Issue 63 june 2014 by TheTalk PH7

Issue 63 - June 2014

Fashion Genius: Marc Jacobs WWW.THETALK-ONLINE.COM

LIVE YOUR

PASSION

LADIES WORLD HEART FEDERATION Support Hearts of Children Charity campaign with Nicole Faria and the World Heart Federation. We donate US$ 50 for each Double Heart Beat watch sold. More information on www.frederique-constant.com

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THETALK / June / 2014

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EDITOR’S LETTER

Looking at myself in the mirror, day in day out, I started only staring at the differences in times on the smallest of details… A very frustrating experience that I combat using all kinds of methods, from psychologically trying to accept the fact, to physically reaching out to the latest products and technologies to resist the fact! Yet, what always amazes me is how every time I travel, I see me in other people’s eyes, and all the details seem to disappear by themselves! With time, it is inevitable that we all become the role we play in our circles, perceiving ourselves as we are being perceived and once we are out of that circle, the whole perception changes! Could the best product to prolong youth be a ticket? To anywhere? Well, to all those planning their summer trips, Bon rejuvenating voyage! Till next issue,

Zeina Mokaddam

HIND NASSAR

SIMON BALSOM

There comes a time every year where our souls just give in and require a break. It is the time for a much needed vacation. After working so hard it is only necessary that we treat ourselves for a holiday to rejuvenate our bodies and minds. Whether you choose a preferred destination or a new one to explore new horizons, we got you covered with our latest tips and picks to have a trendy summer. Enjoy the read and see you next issue!

In the evolution of mankind the concept of a vacation is a thoroughly recent one, and during the early years of mass travel they heralded a complete disconnection from our regular life. Today of course, we remain constantly connected. We communicate as easily from continent to continent as we do from desk to desk. With this ease of communication comes the expectation of availability. For that reason I shall be eternally grateful that I didn’t pick a job with great vacation time, but instead one that doesn’t need escaping from.

YASMINE BANDAR

CHADI MOUFIED

A couple of months ago, I was counting the days until summer is here – fantasizing about the warmth of the season, the colorful wardrobe, the beauty of sun-kissed skin, vitamin “sea” and the magic of summer nights that no season can bring rest of the year. Unexpectedly, it was in the middle of winter when I realized that I have such an exceptional bond with all the beautiful summers of the past and the ones that are yet to come. Here’s to all the previous summers and to all the many new beginnings that this summer is bringing along – here’s to a fabulous season!

It is summer time; the season of vacations and breaks. No matter how much you enjoy studying or how passionate you are about your career, you are definitely yearning for a quiet or a crazy escape this season! And although we wish summer vacations never come to an end, we finally come back with more energy and eagerness to carry out our tasks after a well-spent summer break. Check out our tips and picks for a great summer this year!

THETALK / June / 2014

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CONTENTS

Contents June 2014

14 Local Features Local Female Interview: 22. Maha Al-Baghli 28. Ola Al-Mutairi Local Male Interview: 20. AbdulMohsen Behbehani 22. Fahad Al-Baqer 102. Kuwait Exclusives International Features 14. Cover Story International Interview 64. Janek Deleskiewicz 82. Michael Angove 58. Her Style Icon 92. His Style Icon 60. Celebrity Wearing 106. The Street Styles Collective

Setting

40 10

THETALK / June / 2014

Trends 32. Her Trends 54. Beauty 80. His Trends 88. Car Trends 84. Grooming 68. Setting Watch Trends

Health

94. Seven healthy tips for a safer tan this Summer

Travel

96. Caramoan islands - Philippines

Reviews

114. 116. 118. 119.

Restaurant Review Book Reviews Movie Reviews Horoscopes

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CONTENTS

Published by :

22 Tel: (965) 2572 0810 Fax: (965) 2572 0860 email: thetalk@ph7-kw.com www.ph7-kw.com Editor-in-Chief NOUF AL-HAJRI

Publisher ZEINA MOKADDAM

Audited Since 2011 by

Circulation: 10,000 Copies Readership: 40,000+ as per PARC 2012 Studies Managing Editor SIMON BALSOM Senior Editor YASMINE BANDAR Features Editor INJY REFAIE Operations Manager - THETALK HIND NASSAR

Creative Director LARA HOMSI Graphic Designer CHADI MOUFIED Head of Photography KHALED AL-SALEH Photographer KHALED SANDID Production Manager JAD NAHAS Legal Consultant KHALED AL-KANDARI Press Agencies - Afp Interview - Viva Press (Uk) Images - Gallo-Getty Distribution Company: International Media Group Printed In Four Films

Reproduction in whole or part of any matter appearing in TheTalk is prohibited by law without prior written approval of the publishers. Opinions expressed in TheTalk do not necessarily represent the views of the publishers and editorial staff of the magazine. The publishers do not hold out any guarantee as to its accuracy, neither do they indemnify any loss arising through use of the information. VISIT OUR WEBSITE ON: WWW.THETALK-ONLINE.COM

THETALK / June / 2014

I want some motivation… I want some motivation… I want some motivation… Welcome to the network that helps you grow and achieve your wants ooredoo.com.kw

WATANIYA IS NOW OOREDOO

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COVER STORY

Fashion Genius: Marc Jacobs Presenting the dynamic world of the ace designer

THETALK / June / 2014

t 51, Marc Jacobs is a true legend. How else can one describe a man who has several awards to his credit, including 10 CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) Awards – a Lifetime Achievement Award among them? In fact, he holds the distinct honor of being the youngest designer ever to be awarded the council’s Perry Ellis Award for New Fashion Talent in 1987. The Marc Jacobs brand was born in 1986, when the designer presented his first collection. The rising star quickly made a name for himself in the fashion industry, and also became known for his irreverent (sometimes cheeky) style; earning him the status of American fashion’s enfant terrible. He joined the Perry Ellis label in 1988, and stayed on until his legendary “grunge” collection for the brand in 1992. Never one to shy away from controversy, Jacobs made sure to highlight at least one talking point about each of his shows. He defends himself, stating, “It’s sometimes said that I’m rebellious and I do WWW.THETALK-ONLINE.COM

COVER STORY

things to push people’s buttons, but I just like the challenge.” Since then, Jacobs has matured admirably, working tirelessly to create innovative trends and picks season after season. Jacobs’ prodigious talent was apparent for all to see, and it came as no surprise when he was appointed Louis Vuitton’s Creative Director in 1997. The following year, he created the brand’s first ready-to-wear line. Under his leadership, the traditional French label took on a new life, including new products, limitededition collaborative pieces, and much more. All the while, Jacobs also concentrated on his namesake label, as well as a diffusion label Marc By Marc Jacobs, which he introduced in 2001. To say his designs are popular would be an understatement. Most A-list celebrities have been spotted on the red carpet and in candid photos with one of Jacobs’ designs. Apart from the clothes, Marc Jacobs is best known for the label’s covetable bags. Many of his designs have gained cult status, and are introduced with a new feature each year. The Stam bag, named after model Jessica Stam, became one of the first ‘It’ bags when it was introduced in 2006.

THETALK / June / 2014

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COVER STORY

The born-and-bred New Yorker has been exceptionally successful in all his career moves – and there have been many. Starting out with fashion, he ventured into the fragrance industry with a bang. Recently, he launched a makeup line and promoted it by starring in the campaign himself! Always a trailblazer, his success is in part due to his fearless and colorful personality. His design aesthetic sets him apart – he was one of the first designers to bring some “street cred” style to his outfits. He does this by looking for beauty in more than just the usual places, specifying, “I always find beauty in things that are odd and imperfect - they are much more interesting.” His sources of inspiration are varied, and sometimes fleeting. “I love to go to museums and galleries; I like to see theatre, film, dance – anything creative. It doesn’t promise you inspiration, but it nourishes your creative soul, and that’s good.”

cropped pants and sheath dresses pictured a dark floral pattern that were richly embellished with beads, fringes, and antique lace. The romantic angle was enhanced by the modest high collars and puff sleeves which gave the clothes a mysterious vintage vibe. Already the collection is a big hit and has been spotted on the likes of Anna Wintour, Amanda Peet, Lily Donaldson, Sarah Paulson, and his longtime friend and collaborator, Sofia Coppola.

For Spring 2014, Jacobs took on a brooding Victorian scene. Turning around the idea of feminine embroidery on its head, he introduced ornate embellishments on moody outfits, fit for a film noir. Evening dresses, slim cut jackets,

The world of Marc Jacobs is one colored by vivid imagination and a dash of bold flavor. For those who love classic pieces with a strong individualistic touch, Marc Jacobs is the perfect direction to take.

THETALK / June / 2014

The Marc Jacobs boutique is located in the prestigious Thuraya Mall, brought to Kuwait by Al Ostoura International. The exclusive store and offers the signature Marc Jacobs experience, and features carefully handpicked items chosen by Al Ostoura buyers to reflect the tastes of the Kuwaiti market. The well-trained sales team is always on hand to provide customers with the latest trends designed by the maestro himself.

Local interview

Self-motivated member of the Morad Yousuf Behbehani group

“We aspire to continue our expansion and market share in Kuwait ” AbdulMohsen Behbehani

THETALK / June / 2014

orad Yousuf Behbehani Trading Division represents various prestigious International brands in Kuwait with products and services falling into various categories. Luxury brands have graced their boutiques and have made shopping in Kuwait an absolute pleasure that tackles international standards. These brands include Calvin Klein, Omega, Dunhill, American Tourister, Draper, Tissot, etc. Their aim is to provide their customers with the best value of products and services in all the fields through innovation, quality service, customer and market orientation, and continuous improvement. Â Do you think that working in a family business venture is easier than establishing a business of your own? Working for a family business is challenging as the company holds the name of the family and that makes us more eager to work harder to maintain the growth. What was your first occupation at the company? When I first joined the company, I was the PR Manager. What is your take on your competitors? I think that all competitions are healthy competitions and all family businesses are complimenting the growth of the economic and trade within the country. What is the first brand acquired by Behbehani Group and when was it acquired? The first brand the Group had the rights to represent it as an official distributer is Omega in 1935 by the late Morad Yousuf Behbehani. What are the standards that you consider in your selection of international brands? The Group considers the origins, history, and the perception of the brand internationally and locally - we based our selection on feasibility study.

Are there any specific brands that you wish to acquire? Thankfully, all the brands we aimed for are within the Group already. What difficulties do you face when bringing in a new brand to Kuwait? Brand introduction in terms of positioning in and the brand building process. What is the most successful sector in business? All our business sectors are contributing to the growth of the group. How satisfied are the mother companies with the results? Our long history with the brands answers this question starting from 1935 with Omega until Cartier in 2001.

Companies usually acquire the agency in the Middle East and the Gulf too, is there a reason why we have not seen a Behbehani Group agency in the region yet? We are in the region, more details on this subject will be revealed soon. What is the secret behind the Behbehani Groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s success?â&#x20AC;&#x2122; A combination of history, family roots, trust and stability. What are your future plans? We aim to continue our expansion and our market share in Kuwait.

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Local interview

“Young Kuwaiti men have creative and distinctive ideas ” Fahad Al-Baqer

“Kuwaiti women must have confidence and discover their passion ” Maha Al-Baghli

Maha Al-Baghli and Fahad Al-Baqer announce the launch of their awareness campaign

THETALK / June / 2014

women in Kuwait have recently

accomplished enormous success in many fields, and business was no exception. The inspiration that some unique women reflect, however, is rare and priceless. Maha Al-Baghli – President at BPW Kuwait and Founder & Managing Director of Safira CSR Co. - is a woman who knows exactly where her heart is and follows it with steady steps. While some would accept as true that women’s role in business and commerce is minor, this woman has a lot to say to prove this theory wrong. THETALK took pleasure in delivering her insights about involving Kuwaiti women in launching their own businesses and future plans that shall reinforce the Kuwaiti youth’s input in this field, featuring her partner in the forthcoming campaign, Fahad Al-Baqer - Business Management Consultant and Certified instructor in the license of the International Entrepreneurship. Your daughter Qamar Al-Momen has recently released an English book, which shows great signs of creativity and aspiration at a considerably young age. Personality wise, how much do you share in common? I’m truly proud of my daughter, Qamar, and very happy that she has made her dream come true - to become a writer and release her book inside and outside Kuwait. Her book “Watzhername” was released in Kuwait, KSA, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and Abu Dhabi. Also, she plans to release it in England and USA soon. Qamar is very talented and has a wide imagination – she is very insightful and her emotional maturity exceeds her age. She began reading at the age of 4 and started writing at the age of 6. I encourage her and I support my daughter’s talent with love and pride. Qamar resembles me in many ways, such as in her passion towards creativity as well as the

pleasure she takes in helping others. I think she is also very social and knows how to deal with different types of personalities. Do you think that Kuwaiti women are getting enough support in order to continue achieving their goals in the field of investments and enterprise? Kuwaiti women have always been strong, independent, and initiative; they are able to take responsibility at their homes, at their workplace, and in their society. Moreover, they have proven this fact long before the discovery of oil in Kuwait, back in the day when the Kuwaiti economy relied on marine trade and pearl

diving. Husbands and fathers would leave home on long trips that extended up to six and seven months in order to make a living, during which wives and daughters undertook the managing and the protecting of their families. All what a Kuwaiti woman needs today is to have more self-confidence, boost her belief in her abilities, develop her skills, discover her passion, and to just know what exactly she aspires to accomplish on a personal front as well as in society. In fact, the chances are there, and so is the essential support; we – in the Business and Professional Women organization – strive to motivate women and drive them WWW.THETALK-ONLINE.COM

Local interview

towards success and self-development. There are also many opportunities that aim to educate women on how to invest their savings as well as to develop and achieve financial independence. The organization will arrange a workshop at the beginning of next month and the participation for ladies will be free of charge. Along with the ability to be creative, what stands in the way of the Kuwaiti youth in order to excel in small projects? The deficiency lies in the inexperience of young people in managing businesses, marketing and the essentials skills in dealing with clients. The Kuwaiti youth has creative business ideas, but lacks the unique skills in implementing their ideas in a professional manner. This is what we are trying to develop in Safira CSR Co. for social liabilities with the guidance of an entrepreneurship counselor - Mr. Fahad Al-Baqir - where we work together in an attempt to raise young people’s awareness regarding the importance of self-employment and the establishment of small projects. In addition, we aim to emphasize the importance of developing the skills of young people, so that they manage their own businesses professionally and successfully. The Kuwaiti women have acquired positions in the Kuwait National Assembly as well as in ministries and the Kuwaiti parliament, do you think that they have succeeded in this area? Fifty years after the foundation of the Kuwaiti National Assembly, the Kuwaiti women acquired the membership for a period that did not 5 years. So, it is unfair to judge the performance of women or measure their success during this period. Just as the election triumph was a significant achievement in the light of the unfair competition, in my opinion, the Kuwaiti society is distinctively a male-oriented society, and so, the communication between a female candidate with the voters is very difficult compared to a male candidate who can communicate, enter the men’s forums and influence the opinion of voters along with the ladies who follow the same vision.

