Ohlala Bahrain September 2017 by Ohlala Magazine

THE ESSENCE OF STYLE Bahrain

Alice Temperley and the

art of romantic chic

Secrets To Younger Skin + The Best of AW17 Beauty

Spectacular Sri Lanka: An Intimate & Stylish Escape

THE BIG FASHION EDIT Our runway report + trends + what to buy now www.ohlala-magazine.com

www.ohlala-magazine.com September 2017 | Issue 152 Bahrain BD2 | KSA SR10

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AEROWATCH

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Contents Ohlala

Ben anun

The show Designer Talk: Alice Temperley Lookbook: Michael Cinco Beauty Guide: AW17

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Opening Number Our Favourite Issue Editor’s Letter: Fresh Faced Style Focus: Report

The Exit Travel Escapes: Sri Lanka Chic Eats: The Island’s Best Miss Ohlala

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September 2017 issue 152

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

Publishing Director Edward Smith

Country Director Kirsty Edwards-Harris

Assistant Editor Aanchal Duggal

Creative DIrector

BUsiness development

Contributors

Paula Leal

director

Angela Beitz

Graphic Designers

Rami Khalil

Shabana Adam

Jyoti Rawat

Production Manager

Photographers

WEBSITE

Neil Mahmood

Shobin Joseph

Melek Yildirimtekin

Distribution Manager Ajit Kumar COVER Image Michael Cinco

Credits image Delpozo

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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Here we go again! ART Rotana returns with another amazing beach party, this time featuring live dance and DJ entertainment from Brazil. Come down and get into the carnival vibe on 3rd November from 2pm for BD20 per person including 1 free drink. Buy your tickets from ART Rotana or call 16000111 ext 3112 for more info. Terms and conditions apply. Over 18 only. Right of admission reserved.

P. O. Box 50949, Amwaj Islands, Bahrain, T: +973 16000111, art.hotel@rotana.com www.ohlala-magazine.com

E d i t o r ’ s L e t t e r

Temperley london

esigners create fashion moments and then models make those moments happen. I remember being transfixed by Temperley London’s autumn/ winter 17 show, full of meaning, movement and high-volume elegance. Each intricate and charmingly detailed piece elicited a crowd of comments in their own right and by the end, you felt energised by the journey. I was so thrilled to have a chat with Alice Temperley, the searingly beautiful

designer behind the revered brand, for our designer focus this month. You’ll find her to be the best kind of boss woman with cinematic vision, grace and an unstoppable talent that has had a 15-year life so far and is set to continue for decades to come. As always, the September issue is a celebration of style. We’ve got our new season runway report exploring a multitude of possibilities from doing denim differently to putting pretty pink ensembles together to wearing your hair in a rigid, slicked back pony tail. Beauty-wise we offer our thoughts and reviews on the latest must-have products that will replenish tired techniques and inject life into your skin-care routine. When it comes to living a truly luxury lifestyle, we have our regular travel escapes which I was lucky enough to partake in a couple of months back across the gorgeous landscapes of Sri Lanka, going from a boutique cottage in the country’s answer to the Highlands to the wind-swept coastlines in the south. The images if anything will inspire you to take your own sophisticated sojourn. Elsewhere in the issue, we do what we do best and review the chicest eateries, spotlight the latest happenings and indulge in the finer things in life while we’re at it. Happy reading!

Georgie Bradley 12

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Editor in Chief

LANVIN PRE FALL for a distinctly elegant wardrobe

2017

For her second season as Artistic Director of Lanvin, Bouchra Jarrar has designed a pre-collection as a continuation of the work she already began for the fashion house. It is a complete wardrobe, sensual and feminine for diverse women with assertive personalities. Each look plays with day and evening codes, combining structure and movement, restraint and freedom.

Season after season, Bouchra Jarrar demonstrates her ease in playing with iconic pieces and feminine codes. She has expanded the Lanvin language to include a new modernism, offering the brand a fusion of asymmetries for a tailored and precise line. Light airy dresses, delicate yet form fitting for cocktail, flowing dresses, split sheath and tuxedo for the evening, straight trousers, lavallière blouses, leather and python perfecto jackets for the day, box coats and cascading jackets with suit collars embroidered with feathers, embellished gabardine capes and two-colour teddy jackets, jackets garnished with ruffles, chains and flounces are mixed and matched freely to create a distinctly elegant wardrobe.

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Mulberry

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New Season New Rules Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s our favourite time of year when we while away hours of indulgent style sifting and salivating. We scope out the best trends, compile the best buys and talk to the experts while weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re at it. www.ohlala-magazine.com

Wish List

06 Rosantica

04 Pleats Please; Symphony

02 Marni

Diane Von Furstenberg

01 Simona Rocha

03 Anine Bing; Stylebop

05 Balmain

Jasper Conran

Peter Petrov; Stylebop

Rosetta Getty

09 07

Roksanda

Salvatore Ferragamo

Get ahead of the AW17 game with these uber chic pieces. 16

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11 Marni

Marni

Wa n t. N e e d. N o w.

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Bags of Style

These handy items will see you through every day of the week.

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A lice T h r o u gh T he

L oo k ing G lass

The charming designer behind the brand, Temperley London, is as dreamy and as romantic as her heavenly pieces. Georgie Bradley talks to Alice Temperley about escapism, what kind of boss she is and how she creates a work/life balance. www.ohlala-magazine.com

lice Temperley’s head is full right now. Her thoughts are flitting between the anticipation of spring/summer 18 and the vortex of fashion weeks ahead; she’s trying to make time for notes, sketching and fittings while consciously balancing home life too. It seems designers are either in the future or in the past – we were set to speak about autumn/winter 17 and although timely, the crest of that wave has been and gone as far as fashion chronology is concerned. Fashion moves fast, it’s never still. Alice wishes it was slower – but she’s taking time for some “peace and quiet” by shunning London’s notorious Notting Hill carnival and going away to Ibiza. A typical week for Alice will see her in the studio 28

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three times, creating the narratives of her pieces (20 stories or so), working on the silhouettes, sketching, doing fittings once a week “where the creativity comes alive in 3D” and then the rest of the week involves working alongside the sales team and taking care of logistics. It’s full-on and she’s hands-on but she’s got “a brilliant team,” says Alice, who have a varied and strong skill set. What kind of boss is she? “I’m a nice boss. I like to hang out with the people I work with and have a good laugh. I really strive for a work/life balance - at the beginning I worked around the clock learning everything from scratch. It’s never just about being able to design a collection, it’s about barcodes, shipping and sales. But I don’t do laziness or attitude. This industry is hard work, there’s no place for that,” she adds. For the past 15 years, Temperley London has thrived in the fashion industry, weathered the financial storm and remains one of the most celebrated British labels around the world. The characteristic folklore fantasy of the brand has caught the imaginations of dreamy romantics and has made women feel their

Designer

Focus

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“I don’t do laziness or attitude. This industry is really hard work, there’s no place for that.” whimsical best wearing beautifully embroidered pieces that have oodles of elegant movement. This season, the escapism motif so true to the Temperely London story was carried throughout, but there were some cleaner, more structured pieces that came to the fore too. “We’ve always done really strong tailoring, the quilted skirts and coats with the high-waisted trousers from this season is showing that we’re not just about pretty dresses. We’re really pushing the day-wear category forward because as it stands 60% of the brand is everyday pieces, whereas if you looked at the business just four years ago, it was predominantly evening wear, so there’s been a big shift,” explains Alice. What we see on the runway are the showpieces – ones that bedazzle the critics but beyond the catwalk are the more tonal but still detailed numbers. The trousers for example; they aren’t run of the mill, they’re identifiably Temperley trousers with that bohemian ruffle and flow, giving it a folklore stamp. “I wear my own creations 95% of the time but I wish I had more occasions to wear all the beautiful pieces I have in my wardrobe!” she says. Ibiza is the opportune destination to catch up on all outfits lost to time. If you were to catch Alice on a regular day though, you’d probably find her in her self-proclaimed uniform. “If I’m being functional, I wear high-waisted trousers and a white shirt.” She understands why most designers wear head-to-toe black when working on their collections because it skirts any clash between seasons and serves as a blank canvas to think clearly about design. Our region loves to peacock, so to speak. The emphasis is on showing and being larger-than-life, stereotypically at least. For a distinctly British brand, why has this market been so receptive to Temperley London? “I think they can see it’s additional work that has gone into each piece. Everything is hand-done and has a place – there is something that makes it more unique. Our Italian jacquards are doing particularly well in the region and it’s really refined fabric with beautiful print, with a feminine shape. The fabrics are becoming even more luxurious – you see it on a table and you just want to touch it. It’s tastefully elegant where a woman looks the best she is,” says Alice. Fundamentally, Temperley London is countryside romantic with splashes of sequins and jazz. Alice’s 30

