Digital Edition WOMEN IN AVIATION
17223000 For more info please visit www.yaquby.com/kenwood competition
Most Beautiful & Rare Gems in the World WWW.ERICACOURTNEY.COM | [email protected] ERICA COURTNEY JEWELRY @ERICACOURTNEYOFFICIAL Photo by Hardy Klahold for “Women of Jewelry”
November 2018 www.womanthismonth.com 4 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. 8 Over to You 10 The Month in Focus 12 Hot Shots: Things that have piqued the editor’s interest this month FASHION 16 Pick of the Month: Doggone Crazy 18-19 Get The Look: Iconic 80s 20 Trend: Grandpa's Wardrobe 22 Focus: Snuggle Up 24 Essentials: 10 Things to Try 26-27 Backstage Pass: News from the world of fashion PEOPLE 30 Adhunika Prakash: Facebook Triumph WOMEN IN AVIATION 34 Women In Aviation Conference: Event details 35-36 Panelists: A stellar line-up of guests 37 Maisa Hazeem: Flying First, Flying Safe BEAUTY 52 Tips: Highlight of the Month 56-57 News: Latest products and happenings LIFESTYLE 46-47 Well-being: Diabetes 101 50 Food: Chef's Special 52 Food: Review 56-57 Homes: Happy Haven 59 Opinion: Vegan View 60 Opinion: Pria Masson Tanwar 61 Opinion: Ouiam Charkani El Hsssani 63-66 Travel: Captivating Canada 72 Competition: Pure Yoga + Cycle vouchers 73 Horoscope: What's in store this month. 74 In Her Shoes: Kena Roldan 20 35 NOVEMBER 30 56 52 65
Joz Salon & Spa jozsalons Joz Salons & Spas Awali 17756449 Juffair 17369133 Joz Men 17533768 FOR APPOINTMENT & BOOKINGS Every once in a while Brush of Perfection
www.womanthismonth.com November 2018 6 This month has been a bit crazy in the WTM offices. We're planning a major restructure. In response to what you've been telling us, we will be putting much more of your favourite content online, meaning even more regular updates of news from across the worlds of fashion, beauty and all things female-centric. And, as if preparing for that wasn't enough, we've also been organising the inaugural Women In Aviation Conference/Forum. Taking part on the sidelines of the Bahrain International Air Show, it's aimed at women who either are or would like to be in the aviation and aerospace industries. You can read all about it in this month's special feature. One of my favourite things in this month's magazine is my interview with Adhunika Prakash. From the humble beginnings of a confused and lonely new mum, she's built an 85,000-strong Facebook group supporting other women and her efforts have been recognised by the social media giant - selfie with Sheryl Sandberg, oh, OK then! In the well-being section Behnaz reports on an issue that affects huge numbers of people across our region - diabetes. Causes, treatments and ways to avoid it, she's got them all. And, in travel, Suzanne looks at some of the less popular city's in Canada. I must admit, the pictures from Banff had me doing some serious Goodle dreaming. Behnaz has been breakfasting again, this month at Fraser Suites and Apple enjoyed a delightful hamam treatment. Yep, I'm still missing out. Perhaps they'll let me go and try something next month...or not. As always we've got our regular round-up of fashion trends, tips and style ideas plus beauty news and more. I hope to see some of you at the air show and I'd love to hear what you think of this month's mag, hope you enjoy it. chairman & publisher GEORGE F MIDDLETON editorial director LIZ O'REILLY contributors APPLE SHARMA BEHNAZ SANJANA FERNANDA LANGHAMMER SUZANNE NICHOLAS RAPHAEL PRIA MASSON LAHAN SPERINCK OUIAM CHARKANI EL HASSANI print production manager SABU SEBASTIAN layout & graphics HATEM MONEM media coordinator SARAH ANSARI media managers FARHEEN AHMED circulation and research ROANNA FERNANDES photography editor MONA ABDUL JABBAR photographers RANJITH MOHAN SUBEESH KUMAR NS printing press DAR AKHBAR AL KHALEEJ W.L.L., BAHRAIN DIGITAL & CONTENT MARKETING TEAM Digital Strategy Director LINI REGUNATH MADHAVAN Digital Marketing Manager INDIRA VISWANATHAN Content Editors ADNAN SIPRA, SHAMA UCHIL Video Producer DARIO GODIC Art & Animation Director HATEM MONEM Contents copyrighted 2018© 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 November 2018, Issue 189 On the cover: Women in Aviation EDITOR’S NOTE The only women's magazine distributed with the GDN Liz O’Reilly Editorial Director Farheen's been busy this month heading to the Orsay Think Pink breast cancer awareness event and popping into Le Meridien's new Au Soleil evening.
