Pink (September 2017) by Times of Malta

issue155∫ september2017

Feasting on fashion Dare to overDose on reD-light Dressing

Sample Gabrielle Chanel the scent of impassioneD femininity the fragrance of breaking free

GOING YEARS WITHOUT A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP coaching mothers anD kiDs to call it a Day anD recoup their rationality

TAKING EVENT PLANNING TO AN ELITE LEVEL the strong logistical skills of laDies

INSIDE

September 2017

FEATURES

16 WomensWorld ladies, we got this! The organised female touch in events planning 22 InFocus musical revolutionaries Virtual reality instead of velvet theatre seats

FASHION 34 ShowStopper the lady in red Time for a fashion feast 43 FashionStory fragrance of freedom Modern femininity for Chanel ad campaign 47 TheUniform still in holiday style Travel inspiration from Instagram pros

HEALTH & BEAUTY 55 InThePink playing safe Meningitis vaccine for teens in town 59 PinkShrink the double face Humans are prone to hypocrisy 61 ParentingTips bye-bye beauty sleep? Coaching the kids to get some rest

REGULARS 9 EditorsNote 10 MailShot 29 WomanKind the literary hostess par excellence Ottoline Morrell 54 ThinkPink fashion, food, health, beauty & things 66 GirlTalk walking the talk A canine walkover 70 TableTalk a nutjob No-cooking required dessert 77 WomenOnWheels no more driving up the wall Ford Kuga 78 StarGazer the future is pink Horoscopes 79 SnapShot a creature of the sea Alexia Coppini

COVER Photography Kurt Paris ∫ Styling Marisa Grima [marisagrima.com], assisted by Tara McGillycuddy ∫ Hair Lisa @ Meraki Salon, using Screen Professional Hair products ∫ Make-up Lisa @ Meraki Salon ∫ Model Madeline @ Supernova MM, wearing T-shirt, €19.99, Mango ∫ skirt, €50, River Island ∫ shoes, €60, Aldo ∫ scarf [round wrist], €3.99, Orsay.

6 ∫ Pink September 2017

EDITORSNOTE

Why is it that the initiatives and events that excite most people generally leave me impassive and cold? Not only am I not buzzing about what everyone seems to be buzzing about, but I actually even have issues with it. I could easily puncture holes into the hot air and enthusiasm, deﬂating the fuss in a ﬂash. In most cases, I cannot and won’t comment. Sour grapes would be hurled my way; I could be misunderstood and unjustly labelled, although that is the least of my concerns; and my arguments against the initiatives that everyone is so happy-clappy about [nothing to do with Christianity here] would need to be elaborated on to drive my point home. Not that it means anything to me, but I am a Pisces… and sometimes, I wonder if, really, I am a Pisces out of water. According to my star sign, I swim with the current. Not quite! So much so that I often wonder whether my brain is programmed to go in the opposite direction deliberately, just for the sake of… But no, I think many people get caught up and swept away in the hype surrounding events, activities and initiatives because, like sheep, they feel they should and not because they have given it much

thought and formed an opinion. And then there are the genuinely starry-eyed sorts, who make the likes of me look even more cynical. The bottom line, though, is that a more pragmatic approach to matters would have more impact. What’s with all this airy-fairiness? My latest gripes have concerned some women’s initiatives, or initiatives for those who are perceived as victimised groups, such as same-sex families and the gay community etc… While I am the editor of a women’s magazine, which mostly highlights female issues, I still can’t understand the hype around and the benefit of projects aimed at the ‘underdog’ female race that, for example, single out some ladies and turn them into heroines on the basis of vague and subjective success criteria to the possible detriment of others. While I have no intentions of bashing organisers of initiatives with fundamentally good intentions and of good quality, who themselves have raised similar questions to me, what I don’t understand is how effective these actually are. And that’s why I can’t get excited. On the contrary, I think of how such initiatives can backfire, putting certain women on a pedestal, which may result in making others feel inadequate, or unappreciated in their small, but significant, world, be it fraught with struggles, or not. In real terms, what is their outcome in 2017 Malta? The danger is that the more people portray themselves as victims, who need to raise awareness about how actually useful, normal,

or great they are [depending on the group in question], the more they project a sense of weakness, and the more their cause takes a bashing. In the case of some womenrelated initiatives, the best way to underscore their almost ridiculous aspect is to ask whether if men were to do the same thing, they would come across as pathetic. In some instances, being the victim has been glamorised and, for that, it risks losing credibility, backﬁring and being ridiculed. If I were part of some minority group, and surely, somewhere along the line, I fall into that category, I think I would avoid ‘playing’ the victim; I would be against making a show of my plight; and I would try and put it into perspective and get my victim priorities right. It’s for this victim priority reason, in fact, that I recently had a sleepless night after I read, following the Ramblas rampage, the usual shifting of the focus away from the real and only casualties. Everything else pales in comparison to the 34 dead, several injured and their distraught families, who were, as usual, only mentioned in a footnote of a press release on the subject. I found it so offensive and insensitive. This sort of thing is disturbing at best. At worst, it is infuriating and will only backﬁre. So, let’s get our priorities right, ladies, and focus our energies where they are most needed, and where we can really play a silent and out-ofthe-spotlight, but seriously effective, role. Let’s not just be seen to be doing something. Let’s also go behind the scenes and do it.

September 17, 2017 ∫ Pink is a monthly magazine ∫ Issue 155 ∫ Executive editor Fiona Galea Debono ∫ Publisher Allied Newspapers Ltd ∫ Printing Progress Press Ltd ∫ Production Allied Newspapers Ltd ∫ Contributors Maria Cachia, Edward Curmi, Mary Galea Debono, Marisa Grima, Caroline Paris, Helen Raine, Virginia, Shelley Von Strunckel ∫ Design Manuel Schembri ∫ Photography Jonathan Borg, Matthew Mirabelli, Kurt Paris, Chris Sant Fournier ∫ Advertising sales Veronica Grech Sant [2276 4333; veronica.grechsant@timesofmalta.com].

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Pink September 2017 ∫ 9

MAILSho

THE LETTER THAT TICKLED PI MOVING MOUNTAINS Dear Pink, how lovely it is to spend Sunday afternoon reading your magazine. Indeed, it keeps me good company. A story that touched me in this issue is OnForm [Surmounting an Uphill Struggle, August 2017]. Although the lady interviewed, Justine Bartolo, has no experience of physical training, her perseverance makes her move mountains. Where there is a will, there is a way, and I admire individuals who sacrifice their free time for a good deed – in this case, to take part in the Kilimanjaro Challenge 11. Also combining fitness and philanthropy is, indeed, a delicious cocktail, where only positive benefits are achieved. The fact that so many kind-hearted people come together for one goal and work as a team gives me courage that, in this world, there is still hope. Their aim is to build a school in Ethiopia and, therefore, not just helping these kids, but also improving the overall standards of these countries. I also ‘liked’ the page Kilimanjaro Challenge Malta for updates. We all have our mountains to surmount, but when we do it with determination, nothing is impossible. PAULINE CILIA, VIA E-MAIL

The writer of the letter of the month wins a Carven L’Eau de Toilette from Chemimart; a selection of Deborah Milano make-up products from A.M.Mangion Ltd; PLUS a Paco Rabanne Million Monopoly from Ta’ Xbiex Perfumery.

WrItE I AND WIN

UNCANNY Dear Fiona, I have just read the EditorsNote [August, 2017]. It’s so uncanny; your words were exactly what I would have written. My sunglasses are all in a drawer near the front door and I would not dream of ever going out without them… even just to cross the road. You really made my day. We get the newspaper at home and I always look forward to the day Pink is included to read the interesting and informative articles. Keep it up! YVONNE CUSCHIERI, VIA E-MAIL

AN ‘US’ FEELING Dear editor and all on board, I always start with the EditorsNote, which gives me the good feeling of being part of Pink – an ‘us’ feeling. It was encouraging reading No Piece of Cake [PrivateEye, July 2017] about a young girl’s arduous uphill struggle to success over a digestive disorder; while My bed or Yours? [LifeStyle, July 2017] had an uncontested veracity; it was a living reality; and Work What You Wear [WomensWorld, July 2017] was authentic. It hadn't tickled me at all. In fact, I left it for a last quick read, knowing it wasn’t my subject. I'm not one for colours, but what Ella Strickland answered and exposed in this FashionStory [Knowing Your Colours, July 2017] opened up a new element of expression, creativity and meaning in the world of clothes; they are a new means of communication and interaction through the colour spectrum. This feature speaks volumes, transmits joy, vibrancy and optimism. Ella hasn’t missed out a detail in optimising the extravagance of various colours, and through her knowledge of their effect, she has conveyed a new life and enthusiasm. Anyone who has skipped this feature, you’ve missed out! Dig out your Pink, issue 153, and read it. It will, undoubtedly, unlock many things about yourself. I found it exhilarating – a reﬂection of happiness, of personality and style. Reading, acquiring knowledge and using it to improve – this is what Pink is all about. It’s about enhancing personality through learning new things. Thank you all and well done. MARIANNE PORTELLI, 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 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 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.

10 ∫ Pink September 2017

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WOMENSWORLD Planners par excellence: Ruth Camilleri, Cristina Galea and Laureen Agius. Photography: Jonathan Borg

Ladies, We Got This!

Think you could organise 91 different official, international delegations, eight hotels, over 1,000 last-minute reservations and flights from all over the world? For some, this would be just another month in the office. HELEN RAINE profiles three women who have taken event logistics to an elite level. Find out how they pull it off and handle the pressure thanks to the special organisational skills women employ to make things work.

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WOMENSWORLD

Planners in Profile RUTH CAMILLERI is 44 and lives in Fgura. She has worked internationally, including the US, planned the Valletta Summit, and was Head of Event Logistics for the 2017 EU Presidency. “On my first day, I walked into a bare office with just a desk and a chair. I started by going through the 100+ page contract, reviewing all the services that had to be delivered to the Presidency Unit,” she says. “I had to build a ‘company’ within a company, commencing with an operational plan and budget projection, and come up with a credible organisational chart that could cater for the volume of work that was forecasted – over 180 programmes in six months. I drew up a list of priorities, with recruitment at the top. We hit 65 team members on the eve of the on-site operation kick-off.” CRISTINA GALEA is 38 and from Sliema. She is the Head of Marketing and Project Management at Colours of Malta, a corporate events company. She is responsible for bringing in new business, developing marketing campaigns and organising final events. Her greatest work challenge to date occurred when the 2017 General Elections were announced. “We had been working on a project for 3,000 people for over 18 months. It was signed and sealed, all the details were confirmed … and then the elections were announced over the same dates. “In under a month, we had to change our gala dinner, catering and entertainment set-up to a completely different venue. All our excursion dates had to be changed and we had to transfer guests by sea instead of land to avoid traffic on celebration dates – a total reallocation of logistics. “A good relationship with suppliers is key to fixing those situations; we got all the support we needed and managed to pull off an amazing series of events.” LAUREEN AGIUS is 35 and from Zebbug. She has been married for one year, and being a wedding planner, organised the wedding herself. Laureen started out working with a British tour operator and is now with Tunin Entertainment, an events company that has coordinated more than 5,000 celebrations since 2000. “Weddings were always my passion, so when the opportunity arose to do wedding planning, I jumped on it. I have organised weddings for just two people, right up to weddings with 1,500 guests. Each has its own different challenges and expectations. You also have to give the client a clear picture of what you can provide and make them feel comfortable; they are trusting you with one of the biggest days of their life,” she says. Pink September 2017 ∫ 17

WOMENSWORLD

“THERE’S EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT WOMEN HAVE THE EDGE OVER MEN WHEN IT COMES TO MULTI-TASKING, WORKING UNDER PRESSURE AND LEADING WITH EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL INTELLIGENCE” Event planning is a female-dominated industry and recent research suggests that’s no coincidence. Women have some special skills when it comes to getting these kinds of meticulous jobs done. They are good at networking and relationship building, but there’s also evidence to suggest that they have the edge over men when it comes to multi-tasking, working under pressure and leading with emotional and social intelligence. In a paper published by the journal BMC Psychology, researchers conducted two experiments. In one, 50 male and 50 female students had to switch between computer tasks. The women were statistically faster and more organised than the men. In the second experiment, both sexes were given several tasks simultaneously and only eight minutes to do them in. One of these included planning how to ﬁnd a lost key in a large ﬁeld. Women approached the task more logically despite the time pressure, searching in a series of parallel lines, which covered the entire area, whereas most men used more random approaches that were less effective. The test groups also had to take a phone call, read a map and solve maths problems – 70 per cent of women outperformed men. Researcher Dr Keith Laws of the University of Hertfordshire says the women were more organised under pressure partly because they spent more time thinking about an activity before jumping in. Research by the Hay Group in the US also found that women scored more highly than men on nearly all emotional and social intelligence [ESI] competencies, except emotional self-control, where there was no difference 18 ∫ Pink September 2017

between genders. The researchers used data from 55,000 professionals across 90 countries and all levels of management, collected between 2011 and 2015. Scoring highly on ESI is linked to good leadership, from remaining calm and inspiring team consensus to being an empathetic coach and nurturing the next generation of professionals. Dr Richard Boyatzis of Case Western Reserve University said of the study: “Historically in the workplace, there has been a tendency for women to self-evaluate themselves as less competent, while men tend to overrate themselves in their competencies. Research shows, however, that the reality is often the opposite.”

Eventful Women Cristina Galea agrees that women have the skills to succeed in the fast-paced events management industry. “Females are pros at multi-tasking and this helps when it comes to time management and coping with various issues simultaneously. “Attention to detail, improvising and being diplomatic are also major female attributes that we use daily in our trade.” And Ruth agrees too. “Yes, it is a female-dominated industry, not only in Malta, but everywhere I have worked. Women are detail oriented, quick thinking and have creative solutions.” For Laureen, it depends on the individual, but she says that wedding planning beneﬁts from a woman’s touch. “Since, most commonly, it’s the bride that has higher expectations than the groom for her dream wedding, they might feel that a woman understands them more.”

