Ohlala Bahrain May 2017

THE ESSENCE OF STYLE Bahrain

G e t T h e B r i da l L o o k

Ways To Wedding Perfection

Super Sty l i s h

& S o p h i s t i c at e d Fashion To Make You Feel Fantastic

Playful Prints, Florals, Purples, Metallics + More

A Fa m i ly Affa i r

A Candid Chat With The Cousins Behind Noon By Noor

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www.ohlala-magazine.com May 2017 | Issue 148 Bahrain BD2 | KSA SR10

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Contents Ohlala

buccellati

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The Starters A Look At Chanel Ultimate Arabian Charms The Wedding/Ramadan Edits

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bEAUTIFUL fACES Get Bridal Ready Editor’s Picks: The Top 6 How To Achieve That Glow

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Welcome To The Issue Wedding/Ramadan Fever Credits: Who We Are A Note From The Editor

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The Looks To Love What To Wear Right Now The Floral Flair & More The Essential Extras

Ones to know From Bahrain Beginnings Designer Focus: Noon by Noor Blooming Brilliant: Rami Al Ali

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Luxury Lifestyle Regional Escapes: Arabian Mystique Ohlala Boutiques: Best of Bahrain Miss Ohlala

Awaken Your Senses Revitalize and energize with Heavenly Spa by Westin™.

From therapeutic massages to cleansing facials and invigorating body treatments, each element of your spa visit is designed to stimulate the senses and nourish both body and mind.

For more information or to make a reservation: heavenlyspa.bahrain@westin.com or call +973 1717 1122

www.ohlala-magazine.com Š2017 Marriott International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Westin and its logos are the trademarks of Marriott International, Inc.

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May 2017 issue 148

Publisher & Chairman John Hughes Chief Executive Officer Greg Hughes Editor-in-Chief Georgie Bradley

Publishing Director Edward Smith

Contributors

Creative DIrector

BUsiness development

Angela Beitz

Paula Leal

director

Victoria

Graphic Designers

Rami Khalil

Country Director Kirsty Edwards-Harris

Jyoti Rawat

Production Manager

Photographers

WEBSITE

Neil Mahmood

Shobin Joseph

Melek Yildirimtekin

Distribution Manager Ajit Kumar COVER Image Rami Al Ali

Credits image Chopard

Accountants Gigimon Thankachen Praveen Alexander

Distribution Team

Printing Press

Distribution

Jayapragash Ganesan

Akhbar Al Khaleej

Bahrain – Al Hilal Qatar – Dar Al Sharq

Rajesh Abdul Kadar

UAE – GLS, Tawseel Distribution & Logistics 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.

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MM6 MAISON MARGIELA Saks Fifth Avenue CITY CENTRE BAHRAIN +973 17172000

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E di t o r ’s

Let t er

W

e’ve come to a very fashionable crossroads this month. Between bridal season and Ramadan upon us later this month, our days and nights are filled with wonderful style and extravagant options. If you ask me, this is the time of the year which I relish the most, besides having one fabulous gathering after the next – the peace that descends on us all during the Holy Month restores balance, clarity and a sense of purpose. This reflective period is always necessary and we are so lucky to have it etched into our yearly calendar without fail.

Our fashion pages this month are my favourite of the year so far. From block colouring to perfect pastels to metallics to haphazard prints – we’ve given you more choice than you can keep up with – you’re welcome. If you’ve got a calendar booked up with events, I am sure you’ll find inspiration and your style calling with our spread. Add to that, our beauty pages focus on brides-to-be and all the promising products that have transformative power to make you feel your absolute best.

The main designer focus feature shines a light on two cousins (who are also thick friends) from Bahrain: Shaikha Noor and Shaikha Haya of Noon

by Noor fame. From their island beginnings to L.A. and New York and quite frankly, the world, their fashion empire has put the country on the map and has paved the way for emerging regional designers.

Their story has always been discreet, their collections have been bold and conversation-starting, but the girls have always been under the radar – flip to the heart of the magazine and uncover their substance and grace. More and more we come to realise that this part of the world is at the forefront of fashion.

Noon by Noor is one example of many, that we are on the precipice of greatness.

Georgie Bradley

Noon by noor

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Editor in Chief

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Style Icon

Once upon a time...

Coco Avant Chanel, is a new High Jewellery collection illustrating the quest for freedom, the desire for sobriety, and the search for lightness: the fundamentals of Chanel’s style.

“Emilienne”

This necklace in 18K white gold is set with 2 round-cut diamonds for a total weight of 0,88 carat, 2 pear-cut diamonds for a total weight of 0,94 carat, 4 fancy-cut diamonds for a total weight of 1,41 carat, 87 freshwater cultured pearls, 79 Tahitian cultured pearls and 175 brillant-cut diamonds for a total weight of 2,16 carats.

Chanel’s new high jewellery collection includes 11 new jewellery sets, bearing the names of elegant women who had accompanied, marked or influenced the life of Gabrielle Chanel before 1920. The sets were inspired by the two founding elements of her style: lace and ribbon, which decorated her boater hats at the racecourses. In gold and precious gemstones, lace and ribbon appear in subtle gradations of rose and grey.

Morganite, pearls, spinels, moonstones and Padparadscha sapphires blend with diamonds. The jewelled ribbon undulates in complete freedom: loose, draped, wound or knotted in ethereal loops, its edges sometimes sharp and at other times frayed with diamonds. Refined, simplified and stylised, lace appears as though it is printed with camellias, flowers and birds. Recalling Gabrielle Chanel’s bold scissor cuts and the splendor of her creative stroke, lace is rendered in asymmetrical silhouettes, falling perfectly on the body.

“Marthe”

This ring in 18K white gold is set with a round-cut diamond of 1,55 carat, 51 brilliant cut grey spinels for a total weight of 0,72 carat and 47 brillant-cut diamonds for a total weight of 0,84 carats.

“Maud”

These earrings in 18K white gold are set with 2 pear-cut diamonds for a total weight of 2,02 carats, 38 baguette-cut diamonds for a total weight of 1,88 carats and 56 brilliantcut diamonds for a total weight of 1 carat. www.ohlala-magazine.com

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Style Icon

History of art

We can’t think of a better and more appropriate time of year to be celebrating the region’s best in fine jewellery. Saudi Arabian Haneen Saber pays homage to Islamic art through stunning pieces which evoke a sense of spirituality, authenticity and richness.

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Isabel Marant

prada

There are a lot of reasons to feel fantastic right now. Spring has us enjoying hot style.

Having both the bridal and Ramadan season in one stretch is giving us more options than can fit our wardrobes (that’s not a bad thing, ever) –we’re loving florals, pantsuits, shimmers and purple hues among other looks. Your day to night wardrobe is complete.

tadashii shoji

preen

What To Wear

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guiseppe zanotti

Salvatore Ferragamo

marc Jacobs

Lovely and light staples for the big day.

Rupert Sanderson

Alexander McQueen

The wedding EDit

jonathan simkhai

monique lhuiller

ortrait

Self-p

Fendi

johanna ortiz

poca & poca

burberry

marni

wish List

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roger vivier

L’afshar

Rabih Kyrouz

jenny packham

Carolina herrera

The Ramadan Edit

Wonderfully decadent pieces for starry nights.

Christian siriano

oscar de la renta

poca & poca

Delfina delettrez Arwa al banawi

poca & poca

zimmermann

oscar de la renta

wish List

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Style

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christian dior

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Blooms are back in a big way. Carrying over from winter, we’re reworkingthose dark petals and turning them into dreamy, floaty and gorgeous flowers.

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Style

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delfina delettrez

Aouadi Paris

Associated with charm and royalty, this hue is set to pave the way for spring-summer style. We love to pair it with black to make it stand out powerfully strong. nina ricci

balmain

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Hillier bartley @ net-a-porter.com

OFF White

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t-a-porter.co

The Row @ ne

Leggy ladies are all the rage.

Whether you’re drawn to a structured, boyish, fitted or flowy take on androgyny, this trend is the mark of a sophisticated woman.

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The Metallic Shimmer

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Flashy effects with foil finishes give us so much life.

There aren’t any rules here – just make way for these entrance-making pieces and soak up the attention.

Unwind and Relax C O M E S E E U S AT T H E C O U R T YA R D , S E E F A R E A

Book Now 17564333 @mommywellnessgulf w w w. m o m m y w e l l n e s s g u l f . c o m www.ohlala-magazine.com

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Clashing your stripes with your checks with your Jackson Pollock inspired mesh skirt is the ultimate statement of this season. Make for a bold and brave mash-up.

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Focus

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE BAHRAIN’S

2017 RAMADAN DESIGNER FAIR

AKS

Leenaz

Anaya

Runwa y

This Ramadan, Saks Fifth Avenue is revealing the latest collections from Bahrain and the region’s trendiest designers, offering a modern twist on demure, through a stunning range of abaya’s, kaftans, handbags, shoes and accessories from over ten designers. The Ramadan Designer Fair will start on May 4th and continue to the end of June, offering more than enough time for ladies to add stylish and exclusive pieces to their wardrobes. Expect to see glamorous pop-ups throughout the store consisting of elegant designs from Runway, AKS, Leenaz Design, Nicoli and Anaya to name a few. It is all about celebrating the month of Ramadan with Arabesque inspired fashion, made especially for those who cherish family gatherings and occasions with a graceful expression of style.

City Centre Bahrain +973 17172000

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Style

Focus The essential extras From elabor

ate embellishments to colour injections to shiny rings, we’ve got your accessories covered in one quick guid e.

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Cousins Shaikha Noor and Shaikha Haya of Noon By Noor fame, have more than just a family link between them. They’ve been best friends since childhood, travelled the world together and now sit queenly high on their fashion empire. The Bahraini duo talk to us about putting Bahrain on the map, New York Fashion Week and how they activate each other’s strengths.

H

ow would you describe each other’s personalities?

Shaikha Noor: As you may already know, we are not only cousins, but we have been best friends since childhood. Working together to fulfill our career goals only seemed inevitable due to how well we understand each other. Haya really enjoys travelling, looking for new places to explore and new cultures to discover. I really believe this fuels her creativity and her ability to bring in new design elements

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for Noon By Noor. She loves embellished pieces so she will always think of brilliant ways to incorporate them in new collections.

