TALKING TECH • Bindu Titus • Inspirational Women • Great Gadgets Top Tips and Short Breaks TRAVEL Farheen Ahmed From Bookings to Books KIDS Summer Activities Homes Decor to Dine in Style July 2016 | Issue 161 | BD1 / SR10 www.womanthismonth.com BEAUTY | FASHION | HOME | WELLBEING | PARENTING | LOCAL ISSUES Bahrain Edition ISSUE 161 woman this month JULY 2016 ı TALKING TECH ı www.womanthismonth.com LAUNCH NEW BUSINESS & PRODUCTS WITH DREAMMAKERS
www.womanthismonth.com July 2016 2 JULY 56 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. 28 8 The Month in Focus SHOPPING 10 Pick of the Month: Fire and Ice 12 Editor’s Choice: World Traveller FASHION 14 Trend: Patch Up 22 Fashion Forward: Backstage Pass 24 Get the Look: Bon Voyage! PEOPLE 28 Farheen Ahmed : Bookings to Books 30 Dr Yannis Alexandrides: Plastic surgeon 32 Bindu Titus: The DreamMaker FEATURE TALKING TECH 34 Techno-logic: Inspiration from technology's leading ladies 36 Girly Gadgets: Great goodies to make life easire BEAUTY 38 Celeb Spot: Get Kristen's look 40 News: The latest products in the stores FEATURE TRAVEL 48 Top Tips: Invaluable advice for a fabulous journey 50 Bucket List: 2016's must-see destinations 54 Arabian Adventures: Short trip regional hot spots LIFESTYLE 62 Wellbeing: Funny Bones 69 Food: Chef's Special 70 Food: Review 72 Home: Come Dine With Me PARENTING 79 Parenting: Activities 80 Parenting: Advice 82-83 Parenting: Films and technology 85 Parenting: Kids' Playground 87 Horoscope: What to expect this month 88 Last Word: In Her Shoes – Basma Alkhayer 40 12 79
www.womanthismonth.com July 2016 4 The Holy Month is always a busy time for us with Iftars and Ghabgas across the island at which we have the opportunity to meet lots of our readers and test the waters about what you think of the magazine. One of my favourite gatherings this month was the Indian Ladies Association (ILA) Iftar at which I received a certificate of recognition for Women in Media. The ILA is a great organisation which does some really good work, so it’s one we’re always happy to support. That they decided to recognise that support was a lovely gesture. It was also great to see so many of you at our first Mums' MeetUp, we're busy working on the next one. As well as gallivanting across the island, this month we’ve turned our attention to women in technology. I chatted to Bindu Titus, one of the driving forces behind tech company DreamMakers, to learn what makes her tick. We also share inspirations from other leading ladies in the industry and round-up the latest ‘must-have’ gadgets. With summer holidays upon us, we’ve expanded our travel section. I share my bucket list, Puja Tiwari takes us on a pictorial journey across the region and there’s a whole raft of useful travel tips to make your voyage or vacation better, safer and easier. The travel theme continues on our fashion and beauty pages with great looks, packing tips and products to beat the elements. Our Parenting section has been expanded to include information on summer camps, seasonal movies and more and we have a new column from new mum Fernanda Langhammer. Best known to readers as our fashion and beauty editor, she shares the trials and triumphs of parenthood second time around. As we go to press, the Holy Month of Ramadan with its abstinence and reflection is drawing to a close and we are looking forward to the celebration of Eid, so I’ll take this opportunity to wish each and every reader Ramadan Kareem and Eid Mubarak. Liz O’Reilly Editorial Director chairman & publisher GEORGE F MIDDLETON editorial director LIZ O'REILLY marketing & electronic media director DEEPA SIVA fashion & beauty editor FERNANDA LANGHAMMER contributors APPLE SHARMA BEHNAZ SANJANA PUJA TIWARI DR JINAN DARWISH RAPHAEL print production manager SABU SEBASTIAN layout & graphics ROMEO SAN MIGUEL GOPAL NAMBIAR media coordinator SARAH ANSARI media managers FARHEEN AHMED PEARLYN D MEHTA circulation KADAMBARI S photography editor MONA ABDUL JABBAR photographers RANJITH MOHAN SUBEESH KUMAR NS printing press UNION PRESS, BAHRAIN Contents copyrighted 2016© 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 July 2016, Issue 161 On the cover: DreamMakers EDITOR’S NOTE Woman This Month is a member of BPA Worldwide The only women's magazine distributed with the GDN Our month: Behnaz got up close and personal with a camel at The Diplomat and I received an award from the Indian Ladies Association.