November 2018 www.womanthismonth.com news 8 Letters Its great that WTM dedicated so many pages to the issue of breast cancer. Its not a new term for women of any age anymore, but it needs to be in our faces often so that we are reminded to get screened regularly, and pay attention to our physical and mental health. It was especially heartening to know that there are women like Shaikha Alanood who are dedicating their time and efforts to affected women. Good job! Najla, Budaiya We women are thrust with stereotypes more often than not, one of the most common being that we don’t do well with numbers. Well, people are being proved wrong (a lot) these days, thanks to women who are ruling the roost in financial organisations and not willing to rest on their laurels. It’s not said enough that we can crunch numbers just as well as we can be caregivers and nurturers. I enjoyed reading about the work that the women featured in your magazine are doing. Another generalisation that we deal with is that a working relationship between two females is riddled with jealousy, doubt and one-upmanship, but I think it’s on the contrary. Only a woman will have the heart (and common sense) to hold up, support, guide, fill in for and genuinely befriend a lady colleague. Rita, Busaiteen Most Liked Post on Instagram On Instagram, we ran a competion asking participants to follow our Instagram and tag three friends. This gained maximum reach and interaction. Most Liked Post on Facebook On Facebook, our post about Rangelo Ras Dandiya night by the Indian Ladies Association got the highest number of organic likes and reach. Best Reaction on Twitter We want to hear your thoughts on Woman This Month. Write to us at [email protected] Follow us on: Instagram: @womanthismonth Twitter: @WomanThisMonth Facebook: Woman This Month Déjà vu? After a long pause, work on the launch of a replica of the ill-fated RMS Titanic has recommenced, announced Australian businessman and politician Clive Palmer, who is behind the controversial initiative. The new ship will allegedly be an identical copy of the infamous liner, which sank in 1912 following a collision with an iceberg. Titanic II will apparently be outfitted with plenty of life boats, will have a welded hull, plus modern navigation and radar equipment. The ship will follow the original journey, carrying passengers from Southampton to New York, with the first sailing scheduled in 2022. It'll be outfitted exactly like the original Titanic – including the grand staircase that plays a memorable role in James Cameron's hit movie. www.cnn.com # Trending What’s caught our eye in the news this month Wedding Donation Bride-to-be, Kolbie Sanders, called off her wedding in October, a week before the actual date. She donated her venue and decorations to a couple she had never met before. She wrote on Facebook: “Since my wedding venue has been paid for in full already, I have decided to donate my venue valued at $3,500 to a couple to use for their wedding day! They would need to be ready to get married on the date that my venue is booked for.” The kindly singleton said that it was for couples who love each other and will continue to choose each other for the rest of their lives. From 45 potential entrants, Halie Hipsher’s name was drawn, who was overjoyed to have been picked. www.metro.co.uk I have been thinking about re-doing my kitchen, but do not want to spend a bomb as I live in a rented apartment. The Homes section in last month’s issue gave me some inspiration to do this on a budget, and without making any major changes. I’ve already visited some of the retailers you have featured, and am on my way to a brand-new kitchen look in time for the holiday season. Jo, Adliya On twitter, our post on Forsati by the United Nations received the highest impressions.
November 2018 www.womanthismonth.com news 10 Headbangin’ Heaven If you like your music loud and your metal heavy (is there any other way?), then you’re in for a treat on Heavy Metal night at Republiq Lounge! Head down on November 19 for a night of metal mayhem featuring three killer bands and possibly even more. The day after is a public holiday so you have no excuse not to show up and bang your head all night long! On stage will be Bloodshel – classic Bahrain heavy metal from a band who’ve just released their album Phase One and are always ready to put on a cracking performance. There’s also thrash metal pioneers Motor Militia. Get yourself a copy of their new album World in Flames, it will pound you into submission. And, after a few years off, Rain In Hell return to performance with their unique brand of extreme metal. November in Focus It’s A Knockout! Well, hopefully there won’t be any actual knockouts. But Fight Night is back for round five and we know at least one of the lovely ladies we interviewed before the last event will be in the ring again at Crowne Plaza when the boxing tournament returns on November 1. We love that the organisers at Lift and Bahrain Boxing Club take great pains to make sure there are some female bouts on the card at each of these events. And we’re even more impressed that there are so many women willing to give it a go. Head down and show your support. We may well see you there. Christmas is Coming The holiday season is, indeed, inbound — and that means it’s time for the annual festive fairs and a chance to get your hands on some bargains at the same time as supporting good causes. Awali Festive Fayre is at the Bapco Club on November 10 and the following week the American Women’s Association is at The Diplomat. November 30 is ladiesonly day at the BSPCA Thrift Shop where there’ll be designer frocks, jewellery and other goodies on offer. And on the same day there’s a big boutique sale with designer duds and Christmas goodies at Bahrain Rugby Club, from the ladies who run the Dogfather’s second-hand shop. See, plenty of opportunities to bag a bargain. A Taste of Beverley Hills pic in listings Can’t make it to LA? Never mind, Hollywood’s coming to us in the shape of a pop-up from Wolfgang Puck. The man who caters the Oscars, and already has two rather fab eateries at Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, is sending his original diner, Spago, to Bahrain on November 8 and 9. Enjoy the inventive, market-driven menus, buzzing atmosphere and exceptional service. The two-day pop-up event will transform CUT by Wolfgang Puck steakhouse into a faithful representation of this iconic eatery. Each and every detail of the Spago experience will be authentically recreated, from the cocktail list to the staff uniforms and – most excitingly – the two-Michelin-starred cuisine by chef Tetsu Yahigi, who will be flying in from the States to cook up a storm in the kitchen alongside executive chef Brian Becher. Excited much? Superstar Sisters Coral Bay welcomes sisters Mim and Liv Nervo, of NERVO. The pair have written floor fillers for the likes of David Guetta and Kelly Rowland, Aoki and Kylie Minogue and their viral hit Best Friend has become the official iPhone X launch song with 30 million views on YouTube and 40 million streams on Spotify. Turn up and tune in on November 29 to hear for yourself what all the fuss is about.
