June 2016 | Issue 160 | BD1 / SR10 www.womanthismonth.com BEAUTY | FASHION | HOME | WELLBEING | PARENTING | LOCAL ISSUES Bahrain Edition WOMEN ON WHEELS • Meeting the F1 marshals • Tales from a two-wheeled traveller • On the road with WTM In the CUT kitchen with Ben Small CHEF’S SPECIAL A whistle-stop tour of some of the world’s greatest motor racing venues TRAVEL FEMALE FOUNDERS Empowering women to succeed Rasha Al Najjar Taking action on climate change RAMADAN Iftars and Ghabgas galore to celebrate the Holy Month Homes Inspirational tips to make monochrome magic
www.womanthismonth.com June 2016 2 JUNE 66 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. 30 8 Diary SHOPPING 10 Pick of the Month: Written in the Stars 12 Editor’s Choice: Pure Grace FASHION 14 Trend: Sparkle and Shine 22 Fashion Forward: Backstage Pass 24 Get the Look: Dare to Bare PEOPLE 29 Sahar Albaharna and Zahra Ghanbari: Female Founders 30 Rasha Al Najjar: Green Citizen 33 Raza Beig: Uniting Through Love 34 Bindu Titus: Building a Business Platform MOTORING FEATURE 38 Women on Wheels: Meeting the race marshals 42 Biker Babe: Anne Al Zayani 45 Making Your Mind Up: Helpful motoring websites BEAUTY 47 Celeb Spot: Get Zendaya's look 48 News: The latest products in the stores FEATURE RAMADAN 56 Breaking the fast: The island's best Iftars and Ghabgas LIFESTYLE 62 Wellbeing: Pulse reading 65 Parenting: Dr Jinan answers your questions 66 Parenting: Kids' Play Ground 67 Parenting: Tech kids 68 Home: Monochrome magic 70 Travel: A Need For Speed 76 Food: Review 77 Food: Chef's Special 78 Horoscope: What to expect this month 80 Last Word: In Her Shoes – Hina Mirza 63 12 46
fourseasons.com/bahrain +973 1711 5500 Experience Exquisite Ramadan Nights Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay provides the perfect place to break fast this Ramadan and experience the true essence of the Holy Month. Enjoy unrivalled Four Seasons service and hospitality with family and friends at the Arabesque-themed Ramadan Tent, and let your children be entertained at the exclusive Kids For All Seasons Tent. Join us for a Ramadan to remember! Iftar: BHD 25++ (including beverages) - Ghabga: BHD 27++ (excluding beverages)
www.womanthismonth.com June 2016 4 You'll notice lots of changes in this month's edition as we decided it was time to take our own advice and brighten up our look. The homes, travel and fashion pages are snazzier than ever and we've introduced a new page in beauty, Celeb Spot, where fashion and beauty editor Fernanda Langhammer gives tips on how to copy a star's style. The Parenting section's also undergone an mini makeover with Dr Jinan answering readers' questions and a new page dedicated to tech kids. Keep your eyes peeled for more developments in the coming months and we're evening planning a relaunch party to ring in the changes a bit later in the year. While our designers have been burning the midnight oil formulating our new look, we've been out and about meeting inspirational ladies. Rasha Al Najjar spoke to Puja Tiwari about battling climate change and Sahar Albaharna and Zahra Ghanbari told Behnaz Sanjana how they are aiming to empower women in the workplace. For our motoring feature, I headed to the Bahrain International Circuit to meet some of the lady marshals, who are part of the world's largest group of female race officials. I also got to try out some lovely new motors and chatted to biker Anne Al Zayani who left me with a severe case of Harley envy. Heading into the Holy Month of Ramadan, we've rounded up some of our favourite places to enjoy Iftars and Ghabgas and there are lots of tips on staying healthy while you're fasting. Happy reading, I'd love to hear what you think of our new look. 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 creative director ANDRE BIGG print production manager SABU SEBASTIAN layout & graphics ROMEO SAN MIGUEL JAYATH TEKI media coordinator SARAH ANSARI media manager FARHEEN AHMED 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 June 2016, Issue 160 On the cover: Women on wheels June 2016 | Issue 160 | BD1 / SR10 www.womanthismonth.com BEAUTY | FASHION | HOME | WELLBEING | PARENTING | LOCAL ISSUES Bahrain Edition WOMEN ON WHEELS • Meeting the F1 marshals • Tales from a two-wheeled traveller • On the road with WTM In the CUT kitchen with Ben Small CHEF’S SPECIAL A whistle-stop tour of some of the world’s greatest motor racing venues TRAVEL FEMALE FOUNDERS Empowering women to succeed Rasha Al Najjar Taking action on climate change RAMADAN Iftars and Ghabgas galore to celebrate the Holy Month Homes Inspirational tips to make monochrome magic EDITOR’S NOTE Woman This Month is a member of BPA Worldwide The only women's magazine distributed with the GDN Our month: I tried the classic model pose and Behnaz met celeb chef Wolfgang Puck.