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Designer

Focus

Starter For Ten What should every woman try a t least once in her life? Try and be solitary for two weeks a year. Take yourself out of today’s rat race. No gadgets. It’s food for the soul. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? Listen to yourself and just get on with it. Don’t be distracted by other people’s noise and opinions. What’s on your bookshelf? I just read ‘The Help’ by Kathryn Stockett and for my trip to Ibiza I’ve got ‘Headstrong’ by Dave Asprey. When I’m not reading children’s books I balance it out with novels and intelligent reads. What item in your closet do you wear the most? White shirts. Who is on your guest list for a dinner party? People who make me laugh is the best tonic. What’s your greatest indulgence? Impractical things for the home and impractical cars! What’s your beauty secret? I just wear red lipstick, I don’t generally wear a lot of makeup.

affinity with the country-side stems from childhood and is a present place of refuge too. When I ask her if she internalises that romantic aesthetic, she instantly nods in agreement. She lives out the stories behind each piece she creates as it “takes away any monotony”. There is something other-worldly about Alice. She carries herself with a feathery lightness, her tresses cascade with a pre-Raphaelite quality and she has a soothing disposition. Even if she didn’t live out that narrative, she certainly looks like she does.

What is the one thing you wish you knew when you were younger? Don’t overthink or overcomplicate things, keep it simple. Live in the moment. What is on your bucket list? Next thing is building myself a big studio outside of London. And I want to create things that aren’t as fast as fashion, like photography. What brings you the greatest joy? My son. www.ohlala-magazine.com

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The Impalpable Dream of Versailles If couture could be encapsulated by one single collection, Michael Cinco’s autumn-winter 2017 collection would be it. Featuring baroque designs that drew inspiration from the French palace’s Hall of Mirrors and France’s Museum of History, this breathtakingly regal manifestation is a dream.

Photographer: TINA PATNI | Creative Direction and Styling: MICHAEL CINCO | Hair and Make-Up: JOJO DANTES PADUA, BRIAN ONG ACALLAR, KERWIN SOLO | Set and Props: ANDREW DEL ROSARIO | Models: LINA and VICTORIA of MMG Models, LIGA and FRANCESCA of Wilhelmina Dubai, GIACOMO and CONSTANTIN

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Get your daily dose of Ohlala online now THE ESSENCE OF STYLE

SMART TA L K S DESERT MANNEQUIN CHATS SPIRITUALITY AND STYLE

HOW TO FIND YOUR

INNER PEACE

DECADENT DAYS & N I G H T S

WAYS TO A WINNING RAMADAN WARDROBE WWW.OHLALA-MAGAZINE.COM JUNE 2017 | ISSUE 72 QATAR | QR20

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uit of s r

out beauty is attainable. We bring you a definitive guide on the latest trends and breakthroughs to achieve it.

e f ct r e P Stand i

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Dolce & Gabbana

In P u

Beauty Buzz

Chanel AW17 Tient Cushion collection, YSL

Lip Comfort Oil, Clarins Glow Shot, N°2, YSL

Dolce&

bbana AW 1

From imperfect lips, over-lined eyes and the return of pink, here are looks you’ll be wearing for AW17.

Laura Mercier Clay Smudge brush

Touche Eclat White, YSL

Cushion foundation, Guerlain

Lipstick, Chanel

Lingerie, Aqua Nude, Guerlain

Rose Quartz & Rose Comforting Body Balm, Prismologie

Dolce&Ga

Winter Chic

Gabban

a AW17

Eye pencil, Laura Mercier

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YSL

Beauty Talk

Editor’s picks

A n g e l a B e i t z r o u n ds u p t h is m o n t h ’ s e ss e n t i a l s .

Super Scents Diptyque has expanded its range of Fragrance Gestures which combine the intensity of scents with unexpected textures. L’Ombre dans l’Eau, Do Son, Philosykos and Eau Rose are expressed in balms, gels, oils and foams whose surprising and unprecedented textures reveal a fragrance just as strong as an eau de toilette – a scent that lasts for hours.

G e t G l o wi n g Soak up the sun with Tom Ford’s sensuous series of bronzers, highlighters, and lip colours designed to illuminate the skin throughout the year. Innovative formulas glide onto eyes, lips, and cheeks infused with hydrating, nourishing, and anti-aging benefits. We love.

Pretty in Pink Pink by Lancôme celebrates this joie de vivre by showering pink over everyone’s lips and nails through its dual expertise in colour and make-up artistry. You’ll love this collection of glosses, lip pencils, and nail varnishes infused with pink and designed for fun, creativity and boldness.

5 Pa l e t t e P e r f e c t i o n Chanel’s autumn/winter 17 makeup collection is inspired by a CalifornianroadtriptakenbyChanel’sGlobalCreativeMakeupandColour Designer, Lucia Pica, captured on her trip around Cali. If your budget will only stretch to one product, make it the Palette Essentielle. It’s a 3-in1 face saver that combines a balm-like concealer, a light-reflecting highlighter and a creamy blush into one handy compact.

All Smiles Aesop’s first toothpaste has been developed with the same attention to detail as the Skin Care formulations for which the company is renowned. It is a distinctively flavoured toothpaste that effectively cleans teeth and gums, and offers a unique alternative to a conventional peppermint base, combining the freshness of spearmint with subtle notes of anise.

3 6

Urban, Sophisticated, Edgy The famous black glitter Black Opium bottle from YSL is an icon in its own right and now comes in a new limited-edition bottle destined to be a collector’s item. The black glitter sparkles brightly in stripes that emblazon the bottle in a criss-cross shape. Interspersed with a crystalline rose, the luminous pink colour of the eau de parfum is the perfect fragrance for a special night out. www.ohlala-magazine.com

Beauty Insight

The Essence of La Prairie We sit down with Greg Prodromides, Chief Marketing Officer, La Prairie to talk about the luxury of La Prairie and how it all began.

How was the brand founded? The brand began in 1978 under Dr. Paul Neihans. Dr Niehans was a Swiss doctor and the founder of Clinique La Prairie. He believed in rejuvenation- his specialisation- that was not simply about prolonging life or adding years to life but about improving the quality of a life lived. His research detailed about adding life to years. After over 20 years of research, he found a way to restore and prolong health and vitality with revolutionary cellular therapy that slowed the effects of aging. His ideas were revolutionary and unconventional, yet so effective that they became a cult secret, whispered about in the circles on nobility, royalty and celebrity. Located on the ancient shores of Lake Leman became home to the Clinique La Prairie. It became known as a place for extraordinary rejuvenating treatments. How has the brand stayed popular and reputable? They’ve consistently been the first to market with extraordinary ingredients and formulas establishing La Prairie as pioneers and leaders in the industry with a key position on anti-aging. They’ve led the luxury skincare market in both innovation and performance. They’ve never wavered from their brand pillars of luxury, innovation and commitment to excellence. Just recently, they are celebrating 30 years since their Skin Caviar collection first launched. Tell us about the development of the Cellular Complex? The exclusive Cellular Complex is La Prairie’s age-defying, life-infusing science signature. A closely held secret for decades, this proprietary complex has been at the heart of every La Prairie skincare formula since the beginning. The history of Cellular Complex goes back to the 1930’s, when professor Paul Niehans, founder of Clinique La Prairie in Montreux Switzerland, developed a revolutionary cellular therapy to minimize the effects of aging. The complex is something of a mystery, which is in keeping with La Prairie. It is produced in three separate laboratories, ensuring that the full formula 46

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remains a secret and no single technician or chemist knows the exact recipe. Could you tell us more about Skin Caviar Collection and how it changed the premium skincare industry? Launched in 1987, Skin Caviar collection was a revolution in the skincare industry going beyond ordinary skincare to offer women infinite luxury and eternal beauty. La Prairie journeyed to the depths of the sea to capture precious caviar beads and harness their rate restorative powers. Using caviar in skincare back in 1987 was already a revolution in itself in the beauty industry and marked La Prairie’s commitment to source the most unique, precious and active ingredients to offer women an unparalleled skincare experience. This commitment to exceptional science and continuous quest for the most unique and precious ingredients has never ceased since. The legend was born. Who is the La Prairie customer? She is a woman of sophistication. She enjoys pure refinement and understated elegance. La Prairie offers a unique and intimate skincare experience. Through our exclusive and innovative products, she seeks perfection and authentic luxury. Her beauty is ageless, timeless and eternal. What are the La Prairie codes and values? Pure. Rare. Eternal. How important is Swiss science to the brand? It all began in Montreux, Switzerland, beneath the majestic summits of the Alps. Ever since, La Prairie has led a constant quest to the very best of the Swiss science with innovative formulas and some of the world’s most coveted ingredients. Today, the La Prairie scientists have researched the most innovative and luxurious way to feature caviar in a formula featuring powerful ingredients. Our heritage but also our present (our headquarters and our scientists) are in Switzerland. It is one of the leading country for innovation and precision that you can find at the very core of our products.

