BEAUTY | FASHION | HOME | WELLBEING | PARENTING | LOCAL ISSUES Bahrain Edition February 2018 | Issue 180 | BD1 / SR10 Esky Girmay, Ethiopian Honorary Consul May Alhaji, extreme runner Fran Stafford, fashion designer PEOPLE Wellbeing LOVE ACTUALLY Beat inflammation Valentine’s Dining Heart-shaped baking Sweets for your Sweet 2018’s hottest wedding destinations TRAVEL www.womanthismonth.com FASHION The Colour of Passion
February 2018 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 8-9 The Month in Focus 10 Hot Shots: Things that have piqued the editor’s interest this month FASHION 12 Pick of the month: Rocking The Boat 14 Trend: Going Green 16 Focus: Wardrobe Staple 17 Mood Board: Space Oddity 18-19 Get the Look: The Colour of Passion 21 Essentials: 10 Thing to Try 22-23 Backstage Pass: News from the world of fashion PEOPLE 24 Esky Girmay: Ethiopian Honorary Consul 25 Fran Stafford: Fashion designer 26 May Alhaji: Endurance athlete FEATURE 27-33 Valentine's Special: The food of love, dining venues, great gifts for your loved one BEAUTY 34 Styling: Asgar Saboo 36 Tips: Grease Frightening 38-39 News: Latest products and happenings LIFESTYLE 42-43 Wellbeing: Battling inflammation 44 Food: Review 45 Food: Chef's Special 46 Homes: Majestic Musings 49 Travel: Tying the Knot 54 Opinion: Ouiam Charkani El Hassani 55 Horoscope: What's in store this month. 56 In Her Shoes: Aryanaz Divsalar 14 25 FEBRUARY 17 32 42 46
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www.womanthismonth.com February 2018 4 I t's hard to believe the new year is already a month old and Valentine's Day is just around the corner. If you're heading out, don't decide where to go until you've read our big Valentine's feature, we've got venue details as well as some tips on the foods you might want to sample to ensure that loving feeling. Staying home? Then treat your loved one, or maybe just yourself, with chef Nitai's gorgeous cake recipe - I may well be sharing mine with the pups this year. There're also some humorous gift ideas if you want to spoil your significant other and bring a smile to their face. Our interviews this month were a pleasure to conduct. We featured Fran Stafford a couple of years ago, when she first launched her fashion line, so it was great to catch up with her at her new pop-up concept. Esky is a former Red House staffer, who has gone on to even greater things! And hearing about the achievements of marathon runner May has left me feeling inspired to drag out my training shoes - let's see how that works out, they've been all around the world without once coming out of my suitcase so far. I'm also feeling inspired by Behnaz's homes pages where she shows us how to get a regal vibe even without a princely pocket. I've just moved house and am looking forward to putting some of her tips into action. For this month's travel, I stuck with the romantic theme to come up with some of the best places to tie the knot - I love the idea of a ceremony at New York Public Library, just need to find the prospective husband first. As always we've got our regular round-ups of fashion and beauty news plus styling and hair tips. Passion's in our Get The Look pages with Fernanda going all-out in red and she's shared some great trends for the winter season. February also sees the launch of Woman This Month's new-look website where you'll find regular competitions, news updates and more. I'd love to hear what you think either through our social media or on email at [email protected] chairman & publisher GEORGE F MIDDLETON editorial director LIZ O'REILLY contributors APPLE SHARMA BEHNAZ SANJANA FERNANDA LANGHAMMER RAPHAEL 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 ROANNA FERNANDES photography editor MONA ABDUL JABBAR 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 February 2018, Issue 180 On the cover: Marc Jacobs Resort 2018. BEAUTY | FASHION | HOME | WELLBEING | PARENTING | LOCAL ISSUES Bahrain Edition February 2018 | Issue 180 | BD1 / SR10 Esky Girmay, Ethiopian Honorary Consul May Alhaji, extreme runner Fran Stafford, fashion designer PEOPLE Wellbeing LOVE ACTUALLY Beat inflammation Valentine’s Dining Heart-shaped baking Sweets for your Sweet 2018’s hottest wedding destinations TRAVEL www.womanthismonth.com FASHION The Colour of Passion 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 went along to the winter parade at City Centre Bahrain and Anne attended a ladies' luncheon at Coral Bay.
