Pink (April 2017)

ISSUE150∫ AprIl2017

THE FACE OF MERCEDES-BENZ FASHION WEEK MALTA

HIGH-FLYING FEMALES

TOP BRASS, TECHIES & THE BRAINS BEHIND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

The beauty inside the body

TRAVEL IN TERROR How to stay safe

INSIDE

April 2017

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FEATURES 12 PrivateEye #notspecialneeds Down syndrome is about human needs 17 WomensWorlds women on board Firms with females are more profitable 23 dancing with AI At the top of their technology game 28 digital immigrants Carving out telecoms careers

FASHION 37 ShowStopper lace up Unleash your free spirit 48 FashionStory comfortable in her own skin The face and body of Fashion Week Malta

HEALTH 57 InThePink HRT with a B Replace hormones the natural way

REGULARS 9 EditorsNote 10 MailShot 31 WomanKind Mary, Mary…

Mary Henderson 54 ThinkPink health & beauty 61 TravelOgue travel in the age of terror How unsafe is it to go abroad?

65 GirlTalk we live and don’t seem to learn You can take a dog to water, but…

66 ThinkPink fashion & things 68 TableTalk soup kitchen Miso, rocket and tofu mix 73 WomenOnWheels drop-head gorgeous Merceded-Benz C-Class Cabriolet 74 StarGazer the future is pink Horoscopes

48 68

COVER Photography Kurt Paris ∫ Design/styling Ritienne Zammit ∫ Hair Chris Galea ∫ Make-up Elaine Galea ∫ Model Bojana Milojevic @ Supernova Model Management ∫ Producer & Coordinator Adrian J Mizzi ∫ Marketing JPA.

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EDITORSNOTE

It was before the Westminster terrorist attack… I found myself suspiciously scrutinising everyone on the London Tube; I scanned every passenger, one by one. To me, they were all potential killers.

Such is my faith in humanity.

Man is fundamentally evil and murderous. It’s just a matter of luck if someone doesn’t turn on you in that particular instance.

But could it really be that these commuters were all out to get me?

Could it be that not one of them was just peacefully going about his daily life, happy to go home at the end of the day? These ‘rational’ questions found no answers as new faces and body language had to be studied and mentally strip-searched.

I did the same when scurrying past the capital’s tourist sites and in large crowds. Unbeknown to those around me, I surveyed the scene, not really comforted by the police presence.

Paranoid, some would say.

I don’t think so. The attack on Parliament by yet another Islamic terrorist, leaving more innocent passers-by dead in his wake, kind of further justifies my fears.

I recall noticing a third lane of armoured cars that were stationed in the area – fat lot of use in the face of a terrorist behind a wheel, who can plough through traffic, playing human skittles, before anyone knows what hit them, literally.

So the point of this is to say that I don’t buy – and I don’t want to hear – the London-is-resilient spiel in the aftermath. Yes, we’re fine. Life goes on. Business as usual. Come back and give us more… Oh really? Tell that to the victims!

I find this sort of talk after every terror attack not only detached from reality and displaying a misplaced sense of bravado, but more than that, so insulting to those whose lives absolutely won’t ‘go on’ after.

Because, just to name one set of victims, life won’t go on for the young mother of two, who was simply walking along the bridge to collect her girls from school, one of the happiest times of the day for me personally.

It won’t be business as usual for her husband, who will suddenly have to bring up his children alone, without a partner and pivotal part of the family; and it certainly won’t be business as usual for the girls, who will never ever see their mother again, without the slightest bit of forewarning at a critical and vulnerable age. Cruel doesn’t get crueller.

Yet it is brushed aside. We’re fine; we will go on, fellow countrymen say. We met the next day, held hands and lit a candle. Nice.

And as usual, the real victims – the only victims – are soon

forgotten by the wayside, exactly where they were killed. Meanwhile, on Facebook’s skewed focus – the realm of the idiotic opinion maker – we get the uproar about the photo of the woman with the head scarf crossing that fateful bridge and whether she was distraught or nonchalant. Who cares?!

London may be irrepressible, but it’s not on the top of my list of holiday destinations right now, and I won’t be too comfortable when others I know are roaming its streets.

Our own TravelOgue on page 61 on trips in the age of terrorism, which highlights the remote chances of dying in a terror attack, doesn’t do much to put my mind at rest.

It’s been updated already three times since it was written – twice alone on the eve of printing. The death toll in the Stockholm rampage is four so far, but according to the country’s prime minister, the terrorists “will never ever win”.

That’s [supposed to be] reassuring! But I dread to think what an ISIS victory would, therefore, actually mean. Meanwhile, I suspect the victims and their families would have a different version of events.

I fail to see them celebrating any victory… never ever.

As people continue to get away with murder – even drunk and reckless drivers in Malta, with the blessing of lax laws – I can’t help but continue to reaffirm that evil reigns on every level of an unjust society.

I’ve finally resigned myself – even on a political level – that the good will never ever win.

April 16, 2017 ∫ Pink is a monthly magazine ∫ Issue 150 ∫ Executive editor Fiona Galea Debono ∫ Publisher Allied Newspapers Ltd ∫ Printing Progress Press Ltd ∫ Production Allied Newspapers Ltd ∫ Contributors Maria Cachia, Michelle de Maria, Claire Diacono, Henry Galea, Mary Galea Debono, Marisa Grima, Vanusia Mifsud, Jeffrey Muscat, Helen Raine, Juliana Romeiko, Virginia, Shelley Von Strunckel ∫ Design Manuel Schembri ∫ Photography Matthew Mirabelli, Kurt Paris, Chris Sant Fournier, Matthew B Spiteri, Steve Zammit Lupi ∫ Advertising sales Veronica Grech Sant [2559 4706; veronica.grechsant@timesofmalta.com].

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Pink April 2017 ∫ 9

MAILSHOT

THE LETTER THAT TICKLED PINK MORE HISTORY Dear Pink, I am a 17-year-old student. Generally, I see Pink at Granny’s. I like to leaf through it. First of all, I admire and look for the models and the fashion. I think this is common with youngsters like myself. Then I end up reading the very interesting articles and stories. This time it was history that tickled my fancy. Yes, it was World War II [Womankind, February 2017]. Mary Galea Debono was so good at explaining what happened at that time. It was well done and really informative. Pink, please give us more historical stories. I think we youngsters should read more and be informed about what our ancestors endured and went through so that we could enjoy a peaceful life. I should point out that what struck me most was the ending – what might have been.

Certain victims may still have been living today. Who knows?

MARIA CASSAR, VIA E-MAIL

EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE A CANINE FRIEND Dear Pink, honestly, I wasn’t going to take part in the competition, but having read the article Puppy Love [GirlTalk, February 2017], I had to write to you to express my genuine happiness after reading it. After getting a puppy myself some three years ago, I have since been hooked and dependent on this so-called ‘puppy love’. It is such a fulfilling experience that I believe everyone should have a canine friend in their household/life. Unfortunately, canine awareness and love in Malta still has a long way to go. Thanks to such articles on your magazine, you are not only educating your readers, but also making people aware of advantages that bringing a dog home entails. The article touched me so much that I knew I had to write you this e-mail after reading it. I thank you for the article, which I effortlessly related to, and while congratulating you on the rich content of Pink, I look forward to similar stories. I thank you for this competition, presenting an opportunity to win lovely perfumes. Being a loyal reader myself, I appreciate immensely such competitions.

ROSEANN DIMECH, FROM GHAXAQ

The writer of the letter of the month wins a Modern Princess Lanvin Paris eau de parfum, courtesy of Chemimart; PLUS a selection of Deborah Milano make-up products from A.M.Mangion Ltd.

WRITE IN AND WIN

MAGNIFICENT Dear editor, congratulations for your interesting articles in your monthly magazine. After reading through another excellent issue of Pink, I felt I had to write in to simply say just how much I appreciate a publication of such quality and variety, given for free with The Sunday Times of Malta. What impresses me most about the magazine as a whole is not just the professionalism and attention to detail with which it is put together, but also the fact that it covers so many different topics and aspects of day-to-day life, along with fashion, cooking tips etc… In the story of the lovely Henry Mamo [PrivateEye, October 2016], his mum is an inspiration to all the persons who are passing through the same experience. Lorinda is brave and courageous. May God bless her and be with her all the way. We grant her our prayers for all her family. I also enjoy reading the car review [WomenOnWheels] and the Virginia Monologues [GirlTalk]. Everything is magnificent in this magazine. I love reading the EditorsNote and I also congratulate you for your magazine Places: Design & Living, which is of great help and very informative. I wish to take the opportunity to write about something that has really been bothering me every summer – the umbrellas and deckchairs found right at the shoreline at Ghadira Bay for hire. I have no problem with making these available. However, being in possession of my own umbrella, which I take with me to the beach, I find it unfair that all the best spots are taken up by empty deckchairs and umbrellas from early in the morning, waiting to be hired. What’s more, you can’t move these for fear of dirty looks from the owners. Is Ghadira Bay not a public beach? If I arrive there early enough to secure a position at the front, don’t I have the right to move any as yet unoccupied deckchairs and umbrellas that are in the place of my choice?

GABRIEL BONANNO, FROM ZEJTUN

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10 ∫ Pink April 2017

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PRIVATEEYE Megan, Michelle, Sam and Jeremy de Maria: “We can look back and smile…”

#NotSpecial Needs

In the wake of World Down Syndrome Day, and following on a 2015 story about her son Sam, Michelle de Maria puts her thoughts about her six-year-old’s future on paper. Like all mothers, she is destined to worry; with Sam, there’s just an additional ‘layer’. In her first interview, she focused on the biggest obstacle back then – people’s misconceptions about the condition. Now, it’s about the elation at seeing him succeed.

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PRIVATEEYE

“S

am turned six last month. It’s difficult to believe how the weeks, months and years have flown… I think back to the day he was born; this beautiful boy, who was given a diagnosis a short while after birth. It was a diagnosis that made me feel like my world had been turned upside down and I had no idea how to put it the right way around again.

I look back and smile as I recall the words of parents who had been there before me urging me to enjoy my child first and foremost. ‘He’ll grow too quickly,’ they said, and boy, were they right! They encouraged me not to be consumed by worries and fears to the point that I would be sidetracked from the calling that came before all others – that of being Sam’s mother.

The advice to take one day at a time, do the best we can for our son, have faith in him and trust that things will work out helped us to get through those initial weeks and months until there came a point where Down syndrome was not something we agonised over every single day.

Some daily little struggles continue: the twinge you feel inside when people use certain phrases. It’s incredible how words can just tie your stomach into knots, and I fully recognise that people who have a different perspective may find it pedantic and don’t see what the fuss is about. I also appreciate that people don’t do it with any bad intentions and I’m getting better at letting it go.

