an Elevation Burger meal with a meal you would typically order in a restaurant rather than from a fast food outlet. I consider this to be a valid consideration as Elevation Burger does not serve typical fast food burgers. Aware that cost is an issue, Nader and Nael often announce special offers through their twitter account @EBurgerBahrain.

LASTING IMPRESSIONS I certainly enjoyed my experience at Elevation Burger. The burgers are good and the service is excellent. I must admit I am not sure of the science behind the Elevation Burger and do not know truly how healthier it is than other burgers, but it does feel fresh. Visiting Elevation Burger feels like a “treat” and I would certainly recommend you to try it, if you haven’t done so already. Elevation Burger is a serious contender for the best burger place in town.

TAKE10

The Hate Meter

1) Simon Cowell

Can anyone be more atrociously annoying than this one! A well-known TV personality, Simon has made a career out of nastiness. If only Simon could use his talent as constructively, especially when he is considered to be one of the most influential people on the telly! A blatant critic of his contestants on his reality shows, we’d like to be as brutal as Mr Iron Pants himself as say ‘Sir, being honest is one thing, hurting people’s feelings is another. What’s more Mr Cowell, you’ve got blood on your hands, remember the American Idol contestant, who committed suicide? Tch, tch!’

They are famous, talented and they are living the life we might want to lead (minus the various addiction centre trips!) Yet, they can be very annoying and almost exasperating to a point where all you want to do is spank them into getting a reality check! Here are 10 celebs we love to hate with a passion!

2) Paris Hilton

Where does one begin with this potential Hilton heiress and her handbag puppy? Ms Hiltion is what they call the ‘celebutante’, the celebrity who rises to fame not because of their talent or work, but because of their inherited wealth and controversial lifestyle. As a result of several legal incidents, Hilton served a widely publicised sentence in a Los Angeles County jail in 2007. Apart from filming tapes of dubious nature, Miss ‘I-am-your-worst-celeb-nightmare’ mostly jet-sets and dabbles in reality shows starring, you guessed it, her! If only she knew to put her money where her mouth is! We still live in hope…

This one is yet another Disney nightmare! We are not quite sure if it’s her gawky voice or her weird ‘acting’ skills that has made ‘Hannah Montana’ so popular. She has got so much merchandise to herself that it could put Disney itself to shame! What’s more is over the recent years, Ms ‘I can sing, I’m so cool’ has sprouted certain adult wings and acts anything but her age. No offence, Ms Cyrus, but we really do think there is no harm in a 19-year-old acting like one! While you are at it, will you please consider a wardrobe makeover as well?! Erm…We think you are still too young for those garters!

4) Lindsay Lohan

3) Miley Cyrus

Welcome to the ‘Freaky Every Day Show’ with Lindsay Lohan! We must admit we found her cute as a button in The Parent Trap. Of course, everything went downhill from there! And when Ms Lohan crossed over from being an affable little child to an annoying in-your-face troublesome celebrity, we will never know. She knows how to keep herself in the limelight for all the wrong reasons. Be it for her infamous brawl with her father or being accused of shoplifting, Ms Lohan has done it all! We so miss the sweet little innocent girl who made her debut with a famous Disney series. Someone get her back please!

8) Tiger woods

5 5) Kim Kardashian

Let’s be honest! She was never going to be a charmer! But, she did manage to keep us entertained for a while. The Oscar for the 'Best Marriage Scene' goes to Kim! And if there was a Guinness Record for the 'Most Lucrative Wedding' ever, that would also be in Ms Kardashian’s kitty! But then with Paris Hilton for a friend (we do not know the current status of this alleged friendship) we would not expect much from this socialite-turned-TV star. Keeping up with the shenanigans this Kardashian is utterly impossible!

9) Jeremy Clarkson

6) Justin Bieber Is he not9 the most annoying 17-year-old ever?! Or is he 18 now? Either ways, no offence to this accidental genius, we could not care less! What’s it with fans wanting to kill Selena Gomez for dating him? We agree, Selena’s man choice is crappy, but hey a woman is allowed to make her mistakes! Beiber’s success is a story that will be taught as part of marketing courses as a phemomenon known only to the YouTube generation! How this kid, who seems to be still struggling with his testosterones and estrogens, has become the most influential in the social networking sphere than Barack Obama and The Dalai Lama, is anyone’s guess. Go figure!

7) Kanye West

This man has some serious guts. There's no denying that he is a talented rapper and producer, but his ego is so big we wonder where he gets it all from. His comments on himself being the ‘God’ (Seriously?!) of rap and hip hop and his public encounter with Taylor Swift at a recent music award ceremony has surely marred his image for good! Now, mind you the ‘God’ is no stranger to controversy. From his controversial statements at a hurricane relief function to his controversial Rolling Stone cover, Mr West’s comments seem to always see him go up the apology street!

Talk about having swingin’ times! This one came as a real surprise. It took one small mistake for this golf legend to go from being one of the most commendable sports superstars to one of the least favourite man! He ain’t getting the 'Husband of the Year' award anytime soon! Now, we were all heart for this golfer who played his game with passion. But, playing the field, especially when you are a married man; now that is unforgivable! The rumours of brawls and other such incidents have not worked that well for this pro either.These are handicaps you can do without Mr Woods!

We wish he’d stick to talking about cars! But then Jeremy Clarkson’s motor mouth malaise seems to be increasing by the day! We have always been a fan (admittedly so!) of his opinionated but humorous tonguein-cheek writing and presenting style, which has often generated much public reaction to his viewpoints. But, sometimes Mr Clarkson, you do lose the sight of the road and sidetrack a bit. And we know for a fact the Indians are still not very amused over your toilet humour!

10) Brad Pitt 9

What! Hate Brad Pitt? Surely, it must be a punishable offence in some nation? Oh, wait it is illegal in Brangelina land! We are fans of the work he does, promoting world peace and all that! But, frankly a man who leaves his wife for another woman is not our idea of a hero! Moreover, he goes and gets married to a woman with a macho man complex. Now, what’s up with that Mr Pitt? We know you are a family man and all that, but don’t you think Angelina wears the pants in that household? Nevertheless, we still have hopes for Mr Pitt, he might yet conquer his Achilles heel and learn a thing or two from his buddy George Clooney!

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