letters July 2016 www.womanthismonth.com 6 Write Here Write Now Get in touch by email, Twitter, Facebook or Instagram! New Look I’m loving the redesigned fashion pages, the content has always been good but now they look really up-to-date too. I particularly liked last month’s Get The Look section as I’m a big fan of this summer’s off-the-shoulder trend and there were some good ideas on how to wear it. Keep up the good work. Teresa Happy Homes I really like the redesign of WTM’s homes section. It’s great to have inspiration and an idea of where to find products to create the look. In fact, I’d love to see more of these product pages in the future. Simone Ed: Thanks for all your comments on our redesigned pages. We want your magazine to look bright and appealing and we’re constantly looking for new ideas, so if there’s anything you’d like to see included, please email [email protected]. The Green Citizen I enjoyed reading about Rasha Al Najjar, a young teacher who is tackling environmental issues. I agree with her that educating young people is the best way to make a difference and it’s great to see that she and others like her are getting the recognition they deserve. I always get my own kids to celebrate Earth Day but I’m glad to know there is stuff happening throughout the year too and I plan on getting more involved. Marwa Women on Wheels Love, love, love the Women on Wheels feature in the June magazine. I had no idea that Bahrain International Circuit was so female friendly, I’ll be taking more trips out there in the future. And Anne Al Zayani makes motorcycle riding sound awesome though, like her, I am a bit fearful at the prospect. I love to see items like this featuring real people. After all, fashion and beauty are important but they’re really not everything and I like showing your magazine to my young daughters to illustrate that point. Thank you. Manal Follow us on: Instagram: @woman_this_month Twitter: @WomanThisMonthB Facebook: Woman This Month Our tweet about WTM’s Sheraton contest was the most favourited tweet. “Time for #wtmcontest #like & #share this #contest post to win #iftar vouchers for 2 @ SheratonBahrainHotel #wtm” The following #WTM post was most favourited and Retweeted on Twitter. Letter We want to hear your thoughts on Woman This Month. Write to us at [email protected] The most liked post on Instagram was the Sheraton contest post: The Most talked about Picture on WTM’s Instagram WTM’s contest post to win Iftar vouchers at Sheraton was the most liked post on facebook The Most Liked Post on Facebook
BAHRA I N : BAHRAIN CITY CENTRE | OASIS MALL, EAST RIFFA | OASIS MALL, MUHARRAQ | MARINA MALL | SEGAYA babyshopstores.com
www.womanthismonth.com July 2016 8 Absolutely Fabulous Release Yes girls, the movie we’ve been waiting for since the TV series first hit our screens back in 1992, is finally here. Patsy and Edina are back and in the middle of a firestorm after Patsy accidently kills Kate Moss (who has a cameo as herself)! The original crew, including Julia Sawalha, Jane Horrocks and June Whitfield, return for a Bolly-fuelled romp through the South of France with cameos from the likes of Dame Edna Everage, Anya Hindmarsh, Judith Chalmers and Jeremy Paxman. We really can’t wait, see you at the cinema. Classic Capers If your taste in movies veers more to the classic, The Domain Hotel is the place for you. Every Tuesday Domain Prive on level 36 shows one of the greats from the golden era of the silver screen. Recent offerings have included Bridge on the River Kwai, Doctor Zhivago and Casablanca. Seats are limited and the BD5 entrance includes popcorn and soft drinks. Call 16 000-000 to book a spot. JULY IN FOCUS news Happy Fashion Check out the new offering from Jawad Group which has brought Spanish kids’ fashion brand Losan to the island at a new shop in Seef Mall. The brand’s slogan, ‘Happy Fashion for everybody & everyday’, epitomises what the Losan stands for. With a unique chilled and relaxed style, it has wonderful pursefriendly fashion options for both boys and girls, from the newborn to juniors ranging from eight to 16 years. There’s also a cute range of accessories and the outlet has a bright and airy vibe, making shopping a pleasure. Shakespearean Tale Here at WTM we’re big fans of Anne Tyler, she of The Accidental Tourist and Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant, so we’re very excited at the news that she’s the latest literary luminary to tackle Shakespeare for the Hogarth series. The Vinegar Girl, her modern reimagining of The Taming of The Shrew, tells the story of Kate, a university drop-out whose father is pushing her to marry his lab assistant so he can stay in the country. Definitely one for our holiday packing. Murder Mystery If you fancy a fun night out at the same time as raising funds for animals in needs, sign up for the BSPCA’s next murder mystery night which is happening at The Dilmun Club on July 14. With the theme Nip & Tuck, participants will be tasked to discover who killed Dr Ryan O’Plasty, the famous plastic surgeon. These nights are always a good laugh and there’s a prize for the best costume so it’s a good excuse to dig out your stethoscope and scrubs. Tickets are BD13 including dinner and a welcome drink and spaces are limited so get in early and purchase them either from the club or the Thrift Shop. Signs of Summer Bahrain’s regular summer festival returns this month with performances from the likes of The Voice Kids, Tap Factory, The Smurfs Live Onstage and a tribute to one of the greats of Arabic music, Najat Al-Saghira. Events always offer something for everyone and there’s also the Nakhool City entertainment zone at Bahrain National Museum. For details visit www.bahrainsummer.bh. Things to do, see, try and buy this month.
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www.womanthismonth.com July 2016 10 SHOPPING | pick of the month The allure of diamonds captivates and enthrals like no other and the Splendour Collection features brilliant cut stones of VVS clarity and E-F colour grading set in dainty feminine rings of 18-carat white and yellow gold. Available at Devji since 1950. Call 17 254-323, 17 262-809, 17 211-542, 17 179-881. Fire and Ice
Experience the tradition of the Holy Month Le Méridien Bahrain City Centre Baharat Iftar Buffet at BD 18++ (Sunset - 8:00 pm) The Westin Bahrain City Centre Furn Bistro & Bakery À la Carte & Sharing Menu (Sunset - 11:00 pm) #WestinBahrain #BahrainUnlocked
www.womanthismonth.com July 2016 12 SHOPPING | editor's choice World Traveller Travelling is one of the greatest pleasures we enjoy in life. As they say, it is the only thing you buy that makes you richer. Hit the road in style with items that remind you the world is a place to be explored and appreciated! Orange top, Bershka 17 172-303. Cities T-shirt, Stradivarius 17 172-306. Printed luggage, TUMI 17 179-570 (Tanagra). Watch Hunger Stop watch, Michael Kors 17 178-630. Kids’ T-shirt and shorts, F&F 17 162-120. Summer collection, BHS 17 582-258. Embellished handbag, Accessorize 17 179-786. Table globe, Debenhams 17 179-887. Floral print bodysuit, New Look 17 179-406. Off-white balloon plate, Virgin Megastore 17 172-300.
