Wellbeing The importance of cervical screening Travel Bahrain Edition March 2018 | Issue 181 | BD1 / SR10 www.womanthismonth.com BEAUTY | FASHION | HOME | WELLBEING | FOOD | LOCAL ISSUES Weddings Special FASHION Go-to guest looks Beautiful strangers FOOD A revamped favourite A traditional Bahraini dish to try People Hend Alawadhi on breaking into aviation Ines Kharrat – the designer in love with her materials Enas Al Fardan explains the latest anti-bullying initiative Girls-only breaks
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March 2018 www.womanthismonth.com 2 For subscriptions visit www.womanthismonth.com Advertising rates are available upon request. Please e-mail [email protected]. The publication of any advertisement in woman this month is not necessarily an endorsement of the advertiser or of the products or services advertised. Although every effort is made to ensure factual information, woman this month cannot be held responsible for errors in contributors’ material, nor do the opinions expressed by individual writers necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Editorial Submission of articles is welcome. Send queries, letters and articles to the editor at [email protected]. The publisher reserves the right to edit, reject or comment editorially on all material contributed. 6 Over to You 8 The Month in Focus 10 Hot Shots: Things that have piqued the editor’s interest this month Fashion 12 Pick of the month: Say It With Sparkles 14 Trend: Dress Code 16 Focus: Relevant Extras 18 Mood Board: Beautiful Stranger 20 Essentials: 10 Thing to Try 22-23 Get the Look: Special Guest 24-25 Backstage Pass: News from the world of fashion People 26-27 Hend Alawadhi: A Suitable Job For A Woman 28 Ines Kharrat: Material Girl 30 Enas Al Fardan: Anti-bullying campaigner Feature 32-49 Weddings: Dresses, countdown, venues and more Beauty 50 Tips: DIY Bridal Make-up 53 Fragrances: The perfect gift for mum 54-55 News: Latest products and happenings Lifestyle 58-59 Wellbeing: Focus of reproductive health 62-63 Food: Reviews 65 Food: Chef's Special 70-71 Homes: Colour Valour 72 Travel: Going Solo 78 Opinion: Ouiam Charkani El Hassani 79 Horoscope: What's in store this month. 80 In Her Shoes: Carolina Campita 12 25 MARCH 18 48 74 47
www.womanthismonth.com March 2018 4 March is weddings month and we are going all-out to embrace it. Our big weddings feature has the latest in bridal trends from the spring 2018 shows; there's also a great selection for the more mature bride. And if you're that quirky girl who wants something a bit different for her big day, don't despair; we've got you covered too. Back by popular demand is Fernanda's wedding countdown calendar and, if, like interviewee Archana, you're celebrating your wedding here on the island, make sure to check-out our selection of some of the very best venues. Our interview section this month features high-flying engineer Hend Alawadhi, who defied her family to pursue her love of aviation and now inspires other young girls to go after their dreams. We also chatted to designer Ines Kharrat to learn about the gorgeous handmade fabrics she uses in her creations. And Behnaz caught up with Enas Al Fardan who's leading an antibullying campaign, a cause we're very happy to support. While the wedding theme runs throughout the magazine with fashion and beauty tips and even a traditional Bahraini celebration dish in Chef's Special, news of a women-only island, due to open in Finland this summer, inspired me to search out some other girly holidays for our travel section. Not particularly romantic, but possibly just the thing for a great hen weekend. I certainly fancy a surf and yoga break. There's a definite taste of spring in the air and its evident in our homes pages with splashes of colour to give your spaces a new lease of life. We've also got news of the great Interiors Expo where you can find designer goodies at great prices. There's the regular round-up of news from the worlds of fashion and beauty as well as info on what's coming up in the Kingdom this month - I'm particularly excited about Spring of Culture. And we're still working on Woman This Month's new-look website where you'll find regular competitions, news updates and more. Have a look and let me know what you think either on social media or write to [email protected] chairman & publisher George F Middleton editorial director LIZ O'REILLY contributors APPLE SHARMA behnaz sanjana Fernanda Langhammer RAPHAEL Ouiam Charkani El Hassani head of digital operations Neil F Vaz print production manager Sabu Sebastian layout & graphics ROMEO SAN MIGUEL Jayath Teki Hatem Monem media coordinator SARAH ANSARI media managers farheen ahmed Ekaterina Espinasse circulation and research ROANNA FERNANDES photography editor mona abdul jabbar photographers RANJITH MOHAN Subeesh Kumar NS printing press DAR AKHBAR AL KHALEEJ W.L.L., Bahrain Contents copyrighted 2017© Reproduction in whole or in part by any means without the express written consent of the publisher is prohibited. ISBN No: 1 899348 11 5. Licensed by the Ministry of Information, Directorate of Publication and Press. Code: SWTM 410 Woman This Month is here for the modern woman of substance and aspiration, embodying a personal style while exploring the best of all worlds: fashion, beauty and lifestyle. Bahrain office address Red House Marketing P. O. Box: 20461, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain telephone: (17) 813-777 fax: (17) 813-700 email: [email protected] website: www.womanthismonth.com Published monthly by Red House Marketing (Jersey) Ltd. P. O. Box 641, No. 1 Seaton Place, St. Helier, Jersey JE4 8JJ Channel Islands, U.K. in association with Al-Hilal Publishing P. O. Box 1100, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain March 2018, Issue 181 On the cover: Esposa eDitor’s NOTE Woman This Month is a member of BPA Worldwide The only women's magazine distributed with the GDN Liz O’Reilly Editorial Director Our month: Farheen went along to the launch of the new Red Tag app and also turned out for the Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain's first media mocktail night.
