www.womanthismonth.com BEAUTY | FASHION | HOME | WELLBEING | PARENTING | LOCAL ISSUES Bahrain Edition - NIHR boss Maria Khoury - Inspirational businesswoman Ibada Ahmed - Charity champion Alana McConalogue PEOPLE Christmas Gift Guide TRAVEL WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE BEAUTY • Get the Best Hairstyle for your Face Shape • Perfect Pouts Guaranteed December 2017 | Issue 177 | BD1 / SR10 50+ perfect pressie ideas Light Up Your Life Keeping it Cosy FASHION
December 2017 www.womanthismonth.com 2 For subscriptions visit www.womanthismonth.com Advertising rates are available upon request. Please e-mail [email protected]. The publication of any advertisement in woman this month is not necessarily an endorsement of the advertiser or of the products or services advertised. Although every effort is made to ensure factual information, woman this month cannot be held responsible for errors in contributors’ material, nor do the opinions expressed by individual writers necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Editorial Submission of articles is welcome. Send queries, letters and articles to the editor at [email protected]. The publisher reserves the right to edit, reject or comment editorially on all material contributed. 6 Over to You 8 Hot Shots: Things that have piqued the editor’s interest this month 10-11 The Month in Focus FASHION 14 Pick of the month: Making Eyes at You 16 Trend: Cosy Wear 18 Focus: Walk in Style 20 Get the Look: Holiday Dress 23 Mood Board: Geometric Craze 24 Designer Focus: Sabine Mueller 26 Backstage Pass: News from the world of fashion 28 Essentials: 10 Thing to Try PEOPLE 29 Maria Khoury: Tackling a Tricky Issue 30 Ibada Ahmed: Africa's Golden Girl 31 Alana McConalogue Boxing Clever FEATURE 35-45 Christmas Gift Guide: Perfect presents for loved ones, friends, neighbours, kids and Secret Santas BEAUTY 46 Styling: Asgar Saboo 48 Tips: Perfect Pout 50 News: Latest products and happenings LIFESTYLE 54 Wellbeing: New and Improved Treatments 56 Food: Review 58 Food: Chefs' Special 60 Homes: When Less is More 63 Travel: Where the Wild Things Are 67 Travel: The Call of The Mountains 70 Opinion: Ouiam Charkani El Hassani 71 Horoscope: Stop the Rush 72 In Her Shoes: Oofrish Contractor DECEMBER 36 25 65 23 48
‘TIS THE SEASON TO CELEBRATE YOUR CHRISTMAS STORY We have the heartwarming spirit of Christmas all wrapped up. From festive tables to the tree, explore our many dining adventures and crafted holiday treats that reflect the celebratory joy of the season. Our younger guests will adore our entertaining activities. Gift your loved ones a magical Christmas experience that will be appreciated long after the celebration is over. Reserve your festive experience (973) 1711 5000 fourseasons.com/bahrain
www.womanthismonth.com December 2017 4 I love this time of year; the weather's finally cooling down and National Day and Christmas are just around the corner with loads of events and parties to go to. We've expanded our Month in Focus section specially to make sure you have all the details. And, of course, all these festivities require looks to take you from office to dance floor and beyond. Check out our packed fashion pages for inspiration on dressing for the party season. If you want a special something that will really help you light up the night, don't miss this month's designer focus on Bahrain resident Sabine Mueller whose illuminated fashions will add the wow to your winter wardrobe. Fittingly for the close of the year, our interview section includes some strong women whose life paths can offer inspiration as we head towards 2018. Maria Khoury is the first female boss at the country's National Institution for Human Rights and is determined to push for more collaborative working in the future. Ibada Ahmed shares a message of hard work and strong self belief, two attributes that helped her become Kenya's youngest ever bank manager. And Alana McConalogue is aiming to make Christmas special for some of the Kingdom's poorest residents with a Shoe Box Appeal, for which I'll be doing my bit. Another reason I love December is that it's time to put together our annual Gift Guide and I always have a great time trawling through the fashion shoots and product lists that come through to make sure we can give you some great ideas - I shall be leaving these pages tantalisingly displayed in the hope that my loved ones will take the Carolina Herrera-shaped hint! I've also particularly enjoyed putting together the travel pages - any excuse to look at pictures of bears, wolverine and whales. I think I know where I'm going for my next holiday. As always we've got our regular round-ups of fashion and beauty news. There are lots of tips to help you through the festive season plus innovations on the medical scene and foodie goodies to please the most discerning palate. I hope you enjoy this month's issue and wish you a wonderful Christmas from all at Woman This Month. chairman & publisher GEORGE F MIDDLETON editorial director LIZ O'REILLY contributors APPLE SHARMA BEHNAZ SANJANA FERNANDA LANGHAMMER RAPHAEL ANASTASIA AGEEVA OUIAM CHARKANI EL HASSANI head of digital operations NEIL F VAZ print production manager SABU SEBASTIAN layout & graphics ROMEO SAN MIGUEL JAYATH TEKI media coordinator SARAH ANSARI media managers FARHEEN AHMED circulation and research and photographic editor ROANNA FERNANDES photographers RANJITH MOHAN SUBEESH KUMAR NS printing press DAR AKHBAR AL KHALEEJ W.L.L., BAHRAIN Contents copyrighted 2017© Reproduction in whole or in part by any means without the express written consent of the publisher is prohibited. ISBN No: 1 899348 11 5. Licensed by the Ministry of Information, Directorate of Publication and Press. Code: SWTM 410 Woman This Month is here for the modern woman of substance and aspiration, embodying a personal style while exploring the best of all worlds: fashion, beauty and lifestyle. Bahrain office address Red House Marketing P. O. Box: 20461, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain telephone: (17) 813-777 fax: (17) 813-700 email: [email protected] website: www.womanthismonth.com Published monthly by Red House Marketing (Jersey) Ltd. P. O. Box 641, No. 1 Seaton Place, St. Helier, Jersey JE4 8JJ Channel Islands, U.K. in association with Al-Hilal Publishing P. O. Box 1100, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain December 2017, Issue 178 On the cover: M&Co www.womanthismonth.com BEAUTY | FASHION | HOME | WELLBEING | PARENTING | LOCAL ISSUES Bahrain Edition - NIHR boss Maria Khoury - Inspirational businesswoman Ibada Ahmed - Charity champion Alana McConalogue PEOPLE Christmas Gift Guide TRAVEL WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE BEAUTY • Get the Best Hair Style for your Face Shape • Perfect Pouts Guaranteed December 2017 | Issue 177 | BD1 / SR10 50+ perfect pressie ideas Light Up Your Life Keeping it Cosy FASHION EDITOR’S NOTE Woman This Month is a member of BPA Worldwide The only women's magazine distributed with the GDN Liz O’Reilly Editorial Director Our month: Farheen and Apple have been out and about touring the new shopping mall, The Avenues, and checking out the relaunched Audemars Piguet boutique.
