BAHRAIN
www.ohlala-magazine.com
CASUAL CHIC
An exclusive with Michael Kors
INDULGENT FASHION ON THE CATWALK SOME KIND OF TROUBLE
James Blunt on magic, staying grounded & getting attacked.
McLaren The car of dreams
Runway Trends The hottest looks this season
September 2012 Issue # 94 BAHRAIN BD2 UAE DHS20 QATAR QR20 KUWAIT KD2 KSA SR20
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Editor-in-Chief Kirsty Edwards-Harris
Rejuvenation
Lanvin
here’s something to be said for escaping for the summer; taking a breather from the intense desert sun (and your working role), can give your mind and body a much-needed respite, enabling you to return refreshed and ready to take on the rest of the year. We’ve been debating in the office whether it’s better to take a long month-long holiday to distant shores, or perhaps a few shorter breaks throughout the year. Now the pros for longer vacations are that you really get the time to rest, as well as explore different countries and visit friends and family. It would also (depending on where you go) work out more financially economical as you’re only taking one set of return flights. On the cons side, you may struggle to get back into the flow of work, as it will take more time to adjust. It could also affect your company, as if there is no-one to take over your role while you are away, the business could suffer. Shorter breaks herald being able to escape several times a year, visiting various different destinations, but usher in more expense and a lack of real time to fully rest due to rushing around attempting to fit everything in during a limited time period, perhaps leaving you exhausted and in need of another holiday! Whatever your preference, it is important to remember to take time throughout the year to indulge in peaceful activities that rejuvenate your mind, body and soul. If you only follow a work hard, play hard mentality, you’ll soon find yourself burning out. If you’re struggling to get back into things, fear not, because as the weather is cooling down, the Bahrain social life is heating up. Browse our Dining and Society pages for more on the places to see and be seen. If you’re looking for some R&R, why not kick back with your favourite monthly glossy. There’s plenty to immerse yourself in, from this season’s trends and hot looks off of the catwalk to the best of beauty. My top reads this month are our Fashion interview with the ever-talented fashion designer, Mr Michael Kors, and our Celebrity Scoop, where we catch up with the soulful hearthrob, James Blunt. Enjoy!
Editor-in-Chief Kirsty Edwards-Harris
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Michael Kors
James Blunt
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24 STYLE
WOMAN IN POWER
Celebrity Scoop
New Season, New Look
Driven From Within
Some Kind Of Trouble
The new season’s
24 collections are arriving,
so it’s time to update your wardrobe. We chat with Net-A-Porter. com’s Fashion Director, Holli Rogers, for her take on the fresh looks.
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She has stamina — lots and lots of
32 it. Rozan Ahmed is a turbocharged woman with a vision of taking on the world! What fuel is she running on? Ohlala! talks to her about how she does it all.
Ohlala! I September 2012 I www.ohlala-magazine.com
The multi-platinum-
34 selling British
songwriter and heartthrob, James Blunt, who rocketed to success with the release of his infamous single, You’re Beautiful, performed in the Middle East on his most recent world tour. Tony Sidgwick catches up with him for a chat.
MICHAELKORS.COM
NEW YORK LONDON PARIS MANAMA DUBAI
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38 FASHION
BEAUTY
Interiors
The Catwalk
Modern Day Masterpiece
The Boudoir Sanctuary
Opulent fabrics and
38 luxurious textures
are interwoven with decadent tones and beautiful detailing. Indulge yourself this season in some of our favourite looks off the Autumn Winter 201213 runways.
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The art of perfumery and
56 the art of calligraphy have
been intertwined with that of humanity for thousands of years. Now these two ancient crafts are enveloped into one creation to form Perfume Calligraphy by Aramis. Ohlala! sits down with the creative duo behind this modern day masterpiece.
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About one third of our lives are
62 spent sleeping, and everybody will
agree that a good relaxing night’s rest is paramount for an active and productive day. Ohlala! seeks out advice from interior design Guru, Georges Karam, for creating a bedroom sanctuary.
Publisher & Chairman John Hughes Editor-in-Chief Kirsty Edwards-Harris
Publishing Director Edward Smith
Deputy Editors Lisa Travell Zara de Haldevang
Regional Sales Director Laura Alvarez
Editor-at-Large Ben Whittaker
Sales & Marketing Director Leslie Garduque
Art Director Syed Muhammed Raihan
Sales & Marketing Manager Sari Mabire
Graphic & Web Designer Rashed Bindaina
Sales Executive Pauline Marcombe
Website Developer Binu
Brand Development Manager Zara de Haldevang
Editorial Interns Alex MacDonald
Personal Assistant to the Chairman Aniyan Varghese
Feature Contributors Giovanni Rozan Ahmed Sari Mabire
Sales & Distribution Coordinator Sheree Lou Cabonce Accountants Gigimon Thankachen Praveen Alexander
Photography Contributors George Mathew Shobin
Distribution Team Jayapragash Ganesan Rajesh Office Personnel Abdul Kadar
Printing Press Union Press Distribution Bahrain – Al Hilal Qatar – Dar Al Sharq www.ohlala-magazine.com Enquiries Editorial: editor@ohlala-magazine.com Advertising: info@ohlala-magazine.com General: admin@ohlala-magazine.com Telephone: (Bahrain) +973 1721 6099 (Qatar) +974 3308 3071 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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Manama Ramli Mall • Bahrain City Centre
STYLE
TIPS, TRICKS & TRENDS
Under the Patronage of
His Royal Highness
Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain
Piaget Rose High Jewellery Necklace
21st Middle East International Jewellery & Watch Exhibition
16 - 20 October 2012 Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre OPENING HOURS Tuesday 16 - Friday 19 October from 4pm - 10pm | Saturday 20 October from 10am - 1pm & 4pm - 10pm
www.jewelleryarabia.com
info@jewelleryarabia.com T: +973 17 550033
STYLE
Update your wardrobe with our pick from the Autumn Winter collections.
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CONTEMPORARY COOL
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We love Celine’s take on one of the hottest items from the Equestrian trend for Autumn Winter. This contemporary, heeled riding boot is a “must-have” this season.
The HOT List
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Trendy Elegance
Not everyone can pull off donning headwear in style. If you’re one of the lucky ones who can, then this cute, purple hat with feminine detailing by Paul Smith will make a welcome addition to your wardrobe.
Vivid Hues
Who said winter had to be all about dark, sombre shades? Add a blast of colour with this trendy ensemble from BCBG. We’ve already been especially eyeing up the tangerine jacket.
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Refined Glamour
A sophisticated, super-feminine symbol of style and elegance, the Crystal Medusa sunglasses collection is characterised by a vivid, bright and exuberant look, enriched by the sublime glamour and contemporary refinement that make the Versace style absolutely unique.
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STYLE
The New Gucci ‘IT’ Bag The newest bag to enter the ranks of icon, the Soft Stirrup shoulder bag is a discreet and sophisticated accessory to wear forever.
Embodying the House‘s duality of tradition and innovation, this new classic echoes Gucci’s riding heritage, while complementing Creative Director Frida Giannini’s romantic and eclectic Fall Winter 2012-13 collection. Inspired by a rigid frame style from 1975, this new design boasts a highly functional, deconstructed shape. Large and medium sizes make for a light and spacious shoulder bag, perfect to carry all day long. With this contemporary silhouette, casual attitude meets refined appeal.
An intense and sophisticated colour palette includes black, light grey, medium brown, deep carmine, cocoa and maroon glacée, true to the warm feeling of the collection.
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The iconic spur detail embellishes the top closure of the bag and smaller spurs decorate the handles with finishes that range from brass to antique silver and light gold.
The Soft Stirrup bag is available in luxurious materials such as washed calfskin and nubuck, both lined in either natural GG linen or leather, as well as exotic skins like python, ostrich and crocodile, all with suede lining. The precious skins are the result of traditional manual techniques, put into practice by Gucci’s master artisans to further enhance the plush textures. The crocodile proves extremely soft and natural thanks to the application of special oils, while the aged yet shiny look of the python is the outcome of a multi-ironing process and other manual treatments. Ohlala! I September 2012 I www.ohlala-magazine.com
STYLE
New Season, New Look
The new season’s collections are arriving, so it’s time to update your wardrobe. We chat with Net-A-Porter.com’s Fashion Director, Holli Rogers, for her take on the fresh looks. Marc Jacobs
Which brands are you coveting for FW12?
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One show that really stood out for me was the Marc Jacobs catwalk — it was so inspiring and I thought the way he interpreted knitwear as eveningwear was incredible. Other brands to watch this season, include Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana and Haider Ackermann.
Which bags and accessories can you predict will be a big hit for FW12? It is all about minimalist totes in neutral colours with the ‘Alice’ and ‘Lucy’ bags from Chloe sure to be a big hit. Also look out for statement necklaces from Dolce & Gabbana, Oscar de la Renta and Roberto Cavalli — they are an easy way to buy into the opulent trend that is so key for fall.
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What are your favourite new-season trends? Equestrian
Equestrian is a key trend for fall. Some of my favourite takes on the trend were seen at Proenza Schouler, Burberry Prorsum and Altuzarra where quilting, frogging and felted wool coats and capes featured heavily throughout their collections. Accessories provided a subtle nod with an update to the riding boot at both Alexander Wang and Givenchy, while Stella McCartney’s Falabella wool plaid shoulder bag offers a playful take on the trend.
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This season cyber-girl goes urban with beautifully engineered shapes and clean, structured lines. Think shimmery metallics with dashes of colour, tough peplum dresses and graphic, futuristic prints. Versace’s metallic chainmail dress offers a modern-day take on body armour, while Erdem adds an experimental edge to his pretty prints with laminated textures, leather bodices and cocoon silk coats.
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STYLE Rich Pickings
Rich, decadent and darkly romantic — opulence is the key trend this season and it’s all in the detail. Lace embroidery, jewel tones and tumbling ruffles — less is by no means more in this case. Alber Elbaz celebrated a decade at Lanvin with a collection that showcased the lavish — from gold brocade to shimmering sequins to glittering appliqués, there was a real party feel to this fabulous collection.
Lanvin
The Super Eight Hotlist
The conversation clutch
Gucci
From the most innovative design to incredible craftsmanship, a statement clutch is the ultimate collector’s item and a work of art in itself.
