BAHRAIN
THE ESSENCE OF STYLE
Hot on Holiday Beauty Survival
Chic Urban Getaway To Rome With Love
Guide + Rainbow Lip Colours
TaLLeR MaRMo
The Creative Duo Talk Competition
PLuS:
Why Pale is Perfect
Dress to Impress
This Summer
From disco metallics to pretty polka dots + the pre autumn highlights WWW.OHLALA-MAGAZINE.COM JULY & AUGUST 2015 | ISSUE 128 BAHRAIN BD2
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1. Naomi Watts in Cannes 2. Style Focus Dot to Dot 3. Style Focus Lady in Red 4. Travel Escapes Gran Meliá Hotel
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Editor’s Letter
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here was a lot of hoopla at Cannes this year.
Georgie Bradley 6
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Editor in Chief www.ohlala-magazine.com
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ContEnts Ohlala! Fashion
Lifestyle
Wish List 14 Eid Gowns Galore
art corner 76 ArtDivano
styLe icon 16 Jaeger-LeCoultre: One To Watch 18 Versace: The Ornamental Collection
chic eats 80 Brunch and Iftar Reviews
styLe Focus 20 Polka Dot Pretty 22 Lady in Red 24 Metallic Power 26 The Daytime Dress 28 Patch It Up 30 Put It A Tie On It 32 Chic Shades
traVeL escapes 87 To Rome With Love
spa staycation 84 Al Areen Palace & Spa
diVa driVes 92 Bentley Flying Spur Last Word 114 Happiness
Fashion oF the stars 38 The Best of Cannes ohLaLa! Boutiques 94 Seef Mall Muharraq’s Ramadan & Eid Offerings
56 Photoshoot
The Queen of Capes
Features nida arshad 40 The Nature of Artisan Jewellery taLLer MarMo 42 It’s Competition Time Bottega Verde 72 Italian Beauty
Beauty surViVaL guide 64 Hot on Holiday get the Look 66 Go Nude With Sephora
naiL attack 70 The Tipping Point coLuMn 74 Pale Is Perfect
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Charlotte Olympia, Saks Fifth Avenue
hot hues 69 Rainbow Lips
34 The Pre Autumn Report Hot Highlights To Enjoy
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RAMADAN KAREEM TIMINGS: Eid
From 14th July SALON SPA HEALTH CLUB
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For More Information Call 17713999
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Robert W an puBLisher & chairMan John Hughes chieF executiVe oFFicer Greg Hughes puBLishing director Edward Smith
distriBution Manager Ajit Kumar
country director Kirsty Edwards-Harris
photographer Shobin Joseph
editor-in-chieF Georgie Bradley
sociaL Media Marketing &
distriBution
Motoring editor
adMinistratiVe Manager
Bahrain – Al Hilal
Tony Sidgwick
Saud Aldoseri
Qatar – Dar Al Sharq
contriButors
Feature contriButors
Pallavi Ramesh
Giovanni
printing press
Sofia Graniello
Melanie
United Printing Press
creatiVe director
adMinistration
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Paula Leal
executiVe
graphic designers
Roy Varghese
Jyoti Rawat Rashed Bin Daina
accountants Gigimon Thankachen
regionaL saLes director
Praveen Alexander
Chelsea Copenhaver Business deVeLopMent
distriBution
director
teaM
Rami Khalil
Jayapragash Ganesan Rajesh
production Manager
Abdul Kadar
enquiries Editorial: georgie@ohlala-magazine.com Advertising: kirsty@ohlala-magazine.com General: admin@ohlala-magazine.com Telephone: (Bahrain) +973 1721 6099 Postal Address: Ohlala! Magazine, The Nans Group, P O BOX 30378, Budaiya, Kingdom of Bahrain No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. All Rights Reserved. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily the views of the publisher. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication. However, FACT M.E. Publishing and all of its publications cannot accept legal responsibility for any error, content or omissions.
Neil Mahmood
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R A MAD AN K AREEM FROM WOJOOH IN THE SPIRIT OF GIFTING, RECEIVE WOJOOH’S EXCLUSIVE MAKEUP POUCHES, PERFECT FOR ALL YOUR BEAUTY ESSENTIALS, W I T H A N Y Q U A L I F Y I N G P U R C H A S E . F R O M J U N E 1 7 TH – J U L Y 2 5 TH.
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@WojoohBeauty
styLE Trend
ELIE SAAB
Wish List 1
Fairy taLEs
This Oscar de la Renta gown is the stuff of dreams - and what Carrie Bradshaw would wear - in fact does it not look like the dress she wore in the series finale in Paris? Ah, Paris.
FURNE ONE AMATO
BE ThE BEllE Of ThE BAll wiTh OuR SElECTiOn Of fABulOuS GOwnS fOR Eid And OThER EquAlly dAzzlinG EvEnTS. REMEMBER - yOu CAn nEvER BE TOO dRESSEd uP!
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CosmiC QuEEn So many references to the Galaxy come to mind with this Marchesa embellished ball gown. Enjoy doing some girly twirls in this one!
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Lady in Waiting
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Landmark BEauty
Tadashi Shoji’s temple like dress accentuates the best of what you’ve got and has beautiful, eye-catching embroidery.
look like a high-ranking noblewoman in this valentino gown complete with sheer sleeves and a lovely amount of flow.
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CITY CENTRE CITY CENTRE | ABU DHABI KUWAIT THE ARABIA RED
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BAHRAIN 16686215 | SEEF MALL 16686225 | DUBAI MALL OF THE EMIRATES | THE DUBAI MALL | MIRDIF | DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY MALL | AL GHURAIR CENTRE | DUBAI MARINA MALL | DUBAI OUTLET MALL MARINA MALL | ABU DHABI MALL | FATOUH AL KHAIR | DALMA MALL | AL AIN BAWADI MALL | AVENUES MALL | GATE MALL | SOUQ SHARQ | DOHA LANDMARK | LAGOONA MALL | SAUDI MALL OF SEA MALL | MALL OF DAHRAN | AL SALAAM MALL | RASHID MALL | PANORAMA MALL
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styLE Icon
One to
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the Joaillerie 101 RĂŠsille puzzle watch from Jaeger-LeCoultre is made up of a random sequence of multicoloured sapphires faithfully indicating the passage of time.
Watch www.ohlala-magazine.com
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styLE Icon
the ornamental ExPrEss
VeRsaCe pays tribute to the handover of the restored galleria Vittorio Emanuele ii and to the city of milan with the ornamental Collection. it includes a special collection of bags from the Palazzo family, sneakers and a selection of textiles, all decorated with a special print in bright tones that combine the characters of Versace to the symbolic image of the dome of the galleria Vittorio Emanuele ii. We’re thinking this is perfect for your travels. 18
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styLE
Focus
dot to dot ah the 1950s PoLka dot
MARC JACOBS 20
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KENZO
MICHAEL KORS CAROLINA HERRERA
OSMAN
MICHAEL BY MICHAEL KORS
- a trend that always makes a comeback and is never truly out of style. We’ve payed homage to the PoLka dot with a dizzying selection of items coming full circle on this season’s trend.
dKny: Optical illusion
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D O T T Y D E T A I L S if you’re not totally potty about dots but still want to make a subtle contribution to the style, consider these numbers.
SONIA RYKIEL
MARC JACOBS dotty Orbits
SAINT LAURENT
WEILL
SAINT LAURENT
KENZO
dsquared2: Bullseye
COACH
CAROLINA HERRERA
ZARA
CHLOÉ
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LIE SANGBONG
DOLCE & GABBANA
CAROLINA HERRERA
VALENTINO
DAVIDELFIN
TOD’S
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Focus
I N
T H E GUCCI
red
styLE
BALMAIN
DONNA KARAN
viCTORiA BECKhAM Play it safer with maroon red
ATELIER VERSACE
GuCCi Plunge it
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The boldest of reds were relaunched on the runway this season and while it is a tricky hue to get right, there are endless possibilities to make it work. It need not be a seedy choice (sorry, PReTTy WOman but we’re looking at you) but more of a classy with a sexy touch option. Want it to be a symbol of love, hate, monarchy or have an 80s street style feel to it? Whichever your mood, there’s a message of strength to it which we just love.
lOuiS vuiTTOn Eel skin
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Day
DSQUARED2
ATELIER VERSACE
B Y . . .
BA SH; SIVVI.COM
CAROLINA HERRERA
WEILL
PAinT ThE TOwn… yOu KnOw whERE ThiS iS GOinG! wiTh ThESE EASy-TO-wEAR iTEMS, yOu CAn BRAvE ThE COlOuR wiTh COnfidEnCE.
DKNY
SAINT LAURENT
ATELIER VERSACE
IRIS & INK
PAULE KA DSQUARED2
night
CAROLINA HERRERA
DKNY
By niGhTfAll TAKE iT TO ThE flOOR wiTh ThESE full lEnGTh dRESSES And fiTTinGly ChiC ACCESSORiES And SwEEP ThROuGh CROwdS Of JAw-dROPPEd OnlOOKERS.
DSQUARED2
CHANEL
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LONGCHAMP
B Y . . . ATELIER VERSACE
A N D
LACOSTE
GUCCI
CAROLINA HERRERA
SAINT LAUREN
R E D
CAROLINA HERRERA
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DKNY
ATELIER VERSACE
dOnnA KARAn fun flicks
mesmeric metallics AIGNER
AIGNER
MARC JACOBS
METALLIC FASHION DOESN’T HAVE TO BE RESERVED FOR NEW YEAR’S OR A DECADENT NIGHT OUT. IRIDESCENT FABRICS HAVE MADE THEIR WAY TO BECOMING STREET STYLE STAPLES NOW MORE THAN EVER SO GET YOUR INNER JAZZ DIVA OUT AND EMBRACE A ‘LET IT SHINE’ MOTTO.
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styLE
GEORGINE RA TELBAND
Focus GOLD AND SILVER ALWAYS COME TO MIND? THINK AGAIN..
BARABOUX
FELDER FELDER
MAR C
BY M
ARC
JACO
BS
thE BLuE BunCh
LONGCHAMP
MARIA B LACK
RAOUL
AIGNER
ESCADA
CECILIA BRINGHELI
DSQUARED2
BOSS
GEORGINE RATELBAND
SWAROVSKI
CAROLINA HERRERA
FELDER FELDER
HERE ARE A FEW DAZZLING PIECES TO LUST AFTER.
