Glam january 2015 by Oryx Group of Magazines

Contents

18 BREAK NEW GROUND

Who’s in and who’s out in the coveted fashion directorships for 2015? We look at what the new designers will bring to the fashion landscape this year.

21 RESORT 2015 COLLECTIONS

GLAM

QATAR'S NO. 1 FASHION MAGAZINE W W W.G L A M QATA R .CO M

JANUARY 2015

Bohemian femininity takes centerstage again this Resort season with floral graphic nuances aplenty. These are the collections that set the tone before we leap into spring.

32 AFTER THE GAME

Sportswear is no longer just for the four walls of the gym. Fashion buyer Candice Fragis shows us how to work the best of gymwear into our everyday wardrobe.

Contents 36 LA FAMILIA

Ferragamo’s new IT Bag finds its namesake in Fiamma Ferragamo, the late daughter of the house’s founder Salvatore, and the pioneer of the brand’s innovative accessories.

40 SISTER ACT

Qatar’s most successful label to date goes for monochrome magic in their SS15 collection. The Kayys talk to us about the power of social media.

48 FINDING HER VOICE

Salma Hayek-Pinault talks about the freedom in finding her own voice and why bringing Khalil Gibran’s The Prophet to life was important in remembering her own heritage.

54 THE ART JEWEL

An extraordinare jeweller, Cindy Chao continues to mesmerise with her one-of-a-kind art jewels that bring together creative sculptural designs with ancient architectural techniques.

58 A VINTAGE NEW YEAR

Take a dive into the archives to refresh your wardrobe this year. Vintage and pre-loved items will help set your style apart from the rest.

GLAM

QATAR'S NO. 1 FASHION MAGAZINE JANUARY 2015

ON THE COVER CINDY CHAO

GLAM SOCIAL MEDIA

SINDHU NAIR FASHION EDITOR DEBRINA ALIYAH SENIOR CORRESPONDENTS ABIGAIL MATHIAS AYSWARYA MURTHY PHOTOGRAPHER ROB ALTAMIRANO

MANAGING EDITOR

SENIOR ART DIRECTOR

VENKAT REDDY

DEPUTY ART DIRECTOR

HANAN ABU SIAM AYUSH INDRAJITH MAHESHWAR REDDY B

ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER

FREDRICK ALPHONSO MANAGER – MARKETING SAKALA A. DEBRASS ASSISTANT MANAGER – MARKETING THOMAS JOSE MATHEWS CHERIAN

SENIOR MANAGER – MARKETING

HASAN REKKAB LYDIA YOUSSEF SENIOR ACCOUNTANT PRATAP CHANDRAN SENIOR DISTRIBUTION EXECUTIVE BIKRAM SHRESTHA DISTRIBUTION SUPPORT ARJUN TIMILSINA BHIMAL RAI BASANTHA. P

SENIOR MEDIA CONSULTANTS

PUBLISHER AND EDITOR–IN–CHIEF

CHIEF EXECUTIVE

YOUSUF JASSEM AL DARWISH SANDEEP SEHGAL EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT ALPANA ROY VICE PRESIDENT RAVI RAMAN

Fashion, luxury and gadgets come together in a new trend: wearable tech. Join us on our Facebook page as we explore the latest, from dedicated fitness and health trackers, to watches and augmented reality solutions. As the luxury world sits up and take notice, collaborations are aplenty with tech giants on a range of upmarket gadgets. What were the big hits when the worlds of tech and luxury teamed up to create wearables? Photo: The MICA bracelet by Intel & Opening Ceremony.

EVENTS OF THE MONTH Qatar Wedding Fair 15-18 January 2015 Qatar National Convention Center Future brides looking to tie the knot this year should head out to the Qatar Wedding Fair to get the latest on Spring/Summer 2015 bridal trends. Featuring a diverse range of exhibitors to cover the essentials such as dresses, makeup and beauty, and jewellery, as well as event hosting services, the fair will serve as a great guide to help you plan your big day. The fair will also have selections of the best in digital sound and lighting, photographers, and entertainment options that will add an extra zest to your wedding.

COMING UP

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THE CONTENTS OF THIS PUBLICATION ARE SUBJECT TO COPYRIGHT AND CANNOT BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHER AND/OR LICENSE HOLDER. ALL RIGHTS REST WITH DATALOG MEDIA SOLUTIONS. THE PUBLISHER DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY ADVERTISING CONTENTS CARRIED IN THIS PUBLICATION. CONTACT INFO@OMSQATAR.COM, GLAM@OMSQATAR.COM WWW.ISSUU.COM/ORYXMAGS WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/GLAMQATAR CALL US: +974 44550983, 44672139, 44671178, 44667584 FAX: +974 44550982

The Fendi 2Jours bag range is all about the family! The bag has become a must-have with celebrities including Sarah Jessica Parker, Tilda Swinton, Jessia Biel and Keira Knightley, and is now expanding its line in different sizes. Next month, we explore the world of 2Jours and its connection to the family values cherished by the house of Fendi.

Contributors Cameron Black Cameron Black, an experienced Canadian strength and conditioning coach who has successfully consulted a plethora of clients on hacking their biome towards optimizing performance in all aspects of life. With his B.Sc in Kinesiology from McGill University and his passion for nutrition and training, Cameron facilitates change through his deeper insight into the science of human movement, nutrition, and peak performance. Cameron is now the manager of fitness, nutrition, and lifestyle as well as head strength coach at EVOLVE Doha. Through their mantra of combining quality training and nutritional programming, together, they look to confront the lack of nutritional education, and physical activity that are a growing epidemic in Qatar today. Contact him at cameron@fitnesswithfood.com

Tamsin Duplessis Tamsin Duplessis, the Manager of the Remede Spa at The St. Regis Doha, studied cosmetology in Cape Town, South Africa. She has over ten years of experience in the health and beauty industry, specialising in skincare; she is trained in a number of specialty facial therapies and is a qualified trainer.

Yousra Samir London born and bred, Yousra has been living in Doha for eleven years and writing for nine years. She has written for various local magazine publications, and is the creator of one of Qatar’s first fashion blogs, UNDER YOUR ABAYA (www.underyourabaya.blogspot.com), as well as the Social Media Coordinator for Fitness in Qatar (www.fitnessinqatar.com). Her latest project is Doha Scene (www.dohascene.tumblr.com), a retrospect on fun happenings in Doha. Next? Her first novel.

YOUR VOICE ON TWITTER, FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM Thank you everyone for celebrating our 7th anniversary issue with us! Here are some of your shoutouts on our social media pages last month. @sugarxspice13 #BESTOFGLAM I’ve always loved Amanda Seyfried for her believability and versatility in the roles she plays in movies. I’m a fan! @cristina_reinoso_diary Happy 7th anniversary! My favourite was the June 2014 cover featuring one of my favourite bloggers @desertmannequin - cool, stylish, pretty and a real woman! @sanjuanchris #BESTOFGLAM The cover with Keira Knightley was the best as I really loved her in the film ‘Begin Again’.

LETTERS Was thrilled to see seven outstanding covers. Happy Anniversary and great going. Brenda Timmons

Blanca Montenegro Blanca is a no stranger to the hair and make-up scene of Doha, having worked extensively with JCCTV, Al Jazeera News, top filmmakers, photographers, talent agencies, fashion magazines and local celebrities. With close to 30 years of international experience, she also specialises in Brazilian Keratin, spray tan, 3DM eyelash extension and eyebrows services. Find her at montenegroblanka0@gmail.com

How your team comes up with astonishing ideas just baffles me. Its lovely to share in the success of the Glam team. Saha Wahadi Loved your party edit. Can we see more of this please? Katherine Jenson I loved a tale of two cities. The pictures too were equally stunning. R. Badrinath

G Talk

fter the initial euphoria of the New Year, and the high of a very happening, almost ground breaking anniversary issue, GLAM HQ has finally settled into 2015. Feasting our eyes on the Resort 2015 collections, we picked up on the bohemian femininity that might make way for the new “in” this year. But much stronger than this trend, is the street wear aesthetic with athletic functionality that has become a fashion essential in our wardrobe. Hear from NetA-Sporter’s senior buyer Candice Fragis on the boom of active wear and pick your style of active wear. Meanwhile sportswear collaborations are aplenty; Adidas is continuing its partnership with fashion designer Stella McCartney to launch a new sportswear range, StellaSport, aimed at a younger audience, scheduled to hit retailers this month. For pages of fashion that inspire, we celebrate the 100th year anniversary of the Cartier Panther. Cindy Chao may not be a familiar name yet in fashion circles but her work straddles art and creativity in jewel setting. Her one-of-a-kind art jewel finds space in the Smithsonian Institute National Museum of Natural History and it is for this creative exuberance that we have Cindy as our cover girl. Our celebrity interview with Salma Hayek shows us a woman who might seem to have had things easy but chose to put her creativity to work and the end product, The Prophet, is a movie that defies all expectations of what a film should be about. The film might not be a money-making blockbuster but it will certainly change perceptions on the constraints of filmmaking, and inspire other filmmakers to encompass the art world to tell stories through an animated art canvas. Local designers take international trends and marry them with cultural themes and some of them like the Kayys seem poised to make a mark by illustrating strong thematic messages. There seem a distinct theme for us this month; the strength of purpose that underlies all our stories and it is this strength that sees us through challenges and tosses us into the realm of fame. Bring in that purpose and see your dreams come alive.

EDITOR’S PICK ONE BRAND THAT SHOWS THIS DISTINCTIVE POWER OF PURPOSE IS THE KAYYS, A LOCAL BRAND THAT STRIVES FOR PERFECTION AND HERE ARE OUR FAVOURITE PIECES FROM THEIR SS15 COLLECTION.

BUZZ GLAM / NEWS

JANUARY 2015

CHOPARD OPENS NEW STORE Renowned Swiss jewellery and watch company Chopard, announced the opening of its first high jewellery boutique in the Middle East at the prestigious Four Seasons Dubai Jumeirah Beach hotel. Since 1972, Chopard has retailed exclusively through Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons across the UAE. With an extensive portfolio of premium Swiss timepieces, Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons is a leading retailer in the region and continues to ensure that the latest offerings are available in the market. With a sophisticated design inspired by the Boutique concept developed by interior designer Thierry Despont, the Chopard Boutique at the Four Seasons showcases an exclusive selection of Chopardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Haute Joaillerie Collection.

Kweku Mandela, Nia Ashley, Frisly Soberanis, Mira Nair, Jasmine Velez and Tyler Strachan.

HONOURING NELSON MANDELA Montblanc hosted the U.S. premiere of their ‘Power of Words’ film project at NeueHouse in New York City, in celebration of Nelson Mandela’s life and the positive ways in which he transformed lives worldwide. This screening fell on the heels of the film project’s international premiere, which was held in Cape Town, South Africa last November, with Mandela’s family in attendance. Five filmmaker teams interpreted a selection of Nelson Mandela’s quotes, shooting and editing five short narrative

films based on the South African leader’s words. Special guest contributor and worldrenowned photojournalist Steve McCurry also translated Mandela’s words into images, creating a specially curated photography exhibition that will open in Summer 2015 at the Nelson Mandela Foundation. Directors commissioned to bring the words of Mandela to life over the last six months are Mira Nair, Ramin Bahrani, Eva Weber, James Marsh, Hank Willis Thomas, Zippy Kimundu and Nabil Elderkin.

