Pink (October 2017) by Times of Malta

issue156∫ oCtober2017

Ever heard of Irlen Syndrome? Could it be the key to debilitating sensory disorders?

Reunited Pet Cabin project for patients MAKING POSSIBLE DOG VISITATION AT HOSPITAL

FIT AND FUN Pilates, boxing… and danCe rolled into one

Cosmetic surgery for a holistic approach RECONSTRUCTIVE TO AESTHETIC ASPECT OF TREATMENT

REMOVING MAN BOOBS THE UNWANTED GROWTH OF MEN’S BREASTS

INSIDE

October 2017

FEATURES 16 PrivateEye pets are a patient’s best friend Hospital visiting hours for dogs? 22 InFocus piecing the puzzle Visual perception problems under the lens 27 WomensWorld remarkable Google girls Practising the art of self-promotion 30 LifeStyle back to school Flying colours and first worldwide for accounting women

REGULARS FASHION 40 ShowStopper an evening in Feeling comfortable all dressed up 50 TheUniform maximalism to the max Milan Fashion Week fallout

HEALTH & BEAUTY 57 BeautyParlour food for the face Do-it-yourself daily skin care 63 InThePink preserving aesthetics Reconstructive plastic surgery for holistic recovery 68 HealthBites 71 FoodForThought all smiles Tackling tooth caries in kids 75 OnForm fusion format fitness Punching above your weight with piloxing 79 PinkShrink love/hate relationships Couples who stick it out

11 EditorsNote 12 MailShot 35 WomanKind the woman behind the throne Valeria Messalina 60 ThinkPink health, beauty & events 82 GirlTalk bon voyage! The joylessness of travelling 84 ReadingRoom creative writing Letting children’s imagination travel 90 TableTalk pear up Treat yourself to a tasty tart 93 WomenOnWheels breezing through Nissan Micra 94 SnapShot parallel lives Kurt Paris 98 StarGazer the future is pink Horoscopes

COVER Photography Matthew B. Spiteri ∫ Styling Marisa Grima [marisagrima.com] ∫ Hair Sacha Roberts Paxanas ∫ Make-up Tea Mileta ∫ Location CoseCasa, Balzan ∫ Model Daniela @ Supernova MM, wearing dress, €85, Marks & Spencer ∫ bag, €59, Aldo.

8 ∫ Pink October 2017

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EDITORSNOTE

Daphne Caruana Galizia August 26, 1964 -

October 22, 2017 ∫ Pink is a monthly magazine ∫ Issue 156 ∫ Executive editor Fiona Galea Debono ∫ Publisher Allied Newspapers Ltd ∫ Printing Progress Press Ltd ∫ Production Allied Newspapers Ltd ∫ Contributors Maria Cachia, Tezara Camilleri, Edward Curmi, Mary Galea Debono, Marisa Grima, Tea Mileta, Caroline Paris, Helen Raine, Sacha Roberts Paxanas, Virginia, Shelley Von Strunckel ∫ Design Manuel Schembri ∫ Photography Matthew Mirabelli, Kurt Paris, Chris Sant Fournier, Matthew B. Spiteri, Mark Zammit Cordina ∫ Advertising sales Veronica Grech Sant [2276 4333; veronica.grechsant@timesofmalta.com].

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Pink October 2017 ∫ 11

MAILSho

THE LETTER THAT TICKLED PI GUYS READ THEM TOO Dear editor, reading Pink is a monthly pleasure, which I, though being a male, long for. Pink is an informative monthly periodical with a twist. It is different from the rest through its distinct and interesting easyread articles. For 155 times, I have read Pink from start to finish, and have always found each edition fresh and new. I wanted to write to you for quite some time to thank Dott. Edward Curmi for his professional and thoughtful articles [PinkShrink]. I find them useful for my everyday life experiences, especially those related to ways to deal with stress and daily struggles. His last article [The Double Face, September 2017] dealt with double-faced persons, which, in my opinion, are one of the major causes of distress in our modern world. Society is becoming too materialistic and ego is replacing much of our altruistic principles. This is leading to an increase in what I define the ‘double-face syndrome’, where many seek to please only when there is personal gain. Perhaps, the Maltese are taking the liberal ideology a bit too far now. The Virginia Monologues are also a favourite in each edition. I consider these teasers a humorous and sarcastic parody of Maltese society, depicting everyday life experiences from a girly, and sometimes also manly, perspective. Keep them coming girls. Guys read them too. SANDRO BONANNO, VIA E-MAIL

The writer of the letter of the month wins a Jimmy Choo L’Eau eau de toilette and a Jimmy Choo Man Ice eau de toilette from Chemimart; PLUS a selection of Deborah Milano make-up products from A.M.Mangion Ltd.

WrIte I AND WIN

AFTERNOON BONANZA OF READING Dear Fiona and all the Pink team, as I spot my magazine on the table amid the Sunday newspapers, I know I’ll be in for an afternoon bonanza of reading stimulating features instead of my afternoon siesta. Pink always intrigues me with its original and authentic write-ups, which never fail to teach me and make me aware of new challenges fought and overcome. I was touched by Dr Tania van Avendonk’s revelations; a sad story indeed, nonetheless winding up on a positive note. However, my Pink moment came when reading What’s in a Name? [FashionStory, August 2017], when, immersed in a simple yet striking Grecian landscape, the greatness of Chanel emerges. Her perfume embodies her story of determination, of self-belief… “Gabrielle is not just a simple first name – it’s an incentive for all women to fulfil themselves, to have faith in who they are and to listen to their own voice.” This is a strong statement of belief in oneself, of self-determination and a will to start from deep inside and climb uphill, struggling in spite of hard times, abuse, or suffering, and resolutely making it to the top. Let us brace ourselves, listen to our own voice even if it sounds feeble and make the first step forward, the effort to start and continue our walk that we will reach the top and succeed. Love yourself, believe in yourself; it is the root of ambition. MARIANNE PORTELLI, FROM BIRZEBBUGA

PETS AS PRESENTS This week, I really enjoyed reading Pink – as usual it is chockfull of varied things to read. However, the article that really tickled my fancy was The Virginia Monologues [Walking the Talk, September 2017]. Her lighthearted, witty writing made me laugh. What she wrote is what lots of us can attest to. As a family, a few years back, we were presented with a small Fox Terrier as a thank-you gift. We really enjoyed caring for him while we were still on our festive holidays. But when we all had to return to work/school, our dear pet did not like it at all. He kept up a barking marathon, which the neighbours certainly did not enjoy. So, we had to pass the dog over to people who could really give him the roundthe-clock attention he needed [like Virginia]. Whenever anyone wants to give a pet as a present, they should make sure beforehand if the person receiving it can really care for the poor animal! LILY CAUCHI, VIA E-MAIL

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We want to hear from you. Send us your feedback on Pink and any stories that may have touched you in some way, and you stand a chance of winning a Liu Jo Gold eau de parfum from Chemimart; PLUS a selection of Deborah Milano make-up products from A.M.Mangion Ltd. Write to Pink, with your contact details, at Allied Newspapers Limited, triq l-Intornjatur, Mrieћel, BKr 3000, or send an e-mail to pink@timesofmalta.com Correspondence may be edited for length and clarity. If prizes are not claimed within two months, they will no longer be available.

12 ∫ Pink October 2017

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PRIVATEEYE

Dr Josette De Brincat and Cotton. Photography Matthew Mirabelli

16 ∫ Pink October 2017

PRIVATEEYE

PETS ARE A PATIENT’S BEST FRIEND The positive impact of the reunion between Josette De Brincat’s ailing semi-conscious mother and her dog has been inestimable. It is proof of how important it is for patients to spend time with their pets. Sarah Cachia from Survivors Malta and her son Jacob know something about being deprived of this contact, and through their Pay It Forward system at their cafeteria, they are working to realise another dream – the Reunited Pet Cabin project that will make possible pet visitation and therapy at hospital.

hen Josette De Brincat’s 68-year-old mother fell and hit her head as she was going down the stairs while carrying coffee, she suffered a traumatic brain injury and needed emergency brain surgery. She was in a coma for two weeks, then started to regain minimal consciousness. She still has a long way to go to recover… That was 10 months ago now, and she has been in hospital ever since. Apart from all the medical issues, pain and complications though, there was another problem – the fact that she was separated from her dog and that there was no way she could see her because animals are not allowed in hospital. There is no doubt that this aggravated her situation. Throughout her stay, Dr De Brincat, who is a vet, would update her mother about Cotton, her three-year-old Bichon Frise, and show her pictures and short videos. “My mother can only communicate by blinking, nodding and, sometimes, saying a few words. But we would always notice that once we mentioned her beloved dog, she would invariably open her eyes wide and they would tear up,” says her daughter, who was powerless to grant her ailing mother an important need. “You feel utterly helpless… We would always remind her that all the family and Cotton are waiting eagerly at home for her to get better and meet very soon, but weeks turned into months and it felt as though it was never going to happen. “Finally, after six months, my mother’s condition stabilised and she was transferred to a wheelchair by the medical staff on a daily basis. This allowed us to take her out of the ward during our visits…”

It was on July 16 – a memorable day – and with the help of two of the ward nurses that it was possible to wheel her mother just outside the hospital entrance to be reunited with Cotton. “She immediately recognised my mother from far away and started pulling towards her. Although my mother’s ability to show any kind of emotion is very limited due to her accident, she was overwhelmed with joy and had tears in her eyes. Cotton immediately jumped onto my mother’s lap as she used to do while watching TV,” Dr De Brincat recalls. The vet ﬁrmly believes that these visits have a positive impact on a patient’s morale: “It is something positive to look forward to when a patient is undergoing treatment away from home, especially if it’s a long-term situation.

“MY MOTHER CAN ONLY COMMUNICATE BY BLINKING, NODDING AND, SOMETIMES, SAYING A FEW WORDS. BUT WE WOULD ALWAYS NOTICE THAT ONCE WE MENTIONED HER BELOVED DOG, SHE WOULD INVARIABLY OPEN HER EYES WIDE AND THEY WOULD TEAR UP” “Unfortunately, when we tried to repeat the visit, the heat was unbearable for my mother due to her medical situation.” As a vet, Dr De Brincat knows only too well that pets have a strong bond with their owners, and when separated, they tend to suffer from separation anxiety, which usually decreases their appetite… “From what I experienced with my mother, I strongly maintain that both the patient and the pet beneﬁt from being reunited as this creates a sense of comfort, allows for affection and motivates the patient to be active, both mentally and physically, such as through a simple task like petting. Pink October 2017 ∫ 17

PRIVATEEYE

“My mother would have something to look forward to and her life would have more meaning during her long days in hospital,” Dr De Brincat points out. While she agrees that a hospital environment needs to be somewhat sterile to prevent the spread of diseases and viruses by patients and visitors, she also believes that reuniting patients with their beloved family pets has a huge benefit and thinks there should be an interconnecting confined area for this, with a separate entrance for the animals. And this is where the support group Survivors Malta, through the pay-it-forward initiative at Jacob’s Brew, comes in. It is aiming to raise funds for the Reunited Pet Cabin project at Mater Dei Hospital, an initiative Dr De Brincat fully supports. It all goes back to the time when Jacob Cachia, also known as Titanium Man, was lying in his hospital bed, limp and partially paralysed after two bouts in ITU, fighting for his life to survive a rare brain infection, two haemorrhages and three life-threatening brain surgeries, which left him with extensive damage. As he lay there, he would cry and beg his mother, Sarah, to bring him Peanut, telling her he wanted to hold him and love him. “I cut off a piece of our little Yorkshire Terrier’s hair, washed it and sealed it in a bag for him to hold. I filmed Peanut lying on Jacob’s bed, waiting for his ‘brother’s’ return. Jacob would play that video in loop, crying as he did so, and I would look on in despair. There wasn’t anything more that I could do!” 18 ∫ Pink October 2017

Recalling her frustration, Sarah says it was his only wish and, as his mother, she couldn’t make it happen. It was devastating enough that she had lost all power to make him well… “But surely, as his mum, I could make this one simple wish come true!” Sarah asked the nurses and doctors whether there was a room where they could meet. There wasn’t. But after much pleading, they were finally allowed to meet outside in the cold at the busy main entrance of Mater Dei Hospital. “We propped my son up with pillows in his wheelchair. He was too limp to hold his head up, or even sit on his own. We excitedly wheeled him out to meet our freshly groomed family dog. “Peanut didn’t recognise his ‘brother’ at first until the sobbing, frail, skeletal boy called out his name. There was no holding Peanut back as he jumped onto my son’s lap, licking him frantically, tail wagging with utter joy. “We all wept tears of joy – after weeping for months from heartache and pain. Finally, we shared a moment of pure happiness.” But at the back of Sarah’s mind, she couldn’t help thinking this wasn’t right and that her son stood more of a chance of getting sick from passers-by, or the cold, than from their dog. Today, thankfully, four years on, Sarah and her family are in a better place and Jacob is doing well, but she is aware that, in the hospital, there are hundreds of families just like theirs and Dr De Brincat’s, who face this dilemma, so she hasn’t stopped trying to fix the situation since.

To date, there is nowhere a man and his best friend can meet in hospital, but Survivors Malta, together with JCI Malta, have been given permission to build that place – the Reunited Pet Cabin – on its grounds. The application to build the pet cabin on the hospital premises is currently awaiting Planning Authority approval, and, of course, funds need to be raised. Dr De Brincat’s appeal is that all animal lovers and pet owners should support this initiative as “one can only imagine the heartache patients and pets go through when they are separated during a long hospital stay”. Meanwhile, the Cachias and Survivors Malta live in hope that works on the project will soon begin. And this is only the start for the strong, unstoppable and energetic Sarah… She has plenty more projects swirling around in her head as part of Survivors Malta’s mission to boost the morale of families facing trauma and that would be funded by the family’s ‘portal’ of support at Jacob’s Brew in Marsascala. By now, it’s almost impossible that anyone hasn’t heard of this café – Jacob’s dream, which his tireless mother also managed to fulﬁl, while also creating a space where survivors could meet other survivors and draw strength from each other. Sarah, who always promised herself that she would not play the pity game, has a good track record when it comes to making things happen. So, watch this space!

Jacob and Sarah Cachia… and Peanut, busy paying it forward. Photography Mark Zammit Cordina

PAYING IT FORWARD PAYS Sarah Cachia explains the successful concept at Jacob’s Brew… you ever been in a situation where thanking some“oneHave for their act of kindness doesn’t quite seem enough? It is just a word, after all, and actions do speak louder. In a nutshell, paying it forward is when you repay a kind deed by doing another kind deed to somebody else. Jacob’s Brew has adopted this concept. When you pay your bill at the coffee shop, your receipt is stamped and you have the opportunity to pass it on to a family you feel may need support. When they come to our coffee shop and give us the stamped receipt, we will offer them a free pot of coffee, or tea… and the support they need to continue along their journey. Once upon a time, that family was us! As an added bonus, and in line with our aims at Survivors Malta, we have designated a room at the back of the coffee shop as a meeting hub, where survivors can meet survivors – the best medicine ever – find one-on-one support and join get-togethers. At the end of the financial year, my family will donate a percentage of the profits from sales at Jacob’s Brew to Survivors Malta to fund existing projects and future initiatives. Apart from The Reunited Pet Cabin, we intend to launch Jacob’s Coffee Run, whereby we will be delivering free trays of sandwiches and coffee to the families in the hospital’s waiting area at ITU every Sunday morning. So, ultimately, by helping us make our business a success, we will be able to continue to pay it forward to other survivor families. What has been so amazing about it all is that we, ourselves, have been paid forward by so many to help us make this dream a reality. Behind the scenes, we have been inundated with requests from people wanting to contribute towards Jacob’s coffee shop dream either by organising fund-raising events, or through private donations. Jacob’s coffee shop dream is not just about serving coffee, but so much more. Pay It Forward ultimately helps us help others!

”

Pink October 2017 ∫ 19

INFOCUS

PIECING THE PUZZLE Could coloured lenses be the solution to children’s visual perception problems, which sometimes translate into learning disabilities, poor social and emotional skills and even spatial awareness issues? With International Irlen Syndrome Awareness Week just drawing to a close, research psychologist Olivia Galea Seychell has taken a keen interest in the disorder that has just hit our shores.