December 2017 www.womanthismonth.com news 6 Rent your Fashion Ann Taylor, the women’s clothes retailer recently launched a fashion rental service called Infinite Style. For a USD95 monthly fee, you can rent Ann Taylor clothes, up to three at a time. Women can keep the items as long as they want, and, as soon as one batch of clothing is returned, Ann Taylor ships you the next batch, with free shipping both ways. You can even exchange as often as you'd like! And if you find a must-have item you want to keep for good, you can buy it at a discounted price. The Infinite Style collection offers a wide range of Ann Taylor clothes, available in sizes 00 to 14 or XS-XL in regular and petite measurements. Let’s hope this service makes its way to Bahrain. www.today.com New Utopia Bill Gates’ real estate investment firm, Belmont Partners, recently bought an enormous plot of land in Arizona for USD80 million to be developed into a smart city called Belmont. It is set to create a forward-thinking community with a communication and infrastructure spine that embraces cutting-edge technology, designed around high-speed digital networks, data centres, new manufacturing technologies and distribution models, autonomous vehicles and autonomous logistics hubs. According to Belmont Properties: “The community will transform a raw, blank slate into a purposebuilt city built around a flexible infrastructure model." It will reportedly include space for 80,000 residential units, in addition to 470 acres for public schools and 3,800 acres designated for offices, commercial buildings and retail outlets. www.foxnews.com On Facebook, the contest to win a complimentary buffet lunch for two at Kolors Restaurant in The K Hotel got the highest engagement. On Instagram, our post on an art exhibition at Lokal Pop-Up Shop got the most likes. Woman This Month’s post on H&M’s 2017 Holiday campaign film starring Nicki Minaj alongside Jesse Williams and John Turturro had the most likes on twitter. Your Shout The article on Asgar Saboo’s style tips for different hair types was a nice read. In the region we live, our tresses have to deal with extreme climate, which makes it important to care for them with the season in mind. I experimented with a couple of good pointers for my curly mop and the results were quite favourable. I’m definitely going to follow the ace stylist’s tips. After all he knows what he’s talking about. Alice, Tubli I have been looking around for a stylish theme for my drawing room for some time now, and I think I found it in your magazine’s Homes pages. At first I thought it would be difficult to imitate Khloe Kardashian’s home décor, but the products alongside gave me great ideas on where I could source furniture and accessories in Bahrain to get my dream interior style. Thank you! Maya, Saar. I loved the new designer focus featuring Misha Nonoo, it’s great to know that Bahrain’s talents are gaining international recognition, even if she is now a transplant to the Big Apple. Keep up the good work with introducing new features, loving the new look magazine. Belle, Amwaj Islands. Follow us on: Instagram: @woman_this_month Twitter: @WomanThisMonthB Facebook: Woman This Month We want to hear your thoughts on Woman This Month. Write to us at [email protected] Best Reaction on Twitter Most Liked Post on Instagram Most Liked Post on Facebook # Trending What’s caught our eye in the news this month?
Saar (+973) 17 739739 Janabiyah (+973) 17 739769 Amwaj (+973) 16 033773 Riffa (+973) 17 750006 Juffair (+973) 17 71816 Nakheel (+973) 17 591181 Durrat (+973) 77 770001 Follow us on Alosra Supermarket Alosrasupermarket www.alosraonline.com We’ve selected the best European, artisanal cheeses just for you. Each cheese is handcrafted with care on dairy farms local to their region and aged to perfection. Find our carefully curated selection at Alosra Saar, Janabiyah and Amwaj. Discover AlosrA’s new rAnge of signAture cheeses.