Ra r e I n g r e d i e n t s

out for its pure beauty, platinum has been worked into the finest, most exquisite jewels, displaying at once a delicate elegance and an unparalleled strength. Scientists have also recognized it as a singular element with extraordinarily potent properties. La Prairie has harnessed platinum’s splendor, developing a unique symbiosis in which this ultra-pure metal helps increase the effectiveness of a rejuvenating peptide.The proprietary Platinum Science supports cellular functions and the integrity of the skin’s underlying structure, providing the ultimate rejuvenation experience to reduce all visible signs of aging.

From the magnificent heights of the Swiss Alps to the deepest reaches of the sea, from far below the Earth’s crust to the banks of mountain streams, La Prairie travels to find the most extraordinary, beneficial ingredients to fulfill its quest for timeless beauty.

Caviar Collection

Cellular eye essence platinum

Caviar A mainstay of refined celebrations, caviar has served as a symbol of decadence and pleasure since the time of the Tsars. Encased in small, delicate, glistening black beads is an opulence that speaks to deeply held notions about extravagance, luxury and fine living. La Prairie has taken inspiration from this delicacy and interpreted it into a privileged indulgence for the skin. La Prairie’s caviar-based active ingredients, including Caviar Extract, Caviar Water and Caviar Absolute, offer unparalleled lifting and firming benefits, helping to improve the structure and functional quality of the skin’s extracellular matrix. They help to strengthen the skin barrier and encourage cells to better interact with each other, all of which contribute to youngerlooking skin. La Prairie’s Caviar Science is the essence of potent anti-aging indulgence. Platinum Brought to Earth millennia ago by a fallen star, platinum is the rarest and most precious metal on the planet. The paragon of resilience and refinement, it transcends all expectations. Sought

Cellular Radiance perfecting fluide pure gold

Gold Long believed to be an elixir of longevity, gold has been used in skincare for centuries. It is said Cleopatra, famed for her beauty, used gold masks to preserve her youthful appearance. Empresses from ancient Chinese dynasties would apply crushed gold directly onto their skin to enhance their complexions. In Japan, Geisha have long relied on gold to give their beauty an incandescent glow. Throughout the centuries, women around the world have recognised gold’s ability to bring a touch of opulence and luminosity to their beauty ritual. Acting as a luminous filter, gold imbues skin with a natural glow. La Prairie has drawn on gold’s ability to revitalize and perfect the look of skin with a scientific breakthrough that binds pure gold particles to an anti-wrinkle peptide to enhance its effectiveness. The proprietary Gold Science Complex includes pure gold powder and gold pigments that light up the skin for unparalleled radiance and perfection. www.ohlala-magazine.com

Beauty Focus

Staying Power If you’re an avid and loyal reader of Ohlala, you’ll know that we swear by serum. That’s why we were in seventh heaven when Guerlain announced its latest beauty magic. Abeille Royale is an instant-action youth-boosting serum that has the richness of an oil and the freshness of a lotion. Formulated using unique and exclusive bee ingredients and Myrrh oil, the result is plump, highly nourished and hydrated skin. What more could you ask for?

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Beauty Column

In With The New Winter beauty calls for dramatic looks and it’s the perfect time to try something new. From statement manicures to imperfect lips, Angela Beitz rounds up key beauty and hair trends for AW17.

Messy hair

Just-got-out-of bed, cool-girl hair can be seen regularly on the catwalks, but this season it makes a big impact thanks to texturising spritzes and sea salt sprays. This look was seen at Fendi, Dries Van Noten and Vivienne Westwood. This will be the perfect look this winter paired with leather or lots of black. Just blow dry, spritz and you are ready to rock.

Loads of liner

Black eyeliner made its mark on catwalks at all four fashion weeks, but the Prada show in Milan is where it went bold. Beauty guru Pat McGrath topped the smudgy black eyes with a flash of blue and at Versace it was applied in great swoops from the inner corners of the eyes to the temples. Get your kohl at the ready.

Bleached brows

Bold natural brows are still most popular, but their bleached-out counterparts are making a statement this season. Proenza Schouler saw a monochrome look with barely-there brows, whilst unsaturated brows were paired with pastel eyeshadow at Mary Katrantzou.

Statement Manis

The statement manicure is back and we couldn’t be happier. Checkerboard nails at House of Holland were uber cool, along with crystal-studded talons at Gucci and pressed flower designs at Preen by Thornton Bregazzi. Get ready for some super fun and Insta-worthy nails.

Gorgeously groomed

Natural-looking beauty with a focus on glowing skin has been trending for many seasons but this time the look has evolved into something more sophisticated. Look to Lanvin, Max Mara and Isabel Marant for the best examples of the supermodel-esque glow, curled lashes and impeccably groomed brows. We love.

Perfectly Imperfect Lips

Probably our favourite new trend, imperfect lips take away the need for constant reapplying. Several shows showcased this look with “justsnogged” lips as the inspiration for the smeared, messed-up pouts, whilst subtly worn-in lips and diffused edges were on show at Temperley London and Topshop Unique. Use a lip stain or creamy lippy with lots of pigment to achieve this lip. www.ohlala-magazine.com

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A Sri Lankan Sojourn If there were any mystical landscapes to include in a luxury bucket list, Sri Lankaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ceylon Tea Trails and Cape Weligama would come on top. Georgie Bradley experiences colonial and beach splendour in equal measure.

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Travel Escapes Massey

“By nightfall, the surroundings are opaque black – not even the contours of the hills can be seen but in the opposite and nearby bungalows, ambient lighting seep the windows.” If I were to pen a book,

I’d want to spend an indefinite amount of time at the Ceylon Tea Trails. I knew this from the second we left dust bowl Colombo and our four by four starting to snake up and around the rows of tea buds and leaves into a green paradise. It was barely past seven in the morning, the pale mist was rising and curling over the hills towards the high blue sky. Despite the unpaved and at times, stomach churning drive, the vistas were so beguiling, I indulged in the sluggish pace and took it all in. I arrived at the Summerville Bungalow at midday, one of the bungalows part of the Dunkeld Estate in Hatton founded by Merrill J Fernando in 2005. A perfectly craggy pathway led to the twee, pale yellow front door where my warm-faced butler was waiting for me, ready to scoop up my luggage with hearty haste and give me a personalised tour. Picture if you will, a remote cottage overlooking the still, moody blue Castlereagh lake surrounded by vast swathes of green hills and thick manes of trees, speckled with polychrome flowers and lowlying broccoli shaped clouds where thin slices of sun occasionally

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spill through. Although you’re in the depths of Hatton, Sri Lanka, there are close echoes of the Scottish Highlands courtesy of the all-encompassing rich and broody nature. Wonderfully, the wild outnumber the humans. Quiet is your companion at the Summerville Bungalow and back to my initial reaction, it’s the stuff of dreams for a wordsmith. The bedroom features a glorious four poster bed. The furnishings are wooden and tastefully colonial. The bathroom calls for oo-ing and aa-ing in its own right. A stand-alone bathtub over Victorian black and white tiling, complete with gorgeously scented accoutrements adds to the luxury of the stay. It has an overall upmarket B&B feel to it; it’s personal and quaint. The patio doors open up to a set of deck chairs and another vision to behold. I communed with the wilderness for hours on end, read appropriately slow and romantic literature, closed my eyes and let the booms of nature ripple through me without feeling the slightest itch of boredom. Despite sharing the bungalow with other guests, they were nowhere to be found or heard. Bliss.