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March 2018 www.womanthismonth.com news 6 Letters Obsessive About Shoes Chinese fashion brand Sankuanz’s latest offering involves never letting your pristine shoes touch the filthy ground. The brand’s ‘shoes for your shoes’ are thick-soled shoesandals that strap onto your footwear. The concept was unveiled on the runway at Paris Men's Fashion Week in late January. The protective sandal straps on with Velcro, and ultimately looks like a big-cushioned, rubber and plastic orthopaedic Birkenstock. Do we want a pair? www.boingboing.com Reel Love Story Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have a love story so enchanting, Hollywood has taken notice. The couple's relationship will be depicted in Harry & Meghan: A Royal Romance, a new movie set to air on television this spring. The movie is said to chronicle the romance between the beloved prince and his new fiancée from the moment they met after being set up by friends, through their initial secret courtship and, ultimately, the intense global media attention surrounding their relationship and Meghan’s life as a divorced American actress in November 2017. The couple's much-anticipated wedding is scheduled to be held on May 19 this year at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, the royal residence in Windsor, England. www.today.com A very stressful job that keeps me at work for around 12 hours every day has made me give healthy living the lowest priority. Because of which, I end up eating on the go – breakfast is coffee and a doughnut or something sweet, or even fast food when I’ve woken up extra hungry. Lunch may or may not happen, and dinner is usually take-out from a nearby restaurant. Obviously any kind of exercise is out of the question. Due to the way I’m feeling and looking, I have the feeling inflammation might have got the better of me. Thanks, WTM for making me realise that how I live may be harmful in the long run, and that I must figure out how to live better, starting now. I’ll be taking baby steps. Sharon, Seef Green is a top favourite with me. I have it everywhere at home. But I never got around to dressing in green. But now that WTM’s fashion pages have given us the ‘green signal’, I’ll be confidently adding the various shades of this calming colour to my wardrobe. The collection on the page looks great, I’ll be buying a few of those items to start with. Ellen, Barbar Bored of my long hair, I’ve been considering a change in hairstyle for a while. I haven’t previously experimentd, but I was also thinking of getting a different colour. Asgar Saboo’s top trends gave me some muchneeded inspiration and I’ve gone and got myself a beautiful long bob with caramel highlights that my family and friends are just loving right now. Maya, Busaiteen On Facebook, the post on Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka announcing the theme of Bahraini Women’s Day 2018 attracted the highest reach and engagement. Woman This Month’s February 2018 cover and digital edition got highest engagement on Instagram. On twitter, Woman This Month’s interview with May Alhaji received the highest number of impressions and clicks. Follow us on: Instagram: @woman_this_month Twitter: @WomanThisMonthB Facebook: Woman This Month We want to hear your thoughts on Woman This Month. Write to us at [email protected] Best Reaction on Twitter Most Liked Post on Instagram Most Liked Post on Facebook # Trending What’s caught our eye in the news this month
March 2018 www.womanthismonth.com news 8 March in Focus Ora On Stage We’re seriously excited at the news that singer Rita Ora has been added to the line-up for Spring of Culture. The Yugoslavian-born, British chart topper will be at Bahrain Bay for one night only on March 8 for what promises to be a storming performance. Rita hit the headlines in February 2012 when she featured on DJ Fresh's single Hot Right Now, which reached number one in the UK. Her debut studio album, Ora, released in August 2012, debuted at number one in the UK and featured the chart-topping singles R.I.P. and How We Do (Party). Since then she’s scarcely been out of the news and two singles from her second studio album, Your Song and Anywhere, both reached the UK top-ten in 2017. We’re looking forward to hearing what she has in store. There’s loads of other good stuff coming up for Spring of Culture. Find details on our sister publication www.bahrainthismonth.com. Happy Vibes Whether you already love yoga or want to try something new, check out the latest classes to launch at KiTrain, in Seef. Happy Vibes is inspired by hatha and restorative yoga combining deep stretches and long holds that soothe the mind, body and spirit. Taught by experienced teacher Juliana, classes run from 8am-9am on Sunday, Monday and Wednesday and 6pm-7pm on Thursday. Sign up for a month and get unlimited classes for BD50, or it’s BD6 per class. Colourful Fitness Love colours, love fitness, love Amwaj? Then make sure you reserve your place for the Bahrain Colour Me Run at Amwaj Marina on March 9 – it gets booked out early and is always really popular. Billed as the happiest run in the Kingdom, the Bahrain Road Runners event celebrates happiness, health and individuality. Wear white and get covered in clouds of colour from head to toe. Distances are 1km for kids aged three to 13 years and 5km for 14 years and upwards. Register at www.brr.bh Get Your Paddy On We know everyone loves the Irish, so it’s no surprise that the St Patrick’s Day celebrations have turned into a bit of a festival. Bahrain Irish Society hosts its annual St Patrick’s Day ball on March 15, the BSPCA is holding a shamrock-themed, fund raising dog walk on March 16, and the Irish Society is back in action on March 17 with the Paddies Picnic at the Rugby Club with fun games for kids, a traditional parade, live music and more. Head on down and enjoy the craic! Toughen Up Life Fit is marking International Women’s Day on March 8 with a free introduction to self defence for women and girls presented by She-Fend. You may feel the island is a safe place or worry that, in a difficult situation, you might freeze. Take the opportunity to learn some techniques and strategies that might just get you out of trouble. To book call Elisabetta Massey on 36 226-968. Spoil Your Mum Bahrain Mothers’ Day is March 21 and for UK expats it’s March 11. Whichever day you choose to celebrate one of the most important women in your life – don’t miss the chance to make a fuss of your mum. Whether it’s a bouquet across the miles, tea and cake in your own kitchen (if you’re lucky enough to have your mum here with you), a home-made card or a fancy lunch at one of the many hotels that are putting on special events, make the effort to let her know she’s appreciated.