December 2017 www.womanthismonth.com news 8 HOT SHOTS HIJABI BARBIE Toy maker Mattel honoured Ibtihaj Muhammad, the first American Olympian to compete while wearing a hijab, as a Barbie Shero by gifting her a one-of-a-kind doll in her likeness. The doll was unveiled at the Glamour Women of the Year LIVE Summit, an annual event that gives young women the opportunity to hear from select past and present Women of the Year honorees, as well as other influential leaders from a variety of fields. The Barbie Shero programme recognises women who break boundaries to inspire the next generation of girls. Ibtihaj was presented with her doll by last year’s Shero, body activist and model, Ashley Graham. GIRL POWER Three Arab women have made the cut to take their places on the Forbes list of The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women in 2017. The UAE’s Minister of Tolerance, Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi, is the world’s 36th most powerful woman. Appointed in 2016 as part of a cabinet reshuffle, she has previously served as the Minister of International Cooperation and Minister of Economy and Planning for the UAE. Saudi national, Lubna S Olayan, is the world’s 59th most powerful woman. She serves as the CEO of the conglomerate Olayan Financing Group, which has businesses spread across the Middle East. And Raja Easa Al Gurg, managing director of the Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group in the UAE, is the 90th most powerful woman. She is responsible for the operations of all 27 of the group’s companies and also heads the Dubai Business Women’s Council. WELCOME WYNDHAM I wouldn’t normally be overly impressed at the opening of yet another new hotel. But, with 441 rooms, the Wyndham Garden in Juffair is the brand’s biggest property in the world! And what for me is more interesting is that it boasts seven speciality restaurants (be still my greedy beating heart) including Via Brasil, an all-you-can-eat barbecue outlet with meats served churrasco style, and Terasse@28, a rooftop bar serving Belgian and German delicacies. I feel a bit of after work sampling coming on. Word of the Month Exploding Head Syndrome It’s not actually a word but rather a term – Exploding Head Syndrome – it’s that moment when you’re dozing off to sleep and are awoken by a loud noise, only to realise the sound is actually in your head! ON THE WATER I’m very excited at the launch of the Bahrain Rowing & Canoe Centre, which opened its doors at Bahrain Bay during the recent sea festival. We’re surrounded by water, so it’s long been a cause of consternation to me that there was nowhere to try sculling or to dig a paddle into the waves from a dragon boat. I’ve tried the latter, many years ago, and can’t wait to get back on board – it’s great fun and a good work out too. Hopefully we’ll even see dragon boat racing in the waters round Bahrain Bay in the not too distant future. From the editor's chair, Liz O'Reilly shares the things that have piqued her interest this month. DRIVING FORCE An advert by drinks giant Coca Cola, which shows a Saudi woman struggling as her father teaches her to drive then performing perfectly after taking a drink of the fizzy pop, has attracted mixed emotions. Some say it’s a great celebration of the sea change across the border, which allows women to get behind the wheel. Others reckon the subject is too serious and sensitive to the be used in an ad campaign. Personally, I thought it was a lovely way to mark this great news. I’d love to hear what you think.
December 2017 www.womanthismonth.com news 10 December in Focus What’s on our radar this month? Well…loads! Check out artist Giuse Maggi’s latest collection of sustainable art including functional objects and wall hangings inspired by the rich heritage of the Arab tradition and the colours of the Bahraini landscape. Born and raised in Italy, Giuse is a multidisciplinary artist who loves to explore materials and their potentiality with antique and new technddiques. She had been working with glass for two decades, until a few years ago, when she discovered the world of recycling and sustainable art; since then she has been combining plastic, metals and fibres with glass, and experimenting with weaving and basketry techniques. Head down to Words Bookstore Café on December 6, from 6pm-9pm and on December 7, from 10am-6pm. Bargain Hunt! Not much beats a bargain and when it’s for a great cause, it’s even better. Shop till you drop at the Dilmun Club on December 2 with the Dogfather’s second hand shop’s boutique sale. There’s everything from designer clothes to Christmas Items, bric-a-brac, baked goods and more. Entry fee is only 500 fils, and the charity sale is on from 11am-2pm. All proceeds go towards the welfare of Tony the Dogfather’s furry friends. So, get out there are spend your dosh for a good cause. Festive Season Specials Celebrate the spirit of giving throughout December with a sweet note! Check out Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa’s gingerbread house for a delicious variety of freshly baked Christmas cookies, cakes, and sweets. Enjoy festive fare in the comfort of your home and order an exquisite turkey with a variety of condiments, available from Macaron this entire month. Three days' advanced booking is required for large orders. Bahraini Women's Day is celebrated throughout the island on December 1 to commemorate the achievements and creative contribution made by women to the development and progress of the Kingdom. It highlights the importance and the vital role played by females in public life. This year’s theme is dedicated to women in the engineering field. We’re all for girl power. Keep a look out for hotels and restaurants hosting special lunches and dining promotions. Enjoy a workshop with Mine Yalcin Fuller on December 1, at La Fontaine Centre of Contemporary Art. It starts with a short gentle flowing yoga sequence to open and warm the body and a full guided breath work session to activate deep healing, feelings of peace and letting go. In the afternoon, practise guided visioning meditations and create empowering vision boards along with handpicked music and sound healing. The workshop is from 10am-4pm for BD55. A 10 per cent discount is available if booking is secured with payment by November 26. Vision On If you haven’t started on your Christmas cake yet, you’re already too late, but fear not, the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay’s Festive Shop at the lobby can come to the rescue. It has all sorts of delicious offerings, such as homemade chocolate truffles, Christmas cookies, fruit cake, mince pies and many more festive delicacies straight from the hotel’s kitchen. The shop opens daily from December 6 to 31, 11am-7pm. Festive Delicacies Girl Power Art of Recycling