LittLE Box oF trEasurEs www.ohlala-magazine.com
BVLGARI
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the daytime dress
WEILL
PAULE KA
OSCAR DE LA RENTA
BHS WOMAN
GUCCI MICHAEL KORS
ALICE & OLIVIA
AIGNER
styLE Focus
So it’s Sunday morning, you look at your check list and you’ve got: ‘drop off dry-cleaning, go to the bank, lunch with the tennis group and Carrefour listed haphazardly - all to be accomplished by 2pm. There’s a lot of running around to be done and a smart choice of outfit has be made. we’re partial to the A-line dress for its myriad saving graces: it shows off your waist, flatters your curves and there’s a lot of useful legroom for dashing about. while there may be a hint of Stepford about the structure of an A line dress, there are plenty of fun and edgy ways to get you out of that sad suburbia look.
T O P
M MISSONI
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OSCAR DE LA RENTA
F I V E
PAULE KA
F A V O U R I T E S
PAULE KA
CAROLINA HERRERA
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KENZO
DONNA KARAN
PAULE KA
LACOSTE
SALVATORE FERRAGAMO
KENZO
styLE Focus
PatCh it uP In its more traditional association, patchwork is usually thought of in terms of quilts. And it’s also got this idea of LOEWE
hippy recycling attached to it too. Instead, high fashion is slicing and dicing graphic patterns, bright colour blocking and embellishments. Although patchwork is considered a
CÉLINE
little fussy and not so calm on the eye there are also some
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WEST LA BOUTOQUE
DSQUARED2
KENZO
OSMAN
LACOSTE
DSQUARED2
minimalist options out there too. Happy hunting!
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Beat the weekend. Book ahead with eat. (search: eat Bahrain)
Discover Restaurants
Real-Time Results
Instant Confirmation
We have plenty to offer Bahrain’s culinary inclined. Discover all the best spots for gastronomical chow by searching through our comprehensive list of restaurants.
No waiting around to see what’s free. Get instant, real-time results on table availability for a range of different time slots, letting you select the best time for your booking.
It takes us under one second to confirm your details with the restaurant you placed a booking at. You can then share your booking with friends using our Whatsapp integration.
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www.eatapp.co OHLALA!
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BVLGA RI
SMI TH
AAB
RS
NOO
Fo e c rget ta re th sil lkin am e sn y k g u fu ll var abo cas g w An bla iety ut hm ool e s t yn it d re t ai wh he b re t rc ar yp um ic r m i a r o u n e m o n d h s h g h t e s. b e r N b ou s i a d i nd yo er, i tion elds nd o, w or fy in us del e th ur g e h ne ou ic ’re f an ck, ’re in t rom ate dl pe no he eo m the t r f y hap feel all i ou s p n s. r b ut g ag it ? th
PAU L NA
OLI
CAR
on t a ti it E
Pu
EL
N CHA
MARELLA
HER R
ERA
styLE Focus HERMÉS
GUCCI
HERMÉS
KEN ZO
KENZO
LACOSTE
GUCCI
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OISHI SUSHI. TRULY DELICIOUS MOMENTS.
ALL OUR CREATIONS ARE HANDMADE ON-SITE BY OUR EXPERT, AUTHENTIC SUSHI & TEPPANYAKI CHEFS.
take out & delivery
17 554 554 www.oishibh.com
www.ohlala-magazine.com KARL LAGERFELD
oishibh
oishibh
oishibh
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styLE Focus VOGUE @OPTICA MANGO
CHLOÉ
BVLGARI
VICTORIA BECKHAM
ChiC shadEs
For the scorcher of a summer we’re set to have, no outfit will be complete without a pair of larger-than-life shades. So what do you want to be this summer? Cat-eye cool? Studded and dangerous? Or perhaps winged and stand-outish? Whatever your choice, just remember - you can never have too many pairs!
MR. BOHO
KAREN WALKER
SALVATORE FERRAGAMO
SALVATORE FERRAGAMO
LE SPECS @ SIVVI.COM
MICHAEL MICHAEL KORS
RAY-BAN @OPTICA
RAY-BAN @OPTICA TODS MICHAEL KORS 32
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MICHAEL MICHAEL KORS www.ohlala-magazine.com
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styLE
Focus Chanel
Classic Chanel
Feathered hats, breeches,embroideries,trims and braiding with a backdrop appropriate to the grandeur of Salzburg, we got a fairy-tale spin. As always, the signature look of Chanel was once again revived.
thE PrE autumn/WintEr 2015 highLights
While we say goodbye to the spring-summer trends, we’re having a gander at what to expect for the transitional period before we get our coats back on the hanger. With just a quick perusal you’ll see the trends have fed seamlessly from one season to another and what was hot last season is set to go strong for a while. We’ve selected our favourite looks from fragmented geometrics to botanical studies to artful pieces.
Pale Blue Chiffon 34
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Raised By Wolves
heavenly
Valentino
Taking its inspiration from the cosmos, this pre collection is fantastically otherworldly. The peace and love vibes are def initely present throughout as well as some fabulous folklore stories.
Botanical Gardens
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styLE
Focus wild west
Eastern European
flouncy Mini
Dsquared2
A hybrid of Balkan and biker, there were a real mishmash of trends here. Lots of bold and daring choices to test out but one thing is for sure: you’ll always come off pretty darn strong.
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Sequin Turtleneck
Christian Dior
With its long history with Japan, Dior took place in Tokyo but there wasn’t a kimono in sight. There were waxed-cotton storm coats; knit vests worn with sturdy, wide-legged trousers and mid-calf shift dresses. Cute Crop
PVC: Let It Shine
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styLE
Focus
Rocking Retro
Shaggy Mongolian Trim
Gucci Since marsala was the chosen colour of the year, Gucci has gone and given us a reason to love and wear it. The 1970s revival is still going strong (flared trousers) but there are some boxy structures too.
Camel Coat
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Great Greys
Hello Houndstooth
Lanvin
This is glam casual at its best. The pinstripe trouser suit means business while the dusty pink fox-fur jacket is a testament to eclectic style. There’s a mix at play here with colourful crystal brooches and men’s oxfords or kneehigh boots.
Having Some Me Time www.ohlala-magazine.com
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styLE Insight
are loads of commercial, trendy pieces out there. I wanted to do something unique. I got inspiration from nature: the elements, flowers, butterflies and more abstract nature.” The idea of statement jewellery is an all too familiar idea and phrase but for Nida she really does mean statement: “ I want a woman who wears my pieces to let it be the highlight. Of course wearing many pieces at once is great but having one proper statement necklace or bracelet should be enough on its own.” The collections are exclusively limited to around 150 pieces - La Fleur; Papillon and Céleste - and are completely handcrafted - in Portugal. The process is a bi-continental one whereby Nida and her craftsman collaborator based in Lisbon (whom she met during a jewellery course there) work symbiotically between sketches and samples to create the finished art. The designs combine
“It takes careful polishing and skill to achieve the right lustre without removing the subtle shapes and markings within a design”
Visit www.artiqaz.com Instagram @artiqaz
And of course she does, but her love of art goes above and beyond business. “Jewellery was always a passion for me. I was always into arts from my childhood but also the marketing side. I did my schooling in Pakistan and then moved to the UK and did my fashion marketing degree at Kingston University. Alongside that I went to Portugal to do a jewellery design course at Reverso gallery in Lisbon. With a natural sketching ability and a gelled relationship with a craftsman from aforementioned Portugal, Nida launched Artiqaz in London - the Kingston,
The Nature of Artisan Jewellery whEn nidA ARShAd PuT hER E-MARKETinG lifE in ThE lOndOn TO BEd, ShE wEnT full ThROTTlE wiTh STATEMEnT JEwEllERy in ThE fORM Of ARTiqAz. nOw BASEd in BAhRAin, ShE TAlKS ABOuT ThE diffEREnCE in ART APPRECiATiOn And why A BOuTiquE ExPERiEnCE iS STill BETTER ThAn ShOPPinG OnlinE.
It has to be said first and foremost,
Nida Arshad, originally from Pakistan, must have an astute business perspective when it comes to putting her jewellery line, Artiqaz, out there. Being a former marketing manager for E-Prospects as well as a brand manager for Kraft Foods USA, her past life practically spells out ‘transferrable skills’. 40
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Wimbledon areas. Nature is at the heart of Artiqaz. The notion of nature conjures images of leaves, trees, flowers - all of which are very present in Nida’s collection but so is an octopuss and other creatures of the sea. “I didn’t want to do what everyone else was doing. Everyone has a different approach but there
sterling silver and semi-precious stones, synthetic opals, and pearls. “He knows what I want, I know what he wants, and it works. When I was in London I’d go regularly to Lisbon but now we have a mutual understanding.” It takes careful polishing and skill to achieve the right lustre without removing the subtle shapes and markings within a design. But London versus the Middle East, there’s got to be a massive shift in marketplace that Nida had to adjust to. Enjoying success in boutiques in and around south west London where the attitude towards art is a very different game to play, how has Bahrain been? “London is a place where art is truly appreciated. Artists can relish on so much there. The boutiques are everywhere, it’s very welcoming. I mean it’s London, it’s a hub.” But if there’s one stark advantage of being here rather than there is the luxury of time to focus and to branch out even more. “The plan is to go to stock my jewellery in different boutiques, firstly in Bahrain and pass it across the GCC as it gains more traction.” And given the e-commerce route that fashion is taking of late, will that be something to consider? “Online shopping is very much the lifestyle in places like London because it’s so easy -you can get what you order on the same day. In the Middle East people still love the event of shopping. Jewellery is something considered.” There’s still a lot of life left with the shopper’s inhouse experience and given how delicately designed Artiqaz’s jewellery is, shoppers will want that tactile, holding-it-againstthemselves experience. www.ohlala-magazine.com
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taLLEr marmo’s Home stretch
AS ThE finAl ROund Of ThE inTERnATiOnAl wOOlMARK PRizE TAKES PlACE in duBAi ThiS MOnTh wE SiT wiTh EMERGinG TAlEnT And nOMinEE,TAllER MARMO, TO TAlK COMPETiTiOn, hOw ThE nAME wAS CREATEd And ThE SuPPORT yOu GET wiTh BEinG in ThE MiddlE EAST.
Back in 1953 the first International Woolmark Prize was first held as an initiative of the International Wool Secretariat. The following year the award was won by Karl Lagerfeld and Yves Saint Laurent. Today Italian and Argentinian designers Riccardo Audisio and Yago Goicoechea are being applauded by the fashion community and recognised as final round nominees in the regional finals for the Middle East and India womenswear category for Taller Marmo. What started off as an idea while dining at a restaurant in Milan in 2011, where the two were studying fashion design at Istituto Marangoni, has turned into a brand that continues to bridge Middle Eastern charm and nostalgia with European craftsmanship. So you both met in Milan and decided to bring your creative juices together. What did you see in each other that made you think this would be the start of a successful collaboration? Since we started school in Milan, we appreciated 42
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each other’s work, even if it was completely different. Our first talks about doing the brand were so natural because of that. Each one has skills that the other one hasn’t so we realised we were complementary in a very organic way. Talk us through the name, Taller Marmo, what does it mean? Taller means laboratory in Spanish while Marmo means marble in Italian. We wanted the name of the brand to be a synthesis of what we wanted to develop with our collections which is experimentation, craftsmanship and excellent materials. Does it ever confuse people or does it have an unusual appeal? It is a very metaphoric name for a brand but we decided not to use our own names to put the spotlight on the product and not on our personas. At the beginning it confused people as we received emails referring to us as Mr. Taller and Mr. Marmo - it’s a funny story after all.
