Woman This Month - July 2012

2 | July 2012 | woman this month People 14 What Women Want: Suhair Al Ajjawi 16 Don’t Say it, Paint it: Hanadi Al Ghanim and her art Shopping 08 New This Month: Colourful timepieces for summer 10 Snazzt Specs: Eye wear to be you noticed 12 Comfy Jumsuits: For that light and breezy look Fashion 18 Fashion Forward: What’s hot this month 20 Fashion News Bulletin: All the latest fashion buzz 22 Celebrity Fashion: What the stars are wearing 24 Island Life: Your guide to holiday chic 26 Posh Life: Dress for that idyllic resort lifestyle 24 '20' Tips: Dress for the summer Beauty 30 Beauty News: The latest products in town 32 Fragrances: Summer scents 34 Feature: Attaining your ideal look for the eyes and skin 24 Island Life: Your guide to holiday chic Well-being 54 Feature: Coping with sickle cell anaemia Parenting 56 Feature: Simple solutions to sleeping well Regulars 06 Write Here, Write Now: Your letters to us 48 Social Butterfly: New Ideas for the Home 52 Campaign: Sickle Cell Anaemia 60 Travel: Head for the islands for a memorable break 62 Recipes: Desserts to keep you smiling through the heat 70 Horoscope: Your July Predictions 71 Pink Pages: Your guide to local stores and services 72 WoMentality: Digital domestic 14 54 18 60 24 contents | JUly 2012 July 2012, issue 113 Apricot does high summer. More fashion inside… woman this month JULY 2012 ı COSMETIC PROCEDURES ı www.womanthismonth.com HOME SUBSCRIBERS COPY ISSUE 113 Bahrain Edition BEAUTY | FASHION | HOME | WELLBEING | PARENTING | LOCAL ISSUES Artistic Licence Hanadi Al Ghanim Island Life Holiday Fashion Total Perfection Flawless Skin Sleepless Nights Wide Awake Kids JULY 2012 | Issue 113 www.womanthismonth.com

4 | July 2012 | woman this month Welcome EDITOR's letter It is with great sadness that I announce that this is my last issue as Editor of Woman This Month magazine! I have greatly enjoyed my time at the helm of such a fun, vibrant, colourful, informative and on-the-ball publication. I am going to miss the Red House Marketing family and thank them for all that they have done for me. My brilliant team of female writers are as hard-working and spirited as they come, so thank you girls! To everyone in sales, design, production, accounts, IT and beyond, you have all helped to make my job easier and the magazine would not have reached its current quality and standard without you. I have so valued the opportunity to interview and work with some extremely interesting and inspiring people. You have opened my eyes to all the riches that beautiful Bahrain has to offer. As I take a leap of faith into the great unknown, in a bid to undertake a new challenge, I am reminded of one of my favourite proverbial phrases: “nothing ventured, nothing gained”. If you don’t go after what you want, you won’t have much chance of ending up where you want to be. It is a motto by which I think we should all strive to live our lives. My last issue is packed with the usual offerings: great women, cutting-edge fashion, up-to-date runway news, yummy food, informed parenting tips and lots of great female voices and opinions. Happy reading! Natasha Bird Editor For of the moment news, tips, advice and fun links, follow Woman This Month on Twitter @WomanThisMonthB responsible editor Jubran AbdulRahman chairman & publisher George F Middleton publishing director David M Robertson editorial consultant Dr Paul Balles editor NATASHA BIRD contributors Dr Claire McInroy george r vaughan James Claire staff writers Elma Bartholomew Maryam A. Toorani ALISON COLDRIDGE KEERTHANA LOUIS print production manager Sabu Sebastian layout & graphics RODOLFO A. REYES JR. Dalal Al-Sabbagh media coordinator SARAH ANSARI media executives ESKY Girmay May Mohammed sales manager Mayukh Majumdar circulation FAWAZ AL BALOOSHI photography editor anil Ravi Shankar photographers Shankar Kunhambu Subeesh Kumar NS printing press Union Press, Bahrain Contents copyrighted 2004© 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 for women in Bahrain wishing to celebrate a unique cosmopolitan lifestyle and community spirit in an objective and proactive manner. 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 the address below. The publisher reserves the right to edit, reject or comment editorially on all material contributed. 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 224, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain Woman This Month is a member of BPA Worldwide on a Jet Plane Leaving