One of Harvey Nichols’ new openings at the Corn Exchange in Manchester.

The British luxury retailer will be expanding its presence in the Middle East with a new store in Doha. Harvey Nichols has signed a deal with the Saleh Al Hamad Al Mana Group of Companies for a brand new multibrand store in Qatar, set to open early 2017. The 80,000 square feet of retail space, located in Doha Festival City, will arrive with a range of fashion, beauty, childrenswear, homewear and hospitality services. The store highlights Qatar’s status as one of the world’s richest states, with high levels of disposable income, making Qataris the Middle East’s highest-spending luxury consumers. Other international Harvey Nichols locations include Hong Kong, Dubai, Riyadh, Istanbul, Ankara and Kuwait. The Al Mana Group already operates stores for luxury brands including Hermès, Giorgio Armani, Balenciaga, Giuseppe Zanotti and Stella McCartney.

(Relaxnews)

HARVEY NICHOLS IN QATAR

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There was a time when the style team here at GLAM HQ would never imagine stepping out of the house in a pair of sneakers, except for when the gym came calling. Oh, how trends have changed. A renewed interest in fitness is not only pushing us towards being healthier, but also driving the rise of active wear. It is only fair we get to look good even when we are working out, and with the help of specialised fashion-focused sports retailers like Net-A-Sporter and Mode Sportif, we are ready to bring some chic into the gym.

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All items available from H&M at Villaggio and Landmark Mall.

Lucas Hugh, QR1,106, Net-A-Porter 2 Sports Bra, Lucas Hugh, ● QR859, Net-A-Porter 3 Black Floral Leggings, Live the ● Process, QR716, Net-A-Porter 4 White Hoodie, Monreal, ● QR1,061, Net-A-Porter 5 White and Green Dress, ● L’Etoile Sport, QR1,289, Net-A-Porter

GLAM / ON OUR

RADAR

JANUARY 2015

AN EDIT OF THINGS THAT ARE HOT NOW

CULT RESORTWEAR THE GLIMMER TOTE Bottega Veneta celebrates the reopening of its store in Qatar by introducing the exclusive one-of-a-kind Intrecciato Nappa Glimmer Tote. The bag is reinterpreted this season with an exceptionally unique craftsmanship that lends to its exclusivity, as no two are exactly alike. Constructed by overlapping different layers of leathers to create beautifully irregular streaks of colour and texture, the piece is meticulously hand finished with a graduated shading technique and contrasting stitching. Harmoniously combining tone and texture to accentuate the overall appearance, the Intrecciato Nappa Glimmer Tote in Monalisa is available in limited edition only in Qatar. The boutique is located at Villaggio Mall.

American-designed and Italian-made label Le Swim and German brand Nimo With Love makes a splash into the Middle East through the region’s first online beachwear boutique, Maison Du Maillot. Le Swim features reversible swimsuits and bikinis while Nimo With Love serves up fresh, bohemian inspired kaftans. “We are excited to be bringing these contemporary swimwear brands to the region after picking out fresh and fun brands from the Miami’s Swimwear Show,” says the online portal’s coowner, Leila Siassi. Based in Bahrain, Maison du Maillot is a contemporary online beachwear boutique, launched last year. Translated as ‘House of Swimsuits’, Maison du Maillot provides stylish beachwear for women and men throughout the region and beyond. www.maisondumaillot.com

MEDICAL ALERT JEWELLERY Bespoke jeweller Sarah Reece has launched a new medical alert jewellery line to bring attention to lifethreatening allergies and conditions. Based on the concept of medical cards that patients carry, Sarah turns them into wearable pendants for versatility and style. “The tags can be personalised with food or drug allergies, or chronic conditions to assist in quick diagnosis in emergencies,” she explains. The top tag depicts the universal medical symbol while the back tag highlights the medical issue. “I wanted to create something that is functional, fashionabl and easy for patients to wear,” she says. The pendant-like tags can be attached to a necklace or a bracelet and makes for perfect accessories. To order, visit www.sarahreecejewellery.com

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BETWEEN THE BITTERSWEET DEPARTURES AND EXCITING BEGINNINGS OF FASHION DIRECTORSHIPS AND CREATIVE VISIONS, WE LOOK FORWARD TO WHAT THE NEW TALENT WILL CHURN OUT FOR OUR FASHION HEARTS IN 2015.

Nicolas Ghesquière at Louis Vuitton Though the news was announced last yearin 2013, it was in March 2014 that Nicolas Ghesquière presented his first collection for Louis Vuitton, which entered a new era after the departure of Marc Jacobs. The Frenchman certainly seems to have lived up to expectations, attracting unanimous praise from fashion journalists for his retro-inspired debut line for the label. And it’s more than just beginner’s luck: his second collection, presented last September, garnered just as much acclaim.

Peter Copping at Oscar de la Renta After several years at Nina Ricci, the British designer was named creative director at Oscar de la Renta just days before the death of the American label’s founder on October 20. While Copping had initially planned to collaborate closely with the

Dominican designer on his first line, which will be presented at New York Fashion Week in February 2015, he was ultimately left to his own devices. The fashion world is already looking forward to his collection, which is bound to be a vibrant homage.

Alexander Wang at Balenciaga

Alexander Wang on the runway at the Alexander Wang X H&M launch. Photo by Randy Brooke/Getty Images for H&M

After Ghesquière left for Vuitton, Balenciaga had to find another master couturier to fill his shoes. Alexander Wang was up to the task. Living up to his reputation, the designer has presented successful collections for the Italian house, all while continuing to run his own eponymous label.

22 Guillaume Henry leaves Carven The rumuor made the rounds at SpringSummer 2015 Fashion Week in Paris and was confirmed a few days later. After five years of loyal and dedicated service, Henry, the man behind the revival of the Carven house finally decided to pack his bags and move on to replace Copping at Nina Ricci.

John Galliano at Maison Martin Margiela Week in January, 2015. Taking on even more responsibility than he previously held at Dior (where he worked for 15 years), Galliano will head up men’s and women’s ready-to-wear as well as haute couture at the label. In other words, make way for the new master of the MMM house.

Johnny Coca at Mulberry In turmoil since Emma Hill’s departure in June 2013, Mulberry has struggled to find a new creative director and return to its former glory. While the house encountered some success with its handbags designed by Cara Delevingne, the need to bring in a new leader was increasingly felt.

Finally, in late November, the label announced that it had found its potential saviour: Johnny Coca, who is currently in charge of accessories at Céline. And judging by his work at the French label, the designer is bound to do wonders for Mulberry, where he is due to arrive on July 8, 2015.

(AFP Relax News)

In what was likely the year’s most earth-shattering development in fashion, John Galliano announced his big comeback. The disgraced designer, who once seemed poised to take over at Oscar de la Renta, will present his first collection for Maison Martin Margiela at Paris Couture

Stella McCartney Pre-Spring 2015 campaign

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RESORT

2015

Floral graphics are everywhere, accentuated by an easyliving silhouette that very much evokes the bohemian era. The pre-spring collections seem finally, to live up to the travelling practicality they were designed for.

LANVIN “Pre-collection is all about need,” says Alber Elbaz at Lanvin’s presentation. “It’s a bit like a very fancy supermarket.” And fulfilling needs he did in a collection that has a little something that rises to most occasions, and with elements of convenience and easiness to it too. Like, “a coat needs to be very warm but also very light,” which we whole-heartedly agree, and a tuxedo that is formal yet slouchy enough for a feminine touch. V-neck straight shift dresses contrast dramatic ball skirts, while a few tailored separates and jackets finish the ultimate wardrobe. Shoes are low-heeled and a charming digital watch pendant set to 1.25am to mark the house’s 125th anniversary, will surely become collector’s item.

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CHRISTIAN DIOR With Dior’s traditional floral silk scarves as the collection’s main reference, Raf Simon’s presented clothes that were softer and easier on movement just like the fluidity of a scarf. Key elements include high-waisted long trousers, silk camisoles in an abundance of graphic and abstract prints, tops with a boxy fit, and flouncy skirts. “I wanted to explore print without being too romantic about it,” Raf explains. “I was surprised by how raw and artistic some of the archival scarves were.” Pretty and delicate as the Dior archival floral prints are, Raf has injected his signature sense of modernity into the collection – especially with the updated version of Dior’s Fusion Sneakers - this time as scarf-wrapped sandals.

FENDI This collection in particular cements the future of luxury urbanwear as well as the ability of a heritage house to move successfully into its next chapter. Beyond the urban manifestation of the collectionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vibe lies its real value; the technical construction of the pieces that gives rise to the free and easy movement of sportswear. On the surface, Karl Lagerfeld revisits a 1988 Fendi Roma graffiti that becomes the central adornment via silkscreens on key pieces, while the orchid-sprig brooch featured on the runway of AW2014 is immortalised as the print motif for this season. Fur, of course, has its place here as a cosy bomber jacket, and as collage inserts on a mesh overlay. Wear and move to appreciate.

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LOUIS VUITTON ‘Primitive is the new direction’ -this collection harks back to a bygone era of the colonial empire, blending heritage with modernity in a surprising manner to bring a ‘refreshing primitivism’ to the house’s emblematic monogram. This is Nicolas Ghesquière’s first Cruise collection since taking over at Louis Vuitton and choosing to show in Monaco was an homage to the origins of the brand’s legacy on the French Riviera, where the arts of travel and luxury were first united. “This Cruise collection goes off the beaten track, explores transformation in clothing. Somehow still, these clothes remain associated with the idea of everyday attire. Always with a timeless will,” reads the vision for the collection, as Ghesquière continues with his fit-and-flare silhouettes and introduction of new icon handbags.

ALICE + OLIVIA Stacy Bendet does a lively take on the wardrobe and discoveries of a young Jacqueline and Lee Bouvier, who documented their travels in the classic 1951 picture book, “One Special Summer.” The collection’s globe-trotting spirit is embodied by one unique suite of items in the collection: a top, skirt and dress produced in partnership with Piece & Co., which pairs fashion brands with female-run artisan collectives in the developing world. The custom-designed, hand-woven textile from Oaxaca, Mexico, gives an authenticity to the eclectic mix of the season, which includes novelty pieces of naïve trompe l’oeil shift dresses and a sequin-encrusted sheath with figural designs that suggest an assortment of collected souvenir badges. An enhanced photoprint depicting the famous cliffside houses of Italy’s Cinque Terre, evokes Bendet’s love of travel.

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MICHAEL KORS If the lifestyle image that Michael Kors has built is anything to judge this collection by, then this is the ultimate ‘Travelling Woman’ that embodies all of the brand’s values. At the presentation, he even coined a new term: ‘normkors’ – a play on the ‘normcore’ trend when introducing his version of dressing down; a cotton pullover, a skirt and a field jacket. The pieces, though romantic and somewhat reminiscent of a bohemian traveller, also offer a sense of the utilitarian in the trousers and trenches. It is relevant to the empowerment of the female figure, as travelling is not always a stylised affair in modern times, but a journey of many reasons and adventures.