Why did you decide to base the brand in the UAE over where it all started in Milan? We thought a lot before leaving Milan but basing the company in Dubai was a spontaneous and instinctive decision in the end. The beautiful thing about Dubai is that, being a new city, you feel you can make history even in your smallest reality somehow. That is such a nice thing to offer to any young creative in any field. We came to see you at Dubai Fashion Forward and your older model caused a happy controversy, what was the idea behind having a mature woman wearing your collection? We decides to invite Caroline Labouchere and her daughter Mimi Labouchere to walk in our show because they summarise the core of our brand which is the pursuit of two main things: timeless pieces that pass through generations and collector’s items that remain in the women’s wardrobe forever. What is the aesthetic and concept behind the brand? www.ohlala-magazine.com
styLE Insight
Every season we explore Arab culture in every possible dimension and our love for cinema made us give a cinematic taste to every collection. The result of the combination of those two worlds is a very sleek and simple aesthetic with rich fabrics and details with a lot of cultural references. Let’s talk competition! How did you get involved with the International Woolmark Prize? We received an email from them while we were preparing the AW15/16 sales campaign in Milan and Paris which took us a couple of days to answer because we couldn’t believe it. It is a huge honour to receive a nomination from the Dubai Design and Fashion Council at our age. Do you think it is essential for emerging brands to get involved with competitions like this? The nomination for the Woolmark Prize always was and is still one of the biggest recognitions a brand can receive. It is a great opportunity to get involved with respected people from the fashion industry that can champion and guide you. www.ohlala-magazine.com
What has the process been like? We have been developing the capsule collection for the Woolmark Prize for a couple of months already, visiting the best Italian textile manufacturers and meeting artisans from every field that can add some unexpected finishing twists to the collection. It must be a great way to learn and grow as a brand? Absolutely. It gives you the chance to explore and experiment with materials (the Merino wool in this case) and allows you to learn so much as an emerging brand. On the other hand, it gives you the chance to present your brand in a focused way being a collection of only six looks. What kind of support have you received
throughout the process? For example, while visiting Milano Unica, Milan’s textile trade fair, we had a meeting with The Woolmark Company and they suggested to us the most cutting-edge textile manufacturers that helped us a lot during the sourcing process. Do you think there are advantages of being in the Middle East over Europe in terms of opportunities? We feel very supported in the Middle East as a brand in every aspect and we did not have the experience of being an emergent brand in Europe but we are sure it wouldn’t be quite the same because of Europe’s brand saturation.
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Fashion of the stars
thE CannEs Red CaRPeT RePORT all eyes were on Cannes as film’s elite descended the red carpet for yet another year of head-turning looks. although let’s be honest - the star studded event is as much about fashion as it is about film and in many ways the fashion sets the whole tone of the event. We’ve gathered our favourites and spent (too many for us to admit) hours of ‘dress day dreaming’ as a result!
nATAliE PORTMAn in lanvin 44
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nAOMi wATTS in Giardini italiani
PETRA nEMCOvA in zuhair Murad
AiShwARyA RAi in Ralph Russo
luPiTA nyOnG’O in Gucci
SiEnnA MillER in lanvin
fAn BinGBinG in Ralph Russo
in Atelier versace
luMA GROThE in Paco Rabanne www.ohlala-magazine.com
JuliAnnE MOORE in Chanel
ChERyl fERnAndEz vERSini in Ralph Russo
dOuTzEn KROES in Atelier versace www.ohlala-magazine.com
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California t dreamin’ introducing the shiny wheels of the Ferrari California T against an oozing sunset in the kingdom.
EUROR MOTORS / FERRARI SHOWROOM: 810 Sh. Jaber Al Ahmed Al Subah Highway, Al Hamriya 611, Sitra, Kingdom of Bahrain Web: www.bahrain.ferraridealers.com Mob: +973 32204966 CLOTHING: Male: Ermenegildo Zegna, Moda Mall – Kingdom of Bahrain Ph: +973 1753 0406 Female : Stylist choice LOCATION: The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain Hotel & Spa Seef District, Kingdom of Bahrain Ph:+973 1758 0000 PHOTOGRAPHY: Ali Alriffai, Ali Riffai Photography Web: www.aliriffai.com Mob: +973 3966 7477 STYLING: Melek Yildirimtekin Instagram: @simplewhitetee HAIR & MAKEUP: Florencia Pereira, Tony & Guy Bahrain www.toniandguybahrain.com Ph: +973 1700 1700 MODEL: Male Model: Tiago Guerreiro Female Model: Marina Smera 46
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UP AND COMING DESIGNER, YASMIN MANSOUR’S SPRING-SUMMER 2015 COLLECTION NEEDS NO INTRODUCTION. THE QATAR-BASED TALENT IS GOING BACK TO THE FUTURE WITH HER INNOVATIVE, SUPER-HERO CAPES AND EDGY EMBELLISHMENTS.
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BEauty Buzz
hoLiday suRVIVaL guidE wE All KnOw OuR BOdiES GO ThROuGh ThEiR fAiR ShARE Of hEAT hAvOC in ThiS CliMATE! SO hERE ARE OuR TiPS fOR STAyinG And lOOKinG fABulOuS ThROuGhOuT ThE dAy. pedi BuFF
Scrub unwanted skin and smooth your feet down with this lactic acid, apricot seed and a tri-fruit complex buff to dissolve away rough and dead skin. Happy feet are ready for some sand.
Clarins Fix-makeup
Complexion perfection! With all this heat us ladies know what it means to deal with trying to make our makeup last. Make your makeup last long with this fix-makeup magic.
atoderm lip Balm by Bioderma
Dryness can be rough this time of year, especially when you get damaged lips. With a calendar packed with outings, make sure to protect and moisturise away for that perfect summer selfie.
Ohlala! lOVes…
Oh, yes! a guide, indeed, wouldn’t be anything without some legs in the ‘sun.’ We are loving and craving some silk, smooth and tanned legs. spray, rub, and smooth-it-out for that killer look. 64
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LA MER REPARATIVE SKIN TINT SPF30
The weight is over! Who said looking rough at night is mission impossible? This tint is light as air with an innovative pigment technology to create beautifully and translucent skin - this one’s a keeper.
Tea Tree Water by lush
Emergency skin? Pack your travelling essentials with some toner water with antibacterial, antiseptic and antimicrobial ingredients for anyone who has a 911 emergency.
BRONZ REPAIR ANTI-WRINKLE TANNING CREAM
A holiday wouldn’t be a holiday without a bit of summer, goddess bronze. Protect your skin and enjoy long-lasting fun in the sun.
e.V.e serum source
Smoke, heat, and ridiculous amount of food may reflect on our skin as a disastrous aftermath. So ladies, prep and moisturise that skin of yours for some serious essential healing and tissue renewal. www.ohlala-magazine.com
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BEauty Buzz COVER CONCEALER
MICRO SMOOTH TRIO
Add and dab some concealer under those dark-circle areas and to unwanted spots.
FACE
Contour into the hollow of your cheeks; add some highlight into the bridge of your nose, and the highest points of your cheeks and cupids-bow. To top it off, smile and add those rosy cheeks.
TEINT INFUSION
SMOOTHING PRIMER
Apply to create a clean canvas and for a long-lasting look.
Apply and blend with a precision sponge for a flawless finish.
EYES
LIPS
COLOURGUARD EYE PRIMER
CRAYON LIP LINER
Fill and line those lips.
Make your eyeshadow last and prevent your eyelids from creasing.
gEt thE Look with sEPhora MAKE ROOM fOR An All-quASi-nudE lOOK
ROUGE INFUSION
COLOURFUL PALE TO RICH TAUPE
Swipe the lightest colour to the entire lid. Add some definition and apply the darkest eyeshadow into the socket area and blend. 66
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Add a pop of colour infusion.
COLOURFUL EYELINER
Never leave the house without that black eyeliner. Create and flick out a feline line.
OUTRAGEOUS VOLUME MASCARA Fake eyelashes are out and natural, thick ones are in.
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Gather your family and loved ones over Iftar or Ghabga in the most beautiful setting at Il Giardino. Delicious Ramadan buffet spread including all your favorite authentic Ramadan dishes and treats. Weekdays Iftar (Saturday to Wednesday): Adult - BD 6.000 ++ | Child - BD 3.000 ++ Weekends Iftar (Thursday & Friday): Adult - BD 7.000 ++ | Child - BD 3.500 ++ Ghabga: Adult - BD 10.000 ++ | Child - BD 5.000 ++ Suhoor: BD 5.000 ++
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Ohlala! Arabia Bringing style across The Middle East
ARABIA
THE ESSENCE OF STYLE
WWW.OHLALA-MAGAZINE.COM NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2014 | ISSUE 03
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BEauty Buzz SEPHORA’S ULTRA SHINE IN FUCHSIA FIESTA
LIPSTICK QUEEN IN NOIRE POSSESSED METAL
MAYBELLINE’S LIP KHOL CHUBBY PENCILS
CHANEL IN BELLE MINE HYDRATANT N°10
CIATE IN BLUSH POPS FROM ABOVE
RIMMEL IN FUCHIA #036
WOW BY WOJOOH IN WATERMELON BUBBLE
10 BEst Pinks,rEds & orangEs ThE BEST TREnd fOR ThE SuMMER? ATTEnTiOn-GRABBinG liPS Of COuRSE! MAKE wAy fOR ThESE hOT huES. www.ohlala-magazine.com
MJB LE MARC CREAM LIPSTICK - 222 BOY GORGEOUS
thE BEst adViCE WE’VE EVEr hEard:
ACE YOUR BASE For a long-lasting base and to ensure your lippie lasts all-day, be sure to line and fill your lips with a pencil prior to applying your lipstick. This will only create a double wall to battle those coffee mugs.
SEPHORA CRAIG & KARL COLOR LIP LAST BOLD GLORY
MAYBELLINE MATTE BOLD
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BEauty Buzz DIOR’S HALF MOON MANI
TOP COATS
Buzz-it-up with some funky topcoats! Gold Fever, or Hi Street?