This year, one of the campaigns for World Down Syndrome Day – dedicated to the full inclusion and direct participation of people with Down syndrome in their social and political communities – was called Not Special Needs Just Human Needs. I had always struggled with the term ‘special needs’, but couldn’t quite put my finger on why. This campaign explained brilliantly what I had been struggling to put into words.

While we know our son is special [show me a parent who doesn’t think their child is], we have never believed that his needs are special. True, he might need, or have needed, a bit of assistance in certain areas of his development, but his needs, those building

“THE NEED TO LOVE AND BE LOVED, TO BE RESPECTED, TO BE ACCEPTED, TO HAVE FRIENDS AND BE A FRIEND, TO COMMUNICATE, TO WORK… THEY ARE NOT SPECIAL – NOT SPECIAL AT ALL – AND NOT DIFFERENT; QUITE THE CONTRARY, VERY MUCH THE SAME” There was a point where life took over, as it does, and before we knew it, we got to the routine of day care and then kindergarten and now Year 1 in big boy school… and things are calm and serene.

Yes, of course the challenges exist – liaising with his class teacher and LSA on a daily basis to ensure that Sam is not overwhelmed by the academic and other demands being placed on him; finding ways to guide him through areas he may find more challenging; aiming to integrate him better with his peers, given that his productive language is still developing and so his speech isn’t as fluent as that of his classmates. All these things take time and effort and work.

Although initiatives to raise awareness have increased, it is still by and large lacking. By awareness, I mean a true understanding of what the syndrome is and how people with Down syndrome are affected – not the man-in-the-street awareness of ‘dawk angli’, or ‘ah, they know how to do…’

I face that with a bit of ambivalence. I didn’t know much about Down syndrome before Sam, and many people I know, other than those who have loved ones with Down syndrome, don’t either, so how can I blame them? My humble wish is that they are better people than I was, and that instead of resorting to platitudes, they feel comfortable enough to ask questions and learn a bit more about the condition. The fear of the unknown is one of the biggest obstacles in society, and by removing that, we start knocking down the barriers that prevent us from making it truly inclusive.

blocks that make us truly human, are no different from everyone else’s. The need to love and be loved, to be respected, to be accepted, to have friends and be a friend, to communicate, to work… they are not special – not special at all – and not different; quite the contrary, very much the same.

So, I guess the reason the term jars with me is because it focuses on what is different, because let’s face it, special is a euphemism for different and different is often not just a statement of fact, but carries a connotation and is itself often a euphemism for inferior.

The term jars because it implies a difference, instead of highlighting a fundamentally crucial fact – that the needs of people with Down syndrome, or people with any other condition really, are primarily and fundamentally the same as everyone else’s. And it completely ignores the truth that, as people, we are more the same than we are different…

Having said this, today, I can look back and smile at the happy six years we have shared; the laughs, the smiles, the mischief, all of which, sitting on my hospital bed six years ago, I thought had been snatched from under our noses.

But oh, how wrong I was! The satisfaction – no elation – at seeing Sam succeed, at seeing him make progress, putting his first sentence together, having his first conversation on the phone are indescribable.

Are there worries? Of course there are! And some days, they grip you a bit tighter than others. As parents, one thing you learn very quickly is that worries are Pink April 2017 ∫ 13

PRIVATEEYE

“WHAT HAPPENS WHEN HE GETS OLDER AND HIS PEERS REALISE HE IS DIFFERENT? WHAT HAPPENS WHEN HE REALISES HE IS DIFFERENT? WILL HIS SCHOOL FRIENDS, WHO ARE NOW SO FOND OF HIM AND HAPPY TO HAVE HIM AROUND, REALLY START TO CAST HIM ASIDE AND LEAVE HIM OUT?” par for the parenthood course. We worry about our daughter: will she be safe, happy and healthy? And yet our worries about Sam are a bit different. The best way I can describe it is as an additional ‘worry layer’.

What happens when he gets older and his peers realise he is different? What happens when he realises he is different? Will his school friends, who are now so fond of him and happy to have him around, really start to cast him aside and leave him out? How can we best equip him to be included and integrated with his peers? How can we best equip him to cope with these realisations? How will people treat him? Will they treat him with respect? Will he be able to live alone?

And then you realise that these worries, although real, must be shelved for a while longer because we must still make it a point to live one day at a time, to enjoy and appreciate the here and now and to cross bridges when we get to them.

”

JUST HUMAN NEEDS In the words of the campaign for the 12th World Down Syndrome Day last month: “The need to receive proper education, to get a job, to live with independence, to catch up with friends, to play sport, to fully exercise our rights as equal citizens are important aspects of life for each of us and needs that no one would dream of defining as ‘special’. Yet for people with Down syndrome, the label of ‘special needs’ is often used to describe them and their needs.

“The term ‘special needs’ is a common euphemism used in reference to people with disabilities. But on closer consideration, people with Down syndrome have the same needs as everyone else: to study, to work, to have the opportunity to speak up and be heard and to be full participants in the community. People with Down syndrome may need extra assistance – sometimes significant assistance – and adjustments to meet a particular need. But that doesn’t make that common human need ‘special’.

“For example, a person who requires some help in speaking, writing, or being understood, is still meeting the same human need that we all share – the need to communicate. The only thing that is different is the degree of assistance or the way they meet that need, not the need itself.”

WOMENSWORLD

WOMEN ON BOARD The underrepresentation of women on Maltese company boards is abysmal, with only four per cent female CEOs. HELEN RAINE struggles to track down females in high positions… and willing to explain why they made it, while many don’t.

W

omen make up less than three per cent of the boards of large companies in Malta; the EU average of 21 per cent is also far from equal.

Michelle Gialanze of Women Directors in Malta [WDM] says it’s time that changed. Her programme supports women who want to make it to the top and businesses who want to attract them.

Michelle is a single mother of three children and holds a PhD in Education.

She’s had a varied career, from lecturing at the University of Malta, to running her own business. She’s now an advisor to the Ministry of Education and Employment. She explains that setting up WDM happened organically.

“It was set up through a need we, as a group of women directors, identified as we went about our work.” The NGO started from the

basement of her home as a way to understand how to correct the gender imbalance at the top of major Maltese and European companies.

One of the organisation’s key goals was fairness. “We would like women to be appointed due to their merits,”

abundance of research to demonstrate that firms with women on their boards are more profitable.

Female directors tend to make stronger efforts to monitor the firm; they spend more time in board meetings and are more likely to monitor the CEO closely and to be concerned with influencing the firm’s strategy. A huge study from February 2016 found that companies with more women leaders added six per cent to net profit margin.”

“THE NGO STARTED FROM THE BASEMENT OF HER HOME AS A WAY TO UNDERSTAND HOW TO CORRECT THE GENDER IMBALANCE AT THE TOP OF MAJOR MALTESE AND EUROPEAN COMPANIES” Michelle says. “WDM is solely about equal opportunity – a level playing field for women at board level. Our training initiatives assist women with that objective in mind. The debate about women directors should focus on the business arguments, not on gender.”

The problem, Michelle says, is that thus far, in Malta, we have failed to make the business case. “There is an

That’s why one of WDM’s key objectives is to communicate the positive benefits of having women in the boardroom. “Enhancing women’s participation can trigger sustainable economic growth,” she explains.

WDM offers specific tools for businesses. For example, Michelle can supply a list of women who are available for directorships [around Pink April 2017 ∫ 17

WOMENSWORLD Michelle Gialanze Fiona Borg

60 at present], and organises events where women can network with other business leaders.

WDM is launching a charter, which, Michelle says, “will encourage companies to show how they are being proactive in creating opportunities for women on their boards. HSBC is the first organisation to sign this and it is being considered by another four companies”.

She points out that women with ambition have legal support in Europe; a European Directive states that where companies have less than 40 per cent women among their nonexecutive directors, they must make appointments to those positions on

She concedes, however, that it is “difficult to understand why women make it to managerial positions, but don’t get directorships, including some governmental ones, which consist of just men”, adding that there are very competent women who are willing to take up the various roles and responsibilities.

Michelle is aware of the discourse that suggests “women cannot have it all”, but firmly rejects this view.

“I believe rather strongly that if a woman is supported by her partner and her family, she has the possibility to reach her potential; this way, she feels fulfilled, and her family benefits from her success.”

“I BELIEVE RATHER STRONGLY THAT IF A WOMAN IS SUPPORTED BY HER PARTNER AND HER FAMILY, SHE HAS THE POSSIBILITY TO REACH HER POTENTIAL; THIS WAY, SHE FEELS FULFILLED, AND HER FAMILY BENEFITS FROM HER SUCCESS” the basis of an unambiguous comparative analysis of the qualifications of each candidate. Given equal qualification, priority shall be given to the underrepresented sex.

As to why the situation remains so dire in Malta in particular, Michelle says: “This is a combination of factors; women not choosing to compete against men; women who, along their career paths, find that they have other priorities.”

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And she is hopeful for the future.

“The situation for women in management has improved, and I believe we are seeing the evolution of great leaders. However, the recent statistics gathered at an EU level show that Malta is still on the low end. We need to create role models for our youth.”

Her advice to women starting out is to “be passionate about what you do and believe in your vision”.

They made it – so can you FIONA BORG Chief Operations Officer, Mediterranean Insurance Brokers [Malta] Limited Fiona Borg started her career with a three-month scholarship in Insurance Studies, followed by a work placement with MIB. She’s worked with the company ever since. She’s also the Chairperson for the Association of Insurance Brokers.

Fiona says that she has always been ambitious. “I was put to the test when the senior person of my unit resigned with immediate effect. Being next in line, I had to take over the responsibility of all the accounts within our unit. I could have resisted, but I woke up to the opportunity.

It wasn’t an easy task, but with the assistance of one of the line managers, I succeeded.”

Her advice for young women starting out in business is to “focus on what you really want in your life – find your passion, or as Runa Magnus says, find your ‘X-Factor’.”

Fiona recommends getting a broad suite of qualifications, learning financial and management practices and getting a mentor within the chosen industry, as well as “networking with people within and outside your industry to make them aware of your personal brand”.

WOMENSWORLD Sheila Dean

“THE WOMEN WHO ARE IN LEADING POSITIONS TODAY HAD THE GRANDPARENTS TAKING CARE OF THE YOUNGSTERS, BUT IN A FEW YEARS’ TIME, THE GRANDPARENTS WILL BE WORKING TOO” She recognises the gender imbalance in top jobs in Malta and is working with WDM to address the problem, saying that “although the process is taking long, we have to remember that Malta, as part of the EU, has to increase female participation in the workplace by 2020. Temporary quotas will make a difference; however, this needs to be part of a transparent recruitment process to ensure that the quality of our top jobs remains”.