www.womanthismonth.com December 2017 news 11 ‘Tis the Season to Be Jolly The festive season is finally upon us and the whole island is alight with revelries starting with Christmas tree lightings and carolling. Pencil in these dates for some of the major attractions. The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain: December 2, 6pm onwards, Hotel Garden Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa: December 9, 6pm, Hotel Lobby Downtown Rotana: December 2, 5pm, Hotel Lobby ART Rotana, Amwaj Islands: December 3, 4.30pm-6pm, Choices Terrace Golden Tulip: December 2, 5pm-8pm Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa: December 7 Crowne Plaza Bahrain: December 8, 7pm, Lobby Most of the popular hotels will be hosting gingerbread decoration activities for kids, a big hit with the little ones, and you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to Christmas brunches, dinners and take-away turkeys. Good luck deciding and see you at one of the many festivities! Wonderland of Festivities Let your kids enjoy the magic of the season at the special Winter Wonderland Holiday Village at The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain. There will be lots of festive offerings including a sweet and savoury buffet, holiday movie classics, kids’ activities and more. Santa Claus will also pay a special visit all the way from the North Pole! So, don’t miss out on this great experience on December 15, 16, 22 and 23, 3pm-6pm, at the Al Khayma Tent. Tru Active is celebrating the launch of its fourth active wear collection, Tru Frost, with a pop-up shop at Words Bookstore Café, from December 12 to 16, 10am-6pm. Inspired by Arabic calligraphy, the prints are mixed with cool colours and marble ice textures. As part of their fitness initiative they’ll also be hosting a variety of talks and classes to bring health awareness and engage the community with local fitness and health specialists. A perfect way to jumpstart your winter holidays. Limited spaces; bookings available from November 25 onwards. Celebrating the Nation Join in the festivities of one of Bahrain’s biggest annual celebrations. A must-visit this month, the Bahrain International Circuit National Day Festival will be held from December 14-17. Promising to be a fantastic day out with the family, the event has something for everyone, including a shopping experience, corporate exhibition space, children’s activities and a play area, cultural and musical performances, food and beverage outlets, concerts by major regional artists, and lots more. The Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities will also celebrate a month of National Day and Accession Day occasions this month with an array of events that includes art, music and Bahrain’s historical heritage. A variety of events and cultural activities will be held at the Bahrain National Theatre on December 16. Check out www.culture.gov.bh for details, as more activities are announced. Most hotels will have various special offers, so keep an eye out for National Day brunch and spa promotions. If you’re into electronic music, this one’s for you. Cosmo, electronic music producer, and composer Esam Hammad, will be performing a unique concert at La Fontaine Centre of Contemporary Art on December 22. Live, the artist goes for what he refers to as an architectural approach, programmed beats and melodies shaped to flow with scifi visuals and the energy of the room. SHUA’A (Arabic for light beam) is his latest live concept. An audiovisual journey, blanketing the past with the future. The journey starts in Bahrain, with a show designed for the traditional Bahraini complex – La Fontaine. The concert starts at 8pm and is priced at BD20+. LIGHT AND SOUND CONCERT Stay Active! Happy New Year! Ring in the New Year with a host of parties and say hello to 2018 in style. Enjoy many a celebration at some of the top venues on the island. Club 54 New Year’s Eve Celebration, The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain, BD80 Al Noor Ballroom transforms into the famous Studio 54, complete with disco lights, party favours, an indulgent buffet, live entertainment and performances. New Year’s Eve '20s Jazz Ball, Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa, BD75 Dazzle in your pearls and suit up for a retro look, as you sway and twist to the groovy jazz tunes, live from Electric Swing Circus, at the Al Nakheel Ballroom. Enjoy an appetising buffet with selected drinks. Hollywood Glitz and Glamour, ART Rotana, Amwaj Islands, BD20 Say Goodbye to 2017 with a Hollywood Glitz theme at Cellar 59 with Fashion TV and the best DJs in B-Town. There’ll be a special performance by dancers and singers on the catwalk with paparazzi on the ready. New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner, Downtown Rotana, BD26++ or BD36++ Tantalise your taste buds on New Year’s Eve with a five-cuisines gala dinner set menu at Teatro restaurant. Enjoy the live entertainment by a saxophonist and a guest DJ for a night to remember. Themed New Year’s Eve Ball, Crowne Plaza Bahrain, BD70 There’s great excitement in store as this popular ball returns with a ‘Glow in the Dark’ theme. Spectacular entertainment includes live band, Frankie and Friends, and international dance shows, followed by a DJ. Book before November 30 and get 10 per cent off. New Year’s Eve Party, Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, BD50 (outside guests) or BD25 (outlet and hotel guests) Enjoy a sophisticated evening and boogie the night away at the Azure New Year’s Eve party. For a more cosy setting, book a private cabana. The event promises a remarkable fire and drum show, as well as an international DJ. New Year's Celebration, Golden Tulip, BD40++ or BD50++ (front seat) Welcome 2018 at the hotel's newly renovated Gilgamesh Ballroom. The evening will feature Arabic and international buffets, Arabic DJ and band, performances by a belly dancer and singers from Iraq and Lebanon.
12 December 2017 www.womanthismonth.com SOCIAL BUTTERFLY Audemars Piguet Boutique Re-opening Audemars Piguet, with partners Asia Jewellers, inaugurated the newly reopened Audemars Piguet Boutique in Moda Mall. Management and staff at the event Mohammed & Mohammed Khalid, Nader, Ebrahim & Mohammed Metayer, Jasmin Audemars & Steve Humbert, Jeanine, Ilyana & Silvia Fawzi Ahmed & Kasim Khalid Al Saif & Dr Dafar Mar & Nekia Abdul Majeed Kostas & Georgina Farheen, Jasmin Audemars, Apple & Randa Ahmed
www.womanthismonth.com 13 December 2017 SOCIAL BUTTERFLY International Day of the Girl Child & United Nations Day The UNIC, with Lulu Hypermarket, commemorated the International Day of the Girl Child and United Nations Day with a 1,240sq/ft 3D chalk artwork created by Jincy Babu. The award-giving ceremony Naseer, Khleem, Biju, Shukoor & Sajith The artwork Doris & Eman Kawthar & Lakshmi
FASHION | pick of the month Making Eyes At You We’ve fallen head over heels for retro from Etro in the shape of these rather gorgeous cat-eye glasses. They’re very Roman Holiday with a sprinkling of paisley and with three gorgeous colours to choose from, the only small problem is which one to pick. December 2017 www.womanthismonth.com 14 Available at Etro, City Centre Bahrain 17 178-459.