SEPHORA’S IT-GIRL
Go rouge, go bold!
CHANEL’S LE VERNIS LOVELY BEIGE
Go classy for that special occasion
the tipping Point
toP tiP For manis
Chipped much? Always use a base coat and a topcoat to maximise your mani - preferably a base coat that will strengthen your nails.
ThE lATEST in ThE nAil dEPARTMEnT SEES SOME funKy COlOuRS TO COMPlETE yOuR SuMMER lOOK.
CUTICLE & NAIL REHAB
Dial 911 for nails because it’s time for a nail intervention. Restore stressed nails and achieve that colourful manicure you’ve been longing to rock. Soothe and remove cuticle excess for a clean look.
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RIMMEL’S TANGERINE TENT
Because tangerine is the new black
SALLY HANSEN’S #707
Moon-it with a purple shade
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For the Modern Middle-Eastern woman BAHRAIN
THE ESSENCE OF STYLE
QATAR
THE ESSENCE OF STYLE
OVER 65 LOOKS TO MAKE YOU FEEL PHENOMENAL
Hot for Winter
A FABULOUS GUIDE TO THE NEW SEASON’S TRENDS
KATY PERRY
GAME CHANGING THE SHOES & BAGS YOU NEED NOW
EXCLUSIVE
GLorIa EStEfan SETS THE STANDARDS
MEGAWATT FASHION
Basking in Royal Allure
DECEMBER 2013 OHLALA!
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JANUARY 2014 | ISSUE 110
DECEMBER 2013 OHLALA!
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BAHRAIN BD2 | KSA SR20
MAY 2014 | ISSUE 35
QATAR QR20
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THE ESSENCE OF STYLE
BAHRAIN
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THE ESSENCE OF STYLE
BRIDE
KISS & MAKE UP
WORE...
THE MUST-HAVE WEDDING ISSUE
BRIDAL BEAUTY SECRETS
A-LIST
HONEYMOON
LANVIN’S
ESCAPES
WEDDING BELLES
WEDDING GUIDE
EMMA
BIG-DAY PLANS MADE EASY
STEVENS
THE ENCHANTED ONE
TRUE ROMANCE 1
OHLALA! DECEMBER 2013
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JUNE 2014 | ISSUE 36
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COOL
Cruisin’
Fall romance
THE ALL-NEW BENTLEY
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SEPTEMBER 2014 | ISSUE 118
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BEauty Insight
a natural Flair With our increasing want to be kinder to our bodies with good food and good practice, attention is now focused on the skin. We chat with BOTTega VeRde about the richness of italian based ingredients and why natural is the way to go.
T
here’s been a rise in the want for more natural products by women, why do you think this is? Nature has always been a source of inspiration for women since ancient times - there’s a treasure of beauty recipes and ritual traditions. The recent rise in requiring beauty products with active natural ingredients is part of a bigger and widespread trend oriented towards the need of a more authentic, true and pure lifestyle that involves beauty as well as food or other lifestyle aspects. If you could single out a specific gripe women have with makeup, what do you think it is? Usually makeup is more of a ‘social’ expression for younger girls, meant to enhance their personality with the help of exploring colours or different options going from more ‘rock’ to pastel/manga looks or focusing on bold lipstick shades, whereas women in their 30s and over tend to live makeup more as a personal and more built-in element of their beauty. Contouring or playing with nudes shades or elegant smokey eyes is now very popular. What are the key ingredients in your products that provide a natural treatment? Argan oil, sweet almond oil, shea butter, lavender extract, red grape extract from our castle Palazzo Massaini in Tuscany and goji extract. Coconut oil has had a lot of attention recently for its harm-free formulas. Do you offer products with coconut oil? We use coconut oil in some of the products of the Coconut line. Recently we have launched a new sun care line Vaniglia Nera & Monoi, where you can find our Body and hair oil - silkifying and nourishing - with Tahitian Monoï. This oil is prepared on the Polynesian island of Tahiti, by soaking the Tiare flowers in coconut oil. The brand is famously Italian. What is it about the Italian way or culture 72
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“The recent rise in requiring beauty products with active natural ingredients is part of a bigger and widespread trend oriented towards the need of a more authentic and pure lifestyle” that is so natural? Italy is a place full of beauty, and natural beauty at that with amazing landscapes going from mountains, to countryside, seaside, green hills, lakes and islands. Not to mention art, which is part of our unique scenery since ancient times. What is the brand’s philosophy? Italian natural beauty: the philosophy of Bottega Verde is innovation and research based on functional active botanical ingredients of www.ohlala-magazine.com
Italian nature. Bottega Verde was founded in the heart of the Tuscan countryside in Italy : it was a small artisan herbalist workshop , established in 1972 in Pienza. Today Bottega Verde formulates, produces and directly distributes its products under what has become its most popular brand, with more than 400 stores , in the first mono-brand cosmetics retail chain in Italy. What allows Bottega Verde to stand out in a market so crowded with beauty products? A unique mix of high quality skincare expertise, love for nature and our ability to understand clients having our own shops and interacting with them everyday. And of course excellent affordable prices. Are you planning on introducing a new undiscovered ingredient in the future? With more than 300 active ingredients in our portfolio, Bottega Verde’s research and development are constantly studying new action principles as well as combinations
135.053.01
“Italy is a place full of beauty, and natural beauty at that, with amazing landscapes going from mountains, to countryside, seaside, green hills, lakes and islands.”
of actives. Our castle in Pienza (Tuscany) Palazzo Massaini is an exceptional source of unique and effective natural ingredients giving us countless new inspirations! Where do you source your ingredients and what is the production process from start to finish? Regarding natural oils, we prefer cold pressed oils in order to keep their properties and with regards to natural extracts, recently, we used ‘waterbased’ extracts which are the result of an environmentally friendly process. What product would you recommend for women with oily, dry and combination skin? www.ohlala-magazine.com
For women under the age of 25, we suggest our specific oily skin range Pelle Pura and Pelle mista for combination skin. Crema Fiori Pelle Secca is ideal for a younger woman with dry skin. For mature skin we suggest Retinolo Bio Plus or Collagen Code for combination skin, Ialuronplus for oily skin and Idravita or Mielexpertise for dry skin. For daily cleansing products we suggest the Pelle mista range or our special anti-age face cleansers. Who is the woman who wears Bottega Verde products? For sure a woman with a positive attitude towards life, who cares for her authentic beauty and loves nature and is also able to understand and identify true quality and having a smart attitude towards price. OHLALA!
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PALE BY COMPARISON: An Ode To Being Fair nOw ThAT SuMMER hAS REAREd iTS wAy inTO OuR livES AGAin, lEGS ARE MAKinG A COMEBACK AfTER A GOOd fivE-MOnTh hiATuS. in OuR nEw BEAuTy COluMn, GeorGie Bradley diSCuSSES OuR fixATiOn wiTh BEinG TAnnEd. If you could see me you’d understand why I’m about to sing the praises of paleness. I am Casper, a fridge, a snowflake, an ill-looking shade of white. The mirror, mirror on the wall agrees. What doesn’t help my case is the fact that I am half Greek as well as English. The former should have blessed me with olive skin – a remark I get from most who learn my heritage who then peer down at my legs as if I should surgically add the skin colour that should have been my birth right. Living in the region doesn’t help either. According to my friends back in the U.K. I should have a yearlong glow that never fades. Putting our arms out and comparing how bronzed we are is an obsolete game, because I always lose. I do not however, care. I do not curse my genetic makeup for my see-throughness. I do not worship the sun nor bottles of fake bake. I see people looking like leathered goods and I know what it has taken for them to look like that – because in the past, every time I’d go back to Greece, I was under pressure (selfinflicted) to sizzle like a roast each day to achieve the ‘healthy’ look. And the thing is, I do tan very well, as if my Greek side lays dormant until the Hellenic sun kisses me and I’m allowed to be more goddess-like. This internalised idea that it is ‘healthy’ though, is purely ironic. We know of the stats and figures on skin cancer but we dismiss it with youthful ignorance. But I’m not writing about the health implications of being tanned, but about the fact that paleshaming is all too common. What was once a mark of beauty and class is now a sight for sore eyes. Pale people are 74
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“PaLe means yOu’Re nOT CHasIng manuFaCTuRed IdeaLs”
made to feel like they haven’t truly lived (under the sun) and aren’t outgoing – as if we live under a rock till the oil-slick crowd come back from all the fun. And because the weather is warmer, I am the token statue at all gatherings. I always get teased for how white I am; my limbs get prodded like dead fish that might be still alive. Even my sister, love her to bits, told me to wear tanned tights to her wedding in August last year because otherwise “it will look like we invited a ghost”. I did not. Now that everyone is in the holiday spirit, resorts around the world are starting to see sun-bed snatching tourists wanting as much exposure as possible to get that look done and dusted to later show as a sign of a well-spent holiday on Instagram and then in person for the full effect. While that may be happening in places like Cebu in The Philipines, the locals hold up umbrellas as a shield to the sun for historical and present reasons – the darker you were the more gypsy you came across on the social hierarchy and because there is still a western complex: being Caucasian is cool, apparently. I guess it’s just like the want for curly or straight hair. You want that which you cannot (at least permanently) have. I am forever baring my blue veined pins, a noticeable neck/jawline discoloration (Chanel, please do something about this!) and my badge of honour. Pale is pretty in its own, whimsical way. Pale means you’re not chasing after manufactured, quite frankly under performing ideals. Pale is what Anne Hathaway and Nicole Kidman are. But pale is also skin-deep, remember that. www.ohlala-magazine.com
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art Corner
THE ART OF STORY TELLING Beyond the wealth of money pouring into expanding the region’s skyscraper image is the resurgence of cultural heritage. Bahrain’s aRTdIVanO is part of this new wave of bridging the old and new through innovative channels.
T
ell us a bit about aRTdIVanO – why was it set up?
ARTDIVANO’s concept and philosophy is based on taking artworks by Arab artists and artists who have chosen the Arab world as their home or who are translating the world’s heritage and culture into a unique language of colours and materials onto a new level. The “DIVAN“ envisions the traditional way of storytelling in the Arab world. ARTDIVANO aims to spread the story of art by and from the region, carrying the tradition from the past into the present and future. Our motto: “The Passion for Art”, is driven by a strong expertise yet deep emotional approach to art and a belief that art without passion is nothing. We are, Afaf Zainalabedin, a Bahraini former Banker and Marion Labani, a curator and artist herself, resident in Bahrain for 12 Years. We created ARTDIVANO in January 2013 as our brain child to develop the concept of ART lounge further, a company formed in 2008 by Marion, to pursue further a life dedicated to ART to LIVE with.