Bounce Backs Part of the job requires keeping your wits about you in the face of disaster. Laureen describes her own personal planning nightmare. “We had a wedding where it was raining cats and dogs, they had power cuts too as one of the circuits was blowing off, and to top it all, one of the guests had to be rushed to hospital with an emergency. “Hiccups always happen, but tackling them discretely is what makes the difference. In this case, we diverted the attention of the guests by inviting them near the cake so that the patient could go out the main door discretely without causing panic.” Ruth’s professional black hole came during an important awards dinner for a pharmaceutical company. “This event was taking place in two sections of a ballroom, separated by an airwall. The other half was being used by a local school for a fund-raising event. As soon as my awards presentation commenced, the school rock band decided to play. “My client was fuming and I knew I had to take immediate and drastic action. The banqueting captain unplugged the electricity feeding the guitars. I’ll never forget that drummer’s one-liner: ‘You cannot unplug me though!’ We had to compromise – the solution was that music could go on only when the other group had their music playing as well.”

Work Work Baby Event management is not a nine-to-ﬁve job and the women struggle to balance work and life. “It is worth the input and long hours, but I’m always rushed, trying to keep up with family, home, work, friends and me time,” Cristina says. She applies her professional skills in a domestic setting. “If I can organise events for others, I can use the same skills to organise my life. I cannot say I miss out on anything!” Ruth agrees that it’s “very tough” when a project is in full operation. “My best friend Vanessa made it a point that no

matter how busy I was, we went out once a week. She was my sounding board, gave me feedback and got me to unwind. “In the past, I worked very long hours, but then you realise that you are no longer productive. Now, whenever there is an opportunity to take a break, I take it.” During her latest project, Ruth couldn’t plan any personal travel off the island. “It was a big deal for me, as I suffer from island fever. But now it is payback time… Some trips are already lined up.” Laureen says her business is seasonal – and summers are crazy! “My husband is very understanding and appreciates that this comes with the job. We meet wedding couples late after their work, so sometimes, I am late in the oﬃce too. But we believe in quality time, and when we are together, we try to spend time the best we can.”

Future Planners Despite the challenges, these women are in it for the long haul. For Ruth: “This industry is tough yet rewarding; when you have an ecstatic client, all your sacriﬁces are rewarded. Your work is creating memories for others, and if you stand back, you realise you’ve made a difference in people’s lives. So yes, all that work is worthwhile!” “It’s a great industry to be in, especially as tourism is big on our island,” Cristina adds. “Event management is a very detailed job; it can be stressful, but it has a high satisfaction rate. It’s glamorous and you meet people from all walks of life. I highly recommend it to anyone who is inclined to hospitality, events and creativity.” Pink September 2017 ∫ 19

INFOCUS

Fiorella and Vanessa Camilleri join forces for a hi-tech sensory experience. Photography: Jonathan Borg

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INFOCUS

MUSICAL revolutionaries Few classical music aficionados would swap a night with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra for an hour of music composed by a computer, but in a generation’s time, a virtual reality headset may well have replaced the plush velvet of a real theatre seat. Meanwhile, HELEN RAINE meets sisters, Vanessa and Fiorella Camilleri, who are paving the way to merge classical music with artificial intelligence in the belief that the former needs to appeal to a wider audience of non-theatregoers. They are the masterminds behind a hi-tech experience to fuse traditional arts with cutting-edge technology.

“P

ersonal, immersive, visceral and stimulating”. That’s how our test subject, Sandra Mifsud, describes her virtual reality experience with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra. In Malta’s answer to Westworld, she donned a headset and hurtled out of the physical world, right into the heart of an orchestral quartet. A violin, cello, flute and viola created her personal virtual experience – and she’s a convert. The masterminds behind this hi-tech experience are a pair of sisters, Dr Vanessa Camilleri, a lecturer at the Department of Artificial Intelligence in the University of Malta, and Fiorella Camilleri, the sub-principal flautist of the MPO. They gathered a team of young students from the department and together created a VR app for four classical pieces for a four-musician ensemble.

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Arts The result of their collaboration is a “multisensory experience”, which entwines the auditory and the visual senses, as colours and sights blend with sounds. “The headset enables users to cut off completely from their present, physical surroundings and to be transported to a beautiful setting with a quartet of musicians playing. VR creates a synesthetic effect, where you feel as though you are part of the space taken up by the music,” Vanessa explains. It can also reach audiences who can’t make it to a concert venue. “The potential is quite vast. Take people who are too sick to venture out of their homes, or maybe young people who are into VR, but have had little exposure to the

“VIRTUAL REALITY IS THE WAY FORWARD FOR THE PRESERVATION OF CLASSICAL MUSIC. THE COMPLETELY IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE EXCITES PEOPLE OF ALL AGES. EVERYBODY CAN BENEFIT AND CAN HAVE ACCESS TO THE VR EXPERIENCE, WITHOUT ANY DISCRIMINATION” The ﬁnal VR experience is an interesting mix, combining the immersive visuals with the 360° audio, as the audience, wearing the VR gear, can experience the music played from an almost tangible perspective. Fiorella wanted to ﬁnd a way to bring the orchestra’s music to fresh ears – classical music can be hard to sell to a new audience – while Vanessa aimed to provide her students with the tools to fuse traditional arts with cuttingedge technology.

theatre, or concerts,” she continues. It is a powerful new tool for those groups. “VR is the way forward for the preservation of classical music,” says Fiorella. “The completely immersive experience excites people of all ages. Everybody can beneﬁt and can have access to the VR experience, without any discrimination.” The technology is still developing, but there’s little doubt about its appeal. “The fact that you could make choices as to who to watch was magniﬁcent. It felt like the Pink September 2017 ∫ 23

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INFOCUS musicians were playing for you; your own private concert,” Sandra says. She would use it for fun, but as a dance professional, she also sees the potential for her métier. “In terms of dance, it would bring an audience a lot more than it would take away. Intimate experiences of dance for a limited number of people in a small space are very different from watching a dance piece in a theatre with hundreds of others; VR can top that a hundredfold. “It would be so exciting to choreograph a piece of dance using VR and study the effect on the audience. Dance today lacks audience numbers; I believe VR is an avenue that could be explored to pull audiences closer to dance.”

“DANCE TODAY LACKS AUDIENCE NUMBERS; I BELIEVE VIRTUAL REALITY IS AN AVENUE THAT COULD BE EXPLORED TO PULL AUDIENCES CLOSER TO DANCE.”

Project Orchestra The project was developed as part of the curriculum for students in the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology of the university. “The students were very excited. They learnt more about the art of ﬁlming and sound capturing for VR, in addition to the technology development. By the end of the project, their level of appreciation of classical music, and awareness of the musicians’ hard work, had increased,” Vanessa says. “There is more work to be done to exploit this technology; we created just a small taster of what it would be like for the orchestra to go in VR, and the impact that might have on reaching a wider and more diverse audience.”

Sandra Mifsud immerses herself into a virtual reality musical experience and feels stimulated.

Pink September 2017 ∫ 25

INFOCUS

Bum Notes The duo, along with their colleagues at the university and the orchestra, had to navigate a few bumps in the road, including finding the right venue [they chose the MPO’s rehearsal rooms], and minimising the motion sickness that VR sometimes causes in users. “Steady filming was crucial. There were also challenges related to making the experience as interactive as possible for the user,” Vanessa says. And it was tough for the musicians at times too. “Sometimes we had difficulty hearing each other and this affected the ensemble playing. This was due to the distance between musicians and the camera placement in the centre.

“SINCE IT WAS RECORDED AND FILMED SIMULTANEOUSLY, WE NEEDED TO TAKE CARE OF THE AUDIO-VISUAL ASPECTS OF THE MUSIC. THIS PUT ADDITIONAL PRESSURE ON US, BECAUSE WHEN ANYONE MADE THE SLIGHTEST MISTAKE, WE HAD TO REPEAT EVERYTHING FROM THE START” “Since it was recorded and ﬁlmed simultaneously, we needed to take care of the audio-visual aspects of the music. This put additional pressure on us, because when anyone made the slightest mistake, we had to repeat everything from the start; it was quite tiring,” Fiorella says. Sandra agrees that there is room for improvement: “If the sound was slightly clearer, it would have a greater impact on the user.” She’d also like to see more movement from the musicians.

OK Computer While there may still be snags, VR and AI are relentlessly bedding into our society. As I write this, I am listening to a piece of music by Aiva, called Genesis – Symphonic Fantasy in A Minor, Op. 21. Aiva is not your average composer; she’s a computer. I know this before I listen, so it’s not a blind test, but I feel that I can tell. The music is just a notch below satisfying, the long notes clipped a second too soon, the swell of the percussion a little stilted. Unlike a performance by the MPO, the music is not likely to make me want to cry. But I can’t deny it’s decent, even good. Vanessa says that Aiva uses “deep learning and reinforcement learning techniques” to compose; if you want to experience her music for yourself, you can listen to Genesis on SoundCloud. In 2016, researchers from Sony used Bach’s music [which is very mathematical] for an experiment. They played to 1,272 people examples of music written by Bach and by an AI computer taught to mimic him. The subjects had differing amounts of experience with classical music, but more than three-quarters of them had either studied classical music, or counted themselves as enthusiasts. Fifty per cent of them could not tell the two apart. If you want to test a friend, you can listen to RoboBach on You Tube. This kind of AI music raises questions; who wrote it – the computer that produced it, or the computer scientist who programmed the computer? And where will this technology take music in the future? “I believe music in all its genres, be it classical or pop, has the ability to change people’s mood and life, even if it’s just for a couple of minutes,” Fiorella says. Perhaps where that music comes from matters less than how it makes us feel. For now, few aﬁcionados would swap a night with the MPO for an hour with a computer, but in a generation, a VR headset may well have replaced the plush velvet of a real theatre seat. In the meantime, catch the orchestra in the real world when they come back from their summer break this month. 26 ∫ Pink September 2017

PINKPROMO

THE COOLEST KIDS ON THE MAKE-UP BLOCK Anna Marie Galea relives her teenage love affair with MAC with a tour of the new Valletta store only to realise that it is far from over.

must have been 17 years old when I ﬁrst fell in love with MAC cosmetics while looking at the feisty, vibrant image of Christina Aguilera in the Viva Glam campaign, complete with tropical eye make-up and leather and metal choker. With its understated, matte black packaging and cutting-edge colours, MAC was not only the coolest kid on the make-up block, but it also gave off an air of rebellion while maintaining a feeling of unashamed luxury. Its choice of bold brand ambassadors said it all:

holiday, and buying Dita Von Teese collaboration lipsticks at hiked-up, extortionate prices from eBay vendors, we have ﬁnally been blessed with not one but three MAC stores, the latest recently opening its doors in Valletta. It was this particular location that I visited a few days ago, being promised not only a make-up experience of a lifetime, but also a tour of the entire shop and the unique services on offer. Something I’ve always liked about the MAC aesthetic is the clean look of the packaging design and this is reﬂected in

“NEW TO MALTA AND CURRENTLY FOUND IN THE VALLETTA BRANCH ONLY, A PLAY STATION HAS BEEN INSTALLED IN FRONT OF A LARGE MIRROR, ALLOWING CUSTOMERS OLD AND NEW THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRY OUT VARIOUS MAC PRODUCTS COMPLETELY FUSS-FREE” they were cosmetics for the conﬁdent that didn’t mind standing out of the crowd and, let’s be honest, pretty perfect to my 17-year-old mind. Thirteen years later, I’m happy to report that the love affair is far from over, and after years and years of wistfully looking at collections in foreign shop windows while on 28 ∫ Pink September 2017

the lines of the shops themselves. Everything is black and minimalist, making the vast range of make-up, tools and products stand out even more. New to Malta and currently found in the Valletta branch only, a play station has been installed in front of a large mirror, allowing customers old and new the opportunity to try out various MAC

products completely fuss-free. It also gives you the chance to experiment with colours that you might not have originally gone for, which means you constantly have the chance to reinvent your look. MAC is known for its conscious decision to celebrate uniqueness and diversity and this is seen in its impressive range of foundations that cover every skin tone in existence, ranging from ivory to the richest bronze. Should you want your make-up applied privately, they have a beautiful room at the back of the shop, equipped with everything a make-up artist needs to give you a MAC perfect look, away from prying eyes. You can also use the room for small make-up parties for you and up to two or three friends, and when you phone ahead to book, MAC’s smiling and incredibly dedicated staff will even prepare all the items you and your friends may require, readying palettes, brushes and sponges ahead of your appointment. In addition to this, if you want to take your make-up skills to the next level, MAC offers short training sessions; you can book 30- or 90-minute lessons and actually receive the amount that you paid for the session back in complimentary MAC products. If it is a make-up workshop you’re after to hone your makeup skills, you can even take part in MAC Technique, where you will be provided with all the tools necessary to make you look catwalk ready each and every day. The wonderful tour ends with the very lovely [and very patient] Karen making me look and feel like a million dollars by not only applying make-up ﬂawlessly, but also taking the time to teach me the tricks of the trade so that I would be able to replicate a similar look at home. Whether you want to try the latest in top-of-the-range make-up, get Kylie Jenner’s look [she has pledged her love for the brand time and time again], or even if you want to be uniquely different by personalising your very own colour palette, MAC make-up will make you live your life to the max. The MAC Cosmetics stores are located in Tower Road, Sliema, Zachary Street, Valletta, and Debenhams, The Point Shopping Mall, Tigne.