DIANE VON FURSTENBERG A collection that was a celebration of many things including the introduction of Google Glasses and a TV show about the business and times of the DVF empire, this was definitely a best-of hits of the label. Michael Herz, the newly appointed artistic director, referenced archival shades of red and purple to bring on the celebratory mood. DVFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s signature wrap dresses were at the forefront, while other key pieces included a floor-length tee tank dress, a loose fitting shirtdress and a striped jacket and skirt combo; all in a happy explosive colour palette.

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ERDEM A casual meeting between femininity and boyishness, Erdem freely explores the idea of la garçonne. Contradicting each element with its opposite; 1960s played-down elegance appears in a jaunty fusion with dapper or dramatic features from both female and male Edwardian wardrobes. Creating a conversation between the woman and the boy, the collection draws on the duality of women such as Mia Farrow and Jacqueline Roque, and imagines them in an imperfectly perfect setting: the idyllically mundane universe of William Eggleston’s photography, or the organised mess of Francis Bacon’s studio. The collection is exclusively available at Per Lei Couture boutique.

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YIGAL AZROUﾃ記 Yigal Azrouﾃｫl whisks us away on a holiday where he finds inspiration in architecture with an emphasis on the small details. The influence is apparent in elegantly tailored day looks, featuring structured collared shirts and dresses, column wrap skirts, slim ankle grazing crepe trousers and an assortment of polished blazers. A play of texturally unique woven jacquards and chevron, invigorate the collection in seasonal prints with a modern structure by way of minimalist cut-outs, volume, and sheer details. Silk twill and luxe fabrics add an element of simplistic fluidity. Supple lambskin bombers, complemented with relaxed culottes, and mid-length jumpsuits round out the collection, showcasing an affinity for sportswear and solidify the sophisticated leisure of the season.

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“Everything inspires me, all the time and everywhere.”

TAKE 5 WITH

Rabih Kayrouz THE LEBANESE DESIGNER GIVES US A RAPID FIRE ROUND ON HIS CURRENT COLLECTION.

Where were you when you found the inspiration for this collection? What was the light-bulb moment? Thank God, inspiration doesn’t come to me all at once like a meteorite crash. Everything inspires me, all the time and, most of all, everywhere. The lightbulb moment is a more pragmatic thing. There comes a time when you have to concentrate and work together with your team in the workshop and the studio. If you had to sum up your collection in just one piece, which would you choose? The burnouses [traditional North African hooded cloaks] straight from the hammam. Rihanna is becoming a real style icon. Could

she be a muse or a spokesmodel for your label, and if so, what outfit would you dress her in? It’s a shame, but I think Rihanna is already taken. It would have been fun to bring together two worlds as different as hers and mine! Which designers have inspired you in the past, and who inspires you today? Of course I have drawn inspiration from certain couturiers, which I consider as my masters. I admire their careers, their relentlessness, their genius, but I rarely wax nostalgic over a certain piece or a certain collection in particular. What do you dislike about the world of fashion? Nothing, I don’t waste my time doing that!

YOU

AFTER THE GAME AS FUNCTIONALITY MEETS SASS, THE SPORTSWEAR STYLE OF THE MOMENT IS MEANT TO TAKE YOU FROM GLIDING IN A BARRE CLASS TO CRUISING THE URBAN CAFÉ JOINT AFTER.

can’t go wrong taking style advice from a devout yoga practitioner and instructor whose not-so-secret double identity is the senior buyer for NetA-Sporter. Already armed with an insider perspective on dressing women, Candice Fragis also knows exactly what makes for functionality when trying to place your legs around your head. The boom in activewear is not only within the four walls of the gym, but its ability to transition to what you do after your workout and beyond. “The great thing about fashion’s obsession with sportswear is that it is now acceptable to wear workout gear as ready-to-wear. Brands are now designing with this in mind as it’s what more and more women are looking for,” Candice explains. In comes the ‘Apres’ section of the online retailer, which not only adds a new dimension to the trend but also adds a sense of long-term viability. “In ‘Apres Sport’, you’ll find products to take you from your workout to the office or to dinner. Simply pair them with chic accessories to elevate your look,” she says. Candice puts on her styling cap and shows us how key sportswear items can easily be turned into everyday wear.

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I adore the LAAIN oversized hooded sleeveless tunic – it looks just as stylish with a pair of leggings as it does with cropped pants and sneakers, and it’s great for keeping you warm after exercising.

Hunter Original rubberized jersey coat – the perfect timeless trench in smooth rubberised jersey comes complete with storm flaps and buckled sleeve straps, so you’re always protected from the harshest of weather. Cinch it in with the belt for a clean-cut silhouette.

Ballet Beautiful leather ballet flats are genius – they have detachable tie fastenings so you can wear them in the studio and on the street with some tapered pants and an Equipment shirt.

L’Etoile Sport piqué dress – it embodies everything the brand is renowned for; comfort, performance, and style. Just swap your trainers for brogues when you’re in the office.

FOR WORK

Nike Air Max 1 mesh and snake-effect leather sneakers are the perfect way to embrace sportswear in your daywear wardrobe. I love the eye-catching neon pink and snake-effect leather canvas – they are the statement trainers of the season.

Mary Katranzou for Adidas Originals padded neoprene bomber jacket – featuring the British designer’s multi-coloured print. This is a fun piece to wear with jeans or over a dress.

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Lisa Marie Fernandez wrap-effect body suit – exclusive to Net-a-porter.com this monochrome body is instantly slimming. You can also pair it with a pencil skirt and gorgeous shirt for instant glamour.

Theory+ Yow double-faced cotton-blend sweatshirt – this structured sweater with iridescent trims looks super cool when worn with jeans and flats – perfect for a night out as well as for the gym.

A NIGHT OUT

The Elder Statesman cashmere track pants – they are super soft and look just as great with a pair of heels and blazer for eveningwear.

Monreal London stretch jersey mini skirt – the ruched style at the front and metallic silver trim detail makes this skirt a perfect evening option in the summer.

Emilio Pucci quilted print shelldown coat – I simply love this coat; it’s warm and features the Italian house’s signature print – this is a must for cold winter evenings.

Le Chameau Alezan leather-lined rubber riding boots – part of our equestrian offering, these boots are super chic and durable.

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WANDERING TO MYKONOS The Dubai-based label House of Nomad wanders to Mykonos for their Resort 2015 collection, continuing on an early summer vibe. The designers behind the brand, Ahmed El-Sayed and Saleh AlBanna, serve up a confluence of Arabic influence with the white-washed palette of a Grecian town in a collection of both menswear and womenswear. The women’s selection introduces a range of pieces with a sports luxe element, including crop tops, maxi skirts and dresses, whilst the men’s pieces offer minimalistic separates such as printed

bomber jackets and their signature embroidered ‘Nomad’ sweater. A handdesigned ‘scarab beetle’ print makes its debut appearance on the pieces, an ode to Ahmed’s Egyptian roots, in a modern quirky take. The collection is unified by its use of heavy jersey and Arabic calligraphy detailing, which the designers have adopted as the brand’s signature to assert their cultural DNA.The label is based on the premise of a nomad, a wanderer with no geographic boundaries, living in perpetual motion from one temporary dwelling to another.

here’s a new permanent fixture on the seasonal handbag roster of Ferragamo; its first incarnation appeared on the FW2014 runway in some seriously luxurious skins – black crocodile, palmella, and buffed calfskin. Finished off with a silk lining and polished gold hardware, the house of Ferragamo clearly means business in introducing the new Fiamma bag to the world. Ardent fans would have heard the name before, the late daughter of Wanda and Salvatore Ferragamo – Fiamma Ferragamo di San Giuliano was the only child to have worked by Salvatore’s side in the last years of his life, managing the leather division for close to forty years. Though it has been sixteen years since her passing, Fiamma remains an influential reference figure in the house for her work, imagination and innovation that have created a lasting legacy including the now cult-status Vara shoe and the house’s signature Gancino motif. ‘Gancino’, simply denoting a small metal clasp to hang or hook in Italian, came to life when Fiamma created a bag for her mother using the clasp. The clasp has since, of course, gone on to become the distinctive symbol for the house and an emblematic representation

La Familia BY DEBRINA ALIYAH

THE NEW FIAMMA HANDBAG FROM THE HOUSE OF SALVATORE FERRAGAMO FINDS LEGITIMACY NOT ONLY IN STYLE, BUT IN THEINHERENT STRENGTH OF THE WOMAN IT IS NAMED AFTER.

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“The Fiamma bag represents the legacy of my family and the incredible talent shared by my grandfather and his children. My aunt Fiamma was integral in realising my grandfather’s dream to wardrobe women head-to-toe,” James says.

that says ‘Made in Italy’. The Vara shoe first dates back to 1978, a concept that was incepted by Fiamma and both her parents. “When it came out,” said Fiamma in an earlier interview, “the boutique line didn’t have a model that was both sporty and elegant. The designers set to work on a shape that had been tried and tested for some seasons and was well-known to be comfortable, with a low heel and round toe”. The prototype was given a small oval decoration and a bow improvised out of a strip of grosgrain from the atelier. “It seemed a good idea and we decided to pass the shoe on to a modeller, asking him to make a bow in the same leather as the uppers. In actual fact, the message was misunderstood and the bow stayed in grosgrain.” The Vara’s success lies in its minimalistic design - a closed, round-toe shoe with a low heel, and the grosgrain bow which has become an influencing feature on Ferragamo clothing and all of its accessories, from buttons and belts to jewellery and bags. Over the years, it has been made in every possible colour, fabric and skin, and sparked off a new reinterpretation – the Varina, which updates the Vara’s soft lines into a ballerina style. Paying homage to Fiamma’s legacy, the new bag was designed to incorporate elements from her work. “Our creative director, Massimiliano Giornetti, wanted to celebrate Fiamma’s legacy in a way she would be proud of,” says James Ferragamo, grandson of Salvatore, and the Ferragamo Director of Women’s Leather Goods. “My aunt Fiamma was a visionary and true to her own sense of style.” With a semi-circular top handle, the bag features a functional pocket fastened with a lock that recalls the Gancino and subtle de-

tails including top-stitched ribbed handles, a double zipped hardware closure, and an adjustable shoulder strap. The house also premiered a special collection of miniature styles, a range of limited edition variants that highlight precious mixed materials, including fringe embroidered nappa, two-tone fox fur hand-stitched onto aged snakeskin, tweed with degrade Swarovski crystals and lizard skin handles, and calfskin with opulent stingray details.