letters June 2016 www.womanthismonth.com 6 May 2016 | Issue 159 | BD1 / SR10 www.womanthismonth.com BEAUTY | FASHION | HOME | WELLBEING | PARENTING | LOCAL ISSUES Bahrain Edition MUMS MEET-UP Cooking with confidence Bridal Bonanza Dresses, make-up, gifts and more Rockin’ all over the world Wellbeing The eyes have it FOOD Chocolatey indulgence TRAVEL Parenting Building a blended brood Wedding wear for all occasions Fashion Write Here Write Now Get in touch by email, Twitter, Facebook or Instagram! Guest List - Get the look I must say I was impressed by the outfits and accessories one can wear to a wedding put together in your fashion pages. I have quite a few weddings to attend this season; including my sister’s and two of my close friends who will be tying the knot this year. The accessories and shoes go perfectly with each of the outfits and look so elegant. Thanks to the information provided, I know where to start my shopping. And the best part is that now even my mum’s sorted! Yara Dream Wedding Guide Congratulations to Woman This Month for putting together such a great wedding themed magazine. I am lucky to be getting married early next year, and although I still have a while to make the final arrangements for my do, I was quite inspired by all that the magazine offered. You have managed to cover every important aspect of weddings. Starting with the dress, makeup and accessories, you even gave me some good ideas on the kind of venue and food I want for my wedding. I also realised that it’s a smart plan to register for the kind of gifts I want. Thank you WTM… your pages are going to be my go-to guide in the coming months. Mel Rockin’ All Over the World As a complete music buff, I enjoyed reading about the most popular music festivals that happen around the world, more so because it involves my second love – travel! Music is, no doubt, has the magic abilities to dispel gloom and feel make one feel more hopeful about life and the future. I think that the element of the unknown is what draws wanderlusters like me to mass events like international music festivals. What’s the place going to be like? Who will I meet there? How am I going to make the most of my trip? Theses are all questions that send excitement coursing through me. I have a long list of artists I have to witness performing and a longer bucketlist of countries I have to visit in my lifetime. Ankita Mamgain’s well-rounded article has just added three more places to it. George, Barcelona and Morocco – here I come! Layla www.womanthismonth.com May 2016 64 LIFESTYLE | travel Rockin' All Over The World Music festivals are, for many people, the purest and most enjoyable way to experience live music. Ankita Mamgain shares a few options where the euphoria extends far beyond the stage. A wise man once said, “Going to a music festival not only makes you happier, it changes your life.” The power of music is undoubtedly one of the most incredible parts of the human experience. When added to a social gathering involving people from diverse backgrounds, coming together for their love of this art, it becomes a force unparalleled by anything else. One of the best ways to live this experience is at a music festival. The performers, the element of travel, meeting strangers and general euphoria makes them so popular. If you are going to invest in a (probably pricey) festival pass, ensure the best bang for your buck by attending a festival where the scenic surroundings are just as great as the tunes. With an ever-increasing number of top-notch events popping up every year, we bring you three summer fests that not just guarantee great music, but also an amazing holiday. SASQUATCH! MUSIC FESTIVAL, GEORGE, USA This is one festival where the setting alone can guarantee hordes of people. Sasquatch! music festival is held every Memorial Day weekend at a beautiful gorge in central Washington. The view of the gorge is picturesque and is one of the most breathtaking sites you will see in your lifetime. Add to this this year’s acts, which include The Cure, Florence and the Machine, Disclosure, Four Tet and Major Lazer. If this sounds like where you want to be from May 2730 this year, make sure you load up on supplies and get some good quality camping gear. The stage at Sasquatch! is an outdoor amphitheatre, and no matter where you’re situated, the sound and view will be phenomenal. Named in honour of America’s first president, George is a small town that is famous for its forests, rich history and one of the most extraordinary amphitheatres in the world. The state of Washington is home to many natural treasures and urban wonders that promise a wonderful road trip. Surrender to the enchanting landscape of Olympic National Park in Port Angeles and then get lost in the futuristic cityscape of downtown Seattle. Located between Seattle and Olympia, Tacoma is home to the amazing Museum of Glass, then head to sunnier Spokane for its mesmerising gardens and parks. Do visit the charming town of Leavenworth that celebrates its Bavarian heritage throughout the year. Sasquatch Olympic National Park Downtown Seattle May 2016 www.womanthismonth.com 24 FASHION | get the look A very important invitee, the mum should wear a glamorous, age-appropriate outfit for her child’s special day. Dresses with a lace top applied on the upper part of the gown are a great way to add sophistication and also avoid a tight cut. Another tip here is to go for an option with at least a little bit of sleeve; it doesn’t have to be long, but some extra cloth covering the shoulders will look better than a sleeveless option. The colour can vary, just avoid black or white. Personal taste and the shades of the season are more important. Pale pink is a contemporary hue that looks great on any skin colour. Pick footwear with chunky heels and a round front for comfort – it will be a long day! THE BRIDE MOTHER OF BCBGMaxAzria spring 2016 Kendall Jenner The bells are ringing in wedding season and we've put together three different looks to inspire your outfit for the big day. GUEST LIST 1. Watch: Esprit at A La Mode; 2. Earrings: Salvatore Ferragamo; 3. Clutch: Saint Laurent Paris at Saks Fifth Avenue; 4. Dress: Mango; 5. Bracelet: Montblanc; 6. Shoes: Dune London. Amal Clooney 6 5 2 3 4 1 (OR GROOM) FEATURE | weddings Say Yes to The Dress Of course we know there’s more to getting married than the dress, but choosing just the right gown for your big day is a big part of the fun. We’ve rounded up some of the latest offerings from the biggest names in the business. Enzoani