WOMANKIND

THE LITERARY HOSTESS

PAR EXCELLENCE Besides being an invaluable source of personal information on Ottoline Morrell and her select circle, her correspondence is also a commentary on social history, revealing a world of love intrigues, hypocrisy, rivalry, character assassination, gossip, bitchiness and bickering. On the basis of this, MARY GALEA DEBONO builds the story of this literary hostess’s life.

ttoline Morrell was a literary hostess – the last, perhaps, of that dying breed – and because in that restricted circle of writers and artists she played a leading role, her name appears repeatedly in the works, the memoirs and the biographies of those who dominated the English intellectual scene in the first three decades of the last century. A literary hostess was a woman – usually an aristocrat and of good means – who, once a week, opened her salon doors, inviting established literary figures as well as those aspiring to make a literary career. This mode of ‘entertainment’ had started in Italy way back in the 1500s and flourished in France two centuries later, producing some of the best-known women writers. Miranda Seymour, in her biography of Ottoline, Life on the Grand Scale, says it is precisely “that vanished world of intellectual frivolity” of 18th-century France that She had tried to recreate when she opened her drawing room doors in her house in Bedford Square on Thursday evenings. By 1938, the year Ottoline died, the role of the literary hostess was already becoming a relic of the past, and after World War II, which

ushered in a new species of woman, it died a natural death. Ottoline was eminently suited to fulﬁll such a role. Beautiful, statuesque – over six-feet tall – with abundant copper-coloured hair and turquoise eyes, she never entered a room without causing a stir. As a hostess in her exquisitely furnished salon, she drifted with ease and assurance from writer to artist and from artist to politician, keeping the conversation going. She was well-connected and this was a big asset. Her father was Lieutenant-General Bentinck, who, as second cousin of the childless Duke of Portland, was the next in line to inherit both the title as well as his vast estates. Unfortunately, he died

her life with her mother, that she imbibed all the social graces so important to the role that she was to adopt in later life. Many society hostesses were themselves writers, who used such literary evenings to advance their own writing career. This was not the case with Ottoline; she lacked literary creativity and she knew it. But at

“BY 1938, THE YEAR OTTOLINE DIED, THE ROLE OF THE LITERARY HOSTESS WAS ALREADY BECOMING A RELIC OF THE PAST, AND AFTER WORLD WAR II, WHICH USHERED IN A NEW SPECIES OF WOMAN, IT DIED A NATURAL DEATH” before the Duke and it was Ottoline’s eldest half-brother who became the heir. Her mother was made baroness. It was in Welbeck Abbey, the Duke’s residence, and in Bolsover Castle, where Ottoline spent the ﬁrst years of

dinner parties, she had had the opportunity to meet important writers, which kindled in her the idea that patronising writers, poets and artists was the next best thing to being one herself. Pink September 2017 ∫ 29

WOMANKIND She became convinced that facilitating introductions between artists and writers was her mission in life; her vocation. And there is no doubt that there were instances when she succeeded in helping new talent to develop further. But there was also another reality. In the spring of 1907, when she decided to open her house to welcome new and old talent, hosting a literary salon was a step taken in response to an inner need to do something worthwhile to ﬁll the void left by an unsatisfactory emotional life. Ottoline was then 34 and she had been married to Philip Morrell for ﬁve years, but she was already feeling that her life was going nowhere. Their marriage was, right from the start, a relationship fraught with problems. Both had suffered from ill-health in their youth, but Philip had also had nervous breakdowns and mental issues continued to plague him all his life, especially after the death of his brother by suicide. Moreover Ottoline, had never really shown any enthusiasm for sex in her relationships. Between her and Philip, there was affection and respect, but little love and no passion. Philip grew more and more remote and Ottoline was acutely aware of this. To make matters worse, in 1906, she gave birth to twins, but while the daughter survived, the son had died. This was yet another setback to their marriage. Philip was devastated by the loss of his son, and for Ottoline, there was the added pain of knowing that it was impossible for her to have any more children.

Ottoline Morrell with Robert Gathorne-Hardy, Siegfried Sassoon, Kyrle Leng, Philip Morrell.

emotionally and ﬁnancially, and when he embarked on a political career, she supported him whole-heartedly, leaving everything to accompany him on his visits to his constituency. Between 1910 and 1922, both Ottoline and Philip carried on affairs. Besides Russel, Ottoline was the mistress of men like Augustus John, Christopher Fry and Henry Lamb. It was inevitable that with such a list of august lovers, the media and, later on, her biographers, concentrated mostly on this aspect of her life – people have always delighted in titillating gossip. But while her early biographers had had to rely almost exclusively on what had been written about her in her lifetime, Seymour, who was given access to her papers and voluminous correspondence, was better able to give a more accurate picture of the real Ottoline. These letters are a mine of information; one must bear in mind that Ottoline and Russell sometimes corresponded four times a day, and of their letters alone, there are over 2,000. Besides being an invaluable source of personal information on Ottoline and

“OTTOLINE AND RUSSELL SOMETIMES CORRESPONDED FOUR TIMES A DAY, AND OF THEIR LETTERS ALONE, THERE ARE OVER 2,000” Although Ottoline became increasingly dissatisﬁed with her marriage, at no point did she contemplate leaving her husband. Even when she started her long affair with the well-known philosopher and mathematician, Bertrand Russel, which was an open secret and which Philip tolerated, her ﬁrst concern remained solely her husband. She knew that Philip depended on her both 30 ∫ Pink September 2017

her select circle, her correspondence is also a commentary on social history, revealing a world of love intrigues, hypocrisy, rivalry, character assassination, gossip, bitchiness and bickering. There are then the letters her ‘friends’ wrote to each other that also shed a light on this coterie. Many of these socalled friends, among them those who remain known as the Bloomsbury

The Morrells’ hospitality in Oxford.

Group – a set to which Ottoline herself belonged, albeit on the periphery – did not hesitate to make fun of her behind her back in their letters. These were the ‘friends’ who flocked to her evenings, but privately mocked and parodied her; viciously slandered her; described her as an artificial woman, who loved power; and an overbearing aristocrat, keen on projecting herself as a patron of the arts. Besides those who jeered at her in their private letters, some novelists were inspired to model their fictitious characters on her. One of these was D.H. Lawrence, who made it very obvious to anyone who knew her that the character of Hermione Roddice, in his novel Women in Love, was just a caricature of Ottoline. This was an unexpected and cruel act; a humiliation; a betrayal of trust from the man whose friendship she had valued and who had earlier reciprocated the esteem by describing her privately in a letter as someone who “belonged to a special type, a special race of women”. She tried to blame Lawrence’s wife Frieda, whom she did not like, for instigating it, but it took 10 years from the publication of the novel in 1920 for the rift to heal. Lawrence was not the only writer who chose to attack Ottoline, and some did so with a devastating effect. Notably among these was the Australian poet Walter Turner, who, in his skit The Aesthetes, made scathing remarks on her. The deplorable thing is that those who sought to ridicule her were the same ones whom she had so genuinely helped and on whom she had bestowed much kindness. In her autobiography, Seymour seeks to do justice to Ottoline by bringing out her more positive qualities: her natural generosity, her readiness to forgive and forget her

“HOW COULD SHE ESCAPE RIDICULE IF SHE CHOSE TO DRESS IN THE MOST BIZARRE AND WEIRD WAYS? HER DRESSES WERE COSTUMES THAT SHE COPIED FROM PAINTINGS AND PICTURES. COMPLEMENTED BY HUGE HATS, SCARLET HIGH-HEELED SHOES AND SPANISHTYPE SHAWLS, THEY VERGED ON THE COMIC” detractors, her courage, her understanding and kindness and her unfailing loyalty to and support for her husband. It must be admitted that if in her life Ottoline was ridiculed, she herself was partly to blame. How could she escape ridicule if she chose to dress in the most bizarre and weird ways? Her dresses were costumes that she copied from paintings and pictures. Complemented by huge hats, scarlet high-heeled shoes and Spanish-type shawls, they verged on the comic. Ottoline was a woman who sought to be original for its own sake and this is not always the best way of projecting oneself. When the Morrells discovered that the expected inheritance from Ottoline’s mother did not materialise, they decided to leave London and bought a dilapidated Tudor building in the village of Garsington just outside Oxford. During World War I, the house with its beautifully laid-out garden and swimming pool became a refuge for conscientious objectors and a retreat for paciﬁsts, while for the undergraduates, it was “part of the experience of being in Oxford”. Friends from London arrived by the dozen and many spent weekends there. Ottoline’s last, and only true lover, was Lionel Gomme. He was much younger than her and had arrived in Garsington to do some work in the garden. The affair was short because Tiger, as he was known, died soon afterwards of a brain haemorrhage. It was on him that D.H. Lawrence modelled the character of the gamekeeper in his novel Lady Chatterly’s Lover. In 1925, Ottoline started writing her memoirs, which were published posthumously after Philip had heavily edited them, removing anything that he considered detrimental to his image. Unfortunately, in so doing, he also destroyed much of their spontaneity. It was in 1937 that Ottoline became very weak, visited several clinics and consulted many dubious doctors. She died of cancer on April 21, 1938, survived by Philip and her daughter, Julian, to whom she had dedicated far less time and attention than to her famous ‘Thursdays’.

SHOWSTOPPER

Photography Kurt Paris Styling Marisa Grima [marisagrima.com], assisted by Tara McGillycuddy Hair Lisa @ Meraki Salon, using Screen Professional Hair products Make-up Lisa @ Meraki Salon Model Madeline @ Supernova MM Top, €40; shorts, €35; bag, €29.99, all River Island ∫ shoes, €69.99, Mango.

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Lady in red

DRESS DANGEROUS. BE PASSIONATE. SEDUCE. WEAR LOVE. ADVENTURE. FEEL THE HEAT. FEAST ON FASHION.

SHOWSTOPPER

Jacket, €59.99; top, €35.99; trousers, €25.99, all Mango.

Pink September 2017 ∫ 35

SHOWSTOPPER

Dress, €39.99, Orsay ∫ bag, €49.99, Mango.

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SHOWSTOPPER

Dress, €66, Oasis ∫ shirt, €45, Marks & Spencer.

Pink September 2017 ∫ 37

SHOWSTOPPER Dress, €345; bag, €180, Karen Millen ∫ shoes, €89, Aldo.

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SHOWSTOPPER

Jacket, €35.99; dress, €39.99; trousers, €29.99; bag, €25.99; scarf, €7.99, all Orsay. Pink September 2017 ∫ 39

SHOWSTOPPER

Top, €49.95; polo neck, €19.95; jeans, €35, all Marks & Spencer.

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SHOWSTOPPER

Dress, €35.99, Mango ∫ bag, €57.90, Aldo.

Pink September 2017 ∫ 41

Mimi â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Pama Shopping Complex Mosta

FASHIONSTORY

FRAGRANCE OF FREEDOM I

The Gabrielle Chanel fragrance ad campaign takes a bold new direction, celebrating a modern, courageous and impassioned femininity, built on confidence, determination and independence and best embodied by the talented actress Kristen Stewart. Instead of retracing Gabrielle’s life, the spotlight is on her free and rebel-at-heart personality.

n tribute to Chanel’s creator, this year has witnessed the birth of a namesake bag, and now, the launch of the Gabrielle Chanel fragrance. To incarnate the new scent, the House chose one of its ambassadors and friends, American actress Kristen Stewart – the obvious choice. Stewart is one of the most accomplished, talented and in-demand young actresses in Hollywood. Her strong and determined personality, her career studded with bold artistic choices, and the life she leads with full freedom, made her the perfect ﬁt for the role. Pink September 2017 ∫ 43

FASHIONSTORY

Directed by multi-award-winning Ringan Ledwidge, widely acknowledged as one of the industry’s top commercials directors, the promotional film for the new fragrance, which hit the screens this month, stars Stewart extricating herself from the confines of a cocoon and breaking into a liberating run. She gathers her speed so she can crash through a wall to freedom and the promise of a new dawn on the other side. With sparse décor, meticulous lighting, and the song Runnin’ by Beyoncé, the film takes a bold new direction as it celebrates an extremely modern femininity, built on confidence, determination, and independence. “We deliberately took the opposite line from storytelling,” explains Thomas du Pré de Saint-Maur, Chanel’s Head of Global Creative Resources. “We wanted to highlight an emotion that could be grasped in mere seconds; to tell a sensation as opposed to a story. 44 ∫ Pink September 2017

“Referring to a specific person, and even more so to Gabrielle Chanel, is new for Chanel. Instead of retracing her life, we chose to put the spotlight on her free and rebel-at-heart personality. In my view, this quality is more difficult to find and yet all the more necessary today. “Being yourself and remaining true to yourself are qualities that Gabrielle Chanel passed on to us, and this universal message – as relevant as ever – is what we wish to send to women. “With Stewart and this film, which breaks away from a narrative to retain only its spirit, we want to touch all women, but also each individual woman, simultaneously. No one will experience it in the same way; it depends on their perceptions, lived experiences, personality and emotions. With this film, we are going to reach out to each woman through all of womankind.” Fully steeped in the philosophy of the House of Chanel and its founder, the promotional film speaks of

FASHIONSTORY

“SHE GATHERS HER SPEED SO SHE CAN CRASH THROUGH A WALL TO FREEDOM AND THE PROMISE OF A NEW DAWN ON THE OTHER SIDE” a race towards freedom, an endless battle against the diktats that tend to capture and cage women in. It is the beating of a heart, an energy that streams forth and overcomes all obstacles. It is a metaphor of life, both timeless and topical, diffused through a solar and luminous fragrance synonymous with passion, style and freedom. After all, the Gabrielle Chanel fragrance celebrates the extraordinary personality of its founder and conveys a very modern message, inviting all young women today to live freely, by and for themselves. Pink September 2017 ∫ 45

THEUNIFORM

Still in holiday style

Fashion blogger and stylist CAROLINE PARIS seeks some extra inspiration on what to pack for her travels from some of Malta’s Instagram pros as she plans her last vacation of the summer.