THETALK / June / 2014

As for ladies who were lucky enough to reach the chamber, their performance was quite excellent compared to men in the past fifty years. I do wish that the Kuwaiti society endorses more opportunities for women to become part of it, as there are many qualified women who can contribute positively in building the nation but are, unfortunately, marginalized. How do you evaluate the recent rush of young men and women towards establishing small-scale projects that have lead to enormous success? During the last five years, young Kuwaiti ladies have developed a beautiful approach towards small businesses. I am happy that they are no longer shy or ashamed to demonstrate their talents and stand proud in exhibitions, displaying and selling their products. However, we need to regulate these types of projects by paying attention to the quality of products and services. We also need to boost the sense of innovation and diversity in all fields. Also, young Kuwaiti entrepreneurs need to develop their proficiency and spare more time for these projects. This is because most of the owners of these projects are amateurs who hardly put a part-time effort, which is the main reason behind the discontinuity and disrupted growth of most of the small businesses. There are many young ladies\women who established small projects from within their homes and succeeded in attracting customers; how do you feel about this and from a commercial viewpoint, to what extent do you think they achieved success? There are a lot of successful projects which were home-based despite the absence of a law to regulate it. I hope that they start a code that permits working from home, especially some of the projects that do not require the owner to have headquarters or offices. This law is applied in many countries around the world including Oman. Do you agree that the social media is offering marketing services on a silver platter today? The social media has contributed significantly

to the success of many small businesses, especially if used correctly and professionally. The means of social communication have made many people become celebrities that are admired and followed by the young generation - even gaining more publicity than singers and actors. But eventually, success never lasts without an honest, excellent and professional management of any project. Marketing is only part of the project’s success - not its entire core. Can you tell us more about your plan of launching a campaign as a special message for the Kuwaiti youth on establishing small businesses? Safira CSR Co. is currently in the process of launching a range of social campaigns, one of these campaigns aims to raise the youth’s awareness in terms of proficiency in entrepreneurship and its impact on the national economy - in collaboration with Mr. Fahad AlBaqir, an entrepreneurship and organizational behavior trainer. Mr. Fahad, what is the reason behind choosing this field along with the nature of the work you carry out? The business world or what is known as global trade, is a world full of ideas, opportunities and innovations, imagination and events that are profitable and beneficial for the society – that’s where my passion is. In addition, I obtained my BA certificate from the University of Kuwait, faculty of management and marketing. Does the nature of your work have an effect on your families and surroundings? The beauty of business and finance lies in the fact that it evolves in harmony with each individual’s performance, which gives almost any person the chance to improve their living and career by developing their ideas and their efforts. I have personally been there; I began working in media and advertising as a sales executive, then worked as a marketing director – which was my doorway towards many opportunities. I’ve also set up and organized a group of business, strategic plans and studies for a range of esteemed companies in Kuwait.

This process led me to learn a lot through experience, this opened the door world of consulting and training – my current career path. I think I will continue to be involved in that in the long enough, so that I can serve and develop as much as possible of the businesses and activities inside and outside Kuwait. I gained a great amount of knowledge through superb experiences in public relations and media exposure, which also changed the way I was perceived and treated by the society in positively. I currently have the position of a certified instructor of the International Academy for Entrepreneurship, which trains candidates to adopt the proper concepts and approaches towards trading and establishing small businesses and up till now, seven alumni’s of Kuwaiti leading entrepreneurs have graduated. As specialists, what is your insight about the future of the economy of Kuwait? Kuwait has a good economic ground for building new projects and stimulating creative ideas. It is a country known for taking on trade for so long; it does not lack the money nor the presence of the young, creative and initiative youth. I think that the Kuwaitis are characterized to have a high purchasing power, which supports the success of the local market and consequently the economy. Kuwait, however, could be in need of only two things; first, separating politics from economics and making economists run the economy in Kuwait in a professional manner rather than political. Second, calling for the support of highly qualified specialists to arrange the economic plans based on longterm strategies. This system would definitely serve the purpose, creating new opportunities for a variety of future generations of young entrepreneurs in the world of business and finance. What are your future plans, and how do you think they would help the society? I aspire to exploit my energy in managing my own businesses which are based on consulting and training, so as to offer these services to large enterprises, as well as medium and small one. I have also devoted a big part of my energy to serve the society in the development of its

economy as well as to support business ideas among youth. I am also ready to support any type of large or small businesses that serve the development of the local economy. Can you tell us more about your future ideas and ambitions? I aspire to achieve high positions in the provision of consultancy and training. Locally, I do hope that Kuwait becomes more familiar with me, taking advantage of my skills and proficient economic capabilities. How do you evaluate the Kuwaiti businessman and businesswoman? The Kuwaiti businessman has a high efficiency and the proof is the number of successful companies and booming businesses. Perhaps what is necessary is having more faith in the young Kuwaiti businessmen who are well-

aware of the Kuwaiti market’s needs and how they should be handle the Kuwaiti client. Young Kuwaiti men have a great deal of creative and distinctive ideas, and we hope that business owners in Kuwait have a bigger role in supporting the local development and human resources. The businesswoman is a “newborn” in terms of her publicity and outward show which has witnessed an increase lately. This gives her bigger opportunities and chances in the world of business and finance because the market is always looking for new and fresh ideas. Maybe all what is missing is that the businesswoman balances emotions with her professional skills - a combination rarely found in the business world nowadays. The world of business calls for professional skills and manners – an approach that tackles business proficiently whether in business charisma, business knowledge, and even business attire.

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Local interview

In your opinion, what is the best way to improve the performance of the young Kuwaiti towards establishing successful businesses? Young Kuwaitis should take into consideration that trade is not as simple as a hobby. They also must be aware of the outcomes and requirements before going into practice, and then seek the assistance from specialists and consultants in the field of trade in order to help them with the execution of their concepts and ideas. What are the deficiencies in developing the right economic environment? Kuwait needs to promote the concept of leadership and believe in it. This urges the concept of leadership to support creative ideas and initiatives of the youth in order to qualify them to enter the commercial field successfully, and help their ideas see the light in both local and global markets, thus contributing to the development of the economy as well as serving the society. How do you assess home-based projects in Kuwait? A home-based is the first step towards understanding trade and learning how to deal with customers; it serves as a field test that

THETALK / June / 2014

helps young people to know their potentials besides their ability to withstand the difficulties of commerce. Can you tell us more about your plans of launching the media campaign? In collaboration with my esteemed colleague Mrs. Maha Al-Baghli, President of Business and Professional Women organization in Kuwait, I have taken the initiative to launch a campaign that shall spread awareness and knowledge in the concepts and professional behaviors, which we believe will help the youth to get their hands on the right keys required for the success of any experience in business. The campaign will seek the support of various TV channels and media in order to broadcast this knowledge. We thank THETALK magazine for being one of the first initiators in bringing this beneficial approach to light. What type of support is required in order to complete the success of this awareness campaign? All we need is the support of various local media like newspapers, magazines, radio & television in order to help us come into sight. Our aim is to spread quality knowledge that will give power to

young people and serve the society as a result. What do you think of the performance of the young Kuwaiti beginners? They have beautiful and creative ideas, but some of them exaggerate in their first breakthrough, which can go above what they can endure. This, consequently, leads to the false belief that trade is difficult or impossible. I urge them to decelerate and have more patience in order to organize the order of their steps with no trouble, or seek out help from specialists. What else do you need that you believe would serve your journey in supporting the Kuwaiti economy? The state needs to benefit from our efforts and ideas even more intensely, which will serve the development process in Kuwait and will encourage us to continue with more enthusiasm. I hope that our thoughts and initiatives draw more attention. I also hope that they assign a committee from the Amiri Diwan that comprises advising economists and specialists and therefore, take advantage of their ideas, supporting their careers and maintaining a continuity of their rich production.

EGS 1869 - EGS 1873

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THE AVENUES | AL KOUT | MARINA | AL BAIRAQ | FANAR 22597788 - 23930178

Local interview

Arab Woman Awards 2014 applauds the late Ghanima AlMarzouq Ola Al-Mutairi

“My mother

resembled the perfect fusion of power and modesty

”

THETALK / June / 2014

The Arab Woman Awards committee has

recently decided to commemorate the late Ghanima Fahad Al-Marzouq, the great media woman and journalist with free opinion and high principles. Besides her enormous milestones in the Arab and Kuwaiti media, she was always attentive in contributing in almost every type of projects and activities; Ghanima Al-Marzouq has put a fingerprint in every charitable field. The late philanthropist was the founder of Osraty magazine; she was a skilled journalist and an incredible mother of four. In tribute to this amazing woman, we have met her daughter, Ola Al-Mutairi and took pleasure in asking about her mother, she expressed profound admiration and honor toward an inspiring woman like Ghanima Al-Marzouq. You are the most likely to resemble your mother, some even say that you are just a smaller version of Ghanima Al- Marzouq, in what ways did she influence you? Well, I wouldn’t actually claim to be a “smaller version”, yet, I admit that we shared many qualities in common. To us, she was the greatest of all mothers. My mother and I share the same peaceful character and we both disliked publicity. She taught me to love everything about life; she inspired me to always hold on to a positive view of life. Besides, she taught me to honor my career and respect all humans regardless of their background. Today, you are the editor-in-chief at Osraty Magazine, what do you do to maintain what your mother – the founder of Osraty– had begun? I have worked as a vice editor-in-chief since 2000 and had obtained good knowledge about journalism through my mother, since I was in high school - as she used to give me abundant doses of knowledge and much of the core of her experience in the principals of proficient journalism. This has encouraged me to follow her steps, her ideology, and her decent outlook toward her job as a journalist. What was it that she made sure you grasped

before you stepped into the world of journalism? My mother taught me to adhere to absolute integrity; she would always affirm it by repeatedly saying: “In journalism, integrity comes first and last”, this is because she practiced journalism as a mission and never as a tool to ignite sedition. This philosophy is implemented and can be sensed in the pages of Osraty magazine, through which we passionately strive to deliver a clear message to “family” in general and to “women” in particular. Can you tell us about the relationship between Ghanima Al- Marzouq and her family? How did she manage to maintain a strong bond despite her busy schedule outside home? My mother had extraordinary time management skills, organizing between her time with us and her career. We used to find her at home whenever we returned from school; she used to work in the morning and be with us for the rest of the day. She also managed to find time to pay visits to other family members like her mother and sister and considered it a priority to visit them every evening. I don’t think there has ever been a time when she traveled without us; we used to accompany her in all her trips and she would refuse to leave us and go on a tour for a vacation or even work. This has created a profound bond between us as well as the strong attachment within each of us to her as a mother. She was not only a mother, but also a friend and a mentor as we grew older. What were Ghanima Al- Marzouq’s most significant qualities? No words can contain her wonderful qualities, which I made sure to grasp and endorse. My mother had a strong personality and a very positive impact on her surroundings. She also had a great foresight in social and charity matters. Despite her strong and influential personality, she was able to maintain the perfect combination of modesty and power. She loved

everybody and was very socially intelligent. She found beauty in everything - beauty in ethics, in life and in humanity. She also was extremely knowledgeable; she taught us all about the value of knowledge which leads to a better understanding of life and people, and to embrace humbleness rather than ego. How did Ghanima Al- Marzouq become known for her humanitarian inputs? My mother was known as “the mother of benevolence” for she was truly generous toward humankind. Her compassion began during her early life when she participated in a competition where she wrote an article in “Al-Be’tha AlMesriyya” magazine and won the second-rank. She donated her prize to the benefit of charity in Egypt then. In the 70’s, she established two orphanage villages in Lebanon and Sudan for Arab orphans under the name “Hanan Al-Kuwait”. Her love for charity later pushed her into more and local and international charity involvement. She also donated for the Guidance and Relief Fund/ Kuwait Awqaf Public Foundation. What was her philosophy about charity? My mother always had an insightful philosophy in this field; she believed that charity was not only about helping the poor, but also educating them. For this reason, she established universities in Kazakhstan, a college in Kashmir, a college for females in Albania, and Fahad Al- Marzouq College in Pakistan. The reflection of this philosophy can be noticed today in the concept of global development, which does not merely involve economical development, but also academic development. Being concerned about the development of Kuwaiti women on all fronts, she also participated in the establishment of many women associations. It is also crucial to mention that she had special WWW.THETALK-ONLINE.COM

Local interview

interest in young people with promising talents; she adopted their talents and helped them improve themselves by all means. For instance, there is a prize in Kuwait University, in the faculty of arts in the media department, labeled with her name and presented annually for media graduates with outstanding and excellent performance. The university labeled this prize with “Ghanima Al- Marzouq’s prize for Creativity in Media”, in attempt to encourage the promising talents in journalism. How was Ghanima Al- Marzouq nominated by the Arab Woman Awards? My mother was nominated by the committee that was in charge of the nomination. The prize is given though ITP Publishing Group in Dubai, who also introduced The Arab Woman Awards in 2009. The members of the committee are high-level experts in their fields, known for their integrity and social class as well as their familiarity with the women of the Arab community. How much were you influenced by your mother that made you develop such a great interest in journalism and media? My mother had a great influence on me in this regard. I used to see her reading all the newspapers every day after lunch and I used to ask her to collect the pages of a particular column from Al-Anbaa’ newspaper and she would sometimes read the page before I did and we used to discuss it together. Then I began to ask her questions about journalism and about the best newspaper in her opinion. This was my doorway into this beautiful world. She would also explain definitions of terms like main “headlines” in newspapers, besides the importance of integrity in journalism. This is how I fell in love with journalism. Yet, she never had any interest in politics and neither did I. What are Ghanima Al-Marzouq’s most significant milestones in the Arab and Kuwaiti press? They are plentiful. She had been part of the formation of the history of both Arab and Kuwaiti press being the first female editor-in-chief from

THETALK / June / 2014

the Gulf region holding a bachelor degree in journalism and media from Cairo University in 1964. She was also among the first Kuwaiti female writers who signed their articles with their real names. She also established Osraty magazine, releasing its first issue in February 1965 – it was the first specialized magazine that caters to family affairs and focuses on the important issues related to women in Kuwait, the GCC and Arab countries. In addition, she established Fahad Al-Marzouk Printing and Publishing Est. as one of the first printing and publishing foundations in the GCC, she was also part of the establishment of the Kuwait Journalists Association. Her ideological imprints in the Arab and Kuwaiti press are very observable, which can be noticed in the

objective and straightforward method, through which the challenges and issues faced by the local and the Arab society are addressed and highlighted in the press. Do you believe that the Kuwaiti woman has obtained all her rights today? I truly believe that the Kuwaiti woman has acquired all her human and political rights. In your opinion, how far are the efforts of Kuwaiti women in the society recognized and appreciated? I believe that the efforts that Kuwaiti women invest in their country are very evident and detectable on all levels. Their efforts are tremendously acknowledged and appreciated.