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6 | July 2012 | woman this month Letters The Female Perspective STAR LETTER Write Here Write Now 46 | June 2012 | woman this month 47 woman this month | June 2012 | dog, but what about the reclining big toe pose?!) do have merit and extensive success rates behind them. Yoga has been proven to benefit a great number of ailments; most commonly, it is known for being a great stress relief exercise and calms both the mind and body to achieve a state of “Zen”. There has been an emergence of studies showing yoga to be a course of treatment for cancer patients, depicting that the motion decreases pain, anxiety and depression. It has also been used as a treatment for schizophrenia, by improving cognitive functions and for heart disease, through reducing blood pressure levels. Overall, there are 10 general benefits which are believed to occur in every person who practices yoga regularly; 1. Stress relief 2. Pain relief 3. Better breathing 4. Flexibility 5. Increased strength 6. Weight management 7. Improved circulation 8. Cardiovascular conditioning 9. Inner peace 10. Improved concentration Trending now Yoga retreats As we edge into summer, many will be preparing their minds and bodies for a yoga retreat holiday. There are stunning locations dotted around the world that promise the ambiance and environment you need to really “find yourself”, whilst getting slim and trim. A favourite for celebs is Bali, but Turkey, Spain, France and Goa are all valuable competitors. Paddleboard yoga This form of the sport is slowly making its way over from America. Forget surfing and instead, test your centre, calm and balance whilst striking a pose in open water…and trying not to fall in! Anti-gravity yoga This is one of the newest fads and is also known as “suspension yoga”. Positioned in a speciallydesigned harness, you will feel the low-impact benefits of inversion therapy combined with yoga’s emphasis on strength and flexibility. Kids’ yoga This year, kids’ yoga has hit Bahrain, with classes cropping up for your little ones to take part in. The sport has been shown to calm children down naturally and promote more coursed energy and less fatigue. Festival yoga For a real hippy vibe, festivals worldwide now incorporate yoga classes into their busy timetables. Last month, celebs and other festival-goers were seen stretching and posing on their mats at hip event Coachella. Laughter yoga This fad has actually just arrived in Bahrain, and you can enroll in classes at Namaste Centre in Budaiya. The idea is that you combine yoga with self-triggered laughter exercises to release endorphins and increase blood flow, subsequently burning calories. Yoga and spinning New York spinning teacher and Yogi Noll Danial formulated this odd fusion. Participants begin spinning on their bikes for half the class and then dismount to use the bike’s handlebars for poses and positions. The Power of Yoga Exercise doesn’t have to be a chore or a quick fix for losing weight. Yoga is a lifestyle form of exercise that goes beyond just making your body healthy — it heals your mind too. By Alison Coldridge When yoga became a top exercise trend, followed by its sidekick Pilates, no one thought these sweat-less forms of fitness class would stick around for long. In an age where we run, jump, punch, squat, kick and spin until soaked in perspiration; it seems inconceivable that a quiet, serene and seemingly easy form of exercise would take off. But it did. This ancient form of relaxation has become more mainstream than running on a treadmill. In the USA alone, a whopping 72.2 per cent of women and 27.8 per cent of men favour it above any other type of exercise. And this summer is seeing even more out-there styles, techniques and yoga recitals emerge, proving its worth as a true exercise trendsetter. An ancient art As a spiritual, mental and physical discipline, yoga originated in ancient India over 5,000 years ago and is related to the meditation processes seen in Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. It’s the oldest defined practice of self-development and holds the overall aim of achieving a perfect sense of calm, balance and contentment within one’s self. Originally, yoga techniques were passed down from teacher to student through word of mouth, until they were written down by Indian sage Patarjali, considered to be the father of yoga. In the western world, yoga made its first real breakthrough in the swinging sixties and re-emerged stronger than ever in what’s known as the “yoga boom” in the late eighties. Nowadays, it is known mainly as a form of exercise. You may be familiar with the different types: hatha, ashtanga, bikram, kundalini, lyenga. Hatha is the most common style, which consists of a combination of positions, breathing and meditation. The crux of yoga is this focus on breathing, a sense of self-control that celebrities, such as Madonna and Jennifer Aniston, have found lifealtering and imperative to their figures and stress levels. There are many different positions, each putting emphasis on a different area of the body to fully stretch and flex every muscle. numerous benefits The somewhat comical positions and names (we’re all familiar with the downward-facing Wellbeing Yoga in Bahrain: where to go l World Beat Fitness Centre and Café; call 17 612-576. l Dessange; call 17 713-999. l Lotus Yoga; call 17 810-789. l Bahrain Wellness Resort; call 17 795-961. l Curves; call 17 691-496. l Namste; call 38 855-999. 52 | June 2012 | woman this month 53 woman this month | June 2012 | When Hollywood actress Catherine Zeta Jones announced last month that she was checking into a mental health clinic to get treated for bipolar disorder, she made public a little understood mental condition that’s commonly confused with depression or other mood disorders. Bipolar disorder can be misdiagnosed as anything from schizophrenia to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), given the similar symptoms as other mental ailments. Yet, there are several distinguishing factors that can help you understand this condition, produce the right diagnosis and eventually, manage it for life. What it means Also known as manic depressive illness, bipolar disorder is a brain condition that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day work. It is characterised by periods of extreme emotional highs or “mania”, alternating with severe bouts of depression. While Bipolar I symptoms are severe and can last for weeks, interfering with the sufferer’s day-to-day activities, the Bipolar II condition is less debilitating and people can cope with their daily routine. A third variation, Bipolar III, or Cyclothymia, is a mild form of bipolar disorder where episodes of hypomania shift back and forth with mild depression for at least two years. “Symptoms of