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March 2018 www.womanthismonth.com news 10 HOT SHOTS Let’s Hear It For The Girls March 8 is International Women’s Day – a day set aside worldwide to celebrate the social, economic, political and cultural achievements of women. Here in Bahrain, we have our own Women’s Day, on December 1, when many companies and organisations honour outstanding female contributions. But that’s no reason not to have two bites of the cherry, particularly at a time when women the world over seem to be under greater pressure than ever amidst allegations of sexual misconduct at the highest levels, gender pay gaps and the erosion of hardfought rights on reproductive health. So, I’d urge all our readers to use March 8 as an opportunity celebrate their female friends, colleagues, sisters and themselves – whether it’s a girly night out or a small gift for the hard-working woman who does your cleaning and ironing – mark the day. And make sure your daughters know why. Check out womanthismonth.com to see celebrations around the world. I Think I’m A Guy Apparently PepsiCo is looking at launching a range of snacks aimed specifically at women. The company’s chief executive Indra Nooyi told US podcast Freakonomics Radio: "What a lot of the young guys [do when they] eat their chips, they love their Doritos and they lick their fingers with great glee. And when they reach the bottom of the bag, they pour the little broken pieces into their mouth because they don't want to lose that taste of the flavour and the broken chips in the bottom. "Women, I think, would love to do the same but they don't; they don't like to crunch too loudly in public, and, you know, they don't lick their fingers generously and they don't like to pour the little broken pieces and the flavour into their mouth." Yep, that’s it, according to PepsiCo, I’m a bloke! Weird World I love the story from Reuters of two men who caused a commotion at the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics by turning up dressed as US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and put on a show of unity in the stands before being swiftly shown the door by security staff. “We’re getting along great,” said the Kim lookalike, who declined to give his name. “We wanted to surprise everyone and bring world peace and then we’re being escorted out by security guards, which I think is really unfair. Doesn’t everyone want peace?” Shame the real leaders don’t have the same sense of humour. Word of the Month Lunting It’s an old word that I think needs to be revived. Walking while smoking a pipe. Of course. Going Out With A Bang Huge congratulations to the ladies of Bahrain’s women’s shooting team who took both gold and bronze medals in the 25m pistol finals at the recent Arab Women Sports Tournament in Sharjah. Mouza Ali, who dedicated this big win to her homeland, scored a convincing 21 points, followed by her peer, Ayesha Al Buraiki, who claimed the silver with 17 points. Their nearest rival was Salma Al Hosani, from the UAE, who took bronze with eight points. The Bahrain team also triumphed in the 10m air pistol category. From the editor’s chair, Liz O’Reilly shares the things that have piqued her interest this month. This Is Not A Love Song Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha penned a love song, Diamond Heart, to mark Valentine’s Day, the fourth he has composed since coming to power in 2014. Reportedly sung by an army officer, its chorus urges Thais to “Make your heart like a genuine diamond, don’t be defeated by anything.” I’m smiling as I imagine other world leaders following suit – perhaps I Don’t Wanna Go To Brussels from Theresa May, sang in the style of Elvis Costello, or When a Man Doesn’t Love Women from Donald Trump, sang in the style of Percy Sledge.
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www.womanthismonth.com FASHION | pick of the month March 2018 12 Say it With Sparkles We can’t think of a better way to celebrate the wedding issue than with these cute cuffs from Tory Burch. Crystal on brass, they’re suitable for everyday, just like the message they convey! Available at Tory Burch, City Centre Bahrain 17 179-560.