Shaikha Haya: Noor is independent, precise and very determined. She has an eye for detail and loves to explore new techniques to make the pieces more special. One of her passions is sketching as it’s her way to relax and unwind. Noor has always been fascinated by fashion, even as a little girl. She would spend hours in her mother’s closet exploring and admiring beautiful fabrics and designs, which has undoubtedly influenced her future in design.

How do you divide the roles up in the creative process?

Shaikha Noor: When it comes to the creative process of developing a collection, we both play equal parts as we work very closely together. In terms of business, my role is that of CEO and Haya is the COO. However, we make all final decisions together.

What inspires you in terms of design?

Shaikha Noor: Noon By Noor embodies the concept of East meets West. We are continuously inspired by our rich Eastern cultures, which is very important to us, and

Designer

Focus

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The World of Noon By Noor Morning Ritual?

N: A good cup of coffee and quality time with my twins.

H: A good cup of coffee and making sure I’m up to date with all the latest news.

Favourite Time of Day?

N: Mornings are peaceful.

H: Afternoon quality time with friends.

Yves saint laurent

N: Mascara & Eyeliner are a must.

H: The perfect lipstick.

chanel rouge allure

Must-Have Makeup Item?

Van Cleef & Arpels

Minimal or Statement Jewellery?

N: Statement H: Minimal Cartier

Heels Or Flats?

N: Gucci slippers H: Chanel espadrilles

Gucci

Chanel

Favourite Hotel In The World?

N: Four Seasons Hotel George V. Timeless and the epitome of luxury!

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H: Hotel Bel Air. Such a quiet and peaceful place.

Designer “The Noon By Noor woman embodies the essence of nonchalant chic, is internationally minded, sophisticated and not afraid of taking risks.” we mix it with Western styles and designs, which also resemble our personal styles. A lot of our inspiration also comes from our extensive travels, which have helped us rediscover our global perspective and understanding of various cultures.

Shaikha Haya: We always keep an eye and an ear open to all that surrounds us, because you can get inspired at any moment of the day, even at unexpected moments.

Another key source of inspiration to us is our family and close friends as well as our personal stories.

You’ve come so far from your Bahrain beginnings.

Did you ever expect it?

Shaikha Noor: We started Noon By Noor with the goal of being recognised internationally, while placing Bahrain on the fashion map. Although these were our goals since the beginning, achieving them feels quite humbling. We are extremely proud to represent our country in such a competitive industry.

Shaikha Haya: We always hoped to get as far as we have today, and we feel very proud and blessed to have undergone this journey. I believe our desire to succeed while loving what we do has been paramount to our success. We continue to grow with excitement at what the future has in store for our brand.

How would you describe the Noon by Noor aesthetic?

It is inherently Western - quite minimal with uncomplicated separates - where would you say the Middle Eastern undertones emerge?

Shaikha Noor: Our brand’s vision is to merge the East and West. This theme is constant throughout our collections. Noon By Noor’s refined aesthetic fuses understated luxury with playful femininity, and with an emphasis on sharp tailoring, clean silhouettes and attention to detail. Embellishments and floral motifs are synonymous with Noon By Noor, which are Bahrain inspired, so we find ways to incorporate them into our collections, while continuously looking for new and innovative ways to recreate these inspirations.

Who is the Noon by Noor woman?

Shaikha Haya: The Noon By Noor woman embodies the essence of nonchalant chic, is internationally minded, sophisticated and not afraid of taking risks with her wardrobe whilst staying true to her own individual style.

How did showcasing in New York come about over the other fashion capitals?

Shaikha Noor:Going abroad has been in the plans since inception. As we both studied and lived in

the US, we understand the power and value of the market, and for us New York is the center of the fashion industry. The choice for us came quite easily when we were presented with the opportunity to take part in New York Fashion Week How do the critics respond to the fact that you›re Arab designers in the US amongst other cultures?

Shaikha Noor: I believe that in fashion it doesn’t matter who you are or where you are from. Your brand speaks for itself and tells the story you want to share with the rest of the world. The key is to capitalise on what makes you unique and grants you the competitive edge to stand out. From the very first time that we showcased our collections at NYFW the critics were very enthusiastic about Noon By Noor.

Shaikha Haya: In February 2012, when we held our first presentation of Noon By Noor during NYFW we were recognised as the first GCC brand to be invited by IMG to present at NYFW, which was monumental to us. What makes us stand out is that we reinterpret fashion and offer a different perspective on style, which is very defined and pronounced. We are very proud to have been able to make a mark very early on in our journey.

What advice would you give to emerging designers starting their career?

Shaikha Noor: Believe in your vision and yourself and don’t take no for an answer, but most importantly, always follow your true passion.

Shaikha Haya: Love what you do and be prepared for a lot of hard but fun work.

Who would you like to see wearing Noon by Noor and why?

Shaikha Haya: Our designs have already been seen on the likes of Alexa Chung, Solange Knowles, Jennifer Lopez, Olivia Culpo, Eva Longoria, Blake Lively, Kate Bosworth, Miroslava Duma to name a few. We look forward to adding others to the list such as Sienna Miller and Emma Watson, who represent our brand in their femininity and effortless elegance.

Being constantly on the road must be tiring. How do you center yourselves and focus your energies on work and your personal lives?

Shaikha Noor: Things can get quite tiring at times, but because we love what we do, we are always able to combine our work with our personal lives. I am a very organised person, making it easier to find a perfect balance between spending precious time with my family and working on my businesses.

Shaikha Haya: Our days can get quite busy at times, but I believe our desire to succeed and loving what we do keeps us motivated on a daily basis. We are both passionate about our work, which makes fine tuning our schedules a lot easier and more pleasurable.

Focus

Wardrobe Winners

Most Comfortable Piece…

The ORRIN Bomber.

The Best Evening Number…

The SASCHA Dress.

The Most Daring Look…

The LEV Pants and EMMY Corset.

The Most Versatile Item…

The DUKE Shirt.

The Most Classic Look…

The RAYNA Gown. www.ohlala-magazine.com

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Beautiful blooms Japan, cherry blossoms and a reworking of the kimono provided inspiration for the extravagant sculptural shapes that sparkle in Rami Al Ali’s SS17 couture collection. Each piece feels more exclusive than the next, with individual flair and elegance and presence-making detail.

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Ohlala Arabia Bringing style across The Middle East

Follow us www.issuu.com 48

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dior couture

v o L el

Hello

delicious.

ad yL y

Our latest beauty hacks show you how to be bridal ready and smell

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Beauty Talk BLUSH, GUERLAIN

ESPOSA

INES DI SANTO

ESPOSA

BLURRING , BECCA LIGHT DER SOFTPOW

Luminous

Nude hues, barely there pinks and sweet candy shades that are perfect for blushing brides.

INSTANT GENTLE EXFOLIANT, DIOR

LIPSTICK FRUIT PUNCH, LAURA MERCIER

OSCAR DE LA RENTA

MATTE HIGHLIGHTER, MARC JACOBS

Beauty

MON PARIS EAU DE PARFUM, YVES SAINT LAURENT

CANDLEGLOW FOUNDATION, LAURA MERCIER

CANDLEGLOW FOUNDATION, LAURA MERCIER

MOR MARSHMALLOW EAU DE PARFUM

PEARL METIORITES, GUERLAIN 50

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Pure Colour Lipstick Estee Lauder

THE ILLUMINATOR POWDER, DOLCE & GABBANA

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Beauty Buzz

beau eve coff

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chanel

1. Caffeine Hit

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d make-up auty products an be e th es ar sh z Angela Beit right now. treats you need

3. Luminosity Rules

Recapture the luminosity of youngerlooking, healthier skin with White Caviar Illuminating Pearl Infusion.

Redness, age spots that develop over time and the dull grey film caused by environmental factors are barriers to glowing skin deep within. White Caviar Illuminating Pearl Infusion brightens and lifts skin – with visible results in just four weeks.

2. Superior Skin

AESOP has always advocated a seasonal approach to skin care, emphasising the need to change regimens with shifts in climatic conditions. Their Geranium Treatment and Balm are perfect for hot weather with a light fragrance.

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A smile with confidence? With new teeth whitening strips and toothpaste from Ibtisama Smile Lounges you can achieve this and more.

Take it a step further and replace your ordinary toothpaste with the new teeth whitening Brilliance Toothpaste. With a patented stain removal technology, it’s a vitamin enriched toothpaste with Vitamin A, B and C. Use it daily for a white and fresh smile!

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aesop body geranium tea

Get dry and dull skin sorted and indulge yourself with Beau & Eve’s Luxury Coffee Scrub collection. Made with the finest quality natural ingredients, this range will exfoliate and hydrate, leaving your skin feeling nourished and soft, whilst improving problematic areas. These fabulous scrubs are packed with skin loving, active ingredients such as Coffee & Organic Argan Oil, Ground Argan Kernel and Virgin Organic Coconut Oil.

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Clarins’ new make-up collection is based on flawless skin with a natural contour and subtle shimmer eyes. The limited edition Clarins Face Contouring Palette and Brush is very useful for chiseling those cheekbones and creating the perfect shadows when working on smaller areas.

fusion ink cushion foundation, YSL

5. Inked To Perfection

Perfect for normal to oily skin, YSL’s Fusion Ink Cushion Foundation has a light texture and gorgeously fresh feel that is essential for summer. It’s just beautiful and the formula works so well in cushion form, it’s non-claggy, easy to blend and with a natural, non-cakey finish.

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Beauty Focus

A

Taste for Molton Brown, London’s fragrance experts, are tantalising the senses once more with the launch of their new limited edition Gourmand collections. It’s an enticing trio of olfactory desserts: Comice Pear & Wild Hone, Delicious Rhubarb & Rose alongside Exquisite Vanilla & Violet Flower.

British 54

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These exquisite, charming fragrances have been expertly crafted with the very best seasonal ingredients sourced from the English countryside, celebrating the brand’s British heritage.