mania can include feeling overly happy, extremely agitated and nervy or irritable. In this state, the bipolar sufferer may feel they need little sleep and are more willing to take risks at work, in their relationships and with their assets,” observes Sharon Gorman, cognitive behavioural therapist and co-founder of Crisec Consultants. On the other hand, when depression sets in, the person has feelings of low esteem and emptiness, loss of interest in the usual things, marked lack of concentration and dark thoughts of suicide. The symptoms are acute and can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance and even death through suicide. Studying data collected from 11 countries, including the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and New Zealand, researchers from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) in the US found that about 2.4 per cent of the world’ s population has bipolar disorder. Who is at risk While there is no single cause behind this condition, bipolar disorder tends to run in families. “Individuals with a family history of bipolar disorder are 70 per cent more likely to develop this condition compared to others,” notes psychotherapist Thoraiya Kanafani. The condition is found to be more prevalent in women than men, with a ratio of approximately 3:2, as established by the National Co-morbidity Study in the US. Low thyroid function, called hypothyroidism, has been associated with rapid cycling in some people with bipolar disorder, especially women. Of the people studied worldwide who had bipolar symptoms, the NIMH team found that 75 per cent had at least one other disorder, the most common being anxiety disorders, especially panic disorder, followed by behaviour disorders and substance abuse disorders. The triggers Some of the common triggers for episodes of the illness are stress, money worries, relationship problems, difficulties at work, school or college, irregular sleep schedule, use of alcohol, drugs or caffeine, disrupted routine and missing medications. In case of actress Zeta Jones, her condition was said to have been caused by the stress of watching her husband, actor Michael Douglas, battle cancer over the past year. “It’s important to recognise distress or dysfunction in the family of a patient with bipolar disorder, since such ongoing stress may worsen the patient’s illness or interfere with treatment,” says Thoraiya. Managing bipolar disorder While there’s no cure for this chronic and lifelong illness, it’s possible for sufferers to live nearly normal lives with the correct medication, diet and support mechanisms in place. The first step in managing this condition is getting the right diagnosis, which is not easy, given the NIMH findings that only about 25 per cent of people with this condition worldwide were being treated for bipolar disorder. “This is not a straightforward condition, for which reason, there’s widespread misdiagnosis. It’s important that the physician considers the medical history alongside the family background, as the condition has a significant genetic component and often affects several members in the family,” says Sharon. Bipolar disorder has been deemed the most expensive behavioural health care diagnosis, costing more than twice as much as depression for every affected individual, according to US-based Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Treatment will usually include a programme of medication to reduce the manic feelings and ‘mood stabilisers’ to lift the depression of sufferers. Alongside that, therapeutic interventions with a qualified therapist, where sufferers can express their concerns and experiences in a non-judgemental environment, can prevent recurrences. Families are educated in ways to cope with and support the family member with bipolar disorder,” says Thoraiya. People suffering from this condition will benefit in a big way from a disciplined lifestyle, experts opine. “The sufferers should ensure they get regular amounts of sleep, keep physically fit and eat a regular healthy diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids as these can reduce mood swings,” advises Sharon. Knowledge and support is key Finally, bipolar disorder may be a very debilitating illness, but it can be effectively managed by sufferers, their families and loved ones if the sufferer takes ownership of the illness and shares his or her concerns with their family. “A key element is to understand the illness and what triggers it in the sufferer. Sometimes the sufferer will need to speak with his or her physician, other times with a therapist and at others with their loved ones. There are numerous self-help groups that sufferers can join to find out more about their condition, its management and to simply share their experiences with others,” says Sharon. Also, making themselves knowledgeable about their condition can help them feel like they have some control over it instead of it controlling them. The best help for a sufferer of bipolar disorder is the team approach that can help him or her to feel that they’re not on their own and that they can hope for a constructive and happy life. For psychotherapy or counselling sessions, call Sharon at 66 344-470 and Thoraiya at 36 692-377. Living Edge Campaign We’ve all been subject to mood swings at some point in our lives, but when the “highs” start to contrast very sharply with the “lows”; it’s time to suspect something might be very wrong. on the So Much Variety My sister and I have been trying to lose weight and get fit for a few months, but without a lot of success. The thing is that both of us are getting older and our knee and hip joints are not what they used to be. I found Alison’s article about yoga to be very helpful. I did not realise that there so many different types of yoga. After her article I looked into some yoga classes here at the World Beat Fitness centre and I think it will be a great option for me and my sister. It will be easier on our joints, but it will still give us a workout. Thanks Alison! Ruli, by Email WRITE IN AND WIN Send your letter to editor@womanthismonth. com, by fax to 17 813-700 or by post to PO Box 20461, Manama. The star letter will win BD60 worth of delightfully scented products from the amazing Zohoor Al Reef perfumery and cosmetics company. The winner can choose to receive three perfumes, from a selection offered by the company. So, to make sure you feel and smell great next month, be sure to write to us! I thought it was a good idea for you to include an article about bipolar disorder in your “campaign” section. My mother has bipolar disorder and I have struggled with it and with looking after her for my whole life. So many people do not understand that it is a real and common problem and they don’t understand what the symptoms look like. Often you find that people just dismiss it as strange behaviour and then you find that people are not very tolerant. I am glad that there are some people trying to create awareness in Bahrain as there is more awareness in the rest of the world about it. If you have really noticed ups and downs in your behaviour you should always go and see a doctor and don’t stop until you get an answer as in some places it can take a while to be diagnosed properly. Linda, by email. Ups and Downs It was fantastic to read about Joseph Tito’s latest project. I think the storyline to Dana sounds really fascinating and I like that he is taking the time to showcase the viewpoint of Bahraini women. Not just modern day Bahraini women, but Bahraini women through recent history. It seems a shame that it takes someone from another culture to come in and give Bahraini women a voice. But, at the same time, I don’t want to take anything away from what he is doing, because it is great. I look forward to hearing about the process and watching the end result. Shirley, by email. 