The 2016 collection embodies the timeless elegance that Enzoani is internationally renowned for. With the addition of an all-new lace design and a show-stopping train for even more of that oh-so gorgeous and dramatic 'wow' factor, this gown will bring gasps as you walk down the aisle. Caroline Herrera This year’s bridal collection is inspired by the beauty, sensuality and delicacy of the fragrant white jasmine flower. Hand-stitched embroidery on silk faille brings the precious flower to life, giving the illusion of the cascading blossoms. This Jordana dress gives a stylish and unique interpretation of the mermaid tail with layers and pleats offering a fairytale quality. H&M Conscious One for the bride with a conscience, this gown from H&M is not strictly intended to be bridal but we think it’s beautiful enough to play with the big girls and it also lives up to the brand’s promise of offering fashion choices that are good for people, the planet and your wallet. Marchesa Ruched, ruffled, off-theshoulder and sporting a train, this gown from Marchesa ticks all the wedding boxes while the tightness of the bodice and nipped in waist give a modern look to a classic style that teems with fabric petals which translate into the ultimate in ethereal romance. www.womanthismonth.com May 2016 34 Follow us on: Instagram: @woman_this_month Twitter: @WomanThisMonthB Facebook: Woman This Month This retweeted quote “The biggest wall you've gotta climb is the one you build in your mind.” by @JedRecord was the most liked on twitter. The following #WTM post was most favourited and Retweeted on Twitter. The most liked post on facebook was the video round of Woman This Month’s Kitchen Star Season 2 held at Bahrain Financial Harbour. The Most Liked Post on Facebook WTM’s contest post about its first #MumsMeetup in May was the most liked on instagram. “If you are already excited about this initiative, do follow this #contest post and be the lucky one to be part of this meetup plus win a special #spatreatment at @ alareenpalaceandspa." The Most talked about Picture on WTM’s Instagram Letter We want to hear your thoughts on Woman This Month. Write to us at [email protected]
www.womanthismonth.com June 2016 8 SAVE THE DATE JUNE diary Book Signing Book signing with Brian King, The 100 Day Promise. See what happens when a regular husband and father of four promises to totally love and serve his wife for 100 days. What will happen to him, his wife and their relationship? Is it really worth the effort? More than just hearing marriage platitudes, this book shows the reality of the stresses family life can bring and demonstrates the power of trusting someone enough to love them completely. At Words Bookstore Café. Call 17 690-790. 1 WEDNESDAY Jazz Night Music lovers are in for a treat as Polo Gastropub continues on its mission of promoting local Bahraini talent by presenting Ahmed AlQasim’s Jazz Experience, featuring Abdulla Haji on the saxophone. Ahmed is perhaps better known in his other role as bassist and vocalist with popular local band Likwid, so it’s no surprise that this night is already getting lots of interest. Get there early to avoid disappointment. Call 17 725-000. 2 THURSDAY Fashion in Focus The second edition of the Fashion Time Exhibition at Bahrain International Exhibition Centre is being run by First Target. It will include men’s, women’s and kids’ fashion, jewellery and accessories as well as a range of toiletries, cosmetics and healthcare products. This year, for the first time, the expo will also include a food section. And, as another first, there will be beauty and fashion shows featuring local designers. Running 10am-10pm over the three days. Entry is free and there will be lots of prizes up for grabs. For info see www.ftbh.net. 2-4 THURSDAY- SATURDAY Fil Harmonics Launch A fiesta in line with the upcoming 118th Philippines Independence Day takes place at Adhari Park at which Fil Harmonics, a group of enthusiastic local Filipino musicians, will be debuting their sound. Running throughout the day from 10am there will also be a cultural show, recycled Filipina fashion show, bazaars, raffle prizes, food booths, live entertainment with performers including Hot Laser and the Last Cans, a dance crew and an artist coming from the Philippines. Call 37 241-228. 3 FRIDAY Summer Party The warmer weather is most definitely here so expect an evening of indulgence as Mai Tai at Trader Vic’s bids farewell to another season. Partygoers can expect to be greeted in friendly Mai Tai fashion with great food and drinks and fun tunes in this gorgeous setting and, for one lucky winner, there’ll also be a special Trader Vic’s raffle prize. Call 17 586-555. 3 FRIDAY Ramadan Kareem The beginning of the Holy Month is, of course, subject to the sighting of the moon. However, the period of abstinence is expected to start around June 6. A time of reflection and charity, Ramadan also means the chance to get together with family and friends at sunset to enjoy a scrummy Iftar or Ghabga at venues across the island. 6 MONDAY Mai Tai Jazzman From ways to progress professionally to summer beach parties, this month looks packed with of lots of action and here’s your guide to plan ahead.
www.womanthismonth.com June 2016 10 SHOPPING | pick of the month Modern, delicate, conjuring up the magic of the moon: the Esprit zodiac signs have a dazzling zirconia solitaire and make the perfect gift for every occasion. The jewels, in 18-carat rose gold plating, make for a thoroughly trendy look, and the combination of brilliant zirconia with rose gold ideally matches their modern design language. Esprit is available in Bahrain at Al La Mode. For information call 17 179-863 or 17 748-999. Written in the Stars
Shaping the Elegance of your Beauty
www.womanthismonth.com June 2016 12 SHOPPING | editor's choice Pure Grace The holy month is upon us and it’s the perfect time to explore our spirituality and spend time with family and friends. Transform your home and plan the perfect outfit to enjoy the month’s Iftars and Ghabgas. Hamsa hand necklace, Bershka 17 172-303. Louxor red vase, Thierry Peureux at Tanagra 17 179-570. Quilted chain handbag, Michael Kors 17 178-630. Burgundy kohl liner, Inglot 16 686-200. Watch, Esprit at A La Mode 17 179-854. Long kaftan CH Carolina Herrera 17 178-520. Abaya collection, Dolce & Gabbana 17 131-456. Diamond necklace set, Malabar Gold & Diamonds 17 208-810. Chandelier, BHS 17 582-258. Sheer blouse, Tommy Hilfiger 16 686-208. Round black sunglasses, Karl Lagerfeld karl.com.