Fiona has a 16-year-old daughter and says that family-friendly measures are proving increasingly important for businesses. They assist parents with their career while at the same time having peace of mind for their children. “Through this, companies … will retain their key staff without any interruption to the business agenda.”

Fiona admits that the cultural environment is difficult to destroy.

“Until a few years back, it was very natural for a mother to stay at home to take care of her family’s needs. The women who are in leading positions today had the grandparents taking care of the youngsters, but in a few years’ time, the grandparents will be working too. Free childcare centres are definitely helpful and have seen an increase in women re-entering the labour market and progressing their careers.”

Fiona also thinks that government policies have a role to play. “I would welcome opportunities to open up a recruitment process for directors of government entities. For the private sector, I would suggest the government offers incentives to companies who promote more women in senior positions, including their board of directors”.

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SHEILA DEAN Global Chief Executive Officer, Equiom Group, UK Sheila Dean joined Ernst and Young after graduating from university in 1990.

She worked her way up the company ranks as it was bought out by the Anglo Irish Bank; when a further buy-out opportunity arose, Sheila negotiated both private equity and senior debt funding to create Equiom. She is based in the Isle of Man. Part of the key to her success is her broad understanding of the business.

“I’ve worked within various areas and this has given me the platform to succeed… You can’t be in a key decision-making position without understanding all aspects of the business,” she says. “This approach has helped me grow the business – you gain a lot of trust and respect from making smart decisions.”

Sheila hasn’t found sexism in business to be a problem. “The ‘issue’ has never really been apparent to me.

I’m glad to say many of the businesses I deal with employ women in senior positions. Likewise, there are several women occupying board positions at Equiom.”

While she acknowledges that Europe still has low numbers of female CEOs – “it is rare to see an even ratio of males to females on any given board” – she’s a big believer that success breeds success.

“The more women in positions of authority, the more it will encourage other women’s ambitions to succeed. At Equiom, for example, female directors and senior managers are commonplace. They add a different dimension to deliberations. We believe balanced leadership is important to help all staff fulfil their aspirations.”

Sheila has a son, Ollie, 13, and is immensely proud of him. “Due to my frequent travelling, I like to make sure that when I’m at home, I spend plenty of quality time with him. When I’m ‘on the road’, we Skype regularly, so I can keep up to date with the fast-paced life of a 13-year-old!”

The company also offers flexible working policies “aimed at removing obstacles to women’s career advancement”. Sheila says female staff with young families utilise this flexibility to create a balance.

And critically, she adds, the company has “created a culture where career progression is unequivocally based on the ability to fulfil the objectives of the role.

“There is a strong correlation between the success of the firm and female leadership. This year, 15 female staff have been promoted across all levels.”

WOMENSWORLD

Dancing with AI Women are still a minority in the field of technology. But the strong passion these female students have for their subject – Artificial Intelligence – is making its presence felt.

HELEN RAINE gets her head around the exciting ideas and innovative creations of these IT girls. You may need to Google some of the words they use, but the bottom line is they are at the top of their game.

I

f you love dancing, but your other half has two left feet, students at the University of Malta have a solution – they’ve created a virtual dance partner, who can follow your moves and react accordingly.

If that’s not funky enough for you, they can also use Swarm Intelligence to send virtual flying globes to rock out with you. The dancing avatar and the Swarm are the result of an innovative link-up between students and teachers in the Department of Artificial Intelligence [AI] at the University of Malta and the Performing Arts.

Martina Mallia and Lara Demajo

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FLOCKS TOGETHER AI students Martina Mallia, Lara Marie Demajo and Leanne Zammit all worked on the dancing avatar. They used a Kinect camera [like the one in an Xbox] to track the skeletal movements of a real dancer, Lucia Piquero Alvarez.

“We downloaded a package of dance moves and associated a few with different positions,” Martina says. If Lucia was on the left, the avatar would perform a set series of moves, changing the routine when she was on the right. “This made the dancer look like she was dancing with the avatar.”

Natalia Mallia worked on an AI ‘flocking’ algorithm, which mimics the behaviour of creatures such as birds and “applies it to a particle system that follows an individual dancer in real-time”.

She explains: “The idea is that while the dancers move, their location is mapped by resolving the difference between them and a white background. The particles will gather or disperse around the dancer while avoiding collisions.”

Natalia had a month to complete the work and says the greatest challenge was speed; “the algorithm together with the webcam tracking and processing in real-time caused a large delay.”

In a department that is focused on technology, the link-up with the Performing Arts helped the students to Pink April 2017 ∫ 23

WOMENSWORLD

Leanne Zammit

view their work in a new light. “This project made me see how many different things we can accomplish by applying simple AI techniques to the traditional ‘doings’ of the world…

By thinking outside of the box, you can create something attractive. AI is not only used in daily tasks, but also to entertain and make the world a better place,” Lara says.

THE FUTURE IS ROBOTIC The project is under the tutelage of Dr Vanessa Camilleri.

She says that we already experience AI daily. “AI has been changing our lives, but it is often cleverly ‘hidden’ behind popular applications.”

Siri and Cortana are good examples, as is the Google search engine [which uses AI to sort through search results and ‘learns’ from its user] and Facebook [which uses facial recognition, textual analysis and targeted advertising].

These female students are at the forefront of a technological sea change, where self-driving will become commonplace, AI implants could make us faster, stronger and brighter and the effects of old age could be mitigated with exoskeletons, or hearing implants.

In the future, Google will better understand the context of our searches, so that instead of throwing up 26 million hits, it will filter out only the specific information we need. And technology will give us more time to be creative, relieving us of ‘meaningless jobs’ like cleaning the loo or mowing the lawn.

Natalia says that we’re well on the way to solving “important hurdles concerning AI when emulating the brain”, particularly with regard to image and natural language processing.

“I personally think that AI will take the world by storm.

We already have fridges that can tell you what groceries you need to restock… In Amazon’s new convenience store in Seattle, there are no cash registers or employees and …

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“THESE FEMALE STUDENTS ARE AT THE FOREFRONT OF A TECHNOLOGICAL SEA CHANGE, WHERE SELF-DRIVING WILL BECOME COMMONPLACE, AI IMPLANTS COULD MAKE US FASTER, STRONGER AND BRIGHTER AND THE EFFECTS OF OLD AGE COULD BE MITIGATED WITH EXOSKELETONS, OR HEARING IMPLANTS” one simply walks in, takes what is needed and walks back out. If Artificial and Human Intelligence work together, hand in hand, we’re in for some treats,” Martina adds.

Lara has an idea that combines AI with a love of fashion. She describes an “interface that would tell the user which contouring product is ideal. This would take an image … to capture the face shape, skin colour, type and texture and then give a report with the ideal product. It would also display an image of the user’s face with the places she should use the product on and how she would look afterwards”.

TECH IN THE GENES The passion these women feel for their subject is clear and their ideas are exciting, yet they remain in a minority – most students in this field in Malta and beyond are male.

“Out of a course of 15 second-year BSc IT [Hons] AI students, under the supervision of Prof. Alexiei Dingli, only four of us are female. I think that females tend to be

WOMENSWORLD The Department of AI is the only one in the Faculty of ICT that has female lecturers: Dr Claudia Borg and Dr Vanessa Camilleri.

Natalia Mallia

looked down upon and taken for granted in this line of work,” Martina says.

Despite the imbalance, Natalia maintains: “Everyone seems to be treated equally, from my experience. The only issue I’ve found with women entering the technology field is their own mindset that it’s a field reserved for men.

Seeing that times are changing, it is difficult to imagine finding any issues with gender in the working world.”

Lara agrees. “IT is, in fact, quite male dominated and I experienced this when I studied Computer Science as an A level subject as well as at university. Having said this, my gender has never been an issue. We all had the same abilities, doing equally well in every subject [even better sometimes]. I do encourage more girls to follow.”

And while Leanne acknowledges the gender skew, she says: “At this point, it is no harder for a female to get into the industry. If you’re considering AI, it’s a complex but very interesting field and I would definitely suggest you go for it!”

the real world after they have experienced the virtual world,” she explains.

Two of the projects target teachers. Because VR can evoke empathy, Dr Camilleri says, “we believe that we can guide teachers to walk in the shoes of children who have diverse needs, such as those with autism or those coming from third country national backgrounds”.

“WE ALL HAD THE SAME ABILITIES, DOING EQUALLY WELL IN EVERY SUBJECT [EVEN BETTER SOMETIMES]. I DO ENCOURAGE MORE GIRLS TO FOLLOW” The university also has plans to compete on the international stage when it comes to AI. Dr Camilleri says that in October of this year, “we will be launching a new MSc in AI, which specialises in Fintech, the world of BlockChain, Cryptocurrency and Algorithmic Trading. It will probably be one of the first such programmes in Europe.

“We’re also thinking of launching an MSc next year in Game Based Media and Technologies, which will be taught jointly by members of staff from the University of Malta and Donau University, Austria.”

FUTURE FOR THE WOMEN

VIRTUAL FUTURE Future project developments by the Department of AI at the university include a collaboration with the Department of Inclusion and Access to Learning, involving Virtual Reality [VR].

“Virtual Reality refers to a computer-generated environment a user can experience … and interact with through sights and sound as if that environment were real,” Dr Camilleri says. “Our projects in VR target human behaviour … to change … the way humans interact with

For the women on the course, the possibilities following graduation are as limitless as the technology itself. “It could range from becoming a software developer to implementing AI into digital games,” Natalia says.

“Jobs related to gaming, processing and understanding of spoken languages … are all very much based on AI,” Martina points out.

In the meantime, they’ve potentially saved a new generation of women from dancing around their handbags – our new partners might be virtual, but they sure can dance.

Pink April 2017 ∫ 25

WOMENSWORLD

DIGITAL

IMMIGRANTS Being a female in telecommunications is “no biggie”. This is an industry hungry for talent, especially in Malta, due to the relatively small labour pool, according to two women who have made it to top.

HELEN RAINE finds that if you can do an excellent job, you’re hired.

I

f you had any lingering suspicions that the tech industry is just for the boys, let Vodafone Malta put you straight. This is a company with a female CEO, Amanda Nelson, where 46 per cent of the employees and 50 per cent of the executive committee are female. When it comes to finding the right people in a highly competitive market, gender discrimination has become a thing of the past.

Ruth Farrugia and Chantelle Mercieca are two women at the sharp end of the telecommunications company’s tech operations. Ruth describes herself as a ‘digital immigrant’; she grew up before the digital revolution, unlike her two ‘digital native’ kids. But that hasn’t stopped her from carving out a career that has led her to become the Service Centre Manager for Vodafone. Chantelle is the Capability Roadmap and Security Manager for the company.

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Ruth explains that she got into the tech world via a government job, working her way through the IT help desk, then information systems and service management. Her latest position has her managing teams to diagnose and troubleshoot crises – sometimes even in the middle of the night.