December 2017 www.womanthismonth.com FASHION | trend 16 Loewe; Prabal Gurung Balenciaga, Marc Jacobs Balenciaga KENZO Prabal Gurung Winter is coming to town (even our sunny island can get chilly) which begs the question: which is the most comfortable and warm piece of clothing to own at this time of year? Exactly, knitwear. Jumpers, dresses, oversized sweaters, skirts, scarves, gloves; you name it, we want it. Not all trends are this comfy, so enjoy the moment! Choose plain colours such as white and grey or go super colourful with smart patterns. COSY WEAR Long grey sweater: Bershka 17 172-303. White jumper with buttons: Massimo Dutti 17 172-325. Red pencil skirt: Zadig & Voltaire at zadig-etvoltaire.com Turtle neck jumper: H&M 17 110-350. Cable knit scarf: Lipsy 17 179-385. Pearl embellished hat: Stradivarius 17 172-306. Pink extreme crop jumper: New Look 17 179-406. Infinity camel scarf: Michael Kors Collection 17 178-630 Embroidered jumper: Monsoon 17 179-704. Grey dress: MICHAEL Michael Kors 17-178-630. Jacquard coat with belt: Zara 17 110-369. Black and white sweater: Zara 17 110-369
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December 2017 www.womanthismonth.com FASHION | focus 18 What is the most iconic winter footwear? Boots! Fernanda Langhammer seeks out the season’s 'most wanted' looks and tells us how to nail them! Walk in Style I bet you’re just like me, waiting for that first little breeze to come to the island to get your boots walking again. We might not have the necessary drops in temperature to justify them, but one thing we certainly have is a sense of style! And boy, boots are the ‘it’ item in any winter wardrobe. They look great with jeans, dresses and even with tailored trousers – those that end just below or on the ankle are perfect for this look. One thing’s for sure, boots are versatile and scream out loud that you are ready for winter. They are, of course, great foot warmers, so you must invest in a pair if you're planning to fly off to colder climes. I know you might want to dig out those much-loved Uggs that were a big trend a few years back (I still don’t understand that phase); you may well say they are the most comfortable things you’ve ever put on your feet. Well, I can safely say that there are two types of people: those who love and actually wear them and those who hate them, I’m obviously in the second team. If you belong to the first group, that’s OK. Hopefully the selection below will make you change your mind! Karl Lagerfeld AW2017 Massimo Dutti Dune Ankle. These boots reach to or are slightly above the ankles. They can have heels or be comfortably flat and can be worn with dresses, skirts and skinny jeans or hidden below loose trousers. Biker. These boots take me back to my grunge phase. They might not be in the spotlight this season, but they are perfect to channel your inner rock chick. They also give a great final touch to a flowery dress. The contrast tells the story. Over the Knee. A design that only very daring girls will embrace, not everyone has really long legs to pull them off. They look amazing when worn with mini-skirts or kneelength flowy dresses. Slouch. Saint Laurent brought the style back to the scene and other brands followed the lead. It is certainly winter’s trendiest boot of all. Wear with tights or on top of slim-fit trousers. Riding. Besides being perfect for riding a horse, when taken in the fashion context these add laid-back flair to an outfit. They usually cover the entire shin, for protection purposes, so when worn as a style statement, pair them with tight trousers or a long skirt. Emily Ratajkowski Gigi Hadid Stradivarius Zara Michael Kors Collection
www.womanthismonth.com 19 December 2017 SOCIAL BUTTERFLY Book Launch The Yateem family launched the memoirs of Aisha Yateem, founder of the Bahrain Young Ladies Association, at an event at the Aisha Yateem Centre. It was held under the patronage of HE Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa. Shirley, HE Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, Salwa & Mary Mary, Layla, Anne & HE Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa The Yateem family Alaa, Tahera, Ebtihaj, Huda, Noora, Zainab, Fathiya & Aesha Hameeda Lynne Margaret The gift-giving ceremony Khalid, Latifa, Fatima & Fatima Hala, Muna, Shirley, Fatima & Nada Shirley, Majida & Layla Nada & Shirley
December 2017 www.womanthismonth.com FASHION | get the look 20 Gold Choupette pendant bracelet, Karl Lagerfeld at karl.com Christmas decorations in the stores are telling us that the holidays are just around the corner. It means it’s time to get your wardrobe ready for the celebrations that come along at this time of the year. Say yes to the dress to get into the season’s mood! HOLIDAY DRESS Family Get-together A shift dress might be the best option for casual festivities. Its simple cut serves all body types, and it’s great for those of us with a thick waist. The secret here is to pick one that gives you a good fit at the bust and shoulders and grazes your body as it falls. The fabric plays a big role, so avoid thin or too-flexible types. To make this style more attractive, choose a colourful print and pair it with bold accessories. A scarf will be enough to keep you warm if you’re spending this joyful season on the island. Queen Maxima of the Netherlands Amal Clooney Mulberry AW 2017 Lacquered stud earrings, Tory Burch 17 179-560. Printed shift dress Desigual at desigual.com Royal blue mule, Dune London 16 686-215 Military green tote, Marc Jacobs at Saks Fifth Avenue 17 172-000. Dusty pink scarf, M&Co 17 582-110.
www.womanthismonth.com December 2017 FASHION | get the look 21 Regent safety pin loafer coriander croc print, Mulberry at Saks Fifth Avenue 17 172-000. Work Function A shift dress would also work here, but if you’re looking for something a bit more elegant, choose a sheer mid-dress. Red is the perfect pick for this time of year, and to up the fashion stakes, go for a burgundy number. Team it up with a camel trench coat and classic high heels for a traditional take and add some pizzazz with golden and carmine accessories. The embroidered wallet shows that this lady also knows how to have some fun. Keep in mind that one funky piece can boost any look. Grand Celebration If the occasion warrants, you can always go for a long gown and minimal complements. However, if you are looking for a daring and party-themed garment, this layered green ‘Christmas tree’ dress is just the job. It might not be flattering to all body types, but it will certainly get you into a seasonal mood. Black and silver add-ons and a bright red lipstick will add the final touch to an unforgettable outfit. You can also opt for gold accessories – anything metallic is a trendy choice. Bella pierced earrings, Swarovski 17 179-646. Sparkly bow earrings, H&M 17 110-350, Artist Rouge Creme red lipstick, Make Up For Ever 17 580-300. Camel trench coat, Weill at weill.com Star bracelet, Marc Jacobs at marcjacobs.com Bird embroidered wallet, Mulberry at Saks Fifth Avenue 17 172-000. Burgundy sheer dress, Marks & Spencer 17 211-309. Green layered dress, Mulberry at Saks Fifth Avenue 17 172-000. Metallic clutch, Dune London 16 686-215. Black tights, Hush at hush-uk.com Black pom-pom leather ankle boots, MICHAEL Michael Kors 17 178-630.