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March 2018 www.womanthismonth.com 14 FASHION | trend With weddings in mind, we’ve sought out the right dress for each type of ceremony. Find yours! Dress Code Red floral dress, F&F 17 162-120 Blue navy dress, Next 17 581-681 Black and blue floral dress, Tadashi Shoji at tadashishoji.com White floral dress, Marks & Spencer 17 588-188 Pink lace dress, H&M 17 564-606 One shoulder metallic dress, Topshop 17 110-369 Metallic long-sleeved dress, Tadashi Shoji at tadashishoji.com Mustard dress, Miss Selfridge 17 110-352 Red dress, Wallis 17 583-236 Navy dress, Monsoon 17 581-804 Silver dress, Monsoon 17 581-804 Grey dress, River Island 17 110-370 Blue floral dress, Alice & Olivia at www.aliceandolivia.com Shiny green dress, New Look 17 179-406 Ombre dress, Debenhams 17 110-378 Printed shift dress, Hobbs at hobbs.co.uk Blue strapped lace dress, Monsoon 17 581-804 Red lace dress, Laura Ashley 17 580-993 Nude strapped dress, Monsoon 17 581-804 Royal blue dress, Oasis 17 581-065 Beach Celebration Dinner Wedding Gala Festivity Brunch Reception
www.womanthismonth.com 15 March 2018 SOCIAL BUTTERFLY Rahul Maha, Nina & Vinny Hair Show Joz Salon took part in a haircut and beauty showcase at the Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre. Nawal, Farah & Vinny Jordan, Vinny & Maha Buena, Jennice, Zuhor & Vinny
March 2018 www.womanthismonth.com FASHION | focus 16 Accessories are a girl’s best friend. This month, Fernanda Langhammer talks about one particular piece that should have a special place in your jewellery box. Relevant Extras Often, if you are a girl, some days or maybe a few months after you are born, you may have your ears pierced to accommodate one of the most popular accessories of all – earrings. It is probably a tribal tradition that we have carried on to modern times and one that, somehow, still makes sense. When I had my daughter 12 years ago, I didn’t even think twice, this was for sure something I was going to do for my baby girl. If it was today, I might have a different approach to the subject, but then, I had no doubt. She is actually very thankful we did it when she was a baby and didn’t know what to expect; she hates needles and loves earrings. This decorative item is accepted and celebrated in most cultures. The tradition of wearing gold earrings is part of my childhood; we all should own at least this much of gold. Now, I like the flexibility of choosing gold, silver, metal or even plastic. Sometimes you get so used to the ornaments that you don’t even notice you are wearing them. I have heard from some girls that they feel underdressed without their earrings. You may not want to wear them with casual clothes, but I believe they are mandatory for special occasions, whether your ears are pierced or not. They are among those little things that improve your look with some sparkle or a catching shape. The variety of formats and materials is enormous, leaving it up to you and your personal taste and style to define which and when you wear them. Here are some types and tips for you: Oliver Bonas Hoop. Coming in a variety of sizes, they can be a plain circle, have an intricate design or be adorned with charms. Young girls like to wear them with their jeans, T-shirt and ponytails. It is a good way of wearing a more prominent earring without showing off that much. Huggie. As the name suggests, these earrings hug the ear lobe. They are a small hoop, in a thicker material where the designs are encrusted. Classic women wear them with tailored clothes and wellgroomed hairstyles. A good pick to accompany a party gown. Studs. Probably the most popular item of them all, these earrings are subtle and comfortable. They can be a pearl, a diamond or precious gem or lots of small pieces together creating one design firmly attached to the ear lobe. They can be worn for any occasion. Tassel. These earrings are having their moment. The long threads used to be the preserve of hippy, boho types but are now grabbing red carpet status. They can come in assorted colours and different materials to please us all. Mismatched. If you are one of those girls who like to show off your fashion credentials, these earrings are for you. Each of the pair looks similar but not exactly the same. A funky choice to glam-up a contemporary style. Emporio Armani Kate Hudson Accessorize Tory Burch Parfois Chrissy Teigen M&Co
March 2018 www.womanthismonth.com FASHION | mood board 18 Zara COS Vivienne Westwood Moschino Valentino Gucci Comme des Garçons Sometimes fashion goes beyond the art of crafting clothes; it becomes a whole new platform where designers express their deepest artistic inspiration. The border line between exciting and weird is tenuous and some masterpieces are taken to the runways without any intention of going to the streets. It may be just styling, to reinforce a concept – however, some brands go full on building curious structures. Japanese names behind brands such as Comme des Garçons, Junya Watanabe and Yoji Yamamoto defy any garment logic, taking innovative conceptions to another level. It can be too much for straightforward humans like us, the ones pondering which clothes to wear next morning. But it provokes the minds of those working in the field to be open to something really new. One thing is certain, challenge in the industry is a good thing for all of us, even if we don’t find it visually appealing. Gucci, Manish Arora, Moschino, Valentino and other names take a more commercial approach to the oddity fashion can become. They leave the eccentricity to the shows, putting all the quirky pieces together. However, when you take the idea to the streets, one eye-catching piece amongst ordinary clothes is a great formula to make the whole look interesting. Accessories are the pieces that can easily find a place in your everyday wear,;unconventional shoes and handbags can lift a boring look at any time. How about next time you face a strange look you carefully dismantle it in your mind to find an intriguing element amongst the chaos? Beautiful Stranger Nails by CND atLibertine AW 2018 Marni Maison Margiela Manish Arora Mango Tory Burch Undercover
www.womanthismonth.com 19 March 2018 SOCIAL BUTTERFLY Hublot Roadshow Bahrain Jewellery Centre held the Hublot Geneva Days 2018 novelties Middle East roadshow at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay. David & Ahmed Iqbal & Nowshad Aaliyah & Ali Ahmed Sreejith, Noushad, Rumena, Josie, David, Ahmed & Iqbal