Female Empowerment The Fiamma bag was launched in New York at an event to celebrate the second chapter of L’Icona, with a short film and interview series featuring a fascinating cast of international families and their female generations. “The women handing this legacy from generation to generation reiterate and renew the essence and style of their house. The Fiamma is dedicated to them,” goes the vision behind the fashion film. The Ferragamo family has long been at the forefront of strong family values and empowerment of its female family members. The film vignettes and portraits showcase the new handbag collection, cast alongside a curated group of internationally relevant women, incorporating Ferragamo signatures – innovative design, interesting combinations of exotic materials, iconic silk print linings from the 1970’s, novelty hardware stemming from the brand’s origins to todayshowcasing the house’s classic heritage alongside its new playful styles for the next generation. “The Fiamma bag represents the legacy of my family and the incredible talent shared by my grandfather and his children. My aunt was integral in realising my grandfather’s dream to wardrobe women head-to-toe,” James says.

SISTER ACT BY DEBRINA ALIYAH

THE KAYYS IS ALL ABOUT THE MONOCHROME TO CUT THROUGH THE NOISE THIS SPRING.

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OVER

the past month, black and white teasers of monochrome geometric prints appeared on The Kayys’ Instagram page, giving fans a little taste of its upcoming SS15 collection. The success of their demi-couture clothing line has also prompted the introduction of jewellery and accessories as part of this season’s offerings. Designed by three Qatari sisters, Hend, Ghada and Maha Al-Subaey, The Kayys certainly has found the magic formula in capturing the spirit of the modern Arab woman. From voluminous silhouettes that evoke both femininity and grace to capturing ‘Arab English’ phrases on their work, the collections illustrate different strong thematic messages. Ghada bagged the prestigious Young Designer Award as part of The Kayys at the 2013 Qatar Arab Woman Awards, while Maha graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University

Qatar last year with a final collection that quickly caught the attention of local fashion retailers. “I like imperfections; I like the tension, and my designs walk the line between drama and discipline,” Maha says about her creative vision. Who is the ‘The Kayys’ woman? The Kayys aesthetic is always very feminine and high-end, both to look at and to touch. We want women who wear our clothing to feel like they look the best that they have ever been and to enhance their confidence through our clothing. To achieve this, we use only the most luxurious materials and hand-sewn crystal embellishments for that special touch. Tell us about the SS15 collection. Our inspiration is the Sixties, geometrical prints, black and white, and feminine silhouettes. We used light fabrics such as

crepe, organza and taffeta so we get that airy, easy feel. The colours black, white and grey worked really well together to make a strong statement. ‘Dreamer’ is a word we used in our resort collection and we fell in love with the way it looked embroidered in Arabic especially, so we decided to use it again this time. Our approach to embroidery was different this time, there wasn’t a lot of heavy work and we tried some pieces with no embroidery at all and just played around with the fabric itself to create geometrical shapes. The Kayys has become one of the most commercially successful brands in Qatar, and this is attributed much to the power of social media, could you tell us more about how your online presence has helped? We like to make each of our posts unique and inspirational to our followers. Our social media pages are a good way to allow

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people to learn about the brand and what our inspirations are at any given time; it is a very personal space. This is important for emerging brands, as we connect a lot with our customers through Instagram and also facilitate personal orders. We think social media is an important attribute for all brands across the world and not just Qatar.

We are three sisters designing together so the process can be quite lengthy â&#x20AC;&#x201C; this ensures each of us has had an input in each piece and this is why we believe our clothing is so beautiful.

What is your design process like and where are your pieces produced? We are three sisters designing together so the process can be quite lengthy â&#x20AC;&#x201C; this ensures each of us has had an input in each piece and this is why we believe our clothing is so beautiful. You can be sure each and every look is made with lots of love and care; we strive for nothing short of perfection. We produce The Kayys in our atelier in Qatar. Everything from the designing, to the pattern-making and the hand-sewing of each crystal embellishment is done here.

but rewarding process.

What has been the most challenging thing about kick-starting a fashion brand in Qatar? The most challenging thing was learning the ropes of how to start a serious fashion brand right. Also finding the right resources and creating the exact image for the brand we had in mind was a lengthy

There are a lot of brands in Qatar that start with a bang and ultimately become unsustainable because of a lack of marketing and support. What do you think about this, and how do you think you can overcome this for The Kayys? We look at The Kayys on an international level; each and every piece we make is

handcrafted to perfection, therefore meaning our dresses are of an international quality and standard. Social media definitely helps us reach out to a worldwide audience and we have a dedicated communications and sales team in Dubai who are assisting us in pushing the brand further - starting with the GCC and then internationally. You must always plan big and push yourselves to be the best you possibly can â&#x20AC;&#x201C; with hard work, determination and the right investments there are no barriers to what you can achieve, no matter where you are from. What do you feel can be done by the community, the media, and fashion retailers to help emerging designers in Qatar? Generally the whole of the GCC is becoming more fashion orientated. There are events and shops opening here that were once not, so there are more and more opportunities for regional fashion brands. We have found the community to be very supportive, a lot of our sales come from local girls who love to support designers from the region. One piece of advice we would give designers is to not wait for other people to create opportunities but create them for yourselves, you will find that a lot of people will want to get involved and support you!

DUNDAS’ GIRL BY DEBRINA ALIYAH

AS A CHIVALROUS ACCESSORY ON THE ARMS OF THE HOTTEST SUPERMODELS AND CELEBRITIES, THE MAN WITH THE GORGEOUS VIKING LOCKS IS LIVING AND BREATHING THE WORK HE DOES BEST.

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ome six years into his tenure as creative director of Italian house Emilio Pucci, Peter Dundas describes his job as “hanging out with the girls and knowing what they are doing and enjoying.” The immersion into the Pucci lifestyle has helped the Norwegian designer catapult the heritage label back into the spotlight with modern incarnations of sexy and vibrant – the revival of ‘The Pucci Girl’. “It is such a helpful tool,” Peter says, “and an ode to the original spirit of the brand.” The late Emilio Pucci himself was one of the pioneers of what is now known as ‘lifestyle brands’, cultivating the ‘jet-set retro glamour’ vision that attracted the house’s early fans, which included Marilyn Monroe

and Sophia Loren. Emilio, of his noble birth and political inclinations, added a mysterious charm to the brand while living the lifestyle that he was selling. It is undeniably a house with an inherently strong DNA. The name Pucci immediately brings to mind the glorious and colourful prints of a vacation wardrobe. “People have such a set idea of what Pucci should be. When I first arrived, I felt the right thing to do was to define the Pucci woman, or I like to call her, the Pucci ‘girl’. I thought she had taken a backseat,” Peter explains. Exploring the house’s prints, the designer began associating them with emotions and how a woman would feel in the clothes. “A woman’s personality has so much to do with her beauty, what goes through her mind, the

way she moves and how she responds to my clothes,” he says. In his revival of the house, Peter took fresh approaches to the print, especially ones that involve “creating a print without doing a print”. In came technical work of embroidery, patchwork, and sometimes less conventional methods, of dip-dying, aging of materials or just the manipulation of seams and movements to represent the spirit of the house’s graphic. Though Pucci’s archives are rich and aplenty, Peter recognises the need to push forward rather than to fall back on what’s already been done. “I think I am ‘respectfully disrespectful’. There’s a joy of life that I share with the house but it’s also my job to take it forward. I need to find my own message and I only use the archives when

“I think I am respectfully disrespectful. There’s a joy of life that I share with the house but it’s also my job to take it forward,” Peter says.

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Natasha Poly and Peter attend The New York Ball: The 20th Anniversary Benefit for The European School Of Economics.

I feel that it comes naturally in my work,” he explains. There’s also the privilege of being able to work with Emilio’s daughter Laudomia Pucci, who is currently the CEO of the company, as a sounding board for Peter on new ideas. he modern Pucci girl has a tenacious sense of allure, dresses that hug at all the right places and silhouettes that flatter and attract attention. “Well, you know, we have to make babies. I make clothes that a woman wants to put on and a man wants to take off,” Peter jests. “I think when women feel beautiful and desirable, there’s a sense of confidence that makes it sexy.” Peter’s penchant for spontaneity and working on instinct has spurred a widelypraised directorship at the house of Pucci, and the association of a new

Pucci celebrated the sixtieth year anniversary of ‘Florence: Hometown of Fashion’ by covering the Florentine Duomo in its trademark scarf.

generation of Pucci ‘Girls’; the likes of Natasha Poly and Poppy Delevigne, the latter whom married last year in a custom piece by the designer. Yet, he considers himself a ‘fashion baby’, despite a broad working experience with industry giants including Jean Paul Gaultier, Christian Lacroix, and Roberto Cavalli. “Gaultier is one of the greatest designers of this century. I owe him so much because of all that he has taught me,” Peter says. “He told me that when doing something new and extreme, always put a dose of something familiar so that people will have something to relate to.” From his Nordic heritage to the years spent working in both Italian and French houses, there’s a sense of completion to his influence and training that helps with his worldly perspective on fashion.

“I think the French have a very subtle, seductive approach to women while the Italians are more impulsive, baroqueinspired and colour-driven. Most French houses produce in Italy, so there’s already a connection between the two,” he says. “The French couture ateliers are exceptional – the insides are, if not, more beautiful than the outside, while the Italians always give it their all. They have such a beautiful hand on things and there’s a sense of nobility to Italian craftsmanship that moves and touches me.” And this pre-spring season, as if to reaffirm all that he and the spirit of the house stand for, Peter goes back to the prime heydays of Pucci fans like Brigitte Bardot and Twiggie, jet-setting to glamourous destinations for a little respite from the winter cold.

SALMA HAYEK

“FREEDOM IS FINDING YOUR OWN VOICE” BY ABIGAIL MATHIAS

AFTER SPENDING TIME IN THE PRESENCE OF SALMA HAYEK, IT IS CLEAR THAT NOT ONLY IS SHE GORGEOUS BUT ALSO A WOMAN WHO CHOOSES TO SPEAK HER MIND.

hen you are considered one of the world’s most beautiful women, (People Magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful People in the World in 1996, 2003 and 2008), it can be assumed that admirers will follow. The media in Doha could not contain their excitement when Salma first stepped on the podium at a press conference held on the closing day of the Ajyal Youth Film Festival. Everyone wanted a selfie. Clearly Salma wasn’t here to promote herself. She was more interested in engaging the public to partake in the experience of the film, The Prophet. Written by the legendary Lebanese poet, Khalil Gibran in 1923, The Prophet is a book that has achieved much admiration for its

simple yet thought provoking messages on life and death. Salma started by explaining that it was her grandfather who introduced her to the book as a child. She said that being partly Lebanese, the book’s message resonated with her and shortly after her grandfather passed away, she re-read the passages and felt as if her grandfather was returning to her in the wisdom of Gibran’s words. While the rest of the production cast offered inputs on the making of this one-of-a-kind animation film, no one could shift their focus from the most striking personality in the room. Her voice, her Mexican accent and her smile, remained consistent even to those unaccustomed to her illustrious Hollywood career. “Working on a biopic film like ‘Frida’ or a best-seller like ‘The Prophet’, has been similar as they were both challenging,