Chantelle graduated as an electrical engineer and worked her way from systems engineer into a ‘virtual’ team of regional engineers across Europe. In her current role, she is responsible for the information security team.

Their take on the gender debate is that being a woman in telecommunications is no biggie.

This is an industry hungry for talent,

especially in Malta, due to the relatively small labour pool. If you can do an excellent job, you’re hired.

Both women are loving the challenge of being top techs. “It’s an exciting, dynamic field. My role entails looking at new technological products … to analyse whether they could be successfully applied to Vodafone Malta,” Chantelle says.

She also looks after fibre security, as well as ensuring that the system is not hacked.

“It never becomes routine – there’s always a new incident or threat to dig your teeth into,” she continues. “The fact that I wake up for work not knowing what I’ll be encountering keeps me on my toes and is part of the fun.”

WOMENSWORLD

Chantelle Mercieca and Ruth Farrugia.

Ruth has had a similar experience: “I work in service management – it is in my nature to strive to find the root cause of any issue. I analyse, assess, ask questions and can sometimes be a pain in order to understand why something is not working as it should. It allows me to better understand our services and identify improvements.

It’s a mix of being both reactive … to rectify the situation as quickly as possible without impacting customers [and] proactive, seeing that the … processes are in place to lessen the probability of repeat incidents.”

They’ve both experienced the odd bit of stereotyping in an industry often seen as ‘male’.

To help kick discrimination in the long grass, Vodafone has introduced flexible working and teleworking, meaning that working parents can juggle family commitments more easily.

The results in their recruitment of women speak for themselves.

Both Chantelle and Ruth are driven by the challenge to keep up in a field that is constantly evolving.

“The Internet of Things [IoT] is one of the advances that will impact our daily lives in the coming years,” Chantelle says.

“Everything is becoming more connected, from our car, to our houses’ lighting and appliances – everything will be controlled by the touch of a button. Parking sensors will inform us which parking bays are not occupied. IoT will change our way of life, the same way that mobile internet has.”

Focused on improving service to get a competitive edge, Ruth maintains the opportunities are endless. “In telecoms … any advancements would probably be related to how our customers experience and consume data.”

They are both quick to encourage other women into the tech game.

“TO KEEP UP IN A DYNAMIC INDUSTRY, NO ONE CAN AFFORD TO LOOK BACKWARDS – SEXISM HAS FALLEN BY THE WAYSIDE” Chantelle says people external to the company would “ask to speak to ‘the engineer’”, and Ruth admits that previously, being a working mother meant that, sometimes, she was not put on the same level as others with the same skills and competences.

“There were times in the past when I was passed over for certain roles out of fear that I would not have been able to deliver.”

But technology and society are changing fast. “Unconscious bias has been whittled down with the younger generation,” Ruth continues. To keep up in a dynamic industry, no one can afford to look backwards – sexism has fallen by the wayside.

Chantelle says there’s not enough awareness of the sheer breadth of the technology field.

“People sometimes associate the word ‘engineer’ with bulky machinery, oil and electricity – not that there’s anything wrong with that of course; it’s just that people are not aware of how incredibly broad the sector is.

As a communications engineer, for example, I’ve never had to look at power sources.”

And Ruth says the door is open to talent: “Challenge yourself. Ignore any naysayers. If there is an area you excel in, you should pursue it, irrespective of gender.”

Pink April 2017 ∫ 29

WOMANKIND

Mary, Mary…

Mary Barber, as she was then known, became the first woman war correspondent. As Mary Henderson, she re-defined the role of the diplomat’s wife. MARY GALEA DEBONO explains how circumstances led her to move between Greece and England, leaving her mark in her tracks.

Mary Henderson in 1980.

L

ondon and Athens are two cities where Mary Henderson always felt she belonged.

However, she readily admitted that when in Athens, she missed the lifestyle and friends of her adopted country, while when she was in London, the mere thought of “goats, dryness, noise and the bright blue sky”, or the smell of “coffee, dust and pepper trees” were enough to put her in a mood of nostalgic yearning for Greece, the country of her birth.

Mary often asked herself whether she was Greek or British – a question that had no ready answer and that many people in the same situation find themselves asking when faced with difficult choices.

Her own parents, who were both Greek, but who had settled happily in England, decided to return to Greece in their old age, thinking life would be easier and happier for them then. They never realised that time had not stood

still, not even in Greece, after World War II, and that they were returning to a different world from the one they had left – a predicament that many emigrants find themselves in.

characterised by a series of coups and counter-coups. Taking advantage of the disorder, the Turks attacked the country in 1922, massacring 30,000 Christians. King Constantine, who was blamed for the debacle, was forced to abdicate the throne in favour of his son who, faced with intractable difficulties, himself was forced to leave. Faced with this situation, in 1924, Mary’s parents, too, decided to move to England.

For Mary, this cultural change was no traumatic experience. In Greece, she had had an English governess, who had luckily prepared her for the change of scene. After sitting for some exams, Prof. Cawadias was able to resume his medical practice, which made it possible for the family to adopt their former lifestyle in a house in Wimpole Street, next door to the Barretts’.

Mary started her formal education, passed her Oxford examination and would have gone to university to study medicine had her father not dissuaded her from doing so, saying that he had no wish to have “a bluestocking daughter”.

Instead, in the summer of 1939, Mary and her mother went for a holiday to Greece, where they were warmly welcomed by the rest of the family. Mary immediately fell in love with the country. But what had been planned as a short holiday turned out to be a prolonged stay; while they were there, World War II broke out and the father advised them to remain in

“THIS FREED MARY FROM DIVIDED LOYALTIES AS NOW THE TWO COUNTRIES THAT SHE LOVED WERE ON THE SAME SIDE, FIGHTING A COMMON ENEMY” Mary was born Maria Xenia Cawadias in Athens in 1919. The Cawadias were an illustrious family. One of her ancestors was a heroic Archbishop who had fought the Turks in the Greek War of Independence; her grandfather had set up the museum on the Acropolis; her uncle was the Admiral of the Greek fleet; and her father, Prof. A. P. Cawadias, was a well-known medical doctor, head of a large teaching hospital, and the Greek king’s doctor.

Between 1920 and 1924, Greece was in turmoil; it was a period

Greece, then still a neutral country, until the danger had passed.

For Mary, the political uncertainty reigning in Greece was at first a source of concern. Would Greece be on the side of the fascists, or would it side with the British? Mary was conscious that the situation could put her loyalties to the test: “my heart, my mind were split.” She longed to serve her country; but which country?

The dilemma was soon resolved when the Italians joined the Axis powers. On August 15, 1940, an Italian Pink April 2017 ∫ 31

WOMANKIND submarine torpedoed the Greek cruiser Elli and, demanding entry into Greece, the Italian army crossed the border from Albania. The Greek Prime Minister, Ioannis Metaxas, at first reluctant to take sides, rejected the Italian ultimatum and entered war on Britain’s side. This freed Mary from divided loyalties as now the two countries that she loved were on the same side, fighting a common enemy.

Mary did not want to remain a spectator during this conflict. She brushed up her Greek and applied to join the Greek Voluntary Red Cross.

After successfully passing her exams, she got a job in a first-aid station in Athens. At first, her work consisted mainly of sterilising gauzes and surgical equipment and preparing the operating theatre, but soon afterwards, she took up duty in a makeshift military hospital, which received casualties from the Albanian front.

She worked long hours, dedicating herself wholeheartedly to the wounded who were mostly poor peasants from remote villages. She found her work emotionally exacting, but hugely satisfying. What annoyed her was that although she gave her all, she felt that her Greek counterparts still considered her a ‘foreigner’ exactly as her English school friends had looked at her in England. “I came to know what it meant to be a foreigner.”

Nicholas Henderson

“WITH A MACHINE GUN POINTED AT HER, SHE WAS FORCED ONTO A TRUCK AND TAKEN WITH OTHERS TO HAIDARI, THE MUCH-FEARED SS CAMP” Although the Greeks had already started suffering from food shortages, their situation deteriorated even faster when the Germans appeared in the streets of Athens. They behaved with the characteristic arrogance of an occupying force towards the Athenians, requisitioning buildings, plundering food and evacuating wounded Greek soldiers from the hospitals to make way for the wounded Germans. Arrests and searches became the order of the day.

The Germans asked Mary to go on working for them, but she refused.

Instead, with her friend, she ran a soup kitchen for children. When the head 32 ∫ Pink April 2017

nurse of the Greek Red Cross informed her that at a given address in Athens there was a number of children, victims of an air attack on the port of Piraeus, who needed help, she spontaneously volunteered, unmindful of the danger.

One day, very early in the morning when Mary was still asleep, there was a knock on the door and two SS men entered her bedroom, demanding that she go with them. The mother insisted on accompanying her and they were taken to the SS headquarters where the two were separated. Then, with a machine gun pointed at her, she was forced onto a truck and taken with

others to Haidari, the much-feared SS camp.

“No one comes out alive,” one soldier informed her. She was put in solitary confinement. A few days later, with her hands tied behind her back, she was taken for interrogation and sentenced to death for helping the Allies. When she was taken back to the cell, the man who was washing the floor told her in whispers that the British were bombarding Greece. And so it was, for soon afterwards, the Germans retreated and both mother and daughter were set free.

During the Occupation, many guerilla groups operating from hideouts in the mountains had formed.

This resistance movement had managed to carry out daring acts of sabotage, such as disrupting communications for the enemy. But they had different political agendas, and with the removal of their common enemy, they directed their energies on fighting each other. A civil war – more devastating and debilitating than German aggression – broke out and many atrocities were committed.

When the armistice was signed, Prof. Cawadias arranged for his wife and daughter to travel back to England on a troopship. But Mary was not happy in England; she found it different “from the country which [she] had so vividly pictured in [her] fantasy world during the war”. She applied for a job with a UN agency, which gave her the opportunity to return to Greece,

and while working there, she met and married the journalist Stephen Barber.

Although the marriage did not last long, Barber introduced her to journalism, and when she got an offer to work for Time-Life magazines to cover the Greek civil war, she did not hesitate to accept. Mary Barber, as she was then known, became the first woman war correspondent.

This journalistic assignment gave her not only the opportunity to get to know the Greece outside Athens, but because she lived at the Hotel Grande Bretagne, where many of the correspondents and the top military and political personalities resided, she also had the opportunity to meet, observe and learn from them.

“ABOVE ALL, SHE WAS A PERFECTIONIST; SHE TRANSFORMED EVERY EMBASSY RESIDENCE INTO A SHOWCASE OF BRITISH GOOD TASTE. HER EMPHASIS ON STYLE, MARRIED WITH HER ATTENTION TO DETAIL, ENSURED THAT RECEPTIONS AT THE BRITISH EMBASSY WERE UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES” It was in this period that she met and fell in love with Nicholas Henderson, a dashing and soave diplomat. It was with his surprise gift of a red ruby and a promise that he would join her that she returned to London after her assignment. Mary dared not believe it, but ‘Nicho’ kept his promise, and in 1951, they got married.