March 2018 www.womanthismonth.com FASHION | essentials 20 Monsoon Simple but Lovely. Many girls dream of wearing a tailormade dress on their wedding day, but there is nothing wrong with a storebought number with a simpler cut that fits you like a glove. Graceful Secret. Finding the perfect lingerie should be on your ‘things to do’ list before your nuptials. Go for beautiful but comfortable pieces. Feminine Dream. Lace is the most dreamy and delicate fabric to evolve into a girly dress. It can be stitched up tight to the body or loose in a big puff skirt. Pick jaw-dropping, embellished footwear! It is the month of matrimony so Fernanda Langhammer has come up with a few ideas and suggestions to take into consideration for your big day. 10 Things to Try This Month Pamper Yourself. It’s your day! Enjoy and make the best of it; let people please you with cute gifts. And if they don’t, spoil yourself with every little detail you can think of. 2 3 4 8 1 Invite children for a playful and fun vibe. 10 Lipsy Dune Mango Next F&F Little Mistress New Look Mulberry Monsoon Small Touch. Even the bride has to carry her phone and a few other things on her special day. Take advantage and choose an eyecatching clutch that can be passed to you when you want to touch up or take a selfie! Less Is More. Don’t forget that sometimes the most memorable things are the simplest ones. Create a balance between all the elements. If your dress is over the top, choose an unpretentious bouquet. 5 6 Make a statement with your earrings! 7 Under the Sea. Pearls are dainty gems, perfect to match your ethereal wedding dress. Real or man-made, they are a certain pick in the form of bracelet, necklace or earrings. If they belonged to your grandma, then you have 'something old' sorted! 9
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March 2018 www.womanthismonth.com FASHION | get the look 22 If you are an important wedding invitee, you must dress to impress (without stealing the bride’s spotlight, of course!). Go razzle-dazzle with savoir-faire! Special Guest Bride’s Mum You are certainly the second lady in the room everyone will turn their attention to, so you must channel the contemporary elegance people expect of you. A wrap dress is a great pick if you have Jane Fonda's or Rita Moreno’s shape. The cleavage allows enough room to accommodate your breasts without compromising sophistication. Choose a kitten heel for great comfort and add some sparkle. At the end of the day, all important girls deserve to shine! Angelina Jolie Kristen Bell Julie Lake Metallic clutch, Wallis 17 583-236. Slingback shoes, Marks & Spencer 17 588-188. Watch constellation, Omega 17 537-753. Enchanted Lotus mother of pearl bracelet, De Beers 17 002-905. Grey sequinned dress, Monsoon 17 581-804. Allegra earrings, BVLGARI 17 005-812.
www.womanthismonth.com March 2018 FASHION | get the look 23 Tassel earrings, Stradivarius 17 172-306. Balls drop earrings, Mango at mango. com Velvet jacket, Massimo Dutti 17 172-325. White bow blouse, Max Mara 17 131-015. Velvet trousers, Massimo Dutti 17 172-325. Red and gold cuff, Tory Burch 17 179-560. Red clutch, Vincci 17 178-696. Brown snakeskin pattern sandals, Michael Kors Collection 17 178-630. Blush pink clutch, Dune London 16 686-215. Gold HardWear ball dangle ring, Tiffany & Co 17 531-616. High-heeled sandals, Dune London 16 686-215. Bride’s BFF One of your favourite people in the world is celebrating her special day; you must be there for her emotionally and definitely look as gorgeous as possible! Forget pastel shades and opt for bright colours. A vivid pink will present the right splash of attitude to illustrate your special place. To grab the fashionista title, choose other tones of pink to paint your accessories and add accents of gold to give the perfect closing to your fashion case. Bride’s Boss You are certainly not that special, but at the same time you are. The whole family will be looking at you as the cool or tough chief that their sweet girl always talks about. You want to stand out, but for the right reasons. Dressing for the occasion is your mission! A classic suit is a great pick to achieve this goal. If you want to dare a little bit, embrace a velvet number, combine some red and golden frills and pose! Show them who is in charge of style. Hot pink lace dress, Tadashi Shoji at tadashishoji.com Star necklace, Karl Lagerfeld 17 112-715.
March 2018 www.womanthismonth.com FASHION | fashion forward 24 Riyadh Goes Runway The Dubai-based Arab Fashion Council has announced that Saudi Arabia will host its first Arab Fashion Week this month. Due to take place at Riyadh’s, Zaha Hadid-designed Apex Centre (pictured), the show will run from March 26 to 31, with a second edition already scheduled for October. The line-up for the event has not yet been revealed and it remains to be seen whether it will feature purely modest fashions. However, commentators have been quick to point out that fashion-conscious Gulf women, with cash to spend, are some of the couture world’s biggest supporters. The Arab Fashion Council is starting to lay the foundations for the development of a sustainable infrastructure across the Arab world, with a strategic partnership with the British Fashion Council (BFC). “The history and trajectory of the BFC goes hand in hand with what we are trying to achieve: nurturing young talent and adopting an international vision,” says Princess Noura bint Faisal Al Saud, the organisation’s honorary president. Always one to watch, this year’s London Fashion Week show by students from Central Saint Martins was more bonkers than usual with models dressed as plastic dummies, mattresses and even a giant paddling pool. Household utensils were also out in force with outfits adorned with plates, vases and more. Vogue apparently gave its seal of approval, noting that the designs catch the eye more so than classics such as a well-cut dress – well, they say no publicity is bad publicity. Our climate might well lend itself to donning a paddling pool, you could just take it off and fill it up when the weather gets too hot! Drone Zone Supers took a back seat to hi-tech at Dolce & Gabbana’s latest show in Milan with the Italian duo sending handbags down the runway carried by drones! Guests were instructed to turn off Wi-Fi on their phones to avoid disrupting the devices’ control systems for a show that left fashionistas stunned. The Cut even declared “Being human is so last season”. Regular models later took to the catwalk to show a collection the designers call “Fashion Devotion” drawing heavily of traditional Catholic garb with lots of black lace and veils. Check out the video and let us know what you think of this latest development at womanthismonth.com. Backstage Pass Our take on what's cool, trending and fashionable Papal Fashions! New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art is no stranger to controversy, but its latest costume institute exhibition may prove one of the most ambitious yet. Curator Andrew Bolton revealed that “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” will feature around 40 ecclesiastical pieces loaned by the Vatican, including a papal tiara comprising 18,000 diamonds and items worn by Pope Benedict 14th in the 1600s. These pieces, some of which have never left the Vatican’s sacristy before, will be shown along with 140 pieces from fashion houses including Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, Chanel and Valentino, many of whom displayed Catholic and religious imagery and influence in their recent collection launches. The challenge is for Bolton to create a display in which the religious pieces can sit comfortably alongside some of the more extreme and potentially clashing design works. Bizarre Looks