February 2018 www.womanthismonth.com news 6 Why on Earth…! If you’re looking for a new T-shirt dress, and have a lot of extra cash to spare, you’re in luck. A dress from French clothing brand Vetements is getting a lot of buzz — but not the good kind. The billowy, white, shortsleeved, crew-neck dress runs a whopping 61.5 inches long, and somewhat resembles a choir robe or a hospital gown complete with a slit in the back. It costs over $1,000. It's made from a machine-washable cotton fabric, so shoppers won’t have to worry about dry cleaning. Even so, this proves that sometimes fashion can be farfetched. www.today.com H&M Oops! The world of hip-hop, and really, just about anyone who's been keeping score of American history, collectively gasped when some perceived racist images from H&M's new campaign surfaced on the Internet. In this particular image, a young black boy wears a hoodie with the words "Coolest monkey in the jungle" emblazoned across the front of it. If you know about racism in the US, you already know people often referred to African Americans as primates in order to dehumanise them. With that context in mind, The Weeknd, who had aligned himself with the brand in the past, has withdrawn himself from participating in any of their operations going forward. www.xxlmag.com International luxury brand, Amouage, has launched Beach Hut Woman, the latest addition to the Midnight Flower Collection. A continuation of the narrative of its predecessor, Bracken, the fragrance captures the serenity of a deserted beach in winter. Beach Hut Woman opens with a contrast of fresh bergamot and an earthy mineral accord, and as the gentle waves of the coast drift in, the fragrance reveals its heart of driftwood accord and lisylang. With dawn breaking and the clouds unveiled by the amber sky, the rich aromas of patchouli and cashmeran envelop the dunes with memories of years gone by. The aromatic ode is a vintage flashback to mesmerising beaches and forgotten summers. Beyond the weathered beach hut and soft, white sand dunes, a garden full of bright wild flowers blooms despite the crisp, wintry air. The juxtaposition of warm and cool elements creates a scent that gives us all a sense of nostalgia. Check our social media throughout the month for a chance to win a 100ml bottle worth BD100! On Facebook, the post on the digital edition of Woman This Month recorded the highest reach and impressions. The contest to win a luxurious beauty experience at Gatsby Beauty Lounge attracted the highest engagement on Instagram. On twitter, Woman This Month's interview with Fawzia Abdulredha Nadhar got the highest impressions and clicks. Your Shout Woman This Month featured two interviews that furthered the message for women’s empowerment. The write-ups on Aysha Mutaywea and Rosaline Roy show that women have started being more assertive not only in the boardroom, but in society in general. While one encourages women to speak up and express their thoughts in the corporate world by fearlessly wondering, questioning and imagining, the other urges them to master the art of communication and be role models in their own right to future generations of women. Kudos to such trendsetters! Belle, Reef Island. I really appreciated the article on emotional eating. I feel that in this fastpaced world we live in, whether we are career women or primary caregivers for our children, the stress and pressure of being our best version at all times gets the better of us. I understood the differences in ‘hunger’ and recognised my own patterns of eating out of stress. I think I can tackle my problem better, now that I know of it, and hopefully, will practise mindful eating to keep off the extra pounds. Jenna, Hamad Town. 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 Win, Win, Win! # Trending What’s caught our eye in the news this month.
www.womanthismonth.com 7 February 2017 SOCIAL BUTTERFLY The ribbon-cutting ceremony Yana, Shaikha Hessa Al Khalifa, Sama & Shaikha Naila Al Khalifa Yana & Sama Salwa Yateem, Nada & Laila Hana & Ameera Playsy City Centre Bahrain inaugurated Playsy at its premises.
February 2018 www.womanthismonth.com news 8 February in Focus What’s on our radar this month? Well…loads! Indulge your passion for reading and cooking at the same time with Words Bookstore Café’s CookBook Club. This month’s choice is Crossroads by Tal Ronnen, who is reinventing plant-based eating. At his Los Angeles restaurant, Crossroads, the menu is vegan, but there are no soybeans or bland seitan to be found. He teaches readers how to make his recipes and proves that the flavours we crave are easily replicated in dishes made without animal products. With accessible, unfussy recipes, this book is an indispensable resource for healthy, mindful eaters everywhere. The rules of CookBook Club are simple. Look through the book, pick a recipe to prepare and bring the finished dish to the meeting, which will take place on February 7 at 7pm. The members receive a 10 per cent discount on this month's book selection. Foodie Fun The ever popular ‘Taste Tour’ returns again this year to take you on another trip of culinary delights. There are 40 participating restaurants, where food lovers can go around and sample dishes to vote for their favourite eateries. They’ll also have the opportunity to win a prize as part of a raffle draw. The set menus range from BD5 to BD12. This ongoing event runs only until February 10, so hurry up and start tasting! Enjoy an evening of fun and dance, while helping your furry friends with the BSPCA’s Valentine's Ball. Come dressed in your finery for a great night out that includes a sumptuous buffet dinner with selected beverages, fantastic entertainment to help you dance the night away and an exciting auction. Tickets cost BD30 each and can be bought at the BSPCA Thrift Shop in Budaiya, the Animal Welfare Centre (AWC) in Askar, or at either the British or Dilmun Club receptions (cash only at the clubs). Tables are for eight people, so invite your friends to come along and help raise money for a good cause. All proceeds will go towards the maintenance of the BSPCA AWC and care of the animals sheltered there, and towards the Catch, Neuter and Return programme. The event takes place at the InterContinental Regency Bahrain, on February 9 at 7pm. See you there! In a bid to tackle a widespread issue affecting many school children, the Bahraini Youth Forum Society (BYFS) is bringing the anti-bullying issue to light with its fourth ‘Naseem Initiative’ project titled ‘When You Hurt’. The group will highlight the subject by conducting a study as well as art and awareness campaigns over the coming months. There will be roadshows and awareness corners at selected schools, including provision of creative awareness materials that can be easily communicated to youth and used as a reference by them later on. This will also include an art competition where students will be able to create a painting about bullying, and the best artwork will receive an award. Separate awareness sessions for parents will be organised as well. All these activities will be held from February 1 to April 26. Stop the Bullying Enjoy a wonderful evening watching one of the most popular dance forms with the screening of Tango at La Fontaine Centre of Contemporary Art. A dangerous love affair inspires the director, Carlos Saura, to create the most spectacular and boldly seductive dance film ever made. A stunning movie, the score is dynamic, beautifully written and magnificently performed. And, of course, the dancing is incredible! The screening will be held on February 20 at 8pm and tickets cost BD10+, which can be used as credit at the restaurant on the same evening. MOVIE NIGHT Valentine's Ball Delicious Reading!