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colourful pieces. To reach out to financers and get them on board wasn’t easy in both cases,” says Salma, who slips into the character of a bored Hollywood executive for a brief moment and receives roars of laughter from the crowd listening with rapt attention. “I think of both these films as a producer and I forget that I acted in them.” Speaking about her current film fills her eyes with enthusiasm, “This film has a global message and it is important that it is coming from the Middle East.” By her own admission she says, “I am a toughie. I’m not a cryer. There are two things that made me cry. This film and soccer.” s a mother, she admits being particularly touched by the passages that describe children. “Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of life’s longing for itself. They come through you but not from you, and though they are with you yet they belong not to you.” wrote Ghibran. Much like her character in the film, Salma narrates how she explained this passage to her daughter in real life. “My daughter had a hard time understanding that she doesn’t belong to me. It started a dialogue and she later understood its meaning about discovering who you are. When she sang a tune from the film later the same day, I got chills because I realised my daughter was reciting Khalil Gibran at six.” Made in collaboration with the Doha Film Institute, the movie is one in which the forgotten art of poetry is glorified. It is made with nine different directors who collaborated on various chapters which are woven together. As a producer of the film, she feels its message is both poignant and universal. “For me it was exciting to use a Middle Eastern writer to do something that could be uplifting to the world. You are not supposed to understand or agree with everything in the poem. The movie is about finding your own voice. We get to hear the individual message from each person who worked on the film.” Later that evening, Salma stunned Qatar wearing a black Gucci gown. “I thought this dress was very pretty for this evening,” she says. Complimented with a set of drop diamond earrings from

Pomellato and her hair pulled back, she practically transforms the red carpet. When quizzed about her exquisite diamond ring, she says, “It is extremely special to me, it’s my wedding ring.” Hayek’s marriage to French billionare Francois-Henri Pinault has been considered the stuff of fairy tales. He is the CEO of Kering, the luxury giant with a stable of brands including Stella McCartney, Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen and Balenciaga. Though some of her most memorable films, like Desperados are close to crossing the two decade mark, Salma is unperturbed, “Is it that long? I remember working on that film, like it was yesterday.” She always wanted to work in cinema from the time she was a child. She adds, “I’m just grateful that I am still working because usually when women are about 35, they stop working. I’m 48 and next year I have four movies releasing, so I just count my blessings every day and feel fortunate that I’ve been able to do what I love so much, for such a long time.” he is quick to attribute that success has its merits. “To use one’s fame to make a film like The Prophet, helps me bring out a universal message and also helps honour my heritage,” she says. Salma also adds that she feels very Arab and is particularly pleased to be in Doha again. She was a juror for the Doha Film Festival on a previous occasion. She points out that the text of The Prophet is a lot to take in. “No one is expected to understand every nuance of the film. It is inspirational and an opportunity to open a door to participate in an experiment that brings us together. Making this an animated film helps because it provokes your imagination, and helps you remember who you were as a child.” Salma says she is open to working on a film depicting a strong Arab woman and quizzes the Arab media on the type of role they would deem fit. She says that she relates to a passage in the film that discusses freedom. “For me, freedom is to have instincts and to have the courage to follow them through. When you hear so many things 24/7 which dictate who you are supposed to be, it can be hard. Finding the space to find your own voice, that’s freedom!”

“My daughter had a hard time understanding that she doesn’t belong to me. It started a dialogue and she later understood its meaning about discovering who you are.”

Hayek’s tryst with Hollywood 1 Born in Mexico in 1966, Salma landed a ●

role in the hugely popular Mexican TV soap opera, ‘Teresa’, and became an instant celebrity in her home country. However, fans were heartbroken when Salma left both the show and Mexico in 1991 to move to L.A.

2 Some of her biggest films include, ●

Desperado with Antonio Banderas (1995)

3 From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) ● 4 Fools Rush In opposite Mathew Perry(1997) ● 5 Breaking Up with Russell Crowe (1997) ● 6 Dogma (1999) ● 7 Wild Wild West which also ●

starred Will Smith (1999)

8 No One Writes to the Colonel (1999) (which ●

was shown at the Cannes Film Festival and selected as Mexico’s official Oscar entry for Best Foreign Film).

9 In the Time of Butterflies (2001), ● 10 Frida (2002) earned Hayek an Oscar ●

nomination for Best Actress, one of the first for a Latin-American actress.

11 She directed The Maldonado Miracle ●

(2003), which was shown at the Sundance Film festival.

12 In 2003, she starred in the final of the ●

Desperado trilogy Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003), again opposite Antonio Banderas, and completed After the Sunset (2004) opposite Pierce Brosnan and Ask the Dust (2006) opposite Colin Farrell.

13 She did Bandidas (2006) which she ●

starred with her friend Penélope Cruz.

14 Hayek has also been an executive producer ●

and appeared on the TV show Ugly Betty, for which she was nominated for an Emmy.

15 In 2010, Hayek appeared in the film ●

Grown Ups, alongside Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Kevin James and Rob Schneider. She also worked on the film’s sequel released in 2013.

W H E

J EW E S L

B E C O M E A N

ART

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AS A LITTLE GIRL, CINDY CHAO DIDN’T PLAY WITH DOLLS. INSTEAD, SHE WAS PROVIDED WITH A DIFFERENT TYPE OF PLAYGROUND AND LEARNING EXPERIENCE. BY ABIGAIL MATHIAS

er grandfather, who helped build thousands of temples across Taiwan, would take her to his work space, paying very close attention to the dragons that served as the spiritual guards of the temples. It is these early influences which left a lasting impression on Chao, who is globally recognised for her intricate jewellery designs of rare, colourful gemstones. Most recently Chao, collaborated with actress, philanthropist and friend Sarah Jessica Parker on the 2014 Black Label Masterpiece, ‘Ballerina Butterfly Brooch.’ It was auctioned at Sotheby’s Hong Kong Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite for over $ 1.2 Million (QR 44, 12828). Net proceeds from its sale were donated to the New York City Ballet. Parker and Chao came to admire each other’s respective work as creative artists during the latters’ 2011 Masterpiece Exhibition in Beijing. It was decided in Beijing during the opening of Chao’s boutique in 2012, where Parker was an honourary guest, that the pair would combine their creative talent, to design a unique jewellery piece for charity. As the two dynamic personalities worked in such proximity over the course of two years, were there moments of creative differences? “The collaboration with Sarah Jessica Parker was an experience where I was able to explore my creative vision with a friend, as well as with someone who shares a passion for the arts, bringing an individuality and flare to the design process,” says Chao. The Black Label Masterpiece series is the most prestigious and exclusive line in Chao’s collection. The artist seeks only rarest fine gemstones from all over the world to be featured in her one-of-a-kind masterpieces. To accomplish the total perfection constantly demanded in all aspects of her work, each art piece undergoes a meticulous creation process often entailing over two years’ duration. This collaboration was a first for the jewellery designer who says, “The experience further led to new opportunities as I had the immense honour of being co-chair of the New York City Ballet, and

witnessed the international promotion of the Ballerina Butterfly by Sotheby’s,” adds Chao. Known for her unique sense of style, Sarah Jessica Parker says, “Cindy’s jewellery designs are true works of art; they capture the eye and imagination in a memorable way. “ Complete harmony Chao narrates the process of how this unique project took shape. “When discussing the initial design process with Sarah Jessica, I started by bombarding Sarah Jessica with various questions, unrelated to anything specific but more to gain a deeper understanding of her personal style and taste. At one point she discussed her passion for ballet, being a ballerina herself when she was young, how ballet, to this day, transports her every time she watches a performance. Upon hearing Sarah Jessica’s passion for ballet, I immediately recalled a backstage visit I had at the Palais Garnier a couple years ago in Paris.” The Palais Garnier was built in the 19th century for the royal ballet and opera performances. Inside the ballet studio, many butterflies are engraved on the wooden walls and panels. “During my visit, I asked the reason for having so many butterflies in the ballet studio. I was told that the architect believed that every ballerina should be as light as a butterfly.” That was the perfect combination, says Chao, who saw Sarah Jessica as the ballerina and herself as the butterfly. “Sarah Jessica has an unparalleled sense of design and style. She has a great interest in the conch pearl, which she had seen in my pieces several years ago. With the Ballerina Butterfly being a collaboration stemming from our friendship, we wanted this art jewel to become ‘a gift that keeps on giving’, a piece made of love. Therefore Sarah Jessica specifically asked to present her love for her three children in this piece, and eventually incorporated into the design three conch pearls, which she saw in my works several years ago and had loved ever since.” Is high-end jewellery merely a hobby of the super-rich? Chao

“When I sculpt, there seems to be an invisible force guiding me. My hands work smoothly and effortlessly with the wax. May it be a flower petal, a leaf, or a butterfly, I become the wax I am sculpting.”

Cindy Chao Sarah Jessica Parker Studio

The Art Jewel White Label Ribbon Collection YL Dia Ribbon Earrings

“I believe that a piece of jewellery can reflect the history of an era, and being inducted into a leading institution like the Smithsonian is a dream for any artist.”

Sotheby’s official image of the Ballerina Butterfly

believes, “Jewellery is an artistic expression from the designer, like all other mediums of self-expression and can be enjoyed and appreciated by all. I have always believed that the artistry of jewellery can reflect an era and its culture in history. It is not limited to a specific individual or dictated by wealth, though the materials used in fine jewellery tend to limit who can have ownership of the piece.” espite her international success Chao doesn’t hesitate to offer credit to her heritage. “I come from an artistic family. My grandfather was an architect and my father a sculptor who both trained me, from a young age, to see the world in a three dimensional way; taking into account each angle, form and expression of what I observe. When I was little, I used to accompany my father while he was immersed in his work, and he would explain various techniques and styles of sculpting.” Her journey was not smooth sailing from the start. Chao wanted to become an architect or an interior designer. When she went to New York, and enrolled in an interior design course, her mother, disagreed with her decision and insisted that she express her artistic ideas in another field. “Due to her resolution, I transferred my focus to jewellery design and soon realised that a piece of jewellery was very much like miniature architecture. As a designer I have to consider the basic structure of the art jewellery piece, the lighting to bring out the brightest fire in the gemstones, even the engineering and composition of the jewellery during the

production. In addition to my architectural ideology, I could tell stories and express emotion through my works. I fell in love with jewellery almost immediately, and have immersed my life with it ever since,” she says. At first Chao worked on pieces that were made-to-order. The first being the Four Seasons Collection, within which the winter choker and cuff were the first to be completed. “During the first two years, I realised that I was not ‘creating’ but merely ‘producing’ jewellery pieces instructed by clients,” says Chao, who decided to truly follow her dreams in early 2006. “I began the wax sculpturing process for new works, and at the same time set out to recruit a team of experienced craftsmen, spending countless hours to communicate with and convince them to try new creative ideas and techniques. The concept of the art jewel was very new in the market at the time; the majority of my collectors and even industry professionals were taking this new idea very cautiously.” The support and success immolated from Black Label Masterpieces led to the creation of her White Label Series. The combination of the two is the foundation of the brand Cindy Chao, The Art Jewel. Founded in 2004 and encompassing 360-degree works featuring the lost delicate trade of wax moulding pieces to form individually sculpted into art pieces. Her fine collections are highly sought on global platforms of premier auction houses including Christie’s and Phillips De Pury New York. Looking back she says, “The journey was definitely a solitary one. I think that was the reason why my first winter choker and cuff were simply black and white; it was because they were the

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The Art Jewel 2013 Black Label XXII Diamond Ribbon Earrings

The Art Jewel 2011 Black Label Masterpiece Four Seasons Collection Solstice Cuff

reflection of my emotional state during the 18 months spent bringing life to these two pieces. Eventually they were featured in the Christie’s New York fine jewellery auction in 2007, and each hammered at over twice their estimate.” In 2009, De Beers Forevermark handpicked 12 internationally renowned artists to each create a jewellery piece for the global launch of its ‘Precious Collection.’ Honing new techniques to forge the 2,399 diamonds weighing a total of 310.27 carats, Chao’s ‘Majestic Beauty Fan’ is intricately entwined with white gold, diamond branches, and a detachable butterfly brooch. The 20x45cm artwork defies the traditional impression that jewellery could only be a luxury accessory.. eflecting on her achievements she says, “Over the past 10 years I have created a brand, focusing on one-of-a-kind art jewels, which reflect my vision as an artist and desire to create and leave a footprint within the industry. Every experience leading to our tenth anniversary has been cherished – the difficult with the good.” Another milestone for the young designer is the induction of the 2009 Black Label Masterpiece No. 1, The Royal Butterfly, into the Smithsonian Institute National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. As one of the world’s leading museums, the Smithsonian’s collection mostly consists of extraordinary gemstones and period jewellery pieces with great historical value. “During the induction ceremony, the curator was asked the reason behind the induction of such a contemporary art jewel.