Sebastian Posingis

Sansoni

Sebastian Posingis DUNKELD

Golec

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Massey

“Wonderfully, the wild outnumber the humans.”

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Sebastian Posingis

Massey

Nothing is spoiled by 21st century gadgetry at the Summerville Bungalow. With the exception of the iPod dock in the living room area crooning out a rolling playlist of Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra as well as a small and discreet flat screen TV, the space is devoid of modern interruptions. The living room ought to be Pinterest’s poster for ‘décor goals’ – there are throws, there are ornate lampshades with dainty detailing, there are coffee table books, there are second hand library books and there’s a well-stocked bar with gentry-approved tipples next to a roaring fire – being over 4000ft above sea level here means the temperatures are refreshingly cooler and invites a cosy up on the sofa. The veranda overlooking the infinity pool has five tables set up (five suites, five tables) – you see the tea plantations ahead of you, which never ceases to tire the eyes. As the Summerville Bungalow is in a remote location, your food and beverage is included in the stay. Each meal is elegantly plated and inspired by the local land. You eliminate any sinful diet sabotaging despite eating three course meals, three times a day because the portions are delicate and the ingredients come in their purest form and cooked with expert freshness. A standout soup had to be the pumpkin as well as the leek and potato bisque while the baked yoghurt with clumps of blackberries in the middle can only be described as special. You can also feast on a Sri Lankan spread which includes a courgette curry, fish curry, rice with fried (but still lean tasting) cashews and onions and Vattalappam for dessert, a type of custard finishing. While you could effectively spend your entire time holed up in the bungalow, there’s an impressive roster of activities on offer. You can take to the hills and hike, you can bird watch, visit Kandy, brace white water rafting or even go fishing in the Castlereagh lake. I stayed put for 48 hours and embraced the pause the experience offered. By nightfall, the surroundings are opaque black – not even the contours of the hills can be seen but in the opposite and nearby bungalows, ambient lighting seep the windows and the magic of the Ceylon Tea Trail experience is sealed off beautifully.

Travel Escapes “The villa follows the rules of colour pop minimalism offset against antique wooden cabinets.” To get to Cape Weligama

Tom Parker

Sebastian Posingis

from the Tea Trails, you need to factor in a six-hour drive or a seaplane option that shaves off over three-quarters of the aforementioned time frame. However, in the interest of seeing the changing landscapes from the high hills to the southern headland where Cape Weligama is positioned, the drive suited my adventurous sensibilities. What could have been a thumb twirling, exhaustive ride, turned out to be six hours gone in a poof. Plugged into a series of podcasts, I leaned against a constant picture window of rich foliage interspersed with gentle smiles and frantic waves from locals as we threaded between dusty villages. As we came back down to sea level, the steamy streets widened my eyes. The pace and cacophony built up to a rush hour crescendo. But there’s something so glorious about being a spectator to this madness, where you don’t move an inch but the outside world spins around you and that grating noise is but a murmur from the inside. After wading through traffic, we approached the barely-there entrance to Cape Weligama, as if it were a hushed secret. The tone was set for my beach escape. With just another 50-meter drive to the reception, the property is properly secluded. After an aromatic welcome drink, I was whisked off in a buggy to my villa. The 18 hectares, sumptuous property is atop a vast cliffside on an Indian Ocean headland near Galle with 39 villas and suites. I was staying in an ocean villa that had the privacy level of a manor and a shared garden pool (although I monopolised the pool as the next-door villa wasn’t occupied). You don’t get the tidal wave of tourists here. The villa follows the rules of colour pop minimalism offset against antique wooden cabinets and a broad desk that can fit an entire office of stationary. The bathroom offers private vantage points for views of the ocean below. I almost asked for a floor plan of the villa for it’s larger than most apartments you’d find in any city. It felt like I had come to my holiday home where I’d spend an entire two months basking in the uninterrupted views of the shimmering ocean, eat buckets of prawns swimming in garlic, watch my limbs turn brown and my hair change a shade lighter. www.ohlala-magazine.com

Tom Parker

Sebastian Posingis

Tom Parker

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Sebastian Posingis

Travel Escapes

For more information or to book a stay visit: www.resplendentceylon.com Tom Parker

“The waves bounced and frothed against the biscuit-coloured cliffs – I dodged the incoming waves with child-like squeals.”

was on the edge of the infinity pool with its glassy waters, overlooking the ocean. Lots of likes on Instagram. My aim of cultivating greeneyed envy worked. Even I was jealous of that post and I was immersed, full-body, in it! Luxury exists in every part of Cape Weligama. For such a sprawling property, not one blade of grass is left to wither. I spent a few hours scoping out the grounds, bumped into the general manager, Dirk, who was on his maintenance rounds, spoke with roaming members of staff who were always generous with their time and resources and finally settled on a lush tropical patch of garden outside my villa with some complimentary snacks – which make all the difference for a detailoriented traveller like yours truly. Although I could have indulged in a lavish breakfast-in-bed scenario, I awoke each morning at the break of dawn to the rustle of palm trees and birdsong and made the short but pleasant walk to the all-day dining restaurant, Ocean Terrace, where I picked between a Sri Lankan breakfast and a few Continental comforts. Having exotic wild fruits with a fluffy buttered croissant while transfixed by the ludicrously beautiful views of the rugged coastline ahead, is like a dream you don’t want to wake up from. Normally I’m a breakfast on-the-go girl but here, the reverse transpired. I whiled away two unplanned hours. Everything was peachy and warm. Other culinary offerings include the Ocean Grill restaurant. There, I got my fill of chicken teriyaki with avocado (tastes miles better in Sri Lanka) as well as a pungent ceviche followed by a row of splendid sorbets. As I retreated to my villa on the last night, I sat out on the patio on one of the cushioned (so comfortable it was like a mattress) sofas. I didn’t do anything. I didn’t need to. Just being was fulfilling enough. The atmosphere was whisper-quiet, only broken by the midnight waves. As I contemplated my lamentably looming departure, my thoughts turned to a quote from the works of Ibn Battuta: “Travelling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.”

I stepped onto the patio, continuing this mental fantasy and breathed in the salt of the air. Ahead of me were the slow, crashing waves which were as soothing as they were stirring. It drew me in; I walked towards the ocean, went down the many steps to get to the bottom and enjoyed the stretch of sand that went into the far distance. The waves bounced and frothed against the biscuit-coloured cliffs – I dodged the incoming waves with child-like squeals. I never felt so dwarfed by nature, so insignificant yet so alive. The wild waters can test the strongest of swimmers (I kept to a quick foot paddle) but the default experience is to just watch. Up at the property again, I took a postcard of the resort from my villa and snapped a meta photo of me holding up the card against the exact image, in the exact spot in real life and time. ‘Postcards from the edge’ I called it. The moment simply called for it. Quite literally, I www.ohlala-magazine.com

Ohlala Boutiques Lovely Trinkets

A lovely, charming and sparkling affair is offered with Pandoraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s collection this season. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a simple yet stunning glamour about each piece and we beseech you to invest.

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Ohlala Boutiques

Monsoon: Cosy with this one sheep-inspired coat

Marks & Spencer: Pale and perfect

New Look: Moody flower power

High Street Report

From Topshop to Next, the new season brings with it a fresh take on much-loved trends and style. 60

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New Season Picks

We round up the top buys from the latest collections of our favourite high street heroes. Aldo

charles & Keith

charming charlie

new balance

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High Street ... .Hero

Pernilla Wohlfahrt

If we could single out one high street brand that has provided us with the most reliably chic and statement making pieces season upon season, we’d crown H&M. We chat with Pernilla Wohlfahrt, H&M’s Head of Design and Creative Director about the new studio collection.