www.womanthismonth.com February 2018 news 9 Celebrating Artists Every year the Bahrain Annual Fine Arts Exhibition celebrates the creativity and ingenuity of the artists in the Kingdom, and this year is no different. In its 44th edition, the art community will gather again to present their finest work, uninhibited by a subject or theme. The result is a colourful display of styles and techniques through different mediums of expression. The exhibit, which runs until March 7 from 10am-9pm at Arad Fort, presents a collection of local and international artists residing in Bahrain. Art in Focus One for art lovers, head down to La Fontaine Centre of Contemporary Art, where Fereshte Shishine, an accomplished artist, will hold an exhibition titled ‘Life Journey’. Fereshte has studied with various masters and has a degree in art from the Academy of Fine Arts in Tehran. As a youngster, she enjoyed detailed work and, in particular, the poetry and intricacy of Persian miniatures. She later developed her skills in still life, portrait, landscape and etching. Her paintings are easily recognised by her deep appreciation for colour composition, sharp focus on light and her unique attention to particular details. A common characteristic of most of her paintings is the accidental presence of draperies and delicately knitted fabrics somewhere on the canvas. The exhibit opens on February 1 at 6pm, followed by dinner and a jazz performance by Groove Souq at 8pm, priced at BD30+. Annual Festival Returns Get your diaries out as the popular Spring of Culture is back!. Now in its 13th year, the festival’s kickoff date coincides with Arab Tourism Day, which was adopted when Manama was the Capital of Arab Tourism in 2013 and commemorates the anniversary of the birth of the famous Arab traveller Ibn Battuta. Bahrain’s unique cultural and historic sites will form the perfect backdrop for various exciting events and activities featuring local, regional and international talents, from song and music, to theatre, art and much more. These diverse events include lectures, workshops, exhibitions, concerts and other programmes. The festival starts from February 25, kicking off with ‘The Epic of Gilgamesh’, a musical concert by Abed Azrieh, at Bahrain National Theatre at 8pm. Tickets will be sold at Virgin Megastore. The festival continues until April 30. More details on the event line-up to follow, so stay tuned! Shop Till You Drop The ‘Shop Bahrain’ festival has got all the ladies in a spending frenzy but it also has a lot to offer for the entire family. There are a variety of other activities to keep everyone entertained. Head to your nearest mall to check out what’s happening around you. • Mr. Will & Mrs. Kate Date: Ongoing-February 10 Location: Seef Mall, Muharraq Time: 5pm, 7pm and 9pm • Crystal Challenge Date: Ongoing-February 10 (during weekends) Location: The Bahrain Mall Time: 4pm-10pm • Musical Exhibition Date: Ongoing-February 10 (during weekends) Location: The Avenues Time: 10am to midnight • Mirror House Date: Ongoing-February 10 Location: Dragon City Time: 4pm-10pm • Snakes & Ladders Date: Ongoing-February 10 Location: Yateem Centre Time: 4pm-10pm • Traditional Game Tournament Date: February 2-3 Location: Bab Al Bahrain Mall Time: 4pm-10pm • Winter Wonderland Date: Ongoing-February 18 Location: Al Aali Shopping Complex Time: Weekdays: 4pm-10pm, Weekends: 4pm to midnight • Connect Four Date: January 25-February 10 Location: El Mercado Time: 4pm-10pm • Giant Ludo Date: Ongoing-February 10 Location: Saar Mall Time: 4.30pm-10pm • Camping Experience Date: Ongoing-February 10 Location: Saar Mall Time: 4.30pm-10pm
February 2018 www.womanthismonth.com news 10 Ocuplania Word of the Month CONGRATULATIONS HUDA I’d like to congratulate Sofitel’s director of talent and culture, Huda Mirza. We’ve featured her in the magazine before and she was lovely, so I was delighted to hear she was one of 11 Bahrainis from the private sector honoured for their professional achievements at an awards ceremony to mark National Day. She said: “I am incredibly proud and honoured to be recognised amongst such a talented and outstanding group of hardworking people.” Keep up the good work. AN EYE FOR AN EYE I’ve been absolutely heartbroken to see images on social media of dogs being poisoned across Bahrain. Some are the poor animals that scratch out an existence on the streets, others are much-loved pets unfortunate enough to pick up a piece of tainted meat. With a large number of cases in recent weeks, there’s no doubt this is deliberate. It’s horribly cruel and really not the way to deal with the stray dog population. Whether you like dogs or not, and I do, to see an animal dying in pain is hideous and I hope action is taken immediately. Personally, I'd poison the poisoners! MORE PRAISE FOR SAUDI Things are moving apace in the “Magic Kingdom” across the causeway. Women are now allowed to attend sporting competitions – jubilant selfies of them watching the first football match were all over social media. And, following last year’s announcement that Saudi women would be allowed to drive, they are now to get a female only car showroom. They’re activities that we take for granted – personally, I would not want to watch a football match and have no real desire to visit a car showroom, but I wouldn’t want anyone telling me I couldn’t either. These are big strides for our Saudi sisters and deserve celebration. HOT SHOTS MAKING US PROUD As a journalist, I was pretty shocked when Carrie Gracie announced her resignation from the BBC as a stand against gender pay inequality. I’m in awe that she has stood up to this huge and august corporation, which really should know better. I was delighted to learn that she was actually born in Bahrain, her father having been stationed here while employed in the oil industry. It’s nice to see a “local” girl doing us proud. BARBARIC CUSTOM While Saudi Arabia is making headlines for its advances in women’s rights, Nepal has once again gained notoriety for the wrong reasons after a woman died from smoke inhalation having made a fire in a primitive outdoor hut where she was banished to sleep because she was menstruating. The Nepalese government is trying to stamp out the tradition of chhaupadi, which comes from an ancient Hindu belief that menstruating women are unclean. Though the practice has been outlawed, enforcement will not begin until August which may be too late for some. The country sees deaths every year as women and girls are forced to leave their homes during freezing winter weather. I’m glad a law has been passed but it’s taking too long to implement. It’s a noun and it means letting your eyes wander in order to access someone’s ‘charms’. Hands up girls, we’re all guilty, no? From the editor’s chair, Liz O’Reilly shares the things that have piqued her interest this month.