Heritage

For the Modern Middle-Eastern Woman

The essence oF sTYle Bahrain

G e T T h e B r i da l l o o k

Ways to Wedding Perfection

super sTYlish

& s o p h i s T i c aT e d Fashion To Make You Feel FanTasTic

Playful Prints, florals, PurPles, Metallics + More

a Fa M i lY a F Fa i r

a candid chat With the cousins Behind noon By noor

www.ohlala-magazine.com may 2017 | issue 148 Bahrain BD2 | Ksa sr10

Cover Ohlala Bahrain.indd 1

30/04/17 19:21

May Edition available now on issuu.com www.ohlala-magazine.com

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esposa

Beauty Column

GEt Glowing

Everyone wants glowing skin for the walk down the aisle, but how do you achieve this?

Angela Beitz explains all the best tips from when to schedule facials and treatments as well as beauty basics to give you that bridal glow.

Sort Your Skin

If there’s ever been a time to get your skincare regime into full gear, now is the time. You should be cleansing you skin twice a day, no excuses and exfoliating twice a week with a low irritant exfoliator. Invest in the highest quality anti-aging day and night creams you can afford and don’t forget that serums are your new best friend (you can even layer different ones for best results). You should also be wearing SPF everyday under your make up and anywhere that the sun hits your skin. Chest, ears, neck, back of hands etc.

Save Face

Regular facials will also boost your skin and have your skin looking luminous and glowy by the time the big day comes around. Book one around every four to six weeks in the six months leading up to your wedding. Start with deep cleansing facials and ones that include light microdermabrasion and lead up to super hydrating and calming facials. If you aren’t used to having facials go for ones aimed at sensitive skin that will nourish and hydrate your skin. If you’re having any troubling or chronic skin issues, think about seeing a dermatologist so you can get any problems sorted early.

Trial And Error

Take your time to book your hair and make-up artist as this is a very key aspect of your look for the big day. Make sure you do a practice run of your hair and beauty look so that if you don’t like it, you still have time to change it. Be sure to speak up if you are unhappy about something - they want you to be happy as much as you do. Look for inspiration in magazines and on Pinterest and Instagram.

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Keep It Simple

It goes without saying but book your manicure, pedicure, spray tan if you want one in advance and leave time in the evening for a good shower. To save time, book them in the one location if you can, or within walking distance.

If your hair is due for a wash get scrubbing, but if you know your hair looks great on its second day, keep it that way. Go with what you know, this is not a time to experiment with dramatic new looks or over the top make up.

Fresh Tresses

If you’re happy with your hair’s length get a trim so that it’s in tip-top shape come D-Day. If you’re brave enough, do get an extra centimeter off so that when you reach the wedding date your tresses still look refreshed. If you can bear it, lay off the styling tools to give your hair a break and nourish your hair with a hair mask twice a week.

Up Your Fitness Regime, But Look After yourself

James Duigan, whose A-list clients include models Rosie HuntingtonWhiteley and Lara Stone says putting pressure on yourself and your body can be one of the biggest obstacles when preparing for such a big moment like your wedding day. “Stress harms your body at a time when it needs to be nourished,” he says. Treat yourself to Epsom salt baths, body scrubs, meditation and yoga to keep your mind and body healthy while in planning mode. Similarly, nourish yourself from the inside out with healthy, organic whole foods. Coconut oil, green tea and omega-3 are the supermodel tools to fast-track your way to ultimate radiance.

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Mystique

The freshly opened Bab Al Qasr in Abu Dhabi has already elicited excitable conversation over its sweeping views, grand fixtures and luxurious comforts. We checked in and discovered Arabian charm in every corner.

Middle Eastern

Regional Escapes

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You’ll undoubtedly crane your neck up until your head

is virtually horizontal to take in Bab Al Qasr’s lobby. Looking straight ahead of you is not enough – this hotel’s entrance leaves you speechless and gawking in every which direction. With its unending walls, Arabian fixtures, Mosaic tiles and a few palm trees punctuating the setting, it’s a modern Middle Eastern fairy tale where tradition, legend and a timeless spirit meld together.

We had checked in for a week – practically a staycation as far as we were concerned – and called our beautiful sea-facing junior suite home, our haven. Up on the 27th floor, we had expansive views of Abu Dhabi and the cerulean waters that engulf the city. Our room had an Ohlala designed cake waiting for us (which was so incredibly moreish, we had to practically force the fork out of our hands to resist!) and a lovely fruit basket with all our vitamin essentials.

The bathroom, with all its white marbled tiling, had a very fresh feel about it and gave us an instant hit of calm and tranquillity.

Between the sumptuous bath tub and the deep walk in shower, this space was one which we spent a lot of time in – admittedly we have a thing for bathrooms, and this one was no ordinary bathroom, it was a small studio. Above all, the biggest selling point for the Bab Al Qasr experience, in our view, are the accoutrements. The Amouage products are heavenly and silky on the hair and skin. Amouage is the perfect brand for this hotel as it speaks to the overall Middle Eastern opulence that has come to be the identity of this hotel. Lots of luxury points from us. Add to that the cosy fluffy white robes that cocooned us every morning and evening and made us not want to leave the room.

The beds were of the utmost comfort, particularly the plush pillows which had the dimensions of a carpet. Bab Al Qasr don’t skimp on making their guests feel like Kings and Queens, we can tell you that! The desk area, where we spent most of our time due to deadlines and a pile up of work, was conducive to the perfect work conditions. What we loved the most was the hotel notepad paper because it was so luxuriously thick and professional - our notetaking was taken up several notches than usual! There was plenty of space for our magazines, laptop, business cards and other work-related material. The plug situation was good and non-fussy while the

“The bathroom, with all its white marbled tiling, had a very fresh feel about it and gave us an instant hit of calm and tranquillity.” position of the desk was more than favourable – adjacent to the floorto-ceiling windows, allowing floods of natural lighting to appease the strain of tapping away on a laptop for hours on end.

The grounds throughout the hotel are nothing short of marvellous. The iconic Arabian architecture and interior design lend to the idea of a modern palace while the service is uncompromisingly swift and graceful where every need was met with warmth and precision down to the smallest detail. www.ohlala-magazine.com

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Regional Escapes

Each day we took to the Artisan Kitchen for breakfast and lunch. Serving up an array of international cuisine, you won’t tire of all the different options available to you. From salmon to dumplings to steak and a saccharine display of desserts, your every meal will be better than the next. There’s a great vibe about the restaurant too – not too big, not too small. You get an equal measure of socialising and privacy here.

And while we did that every day, we also went to the gym every day too. Set up on the 4th floor, with leafy views of the Corniche Road (the constant movement of cars actually makes you pound the treadmill faster!) we were at home here as much as we were in our rooms. The equipment is state of the art, polished and squeaky clean.

The towels, water and apples available for each gym goer adds a nice touch while the personalised TV screens for each treadmill offers all the channels you could want and makes your exercise routine seem less routine-like.

We have to be honest here, we were constantly at the gym because we were gorging (elegantly, mind you) on fantastic fare during our stay. One particular outlet at Bab Al Qasr deserves limitless praise: Limo. The Peruvian and Latin American evening dining restaurant is in one word: special. The Latin American food scene in our region is limited at best but there’s growing fanfare over it in recent months, not least for its unique flavours, complex compositions and wildly odd but beautiful pairings. We started off with a stunning ceviche: Chalaco: seafood ceviche, crispy calamari, Cancha, rocoto pepper and Leche de Tiger. If all of that is foreign to you, trust us, even if you’re 62

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“The service is uncompromisingly swift and graceful where every need was met with warmth and precision.” totally green, you’ll get so much out of this dish. It’s so swimmingly fresh and tasty, it hurts – the best kind of pain, we might add! We were then served Kadafi Shrimps which was comprised of crab tartare, Kadafi Nikkei shrimps with whipped Peruvian potatoes with Aji Amarillo pepper and lime juice – it’s the lime juice that made this dish burst to the high heavens with flavour. Our mains saw a hearty portion of meats. The Peruvian chicken brochette with rustic mashed potatoes with tari sauce alongside the Peruvian tenderloin

“One particular outlet at Bab Al Qasr deserves unending praise: Limo.”

brochette with smoked Anticuchera sauce and quail egg was such a fantastic treat. Every mouthful brought on yet another delightful surprise and ooo-ing and aaa-ing because we had never had a meal quite like it. The finale to this superb show of Peruvian fare ended with the creamiest, milkiest, smoothest pannacotta you’ve ever tried.

Placed within a crowning of Chicha meringue, kumquat puree and Chicha sorbet and cashew nuts, this sealed the night and indeed our entire stay off on the perfect note.

For more information and reservations call: +971 2 205 3000 www.ohlala-magazine.com

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Ohlala Boutiques

Summer Daze

As we go into the home stretch of spring and brave the summer, Ted Baker have the essentials to keep you cool, chic and collected.

Enter fine cuts, sorbet hues and elegant finishes. #meetthebakers

The Ted Baker Collection is available from Ted Baker stores throughout the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and Egypt.

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Our Top Picks

Need an injection of colour and style? Find inspiration in our high street heroes round up.

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From the team that brings you the Citi FaCt Dining awarDs: we present the First loCal luxury awarDs highlighting the best oF the health anD beauty inDustry that bahrain has to oFFer.

Spring -Summer 2017

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Luxury Spa & Wellness Awards We couldn’t be more excited to lift this off the ground. In what is our first (of many more to come) annual awards recognising the best in luxury spas and wellness, we present the nominees in our well thought out categories.

Enjoy and get pampering.

How It Works

Online Voting Beging

Online Voting Closes

The Awards Ceremony

Through a mix of Print, Social, Web & Direct media channels, we will announce nominees and drive traffic to the Online voting page. Check it out on: www.ohlala-magazine.com

Voting decides the Favourite winners in their categories.

A panel of bloggers, influencers and our editorial team decide the Best winners in their categories.

All participants are invited to the luxury day-time soiree at the grounds of Al Areen Palace & Spa where you are guaranteed to have a lovely time. www.ohlala-magazine.com

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Ohlala Awards Best New Spa The Gulf Spa, The Gulf Hotel Bahrain Convention & Spa This has been a great addition to the Gulf Hotel’s leisure facilities. Right bang in the heart of the city, this is a true escape to serenity and calm. It’s the perfect place for indulgence, relaxation and rejuvenation. It’s been the talk of town since its opening and it deserves every positive word coming its way.