17 woman this month | June 2012 | Interview Other Side From the Perceptions of women in the Arab world vary from place to place. Arguably, though, there is a propensity for negative stereotyping. Natasha Bird talks to writer, director and movie-maker Joseph Tito about his upcoming project — a film seeking to bring the strength and character of Bahraini women to light. The idea that the women in the region are weak and inferior or designated as second-class citizens by their male counterparts is something that this magazine has been fighting against since its inception. Luckily for us, there are others out there on the same mission. Joseph Tito, a young film-maker from Italy, currently based in Bahrain, is one such person. Joseph might still be a relatively young buck in the film industry, but that isn’t to say he doesn’t already have some big achievements under his belt. His work has had showings at a variety of prestigious international film festivals, including those in Toronto, Washington, Madrid and Sydney and some have gone on to be distributed by the likes of the Canadian Filmmakers Distribution Society and Indican Pictures. His latest project is a film called Dana, which chronicles the lives of three generations of Bahraini women within the same family as they fight for the right to be educated, to travel, to be independent and to follow the religion of their choosing. “I came on holiday to Bahrain to see a friend and I met a lot of Bahraini women — from different age groups, classes and religious denominations. And it completely changed my impression of Arab women. I realised that I had this view of them as covered, silent, weak and even beaten. This isn’t the case,” Joseph explains. “Too many films and too much of the literature that comes out about the Middle East focuses on the negative. Osama, by Siddiq Barmak, A Separation, by Asghar Farhadi or The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, for example,” he continues; “The media and then the films and books are what form our opinion and they display women as seemingly having no power.” A need to overturn these sorts of stereotypes is what fuels Joseph’s enthusiasm for his current undertaking. “For me,” he says, “it is important that my films make people think. I enjoy watching films that, when the credits roll up, you are thinking or arguing with someone about it. As a film-maker, I see it as my chance to tell a different story, or a different viewpoint. I don’t want to tell people what to think, but I want to leave them with several accounts and then leave them to think about which they agree with and which they don’t.” It has been important to Joseph, of course, to make sure that some of the strong Bahraini women that he admires so much are a part of the project: “I have this amazing Bahraini writer. I won’t give away her identity just yet, but she was recommended to me by the lovely Shaikha Mai. It is women like Shaikha Mai that make me want to do this film. She is powerful and strong and shows a real determination and love for the project.” The film will demonstrate the changing role of women over the course of three generations. Dana, the main character, is outspoken and determined. She travels abroad to go to university and she joins the political student union whilst there, but her mother Hessa and her daughter Layla’s stories are very different. Hessa, although one of the first women to drive in Bahrain, was married at 12 and didn’t go to university. Layla, on the other hand, has a much greater degree of freedom, but establishes a strong religious identity and chooses to wear the burqa. Joseph is certain of the topicality of his project. “The women in this film are going to be real people”, says Joseph, “Yes, this is an Arabic story, but it is also universal. My own grandmother was married at the age of 12 in the south of Italy. Women’s roles have evolved everywhere.” When I ask him about his motivation for concentrating on women, his answer is more than a little heart warming: “All my films are womenbased. I love my mother. She is strong and open and goes on and fights. I think that if women ruled the world we would be living in a much happier and safer place. Women are mothers and when you are a mother and you give birth to something, you are just kinder and more compassionate.” There are a large number of parts to be played and Joseph is determined to cast as many local Bahraini actresses as possible. If you are interested in taking part in the film, you still have a chance to audition. Bahrain’s first wave of castings will take place on May 17, 18 and 19. Details of further auditions and a breakdown of each character can be found on the JEO Productions website. For more information visit www.jeoproductions.com or call Leila on 34 394-517. Loredana Mantello Joseph Tito The Arab world has been experiencing a particularly high level of global exposure in the last few years. The Arab Spring in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and beyond has attracted our attention and journalists and self-appointed commentators alike have flooded the internet with accounts of brutality, tyranny and revolution. Whether consciously or not, most of the news-aware population has begun to form opinions about this part of the world — relating to politics, history and even the traditions and cultures. Although a lot of the focus has been on government organisations, other components of the Arab world have come under scrutiny. The women of the Middle East have seen the spotlight turn firmly in their direction. Unfortunately, though, this hasn’t been an overwhelmingly positive experience. From condemning the hijab to lamenting the idea that women aren’t allowed to drive in certain countries, there has been an alarming level of criticism. | June 2012 | woman this month 16