It is this romantic episode that concludes Mary Henderson’s book Xenia – A Memoir. Interspersed with anecdotes and humorous incidents, it is a history written by the layman. More than a critical analysis of a major event in modern Greek history, it is a tribute to the courage and perseverance of the ordinary Greek.

Nicholas made a name for himself as British ambassador, posted in major European countries, ending as ambassador to Washington in the difficult days of transition of the Carter/Reagan administration.

There is no doubt that he owes a part of this success to his wife, who was not only a great support, but also an astute woman, whose opinion about people and events he learnt to heed.

Mary redefined the role of the diplomat’s wife.

Besides having an innate intelligence, versatility, a knowledge of languages, determination, shrewdness in assessing a situation, and an ability to extract information – some called it ‘manipulation’ – she had a sardonic humour and she was never pompous.

Above all, she was a perfectionist; she transformed every embassy residence into a showcase of British good taste. Her emphasis on style, married with her attention to detail, ensured that receptions at the British embassy were unforgettable experiences.

She was also very elegant and did much to promote British fashion.

Mary died on January 22, 2004, at the age of 84.

SHOWSTOPPER

LACE UP AND WIND DOWN

Photography Matthew B Spiteri Styling Marisa Grima [marisagrima.com] Hair Vanusia Mifsud @ Jiav Glamazon hair salon ∫ Make-up Henry Galea Models Magda @ Supernova MM & Henry

Shirt, €55; bag, €35; shoes, €47, all River Island ∫ jeans, €35.99, Mango.

Pink April 2017 ∫ 37

SHOWSTOPPER

Shirt, €49.95; trousers, €49.95, both Marks & Spencer ∫ Gabor brogues, €95.99, Scholl Foothealth Centre ∫ bag, €35.99, River Island.

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SHOWSTOPPER

Jacket, €39.99; top, €25.99; trousers, €29.99; bag, €19.99, all Orsay ∫ shoes, model’s own.

Pink April 2017 ∫ 39

SHOWSTOPPER

Top, €43; pencil skirt, €60, both River Island.

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SHOWSTOPPER

Magda wears vest, €25.99; T-shirt, €6.99; shorts, €19.99; bag, €25.99, all Mango ∫ neck scarf, €22, River Island.

Henry wears shirt, €59.99; jeans, €89.99, both Cortefiel.

Pink April 2017 ∫ 41

SHOWSTOPPER

Dress, €273, Mimi Boutique.

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SHOWSTOPPER

Magda wears Pedro del Hierro top, €139; trousers, €49.99, both Cortefiel ∫ Henry wears jeans, €89.99; scarf, €22.99, both Cortefiel.

Pink April 2017 ∫ 43

SHOWSTOPPER

Dress, €108, Oasis ∫ cap, €22, River Island.

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SHOWSTOPPER

Top, €290; skirt, €360; bag, €99.90, all Tommy Hilfiger.

Pink April 2017 ∫ 45

FASHIONSTORY

Comfortable IN HER OWN SKIN

It all started from a beauty contest for shy Bojana Milojevic to come out of her shell.

Today, the 30-year-old Serb model is the face of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Malta. Tomorrow, she is not afraid of ageing… and when her time on the catwalk is up, her new job will be as model mother to her kids.

W

hen, how and why did you start modelling? Eleven years ago, my mother’s friend suggested I should apply for a beauty contest in my city.

I didn’t see myself in that world, but my mother thought it would be a good experience and a gateway for me to gain more self-confidence and come out of my shell as I was very shy. She was right, as always! Not expecting it at all, I won and was immediately in the running for the Miss SCG 2006 crown. After that night, my life change. I travelled to Korea, China, Greece, Paris, Italy, Seychelles, India, Vietnam, representing Serbia and participating in international Fashion Weeks. I fell in love with the catwalk with my first step.

“I CAN SAY THAT MALTA AND I HAVE A REALLY GOOD RELATIONSHIP” Is it something you always dreamt of doing? Being a model is not something I had ever thought about. Before I started, I remember watching Miss Universe and telling my father I would like to one day walk on that stage, but I wasn’t serious at all. On my 19th birthday, a friend gave me a photo album with notes under every picture. Three important ones were that of Miss Universe winner 2005 Natalie Glebova, captioned with the wish that I would one day be there – I took part in Miss Universe 2008; of a Serbian singer and the lyrics that listed a number of cities – there’s only one left for me to see; and my first photo shoot, asking me to always stay the same – everyone can confirm I haven’t changed. God hears wishes that come from the heart… Modelling has given me what I wanted all my life – to travel and meet people.

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Model traits run in the genes. Both your sisters model. Did you always stand out from the crowd?

Since childhood, you could say that modelling was meant to be part of my life. You could easily spot me in every school photo; I was always posing and doing something with my outfit without anybody ever telling me what to do. It was the same with my sisters; I think you are just born for that. Only our older brother didn’t want to be a part of this world, but in a way, he was – giving us lifts to the castings and photo shoots and waiting to take us back home… or bringing us something we had forgotten behind.

Malta may not exactly be the place to develop a fullblown career in modelling. Most Maltese models do this on the side and it is hardly ever a proper job. And yet, you could say that you have had good opportunities here. Do you feel that the island has opened your doors, rather than hindered you, in this field?

Being a new face on the scene and having some international experience is always a bonus and can bring more opportunities to work. Yes, a bigger market can give you more opportunities, but I am more than happy with what I have had here. I can say that Malta and I have a really good relationship.

How long have you been living in Malta, what brought you here and do you miss home? I first came to Malta five years ago to visit my father and brother who were working here. The weather and the kind people made me fall in love with this island. After a few months living in Malta, I didn’t feel like a foreigner. Home is where the heart is. I am happy here with my husband, my brother, my dog and all the friends I have made. Everyone living

FASHIONSTORY

Pink April 2017 ∫ 49

FASHIONSTORY far away from home misses it. But when I get that feeling, I just buy a ticket and, in two hours, I’m in my house, drinking coffee with my parents.

How did the modelling get started here? It was Supernova Model Management that gave me the opportunity to work as a model here, introducing me to the fashion world, so I could say it was the key to all my doors in Malta. My first photo shoot was for the cover of Pink!

Have you ever considered moving to take your modelling further? Modelling can be financially rewarding, exciting and a great experience. I can say I have all of that, but still, I don’t see myself in this scene all my life. It is just a part of it. I always push myself further…

What does it mean to be chosen as the face of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Malta? I’ve modelled for MFW from the time I arrived in Malta, but I never expected to be chosen – a foreign model – to be the face.

Maybe because of that, I am so honoured and happy about the opportunity and the fact that the organisers believe in me. I always tell myself that the day I go onto the catwalk and I don’t get goosebumps is the time I need to stop. I am 30 years old and I still have the same feeling every time. After so many fashion shows, I can say this opportunity is my crown.

“I ALWAYS TELL MYSELF THAT THE DAY I GO ONTO THE CATWALK AND I DON’T GET GOOSEBUMPS IS THE TIME I NEED TO STOP. I AM 30 YEARS OLD AND I STILL HAVE THE SAME FEELING EVERY TIME” What do you think differentiates you from other Maltese models? Every nationality is different. But I think the best person to answer this question is someone who has worked with different models. I have never compared myself to others. I just give my best in everything I do, and if I can help anyone, I do it from the heart. In the end, we all learn from each other and we are here for the same reason – to enjoy!

The fact that you are a Serb also played a role in the choice, given that Malta Fashion Week and Serbia Fashion Week have had a strong collaboration for the past years, starting with a visit from your homeland in preparation for SFW, which is younger than Malta’s. Malta and Serbia have since been exchanging designers, promoting their respective countries, cultures and tourism, and the idea is for a Maltese 50 ∫ Pink April 2017

model to be the face of SFW. What do you feel about this connection? My first fashion show was in Paris for Svetlana Horvat, president of SFW, and I am happy she managed to make Novi Sad in Serbia the city of fashion, where new designers can showcase their talent. Fashion has no borders and limits; it allows countries to open up to each other, as in this connection between Serbia and Malta. Fashion creates strong friendships. Like I got the opportunity to be the face of MFW, it would be a good experience for a Maltese model to be the face of SFW. This year, the campaign photo does not showcase a particular dress – just a piece of material wrapped around you by designer Ritienne Zammit. What do you think of this clean and simple look? How do you wear and pull off a piece of fabric? And is it proof that it’s not really what you wear, but how you wear it?

Fashion tells a story without words and is an expressive form of art. For me, this look is amazing; it is the heart of Fashion Week. All designers use materials to make gorgeous creations, with an open mind to do whatever they want… I feel comfortable with any piece of material on me… And this was a simple long dress that shows off my figure and is exactly what I like to wear.

What would you have felt if you absolutely hated the dress/look? And how do you handle it when that happens? Only once in this job did I not feel comfortable;

FASHIONSTORY Behind the scenes: Photography Kurt Paris ∫ Design/styling Ritienne Zammit ∫ Hair Chris Galea ∫ Make-up Elaine Galea ∫ Model Bojana Milojevic @ Supernova Model Management ∫ Producer & Coordinator Adrian J Mizzi ∫ Marketing JPA

the dress was big for me and it didn’t suit me at all. Before I went on stage, I told myself: ‘Bojana, you will carry this dress like it is the most beautiful in the world.’ After the show, the designer came to hug and kiss me, telling me he realised that I didn’t like the outfit, but that I left the best impression on the audience. Since that experience, I have been confident to model any type of clothing. To be a model takes more than just a pretty face, or a perfect body.

If you don’t understand that, you should change job.

What has been your best experience in the modelling scene so far and one you wouldn’t like to recall or repeat? When I jumped into this world, I was lucky to meet the gorgeous ex-model, now choreographer, from Serbia, Jelena Mladenovic. Thanks to her, today I have confidence in everything I do because she told me that any experience can only make me better. If I had to mention one amazing experience, it would have to be travelling to India to model. On the other hand, I remember my first fashion show for underwear was really difficult. I had to wear underwear that was revealing more than it was hiding. But overall, each fashion show I have taken part in over the last 11 years has left some good memories.

What do you do to stay on form? I am not a gym person. I’ve trained in Taekwondo and even Aikido, but that was a long time ago when I was still in high school.

Genetics is what I need to be thankful for. I have a big appetite and I eat everything at any time. Recently, my husband, a professional sportsman, suggested I start some exercise and I can say I feel better.