www.womanthismonth.com March 2018 25 Animal Reiki Saar Kennels hosted an animal reiki session at its premises. Suhaila & Tejas Maggie Nicola Keshia & Wispa Malaysian Street Food Preview Sheraton Bahrain Hotel held a Malaysian street food menu-tasting event for the media at Soie restaurant. Thomas, Cristalyn & Edwin Georgina & Farah Ian & Leslie Singer and actress Rita Ora is almost as well known for her fashion style as her musical abilities. She’s modelled for some of the world’s biggest brands and is now taking the plunge to launch her own fashion line. Due to hit the shelves at the beginning of the month, the pieces have a street vibe and take inspiration from the London of the 1990s. The singer told the Daily Mail: “I am so passionate about fashion so it’s such a pleasure and honour for me to be able to express that through my very own collection. It is meant to inspire you to be your best self, your own hero!” Called Roara Republic, we’re hoping Rita will be sporting some of the pieces when she performs in the Kingdom on March 8. If you don’t yet know the names Heroda and Hermon Berhane, trust us, you soon will. The twin models from Eritrea, are taking the fashion world by storm in their mission to break down the barriers that discourage people with disabilities from getting into the industry. The pair moved to the UK as children planning to seek their fortune as fashion models but were repeatedly rejected by agencies because they are both deaf. But the fashion bloggers, who became deaf suddenly at the age of seven, persevered and are now gracing shoots around the world. They told CNN: “We want to tell people around the world that you should embrace disability, not hide from it." Rita Roars Disability No Barrier
March 2018 www.womanthismonth.com PEOPLE | interview 26 With a grade point average of 97.8 (which works out at 99 overall), Hend was not short of scholarship offers when she graduated from a government school. However, this bright Bahraini had always been interested in aviation and wanted to be a pilot. Her dad, however, despite working in the field himself, said he would support her in virtually any career but not aviation! “My father worked in aviation but he was not supportive; he didn’t understand that it could be a good career for a female,” says Hend. “He actually wanted me to be a doctor but I have always wanted to be in aviation – it’s like an addiction.” Her father did later change his mind! Fortuitously, she heard about a new programme set up by Tamkeen and Bahrain Airport Services offering scholarships in aircraft engineering. Without telling anyone, she turned down her other offers and applied. Out of 500 hopefuls, she was one of just 30 to be chosen for the four-year course. Following two years of theory, she embarked on two years with Gulf Air, as the only female trainee at the time. She says: “As a woman in this field, I had to give twice as much as the men to prove myself. “I spent that whole two years virtually the whole time at the airport and, in the end, I qualified for my licence ahead of time because I had the necessary hours.” In fact, at just 22, she qualified with both B1 – mechanical (aircraft structure, powerplant and mechanical and electrical systems) and later B2 – avionics (communications, navigation, radar, instrument and electrical systems) parts of the licence. She was Gulf Air’s youngest engineer and says: “At the age of 23, I was signing off my first planes.” This means that as the aircraft engineer, she would be certifying the planes' fitness to fly. Working with the national carrier, she flew around the world as the planes have to be checked and signed off before each take-off. Over 10 years of 12-hour days, one thing she was careful about was to make time for herself and preserve her sense of femininity, saying: “It’s really important to take time out. I don’t think it’s necessary to Hend Alawadhi tells Liz O’Reilly how her fascination with aviation gave her the determination to defy her family and fly high in her chosen career. Hend Alawadhi A Suitable Job for A Woman
www.womanthismonth.com March 2018 PEOPLE | interview 27 become masculine to succeed in a man’s world. You don’t have to have the short hair and short nails, unless that’s what you really want. You can still look like a woman, get your hair done, visit the salon – it’s about ability to do the job.” Interest in her role has led to TV and media appearances which, in turn, inspired an Instagram account @hend_alawadhi where she shares pictures and lifestyle advice with her 24,000 followers. She says: “I love fashion, so that was a part of it, but I felt it was important because I would often get young girls and women asking me ‘How did you do it?’ and my answer to them is always ‘You have to shut out the negative voices and concentrate on whatever it is that you really want.' “A lot of girls give up and it’s not because they are not smart or capable but because of how men or society will treat them – I’ve been to television appearances where they’re convinced I’m the stylist, not the engineer. A pilot once refused to take my word to sign off a plane and I told him ‘OK, then you better leave, this is my aircraft and I’m responsible for it.' “I was not that woman 12 years ago when I started out and I don’t really know how I continued sometimes. I’ve heard a lot of things that could have made me give up; specially in our society, it’s not easy being the only woman in the room. I think the main thing that helped me was that I just didn’t listen to the comments and got on with the job. And I don’t find this from the younger generation; things are changing a lot.” These days she is with the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications as a senior airworthiness inspector, the only woman to hold the position. And, not content with making