November 2018 www.womanthismonth.com news 12 HOT SHOTS Is It Fair? Transsexual cyclist Rachel McKinnon sparked controversy after winning a gold in a women’s world championship race prompting the third place finisher, Jennifer Wagner, to say “It’s definitely NOT fair” in response to a Tweet. McKinnon argues that her eligibility to compete is within the rules and regulations adopted by the International Olympic Committee and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). However, there is a long-running battle raging in the CAS on the subject of requiring female athletes in some sports to meet an upper testosterone limit – with the use of drugs to reduce the male hormone if necessary. To be honest, I’m really not sure how I feel about this one. On the one hand, I support the right of transgender women to be treated equally. On the other, it does seem unfair for female athletes to be competing against people whose body composition, aside from the realignment surgery, would seem to give them an unfair advantage. I’d love to know what you think. Macron’s Mummy Gaffe The seemingly enlightened French President, Emmanuel Macron, put his foot in it with mums across the globe after claiming educated women don’t have big families. Last year he came under fire for suggesting that Africa’s main problem is “seven, eight children per woman”. And at the end of September, he dipped his toe back into the waters of controversy in a speech to the Gates Foundation’s Goalkeepers Summit in which he stated: “Please present me the lady who decided, being perfectly educated, to have seven, eight, nine children.” Admittedly, his point was supposed to be that parenthood should be a choice. But there’s been a backlash from educated mums who’ve taken to bombarding the president in a campaign with Postcards to Macron sharing pictures of themselves and their large families. I have some sympathy with the hapless leader since it seems his heart is in the right place, but you’d think someone in such a high-level position could choose his words more carefully! Now, That’s Service There’s been a bit of rain in recent days. Some of us have rejoiced, though I’m quite put out that it rained in Juffair, where I work, but not at home in my garden. Of course, there were loads of social media posts about it – after all, we see showers so very rarely and almost never in October. I have to say the post featuring a man being pushed to his car in a shopping trolley, apparently by supermarket employees, has to be my favourite. Check it out here https:// www.facebook.com/100011658914450/ posts/714790118919612/ and feel free to share your own videos on our social media pages too. I’m With Swifty Taylor Swift has come in for some flack for sharing her political views, endorsing Democrat candidates for the upcoming mid-term elections in the US. Some would say she should stick to entertainment, while Republican fans have said they feel "betrayed" as if the singer is discounting their long-term support and adoration. The backlash seems a bit hypocritical when President Trump doesn’t seem to have a problem with using performers’ work without their permission – even to the extent that Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler had to officially order the Trump campaign to stop using his songs at its rallies! I say, good on Taylor. People in the public eye have a voice, why shouldn’t they use it? From the editor's chair, Liz O'Reilly shares the things that have piqued her interest this month. Word of the Month Something we all suffer from time to time, Kakorrhaphiophobia is the fear of failure.
14 November 2018 www.womanthismonth.com SOCIAL BUTTERFLY ASEAN Delights Launch Lulu Hypermarket & ASEAN Bahrain Council, with the cooperation of the ASEAN Committee in Manama, held the inauguration of ASEAN Delights at Ramli Mall. Lulu American Festival Lulu Hypermarket inaugurated the ‘Discover America’ festival at its premises in Juffair Mall. Lulu Food Week Lulu Hypermarket held the inauguration of its Italian Food Week at its premises in Juffair Mall. The cake-cutting ceremony Talal, HE Nur Syahrir Rahardjo, Shaikha Rana & Faryal The cake-cutting ceremony Management with the Italian Ambassador Akram Miknas & Cristina Waleed Al Rayes, Kaleem, Shukoor & Juzer
Doggone Crazy Longchamp and Cloe Floirat have stolen our hearts with these deliciously doggy offerings from the autumn-winter 2018 collection. The little red dog is reminiscent of Santa’s Little Helper and we desperately want to take him home. Available at www.longchamp.com November 2018 www.womanthismonth.com 16 FASHION | pick of the month
LIALI showcase www.womanthismonth.com November 2018 17
November 2018 www.womanthismonth.com 18 FASHION | get the look While time travelling is an imaginary thing in sci-fi movies and TV series, in fashion it is a very common theme. Fernanda Langhammer highlights the ‘80s fashion that has been revisiting our wardrobes. During the nineties and noughties people used to say the eighties were the decade that style forgot (too many things to be ashamed of!). Now, though, this feeling has changed. For the past two to three seasons, colourful ‘80s style has been resurging; a few details here and there or sometimes a whole look inspired by it. Get ready to travel in time to build your fashion future. What are the elements that you remember most? Shoulder pads, stirrup leggings, the colour combinations? Check out this reinterpretation of the period with a few elements from the era when the Internet was just as impossible as time travelling. '80s Fashionista. Girls were as stylish as now and mixing trendy elements was a big thing. Turtlenecks, stirrup leggings, pearl necklaces and the iconic quilted bag with chain, inspired by Chanel’s Diana bag, gave the tone to a cool look for a chilled night out. Shoes were painted in bright colours, usually matching the handbag and a possible belt, which in my opinion is a bit too much. A colourful focal point is enough to prove the point. And yes, the necklace is supposed to be worn outside the turtleneck! Quilted handbag, Parfois, 17 178-054. Pink stilettos, New Look, 17 179-406. Plaid turtleneck sweater, Lacoste, 17 179-530. Iconic Eighties Pearl necklace, Michael Kors Collection, 17 178-630. Stirrup leggings, Guess, 17 178-158. Black jacket, Zara, 17 112-333. Princess Diana