www.womanthismonth.com 11 February 2017 SOCIAL BUTTERFLY Pop-up Event Al Tamimi & Co organised a pop-up evening and raffle to raise funds for Dreams Society at Oliveto restaurant. Foutoun & Latifa Nouf, Foutoun, Asma & Angela Fatima, Fatima, Fatima & Fatima Paula & Michelle Salma Faika & Hassana
www.womanthismonth.com FASHION | pick of the month February 2018 12 Rocking the Boat We’re more than a little in love with the whole Cruise Collection from Longchamp, but this bag and shoes collaboration has to be the cutest thing. Tassels are totally of the moment and what could be comfier or more bang on trend than chunky, platform espadrilles? Did someone say ship ahoy? Available at Longchamp.com
www.womanthismonth.com 13 February 2018 SOCIAL BUTTERFLY Fashion Launch Black Anaar fashion brand launched at Words Bookstore Café. Mary & Nav Qazim & Haya Dinara & Sergio Jenine & Faye Abeer & Nabil Dinara & Frances Make-up Tutorial The Beauty Hub hosted a make-up tutorial session at its store in Ashrafs showroom. Make-up artist Sedeeqa at the class Amal, Raja, Marjan & Rhizlane
February 2018 www.womanthismonth.com 14 FASHION | trend Loewe Stella McCartney Giorgio Armani Michael Kors Collection Paco Rabanne Reduce, reuse and recycle is a good way of interpreting the title of this page. However, going green here has a literal meaning. The vert colour might not always be the most popular choice for clothes and accessories. Still, from time to time the natural shade grabs some attention. Dark tones such as olive, pine and khaki are winter favourites next to strong hues such as forest, emerald and grass-green. Take some wardrobe inspiration and perhaps couple it with a more environment-friendly approach, will you? GOING GREEN Round sunglasses: Etro 17 178-459 Sunglasses: Salvatore Ferragamo 17 178-535 Tailored trousers: River Island 17 110-370 Jacket: Violeta by Mango at shop.mango.com Shiny loafers: Repetto at repetto.com Slouchy tote: Tory Burch 17 179-560 Backpack: Herschel 17 820-851 Shopping bag: Lacoste 17 179-530 Long gloves: Weill at weill.com Studded handbag: Marc Jacobs at marcjacobs.com Shoulder bag: Mulberry at mulberry.com Fluffy top: Stradivarius 17 172-306 Fake fur stole: Parfois 17 178-054 Lingerie: Oysho 17-172-304 Jumper: Zadig & Voltaire at zadig-et-voltaire.com Suede ankle boot: Rene Caovilla at renecaovilla.com
www.womanthismonth.com 15 February 2018 SOCIAL BUTTERFLY National Day at the Mall City Centre Bahrain celebrated National Day at its premises. Traditional Bahraini band Saud & Mohammed Lilyane & Filo Carolina, Cara, Zed & Gurleen Ahmed, Deepti, Sara & Khalid with performers at the event Winter Campaign City Centre Bahrain inaugurated its festive display and roaming character parade for its annual Winter Campaign. Imran, May & Sam Mariam & Sara Juwan
February 2018 www.womanthismonth.com FASHION | focus 16 Trousers are the ideal piece of clothing to take you from casual to formal. Fernanda Langhammer picks some styles to show off their potential. Wardrobe Staple CAN you believe there was a time when women were forbidden from wearing trousers? OK, there are still strange things in the world, but no trousers? The pants habit became popular in the mid-1920s (before that some girls ended up in jail just for the simple act of wearing them in public). Actresses Marlene Dietrich and Katharine Hepburn were big fans of this particular item of clothing in the 1930s and wore them all the time. The Second World War came and acceptance became mandatory for reasons such as rationing and the fact that women had to join the workforce. I can’t even think of a world without trousers. They are so versatile and the variety makes them one of the most important garments to have in your wardrobe. Pantaloons, chinos, denims, cropped, skinny, wide, high-waisted, low-waisted; well, the list is endless. And if, like me, you like to experiment with different types of fittings, this is an area to spend time and money! There is a saying in my culture that there is always a matching lid to every pot. The same thing applies to trousers. You will always find the right cut and ideal fabric that will fit like a glove, no matter your body type. There was a time when finding the perfect trousers was everything! We would stick to the same brand for years – particularly if we discovered the perfect pair of jeans. The good news is that some old fashion rules don’t really apply any more and there are so many brands and designs out there that we don’t have to worry about finding the right cut, but rather about finding what makes us feel good and confident. We are also allowed to like something then change our minds a few seasons later. Welcome to the free world of fashion! Skinny. This style became popular in the 2000s and women of all