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MARION AND What are its goals? ARTDIVANO was set up to continue with Marion’s works in developing an art consultancy further where we offer start to end solutions for our clients’ art programs including design, customising, production and installation of artworks whether in hotels or private villas. Amongst our clients are: Sofitel Resort & Spa Bahrain, the Majestic Arjan by Rotana Bahrain and our latest project was the Double Tree Hilton in Qatar. ARTDIVANO will introduce and offer for purchase with worldwide accessibility and the most secure way of online payment, original art amongst our selection of in-house produced “ Made in Bahrain “ Fine Art and Photography Reproduction, Sculptures and more on our soon to launch online gallery. Do you welcome the concept of selling art online? Yes. We are welcoming the concept of selling art
“Our motto: the Passion for art, is driven by a strong expertise yet deep emotional approach to art and a belief that art without passion is nothing” online. We believe this way art is more accessible and can be introduced and seen by a wider audience. At the moment our website is under construction, so we have launched “myARTDIVANO instastore“, an online sales platform via Instagram. The instagram: @artdivano is set up with an online sales tool, where art lovers are able to make a purchase via credit card which users are familiar with for their online www.ohlala-magazine.com
D AFAF
shopping. This is a fairly new concept in the region, and we would like to encourage the hip and young as well as the conservative art lover to make a purchase online through their smart phones, tablets and laptops. As for the Middle East we are the first to launch offering art for sale via an Instastore platform. How has the Internet influenced the direction of the art world? We believe that the Internet has created a fast flow of information within the art world. This very fast way of exchanging information has surely www.ohlala-magazine.com
influenced artists all over the world by the style and art making of others. Now the whole world has become a melting pot on various Internet platforms. Everyone who is in the creative process cannot withdraw himself from this constant stream of news and visualisations of creations distributed online. What advice do you have for artists who have yet to find gallery representation? Should they sit back, create, and wait for that day to come? Or should they focus on self-marketing their art work? We highly recommend that artists should focus on the creative process of making art and letting an art consultancy take care of business related matters such as contracts with clients whether private or corporate. Marketing and Business should be taken care of by professionals supporting the artist in freeing mind and resources for the creative process. We are offering such services and welcome every artist who has decided to look for an agent to get in touch with us. How do you choose the artists that you represent in ARTDIVANO – what do you base your choice on? ARTDIVANO would like to become “the Middle Eastern online art platform” and the most comprehensive information source about art and artists from Bahrain and resident in Bahrain as well as regional art and artists. What future plans does ARTDIVANO have? We have a lot of ideas but tend to take a
“The world has become a melting pot on Internet platforms. everyone who is in the creative process cannot withdraw himself from this constant stream of visualisations” systematic approach and also don’t want to unveil too much at this point in time to have a surprising factor at our site when the time comes. We are focused at Art consultancy, Archival Ink Studio and Online Gallery right now to establish ourselves and branding our name locally and regional as one of the best art - and art service providers based in the Middle East. Do you want to collaborate with ARTDIVANO? Get in touch: afaf@artdivano.com ; +973 3961 2886 and marion@artdivano.com; +973 3921 2060. More information about us can be found on facebook@ artdivano and instagram@artdivano. www.artdivano.com is coming soon. OHLALA!
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CuLinary Insight
ViEW From thE toP
the domain Brunch another Friday, another brunch to tick off. We headed up to the 34th floor of thE domain hotEL & sPa for a taste of world-class cuisine with a view.
t
he Friday brunch.
Us island dwellers are no strangers to this weekly exercise. We set aside a minimum of three hours for top notch gastronomy filled with satiating flavours where there’s always room for just that bit more even if our trousers don’t agree. Brunching has become a bit of status symbol in the expat world. Our phones are always at the ready to snapshot a frame of artistically composed vegetables with a criss cross of drizzled sauce only to post on Instagram with a flattering filter seconds later. We’re not going to lie, we love hearty international fare as much as the next person - and this brunch (far more self-contained than the endless conga line of food stations you normally get) is irresistibly good and has more than just the staple offerings, which are extremely photogenic for social updating purposes. But before we tucked in, we took to the unparalleled views of Manama from Le Domain. You can see a sporadic number of curvy blue splodges (a.k.a. rooftop swimming pools), as well as the azures and Dinky Toy vehicles at street level - yes, you are that high up. The floor to ceiling windows, with their slight blue tinge, give a more exotic, otherwordly feel. And how better to enjoy the views the restaurant offers of Manama’s cutting edge towers than over tummy-satisfying food? The selection of tastefully (literally) presented food was elegant in that it wasn’t a messy pile-up - from the garlic prawns to the baba ghanoush to the pan seared fish - everything was neatly in its place, because let’s face it, brunches tend to see a barbarian handling of food sometimes. But this is the best part about the brunch at The Domain: it’s small. Don’t be fooled into thinking it’s limited, on the contrary, the brunch goes by a quality over quantity mantra which is there in every bite - and you’re still torn with choice.
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While silenced by how mouth-wateringly good it was, we couldn’t help but blurt “it’s so fresh!” between every mouthful. The food at brunches tend to get a bit stale after the first couple of hours but we saw the staff constantly filling each station with hot out the oven, so to speak, replacements. We rotated between eggs benedict - creamy sauced and fluffy; an assortment of sushi - with ocean-fresh crab and velvety philadelphia cheese; a medley of colourful vegetables, pumpkin salad and hunks of hummous perfect sides to go with the mains and finally some generously sliced glossy roast beef - on the medium-nudging-rare side. Even though we went up to twice (fine, thrice) it was a scrape-our-plates-clean situation. If you want to be a bit more conservative with your portion intake however, you can order off the menu which has a selection of options. We saw a few plates plates spinning out of the kitchen and can report that they are equally as gourmet-y in looks and we’re sure, in taste too. Heading into the home stretch, we cheered our sweet tooth with dietdestroying cakes and crispy, steamy pancakes, all of which were temptingly lined on the bar top. The chocolate fountain (with optional fruit skewers for dips and twirls) could quash your chocolate cravings till the following Friday, believe us, it was that intense! As far as brunches go, The Domain’s has a sophisticated edge with its city slicker location and uber cool setting - those bauble light fixtures, anyone? For information or reservations call: 1600 0000
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The sheraton Bahrain Hotel With so many choice venues for your nightly IFTaR, we took it upon ourselves to spotlight one of the many five star options.
T
he venue alone could easily elicit a gasp when you first enter. Down in the Awali Ballroom of the Sheraton Bahrain Hotel is a tent like set up with the vibrant colouring of an Arabian nights theme with ornate lanterns, some clay-sculpted, perched in and around the buffet. The billowy fabrics swinging from one side of the ceiling to the other add an extra majestic touch. The lighting is also well-thought-out: soft, dim and bejeweledlike, and again, is found between the various food stations. The seating arrangement is really cosy and family oriented in table
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size while the front deck of the ballroom near the windows give you great views. After you break your fast with luscious khidri dates (available in mini wicker baskets at each table) make your way to buffet which serves a fantastic cherry-picked mishmash of Arabic cuisine. Perhaps it’s the fact that the food is aplenty that make it look so inviting but the arrangement across the middle strip of the ballroom has an artistic quality that calls for a window shop stroll before you tuck in. The Lamb Shank, in all its hearty delight, with yellow rice topped with roasted cashews www.ohlala-magazine.com
iFtar Review
and a sprinkle of fried onions is for sure a crowd pleaser while the Shawarma stand has juicy chicken rotating on a spit with all your favourite accoutrements lined up on the side ready to be wrapped into a pita. Something that we loved and weren’t necessarily expecting was the Veal Cordon Bleu. In just larger than bite sized packets were bread crumb coated shreds of veal with oozing cheese making for a crispy treat. For vegetarians however, we recommend the Eggplant Lasagne which is amply cheese and bechamel focused. However, the most devourable item at the Sheraton’s Iftar for us had to be the Hammour. Cutting through the pan fried Hammour escalope is like a hot knife through butter. It is so gloriously smooth, glints with freshness and is pepped up with herbs. A worthy inclusion for your fish is the not-toomayonnaise-laden tartar sauce. The mains are relished with mezze like Kibbeh, Sambousek, Dolma (with a crunch of sweet pomegranate on top) a divine orange and beetroot combo salad and lemony Tabbouleh among many variations of hummous that you probably didn’t know existed - and the olives stuffed with walnuts - what a release of flavours that gives you! If you’ve got room left, the dessert pyramid needs a trip. All around the station are swivels of Baclava, swirls of Jalebi and other syrupy options as well as chocolate fudge cake and dreamy pistachio cake. Umm Ali, your Egyptian bread pudding, is warm and gooey with raisins and flakes of almonds while the Crêpes had a decent kick courtesy of the nutella and ice cream pairing. Even if you’re slightly jaded by all the Iftars on offer around the island, the Sheraton Bahrain Hotel’s smiley, prompt staff and impressive buffet, which will leave you wholly satisfied and not bloated, should be a place to sample and tick off. For information or reservations call : 1753 3533 www.ohlala-magazine.com
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ChiC eats
SUMMER DINING “There is no love sincerer than the love of food”
Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain Hotel & Spa
Celebrate Eid El Fitr with family and friends on the second day of Eid at La Med restaurant. Indulge in Middle Eastern favourites and classic dishes from around the world in a lavish buffet while the duo Richard & Kim serenade your soul. The Eid buffet is priced at BD31 net per person inclusive of non-alcoholic beverages and BD33 net per person inclusive of all beverages, from 12 noon to 4.30pm. Call 1758 6499
Elite Seef Residence & Hotel
Every Thursday, IL Giardino at Elite Seef Residence offers its guests a lavish - Seafood & Sushi unlimited buffet. Be prepared for a pleasant gastronomic surprise, as you indulge in the freshest and most delicious seafood buffet spread. Satisfy your cravings with a wide variety of sushi, freshly prepared by expert sushi chef or try the crispy tempura selections topped with a mouth watering dessert buffet at BD 15 per person net from 7pm onwards. Call 3602 0733
Crowne Plaza Bahrain
Enjoy a special lunch buffet in La Mosaique restaurant, which will include an all you can eat buffet and a host of soft drinks, as well as entertainment for the whole family! Also, Waves and Spices re-opens over the Eid weekend, offering an a la carte menu including all your favourite seafood and Indian dishes, cooked to your personal specification. Call 1753 1122
Gulf Hotel Bahrain
Gulf Hotel invites everyone for a lavish Iftar Buffet which includes International and traditional Arabic Cuisine for BD 17++ from Iftar time until 9pm at Al Waha Restaurant and Takht Jamsheed Restaurant. Sato Restaurant offers an a la carte menu throughout the whole month of Ramadan from 12 noon to 3pm for lunch and Iftar time until 11pm. Café Delices offers cakes and pastries throughout the whole month of Ramadan. Call 1771 3000
The Royal Golf Club
The Royal Golf Club’s food and beverage team is delighted to announce the launch of two new themed dining experiences at Links Restaurant. On Tuesday evenings diners can take their pick from 82
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some mouth-watering and unusual burger options on the Gourmet Burgers Night. On Thursday evenings diners are invited to ‘Surf n Turf Night’ where guests choose their favourite steak, ranging from rib-eye to sirloin to hanger steak. Call 1775 1262
Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa
Feast your eyes on a Special Eid Brunch at Lemon Tree during the second day of Eid. Families and friends can enjoy a delectable buffet spread overflowing with Middle Eastern favourites, fresh juices and classic dishes from around the world with live cooking stations along with live entertainment. The special Eid Brunch will run from 12pm to 4pm, priced at BD18++ and half price for kids. Call 1711 1999
Bushido
Fine dining within your lunch-hour can be tricky, which is why Bushido has developed Smart Menu. All 3 courses are designed to be served within 30 minutes from the moment you order. Dishes on the menu are changed on a regular basis to ensure you never tire of the same dish. In the impressive surroundings of Bushido Restaurant, business lunches have never been smarter! The Smart Menu is available for BD10 net. Call 1758 3555
The Westin Bahrain City Centre
Indulge in a lively and delicious Eid Brunch with your family and friends on the second day of Eid at Saveur. The brunch includes traditional Arabic cuisine including mains, appetisers and desserts. Kids can enjoy activities such as face painting and pizza making. The Eid brunch at Saveur is priced at BD15++. Call 1717 1000
ART Rotana Amwaj Islands
Experience the true essence of Ramadan at Choices Restaurant and feast on a lavish buffet of traditional delicacies for Iftar or Ghabga. Indulge in a delightful Arabic atmosphere while listening to the tunes of the Oud player. Enjoy the Ramadan ambience complemented with the special Arabic decorations. Make this Holy Month truly memorable by sharing special moments with family and friends for BD15++ during weekdays and BD17++ during weekends. Call 16000111 www.ohlala-magazine.com
IMAGE BY REIGN SPRING FASHION 2015
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sPa Review
The Royal Treatment Al Areen Palace & Spa Feel like having a staycation day at the spa? We got seriously pampered at aL aReen PaLaCe & sPa and well, we can’t recommend it enough... you know you’re on some kind of adventure
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For information or reservations call: 1784 5000 www.ohlala-magazine.com
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To Rome with love Something old, something new, the Eternal City of RomE has it all. Georgie Bradley stays at the GRAn mElIá HoTEl in the heart of the city and walks Rome’s paths day and night.