www.womanthismonth.com November 2018 19 FASHION | get the look Extreme ‘80s. Looking for something even more ‘80s? Experiment with colours. Bright hues to be more precise. High-rise trousers, a cropped bustier top and a long coat are the key for this feminine look. Shiny accessories complement the outfit while ‘80s sunnies will take you back in time. Another way of embracing colour without looking like a Pantone palette is to choose two bright tones and mix with black or white. When going for this, don’t forget to put odd colours together such as red and purple or orange and green. Plaid jacket, Mango, 17 581-883. High-top trainers, Bershka, 17 172-303. High-rise denims, Mango, 17 581-883. Quilted shoulder bag, Gucci, 17 131-218. Yellow coat, Wallis, 17 583-236. Black cropped bustier, Bershka, 17 172-303. Royal blue trousers, Lipsy, 17 179-385. Structured earrings, Next, 17 581-681. Pink and black handbag, Oliver Bonas oliverbonas.com. Pink sunglasses, River Island, 17 110-370. Slingback pumps, Debenhams, 17 110-378. Casual ‘80s. High-top sports shoes had been popular since the 1920s, when basketball player Chuck Taylor started wearing them, but they only became a real fashion statements in the ‘80s. Teamed with a pair of high-rise denims and an oversized jacket, the look is the ultimate laid-back style of the period. Add polka dot accessories if you want to embrace another symbol of the decade. To finalise and make your look more contemporary, throw on a plain T-shirt with an 80s-inspired print and you are ready to roll in perfect vintage with a style twist. Polka dot earrings, Accessorize, 17 179-786. Printed T-shirt, Zara, 17 112-333. Gucci AW 2018-2019 Sarah Jessica Parker
November 2018 www.womanthismonth.com 20 FASHION | trend Grandpa’s Wardrobe If you search your old man’s closet, I’m sure you will find a few pieces with the argyle motif – make sure you steal them! Luckily, they are equally at home in both male and female looks. The diamond pattern is a vintage style lusted after by the most fashionable millennials. Must-have: A long jumper featuring this print is effortless and still the coolest way of embracing the trend. Extra point: Team your favourite piece with another pattern such as florals. Just keep in mind to look for the same colour scheme. Feeling edgy? Pair an ordinary cardigan with sequinned trousers for an out-ofthe box look and awesome effect!
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November 2018 www.womanthismonth.com 22 FASHION | focus Shirt Just as the name suggests, these jackets have a similar fitting to a shirt. The difference lies in the fabric, which is usually thicker, and in the fact that its hem will have a better finish than a regular blouse. Great worn by itself or with a turtleneck underneath. Tunics, coats, capes – there are so many stylish ways of keeping warm during the cooler weather, which is finally here. This month, Fernanda Langhammer is exploring the world of jackets. Autumn is the time to prepare yourself for the season ahead. It’s time to don those lightweight coats and enjoy the cool breeze that blows in the evening. Of course this is a reality when living in other countries away from the Middle East. However, we love the idea of throwing a jacket here and there more for style purposes than necessity. The focus this month is to have a look at the designs at mid-stomach length, their different materials and how to wear them at their best. The weather might not be that cold yet – some people might say if ever – but, in my opinion, it does get chilly when the wind finds our little island. If you have cold hands and feet (in the literal way) like me, don’t get caught by surprise and make sure you carry a jacket wherever you go. There are fashionable choices and practical ones. Pick the style you like the most and enjoy the outdoors as much as you can before the heat hits us again. Cath Kidston Snuggle Up Denim These are sometimes seen as too casual, but often a relaxed look is exactly what you want. Perfect for mid-season, this jacket is more versatile than it seems. It goes well with flowy dresses, wide-legged trousers and jumpsuits. You can even team it with your favourite jeans and, no, it won’t look weird. Corduroy This style of velvet became a big thing during the 1970s and all sorts of clothing was made from it. Its thick property makes it a warm pick for winter and a vintage style-maker to transform and upgrade a casual look. Stradivarius New Look
www.womanthismonth.com November 2018 23 FASHION | focus Padded This type of jacket comes from the winter’s sports world and invaded our fashion lives through the athleisure trend. It is a warmer option for those colder days, creating a great wind barrier. Perfect to go with your denims or if you want to break some rules (I’m very much in favour of that); wear it on top of your favourite LBD and finalise the look with fabulous heels. Leather This jacket represents rock ‘n’ roll, punks and rebels from different groups. It sets a style by itself and grabs all the attention as part of a look. It can be made in real leather (if you care for animals you might think twice) or, as more common nowadays, in synthetic materials. Puffer Not your everyday jacket, but a comfy and out-of-the-box choice that seems to have conquered the racks of many stores this year. Wear it whenever you want to feel warm and stand out as the fashionista amongst your friends. Team it with a boyfriend or skinny denims and high-heeled sandals for pure glamour. Again though, be animal friendly and choose a non-feather option. Lacoste Next Michael Kors Collection Tweed A classic and timeless number and a must-have in your wardrobe. It gives elegance to your office look and acts as a great option to your tired, solid and boring suit jackets. Traditional choices come with buttons, while contemporary pieces close with a zipper. Lipsy H&M Biker A popular choice in young girls’ wardrobes, this jacket was born in the motorcycle world and has a transversal zipper to protect the chest from the wind. It is stylish and the best warmer to go with your clubbing look. It can be made in different materials, such as suede, leather and even thick cotton.