22 December 2017 www.womanthismonth.com SOCIAL BUTTERFLY Farewell Party Dr Naima Al Khoury hosted a farewell party for Esra, Iraqi Ambassador’s wife. Georgette, Rihab, Dr Naima, Noor, Amal, Esra, Shereen & Jihan Tania, Amal, Hindia, Dalal, Rouqia, Noor, Ahlam, Georgette, Halal, Rasha, Salma, Rihab, Dr Naima, Amal, Tamathur, Suad, Lamia, Zina, Itimad & Jihan Christina, Wujood, Lina & Hayat Laila, Fatima, Rihab, Noor, Esra, Rouqia & Amal Dina Shirazi, Sawsan Shirazi & Rahma Shirazi Natali, Raghu, Thierry Stern & Abdul Mohammed Shirazi & Sawsan Shirazi Abbas Shirazi, Shaikh Hasim Al Khalifa, Abual Shirazi & Ahmed Shirazi Shaikh Mohammed Patek Philippe Boutique Reopening A private reception was held by Thierry Stern and the Shirazi family for the reopening of the Patek Philippe Boutique at Moda Mall.
www.womanthismonth.com December 2017 23 Artist Mondrian is known for the use of shapes to create emblematic paintings. In the fashion and beauty industries, lines and circles go beyond trends and designers. The pattern has its own importance, sometimes playing the lead role and sometimes as the supporting act. The result can be simple or intricate and is conceived with solid single colours or an array of complex mixes and matches, following a certain sequence. The truth is, whichever concept you pick, you'll be on trend and won’t go unnoticed. In the beauty world, nail art best applies the concept. Perfect nails with circles, squares, triangles and lines are a way to focus attention to your hands. Some bronzers and blushes also come with geometric shapes and a palette of colours that complement each other when mixed together for best effect. The AW2017 fashion collections show that overlapping geometric patterns are the way to go. Look for correlative or samecolour schemes and have fun putting together your own ‘masterpiece’. Geometric Craze Diane Von Furstenberg Longchamp Novis at NYFW AW17 Prabal Gurung KENZO Loewe Calvin Klein Isabel Marant Christian Dior Chanel Rituals By Terry Vivienne Westwood FASHION | mood board
December 2017 www.womanthismonth.com FASHION | designer spotlight 24 SABINE MUELLER This month we shine the light, literally, on the Bahrain-based founder of Lichtspiel Fashion. Not heard of it? That’s no surprise – the company has only just started and is bringing something pretty innovative to our shores. What does the future hold? "First, I want to establish my brand in the market. I think this is a first of its kind for Bahrain. Later on, I would like to experiment with interactive clothing. European scientists have developed a new technology that allows a wearer’s clothes to adjust to their needs automatically by adjusting the temperature. The smart clothing takes care of the body’s thermal flow. I would love to design clothing that meets the needs of people who cannot escape the hot and humid summers here in the Middle East."
www.womanthismonth.com December 2017 FASHION | designer spotlight 25 Sabine offers bags and home items as well as clothing. Lightbulb moment – this dress was Sabine's original inspiration. Chanel showed LED bags in its SS17 collection. Actress Claire Danes wore an LED gown to the 2016 Met Gala. German Sabine has been in Bahrain nine years, having come here to join her husband, who works in Saudi Arabia. The couple met in 2007 at a karate workshop in Japan and it was, pretty much, love at first sight. Sabine finished her studies in business administration and headed east. Two children quickly followed and both karate and business administration fell by the wayside as the 38-year-old concentrated on being a mum until one day she was surfing the web and had a ‘lightbulb moment’. She explains: “I came across a picture of a wedding dress with LEDs [light emitting diodes] embroidered into it. It was like a piece of art! Fashion represents a very emotional, luxury event in your life, it doesn’t just fill a basic need. Integrating light elements into clothing never fails to attract astonishment and guarantees a ‘wow’ effect when people see it for the first time.” Further research revealed that other designers such as Chanel and Dolce&Gabbana were also lighting up their collections, but only in the area of accessories. So, Sabine decided to try her hand in the fashion industry, designing and making her own LED pieces. After several months spent speaking with suppliers, she was able to source light, flexible and washable lighting chains, which she stitches into her own designs of clothing and household pieces, from abayas to table runners. Her first, and still favourite, production, was an evening dress – similar to a low-key bridal gown – which she both designed and then illuminated. She adds: “The possibilities to integrate this technology into clothing are limitless.” The lights are operated with a battery pack and can last for several hours, depending on how many bulbs are used. Good as it seems, this raises a question of energy sustainability, which greatly concerned Sabine. She says: “I learned that the fashion industry is the world’s second-most-polluting industry! That really shocked me. And illuminated fashion is adding to it. In order to power your clothing, you need a source that provides the energy. I am using rechargeable batteries which can be charged easily at a USB port, like your cell phone charger. “A possibility for the future to make illuminated fashion more sustainable is the utilisation of renewable energy sources, such as solar energy. There are projects to integrate solar cells into, let’s say, a jacket. You wear it for two hours in the sun and your battery will be charged. However, this technology is still in its infancy, and textile has a lot of properties not found in other materials, such as its flexibility – solar cells will need to adapt to those properties.” For now, Sabine is simply concentrating on establishing her brand in the market and she will be at seasonal fairs across the island this month. To see more of what’s available, visit lichtspiel-fashion.com The range runs from dresses to abiyas and everything in between.