June 2016 14 Emilio Pucci FASHION | trend HOW TO STYLE IT? This look is definitely one for bold girls, however the trend gets the green light for daytime wear. Pair it with a solid tailored piece and flats to rock a glitzy style. Sequinned tops, dresses and skirts are the ‘it’ items to add extra glamour to your looks. Let your wardrobe shine! SPARKLE AND SHINE Spaghetti strap top, Debenhams 1717 9887. Sequinned orange heels, Lanvin 1717 2000 (Saks Fifth Avenue). Black jumpsuit, Monsoon 1758 1804. Clutch, Dune London 1717 9314. Light rose top, Next 1717 2050. White tailored trousers, BHS 1758 2258. Wide-brim hat, Accessorize 1717 9786. www.womanthismonth.com
www.womanthismonth.com 15 June 2016 SOCIAL BUTTERFLY Summer Art at The Domain The Domain Hotel and Spa held the opening of its Summer Art Exhibition 2016 at its premises in the Diplomatic Area. The event featured local artists Abbas Almosawi and Wedad Al Bakr as well as many international exhibitors. Salman, Shaikh Ali Al Khalifa & Sudhir Wedad & Faris Jan, Abdul Hamid, Khalid Al Qoud & Fateh Faraj Fatema HE Taha Mohammed Abdul Qader & Nejib Friji Emma Sumana & Abbas Tanvi, Muna, Amy & Malak
16 June 2016 www.womanthismonth.com SOCIAL BUTTERFLY International Embassies Market The Children & Mothers Welfare Society held its International Embassies Market at its premises in Isa Town. The event was held under the patronage of HH Shaikha Hessa bint Ali bin Hamad Al Khalifa. Hardi, Wita, HE Chilman Arisman, Ratna & Dean Shaikha Aysha bin Salman Al Khalifa & Shaikha Hind bin Salman Al Khalifa Ganniga, HE Chayapan Bamrungphong & Gantipan Machiko, Sayuri, HE Kiyoshi Asako, Yukiko & Daisuke Claire & Christine HE Chilman Arisman, HE Dato Ahmad Shahizan Abd Samad & HE Chayapan Bamrungphong Noor & Surya Yesim, Semiha & Sebahat Michela, & Giuliana Samreen, Dina & Shahzadi Georgette, Rehab & Reine Batool, Jacqueline & Karen Najla, Zehra & Jece Rasha & Sophie Priya & Najat Rocio & Araceli Papia, Anjum & Devasrit Shanjida & Mukta Mehreen & Shahzadi Cherry, Sirin, Kasorn, Kob & Mandy
18 June 2016 www.womanthismonth.com SOCIAL BUTTERFLY Lulu Hypermarket British Festival Lulu Group held a British Festival celebration at its Hidd branch. The festival was inaugurated by British Ambassador, HE Simon Martin, and was attended by top management, businessmen and invited guests. The ribbon-cutting ceremony Shukoor, Ioannis, Kaleem, Sathar & Sherif HE Simon Martin & Juzer Rupawala Jebran & Vineeth Sharzna, Soudha & Reine Farheen, Maha & Ansari Band of the British Royal Marines Dilmun School students performing Cake-cutting ceremony
BAHRAIN: BAHRAIN CITY CENTRE • SEEF MALL • SEEF MALL, MUHARRAQ • OASIS EAST RIFFA • OASIS MALL, MUHARRAQ • MARINA MALL SAUDI ARABIA • KUWAIT • BAHRAIN • QATAR • OMAN • JORDAN • EGYPT • LEBANON • PAKISTAN • TANZANIA • LIBYA • INDIA • SRI LANKA
showcase June 2016 20 www.womanthismonth.com The summer season is just around the corner. For many, this is a time to pack bags and head home. A trip back home is often punctuated with holiday shopping and gold jewellery from Bahrain is always a hit. The purity that is offered in Bahrain is unparalleled, not to mention the craftsmanship and design trends. At Devji, preparations for the spring/ summer season start four months in advance. New sketches are created on paper by Devji’s in-house designers. The designs are then chosen through a careful screening process where the team bears in mind the weight factor, current trends, wearability and other factors. The chosem pieces are then crafted in gold. These prototypes are subjected to stringent quality tests. Minor changes are made to the functionality aspect if required. And colour combinations of minakari elements and coloured stone combinations are experimented with, before finalisation. Once the prototypes are approved, the jewellery is crafted for the stores at Devji’s own manufacturing unit located in Bahrain. This season Devji since 1950 has an exciting range of new designs on offer across all the This reputed jeweller offers new designs and the chance to win instant prizes. DEVJI SINCE 1950 A GOLDEN SUMMER popular brands. The Aabhushan collection of gold jewellery has been expanded with new designs of bangles, necklaces, pendants, earrings and rings. The Tanvi collection of antique jewellery has been revamped with the addition of unique pieces. The design and flow of the new collections are very much in line with the recent trends. Filigree combined with textured gold is dominating the jewellery scene this year and these elements find shape and form with Devji’s latest Tanvi collection. The Tara collection has been embellished further with pendant sets, earrings, rings and necklaces in varying weight ranges. The bridal range will soon have an addition of gorgeous diamond sets in minimal weight ranges. Adding to all the above Devji since 1950 is celebrating the promotional offer Golden Treasures. Purchase gold jewellery worth BD300 and multiples thereof and receive a scratch coupon. Purchase Tara diamond jewellery worth BD300 and multiples thereof and receive double the number of scratch coupons for the chance to win gold coins instantly. The promotion continues till June 29, 2016, at all Devji since 1950 stores in Bahrain and Oman. Contact your nearest Devji since 1950 store for details. Follow us on www.facebook.com/ devjisince 1950 for regular updates on what’s new at Devji. For a daily update on gold rates follow the twitter handle @devjisince1950.