The perfect knee-high boot
Equestrian riding boots are having a moment — I absolutely love Gucci’s heeled equine boots. & olce
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The fabulous evening dress
Erdem’s black lace and pink underlay dress that walked the runway was just phenomenal. Another favourite of mine was the red leather dress with intricate laser cut pattern from Valentino — sublime.
The exit shoe
This season it’s all about shoes that everyone will notice when you leave the room. Opt for Lanvin’s sparkle soled heels in dark pink and let your soles do the talking.
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Leather is a key fabric for fall and the must-haves of the season are from Les Chiffoniers. The innovative designs are just so cool.
The trouser suit
Les Chiffoniers, NET-A-PORTER
Leather trousers
Les Chiffoniers, NET-A-PORTER
Charles Philip Shanghai, NET-A-PORTER
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A key accessories trend this season, Erickson Beamon’s studded collar will make the perfect addition to any look.
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The statement collar
Where suits are concerned, it’s all about making a statement and one of my favourites has to be Miu Miu’s head-totoe wallpaper-style prints on mohair.
The masculine slipper Charles Philip Shanghai’s selection of slippers are super cute.
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The Column
What’s What Zara de Haldevang
What’s What from Deputy Editor, Zara de Haldevang.
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fter a pretty tiring, busy and heavy (in the eating and drinking sense) couple of weeks back in the UK, I have now returned to the island feeling at least a stone heavier than I was when I left! I know I am probably being rather paranoid but putting all personal feelings aside, this month is a detox month. My birthday falls on September 15 so at least I will have two weeks before that to try and shed some of the holiday pounds. Whilst back in cold England, I cast my eyes over a few episodes of series such as The Only Way Is Essex (otherwise known as TOWIE) and Britain’s Next Top Model — for the record, TOWIE is perhaps one of the worst television shows I have ever seen. Every character is smothered in makeup and while, at times, they may look vaguely attractive, this is not a true representative of their natural image. I don’t think you could call yourself a true woman if a day didn’t pass you by without criticising a certain part of your body. We all have our doubts, the ‘little bits’ we would love to change…our own master plan to look like a Victoria's Secret Angel. Put the magazine down; stop giving yourself a complex and DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. September in a Nutshell This year has gone so fast! We are already into week 36 of the year and this month, like the past eight, will fly by. In the meantime, we should all make the most
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Quote of the Month “I love photographs because the best thing about them is that they never change, even when the people inside them do”
of the fact that business is back to normal working hours so plan those business lunches, weekend brunches and evenings of letting your hair down. Our Charity Drive is still in full flow — with our three collection points dotted around Bahrain, the amount of support we have seen so far has been pretty impressive but there is always room for improvement! I am sure you all have mountains of clothes that you don't really need, so perhaps take an hour or two on the weekend to sort through it all. Or, head down to the mall, or supermarket and collect some new items to give away. Just think, you could make someone’s day! For more news on events, check out our Facebook and Twitter pages, and if you want to get yours featured, drop us an email on events@ohlala-magazine.com. That’s me for now!
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Song of the Month ‘Never Close Our Eyes’ by Adam Lambert
Hot Tip of the Month For the best fruit smoothie, add a dash of honey for sweetness and a few spoonfuls of flaxseed for that all-important fibre. Frozen blueberries and banana is my favourite kind!
My new
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Make a statement with the newest accessory for the eco-friendly fashionista. Reasons to rent a Mallberri Mallberri is ultra-convenient, lightweight and manoevarable. Take the strain of carrying heavy bags off your wrists and back. Save on using multiple shopping bags. Mallberri comes lined with a large liner bag to put your shopping in.
Rent your trolley at Gate 9 Bahrain City Centre Mall
في البحرين سيتي سنتر9 استئجر عربتك عند بوابة رقم
Call us on 39606074 29
THE CAUSE
Hidden Horrors
Bahrain’s labour laws are currently being revised to include more benefits for foreign workers. Whilst there are purported claims of maltreatment and abuse, these and other issues are being looked into by the Migrant Workers Protection Society. Ohlala! reports. Images by George Mathew
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ahrain is a paradise for most workers: there are very few tax laws, a growing jobs market for skilled labour, and expatriates often live in luxury far superior to that of their home nation. It may come as a surprise then, that in regards to some sections of migrant workers, this is not the case. “There is a huge need for the Migrant Workers Protection Society (MWPS)”, says Marietta Dias, Chairperson of the MWPS. The MWPS protects the labour market’s most vulnerable people — such as domestic workers — from extortion and coercion. The organisation was founded in 2005, “To help migrant workers achieve their basic human rights in accordance with internationally recognised standards. “Domestic workers haven’t been protected by Bahrain’s labour laws. For example, they did not come to the kingdom 30
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“Workers come to the island without the knowledge they need to thrive, and at times, even to stay safe in their workplace.”
on a work visa agreement, they came to Bahrain under a domestic helper’s visa, which does not give them standard rights, such as minimum rest breaks and days off. When a domestic worker fled an employer they were deemed as ‘runaways’ by the government. This means they became immediately illegal on the island and could be deported without establishing their case and without entitlement to their owed wages,” Marietta explains. The MWPS run a shelter for fleeing domestic workers and during 2011, they housed 129 women who had been aggrieved at their place of work. Out of the 129 women, over 50 percent fled their jobs because they had not been paid. “Many women are not paid at all. We have had cases where women were not paid for 14 months and because of it they sought our help,” confirms Marietta. Other similar statistics are just as shocking, 29 percent of those sheltered in 2011 were physically beaten in their work place, and four women were subjected to sexual harassment. Cases such as that of Eskedar — a domestic servant who travelled to Bahrain from Ethiopia — show the brutality that some servants are forced to live under. Marietta tell us that Eskedar was regularly beaten by her employers and because of this lost the sight in her left eye completely. She was also kicked whilst scrubbing floors, which severely disfigured her spinal column. From a more positive perspective, Eskedar’s time at the MWPS shelter was very productive. The society helped her receive all of her previously withheld salary, and funded the fee for her to travel back to Ethiopia to study at college for a brighter future. For some nationalities, there aren’t enough opportunities in their own countries to earn a decent wage, which makes the possibility of travel and exploration overseas very appealing. “The problem for many of these women is that they are given false promises, which are too good to refuse. It is largely to do with their lack of knowledge in regard to the real world. Many of these women think they are getting a great deal, yet they have not even left their own towns — so how are they to know any better? “These people are not always sent over by professionals, many of the domestic workers have never seen a dishwasher before and many of the construction workers have never held a hammer. So these workers come to the island without the knowledge they need to thrive, and at times, even to stay safe in their workplace,” Marietta says. The new labour law in Bahrain is a huge step forward to fair treatment for domestic workers. They will now be employed under proper contractual terms in line with humanitarian and work-related regulations of all Private Sector employees. This is seen as a major component of preventing human trafficking in Bahrain. It will hopefully help combat the ill treatment that these women are currently facing. If you feel passionately about the work that the MWPS does and want to help out, visit www.mwpsbahrain.com or call +973 1782 7895
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Woman in Power
Driven From Within
She has stamina — lots and lots of it. Rozan Ahmed is a turbocharged woman with a vision of taking on the world! What fuel is she running on? Ohlala! talks to her about how she does it all. Images courtesy of Magiq Lens Kenya
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ritish (by way of Africa), 31-year-old Rozan dreamt big even as a child, and is currently carving her path throughout the Middle East and Africa. With a passion for social development, her CV has an endless list of job roles — ones most of us can only imagine juggling. Asked to define her role, she explains that she’s “a commercial choreographer when it comes to brand management, a PR specialist when it comes to positive projection, an events expert in all things truly memorable, a writer, columnist and guest speaker (whenever possible), and an overall enthusiast in corporate social responsibility.” She simply is a one-woman show. What were your dreams as a child? Rozan Ahmed. I had many dreams, most of which included Michael Jackson, and having Oprah Winfrey pass me her torch.
Were there any obstacles that stopped you from achieving these dreams? RA. Mostly my own confidence… it’s funny how we tend to fear our own greatness more than anyone else. Time is always an issue for me too; there’s just never enough of it, hence my current plans for (urgent) expansion. Tell us more about your career developments. RA. I started off in promotions but found myself continually connecting dots within the arts and entertainment industry — always in this frame of thinking to merge and build. I then went into journalism as a means to fulfill a love for writing (and basically expressing myself!). Then came along the business of public relations, which again seemed to morph into overall 32
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brand management. This soon developed into an interest (turned passion) for social development, through my work with the United Nations. I then realised that this was all part of a growing entrepreneurial movement, and now endeavour to combine all my skills into one house of creative excellence, otherwise known as ‘bougi’. How would you describe this current stage in your life? RA. I’ve learned that life is a process of learning. I do, digest, edit and continue to understand, all with a view on nothing but positive elevation and fulfilling God’s path.
At what point in your life did you develop a strong interest in your line of work? RA. From as early as I can remember. I think strategic implementation of the arts, and taking a responsibility in inspiring those around me was embedded in my DNA. From as early as eight I recall taking charge of my brother’s birthday! At 15 I organised a talent show for my high school, insisting the arts be celebrated as part of the curriculum and worked on channeling the students’ free time into positive celebration of their artistic talents. I’ve always enjoyed seeing others enjoy the fruits of my efforts, whether it’s a successful event, a campaign, an article, a charitable cause, or just one of my many opinions!
Looking back on your life so far, which parts are you most proud of? RA. I’m proud of the entire journey, and humbled by the experiences I’ve been blessed with so far. I also realise there’s a lot more to go, and none of it’s possible without progressing with your peers.
“Success doesn’t mean emasculating a man, or tapping into your testosterone levels.”
What are the most rewarding factors about your work? RA. The things I see, the people I meet (well, most of them), and the cultures I come across.
Where would you like to see your career go over the next few years? RA. My business (bougi.net) has grown from strength to strength, and just recently, I launched the “AfriConnect” service — a lifestyle solutions entity in partnership with Kenya to further develop relations between the Middle East and Africa. Over the next two to three years, I’ll be developing a line of products, bougi books, bazaars, award shows and so on. Personally, I also wouldn’t mind expanding into radio, writing a book, and eventually hosting my own show. It’s very much an “Oprah state of mind” at the moment!