ages adapted to it. Skinnies are best worn in denim, but some tailored options can also take advantage of the tight cut. Most tops work well with them. Bootcut. Just like the name suggests, these trousers have the right cut to be worn with boots. They’re tighter in the thigh area and become wider as they reach the ankles. Wide. These comfy pants are classic and chic. Coming in different fabrics, they can take you to work or onto the red carpet with the same finesse; you just have to pick the right accessories. Joggers. A pair of trousers that comes from the sports field, but has conquered the busy streets of urban life. The casual DNA can be transformed by a tailored shirt or become the best choice for running errands in style. Palazzo. These are just an exaggerated version of the wide-legged option. They have extra fabric and a loose cut from the topdown. They probably look better when paired with tighter tops, but also work with simple squared shirts. Mos Mosh Next M&Co M&Co River Island Michelle Monaghan Yara Shahidi M&Co Katharine Hepburn
www.womanthismonth.com February 2018 FASHION | mood board 17 Man(and woman)kind has a natural curiosity for mysterious things and outer space certainly fits that category. This unknown frontier is exciting and unpredictable and the theme of many books, films and TV shows. In the fashion scenario, planets, stars and the cosmos, with its unique colours, have inspired many collections this season. Karl Lagerfeld created designs with astronauts and moons with futuristic styling. Dolce & Gabbana, and their always colourful and feminine inspiration, saw an astronaut land in the Italian parade. Isabel Marant and Manish Arora were also looking at the stars. If you want to join the space travelling in pure cosmic girl character, pick a funky handbag to add an unconventional touch to your look. They come in different flying saucer and rocket shapes embellished with stars and planets. To pair with this outfit, nebula-inspired nail art is the new fingertip fashion you’ve been looking for. As a finishing touch, apply Rihanna’s eyeshadow palette, ‘Galaxy’, from her Fenty Beauty line — it will complement the whole universe theme. Space Oddity Nail Art Accessorize New Look Isabel Marant Mango Galaxy eyeshadow palette Fenty Beauty Manish Arora Galaxy makeup Manish Arora Mugler Chanel Chanel Dolce & Gabbana Longchamp
February 2018 www.womanthismonth.com FASHION | get the look 18 Reading glasses, Etro 17 178-459. Denim long-sleeved shirt, Stradivarius 17 172-306. Charm bracelet, Marc Jacobs at marcjacobs.com Red denims, Laura Ashley 17 580-993. Hearted shoes, Dune London 16 686-215. Handbag, Desigual at desigual.com Casual Sweetheart It’s not only young girls who are on the lookout for a good pair of jeans, we all love trusty old denims for those lazy days. But what about painting them in red to spice things up? The influence of the lovers’ month leads us to the colours of the French flag, putting us in mind of Paris, of one of the most romantic cities in the world. So red, blue and white here we go! For a refreshed look, pick a denim shirt and add a funky touch with heart-printed shoes. To celebrate the month of romance, Fernanda Langhammer has put together three looks in red (also the hottest winter shade) to inspire your February days. Which look will you try? THE COLOUR OF PASSION Giorgio Armani Spring 2018 YProject AW 2017 Chandler Kinney
www.womanthismonth.com February 2018 FASHION | get the look 19 Geometric earrings, COS 17 110-361. Asymmetric earrings, Mango at mango.com Long-sleeved top, Weill at weill.com Watch with velvet strap, Parfois 17 178-054 Patterned skirt, Mary Katrantzou at marykatrantzou.com Suede handbag, Mulberry at mulberry.com Vinyl boots, Debenhams 17 110-378. Funky minaudière, Karl Lagerfeld 17 112-715 Corduroy skirt, Zara 17 110-369 Belt, Paul Smith at paulsmith.com Boots, Longchamp at longchamp.com Turtle neck blouse, Hobbs 17 581-078. Scarlet Diva Sporting head to toe crimson is not for everyone. However, things seem to be changing and playing around with different shades of cherry has become a great way to dress to impress. Designers have decided the concept is here to stay. Fashion shows from the autumn and winter collections and from spring and summer 2018 have shown that girls can look great in all-over red. Now it’s your turn! Colour Block The duo red plus pink has long been accepted by the fashion community. The new colour palette to be explored is red plus purple. The adventurous combination results in eye-catching looks. Colourful patterns paired with solid elements is the best way to conquer the style. The good news is that the stores are packed with these colours and the new collections are also coming in these bold shades to stock your wardrobe.