November 2018 www.womanthismonth.com FASHION |essentials 24 10 Things to Try This Month Heritage Chic. The classic tweed is back! Dust off your tweed suit and place it in a privileged position in your wardrobe. The Future Is Now. Together with metallic fever, a new visual effect is trending – the holographic sheen. Look to Balmain’s collection for highend inspiration. Glazed Looks. Still in the texture field, brands have decided to make everything glossy. Add a layer of shine to polish your looks and deliver the right amount of diva touch to your closet. Make all your superhero fashion dreams real when wearing a cape. Folksy Velvet. Winter has a special selection of fabrics that usually pop up on the stores’ racks at this time, such as wool, fleece and many others. However, corduroy is the one to highlight for its warmth and uniqueness. Layering is the word to stay warm and fashionable! Prairie Dress. A fluttery, long and loose piece is a must-have in your wardrobe. It can be made in thick knit or paperthin chiffon – pick your favourite. Just look for a part bohemian and part Victorian style to hit the nail on the head! Statement headwear, here we go! Be the heroine you have to be and dress for the occasion. Go for dark hues and a mysterious air. 1 5 6 7 3 4 8 10 CH Carolina Herrera Dior§ Bershka Zara Alberta Ferretti Dorothy Perkins Balenciaga§ Stradivarius Etro Balmain 2 Dune London Winter Florals. Flowers are one of the most popular prints in the fashion world. You can count on them during warm and cold weather. The only difference is that during the greyer season, the background is usually dark to match the cloudy days. Autumn is here, maybe not the weather per se, but that’s what the calendar says. Time to have a look at Fernanda Langhammer’s picks for the cold season ahead. 9
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November 2018 www.womanthismonth.com 26 FASHION | fashion forward BACKSTAGE PASS Our take on what's cool, trending and fashionable Middle East Gets Special-Edition Whitney Bag Michael Kors is moving its store at The Dubai Mall to a new, expanded location. To celebrate the new Middle East flagship, which will showcase even more of the world of Michael Kors, the brand is introducing a special-edition Whitney handbag, to be available in Michael Kors stores across the Middle East. The Whitney, first introduced this past summer, has become the newest iconic style from MICHAEL Michael Kors. Designed as a group of 24/7, work-to-weekend bags, the Whitney combines sophisticated silhouettes with on-the-go versatility. The subtle but distinctive ‘M’ shape on the front nods to the designer’s initial, a letter he’s been sketching since he was a child. Every bag also features a sleek, distinctive push-lock fastening with pyramid stud detailing. Cindy’s Shoes What do you do if you’re a supermodel who loves a certain brand of footwear? Well, if you’re Cindy Crawford, you not only invest in the company but you also get to design your own range. Sarah Flint shoes already has a celebrity following. The brand’s footwear has graced the feet of stars from Jane Fonda to Blake Lively and even Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex. Now, designer Flint has teamed up Cindy Crawford to collaborate on a threepiece ‘Jet Set’ capsule, with the model promising three different styles that are beautiful, versatile and easy to throw in a carry-on bag. Paula Ka Turns 30 The spring-summer 2019 collection from the iconic French ready-to-wear brand, Paula Ka, has been created by founder Serge Cajfinger to highlight the best of the last 30 years. And in a campaign shot by English photographer Charlotte Wales, Czech supermodel and actress Karolina Kurkova brings the new-old looks to life. Cajfinger says the collection is “inspired by the years when I, myself, was 30. A hymn to love, sensuality, freedom and the joy of living. I had a wonderfully good time recreating the festive spirit that reigned at Studio 54 in New York, at the Palace, or at the Bains-Douches in Paris. I added the graphic style I love from Greece, without forgetting the masculine-feminine theme or the little black dress, a must-have for every wardrobe.” New Victoria’s Secret Collabo The lingerie giant has teamed up with the ‘Queen of Prints’ to create Victoria’s Secret x Mary Katrantzou. The London-based fashion designer has come up with an exclusive collection that perfectly blends her feminine and innovative design aesthetic with the sexy and glamorous style that Victoria’s Secret is known for. “Everything that Victoria’s Secret creates is about a woman feeling confident and empowered — and also having fun with what she is wearing, This collaboration is going to be bold, fun and playful,” says the designer. Katrantzou has also designed a section for the 2018 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Her capsule collection will feature looks from the runway and will be carried in select Victoria’s Secret stores and online this holiday season.