22 ∫ Pink October 2017

INFOCUS

ife can unfold in uncanny ways. In the case of Olivia Galea Seychell, it all dates back to 1995, when she was studying at the University of Minnesota in the US. At that time, little did she know that her brush with Irlen Syndrome, during discussions in her research group on the science of colour, would later become, due to her particular circumstances, one of her primary interests. At the time, it all stopped there, and Olivia proceeded with her studies, going on to obtain a master’s degree and PhD in psychology and social work. But Irlen Syndrome was destined to infiltrate her life again, and some 20 years after her stint in the US, she has gone on to be a certified screener, one of only four in Malta and the first stage of the Irlen assessment process.

lectures when she put up slides and PowerPoint presentations. Sometimes, even those students who, at face value, would appear to be concentrated, alert and engaged would lose interest. They would be considered good, interested students, but they would underperform in their studies, and she wanted to understand the reason. It was all coming together… Olivia’s interest in Irlen Syndrome was rekindled, she established contact with a diagnostician in the UK, Jean Felton, and the ball got rolling. Soon she would be able to put a name to what she was witnessing. Although Irlen Syndrome, also known as visual stress, is fundamentally a problem with visual perception, actual vision is not an issue, in the sense that the eyes would be functioning well. It is a matter of how the brain processes information and, therefore, a neurological condition.

“IT WAS THANKS TO OLIVIA’S PERSONAL INTEREST AND HER DEDICATION TO THE SUBJECT THAT OTHERS HAVE COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE POSSIBLE KEY TO UNRAVEL WHAT CAN BE DEBILITATING SENSORY DISORDERS”

Olivia Galea Seychell Photography Chris Sant Fournier

Apart from the way our paths tend to be set, with little hints along the road, the beauty for Olivia was learning more about Irlen Syndrome and how it could open a door to a better life for so many. Sometimes, it takes decades for these discoveries to reach our shores, and in this case, it was thanks to Olivia’s personal interest and her dedication to the subject that others have come into contact with the possible key to unravel what can be debilitating sensory disorders. During the course of her PhD, Olivia met several children, in particular, vulnerable groups in foster care, and noticed various issues relating to sensory processing: how information is perceived and interpreted by the brain. She was in touch with developmental difficulties; children who found it hard to go up and down stairs, who felt uncomfortable and held on tight; children who had a problem defining social space and overstepped their boundaries. She noticed their difficulty with eye contact and how they positioned themselves, and because she had already heard of it while studying in the US, she revisited the syndrome that was developed by Helen Irlen over 30 years ago… As a senior lecturer in psychology, Olivia also noticed that bright students could struggle in

The Irlen Method addresses underlying perceptual processing difficulties and light sensitivity that can contribute to reading difficulties, headaches and Attention Deficit Disorder. It can also play a role in the challenges experienced by those diagnosed with dyslexia, autism, concussion syndrome and traumatic brain injury, or who have a diagnosis of ADHD, offering a non-invasive treatment for ADD, a solution for headaches, including migraines, and help combat the light sensitivity and physical symptoms caused by head injury. It helps individuals with autism and Asperger Syndrome, especially those who have perceptual problems, light sensitivity and sensory overload, by filtering the frequencies of light to which the individual is sensitive, allowing the brain to process visual information as others do. Treatment involves the use of what are known as coloured overlays and spectral filters – lenses that can be worn by people of all ages. Creating the right spectral filters is a complex procedure, with over 100,000 colour combinations that can form the layers of these lenses. The glasses are tailor-made to suit the individual’s specific requirements; they may change with time and need to be updated as the brain develops and progresses. Moreover, the environment plays a part because it is a matter of how Pink October 2017 ∫ 23

INFOCUS “CHILDREN DETACHED FROM, DISINTERESTED IN AND OVERWHELMED BY THEIR ENVIRONMENT BECAME “EXTREMELY RECEPTIVE ALMOST OVERNIGHT” AND MORE CONNECTED” referring most of them to Jean, the Irlen diagnostician with responsibility for Malta, who makes regular visits. To avoid unnecessary interventions, Olivia says parents who notice difficulties that are not age appropriate, such as bumping into walls, the inability to negotiate space and heights, being unaware of social boundaries, reading difficulties, reluctance to complete homework and headaches, or extreme tiredness, are asked to take the self-test, after which the next step would be a screening if this is indicated to be necessary. From her experience with the use of spectral filters, Olivia says she has seen instant effects on certain sensory processing difficulties. Children detached from, disinterested in and overwhelmed by their environment became “extremely receptive almost overnight” and more connected. They can overcome difficulties in recognising family members and supposedly familiar spaces. As a result, relationships and social skills can also improve, she maintains. In the case of situations of comorbidity with other conditions such as dyslexia, ADHD, learning disabilities and autism, “you could find an answer to your child’s issues, or even just a missing piece of the puzzle,” Olivia explains. Other therapies may need to continue, but life is simplified considerably and the child is able to engage.

SEEING IS BELIEVING

Sample distortions: persons with visual perception problems could be seeing things like this, so it is no wonder the brain cannot process information and gets strained.

light is processed by the brain, so the time of day, the season and being inside, or out, make a difference. Olivia did not just use the services of the Irlen specialist, but also made it her mission to specialise and train to become a screener, which means she can refer someone to the visiting diagnostician if self-tests indicate visual perception diﬃculties and her screening process further conﬁrms this as a potential condition. She began training in February and, as a screener under supervision, has seen around 13 individuals since, 24 ∫ Pink October 2017

In a nutshell, the ray of light entering the eyes is filtered and the brain can interpret the information. It is no longer overstimulated and stressed as its activity is decreased; it is “happy”. This may sound like a simplistic solution to lifetime conditions, which, as yet, have seemed untreatable. And of course, there are the naysayers. Let’s face it, these days, we have a name for everything and almost every form of behaviour is a syndrome. Gone are the days when we would simply boil things down to being distracted, clumsy, or disinterested. Whatever the case, it seems there is a medical reason and a way to treat that ‘condition’. But while Olivia acknowledges this, she claims she has seen the spectral filters working; she has seen children become more engaged. Then of course, they can create another problem for a child, who may be improving his visual perception skills and no longer bumping into walls, but needs to wear his coloured spectral filters indoors when his peers are not. Olivia admits this scenario could unfold, but also maintains that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. And anyway, Irlen spectral filters can also be worn as contact lenses once both an optician and a diagnostician are happy that the child is a suitable candidate. English actor, filmmaker and musician Paddy Considine of The Bourne Ultimatum fame wears both the spectral filters and the contact lenses – and he’s a fan!

WOMENSWORLD

Remarkable Google Girls Would you find it hard to list what is remarkable about you? Well, if so, you’re not alone. Men, on the contrary, don’t have the same issues and their ability to brag about their achievements often lands them the job. HELEN RAINE looks into the Google initiative #IamRemarkable, which helps women practise the art of self-promotion. But she maintains helping them spit out how marvelous they are will only fix a part of the problem…

friend of mine applied for a job recently, one she knew was well within her abilities. The application asked her to rate her skills on a scale of one to five, with one being ‘no skills’ and five being ‘expert’. She answered as honestly as she could… and a male colleague with less experience than her got the job. She later learned that he’d rated himself a ‘five’ for most categories, while she had been rejected without an interview due to her poor scores. Men, it would seem, are rather better at positive self-assessment; when asked to rate their abilities, they consistently give themselves higher marks than women do.

Women tend to worry about exaggerating their skills in case they struggle later – men presumably fake it till they make it. Often, women don’t apply for a job at all unless they meet all the criteria, whereas men will apply once they hit 60

practice the art of self-promotion because gosh-darn-it [and I’d really like to insert a stronger word there], we need it. Yes, the web giant is sending #IamRemarkable ambassadors around the world to “change gender-related modesty norms so that more women can rise to leadership positions”. Undine LaVerve, 26, attended the Maltese offering at the President’s Palace in San Anton and describes how, after an hour of musings about gender pay gaps and diversity in the workplace, attendees wrote down what achievements or traits they were proud of and read them out loud. Each point started with the phrase “#IamRemarkable because…” The activity had a big impact on her. “The day before the workshop, I thought about the points I could write down, and even just thinking of reasons why ‘I am Remarkable’ felt like boasting,” she admits. And she’s not alone.

“MEN, IT WOULD SEEM, ARE RATHER BETTER AT POSITIVE SELFASSESSMENT; WHEN ASKED TO RATE THEIR ABILITIES, THEY CONSISTENTLY GIVE THEMSELVES HIGHER MARKS THAN WOMEN DO. WOMEN TEND TO WORRY ABOUT EXAGGERATING THEIR SKILLS IN CASE THEY STRUGGLE LATER – MEN PRESUMABLY FAKE IT TILL THEY MAKE IT”

per cent of the requirements, according to a Hewlett Packard report. Which brings us to Google and its #IamRemarkable initiative, a one-hour workshop developed to help women

The promotional video for the workshop shows a bunch of women dilly-dallying when asked to write down what is remarkable about them and saying things like “it’s really hard” or Pink October 2017 ∫ 27

WOMENSWORLD “it’s easier… to criticise”. One actually cries. It’s painful to watch. Clearly, a good talking to is in order – in Malta, that was the job of workshop facilitator Patrice Lacken of Google, who told attendees that “stating facts is not boasting”. After the pep talk, Undine felt comfortable talking about her accomplishments out loud, albeit within the safe environment of the group. She says that the experience was “overwhelming” and helped her to see how much she has achieved already and the course that she is charting for her future. The idea is for her to take all that energy and spread it throughout Malta, which she’ll do with the support of the President’s Girl2Leader campaign.

At Google’s #IamRemarkable workshop.

“THE RESULTS ARE DEPRESSINGLY PREDICTABLE – BOTH CANDIDATES HAD THE SAME SKILLS, YET BOTH MEN AND WOMEN TENDED TO PERCEIVE ‘JOHN’ AS THE BETTER CANDIDATE AND HE WAS CHOSEN MORE OFTEN AS A POTENTIAL EMPLOYEE. EVEN WORSE, HE WAS OFFERED A HIGHER SALARY AND MORE MENTORING OPPORTUNITIES”

There’s no doubt that this is all very positive – Undine is also part of the Network of Young Women Leaders, which is working hard to support and further women’s rights in Malta and will now be better equipped to do that work. There is, however, something a little ironic in women being lectured on the feminist cause by Google employees. This is a company where women make up less than a third of the workforce, and only a ﬁfth of the technical staff. Worse, just a quarter of leaders in the company are women. Their ethnic diversity is even more dire, with a whopping 68 per cent of leaders being white. Now Google are very upfront about these stats and are clearly making an effort to change the gender and racial dynamic. Nor are they the worst offenders when it comes to large corporations being largely run by the ubiquitous white man. But helping women spit out how marvellous they are will only ﬁx a small part of a much bigger problem. What really needs urgent attention is the inherent gender bias in the recruitment process. Take this example – researchers from Yale University asked over 100 scientists at a variety of institutions to evaluate one of two student CVs. They were identical, except that one was purportedly written by ‘John’ and the other by ‘Jennifer’. The results are depressingly predictable – both candidates had the same skills, yet both men and women tended to perceive ‘John’ 28 ∫ Pink October 2017

as the better candidate and he was chosen more often as a potential employee. Even worse, he was offered a higher salary and more mentoring opportunities. Another study at Columbia University and the University of Chicago found that “without provision of information about candidates other than their appearance, men are twice as likely to be hired for a mathematical task than women”. The same researchers found that: “If ability is self-reported, women still are discriminated against, because employers do not fully account for men’s tendency to boast about performance.” Men aren’t more competent – but they are more self-conﬁdent, as my friend discovered to her cost. Yet somehow, women end up blaming each other for their failure to advance. The Google workshop covered the ‘lean in’ approach, advocating, as Undine puts it, “that women should come together, support one another and raise each other up, instead of competing and putting each other down”. Well, we can lean in until we’re practically horizontal, but it’s not really the tug of war with other women that’s holding us back; it’s ourselves – and clearly initiatives like #IamRemarkable can help with that. However, it’s also gender bias, both conscious and unconscious in the people doing the hiring. To change this, we need to really accept that it is happening. In her book Seven Steps to Leading a Gender Balanced

Business, leadership consultant Avivah Wittenberg-Cox says that change needs to come from ‘reframing’ the issue so that it’s about better business rather than gender [in other words, if you hire the most competent candidate rather than the one who can blag it on an application form, you’ll make more money]; educating managers [both men and women] on their own unconscious preferences; and working on hiring systems that cut out the bias. One practical way to do that is by removing information about age, gender and race from CVs and application forms before decision makers receive them. At least that way, ‘Jennifer’ will make it to the interview stage. Recruiters also need to understand the research. As the Harvard Business Review puts it: “The corporate world is led by men conﬁdent that they are identifying talent objectively and effectively. The reality… is that decision-making about talent is rife with unconscious assumptions and personal biases.” And women need to start bigging themselves up. Next time you ﬁll in a job application that requires you to rate your skills, or worry whether you might be exaggerating your experience, think strategically – if you know that you can do the job, then put what it takes to get it. You are remarkable, so bloody well say so – you can bet your next pay rise that the blokes will be doing just that.

LIFESTYLE

BACK TO

SCHOOL These three ladies haven taken their accountancy education to new heights, and despite their many commitments, including family and work, have achieved success in their exams both on a local and worldwide level. They’re not only giving it their best shot, but they’re also coming through with flying colours. This is what it takes… STEPHANIE MICALLEF, 42, from Mellieha, is a mother of two girls aged 15 and 12. She works as a senior accountant with NM Group.

chieving a degree in accountancy had been on her mind for a couple of years before she decided to take the plunge and apply for the Association of Chartered Certified Accountant [ACCA] qualification. Stephanie always felt that should she pursue her studies, she would somehow be renouncing her home and family responsibilities. On the other hand, her desire to become a fully qualified accountant kept pushing her in the opposite direction.

in 2013. So far, she has successfully completed nine exams and achieved the Diploma in Accounting & Business. She has to sit for a further five exams to obtain the ACCA qualification and become an associate. But it has not been just about sitting for exams. Stephanie went that extra mile, achieving first place in Malta in one of the ACCA modules and placing 19th worldwide. “This gives me immense satisfaction and spurs me on to continue with my studying when it seems impossible to do so,” she says. “Juggling ACCA studies with work and family commitments is not easy and, sometimes, you just feel like giving up. My family plays a very important

“IT TOOK MANY SLEEPLESS NIGHTS AND DISCUSSIONS WITH MY FAMILY BEFORE I DECIDED TO GO AHEAD AND FOLLOW MY DREAM” “It took many sleepless nights and discussions with my family before I decided to go ahead and follow my dream. It was my mother and my husband who both encouraged me to go ahead. In fact, if it wasn’t for their continuous support and also that of my mother-in-law, I wouldn’t have completed the exams I have done so far,” she says. Stephanie’s journey with ACCA at the AIM Professional Academy started 30 ∫ Pink October 2017

role in this by giving me the space to study, knowing how important this qualification is to me. I am really grateful to them. I also receive a lot of support from the firm I am employed with, which gives me the possibility to work flexible hours as well as study leave.” Stephanie believes that if a person is really committed to fulfilling a dream and is prepared to work hard to do so, then this can be achieved. She is living proof of this.

MARICA XUEREB, 33, from Qormi, works at GlobalCapital plc as an assistant ﬁnancial controller, while pursuing her studies for the ACCA qualiﬁcation.

arica started working early on, when she was just 16 years old, as a clerk with a small company. She always showed an interest in accounts and was, therefore, given the opportunity to get more involved. This made her realise it was the line of work she wanted to pursue. After some years, it was time to move on to a new role that would give her the opportunity to learn and grow further. She started working as a ﬁnance oﬃcer at GlobalCapital plc – a role that helped her gain experience in different areas of the business. At the same time, Marica also enrolled as a part-time student to obtain

Stephanie Micallef, Marica Xuereb and Claudine Attard. Photography Matthew Mirabelli

the Diploma in Banking and Finance, consisting of six subjects that she managed to complete within three years. This further encouraged her to continue her studies, and three years later, it was time to embark on a new challenge. Marica decided to undertake the ACCA qualification. She placed first worldwide in one of the modules, which is themed around financial management. “It is challenging at times, especially when trying to balance work and study. However, all the effort, sacrifices and dedication I invest every day towards my ACCA have surely paid off, particularly when I recently received a very prestigious award for my F9 result.” Speaking at the presentation ceremony, she had expressed her gratitude for the “huge support” she received from her AIM Professional Academy lecturer Patrick Spiteri Swain,

who pushed her and was always there when she needed him; her employer and colleagues, who allowed her the time she needed to study and attend lectures; and her family – who were always there for her even when she felt like giving up. “Never in a million years would I have thought I would be accepting this important award when, aged 16, I got my first job as a clerk and realised that this was the line of work I wanted to pursue,” she said. “ACCA has given me the opportunity to further my career as I was recently offered a new role as an assistant financial controller, which is giving me the experience I need to achieve my goal to become a qualified accountant. “To anyone considering a career in accountancy, I say it’s a great choice, with challenging work and good opportunities to gain experience and grow professionally”.