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traVEL escapes
I
t’s easy to assume I am in a remote part of the countryside
– complete with rugged beauty and more herbs I knew existed. The sky, ablaze with sherbet orange with smatterings of fuchsia pink streaks, is delicious enough to lick. The shaggy but perfectly maintained shrubbery does a dexterous job of sealing out any 21st century sight and breaks the modest cacophony of the city into what sounds like intermittent radio waves. But I am not in the rural neck of the woods, I am in the heart of Rome, on a hillside branching off the River Tiber with The Vatican next door, to be exact. And I am strolling down a meandering pebbled-path flanked by exotic foliage in the grounds of the Gran Meliá hotel. I put my nose to foreign blades of greenery and take in the prickly earthy scent. I haven’t had time to commune with nature like this in a long time - as sickeningly pretentious as that sounds. We are, in this world, more mobile than ever. Getting on a plane isn’t the event it used to be, planning a trip isn’t a drawn out burden nor is it a question of airfare. We can get to the far reaches of Alaska or the Rain Forest if we want to. Our ability to go beyond borders is now a primitive act. We are however running the risk of cheapening and 88
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over-commercialising our treasured experiences by compromising quantity or quality. Every now and again it’s imperative to be good to yourself and enjoy the postcard version of life. That’s why I’m unashamedly indulging right now - even through Instagram. And I hate those people, #noonecares. The luxury urban resort literally sits within the legends of ancient Rome. The historical villa Agrippina once belonged to the Roman empress who was the mother of the Emperor Nero. The hotel’s rich history blends seamlessly with the elegant interiors which balances traditional luxury with sophisticated avant garde flair. Past the cream marble floored reception, is the library lounge - a place to sit in one of the pillowed window bays and pretend to be a writer, or a member of the intelligentsia - the academic atmosphere simply calls for it. The sophisticated space with its bookshelves housing encyclopaedic knowledge of the
the romantic movie scenes of luxury holidaying continued. The rows of Mediterranean finger food – the peppers stuffed with eggplant and vibrant vegetables kind - was light and unfussy. Walking off the bubbles, I returned to the botanical gardens again, to the ‘far-away fields’ filled with herbs native to the region - the stuff of a horticulturalist’s dream. I followed the ‘lover’s path’ through sunken gradients and bushy bliss with snappy smells of rosemary and I-wish-I-knewwhat-else-it-was. The morning after I took to the veranda overlooking the pool for breakfast. The patio loungers with their oversized white pillows were
“Rome is an open plan museum. The higgledy-piggeldy cobbled stone streets alone are enough to confirm this” ground you stand on, is framed by a series of picture windows, overlooking this Garden of Eden they’ve created, adding another dimension of charm. Having been given a red level package, the first of privileges I used was the afternoon/evening Red Lounge access for a spot of in between lunch and dinner micro fare. With the bar stood in the centre of the lounge and its colourful bottles of various fizz and spirits jaggedly lining the shiny bar top,
calling for me - I never stray with breakfast, I’m usually done in 10 minutes but this setting required staying power. As I gathered the last of my velvety scrambled eggs I cleansed my palette with a schlug of sharp green tea. And then I just sat, stared into the distance, watching couples, families with kids climb in and out of the pool, as the flare of the sun gained intensity. When my cheeks were flushed enough I retreated to my cool casa, got my smart www.ohlala-magazine.com
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“I followed the ‘lover’s path’ through sunken gradients and bushy bliss with snappy smells of rosemary”
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traVEL escapes shoes (by smart I mean sensible and not prone to breaking bones) strapped on and headed out to the eternal city. Rome is an open plan museum. The higgledypiggledy cobbled stone streets alone are enough to confirm this. But in the face of the city’s deeprooted BC/AD history, the aforementioned verges on futuristic. And like with any European city the best way to get acquainted with it is to pound the pavement and walk it high and dry. Luckily the city, despite being essentially landlocked, has enough water via fountains, restored ancient taps and the River Tiber to make you feel human again - it was boiling hot. Everywhere you go, the fountains trickle and slosh with ice cold sheets of water. The most iconic of which is the Fontana di Trevi, one of the most visually arresting and far bigger in real life fountains, where some of the most classical and modern films in history have been shot. As it’s given a facelift every now and again, it’s continually a shot-worthy destination. You don’t have to go to a particular site to reap the historical rewards of Rome, the statues, monuments, columns reaching the heavens and the crumbling buildings punctuate the choked streets - which the Italians have a natural aptitude for whizzing in and out of. The deathly margins that they get through on their Vespas is toe curlingly scary - and funny too - especially as the men are suited and booted in fine tailoring and shoes that shine like black glass. Wandering around the residential streets with the vibrant if slightly dusty coloured houses, it’s impossible not to wonder what it must have looked liked when it was new, before the ravages of time had sown their destructive work - especially as modern Rome sits side by side with ancient Rome - at night the dramatic shafts of light that illuminate places like the Colosseum and the Forum of Caesar render them even more mysterious. Similarly walking along the tree-lined banks of the River Tiber is a refreshing way to see the city - and close to the shopping spots and the Spanish steps, which are undoubtedly worthy of a visit but if the mass crowd of people is anything to go by you’ll get your shot and shoot in the other direction. Pizza and pasta eateries are tightly packed between boutique stores, with wafts of doughy bread and buttery burrata to yield you in but I let my stomach grumble a little longer to save myself for the hotel’s Vivavoce. Within the grounds of the Gran Meliá hotel, Vivavoce, run by Michelin starred chef Alfonso with executive chef Miceli, is a major pull for www.ohlala-magazine.com
guests, Romans and business travellers. A phrase coined by the Spanish centuries ago, “viva voce” pays tribute to the “word of mouth” method used to transmit the intellectual wealth left behind by the Arab culture when their rule ended. A white washed space of tasteful and modern finishes; Vivavoce is a place where you feel like you’re borrowing the life of a rock star. The restaurant’s intimate dimensions are such so as to feel like you’re at a dinner party but it’s enough to give privacy and individual glamour for each table. Breaking into the feast (I use this term sparingly because although it was, feelings thereafter were wonderfully light) a fishbowl style plate arrived with red snapper sausage ‘’candida’’ sauce with courgette and crispy chard. Portions were expectantly and elegantly demure but brilliant in flavour. Don’t let the ‘sausage’ discourage non meat lovers – there isn’t a sniff of it in this dish. And when you least anticipate a crunch you get a combo of silky soft textures with a little crackle for effect. A green concoction to get me started on my primi piatti (that’s first course to you and me) came in the form of Neapolitan broccoli vellute, burrata cheese from Andria and squid. Again, a deep bowl presented itself, with what could only be described as a dense juniper come seaweed shade of green soup. The intensity of colour lended itself to its pure ingredients and their ability to harmonise and create a performance of skill and vigour to kick start your taste buds. It wasn’t the kind of light consistency that gives rise to slurping tendencies but more of the thicker variety, that cross between liquid and whole – enough to cut your pangs of hunger at the onset. My secondi piatti (you get it now) was a filet of red sea bream with spring vegetables, fresh tomato and basil broth. Broth needn’t mean street food pot noodles; the chef pays close attention to striking a balance between sauce and thinly watered flavours. The sea bream was tucked into the tomato and basil broth as if cushioned. The cocktail of flavours that followed were sublime. The diced vegetables perched obediently on the soft-as-butter fish and tied yet another dimension of flavour. The dessert, as light as the décor and as refined as the service: a Mosaic of fresh fruit with exotic sauce (passion fruit) and almond milk ice cream. After a munching marathon, I could have given the dolce a miss but this finale was my ‘cooling off ’ period. When I retired to my room I slept the sleep of a babe in my marshmallow soft bed, while the moon illuminated the Vatican’s spire over the trees and Rome twinkled into the night. OHLALA!
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diVa drives
thE BEntLEy FLying sPur W12 having driven the BenTLey muLsanne, and the COnTInenTaL gT V8 s, we now finally have a spin in the Flying spur, also our first W12 BenTLey. it was simply glorious‌
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ohLaLa! Boutiques
Shopyourwaythrough ramadan & Eid at SEEf mall muharraq AppArel Group proudly announces its new season collections across nine brands at Seef MAll MuhArrAq, Bahrain. The beauty of AppArel Group’S offering is that whether it is accessories, lingerie, shoes for yourself or your kids, classic attire or even cool casuals, they’ve got it all covered.