history, she also has her own fashion store selling interesting pieces she picks up on her travels. She explains: “I started out bringing things back for family and friends and then decided to start my own collection.” She only offers three pieces of each item but the collection is semion hold at the moment as Hend is considering increasing the scale to a more commercial operation. A new salon is the latest addition to her portfolio and future plans include travelling around the world. However, for now, the newly-wed, who postponed her nuptials twice due to work commitments, is turning her attention to the all-important business of starting a family. And, what if her own daughter decided to go for a 'way-out' career? “I’d support her 110 per cent,” says Hend. “In fact, if she wanted to go for a regular option, I’d ask her to try thinking outside the box! “As women, we often look to what’s expected of us and that holds us back from doing great things – the most important thing we have to do is support each other!” g
March 2018 www.womanthismonth.com PEOPLE | interview 28 Ines came to Bahrain just two and a half years ago with her engineer husband, and having some spare time gave her the opportunity to pursue a long-held passion. She explains: “When I left university, after studying fashion design, I travelled with my husband to different countries such as the US and Germany – but all the time this was in my blood. At that time though, I was busy raising my kids and I never felt stable enough to work.” Arriving in Bahrain, she began making pieces for herself – interesting over jackets, flowing and beautiful, which soon gained friends’ envious attention. “I started by designing a couple of pieces for myself and every time I wore them at parties or events, many ladies loved them and asked where I got them from. So, I finally got the idea to start my own brand while at the same time showing the special and unique work of the Tunisian artisans.” That work is very apparent in the range of woven materials she uses, all created in her Tunisian homeland to her own orders. Ines explains: “I was at an exhibition in Tunis and fell in love with the texture and the colours; from the beginning I have always loved anything that looks natural and organic. When I found this fabric, I started to take all the addresses of the producers, then I got in my car and drove for four hours by myself and went to meet the makers. I would give them designs to see the results and decided to go with the ones who could create my designs the best. “Some could do good work but this involved making modern designs – not what they were used to. It involved visiting many different families and areas. In Tunisia, each town or area has different weavers working in different materials, from linen to silk mixes and wool. I made the choices that would work best with the different designs. The embroidered piece on this jacket [pictured] is hand-stitched by a woman on a small island off the coast.” The brand LeBonTon was born in 2015 and Ines has produced a summer collection, including beach dresses, a Ramadan collection featuring kaftans, abayas and jalabiyas and she is now working on her next collection with her pieces being available online through her Instagram @ lebonton_by_ines and at various pop-ups around the island. Asked who is the LeBonTon woman? She responds: “She is elegant but very selective! She wants to wear unique designs fashioned out of 100 per cent natural fabric with special textures and wonderful colours.” And of the brand’s future, she has big plans, saying: “I am planning to show my work in other countries in the Gulf and Europe. Very soon I will display my designs in a shop! My dream is to spread my models all around the world and have my own factory.” When not busy designing, she loves painting and even uses her fabrics and silver pieces within her artworks, rendering each piece unique. She’s also an avid photographer, kitchen enthusiast and gym addict, which helps her stay in shape for modelling her own creations. Designer Ines Kharrat talks about the very specific materials she uses and the inspiration for her gorgeous creations. Material Girl
March 2018 www.womanthismonth.com PEOPLE | interview 30 The Naseem Initiative, a voluntary programme started by the Bahraini Youth Forum Society (BYFS) in 2013, aims to provide emotional support to disadvantaged sections of society, such as the differently abled, and abused women and children. “By producing ‘art awareness projects’ like short films, music clips, paintings, photography, calligraphy and caricatures, we shed light on their issues, suffering and aspirations, and channel their voice to the broader community,” says Enas Al Fardan, who heads the initiative. “The artworks and projects gain attention through various social and conventional media channels and are showcased at different creative events.” According to Enas the society seeks to engage young people and leverage their talents to support the underprivileged who need a helping hand. “It is a platform for youngsters to develop their own talents for a noble cause,” she says. Naseem Initiative’s first three projects – ‘Turning Point’, in support of people with injury-related disabilities; ‘Enter My World’, in support of young people with autism; and ‘We Respect Her’, to fight domestic violence against women – were successful in creating awareness about pressing societal issues. The fourth initiative, ‘When You Hurt’, focuses on bullying in schools. “Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behaviour among school-aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behaviour is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Both parties may have serious, lasting problems – people who were bullied as children are more likely to suffer from depression and low self-esteem, well into adulthood, and the bullies themselves are more likely to engage in criminal behaviour later in life. Several incidents have resulted in children committing suicide due to being bullied at school, which shows how serious and dangerous this problem can be. However, many victims do not speak up against it,” says Enas. She believes that for schools to have a healthy environment that produces well-educated and balanced graduates, all violent acts, including bullying, need to be stemmed. “Our main objective is to educate students, parents, teachers and the rest of the community on the real meaning of bullying, what it entails, its dangerous consequences on both the bully and the bullied in the short and long term, and, most importantly, how we can fight it. Furthermore, we advocate strengthening the schools’ policies against these acts