CLAUDINE ATTARD, 39, from Mellieha, is a mother of one. She currently works with one of the Big Four.

t the age of 17, having obtained her A level in accounts, Claudine started working as an accounts clerk. “I remember that, at the time, ACCA was something new to Malta and it seemed to me that it was something I wouldn’t be able to achieve. Even if I wanted to become an accountant, I felt I wasn’t capable of moving forward, so I gave up on furthering my education and career.” A couple of years later, Claudine went back to school to study hospitality at the Institute of Tourism Studies. Over the following years, she worked with various companies, obtaining a lot of experience in accounting, travel and tourism. But four years ago, she had a Pink October 2017 ∫ 31

LIFESTYLE reality check, and realised that in order to advance in her life and career, she needed to do something more. “It was time for me to do something for myself. I could have done anything really since I always took various short courses and achieved various diplomas in other topics while I was working. But these were more related to my hobbies and I couldn’t see them advancing my career to where I wanted to be. The only subject I ever really loved was accounting, so it was a natural decision for me.”

from the academic results and rewards, has strengthened my relationships with my family and given strength and pride to my daughter. “I consider myself very lucky to have a family that supported me throughout the two years of my studies. There were times when I doubted my own capabilities and almost gave up, but they never did, and in moments of need, they all spoke words of encouragement. “I used to say to myself that it would soon be over, and kept thinking long

“THERE WERE TIMES WHEN I DOUBTED MY OWN CAPABILITIES AND ALMOST GAVE UP, BUT THEY NEVER DID, AND IN MOMENTS OF NEED, THEY ALL SPOKE WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT” However, that did not mean is was an easy one: “I had to make a change not only in my personal lifestyle, but also in my family’s; I had to stop working to study during my daughter’s school hours, then spend the afternoons and weekends with her doing her homework. “Having to also attend ACCA evening classes meant I was left little time for family events, or to spend good quality time with my family.” Claudine was completely committed to her studies, including at weekends and during holidays, which were spent at home. Friends were lost and job offers refused. It was a diﬃcult two years, but with the help of her family, friends and the lecturers at the AIM Professional Academy, she got through it. “I have no regrets because what I have achieved in these two years, apart

term – where I want to be in the next five to 10 years and comparing that to where I was four years ago.” Claudine started her studies at the academy in autumn 2014 and finished in December 2016. In the end, she walked away with first place in Malta and second place worldwide in the International Corporate Reporting paper and she also placed first in Malta in the Advanced Audit and Assurance paper. About her results, she says they were “a big surprise and I am very happy. I never thought I was capable of achieving so much. I am proud of what I have done. It actually makes me feel stronger to face any difficulties that may come up during my career”. Achieving ACCA has opened many doors for Claudine. She is still weighing her options, but is seriously considering

teaching accounting, or a career that involves both financial management and accounting and the travel and tourism industry. Having learnt from her own experiences and those of friends, Claudine always wanted to be independent and to be able to provide for herself and her family. Having a professional career makes that easier. “My parents have all my admiration. They worked hard to send us to the best schools and to give us the best education at the time. Being a mother, I wanted to set an example to my daughter that even if we are faced with limitations in our life, whether physical or intellectual, if we are determined and committed to what we want to achieve, we can overcome obstacles and get to where we want.” To anyone juggling ACCA with work, family commitments and other particular challenges, her message is to keep in mind that the sacrifices made while studying are only short-term and that such a significant achievement accompanies you throughout your career. “Before you start your studies, you need to find your own motivating technique. Keep focused on where you want to be and where you were before your studies. Don’t assume that everyone around you will understand how you’re feeling, or the struggles you are facing. Speak with your closest ones and work together to find a way that will support your studies and your family and work. And avoid, at all costs, situations that may jeopardise your study routine.”

WOMANKIND

Messalina as portrayed through the ages in paintings, movies, novels and cartoons.

THE WOMAN BEHIND THE THRONE That she remains known to this day as one of the wickedest women in history says a lot not only about Messalina, but also about her husband, the Roman emperor Claudius, and, more importantly, about the turmoil that reigned in Rome in her time. MARY GALEA DEBONO digs up the dirt.

he ‘woman behind the throne’ has always attracted the attention of historians not least because the inﬂuence she exerts sheds a light on the ‘man on the throne’ himself. Examples of women who wielded inordinate power and inﬂuence in the affairs of state abound. Valeria Messalina was one such woman. That she remains known to this day as one of the wickedest women in history says a lot not only about herself, but also about her husband, Claudius, the Roman emperor who ruled between AD41 and AD54 and, more importantly, about the turmoil that reigned in Rome in her time. What is known about this Roman empress comes mainly from historians such as Suetonius, Tacitus and others. The fact that they are reputable recorders of the historic events

of their times does not, however, mean they did not have their own agenda. As a senator, Tacitus, for example, was inclined to portray Claudius, who was a praetor or military man, as the emperor who was totally dominated by his wife. Neither did these historians hesitate to highlight the sexual vices of men and women in power in order to vilify them. In Book XI of The Annals, Tacitus delights in giving prominence to Messalina’s sexual excesses and his sordid details are reliably corroborated by other chroniclers. By AD39, Claudius had already been twice divorced and the choice of a third wife – which depended largely on court intrigues – fell on Messalina in spite of the fact that her reputation was already tainted. She was 14 and he was 48. They had been married for over a year and had one daughter, Octavia, when, after the murder of his predecessor Caligula, Claudius became emperor. Another son, Britannicus, was born later. Historians portray Claudius as a man who was easily manipulated and quick to anger; a man for whom his comforts came ﬁrst and, apart from his interest in public works, who was generally oblivious to what was happening around him. Messalina, on the other hand, was not one of those wives who were content with remaining in the shadows. Her power over him was such that she felt she could do as she pleased. Pink October 2017 ∫ 35

11, TOWER ROAD, SLIEMA T: 21313097 F: COCCINELLE MALTA

WOMANKIND Against her enemies, she was ruthless and nothing stood in through Rome in a carriage and pair, which only the Vestal her path. It is she who was responsible for sending Seneca into Virgins and some high priestesses were allowed to do, but, as exile and for ordering the murder of, among others, Polybius, Tacitus writes, “she drifted into unfamiliar vices”. a high-court official. Her debauched life knew no limits. Disguising herself by Against her enemies, Messalina showed no pity as one of wearing a blonde wig and adopting a false name, Lycisca, she her rivals was to find out. Poppaea, a woman well known for worked as a prostitute in a brothel outside the city. This may her beauty, made the fatal mistake of trying to steal Messalina’s seem an exaggeration, but the historian Dio too states that the lover, a handsome dancer by the name of Mnester. empress set up a brothel in the palace to which only women Convincing her husband that she needed the dancer to from the upper class were admitted, attended by their hushelp her in a worthy cause, the emperor ordered him to do as bands acting as procurers. In one of his satires, Juvenal uses his wife wished. Mnester had no option but to obey and was this story to ridicule Messalina. forced to live in her house. She then went one step further. Messalina’s denouement came when she took as her lover When Claudius ordered that all the a handsome man by the name of Gaius copper coins with the head of the previSilius, whom she forced to divorce his ous emperor were to be collected, she wife. Silius was ambitious, but he was appropriated herself of the haul, melted no fool, and although he knew that he it and made a statue of her lover, which would rise rapidly in his career through she presented to him. his relationship with the empress, he was But for Messalina, triumphing over a also aware of the dangers. But to refuse rival was not enough. To get her revenge, her advances was equally perilous. she hatched a diabolical plot. Like a true Their illicit relationship was an open Roman, it was politics not morals that secret; she would go to his house with a guided her. She had set her eyes on the crowd of followers and often appeared in beautiful gardens, then known as the public with him. Many of the emperor’s Gardens of Lucullus, on the Pincio. The slaves and possessions were transferred owner, Asiasticus, was a highly respected to his house. It was such an open affair man, who besides having been twice conthat Silius concluded that once everyone A statue of Messalina holding her son sul was also a dedicated horticulturalist was aware of the situation, they might as Britannicus found in the Louvre, Paris. with a passion for trees and flowers. well get married. At first, Messalina was

“MESSALINA WAS A DEPRAVED PERSON. EVEN FOR THOSE FAMILIAR WITH THE LICENTIOUSNESS THAT PERVADED EVERY ASPECT OF SOCIETY, IT WAS CLEAR THAT SHE HAD GONE TOO FAR” Messalina engaged the assistance of two men to attain her goal. One was her young son’s tutor and the other was a disreputable character, who had previously been exiled for corruption. Their task was to convince Claudius that Asiasticus had planned to poison him. The emperor immediately sent his soldiers to bring the supposed culprit to Rome. Without being given the chance to appeal to the Senate, Asiasticus was accused of corruption, bribery and adultery with Poppaea. The trial took place in the emperor’s chamber in the presence of both Messalina and Claudius. Asiasticus behaved with dignity throughout his trial, and at one point, the emperor seemed moved when one of the friends of the accused praised his courage on the battlefield. Messalina too pretended to be crying and left the room with the excuse that she needed to wipe away her tears. It was just a ploy to dispatch a servant to order Poppaea to kill herself – an order promptly carried out by the terrified victim. Asiasticus was condemned to death, and having chosen to end his life in what he considered the most dignified manner, he committed suicide by slitting his veins. Messalina’s corroborators were well rewarded by money and good positions. Messalina was a depraved person. Even for those familiar with the licentiousness that pervaded every aspect of society, it was clear that she had gone too far. It is not so much that she accorded to herself certain privileges, such as driving herself

contrary to this plan as she was still married to Claudius, but Silius convinced her that having no children of his own made it conveniently possible to adopt her son Britannicus, thus becoming stepfather to the legitimate heir. Messalina wanted to believe that the plan would work out; the very perversity and audacity of such an action appealed to her distorted brain. Notwithstanding, she went through the wedding ceremony. But the palace clique had other ideas; they knew that once Silius became emperor, their days of power would be numbered. While Claudius was at Ostia inspecting the new harbour works, Messalina and Silius were busy organising a wine orgy for the autumn grape harvest in the Garden of Lucullus in which the empress frolicked half-drunk with the wand of Bacchus in her hand, followed by Silius wearing a wreath of ivy round his brow. Seeing this, Narcissus, one of the ex-slaves in the palace court, wanted to act and act fast because he knew his master, although quick to anger, was also capable of a sudden change of heart, and if given the chance, he could easily be persuaded to forgive and forget. He convinced two of Claudius’s favourite concubines to inform the emperor about the events in Rome in his absence. Eager to ﬁnd out exactly what was going on, he probed Narcissus himself. The ex-slave answered with a simple question: “Are you aware that you are divorced?” Claudius understood; Pink October 2017 ∫ 37

WOMANKIND he ordered his carriage and set out for Rome with Narcissus, who made sure that no one would approach his master and try to change his mind. Soon the news of Claudius’s return spread all over Rome. Messalina and Silius separated. The empress sent messages to her two children to intercede for her with their father and she also enlisted the help of the Senior Vestal Virgin. All her previous admirers had now abandoned her and only three of her companions remained with her. They made their way to one of the gates of Rome from where, in a rubbish cart, they went to meet the returning emperor.

“SHE WAS GIVEN A DAGGER, BUT SHE COULD NOT DO IT HERSELF AND AN OFFICER HAD TO KILL HER IN THE PRESENCE OF HER MOTHER. SHE WAS JUST 28” Messalina began to cry and Claudius might have relented had not Narcissus suggested he went to the house of Silius, where a great many objects belonging to the emperor’s family were to be found. Claudius flew into one of his blind rages. Silius was summoned and slaughtered together with a number of his companions. Among them was Messalina’s previous lover, Mnester. Messalina herself might have escaped death had Narcissus not acted fast and sent one of his men to finish the job. She was given a dagger, but she could not do it herself and an officer had to kill her in the presence of her mother. She was just 28.

A painting capturing the death of Messalina.

News of her death reached Claudius while he was dining; he did not even pause to ask for details – he simply continued with his dinner. After the death of Messalina, Claudius married Agrippina, who was almost as infamous as her predecessor. Octavia later married her half-brother, Nero, who, in a ﬁt of madness murdered both her and her brother Britannicus. In AD61, a few years after the murder of Messalina, the Apostle Paul arrived in Rome. He found a city where corruption, vice, nepotism and violence reigned and a society conditioned by superstition and omens, at the mercy of a pantheon of revengeful gods. It is against this background that the message of hope in the saint’s letters to the Romans and the historical implications of Christianity as a turning point in the history of mankind must be understood.

SHOWSTOPPER

Dress, €29.99; bag, €39.99, both Mango.

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SHOWSTOPPER

An evening in

DRESSING UP AND FEELING AT HOME

Photography Matthew B. Spiteri Styling Marisa Grima [marisagrima.com] Hair Sacha Roberts Paxanas Make-up Tea Mileta Model Daniela @ Supernova MM Location CoseCasa, Balzan

Dress, €195; booties, €40, both Miss Selfridge.

Pink October 2017 ∫ 41

SHOWSTOPPER

Dress, €29.99; gloves, €19.99; choker [set of two], €19.99, all Mango ∫ booties, €125, Aldo.

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SHOWSTOPPER

Petticoat, €38.99; dressing gown, €44.99; bralet, €26, all Women’secret ∫ turban, €20, Aldo.

Pink October 2017 ∫ 43

SHOWSTOPPER

Dress, €230; booties, €260, both Armani Jeans.

44 ∫ Pink October 2017

SHOWSTOPPER

Dress, €140, Miss Selfridge ∫ bag, €49, Aldo.

Pink October 2017 ∫ 45

Dress, €104; shoes, €56, both Oasis.

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SHOWSTOPPER

Dress, €39.95; jacket, €49.95, both Orsay limited collection @ The Point only; hat, €9.99, Orsay ∫ bag, €25, Miss Selfridge ∫ choker, €15; booties, €109, both Aldo.

Pink October 2017 ∫ 47

THEUNIFORM

MAXIMALISM TO THE MAX Inspired by the Spring/Summer 2018 Fashion Weeks, blogger and stylist CAROLINE PARIS says the current street style is all about going all out and showing off, while retaining an element of elegance.

ashion Week Spring/Summer 2018; that time of year when you can’t decide whether it’s hot or cold outside, but you really want to wear your new warmer clothes. The catwalks keep inspiring you to wear all the summer clothes

50 ∫ Pink October 2017

from next year, but the streets are showing you jackets and coats that you just have to go and buy. It’s also that time of year and that perfect place to get a feel for current and future trends and indulge in a spot of trend prediction. We’ve known for a while now that minimalism is no longer the ﬂavour of the month and maximalism is all the rage. Going all out and showing off while retaining an element of elegance is what current street style is all about.