June 2016 www.womanthismonth.com 22 BRAND AMBASSADOR The British musician Florence Welch, lead singer of Florence + The Machine, is Gucci’s new ambassador for watches and jewellery. The musician’s personal style is in harmony with the fashion house’s eccentric spirit, according to creative director Alessandro Michele. They are friends and certainly appreciate each other’s work. FASHION | fashion forward Summer Ready The creative director of Jimmy Choo, Sandra Choi, has created a vibrant, upbeat spring and summer collection with inspiration coming from California’s skyline. Graphics of palm trees meld with bold architectural gestures to give a carefree glamorous effect. “I wanted to convey an upbeat attitude whilst juxtaposing new with old – artisanal vintage references blended with bold, graphic details – to create something modern and surprising,” explains Sandra. LUXURY IN ONE CLICK The multi-brand online store, NET-A-PORTER, announces a special collaboration with jewellery label Tiffany & Co. The online retailer will be the only authorised destination beyond Tiffany’s own channels to sell select items from the iconic blue box brand. “Tiffany has been in the market for 179 years and collaborations with innovative partners like NET-A-PORTER help ensure that the brand’s timeless designs reach a new generation of customers, wherever they are,” said Philippe Galtie, Tiffany’s senior vice president of international sales. BACKSTAGE PASS What’s cool, trending and fashionable? ITALIAN ORIGIN Salvatore Ferragamo celebrates the colourful life of its founder with a women’s capsule leather goods collection in collaboration with designer Sara Battaglia. The line consists of four different handbag styles in an assortment of sizes as well as a wallet, notebook, pouch, key chain and belt. The creations update the Italian spirit and the mix of materials that have long been recognised as Ferragamo hallmarks. The quirky Sara Battaglia for Salvatore Ferragamo collection mixes complex craftsmanship linking heritage to modernity.
www.womanthismonth.com June 2016 23 CONVERTIBLE CARRIER This spring, Longchamp gives a twist to its Roseau bag turning it into a dynamic reversible model. The new line is double-sided, with one side painted in rich neutral colours in soft satin grain material and the other featuring a vibrant shade with an enlarged satin grain. The small and large tote are offered in duos of: black/girly pink, navy/ pink, sandy/cherry and caramel/ecru. [ Cat Eyes ] Fashion lovers the world over adore limited editions. So, hot brands create ‘must have’ pieces to answer that desire. Bottega Veneta eyewear presents its Felis sunglasses, a mix of shape and functionality. With only 500 numbered pieces, the cat-eye sunglasses are a vision from creative director Tomas Maier. Artisans hand-weave the premium acetate, recreating the iconic intrecciato motif on the upper part of the black frames. Felis sunglasses feature the world’s thinnest polarised mineral lenses, seven barrels integrated plaque hinge and a customised hand-woven leather case. C M Y CM MY CY CMY K Premier BTM Ad 125mm x 191mm.psd.pdf 1 3/23/16 2:36 PM
June 2016 www.womanthismonth.com 24 FASHION | get the look FEMININE FLAIR A boho inspired dress is a trendy way to show off your femininity with subtle sex-appeal. Perfect for casual parties or a daytime stroll, it can be paired with colourful accessories or earthy tones for extra oomph. A bucket handbag and espadrilles are foolproof final touches. DO YOU DARE TO BARE? Olivia Palermo The off-theshoulder top is a summer wardrobe essential that looks best when paired with shoulderdusting earrings. Go for this flirty and flattering piece to heat up days and nights in style! Whitney Port Filigre Cuff, Monsoon 17 179-650. Bohemian lace dress, Mango 17 179-718. Pendant earrings, Parfois 17 178-054. Positano lace-up heeled espadrille, Tory Burch 17 179-560 Watch Esprit at A La Mode 17 179-854. Orange bucket handbag, Dune London 17 179-314
www.womanthismonth.com June 2016 25 HIPPIE HYPE Go for a full-on denim look to embrace your modern hippie style. To transform an all-blue denim outfit, play with different tones and proportions for an out-of-the box look. Finalise the concept by adding funky accessories and you will be fashionista fabulous in the blink of an eye! LAID-BACK LADY This look is for those days when you’re not feeling super creative with the contents of your wardrobe and want to play safe but with a smart twist. White trousers and a colourful top is all you need! Finish the look with comfy flats and an eye-catching handbag to look great without much effort. Blue round sunglasses, Furla 17 178-538. Light wash denim Bardot top, River Island 17 179-485. Golden cross - body handbag Vivienne Westwood at House of Fraser houseoffraser.com.uk. Aviator sunglasses, Zara 17 172-333. Ruffled top, New Look 17 179-406. Chandelier earrings, Accessorize 17 179-786. White Flared white trousers, Betty Barclay 17 581-880. Kitty flats Charlotte Olympia at THEOUTNET.COM Shoulderduster earrings, Salvatore Ferragamo 17 178-535 Long denim skirt, Marc Jacobs marcjacobs.com Striped handbag Kate Spade 17 582-424. Slippers, Mira Mikati at Saks Fifth Avenue 17 172-000.