20 February 2017 www.womanthismonth.com SOCIAL BUTTERFLY Confluence 2017 Angels Toastmasters Club held its Confluence 2017 event at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Neenu, Asha, Muneera & Sushma Nali, Shamna & Kumkum Faeza & Sara Fareeda, Mini, Rosaline, Bijal, Priyanka & Firdouji Art Exhibition The art exhibition, ( SHE ), took place at Hend Gallery, under the patronage of HE Shaikha Hind bint Salman Al Khalifa. Seema, Zakeya & Balquees Farah & Noora Ghada & Camille Latif, Fareed & Zain Shaikha Maram, Mayasa & Maryam Fakhroo
www.womanthismonth.com February 2018 FASHION | essentials 21 Le Parisien. The beret is usually associated with French style — an emblem of artists and creative people. Wear it for fashion and warmth. Juicy Lips. Find a different way to apply your red lipstick, concentrating a darker colour in the middle of the lips. It will give you the best stained effect. Athleisure Wear. When comfy clothes meet work wear in the best way. Loose trousers look smart if teamed with a tailored white shirt. First day at the office, checked! Be My Valentine. Celebrate love with inspirational accessories. This minaudière clutch from Dune London is a thoughtful gift and the perfect carry-on for your special date night. You can be classy and hip at the same time. Pied de Poule. The pattern, also known as houndstooth, can be an up-to-date alternative to tired checks. XL Scarf. If cold weather is on the way, a big, thick and cosy shawl is what you need. You can vogue away or snuggle in it at home. Stella McCartney AW 2017 Christian Dior The goddess biker, Elie Saab at its best! Espadrilles are the sort of casual footwear we all fall in love with at first sight. Sometimes simple tricks can reinvent a look. Check out what Fernanda Langhammer selected this month. 10 Things to Try This Month Straight Jacket. Square shouldered, sleeved and waist-less, that’s your next coat purchase. The between- seasons staple that will accompany you to work and on a girls’ night out. 2 3 4 5 6 8 1 7 9 Transform your plain sweater with fluffy cuffs. 10 Celine Elie Saab Marc Jacobs Victoria Beckham Wanda Nylon Dune London Longchamp Giambattista Valli Wanda Nylon Zara
February 2018 www.womanthismonth.com FASHION | fashion forward 22 To celebrate Chinese New Year, luxury leather brand Loewe is launching a special collection capturing the spirit of the occasion with a festive fireworks print, chosen by creative director Jonathan Anderson. The print is featured on some of the brand’s most iconic items, from wallets and bags — including the popular Hammock — to pouches and backpacks. Available in different sizes on calfskin, the print features a recurring bright pink and fiery flashes of gold as well as glowing red to represent a new year full of wellbeing and prosperity. Expertly finished details translate the house’s craft knowledge into functional products that evoke the holiday’s rich significance. If the name Shahira Yusuf is not yet familiar, take note, it soon will be. She’s the latest find from the people who discovered Kate Moss. Yep, the modelling agency Storm has made its first hijab-wearing signing and this girl is certainly no shrinking violet. The London-based Somali wrote on Twitter: “I ain’t no Kendall Jenner but I’m a black Muslim girl from East London that’s about to finesse the modelling industry.” The post was liked more that 100,000 times and had lots of support. Sounds like one to watch for the future. HIJABI AMBASSADOR Artizara.com, the pioneering art-centric Islamic fashion and lifestyle brand, has announced hijab fashion icon and social media influencer Hanan Tehaili as its newest brand ambassador. Born and raised in Canada, Hanan sports her hijab in style and rocks the Muslim fashion world. Her YouTube channel has almost 60,000 subscribers tuning in to watch beauty and make-up tutorials as well as fashion and lifestyle advice. She says: “My platform is a place of positivity, motivation and love, with the main message being that everyone is unique and that is what makes them beautiful” This sits perfectly with the ethos of Artizara which was founded in 2002 as “a modest fashion resource for active, socially conscious women” and is now setting its sights to grow into a global Islamic art and culture-inspired lifestyle brand. BACKSTAGE PASS Our take on what’s cool, trending and fashionable Azzedine Alaïa Exhibition Planned A retrospective honouring the late Tunisian designer Azzedine Alaïa will open at the Design Museum in London in May. Alaïa, whose sudden death from heart failure rocked he world of fashion, had been working with the museum’s guest curator, Mark Wilson, on the exhibition, selecting rare pieces from his archive and providing documentation of his creative process. The Paris-based designer was widely celebrated for his ability to cut, fit, drape and tailor in a traditional way. He was also hugely popular, with models such as Naomi Campbell paying tearful tributes at his passing. Azzedine Alaïa: the Couturier will run for five months and will include more than 60 couture pieces from the designer’s 35-year body of work. A MODEST STORM Chinese New Year collection
www.womanthismonth.com February 2018 23 Fashion house Gucci signalled the opening of the new Gucci Garden by illuminating a giant neon eye artwork on the façade of the elegant, ancient Palazzo della Mercanzia in Florence. Designed by Gucci creative director Alessandro Michele, the Gucci Garden is an exploration of the eclectic creativity that lies at the very heart of the house. It showcases a wide range of pieces from collections dating back to the house’s Florentine origins in 1921 married with recent work, memorabilia, ephemera and contemporary art tellin the story of the house by colliding past with present. Victoria Beckham heads to home turf to show at London Fashion Week (LFW) for the first time this September as part of celebrations to mark her brand’s 10th anniversary. In a throwback to her early days, this month the designer will conduct "intimate presentations" at the James Burden Mansion in Manhattan, showcasing her current collection. After introducing her line with these “small” events, Victoria went on to hold full-on catwalk shows at New York Fashion Week. She has never before shown at LFW, though a substantially different-looking Mrs Beckham took to the runway herself for Maria Grachvogel in 2000. Florentine Garden VB in London Ladies Luncheon A ladies luncheon was held at La Taverna, Coral Bay. Top row: Heather, HE Hatun Demirer, Mariam, Anne, Sharifa, Mamta & Balqees Seated: Rashida, Faye, Lynne, Henny & Gabriella Amal, Anne, Rihab & Balqees Mamta HE Hatun Demirer & Heather