July 2016 14 Dolce & Gabbana SS2016 Fashion Show. FASHION | trend HOW TO STYLE IT? Badges and patches don’t have to be restricted to denim this season, dresses and accessories can also be embellished with colourful and funky elements. You can pick one piece to be the focal point or play with stamps all over your look! Personalise your favourite denim with the ‘90s mania for sewn-on badges and embroidered flowers. Opt for fun themes to add character to your outfit. PATCH UP Denim jacket, Bershka 17 172-303. Metallic and red sandals, Parfois 17 178-054. Black shift dress with front pocket, Zara 17 172-333 Chunky heel sandals, Dune London 17 179-314 Baby blue sweater, Stradivarius 17 172-306. Wide-leg denim shorts, COS 17 375-998. Black backpack, New Look 17 179-406. www.womanthismonth.com White handbag, Marc Jacobs 17 172-000 (Saks Fifth Avenue).
16 July 2016 www.womanthismonth.com SOCIAL BUTTERFLY Mums’ Meet-Up Woman This Month organised its first Mums’ Meet-Up which included cooking classes from the chefs at The K Hotel. George & Volker Mums at the cooking table with chef Nitai Muna, Lira, Liz, Bilal, chef Sylvester Rosario, Hussain, Deepa & Pearlyn Farheen & May Dea & Swati Spandana, Farheen, Israr & Nadia Pearlyn, Homa & Kayan Spandana, Heli & Deepty Happy kids and mums at the event Chef Nitai and chef S Gomes at the pastry table Farah, Rowel, Shalu & Samara Mala, Minal, Suparna & Bijal Naz & Sanjita Sudha, Shilpa & Shalu Ratna
showcase July 2016 18 www.womanthismonth.com Rochas. The name invokes a vision of a slender, elegant and bold Parisian woman. This femininity imbues every creation, from fashion to fragrance, from accessories to jewellery. Grace, youthfulness and joy are woven into the history of Rochas – with the rustle of lace or a floral fragrance trail, the maison invents a free-spirited allure and a chic fluidity. A creative world of perfect balance between seduction and liveliness, discretion and fantasy. Marcel Rochas was only 23 when he founded his own couture maison in 1925. The post-war One of the island’s favourite jewellery retailers introduces a new brand straight from France. SHARIF GROUP WELCOMING A NEW ICON period was bubbling with creativity and the couturier quickly made a name for himself with his style – synonymous with elegance, modernity and youth, distinguished by the originality of his silhouettes. He invented beach pyjamas and the mermaid dress, earning himself a reputation as a trailblazer. Rochas jewels are style accessories that draw their inspiration from the couturier's delicate lexicon, with his love of roses and floral embroidery. Like a woven floral lace, Rochas creates delicate open-work bracelets of feminine gardens. Lightness and joie de vivre shine through, like a couture bouquet of elegance marking the skin with refined radiance. Drawing inspiration from the heritage of Maison Rochas style, Rochas watches fill time with the spirit of elegance. There is a collection of men's watches, whose understated, imaginative style is dictated by Marcel Rochas' love of beauty and impeccable bearing. And the maison's couture collection of graceful women's watches is imbued with a light touch of femininity and delicate freshness. Rochas is available in Bahrain at A La Mode.
showcase July 2016 www.womanthismonth.com 20 Stylish, cool, and uber-chic, the collection at the new Twenty4 outlet in Adliya is where you can jazz up your wardrobe this festive season without breaking the bank. The store houses a wide range of clothing and accessories to suit the tastes of everyone in the family. Ladies; whether you prefer classic sophistication or Bohemian fun, the outfits at Twenty4 are sure to appease your inner fashionista. The special Ramadan collection reflects the season’s gaiety perfectly with shimmering fabrics, cool cuts and complete comfort at surprisingly affordable prices. Eyecatching tees starting from BD1.900, jumpsuits, maxis and active-wear are also available. There are interesting accessories to complement your new purchases; be it shoes, bags, sunglasses, hats or trinkets – all bearing just the right amount of bling. Men needn’t try too hard to look dapper in the coming months, thanks to Twenty4’s cool men’s line. Select from a wide range of graphic tees, polo necks, shirts and smart denims along with the right accessories to make a solid statement. Basic T-shirts start at BD1.900. When it comes to kids’ clothing, mammas and papas are sure to be spoilt for choice. Twenty4’s bright florals, summer pastels and trendy designs for little princesses are perfect for parties and evenings out. For a casual look, pick from a variety of colourful bottoms and glittery T-shirts. Young lads will look well turned out in cool character T-shirts, trendy shirts, shorts and trousers in solids and summer shades. Call: 17 601-946. Treat yourself to trendy outfits from a store that has its finger firmly on the fashion pulse. TWENTY4 FASHION FORWARD Car Launch YK Almoayyed & Sons launched the new 2016 Infiniti QX60 at its showroom in Sitra. Management and staff at the launch Khalil Salwa Almoayyed, Amal Almoayyed & Mohammed Almoayyed Mohammed Fatima, Anas & Rami Sreekumar & Sandeep Sarika & Hassan