THEUNIFORM

“BUM BAGS IN GENERAL, LOVE THEM OR HATE THEM, ARE OF COURSE THIS WINTER’S HOTTEST BAG STYLE. WEAR THEM AROUND YOUR WAIST LIKE A BELT OR ACROSS YOUR SHOULDERS FOR ADDED EFFECT” BEING A BUM As always, the street-style looks in Milan showcased some truly memorable outﬁts. Gucci remains a trend, in general, making multiple appearances in some way or another at every show and event. One of the

hottest items is actually their bum bag from this season’s new collection; I spotted it numerous times. Bum bags in general, love them or hate them, are of course this winter’s hottest bag style. Wear them around your waist like a belt or across your shoulders for added effect. Pink October 2017 ∫ 51

THEUNIFORM

“THE LOAFER RETAINS ITS POPULARITY, BUT THE NEW STYLE ON THE CATWALK IS POINTED AND POSSIBLY SPORTING TASSELS”

WHAT ABOUT SHOES? During fashion weeks, shoes always seem to be the best part of the outﬁt, and in Milan, some truly beautiful styles were around. A lot of the 1970s and 1980s styles, such as platform shoes, kitten heels and over-the-knee boots were spotted. There were also quite a few looks sporting shoes worn with socks, both plain block-colour socks and other more ornate styles. The loafer retains its popularity, but the new style on the catwalk is pointed and possibly sporting tassels. PRETTY PLEASE Pretty dresses were literally everywhere, on the catwalk and off it. In London, many wore them over jeans, or with tights, and on the catwalk, they were paired with polo shirts, anoraks, boots and layered in different styles. On the catwalk too, a new ultra-feminine trend to emerge is the sheer skirt, worn with jeans or bare legs for a truly sexy look. IN THE TRENCHES The trench coat also continues to evolve, with the new way to wear it being slightly oversized and loose. I spotted a few versions with short sleeves and in different colours, 52 ∫ Pink October 2017

or glossy leather. This is great news for winter and the upcoming rainy season. PLAY WITH PLAID Plaid is the current favourite pattern: a plaid jacket is being worn over everything, and if you want to opt for a total plaid suit, well, all the better.

THEUNIFORM

ONTO HAIR AND BEAUTY…

PEARLS OF WISDOM

FEATHER IN YOUR… ANYTHING In keeping with the idea of maximalism, feathers are a current seasonal favourite, adorning shoes, coat cuffs, trouser hems and even on jewellery. Feathers are having a moment.

When it comes to jewellery, earrings take centre stage, the larger and weirder the better. I’m talking pompom styles, tassels, long shiny ones with pearls and lots more. Pearls are actually quite a favourite, not worn around the neck though, but used as adornments over jeans, tops, shoes and even socks.

Off the catwalk, hair was still loose and slightly messy, but on the catwalk, it was sleek and blow-dried, incredibly smooth and reﬁned. When it comes to make-up, colour is deﬁnitely back as evidenced at Missoni and the bright pops of winged eyeliner created by the MAC Cosmetics team. At Stella Jean, Michele Magnani created a glitter eye that made me want to go out and party all night long. Photography Kurt Paris

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PINKPROMO

7 NEW REASONS… For ANNA MARIE GALEA to love Debenhams even more. Racing Green

Jack & Jones

Dune

owever fabulous you already are, everybody loves a little makeover once in a while… and Debenhams department store is no different. While it has always been renowned for being the ultimate purveyor of quality, fashionable items at great prices, it has now gone the extra mile [or seven] and is giving loyal fans like me ‘7 New Reasons’ to visit Debenhams today! EVERY WOMAN’S DREAM: DUNE FOOTWEAR AND BAGS

Exclusively available at Debenhams at The Point, the Dune footwear and bag line has everything you’ll ever need to take you from on-trend oﬃce worker to party princess. Coming in a variety of beautiful colours and styles, you’ll never be caught out of the fashion loop with these luxurious looking and feeling lovelies. DESK TO DANCE FLOOR SHOES FOR EVERY MAN: DUNE FOOTWEAR AND BAGS

If there’s one thing that the good people at Dune know, it’s that ladies shouldn’t be the only ones allowed to have all the footwear fun. Whether you’re a rock star on your day off, or looking for Oxford shoes, or loafers, which will make the right impact, Debenhams at The Point offers men a selection of prime quality leather shoes

Only

and a varied selection of footwear not usually available on our shores.

Selected

more conservative casual blue shirt or you want to mix things up with a tartan print, this range offers something for every man.

ONLY IS ABOUT YOU ONLY!

Available in all Debenhams outlets, once you start wearing Only, you’ll only want more! Whether you’re after quality everyday dresses, or a little lacy number, you don’t have to worry about breaking the bank. What’s more, Debenhams will also be stocking Only Play sportswear, which means you can ﬁll your entire wardrobe with Only pieces suited for work and play. TAILORED SUITS FROM SELECTED MENSWEAR

Finally, bringing the tailored suit option to The Point, Selected menswear offers men razor-sharp tailoring, which promises to ﬂatter any body shape. Young yet sophisticated, Selected menswear is sure to make waves on the male sartorial scene thanks to its competitive prices and excellent design. RACING GREEN’S SOPHISTICATED BRITISH STYLE FOR ANY MAN

Debenhams-owned, the Racing Green brand is targeted at men who want to get the best out of their wardrobes. Far from being bland, men can enjoy chinos in a vast array of colours and couple them with on-trend shirts. Whether you’re after a

NEWEST OF THE NEW AT JACK & JONES

Although this brand has already been available at The Point for over a year, Debenhams is re-launching it and bringing you the best that it offers. Whether you’re after Merino wool knit pullovers at unbeatable prices, or coveting one of their legendary bomber jackets, Jack & Jones is offering young and young-at-heart men pieces they will be reaching for year after year. THE BEAUTY CLUB

A source of great excitement to me, The Beauty Club will be bringing a totally new service counter concept to Malta and offering perfumes and beauty products by industry titans Tom Ford, Estée Lauder, Clinique, Shiseido, Lancôme and Clarins. This news will be of particular interest to Tom Ford fans as this is the ﬁrst time his highly desirable fragrances and cosmetics will be exclusively sold in Malta. In addition to this, The Beauty Club will also introduce a truly personalised and focused service, which will provide customers with in-depth consultations about which products would work best for their unique needs. Pink October 2017 ∫ 55

BEAUTYPARLOUR

meet myself at least twice a day in front of the mirror, removing and reapplying creams, scrubbing my face and slapping on layers upon layers of products that could even be working against each other for all I know; cleansing, nourishing and hydrating the skin, protecting from pollution and sun damage, ﬁghting against wrinkles and any blemishes. And it seems like this is all I do. Here we go again, I tell myself as I restart the regime, feeling like nothing has happened in the interim and wondering why I’m actually doing it at all. This time it’s an oil; next it’s a mask; then it’s exfoliation. One is rich and creamy; the other has a lightweight texture; this face wash is a combination of everything… Yes, my dabbling in skin care, which started religiously in the my 20s, has been largely based on intuition, controlled experimentation and ‘investing’ in the wide range of products – possibly too many – that have lined my vanity and shelves, turning my bathroom into my personal perfumery. Until today – the situation has actually deteriorated in terms of the amount of beauty products piling up – countless open bottles leave me faced with the embarrassment of the choice. And sometimes, the result is that different creams are applied to different areas of the face in a jigsaw puzzle that is almost a joke, just to justify that they are open. One circles the eyes, the other goes round the lips, one is smeared all over and another on top of that! So yes, you could say I have a particular relationship with face creams etc… I’m loyal and I’m not. I’m a sucker and I’m not. I have a regimental routine and I don’t. I mix and match. I’m generous [in that I slap them on thickly and frequently]. I like variety [within the limits of my preferred few]. Sometimes, I don’t know where to start from. I’m not sure they’re doing me any good, but I cannot live without them [and I suppose, if truth be told, they are]. I have grown to love some. And I am open to others. And now that you know, more or less, where I am coming from cosmetically, over the last month, uncharacteristically, I used almost exclusively one brand – Collistar. And I’m happy to have welcomed this range to those bursting shelves, where it has found its rightful place among others it will mix with once I’ve found that balance and go back to my beauty blends and product hopping. It’s somewhat refreshing – and simple – to stick to one brand and see the overall effects of products that were designed to work together and should complement each other. It’s not that I’ve had negative experiences with mixing and matching, but I’ve never really had the opportunity to stick to one family, with my various products vying with each other.

FOOD FOR THE FACE If you fancy the natural, do-it-yourself element in your daily skin care, or you need to declutter your cosmetics cabinet, Collistar Natura has a personalised facial treatment kit that puts the fun back into face packs, scrubs and masks with its one-stop-shop approach. FIONA GALEA DEBONO finds herself customising her beauty regime, using what she’d normally cook with and eat, and feeding off the results of her concoctions.

Pink October 2017 ∫ 57

BEAUTYPARLOUR

“THE FORMULA CONTAINS ITALIAN STEVIA EXTRACT, AVOCADO, ARGAN, BORAGE, RICE BRAN AND SWEET ALMOND OIL – MORE LIKE WHAT YOU’D HAVE FOR A HEALTHY BREAKFAST. BUT WHY NOT FEED YOUR FACE THAT NUTRITIOUS MEAL TOO? IT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE OF THE DAY, AND THIS COULD ALSO APPLY TO THE SKIN FOR A MORNING BOOST THAT TAKES YOU THROUGH TO THE NIGHT”

There’s a sense of playing by the rules and doing the right thing when you use the complementary products of the same brand. And I suppose that guilt feeling stems from having read the small print on the leaflets that ‘this works best with that’ and ‘this should be applied directly after that’. Finally, I was following the instructions. Collistar Natura, an innovative, natural, high-tech, cosmetic range, is a sophisticated do-it-yourself type of thing, which is a bit daunting to start off with for someone who was never keen on home-made concoctions. Admittedly, putting products I normally eat on my face has never really been my thing, no matter how natural and earthy it sounds. And this point is crucial to be able to comprehend the extent of my conversion. This personalised facial treatment, based on the Transforming Essential Cream, offered the right balance between nature and technology to build my confidence in the outcome and overcome any pizza-face fears. The concept is actually intriguing: out of the box emerges the three-piece treatment, including a pot of Extraordinary Infusion Cream, which restores and revitalises the skin, and which I enjoyed plastering on at night for some serious action in my sleep. One of the ingredients here is papaya, so once you get your head around the idea of smearing the tropical fruit on your face, rather than ingesting it, you start to benefit from the strength and other beneficial properties it feeds into this 24-hour cream. This was alternated with the Precious Essence Oil, which is meant to regenerate and repair. The formula contains Italian Stevia extract, avocado, argan, borage, rice bran and sweet almond oil – more like what you’d have for a healthy breakfast. But why not feed your face that nutritious meal too? It’s the most important one of the day, and 58 ∫ Pink October 2017

this could also apply to the skin for a morning boost that takes you through to the night. The Infusion Cream is rich and velvety, and the oil is an oil. So, in sticky, 43-degree heat, you would be excused for thinking twice about feeding them to your skin. It could have felt like eating a heavy, buttery plate of pasta at midnight in a heatwave. But it was nothing like that as they were quickly absorbed and did their job. And now for the proverbial icing on the cake. The do-ityourself facial treatment includes the Transforming Essential Cream and a cute glass bowl and spatula. The rest, you can source from your kitchen cupboards. Once I had enjoyed the pleasure of applying the oil to my skin, I had no qualms about adding olive oil to my glass bowl, mixing it with the transforming cream and feeding the concoction to my skin for a super-nourishing treatment. Like an alchemist, I enjoyed the element of experimentation, in the comfort that this has all been tried and tested and that the fundamental ingredient comes in fancy cosmetic packaging and not from my fridge. Next, I had some leftover yoghurt I didn’t feel like ﬁnishing off, and instead, added it to my Transforming Essential Cream for a brightening treatment. No negative side effects were registered – in fact, those are actually common when eating the yoghurt, which wreaks havoc in my stomach, but works better on my skin. The do-it-yourself kit has clear instructions on the back of the box, listing honey for a revitalising mask, sugar for a polishing scrub and lemon for a purifying face pack – all built on the basis of the Transforming Essential Cream. If for no other reason, this cosmetics concept is clever because it’s what you can really call a one-stop shop. With one product and a series of everyday items, you’ve got masks, treatments, scrubs and face packs galore, and you can clear out your cabinet clutter in one fell swoop. The Transforming Essential Cream is also the ideal travelling companion. The rest of the ingredients can be found at the breakfast buffet! Plus, this product also works brilliantly when used alone for younger-looking skin. If you stick to it, you’re not missing out on the natural element either: its secret is an exceptionally high concentration of plant butters and quinoa extract – yes quinoa – to smooth and ﬁrm, apart from Italian Stevia for moisturising. I can’t say I look any younger, more radiant, or better – that’s for others to judge. And we’ll never know how I would have looked had I not used Collistar Natura. That would have been a good test. Really and truly, the results are for the future to prove. Time will tell. Meanwhile, I’m certainly over the ‘no food on my face, thank you’, and the images of papaya and avocado on the packaging actually make me feel good. You are what you eat, they say, and that applies to your face and what it’s made to absorb. If it’s good for our insides, it should work on the outside too. Bottom line, when nature – 95 per cent of this range is of natural origin – and technology combine in cosmetics, you know you’re onto a good thing. So, get out that miniature mixing bowl and cook up a healthy meal for your skin. Having written this, mine is feeling hungry.

THINKPINK HEALTH, BEAUTY & EVENTS

Pink gathers together the top fragrances for him and her; the latest health and beauty innovations to bring out your best; and the events and initiatives that shouldn’t be missed out on.

1 MAGNETIC STRENGTH Get to experience the power of Boss The Scent Intense for Him, the new, oriental, woody eau de parfum for men. The smoky addictive richness of leather, the spicy freshness of ginger and the seductive note of the exotic Maninka fruit combine to reveal the scent’s magnetic strength. Get your free Boss travel bag when purchasing Boss The Scent Intense for Him edp 100ml. For trade enquiries, contact VJ Salomone Marketing on 8007 2387.

2 IRRESISTIBLE AND FLORAL-INSPIRED

Boss The Scent For Her opens on a fruity note of honeyed peach and the elegance of freesia blossom. The real seduction starts in the heart with the exclusive captivating Osmanthus flower. While the warm, dark base of roasted cocoa will make you totally addicted. Get your Free Boss Travel Bag when purchasing Boss The Scent Intense for Her edp 50ml. For trade enquiries, contact VJ Salomone Marketing on 8007 2387.

3 ORIENTAL-FRUITY

The Liu Jo fragrance is defined as orientalfruity. It begins with fresh and sweet accords of bergamot, lychee, mandarin and raspberry. The heart is white floral and contains notes of lily of the valley, Egyptian jasmine and ylangylang, laid on the Chypre base of patchouli, sandalwood, vanilla and musk. Liu Jo fragrances are exclusively distributed by Chemimart [2149 2212].

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4 A PLAYFUL GAME OF SEDUCTION Man Ice exudes the same pure masculinity, innate confidence and effortless attitude that defines the Jimmy Choo man, but his intense sensuality subsides as he succumbs to a more whimsical side. His rebellious attitude and moody masculinity are set against a softer spirit as his passion and humour develop along with the top notes of the fragrance. Jimmy Choo Man Ice presents a playful game of seduction between a man and woman captured in an enticing fragrance. Jimmy Choo fragrances are exclusively distributed by Chemimart [2149 2212].

5 SAVE YOUR SCALP Vichy’s Dercos Aminexil Clinical 5 is the antihair-loss treatment for both men and women. It helps to rebalance and recreate a healthier scalp, as well as slow down hair loss whatever its cause: hereditary, stress-related, seasonal, post-pregnancy and menopause-related hair loss. This is thanks to its combination of five active ingredients. Aminexil Clinical 5 has an easy-to-apply texture that is non-greasy, nonsticky and non-oily for a residue-free application on wet or dry hair [no rinse]. It is available in pharmacies. For more information, send an e-mail to vichy@prohealth.com.mt 60 ∫ Pink October 2017

6 THREE IN ONE Normal/combination, oily, acne-prone skin? Cleanse, exfoliate and mattify in one go with Vichy's latest arrival – the new Normaderm 3-in-1 Scrub + Cleanser + Mask. This tripleaction mask helps minimise the appearance of large pores, mattifies skin for up to three days and reduces acne scars, while fighting pimples and blackheads. Suitable for men and women with sensitive skin, Normaderm 3-in-1 contains a formula that is hypoallergenic, paraben-free, soap-free and alcohol-free. Available in pharmacies, for more information and samples, send an e-mail to vichy@prohealth.com.mt

7 GRAPHIC EYES Clarins’ beautiful new autumn collection is primarily about expressive, graphic eyes. The central item is a brand-new eyeshadow palette, the 4-Color Eye Shadow Palette 06 Forest,

which joins the permanent Clarins fall range. It includes two shades of green, a satin-finish light green and a deep forest shade, as well as a highlighting shade, rose quartz, and a deep smoky charcoal liner, the new long-lasting Graphik Ink Liner. Clarins products are exclusively distributed by von Brockdorff Imports Ltd and available from Clarins authorised outlets.