Which aspects do you believe are the key to success for women? RA. It really depends on your goals. As women we’re blessed with multi-faceted gifts. My ancestors had the world’s first queens, who managed to win wars as wives. Our ability to achieve is tremendous and I think the key here is never forgetting that. What one piece of advice would you give to women in the current climate? RA. Success doesn’t mean emasculating a man, or tapping into your testosterone levels, which a lot of women seem to be doing lately. I say, stay feminine, honest and focused. Be a proud woman who doesn’t easily compromise — and be bougi with it! Always work towards, demand and be nothing short of the best. Visit www.rozanahmed.com
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Celebrity Scoop
Some Kind Of Trouble
The multi-platinum-selling British songwriter and heartthrob, James Blunt, who rocketed to success with the release of his infamous single, You’re Beautiful, performed in the Middle East on his most recent world tour. Tony Sidgwick catches up with him for a chat.
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Celebrity Scoop “The magic that comes from playing guitar can be found in many different ways.”
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ever has a musician polarised public opinion so much, and yet enjoyed such success. Despite the fact that Blunt has appeared on ‘Things That Britons Find Most Annoying’ polls more than once, he has still managed massive critical and commercial success. It has become something of an amusing irony, not least to the singer, who appears ambivalent to all the fuss and gossip. The best way to describe the phenomenon would be to bring up the classic comparison to Marmite — you either love him or hate him. Luckily for Blunt, enough people love him to make him a multiplatinum-selling artist, and therefore very, very rich, which must make it a lot easier to tolerate his critics! Entitled Back To Bedlam, his first album, after a two-year period of practically no attention or recognition, suddenly exploded in popularity in 2005, largely thanks to the release of the album’s third single, the instantly recognisable You’re Beautiful. The single remained at the number one spot on the UK charts for no less than five weeks, and also achieved the top spot on charts in a total of ten countries across the world. Because of the success of You’re Beautiful, Back to Bedlam went on to sell ten million copies worldwide, with 2.4 million in the UK alone. It was the highest-selling album in the UK in 2005, and remains the biggest selling album of its decade in the UK. It WAS the biggestselling album of the twenty-first century in the UK, until it was taken over by Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black. Blunt’s second studio album, All the Lost Souls, released in 2007, didn’t enjoy as much success as the first, but still went on to sell 4.5 million copies worldwide. Sales of his latest album, Some Kind of Trouble, which was released in 2010, has sold over a million copies.
There was a bit of a period between Back to Bedlam being released and its commercial success. Can you remember how it felt when things finally took off? James Blunt. Yeah, there was a fair amount of trepidation, really. I wasn’t expecting such a huge reaction, I just wanted to make an album, and if I was lucky enough that people liked it I would make a second one, and if I was lucky again I would make a third one. I was completely surprised, and there was a sense of trepidation with how big it all became! Despite such worldwide success, you seem to remain a very grounded chap. How do you keep your feet on the ground? JB. Well, I was in the army, and you know, I think that was a very real job, which dealt with life and death. And now I’m in the most shallow industry in the world, and it has very little to do with music — it’s obsessed with money, obsessed with fame, which are two things in the world that humans have constructed that don’t really exist in any relevant form. In an industry in which people don’t really understand what the real world is, when I compare it to my days in the army, it’s actually quite easy to stay grounded. Which is more fun, shooting guns or playing guitar? JB. It depends whom you’re pointing either at!
How about driving a tank, or playing guitar? JB. Well, they’re very different things! I think that the novelty of driving a tank wears off and becomes a job, but the magic that comes from playing guitar can be found in many different ways. You’ve had a bit of a low profile recently; what have you been up to? JB. Well, I’ve actually been on a world tour, so I’ve only had a low profile in certain places. And since January last year I’ve been to over 220 different cities, so perhaps in the UK I’ve had a bit of a lower profile, but in the rest of the world I’ve been much more visible! 36
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How was it hosting UK TV show, Never Mind the Buzzcocks last November? JB. That was fun, it was a good crowd of people, and it was a new thing for me. I’m not very comfortable in front of a camera, but I think I got away with it!
Having toured extensively around the world, and visited many places, what would your ‘Ideal Tour’ be, now? JB. Well, where I went recently is one of them, which is Rio! It’s one of the most amazing cities in the world, because of its location and the people who are in it. I also love Beirut, because of a real mixture of religions and cultures, and again its location and the spirit of the audience. And Sydney would also be on it, because of the location and the sense of fun those people have! There are so many… What’s the strangest thing a fan has ever said or done? JB. I think most of my fans, I would hope, are pretty sane and sensible! The weirdest thing that’s happened to me wasn’t actually from a fan, but was in fact a security guard! In Chicago during a concert he tackled me to the ground, not realising I was the singer, and wouldn’t release me while the band played on, and the other security guards had to come and pull him off me so that the concert could carry on!
Have you played in the Middle East before? JB. I’ve played at the Dubai Jazz Festival, and it was an amazing experience because it’s such an incredible new city, and the audience were really cool. On the same trip I also played down the road, in Oman. During my third, world tour I played in Qatar. I had never played there before, so it was a real thrill to be invited. I really look forward to meeting a new audience, because every city has a different feel, so it’s a whole new thing for me. What plans do you have for the rest of 2012? JB. You know, I’ve been on tour now for more than a year, so I’m going to go home now and catch up with my friends and family, and have a little break! Any new releases? JB. No, nothing at all, I’m checking out, taking a well-deserved rest!
“I really look forward to meeting a new audience, because every city has a different feel, so it’s a whole new thing for me.”
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FASHION
The Catwalk
Opulent fabrics and luxurious textures are interwoven with decadent tones and beautiful detailing. Indulge yourself this season in some of our favourite looks off the Autumn Winter 2012-13 runways.
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Lanvin
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Salvatore Ferragamo 40
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Carolina Herrera
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Loewe 42
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Marc Jacobs
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Ralph Lauren 44
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Tory Burch
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Alberta Ferretti 46
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BCBG
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FASHION
Casual Chic with Michael Kors One of America’s top designers, Michael Kors is revered across the globe for his luxury sportswear creations. Kirsty Edwards-Harris sits down with him to talk fashion, inspirations and balance.
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“I don’t make plans. I just remain open to the possibilities.”
ith creativity being an intrinsic part of who he is, it’s no surprise Michael Kors was giving styling advice to his mother, which she took, at just age five. He went on to study fashion at the Fashion Institute of Technology and his namesake company was launched in 1981. Today, the name Michael Kors is synonymous with enduring designs, which are at the same time indulgent but comfortable, casual but chic. A range of products are produced by the labels Michael Kors Collection, KORS Michael Kors and MICHAEL Michael Kors, including accessories, men’s and women’s ready-to-wear, and a full line of fragrance and beauty products for both sexes. When did you first realise that you wanted to become a fashion designer? Michael Kors. When I was about five and my mother took my advice when I told her there were too many bows on her wedding dress (to my stepfather). Who is your favourite fashion designer? MK. Halston and YSL are both iconic for me. They approached, in different ways, the idea of luxury that could be casual with a touch of glamour.
What is the concept behind luxury sportswear? MK. It’s about pieces that are well-made and timeless, that feel so good when you put them on that you feel indulged, but that are easy and comfortable as well. What has been your greatest achievement to date? MK. I think being in business for 30 years and living to tell the tale would qualify! What are your aspirations for the future? MK. I don’t make plans. I just remain open to the possibilities.
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FASHION What type of woman buys your creations? MK. Smart, busy women who are inspired by the world around them through work or travel, or culture or philanthropy. They’re jugglers. They’re game to engage in life’s textured experiences.
What is the process behind creating a new collection? MK. It starts with a moment of inspiration, which could be from a trip I’ve taken, or a book I’ve read, or a movie I’ve seen. I talk to my design team about how to bring that to life as a full collection and show them sketches. They come back to me with ideas about a palette of colours, textures and fabrics. We start narrowing down and making choices, and the process continues until we make samples of the pieces that will comprise the collection and go down the runway. All along we’re also considering the right accessories, hair, makeup and music to use when we do have our show. It’s one big production!
What advice would you offer women when updating their wardrobe for the new season? MK. Think about contradictions. If you’re going with a very polished look, add one piece that’s a bit tougher. If you’re very glam, go low-key with accessories or hair and makeup. It’s all about the balance. What was your inspiration for Fall Winter? MK. The play of old Hollywood glamour and the rugged elegance of the American West. What are the dominant trends? MK. I don’t design with trends in mind but the ideas you’ll see in play for the season are about the unexpected mixes of cosy with sexy, feminine with masculine, simple shapes with rich fabrics.
Is there a particular look from the new season’s collection that encapsulates who you are as a designer? MK. There are some fabulous dresses that mix leather with lace; making those two moods work beautifully together is what Michael Kors is all about. How would you describe your personal style? MK. Minimal.
How do you create a new scent? MK. Carefully, over time. It can be overwhelming if you try to rush the process. Can you tell us a secret? MK. What’s the fun in that?
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“The ideas you’ll see in play for the season are about the unexpected mixes of cosy with sexy, feminine with masculine, simple shapes with rich fabrics.”
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Beauty
WHAT'S HOT AND NOT
Ruyan Add for March Syed.pdf
3/3/2011
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BEAUTY
Beauty Buzz COUTURE PERFECTION
Enriched with a multi-nourishing complex exclusive to Givenchy, Noir Couture’s complete formula works in synergy with a tri-spherical brush to adorn the lashes as divinely as a Couture gown. Amplifying the formula, Copernicia extract, a plant-derived Brazilian wax generously coats the lashes to make them thicker, even after a single application.
16 HOURS OF GLAM
Revlon’s legendary ColorStay Eyeshadow now lasts for sixteen full hours of impactful, long-wearing colour. With a luxurious, sleek new package, it’s available in 14 different palettes, each containing four expressive, silky, blendable shades that won’t crease, fade or smudge.
With the hottest, runwayinspired and classic shades, this is one beauty steal you’ll love showing off.
MAKEUP THAT’S FUN
Shiseido’s Shimmering Rouge lipstick collection has seven new shades. Available in Opal, Sorbet, Mango, Butterscotch, Sugarplum, Venus and Temptress, the collection boasts of sheer, brilliant colours that infuse lips with lasting moisture and fullness. Lips have never looked so all-day sensuous.