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Setting Her Trends Issa at Limelight Salhiya Complex

Doho at Limelight The Avenues Mall

Bright Motifs Florals are a must in summer, but this season sees them in a bold interpretation. Stripes rule the runway too, along with embellished accents. Metallic and candy accessories round out the look.

KAS at Limelight The Avenues Mall

See By Chloe at The Avenues Mall MSGM at Limelight Arraya Mall

MSGM at Limelight Arraya Mall See By Chloe at The Avenues Mall

Marc By Marc Jacobs at The Avenues Mall

THETALK / June / 2014

Milly at Limelight Zahra-Complex

Rachel Zoe at Limelight The Avenues Mall

See By Chloe at The Avenues Mall

Love Moschino at The Avenues Mall

Lucas Jack at Limelight The Avenues Mall

Marc By Marc Jacobs at The Avenues Mall

Love Moschino at The Avenues Mall

See By Chloe at The Avenues Mall

Love Moschino at The Avenues Mall Stella Jean at Limelight Salhiya Complex

Semilla at Limelight The Avenues-Mall

Stella Jean at Limelight Salhiya Complex

Semilla at Limelight The Avenues Mall

See By Chloe at The Avenues Mall

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Setting Her Trends

Garden Collection at Roberto Coin Thuraya Mall

Leonard at Al-Ostoura Thuraya Mall

Stella McCartney at Thuraya-Mall

Fashion Speaks Up! This season, designers have given a funky personality to clothes and accessories. Graphic text, graffiti prints, high-low hems and chunky accessories add a cool look to high-fashion.

Chloe at Thuraya Mall

Alice & Olivia at The Avenues Mall

Leonard at Al-Ostoura Thuraya Mall

3.1 Phillip Lim at Al-Ostoura The Avenues Mall

Balenciaga at Thuraya Mall

Etro at The Avenues Mall

Alice & Olivia at The Avenues Mall

Moschino-Cheap & Chic at Al-Ostoura The Avenues-Mall

Studio Pollini at Al-Ostoura The Avenues Mall 34

THETALK / June / 2014

M2Malletier at Al-Ostoura Thuraya Mall

Alice & Olivia at The Avenues Mall

Lanvin at Thuraya-Mall

Viktor & Rolf at Al-Ostoura Thuraya Mall Tsumori Chisato at The Avenues Mall Viktor & Rolf at Al-Ostoura Thuraya Mall

Stella McCartney at Thuraya Mall

Tsumori Chisato at The Avenues Mall

Moschino Cheap & Chic at Al-Ostoura The Avenues-Mall

CDG-CDG at AlOstoura Sahab Tower Salhiya Complex)

Moschino Cheap & Chic at Al-Ostoura The Avenues Mall Alice & Olivia at The Avenues Mall

Casadei at Al-Ostoura Thuraya Mall Tsumori Chisato at The Avenues Mall

Lanvin at Thuraya Mall

Moschino Cheap & Chic at Al-Ostoura The Avenues Mall

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Setting Kids Trends

Mamas and Papas launches Summer 2014 collection Mamas and Papas launch their chic and adorable Summer Babywear and Kidswear collection that comes packed with pieces that can be mixed and matched to suit your individual taste and style. Whether you are looking for a cute casual look or a standout piece for a special occasion, with Mamas & Papas you can now dress your little one in the perfect outfit of your choice. For the summer season, Welcome to the World (0-2 years) is available in a neutral colour palette with some nautical highlights added. Heritage fabrics are used with nautical subtle touches for this range. Key pieces for this collection include a sailor-inspired dress and a selection of classic pieces in nautical prints. Our Welcome to the World collection is perfect for cherishing those memorable moments and ideal for dressing up for those special family occasions. In the Fashion range (0-4 yrs), Mamas and Papas launches ‘Aries’, ‘Flora Fantastica’, ‘Hazy Daze’ and ‘Promenade’ collections for girls whereas for boys, ‘Tropical Vacation’ and ‘Resort’ are the new additions. Aries is a sophisticated take on a truly girly, pretty story in soft pastel palette made up of mustard, pale pink and cream. Large geometric prints are used against delicate story-telling prints featuring birds and butterflies. Ditsy styling gives this range a new fresh feel and frills and ruffles sit against pretty girly shapes to form feminine silhouettes.

climates including citrus yellows, rich reds and navy blue. Think dark tropical, exotic florals and rich tones. Whereas Hazy Daze has pieces with florals teamed with the key ‘flamingo’ print giving a summer holiday vibe. A colour palette of soft brights and faded hues; including pink, mint, lime, peach and soft red makes pieces from Hazy Daze a perfect collection for the season for girls.

Flora Fantastica offers items rooted in a palette taken from the rich colours found in tropical

Promenade presents a new take on a nautical story where bretton stripes and ginghams are

THETALK / June / 2014

key to this range. Easy, baby-friendly silhouettes incorporate quirky story-telling and placement prints. For boy’s fashion, summer in Miami City is the inspiration behind the Tropical Vacation collection. An ocean drive inspired colour palette with knocked-back corals, washed navy and sun-bleached yellows dominate the range. ‘Resort’ offers slim fit chinos, mini-me gent styling, statement linen blazer that finishes off this story’s key look. In the Limited Edition range (0-4 years), this season sees the launch of Jardin collection for girls and Global Trader collection for boys. Soft and sophisticated shapes and details rule the Jardin range whereas mini menswear inspired shapes with statement sweaters, blazers and scarf print trousers form the Global Trader story.

Mix & Match collection that has ready to wear essentials for 0-6 year olds is designed with the idea of creating lots of practical, easy to wear garments, where the brand offers choice for everyday and essentials customer. For 2-6 year olds, Mamas and Papas Kidswear range has playful playsuits for girls and polo shirts for boys with unique story telling prints. Preppy styling is key to the boys range whereas conversational prints teamed with oversized polkas and ditsy florals are part of the girl’s range.

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Setting Kids Trends

GAP LAUNCHES SUMMER COLLECTION This Summer, Gap launches its concepts that are embedded in the American Summer Experience, which is a celebration of optimism, freedom and exploration. Inspired by life lived in Summer with ranges such as Miami Pop, Roadtrip, July 4th and Bandana, the new Gap collection is now available across all Gap stores in the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman. The collection goes beyond the aesthetic of red, white and blue, encapsulating the universal values of the season. Denim is a core pillar throughout the collection and Gap offers pieces in faded color block to bleached out white to iconic indigo. For girls, Gap is offering key pieces in pretty pastels and neutrals, with pops of black and neon. Clean and bold patterns, including modern color blocking, stripes, and dots are prominent in the collection. Easy, woven silhouettes including dolphin shorts, and rompers in various lengths are the must haves for the season. In whites, accents of soft grey add coolness to the palette. Look out for items on offer from the Indigo range for girls such as the open stitch sweaters and playful wovens while for boys, go for the linencotton tops and pants. Flat front oxford shorts in solids and stripes, colorful ombre graphic tees, shirting in sun washed colors are the essentials on offer for boys.

THETALK / June / 2014

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PHOTO SHOOT

THETALK / June / 2014

Trendy Time Traveling This time of the year brings a lot of travel and where there is travel, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chic! There is a new current running through the season and it is called traveling in style. What better way to demonstrate it than by introducing one of Kuwaitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sportiest families, our very own fitness freak Fawaz Al-Qanae, his wife and Absolute Chocolate co-owner Laila Al-Mukhtar and their children Lujain and Abdullah, in their top travel picks from Tom Tailor, U.S. Polo and Segue?

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PHOTO SHOOT

Fawaz is wearing U.S. Polo polo shirt and Tom Tailor straight cut jeans. Laila is wearing U.S. Polo day dress. Lujain is wearing U.S. Polo kids denim dress. Abdullah is wearing U.S. Polo kids shirt and shorts. Colourful luggage set from Segue.

THETALK / June / 2014

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PHOTO SHOOT

THETALK / June / 2014

Left: Laila is wearing Tom Tailor polo shirt and Tom Tailor jeans. Lujain is wearing U.S. Polo kids t-shit and jeans. Abdullah is wearing U.S. Polo kids t-shirt and shorts. Pink luggage set from Segue Right: Fawaz is wearing Tom Tailor polo shirt and U.S. Polo jeans. Laila is wearing Tom Tailor polo shirt and jeans. Lujain is wearing U.S.Polo kids t-shirt and jeans. Abdullah is wearing U.S. Polo kids t-shirt and shorts.

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PHOTO SHOOT

THETALK / June / 2014

Fawaz is wearing Tom Tailor polo shirt and U.S. Polo jeans. Laila is wearing Tom Tailor polo shirt and jeans. Lujain is wearing U.S.Polo kids t-shirt and jeans. Abdullah is wearing U.S. Polo kids t-shirt and shorts. Colourful luggage from Segue.

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PHOTO SHOOT

THETALK / June / 2014

Fawaz is wearing U.S Polo polo shirt and Tom Tailor jeans. Laila is wearing Tom Tailor day dress. Lujain is wearing U.S. Polo kids dress. Abdullah is wearing U.S. Polo kids polo shirt and shorts. Colourful luggage set from Segue.

SEGUE: Olympia Mall, 1st floor 50985521 Tom Tailor: Al Fanar Mall, 1st floor 25712326 - Souk Sharq, Ground floor 22432533 - Al Muhallab, Ground floor 22634785 WWW.THETALK-ONLINE.COM 49 U.S.POLO: The Avenues, 1st avenues, 1st floor 22597034 - Olympia Mall, 1st floor 22268632

Setting Her Trends

Capri by Pomellato

Arabesque by Pomellato

Pomellato’s Spring Summer 2014 Statement Pomellato was founded in 1967 by Pino Rabolini. The Italian label introduced the prêt-à-porter concept into the world of jewelry, which gave the brand a strong and distinctive identity for which it has gained recognition ever since. Pomellato jewelry is crafted by skilled artisans in Italy, using top quality raw materials and gemstones.

Arabesque by Pomellato

Capri by Pomellato

Arabesque by Pomellato

Tango by Pomellato

Arabesque by Pomellato Tango by Pomellato

THETALK / June / 2014

Baby by Pomellato

Arabesque by Pomellato

Tango by Pomellato

Arabesque by Pomellato Nudo with Diamonds by Pomellato

Nudo with Diamonds by Pomellato

Baby by Pomellato

Sabbia by Pomellato

Arabesque by Pomellato

Nudo with Diamonds by Pomellato

Every collection by Pomellato interprets the mood of the times, with an aesthetic that never goes out of fashion. For the 2014 collection, the classic Nudo range has been reinterpreted with the addition of pavĂŠ-set diamonds on the band, which highlights the central gemstone brilliantly. The Nudo Petit version is crafted in a delicate size, offering the same iconic feel with a dainty twist. The Capri collection adds lapis lazuli to its vibrant palette, derived from the depths of the ocean. Sabbia and Tango have also been presented in a more refined and polished version this year. Arabesque is, as the name suggests, inspired by Arabic and Indian art. The collection oozes an exotic sensibility in rose gold ramage openwork, framed with gemstones and filigree drops. The Baby range evokes subtle tone-on-tone harmony and a bold color statement with its two gemstones. Pomellato is located at Thuraya Mall. WWW.THETALK-ONLINE.COM

Setting Her Trends

Manuel Carrera Private Collection “The inspiration for this collection is nothing more than the evolution of my own style over time. I am true to my essence.” Manuel Carrera. Manuel created pieces of importance with a matte-gloss finish that today continues to be a hallmark of Carrera y Carrera. As such, for 2014 Manuel Carrera has created for the company a private collection inspired by these two iconic and successful collections, Eden and Bonadea. Limited edition pieces – 150 of each model – crafted in yellow gold sprinkled with diamonds set in white gold, where once again he reinvents the concept of a jewel, exploring originality. The idea of grandeur finds its maximum expression in voluptuous and feminine creations. Mini sculptures that represent all the savoir faire of the master goldsmiths of Carrera y Carrera.

THETALK / June / 2014

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Beauty

Kiss your summer makeup â&#x20AC;&#x153;HELLOâ&#x20AC;? Get the best summer makeup tips for a gorgeous glam this season Summer is already in! Hitting the beach to get sun-kissed is perhaps the biggest trend of the season. What else matters? Maybe a long-lasting glow seems necessary in order to add a summer tint onto tanned skin. Ladies, we are a little too thrilled that summer has arrived, but we dread the usually expected makeup enemies - heat and humidity! Here we offer tan lovers the best tips by makeup artists on how to glam up but still look naturally gorgeous in a hot weather.