8 INSTANT FEELING OF WELL-BEING Clarins launches a line of three intensive SOS masks to moisturise, purify and nourish the face: SOS Hydra, SOS Pure and SOS Comfort. The masks include plant extracts that meet the needs of all skin types at all ages. They rebalance the skin in just 10 minutes and bring an instant feeling of well-being. The texture is multi-sensorial, subtle and iridescent. Clarins products are exclusively distributed by von Brockdorff Imports Ltd and available from Clarins authorised outlets.

THINKPi HealH, Beau & evens

www.franks.com.mt/gold-card/. For more information, call on 2388 2300; or send an e-mail to info@franks.com.mt

11 THE COLOURS OF AUTUMN Privee’s autumn collection appeals to contemporary modern divas, with a vintage twist. Deep browns and burgundy shades are combined with hints of camel and honey amber tones. eyes are intensiﬁed, lips are deep, standing out on a delicately radiant complexion, and hands have a colour palette that evokes the shades of wine decanted into crystal goblets. Discover the collection at selected pharmacies, perfumeries and beauty salons. Check out the Facebook page Pupa Milano Malta. For more information, contact Medimports on 2148 3139, or send an e-mail to medeva@go.net.mt; www.pupamilano.com

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12 NOTHING TO HIDE

Following his debut, laughing at the Truth, in 2015, stand-up comedy artist Kevin naudi is back – bigger and bolder, but none the wiser! now nothing to Hide explores what a married man with kids deals with every day, at Blue Box on november 10 and 11. Tickets are available from www.bluebox.com.mt

13 GASTRO BAR

9 EXPERT FIRMING ANTI-WRINKLE LINE Chanel’s expert ﬁrming and anti-wrinkle le lift line is now completed by one new product with instant tightening and radiance-boosting effects: le lift v-Flash. enriched with vitamins, it can be used occasionally to compensate for visible signs of fatigue, or as an intensive treatment to withstand the change of seasons or a busy lifestyle. le lift v-Flash is the ideal face care for women seeking an instant dose of youthful-looking radiance. This true radiance booster provides an instant tensing effect. The outline of the face is redeﬁned and the features are smoothed. any trace of fatigue is erased instantly! Chanel’s le lift line also includes the lotion, skin-Recovery sleep Mask and the Flash eye Revitaliser, distributed by alfred Gera & sons ltd.

10 A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY Franks is rewarding the loyalty of its customers with the introduction of the lucrative Franks Gold Card. Holders will receive a point for every euro spent in Franks outlets, and these can be redeemed in exchange for vouchers and other beneﬁts. a €15 voucher is being given to clients who reach the 500-point threshold and a €25 voucher to clients reaching 700 points. Clients reaching 1,500 will receive a €75 voucher and exclusive invitations to Franks’ launches and events. a one-time double-point shopping spree is being gifted to clients who have reached the 1,500-point threshold, but opt to continue accumulating points to the last tier – 3,500 for a €175 voucher, exclusive invitations to Franks events and a surprise birthday gift. The Franks Gold Card is available from all Franks outlets, or by applying on

Hammett’s Gastro Bar is the latest addition to the sliema seafront, run by award-winning restaurateur Chris Hammett of The villa Brasserie. The new outlet’s fare includes an innovative interpretation of plates to share and a combination of culinary inﬂuences, ingredients and imaginative cooking techniques from around the world. Hammett’s Gastro Bar menu is seasonal, changing according to the availability of fresh local produce. The bar mirrors the food menu in its vast and international offering, with an array of craft beers, a selection of over 110 wines, ﬂagship spirits and an extensive gourmet cocktail list, using fresh fruit, home-made syrups and infusions.

14 HISTORY IN THE MAKING Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti treated its supporters to a unique private event at Palazzo Falson Historic House Museum to celebrate the 10th year since the opening of the museum under its management. a number of historic artefacts were brought out of displays and storage and placed in different areas of the museum, where staff and volunteers explained to the guests all about their history. Pink October 2017 ∫ 61

INTHEPINK

Preserving aesthetics Cypriot cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgeon Dr Demetris Stavrou, who has taken up practice at a new clinic in Malta, has always had a particular interest in reconstruction after breast cancer and cosmetic procedures following weight-loss surgery, burn reconstruction and skin cancer surgery. In the 21st century, he believes, we should offer a holistic approach to diseases that includes the reconstructive and aesthetic aspect of the treatment.

he relationship between doctor and patient is important to you and you adopt both a professional and personal approach to your role as a plastic surgeon. In the light of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, how does breast surgery differ, from a psychological point of view, between a patient who is going purely for aesthetics and one who is obliged to undergo reconstruction due to an illness? And as the surgeon, is there are marked difference between how you handle the two scenarios?

The psychology of a breast cancer patient is totally different from that of a healthy individual who seeks to improve her looks. Cancer is a matter of life and death and the main priority of the patient and her surgeon is to remove the malignancy. Very rarely is this patient concerned about the aesthetics of the matter. The sudden news of breast cancer is always overwhelming and brings fear and a sense of uncertainty to the patient. Our role at inception is to adequately inform the breast cancer patient about the whole ‘journey’ from diagnosis to oncologic and aesthetic surgery and on to rehabilitation. The aesthetics patient, meanwhile, is usually much more relaxed. Her priorities are her looks and her sense of self-esteem and conﬁdence. The element of urgency is absent and everything should be under her control.

As plastic surgeons, we handle both types of patients following the same principles of medicine, with honesty and compassion. It is important to gain the patient’s trust in either case and make her feel sure about the surgery and relaxed with the surgeon performing it. In a sense, could it be more daunting for a woman to undergo breast surgery for ‘mere’ cosmetic and vanity reasons, rather than because she has no choice due to a mastectomy?

Any surgery should be the informed decision of a patient. Of course, surgery for breast cancer is necessary for survival, but still, through the process of consultation with the surgeon, a patient in either case should feel certain and decided. From your experience, what is the state of mind of a woman who decides to go for a double mastectomy and breast reconstruction to avoid the onset of cancer and one who has had a mastectomy due to the illness? How can the surgeon ease this trauma?

A woman who prompts for a prophylactic mastectomy should have some predisposition to breast cancer, such as family history, or genetic predisposition. There are guidelines that should be followed when advising for prophylactic mastectomy. The example of Angelina Jolie and others talking openly Pink October 2017 ∫ 63

INTHEPINK about prophylactic mastectomy has pushed many women towards removing their breast. However, the fear of breast cancer should be based upon solid facts and protocols should be followed. Otherwise, we increase the risk of unnecessary mastectomies, their possible complications and a possible negative impact on quality of life. The only way a surgeon can ease the trauma is by being next to the patient all the way from diagnosis to recovery, informing about all aspects of the treatment, dealing with complications and reassuring the patient for a positive outcome. Does the promise of restructuring the breasts and possibly improving their appearance, together with a fresh start in the fight against the disease, help in these scenarios, or is this normally very far removed from a patient’s mind?

This is a very good point, actually. In some cases, we can even reconstruct breasts to a shape that is nicer than the original natural breast. We encourage patients to have a positive attitude to the disease and consider ‘taking advantage’ of the situation and correcting a droopy breast, or enlarging a small one.

Still on the subject of cancer, how can you convince women that having implants would not affect their chances of detecting the disease, if this is at all the case?

There are scientiﬁc studies that prove that breast cancer detection is not affected by breast implants. Especially with the new 3D mammograms, which are widely used, the breast tissue can be totally visualised. Actually, in some cases, having an implant behind the breast tissue can help palpate a growing mass. Boob jobs, as we know them, have been around for a while and have become the order of the day? How have techniques and results changed over the years? Are the horror stories a thing of the past?

Breast augmentation has always been the number-one plastic surgery over the years. Last year, 290,000 were performed in the US alone, an increase of four per cent from 2015. Both techniques and results are changing constantly because of our growing experience as plastic surgeons, but also because of new materials and technologies being evolved from the industry. In our clinic, for example, we use ﬁfth-generation implants that are manufactured by nanotechnology and provide a superior feel and overall experience for patients. Today, a breast implant can be inserted through barely a 2.5cm incision with the use of a device called the Keller Funnel. Complications from any surgeries will always be present. But bear in mind that what the public usually sees on the media are those few complications and not the millions of happy patients. Nevertheless, our goal is always to provide high-standard medical care to reduce the chances of something going wrong. Would you say that more younger patients are choosing to undergo plastic surgery? And if so, does this bewilder you?

Cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgeon Dr Demetris Stavrou.

In the era of the internet and social media, we are seeing an increase of cosmetic treatments among the younger population. This is not necessarily a negative thing as long as a balance is kept.

“TODAY, A BREAST IMPLANT CAN BE INSERTED THROUGH BARELY A 2.5CM INCISION WITH THE USE OF A DEVICE CALLED THE KELLER FUNNEL” You come into the equation when the battle against disease, or even weight loss, has been won. You pick up the pieces and work to achieve a sense of normality once again. How important is this final link in the chain to overall recovery? Or can one do without it?

As plastic surgeons, we try to improve the overall quality of life of the patient. A woman without a breast, or a weightloss patient with huge amounts of hanging skin will never feel normal and their quality of life will be greatly affected. In the 21st century, I believe we should offer a holistic approach to diseases that includes the reconstructive and aesthetic aspect of the treatment. 64 ∫ Pink October 2017

Cosmetic treatment, when done properly at a young age, can have a preventive effect on ageing as well. When patients are adults and can give informed consent, we should provide them with all the necessary information and guide them to the right decision without compromising health. At what point do you draw the line and put a person off undergoing breast surgery in terms of age and any other factors?

When the patient is under 18, we should operate only if there are speciﬁc pathologies, such as prominent gigantomastia [huge breasts] that interfere with her normal life.

INhePINK Also, in the case of patients with severe psychological problems, caused by, for example, prominent asymmetry of the breast, we might consider surgery at an early stage. However, we should never operate on patients who ask for excessive results, such as huge breasts or have unrealistic expectations from a surgery. Likewise, a serious psychological condition called Body Dysmorphic Disorder, where one cannot stop thinking about perceived defects or ﬂaws in his or her appearance – a ﬂaw that, to others, is either minor or not observable – should be diagnosed by plastic surgeons and the patient sent to a psychologist for proper assessment. and would you say augmentations are in greater demand than reductions?

Deﬁnitely, breast augmentations are the number-one plastic surgery. It is encouraging though that, nowadays, less is considered more and women do not ask for excessive sizes, but rather aim for the natural look and shape. Breast reductions are also a very common surgery, especially among Mediterranean women, who generally have large breasts. This is often done for health issues, such as back pain or skin dermatitis, resulting from the large breast size.

and Other Combat Regions: The Israeli Experience. how does that sit with aesthetic cosmetic surgery and does it make the latter feel almost frivolous and unnecessary, given these more serious scenarios?

My training in Israel has allowed me to gain experience in reconstructive surgery due to the situation in the Middle East. I have learned to value human life first, but at the same time, try to preserve the aesthetics of a life-saving surgery result. The natural response to a serious trauma incidence such as an explosion, or a burn, is to save a human’s life. If we totally forget the aesthetics of it, it will backfire and cause psychological problems at the late stages of the treatment where rehabilitation, both physical and psychological, come into play. Therefore, I have learned to treat the acute phase of an event as such with speed and effectiveness without neglecting the implications a disfigurement could have on a patient’s quality of life at a later stage. you’ve also published a study on Correction of Small Volume Breast Asymmetry Using Deep Parenchymal Resection and Identical Silicone Implants: an Early Experience. it is quite a mouthful. is this the latest in plastic surgery and what does it mean in layman’s terms?

“The naTural response To a serious Trauma incidence such as an explosion, or a burn, is To save a human’s life. if we ToTally forgeT The aesTheTics of iT, iT will backfire and cause psychological problems aT The laTe sTages of The TreaTmenT where rehabiliTaTion, boTh physical and psychological, come inTo play” you have been working as a plastic surgeon in cyprus since 2012. what is the malta connection and would you say there is a big market here for plastic surgery, maybe even as opposed to other countries?

I have been working in Cyprus since 2012, and before that, I was in Israel and Australia. I was invited to take up practice in Malta this year. I must admit that Maltese women are very informed and positive towards plastic surgery. The demand, relative to the size of the population, is high. cosmetic surgery is your job. but if you had to step aside for a minute, what do you think this desire to transform ourselves physically and the ‘obsession’ with our appearance says about today’s society? is it just going to get worse?

I believe there is a strong connection between how we feel on the inside and how we project ourselves on the outside. You cannot separate the two. Especially in the era of Facebook, the image of a person is a part of everyday communication. I do not consider plastic surgery as being only skin deep. It helps us mirror our inner self to the outside. For example, a cheerful person with sad-looking eyes because of excess skin on the eyelids could greatly beneﬁt from eyelid surgery. The demand for plastic surgery will increase. Our duty is to protect patients from rogue dangerous treatments, performed by unqualiﬁed doctors. one of your publications is titled Characteristics of Improvised Explosive Device Trauma Casualties in the Gaza Strip

It is a technique we have published with a team from Australia. In simple terms, we prefer using identical implants in both breasts for a breast augmentation, even in those cases where we see breast asymmetry before the surgery. We would resect a small amount of breast tissue from the larger breast to equalise the volume between the breasts and then use identical implants to do the augmentation. as a researcher, what is your next study going to focus on?

We have recently opened the ﬁrst private breast centre for breast cancer patients in Cyprus where we have ongoing studies on breast reconstruction and the use of new materials and implants that enhance the aesthetic result of the surgery and leave the patients happier. where will we be in 10 years’ time in terms of reconstructive, aesthetic and plastic surgery? will it be a run-of-themill intervention, or will we return to being content with ourselves just the way we are?

In 10 years’ time, we will still be implementing the same principles of plastic surgery that have stood up to the test of time. Beauty standards change over time, but we will still be ﬁghting diseases, reconstructing trauma patients and beautifying people in the context of the era we live in. The norm will change, but there will always be a need for balance and reasoning. As doctors, it is our duty to guide patients, in need or in joy, with compassion, professionalism and honesty even in 20 or 30 years’ time. Pink October 2017 ∫ 65

PINKPROMO

MALE BOOB JOBS While women may be interested in breast augmentation, man boobs are a no-no. Dr Frank Farrugia explains what causes the unwanted swelling and growth of men’s breasts, gynaecomastia, and how the condition can be treated. Gynaecomastia [sometimes referred to as “man boobs”] is a common condition that causes boys’ and men’s breasts to swell and become larger than normal. It is most common in teenage boys and older men.

What are the signs of gynaecomastia? Signs vary from a small amount of extra tissue around the nipples to more prominent breasts. It can affect one or both breasts. Sometimes, the breast tissue can be tender or painful, but this isn’t always the case.

What causes gynaecomastia? Hormone imbalance An imbalance between the sex hormones, testosterone and oestrogen. Oestrogen causes breast tissue to grow. While all men produce some oestrogen, they usually have much higher levels of testosterone, which stops the oestrogen from causing breast tissue to grow. If the balance of hormones in the body changes, this can cause a man’s breasts to grow. Sometimes, the cause of this imbalance is unknown. Obesity Some growth in breast tissue is not due to extra body fat from being overweight, so losing weight or doing more exercise may not improve the condition. However, a common reason for gynaecomastia is that being very overweight can increase levels of oestrogen, which can cause breast tissue to grow. Newborn baby boys Gynaecomastia can affect newborn baby boys because oestrogen passes through the placenta from the mother to the baby. This is

Before Vaser Liposuction

After Vaser Liposuction

temporary and will disappear a few weeks after the baby is born. Puberty During puberty, boys’ hormone levels vary. If the level of testosterone drops, oestrogen can cause breast tissue to grow. Many teenage boys have some degree of breast enlargement. Gynaecomastia at puberty usually clears up as boys get older and their hormone levels become more stable. Older age As men get older, they produce less testosterone. Older men also tend to have more body fat, and this can cause more oestrogen to be produced. These changes in hormone levels can lead to excess breast tissue growth. Other causes In rare cases, gynaecomastia can be caused by: • side effects of medication – such as anti-ulcer drugs or medication for heart disease • illegal drugs – such as cannabis, or anabolic steroids • drinking too much alcohol • a health abnormality – such as kidney failure, or liver disease • Klinefelter’s Syndrome [a rare genetic disorder] • lumps or infection in the testicles

Treatment Mild cases of gynaecomastia in adolescence may be treated with advice on lifestyle habits, such as proper diet and exercise. In more severe cases, medical treatment may be resorted to, including surgical intervention.