CLASSIC LUXURY
Distinctively Chanel, Coco Noir’s signature fragrance evokes desire and modesty, mystery and brilliance — one where baroque audacity meets classic demeanour. Coco Noir celebrates femininity with a profusion of sandalwood, vetiver, frankincense, patchouli, vanilla and tonka bean; interspersed with the long sensual breath of jasmine, rose and narcissus.
MAGNETIC FEMININITY
Valentina Assoluto is an intense fragrance, adorned with a chypre signature. Bergamot and white Alba truffle turn into a caress with an elegant note of Smeggia peach, whilst the sensual trail of jasmine, tuberose and vanilla combined with cedar, oak moss and patchouli melt magically onto the skin. A designer fragrance, Valentina is the charismatic muse of Valentino.
Coco Noir is for the woman of today who chooses intensity over the bland norm and true luxury over vulgarity. 55
BEAUTY
Modern Day Masterpiece 56
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The art of perfumery and the art of calligraphy have been intertwined with that of humanity for thousands of years. Now these two ancient crafts are enveloped into one creation to form Perfume Calligraphy by Aramis. Ohlala! sits down with the creative duo behind this modern day masterpiece.
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This fragrance falls under the Oriental category. How do you describe this category? TL. The Oriental composition is weighted in resins, spices, vanilla, ambers and woods. There are subfamilies of spicy, sweet and edible (gourmand). There is usually a contrast of fresh top notes to rich base notes. Oriental can be both feminine and masculine.
Q&A with Trudi Loren, Vice President, Corporate Fragrance Development Worldwide, Aramis and Designer Fragrances, The Estée Lauder Companies Tapping into her creative gift, Trudi Loren has been working within the fragrance industry for over 20 years, and has successfully held senior positions in several leading fragrance houses across the globe. What was your inspiration when creating this fragrance? Trudi Loren. Calligraphy and fragrance are both forms of selfexpression within Middle Eastern cultures and I wanted to take the heritage, history and beauty of these two arts and marry them together.
What are some of the typical olfactive preferences of Middle East? TL. The Middle East has an extraordinarily rich fragrance culture, unique and specific to this part of the world. Their olfactive preference aligns with Aramis’s heritage of intense luxury and the art of perfumery, and because of this, we wanted to create a unique and intimate connection with this consumer. We spent significant time and resources researching, studying, and living in the area, to completely understand and fulfill the Middle East consumers’ desires for a fragrance made with exquisitely rare and precious ingredients, crafted with artisanal techniques. What makes this fragrance so unique? TL. For the first time within the Aramis world, we are taking our inspiration from the local culture and using specific ingredients that resonate with the consumer. Rose absolute, myrrh, saffron and local spices are all combined with the mysterious oud to provide a cultural link. Then western notes, with a hint of gourmand are blended to give modernity. How does this fragrance capture the essence of the Middle Eastern woman and man? TL. Perfume Calligraphy by Aramis was created to reflect traditional roots, but add a modern twist. This unique eau de parfum is a Western brand inspired by Arabic tradition. High quality ingredients and a long-lasting signature, ensures the fragrance portrays luxury and richness. 58
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What makes this scent wearable for both sexes? TL. Most oriental fragrances are suitable for both men and women in that they share common ingredients. These inherent raw materials are captivating for both sexes and provide an indulgent and luxurious addictive scent.
Does the Middle East have a rich history in fragrance? TL. Many of the ingredients that we use in modern perfumery have been sourced in the Middle East for centuries; even the most common extraction process, distillation, was invented by Avicenna, the Persian chemist and doctor. The perfumery industry has been graced by the history of fragrance coming from this region of the world. From a perfumery perspective, what is the link between the art of calligraphy and the art of fragrance? TL. Much like the art of writing, which demonstrates a person’s mark or signature, the world of perfumery is an expression of ones personal signature through the use of scent. They are two very strong indicators of personal identity.
Do you feel the art of Calligraphy will be lost in an increasing digital world? TA. Absolutely not. I think Calligraphy as an art has always adapted to the environments it lived in, and every writing system has developed and adapted with technological developments, from printing to new media. In my own work as a graphic artist and designer, I explore the typographic possibilities of traditional calligraphy by mixing the calligraphic hand stroke with the digital letterform. This is a middle ground between manual calligraphy and digital letter design. The digital world in my opinion offers new possibilities and territories for calligraphy to explore. How does your cultural upbringing influence your artwork? TA. My multi-cultural design work is certainly influenced by my cross-cultural experiences and upbringing. I was raised in Lebanon in a Muslim family, went to a Christian Catholic French School, continued my education at the American University in Beirut. I then travelled to the Netherlands for Graduate school, before finishing my studies in New York at the school of visual arts. Along the way, I learned four languages and experienced living and working in five countries. This defined my cross-cultural approach to my work. It helps me to constantly look at any design problem from a different perspective, allowing me to explore radically different design solutions. If you weren't a designer what would you be? TA. I would be a Museum Director. Running a museum seems to be as exciting as being a designer, as it imposes a lot of creative thinking and is centred around visual culture. Q&A with Tarek Atrissi, Graphic Artist & Calligrapher With an impressive set of qualifications and portfolio to match, Tarek Atrissi is an award-winning designer, and the principal of his own design studio. Why were you drawn to collaborate with the Aramis brand? Tarek Atrissi. The Aramis brand has been in existence for close to 50 years, which makes it an important part of history. This tie with the past is a central part to all of my work and it’s what I’m naturally drawn to.
How did you feel to be chosen to design Calligraphy art for Perfume Calligraphy by Aramis? TA. I have intentionally remained a multidisciplinary designer because it offers me the opportunity to work on various projects, such as this, which I love. This project was a great creative challenge. It was a chance to explore the visual possibilities of calligraphy within the context of fragrance packaging design.
You were selected for Print Magazine's Twenty under Thirty, the international review for the most achieved Visual artists below the age of 30. To what do you attribute your success? TA. Passion: Graphic design is my hobby before being my full time job, and that is why I am able to spend an incredible amount of time practicing, learning, and exploring new boundaries within the design field. This enthusiasm allowed me to achieve a lot at a very young age. Hard work: The main attribute to any success. A solid design education: In such a competitive design discipline today, it is almost impossible to have an exceptional design career without a very solid educational foundation. I am thankful to have had the opportunity to study in some of the top design schools in Europe and the United States. I am constantly working on my continuing education as well; taking a break from work every few years to attend new full time design courses, because this seems a must in helping a designer find new and interesting sources of inspiration.
What does the word Calligraphy mean to you? TA. The word calligraphy reflects an entire visual culture and in the context of Arabic Calligraphy, it reflects a significant part of the cultural and social history of Arabia. It is a medium that offers endless visual possibilities, hence the artistic value of it. One word can be interpreted in so many different shapes and formats. To me Calligraphy is the "art of lettering".
What about the name Perfume Calligraphy inspired you to create this particular design? TA. The Calligraphy concept was based on Ink Beauty where the beautiful aspect of liquid ink transforms into calligraphic shapes. The abstract forms of the calligraphic brush were the main visual element I tried to use. Is there any symbolism in the Perfume Calligraphy design? TA. Yes, the word Calligraphy, in Arabic, is composed of two words. Each of the words is crafted in an opposing style. One word is modern, more geometric and more typographic; the other word is more traditional, organic, and calligraphic. This contrast illustrates the unisex fragrance concept. It also reflects the approach of "calligraphy" to interpret traditions with a contemporary twist.
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BEAUTY
Motivate Yourself What’s the most important thing when it comes to fat loss and looking good? Getting it done! Ohlala! is here to help you stay motivated with super tips from fitness expert, Craig Bunting.
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here can be many topics included in this area of fitness but the main thing to consider when trying to decrease your body fat levels, so you can tone your body and look good, is simply making sure that you get your exercise and workouts done. Yes we can talk all day about the different types of exercise, and how this type of exercise is better than that type because of x, y, and z. We can go on about how important nutrition is (and yes it really is!), but ultimately, it’s essential to just get it done. Making sure that you are exercising regularly is necessary, but for many, the excuses that can come up over the course of the day get in the way and that restricts the consistency an exercise regime requires. “I didn’t sleep well last night, I’m tired, it’s been such a busy day, John from accounting has asked me for a drink after work, one of the kids is playing up at home so I better stay and mediate before there is chaos.” All of these are common excuses that stop people from getting to the gym and are the barrier between looking and feeling good. 60
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keep on track 1. Train Before Work I know, I know, you’re not a morning person. Get over it! Go to bed extra early, so that you can get up and exercise. Think about it this way, once it is finished, the rest of the day is yours. You can do whatever you want — play tennis, go for a walk with the family, run errands, get to the office, or take a nap. You’ve done your bit and you can rest assured that you’re maintaining your fitness goals. 2. Make a Schedule Having a well-organised routine is guaranteed to keep your progress on track. If you have a partner and/or children, you can arrange the timings of your exercise sessions, so that proper order is maintained. You’ll need quick and efficient workouts that don’t require hours upon hours of your time. People are getting busier and busier in the modern day and time is of the essence. Taking the advice of an exercise professional will help you maximise your time in the gym, while ensuring you're doing the right exercises to match your fitness goals.
3. Have a Back-Up Plan Life is unpredictable and things can happen, which result in lost exercise sessions, but if you miss your session at the gym, you can always have the perfect back-up plan right in your own home. The thought of going down to the gym at 9.30pm at night when your batteries are running low is not a pleasant thought. Finding a small space in your home to complete your exercise is sometimes an attractive option, at least this way you’ll stay on course. Buying some basic equipment is always a good option (providing it gets used!), but a lot of good can be done with bodyweight exercises too.
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Interiors
The Boudoir Sanctuary About one third of our lives are spent sleeping, and everybody will agree that a good relaxing night’s rest is paramount for an active and productive day. Ohlala! seeks out advice from interior design Guru, Georges Karam, for creating a bedroom sanctuary.
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hen designing a bedroom, especially in the city, creating a feeling of belonging and cocooning is the main guideline you should follow. Treat it as a fortification, a safe haven where all exterior noises, sounds and nuisances of the world come to a halt, and where dreams can flourish. A place where we reconnect with ourselves and allow our soul and body to rejuvenate away from the hustle and bustle of our daily life.