THETALK / June / 2014

When it comes to summer beauty products, sunscreen is probably is the first thing you should be relying on. What next? Proper cosmetics without the proper products, any good makeup can easily go from attractive to a complete mess. Luckily, there are many products that help you keep your makeup in place. For ladies with oily skin, you might need to look for moisturizers which are non-comedogenic ; the ones that do not cause pimples or make your skin look greasier. The next mission is to prime your makeup using a foundation primer made especially for oily or acne-prone skin. Whether your skin is oily or normal or even dry, primers create a good base prior to makeup application, it also functions as a primary layer of coverage, levelling out any marks that scrubs were unable to fix. Moreover, primers that contain waxes and polymers help makeup last long by creating a stronger bond between skin and foundation. So, finding the right primer that suits your skin is just as important as choosing the perfect foundation for your skin tone this summer. Whether you’re going to the beach or just feel like sporting the carefree summer look, you might

want to skip base totally and stick to concealer, covering up shadows, spots, or blemishes with just concealer means you will not have to worry about blotting away your makeup with shine,” says makeup artist Emily Kate Warren. Drop on a slightly tacky stick concealer with your finger; thethicker the formula the longer it will stay on. Despite the fact that your shades might be one of the top favorite accessories in summer, you will eventually need to take them off. While makeup experts prefer fresh and light colors on lids, you might still feel nostalgic about your smokey-eyes. Why not? But first, you must consider that a challenge as layers on your lids are more likely to crease and smudge quicker than you can imagine. It is, hence, wise to buy yourself a new palette with lighter tones of bronze, copper or amber brown and pearl beiges and instead of using classic your palette, play with water-friendly eye shadow! After applying your concealer, try patting your lids with compact powder in order to create a dry base for your shadow using your shadow brush. You can avoid going too dark with your smokey look by blending your dark brown eye pencil with the shadow. You might also consider trying out new colors that go well with a smokey look like green or navy blue. One thing you should keep into consideration: never go too dark in day time. Mascara is a brilliant invention and makeup is never complete without it, and to some extent, natural makeup is sometimes complete with merely a good mascara and a perfectly toned skin with a proper foundation. Why not? Summer loves natural glow in any case. Water-proof mascaras are perfect in summer. Curl up your lashes, next, use a water-resistant mascara on your lower lashes prior to your upper lashes. This technique is superb because it will keep your lashes from sticking together during the process. Even as you may not be a huge fan of waterproof cosmetics, they are truly a blessing in summer time – invest in water-resistant cosmetics and

leave the streaky makeup alone from foundation to eye pencils, liners, eyebrow kits, mascaras and even lipsticks. In order to keep light summer makeup glowing, makeup artistsadd light-catching highlights by blending a dash of liquid highlighter on the top of cheekbones, brow bones and down the bridge of the nose. Bronzing powders are very essential to finish the perfect summer look, especially on tanned skin, not that you actually need it but rather to show it more obviously. Add a touch of slight shimmer and peach or pink undertones over the apples of your cheeks, across the sides of your nose, and on your temples to highlight the spots where sun naturally hits. Summer is the perfect time to ditch your old makeup and nail polish colors. What could be better than rocking the season’s hottest new colors like hot pink, bright peach or candy red? If you’re a fan of bright colors, make sure they look good on your lips before you make the purchase. Choosing your lipstick this summer is a challenge, but if you look at the bright side, nude colors are always perfect on tanned skin. Choose a skin color lip pencil to contour your lips; they usually mix perfectly with various nude tones of lipstick. You can also go with these lip pencils all over your lips and finish the look with a pinkish or beige gloss. A great tip that will help you achieve a fuller-lips look is applying a lighter lipstick on the middle of your lower or upper lip, or both. Nude lipstick goes with just about any type of makeup, especially with smokey eyes. Then, of course, nobody can resist the awesomeness of bright nail polish in summer. A perfect mani-pedi means picking the boldest colors on shelves. Except for black, deep purples and browns, any bright color would look amazing on tanned fingers and toes. French manicured nails in summer are forever a trend, ladies, but being brave this season is even trendier.

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Beauty

Is it wrong to wear makeup at the beach? As awkward and unnecessary some would find it, if you love keeping your beauty glowy, experts are on your side. It is not wrong to wear makeup if you are off to the beach to swim or tan as long as you are careful of anything too obvious, according to Smashbox makeup artist Lori Taylor. “Swipe on a tinted moisturizer with SPF to cover up any redness, and go for natural colors on your eyes and lips — pink, peach, gold, and bronze offset a summery skin tone”, explains Taylor. “Avoid anything too sticky or creamy, as it will attract sand and break down faster in the sun”. 56

THETALK / June / 2014

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HER style icon

A fine aptitude for fashion Kourtney Kardashian brings power and elegance into style

THETALK / June / 2014

aking over Miami, New York, in addition to every television station and gossip, the Kardashians are unquestionably the talk of all fashion lovers around the world. While the three beautiful brunettes are known for their passion for style and glam, Kourtney is, yet, considered to be the most stylish Kardashian. The eldest of four siblings Kim, Khloé and Robert Kardashian, Kourtney is an American television celebrity, model and fashion designer. Kourtney was born on 18 April 1979 and raised in Los Angeles, California. She acquired the attention of media through the reality television series “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” in 2007. Its success led to the formation of follow-ups like Kourtney and Khloé Take Miami. It is no secret the Kardashian family adores fashion. They have a women’s clothing line called Kardashian Kollection at Sears, DASH boutiques in Los Angeles, Miami and New York, and have recently launched a clothing line at Babies R Us stores called “Kardashian Kids”. The “dashing” reality star officially turned 35 in April 2014. A mother of two, she still seems to sport an amazing body and has a lot to be proud of. She was very successful in her career - always brimming with ideas and mastering what she does. The sisters are supposed to be heading to the Hamptons to open yet another DASH store and they revealed the sister’s Kardashian Kids line - an idea she had asked Khloé and Kim to join her on when she was pregnant with her daughter. “My grandma had a kids clothing store for over 30 years called Shannon and Company, and my sisters and I used to go and work there in the summers,” she said when talking about the collection in March. “Then, my mom and I had a kids clothing store called Smooch for six years and I did all the buying before I even had kids. I’ve always had a love for kids’ clothes, but having your own kids is a better education for what is practical. I used to buy such crazy things for the store that were so much fun, but not the most practical. I am very passionate about this though and I love working with kids clothing.”

The Kardashian sisters recently unveiled the New Kardashian Kollection for Lipsy, about which Kourtney said: “I love mixing unexpected prints and fabrics”, she added: “We have an amazing tribal print in our S/S14 line that creates a really fun tropical summer vibe no matter where you are in the world. I’m also into soft, feminine looks for summer, so I love how we have reworked our signature lace fabrics into sexy lingerie style pieces that are great for mixing and matching”. Style wise, Kourtney Kardashian’s clothes are hard to miss. Her stylish selections in fashion vary from smart elegant to mommy cute. She is known for always speaking her mind; this daring attitude translates into the clothes she wears. Kourtney is also known for taking risks when it comes to style, since she never thinks twice before wearing bold colors and brave cuts. Kourtney is well aware of her fabulous feminine curves. She often wears sporty outfits and androgynous style aesthetics. However, once in a while, Kourtney loves taking style back to “old school glam”. Mostly in comfy and chic, Kourtney loves to wrap up glamorous looks. She usually goes for chic short dresses made of fine fabrics or in patterns and prints, always finishing off her looks with trendy handbags and “sky high” heels. There are details that Kourtney pays attention to when it comes to dressing up, for instance, she would put on high waist skirts with her top tucked in, harmonizing plain pieces along with

patterned or striped ones as well as showing contrast in colors and accessories. These are all style tips that are worth adopting for achieving a variety of different looks by interchanging each piece. Kourtney represents the smart and powerful women through her inspiring picks. She tends to create her great looks by going for pieces like blazers, good old shirt, flats or high heels – absolutely perfect for an everyday look. Kourtney Kardashian’s sense of style always demonstrates the perfect way to hit the road. No matter what she wears she always looks dropdead-gorgeous. WWW.THETALK-ONLINE.COM

Celebrity wearing

Margot Robbie shows an impressive Dior Harmony at the Dior Cruise 2015 fashion show Margot Robbie knew just how to wear a metallic skirt at the Dior Cruise 2015 fashion show at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in New York City last month. The Wolf of Wall Street star harmonized a gold miniskirt with a sleeveless kelly green top, both signed by Dior. The 23-years-old finished her attire with an elegant pair of Dior shoes and clutch, and a Diorganic green crystal statement necklace – a head-turning look that can definitely go from day to night. “I love how Dior makes me feel when I wear it – feminine, sexy, powerful,” she announced. The Z is for Zachariah actress, went from natural blonde to brunette in January 2014 for her role in the upcoming American science fiction film.

THETALK / June / 2014

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THETALK / June / 2014

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International interview

An inspiring encounter Janek Deleskiewicz

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Women have a unique appreciation for design â&#x20AC;? 64

THETALK / June / 2014

Since 1833, every creation by Jaeger-

LeCoultre has been designed with the same passion as part of an ongoing pursuit for technical excellence. With a legacy of over 25 years of experience, Janek Deleskiewicz has been the man the brand’s finest designs. During his visit to for the first time at 360 Mall in Kuwait THETALK met him and took pleasure in finding more about his keys of inspiration in designing women’s collection. Perhaps it is less challenging to design watches for men, knowing what they look for in a watch. Designing a watch for women might be quite challenging, what are the challenges you face when designing the women line of Jaeger-LeCoultre? Women do not consider time the same way men do, you know, women are changing all the time, young girls change at a quick pace. I have a daughter who is ten years old and she is changing day by day, growing physically and mentally into a woman. She changed a lot. Time has an effect on a woman’s life, yet it is not the same for men. A man somehow hangs about to being the same, bonding with his inner child with his love for toys. So, when we make watches for men, we’re actually making them as toys. It is different when it comes to women; they express their affection with what they wear through their attitude, that’s why Duetto was a success because it reflects the double sides of a woman’s life. In keeping with the spirit of the line, the twin faces of this watch provide alternative wearing options featuring contrasted aesthetic approaches. One is gem-set, whereas the other is adorned with a guilloché motif. One is swept over by baton-type hands, and the other graced with dauphine-type hands. One is framed in diamonds, while the other is more restrained. Twin faces reflecting twin facets of femininity.

When designing a collection for women, what is the best part that you enjoy most? When I design watches for both men and women, the great satisfaction is to see the watch on their wrists. When I walk in the streets of London, Paris, New York and even Kuwait, it feels good to see that we share the same taste. When I start designing a watch, the most important part is to discuss it with the people and have their feedback such as which function they like, if they prefer the mouse or the zodiacal sign, if they prefer alarm watches, or if they prefer silence and love to read the watch easier and faster without complications, etc. That’s a good way to know their feedback. Women want to have an easy watch; easy to wear and easy to read. On the other hand, men seek a good reliability in their watches. When you design a collection for women, where does your inspiration come from? I get inspired by women within my surrounding in general. Being a man, I can tell what looks attractive on a woman. Do you have a team who is involved in creating the designs? We have different designers, but at the moment, I have two designers one from Changhai, China and the other is from Milano, Italy. It is a privilege to experience design with female designers because women can give their input, for they know better than me. I trust them and I always think it is better to work with young designers who are more aware of the trends as well as latest technology. When I made the two faced Duetto watch, I expressed my concept depicting what goes inside a woman’s mind saying: “I’m an executive woman at night, and

I must show the diamond now that it is night”. But when I explained this idea to my Chinese designer, but she disagreed saying that she does not consider it that way. She preferred to put the diamond on two sides. The idea is to show that I am a woman and can assume I can wear it with a diamond on the back and a diamond on the front. In your opinion, what do women look for in a watch? Women look for technique and design as well as men do, but it is the consideration of the time that differs. Women do not have a justification for their taste in watches but men want to have one. If a man buys an expensive watch, he wants to show it to his friends and tell them about it to justify his choice. Women do not need justifications for buying the things they love. “I have a sporty watch because I’m an active man,” he thinks. Sometimes, he may not be really active but just wants to show it off. Can you tell us more about the Rendez-Vous collection? We wanted to make a Master line of watches for women as in masterpieces in our Master line collection. Then we decided that we cannot call it Master. Instead, we wanted to give the collection the same reliability as in the automatic watch Calibre, and aspired to make a lady-like Master collection but the name did not seem good enough. We have had the name RendezVous for a long time; we made the RendezVous collection before in a worthy descendant of models presented in previous years but not with the same watches. We decided to create a round watch with the same lock of the Reverso watch, and we considered creating small-sized

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International interview

round watches with reliability and technique and the automatic rewinding feature, adding a specific function to it. How did you come up with the name RendezVous? I think the name Rendez-Vous is very feminine. It is a French word that means an agreement between two or more persons to meet at a certain time and place. However, women are always late for their Rendez-Vous. It is a game I’m sure; they play the same game every time. Do you think of what style, hair color, skin color of the woman who would wear the watch that you design? What do you usually rely on? Certain details do inspire me, yes. For example, the skin color is very important for the material chosen in creating watches, because if you can imagine the steel watch on white skin, it is not so attractive, however, very beautiful on darker skin. In countries with more sunny days, certain materials look better under the sun like white color and champagne color and brighter colors in general, while in other countries with a more gloomy weather, darker colors like dark blue, brown and black seem to match the mood of the place better. What is it that your female clients admire most about your designs? I think it is different for women, as I explained – men like to discuss the technique because they love it and they want to understand how their watch functions. As for women, they’re more spontaneous and more straightforward; when they love something they really love it – they want it and want to have it. They don’t mind how it functions as long as it is working and they want to have it all their lives and don’t mind repairing it and wearing forever. As long as they find it good-looking, even if we put some technical function to it, they will still love it.

THETALK / June / 2014

I think you enjoy designing women’s collection a bit more than you enjoy designing for men, is it true? I think women have a special appreciation for design – when they love something they fall in deep love with it for no apparent reason that they can tell of. From my experience, I think when you realize something, it’s finished. When you fall in love, you don’t realize that you did, when you realize it – it’s over. Why am I with this person? Why do I drive this car? I don’t know – I bought it but I don’t know why I bought it. It is not necessary to find an explanation for love. Sometimes the question is very difficult but the answer is very simple. Sometimes you look at a car, a piece of jewellery or even a house and you want to have it but you don’t know exactly why – you can’t analyze it and it is not necessary to really know the reasons behind it; it is not statistics. As a designer, I have it in me that I can immediately tell what is good and what is not. I propose my ideas to technicians and leave it for them to analyze everything and get back to me in few months with suggestions and modifications. Yet, sometimes, I cannot work like that. When I get inspiration and discuss the design with the technicians, I want answers immediately, latest by few days because in few weeks I want to present them to my clients. It’s like music. You must do it on spot. Watches are time-tellers; how did they go far beyond that into becoming luxurious jewellery? We create our line as if we are creating a fashionable dress, we not only do we make technical watches, but also aspire to give the piece the glamour of a lady’s watch except with the technique of time-telling. This is the ideology of Jaeger-LeCoultre. It was not easy to build the Rendez-Vous collection, it took two years of work and we considered that it should adapt to the size of a woman’s wrist, bearing in mind

the dimensions and measurements according to women’s wrists sizes since women’s wrists differ. You’ve been designing for Jaeger-LeCoultre for a long time. How do you keep your creativity fresh? When I was a kid, I wanted to be a fashion designer, a musician, an actor, or an artist - I used to think that if I lost my hand one day, I’d paint with my feet. I don’t create watches all the time, sometimes I write poetry or play music in a jazz band. I love travelling, reading books and attending press conferences of writers I admire so as to discuss their books there. They give me answers that inspire me. Sometimes when I leave watch creation, I go away and I come back later to make new designs. That’s why I take it very well when any of my designers would ask me if they can go away for some time for few months and come back. Sometimes I get my inspiration to create a new watch when I’m on a vacation and discuss it with my technicians later. I can put up with delay in technique, but never with inspiration.