Medication Medical treatment of gynaecomastia is most effective when done within the first two years after the start of male breast enlargement. Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators [Serms], such as tamoxifen or raloxifene, may be beneficial in the treatment of gynaecomastia, but are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use for this condition. Tamoxifen may be used for painful gynaecomastia in adults. Aromatase inhibitors [Ais] have been used off-label for cases of gynaecomastia occurring during puberty. In the case of chronic gynaecomastia, surgical removal of glandular breast tissue is usually required. Surgical approaches to the treatment of gynaecomastia include subcutaneous mastectomy, liposuctionassisted mastectomy, laser-assisted liposuction, and Vaser Liposuction. The benefits of Vaser Liposuction include the fact that more fat and glandular tissue can be removed because it destroys breast tissue. Moreover, it brings about skin retraction, there are less chances of bruising, recovery is quicker and the intervention is carried out under local anaesthesia. Incisions are small – less than 5mm – and are done around the areola, so after they heal, there is no evidence that an operation has occurred. For more information, contact St Mary’s Clinic on 21/27/79 422888; www.stmarysclinic.net

Pink October 2017 ∫ 67

HEALTHBITES

Herb Garden

WITHANIA SOMNIFERA – on our side from time immemorial By medical herbalist Doru Prodan, member of the British Herbal Medicine Association

Withania somnifera, better known as Ashwagandha, is a rather humblelooking shrub, but what goes on in those roots has a remarkably complex personality. Legend has it that Apollo found this amazing plant first and gave it to the healer Aesculapius, the god of medicine and the man with a snake coiled around a rod that has become its ancient symbol. Ashwagandha is the single most important herb in Ayurvedic medicine, itself a system with written records that go back thousands of years and an oral history that dates back at least 5,000. It is no coincidence that this plant is so intertwined in the history of medicine worldwide – its healing qualities often spread out into myth. Ashwagandha is truly life-saving for the person who has burned the candle at both ends, or for someone who has to recover after a period of illness, or prolonged stress. It supports and revitalises the main functions of the body and has a paradoxical dual capacity to energise and calm at the same time. Ashwagandha has been used to help ailments such as learning and memory difficulties, inflammatory conditions such as rheumatism, bronchitis, asthma and psoriasis, arthritis and painful joints in general. It improves stamina in athletes and blood cell health, 68 ∫ Pink October 2017

including iron levels, restores sexual energy in men and women and promotes growth in children; it helps in the treatment of high cholesterol and diabetes and enhances the immune system. No adverse reactions and side effects have ever been reported or expected from this herb. Withania is extremely safe to use, even in high and frequent doses if necessary, and may be taken by the young and old, while pregnant and during breastfeeding. It combines perfectly with Panax ginseng and licorice root for fatigue and exhaustion; with echinacea for a depressed immune system; and with hawthorn for a lack of physical vitality and heart strength. Nevertheless, always seek advice from a professional practitioner before taking any herbal remedies.

4.7 million The estimated number of Europeans living with chronic hepatitis B, while 3.9 million have chronic hepatitis C infection, a large number of which are not even aware of this as they have not yet been tested and diagnosed. On World Hepatitis Day, the need for Europe to scale-up coverage of testing was highlighted, as well as prevention interventions and linkage to suitable treatment services to achieve the target of eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health issue by 2030.

More on melanin By Luca Gauci from the Malta Medical Students’ Association

Melanin is a pigment produced by cells in our skin called melanocytes. It gives the characteristic colour to our skin, hair and eyes. Different populations have varying concentrations of melanin. Dark-skinned people have more melanin than those who are light-skinned. Freckles are small, concentrated areas of increased melanin production. There are three main types of melanin: eumelanin, pheomelanin and neuromelanin. The eumelanin pigment is black-brown in colour and is, therefore, minutely present in blondes as opposed to darker-skinned individuals. Pheomelanin is the main pigment in red-haired individuals, whereas neuromelanin is found in the brain. Several neurological disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease, are associated with loss of neuromelanin. Melanin protects us against the sun’s harmful ultraviolet non-ionising rays. There are two types of UV rays: UV-A ages our skin while UV-B tans it. If UV ray exposure exceeds the amount that melanin can block, we get sunburnt. Moreover, prolonged UV exposure damages our cellular DNA and results in uncontrolled cellular growth, known as skin cancer. Our cells have mechanisms that can repair any damage to DNA caused by these UV rays. Defects in these mechanisms result in an accumulation of mutations that cause skin cancer. The three most common types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Some people, such as blondes and fair-skinned individuals, are genetically more susceptible than others to develop skin cancer. Patients with albinism [no melanin] and vitiligo [melanin degeneration] are also more at risk. All have one thing in common: reduced melanin. Prevention is better than cure. So protect your skin – even in winter.

MONTHLY MUSE “Maltese women are very informed and positive towards plastic surgery. The demand, relative to the size of the population, is high” Cypriot cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgeon Dr Demetris Stavrou. [See story on page 63]

The Dacia Sandero has been awarded ‘Best small car for less than 12,000 for the 5th consecutive year by What Car?’ The Sandero first received this award in 2013, and consecutively won it for the years 2014, 2015, 2016, including 2017. This super agile car combines its ability to provide a class leading mix of practicality, comfort and low running costs. The new interior and exterior feature upgrades provide an even more contemporary feel to its style whilst providing you with ground breaking affordability. Starting from only €9,990 you will be benefiting from a fantastic hatchback equipped with; power steering, air-conditioner, central locking, drive away door lock function, electric front windows, daytime running lights, traction control and many more. For further information or a test drive, visit www.autosales.com.mt or call on 23311126/31.

FOODFORTHOUGHT

Is there any way one can prevent caries?

ALL SMILES Paediatric dentist Audrey Camilleri is alarmed by the extremely widespread cases of tooth caries in Maltese children – over 80 per cent of those aged five and under. Children’s teeth are ultimately their parents’ responsibility. Her advice: enjoy your kids’ smile, but make it healthy and shiny throughout their childhood. Where paediatric dentistry is involved, what kind of problems do you find when treating children? The main problem is

dental caries, mostly due to the fact that kids are consuming sugary items. Damage to the teeth is not caused only by gummy sugary sweets, or sugar-laden pastries. Parents should watch out for ﬁzzy drinks, smoothies, juiced fruits, nectar and fruit drinks as well as sweetened water and ketchup! All these products just sit on the teeth and, especially if children are not trained to wash them twice daily and properly, wreak havoc in the mouth. I am amazed by the extremely widespread cases of tooth caries in children. Over 80 per cent of Maltese children aged ﬁve and under have carious teeth. It is pretty alarming. Our children’s teeth are ultimately our responsibility as parents. What sort of advice can you give parents in this regard? My advice is for

parents to limit highly acidic beverages to mealtimes, or abolish them completely. Give children natural water to drink – there is no harm in that. Children are becoming addicted to tasting something sweet or ﬂavoured in their water, and that is not

good. And yes, even smoothies can be bad for teeth health since the fruits get their ﬁbre content diluted and the sugar content goes on a rampage. Moreover, Maltese children seem to be addicted to sugary cereals, sponge cakes, biscuits – too much of the wrong stuff. Fluoride toothpaste and ﬂuoride mouthwash are also essential in preventing caries, using the appropriate dosages for different ages. Ideally, no rinsing with water after brushing teeth and a child should only spit the toothpaste. Some parents may find it hard to bring children to the clinic since they become distressed. How do you handle that aspect of treating kids? Teeth with decay

must be treated as soon as possible, especially in the case of the primary molars, which should be lost naturally when the child is 12 years old. When very young children do not allow me to treat them under local anaesthesia, I have to resort to treating them under general anaesthesia in a private hospital. If diagnosed early, most baby teeth can be saved under general anaesthesia and this avoids complications caused by the early loss of teeth.

Besides regular six-monthly visits to the dentist and good oral hygiene, sealants can be placed on their permanent teeth, usually the ﬁrst permanent molars. Applying a sealant [protective plastic coating] to the biting surfaces of the back teeth is a safe and painless way of protecting them from decay. This acts as a shield, protecting the deeper grooves and ﬁssures, which teeth typically have. On a personal note, how did dentistry come into your life and how did it develop? I knew I was going to be a

dentist by the age of 12, being inspired by my father, who is a dentist and an academic in the ﬁeld, and by my many visits to his dental clinic, where I would eventually help out when his nurse was away. Incidentally, my brother and I studied dentistry together, so that, for a long while, my mother was living in a house where the main talk over dinner was teeth, mouth problems and gargles. My professional practice has now already been up and running for 20 years, 15 of which as a paediatric dentist. Another facet of my profession is teaching Paediatric Dentistry at the Faculty of Dental Surgery at the University of Malta. It is also very rewarding and keeps me on my toes, updated with all recent innovations and research in dentistry. How do you reconcile your profession with your personal life? It is not all

about work of course. I have two very young boys, so I am well versed in juggling motherhood, a full-time job at the practice, teaching at university and travelling to conferences representing the Dental Association of Malta, apart from periodically attending international conferences related to paediatric dentistry, or to teaching. Pink October 2017 ∫ 71

ONFORM

FUSION FORMAT FITNESS Finding a fitness format that suits you to a T is a recipe for success. Here’s why instructor Michela Formosa Serra went for Piloxing, which, as the name implies, is a winning combination of Pilates and boxing… but even an additional and appealing touch of dance.

ou can’t be blamed for not knowing what Piloxing is, but from the name, and if you are at least aware that it is connected to fitness, it’s easy to gather that it has to be some mix of Pilates and boxing. However, there’s also another surprising addition to the combination, with an element of dance thrown in for good measure and destined to make this form of exercise even more appealing. Fitness instructor Michela Formosa Serra, who has a background in dance, was intrigued by the idea and wanted to know more when she first came across a short video clip online sometime in early 2015. She did some research and felt this could really be her fitness match – she had stopped dancing seven years ago when she got pregnant with her first child and has missed it ever since. Now was her chance to combine her passions and those of many others. Michela found master trainers almost worldwide, which meant she could travel to Italy to do the course and become a Piloxing instructor. In April of that same year, she got certified and has not looked back since, So what is Piloxing after all? It truly is a non-stop cardio class, with a high-energy interval workout since it includes basic standing Pilates moves, boxing and dance. It is unconventional in that you Pink October 2017 ∫ 75

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“DURING BOXING, I WANT POWER AND STRENGTH. I LIKE IT MEAN AND, IN FACT, I OFTEN TELL MY STUDENTS TO THINK OF SOMEONE THEY DON’T LIKE WHILE SHOOTING OUR JABS” move through these three disciplines in blocks twice to three times each in a class [depending on the duration, which is usually 45 minutes to an hour]. Michela herself makes it a point to take different approaches to these different disciplines: “During boxing, I want power and strength. I like it mean and, in fact, I often tell my students to think of someone they don’t like while shooting our jabs. “But then, for Pilates blocks, you need to focus and find your centre, breathe and balance; we think of elongation and work on lots of strength and also flexibility. On the other hand, the dance blocks may be funky, or sassy, or very graceful; it depends on the choreography; you just have to let yourself go and enjoy it!” Piloxing is a unique fitness programme also for instructors: the workouts are choreographed and they need to learn them accordingly to deliver an appropriate class, which is, at the same time, open to their individuality. “Our aim is to make it fun for everyone, while really getting a good workout,” says Michela. Viveca Jensen is the name behind Piloxing. With a strong background in all three disciplines – Pilates, box and dance – she combined them into an effective and fun workout. Then she shared her passion, changing thousands of lives. 76 ∫ Pink October 2017

“My mission is to physically and mentally empower individuals through fitness,” Viveca says. The intention is, in fact, to motivate others towards a healthier lifestyle. Lots of women [and men too, of course] do not have enough time for themselves and Michela really tries to encourage them to start and keep up some form of physical activity – not necessarily Piloxing – to really get a mental break from their usual routine and do something they enjoy for themselves, which is also good for them. The popularity of Piloxing has increased tremendously worldwide, spreading to over 85 countries. And in a short time, it has developed into another two forms: Piloxing Knockout, which is a more intense workout; and Piloxing Barre, which is a similar workout to the original Piloxing, but done mostly at the barre. It is recommended to stay barefoot, or to wear non-slip socks – you work all through the body down to your toes in both Pilates and dance. So, it’s not surprising that, among several other benefits, you may expect chiselled arms, better coordination, increased flexibility and emotional highs; lengthening and strengthening. Roll with punches; sculpt, shape and tone with Pilates; listen to the music, let your body go, throw in a “shimmy shimmy”, as Michela would say, and see what happens…

PINKSHRINK

LOVE/HATE RELATIONSHIPS Dott. EDWARD CURMI looks into why unhappy couples stick it out and stay together and how these can work out in the long run. Bottom line: a relationship can never be perfect and we must never stop investing in it on a daily basis to see it grow.

lthough literature and fairy tales often portray intimate relationships as fulﬁlling and enriching experiences, not all couples are happy. While some of these will end their relationship, a good number will choose to stay together. This phenomenon has often intrigued professionals in the ﬁeld of psychology, who have conducted studies to try and understand better why so many unhappy relationships ‘work out’ in the long run.

concluded that there are two very simple reasons why people end a relationship. • One or both persons in the relationship see no future with the other person. They believe things can only get worse with time. They see no light at the end of the tunnel, so they choose to call it a day.

REASONS WHY IT ENDS Often, people are taken aback when they hear that a couple has ended a relationship. They are curious to know what factors lead to this. In the Journal of Experimental Psychology [2017], psychologist Lynne Rudder Baker and her colleagues

• One or both persons believe that they can do better. Their hunch is that they will be better off without their partner in the near future. Such thoughts, fuelled by the need for a more exciting life, give them the courage to move on.

REASONS TO STAY The latest ﬁndings of Baker et al [2017] seem to reciprocate similar opposing factors when it comes to understanding why couples who are unhappy may choose to stay together. The reasons are the following: • They believe that their unhappiness is a temporary phase in their life. They somehow have faith in the future and believe that things can only get better. A good example of such a mentality is when a couple goes through some serious transitions in life, such as moving home, having a child, health-related issues, or losing a dear relative. These situations may have a temporary devastating effect on their relationship, but do not necessary spell disaster for the future of the couple. It takes time to heal, but most couples have the ability to be get over these moments thanks to their resilience. • Another contributing factor that might make a couple reconsider breaking up has got to do with their perception of self. Unhappy couples stick together when they see no alternative to their situation. This factor is very much related to each individual’s self-conﬁdence and selfesteem and the ability to cope when on their own. In such situations, they believe that the grass is far less green on the other side. Such an assumption leaves them no choice but to brave out their unhappy situation with their partner. More possible insight into why unhappy couples stick together: • For some people, anxiety plays a strong role in preventing them from

“THESE SITUATIONS MAY HAVE A TEMPORARY DEVASTATING EFFECT ON THEIR RELATIONSHIP, BUT DO NOT NECESSARY SPELL DISASTER FOR THE FUTURE OF THE COUPLE” doing what they really would like to. As much as they would love to leave their relationship, the thought of change is just too intense and brings on too many uncertainties. Such persons will end up playing safe and sticking it out with the hope Pink October 2017 ∫ 79

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•

that things will resolve themselves on their own. At times, couples may choose to stay in an unhappy relationship as they do not know any better. Possibly, they have been brought up in dysfunctional families and may assume that relationships are all about suffering and being unhappy. Sadly enough, sometimes, couples might be truly unsatisfied with their relationship, but have no alternative other than to stick it out for financial reasons. Such couples share the same bank accounts, but choose to sleep in separate rooms. In these situations, they seek an economic arrangement with one another as long as they can keep their family’s standard of living. Principles and morals based on religious attitudes may often hinder a couple from breaking up. In such cases, the option of divorce or separation provokes a strong sense of guilt or shame, which is ingrained in their moral roots. Unhappy couples may at times find creative ways to stay together in the

long run. They may choose to spend more time at work, start new hobbies that keep them away from the home, or even hang out more than ever with their friends. Some may even take it a step further and resort to a secret affair. Whatever they choose to do, their aim in life is to try and reduce as much as possible the stress that results from their unhappy marriage. Whether such a mentality works or not in the long run very much depends on each case and particular arrangements made. • When discussing the science of relationships, reference must be made to research conducted by John Thibaut and Harold Kelley. They coined the term ‘interdependence theory’, which, simply speaking, states that relationship satisfaction leads to commitment. In their eyes, each partner has the ability to assesses the costs and beneﬁts of their relationship. Relationship satisfaction is only possible when the beneﬁts outweigh the costs. People will not

just leave their partner because they have completely different ways of seeing things. Most people invest heavily in their relationship and are not willing to throw it all away just because they had an argument with their partner. According to the interdependence theory, it takes much more than being momentarily unhappy to call it a day. The way forward in any unhappy relationship is to try to work things out. Rome wasn’t built in a day, but we need to move away from the ideals we have of ﬁnding the perfect soulmate, who will help us live happily ever after. A relationship can never be perfect and we must never stop investing in it on a daily basis to see it grow. Dott. Edward Curmi is a registered clinical psychologist, psychotherapist and author of the book Common Sense: a Better Understanding of Emotional Well-being, and its sequel More Common Sense: a Better Understanding of Emotional Well-being, available from Agenda Bookshops.