February 2018 www.womanthismonth.com PEOPLE | interview 24 Ethiopian Esky, as she is known, has been in Bahrain more than 20 years and, in that time, the mother of two has worked successfully in several commercial fields, but the arts and community service are her true passions. She has long been involved with the Migrant Workers Protection Society both as a board member and hands-on volunteer. She says: “The society helps people from many countries but I work most closely with my own countrymen and women, particularly domestic workers; I can understand and relate to the situations they find themselves in and I do my best to help.” She is also a member of the NGO (nongovernmental organisation) Mary Joy, in Ethiopia, which sponsors children, elders and other disadvantaged groups through integrated development programmes. “The founder, Sister Zebider, is one of my heroes,” says Esky. “The project focuses on Ethiopian-to-Ethiopian help rather than waiting for aid, which I think is really important.” Tying into this, she recently produced her first film, Tikur Engeda, which deals with the sometimes difficult issue of adoption and what might go wrong when an adopted child seeks out their birth parents. But, she explains: “This was my first film as producer and I also acted in it, but I had already written my own film and became involved with this production as a way of learning about the market. “My second film, which begins shooting in March, hopefully between Bahrain and Ethiopia, is the film I always wanted to make. It talks about the concept of migration – how it starts with your own country; people think it’s about a geographical place but it’s a lot more. I talk about love, domestic workers, family, trying to show what’s happening and how things can change – and it’s important to note it will include Bahraini actors.” Her interest in the welfare of her fellow Ethiopians brought her to the attention of the diplomatic community and it was suggested that she should take up the role of honorary consul representing her country in the Kingdom. She says: “It took quite a long time for me to be officially recognised and I was told by the ministry that I am the first female honorary consul, which is quite an honour. “Once people heard about my appointment, lots of them asked me what an honorary consul actually does. The answer, if you look online, is that you serve your country and your people — for free. I’ve been doing that half my life anyway, so it’s nice for that to be recognised.” In this role her arts background is also important since one of her aims is to promote Ethiopian culture on the island. She says: “The honorary consul’s role is to bring our two countries together both in culture and business. “I hope to organise an Ethiopian Week, bringing business people to Bahrain from Ethiopia and I’m also talking to the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce looking at ways to promote Ethiopian products in addition to coffee, flowers, livestock and seeds. “I also want to promote Ethiopia as a country; now that we have a direct flight with Ethiopian Airlines I would love to see more Bahrainis visiting for tourism – it’s only a three-and-ahalf-hour flight, so it would be perfect for a weekend visit.” g Film-maker and philanthropist Eskedar Girmay tells Liz O’Reilly about her role as Bahrain’s first female honorary consul. Eskedar Girmay The Girl From Korem... Esky was instrumental in bringing Dr Tedros Adhanom on an official visit to Bahrain as he sought support for his appointment as director-general of the World Health Organisation.
www.womanthismonth.com February 2018 PEOPLE | interview 25 Canadian, Fran, will be familiar to many as the face of events such as Bab Market and Little India in Bahrain. In November 2016, she launched her own clothing label, Black Anaar, and later moved to Berlin in hopes of developing the brand. However, missing, among other things, the desert sun, she’s now planning to split her time between Germany and Bahrain and she recently launched a new pop-up concept at More Words on the Budaiya Highway. She explains: “Basically I have a little of the souk within the boutique – so customers can choose their “shape” based on the samples present, choose their material and then choose their embellishment details to be added on. It started with the idea for my new winter collection sweatshirts, made in my Berlin Atelier, that have cute little elements such as lace on the sleeves, to be able to be designed by the customer. I think people will really enjoy this as you can’t do that at H&M for example; also for some people venturing into Manama Souq is daunting. It also gets customers to be a bit more invested in their creations as I am trying to promote slow fashion and holding on to special pieces for years... not just weeks.” Black Anaar pieces are distinctive, they’re flowing and, for anyone who knows the souq, the materials are familiar. Asked about the Black Anaar women, Fran says: “She has class and likes to dress up, weather that means standing out or being more laid back, it always means she will have a refined taste. Even the funky, more colourful pieces have been made with love and care and the fabrics I have chosen reflect the same value in taste. That doesn't mean she can’t be more daring with the pieces if she chooses to wear them in her own unique way. Many of the designs lend themselves to being mixed and matched with either jeans and a T-shirt or a nice evening dress... it just depends on how creative the wearer is. “Because of Germany's minimal style, many people who would love to wear these pieces on a daily basis can’t due to obvious restrictions such as having to ride a bicycle around Berlin, so they opt to buy ‘special’ pieces to be worn at summer music festivals. This has proven to be my best new market in Berlin... also the tourists from LA and Russia love the unique styles and their long flowing silhouettes. “ Fran is planning to be in the Kingdom throughout the winter and says: “I always like to do a yearly pop-up here and to be able to take part in some of the island's iconic festivals and markets. I’m really excited to take part in the Soundscapes festival! “I hope to be able to introduce the brand to other Gulf countries and cities this winter. I’ll be travelling to Dubai and hopefully Kuwait. Also, I’ll be back in Germany for the festival season [the summer]. I will also be in Canada at some point with another pop-up which has yet to be booked. I’m so thankful for all the collaborations with photographers that occurred this year and for all the concept stores and boutiques that gave Black Anaar a place! I’m excited for what this year will have in store.” g Designer Fran Stafford came up with a unique pop-up concept to help introduce her styles. She told Liz O’Reilly what’s involved. Fran, left, at the pop-up DIY Design