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setting the watch trends

Go Deep

Watches to di(v)e for Keeping time while submerged is a tough job and, with diving becoming an increasingly popular activity, one that requires very robust professional watches. There is a kind of beauty to the professional diver’s watch that comes from the pure pleasure of engineering excellence. Diving has evolved as an adventure sport attracting enthusiasts from all classes of society. And if you’re only going to buy one watch, a diving watch is often the best value in terms of cost and functionality and because even the least robust can handle depths of 30m, all of the non-diving water sports, from swimming

Men’s Hamilton Belowzero Hamilton have an inimitable style: the pick of their Khaki range is the BelowZero – its 46mm case withstands water to 1000m. Everything about it says rugged: from its rotating bezel to its faultless visibility.

THETALK / June / 2014

to surfing to sailing, are perfectly addressed by a basic model. But they also work equally well for hiking, climbing, and running. And for dining out too. Here are our top picks for this summer’s vacation season.

Blancpain Bathyscape Flyback Chronograph This new version of the Blancpain Bathyscaphe, a dive watch first introduced in the 1950s, contains an all-new Blancpain manufacture movement, which features automatic winding, a column-wheel chronograph mechanism with vertical clutch, and a superfast frequency of 36,000 vph (5 Hz). The chronograph has a flyback function that enables the user to stop and restart it using the pusher at 4 o’clock. The chronograph pushers are operable underwater even at 300 meters depth, the watch’s stated water-resistance.

Bremont Supermarine 2000 While Bremont’s first dive watch, the Supermarine 500, was perfectly adequate with its shock- and magnetism-resistant 500-meter case, it wasn’t good enough for the company. This latest iteration can descend to a crushing 2,000 meters. You won’t survive that drop into the abyss, but your Bremont, with itschronometer-certified movement, will still keep impeccable time.

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setting the watch trends

Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Chronograph Omegaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s deep diver bristles with more technology than a nuclear submarine. A co-axial column wheel chronograph movement with a temperature- and magnetism-resistant silicon hairspring (visible through the transparent caseback) powers the Seamaster Planet Ocean, and on the business end of things, the dial features an intuitive elapsed time counter that reads like a standard clock face. A scratch-resistant Liquid Metal bezel, helium escape valve, and 600 meters of water resistance mean this may be the most over-engineered dive watch you can buy.

Girard-Perregaux Sea Hawk Long a cult favorite, the latest version sports a more modern design while retaining enough DNA from its ancestors to keep devotees of the storied brand happy. What makes the Sea Hawk really special, though, is what lurks beneath the sea-monster-engraved caseback: a self-winding mechanical movement entirely designed and built by one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s purveyors of haute horlogerie. It almost seems a shame to get it wet. But go right ahead; the Sea Hawk has a depth rating of 1,000 meters.

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Women’s Omega Seamaster 300m The Omega Seamaster Diver 300M defines the classic dive watch. Launched originally in 1957, the collection now includes models ideally suited to women who are drawn to its timeless aesthetic appeal as well as to the technology that has made the Seamaster Diver 300M one of the world’s most trusted timepieces for more than half a century.

The Seamaster Diver 300M ladies’ watches have been produced in two sizes. The larger models feature 36.25 mm stainless steel cases and a choice of a blue or black ceramic bezel ring that perfectly matches the glossy lacquered dial.

TAG Heuer Aquaracer This TAG Heuer Aquaracer women’s professional diving watch is water resistant to 300meters. The watch has a 27mm polished and brushed stainless steel case with a polished gold plated bezel. A white mother-ofpearl dial with date function at 3 o’clock, 10 diamond hour markers 0.10 ct and luminous hour markers to increase visibility in low light conditions.

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setting the watch trends

Baume & Mercier Linea Chronograph Ladies Watch 10012 Baume & Mercier ladies Linea watch set within a 32mm satin steel case. Swiss made bracelet watch with an interchangeable leather strap and a scratch resistant sapphire crystal with a mother of pearl dial, Arabic numerals and a 3-eye chronograph with date at 4.30. Secured with a triple folding clasp. Water resistant to 50 meters.

Oris Diver Aquis Date A dependable diving instrument that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t compromise on style. An exceptionally clear display, this model features a black dial that matches the black ceramic top ring that protects the bezel. The dial is uncluttered with just a date window at the 6 oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock position. Transparent mineral glass caseback showing the automatic movement, sapphire crystal on front. Water resistant to a depth of 300 metres. Fastened using a stainless steel bracelet.

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THE AVENUES | AL KOUT | MARINA | AL BAIRAQ | FANAR WWW.THETALK-ONLINE.COM 73 22597788 - 23930178

setting the watch trends

Thirteen new masterfully crafted models Balmain Maestria Lady Round: unanimously popular It is impossible to please everyone, it is often said. However, some people, like some great works, manage to be universally popular. That is the case with the Balmain Maestria Lady Round. It is difficult not to admire its qualities, to remain unmoved by its personality and not to succumb to its charm. Especially when it is available in five new models, each more irresistible than the next. Wherever taste meets expertise, one name stands out: Pierre Balmain. Born into the world of Parisian Haute Couture, in his time this man redefined the dictates of fashion. His legacy is continued today by a watchmaking brand owned by a large Swiss group, offering Montres Balmain its technical and commercial resources, as well as traditional watchmaking expertise. The Maestria Lady Round is unanimously praised by women, irrespective of age, social class, taste or character, since it appears to have universally appreciated qualities: modern while being traditional and refined, simple, but at the same time sophisticated, discreet, yet glittering, gentle and still full of energy. And thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not all. Other strengths contribute to this acclaim: its round shape, its pure lines, the perfection of its finish and its pleasing detail. And also its versatility: thirteen models for a range that is guaranteed to bring luck.

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Whether its face is made up in black, white mother-of-pearl or silvered arabesque motifs, it retains the same sparkling smile. It remains equally appealing whether its body is covered in diamonds (66 on the case, 12 on the dial), steel, pink PVD or yellow PVD. Whether its arms are satin or steel, it embodies elegance in all its styles. As for its arabesque motifs, having danced in the centre of dials, flitted across cases and twisted across the straps of other Balmain creations, for the first time they make their appearance here at six oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock. As if a stage had been deliberately prepared for them. All that remains is to applaud!

Tissot Lady Collection The choice of it all It is clear that women want it all, or more particularly the choice of it all. Tissot, who has always been dedicated to providing their customers with what they desire, has created the Tissot Lady Collection to answer those wishes. The Tissot Lady not only exudes femininity with its petal-like hands, bezel and smooth lines but it is also available in various models with different colours and style to answer the diverging tastes and with a revolutionary Powermatic 80 automatic movement. For women that cherish the mechanical prowess, the Powermatic 80 will still offer the possibility of a time-off and well-deserved break thanks to its amazing 80 hours of power reserve. Honouring women A rose is always engraved on the caseback of every Tissot lady watch with a quartz movement. It is the flower represented on the Tissot Coat of Arms. Through the representation of the rose, Tissot honours women, their strength and essence and remind them to live life to the fullest. Thanks to the Powermatic 80 movement, it is the first time that Tissot is able to send that message with an automatic piece. Features l

Swiss made

Automatic movement or quartz movement with battery end- of-life indicator (EOL)

Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal

316L stainless steel case

See-through case back on automatic models

Water resistance up to a pressure of 5 bar (50 m / 165 ft)

Top Wesselton Diamond options

316L solid stainless steel bracelet with butterfly clasp with push-buttons

Bicolour execution is PVD coating

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setting the watch trends

BIG BANG POP ART for Ladies only! An ultra-feminine series inspired by the famous art movement. Long live fun, vibrant colours. Long live Pop Art and long live life! Pop Art. An artistic movement which had its heyday in the 70s. American culture. Playful use of colour. Flashy, joyful, upbeat. Everything was questioned. Dare... Reinterpret... Subvert... Andy Warhol and his famous portrait of Marilyn Monroe immediately spring to mind. How has it influenced the Big Bang? Pink, blue, purple, apple green: an explosion of colour in 4 watches, all 100% Pop Art reinterpretations. Seriously vibrant. And a first in the world of Haute Horlogerie. Two models in gold and two in steel. These are playful watches, and yet their design is that of the iconic Big Bang 41 mm, featuring a bezel set with 48 baguette precious stones: topazes for the blue, amethysts for the purple, sapphires for the pink and tsavorites for the green, and dials with multicoloured counters reminiscent of a painterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s palette. The ensemble is completed by a strap in coloured alligator sewn onto tone-on-tone rubber for comfort and flexibility. Inside beats the HUB 4300 movement, a self-winding mechanical chronograph with a date window at 4 oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock which is sure to catch the eye of connoisseurs. Power reserve of over 40 hours. Water resistant to 100 m for year-round durability.

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Ladies Automatic “World Heart Federation” Collection Continuing the Fight Against Heart Disease in Children We are delighted to announce that once again in 2014, we will be joining forces with globally renowned actress and model, Ms Inès Sastre, and that together we will be fighting the scourge of heart disease, particularly in women and children, through our support to the World Heart Federation (WHF). Inès will once again be Frédérique Constant’s Female Charity Ambassador, a role she so graciously and effectively filled in 2013. This will be the second consecutive year that Frédérique Constant will be honoured to support the WHF’s “Hearts of Children” campaign. This year, our support takes the form of a US $75,000 donation to the WHF, in addition to the design and creation of a new Ladies Automatic “World Heart Federation” collection of watches. Four new watches, each uniquely beautiful Rose gold, diamonds and mother of pearl catch the eye. These are the central features of the four new models in the 2014 Ladies Automatic “World Heart Federation” collection.

diamonds are used as indexes, set on a vanilla dial with a guilloché World Heart Federation logo at its centre, and surrounded by a delicate mother of pearl on the outer ring.

Frederique Constant’s signature Double Heart Beat opening at the 12 o’clock position.

The case diameter is 34 mm, and with a depth of just 9.9 mm, this watch will sit comfortably on the most feminine of wrists. Each model offers hours, minutes and seconds functions. In addition, on the FC-303 models, the date is also displayed at 6 o’clock. All have a sapphire crystal see-through case back, and are water resistant to

Women and children are the two most vulnerable sectors of society when it comes to cardiovascular diseases (CVD) such as heart attacks and strokes. Heart diseases, which actually takes hold during childhood and manifests itself in adulthood, is the number one killer in the world, robbing families, both rich and poor, of something they can never get back...precious time together. Incredibly, CVD kills one person every two seconds.

60 meters. Finally, each watch will come with a dazzling metal bracelet – either rose gold plated or bi-coloured stainless steel and rose gold plated - with butterfly folding buckle, and all models will be presented in a uniquely designed, WHF heartshaped gift box. Two of the new models, the FC-310WHF2PD2B3 and the FC-310WHF2PD4B3, also feature

The battle against heart disease rages on

Now, in 2014, Frédérique Constant looks ahead with hope and determination. We are very excited about joining forces again this year with Inès Sastre and the World Heart Foundation, to raise awareness of CVD and to educate the most vulnerable members of our society on how they can help prevent heart disease.

Two of the watches in this new collection are powered by the accurate and reliable FC-303 calibre movement, and the two others by the FC310, both featuring 26 jewels, automatic winding and a 38 hours of power reserve. The rose gold plated rotor is decorated with the World Heart Federation logo and beautiful sunray bridges, as well as the delicately engraved “Hearts of Children.” The bezel of each model is set with 48 sparkling diamonds, totalling 0.74 carat. Even more WWW.THETALK-ONLINE.COM

setting the watch trends

Métiers d’Art Fabuleux Ornements Time in the feminine mode, inspired by the world’s finest ornaments The new Métiers d’Arts Fabuleux Ornements collection is an irresistible invitation to embark on a journey celebrating the ornamental beauties of the world drawn from the decorative arts of several cultures. Inspired by dreams of faraway places and by the open-minded approach to the world consistently cultivated by Vacheron Constantin, it unveils four ladies’ models born of the art of openworking and a combination of artistic crafts. Ten different master artisans have taken turns in providing talented reinterpretations of Ottoman architecture, Chinese embroidery, Indian manuscripts and French lacework. These exquisitely feminine creations are equipped with an ethereal handengraved calibre echoing the precious dial ornamentation and enshrining a subtle blend of inner and outer beauty. Journey to the heart of technical and precious ornamentation One of the most fascinating facets of a woman’s nature is her ability to reinvent herself while remaining keenly attentive to the world around her and its manifold cultures. Vacheron Constantin has repeatedly exercised boundless creative freedom through incredible creations dedicated to women. These naturally include wristwatches, but prior to that there were richly ornamented pocket watches worn on sautoir necklaces, suspended from a chain in chatelaine mode, pinned to a dress or hidden inside a brooch. All of them call upon the imagination nurtured by the artisans of the Manufacture – master-watchmakers as well as engravers, enamellers, guillocheurs, jewellers and gem-setters – in order to meet the expectations of an ever more discerning clientele. 78

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The Métiers d’Art Fabuleux Ornements watches invite women to rediscover the beauty of the ornaments of the world, beating to the rhythm of a precious and technical watch calibre. China and its ancient embroideries, India and its colourfully illustrated manuscripts, the Ottoman empire and its architecture, France and its lacework: all are sources of inspiration conveying their art through gossamer-light compositions exalted by the artisans of the Manufacture. Guillochage, Grand Feu enamel, diamonds, pearls and motherof-pearl, as well as engraving, glyptics and gemstone cloisonné effects: traditional arts at the crossroads between various cultures spring to life, in step with the oscillations of an exquisitely airy hand-engraved calibre. A precious openworked calibre: when a mechanism becomes an adornment as fine as ornaments themselves. “No external grace is complete if it is not vivified by inner beauty”. These words written by Victor Hugo are perfectly echoed in the Métiers d’Art

Fabuleux Ornements collection, in which the openworked and engraved calibre makes a perfect match for the dial ornamentation. A masterful demonstration of Vacheron Constantin’s expertise in the field of decoration, the openworking of the ultra-slim Calibre 1003 in 18K gold – a mere 1.64 mm thin – transform it into an incredible lacework of engraved wheel trains. The feat consists in withdrawing a maximum of material without affecting the vital parts that ensure the smooth running of the watch. Setting the final touch to the work, all the bridges are hand-drawn with a file, while every single part is patiently hand-chamfered, decorated and fashioned in traditional manner to form an ideally feather-light composition. The finesse of the front-facing décor is precise to the nearest tenth of a millimetre, while on the back Vacheron Constantin has opted for an exclusively chamfered and hand-drawn finish that preserves a pure, restrained appearance.