“Within all these contrasts, there’s a constant energy and tension that’s really exciting.” 62

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What can we expect from H&M’s AW17 collection? For A/W 2017, the Studio Collection looked especially to the creativity and energy of New York City. It’s about how street-meets-sophistication, with a blending of graffiti prints with menswear checks, for example. Or the merging of different technical and traditional fabrics in a garment that expresses a fearless attitude. We were trying to capture the city’s vibrancy, strength and universal style, and apply that to a modern wardrobe. What artistic direction have you taken for this season? The H&M Studio collection is always about presenting to our customers the most important trends and key looks of the season. They are statement pieces from a limited edition collection that complements anything else from the main line. With the Studio Collection, however, we want to be especially forward-thinking and contemporary in our designs. So for this season, the urban sophistication inspired mainly by New York City is our own interpretation of what is “now”. This season, we focused a lot on tailoring, but for a woman’s silhouette. And this applies not only to trouser suits, but also dresses, shirting, knits and more. There’s a neatness to all the pieces plus ultra-feminine details to balance it out, along with street or punk references to add in the mix. The result is hard-edged yet sophisticated. What is it about New York that appeals to fashionistas so much? I think New York appeals to everyone because it has that mix of downtown and uptown, street style and socialite, gritty and pretty, etc. Within all these contrasts, there’s a constant energy and tension that’s really exciting, and, of course, yields great style. It’s very much about modern dressing – the way in which people mix and match their pieces and how their love for a garment really shines through. What are the hero pieces? It’s always hard to choose, but the oversized hooded parka-poncho hybrid in the checked print and faux fur trim is key. It’s so tough yet cosy and you can literally throw it over anything and still look cool. The dresses are also important pieces. They follow the curves of the female body, but also might have a graffiti print or strong, structural elements. Nothing is too precious, which I think comes with the punk attitude we were channeling. If you could collaborate with a dream designer, who would it be? If it could be any designer that ever lived, I would have to say Coco Chanel. She is one of the pioneers of casual chic for women, using jersey fabrics or thinking about ease of movement, both of which were unheard of in her day. I would love to see what she would make of modern dressing today. She had that instinct of knowing what women wanted while also creating true, lasting classics. Plus, from all the famous quotes attributed to Coco Chanel, she would be good company!

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Chic Eats

Italian Food

Paradise

You just can’t talk about Italy without paying homage to its heavenly delicacies. Aanchal Duggal went to dine at the table of Chef Cristian Lisci’s Vento in Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay to indulge in all the divine Italian fare.

While there’s no shortage of Italian food in Bahrain, Vento is in its own league. It’s the kind of venue that we all need in our lives when those carb cravings, salad desire, and dessert yearning kicks in. Authentic Italian flavours and a chic yet comfy ambience, Vento has your every need accounted for when it comes to delivering the ultimate Italian experience. Located by the gorgeous infinity pool at Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, the restaurant is reminiscent of Italy’s beautiful coastal towns and captures the allure of “Bella Italia” beautifully. Vento offers a relaxed indoor seating option with an open kitchen experience as well as the outdoor poolside seating, perfect for the cooler months. After being greeted by some of the friendliest staff you’ll ever meet, it was finally time to gorge on some Italian favourites! If you thought healthy food can’t be tasty, allow the Organic Quinoa Salad with Avocado, Mango and Grilled Prawns to change your mind. A healthy diner’s dream come true, this salad was a treat for our eyes as well as our tummies. The mango adds a fruity punch to the nutty quinoa, while the creamy avocado and delicate prawns totally bring the dish together. Our next dish, Crostino ai Funghi was a melting creation of baked mushrooms crostini, buffalo mozzarella and red onion jam – definitely love at first bite. An instant favourite for everyone at the table, the dish was packed with mouthwatering flavours and textures. The mushrooms were tender and super juicy while the red onion jam was the zesty surprise that you never knew your palate needed until now. So, this is what pure bliss tastes like? We’ll have more of that please! As Chef Cristian Lisci informed us, all the ingredients are specially flown over from Italy to provide you with the real taste of Italian cuisine. For Chef Lisci, Italian food is all about a simplistic and no-frills approach to cooking. With flavour 64

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being the heart and soul of his cooking, his aim is to introduce the island to the Italian trattoria style of dining. The next dish, Prawns Risotto “Carnaroli” with rosemary, baby zucchini and Burrata was home-style trattoria at its best. This to-die-for concoction of creamy goodness and succulent prawns will have you digging in for seconds (and thirds), it ’s hands down one of the best risottos we’ve ever had! Another one of Chef Lisci’s masterpieces is our next dish: Agnolotti al Pin. It ’s one of the most decadent filled pastas you will ever taste. Featuring Ravioli stuffed with roasted beef, veal and potato tossed in gravy, it offers a divine combination of meats and vegetables with the warmth of hearty comfort food. The rich yet homely flavour of the gravy was definitely the winner for us. Just when we thought our taste buds had reached the heights of unimaginable ecstasy, Chef Lisci rolled out some of his finest desserts: Treviso Tiramisu, Vanilla Panna Cotta and “Millefoglie” Chantilly and Strawberry. While all the desserts were equally swoon-worthy, the Vanilla Panna Cotta with Nutella and OH SO GOOD banana marshmallow definitely stole our hearts (and taste buds). The sweetness of the Nutella and banana marshmallow is perfectly balanced by the subtle vanilla, and the resulting medley of flavours was a literal party in our mouths that was worth every single calorie! Fusing old flavours with new, Vento perfectly captures the Italian food culture in all of its culinary offerings. The revamped recipes of timeless classics add a refreshing touch to Bahrain’s dining scene. Lip-smacking food and a super chill ambience, Vento is your one-stop destination for all things Italian! For more information or reservations call: 1711 5500

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Chic Eats

Sipping Sophistication When it comes to high society dining, nothing comes finer than The Westin Bahrain City Centre’s afternoon tea.

ometimes you leave a restaurant feeling more stressed than when you first arrived. It might be that the overbooked venue won’t let you sit until your entire party has arrived; your preferred entrée is no longer available; or that the waiter cleared your plates before the conversation reached a natural ending. But there is one such dining experience that eliminates all of the above and focuses on offering a luxurious and pampering set up. At The Westin Bahrain City Centre’s Mezzanine Lounge the Afternoon Tea experience instantly puts you in a kind of repose that still maintains etiquette and form. As with any tea experience, you’re always back to British basics (but basics here is still next level high) and that is the real treat beyond the fare because it allows you to be your best and most refined self – but this is not a chore, it comes naturally when your fare comes on an elegant three-tiered stand with highly Instagrammable presentation – we felt like the grandest of dames in just a few seconds of sitting down and having everything taken care of for us. We got an ample supply of the usual gamut of afternoon tea: Think dainty but dense cucumber sandwiches, zingy beef varieties with tomato bread, oozing cream cheese types, warm and snug scones with thick clotted cream and sprightly jam, death-by-chocolate mousse balls and cute strawberry tarts. Although the fare was fabulous and took care of our sweet tooth rather diligently, the teas were akin to a spa treatment. The point at which we were filling up on the sandwiches and scones, the teas offered a soothing balance and a moment to sit back in the plush sofas. Although they have a variety of teas to choose from, we kept to a less than wild English Breakfast tea because you simply cannot go wrong. It’s happiness in fine China. The staff was very attentive and knowledgeable – breaking down each item on the stand and explaining in great detail where it was sourced and why it features on the menu. Very happily, when our sandwiches came down to just one and the struggle to not be that person to eat the last one, our waiter came with a refill of said sandwiches. This for us is the true meaning of attentive. Without asking for it, we got it.

For more information or reservations call: 1717 1000 66

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SeptembeR

â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is no sincerer love than the love of food.â&#x20AC;? George Bernard Shaw

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dining

Chic Eats Royal Golf Club, Bahrain

Things are about to get jazzy as the Royal Golf Club is back with everyone’s favourite Jazzy Brunch! Back on popular demand, diners can once again enjoy a fabulous array of tasty dishes delivered freshly cooked to their table. Enjoy the spectacular golf course views and relax to the tunes of contemporary Jazz music as you dig into your delicious meal at just BD30 per person, inclusive of unlimited selected beverages. Head over to Links restaurant for an afternoon of fun- every Friday from noon to 4 pm! Call: 17751262

Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay

Re-imagine your Saturdays and discover the perfect Saturday Brunch with re Asian Cuisine by Wolfgang Puck! Take in the elegant art deco-inspired design and stunning views of the city skyline as you feast on mouthwatering Asian selections. Savour Asian-inspired delicacies including Korean Chicken Bao Buns, Wok Fried Shrimp Dumplings and Brisket Wontons, every Saturday from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm. Indulge in Wolfgang’s modern take on traditional Asian cuisine for just BD19++ excluding beverages and BD37++ including premium beverages! Call: 17115046

Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea and Spa

Give yourself the royal treatment with Sofitel’s Magnifique Royal Brunch! Add a royal touch to your Fridays with Bahrain’s most exquisite luxury experience. Head over to the Royal Suite with a minimum of 10 persons and dine like kings and queens with a personal buffet and dining area as well as your very own private infinity pool overlooking the vast Arabian Sea. Indulge in the best the island has to offer as you enjoy unlimited Moet et Chandom and other extravagances for BD349 per person. Eat, luxuriate and relax- every Friday from the 8th of September. Bookings only! Call: 17636363

Crowne Plaza Bahrain

Calling all Italian aficionados! Head over to the Crowne Plaza and take your taste buds for a ride with their new Italian Night buffet. Enjoy the spacious and elegant décor as you tuck into authentic Italian cuisine and enjoy some delicious dishes including pastas, fresh sauces, pizzas and much more at just BD13 for food only, beverage package also available. Come on over for a delicious evening of Italian favourites- every Wednesday, 7 pm onwards! Call: 17531122

Gallery 21

Elevate your brunch game with the Gallery Café’s brand new Millennials Brunch! Taking inspiration from the classic European pastime, guests get to relax and enjoy a range of international family style and a la carte plates and sweet treats. Tuck into a range of dishes and international dishes including pancake and waffle stations, salad bar, healthy shooters as well as freshly ground coffees- every Friday and Saturday from 12 pm to 3 pm. Dig into all this and more at just BD13++ per person for buffet and beverages and BD17++ for buffet, one main course and beverages. Call: 17711600

Bushido

Indulge in the Japanese way of social dining with Bushido’s Izakaya Sundays! Feast your taste buds to a constant stream of shared dishes being brought to the table and ordered slowly over several courses. Dive into a wide variety of signature dishes including the fiery-famous Rock Shrimp Tempura, the succulent Sashimi Sea Bass, the citrusy Tuna Wakame as well as the warmto-the-touch Volcano Roll at just BD14.5++. Enjoy impressive, unlimited Japanese cuisine- every Sunday from 7 pm to 11:30 pm! Call: 17583555

Trader Vic’s

Craving a tropical escape? Make your way to Trader Vic’s and get the ultimate Hawaiian experience as they introduce the flavours of the island in an exotic menu. Dig into some yummy delicacies as Trader Vic’s culinary team brings to you a bite of paradise with a Hawaiian twist. Featuring everything from Infused Grilled Seabass to succulent Samoan Beef Skewers and the scrumptious Island Coconut Prawnsyou’ll instantly be transported to Hawaii’s stunning blue seas! Call: 17586555

Elite Resort and Spa

Gather your loved ones and head over to the Elite Resort and Spa for a relaxed Friday Family Brunch! Take your pick from a lavish international buffet and a hearty Arabic buffet with a wide selection of mezzes, live grills and delectable desserts. Tuck into a delish culinary selection as you enjoy the amazing live entertainment at just BD14++ per person with soft beverages and BD22++ with open selected beverages from 12:30 pm to 4 pm. Your little ones are also taken care of with an array of interactive kids’ activities. Family time has never been this fun! Call: 17313333

InterContinental Regency Bahrain

There’s nothing better than an evening spent gorging on some delectable pizza in the company of good friends! Make your way to Medzo Italian Restaurant at the InterContinental and satiate your pizza fix with an irresistible offer. Take advantage of their Pizza Happy Hour offer from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm and get a 50% discount on any pizza of your choice. Join in the fun every Sunday to Thursday- up to September 30th! Call: 17208308

Al Areen Palace and Spa

Make it an Eid to remember with Al Areen Palace and Spa’s Eid Carnival Brunch! Enjoy a family-friendly brunch featuring a number of Arabic and international dishes plus live cooking stations at Rimal and Saffron restaurant- from 12:30 pm to 4 pm on the 1st and 2nd September. Enjoy live entertainment from their DJ, face painting, mascot, kids’ corner and lots more. Diners will also have access to the swimming pool during the duration of the brunch. Kids aged 6 and under dine for free while kids aged 7 to 12 get a 50% discount! Call: 17845000

Downtown Rotana

Teatro Downtown knows how to turn Tuesday evenings into an infinite experience. Enjoy authentic Japanese delicacies and tempt your senses with the Unlimited Sushi Night. Every Tuesday from 6 pmuntil 10 pm. Enjoy a free flow of your favorite Sushi, Sashimi, Maki and Drinks throughout the evening from just BD15++ or BD22++ including Unlimited Drinks! It’s all you can eat like never before.Call: 1311 9999

ART Rotana, Amwaj Islands

During the evening of the first and second day of Eid, the property presents to you an authentic Arabic night with a lavish dinner spread bursting with various enticing courses to choose from. Followed by an incredible live performance with a captivating performance from the exquisite belly dancer, while you enjoy the many available flavors of their distinct shisha offerings. It’s BD 15++ inclusive of soft drinks & juices. BD 22++ inclusive of house beverages. Call: 1600 0111 www.ohlala-magazine.com

Ohlala Spotlight

Jazzing up Bahrain The Bahrain Jazz Fest is the 1st international festival curated as a month- long celebration of jazz showcasing a multitude of exciting artists from around the world.

azz was born in New Orleans about 100 years ago. But its roots can be found in the musical traditions of both Africa and Europe. In fact, some people say that jazz is a union of African and European music. Wherever you originate from, one thing for sure is that you will find something to whet your appetite during this month-long pre-event activation; be it attending either an insightful jazz workshop or indeed one of the delightful gigs that is sprinkled across the Kingdom. This ranges from the aptly named ‘Jazzy Brunch’ hosted at the Royal Golf Club on 15 September to Bahrain’s first ever authentic Live Jazz Bar, Malja (a Red Bull space) are cultivating a not-to-be missed workshop on 16 September. Evening entertainment can be found at Bistro & Party Lounge ‘Coda’ who are hosting a gig on 23 September and Café Amsterdam will be providing an unwinding after-brunch affair with some further Jazz on 29 September. The Bahrain Jazz Fest will close with an open-air festival on 6 October situated at the Royal Golf Club congregating vibrant sounds of jazz, blues, swing, gypsy jazz, Ska and electro as the spotlight falls on five highly acclaimed international bands and three of Bahrain’s best jazz outfits. This is an all-day extravaganza that will commence at 12noon - 10pm, hosted on the driving range of the Royal Golf Club, one of the region’s premier golf destinations. There is a fully secure monitored interactive kids’ area to allow all ages to fully immerse their senses in one shape or another. No need to worry about foraging for food, as there will be a wide range of F&B areas and food trucks to cater for those inevitable hunger pangs.

Speakeasies Band

It really is going to be an international affair, and, just so you lovely people truly are aware of the grand panache of talent that we’re dealing with, the likes of Speakeasies Band will be flown in from Greece who have won the International Songwriting Competition (ISC) for their award winning single “Black Swamp Village, to name just one of their many accolades. 70

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Swing Zazou

Our senses will be further elevated with UK based Electro Swing dance band who are renowned in the industry for their unique style. They collide vintage 30s and 40s big band and Gypsy Swing with live-mixed beats - a foot-stomping recipe of soaring hot-swingin’ licks, driving swing-scat vocals and vintage harmonies that creates their fully-charged yet irresistible sound.

Captain Tea

Then we’ve got Captain Tea, an electronic musician and DJ with a penchant for genre bending, who loves to dish out funk, afrobeat, house, Latin, a sprinkling of jazz and a slice of techno for good measure. Captain Tea has released music under his moniker of The Nibblatron for the Portuguese Label Lovers and Lollypops as part of a remix compilation for The Flamingods. He is also a Red Bull Music Academy Bass Camp Alumni.

Electric Swing Circus

A full time, touring band on the international circuit will be joining this tantalising line-up in the form of Electric Swing Circus who are a six-piece fusion of

saucy 20s swing and stomping electro beats. They have an explosive sound that reverberates back through time. Fronted by a sassy female double-act, the ESC delivers a consistently dazzling show.

The Ska Vengers

Widely considered to be one of the most exciting and relevant musical acts coming out of India, The Ska Vengers is a new Delhi based band who blend Ska rhythms with elements of dub, punk, jazz and rap to come up with a form of music that is refreshingly different, energetic and highly danceable.

Dihann Moore

From the USA, we have the fiercely talented Dihann Moore promising you the ultimate Jazz experience as she captivates her audiences with her powerful sultry voice.