Are you afraid of the time when age won’t allow you to model anymore? No, I’m not afraid. For me, modelling is an experience I am going through, which others will go through as well after me. New generations will have their space, and when their time is over, they will give it to someone else too. Every age is beautiful, and when the time comes for me to stop modelling, that will definitely be the time when I will be occupied with being the perfect model mother to my children.

Who do you look up to in the international modelling scene? Tyra Banks and Alessandra Ambrosio. I love their energy, confidence and walk!

Is there such a thing as ageing gracefully? Getting old is a privilege! Age is the fountain of our mind, our talents and our experience. I am happier than I have been at any other time in my life. I have a wonderful husband and memories I am proud of. I believe the beauty of a woman only grows with the passing of years. I can say I like myself more at 30 than I did at 20.

Which part of your body/face would you change if you could? This is me! I like myself the way I was born.

The Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Malta and Chamilia Malta Fashion Awards are being held from May 22 to 27 at Fort St Elmo in Valletta.

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THINKPINK

HEALTH & BEAUTY

MY SIN

A FRUITY FLORAL EVOCATION

The summer is turning into gourmandises with Nina Ricci! Les Gourmandises de Nina is a fruity floral evocation of a delicately smooth cocktail, offering a wave of colourful, sparkling freshness, thanks to essence of Brazilian orange and its lemonade accord. The heart beats to the rhythm of an exquisite combination of passion fruit and coconut milk, with a pure tropical hedonism. Gardenia sensually anchors this joyous femininity, while a caramel accord envelopes this nectar. Les Gourmandises de Luna is a vanilla, fruity, oriental eau de toilette. The top note is refreshing, with juicy pearls of granite, mingling with cream of grapefruit to form a singular freshness. With the contact of coconut, mildness appears, and the white petals of peony become milky and soft. Like a coulis, sandalwood and caramel run together forming an incredibly addictive, creamy signature. For more details, contact Ta’ Xbiex Perfumery Ltd on 2133 1553.

CHANGING LIVES

For the past 35 years, Dermablend by Vichy Laboratoires has provided the ideal coverage for most complexion flaws – from redness and dark circles, to uneven complexions, vitiligo, hyper-pigmentation and even scars. It also effectively covers up veins, stretch marks and even tattoos all over the body. Today, Dermablend is still unrivalled when it comes to corrective foundation, leaving skin looking natural, luminous, and flawless, while helping you rediscover the pleasure of make-up. Dermablend provides over 16 hours of coverage, and is resistant to water and sweat, as well as rubbing. All products are non-comedogenic, suitable for sensitive skin, and come with UV protection. It is available in pharmacies. For more information, send an e-mail to vichy@prohealth.com.mt, or check out Vichy Facebook.

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Jeanne Lanvin My Sin is the fragrance for an audacious woman. Jeanne Lanvin elegantly and lightly embodies the Lanvin woman, who is decidedly young and romantic. The story continues with a second edition. Jeanne Lanvin My Sin is a tribute to the iconic perfume and designer, going beyond established codes: pride and provocative. The fragrance offers a variation based on notes of musk, borrowed from the Jeanne Lanvin original fragrance, with an outrageously fruity twist.

For more details, contact Chemimart on 2149 2212.

SUNGLASSES AND MORE

Sunglass + Sunglass is your premier shopping destination for the top brands, latest trends and exclusive styles of high-quality fashion and performance sunglasses. It is managed by the trusted team at Vision Opticians, the same team that set up eight outlets of leading opticians across Malta and Gozo. Now, they are bringing the first outlet on the island that is both dedicated to fashion sunglasses and backed by years of experience in professional eye care and unparalleled after-sales service in the heart of Republic Street, Valletta. For more information, send an e-mail to sglassandsglass@vision-opticians.com, or call on 2381 1809.

THE PERFECT LENS WEAR EXPERIENCE

Upgrade to the new AirOptix plus HydraGlyde contact lenses for the perfect lens wear experience. Made with Alcon’s unique SmartShield and HydraGlyde technologies, these advanced lenses have an ultra-thin protective layer that keeps them constantly hydrated for better comfort during long, busy days. With exclusive moisture technology, advanced silicone hydrogel material and wide availability for a range of prescriptions, AirOptix plus HydraGlyde are great for patients who have suffered from dry eye discomfort and need a comfortable, high-quality lens. Get a free Optifree solution or lens now when you buy AirOptix HydraGlyde from leading opticians and pharmacies. Visit eyewear.com.mt/alcon; or call 2381 1400.

INTHEPINK

HRT with a B Recent research has revealed an alarming lack of awareness among women on hormones and their impact on health and well-being… let alone on the existence of bio-identical hormone replacement therapy. Here’s all you need to know about how to restore and maintain optimal health and hormone balance in a natural way.

I

n a recent study of 1,000 women, more than half [53 per cent] were unaware that hormones are responsible for the ageing process, and four out of five did not know that they can be the cause of loss of energy and tiredness.

A further 75 per cent were unaware that hormones can trigger weight gain, with more than four out of 10 oblivious to the detrimental impact hormones can have on the skin.

The research also questioned women on their understanding of hormones and the menopause; almost a third did not know that the menopause can lead to osteoporosis, low libido, high cholesterol, memory loss and depression.

The study was carried out by The Marion Gluck Clinic, which treats patients suffering from hormone imbalances and is a pioneer of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy [BHRT] – hormones that have the same chemical structure as the body’s own, but cause fewer side effects than their ‘synthetic’ counterparts used in conventional HRT.

Dr Marion Gluck

“MANY HORMONE-RELATED PROBLEMS SUCH AS TIREDNESS, WEIGHT GAIN, LOW LIBIDO, DEPRESSION, SLEEP PROBLEMS AND BAD SKIN ARE JUST PUT DOWN TO THE STRESSES OF MODERN LIFE” Commenting on the findings, women’s health specialist Dr Marion Gluck – founder of the clinic that specialises in bio-identical hormones to restore optimal health and hormone balance – says: “Sadly, it’s not surprising that there is low awareness among women as many hormone-related problems such as tiredness, weight gain, low libido, depression, sleep problems and bad skin are just put down to the stresses of modern life.”

Recognised as one of the top doctors in the world for her pioneering treatment of hormonal imbalances, using bio-identical hormones, Dr Gluck trained as a medical doctor in Hamburg more than 30 years ago and has worked all over the world.

“The role of hormones,” she says, “is crucial to our overall health and well-being as they regulate every function of our bodies. As we age, hormones such as oestrogen, Pink April 2017 ∫ 57

INTHEPINK

progesterone and testosterone inevitably decline. By restoring these to their natural levels, women can feel and look healthy, energetic and more in control of their lives.”

The research also found that 79 per cent of women were fearful of using conventional HRT because of recent cancer scares, and more than six out of 10 felt they were expected to just ‘put up with’ hormone-related menopausal symptoms.

But hormone problems are also not just limited to 50 plus menopausal women. Imbalances can occur at different ages of a woman’s [and a man’s] life, and bio-identical hormone replacement therapy is an effective way of restoring the balance.

ABOUT BHRT What is it and why is it different from conventional HRT?

Bio-identical hormones are used to provide relief from a wide range of symptoms experienced during the menopause, andropause [male menopause] and other hormonerelated conditions.

They have identical chemical structures to those hormones found in the human body. As a result, they fit their hormone receptor sites perfectly, so their messages are translated 58 ∫ Pink April 2017

“DOCTORS EXPLORE INDIVIDUAL SYMPTOMS AND MAY PERFORM APPROPRIATE TESTS TO DETERMINE A PERSONALISED PRESCRIPTION THAT REPLENISHES AND BALANCES HORMONES SO THE PATIENT FEELS HEALTHY AGAIN” properly and their effects are more consistent with the normal biochemistry of the body.

Originally derived from plant sources [wild yam and soya beans], they are made into micronised powders, which are used to make oral [lozenges] and transdermal [cream] treatments.

On the other hand, ‘synthetic’ hormones have structural differences to a hormone produced by the body, which means they can act differently and produce different side effects.

Bio-identical hormones are prescribed according to each patient’s individual needs. Doctors explore individual symptoms and may perform appropriate tests to determine a personalised prescription that replenishes and balances hormones so the patient feels healthy again. Individually prescribed bio-identical hormones are often better tolerated.

How long have bio-identical hormones been used for?

BHRT has been used to treat menopausal and other hormone-

related problems since the 1930s, but there has been an increasing interest in the treatment.

What conditions are treated using bio-identical hormones?

BHRT is used to treat a range of hormone-related conditions, including menopause and perimenopause [the transitional stage before the menopause], pre-menstrual syndrome [PMS], endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome [PCOS], osteoporosis, low libido [sex drive], adult acne, fatigue and postnatal depression, as well as male conditions including the andropause [male menopause].

Who can prescribe BHRT?

Bio-identical hormones can be prescribed by registered medical professionals who have been trained on how to treat patients using BHRT. This includes GPs, gynaecologists, endocrinologists, dermatologists, aestheticians, sexual heath consultants, dentists, psychiatrists, prescribing nurses and pharmacists.

TRAVELOGUE

TRAVEL IN AN AGE OF TERROR While it may be tempting for would-be travellers to stay at home and hope that Malta will be spared any terrorist attacks, it has been suggested that the risk of dying through terrorism is one in 20 million. HELEN RAINE explores how unsafe it actually is to go abroad these days.

W

e were just about recovering from the shock of the recent terrorist attack in London’s Westminster when another four people were killed in Stockholm, 44 Christians in churches in Egypt, and who knows what lies in store…

Last year alone saw attacks in Paris and Nice, atrocities in Germany and bombs in Brussels, making it the year when terrorism and tourist hotspots collided.

Worldwide, from January to December 2016, there were 1,785 terrorist incidents* in which thousands of people lost their lives, or were injured.

It might be tempting for wouldbe travellers to stay at home and hope that Malta will be spared – but have the cowardly criminals, who prey on 85-year-old priests, children eating fast food and tourists walking

towards Big Ben really made it that unsafe to go abroad?

The answer depends on where you are planning to go. Some countries are clearly dangerous – the Foreign Affairs Ministry lists eight destinations to which you should ‘avoid all travel’, but since they include Yemen, Iraq, Syria and Liberia, it’s safe to say they weren’t on your list. However, a further 14 countries are listed as ‘avoid all travel in some areas / avoid nonessential travel’ [such as Israel], with even countries like the UK, Belgium and France marked as requiring ‘vigilance’ or ‘caution’.

MENACE OF THE LONE WOLF

Clearly, travellers’ concerns about suicide bombing and ‘lone wolf ’ operations are not unfounded. In May, ISIS released a propaganda video urging their followers to attack ‘non-believers’ in Europe and the US,

rather than travelling to Syria to join the ‘Islamic State’. The message is reported to say: “The smallest action you do in their heartland is better … than what you would if you were with us. If one of you hoped to reach the Islamic State, we wish we were in your place to punish the Crusaders day and night.”