July 2016 www.womanthismonth.com 22 BRITISH BEAT To pay tribute to the English band The Beatles, the Swiss watchmaker Raymond Weil has created a unique Maestro Beatles Limited Edition timepiece in celebration of the iconic group. It also marks the brand’s 40th Anniversary. The wristwatch features a mechanical self-winding movement housed in a 39.5mm polished steel case. It has the 13 Beatles album titles engraved around the bespoke dial, with a special “Help” index at four o’clock. The watch is limited to 3,000 pieces. FASHION | fashion forward GOTHIC VICTORIAN A few brands invest in resort or cruise collections and even fewer throw breath-taking shows, Gucci is one of them. The Italian house chose the historical Westminster Abbey in London to show off its Cruise 2017 collection inspired by English gardens and the British punk scene. The collection has creative designer Alessandro Michele’s signature all over the pieces, bringing a clash of prints, textures, colours and embellishments. All the elements put together can result in catastrophic looks, but in his hands they create a harmonious symphony that’s a hit with celebrities across the globe. We just love it! BACKSTAGE PASS What’s cool, trending and fashionable? DELICATE WEAR Comfortable and feminine undergarments are what every woman looks for. Now a new option to shop for undies is available as TKD Lingerie opens its first boutique outside the UAE, in Bahrain. The store is located at Al Aali Shopping Complex and brings brands such as Panache, Cleo, Curvy Kate, Cyberjammies, Fantasie, Freya, Cake Maternity, Hotmilk, Audelle and Miss Mandalay.“We are looking forward to bring not only our collections of lingerie, swimwear and nightwear to the Kingdom, but also our fitting service. We invest in training our staff to give measuring and free lingerie consultations and a warm and friendly customer experience,” says managing director Kate Kikano. CURVES? YES, PLEASE! More and more brands are noticing that real bodies are out there to be dressed. River Island is one of them, now extending its size offering with its new line RI Plus. The collection of 35 pieces will be available in UK sizes 18-24. The styles go from sassy party dresses to work-wear classics interspersed with basics such as the Molly stretch skinny jeans and the brand’s timeless black leather biker jacket. Fashionable pieces and the latest trends are covered in the new range. Look out for printed pieces in florals and stripes, sexy dresses with mesh and lace panelling and some wardrobe staples.
www.womanthismonth.com July 2016 23 FROM CATWALK TO DESIGN STUDIO The online retailer NET-A-PORTER launches the Kate Moss for Equipment collection with androgynous silhouettes, luxe fabrics and unexpected details. David Bowie-inspired lightning bolt prints are seen in Moss’ trademark colour palette of red, black, white and grey as well as leopard print. The designs include stylish pieces and wardrobe staples. For the collection’s autumn 2016 campaign, the supermodel assumed full creative direction. TRAVELLING WITH ART Langley Fox is known for her illustrations, artwork and fashion designs, she creates unique visuals that please stylish girls around the globe. This season, she partnered with the travelling accessories expert brand TUMI on a one-off collaboration for their spring and summer collection. The ‘Langley Tote’ features a pencil drawing by the artist inspired by her travel photographs and friends. “I wanted the collection to give off a vibe of escaping to a far-off destination,” says Fox. The removable pouch with a passport-type concept gets this edgy bag the ultimate globetrotter stamp of approval.
July 2016 www.womanthismonth.com 24 FASHION | get the look SUNNY SAINT MARTIN The Caribbean, or any other beach destination, is the perfect stage to show off your best bikini and update your tan. Baggage for this trip is the lightest; small clothes in thin materials allow you to carry more options and leave space for cool accessories. A big colourful handbag can be taken to the beach or for an evening stroll. The best tip here is to take key-pieces that can be mixed and matched. BON VOYAGE Which luggage will you carry this holiday? Beach perfect, big city sightseeing or will you take a journey to the Southern hemisphere for a cold breeze? No matter your destination, we’ve got your suitcase covered! Travelling light is probably every girls’ goal when packing. To help with this mission, we’ve picked three different destinations and put together essential items for stylish looks! The thermometer is the main guide in this fashion expedition. Enjoy relaxing days with versatile, practical and fashionable style! Off-the-shoulder grey top, Warehouse (inside Debenhams) 17 179-887 Red floral trousers, CH Carolina Herrera 17 178-520 Printed handbag, M.Missoni at Saks Fifth Avenue 17 172-000 Sunglasses, Etro 17 178-459 Printed two-piece bikini, Monsoon 17 179-650 Brown and white sandals, American Eagle Outfitters 17 009-278 Beaded chandelier earrings, F&F 17 162-120 Blue tunic, Tory Burch 17 179-560 !