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8 | July 2012 | woman this month Shopping Colourful Time Whatever the weather, accessorise your summer with a colourful timepiece. A watch is the simplest way to enhance any outift and will keep you on time! Opt for an over-the-top style if you want to make a statement or simply add a pop of colour to your wrist for a fun and summery look. Parfois. Available in Bahrain City Centre. Bvlgari. Available in Moda Mall. Piaget. Available in Bahrain City Centre. Fendi. Available in Moda Mall. Omega. Available in Moda Mall and Bahrain City Centre. Dior Haute Couture. Available in Moda Mall. Massimo Dutti. Available in Bahrain City Centre. New This Month

10 | July 2012 | woman this month Shopping Snazzy Specs Protect your peepers this season with some of these dazzlingly cool specs. Sunglasses are a fabulous way of jazzing up an otherwise plain outfit, especially with the likes of some of these on offer. Our advice is to pick either some coloured lenses or some really stand — out frames for maximum attention-grabbing effect. Massimo Dutti Kenzo River Island Carolona Herrera Nina Ricci Dior Cruise Hogan Accessorize Mango

12 | July 2012 | woman this month Shopping River Island Accessorize Promod Dorothy Perkins Mango La Redoute Comfy Jumpsuits Marks & Spencer As the heat sets in, the last thing you’ll want to be wearing is stiff, tight or constricting fabrics. Summer jumpsuits are the perfect solution; they are light, breezy, loose-fitting and stylish — covering all the bases. Throw a cardigan or a blazer over it and you might even get away with it at work!

Interview Do What You Love Women’s rights have come a long way in Bahrain. We still have some distance to cover before we reach equality, of course, but maybe some of us are going about it in the wrong way. Natasha Bird talks to Suhair Al Ajjawi about her approach to being a career woman. 14 | July 2012 | woman this month

15 woman this month | July 2012 | Feminists get a bad reputation. As a woman who often speaks openly about feminism, the eye-rolling and smirking that I am met with is more tiresome than troubling, but damaging nonetheless. Especially when it comes from another woman. Sure, too much of the same thing, whether it be impassioned speeches about women’s rights, campaigning outside of government buildings or a simple admission of support for the cause, might be boring or distasteful to some. But without it, where would we be? When we look at the working world, the fact is that, until we experience proper equality — the removal of the glass ceiling, no more pay gap and fair, merit-based opportunities — the feminist movement needs to remain active. However, feminism takes many forms. There are some that believe, probably misguidedly, that the only way to make a point is to shout it in somebody’s face. I myself am occasionally guilty of thinking that I need to make public declarations or take on an unnecessary challenge in the name of some greater good. There are others, though, who believe that many decisions, even small ones that go largely unnoticed, can contribute to a greater activism. I tracked down Suhair Al Ajjawi, one of Bahrain’s prominent businesswomen, to get her opinion on the subject. Suhair cuts an impressive figure. She’s been a senior manager at Ernst and Young, she did a stint as a director of corporate communications and she is currently responsible for developing the new retail marketing and sales department at the prestigious Al Salam bank. I ask Suhair about what she thinks being a career-woman means in the current climate. She acknowledges that, “Any type of work is challenging for a woman. Not only in the Arab world, but in the Western world too. I saw plenty of women being mistreated in the workplace in the UK.” This hasn’t stopped her in her tracks though. She challenges the misconception that all outspoken, driven Arab women get a tough time. “If you prove yourself here you can be the equal of a man,” she says, “As long as you work hard, doors are opened for you.” Suhair also dismisses the idea that culture and tradition in the Middle East are what hold women back. There is a sense, often in countries outside of the GCC, that the patriarchy engendered by the Muslim religion will stunt a woman’s ability to succeed in the working world. “It is true,” she explains, “that men can find it difficult to take instructions from a woman. Tradition, culture, religion, background and education have all played a part in this. But there is actually an advantage here.” “In the Arab world,” Suhair goes on, “the culture leads men to be more respectful when they speak to a woman and in the way that they treat her.” “Yes there are limits”, she admits, “The glass ceiling is still visible. There is a level that a woman finds it hard to go beyond. It depends where you work. I have to say, my superiors are very supportive. In order to succeed you need to have drive and ambition, but you also need to be supported by your superiors and managers. I have been very lucky in this regard.” Probably the most interesting thing that Suhair and I discuss is her opinion of what the modern feminist looks like. It is my belief that the current generation is still treading the pathway for those to come. We have to break new ground so that others can follow more easily. I ask her if she thinks it is important for women like her to be in the public eye — to be visibly working their way up the ladder in a big corporation as an example to others. Her answer isn’t quite what I expect. “I don’t care about showing myself to the world. When you do this, you do it for yourself,” she explains, “I have to satisfy myself and meet my own interests and prove things to myself. I do what I believe and what I enjoy and if the world sees, that’s fine.” “What is the use of doing something to make a point, if you are actually miserable about it?” she goes on. “We spend such long hours in our jobs; we sacrifice time seeing our families to do it. You have to love it or it doesn’t make sense.” The point that Suhair makes, I think, is that feminism, so far, may not have achieved total, unquestionable equality, but it has afforded women the luxury to choose the option that makes her most happy. Taking action and pursuing a career in finance, or any other predominantly male environment is great, if it is something that you are happy about and the idea that it might facilitate another woman’s career after yours is a great by-product. However, if you don’t like it, don’t do it just because you think you should. The feminist movement hasn’t fought all these years so that every woman can be the director of an international bank. It has existed so that women have the right to choose what they think they would enjoy; the career that would make them happy or the option that would most benefit them and the ones they love. Finally, I ask Suhair to offer some advice to other women looking to embark on a new career. “Have passion for the job that you choose. To succeed, you have to be competitive, dedicated and really knowledgeable — not just technical knowledge about the product or service you are involved with, but also general knowledge. You really have to love it. To grow and progress and achieve your goals, passion is the most important thing,” she says. “And don’t ever be ashamed or embarrassed to admit when you don’t know something and to ask others for help.”