December 2017 www.womanthismonth.com FASHION | fashion forward 26 The fashion brand that gave us platform Crocs and the infamous IKEA tote, priced at a cool USD2,145, has knocked Gucci off the coveted top spot in the highest performing fashion brands official global rankings, prepared by Lyst and The Business of Fashion (BoF). According to the latest data analysed by BoF in partnership with search platform Lyst — which tracks 4.5 million data points per hour from over 65 million annual consumers, five million products and 12,000 brands — the Demna Gvasalia-designed brand climbed two places to top the hottest brand ranking in the third quarter of 2017. In a move that’s got the worlds of both food and fashion asking “Why?” design duo Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbano have followed up the carrot- and cannoli-printed outfits sent down the runway in their SS18 collection by launching a limited edition range of pasta. The pair have partnered with much-loved Italian maker Pastificio di Martino to produce just 5,000 packs of pasta (original recipe unchanged) which will come with a D&G apron at a reported USD120. Why indeed! BEAT THE BULLIES Standing behind the cyber anti-bullying movement ‘Be Cool Be Nice’, Dsquared2 debuts a dedicated capsule collection. The colourful and bold line-up of ready-to-wear and accessories by Dean and Dan Caten supports the new initiative to stop online bullying of young adults and children. The initiative is a global movement sparked by one teen’s struggle with bullying and flamed by the staggering fact that one in five young people will be a victim of cyber bullying. The designers say: “Online bullying is a powerful and scary issue that can have a lasting, negative impact on young people’s lives. We were bullied as kids and we understand how destructive it is. We got behind ‘Be Cool Be Nice’ immediately because it’s important to give kids and teenagers, who are forming their personalities, space to discover themselves without judgement, criticism and hate. We designed the capsule with this idea in mind; we wanted to make clothes and accessories with an attitude of strength, confidence and positivity.” BACKSTAGE PASS Our take on what’s cool, trending and fashionable New Face at Weill Parisian fashion house Weill is taking a new direction with the appointment of Mathilde Castello Branco at the head of its design studio. The Franco-Brazilian designer studied fashion in Paris before beginning her career at the Hermès readyto-wear studio under the aegis of Martin Margiela. She then spent 10 years with Lanvin working with Alber Elbaz before being put in charge of the art direction of the Azzaro brand. She brings the promise of new inspiration to the house’s ready-to-wear collections. Her signature is a feminine, delicate fashion with a subtle ability to break with convention. “I like surprises: the unexpected detail, the original reinvention in the cut of a garment, surprising inventive mixes that give character to the silhouette,” says Mathilde. All of this is achieved with subtleness: “I defend the notion of a style which shakes convention without disrupting it.” Balenciaga Tops Lyst FOODIE FASHION
www.womanthismonth.com December 2017 FASHION | fashion forward 27 As has been customary almost every year since 2001, Victoria’s Secret has unveiled a new Fantasy Bra by world-renowned luxury jeweller Mouawad. This year’s piece, the Champagne Nights Fantasy Bra, will be worn by stunning Brazilian Angel Lais Ribeiro at the brand’s fashion show in Shanghai. For this year’s all-new design, Mouawad, which was founded in Lebanon more than 100 years ago, combined contrasting gemstones in an enchanting and timelessly glowing lingerie suite that pays tribute to beauty, love and glamour, inspired by history’s most beautiful Greek goddesses. Valued at USD2 million, the bra and matching belt took more than 350 hours of labour to be handset with nearly 6,000 white diamonds, yellow sapphires, and blue topazes totalling over 640 carats, all set in 18-karat yellow gold. Complementing the bedazzling lingerie suite are a matching bracelet and earrings, set with 75 carats of diamonds, sapphires and topazes. Speaking of fashion designers and food, Zac Posen has turned his hand to the culinary arts with a new book Cooking With Zac, which promises recipes from rustic to refined. He may be better known for his red carpet gowns, but the designer says he was chopping, kneading dough and simmering veggies in his parents’ kitchen long before he took to sketching and stitching. The Project Runway star judge offers a selection of dishes from gourmet to more simple and, not surprisingly, the volume looks beautiful. Posen in the Kitchen A Glittering Secret Cantina Khalo Anniversary Cantina Khalo held a party to celebrate its first anniversary. Jessica, Cesar & Mary Derek & Arlene Lora & Dinara Carla, Olevar, Angla & Peadro Johanna, Shirley & Adrian
December 2017 www.womanthismonth.com FASHION | essentials 28 Colourful Smoky Eyes. One of the trendiest make-up looks is transformed this season with dashes of colour. How about giving it a try on your next girls’ night out? Holiday Sweater. Who has never worn a Christmas sweater? Raise your hands and head to the nearest mall to pick up that one piece that will keep you company during the festive season. Bell Sleeves. Another 70s’ trend that’s returned to jazz up boring tops and jackets. This is 100 per cent going on my Christmas wish list! Something Pink. Embrace the girly in you and have fun adding hints of fuchsia to your looks. Make a promise to yourself to include more colour in your life! Harmonise your outfit with your curtains and sofa cover. Learn how to braid your hair. Warm Corduroy. It’s time to reconsider this iconic 70s’ fabric. It might look outdated, but labels such as Chloé and Prada brought it back for AW2017, which means that a pair of corduroy trousers can put you right in the fashion spotlight. Double Denim. Make this casual material the star of your look. Either opt for the same wash all over or play with different blue tones to give a twist to this street style. XL Earrings. The bigger and bolder, the better. Puffa Coat. They were once worn just for the purpose of keeping you warm. Apparently, now, they’ve won the hearts of trendsetters in the fashion capitals and we can wear them with their stamp of approval! (But make sure you go cruelty free by seeking a nondown-filled version.) 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Spend the holiday in top-notch style with Fernanda Langhammer’s tips. 10 Things to Try This Month