He mentioned that as a museum, they have the responsibility to preserve history for the future generation, and that the Royal Butterfly is a representation of jewellery design, artistry and craftsmanship of the 21st century,” explains Chao. She sees her work as leaving a mark on history. “I believe that a piece of jewellery can reflect the history of an era, and being inducted into a leading institution like the Smithsonian is a dream for any artist. It is humbling to know that millions of visitors will be able to experience the Black Label Masterpiece Royal Butterfly brooch and be exposed to my art of high jewellery craftsmanship.” Chao is soon opening her Hong Kong headquarters. “With this, my desire is to create a central location for collectors to view and experience the art jewels is complete,” she says. The space has taken more than two years to complete as Chao has been working closely with the interior designer to capture the essence of the brand, as well as her aesthetics as an artist. A visit to the region is on the cards for Chao. “I have always been intrigued by the Middle East and the more I encounter its culture and heritage, the more I wish to discover. I am very much looking forward to visiting in the coming year.” Ever inspired by nature the designer is now taken up by the sea. “I have been enchanted with the ocean following an introduction to scuba diving! This experience has led to various creations around the aquatic theme, which I continue to develop.” Pondering on the future she says, “In regards to future collaborations, I currently do not have any concrete plans, but you never know what or who will inspire me next.”

A dress by HermĂ¨s is displayed at the Palais Galliera in Paris, as part of an exhibition on French fashion between 1947 and 1957. AFP PHOTO / STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN

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A VINTAGE NEW YEAR BY YOUSRA SAMIR

NEW YEAR EQUALS NEW WARDROBE, RIGHT? BEFORE YOU RUSH OUT TO THE MALL TO BUY AN ENTIRELY NEW CLOSET; CONSIDER SOMETHING DIFFERENT THIS YEAR: REFRESHING YOUR WARDROBE WITH VINTAGE AND PRE-LOVED FASHION.

intage fashion is in its heyday. The goal of every style lover is to have a unique look, and what better way than to opt for a one-of-a-kind vintage item, over a high-street piece that is mass-produced in the thousands. “As fashion tilts towards past generations for inspiration, the timeless, classy looks inspired by the likes of Audrey Hepburn, Jackie O and Marilyn Monroe have become a modern day look once again,” says Maha Abdul Rasheed, designer and owner of cult Dubai-based vintage boutique Bambah, “contemporary styles are no longer the ultimate source of fashion satisfaction and ladies ‘in the know’ are looking for those one-off pieces that reflect a unique expression of who they really are.” Knowledge is key when it comes down to differentiating between vintage and pre-loved; vintage items are usually pieces that have never been worn, in many cases, still in their original packaging and sometimes, only one of the piece exists. They also come from a specific era in history. Pre-loved items are second-hand

items that have been worn or used before. When it comes to wearing vintage fashion, you can never go wrong. Whether it is a classic cocktail dress from the 1950s, a body-slimming shift from the 1960s or a tweed box jacket from the 1980s, these are pieces that will stand the test of time. The quality of vintage clothes is of course, superior to the mass-produced clothes of today. So much handwork went into the clothes of decades past, and a lot more time was dedicated to finishing, embroidery and embellishment. There is also the historical element that makes them fascinating and tells you a story. Maha’s advice on updating your wardrobe with vintage fashion? “It’s always better to mix and match vintage pieces with today’s trends to come up with the prettiest outfit. Choose a piece such as a dress, scarf or a pair of shoes, and slowly integrate it with your current wardrobe. Remember to choose one accessory at a time, as your vintage piece will stand out more if it’s the focal point of attention rather than competing with other items.”

STYLING VINTAGE FASHION 1 Before you head out to vintage boutiques or ●

online vintage stores, begin your search at home. You never know what kind of vintage and pre-loved goodies may be lurking in the wardrobes of your mother, aunt and grandma. 2 Opt for classics. Trends tend to go in cycles and ● are often inspired by different eras in history. You can never go wrong with a shift dress from the 1960s, a ladylike A-line cut skirt from the 1950s, or a glamorous jumpsuit from the 1970s. Anything before the 1920s will usually not incorporate well with a contemporary wardrobe and makes better for costume wear. 3 The staples of the past are still the staples of ● today. Keep an eye out for keepers like trench coats, crop tops, biker jackets, logo sweaters, neck scarves, blazer jackets and retro prints. 4 Choose good quality fabrics that are still used ● today which will mix well with your modern pieces, such as silk and cotton. Try to stay clear of synthetic fabrics. 5 Shop from eras that suit your body shape. Taller ● women with straight, slim frames will do well in pieces from the 1920s and 1930s, while the cuts of the 1940s and 1950s will flatter women with curves. 6 Are you looking to buy vintage items that might ● grow in value? Pieces from collections past of recently deceased designers like Alexander McQueen and Oscar de la Renta will be harder to come by in the future, so they have greater value. 7 Tailor your vintage buys. It may need adjusting ● for size and length or you may want to give it a modern facelift.

Vintage-inspired ready-to-wear collection from Bambah Boutique

BAMBAH BOUTIQUE 142 Jumeirah Beach Road, Dubai, UAE, +971 552241538

Located on Dubai’s sunny Jumeirah Beach Road, Bambah is the vintage fashion baby of designer and owner, Maha Abdul Rasheed. Bambah has made a name for itself as Dubai’s first and most popular high-end vintage boutique, housing an eclectic mix of vintage clothes, hats, shoes and bags from the likes of Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Lanvin and Nina Ricci. The collection is updated on a weekly basis. Also recently launched is Maha’s highly anticipated vintageinspired ready-to-wear collection. The collection showcases Maha’s talent for reconstructing vintage pieces. Ballroom gowns, cocktail dresses, bow-embellished tops and peplum skirts have been made with vintage-inspired fabrics and prints, exclusively developed by Maha herself.

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Hermes vintage Blue Jean Bearn wallet at Farfetch, QR10,190

FARFETCH www.farfetch.com

Gucci vintage drawstring backpack at Farfetch, QR2,796

Rewind vintage Affairs chain bracelet at Farfetch, QR2,250

Farfetch, the online shopping portal that brings thousands of independent boutiques from across the globe to one place, launched its vintage collection three years ago. When you order from Farfetch, the pieces are delivered straight from the particular boutique to your door. The vintage pieces are sourced from some of the fashion world’s most iconic collections such as Biba, Jean Paul Gaultier, Hermès and Chanel. Thanks to Farfetch, you do not have to travel to get your hands on rare vintage items from private collectors – those archived collections are now only a click away.

Jean Paul Gaultier vintage Junior Gaultier bralet at Farfetch, QR1,722

THE LUXURY CLOSET

Cartier Love 18kt gold ring at The Luxury Closet, QR4,670 Chanel Burgundy Quilted Patent classic long wallet at TheLuxuryCloset.com, QR3,555

www.theluxurycloset.com

The UAE-based online store famous for selling authentic pre-loved designer bags, has now expanded its collection to include shoes, watches and jewelry from big names like Christian Dior, Gucci, Jimmy Choo and Christian Louboutin. A team of experts work to make sure that all items are 100% authentic. The website brings you luxury designer items at a fraction of their original price.

Gucci Brown Bamboo Effect oversize square women’s sunglasses at TheLuxuryCloset. com, QR700

Christian Louboutin Black Patent Lady peep toe platform pumps at TheLuxuryCloset.com, QR1,900

White gold necklace in rock crystal, onyx, emeralds, and diamonds.

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PANTHÈRE DE CARTIER COLLECTION SHOT BY TANIA AND VINCENT @ CARTIER

CELEBRATING THE HUNDRED YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE ICONIC CARTIER PANTHER, THE FINE JEWELLERY HOUSE BRINGS FORTH A MODERN COLLECTION OF FIFTY-SIX PIECES WHERE THE HEROINE REIGNS WITH FELINE POWER. WITH THE EXCEPTIONAL FINE CRAFT AND TECHNIQUES OF THE CARTIER HOUSE, THE JEWELS TAKE THEIR CREATIVE VITALITY FROM THE ENERGY OF CARTIER’S TOTEMIC WILD CAT.

NECKLACE Yellow gold necklace in black lacquer, onyx, tsavorite garnets, and diamonds.

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RING Yellow gold ring, in black lacquer, onyx, and tsavorite garnets.

BRACELET White gold bracelet in onyx, black lacquer, chrysoprase, and diamonds.

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BRACELET, RING White gold bracelet in onyx, emeralds, diamonds White gold ring, onyx, black lacquer, emeralds, and diamonds.

RING Yellow gold ring, in onyx, and tsavorite garnets.

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BRACELET White gold bracelet in onyx, emeralds and diamonds.

Feather BY ABIGAIL MATHIAS

Touch FOR IBTISSAM SAAB, THE DESIGNER AND FOUNDER OF LA COLLECTION PRIVĖE, THE FUNDAMENTALS OF JEWELLERY DESIGN ARE AS PRECIOUS AS FRESH AIR.