16 | July 2012 | woman this month Interview The Art ofFeeling Art is typically emotive, but for Hanadi Al Ghanim, it is about more than just self-expression.

17 woman this month | July 2012 | As any art-lover will tell you, one of the most beautiful things about standing in front of a painting or a photograph is trying to imagine what the subject or the artist was feeling at the time. For the viewer, art is a portal into somebody else’s world. Never was this statement more true than for Hanadi Al Ghanim. It is Hanadi’s theory that language only gets us so far. “Sometimes our language does not help us to capture what happens inside ourselves”, she explains. “Sometimes, when you are trying to express yourself, you can feel as if you are inside a swimming pool or in water. You speak, but no sound comes out,” she continues. It is this metaphor which inspired some of Hanadi’s recent work. Last year she exhibited a video piece which portrays her in swathes of white material, submerged in a pool of water, surrounded by a collection of individual letters and Arabic characters that fail to spell out any meaning. Owing to the idea that words and language often fall short of conveying the essence of true meaning, Hanadi views her art work as her personal form of conversation, not just with her viewing public, but also with herself. “My art is not only to mix colours,” she says. “It is my feelings. You look at my art and you know what I am feeling. My art is the same as a conversation; I talk with my art and with my painting,” she continues. As well as her videos and her abstract paintings, Hanadi sketches a series of female characters. These characters are at one time the generic Bahraini female and a depiction of herself. “She is Bahrain and she is also me,” explains Hanadi. I look at one particular mixed media portrayal of a woman, staring through an open window with a wistful expression on her face and I ask her what it means. “Her face is saying, ‘Don’t think I am always thinking about you’, but she is lying,” Hanadi concludes. The picture, especially with this added explanation, is more than a little bit charming. I discover, as I sit and talk to Hanadi and we go through her work, that love and waiting are two of the more prevalent and consistent themes. It is certainly these two words which have inspired her most recent creation. Hanadi’s work has been on display in Bohemia gallery in Adliya, as part of the Al Riwan 338 exhibition, during the Spring of Culture. This latest offering consists of another video installation, depicting an ethereal scene in which an Arab woman, turned towards the camera, smiles at, locks eye contact with and hugs an anonymous Arab man who is dressed in a white thobe. “The hug is the important part of this, not really the nature of the relationship between the two people. You cannot live your life without hugs between you and somebody you love. It doesn’t have to be a boyfriend or husband. Just someone with whom there is mutual feeling,” Hanadi explains. “On a bigger level, Bahrain needs a hug. We need to pull everybody together so that Bahrain is unified,” she continues. I find it interesting that Hanadi seems to have so many different personal styles. There really isn’t one aesthetic that you could charge her with sticking to. Clearly, though, she has a passion for video art. I ask her to explain this to me. “Videos allow you to feel different things to paintings,” she says. “You can have movement inside your work. You can hear sounds and follow the movements. It involves so many senses,” she continues. “I also believe that artists should keep up with the times. These days, you won’t find many people who are prepared to stand in front of a painting for hours deciding what they feel. Now, they want to get the idea and then ‘halas’, they go. With video art, anyone can be a viewer. I can send it by email or on my phone to the people who don’t have time to visit the exhibition. Art should reflect the current times,” Hanadi explains. The way we view art is evolving and so is our definition of the term “artist”. This is evident in the location of Hanadi’s latest exhibition. Bohemia isn’t your typical gallery. It is a run down ex-restaurant, where the artists have been given a licence to scrawl all over the walls, commandeer their own rooms and create their own lighting systems. It is interactive and malleable and involving. “Many people are artists these days. And there is room for everybody. We all have an artist inside of us,” Hanadi proclaims. As is clear in her work, Hanadi is always looking for a medium to convey a message — some profound, others wistful. True to type, she would like to leave the readers of this article with a couple of thoughts. The first is a metaphor about life’s goals: “If you want something, think of a map. Put a pin in what you want and find the straightest route there from where you are”. The second is simpler: “Don’t wait for somebody to make you happy. Your happiness comes from yourself.”

18 | July 2012 | woman this month Fashion Fashion Forward Start your summer looking totally fabulous by reading our most up-to-date fashion tips. Fashion Expert Want It This ASOS ethnic print dress with the cut-away shoulders is cute and on-trend. What’s Hot Circle specs are the latest shape and these Maison Martin Margiela ones are awesome. Bin It Bronzing is cool, but streaky fake tan gets the thumbs down. Natasha Bird takes one last look at her picks of the month. If you’ve been keeping tabs on Emma Roberts or Miley Cyrus or any other young starlet, you’ll know that buttocks skimming high-waisted shorts are very much the order of the day. We love these Top Shop monochrome ones with the plant details. High Skimming There is still a penchant for the granny and librarian look among the fashion experts. Only this season, instead of throwing a boyfriend cardi over a short dress, try throwing it over a long, flowing one. This Uniqlo version is perfect. Boyfriend Cardi Ever since Gwyneth Paltrow wore that gorgeous Tom Ford caped creation, designers and fashionistas alike have been going wild for the floor-length white dress. If you are going to any dressy events this summer, get your hands on this Wallis version. The Long White