www.womanthismonth.com July 2016 25 ARGENTINA, OLÉ, OLÉ, OLÉ! July is the coldest month in the southern hemisphere; you won’t find any snow though (only in the ski areas), but a chill breeze will hit you for certain. A long jacket, like a trench-coat style, might be a good option as it covers half of your legs to help you warm up. The best tops are long-sleeved shirts, they can be worn folded if the cold weather gives you a break. Finish off the look with knee-high boots to glam up any outfit. Printed longsleeved shirt, Zara 17 172-333 Long coat, Mango 17 179-718 White jacquard trousers, M&Co 17 582-110 Black knee-high boots, Hobbs 17 179-681 Brown bucket handbag, Marks & Spencer 17 588-188 Wool knitted beanie, Bershka 17 172-303 Red scarf, Accessorize 17 179-786 Long stripped skirt, New Look 17 179-406 BON JOUR, PARIS! The city of love is one of the most visited capitals in Europe and the best way to explore it is to walk! Comfy clothes are mandatory if your destination is a big city. Cool trainers and a spacious backpack are the must-have accessories, so you can walk as much as you want and carry sandwiches and water comfortably. A watch is also a good thing to keep track of time and a jean-jacket can be useful if you stay out until late. Jean-jacket, GAP 17 178-607 White anklehigh, Converse at namshi.com Round sunglasses, Michael Kors 17 178-630 Printed slouch trousers, Next 17 172-050 Casual wristwatch, Esprit at A La Mode 17 179-854 Brown backpack, Parfois 17 178-054 White T-shirt, Stradivarius 17 172-306 Stripped shorts, Matalan 17 008-353
26 July 2016 www.womanthismonth.com SOCIAL BUTTERFLY Pinoy Fiesta Lulu Group held the opening ceremony of its Pinoy Fiesta at Lulu Hypermarket, Juffair Mall. The event was inaugurated by HE Alfonso A Ver, Filipino Ambassador, in the presence of management, staff and guests. The cake-cutting ceremony The tour Francia, Cristal & Shirley Charmaine & Christelle Mango Festival Lulu Group held the opening ceremony of its Mango Festival at Lulu Hypermarket, Galleria Mall. The event was inaugurated by HE Alok Kumar Sinha, Indian Ambassador, in the presence of management, staff and guests. Nivedidha, Nalini, Suhasini & Asha Shetty The ribbon-cutting ceremony Abdul Khadeer & Jon HE Alfonso A Ver, Juzer, HE Alok Kumar Sinha & Mohamed Dadabhai Karan, Kamlesh & Deb
July 2016 www.womanthismonth.com 28 PEOPLE | interview The book is the story of and a tribute to Bhanumathi Narasimhan, who Farheen first met when she visited the ashram of Art of Living (AoL) in Bangalore. She says: “People were telling me ‘it’s a strange place’ but I wanted to see for myself. I went and there was an international women’s conference, which takes place in Bangalore every two years and that’s where I met Bhanu Didi. “I was doing some meditation but I hadn’t done any courses at that stage. The day I reached there, they were teaching sudarshan kriya [a breathing technique]. I was in the plush, green surroundings and I was sitting with Bhanu Didi. I found her to be very simple and down to earth. “She asked me if I had been to the schools which Art of Living runs, that are free for poor children. I made a trip to a school and when I came back to my room I thought to myself ‘everyone is writing about His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar [the official founder and spiritual leader of AoL] but no one has written about her and she’s the director of children’s and women’s welfare’.” Two months later Bhanu Didi was visiting Bahrain and Farheen met her and told her she wanted to write about her. I said: “I want to write about your achievements. I’ve been inspired by you and I want other women to be inspired.” After taking permission for the book from HH Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Farheen became a regular visitor at the ashram. She says: “In the innumerable times that I’ve met her, there’s something about her values, what she shows about how you go about your life and your challenges. “If you look at books from the likes of Robin Sharma or Brian Weiss, there is always a life lesson. I wanted my book to have life lessons from Bhanu Didi. “She took me through her life journey, going to see people and telling them that girl-child education is important. One of her important messages is that empowerment doesn’t just mean educating those from the lower economic end of society – a person can be one of the most educated but not be enlightened. There are plenty of educated women facing emotional challenges which can even lead to suicide. Thus, it is important to nourish your soul. Meditation can help you to align that. This life we have been given, we have to use it.” She is keen to point out that Art of Living, contrary to popular belief outside India, is not just about yoga. It has schools and also runs programmes for women, particularly widows, in village areas offering training and helping them set up small businesses in things such as cooking, basket weaving and making school uniforms, thus enabling them to support themselves and their families. The organisation has also been involved in humanitarian relief in areas such as Syria, where it works, in particular, with female victims of abuse. The book was officially launched at the annual AoL celebration for Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s birthday, an event attended by around 20,000 people and seen online by more than two million. Farheen says: “My concept, as an author, is that whatever I write should have a moral for others, it should wake people up. My grandmother told me as a child that we’re all born with a lot of wisdom; as you get older it gets dusty with all the things we go through. But some people will return to the light, get beyond the rainbow. My mission is to spread this. Go beyond the ordinary. Go for the road not taken. Be the best version of yourself. “And I’m not done yet ‘The woods are lovely, dark and deep and I have promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep’.” Farheen Ahmed WTM sales manager Farheen Ahmed has recently become a published author with her book Beyond The Ordinary released to acclaim. She tells us about her inspiration. From Bookings to Books