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Reduce the effect of noise and echoes by using soundproof materials and avoiding hard and reflecting surfaces. For the windows, double-glazing is a must. Use thick fabrics for the main curtains with an inner lining, and blackout material to keep out the daylight and prevent it from penetrating the room too early. An upholstered headboard is more comfortable than wood, or metal in many ways and can create softer feel. For the same purpose, integrate fabric panelling on some parts of the walls whenever
possible. If laying carpet, always use a thick underlay as it’s an essential step in enhancing the comfort factor. Lighting also has a very important role to play. Smooth adaptable lighting stages a big part of the total effect whereas the wrong type of lighting can jeopardise the scheme of design and the final intended aim. Blend two types of light, direct and indirect, and make sure to install a dimmer. Avoid positioning down lighters above the bed, as using indirect light is much softer. When the space is available create a seating, reading, and television area, separate from the bed space, which can also include a desk if needed. Top Tip Mood board Magic If you want to revamp your home like a professional start by making a mood board, or a mood file. This is a very useful tool that will make it easier to frame your design concept. A mood board should be looked at as a facilitating step in any design development. I consider it as a laboratory of ideas where all your favourite materials, fabrics and colours come together before the final selection. This will help you to progress towards your ultimate decision with confidence. Don’t hesitate to be bold and daring until you are completely satisfied with the whole combination.
GK & Partners is an interior design practice operating for both private and contract sectors throughout the Middle East with an international portfolio and a solid, experienced team trained to achieve the highest standards in conceptual design and project management. The philosophy of the design is mainly initiated by Georges Karam, privileged to have collaborated with some of the most successful international firms in the design industry in Paris and London. GK & Partners Interior Design : PO Box 10462, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain: +973 17251697 info@gkinterior.com : www.gkinterior.com
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Interiors
DEN OF DECADENCE
Bedroom inspirations come in many styles — from the contemporary to the traditional and edgy European-inspired designs, through to the more eclectic — these creations are sure to inspire you into transforming one of the most essential parts of your home.
CLOUD NINE
Transform your boudoir into a dreamy den of decadence with THE One’s Glamorous Living home fashion style. With its classic monochrome palette infused with luxurious leather, mirrored pieces, rich textures and weathered silver and gold accessories, this bold but feminine look is one of the coolest designs to hit the market. 64
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LUXURY UNMATCHED
Edgy, contemporary but always functional, you’ll never go wrong with designs from Roche Bobois. Just what the queen of the house needs, this Maestro Bed designed by Philippe Bouix is upholstered in Vintage pigmented, corrected grain leather.
LIVE FREE!
Sweet dreams are made of Freedom’s bedroom furniture collection. With stylish designs and quality craftsmanship, you can rest easy on a Freedom bed, such as this Sketch Queen bed creation.
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PROPERTY PROMOTION
Touch Of Class One of the world’s most multicultural cities, welcoming people from across the globe, London is a very trendy destination and home to some of the most exclusive addresses in the world.
John D Wood & Co.
Peter D Young, Managing Director
CORNWALL GARDENS, SW7 Immaculately refurbished apartment with a fabulous decked flat roof. 3 bedrooms, 2 bath/shower rooms, reception room, communal gardens. Freehold Share Guide Price £2,250,000 SOUTH KENSINGTON +44 20 7835 0000 skn.sales@johndwood.co.uk
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ondon is very popular for visitors year round, especially in the summer months, thanks to its temperate climate. It has plentiful luxury designer shops, world-class restaurants, museums, art galleries and theatres. People are also attracted to its excellent educational institutions, which include Imperial College, London School of Economics and King's College London. It is one of the world’s most multicultural cities and welcomes people from all over the globe, many of whom find there is an established community from their home country already living in London and shops selling their favourite native foods and other goods. Due to all these attributes, London is often chosen by the global elite as a place to buy an additional home. There are many reasons for this — the multitude of international flights, it’s geographically central place in the world, the stable political climate, as well as the lifestyle it offers. What is more the property purchase process is simple and covered by laws and regulations. You may already be familiar with London and the numerous villages, which make up the city. Each has it’s own distinctive character. Mayfair is home to grand ambassadorial residences, some of which are now luxury apartments,
London. Red brick mansion blocks with large apartments are found here as well as white stucco buildings centred around private garden squares accessed via keys. Similar architecture is also found in neighbouring Kensington, which is where some of the most expensive properties in the world are found on Kensington Palace Gardens, which backs onto Kensington Gardens and Kensington Palace, the new London residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. At the centre of Chelsea is the King's Road made famous in the 1960s when it was the most fashionable street in London boasting Biba and Mary Quant. Today it remains a popular shopping destination, full of both fantastic British high street shops such as Reiss, Whistles, LK Bennett and Ted Baker, Peter Jones (a large British department store) as well as numerous international stores like Zara and individual boutiques. Chelsea is bordered by Sloane Street and the River Thames and has been home to globally recognised names, past and present, including Oscar Wilde, JM Turner and Mick Jagger. Chelsea offers property purchasers a choice of both town houses and apartment blocks. If you are interested in learning more about property for sale in London, an excellent first step would be to contact John D Wood & Co. a prestigious firm of estate agents, which has been selling and letting property in London for over 140 years. It has fourteen offices across the capital including in Belgravia, Chelsea, Kensington, Holland Park and Primrose Hill. www.johndwood.co.uk
MARKHAM SQUARE, SW3 A superb family house overlooking this beautiful garden square. 4 bedrooms, 3 bath/shower rooms, 4 receptions, rear garden. Freehold Guide Price £6,500,000 CHELSEA +44 20 7352 1484 cst.sales@johndwood.co.uk
famous hotels such as the Dorchester, Claridges and Grosvenor House and the designer shops of New Bond Street and Bond Street, world famous tailors found on Savile Row and Gentlemen’s outfitters of Jermyn Street. This central London area is also home to numerous acclaimed Michelin star restaurants such as Le Gavroche, Nobu and Petrus and private Members Clubs, both historic like Whites and more modern such as The Arts Club and Annabel’s. Knightsbridge lies next to Mayfair and is where Harrods and Harvey Nichols are found as well as other designer shops such as Mulberry, Burberry, Dior, Jimmy Choo, Prada and Gucci. The Jumeirah Carlton Towers, The Berkeley and The Lanesborough hotels are all in Knightsbridge and it is a popular destination for Middle Eastern property purchasers who like to live close to Harrods. Also found here is the new One Hyde Park, another luxury development with full concierge service, which is connected to the Mandarin Oriental overlooking Hyde Park and The Knightsbridge. South Kensington is another highly international area of London known for its museums, which include The Victoria & Albert Museum, The National History Museum and The Science Museum. It is also home to Imperial College
ARGYLL ROAD, W8 An impressive house with the most wonderful open aspect from the rear. 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 5 reception rooms, cellar, conservatory, garden. Freehold Guide Price £8,500,000 KENSINGTON, +44 20 7908 1100 kcs.sales@johndwood.co.uk 67
Dining
Hotspots THERE’S A FEAST, THEN THERE’S OKTOBERFEST
PASHAWAT REOPENS
WHERE? Gulf Hotel Bahrain
WHERE? Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq
More Than Just Dining… Gulf Hotel Bahrain will be dishing out quite a few exciting events this month, starting off with the ever-popular Oktoberfest. Headlining the event will be the Lasterbacher Musikanten Band. Book a Dinner Buffet on September 27 for BD21.5++ (doors open at 7.30pm and show starts at 8.30pm). Alternatively, there’s a Brunch Buffet on September 28 for BD19.5++ and doors will open at 11.30am with the show starting at 12.30pm. Special prices are available for Gulf Air, NSA, Aramco and Prestige Club members. If you’re a fan of their regular promotions, Sato hosts Sushi Day on September 16 (or every third Sunday of the month) where you get 50-percent off on all sushi and maki. Head to China Garden for their Special Sizzling Seafood fare that’s on all month, or try the new menus that available at La Pergola Italian Restaurant, Zahle Lebanese Restaurant, and Takht Jamsheed Iranian Restaurant. Theme Nights carry on as usual at Al Waha Restaurant, where every Saturday, Monday and Tuesday offers International Buffet, Sundays give way to Indian Tandoori Night, Wednesdays are Butcher Nights, Thursdays feature Seafood Nights with Live Cooking and more and every Friday you can book the Brunch or the regular Sizzling Night. RESERVATIONS: ✆ 1774 6407 (for Oktoberbest); 1774 6425/26 (Al Waha).
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Delightful Arabic Cuisine… Fans of Arabic restaurant Pashawat will be delighted as Sofitel Bahrain announces its reopening, promising to deliver the highest standards in food and entertainment. Pashawat offers irresistible Lebanese cuisine and live entertainment from a female Lebanese singer as well as belly dance shows. Located on the first floor with a separate entrance adjacent to the main hotel lobby, Pashawat has a dedicated lounge-bar area seating 22 people and the restaurant seats 76. It is open Mondays to Fridays from 7pm to 1.30am. Guests will be able to enjoy a large variety of the finest mezzah, succulent charcoal-grilled specialties and more.