Bodylines Fitness & Wellness Club, Downtown Rotana Located on the 9th floor of this capital city property, this spa benefits from its unassuming location as it is the only luxury spa in the immediate Bab Al Bahrain vicinity. It is the very definition of what it means to escape the bustle of urban life. It’s the perfect place to wind down.

downtown rotana

Sparadise, The Galleria If you ever need a reason to head to Zinj’s The Galleria Mall, Sparadise should do it. Located in an elegant tree-lined walkway, Sparadise is a beautiful spa space that has more depth than meets the eye. It’s a true place of wellness.

Best Hotel Spa Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay The Spa at the Four Seasons is a dream space.

It provides the most complete experience you could want from a hotel spa – with stunning ornate features, a glorious indoor pool and more indulgent treatments than you could imagine.

The entrance alone elicits a big wow.

ART Rotana, Amwaj Islands The Beach Club is the perfect luxury meets fitness and wellness destination. Boasting stunning design elements across the club, it is fully equipped to meet the needs of gym-goers, sun worshippers and kids. There are plenty of activities that you can get involved with, too.

The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain One of the most classic hotel spas, The RitzCarlton provides a chic and dreamy space for anyone who wants to indulge in some self-care. From the elegant changing room area to the wood-panelled treatment rooms 68

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to the Thalassotherapy pool, you get a proper nurturing experience.

Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa For a spa founded on the benefits of the sea, the Sofitel spa experience is truly indulgent.

The spa offers a vast array of seawater-based treatments, including hydrotherapy, massage and wellness which aim to restore vitality and balance. With its location combined with its soul-soothing treatments, this is your go-to zen place.

Best Resort Spa ART Rotana, Amwaj Islands Amwaj has been the go-to destination for recreational activities in Bahrain for over a decade. With ART Rotana being the ultimate resort hotel in the area, the spa provides an escape like no other. It’s the kind of spa you could while away in for hours on end and come out of it feeling fantastic.

Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay The Spa has so many levels that it is its own entity within The Four Seasons. The sheer labyrinth of the premises is a world away from the outside hustle and provides muchneeded tranquillity. Every corner you turn, you find more luxury and reason to indulge.

The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain We like to think of this spa as one of the original resort spas on the island – everyone thinks it, we’re saying it. The Ritz-Carlton have always been synonymous with luxury, resort and excellence. The grounds are pristine, the spa is a haven, you can’t get more resort than this.

Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa This sprawling property earns its resort status purely for its size and for being a wellness sanctuary like no other. What we love about this spa is how deep you go into the building and how many spaces there are to relax in. We could happily spend the rest of our lives there!

Novotel Bahrain Al Dana Resort The Thalasso & Spa retreat at this property is cited as one of the best places to find your balance and recharge your batteries. You can get both an invigorating or relaxing break while watching the Dhows float by.

Al Areen Palace & Spa Amidst an ambience of seclusion and luxury, the multi-award- winning Al Areen Spa offers a unique and exquisite haven for busy lives. Drawn from the Chinese ve element’s philosophy and other Asian traditions practiced centuries ago, our intimate retreat blends romance and serenity with exotic sensuality.

The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa The hotel’s Zen-style spa is perfect for some relaxation. This Asian-inspired retreat includes separate men’s and women’s facilities along with 15 treatment rooms for massages, facials and aroma baths.

Best Day Spa The Westin Bahrain City Centre Heavenly Spa is just that. Located at The Westin, with a link to City Centre Bahrain mall, this spa encompasses all that it means to feel and be well. You can have the complete wellness experience at Heavenly Spa by enjoying soothing spa treatments designed to help you reclaim your relaxation and feel your best self by taking advantage of their unique fitness programmes. In short, if you go to Heavenly Spa in the morning, you’ll come out a new person by night.

Dessange Paris Established by Jacques Dessange in Paris in 1947, the elegance of Dessange is what makes it one of the ultimate day spas in Bahrain. You can get all your necessities done here – starting off by getting into shape with their fitness centre and catalogue of classes, followed by a juice bar stop for a thirst quencher and then you can unwind and get fully pampered with lots of body massages and treatments. Their plunge pool is also something to talk about!

Movenpick Hotel Bahrain There’s something so warm and reassuring about the Movenpick. There’s a great balance of cosmopolitan chic with colourful vitality. The fitness centre overlooking the pool and lush grounds give a feeling of paradise while the treatments lock you away in another zen world to make you feel completely relaxed and at one with your mind, body and soul.

Best City Spa Downtown Rotana If you ever feel like you need an express treatment while on-the-go, Downtown Rotana’s spa is a great pick-me-up. There’s a no frills, no fuss element to this spa where you get exactly what you need and when you need it at the drop of a hat. Bodylines offers a selection of massage treatments, including traditional Thai massage, Swedish massage, body masks and scrubs, as well as signature treatments – it’s as if you are in a parallel universe, when you’re really in the thick of the capital. Perfect.

The Domain Hotel & Spa There’s so much to love about this city spa.

Not only is it THE best spa in the Diplomatic Area, it’s such great value for money.

From a Himalayan salt stone sauna to an infinity pool to their Four Sense relaxation lounge, your mind and body are completely replenished after a day at this spa.

InterContinental Regency Bahrain Spa InterContinental is a destination where every element is customised to your healthy time. It’s a space which bridges expert skincare and total wellness for your body and mind with treatments using natural products such as fruit, seeds, chocolate and yoghurt.

mommy wellness day spa

Mommy Wellness Day Spa

Sash Spa

This spa has been the topic of conversation for months now. Specialising in the wellness of all women and mothers, they offer bespoke services for mums-to-be, first time mums and mums who handle five kids at a time and mums that are grandmothers. Treatments are conducted by highly qualified therapists that seek to restore your sense of self, wellbeing and happiness. It’s all about inspiring women to better health. From manicures, pedicures to pregnancy massages to tummy sculpting treatments to rehydrating hair oil treatments, all your needs are met in one go here.

When it first opened, everyone was up in arms about how amazing Sash is.

Tucked away in Riffa, you really get a sense of their ‘White Paradise’ that is second to none in Bahrain. The facilities are designed to relax, to renew and to re-energise guests. Every treatment is transformed into a unique and personal occasion to make it a moment created especially for you. The luxury Sash experience combines professionalism and aesthetic expertise. It’s beautiful, trust us. www.ohlala-magazine.com

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Ohlala Awards

The Oriental Ceremony, The Domain Hotel & Spa When you enter VIE Spa, you leave your troubles outside, especially if you indulge in the Oriental Ceremony. It’s an aromatic and exhilarating journey inspired by oriental rituals of South East Asia. The body is enveloped in deep relaxation, the spirit soothes, leaving the skin hydrated, soft and luminous.

The Ultimate Aromatherapy Experience, ART Rotana, Amwaj Islands Here you can experience the ultimate customised aromatherapy experience using carefully applied pressures and techniques to encourage a healthy well-being for body and mind. There are several signature oils to choose from, formulated with natural plant and flower oils with wonderful exotic scents and powerful therapeutic benefits. This treatment works from your head to your toes, it will dissolve away all of your stress and tension held in every part of your body.

The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain

Best Female Spa Dessange Paris Whenever someone asks us where to go for a female-only experience, we can’t help but recommend Dessange. It’s practically an institution in Bahrain and the favourite among ladies who love to leisure and indulge in the finer things in life. There’s a real finesse about this spa where you feel totally taken care of and in good hands.

Sash Spa This spa has been the talk of town since it opened a few years ago. Being in the elite area of Riffa, you’ll find some real haute ladies who attend. There’s a real exclusive vibe at this spa as the premises are totally closed off from the outside world, making you feel like you are in a white sanctuary. Everything about it, is elegant.

Mommy Wellness Day Spa The very essence of this spa is to celebrate women and all the amazing things we do – and to pamper us hard working women. The core values of the spa sit so well with how we feel women should be pampered, indulged and treated. At a time when women are their most beautiful, vulnerable and strong, pregnant women and new mothers can rest assured that this spa is a unique and safe space to feel free and enjoy to the max.

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Best Male Spa The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain The spa here is an absolute haven for men who want to take some much-needed R&R. Treatments vary widely and include a stress reliever massage, a muscle recovery massage, an activity recover and a men’s facial.

Herbal Poultice Massage, The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain Practiced for many years, this ancient art of healing promotes emotional and physical wellbeing. Warm Thai herbal compresses provide anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antioxidant properties to relieve stress and fatigue. One word: luxury.

Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay If you’ve been lucky enough to indulge in the women’s spa, rest assured that the men’s spa is a mirror image of fabulousness and repose.

The plunge pools in particular are something to talk about - and the lighting throughout the spa is akin to peace and happiness.

Best Spa Signature Treatment Invigorating Oud Massage, Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay As part of their Bahrain signature treatments, nothing is as unique as the Invigorating Oud Massage. It’s a deep-tissue massage using slow strokes and firm pressure to ease stress, this treatment uses Sodashi’s luxurious oud oil, rich with rose and frankincense, to melt your tension away. It’s then complemented by an exclusive facial massage using ancient Australian mineral stones that balance and harmonise the body and mind.

Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa

Tresors des Mers Relaxation Massage, Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa The essential art of massage as part of a relaxing treatment to eliminate tension for a relaxed body. A complete body massage performed using luxuriously textured product concentrate with benefits from seawater.

The Westin Bahrain City Centre

Best Hammam Treatment Special Moments Hammam, The Westin Bahrain City Centre If you need any convincing, just flip the pages of this issue and read about our review of the Special Moments Hammam treatment at Heavenly Spa. The hammam experience at this spa is unique in that it is the biggest hammam chamber/treatment room in Bahrain and is a sight to behold, really. You’ll get your proper Turkish hammam experience here, with experienced therapists who help you escape the overstimulation of the world outside and unwind in true tranquillity - all that exfoliation is worth it.

Traditional Rose Hammam, The Gulf Spa, The Gulf Hotel Bahrain Convention & Spa Enjoy this traditional hammam from Arabia. Relax and let the scented black olive soap purify your body and clear your senses. Glow with vitality as a vigorous exfoliation with your personal hammam mitt. A healing rose clay body mask is applied to nourish and regenerate your skin. To finish, and rich oil with a blend of Arabian aromatherapy is massaged into the skin to soften.