www.womanthismonth.com November 2018 27 FASHION | fashion forward Stella Still Cares Marking October’s Breast Cancer Awareness month, British designer Stella McCartney has launched the Stella McCartney Cares Foundation – a charity dedicated to the prevention, early detection and treatment of the disease. The designer’s mother, Linda McCartney, lost her battle with the disease in 1998 and Stella has participated in a number of awareness campaigns. Now, with her new foundation, she wants to focus on care for patients as well as survivors and their families. The charity’s first initiative will be the donation of 1,000 of the brand’s Louis Listening postoperative mastectomy compression bras to women undergoing breast cancer treatment. Zendaya Signs For Hilfiger Actress, singer and all-round stylish person Zendaya has been named Tommy Hilfiger‘s new global women’s ambassador. The 22-year-old takes over the role from Gigi Hadid and has said she feels “empowered” to have been chosen to represent the American brand. As well as lending her face to Tommy’s spring 2019 global campaign, she is also creating a Tommy x Zendaya capsule collection which will be available for one season, beginning next February. She told Women’s Wear Daily: “Fashion is more than just wearing cool clothes. It’s a way to celebrate self-expression and individuality, which is extremely empowering. This is why I am proud to partner with Tommy Hilfiger.” AccorHotels Luxe Showcase Event Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa hosted the AccorHotels Luxe Showcase event at Fiamma restaurant. Emre, Alaina, Mark & Mehdi Khalid, Felix & Victor Euna, Annie, Fatima, Abdul Hai & Nesrine Alaina & Mushtak
November 2018 www.womanthismonth.com 28 showcase ARE WOMEN OPPONENTS OR ALLIES IN THE WORKPLACE? In the latest in a series tackling women’s issues, Bahrain Credit’s Imtiaz For Her Hosts chats to three inspiring leaders to explore this workplace myth. Hosts Give us a brief about yourself and what you do for a living. To be honest, I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I started working full-time at 19 and went to university in the evenings to study business management. I fell into a career of marketing and business development on the logistics side. I was lucky that I was working at a place where the HR person left. I took it on as extra work and loved it immediately and, because I have worked on the other side, I knew the problems and the things people didn’t like. I took two courses in labour law, and then certification, and I have been doing this job for seven years now. How do you find working with women in comparison to male colleagues? I think that at times we [women] are our own worst enemies; we let emotions come into play too much. I find that women don’t bond together as well as men perceive themselves bonding and reacting to each other. I don’t think men are less jealous et cetera, they just don’t show it! We women are the ones that say things about each other – it’s a stereotype and I’m generalising a bit but I have seen it happen. I find men a lot easier than women; you have to be more aware of emotions when working with women. Another way that we are our own worst enemies is that we don’t push ourselves to take on things we don’t know, new challenges. Guys will take on new things and bluff their way through. For example, if you stand up to do a presentation and you’re so scared that you get something wrong – if it’s a man, nobody really takes any notice and they just carry on, but if it’s a woman, other women will be the ones commenting on the mistake rather than letting it go the way men do. There’s also the issue of people assuming that women have attained good jobs or promotions through means other than their own achievements. I think we all know what I mean. And that is not just men thinking that, again it’s other women. How can we overcome the difficulties, perceived or otherwise, for women working together? I think we need to trust each other a bit more. All of us need to bond and support each other. It’s not that hard to crack the ceiling, it’s about being more open minded. Bond together; be proud when a girl gets that promotion; support each other and celebrate each other’s triumphs. Do you have a positive message for women and girls in the workplace? I would really like women going into the workforce not to feel that they are not equal to their male counterparts. They can achieve anything – and women such as Amal as COO of Tamkeen demonstrate that. Bahraini employers are very pro-women; women just need to stop putting up road blocks for each other. JORDANA SEMAAN Head of HR Jordana is head of HR at APM Terminals, which runs Khalifa bin Salman Port. It has 500 staff and it is a male-dominated atmosphere.
www.womanthismonth.com showcase For inquiries please contact the brand managers via email: [email protected] or on whatsapp 34 422-227 / 33 282-228 Give us a brief about yourself and what you do for a living. I lead on the various support services provided to entrepreneurs and SMEs to help them start and grow their business. We run a unique entrepreneur programme called BDB Rowad which includes coaching, mentoring, funding, events, and special perks. I have an undergraduate degree in finance and a Master’s in public policy and management. I started my career in mainstream banking and, after living the financial crisis in 2008 as an employee of the infamous Lehman Brothers, I then had a turn in my career toward development and entrepreneurship where I started with the Bahrain Development Bank. How do you find working with females in comparison to male colleagues? I think that working with either gender can prove to be very similar. The start of my career was predominantly with male colleagues and only recently do I lead a fully female team. The key to working with colleagues is to identify and respect the individual and work with them based on merit and build a professional relationship. I think that the comparison does not lie with gender, but rather is based on capability, and sometimes that can differ due to circumstances for either gender. It never occurred to me [to judge] by gender, but I prefer working with supervisors that are empathetic and measure capability based on merit and accomplishments. How can we overcome the difficulties, perceived or otherwise, for women working together? I don’t see any difficulties with working with women. I think it is important to build rapport with colleagues and create a professional work environment where segregation by gender does not become apparent, but rather we are highlighting strengths and capabilities in a merit-based environment. Do you have a positive message for girls and women in the workplace? I think it is important to be able to silence the noise of stereotypes around women, and women working together, and to focus on your individual capability and growth. By focusing on the core of being able to achieve, it will be easier for you to determine whether you are in the right environment for your individual growth and success. Give us a brief about yourself and what you do for a living. My journey started in 1994 after college – I was a trainer in leadership management for 12 years and was then involved with the establishment team of Tamkeen Labour Fund. I was there for another 12 years – eventually becoming chief operating officer. I left to go into private practice and am the managing director of Human Capital Development Advisory. I’ve spent the last year exploring what I really want to do, which is a beautiful feeling. My passion is human capital development, especially youth. I