July 2016 www.womanthismonth.com PEOPLE | interview 30 These days it’s not unusual for aesthetic specialists to also have a collection of lotions and potions named after them. But for Dr Yannis, this was never his intention. In fact the 111Skin range was never intended for public use. He explains: “I was actually more interested in finding a product to help patients recover after facelift surgery. I had been looking for a long time in the US but was never happy with what I found. Then I met two scientists [who are now part of his team], they knew about ingredients and together we developed what we called The Healing Serum. “I was giving it to my patients as part of their recovery package, not charging and not selling it. But after six weeks they kept coming back for more, they said it made their skin feel really good. “I decided to create a range of products and started selling them at the clinic. One of my patients tried them and cancelled her regular skin care order at Harrods [the world-famous London department store]. The next thing I knew, I got a call from Harrods’ buyer saying they wanted to launch the range! “That’s when I got a little nervous. My patients loved them, but was that because they were already getting good results with their surgery? I decided to commission independent clinical studies [the products are not animal tested] and, once I saw the results, then I was happy to launch in Harrods.” Four years later 111Skin, named after Dr Yannis’ practice, 111 Harley Street, in London’s highend medical enclave, is stocked at other big-name outlets such as Harvey Nichols in the UK and Barneys in the US. And now it’s available exclusively in the GCC at Dessange Bahrain. But despite a hugely successful practice and a slew of celebrity clients, no names of course, for Dr Yannis, the world of plastic surgery is not all, well, plastic. Born and brought up in Greece, he says: “I come from a medical family, both my parents are doctors, and it was always in my mind. I found surgery most inviting because of the ability to make visible and long-lasting changes. But my interest in plastics was something that came later. One of my friends had a terrible accident, he was on a motorbike when he was hit by a barrier and badly injured. He had to travel abroad for reconstructive surgery to allow him to live a normal life. Now he is fine, but that showed me there was a gap in the profession in Greece and that plastic surgery is not just about aesthetics.” Following training at Albert Einstein Medical Centre, in the US, the young surgeon became a resident at Jackson Memorial Hospital (the second largest hospital in the US and a non-profit institution) and gained experience in craniofacial reconstructive surgery performing complicated operations on patients suffering severe injuries from car crashes and gunshots as well as those with congenital abnormalities. And these days, although he is widely known for his aesthetic results – he says: “London is full of celebrities, a lot of them come to me because they know I’m not going to talk and I think there are some that would surprise you; the people that haven’t had anything done don’t exist anymore and younger people are very open to things like Botox and other procedures” – there is much more to Dr Yannis than the, some would say, superficial world of beauty. He also participates in international surgery missions abroad and helps underprivileged people correct cosmetic abnormalities explaining: “This is a tremendous opportunity for me to use my surgical skills to help people who do not have the financial means or access to qualified doctors. I feel honoured and humbled to be able to utilise my surgical skills to help those affected by cleft lip and cleft palate problems, and those who are underprivileged.” g Dr Yannis Alexandrides is a renowned London-based plastic surgeon who’s just launched an exclusive new range of skin care in the Kingdom. Liz O’Reilly caught up with him on his recent visit to Dessange. The Skin We’re In I decided to commission independent clinical studies [the products are not animal tested] and, once I saw the results, then I was happy to launch in Harrods Dr Yannis
www.womanthismonth.com July 2016 32 DreamMakers specialises in website and app development but Bindu wasn’t always the techy expert she is today. In fact she was initially much more drawn to science. She explains: “I graduated from Christ University, Bangalore, in 2002 with an MBA in marketing and human resources (HR). But it wasn’t my first choice. I had already done a degree in biology but everyone was talking about business and admin and that was the field my father was pushing me towards. I went and took the entrance exam for the MBA because my friend was going. I didn’t expect to get in, I didn’t even want to do it, I wanted to stay in sciences but my father pushed me because he felt I would do well. I got the highest score on the exam!” For a year, she fought with her dad and confesses: “I didn’t really study.” But a marketing project in the second year proved to be a turning point. She says: “I did an internship with Gulf Air which involved behaviour analysis of travellers looking at why they choose particular airlines. That made me more interested in pursuing marketing and HR. “In the third year my lecturer was Professor Dixit who taught us in entrepreneurship, he gave me a project on the impact of technology in communications. I had to set up a small company, do a business study and present a financial analysis. It was a hypothetical situation but from that company DreamMakers was eventually formed.” After completing her studies she married husband Titus. He has an IT background and very solid experience in the latest developments and together they founded DreamMakers with operations in Dubai, Bangalore, USA and Hong Kong. But how does a marketing and biology grad fit into a tech company? She explains: “I enjoy the marketing side, anything that lets you give life to a company. Everybody comes up with desires and dreams of how they want to see themselves in five years. I transfer that into reality by using the knowledge that I have in marketing and branding. “I still find it challenging because now the area has shifted to online, it’s not so much about print. A lot depends on the skills you put into the website.” As well as large-scale clients such as Bahrain Airport Services, Bahrain Pharma, Alroaya Group in Saudi Arabia and many government organisations, the company, and in particular Bindu as a business coach, is also currently working with around 15 young Bahraini entrepreneurs who have come up with ideas and these will all be launched the next year or so. “We teach them how to promote their business online and what to sell or not,” says Bindu. “For example, someone who has a boutique online has a lot of things to sell – we would put them into specific collections bringing items from different brands together. It’s about developing a unique selling point and identity.” And the business is continually evolving and developing. She continues: “We have new projects coming up all the time in both apps and websites. Nowadays it’s not enough to just have a website, you need a website that’s responsive with social media and apps running alongside it. “Some of our meetings will start at 7.30am and go through to 9.30pm in the initial phases when we are discovering exactly what the client wants. We bring the concept together and take it live.” She also uses her marketing skills in other ways to help clients who may be struggling. She explains: “For example a business which is at a stagnant stage or has suffered a setback. We would look at their existing technology and possibly redesign the whole concept to breathe life into the system by social media marketing, SEO (search engine optimization) and blogging. “If the client is a doctor, then I do a lot of reading about the latest happenings in the industry and research on the technology that’s available and combine it WTM chats to Bindu Titus, co-founder of DreamMakers, one of the island’s premier technology businesses, about her role and what comes next. TALKING TECH PEOPLE | interview Bindu is a modern day marketer, brand strategist, data scientist, social maven and a storyteller. A deep thinker but also a roll-up-her-sleeves doer.