Turkish Bath Ceremony, Movenpick Hotel Bahrain The 90-minute Turkish Bath Ceremony is a serious

invitation to explore the Ottoman era, of fulfilment and serenity; the Turkish bath and its unique ritual involves a soft steam and a traditional Kessa glove scrub with black olive soap to remove dead skin cells, followed by a massage in a cloud of foam, resulting in total relaxation. Utter bliss.

The Purifying Hammam Ritual, Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay The purifying hammam treatment begins with the traditional hammam, which includes steam, black soap and a Kessa glove scrub. An argan seed scrub and rhassoul clay are then applied over the whole body and allowed time to absorb before a soothing rose milk is poured onto the skin for nourishment.

Hammam Queen, Al Areen Palace & Spa

Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa

which includes: rainmist, rose exfoliating salt and a scrub-rain shower.

I Love Sharing, Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa

This is an amazing 330-minute treatment that includes a steam, body scrub, green clay detox mask exotic moisture dew facial, a Balinese massage and a manicure and pedicure followed by a blow dry.

This is a gentle relaxation for two that involves 1 couples hammam session, a marine body wrap and then a massage of your choice.

Best Couple’sTreatment

Time together begins with a 15-minute steam treatment followed by a 30-minute body cleansing scrub. Next an invigorating 60-minute signature massage soothes your senses, followed by a 45-minute wrap. Your ultimate experience is concluded with a 30-minute rejuvenating Jacuzzi in the luxurious couple’s spa suite.

Rituals of Romance, Al Areen Palace & Spa This 120 minute escape allows you to leave the limits of time and share the experience with a friend or a loved one. Refresh and re-energise your mind and soul with their special package

Time Together, The Westin Bahrain City Centre

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Ohlala Awards Best Spa Brand Heavenly Spa, The Westin Bahrain City Centre Akin with the ultimate wellness, Heavenly Spa is true to its word. This spa brand embodies a wellness philosophy where you can surrender to a healing touch and immerse yourself in relaxing scents, inspiring melodies and invigorating massages.

Thalassa Sea & Spa, Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa The Bahrain Pearl’s thalassotherapy complex offers a vast array of seawater-based treatments, including hydrotherapy, massage and wellness. There’s also a beach club with fitness facility So FIT, steam rooms, tennis and squash courts, and a pool.

Dessange Paris This luxury brand dedicated to women’s beauty care is best at combining skin, body and hair care all under one roof. The house of Dessange, as established by Jacques Dessange in Paris 1947, is elegance recognised internationally and is one of the most trusted spa brands in Bahrain.

Best Spa Products Natura Bisse, The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain From refining acids to natural botanicals, Natura Bisse offers exclusive anti-aging formulas to deliver radiant skin. These products specifically target the effects of premature aging while personalising serums and other products to meet the needs of various skin types. Discover a brand that defines luxury.

Elemis, ART Rotana, Amwaj Islands Specialising in targeted skin and body care, Elemis use natural active ingredients combined with cutting-edge science to create leading, luxury spa-driven beauty products. Producing some of the most influential anti-ageing.

111SKIN, Dessange Paris Developed by leading Harley Street cosmetic surgeon Dr. Yannis Alexandrides, 111SKIN offers the most advanced, sophisticated healing and anti-aging. Based on ingredients tested for effectiveness in extreme conditions in space, this pioneering range repairs and protects for a youthful, radiant appearance.

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Green Bar Inc, The Gulf Hotel Bahrain Convention & Spa Green Bar is a small company based in Bahrain reflecting a modern take on the region’s age-old Middle Eastern beauty rituals. They specialise in beauty oils because they believe in anointing your body like it’s a sacred temple. The underlying theme of the products is a natural extravagance.

ILA, Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay Aiming to bring purity, energy and balance into everyday life, ILA, a beyond organic luxury skincare brand from England has once again designed four new exclusive spa treatments for The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay.

Aromatherapy Associates Oils, Downtown Rotana Intense, aromatic blends of 100% pure plant and essential oils restore your natural moisture balance providing radiant, glowing and healthy skin.

Scented with precious blends of pure essential oils there is no need to wear perfume as you’re enveloped in the most indulgent aromas all day.

Best Spa Design The Gulf Hotel Bahrain Convention & Spa It’s beautifully urban and luxurious with unending corridors and treatment rooms. It feels like a maze that doesn’t end but keeps going on and on. And, what’s more, the entire spa goes over three glorious floors.

Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay Impressive on an international scale, The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay encompasses four interconnected buildings woven together with pathways and gardens with modern design filled with natural light, reflecting modern Moroccan and Turkish influences.

Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa This spa space is nothing short of incredible. The soft lighting, ornate marbling and intricate mosaic patterns make this spa a joy to be in. The design has the ability to naturally reenergise you even before you step into your treatment.

The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain The spa at the Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain is the very definition of a private sanctuary - it feels like an open plan museum with historical looking columns and beautiful sculptures throughout.

downtown rotana

Best Health Club Fitness First As the fitness leaders in Bahrain, their mission is to make the world (and the island) a fitter place. They do this by combining innovation in their classes and gym environment, with experienced, friendly and knowledgeable personal trainers. Overall, Fitness First is about having fun while exercising.

Movenpick Hotel Bahrain Nothing says health better than a club that overlooks lush greenery and a pool, right? This is what you get at the Movenpick Health Club and it makes you want to pound the treadmill even harder.

Crowne Plaza Bahrain This health club is perfect for the on-the-go traveller who needs to take some time for themselves. This is a great club to recharge your batteries, feel good and take the world by storm again.

Sheraton Bahrain Hotel This property provides one of the best and fully equipped health and recreation center in Bahrain with its top of the line gymnasium, swimming pool and recreation facilities. They offer an exclusive membership that allows you to keep fit by providing you with strength and cardio equipments along with extensive recreational facilities.

Best Fitness Centre Fitness First As we said before, this is a premier fitness nirvana equipped with the best in modern facilities. You can benefit from specialist personal trainers

Dental, GP Service, Cryotherapy and Hyperbaric Oxygen.

Royal Bahrain Hospital

Microdermabrasion, Dr. Tariq Hospital

RBH delivers state-of-the-art-medical care.

With a professional team of doctors, nurses, paramedics and administrators with high-end facilities and equipment from countries such as Germany and the USA. The main attribute of quality comes from the KIMS group. As Royal Bahrain Hospital is the fifth healthcare institution of the KIMS group in the gulf region, patients can expect a high level of quality care and expertise to be provided within RBH.

Microdermabrasion is a procedure that exfoliates and removes the superficial layer of dry, dead skin cells. It mechanically exfoliates the outermost layer of dead skin cells (the stratum corneum) and vacuums them away, leaving your skin feeling softer and smoother and if done well, looking younger and more vibrant.

Dr. Tariq Hospital who will help you up your cardio, weight management, introduce bodybuilding programs, group exercise, boxing classes, aerobics classes and nutrition plans.

Lift Head over to their website and the first thing you’ll think is: this is hardcore. And it is but the results are so worth it! This strength and conditioning centre is suitable for use by all individuals of any level of fitness. The gym is equipped with a 20 meter stretch of astroturf, TRX, olympic rings, battleropes, tyres, kettlebells, landmines and sleds.

Training For Warriors The TFW system began as a fitness program originally created for some of the best combat athletes in the world more than 18 years ago. What separates the TFW system from other training programs is its holistic approach to training.

Oxygen Gym This gym is dedicated to helping you get healthy, breathe better, decrease stress, increase body strength and achieve your overall fitness goals.

Over 1000 square meters in size, Oxygen Gym is one of the largest co-ed fitness centres in Bahrain and is equipped with the most hi-tech weight training machines and cardio fitness equipment.

Best Medical Spa Hospitalia by Yara This is where medical meets luxury. With an impressive array of treatments for your complete wellness, this spa houses the best specialists, most cutting edge technology and is a beautiful sanctuary. Departments in this medical spa include: Dermatology,

reducing pain, and in replenishing hair loss in both men and women.

Dr. Tariq Saeed is the renowned Bahraini, Plastic, Aesthetic and Laser surgeon who has been in plastic surgery since 1983 and trained in Ireland, the UK and the USA. Dermaplast at Dr.Tariq hospital recognises that its clients are the center of its universe. It embraces and adopts the highest standards and most contemporary science in delivering plastic surgery, laser dermatology and allied services to these clients in a caring and compassionate environment.

Marafie Clinic Dr. Hanann A.Wahed Marafie is considered to be one of the leading dermatologist and cosmetic dermatologist in Kingdom of Bahrain.

With over 20 years of experience within the industry she is well known for introducing many of the latest and most advanced technologies to the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Best Non Invasive Surgical Treatment Carbon Facial, Hospitalia by Yara Carbon Facial is a new non invasive and painfree laser treatment that is great for treating minor skin imperfections. This includes reducing fine lines and wrinkles, tightening dilated pores, reducing acne, scars and post acne discoloration, restoring skin integrity and radiance, stimulating collagen growth and clearing pores to help reduce blackheads and whiteheads.

Mesotherapy, Royal Bahrain Hospital Mesotherapy treatment is a non surgical cosmetic solution aimed at diminishing problem areas in your body such as cellulite, excess weight, body contouring, and face/neck rejuvenation, just to name a few. Mesotherapy can also assist in

Skin Tightening, Marafie Clinic Skin Tightening with Cutera Titan® uses a safe infrared light energy to heat the dermis deep beneath your skin’s surface with the goal of tightening facial laxity and stimulating collagen growth – without surgery, recovery time, or injections, Titan is an ideal solution for your face lift and abdomen, arms skin tightening. Since the Titan procedure heats tissue under the skin’s surface, patients of any skin type or age can be treated.

Best Dental Spa Seef Dental The year 2005 marked the birth of Seef Dental, when Dr. Azza Fityani, Dr. Sameh Shaheen, Dr. Roger El Bassit and Dr. Sami El Bassit joined ventures to address the growing demand for professional dental services in Bahrain. The rich background of technical knowledge and academic exposure of the founders, as well as their wide spectrum of knowledge that encompassed different disciplines in dentistry, made service at Seef Dental unique and professional.

Dental Specialist Centre At Dental Specialist Center, they offer a range of different services that are all carried out using the latest methods and modern techniques. From root canal treatments to dental implants to braces, our consultants are experts in their fields and you can rest assured that you will be in good hands.