19 woman this month | July 2012 | As we know, 1960s styles are back, but there is one particular look that has been catching our attention. Pair a ‘60s shift dress with a boxy clutch in a really modern colour. This Tara Jarmon pairing is a great example. Sweet Sixties Something really interesting is happening this season. Tiffany & Co., known for making really simple, traditional and chic jewellery has brought out an ethnic collection. Take a look at this selection of necklaces and see for yourself! Something Different

20 | July 2012 | woman this month Fashion Fashion All the latest information from the fashion frontline… As one of the most sought after supermodels in the world, you’d think that Giselle would be pretty keen to re-establish herself on the fashion throne soon after the birth of her first baby. Well, if rumours are to be believed, this isn’t the case at all. Apparently, Giselle might already be pregnant with her second baby by the hunky Tom Brady! The suggestion is that she is already two months gone and has shared the news with friends and family. There’s part of us that hopes she stops after this one, for two reasons. One, we want to see her back in our magazines and two, we can’t have too many beautiful babies in the world, it will make the rest of us look bad! Marc Jacobs, who is the current creative director for Louis Vuitton, has decided to pair up with current and renowned Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, to get some inspiration for a new collection. “Her energy is endless”, states Jacobs. “Through the painstaking sort of obsession in each of her canvasses and installations, you see this world that never ends.” The collection will draw from Kusama’s bold, surreal spots. He’ll make use of these on skirts, leggings, bags and tops. Quick Succession Superstar Collaboration Material Muse Known for making controversial choices when it comes to brand ambassadors - she’s used loud-mouthed Kelly Osbourne in the past - Madonna has made what seems to be a safer choice for her Material Girl fashion line. The next campaign will be fronted by the delightfully English and seasoned Vogue cover girl, Georgia May Jagger. The decision isn’t completely free of controversy of course. There has been much talk about Georgia’s decision to keep the gap between her two front teeth. We think she’s a brilliant choice! Yayoi Kusama Giselle News Bulletin

21 woman this month | July 2012 | Some of you won’t care about this at all, but others who are hooked on reality TV might be interested. If you watched the 72 day marriage of Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries unfold before the cameras, then you might be interested to know that Kris’s younger sister is now trying to give her former sister-in-law a run for her money. Kaela Humphries is trying a spot of plus size modelling and has already booked a campaign with Limited’s Eloquii line. Mulberry have gone on a bit of a spree when it comes to naming their tote bags after fashion icons and celebrities. The famous Alexa birkin has shifted thousands of units, so perhaps they’ve found a winning idea. Not ready to quit while they were ahead, they recently named one of their bags after controversial folky singer Lana Del Rey and amazingly, it seems to be proving even more popular than the one named after Miss Chung. Many stores have already sold out and there is a waiting list for some of the new colours. It has been four months since Heidi Klum split from Seal, but it seems that she is already trying to show him what he is missing. The supermodel is appearing and singing in a rather racy music video for the song Turn Up The Night. In the video she can be seen gyrating on a pole whilst wearing a leather harness. She also takes a turn on an electric guitar whilst lying on the floor and smoking cigarettes. This is quite the departure from the demure haute-couture modelling that she usually partakes in. Curves ‘R’ Us Show Off Hanaa Ben Abdesslem Del Rey Fever Heidi Klum Lana Del Rey Kaela Humphries

Showcase are Wearing Ashley Judd She’s been in the gossip magazines for having a suspiciously puffy face recently, so it’s nice to see her out looking so sweet and normal. Her Spring 2012 Carolina Herrera dress is cute and seasonal and we like the gold clutch and strappy sandals. What the The fashion world is full of highs and lows. Luckily for you, Woman This Month is here to document them all, so that you can make your own judgements. Stars Natasha Bird Madonna To launch her first fragrance, Truth or Dare, Madonna wore a transparent Dolce & Gabbana lace dress, under which she donned a black bodysuit. The crucifix jewellery takes us right back to her ‘Like a Prayer’ days. Nice, but a bit expected. Charlize Theron The South African actress was in France to promote Prometheus. She wore an ensemble from the Stella McCartney Autumn 2012 collection. The blue colour of the dress goes well with her blonde locks, but we’re not sure about the shoes. Fashion Crystal Renn The former plus-size model looked like a completely different person at a dinner dance in NYC. She wore a forest-green Zac Posen Pre-Autumn 2012 dress. We are liking the embellished shoulders, but her waxy complexion and bleached brows are a bit odd. 22 | July 2012 | woman this month

Freida Pinto The gorgeous Asian actress was at the Smashbox Studios in West Hollywood for Nylon mag’s 13th anniversary party. She opted for a bright look from the Prada Spring 2012 collection. She accessorised with a Prada clutch. Lauren Conrad Lauren has apparently written another book. She turned up for a signing in NYC wearing this lovely Lela Rose dress. We like the wide, bateau neckline but we’re not sure about the Casadei pumps. The Anita Ko bracelet is a nice touch. Kate Bosworth Kate appeared on the red carpet in LA wearing this very feminine Prada dress. The frock is just so ladylike and delicate and the embellishments are eye-catching. She accessorised with Christian Louboutin heels and JewelMint gems. Rihanna The pyjama trend is taking off! Everyone is at it and now Rihanna is following suit. She attended a premier for her new movie in this Emilio Pucci matching suit. She accessorised the look with lots of gold jewellery and camel coloured sandals. 23 woman this month | July 2012 |