thought I would like to help both Bahrain and other countries, possibly through designing start-up ecosystems. I want to focus on youth and get my hands dirty. I’ve also joined the Rotary Club of Adliya where I want to have an impact through introducing youth initiatives and introducing debate between millennials and managers. How do you find working with females in comparison to male colleagues? I don’t disagree with what Jordana says but I do feel that fear exists in men; their expression of it is just different, though there are very expressive men as well. If men are working with strong women, they may be afraid of them and will discount them through fear. Regarding how I feel about working with female versus male colleagues – I feel that they are equal. I look at people, I don’t look at gender. Yes, it may be difficult to talk to some people, but that’s not gender specific; you have to try to understand the human factor rather than gender. How can we overcome the difficulties, perceived or otherwise, for women working together? It’s not always a pink and pretty world but you have to believe that there is a slice for everyone. If we start to think this way, we will succeed. And we can support both men and women. Though I admit that saying this and believing it are different things. Do you have a positive message for girls and women in the workplace? I celebrate my femininity; I’ve cried in board rooms and been promoted. Don’t shy away from being emotional. I don’t want girls to work just to ease the family’s financial burden. Work should not be just a job. Try to enjoy what you do, to find your calling, because if you find it you will give it your all. And never stop learning. AMAL AL KOOHEJI Managing Director Amal is managing director of Human Capital Development Advisory particulary focusing on youth. ARIEJE AL-SHAKAR Senior Vice President Arieje is senior vice president and head of development services at the Bahrain Development Bank. 29 November 2018
November 2018 www.womanthismonth.com 30 PEOPLE | interview ADHUNIKA’S FACEBOOK TRIUMPH From frazzled new mum to Facebook community champion, Adhunika Prakash tells Liz O’Reilly what drives her passion for breastfeeding education. Visiting and speaking at Facebook Headquarters, featuring in a picture sent out across social media by the company’s world-famous COO, Sheryl Sandberg, and gaining access to a potential USD1 million in funding for her own voluntary initiative. It’s all in a day’s work for the Bahrain-based breastfeeding champion. Adhunika set up her Facebook group, Breast Feeding Support for Indian Mothers, in June 2013. She explains: “I have always been the sort of person who’s full of questions. When I was pregnant with my oldest child, I wanted to breastfeed because I had read up on the advantages. But, once he was born, I realised there was noone to ask things such as how long do you feed from each breast? I went through lots of websites but there is a lot of conflicting information. “You see the pictures of motherhood and everything looks perfect – they’re in perfect clothes and there’s no spit-up in sight. But, in reality, it’s hard and there would be long hours where I would just nurse and nurse. “When my son was seven months old, by that time I was in Ireland [with my husband’s job] and I joined an Irish breast-feeding support group. I felt like I wasn’t alone any more. You have people telling you they’re there for you. “About four months after that I founded the Indian group because there are lots of traditions that are followed, for example, in regard to confinement and diet – so I wanted something that was culturally sensitive and non-judgmental. I wanted to have someone on call that you could ask for personal advice when you’ve barely slept and you feel like a zombie!” After one year, the group had around 300 members and Adhunika teamed up with friend Madhu Singh Panda, who was also a member of the Irish group. Adhunika continues: “I wanted the group to be a real support to lots of people and to provide accurate information, because there’s an awful lot of it [conflicting information] out there. More than anything, I wanted to provide a platform that’s respectful – no mommy wars or airs of superiority for different types of parenting. I actually felt bullied on some platforms when I raised Adhunika The picture shared by Sheryl Sandberg With Ime Archibong, FB's VP product partnerships
www.womanthismonth.com November 2018 31 PEOPLE | interview differing opinions and that made me feel lonely.” These days, the group has grown to 85,000 members with a team of 40 on call to offer advice and support 24/7. And Adhunika says: “I keep reiterating to my team that we’re all doing our best for our children, and I don’t want anyone feeling that they’re not, or others feeling that they’re doing better.” The group has members from the Indian diaspora, and others from across the world but primarily from the sub-continent, and they are a diverse group, from professionals to stay-at-home mums. “But, they’re all women who’ve had that feeling of helplessness,” says Adhunika. In February, Facebook announced its Community Leadership Programme. Adhunika applied and, last month, was delighted to discover she was among five chosen from 6,000 entrants to become a community leader – giving her potential access to the massive funding to grow her programme. She says: “To be honest, it hasn’t really sunk in yet. It’s a huge responsibility and I know I have to make plans to use it wisely and come up with a proper strategy. I would like for us to have better before-birth education at the antenatal stage because, once the baby comes along, it’s ‘hello sleep deprivation’. “I’d like to have more meetup groups – we previously had them in 12 cities in three countries: India, Australia and the UAE, and would like to revive them. And more breastfeeding education in hospitals in India. “I’d also really like to reach out to the rural segment in India, but we need to look at how feasible that is – anything new always comes with resistance, even more so when it’s an initiative by a woman. Whatever I do, I want it to be sustainable, to grow over time. “For now, though, I’m looking at all the options and just feeling incredibly grateful.” At the Mashable Social Good event in evenSummit Selfie with Sheryl Sandberg Banu Malek
Digital Edition Read Woman This Month in any format convenient to you • Print • Online • Digital • Social media to keep you abreast of everything that’s happening in and about town. You can now read Woman This Month from its Instagram account. Click on the bio-link and it takes you to a curated page where you can tap the images and read the articles. Simple, convenient and easy!! WOMAN THIS MONTH GOES MULTI-PLATFORM womanthismonth Go Published monthly by: Red House Marketing P. O. Box: 20461, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain telephone: (17) 813-777 fax: (17) 813-700 email: [email protected]
www.womanthismonth.com November 2018 33 FEATURE | women in aviation It might seem that the role of women in aviation is a recent thing but, in truth, women have been taking to the skies almost as long as men. Just a few months after the first manned flight of the Montgolfier brothers’ hot air balloon, in 1783, French woman Marie Élisabeth Thible became the first female in the basket. Since then, women have shown their determination to take on roles from engineers to maintenance and from air traffic control to pilots chalking up firsts across the board, particularly in the 20th and 21st centuries. In recent years, our region has been at the forefront of the development of women’s roles in the aviation sector. In celebration of this, Woman This Month and our parent company Red House Marketing, in association with The Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications and Bahrain International Air Show 2018, are staging the inaugural Women In Aviation Conference. Over the following pages, we tell you what it’s all about and introduce some of our special guests. TAKING TO THE SKIES