Trinkets_insta The Avenues - 225957788 . Al Kout - 23930178 . Al Mohalab - 22612250WWW.THETALK-ONLINE.COM . Al Fanar - 25742469 Al Bairaq - 23824617, 23824064 . Trinkets(Dyrberg/Kern) - 22597440 . Marina Mall

Setting His Trends

David Beckham launches swimwear collection this May at H&M David Beckham and H&M are proud to introduce swimwear to the David Beckham Bodywear range in selected H&M stores in May 2014. The collection consists of three different styles: boardshorts, swimshorts and trunks. As with every piece in the David Beckham Bodywear range, the focus is on fit, performance, comfort and style. The result is a swimwear collection which offers a fresh update on classic masculine style. The trunks and swimshorts come in single colours, while the longer boardshorts also come in colour blocks, and in a graphic check. “The success of my Bodywear collection at H&M has been fantastic, so I’m thrilled to be introducing these great swimwear pieces ready

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for the summer. We’ve worked hard to create new classics for men, with great fit, comfort and also style”, says David Beckham David will appear in a new campaign for the launch shot by Glen Luchford, with images of David wearing each of the swimwear styles. The collection will be available in all H&M stores that stock menswear and online from May 22.

BESPOKE PERSONALISATION SERVICE WITH ASPINAL OF LONDONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S EXCLUSIVE PERSONALISATION SERVICE

Aspinal of London Middle East, the leading UK luxury brand, launches a bespoke personalisation service for its hand-crafted collection of leather goods, available in the Middle East in the Kuwait and Abu Dhabi showrooms. Owning an Aspinal from the Spring Summer collection, including the new Marylebone tech-bag will become an even more stylish proposition as shopping enthusiasts can add a tailored touch to their luxurious possession by embossing it with names, dates or initials.

The personalisation process will not take a lot of time as the team of highly trained experts at Aspinal of London will typically complete each request within the same day of purchase. The designs are embossed with the requested monogrammed message transforming the purchase into a prized possession or a truly unique gift for any occasion. For specic requirements, customers will be asked to discuss their ideas with the Sales Associate Team.

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International interview

Michael Angove for Jo Malone

“I am surrounded by trees, shrubs, flowers, and it sort of acts as a great hub for inspiration. ” 82

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There is nothing not to love about the two

classic Jo Malone fragrances; Blackberry & Bay and Orange Blossom are made by artist Michael Angove. Decorated with wild mulberry branches, the Blackberry & Bay scent is available as a candle, perfumed sachets and soaps, whilst the Orange Blossom fragrance recalls a Victorian orangery and can be purchased as a diffuser or soap. They are definitely on our summer wish-list!

How did you get started? At a very early age I started painting at primary school, inspired by nature which is a very common inspiration for most people in design, but I was more concerned with the kooky side of nature. We didn’t really have a garden at home so I would go to public parks to look at flowers and shrubs and butterflies, all the stuff that remains inspirational to me today. Where do you work? About a year ago I moved from Islington to the medieval village of Devizes in Wiltshire, which is just down the road from Stonehenge. It’s a huge change being in a studio that was purpose built and can be a shrine to my design. Because it is in the bottom of the garden I am surrounded by trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables, and it sort of acts as a great hub for inspiration and concentration. What sets your designs apart? The detail, the complexity and the unexpected hidden within the design. The plants grow through other plants, they overlap each other, the stems get knotted together. It has to be as real as possible – hyper-realistic – including broken stems, tiny little birds, insect legs; it’s all in there. How did you approach the designs for the two fragrances in your collaboration with Jo Malone London? I had never approached my wallpapers or my designs with a scent in mind, so working with Jo Malone London was really new and exciting.

When I got to know Blackberry & Bay I found it to be fresh, really young, but also very wild and British. So when I started building the design, I wanted to have something dense, exciting and fruity. There are lots of interesting elements to the design, for instance all of the hidden insects. I’m not going to tell you what they are – some are very well disguised – you have to work really hard to find them. When I first smelled Orange Blossom, it triggered visions of Victorian greenhouses and orangeries, so the composition of the design has a slightly more elegant feel, lighter, and rather 1920’s. It has a beautiful, almost fairy-like, frothy kind of composition. How do your designs take form? I always work from life, the actual, physical plant. Then I dissect it, take it apart like a botanist. Then it goes through a 3D scanning technique, every single piece – a stem, a thorn, a leaf. Then, over many days, I compose them into an arrangement and seamlessly join them together. So you blend old-fashioned craftsmanship with digital techniques? Yes, and craftwork involved within the computer itself, the digital craftwork, is extensive. My work is about being as true as possible to the original plant, without over-stylising. How do you feel about your Jo Malone London designs now that you see them wrapped around the products that inspired you? I’m really happy with the end result. The ambience and atmosphere for each of the designs conveys the scent really well and they have a great natural feeling about them. They are quite unique – certainly bespoke and new, fresh and interesting. I think they’ll be really successful for Jo Malone London. WWW.THETALK-ONLINE.COM

GROOming

Skin Care Tips from Vaseline MEN Many men think their skin does not require the same level of care and attention as women’s, but the fact is that men are more likely to put their skin to the test on a daily basis. Below are some tips from Vaseline MEN to help men maintain their skin: 1. In today’s modern lifestyle, dirt and grime can accumulate quickly on your face, causing a world of problems, blackheads and pimples. Using Vaseline MEN Facial Scrub Deep Cleanse not only cleans away accumulated grit but it exfoliates the skin, removing dead skin cells and keeping ingrown hairs and blackheads at bay. 2. Gently exfoliate your skin two to three times a week to get rid of any dead skin cells, which can give it a dull, ashen appearance. Exfoliating also allows the skin products you apply thereafter to work more effectively. Use Vaseline MEN Facial Scrub Deep Cleanse with gentle exfoliating micro beads. 3. Just like your body needs water to hydrate itself, so does your skin. Moisturize your face and body daily with skin products that hydrate the skin, minimizing dark marks and uneven skin tone. For the face, try Vaseline MEN Hydrate Moisturizer, clinically proven to reduce dark spots in just two weeks, while protecting the skin from any further damage with an SPF. 4. Speaking of SPF, make sure you use a daily moisturizer that contains an SPF, like Vaseline MEN SPF Moisturizer. It contains Vitamin B3 to

help even out dark marks and 4 sunscreens to effectively protect from the harsh sun – even in winter. 5. The neck should not be neglected and should be included with the face in the daily face care regimen. When applying moisturizer, it should be applied from the neck up in an upwards direction as to not pull on the skin. 6. You’ve heard it before, but we’re going to tell you again because it’s that important: Eat healthy, look healthy. Fresh fruit and vegetables protect the body’s cells making them more resilient while lean protein like chicken and fish are super foods for the skin, helping it to rejuvenate. 7. Doctors recommend that you drink at least six to eight glasses of water a day to hydrate your body and flush out any toxins. It may seem overboard, but if you have a glass before and after every meal, you’ll be six glasses down by dinner, just like that. The complete Vaseline Men range includes Anti-Dullness Face Scrub, Oil Control Face Wash & Moisturizer, Hydrate & Smooth Face Lotion, and Smooth Shave Face Wash. All variants can be found at major stores starting from AED 16.

ETERNITY 25th Anniversary Edition “As long as intimacy goes on, so will ETERNITY.” – Calvin Klein ETERNITY Calvin Klein celebrates its 25th anniversary with the introduction of exclusive limited edition bottles filled with the signature fragrances for women and men. The commemorative pieces are elegantly expressed with a polished silver finish, to reflect lasting love and commitment. ETERNITY Calvin Klein is a romantic floral fragrance, inspired by the idea of lasting love and intimacy. This harmonious blend of classic and contemporary is the perfect combination of timelessness and modern elegance. It was inspired by a beautiful wedding band gifted from the Duke of Windsor to his much-beloved Duchess – a simple band of diamonds inscribed with one word – “ETERNITY” – the perfect symbol of enduring love and commitment.

THETALK / June / 2014

TECHNOLOGY

SKYACTIV

DRIVING!

Al-Rai, 4th Ring Road Daily from 9 AM - 1 PM and from 4 PM - 8 PM Friday from 4 PM - 8 PM

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Mazda6 is a personal sports sedan with everything in the cockpit dedicated to helping you celebrate driving. It begins the moment you sit at the wheel, through the large information display, to the uniﬁed operating feel of controls and switches, Mazda6 exactly right - almost as if it was speciﬁcally designed to suit you alone.

mazda6

THE PURE FORM OF SPORTS DRIVING

CELEBRATING CHALLENGES ... CELEBRATING

Setting the car trendS

Porsche Cayenne Platinum Edition If SUVs were footwear, this would be the wedge: beautiful but fearless. You could go 200kmh - or enjoy the LCD screens in the back seat. Can you take something extraordinary and make it even more extraordinary? Can you take something convincing and make it even more convincing? Porsche certainly believe you can. They’ve taken a vehicle that is already very special and managed to hone it further by giving it a more inimitable style and character, and thereby making it even more unique. The result is proof of their desire to pay particular attention to every detail. This is what we understand by refinement. Porsche call it polished performance. 88

THETALK / June / 2014

So, how did they add the final polish? With a range of selected design elements featuring a Platinum Silver paint finish: the air intake slats on the front apron are eyecatching. The side window surrounds and rear bumper trim strip emphasise the sporty shape of the car. The spoiler separation edge adds another striking note at the rear. The Cayenne Platinum Edition is available in the standard colours of Black and White. Optional colours are Meteor Grey Metallic, Jet Black Metallic and Mahogany Metallic. The car is also available with a White Metallic paint finish – a colour reserved exclusively for the Cayenne Platinum Edition. Other standard features for that polished sporty appearance include the automatically dimming

exterior and interior mirrors and privacy glass. This dark-tinted glass provides privacy for the rear seats and luggage compartment. To make the interior of the Cayenne Platinum Edition even more special, it is available in the exclusive two-tone colour combination of Black and Luxor Beige with partial-leather seats as standard. Full leather seats are offered as an option. Naturally, all of the other interior combinations for the Cayenne are also available. Other characteristic features of the Cayenne Platinum Edition models include doorsill guards with ‘Platinum Edition’ logo. In conjunction with the two-tone interior in Black and Luxor Beige, the floor mats also come with edging in Luxor Beige.

Offering excellent comfort and intuitive operation, the standard comfort seats feature 8-way adjustment, making it easy for you to find your own personal settings for exceptional comfort and support â&#x20AC;&#x201C; even during performance driving. Optional equipment includes the comfort seats with comfort memory package. Thanks to 14-way power adjustment, the seats can be adapted to suit your individual requirements in terms of seat height, squab and backrest angle, squab length, fore/aft adjustment and lumbar support.

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Setting the car trendS

Inconspicuous Excess

MiTo vs. 500 Because sometimes the very best things come in small packages There are often occasions where we prefer to travel under-the-radar, and yet still demand style and comfort as well as power and performance. Where are you going to get that? Two great places to start are with Alfa Romeo’s MiTo and Fiat’s 500. Ok. Truth be told, you have to run your finger to the very top end of their model ranges, but once you get there you’ll discover both Alfa and Fiat have two juicy, pocket-sized morsels just waiting to be enjoyed. 90

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The Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari Two historic brands, a unique occasion for the most authentic racing fans. Passion, heritage, exclusivity, Italian design: all this is encapsulated in the new Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari. From the union of the two brands comes a limited edition which exalts Abarth’s long racing tradition and enhances it with the inimitable elegance of Ferrari.

Fiat hopes that the car will appeal to Ferrari owners who want a small everyday car, tapping a similar market that Aston Martin is eyeing with its Toyota iQ-based Cygnet. Powered by a 1.4-litre turbocharged T-Jet engine with “more than 177bhp”, this is linked to an electromechanical paddle-shift gearbox and sports a variable back-pressure exhaust that changes the engine sound above 3000rpm. Performance? By the bucket-load. 0-100 in

under 7 seconds, and it’ll keep on going right up to 225kmh.

Its 170bhp motor propels the model to 100 in 7.5 seconds and only stops accelerating at 220kmh.

Available only in red, the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari has been developed jointly by Abarth and Ferrari technicians.

This new model will continue to leave a mark in its respective market segment with a perfect alchemy of essential style, compact and powerful engines, the right power to weight ratio and “pure Alfa Romeo” technological features devoted to driving pleasure.

The Alfa Romeo MiTo 1.4TB MultiAir The new Alfa MiTo ‘Quadrifoglio Verde’ made its world debut at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show and will be available on the market from July 2014.

Alfa Romeos, drawing on the heritage of dynamic performance, without compromising on efficiency, respect for the environment and convenience in everyday use. Alfa Romeo cars have always been dedicated to those who expect a response that goes beyond the concept of ‘useful means of transport’ to cross over into that of the truest ‘excitement’.