This new strategy is a result of the heavy losses the group has suffered in Syria and Iraq; US Commander Peter Gersten noted last year that fighters had been deserting ISIS and that morale was low. Finding themselves on the losing side, they are lashing out at soft targets, using small groups – the so-called ‘lone wolves’.

France, Germany and Belgium have sustained several of those attacks for socio-political reasons, including, analysts speculate, large Muslim populations, where disenfranchised men can be easily Pink April 2017 ∫ 61

TRAVELOGUE manipulated, a high number of refugees entering the countries and inadequately resourced intelligence agencies.

The threat, however, reaches well beyond the porous borders of those countries. Khalid Masood, the Westminster attacker, was British born and bred and had only been recorded on the very periphery of known terrorism organisations – it appears he was inspired by the Islamic State even if he was not directly connected with them.

“IT’S IMPORTANT THAT IN OUR KNEE-JERK PANIC, WE DON’T THROW AWAY OUR PRECIOUS FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT TOO EASILY”

statistics show that the risks of losing a child this way haven’t risen [and in some countries, have actually fallen] in the last 30 years, yet overall, we are much more afraid of it happening than our parents were because these stories hit the headlines so hard today.

Terrorism works the same way; it’s so emotional and gruesome, so random and beyond our control, that our perceived sense of risk is heightened out of all proportion.

As US travel expert Rick Steves says: “In spite of the hysteria caused by entertainment masquerading as news, we are living in the safest times in history. There are a billion of us relatively wealthy First World Westerners [who leave a pretty deep footprint on our world]. And not many of us are being killed.”

And in reality, we know that we can be mugged, attacked, or run over in a foreign country just as we can in our own. All of those risks are way higher than the chance of being blown up by a deranged jihadi, but we ignore them, because they are part of life, rather than high-profile news fodder.

ESSENTIAL TRAVEL

Terror in Stockholm.

DRIVING MORE DEADLY

Despite this uptick in homegrown violence, the risk of actually getting caught in an attack remains extremely small in Europe. Reason.com suggests that your risk of dying through terrorism is one in 20 million. To put that into perspective, your risk of dying in a car crash is one in 19,000 – in other words, you have a much higher chance of wiping out on the way to the airport.

When terror can happen anywhere, from a little church in Normandy to a regional train in Germany, there’s little point in trying to avoid specific locations in Western countries. Even if a terror attack happens in the very location you are visiting, you are highly unlikely to be caught up in it.

The decision whether and where to travel comes down to our perception of risk. The problem with terror attacks is that they are high profile.

It’s like our fear of child abduction; 62 ∫ Pink April 2017

It’s important that in our knee-jerk panic, we don’t throw away our precious freedom of movement too easily. Travel isn’t just fun; it really does broaden the mind.

Mark Twain wrote: “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrowmindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts.

Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men … cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.”

Pulling up the drawbridge and refusing to leave the shores of our frankly tiny island will only result in a weaker understanding of our fellow humans in other countries, which could, in turn, breed ignorance and fear.

And hunkering down in our own safe zones is the wrong response to terror because it allows the terrorists to achieve their objectives. ISIS would like nothing more than to have us all living in fear and abandoning the beautiful freedom of travel that we have. They want to deny us the wonders of the world and the chance

to talk to the different people who live in it. They want us to fear our fellow humans, especially if they are of a different skin colour or religion. It’s comforting to know that every time you catch a plane to chic Milan or cosmopolitan London, you defy them.

HOW TO MAKE THE CALL

If you’re unsure about a destination, a good way to decide is by reviewing the UK Foreign Office Travel Advisory website, which tends to be more comprehensive than the Maltese equivalent.

For example, they are warning against “all but essential travel” anywhere near the Syrian border in Turkey and to places like Diyarbakir, a walled city I visited happily in 2008.

Egypt has a ‘no go’ zone [North Sinai], and only ‘essential air travel’ is recommended for the tourist area of Sharm El Sheikh. The Foreign Office also advises against all but essential travel to Tunisia, a formerly popular destination with Maltese tourists.

If you do decide to brave locations such as Morocco or Turkey, which are seen as having a comparatively high risk of terrorism, continue to keep an eye on travel advice while you’re away. The UK Foreign Office twitter feed is a useful way to get instant updates; warnings might include keeping away from planned rallies in Cairo, how to avoid violent protests in India, or congestion advisories between France and England due to increased border checks.

Meanwhile, as you ponder whether to risk a mini break in Berlin or Brussels, spare a thought for the Iraqis. Following the failure of Western powers to manage any kind of peaceful transition from Saddam Hussein’s dictatorship to democratic government after the Iraqi war, getting killed in a terror attack is a risk everyone runs daily. In June of last year alone, there were 118 separate attacks in the country, ranging from suicide bombings to executions, mortar attacks and shellings, most carried out by the Islamic State. For Iraqis, the chance to travel anywhere outside of that godforsaken country is something most people can only dream of… if they live long enough, that is. * figures collated from Wikipedia.

GIRLTALK THE VIRGINIA MONOLOGUES

WE LIVE AND DON’T SEEM TO LEARN

O

n the last day of March, I woke with a cast-iron sense of duty to take my puppy to the beach. I felt I should mark the public holiday with him and make his day somehow ‘different’ from the rest.

I could have made my life easy: simply grabbed a towel, my house keys, crossed the road and splashed around on one of the many beaches closer to home. But that would have been far too easy, defeatist and wouldn’t have felt right. It had to be challenging and gruelling of course; it had to involve a 30-minute drive, no parking and torturous sand.

In the manner of a dedicated mother taking her brood to the seashore, I found myself packing a bag full of towels, sunscreen and a sheet [just in case].

I even packed a little picnic: the mandatory hobz biz-zejt, Twistees, water and some fruit. I very nearly found myself reaching for armbands for ‘him’, which is when it occurred to me that, 17 years later, when I am out of the woods and don’t have to go through anymore of

this grief, here I was inventing reasons to do just that.

Still, undeterred, I threw on a light pair of linen pants, wore my bikini underneath and waved the lead at my dog, expecting him to love the idea of the great outdoors. But he looked bored and unmoved and clearly wasn’t having any of it. He was sitting inside his bed [a rare occurrence, which I’d normally relish] and yawned rudely, sticking his tongue out in protest.

had something to do with the fact that I was travelling two days later and felt I needed to give my dog ‘a good time’ before I abandoned him for three days.

I finally managed to drag him into the lift and get him into my car, which, incidentally, he hates… which, of course, defeats the purpose completely and should have been reason enough not to entertain the idea in the first place. In trying to give him a good time, I was putting him through hell and making

“HE WAS SITTING INSIDE HIS BED [A RARE OCCURRENCE, WHICH I’D NORMALLY RELISH] AND YAWNED RUDELY, STICKING HIS TONGUE OUT IN PROTEST” At that moment, I should have known better than to pursue the hare-brained plan. I momentarily thought of abandoning the idea and catching up on laundry instead [it was perfect weather for it], but a little voice inside my head [the one that is clearly responsible for the idiocies and foolhardiness] told me to keep going. A part of my resolve probably

him endure a 25-minute car ride – the one thing he absolutely detests.

You see, quite apart from that little voice inside our head, we are also frequently thrown off by the idea inside our head of what it is supposed to be like.

The car ride was a nightmare because my dog won’t sit anywhere else except on my seat, right behind my back, Pink April 2017 ∫ 65

GIRLTALK “I’M EATING THE WINDSCREEN HALF THE TIME AND DESPERATELY TRYING TO MAKE SURE HE DOESN’T LEAP OUT OF THE WINDOW” which makes driving painful and rather dangerous. I’m eating the windscreen half the time and desperately trying to make sure he doesn’t leap out of the window.

When we finally got to our destination, I very nearly turned back because parking was horrific and impossible.

It was at that point when the other voice inside my head said: ‘Why? Why did you do this? You’ve been around over 40 years and you should know better.’ Holidays = people flock to beach = no parking = stay home [which I am so good at on every other day of the year, anyway].

But once I’d come this far, there really was no turning back. When I did eventually park, getting everything out of the car, while somehow trying to negotiate a lead and keep my dog from running wild, was no mean feat. The walk to the beach was obviously punctuated with my puppy’s decision to mark his territory and poo all over the car park, which is when it occurred to me that I had packed everything except the kitchen sink and dog-poo bags. On top of all the bags I was carrying and my sense of deep foreboding, I found a way of cleaning up the mess.

When we finally got to the beach, I sat down and willed my puppy to sit down and give me a breather… except, of course, he behaved as any dog would, stuck his nose inside the sand and proceeded to start digging. With sand flying everywhere and my obvious inability to let him off the lead, I finally resigned myself to accepting that this was a rotten idea that should never have been pursued. Barely 10 minutes later, we were walking back to the car and heading back home.

On the upside, of course, it inspired me to write this piece [having been toying with what to write about for a few days]. And it underlined and brought so many things into clear focus. There are so many comparisons between raising a dog and raising children. We spend so much time feeling ‘guilty’ when we shouldn’t and we compensate by having to beat ourselves up and put ourselves through grief.

As if my dog would even know the difference between the sandy beach at the Exiles and the one up at Riviera.

Besides, I’m quite sure his favourite beach is the one across the road and he would have had a lovely time there without having to go through hell and back.

Then there’s the other reality: that dogs, like children, like to be at home. That is where they feel most comfortable and where they are best behaved. They love routine and don’t really like to be far from their territory.

I should have known better: I took my dog to Gozo a few weeks ago and he absolutely hated it. It took all the courage in the world to stay put and see the weekend through. The moral of the story: we live… but we never seem to learn. ginantonic@live.com

66 ∫ Pink April 2017

THINKPINK

FASHION & THINGS

COOL MEN

Jack & Jones is Europe’s coolest menswear brand, with more than 1,000 stores in 38 countries.

Jeans are still regarded as the backbone of Jack & Jones’s business, with a high level of expertise when it comes to the craftsmanship, quality and design of jeans. However, it is nowadays defined and represented by its unique brands: Jack & Jones Vintage Clothing, Originals by Jack & Jones and Core by Jack & Jones. The brands are designed by independent teams, each one with their own ideas, concepts and designs. They all offer a full range of clothes, accessories and footwear for every man and every occasion.

United Department Stores Ltd has brought Jack & Jones to Malta and is now exclusively available at Debenhams, Tigné.

CHARACTER & ELEGANCE

Combine character and elegance with this Fossil watch. A fine yet assertive complement to casual-smart and smart tailored workwear, this watch boasts a sporty and dynamic chronograph function represented by three sub-dials. Designed to deliver a more precise dimension of time, the timepiece is a must-have for connoisseurs seeking style and practicality. It has a uni-directional rotating bezel with metallic accents, complete with a supple leather strap and an ageless pin and buckle clasp. This elegant Fossil men’s watch is available from all VIP and Sunlab shops.