New Annual Travel Insurance policy by GasanMamo Insurance for frequent travellers The more you’re on the road or in the air the greater the chance that ‘something’ unexpected will happen. Now, with GasanMamo’s recently launched Annual Travel Insurance, all frequent travellers can put their mind at rest. The Annual Travel Insurance has been introduced by Malta’s leading Insurance company, to complement GasanMamo’s existing product range. This policy oﬀers ﬂexibility and convenience for the frequent traveller as it provides a twelve-month annual policy with automatic cover for an unlimited number of trips. “Just because you are a regular traveller, doesn’t mean you are endangered from the mishaps and derailments, which can happen to even the most experienced traveller, on even the most well-planned trip. GasanMamo are now providing cover for an unlimited number of trips during the annual period, with a choice of comprehensive policy cover, said Chris Delicata, Senior Underwriting Manager. The annual travel insurance plan covers all trips to Europe with a maximum duration of

15 days any one trip. No doubt this policy oﬀers convenience for both business travellers and those travelling for leisure. This policy is issued for a twelve months’ period with the innovation of having one single policy covering any number of trips during the year, instead of issuing multiple policies for each and every trip. The new policy also oﬀers free cover for children under 16 years of age (if parents and/or guardians are insured under the annual policy). Clients also have the option to extend

cover so that the standard policy excess is waived in the event of a claim. One may also consider to extend the policy to cover Cancellation of Service and Winter Sports. For the past 70 years, GasanMamo Insurance, as a leading travel insurance provider in Malta has oﬀered insurance protection and peace of mind to thousands of travellers. With our new Annual Travel Insurance, customers can now beneﬁt from a competitively priced policy and comprehensive coverage making one’s travel plans complete!

For further information regarding this new policy, log on www.gasanmamo.com/personal/travel-insurance/ or call on 2134 5123.

GIRLTALK THE VIRGINIA MONOLOGUES

BON VOYAGE! W hen it comes to air travel, leaving aside a hijacking, or the person in the seat near you throwing up all over you, the things most likely to upset you are: 1) a delayed flight; 2) sitting at the back of the plane; 3) next to someone with a streaming cold, who stinks of body odour, and who falls asleep with his mouth open and snores for the duration of the flight. I recently had the pleasure of all of the above. First was the delay, which was an hour long, but seemed like an eternity, made even more interminable because it was never officially announced. The thing about delays, of course, is that you never really know how long the wait is going to be and when you’re going to be called. One minute, you’re supposedly boarding your flight and you join the long queue to do that; an hour later, you’re still queuing up in exactly the same place and haven’t moved an inch. You wait for the voice-over announcement, but it never comes, which is probably why people refuse to budge. Human beings are strange like that. To sit down would be to resign themselves to the long wait, so they’d rather stand up and be counted – as if standing is somehow going to shorten the wait, or speed up the delay. I am one of those people who never queues up to board a flight. I remain seated until everyone has

82 ∫ Pink October 2017

gone through, and then, when the queue has all but dissipated, I get up and make my way to the gate. Still, I find it all rather curious: people would rather wait for what seems like forever and not give up their place in a queue unless they are specifically told that there is a delay and that they should remain seated until further notice. That announcement never came, you see, so they couldn’t abandon their place in the queue. On the other hand, I suppose, it does give people ‘hope’. Once you’ve officially heard the bad news, you have no choice but to resign yourself to a long wait and acquiesce by seeing refuge in a seat. So yes, I definitely think there must be something psychological about standing up and refusing to acknowledge the delay head-on. Once you do submit, you are more or less accepting defeat.

face as they try to navigate the trolleys and the traﬃc to the lavatories. And if that wasn’t enough, the girl to my left stank to high heaven and the man to my right fell asleep with his mouth open. So, I had to endure the worst kind of smells and snoring. Oh, the joy! Of course, on the ﬂip side, the one good thing about sitting in the last seat is that there is absolutely no one behind you, which rules out the possibility of some a**hole kicking your seat. When it’s a child, it’s understandable, although you do expect whoever is with them to get them to stop. But when it’s an adult, it’s a completely different story. I pondered all these things a few days ago as I made yet another promise to myself not to travel again for at least another six months. It’s not just the gruelling time spent on

“ONE MINUTE, YOU’RE SUPPOSEDLY BOARDING YOUR FLIGHT AND YOU JOIN THE LONG QUEUE TO DO THAT; AN HOUR LATER, YOU’RE STILL QUEUING UP IN EXACTLY THE SAME PLACE AND HAVEN’T MOVED AN INCH” An hour later, when we actually did board the plane, I found myself in the aisle seat in the very last row – the one that doesn’t even allow you to recline. It’s possibly the one and only time on a plane that I would probably refuse an aisle because all the aircraft’s traﬃc congregates right next to you and you spend the entire ﬂight with someone’s behind in your

the plane either. The whole airport experience leaves me completely de-energised. First of all, I still haven’t understood why you can’t carry a sealed yogurt in your handbag. You see, I can vaguely understand why a bottle of nail polish remover might be considered dangerous, or suspicious, seeing that it’s highly ﬂammable and

GIRLTALK

isn’t something you’d normally expect to see in someone’s handbag. But when you’re catching a 7am flight, the chances of picking up a yogurt for breakfast and saving it for later are pretty high. What danger – other than to your waistline – can a sealed caramelised pear yogurt with jersey cream possibly pose? On this particular trip home, I walked for miles to my gate, only to discover that it was closed. I got a sudden rush of blood to my head and was seized with a fear that I may have missed the flight: had I mixed up the flight times? [I knew I should have adjusted the time on my mobile phone!] All this grief simply wasn’t worth it. Eventually, it transpired that I had misread my gate number, mistaking Gate 1A for 14 [that is

“AND WHAT IS IT ABOUT BOARDING CARDS AND PASSPORTS THAT ALWAYS ELUDE YOU WHEN YOU NEED THEM THE MOST? YOU’RE STUCK IN THE DEPARTURE LOUNGE, DESPERATELY WAITING AND WILLING TO BE CALLED, AND THEN WHEN IT’S FINALLY YOUR TURN, YOU CAN’T FIND THE DAMN THINGS” what age does to you]. So then, it was a mad rush all the way back to Gate 1 and the fear that I’d be left behind altogether. And what is it about boarding cards and passports that always elude you when you need them the most? You’re stuck in the departure lounge, desperately waiting and willing to be called, and then when it’s finally your turn, you can’t find the damn things. And although you’ve been waiting forever, of course they won’t wait a minute for you. When I finally did produce my boarding pass, it was the wrong

bloody one – the one I had used for my outgoing ﬂight. That rush of blood again… I could go on and tell you more about the joylessness of travelling, like searching for the right change in a country whose currency you are not familiar with. But I think I’ll end here for today. Moral of the story: travelling simply isn’t worth the hassle. But somehow, we always go back for more. Until the next time… Bon voyage! ginantonic@live.com

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READINGROOM

Creative WRITING Co-authoring a children’s book was one of the things on Gestalt psychotherapist Amber Knights’ bucket list. Well, that has now been ticked off with the creation of Tiny Tico – an avid traveller like herself, whose journey should feed kids’ sense of curiosity, inspire them and ignite an interest to learn more about other countries.

ow did it all happen? What possessed you to write a children’s book, Tiny Tico, and publish it?

Well, to start with, I didn’t do it alone; I co-wrote this book with my lovely friend Roos Kriek. The idea emerged over a coffee and a kids’ play date; we were having a very serious discussion about our bucket lists and realised that we both had the same dream of writing a children’s book, et voilà, the idea was born. We both had young kids and thought it was the ideal time to work on this kind of project; we needed a break from nappy changing. Creating the book was more about spending time together on a journey of creativity, and if nothing came of it, it would have been something to show the kids when they were older. Getting it published was not a must, but would have been the icing on the cake. Both Roos and I love to travel and share similar stories. We have both been very lucky to have travelled the world extensively and that played a big role in shaping us; 84 ∫ Pink October 2017

we wanted to share that love and passion with others, combined with our interest in writing. So, we created a young, cheeky and adventurous little boy, who like us, had a huge desire to travel the world and discover new things. And that is where Tiny Tico’s long journey began. We feel that exposing our children to the world around them is important as travelling provides knowledge through experiences that are priceless. Once the project was done and dusted, you literally let it collect dust in a drawer. Why? And what inspired/drove you to launch it recently?

When we had ﬁnished the book, we printed off a dummy run, which mostly got shared among friends and family members at Christmas and birthdays, and eventually, the remaining copies found their way to the bottom of a drawer. We did try and look for publishers for a while, however, we both had other projects on the go and were leading busy lives with ﬁve kids between us. I started studying for a master’s degree and Roos moved countries

twice and was working in between, so the book just got sidelined. It all came alive again recently when I attended a SHE [Social Hub Entrepreneurs] event, a support network that is designed to help women establish connections and relations in business. That is where I met Lisa from the toy shop Three Little Pigs. She had heard through the grapevine that I had written a children’s book and she asked if I would like to organise a book-

READINGROOM Amber Knights reading to her three children Jacobi, Maya and Asia. Photography Matthew Mirabelli

reading event at her shop… How could I refuse? For me, that was the perfect opportunity to brush off the dust and showcase the book in the perfect setting, with a very handson experience for the children who attended. So here we are… The book is now being sold exclusively at the shop. What does it take to write a book for children? At first glance, it would seem anyone with an

“WE FEEL THAT EXPOSING OUR CHILDREN TO THE WORLD AROUND THEM IS IMPORTANT AS TRAVELLING PROVIDES KNOWLEDGE THROUGH EXPERIENCES THAT ARE PRICELESS” element of imagination and an understanding of kids could. But are these traits hard to come by in reality? And what other ingredients need to be thrown into the mix?

A lot of caffeine? For us, I think what was most important was that we were doing something we were passionate about – that was the driving force. We put all our skills

on the table, and with some sheer determination and a good sense of humour, we set about trying to achieve our goal. We made a good team. I wouldn’t say the traits are hard to come by. In our case, it was a matter of letting our little project bring us out of our mummy roles when we needed it to, and it allowed us to reconnect with our creativity Pink October 2017 ∫ 85

READINGROOM

and writing abilities. I think everybody has the potential to do something similar; we all have an imagination and the ability to be creative to some degree; we just need to be able to tap into it. How important are illustrations when it comes to little children’s publications and what did you set out to achieve from the visual point of view for Tiny Tico? Can these make or break a book?

Obviously, that depends upon the target age group. Our book is aimed for children up to ﬁve years old, so illustrations are extremely important as that is how they can connect with the story while it is being read to them. In Tiny Tico, we wanted to showcase the beauty of each country through real photographic images, but combine it with Tiny Tico in the form of illustrations. The idea was to create an eclectic mix of imagery to make the page colourful and intriguing while at the same time giving the reader a character they could connect with. 86 ∫ Pink October 2017

“WE HAD SO MANY LAUGHS AND HYSTERICAL MOMENTS WHILE TRYING TO CONNECT THE WORDS THAT IT MADE IT ALL WORTHWHILE” I wouldn’t say the illustrations can make or break a book, but they certainly play a big role in inﬂuencing the reader, especially younger ones. Illustrations are there to support the story, but if the images don’t work for us, then that is where our imagination can come into play. Why did you choose to write it in the form of a rhyme? Did this complicate or facilitate matters?

We have both always read to our kids in the evenings, but after a long, tiring day, we found it was the books that had rhyming patterns that made it that little bit easier. Any parent knows that kids love repetition, so the same story is read over and over again. With rhyming books, I found it much more entertaining and, sometimes, I even managed to get a little shut eye while reciting them from memory

and turning the pages as I went along. This meant I was getting a few minutes of rest while the kids were getting their bedtime story – win-win situation! When we started writing the book, we wanted to make other parents’ experience pleasant too; hence the rhyme. It wasn’t easy, and certainly didn’t facilitate the writing, as neither of us had ever written anything like that before. However, we had so many laughs and hysterical moments while trying to connect the words that it made it all worthwhile. How much did you take into account the educational aspect of the book, as opposed to the merely entertaining?

We tried to combine the two. Because the book is tailored to a younger audience, our scope was to ignite an

READINGROOM

“IT PAINS ME TO SAY THAT MY KIDS ARE NOT BOOKWORMS LIKE I WAS, AND THAT TECHNOLOGY IS THEIR AUTOMATED IMAGINARY WORLD; IT’S NOT THE SAME”

interest and feed their sense of curiosity that would inspire them to learn more about the countries mentioned in the book.

of an age where they can read by themselves, but I have to admit that I do struggle to get them to read alone. With all the distractions of technology, it takes a lot of coaxing and bargaining, but we get there in the end.

Did your ‘day job’ as a Gestalt psychotherapist come into the making of this in any way, or are all your different roles in life unconnected?

How would you rate the importance of reading when compared to other activities children can get up to?

I would say that a connection, if any, is that creating the book brought me to the realisation that I didn’t have to stop there and could pursue other areas of that good old bucket list, which led me to training to be a Gestalt psychotherapist. The commonality between my different roles is creativity. Have you spent countless hours reading to your three children and has it paid off?

I have certainly put in the hours reading to my children. They are now

Reading is extremely important and necessary. I would say it’s also important for children to be involved in, or at least try, other activities that interest them, be it physical, creative, or intellectual. Kids need a healthy balance that can help in their development and self-discovery. Like you said, books are having a super hard time competing with technology, social media and TV… What can Tiny Tico offer them as a distraction from the digital world and its numerous, high-tech and possibly brain-numbing gadgets?

Technology is deﬁnitely a force to be reckoned with when it comes to books. When I was growing up [and that makes me sound really old now], books were an important part of my childhood. I used to spend hours getting lost in adventure stories. These days technology is an easy go-to for kids and also for parents, who might need some quiet time. It pains me to say that my kids are not bookworms like I was, and that technology is their automated imaginary world; it’s not the same. One has to embrace the changing times, but what we can do is be creative about how we incorporate the two and get the best of both worlds. Tiny Tico is a good example of this winning combination: reading the book can lead to discussions about new places, the parents can share their own stories, or then use the internet to search for interesting facts or images about other places. I think the younger we start feeding our kids’ appreciation for imaginative storybooks, the better. Young kids only know what we teach them, so by introducing them to the excitement and endless possibilities of books at a young age, we will entice them to use their imaginative skills as they get older. Can we expect a sequel? Or was this a total one-off project?

The day the book idea was born, we got so excited and were on such a roll that we created the ideas for the sequels, so the concepts are there. It is more a matter of the two of us ﬁnding the time and working around the fact that Roos and I now live in different countries, but perhaps, that means some more travelling is on the cards? Pink October 2017 ∫ 87

TABLETALK

Pear up INGREDIENTS Serves 6 For the pears 200ml water 400g pears, cored and peeled 1 tsp cardamom 1 tbsp tangerine peel 2 tbsp brown sugar Juice of a lemon For the tart 1 8-inch tin, or individual tins 1 sheet ﬂan pastry or shortcrust pastry 1 tbsp raw cacao 70g dark chocolate, roughly chopped 100g butter 2 whole eggs and 2 egg yolks 60g brown sugar 60g ground almonds

90 ∫ Pink October 2017

MARIA CACHIA prepares a chocolate and pear tart. METHOD For the pears Bring water to a gentle simmer in a heavy saucepan. Add the cardamom and the tangerine peel. Place the pears very gently in the saucepan, with the stalks pointing upwards. Drizzle the lemon juice over them and simmer for 20 minutes. Once the pears are soft, gently drain and remove from the saucepan. Allow them to come to room temperature. For the tart Preheat the oven to 140°C. Place the sheet onto the tart tin, or individual tart tins. Place baking paper onto the pastry and ﬁll it with ceramic beads, or any

pulses. Bake the pastry for 10 minutes. Remove the baking paper and bake for another 10 minutes. Place the raw cacao and the chopped chocolate as well as the butter in a bowl over a saucepan of gently simmering water. [Make sure the water does not come into contact with the bowl.] In a separate bowl, place the eggs and egg yolks and the brown sugar. Whisk until the sugar has melted. Add a few tablespoons of the chocolate mixture and fold using a tablespoon. Continue adding the melted chocolate and blend it gently into the egg mixture. Add the ground almonds and incorporate into the mixture. Pour the chocolate mixture into the tart case, or individual cases. Bake for 10 minutes, after which place the pears, cut in half length wise, onto the chocolate mixture. Place them with the pear base facing the sides of the tart case. Bake for 20 minutes and then lower the temperature and bake for another 10 minutes.