Ahmed Qasim

We have our very own homegrown talented musicians and singers joining us in the shape of Bahrain’s foremost jazz ensembles, musician Ahmed Qasim with his distinct vocal chords to caress our ear-drums. Top Gypsy Jazz ensemble Mohammed Rashid Trio ft. Banah are there to keep the event in full swing in addition to DJ and Producer Captain Tea whose groovy electronic jazz sets prove to be real crowd-pleasers.

º Tickets priced at BD20 adults, BD10 kids and Under 6 Free º Tickets available online on Virgin Megastore and Red Bull Tickets – in addition to in store tickets available at Royal Golf Club, Virgin Megastore, Room 2 Rock º Early bird ticket offer of 20% for a very limited period º Facebook Instagram / bahrainjazzfest | Website : www.royaljazzfest.com º Festival Partners : EDB, Aggreko, Secure Services, Room 2 Rock, BMMI, Royal Golf Club, Clockwork, Virgin Megastore, Red Bull Bahrain, Malja Bahrain, Coda Jazz Lounge, Café Amsterdam, FACT, Ohlala magazine www.ohlala-magazine.com

Freewheeling Rebellion

ALEXANDER WANG

HORROR VACQUI

R13

Hard as nails but really soft as cotton? Play the part with grunge and dark undertones.

w h a t t o w e a r Now that you’ve marked your calendars, it’s time to think about the look you’ll be going for. here are some Instagram-ready looks

Hippi e - G o - L u c k y

etro

Hard as nails but really soft as cotton? Play the part with grunge and dark undertones.

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For the Modern Middle-Eastern Woman

THE ESSENCE OF STYLE BAHrAIN

alice temperleY and the

ArT of romAnTIc chIc

SecretS to Younger Skin + The BesT of AW17 BeAuTy

Spectacular Sri lanka: An InTImATe & sTylIsh escApe

THE BIG FASHION EDIT our runWAy reporT + Trends + WhAT To Buy noW WWW.ohlAlA-mAgAzIne.com sepTemBer 2017 | Issue 152 BAhrAIn Bd2 | KsA sr10

Ohlala Cover September Bahrain.indd 1

30/08/17 15:02

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

Ohlala Spotlight

The BEST IN Chic eatsfood Between ART Rotana, Amwaj Islands and Downtown Rotana, there’s heaps going on to keep you entertained this month.

ART Rotana

Make this Eid Al Adha a memorable occasion for you and your loved ones with ART Rotana’s special brunch celebrating this blessed time! Indulge in a delectable dining experience at Choices restaurant throughout the first three days of Eid and tempt your senses with an incredible variety of mouthwatering Arabic and international cuisines. Treat yourself to the spectacular live cooking stations, a gourmet dessert section as well as a refreshing collection of selected house beverages, mocktails and cocktails. Sample an array of scrumptious culinary creations as you enjoy the live entertainment and various activities at BD20 per person inclusive of soft drinks and juices and BD34 inclusive of house beverages. Continue the celebrations during the evening of the first and second day of Eid and indulge in a truly authentic Arabic night featuring a lavish dinner spread with Layali Beirut. Choose from a number of enticing courses and take your pick from the many available flavours of their distinct shisha offerings as you enjoy a captivating performance by the exquisite belly dancer. The fun doesn’t end here! The Flames restaurant team at ART Rotana is dedicating an entire evening to smoking all kinds of protein you can think of with their new Southern Smoked BBQ Night. Dig into everything from lamb, beef and pork to corn fed chicken and fish and enjoy all you can eat smoked items, country style sides and some lip-smacking dessert at just BD20++ per person. Head over to ART Rotana, Amwaj and indulge in a wonderful variety of sumptuous cuisines and the finest luxury services. For more information call: 16000111 74

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Downtown Rotana

Take your Eid celebrations to a whole another level with Downtown Rotanaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spectacular Eid Al Adha lunch- some of the most amazing delicacies at the best prices! Celebrate the first and third day of Eid Al Adha with Flavours on 2 restaurant and enjoy a special upgraded lunch featuring a lavish buffet with delicious selections of Oriental and international dishes. Bring your friends and family for an afternoon filled with yummy food, great company and exciting activities at just BD12 per person, including unlimited juices, soft drinks and water. Your little ones are also taken care of with their special Kids Room filled with toys, games and a variety of fun activities while being supervised by trained staff at all times. Kids aged 6 to 12 will get a 50% discount and kids aged 6 and under dine for free. This is an Eid celebration you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to miss! Love a good steak? Downtown Rotana is THE place to be this weekend! Indulge your senses with their September exclusive Friday Brunch Steak Special at Flavours on 2 restaurant! Enjoy the stunning city view while gorging on a scrumptious spread of mouthwatering appetizers and a dreamy dessert section. Take your taste buds for a ride with their live cooking steak station offering an elite selection of various meat categories. Get the meat cut to the thickness you desire and cooked just the way you like it at just BD18++ for non-alcoholic drinks or BD26++ with unlimited drink package. Offering some of the best culinary masterpieces, relaxing ambiance and a super friendly staff- Downtown Rotana is the quick getaway you need and deserve! For more information call: 13119999 www.ohlala-magazine.com

Ohlala Spotlight

Mark Your Calendars With a whole host of food and celebrations coming your way this month, The Gulf Hotel Bahrain Convention and Spa is all set to make it an event to remember for you and your family. Offering an array of amazing dining and entertainment options- The Gulf Hotel has your every need accounted for! Indulge in exceptional gastronomy and unsurpassed live entertainment as their Lebanese restaurant, Zahle launches its new and exclusive entertainment program this Eid. There will be exceptional live entertainment by their famous belly dancer, accompanied by celebrated Arabic singers. An exclusive dinner set menu will be offered to the guests during these three days of celebrations at just BD26++ per person. Special Eid buffets will also be served for lunch and dinner along with entertainment by the in house band at the Al Waha restaurant for three days. Fancy dining like a royal? Takht Jamsheed Restaurant has got you covered! Revel in the enchanting traditional décor with the grand interior boasting dramatic chandeliers, stunning shields and imperial vases as you tempt your taste buds with an array of Iranian delicacies. The talented all Iranian team will set the stage for a perfect Eid lunch buffet at just BD19++ for two days, taking inspiration from Persia’s Royal palace of Takht Jamsheed. Sato If you thought it couldn’t get any better, be prepared to be amazed! For the first time in Bahrain, the taste of Japanese Michelin Star cuisine is coming to Sato. After delighting Japan with his delicate and illustrative cooking, Chef Takagi is ready to entice your taste buds with a special a la carte menu from the 20 to 24 September. Be a part of the Cooking Master class and lunch with Chef Kazuo Takagi at just BD39 per person- limited seats only! This September, allow The Gulf Hotel Bahrain Convention and Spa to treat you and your loved ones to quality Bahraini hospitality and unrivalled luxury facilities. 76

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chef takagis

GOTG + one + step + behind

Rasoi by Vineet’s If contemporary Indian cuisine is more up your alley, celebrate this Eid with the award-winning restaurant, Rasoi by Vineet’s innovative creations and equally imaginative interiors. Tuck into a modern interpretation of traditional Indian cuisine with an exclusively designed set menu by Michelin Star Chef Vineet Bhatia. Embark on a delectable Michelin-style journey at just BD22++ per person! To make this month of celebrations even more exceptional and memorable, The Gulf Hotel will be opening its doors to some very special guests.

chef vineet

eggs, chicken pops, jalapeno poppers and wings followed by free-flowing mains including fish and chips and curry bowls, all for just BD20 per person and BD25 on the day.

Madness Tribute Band The hotel will play host to UK’s premier and longest surviving Madness Tribute Band- One Step Behind! Formed in spring 1993, the band achieved widespread recognition in an unusually short time, playing venues the length and breadth of Britain as well as performing with the members of Madness on a number of occasions. Join One Step Behind at Sherlock Holmes as they bring their authentic “Nutty” atmosphere to the island on 21 September, 9 pm onwards at just BD5 advance and BD7 on the night. Follow it up with a scrumptious Friday Brunch on the 22 September from 12:30 pm to 4 pm and enjoy some of the best traditional English fare. Take your pick from unlimited sharing platters of scotch

Oktoberfest It’s also that time of year again when Oktoberfest kicks in and gets everyone going. The famous LASTERBACHER MUSIKANTEN BAND will be coming to the island, as they’ve done since 2004, where you can ensure that great Bavarian food, great music and a great vibe will be had during the event. Gulf Hotel recommend for every event, with their slogan: “Up on the table - there is no pardon”. It’s happening from 15-20 October, 8:30-11:00pm, BD26++. For more information call: 1771 3000 www.ohlala-magazine.com

Ohlala Spotlight

Al Areen Palace & Spa A round up of fantastic happenings at this plush resort hotel.