RESERVATIONS: ✆ 1763 6363
GOURMET LUNCH WHERE? Saveur, Kempinski Bahrain Saveur gives diners the opportunity to savour the many flavours of an international lunch buffet prepared with fresh products and live cooking stations. Enjoy it from Saturdays to Thursdays, 12.30pm to 3pm. Cost: Zero to five years - free; six to 12 years - BD7++; over 12’s - BD14++ including selected juices and soft drinks. Reservations: 1717 1000. NEW MENUS ON OFFER WHERE? Bushido Restaurant and Lounge From September 7, Bushido’s Friday Brunch will offer a mix of Japanese and Continental dish selections, with an a la carte option and live cooking stations. There’s also a special room for children which offer games and fun activities. Cost: BD19 net including water and soft drinks; BD25 net including a selection of wine, beers, spirits and cocktails. Bushido will also be offering two new set menus. The first one includes a cold appetiser, main course and desserts, plus tea or coffee at the end of the meal. The second set offers four courses, including an additional hot appetiser. The set menus cost BD16 net and BD19 net respectively. Reservations: 1758 3555. TEPPANYAKI PROMOTION WHERE? An Nada Bar and Soie, Sheraton Bahrain Crazy about Japanese food? Then you’ll love Sheraton Bahrain’s month-long Teppanyaki Promotion at An Nada Bar and Soie Restaurant. Choose an assortment of Mixed Meat Teppanyaki for only BD3.9 or Seafood Teppanyaki at just BD6.9. After work, you can enjoy daily Happy Hour at An Nada Lounge where you get 25 percent off on selected beverages from 1pm to 7pm with live entertainment by the Signature Band every night except Saturdays. Reservations: 1753 3533. ABSOLUTLY’ FABULOUS WHERE? Crowne Plaza Bahrain From 12noon onwards, the famous Friday Absolutly Fabulous brunch adds a twist this month with the introduction of the Mongolian Experience. Create your own stir-fry combination with their selection of meat, seafood, vegetables and sauces cooked by the chef as you wait. With usual live entertainment, it costs BD17.950++ including unlimited beverages and BD14.950++ including soft drinks only. Discounts available for children. Reservations 1753 1122. A CULINARY FEAST WHERE? LA MED, THE RITZ-CARLTON, BAHRAIN HOTEL & SPA The Ritz’ La Med Restaurant offers only the best and with three offerings to choose from, you’ll definitely be spoilt for choice. Friday Brunch: Delicious buffet of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern specialties; half price for children aged four to twelve; free for children under four. Price includes service charge and government levy. Seafood Market: Every Thursday (7 to 11pm); choose your favourite catch of the day from the buffet spread and live cooking stations. Cost: BD15++ including one glass of house beverage. Lunch Express: Saturdays to Thursdays (noon to 3.30pm); threecourse menu includes starters, main course and dessert. Cost: BD9.5++. Reservations 1758 6499. 69
MOTORING
Diva Drives
An amazing super performance car — one of the fastest road vehicles in the world — and boy, does she turn heads. Images by George Mathew
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Sari Mabire Diva Driver
McLaren MP4-12C Wow. Awesome. Power. Speed. Beauty. Formula 1. These are the things that come to mind when you first set your eyes on the McLaren MP4-12C. Once you see it, just take a walk around the car to admire the details. The very handsome engine, visible through glass at the rear, draws your attention, and you start to anticipate the drive even more than you did already. You just can’t wait to open the door to get in! The very distinctive doors that the McLaren boasts are called dihedral doors. Opening upwards like a butterfly spreading its wings they give that unmistakable high-performance supercar look. It also boasts a special opening system: there are no handles to open the car, nor do you need a key, instead simply slide your hand underneath the sensors that are placed on the door, and voila! It pops out, ready to be swung up. Inside the car you are greeted with very modern looking carbon fibre, Alcantara and luxurious leather. The racing seats (hey, you didn’t expect anything else, did you!) are truly very comfortable. The simplicity of the design of the centre console is actually surprising: all you find is the touch-screen, dial for entertainment system, four buttons, and two dials to control the suspension and engine/ transmission modes. That’s it, nothing more. Even the temperature controls are unconventionally located at the doors to maintain the uncluttered look. When you press the start button you awaken the 592-horsepower, 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 engine and you’re set to go! Driving the MP412C is an incredible experience; the acceleration is just astounding with the car dashing from zero to 100-kilometres per hour in just 3.3 seconds. With the optional Corsa tyres, it can do 3.1 seconds — rocket! The gear changes are seamless and practically instantaneous; and with extremely precise handling and steering, the McLaren MP4-12C is a dream to drive. The two dials on the centre console control the three driving modes: Normal, Sport and Track. There is also a Winter mode button although that’s not needed in the Gulf. The Normal mode is perfect for daily driving with softer suspension and relaxed cruising. However, don’t think that you lose the sportiness in this mode; it’s still a mean machine! The Sport mode kicks it up, with the engine noise getting louder, suspension stiffer and steering tighter. You just want to keep putting your foot down on the accelerator, and you do it at every given opportunity, in order to let the other drivers on the road admire the rear of the MP4-12C… I look forward to experiencing the Track mode on my next venture in the McLaren MP4-12C. McLaren’s vision was to build a true driver’s car without compromises: “Lightweight and strong. Fast and efficient. Comfortable and exhilarating.” Their vision has indeed been made reality with the MP4-12C ticking all the boxes. With five decades of Formula 1 race car development behind the marque, it’s no surprise that all possible inventions from the race cars have been brought into the production line cars. For example, the chassis is entirely made out of lightweight carbon fibre — a world first in the sports car segment — ensuring exceptionally good manoeuvrability. Considering that the MP4-12C has been in production for just over a year, it has already made big waves in the industry, and the waves are set to get bigger with the convertible version MP4-12C Spider having just been launched.
The MP4-12C is fast becoming popular in the Gulf as the hundredth car for the region was just delivered last month. All this is good news for Bahrain’s economy, as Mumtalakat (an investment holding company fully owned by the Government of Bahrain), is a major shareholder in the company. So is the MP4-12C a car for ladies? Absolutely, without a shadow of a doubt! Every high performance sports car loving lady would love to own this exotic supercar. It’s effortless, comfortable and delightful to drive, and undoubtedly turns heads wherever you take it. The only problem is that you would have all the male members of the family constantly bugging you to let them borrow it — be warned. Is there anything missing from this car? I can think of only one thing lacking — an invisibility cloak to hide it from the radars — otherwise perfect! 71
Shopping
AUTUMN WINTER MUST-HAVES
As the new season's collections begin to arrive, make sure to go through our selection of the best new pieces to hit the malls this season. SPORTY CHIC
Simultaneously sporty and tailored to create a new concept of elegance, Céline’s sophisticated and ultra-contemporary collection for Autumn Winter features iconic pieces with an eco-sporty chic and a revisitation of the masculine wardrobe that doesn’t take any femininity away from the pieces.
BOLD INGENUITY
With a dash of bold ingenuity, the Lacoste Autumn Winter collection uses Alpine sweaters as a starting point. Playing with zippers, think dresses with sleeves that could be unzipped to the shoulder, creating the allusion of a cape or a draped cardigan. Myriad accessories include knit caps, leather ski boot inspired platforms and bucket bags.
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THE BOLDER, THE BETTER
Check out the new Vincci Autumn Winter collection packed full of ontrend colours and shapes. Go all out in ankle boots with sexy stilettos, wedges or platforms, or try something a little bolder with mustard yellow and red options, as well as a glittery metallic print for night wear.
PLAYFUL GLAMOUR
Ladies looking to revamp their accessories for the fall season, can feast their eyes on Aldo’s bright colours and stud detailing, combining a stylised look with playful glamour. You’ll be seeing a few glittery numbers in the collection, nothing too over-thetop or loud, just a subtle hint of sophistication.
ECO-FRIENDLY FASHIONISTA
If you’re quite the ‘green’ consumer, you’ll love Mallberri’s concept — a trolley to carry all your shopping around. It’s handy, lightweight and can be wheeled around the mall — it’s a chic alternative to using multiple shopping bags, whilst also saving your back and wrists from prolonged strain of carrying heavy bags. You can rent one from the Mallberri stand at Bahrain City Centre.
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T h e
Fashion Show
B S P C A A C A D E M Y
A W A R D S
Join us on the RED CARPET for a star-studded evening of fashion and entertainment Tickets on sale from 1st September from the Thrift Shop (Tel 17593479)
Members BD28 Non members BD30 includes a sumptuous buffet and beverages
11th October 2012 - 7pm
At the fabulously renovated
Al Fanar Rooftop Restaurant Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel Sponsored by African & Eastern, Affinity Consultants, Condor Technology, Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, IAA
society
WHO WHAT WHEN WHERE
SOCIETY
Bahrain Hotspots To get your event featured in Ohlala! email: events@ohlala-magazine.com Cocoon Lounge Opening Party September 6
WHY GO? DJ Sabrina Terence, the Dubai-based German DJ, is headlining Cocoon Lounge’s Re-Opening Party on September 6, 9.30pm onwards. International sensation Sabrina has DJ’d for celebrities such as Nicolas Cage, Paris Hilton, Akon, Neyo, Taio Cruze, Akcent and many more. She has played at some of the biggest gigs in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Beijing, Goa, Delhi, Saigon, Istanbul, Berlin, Nice, Qatar, Jakarta, Lahore, Lagos, Aleppo, Beirut, Boston, Mauritius, New York, Zurick, Salzburg and then some! Her style of music evolves between House and Progressive House, and also includes Urban, Funky, Tech-Trance and Uplifting influence too.
Cocoon Lounge, Best Western, Juffair
3650 0114
KEMPINSKI SURPRISES September 7 & 13 WHY GO? Kempinski is marking its first year on the island on September 7 by preparing a lavish, five-star Friday birthday brunch prepared in Saveur, which will be open for lunch and dinner. Diners will also get a slice of their scrumptious birthday cake at the cake cutting ceremony at 3pm. Book a table and you may even win an all-inclusive weekend trip for two, to one of Kempinski’s renowned hotels in Europe! The brunch costs BD19++. The fun doesn’t end there, as Kempinski promises to redefine your nightlife experience with the opening of its stylish and exclusive night lounge Bizarre on September 13. Featuring Brazilian model and world class DJ Monica, it’s the newest and trendiest place to see and be seen. Bizarre will be open in the evenings, Wednesdays to Fridays.
Saveur & Bizarre, Kempinski Grand & Ixir Hotel Bahrain City Centre
restaurants.bahrain@kempinski.com 1717 1000
WHERE THE FUN IS September 13 WHY GO? Loosen up and switch on your party mode with the sounds of DJ Martin Taylor from the UK. Klub 360 at the Elite Crystal Hotel is spicing up another one of its ‘Where The Fun is’ or ‘WTF Nights’ on September 13, this time in association with TRIPOD Entertainment. DJ Martin promises to take you on a musical journey, using his clever traditional mixing skills together with an array of special effects to surprise even the most demanding clubber! Tickets are BD5 for men, whilst it’s free for the ladies. Dress code is Smart Casual and only those 21 years and above will be allowed in. Doors open at 9pm.