SQUARE FACE WATCH

Redefine on-duty daytime chic with this sleek Fossil watch. A synonym of pared-down elegance, it comes with a rectangular case with a monochrome dial, indices and Arabic numerals, complemented by a three-hand quartz movement. This wrist watch comes with a comfortable blue leather strap with a pin and buckle clasp, and a stainless steel case, which complements the silver face. This classy Fossil ladies watch is available from Sunlab shops. For more information on all the Fossil range, check Facebook.com/sunlab

PUT COLOUR TO YOUR DREAMS

The Malta Baby & Kids Directory has launched its painting competition for children aged between four and 14 years, sponsored by Stabilo.

Entries will be judged by prominent local artist C.S. Lawrence and the winning picture will feature on the cover of the 11th edition of the Malta Baby & Kids Directory, which will be launched at the end of June. The competition, with the theme Valletta – European Capital of Culture, aims to promote creativity through the love of local culture.

Children need to send in their paintings by May 25 to The Definitive[ly] Good Guide Co, 34, Bishop’s Palace Street, Vittoriosa, BRG 1153. For further information, send an e-mail to info@maltababyandkids.com, or call on 2180 2383. www.maltababyandkids.com

TABLETALK

INGREDIENTS Serves 4 300g noodles, these can be soba noodles, egg noodles, or mung bean noodles 400ml vegetable stock 1 tbsp miso 30g dried seaweed, chopped 1 inch ginger, peeled and thinly sliced 2 sundried tomatoes, finely chopped 30g dried shitake mushrooms, chopped 2 spring onions, thinly sliced 2 carrots, peeled and sliced thinly with a Y-peeler A small handful of rocket, or any other green leaves and herbs 200g firm tofu, chopped into large chunks of about 2x2cm 2 tbsp flour 2 tbsp coconut oil

68 ∫ Pink April 2017

SOUP KITCHEN MARIA CACHIA doesn’t spoil the broth with her miso, rocket and tofu.

METHOD Prepare the noodles according to the packet instructions. Stop the cooking process when they are rather al dente. Rinse in cold running water and reserve.

In a pot, put the miso, stock, sea weed, ginger, tomatoes and mushrooms and bring to a gentle simmer. Allow the flavours to develop by cooking for about 20 minutes.

Season if needed.

Heat the coconut oil in a frying pan to medium heat. Place the flour in a dish and season. Roll the tofu pieces in the flour to lightly coat them. Shallow fry them for a few minutes on each side, or until they turn brown. Roll the pieces very gently as they will crumble easily.

Place a couple of ladles of the broth in each bowl. Add two large forkfuls of noodles, spring onions, carrots, rocket, or greens, and tofu.

Garnish with freshly sprouted seeds, or fresh coriander.

WOMENONWHEELS Juliana Romeiko wears a duster and top from Aritzia, trousers from Mango and shoes from Aldo, making as much a style statement as this sexy car.

DROP-HEAD GORGEOUS

Juliana Romeiko, senior brand manager at Retail International, takes the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet for a spin… but she finds it almost drives itself. Meanwhile, she can have fun with its high-tech toys.

T

o begin with, the MercedesBenz C-Class Cabriolet is aesthetically beautiful, super comfortable and, to be very honest, it almost drives on its own. Apart from being automatic, there are safety sensors all around the car, emergency braking system to avoid collisions, cameras to give you 360-degree views, and if you are in one of those lazy moods, you can opt for a self-parking option – a dream come true.

The experience of driving a convertible in Malta is always great; we have the perfect weather for that.

Inherently entertaining, this is one reason why the convertible style is more common in two-seater sports cars. But the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet is a true four-seater convertible, which is a big advantage if you’re driving it on a daily basis.

Other important features that differ from other cabriolets I’ve driven

include the fact that you can open and close the soft top while driving at up to 50km/h; the seats are sun-reflecting leather [they don’t absorb heat], meaning you can leave the roof open in the height of summer and the leather will not get super hot; and the relaxed al fresco pleasure is enhanced

by Mercedes’ Airscarf system, which will breathe warmly on your neck from the region of the headrest when the weather changes. Come rain or shine, the cabin will acclimatise and adapt to any kind of weather.

options for mobile calls, real-time navigation, internet access, music, e-mails, phone book – all of which can be controlled via voice recognition.

The features can be seen in the central screen, or a head-up display, which projects the most important information into the driver’s field of view for safety reasons.

Hands-free trunk access is another attractive feature – so convenient when you have loads of shopping. Usually, you need to juggle with all your bags to open the trunk, but this is so simple; all it takes is a kicking movement under the rear bumper to open and close.

This sexy car is perfect for girls who are into fashion and design, and

“THE SEATS ARE SUN-REFLECTING LEATHER, MEANING YOU CAN LEAVE THE ROOF OPEN IN THE HEIGHT OF SUMMER AND THE LEATHER WILL NOT GET SUPER HOT” The world is at your fingertips here, with the C-Class Cabriolet offering a whole multimedia system that you control via touchpad – with the touch of a button. This touchpad gives you

want their look and lifestyle to carry over into their daily commute. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet looks chic, makes a statement and is pure technology.

Pink April 2017 ∫ 73

STARGAZER

THE FUTURE IS

PINK ARIES MARCH 20-APRIL 18 You’ve coped superbly with the range of obstacles you faced during April. Still, you’ll be delighted to learn that, in May, life won’t just be less challenging, but also what seemed most troublesome will turn into opportunities, although often in unexpected forms. Yes, pursuing these would mean making changes. And, yes, within weeks, you’ll be glad that, for once, you relinquished control and, despite your reservations, left the planning to others. The results will remedy personal dramas as much as practical or financial issues.

CANCER JUNE 21-JULY 21 Relaxing when you’re anxious about pivotal elements of your life isn’t easy. Yet your instincts say all is well, and you need only be patient. Besides, a range of wonderful events, some personal, a few involving others or pursuits, and all of which mean a lot to you, are developing wonderfully. Here, too, there are no guarantees.

But, bizarrely, you worry less about these than those practicalities. Have faith. Between now and late June, it will be justified.

LIBRA SEPTEMBER 22-OCTOBER 22 Don’t worry if it seems much of your time is devoted to untangling recent difficulties, a few personal, others professional, or involving close relationships. While some require a single discussion, as many demand both patience and diplomacy with those who are difficult at their best. Unlikely as this seems, what you discuss and deal with leads to ideas or offers as thrilling as they are unexpected. These, which arise during May’s second half, could shape the rest of 2017 and the years to come.

CAPRICORN DECEMBER 21-JANUARY 18 As a thorough cautious Capricorn, you’re proud of your ability to spot what and who is worth your while. Yet what comes your way during May could seem too good to be true.

However, brilliant planetary activity says things are even better. At least consider the changes being suggested and, as much, revolutionary ideas and unexpected offers. True, these would take you into unfamiliar territory. While, once you’ve learnt more, you could turn them down, it’s unlikely you’ll want to.

74 ∫ Pink April 2017

According to astrologer SHELLEY VON STRUNCKEL… TAURUS

GEMINI

APRIL 19-MAY 19 The most important day in May, from your perspective, actually takes place on April 26 and is the Taurus New Moon. The fresh perspective it brings means that, when May’s numerous unexpected changes arise, you won’t just be prepared, you’ll welcome them. Most involve rethinking your lifestyle, work, or daily routine. Better yet, each change leads to an intriguing encounter, appealing new idea, or better yet, exciting offer. Explore everything. What seems unrealistic initially could turn out best in the long run.

LEO

MAY 20-JUNE 20 Usually, you thrive on the unexpected. But with your ruler Mercury retrograde from April 9 until May 3, even you will be seeking stability in plans and unsettled relationships.

This will come. First, you’ve lots of questions to ask. Some are about resolving recent issues, but as many involve future plans. Explore everything, including ideas or activities you regard as dull.

Once they were. But with new and more appealing options appearing each week, life’s about discovery. Arrangements? Ensure they’re flexible.

VIRGO

JULY 22-AUGUST 21 Over the past month or so, you faced situations in which you were short of facts or, for diplomatic reasons, forced to remain silent. It wasn’t easy. Yet now, looking back on those, you’re relieved you didn’t get more involved. This means you’re free to explore May’s far less complicated developments. True, some would take you into worryingly unfamiliar territory in terms of people, activities, or settings. The sooner you get involved, the more swiftly you’ll realise how thrilling they are.

SCORPIO

AUGUST 22-SEPTEMBER 21 Mistakes annoy you. And with your ruler Mercury retrograde from early April until May 3, you’ll be both apologising for, and trying to understand, the source of recent errors. Suddenly, however, you must take action and, possibly, venture into new territory. Obviously, you’d rather gather facts first, then make your move. But the swift pace leaves little time for research. Ironically, the more courageous you are, the less you worry.

Soon, in fact, you are plunging into unfamiliar territory, and without a moment’s hesitation.

SAGITTARIUS

OCTOBER 23-NOVEMBER 21 Tensions, both involving practicalities and your personal feelings, will build until the emotionally intense Scorpio Full Moon on May 10. These are best handled by reflecting on both events and the ups and downs of your mood, discussing these frankly, but avoiding any simple decisions. This will, however, do wonders to clarify your perspective. And taking action?

The less you do, the easier it will be to explore the ideas and offers, many completely unexpected, that appear during May’s second half.

AQUARIUS

NOVEMBER 22-DECEMBER 20 Life’s been exciting and moving swiftly, so much so you’re often overwhelmed.

While you’ve lots going on, you also need to declutter your life and mind of past commitments, plans and even passions. Do this gradually.

Still, aim to have reviewed everything by early June’s Sagittarius Full Moon, which accelerates already fast-moving changes. And in ridding yourself of what didn’t work, you also realise what’s missing, so you will be ready to broaden your horizons in terms of people and your activities.

PISCES

JANUARY 19-FEBRUARY 17 Nobody would blame you for being unenthusiastic about the ideas others are discussing, especially because these would lead to substantial alterations in your way of living, working, or close alliances. Many changes make no sense in practical terms and, worse, are unappealing. Yet, despite well-merited concerns, you’re intrigued. You should be. These are exactly the new ideas you’ve been working towards, but in a somewhat different form. Begin asking questions and you’ll spot the similarities and, better yet, soon be won over.

FEBRUARY 18-MARCH 19 While it’s the rare Pisces who’s a control freak, pivotal decisions are being made without consulting you, and that’s worrying. Actually, the powerful tide of changes is influencing everybody, which means others are as subject to these unexpected developments as you are. Ironically, although your instincts are reassuring, others are struggling to find a rational justification for taking what seem chances. State your views, then back off, allowing those involved to wrestle with their concerns while you let experience be your guide.

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