24 | July 2012 | woman this month Island Life Holiday season is upon us and many of you will be heading off to some delightful tropical island or other. Whether you’re beach-bound for the parties or headed to some tranquil upmarket resort, we’ve got your outfits sorted. New Look have got this look down pat. The tassels, the tiedie, the distressed denim this look has fun party holiday written all over it. The Look Desert Island This first look is for the budget travellers and party animals amongst you. Whether you’re headed to a full moon party off the coast of Thailand, a club in Ibiza or some faraway travellers’ hangout in Bali, you’ll want to look relaxed and effortlessly trendy. Palm tree prints and abstract holiday-island themed graphics are really in this season. Take a look at what we’ve found… Fashion Tod's H&M Salsa M&S New Look Think colourful, think attention grabbing, think crocheted and Missoniinspired. Be prepared to throw some beads over the top, a bandana and some cool shades. The Bikinis

25 woman this month | July 2012 | If you’re heading out to one of the party islands, chances are, you’ll probably end up covered in some sort of neon body paint. So, why not pick items of clothing that already look as though they’ve been doused in a bit of the fluorescents? Paint Splash Okay, we all know that the traditional Hawaiian shirt, as garish and tacky as they all are, is considered to be the naffest of the naff in the fashion world. Well, apparently this is the season that it finally becomes cool. Palm tree prints, parrots and butterflies are all acceptable, just be sure to pick a shape that suits. Graphic Prints Koton Warehouse New Look Top Shop M&S Miss Selfridge

26 | July 2012 | woman this month Posh Life For those of you who wouldn’t dream of actually letting your toes hit the sand, there are always the posh, pool-laden resorts. These are the sort of places that you perch at the poolside bar, sipping champagne cocktails and watching fashion and beauty royalty swanning around between lunchdates and helicopter trips. Only the most fabulous fashion will do, of course. Try some Stella McCartney or Celine resort items, always opt for heels or stacked sandals and accessorise, even when you are in a bikini. The Prada runway showcased this look to absolute perfection; geometric colour patterns, quirky sunglasses, heels and accessories. This is a staple summer resort look for this season. Fashion Lanvin Pierre Hardy Kenzo Christian Dior Prada This season’s colours — including azure, tangerine and white — are the shades to look for in the footwear department. If you can find a shoe with all three, it’s even better. Take a look at our selection for the season. Chic Shoes

27 woman this month | July 2012 | Quite apart from the bright and jazzy styles of the “Desert Island” trend, the bikinis and swimsuits that you will find at the resort will be much more demure. Look for block colours or this season’s key hues. And remember, most women won’t be getting their suits wet, so jewellery is a must! The Poolwear Okay, we all know that the traditional Hawaiian shirt, as garish and tacky as they all are, is considered to be the naffest of the naff in the fashion world. Well, apparently this is the season that it finally becomes cool. Palm tree prints, parrots and butterflies are all acceptable, just be sure to pick a shape that suits. The Colours Top Shop Lacoste Evans Dorothy Perkins Massimo Dutti Carolina Herrere

Showcase Fashion Dressing for Summer 20Tips: We’ve waited too long to shed those heavy layers of clothes in dull, dark tones. Bring out the dresses and flaunt the bright colours. It’s that time of the year when skin is in. WTM gives you the key to the perfect summer wardrobe. By Elma Bartholomew Dare to bare Being skin-sational can be a tricky business. The idea is to carefully tread the line between confidence and crassness. It is important to be tasteful. 1. Smack in the middle Midriffs are one thing that hardly ever goes out of style. A toned midsection shouldn’t be hidden away. However, for this look, the belly button is a no-no. 2. A fresh pair The runways have been flooded with bra tops this year. Prints go best with bright skirts. Feminise the sporty kinds with flared skirts. Follow the supermodels and feel light in a little white t-shirt and chambray shorts. 3. A bit here, a bit there For the shy amongst you, this look might not come too easily. A tie-front top works well; you can adjust the length so as not to reveal too much. Balance it out with high-waist slacks. Lolita tops are great this season. 4. Don’t give it all away Nothing turns heads like long limbs. If you’re unveiling a stretch of your leg, cover up on top. A short kaftan can turn you into a beach goddess. Pick dresses with thigh-high hems. Nothing is more subtle than unsheathed shoulders. Say hello to halters, peek-a-boo shoulders and cut-out tops. 5. Age before beauty Leave the hot pants for the youngsters, unless you have a classy blouse to go with it. If you’re thinking tight mini-skirts, pair it with a loose chemise. A belt at the waist gives shape to any outfit. Dressing smart It isn’t only about how you look; it’s about how you feel as well. Comfort plays a major role in choosing what to don in this sticky weather. 6. Material matters If your wardrobe doesn’t already have a section full of cottons, it’s time to go shopping. Don’t expect to survive the heat without lightweight fabrics. Synthetics shouldn’t find a way into your outfit any time soon. 28 | July 2012 | woman this month Rebecca Taylor

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