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USING

a combination of special cut precious stones, colourful gems and sophisticated mounting expertise, her brand represents a touch of beauty and elegance. According to the designer, each handmade, limited piece is a statement for confident women who like to stand out from the crowd. The latest from La Collection Privée, a feather collection, is created using gold, platinum and diamonds featuring intricate designs. The feathers fold as if “in the wind” and have been created into traditional styles with a twist, through hand cuffs, chained double rings and black diamonds. The collection uses 18 karat gold throughout and the highest quality of diamonds. Many of the pieces have been designed to be worn in a variety of ways and can be worn for all occasions. Ibtissam is considered one of the rising young designers in the industry and was selected as the only Arab participant in the Eco Art Monaco exhibition that toured the world. Though based in Dubai, she spends a lot of time between the UAE and Monaco, which is where she grew up and has faithful clients. “I just started with my own private collection (hence the name), it was mostly stuff I made for myself,” she admits. Soon her pieces got a lot of attention for their originality and uniqueness. “I started on a smaller client base which quickly grew. This prompted me to open a store of my own. Today I have a lot of private buyers,” says Ibtissam, whose boutique is located in Dubai’s plush City Walk Mall. The feather has fascinated the world of fashion before and she explains her personal fascination, “I am aware that the feather has been used by a lot of brands, but each has their own style. We wanted pieces that can be worn every day. This is a casual and contemporary collection for which I have also used black diamonds,” says the designer, who does not deny that she follows trends. “I am known for high-end jewellery pieces as well, but the feather collection stands out from the rest in that sense.” The designer is currently working with emeralds. Earlier this year she worked with coral and before that in blue gemstones. From her

“I started on a smaller client base which quickly grew. This prompted me to open a store of my own. Today I have a lot of private buyers,” says Ibtissam.

74 \ FASHION

“My clients like to be seen as the first person with my pieces. It offers me so much satisfaction when clients are thrilled with a unique piece. They want to stand out from the crowd, are not open to share and that is fine by me.”

workshop in Dubai, she mixes bright orange coral stones with dazzling diamonds, and gleaming emeralds with the brightest gold settings. By her own admission, she finds herself obsessed with a gemstone and completes a collection with a personal theme in mind. nlike others who are quick to keep active on social media, Ibtissam hesitates to follow the herd. “I like to keep some pieces private because we get copied a lot. I don’t put images of the pieces on Instagram,” she says and doesn’t prefer to sell pieces online. When it comes to her followers though, she doesn’t hold back. “My clients like to be seen as the first person with my pieces. It offers me so much satisfaction when clients are thrilled with a unique piece. They want to stand out from the crowd, are not open to share and that is fine by me.” Ibtissam is currently planning to open a store in Monaco as well. “I think that the fashion industry has been evolving greatly over time. One can dress up in all the big brands and look amazing if

they have a sense of style, however jewellery adds that unique touch. It complements fashion and gives you that extra dimension,” she says. A pendant by the designer was auctioned and its proceeds went to the Princess of Monaco’s Fight AIDS charity. “There was also a one-of-akind piece that was auctioned and received by a client from Saudi,” she reveals. A tanzanite and emerald cuff is one of the designer’s personal favourites. “No one has seen it yet,” she says. I’ve also designed a pair of emerald earrings which have an art deco theme. Every new piece is like a new baby. I take pictures of each design and modify them. There’s always excitement when a piece is ready and I am keen to find out where it ends up.” She leaves us with this parting thought, “I have been in this industry for close to two decades. When making a piece of jewellery, I have the wearer in mind. There are some wearers who choose to be discreet and others who want to make a statement.” Clearly she wants to make her pieces to be accessible to everyone.

MODEL OF THE MONTH CATHERINE HELEN STEWART 24-year-old British model Catherine Helen Stewart spent most of her life in foreign countries; seven years in Hong Kong, eight in the UK, seven in Dubai, and now a year and a half in Qatar. “I am extremely fortunate to have seen many countries and lived among different cultures. But still like a typical Brit, I can only speak English!” she says. Why Qatar? Qatar seems to have such powerful ideas of what it wants to achieve in the future of education, arts, and sports, and this instantly grabbed my attention. So I resigned from my work at a human rights law firm in London and packed my bags. What did you do before you started modelling? I began modelling in Dubai at the age of 15. I was one of those kids that grew exceptionally fast, and was soon taller than majority of the boys. I didn’t quite crack the runway scene till I was a bit older, as I found it daunting at such a young age. How would you describe your personal style? I find style and fashion is a way of expressing yourself. It’s a form of art. I love lace and intricate details; and often seen wearing resort-wear pieces. Although, when the sun goes down, I’m the polar opposite. I love getting dressed up with lots of sparkles and jewels. Who is your favourite fashion designer? I idolise designers who fully utilise their status for the greater good. Being a strong animal welfare activist, I don’t condone the use of animals in the name of ‘fashion’ - particularly fur from wild and endangered species. I have a lot of respect for designers such as Stella McCartney. She raises awareness about the facts involved in leather production’s extreme cruelty, environmental destruction, and human health costs. Where do you see yourself heading in this industry? I hope I will to be able to continue to model in Qatar, especially as the fashion industry in the Middle East is really starting to blossoms. The model is represented by Trinity Talent Qatar. For more information, contact@ trinityqatar.com or www.trinitytalentqatar.com

AL ANEEQ WHERE THE BIG BOYS COME OUT TO PLAY

THE EQUATION OF TIME: ULYSSE NARDIN Ulysse Nardin is a prominent partner of the recently concluded Qatar International Boat Show, where they were able to showcase some truly unique pieces. Christophe Chorao, Managing Director Middle East for the brand, discusses the unique timepieces. “We have always been associated with the sea, so this is a fitting place for us. In the 18th century, sailors were not equipped with any radar system and Ulysse Nardin was happy to equip the Russian, Japanese, UK, Swedish and other navies of the world with this disk,” he explains. Keeping with this tradition, the brand have always preferred to associate with maritime activities. “We are the official timekeeper for the Monaco Yacht Show for

more than a decade. Most of the countries in the Middle East are surrounded by the sea. People from this region are aware of the instruments made by Ulysse Nardin and how much they aid in sailing, which is why we decided to be associated with the event in Qatar from its first year.” “When you buy one of our time pieces you become part of a lasting legacy. These watches are built for watch connoisseurs. They are limited pieces for serious buyers. The first watch starts at QR 25,490.” As someone involved in the watch-making industry, since 2002, Chorao has been keen to develop the presence of Ulysse Nardin in the Middle-East. He derives much inspiration from the brand’s history. “Our product is

our own ambassador, so we don’t need brand ambassadors,” he says. While we gaze at some of the different watches, he briefly mentions some of the many unique features, “We don’t use oil inside the pieces for movement of the watch. The watches don’t rust and needs no service for life.” In a competitive industry, this brand is unafraid of hacks. “We are not so concerned on counterfeits. It is not easy to duplicate these pieces because each watch is full of complex mechanisms.” The Freak piece for example, has no hands and no dial. With so many in-house features the brand can bank on the fact that they can offer pieces that are truly limited editions.

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WELL GROOMED Gentlemen can elevate their shaving ritual with this limited edition set that includes a 100ml Gentlemen Only eau de yoilette and a 30ml after-shave balm. Gentlemen Only, is a woody aromatic fragrance for men with notes of green Mandarin, pink peppercorn and a trio of woods.

RIGHT FOOT Pedro embodies modern luxury and style with a line of footwear and accessories in a smart twist of timeless classics with international influence for men and women, with emphasis on channelling heightened fashion acumen each season. The collection for men offers

contemporary footwear, bags, belts, wallets and ties with standout designs; while the women’s collection offers a diverse line of footwear resonating elegance and sophistication with feminine demeanour and classic designs of hand bags with a modern twist.

AS SMOOTH AS LEATHER Davidoff’s newest fragrance, Leather Blend, is composed of carefully selected ingredients and packaged with style. Each fragrance of the Davidoff Blend Collection is conceived around a carefully chosen note, illustrating a facet of Davidoff’s sophisticated world. The first opus celebrates leather. A noble and sought-after ingredient, this valued material pays a vibrant homage to Zino Davidoff’s love of luxury and fine craftsmanship. It was designed by master perfumer Christophe Reynaud. and based on a rich alchemy of complementary scents.

GLAM / BEAUTY

BOOTY JANUARY 2015

AS WE EMBRACE THE DAWN OF A NEW YEAR, LETS LEAVE BEHIND DARK CIRCLES AND THE POSSIBLE SHADOW OF NEGLECT. IN OUR USUAL STYLE WE BRING YOU ONLY THE BEST FROM THE WORLD OF BEAUTY.

Bobbi Brown reintroduces her iconic foundation stick for a fresh and modern take on nude skin. When it debuted in 1992, Bobbi’s Foundation Stick revolutionised the beauty industry as the first-ever skin tone correct foundation on the market with a creamy skin-like texture. 22 years later, Bobbi’s done it again with

her new Skin Foundation Stick – an update of her iconic formula and packaging. This new formula features a multi-layered transparent base that allows for optimal skin matching with skin-tone correct shades that are completely colourtrue. Its new creamy and lightweight texture melts effortlessly into the skin for

flawless buildable coverage that helps minimise the appearance of pores and skin imperfections on all skin types. Plus, it’s super portable and versatile, making it easy to always have a fresh and healthy complexion – even on the go. The result: a perfect nude canvas. Now available in four new shades – for a total of 24 shades.

THE ART OF BLENDING YOUR MAKE UP 1 Now flawless skin can be yours. The new ●

spongy, pink ball of goodness, aka the Master Blender can be used for so many different things. Want to try something other than your regular foundation brush? Use the sponge to evenly apply your foundation in a dabbing motion (Tip: dabbing on your foundation instead of brushing it on leaves for much better coverage that lasts much longer!) 2 Dark circles under your eyes? ●

Suffering from an uneven skin tone? Use the Master Blender to apply your concealer, and get into those hard to reach corners. (Tip: you can also use the tip of the blender with your concealer around the mouth when fixing your lipstick, to give the perfect lip line!) 3 Going for an intense eye look? Trying to ●

create detail and drama to your eyes? Use the tip of the Master Blender to create a sharp line on the outer corner of your eye with a dark eye shadow, and create depth to your look. (Tip: you can also use the blender

with a light eye shadow and apply it on the bottom lash line, to add even more drama to your eyes). Now that we’ve spilt most of our little tips and tricks when it comes to the Master Blender – we want to let you in on one of our favourite ways to use it and that’s when we are contouring! You might have seen it all over YouTube, or maybe you’ve heard your makeup artist throwing the word around, but right now everyone is obsessing over the Kim Kardashian sculpted look, that we all thought was near impossible to reach! Contouring is a makeup secret essential to any beauty lover – creating the illusion of those strong cheekbones, a thinner nose or maybe even a slightly slimmer face all together, and it couldn’t be easier to create than with the Master Blender. A combination of highlighting and contouring, the Master Blender is the perfect way to blend in all the shades and shadows, for a flawless finish. Pass by any Wojooh store to pick up your Wow by Wojooh Master Blender.

SMASHING SUCCESSES The house of Smashbox has come up with some amazing surprises. First up is a breakthrough lip liner that self-sharpens. A tiny built-in sharpener in the tip of the cap, self-sharpens every time you twist off the cap. Its new powder foundation, infused with light filter technology – that mimics the filters that make your skin look particularly amazing on Instagram. These transparent filters refract light in various directions, blurring imperfections while still keeping the subject in focus. This creates a totally uniform, yet vibrant, skin-it’s a photo filter in a compact for close-up perfection. The long-wear lip lacquer is another favourite. With a new boundary-pushing formula it delivers maximum high-lacquered colour with major comfort all day long.