KLUB 360, Elite Crystal Hotel, Juffair
360@klub360.com 3336 0300
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Candee Beach Party September 28
WHY GO? Get your summer groove on and party at the biggest beach event this month. Candee Beach Party returns on September 28 from 3pm to 10pm at the Amwaj Marina. You can expect international DJs, floating lounges, extra seating and the addition of an air-conditioned tent and tavern. The event will be headlined by DJ Joshua Roberts and supported by local DJs, along with gorgeous Candee girl hostesses. DJ Joshua has played across the globe, appearing on BBC1, MTV Dance and being featured in both DJ Mag and Mixmag. Party goers have the option to book a VIP table. For tickets or more information, be sure to check Candee Beach Bahrain’s Facebook page.
Amwaj Marina 3777 9936.
Japanese Pop Stars September 28
WHY GO? The Japanese Popstars — Gary Curran, Declan ‘Decky Hedrock’ McLaughlin and Gareth Donoghue are coming to perform for the very first time in Bahrain at JJ's Music Hall on September 28 from 9pm to 2am. The group may have been together for just four years, but they’ve carved out a reputation to rival the biggest names in dance music as a must-see live act and purveyor of raucous, foot-stomping, energetic electronic dance music. In the two years since their debut album, 'We Just Are', they’ve gone on long tours of the United States, played in Australia, across Europe, and of course, Japan — a place that’s quite special for the band. Tickets are BD5 for men and BD3 for ladies.
JJ’S Music Hall
1774 2323.
A WORLD OF MUSIC September 30 to October 5 WHY GO? The Kingdom’s Culture Ministry is organising the twenty-first Bahrain International Music Festival happening at the Cultural Hall, next to Bahrain National Museum from September 30 until October 5. The festival is part of activities lined up with Manama being named the Capital of Arab Culture for 2012. The annual, week-long event will celebrate diverse music from around the world, with performances starting at 8pm. The year-long programme for Manama has been broken up into 12 cultural themes according to the months of the year and is designed to foster an environment of multi-disciplinary learning with an appeal to all sections of society. September is the month of music and aims to provide a collection of music from various cultures.
Cultural Hall
www.manamaculture2012.bh
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SOCIETY
A Dazzling Affair
Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre October 16 to 20
WHY GO? Jewellery lovers will have a grand time viewing some of the most spectacular gems and luxury timepieces on display at this year’s Jewellery Arabia exhibition. Taking place from October 16 to 20 at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre, the event will see over 550 exhibitors from 30 nations displaying their precious wares. Held under the patronage of the Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the exhibition will see famous jewellery houses and watch manufacturers making a return appearance, including Audemars Piguet, Breguet, Chopard, Corum, Harry Winston, Hublot, Omega, Panerai, Patek Phillipe, Piaget and Vacheron Constantin. Exhibitors from Brazil, Hong Kong, India and Malaysia will also be complementing the line-up, as well as of course well-known Bahrain jewellers, including Bahrain Jewellery Centre, Asia Jewellers, Al Mahmood Pearls, Al Zain and Devji. To be held in 16,500-square metres of exhibition space, the fiveday spectacular will unveil an exquisite range of collections from incredible finished jewellery to luxury timepieces and precious stones of every size, shape and cut. Also happening alongside the exhibition is the eighth Middle East Watches, Jewellery and Pen Awards on October 16 at The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain Hotel and Spa. The Awards, which is hosted by MPP ME, publishers of the industry magazine title Arabian Watches and Jewellery (AWJ), will be the culmination of an online public voting system and the analysis of an elite committee comprising of watch, jewellery and pen experts. Jewellery Arabia will be open from 4pm to 10pm on October 16 to 19. On October 20, the exhibition opens from 10am to 1pm and 4pm to 10pm.
www.jewelleryarabia.com
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Tel: 77004310 77177660
Tel: 77004310 77177660
chill out at Esquires. iced tea Pick your favourite tea. Icy, cool & refreshing infusion.
iced chocolate Iced, rich, smooth dark chocolate. A must for all chocolate lovers!
caramel de leche frappe Luscious, satisfying caramel taste with light caffeine.
milkshake Chill out with your choice blended into a rich shake.
smoothie Fruit smoothies. Choose your favourite thirst quencher.
granita 98% fat free fruit granitas. wonderful for cooling down.
weddings
the best of
iced latte
Try your cafe latte cold! Smooth, pure coffee taste.
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PHOTOGRAPHY
Delicious blend of strawberry, white chocolate and coffee.
info@greyimage.com +974 55023512/66011477
SOCIETY
Candee Beach Party Set once again in the vicinity of Amwaj Marina, Candee Beach held yet another fantastic beach party, this time lasting from the early hours of the afternoon until late into the evening. With six DJs, 11 hours of music, a fire show and Candee models, this party marked the last before the summer kicked in.
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SOCIETY
Naqsh Short Films Days Under the Ohlala! media sponsorship, a three-day film festival was held at Al A’ali Mall, which showcased the best local and international talent in the filmmaking industry. 40 previously unseen films made their debut premiere and it was the perfect chance for the local community to explore and appreciate the current Bahrain film industry.
Guru Josh Project at the Blue Dice Darren Bailie behind the infamous track Infinity, a song that has become a phenomenon in clubs worldwide, made his debut in the Blue Dice Lounge in Juffair. Fans of the top Scottish DJ partied to his dance tracks until the early hours.
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Faces of Bahrain Exhibition An exclusive Ramadan launch of the LMRA Chief’s, Ausamah Al Abso, photographic exhibition took place at the Capital Club, where his passion for capturing special faces and places around the globe were showcased to invited guests. Throughout the month of Ramadan there was a silent auction at the Club where all the proceeds went to the Royal Charity Organisation.
Silk Terrace at the Moevenpick An informal gathering of guests took place to try out the latest Silk Terrace at the Moevenpick Hotel, where guests and visitors are invited to enjoy beverages, food and shisha in the new setting.
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SOCIETY
Ramadan Feasts Layali Al Zallaq at the Sofitel
Iftar at Al Khayma, The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain
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Ghabga Night at La Fontaine
VIVA Bahrain at Al Khayma, The Ritz-Carlton
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SOCIETY
Sheraton Media Iftar
Gulf Air at the Gulf Hotel
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Bushra at Bushido
Ghabga at the InterContinental
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SOCIETY
Zain at the Elite Resort
Baharat at the Kempinski Grand & Ixir Hotel
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Mercedes Media Drive/Iftar
K Hotel Iftar
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SOCIETY
Bex Air Iftar
Oman Air Iftar at Al Safir Hotel
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GROUP PLUS WLL A New Media Mix In Bahrain
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FOR YOUR ADVERTISING: +973 17 564 250 www.groupplusmedia.com | groupplus
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Business
SOCIETY
EAK TO OPEN AL HAYAT SHOPPING CENTRE SOON
Owned and managed by Etihad Al Khaleej Real Estate Company, Al Hayat Shopping Centre will open soon in Mahooz. Covering a gross leasable area of 8,000-square metres, with Waitrose, Pirate Land and Nasser Pharmacy as anchor tenants, Al Hayat Shopping Centre is designed by YDA Consultant Architects. It will boast a selection of premium retail outlets, various services, a large food court and casual dining restaurants and cafés, as well as ample parking. An expansion is planned that includes a five-screen cinema to complete the entertainment offering in the mall.
Seef Dental Corporate Golf Day
The team of Claus Hansen, Stan Kwik, Graeme Newport and Sanne Smith took first place in the annual Seef Dental Corporate Golf Day at the Royal Golf Club with a great net score of 58.2. Andy Wieser, Karin Black, Shaun Doughty and Robert Addison took second place with a score of 59.9, while the trio of Dena Wales, Ray Bruhn and Eui Moo Koo made up the top three with net 60.3. Nearly 100 competitors took part in the popular Texas Scramble event on the Club’s Montgomerie championship course. Each player received a Seef Dental goodie bag on arrival for the tournament and African & Eastern provided beverages for them on holes four and 15. A prize-giving ceremony and Mexican-themed lunch took place in the Club’s stunning Majlis Building after the competition.
Marriott Announces Top Employee Award
The Marriott Executive Apartments Manama Bahrain and Residence Inn by Marriott Manama Juffair, recently celebrated the success of one of its employees for receiving a prestigious award at the Human Resources Conference, which included all the Human Resources leaders for Marriott Middle East and Africa. The ceremony, which took place at the Renaissance Doha City Center on June 4, saw Loay Mamdouh, Human Resources Manager receiving the award for ‘HR Leader of the Year 2011’ for Marriott Hotels, Middle East and Africa. The award is the highest recognition given for the Human Resources field across the region. Mamdouh was recognised for his high level of leadership and for achieving an exceptional quality of life for all the associates on the property, as well as his continuous support and active participation in all the Human Resources projects and talent development in the region.
Azadea Group Donates to Red Crescent
Azadea Group conducted a charity drive during the recent Holy month of Ramadan by donating 42 boxes of over 2,060 fashion items to the Bahrain Red Crescent. Azadea’s shareholder, Mr Abdul Wahab Al Hawaj along with the Country Manager, Pierre Fourie attended this charity event, which took place at the Red Crescent headquarters. The charity drive is an annual commitment by Azadea, to help bring some joy to the most needy and impoverished communities.
Kempinski Holds First-Ever Staff Olympics
In the spirit of the recent London Summer Olympics, Kempinski Grand and Ixir Hotel Bahrain City Centre participated in the first round of the Kempinski Regional Middle East and Africa Leading Quality Assurance (LQA) Olympics 2012, proudly hosting its first ever Inter-Departmental competition from July 17 to 31. The hotel crowned its winning team from the Finance Department, the ‘Master Minds’, on July 31 in a spirited ceremony attended by staff from all departments. Ten of 14 departments competed in six teams, donning creative outfits and performing inventive songs and dances representative of each department. After four energetic rounds of questions, covering everything from Leading Quality Assurance standards to Global Hotel Alliance, the London Summer Olympics 2012 and Kempinski Hotels, the teams from the Front Office and Finance Departments battled it out for the championship title. The winning team from the Finance Department received a trophy, a signed and framed photo collage, and gift certificates for their achievement. 93
Ohlala! Stars
Giovanni unveils your future for September… Happy Birthday Ms Virgo!
This month is all about adventure and travel for many of you, and the chance to get out there and experience life is going to give you an ever greater impetus. Your natural sense of caution will be set to one side as you throw yourself into a host of new challenges with enthusiasm and vigour. However, whilst you are enjoying yourself, give some thought to those who have made this opportunity possible. Don’t forget the people behind this endeavour and be sure to show them your appreciation. You may not always be the most outspoken of people when it comes to your feelings but you should make the effort to demonstrate the true nature of your emotions on this particular occasion. Good luck will find you around September 13 and 27, so make the most of it!