The Alfa Mito ‘Quadrifoglio Verde’ has assumed a place in the tradition of the best WWW.THETALK-ONLINE.COM

his style icon

All hail the Scott Disickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s regal elegance

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hether you love him, hate him or never even heard of him, you can’t disagree with the fact that Scott Disick’s style is pleasing to the eye. Born on May 26 1983, in Eastport, Long Island, New York, Scott Disick is a businessman, a reality TV personality and a model. Scott climbed up to fame through dating reality star Kourtney Kardashian in 2006. The couple has two children: son Mason Dash and daughter Penelope Disick. Disick is an only child and has long had a reputation for having luxurious taste in clothes. At many times, in fact, Disick has considered launching his own fashion line. Scott Disick is firm when it comes to style and colors, “people who say real men don’t wear pink, obviously don’t know any real men”, he said. No wonder why he goes for pastel colors and look absolutely amazing in them. The reality celebrity seems to show effortless elegance whether stepping out in sophisticatedly well-tailored suits or simply in denims, t-shirts and sneakers. Scott is also a fan of polo and oxford-style shirts, printed pants, leopard fabrics, and loafers. Disick has a strong magnetism for wealth and luxury items. Like many fashion icons, Scott Disick knows how to use accessories to finish up his distinctive outfits and is said to own a large collection of luxury watches. As a matter of fact, Disick seems invincible against America’s love for casuals. Instead, he always aspires for a more sophisticated look; the kind of confident and manly appearance. “I dress more mature than most,” he says, it is no surprise that men would seek inpiration by investigating Scott Disick’s wardrobe for he knows what exactly to wear and he does extremely well in that. WWW.THETALK-ONLINE.COM

HEALTH

Seven healthy tips for a safer tan this Summer The hot sunny days have arrived already! This means one thing; the season is upon us and, for many, it is time to hit the beach and get some summer glow. It is known as a fact that tanning is associated with wrinkles and/or skin cancer and many other skin disorders. However, we still seem to ignore the hazards for the sake of sporting the perfect summer look. So, is tanning actually bad for us? Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wrong about desiring little color? Is there anything we can do to practice it right? Perhaps it is wise to find out more about safety measures that guarantee safer tanning techniques that may reduce the harmful effects of tanning. Read on! 1. Exfoliate your skin In order o achieve the best tan results possible, consider exfoliating prior to tanning. Exfoliation removes dead cells from the uppermost layer of the skin and allows for fresh smooth skin to appear. Getting rid of the dead cells evens the skin tone, cleanses pore-clogging dirt and oil, and prevents acne. 2. Apply sunscreen before tanning Going out under the sun without using sunscreen may increase the likelihood of skin damage, therefore, it is essential to always wear sunscreen as a precaution. Sunscreens help protect you from the sunâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dangerous ultraviolet rays in two ways; some work by scattering the light, reflecting it away from your body and others absorb the UV rays before they get to your skin. You are still likely to get darker using sunscreens, only with less risks of getting sun burnt. Look for a sunscreen that contains at least one of the following: ecamsule, avobenzone, oxybenzone, titanium dioxide, sulisobenzone, or zinc oxide. Any of these can do the trick. 3. Choose the right tanning oil Never go for tanning products that do not offer some sun protection; SPF 15 or higher is best. Like sunscreen, cover your entire body in tanning oil and re-apply repeatedly to guarantee adequate protection. 4. Stay hydrated As important as your tan is to you, you need to be aware of the fact that 94

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tanning can dry you out. Dehydration can lead to health complications and possibly become life-threatening. Because tanners become dehydrated very easily, it is advisable to consume a good amount of water, fresh juice and possibly finger fruits to munch on as part of chilling on the beach. Most importantly, keep your sunglasses and hat on throughout the day. Hats are excellent because they can protect your ears, eyes, nose, forehead, and scalp all at once while you look stylish getting your tan. 5. Avoid tanning pills Put them on the blacklist! These pills contain a chemical dye that can turn your skin orange and damage your liver in the long run. 6. Do not over-tan Whether it happens upon your desire to get darker or amid of excitement that you over expose yourself to the sun, you must pay attention to the amount of time you spend tanning. It is wise to tan gradually, dividing your time evenly under the sun to reduce sunburn. Half an hour to an hour under the sun a day will allow your body to produce enough melanin to serve you the next time you tan. 7. Maintain your tan Some tanning products come with an after tan lotion that can be applied after tanning, the idea is to moisturize the skin enough and reduce the number of dead skin cells you shed. Another plus point such products offer is that they increase the longevity of your tan. You can use any alternative fragrance-free lotions as well.

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TRAVel

Beach paradise found: Caramoan islands Glimpses of dazzling shades of blue, green and gold in Caramoan islands, Philippines! Summer is not complete without the beach. In fact, beach lovers have the will to travel around the earth seeking magnificent beaches.

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TRAVel

Enjoying a great time at the beach is not merely a relief from summer heat; it is truly an indulgence in the beauty of fresh sugary sand and the fabulous sea under a clear blue sky. An absolutely a spectacular destination that will promise you an amazing experience in a beach paradise this summer is the Caramoan Islands, Philippines. The Caramoan Islands are located on the lower eastern part of Camarines Sur in the Bicol region of the Philippine archipelago. Hidden in an unused and rural soil, the place stands out with flourishing, green coastal mountains extending all the way from Sabang to Caramoan, in the middle of deep blue, aquamarine Pacific waters, rich with marine life. Caramoan resembles a “back-to-nature” experience; a refreshing breeze of clean air, crystal clear water, green rice fields and grassy 98

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mountain background – what a sight! Activities include ocean adventures for kayakers, snorkelling and scuba diving to experience the diverse marine life, hiking and searching for the enigmatic lagoon, rock climbing the limestone cliffs, exploring the caves or just star gazing at night! Caramoan has its own version of island-hopping packages. The first includes the nearby islands of Matukad, Hunongan, Lahus and Gota Beach and is about 1000- 1500 pesos. The other package tour consists of the distant islands of Manlawi Sandbar, Cotivas Island and Sabitang Laya and is about 2000- 3000 pesos depending on the season and other arrangement with the boatman. You can explore the gorgeous limestone

formations at Omang Cave situated between Barangay Paniman and Barangay Ilawod. This cave is part of Caramoan National Park and offers attractive stalactite formations. You can also hunt for treasure in Manipis Cave at Barangay Pandanan - rumored to be the hiding place of General Yamashita’s treasure. If you haven’t had enough, you can go to Culapnit Cave in Sitio Bariw to spot more limestone rocks, stalactites pillars, and thousands of bats. If bats and guano isn’t your thing, cool down and get refreshed in the underground stream of Bulang Bulang Cave in Taisan. If you are into climbing, you might want to try climbing sharp rocks of Matukad Island. Although it is a bit of a challenge, you will be rewarded with a far-reaching view of the nearby seascapes and the chance to see the so called “enchanted lagoon”, where you will discover one

huge Milkfish swimming around as if protecting its mystic abode. Head to Caglago Mountain at Barangay Tabgon and scale the 524 steps to the Shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary – the largest Marian statue in the country. The 26 foot image is lit up at night, like a lighthouse that guides fishermen back to the shore. The shrine allows you to enjoy a panoramic view of the nearby islands. There are many ways to enjoy exploring this hidden paradise, one is investigating the countryside on foot, preferably in the afternoon when the harsh rays are gone and the air is pleasantly refreshing. Lovers of ancient churches and architecture should include St. Michael Parish Church to their list of places to go and things to see. This red brick church in a huge courtyard with WWW.THETALK-ONLINE.COM

TRAVel

a well-manicured lawn is just a stoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s throw away from the town center and so, not to be missed.Â It was founded in 1619 by Franciscan Missionaries and had undergone series of renovations over the years. If you are a fan of birds, enjoy watching diverse local and migrant birds in the park. This pristine land is an abode for a variety of tropical birds like pigeons and hornbills, water fowl like mallard and egrets and birds of prey such as eagles, hawks and kites. There is a variety of restaurants that visitors recommend. While most of the restaurants

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specialize in Filipino food, some restaurants also serve American, Persian and an assortment of Asian dishes â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all at reasonable prices. Summer is already here! The Caramoan Islands can be a great option if you are enthusiastic about discovering a new place this summer. Some tourists insist that Caramoan is even better than Phuket or Boracay! It might be a good idea to go there and judge yourself. Today, there are more tourists visiting Caramoan, as the place has been made famous by the

Survivor reality show and more people are in search for new destinations that are slowly being made known. Why not take the dare and escape summer heat only to enjoy it on a fantastic beach paradise like Caramoan? It would definitely be worth it! Caramoan islands, Philippines Fact Sheet Location: Located in the province of Bicol, Camarines Sur, in the southernmost tip of Luzon, Philippines (501Km from Manila). When to go: The best time to go is during dry seasons especially summer. Cilmate: Tropical â&#x20AC;&#x201C; varies between dry and wet. Currency: PHP (Peso) 1 KWD = 156 Philippine Peso. International airports near Caramoan, Philippine: Ninoy Aquino International Airport - Manila, Philippines: 318 km. Hotels: Tugawe Cove Resort, Residencia Salvacion, Casita Mia Bed & Breakfast, CK â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Inn. Time Zone: UTC/GMT +8:00 hours.

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Kuwait Exclusives

Seventeen inspirational women recognized at the Arab Woman Award Kuwait Gala dinner The seventeen winners of the Arab Woman Awards 2014 were honored at a glittering ceremony paying tribute to inspirational Arab women in Kuwait. The exclusive by-invitation only red carpet event was held at the Sheraton Kuwait Hotel & Towers and was presented by leading Kuwaiti organisation - the Trafalgar Company. The glamorous high-profile event was attended by the winners and their families, VIP members of society as well as media and film personalities including; Egyptian actress Dalia El Beheri and Egyptian TV personality Wajdy Al Hakim. The awards ceremony was hosted by famous Kuwaiti actor Mohamed Al-Mansour.

Jaeger-LeCoultre presents its 2014 novelties in Kuwait For the first time at 360 Mall in Kuwait City, the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre showcases a large scale and immersive experience in fine watchmaking. From May 14 - 24, this seminal exhibition brings together iconic collections, high jewellery and exceptional pieces as well as a watchmaking demonstration, marking 181 years of the Manufacture. Since 1833, each and every creation by Jaeger-LeCoultre has been crafted with the same passion as part of an ongoing quest for technical perfection. With a legacy of over 180 years of experience, each masterpiece, benefits from the very latest cutting edge technology. For Jaeger-LeCoultre, it will be an impressive exhibition of invention, savoir-faire and heritage, set against the backdrop of the Manufacture. Jaeger-LeCoultre will especially focus its presence in Kuwait on its new grand complication novelties launched at the recent Salon International de la Haute HorlogerieÂ in Geneva, Switzerland to reflect the expertise of the Grande Maison. These include the Grande Reverso Night and Day; the Master Ultra Thin 1907, the Grande Reverso Lady Ultra Thin Duetto Duo and the Rendez-Vous Tourbillon Night and Day.

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Kaftan Week at Harvey Nichols Kuwait Twelve well-known and talented designers collaborated with Harvey Nichols Kuwait to show their exclusive kaftan collections in the Kaftan Week from May 22 to May 29. Each exhibiting designer contributed a unique touch to the event which was held at the premier fashion retailer’s store at Grand Avenue – The Avenues. The designers were: 3alessa - With a passion for oriental kaftans and fashion, two talented sisters, Abla and Awatef Alessa, launched their exclusive designs of kaftans in 2006. Their designs are high fashion yet oriental and manufactured locally. Shugar Collection: Sharifa Alfalah ‘s contemporary kaftan designs are traditional with a modern twist. By Mariam Albader: Established in 2013, the brand specialises in contemporary unique kaftans and daily wear offering casual and fine fabric kaftans. Thoub Sabbii: The brand creates a line of clothing consisting of traditional thoubs, bishts and kaftans. It believes in craftsmanship using high quality fabrics and embroidery techniques.

Life intensifies in Kuwait as Porsche Macan arrives at Harvey Nichols Porsche Centre Kuwait, Behbehani Motors Company, is adding an extra touch of luxury to celebrations around the introduction of the all-new Macan, with the unveiling of a public model display at exclusive luxury fashion retailer Harvey Nichols. Being the first true sports car in the compact SUV segment, its presentation at the luxury department store is also the first of its kind in Kuwait. The pioneering Macan Turbo will take over floor space at Harvey Nichols Grand Avenues for two weeks starting from the 20th of May. Mike Ellenthorpe, Group General Manager of Porsche Centre Kuwait, Behbehani Motors Company, commented: “Porsche is well known for its heritage of luxury, exclusivity and an eye for distinguishing design. This display in one of the city’s top fashion retailers is a perfect match and a great backdrop for our newest model as it continues its tour of the country.” “The Macan embodies the theme ‘Life, intensified.’ and by giving people the opportunity to get a closer look at our latest model in an inspiring environment, we are amplifying this ethos yet further,” added Ellenthorpe. The display was unveiled on Tuesday with an exclusive event at Veranda restaurant. Guests were taken on a journey through the senses with live musicians, exquisite food and a chance to get up close and personal with Porsche’s latest addition to the model range.

Featuring exceptional acceleration, vast engine power, extreme agility and optimum steering precision, the Macan has rewritten the rulebook on outstanding sporting comfort and everyday usability. Setting new standards in driving dynamics and enjoyment on all surfaces and in all conditions, the Macan Turbo is the most powerful petrol-powered vehicle in the compact SUV segment. Its 3.6-litre V6 biturbo engine, which is being used in a Porsche model for the very first time, achieves an unrivalled 400 hp and catapults the vehicle from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds when equipped with Sport Chrono package, reaching a top speed 266 km/h. WWW.THETALK-ONLINE.COM

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Kuwait Exclusives

‘Tsumori Chisato Loves Kuwait’ Event At The Avenues Mall Al Ostoura hosted a very special evening – ‘Tsumori Chisato Loves Kuwait’ at its Tsumori Chisato boutique. The event celebrated the launch of the new Spring Summer 2014 collection, and was graced by the famous designer herself, marking her first appearance in Kuwait. The successful event was organized by online lifestyle magazine Strike Official (www.strike-kw.com) and was attended by famous bloggers as well as VIP customers. Tsumori Chisato started her career at Issey Miyake as head designer for the Issey Sports label. Her prodigious talent evident during her apprenticeship got her appreciation from Mr. Miyake himself, and the label was in fact renamed as I.S. Chisato Tsumori Design. With this solid experience under her belt, she launched her namesake label in 1990. Innovative designs, original motifs and intricate beading are the hallmarks of a Tsumori Chisato outfit. The label produces clothes that are simultaneously elegant and fun. She has won several awards including the prestigious Maïnichi Newspaper Award.