Marisa Grima

Tamara Webb

Line Young Peteri

MarieClaire Portelli

H Carla Grima

Maxine Pace

olidays are generally our favourite time of year. We get to switch off, take time away from ordinary life and experience something new. I’ve always felt, Romea Adler Yana Azzopardi however, that there is a slightly stressful part to a holiday and that is planning what to take with me. and tools to style it, and I even change them Trying to foresee all that I might need, all according to the weather and look I’m going the different weather possibilities, and even for. It’s impossible to carry all these with me thinking about those travel snaps that are of on holiday, so deciding which product wins course compulsory to immortalise that over another is always my greatest dilemma. vacation tends to get a bit stressful. Shoes are my next worry point. My If travelling to a totally different climate, travelling always includes lots of walking, so there’s also the frustration of having to comfort is super important. Since sneakers unearth clothes you might have packed became so popular again, they’re my go-to away. I like to pack skirts when travelling option for most seasons, but in summer, because they’re generally light and don’t it’s just too hot. take up much space. Add a couple of I’m currently planning my last vacation T-shirts to the mix and you’ve generated a of the summer, so I decided to seek some lot of different outﬁts. extra inspiration from some of Malta’s But one of the things I worry about most Instagram pros and their snaps of what they is my hair. I use a ton of different products wore on their travels. Pink September 2017 ∫ 47

PINKPROMO

MODERN LUXURY Pink chronicles the evolution of the La Prairie signature skincare collection, based on the prestigious pure caviar extract.

a Prairie’s quest for timeless beauty knows no boundaries. In the 1980s, scientists at La Prairie went in pursuit of revolutionary skincare that would represent unparalleled luxury and launch a new era in anti-ageing. From this, pure caviar extract was discovered as an anti-ageing skin fortiﬁer. In 1987, the Skin Caviar Collection was born and has since earned a reputation for its lifting and ﬁrming abilities, luxurious textures and profound results.

THE LEGEND CONTINUES…

… with the launch of Skin Caviar Absolute Filler. Just as volume in art is essential to that aesthetic harmony, skin volume ensures youthful harmonious facial contours. Designed to target the loss of the very volume and substance that gives skin its youthful appearance, La Prairie’s new Skin Caviar Absolute Filler returns lost density, plumping while helping to reshape and reﬁne the contours of the face. The skin is imbued with the harmony of youth.

WHY CAVIAR?

A symbol of prestige and opulence, scientiﬁcally renowned for its nutrients and health beneﬁts since the 4th century BC, the sturgeon has the ability to live in the sea for more than 100 years and research shows that its caviar is rich in lifesupporting minerals, vitamins, amino acids and omega-3 fatty acids. A precious luxury, caviar is truly one of nature’s most powerful nutrients… and the basis of La Prairie’s Skin Caviar Collection.

UNPARALLELED FORMULATION

Exclusive to La Prairie, Caviar Absolute contains highly concentrated caviar oil and caviar proteins, its two most powerful ingredients. Together they deliver rich nutrients and moisture to the skin and stimulate collagen formation on several levels. Blended with brown algae and peony root extracts, the formula helps smooth skin’s texture and increase elasticity. La Prairie’s proprietary re-texturising Tissue Guidance Matrix helps strengthen the extra-cellular matrix, contributing to plumper, more hydrated skin, so Skin Caviar Absolute Filler provides a phenomenal ﬁlling action. Combined with La Prairie’s Exclusive Cellular Complex, which uses cutting-edge biotechnological research to give new life and energy back to the very cells where beauty is born, Skin Caviar Absolute Filler recaptures the harmony of younger-looking skin for the face, neck and décolleté. ABSOLUTE DESIGN

AN ICON IN BLUE

MASTERING CAVIAR

To this day, the cobalt blue packaging of the Skin Caviar Collection makes it one of the most recognisable within the brand. The inspiration for this iconic shade of blue came from sculpture and architecture so prevalent during the 1980s. Seen in styles ranging from modern to ﬂamboyant, this particular blue came to symbolise all that is royal and lavish – two words synonymous with Skin Caviar. Anil Kalyanapur, who is in charge of La Prairie creative packaging design, states: “We were captivated by this particular shade of blue – a deep cobalt that immediately resonated as regal and upbeat. It became the perfect avenue to showcase Skin Caviar. Radically different from the rest of the packaging seen in the skincare market, it simply could not be ignored… It was just that simple; yet now, here we are 30 years later, and it’s become a legend.”

The Skin Caviar Collection has evolved since its inception to continue to offer exceptional lifting and firming action, combined with cutting-edge performance. With the launch of the collection, La Prairie made the audacious choice of using caviar extract. With continued research and new technological advancements, it then created caviar water, which is produced using a state-of-the-art steam distillation process that ensures its most volatile active ingredients are seized. Now, La Prairie’s latest caviar technology, used for the first time in Skin Caviar Absolute Filler, features a process that captures the most potent nutrients found in caviar. Through pressing and centrifugation, caviar’s lipids and proteins are isolated to better capture their power and are then re-combined. The result of this innovative refining process is Caviar Absolute – a new caviar phenomenon.

The voluptuous moisturising cream has a unique, bouncy texture that is quickly absorbed into skin, imbuing it with the rich caviar nutrients essential for a more youthful appearance. The artfully crafted dispenser, with its graceful curves and integrated mirror, recalls the balanced proportions of a precisely sculpted object of design. Inside, an innovative airless pump releases the perfect dose of cream with a single press of the sleek inverted button. THE LUXURY OF CHOICE

Because La Prairie is committed to offering its clients bespoke skincare solutions targeted to specific needs and expectations, Skin Caviar Absolute Filler is the perfect addition to the Skin Caviar Collection. It helps restore volume and skin fullness, while Skin Caviar Luxe Cream and Luxe Cream Sheer give superior lifting and firming benefits in two unique textures. The Skin Caviar Collection is the essence of the luxury of choice. La Prairie is exclusively distributed by A.M.Mangion Ltd.

Pink September 2017 ∫ 51

PINKPROMO

DEBUNKING MYTHS ABOUT LIPOSUCTION Lots of falsehoods about liposuction are flying around – and many of them are patently untrue. Read on to find out the facts.

Only women get liposuction Wrong! Though women make up the larger portion of patients undergoing liposuction, the male market has grown rapidly in recent years. Statistics from across the pond say that male procedures are up 43 per cent in the last ﬁve years, and with innovations like Vaser, men are using liposuction not just to shed fat, but to help sculpt their body into something more Adonis-like. Liposuction is for men and women!

Liposuction is a quick fix for the obese This is not necessarily true. Liposuction works best for those who are already within 30 per cent of their target body weight – those who are unhealthily or morbidly obese would be better advised to get a gastric band or some other form of weight-loss procedure. Liposuction is more about sculpting and shaping nowadays, with many patients altering the contours of their body rather than their overall weight.

Vaser liposuction is very expensive This is not always the case. As the technology develops and the treatments become more popular, Vaser liposuction prices fall. When liposuction ﬁrst became popular, it was a very expensive treatment, but now you can get a highquality procedure for as little as €1,000.

Liposuction is an alternative to diet and exercise Deﬁnitely not! Many doctors will only perform liposuction on their clients if they can prove a healthy and active lifestyle. Indeed, most surgeons always advise patients to take up exercise before they undergo the procedure, to ensure muscle tone and shape when the fat is removed. It’s important to remember that lipo is a purely aesthetic procedure – it should only be used in conjunction with a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle, or the results won’t be as prominent.

Liposuction is the most popular form of cosmetic surgery OK, you’ve got us on this one… It’s true! Liposuction is far and away the most popular form of plastic or cosmetic surgery, largely because of the way it has developed. In the past, it was a fairly invasive and drastic way to shape the body, but new developments nowadays mean that it’s minimally invasive, with short recovery times and excellent results. As the technology progresses, it is expected that even more people will turn to this wonderful sculpting option. When strenuous workouts at the gym, like endless sit-ups or crunches, don’t help men achieve a six-pack body, Vaser Hi Def would be the right option. It is not easy to get rid of the fat that accumulates at the top of the abdominal muscles with just diet and exercise. A skilled liposuction surgeon can remove the stubborn fat and sculpt your body to result in a trim, athletic-looking appearance.

Vaser liposuction is a minimally invasive procedure that will enhance the body by eliminating unwanted fat. Vaser Hi Def liposuction is an advanced technique that can remove fat around the muscles, making the area more defined. It uses ultrasound energy to define and improve muscular anatomy and contour in the treated area. Involving removal of fat around the muscle groups under the skin, it results in a well-defined six-pack, or the appearance of gym-toned pectorals. The surgeon selects the area to be treated and uses the ultrasound-assisted device to liquefy the fat cells, leaving the surrounding nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue unaffected. The liquefied fat is then removed through a gentle suction process, which promotes smooth results and faster healing. The benefits of Vaser Hi Def Liposculpture for men include the fact that it is a minimally invasive treatment; refines and accentuates the appearance of the muscles; smoothes out the skin in delicate areas like arms and neck; improves skin retraction; and involves minimal blood loss; heals rapidly; and has a natural tightening effect. This advanced complex technique is usually modified in women to provide a slightly softer and more feminine appearance. Proper post-operative care promotes quick and smooth healing, and the surgeon’s instructions could usually include: wearing a compression garment; avoiding sugary and fatty foods and following a balanced fibre-rich diet; and avoiding strenuous exercises. For more information, contact St Mary’s Clinic on 21/27/79 422888; www.stmarysclinic.net

Pink September 2017 ∫ 53

THINKPi

Fashion, Food, healh, Beau & hins

With summer about to end, these are Pink’s top eight products to get your hands on, things to try and places to be, to close off the season in style and for a fresh start.

3 4

1 HEIDI & THE CITY IN MALTA heidi Klum and lidl celebrated the world premiere of the esmara by heidi Klum collection, heidi & the City, in new York with 350 guests, including celebrities, in a spectacular lidl supermarket. against a creative backdrop and an interactive setting, all 84 pieces of the collection, from leopard-print pumps to sequinned bombers and leather sneakers, were presented for the ﬁrst time in the runway show. over 20 million lidl Facebook fans watched the premiere through a live stream, which can be viewed on www.facebook.com/lidlmalta and www.letswow.com/fashionshow. From tomorrow, the heidi & the City collection will be available in all eight lidl Malta stores.

2 TIME FOR A FOSSIL SMARTWATCH slim, smart and even more customisable, the Q activist hybrid looks like a watch, but acts like a smartwatch. Powered by the Fossil Q app, Fossil Q hybrid smartwatches are compatible with android os 5.0+ and ios 9.0+ devices. This watch will be give you notiﬁcations on social media, text, e-mail, app alerts, multiple time zones and calendar alerts. it can take pictures, control your music, track your steps and even your sleeping patterns. The watch band is also interchangeable. Visit the sun lab shops at The Point, Plaza, Valletta, Bay street, Paola and arkadia, Gozo, and ViP in sliema and Valletta.

3 THE ULTIMATE IN VERSATILITY Made with interchangeable temples and nose pads to adapt style and performance for a life that never slows down, oakley’s Crossrange bridges the gap between your lifestyle look and your active interests by giving you the ultimate in versatility. These sunglasses feature a threepoint ﬁt, which holds lenses in precise optical 54 ∫ Pink September 2017

alignment while eliminating pressure points. Crossrange is available from the sun lab shops at The Point, Plaza, Valletta, Bay street, Paola and arkadia, Gozo, and from ViP sliema.

4 FOR YOUTHFULNESS Based on the latest research in anti-ageing treatments, Germaine de Capuccini takes another step and combines the powerful anti-oxidising action of Vitamin C+ with antiglycation technology to present Timexpert C+ [a.G.e.], with its formula made up of ume extract, vitamin C+ and active fragrance. save €20 with the promo bag offer of Vitamin C emulsion and serum, or Vitamin C cream and serum at the special price of €69.90, including carry bag, available from leading salons and spas. For trade enquiries, contact Beauty Culture Group, sta Venera, on 2144 0424, or 2744 0424. www.beautyculturecentre.com; info@beautysuppliesmalta.com

5 REPAIRING THE SIGNS OF AGEING When skin is better protected, it has the ability to repair itself. Boosted with the regenerating power of algae of Youth, found in Biotherm’s Blue Therapy Multi-defender, the signs of ageing – dark spots, deep wrinkles and a lack of ﬁrmness – are visibly repaired. Biotherm skincare is exclusively distributed by Chemimart [2149 2212].

6 BOUNCING BACK aquasource everplump night is a newgeneration bounce-back gel texture that self-reforms and creates a natural second-skin barrier to lock and replenish skin with plumping moisture all night. dark cultivated algae produces

an extract rich in skin energy-generating molecules only in the absence of light.This helps boost skin recovery and replenishment. While you sleep, the skin bounces back into shape, waking up intensely replenished and plump. after one week, see and feel the difference. Biotherm skincare is exclusively distributed by Chemimart [2149 2212].

7 THE NEW E-CLASS CABRIOLET Mercedes-Benz is completing its e-Class family with the new cabriolet. This open four-seater, with a classic fabric soft top, combines sensuous design with high long-distance comfort. The latest technology includes comprehensive smartphone integration with a wireless charging and key function, a widescreen cockpit and the latest assistance systems. Powerful engines and comfortable suspension systems ensure a sporty and luxurious driving experience. The Mercedes-Benz e-Class Cabriolet should arrive in Malta this autumn.

8 A RIGHT MIX OF YAKITORI AND GIN if you haven’t yet been to the Yakitori & Gin Bar by Zest on the refurbished rooftop of hotel Juliani, you’ve missed out this summer. it’s their very own take on Japan’s mouth-watering yakitori, with refreshing Bombay sapphire twist cocktails, the vibrant beats of live music and views of spinola Bay below to top it all up. Choose from the live yakitori grill and signature sushi sharing platters by Zest Restaurant. From pork belly and spring onions to tiger prawns marinated in spicy sambal sauce and Thai ﬁsh cakes with calamari, prawn, grouper and fresh coriander, among other tantalising dishes on the menu, you can’t go wrong, while the gin cocktails include rosemary & cranberry, strawberry & pepper and coriander & chilli.