showcase June 2016 www.womanthismonth.com 26 Seiko’s Premier collection is a harmonious mélange of the classic and the modern, standing testimony to the idea that opposites do attract. This collection comprises watches that look ageless, yet embrace the very latest technology and architectural design. The subtle interaction of the classic and modern lends a stylish charisma to the Premier collection, which itself draws inspiration from the world of architecture. By blending different styles, Premier proves that opposites can co-exist, and the result is a congruous fusion of contemporary style and lasting quality. The Premier collection is a broad one, giving discerning customers a wide variety of styles to choose from. The overall design of the latest collection stays unchanged from its predecessors, but the architectural and threedimensional characteristic of the Premier dials is enhanced with elegant additions like the large calendar window in the Kinetic Perpetual series and the inclusion of the heartshaped dial opening in the mechanical models. The collection includes a wide variety of calibres, but the new range of Kinetic watches takes place of pride. This range includes the remarkable Kinetic Perpetual, a calibre unique to Seiko. It retains the correct time and date for up to four years when not being worn, without ever requiring a change of battery. Call: 17225513. Let your wrist make a statement with an elegant timepiece that reflects classic inspiration and modern expression. AMBASSADOR STORES CLASSIC, YET CONTEMPORARY Tea Party Saks Fifth Avenue held a special tea party at its Ralph Lauren corner at City Centre Bahrain. Cynthia & Antoinette Fernanda, Oliver & Cecilia Rashid Ama Tamim & Shahad Ian & Dandy Bushra, Klara, Antoinette, Fatima & Nayla Sumaya Noora Yasmeen, Sumaya & Joory Abdulrahman & Fahad
28 June 2016 www.womanthismonth.com SOCIAL BUTTERFLY Four Seasons BBQ Night The Four Seasons Hotel held an American BBQ night with celebrity chef, Wolfgang Puck, on The Lawn. Wolfgang & Greg Loren & Melody Dev & Amanda Jelena, Tulin & Georgina Emily & Karim Fatema & Majda Sara & Veronika Joe, Phil & John Mahmood & Mohammed Amira & Melissa Karin & Natasha Molly & Mark Paul & Mel Bruce, Jan & Sherry Rumena, Katherina, Josie & Jennie Graham & Sue Lulu & Anna Florence & Sara Guilherme & Aishling Lia, Wolfgang & Fabi Mathias & Btisam
June 2016 www.womanthismonth.com 29 PEOPLE | interview Sahar Albaharna, the brain behind Female Founders Middle East, says statistics from the World Bank show the literacy rate of women in Bahrain to be higher than 90 per cent. “Every year we see a high percentage of top female graduates from schools and universities. However, the labour force of women in the region is less than half that of men. In order to retain these talented and intelligent females in the workforce, we need creative solutions,” she says. Sahar firmly believes that women in Bahrain have a lot of talent and want to be role models for future generations. But their other commitments - home, family and motherhood - keep them from taking on full-time jobs. With this in mind, she started Female Founders Middle East, with the sole purpose of pushing women to use their skills and talents in a beneficial way. “We are not a recruiting agency. We just help generate jobs amongst women. We build networks for entrepreneurs and jobseekers, leaving it up to them to use this network effectively,” she says. Six years ago, Sahar motivated women to break the proverbial glass ceiling in the corporate arena. “We worked with women in banks and other financial institutions to encourage more women into management and senior management. Being a working mother myself, I wanted to help others who Sahar Albaharna and Zahra Ghanbari meet Behnaz Sanjana to talk about how they are enabling women in Bahrain to shine their entrepreneurial light. Women Empowering Women were in the same boat.” She soon realised that the time to push women into entrepreneurship was ripe. “A lot of women came to me asking how they could start their own business, to have a better worklife balance and also to follow their passion and convert it into a successful venture,” she says. Female Founders is proud to associate with CH9, a newly opened business accelerator at the Lagoon in Amwaj. Hub director of CH9, Zahra Ghanbari, says: “We work with startups and scale-ups and are passionate about helping innovative enterprises grow through knowledge, investment support and access to local and regional markets.” CH9 is a platform that supports local and expatriate entrepreneurs to see their business idea achieve fruition. “Members can get in touch with over a hundred investors, mentors and coaches, as well as the MENA Business Angel Network. We also have door-opening services that give scale-ups access to the wider MENA region, and put them in touch with leaders in their business realm,” says Zahra. Believing in the potential of women, CH9 encourages them to blaze their own trails. The organisation has welcomed Female Founders under its umbrella, to conduct talks and seminars addressing the concerns of women who are already in business or toying with the idea of starting one. The recent Female Founders event held at the CH9 premises touched upon the basics of entrepreneurship and freelancing, and connected start-ups with women freelancers and jobseekers. “Women were advised on how to tackle some common business problems such as managing finances and refining their business ideas. Apart from seminars, we plan to have workshops teaching women essentials like financial management for small companies and hiring solutions for start-ups,” says Sahar. The pair are very proud that all their event sponsors are local businesses founded by women and they look forward to organising more events in the near future as well as generating more opportunities for women gogetters in Bahrain. g Members can get in touch with over a hundred investors, mentors and coaches, as well as the MENA Business Angel Network Zahra and Sahar