Véranda Restaurant Introduces Exciting New Spring Menu Offerings Véranda Restaurant, the best dining experience in Kuwait, has showcased its new spring menu offerings at a special event treating its guests to an assortment of scrumptious delights inspired by the season. Located at Grand Avenue – The Avenues inside Harvey Nichols Kuwait, Véranda has transformed the restaurant concept in the country by introducing the best selection of menu items designed to satisfy the palates of food enthusiasts. Enjoying the sleek modern decor and eclectic music, guests started with a wild mushroom parpadelle, a herb salad & wild flower and a grilled vegetable salad, then sampled a medley of dishes including the new delectable hammour medallions. Véranda Restaurant is constantly striving to outdo itself, and the new spring menu options complement the superlative dining experience it has established. The restaurant changed the dining landscape in Kuwait when it opened in 2013 and its charming mood and distinguished customer service have been attracting visitors looking to unwind with family and friends and enjoy outstanding food prepared by the top chefs in the country. Now, Véranda has renewed and refreshed that experience for spring 2014 with a focus on a wealth of recipes.

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Jean Paul Gaultier Fashion is the freedom to express. And the French couture house of Jean Paul Gaultier courts this art with much intensity and soul. It is for his “unconventional” fashion antics that Monsieur Gaultier is in true element the “wild child” of fashion. Daring it up by using older men, full-figured women, pierced and heavily tattooed models in his shows and campaigns that has earned him both criticism and enormous acclamation. Fashion after all isn’t supposed to be a portal of just daffodils and roses. It is also the “real” elements of life - be it ugly or a silhouette of sins – it is the art of expressing oneself and not just about playing it safe. In keeping true to his sculpts of independence and emotion, Jean Paul Gaultier has gone very sailor with the debut collection of timepieces. The new timepieces are each a concoction of retro meets modern. The timepieces are all Swiss Made and swell-up with elements that are each inspired by the crafter’s strokes of genius. This collection will mark Jean Paul Gaultier’s debut in the world of Swiss horology and the timepieces are now available at Trafalgar stores.

Une Nuit De Rêves Music Concert Hosted By Al Ostoura Al Ostoura Company presented ‘Une Nuit De Rêves IV: A Night of Dreams’ at the Al Baraka Ballroom, Crowne Plaza Hotel. The music concert was organized by Lina Bakir, and catered by Fauchon Café.

The evening’s program featured 12 singers and a 30 member orchestra, who conducted Beethoven’s 5th Salsa “Perhaps Perhaps”, in various renditions; including “Beláaks Beláaks” in Arabic, El Choclo / Kiss of Fire by Louis Armstrong, “Ya Habibi Ta,ala” by Asmahan in Latin rendition, “Corazón Espinado” by Santana, and many more. In all, the evening was a celebration of diverse fusion, from opera, jazz, pop and all different genres of music. Representing Al Ostoura at the event were founder Ms. Najla Maatouk, President Mr. Rami Tabiaat with wife Ms. Ally Tabiaat, and Creative Director Mr. Ramzi Tabiat. The concert was attended by VIPs and music enthusiasts from Kuwait and the Middle East. WWW.THETALK-ONLINE.COM

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THE STREET STYLES COLLECTIVE

the street styles collective A new season and a new dose of inspiration! This time we have hit all the major capitals around the world; not just London, New York & Paris but Copenhagen, Tokyo, Milan and more. From local to international, we are bringing you an assortment of fashion styles and combinations. As with every season, do not miss out on the fun of experimenting!

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THE STREET STYLES COLLECTIVE

Kuwait street styles Time and time again we bring you Street Style inspirations from across the globe. However, we cannot steer away from the fashionable crowd here in Kuwait. Whether it is how they dress to work, lunch, events or parties, whichever the occasion, these trendsetters always look stylishly chic!

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Restaurant REVIEW

Koji A journey across true Asian flavor Koji could be the Chinese restaurant you have all been looking for. There’s something for everyone at this humble restaurant. If you’re searching for the classic Asian dishes well-prepared with fresh ingredients, you are likely to always be rewarded at Koji. Located in the heart of Kuwait City, Koji is an Asian fusion restaurant that offers its diners a spectacular dining experience. If you look for the kind of cuisine we like to call authentic, you will find a lot at Koji to surprise you. You do not need to travel to Japan, China, or Vietnam in order to enjoy all the various combinations of flavors this fusion restaurant serves. Fresh ingredients, incredible presentation and a peaceful atmosphere are all part of the menu at Koji. The staff, too, is conversant and friendly – guiding you through your selection of your dish. Our tasting journey began with a variety of different salads. Starting with the Crispy Calamari Salad, a colorful combination of crispy calamari pieces, iceberg lettuce and apple slices topped with cashew nuts and dressed in a sweet miso vinaigrette – an absolutely beautiful combination of crispiness along with a tangy taste with every bite. Chicken lovers need to try their Crispy Chicken Salad – a plate that resembles a petite mountain made from with shredded cabbage, carrots,

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chicke and surrounded by medium sized chunks of grassy-green broccoli. The plate salad is topped with crispy flakes and a juicy sesame dressing. Koji’s Shrimp on Toast is a heavenly appetizer. Served with a side of sweet chili sauce, these bite-sized pieces may look simple, but Asian talent signs up on making food that is light, simple and indulgent. Another menu item is the Seafood Dumplings in Ginger and Shitake Mushroom Broth. The way to eat this dish is to start with the dumplings then sip the broth. The textures and flavors blended together is reveals how perfectly these ingredients were handled! The journey for Asian food lovers does not end here, for Sesame Chicken offers your senses just another fantastic experience – delicious cubes of chicken covered in a sweet sesame sauce – what more can you ask for? If you are more into spicy food, then you might want to try their Chili Shrimp, a beautiful blend of sweet and spicy taste. Sweet or spicy - better yet, why not both? Koji has variety of sushi rolls and sauces to choose from. Starting with the basics, their California Rolls feel lighter and tastier. One of Koji’s priorities was to reduce mayonnaise from their menu, and they did just that with the California Rolls; you can really taste the different ingredients. Their Shrimp Tempura Roll also has a different twist to it; they took a basic tempura roll and topped it with crab and cucumber in a secret sauce to balance the flavors together: who knew that could produce a taste and texture like that! As for the Tasty Crab roll, Koji Restaurant should have named it the Very Tasty Crab Roll as its crunchy topping with avocado and crab has a particularly indescribable taste. Some sauces we recommend ordering are the TeriMayo, Wasabi Cream, and the Special Sauce. WWW.THETALK-ONLINE.COM

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BOOK REVIEWs

Summer Books Breathing Room - Melva Green, Lauren Rosenfeld

Written by a medical doctor and a spiritual intuitive, Breathing Room takes you on an enlightening room-by-room tour where each area in your house corresponds to an area in your heart, and where decluttering will not only create space but will also energize the spirit. So, if any of your possessions have become an obstacle that is weighing you down or if you feel it is almost impossible for you to find the things you truly love in the middle of the chaos â&#x20AC;&#x201D;it is time that you let it go.

Carry On, Warrior Glennon Doyle Melton

Hiding inside a shell of secrets and shame, Glennon Doyle Melton put up a wall between herself and people for many years. One fine day, she woke up to life, allowing herself to live and enjoy new experiences. In Carry On, Warrior, Melton shares new stories and the best-loved material from Momastery.com along with her flaws and triumphs which reveals that love always wins and that together we can get difficult things done. In this book, this woman tries to love herself and others and readers will find a wise and an amusing voice that will inspire them to forgive their own imperfections as well as to make the most of their blessings and make a change. 116

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Finding Me - Michelle Knight, Michelle Burford

In Finding Me, Michelle tells the tragic details of her story; the feelings and prayers that gave her the necessary strength to bear her unbelievable misery and create a life that is worth living. Revealing both her past and her persistence to form a better future, Michelle resembles a voice for the voiceless and an influential inspiration of optimism for thousands of children and young adults who had undergone a similar experience.

Under The Tuscan Sun Frances Mayes

Frances Mayes discovers Tuscany the hard way by falling in love! This book is dedicated to the lovers of food, the lovers of life and the lovers of Italy. Frances goes into an outstanding world as soon as she begins renovating an abandoned villa in the magnificent countryside of Tuscan, Italy. In Under the Tuscan Sun, she brings the lyrical voice of a poet, the perspective of an experienced traveler, and the discerning palate of a cook and food writer, inviting readers to discover the pleasure of the Italian life.

All the Light We Cannot See - Anthony Doerr

Each chapter in All the Light We Cannot See is a portrayal of breathless foreboding as World War II sheds darkness over the lives of two children: a blind French girl and an orphaned German boy. Marie-Laure pictures herself an adventurer like those in her treasured Braille copy of Jules Verne’s classic Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. It is a beautiful book; an amazing meditation on the paradoxes of destiny, relationships among humans and nature. Lovers of Doerr believe that this might be his best book yet!

The Nesting Place Myquillyn Smith

In The Nesting Place, Myquillyn reveals the secrets of decorating in a way that has nothing to do with creating a perfect look that will wow guests, but rather, taking on the natural imperfection and chaos of everyday life. Retrieving her years of experience, Myquillyn enlightens you on how to think differently about the true concept of your home and just style it in a way that will reflect you. This book is filled with simple tips that will courage you to take risks when it comes to decorating your home so as to transform it into a place that’s attractive and comfy for family and friends - it doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful.

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movie RevIEws

movies showing this month

EDGE OF TOMORROW

Cast: Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt, Bill Paxton Directors: Doug Liman Genre: Action, Sci-Fi Synopsis: A soldier fighting in a war with aliens finds himself caught in a time loop of his last day in the battle, though he becomes better skilled along the way.

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How to Train your Dragon Cast: Jay Baruchel, Kristen Wiig, America Ferrera

Director: Dean DeBlois Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure Synopsis: Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been five years since Hiccup and Toothless successfully united dragons and vikings on the island of Berk. While Astrid, Snotlout and the rest of the gang are challenging each other to dragon races (the islands new favorite contact sport), the now inseparable pair journey through the skies, charting unmapped territories and exploring new worlds.

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LORDS OF LONDON

Cast: Glen Murphy, Ray Winstone, Giovanni Capalbo Directors: Antonio Simoncini Genre: Crime, Mystery, Thriller Synopsis: Man wakes up in Italy and doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know why or how.

BLENDED

22 JUMP STREET

Director: Frank Coraci

Directors: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller

Cast: Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore, Wendi McLendon-Covey

Genre: Comedy Synopsis: After a bad blind date, a man and woman find themselves stuck together at a resort for families, where their attraction grows as their respective kids benefit from the burgeoning relationship.

Cast: Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill, Ice Cube

Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime Synopsis: After making their way through high school (twice), big changes are in store for officers Schmidt and Jenko when they go deep undercover at a local college.

Brought to you by

GEMINI (May 22-June 21)

Horoscopes CANCER

(June 22-July 22) There is likelihood that you will have a hectic month. Always the enthusiast, bear in mind that the number of tasks and assignments you have will deprive you a good amount of your usual energy and enthusiasm. However, try to indulge in activities where you can consume your extra energy. In case you are about to engage in an exciting experience that will take your breath away, and so your overtiredness will eventually be washed away with the tide that you’re about to surf. Hang in and enjoy the experience!

LIBRA

(Sept. 24-Oct. 23) This month offers you some good chances at work, which will help you make some long term decisions in your career. Libra, you worry a bit too much about money; try to relax your mind knowing that your hard work will eventually pay off. Towards the end of the month, some good surprises are likely to happen, a type that will get Librans breathing a sigh of relief. Watch out for your temper and be careful with your words.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) You are the master of bringing feelings into perception so they can be valid, so let go of rage that might be dimming the glow of your spirit. Hardships have been ‘hard’ on you indeed, but you somehow crawl out of your despair, gradually yet once and forever. This month, consider who you may want to forgive, including yourself.

Gemini s needs to learn how to remain patient this month. If not, despite potential, they may not get the desired results. Your supervisors admire your personality and appreciate your efforts at work. Hence, expect a raise any time soon. Astrologists foresee a marriage or childbirth in the near future, if not about you, then in your family or close friends. Be positive, the best is yet to come!

ARIES

TAURUS

(Mar. 21-April 20)

(Apr. 21-May 21)

Venus is passing through your sign this month; this means that a positive period is a head of you. June is the perfect time is for you to start something new and complete unfinished tasks. Surprises are coming up –love, money or career – who knows? Stay focused and positive. Finance wise, things seem to be stable. In the second half of June, your high self-confidence will give you the power you need in order to put up with June’s ups and downs. Remember that ego can ruin relationships.

LEO

(July 23-Aug 22) You need to focus on your social life and handle it delicately along with your career life. Career wise, things seem to be brilliant. Some people could be feeling left out due to your busy schedule, nonetheless, this month seems to be promising in regards to your personal life as well as to your career. Consider other people’s points of view; this will not affect your image. Spread love and care around to your beloved ones and keep in mind you will be unconditionally loved as much.

SCORPIO

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22) The themes of this month seem to be bright as you are likely to witness a leap in the quality of your relationships, health and work. Your insight and intelligence never seem to fail you and so, you somehow manage to give your best at everything you do. This is probably why you take failure, if any, very personally. This month, your talents and points of strength will put you in the spotlight. Be energized by all the superb qualities that you have.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21-Feb. 19) Being chaotic and rebellious, you are surprisingly going to act rationally this month. Think about engaging yourself in some useful activity where you can learn something new. The repetition of your daily routine might be the reason why you feel entirely numb. Look out for something that will boost your adrenaline. As the month ends, you will be able to set some goals in the area of romance and creativity.

Taurus, you are brimming with ideas this month. This is a good chance for you to handle your career more attentively, completing pending projects and finishing ongoing tasks. You are improving your communication skills. Try to let go; what happened in the past is gone, so leave it there. Stay calm and remember that your kind heart and good sense of humor are your magical weapons, use them as you can.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 23) It’s a perfect time to plan a vacation. Persistently the organized one, we urge you to have the courage to step out of comfort zone and enjoy a chaotic getaway. This month, it is a good chance to give your ideas some voice and be less critical about others. You might need to get your ego in balance and respond flexibly to changes that have stroke your emotional life lately. Trust that you have what it takes to move on and find alternatives.

SAGITTARIUS

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

Now is a good chance to see all the “behind the scenes” work that you have been up to lately. This chance will allow you to benefit from other people’s assistance on many fronts, especially education and career. You learn through experience but never through preach, however, you might need to give an ear to hear some good wisdom this month. You never know, listening – after all – might help you gain a better understanding of your relationships.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) June holds some good news for you financially and there is a support for your pursuit of dreams. This month, you are bursting with the urge to make some huge changes in your life. The past few months might have been a little frustrating in the area of love and relationships. This month is going to make it up for you and your beloved one, helping you to stay close and – perhaps – make long term plans together.

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