www.womanthismonth.com December 2017 PEOPLE | interview 29 Maria Khoury was unanimously elected chairwoman of the NIHR in November, becoming the first woman to serve in the role. While delighted, she also points out that this is not so unusual for Bahrain, saying: “I can’t deny that it’s special to be elected and have my colleagues’ trust and I shall strive to be the right person for the job. Whether it’s a man or a woman, the challenges are the same – the person will be assessed on their achievements. Bahrain society is open and transparent and I don’t believe there’s a gender bias.” Maria was appointed to the NIHR as a commissioner by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in 2013. She is a member of Bahrain’s Christian minority and her family has been in the Kingdom more than 100 years. Prior to joining the institution, she was in media for many years but says, with this appointment she “found her passion, I love this job”. The NIHR is independent of government and anyone resident in Bahrain can make a complaint if they feel their human rights have been violated. Its role is to investigate such allegations and help to resolve them, whether by referring them to a legal body or offering legal assistance, working with the complainant and offering advice on how to take matters forward should the issue fall outside the NIHR’s remit. Two fairly recent initiatives are the opening of a centre to work against human trafficking, positioned close to the labour authority in Sehla – which frequently deals with issues raised by domestic workers – and the establishment of a 24-hour hotline number on which people can call to register a complaint. On the difference between the NIHR and other international Tackling A Tricky Issue Maria Khoury organisations, Maria explains: “We differ from other human rights bodies because we are a national institution established within the law of Bahrain and we have a mandate. We are the voice of Bahrain and we have the power to work with bodies locally, which gives us credibility. We are also a member of GANHRI, the global alliance of human rights organisations, which all international institutions either belong to or strive towards.” Another big part of the organisation’s work is in human rights training, for both its own staff and for public sector and NGO workers, to ensure they are aware of the issues in their everyday practice. NGOs can include anything from disabled organisations to charity groups, dealing with various areas. And the NIHR also has the right to perform unannounced visits to places of detention – from prisons to psychiatric hospitals and juvenile holding facilities. Maria, herself, was trained by the UK’s HM Inspectorate of Prisons, and says: “You learn to use your eyes, but you also have to be involved – for example if someone says the food is bad, you have to taste it – and you have to be able to work to set benchmarks of what is acceptable and what is not.” She adds that things have changed in recent years,explaining: “The landscape on human rights has broadened and we have taken huge positive steps. We can say that the police have been trained and retrained to have a human rights-based The island’s first female head of the National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR) tells Liz O’Reilly of her passion for the job and plans for the future. approach, as has the judiciary, and we have good relations with the police and also with the law faculty at the University of Bahrain, which sends students to us for training.” For the future Maria’s aim is to build teamwork within the organisation between the commissioners and the committees and also to expand the relationship with the island’s NGOs. She concludes: “We do have challenges that we face with a strong stride. We are committed to our work and we work with passion and hope that we will make a difference, but we need to work together, that’s the most important thing – one hand alone doesn’t clap – and we must work together not just as an internal team but also with society.” Toll-free 24-hour hotline for complaints and inquiries 80 001-144.
December 2017 www.womanthismonth.com PEOPLE | interview 30 Kenyan national of Somali descent, Ibada Ahmed took on a job at Chase Bank at the tender age of 19. “I had no professional experience to speak of, but hailing from an entrepreneurial family, I could convince my interviewers that although I am no banker, I’m a learner first.” And with that she started her professional journey, with a salary of just $200 per month. “In the first year I held a junior position in Forex sales; I’d done exceptionally well. The ability to sell is in my blood. I got a promotion every year, sometimes twice a year, thanks to the dynamic growth of the bank at the time,” she remembers. She was soon promoted to the head office, working in the actual money markets. “After the trading closed for the day, I would use my free time to learn how other departments worked, which changed things for me. It was interesting to learn how a financial institution ran, from the credit department to the operations, to customer service and treasury.” Africa’s Golden Girl Ibada Ahmed Islamic banking, a fairly new prevalence at the time lured Ibada with a new challenge. In spite of her superiors advising against it, she took on the role of assistant manager assets and liabilities of Islamic banking as the next step in her career. “In treasury, the pay hikes and bonuses were great, but I thought ‘what more?’ This calculated risk was the turning point of my career. And I tell people even today, that to achieve greatness, you must take a leap of faith, believe in yourself and persist at it.” She gave the new ballgame her all. “I’d never worked that hard,” she says. In 2010 Ibada was offered the opportunity to become manager of Islamic banking in a key branch of Chase Bank. It made her, at just 23 years of age, the youngest bank manager in Kenya, endorsed by the Central Bank of Kenya no less. She says her age was never a hurdle. “My team supported and respected me for my excellence at my work; it was no struggle, really,” she explains. She attributes her early success (and the journalists lining up for interviews) to her attitude of discipline and the thirst for more knowledge. When she crossed paths with an investor bullish on microfinance, Ibada jumped in on the venture, to become CEO of Fursa Leo Micro Finance. With the aim of supporting more women, 80 per cent of her start-up backing was for females. “We observed that whatever you give a woman, she grows manifold. We’re better borrowers than men.” Fursa Leo was a great run, and after a well-deserved sabbatical, Ibada co-founded Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs (AYE) in South Africa to foster the culture of enterprise and innovation amongst her people. “It is the largest entrepreneurship network in Africa, with six million members across 20 countries. Our programmes identify and fuel innovative business ideas across villages, towns and cities that will eventually drive Africa forward.” Currently, she is dedicating her efforts to Hydroponics for Africa, an organisation with a mission to avert a food security crisis in the future. The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation’s conference brought her to Bahrain as an entrepreneur and development stakeholder to take AYE and her involvement in hydroponics further through exchanging information and technology. Asked her mantra for success, she says: “Some say that my belief in the human capacity is exaggerated. There’s a businessman, an innovator, a thinker and a developer in all of us. What distinguishes the successful from the unsuccessful is consistency, and that is what drives me. It's about taking that first step and then persisting till you get what you want. Even the river forges its own way through rocks. If you are disciplined enough to be consistent, then you’re going to get it done, and get it right.” g From becoming her country’s youngest bank manager to being a venture capitalist in food security in Africa – on a visit to Bahrain, Ibada Ahmed shared essential life lessons with Behnaz Sanjana. Speaking at Africa's Young Entrepreneurs' Conference
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