Royal Bahrain Hospital The Royal Dental Studio houses our dental department, with a full roster of dentists, orthodontists and endodontists. Our doctors use expert dexterity and a mix of advanced techniques to ensure healthy gums and teeth. We offer comprehensive evaluation of oral health based on which preventive and conservative measures and treatments are advised to meet client needs to ensure good oral hygiene. www.ohlala-magazine.com

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Ohlala Awards Best Beauty Salon Gloss Salon and Spa At Gloss Salon and Spa you can expect modern chic hair cuts, vibrant color, highlights, special occasion styling as well as waxing and hair removal, pedicure, nails, facials and make-up.

The experienced team will help you determine the best services and will assist you to tailor them for your specific needs. Their staff deliver the highest quality service and value with the utmost professionalism. Their quirky and chic salon is designed to offer you an exciting experience and make you feel glamorous.

Dessange Paris Every last beauty want and need is met at Dessange Paris with the utmost knowledge, care and attention. We’ve had many a manicure and pedicure here and have come away from it super happy - especially with the long-lasting results!

Sash Spa The word pamper goes a long way at Sash Spa. Every treatment is transformed into a personal and unique experience where the glamour of beauty gives you an impeccable feel and look.

There are always surprise touches throughout.

Joz Salon and Spa Celebrating over 75 years in the beauty business, Joz Salon and Spa has continually met the challenge of their mission, providing the finest beauty and spa treatments in a friendly, relaxing environment while using the best quality products. With locations throughout Bahrain, this salon has always been the firm favourite for always being a trusty option for any woman who wants a pick-me-up.

conditioning treatments, dry scalp packages and hair loss treatments.

Toni & Guy Toni & Guy is the most powerful hairdressing brand in the world. From the cool to the quirky to the classic, all the stylists and directors have expert knowledge of hair and can literally do anything you want them to do.

Gloss Salon and Spa Whatever style you want, Gloss can do it for you. Whether that is platinum highlights or lowlights, roots, blow dry, up dos or a Keratin straightening treatment, you’ll be able to get exactly what you want.

Joz Salon and Spa At Joz, unprecedented customer service is focused on to ensure that every guest has an experience unlike any other - and that very much includes hair care. For your run of the mill colour job or trim, it’s always done right here.

Heads Up Salon Located in Moda Mall, Janabiya, the Sofitel and Hamala, this salon has grown exponentially over the years and has become the go-to for women who want that extra special updo.

Johnny & Co. This salon has a calm, fresh friendly feel to it, as you walk through the doors and are greeted by the friendly, talented staff of stylists and assistants. They offer a comprehensive range of hair and beauty treatments using Schwarzkopf and L’oreal products.

Mommy Wellness Day Spa

Mommy Wellness Day Spa If there’s one thing we know about the whole life changing experience of being a mum, it’s that you always need a bit of R&R along the way. You can groom yourself to perfection via a host of treatments including eyebrow tinting and shaping, waxing and gelish manicures and pedicures.

Best Hair Salon Sash Spa Hair care by Philip Kingsley takes centre stage at Sash Spa which aims to transform dull hair into lustrous glossy locks. You can do 74

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Best Nail Studio NStyle Beauty Lounge We like to think of this nail studio as luxury at an affordable price. NStyle Beauty Lounge provides today’s modern women with the ultimate in beauty lavishness set in a trendy and highly luxurious store environment offering the highest quality services and stringent hygiene standards.

N. Spa The first nail spa and boutique of its kind in the Kingdom of Bahrain offers the most comprehensive menu of nail care services and exclusive nail care products, by the best brands in nail revolution such as Essie, Cuccio, Creative nail design and OPI. N.Spa provides today’s modern women with an elegant and indulgent range of Manicure and Pedicure experiences that will turn hands and feet into the epitome of taste and style, in a unique and luxurious setting.

Gloss Salon and Spa From shellac to mani-pedi packages, Gloss can give you the best nail makeover in town. You get the complete treatment at Gloss with lovely hand and feet massages as your nails are buffed and polished. Your visit to Gloss becomes a memorable occasion and one that you will always look forward to.

Beauty Spot Salon Based in Hamala, Beauty Spot has been a trusty go-to for a long time now. You get high quality products for your nails alongside Internationally trained specialists to ensure you get only the best.

ART Rotana, Amwaj Islands

Best Weight Loss Program

Best Hospital

VLcc Bahrain

RBH delivers state-of-the-art-medical care.

With a professional team of doctors, nurses, paramedics and administrators with highend facilities and equipment from countries such as Germany and the USA. The main attribute of quality comes from the KIMS group. As Royal Bahrain Hospital is the fifth healthcare institution of the KIMS group in the gulf region, patients can expect a high level of quality care and expertise to be provided within RBH.

At VLCC, they endeavor to turn a desire to lose weight into an achievable state of healthy living, by offering a harmonious blend of the latest scientific technologies along with nutritional and lifestyle counseling in leading a happy, stress free life.

Diet Mealz “Health is wealth” as much as “time is precious”.

At Diet Mealz, they aim to hit two birds at once.

Diet Mealz is a solution to this problem. Diet Mealz is a unique F&B outlet promoting healthy living. All meals are freshly prepared daily to ensure the food quality. Meals are individually portioned and packed in heatable containers for easy, healthy on the go meals.

Health Watchers Bahrain This program is simple. Call to book an appointment, get your consultation where the dietitians will give you a custom-made diet plan in order for your to reach your goal set, whether it’s weight loss, weight gain, muscle gain or weight maintenance. Get your diverse meals delivered to your door - you can get: Khaleeji, Oriental, Occidental and European dishes.

Carlton Nutrition Center Carlton Nutrition center has multinational professional team hired for a specific combination of education, skills and expertise working in a high spirit of successful performance and dedication to ensure customer satisfaction. Through its wide variety of dishes inspired by a myriad of cuisines, CNC culinary artists bring delicacies of the world right into the meal. Our professional dietitians help you lose, gain, or maintain your weight and improve your athletic performance.

Royal Bahrain Hospital

Middle East Hospital The hospital is considered among the most advanced in equipment, and staffed with the best qualified in the area, to generate a service that is highly demanded by the populous in Bahrain and beyond. Moreover, while it is the most equipped and staffed, it provides its services at affordable cost to individuals, corporates and insurance companies alike – thanks to modern management systems that emphasize efficiency and quality of care.

Bahrain Specialist Hospital The vision of Bahrain Specialist Hospital is to be always the top provider of the highest standards of healthcare by expanding the scope of services at the current location and at other sites in Bahrain and the region, and to be the primary center for medical tourism in the area.

American Mission Hospital American Mission Hospital has been providing healthcare for the people of Bahrain for over a hundred years in a non-profit setting. The ideals by which AMH was first established have remained unchanged in over a century of service.

Corporate Social Responsibility Downtown Rotana This city property has been closely linked to Al Kawther Society. Last year they provided mentorship for the orphaned youth through a series of learning and development activities, and hosted 10 teenagers, aged 14-18 years old, to a day of culinary learning, team building activities and kitchen fun.

Mummy Wellness Day Spa They have worked closely with various organisations and charities on the island to support the wellbeing of mothers and children.

This included a drive as part of Al Sanabel Society last Eid to support them in reaching their target of providing 1000 gifts to the orphans in Bahrain. They have also worked with a new initiative called Moms 4 Moms to raise money for a drive to create starter kits for new moms.

ART Rotana, Amwaj Islands This resort have a regular CSR program called Seasons of ART where they source local artistic talent and give them a platform in the hotel to exhibit their work completely for free and sell without any commission taken. They also host small lunches now and again for charities like Al Sanabel orphanage and brunches for ‘Think Pink’ plus food giveaways for Ramadan.

Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay Once a year, they organise blood donation – an important event to support the local community in cooperation with Salmaniya Medical Center.

Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay currently employs a team of 466 full time employees who annually participate in this virtuous deed that saves precious human lives.

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AWARD WINNING WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY

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khalifashaheen

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+973 17 593993

Health Files Ramadan is 30 days of no food or water between sunrise and sunset. But that doesn’t mean you can’t keep fit at the same time. Fitness First give us their carefully thought out tips on how to not lose your way on getting fit and healthy.

Change Your Routine

It goes without saying that our routine will change during Ramadan. You want to rise well before sunset so you can have an early morning meal. Also for your workout times, you may need to adjust your routine to Ramadan and plan when is the most comfortable time for you to train whether it is right before iftar, after iftar or before or after Suhoor.

Eat Well-Balanced Meals

A well-balanced meal of protein, carbohydrates and good fats is most likely to sustain you throughout the 15 hours of fasting. Proteins such as eggs and fish or meat, you can include nuts such as almonds, carbohydrates such as sweet potato and fats such as avocados. If you are still hungry after that turn to fruit and cereal.

Don’t Overeat!

Five Ways To Maintain Fitness During Ramadan

There’s no end to the amount of food to eat before sunrise, but don’t go overboard. If you do, you will, as many people do, gain weight during this month. Avoid the temptation o overeat during the evening meal and eat until you are reasonably full. Try not to have too much sugar.

A rapid rise in your blood sugar level will lead to an excess of insulin being released into the blood. This gobbles up the glucose and a few hours later you may begin to feel weak, miserable and extra sluggish.

Drink Water

Make sure you have enough water to drink before you begin your fast for the day. Don’t drink too much in one sitting. You want to try and spread the amount of water you are going to drink over the night. If you can take in 10 glasses of water (1.5 litres) from sunset to sunrise, you should maintain a normal level of hydration. You can work out your water needs as the fast progresses. With particularly hot days, you may need more fluid. In the evening don’t forget to re-hydrate yourself. Take water with you if you are going out and when you go to bed at night, keep a bottle of water next to your bed. When you wake up in the night, drink at least a glass or two.

Exercise To Stay Fit

While you don’t want to overdo exercise during Ramadan, you do want to do some that will result in you maintaining the fitness with which you entered the fast. It is recommended to exercise for a minimum of two times a week if not more. Any form of exercise is advisable from low intensity cardio sessions to light weights strength and conditioning and body weight exercises. www.ohlala-magazine.com

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Health Files

Heavenly Experiences

Even if we are rushed off our feet, we always make time for indulgent treatments.