November 2018 www.womanthismonth.com 34 FEATURE | women in aviation WOMEN IN AVIATION CONFERENCE Introducing the biggest women’s event taking place this month. Taking place on the third day of Bahrain International Air Show, this ground-breaking conference takes the theme of ‘Championing the Promotion, Empowerment and Advancement of Women in the Aviation and Aerospace Industries (regionally and internationally)’. It will provide a venue for Middle Eastern women, and others, to openly discuss the serious issues facing them in the pursuit of careers in the aviation and aerospace industries and offer practical solutions. The Women In Aviation Conference (WIAC) will act as a beacon to the current generation of prospective female aviation industry professionals looking for inspiration, leadership and guidance from those already in the field. Delegates have been invited from around the world to take part and the major aims and objectives of the conference are: • To encourage collaboration with aviation industry officials. • The implementation of policies and processes for the empowerment of women through education, training and fast-track development programmes. • To offer a roadmap for those contemplating a career in the industry. Attendees will have the chance to establish a network of successful female aviation professions across all levels who will be able to work together to find creative solutions to the issues facing women in the industry. It will present an opportunity for female aviation professionals to present their concerns to policy makers, both in person and through conference-generated reports. And, very importantly, it will encourage aviation professionals not currently involved in gender equality issues in the industry, to support women in aviation. His Excellency, the Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, Engineer Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed said: “We are proud, in Bahrain, to have women participate in different segments in the value chain of the aviation industry. We see them as air traffic controllers, as pilots, as engineers, within the Civil Aviation Authority, we see them even with the ground handling companies. “However, there is a great opportunity here to expand and increase the number of women participating in this sector. We have not done enough – the whole region – to increase the participation of women and I am looking forward to the outcome of the event [Women In Aviation Conference]. I am sure they will discuss the subject and come up with recommendations or some solutions that we can consider, here, in Bahrain.” The two-hour conference will take the form of two panel discussions, featuring a selection of submitted questions. These will be followed by a panelists’ Q&A in which delegates get to quiz our expert guests. The event will be livestreamed to reach an international audience. Taking part in conjunction with the Bahrain International Air Show, those attending also receive admission to the show. Scan to watch the minister's full interview
www.womanthismonth.com November 2018 35 FEATURE | women in aviation Panel Moderator Captain Alia Al Twal An outstanding student – she graduated from school in her native Jordan with the second highest mark in the country – Alia convinced her family within a year to allow her to fulfil her dream of becoming a pilot. She started flying lessons in 2006, graduating from the Ayla Aviation Academy in Aqaba as a flight instructor and, at 21, was accepted at the Mid-East Aviation Academy in Amman as the youngest woman instructor in the region. After three years with the academy, Alia joined Royal Jordanian Airlines in 2011 and has gone from strength to strength since. With over 6,000 hours logged in jet aeroplanes, she has flown the Airbus family for Royal Jordanian Airlines as a first officer and is fast approaching the day when she will be handed her own command. Alia also holds the position of governor of the Arabian Section of The Ninety-Nines, the International Organisation of Women Pilots from more than 35 countries, which was founded in 1929 by 99 women pilots. Amelia Earhart, the first female pilot to ever fly solo across the Atlantic was its first president. Today, it has more than 3,500 members from around the world and the Middle East chapter now has 40 members from countries including Jordan, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Algeria, Qatar and Kuwait. In 2016, Alia was made a ‘liveryman’ in the Honourable Air Pilot Company – a rare honour bestowed on only three Jordanians before her: the others being the late King Hussein, HRH Prince Faisal Al Hussein and HRH Prince Hamza Al Hussein. Despite flying commercial jets for her country’s airline, Alia has not lost her sense of adventure and, indeed, the sense of purpose which made her take up flying in the first place. Whenever she gets the chance, she still flies single-engine planes, performs aerobatics in World War I-era biplanes and goes skydiving at every opportunity she gets. It is that same spirit that made her determined to show not only her family and society, but the world in general, that when a woman sets her mind on doing something, not even a man can equal her passion and professionalism. Alia has just one message for women, in any field, who are told, or are made to feel, that they are in any way lesser than their male peers. “When women, who don’t dare to dream or look ahead hear the stories of other female pilots and see their achievements, it will inspire them.” Panelist Hend Alawadhi Hend Alawadhi has always had a fascination with aviation which resulted in her determination to defy her society's expectations and take up a career as an aeronautical engineer. 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 (scholarship) offers and applied. Out of 500 hopefuls, she was one of just 30 to be chosen for the fouryear course. Following two years of theory, she embarked on two years with Gulf Air for training. She says: “As a woman in this field, I had to give twice as much as men to prove myself.” She was Gulf Air’s youngest engineer and says: “At the age of 23, I was signing off my first aeroplane as a full B1 engineer.” This means that as the aircraft engineer, she would fully certifying the plane’s fitness to fly. Over 10 years of 12-hour days, working with Gulf Air, one thing she was careful about was to make time for herself and preserve her sense of femininity, saying: “I don’t think it’s necessary to become masculine to succeed in a man’s world. 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 (Red Line Blog) where she shares pictures and lifestyle advice with her 38,000 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, block some people no matter how close they are for a period of time and just 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 think the main thing that helped me was that I just didn’t listen to the comments, believed in myself, got on with the job, and I learn as I go on.” These days Hend is with the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications as a senior airworthiness inspector, the only woman to hold this position.
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