ALDO BOTTEGA VERDE
so, let’s just start by saying ‘Italian Beauty’ is something you can achieve yourself as Bottega Verde’s primary focus is to instill natural values and use natural ingredients in its products. Update your style with Aldo Accessories; one of the stalwarts of the accessories market comes to offer you top notch quality coupled with trendy elegance which would add a breath of fresh air to any attire you wear. Shopping is not fun when done alone (obviously) and that’s where The Children’s Place adds fun, colour and joy with its wide variety of stylish clothing for your kids and dear little ones. La Vie En Rose, the leading Canadian lingerie brand, also invites the lady of the house to fulfill her desires and feel good within with a whole host of undergarment options. 94
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THE CHILDREN’S PLACE
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LA VIE EN ROSE
INGLOT CALL IT SPRING
SKECHERS
“Your beauty…Your Choice” is the mantra followed by Inglot, a unique offering of an xperience that customises a woman’s inner craving for attractiveness by giving absolute freedom to choose from a wide array of cosmetic products according to her skin and her choice. When focusing on the outfit, how can we ever lose focus on footwear? Call it Spring is all yours in this aspect, with a wide selection of fashionable footwear, self-expression just blossoms in you without any effort. Where there is fashion, there is innovation and constant new additions. Skechers has unleashed an exotic and GCC friendly shoe which is 50% shoe and 50% sock – the must have for any kind of walking expedition.
QUP ACCESSORIES
NATURALIZER Be natural with Naturalizer where it’s your comfort and your look that paves the way for choice. It’s an open call out to women to get their comfy ballet flats or pumped up heels on! Last but not least is Qup Accessories, where style and passion is personified with funky accessories fit for every personality. So, with such a widespread of brands it’s more than understandable that you might be lost with choice, while still being spoilt for choice. The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it, so head to Seef Mall Muharraq with a huge appetite for filling those shopping bags!
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Hello With mamas & PaPas new summer Collection, days out in the sun just got better for the little tots.
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ohLaLa! Boutiques
First impressions count do they not? The Welcome to the World range lets your little one arrive in style. Available from 0-24 months, the collection takes inspiration from nautical themes with strong navy and bold lines. The girls’ collection also features delicate lace detailing and shades of soft pink. With classic silhouettes and intricate features, Welcome to the World proves that you’re never too young to stand out. Every day is exciting, and the little one’s outfit should match too. With bold, bright designs and vibrant patterns, the Fashion range has everything from summer dresses and shorts and tee sets to all-in-ones and overalls. The collection brings a burst of colour and a splash of style to your little one’s wardrobe, because fashion is for every day. Utilising the best bold colours and subtle pastel shades, Mamas and Papas bring striking new designs and funky prints to their detailed Limited Edition range. Available from 0-4 years and bursting with personality, this cool collection takes inspiration from the latest trends, to create exciting ensembles little ones will love. Make your own adventures. The Summer Collection is available in stores across the Middle East now. www.ohlala-magazine.com
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ohLaLa! Boutiques
Mamas & Papas Occasionwear Whether it’s a baptism, wedding or a birthday party, your little ones will be dRessed TO THe nInes in these gORgeOus outfits.
Let’s start them young, right? We absolutely love micro fashion, especially when there are frills involved! Mamas & Papas has a delicious variety of outwear - how much do you ‘aww’ when you see a little guy in a suit? They’ll be so cute you’ll wish it came in your size.
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For the Modern Middle-Eastern Woman BAHRAIN
THE ESSENCE OF STYLE
Hot on Holiday Beauty Survival
Chic Urban Getaway To Rome With Love
Guide + Rainbow Lip Colours
TALLER MARMO
The Creative Duo Talk Competition
PLUS:
Why Pale is Perfect
Dress to Impress
This Summer
From disco metallics to pretty polka dots + the pre autumn highlights WWW.OHLALA-MAGAZINE.COM JULY 2015 | ISSUE 128 BAHRAIN BD2
July Edition available now on issuu.com/ohlalabahrain www.ohlala-magazine.com
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soCiEty events JJ’s 16th anniVErsary
JJ’S CELEBRATED THEIR 16TH ANNIVERSARY WITH IRISH LEGEND, PADDYMAN LIVE. JJ’S RESIDENT DJ TRIPZ WARMED UP THE AFTER BRUNCH PARTY WITH HIS INFECTIOUS LIVE ENERGY TO KEEP EVERYONE WELL ENTERTAINED, SINGING AND DANCING TILL THE SMALL HOURS. NOT MATTER HOW MANY YEARS PASS, IT WILL ALWAYS BE THE PLACE TO BE.
LatiF shoE sELECt
THE FLAGSHIP GENTLEMAN’S BOUTIQUE IN MODA MALL LAUNCHED ITS NEW CONCEPT WITH PREMIUM FOOTWEAR AND MEN’S ACCESSORIES. IT STARTED IN 1972 WHEN MR. ABDULLATIF KHALID ALAUJAN ESTABLISHED THE STORE IN MANAMA’S SOUK. THE STORE HOUSES COLLECTIONS FROM ITALIAN AND ENGLISH HANDMADE BRANDS INCLUDING: HARRY’S OF LONDON. 100 OHLALA!
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PortuguEsE nationaL day CELEBration
PREGO RESTAURANT AT THE ROYAL GOLF CLUB HOSTED A DINNER RECEPTION ON THE OCCASION OF PORTUGUESE NATIONAL DAY. DIPLOMATS AND SENIOR OFFICIALS ATTENDED THE EVENT ALONGSIDE THE GUEST OF HONOUR SHAIKHA RANA BINT ISA BIN DAIJ AL KHALIFA, ASSISTANT UNDERSECRETARY FOR AFRO-ASIAN AFFAIRS AND ORGANISATIONS.
tron at mai-tai LoungE
TAKING INSPIRATION FROM THE DISTINCTIVELY MEMORABLE AESTHETICS OF THE 1980S SCI-FI BLOCKBUSTER, THE TRON DANCERS DELIVERED A SPECTACULAR LED DISPLAY IN THEIR AMAZING PERFORMANCE CONNECTING LIGHT, MOVEMENT AND MUSIC, AS MAITAI BIDS FAREWELL FOR SUMMER. THE NIGHT WAS FILLED WITH EXCITABLE CHATTER AND MANY GREAT PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES. www.ohlala-magazine.com
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soCiEty events CiEanna ramadan trunk shoW
EMERGING FASHION BRAND CIEANNA HOSTED A RAMADAN TRUNK SHOW FOR FASHIONISTAS, BLOGGERS, MEDIA AND OTHER ESTEEMED GUESTS. THE GUESTS WERE FIRST TO VIEW AND SHOP THE BESPOKE RAMADAN COLLECTION. SINCE CIEANNA LAUNCHED ITS AUTUMN/WINTER COLLECTION AT THE ELITE RESORT & SPA, THE BRAND HAS GONE FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH.
Fashion 4 autism
BAHRAIN SOCIETY FOR CHILDREN WITH BEHAVIOURAL AND COMMUNICATIONS DIFFICULTIES (BSCBCD) HOSTED THE FIRST EVER FASHION 4 AUTISM CHARITY FASHION SHOW. THE SHOW WAS HELD TO PROMOTE AWARENESS OF AUTISM AND RAISE FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE SOCIETY’S NATIONWIDE EFFORTS TO INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK! 102 OHLALA!
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artiQaz JEWELLEry storE oPEning
IT WAS THROW-BACK TO HOLLYWOOD’S GOLDEN AGE WHERE THE GLITZ AND GLAM WAS JUST PART OF EVERYDAY LIFE. THE GRAND HYATT HOTEL HOSTED A SUCCESSFUL AND DAZZLING NIGHT WHERE A SPECTACULAR LADY WAS AWARDED FOR DRESSING SPOT-ON! OHLALA! WAS THERE TO SPY ON THE GLAMOROUS GUESTS, THIS, IS WHAT WE
CaLL it sPring rE-oPEning
CALL IT SPRING RE-OPENED ITS STORE WITH A BRAND NEW STORE CONCEPT. TO CELEBRATE THIS, THE MEDIA AND OTHER IMPORTANT GUESTS WERE INVITED TO EXPERIENCE THE REFURBISHED STORE. SHOPPERS WERE GIVEN AN ADDITIONAL 10% OFF ON THE EXISTING SALE FOR THAT WEEKEND. www.ohlala-magazine.com
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soCiEty events CakE BoutiQuE aFtErnoon tEa Party
CAKE BOUTIQUE HOSTED A FUN AFTERNOON TEA PARTY WITH A LAVISH SPREAD OF MOUTHWATERING SWEETS AND SAVOURY OPTIONS. GUESTS WERE SEEN HAVING A GOOD TIME INDULGING IN A LEISURE AFTERNOON SNACK. THE ATMOSPHERE WAS DELIGHTFULLY PROPER WITH MUMS AND CHILDREN CHATTERING WHILE TAKING A BITE OF EVERY LAST DESSERT.
dELiCE 1st anniVErsary
DELICE CONFECTIONERY AT THE RITZ-CARLTON, BAHRAIN HOTEL & SPA CELEBRATED IT’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY. WE WENT OVER TO SAMPLE SOME SUGARY (THE GOOD KIND) TREATS WHICH WE HAVE TO SAY WAS NOT HARD WORK! DELICE OFFERS A SELECTION OF THE FINEST CHOCOLATES AND HAND-CRAFTED CONFECTIONERY IN BAHRAIN. 104 OHLALA!
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PortuguEsE nationaL day at sWiss-BELhotEL
PORTUGUESE NATIONAL DAY WAS CELEBRATED WITH ESTEEMED GUESTS AND THE PORTUGUESE COMMUNITY AT A SPECIAL DINNER RECEPTION AT THE SWISS-BELHOTEL. A LAVISH DINNER SPREAD OF PORTUGUESE DELICACIES WAS SERVED TO GUESTS. NATURALLY A NUMBER OF NATIONALITIES CAME TO CELEBRATE THE DAY IN TRUE ISLAND STYLE.