INTHEPINK

PLAYING SAFE… With the arrival in Malta of Pfizer’s Trumenba to help prevent meningococcal group B disease in adolescents and young adults, Consultant Infectious Disease Paediatrician Dr David Pace makes a strong case for the vaccine. From experience, he says, many parents are unaware of the increased risk of the dangerous meningococcal disease in their growing children, and teenagers themselves have no information about it.

n layman’s terms, what is meningococcal group B disease and how does it differ from other forms? This is caused by a germ, known as the meningococcus, which may attack the lining around our brain to cause meningitis, or which may cause blood poisoning, a condition known as septicaemia. Meningitis and septicaemia are very serious infections that occur separately or together, resulting in even more serious disease. There are other forms of this germ that are identified by a different letter, reflecting differences in the type of cover they have, such as meningococcus group A, C, W and Y. All result in the same symptoms of meningitis and blood poisoning as group B. The frequency and predominance of a specific group of meningococcus may vary between different continents, but in Europe, the most common group is B, followed by C and less commonly W and Y. A nasty property of the meningococcus is that it has the potential to cause outbreaks, which means that it infects lots of people within a short period of time, although generally this is rare. There are more germs, apart from the meningococcus, that can also cause meningitis and blood poisoning and the symptoms are similar. Most, but not all,

of these infections are nowadays preventable through vaccination. How is it contracted and who is most susceptible? The meningococcus is only found in humans. Around one in 10 people carry this germ in the throat without coming to any harm, so really we come in contact with it all the time, but only very few people become unwell for reasons that we do not yet understand. The meningococcus is transmitted from one person to another through close contact, such as by sneezing, coughing, or kissing. The germ dies quickly outside the human body and is not transmitted through, for example, clothes, toys, or bed sheets. Everyone is at risk of getting this germ, but we know that various factors can increase the risk, with the strongest being age. We know that babies below 12 months, children under ﬁve and teenagers and young adults up to 25 years old are more susceptible. Those who smoke or who are exposed to second-hand smoking also have a higher risk. What happens if you contract it? A person with meningococcal infection will get high fever and become unwell quickly. A child or grown up with meningitis will complain of severe headaches, neck pain, vomiting and

dislike of bright lights. Some will get seizures or progress to become drowsy and confused and may lose consciousness. In blood poisoning, the person will look very pale and unwell, get severe aches and pains in the arms and legs, which may feel very cold when touched, and may develop red or purple marks on the skin, which when pressed upon ﬁrmly with a transparent glass tumbler, can still be clearly seen through the glass. These marks may not appear at all or be very sparse in meningitis. Refusal to feed, diﬃculty in waking up and a change in behaviour may be seen in babies or children who still cannot express themselves. Babies below three months may not develop fever, but will look unwell and may have a high-pitched or moaning cry. Unfortunately, at the very beginning, the symptoms may be very similar to those of a common viral infection, but individuals with meningitis or septicaemia will then progress to become very unwell within a few hours. Parents or carers should be aware that even if vaccinated, children may still contract meningitis or blood poisoning and should seek immediate medical help if they are seriously worried about them. Vaccines do not protect against all possible forms of meningitis and blood poisoning. Pink September 2017 ∫ 55

INTHEPINK What are the chances of contracting the disease in Malta, or anywhere else for that matter? Meningococcal disease is found everywhere in the world, however, the risk of being infected by a specific group may vary between countries. In Europe, group B is the most common, causing 64 per cent of all meningococcal disease, followed by group C, which is responsible for 18 per cent of cases. Thankfully, meningococcal disease is uncommon, but a very small number of individuals still contract this devastating infection every year. On average around two out of every 100,000 persons living in Malta get meningococcal infection each year, with one out of every 100,000 persons specifically getting meningococcal group B disease; so the overall risk is very remote. If we compare this risk to that of the high-risk age groups, we find that the average risk of meningococcal infection from any group in babies below 12 months is 10 times higher, that of children aged between one and five years is four times higher and that of 11- to 20-yearolds is double. These risks are extremely small, but still there, and quite close to those reported in Europe. Because people are now travelling more between different continents, one might be exposed to a different group of meningococcus, depending on the country being visited. Nowadays, groups B, C, Y, W and A meningococcal disease can be prevented through vaccination.

We recently experienced the rush for children to get the Bexsero vaccine against MenB. What is the difference? The Bexsero meningococcal B vaccine was given approval to be used in Europe in 2013. It was the ﬁrst vaccine to become available to protect against meningococcal B infection from the age of two months up to adulthood. Unfortunately, the production of this vaccine cannot keep up with its demand, with the result that some countries are still not able to get the vaccine in a continuous uninterrupted supply. The recent rush for the vaccine in Malta was not because of any change in how common meningococcal B disease is, but was an effect of recent posts on experiences of meningococcal B disease shared between parents on social media locally, which caused severe anxiety. The true reality of the devastation caused by

“WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER IS THAT THE VACCINE CAN NEVER CAUSE MENINGOCOCCAL B INFECTION IN ANYONE SINCE IT ONLY CONTAINS PART OF THE MENINGOCOCCUS B GERM, WHICH IS STILL SUFFICIENT TO BUILD PROTECTION” How many cases do we encounter in Malta and what is the outcome of most? In Malta, we get on average around six cases of meningococcal disease each year, half of which occur in children younger than 16. Group B is responsible for 65 per cent and group C for 20 per cent of cases. One out of every 10 persons with meningococcal disease dies and two out of every 10 persons remain with a permanent disability, including hearing loss, intellectual problems, seizures and loss of the arms, or legs. Most of these individuals are children or young people. 56 ∫ Pink September 2017

meningococcal disease is expected to result in such strong emotions, especially among parents. Vaccination is the only way to prevent this infection. Normally, when you think of vaccines, you think of babies and children. Why does Pfizer’s Trumenba target adolescents and young adults? And should all adolescents and adults take it? What is the cut-off point, agewise? Yes, many people think that vaccines are mainly for babies and children. This is partly true since vaccines are available to protect against serious

and potentially disabling infections from as early an age as possible. However, we must not forget that older age groups, including adolescents and young adults, are also at a higher risk of getting serious infections such as meningococcal disease. The production of a new vaccine passes through a strictly regulated research process, starting by studying the vaccine in adults; then if found to be safe and effective, it is studied in younger age groups, adolescents and young adults, on to smaller children and, ﬁnally, in babies. Trumenba targets one of the high-risk groups for meningococcal disease, and at the moment, can be given from 10 upwards. Each individual country comes up with its own recommendations on who should routinely take the vaccine. Individuals should always discuss with their doctor before getting their children or themselves vaccinated. Children’s vaccines can have immediate, short-term side effects. Does this? Vaccines can have short-term side effects, which resolve without any consequences. The most common following Trumenba are pain, redness and swelling at the injection site, fatigue, chills, headaches, nausea, diarrhoea and muscle and joint pains. These disappear within seven days and are a result of the vaccine stimulating the body’s defence mechanisms to build protection against meningococcal B disease. What is important to remember is that the vaccine can never cause meningococcal B infection in anyone since it only contains part of the meningococcus B germ, which is still suﬃcient to build protection.

INTHEPINK Is Malta on track with other countries as regards the timing of this introduction, or, as in the case of the MenB Bexsero vaccine, has it been hard to come by locally? When a new vaccine becomes available, there are lots of considerations that every country takes before making recommendations for its routine use. These are based on how frequent the infection the vaccine aims to protect against is, the mortality and after-effects of the infection in survivors, how long the vaccine protects for, the number of jabs needed, who would beneﬁt most from the vaccine, assurance of a continuous supply of the vaccine and the investment involved in introducing the vaccine. Scientiﬁc methods that incorporate such considerations, all of which are relevant and important, are used before a country comes up with recommendations. Trumenba only received approval for use in Europe at the end of May and has just recently become available in Malta. The demand for Bexsero meningococcal B vaccine has been so high that at present the supply is still not enough to meet the needs of all countries in Europe.

Unfortunately, an increasing number of unprofessional people are opposing vaccination and, worst of all, aim to influence others by posting their opinions on the internet, or on social media. These senseless opinions are not based on proper scientific information and perpetrate doubt, fear and anxiety in whoever reads them. All doctors work to promote the well-being of humans and no doctor is going to give any vaccine to hurt anyone. Before a vaccine is recommended to be given to children, it passes through a very long rigorous process of development and testing that takes several years and which is conducted strictly according to standard regulations. Health authorities continuously monitor side effects occurring around the time of vaccination and apply scientific methods to see if such side effects are really a result of vaccination or if they are totally unrelated and occurred by chance. If there are any worries, health authorities would immediately stop the concerned vaccine. At the end of the day, people opposing vaccination do not take care of a child or

“THERE SHOULD BE MEASURES IN PLACE WITHIN SOCIETY TO ASSURE HEALTH EQUITY AMONG ALL CHILDREN IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER PARENTS CAN AFFORD TO BUY VACCINES OR NOT” Would you say that the price of some vaccines is prohibitive and that the cost puts parents off? Unfortunately, vaccines tend to be more expensive than other medicines. This is because research on vaccines takes several years and is costly, and the technology involved in their manufacture is delicate, complex and expensive. Meningococcal B vaccines could not be produced in ways similar to other vaccines protecting against other forms of meningitis since the necessary technology and research was much more challenging and required a novel approach. These vaccines are among the most expensive at the moment, which can discourage parents from buying them. There should be measures in place within society to assure health equity among all children irrespective of whether parents can afford to buy vaccines or not. There’s a large body of people out there who are contrary to vaccines in general. What do you say to them, and in particular as regards this one?

person who gets an infection that could have been prevented through vaccination; they are not there to share the sorrow of distraught, inconsolable parents of a child who dies from such an infection; they are not there to take care, support and walk hand in hand with parents or carers to try and promote independence, empower and integrate a child or adult within society, following a vaccine-preventable infection that caused a lifelong disability. People who are against vaccines bring forward and post on the internet several arguments that are flawed, not supported by proper scientific research and that manipulate people’s emotions. Then when things go wrong, these people are nowhere to be found to shoulder any responsibility. What is even more serious is that parents who are influenced by such false information and decide not to vaccinate their child put not only their own but also the children of other parents attending the same childcare facility or school at serious risk by potentially exposing them to a life-threatening or

disabling infection that could have been totally prevented through vaccination. Parents should seek information on vaccines from qualiﬁed health professionals, who can give them sound advice based on robust scientiﬁc data and who can address any of their concerns and questions empathically and safely. In addition, parents who would like to look up more information on the internet can ask health professionals’ advice on which sites are reliable. Unguided searches on the internet on vaccines are not recommended and may result in irrational decisions, which may be associated with lifelong sorrow and remorse, especially if vaccines protecting against very serious infections, including meningitis and blood poisoning, are precluded. Do you think people are aware of the fact that MenB is responsible for 60 per cent of Meningococcal disease cases in adolescents and young adults in Europe? Or do they think it is rare and remote? From experience, many parents are unaware of the increased risk of meningococcal disease their growing children have, and teenagers themselves many times have no information about the disease. More education is needed to increase awareness of this serious infection and on its prevention, not only for group B, but also for the other groups such as C, W and Y. Although the infection is rare, the risk of getting meningococcal disease and possibly dying or remaining with a disability is an unfortunate reality. Do you think they need lots of convincing to get the vaccine and what would you say to encourage them? Parents usually prioritise getting their adolescents vaccinated against meningococcal disease once they understand the seriousness of the potential implications of leaving their children unprotected. Teenagers are usually not happy to know that they need an injection. My advice is that it is better to tolerate the pain of a needle prick that is over within a few seconds than to be extremely sick in hospital for several days and unable to enjoy the things they like to do most, or risk dying or suffer one of the lifelong consequences of meningococcal disease. Pink September 2017 ∫ 57

PINKSHRINK

THE DOUBLE FACE Human beings are prone to hypocrisy… and Dott. EDWARD CURMI says this is on the rise in our society. Today’s hypocrites can live with double standards and have serious diﬃculty practising what they preach. Find out some interesting facts about them.

very long time ago, in Ancient Greece, people were paid to be hypocrites and everyone loved them. They were stage actors, whose role was clearly to be double-faced and entice audiences. Fast forward to today and the more I look around me, the more I see how hypocrisy is on the rise in our society. And these are definitely not paid actors. Today’s hypocrites are people who can live with double standards; persons who have serious difficulty practising what they preach. Such people believe they have a right to think and act in one way, but refuse others behaving in the same way. Hypocrisy as a phenomenon is somewhat more complicated than we think and can often manifest itself in several ways. Here are some interesting facts about hypocrites: If we want to start trying to understand hypocrisy, we need to start from the basic premise that human beings are not 100 per cent rational and consistent in their thoughts and behaviours. Our judgements are often based on our subjective, rather than objective, point of view. Social psychologist, Gillian Fournier, confirmed this through his theory of ‘self-serving bias’. He states that as human beings, we tend to evaluate our own abilities and performance far higher than they actually are. This leads to an unrealistic bias about our capabilities as we try to convince ourselves about certain morals and values we would like to believe we have, but in actual fact do not possess. This is one clear explanation that helps us understand why human beings are prone to hypocrisy. Similarly, hypocrisy has often been linked with another term in social psychology called ‘cognitive dissonance.’ This is the discomfort we may feel in our brain when our behaviour and

attitudes/beliefs are not consistent with each other. A typical example of cognitive dissonance is when politicians preach one thing and are then caught red-handed doing the complete opposite. For most of us, this sort of person would be considered a typical hypocrite. However, this could also be perceived as a reﬂection of cognitive dissonance, where we get caught up in an internal dilemma on what is right and wrong and try to bridge the gap. Such cognitive dissonance can often lead to a change in behaviour, but this may not always be the case.