August 23 — September 22
Virgo — at a glance
Virgo is the Zodiac’s sensible, practical sign. Ever cautious, their approach to everything in life is tempered by careful analysis. Renowned as great thinkers (they are ruled by Mercury after all) they are also productive “doers” and are always willing to make sacrifices for those less fortunate than themselves. Blessed with strong powers of organisation and strict discipline, not much passes this sign by and they make excellent managers, although they do like to work by their own schedules, which often prove a little too demanding for others. Virgos make loyal friends although they are often not the most emotional of signs, which can sometimes make them appear cold, or even critical. On a less positive side they can be judgmental, overly fastidious and sometimes miss the bigger picture simply because they are focusing on the smaller details.
Famous Virgos Anne Bancroft Tim Burton Sean Connery Richard Gere Salma Hayek
Peter Sellers Adam Sandler Amy Winehouse H G Wells Jennifer Hudson
Scorpio (October 23 – November 21) There’s no sense denying it; for many of you this has been a very difficult year to date. Relationships have been a particular strain and for some, September could mark itself as a watershed moment in your life as a long-term romance that has hit troubled waters finally comes to a close. Even if you have your doubts about finishing, try to set aside nostalgia and view the situation in the here and now, so you get the right perspective going forward.
Capricorn (December 22 – January 19) Your life is on the move at the moment and you can look forward to a host of new challenges that will certainly help shape your character and more importantly open up your options in the coming months. Predominantly your place of residence could change but this is going to be quite a liberating almost empowering thing that will surely bring its own rewards in time. On the career front, you may also get a new job offer that you should seriously consider, even if it takes you out of your comfort zone. Pisces (February 19 – March 19) The responsibility of a family member becomes your own this month as you have a young relative coming to stay with you. There will be many benefits to the experience and you may find yourself getting to know the person in question a lot better with some interesting surprises. On the relationship front, you may find yourself under pressure because of a partner’s own work concerns. Rather than labour on under a cloud of uncertainty speak to the person and try to get a better measure of where things stand to put your mind at rest. Taurus (April 20 – May 20) With you likely to put pen to paper on an agreement, things will move into full swing this month when it comes to an ongoing project and this is only going to improve what will already be a very positive month for your sign. You’ve had to undergo a lot of stress and challenges to get where you are so don’t’ forget to pat yourself on the back because this is a big achievement and one that will set you up for bigger things in the years to come. Finally, you will get to understand what all that hard work was really for.
Cancer (June 21 – July 22) September is going to be a difficult month for you and one that could see you having to come to terms with an illness that will restrict you a whole lot more than you would have liked. With this challenge in mind you should not be afraid to turn to those you love for assistance, and though your sign is usually a closed one, don’t be afraid to show your true feelings and concerns. There’s nothing wrong with showing your softer side, and it certainly doesn’t make you a weaker person for it. 94
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Libra (September 23 – October 22) It’s time to shake off the lethargy and throw yourself into a new challenge. For the last few months you have coasted along without much real progress and unless you want to risk losing touch with a career path that truly delivers both financially and from a satisfaction perspective you should really get motivated. You will be presented with a real chance sometime around September 19 so make sure you are focused and ready to embrace the challenge when it comes.
Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21) Disappointing news in August has forced you to reassess your plans for the coming year but this need not be a bad thing. Everything happens for a reason and what might seem like a setback at first can be turned around if you apply some creative thought to the process. Your working relationships could improve in the coming year as a result of this and you may find new opportunities but one word of warning centres around health. If you are not feeling well then get it checked out rather than leave it or you could get a nasty shock later! Aquarius (January 20 – February 18) Your sign is an ambitious one but on occasion this ambition can blind you to other things going on in your life. This month is going to be a bit of wake up call for many Aquarians as you find your position under threat at work because of oversights you ignored. You need to try and keep your ego in check and perhaps loosen control because you clearly cannot do everything alone — no matter what you might believe to the contrary. This month should be all about delegation and acceptance that you are not superhuman. Aries (March 20 – April 19) It looks like after what seems an eternity things are finally turning around for the better for your sign as finances improve and you soon find yourself on a run of welldeserved good fortune in the run up to the end of the year. A new home, new career opportunities and even a greater depth of feeling with a partner or loved one is going to see you really enjoying the final months of 2012. One minor concern could come from a child who is still not demonstrating the commitment you would expect from them but a good talk could help.
GEMINI (May 21 – June 20) Sometimes your sign is seen as being one of two personalities and that can often lead to others never being sure of exactly how to approach you. This month you are going to have to come clean about a particular decision you made at work and it might bring you into conflict with several colleagues. This could be the moment that you decide once and for all which face you need to present to your employers and how you want to progress strained relationships going forward. LEO (July 23 – August 22) Both family members and work colleagues are looking for you to ease up because of late, your sign has been a particularly difficult one to live with. It’s true to say that those of you in business clearly have concerns on your mind but you need to be a little more professional in your approach and try to separate personal matters from those of your career. If you don’t curb your ways you could be in for an unpleasant surprise sometime around September 21 so take heed!
WIN A HOLIDAY IN PARADISE... Are you a keen FACT and Ohlala! reader? This is your chance to not only receive both magazines to your door for a year but if you subscribe this month you will automatically be entered into a draw to win some fantastic prizes, including...
A holiday in Thailand! You could enjoy the breathtaking views and ultra-luxurious surroundings of Samui Sunset Pavilions in Koh Samui, Thailand. www.samuisunsetpavilions.com
The Essence of Style
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Email: zara.dh@nansgroup.com
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THE COLUMN
Lifestyle Lowdown .
gs with Rozan Ahmed
Your monthly musin
"Natural resources (as with most of Africa) are Sudan’s gift and curse, hence the upcoming We Want Peace gala, and the need to continuously highlight social responsibility."
H
ello. I'm on a plane. En route to Dubai from what was my thirteenth visit to Kenya in just under 24 months. That would work out to approximately one return ticket every five to six weeks since the year 2010. And the need for a new passport — urgently. From Nairobi I went onto South Sudan's capital of Juba. We visited the continent's newest nation to begin plans for the anticipated We Want Peace business gala, focused on responsible investment and hosted by the Vice President, Dr Riek Machar. Following the gala will be a concert by the international star Emmanuel Jal, celebrating International Peace Day on September 21. There'll also be workshops by Young Global Leaders, traditional wrestling matches, UN summits, photo shoots, radio slots and much more. Lots going on, in short! Few pointers/observations on Africa's newest country: There seems to be more land cruisers in Juba than there are hospital beds. That was interesting. Business is booming in this oil-rich state (for obvious reasons) but corruption still plays a big part on stifling development (also, for obvious reasons). There's more impeccably fertile land in South Sudan than most of Europe put together, which then explains the continued battle for ownership, quite often exploitatively. Natural resources (as with most of Africa) are both the country's gift and curse, hence the upcoming We Want Peace gala, and the need to continuously highlight social responsibility. South Sudanese still walk like pharaohs, by the way. Landscape views and untapped nature equals completely mesmerising. The Olympics this year. Wow right? I don't believe I've ever cared for the Olympics like this before. Danny Boyle was a primary reason in this newfound sporting bother. Oh and the Jamaican team. In fact the essence of Jamaica has oddly played a very, very big role in my life this past month. First there was the obvious 'bolt' (which blatantly hit everyone). Then Tarrus Riley hosts a one-off show in Nairobi. His first time on African soil and one of the best reggae music concerts ever, ever, ever. He prayed for us, cried even. Brought with him a veterinary band of musical kings. It was just perfect, all in all. THEN, Bob Marley's granddaughter decides to show up? In Kenya? To premiere a new documentary on the history of Rastafarianism — on Marcus Garvey's birthday?! Yes. Indeed. Far too much divine orchestration. God clearly wants for me
to visit Jamaica or something, and super soon. Power Wome Fashion played quite the part n: Roz an during this African excursion too. featur Ahmed sh o e on fe Vibrant prints galore and used male s ots for the i nspiri uccess in such a creative manner! I was ng . floored by the style levels witnessed at a recent 'boutique festival' called Blankets & Wine (more on the bougi blog)... then, further impressed by the nomadic activity of my dear friend Arieta Mujay, who's currently travelling the continent as part of a fashion memoir unravelling that 'mama flair', so many have started to love. Onto another comrade, Prince Fahad Al Saud (facebook.com/fahadalsaudofficial). His socially conscious Saudi meets Kenya nted th orie venture saw the establishment of the Fahad in you a y n e K store in one of Nairobi's biggest slums. I meets e. rabia udi A social chang visited, and what an accomplishment. In a S : s hood summary, he and the Livelyhoods organisation Lively have set up a system called "Ismart", where young Kenyans report to the Fahad store on a daily basis to sell sustainable goods to their communities. No handouts. No dependency. Completely skills based. Focused on growth, entrepreneurship and youth empowerment. Ticks, all round! So... rozanahmed.com has had a bit of a facelift. I kind of went all "team Kenya" with its execution this time round; the newly revamped design thanks to the Farm guys at Skyline, and the website's main s & fa ir ytale photo shot by the talented Magiq Lens s: Insi de Go group. Any and all inputs on the "new d's cou ntr y. look" — deeply appreciated. Still on the web tip, and we have finally launched bougi's online home! It's still in its teething stages, but please go ahead and visit www.bougi.net. Get comfortable too, you'll be visiting often. Tell me, how was your Eid? Wondrous I hope. Mine was spent on a farm. A quite idyllic one. Surrounded by God's art. Not much of the man-made in sight. Again the divinely orchestrated came into play. I had no Internet access. None. Zero. For two whole days. No phone reception either (yes! None), and for the 's world first time since, well, a very, very long time, I whole e h t r onde r it. was beautifully forced to just... be. Pedestrian : No w ve Sudan fighting o h t liberation. Civility in presence. Might have to u o S do it again. Kind of lovely.
Visit: www.rozanahmed.com - Like: www.facebook.com/bougi - tweet: @IamRozan
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Ohlala! I September 2012 I www.ohlala-magazine.com