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soCiEty events BEauty sPot’s nanokEratin systEm LaunCh
BEAUTY SPOT HELD A LAUNCH EVENT INTRODUCING THE NANOKERATIN SYSTEM - A BIOMIMETIC TECHNOLOGY FOR HAIR REMEDY TREATMENT COMPRISING UNIQUE BIOMIMETIC PARTICLES PENETRATING HAIR FIBRES AND EMULATING NATURAL HAIR PROCESS TO REBUILD AND REHABILITATE IT BACK TO ITS NATURAL STATE. A SHARE OF LADIES GOT A CHANCE TO TRY IT TOO!
sPLash rE-oPEns in marina maLL
THE APPAREL STORE SPLASH RE-OPENED ITS STORE IN MARINA MALL AFTER A REFURBISHMENT. MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA WERE INVITED TO EXPERIENCE THE NEW STORE AND WERE GIVEN A CHANCE TO WIN VOUCHERS WORTH FROM BD5 UP TO BD50. 106 OHLALA!
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aLExandra’s Cooking CLass
JAWAD SUPERMARKET ORGANISED A SPECIAL COOKING CLASS BY CHEF ALEXANDRA. ROMINA VECCHI, THE WIFE OF THE ITALIAN AMBASSADOR TO BAHRAIN WAS PRESENT AT THE EVENT AND TOOK ACTIVE PART IN THE HAPPENINGS. REPRESENTATIVES FROM JAWAD BUSINESS GROUP AND OTHER MEDIA GRACED THE EVENT WITH THEIR PRESENCE.
artdiVano ExhiBition
ARTDIVANO HOSTED A BEAUTIFUL ARTY AFTERNOON WHERE FOUNDERS AFAF ZAINALABLEDIN AND MARION LABANI, INTRODUCED ARTDIVANO FOR THE FIRST TIME TO THE PUBLIC WITH A RECEPTION AT THE LOBBY GALLERY 217 IN REEM CENTER. ART LOVERS, ART ENTHUSIASTS, ART COLLECTORS AND ART COLLECTORS TO BE, FRIENDS AND ARTISTS WERE IN ATTENDANCE. www.ohlala-magazine.com
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soCiEty events ELitE ramadan tEnt LaunCh
THE ELITE HOSPITALITY GROUP LAUNCHED ITS RAMADAN OFFERINGS FOR THE YEAR 2015. A RAMADAN THEME DINNER RECEPTION WAS HELD FOR MEDIA AND CORPORATE CLIENTS AT THE NOOR TENT IN THE GROUNDS OF THE ELITE RESORT AND SPA-MUHARRAQ. THE NOOR TENT WELCOMED GUESTS TO ENJOY ITS AUTHENTIC RAMADAN ATMOSPHERE.
goLd CoLLagEn LaunCh
THE FOUR SEASONS HOTEL BAHRAIN HOSTED A ‘BAHRAIN BEAUTY MEDIA BREAKFAST’ TO LAUNCH GOLD COLLAGEN’S PRODUCTS - THE PIONEER LIQUID ANTI AGEING NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENT RANGE. TAKING INSPIRATION FROM FOOD TECHNOLOGY BREAKTHROUGHS IN JAPAN, THE RANGE IS A UNIQUE LINE OF LIQUID BEAUTY SUPPLEMENTS DESIGNED TO NOURISH SKIN FROM THE INSIDE OUT. 108 OHLALA!
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Bushra at Bushido
AS BUSHRA AT BUSHIDO WAS LAUNCHED, GUESTS EXPERIENCED TRENDY RAMADAN TRADITIONS. A SELECTION OF MODERN ARABICFUSION DISHES, SERVED ALONGSIDE A RANGE OF EXCITING INTERNATIONAL DISHES. THE SPECIAL BUSHRA BUFFET WILL BE SERVED DAILY DURING THE HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN. THE BEST PART? THE ATMOSPHERE THE LIGHTS AND MUSIC CONJURED.
guLF hotEL mEdia iFtar
THE GULF HOTEL BAHRAIN HOSTED THEIR ANNUAL MEDIA IFTAR AT THE KAIMAT AL KHALEEJ TENT. THE IFTAR BUFFET INCLUDED AN ARRAY OF MOUTHWATERING DISHES FROM INTERNATIONAL TO TRADITIONAL ARABIC CUISINE. GUESTS REVELLED IN THE TRADITIONAL ATMOSPHERE. BATELCO, AS PART OF ITS COMMITMENT TO LOCAL BUSINESSES HAS SPONSORED THE RAMADAN TENT AT THE GULF HOTEL. www.ohlala-magazine.com
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ohLaLa’s! spotlight We bring you all the neWs around the island from hospitality to business to leisure. Many notable industry members were recognised for their stellar contribution to the Kingdom in their respective fields. Plus, the summer festival is round the corner!
EidEya at City CEntrE Bahrain
As part of the 20th Anniversary celebrations, City Centre Bahrain offers selected visitors Eideya on July 20, allowing them to celebrate Eid Al Fitr and treat themselves. Twenty lucky shoppers at City Centre Bahrain will be randomly selected and receive complimentary Eideya in the form of a BD20 gift card. They can use the Gift Card across all retailers in any of Majid Al Futtaim’s 17 shopping malls across Bahrain, Oman, UAE, Lebanon and Egypt. There will surprises, special promotions and activities every 20th day of every month. For more information, visit www. citycentrebahrain.com
Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa, was announced as the Best Middle East Hotel 2015 at the Middle East Hotel Awards. An award received by Burj Al Arab last year, it was the first time taken by a Hotel in Bahrain. The win will mark a positive start to the new Bahrain Tourism Strategy 2015 -2018, rebranding the country as a ‘boutique destination’. In its fifth year, the prestigious Middle East Hotel Awards took place at the new Waldorf Astoria Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, where over 400 hoteliers from across the Middle East gathered to hear the results of the 21 categories. 110 OHLALA!
Jawad Business Group has introduced a number of environmentally friendly C-Thru Nexus Battery bins at many of the group’s outlets all over the Kingdom. The small capacity unit with a clear body is specially designed to allow you to safely dispose of your used batteries. For the growing number of environmentally conscious people in Bahrain, it is a relief to be able to simply drop off their batteries in the specially marked recycling bins, and walk away knowing they will be recycled in an environmentally responsible way.
Microsoft together with the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB), Tamkeen and eGovernment Authority announced the names of the three winning teams of the Imagine Cup 2015 Pan Arab SemiFinals. Team T2 from Tunisia, Team BCR from Palestine and Team Freedom Fragrance from UAE will travel to Seattle to represent the Arab World at the Worldwide Finals. Team BCR from Palestine was named the Arab World Champion, taking home the Imagine Cup trophy and a special award, one-week internship at Tech Wadi, Silicon Valley. Teams T2, BCR and Freedom Fragrance will join other bright young minds to compete at the World Finals taking place in Microsoft Headquarters in Seattle from July 27 to 31. www.ohlala-magazine.com
Every year Al Rashid Group organises activities to raise awareness through both its employees and its customers. The 2015 plans included three main events. The electricity was turned off for a couple of hours in all three properties of the group. A tree was planted in the company warehouse located in Hidd. And finally, three types of recycling bins have been installed in each of the company’s malls’ car parks. Those bins are available for all the inhabitants of each neighbourhood to drop their garbage in one of the dedicated bin – Paper, Plastic, Metal and Glass.
Al Hawaj & Sons won the prestigious ‘Best Event Award for Bentley Fragrances 2014-2015’ for the second time from Art & Fragrance and Sprecher Berrier Group, during a ceremony held in Marrakesh, Morocco. Al Hawaj General Manager, Abdul Wahab Al Hawaj received the award. Al Hawaj launched Bentley Absolute Fragrance for Men last year at the Bahrain City Centre. The successful launch was attended by Ambassadors, Diplomats, top businessmen and the press. Bentley Fragrance’s principal, Sprecher Berrier Group recognised Al Hawaj’s remarkable efforts in handling the Bentley fragrances brand as an exclusive distributor in Bahrain.
Bahrain The Bahrain Summer Festival’s ‘Our Year of Heritage’ from July 30 - August 31 will be filled with artistic activities and creative workshops ranging fromregional and international music performances, art exhibitions, and much more. Nakhool and Nakhoola welcome the Bahrain Summer Festival at Nakhool Tent near Sitra Mall. The tent will be open daily from 4 pm to 10 pm throughout the festival in the accompaniment of the festival’s beloved mascots.
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The Deakin family, consisting of husband and wife Matthew and Araceli Deakin and son Daniel and daughter Gabriel Deakin clinched first place in style at the 2015 BBBF-BBA Corporate Golf Day at the Royal Golf Club. The event was the first golf tournament organised by the Bahrain British Business Forum (BBBF) and was hailed a huge success. Over 100 competitors took part in the Texas Scramble competition which enjoyed support from sponsors Citi Bahrain, Euro Motors, AXA Insurance, AECOM and Etihad Airways. OHLALA! 111
www.bahrainsummer.bh
HOTLINE: 80008089 facebook.com/BahrainSummer twitter@BahrainSummer instagram.com/moc_bh
Bahrain Culture App
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Ohlala’s! #obsessions Who isn’t on Instagram these days? We’re certainly eyeing up the most delicious accounts all day, everyday. so have a look through these mustfollow profiles for the summer.
dailydosebh the juice revolution has hit our island – at last! taste iron man and hulk Blood!
shopsivvi Love shopping online? Check out sivvi. com, an e-shop with high street designer and boutique brands.
oishii_bh Well, who doesn’t love some good old sushi? oishi sushi in Juffair, the mall, puts the art in the muchloved Japanese fare and has the softest avocado we’ve ever tasted. it’s very cosy too.
costacoffeebahrain saving us from having a breakdown every morning.
wastabahrain as we spend most of our time either in a restaurant or a salon, get with Wasta – the app that gives you secret deals. wordsbookstorecafe Possibly the best thing that’s happened in Bahrain. Words has a quirky, independent vibe.
k_aljabri Just a guy with a camera, taking shots (like no one else can) of manama and making our island look that much more interesting.
artdivano if you love to ponder beautiful art then art divano might just make you weep with joy. the beautiful oil canvases and calligraphic scripture will renew your love for ethnic art.
saraspicks Follow saudi tV presenter, wife, mum and fabulous fashionista as she gCC hops in sparkling style, camera in tow.
Make sure to follow Ohlala’s! Instagram @Ohlalamagazine; Twitter @OhlalaBahrain; Facebook @OhlalaMagazine www.ohlala-magazine.com
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thE CoLumn
The Hapiness Project during this time of spiritual reflection our columnist looks at one of the most simple and complex notions of life: happiness.
What makes you happy?
Smiling.
Random acts of Kindness.
PINODESK
Let go of a grudge.
Do what you love. Be grateful. Spirituality. Meet up with some like-minded friends.
Melanie Exercise.
her on 39330911 or email melanie323@gmail.com 114 OHLALA!
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BAHRAIN - Bahrain City Centre (Level 1) " # " " www.ohlala-magazine.com
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