but do not necessarily mean it. It’s a win-win strategy for them as it requires little effort and can only improve the chances of getting them votes. Recognising hypocrites is never an easy task as they often have the ability to hide behind their intelligence and wittiness, while turning the tables on others. According to psychoanalytical psychologists, hypocrisy is nothing but a form of projection, which is a defence mechanism especially used in adolescent years. It’s a quick way of protecting ourselves and turning a situation on to the person attacking us. A typical example would be an adolescent who has been caught playing truant. More often than not, he will be very quick to wash his hands off the problem while blaming his friends for coercing him into it. When we talk about defence mechanisms, we have to mention ‘denial’. Hypocrites are talented at denying the fact that they are hypocrites, especially when

“POLITICIANS AROUND THE GLOBE SAY EXACTLY WHAT PEOPLE WANT TO HEAR, BUT DO NOT NECESSARILY MEAN IT. IT’S A WIN-WIN STRATEGY FOR THEM”

In psychology, we use a term ‘principal of least effort’, which means people will, most of the time, go for the option that requires the least effort from them. This principal helps us understand better why people ﬁnd it so much easier to be hypocritical in life. The truth is that, unfortunately, we are living in a world where people crave attention, recognition and popularity. Saying what people just love to hear may not be consistent with our morals, but it can deﬁnitely get the attention, recognition, or popularity we need. According to political psychologist, John Robertson, this attitude is very often adopted by politicians around the globe, who say exactly what people want to hear,

their cover has been blown. First and foremost, their typical reaction is to go on the defence by saying: ‘How dare you say that about me?’ This reaction is often followed by a strong need to prove their point. This could have a positive effect on them as it may lead them to try and bring their moral principles and behaviour in line. As human beings, we dislike being told that we are hypocrites. Ironically, most of us are quick to judge others, but God forbid someone judges us in the same manner. Most of the time, it’s part of our predisposition, or just a strategic attitude that we may use to feel superior to others, even if we lose the moral ground. 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.

Pink September 2017 ∫ 59

PARENTINGTIPS

Photography: Jonathan Borg

Becky Gera, Becky Gingell and Eliza Paolella enjoy more relaxed times now that their kids’ sleeping patterns have improved.

BYE-BYE BEAUTY SLEEP? The expression sleep like a baby couldn’t be further from the truth for these women; they didn’t get a full night’s rest for over a year. This is about the impact of disrupted nights on mothers… until they resorted to a sleep coach, whose personal experience with her own son pushed her to find a solution. When counting sheep doesn’t work, here’s how to cope.

t was her own personal saga that led counsellor and play therapist Becky Gingell to become a sleep coach. For 14 long months, she and her husband never got a single full night of sleep. Their son, now four, used to wake them up regularly throughout the night, needing to be rocked, bounced, or fed. Becky had reached her limits of exhaustion and made a decision that something had to change as it was affecting every aspect of her life. She delved into research before coming into contact with the concept of sleep coaching in the US, and that marked the turning point in her sleepless life. “I first learnt how to coach my son and the change was impressive. With my strong background in counselling and play therapy, I saw it as a natural step to further my studies in this area and get qualified as a sleep coach. Back then, there were no sleep coaches in Malta,” Becky says.

Of course, when children are not good sleepers, this could impact their own health and well-being. But if we were to focus on the mothers for a moment, there are detrimental effects there too, which could develop into other issues as time goes by. In Becky’s case, sleep deprivation affected every area of her life. “I was exhausted all day so my enthusiasm to go to work had diminished immensely. I felt my patience both at work and at home was almost non-existent at that time. “Emotionally, I felt overwhelmed. Even my relationship with my husband was undergoing a lot of stress because we were both exhausted. Many of the clients I have worked with have expressed and shared these same sentiments. I have had so many mothers crying with me because they are unable to cope due to sheer exhaustion.” Pink September 2017 ∫ 61

PARENTINGTIPS

A common feeling many mothers experience in such moments is that of guilt. ‘I should be happy… I have it all and yet I am so unhappy,’ is a common comment. No doubt that post-birth, hormones play a role in the emotional roller coaster that many mothers experience, but a lack of sleep has a large part to play, Becky maintains. So what actually happens to a mother who is up all night, night after night, and does this situation end up being a vicious circle, which just gets out of hand? Becky explains that a baby can pick up the general emotional state of his/her mother. So although in no way is a mother to blame for a baby’s inability to sleep, the more tired and impatient she feels, the more the baby can sense that irritability. This, in turn, results in the child being more anxious and upset and finding it more difficult to fall asleep. But can’t a mother be unintentionally to blame for a child’s inability to sleep, or is this usually beyond her control? “In no way do I intend to make any mother feel guilty. I think we do enough of that, so I will use myself as an example,” Becky says. “Every time my son woke up and cried, I either rocked, bounced, or fed him. Therefore, in order to fall back to sleep, he needed to be bounced, fed, or rocked. “I did this with all the love in the world as mothers do. However, without knowing it, I instilled habits that eventually were the cause of my son’s, my husband’s and my own lack of sleep. 62 ∫ Pink September 2017

“WITHOUT KNOWING IT, I INSTILLED HABITS THAT EVENTUALLY WERE THE CAUSE OF MY SON’S, MY HUSBAND’S AND MY OWN LACK OF SLEEP. IN NO WAY AM I SUGGESTING THAT, AS PARENTS, WE SHOULDN’T ROCK, CUDDLE, OR FEED OUR BABIES. I AM ALL FOR PHYSICAL CONTACT, LOVE, TOUCH AND CARE. IT IS MORE A MATTER OF WHEN, RATHER THAN IF” In no way am I suggesting that, as parents, we shouldn’t rock, cuddle, or feed our babies. I am all for physical contact, love, touch and care. It is more a matter of when, rather than if.” Yes, ‘mistakes’ can be made in the early days and should be avoided. Some mothers shun a form of routine at night, and bad sleepers could possibly be the price they pay at the end of the day… “Babies and toddlers thrive on routine, consistency and predictability,” says Becky. “Therefore, a routine is very important when helping a baby learn how to sleep. However, life is not one fixed timetable, therefore, as mothers, we also learn flexibility within the routine.” Asked to mention the worst experience a client of hers has had to undergo and how this was tackled, Becky feels that no one mother has had it worse than the other.

PARENTINGTIPS “They – and sometimes fathers too – are all very tired from lack of sleep. At the initial stage, my aim is to understand the situation, the family culture and the personality of the parents and child, following which, I create an individualised sleep plan to target their needs and goals.” The things is mothers may often put their needs aside and act like superhumans. Ideally, they would try to compensate for their own lack of sleep at other hours of the day to avoid running on empty and running into other health issues. According to Becky’s ideal world, every mother would have enough support, both emotionally and physically, to avoid breaking point. But this is not necessarily reality! Mothers have to deal with so many different facets of life. Besides having to take care of the children, the house and often go out to work, there is also the mental tiredness, where a woman tends to take on the thinking and planning role, which can also be exhausting. “Obviously, this is a general statement as I come across many husbands who take on an active role within the family. But if this is not the case, together with lack of sleep, it has a negative impact on some women, both on a physical and on an emotional level.” It’s not about distinguishing between mothers of good sleepers and those of children who don’t sleep to bring out and analyse any evident differences. Rather, the comparison she draws is when a mother on very little sleep becomes a mother who is getting a good night’s rest. “I have heard so many mothers tell me they never believed a good night would be possible again. Many of them told me they finally began to feel alive. The fact that they can now do simple things, such as watch a series with their husband, or take their dog for a walk once the baby falls asleep, is very precious to them. So many mothers share the same words after getting back their nights, saying their quality of life is so much better.” Becky does not have the answer to how long a woman can last on consecutive interrupted nights before reaching breaking point, but she believes it depends on the woman’s personality, the support she has the following day and other factors. “I do know mother’s who haven’t slept a full night for years now and are OK with it,” she adds. Technically, bad nights could be balanced out between parents, possibly changing the scenario. But how many men actually play a part at night? As a sleep coach, Becky always encourages both the mother and the father to attend the session, and 90 per cent of the time, they both do. She also gives the father a very important role in the coaching and helps both parents understand the importance of supporting one another throughout the process. “Most often, the father has taken it on and done a fantastic job. So although many people would think that men don’t really get involved, I found that once they have guidelines to follow and are given specific responsibilities, they do really well. In a way, I have also seen that, post-coaching, couples experience a different dimension to their relationship,” she concludes.

A WAKE-UP CALL What were the repercussions on everyday life of these mothers’ sleepless nights? Were they perplexed about why their kids just never got tired and irked by the fact that others’ slept like clockwork for a whole night? At what point did they realise they needed help? Was the solution easy, or did it require lots more suffering? How would they describe their new life now? And what are their personal recommendations to mothers undergoing similar situations to keep their sanity?

Eliza Paolella My daughter Nina was a moderately good sleeper at a young age. She would wake up regularly for feeds and go back to sleep. Then, at six months, I decided to move her into her own room and that is where her sleep patterns changed. I noticed she was waking up for comfort rather than needing a feed. My husband and I were taking turns to put her back to sleep, but it only made nights seem endless and stressful. We were so tired and exhausted, we sometimes gave in and got her into our bed. It was not what we intended to do, but it was the only way we could get some sleep.

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Pink September 2017 ∫ 63

PARENTINGTIPS Back then, I absolutely dreaded night-time. Nina had never ever slept the entire night until she was sleep coached at 10 months. Throughout the day, I was tired, sometimes irritated, and I was ‘forced’ to go to sleep early as I knew I had to wake up at some point to attend to her. There were times I only woke up for 20 to 30 minutes, and sometimes for much, much longer, disrupting my entire night. Day after day, I was waking up exhausted. Even though I wasn’t working at the time, I still needed to be ready to face the day with my daughter, who would be full of energy. I was planning to go back to work and knew that something had to be done. A friend recommended Becky and spoke highly of her methods and how effective the results were. After researching sleep coaching, I decided to give it a go. I am surrounded by friends who have kids who sleep the night [even from an early age] and others who won’t. I knew I would manage to get Nina to sleep the night with some help and guidance, and had to act before it only got more difficult as she grew older. I knew it wasn’t going to be simple, or straightforward. I expected the first week to be tough. My husband and I were on the same page. We had to support each other to get through it. Luckily, it was so much easier than we expected. The first two nights were difficult, but it got easier day after day. I kept telling myself that this was for her own good and for my own sanity. We put a lot of effort into this and we made sure to have her follow a regular routine for a long time, but it helped immensely. Today, Nina follows a regular routine with regards to her naps and bedtime. She also copes well whenever any changes are made [especially in summer]. We both have more energy and are ready to face the day. Her character and behaviour is generally positive and happy due to her sound sleeping patterns. I highly recommend to all parents who need help and support to try sleep coaching. Parents need to be committed and in a positive frame of mind to overcome the obstacles. Knowing there is someone to support you makes everything so much easier.

Becky Gera

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My situation was different from most of what Becky faces with parents who approach her for help as my daughter was a good night sleeper, in that she tended to sleep well through the night, but it was quite a song and dance to get her to sleep and her naps were irregular and short. Consequently, she often became irritable during the day because she was tired, when I knew she was really a very happy little girl. I knew that it was making her miserable and it was stressing me out too, so I wanted advice on how and when to get her to sleep so that it benefitted us both. I was taking the stress out on my husband, and I didn’t want to. Having a baby has been both the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to me, but also the most stressful. If there was something I could try to alleviate some of that stress, I was all for it, so I contacted Becky. I would see friends just put their kids down and leave the room, leaving them to sleep by themselves, and I wanted that. I had also heard of mothers getting lots done while their children napped, but it was an alien concept to me because Kate

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64 ∫ Pink September 2017

“SOMETIMES, IT WOULD TAKE SO LONG TO GET HER TO SLEEP FOR THE EVENING THAT I WOULD ACCIDENTALLY FALL ASLEEP WITH HER AND THEN HAVE TO GET UP TO CLEAN THE KITCHEN, PREPARE HER BOTTLES AND BAG, DO THE LAUNDRY AND ALL THE REST OF THE HOUSEHOLD CHORES, WHICH WAS TOUGH BECAUSE I WAS STILL HALF ASLEEP” took 20-minute power naps at different times of the day, not two-hour sleeps like my friends’ babies. The whining and the moaning when she was tired made days with her seem never-ending, which sounds awful! I wanted to have more structure and predictability for both of us, which I suspected would improve our days. Sometimes, it would take so long to get her to sleep for the evening that I would accidentally fall asleep with her and then have to get up to clean the kitchen, prepare her bottles and bag, do the laundry and all the rest of the household chores, which was tough because I was still half asleep. It just wasn’t working and I was dreading bed and nap time. Of course, nothing worthwhile comes without some hard work. It took commitment and strength to improve the situation, but Becky supported me every step of the way, and it was worth it. Today, I feel like I know what Kate needs in terms of sleep more than I did before, and it’s given me a greater sense of control. Kate’s happier and so am I. As mothers, we need to accept the support we are offered in order to minimise the stressors that come with the role and optimise our relationships with our children and the people we love. I see no point in procrastinating when there is something we can try.