Heavenly Spa Bahrain located at The Westin Bahrain City Centre is a place where you can awaken your senses and feel new again.

If you want to feel the benefits of a spa, you really need to stay for at least 90 minutes.

You can’t rush it – steam rooms need to be sat in, Jacuzzis need plunging in and oils need lathering. Luckily for us, we were booked in for a 120-minute ‘Special Moments Hammam’ on a Sunday morning – we know, sometimes life is really just that tough for us.

We arrived at Heavenly Spa Bahrain at The Westin Bahrain City Centre to a warm reception from Ahmed, the spa manager. After briskly filling out a survey for our pressure preferences, we were whisked to the changing room area. After putting on our soft white robes, we were taken to the Jacuzzi area where we were then given a plaid cloth to wrap around our bodies – true to the Moroccan bath attire.

Dipping into the tepid, not-too-hot, water, the relaxation began. We sunk into the bench and cleared our minds for a good 10 minutes until our therapist gently ushered us to the Hammam treatment room.

When you enter the room, you’re left in awe.

It’s positively huge. A deep vault of tranquillity and tradition where the ancient world meets modern, urban design. The room is sleek and sophistication but not overly heavy on the eye – the chamber was beautifully lit and there’s a low-lying mist that adds to

“A deep vault of tranquillity and tradition where the ancient world meets modern, urban design”

the atmosphere. The marble table had a comfortable cloth set up for us where the washing, exfoliation and masks were to be applied.

We love water. Beyond it being a cleansing element, there’s a spirituality with the way the therapist pours the water over us – like we are under an ethereal fountain in a nondescript universe – we definitely were transported.

The deep exfoliation part of the treatment was both vigorous and incredible in equal measure.

Although you feel a slight stinging sensation after the water swooshes over you removing the dead skin cells, you feel completely renewed and revitalised.

Next came what we thought was unique to this treatment. Thick parcels of white tea bath foam were ceremoniously spread across our body which sunk into our pores, making us feel like butter – this is indeed a relaxing and luxurious affair.

A white tea mask was then applied after the foam was washed off. We then just laid there on the marble table and absorbed all the lingering scents for 10 minutes until our therapist came back, washed everything off for the final time and then guided us to the relaxation zone for some tea before our full body massage.

To end on this note was more than what we could have imagined. The varying motions and sweeping strokes combined with the Aromatherapy Associates oil made for a complete sensory experience – one which we urge all busied ladies to indulge in for some much-needed me time.

The Special Moments Hammam is 120 minutes long and is BD75. For more information or reservations call: 1717 1122

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Chic Eats

Mix & Match

As is always Chef Michael’s style, Meisei have added a new menu to their growing culinary corpus. We explore the restaurant’s latest fusion hit: Asian Curries.

Is there a word in the culinary sphere that provokes as

much reaction as fusion? This loaded label has garnered much intrigue and excitement over the past year in Bahrain with restaurants sprouting mixed menus of gastronomic cohesion - but there’s no place that exemplifies all that fusion stands for, than Meisei in Adliya.

We love a creamy curry – who doesn’t? But what we love more, is a new spin on the much-praised comfort food. Meisei’s Chef Michael is all about honouring nostalgic meals – and then adding a spirited, noncalculated and wildly fun twist to it. So, with his new ‘Asian Curries & More’ menu, you’ll find updated versions of chicken curries, uber healthy renditions of rice and some saucy soy thrown in for extra measure.

We start with a frizzy medley of Japanese Pakora: julienned vegetable tempura (that’s your Japanese tick) and a tongue-wagging cucumber kimchee yoghurt raita (that’s your Indian tick). The sauce is dotted with spice, but the yoghurt proves to be a brilliant cooling agent. The tempura is reassuringly crunchy and hits the spot that only tempura can hit. Followed by a distinctly juicy, dripping pack of Kalbi Ribs, soaked in soy ginger marinate, accompanied by a pot of golden curry sauce. Excuse us, but we (elegantly) sucked on the bone until we got every last drop of beef essence out of there. Believe us, it’s worth looking like a cavewoman for a few seconds!

For mains we were brought a superb Crispy Chicken Katsu – seeing a bowl of crisp fried free-range chicken, vegetable black fried rice (with lots of flavour staying power) and Japanese curry. The chicken had a pack of protein to it, while its fried coating was as dreamy as a hot summer’s day. Alongside this glorious dish, we had a Japanese Golden Vegetarian Curry, with a serving of Korean somen noodles. Here is where we felt like we had the proper fusion experience – Indian curry and Korean noodles. Both equally impressive in their own right and then beautifully melded together.

The Crispy Panko Crusted Seabass Curry will take your love affair with seabass and throw it out the window, for this seabass number is a performance like no other. Our relationship with seabass took to new zeniths, as the base skin was so toasty crisp, we couldn’t stop eating it.

While the meat fell off our fork with a gentle slide with each mouthful.

No dish is too spicy or without enough of a kick. Throughout the experience, we felt like we had explored the extent to which near Asian and far Asian cooking can come together harmoniously to bring out a new level of hybrid food.

We couldn’t leave Meisei without having a dessert (or two) – despite not emerging from the Asian Curries menu. The Goat Cheese Cake with its buttery crumble is as satisfyingly thick as they come, while the Cherry Molten Fondant with caramelised cherries and vanilla marshmallow made us sing to the high heavens with happiness.

For more information or reservations call: 1700 7770 80

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Chic Eats Bushido Restaurant & Lounge

Bushra returns to Bushido Restaurant & Lounge for the sixth successive year this Ramadan and focuses to deliver a high-quality experience for all guests.

This year’s Ramadan will once again transform Bushido’s opulent Japanesepagoda into a modern Arabic experience. For Iftar, enjoy a buffet with over 100 exquisite dishes as well as live cooking stations to whet your appetite. Includes buffet, water, Arabic drinks, Arabic tea and coffee. That’s BD15++ week days and BD17++ weekends. Call: 1758 3555

The Royal Golf Club, Bahrain

Award-winning Executive Chef, Paul Gindra, is delighted to announce the launch of Elements Diners Club, an exciting new way to enjoy all the Club’s fantastic dining options. For just BD90 per year, Elements members will enjoy generous discounts in the Club’s four restaurants, exclusive members only access during Ramadan, free and discounted access to special events throughout the year and many more great benefits. Call: 1775 0777

The Gulf Hotel Bahrain Convention & Spa

Renowned chef-restaurateur Vineet Bhatia, three times awarded a Michelin star, is back in Bahrain from the 2-6 May 2017. Chef Vineet will once again be hosting a delectable Michelin-style journey into the world of contemporary Indian cuisine. During his visit, he will be hosting an exclusive wine dinner on 3 May and mentor one of the Gulf Hotels famous culinary art of cooking class on the 6 May. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of this exclusive Michelin Star journey with Michelin Starred Chef Vineet Bhatia! Call: 1771 3000

Al Areen Palace & Spa

This opulent property will create a memorable event during the Holy Month of Ramadan this year, with a 1001 Arabian Nights theme at Al Qasr tent.

The festivities will have an Arabic atrium setting, offering a medley of spaces for families, friends, corporate guests and VIPs. Discover our exquisite Iftar and Ghabga buffet of Arabic and International cuisine with live cooking stations for everyone’s delight as you gather around for this joyous celebration. It will also include various live counters and BBQ stations. The Iftar buffet will be BD12++ during the weekdays and BD14++ on weekends. Call: 1784 5000

ART Rotana, Amwaj Islands

Transferring their all-day dining restaurant, Choices, and terrace to a modern souk for Ramadan, where everything will be displayed in an exceptional way, we are sure you’ll love the atmosphere. Break your fast with traditional Arabic drinks then enjoy an eminent spread of dishes from the Middle Eastern region and many more from around the globe. The cherry on top are the sa<zfvAQ> pectacular live stations that will have you all wowed and absolutely in love. For the Ghabga, they’ll be offering the same astonishing setup. In addition to an amazing live musical performance and the best flavors of shisha to keep everyone entertained throughout the evening. The Iftar is priced at BD19++ and the Ghabga BD21++. Call: 1600 0111

The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain

Sample exotic flavours in oversized contemporary Meduse pipes and enjoy the finest shisha experience at The Ritz Gourmet Lounge terrace. A selection of flavours include a blend of watermelon, lemon and coconut, Eden’s Apple, a composition of Eskandarani apple, chocolate and mint or Karkade Mist, mixed with pomegranate, strawberry and plum. Enjoy 2 shishas and get complimentary

Arabic savouries and Moroccan mint tea. 50% savings on the third one. It’s BD25++ from 10-27 May, 7-10:00pm. Call: 1758 6499

Sheraton Bahrain Hotel

Known for its complete Ramadan experience, Awali Ballroom boasts a traditional Arabic décor in a neutral colour palette, palatial arches engraved with fine mosaic, carved mahogany wood paneling and a twin tent roof with stunning wrought iron chandeliers that creates a distinct and sophisticated ambience.