BUZZ GLAM / BEAUTY

JANUARY 2015

FLAWLESS In 2011, Tom Ford created a beauty collection on his personal philosophy that cosmetics can be used to illuminate, sculpt and contour the features, accentuate the focal point of the face and achieve the illusion of balance

and symmetry. The Flawless Complexion Collection features a new range of foundations and concealing pens that can completely transform the look of oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s face with minimum effort and maximum effectiveness.

81 CAPTURE THE FUTURE Le Nouveau Sérum Capture Totale achieves the feat of improving cellular synchronisation for the very first time. Thanks to its ultra-high concentration of superactivated Longoza extract, it acts at the heart of the skin, like a conductor leading a cellular orchestra. Skin cell activity becomes ideally coordinated and the face recovers a harmonious plumped volume in every layer of the skin. Dior research scientists are today tackling facial ageing with a thoroughly unique approach, centred around emotions and their fundamental determinant, the plumed volume of the face. To help restore and preserve it day after day, Capture Totale now enters the era of cosmetic “filling”: rebalancing the facial volumes rather than lifting the skin, for a lively beauty plumped with more emotion than ever.

NATURAL GOODNESS With its inception in 1993, The Peter Thomas Roth line was created to be customised to an individual’s skin care needs, to cover all skin types and to address all skin care concerns from head to toe. Known for providing breakthrough formulas with outstanding results, the brand has just one mission; to combine effective and potent ingredients with advanced technology.

The quickest and most effective way to flawless skin, Peter Thomas Roth facial masks are the perfect way to pamper your skin, while also keeping it deeply nourished. Designed to moisturise, detoxify, increase circulation, and replenish nutrients, these masks are individually made to provide solutions to all your skin problems. We love the Cucumber Gel Detox Masque.

MODERN MUSE Estée Lauder introduces Modern Muse Chic, a new fragrance inspired by the bold, daring, more creative side of a Modern Muse. Created to reflect the true style icon - it’s all about style on her own terms. Whether it’s a vintage clutch that perfectly accents her cocktail dress or strappy stilettos paired with a leather skirt, she’s a statement in style.

T WHAT’S ON

YOUR PLATE? BY CAMERON BLACK

IT’S TIME TO EAT RIGHT AND ACE HEALTH AND BEAUTY FROM WITHIN.

he challenge of eating right stems primarily from a lack of knowledge and resolution. We often look at nutrition as a diet (implying a time restriction) instead of a lifestyle and permanent change to wellness. A simple strict revamp in nutrition can change our entire body composition without physical activity, and the biggest misconception lies in the fear of healthy fats and cholesterol, when in fact, sugar and carbohydrates are the real culprits of health issues. Fat in our diet aids in the absorption of certain vitamins, the fatsoluble ones, which include A, D, E and K. Essential fatty acids (including the omega-3 variety) like those found in nuts, seeds and oily varieties of fish, play a vital role in maintaining healthy blood vessels, hormonal balance and for the correct functioning of our nervous system, which is composed of mostly fat. Prescribing yourself a very low-fat diet makes you more likely to be low in these vitamins and that can impact your immunity, limit the body’s ability to heal itself and have an influence on bone health. Focus on healthier fats by including more fish, nuts, seeds and oils such as coconut, avocado, and olive. Unfortunately, it’s not easy adopting a highly nutritious diet as it goes against popular ‘ideas’ of what diets should be, and you may wind up being an ‘outcast’. Making drastic changes can also be very challenging for most; many may be addicted to carbohydrates and used to eating junk food. Pairing that with intense physical activity, most will become overwhelmed and instead revert to their old ways. A strong resolve is the key ingredient. If we truly want change, we can achieve it. It is something that anyone can do. A major overhaul in health can be done if we are willing to put in the hard work instead of just focusing on short-term and temporary changes. Taking charge of your health is reflective of the psychology, commitment levels, and strength of character in facing adversity and external pressures. Compare it to quitting smoking; at the end of the day you have to really want the change deep down in your heart. You can hire and pay people along the way to educate and guide you in the process, but your willpower will be the winning factor.

START Today

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Let 2015 be the year to take charge of your health. The first step is to overhaul the way you grocery shop and stock your fridge. Time to bid adieu to junk food forever!

CLEAN UP YOUR PANTRY THINGS YOU NO LONGER NEED IN YOUR NUTRITIOUS LIFE

1 Soy products ●

Non-organic soy in the market is genetically modified, including soy, processed soy and soy oil. Fermented soy (miso or tempeh) are fine because of their probiotic properties but avoid the ones with any added sugar. 2 Plastic Tupperware ●

Use glass and stainless steel, as plastic contains BPA, which mimics oestrogen, and when heated can leach into foods. 3 Margarine and low-fat products ●

The wrong kinds of fat (trans-fats, hydrogenated fats and excess vegetable-derived fats, usually found in low-fat products) will make your cell lipid layers unhealthy, rigid and impermeable, and cause insulin resistance, weight gain, nutrient deficiencies, persistent fatigue, and chronic inflammation.

4 Low calorie products ●

100 calories of chicken breast are NOT equal to 100 calories of ice cream. Calorie counting is useless if your nutrition is an inferior one. Stop looking at the calories and opt for whole, nutritious, and unprocessed foods. 5 Highly processed foods ●

If you can’t pronounce it, don’t know what it is and sugar is on the list, then it is not an option. 6 Anything containing HFCS (High Fructose ●

Corn Syrup) and/or sugar, including soda and concentrate juices Consuming these items regularly is just like requesting your body to make you fat. Stop immediately. Fruit concentrate beverages are not healthy.

WHAT TO BUY REPLACE WITH THESE ALTERNATIVES 1 Coconut oil, avocado oil for cooking, and use olive oil ●

at room temperature.

2 Glass containers for consumables. ● 3 Grass-fed organic butter. ● 4 Single-ingredient products or fresh ●

food which expires in less than 3 days.

5 Water (add lemon juice if desired). ● 6 Fresh fruit juice with no added sugar in minimal quantity. ● 7 Healthy carbohydrates like eggplant, ●

squash, wild rice, and quinoa in minimal quantity.

8 Fish, lean meats, poultry, eggs (organic when you can). ● 9 Green, leafy and cruciferous vegetables ●

(organic when you can).

10 Tree nuts, seeds and some dried high-fibre fruits. ●

7 Bread and starchy foods ●

Bread may fill you up but it will also fatten you out. It is highly processed, high in sugar, and zero in benefit. 8 Seed and vegetable cooking oils ●

Choose a less-processed cooking oil that is low in omega 6 fats and with a high smoking point. Corn oil is 60% unstable, is a polyunsaturated fat, and is most likely made from GMO crops.

TALK GLAM / SHOP

JANUARY 2015

THE RIGHT STEP Pedro is a brand that embodies modern luxury and style with its range of footwear and accessories that are certain to grab attention. The latest pre-spring collection offers pieces in colour-blocking themes.

DELICIOUSLY NOURISHING A new, light and ultranourishing texture that immediately becomes one with your skin, Whipped Shea Butter is a stunning combination of maximum nourishment and a sheer, melting texture. There couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be a more delicious way to nourish dry skin.

TUSCAN DREAM Three new fragrances from the house of Salvatore Ferragamo come from the heart of Tuscany, and include White Mimosa, Golden Acacia and Incense Suede. White Mimosa is inspired by the sensual burst of the Mimosa flower that fills the Tuscan fields. Golden Acacia receives its fragrance from the Acacia tree resin that grows in the Tuscan region. Incense Suede is a deep woody note reminiscent of a lush forest.

DABYA TRUNK SHOW HELD IN DOHA

OF JEWELS AND DIAMONDS

Internationally renowned jewellery brand Pomellato recently unveiled its Arabesque Collection in Qatar. The event was held at Royal Plaza Mall and showcased a glittering range of pieces including earrings, necklaces and bracelets.

Designer Dabya showcased her Autumn/Winter collection at the W Doha & Residences, sharing her vision of dresses for the most discerning woman, who seeks unique and exclusive designs and the finest quality from the designer. Born in Doha but raised in different parts of the world, Dabya embraces her Arabic heritage and combines it with an experience of global style and

fashion. Her path as a designer has taken her from Doha to London, Paris, Hong Kong and Malaysia allowing her to experience different possibilities for sourcing fabrics and manufacturing her collections to the highest possible standards. Speaking at the event Dabya said, “The is the closest collection to me. It is inspired by twilight, dawn and dusk. It’s beautiful and unique and the way I see my women.”

FASHION MEETS ART

Artist Sabah Arbilli collaborated with fashion icon Aigner to offer bespoke bags to discerning buyers. The artist spent time with each client to study the kind of artwork they would like on their designer purses. These will bear his personal signature. The event was held at Doha’s Blue Salon and attended by a host of media, avid shoppers and noted clientele.

AROUND TOWN / 87

A FASHIONABLE VENUE Joelle Mardinian opened the new branch of Maison De Joelle in Qatar. Joelle hosted her visitors, from VIP celebrities and customers at Maison De Joelle, who joined her in this celebration. During the event, HH Rodha Abdalla Moahmmed Jasim Al Thani mentioned that Maison de Joelle will be the most appropriate address for women who are looking for magnificence and beauty, where they will be provided with the best services of hair and skincare, from beauty experts that have knowledge in the latest trends of beauty. Joelle Mardinian said, “I chose Qatar as there are a lot of women here who seek beauty and transformation.” Joelle Mardinian is one of the most inspiring women in the Middle Eastern beauty industry and there are currently seven Maison de Joelle outlets in the region; three in Dubai, one in Abu Dhabi, one in Riyadh, one in Jeddah and now in Doha.

TURKISH FLARE EMIRGAN SÜTIS, FAMOUS FOR ITS TRADITIONAL TURKISH CUISINE, IS NOW OPEN IN QATAR.

Located at Al Emadi Financial Square, on C-Ring road, Emirgan Sütis brings a distinguished restaurant experience where traditional recipes of Istanbul are revived with an exceptional standard of service in a modern and elegant setting. Founded in Turkey in 1953, Emirgan Sütis has evolved from being best for its desserts to a culinary brand in Turkey. With the aim of delivering the healthiest products without making concessions on taste, Emirgan Sütis pays close attention to keeping the tradition of Istanbul alive by staying true to its century-old recipes. The ingredients are fresh and sourced straight from farms in Turkey that supply produce exclusively for Emirgan Sütis. Guests will also find organic honeys and jams produced in Adapazan, made without any additives or preservatives, as well as the finest Turkish tea, picked at the first harvest of the year in Rize, in a dedicated retail section. Commenting on the new gourmet destination, General Manager of Al Siddiqi Hospitality, Assen Vaslev said, “We are delighted to open Emirgan Sutis in Qatar and to bring the best flavours of Istanbul to Qatar’s public. An exceptional team was brought together to keep the Turkish tradition alive and the result is astonishing. Located in a prime location, on C-Ring Road, Emirgan Sütis’ space offers an outdoor terrace.”

SHOW STOPPERS Premiere Debut Collection A Qatari sportswear label Instagram: @_premiere