www.womanthismonth.com July 2016 33 with the website and apps with trend-setting articles and social media optimisation.” Bindu is a proponent of female empowerment and keen to work with high-energy women who want to start businesses that will have a positive impact. She is a strong believer that it’s possible to create a highly profitable business while staying true to your ethics and goals. She points out that most entrepreneurs have many passions and numerous ideas but they may need someone to offer guidance to bring those ideas to fruition. That is the expertise of DreamMakers and Bindu herself who, in her role as a business coach, can help would-be entrepreneurs find and focus their strengths turning immediate goals into long-term success with actionable business strategies. For smart women who have ideas but don’t know where to start, Bindu can offer guidance towards success both professional and financial which can be achieved while doing something you love. But it’s not all work for her. She has big plans to use her skills in community-based projects. She says: “When I’m not working, one of my interests is music, I’m into melodious sounds and I write songs, which I give to other people. “I also love to pray and worship and I like to get involved with charitable events. I visit people in hospital to offer company. They may not know me but it does make a difference. So, I want to take this further to find other ways of using my skills, outside of business, to help people.” Call Bindu today on 36 750-275. FrendzOVFrendz provides an online platform which facilitates meeting new people and discovering new venues in the UAE, through casual dining at exciting new and staple restaurants in the region. Each dinner, always set in an attractive venue, is an exclusive event. Membership is very much limited to friends of friends. This automatically filters quality and background – you can only join if referred by another existing member. Attendees cannot sign up for events backto-back. A mix it up is necessary to ensure attendees don’t always meet the same people. The Young Entrepreneur Frendzovfrendz / Dubai DreamMakers was involved in development of a complete e-commerce web portal for one of the largest pharma companies in Bahrain. The team was involved in developing a content management system, job portals to enable online recruitment and also did the medicine packaging design and branding which is now available in stores. The Established Business Bahrain Pharma
July 2016 www.womanthismonth.com 34 SHERYL SANDBERG “We need women at all levels, including the top, to change the dynamic, reshape the conversation, to make sure women’s voices are heard and heeded, not overlooked and ignored.” Sheryl Sandberg is the CEO of Facebook and embodies the empowerment of women. She balances the high-profile job alongside bringing up her family. Previously, she managed Google’s online sales and also worked with former US president Bill Clinton. In 2015, she donated USD31 million in Facebook stock to a charitable fund. ANGELA AHRENDTS “I grew up in a physical world, and I speak English. The next generation is growing up in a digital world, and they speak social.” Eminently known for reshaping fashion brand Burberry into a digitally-savvy, international powerhouse, Ahrendts is now the senior vice president for Apple Inc. Named as one of the highest paid chief executives at a FTSE company, she took time to celebrate artistic uses of the machines instead of them just being utilised as computers. FEATURE | talking tech Women all over the world are taking a stance and establishing a name for themselves in various multinationals, including the most advanced tech firms. WTM brings you wise words from five savvy women who are shaping the face of tech as we know it. Techno-logic SUSAN WOJCICKI “I love taking an idea to a prototype and then to a product that millions of people use.” CEO of the world’s largest video sharing platform, YouTube, since 2014, Wojcicki initiated the acquisition of the video giant by Google. She urged her bosses at Google to purchase the video site, which they did in a USD1.65 billion deal. Now YouTube has more than one billion unique visitors a month and is valued at an estimated USD70 billion. GINNI ROMETTY “I learned to always take on things I'd never done before. Growth and comfort do not coexist.” Virginia Marie ‘Ginni’ Rometty is the current chairwoman, president and CEO of multinational technology company IBM, becoming the first woman to head the organisation. Rometty continues to drive efforts to transform IBM into a viable model for the digital age, trying to cut the company’s losses and get back on track. Her estimated net salary in 2014 was close to USD20 million. MEG WHITMAN “Problems are good, as long as you solve them quickly.” Estimated of having a net worth of nearly USD2 billion, the current CEO of Hewlett Packard is best known as heading online auction site eBay. During her time there, she raised the company’s net worth from USD5.7 million to USD8 billion right before she left eBay. In 2008, she was also cited by The New York Times as among the women most likely to become the first female President of the United States.
www.womanthismonth.com July 2016 36 Girly Gadgets Trackr Stickr If you’re constantly losing things, the Trackr Stickr is the answer to your prayers. This little gadget attaches to whatever you typically use, like your wallet or your tablet. It connects via Bluetooth to an app on your smartphone, allowing you to track the item by setting off an alarm. In case the item is not in close proximity, you can locate it on a map through your phone. BD22.6. I Visit www.jadopado.com Creopop 3D Printer Pen Can’t decide which necklace to pair with that dress? Now you can make your own in record time with the Creopop pen, which makes anything you can image using a light-sensitive ink, or photopolymers, that are solidified using LED diodes. CreoPop offers several special types of ink including glow in the dark, glittering and even aromatic ink. BD65. I Available at Virgin Megastore, call 17 172-300 FEATURE | talking tech Despite having mastered the art of multitasking, we ladies can always use a little something to make daily tasks a tad easier. Every woman likes being spoilt, so we’ve come up with the top 10 chic, fun and savvy gadgets that will tempt you to splash the cash. Samsung Gear Circle Earphones Doubling as an accessory, the unique wearable design can be hung around the neck while on the go, without the hassle of wires. When a call comes in, the circle is activated as an Android and gently vibrates to let you know. It also notifies the user with messages, alarms, or any apps. BD41.100. I Visit www.jadopado.com Adorn Makeup Pen Quit being worried about being pale in winter and tanned in summer just because you have to keep buying a different shade of foundation. This 3D makeup pen uses advanced technology to create foundation that’s precision matched to your skin. An inbuilt sensor scans your face in total darkness, then “prints” the perfect colour base straight onto your fingertips. Although being released late 2016, you can pre-order it from the website. BD60. I Available from www.getadorn.com