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GIRLTALK THE VIRGINIA MONOLOGUES

WALKING THE TALK B

efore you actually own a dog, there’s usually a period where you think about getting one. You picture it in your mind: what it would be like to have a dog. Most people romanticise the idea and never stop to think about the gruelling stuff – the potty training, the early morning wake-up call, cleaning up sick, the inability to just catch the next plane out of the country without having a serious back-up plan. For me, the attraction was always quite simply being able to walk my dog whenever I felt like it and even when I didn’t. Although fundamentally lazy, I happen to like walking, so I imagined that having a dog would ﬁt in nicely with my exercise regime and possibly get me out of the house more. And being essentially a homebody of course also meant that I’d even have company when I was lounging about at home. Of course, things never quite work out the way we want them to and reality is always different from the picture in our head. I have now learned that walking a dog – at least my dog – is mostly about not walking. It’s a lot of stopping: 66 ∫ Pink September 2017

stopping to pee, stopping to smell the pee and the pavements, or another dog’s bottom. Dogs are interested in everything, every single step of the way. It’s frustrating, more so, when your dog discovers the sea and the beach, and after that, ﬂatly refuses to walk on the promenade ever again. This is made even more frustrating by the fact that dogs are not really allowed on beaches unless they’re on a leash, which, again, is impossible. Because as soon as my dog sees the sea, he ﬂies, and leaves me choking in his dust. It’s not humanly possible to hang onto him and not break any of my bones in the process.

and an hour later, it was time to go home. Now, you must know that my dog has me wrapped around his not-solittle paw and he is the boss. And he’s a very big dog, who weighs a little

“MY DAY REVOLVES AROUND HIM AND A LOT OF TIME GOES INTO TRYING TO MAKE HIS DAY A LITTLE MORE EXCITING THAN THE ONE BEFORE. HE HAS PLAY DATES AND SWIMMING PARTIES, AND WHEN IT’S UNBEARABLY HOT, I EVEN FILL UP A PADDLING POOL FOR HIM TO COOL OFF IN” A couple of months ago, I was on one of these non-walks, desperately trying to stop my dog from going in the direction of the beach. We live across from the sea, so it’s rather painful. We had already gone swimming twice that day,

less than I do. The truth is that it’s he who walks me, although I’ve heard it said so many times that I’m a little tired of that cliché. Bottom line: I am a walkover and certainly not a cruel master. My day revolves around him and a lot of

GIRLTALK

won’t let you buckle her up, you’re desperately trying to walk, but he won’t move. And besides, it’s 40°C in the shade, you’ve got a splitting headache and your hair is growing roots. So, you tug and you pull [because that, after all, is what the dog trainer has told you to do], and suddenly, out of nowhere, the ‘concerned citizen’ appears. She’s foreign. You decide that she’s probably Spanish. She tells you that she too has a dog. You smile at her, because you think she is there to offer support and that she has come in good faith and that she is going to get your dog to move.

animal cruelty is a sport, is telling you what you should and should not do to the dog you love more than anyone in the world, bar your son. At times like these, I am always lost for words. I hover between wanting to send the person in front of me to hell, to being so angry that I am stunned into silence. I did something that I usually berate people for doing and something I’d never do to anyone who arrived here in a boat. I told her to go back to her country. I did. And I have no regrets. Her tone was so arrogant, patronising and rude, so very condescending that I

“AND THIS ‘CONCERNED CITIZEN OF SPAIN’, THE COUNTRY WHERE ANIMAL CRUELTY IS A SPORT, IS TELLING YOU WHAT YOU SHOULD AND SHOULD NOT DO TO THE DOG YOU LOVE MORE THAN ANYONE IN THE WORLD, BAR YOUR SON”

time goes into trying to make his day a little more exciting than the one before. He has play dates and swimming parties, and when it’s unbearably hot, I even ﬁll up a paddling pool for him to cool off in. He’s hardly ever left alone because I am always rushing back from wherever I am to be with him, and if I can’t be there, I ﬁnd someone who can. In short, he’s spoiled rotten, and no, I’m don’t complain… most of the time. Still, sometimes, it can be annoying. Like when you’ve spent the day pandering to his every wish and you just want to get home, but you bloody well can’t because he’s dug his paws into the ground and won’t budge. Because like that toddler who refuses to walk, or who

You start a chat, and a few seconds into the conversation, she tells you that she has seen the way you are pulling your dog, so you stupidly imagine she is sympathising and is about to offer her own consolation story… until you realise she is actually reproaching you and giving you a speech. She tells you that what she saw is no way to treat a dog and that if she ever sees you do that again, she’ll report you for animal cruelty. You, who feeds your dog fresh meat and bottled water and even adds ice cubes to his water bowl; you who is now memorising her face to be able to mow her down if you do ever see her again, can hardly believe what you are hearing. And what is worse, of course, is that you’re standing in the street where you grew up. Right there, on the same pavement where you waited for the school bus, and later on, for boyfriends. And this ‘concerned citizen of Spain’, the country where

derived great pleasure in being a bigot. Still, the point here is not my Mexit moment. The point is that people should not be so quick to rush to judgement over a ﬁve-second or even ﬁve-minute snapshot. And contrary to what people may think, butting your nose into someone’s affairs and getting the wrong end of the stick can be very counterproductive. Unless you have black-on-white proof, or have studied something and established a pattern [a dog left on a roof for days on end, never mind months], you can’t just walk up to someone you have never seen or met and level serious accusations at them. And no, prevention is not always better than cure. It’s highly irritating and it’s because of silly reports like this that serious ones are not heeded. ginantonic@live.com

Pink September 2017 ∫ 67

PINKPROMO

MONKEY BUSINESS Look out! There’s a Cheeky Monkey in town! This gastropub franchise is growing strong and coming to a city near you.

n inﬂux of new, revolutionary gastropubs in Europe, have changed the idea of ‘pub grub.’ These venues are usually brimming with style and substance. One pub that benchmarked this idea was Qawra’s Cheeky Monkey Gastropub. It transformed the idea of pub grub entirely, by offering a new standard of fresh ingredients and a modern drinks menu. Since 2015, Cheeky Monkey Gastropub in Qawra has established itself as one of Malta’s most popular venues for a selection of top-quality

68 ∫ Pink September 2017

high-end beer, cocktails, delicious food and entertainment. This concept has proven to be an incredible success, with many locals and tourists ﬂocking to this eatery. Thanks to the success it received in Qawra, AX Hotels wanted to ﬁnd the perfect location to open the second outlet and start building a franchise. With Valletta named the European Capital for Culture 2018, it was without a doubt the right choice for the next location. Claire Zammit Xuereb, Group Hospitality Director for AX Hotels, and Joseph Vella, General Manager of

AX Hotels Qawra, are the creators of the Cheeky Monkey brand. Ms Zammit Xuereb recalls it was launched because the company wanted to develop a property to complement and add value to another investment owned by AX Holdings, the Seashells Resort at Suncrest in Qawra. The idea behind this was to create something that would add value to the four-star hotel, which had just gone

PINKPROMO Holdings bought one of its latest properties in Valletta to develop it into a boutique hotel, The Saint John. “I wanted a trendy concept that could add even more value to the style I had in mind for this property. Something semi-industrial and hip, but classy in its own way; something very unique for Valletta. Cheeky Monkey became the obvious choice,” Ms Zammit Xuereb adds. As another founder of the Cheeky Monkey brand, Mr Vella has seen this concept ﬂourishing and has no doubt

through an extensive renovation programme earlier in 2015. They wanted to offer something quite unique in Qawra and the Cheeky Monkey concept was in conjunction with their mission to upgrade the area altogether. The new Cheeky Monkey Gastropub in Merchants Street offers another perfect environment in Valletta, ideal for socialising and after-work gettogethers. It’s an exclusive venue, where fun is not just an option and good food is obligatory. Ms Zammit Xuereb explains that “the whole concept is about having fun. A beer or a good malt in a relaxed and cool environment that is different enough to have more of ”. Cheeky Monkey in Valletta is delivering the same idea, with affordable prices on food and drinks and outstanding service by a fun, welcoming staff. Since the start of this concept in Qawra, the idea was to give this place a lot of soul, a unique character, hence the name Cheeky Monkey. “We wanted to give it some animation; something very alive, to complement all the ideas we had in

store for it. It allowed us to be playful enough to have swings as chairs, ‘grab my nuts’ signs on walls for people to simply feel free and comfortable to crack a nut and eat it, no matter the mess they make, as well as other provocative words and phrases across the place,” says Ms Zammit Xuereb. “Our intention was never to franchise, but as we created Cheeky Monkey in Qawra, we kept building on the potential of the brand and, without realising, we gave birth to a solid concept that could easily be franchised. We took it very seriously to the point of selling our own merchandise. It was very well received by all our visitors and this kept us very excited. The more we built on it, the more the business grew.” The decision to extend this idea to the capital city was taken when AX

that Qawra’s success story will be replicated in the new Cheeky Monkey establishment in Valletta. “The trendy and friendly staff, together with cocktails full of ﬂavour and mouth-watering dishes, will make every visit great,” Mr Vella says. There is no doubt that this new outlet in Valletta is gearing up to be one of the best choices to dine out – for a delicious burger, or some craft beer, to connect with family and friends and catch up with live sports on TV. “As a ﬁrst-timer, I suggest you try our burgers and fresh lemonades. Oh, and try our rum in Valletta – fermented with pineapple. Great for your Pina Coladas,” Ms Zammit Xuereb recommends. Cheeky Monkey Gastropub has a daily Happy Hour from 4-7pm with two-for-one cocktails.

Pink September 2017 ∫ 69

TABLETALK

INGREDIENTS Serves 4-6 For the base 150g raw almonds, left to soak for two hours and drained 6 dates, left to soak for two hours, drained and pitted 1 tbsp coconut oil For the topping 200g raw cashews, left to soak for two hours and drained 1 ripe mango, peeled and chopped into small pieces 1 tbsp grated orange zest 1 tbsp lemon juice 2 tbsp agave syrup, maple syrup, or honey A pinch of freshly ground salt 2 tbsp coconut cream

70 ∫ Pink September 2017

A nutjob MARIA CACHIA prepares a fruity, nutty, healthy, no-cooking-required dessert. It may look like a cheesecake, but there’s nothing cheesy in this cake. METHOD For the base Place the almonds, the dates and coconut oil in a blender and process until the mixture comes together. This should take 10 to 15 seconds. Place the mixture onto an 8” ﬂan tin, with removable sides, and even it out with the help of a spatula. Gently press it so that the base has an even surface. Place the tin in the freezer.

For the topping In a blender, process the cashews, mango, orange zest and lemon juice. Add the preferred sweetener, salt and coconut cream. Place the topping carefully onto the tin. Level the surface out. Place in the freezer for a few hours. Thaw for about 30 minutes before serving.

PINKPROMO

Photography: Jonathan Borg

SIZE MATTERS Fashion blogger and stylist CAROLINE PARIS recently spent a Saturday with a difference, test driving the Range Rover Velar from Muscats Motors Ltd. Apart from the luxury and technology of this car, she was impressed by the apparent respect from other drivers, who seemed to be bowing out of her way.

“THE LAND ROVER COMMAND DRIVING POSITION IS NO MYTH, AND THAT ALONE IS A GOOD ENOUGH REASON TO OWN THE VELAR”

his was my first time driving a Range Rover, or any kind of SUV for that matter, and when I took the first look at the car, my instinct was to run a mile. This is quite a large vehicle and I have always driven smallish ones. In fact, I was actually even too scared to drive it out of the showroom by myself and ended up asking for someone to come with me. But the minute I entered the car, a few things caught my attention. It is effortlessly beautiful – really, really beautiful. There’s an overwhelming sense of luxury, with gorgeous soft leather everywhere. I also love how the door handles disappear at the touch of a button and everything feels so plush. I got behind the wheel eventually, of course, and the first thing I noticed

after I started the car was that it is automatic. Not having a clutch took a few moments to get used to, but it’s rather convenient. The nice thing is that the Range Rover still allows you to control gear changes through shift pedals on the steering wheel. I believe that the interior of a vehicle is the most important feature. After all, the driver sits inside the car. A few screens are ﬁtted around it, allowing you to control different features, including to enable massage seats, play music, navigate and lots more. I also loved the sunroof, which can be covered at the touch of a button should you wish to. There’s also voice recognition, allowing you to control everything through your voice.

I really enjoyed driving this car, and I got used to the size pretty quickly. The ride is smooth and clean, and the vehicle is equipped with electronic air suspension, which makes the drive feel really comfortable. But the best part is that other drivers really seemed to respect me more. It was almost as though they were moving out of the way and allowing me to take priority. The Land Rover command driving position is no myth, and that alone is a good enough reason to own the Velar. Parking is also a lot easier than I’d have thought, facilitated by the park assist option, which makes life super simple. Sensors are located around the vehicle and automatically triggered when reverse is selected, while a clear graphic appears on the touchscreen, showing an overhead view. Safety is an important feature too, and dynamic stability control, an antilock braking system, emergency brake assist, traction control, airbags and lots more features ensure that all passengers are as secure as possible. Pink September 2017 ∫ 73

Optika Opticians this fall recommendsâ&#x20AC;Ś

Available from Optika Opticians For further details, call on 21335463

Photography: Chris Sant Fournier

WOMENONWHEELS

NO MORE DRIVING UP THE WALL Pink’s brand manager Veronica Grech Sant takes the edge off endless hours of driving her kids around when she discovers the comfort of a Ford Kuga. The burden of being a ‘taxi service’ is somewhat toned down by this hi-tech family-friendly SUV.

wish I knew exactly how much time, as a mother, I spend driving around. Actually, on second thoughts, I’d rather not ﬁgure this out at all, but like most mums, the car I drive is almost as important as the bed I sleep on. Simply put, the new Ford Kuga SUV from GasanZammit Motors Ltd changes driving from a headache to a pleasure. Its many intelligent features are enough to make anyone select this car, and from my test drive, I would recommend it to any mother/taxi service, who is transporting bulky shopping, scooters, bikes, animals etc… to boot. Let’s face it, you name it, it has to ﬁt in the car!