WOMENONWHEELS

Photography: Mark Zammit Cordina

BREEZING THROUGH

TV personality Tezara Camilleri is back behind the wheel and getting a feel for the new Nissan Micra this time round. Afraid she’d have to take the new car through traﬃc, she’s surprised to ﬁnd she cruises through the whole drive.

ow that school has started again, with that comes endless dodging of traﬃc jams anytime we step outside and onto the street. Imagine my hesitation to take a brand-new car out for a test drive on Malta’s busy roads. Luckily, perhaps more for their sake than my own, it seemed like they were empty, or at least, not many people were in the vicinity that day. Could they have heard I was coming out and steered clear? Once I got to the showroom in Blata l-Bajda, I was handed the keys to the 2017 model of the Nissan Micra, and as soon as I laid eyes on the turquoise model, I noticed the exterior has been completely revamped. The new design gives the car a super chic look, and its 17-inch black alloy wheels add that elegant touch. Its interior is also very sleek, mainly in black and grey, although you can opt for seats and dashboard in blue or orange. The steering wheel is leather wrapped,

and some Micra models even have the option of getting the gearshift knob and the parking brake handle in leather too. If, like me, you’ve got a poor sense of direction, then you’ll be pleased to know there’s no chance of getting lost with the Nissan Connect feature – an inbuilt seven-inch screen navigation system preloaded with Maltese maps, which is very user friendly.

two rear windows are completely private, while the front are slightly tinted. The door mirrors are electric-folding, heated, and have an LED turn indicator. Most importantly, the Micra has air-conditioning, because how else is

“IF, LIKE ME, YOU’VE GOT A POOR SENSE OF DIRECTION, THEN YOU’LL BE PLEASED TO KNOW THERE’S NO CHANCE OF GETTING LOST WITH THE NISSAN CONNECT FEATURE” Naturally, while on the road, I needed to drive through a couple of tunnels and I was pleasantly surprised when the headlights turned on automatically. The city car is also equipped with a rain sensor that works in the same way when detecting drops. For those of you who like to travel incognito, the windows on the Nissan Micra are made with privacy glass; the

anyone considering buying this car going to survive the summer months without it? Though it’s also worth mentioning that it’s even got climate control for the cooler months. I would say the Nissan Micra is quite a breeze to drive, so much so that I almost could have kept on cruising… And it wasn’t just about those one-off empty roads. Pink October 2017 ∫ 93

SNAPSHOT

Parallel lives For photographer Kurt Paris, fashion is the cure for Solitude – the name of his upcoming exhibition, shot in Paris earlier on in the year and being showcased in Mdina next month.

made it very easy for me to master the physics behind lighting and photography.

y day, you are a busy software development coach, which leaves you less and less time for your other passion – fashion photography. How do the two co-exist in your world and does your technological side play a role in your artistic work? I

Your upcoming fashion photography exhibition is called Solitude. How and why does fashion inspire loneliness and seclusion in your mind? Quite the

was intrigued by photography from a very young age, however, I think I truly became interested in it when digital came about, partly because it was cheaper to learn, but more importantly, digital cameras are fun gadgets. Fast-forward a few years and I think that having a scientiﬁc background

opposite, I actually think that fashion is the cure. Fashion offers us a great aesthetic both when we choose an outﬁt as an expression of our individuality and as visual consumers. I think that by expressing ourselves through fashion we can truly become less anonymous.

94 ∫ Pink October 2017

Your photos depict “life in a state of feeling alone, despite being surrounded by people and information”. Is it autobiographical in a way? Is this what we have come to? And if so, how can we avoid it? Mobile phones, in particular,

have brought about a constant rush, and the shifting of focus, of mind stimulation. We live in a world where we are constantly fed information, especially about others’ lives, a world in which a digital presence is a sign of living. In this digital age, we have never been as connected, yet disconnected, almost as if we live in

SNAPSHOT

two worlds. Drive-texting for instance is – at least in my mind – the ultimate manifestation of this parallel existence. Because of the above considerations, would you say your techie and artistic sides are in conflict? Would you say you have a love-hate relationship with social media and the digital age in general, which, on the one hand, you flaunt, and on the other, you reject? I think that,

especially in photography, the techie side needs to be beaten away sometimes. Art is not scientiﬁc – it’s an expression, a

message, and getting too bogged down in the science can be an issue [and it was an issue for me as I moved from stock photography to fashion]. Social media and online communications I think tie in quite well with my ‘artistic introversions’; I ﬁnd it very hard to make a phone call – but I’d be very happy to message someone online, or e-mail them.

When you start to dig deeper and ask why she is the only one in white, or the only one not blurred and moving, then hopefully, the message will come across.

How effective is ‘frivolous’ fashion in sending across a deeper message – if this is, after all, what you intended by taking you fashion photography to this level? Or will you wait for the outcome of your exhibition to answer this? I think that

I think they have amazing talent and we should be more supportive of them. As such, whenever I have any project, I try to work with them first. Gabriella has a very specific look, which fits the aesthetic I wanted, and she is a very talented model. She’s also very dedicated. One thing that doesn’t come across is just how cold it was when we were shooting, or how many takes it took to get the right people moving with her in focus.

fashion being perceived as ‘frivolous’ is really a problem we have expressing ourselves, and one that is made worse by social media. In the doctored, curated view of our lives that we present over the internet, everything has to be perfect. Our outﬁts cannot look bad in the inevitable selﬁe or snap that we post on the net; we cannot look too different from the norm, too experimental, too ‘frivolous’ or we will stand out. Do you think your photos could be taken at face value and would that bother you? Or do you think they will automatically drive home your message of solitude in an ‘inclusive’ environment? One of the

ﬁrst things I set out to do when taking a photo is to make it look pretty. So, hopefully, even taken at face value, the gorgeous Parisian landscape combined with the lovely Gabriella will provide a pretty picture [in my humble opinion].

Why did you choose this specific model, Gabriella from Supernova MM, and the clothing by local designers Ritienne Zammit, Luke Azzopardi and Rosemarie Abela? I love our Maltese designers.

Maltese photo shoots tend to go heavy on hair and make-up. We rarely get to see a simple, clean face that has not been dolled up, and the make-up and hairstyling skills often take centre stage. But for this shoot, you went au naturel. Did you go for such a look on purpose, or were you constrained due to the circumstances of shooting abroad? I did

go for this look on purpose. First of all, the nature of the shots meant that the face was going to be rather small in the frame and keeping a natural look would not make it stand out. I also like contrasting strong and simple – and in this case the landscape and outﬁt was quite strong already. Pink October 2017 ∫ 95

SNAPSHOT Why did you choose Paris as the backdrop? Would any other city have worked? First of all, I wanted the

distinctive Parisian look – it’s one of my favourite cities in Europe. Paris has a distinctive aesthetic, and also in the winter, it’s quite stylish, with many people typically wearing dark coats [which is what I needed for the blurred effect to work]. I also love the Parisian lifestyle and free spirit – I can roam around Paris all day on foot, even though I’ve been there so many times. There’s something about the place that just draws me. Is this your first step into travel photography too, or is the backdrop always a big part of what you do?

I travel a lot, and I always have a camera [or a capable phone] with me that tends to get worked quite hard. Having said that, I think the location and backdrop – especially for fashion projects – really need to tie into the shoot and have to be decided on at the very early stages when we are planning the shoot.

sometimes, foreign mags would be more understated. Another big issue is that due to the advertising budgets involved, shoots in foreign mags may have much larger budgets than we could ever hope for here. If you had to do a shoot with an international model, who would it be and where? Cara Delevigne. She might

Do you have a particularly favourite image? I have a few favourites, but if I had

not be the tallest and most beautiful supermodel in the world, but she deﬁnitely strikes me as one of the most fun. To keep in theme with the exhibition, I would probably do it in Paris – the Grand Palais would be nice.

to pick one… Hmmmm… possibly the one in front of Notre Dame Cathedral. Where do you see these photos hanging? I plan to put one in my living

room, or study… or both. And if you had to have dinner with another photographer, who would you invite and what would you discuss?

You’ve been doing fashion shoots for Pink for six years. Is there one that you are particularly proud of and why?

I would invite Helmut Newton and we would probably talk about his black and whites, or his nudes.

Tough question. I’m proud of a lot of them. If I had to pick one, it would have to be the very last one we did last month. I really liked the red outﬁts, the location was perfect and really tied in well with the look and it’s hard to not like Madeleine.

second one person starts to act out or becomes diﬃcult or a diva, this builds friction within the team and… bad things happen.

What inspires you most when working on a fashion shoot? The model, the clothes, the location? The clothes

How do local shoots compare to those in foreign mags? Do we perceive and project fashion differently here?

primarily, and the story, or feeling that we are trying to portray. Then, since the model is such a big part of the shoot, her style and character will always come through too.

I think this is a very interesting question. Primarily, we see shoots done in Western Europe, which, from a fashion sense, is not where Maltese style comes from. If you look at the way we use cosmetics and certain types of fashion, we tend to borrow a lot from the Arab world, which is very different from Europe. As such, we tend to go all out on hair, make-up, etc… whereas

And what is a deal-breaker in a photo shoot? Attitude. I think that teamwork is

the key element for a shoot to work out, even if things don’t go as planned. The 96 ∫ Pink October 2017

If you weren’t shooting fashion, what you be directing your lens at? Nudes.

My biggest photographic passion [and the subject of my ﬁrst solo exhibition] is the human form. I think this is the most beautiful creation in the world and I could spend all day shooting this. Since it is so hard to ﬁnd willing models in this sphere, I transitioned into portraiture because it focuses on the face, which is arguably the most beautiful part of our bodies, and fashion, which is ultimately still the human form, but decorated in clothing. The Solitude collection of photos by Kurt Paris is being exhibited at Palazzo de Piro in Mdina throughout November.

STARGAZER

THE FUTURE IS

PINK ARIES MARCH 20-APRIL 18 Leaving major decisions to others isn’t your style. However, November’s about venturing into new territory, and often those around you will lead you in the right direction. Some ideas or encounters will be immediately appealing; others will puzzle if not irritate you. Still, explore these, since what’s least expected could be best, although the details may not be clear until you move into December. At minimum, you’ll learn something. But, more important, who you meet could change your life.

CANCER JUNE 21-JULY 21 Living with uncertainty isn’t easy. But unsettling as certain changes are, they hold amazing promise. November is about researching your options, then discussing possibilities with others. Tempting as it is to turn the resulting ideas into solid plans, you’ll soon realise they’d hold you back. The trick is to make tentative arrangements, ﬂexible enough to ride out changes during December as well. Those decisions will be made, and they’ll be thrilling, but probably not until the powerful Cancer Full Moon in early January.

LIBRA SEPTEMBER 22-OCTOBER 22 November is about getting what you want and being uncharacteristically direct in your approach. With forthright Mars in Libra from October 22 until December 9, you’ll be both reviewing what works and exploring various options, some long cherished dreams, but as many will involve sudden and possibly disruptive ideas or offers. If what arises intrigues you, show interest. However, avoid ﬁnalising anything until later this year, or even early 2018, when both your options and your priorities will be much clearer.

CAPRICORN DECEMBER 21-JANUARY 18 The sudden developments reshaping your life are unsettling if not challenging. Yet your instincts are correctly telling you these aren’t mere changes, but breakthroughs into a new way of thinking and, therefore, approaching everything from personal matters to familiar challenges. Gradually, you’ll realise over-analysis only compounds concerns, while discussions with those who inspire or challenge you prove informative. Plan, but ensure arrangements are ﬂexible, because thrilling surprises are coming your way. 98 ∫ Pink October 2017

According to astrologer SHELLEY VON STRUNCKEL… TAURUS

GEMINI

APRIL 19-MAY 19 Recently, things have been moving so swiftly and mostly been so exciting you’ve had little time to think. The emotionally intense Taurus Full Moon on November 4 brings both facts and your feelings to a head. Unsettling as what surfaces seems, this is about truly letting go, and allowing certain arrangements to become history and, as much, taking a chance on unfamiliar pursuits and, possibly, individuals. While each is promising, you’d like guarantees. Instead, let life itself provide the reassurance you’re seeking.

LEO

MAY 20-JUNE 20 With so much changing, so swiftly, and with you annoyingly short of facts, you’re on edge. Try to live with this chaos. Gathering the necessary information will be diﬃcult, especially with circumstances shifting. Even more, you’ll be questioning why you bother with certain passions, in the form of work, activities and relationships. Be patient. While it’s unlikely to be until the informative and emotionally intense Gemini Full Moon on December 3 that facts will be clear, those insights will be worth waiting for.

VIRGO

JULY 22-AUGUST 21 As a Leo, you enjoy life’s dramas, but you’re unhappy with those you’re currently facing. These involve potential changes in your way of living, working, or long-term goals. Pointless and irritating as these seem, they’re not only timely, but also, once you’re more involved and have clearer insights about where they’re taking you, those reservations will be transformed into enthusiasm. However, that means investing time in discussion and, even more, getting to know the circumstances and people involved. After that, the rest will be easy.

SCORPIO

AUGUST 22-SEPTEMBER 21 You don’t mind arguments, but the heated discussions you face during November could seem both pointless and overwhelming. Still, only when the usual surface politeness is dropped will you learn what others truly think and, often, about your own feelings. These insights will then reshape your thinking and priorities, now and for the long term. While you’ll make some changes swiftly and easily, others will raise questions, requiring patience. Still, by November’s close, you’ll be more excited about your plans than for ages.

SAGITTARIUS

OCTOBER 23-NOVEMBER 21 Unsettling, if not worrying, as November’s many surprises seem, each one offers a gift. With the fortunate Jupiter in Scorpio for a year, life’s about change, expansion and discovery. Appealing as this sounds, some events and encounters will arouse doubts, if not fears, of letting go of the past and getting involved in an intriguing but unclear future. Dare to take chances, which means, at minimum, exploring what arises. The more you learn, the more you’ll enjoy this adventurous and rewarding cycle.

AQUARIUS

NOVEMBER 22-DECEMBER 20 While Sagittarius is perhaps the most inquisitive and, therefore, ﬂexible of the 12 signs, even you have areas where you’re stubborn, if not just plain rigid. Sudden events or unexpected offers force you to face this side of your nature and, importantly, recognise how much it’s restricting you. Yes, this means taking a chance or, possibly, reliving diﬃcult moments from the past. Muster the courage to do exactly that, and you’ll eliminate doubts for good, and in the process, embrace a once unobtainable freedom.

PISCES

JANUARY 19-FEBRUARY 17 As intrigued as you are by new ideas and changes in the lives of others, you’re less enthusiastic about the events that are ushering you into a rethink in certain long-standing arrangements. These could involve where or how you live, work, or your romantic life. Disruptive as these seem, they’re taking you into new and exciting, if unfamiliar, territory. Ideally, by midNovember, you’ll be exploring these, if only out of curiosity. Keep asking questions. This is all about what and who you discover.

FEBRUARY 18-MARCH 19 Some Pisceans are aware of this, while others are not. But being the most intuitive of the signs, you regularly trust your instincts. However, now and during most of November, they’ll run against common sense. If you can’t justify acting on them, investigate the ideas, changes, or perhaps, alliances in question. What you learn could convince these are more promising than you ﬁrst imagined. Enough, perhaps, that by November’s close, you’ll be viewing new developments and your options from a far more positive perspective.

Visit www.shelleyvonstrunckel.com to learn more and order your own chart.