www.womanthismonth.com July 2016 37 LuMee Illuminating Phone Case Be seen in your best light with LuMee’s innovative phone case. Selfies have never looked better, as the brilliant front-lit LED lights on either sides of the case give your face a beautiful, bright glow. A dimmer switch controls light brightness and strobe lighting. Moreover, the tough impact-resistant plastic keeps your phone safe. BD30. I Visit www.jadopado.com Jawbone UP2 This fitness tracker is great value for money, and delivers accurate data statistics related to the user’s daily activities and bodily functions. The UP software is easy to use as well, but it's the data insights that really set it apart from the competition. It monitors steps, calories burned and any bursts of activity as well as the quality and duration of your sleep. BD50. I Available at Virgin Megastore, call 17 172-300 iKettle 2.0 This kettle utilises WiFi to let the user switch it on from anywhere in the house through an app. The 'wake-up mode' wakes you up gently from slumber with the question “Good Morning! Would you like me to pop the kettle on? Yes / No” and then you can drift merrily back to sleep for a few minutes. Green Tea should be served at 80°C and coffee at 95°C, iKettle's optimal brewing feature allows you to select a specific temperature. BD42.600. I Visit www.firebox.com Tetris Stackable Lamp Brighten your bedside table with this clever Tetris lamp and relive your fondest gaming memories in real time. If you stack the pieces right, it will light up, and the possibilities with shapes are endless. The LED light turns off when disassembled. BD9.900. I Available at Home Centre, call 17 172-355 Adata Power Bank With this glamorous backup power bank, you never have to worry about your battery dying when you need it most. The bank can charge any USB-based electronic device effectively, while being pretty enough to carry around. Mix and match the colourful patterned exterior with your outfit, or easily slip it into your bag. BD8.200. I Visit www.jadopado.com Happy Plugs Sound Piece Mini This pretty gadget is the perfect on-the-go speaker, ideal for travelling and days of leisure. With the built-in microphone, the Sound Piece Mini serves as a conference speaker and speakerphone. The battery has a lifespan of up to 15 hours with the extra feature of an emergency power bank, allowing for smartphone charging on-the-go. BD37.400. I Visit www.happyplugs.com
July 2016 www.womanthismonth.com 38 BEAUTY | celeb spot As Chanel’s cosmetics spokesperson, you will always find the actress setting trends wearing edgy-chic make-up. Kristen Stewart Be inspired! Heavy Metal Metallic is a versatile eyeshadow option and easy to pair with most styles. However, if you want to make a statement, take your lead from Kristen’s futuristic look to grab attention. The secret here is the application, instead of following the eye shape, the make-up artist opted for an unusual geometric format. Maybe not your first choice for everyday wear but it’s a great look for a party! Glow Girl Years ago, the best way to get a healthier look was to pinch your cheeks till they turned red. Today, an array of blushes in powder, liquid or stick form are available to do the trick. Apply following your cheek bone for the best result and add some extra shine with a highlighter. Naked Pout Balance is the key when aiming for stylish or natural make-up, so if you want to draw focus to your eyes, opt for nude lips and vice-versa. Tip: when going for toned-down lips, add at least a bit of shine to create a slight contrast with your skin colour. Suicide Blonde Good news, the two-tone hair trend has made dark roots in blonde hair acceptable (I can hear fireworks!). Not long ago it was considered lack of grooming, today it looks cool and it is even welcome at red carpet events. The easiest way to keep it looking good is to maintain a short hair length, it can be neatly styled or take a rebel turn in no time! Just keep in mind that this trend looks best when the dark root is just a few tones darker than the bleached ends. Dark Star The best match to a daring eye-shadow is without a doubt dark eye-liner and loads of black mascara. If your lashes are sparse or short, don’t be afraid to use fakes. The new generation of fake lashes look natural (when you don’t pick extra-long ones) and are easier to apply.
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July 2016 40 www.womanthismonth.com BEAUTY | news Bourjois Paris Arty Chic Smoky Stories. Every season, this line reinvents the smoky-eye with new colours. The quad eye-shadow palettes have three pre-coordinated shades and a light touch. The new summer hues are E-blue-issant n°11, with denim and metal grey and Sau-mondaine n°12 with nude shades. Available at all leading retailers. Clarins Lip Comfort Oil. This innovative lipstick has been created with the idea of mixing lip care and make-up. Clarins used its expertise in plants and oils to formulate this pampering cosmetic with nourishing, comforting and soothing ingredients such as organic jojoba and hazelnut. Plus, each lipstick comes with its own beneficial plant and flavour. Available at all leading retailers. Elizabeth Arden Grand Entrance Mascara. This triple effect mascara is designed to deliver an increase in lash length, volume and curl. The glossy, long-wear and water-resistant formula promises to coat lashes to separate, extend and intensify their appearance. Available at all leading retailers. Kiehl’s Smoothing Oil-Infused Haircare. Dryness and frizzines can affect all types of hair. Kiehl’s introduce its new line of shampoo, conditioner and leave-in developed to de-tangle and smooth down the frizz. The formula features natural ingredients such as restorative and protective argan oil and babassu oil. Available at all leading retailers. Make Up For Ever Aqua XL Eye Pencil. The brand has taken its expertise in waterproof and longwear cosmetics a step further and the revamp of its Aqua line has started with the eye-liner. The new formula is resistant to rain, tears, long days at work and long nights of partying. It has a glide-on texture that blends easily after application for optimal comfort. Available at all leading retailers. Ajmal Oudesire. The unisex fragrance combines a blend of oudh and musk with lighter top notes to create a unique scent that combines the heritage of Middle Eastern perfumeries with Western influences. It has floral top notes, a spicy and fruity core and oudh as its base note next to amber, sandalwood and musk. Available at Ajmal. Valentino Valentina Myrrh Assoluto. The new fragrance from the Italian fashion house joins Rosa Assoluto and Oud Assoluto in the Valentina Assoluto collection. The scent layers Indian jasmine, myrrh and leather with notes of vanilla, ylang ylang and musks. Available at all leading retailers. The high temperatures in the Middle East may not be conducive to achieving a natural sun-kissed summer look. But with a little help from the cosmetics squad we’ve got it covered. Check out our monthly selection to find your key products for the season.
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