A well-known and reliable brand, the Ford Kuga has an adaptive cruise control technology that adjusts to the driver’s chosen speed. Whether the road is clear ahead, or you’re stuck in traﬃc, sensors help regulate the speed. This clever feature is important nowadays. This car also is into saving our environment. The Auto Start-Stop feature is a must when driving through short roads, or traﬃc. When stationary, it switches off and automatically goes back on without turning any keys, but simply by depressing the clutch. But my all-time favourite feature, which is optional and available at an additional cost, is the hands-free tailgate

for effortless opening and closing. If you happen to walk towards the car with baggage and both hands are taken up, all you need to do is wave your foot under the rear bumper and the tailgate will automatically open up. The Ford Kuga is a model that caters for many tastes. It comes in a variety of colours, and choosing one would be difficult, plus it is also available both in automatic and with manual-changing gears. In a nutshell, the drive is smooth, inside is spacious and its figure is pretty. Moreover, and probably most importantly, being an SUV, the Kuga makes any woman feel safe on the road. Sitting in traffic while driving this car has never seen me so high – in more ways than one. Is it a car I would opt for? I would, hands down! Pink September 2017 ∫ 77

STARGAZER

THE FUTURE IS

PINK ARIES MARCH 20-APRIL 18 Dramatic as both the events and feelings roused by the Aries Full Moon on October 5 may be, resist turning them into anything long term. These are kick-starting a process of questioning long-standing arrangements and exploring the many thrilling developments that unfold during October. While, initially, this will be frustratingly slow, gradually, you’ll beneﬁt from exciting offers, mostly from others. While this means leaving decisions to them, they’re better informed or more powerful than you, so worth relying on.

CANCER JUNE 21-JULY 21 Since late 2016, despite your efforts and promising discussions, situations in your domestic or working life have achieved frustratingly little. Now, ﬁnally, the Full Moon on October 5 triggers conversations that lead to changes or, possibly, sudden developments. Thrilling as these are, regard any plans as tentative. Soon new ideas or offers begin appearing on a regular basis. What’s more, because most are unexpectedly thrilling, you’ll enjoy the process of exploring your options. Don’t rush. Plans will be settled, but probably in November.

LIBRA SEPTEMBER 22-OCTOBER 22 Planning ahead may be a virtue. During October, however, virtual daily events – most welcome – will reshape your circumstances and those of others and, in turn, your plans. Equally, unexpected offers could result in surprising opportunities. Explore everything and discuss any ideas or offers that intrigue you, but commit to nothing until the Libra New Moon on October 19, with its valuable fresh perspective. After that, you’ll know what, and who, to put ﬁrst. Be bold. You’re beginning a new chapter of your life.

CAPRICORN DECEMBER 21-JANUARY 18 Nobody is better at organising and undertaking even complicated changes. Ideally, however, you need time to plan them. During October, the actual circumstances you’re dealing with will shift often and suddenly. Unsettling as this is, you’ll soon realise that with so much in transition, your major task is to learn as much as possible about your options rather than make lasting decisions. This is so liberating you begin to explore new activities, some of which, ultimately, may become part of your life. 78 ∫ Pink September 2017

According to astrologer SHELLEY VON STRUNCKEL… TAURUS

GEMINI

APRIL 19-MAY 19 Once you understand that October is about growth, the changes taking place will make sense. These are reshaping the world around you and lives of others, but they’re also inﬂuencing elements of your existing and future arrangements. Perhaps your biggest challenge is recognising this isn’t about a single day, week, or event, which means being patient. For now, look and learn, and by the pivotal Taurus Full Moon on November 4, you’ll know enough to begin the process of rethinking plans and alliances.

LEO

MAY 20-JUNE 20 After months of being intrigued by what you’ve learnt and who you’ve met, you’ve lots of options but lack clarity. Keep asking questions and, during October’s second half, you’ll develop a clearer understanding of both circumstances and your priorities. While nothing is actually settled, and won’t be until later this year, welcome developments involving practical matters help clear your mind. This encourages you to explore unfamiliar territory in relationships and turns life into an appealing adventure.

VIRGO

JULY 22-AUGUST 21 While the ﬁre sign side of your nature adores a little drama, you’re also cautious, especially in situations involving your domestic life, close relationships, or work. Yet events during October lead, inevitably, to changes. Explore these. Despite the current swift pace, you’ve time to investigate, ask questions and explore your options. This broadens your horizons. What you learn makes you comfortable, even about changes you currently ﬁnd worrying. Most of all, recognise these aren’t permanent, but about timely, if often unanticipated, growth.

SCORPIO

AUGUST 22-SEPTEMBER 21 Obviously, dealing with those who change their thinking about plans and even alter seemingly solid decisions regularly is aggravating. It’s not their fault. Circumstances are shifting, as are yours. Although making halfway plans seems a compromise, it’s the best way to explore the options triggered by ongoing changes. While some are intriguing and others promising, none has the kind of solid information that you, as a Virgo, prefer. Bizarrely, this gives you the freedom to take chances in a way you rarely allow yourself.

SAGITTARIUS

OCTOBER 23-NOVEMBER 21 Once you understand things are unlikely to come together until the Scorpio New Moon on November 18, you’ll stop struggling to impose order on plans now and will, instead, consider both what needs to change or end. While you may be tempted to ﬁnd ways to keep some going, the ideas you discover and people you meet make you realise this requires more effort than it’s worth. Saying farewell won’t be easy, but makes you feel more optimistic than for ages.

AQUARIUS

NOVEMBER 22-DECEMBER 20 During the past year, your ruler Jupiter has accented a wide range of relationships. As much as you enjoy the ideas and company of others, accommodating them and their needs, and often organising your plans around theirs has been irritating, if not unfair. So, when, on October 10, Jupiter shifts to a new position, you’ll be relieved. The timing is good too, because changes around you mean rethinking numerous arrangements. Take it slowly. What you learn and who you meet could transform your life.

PISCES

JANUARY 19-FEBRUARY 17 Meeting interesting people and exploring new ideas is terriﬁc, but, eventually, these need to be turned into lasting arrangements. During the past year or so, this hasn’t been easy. Consequently, you’ll be relieved when, ﬁnally, events arise that bring promise of something as enduring as it is worthwhile. Tempting as it is to commit swiftly, with circumstances still unfolding, you’re urged to wait, watch and learn. What you regarded as ideal, now and for the future, could change as much as the actual situations you’re exploring.

FEBRUARY 18-MARCH 19 The recent planetary emphasis on practical and ﬁnancial matters, especially those that involve others, won’t have been exciting. Looking back, however, you achieved and learnt more than you anticipated. This knowledge will come in handy, because new plans or projects involve organising commitments as exciting as they’d be demanding. Others may be in a hurry. But you owe it to yourself to ask serious questions. Carefully weigh up what you’ll get, for what you invest, in terms of time, money and, possibly, heart.

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

SNAPSHOT

Photography Matthew Mirabelli

A creature of the sea The sea is a key element in artist Alexia Coppini’s life. It has always been her ‘home’, and just like the feeling of home, it inspires her and fills her with peace and joy, comfort, solace and energy. Apart from her seascapes, it has also given birth to her endearing, charming and magical mermaid character, Estella, a fresh and attractive watercolour creation, who has made it onto a variety of paper merchandise and has become an integral part of her journey.

ou’re renowned for your seascapes, and while Estella, a mermaid, is connected to the ocean, she is worlds apart from your ‘trademark’ art form. When and where did she surface from? I’ve been painting for as long as I can remember. Initially, my preferred medium was watercolour and my preferred subjects were portraits and ﬂorals. In 2012, a positive change in my life took me to a beautiful island that inspired me to go back to what I used to love to paint many years ago. Estella was created in the Caribbean hence the connection to the ocean. I have always lived by the sea. The Mediterranean Sea as well as the Atlantic Ocean are key elements in my life today. The seas

have been my ‘home’ all my life, and just like the feeling of home, they give me inspiration, peace and joy, comfort, solace, tranquillity as well as great energy. Estella has now become a big part of this journey. What side of you does she portray, as opposed to who you are when you are inspired to paint angry seas in all their menacing motion? Estella is a very beautiful, gentle, loving, happy creature of the sea. She represents all that girls aspire to be. My subconscious has taken me to this wonderful place, where her sea creature friends go on adventures to beautiful places, under the sea and above the water. Estella is constantly surrounded by happiness, bright

colours and love. This, in essence, is how I feel when I paint her, or create a new pictorial adventure for all to enjoy and relate to. Little girls love mermaids. Does Estella bring out the little girl in you? And did you create her out of this typical girlie fascination? Ever since Estella has been introduced to the world, I have come to realise how loved mermaids are. This has encouraged me to keep creating happy, loving, positive, colourful scenarios we would all love to live in. Estella almost looks like you. Is there anything ‘autobiographical’ about her? I have been told time and time again that Estella resembles me, Pink September 2017 ∫ 79

SNAPSHOT

or that I resemble her. What a compliment! Creativity comes from the soul. Harmony is a very important part of my life. I believe that when Estella makes new friends and fans around the world, she spreads the image of love and joy, which are such key elements in people’s lives. This is what I hope to achieve through my beloved Estella; spread joy and happiness to all those who cross her path. Today, Estella is a character found on stationery – from notepads to colouring books and bookmarks – sold in the US. Did you ever, in your wildest dreams, envisage this, or did you always set out to achieve it? How did it happen? When I ﬁrst created Estella, I was very reluctant to share my magical mermaid with the world. Having said that, I have been teaching art to children for 20 years, and when I felt more comfortable with my creation, I simply couldn’t wait to 80 ∫ Pink September 2017

“ENCOURAGING CHILDREN TO EXPRESS THESE EMOTIONS THROUGH ART AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE INSTILS A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF CONFIDENCE, DISCIPLINE AND COLOUR TO THEIR MINDS AS WELL AS IN THEIR WORKS, MAKING THEIR JOURNEY TO ADULTHOOD MORE POSITIVE IN EVERY ASPECT OF THEIR LIVES” introduce Estella to my little artists. They instantly fell in love with her and are now keen collectors of all things Estella. One thing led to another and Estella is now gracing homes all over the world. It was not an easy step to let go of her, however, it gives me great satisfaction to see that she is giving so many little girls and their mothers so much happiness! What else have you done to grow the character/brand locally? And would there be a lot more to do to increase her popularity? Paper merchandise such as limited-edition signed prints, greeting cards, colouring books, colouring posters, colouring

postcards, notebooks etc… have always been available at my studio. When a new colouring book is created, we hold ‘Estella Specials’ to introduce her new adventures. These sessions are very popular with young girls. They are also encouraged to create their own Estella story. This awakens their creativity and adventuresome spirit, which is such a key element in a child’s life. Encouraging children to express these emotions through art at such a young age instils a certain amount of conﬁdence, discipline and colour to their minds as well as in their works, making their journey to adulthood more positive in every aspect of their lives.

SNAPSHOT

And would you consider extending her presence onto, for example, bedding and other accessories for kids’ rooms, or is this business aspect too far removed from your artistic side and not your scene? Estella merchandise was introduced via her website in May 2017. New merchandise is added to the collection periodically. Luckily, this is done by a management company so that my time is dedicated to painting and creating Estella in all her glory.

Meanwhile, you recently opened the art exhibition, The FOUR Walls, the first to be held at Alexia Coppini Fine Art Gallery in Sliema. What are the principal technical differences between these two art forms and do you shift from one to other depending on very specific moods? The FOUR Walls is my 18th solo exhibition. I have been exhibiting oil seascapes since 2008. During this time, I have exhibited works in Malta, London, Sardinia and the Caribbean,

“PAINTING ESTELLA IS AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT STORY. THE FACT THAT I CAN SIT AND RELAX WHILE CREATING A WATERCOLOUR IS A LESS DAUNTING TASK. THEN AGAIN, THE PROCESS OF AN ESTELLA CREATION IS MUCH SLOWER THAN THAT OF AN OIL PAINTING. PRECISION IS KEY AND CONCENTRATION A MUST” How about turning her into a book? What is her story, and what additional details/drawings do you like to include to recount it? I am currently working on illustrations for the launch of Estella’s very ﬁrst two books: Estella the Mermaid and Estella in the Sun Garden. They are enchanting stories, including magical keys opening magical gates, where Estella is surrounded by her beloved sea creature friends. Estella in the Sun Garden depicts and tells the story of different friends, who welcome her into their kingdom, their whimsical garden full of hidden treasures and exciting trails. 82 ∫ Pink September 2017

and my paintings grace the homes of people all over the world. Due to the fact that the sea is such a big part of my life, marine art was the path I chose to follow. Oil paintings require so much energy, hours upon hours of time standing at my easel. They have often pushed me to my absolute limit, so that when fatigue takes over my body, creativity takes over my mind. Determination, discipline, solitude and silence are very important elements during the creation of an oil painting. Painting Estella is an entirely different story. The fact that I can sit and relax while creating a watercolour is a less daunting task. Then again, the process

of an Estella creation is much slower than that of an oil painting. Precision is key and concentration a must. Studio surroundings play an important role in my creativity. Harmony, tranquillity and positive energy must be present. Does their inspiration come from the same source, and at what stage do they part company? There is not one moment in my day that I don’t feel inspired to create. Art, teaching, exhibiting and all that comes with it are a very big part of my life, my day, my world. Family, photography and travel follow closely. Family supports me greatly, travel inspires me greatly and photography is the tool that records incidents, places and people I intend to include in my works. People and places that cross my path are key elements in my creations. Beyond Estella and your other paintings, what other treasures can we expect Alexia Coppini’s deep oceans to spout? Or are you happy to stop here and build on these? ‘Without life there is no art, without art there is not life’ – author unknown. This just about sums it all up. I am on a constant journey to create; inspiration is sometimes haunting, but a huge necessity in my life… And ﬁnally, in the words of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow [1807-1882]: ‘My soul is full of longing for the secret of the sea, and the heart of the great ocean sends a thrilling pulse through me.’