Eid Al Adha

With the auspicious occasion of Eid Al Adha upon us, it’s again time for celebrations, family and a whole lotta food! Experience the spirit of this special time with Al Areen Palace and Spa’s exclusive Eid celebrations. Gather your friends and family and head over to Al Areen Palace and Spa for a week full of scrumptious food, vibrant entertainment and amazing offers! Start off the festivities with the family-friendly Eid Carnival Brunch that will feature Arabic and international dishes plus live cooking stations at Rimal and Saffron restaurant from 12:30 pm to 4 pm. There will also be live entertainment by their DJ, face painting, mascot, kids’ corner and so much more. Diners will also enjoy access to the swimming pools during the duration of the brunch. That’s not all! You also stand a chance to win exciting prizes from their Win and Spin contest- you don’t want to miss this! Enjoy all this and lots more at just BD15++ per person, with a 50% discount for kids aged 7 to 12 while kids up to 6 years old dine for free. Join Ammar Mejbel and Abdullah Al Humayem on 3 September, 8 pm onwards as they light up your night with their breathtaking performances! Take time out to relax and unwind as the Eid celebrations continue with their special Eid Al Adha Spa promotion. Rejuvenate, refresh and revitalize your senses as you indulge in a 60 minute body massage as well as a 60 minute Moroccan bath at just BD70++ per person.

Keizo Savour succulent East Asian specialties at Keizo and enjoy a selection of modern Bahraini, Khaleeji and Indian fusion cuisine at Saffron Al Areen with their special dinner promotion featuring a number of mouthwatering culinary masterpieces as well as a variety of entertainment. Al Areen Palace is all set to pull out all the stops when it comes to delivering you the best entertainment.

Get Fit This Eid, get into the best shape of your life with the Eid Al Adha Health Club Membership Promotion and take advantage of their extensive equipment as well as experienced wellness and fitness trainers. Book a Single one year membership for BD300 and get two complimentary 60 minute body massages. Or go double with their Couple membership for BD500 and get one complimentary 60 minute massage and 30 minute body scrub per person! For more information call: 17845000 78

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AWARD WINNING WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY

khalifashaheen

www.khalifashaheen.com

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+973 17 593993

DivA Drives

T h e All N e w V o lv o X C 6 0 Style, safety and practicality have been effortlessly merged to create Volvoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest SUV offering.

olvo has always enjoyed a positive reputation, forged through great vehicle designs, high safety standards and a promise of good value for money. When their designers took up the challenge of expanding their success into the SUV market, they did so in style. With several SUVs being produced over the last decade, their latest offering showcases the massive strides they have taken in this motor vehicle segment. The all new Volvo XC60 was given to us at Ohlala for a day by Motorcity BSC. A discussion held before commencing the test drive revealed the mutual respect everyone has for the iconic Swedish brand. We knew the experience would be a positive one before even laying eyes on the vehicle, a promise of quality Volvo has instilled in most car enthusiasts. To describe the exterior of this SUV in one word, it would have to be, distinguished. The visual appeal of the design was instantaneous. It has been sculptured with a subtle, timeless elegance that flows through its shape from bonnet to boot. It is 30cm shorter than its predecessor the XE90, which makes parking in town much easier. It is also 10cm shorter than the XE90 with a more tapered rear end. 20â&#x20AC;? alloy wheels

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have been fitted as standard with the LED headlights having been extended to touch the grill. The overall appearance is very stylish and it is easy to see why this vehicle competes strongly with other high-end SUVs such as the Audi Q5 and the BMW X3. The pleasure continued as we slipped into the fine nappa leather front seating. The first reaction was to sigh with pleasure at the sheer comfort and minimalistic sense of style exuded by the well-constructed interior. There is nothing confusing about the layout as Volvo have merged practicality and efficiency with elegant design. Only top quality materials have been used and everything fits together perfectly. There are plenty of storage spaces complete with cup holders and charging ports. The door bins can easily hold a 1.5litre bottle of water which is great news for those hot summer days. We found the touchscreen infotainment system easy to navigate with larger than usual graphics that are easy to find whilst driving. The car is also complete with Satnav and adaptive cruise control. Moving into the back, there is plenty of head and foot room, even for a tall adult. Three adults can fit into the back comfortably with extra storage space available under the rear seats. Air vents in the pillars are a novel feature and a great way to keep cool. The doors sit over the

bottom of the car, keeping the sills clean. This ensures your clothing does not get dirty when it drags over them. The boot, although quite high up provides ample storage with a capacity of 495litres. This is increased significantly when the rear seats are folded down. There is a special carpet in the boot which acts as a bumper protector, shielding the car from scratches when items are being loaded. As we pulled ono the tarmac, we were immediately instilled with a sense of control and comfort. This is definitely a driver friendly vehicle and the designers have ensured a safe and enjoyable ride. This SUV is offered in three main trim levels: Momentum, Inscription, and R-Design, which are further differentiated by two engine choices: T5 and T6. The T5 is powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 254 horsepower, while the T6 receives a supercharger in addition to the turbocharger for a power increase to 320 hp. Driving the T6, we found the response and power of the vehicle to be more

than sufficient, complemented by solid grip and superb handling. One always feels in control due to the great response provided by the XC60. The experience is enhanced by the smoothness and quietness of the ride. The new safety features have to be mentioned. The updated City Safety technology with steering support, guides your car to avoid obstacles. A newly added Oncoming Lane Mitigation system ensures drivers donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wander out of their lane, and an optional Blind Spot Information System will alert you if there is something in the driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s blind spot. Trust Volvo to make you and your familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s safety the top priority. The final verdict? Volvo continue to offer top class motor vehicles in all segments. It is no wonder the XC60 is an easy match for all German competition. For more information or to book a test drive call: 1773 6222 www.ohlala-magazine.com

Miss Ohlala

Sorry, NO... ok, maybe Miss Ohlala considers our struggle with the ability to say “no” for fear of disappointing someone else.

Alexi Lubomirski

I understand the arguments for just saying no to something that you don’t want to do, but it can be harder to implement in practice. We are social animals and I believe it is human nature to be socially obliging and to have a strong desire to be liked. The word ‘no’ can be particularly challenging in a family context for fear of damaging family bonds. I think there is a social expectation that makes us feel pressured to live up to the saying “blood is thicker than water”. I don’t see myself as under-assertive or overly empathetic, but nevertheless I often find it hard to say no to friends and family in particular. There are some friends that I would do almost anything for, short of murder. But we all have at least one friend who asks you to do a small favour which turns into a mammoth task and keeps you occupied for evenings on end, precluding you from watching your favourite Netflix series. It’s so irritating when the hubby gets ahead on a series and you’re compelled to play catch up or guess what ground has been covered in the last few episodes... but I digress. I was the kind of child that felt obliged to compete for the school in the 3000m or 1500m run category, even though I had no particular skill at running long distance, just because no one else wanted to. At university I was known by my friends as “Miss Can Do” as I was always keen to try a new activity, join a club or go out. With a “to do” list a mile long and a calendar that was bursting at the seams with extra-curricular activities, I realised by my final year that I was over-committed in terms of time, energy and finances and needed to rein myself in. I spent years burning the candle at both ends and eventually came to the conclusion that you can’t do everything and you can’t please everyone all of the time. As I’ve grown older I cherish time spent with family and close friends. I think having a young family finally made me realise how important time is and therefore if I don’t really want to do something I 82

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won’t prioritise it over spending time with my husband or children. Reaching the conclusion that I need to put myself and my immediate family first has been a game changer in my life. Being selfish of your time enables you to be dedicated to helping those you truly care about. I also enjoy my own company, and if I want to stay at home to watch another episode of Ru Paul, The Crown or another generic vampire series, rather than going out with friends, there should be nothing to stop me. At this point in my life I feel less guilty if I say no to others. I only have regrets when I say yes when in fact I should have said no. It is true that saying no” is liberating. Now I just need to review my agenda for this week and strike out everything that doesn’t help me achieve my personal goals or support my close family and friends... easier said than done!

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City Centre Bahrain