June 2016 www.womanthismonth.com 30 PEOPLE | interview Rasha is a science teacher at Al Hekma International School who aspires to plant thousands of trees in the Kingdom as part of the Environment Online (ENO) initiative, which aims to plant one million trees across the globe by 2017. As an environmentalist, which issue do you think Bahrain needs to tackle first? The rise in global temperatures and its ripple effect through the environment affects Bahrain too. Our high summer temperatures, population density and low elevation make climate change mitigation especially important for the future of Bahrain. How are you raising awareness of this? I have a bigger vision to help Bahrain reach its Vision 2030, especially with sustainability. I’m trying to build global citizens who are aware of their environment and community. I believe this is the only way we can tackle environment change. Tell us more about the projects you have been involved with? I was short-listed for the Global Educational Supplies and Solutions 2016, and I am also the only educator chosen from Bahrain as ENO coordinator. Each coordinator works on building awareness about the environment in schools and the community, while simultaneously keeping up to date about global climate issues. There is a goal set by the ENO to plant one million trees worldwide by July 2017, and I am helping by bringing Bahrain onto the bandwagon. For this to materialise, I am directly liaising with ministries here. How are you empowering the youth in order to create awareness for climate change? I am educating them to make sure that once they graduate from school, they can make a difference in this world. My students started off knowing nothing about how, and even why, they need to take care of the environment. I celebrated Earth Day, World Water Day and Earth Hour to get them involved. I also encouraged them to reuse and recycle their resources. Then they began to acknowledge and express an interest in the same. We are facing a global problem that we need to combat together, and they know that their part is to educate and spread awareness. Have you faced any challenges with bringing the ENO initiative to fruition? Yes, in terms of communicating with ministries and getting a budget allocated. We will not be given a budget to cover the tree plantation for the targeted sector, so we plan on requesting schools, organisations and individuals to pay for their own trees. Do you think these measures will halt global warming, if done right? I don’t want to give out false hopes by stating the affirmative, but we can definitely control it. This is the only way we can continue to live in Bahrain. If sea levels rise, the repercussions Bahrain will have to face will be drastic. I wish everyone would be interested in protecting their community. We hope to help Bahrain reach Vision 2030 hand in hand and everyone can make a difference. g I’m trying to build global citizens who are aware of their environment and community. I believe this is the only way we can tackle environment change Rasha Al Najjar The Green Citizen Rasha Al Najjar is tackling environmental issues in Bahrain by raising awareness and educating youth to conserve and protect their resources. She told Puja Tiwari about the issues close to her heart.
32 June 2016 www.womanthismonth.com SOCIAL BUTTERFLY MJ’s Bowling Lounge Opening MJ’s Bowling Lounge held its opening night featuring celebrity R&B singer, Omarion, at its premises in Garden Plaza, Budaiya. Omarion Yara Simran & Farah Aya, Yara, Jane, Joe & Najeeb Rowan, Tina & Nadia Zero & Maria Abdulrahman & Sufyan Cathy & Jal Simone & Tamica Angela & Lina Luna, Dani, Steffi, Evica & Ellign Tim, Richard, Jackie & Ector Winnie, Aisha & Isza Moayed & Sarah Ammar & Abeer Ahmed, Charlotte & Eyad Maya & Mahdi Nial & Ameena Ebrahim James, Jene & Neil
June 2016 www.womanthismonth.com 33 PEOPLE | interview The theme of the latest collection has a maximalism undertone, concentrating on embellishments, denim, and biker stud details. The essence behind the collection is to inspire people to harness change and spread positivity at a time when humanity has taken a hit. We had a chat with the CEO of Splash, Raza Beig, where he explains the significance of the campaign. WTM: What are some of the previous issues that have been addressed through Splash fashion campaigns? RB: This year we are moving on from being an aspirational brand to a more inspirational brand. We had had a successful stint with celebrities and this seemed to be the right direction considering the unrest in the world. Love, the emotion, has always had a strong presence in our campaigns in the past with ‘Love fashion’ and ‘In Love with Fashion’. This time around, we took up the issue of unity amongst diversity, surpassing all the barriers of caste, creed and race to create a campaign that inspires people and provokes thought. WTM: How did you decide on the new ‘Love Unites’ campaign? What is the significance of it for Splash? RB: My team and I always brainstorm every step we take to help the brand progress. I had multiple meetings with my agency and after many sessions, zeroed down on ‘Love Unites’, a campaign that truly embodies what the brand is looking to achieve and the message we intend to spread. We have six international models featured in the imagery which best represents the diversity. There is so much unrest in the world, we wanted to take on a route of inspiring people to be the change and spread positivity and love at a time when humanity has taken a hit. WTM: What is the significance of this campaign for the Middle East? RB: The Middle East has made a mark for itself on the world map as a huge melting pot of nationalities, which means living harmoniously with differences in traditions, thoughts and beliefs. A campaign that advocates the idea of everyone coming together, embracing the differences and uniting for love makes this a very relevant Aiming to inspire through fashion, Splash is uniting diverse cultures through its current campaign titled ‘Love Unites’. Uniting Through Love campaign. We strongly believe that, through the language of fashion, we can make a difference and pitch to unite people on a common front. WTM: We understand that the campaign will be interactive, please explain some ways through which it will help people connect with each other? RB: The campaign will be releasing across the MENA region, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka through a 360-degree communication strategy which will include out of home, print, radio and TV. Digital campaigns will be the driving force of ‘Love Unites’ with the aim to connect and unite people through interactions with the brand and subsequently with each other. WTM: How were the models chosen? RB: We chose models who culturally represented their heritage. These top models from across the globe reiterate our message of fashion transcending boundaries of caste, colour and creed. WTM: What are the trends of the collection? RB: The collection comprises tailored and oversized silhouettes with a mod appeal and the grunge maximalism that is youth-centric. Splash caters essentially to an age group of early teens to mature working individuals so 14-35 year olds. This picture and below, behind the scenes on the shoot Raza Beig