Iftar dishes includes traditional Arabic dishes, international menu option, traditional Arabic juices corner, a huge variety of cold mezzah and starter, a dates corner fits for the occasion, crepe station and exciting dessert corners guests love. Iftar buffet is served from sunset to 8:30 PM. It’s BD16++ from SundayWednesday and then BD17++ on weekends. Call: 1753 3533

Le Meridien Bahrain City Centre

The “Sweetest brunch” awarded best brunch by popular vote by Citi FACT Awards will be having a Mexican theme brunch on 5 May. Discover it for yourself, and be prepared to indulge in a sensorial and savoury experience. It’s BD18++ including soft drinks and water, or BD30++ including selected free flow beverages. Live music from Colombian Fire Soul Duo. Book for 10 + people, and receive 20% discount. Discounted access to swimming pool. From 12:30pm – 4pm. Call: 1717 1144

The Domain Hotel and Spa

Take advantage of one of Bahrain’s best breakfasts before Ramadan starts and head over to Le Sauvage and Le Domain on the 34th floor of this beautiful city property. It’s open daily from 6:30-10:00am every morning and is BD10++. Get your fix of eggs, pancakes and delicious cereals. Call: 1600 0000

Downtown Rotana

Gather with your family, friends and colleagues during the Holy month of Ramadan over a vibrant spread of extravagant Iftar or Ghabga buffet at Al Maha Tent for BD13++ including Ramadan drinks and desserts while enjoying the soothing music of the Oud player. The unique Ramadan decorations, entertainment and the outdoor ballroom terrace add some more magic to your lovely evenings. Share 3 days of Eid Al Fitr bliss with a vibrant and friendly ambiance together with a wide selection of dishes in a lavish buffet for only BD 13++ including juices and soft drinks.Call: 1311 9999

Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay

Ramadan will take place at Al Bahrain Ballroom which will include the main dining area and shisha lounge overlooking the Arabian Gulf, all dressed up in a modern Arabesque theme. It will feature a wide selection of traditional Bahraini fare as well as Lebanese, Moroccan, Indian, Turkish and global cuisine with a number of live cooking stations. The Iftar will be BD26++ (including beverages: still or sparkling water, soft drinks, chilled juice, Arabic coffee pass around and the Ghabga will be BD28++ (including beverages available at the buffet only) while the Shisha is BD8++. Call: 1711 5500

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DivA Drives

The All New Seventh Generation BMW 5 Series Sedan Powerful and comfortable with great handling and so many features designed to ensure safety and functionality, we could find nothing negative to say about this all new offering from BMW.

G

ermany has provided the world with various upmarket and impressive automotive brands over the years and have gained a reputation for classy and high-performance vehicle production. This could not be more obvious than with the coveted BMW range, with 7.9 million BMW 5 Series cars being sold across its first 6 generations. Upon hearing the new seventh generation BMW 5 Series Sedan was to be our next test drive, we happily accepted the keys from Euro Motors Bahrain and set off to take the beautiful creation through its paces.

Upon our initial outer inspection, the impressive new contours of the car were obvious. The headlights have for the first time been integrated into the kidney grill with a pleasing visual result. The kidney grill itself can for the first time be actively opened and closed, which improves aerodynamics and reduces C02 emissions.

The side lines are flowing in nature, effortlessly streamlining the car’s

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appearance and adding to its aesthetic presence. The rear design, including the taillights, boasts dynamic contours which show off a slender and wider interpretation of the classic BMW “L” Shape.

Slipping inside the vehicle, we were most impressed by the first class finishings and materials used. Everything looks and feels great! There is plenty of space both in the front and the back of the car, with the boot being large enough to cope with big loads. So whether you need the car for a relaxed drive to work or to transport the whole family to an event, comfortability is assured in this luxurious sedan.

With a stronger focus on user-friendliness, the new BMW 5 Series is fitted with the latest-generation iDrive system, which we found to be very user friendly. The new dashboard monitor is the first automotive, optimised touch interaction system in the automotive industry and offers live content and the option of personal configuration. The iDrive system displays navigation, telephone and entertainment features, plus vehicle functions, on a high-resolution 10.25-inch screen. We love how the system can be

operated using the iDrive Controller, through voice command or gestures, or by simply touching the display controls directly. In truth, we would have loved to have spent more time fiddling with the options, but what we got to experience was testament enough to this new sedan’s ample capabilities.

When we were finally able to stop focussing on all the attractive trimmings, it was time to test the drivability. We have been in some pretty impressive cars, however the feeling of pulling off in the new BMW 5 Series was most certainly memorable. With the new seventh generation boasting 530i and 540i new petrol engines, lack of speed is not an issue. This vehicle roars from 0 – 100kms in just 5.1 seconds.

The engine puts out 340hp / 250kw and has a low drag coefficient of only 0.22. The TwinPower Turbo technology found in the new 5 Series combined with the car’s new lightweight aluminium outer shell, ensures outstanding performance and exceptional fuel efficiency.

We also discovered the car to include a wealth of assistance systems, offering the driver support at critical moments, or even less demanding ones, such as traffic jams, slow-moving traffic and monotonous stretches of motorway. The car is fitted as standard with a stereo camera, which

teams up with optional radar and ultrasound sensors to monitor the area around the car.

The BMW 5 Series also takes another step towards automated driving with extended functions for the optional Active Cruise Control (ACC) system steering and lane control assistant. These include adoption of speed restrictions; which drivers can select as part of the Speed Limit Assist option. We found this to increase comfort significantly, particularly at low speeds and in slow-moving traffic on clogged up motorway sections. The intelligent Auto Start Stop function now adjusts its responses to the route and traffic conditions and therefore offers even greater driving comfort. At times, it seemed as if the vehicle was taking care of business for us.

So what else is there to say? Powerful and comfortable with great handling and so many features designed to ensure safety and functionality, we could find nothing negative to say about this all new offering from BMW. For more information or to book a test drive call: 1775 0750 www.ohlala-magazine.com

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Fashion TV Press Conference Ahead of the FTVâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s White Party last month, a press conference was held at Bushido Restaurant & Lounge with FTVâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Vice President Romain Saint Gilles, Twins Project DJ duo from Russia, the founders behind Noof Boutique and Designer Shaik as well as General Manager of Bushido, Daniel Edwiges.

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Fashion TV White Party The most talked about and highly anticipated event of the social calendar happened last month at Bushido Restaurant & Lounge. Everyone who’s everyone attended Fashion TV’s White Party including FTV’s Vice President Romain Saint Gilles, Twins Project DJ duo from Russia, the founders behind Noof Boutique and Designer Shaik.

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Gallery 21: Hunt Slonem Under the patronage of H.E Shaikh Rashid Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Gallery 21 invited us to a cocktail reception and private viewing of American artist Hunt Slonemâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work.

He has been commissioned to paint largescale murals for the Bryant Park Grill, New York City and the former World Trade Center, NYC among other notable works.

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Unlock The Island We were invited to a lovely â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;discover and experience all brand promisesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; at Le Meridien Bahrain City Centre last month which included an impressive spread of fare (including some local dishes), a calligraphy artist and curated cocktails.

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Hublot Press Conference The Hublot roadshow presented the Basel 2017 timepieces and novelties at The Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay last month. Lots of stunning watches were on display as the media and VIP guests marvelled at them.

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Porsche Exclusive Flagship Dealer Press Conference Porsche Centre Bahrain, Behbehani Brothers w.l.l., celebrated its status as an authorised Porsche Exclusive Flagship Dealer with a special event. Taking place at the Sitra showroom, a variety of uniquely customised vehicles were on display, demonstrating the endless individualisation possibilities.

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F1 After Party at Downtown Rotana Following the great success of the Formula One race last month, revellers headed to the after party at Downtown Rotanaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newly opened rooftop bar and shisha lounge where they got sweeping views of Manama with great fare.

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Live Art by Felipe Urteaga New York-based urban artist, Felipe Urteaga held a live art show at Shoeciti in Bahrain City Centre last month where he drew music legend Tupac in his style to launch the Sickindividual brand in the store.

Fat Joe at Klub 360

All the way from the Bronx, NY live in Bahrain for the very first time and exclusively at Klub 360, Fat Joe performed during F1 weekend where everyone had a rave of a time.

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Vogue Viewing & High Tea Luxury multi-brand store, Vogue, based in Al Aali mall held a new collection viewing last month combined with an elegant high tea for guests and VIPs.

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Easter Brunch Across the island Easter was celebrated in full swing at various hotel brunches last month. Here are our highlights...

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Turkish Festival at Al Areen The opening of the muchacclaimed Turkish Food Festival at Al Areen Palace & Spa took place last month with lots of delicious Turkish fare all round. It was inaugurated by the Turkish Ambassador HE Hatun Demirer alongside the American ambassador HE William Roebuck.

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Teatroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1 Year Anniversary The award-winning signature restaurant at Downtown Rotana, Teatro held a lovely celebration last month to mark the 1 year anniversary of the outlet. We enjoyed a fabulous spread of fare with great entertainment with their guest DJ and mesmerising saxophonist.

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Miss Ohlala

If I Could Wish Upon A Star

Ira Sumbaeva

Miss Ohlala suggests some improvements that could be made to life in Bahrain.

I feel blessed to have a great life in Bahrain which is relatively easy in comparison to my lifestyle back in the UK. It is futile to try to compare London to Bahrain, however here are a few things that in my opinion would make Bahrain an even better place to live...

A climate-controlled dome. How amazing would it be to have a climatecontrolled park to cycle and play in during the summer months? I’m convinced there must be a technical or ecological reason why this hasn’t been built yet, as it seems such an awesome idea. Any chance you could put a summer dome over Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Park?

Vintage and thrift shops. Apart from the obvious, practical point that there are more limited places in Bahrain to give away second hand clothes, I enjoy hunting in London charity shops and markets for vintage bargains.

Riyadat Mall have unique and interesting finds – as well as Al Ali Mall too, but if we could just transport the likes of the Portobello Road and Colombia Road markets over here too, that would be incredible. Cafes, brick-a-brack markets, vintage clothes shops and flowers are the perfect, quintessentially-British mix.

Little tapas restos and bistros. I miss small, quirky restaurants which are casual and relatively affordable. In Soho, London there are some fabulous establishments which you have to queue around the block to get into. Once in, you are squeezed onto little wooden tables with uncomfortable school 98

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chairs, often sharing tables with others. However, the atmosphere is electric and you have to speak loudly to be heard over the din of people enjoying themselves and eating delicious plates of tapas. Polpo, Brindisa and The Providores are fine examples of such establishments.

Roll top baths and decadent bathrooms. I can’t even swing a cat in my bathroom, let alone fit into the bath, which was clearly designed with The Borrowers in mind. I miss lounging in a hot bath, listening to Pavarotti and drinking bubbles. I prefer not to wear my contacts in our bathroom as the combination of 1980s orange and brown tiles offends my eyes. I long for a bathroom that one would actually enjoy spending time in (not to mention the plumbing/drains).

Online grocery shopping. In my opinion supermarket shopping is a tedious experience. I also entirely fail to comprehend why people in Bahrain insist on taking their entire (extended) family to the supermarket with them. It would be great if we could get online shopping going here. We are all looking for ways to save time nowadays and I long for hassle-free on-line grocery shopping from the sanctity of my villa.

Unicorns with glittery horns... one can always dream. However, I don’t think they would look out of place roaming free around Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Park?

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