February 2018 www.womanthismonth.com PEOPLE | interview 26 How and why did you first get involved in sport? As a child I spent most of my free time with my dad while he was working with the tennis federation to build the courts and stands. I was overwhelmed and fascinated by tennis back then and he supported that interest by buying me my first tennis racket for my 12th birthday. Before investing my time in tennis, I used to play football in the neighbourhood and my dad used to organise small tournaments and bought cups to encourage all the kids. In 2012, two years after the birth of my daughter, I switched sports to triathlon as it was very hard to organise tennis matches and I needed to workout to help with my postpartum depression that lasted a long time. And, just like that, triathlon did its magic and helped me overcome my postpartum depression. How have you maintained your interest over the years – fitting in time for training around a demanding job (as a marketing specialist at Zain) and the other things daily life throws at us? Passion is the answer. My passion for triathlon taught me to be a more organised person and ready for the ups and downs of life. Triathlon changes you in ways you cannot imagine. You become more resilient, dedicated and organised. I won’t say it is easy. There are bad days, but when you set your eyes on the ultimate goal, you learn to pick yourself up and move on, tick off another training session and reap the rewards of the hard work. I understand you are involved with all Zain’s race teams – what is your favourite to participate in? The best feeling in the world is to belong to a team that supports your vision and goals. I represent Zain’s racing team in running and triathlon which involves swim, bike and run. You are the first Bahraini woman in your age group (35 to 39) to qualify for the London and Boston marathons, will you be taking up both places and how will you train? Yes I am the first Bahraini woman age grouper to ever qualify for Boston and London, regardless of age, and I decided to do Boston. It is a great honour to qualify for one of the most famous and prestigious marathons in the world. Marathon training requires a minimum of three months and ideally six months. However, due to my base training done previously for the Bahrain Ironman 70.3, all I need is three months to prepare for Boston. Do you feel the discipline of training for, what some would consider, extreme challenges helps you in other areas of your life and, if yes, how? Of course it does. Like I mentioned previously, training for endurance sports teaches you discipline especially that you cannot reap the rewards immediately. It is a long process of ups and downs that requires patience and belief. It does not only affect me as a person but my kids too. I can see that it has taught them to want to excel and be active in different sports keeping them away from the iPAD life. Do you have any plans to take on other sports? At the moment no. I am pretty much enjoying what I do. What would be your message for other women, both younger and in your age group, who want to take up distance running and competition? It is never too late to start. I started at the age of 33 and have achieved so much; it made me grow as a person and mother. May Alhaji, of Zain Racing, is the first Bahraini woman in her age group to qualify for both London and Boston marathons. She told WTM what keeps her on track. May Alhaji Keep on Running
www.womanthismonth.com February 2018 FEATURE | vallentine hotels 27 Venue: La Fontaine Centre of Contemporary Art Enjoy a sumptuous dinner (set menu) amid a live piano performance by Japanese pianist, Mina, who will be playing some romantic pieces by Liszt, Elgar and Martini and opera arias, from 8pm. Set menu, BD 25+ per person or BD 45+ per couple. Venue: Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay Intimate romantic dinner by AZURE Pool and Lounge: BD 120++ per couple inclusive of cabana rental and a personalised dinner with soft beverages and shisha. Special Asian menu crafted with love at re/ Asian Cuisine by Wolfgang Puck: Fourcourse meal priced at BD45++ per person. World-class dining experience at CUT by Wolfgang Puck: Four-course set menu priced at BD45++ per person. Venue: The Gulf Hotel Royal Thai: An exotic four-course set menu inclusive of selected beverages, BD50++ per couple (Regular) and BD46++ per couple (Prestige). After-dinner party at Typhoon with the QBA band. Margarita Mexicana: A special set menu (February 14-16) with a complimentary round of house margarita, BD46++ per couple (Regular) and BD42++ per couple (Prestige). Fusions: An intimate dinner, four-course menu with a glass of bubbly, ladies receive a rose on arrival, BD56++ per couple (Regular) and BD50++ per couple (Prestige). Love in the Air! Most hotels spread the love on Valentine’s Day with scrumptious dining offers to treat your significant other. Here’s a sneak peek to help you plan a romantic evening. Rasoi: Four-course candlelight dinner, romantic saxophone tunes, complimentary bubbly and a red rose for the lady, BD58++ per couple (Regular) and BD52++ per couple (Prestige). La Pergola, Zahle and China Garden will also be serving Valentine’s Day specials. Venue: Le Meridien City Centre Bahrain Valentine’s themed brunch: Baharat, February 9, 12.30pm-4pm, BD22++ including soft drinks and water or BD32++ including selected free flow beverages, live music from South African duo, The Duex Song. Book for 10+ people and receive 20 per cent discount. Valentine’s themed BBQ buffet: Baharat, February 14, 7pm-11pm, BD20++ including soft drink and water or BD24++ including selected free flow beverages, live music from South African duo, The Deux Song. Venue: The Westin City Centre Bahrain Mezzanine Lounge: A special four-course set menu at BD35++ per couple or BD50++ per couple with romantic set-up in a private booth (limited space available), 7pm-11pm. Furn Bistro: Enjoy a four-course set menu, BD35++ per couple, romantic set-up available. Venue: The Crowne Plaza Bahrain Enjoy an enchanted evening with a Valentine-themed masquerade party – Beauty & The Beast, at The Harvesters Pub & Terrace, from 9pm onwards. A Family Fun Brunch with the same theme will be held on February 9, 12.30pm-4pm, BD31. Valentine Special Buffet: Spices Indian restaurant, BD12 with selected soft beverages, 4pm-11pm. Romantic Valentine Dinner: Waves seafood restaurant, three-course meal with a glass of grape, 4pm-11pm, BD14. Venue: Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa Saraya Restaurant: Valentine’s-themed Grand Friday Brunch, February 16. BD36 with soft drinks, BD40 with selected beverages and BD60 with branded bubbles. Fiamma: Five-star fare from a set menu. Pashawat: It’s Valentine’s every night with a special set menu for two throughout the month. Lagoon Bar: Enjoy a candle-lit dinner by the private beach with a tailormade package including a cabana, a spa treatment and a special room package at BD250.
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