www.womanthismonth.com June 2016 34 Being a female entrepreneur and finding success in today’s competitive world, in any field, is a huge challenge. What works and what doesn’t is determined by the right combination of form and relevance according to the customer experience. In the modern marketing landscape, the Internet with social media, blogs and SEO (search engine optimisation) allows you to reach almost anyone, no matter what industry your business is in. And 2016 could be a pivotal year, depending on how you position yourself through online marketing and how tech-savvy your online business is. Businesses today are either digital or becoming digital. With the massive reach and use of the World Wide Web in social media, content marketing and SEO, as well as pitching a strong and long-term presence for your business with digital marketing has become essential. A strong online presence and use of social media are considered valuable assets. However, for your business you need to make sure that it delivers a reasonable ROI on your time and resources. Women today are making their mark and their presence is felt in almost every field. They have realised the importance of marketing and how it could contribute to making their venture successful. DreamMakers can offer successful digital marketing results for your ventures in a number of ways. Firstly, when building a website or e-commerce shop, DreamMakers can assist you in making the site user-friendly and appealing to women with soft colours and a variety of Bindu Titus of online specialist DreamMakers writes for WTM on how to maximise technology to benefit your business. BUILDING A BUSINESS PLATFORM PEOPLE | interview content relating to beauty, maternity, health and shopping in the blogs, along with promotions, etc. Above all, it is important that it is a quality site which is mobile compatible and it must open quickly, within a few seconds. Social media is an important tool to make your business presence felt online. Channels such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Google Plus are great examples of social media options available to your business. By promoting your social media pages you will
www.womanthismonth.com June 2016 35 Who are DreamMakers? Dream Makers is a versatile and flexible technology oriented company powered by innovation and efficiency. It provides cost-effective IT solutions with proven expertise in delivering the complete range of IT services including product design, software development, onsite consulting, remote support and testing services. The company’s collaborative work approach with clients ensures optimal solutions in the shortest possible time. It believes in merging with the best minds from different domain specialisations for converging technology, strategy and creativity to deliver customised solutions. Corporate values include unfailing customer focus, collaborative team approach, in-built efficiency, accurate solution delivery bonded with trust and reliability. DreamMakers mission statement is to deliver high quality synergy solutions in the global scenario and to maintain value through knowledge, innovation and IT expertise. To provide quality software services for both the overseas and domestic markets and innovative solutions at the most competitive prices with world-class quality. ensure that you have real followers. Post vital updates and business-related posts to these channels, this will help to keep current customers entertained while engaging with them, while gaining new followers. DreamMakers builds quality SEO for websites. It takes at least a few months for a quality SEO to send real traffic and visitors and to get rankings and produce results. Please do not go in for fake agencies who promise traffic and results within a few days or a month at reduced prices. I recommend that you go for an established agency such as DreamMakers that is experienced in the field of digital marketing. Blogs are a wonderful way to attract more traffic to your website. DreamMakers also supports businesses in creating or adding a blog that features updates like offers, announcements and useful articles related to your business area and market trends. This can include articles on current dressing and beauty trends if you own a fashion-related business such as a boutique. To be effective it should be posted on social media channels as it should reach the list that your business focuses on. Video marketing is gradually becoming more popular. The videos can be promoted by embedding and uploading them onto your website using YouTube, Vimeo, etc. Also consider email marketing and get new visitors to sign up for your newsletters. Email newsletters bring more relevant customers to your business. Opting for paid advertising ensures guaranteed results instantly on various platforms like Google adwords, Facebook ads, Twitter ads, LinkedIn ads, etc, if your marketing budget is flexible. To further advance your business, opt for a mobile application. Developing mobile applications for businesses is a growing trend nowadays in the digital world. Launch a mobile application for iPhone and Android phones if your business is suitable as it is a mobile, strong way of marketing your business. This will encourage a huge audience of people through mobile phone usage. For example, Snapdeal and Flipkart enable mobile purchases of products through their mobile applications. Your business application should be available on the Appstore and Google Play. Social media is a powerful new frontier for business owners, particularly female entrepreneurs. To maximise the benefits, you should focus on sharing your story, showing vulnerability, connecting emotionally and developing relationships through giving. Let DreamMakers get you geared up for online business by getting your signature business ideas set on the right social media platforms. Call us at 36 753-625 or 17 290-091 or for more information visit www.dreammakersit. com or email us at [email protected]. Bindu Titus
36 June 2016 www.womanthismonth.com SOCIAL BUTTERFLY Cooking Class The Four Seasons Hotel held a media cooking class with celebrity chef, Wolfgang Puck, at re/Asian Cuisine by Wolfgang Puck restaurant. Chef Wolfgang Puck and invited guests Josh, Brian & Ben Behnaz, chef Wolfgang Puck & Farheen Tulin & Natasha Eileen & Mahmood Rumena & Amira New Kia Motors Showroom Bin Hindi Motors held a grand opening of its new Kia Motors showroom and the new Enaya Car Care Centre in Arad. The event also featured the launch of the all-new 2016 Kia Sportage. It was held under the patronage of HE Dr Abdul Hussain bin Ali Mirza, Minister of Energy, and in the presence of ENOC (UAE) and Kia Motors officials. Dignitaries at the ribbon-cutting ceremony Mohammed, Waleed & Fatima Soon, Mohammed, HE Park Ho, John & Shah Mohammed, Cheoran, Ahmed & Sayed
FEATURE | motoring Some say cars are a boy thing but we reckon the girls are just as involved. From comfort to safety to speed, we’re often the ones checking out the specs, doing the fuel consumption comparisons and making, or at least contributing to, the final decisions. This month we’ve taken to the roads in the Porsche Macan and the Ssang Yong Tivoli and checked out the latest offering from Audi. We’ve also spoken to some real women on wheels and dug out some helpful online resources to check if you’re looking for a new car. HIT THE ROAD www.womanthismonth.com June 2016 37
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