as well as procedures to minimise the problem.” This one-year project, running until November 2018, will deliver several activities including conducting a study which will measure the prevalence of bullying in Bahrain’s schools, understanding the root causes and recommending actions to prevent and curtail the issue. Anti-bullying workshops will be held for students of private schools and simple, yet creative, infographics on the subject will be spread across social media, posters and stationery. Enas says: “Short videos explaining the meaning of bullying, and how students can protect themselves, as well as a music clip with influential lyrics are to be produced. Paintings, photography, calligraphy and caricature works will highlight the act’s negative impact. Our social media awareness campaign will have short videos of famous celebrities from the GCC and Middle East to talk about the topic and encourage everyone to support its end. A video competition for the youth and an open forum with parents on how to address the issue along with a specialised panel to address their questions will also be held.” All of the artworks, videos and music clips will be showcased in an Art and Awareness festival on May 5, coinciding with International Anti Bullying Day. Project partners are the Be Free Programme and Heads and Hearts Psychotherapy and Counselling Centre. “We are also going to approach the Shura Council, Child Protection Centre, and similar organisations to be on board with us,” Enas says. g Enas Al Fardan tells Behnaz Sanjana how a not-for-profit organisation harnesses the talents of local youth for the betterment of society. Enas Al Fardan Empowering Youth to Beat the Bullies
February 2018 www.womanthismonth.com PEOPLE | interview 32 Wedding Belles The wedding season is upon us. It’s that time of year when thoughts turn to nuptials – attending them, organising them and being the one saying “I do”. Our extensive Weddings feature includes a back-by-populardemand wedding checklist as well as our all-important selection of some of the most gorgeous gowns around whether you want to be a fairy princess or are aiming for a more mature or quirky look. We’ve also rounded-up some of the hottest wedding venues on the island and Behnaz Sanjana chatted with one bride who will be holding her threeday celebrations here this month. The wedding theme runs throughout the magazine with outfit tips from Fernanda Langhammer on our fashion pages, make-up advice from Apple Sharma in the beauty section and even a traditional Bahraini wedding dish in the food pages. So, whatever your role on the big day, we’ve got you covered. March 2018 FEATURE | weddings 32
www.womanthismonth.com March 2018 PEOPLE | interview 33 For the last few months, Archana, brand manager at BMMI, has thoroughly enjoyed being immersed in preparations for her wedding to long-time sweetheart Collin. “We’re both born and brought up in Bahrain,” says Archana, whose Indian-origin family has been living on the island for three generations. “My grandfather started Devji Jewellers in Bahrain, and the family has been here ever since.” The couple has chosen the Al Areen Palace and Spa to stage their important wedding ceremonies, as they wanted a serene setting away from the city in which to solemnise their love. It all kicks off with the mehendi ceremony attended by close family and friends, at which ladies will adorn their hands and feet with intricate henna designs. The sangeet follows – a musical night replete with song, dance and much laughter, that Indian weddings are so famous for. “We’re having a flash mob with all our relatives joining in the show before the dance floor opens to the rest of the guests,” she reveals. The wedding procession commences the next evening, heading for the majestic Al Qasr tent, where the couple will tie the knot. This will give way to the reception – dinner, dance and much merrymaking. Archana chose all her outfits for the pre-wedding and wedding rites and ceremonies, from Satya Paul and Sabyasachi, the best-known Indian labels, famed for their breathtakingly gorgeous ethnic wear. “For the sangeet I’ll be wearing an Indian-inspired gown, and Collin will be in an Indo-Western jacket. My wedding outfit is dark maroon, while Collin will be in cream and gold,” she says. Her jewellery is being custommade by Devji, and will be embellished with precious stones including rubies and emeralds to go with her attire. In keeping with the traditions of Collin’s side of the family, the couple will exchange their wedding vows at the Sacred Heart Church in Manama. “I’ve picked my bridal gown from Pronovias at Moda Mall and I absolutely love the beautiful design I’ve selected,” says Archana. Over the three days, her hair and make-up will be done by Gloss Salon, and the meticulous bride has already had her trials done with them to nail the look she wants at each of the functions. The guests have already had a taste of the grandeur that awaits them at this lavish wedding from the beautiful invitation card they’ve received. And they’re in for a gastronomic treat too. “The mehendi is an afternoon do, so we’re going to have high tea and easy-to-eat, bite-sized kathi rolls and paneer amritsari, with our hands going to be hennaed. For the sangeet, there will be a mix of Indian, Italian and Arabic cuisine for the 300 multicultured guests. The wedding spread will be similar, although it will be much bigger, to cater to around 500 invitees." With both of them having busy careers, planning a grand-scale wedding can translate to hectic days, so we asked Archana what she does to keep calm and carry on. The glowing bride-to-be says, “I’m going crazy with all the myriad preparations – seeing to the decorations, the flowers and other details – and also rehearsing our dance routines for the sangeet. I go for my massage and facial sessions at Dessange every two weeks, and Collin and I go to the gym to look and feel great, but as the date is coming closer, it’s been difficult to dedicate time to that.” The newly-weds are looking forward to spending some quality ‘we-time’ after their nuptials within the tranquil precincts of the Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea and Spa, after which they fly off to the Maldives and Sri Lanka for a romantic honeymoon. We wish Archana the fairytale wedding she has imagined, and much luck for a new chapter in life with Collin. Exciting times lie ahead for Archana Prakash, as she prepares to step into matrimony with the love of her life. Behnaz Sanjana chatted with the bride-to-be about what actually happens at a wedding that spans three days! Her Big Island Wedding
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